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Chapter 10:

Bella POV

So here we are, it's Sunday and we are on our way to the Cullens for a big Family Dinner. We decided to take a day off of visiting my Dad as he was starting to get a little grumpy with all the attention. Just like me he hates being the center of attention. He also knows who we are eating dinner with today and probably knew I would be too nervous to really think about anything but dinner. I really am nervous too. What am I suppose to do. Am I suppose to introduce Masen to his Dad, Aunt, and Grandparents tonight. Are we going to be sitting around talking about all the things we've all done wrong in the past. Ugh. Maybe this was not such a good idea. I think I'll just forget all that and focus on my plan to see if Jasper and Alice could be compatible.

Jasper and I have talked in the past about why he is not with someone or even going on dates to try and find someone. He always tells me about his long term relationship with Marie. They were together for years before she decided Jasper was not the right man for her. I guess they were living together and talking about marriage then one day she comes home, packs her things and say's she's moving in with her friend. Jasper had no idea she was even unhappy. He still seems a bit confused as they what went wrong in their relationship. Maybe that's why he was always able to understand the pain I was going through when we first met.

"Well, here we are." I said while we pulled up to the huge house.

"Wow, they really must be loaded to be living here." Jasper whispered.

"Momma, is this where my new friend lives?"

"Honey, I'm not sure if Emma lives here or not, but this is where she is. You want to go in and see if she'd like to play with you?" Masen has been so excited about being able to play with Emma ever since I told him she was his age.

"Think she will want to color with me? Do girls even like to color Uncle Jasper?"

"They like to color buddy, why don't we go in and see."

"Ok."

With that we were all getting out of the car. The nerves really started to kick in. I have spent so much time in this house that I really should not be as nervous as I am. I've been to these Family Dinners so many times I know what to expect. Ok Bella, deep breaths. You can do this. I started to tell myself. Before I knew it Jasper was knocking on the door and Esme was standing there telling us to come in. Here we go….

"I'm so glad you guys came." Esme said walking us through the foyer.

"Everyone is out on the back patio and I'm just finishing up in the kitchen, please make yourselves at home."

"Would you like any help in the kitchen Esme?" I had to ask and I notice she really smiled at me saying Esme rather than Mrs. Cullen.

"No, dear it's fine. Go and relax in the back for a bit while I finish up."

With that we walked to the back patio almost as if we were walking to the firing squad. When we stepped out Edward was instantly up and greeting us.

"Hey guys, I'm glad you came. Can I get you a beer or something else to drink?"

"Sure I'd like a beer." Jasper said taking in the view of the back year. I just nodded at him. Trying to find my voice. Carlisle was at the BBQ grilling some hot dogs and Alice was sitting a table with Emma on her lap. She was looking at me like she was ready to start crying at any moment. I really wasn't sure what to do, do I just start talking to her or do I introduce myself to Emma.

"Emma, I'd like you to meet some people, why don't you come on over here." Edward said once he returned with our drinks. Emma ran right up to her Dad. Being this close to her I could really see how beautiful she was. She had very light brown hair with bright green eyes, just like Edward and Masen for that matter.

"Emma, this is Bella, her son Masen and their friend Jasper."

"Hi." She said so quietly I wasn't sure if she was really talking or if I was imagining it.

"Hi Emma, Masen has been so excited to meet you. He hasn't been able to play with anyone since we have been here in Forks. He was asking in the car on the way over if you might want to color with him today, would that be ok?" I asked her as I got down on my knee and pulled Masen in front of me.

"I love to color, come on Masen let me show you my book with ponies. They are pink and purple." With that the two kids ran off inside.

"Are they ok on their own in the house?" I asked Edward. He just smiled and nodded.

Without Emma on Alices lap she stood up and walked over to us.

"Hi Bella."

"Hey Alice. Alice this is my friend Jasper. Jasper this is Alice." It was a little odd not to introducing her as my best friend, but I was so unsure of how to act. I figured it would just be safer this way. I'm not sure if Alice is mad that I didn't tell her about Masen or not.

"Pleasure to meet you Alice." Jasper kissed the back of her hand and I could tell he was laying the charm on a bit think for her. Huh, maybe I was right about Jasper and Alice.

"Hi Jasper." Look at that blush on Alice. I don't think I've ever seen her blush. Wow.

I noticed Edward was really eyeing Jasper at this moment but Carlisle seemed pretty amused by it all. I thought I should go ahead and put him out of his misery as well.

"Hi Carlisle. Thanks for having us over for dinner tonight." His smile grew about 10 times when I called him Carlisle and I heard Edward and Alice chuckle behind me.

"I'm doing fantastic Bella and I am so glad all of you are here as well. I have missed you so much." Aww, now I feel bad for calling him Dr. Cullen for so long.

I gave him a quick hug and told him I missed him too.

"So Jasper, Edward was saying you are from Texas." Alice asked Jasper.

"Yes, Ma'am. Moved to Seattle 4 years ago after a bad break up. I ran into Bella about a week after I moved and it just seemed like I was supposed to be friends with her. Maybe it was fates way of bringing me to you." Oh yeah, he's not laying on the charm thick at all.

Alice looked like she was going to combust at any moment into a pile of goo while I started to laugh at his over the top techniques.

"Gosh Jasper, I never knew you could be such a charmer." I had to tease him a little bit.

"What can I say, when in the presence of such a beauty a man will try anything to get her to remember him." He kissed the back of Alice's hand again.

That's when Esme walked out onto the patio with us. "Looks like you've got someone after your crown of biggest sweet talker Carlisle."

Edward and I starting laughing so hard with her comment we had tears rolling down our faces. At that moment, I realized that even if we all have had a rough few years and maybe hurt each other we are still that makeshift family we were 4 years ago. All families go through their ups and downs but you work to get through them. If I'm able to walk back in this house and start feeling like I haven't been gone for the last 4 years, there must be hope for us after all.

Alice seemed to come out of her Jasper daze when she turned to me and held her arms up asking for a hug. How could I deny her that? It was great being able to hug her again and I could tell I was starting to tear up just a bit.

"I'm so sorry Bella, I know you must hate me but Edward left me no choice. I have been so lost without my best friend. Please say you'll forgive me." Alice whispered as we kept hugging. I pulled back because I needed her to see how sincere I was.

"Alice, I understand. I really do. You couldn't do anything about it. I've been so upset and hurt because you never called. I started to feel that maybe all this talk about me being a member of this family was not really true. I thought maybe you guys were just waiting for Edward to dump me so you wouldn't have to deal with me anymore. I felt so alone, but I also realize that when I didn't tell you guys I was pregnant I was not being truthful with any of you. When no one called after I moved I figured it was just for the best anyways. I never hated you though, I was hurt yeah, but I couldn't hate you Alice. You're my best friend."

"I am? I'm still your best friend?" She asked through her tears.

"Of course you are. What, you think I would replace you with Jasper. Please. He doesn't even understand how good M&Ms with cheese is."

"See Edward, I told you he couldn't understand everything Bella would need or he would understand how good M&Ms and cheese are together." Alice was whipping her tears away.

"What, Cheese is for sandwiches only. You people are so weird." Jasper said.

"Hey, don't wrap me up with their weird obsession with cheese and chocolate. That's inhuman." Edward added.

We were laughing so hard at this point. I'm actually wondering if maybe we can just move on at this point and forget about all the touchy feely things. There's only so much I can deal with in a day. However by the clearing of Carlisle throat I don't think we are quiet done yet.

"Bella, I'd like to take a moment and tell you how truly sorry Esme and I are. We always treated you like a child of ours except for when you really needed us. We should have thought about what not only was best for Edward but what was also best for you. We really have let you down and we are so sorry for all the hurt we may have caused you. We are so sorry for all the time we have missed of your life these past few years."

"I have felt such a sense of loss ever sense you moved away dear. I always thought I was feeling this loss inside me because Edward was gone. Then when he came back the feeling of loss was still there deep in my heart. Until you came back I thought I was just use to the feeling, but in reality the loss I was feeling was because you were not here with us, where you belong." Esme was hugging onto Carlisle as she spoke.

I couldn't do anything but run and give them both a big hug. While I was wrapped in their arms I decided it was my turn to apologize as well.

"I'm so sorry too you guys. I should have said something about being pregnant before I moved away. I was only trying to do the right thing by wanting to tell Edward first. I really didn't think it would take long for him to come back and I really thought I would hear from you guys right after I moved. Because of my stupid idea you guys have missed out so much of Masens life already."

"Oh Bella. Even if we have missed out on the last 4 years, we all have the rest of our lives to experience together." Carlisle stated.

"I guess you are right. Wow, who needs therapy when you've got a Cullen Family Dinner." I said trying to dry my eyes and lighten the mood a little bit. It seemed to help because everyone chuckled.

Edward must have remember what Jasper said about his family from the other night with what he said next.

"So Jasper, what do you think of this crazy family now?"

"Wouldn't pass you guys up for anything." Jasper replied without missing a beat.

A/N: Please let me know what you think. Thanks.