A/N: Here we are again. Time moves a little faster here. We are only two chapters from present time, I think. Much love to ClaireS0904, Luv4Jake over on Twitter and phoenix fan1 both here and on Twitter for getting the word out about my little story.
Some interesting things happen in this chapter so I'll let you get to it.
As always Stephenie Meyer owns it all, I am just borrowing the characters for my story. No copyright infringement intended.
How Can I Help You?
Chapter 6
Senior Year
I spent quite some time castigating myself over my dreams involving Edward. The morning after my date with Jake, I spent with Katie and Irina baking cookies and a cake for my parents. Every time Edward was in the vicinity I would blush, so not what I wanted to happen. Thankfully no one mentioned it.
Mom was released from the hospital Monday afternoon, so I was back home after thanking Tanya again for letting me stay with them. In the weeks leading up to the start of my senior year I divided my time between going with Mom to her radiation treatments, working at the store, and at least once a week Jake and I went out on an actual date. We'd spend time together at my house or his, but date nights were special, we'd find something we both wanted to do and go.
Mom was acting like she normally would; the only real side effect of the treatments was the burn she developed after her therapy. She was given an ointment and advised of how to treat the area where she would continue having bi weekly radiation for the next several months.
I went to Port Angeles shopping with Angela for our Back to School clothes and supplies. We both really only needed new jeans and shoes, Tanya loaded us up with Tanks, Tees, and sweaters to start. I was really happy that Ang and I worked together because it was really the only time we saw each other during the summer. We promised to work some girl time into our schedules.
Life was finally settling back to a normal pattern and I was really happy about that.
The first day of school Angela and I arrived early so we'd be able to check each other over making sure we walked into Senior Year looking the best we could.
There is just something about knowing there were only 180, no correction 179 more days until we were free from Forks High and all the stupidity that runs rampant in high school.
This year was going to be easy. I had AP English, AP Calculus and stupid PE, why it's required all 4 years I will never understand; I also had one period for study hall then would be released for work/study the last two periods. This was yet another reason I was glad to have gotten a job over the summer, I only have to be at school 4 hours a day.
I pulled into the parking lot just a space over from Ben and Angela. We squealed and acted like we were five until Ben cleared his throat and reminded us, while trying not to laugh, that we were supposed to be mature and set a good example for the freshmen. Yeah, not going to happen, we were too happy.
The only thing that soured my day was lunch. Mike plopped his butt in the chair next to me and started talking. "Bella, I didn't see you much after we talked in Weber's that day. How was your summer?"
"It was good, Mike. Mom is home, and work is good."
"So, do you want to go out with me Friday night? We can go to the movies. I think FACE PUNCH is still playing."
I glared at him. "You can't be serious, can you? What is it going to take for you to get it? You are dating JESSICA! I told you I didn't want to go out with you, besides I AM dating someone."
I took my lunch and moved to another table. Mike just sat there with his jaw hanging open. Angela and Ben sat with me. "Wow", Ben said, "you really shut him down. Why'd it take you so long to do that?"
I shook my head at him and said, "He spent so much time bugging me to death about going out I think I lost it a bit."
Angela and I were released after lunch and we headed over to SPARKLE. Angela had been teasing me relentlessly the last few weeks after I confessed about the dreams.
The teasing wasn't horrible and never meant in anything but fun. I'm just glad she always kept it just between us, and was quiet about it. It went from "Come on Bella, time to see Mr. McHottie" or "Sex on legs" to "Bella can you take this back to the DYLF." She would say the spelling didn't influence the pronunciation "You know he's a dad you'd like to…" she stopped that sentence after I threw a purse and hit her in the forehead.
Why is it the preachers' kids are always the ones to go bad?
Autumn passed quickly, and I settled into a routine of school, work, and Jake/home or home/Jake, with the occasional night of babysitting for Edward and Tanya.
Jake and I were still taking it slow. I know he got frustrated with me at times, but he said he understood and respected my wishes about taking our time. We had progressed to making out when we were alone, and sure we got carried away sometimes. Jake would try to push us a little further, but then he'd back off and be a patient boyfriend.
As Thanksgiving approached, Tanya asked me what the Swan plans were. I informed her that we were planning just a small family dinner like always. She then asked if we would join their family for Thanksgiving, apparently every Cullen would be there. Alice was home from The University of Texas, bringing her boyfriend, Edward's cousin Emmett, from Tennessee was bringing his fiancée, and Tanya's cousin Chelsea would be there as well. I told Tanya I would speak with my parents and that Jake really didn't do the "Thanksgiving thing", but I would ask him. Mom spoke with Tanya that night and confirmed we would be there, asking what we could bring with us. I promised to make the pumpkin, pecan and apple pies, Mom was going to bake a ham, for the non-turkey people, and Dad would bring the beer.
Jake wasn't sure if he would go, he didn't want to leave Billy alone since his sisters were with their in laws. Thanksgiving was a day he spent fishing with his father, just the two of them.
The day before Thanksgiving the pixie better known as Alice hit town. She rushed into the store dragging a poor man behind her. "Hey, girls!"
She grabbed both me and Angela into tight hugs. "This place just keeps getting better and better. How are you both? How is school? Been keeping busy? Oh, Bella, Tanya told me about your mom. I'm so happy she's doing better. We've got to get have some girl time while I'm here." All of this was said in what I think was one breath, after we got a chance to greet her, Alice turned to the man behind her. "Oh, forgive my manners. This is my boyfriend, Jasper. Jazz these girls are Bella Swan and Angela Weber. They came in the day of the blue paint incident. Remember it took forever to get it out of my hair."
I laughed because I had almost forgotten the way the paint had dripped all over her after she knocked the pan over trying to get to the door to let us in. Jasper tilted his head towards us, "Nice to meet y'all." He seemed so laid back, the perfect guy for Alice, she needed the calmness Jasper radiated.
"So Bella are my big brother and Tanya in the back?"
"Tanya is, but Edward went to get the girls from school."
Alice pulled Jasper into the back to visit with Tanya. Angela went back to preparing the store for the traditional Black Friday sale. Edward came back with the girls and after we told him that Alice and Jasper were there, Kate and Irina screamed "Aunt Ali", and ran to the back with Edward following.
The front door opened and a pretty woman walked in. I gave her the standard "How can I help you?" store greeting to which she responded, "I'm just looking."
She wandered the store as Angela and I worked, keeping an eye on her incase she needed assistance. Edward had come back to the front to bring more sale signs to us when I noticed the woman's head snap up and she made a bee line towards Edward. She threw her arms around him and planting quite the kiss on his mouth.
My jaw just dropped because I watched Edward return the hug and kiss he back. I was furious. His wife was just in the back room, one wall away, and he's kissing another woman? What the hell? Granted the kiss Edward gave the woman was a peck, but it's not right. I looked to Angela; she shrugged, so I cleared my throat getting Edward's attention.
He looked over at us and backed away from the woman, or should I say tried to back away. She wasn't letting go of him. "Bella, Angela, this is Chelsea, Tanya's cousin." Hmm, that could explain it I guess.
"Nice to meet you, Chelsea." She extended her arm to shake my hand, but her eyes never left Edward. Edward was trying to extract himself from her grip, but she'd trail a hand down his arm, touch his hand, she was worse than a clinging vine.
"Would you like me to get Tanya, Edward? You seem to be a little tangled up at the moment." With the mention of Tanya, Chelsea backed away from him. "Thanks Bella, I'm sure Tanya can't wait to see Chelsea, you could let Alice know as well." His eyes held my gaze as he mouthed 'Thanks' to me. I excused myself and got Tanya, sending her up to Edward.
Alice pulled me to the side so no one saw us. "What did she do?"
I looked at her, confused, "hmmm?"
"Chelsea, Bella. What did she do this time?"
I told Alice what Chelsea had done after she spotted Edward, basically attacking him.
"I keep telling him he needs to tell everything to Tanya. He doesn't want to hurt her, because Chelsea is the last real link Tanya has to her family, but Edward has been dodging her advances since college. It doesn't matter to her that he's married to Tanya or that they have children. She comes across as nice, but she will turn on you in a heartbeat." It was definitely going to be an interesting Thanksgiving.
Jake in the end, decided he'd rather spend the day fishing with Billy, but made me promise to save him some pie. I made an extra pie just for Jake and Billy.
We loaded everything in Mom's car and drove to the Cullen house. We were there by 12:30 so we could help get everything ready. Mom went into the kitchen with Tanya and Esme, Charlie and Edward's father, Carlisle were in the den drinking beer and watching football. I was with Kate and Irina in the living room making handprint turkeys when Edward walked in the front door, Chelsea right behind him.
He walked over to me, "Hey Bella, Happy Thanksgiving!" Edward gave me a hug whispering, "Help me, please!" I laughed and returned his "Happy Thanksgiving" then asked, "Girls, don't you think your daddy should make a turkey, too?"
They both nodded their heads getting Edward the supplies he would need. He smiled and sat on the floor between his daughters.
Chelsea did not seem happy about this. "Eddieeee", she whined, "I thought we could go for a walk outside."
Edward rolled his eyes. "Chelsea, how many times do I have to tell you it's Edward?"
She actually pouted her lip out. "Tanya calls you Eddie."
"Yes she does. Only Tanya can call me that, I hate the nickname, but I love her. It's our thing."
Chelsea huffed and stomped off to the kitchen.
There was a loud knock to the door before it opened to reveal Jasper and Alice and two others in the entryway. A booming voice shook the house, "Happy Turkey Day, cuz!" Edward stood and embraced a giant of a man. The girls rushed to greet Alice and Jasper, and then jumped into the giant's arms.
I giggled at the girls, causing the "giant" to notice me. "Hmm, now who could this be?"
Edward made the introductions, "Bella this oaf is my cousin, Emmett McCarty. Em, this is Bella Swan, she works for Tanya and I babysitting the girls and also at the store, but she's more like family now. Her parents are around here too."
Emmett moved to the side and introduced me to his beautiful fiancée, Rosalie Hale. She looked like she had just walked off a runway, but was super sweet.
The living room was slowly filling up so I made my way to the kitchen to see if I could be of any help. Tanya put me to work mashing the potatoes while she asked about how things were with Jake.
By 1:30 everything was ready and we had all taken our seat at the table. It was a lively meal. My parents were enjoying themselves talking to Carlisle and Esme, while Emmett kept the younger crowd entertained. I learned that Rosalie had just gotten her Real Estate license and Emmett was finishing his master's degree in early childhood education. They were getting married in June and were looking to move close to this area during the summer. He wanted to get a job at either Forks Elementary or one of the Port Angeles schools. I could see Emmett being a very popular teacher with the students; he was like a big kid himself.
After dinner and dessert the women adjourned to the living room while the men took care of the dishes. Tanya and I put the leftovers away then went to play Candyland with Kate and Irina. One by one the men trickled back into the living room, complaining of too much food, every man but Edward. Chelsea had left the living room at some point, so I gathered the dirty cups that were on the coffee table and told Tanya I'd hand these to Edward and be right back. Alice excused herself from Rose, Jasper and Em, and followed behind me to the kitchen.
Edward had literally been cornered by Chelsea. She had him backed into the corner beside the refrigerator, where there was no escape unless he pushed her away.
"I've told you before, I don't know how many times, I am not interested, Chelsea. The only reason you are still allowed in my home is because I never want to hurt my wife by telling her that her cousin throwing herself at me. You are the last link to Tanya's parents. I didn't want to take that away from her, but I will if you don't stop this. I will not put up with you continuing to disrespect my wife. I am not doing this anymore, I will tell Tanya, and you will never be allowed near my family again."
Chelsea just sneered at Edward. "It's your word against mine, Edward. I can always tell Tanya that you propositioned me or better yet, that I caught you and the babysitter doing something you really shouldn't do. She's not even legal yet, is she?"
Shock flashed through Edward's eyes, then they narrowed and for the first time I saw a completely furious Edward. "You will not drag an innocent girl into your sick game. Bella is a good friend to my family. You keep pushing Chelsea, I really don't want to hurt T, but it would be worth it so we can be rid of you."
"She won't believe you. I've always been able to make Tanya believe whatever I have told her."
Alice spoke then. "Oh Chelsea, Tanya will believe Edward, especially after Bella and I relay this whole exchange, and I have years of accounts to tell her. Leave him alone, Chelsea. My brother is too much of a gentleman to hit you, but I have not problems whatsoever with making you hurt."
Whoa, Alice may be little, but she is mighty, she is fierce, and she can be very scary.
I looked at Edward and said, "Tanya is looking for you Edward, the girls want you to play a game. I'd advise against Candyland, they rock that game."
Chelsea stepped away from Edward, backing further away as he moved close to her.
"I think it's best if you tell Tanya that you are leaving early, like tonight. Don't you think so, Chelsea?" Edward gave her one last glance then motioned for Alice and I to lead the way back to the others. Edward went over to Tanya and the girls, while Alice and I sat on the floor with Jasper. We smiled at each other and giggles erupted.
"What's so funny, you two?" Alice and I tried to stop laughing, but we just couldn't.
I finally was able to get out, "Nothing, really nothing."
Chelsea left within the hour claiming there was an emergency back at work.
After the eventful Thanksgiving courtesy of Chelsea, Alice and I begged Edward to talk to Tanya bout it all. Chelsea had been making passes and becoming more aggressive in them for 7 years. I did think Tanya was going to be mad at Edward for not telling her, but knowing her it would pass quickly. Alice and Jasper took Kate and Irina out for the evening, so they could discuss it. My parents and I went home, and then I drove to Jake's house to give him his pie. Billy and Jacob had caught several fish, so after making Jake clean them I fried them up for their dinner. I didn't think I'd eat again for a week.
It was a great evening, and Jake and I took another walk on the beach before I had to leave. He told me to make sure Saturday night was free, because he had something planned. I was in the truck heading home after a long kiss goodbye.
Black Friday was actually not horrible. I'm used to people getting up in the early hours before dawn and waiting impatiently for stores to open. We opened early, but at a decent hour of 8:00, nothing crazy like 3 or 4 o'clock. We were busy, extremely busy as Tanya and Edward wanted to move the remaining Fall and Winter stock, so we could bring out the Spring fashions. The last customer left well after closing time, around 9 PM.
Edward had ordered dinner for all of us, and Carlisle brought it in, while we all collapsed.
Things seemed to be ok between Edward and Tanya. Angela nudged me to look at them. Tanya had rested her head against his shoulder, and they were whispering to each other. I had filled Angela in on the Chelsea incident during Thanksgiving dinner, she couldn't believe the gall that woman had.
Tanya looked at us and said, "Ali, Bells, thanks for your help yesterday and for getting this stubborn mule to talk to me about it. No need to worry about Cousin Chelsea again. I'll deal with her in my own way."
Alice was home with her parents in Seattle until the first week of January, so she invited Angela, Tanya and I for a spa day the following weekend. Ang and I squealed as we accepted.
Saturday I worked only half a day, we were restocking the shelves and trying to get things back in order. I drove home, showered quickly and dressed in jeans, a turtleneck, and a heavy sweater, then grabbing my jacket I headed to Jake's house. He met me at the door, hugged then kissed me as he was walking me backwards into the yard. He took my hand and led me over to where he had built a fire in the pit and laid out a picnic.
We ate a nice meal, talked and walked along the shore before we went back to the blanket by the fire to snuggle together. Jake was the perfect boyfriend. I was frustrated with myself for the pace we were going. I knew he wanted more, really wanted more, but I guess I had this idealized version of fireworks and electricity that was supposed to tell me that yes, this was right, that we were right. I just hadn't felt that yet.
I was home before my curfew that night, and decided I was going to take some time to really think about where I was, what I was doing, and where I wanted to go.
Christmas was fast approaching, and thanks to Alice's love for shopping I had finished my entire Christmas list. I managed with her help to find appropriate gifts for Edward and Tanya, the girls, my parents, Angela and a few other friends. Jacob was the hardest to buy for this year, but ended up getting him a new jacket for riding the motorcycle. We had cooled off for a bit, I asked him to give me a little time since the Christmas season was so crazy. He said he understood, but I'm not sure he believed I was telling him the whole truth.
I was done with first semester's finals, and school let out for two and a half weeks. I drove home, not having to work after school, and grabbed the mail. I had been hovering over the mailbox for a few weeks now waiting for the early admissions decisions.
I had in my hand two large envelopes and a packet from the Dean of Admissions, University of Washington.
Mom was in the living room folding laundry when I walked in.
"I think you should open this Mom, I'm a little scared."
I handed mom the packet from UW, then looked at the other large envelopes. One was NYU the other Stanford. Well I had wanted time to consider my future, now it was sitting in my hands. Stanford accepted me into their Humanities and Science program and NYU had accepted me into their Arts and Sciences undergraduate program.
Mom had opened the packet, and was speechless. She handed me the awards letter stating I had been given a full scholarship to UW, all expenses including, books, housing and meals provided for.
"Oh" that's all I could get out. I understood my mother's speechlessness. I would be able to go to college, graduate with my degree and not have to pay any student loans. As much as I wanted California, I couldn't turn my back on a free ride.
"I'm going to be a Husky!"
We squealed and danced around. Mom grabbed the phone to call my dad, told him to get home quickly. Charlie must have broken every traffic law to get home. "Renee!" He yelled running in the door. "What's wrong?" Mom laughed at Dad and wrapped her arms around him. "Nothing's wrong Charlie. Our Bella just got her acceptance letters, NYU and Stanford want her, but she got a full scholarship to UW. They are paying for everything!"
It was a celebratory night for the Swans. We kept things to ourselves for the night, but I got ambushed as soon as I walked into the store the next morning. Renee couldn't keep it to herself after all.
Angie was happy we were going to UW together, and she claimed her rights as BFF to be my roommate. Edward and Tanya were excited for me, both the scholarship, as well as the fact I'd be close. I think it made Mom and Dad happy that in an emergency Esme and Carlisle would be close until they could get there.
It seemed like everything was going well in my life. I was even ready to call Jake and tell him the good news. He had been worried about me being so far away. We decide to meet up at the diner and talk. I told him I'd be at UW with him and that Angela was ready to room with me. I told him I was ready to move forward with our relationship. This was where my life was headed.
You know how when everything is going so well in life somehow, someway, the rug gets pulled out from under your feet.
Yeah that's just what happened to me.
I was babysitting Kate and Irina so Edward could surprise Tanya with an early anniversary dinner in Olympia. They were going to stay the weekend so I was sleeping over for 3 nights. Edward had actually convinced Tanya to close the store for a four day weekend. They left Friday afternoon, telling the kids to behave and promising they'd call that night. We normally don't get a lot of snow here, but we do have sleet when its cold enough and that night ice built up enough to knock the power out for several hours. The kids were a little freaked, but I started a fire in the den and set up pallets on the floor, telling them we would be camping indoors.
Katie, Rini and I were deep into Junie B. Jones stories by Saturday afternoon, trying to keep ourselves occupied indoors. We baked cupcakes, sang silly songs and danced. We hadn't heard from Tanya the night before, but I figured with the power being out, she wouldn't be able to get through. I told the girls we would try calling them later, but that their Mommy and Daddy were having special alone time and we didn't want to disturb them too often.
I had just placed the kids' plates in front of them for dinner, when there was a knock on the door. I opened it to see my father standing there. "Hey Daddy, what's brought you out here. I told Mom the power was back and we were ok." I realized my father looked much older than he had just the day before, tired and sad. "Dad?"
"Bells…there's been an accident."
I almost dropped to the floor. "Mom?"
"No, the Cullens, Bella. It was Tanya and Edward."
OoOoO
Don't hate me for leaving it there, but the next chapter will start bringing us closer to present time.
I'm seeing lots of alerts. Thank you all for taking the time to read my story.
Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts.