Chapter 36 It All Comes Together

Bella's POV

I sighed and packed up my things to head over to Bella's class, so we could go home. We were now officially moved in and we were having a house warming party when school was out to celebrate.

Bella was just finishing with her last mom and dad when I arrived and she immediately picked up on my mood.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

I let out a breath and shut the door behind me as I went and sat on her desk, "Carmen's step mom is Jessica." I told her.

Bella's face hardened at her name- I knew that ever since I'd told her about the stunt Jessica had pulled in my room with the married guy, she had been protective of me and I loved it.

"Did you see her?" Bella stood and came and stood between my legs, her arms wrapping around my neck.

I nodded and she flinched, "What happened?"

So I explained exactly what had just taken place in my class room a few minutes ago, including the part about her moving.

Bella sighed, "Some women just never learn." She said irritably. I was glad that she trusted that nothing happened.

I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me.

"I'm sad to be losing Carmen." I told her.

"I know." She said, "I know you're fond of her, maybe one day she'll be famous and you can go around saying 'hey, I taught that kid'."

I chuckled, Bella always managed to cheer me up.

"Yeah maybe." I sighed, "You ready to go home?"

"Yep. I'll make us a nice dish of spaghetti when we get home, how does that sound?"

I kissed her briefly, "Perfect."

*****

The next day was the last day of school before Christmas break and I was surprised to see Carmen linger a bit after class, her expression uncomfortable. The rest of the students had rushed out the door as soon as the bell rang, eager to get out of the school building and have a holiday.

"So I heard you're moving?" I said conversationally as I waited for her to do or say what she needed to.

She flinched, "I'm sorry." She blurted out suddenly.

"For moving?" I asked confused, "You can't help what your mother wants–"

"Step mother, please, that woman is not my mother." She said in hard voice, it was very out of character so I knew Jessica must really grate on her nerves, "And I'm not sorry about the moving, I'm actually staying. I'm moving in with my gran here. And I'm taking my real name again- she made me enrol here as 'Stanley'. I'm really Carmen Smit." She looked uncomfortable again, "I'm sorry for whatever Jessica did last night."

"How did you know she did something?" It was highly unlikely Jessica had told her about my rejection of her the previous evening.

Carmen rolled her eyes, "The only reason she wanted to come last night was to see you, not to talk about me. If I'd known you were her ex, sir, I would never have mentioned you to her. I'm sorry for whatever she did or said." She sounded genuinely distressed.

I smiled warmly at her, "It's not your fault, any of it. I could never blame you for her actions, I know exactly what type of person she is."

Carmen looked relieved, "Thank you Mr Cullen."

I chuckled, "It's all good Carmen, have a good Christmas."

"You too sir." She smiled widely and ran enthusiastically out the door. Eager to start her break I guess. I sighed and smiled, I felt exactly the same.

Bella's POV

"An epileptic fit Emmett? How on earth did you get out an epileptic fit out of that?" I asked Emmett through a snort of laughter.

"How was I supposed to know you were trying to act as a clown?" he huffed, looking genuinely confused. We all laughed harder.

We'd been playing charades for the last hour or so but after Edward and I had won all the rounds so far, Rosalie, Alice, Jasper and Emmett had ganged up on us and told us we weren't allowed to play together anymore.

I turned to face Edward with a pout, Emmett and I hadn't scored one point yet, "Edward, I miss you."

Edward chuckled from across the room where he was sitting with his partner, Alice, who had a knack for guessing everything every time.

"I miss you too, love."

I folded my arms across my chest, staring grumpily at nothing, I wasn't really put off that much, I was happy to be surrounded by my friends that were practically family, but I had a strong competitive streak.

Edward jumped up from the couch and crossed the room to me to give me a peck on the lips before heading into the kitchen, obviously to get more after dinner snacks. It was our housewarming party tonight and I was having a great time so far.

"We just need more practise Izzy." Emmett patted my shoulder with a grin before going immediately for the snacks that Edward had just returned with.

Edward came and quickly stole Emmett's place next to me, his arm wrapping around me. I snuggled happily into his side and he kissed my forehead gently.

"Bella?" Alice dragged my name out my name innocently, immediately alerting me to beware.

"Yes Alice?" I asked, scared at the mischievous sparkle in her eye.

"Edward said other day that he'd trained you well enough in 'Call of Duty' that you could even kick Emmett's butt. So Emmett bet that it would never happen. We need to see if it's true."

I rolled my eyes, amused, but also curious if I could beat the champ. I grudgingly left Edward's arms to sit in front of the TV where Emmett had already set up his Playstation 3.

"I am the champ at this game little Iz, you don't stand a chance!"

I just smiled sweetly and grabbed my controller, "Okay Em." I placated him.

I heard Edward's chuckle of anticipation behind me and I turned to shoot him a quick grin.

I could beat him, I knew I could- Edward had spilled all the guy's favourite tricks in the game a few weeks ago, but, I had to note, only after we'd made out for awhile. The adorable pervert.

Before I knew it, I'd found Emmett's character and shot him down, several more times than he needed to be shot truthfully, but he was still down.

He cursed, "Best of three." He stated, starting up a new round.

He won the next round, but I think it was overconfidence that let my brother down in the third round, making him be less subtle about his hiding and easier to take down.

Everyone cheered as I was named the winner.

"Did anyone actually bet on me?" Emmett asked as everyone asked for their money.

Everyone laughed, "No one underestimates Edward and Bella as a team, Emmett." Rosalie stated when he turned his wounded gaze to her hopefully.

"Ah well." He shrugged and turned to glare at me, "This isn't over."

"Love you Em." I grinned before my face froze in shock at how casually I'd said the words to my brother. And I realised with happy tears prickling my eyes that I actually meant it.

No one else but Edward was paying attention to us now, so no one noticed how Emmett's face softened before breaking into a huge smile, "I love ya too Bella." He winked at me and then went over to sit by Rosalie.

Soon enough, it was time for everyone to go and after I'd said my goodbyes and watched Edward see the family out, it was that moment that I clicked and realised that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I suppose I'd always known we were heading that way, I couldn't imagine my life without him with me, but if some one asked me an exact moment when I realised he was the one- my one- this was it. Sure we'd only been together for awhile, but as Alice had told me, was there truly a time limit when some one was your soul mate? I must have been smiling pretty widely because the next thing I felt two loving arms around my waist and I realised everyone was gone.

"What are you thinking about that's got you smiling so hard, love?" he said huskily into my ear.

I shivered and turned around to kiss him softly, "You." I answered honestly, "I love you so much, you know."

Edward smiled and stole a kiss, "I love you too, my Bella. Always"