Chapter 14-

Surprise!

Bella POV-

I woke up to a short figure with jet-black hair jumping up and down and screaming. It took me a little while to figure out who it was.

"Bella! I missed you so much!" Alices shrieking voice rang in my ears. I turned over to avoid being flopped on.

"I missed you too Alice. Where are Edward and Connor?" I was still groggy as I sat up, looking around.

"Out in the living room with everyone else. Let's go over to your place, and I can get you ready."

I listened to Alice and stumbled out into the living room. My mouth hung open, as I realized that literally, everyone was there. I felt my cheeks blush.

"Hello everyone, I'll be back soon. Edward, are you okay with him?" I looked over to him.

Edward nodded and everyone said hello back. I went over to my apartment with Alice, and jumped in the shower. When I was done I contemplated packing up my things, just to have them at Edwards. I realized that we had an apartment full of guests, and that probably wouldn't look so good, so I wrapped a towel around myself and went out to meet Alice.

She was waiting with a full outfit laid out, as I was expecting. Alice loved putting together outfits, and had been dressing me as long as I could remember. I had to admit, she had good taste. She always stretched my comfort zone a little each time, and even though I might be uncomfortable at first, I had to admit that it looked good together.

I turned my back and quickly got dressed. She had picked out a flirty little dress I obviously hadn't owned before Alice showed up. Its color resembled a plum, and it clung to my curves, dropping into a skirt that swayed around my legs.

"Um, Alice? I wasn't under the impression we were going somewhere." I looked down, knowing that it looked good on me, but still unsure. I was a mother, for Gods sake. I had to admit, I was curious as how Edward would react when he saw me in this. I'd kept it fairly simple around him. A few different suit sets at work, and then either jeans with either a sweater or T-shirt.

"I know. It was Edwards idea to surprise you. You didn't even know I was coming, right?" She went over to the bags sitting on the floor. How had I missed those? I realized that I didn't know she was coming. I'd been so used to her arriving randomly it hadn't even occurred to me.

"I can't believe you left me out of this!" I cried, sitting down on the bed. I knew that Alice would do everything, shoes, accessories, and makeup. It had become a ritual to just sit down and let her do her thing.

"Don't turn this around on me. Why was it I found you in his bed?" She asked innocently, her voice a high falsetto. I turned my head away and blushed. We had never kept secrets from each other, and I wasn't about to now.

"I honestly don't know. On the plane on the way to the divorce, I fell asleep on his shoulder, and then he had rented the room with only one bed when we had to stay for court. Nothing happened, but I think it made me realize that I could get close to him without being sexual. And he's so good with Connor, and he's already calling him daddy, and I asked him if he would mind being Connors father figure, and he said that he'd love it. And I can't sleep now unless it's next to him so I went and snuck into his apartment in the middle of the night and when he woke up he wasn't mad at all." It all came out in one big gush, and I knew that she would know I wasn't lying.

"Have you kissed?" She handed me shoes, which I put on, along with a tennis bracelet and a necklace that matched. Apparently the dress was the attention grabber tonight.

I sighed, hooking the clasp of the necklace. "Not really? Like, he'll randomly kiss my forehead, or shoulder, but nothing on the lips. So no."

"Ah. I think he loves you, Bella." She opened up her chest full of makeup, and I closed my eyes as she started on my face. I only opened them so she could apply mascara and a bit of eyeliner, keeping them closed the rest of the time. It was just easier that way, I'd learned.

I pondered what she said for quite a while. I wasn't quite sure exactly how I felt about him. I knew that I liked him. A lot. But I wasn't sure if it was love yet. And I didn't even know if he loved me. He might feel the same way that I did. Alice usually wasn't wrong though. I sure wouldn't bet against her. I'm pretty sure a few of our high school teachers agreed. Alice had proved them wrong quite a few times.

"Maybe." I finally agreed, when she was done. I looked at the clock. It was almost two in the afternoon.

"How the heck did I sleep so late? Why didn't he wake me up? He had to have been up with Connor at seven, at the latest."

"Because he loves you!" Alice sang, skipping around my apartment.

"What about Jasper? He's single, you know." I nudged her.

"I've known Jasper longer than anyone else. That poor kid has been through a lot." She sighed, shaking her head.

"Like what?"

"Well, about five years ago, he was dating a girl named Tanya, and he was completely in love with her. I mean, it was so obvious. He was really happy. But they soon found out that she was pregnant. They became engaged, and were planning on getting married when Tanya miscarried. Now, don't get me wrong. Even though it was unplanned, they were excited for this baby. They couldn't wait to be parents. It crushed both of them, and Tanya kept pushing Jasper away, until she finally broke up with him. I don't think anyone really knows, so keep your mouth shut. And don't you dare treat him differently."

I had a tendency to be really nice to people when I found out something like that.

"I can't believe that. Wow." I sighed, shaking my head. I couldn't ever imagine going through something like that.

"I have to admit, he looks pretty good." Alice giggled, and I knew something was up.

"You like him, don't you?" I laughed, grabbing my purse and a jacket.

"I'm beginning to. It's kind of hard not to." She blushed, a rare occurrence for her. Blushing was my thing. I practically had it copyrighted.

I had noticed a couple of unfamiliar people in the room, but hadn't really had to take them in. I figured that it was Jasper, and the figure standing by Emmett must be Rosalie. I couldn't wait to meet them.

"Come on, Alice. We have all night to gossip." I grabbed her and hauled her over to Edwards apartment, opening the door with my key. She raised her eyebrow but didn't say anything. I knew I would have to explain that later.

I opened the door to the smell of hors d'oeuvres. Or what I assumed to be. I looked over at the counter and saw stuffed green peppers, along with mini egg rolls, a veggie tray, fruit bowl, punch, shrimp with cocktail sauce, and meatballs. I sighed, spearing a meatball with a toothpick and taking a bite. It was delicious. I could just eat the meatballs for dinner, and would be fine with it.

"Hey, wow. You look great." Edward took my hand and gave me a spin. I gave him a questioning look and looked at our hands.

"It's okay. They won't mind." He whispered in my ear.

"Hey, Edward, let her go. You have to share her with us, you know. She hasn't even met everyone yet." Emmetts booming voice was easily recognized, and I turned to see a gorgeous blonde woman at his side, holding Connor. He squealed when he saw me. I kissed his forehead.

"Hello. You must be Rosalie. I'm Bella." I said, shaking her hand. She laughed and hugged me, with Connor between us.

"I have to say, that you have a wonderful son. Emmett and I both loved taking care of him."

"I'm glad. He seems to love you guys."

"Hey Bella." Emmett wrapped me into his huge arms for a quick hug. I could tell there was a happy presence in the air, and wondered if that was what accounted for all the hugging. I turned and found an attractive man, Jasper, I assumed. He was thinner than Emmett but bigger than Edward, and had blonde hair.

"And you must be Jasper." He also hugged me, and I glanced over at Edward, who simply shrugged.

"I've heard a lot about you. Both of my brothers seem to think very highly of you." He spoke with a quiet, sure voice.

"How about we all sit down and visit? We have a lot to catch up on." Alice suggested, taking a seat on the floor, leaving the couch open for others.

The hours passed quickly, while we all sat and visited, getting up occasionally to grab something to eat. Connor crawled around between us, trying to steal food, until Edward spoiled him, giving him a piece of cheese. I winced, thinking of the consequences if it didn't agree with his stomach. He didn't seem to have a problem with it, though.

We all got along wonderfully, and I loved hearing stories about years that had passed. The brothers had obviously gotten into their fair share of trouble as children, and I wondered how their mother ever lived through those days. I could tell the way the boys spoke of their mother that they loved her, along with their father. I was glad that there were still some unbroken families out there.

That's all I want, I thought to myself. For Connor to grow up without a broken family.

"We better head out if we want to make our reservations." Edward said, glancing at the clock. I didn't know where we were going, but I decided to let Edward continue to surprise me, and grabbed Connors things, while Edward took him down and settled into his truck. Edward, Alice, Connor and I rode in Edwards truck, and Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper went in Emmetts. I laughed when I realized that the boys had the same trucks, just in a different color. Edward explained that they had boughten them the same day; not knowing the other was getting it. I guess they must think alike.

We drove along for quite a while before we came to a fancy restaurant.

"It's a buffet, but it has food from every country. It is a truly amazing restaurant." He said, taking Connor from my arms, and wrapping his hand around mine as we opened the door to the restaurant.

Next chapter will be at the restaurant, and things will heat up between Alice and Jasper, I think. I haven't decided how I'm going to make that happen yet, so I'm open to ideas. Sorry I got back so late, but I had an amazing time. I'll post a lot tomorrow, if storms aren't too bad.