Port Angeles City Hall is a really place, but this dance is completely made up; I just wanted to see Edward kitted out in leather…

This chapter is kinda short, but there's an explanation for it at the bottom.

I don't. Stephenie does.

Chapter twelve.
Bella

"Do you want bread with your chilli, Dad?" I yell through to the living room whilst serving up the meal into two separate bowls. It's Friday night and has been a tradition for years that I go back home and make dinner for us both. Before I left for college I made dinner every night (give or take) and it's nice to carry that on, even if it's only one night out of the week.

"Just chips, Bells; there's some in the top cupboard." Charlie sounded groggy, so I clearly woke him up from a nap, and the dull broadcasting of ESPN leaked through from the room. I grab the nacho chips from the cupboard and pour a large handful into an additional bowl before buttering a slice of bread for myself. Once the trays of food had been carried through, I went back to collect the drinks – a can of 'Vitamin R' for Charlie and glass of milk for me – we're having hot chilli; I'm gonna be sensible.

Like always we ate in silence and the only noise came from the ice hockey report. Actually, I tell a lie, Charlie swore under his breath when hearing that his favourite hockey team (the Vancouver Canucks) had lost their most recent match against the Carolina Hurricanes. I've never caught on to his love for various sports, but then again he's never caught onto reading fabulous novels and finds swimming boring to participate in and watch. Charlie and I are so different it often feels like the only thing we share is blood – nothing else in common between us.

However I don't see that as a negative thing; it doesn't matter if we are as thick thieves or not – he's still my Dad and I know (and have seen before) that he would drop everything for me. I swear he still sees me as that vulnerable thirteen year old who just bought her first bra and I have been told time and time before that no man will ever be good enough for his little girl – I'm 28, Dad; I've gone past that stage of 'little girl'. Hell, I was ten when he was my age – fuck, that's really scary.

"You seen that Cullen boy again?" He starts, breaking the deafening silence.

"What?" I couldn't remember telling Charlie about Edward…

"That Cullen boy – you told me you were at his for dinner a few weeks ago." Oh, maybe I did then.

I scrape the last of my chilli onto the last of my bread and munch that down steadily before replying. "I see him quite often actually; his son goes to my swimming class."

Taking a chug from his beer, Charlie gives me is trademarked cocked eyebrow. "He has a son?"

A smile formed on my face when I thought about wee Coop. "Oh, Dad, honestly, he is the cutest little boy."

"That may be so, but, Bells, you need to be careful – there is a lot of pressure going into a relationship like that."

"Yes I know, I know. And anyway, I don't think we're forming a 'relationship'…although he is taking me to a dance tomorrow night…" are we forming a more-than-friends relationship? Edward was still quite vague and didn't reveal much apart from he wanted to 'recreate' high school and take me to a dance…

"A dance, eh? As long as he knows where to keep his hands…"

Don't worry, Daddy; he wouldn't know what to do with them even if he had a guide to follow from.

0-0

My insides are making funny noises, and I know it's not hunger, 'cause I just had some chicken. No, this is excitement. Until this morning, all I knew was that Edward was taking me to a dance somewhere and to be ready and at his house for 7:30, but now the metaphorical cat has been freed from the metaphorical bag and I can happily announce we shall be spending our evening in the comfort of Presley, Berry, Cash… that's right, bitches, it's a 50's dance!

Personally, hands down, the best year, in my opinion. The fashion, the music (God, it made you so happy!) the hair styles, Letterman jackets…okay, the rules were a bit shit (boy's hair touching the ears wasn't allowed, punishable by expulsion from school – I mean, what?) and yes, back then, racism was at its worst (parents feared their daughter would take part in racial commingling) but putting the negatives aside, the 50's was the shit! And for one night only, I can join it.

I'm not gonna lie, I played Elvis through YouTube as I got ready.

Curling my hair, I pinned it all up around my ears to form a curled bob and my make-up was light – a dusting of white eye shadow, mascara, a touch of eyeliner and bright red lipstick – oh, very Marilyn.

My dress is deep blue with white polka dots; it has a thick, red belt under the bust to make the dress appear tighter in that area, and the rest is a straight cut and slants out the way from the belt down and cuts below my knees. I match a half cut jacket with the deep red of the belt. The only problem that I had with the outfit was what to wear on my feet…none of my shoes seemed acceptable or matched the outfit which left me only one choice – they're blue, heeled and Batman. No, seriously, they are a Batman comic strip. I know, cool right?

In a red clutch I hold my phone, loose change and keys. I had locked up and left shortly after 7:15. Butterflies continued to flutter during the drive. I kept imagining what this night could be the start of. Like I told Charlie, Edward didn't mention this as the start of anything, but I'm almost certain it is. God, I hope it is. I then began to imagine what Edward was wearing tonight which led to my freak out – am I too overly dressed? He said it was a 50's night, but never said to dress in that era or not.

Oh shit, this could be disastrous

I straightened my back and shoulders and rung the bell. The worry disappears, however, when the door cracked open and a familiar face peaked out. "Hey, Bella…my Dad isn't ready yet…but you can come in if you want to."

I smile politely at Coop and slip inside, he instantly ran off to the living room. I noticed he was already dressed in his Thor pyjamas and had the evidence of spaghetti O's around his lips. Cooper leaped off the sofa and galloped over to me, squeezing his tiny body to mine. "Guess what, Bella?"

I cuddle him back, "What?"

"My Uncle Jasper is babysitting me tonight and he's going to teach me fighting moves!" He jumped back and stood at ease with his fists up to block, "hi!" he punched the air with his left fist and whipped it back into place, "hi!" this time it was his right fist that punched out. He grinned, "I'm good, right?"

"That was amazing, Coop – you were so good."

He shrugged, "I know, right?" I laughed silently at his cuteness. "See the other night, Dad and I was watching a movie called Mission… Well, I don't really remember, but it was 'Mission' something and it was all about this guy who was an amazing secret agent! (there was a guy in it who played Hawkeye in the Avengers Assemble!" His eyes grew wide in excitement.

"Mission Impossible?"

"Yeah! That's it! And see if I'm not an Avenger or work in a zoo with my Dad when I'm bigger, I'm going to be Ethan Hunt in that film."

So, let me get this straight, if he doesn't become a fictional superhero, he wants to work in a zoo (two completely opposite professions) and if they all fall through he's going to be Tom Cruise? Damn, when I thought Coop couldn't get any cuter.

"Why do you want to be Tom Cruise?"

Coop crossed his brows and shot me an is-it-not-really-obvious expression. "'Cause he's cool…And he can do lots of fighting moves! Hi!" He punched the air again and followed that on with a sharp, powerful kick. "And when I'm in lots-a-lots-a movies people will ask me why I'm so good at fighting moves and I'll tell them it's 'cause my Uncle Jasper taught me, y'know?"

"And I will watch all your movies, Coop."

"Thanks, Bella." We both turned our heads as we picked up the sounds of Edward coming down the stairs. "Dad! it's about time!" Cooper sprinted out the room, and I followed behind; my heels clacked on the linoleum flooring.

Oh, hello Danny Zuko…

Throw me down and call my Sandy; 'Grease' just got a whole lot hotter.

Edward was dressed to the nines (if you count Danny as formal…) in dark jeans, the tight, white tee, a black leather jacket and black Chucks. I couldn't remember if Danny wore Chucks in Grease or not, but hell, they work for him. Not only had he dressed in the correct clothes, he'd also gelled his hair back at the sides and had mastered the cowlick on his forehead.

Holy mother of Jesus.

"Wow, you look great!" I waved my hand at his outfit. "Please tell me you're wearing a T Birds jacket."

Edward bowed his head in mock shame, "I'm sorry, it's just plain leather."

He's apologising? The man is in leather for Christ's sake!

I don't swing for that Christian Grey, kinky shit but give me a man (Edward, preferably) in leather any day and I'll drop to my knees like Ana.

But not when Cooper is in the room…

Before any of us could say another word, the doorbell rang to indicate Jasper's arrival. Cooper ran over to the door, which allowed Edward to whisper seductively in my ear, "you look sinful in that dress, Miss Swan."

Holy…moly…

But two can play at that game, "I'm now thinking I should have been Sandy…in her black suit and heels…" Yeah, I was teasing the poor boy, but he started it.

0-0

Port Angeles city hall had done a great job in making it seem as though we were back in the 50's; streamers hanging across the ceiling, balloon drops, record players, juke boxes and a buffet table covered in food, drink and punch bowls. A funny sense of nostalgia came over me, even though I never lived it. I was glad to see everyone else had dressed like us – there were a few Frenchys dancing around with the prominent pink wig, someone dressed as Tracy Turnblad ('Hairspray' is in the 60's, but I won't hold that against them,) and all looked as though they just stepped off the set of 'Happy Days'.

"Would you like some punch?" Edward spoke over the music, linking his arm with mine.

"I would love some – thank you." Jerry Lee Lewis' 'Great Balls of Fire' played over head and I couldn't stop my feet from tapping, Edward began to shake his hips, with a grin, I joined in too. "I chew my nails then I twiddle my thumbs, I'm real nervous but it sure is fun, come on baby, you drive me crazy…goodness gracious great balls of fire." We both laughed at the unplanned duet.

I hadn't heard the few songs that played after that, but it didn't stop us putting our best swing dance to use – granted, the deadly heels on my feet weren't the best at support. However, when Little Richard's song 'Tutti Frutti' came on the speakers there was no stopping us. I can't say I mastered the Twist, but it sure was fun – kicking my legs out, doing a bit of hip movement and twirling under Edward's arm. Whenever a song came to the end we would lean against each other, out of breath and laughing.

The other songs we worked out too included classics like: The Isley Brothers – 'Shout', Chuck Berry – 'Roll over Beethoven' and 'Johnny B Goode', Carl Perkins – 'Blue Suede Shoes', and a decent amount of Presley. I was definitely making a playlist.

The lights died down and everyone partnered together as a slow song began to play. Edward held out his hand and grinned, "fancy a dance?" With my left hand on his shoulder and my right hand held in his left, clutched between us, we swayed to The Five Satins. It felt like a high school move and incredibly cheesy, but I loved it.

"Are you having a good time?" Edward spoke into my ear, sounding nervous.

"This night has been perfect; I've really enjoyed myself."

"Yeah?"

"Absolutely; best date ever." Even if he didn't see it as a date, I did and I wanted to make that known. His smile in response had me see that he thought the exact same – this isn't just a dance.

"Shit." Edward winced suddenly and stepped out of our embrace. He didn't offer me an answers, all he did do was palm his pants pocket and bring out his cell phone. He took a hold of my hand and walked me out the room, still without offering a worded response.

He didn't answer the call until standing in a quiet corridor. "What is it, Jasper?...what?" Ignoring the shit load of gel in his hair, his fingers broke through the mould. "Wait…Jas-…calm the fuck down, Jasper, and tell me what's wrong!" I had never heard him shout in such a tone, and honestly, it turned me on a little bit. "Okay, hang on a second."

I already knew what Edward was going to say before he said it, "we should leave."

"What? Really?"

"Yes – I've had an amazing evening and thoroughly enjoyed myself, but if something is wrong then we should go home."

Edward thought long and hard, and then nodded his head. "We'll be an hour maximum, Jasper; ring me if anything happens."

"Thank you," he mumbled as we walked across the lot to his car, "I'm sorry we had to leave early."

"You have nothing to apologise or thank me for." Throughout our journey, the pain and worry shining in his eyes never disappeared; he never spoke a word either. "Edward, what did Jasper say?"

"I…I-he…he wouldn't tell me – said it wasn't something I should hear on the phone." After taking a deep breath, he spoke again. "What if Cooper is hurt?"

I dreaded that too, but I had to be as much help to Edward as possible. "You would have been told if that was the case. Edward, Coop is in great hands and Jasper wouldn't ever let anything hurt him. We're going to see the Forks sign soon – we're so close to home and Cooper will be in your arms before you know it."

Jasper was standing in the hallway when we ran in – he didn't give anything away with his expressions.

"Where is he?" Edward demanded, squeezing my hand in a tight grip.

"He's upstairs, but I need to talk to you first…"

We didn't say a word, but Jasper was hesitating. "Jasper…"

"Garrett phoned…he wants to talk to you about Cooper."

0-0

*peeks behind pillow* I would really appreciate if you don't kill me…but I understand if you want to… *hides*

I'm sorry this was up a day later than planned but I'm covering for one of the head chefs at work this week, so I'm pretty busy…but I'll never be far away!

Thoughts?