Chapter 2
Life is Good
Previously:
There was so much for her to learn all over again about relationships between the sexes. She realized that she was beginning to feel better about herself, and that she'd find her groove eventually. Life just might be fun being single and childless after all.
~o0o~
Bella was walking out her front door Monday morning, when her cell phone rang with her son's ring tone, "You Are My Sunshine," sung by Carly Simon. Yeah it was kinda sappy, but he was the light of her life. She'd called him Sunshine ever since she'd first looked into his newborn baby eyes.
"Yes Sunshine?" She answered standing on the porch facing the door with her keys in the other hand ready to lock up.
"Hey Mom. What'cha doin'?" Conner asked.
"On my way out the front door, getting ready to lock up and talking to you. What's up? Do you need something?" Bella asked.
"Can't I call my mom and just want to know how she's doing?"
Bella relaxed a little and turned the key in the front door dead bolt. "Yes, of course you can! I'm very good. Work is great, and I've made some friends, I'm happy to report."
She could hear the smile in his voice. "I knew you could do it Mom, and I really do want something."
"Uh-oh. What do you want to do?" Bella felt a little panicked.
"Nothing much, I just wondered if I can come visit you now that you're all settled in. I gotta make sure my favorite mother is really doin' OK."
"Yes Conner, you know you're welcome anytime you want to come visit. When would you like to come?"
"How about this weekend?" Conner asked.
Bella squealed, "That would be great! What time do you expect to be here?"
"Wow Mom. Way to break my ear drum!" Conner laughed. "I don't have any classes this Friday, the professor bailed on us, something about a family emergency, so that's why I thought I'd take this this opportunity to come see my mother's new digs."
Bella was now opening the car door and putting her messenger bag and purse into the front passenger seat. "I don't get to leave the school until about 5:30 pm and it only takes me about a half hour to get home...traffic you know, so I can be here by 6:00? Is that okay?"
"Sure." Conner said. "Can I bring my laundry too?" Bella could hear the teasing in his voice.
"Of course you can," Bella laughed. "Ok then. It's a date. See you Friday night."
"Sounds great Mom. I'll even spring for dinner, your choice. You notice I didn't say take-out? I love you Mom. See you Friday." Then Conner hung up.
Smiling Bella tossed her phone into her open purse in the passenger seat. She wondered how long it was going to take him to come check out things. He was so protective of her. She loved that the rolls seem to be reversing themselves.
Bella met Rosalie in the school parking lot and they walked into the building together. Rose was all a dither about one of her many boyfriends. She seemed to really be into this one. "What's this one's name Rose?"
"Why it's Emmett, Bella. You know. You met him the night you met that gorgeous hunk Edward," Rose gushed.
"Oh, yeah. Emmett. The one who looks like a bodybuilder," Bella said.
"Yep. That's the one. I've had about six dates with him since that night."
"Six dates? It's only been two weeks! That does sound serious Rose. Do I hear wedding bells?" Bella asked grinning at her friend.
"Wedding Bells?" Rosalie yelled. "Bite your tongue. The last thing I want to do is get married! I want this one for his body, and it doesn't hurt that he's very, very good in bed!" Rose said the last in an conspiratorial voice.
Bella blushed. "I'm sorry," She giggled. "You know Edward was so sweet and caring it was wonderful. I don't remember ever having that good a time in bed, ever. I should have divorced my last husband sooner. I don't have to be married to have sex. Who knew!"
"How many times you been married Bella?" Rose asked frowning.
"Too many. I just got shed of number three, I should have done that the month after we were married," Bella sighed.
"How long were you married to number three?" Rose asked.
"Too long. Five years," Bella sighed again. "Don't get me started on him. I would love to be able to forget him."
Brightening, "Okay. No more talk about number three!" Rose said, then whispering conspiratorially, "Have you heard from Edward?"
Smiling Bella replied softly, "Yes. He's actually called me just about every night since that night."
"You mean he hasn't asked you for another date?" Rose asked not believing what she heard.
"He has. I just haven't had the energy to go. I was still getting things settled in my house, and I've had papers to grade and lesson plans to write."
"Are you seeing him this weekend?" Rose asked.
"No. Oh that reminds me, my son Conner is coming to visit this weekend and I want you to meet him. You're the only friend I have here and I'm very proud of my boy." Bella said.
"I've got a wonderful idea. Why don't we meet somewhere for dinner then go on to a club?" Rosalie paused, "Does Conner dance?"
"I'm sure he does. He did when he lived at home." Bella answered smiling.
"That settles it. We meet Saturday evening early somewhere to eat, then on to a club. We'll find out what kind of music Conner likes." Rose giggled excitedly.
"Okay my friend, call me tonight after I have a chance to talk to Conner about it. Here's my door. See you at lunch?" Bella asked.
"Sure thing. See you then." With that, Rosalie walked down the hall to her classroom.
~o0o~
Rosalie didn't have a first period class and she usually used the time to catch up on grading papers, working on lesson plans, and any other odds and ends she needed to get finished. This morning Rose called Emmett, explained her plan to him and he gave her Edward's cell number. "Thanks a bunch Babe. I'll see you tonight. I can't wait!"
Once her call with Emmett was over, she punched in Edward's number and let it ring until the voice mail answered. "Hey Edward. This is Rosalie, Emmett's girlfriend. We were wondering if you'd like to meet us tomorrow night for dinner. I'm pretty sure Bella will be with us, so give me a call back and I'll fill you in more. My number is...".
When Edward got the voice mail from Rosalie, he didn't call her back, he didn't want Emmett to think he was horning in on his girlfriend, so Edward called Emmett instead. He didn't get the full message from his friend, so he had no idea that Bella's son would probably be with her.
~o0o~
When Bella got home, she was pleased to see that her son's car was parked in her driveway. She was more than pleased; she was excited that her Sunshine was waiting for her.
After she got her car parked next to Conner's, Bella didn't waste anytime getting out and running to him. He'd gotten out of his just as Bella was getting out of hers. Conner gave his mother a very hard hug, but she didn't mind. She missed her son.
'There's my girl!" Conner scooped his mother up into his arms and she threw her arms around his neck. "I missed you mom. I have really missed you."
Bella's eyes instantly filled with tears of joy. Conner seldom expressed his love for his mother like this, and the fact that he'd missed her too made her heart sing. "I've missed you too Sunshine! Oh put me down. Let's get inside and get a little something to drink."
Once inside and settled at the kitchen table, Bella handed Conner a glass of the red wine she usually had after a day at school to help her unwind. "So, tell me all about school. How are your classes? Have you made very many new friends, got a girlfriend yet?"
"Mom! Slow down!" Conner laughed. "School is great. I am enjoying all the classes I have and I seem to be getting along with all the professors. I've made about ten new friends, only five of which I think I'll keep, and no, no girlfriend as yet. Now your turn. Same questions... well almost the same."
Bella laughed. "Yes, I love the school and everyone I've met has been very nice to me. I've made one close friend so far, Rosalie Hale. You'll meet her and her boyfriend tomorrow night if you'd like to, at supper. They'd also like to go clubbing after if it's okay with you. What do you think?" Bella cocked her head a little to one side and waited for his answer.
"Sure. I'd love to meet your friends, and it all sounds good to me!" Then he continued, "What about a boyfriend for you? Met anyone yet?"
"Me? Boyfriend? Naw, have no desire for that. I'm enjoying being a free woman!" Bella laughed. She purposely didn't mention Edward because she thought her son would be upset that she'd dated a man almost his same age.
They spent the rest of the evening exchanging stories about their respective classes. Bella told tales of some of the things her students had said and done, while Conner matched her and sometimes surpassed her stories with those of his college friends.
Pretty Girl was in cat heaven going from Bella to Conner receiving the love and respect that was due a cat of her station. About 10:00pm she finally settled on Conner's lap and stayed there until human bedtime.
It was close to mid-night when they said goodnight. Bella felt very light and happier than she'd been in a very long time. She was also looking forward to meeting Rosalie and Emmett tomorrow night. She'd call Rose in the morning to see what had been decided.
Life was very good to Bella right now.
It was about time!
~o0o~
