Moving On

(How Bella Got Her Groove)

Chapter 5

Unexpected Meeting

Summary: Bella Swan, newly divorced (again) finds that life has changed since she was younger. A/H

Acknowledgments: I did not come up with Twilight, but I am using the characters from it. I've just come up with the way they are acting. This storyline is original with me as far as I know.

A/N: My undying gratitude and love to my Beta JoanOfArt, and my pre-readers buggins74, anakinsrealmom, NanStew and Gabby1017. You ladies Rock! Thank you for making me make sense.

Chapter 5

Unexpected Meeting

Previously:

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 that emotion.

~o0o~

About 3:00 Bella and Conner walked into her house. Both of them were tired from their walk around Houston's huge zoo. "I can't believe how much it's grown and changed," Conner was saying as they walked into the kitchen.

Bella opened what Conner had thought would be a broom closet, only to find it was huge walk-in pantry. Once inside, she took two bottles of water from one of the shelves and handed one to Conner. "Houston's water is nasty," she commented as she opened hers and took a long pull on it. Conner followed suit. "I keep thinking I'll start having bottled water delivered to the house so I don't have to keep buying these," she indicated as she held up her bottle to Conner.

They walked into the living room and sat down. Bella was in her Lazy Boy recliner and Conner stretched out on the couch after first taking off his shoes.

Bella smiled. You trained him well Bella. He's turning out to be quite the gentleman.

Both mother and son sighed in relief at being off their feet. Bella was staring off into space while Conner closed his eyes and contemplated napping, when Bella's cell phone chirped at her.

She pulled it out of her pocket, saw the call was from Rose and answered. "Hey Rose. How's your Saturday going, so far?"

"Hey Bella! Good! Conner make it alright to your house?" Rose asked.

"Yeah. My Sunshine arrived just about the same time I did from school last night. It's been wonderful to spend some time with him again," Bella beamed at her son. Conner just blushed and shook his head.

"Did you ask him about tonight?"

"Yes, and he agreed that it would be nice to meet you for dinner. So where do y'all want to go?" Bella asked.

Pappasito's Cantina has wonderful food and a great atmosphere, if you like Mexican food," Rose suggested.

"Are you kidding? We're both Native Texans I'll have you know Rose! We love Mexican food," Bella smiled at her son who'd cracked one eye open and was watching his mother with a quizzical look on his face.

Bella gave her son the what do you think look to which he responded with a nod.

"Yes, we would love to meet you there. Can you text me the address?" Bella was getting excited. "Right now I think we both need a power nap. He wore me out walking all over the zoo this morning."

Rose laughed. "Yeah, I love that place too. I'll text you the deets. See you about sevenish?"

"Sounds good Rose. Hey, is Emmett gonna be with you?" Bella asked.

"Of course! Where else would he be? See you two tonight." Rose ended the call.

"I'm gonna go take a quick nap and shower. Again." Bella told her son, but he was already breathing deeply and sound asleep.

Bella followed shortly thereafter.

~o0o~

Bella had no problem finding the restaurant from Rosalie's texted directions. As Bella pulled into the parking lot, she saw Rose, Emmett, and...Oh my God, Edward standing out front.

What had Rosalie done? Panic started to fill Bella's mind and body,

Why was Edward here? How would Conner take the fact his mother was dating...had sex with a man about his same age.

Why had Rosalie invited Edward without telling her first? Bella was so upset she almost ran into the car she was parking by. If hadn't been for Conner's "Mom! Look where you're going!" she would have put a really large dent in that car.

She stopped and backed up, going in with a better angle and just sat there behind the wheel, her thoughts whirling.

"Mom? Are you OK?" Conner was very concerned about his mother wondering what was wrong. She was so pale; like she'd seen a ghost. His mother was an excellent driver. She'd taught him to drive years ago and as far as he knew she never got any tickets nor been involved in any accidents. What was wrong with her?

Once she came to her senses, Bella looked at her son and saw the deep worry on his face. "I'm okay Sunshine. I was just thinking about something when I shouldn't have been." It wasn't a lie. She then turned the engine off, and unbuckled her seat belt and took her purse from Conner's lap. "Let's go. They're waiting for us by the door."

Conner looked over and saw two men and one woman standing by the door of the restaurant looking and waving at them. "Look son, I have to send a quick text. Go on over to them. They'll know who you are since you're with me. I'll be right there."

Conner was not stupid. He knew there was something worrisome going on, and he figured it had to do with one of the three people standing there waiting for them. He knew his mother would explain later, if she could, so he opened the truck door and climbed out. No sooner had Conner opened the door, than Bella had her phone out to text Rosalie.

WTF Rose? ~Bella

Bella didn't look at the people standing there. She saw Rose, from the corner of her eye, look down at her phone and then step away from the three men.

Emmett told him and failed to tell me. I'm sorry Bella. I'm so sorry. ~Rose

Bella put her phone back into her purse. Took a very deep breath and climbed out of the truck. She felt she knew what was coming. Her son wouldn't be able to understand why his mother was involved with a much younger man. In fact, a man pretty much the same age as Conner.

She'd just have to tough it out.

She'd just have to tough it out.

She could do this...?

She finally made it to the group. She hugged Rose, and Emmett, and finally Edward stiffly. "I hope y'all made your introductions to my son?" Bella smiled brightly as she beamed at Conner.

Conner eyed his mother with suspicion beginning to cloud his thoughts.

Edward sensed something was wrong with Bella from the moment she pulled into the parking lot. She was definitely not happy to see him. Why? When he saw the man that was in the truck with her, Edward began to suspect the reason. He was her son and they were about the same age. Awkward. When Bella had hugged him she'd been so stiff. OK, Edward thought, he'd follow Bella's lead as much as possible. He really cared about her and didn't want to cause her any problems if possible.

Emmett opened the restaurant door and they all filed in. Rosalie went to the reservations desk and told them they were there and to please add one more to their party. Moments later, the five of them were being led into the dining area and seated at a round table.

Bella found herself seated between her son and her lover.

The waitress came to the table and introduced herself and asked for their drink orders.

"Tequila straight up with a beer chaser," Bella mumbled. The waitress asked if Bella wanted any particular beer, but Bella just shook her head.

Conner stared at this mother opened mouthed. Edward looked at her about the same way.

Then Conner and Edward's eyes met and held each other.

Bella could see the realization dawning on Conner's face.

Shit! Bella sighed. She fervently hoped the waitress would get back soon with her drinks. She was probably going to need more than one before the night was over.

~o0o~

Chapter 5, Unexpected Meeting, for Moving On, is now live and can be read at the below venues.

In Chapter 5, Conner and Edward meet.

. ?sid=10785&chapter=5

/author/DiniaSteel/stories/22469/Moving-On-How-Bella-Got-Her-Groove-/story

/works/3345662/chapters/8495932

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