A/N: Thanks for reading, and thanks for reviewing! You guys are the best!

(Previously):

"Wait - what's going on at Jasper's? That place looked worse than our cabins. Why would you want to spend your time there? I'm sure Jasper could sit around the fire with you guys instead - wouldn't you be more comfortable?" I asked.

Alice snorted delicately. "Why don't you come with us tonight and see?" she replied, while Edward adamantly shook his head. "We're always back before the kids wake up – I'd make sure to wake you and get you back into your cabin in time."

"Absolutely not - Bella needs her rest. I know your idea of letting her rest and it's not enough, Alice. She'd be exhausted tomorrow, and she's got to be able to pay attention at her scheduled activities," he said.

"Whatever, Edward. I'll ask you later, Bella. If you want to come, you should - you'd like it, I'm quite sure," she said, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

The two of them were wearing me down with their bickering, so I just shrugged my shoulders and leaned back, eager to get a quick rest in before it was time to head back to camp. What could be so special about Jasper's place? The last time I saw it, it looked like it was about to fall apart. As Alice and Edward continued to converse in hushed, irritated tones, I let my mind drift off.

Eventually it was time to head back to camp to get ready for dinner. After Jasper came back and loaded all the rafts and toys up, we cleaned up everything else and herded the kids back up the path. Sophie appeared out of nowhere, taking my hand in hers grinning up at me - I could tell she was feeling triumphant for an 'accident-free' day, and knowing how she felt, I couldn't help but grin back.

Chapter 10:

Thankfully dinner was quiet. It was nice to have some time when I wasn't constantly worried about everything around me, and as I glanced around the mess hall, my gaze came to rest upon Sophie, and I could tell she was as relaxed as I was. She was finally opening up and forming some good friendships here; she's started to become quite close with another of my campers whose name was Krista. She seemed like a smart, sincere girl and I was happy to see Sophie's progress – hopefully the two could remain in touch after camp ended. Who knows – maybe the two would even return to the camp again next year.

Sighing with contentment, I turned back to my future family. Carlisle had joined us again tonight, and after Esme had gotten all the kids their food, she'd come out from behind the counter as well. Obviously they were only here for the social reasons - they probably wanted to catch up with us and see how things were developing. After all - it'd been an entire day without me having to visit the medical facilities, so surely they were curious.

"So, has everyone submitted their ideas to the suggestion box?" Emmett asked casually, glancing around the table at each of us.

Alice nodded eagerly. "I suggested a fashion show, and that's what Rosalie suggested too," she said excitedly.

Emmett rolled his eyes. "Big Sue will never approve that – like the boys would want to be a part of it. It has to be something everyone can participate in."

"I suggested a cooking contest," I shrugged.

"That's a lovely idea Bella," Esme said sincerely as Carlisle nodded in agreement. "You could teach the kids things as you go."

"Well she better not accept that suggestion – Bella would have an unfair advantage. Newton would too – he eats food, so he's probably cooked something before," Emmett replied, crossing his arms irritably.

"Like you guys don't always have an unfair advantage, Emmett," I spat back.

Edward went on to add that he'd also suggested a cooking contest – he'd asked me what I wanted it to be before submitting his suggestion, and gone along with it because he wanted me to be happy. I also knew he wasn't too worried about cooking – ever since we'd started dating he'd begun watching the Food Network and was now more than capable of making a few dishes successfully.

"Well if you're so brilliant Emmett, what did you suggest?" Rosalie asked.

"Water balloon fight," he said, smiling as he leaned back in his chair.

I sighed. Why did I have the feeling he was going to get his way? The look on Alice 's face didn't make me feel much better.

After dinner had ended, we left the mess hall with our groups. I was so eager to get back to camp – I was desperately looking forward to bedtime. Being out in the heat all day, even though all I'd done was sit on a blanket, had exhausted me.

Of course Alice kept trying to insist I come with her to Jasper's cabin tonight, but I didn't have it in me – there was only a fifty percent chance Alice would actually let me get any sleep, and that wasn't a chance I wanted to take tonight.

Thankfully the campfire time and snacks didn't take long as there was no story telling tonight, just the kids chatting amongst themselves, and soon we were off to bed. I said a quick goodnight to Edward and was practically asleep before my head hit the pillow, as were my campers. The heat and swimming must have taken its toll on them too.

By morning I felt much better, and after I'd gotten my kids up and ready as well as myself, I wandered outside to find Edward. He was sitting around the fire pit, and his campers were already lounging around in the grass, just hanging out. Edward looked as if he was upset about something as I approached him.

"Good morning, Edward. Are you ok? You look upset," I said, placing my hand on his shoulder.

Edward met my eyes slowly. "I've hit rock bottom, Bella," he muttered, looking back down to the ground.

"Edward, what on earth do you mean?" I asked, concerned. What could possibly be bothering him so much?

He sighed heavily as he raised his gaze and looked across the campsite, where Mike was emerging from the guys' bathhouse. "I hate to admit it - even now I feel shameful for my actions...but one should never underestimate the power of jealousy. I've become so utterly furious at Newton 's blatant disregard for our upcoming nuptials that it's driven me to extremes. The silence of the night...not having you to hold securely at my side to grant me the reassurance that you won't somehow slip through my fingertips has brought me to this point. It is with that confession that I accept the inappropriateness of my actions, but I will also make myself clear - watching Newton emerge from that bathhouse, knowing full well that he just brushed his teeth, I cannot help but feel some small sort of satisfaction knowing that less than four hours ago that same toothbrush was tracing the inside of one of the men's toilet bowls."

I stared back at Edward, and then looked over at Mike. He was running his tongue over his teeth, and suddenly I couldn't help myself. Giggles consumed me as I doubled over; I hadn't realized exactly how irritated I'd been with Mike, but after having heard Edward's toilet bowl confession, it suddenly dawned on me how unnecessarily patient I was being with Mike. I mean, come on - our wedding is just a matter of weeks away, and the guy keeps hitting on me. Ridiculous - and disrespectful; Edward's choice of revenge seemed mild in light of my revelation.

"Oh Edward!" I gasped, fighting to catch my breath. "You shouldn't feel bad about that – I don't blame you at all! If it had been me, I probably would have done something much worse…" I added, resting my forehead against his shoulder. It was true – the mere thought of another woman hitting on Edward made my blood boil. I could usually get along with anyone, but I had a feeling that if put in such a situation I wouldn't handle myself so well. I was still fairly jealous when anyone brought up Tanya, who had once thrown herself so disgustingly at Edward…

I forced myself to return to the matter at hand, and couldn't help but feel guilty – Edward was stuck out here at night by himself with nothing more than his thoughts to occupy his time, all because he was worried that something would happen to me.

"Edward…you know, you should really consider going to Jasper's tonight," I began, holding up a hand as he was about to interrupt. "Nothing is going to happen to me – I'll be fine. I just think that sitting out here by yourself at night isn't doing any good for you – the solitude is driving you crazy. Please at least consider it – for me," I added, hoping he would take me seriously.

A faint trace of a smile finally crept onto his face. "Bella love, I wouldn't leave your side for anything – even if it does make me do slightly irrational things to Newton ," he chuckled. "If the boy would just learn to control his thoughts better..." he trailed off, his expression darkening again.

I sighed, and promised myself that I would try again later to convince him to go to Jasper's tonight, knowing it would be nearly impossible to change his mind. One way or another, we'd have to find a solution to this problem.

At the flag ceremony, I was more than surprised to see that we were greeted once again with a pair of underwear waving from the top – this time they were Spiderman. Considering Edward's recent confession, I glanced over at him in surprise – it didn't seem likely that he would have gone to such measures after the toothbrush debacle.

In response to my questioning gaze, Edward shook his head, indicating he had nothing to do with it this time. Instead, he nodded ever so slightly in Emmett's direction, who was smiling widely at us. As he winked at me, I rolled my eyes. I should have known – of course it was Emmett.

After all the kids had gotten in line for breakfast I fell into place with the rest of the counselors. Alice wanted ahead of me, and instantly I saw why – Jasper was behind the counter with Esme. She must have convinced him to help her today.

After Alice had excitedly greeted her husband and finished making selections she would never eat she left the line. I reached for a small box of cereal and followed her to our usual table. I was only halfway there when Emmett's booming voice drifted across the room.

"Look Edward – it's Lunch Lady Jasper!" he laughed loudly. I rolled my eyes for the second time that morning as I glanced over my shoulder at them, feeling slightly sorry for Jasper, but the expression on his face made me freeze in my tracks.

Emmett didn't see the look on Jasper's face because he'd already left the line, but it was one of irritation – a lot of irritation. As he stared at Emmett's back, I felt the anger ebb at my system and at the same time dozens of pairs of eyes turned their focus to Emmett, and then slowly the horror began.

*SPLAT*

Emmett froze, his brow creasing.

*SPLISH* *SPLAT*

Slowly, Emmett reached a hand around to the back of his head, and felt the remains of the scrambled eggs that had recently made impact there. He began to turn to seek the culprit and as he did, ten other portions of eggs and oatmeal hit him directly in the face.

*SPLISH* *SPLAT* *SPLISH* *SPLAT*

"FOOD FIGHT!" a kid screamed out, and sheer madness ensued.

Just as quickly as I'd felt the anger picking at me it was gone, and I stumbled toward our table, trying to find somewhere to put down my tray and figure out what to do as various types of breakfast foods flew all around me. My foot hit something, and I began to tip forward, my tray flying.

Suddenly strong, cold arms gripped my waist and set me upright. "Bella, are you all right?" Edward asked urgently.

"I'm fine – but what about Sophie?" I yelled back. If I'd almost fallen, surely something would happen to her. "Please go find her Edward!"

He nodded in response, and I helplessly stared at the chaos around me.

"Psssstttt – Bella! Down here!" a voice whispered from somewhere. I looked around in confusion.

"Down here! Come on, Bella – get under here with me!" A tiny hand tugged at my shirt, and as I glanced down I saw Alice hiding under our table, her tray shielding her head from any attempted assaults.

I quickly ducked my head and crawled in next to her. " Alice – these kids are out of control!"

"I know, Bella – Emmett just had to decide to make that stupid comment to Jasper. Even I couldn't do anything about it – Jasper lost his temper so fast and started making the kids angry with Emmett, and now look what's happened!" she said, gesturing around us.

"I don't understand - why isn't Jasper affecting us anymore too?" I asked. "I felt angry with him for a second, but then it passed."

"He only influenced the room for a moment – enough to get the food flying. Once it started, the rest of the kids naturally joined in – don't you know anything about food fights, Bella?" Alice asked incredulously.

Suddenly a tiny form was gently tucked under our table, and Sophie's wide eyes met mine. "He saved me – it was like magic – I didn't get hit once," she whispered, shyly glancing back at Edward, who was leaning over and looking at Alice and I.

"You all stay under here – I'm going to go get Jasper to help me get this under control," Edward said, disappearing quickly.

We waited, and finally order was restored, a massive wave of calm creeping over the room. After it was safe, we emerged from underneath the table and took in the carnage around us. The entire mess hall was literally a mess, covered in all forms of breakfast foods. The kids all looked remorseful, waiting for their punishment. Rosalie stood in a corner of the room still looking as though she were trying to shield her kids, her arms outstretched with them behind her; she must have run to them the second it started. She was glowering in Emmett and Jasper's direction, bits of food dripping from her form – apparently she'd taken most of the hits for her kids. Mike, Angela and Jessica slowly climbed out from under the table they'd hidden under, glancing all around them in confusion as they pulled scrambled eggs from their hair. Esme stood in the kitchen behind Jasper, leaning over on the counter for support, her head in her hands – obviously she was a bit disappointed in two of her sons.

Edward slowly stepped to the front of the room to the podium and began speaking. "Well, that certainly was an interesting way to start our day, wasn't it? I'm sure you all know that type of behavior is not in the spirit of Camp Catawba , so let's all just agree that it won't happen again. With that behind us, we'll take a brief break and return to the campgrounds to clean up before proceeding onto our scheduled activities. As far as cleanup, well…one of our very own counselors – Emmett – has volunteered, and the maintenance staff has also agreed to help," Edward finished, his gaze shifting between Jasper and Emmett, who both looked resentful.

Since it hadn't been the kids' fault at all but really Jasper and Emmett's, I had to admire the way Edward handled the situation. Agreeing to take a break before all of our daily activities, we all filed out of the mess hall and headed back to camp to take our second round of showers for the day, while Alice grumbled about there not being enough time to run to the shop to get back-up outfits for the day. Her campers had all been neatly clad in designer shades of pink, but were now covered in food and would have to change into mismatched ensembles. I briefly wondered exactly how many tokens she was handing out daily, and made a note to hand some of my own out later – I didn't want my group to feel left out.

A/N: Sorry about Edward's...moment of weakness, but we have to get him upset enough to allow Bella to go to Jasper's - and you all want to go to Jasper's, right? Lol. Please remember to review, thanks! :)