Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyers owns all things Twilight but Aiden is ours. No copyright infringement is intended. S/O to our wonderful Beta Melissa Ann
A/N: Heads up, this is a long one. So, get comfortable and enjoy…
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read & review! We love reading them and try to respond to all of them.
Chapter 5 Girl Cooties & Interrogations
Bella's POV
I can hear his feet already. He seems to have the need to run everywhere. In fact, I feel like he learned how to run before he could walk.
Three
Two
One
"WAKE UP MOMMY!" Aiden yelled in excitement while patting my face.
I don't even need to set my alarm clock because this has been our routine since he was four years old. And before you can even ask…this also includes weekends.
"Come on mommy it's my first day of school! I don't want to be late!" He called eagerly once again.
It would be impossible to be late, we're always up at least thirty-minutes earlier than what we need to be. I don't think he even notices that it's still dark outside.
Like clockwork I continue my ruse, leading him to believe I'm still asleep, I could feel him climbing into my bed, and I try to keep a smile off my face. Especially knowing what he's about to do next.
"MOM, MOMMY, MOM, MOMMY!" He continued to chant, jumping up and down on my bed.
Just a few more seconds
"GET UP MO—"
I tackled him before he could finish and began to tickle him. His infectious laughter started to fill the room and before I knew it, I was giggling with him as he tickled me back.
"Stop mommy, stop!" Aiden laughed, trying to catch his breath.
"Okay Tickle Bear, Tickle Monster has done her job for the morning." I replied, breathless myself while plopping down beside him.
After a few moments of resting Aiden jerks up and asks with concern, "Are we gonna be late?"
"No buddy." I began, turning to look at the clock. ", it's only six o'clock, you don't have to be at school until eight-thirty; you won't be late." I reassured him with a warm smile.
"Cool!" He fists pumped with elation. "Let's go watch Shrek!" He exclaimed jumping off the bed and running out of my bedroom towards the theater setup.
"I'm right behind you." I bellow after him, rolling out of bed with a chuckle.
'Today is going to be a long day', I thought to myself with a sigh. I still can't believe my baby is starting his first day of school already. I know they don't stay baby's forever but I'm not sure if I'm ready for this yet. I feel as if I'll blink and he'll be graduating from college.
Oh shit… I hope I don't turn into one of those clingy, 'helicopter' mothers.
Once I got him squared away, I headed to the kitchen and decided to make his favorite, chunky cinnamon French toast with strawberries and a glass of milk for his 'first day of school' breakfast.
"Aiden, breakfast is ready." I summoned.
I could hear him before I saw him, and of course he was running.
"Whatcha make?" He questioned.
"Your favorite." I replied with a smile.
"Awesome!" He beamed.
After we finished breakfast, we went to Aiden's bathroom to complete his necessary hygiene routine. "Do you need help showering?" I queried, before I could stop myself. It was a gentle inquiry being that I already knew what his answer would be.
"No, I'm a big boy now. I got it." Aiden replied confidently.
"Okay, big guy, what would you like to wear today?" I inquire with a chuckle amused by him lightly pushing me out of the bathroom and closing the door for privacy. It was another reminder that he's growing up.
"Surprise me!" He replied loudly over the running water.
As I stood by his bathroom door, I mentally began going through his closet. 'Ah, I have the perfect outfit in mind', I thought giddily.
Walking into his room and going into his massive closet, I picked out a pair of dark washed jeans with patches, and a striped blue and white button-down shirt. Along with a gray and white hoodie and leather camel-colored sneakers. When Demetri showed this to me, I knew Aiden would like it and it would be perfect for his first day of school.
Heading back towards his bathroom, "Are you okay?" I question, lightly knocking on the door.
"Yeah mom, I'm almost finished." He answered.
"Alright, your clothes are on your bed. When you're finished getting dressed you can go and start your movie again while I get ready for work." I directed.
"Okay mommy."
Walking into my spacious bathroom I'm once again reminded of how different our lives are now. Even though I do feel that this was the best move for us at times I still worry how Aiden is really handling these big changes. With this thought on my mind, I begin to get ready for the day. Once I had fresh breath and a clean face, I began adding moisturizer to my skin, then applied a natural light layer of makeup. Next, I quickly flat ironed my hair and knowing the weather was quickly changing; chose to wear my Yves Saint Laurent cream colored cowl neckline sweater paired with a Dior black pencil skirt and McQueen suede black and cream heels. I added my black and gold jewelry to accent and smiled at my reflection in the mirror. I was ready to start my day.
Looking down at my watch I noticed it was eight o'clock. I quickly grabbed my Burberry purse while calling out to my son, "Aiden, it's time to go, honey. Don't forget to turn off the projector." I beckoned while walking towards the front door and grabbing his book bag from the entry table. I knew traffic was going to be heavy this Monday morning, with summer break being over and everyone rushing to get to their first day of school and work.
Walking into the underground parking garage, I couldn't help but smile at my other baby, 'Benny the Bentley'. He was expensive but it wasn't on my dime…thank you Alec! After we were both strapped in and heading to the school, Aiden fills the silence with a question. "Will dad be there?" He queries tentatively, with a bit of uncertainty in his tone.
I locked my eyes with his quickly in the rear-view mirror. Taking one hand off the steering wheel to reach behind me and squeeze his knee. "Yes, sweetheart. He said he would be there." I smiled weakly.
"Do you think he'll make it this time?" He questions doubt.
"I'm not sure honey, but I hope so." I hate that I can't promise him, but I won't lie to him either. Alec has been inconsistent since we moved out.
"Oh" he replied sadly, looking out the window forlornly.
"Hey, guess what?" I enthused, gaining his attention in the rearview mirror again ", We're going to see Pop-Pop today!" I relay excitedly, trying to lift his spirits.
"Really?" he responds. His demeanor seeming to have perked up.
I think he loves my father the most and I'm sure the feeling is mutual since Aiden is the only grandchild, and the boy my father wished he could have had.
"Mm-hmm. You'll have a surprise after school." I reply with a smile knowing he's going to flip out.
"Cool! I can't wait!" He grinned.
Pulling into the school parking lot, I quickly find a space and park the car. After I hop out and open Aiden's door to unbuckle his booster seat, I collect his backpack and check in with him. "How do you feel?" I query, locking the car.
"Like a mean green fighting machine!" He said with animation.
"Alright little ogre, how about a lean green smiling machine?" I chuckle trying to compromise.
"That'll do mommy, that'll do." He retorted with a lighthearted tone.
The roaring of an engine and the screeching of tires quiets the entire parking lot. Of course, he has to make a grand entrance at a school.
'Asshole', I thought to myself while watching him park his car right in front of mine, and effectively blocking me in.
Getting out of his car, he spreads his arms wide and takes notice of Aiden. "Hey lil man!" He roared boisterously. Said boisterousness was inherited by his son, Aiden.
His disheveled appearance and red eyes hinted that he may have been out all night.
"Dad you made it!" Aiden shouted excitedly as he ran over to hug him.
"Did you think I would miss your first day?" Alec questioned with an amused scoff, while wrapping his arm around him.
"I don't know." Aiden replied, pulling back from their embrace with a shrug ", we were supposed to go to the park, but you never showed up." He stated looking up to Alec for an explanation.
"Oh, umm...I got a little busy with…work." Alec responded slowly, seemingly shocked by Aiden's statement.
Checking my watch, I saw it was eight-fifteen, "Alright guys, it's time to go in." I interject.
Alec bends down to scoop Aiden up in his arms causing him to giggle and carries him towards the school entrance.
'I'm just happy he showed up', I thought to myself as I walked quietly behind them.
Alec opened the door and tilted his head, gesturing for me to go through. As I walk by, he murmures, "Looking good Isa."
Slightly glancing behind me, "I know!" I replied confidently.
"Mommy you're silly." Aiden voiced.
"Am I?" I respond with a smile.
Alec chuckled lightly as we made our way to the classroom.
We'd been walking for barely a minute when Alec speaks up, "Do you know where the classroom is?" Clearly, he was in a rush.
"Yes, I came to the new student orientation." I stated, forcing myself to keep the bite out of my tone.
Before he could respond, we were greeted by his teacher, Mrs. Cope, "Hello! Good to see you again Bella." She intoned before turning towards Alec. "I assume your dad?" she queried reaching out to shake his hand with a warm smile.
Setting Aiden down, Alec flashes his Colgate smile while shaking her hand, "Yes, I'm Alec, his dad." He responded.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Scott." She replied releasing his hand. Mrs. Cope gently bent at the waist to make eye contact with Aiden, "Welcome to Willow Academy." She began softly, "I'm Mrs. Cope your teacher, what's your name?"
"My name is Aiden Charles Swan Scott!" He enthusiastically bellowed. I couldn't stop myself from laughing.
Only my kid would say his whole name. My kid is too cute!
"Alright Aiden I think we're going to have a lot of fun learning together!"
"Me too!"
"Cool beans!" She replies with as much excitement as Aiden, raising her hand for a high five. "Okay." She continued "Let's tell mom and dad 'see you later alligator', so we can start the fun." She encourages.
Aiden quickly turned to us waving his hand saying, "Later gators!" He states, before running into the classroom.
Well, I didn't get my hug but at least there were no tears.
Clapping her hands together with a light chuckle, "That went well! Have a nice day Bella and Alec. I'll see you later." Mrs. Cope cheerfully waved before turning towards her classroom.
Even after Mrs. Cope closed the classroom door, I stood there for a brief moment watching Aiden through the glass as he interacted with some of his classmates. I smiled to myself realizing this is yet another step towards him growing up. I'm lost in the moment as my thoughts take me down memory lane from the day Aiden was born to the day, he took his first step. Suddenly, I feel eyes on me, almost scorching the back of my head.
I turn around to see Alec standing directly behind me, almost in my personal space. I briefly look him in the eye with a raised eyebrow and walk away without saying a word. The hallway was so quiet, I could hear nothing but the clicking of my heels and Alec as he quickly followed behind me to keep up with my fast pace.
"So, now you're just going to ignore me Isa?" Alec seethed through clenched teeth.
Continuing to quietly walk, I pick up my pace even more and clinch my purse tighter, refusing to make a scene in Aiden's school. 'why is Alec such a jackass'? I thought to myself. I shook my head letting him know we weren't doing this now; not in here. I push the glass door open leading to the front of the school and continue to walk to my SUV. Alec grabbed my arm from behind and I spin around on my heel to face him. He immediately drops his hand after seeing the look of disdain on my face.
"Isa I just want to talk to you. Why are you ignoring me? I won't be ignored!" He demanded.
"Ha! Ignore you like you've ignored your son for the past few weeks?" I retort sarcastically.
Alec puts his hands up in a surrender gesture. "I'm sorry babe I've been busy with work and all. I know you can understand that, right. I did show up today, that has to count for something."
I quietly counted to ten so I wouldn't take my shoe off and throw it at his head.
"Firstly," I calmy begin "I'm not your 'babe'. Secondly, do you really think showing up today will make up for the all the times you've flaked out on your only child?" I question rhetorically. I can feel myself getting angry and before I could stop myself, I react. "You're such an asshole Alec!" I shout angerly. I take a breath to gather myself before I continue. "Stop making promises to Aiden if you can't keep them." I expel while quietly fuming.
"Dammit Isa! I'm doing the best I can do! If you wouldn't have been so unreasonable, we could have worked this out! We still could have been a family! Why do you always have to throw shit in my face? It's that attitude right there that pushed me into Chelsea's arms!" He jabbed. "I WILL spend time with him! Just because it doesn't happen when you want it to, doesn't make me the bad guy!" He ranted.
Deciding to ignore his delusional bullshit, I open my car door. "I won't let you hurt my child, now move your gaudy ass car or I will!" I state with finality, getting into Benny.
We were having a stand-off as we stared at each other. Alec was still standing outside beside his car, looking positively baffled that I abruptly ended our 'conversation', and was sitting in my driver's seat revving my engine. This was a sign to let him know he can move his shitty car the easy way or I'll move it the hard way.
Appearing to give up, Alec shakes his head at me before finally getting into his car and spinning off with screeching tires, and burning rubber, to make a dramatic exit.
Before leaving, I texted Angela letting her know I may be a few minutes late. 'Just great', I thought to myself.
STB
Rushing out of Benny I toss my keys to the valet. "Thanks Kaleb."
"You're welcome Ms. Swan."
As I head into the building, I can't help but reminisce on how this all started for me. Initially, I was a designer. I found my love for the fashion industry through my mom. When I was a child she worked at small bridal boutiques as a seamstress in downtown Chicago, overtime she gained a large cliental and decide to open her own bridal boutique, R. Analise. Eventually she became a celebrity couture wedding dress designer. Renee taught me how to appreciate the beauty of making everything by hand. After years of learning from my mom and growing as a designer, I was ready to present my first collection at the young age of sixteen. With the help of my mother and her connections I was able to showcase my designs to Karl Lagerfeld, and unexpectedly Andre Leon Talley was present. He felt my collection was good enough to be viewed by Anna Wintour. The next thing I knew I was at Vouge Magazine's offices and my career as a designer took off from there.
As time went on and I got to see all of the complexities the fashion industry supplied, I fell in love with the editorial side of the business. Even though I was still a designer I got a job at Vogue starting as a fashion assistant and worked my way up to being an editorial assistant. It was exhilarating to research, write articles and work with the different editors to come up with ideas for Vogue. Feeling inspired and eager to travel and see other designer's creations, I left Vouge when I was twenty-one to start my own fashion magazine. Phases of the Moon started in a small studio with only six of us doing the job that should have taken twenty. We had a humble beginning, but the magazine surpassed all of my wildest dreams.
"Thank God you're here!" My personal assistant exclaimed. Her interruption pulled me from my musings, and I paused at her desk. "Alexandre Vauthier's assistant keeps calling. I have been deemed unworthy to speak to the fashion gods. And you know Demetri refuses to talk to Tiffany after that last fiasco during fashion week." Angela quickly explains.
"Of course, he won't talk to her. When she calls again send her to my line." I instruct.
"Perfect!" She chirped before inhaling deeply. "Your 9:15 appointment with Chanel was pushed back to 9:45. Then you have to meet with Dior at 11:00. You have to oversee the photoshoot and that happens at 12:30. And finally you have your staff meeting with all of your editors at 1:30. So, you're going to have a busy day, hopefully everything stays as planned." Angela informs, point by point before finally taking a breath.
"Let the day begin." I say, already knowing it was going to be hectic. "But I'm leaving at 2:15 to pick Aiden up, so it will be a working lunch today."
"When isn't it a working lunch?" Angela rhetorically states. I could read the sarcasm laced within and smiled ruefully to myself.
Before I could respond to Angela a loud voice interjected, "Why were you late?" Demetri interrogates. "This one," He begins pointing at Angela. ", kept trying to get me to talk to that god awful Tiffany." He quickly turned his head to me while squinting his eyes. "You know I'm not talking to her!" He finished dramatically.
"Good morning to you too. I'm doing well, thank you for asking." I deadpan.
"Okay, yes, fine. Nice to see you." He waved his hand dismissively, brushing me off.
"Why were you late?" He repeated.
"You're so annoying Demetri." I say as I walk into my office, Demetri right on my heel.
Just to get under his skin I make a show of slowly hanging up my jacket, setting my purse down and turning on my computer. After sitting and taking a few seconds to get comfortable in my chair, I ask Angela, "Can I get some coffee please?" Before finally turning to Demetri. He's standing with arms crossed and a scowl on his visage. We face- off in a staring match until Angela brings me my coffee.
"Are you going to tell me?" Demetri scoffs.
"Well, if you must know today was Aiden's first day of school."
"Ookayy…Is that why you were late?"
"No." I gently reply taking a sip of my coffee.
"Bella!" He shouted.
I smirk and shake my head before answering. "Alec showed up." I explain with a shrug of my shoulder.
"Oh, well that's good. I'm sure Aiden was excited." Angela interjects.
"Yeah, he was happy."
"I get it now! I'd be late too, that man is just sex on legs." Demetri gushes.
"Demetri stop!" Angela jokingly chastised.
Turning his attention to Angela, "Girl, we all know he's good looking," He begins before turning back to me. "so, spill." He demands.
"There's nothing to spill. He was being his normal self….an ass."
"A fine ass." Demetri replied.
"Can we get off his ass, please?" Angela ordered rolling her eyes at Demetri. "Bella will you tell us what happened?" She asked with a pointed look.
I go through the whole story from Alec speeding into the school parking lot, to the words we exchanged and his loud exit. Unfortunately, at this point, no one is really surprised by his actions towards me.
"He'd get so much further in life if he wouldn't talk! I mean all those good looks go to waste as soon as he opens his mouth." Demetri spouts while pacing. Stopping in front of my desk, and leaning over slightly, "Why didn't you tell us he's been faking out on our little Aiden?" He interrogates in a slightly accusatory tone.
I take in a breath and exhale before leaning back in my chair, "I've been handling it as best as I can. I'll admit it's hard trying to explain to a six-year-old why his father isn't showing up when he says he's going to time and time again."
"Does he at least call to let you know he's not coming?" Angela questions as she sits down in the chair in front of my desk.
"No." I shake my head in reply before picking up my coffee.
"No?!" Demetri repeated in frustration. "What the hell do you mean, no? He just leaves you ass out to explain to his son why he didn't show up?"
"Bella I'm so sorr—" Angela begins to say before Demetri cut her off.
"You're damn right, Sorry, that's exactly what he is…is Sorry! How do you leave your child hanging?! You know Bella, I should be upset with you. You should have told me, Aiden could've been hanging out with his 'Uncle D'. I will make time for him." Demetri promises with conviction. "Girl" He continues to rant, "you better than me because I would have gone off on his ass right there at…" Demetri paused, snapping his fingers prompting me for the name of the school.
"Willow Academy." I respond with amusement. A small smile threatening to tug at the edge of my lips.
"Willow Academy! Now, y'all know, I don't play when it comes to the kids. You don't take grown-up shit out on the kids." Demetri seethed.
Angela sat at the edge of her chair. "Bella, we're more than co-workers, we're friends too. You should have told us what you've been dealing with. Me and Ben could have taken him to a movie or something." She reasoned.
Well damn…I feel like shit now. Demetri and Angela are right. We have much more than a work relationship. They have both been with me from the very beginning of the magazine's inception seven years ago, struggles and all. They're family.
"You're right." I begin with sorrowful expression. "I should have said something to you both. I've been preoccupied with moving, the divorce and making sure Aiden is adjusting to all these changes going on in his life." I explain.
Demetri moved to the side of my desk and gently squeezed my shoulder. "Honey, we are here for you and Aiden. We love you both. We know you're still adjusting to your new life and I'm sure it's hard on both of you. But it's not fair for you to take all of this on by yourself when you us to help you." He sympathized. "Besides, Alec is a real dick!" He stated passionately.
I chuckle lightly. "That he is Demetri, that he is."
"Ben and I aren't doing anything tonight, Bella. We can take him later tonight if you would like." Angela offered.
I perked up in my chair, smiling. "Thank you for offering but I'm treating him to a surprise right after I pick him up today. My parents along with Alice and Rosalie wanted to celebrate his first day of school. But I'm sure we can pick some other day for Aiden to hang out with you both."
Demetri clapped his hands together excitedly. "Great! It's settled. We'll take turns spending time with Aiden. This has been informative, but we have got shit to do and appointments to keep ladies. Chop, chop!" Demetri boomed, before walking out of my office.
Angela hopped up from her seat and ran to her desk as the phone started ringing. More than likely it's the infamous Tiffany calling again. I take another sip of my coffee and hope it gives me enough energy for the rest of the day.
Angela's voice comes through the intercom. "Bella, I have Tiffany on line one for you."
STB
"So, how was your first day of school, honey?" I question as we walk to my SUV.
"It was fun mommy!" Aiden responds happily.
His excitement was so contagious it made me laugh. "Oh yeah, what did you do today?"
"I got some new friends." He exclaimed as I buckled him into his booster seat.
"Did you!? What are their names?" I asked after buckling my own seatbelt and began driving.
Aiden taps his chin with his index finger looking out of the window with furrowed brows. "Mike, Peter and Seth."
"Oh, that's good. Did you make any more friends?"
"Yeah, but I can't member all of their names right now." He utters remorsefully.
"You mean, remember?" I chuckle at his word flub.
"Yeah, that's what I said, mommy." He replies. "Oh! There was this girl that kept looking at me. Eww, girls have cooties. Mike said we don't play with girls because they stink and make you play with dolls." He rambles.
I looked between Aiden and the road as he ranted on about girls and cooties. I smirked as I thought to myself how all too soon his tune would change about girls.
"Aiden sweetheart, that's not nice to say about girls. How do you know she didn't want to be your friend too?" I pointed out.
"I don't want to catch cooties mommy!" Aiden whined, crossing his arms across his chest.
"How do you know she has cooties?"
"Cause all girls have cooties! That's what Seth said. He said his big sister has cooties too."
"I'm a girl and Nana, Auntie Alice and Rose are girls too…do we all have cooties?"
"No, mommy!" Aiden laughs smacking his hand to his forehead. "You're not a girl, your mommy and Nana is Nana, and my Auntie Alice and Rose are my aunts."
"Oh, okay. Thank you for clearing that up for me." I laugh softly. "Can you guess where we're going to dinner tonight?" "I asked enthusiastically.
"McDonalds?" he guesses.
"Nope."
"Red Robin?"
"Not there either."
"Tell me mommy."
"We're going to Lucky Strike!" I yell with excitement.
"YAY!" He shouts, waving his hands in the air. "We get to play the games!"
"That's right munchkin. And you get to see Pop-Pop, Nana, Auntie Alice and Rosie."
"Awesome! I can't wait to play the games with Pop-Pop!"
"There's my boy!" Charlie bellows as Aiden runs into his open arms.
"Pop-Pop!" Aiden yelled in return.
Renée, Alice and Rosalie stood from the bench in the waiting area they were sitting in and smiled adorningly at the exchange between Charlie and Aiden.
"Hey mom." I greet, leaning in to hug her while Alice winked at me.
"How's my girl doing?" Renée questioned, seeming to know how my morning started.
Rosalie stood behind my mother waiting for her hug, that was unusual. I've known Rosalie since I was a freshman in high school and she never hugs unless some serious shit goes down. Somebody knows something, it was probably that damn Demetri.
Note to self: kill Demetri tomorrow morning.
"I'm doing fine mom. How are you?" I gently deflect.
"Oh, I'm fine honey. It's you we're concerned about." Renée responds with a pointed look.
"To save us all the time, just know that Demetri called and told us what happened at the school this morning." Alice confirmed.
Damn! This dinner has just turned into an interrogation interview.
I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding while all their eyes focus on me. "I'm fine. We all know how dramatic he is. This isn't new behavior." I clarify.
Rosalie furrows her brows, stepping in front of Renée to say something when she's cut off by Charlie and Aiden finally coming over to join us. "Hey Nana!" Aiden shouts, running into Renée's legs, and hugging them. Rosalie stares with a determined expression letting me know the conversation is far from over.
Charlie looks from Renée's face to mine, before stepping forward, "How's my baby girl?" He questions, engulfing me in a tight hug.
I hold on to my father a little longer enjoying the warm embrace and safety he's always given me. "I'm good daddy. How are you?"
"I'm great! I've got my grandson." He replies grinning from ear to ear looking down at Aiden. "And all of my favorite girls are all in one room, at the same time. Life can't get any better than this!"
"Awww, daddy." I pout. "You sure know how to make a girl feel special."
He leans down to kiss the top of my head. "You are special, baby girl." He smiles pulling away.
I can admit I'm a bit of a daddy's girl. Don't get me wrong we're a close family, but my dad always seems to have a knack for helping me to feel better in some of my lowest times. Since I was a kid my dad and I have always had this silent communication between us. He gets that I don't always want to talk about my feelings.
"Come on everyone, our table is ready." Alice announced. "Aiden are you ready to have some fun?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" He calls jumping with delight.
The hostess leads us to our table and Renée links her arm through mine, "I know you think Charlie saved you, but we will talk about it honey. I'm worried about you keeping all of this pent up." She confessed in a whisper
"Mom, I promise you I'm fine." I pleaded, just as everyone was taking their seat at the table.
The hostess lay the menus down in front of everyone. "Hi, my name is Denise, and if you all would like to get started with your drink order I'd be happy to take that for you now." She states with a pleasant smile.
"Great!" Rosalie interjects. "I'll take a pink elephant, please."
"I'll have a Guinness." Charlie added.
I waved my finger between Aiden and myself, who sat across from me next to Charlie. "We'll have two strawberry lemonades, please, with little ice.
"Give me a skinny Rita." Alice added.
"I'll have what she's having." Renée echoed, pointing to Alice.
Denise smiled after writing down everyone's drink preference. "Your waitress, Maggie will bring your drinks shortly and take your order when you're ready. I hope you enjoy yourselves." We thanked her before she warmly smiled and walked away.
I cleared my throat and looked at Aiden. "So sweetheart, why don't you tell everyone about your first day of school." I encouraged with a smile.
Aiden enjoyed being in the spotlight sharing his first day with the family. He informed them about the new friends he made, what they had for lunch, his teacher's name, what he learned in class and even the little girl with cooties that kept watching him.
While everyone enjoyed their meals, the conversation remained light.
"I am stuffed." Charlie confessed while rubbing his stomach. "Come on little buddy." He began, looking at Aiden. "Let's leave the woman to have some girl talk."
"Thanks Dad." I say sarcastically. "I thought you were on my side." I whine.
Aiden stood up in his chair and began to jump up and down. "Yes!" Pumping his fist in the air. "Let's go Pop-Pop!"
Charlie pushed his chair out laughing. "Alright ladies, we'll see you in a little while." He winked at me, before plucking Aiden out of the chair, and setting him on the floor.
We all smiled as they walked away getting lost in the crowd.
'And here we go'. I thought to myself.
"Okay, now talk!" Alice demanded while Renée and Rosalie scooted their chairs closer to the table.
I chuckled shaking my head. "Are you serious?"
"Yep!" Rosalie replied, popping the p.
I picked up my lemonade glass and began to sip from my straw finding something interesting about the wall across the room.
"And put that damn glass down, there's nothing in there, Bella." Alice commanded.
"Yeah, we know your little trick with that too." Rosalie added shaking her head.
Damn…they know me too well.
Renée put both elbows on the table giving me that motherly look. "Just tell us Isabella."
She really went there using my full first name.
"What do you want to know?" I question with an amused tone, trying to lighten the mood.
"Everything!" Rosalie answered.
"Okay, I'll tell you but none of you can interrupt. You have to let me get everything out first and then you can say what you want." I exclaim with a pointed look.
"We won't say a word." Renée promised looking at Alice and Rosalie.
I inhaled and told the same story for the second time today, all while watching the many expressions on their faces as they ranged from amused, to anger and then finally, rage.
"I still don't understand why you married that asshole in the first place." Rosalie complained.
"He wasn't like that at first, Alec was a great guy. He changed over the years and it got worse." I replied.
"No, he was always an asshole." Alice disagrees. "You shoulda got with his best friend, you know he's a—"
"Enough Mary Alice!" Renée cut in. "Bella, sweetheart, you've told us everything except how you feel. How have you been since the divorce?"
I sat up on the edge of my seat, put my elbows on the table, and folded my hands like I'm praying and closed eyes; thinking to myself, 'how I didn't want to have this conversation'.
Before I could get two words out, I was interrupted. "I'm fin—"
Renée cuts me off, "Yeah, yeah." She begins. "You've been telling me you're fine for months now and we can clearly see you're not."
Alice reached across the table, patting my hand gently. "Bella you're not fine. Just tell us. We're here for you." She pleads.
"Look." I softly start, letting out a long breath. "I'm not hurt anymore. At first, when I found out, I was hurt. I couldn't—" I shake my head quickly shaking off the night I first found out Alec was cheating. "I couldn't believe he would do that to me." I repeat, before continuing. "After all we've been through together since high school and he does this." I chuckle without humor.
Renée moves to my side of the table and pulls me close to her by my shoulder. "Honey get it out, you've been bottling it all up. Even if you don't need to cry it out at least talk it out." She gently admonished.
I turned in my chair to face her. "I've already cried it out—the first night. I'm not crying over him anymore. I've got to focus on Aiden now. I've got to make sure he's adjusting to his new life. I'll deal with me later." I admitted
Rosalie shook her head in disagreement. "You've been doing that for months now, how has that worked out for you? You've thrown yourself into work and taking care of Aiden but you're not dealing with your own emotions." She reasoned.
"Okay, yeah—but I don't want to talk about it anymore. What's done is done. The divorce is final, the house was sold, and with the pictured proof that was presented in court I got the better deal."
"As you should have, that douchebag!" Alice stated crossly.
"Bella, you still haven't told us how you're doing." Renée reminded gently.
I crossed my legs under the table and placed my hands in my lap. "Mom I felt like shit when Marcus brought me those pictures back. I was so grateful you and daddy had Aiden that night. I sat in my office for hours torturing myself looking at those pictures wondering 'what the hell, she has that I don't'." I confessed as I looked directly into her gaze. "Why the fuck did he step outside of our marriage? You know I wonder…" Shaking my head, chuckling humorlessly. ", does she know how fucked up his family is? I was there for him when Garrett and Victoria weren't…helping him figure out all their bull shit!" I spewed.
"We know sweetie. You stood by him when his family went through that scandal. You were a good wife to him." Renée confirmed.
"Mom I'm not crying another damn tear over him. That night—that first night" I started. ", was the first and last time that I will cry over Alec Scott. I'm sorry if I'm not handling this the way you all think I should. Hell, this is the first time I've been through something like this and I know you all love me and have my best interest at heart. But please know," I pleased resting my hands on my mother's. "We are more than fine."
Renée grabbed my face with both of her hands. "This right here is a good start. We're your family and we love you. We wanted you to know we're here for you, no matter how you feel or what you may feel the need to say. We are here for you and Aiden. Just don't bury yourself into work or lose yourself in responsibilities pertaining to my beautiful grandson. Don't lose yourself, my Isabella." She finished compassionately.
A/N: Did anyone catch the Shrek reference? How did you like it? What did you think about Demetri?
Edwards POV next, and a special guest!
We hope you enjoyed…see you next week!