A big thank you to my reviewers who pointed out a few mistakes in this chapter! Hopefully I got them all. If not just review and let me know.
Chapter 11 (Bella)
First disagreement
The more emails Edward and I sent back and forth the more I liked him. I mean really liked him and was beginning to look forward to going to Mississippi. Too bad it wasn't for another two and a half months.
As I lay in bed that night thinking about the work week coming up my phone dinged with another email alert. I couldn't help but smile knowing that it was most likely Edward.
I wasn't disappointed.
Date Sent: Sunday, April 8, 2012, 9:07 pm
Subject: on my thoughts
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Not sure if I told you or not but Em and Rose have decided to become foster parents since they can't have biological children anymore. They recently (a few weeks ago) took in a beautiful little 9 month old baby girl named Sophie and my son is enamored with her. So with them being our entertainment for the night I did indeed have fun (it didn't hurt that my mom is an amazing cook!).
I can only imagine what a culture shock it would be moving from Washington State to Louisiana. Here you go giving me bread crumbs of details…
Can you speak the native creole French language now that you have lived in Louisiana for 11 or so years? (not my question)
Unlike you, I never left the state for college. I stayed right here in Knoxville and went to UTK (Uni of Ten. Knoxville) for my entire five years.
Question (not my question either)…why 4 ½ years?
My question is
If you had to pick a second career what would it be?
Sometimes it sucks having to answer our own questions because I honestly don't know what I would pick for a second career if I suddenly forgot how to figure up columns of numbers. LOL.
I guess maybe a teacher/professor?
I've never really thought about a second career until we got to talking about college. Unlike you I didn't minor in anything. It was straight business management and accounting classes the entire way.
I remember in college we had to create a business plan for a fake business as part of our final project and I created mine on a coffee shop/bar. Odd combination but the way I planned it out on paper was that it would be a coffee shop during the day and a bar after hours. So maybe that would be an option if I ever get bored with my current path.
Talk to you tomorrow, sweetheart.
Edward
I couldn't help but raise my eyebrow at the sweetheart bit but I couldn't bring myself to be mad at his presumptuous nickname. That night I went to sleep with a smile on my face and thoughts of the handsome man I had only seen in a single picture on the dating website that I hadn't visited since we started trading emails.
The next morning I sent him a short and quick email before I got out of bed and started my day.
Date Sent: Monday, April 9, 2012 5:03 am
Subject: Ugh….it's Monday again.
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
I think the idea of your coffee shop/bar sounds a little wonky but unique and totally doable. It might actually work, you know, because it would attract all age groups and could be open round the clock pretty much.
As for a second career, I guess if I ever lose the steadiness in my hands or something happens to force a career change I suppose being a teacher or writer would be my next dream. Or maybe a café owner since all of my friends, and now my kids, constantly tell me I am wasting my talents on them and should share them with the world.
Anyways…. I absolutely despise Monday's. Especially Monday mornings. My girls are a terror to get roused up and out the door on Mondays and I am right there with them but the responsible adult in me makes me push myself and them to get over the Monday blues.
We usually start our Monday mornings out with a wiggle jam….don't ask but it works.
So my question is this…
Are you a morning person?
Just in case we ever spend a morning together know this….I am absolutely not a morning person. I slap my alarm clock probably five to ten times before I actually get up and out of bed.
I have to be to work at eight and the girls have to be dropped off at daycare/school by 7:30 at the latest so I guess I better get this dreaded day started.
Till the next email,
Bella
Over the course of that week Edward and I managed to swap a couple emails each day but I was forever grateful when Friday evening came along because my girls all had somewhere else to stay for the night and I was going to have a rare night alone. Molly was going to a friend's house, Mia was going to Angela's house, and Maci was going to spend the night with Alice while Jasper was making a delivery out of town. It had been a week from hell and I was ready for a break.
Date Sent: Monday, April 9, 2012 8:47 am
Subject: Mondays are evil!
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
I am in complete agreement that Mondays should be banned from the week but then we would feel the same way on Tuesday so I guess it is a necessary evil.
What do you consider being a morning person? Getting up at 4:30? Hell no. 5? Still no. My mornings don't usually start until 7 or later because thankfully my baby loves his sleep. He goes to bed at 8 and doesn't usually get up until 7 (at the earliest) and he's been sleeping through the night since he was five months old. Working for myself allows me to start my day whenever I get ready (unless I have a standing appointment which I typically don't make in the mornings) which leads to my next question before I get to work.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
Mine would have to be working for myself and pretty much being able to set my own hours. It has worked out well being a single parent to my beautiful little boy that is banging away on his roll out keyboard at the moment. Most meetings that I have are scheduled around his nap times and on the rare occasion if my mom or Rose can't watch him then he goes to a local daycare for a few hours.
Got some work to do this morning since it is nearing the tax deadline and despite my urging them to some of my clients wait until the last week to file their taxes.
Hope you have a good day at work sweetheart (hoping this doesn't offend or irritate you),
Edward
Date Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 8:02 am
Subject: hoping today goes better than yesterday
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_4G
Let me tell you…I absolutely abhor Monday's now. I got a phone call at work around 1 yesterday saying that I needed to come to the elementary school for a conference because my child, my precious sweet little Mia, had slapped a little boy across the face.
I thought they had the wrong kid but sure enough when I walked into the office of the elementary school there sat my shame faced little Mia sitting in a chair with her head hung and her feet swinging slowly beneath it. When the principal asked her why she had hit the little boy she had looked up at him and in a crystal clear voice said "He deserved it." I was flabbergasted because while I know the full story now I don't condone violence from my children at all. Knowing that there had to be more to the story and indeed there was. The little boy had apparently been picking on her for a few weeks now; pulling her beautiful waist length shiny black curls, poking her with his pencil, stealing her strawberry milk from her snack box, and most of all telling her that she was a bastard because I'm not her real mom. After hearing her tell me all of those things, with tears in her eyes mind you, I almost wanted to go slap the little boy myself.
They still sent my precious defeated and distraught angel home for the rest of the day which caused her to break out into tears because she was gonna miss music time with her teacher and that was her favorite part of the day. I almost wanted to slap the principal when I had to console my sweet baby because she was being punished for being picked on. Needless to say I spent the rest of my afternoon talking to the superintendent while Alice took Mia out for ice cream and Chinese food and then to the park to play. Mia is no longer in that teacher's class nor is she in any activities with the little boy that had caused all the drama.
After we got home I had to sit down with Mia and explain that she was in trouble for turning to violence when she should have spoken to me or her teacher or any grown up about what was going on with the little boy. She was heart-broken as I sat her in the corner for twenty minutes while I prepared our dinner and wiped my tears off my face as hers streamed down her flushed cheeks. Later that night as I read her a bedtime story I explained to her that just because I wasn't her biological mom didn't mean that I loved her any less. I told her that it actually meant that I loved her more because I chose to be her mom instead of having to because she came from me. Thankfully I got a few smiles and a giggle or two from her before she gave in for the night.
Let me just tell you how lucky you are to have a baby that slept through the night at such a young age. I remember Molly didn't start sleeping through the night until she was almost 2 years old but that could've been because she kept Jake and Nessa's hours which were chaotic at best. I'm not sure about Mia's sleep habits at that age considering I only saw her five times from birth to the day I took custody of them. Maci still doesn't sleep through the night most nights and she'll be two this year. Before we started training to sleep in the toddler bed she was sleeping through the night but would be up by 6:30 every morning which worked because I had to get Molly and Mia to school. Now, she usually crawls into my bed around 2 or so where she will snooze until I wake her up in the morning.
Believe it or not the kid took to potty training 20 times easier than sleeping in her toddler bed. Some nights I still put her in her baby bed just so she will sleep in her own bed and stay out of mine. THE KID IS A CRAZY SLEEPER!
To answer your questions….there were a bunch that I think I have failed to answer.
I had to take an exam that got me into a six month internship that allowed me to specialize in pediatric nursing.
Yes, I can understand and speak most of the creole language spoken around here. You kind of have to when you work in the clinics and hospitals around here because most folks just mix creole and English together in a jumbled mixture.
And no…being called sweetheart by you causes me to smile so no it doesn't bother me.
Now onto the actual question…
I worked at the New Orleans Children's Hospital for seven years before taking a position at the new clinic they opened up to take some of the weight off the ER. The kids. I absolutely adore working with kids.
My question is this…
What is your biggest fear?
Getting taken advantage of. Simple and point blank. My heart is on my sleeve so please don't lead me on or take advantage of me or my situation (not that I think you are or will). If you have anything less than honorable intentions, please just be honest and bow out of this now before I get anymore attached or bring my kids into the fold.
I better get to work since technically I have been writing this on the clock.
Bella
Date Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 2:36 pm
Subject: Can't stand bullies…
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
What is the kids name that picked on that little girl? I cannot stand kids who bully others just to make themselves feel better. Give little Mia another hug from Noah and I, please?
You didn't actually slap anybody did you? If you didn't you probably have more restraint than I do. Violence never solves anything. This is what my parents pounded (not literally) into mine and Em's heads growing up. I got the lesson while Emmett on the other hand didn't. He has been in so many fights and scuffles that we lost count years ago but Rose and then Katie settled him down. Rose would kick his ass from one side of their farm to the other and then make him sleep on the couch for a month if he so much comes home with a scratch on him that's not from hard work. It's really rather funny to see how much he lets her (and trust me when I say he willingly let's her) rough him up. She says that she better be the only person to ever lay a hand on him for the rest of their lives. It's not a bad thing though, you really just have to see it in action to understand the dynamics of their relationship.
Thx for getting back to all of my questions…though I'm sure they would have come up again eventually. I absolutely have fallen in love with getting to know you. I know it's quick and scary but you have easily become the best part of my days aside from Noah of course.
Let me clear a few things up for you….I in no way have anything less than honorable intentions where you and your girls (you guys are a packaged deal in my eyes) are concerned. I am not coming to Mississippi just to get laid, that would be one expensive lay, I am not even concerned about that part of this relationship. Right now all I am focused on is getting to know you and letting you get to know me.
You know you are not the only one afraid of getting hurt here…I have been through hell with Noah's mother but I am still willing to take a chance on you. A lady I met through the internet and is just as scared as I am. I swear to you on my son's life that I have nothing but honorable intentions towards you. Please believe me. And to show you that I am not 'catfishing' you here is my ooVoo id so that we can video chat some time. EAMCullen1981. You can even friend me on Facebook…. the name is Edward A.M. Cullen.
Now…my question…
Favorite alcoholic drink?
Because I think I need one after this email.
I would have to go with beer, Bud Light specifically, because I am a lightweight considering I very rarely drink.
Your honorable 'friend',
Edward
Date Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 6:37pm
Subject: I'm sorry…
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
Thank you for wanting to stand up for my sweet girl but she says she loves her new classroom and teacher. She's in there with one of her best friends.
Relationship, huh? I am sorry that I let my fears get in the way of the good things in life, and that's what I consider you to be. A good thing that has come into my life unexpectedly. After letting Angela read both my email and yours she nearly tackled me out of my chair. She called me idiotic and stupid and scared and a dumbass for trying to scare you away. So needless to say she is fully 100% in your corner and not in mine though she has been MY friend for years and she's never even met you.
Let me think on the video chat thing but you should have a friend's request waiting on your Facebook page…it's a huge first step for me. You are the first guy I've even talked to in this way since the girls came to live with me a year and a half ago.
As for drinking…I used to love Long Island Iced Teas but now I usually sip on a Corona at cookouts and hangout nights with adults. Though that doesn't happen very often. Being a single parent tends to put a damper on the fun aspects of being an adult but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.
Now, I have been checking out Disney World online and making the reservations for me and the girls today on my lunch break so my question is this…rollercoasters, hate or love? Why?
The only kind of rides I ever went on were at the local fair which let me tell you wasn't that big or extravagant. I was raised in a small rainy town in northern Washington where the local fair was in the next town over and had maybe 15 rides total. I'm just as excited about going to Disney World as my girls will be when they learn about it…it's an adult secret at the moment.
I think I will like them but I can't be certain until I ride an actual rollercoaster at DW.
Don't get mad or irritated but I booked us a suite at Animal Kingdom Resort. It has two separate bedrooms and bathrooms. Hope this wasn't too presumptuous of me but if it is then Molly can enjoy the extra bedroom and bathroom while the little girls sleep in my room. No biggie either way.
Hope you have had a better week than me because I swear I am ready to go on vacation TOMORROW!
Bella
Date Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 7:41am
Subject: Wow…I know I say this a lot but…
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
You blow me away, Isabella, you really do. You really want us to stay in a suite together? I know we won't be complete strangers by the time we get to Orlando but still… I KNOW that I'm not some crazy psycho or closeted dominant or anything but YOU don't know that! Though I do reassure you that I am anything but those things. Just a normal guy who loves numbers and his little boy and likes to take life day by day. Please at least let me pay for part of it? I already know without having ever been before that the prices are outrageous.
I absolutely LOVE rollercoasters but I'm not sure how many we will get to ride considering the ages of our children. Maybe they have a baby sitting service so we can go have some fun for a few hours by ourselves? Does that make me a bad parent? I hope not but I've never been to DW either and I'm eager and excited to go.
We usually go to the local fair as well as the state fair and let me tell you my big brother is nothing more than an oversized little kid because he drags me onto all of the rides there. Multiple times. Rose can't ride anything that flips, spins, or twirls her because she will be puking all over everybody. Emmett found that out the hard way just a few months after they first started dating because he didn't believe her.
Do you collect anything?
I do. Post cards and maps. While I am still in the same town that I was born and raised in we always take a family vacation for a few weeks during the summer, well at least we used to, and I collect a map and a post card from every place we ever went to.
The collection really started to grown the summer I was 14. My mom wanted to do an RV trip across the country so in every state and every town we drove through I had to stop and get a post card and a map. I accumulated a whole bunch that summer but I still have each and every one of them along with little notes written on the back of the post cards from my mom. I probably have over 200 maps and close to 1000 post cards now. They are all boxed up and have been for years but I can't bring myself to throw them out because I spent most of my childhood and early adulthood collecting them almost to the point of obsession. I still add to them whenever I travel somewhere new but that isn't that often now. I went to Italy after high school and I actually have those maps framed and hanging on my office wall.
I have to admit that I spent most of the evening creeping on your Facebook page. You are gorgeous by the way. You blow me away, just through a photograph on the internet. Your girls are absolutely beautiful too and all look to be so happy because they are smiling in every photo I saw of them. Can I ask where Maci gets the red hair from? It's obvious that Molly and Mia get theirs from Jake and Nessa but nowhere in your family is there anybody with red hair and that baby had brighter hair than Noah!
Since I creeped on your profile I guess I can give you full permission to creep on mine too. LOL.
Gotta get to work,
Edward
Date Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 12:09 pm
Subject: Consider yourself creeped upon
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
Absolutely not! It was my idea for you to join me and my girls in Orlando not yours so the room is all on me…plus it's part of the package deal I booked. I also took it upon myself to book us with a private sitter that will come to the bungalow and watch the kids while we go have some 'adult time' for a few hours. Fair warning, the package I booked is for all six of us and it also includes daily tickets to three amusement parks and a water park; Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Blizzard Beach. Before you offer to pay for the food and dinner a meal deal is included in the package also but I will agree to let you buy snacks and whatnot for the room and to pay for adventures outside of the park. Angela told me that this wasn't fair and that I shouldn't be so stubborn on demanding to pay for me and my girls all the time so that is my compromise. Accept?
I have to say that Noah and Maci could be more brother/sister than my three girls just by the hair and eyes alone. He is an adorable little boy, Edward, and looks remarkably just like you. And I hate to stroke your ego but Angela and Alice both told me that they would jump your bones the first moment they see you if they weren't happily committed to the men in their lives. You are very handsome and obviously not slacking in the looks department or the eloquence department so the question they asked was "Why is he still single?" and I didn't know what to say besides that you had an idiot for a gf that didn't realize what she had (Tanya).
As if the 'wall of books' wasn't enough of an indication as to what I collect! I was always a bookworm, even back in middle school, and once I got a book I didn't want to let it go. Going to the library was painful for me because I knew I had to return the books once I read them.
Lunch is almost over so I guess I better get to my question.
Do you like surprises? Yes or no? Why?
No. No specific reason that I know of but I can't stand being surprised. I've gotten better at handling them though because I am constantly being surprised with my three girls and the friends that I have.
Gotta run,
Bella
Date Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 2:36pm
Subject: You are amazing
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Surprises don't bother me but I do prefer being the one doing the surprises so I guess it's a good thing you are getting better at accepting them.
I cannot possibly let you pay for Noah and I's park passes and meal passes. It's not right, Isabella, even if you did invite us. I am the one that originally invited myself on your vacation to begin with. My mom would skin me alive if she ever found out that I allowed you to pay for a part of the trip to DW at all much less the entire thing. I was raised to be a gentleman and a gentleman does not allow the woman he is dating to pay for such an extravagant vacation. So no I do NOT accept your offer. Just know that I looked up how much one of those vacation packages costs and let me reassure you that you are under no circumstances shouldering the entire $8000 bill. Fight me on this and I will bring $5000 in cash and slip it into your suitcase before Noah and I leave to come back home. Now, I can put the money on a prepaid debit card and send it to you or I can send you a cashier's check or something but rest assured one way or another I will be paying for the majority of this vacation.
I hope you are having an enjoyable day at work because today has been terrible for me. After dropping Noah at daycare for the day I have had client meetings one right after the other all day long. This is the part of my job that I could do without, I'm a numbers guy not a people's guy (if that makes sense).
As for why I am still single I suppose it boils down to the simple fact that I just haven't met the right woman yet.
Got another meeting scheduled in 10 minutes and I don't even have the file pulled yet so I better get to the question and then get going.
What makes you angry?
I was going to say stubborn women but that's just not true. It is true that I am a little frustrated and upset with you practically demanding to pay for our vacation to DW but rest assured that I am not angry.
Lies. People lying to me makes me angry. It's not too hard to tell the truth and it always comes out eventually so why not just skip all the bs and tell the truth in the beginning. I don't get it but people lying absolutely drives me over the edge from irritated to angry.
Thought anymore on the video chat?
Edward
Date Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 5:07pm
Subject: You wouldn't dare!
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
It's kind of inconsiderate to invite someone to join them at DW and then ask them to pay for part of it, don't you think?
People taking advantage of my kindness is what makes me angry. This is why I haven't spoken to my father and stepmother in over a year and why I have no contact with Jake or Vanessa anymore. It's also why I tend to stick with my same few friends (Alice and Angela) and rarely go out. I didn't go out before the girls came to live with me so that much hasn't changed at all.
I have thought about the video chat and it seems like I am going to be kid free on Friday night so how about we do it that night? I would rather keep my girls out of it right now because while Molly knows there is somebody she doesn't know the details or anything and for now I would like to keep it that way until we figure out where this is going and what is going to become of it.
Win the lottery or work hard?
I've been working since I was 15 years old (even held down a full time job in college) so hard work comes natural to me which is why I can afford to pay for this vacation without asking you to help. I'm not sure if I would change anything if I won the lottery beside maybe the balance in the girls' college funds.
Gotta run…girls are demanding dinner and we're having tacos,
Bella
Date Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 6:47 pm
Subject: You have got to be shitting me?!
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Are you really going to fight me on accepting the money? I will resort to sending it to Angela or Alice who I am sure I can find through your Facebook friends. Don't tempt me, Isabella, because I can be just as stubborn as you are being.
My parents instilled in me at a very young age that hard work is an honorable thing and something to be proud of. I'm not sure the lottery would make much difference in my life seeing as how I got a decent amount from my trust fund (at age 23) which I put into the apartment I recently sold for a nice little profit. Money isn't an issue for me. I could retire today if I wanted to but I like what I do and see no reason to stop anytime soon. So with that spiel I would have to choose hard work over winning the lottery.
Tacos sound really good by the way. Cookies and tacos.
My question for the night is this…
Would you rather trade intelligence for looks or looks for intelligence?
You can fake looks but you cannot fake intelligence. Since your friends already think I'm hot and want to jump my bones (what about you?) and I know I am intelligent I'm not sure I have a problem here. But just to play the game I would trade looks for intelligence because being smart will get you further in life than your looks will. Like I said looks can be faked smarts cannot.
Till next time,
Edward
Date Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 3:17 am
Subject: The hits just keep coming
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
In case you are wondering why I am emailing you at three in the morning…Maci and I have been up and down all night because she has apparently caught some stomach bug from daycare. As a nurse I know what to do to treat her symptoms but as a mother I am scared to go to sleep because she is attempting to sweat off her sudden fever.
So while she dozes in my bed I sit here next to her returning your email.
I am in complete agreement when it comes to intelligence versus looks. I have never considered myself to be beautiful or sexy or fashionable despite being told so over and over by my friends. So with that being said I guess I'm pretty lucky that I'm fairly intelligent.
As far as jumping your bones…I'm gonna keep that a secret for a little longer. Just know that it has been a REALLY long time for me and you are extremely sexy. And by admitting this it doesn't mean that I will jump your bones in Florida either but I would like to think that it means I have the strength to say no.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I don't know. I came to Louisiana because it was the farthest college from home that I got accepted to. After college I landed my dream job so I just stayed here. I know that eventually we need to discuss what is going to happen post Mississippi/Florida but I just don't know. If we decide to make a go of a formal relationship then one or both of us is going to have to relocate. We both just bought homes. We both have established careers though I think mine would probably be the easier of the two to relocate. We both have family in the areas we currently live in. My girls have friends in the area for the first time in their entire lives. You have established clients in your area. See what I'm saying? It seems impossible to make a decision on who will give up everything and relocate.
With those thoughts now transferred from my head to yours I'm gonna try to catch a nap while Maci does. I will be spending the day at home with my sick little girl so I look forward to your return email.
By the way…Angela and Alice wouldn't dare betray me like that.
Bella
Date Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 8:49 am
Subject: Sick babies are the worst
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
I am so sorry that Maci is sick. I hope that she gets to feeling better soon.
Those are a lot of thoughts you transferred there, sweetheart, but just know that you didn't really transfer anything because they have been on my mind too. Unfortunately, like you I don't know what the right decision here is. Just know that there is an absolutely amazing Children's Hospital with a corresponding clinic here in Knoxville. Also know this…I can do most of my business from anywhere as long as I have a computer with steady internet access. I usually only meet with most of my clients a maximum of six times a year so if we lived elsewhere I would need to fly back here for those face to face meetings. Plus, I can always find new clients. Just a few of my thoughts thrown in with yours.
I don't think a location is as important as the happiness of the people around you is. I absolutely fell in love with Ireland when I spent a few weeks there before college so if I could pick anywhere in the world to live I would have to choose Ireland…maybe Italy (it was pretty cool too).
Now let's change things up a bit here…
What is your favorite flavor of starburst?
Strange question I know but I feel like this is important. I prefer starbursts over chocolate any day so that's why this question is so important for me. LOL
Any of the red flavors really though strawberry is my absolute favorite. They are constantly coming out with new flavors and while most of them are really good the classic strawberry remains my favorite.
Are you really so sure about that? According to your email Angela doesn't seem to think it's fair either that you are paying for it all.
Hope this brought a smile to your face, sweetheart.
Till later,
Edward
Date Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 9:23 am
Subject: NO WAY JOSE!
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
Starbursts over chocolate? You have got to be crazy or non-human or something because there is no way in this world that starbursts are better than chocolate. I am a sucker for chocolate which is why I have to have a fierce control over the amount I eat because I would weigh 500 pounds if I didn't.
If I had to choose a starburst flavor I would pick strawberry banana or watermelon.
Maci is starting to feel better though she is just resting on the couch with her 'squishy' that she hasn't actively used in months. Speaking of children resorting to old systems of comfort…how do we plan to handle introducing all of our kids in Mississippi?
Thanks for the interesting facts of Knoxville but I say this…let's see how we get along in person and see how our kiddos get along with one another before we go talking about relocating our entire lives. Just know that I am open to leaving Louisiana as long as I could visit often…
My question for the moment is coming from the fact that we are watching The Smurfs at the moment.
If you could be any Smurf which one would best describe you?
Clumsy. For as long as I could remember I have what people call two left feet. Alice suggested yoga when we were in our sophomore year of college because I tripped over the rug in our living room breaking my ankle. I'm not sure if it's the yoga or just age that has improved my balance but I don't trip, stumble, or fall near as often as I used to. It's down to about once a week these days. LOL
Till next time,
Bella
Date Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 10:53 am
Subject: I LOVE the Smurfs!
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
I got 'conned' into going to the movies with Rose, Em, and Katie to watch the Smurfs when the very first movie came out and I loved it. If I had to pick one that best described me I suppose it would have to be brainy. I love learning new things and during high school and college I was always found with my nose stuck in a book diving head first into my studies.
If you are open to leaving Louisiana then I suppose it's only fair that I be open to leaving Tennessee also. Which I am, beautiful, I am fully 100% open to leaving if it means that I get to be truly happy. My little man isn't going to be asking the tough questions like your girls will so maybe we spend one day without the kids to see if we get along before involving the kids. After that maybe we should just introduce ourselves as friends? I don't know, Bella. I've never done this sort of thing before.
Letting my brainy/nerdy side come out a bit with this next question.
What was your favorite subject in school?
You would think that math was my favorite subject in school but believe it or not history was my favorite in high school with math coming in at a close second. In college my business accounting classes quickly became my favorite.
Edward
Date Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 3:02
Subject: Genius!
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
That is a brilliant plan and I'm almost certain that Angela and Alice will be more than willing to watch my girls for the day but what about Noah? Not that they wouldn't mind watching him too but they would be strangers to him.
As if it's not obvious by this point…English was my favorite subject in school; high school and college.
I don't have long since Maci and I are going to pick the girls up from school in just a few minutes but I had to write back before I left.
What's your favorite family tradition?
Since my dad and stepmom were so huge on 'traditions' while I was growing up I have slacked a lot on them now. We always get fireworks to celebrate Memorial Day, going to the marina on the fourth to watch fireworks, trick or treat on Halloween, huge dinner for Thanksgiving, spend Christmas in our pajamas, and watch the ball drop on TV for New Years.
If my girls want to do something different then that's what we do. I'm not into forcing my kids to doing the same thing for each holiday.
Gotta run,
Bella
Date Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 8:27 pm
Subject: Sorry it took so long
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
My mom showed up just after lunch to see if I had any plans for the summer which I revealed our Mississippi plans plus the trip to Disney. (Do not think I haven't noticed you avoiding talking about the money thing. I haven't forgotten.)
Needless to say she wants the family to join me for a 'few days of fun in the sun'. I told her I didn't know and that I would talk to you about it first since I am already intruding on your family vacation. This would also help with Noah, though my boy gets attached to women who pay him attention rather quickly so I'm sure he would be no problem with Angela or Alice.
Well…we have family dinner every Sunday but it's no biggie if one of us has to miss it for some reason or another. Not sure if it's considered tradition more than habit now but we usually have a family bar-b-que or gathering at Rose and Emmett's or my parents place for all the holidays.
I hope Maci feels better so that tomorrow goes back to normal though I have enjoyed chatting with you today.
I will pose one last question for the evening…
Restaurant or home cooked meal?
Just so we are clear, restaurant food is not the same thing as fast food. I am a horrible cook. I keep trying simple recipes that my mom or Rose give me but something always goes wrong with it because they never taste the same as their version. So with my mom's surprise visit also came a few casserole dishes that I can freeze until I need them. I am good with breakfast though…sausage, bacon, bagels, pancakes, eggs, toast, etc. Thankfully Noah isn't too picky yet but I fear it is coming sooner than I would like.
Family Sunday dinners are also another plus in this department because the leftovers usually find their way home with Noah and I. Restaurant meals aren't that bad but they are lacking something compared to the home cooked meals my mom prepares.
Until tomorrow,
Edward
Date Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 5:12 am
Subject: Back to normal
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
It seems like little Miss Maci is back to her normal self so she will be going back to daycare today while I head to work.
I will admit to resorting to restaurant meals every once in a while, especially after a particularly rough day at work or a busy weekend. But most nights I actually cook but breakfast is a different story. Fruit, cereal, an occasional pop-tart, or breakfast sandwiches from the freezer find their way onto our table during the week.
The money thing…again. How about this? We will discuss it in person in Mississippi? But please do not bring a huge lump sum of cash with you just so you can pay me back. I swear to you that it is not a huge deal for me. This is the first time I have ever dipped into my trust fund that I got from my mother. Last summer I didn't do anything extravagant with the girls, we just stuck close to home but with the way they have handled all the big changes that have been tossed their way over the past year they deserved a big summer vacation.
Alice is picking Maci up from daycare, Molly is going home with her friend, and Angela is going to pick Mia up when she gets her little boy, Liam, so I will be getting home a little after 4. With that being said we can video chat any time after that. I set up an ooVoo account the other day so I wouldn't have to contend with that tonight. My username is IzzyMSwan. What time would be good for you?
Do you exercise religiously or never?
I can't help but notice that you are…ummm…very fit in your pictures so I am just wondering how it stays that way. **cue blushing**
Yoga. Not only does it help with balance issues but it is also a great form of exercise. I usually do it in the morning before the girls get up but if I miss a day I don't stress about it or anything.
Speaking of…it's that time.
Looking forward to putting a voice to a face and words,
Bella
Date Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012, 8:56 am
Subject: An omen or not?
Recipient: VirgoMama2_3G
Sender: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Did you realize that today is Friday the 13th? I didn't until my idiot brother showed up at the ass crack of dawn this morning demanding to make sure Noah and I were okay because the grandfather clock that was Rose's grandma's suddenly began chiming last night around midnight and supposedly hasn't worked in over 20 years.
I could literally kill him but it would devastate Rose and my mom if I did that plus I don't think prison is for me.
As for your question of exercising religiously or never at all? I run and help my brother out on his ranch occasionally. When I lived in my apartment there was a gym downstairs that I would use a couple times a week for an hour or so but like you it was no biggie if I missed a day or so. Not intending to brag but when I designed this house I had a gym put in so that I could exercise whenever I wanted while Noah napped or was in bed for the night.
My question is this (as if it's not obvious)…
Are you superstitious?
I'm not. To me all the superstitions are just old wives tales that people made up to make them feel important. Though some of the superstitions are just logic. For example, standing/walking under a ladder—just not a smart idea, breaking a mirror—still not a smart idea as glass is hard to get up, beginner's luck—folks pay closer attention to the actual rules of something whenever they are doing it for the first time, no umbrella's inside—who purposefully opens an umbrella unless it's raining?, picking change up off the ground—gross!
Just so you are aware, we WILL be discussing this money phobia you have tonight when we chat online. How does 5 sound? Is that enough time for you to chill out before 'meeting' me for the first time?
Till tonight,
Edward
Date Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 12:27pm
Subject: Sounds good to me
Recipient: GreenEyedDaddy2011
Sender: VirgoMama2_3G
I didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th until I got to work and my co-worker, Lauren, pointed it out. As to your question I wouldn't say I'm superstitious but I do believe in some of the 'superstitions' if you want to call them that but I don't go out of my way for any of them. A four leaf clover is good luck. Three 6's in a row is bad luck.
5 is fine for me. Since we are going to 'meet' tonight I am going to save my question for the next email.
Looking forward to tonight,
Bella
That evening I left work and headed for Chef Lee's to grab some dinner so that I didn't have to cook since I didn't have the girls with me for the first time since we had moved into our house. As I was tugging the bag from the car my next door neighbor, James Hunter, called out to me causing me to bump my head against the frame of my car. "Ouch." I mumbled to myself as I turned to face the guy that sort of creeped me out. "Hi James." I said with a wave. "How is Victoria doing?" I asked politely since his wife had just given birth a few days ago to their first baby.
"Oh she's a trooper. She's doing fantastic as is the little one." He said with a smile that looked more forced than it should have.
I smiled and nodded. "That's great. I still have those clothes for her but they won't fit for another month or so. Tell her I said hi, would you?" I asked as I tugged my bags from the car, shutting the door and taking a step towards the house hoping to give him a hint that I didn't want to stand around chatting.
"I will do. Where are your girls tonight?" He asked almost leering at me across the tiny fence that separated my driveway from his yard.
"Out with family." I said vaguely, not wanting to let the creepy man know that I would be home alone all night long.
"That's great. You deserve to go out and have some fun without kids impeding on your time." He said with a wink before taking a step back. "I will let you get to it then. Later, Bella."
I waved at him before hurrying up onto my porch and into the safety of my home. Placing the Chinese containers on the counter I quickly headed for my bedroom so I could grab a quick shower before my 'date' with Edward at 5. After a quick run through in the shower I logged into my ooVoo account on my iPad while I was still clad in a towel with another one on my head. Once I was logged in and ready for his 'call' I tossed the iPad onto the bed so that I could finish getting dressed. I had slipped my tank top over my head dislodging my towel when the incoming call chimed from my bed. Quickly racing to accept the call I stomped my toe on the trunk that sits at the foot of my bed causing me to grab my foot and fall onto the bed just as my finger swiped the screen. "Bella? You okay?" I heard a sexy husky voice ask from the tablet as it lay beside me where I lay groaning while holding my foot hoping the pain would ease up.
I reached over propping the tablet up so I could see the screen. "I'm fine, just a clumsy moment." I told him as I sat up tossing my wet hair over my shoulder. "Hi, by the way." I said grinning at him as I propped my chin on my knee so I could still rub my toe.
"Hi. God, you are more gorgeous than your photos show." He said with a shake of his head sending his longish hair flopping back and forth. "Are you sure you're okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah just my trunk was in the way of my eagerness to answer the 'call'." I said using air quotes around the word call.
"Trunk?" He asked curiously, his green eyes just shining. Instead of explaining I simply turned the camera towards the trunk. "Oh. Are you in your bedroom?"
Turning the camera back to me I nodded as I bit my lip. "Yeah, why?"
He chuckled as he leaned back in what looked to be an office chair. "Just didn't think we would make it that far on the first date. Summer vacation is looking even more promising now."