My Paper Heart
Chapter 20
It'd been three weeks since I'd served Jasper with divorce papers, sole custody papers and restraining order papers.
The lawyer, my dad and his deputies said they hadn't seen or heard from him since serving him with the papers, but they would keep an eye out for him and continue to check on his place.
I'd been forced to finally press charges against Jasper for him to get the help he needed and the proper restraining orders, but it worried me that no one, not even Edward knew where he was.
Edward came by to help a lot with the kids, as did my dad and Sue. The boys had been a handful lately and I was still trying to heal, emotionally from all this and be the mom they needed.
Watching the kids play in the backyard with my dad and Edward when the phone rings "This is Bella."
"Bella, this is your lawyer Mr. Rios." He explained quickly into the phone.
"Mr. Rios, yes. Hello." I sat up and motioned to Sue that I was going inside.
"I just wanted to inform you that we've received the divorce papers from your husband and he's not contesting anything." He informed me.
"Wow! That's great." I said in surprise.
"It is, but also we've seen these cases take a turn for the worst. Sometimes they do crazy things, so just be careful." He warned.
"Thank you. I will."
I walked back outside and filled in Sue and now my dad who were sitting there drinking a beer on what Mr. Rios had said.
"We'll keep an eye out on you, don't worry. It might be a good idea if you stay with us or someone stays with you for a few days." My dad sighed.
"What's up?" Edward asked walking up and dropping on the chair next to mine.
"Jasper, he finally signed the papers." I smiled.
"Great news!"
"Yeah, but now everyone thinks he'll try something." I shrugged.
"I agreed. I'll stay. Your couch makes into a bed, right?" Edward asked.
"Edward, you can't stay. If Jasper even thinks you're here, he'll blow a gasket."
"I really don't care. I'm your friend as much as his. I'm here for his protection too."
"I'm not going to win this argument am I?" I questioned.
"No. If not for you, for your kids." Edward smirked.
"That's playing dirty." I gave him a pouty look.
"That's called being a good friend." My dad gave a curt nod.
"What about Emmett and Rose?" I came back.
"Do you really want to deal with all their commotion?" Sue laughed.
"Commotion?" I raised a brow and she looked towards the kids.
"Ohhhh… Yeah, no. I don't need that. Fine, you can stay." I nodded my chin at Edward.
"I'll run home and get a few things and be back shortly."
"We'll still be here." My dad stated firmly.
"Let's get the boys cleaned up, they're pretty dirty from rolling in the dirt." Sue laughed at the twins as they ran up to get drinks.
"OK boys, bath time. Uncle Edward is coming back to have a sleep over with you. So, if you want pizza and popcorn, then you must be clean before he gets here. Got it!" I put on my best mom face.
"YEAH! Uncle Edward!" they were running to their bathroom and stripping in no time.
"Well that gets them moving." Sue laughed.
"Yeah, mention any of the male influences, but knowing they get to stay the night or someone is staying the night here and they're twice as excited." I shook my head.
"Well they need that in their lives." My dad stated as he started their bath.
"I know. I just wished it was…" I looked at both.
"As it should be, and maybe he'll get his act together someday. But right now, we'll all have to pull together and help out." Sue hugged me tightly as my dad bathed the boys.
I bathed Haley in my shower with me, that was one of her favorite things to do and it made for a much easier shower for me.
Slipping into sweats and a tank top and Haley her pajama's the boys were in the living room with mom and dad watching Finding Nemo as we walked in, and there was a knock on the door.
"Hey, did someone order pizza?" Edward asked.
The boys took off running to the kitchen.
"You know I need to start planning Haley's 1st birthday, right?" I asked Sue as we walked into the kitchen.
"I know, I can't believe she's almost a year, it's gone by too fast." Sue shook her head. "What are you thinking?"
"Just close family. Nothing large scale at all. I just don't have it in me." I confessed.
"Well, I'm with you. Haley staying with you and not going to daycare; he doesn't have a big circle of friends. Family only." Sue nodded.
"A cookout, cake, ice cream and a princess maybe? She likes to dress up."
"That sounds like fun." Sue agreed. "I can make a princess cake."
"Alright, it's settled."
We sat around talking about party stuff and different projects in general that needed to be fixed around my house in general that any of us could do and the things I'd have to hire someone to fix and to try and get them done before the party if possible.
"Alright boys, time for tooth brushing and then you can get your sleeping bags and we'll camp out in the living room tonight." Edward announced.
"Me too!" Haley exclaimed.
"Mommy can put your playpen down here and you can sleep in that, but I'm not chasing you around again princess." Edward kissed her forehead.
"OK. I'll go get it. But I'm sleeping in my bed." I laughed.
Walking back down stairs they're all piled on the couch watching Little Mermaid with Haley on Edward's lap and the boys on each side of him, I stopped short and tried not to cry. This should be Jasper, our family time. Our memories. But he had to screw that all up. Taking a deep breath, I continued walking down the stairs and set up the playpen and then sat on the love seat.
The children falling asleep before the end of the movie, I pick up Haley and place her in the playpen, then take Hudson and Edward takes Harrison and we place them in their sleeping bags.
Edward helps me check the house and set the alarms before climbing onto the couch bed.
"See you in the morning, get some rest." Edward smiles.
"You too." I nod at the kids and head upstairs.
Sleep comes quickly but doesn't last long.
I wake up to a pounding on the front door and screaming kids.
Edward is running up the stairs as fast as possible with all three kids crying.
"It's Jasper, he's at the door and sounds drunk. Call your dad and lock the door." He demands.
"Edward, stay in here until my dad arrives. If he's anything like last time, he'll hurt you like me." I begged.
"Bella, I don't want him thinking there's something between us."
"He's already thinking that if he's in a mood." I assured him.
"You're probably right." He sighed.
At that we heard a crash and shouting.
"I know Edward is here! I see his car!" Jasper was yelling as he was pounding up the stairs.
We heard sirens in the distance.
"I'm going to step out and talk to him." I looked at Edward. "My dad is almost here."
"That's not smart." He held me back.
"I'll be fine. Take the kids into the bathroom." I picked up a now sleeping Haley and walked her over to the bathroom and handed her to Edward. "You boys be good for Uncle and stay here. OK." They nodded and I took a deep breath as I reached for the door handle.
As I turned it, I came face to face with a very different looking Jasper. He was in total disarray. His hair was longer and didn't look as if it'd been washed for days, he had a beard and his clothes hung off his frame.
"Jasper. What have you done to yourself?" I asked.
"Me? I should be asking that of you? Changing your hair for Edward, are we?" he spat.
"What?" I questioned.
"You chopped off all your hair Bella and lost all your weight." He scoffed.
"I cut my hair because it was easier to do with three children and the same goes with the weight. Chasing three kids and all the stress I've been under, I was bound to lose weight." I poked his chest.
He grabbed me hand and squeezed it. "Don't fucking touch me, if you've touched him!"
"What are you talking about Jasper? Nothing is going on between Edward and I!" I shouted.
"Then why the fuck is he here?" he twisted my arm and pulled me towards him, right as my dad made it upstairs.
"Let her go Jasper." My dad had his gun on Jasper.
"Not until I get my answer." Jasper shouted.
"To protect us from you!" I cried.
Jasper dropped my arm and we both fell to the ground at the same time.
My dad tackled him and Jasper had tears flowing down his face as I laid holding my arm.
"I'm so sorry baby. So, so sorry." Jasper cried as my dad pulled him up.
"Dad, wait.!" I took a deep breath and tried to push myself up.
"Here, let me." My dad pulled me up gently.
"Will you get the help you need, please?" I asked Jasper.
"Yes." He nodded as I pressed my lips to his and we both sighed in contentment.
AN:
A long time coming…
Up next… Epilogue…
I hope you've enjoyed this ride!
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