A/N: Good evening, everyone! How are you doing? It's quite hectic in the office as we're trying to beat the deadline. We have 2 days. Thankfully, we can manage our stress in the office. Wish us luck!

-FTP-

Chapter 12: Tanya

"So, you mean to tell me, Edward and Bella got back together?" Jasper asked. He was in a three-way call with me and Rosalie.

"Yes," Rosalie answered.

"What happened with the people you're trying to match Bella with?" Jasper asked.

"Seth and Kate are actually dating. Mike, on the other hand, is a lot worse than Edward," Rosalie answered. When Bella did the Facebook search, we later found out that Mike had children with different women and was behind child support. Needless to say, Emmett was not happy about it. They're still civil as they still have to work together. Whatever Mike's character issues, it still doesn't erase the fact that he was a good lawyer.

"What about your end?" I asked. He was talking about his friend who was supposed to go on leave.

"James already got back here. He said Bella was doing well and that he likes my sister," he said.

"James? James was the one you wanted to set up with Bella?" I asked. Bella and James had gotten along but Bella wasn't James' type and vice versa.

"Of course. Who else would I entrust my sister with?"

"I love that you're trying to hook James up with Bella. Have you ever considered that Bella's personality was too strong for James? Emmett would be a better match for her and you know Emmett treats Bella like his baby sister," Rosalie said referring to her husband.

"James' personality isn't too strong. He's average," Jasper argued.

"Then your definition of strong personality and mine are too different," Rosalie said.

"I need to go. Kate and Seth invited me for a game night," I said.

"Okay. Bye, Tanya!" Rosalie and Jasper said.

Kate lived upstairs. At one time, she offered to live with me but it didn't work out. She worked the night shift and comes and goes when I was already asleep. I needed to work early in the morning. In addition, our habits don't match. She was a slob and I was a neat freak. There were plenty of times when we fight because of her mess. We're family so we have no choice but to love each other but living together was not an option. As soon as the room upstairs got vacant, she moved in. We still go out and eat at each other's houses at least once a week but our lives had gotten happier and a lot more peaceful now that we don't live with each other. Now that I thought about it, I should've introduced her to Seth earlier but Seth also had a similar schedule with mine.

Today was Kate's day off. That's the only way for us to hang out. She's like my sister so hanging out with her was always awesome. Seth was already there when I came in.

"So, what are we playing today?" I asked.

"Seth agreed for us to do Twisters," Kate said.

I laughed. Seth had gotten more flexible. I guess his Pilates classes were paying off even if I had given him a grief for coming to Pilates with me every now and then. He does yoga too. He's open to doing exercises even if they were deemed to be the "girly" ones. He said that he had a lot to learn from women. The feeling was mutual. I had a lot to learn from him.

Kate actually won Twisters. It wasn't unusual. She was a gymnast after all. She still practices before she goes to work.

"You should bring James here," Kate said.

I cringed. "He's in Afghanistan," I said.

"I didn't know that," she said.

"He's one of Jasper's brother-in-arms," I said.

"You mean your super bossy brother?" Seth asked.

I nodded. "He's the one."

"Actually, the military made Jasper worse. He wasn't like that when he started," Kate explained.

"Well, maybe some other time then," Seth said.

We played some more twisters. Eventually, it got quite late and we needed our beauty rest. Kate kicked Seth and I out of her apartment. I got ready for bed and slept well that night. That morning, I realized that my phone had three Facebook missed calls from James. I sighed. Typical long distance relationship problems. Because of the time difference, one of you is sleeping while the other was wide awake.

I called him back hoping that he was still awake.

"Good morning, beautiful!" James said.

"Good morning to you too," I answered. I wasn't used to receiving a kind treatment from men. Over the years, men had avoided me like plague. Even though people had complimented me for my beauty, most men were turned off because I don't put out. Over the years, I had several boyfriends, none of them I've slept with. I was now thirty-five years old. James was different. He was kind and protective at the same time. The only drawback was that he's gone most of the time.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I just woke up and saw your missed call. Here we are. How was your day?" I asked.

"Jasper and I had to clean the breakroom."

"Why?" I asked.

"We have nothing to do so our commanding officer ordered us to clean the breakroom," he explained.

I sighed. In reality, I was a slob. I hated anything that had to do with soap and bucket.

"It's not-so-fun day now, is it?" I didn't know about him but everytime I would rather have root canal than clean my apartment.

He laughed. "Actually, it was. You'll be surprised at how some of my brothers managed to create shortcuts while still following the regulation."

"I didn't think about that," I said.

"It's just the nature of the job. In a few months when I get back, I'll tell you all about it. By the way, how's Bella? Jasper was asking me about her but the last time I talked to her was when I visited your family," he said.

"Bella went back with her ex."

"Oh no! Jasper told me that her ex is a piece of work. He cheated on her."

"I know! I was there. We were having our sibling night out when we saw Edward with his arm around a girl. He called her Alice," I told him.

"He just had his arms around a girl? Is it possible that she was his sister?"

I shook my head. "Edward is the only living child. I asked Bella if he had brothers and sisters but she said that his mother miscarried several times and that Edward was the only one carried to full term."

"Where was Bella when that happened?" James asked.

"She was sick. Now that I think about it, she's probably experiencing morning sickness."

"Did Bella ever found out?"

"No," I said.

"I don't want to interfere with your family dynamics but would it be okay if I tell you my opinion?"

"Go ahead..."

"It happened eleven years ago and we were different from the people we were back then. Would it be okay to give Edward the benefit of doubt? Just make sure that he treats Bella and his daughter right. If you catch him doing something that will hurt your sister, then peacefully confront Edward and tell Bella. She's a strong woman. She can handle it," he said.

I didn't think about it that way. James is right. I think I'll follow his advice.

"You're right," I said.

We talked for a few more minutes. Eventually it was time for him to let him sleep.

I decided that I wanted to go visit home back at Forks. My siblings and I try to visit our parents at Forks whenever we feel like it. In my case, it happens every two months. While mom and dad had a home at Port Angeles, mom and dad spend the majority of their time in Forks. That's our hometown. Mom and dad's extended families still live there. Besides, dad isn't retired yet. When I got home, I was surprised to find Bella, Edward, Jacob, and Vanessa in the living room.

"Tanya!" Bella exclaimed. She came toward me and hugged me. "Vanessa, greet your aunt!"

Vanessa came and gave me the warm welcome.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"We're watching The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," Vanessa answered.

Ah! So it's Chronicles of Narnia time. I loved that children's classic. It's one of the book that mom and dad used to read to us when we were younger. The other book series was Lord of the Rings. I sat next to Vanessa. When we were finished, Vanessa had so many questions.

"It was interesting. I mean, Aslan woke up after being killed? Why did they let Edward be king even though he fell for the Witch's tricks?" Vanessa asked.

"Vanessa, Chronicles of Narnia is an allegory of the Bible. Edward represents all of us who sin. He's been forgiven and taken his rightful place as the son of Adam. Aslan represents Jesus Christ," Jacob answered.

Vanessa had a lot of questions about Chronicles of Narnia. She said it was much better than her first communion class. She said that her first communion class is very boring and asked if Jacob could come over and teach at one time. While Jacob does his godfather duties, I decided that I would have to talk to Bella and to tell her that I support her. I cannot speak for Rosalie and Jasper but I need to support her.

"Bella, can we talk alone?" I asked.

Bella nodded. I led her in the car. It was the only way we can have a decent private conversation. Having a big family does have a down side.

"What do you want to talk about?" Bella started.

"I wanted you to know that I don't approve of Edward because he had hurt you before. However, for your happiness and Vanessa's, I'll support you. If he ever hurts you again, I'll kill him and bury his body," I said. I was only half joking with the threat but it was enough to make Bella laugh.

"I'm glad I have your support. If only Rosalie and Jasper would support me," she said. Tears were forming in her eyes but there was a smile on her face.

I didn't know that I would bring so much happiness in her. I decided that James was right. I was thankful I had a man like him. Bella and I talked about other things. While I was frustrated that she didn't choose Jacob, I was glad that she was happy.

That dinner, Mom had prepared fish fry brought by Jacob's stepmother Sue. Sue and Jacob's dad still live in Forks. They were good friends with my parents.

Vanessa wouldn't stop talking about Edward's family. "...and Aunt Alice likes to buy me stuffed toys. I don't really like stuffed toys but it made her so happy so I just do what I can to keep it and take good care of it," she said.

"Aunt Alice? Aren't you an only child?" I asked Edward.

"Yes but Aunt Alice is his cousin. They live with him and grandma and grandpa. Mom spends more time with Aunt Alice than with dad. She and I were the same height and she's also very thin," Vanessa explained.

Oh no! I was beginning to think that Alice was the one we mistook to be Edward's side chick. I needed to figure out a way to confirm it. But what would I do if I confirmed the truth and she turned out to be the one who we thought was his side chick?

-FTP-

What do you think of Tanya turning a new leaf? James is actually a good guy on this story. As you know, Jasper tried to match Bella and James but there's no spark between them. Meanwhile, James and Tanya are talking and seem to be getting serious. How do you feel about James and Tanya dating?

Sue and Jacob's dad lost their respective spouses before they started dating. Jacob treats Sue like his mom.