Don't laugh at me

Chapter seven

Mason looks pretty shocked, his mouth is set in such a way that it appears he is seconds from saying something. He has been like that for about 10 minutes, funny thing is, and so has Anthony. Jewel looks impatient, I may be a bit impatient as well. I don't necessarily know for what, the question must be answered at some point but I don't feel like it should be now. Honestly I'm not sure any time would feel right though. It's one of those things you want to know so badly but don't at the same time. I know that if mason makes the move to divulge the information Anthony will suffer through anything the man has to say, I also know that Anthony is very good at holding grudges and if mason has some crap excuse and exposes it before building some kind of foundation with Anthony then he may never have the opportunity to have a relationship with his son. Anthony is very good at shutting down and shutting people out, I experienced this first hand when he initially came to us and I wouldn't wish it on Mason. Not now that I have spent the evening with everyone getting along and laughing and just having a good time. Another few minutes go by and nobody has said a thing, all of us just waiting for something to happen but nothing ever does and I realize that maybe they have more in common than I realized.

"Man it's some nice weather we are having" I say stupidly because I can't think of a tactful way to change the topic. Anthony laughs and then so do I, it really was a silly thing to say.

"Nice out bells"

"It wasn't an out! What do you even know about 'outs'? I was just commenting on the weather. Can't a person comment on the weather every now and then? Besides you know I hate awkward silences and that was about 29 minutes past awkward thanks to jewels!" I turn from Anthony to look at jewels when I say this and smile so she knows I'm not actually upset with her. It's not her fault she is so blunt it's just the way the good lord made her.

"So is it time for s'more's yet?" Anthony stands and grabs jewels hand when she says this and they walk into the house to let the others know that we are ready to continue the night.

"I was going to answer her you know." Mason looks so ashamed when he says this and my heart aches a bit.

"I'm sure you were. I'm also sure it wasn't the right time. I owed you one for lighting you on fire so consider us even.' He smiles and it's so similar to the one I get from Anthony when he accepts my outs." listen I want the answer to the question and it seems like you want to give it but first maybe you two could get to know each other. I want what's best for him and maybe that could be you, we will never know if you sink y'alls ship before it has the chance to leave port. That being said, I will protect him at any cost." My voice changes from caring, calm and even to cold, and calculating when I say the last part and by the look on his face I'm sure he gets the severity of my statement.

"You're a really amazing woman you know that Bella? I really do appreciated what you're doing for him. It's easy to see that this is more than a job for you. 'His smile is back and I swoon a bit at the compliment until he speaks again and he has that guilty look, like he may have murdered a puppy or something.

" I do want to tell my side of the story. I have to admit that I don't know crap about kids, let alone teens. I can't wait to learn and I think I could really use your help with this if you would be willing to give it. I want to be what's best for my son. His mom was so wonderful and I don't doubt she taught him most of what he needs to know about the world. I know she taught me some very important lessons in the 2 years we were together. I just want to help him find his way from here and show him that I am not the same man who abandoned him and his mother 14 years ago, because Bella, that's what I did." He looks up at me for approval and I don't grant it because I can't without all the information and I don't know if I would even with all the information. His statement paired with his forlorn expression confirms my assumption that he was plainly negligent and there was no unforeseen circumstance that held him away from his son. I shouldn't have put so much hope into that idea I know better than that, I even entertained the idea that maybe he was some spy or something. I'm not sure why I want him to be this good person so bad. I mean there is the obvious reasons for Anthony's benefit but its more than that and I wonder not for the first time if maybe my emotions are getting to involved with this stranger who has come to steal my son away.

"I want to remind you that I am here for Anthony first. He is my priority in all of this and I will always be there to protect him. The love I have for him doesn't end if the papers are signed over to you. I will help you in any way that I can without harming Anthony and that includes betraying his confidence with me. I want you to succeed as a father in any capacity that you are able for Anthony's sake, so I can give ya some tips here and there but the bond you build with Anthony will need to be something you and him made." We have angled our chair towards each other over the course of our conversation. Our hands are resting on the table and I reach out and squeeze his in encouragement. He squeezes mine back and looks into my eyes and I feel the need to help him steal away my son and don't understand why?

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We have all been laughing hysterically for the last fifteen minutes. It started when Esme, master marshmallow roaster, ended up flinging a flaming marshmallow right at Masons head, unintentionally of course. He then retaliated by throwing an uncooked marshmallow at her, which prompted Emmet, who by the way has a total mom crush on her, to defend her honor and throw back a piece of slightly melted chocolate which ended up hitting me and caused me to comment on his pansy throwing skills while chucking my freshly cooked to perfection marshmallow at him. After that all hell broke loose in the form of a ridiculous food fight. Now we sit a group full of s'more's inside and out waiting for Anthony to get the hose to rinse us off.

One thing I have learned over the course of the night is that these people know how to have fun. Esme who I had assumed was some sweet grandmother type has fit that stereo type perfectly but also ended up being insanely funny. Mason has surprised me so much, he is all serious and deep one moment and the next is engaged in a marshmallow eating competition with Emmet, which was another surprise because he won! Emmet has a bottomless pit for a stomach but apparently mason has 2 bottomless pit stomachs and has the super power of inhaling his food.

Anthony is getting along great with mason, although they haven't exactly had a moment to themselves. I don't think that was accidental on Anthony's part, every time Mason would try and get some time alone Anthony would invite jewel to join them and then jewel would talk the whole time. I know this was the case because mason has been updating me all night and second guessing his every action, almost like a first time dad with a newborn.

It's actually quite comical, like when Anthony was struggling to get his s'more together because jewel stole his plate and he was trying to balance it on his leg without getting messy. Mason walked over to him and grabbed the stick with the marshmallow on it like he was going to put it in between the cracker while Anthony squeezed them together but then suddenly he handed the stick back and caused Anthony to drop one of his graham crackers and then when he turned to grab Anthony a new one he knocked the stick out of Anthony's hand and into the fire. He ended up just huffing and apologizing while awkwardly standing near Anthony while he made a new marshmallow. I tried to hide my giggles but I must not have done a very good job because as soon as he sat back down next to me on the log we shared he very sneakily tried to nudge me off and on to the ground.

Later after everyone had gone home I went into Anthony's room to see how he was doing and found the most adorable sight ever. He and jewel were cuddled up asleep with the TV on, they are both so peaceful so I decide to let them sleep and just leave the bedroom door open so that when jewel wakes up and head to her room it won't wake me up. They are so lucky to have each other as friends, I don't think I ever had a friend I was as close with at their age, well maybe Emmet but that doesn't count because he was my brother. I just hope that if Anthony moves with his dad then it won't break up their companionship.

Authors note: sorry this took a while guy's things have been crazy as usual. If you haven't already go check out my other story away from the son, you're going to love it! Anyways love you guys and I hope to get another chap out next week.