A/N: I don't own Twilight. I do love these characters though. Huge shout out to my Beta Gooseonline… mistakes are mine.
Well everyone is over for lunch. It's loud and chaotic how will everyone get along? Let's see shall we…. see you on the other side.
chapter 21 ~ a baker's dozen
Bella and I took turns getting dressed. We tried to dress at the same time but we just couldn't stop touching each other which was fun but we were running out of time. So finally we just decided to take turns.
I dressed while Bella gave Lil Bit a bath and then I took over dressing the little one while Bella showered and dressed.
Lil Bit was so excited to have everyone over for lunch that she couldn't stop bouncing which made it very hard to dress her. It was like trying to dress a bouncing ball. Not to mention that the dress Bella had put out for her was a gorgeous pink party dress or 'pwincess dwess' as Lil Bit insisted. The damn thing had layers and frills. I lost the little girl inside it completely once I got it over her head. She was bouncing and giggling and I was feeling like an idiot. Once I had her arms through the correct holes, her head finally appeared out through the neck. Her little face grinning up at me, apparently completely unaware that I had no idea what I was doing.
It was actually all pretty funny until we couldn't find her 'woses' shoes. Apparently Rosalie had given her some shoes that had roses all over them and she just had to have them.
I searched everywhere for them but was coming up empty. I offered her plenty of others which were also pink to match her dress. I thought I could convince her to try a different pair but then her little bottom lip came and tears started well up in her eyes.
"I'm sorry little love, I can't seem to find your Roses shoes. Won't you wear one of the other pairs?" I must have had 10 pairs of pink shoes but none of them would do. Her beautiful blue eyes were so sad. I was about to panic when Bella came in and put her hands on the missing shoes within a few seconds looking in Lil Bit's walk-in closet. Damn woman, how did she do that!
"Where were they? I looked everywhere."
She just laughed at me.
"Don't you look beautiful Lil Bit. Edward dressed you so well in your pretty pink dress. The shoes must have been hiding from him, but we've found them now."
"Fank oo, momma." Lil Bit beamed her beautiful smile at Bella and at me. Thank fuck, I don't think I could stand to see her cry. Ever since I comforted her after the attack in the park the thought of her crying just broke my heart. Especially not over something as stupid as shoes.
"You're welcome, sweetheart. Now let's get these pretty shoes on and then we'll be ready for our guests. There's so many lovely people coming to see us today." Bella slipped the shoes on Elizabeth's feet and did up the buckles. She reached forward and kissed the tip of Lil Bit's nose. Damn I am completely lost to these two.
"Well, look at my two pretty girls!" I reached down, picked up Lil Bit and pulled Bella into my arms. I planted a kiss on each of their cheeks.
"Oo pwetty, too Eh-wed."
"Yes, Edward, you are very pretty too." Bella smirked.
I was about to tickle her mercilessly for calling me pretty but just then the doorbell rang.
Showtime!
The next hour was complete madness. Everyone seemed to arrive at the same time. Rosalie arrived with Emmett, hand in hand I noted. Alley arrived with my parents. Sam, Emily, Jacob, Leah and Seth arrived in a group.
Bella had some lovely classical music playing over the sound system but nothing was going to calm this crew. We were all congregated in the lounge room with Bella introducing everyone to everyone else. For some reason Sam and Jacob were giving me the evil eye, no idea what the fuck that was about. I just ignored them as I was busy getting everyone beverages.
Esme and Carlisle were besotted with Lil Bit. When they arrived Lil Bit was a little shy but then Esme told her to call them Nonna and Poppa. Lil Bit beamed at them and Bella silently wiped away a tear which I am pretty sure I was the only one to see. Esme clinched the deal with Lil Bit when she handed her a pink gift bag covered in a butterfly print. The bag was overflowing with ribbons and fluffy paper. Girls!
"Fank oo, Nonna. Fank oo, Poppa." Lil Bit was so excited she burst into giggles, plonked herself on the floor next to Seth and pulled everything out of the bag.
From the bag she pulled out a princess crown which she put straight on her head, several boxes of colours, a Disney princess colouring-in book as well as a Knights and Castles colouring-in book, which she immediately handed to Seth.
"He-ah Sef. A colour book for oo, too." Seth smiled at her in this adoring way, took the book and some colours and set to work quietly colouring-in. It occurred to me that I didn't think I'd heard Seth talk. Odd.
Lil Bit ran back into Esme's arms, smothered her face in kisses and giving her a tight hug around the neck before running back to Seth. They sat there colouring in their own little friendship bubble with Esme keeping a constant maternal eye on them.
Alley and Bella were talking excitedly about the fashion show coming up this week. Ugh. I hated those things but at least this time I would be going with my Bella.
Rosalie, Emily and Leah were talking babies. Emily was obviously enjoying her pregnancy as she was lovingly rubbing her little baby bump almost continuously. As I watched her I imagined Bella swollen with my child and I couldn't help the stupid grin that spread across my face.
"What's got you smirking, baby?" Bella and I were never too far apart as we moved around the guests so she'd obviously seen me grinning. I reached my arms around her and placed my hands on her stomach and rocked her gently from side to side.
"I was just imagining you pregnant with my baby."
She let out a gentle sigh, smiled and leaned her head back against my chest, "Imagining me pregnant and yet you're not running away."
"I told you, love, I am never running away from you again. You are stuck with me. I am going to be right here next to you until you send me away."
"Never."
"Well then I am here to stay."
She rolled her head on my chest to turn her face towards me and I leaned down to give her a soft peck on the lips. I could feel the eyes of most of our guests upon us with most of them smiling warmly at us.
Just then I noticed that Jacob and Sam were staring at us with anger on their faces. What the fuck was their problem. They must have realised I had seen them glaring at me and were just about to walk over to me when the doorbell rang again.
"I'll go." Bella left my arms but I grabbed her hand so we could go together to greet the last of our guests.
"Marcus!" Bella jumped into my Uncle's arms. She looked like a child embraced by Uncle Marcus' 6 foot 6 inch frame.
"Isabella, il mio angelo prezioso, how are you feeling?" He reached down and gently ran the back of his hand over her bruised cheek. "Carlisle tells me the police have arrested those animals who attacked you."
Aro had a look of surprise on his face by the emotional welcome between Bella and his normally quite reserved brother. Frankly so was I.
"It is so good to see you Marcus. Yes, I am fine. Edward's been taking very good care of me. Don't worry." She was still enveloped in my Uncle's arms as she looked over to me.
I took the opportunity to step forward and remove my girl from Marcus' hold. I whispered to her, "Come to me, my love."
I shook Marcus' hand holding Bella close to me with the other arm. "Hello Uncle. I am glad to see you."
Marcus smiled. "So it is true. Aro told me you were in love with my precious angel. My apologies Isabella. I am being rude, please let me introduce my brother and business partner Aro and his gorgeous wife Sulpicia."
Marcus stood behind Bella slightly as he gestured to Aro and his wife. "Aro, Sulpicia, this is my precious angel Isabella Swan."
"Actually Uncle," I teased as I moved Bella to my other side away from Marcus and pulled her close to me "Isabella is my precious angel… she is my sweet one."
Marcus laughed, "Yes, my dear nephew she certainly is your sweet one. Edward, I was surprised but delighted to hear that you and Bella have found each other. She is a truly wonderful young woman."
I then stepped forward to Aro. "Hello Uncle" I shook his hand. "Aunt Sulpicia, lovely to see you." I reached forward and kissed her cheek.
Aro took Bella's hand and kissed it. "Edward my boy, so this is your lovely baker. Lovely to meet you Isabella, my dear, Edward has spoken very warmly about you. Isn't she a beauty, Sulpicia?"
"Dear nephew, Aro told me how in love you were but I could hardly believe it. But here now I see it for my very own eyes. Aro they remind me of us when we first met." Sulpicia reached forward to hug and kiss Bella's cheek. "It is lovely to meet you my dear. I am so glad that Edward has finally found his beloved."
"Thank you for coming today, it is lovely to meet you too. Please come into the lounge room and meet everyone please." Bella took my arm and we led the way into the lounge room.
Of course Esme and Carlisle went over to greet Marcus, Aro and Sulpicia. Esme then took responsibility for introducing them to everyone there. Bella excused herself to go and check on things in the kitchen. She brought out platters of little pastry treats circulating the room with them but just as quickly as they'd disappear she'd go and collect more. The woman just seemed to produce food like magic.
I looked around for Lil Bit only to find Alley sitting on the floor with her and with Seth. Alice was helping with colouring in Seth's castle book. He wasn't talking but you could see that he was comfortable with her. Lil Bit was humming a song of some kind while Seth and Alice were quiet but happy.
I went around offering drinks to everyone and once done I was going to check on Bella. But Sam and Jacob cornered me near the bar and asked to speak with me privately. Well it looked like I was finally going to find out what was with their attitude.
"Let's go in Bella's study." Jacob led the way. I resented the fact that he acted like he owned the place and was just going to use Bella's study without so much as a by your leave. I looked around but I couldn't see Bella anywhere.
"I'll just be a moment guys, I just want to check on Bella." I started towards the kitchen. Sam grabbed my arm, "No need, the girls will tell her where we are."
I looked at his hand on my upper arm and raised my eyebrow at him, silently waiting for him to remove it. He took the hint and removed it quickly. Good. Fucker. Who does he think he is?
Just then Bella walked back in the room, took one look at the three of us staring each other down and came over quickly. "What's going on here? Is everything alright? Edward are you okay?"
"I'm fine, sweet one. Jacob and Sam wanted to chat with me about something. Do you mind if we use your study, love?" There Jacob, see, I asked to use her space.
"Of course you can use the study, Edward. Let me just tell Rosalie what's happening and I'll join you in a minute, okay?" Bella was clearly concerned that Jacob and Sam seemed so hostile.
I nodded and the three of us headed to the study. The room was another fascinating glimpse into Bella. This was obviously a room which Lil Bit did not come into as it was all Bella. It was filled with her scent - cinnamon and something else. The walls were lined with filing cabinets and bookshelves. There were business books, management, marketing, finance and economics. Her desk was organised chaos with a large iMac computer on the desk. There was a whiteboard on the facing wall with ideas and thought maps drawn all over it. I loved it. I felt very at home in here. Boardroom Bella was something i definitely wanted to see.
But it was time to get this meeting underway so I could get back out to my sexy girl. I sat in the chair behind Bella's desk clearly stamping my claim on the space. "So gentlemen, what can I do for you?"
Sam and Jacob looked at little confused by my bossy attitude but they didn't know me so they'll just have to get used to it. Finally they both took a seat in front of me. I had definitely taken the upper hand and they weren't expecting that. Whatever.
"Well, Edward. You have to understand that we are all the family Bella has and we're always going to look out for her. Sam and I have some concerns about your relationship with Isabella and we wanted to talk to you about them."
Okay, well that's fair enough. I know they care about Bella and Lil Bit a great deal and they really don't me at all. On one hand they know that I took care of Bella and Lil Bit after the attack and they know that Bella likes me. On the other hand Jacob knows that I am a distrustful dick who made Bella sad for a whole week just because I saw them talking together. I am a dick. Sam knows me even less.
I leaned forward crossing my arms over each other leaning on the desk. "Jacob and Sam, I want you to know that I am glad that you both care so much for my girls. Tell me what concerns you and maybe we can clear this up quickly and get back to the others."
Sam looked to Jacob who gave him the nod to go ahead. "Edward, what exactly is going on here. You are what 26… 27? Bella is only 19. Don't you think you're a little old for her?"
The age difference… so we're starting simple, okay. "Isabella is young but I think we all know she is mature well beyond her years and honestly she has no problem with the age gap which isn't that large really. Not to be rude, but if she and I don't have a problem with it, I really don't see what business it is of anyone else's. "
I gave them both a look as if to say 'is that all you got?'
Jacob tagged in at that point, "Edward. Bella is an innocent girl, she doesn't have the, uh, …. romantic experience that most other young women have at her age. I am concerned that your expectations for a more … physical… relationship will pressure her to act, well, inappropriately."
At this I held my hands up in surrender. "Whoa, I'm sorry gentlemen but I am not going to sit her and talk about our sex life… that definitely would be inappropriate."
"Sex life?" Jacob stood. "You mean you've already had sex with Isabella? You barely know each other. How could you take advantage of her this way?"
I was prepared to take some heat from these guys because they obviously love and care for my sweet girls but no fucking way he was going to accuse me of taking advantage of her. What the fuck!
I stood up and was about to tell Jacob off when Bella came into the room. She paused for a moment taking in the sight of Jacob and I staring each other down and then calmly closed the door behind her. She walked over towards me and placed one arm around my waist and laid the hand other gently on my chest. I leaned my face down to hers and we kissed each other softly.
"So what are you boys talking about?" She gave us all a no-nonsense look and I smiled as I was reminded that Bella was one hell of a woman. I gestured to her chair behind the desk but she motioned for me to sit down. So I did and she surprised the hell out of me by sitting in my lap resting her head on my shoulder. She was staking her claim. She was telling these two guardians, her protectors, that she was with me. Damn. With no words at all she told them that she and I were bonded. I was so proud of her. I placed a small kiss on her forehead.
"Bella, Sam and I are concerned that this relationship with Edward is moving too fast. You really don't know him well enough… to be… well to be…"
Bella cocked her head smiling sweetly challenging Jacob to finish that sentence.
She sat up held her hand up to stop Jacob's ramblings.
"Sam, Jacob, you know that I love you. I will never in my whole life be able to really thank you enough for everything you've done for Elizabeth and me. You will always be like the big brothers I never had."
She smiled warmly at them and then took my hand in hers and held it to her cheek. She turned back to them again.
"But I'm not that broken sixteen year old girl anymore. I am almost twenty. I have a daughter who is loved and cared for. I am a successful businesswoman. I contribute to my community and I have proven myself over and over again to be a responsible, rational adult. I am also a woman who is in love for the first and the l…" she looked over to me and I nodded knowing what she wanted to say next. "I am a woman in love for the first and last time."
Both the men looked at us in shock at this declaration. I just pulled her tighter to me amazed at just how wonderful she was, she was all class.
"Bella, I didn't want to say this in front of you. But we have reason to be concerned and since you are here maybe you should hear this too."
"Okay Sam, go ahead." She leaned back into my arms as we waiting for Sam's accusation.
"Have you told Isabella about Tanya, Edward? Does she know that you had a relationship with this model until only a few weeks ago? Hmmm?" Though still sitting while he was speaking Sam was leaning forward and pointing his finger at me.
"Actually, yes. I have told Isabella all about Tanya. I've told her everything about my previous relationships and she knows about them in intimate detail."
Sam sat back in his chair. "Oh…. well, I am glad you've been open with each other. I'm sorry Edward, please don't take offence but Lil Bit was mine for six months when we cared for her while Bella recovered after the accident. I am very particular about who is in her life. Isabella is right, she is a grown woman now. But Lil Bit is not. I just want to know that we can trust you in their lives."
"I can't fault you for caring Sam, Jacob. As I said earlier, I am grateful that my sweet girls have had such wonderful, loving people around them supporting them."
At this point I pulled Bella closer to me, "But believe me gentlemen, I love Isabella with my whole heart and soul. I know it is quick and I know it is intense but it is real. They are both now the most important people in the world to me. I would suffer harm myself before letting harm come to either of them. I will protect them, always.
"Well, Edward. I hope you do. No hard feelings?" Jacob stood and reached out his hand to me. I took it and shook it. I extended my hand to Sam and he shook it smiling. "Welcome to the pack!"
I gave him a quizzical look. "Pack?"
"Old Quileute legend, we're all descended from wolves."
"So that's what you've been trying to do here is it? Compete for Alpha position?" We laughed as we moved towards the door to leave but all I could think of was, game over boys, I am the Alpha in this pack!
I took Bella's hand and pulled her back into the room after Sam and Jacob left to find their wives.
"You are the sexiest, smartest and scariest woman. I love you …. and I hope I never get on the wrong side of Boardroom Bella."
"Well, you'll have to be a good boy for me then won't you."
"Yes, Ma'am."
My lips kissed hers hungrily, she moaned and I wondered how long before we could be alone again. We slowed our kiss. "C'mon, sweet one, let's go feed our guests. Lil Bit must be hungry for her lunch."
We moved into the lounge room and found the group were all chatting noisily together. Even Sam and Jacob seemed more relaxed.
"My dear friends," Bella spoke clearly to attract everyone's attention. "I think it's time to move the party into the dining room and get comfortable ready to enjoy our lunch."
"Hey Bella, I hope you've got plenty of food… I am a growing boy, y'know." Emmett, of course.
"Brother if you keep growing you'll bust out of your clothes!"
"Hey, you're going to have to go the gym twice a day if you keep eating Bella's cooking. "
I was about to kick his arse when Bella joined in the teasing, "Don't worry Emmett, he's getting plenty of exercise!" She patted my butt as she walked past me.
She shot me a wink as she looked back at me over her shoulder.
"Behave, sweet one." I mockingly warned her.
Esme was standing in the doorway with Lil Bit in her arms and smiling at us. Lil Bit reached to me, "Oo sit wif me, Eh-wed?"
"Yes, Little Love, I'll sit with you. Let's go wash your hands and then we'll go to the table for lunch."
Esme handed Lil Bit over giving her a kiss on her cheek before turning to Carlisle "I'm going to help Bella."
"Okay angel. I'll go sit with the Volturi crew, I'm dying to know how Bella knows Marcus."
I shrugged, 'cos I wanted to hear that story too but first things first.
I stood Lil Bit down on the floor, taking her hand and reaching the other out to Seth. "C'mon Seth. Let's wash up for lunch, little man."
He looked over to his mother seeking permission. She gave him a smile and a nod, giving him the okay to go with me. I smiled my thanks to Leah for her trust. She smiled back and pretended to slap Jacob upside of the head, letting me know that she didn't share his concerns. I laughed and took the little ones to the bathroom.
"Liz-a-beth, you wash your hands first. Then I'll wash mine."
What the hell. I realised this was the first time I'd heard Seth speak and he spoke beautifully with a warm, calm voice.
"Seth, that's the first time I've heard you speak."
He looked at me with a small smile. I think he's decided I'm okay.
"Sef is my speshal fwend, Eh-wed." She leaned over and gave Seth a kiss on the cheek. Seth smiled at her and kissed her cheek. He then moved a little booster step over to the sink and held Lil Bit's hand as she stepped up before turning to wash her hands. I handed her the hand-towel to dry her hands. She turned and Seth held her hand again while she stepped down.
"Fank oo, Sef."
"C'mon, Seth, your turn." Once he'd finished he moved the booster step back to where it was when we came in and I realised that they'd obviously done this many times before.
He reached his hand out for hers silently and they headed back to the join the others, hand in hand. It was cute as hell, watching him look after her and watching her so sweet with him.
When we returned to the dining room I watched as the kids went to find their seats. Seth went to his dad who greeted him with open arms. Jacob lifted him over to a seat with a booster seat so that Seth was between himself and Sam. Lil Bit walked around the table and found a seat with a booster on it which was between Carlisle and Alice. Huh! Alice greeted Lil Bit as though she was her dearest friend, hugging her as she lifted her to her seat. They were chirping and chatting away to each other and Carlisle unconsciously moved his arm around the back of Lil Bit's chair protectively while he continued to chat with Marcus and Aro.
Sam and Emmett were deep in conversation about the Seattle Seahawks. I was about to go find Bella when Leah stopped me.
"I'm sorry about Jacob. He's having a hard time realising that Bella doesn't need us anymore."
"She needs you. She'll always need her friends around her." I wanted to reassure her that I supported their friendship. She nodded.
"Leah, how old is Seth?"
She chuckled, "I take it he spoke to you? That's a good sign, he only talks to people when he likes them. "
"Yeah I kind of thought that was the case. He speaks amazingly well but he can't be much older than Lil Bit, can he?"
"Actually he is five." She sounded a little sad. Wow, five - he is small for his age.
"He was a premmie." She said this like I had a fucking clue of what she meant but when she looked at my face I think she realised I had no idea.
"Premature, he was born premature. Full term babies are born at around 40 weeks but Seth was born at 32 weeks. We spent a lot of time in hospital in his first year but apart from being a little small for his age he's all good now. We weren't sure he'd survive but he's got an ancient soul."
Wow, eight weeks early. That's scary. "Why was he born so early?"
"I had pre-eclampsia, which is basically dangerously high blood pressure. It was pretty scary for poor Jacob. If they didn't deliver the baby I could have died. If they did, Seth could've died. Sam was with Jacob all the way but it was hard decision, wife or child. But here we both are to tell the tale."
"Jacob doesn't want to try and have any more children. He doesn't want to risk my life again and he never wants to have to make a choice like that again. So we have Seth and we are blessed."
"I can understand Jacob's decision, it would be hard to go through that twice…. to have to choose like that… wow."
I suddenly had a lot more respect for Jacob. I couldn't bear to have to choose but I know I couldn't lose my Bella. Man, that's tough.
"Well Seth is a lovely little boy, Leah. You should be very proud of him. I think he's a little sweet on Lil Bit." I smirked at her.
"It's weird y'know. That terrible night of the accident when Bella's mother and stepfather were killed and Bella was so broken. Jacob brought Lil Bit home while we waited for social services to approve Sam and Emily as her temporary foster parents. Seth tottered out, saw her and that was it, he never left her side." She chuckled, "He slept on the floor next to her cot. If I tried to separate them he screamed and kicked up a fuss. Seth never threw tantrums. When Emily came to collect her, I wondered if he'd let Lil Bit go but he seemed to understand that Emily was going to be her mother. He and Lil Bit are just bonded."
I looked at Seth, marvelling at this complex little boy. I noticed that although he was happily chatting with his father every now and again he'd glance over at Lil Bit to see what she was doing. Interesting.
Sulpicia and Rosalie came into the room carrying platters of antipasto laughing freely with each other. Rosalie looked over at me and grinned. What the hell is that? I wasn't really sure if Rosalie even liked me. Sulpicia elbowed her and they chuckled.
Then Esme, Emily and Bella came in carrying more food. Bella looked like she had tears in her eyes and I was about to head over and see what was wrong but then I realised she was smiling. What has been going on in that kitchen?
After sharing the platters on the long table so that everyone had easy access to the delicious looking selection of meats, olives and cheeses, Bella looked over to me. "Edward…. dumpling… could you get some wine please?" All the women laughed and Bella batted her eyes at me cheekily.
"MOTHER! What have you been doing in the kitchen!"
All the women giggled again.
"Oh hush, dumpling, I've just been sharing some childhood stories about you with your Isabella. She wanted to know what you were like as a little one."
I shook my head at her. "Mother!"
"Dumpling?" Jacob, of course, couldn't let it go and was laughing hysterically.
"Oh yes, I remember" said Aro. Damn it, I can't believe that fucker is going to join in this public humiliation.
"Uncle…" I warned him.
"When Edward was born he was a rather large baby." Aro started his story.
"Oh yes, such a pudgy little cherub." Marcus joined in.
"Our sweet darling sister Elizabeth who was a tiny slip of a thing, not much bigger than you dear Isabella." He gestured to my girl.
"Please uncles." I begged them stop.
They chuckled and I knew there'd be no mercy here, they were definitely going to keep going. Suck it up Cullen.
"Anyway," Marcus tagged in. "When we went in to visit poor Elizabeth at the maternity hospital she had black eyes from burst blood vessels from giving birth to such a large baby from her tiny frame. We kept talking about him being a brute of a baby and she wouldn't have it."
Aro piped in using a high-pitched womanly voice as he imitated my mother, "Leave my little dumpling alone, he's squishy and beautiful."
I dropped my head into my hands and groaned as the whole table laughed.
"My squishy dumpling." Bella teased and pinched my cheek.
I grabbed her around her waist and tickled her mercilessly. "You better not ever call me that again, missy or I'll have to find a special way to punish you." She squealed with laughter and the whole table laughed with her.
"Oo the tick-el monsta, Eh-wed." Lil Bit shouted excitedly.
"You hear that Miss Isabella, I am the tickle monster and if you dare call me 'dumpling' again, I will attack."
"I'm sorry baby. I won't tease you anymore. I promise."
I looked over to Esme and gave her a bashful smile. She'd always called me dumpling, just like my mother. It was so nice when I first came to live with them, after my parents' death. It made me feel loved and like I was home. She gave me a knowing smile.
"So who'd like some wine?"
Everyone spoke at once with orders for drinks. "Emmett you look after the non-alcoholic drinks and I'll look after the wine, okay?"
"Good deal, bro." He kissed Rosalie's cheek and then went around and took orders for juice for the kids and soft drinks for the non-drinkers.
I opened some nice french reds from Bella's wine rack. Bordeaux would be good with this menu. I spaced the bottles along the length of the table. I noticed Bella reach for the bottle and I quickly took it from her. I shook my head at her and she pouted.
"I don't think so baby." I shook my head at her. She pouted at me and then asked Emmett for an iced tea.
No way she was drinking when she could be pregnant.
A/N: so lunch seems to be going well…. I was worried about Jacob there for a minute but they seem to sort things out. How cute was Seth. Thanks to everyone following this story and especially for those of you who have left such lovely reviews - I will be replying this weekend. I love this fandom! Leave me a note if you'd like to... Cheers!