A/N: Party time! For my faithful readers, this chapter sets up the action for the rest of the story. All the hints and clues are there – any guesses or suggestions for what happens next? Of course, the most obvious set-up is for the next chapter. After several weeks of 'you know' everywhere but in the bedroom, I'm giving our wonderful couple a break and letting them finally have a bed for the night. Even my back was getting sore reading this! So lemons in the next chapter, folks ... for now, I give you the housewarming party.
EPOV
Saturday arrived, cloudy and warm. Shockingly, the weather forecast predicted no rain. I wondered briefly if Alice had found a way to manipulate that as well.
Admittedly, Bella was doing a stellar job of handling Alice. The vast majority of her outrageous requests to "enhance" Bella's housewarming had been politely but firmly shot down. I conceded that Alice's idea to tent the backyard was terrific – although I didn't quite think that Bella had agreed to the entire backyard being lit by soft white twinkle lights wound through the canopy, deck railing and up the spruce tree. But the effect was magnificent.
Carlisle and Esme had dropped by shortly before dinner to take Lily for the night. They had wanted to take Renee as well, but Bella wouldn't let her go. Instead, she hired one of the neighborhood teens to keep an eye on her for the evening. "This is her housewarming too," Bella said.
Alice, Rosalie and Bella had spent all day flitting through the house and around the city, getting things ready. Jasper, Emmett and I spent the day carrying heavy things around and complaining.
"This sucks," Emmett complained in an undertone when we had a moment to ourselves outside. "It's the weekend, man. We should be golfing. Not doing party shit. What's in it for us anyway?"
"It's what you won't get if you don't cooperate that counts," Rose threatened out the kitchen window. Jasper and I cracked up as Emmett struggled between losing face in front of us, and losing sack time with his girlfriend. Sex won – Emmett slunk away grumbling to set up the bar.
"Don't be cruel to Emmett, you two," Bella said, Renee at her heels. She brandished her car keys at us. "We are perilously short on vermouth, which goes into a martini, which I hear is my handsome neighbor's favourite drink," she said with a wink in my direction. "Would you two do a liquor store run, please?"
"Yes, ma'am," I said, kissing her and grabbing the keys. Renee put her arms around my leg and looked up pleadingly, pointing to her chest. "You want to come too, sweet pea?" I asked, pleasantly surprised. She nodded. "Well, come on then." I swung her up on my shoulders. "Watch your head, angel." Buckling her into the car seat, I could see Jasper watching me with a big grin.
"What? You analyzing me?" I asked him, cramming myself into Bella's front seat and ramming the seat back as far as it would go.
"Don't need to be a psychiatrist to see that you're the happiest guy on the face of the earth, Edward," said Jasper with a grin.
~~ - ~~
BPOV
It was an hour before the guests were due, and everything was perfect. Well, almost everything.
"Shit, shit, shit!" I shouted, darting out of the bedroom in nothing but my underwear. I ran into Rosalie and Alice, who were racing in to see what was the matter. Rose caught me before I fell headlong down the stairs.
"Jesus, Bella, take it easy. What's the matter?" asked Rose, trying to steady me without molesting me at the same time. "And where did you get this gorgeous come-fuck-me lingerie?"
"I helped her pick it out," supplied Alice helpfully. "Her underwear situation was tragic – tragic!"
"The light bulb ... we forgot to change it!" I said, pointing at the burnt–out fixture at the pinnacle of my beautiful little house. Alice and Rosalie rolled their eyes and pulled me back into the bedroom.
"For God's sake, I thought something was really wrong," Rose said in disgust. "Like we had no red wine, or no boys were coming to the party."
"I'm just nervous, that's all," I said, laying down on the bed and curling into a ball. "The last time I hosted a party, I was the bride. What if it's no good? What if no one comes?" I sat up again, clutching at their hands in a fit of nerves.
"First, no party that I've had a hand in was a flop - ever," said Alice firmly, after sending Rose downstairs with hastily whispered instructions. She pulled me off the bed with surprising strength and guided me to the bathroom, sitting me down on the closed toilet. She produced an enormous make-up kit out of nowhere and examined my face critically. "Second," she said, taking a glass of red wine out of Rosalie's hands as she appeared in the bathroom and handing it to me, "drink two of these and you'll feel better. Two quick wines cure everything."
~~ - ~~
EPOV
I stood outside under the lights of the tent and wondered for the umpteenth time that night how I'd gotten so lucky.
It was a perfect party. On a perfect night. With the most perfect woman in the world shyly filling the role of gracious hostess. To a group of the most remarkable people I'd met in years.
At first, I'd been bemused by the eclectic guests who started crowding into Bella's little house, spilling over into the backyard. They covered every age group, every ethnicity. There were couples and singles – even a noisy flock of children who darted through the legs of the adults. They all seemed to have two things in common.
They adored Bella.
And they were the most interesting, most real people I'd met in years. We Cullens were the misfits at this party – boring, upper middle-class stiffs who had never lived a day in our lives compared to these people.
In the first hour I was there, I talked to a young man who had escaped from Sierra Leone during the most recent civil war, coming to America as a refugee. Bella had taught him English as a second language last year and helped him fill out the paperwork for financial aid – now he was taking college courses to become a social worker.
After him, I met an older woman with white hair who was a part-time lecturer at the liberal arts college where Bella filled in occasionally. She turned out to be an amateur archaeologist with a speciality is Civil War relics. Jasper was a Civil War buff, and the two of them had been engaged in an intense conversation about rusty swords all night.
I couldn't figure out the vibrant young redheaded woman who walked with two canes until Rose told me she was Renee's daycare teacher. She was an experienced sea kayaker planning a late summer expedition to Puget Sound.
The rambunctious children belonged to a charming couple who were Bella's next-door neighbors in her old apartment building.
Add to the mix several of Bella's work colleagues, a number of former students and some of our neighbours (Bella had even gotten that crusty bastard David on the other side of my house to show up), and it added up to a perfect evening. Everywhere I went, I saw people laughing, talking, and enjoying Bella's cooking and Emmett's drinks.
I sampled some of Bella's homemade meatballs. Delicious. I noticed an entire smoked salmon - which I was sure was not on Bella's agreed-upon menu - graced the patio table. Alice, for God's sake. I tried the fish – it was fantastic.
As the stars came out, I felt a little arm wrap around my knees. I reached down and picked up Renee, who was long past her bedtime and very sleepy. She put her head on my shoulder. The girl who was looking after her came out on the deck, spotted me holding Renee and smiled.
"There she is. Bella said it was her bedtime, and she took off on me. She's not ready for the party to end yet." Renee yawned hugely. "Then again, maybe she is." I gave Renee a kiss and handed her off.
"Good night, little one," I said. "And thanks Angela – it really helps to have you here tonight."
"No problem, Edward. I love looking after Renee. She's a pleasure." As Angela carried her inside, I felt another familiar arm wrap around me. Bella handed me a martini.
"Courtesy of Emmett. Don't worry, I watched while he made it, so I know he didn't put anything crazy in it. Although I have the feeling it might be strong." I took the glass from her fingers and kissed her slowly, savouring her soft, full lips. Bella leaned further into me, and I could feel my body respond. We hadn't had a moment to ourselves since Wednesday, and I was looking forward to having alone time with her. My hand wandered down the back of her dress and lingered on her behind.
"Get a room," hissed Jasper as he wandered by. Still kissing Bella, I took a shot at him and he dodged out of the way. We finally broke apart, our gazes locked.
"Leave them alone, Jasper," said Alice, putting her arm through her husband's and nuzzling his neck. "Edward's been a lot easier to live with since he met Bella, and I don't want you messing that up." Jasper's attention turned to Alice, and the two of them went off whispering together.
"They better not christen any part of my house," said Bella. "Rose and Emmett caused some damage in the downstairs powder room about an hour ago. I mean really, there are children here." We laughed, peeking at each other out of the corners of our eyes and thinking about the other day. I sipped my martini. Bella put her head on my shoulder, giving the smoked salmon on the table a sharp glance.
"Edward," she asked after a moment, "what does Alice do for a living? And Emmett?"
"Oh," I said, grinning. "Alice spends Jasper's money for a living." Bella looked at me, trying to figure out if I was joking. "OK, not really. Alice is a fashion designer. She has her own line of handbags and such. It's very exclusive, or so she tells me." I named the brand, and Bella's mouth dropped open. "I guess she told me correctly then," I said. "And Emmett's an online affiliate marketer. He deals mainly in sports properties – fantasy leagues, online pools, stuff like that. Don't ask me to explain it because I barely understand it. Suffice to say," I said, "they are both exceedingly wealthy."
Bella didn't say anything – she just turned her chocolate brown eyes to my face and gazed at me. I looked away, a little uncomfortable.
"What?" she asked.
"Are you going to ask me the obvious question?" I mumbled. "I keep waiting for you to ask." I sighed when she didn't say anything. "Bella, don't you ever wonder why I live here, in this exceedingly modest neighbourhood, in this exceedingly average little row house - when the rest of my wealthy family lives in luxury?"
Bella laughed. Not the response I had been expecting.
"Oh Edward," she said, reaching over to cup my cheek with an expression of such love that it took my breath away. "I don't wonder that – I already know why." I looked at her, confused. "OK, I don't know the whole answer, but I know the important part.
"You're happy here," she said. "I don't know all the reasons – I just know that you are. Do you know how many people go through life never knowing what makes them happy?" Bella sipped her drink, smiling. "Sometimes the people around you try to make you feel stupid for being so content with what you have, don't they? You shouldn't let them, my love. Just revel in the fact that you have your answer in life already." In the distance, I heard the doorbell ring. Bella glanced at her watch. "It's nearly 10:30 – who could be showing up this late?" And she hurried to answer the door.
I stood there, dumbfounded. How did she know these things?
"She's wise beyond her years, isn't she?" asked a voice to my left. I turned to see a woman, probably in her 50s, looking at me shrewdly. I wondered if she had overheard what Bella had said to me. "I'm Annie," she said. "I've known Bella for a couple of years now. And you look pretty funny with your mouth hanging open like that."
I closed my mouth with a snap. "I'm Edward," I said. "And Bella's ... remarkable." I took a closer look at Annie. She had a careworn face, short, greying hair and careful eyes. "Let me see – are you a teacher? One of Bella's students? Someone from the old neighborhood?"
"I'm a friend of Bella's," said Annie. "We took some classes together and got to know each other pretty well." Not much help there. "I'm guessing you must be someone special too if you've managed to catch Bella."
"I'm pretty lucky, that's what I am," I said. "She's an exceptional person. Loving. Strong. A terrific mom to Renee." I gestured to the people laughing and talking under the tent. "Look at the company she keeps – it tells you a lot about her."
"You're right about that," Annie said. "It should tell you something about yourself that Bella has chosen you as her partner in life." I started to protest, but Annie cut me off. "No, you need to look a little more closely in the mirror, sonny. And not just at your good looks and your richy-rich family, whoever they might be. Bella Swan keeps good company. That includes you." She chuckled and patted my arm. "Mind you, if I were 20 years younger, I'd steal you away from her." I grinned and blushed a little. "Time is short, Edward. Don't waste it." With that, Annie winked at me and headed indoors.
That was interesting, I thought. But I didn't have time to find out more because I could hear Bella's voice crying out. I stood up, alarmed, not sure if her voice was excited or upset. Maybe both. I took the deck stairs two at a time and found her in the living room. She was hugging a tall man with black hair and russet skin. My heart stuttered a little, and I was totally confused. Jacob? I thought irrationally.
"Seth!"
~~ - ~~
BPOV
"Seth ... my God, I can't believe it! How did you know...?" I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't speak. Seth's laughter echoed through the room, and he hugged me hard, picking me up off the ground and spinning me like I was no heavier than Renee.
"Oh Bells, it's so good to see you!" he cried. "I dropped by to see Charlie last week, and he told me you were having this party. I had tribe business in the city this weekend, so I got the details from him and decided to surprise you!" He was so happy, so youthful ... so much like Jacob used to be, back when we were 16 and in love.
Seth put me down, and I realized Edward was standing in the doorway, staring at us. He looked a little wary, and I hastened to set him straight.
"Edward, I'd like you to meet Seth Clearwater. Seth is Jacob's youngest cousin – almost like a kid brother. He's a very dear friend of my family." At my words – cousin, kid, brother, friend, family – the look of confusion and suspicion melted away from Edward's face, and he stepped forward to shake Seth's hand. "Seth, this is my boyfriend, Edward Cullen."
"It's a pleasure, Seth," said Edward with a warm smile. But he also took two steps over to my side and put his arm around my waist, pulling me close. I cocked one eyebrow at him, and he winked. Boys. I turned back to Seth eagerly.
"But I wish you had come earlier. You could have seen ..." My voice trailed off at the look on his face.
"I came late on purpose, Bells. I thought ... well, I thought it would be best if Renee were asleep." His young face suddenly looked pinched, older. "I know how much I look like Jake. I figured it would be easier if she didn't see me. I couldn't bear it if she looked at me thought that I was ..." Seth broke off and turned his face away. I took his hand.
"Come upstairs," I said. "She's asleep. See her for yourself."
~~ - ~~
The two of us stood side by side in Renee's bedroom. Angela excused herself and slipped out. Seth looked down at Renee. He made no sound, but I could see the tears on his face.
"I miss him so much, Bells," he whispered.
"I know. Me too." Seth reached down and softly stroked Renee's hair. She stirred and rolled over, hugging her teddy bear.
"You look so much like your daddy," Seth breathed. "He would be so proud if he could see you now." He turned to me. "He'd be proud of you too, Bella. How hard you've worked, how far you've come. What an amazing job you've done with Renee." He took one last look at Jake's daughter, and we left the room together.
"I'm glad you're dating someone, Bells. It's good to see you happy that way again." I blushed and put my arm around him. "He must be a great guy if you're with him."
"He is," I said as we came downstairs. "The very best." I struggled as tears threatened to surface. "I don't know what I did to deserve two such wonderful men in my lifetime ..." I let out a little sob, and suddenly Edward's arms were around me.
"You deserve all the happiness in the world, lovely," he murmured, holding me tight. I leaned into him, feeling his strength flow into me.
"Can you stay, Seth?" I asked. But he shook his head regretfully.
"No, I only dropped by to say hello. I'm staying a motel in town, just came into Seattle to get some paperwork filed on behalf of the Quileute band. You know me – I'm a chief. Chief administrator, that is. Who would think that being on the tribal council required so much paper-pushing?" We all laughed. I extracted a promise from Seth to come visit next time he was in Seattle, and then he was gone.
The party started to wind down not long after his departure. Alice, Rose and Jasper had already made a big dent in the clean-up, and Emmett was pouring a few of my more intoxicated coworkers into cabs. The six of us brought in everything from outside, crammed the leftovers in the fridge and put the garbage in the garage. The essentials complete, I paid Angela for her time with Renee and had Jasper walk her to her house three doors down. Rose, Emmett, Jasper and Alice said their goodbyes. And then it was just Edward and me, with my daughter sleeping peacefully above our heads.
I closed and locked the door, switched off the outside light and turned to Edward. He caught my face in his hands and gave me a very long, very thorough kiss.
"I've been waiting all night to do that, Ms Swan," he whispered. "Congratulations on a spectacular housewarming."
"It was good, wasn't it?" I sighed, resting my head on his chest. "The best part was seeing Seth – that was so unexpected. What was the best part for you?"
"Besides groping the hostess every chance I had?" he asked teasingly. I half-heartedly swatted his hand away from my bottom and kissed him again. "The best part was the people – you have some incredible friends and colleagues. I was quite intrigued by Annie. Where do you know her from?"
"You talked to Annie? She's amazing. What did you talk about?" I asked, hedging his question for now.
"We talked about you. Actually, she did the talking, and I did the listening." Edward smiled crookedly. "She told me to have more self-respect and look for out you. And if I hurt you, she'd kill me." I stared at him in horror. "OK, she didn't say that. But that was she meant, I'm sure." He kept looking at me expectantly. "Will you tell me how you know Annie? Or is it a secret?"
"Nooooo, it's not a secret," I said slowly. "Annie was the leader of a therapy group I joined not long after Jake died. A group that supported survivors of family trauma. We became close then, and she's been kind of a mentor ever since. Almost like an AA sponsor, you know? She's my go-to person when things get tough, and only another survivor can help me through."
"She seemed very strong, so I'm not surprised to hear she's also a survivor," said Edward softly, stroking my cheek. "What happened to her? Can you tell me?"
"Annie's husband started using crack cocaine many years back. First he was using, then dealing to support his habit. It was tearing their family apart. They had two little boys." I shuddered a little. "One night, someone broke into their house. They don't know who, the police never solved the crime. Dealers maybe. He owed a lot of money. Or maybe just crackheads looking for drugs. They shot all of them in their beds. Annie, her husband, the two boys." Edward tightened his grip around me. "Annie survived. No one else did."
"Oh, man," he said softly. "How did she find the strength to keep living after that?"
"Annie gets her strength from helping others, like me," I said. "I couldn't have made it without her. Believe me, I felt pretty sorry for myself after Jacob died. But after I met Annie and heard her story, I realized how much worse it could have been. And I'm grateful every day for what I have because of her."
Edward tipped my face up to his and kissed me again. Then I reached over, switched off the lights and extended my hand to his.
"Stay with me tonight," I whispered to him, touching my lips to his. "Make love to me in my house. In my bedroom. In my bed." Edward nodded and wrapped his arm around me.
And together, we went upstairs.
A/N: I actually bawled my eyes out writing the part with Seth. I must be PMSing.