I think I am going to start posting on Mondays! I'll try to post on Sundays but don't hold your breath! The reason I didn't update last night was because I had worked a 24 hour shift at the hospital and got home late last night! So please except my apology? I would like to thank all those who reviewed last chapter! It seemed like y'all really liked Alice's bitch fest! I know I did! Keep up the review love and trust me I'll give it back! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter. 26 Me Too
After my meeting with Mary, and Alice's WWE verbal smack down; my seemingly peaceful world, was turned upside down. The Next two and half weeks flew by quickly. Not only did I have to work everyday, but I worked on my breaks also. Everyday I had at least three interviews. Some were for television, some for magazines, but most were over the phone for radio. Mary surely worked her magic, because it seemed that people who didn't even give me a second thought, were now extremely intrigued. "Bella Swan" seemed to be the topic of everyone's news story.
I told the same story, over and over again. How Hollywood, forced a persona onto me, and how I almost lost myself in it. Even though it wasn't until I fought to become the exact opposite of that persona, did I truly lose myself. And how I was tired of trying to be someone I wasn't, how I was a mixture of both, innocent Marie, and Wild Marie. And how "The Real Bella" was the only person I ever, actually wanted to be.
I quickly became the "Role Model" for strong independent women, and someone that mother's wanted their daughters to look up to. I was that person who could have gone deep into the pits of Hell, AKA Hollywood; but instead chose to stand up for herself, and became proud of who she was. The public of course based their opinion on my interviews. I was instructed by Mary to not mention, that it was only with the un-dying love and support from my friends and family that I have been able to realize my mistakes, and fix them early on. Mary also begged me not to tell the world that she was a shitty mother or that her daughter finally had to give her a tongue lashing, for her to understand she had made many mistakes.
Jake stayed true to his word, not only did he stick by my side, like white on rice; but he also brought me back. With him around, it was easy to remember who I was, and where I came from.
So here we were throwing a huge party, it was Jasper's birthday, and my last night, before I was heading off to Tennessee. I was a bundle of nerves! Jake had been trying to talk to me about something "important" for the last week, Esme had to talk to me about something "important" and just called to remind me everyday, but refused to tell me what it was; I was petrified about facing Anthony. And Alice wanted to remind me off all this stuff, while getting ready for the party.
"Bella thank you so much for throwing this party for Jaz! And I think it is just amazing that you were able to get Emmett and Rosalie to come, even if it is just for tonight….it means a lot to him you know…..so have you let Jake talk to you yet? Have you thought about what your going to say to Anthony?….are you-" I cut her off, she was rambling fast and had drank way too much caffeine today.
"Chill Alice….first you and Jasper do not have to thank me for this party, it's also a goodbye, see you in a few months party for me. Yes, I think it's great Emmett and Rosalie will be arriving within the hour, only to leave in ten hours, we all have missed them. I love Jasper very much and he means a lot to me, so…..yeah so….and no I haven't let Jake talk to me, I just stop him before he gets the chance, something in his eyes tells me it's not a good thing, and I am emotionally a wreck right now, I don't think I can handle anything else! What if his dad is dying or something? God….there is no way I could handle that right now, I know it's selfish" I hung my head down, and she pulled it back up by my hair that she was currently styling.
"If it was something that bad, Charlie would have called….but yeah, you can talk to him during thanksgiving right?" She tugged on my hair, which meant 'YOU WILL talk to him during thanksgiving' .
"Yes, I will talk to him then…..and NO I have no idea what to say to Anthony…..I told the paparazzi he was gay….well I kind of sang it, but none the less it was said, how do I even begin to apologize for that? 'UM, hey, so I know I sang you were gay to the world while clinging to a creepy disturbed man, while I was on a drunken binge, but uh I hope we can get pass that and you will let me in to your pants?….yeah, he will definitely forgive me and understand, he probably hates me, like A LOT!" I closed my eyes in frustration and embarrassment. I hadn't went off on someone like that since the dreaded McHottie incident, and I felt like a total tool.
"He'll understand Bella" she sang sweetly.
"pft! Like you know" I rolled my eyes.
"I do because….well….I wasn't supposed to say anything (she rolled her eyes)…but since were like sisters (giggle)….(whispered) Jasper talked to him and told him everything…apparently he isn't mad at you, he is more mad at himself, he said that if he would have just told you about my mother and her plans, that none of this would have happened, and you guys……well…you two would still be happy and….(giggle) in……love (giggle)" She was smiling so big her face looked as if it would break, my eyes were saucers as I stared back at her in the mirror.
"no way! In love?" I was shocked.
"In L-O-V-E, love, like "going to the chapel and were…gonna get married" kinda LOVE" we both broke into girly giggles.
"He told Jasper he "loved" me, like LOVED me?" please say yes, -please say yes…Baby Jesus? For all things holy let her say YES!
"Yes" she winked. The "ahahaha" song for the little mermaid began playing in my head, and I swear a ray of light from heaven shown down on me like Simba from the lion king. HALLELUIAH! HALLELUIAH! HALLELUIAH! Praise you Baby Jesus, and all your good works!
"That's freakin awesome…its amazing….it's…oh shit, I am an ass!" my head fell into my hands.
"You are not an ass, you may be a bitch, a tease, and a little crazy…but an ass you are not Isabella" Jake said from the doorway in which he was leaning against.
"How long have you been there? How much did you hear?" Alice scolded.
"Well, I came down the hallway during your awful singing" he smirked she huffed.
"And you felt the need to bug us because….?" Alice said with hands on her hips, she really hated being interrupted during a conversation.
"Some lady is on the phone for you B, I…..I, don't think you should take it though" His usual brilliant smile was now a frown.
"Why?" I asked innocently.
"She says……she says her name is…..fuck B, I think it's your mom" He was rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
"WHAT?" I stammered. Alice instantly grabbed the phone from Jake's hands and began talking to the person on the other end. I sat in my chair stunned. Jake walked over picked me up and placed me in his lap. He began playing with my curls like he always has, when he was upset or nervous. It was to calm himself, not me.
"Where was she born?…ok…Well I can't really ask you any personal questions about her, since you left her when she was a BABY" Alice was official taking over Emmett's mama-bear position right now, and I was forever thankful.
"Ok well, she has a birth mark tell me what it is and where it is and if she wants to you can speak to her" Alice huffed.
"Ok….a heart, yes. But where……oh…well…(she turned to me shock written all over her face) Bella….Renee would like to talk to you" Alice walked over and placed the phone in my hands.
"You don't have to if you don't want to" Jake cooed to me, I just took a deep breath grabbed his big hand in my own and held on for dear life.
"H-h-hel-hello?" I whispered.
"Oh Isabella, my baby girl….I am so glad you decided to speak to me" Her innocent and free flowing voiced sang to me.
"Could you like…NOT call me your baby girl?" I asked still quietly but defensively.
"Uh…sure….look….I know it's kind of….wrong, hurtful, horrible….I could go on forever; to call you now, after all this time….but I well I can't believe you are living in California…I'm in California about an hour and half from you, I had no idea, I thought you would still be in Desoto; well I saw your interview on Jay Leno, and I….I knew that I had fucked up enough" It wasn't the words she said, it was the way she said them. She was afraid, she was terribly ashamed and she was reaching out to me like I was her saving grace.
"Look if you are calling because you need money or something, forget it" I snapped, and instantly regretted it.
"I don't want anything from you, except the opportunity to meet you and apologize." She sounded defeated and self loathing.
"Well I am really busy, and I would have to think about it" I spoke softly this time. My heart was screaming "MOMMY"!!! my brain was screaming "SHE WILL ONLY HURT YOU MORE".
"That's fine Bella….when ever you want to talk whether it in a week or twenty years. If you want to scream at me and punch me in the face…..it all up to you…." She was so sad.
"I am sure I have a lot to say, but I have a party to attend so….I have your number and I'll……I'll call you when I am ready" I took another deep breath.
"Really? You are actually entertaining the idea of actually speaking to me?" She sounded hopeful and joyous.
"Well I am not sure you are going to like what I have to say when we talk but…yeah, I will call you when I am ready…in my own time, in my own way…" \
"I prayed that you would say those words….I have thought about this phone call for years, and well…..words can not express my gratitude or my joy! My number is-" I cut her off, she was getting a little to "close" for comfort.
"I have it on caller ID, just…I am leaving out of state for a little bit and, well, it might be a while til I call"
"I would wait a million lifetimes, for the opportunity, I hope wish and pray that you will be able to forgive me…someday of course"
"I'm not sure…but I promise to call" I stated softly.
"Alright then….I'll be waiting…and Bella?"
"Yeah?"
"I know it probably doesn't make a bit of difference, but…..I have and will always love you" My heart sank and burst with happiness and sadness all at the same time.
"ok…..bye" I handed the phone to Alice. I just sat there on Jake's lap, saying nothing; just letting it sink in that my mother….my MOM, had just contacted me after 21 years. She had told me that even if I hated her and punched her she would be happy….and that she…well, she has always loved me.
"B? Love….are you ok?" Jake whispered softly. I blinked a few times trying to clear my head.
"Hey you guys, Em and Rose will be here any minute and everyone else is starting the party without us-….what happened?" Jasper's chipper mood changed drastically as he saw my face.
"My mother just contacted me" I squeaked.
"Oh God! Bella are you ok?" He rushed to me, falling to his knees and placing his hands on my thighs. He looked at me as if I was going to break down at any moment. You ARE about to break down at any minute…you mother just called!…..Shut up! I will not break down…I am stronger than this! I am going to be ok! I will deal with it, when I am alone, just SUCK IT UP!
"Oh my Lord Jasper, get off the ground, I am fine, and I am going to be fine! I don't want to talk about it right now, lets just get drunk, dance and have fun ok? I won't see you guys for a while, lets just enjoy tonight ok?" I smiled, to mask the pain.
"Are you sure?" Jake said while holding me close.
"Yes….Lord knows I need a drink after that phone call!" I said happily as I jumped up off his lap, causing Jasper to fall on his ass.
"So, Anthony Masen is in LOVE with me huh?" I smirked at him. He scowled at Alice.
"Hey we're sisters now Jaz, you know I can't keep secrets from my sister" She pouted before climbing onto Jake's massive back.
"Yeah they're sisters Jaz" Jake mocked in a girly voice and batted his eyelashes, her then blew Jasper a kiss and took off with Alice clinging to his back. I offered Jasper a hand, and pulled him up.
"He IS in love with you, and I know you are in love with him, and….well, you need to know something-"
"JESUS! Jasper, can we not have a "talk" right now…I can't handle anymore talking….if what you have to say doesn't rhyme with "Gets dit lunk" I don't want to hear it!" I rolled my eyes at him.
"But there is something you really need to know" He huffed
"Does it rhyme Jasper?"
"No but it's important"
"Does it involve getting naked or Tequila?"
"No but-"
"Then right now…it's not important" I said as I turned to my bed and grabbed his birthday gift.
"You didn't have to get me a gift Tinker" He smiled sweetly.
"Yes I did Dj Jazzy Jaz" He rolled his eyes. Then tore into the gift. I was a handmade Journal, made from cowhide and silver, the pages were hand made. It was beautiful, when I saw it, it instantly reminded me of Jasper. Beautiful, deep, and old fashioned, with a southern twang.
"Wow, Tinker, this is…it's"
"Awesome? I know right?"
"Yeah, where did you find it?"
"Online…I thought it would be perfect for your songs" I winked at him, and he smiled. After the dinner with Mary, Jasper was in awe of my singing abilities and wanted to write songs for me to sing. Alice said it was just his way of keeping an eye on me, but it was more. Music was in Jasper's soul, and he was an amazing song writer. I encouraged him, and he encouraged me. He taught me how to write songs, not just make words rhyme. It was a passion we both shared.
"It's perfect, thanks Tinker" He grabbed me up into a tight embrace.
"Hey now, don't get all mushy with me…I know how much you love to write that's all" I smiled.
"You love to write too…..(he grew sad)…maybe you should write about that" He pointed towards the phone.
"Maybe I should, and maybe I will, but right now I need to hear some music up loud and drink something cold" I said while I grabbed my I-pod.
"Well let's not keep them waiting me-lady" He bowed, and I pushed him down, making him fall once again on his ass. I busted up laughing as I ran dow\n the stairs with him hot on my tail.
Once I reached the back yard my heart soared. Alice had a company come out and build a large dance floor. There were hay bales, littering the grass, and large bulb light strands, lighting the dance floor up. I waved to all our friends, as I stalked towards the alcohol. I stopped dead in my tracks when my eyes met a familiar friend.
"Jungle Juice?" I asked incredulously
"I called and got the recipe!" Alice shouted over the music.
"Did I ever tell you how freaking amazing you are?"
"Everyday sis, everyday" She rolled her eyes. I grabbed a cup and gulped it down. Then grabbed a bottle of tequila and chugged a few shots down. Every time I let that stinging liquid flow down my throat I forgot more and more about everything I needed to be stressing about.
"Slow down there little lady" I heard Emmett's familiar booming voice say. I turned around and screamed like a girl.
"Emmi-Bear!" I ran and jumped into his awaiting arms.
"Cub-B" he said as he peppered my face with kisses. Then placed me onto my feet, where I instantly turned and grabbed Rosalie up in to a tight hug.
"Missed you too Drunkard!" she laughed as I let go.
"Lets boot-scootin boogie Y'all" I screamed as I pulled everyone out onto the dance floor.
"Can take the girl out of the country….but you can't take the country out of the girl" Jake hollered as he came waltzing up to our dancing bodies. He grabbed my hand and we began to west coast swing. He was twirling me all around the dance floor hootin and a hollering, it was exhilarating. I was officially drunk, and I was surrounded by people who truly cared for me; I was feeling more like my old self, life at that moment couldn't get better. Well, until, "Good Time" by Alan Jackson was over and the DJ decided to play Alice's song.
As soon as the first sounds of the song filled the cool night air, Alice squealed and started singing to Jasper, while showing off her sweet "truck-bed" moves.
"It's not as great Jaz, I should be in the back of a truck, it makes it much more… country!" She slurred to him. He just smiled and looked at her like he had a drift on the ocean for years, and she was dry land.
"Save a Horse ride a…. Jasper" She screamed in delight.
"Hey didn't you use to say someone else's name" Jake said innocently, while twirling me around by them, Alice glared at him.
"Do you remember how you said, "remind me to never piss her off"…well I'm reminding you" She scowled, and Jake pretended to push me toward her, and then turned and ran with his tail between his legs, and hid behind Emmett. It was hilarious.
"Hey did I miss something, why is this big 'ol lug scared of the fairy?" Emmett asked while laughing, and looking behind him at the crouching Jake.
"Dude she may be small, but she is as harmless as a rattlesnake!" Jake mock cried, trying to make the situation bigger than it was.
"Yeah, Em! She went all "hells-Bells"…. times like, a thousand, the other day, and it even scared me!" I laughed drunkenly, Emmett just laughed and pointed at Alice.
"That little thing?" He asked incredulously. As Alice drunkenly placed her hands on her hips and pointed a finger back at him, while unsuccessfully sauntering up to him.
"listen here Assmett! I may be small, but don't fuck with me!" Everyone was rolling on the floor with laughter as the name 'Assmett' came out of her lips. Even Emmett was trying to keep a straight face.
"Whoa there 'chucky', chill I was only kidding" he said while backing up defensively.
"That's right! Be afraid, be very afraid" She tried to hiss, and just ended up spitting on everyone, which caused us just to laugh harder.
"Hey who wants to play Tequila death match?" I yelled over-excitedly.
"I do" Rose squealed, and Emmett's face lit up.
"Oh, I am SO getting me some tonight ladies and gentlemen!" Emmett squealed and clapped as if he was Alice during a sale at Burberry. We all just started laughing again as Rose smacked him upside the head and muttered 'Assmett', under her breath.
"Well let me go get my Pj's on so I can pass out later comfortably….then I'll be back to serve your ass to you Rose" I goaded.
"Don't be a bitch Bella" She scowled.
"Hey if I was being a bitch I would have said 'serve your un-proportionate ass" Rose. Or something along the lines of 'serve your silicone ass to you'. but didn't so eat me" I chided.
"My ass isn't silicone" she hissed.
"Keep telling yourself that honey….an ass like that can't possibly be real" I laughed.
"Oh it's real baby sis, I would know" Emmett interjected while wiggling his eyebrows.
"And thanks for thinking I have a great ass Bells, and if you want someone to eat you, I am sure I can set you up with an appointment with Jane" She smirked.
"Touché, Rose Touché" I laughed as I turned towards the house. I always love sparring with Rose before tequila death match, she always seemed to throw up faster.
Well after a short round of tequila death match, and a ton jungle juice, I could barely walk. Jake motioned to everyone that we, well really me, had, had enough and needed to call it a night. Jake picked me up and threw me over his shoulder, as I screamed, kicked, and laughed. The next thing I knew I was flung onto a soft surface.
"What the hell Jake?" I laughed as I sat up.
"Well tonight the old Bella came out in full force and it was nice to see her again, and so I thought it would be nice to sleep in the back of a truck for good 'ol times" I laughed as he jumped down next to me.
"Under the stars, how romantic" I teased, while batting my eyelashes.
"Yeah….uh…about that, I was wondering if we could have that talk now?" He said quietly as he grabbed my hand.
"Ugh! Seriously? Look there are three reasons we should wait to 'talk' til thanksgiving" I said happily, while hopping onto his lap.
"And there are?" he said sounding amused.
"Well for one I am so drunk I might let you take advantage of me" I laughed.
"Yeah….sure" he scoffed.
"Your right….first off I am drunk…agreed? (he nodded)…second I am tired…..and third, I don't want to ruin this lovely gesture, by having a serious conversation….lets just enjoy the stars, and the fact that we are together right now…………..in a strictly, best friend kinda way" I quickly added and then, winked.
"Sure, sure" he huffed as he tugged on my hair, causing me to fall off his lap and onto my side, in a fight of giggles. He grabbed the sleeping bag and covered us both up. His massive body suffocating me in warmth, and actual suffocation; he was just too damn big to fit in a doubles sleeping bag with me. But it felt like old times again. Like the times we would camp out in the yard or down by my pond. No awkwardness, no sexual tension. Just two people who loved each other deeply, and knew each other deeper than anyone else could. We were just Jake and Bella, childhood friends, peas and carrots, nothing more, nothing less.
"I always thought you were the best, I guess I always will, I always felt that we were blessed, and I feel that way still, Sometimes we took the hard road, but we always saw it though, If I had only one friend left, I'd want it to be you…" Jake began singing in my ear. Saying everything he wanted to say, through words of a song he had placed on my I-pod five years ago. A song I had listened to, through the rough times here in California. The song I listen to every time I left him behind in Desoto. The one song that always reminded me that I could always depend on him, the he would always be there. The song that broke my heart but filled it with joy and love at the same time.
"Only you could do it Jake" I sighed, he stopped singing.
"Only I could do what B?" he snuggled closer.
"Bring me back…..only you could bring me back" I smiled in comfort and joy.
"No Baby girl, you…..only you could bring you back….your stronger than you think…..I love you B….never forget that" He squeezed me tight.
"Ok" I sighed in contentment.
"Promise?"
" I Promise…no matter what"
"I depend on those words more than you know"
"Me too, Jake….. me too"
I would like to thank IGOTEAMEDWARD thanks for the idea of Assmett! I loved it! So, what did you guys think? Love it hate it, want to eat it? I really hope you guys like the way this story is turning out. And thanks for not yelling at me for my horrible grammer! I really thought y'all were going to burn me at the stake, when I first started this story…but not one of you have mentioned it! Anywho, there is some awesome juicy and lemony things in the near future…I'm excited I hope you all are, much love……oh and please review! Like always 15 more reviews I post a chapter tomorrow! And who ever gives me the funniest or just fucking awesome review will get a sneak peak of the next chapter! So get to it people!