DISCLAIMER: These beautiful characters unfortunately do not belong to me. They belong to the fantastic Stephenie Meyer. I'm just playing around with them….and using them for my own pleasure.
Thanks to: barbiedoll123, lllllll, monkey-101, dominiqueanne and Music ADD. Thanks for the reviews.
Eyes Like Yours
Chapter Eight - Stress equals baking equals new job
Telling my father about my pregnancy was the hardest thing id ever done. At the time, I had no idea what to expect. For all I knew, he could have murdered me right on the spot. I'd been prepared for harsh words and disgust, but what I hadn't been prepared for, was the silence.
He had just sat there; a blank look upon his face. He didn't twitch. He didn't speak. Just sat there in silence. After a few minutes, he'd gotten up and walked out of the house without saying a word.
After he had left, I'd got on the phone and called my mum, to tell her the news. She'd taken in surprisingly well. She didn't yell at me, but she didn't sound exactly excited either. Hey, I wasn't even excited yet, so why should anyone else be excited.
Renee had promised to talk more about it when she arrived in Forks. She would be arriving in a few days and would be spending Christmas with me and Charlie.
Which brings me to today. The day after I'd dropped the bomb on my dad. I hadn't seen him since, so we still hadn't gotten around to speaking about it. By the time he'd gotten home from work last night, I'd already gone to bed, and by the time I'd woken up this morning, he'd left for work again.
To be honest, he was starting to hurt my feelings. It felt as though he was purposely trying to avoid me.
So, I've spent the whole morning sitting here, waiting and hoping that he may pop home for lunch. We really needed to talk, and I wanted to know how he felt about it all. I was really going to need his support now.
I decided to make some lunch, and at the same time, I'd make some for Charlie too; just in case he did come home.
Today was my lucky day.
I placed the plate of sandwiches on the table and looked up just as he walked into the kitchen. I decided that I needed to be strong and firm. I wasn't going to let him walk away from this conversation again.
"Dad, we really….," I started, but was cut off when he spoke at the same time.
"Please, let me go first Isabella," he said as he sat down and indicated for me to do the same. "I'm so sorry for the way I left yesterday. You didn't deserve that," he apologized.
I shook my head at him. "No, its okay. I understand how hard it must have been for you to hear that. I'm still trying to get my head around it too, believe me," I sighed.
"I'm not angry with you Bella. Please do not think that," Charlie started. "I guess I'm just scared for you. I know you're a grown woman now, but you're still my baby girl," he trailed off.
It felt good hearing him say that, and I was pleased that he wasn't angry with me. I was feeling a lot better than what I did five minutes ago. But then I looked at Charlie again, and he had this look on his face that I just couldn't read. Something was about to be said, and I had no idea if it was going to be good or bad.
"I've been thinking Bella. I've thought about it a lot, and I've come to a decision," he began. "You're going to need a lot of support now, and I really want to be there to help give you and the baby everything you need. But I'm not going to be able to do that if you're all the way in San Francisco, and I'm here in Forks".
I didn't like where this was headed. He was about to say something silly.
"What are you saying dad?"
"I'm saying that I'm going to pack up here and move to San Francisco to be closer to you," he announced.
I shook my head at him. "No dad, I couldn't ask you to do that. I know how much you love it here," I told him. I didn't want him to up-root his life for me. There was no way I could let him do that.
"I get to see you maybe two times a year, Bella. And that's just not enough for me," Charlie sighed. "You're having a baby; my grandchild. I need to be there. I cant miss out on this," he explained to me.
"Dad, you'll hate San Francisco," I tried to talk him around.
"Its either that, or you stay here. But something tells that's not going to happen. Look Bella, I've made my decision and I'm sticking with it. Nothing you say will change my mind," he said as he stood and took a couple of sandwiches in his hand. "I'll see you when I get home tonight," he spoke his words gruffly and left without another peep.
I dropped my head on the table; sighing out loud.
888
Its been a week since Charlie had made his announcement. And ever since, I'd been nothing but stressed. Renee had arrived yesterday and she'd been fawning all over me. Add that to it only being a week until Christmas; my life was crazy.
I needed some space, so I packed my parents off to Port Angeles for the day, so that they could finish their Christmas shopping. And I spent the day doing the one thing that helped calm me.
Baking.
Food that is. Sweets to be exact.
Cakes. Pies. Biscuits. Muffins. Anything with sugar was my specialty.
My father was right when he said that I was a great cook. I don't know who I got it from, because both my parents were shocking in the kitchen. But id been told that Charlie's mother had been a miracle worker when it came to food. At one stage, I'd even considered becoming a pastry chef. I don't know why I changed my mind.
It didn't matter now anyway. I still liked to do it in my spare time. So far today, I'd already made a blueberry pie, strawberry cupcakes, chocolate cookies and a banana cake. I was on a roll.
And the best thing about it all; I'd get to eat it all later. I'd been eating a lot more lately. A lot more. I liked this part of the pregnancy; all that food I would get to eat. Yum.
I was icing the cupcakes when Alice arrived.
"You've been busy," she said as her eyes boggled over the sweets that cluttered the small bench.
"Baking calms me," I shrugged as I ate a spoonful of the icing mixture. It was just right.
Alice let out a loud sigh as she slumped down onto a stool opposite me. "Something has been bothering you all week. Would you care to tell me what it is?" she asked.
I hadn't mentioned the conversation id had with my father, or the decision he'd made. Id been stewing about it in silence for the whole week.
"It's Charlie. He's decided to pack up his life here and move to San Francisco to be closer to me. So that he can be there to help with the baby," I told her.
"Are you serious?" she looked at me in surprise. "He's actually going to leave. He loves it here".
"I know. That's what I said," I couldn't help the growl. "He said it's the only way, because he knows that I'd never stay here," I explained to her what he said.
Alice went quiet for a minute. I looked at her closely, and watched as her face twitched. "Why cant you just stay here then?" she threw out the question as though it was the easiest thing in the world to answer.
And to tell you the truth. I didn't even really have a proper answer. Its not like I hadn't thought of that myself. Ever since he had brought it up, it had been in the back of my mind. I just gave Alice the same answer I kept giving myself.
"What am I supposed to do here Alice? Go to work? No, I cant. Because I don't have a job here," I tried not to sound sarcastic. "I have a good job back in San Francisco. A job that I can do up until the day I have this baby, if need be. What am I supposed to do here? Work at the grocery store. I don't think so," I scoffed at her.
Alice was a great girl, but she really could be a little clueless at times. Not everybody could have it as easy as her. She had a great job; she designed clothes. She worked for herself and made plenty of money. And she came from a well off family. If she really wanted too, she could give up working and live off her families money. I for one, could never do that. Life wasn't that easy for me.
I looked across at her and noticed the change in her face. I really didn't know what to make of it. Her eyes were sparkling. Something was definitely formulating in her mind.
"I know what you're saying Bella. But what if you could get a decent job here. Would you consider staying then?" she questioned me; hope clearly in her voice.
I sat down now. I had no idea what she was up to.
"I don't know," I shrugged. "I guess it would depend on what it was," I said as Alice picked up a cupcake and took a bite.
"These are really good," she mumbled; her mouth full of food.
"Thank you," I nodded.
"I have to go. Can I take one of these with me?" Alice suddenly jumped up and waved another cupcake in the air.
"Knock yourself out," I laughed.
"Thanks bebe. I'll be back later," she shouted as she ran from the house at top speed. Bebe. Apparently that was the new nick name she'd given me.
I watched after her; puzzled at her actions.
"That was weird," I muttered.
I went back to icing. Id ask her about the weirdness another time.
888
APOV
I always knew that I had great idea's. But this was definitely one of my greatest. It was like everything was falling into place. If everything went according to plan, Bella would be staying put in Forks. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
In the six weeks that id known Bella, we had become really good friends. She was probably the closest thing I'd ever had to a best friend. I really wanted her to stay. I'd be lost without her if she left and went back to San Francisco.
I was going to need my mothers help if things were to go my way.
"Mum," I called out as I walked through my parents home.
"I'm in my office Mary," her sweet voice trailed down the hall.
Grr, I hated when she called me that. And she knew it too. But I could never be mad at her; she was the sweetest woman I knew. I was really lucky to have her as my mum.
She looked up and smiled when I walked into her office. No words were spoken and I slumped down onto the spare chair, placing the cupcake I'd stolen from Bella on her desk. My mother gave it quick look, but soon went back to her book work. I sighed loudly. I got nothing from her except for a raised eye-brow. I sighed loudly again, hoping that this time I would get a look from her.
"Okay Alice," she placed her pen down. "Hit me with it," she smiled.
She didn't know about Bella's pregnancy yet, but if I was to ask for her help, I'd have to tell her.
"Last week, Bella found out that she's pregnant," I told her.
"Oh my gosh," Esme gasped.
"Yea, I know," I nodded at her. "But she's taking it extremely well," I added.
"Does she need somebody to speak to? Is that what you're here to ask me?" my mother stood from her chair.
"Well, not really," I began. "See, the thing is, Charlie has decided that he's going to move to San Francisco, so that he can be there to help Bella. He wants to be a big part of his grandchild's life," I explained.
"What? Charlie's leaving us? But he loves Forks," Esme protested.
"Exactly," I shouted as I jumped up. "And that's where you come in," I cried in excitement.
"Alice, I'm not a mind reader," Esme grew a little frustrated.
"Do you still need a new pastry chef for Cullen's catering?" I spoke quickly. I'm surprised she even understood what I said.
"Well, yes I do," Esme nodded.
See, my mother wasn't just an interior designer. She also had a catering business. The woman who helped her run things was moving away from Forks after Christmas, and my mother had been having trouble finding a replacement.
I picked up the pinkish cupcake and thrust it at my mother, demanding that she try it.
"This is actually really good," she said after swallowing a small bite. "Are you telling me that Bella made this?"
"Yes. She's at her dad's right now baking up a storm," I sat back down and watched as Esme took another bite of the small cake.
"Charlie always said that Bella was a great cook," Esme looked as though she was thinking hard.
"Yes, and if you offer Bella a job, then I really think she will stay, and then Charlie wont have to move. It'll be win win for everyone," I rushed out in excitement.
Esme was laughing at me now. "You've put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?"
"Yes, for the last six weeks, I've been trying to find a reason to make her stay. And this is it," I huffed. "Please mum. You have no idea how much this would mean to me. I really like Bella, and I want her to stay," I crossed my arms across my chest. I really wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"I guess I could go over and speak to her about it," Esme finally said slyly.
I screeched. I couldn't help it. I flung myself at her and wrapped my arms around her neck; jumping up and down.
"Calm down Alice. She hasn't said yes yet," Esme tried to calm me.
"I know I know," I kept jumping. "But she will. You have to go see her now. I'll come with you," I started to push her out the door.
I cant tell you how happy I am right now.
888
BPOV
Since when did Esme have a catering business? This was the first I'd ever heard about it. And now I was getting offered a job. Esme wanted me to help her run Cullen's catering.
One cupcake. That's what it took. She'd had one of my cupcakes and had decided I was the one. Well, add that to the shit load of begging that I'm guessing Alice done.
She'd said from the beginning that I would be staying in Forks. That I would never leave. Had she been right?
It sure looked like it.
Esme was gone now. She wanted my answer by the end of the day.
I think I'm going to say yes.
It would mean the world to my dad if I stayed. I was unsure what Renee would say, but I think she'll be cool about the whole thing. And, I like Forks. Yes, I'll admit it. Forks isn't that bad.
"Bella, you have to take the job," Alice pleaded with me, now that we were alone.
"Okay," I nodded.
"Please," Alice begged.
"I said okay," I laughed at her.
"Really," she screamed. "Oh my god. Yes," she pounced around the room like a cat. It had to have been one of the funniest things I'd ever seen.
She flung herself at me; clenching me tightly. I could've swore I heard a sob. Yep, she was crying.
"I'm so happy Bebe," her eyes shone with tears. "You have no idea what this means. I've never had any real girlfriends before. I mean, I have Rosalie, but she's more like my sister now, and she has all her model friends anyway. It's nice to have a best friend, and now I do," she hugged me again.
Alice really was sweet. The sweetest girl I've ever met. It broke my heart to think that she truly was lonely before I came along. But, I know how she feels. It was the same for me all my life. I never really had proper friends. My mum really was the only true friend I had.
"I feel the same Alice. I'm happy too," I told her as I embraced her back.
"I'm gonna call my mum and tell her you said yes. Then we're going to go shopping," she squealed.
Shopping. The girl really was a little crazy.
888
My father was ecstatic when I told him the news. Even my mother was thrilled. So thrilled that she decided that she was going to pack up the house and move back to Seattle. She missed all the friends she had there, so it was a good thing that I'd decided to stay in Forks. Renee wasn't ready for Forks yet. Too small of a town for her, she said. Seattle was the closest and the next best thing.
Whoa, I cant believe how much my life has changed. Six weeks ago I never would have expected any of this.
A kid growing inside of me. New friends. A new job. And I'm staying in this tiny town of Forks.
Who would've thought?
Definitely not me.
But here I am.
And I'm actually happy.
888
Please R/R