Chapter Fourteen
Jasper
I felt Bella's apprehension increase the closer we got to her mothers house so I stopped the car and turned to her,
"What's the matter Bella?"
She blushed looking even more beautiful than ever,
"I'm just...it's just... I had such a wonderful day that I hate it to end. Are you and Garrett leaving now? Was this a goodbye outing?"
"Only if you want it to be. Personally I could stay here forever."
As I said it I realized it was true, I didn't want to leave Bella, what did it mean?
"No I don't want it to be. Would you come and see me tomorrow?"
"Would you like to go out again tomorrow if Renee doesn't have any plans?"
Her smile dazzled me,
"I'd love to."
"Then I'll ring you in the morning. In the meantime don't forget Rex."
I walked Bella to the door and made sure she got in safely enjoying the thank you kiss she gave me and I sat in the car until I saw Renee and Phil get back before going to hunt and think.
Bella
I got ready for bed with difficulty, a plaster cast didn't make life easy, then got into bed with Rex holding him close. I'd had a wonderful day and I hoped he would ring tomorrow. I had dozed off when my bedroom door opened and Renee peered in to check I was home.
"Sorry we're so late honey, did you have fun? I like your new friend"
I smiled and cuddled Rex,
"I had a great time. Garrett and Jasper took me to Winterfest."
"Really? Aren't you a little old for that? It's for children really."
"No it isn't I had a great time and they made Rex for me"
"Two grown men made you a teddy bear? I guess it takes all sorts. Well I'm going to bed, I'm bushed. Tomorrow you can tell me all about it then I need a hand making some party food. Phils team mates are coming over. They're all looking forward to meeting you and who knows you might even enjoy yourself."
"I was hoping to go out tomorrow"
"Well really Bella. Its Christmas and you should be happy to spend it with family. I'll be very disappointed if you miss this party."
"Could I invite Jasper and Garrett?"
"Hardly, they aren't players are they? Sometimes Bella I wonder what you're doing in that head of yours. Nite"
So that was it, my Christmas was over. I thought it ironic, family came first but only when it suited my mum. I wondered if Charlie was invited and hoped Jake wasn't.
Jasper
I rang as early as I thought I could get away with and the phone was answered by Renee,
"Oh Jasper, Bella's still in bed, I think perhaps you wore her out yesterday, she was shattered. I think under the circumstances you could have been a little more thoughtful after all she was at the hospital with a broken hand in the morning. Do you really think it was wise to drag her round a child's entertainment venue all evening. She won't be well enough to go out today in fact I'm going to take her in breakfast and some pain meds and suggest she stay in bed for the morning. Why don't you ring tomorrow. I have to go now, her toast is ready."
When I put the phone down Garrett raise an eyebrow,
"A real piece of work isn't she? You don't believe her do you?"
"No, Bella was fine when I left her. I think Renee didn't like that Bella had a good time yesterday but we can hardly crash into the house to see her."
"True but we can see what's really going on, do a little undercover work. Right up our street wouldn't you say?"
We left for Renee's house an hour later planning to stay out of sight but within earshot and find out what was going in.
Bella
I got up about eight and managed a wash, I had hoped Renee might help me shower but she was too busy with "arrangements" so I did the best I could and went through for breakfast about nine. Phil was out but Renee sat with a coffee and the paper.
"Could you make me toast too honey? It was so tiring last night but fun, and then perhaps we can work out what you can manage for this evening. I saw you'd put some things in the freezer so I got those out but there isn't enough, these are sportsmen after all."
I struggled with the toaster and got a glare when I put the butter and preserves on the table for her to help herself. She tutted as she spread her own toast then disappeared behind the paper again while I struggled with my own. It wasn't very even but I ate the half spread toast then made a fresh coffee for myself and of course Renee too. She put the paper down and picked up a list,
"I made a list of possibilities for this evening so take a look and tell me what you can manage. I told them all what a wonderful cook you are so don't let me down"
I looked at the list on the table as I sipped my coffee and took a couple of pain killers.
"Mum how am I supposed to make these things one-handed?"
"Well maybe you should have thought about that before you started hitting Jake. It's not like you to be so violent, you were never like that when you lived with me. I don't like it, not very lady like Bella, I'm very disappointed in you. Now what can you manage?"
Realizing I wasn't going to get out of cooking something even with a cast I picked the easiest things which mollified Renee somewhat.
"I could tell you what to do mum"
"Oh no, I'm no good with the oven you know that, but I'll get things out of the oven for you, will that help?"
What could I say? I spent the morning struggling with ingredients and cutters and by lunchtime Renee was looking at me with a smile while I just wanted to get some pain killers and a drink. Jasper hadn't rung so I guessed maybe something more important had come up. I didn't blame him for not wanting to spend all his time with me but I had hoped for a phone call.
"Mum have you had any calls this morning?"
She looked at me absently as she put on her jacket.
"Calls? No I don't think so. Now Bella I have to get my hair done, Shirley will be here in a moment to clean so don't get in her way honey I want the place to look just right for this evening but if you could just run an iron over my dress, I've left it hanging on the closet door, see you soon"
I watched her go in amazement, since living with Phil she had got progressively worse. How was I supposed to iron for Gods sake? Before I could say anything she was gone and Shirley was here. As I struggled to put the ironing board up she took pity on me and exchanged the iron for a duster. A quick thanks and I went through to dust the lounge and check the bathrooms were clean and well supplied. Renee's dress was a new one and very expensive by the look of the label. As I sat down to drink the coffee Shirley had made me the phone rang and I answered it eagerly, only to be disappointed.
"Bella?"
"Dad?"
"Where's Renee?"
"Having her hair done, why?"
"She didn't say what time she wanted us tonight"
"You're coming?"
"Sure, why so surprised?"
"I shouldn't be should I?. Is Jake invited too?"
"Of course, are you all right Bella? You sound fed up."
"No I'm fine dad. The party starts at 8 so any time after that."
"Have you made some of those salmon puffs?"
I couldn't believe it, he knew I'd hurt my hand but even he thought I would be cooking
"Yes dad I made them one-handed this morning so don't worry"
I put the phone down, angry and hurt, he hadn't even picked up on my dig. Neither of my parents seemed to care enough about me but I wouldn't spend the evening with Jake if I had to glue myself to Phil or one of his buddies.
I told Shirley I was going to the beach for a few minutes and took a soda with me escaping the house for a little while. I found the same sheltered spot as the other day and sat down closing my eyes and gritting my teeth. Everything had gone to hell since Edward left. Charlie was busy trying to push me into Jakes arms, mum wasn't bothered if I had a boyfriend or not, she was happy enough to go along with Charlie because it saved her having me back. She and Phil were obviously having much more fun alone and she only cared about him and the good times now. I was just a bothersome daughter who would soon be off her hands altogether. I struggled to pull the ring pull on my soda, hot tears of self-pity running down my cheeks when a cold hand came over my shoulder and took it from me then I found myself lifted up and held comfortingly in Jaspers arms