Author's Note:
Hello. I know it's been a while but I have a good excuse that I won't bore you with. I wasn't in much of a mood to write and was very upset but I'm getting better now. So with out more hesitation here is the next chapter. Thank you to those who have added me and the story to their alert/favorite lists. Also thank you for the reviews. i love reading them and I like hearing what you guys are thinking.
-Lisa
Chapter Twenty Three
"Hi," Bella greeted the hostess. "I am meeting the Cullen family. Can you tell me where are they seated?"
The hostess looked at the paper in front of her and smiled. "They are this way, please follow me," she said as she lead Bella a table in back. She quickly spotted the three members of the family. Carlisle was telling a story. He hadn't noticed Bella walking towards the table. Charlotte's back was turned so she couldn't see behind her. Peter was the first to spot her. His eyes opened wide and a smile found its way to his face.
"Bella!" Peter shouted as the waitress escorted Bella to the table. "Dad didn't tell us you'd be here!"
Charlotte turned around. Her demeanor changed completely. She rolled her eyes as her father stood to greet his girlfriend. They shared a quick kiss on the lips as Carlisle pushed Bella's chair in.
"Well, surprise!" Bella beamed as she looked from Peter and then Charlotte. "Hi Peter, Charlotte."
"Whatever," Charlotte murmured under her breath.
"Charlotte, stop now," Carlisle warned as he sat down in his chair.
"I want to go home. I've lost my appetite now," Charlotte spoke.
Carlisle stared at his daughter before speaking again. "We are having a family dinner together tonight. Stop now with the attitude please. Let's enjoy dinner." Carlisle paused before he looked across the table to Bella. "I ordered you lemonade and a water, is that okay?"
"It's perfect, thank you," Bella grinned.
Silence filled the table for a few seconds. Charlotte never looked up and played with her napkin. Carlisle spoke up. "We wanted to have dinner with both of you because we wanted to tell you both something important."
"You're going to tell us if you are having a boy or a girl, right?" Peter guessed.
Before Bella could answer, Charlotte rolled her eyes yet again. Bella laughed and shook her head. "Sorry buddy, that isn't the big news."
"It's not fair, dad knows!" Peter added.
"Well," Bella started. "He only knows because he cheated! The baby will be here in less than two months, we can wait until then!"
Carlisle couldn't help but smirk. "No, the news doesn't really have anything to do with the baby. It has to do with all of us."
"Great, what did she screw up this time?" Charlotte huffed.
Shaking his head, the smirk faded from Carlisle's face. "That is enough Charlotte. You will listen to both of us and show all of use respect starting right now," Carlisle scolded his daughter quietly. He looked between both of his children before he started. "I have to admit something to the both of you. I was wrong. I made a terrible choice when I moved you two across the country and to New York City. I did it because, well because, um, well-"
Bella watched has Carlisle searched to formulate his thoughts. She looked at both kids and continued for him. "Uncle Edward was going through something bad. You know Uncle Edward is like my brother. I spent a lot of time with him, which meant I was spending less time with all of you."
Carlisle jumped in. "But Uncle Edward really needed Bella. I will admit that I was jealous and I didn't like them spending all of that time together. I jumped to conclusions and-"
"Oh my god, you had sex with Uncle Eddie!" Charlotte spoke loudly with a look of disgust on her face. "You are such a sl-"
Angrily, Carlisle looked at his daughter. "Don't you dare finish that syllable young lady. You are grounded and we will discuss this at home."
Ignoring his sister, Peter jumped into the conversation. "So why was Uncle Eddie so upset?"
"He had just found out that he and Aunt Tanya were getting a divorce. That is why he was so sad. He loved her very much and when their marriage ended, he was upset. I spent my time with him because he was so sad."
Adding his thoughts to the conversation, Carlisle looked between his children. "I thought she liked him more than a brother."
"Like a boyfriend?" Peter asked all ready knowing the answer.
Nodding his head, Carlisle responded to his son. "Yes, like a boyfriend."
"But she loves you dad, a lot," Peter told his father.
Smiling, Carlisle looked at Bella. "I know that but I was so jealous when I shouldn't have been. I spent all that time being uptight and hurt for no reason. Bella spent most of her time with us and I missed that. When she went away I didn't like it and I let it get to me."
"Why didn't you just talk to her?" Peter honestly asked.
"I was scared. I didn't want to get hurt, or have you two get hurt."
"But you never talked about it with us at all. You never even let us say goodbye or just talk to her," Peter stated.
"I know. I'm not proud of the way I responded to the situation or the way I handled things. I am the first to admit that."
Taking a breath, Peter looked at Carlisle again. "You never sent her any of my letters. I saw them the other day."
"Like I said, I'm not proud of it, any of it."
Bella turned her attention from the father and son to Charlotte, who still looked unimpressed. "Your father and I ran into each other in May while he was in Seattle. We started talking. We spoke on the phone frequently before you guys moved back."
"We talked most of Friday night when you two were at your friends' houses. We have decided that we want to be a couple again. We are back together," Carlisle beamed.
"For real?" Peter asked.
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "You can't be serious!"
Bella looked at Peter. "Yes, for real."
"We have also talked about moving in together," Carlisle added with a smile.
"You can't be serious!" Charlotte whined.
"Briefly," Bella clarified. "Now isn't the right time. I'm still thinking about it."
Peter shook his head. "Bella, you have to move in with the baby!"
"Shut up, don't give them any ideas," Charlotte yelled at her brother.
"Charlotte," Carlisle began.
Shaking her head, Charlotte looked her father in the eyes. "No dad! You got your little fling or your midlife crisis out of the way so-"
"Charlotte," Carlisle warned with a stern voice.
"She isn't mom!" Charlotte shouted. "She just isn't mom. I don't want her to live in the house. I don't want her and I don't want anything to do with that stupid baby! I hate her." Charlotte stopped only to take a breath. Tears poured down her eyes as she looked at Bella. "I hate you and that baby!"
Feeling bad, Bella reached to Charlotte and took her hand. "Charlotte."
"Don't you dare touch me!" Charlotte said in between tears as she ripped her hand from Bella.
"Charlotte Anne, that is enough now!" Carlisle said raising his voice.
People from nearby tables looked at the table that now emotions were being thrown around. Charlotte spoke once again in a harsh voice as she looked at Bella. "You are nothing to me and no amount of cookies or girl time or time at the mall or manicures will change that. You will always be the hired help."
"That is it," Carlisle said as he stood up. "We are leaving now. When we get a home you and I are having a talk young lady. There is no reason for your behavior. We will be discussing what respect is." He paused and looked at Bella. "Bella, I'm so embarrassed and I am sorry."
Offering a sad smile, Bella looked at Carlisle. "It's okay. We both knew something like this could happen. Maybe moving in right now isn't a good idea."
Carlisle stood up and walked over to Bella. He hugged her and kissed her cheek. "We will talk later. Peter, let's go, we are going home."
"Um dad, I'm still hungry."
"We'll get something at home."
"Well," Bella smiled. "IF it is okay with you, I'll stay with Peter. I'm really hungry too."
"You don't mind?" Carlisle asked.
"Shaking her head, Bella looked at the man she loved standing in front of her. "No, I don't mind. I'll ask the waitress to wrap your and Charlotte's dinners."
Kissing her again, Carlisle felt in awe of the woman before him. "I'll see you later, and thank you." He looked over at Charlotte. "Let's go. We have some talking to do."
Bella and Peter watched Carlisle and Charlotte leave. Peter looking sad looked up at Bella. "I don't understand what her problem is."
"She's confused," Bella tried to rationalize. "I get it."
Shaking his head, Peter looked at Bella. "She was just so mean to you."
"I know. I just feel badly for her. I wish I could make her happy. We used to have so much fun together. I miss our relationship." Bella paused before she looked at Peter. "You know that I'm not trying to be your mother, right? I love both of you and like to think that I treat both of you like you were my children, but I know I'm not your mom and I am not trying to be your mom. I could never be her and I'm not trying to replace her."
Peter offered a smile. "I know that Bella. You care about us and I know you love us. You know what it is like to not have your mom." Peter looked at Bella. "Do you think that Charlotte will ever turn around?"
"I hope so Peter, I hope so."
Bella and Peter enjoyed their meal. They laughed and shared cheesecake as a desert. Peter proclaimed that Bella's baking was much better than the restaurant's. After they felt full, Bella and Peter filled Bella's car and left. They soon arrived at the Cullen residence. They walked into the house and saw Carlisle reading a paper, looking frustrated. He looked up and quickly put the paper down and walked towards his son and girlfriend. "I hate bringing my work home but I welcome this distraction. How was dinner?"
"It was good. We brought you and Charlotte back your meals you ordered. Bella even thought to order you tiramisu," Peter explained.
Carlisle couldn't help but grin. "Thank you. That was thoughtful of you."
"I'm going to go to bed. Good night dad, good night Bella," Peter said hugging Bella."
Both Carlisle and Bella bid Peter a good night and watched him go up the stairs. Bella spoke first. "I'll go heat up your dinner."
"No," Carlisle told her reaching for her hand and led her to the couch. "Come here." Bella sat leaning into Carlisle. Absentmindedly he stroked her belly. "I want you to know I still want you to move in with me. That offer is still on the table."
Bella traced Carlisle's big hands that now rested on her bump. "Carlisle," she whispered. "What about Charlotte? I don't know what I want, let alone angering Charlotte."
"She's going back to therapy. She is so angry I don't understand why. She isn't that shy, introverted girl you met almost a year ago. She's full of anger. I want her to get her feeling sorted out before she gets more toxic. I don't want her to be a spoiled brat. I know Elizabeth didn't want her to be like that. I know she is a good kids, she's just going through something that I don't know how to help her with. I told her that whether or not she liked it, things were changing around here. I told her that she has to get used to change." Carlisle threw his head on the back of the couch. "I hate this new found attitude of hers."
Bella took her hand and squeezed Carlisle's. "She's a teenager Carlisle. This is what they do."
"Then god help me," he chuckled before getting serious. "I hope anything she has said won't weigh too greatly on your decision to move in."
"Carlisle, I just don't feel that it's the right time. We both know that Charlotte is going through something and-"
"Bella," Carlisle whined.
"No listen," Bella said as she sat up to look at Carlisle. "She's going through something. I don't think it's a good idea right now for me to suddenly move in and then have the baby. She needs to work through whatever she is going on. I respect that Carlisle. Hey," she looked up at him grabbing his hand. "We will make it work. It will be challenging once this once comes along, but we will make it work."
Carlisle didn't respond right away. He was quiet and looked a little put off. "Well, if that's how you feel."
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
Bella shook her head and sat up. She turned to look at Carlisle. "Don't get all bad moody on me. I'm trying to think about this logically. Was I considering moving in with you? Maybe but Carlisle, you and I have somethings that need to be talked through before we take that step. Now throw Charlotte's feelings into the mix. It really isn't a good time. We will get there, but it's going to have to take some time and you are going to have to be patient."
Carlisle reached for Bella and pulled her back into his arms. "I'm a parent first and I love my children, all of them," he began to explain as his hand once again rested on Bella's stomach. "I want to be truly happy for the first time in a long time. I was happy before my stupid decision."
"It was pretty stupid," Bella said looking at him. Carlisle stared at Bella not knowing how to respond. "Seriously, what? It was a pretty dumb move Carlisle. You just stated the truth and I am just agreeing with you."
Realizing the sarcasm in her tone, Carlisle half smiled. "Well thanks for that. Bella, I'm happy when I'm with you. You make me so happy by just being with me. You have extended my family by giving me another child. Is it so wrong? For me to want us all under one roof living together? I want to be there for you and all of my children. I love Charlotte very, very much and I always will, but I don't know what to do about all of her anger and disrespect-fulness, even hateful at times, especially towards you. Her actions are not going to dictate my life or your life. She maybe a teenager but she is a child and is still living in my house. She has to learn how to handle situations, even if she doesn't like them."
Bella leaned back into Carlisle's arms. "How many times did you rehearse that speech in your head?"
"Just once," Carlisle answered as he pulled Bella close to him once more. "Please don't change your mind about us, about living here. Come here," he said helping her up. He took her by the hand and gently tugged her up the stairs. They stopped outside his office. "I want to show you something." He opened the door and turned on the lights. The room was empty with the exception of an old rocking chair. "I thought this would be a good place to put the baby's room. It's large and has a big closet. It's closest to our room." He once more pulled Bella into the direction of the rocking chair. He helped her sit down while he knelled up on the floor looking at her. "I also want to talk to you professionally about renovating the basement. Then there is the bedroom and the bathroom."
"Why so many changes?"
"I want us to live here together. I want you to make choices too since this will be your home, eventually. We can pick out new furniture for the bedroom and my office can be downstairs and-"
Bella brought her fingers up to Carlisle's lips. She smiled at him. "Slow down my crazy man. We need to take baby steps. You don't need to change your entire life to have me here. I do want you Carlisle, I do."
Carlisle couldn't help but beam as he heard the words he already knew leave Bella's mouth. "You don't know how much I love hearing those words escape your lips. You don't know how happy you make me."
"I love you too Carlisle, I really do, but I really think Charlotte-"
"Will accept things in time," he explained turning to kiss her lips. "So when do you move in?"
Bella chuckled sadly. "You are way too much. Let's give Charlotte some time. I don't want to push her and alienate her anymore."
Sighing, Carlisle looked at Bella. "So we are back at square one?"
"I'm afraid so, but Carlisle," Bella said getting his attention. She brought her hand up to his cheek and stared longingly into his clear blue eyes. "It will work out one day, I promise."
"So that's it, you're not moving in?" Alice asked as Bella made dinner the following day for her friends.
Shaking her head, Bella answered her friend. "It's not that I'm not moving in now, it's just that it's on hold for now."
"I don't get it," Edward began as he sipped his wine. "Charlotte was always such a great kid. She's really changed."
"Well, she's growing up. She made me feel so bad last night at the restaurant. Everyone looked at me like I was a terrible person."
"She's a child," Alice stated. "How bad could it be?"
Taking a deep breath, Bella repeated the words Charlotte used to describe her. "She called me the hired help and said I'd never be anything more."
"Ouch, that had to hurt," Alice said.
"You two used to be so close," Edward added.
Stirring the pasta sauce, Bella shook her head. "Well we aren't any more apparently. Carlisle wants me to move in with him and the kids and I want to, believe me I do, especially after all the time we spent apart. In theory it makes sense to begin our child's life together. It does and I get it, but I don't want to bring the baby home to such a hostile environment. There is so much tension between Charlotte and I and I want it to change but it isn't so far."
"Maybe it'll just take time?" Edward asked.
Shrugging her shoulders, Bella replied. "I don't know. She hates me Edward, literally hates me. She wrote me a letter before they left and she has made it clear with her words and actions. She hates the baby."
Silently Alice looked at Bella with a sad look. "Realistically you know that she could always feel disconnected and hostile towards you?"
Shaking her head in agreement, Bella spoke. "I realize that and I'm nervous for that reason to move in. I don't want my baby to grow up around all of that negativity. Nothing it seems that I do lately makes Charlotte look at me any different. I wish I could change our relationship, but I can't."
"I think she needs time. She was always a good kid, she's just confused," Edward said putting in his two sense.
"I don't know Edward. Like I said, she hates me. On the plus side," Bella began as she looked at Alice. "Carlisle would like us to look at his house for renovations."
Smiling, Alice looked at her friend as she leaned into Edward. "We'll give him the same price we gave Edward."
"Sounds good, thank you," Bella answered.
"Do you want to decorate here? A room I mean, for the baby?" Edward inquired.
"I don't know, I don't think so?" Bella said sounding unsure of herself. "I mean I hope to move in with Carlisle sooner than later. I know I'm going to be tired once the baby gets here so to add the coming and going from house to house would be more stress. I don't think it's fair to keep the baby away from Carlisle either. I don't know."
"Well feel free to do whatever you need to if you change your mind," Edward offered.
"Thank you, I appreciate that."
Changing the subject, Alice spoke up. "This Sunday coming up I want to cook dinner for you two."
"Umm, Alice?" Bella questioned.
Edward wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and kissed her cheek. "Sweetheart, you have many talents but cooking isn't one of them."
"Yes, what he said," Bella agreed.
"Stop it, both of you!" Alice giggled nervously.
"Is dinner code for baby shower?" Bella asked.
"What? No, no. I didn't say anything about a baby shower."
"You lie almost as well as you can cook Alice," Bella told her friend. "Please tell me you aren't cooking for the shower?"
"Very funny and no, I'm not cooking," Alice answered her friend. "It's going to be coed, so tell Carlisle he is invited as well as Peter and Charlotte. I swear to god Bella, if you breathe a word of this shower I will deny everything. Esme said-"
Bella held her hands up in surrender. "My lips are sealed, promise."
"I promise it's small."
Edward looked at Alice and looked at Bella. "Alice forgot one key factor."
"What is it?" Bella asked.
Edward went to reply but Alice hit him in the stomach. "Shut up!"
"Ow," Edward said. "I was just going to say it is being catered."
Bella took the eggplant from the warmer and placed the platter on the table. "Well I am relieved to know that Alice isn't' cooking after all. After dinner I'm heading over to Carlisle's so I will let him and the kids know we have dinner plans on Sunday."
"Good. It was hard to plan not knowing if you are having a boy or a girl, but I think Peter did a good job with something," Alice said sounding vague.
"Please tell me there aren't going to be stupid games," Bella begged.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that," Alice said smiling.
"You can't Alice! Isn't there a football game on?" Bella asked pleading to Edward.
"It's July Bella, wrong season," Edward explained.
"Golf? Tennis? Cricket?" Bella begged.
"Jesus Bella, your sports knowledge is as bad as Alice's cooking," Edward teased.
"You of all people should know Edward that I don't do three things in public: dance, sing karaoke or play games. These are my rules," Bella explained.
"Well it's a good thing we'll be in a private room," Alice added.
Shaking her head, Bella begged. "Alice, please no."
"You'll just have to wait and see."
"Evil, you are purse evil," Bella told her as she finished her dinner.
"Isn't she though?" Edward smiled. "That's why I love her."
"That's why you love me?" Alice questioned. "I thought you loved me because of that thing I do with my tongue when I-"
Bells stood up. "On that note, I'm out. Have fun kids but not too much fun. I'll be at Carlisle's."
"Have fun," Edward said as he watched Bella clear her plate and walk back to the fridge to grab a water. He had to take on more jab at her. "So Alice, that tongue thing-"
"Bye!" Bella said as she quickly walked out of the kitchen while Alice and Edward laughed.