Moving On

(How Bella Got Her Groove)

Chapter 10

Reunion

~o0o~

Chapter 10

Reunion

Previously:

Conner had never brought any girl home before, or even wanted his mother to meet any girl.

Bella felt a flash of jealousy and then of longing. The weekend should be interesting.

~o0o~

Bella and Conner arrived at the house within minutes of each other.

Bella had just set her messenger bag down beside the hall table and thrown her keys into the wooden bowl designated for keys, when there was a knock on the door. Bella all but ran to open the door and when she flung it open, she saw one of the most beautiful young women she'd ever seen.

Bella's first impression was that the girl was almost the same height as Conner. Her eyes which were the most amazing blue. Sophia's hair was a rich auburn and hung past her shoulders. Her complexion was very fair and she even had a fairy saddle of freckles across her nose. Her last thought was, Conner you dodged a real bullet Son, she doesn't look Mexican. Of course I could give a fig. I was just so worried about other people's reactions and if they'll hurt you.

Bella didn't have a chance to speak because Conner swept his mother into his arms giving her a huge hard hug while whispering into her ear, "I love you Mom, and I've missed you so much."

Bella hugged her son back as fiercely as he'd hugged her. When he put her down she said, "I love you too, son. Now, who have you brought me?"

"Mom, this is Sophia," turning from his shared embrace with Bella, while holding his hand out to Sophia and pulling her to his side. "Sophia this is my mother, Bella Swan."

The two women regarded each other.

Bella could almost hear the younger woman's wheels turning, but decided to break the ice first. She walked over to Sophia and hugged her tightly. "I am so happy to meet you, Darlin'!"

Turning to her son, "Why Conner, you've caught yourself a beauty."

"I'm so pleased to meet you Mrs. Black, er, I mean Swan," Sophia stammered out.

"Not to worry Darlin'! I understand. I changed my name back to my maiden after my last divorce, and Swan it's gonna stay! Conner's father's name was Black," While Bella was talking she hooked one of her arms around Sophia and started steering her into the living room.

Conner stood back and watched with great affection as the woman who'd given birth to him schmoozed it up with his future wife - that is if he had anything to say about it.

~o0o~

About thirty minutes into the visit, Bella's cell phone began ringing. It was still in her purse, so Bella had to go find what she'd done with her phone. She found it laying in the key bowl. Snatching it up Bella saw that it was Rose calling, undoubtedly wanting Bella's impression of Conner's girlfriend, and she was right.

"Rose she's stunning. Don't know how my little boy has grown up so much and was able to land such a beautiful lady."

Rose mumbled something that Bella was sure was derogatory about Conner's character. "What was that Rose? I didn't quite understand you," Bella teased.

"So I was wondering if you'd like to meet me and Emmett for dinner? I'm dying to meet your future daughter-in-law and I know Emmett is curious too."

Bella thought for a moment before answering. "I'd like that, but please don't bring up anyone. Please."

Rosalie knew exactly what, or rather who, Bella was referring to; Edward. "I promise I'll not bring him up Bella."

"Thank you Rose," Bella said.

"Now that we have that settled Bella, where would you like to meet to eat?" Rose asked.

"Where were you thinking Rose?" Bella asked.

"Mexican food?" Rose ventured.

Bella laughed, "No, let's do Cajun style? Pappadeaux in the Galleria?"

"Perfect," Rose responded. "In about an hour?"

"Perfect," mirrored Bella. "See y'all then."

~o0o~

The meal was a great success. The food was wonderful and the company as well. There was only one thing that could have made it better, and that was if Edward had been there.

All in all the weekend was wonderful. The only time Bella had a chance to talk to Conner alone was when they were having coffee on the back porch Sunday morning. It was very early, but it was Bella's habit to watch the sunrise on Sunday mornings.

Bella was just sitting there sipping her coffee not really thinking of anything, watching her back yard come alive as the sun made it's progress. It was chilly but there was that smell of Autumn in the air and the air itself had a different feel and look to it. It shimmered, that was the only way Bella could think of how it looked to her. She loved this time of year, the leaves were changing colors - not that there were many trees in South Texas that changed colors, but those that did were beautiful. The Pyracantha was producing its red berries and added so much color to the back yard fence line, as well as helped keep out unwanted humans. The smell of burning leaves filled the air too. Bella loved Autumn.

"Hey Mom," Conner said standing in the doorway. "Want some company?"

Bella smiled up at her son, "Of course - always."

Conner sat next to her and surveyed the back yard. "Got any permanent residents?"

"Yep, I have at least two pair of Cardinals who live back there in the Pyracantha, and of course sparrows. I don't feed them because they have the Holly and the flowering pear trees to eat the fruit from, plus the families on either side of me put out sunflower seeds, so I don't see the need for me to do it also."

"Mom," Conner started then paused and began again. "Mom, I'd like to talk to you about Sophia."

"Alright son, talk away." Bella nodded smiling.

"She's the one. I'm going to ask her to marry me, and if she says yes, she and I'll be moving closer to her family."

"What about your school Conner? You've got, what, two more years before you have your Masters?" Bella was very concerned now.

"I've been investigating transferring, and I can without losing any credits to the University of Mexico. Her family lives close to it," Conner put his hand on his mother's. "Now nothing is set yet. This is only if she says yes. I just want you to be prepared for my moving away. You'll be alone then."

Bella was suddenly filled with an emotion she'd not experienced before. "Alone? Now you worry about me being alone? Don't you dare!" Bella was in a full blown panic attack by the end of her sentence and she was crying. She stood up and ran back into the house and her bedroom, slamming the door.

At that moment, Conner realized what a shit he'd been by making Bella give up Edward. Who cared about age really? What an ass I've been! He knew what he had to do now. He had to make it right! Conner walked into the house and found his mother's cell phone and looked through her contacts until he found Rosalie's name, and pressed the call symbol.

"Damn it Bella! This better be an emergency! I had a late drunken night and I'm very hung over," Rose's voice was hoarse sounding.

"I'm so sorry Rose. This is Conner, Bella's son. Sorry to wake you up, but I have just realized what a total ass I've been to my Mom. I need to speak with Edward, do you have his number?"

"Conner?" Rose sat up in her bed and smacked Emmett on his ass to wake him up. "What's wrong? Is something the matter with Bella?" Rose was starting to panic.

"Yes, and no. I just need to speak with Edward. Do you think he's still interested in my mother?"

"Uh, yeah. He is. Very much so," Rose answered, stunned. "Conner, I don't know if he'd talk to you. Do you want me or Emmett to talk to him first?"

"Yeah, maybe that's a good idea. Mom needs him. I know she's in love with him and I've been such an shit. Please, call him for me and ask him to call Mom back. Tell him what I've said, please."

"Ok Conner," Still stunned, "What's changed your mind?"

"I didn't realize until this morning how deep her feelings for him were. I may not like the circumstances, but it's not my place to dictate to my mother who she can or can't love," Conner scrubbed his face with his free hand. "I was such a fool. I'm so sorry. I want to try and make it better. Do you think it can be made better?" Conner was almost whispering.

"Alright, Conner. I'll call him. I doubt I'll wake him up. Like Bella, he likes to get up early on Sunday mornings," Rose said and she disconnected the call.

"Well, I'll be damned," Rose sighed to Emmett.

~o0o~