A/N: Happy Friday Everyone! I hope everyone is having a good day! I want to say Thank You to all of you for the great reviews!It is great knowing that you all are loving the story! You are all my motivation and inspiration! :-)
Also, a huge THANK YOU to Gajujubee for all the support! She's an awesome friend and she has been a GREAT "sounding board"! :-)If you haven't checked out her Fanfic please do!
Ok so this is the lead in chapter for next weeks updates! Next weeks chapters will have you on the edge so get ready for some drama! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
I do not own anything Twilight...
Before I knew it another two weeks had flown by. The newspaper was a huge success and it was consuming most of my time. I hadn't been able to hang with anyone since the workload at school got more intense and I was struggling to keep up with what had happened in classes while I was gone. It was surprisingly difficult to adapt to the class atmosphere again. In Italy everything was so professional but also laid back. Here there was more writing and research and was very intense. Thankfully, in a few days I got back into the swing of things and classes began to be a little easier. Outside of classes I worked on the writing course at the store and then headed home to study and work on the paper. I felt the pressure increase as each week everyone ranted and raved about the newspaper. I was really proud of my work and satisfied but I soon found myself worrying that it wasn't good enough. And then of course Alex would step in and tell me how absurd I was for thinking that. He was blunt and that was exactly what made him my best friend.
On the Friday, which made it a whole month since my return, Rose called me while I was on my way home from my last classes.
"Buenos Dias Rosie." I said in my best Spanish accent.
"Good morning Bella." Rose giggled.
"How's my nephew?" I asked as I got in my car.
"Your niece is making her mommy uncomfortable when sleeping." Rose giggled again.
I smiled loving the way that pregnancy had made my Rosie so happy. On the rare occasions that I did have a chance to see her during the two week she was a vision. The pregnancy glow on her face and the permanent smile was heart warming. And her permanent smile well…It was contagious.
"aww sleep on your side. My little bugger just needs to be comfortable. So what are you up to?"
"Well first, Happy Valentines Day!" she squealed.
"That's today?" I asked completely forgetting. She never forgot to call me on this day.
"Jeez Bella, yes! Oh yeah and Happy 1 month back anniversary." she laughed.
"Well I do remember the 1 month anniversary." I laughed at her enthusiasm. "But I totally forgot today was Valentine Day."
"You have been so busy that I figured you would forget."
"I did. Anyways, Happy Valentines Day Rosie and Caleb." I said referring to my nephew that I had already named.
"Elizabeth, not Caleb." Rose corrected.
"Whatever whatever. So what are you and Emmett up to?"
"Emmett is away for training. He did send me roses and a big teddy bear with a baby teddy bear." she said and I smiled at how sweet my brother was.
"aww that is so sweet Rosie. Emmett does have a way with gifts."
"I know I love that big oaf!" she chuckled.
"Aww…so what are you doing then?" I asked.
"I was wondering if you wanted to come by for dinner. Alice and Jasper have Allison so they're coming by and Edward and Bree are coming too since they don't really celebrate Valentines Day."
I wondered why Bree and Edward did not celebrate Valentines Day but quickly put it out of my mind. I didn't care about her and as far as I'm concerned she didn't deserve anything from Edward.
I figured it wouldn't be that bad to spend time around them since I wasn't going to feel like the old ball out so I agreed.
"Sure, do you need me to bring anything?" I asked finally getting to my apartment.
"Just some wine if you can. So come by at 7pm or earlier if you want to keep your amiga company."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll be there by 6pm. Love ya Rosie."
"Love ya too Bells. See you in a couple of hours." she said and then hung up the phone.
After finishing my layout for this week's paper and sending it to Alex I rummaged through my closet for something to wear. I really need another shopping trip soon. I thought and then reminded myself to schedule one with Alice tonight.
I hadn't really talked to Alice since the incident at Bree's house and I decided not to share it with Jasper and her because I knew she would probably hunt her down and break her neck. I knew that Bree wouldn't offer to take care of Allison anymore so I figured to just let it go.
Thinking about that night I remembered what happened afterwards and couldn't stop the smile that grew on my face.
Once we arrived at the apartment Allison was sound asleep in my arms. Edward pulled into the parking lot and I pulled open the door to the backseat to scoot over. Before I bent down to grab Allison Edward grabbed my waist and pulled me back bringing me against him. The action made my body shiver as I realized that I was pressed tightly against his body. But he didn't leave his hands there long as he let go and leaned into the car to take Allison in his arms.
When we made it to my apartment I took Allison into my room and laid her on my bed. I pulled out a pair of her pajamas from my drawers and changed her gently so I wouldn't wake her. I then tucked her in, gave her a kiss on her cheek and then turned to Edward who was standing at the door looking around the room. He then turned to me giving me a light smile and walked up to kneel in front of Allison. He gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"I'm sorry princess. No one will ever hurt you again." he whispered tucking her hair behind her ear and then standing and walking to me.
I turned closing the door to the room and headed to the living room. I sat down at my sofa and looked at the blank television screen not seeing anything. I was reliving what had just happened and I was still angry. So angry that I had tears falling down my face in an instant and buried it in my hands. I was so angry for letting myself fall for her stupid antics, for letting her drive me away from my friends, my family and Edward, for letting her win when she didn't deserve too, and angry because she had caused pain to my little girl and I hadn't arrived in time to prevent it. I was angry and I felt miserable.
As I sobbed I felt the sofa shift beside me and then felt his arms grab me and in a flash I was pulled to the side. I just let myself be pulled and when I was against Edward's chest I grabbed onto his shirt and buried my head in his chest.
"I'm sorry Bella." Edward whispered running his hand through my hair.
I shook my head trying to let him know he had nothing to apologize for.
"She's been so different lately." he whispered and I looked up at him.
"Let's just please not talk about her. Please don't apologize I just want to forget this night Edward." I said wiping my tears away.
"Okay." he said and then held me to him.
I knew we shouldn't have been in this position but I just needed him to hold me and he knew that. So that was what I did, I lay against his chest controlling my tears and just reveling in his embrace. A little while later I felt myself dozing off and didn't fight it. My eyes fluttered closed and I fell asleep in Edwards's arms.
That night I didn't have any nightmares and was warm and comfortable the whole night. When I woke up in the morning I was so comfortable that if I hadn't felt something at my feet I would not have woken up. But I was wondering what it was and opened my eyes. When I looked down my heart warmed and a smile graced my face.
"Picture Perfect." I heard Edward whisper into my ears and looked up at him.
I felt the blush rise and looked at Allison snuggled up on my legs. "I agree." I whispered and ran my hand through her hair. We sat there, me passing my hand through Allison's hair and Edward with his arms around me.
Then realizing our position and what had just happened I gently moved my legs from under Allison and got up from Edwards arms. Edward seemed to realize the same and stood up. He decided to head over to Bree's apartment to talk to her and we said goodbye.
Ever since that day Edward and I had been texting more often. Edward had informed me that he and Bree had talked things over and were working through their issues. I knew their main issue was me but when he continued to text and call me I ignored her hate towards me and continued being his friend. Allison called me a few days later and told me how Bree had brought her a doll and had apologized for everything. Allison agreed to forgive her but she told me that she didn't want to stay with her anymore. I hadn't talked to the bitch since then and didn't have anything to say. I was already not looking forward to seeing her tonight but I was not going to runaway this time. They were my friends, my family, and Edward was mine.
After picking out a red button up sheer shirt with a black tank top underneath, a pair of blue skinny jeans and my black pointed knee high boots I started on my hair. I decided to blow it out and then applied my make up. Once I was ready and happy with my appearance I grabbed my coat, the wine, and the roses I had bought for Rosie, Alice and Allison. I decided to take my car instead of walking because with my boots being so high I was not even trying chance it.
When I got there I was a little relieved that no one was there yet. I hadn't been able to spend time with Rosie alone and I really wanted to talk to her about what happened with Allison.
The door was open when I turned the knob so I went in and set my coat in the closet by the door. I then made my way to the kitchen since it is where I heard the noise coming from.
"Happy Vday Rosie!" I sang as I popped into to the kitchen.
When she heard me she jumped a little but then dropped the knife in hand and ran to give me a hug.
"Happy VDay Bells!" she sang back.
When she pulled back I saw the happy look on her face and smiled. Pregnancy definitely was changing her.
"Come sit down and help me chop these up." She said heading back to the chopping board.
I sat down and we started to talk about our week and Alice's wedding a little when I remembered I wanted to talk to her about Allison.
"Hey Rose, if I tell you something will you promise not to tell Allie?" I said looking over at her.
"What's up Bella?" she asked. "Do you not want to be apart of the wedding?"
"Oh no! I do its just something that happened the day she asked me." I said looking at her.
"What happened?"
I then went on to tell her everything that happened at Bree's apartment and before I could finish she was fuming. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I thought as she slammed her knife down on the cutting board sending the carrots flying to the side a little.
"Are you fucking kidding me? Bella tell me you are lying, please!" she sneered looking at me. Her glow was now replaced with red.
"No I'm not Rose. And please calm down. This isn't good for the baby." I said reaching over to grab her hand.
"I can't fucking believe her! We welcome her into our group and the bitch has the audacity to disrespect my niece and on top of that you too! Hells to the fucking no!"
"Rose I already put her in her place and so did Edward so please calm down. I'm not telling you this to upset you Rose. I just wanted to talk to you about it because I feel like I don't want to put you all in the middle. I need you to understand that I'm not going to be around when she is and I know you can help convince the gang about that. I'm here tonight because I want to spend tonight with you, Alice and Allison but that's it. I'm going to be nice because this is your house and I have more respect. But anyways she really pissed me off Rosie and I'm done with her." I said as I tried to control the anger boiling in me.
"I'm fucking done with her too! I swear if Edward marries her I'm done! I can't even believe he proposed to her. I mean I thought she was nice and all but I never thought he should have proposed. I've never agreed with it because I know he loves you." She said calming down and smiling at me a little.
"Hey Rose." I said wanting to share with her how I was feeling.
"Yes."
"I love Edward." I whispered looking up at her.
"Well duh! We know that." She said smiling at me.
"No Rose. I really love Edward…" I said trying to get her to understand what I meant.
And her face began to glow again.
"Oh my God! I knew it! You want him back!" she squealed looking at me excitedly.
I chuckled at her enthusiasm and because frankly it felt good sharing it with someone. With Alex I had to hold back because he didn't agree with my friendship with Edward.
"I love him Rose, and I thought he would be happy with Bree but she isn't good enough for him. I know I have no right to say that since I gave up on us so they could have a chance but I can't do it. I can't see him marry her when I still love him and deep inside I know he does too." I sighed.
"I do too. He does love you Bella, but he held onto Bree and he stupidly proposed when he knows that is not what he wants." She huffed. "So what are we going to do? Don't get me wrong I liked Bree at the time but after what you just told me I'm ready for her to be gone."
"I am not going to do anything Rose. We will not do anything. I need him to realize what the best decision is. If he truly loves me then he won't marry her. I know Edward, maybe he did make a mistake proposing but I also know he wouldn't marry someone like her, not after what happened. I think I now know his heart better then mine." I smiled because it was true. I knew Edward inside and out.
"Well I hope you're right. In the mean time I'll try and be nice to that fucking bitch. I'll try, I can't make any promises." She smiled at me wickedly and I knew this night would be interesting.
And I was right. After everyone arrived Rose was polite and nice to Bree but she had her own plans. When we sat down to dinner she started reminiscing about everything that happened in high school. And most of the reminiscing was about Edward and me. How Edward and I hated each other at first, how we fell in love, how we made up, our Christmas in New York, and so on. I knew she was doing it to make Bree feel bad and I think the funny part was that Alice did not pick up on it so she also added memories. I was having a good time seeing Rose praise Edward and I but when Edward started to ass into the conversation my smile just grew wider. So that's how dinner was spent, talking about Edward and I. I looked over at Bree a couple of times and shook my head at how she was pretending to be happy about the conversation, when in reality I knew she wanted to cuss them all out.
As we finished dinner Allison turned to me with a smile. "Auntie Bella! I just remembered something!" she squealed, her eyes growing bigger.
"What was that honey?" I smiled at her.
"You and Uncle Eddie promised you would take me to Disneyland and we would have tea with the princesses."
I chuckled because I did not think that she would remember that. Edward and I had promised her that a long time ago.
"We did, didn't we?" I smiled at her.
"Yes, I want to go! Please please will you and Uncle Eddie take me?"
I looked over at Edward to see what he thought about this but he answered out loud for me.
"A promise is a promise. When do you want to go?" Edward grinned looking from me to Allison.
"Next month!" she shouted!
And then the smile slipped away from his face.
"You can't go next month Allison." Bree said opening her mouth for the first time in the last half hour.
"Why not?" Allison asked and she looked at Bree and rolled her eyes. I hoped Alice didn't catch that.
"Uncle Eddie and I are getting married, remember?" Bree said smiling. I knew she was snickering in the inside because Allison gave her the chance to remind everyone that Edward was hers.
I could feel the tears brimming on my eyes but fought them back. I would not let her get to me.
"Oh right…" Allison frowned as her shoulders dropped. Alice and Jasper looked at their daughter sadly.
"Maybe afterwards." I said trying to make her smile a little.
"I guess…" she whispered while Edward and I stared at each other feeling bad about letting her down.
"Why don't we make some desserts?" Jasper and Alice said trying to make Allison smile. And it worked. She jumped up from her chair and squealed in delight.
Once they went into the kitchen I got up and headed outside to get some air. I needed to clear my mind and try and calm my hurting heart.
That didn't work because a few seconds later the door opened. I turned and sighed…Not right now.
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