Since I can't seem to post on Wednesday, Saturday will be the update day! Enjoy and I will post again next Saturday!
The last two weeks seem to have gone smoother. Alice is back at my parents' home, where things between Alice and my mom are still tense. Alice did apologize to her and I got mom to agree to give Bella another chance. Which thankfully, is going well despite my mother's worry.
I did however go to Jennifer's school and speak to her teacher, Ms. Denali, and made it clear that I was not happy with her pushing Jennifer to talk without talking to me first. She did apologize and said she was only trying to help. At the end of the meeting, it was agreed upon that we would have another meeting with Jennifer and with Tia being there as well. We all told Jennifer it was okay to talk if she wanted to, and that I wouldn't be upset if she spoke in class before speaking to me. It was also agreed that no one at school would harp on her. Lastly, Ms. Denali agreed to keep me more informed about what happens in school.
I pull up outside my home to the streaks of laughter, and I know this means Bella is here. I am not sure why, but for some reason, Bella seems to have a gift of making Jennifer giggle. And she seems to be here daily for an hour and sometimes more.
"Arg, hand over the gold, little lady." I cross my arm as I look at the scene before me. Jennifer, my princess, is in fact dressed like a princess, holding a chest. Bella, on the other hand, is dress up like a pirate, she even has a sword.
Jennifer's eyes go right to mine and she runs to me excitedly. "He won't save you, my pretty," Bella arg's out making me chuckle.
"Hand over the pretty girl," Bella says holding out her sword. I tilt my head at her and she lifts her other hand telling me to come on.
"I don't have a sword," I say slowly. Bella presses her lips together and pulls out anther sword.
"Where were you hiding that?" I ask. She just chuckles and winks at me.
I take the sword from her and look down at Jennifer who grins happily.
"Stand back fair maiden, I'll save you!"
I step forward hitting Bella's sword, but quickly find she seems to be quite good at this.
Bella and I sword fight as we move around the yard. I wiggle my eyebrows at her and go for the winning strike only for her to duck under it and hit me on my back. As I spin around, I lose my footing and fall to the ground.
"Well, D, you seem to have fallen under my sword." I hold my hands up in surrender
"Your choice is to join me or die." I look at Bella as it almost sounds as if she is asking me to join her. "Come to the dark side... WE have cookies." I snort out laughter.
"Jenny, Edward, dinner!" I jump sitting up looking toward my house to see my mom standing there looking angry.
"Ah, the white witch has arrived," Bella mutters and I look at her.
"She's just looking out for Alice and Jenny," I say as I stand up.
"No, she's just a judgmental old b..." Bella says cutting herself off when her eyes go to Jennifer.
"Later, Jenny!" she yells walking away.
Jennifer and I walk into the house and right away, Jennifer goes up the stairs to change her clothes and wash up.
"Mom, can you try and be little less hostile?" I ask as I wash my hands.
"I just can't believe she was able to get you to believe she's a good person!" my mom yells.
"Mom, Jenny," I say looking toward the door. "She has been playing nice for two weeks."
My mom lets out a snort. "No, you just haven't caught her doing anything, you mean."
"Mom," I scold.
"No, Edward, I know she is up to no good. I can feel it!" Mom covers her mouth shaking her head. "I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach something big is going to happen and when it does, she's going to take Alice with her."
"Mom, I think Alice may have been right that Bella is a good person. She's just making her live and learn mistakes."
My mom shakes her head at me. "I just hope she doesn't take Jenny down with her. I'm going home." Before I can say another word, my mom walks away from me and out of my house.
~HLAG~
It's been a few days since my mom walked out on me. Where she is talking to me, there seems to be a coldness there that has made me glad that I am off from work.
Jennifer jumps down the stairs and then spins. "Do you like it?" she signs and spins again.
"You look amazing, Princess." She smiles happily which in turn makes me smile. These last few weeks she's been the happiest I have ever seen her.
"Come, let's go trick or treating."
I take her through the neighborhood making sure she did a trick for each house before being given a treat. It surprises me how many kids go to doors and demand good candy. Since most are afraid of getting their house egged, they just give the kids what they want.
"Eddie." I turn around to see Alice dressed up like TinkerBell.
"You look great, Alice," I say with a smile.
"I know, but look at Bella." I turn and my smile drops right away. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out so I close it again. I am lost for words.
Bella start to laugh. "This is my costume. Jenny thought as I dress as if it was Halloween every day, I should keep the world in balance and dress like a normal person. And let me tell you, this is the scariest thing I have seen tonight," Bella says matter of factly.
My eyes run over Bella again. She has flat shoes on, a light blue dress with a darker blue cardigan. Her face is free of make-up, her hair is pushed back by a band and it gives me a clear view of her pretty face.
"See, Alice, this was a bad idea. I have rendered your brother speechless!" My eyes snap to hers and I frown when I can hear Alice and Jennifer giggling.
Jennifer tugs at my arm. "Alice asked if you like Bella this way," she signs and then goes back to giggling.
"Yeah, you look great, Bella," I say swallowing.
"Sorry, but at the stroke of midnight I turn back into the horrible me." There is a sadness to her voice that has me for some reason wanting to retract my statement.
"I like you all the time," Jennifer signs to Bella making her smile.
"And that is why you are my favorite," Bella whispers into Jenny's ear right before kissing her.
"Here you go," Bella says handing Jennifer her bag of candy.
"What? No, Bella," I say and she shakes her head.
"Na, this is all I wanted," she says holding up a small bag of peanut butter cups.
"We better get going," I say tilting my head down the street. "Remember, Alice, I need you at my house tomorrow night."
Alice nods, "I haven't forgotten. You know that you sent me a text and left a voicemail about this," Alice snaps out and I roll my eyes at her.
Bella chuckles and winks at me. "I'll make sure she is there tomorrow night by eleven."
"What?" Alice says with a pout.
Bella locks arms with Alice. "Alice, you are just one of those people that time just runs away from. But he has to leave for work, at five in the morning, so he will want his bed."
I grin, but nod along with Bella, pleased she seems to understand why I am getting on Alice a bit.
"Have a nice night, Jenny, and make sure D gets home before he turns into a werewolf. With all that scruff you have grown, it will not be too long, eh D?"
"Good night, Alice, Petal!" I yell after them.
Bella turns her head back giving me a playful glare. I smirk back at her making her roll her eyes.
"Come on, Jenny, four more houses and then home."
Jennifer bobs her head happily and runs off to the next house.
~HLAG~
My alarm buzzes and I groan as I turn it off. As much as I want to, I know I can't go back to sleep. Mainly because I have hit the snooze twice now.
I wash, dress, and drop in on Jennifer, who is sound asleep. I write Alice a note telling her I will be back around six thirty and to call me if Jennifer is upset.
Where Alice has watched Jennifer with Bella and it seems to be going well, this is the first time she had her and Bella said she was unsure if she would be able to come by. I am just praying that everything goes well.
"Coffee, black," Mike says handing me a cup.
"Cheers," I say as I sit on the hood of the car. I nod my head a little as people pass us given us small waves.
"Vicky wants to know if you want to come on a double date," Mike say as he smirks.
"Would I need a girl to go on a double date? Or is this some kinky shit where she wants two men?" Mike just glares at me. "Don't get me wrong, I think Vicky is hot, really fucking hot, but you..." I shake my head as I look at him. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't do it for me."
Mike flips me off laughing. "No dickward, it seems Tara has a crush on you and is too chicken shit to ask you. Her and Vicky came up with this plan that I would invite you over for dinner, and Tara would just be there, hence the double date." I just look at him.
"Don't think it would be for the best right now," I tell him honestly.
"Really, but Tara..." He pulls his hand out from his chest to give me an impressed look.
"Yeah, I know." And I do know Tara has amazingly large tits. "But that's not a good enough reason to go on a date with her." Mike shakes his head and then shrugs.
"Word has it she puts out on the first date. I have been told she is bendy. She is able to lick your balls as you fuck her from behind!" I snort shaking my head.
"That is a great point, Mike, but still...you don't shit where you eat."
Before he can talk, dispatch comes over the radio with a call about a young adult that has been caught shop lifting.
"I bet you ten bucks it's Miss Swan," Mike says as I drive us to the store.
I shake my head at him. "Na, she's got an appointment today. I think you all pegged the girl wrong, sure she's mouthy and has an answer for everything, but she's not all that bad." Mike snorts and then laughs loudly.
"She's just reeling you in," he is able to get out once he stops laughing his ass off.
We walk in to the shop and a member of the staff walks us through the back toward the office.
"Oh shit," Mike says as my eyes land on a crying Alice and and upset Jennifer.
"What the..." I say loudly. Alice and Jennifer's eyes both go to mine.
"I'm sorry," Alice sobs shaking her head. "I-I don't know what happened." She carries on and I feel Jennifer wrap her arms around me.
"You stole something Alice?" I ask in a shocked state, why the hell would Alice steel?
"I..." Alice starts, but gets cut off.
"No, it was me." My eyes snap to Bella who is in handcuffs with Mike pulling at her arms.
"Bella," Alice gasps and I look to her and she's shaking her head.
"It's fine, Ally, as the song goes, let it be." Bella lets out a frustrated sigh. "I've stolen loads of times, Alice, it's about time someone caught me." Mike starts walking toward me and Jennifer starts to pull at my arm. I look down at her and she shakes her head at me looking upset and scared.
She goes to sign, but Bella places her cuffed hands over hers. "Let it be, Jenny."
At that, the first tear rolls down Jennifer's face. It's the first tear I have seen since the day we meet. She throws her arms around Bella and my eyes go to Bella, who has her own closed. She opens them and looks at Mike, then to me. "Can I give her a hug?"
I nod my head still feeling shocked about this whole thing. Bella kneels and she whispers into Jennifer's ear. Jennifer shakes her head and the pulls away from Bella as her small hands hit at Bella's chest in anger.
"D!" Bella yells bringing me out of my shock. I pull Jennifer away from Bella as she starts to cry harder.
"I'll take her to the car, and call for someone to come," Mike says looking from me to Jennifer who's now sobbing quietly in my arms.
"Hush, Princess, it's going to be alright. I am so sorry," I say as my body starts to fill with anger. How can Bella be so selfish and stupid to steal in front of Jennifer.