Chapter 15

Lauren was gone before anyone else woke up. Between the crying and the liquor Jessica was a mess. Somehow the girls managed to hide the fact that they were drinking. Jessica and Alice left around noon. Charlie showed up at six to pick Bella up.

They didn't talk about what it was that Charlie did all day, but he did say he would be late again on Wednesday.

Alice called that night to ask if Bella would come over to her house the next day. Bella couldn't find any reason to say no plus there were some things she wanted to talk about with the new girl, so she accepted the invite.

Sunday Morning Charlie dropped Bella off at the Cullens. The house was set so far back he almost missed their driveway.

He let out a long whistle. "That's the fanciest house I've ever seen. The doctor must make a pretty penny."

"Dad shush." She didn't know why but Bella felt embarrassed; like somehow Alice and her family could hear Charlie, even though that was ridiculous.

He smiled. "You know, I met the good doctor. Maybe I should go introduce myself to the misses."

Bella's eyes opened wide. "Dad, no. Please don't." She had a feeling he would happily embarrass her.

He chuckled. "Okay, I won't come up to the house, but I have to say hello. It would be rude of me not to."

Before Bella could protest she spotted Alice happily skipping, toward them, a handsome looking couple was strolling behind her.

Charlie got out of the car with her. "Good morning, Doctor."

"Chief Swan, please call me Carlisle. This is my lovely wife Esme."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, please call me Charlie."

Alice pulled Bella over to her parents waiting to introduce her.

Charlie was going on about how lucky they were to have them in their town and how Carlisle saved a young man's life the other day.

"Oh, you must be Bella. We have heard so much about you." Esme told her.

A squeak came out of Bellas mouth. What had they been told? She froze as her anxiety kicked in.

Her father took over for her. "All good things I hope."

"Oh yes, Alice has told us how welcoming she has been" Esme shared.

Her father smiled proudly down at her.

"Why don't you both come inside?" Carlisle asked.

Bella's eyes practically bugged out of her head.

"Thank you, but not this time. I have a few things I need to get done."

She silently thanked Charlie.

"What time do you want me to come back to pick her up?"

Why did that question make her feel like a five-year-old?

"Oh, that's not necessary. My husband or I can drop her off." Esme said sweetly.

"I'm going to be out and about anyway."

"Dad," she blustered, "I'll call you when I'm ready to come home."

"Okay, Okay. I'll let you have fun with your friend." He pulled her into his usual one armed hug; they were starting to feel less awkward: and said his goodbyes.

Walking into the house the three boys of the family were sitting on the couch, two of them were playing a video game.

"Bella, meet Jasper and my brothers Emmett and Edward." Alice pointed out each boy as she said their names.

Jasper the blonde haired boy and Emmett the one with black hair; didn't look away from the t.v.

"Sup," Emmett said.

Jasper replied. "Nice to meet you."

Edward turned and looked at her stonily. Then turned back to watch his brother and his, {not brother?} playing the game.

"Lets go to my room." Alice said.

They had just gotten to the second floor landing when they heard Alice's parents come in the front door.

"Bella is a lovely young lady, don't you think?" Esme said.

"Yes dear, she is quite personable." Her husband agreed.

A small smile touched her lips. Then she heard, "I see nothing special about the girl. I think she's rather plain looking actually."

"Edward!" His mother chastised. "You be kind."

Bella's heart was in her throat.

"He's just deflecting. It's because he has a crush on you." Bella looked at Alice doubtfully. "It's true. Come on, I'll prove it. Let me give you a makeover. He won't be able to hide his affections after he sees you."

Bella didn't believe Edward had a crush on her, but she didn't want him to think her plain. So she took a breath and resigned herself to doing one of her least favorite activities.

Alice started with her clothes. Bella tried on several different outfits before finally agreeing on one with Alice. It was a blue dress with small white polka dots, its sleeves came down to Bella's elbow and had a bow on the end the length hit just below her knee but the buttons hit mid thigh. Bella felt the slit was way too high but was tired of trying on clothes. Alice also insisted Bella wear the pair of white strappy heels that went with the dress.

Bella protested saying she can not walk in heels. Alice insisted she would be fine; they were chunky heels. Bella stumbled and fell all over the place. Alice just told her she would get used to it, refusing to allow her to put her chucks back on.

She had originally protested that Alice was way smaller then her and the clothes wouldn't fit. Alice had proved her wrong, then insisted she keep the outfit.

Bella brought up what happened during the sleepover.

"How could you think Jessica breaking down like that was a good thing?"

"That girl was on the edge. She was going to blow up anyway. It's better that it happened there then in the middle of school. Plus things will get better now. You'll see."

Looking at it from that perspective Bella could see Alice's point. She hoped she was right about things getting better too.

Curious about the family dynamic Bella asked, "So Jaspers not your brother?"

"No," Alice looked down and blushed. "We met him three years ago. His elderly uncle was not doing well, and made my parents his guardians before he passed away."

There had to be more to that story but Bella was not going to ask.

Alice curled Bella's hair leaving it hanging loose down her back. Then she did her make up. Bella wasn't a fan of makeup, she didn't like the way it felt on her face, but she had to do something to look pretty.

Once they were all done they were called down to eat lunch. Bella was introduced to Rosily. The teens all sat around the large dining table. Their parents disappeared into another room.

Bella sat uncomfortably as she felt all eyes on her. Glancing up at Edward she could see his expression switch between angry and curious.

"So, Bella" a booming voice made her jump. "You having fun being Ali's newest Barbie doll?" Emmett asked.

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