Author's Note: I really don't plan the long wait for the next chapter and I am sorry for the wait. I was sick for weeks. I still am coughing from pneumonia. I go back to the doctor's on Tuesday. I'm tired of being sick.

Anyway, thank you all for reading. I hope there are people still interested in the story. There is a lot left. We are only getting started.

Thank you for reading and enjoy!

-Lisa

Chapter Eleven

On the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving, the kids spent their day off with Bella. Carlisle soon joined the threesome when he was finished with work. Bella made a late dinner. She and Peter were also making pies to bring with them to take over to Edward and Tanya's for dinner the follow day. Peter was excited to make his very own batch of cookies, with Bella's supervision of course. Carlisle was helping Charlotte with her homework.

"I really like it when we are all together," Peter began to say as he mixed the ingredients to make his own batch of chocolate chip cookies. "I know Charlotte misses mom, and I do too, but dad has smiled more since you became his girlfriend. I feel like we are a family."

Bella looked up from the dishwasher and smiled. "Me too buddy, I like this feeling too."

"I like seeing him so happy," Peter said of course referring to his father.

Bella began to answer slowly. "I'm glad he is happy again. I care about him a lot, just like I care about you and Charlotte so much."

"Do you love us too?"

She didn't have to think of the answer. She smiled as she looked at Peter. "I love you guys a lot. I like being around you guys. We have a lot of fun together."

Peter couldn't help but smile. "You taught me how to cook and bake."

Returning his smile, Bella nodded. "I guess I did."

Peter grew quiet before he spoke again. "Do you love Charlotte even though she isn't nice to you?"

Nodding, Bella replied. Ever since the weekend in Seattle, Charlotte had improved how she treated Bella. Though their relationship wasn't perfect, Bella felt optimistic about it. "I do. I want you two to be happy. It does make me sad that she does get angry with me, but I understand. She is just sorting a few things out, but yes, I still love her."

Smiling once again, Peter looked at Bella. "Kate never told us that. It's nice to hear."

Bella and Peter were so wrapped up in their conversation that they hadn't realized Carlisle had slipped into the kitchen and overheard part of their conversation. He placed a hand on Peter's shoulder and looked at him with a smile. "Kate didn't care about anyone but herself. Bella isn't like that."

Peter rolled his eyes. "I know dad. She made that pretty obvious."

Carlisle shook his head. "It doesn't matter now. She is part of the past and isn't part of our family."

"No she isn't. Thank god you found Bella."

Carlisle and Bella both chuckled. He looked directly at Bella. "I'm pretty thankful too but she really found us."

Bella shook her head. "No, it was Edward."

"Remind me to thank him tomorrow," Carlisle smiled.

"You should try and see if you can get him a raise too dad," Peter added. He added knowing that his father held higher rank at the office.

"I'll see what I can do. Peter, I can't wait to taste your cookies."

"Well, you'll have to wait until after dinner dad."

"Really?"

Peter turned and looked at his father. "Yes dad. They are just dough now. Bella is going to bake her pies too. Bella can you put them into the oven while I go see what Charlotte is up to?"

"Of course. They'll go in to the oven in about ten minutes."

Bella and Carlisle watched Peter skip out. Carlisle walked to Bella. He leaned into her and kissed her lips as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "So you love us?"

"Yes I do," she smiled as she gave him another peck on his lips.

"You love the kids?"

"I do."

"And me?" He asked kissing her again.

"I had no choice to fall in love with you, you came with the kids." She giggled as she kissed him again. "Seriously, I love all of you."

Smiling with pride, Carlisle looked into Bella's eyes. "That's a good thing because I love you too. I like this feeling. We really are starting to feel like a family."

"I love this feeling too," Bella held her floured hands up to Carlisle's cheeks and kissed him. "I got flour on you!"

"It's fine. I'm going to take a shower anyway," he paused to slowly rub her back. "Stay the night, please?"

Hesitant, Bella looked at Carlisle. "I don't know. Charlotte-"

"Is getting better," Carlisle interrupted. "Plus, I want to be selfish and I want you to stay with me, please?"

"Although I like seeing you beg, I'll think about it." Bella told Carlisle. She shook her head as Carlisle stared back at her with big, sad eyes. "And don't guilt me!"

"I'm not," he told her as he continued to look at her with puppy dog eyes.

"Stop it," Bella laughed as she gently pushed him away.

Carlisle got serious. "Is Charlotte the only thing holding you back?"

Bella washed her hands and looked at Carlisle. "I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable, especially with the holidays coming. I know Peter would love to get up and help me make breakfast but I don't want to force Charlotte. We are starting to rebuild our relationship but I don't want to ruin it."

"Listen to me please?" Carlisle nodded as he held her hand. "I love my kids."

"I know you do, you are a great father."

Carlisle smiled. "It's something I work with. I would lay my life on the line for them if I had to, but they have to know I need somewhat of a life too. I know you feel bad about Charlotte, but things are getting better Bella. Ever since Seattle things have improved. You've been spending more nights here. You have to believe that things will get better, especially since you are going to be moving in with us."

"But not every day is a holiday Carlisle. I know this time of year is hard."

"I don't want to sound cruel, but she has to get used to it. You did. I'm sure there isn't a holiday that goes by where you miss your parents any less, but you have learned to deal with it. She has to do the same too." He paused as he touched her chin with the back of his fingers. "I told you, I want to be selfish, I want you. You make me so incredibly happy Bella. I'm always in a good mood with you. I know our relationship is fairly new and we are moving a little quickly with talk of moving in together and things like that, but it feels so right. I can't wait to see where we go with our love. So, yes, as I said, I'm being selfish by asking you to spend the night because I am happier with you. I'll even throw in breakfast if you stay."

Carlisle's declaration made Bella speechless. Finally she smiled. "Wow, with an offer like that how can I say no? I do have to run back to my place to grab my clothes."

"I thought you had some here?"

Bella nodded as she looked at Carlisle. "My outfit for tomorrow. I didn't expect to spend the night otherwise I would have stuff to wear."

"Would you mind taking Peter with you? Maybe Charlotte and I can talk a little bit too."

"Sure. On our way back here I need to stop and buy some heavy cream to make whipped cream for the pies, but then we'll be back here."

After Peter's cookies were made and they dined on a quick dinner, Bella and Peter went to grab Bella's outfit and then headed to the grocery store. They were joking around and laughing as Peter convinced her to buy ice cream to go with his cookies.

"Bella?" a familiar woman's voice questions.

Bella turned around to see Sara and Rachel, Jacob's mother and sister. She was surprised to see her but even more surprised this was the first time she had run into her since moving home. When Jacob and Bella separated, Sara never contacted Bella. "Oh Bella, I'm so sorry honey. Jacob wronged you and didn't treat you well at all. Are you really okay?"

Honestly, Bella answered her. "I was upset when it first happened but I am good. I'm happy again."

"Sweetheart, that's so good to hear. You should have heard Billy yell at him. I don't know if he will ever forgive his son." Sheepishly, Sarah continued. "You know we would have been there for you."

Bella swallowed. She replied honestly. "I was actually embarrassed and felt like I failed when we broke up. I was ashamed I was I cheated on and then kicked out of my house."

"Oh honey, that wasn't you. It was all his fault. Don't blame yourself."

Bella took a deep breath and looked at Sara and Rachel. She hesitantly asked her next question. "How is he doing?"

Sara smiled sadly. "He's okay. He isn't very happy with Leah, which I knew was going to happen. She is due any day, with a little girl. She is still in Arizona and he is coming up here to visit and for Thanksgiving. We are going down there for Christmas."

Bella thought about her life since she moved back. She started to feel once again betrayed by Jacob and his actions. She looked at Peter and found a sense of peace. She smiled and then felt content. She has a connection to Carlisle that she never had with Jacob. She then sincerely smiled. "He always wanted kids, I think he'll turn around. He is just nervous I'm sure."

"That might be true but you will always be the mother of his first born," Sara smiled. "He is thrilled to be a father again and can't wait for his daughter to be born, but he is starting to realize that he did wrong. He misses you. He's told me. Would you ever take him back? You aren't officially divorced yet."

Bella quickly looked at Peter, who had a petrified look on his face. He tugged onto her arm as Bella began to speak. "When he first told me about the affair I gave him choices. I told him I was willing to go to therapy and even help him raise the baby. He kicked me out on the street instead."

"What?" Sara asked shocked. "He said you just left."

"No he told me he wanted Leah to move in with him and wanted me out. Edward flew to Arizona, rented a U-Haul. I lived with Edward and his wife for a little while, until I got back on my feet."

"You will never know how sorry I am he put you through all of that," Sara paused and finally noticed Peter holding on to Bella's arm. "Hello, who are you?"

"I'm Peter," he replied sternly.

"It's so nice to meet you, I'm Mrs. Black," Sara smiled and looked at Bella. "Who is this boy?"

Taking a deep breath, Bella smiled. "Peter is my boyfriend's son."

"Your what?" Sara asked a little surprised.

"He's my boyfriend's son. We have been together since August," Bella honestly answered her.

"But you and Jacob only broke up in May," Sara tried to rationalize.

Rachel scoffed. "It took you no time to move on."

Thinking before she spoke, Bella looked at Rachel. "You know, it did take me time to move on. For over two weeks I stayed in the same pajamas, I didn't shower and I rarely left my room at Edward's. I felt bad about myself. I was depressed. I thought I had no future because my husband and one of my best friends betrayed me. I put the whole blame on me and then it hit me, none of it was my fault.

"I was hesitant at first to enter a new relationship. To say that I am happy that I took the leap of faith to enter the relationship is putting it mildly. He loves me," Bella concluded.

"I love her," Peter added.

Smiling, Bella looked at Peter and then looked at Sara and Rachel. "Peter loves me too. I haven't felt this good, this appreciated, this loved in years. I am extremely happy."

Sara was speechless. "I don't know what to say Isabella. I feel like you have thrown everything out the window. If you would have just tried therapy-"

"I did put that out on the table and Jacob refused." Bella was beginning to feel uncomfortable. She looked at Sara and Rachel. "It was great seeing you guys again but we have to get going and get ready for tomorrow."

Sara leaned in to hug Bella again. "I just wish that you would reconsider. Jacob will be home any minute now. Call Tanya and have her stop the divorce process until you two talk again. Go home to your husband. You both have had your flings now continue with your lives, together."

"Sara, with all due respect, it's not going to happen. I'm sorry, I tried and he refused. It's over, it has been for so long. He's moved on and I've moved on." Bella paused as she took Peter's hand again. "Happy holidays to you both. Give Billy a hug for him and tell him I love him and I miss him. Peter and I really do have to go."

Bella said her final goodbyes and checked out with Peter. He remained quiet as they entered her car. When they pulled into the driveway, Peter spoke up. "Are you going to go back to him?"

Bella looked at Peter. "What? No, it's all over. Please don't worry about that. That is a part of my life that is over. I've moved on to bigger and better things."

"Like us?" He cautiously asked.

"Exactly, like you guys," Bella smiled as she hugged him. "Don't worry about Jacob."

Bella and Peter entered the house. Peter had forgotten about his ice cream and told Carlisle he was going to bed. Charlotte followed suit. Carlisle looked at Bella.

"What happened? You guys where gone for a while."

"I ran into Jacob's mother," Bella began to tell him. She recapped their encounter.

Carlisle didn't say anything at first and then he looked at Bella. "She gave you some things to think about."

"Yea, right," Bella replied as she rolled her eyes.

Hesitantly, Carlisle looked at Bella. "Will you, I mean see Jacob?"

Raising her eye brow, Bella looked back at Carlisle. "Are you serious?"

"I am."

Shaking her head she walked closer to Carlisle. "he kicked me out of my home after admitting to having an affair with my friend, and getting her pregnant too." Bella paused. "Are you jealous Dr. Cullen?"

"Not jealous but worried. You have lots of history with him." Carlisle paused before speaking again. "What? Even the most secure person needs a little reassurance sometimes. I really do love you."

Bella smiled as she kissed his lips. "Good because I love you too. Let's go to bed."