Moving On

(How Bella Got Her Groove)

Chapter 04

A Day at the Zoo

Special Note:

~o0o~

Chapter 4

Previously:

Life was very good to Bella right now.

It was about time!

~o0o~

Saturday morning broke bright and clear. It was one of those beautiful Indian Summer mornings. Bella was sitting on her patio drinking in both her first cup of coffee and the warm sun when Conner came out to join her with his own cup.

"What'cha want to do today Mom?" Conner asked.

Smiling Bella replied, "Right now I want to drink my coffee and enjoy the morning with my son. This is the first time in a long time I've had this luxury," She reached out for Conner's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Mom I can't tell you how good it is to see you so relaxed and happy. I don't remember the last time I saw a smile spread to your eyes too. Whatever you're doing, you need to keep doing it!" Conner told his mother.

Bella blushed thinking of Edward and that he might be the reason she was looking and feeling better about herself. She longed to tell Conner about Edward, but how could she when she felt some shame about what had transpired between herself and Edward? She just couldn't. The more she thought about it, the more she felt like she was some kind of pedophile. After all, Edward was only 3 years older than her own son. Bella pushed those thoughts away. She'd enjoy her time with Conner and would not mention Edward Cullen and his magic...NO! She wouldn't go there.

Soon they settled into their second cup of coffee and began the discussion on what they were going to do with their day since they had their evening already settled.

In what felt like an inspiration Conner snapped his fingers, "I've got it! Let's go to the zoo! We always loved doing that. It holds some great kid memories for me. How many times did we come to Houston anyway when I was a kid? Twice? I'd like to share it again with my mother, if you don't mind that is Mom."

"That's a wonderful idea," Bella grinned. "Let's do that. Let's get going. Daylight's a burning!"

"Can we both shower at the same time without running the tank outta hot water?" Conner asked.

"You know, I have no idea. I guess if neither of us lingered too long it should be okay. I've got a 60 gallon water heater," Bella said scratching her head thinking.

"Well, I think I'm sufficiently awake enough that I won't need the shower to do the job for me," Conner laughed.

"Sounds good to me son. Meet you at the front door in what, half an hour?" Bella asked.

"Sounds good to me, Mom. Half an hour," with that Conner left to go take said shower.

Thirty minutes later, they were heading out the door to the Houston Zoo.

~o0o~

As they were leaving the Houston Zoo laughing, with their arms wrapped around each other's waists, the first dark cloud for the sunny day appeared.

"Well hello there Beautiful! You do like 'em young don't you?" A nasal voice yelled from across one of the squares outside the Children's Zoo.

Turning out of curiosity, Bella saw, to her horror, one of the young men she'd met when she was out with Rose one night. Crap! What was his name? Mike Something-or-other. He felt slimy even at a distance.

Conner looked at his mother. "Is that guy talking to you? What's that guy talkin' about Mom?"

Bella shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know him. Maybe it's because I have my arm around your waist making him think we're a dating couple?"

Conner protectively pulled his mother closer to him as What's-his-Name came over to them.

"Remember me Beautiful?" The stranger asked.

Shaking her head Bella answered, "No, not really."

"Oh come on Beautiful, I thought I'd really made an impression on you and your friend Rose - that was her name right? That night at the club?" He coaxed her to try and remember.

Bella did remember him, but felt it would be better if she denied the memory because this guy was a real ass and didn't need any encouragement. "No, I'm sorry. I don't remember you at all. We've met?"

"It's Mike Newton," he said like that name alone would be enough to invoke memory.

"No. I'm sorry. I don't remember you," Bella said with more heat.

However, Mike Newton was not one to be put off easily. "Ah come on Beautiful, you've got to remember me!"

Conner couldn't stand it any longer.

"Look dude, she said didn't remember you, and even apologized for not remembering you. Now can we get along with our day?" Conner was starting to get really angry. His feelings were protective. His mother would never date someone like this jerk. Also, this guy was about his same age. His mother was no cougar!

"And you are who?" demanded Mike.

Bella started to answer but her son's expression suggested she keep quiet. "I don't see that it's any of your business who I am, Mr. Newton, especially since she doesn't know who you are!"

The two young men appeared to be squaring off to fight when Bella stepped between them putting a hand on each of their chests. "Look you two, Mr. Newton, once again I'm sorry I don't remember you. This is my son. Now if you'll excuse us we'll allow you to get on with your day," With that she turned around and starting heading back the way they'd been going before the interruption.

"Mom, wait up!" Conner yelled as he turned to catch up with his Mother.

Mike Newton yelled after them, "Nice to have met you, Beautiful's son and good to see you again, Beautiful." Then he strolled away ogling women and girls alike as he went.

~o0o~

Later, as they were having lunch, Bella asked Conner, "Why did that jerk upset you so much Conner?"

Looking levelly at his mother Conner answered her. "Because of the disrespectful way he not only spoke to you, but the way he was looking at you."

Bella blushed. "Really?" Smiling, she continued, "Thank you Sunshine. You are really growing up."

Conner blushed too. "Thanks Mom. I just wasn't gonna let that jerk treat you that way."

"From what I observed of him, he seems to think he's "God's gift" to the human race and one dressing down isn't gonna make him think any differently. However, it's nice to have my own personal Lochinvar come to stand up for my honor," Bella was so proud of her son that she thought her chest would burst with emotion.

~o0o~