Author's Note: Surprise chapter! Hope everyone is having/had a good Sunday night. Enjoy the chapter! the net one will be posted soon. Thanks for the adds and for the comments!

-Lisa

PS-Get ready to meet her...we will be meeting Kate shortly and I would love to know what you think of her!

Chapter Four

Peter ran into the house and found Bella who was getting dinner ready. He was dirty from playing soccer in the backyard. "Bella!" He yelled as he raced into the kitchen.

"Hey slow down! Peter, I've told you before either take your sneakers off before you come in or don't come into the kitchen at all. You are a mess," Bella laughed at him.

"I know but I was wondering if Alec could come over? We'll stay outside and play soccer. I promise to leave my shoes outside."

"All right. Do you want to take a juice box out to him? Oh, and I baked some oatmeal crasin cookies this morning if you want to take those too."

"Those are my favorites! Thanks Bella! You're the best!" Peter told her as he grabbed the food and ran back outside.

Bella continued to make chicken picatta. She grabbed the spices and began to flavor the flour that would be used to drudge the chicken breasts. She heard the front door open and saw Charlotte run in. She had stayed after with a friend to get extra help in math. Her friend's mother gave her a ride home.

"Hey Charlotte how was school?"

Charlotte shrugged her shoulders. "It was okay. I can't wait until the summer though." She paused as she pulled her dark blond hair behind her shoulders. "Is today Wednesday?"

"Yes it is," Bella smiled. "It has been all day. Why, what's going on today?"

Standing up straight, she looked at Bella. "Kate is supposed to be stopping over this afternoon. She has to drop something off for dad."

Bella was excited that she was finally meeting the famous Kate. Bella didn't think she was the wicked witch that everyone made her out to be. After all, Carlisle was kind hearted and there was no way he would be with someone so vicious as everyone put it. "Should I make her dinner?"

Charlotte laughed. "No, she doesn't do real food. She does a lot of shakes and liquid foods, but not solid." She paused as she heard a car door slam shut. "This is her. I'm going up to my room until she leaves."

Bella watched her run up the stairs. As Charlotte's bedroom door closed, the front door opened.

"No, I didn't say light blue. I said robin's egg blue. Can't you get anything right? They are not the same color! How dare you imply that! What do you mean you can't make flowers in that shade by Friday? I'm pretty sure you can dye roses any color. You are such a fool. I need the flowers by Friday at a product launch. Well, you need to give me an answer by tomorrow. If you can't satisfy my order then I'll take my business else were. Good bye." Kate wasn't what Bella had pictured in her mind. She was a tall woman with light blond hair. Her skin reviled that she was probably older than she really was due to sun damage. Her lips were large like she too injections. As Kate shoved her phone into her bag, she looked up at Bella. "You must be the hired help. Carlisle mentioned you. What are you making them for dinner Buffy?"

Bella politely smiled. "Actually my name is Bella. I'm making chicken picatta with a-"

Kate held up her hands. "Stop right there! Do you know how much fat is in that? That's a terrible choice. Have you seen Charlotte? She is bloated and a bit chunky."

"She's twelve. Her body is just changing. Plus she is far from chunky," Bella defended Charlotte.

"Whatever it is she has to change or else she is going to end up obese. She needs to cut back on food." Before Bella could respond, Kate looked out the window and saw Peter playing with his friend in the back yard. She shook her head with disappointment. "That one is so uncoordinated. I can't believe these children belong to Carlisle. His ex wife must be a dosey."

"Late, his late wife. She died," Bella mentioned under her breath.

Once again before Bella could add anything, Kate opened her mouth again. She handed Bella two thick folders. "Please make sure Carlisle gets this. This is information on one of the venues I want to have the wedding at. By the way Buffy I think I'd be looking for a new job. Once we are married and we will be sending the kids off to boarding school, we won't really need you anymore. I do a lot in terms of human resources and job placement so please send me your resume and let me know what kind of job you want. The least I can do is place you somewhere after you are let go. It was great meeting you Buffy. Toddles!" With that, she was gone just as quickly as she had entered.

Bella stood and shook her head. She couldn't understand what Carlisle saw in that woman. Even though they chatted for only a few moments, Bella thought Kate seemed ice cold. She was heartless and thoughtless, the polar opposite of Carlisle.

She continued to make dinner. When it was almost ready she went out to tell Peter to cleanup for dinner. She then made her way up the stairs to Charlotte's room. She knocked on the door. "Hey Charlotte, it's dinner time."

"I'm not hungry," she yelled back. Bella thought she detected a bit of sadness in her voice.

"Charlotte, what's wrong?"

"Nothing just leave me alone," Charlotte shouted to Bella.

Just as Bella was about to speak, the vibration of the garage door was felt. Carlisle was home. "Just join us for dinner. You're dad is home. Come on, lets have a nice dinner."

"Fine, I'll be down stairs but I'm not eating!" Charlotte pouted as she opened the door and stomped downstairs.

Bella slowly made her way downstairs. As she reached the kitchen she heard Carlisle.

"No honey you aren't' fat."

"You have to say that you're my dad!"

"Which is more of a reason I'd be honest with you. I love you and want the best for you. You are not fat. I'm a doctor. If I thought you had a weight issue I'd get you help, but you don't honey."

"I don't believe you!" She said as she stomped off to the basement.

Bella entered the kitchen. Carlisle looked at her with confusion before he spoke. "What is wrong with her? Did someone say something to her at school?"

"I think she overheard Kate talking about how bloated and obese she is."

Looking shocked, Carlisle looked at Bella. "What are you talking about?"

Bella recapped everything Kate had said. Bella told Carlisle that she just assumed Charlotte over heard the conversation and what was said.

Carlisle rubbed his hands over his face. "This explains why Charlotte doesn't like her. I bet this wasn't the first time Kate mentioned it to Charlotte. I'm just going to have to call her later and talk to her. Thank you for filling me in."

"You're welcome. Peter is just cleaning up and then he will set the table. I'm going to see if Charlotte wants dinner."

"I can do it," Carlisle said.

Bella shook her head. "Don't be silly. You literally just walked through the door. Let me talk to her. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes."

Bella went down the stairs and saw Charlotte sitting on her bean bag chair. She was crying. Bella walked over to her and just held her. Surprised, Charlotte turned to Bella and cried harder.

"Why is she not nice? Why does my dad like her? She's a horrible person," Charlotte question while in Bella's embrace.

"I don't know why she isn't nice. You and Peter are great kids and will turn into wonderful and thoughtful adults. Don't think her issues are because of you. Her insecurities have nothing to do with how wonderful you and your brother are." Bella paused to brush Charlotte's hair with her hands. "You have a father who loves you and will do anything to see the both of you happy. You are so lucky to have him. He is really wonderful man and I am going to be honest, I have no idea what he sees in her. She doesn't seem like she is a nice person."

Charlotte wiped the few tears escaping from her blue eyes and looked at Bella. "Do you really think she'll have dad send us off to boarding school?"

Adamantly Bella shook her head. "I can't speak for your father but I am almost positive that he would never send you or Peter away. He loves both of you too much."

Nodding her head, Charlotte looked at Bella. Silence filled them for a moment before she spoke up. "Bella?"

"Yes Charlotte?"

"Thank you. I guess you really aren't that bad. I'm actually glad you are here with us. Thank you for sticking up for me with Kate," Charlotte sincerely told Bella as she wiped her eyes.

Bella hugged Charlotte. "It was nothing. I really do like you and Peter. I'm glad I'm here and I'm glad I helped you. I really want to be friends with you."

Looking down at her hands, Charlotte began to speak. "I don't have too many friends."

"I know that. That's why I want to be friends. Everyone needs a few now and then." She paused before taking Charlotte's hand. "What if I asked your dad if we could go out together?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. Would you want to go to the mall and grab lunch and maybe get our nails done?"

"You-you would do that with me? You would spend time with me?"

"Of course, maybe we can go on a Saturday or something?"

"You don't work Saturdays though."

Smiling, Bella squeezed Charlotte's shoulders. "I know silly. We could spend time together when I'm not working."

Charlotte was speechless. Kate had never suggested those things. She wasn't interested in getting to know Charlotte, let alone spend time with her. Bella was supposed to organize the house and make sure she and Peter were safe. She never expected to try and get to know Bella and now she actually wanted to spend time with Charlotte. It was true that Edward and Tanya had loved her and loved spending time with her but she always spent time with them with Peter. It had been three long years since she spent 'girl time' with anyone. She was excited at the possibility of spending some time with Bella. "Oh-okay if dad says it is okay."

"Good, now that we have settled things, go get ready for dinner. I'll go get your father."

Bella got up and walked out of the room. She was giving Charlotte time to pull herself together. When she made it upstairs, Peter look at her in the kitchen.

"Hey Bella, can we eat yet?" Peter asked. "I'm really hungry."

"You and Charlotte can start. I'm just going to get your dad. Do you know where he is?"

"He said he was going to his office upstairs. We can really start eating?" Peter asked unsure.

Chuckling, Bella nodded her head. "Yes but just remember to leave your father and me some food, okay?"

Bella walked up the stairs and slowly walked towards Carlisle's office. The door was slightly a jarred and she could hear Carlisle.

"Kate, I don't give a damn. They are my children." She heard the brief pause and was about to knock when she heard him raise his voice. "Who the hell are you to questioning my parenting skills? They are my children and I decide their education and they are not going half way around the country to get an education. They are enrolled in the best school in the state. You've looked into a what?" She heard Carlisle take a deep breath and then unleash. "What the hell do you mean finishing school? She is still a child Katherine and no, there is nothing wrong with her. She is growing and developing. She-she-you know what? I can't talk to you right now. No, I don't want you to come here; I said I don't want to talk to you. We'll discuss this later. I'm done for now. Good night Kate." Carlisle ended as he slammed the phone done.

After taking three silent deep breaths, Bella knocked on the door. "Carlisle, its Bella."

"Oh come in, please."

Bella walked in and stood near his desk. "Is everything okay? You look a little stressed."

Waving his hand, Carlisle looked at Bella. "It's fine. After tonight's conversation between you and Kate I'm really reconsidering our marriage. How could I have been blind for so long? I had no idea she was talking about boarding school for Charlotte and Peter. I had no idea she was saying all of those horrid things to Charlotte. I'm lucky she didn't end up bulimic or anorexic because of Kate's comments. Did you know she wanted to send her to a finishing school? Jesus Christ, I have no idea what she is thinking. She never spoke to me about any of this."

"I'm sorry Carlisle. It certainly isn't right."

Carlisle shook his head agreeing with Bella. "No it isn't. I have to find time to speak with her, without the kids around at some point. I don't know what I want to do here."

Bella quickly chimed in. "I know Peter is heading over to Alex's during the day on Saturday but I was wondering if I could possibly take Charlotte to the mall."

With a raised eyebrow, Carlisle looked at Bella. "Bella you don't work on Saturdays."

"I know, but I would really like to do this. I figured it would be fun to get our nails done and to grab lunch." Bella paused as she tried to read Carlisle's expression. Before he could say a word she spoke up again. "And if you needed time in the evening to speak with Kate I could always watch the children for the evening. I don't know if you remember this or not, but I have a three bedroom apartment and space for the children to sleep in. I have one of the rooms as a guest room and a pull out couch. They can spend the night. You could come over and get them and join us for breakfast."

In disbelief, Carlisle shook his head. "But Bella, you don't work weekends," he repeated clearly surprised.

Nodding, Bella began to speak again. "I realize that, but I have come to think of you as a friend and think of this as a friend helping a friend. I promise a fun time for the kids, good food, a good movie. Peter will probably want to cook everything himself, which I will allow him to do, with supervision of course."

"I don't believe it," Carlisle huffed.

"What?"

"You would be willing to do that? I mean take my kids when you don't have to?"

Bella smiled. "I've grown to like them a lot, maybe even love them. I want them to have fun and I promise to try my best to make sure they do have fun. In case you haven't noticed, I don't have too many friends and the friends I do have are married and are doing couple things. I love them but I don't have those things in common with them anymore. I don't want to be the third wheel. My brother barely makes the time to see me because he is a little self absorbed and is dating a total bitch. Hanging out with the kids will give me something fun to do besides researching recipes and playing around on Pintrest on a Saturday night. I might have to miss the Law and Order SVU marathon on the USA network runs on weekends but I think it will be okay."

Carlisle took a deep breath. He just stared at Bella before finding the words he was so desperately looking for. He finally cracked a smile. "Honestly I have no idea how Edward knew you'd fit with us so well. Edward was right when he said you were special. I don't think I can ever repay you for even considering giving up your time, let alone doing it. It really kind of you Bella."

"It really isn't that big of a deal Carlisle."

"Well I appreciate it and I will take you up on it. I don't want the children to be near when Kate and I talk. Charlotte is all ready so sensitive to Kate now, I don't want to put her through any more. Thank you Bella."

Bella placed her hand on Carlisle's. "Honestly, it is nothing."

"Uncle Edward, do you have to leave?" Peter whined on Saturday night. Edward joined Bella and the kids are her apartment to play a few board games. Peter had made tacos for dinner. They had just finished their third game of charades and Edward was ready to call it a night.

"I do bud, but don't worry. I'll see you guys soon. I have to go to one of your games."

"You did promise."

Edward laughed. "Your right I did promise. I'll go to one. I just have to get to the hospital now. It is my weekend."

"Thanks Edward for coming over," Bella said as she hugged him.

"I had fun. Next time Charlotte and I will kick your and Peter's butts, right Charlotte?"

Bella took notice of Charlotte's laugh. It was beautiful and she had never heard it before. "Yes Uncle Eddie, we will cream them!"

The trio took their time saying goodbye to Edward before he left. Bella looked at the clock.

"Hey Bella? It's only six thirty, could we make some chocolate chip cookies?" Peter asked.

"Could I help?" Charlotte chimed in.

Bella turned towards Charlotte. In time she had spent with the Cullens', Charlotte had never asked to help Bella with the cooking or baking. She smiled. "Sure, I'd love that. Come on, let's get baking!"

The three had fun measuring and mixing the ingredients. Peter even started a small food fight with the floor. After they were done cleaning, Peter went to shower while Charlotte sat with Bella.

"This was a lot of fun. Thank you Bella."

"I'm glad you had fun and please don't thank me."

"You've spent the day with me. No one has done things like we did today with me since my mom." Her smile soon morphed into a frown. "I miss her so much."

"I know the feeling Charlotte."

"Peter said you loss both of your parents when you were about my age?"

Bella nodded. "I did. I miss both of my parents terribly. My big brother and I aren't really close and it makes me sad because even though I know Uncle Eddie would do anything for me, Jasper is my only 'real' brother and he doesn't have time to see me often."

Charlotte nodded and then looked at Bella. "I know I will always miss my mom, but I'm glad you are here for me. I did have a blast with you today. I love my nails and my new outfit."

"I love your new outfit too!" Bella laughed as they talked about her new sundress. "I'm so happy that I am here for you and you are letting me here for you."

Bella, Charlotte and Peter threw pillows onto the hardwood floor and watched movies. When Bella went to shut off the television, she saw that both Peter and Charlotte had fallen asleep. She grabbed a blanket and tucked them in. She also went up to her room to take her own pillow and another blanket and slept on the couch.

The next morning as promised, Carlisle arrived for breakfast and to pick up his children. He thanked Bella as they ate her pancakes and sausage. After breakfast he was surprised to see both of his kids clean up the kitchen and dishes without beings asked to. They were upstairs collecting their bags when Bella looked at Carlisle.

"How did it go?"

Sadly, Carlisle looked at her. "We are taking a break. I really need to reconsider a lot. After the way she treated the kids and some of this things she said to me last night, I don't think I can look at her the same way again. I really don't think I love her anymore and don't think I could ever again. I can't believe I was that blind. She told me she doesn't even like children."

"I'm really sorry Carlisle."

"Don't be. I'm at least thankful that we are getting this out in the air now and not after we are married." Carlisle paused. "How did things go with Charlotte and the mall?"

Smiling, Bella looked at him. "We had so much fun! She loved getting her feet massaged."

"What?"

"We got manicures and pedicures."

"You treated her to a pedicure too? Bella that's way too much."

Smiling and shaking her head, Bella started talking again. "No it not. We had fun and she got a new outfit that I kind of want to borrow. It's a cute orange sundress. It looked really good on her."

"You spent the time to buy her an outfit?"

"Yes and then we went out for lunch and she ate a burger and fries. I had so much fun and would love to do it again sometime."

"Bella, I'm speechless. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate everything you have done. Taking Charlotte and then taking both of them last night. I love my kids. I feel that I spend a lot of time with them but not nearly as much as I'd like to. I'd do anything for them but as we both know I haven't' been too observant lately. I'm so happy that Charlotte trusts you and has you. Peter too, but Charlotte really needed someone. There is no way I can show you how much I appreciate you."

"No worries. I really did have a lot of fun last night with them. I hope you will let us do it again."

"I will. Thank you again."

Before Bella could try to assure him that it was nothing, Peter came into the living room. "Bella, I have a game next Saturday. Would you come please?"

"No Peter, we have taken up enough of Bella's time and-"

Looking at Carlisle, Bella laughed. "Carlisle! I would love to go to the game. I would love to see you play Peter."