BPOV
"When is Grandpa going to be here?" whined Alex, loudly.
I sighed as I finished washing the last of the breakfast dishes and dried my hands. He was too busy pacing back and forth in the living room to help like he normally would. I'm not sure if he was more excited about my father coming to watch him play in his first soccer game or more excited about this being his first game. Maybe it was both. I walked into the living room and put my hands on his shoulders just as he was fixing to turn and head in the other direction.
"Calm down, Alex," I said. "Grandpa will be here in a few minutes."
"We are going to be late," grumbled Alex, resuming his pacing. "Edward said to be there at ten and it's almost ten."
"It's only nine-fifteen," I snorted. "We have plenty of time."
"Whatever," muttered Alex.
I left Alex to his pacing and sat down on the couch. I pulled his soccer bag over and went through it to make sure he had everything he was going to need. We were going straight from his game to Anna's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Angela and Ben were brave people for hosting a birthday party there on a Saturday. I'll admit to being a little nervous about Alex going. There were going to be a lot of people there and it was going to be hard for me to keep my eye on him.
I had just dropped an extra bottle of water in Alex's red and blue bag when the doorbell rang. Alex threw up his hands and muttered an irritated "Finally" as he went over and pulled the door open. Charlie was leaning against the door frame with a huge smile on his face. Of course, the first thing I saw was the bandage wrapped around his right hand.
"What did you do this time?" I asked, pulling my father's hand into mine.
"I might have burned myself while trying to make myself some dinner," muttered Charlie. I rolled my eyes as I unwrapped the bandage. I knew my father wouldn't have gone to the emergency room for this.
"It looks horrible," I sighed. The burn was red and swollen. I was pretty sure he was getting an infection. "Why didn't you go to the hospital?"
"I didn't need to," he said, shrugging his shoulders. I looked down at my son.
"Will you go get me the first aid kit from the bathroom, please?" I asked.
"Ok," grumbled Alex, heading upstairs. I pulled Charlie into the house and straight into the kitchen.
"We've been through this, Dad," I said. "When you burn yourself, you have to go to the ER."
"I'm fine," muttered Charlie.
"You are not fine," I snapped, holding his hand up to his face. "It's infected."
"Is not," muttered Charlie.
"Here you go, Momma," said Alex, handing me the first aid kit.
"Thank you, honey," I smiled. "Go get your bag so we can leave as soon as I get this taken care of."
"Yes, ma'am," said Alex. He looked over at Charlie. "Really, Grandpa. What were you thinking?"
"I don't know, Alex," muttered Charlie.
Alex rolled his eyes as he headed into the living room. I cleaned Charlie's hand and put on a new bandage. He muttered a thanks and followed me and Alex out to the car. Alex helped Charlie buckle his seatbelt before climbing into his booster seat and buckling himself in. I started the car and headed down to the park where they were playing their first game.
Twenty minutes later, I pulled my car up behind Edward's car. I climbed out and unbuckled Alex's seatbelt for him. He grabbed his bag, jumped out of the car, and took off running toward the field where Anthony and Edward were kicking the ball back and forth. Edward turned as Alex jumped into his arms and hugged him. Edward set Alex down on the ground and looked over at me. He waved at me and I felt my face turn red as I waved back. I could feel my father's eyes boring into me.
"So, we should probably find a place to sit," I suggested, ignoring my father as I moved to the back of my car and pulled out the two new camping chairs I had bought. Edward told me they would be more comfortable than sitting on the ground.
"Don't think you can distract me that easy, honey," smirked Charlie, taking one of the chairs from me. I bit my lip as I looked up at him.
"I don't know what you are talking about," I said, innocently.
"Yeah, right," scoffed Charlie.
I pursed my lips together and walked away from him, leaving him standing there laughing at me. He was such a jerk sometimes. Good thing I loved him. I went over and found a spot on the side of the field where I would be able to see everything. Edward came running over just as Charlie caught up with me.
"Edward, how's it going?" asked Charlie, clapping him on the shoulder with this wounded hand. "Damn it, that hurt."
"Dad, there are kids here," I hissed, glaring at him.
"Oh, sorry," he muttered.
"What did you do to your hand, Charlie?" asked Edward.
"Nothing," he muttered. "So the boys ready for the game?"
"I think so," smiled Edward, nodding his head. He looked over at me and his smiled grew. Something my father noticed, too. "I guess I'll see you afterwards."
"Ok," I said, blushing. "Tell Anthony I said to have fun."
"I will," laughed Edward.
He smiled at me one more time before he turned and ran back over to where Emmett, Jasper, Anthony, Alex, Anna, and the rest of the team were waiting. I turned, once again ignoring the smirk that sat on my father's face, and unfolded my chair.
"Hey, Bella," giggled Alice. I looked up at she came up to us with Ivy in one arm and a chair in her other. "Charlie, what did you do to your hand?"
"Nothing," he grumbled. "Who's this little one?"
"This is Alice's daughter, Ivy," I smiled, pulling the baby into my arms as she reached for me. "Isn't she adorable?"
"She's a beauty that's for sure," chuckled Charlie, reaching over and grabbing her hand. Ivy looked at him for a moment before she reached for him. "Oh, look at that. She has good taste already," he smirked, pulling the raven haired baby out of my arms. "Such a smart girl."
"Whatever," I snorted.
"Good morning, Bella," smiled Esme as she and Carlisle joined us. She looked from me to Charlie and back at me. "Is this the Grandpa?"
"Why do people keep asking you that?" grumbled Charlie. "Have you been talking about me behind my back again?"
"No, Dad, I say everything about you to your face," I smirked. "Alex was telling them about you at dinner the other night. This is Carlisle and Esme Cullen, Anthony's grandparents. Carlisle, Esme, this is my father, Charlie."
"It's nice to meet you both," smiled Charlie, waving his injured hand at them.
"You too, Charlie," said Esme. "What did you do to your hand?"
"Nothing," muttered Charlie.
"He burned it," I said, glaring at him. "Did he go to the doctor? No, because he is stubborn."
"Am not," grunted Charlie, handing Ivy back to Alice. He turned his gaze on me. "So when was this dinner with Carlisle and Esme, Bella?"
"The game is about to start," I muttered, sitting down.
"Bella," said Charlie, taking the seat next to me. I sighed and looked over at him. "Is there something you need to tell me?"
"No," I said, smiling at him. "I don't need to tell you anything but since I can feel Alice vibrating with excitement-"
"Am not," scoffed Alice. I looked over at her. She had a huge smile on her face. "Ok, so maybe I am but it's just so great, Bella."
"What's great?" whined Charlie. "Everyone here knows the secret but me."
"Are you whining?" I asked. "You know, Alex has been whining a lot lately. I wonder who he's been learning that from? Oh, and we can't forget all the pouting that someone has been teaching him. Or the begging. I almost forgot about the begging."
"Don't know what you are talking about, Bella," muttered Charlie. I could hear Esme, Carlisle and Alice all laughing around us.
"Hey, Bella," said Angela and Kate as they joined us. "I hear you and Edward went on a date last week. What did you guys do?"
With those few words, I felt my father look at me. I cleared my throat and kept my eyes off of his as I answered her. "We went down to the pier and hung out."
"Emmett told us that you two are seeing each other now," smiled Kate. "Is that true?"
"Oh, look the game is starting," said Esme, shooting me a look.
I gave her what I hoped would be a thankful smile before turning to the field. Now, I didn't know much about soccer other than you can't use your hands and you do a lot of running. The game started by the boys' team moving the ball up the field toward the goal that would earn them a point. Anthony was kicking the ball down the field. He turned and kicked it over to Alex, who turned and kicked it to Elliott. He took the ball down the field a little ways before the other team stripped it away.
The game went back and forth like this for most of the first half. Just before the break, Anthony took the ball down the field and scored the first goal of the game. Alex ran up to him and gave him a high-five as all the parents on our side of the field started cheering for him.
"WAY TO GO, ANTHONY!" I screamed, jumping up and down for him.
He looked over at me with the biggest smile on his face. He waved before he ran over to Edward, who pulled him into a big hug. Since they were almost at the half, I headed over to my car to grab the snacks I had made for them. I had just shut the back of my car when I saw Charlie leaning against the side of my car with a smirk planted on his face.
"Ok, let's hear it," I sighed, setting the small cooler down on the ground and folding my arms in front of my chest.
"When were you going to tell me about you and Edward?" he asked.
"I don't know," I mumbled. "It's new."
"You like him a lot, don't you?" asked Charlie.
"Yes, I do and Anthony, too," I said, quietly as I leaned up against the car next to him. "Alex loves him, Dad."
"But?" asked Charlie. I smiled at him.
"But I'm scared, too," I admitted. "I don't know how to date anyone, Dad."
"Just take it one step at a time and listened to your heart, honey," smiled my father. "If it means anything at all, I'm happy for you. You've been alone for a long time. It's nice to see you smile more."
"I like it, too," I laughed, picking up the cooler.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked as we headed back to the field.
"Sure," I said.
"Is Edward's family always so…" he trailed off as he struggled to find the right word.
"In your face?" I asked.
"Exactly," he sighed.
"Yes, but you get used to it," I laughed. "Trust me, this is calm for them."
"Oh lord," muttered Charlie. "Help us all."
I laughed as we joined the others back at our seats. The first half ended and I took my cooler over to the team. I passed out the homemade cookies I had made for them and gave each of them a juice box. Emmett, Jasper, Ben, and Garrett had gone to where their wives were, leaving Edward alone with the kids.
"Bella, sit by me," urged Anthony, pulling me over to where Edward and Alex were sitting. I sat down on the ground next to them.
"Here's a cookie for the coach," I smiled, handing Edward a cookie.
"Thank you," he said, taking it. "Is my family behaving over there?"
"For the most part," I laughed, looking at them. Carlisle was looking at Charlie's hand and shaking his head. Charlie had a frown on his face. "I think your dad is lecturing mine on why you go to the hospital when you hurt yourself."
"Probably," chuckled Edward.
"Mom, did you see me kicking the ball?" asked Alex, bouncing up and down.
"I did," I laughed. "You did so great! You too, Anthony. That was an awesome goal."
"Thanks, Bella," smiled Anthony. His face was covered in chocolate.
"Anthony, you got chocolate all over your face," chuckled Edward, reaching over and wiping his face off.
"Dad, stop," grumbled Anthony, pulling away from Edward. He climbed over into my lap. "Protect me, Bella."
"I've got you, Anthony," I laughed, wrapping my arms around him.
"Give me the boy," growled Edward, crawling toward us. Alex laughed as he scrambled to his feet and jumped on Edward's back.
"Give us the boy and nobody gets hurts," laughed Alex.
"Never," I giggled, scrambling to my feet and running with Anthony wrapped around my body, laughing his head off.
"Gotcha," yelled Edward, throwing his arms around the two of us. He pulled us to the ground. Alex was still perched up on his back, laughing almost as hard as Anthony and I were.
"Yo, Eddie," yelled Emmett. Edward groaned and looked back over to where the rest of his team were. "Stop playing with your girl and let's get this game going."
"I'll be right there," yelled Edward. He looked back at me and the boys, who were laying on the ground next to me. "Time for more soccer fun."
"Yay!" cheered Alex and Anthony, scrambling to their feet and running back to the rest of their team.
Edward stood up and pulled me back to my feet. He kept my hand in his as we joined them. I collected all the trash and my cooler and headed back over to where Charlie was sitting with Esme, Carlisle, Rose, Alice, Angela, and Kate. They all smiled as I sat down in my seat. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at them and went back to watching the game, which had just resumed play.
"Bella?" whispered Charlie. I ignored him. "Bella?"
"What?" I muttered, looking over at him.
"It looks good on you," he whispered.
"What does?" I asked, quietly.
"Don't tell her, Charlie," snorted Carlisle. I looked over at him. "Make her figure it out. That's what I am doing to Edward. It's kind of funny to watch."
"What are you talking about?" I huffed.
"Not telling," chortled Carlisle. Everyone else was laughing with them. It was very annoying. "You'll see it soon enough. You both will."
"Oh, Carlisle," laughed Charlie. I looked over at him. He had his head thrown back as he laughed hysterically. "I like you. You're ballsy."
"You two are acting like a couple of dorks," I muttered, standing up.
I left them all sitting there laughing, which only made them all laugh harder at me. I wasn't sure what the hell Charlie or Carlisle was talking about. Knowing my father, it could be just about anything. From what I knew of Carlisle, he wasn't much different. I walked down the sidelines as I watched Alex, kicking the ball. He stopped and passed it over to Anna, who smiled as she took it to the other side. She bypassed two defenders before she reared back and kicked the ball into the net.
"GO ANNA!" I cheered, jumping up and down for her.
Alex went over and hugged her. From the corner of my eye, I saw Ben snap his head over to them. It may have been my imagination but it looked like he narrowed his eyes at my son. Edward laughed and patted him on the shoulder. Ben seemed to relax a little as the kids came back over to them.
The rest of the game went by quickly. The other team scored a goal just before the game ended, giving us the win with the score of two to one. Edward, Emmett, Jasper, Ben, and Garrett had the kids line up and tell the other team that they did a good job. They huddled our team together in a tight circle. I heard them asking them if they had fun, which all the kids screamed yes. All the coaches laughed and said that was what was important today. They told all the kids they were proud of them and reminded them about practice on Tuesday before they dismissed them.
"Mom, did you see Anna score that goal?" asked Alex, bouncing over to me. He jumped into my arms and wrapped his legs around my waist.
"I sure did," I said, smiling as Edward and Anthony joined us. "That was a good pass you made. I'm so proud of you."
"Me too?" asked Anthony. I set Alex down on the ground and squatted down in front of Anthony.
"Yes, sweetheart," I smiled, pulling him in for a hug. "I'm very proud of you too."
"There are my boys," bellowed Charlie.
"Grandpa!" yelled Alex and Anthony, jumping into my father's arms. He bit back his groan, even if he did stumble back a couple of steps.
"You boys did so good," said Charlie. "I'm real glad I got to see you two play."
"Can you come to the party with us?" asked Alex, jousting out his bottom lip. Charlie groaned and looked over at me. I cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Sorry, squirt, but I've gotta work this afternoon," said Charlie, setting the boys down. "The town would fall apart without me."
"Yeah, nobody there to eat all those donuts," I smirked. Charlie glared at me and I smiled at him.
"I do more than eat donuts, Bella," muttered Charlie.
"Yeah, Mom," scoffed Alex. "He also fishes."
"You're right, Alex," I smiled while Charlie shook his head.
"Ok, boys, I've gotta go," sighed my father, hugging them both. "I'm real proud of you both."
"Thanks, Grandpa," they muttered.
I helped Charlie take our chairs and my cooler back to my car. I hugged him and handed him my keys. He looked up at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Take my car back to my house," I said. "Alex and I are riding with Edward to Anna's birthday party. Just lock the keys in the car. I have my extra key."
"Ok," smiled Charlie. He nodded his head as he looked back at the boys and Edward. "They're good for you, kiddo."
"I know," I muttered. "Thanks for coming and please keep your hand clean. It looks really bad."
"I will," grumbled Charlie, heading to the drivers side of my car. "Love you."
"Love you."
Charlie climbed in and drove away. I felt Edward come up behind me and wrap his arms around me from behind. He lowered his lips down and pressed them against my cheek. I smiled as I placed my hands on top of his.
"Are you ready to head over to the party?" asked Edward.
"Yep," I said, turning in his arms. I slipped my arms through his and wrapped them around his waist. "Did you have fun today?"
"I did," smiled Edward. "I love watching them play. They don't care about winning and losing at this age. It's all about having fun. Did you enjoy your first soccer game?"
"I did," I laughed. "Even with my father smirking at me the whole time and your family giggling every time they looked at me."
"I'm sorry," sighed Edward. "I'll tell them to stop."
"Don't," I smiled. "It's fine."
"Dad, can we go now?" grumbled Anthony. Edward gave me a look before he turned and faced the boy. He and Alex were standing next to the car, looking bored.
"Get into the car and buckle up," ordered Edward.
The two of them climbed into the backseat and pulled on their seats belts. Edward opened my door for me and I slid into the car. He shut the door behind me and ran around to his side of the car. He climbed in and we headed off to Chuck E. Cheese.
Ten minutes later, he pulled the car up next to Emmett and Rose's SUV. The four of us climbed out. Edward and I grabbed the gifts we had picked up for Anna and followed the boys inside. The woman at the podium stamped our hands and directed us to where the party room was. We walked in and I froze.
"Bella?" asked Lauren Mallory.