The ride home was quiet. The tension was still there, but it was fading I think more for my benefit.
When we got home, it was still quiet as we joined up in the living room. Rosalie and Emmett taking up one side of the couch with me sitting next to Rose. Edward sitting on the arm behind me. Alice on Jasper's lap on the floor.
"Have you calmed down enough?" Rose asked me.
I nodded my head trying to stay as relaxed as possible.
Rose took another deep breath then began.
"Well, you know that Jasper and I are twins. We came up from Texas; our father was a military man while our mom stayed at home. He was killed in action when we were about six years old.
"Our mom had to move us north to find work, as a maid; it was all she could get.
"She worked for this family, the Kings, in Rochester, New York and we lived with her in this little house on the property. The family was very generous to us all and allowed Jasper and I to come inside the big house and play.
"I think they missed the sound of little children in their house or liked the sound of a daughter playing with her brother."
Rosalie and Jasper shared a smile that also seemed to be a silent communication of some sorts. Must have been a twin thing.
"The Kings had an older son named Royce Jr. He was ten years older than us and by the time we were seven we were all closer than ever like he was our older brother. Always spoiling and playing with us.
"Then one day, he brought us into his room when he parents were out and our mom was running errands. He told us that we were going to play a new game and not to be afraid."
From the shifting of Rosalie's emotions, I could tell that the climax was coming close for her face went from horror to angry then back to blank within a single second. During that time, Emmett and Jasper held onto her like she needed more strength.
"We were afraid anyways for some reason. By the time we thought about it, it was too late. Royce grabbed Jasper and locked him into the closet then threw me on the bed before I could escape. He warned us that if we kept making noises then he would hurt our mama. I dared not stay quiet as he began to remove my clothing and his. Jasper kept pounding on the closet door trying to get to me, but by the time he managed to get out Royce and I were naked and he had already taken my innocence.
"I screamed because of the pain and fear. Jasper was able to smash a vase over Royce's head before he realize that Jasper escaped. Royce was knocked out, but we managed to get him out of me then we ran downstairs. Mama had just returned as so had Royce's parents.
"We told them what had happened and they believed us with all the evidence surrounding us, but when hands were called to apprehend Royce, he had fled the scene."
A single tear came down Rose's cheek, but mine were cascading like a waterfall down my cheeks. At some point, Edward's arms wrapped around me. The same for Alice by Jasper, although, she must have heard this story before for she didn't look that surprised, but there were still tears in her eyes.
"Weeks passed and Royce was still missing. There were no leads on his whereabouts because of that, Jasper had barely left my side even sleeping on the floor in my room. Although, I'll admit that sometimes I would have nightmares and he would crawl into bed with me."
"And then that became my job." Emmett blurted out.
It made us laugh surprisingly.
"About two months after the…incident someone broke into our house in the middle of the night. Mama ran into our room telling us to hide under the bed while she fend them off. She was never a mousy woman and never seemed to have any fear towards anything, but what she did was a mistake because she underestimated Royce and the friends that he brought with him.
"Jasper and I ran out the back door when we had the chance, running towards the big house. Before we got out though, we heard the sound of a gun firing and in the window we saw our mother collapsing out of sight.
"I wanted to go back in and kill the son of a bitch for what he did, but instead we ran back to the main house and called the police. When they arrived, it turned into a shoot match in which one officer was killed and all the suspects—including Royce—were killed."
"After that night the Kings took us in, but we did not want to stay with them because of the bad memories. We'd rather live in foster care then with them." Jasper explained.
"We were adopted by the Cullens a few months later because our father knew Carlisle and Esme; we figured that papa had sent them to us so that we could get that fresh start and a loving family that would help us." Rosalie leaned more into Emmett while Jasper hugged Alice tightly.
"I had a feeling that you were thinking I was being too brave and had already experienced something like what had happened to us today, and I had only it was worst. I don't let that fear control me for if I did then I don't know if I could have protected you and Alice the way that I did."
"And for that I'm thankful." I whispered.
Rosalie pulled me towards her for a strong hug. "I'm always here for you, baby sis, always."
"We're family," Edward added. "We watch over everyone."
"Well, enough about the heart break." Rosalie announced after she gentle pushed me back. "Date night anyone?"
While everyone else wanted to watch a movie, Edward kept dropping hints about a bath time, and of course, my little sprout thoroughly agreed.
"Is this how it's going to be from now on? Two against one?" I joked as the bathtub filled up.
"No because I knew that you wanted to take a bath just as much as we did." Edward smirked pouring the lavender bubble bath.
When the tub was full, Edward helped me remove my clothes as I helped him with his. Then he helped me get in first, letting me sit down before he climbed in behind me wrapping his arms around my middle.
Time moved so slowly or fast; heck I didn't even know what time was while Edward and I sat in each other's embrace. We barely even moved, with the exception of my son who was doing his usual excited kicking against my ribs.
"Ready to get out?" Edward whispered in my ear.
"No." I groaned.
Although the water was now cold, I was enjoying the feeling of love floating around the room.
"We are going to catch a cold if we stay in this freezing water." He whispered back.
I growled, but started to move anyways. Edward helped me out then toweled off my body. I did the same to him.
As the tub drained and we brushed our teeth together then went into my room.
"Bella, where is your lotion?" He asked. "Your skin feels so dry."
I pointed to my nightstand. "The bigger bottle is for my skin and the smaller one is for my stomach."
"Your stomach?" He questioned.
"Yeah," I answered with a blush. "It's for the stretch marks."
He came up close to my face and whispered. "I only see beauty marks, my love."
I pushed him back. "I don't care what you call them, I want them gone." I glared.
"As long as I get to touch your naked stomach." He smirked pushing me softly to lie on the bed.
Edward started with the cocoa butter on my stomach then put a soft layer over the rest of my body. Now why didn't I think of that?
After he was done, I pushed Edward down to work on his back. Knowing that after his practice this afternoon, he had to have been dead tired.
He was practically putty beneath my hands and slightly growling when I dug my hands into his skin hard enough.
"Are you asleep yet?" I purred in his ear.
I saw him look at me from the corner of his eye; it was lazy, but not ready for sleep just yet.
I kissed his bare shoulder which earned a small moan from his chest. I felt the vibrations through his back.
I knew he wanted to do something for I felt some of his energy starting to return, but before he said anything a bear started pounding on the door.
Edward and I groaned, but Emmett spoke through the door anyways.
"Hey you two, time for dinner. Get dressed and meet us downstairs in 20."
"Are we going out?" Edward yelled back.
"Yeah, the girls want to go to that new restaurant in Port Angeles. Alice already made the reservations for us."
"Darn it, we have to put on clothes." I mumbled to Edward.
"Well I'm sure it is the policy in many restaurants to wear clothes, little mama." Crap, he heard me.
I hide my flaming face in Edward's back while he chuckled.
"We'll be out soon, bro." Edward called out.
"Eighteen minutes you two." Emmett warned then walked away.
"We'll pick this up later." Edward rolled onto his back beneath me. "You want me to sleep with you tonight?"
I nodded my head not really sure how easily sleep will come to me tonight after all that happened today.
"I'll be back as soon as I get some clothes on, alright?" He asked.
"I'll be fine for a few minutes, Edward." I kissed him. "Silly, overprotective fool."
"Silly, oversensitive girl." He kissed me.
"I'm only like that because I'm pregnant." I retorted.
He just chuckled again before kissing me then sat up pulling me off of him. I groan at the space while he pouted.
"I'll be back in five minutes." He promised.
With one last kiss, he wrapped a towel around his waist then snuck out my door.
I quickly got dressed into a black button down blouse and trouser jeans knowing that unless I didn't look nice for dinner, Alice and Rosalie would push me back into my closet to change. However, I did decide to forgo doing my make up and just braided my hair then called it good.
Surprisingly, I was the first one down stairs, but suddenly got thirsty again.
As I was finishing my second glass when the boys strolled in, all wearing button down shirts and dress pants, but only Edward caught my eye.
His green shirt made his eye color even more brilliant. I was lost in them as he made his way over to me.
"Thirsty?" He snapped me out of my daze.
I quickly looked to the floor to get away from his gaze, but he pulled gently on my chin to get me to look back at him. "Please don't hide your beautiful eyes from me." He said.
"Bella, take a breath already." Emmett boomed making me jump sending the cup out of my hands and smashing onto the floor.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." I gasped trying to bend down to pick up the pieces.
"Bella, it was an accident," Edward stopped me, "We've all done it once or twice before."
"Besides, mom always looks for an excuse to buy new dishes. Lucky for her she has us." Jasper joked fetching the broom and dustpan.
I tried once more to clean up my mess, but Edward wasn't letting go.
"Edward, I made the mess, so I should clean it up."
"You can take the broom." He compromised.
I rolled my eyes, but took the broom from Jasper while he held onto the dustpan. Edward grabbed a couple of dishtowels to wipe up the spilt water while Emmett grabbed the trash bin. With the four of us, it only took a few minutes to clean up the mess.
"I'm sorry…"
"Bella, we told you, accidents happen." Edward interrupted.
"Yeah, but more so with me around." I mumbled.
Edward cupped my cheek to move my head to face him. "There is nothing wrong with that."
"Agh, let's not start this." I groaned then turned away.
"Ok, we're ready." Alice sang dancing into the kitchen with Rosalie in tow.
"Then let's vamoose, I'm starving." Emmett exclaimed.
"So this is where you wanted to eat?" Edward asked as we exited the cars.
"Yup," Alice chirped. "I found this place when I was going through the newspaper for art class. We were ripping them into pieces for a project."
"That's about the only time when she does get her hands on a newspaper." Emmett leaned down to whisper in my ear.
He made me giggle, but Alice heard him, so the little pixie scowled at her bear of a brother not caring about the height difference which was also amusing.
The inside of the restaurant was classy, decorated in an ancient Roman ruin theme.
"See Alice, this is what happens when you read more." Rosalie joked.
Alice gave her a scowl too. "Can we please stop picking on the little pixie?" She groaned.
Thanks to the reservations, we were able to jump ahead of the line to be seated.
I tried not to look at the prices because they were not what my blood pressure could handle. Besides, I saw that they had pesto tortellini that was calling my name.
As usual, Alice did no wrong choosing this restaurant. In fact, it became one of my favorites for special occasions, but maybe too much for a romantic night with Edward, in my opinion.
After supper, we decided to wonder around town. Starting off as one big group, it didn't take long for the couples to start splitting up. Mainly because Alice wanted to head into a store and Jasper would follow her anywhere. Edward and I walked to a little park while Rosalie and Emmett continued down the path.
"I haven't been here in years." Edward commented after we had left the others.
"This place does seem a little familiar to me." I replied.
The sky was fading into the colors of the twilight evening, the sun—although, still behind the clouds—was dipping lower into the horizon.
"What do you remember?" He encouraged.
I looked around the landscape for a few minutes just taking in the site, hoping that anything would emerge from my memory. The swings were blowing lightly in the cool breeze which sparked a sound like laughter.
I walked closer to the swings and as I did, I was drawn to the one in the middle. It brought a smile to my face and tears in my eyes as my memory started to build.
"Push me higher, daddy, higher." I squealed.
"Bells, if I push you any higher then you will fly to the moon." He laughed.
"The moon is so far away, daddy, "I replied matter of factly. "You are not that strong enough." He laughed at my seriousness.
"Is Heaven and mommy on the moon, daddy?" I inquired after a few minutes of quiet swinging.
It was quiet again.
"Daddy, are you still back there?" I asked slightly panicking that he wasn't.
"I'll never leave you, Bella." He told me sternly holding my seat so that I was close to him. "Remember, your mother and I will always be watching you from Heaven or Earth."
"Always?" I repeated.
"Always." He confirmed with a smile.
"Bella? Bella, what's wrong?" Edward was shaking me slightly pulling me out of my dreams.
"I'm sorry." I sniffed. I realized that I had tears cascading down my cheeks from the memory. "I was just remembering my dad, he…he brought me here as a kid and told me that he and my mom would always be watching over me."
Using his thumbs, Edward wiped away my tears. He didn't say anything; he was just allowing me to have this moment. He could see that my tears weren't from sadness, but from the happiness and love I felt from the memory. How I felt as child when my dad told me that he would be watching over me. I felt his and my mother's gaze on me right now.
"Can we swing for a little while?" I asked.
"Of course." Edward answered.
Instead of seating himself on the swing next to mine, Edward pushed me not as hard as my father once did, just a few feet at most.
I giggled at the feeling of my son moving around, apparently, he loves to swing too.
"How is he doing?" I knew Edward meant the baby. I swear he could hear his thoughts.
"He loves the swing." I giggled. "He won't stop rolling."
"So he kicks when in water and rolls when on a swing, this kid is really going to be active." Edward rolled his eyes.
"Well, at least he won't be such a chubby baby for very long." I joked.
Edward continued to push me until the sun had completely fallen below the horizon and the street lamps lit up before deciding that we should meet up with the others.
We found them a few feet from the car all gathered around a young couple and a stroller. As we got closer to the group, I instantly recognized the happy couple.
"Victoria. James." I greeted.
"Bella." Victoria smiled.
James nodded his head in my direction as a hello.
"How are you two doing?" Victoria hugged me when I was close enough.
"I'm going alright; had a little scare, but this little guy and I are tough." I answered.
"Oh, a boy. I'm so happy for you." She gushed pulling me into another hug. "I'm glad you are feeling better."
"Thanks, and I see the reason why you haven't been coming to class lately." I playfully scolded looking down into the little stroller.
"Yup, since the class is for pregnant women, Victoria isn't eligible." James joked. "Well, for the moment." He added which earned him a vicious glare from his girlfriend.
"She is so precious." Alice cooed.
"Thank you." Victoria answered switching her face from angry to loving.
I stepped closer to the little pink bundle. She was sucking on a pacifier staring at the big people looking at her with awe. When she looked up at her mom, Victoria instantly picked her up as if she had this silent connection with her child. I hope I have that with my son.
"This is little Maggie." Victoria stepped closer to me so that I could get a better look.
Maggie already had soft bristles of fire red hair from her mother, grey-blue eyes like her father, and the chubby little cheeks that all babies have.
"She is so beautiful." I whispered.
"Can we take her home with us?" Alice squealed.
"Alice, we are going to have a baby of our own in just a few months." Rosalie answered.
"Yes, but I want a little girl to dress up." Alice whined.
"Even if I was having a little girl, Alice, I wouldn't allow you to treat her like a Barbie." I put my foot down. "And no, you are not going to pretend that my son is a Ken doll either."
Her face dropped at that for I knew that she thought it would be her loophole. I just beat her to the punch.
"Out of curiosity, when are you due, Bella?" Victoria asked.
"Sometime in late January." I answered.
"You do know that twins are usually born early." Jasper joked.
"For the last time, I. Am. Not. Having. Twins!" I seethed.
The only reaction I got was laughter from the group, except for Edward. He knows better.
"Well, it was nice meeting you all, but we have to get going. This little angel loves her nightly walks." Victoria explained snuggling little Maggie closer.
"Yeah, it's the only way to get her to sleep." James laughed.
"Bye, bye Maggie." Alice cooed.
"See ya, little one." Rosalie whispered.
"I'll see you all later." I waved.
The guys said their polite goodbyes then followed us girls to the car.
"Ah, she was soooo adorable, wasn't she?" Alice could not keep her excitement bottled up for too long.
"Yes, Alice she was," I answered. "We all saw her."
"You don't seem very excited for them, Bells." Rosalie expressed.
"Trust me, Rose, I'm actually jealous that her baby is out; but I want my little boy." I replied.
"We can't wait for him either." Edward agreed stroking my belly.
The house was still dark and quiet with mom and dad's car was not in the garage. Thank God, I did not want a repeat of last time we came home and found them in the living room.
"Finally, some alone time." Emmett bellowed as he parked in the garage.
"Just make sure to keep it all on the second level." Edward ordered to both couples.
"And what about you two?" Alice raised her eyebrow in question.
"We're just going to cuddle up for the night." I answered.
"Oh, is that what you two are really going to do?" Emmett asked.
"Guys, I'm too tired to fight right now." I huffed.
"We are going to bed, end of story and discussion." Edward added forcibly ending the conversation when he opened his door.
Thankfully, the others followed Edward's command and kept their mouths shut as we entered the house. And yes, the parents weren't inside anywhere.
While the others chased each other to the second floor to their rooms, Edward and I took our time getting up to the third floor.
After quickly getting ready for bed—by using the bathroom at the same time—we climbed into Edward's room for the night.
We only cuddled up to one another after Edward switched on some peaceful music saying that we wouldn't be able to fall asleep without it, but honestly I think I would have fallen asleep easily without the music just because I was with Edward.
Edward's Point of View
Bella fell asleep, practically, as soon as her head hit my chest. I stayed up for quite some time watching this angel of mine.
Watching her approach the swings at the park tonight, I thought it would cause her pain from remembering what she had lost so long ago. However, it was the complete opposite of my assumption. She was happy that she could finally recall something like that from her past. I wonder how much more she can remember things like that. She seems to have had bad things happen to her in between from the time of her parents died until she walked into my life.
Then watching her look at little baby Maggie with such adoration, I couldn't help but think of how she will be when her baby boy is in her arms. I imagine her holding a little boy with wavy brown hair and chocolate eyes looking at his mother and having a connection with her as I saw Victoria with Maggie tonight.
I saw the same connection with James and his girls too, and how devoted he was to them. I wonder if I could be that devoted to both Bella and her son even if I am not the father.
That doesn't matter, I told myself. I love Bella with every fiber of my being. If I couldn't accept the fact that she comes as a packaged deal then I would be a fool to love her at all.
Here and now, I decided that I would be what Bella and her son need. The man she loves, her rock when she needs strength, and most importantly, the man who would be the father that she trusts to her son.
I stroked her belly, her son kicking into my hand softly as if acknowledging my presences in his life both now and forever for that is how long I will stay with these angels.
Bella's Point of View
I swear, I have better nights when I'm sleeping with Edward. I think I should make a habit out of it from now on.
Edward woke me up by kissing my cheeks then down to my stomach then back up where he met my lips. It was a better way to start the day than having an annoying alarm screeching at you to wake up.
Thanks to Edward's wake up call, I found myself in a cheery mood even as we arrived at school. Everyone else noticed my mood and welcomed the contagious feelings.
Unfortunately, I had to distance myself from Edward and the others. I needed to talk to Angela, I felt bad that she has been doing most of the work of our projects for the paper. I really did like her and wanted to keep her as a friend.
"Hey Angela." I called out when I spotted her leaving the newspaper room.
She turned my way and greeted me with a smile and came running my way.
"I'm so happy that you're up and back." She exclaimed.
"Me too, I don't think I could stand another day of bed rest." I laughed. "I'm really sorry that I've left everything on your plate. I promise to try to pull my weight from now on."
"Hey, I've been more worried about you two than my career for the Forks High paper." She replied seriously.
"Still, I'm gonna try to do better in the future. Starting now. I have a great idea for our next big feature, but I want to keep it a secret until it goes to print." I said enthusiastically, this idea has been running in my head for over a week now. That and many more ideas that I've listed while on bed rest.
"Great, I've been working with everyone else, but now I'm happy that I have my partner back." She was literally jumping for joy like a taller version of Alice.
"Calm down, girl. Now let's get to class before we are late." I laughed.
For the rest of the morning, I quickly got back into the routine of school again. It felt great to be back to being active once more.
At lunchtime, I met with Angela in the library after telling my family where I would be—also telling them to stay away—and grabbed some lunch.
"So what do you think?" I whispered after telling Angela my idea.
"I love the feature about the school rivalry thing with the kids from the reservation," She agreed, "The fighting that goes on between us is horrible, and maybe this will help to stop the madness."
"Maybe not stop it, but give people a real eye opener." I said.
After deciding to start the research individually after school then meeting up tomorrow during lunch to go over everything, we headed out to go to class.
The rest of the day passed with a breeze, swim class was the only thing that dampened my mood. It was so tiring that I couldn't make it out of the pool by myself.
"Well, well, well, we finally found you." A chirpy little voice broke the relaxing silence.
"Please, Alice," I begged, "I'm too tired to fight."
I was floating on my back when the boys jumped into the water. It had become our routine when I was still in the pool after their practice.
"You ok, love?" Edward asked taking me into his arms.
"You guys weren't the only ones that were pushed to their limits." I replied.
"At least you were in a pool and got to lie around, we don't have that." Emmett argued.
I waved my hand dismissively, stopping the argument in its tracks.
Edward allowed me to cling onto him while he swam us to the ladder. I was practically dragged out by Emmett who held me until Edward could get out.
I dressed and showered slowly, my energy levels were very low even as I walked to the car.
"Looks like someone needs a nap." Alice joked when we were driving home.
"Alice, I can't sleep now or else I'll be up all night and I have homework and my part of the feature to work on." I argued.
"What's it going to be on this time?" Rosalie asked.
"You're going to have to wait to find out." I joked.
I don't know how I did it, but it's all done; my homework, a good portion of research for the feature, and eating dinner. Its 8:30, but I don't care. I need to sleep.
I crawled into my bed and drifted off to sleep.
For some reason this week, I've been much more tired than I had in the past since becoming pregnant. I keep trying to get more sleep, but I think with all that I am putting into a day, it is simply a lot to do.
By Friday, I'm complete burned out and so ready for a rest and to hang out with Jacob again. I've spoken with him since that day he called me—right after my ex's threat.
He keeps hinting around if my siblings are going to come, but when I answer yes, I can hear the disappointment in his voice, and truth be told, I kind of want it to just be me visiting the reservation alone.
"What's going on your way, Bella?" Alice asked me on our way to school.
"Are you gonna be able to stay awake through school?" Rosalie added.
"I will, don't worry about that," I answered, "And I'm just thinking about this weekend."
"Are we still going to the party on the rez?" Alice almost whined.
"Actually," I started, "I've been thinking about going by myself since none of you guys feel very comfortable with Jake and his friends."
It was quiet for a few minutes before Rose spoke up. "I don't know if we would feel comfortable about letting you go alone, Bella."
"Do we have to constantly have this discussion?" I growled.
"Bella, calm down, we're only looking out for you." Alice replied.
"Would you do this if I wasn't pregnant?" I retorted.
Both girls were quiet and by now we pulled into a parking spot next to Edward's car.
Luckily, Edward opened my door before anything else was said.
"Everything ok there, baby?" He asked as I pulled him away from the cars.
"Just got into a fight with Alice and Rose," I replied, "I actually wanted to talk to you about something though."
"What is it?" He asked.
I stopped so that I could look him in the eye.
"Remember that party I asked you guys to go to down at the reservation?"
"The one you practically demanded for us to go?" He was joking, but I didn't take it as such.
"Well if that's how you feel then you'll be happy to know that you are all off the hook. I'm going alone." I nearly yelled.
"Bella, relax. I'm sorry, but I was joking." He spoke in almost a whisper no doubt to help me quiet down. "If you want to go without us then you should."
"What made you change your mind so quickly?" I asked.
"I've been thinking that Jacob and the others are part of your past, the one you are trying to remember. I'm not going to stand in your way for that." He answered taking my hands in his.
I could feel the tears prickling the corners of my eyes. "I love you, you know?"
"I know only because I love you." He leaned down to kiss me. I gratefully stood up higher to meet him halfway.
Our kiss was brief only because the warning bell rang which we then hustled to our first class before the final bell could ring.
I guess a morning kiss from Edward really does help to wake a girl up in the morning. My skin and lips still tingled—in a good way—remembering Edward's touch.
By the time English rolled around, I was still on cloud nine.
"Get lucky last night, my pet?" One of the last voices I wanted to hear asked.
"That's none of your business, Mike." I answered then pulled my book up closer to my face.
Angela was still not in, yet, we were going to swap our final stuff for final changes.
"Oh come on, Bella. You know you can't resist me," Mike pressed. "I'll bet I can make you scream louder than Cullen does."
I turned to look at him, my face was flush from slight embarrassment and angry tears were threatening to spill out, but I refused to let that happen.
"I would only be screaming for you to stop and for someone to call the police which is what I will do if you don't stop harassing me." I growled.
Being the smug ass he is, he just winked at me. I resisted the urge to throw my book at him, luckily, Angela's chair moved. I spun around to greet her.
"Sorry I'm late, but my last class ran a little overboard," She explained sounding a little winded. "So, I brought my material, how's yours coming along?"
"It's done," I quickly forgot about Mike and got down to business with Angela before our teacher came in demanding silence.
After the boring lecture, Angela and I split up after swamping our work and decided to meet up after class before giving it to Eric during lunch.
As usual, the text work in gym only took up half of the hour. The rest I looked over Angela's piece once more and decided that it was good enough to be published. Maybe it could be our best work by far.
If I could skip to the newspaper office, I could. Thankfully, Angela was doing that already when I ran into her outside of the room.
"That's what I wanted to do." I joked still giggling.
"I couldn't help it," She laughed back. "I don't think I'll eat any more sugar coated cereal for breakfast ever again."
"Just not on the days when we have to turn in our features, otherwise, you might need them on your bad days."
"Shhh, let's not talk about those days." She slightly blushed.
We dropped the topic and all but ran into the room to look for Eric. He and a few others were usually inside the office on Fridays at lunch working on paper to be handed out on Mondays.
"Hey you two, what's with the smiles?" Eric asked.
"We're just excited about this next piece we completed," Angela answered.
"Great, let's have it." He smiled.
Once we handed the piece over he immediately started to read it, but he didn't look as enthusiastic as we thought.
After only a few minutes of reading, he put down the piece and rubbed his face with his free hand.
"What's wrong, Eric?" Angela asked.
"I'm sorry girls, but…" He stammered, but couldn't finish his sentence.
"But what, Eric?" I demanded.
He took a deep breath before his gained enough courage to answer.
"I'm sorry, but I can't use this in the newspaper," He explained. "Everyone is still bent out of shape from that game with the wolves and I don't think it would be a good idea to bring it up."
"That does not make any sense," I retorted. "From what we've learned, there are always fights going on between the two groups that sometimes end up in the hospital. Students need to know that this rivalry is so stupid and immature."
"I know guys, but you've also overlooked one important detail," Eric pointed out hold up the paper. "You mentioned the principle saying that it was during his generation the fighting started. You both are already on thin ice with him that's why I've been giving you assignments lately instead of you guys going off on your own."
"I can't believe this." Angela whispered in defeat.
"So you don't think we are good enough, is that it?" I questioned crossing my arms over my chest. I think my protective mother bear side was coming, but he deserved to see it.
"I'm so, so, so sorry girls, but the principle has the power to pull the paper completely," Eric defended himself, but I could see he was starting to get scared. "He reads them before they go to print, you were only lucky that I snuck in that story about the assembly because he didn't get to that issue at the time."
Angela shook her head in disbelieve and looked like she was going to cry. I have to admit that I was feeling the tears too, but they were from anger and frustration not sadness.
"Look, I have an easy assignment that the two of you can work on and if you can bring it in on Sunday we can put it into the paper." Eric compromised. "If not then you can skip this issue and start working on the following week's project."
"Is that the best you can do?" I sneered.
"Unfortunately, yes, but you two are the best on this paper. I don't want to lose you both for good."
I looked at Angela to see what she wanted to do. She loved this job just as much as I do, so it was pretty easy to see that she didn't want to lose this.
"Fine, what's the assignment?" I demanded still sounding a little harsher that I should be.
Eric still looked remorseful, but nonetheless, gave us our assignment.
On our way out, I asked Angela if she wanted to go into the library to start on the dreaded feature, but she declined saying that if she worked now then the piece would just be depressing. I suggested that we join everyone else in the lunchroom since it was halfway through the break by now. Again she declined making up an excuse about having to go talk to a teacher, but I could see that she couldn't hold back the tears of disappointment and rejection back any longer. I hugged her and watched as she walked down the hall towards the bathroom then walked in the opposite direction.
For lunch, I just got a PB&J, chocolate pudding, and chocolate milk. Not very healthy, I know, but I'm in need of it right now.
"Nice choice in lunch, Bella." Alice remarked sarcastically.
I just glared at her which made her sink into her seat a bit.
"What's wrong, little mama?" Emmett asked shoving his burger into his mouth.
"Eric wouldn't take the feature that Angela and I have been working on because the principle wouldn't like it." I ranted while violently opening the packages. "He already hates me since my first story and now has Eric watching me carefully to make sure I don't write anything else that is "offensive."
"That's rough." Jasper replied.
"No kidding." I mumbled viciously mixing up my pudding.
"So what are you going to do now?" Edward asked taking my pudding cup and feeding me a bite. It was both annoying and sweet.
"Kick their asses." Emmett yelled with his mouth still full of food.
Rosalie slapped him on the arm and scolded him for talking with his mouth full.
"I wish," I whispered, "Angela and I got assigned to do another feature which we will have to turn into Eric on Sunday."
"This Sunday?" Alice's eyes bugged out in surprise. "As in, two days from now, Sunday?"
"Yes." I pronounced slowly like talking to a little kid.
"How's Angela taking all this?" Rosalie asked.
"I feel so terrible for her," I admitted, "She's been on the paper since Freshman year and now I've come along and screw her up by practically condemning her." I could feel more tears starting to prickle in my eyes.
Edward drew me in close, but I got up and sat on his lap so that it was more comfortable. He welcomed me, happily.
"You are not condemning her," He reassured me, "Before you came, Angela was so quiet that people bumped into her in the hallways because they didn't notice her. Now, she's getting recognition for the good work that you two put into your articles."
"Really?" I sniffed.
"Yes, you've helped her branch out more." Edward replied.
"I needed to hear that." I whispered into his neck.
Edward gave me a kiss on the head then gave me my sandwich which I ate greedily.
Lunch ended soon after I finished my food, and as Jasper was walking me to class, we saw Angela heading down the hallway. Her eyes were slightly puffy and her face was damp probably from splashing water on it.
I grabbed her before she had a chance to get away and asked if she was alright.
"I'm fine, thanks." She assured me. "Do you want to come over tonight to work on the feature?"
"I don't want to impose." I tried to say, but she cut me off.
"Don't worry about it, my parents have been asking me to invite you over one of these days for dinner or something."
"Really?"
"Yeah, they went to school with your mother and father and want to finally catch up with the little swan, as they once called you." She laughed. Jasper was laughing behind me.
I shot him a look that shut him up, but he was still trying to hide his smile.
"Alright, I'll come by after school if that's ok."
"That's more than ok. Just bring some pajamas just in case we are working on the article late."
"Sounds great."
We said our goodbyes and then went our separate ways.