You guys are awesome. I'd hug you all and give you cookies if I could.
I don't own Twilight. Today is lil CPW's last swimming class for this year though.
~*38*~
Thankfully, for Bella, there were no repercussions from Jack's unexpected words on his birthday. There were some happy faces, particularly Esme and Sue, and some concerned, like Charlie, but no one said anything. Everyone went about their business of eating cake and pretended like nothing happened. Sue cornered Bella later and admitted that Jack had said it a few times in passing at daycare, because some of the older children said it when their mother's arrived to pick them up, but she thought nothing about it. Jack corrected himself and called her 'bawa' later that same afternoon, and it was like all was forgotten, but not for Bella. She couldn't stop thinking about the fact that Jack potentially saw her as his mother figure, and she had to admit, she didn't really mind it.
Sure, it was an overwhelming concept, but she thinks she has done well over the past few months playing a part of Jack's life. Bella had originally drawn imaginary lines in her mind; separating what she thought was an acceptable role to play in Jack's life and what was not. However, as the days go on, and her relationship with Edward deepens, those lines are quickly blurring.
Today is one of those days where things are changing dramatically.
It's Valentine's Day and Bella and Edward have plans tonight, well after Jack goes to sleep, that is. Edward has been busy as of late working on a project for school that is due this afternoon, so Bella will be relieved when they manage some time alone together. Chelsea is Edward's partner on the project, but she flew out of Seattle last night to go see Seth in Florida for the weekend, at his insistence.
Yes, Chelsea and Seth are actually dating, if you can call it that. They both rack up major phone bills and spend a lot of free time on their computers chatting to one another, but they seem happy. Sue mentioned in passing recently that Seth seems like he has been in a better place since he visited at Christmas. Thought Edward and Bella were both hesitant about their potential relationship at first, they are surprised to admit that Chelsea has calmed down somewhat in the past two months. Of course, this doesn't mean that Bella is pleased that Chelsea has left Edward to finish their project, even if she did a lot of work before she left.
As Bella is driving home from school, her phone rings and she's surprised to see Edward's name lighting up her screen. "Hey you, what's going on? Did you get the project done?"
"No, and I'm having problems with it, but I'm fucked Bella and I need you to help me out," Edward states, breathlessly. "Sue just called me and she's shutting down the daycare early today because she's sick. My parents are out of town for the night and I have no one to pick up Jack for me from Sue's. Can you do it?"
"Uh… I don't have a car seat, Edward."
"Sue has an extra one you can borrow. Do you think you can help me out?" Bella bristles slightly, but she knows she can't refuse Edward or Jack, so she tells him so. "Thank you Bella, so much. Sue has a baby bag of Jack's with some snacks and a change of clothes, diapers and what not. I'll come to your place as soon as I can, alright?"
With that, Bella and Edward exchange a quick goodbye and she heads towards Sue's house, which she passes every day on her way home from school anyways. When she shows up, Sue's eyes are rimmed red, she looks tired and her nose makes her look like Rudolph. Bella immediately feels horrible that she's so sick.
"Oh thank god, Bella. Jack is the last one to be picked up and I was getting worried for a bit, even though Edward called to let me you know you were coming. Let me go grab the car seat." With Jack bundled in his little snowsuit, Bella holds onto him while Sue expertly installs the car seat into Bella's car. Once she has Jack strapped in, and his bag beside him, with Dangles in his arms, Bella tells Sue she is sending Charlie over to take care of her. It is the least she could do, and she definitely wants her future step-mother to get better.
During the car ride back to Bella's house, Bella chats non-stop to Jack, distracting him from being in her unfamiliar car, but he does rather well. When they walk into her house, Jack lights up when he sees Charlie, who is just home from work.
"Hey little dude." Charlie greets Jack as he looks up at Bella, questioningly. "Where's Edward?"
"Stuck at school finishing a project. I was heading home and Sue called him because she's closing the daycare for the afternoon. She's not feeling well," Bella explains as Charlie helps her slip Jack out of his snowsuit and then carries him into the living room. Bella fixes Jack a quick snack with some of his favorite sweet potato puffs and crackers, while Charlie keeps him entertained. When Bella takes Jack from her dad to give him some food, Charlie calls Sue to see how she is doing.
Bella can hear him pacing in the kitchen, arguing with Sue, who no doubt is telling him not to come over because she doesn't want him to get sick, but Charlie is insistent. He slips his coat back on and tells Bella he is heading over to the diner to get Sue some soup before he heads out the door, telling her not to wait up.
"Well little man, it looks like it's just you and me," Bella says as Jack shoves another puff into his mouth and she turns on Sprout where Jack sits enthralled by the Wiggles on TV.
Of course, the silence can only last for so long. Bella has no toys, with the exception of Dangles, to entertain Jack with. She tries entertaining him by singing songs he loves and leaving Sprout playing in the background, but before long he gets bored and begins crying his eyes out. Bella attempts to soothe him, rock him to sleep and bounce around with him like Edward does, but nothing works.
As it nears six o'clock, the time Edward texted to say he expected to arrive, Bella grows more nervous and Jack senses this and grows more upset. Bella is almost at her wits end when Edward texts once more stating he's stuck in traffic and is about 20 minutes away.
Bella continues to try her best, desperate for Edward to show up and help her, but she is falling apart quickly. "Shit, I don't know if I can do this," Bella laments as tears begin to fall down her own face and she begins to feel like an utter failure. "Please stop crying, Jack. I'll give you a pony or something… just… please stop."
Sure enough, Jack doesn't stop and instead, he pukes all over her.