A/N Here's the next chapter. Enjoy! And thanks for the reviews, I loved them!

Chapter 9

Between my relationship issues and my mother's surprise call, it was several hours before I finally managed to drift off to sleep, which meant I was still dead to the world at nine when Gemma wakes me for breakfast.

It took a warm body squirming restlessly in my hold to finally rouse me, and even then I refused to open my eyes. I merely held her tighter to stop her moving and grumbled into the soft tendrils of hair tickling my face.

"Bella!" Alice's voice whispered insistently, but I chose to ignore her. When she realized I wasn't going to respond she became impatient and poked me in the side. "Bella!" She hissed again.

"What?" I whined, barely opening one eye to take in her face, centimeters away, looking anxious. Her expression was enough to wake me up completely and I shot up in bed, alarmed. That's when I noticed Gemma standing in the doorway looking surprisingly, unsurprised. In fact, she seemed amused and waited patiently for me to say something, but when I continued to imitate a goldfish, she took the initiative.

"Good Morning Bella. I noticed your friend was still here when I stopped in earlier, so I have a breakfast for two waiting downstairs, when you're ready."

"Uh, thank you?" I choked out, barely recollecting my wits. She just smiled and left the room, closing the door behind her. I groaned, collapsing back onto the bed.

"Well, she seems nice." Alice giggled, rolling on top of me with a smile. I wrapped my arms around her bare waist unconsciously, and leaned up to peck her on the lips. She sighed, letting her head fall to my chest. "I don't think she'll tell anyone Bella. She doesn't seem the type."

"I hope not." I murmured, resting my chin on the top of her head. It was all too much for me right now. I didn't even want to think about the possible consequences at the moment, so I didn't. Instead, I snuggled against Alice for a few more minutes before finally getting out of bed and finding some pajamas for us both.

Alice had to roll my pants up several times at the waist before she could walk in them, and even then she was swimming in my clothes. It actually made her look adorable.

Once we reached the table and took our seats, Gemma arrived with two steaming plates of eggs and sausage. When she didn't leave immediately, I turned to look at her, trying my best to keep the blush on my face under control.

"Something else?" I finally managed to ask. Gemma was watching me in obvious amusement, which in turn caused my anxiety to rise.

"I'm making a trip to the cleaners today after breakfast, so I can take your gowns from last night, but do you want me to take your sundress as well?" She asked. Though she managed to keep her face relatively stoic, it was obvious that she found something humorous by the glint in her eye and a slight twitch of the lips. I felt like I was missing something so I glanced at Alice, but she was pointedly ignoring the conversation, a smug smile on her face.

"What sundress?" I finally asked, annoyed and confused by this unspoken joke at my expense. I was starting to miss the shy Gemma who feared me.

"The white one with blue flowers." She specified with a slight smirk.

My face felt like it was on fire as my eyes drifted involuntarily to the spot on the floor I'd left that dress last night. Thoughts swam in my head of Alice ravishing me on the very table I was sitting at and I blushed harder at the thought. I couldn't breathe. If she found the dress, then she must have thought…But of course she thought that! She found Alice and I practically naked in bed this morning!

"I'm sure Bella would appreciate that." My young lover finally answered sweetly, in my place, pinching my leg under the table to break me out of my thoughts. "Right Bella?" She asked, also smirking.

"Uh, yeah." I finally choked out, completely mortified. Averting my gaze, I hurriedly began shoveling eggs into my mouth and refused to look back up until I heard Gemma's feet quietly retreating from the room.

We finished breakfast over light conversation and then had a long shower, where I finally let Alice drown me in pleasure, as she wanted to last night. We walked out to her Porsche, and I gave her one last passionate kiss before sending her on her way. I hadn't bothered to get dressed after our shower, opting rather to just throw on a robe, but Jasper and Rose were coming soon, so I had to find something to wear.

I was only in a bra and jeans when I heard voices outside my closet.

"Wow! I didn't know Bella even owned anything like this!" Jasper's voice exclaimed in awe, and I froze in my search for a shirt, instead turning and flying out into my room only to see him holding up my black thong from last night.

"JASPER!" I screamed darting over to him and snatching the fabric from his hands.

"Of course she does! I buy them for her! Although, I don't remember this pair." Rose countered from the other side of my bed, holding Alice's white lace panties between two fingers out in front of her.

I shrieked and ran towards her, falling twice in my haste to retrieve the garment. She laughed at my clumsiness and held the panties over her head out of reach, laughing harder when I began to jump for them desperately.

"Rosalieeeee!" I whined trying to pull her arm down. I felt like we were back on the playground and she was holding my doll over her head. It wasn't fair that she was always freakishly tall! Jasper, who would normally help me, was too busy rolling on the floor in laughter. I finally huffed, giving up and glared at my supposed bestfriends.

"Oh come on Bella, we're just kidding around." Jazz said, standing and moving towards us. I crossed my arms petulantly, and Rose finally lowered her arm.

"HA!" I yelled triumphantly, grabbing the panties from Rose and smiling cheekily. She chuckled and then rolled her eyes when she looked over at Jasper, before smacking him in the back of the head.

I turned to him gazing at me appreciatively and I realized I was still without a shirt. With another shriek, I covered my chest and darted back into the closet.

"What? I can't appreciate her form?"

"No, you can't appreciate our married friend's form." I chuckled to myself as I heard Rose and Jasper arguing outside, ignoring the slight discomfort I felt being reminded of the ring on my finger.

I finally decided on a simple t-shirt and discovered Rose putting the last of the scattered clothes around my room in the hamper while Jasper sat on my bed watching her absently.

"You guys are here early." I noted, alerting them to my return. Rose smiled and moved over to hug me.

"We were excited to hear about your date last night, but if the state of your room is any indication, I'm pretty sure it went well." She said smiling as Jasper joined her and I led them into the hall.

"Yes it went fine. But before I tell you about it there is a more urgent matter, that being my mother coming to visit in two days." I said, glancing back at them unhappily as I related this news.

Now, I love my mother. She always took care of me, loved me, gave me the best of everything, and she absolutely adored Edward. He was everything she always wanted for me. It was sheer luck that I actually found someone to love who was also up to her standards.

Normally, when she would visit she would check to see I was eating properly, instruct our housecleaner on the correct way to polish wood, and then tell me I needed to put more effort into my appearance to keep my husband happy. Throughout this I would nod and smile until I could finally send her back to my poor father.

But this visit would be different. I knew it would because my mother could read me better than anyone and it would take her little to no time to wheedle the information about Alice out of me. What I didn't know is how she would react, and I was petrified to find out.

"Oh shit!" Jasper chuckled. "What are you going to do?" I turned to scowl at him.

"Well I don't know, obviously! As soon as she sees me she'll know something's wrong. And you know how she is. She won't stop until she gets the truth out of me." I sighed.

"You never were very good at hiding your emotions." Rose commented and I glared at her. "Well it's true!" She said glaring right back at me, though hers was playful.

We finally reached the living room and I plopped onto the couch, Rose beside me and Jasper next to us in a chair.

"The most you can hope for is that she'll be so distracted asking for grandchildren that she won't notice you're hiding something." Jasper offered, grinning at me. I groaned, my head falling back onto the cushion. Another reason I was not looking forward to my mother's visit. Over the past several months, her emails and calls have been heavily laced with subtle and not-so-subtle hints that she wants grandchildren.

"At least I won't have to endure the endless questions about settling down. I'm shipping out on Tuesday." Jasper said, a forced smile on his face.

"Already?" I asked, frowning. It felt as if he'd just arrived. He nodded before standing to squish between Rose and I on the couch, throwing his arms behind us.

"Don't worry though, I won't be gone long this time. Now that I'm stationed in the states I can come visit more often." He assured, trying to bring us all some comfort. I felt the tears gathering in my eyes unwittingly and blinked them away before leaning my head on his shoulder. His strong arm wrapped around me and he gave my shoulder a squeeze. I'd just gotten one of my bestfriends back and I didn't want to lose him again. I needed him, especially right now.

Rose wasn't faring much better on the other side, though she hid her sadness better than me. She rarely dropped her strong façade. At least this time his wasn't going into combat. It was nice to not have to worry about him all the time anymore.

"Now, don't forget to write this time. I want to hear about everything." Jazz said, his eyes falling on me in particular. I nodded and he smiled, kissing my forehead and standing again, holding out his hands to pull both of us up. "Enough, talk. I'm starving. Where's that gorgeous cook of yours?" Jasper asked loudly, and I heard a pan clang in the kitchen. I couldn't help laughing as I quickly followed after him. Gemma would need saving once Jazz turned on the charm. He's such a flirt.

As it happened, my mother was flying in around the same time as Jasper's flight out, so Rose and I were going to stay at the airport to see him off before picking her up.

After we parked, we headed to the terminals, stopping just outside to say our goodbyes. Jasper and Rose went first, teasing each other playfully before Rose gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Neither of them were really sappy, so this was about as heartfelt a goodbye as it would get. Jasper turned to me as Rose shooed away one of the airline people trying to put Jasper's duffel on a cart.

"Come here Bella." He said, gently pulling me in for a hug. Though I'd tried to hold them back, my eyes betrayed me as silent tears ran down my cheeks. I hated looking so weak, when even his sister could keep herself together, but I was going to miss him so much.

He held me for a while, but eventually pulled back so he was only grasping my arms. "Listen, Bells. Before I go, I need to say this." I nodded waiting for him to continue and he shot me a smile. "You're kind of in a mess right now, but I want you to know that no matter what you decide to do, you'll always have me. Edward and I are friends and he's a great guy, but you've been my girl since, well, practically the womb! I'll love you no matter what Bells, but I want you to be happy. Okay?" I nodded, hugging him tightly again.

"Alright, well I got to get going." Jasper finally said, heaving his bag onto his shoulder and taking a step back towards the door.

"Call when you land, okay? I don't want to get another call from mom at three in the morning asking if her baby boy's okay." Rose said, rolling her eyes and Jazz laughed, rubbing his chopped hair.

"Sure thing." Then with one last glance at each of us he made his way into the airport.

"BELLA HONEY!" Renee called, rushing towards me with an oversized purse, a man with a trolley full of suitcases right behind her.

"Hi mom."

She pulled me into a hug briefly before standing back and taking in my appearance, her brow furrowed. I looked down at the simple t-shirt and jeans I'd chosen to wear and mentally kicked myself for not taking Rosalie's suggestion that I dress up a bit. Said bestfriend was now smirking at me as if she knew exactly what I was thinking.

"Isabella Marie! Why can't you ever wear the nice clothes I send you? Look at Rose…" She said, gesturing to the smug blonde behind her. "See how nicely she dresses?"

"Yes mom." I muttered, glaring at Rose, when my mother finally turned to greet her as well, pulling her into a hug.

"How's Emmett, dear?"

"Oh, he's fine Renee. Same as always." Rose said, smiling at my mother like an angel.

By the time we'd made it out to the car, Rose had been complimented on her tan, while I was told I looked a bit soft around the edges and informed of a new diet I should try.

"When's Edward returning? You said he's in China?" Renee asked, looking into the backseat at me while Rose pulled out of the parking lot.

"He'll be back Thursday."

"Oh." She said, disappointed. "He works so hard, I worry about him. Maybe you should schedule a vacation soon. It'll give you a chance to get started on those grandchildren of mine." She said, giving me a wink.

"MOM!" I complained, blushing a brilliant shade of red and hitting the back of Rose's seat when she laughed.

"What?" My mother pouted. "You're nearing thirty now, Bella. It's time you started thinking about kids." She insisted.

I huffed at the reminder of my age and sat back in my seat, refusing to answer. My mother just rolled her eyes at the childish display and turned back to talk to Rose.

Once we were dropped off at my house, Gemma helped me carry mom's bags into the house. Thankfully our guest room is on the main floor so we didn't need to take them up the stairs. I don't know why she needed four large suitcases for a short visit!

"Can I get you a drink, mom?" I asked, as we settled into the living room and Gemma ran off to make dinner. I had given her specific instructions on how to cook while my mother was here, so she was nervous about getting it right.

"Oh! That would be wonderful. Gin Martini, dear?" I nodded making my way over to our built in mini bar. I also made a gin and tonic for myself, heavy on the gin. This was going to be a long few days.

A/N Okay so it wasn't as long and it ended at kind of a weird place, but I needed to break up this one and my next chapter somewhere. Hope you liked it anyway. Next update should be soon. Thanks!