The last chapter wasn't as successful as I had hoped…but oh well…Has anyone else noticed how all my chapters are named after songs?! Review if you have a song that you want named after!
Here is the family dinner, hope you enjoy it!! There is a little surprise halfway through….
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
Chapter Seven - Growing Up Beside You
Bella's POV
The family were all coming for dinner this evening. It was now five 'o' clock and they were expected to arrive any minute. I had so far made the lasagne, the Orkney Fudge Cheesecake, and was just away to put the roast potatoes on. During the day, Poppy and Cammie had helped me make the potato salad, coleslaw, and the tomato and avocado salad. I had Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Fridays off from the café, so I could look after Poppy and Cammie those days, instead of them going to Carlisle and Esme's with all their cousins. Edward started late some mornings and also had weekends off. All the Cullen's had weekends off so we usually got together to have Sunday lunch, at Esme and Carlisle's. I then did Monday night dinner in an attempt to start the week well for everyone and also because no-one wanted to cook on Monday straight after work.
It was about and hour until Edward and Carlisle would get here, they rode in the same car because they both worked at the same hospital, obviously. I had just put the last cooking utensil away in the dishwasher and put the plate of meat on the worktop the guys to do on the barbeque, when the doorbell rang. Poppy and Cammie squealed from the centre island in the kitchen where they were painting, and ran towards the door.
"Kids, we need to get changed into something different. Your clothes are covered in paint!" I opened the door, the kids peering through my legs, to Esme. She always arrived first.
"Bella! Hello dear!" She hugged me and stepped inside. "Poppy! Cam! I have presents!" They started jumping up and down when Esme gave them chocolate bars each.
"Esme, I still have to change and dress the kids. There's coffee in the kitchen, so make yourself at home!" She nodded and I picked up Cammie and grabbed Poppy's hand, running up the stairs. "Poppy, I want you to get the pink dress that's hanging on your dresser handle and take it into Mummy's room, ok?" I turned to her and she nodded. I let go of her hand and she ran into her room. I jogged into Cammie's room and placed him on the floor.
"Mummy? What am I wearing?" Cammie little voice came from next to me and his head appeared in front of me.
"Your sail boat t-shirt and some blue jeans, my darling." I grabbed his clothes and ran into my room, where I found Poppy bouncing on the bed. "Poppy, darling, get dressed please!"
"Yes Mummy!" Poppy sang. Cammie came running in after me. I quickly stripped him and put his clean clothes on. I got out a pair of dark grey skinny jeans and slipped them on with my cowboy boots. I put on a pale pink vest top and a floppy woollen cardigan that came down to my knees. Edward had got it for me one Christmas and I loved it. It had a huge collar and was perfect for snuggling up in in the evenings. Cammie often snuggled up against my chest and I wrapped it around the both of us.
"Mummy? I cant get my zip up!" Poppy called from the bedroom. I walked over to the bed, where she was standing, and pulled the zip up for her. I put her bronze ringlets in two pink hair ties and put ribbon around them to disguise the elastic. She and Cammie bounded down the stairs to see their Grandma Ezzy. When Poppy was younger, she couldn't say Esme, so Ezzy kind of stuck. I followed them down and smiled when I saw Esme sitting on the sofa with Poppy on her lap and Cammie showing her his new car. Esme smiled too when she saw me and placed Poppy on her own feet to come and speak to me. She followed me into the kitchen where we started making a green salad.
"Mummy! I see Alice and Japer!" Cammie screamed, running for the door and reaching up on his tiptoes to get the door handle. "Mummy! Help, I cant open door!" I laughed and went over to help him. By the time I got it open, thanks to Cam distracting me by tickling my legs with his bony fingers (he has Edward's long piano playing fingers), Alice, Jazz and their whole family were standing on the doorstep.
"AUNTY ALICE AND UNCA JAPER!" Cammie screamed as Jasper picked him up and chuckled. Poppy was a little shy so she backed away and grabbed my hand. I picked her up into my arms and hugged Alice and Jasper. Alice was holding Annie while Jasper, who had finally put Cammie down, although he only went to sit on Jasper's foot and be dragged along, Jasper was holding little Millie's hand.
"Bella! I love your outfit!" Alice squealed. Annie squirmed in her arms and I grinned at her.
"Mummy gets a bit annoying when she talks about fashion, doesn't she Annie?!" Annie giggled and Alice laughed, putting Annie down next to Poppy. Jasper finally managed to pull himself and all the kids attached to his legs over to me, so I hugged him and lifted Cammie off his legs.
"No! Mummy! I want Unca Japer!" Cammie threw his head back and shouted.
"Cammie!" I said in disgust, also trying not to laugh. He stopped abruptly and turned to me.
"Mummy! Unca Em and Aunty Rose! PEASE!!! Put me down!" I laughed and we watched as Rose and Em came trundling into the house. Rose was holding Cassidy's hand, while carrying all of Ellis's baby bags. Gabe came in after Rose, and Em came in last holding Ellis, who was crying hysterically.
"Bella!" Rose said, coming up to me and hugging me. She smiled at Cammie and Poppy, who was still holding Annie's hand, and took Ellis from Emmett, and they both ran into the bathroom. Cassidy disappeared with Poppy and Annie, and Alice, Jazz, Millie, Esme went into the kitchen. I looked down at Gabe, Cammie still on my hip.
"Hey Gabe! How are you?" I ruffled his hair.
"Fine thank you, Bella. Where's Edward?"
"Daddy's still at wurt!" Cammie said, and Gabe smiled. I took Gabe's hand and we walked into the kitchen to see he others. Gabe sat across from Ezzy and started talking about Doctors. Gabe was our future doctor in the family, just like his Uncle Edward and Grandpa Curly. The Grandpa Curly thing was a long story. Poppy and Gabe called Carlisle Carly when they were younger because they couldn't say Carlisle, but Cammie thought that he was called Curly, so it kind of stuck.
"MUMMY!" Cammie screamed.
"Cameron! What is wrong with you today?" I kissed his forehead and he looked me in the eye, his own sparkling with tears.
"Mummy, I want Daddy, when will he be home?" I stroked his tears away and kissed his cute button cheeks.
"Soon, baby, soon," Cammie curled up in my arms and buried his face in the crook of my neck. His arms wrapped around my neck in a chokehold, but I didn't mind. I rested my head on the top of his and noticed the family watching me and Cammie.
"He's just tired," I mouthed to them. They smiled and went back to their conversations. I started cooking again, finishing anything that needed finishing. The family grabbed their wine glasses and went out into the garden to enjoy the rare Seattle sun. I heard Cammie's breathing even out and I knew he was asleep. He needs it, he hadn't stopped running around with Poppy today!
It was about ten minutes later that I heard the door open and Carlisle peered his head in. I hugged him, a little awkwardly with Cammie still in my arms, and told him the family were all outside. Emmett had started the barbeque, so we were nearly ready to eat. Carlisle kissed Cammie on his head and headed outside to see Esme and the others. I stood at the door, watching Edward pull off his scrubs to reveal his shirt and smart jeans on underneath it. He pushed the car door shut, leaving his suitcase in there until tomorrow. He sprinted up the steps to Cammie and I and smiled.
"Hey," he whispered. I smiled a wide smile and he lowered his face toward mine. He pressed his lips lightly to mine, his tongue weaving with mine. He pulled away and stroked his hand through Cammie's hair. Cammie's eyes fluttered open and he buried his face in my neck, trying to shy away from the bright light. Edward chuckled and Cammie reached in Edward's general direction. Edward pulled him into his arms and I watched as Cammie smiled hugely up at Edward, his eyes sparkling with recognition.
"Daddy!" He squealed, his arms wrapping around Edward's neck in a hug.
"Hey there little man! Have you been painting?" Edward asked, his gaze focusing on the spot of red paint on just beside Cammie's left ear, one I hadn't managed to get off!
"Yes Daddy! Daddy! Gandma Ezzy gave me a twotolate bar!" He exclaimed, his eyes growing wide in smugness.
"Really? A chocolate bar? Wow Cam!" He placed Cammie on the floor, where he just proceeded to hug his arms around Edward's legs.
"Cam? Why don't you go and tell the others to sit down, because supper's ready now!" I said and Cammie rushed off towards the back door. As soon as he was out of sight, I turned to Edward and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"That was very naughty of you Mrs Cullen, to lie to your own child, just to get sexy time with your husband! Tut tut!" He murmured and I threw my head back and laughed. I bent forward and pressed my lips close to his ear. He wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close.
"If you think that was naughty, think of what I have planned for tonight!" I whispered seductively and shiver ran down his spine. I sucked his earlobe into my mouth and he growled. I leant back and let go of him. I grabbed his hand and dragged him into the kitchen.
"Can you help me take things outside?" I asked Edward, who at the moment was smiling at Poppy and Cammie's pictures. He looked up at me and nodded. Cammie came running in then, puffing loudly.
"Mummy, Aunty Alice would lite some more happy dooce!" Cammie said. Edward chuckled and knelt down in front of Cammie.
"Ask Alice what kind of happy juice she wants! Red or white?" Cammie nodded and ran towards the door again. I picked up and dish, and Edward picked up the salad bowls. Just then, Cammie came running back in, Alice trailing behind him.
"Man alive, Bella! He's fast! Some white happy juice please!" She reached for the white bottle on the worktop and picked up the last dish. "Edward! Hey brother, how are you?" I started walking behind Cammie, Alice and Edward talking behind me. When I got outside, I noticed the table set in the usual lay out. Emmett and Rose at the end, with Ellis in a high chair, Gabe and Cassidy each of their sides. Annie was sitting beside Cassie and Millie was sitting beside Gabe. Jazz sat beside Millie, Alice next to Annie, with Cammie next to Jazz, and Poppy next to Alice. I sat on the seat next to Cammie on the end, while Edward sat on the seat next to Poppy on the end.
I placed the various bowls all around the table and everybody took some and passed them around clockwise, the usual routine kicking in. It felt wonderful to have the whole family here just now. Charlie wasn't here, neither Renee, but that didn't matter because we saw them on Sundays. Charlie and Renee split about two months after my wedding. Charlie was now married to Sue, and nurse at the Forks Hospital, which now meant that I had two step-siblings, Seth and Leah. Leah was married to Jared, who was perfect for her. They didn't want kids, they were happy seeing Poppy and Cam every so often. Seth was in Art School, studying to do fashion. I loved Seth, because he was so way out and crazy. The kids absolutely loved him. He came around one day each week to see them! Renee was also happily married to Phil, who was perfect for her. He was a P.E teacher in Arizona, at the school they lived opposite.
"Bella?" Edward snapped me out of my thoughts when he held the avocado and tomato salad in front of me. "Do you want some?"
"Yes, please, honey." I kissed him and put a tomato slice on Cammie's plate. I gave him the plate to pass on, but he peered over the top of the bowl and grabbed a slice of avocado with his fingers and put it on his plate.
"Do you like avocado, Cam?" Edward questioned.
"Yes, Daddy. I do." I stared in disbelief. Cam noticed and smiled sheepishly. "I pinched a bit while I was making it, Mummy." Edward chuckled, and Jazz, who was watching, laughed and took the dish from Cammie. I looked at Poppy, who was looking at her meal strangely. I nudged Edward and he noticed. He rubbed his hand across Poppy's forehead.
"Poppy? Are you all right, my darling?" Edward whispered. She looked up at him with tears glistening in her eyes.
"Daddy, I feel sick." Then Poppy's face turned green, literally green. Edward scooped her up in his arms and ran towards the house. I looked over all the family, who were watching Edward run.
"Bella! Go!" Esme said, worriedly, to me. "Carlisle!" Carlisle shot up and followed me, running into one of the many bathrooms.
"I'll wait outside, Bella, you go inside!" I walked inside to Poppy leaning over the toilet bowl, sitting in Edward's lap, with his hand clasped around her hair, holding it away from her face. He turned slightly when he heard me come in. I sat beside him and rubbed my hand up and down her back. She suddenly stopped vomiting, and a violent shiver ran through her. She cringed into Edward's chest and started crying. I grabbed a damp face cloth out of the sink and pressed it to her clammy forehead.
"Thank you Mummy," she croaked. I smiled up at Edward, who picked her up and took her to her room. I followed out and told Carlisle what had happened. He followed Edward into Poppy's room, while I went downstairs to get a bucket. I got downstairs to see Rose, Em, Jazz, Alice and Esme in the kitchen with Tupperware boxes and all the food.
"Bella, we are putting the food in boxes for everyone to take home, I hope you don't mind. We'll just leave now, if Poppy's not well you won't want anyone here." Rose explained as she rounded up the kids who were running around the kitchen. Cammie came up to me and I picked him up and rested him on my hip.
"That's fine, Rose, thanks. I really appreciate that." I hugged everyone, except Esme, who said she would just wait for Carlisle while he checked over Poppy. She took Cammie from me and offered to put him to bed while I went to see my daughter. As I walked into her room, with a bucket and a damp face cloth. Edward was sitting on the bed, with Poppy on his lap, sobbing, while Carlisle checked her over. I went over and knelt in front of Edward and Poppy.
"Hey, sweetie," I whispered and her gaze moved to me, she reached for me and I picked her up and stood up with her in my arms. I rocked her back and forth, my hand rubbing down her back. Her head lolled against my shoulder, and I knew she was asleep.
"We think she's just got flu, Bella," Carlisle said. "It'll last for about a week, but Esme can still take her during the week when you are at work."
"Its ok guys, I'll take time off. I'll get Sandra and Lauren to work. They wont mind. I don't want any of the other kids to catch it."
"Bella, Cammie has been around her all day, so have the others, they are likely to catch it." Edward said. "Maybe not Annie or the other cousins, they wont have been around her long enough. Cammie definitely though. If he fights it off, he'll be the new Hulk!" Edward chuckled and I laughed.
"I'll put her in between us tonight, Edward. She'll want to be with us." He nodded and I walked into our bedroom. I placed Poppy in the middle of the bed and grabbed a pair of her clean pyjamas off the dryer in our wardrobe. I undressed her, then myself and put one of Edward's shirts and tied up my hair. I quickly went downstairs and managed to catch Carlisle and Esme at the door. I hugged them and thanked them for their help today. I closed the door and leant against it, closing my eyes in defeat.
"Come on, baby, we'd better make sure she's ok." He took my hand and we walked through the house, going past Cammie's room and peeping in to make sure he was asleep. I gave him a quick kiss and his eyes fluttered open.
"Night Mummy," he whispered and I smiled. Edward leant down and did the same.
"Night Daddy," his lips shaped into a little 'o' and he drifted off to sleep again. We walked into our bedroom and Poppy was fast asleep, sobbing lightly, clutching my pillow. I went over and hugged her to my body as I lay down next to her. She clutched my, or Edward's, shirt and her sobbing seized. Edward crept into the bathroom and then came out a few minutes later, undressed in some flannel pyjama pants. He curled up on his side of the bed, pulling Poppy and I to his chest. I kissed him lightly and smiled as he kissed the top of Poppy's head.
"Poor little mite," I crooned.
"That's what probably caused her bad dream last night." He said.
"Hmm," I murmured, finding myself already drifting into a deep sleep.
So, thanks for accepting the change, for those who did. I put my friends names in my story, Sandra and Lauren! I might put my other friends in later, as the other workers at Bella's café.
Keep reviewing your songs, ideas, etc, etc, etc
Leagiz08 xx