DISCLAIMER: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight not me. I just love playing around with the characters we all know and love. :-)

Authors Notes:

***This chapter takes place the morning of Charlie's birthday

***Any predictions on how things will go? ;-)

HAPPY QUARANTINE EVERYBODY...***HEAVY DRAMATIC SIGH***

-If all of you are as depressed as I am about all the negativity pertaining to the covid-19 epidemic I'm sure you will appreciate the chance to exchange funny quarantine stories. Here's mine...

~~~So I'm the mother of three kids and the oldest two are now out of school due to the shut down of schools in the USA. So my youngest son has used this time frame to master taking his diaper off all on his own... and for dramatic flare he times things for the most inopportune time to do so. His favorite time to do this is once he's made a #2 present in his britches that can now get absolutely everywhere...uggg. Really bad time for there to be a shortage of toilet paper, cleaning wipes and spray. lol

CHAPTER #27: Social Affair

BPOV

"Angela can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Have you ever had to deal with a boyfriend's ex being around him?"

"Is this about Tanya? What did that hag do this time?" I could hear the anger in her voice instantly. I had told her about the short but loaded conversation I'd had with Tanya at Edward's house and lets just say that Angela was no fan of the woman.

"It's not Tanya."

"What?"

"Last night Edward and I were talking and he told me that one of his clients is a family friend of his, and that he had a brief, well involvement with her before he met me."

"Involvement like friends with benefits?"

"I guess. I didn't really want details." I could hear how quiet I was getting. Talking about this was making me almost as uncomfortable as I was when Edward told me but I wanted to know what Angela thought.

"Sweetie, the guy is going to have a past. Have you seen him?" She tried to sound light and joking but I could hear her concern.

"I know but apparently she told him she's still interested in, you know, being with him."

"Excuse me."

"He told her he's seeing someone and wasn't interested but I don't like it."

"B, you don't have to like it. And don't try to be so damn stoic."

"What do you mean?"

"Vent, trash talk the bitch. Make up new insulting names for her."

"What?"

"You know some ridiculous title that doesn't really make a lot of sense but sounds bad enough to work out the anger."

"Like what?" I had to smile a bit.

"Desperate and easy skank Barbie."

"Barbie?" I was laughing at her word choice. I could always count on Angela to say something off the wall.

"Oh come on, if Mr so incredibly beyond cute was with the woman, I'm sure she's at least a little pretty."

"Oh."

"Bella, I can hear your self-flagellation from here. I wasn't implying in any sense that she's even half as pretty as you. That wouldn't even be possible."

"I love you Ang."

"Awwww, and I love you too Red."

"Ugggg. I take back loving you." She laughed into the phone as I scowled.

"How's it feel to be back in town?"

"Good. Nothing quite like a night at your childhood home."

"I dunno. I mean the city does offer the benefit of a certain sexy as hell lawyer that you get to sleep next to whenever the hell you want."

"Angela" I threw in my best motherly scoulding tone.

"So what's the plan for how to dodge the Edward versus Jacob topic?"

"What?" What was there to dodge?

"Please don't tell me you're pretending to be naive to the fact that Jacob is NOT going to like the idea of you being with someone else now."

"Jacob and I haven't been together for awhile."

"I'm not sure he's really ever going to handle the idea of you with someone else though."

"I don't see why not. I'm sure he's dated plenty since me." Jacob was a fun, talented, sweet, not to mention a good looking guy. Women were bound to notice.

"Probably, but men can be very territorial. Even if he doesn't have you anymore he still won't like the idea of another man touching what was once his."

"What is this, dawn of the neanderthal?"

"More like Kindergarten and you're the shiny new toy."

"Great..."

"Should be interesting if those two guys are ever in the same room together." I could feel her big smile as she envisioned whatever would happen between them. "In fact promise me I can be there for that. I may bring some popcorn, a really BIG BAG of popcorn."

"Maybe they'd be fine with each-other." Was that a statement or a question?

"I bet Jacob could probably play it off fairly okay, at least at first, but I doubt Edward would."

"What do you mean? Edward is very controlled."

"He's also a straight shooter B."

"He's level headed though."

"Maybe with most things."

"What does that mean?"

"I have seen the way that man looks at you and there is no way he will tolerate any of the overly friendly touches Jacob tends to give you or his lingering glances."

"Is Jacob really that bad?" I already knew the answer to this. Jacob and I had been so close when we were kids. We'd always be hugging and holding hands, lots of physical contact like that. When each of those touches started progressing to more I hadn't even noticed at first because it was so subtle of a difference but looking back on it now, all of it was way beyond 'just friends'.

"Oh please, the guy all but humps your leg like a puppy in heat."

"You know heat refers to female dogs, not males." I scowled at the phone while sporting an undoubtedly red face. I swear I could almost see her silent eye roll.

"Okay Ms. Denial. Sure... that was the take away from what I said."

"I don't think he means it like that. He's just friendly."

"Ha Ha. I can tell you this much B, of all the girls he knows he doesn't touch any of us COMBINED even half as much as he touches you."

"So Edward would notice?" There's an incredibly stupid question. Edward notices everything.

"Hell yes he would and there's no way he would just be OKAY with another guy touching his girl." I thought about that and despite the nervousness it caused in me at the idea of the two meeting in the future I had to smile. I kind of liked the idea of Edward being a bit possessive. It was stupid to feel like that though right? "Again I want to be there for this. I would L-O-V-E, love to see how Mr. So Incredibly Beyond Cute handles Mr. touch-a-lot."

I ignored her statement as well as the accompanying laugh. "What did you mean about the way he looks at me?"

"What?"

"You said you've seen the way he, Edward, looks at me. How does he look at me?"

"Like you are literally all he sees."

"Really?" My coy smile and blush at the thought of meaning so much to Edward made me feel like a complete cliché.

"Yes really." She playfully mocked my swooning. "Of course that's not how he ALWAYS looks at you."

"What?"

"Well I have seen you guys in slightly more intimate moments a couple times now and lets just say his eyes show exactly what he's thinking when he's looking at you at those specific times."

"And how does he look at me then?"

"Like you're something to eat."

...

"Daughter." I ran up to Billy and gave him a big hug as soon as he greeted me with his standard nickname. I'd driven over earlier then mom and Dad so I could help set up. I had no idea what cover story my mom had for why I needed to leave ahead of them, but I was sure whatever she came up with would be ridiculous and dad would undoubtedly see right through her. Of course he would go along with it anyway because he loves my mom with all his heart and as a result always goes along with all her scheming.

"Billy, I've missed you." I hugged him tightly and he all but pulled me onto his chair so he could hug me closer. I laughed at his antics almost making me trip and fall.

"Let me look at you." I pulled back but he kept my hands in his as he looked me over. "You're more beautiful then I remember." I blushed making him laugh. "However you're also to skinny. Are you eating enough in that big city?"

"I eat 3 meals a day. Promise."

"Hmmm. Real food?" His eyes narrowed while I rolled my own but smiled at his concern.

"No, Rabbit food." I smiled through my sarcastic remark.

"You're no rabbit daughter. You need protein and fats."

"I eat plenty of both."

"You're to thin for that to be true. I'll save the best steak for you tonight." I laughed at him before reaching for another hug, a big one.

"As much of an honor as the best steak is from the grill master of Forks and LaPush, shouldn't that be reserved for the birthday boy?"

"Who cares about Charlie? You're far more precious to me, and besides I can feed him anytime."

I had to laugh at him dismissing my dad and his own best friend. "I love you Billy."

"And I love you little one." That was his other nickname for me and I loved them both. Only he called me them and I loved it.

"Mom told me you probably needed some help from me with set up."

"Well I already put all the boys to work setting up first beach but you can drive your favorite old man down there with all the food." He gestured to the couple of coolers I saw by the door.

"Well I wouldn't say you're my favorite old man..." I playfully scrunched up my face in thought and he laughed. "Oh well you do make the best barbecue food so I guess I should work for the privilege of eating it."

…...

"So I hear you have a boyfriend now?" I had loaded up Billy in the passenger seat and the food into the hatch that I had thankfully thought to lay a few thick blankets down in before leaving my parents house. I would have been mortified if anything had gotten on Edward's immaculate car.

"Billy." I tried to lace my tone with displeasure.

"It's a fifteen minute drive so you can't really escape my questions."

"I can make it in five." I playfully leaned forward like I was going to speed up."

"And risk upsetting the chief of police, I don't think so."

"Charlie doesn't have authority on tribal land but nice try." I smiled at him innocently and he laughed.

"He has as much authority as the tribal elders allow. And who's the chief of the tribe daughter?"

I sighed dramatically before pointing at him in surrender.

"Good girl. Now humor your old man and put my mind at ease."

"Fine. Yes I'm seeing someone. His name is Edward and he's absolutely perfect."

"Absolutely huh?" He laughed at my overly exaggerated girly fawning over my boyfriend. It was amazing how fast I'd fallen right back into step with Billy considering how long it'd been since we'd seen one-another. We'd always had a very playful father-daughter type relationship. I loved that it hadn't been lost with time.

"You'd really like him Billy." I glanced at him tentatively. My vulnerability likely shiny past the humor I'd had moments ago.

"Well if you like him I suppose that's the most important thing. You've always been a great judge of character."

"Thank-you."

"You're welcome. Tell me more."

"Well he's a lawyer."

"Hmmm. A prosecuter I hope, otherwise your father wont be much of a fan I imagine. Cops despise defense attorneys."

"I hadn't even thought of that. No he's not a prosecutor or a defense attorney, well not really. Corporate law. He's CLO at his firm."

"What's a CLO?"

"Chief legal officer. You know similar to a CEO or CFO?" I really hoped he didn't want much more detail then that about Edward's job because I only knew so much.

"Well that sounds pretty impressive." I loved the sincerity in Billy's tone, showing how easy he can be to talk to.

"He's a pretty impressive guy."

"Clearly if he caught your eye. How many guys have you actually ever dated? 4?"

"Riley, Tim, Nate, and..."

"Jacob?" He smiled at how uncomfortable I got. "Relax little one. His name isn't a bad word."

"It's weird though."

"Only if you make it that way. The past is the past."

"I've missed the great and powerful wisdom of Billy Black." I laughed through my mocking tone though truthfully I meant every word. He had such a simple but true way of seeing things.

"How long have the two of you been seeing one-another?"

"We met in late July but started dating in early October."

"Not very long then."

"I guess not." I felt a little deflated by his observation. Edward and I had only been official for a couple months but that in no way diminished my feelings for him. "We were pretty good friends before we became official though."

"Why the delay in dating then?" Man he's good at getting information from me.

"I dunno. He didn't ask me out I guess?"

"Why not? Is he blind or stupid?" He laughed when I playfully reached over to hit his shoulder.

"He's not stupid Billy. I think he was just hesitant. He told me he'd wanted to ask me out the day we met."

"Hmm. How did you meet?"

"His daughter is in my class. We met at the meet the teacher night before the school year." "Ok. So is that why he was hesitant? His daughter?"

"Why do I feel like this is an interrogation?"

"I just want to know about your life."

I heavy sighed. "No he wasn't hesitant because of Lizzie."

"Then why?"

"There's a um, pretty big age difference between us."

"Hmmm." I pulled into a good parking spot close to where I saw the guys setting up picnic tables and Billy's custom grill that had shortened legs to accommodate his wheelchair. I opened my door to start helping Billy out. As soon as I got his chair together and helped him into it he smiled up at me before reaching for my hand. "Does he treat you well? Gentlemanly?"

I smiled while fighting tears at his sweetness. "Of course he does Billy. He always holds doors for me, he always tells me how beautiful I am, and he makes me laugh." I took a deep breath while keeping my eyes on Billy. "He's perfect."

"Then I would like to meet this man."

"Why?" I timidly bit my lip as he smiled at me.

"Because anyone who can make you this happy is someone I need to meet."

I had to give Billy another heart filled hug. "I've missed you so much Billy." He chuckled before hugging me back and kissing my head.

"Well we both must make more of an effort to see the other then." I almost cried at him taking half the blame for our slight estrangement. It was entirely my fault since he can't drive to me, but he would never cast blame on me like that. It's just not who he is. "And I've missed you too my littlest daughter."

…...

"Bells!" I had just rolled Billy up to the grill area when I heard my name being shouted from the beach. I turned around just in time to be swooped up by a think band of tan muscles.

"Seth!" I gave him a big hug and he laughed. Seth was Leah's little brother, 17 now, and spent most of his life with a MAJOR crush on both myself and Angela. It was adorable and he'd always been a major cutie pie. Like most of the LaPush boys he was currently topless but wore pants. How these guys could always handle the cold air with such ease was beyond me. "You're going to catch your death, go put some clothes on." I laughed and he shrugged before pulling his shirt out of his back pocket and pulling on the light barely there fabric quickly.

"We take them off to do the heavy lifting so we don't get all sweaty." He playfully flexed and I laughed at him.

"I don't think basic patio furniture is that heavy you know."

"We also had to chop up a bunch of wood for the beach fires." He gestured to the insanely huge piles of wood down a ways and I had to admit, I was impressed. Each pile was wider and taller then me and there were a few. "It's supposed to be cold tonight and I wouldn't want certain people, who shall remain nameless, to freeze to death." He glanced at me knowingly and I playfully crossed my arms.

"I'm not ALWAYS cold."

"I beg to differ. You're wearing 3 coats right now." He gestured to me and I rolled my eyes.

"Just get over here and help me unload the coolers. It was hard enough getting all of it into the car by myself. I swear feeding you boys is back breaking."

"Not boys. Men." He playfully hit his chest like an ape and I laughed before leading the way to the SUV. I noticed a couple of the other boys head towards us but they were to far away for me to see who each was.

"WOW. Nice wheels Bells."

"Thanks." I blushed as he checked out Edward's car with awe-struck eyes. He mentioned a couple of details about it that I clearly knew nothing about, making him laugh at my expense.

"So you're cheating on me now?" I tensed before turning around at the warm familiar voice of Jacob Black. All 6 foot 2inches of him, complete with muscles and of course no shirt, and mischievously warm grin. He was standing almost directly behind me and as usual was towering over me. Was he always this huge?

"What?" He dropped his poker face before laughing and picking me up in what could only be described as a bear hug, and twirling me around.

"Jacob put me down." I tried to sound firm but mostly I was just caught off guard and still reeling from what he'd just said. What had he meant? Was he talking about Edward?"

"You're no fun anymore city girl." He set me down but kept his arms around my waist for a moment. I felt myself blush at the contact. This always happened with us. He always pushed the limits with our friendship, though I doubted he did it on purpose.

"I was never much fun." I waved off his comment while trying to subtly get out of his grip. "And what did you mean about cheating?" He didn't seem to notice my efforts to escape his presence but nevertheless dropped holding me to gesture at the car in a very showy fashion.

"Where's the car I built for you Bells?" I rolled my eyes.

"In the shop after my accident. I had to drive something in the meantime."

"Hmmmm, you motorcar hussy." He laughed and I narrowed my eyes.

"I'm not a hussy." I heard my inadvertent pout making both guys laugh.

"Of course you aren't Bells." Jacob leaned in to tussle my hair real quick in a friendly manner. I moved past him to open the door when I heard him speak in a lowered voice. "Motorcar hussy" I turned around in annoyance.

"Steroid junkie." Low hanging fruit as all the LaPush guys were huge, with Jacob being one of the biggest. He was nowhere near the size of Emmett of course, but nobody short of a bodybuilder could be.

"You wound me Ms. Swan." He playfully held his heart but I just looked away feeling uncomfortable. Ms. Swan was one of Edward's playful names for me and I didn't really like anyone else using it, especially Jacob. "Here city girl. Let a strong man lift all of that for you." He winked at me as I narrowed my eyes. He chuckled while lifting out the coolers with zero difficulty as Seth helped haul the load over to Billy.

"I lifted it into the car you know?" I tried to sound firm but it came off defensive.

"Just trying to get a rise out of you Bells." He laughed at me and I just stood awkwardly as he grabbed the heaviest cooler and headed towards his dad.

"I hope there's a couple more coolers then that." I smiled at Seth giving me a playfully terrified face as he walked back up to me. Obviously he was a little worried about there not being enough food for everyone, truthfully I was worried too.

"That was just the steaks Seth. Your mom is bringing her marinated chicken kabobs." Him and I both made tummy growling sounds at the thought of Sue's famous chicken.

"Ah yes. So that's why she threatened dad and me with bodily harm if we opened the fridge yesterday. She was hiding her famous chicken." I laughed at the image of Sue, a woman the size of myself yelling at a big guy like Seth.

"She's a smart woman."

"I've missed you Bella." He gave me another hug. A sweet one this time.

"You too Seth. You were always so cute, following around Angela and I like our personal entourage." He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his slight blush.

"I wasn't that bad."

"You were sweet Seth." I laughed but dropped it as we took the lighter bags from the backseat that had basics like plates and napkins.

…...

"Oh my Goodness. Look how beautiful you've gotten" Sue gave me a huge hug as her and her husband brought yet two more huge coolers towards the grill that Billy was starting to fire up.

"You're biased Sue." As much as Billy was like a second father Sue was like a second mother but not just to me but quite literally to every kid that hung out on the rez. Hers was the house all kids hung out at, the place anyone was welcome to raid her fridge, and a place to go when people just wanted to get away. Her husband, Harry, was a tracker/hunter/trail guide. He was also the very best at it and was booked months in advance by people needing a guide through the wilds of Washington. As a result of him working so much she was pretty much the den mother for a large group of us, always there whenever we needed her.

"I'm not biased I just have perfectly good eyes. Look at my beautiful girls." She smiled at me, Leah, and Angela as we laughed and chatted with her. Leah had surprised all of us by showing up super early this morning after having convinced everyone she wouldn't have been able to make it to town at all this weekend. Her mom was so happy to see her that she hadn't let poor Leah out of her sight.

"Oh shit." Leah and I looked at Angela like she's grown two heads but she nodded towards where the bonfire was getting set up. The guys were laying out a truckload of wood in a huge somewhat horseshoe shape around us. It was something we did whenever we did beach events this late in the year. Once the wood was lit it actually kept us pretty warm.

However I couldn't focus on the soon to come burrow of warmth as my eyes caught sight of Sam and Emily hanging on one-another. They stood far away from us and neither were looking in our direction which enabled us all to stare probably a bit to obviously. Truthfully I'd never really formed an opinion of Sam before everything happened because I was never around him much but I used to think Emily, who was always so much like Sue, was a great person. Yet they had proven everybody wrong when they betrayed Leah in the worst way. Leah was a lot of things, honest above all else and she didn't deserve what they did. Truthfully if Sam had just told her the truth about the distance being to much for him and just ended things with her fairly she probably would have accepted the two of them finding one-another. Instead multiple relationships had been ruined by their selfishness. Leah and Emily had been as close as Angela and I and it hurts my heart to think of Angela ever doing something even half as bad to me.

"Well if it isn't the man whore and his skank." Sue spoke through narrowed eyes and Angela started laughing hard at the blunt words coming from Sue's lips.

"Mom." Leah quietly scolded her mother.

"Hey she's only speaking the truth." Angela gave Sue a fist bump.

"They aren't worth our breath." Leah spoke with confidence but I heard a waver in her voice. The pain was still there for her but she masked it well.

"Hey Leah will you help me get the side dishes?" I didn't actually think I'd need the help but I knew Leah and I knew that she was a strong prideful woman. If she did crack she wouldn't want a large audience. Leah looked gracious as the two of us went to finish setting up the tables that everyone would bring their best side dishes to as they arrived. Billy and Sue typically dominated the main dishes but everyone tried to bring the sides. It was always fun to see what everyone would bring. My mom had already brought her famous butter broth rice in what could only be classified as a ginormous vat. It took Leah and myself to lift the giant pot to the center of the table where it could be ready for the boys to attack like ravenous wolves. It was a very simple recipe that my mother had made up yet absolutely EVERYONE raved about it. Personally I had opted to try my hand at the mashed potato recipe Esme had given me. She had told me it was Edward's absolute favorite so I was determined to get it perfect before making it for him myself as a surprise for my very Irish Mr. Cullen.

"You okay?" I felt bad asking but I didn't want to ignore her pain either. She heavy sighed before placing the plastic plates near the rice and potatoes, knowing thats where everyone would go first.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I mean seeing them is..." She shook her head before steeling herself and offering me a genuine smile. "...it happened and its over with. I wont keep dooming myself to misery because of the people they turned out to be."

"I'm impressed Clearwater." I smiled through my very real awe.

"Well with age comes wisdom." She playfully held her arms akimbo, clearly trying her hand at a superhero pose. She was not successful.

"As the youngest of our little circle that makes me the most hopeless then?"

"My brother is younger then you." I laughed but nodded. At least someone was younger then me. "Besides I met your boyfriend remember. Clearly you have good taste because damn."

"Why does everyone I know have to point blank tell me how hot they think Edward is?"

"Because we have eyes."

"Gee thanks."

"Seriously he was pretty amazing. I don't know if you remember because you got so sleepy but he was so sweet with you and kept kissing your head and holding you close. He was even really nice to us and I'm sure we were acting more then a little ridiculous." She laughed and I was immediately curious about what I'd missed. "He kept ordering waters for everyone and checked in with Angela at least a few times to make sure we all had a safe way to my place before he left with you."

"He's pretty protective. He is a dad after all."

"Yeah I'm sure that's it." Her sarcasm was gentler than Angela's would have been but it was still there.

"Well what do you think it is?"

"Hmmm, does it matter what anyone else thinks?" She smiled in challenge and I shrugged sheepishly. "All that should matter is what do you think it is?"

"It's just Edward. That's just who he is." I couldn't hide my silly hopelessly in love smile.

"So does he have a brother?" She gave me an exaggerated hopeful look.

"Yes he does but unfortunately for you he's married."

"Of course. All the good ones are taken."

"All the good what?" Jacob and Seth walked up along with a couple other Push boys. Quil and Embry were typically not to far from their fearless leader Jacob and Seth was that kid that could literally befriend anyone of any group. He just had that personality.

"All the good guys. I was asking Bella to set me up but she's determined to fail me. Some friend you are" Leah laughed and I rolled my eyes.

"In all fairness I recently, however inadvertently, helped set up another couple. I've become pretty good friends with my boss and introduced him to an awesome girl. Apparently I'm good at the matchmaker thing, even when I don't try to be." I tried to defend myself. Honestly if I knew a guy that I felt would be good for Leah I'd set them up in an instant.

"You set this other chick up before me? I'm wounded." She playfully narrowed her eyes. "Who got the catch before me?"

"Like I said it wasn't done deliberately. Edward was introducing me and Jasper to Alice and sparks flew."

"Who's Alice?" Leah still had her eyes narrowed but had added in crossed arms.

"Edward's sister."

"Ugggg. I see how it is. Set up your boyfriends sister before one of your besties." I laughed at her indignation.

"Why are you attacking me? Angela is the one who knows lots of doctors."

"Hmmm, you know you make a valid point. I don't think she's pulling her weight in the friendship department." She turned away from me and shouted out to Angela from across the way before playfully stomping in her direction.

"Way to throw your BFF to the wolves there Bells." Seth laughed.

"Hey when it comes to the rage of Leah it's every man, woman, and child for themselves."

"Ha. Good point." Seth seemed to zero in on the exact moment Angela escaped Leah's clutches and was immediately at her side. He had always been sweet to the both of us but it had always been obvious that Angela was the girl he really wanted. Even now he was her loyal little side kick. I smiled as he immediately started to work his magic to get her undivided attention.

"Poor little smuck." I looked to Jacob as he smiled at Seth's obvious intentions.

"Angela adores him."

"Yeah like a little brother. All you girls do."

"Not much of a choice given his age though."

"Well he's what 4 years younger then you, so that's about 7 years younger then Angela. Some men like older women." He laughed and I joined in.

"He's always been sweet on her, and if anyone can wear her down my money would be on Seth."

"That would be a smart bet." He laughed and so did I, genuinely enjoying being with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile. I was happy to have a neutral topic to go on with Jacob because it reminded me of the way things used to be, the way they should have 100% stayed. There was so much stuff that had been as easy as breathing with the two of us. We could talk about the most mundane things like the weather, or silly things like Seth's crushing after Angela and yet be completely entertained by it all. We could get bored and just hang out on a couch watching reruns we'd seen a thousand times and still enjoy it in each-other's company. He could challenge me to cliff dive while I argued that he's completely insane, just for me to end up watching him prove me right as he jumped off the highest cliff, leaving me gaping in shock.

That was Jacob though, the fearless sunshine in our friendship. Then there had been me, the studious softy who felt everything deeply and without restraint. I'd always thought we were two sides of the same coin. Harmonious as any true friends could be simply because we were what the other needed. He tried but mostly failed to bring out my wild side while I tried and mostly failed to make him think about more then just the present and to focus on a bright future I knew he could have.

To just about anyone who had watched us grow up together we seemed like the perfect match but I never saw it. To me he wasn't a boyfriend, or a brother, or anything other than Jacob. He was perfect, kind, fun, sweet, but he wasn't MORE then that. It wasn't that he wasn't enough, it was just that he wasn't MINE and I knew then, even if I hadn't been able to articulate it to myself, that I also was never going to be HIS.

"So tell me about this Edward." I furrowed my brows and pursed my lips at Jacobs interest. I was glad he had heard through the grapevine, or maybe just today about me having a boyfriend because it saved me having to reveal it to him.

"I feel like that's all I'm being asked about this weekend. My mom, dad, Billy, Leah, Angela, Seth, now you." I tried to laugh off how uncomfortable this felt.

"That doesn't sound very promising." He smirked at me. "I mean if you don't want to shout about the guy from the rooftops maybe there's nothing to shout about."

I immediately lost all humor and felt compelled to defend Edward. There wasn't a single thing about him that wasn't worth bragging about, I just didn't want to be dismissive of Jacob's feelings either. He deserved compassion didn't he? "Edward is wonderful I just don't think you really want to hear about him."

"I wouldn't have asked if that was true."

"Jacob I don't want to make things weird between us."

"Why would it be weird?" He sounded so upbeat as he asked and that threw me quite a bit. I blinked at him a few times trying to process that. What?

"What... I mean um is there something specific you want to know?"

"Okay, why didn't you bring him to this swanky party." He gestured with flare to all the happenings around us and I laughed.

"Its still new for us and I didn't want to put to much on him." His brow furrowed. "You know meeting my parents, my second father like figure, all my friends... you." I sheepishly admitted my nerves.

"Bella come on." He reached forward and gave me a hug which I returned though I ended it quicker then him. "I don't want you to think you can't talk to me or at the very least simply be around me."

"I know."

"I tell you what." He rubbed my arms before holding my hands in front of us. My eyes asked him to continue. "Whenever or if you guys do get serious, I promise to be on my best behavior when you bring him to meet the 'Rents'." He smiled but I didn't. Despite his clearly kind tone I didn't like how he worded things about Edward and I. He was clearly assuming we weren't serious already, and probably wouldn't be anytime soon.

"We are serious. We already had dinner with his family and..."

"...but he hasn't come to meet any of your family yet right?" He smiled and I found myself getting a bit aggravated. I knew he didn't mean anything by it yet I felt very defensive just the same. It was like he was poking holes in something that was rock solid in my eyes. I pulled my hands away suddenly feeling really uncomfortable with Jacob's touch.

"My family is pretty far away from Seattle, where we live, it would be hard..." I sounded weak and I hated that. I didn't like that I alone was representing us and I was coming off weak, making Edward and I seem weak too.

"Maybe it was his families idea to meet you not his. Families are pushy like that right?" He didn't give me a chance to answer the rhetorical question. "Meeting all of us would be his choice though so it's a pretty big difference."

"I never asked him to come here this weekend. It's my dad's birthday so I didn't think..." I was starting to get noticeably upset and Jacob noticed.

"Oh you don't have to get upset Bells. I don't mean anything negative by it. Lots of couples wait awhile before introducing one-another to their families and how long have you two even been dating?

"A couple months." it came out smaller then I meant it to.

"See it's perfectly normal not to put that kind of pressure on a relationship that new yet."

"I need to go see my dad. I haven't had the chance to really speak with the birthday boy yet." I tried to smile before I left him but I know I failed immensely. Jacob tried a few times in the night to get my attention again but I dodged him as politely as I could. I hated how he had made me feel and I couldn't even figure out what to label the emotions as. I did my best to focus on my parents and my friends that I rarely got to see, but Edward was never far from my thoughts. I checked my phone more often then I should have but there were no charming messages from him to immediately make all the bad fade away. I wanted to initiate something by texting him first, knowing he would somehow respond with exactly what I needed to hear, but I kept getting pulled away by someone who I hadn't spoken to in awhile so I never got the chance.

If I had gotten the chance I think the only words I would have been able to get out would have been simple but completely honest.

I miss you so much and I wish you were here.

…...

"I'm sorry I haven't really been available today." It was such a relief to finally be back at the house in bed where I could do the only thing that I'd been wanting to do all day, talk to Edward.

"I honestly haven't been either so don't worry about it sweetheart."

"Exciting day?"

"Mmmmm. In all the wrong ways I'm afraid."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes, just some family issues with Rose. Legal issues that I had to help her with." That sounds worrisome

"Is she alright?"

"Yes I promise. The DA just needs her statement for a case is all."

"Well that's good."

"Is everything alright with you? How was the party?" He sounded upbeat but maybe a little off for him. I really hoped everything was okay with his sister. I didn't want to push him on the topic though because it sounded like it had taken up a good amount of his day.

"Long."I laughed at the minor statement. The party had been very long.

"Long?"

"Yeah but in a good way. I really had missed so many friends from the rez. Even Leah was in town for the party. I hadn't thought she was going to make it." I had been waiting for fireworks to happen between her and either Sam or Emily but nothing ever had.

"Leah?"

"You remember her right? From my birthday party? I thought she was going to avoid the party like the plague but she never has been one to back down from a fight." I was so proud of Leah and I wished I was as strong as her.

"I missed something fun didn't I?"

"If you can call it all fun." It was so sad to think of what those two did to Leah. She was always a true loyalist and one of the best friends anyone could ask for. She never deserved what they did. "Leah was with Sam for over 4 years in high-school. Then first year of college for her, the first time there had been some small level of distance between them he cheated on her, with her cousin."

"Jesus... quite the dramatic get together then? And here I was missing all the excitement."

"I was actually really proud of her. Despite Sam and Emily being there she held her head high and was there for Dad, me, Jacob, and Billy. She ignored both of them entirely." Leah was always the awesome one of my friends. The girl that was fearless and strong at all times.

"Good for her. How did everything go with Billy?" I smiled thinking of my goodbye to Billy at the end of the night. He made me promise to see him really soon and I made him promise to cook for me when I did.

"Good. He didn't let me out of his sight before asking me absolutely everything about how my life has been. I swear he even wanted to know what I had for dinner last night."

"It sounds like he loves you a great deal." Edward was clearly smiling as he spoke and I missed it. His smile is one of my absolute favorite things in the world and not having it was making me homesick. I really am hopeless to this man.

"He did ask me about you though." I had to throw in that very truthful statement just to see how Edward would react.

"I shutter to think what you told him gorgeous." Always with the charming pet names. This is why I cant stop thinking about this man.

"Well I somehow doubt he would have appreciated me complimenting your flawless good looks." I rolled my eyes through my smile as I thought of Edward's playfully egotistical side.

"Well perfection is it's own curse Isabella." ...AND there's my charming arrogant man. I smiled while shaking my head.

"He's a very easy going man. He just wanted to make sure you've been gentlemanly to me."

"Hmmmm. What was your response to that?"

"I told him the truth."

"Uh-oh." His playfully terrified tone made me laugh hard. God this man.

"You're always a perfect gentleman Edward." It was hard to get the words out through my laughs.

"Not when I have you alone I'm not." And just like that the humor of the conversation disappeared.

"Maybe I don't want you to be gentlemanly at those times." Somehow I got the words out without hesitation.

"What have I told you about teasing me Ms. Swan?" His voice got firmer and I smiled through my mild blush.

"Sorry Mr. Cullen, Sir." I have no idea what came over me to say that.

"Oh that is just fucking unfair beautiful." And with that, just as fast as it had disappeared, the humor of the conversation came back so I started laughing.

"I'll behave now I promise." Maybe.

"Hmmm. Cruel little minx." Is it wrong that I like this new nickname?

"How's Lizzie? Did I tell you I made your ice cream picture my new screen saver?" I'm not even kidding. I love my chocolate covered Cullens.

"No you didn't but I'm glad you loved it. Make sure nobody sees me covered in ice cream okay. I have to keep my street cred." I laughed even harder.

"We can't have the mighty Edward Anthony Cullen with ice cream on his face now can we?"

"Such moments of messy vulnerability are for my girls enjoyment only."

"Well I'm honored." I hope he hears the heavy sarcasm through my laughter.

"You should be. After-all most people probably think I live, sleep, and breathe in a suit..."

"I'm sure they do." He does portray a strong sense of seriousness and regal strength to the world at large.

"Whereas you know from personal experience I much prefer to sleep naked."

"OH MY GOD!" I sputtered out the water I had unfortunately been drinking before he spoke. I hadn't expected him to turn things on me that quickly, though considering my conversation partner that was really a miss on myself. He certainly succeeded in his shock results as I am now definitely not picturing him in a suit and he very well knows it. Damn his skills.

"What?" The innocent tone would work if I actually believed he even had an innocent side.

"Edward I was drinking water when you said that and now it's all over my bed." I sheepishly grabbed some tissues to start wiping up my mess.

"Well learn to swallow better, baby." Leave it to my Edward to never hesitate in saying something scandalous... AND now I dropped my phone and I could feel a whole new level of heat level spreading through my face, neck, chest, well truthfully every inch of me was probably dark red now.

"OH MY GOD, stop it."Despite my timid embarrassment I couldn't really stop my quiet laughter as I located my phone from between the bed and end table.

"Was there anything untrue about what I said?"

"You really are awful." And I love everything about the awful man that keeps a permanent smile on my face.

"You didn't answer my question."

"How would I know how you 'prefer' to sleep?" I really shouldn't give him such an opening to answer in some naughty way

"Simple. Have you ever seen me put clothes on after we have sex?" and there it is. I felt my natural guard rise as I sunk into a tighter ball as I held the covers tighter to myself and the phone more firmly to my ear, almost like I needed to shield the two of us from the noisy world at large.

"I am not talking about this." Why does he do this to me? I can feel all the heat flooding out of me, and yet somehow I'm still smiling.

"So you wish me to behave?"

"Yes."

"We both know I'm not capable of such things." I can hear the smugness in his sexy voice.

"Try."

"Why?"

"Because if you do I'll reward you." Ha that will get his attention. Boys and their toys... I blushed at my own thought process.

"Really?" Mr. So incredibly beyond cute was intrigued and honestly doing a poor job of hiding it.

"Do I have your attention now Mr. Cullen?" I chuckled at finally getting the upper hand on him, however briefly.

"Undivided beautiful."

"Good. Now behave and talk about innocent things."

"Not really possible."

"Because?"

"Because my thoughts of you never have been and never will be 'innocent'."

"I love you." I spent most of the day feeling so insecure about our relationship, all for stupid unfair reasons and in the matter of minutes Edward melts it all away. I'll always be grateful for the way he makes me feel, the way he keeps us strong together.

"As I love you. You sexy sexy woman."

"I'm going to miss you tomorrow."

"It is strange for you to be back in town tomorrow but not get to see you. I'm getting rather attached to your company." I smiled at his joke.

"Is it really going to be okay for me to stay with you Monday? With Lizzie there?" Despite his assurances I really didn't want him to feel obligated to prioritize me with his Lizzie time. I was willing to wait my turn every time as both of them are worth it.

"Baby we've been over this. Of course it's okay."

"I just don't want to steal Lizzie's time with you."

"If anything I'm fairly certain Lizzie will be ditching me for you." He really underestimates how much of a pedestal his little princess has him on. To her he hangs the moon and stars.

"Girls night then. No boys allowed."

"That's not very nice, Ms. Swan." He pretended to feel left out.

"Hey what the princess wants, she gets."

"And what about what I want?"

"Which is?"

"You beautiful. I always want you."

...

"Charlie you're being ridiculous."

"Am I?"

"Yes. I think they sounded cute."

"Cute?"

"We're we even listening to the same conversation?" She sounded amused

"Yes and I didn't like it."

"Have you ever heard Bella sound so happy? Heard someone make her laugh like this Edward clearly can?

"What I've never heard is Bella tell a guy she loves him before. We've never even met this man Renee."

"So?"

"So the only reason we haven't met him is because the relationship is so new. It's moving far to fast for what I heard."

"Do you remember how fast we went?"

"Jesus Christ Renee, that's not the point."

"Perhaps it should be."

"He clearly has a pull over her and I don't like it."

"Charlie..."

"And I sure as hell don't trust it."

I sat on the stairs listening to my parents quietly discuss my relationship with Edward and I didn't know what I should do. Clearly they had overheard at least some of our phone conversation last night which made me blush. I'd forgotten how thin the walls are here.

"You don't have to trust him."

"I don't?" He sounded very shocked by her words.

"The only person you need to trust is Bella."

"Don't try to turn this around on me. Of course I trust my daughter."

"Then you'll trust her choices." I smiled before deciding that my father's silence was the perfect opening for me to join them in the kitchen.

"Hey baby. You're up early." My mom reached for a hug which I returned.

"Fresh air and all of that." I hoped my smile wasn't to forced. I didn;t like the idea that my dad already felt negatively about Edward. He didn't even know his age yet as I know my mom wouldn't reveal anything like that. She has many faults but she's always been an amazing confidant and wouldn't tell him something like that unless I wanted her to.

"You should get out of the city more then. Clear your lungs of city smog." She laughed at her own joke before sitting me down and serving me up a bowl of fresh cream of wheat and a glass of cranberry juice.

"Maybe I like the smog in my lungs." She rolled her eyes but smiled.

"So Billy tells me you promised to come up soon." Dad spoke through a hopeful glance. "I take it to mean you definitely decided you will come back home for Thanksgiving next week?"

"I'm not 100% sure yet. I haven't talked to Edward yet." I hated how because of the conversation I'd just overheard I couldn't help but wonder what my father thought of my words.

"Didn't you talk to him last night? We heard you on the phone for a little bit." I bit my lip and nodded.

"I did but not about that. I was going to ask him but got distracted." Truthfully I chickened out but I would ask him when I saw him next. I just had no idea how he would respond. The man tended to surprise me.

"Well just come up alone."

"Charlie." My mom held her hips while narrowing her eyes at my dad. I chuckled at her 'stern' face which she had always been bad at. "Clearly Bella wants to spend time with him since he wont have his daughter."

"So I can't see my own?" Great, and here comes the guilt trip.

"Dad, don't make it sound like that." He heavy sighed but nodded.

…...

"So Seth asked me out."

"Really?" I was more then a little shocked at his bravery. He'd never actually managed the courage to ask her in the past. He mostly would just get awkward and stutter. We were hanging out in my room and reminiscing about old times.

"Yeah. He's grown up." She laughed and I smiled.

"What did you say? You better not have broken his heart."

"I told him to ask me again when he turns 18 in a couple months." She shrugged and my eyes bugged out.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. That's what I told him." She gave me a confused look like 'Why would I lie about that?'

"No I mean will you say yes when he turns 18?"

"Yes."

"Seriously?"

"Why does that surprise you?"

"Because he's... Seth. I just didn't think you saw him that way."

"I'm sorry but have you seen how much that boy's grown up? He's no longer the sweet little brother of one of our friends. He's hot now B."

"I guess." Truthfully trying to think of Seth as Hot was kinda gross to me.

She rolled her eyes but laughed at me. "Hey not all of us are blinded by sexy as hell older men. Some of us like younger men."

"Cougar." She laughed while hitting me with a pillow.

"Panther."

"Panther?"

"The opposite of a cougar. You know a woman that specifically goes for older men."

"I thought a panther was older men that go for younger women?"

"That's a manther."

"Are you just making this stuff up?"

"Well technically older men that go for younger women are called 'daddies'"

"Ewww."

"And yet you're sleeping with one."

"Shhhhhh." I smacked her harder but she just laughed.

"Who's your daddy B?" I groaned causing her to laugh hard which encouraged me to hit her a few more times for good measure.

"Calm down already. Your parents aren't even here." They had left to help do any last minute clean up of the beach. We had offered to help but they insisted we relax before the long drive back to Seattle.

"Still what if they had heard you?"

"I wasn't that loud." True but as this morning had reminded me, these walls are thin.

"My parents overheard me on the phone with Edward last night."

"Okay? Were you guys talking about anything they shouldn't hear?" She seemed amused making me roll my eyes.

"Sort-of but they didn't hear that part I don't think considering that was entirely on Edward's end of the conversation." Thank God they couldn't hear that.

"okay hold that thought because we will be circling back to it in a minute. What did they hear that has you looking like that." She gestured to my face and whatever she saw there.

"They overheard me tell Edward I love him and it doesn't sound like Charlie was very happy about it."

"Who cares what he feels?"

"Angela." I tried to gently scold her.

"No I'm serious. Of course I care about Charlie's feelings but his opinions on your relationship are just that, his OPINIONS."

"I think he's just worried about me."

"Well if he's already judging a man he's never even met it's only himself he's making look bad."

"Do you think it's to early to bring Edward here to meet my family?"

"No. Why?"

"I'm worried that something bad will happen."

"Schrodinger's cat."

"Big Bang Theory... seriously?"

"Hey Sheldon has lots of wise moments in the show."

"I guess."

"Until you open that box you wont know if it was a good or a bad decision because technically you are in a state of it being both and neither simultaneously."

"Still better then it just being a disastrous choice in the end."

"I'm not so sure I agree."

"You think if the decision was to blow up in my face it would still be better then not knowing?"

"Absolutely."

"How do you figure?"

"Grand gestures."

"What?" Sometimes my BFF spoke in riddles that only she could decipher.

"In the chaos of the world the only absolute tool you can arm yourself with is knowledge."

"Okay." I can agree with that.

"So don't you want to know what will happen? Or better yet how to make it through to the next step with Edward, together?" I just starred at her as I contemplated her words. As much as I didn't like the idea of the two most important men in my life not getting along I did like the idea of getting past anything with Edward by my side.

"Yes. I want to know."

"One thing about grand gestures B is they will certainly get you an answer."

END NOTES:

-Isn't Billy just the best second dad in the world?

-So what did everyone think of Jacob? Is he as nice as he seems? Is there more to his carefully veiled words?

-Sorry for the delay in updates. Im a grocery manager in grocery retail through this pandemic and have been working 12-15 hours a day up to six days a week through all of this. Add in trying to not pull my hair out with the kids and fighting a constant state of exhaustion and well you get the point.

-I know I repeated the phone conversation between Bella and Edward from the last chapter but I did it for two reasons. One was to show Bella's perspective, while the other reason was because without it there would have been no Edward this chapter and I couldn't allow that.

-Sorry for typos. Lots of people messaging me for update through this quarantine so I rushed it out. lol

***Much love to you all and I wish you all the best in these unsure times***