That Sunday morning, Bella was giddy with excitement. Edward was about to get back home! She offered to pick him up at the airport but when his flight got delayed he decided a cab would be better because he didn't know when he would be landing home.
So Bella was humming and finishing the last details for a delicious stew, homemade bread, and maybe a chocolate cake if she just could stop eating the batter! Edward must be hungry after having breakfast really early. And those damn airlines just offer peanuts or those tiny packages with two cookies for short distance flights. No, it won't do. Bella was adamant to spoil him.
She heard the neighbor's dog barking excited so she went to see if by any chance Edward was already home. She peeked through the window but no one was out there, except passing cars. Bella shrugged her shoulders and turned back to the kitchen but she noticed a manila envelope on the floor. Strange as the mailman always preferred the very silly mailbox outside. Edward chose it because it had the shape of a spaceship. Maybe it was a new mailman?
She looked at the envelope that had a sticker with her name printed. Maybe it was more junk mail, a brochure.
She opened it carefully, completely clueless as to what it held. It was too much for a brochure. Those things scream look at me, while this envelope looked a bit business-like. No, inside there were pictures. Four 8X10 pictures in black and white. The first two were from Tanya falling into Edward's arms. Bella giggled and sighed relieved. She got a bit scared for a second, not knowing what kind of pictures would be inside, but these probably were a gift from the guys to make her laugh. She knew deep inside that Michael had that mischievous touch and Leah loved a good joke every now and then. They knew she would tease Tanya after getting so hammered. You could see Edward holding his phone with the other hand! He was talking to her at that precise moment!
The next one was from a restaurant, Tanya's face was really close to Edward's who had an entranced look in his eyes. Bella giggled again. Silly man forgot his new glasses and had a hard time trying to read the menu. Tanya was probably mocking him.
The last one was different. Tanya was standing really close to Edward, whose head was bowed as in deep thought with a hand over his neck. From that precise angle, it also looked like it was Tanya's hand the one caressing his reddish locks, but Bella knew that hand better than hers. Besides, it was his nervous trait. He always messed with his hair as if it wasn't difficult to keep it in place.
But there was something in the moment that picture was snapped... like it tried to convey a very different message.
Bella looked again at the envelope. It didn't have a returning address, just the sticker with her name: 'For Bella Masen'. She shook it but nothing else came out.
xxx
"Give yourself an applause, you did great," Jane said, finishing the class.
"Damn I think I gained ten pounds with the Whitlock!" Alice huffed. "Those women really cook and they're of that kind that 'no one leaves the table until your plate is clean'. Anyway, let me check on Cyn's dance lessons. Give me five and I'll be back."
She ran to the door, leaving her duffel bag at Bella's feet.
"She's so overreacting!" Rose said between breaths. Jane really pushed them today. "Just because she's bloated today she feels like she needs to get on a diet."
Esme chuckled. "I think it's her period coming, she's also a bit grumpy. But she can't make any comment at home, you know with Cynthia and her body image issues. I wish I had that body when I was her age."
"I know! I always had a bit of fat in my belly that only went away when I got into college." Bella pointed to her very flat belly. "But then, I was more worried my boobs weren't growing like they were supposed to."
"Oh, come on! Everybody has something they don't like. I grew very fast and I felt like a giraffe. Boys were intimidated because I was taller than them." Rose added, already finished changing her clothes. "Uh, oh. Your number one fan is coming."
Rose and Esme did very little to hide their chuckles. Jacob Black came barreling into the room, blatantly ignoring the greetings his own fans were shouting. This must be fun.
"Hi, Bella. It's nice to see you." He said, standing tall and with a smug stance. He was sure Bella received those pictures by now and he couldn't wait to see her reaction.
"Hi, Jacob," Bella answered, hoping he turned his attention to the group behind his back. One of those girls almost fell over her ass trying to get his attention.
"Well, as you know our case it's almost over." He prompted, like waiting for a reaction from her. But Bella just nodded. "Well, I'm not sure if they're keeping our team of three together, you know? Because Leah and Michael will be assigned to the next big case. I'm sure they will leave TANYA to work with EDWARD." He made a lot of emphasis on the last phrase, still waiting for a reaction.
Bella was too polite to answer what she was really thinking but still smiled waiting for Jacob to get his point across.
"Well, I wanted you to know that even if they change me to another team I'm here if you need me... I mean a friend. Yeah, if you need a friend to talk to."
Whoop! That was close. Jacob thought.
"Sure Jacob." Bella was at a loss for words while Esme and Rose were chuckling behind her. The guy was delusional. Bella kept hoping he didn't ask for her number. When he put his hand in his pocket, Bella got scared that she would be obligated to give her number to him, so she added. "And I'll still see you around, right"
Jacob's heart was soaring! Of course, they could still be meeting at the gym! He gave her his most endearing smile and said "Of course. See you next Tuesday!"
He turned, still giddy because now he was sure he would win Bella over, not noticing the petite black haired woman running to the room.
"Umph"
Alice was again lost in her mind, reorganizing her schedule to fit Cynthia's dancing lessons and Peter's tennis practices, so she didn't notice the giant wall of muscles standing at the door. Again, she crashed with Jacob and he, in his excellent mood was happy to settle her. Hell, he could hug her as he thought the world was a bright place.
"Sorry. I keep crashing into you." Alice muttered, wondering what the hell was this guy doing here. Esme and Rose's giggles clued her into whom he was seeking.
"No problem." Jacob smiled at her and left. He was thinking of ways to woo Bella into confiding on him.
xxx
"Stop it! He's just annoying."
Rose kept doing kissy faces to Bella's chagrin.
"Look, I wanted to talk you about something." She got serious. "I got these pictures on Sunday, just before Edward was back." She dropped the envelope on the table, and the girls were fast to retrieve the pictures.
Under their scrutiny, the real intention behind the pictures wasn't missed.
"Hun, I think someone is trying to cause problems in your marriage," Esme pointed with the agreement of the others.
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. That last picture makes it look like Tanya is getting cozy with Edward." Bella said, passing the last picture to Alice's hand.
"And the one where she fall into his arms? Bella, whoever sent them to you wanted you to think they are having an affair!"
"Oh my God! This one from the restaurant, he looks so dazed by her."
Bella took a look at the picture again. "Meh. Silly man forgot his glasses. See, he's holding the menu trying to read it. You may not notice it, but sometimes he gets crossed eyed. I didn't show him the pictures until today before he left. He got so angry! He thinks it's the plaintiff's lawyer. Something about the guy knowing he's about to loose and he's getting desperate. But then, how did he find where Edward lives? How did he know to whom address the envelope?"
Alice was tapping her nose while thinking. "Maybe you should talk to Tanya. Oh, no. But she was drunk. Well, then to Jacob." Alice batted her eyelashes, earning a slap from Bella. "No, seriously, you need to talk to the others from the team. Maybe they've noticed that scumbag lawyer following Edward."
"Or," Rosalie interrupted Alice, "you can show whoever sent those pictures that you and Edward are still happily married. Go and take him to lunch. Stake your claim on your husband."
"Cheers to that!" Esme agreed, lifting her cup. "Now talking about claiming the hubby, Alice, what about that old flame that was flirting with Jasper?"
"Ugh! Don't remind me of Janine. Cynthia is still ignoring me because I didn't go and kicked the floozy's ass in front of the whole family."
The whole table erupted in laughter.
xxx
Alice was having one of those dreams... strong arms holding her, sweet caresses and hungry lips traveling over her body. The pleasure was building and she knew she was so close... In her dream, she scratched the broad shoulders as she climaxed whispering 'Oh, Jacob!'
Alice was up in a second. What the fuck was she dreaming?
So what do you think?
Don't be too hard on Alice, she really isn't interested in Jacob at all. She's just overwhelmed and a bit confused.
I hope you enjoy whichever holiday you celebrate in the company of your loved ones.
See ya!