…'Meyer' made the mold…but we are all here to break it…lol…

Chapter 23

"SO, WHAT will it be for my three favorite chick-a-dees?" Sam stood at his usual place behind the bar at the diner, smiling and waiting for the Swan girls to reply.

"I want a hot caramel and fudge sundae, please, with whipped cream and strawberries and sprinkles…the colorful ones!" Rosey, of course, answered first as she wiggled around on the stool at the bar top, unable to keep still.

Sam poked her cute nose with his finger and gave her a wink, and then looked expectantly at June. She was frowning, obviously trying to decide on something that would surpass her sister's order. Bella rubbed her back in circles, encouraging her to make a decision. She rolled her eyes and grumbled out, "Apple pie…heated…with cheddar cheese, too…" she paused for effect and squinted at Sam like she was making the utmost important of decisions, "…and…one scoop of vanilla on the side, please."

Sam tapped the side of his greying head lightly with the tip of his first finger, letting June know he had committed her most awesome order to memory. He moved his eyes to Bella next and waited, but Bella shook her head, declining a sweet treat for herself. "Just a latte for me, Sam. Extra hot, thanks."

"Ah-ah-ah," he shook his head at her, "Bella, dear. You said you are having a 'Swan' night and we all know that in order for that to be successful, all Swans involved must imbibe in a sugary delight." He crossed his arms over his large chest for dramatic effect. Both of her girls giggled.

Rosey stopped her wiggling and turned to her mama with as stern a look as a 9 year old could give, "Mama, if you don't get something then the sugar fairy will die of a broken heart…she told me."

June rolled her eyes yet again, but at her sister this time, and murmured to herself, "So stupid. Ugh."

Hearing her low comment, Bella gave her oldest a warning look of her own, then turned back to Sam, giving in for once to overindulgence. "Fine, fine. Hmm. I think I will have the chocolate lava cake, but I would like coffee ice-cream instead of vanilla, please. And the latte."

Sam and Rosey both smiled and June grumbled a low 'gross' at her mother's order…with another small eye-roll.

Flipping the kitchen towel up and over his shoulder, Sam said, "You know, June Reed, you keep rolling your eyes like that and I will be forced to get you a jacket…along with your mother here," he looked pointedly at Bella, "that has 'Holy Rollers' sewn in on the back. And I am not talking about the roller-derby team." He gave a goofy grin at the pair of them. "Be right back, girls. Don't fly away, now."

Of course all three of them giggled at that as they watched Sam disappear through the side door to the kitchen where he proceeded to yell out loudly, for the girl's sole benefit no doubt, "Order UP, River. No skimping on this one. Get the large bowls down!"

Oh lord, they are going to have to roll me out the door after this.

It was Saturday night and Bella had wanted to spend some quality time with her girls before her work week began and then having to leave for New York this coming Friday, early afternoon. The had already eaten dinner at home; Junebug's choice this time of fried chicken fingers, mashed potatoes and roasted carrots…and cream gravy, of course.

She was going to miss them so freaking much. She had never been away from them for this long.

It would be almost a full 10 day trip, with the first formal opening event taking place less than 48 hours after her arrival. Mr. Henderson assured her that a Sunday early evening opening event was perfect for their quaint Gallery Nine. Ha, there was nothing quaint about it. This opening was geared more to cater to the serious art collectors. The second opening would occur on the following Saturday evening in order to attract a more varied gathering, in both age and attitude.

She was trying really hard not to think about all of the days in between the openings…with Edward…at his apartment…alone.

She shivered a little internally at the thought, crossing her legs.

Well, they wouldn't be alone there all of the time. She was going to be in New York City for crying out loud. Also, Edward had his restaurants to manage and she would still need to check in with the gallery staff and make adjustments to the hangings if need be. The pieces of her work that she chose for the event were already being shipped north as they sat at Sam's Diner. That alone…deciding on which ones to hang…had been a test to her sanity, but she had chosen well she thought. The crates would already be waiting for her Saturday morning at the gallery, so that was a load off. Seems having a showing in the Big Apple came with some unforeseen perks.

Stew-G had finished up his collaborated flyer late Wednesday evening and they had already printed them and distributed them to various hot spots around the big city. There were even some on display around the diner. She even had a stack in her purse so she could hand them out to people as she ran into them around this small town of hers. Esme and Carlisle had of course demanded a large stack for their front counter, and even went so far as to paste many together forming a large poster-type in their front window. She really loved them for it, and told them as much, too.

"Kkkkkkkk…Earth to Mama, come in Mama. Kkkkkkkk." June spoke into her hand like it was a CB radio, static and all. "Stop thinking about your boyfriend and come back to the planet. Kkkkkk."

Bella shook herself out of her thoughts and, fast as lightning, she reached her arms around her daughter to squeeze and hug her tight.

Rosey cheered and bounced on her stool, "Get her, Mama! Get her!"

Feigning horror, June squealed loudly at her mother's show of affection, "Ow, you are hurting me. Stop…STOP IT! ARG!" She tried to twist away but Bella just squeezed her a little harder and went in for the kiss. Or, in June's mind, the kiss of death. Ha!

She knew Junebug loved it when she did this to her no matter how she reacted. Smother her with love, which was Bella's aim. Always, every day. June finally stopped squirming and let her mom give her kisses, whispering as she smiled a secret smile, "I love you, Mama."

Bella whispered back, "I love you too, sweety."

They both straightened up then as Sam reappeared with their three desserts lined all the way up one beefy forearm. It was quite a sight. They were absolutely huge! There was no way they would be able to eat even half of what was in each bowl.

Glancing at each of her daughters to see their reactions, Bella grinned and watched as each of their mouths fell open in awe, their excitement twinkling in their eyes.

Sam barked out a laugh at the looks on their faces. Reaching for the top bowl, he presented it to Rosey with a flourish of his arm and a small bow of his head, "My lady."

Rosey looked entranced as she stared at her sundae 'mountain'. "Mama, have you ever seen anything so yummy? Oh my gosh!" She grabbed her spoon and dug straight in, caramel and chocolate dripping on the bar top and down the front of her Cracker Jacks t-shirt.

"Oops, slow down sweety," Bella laughed out, reaching for some napkins, "it's not going anywhere."

"And now, for you, Princess Swan." Sam bowed deep from the waist toward Junebug, "May all the Princes in the land observe and rejoice your most royal order." June grinned, looking a little sheepish as her face turned beet red. But there was no way a little embarrassment could keep her hand from grabbing her fork to taste the warm apple filling.

"Yummy," she sighed in delight.

Next he turned to Bella, smiling a knowing grin, and presented her own bowl of sin, looking entirely like he was up to no good. Holding the bowl in front of her but just out of reach, he said, "Now, I am not so sure it's good for all of the land to let our Majesty, Queen Isabella, partake in such a delicacy just now."

Bella's eyes narrowed at him, "Oh, really. And pray tell just why this is so, kind sir."

His grin grew wider, knowing he was going to get it for these next words. "Well, what with its aphrodisiac effects, you may consider waiting to indulge when next with one certain young Lord and Merchant. For the good of the people, of course. We don't want to witness our sovereign suffering needlessly after such fine consumption. Could be disastrous, you know…" cough, "…especially for the nether regions." He waited, moving the chocolate dessert closer and then further away, over and over, taunting her salivary glands.

He did not just say that.

Leaning over the bar and placing her elbows on its top to grasp her hands in front of her chest, Bella looked him straight in the eye, smiled knowingly, and said, "Dear Sam, if you don't watch out what you say, and give me that dessert immediately, then a certain new someone you hold dear and near may not be so inclined to give you tiny secret waves and smiles the next time you see her."

His eyes grew wide. She knew.

Bella raised her eyebrow at him in mock challenge, knowingly.

He gulped, a little nervous now, "You wouldn't."

"Hand it over, old man."

He quickly placed the bowl in front of Bella and gave her a fork.

Rosey turned then, momentarily surfacing from her sugar-induced-hypnosis, blinked once at her mom and asked innocently, "Mama, can I have a bite of yours, 'cause I want to be like Aphrodite, and help save Neverland." Blink.

June smacked her hand to her forehead, "Oh my god…"

Bella's fork stopped mid-air as her head whipped around to stare at her youngest daughter is amazement.

Sam laughed out loud. "I'll make that latte now."

Oh, geez.

xxCSxx

"THE FIRSTNMAIN. Really?" Her reply was as flat as it could get, a cross expression appearing between her perfectly plucked brows.

She cleared her throat.

She tapped her pen.

She was making him nervous…with purpose.

She was all business as she continued, "When we placed our order with your company for the new outdoor tables, you assured us, Felix, that there would be no problem getting the Werzalit in Abstract Canvas as quickly as we needed them. Now you say you can't get it on time because of backorders. And you have the audacity to suggest that we switch to the Firstnmain because it would look just as good with our upgraded design scheme." Nikki uncrossed and crossed her long legs again, sitting up straighter and leaning forward at her desk. She smoothed her emerald green silk pencil skirt and took a deep breath into her lungs, full capacity. She was pissed.

Edward walked through the open door and sat down in the brown leather chair adjacent to her desk. By the looks of it he wondered who she was preparing to tear down across that telephone line.

She glanced at him and nodded confidently as she listened to Felix grasp at straws. She had this one.

Sitting back now, she closed the file folder containing Sun Devils and Co.'s history of orders with Felix's company, holding her painted nails up for a needless inspection. "Let me just stop you there and make a suggestion. Either you bump our order ahead of whomever you say is now getting those preferred tables, or you lose our order altogether and we go with your best competitor when we are ready with our next venture."

Edward smiled his crooked smile at her as he listened and waited. She was absolutely going to get her way. Nikki Greene was a force unlike any other. Well maybe except for Jackson. But she could grab a man by his balls without even being in the same room with him.

Felix stood no chance. Poor guy.

A slow smile appeared on her face as she listened at the receiver. She glanced briefly back at Edward again and gave a small nod of affirmation. "Thank you, Felix. I think you will find this decision to be favorable for all involved." She sat forward and flipped open the file again, jotting down some quick notes as their business associate continued talking. Nikki smiled huge now, replying back as she looked at her desk calendar, "Indeed, and tomorrow mid-afternoon is spot on for delivery. Just make sure the bases are compatible with bar stool height as specified, Felix, and all will be right in our world. Ciao."

Swinging her hair back over her shoulder, she replaced the receiver on the phone's base and sat back again in her chair, letting out a small relieved sigh. "Thank fuck my parent's tortured me with Catholic School."

Edward scoffed, "Yeah, right. I am pretty sure you had all the nuns of Our Lady of Grace running for their lives day and night."

"You bet your ass I did, but I attended Preston High and it was the Sisters of the Divine Compassion who did the running…" she snorted out at him, "…straight to the Devil's bed, too, if my efforts weren't made in vain."

Oh fuck, she was absolutely the perfect fit for Jackson Lutz. Bella would probably hit it off spectacularly with Nikki, too. Feisty meets ball-breaker. Lord help him if they ever ganged up on him.

Edward's hand moved instinctively towards his junk, but he wasn't sure if it was a protective move or a needy one at the thought of a feisty Bella.

It was late Thursday afternoon and she was due to land at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow night.

God damn, he missed her. It had been 9 ½ days since he left but who's counting. Pathetic was not strong enough of a word for his state of need.

Of course they had talked or at least texted every day several times a day. He was grateful that long distance phone charges were not going to be an issue, as if that would even matter.

And fuck-all if she hadn't shocked the ever lovin' shit out of him late last Saturday night when she texted him a picture message of her naked tits. So perky and pink. She messaged that the sugar fairy had paid her a visit that evening and that her nipples were now sparkling in sugar fairy dust and needed his mouth immediately for the good of Chocolate Neverland. He didn't quite get that last part so of course he had to immediately get naked and call her…you know…so she could help him work it out.

A loud clearing of a throat, "EHEM! Release the prisoner, sir, and back away slowly." Nikki mock-glared at his slouched-down form in that leather chair, her eyes darting down to where his hand covered his privates and back to his confused eyes.

He glanced down. "Oh shit!" His hand became a blur as it moved over the side of the armrest and out of her sight completely. He at least had the decency to look embarrassed. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Nikki rolled her eyes, annoyed, "I sooooo did not need to see that, Edward. Thanks for that. Now I will need to go find Jackson so he can help me forget…maybe by way of your office chair…"

"Jesus! Don't even think about it. It's enough I have to watch the two of you horn-balls eye fucking each other all day every day. There is only so much I can take. And where is Jackson, by the way? I haven't seen him in hours." He glanced at his watch, noting how much time until the dinner rush would begin.

"Oh, he's been checking out the new paint jobs at both restaurants and making sure that the nursery people would actually be willing to maintain the new plants you guys bought. I could have put a down payment on a house with what you two goons spent, you know." She shook her head disapprovingly. "You want me to get him on the line for you?"

"Nah, I will just text him. By the way, we agreed to use those old table tents so we could put one of Bella's fliers on each table and at the bars instead of having them at the hostess stands."

"Good idea, but keep a stack of them there as well so those that want one can still take it with them when they leave."

"Done."

The flyers were really well done. Sun Devils and Co. had sponsored some of the cost of production at Mr. Henderson's suggestion. Since they would be displaying larger posters around the city, it would be good to have a New York based establishment that was popular appearing in the fine print. It would be good exposure for The Blue Sage and Brazil too. From what Bella had shared before he had seen the actual final product, that kid from the diner, Stew-G, was really talented. That seemed to be a huge understatement.

Edward pushed himself out of his chair and walked across the room to where a fresh pot of coffee waited and poured a cup for him and one for Nikki, too.

Just then they heard all hell break loose and heading their way. Jackson was yelling and cursing up a storm as he stomped down the hallway towards their offices looking for them. "Fucking hell…Edward man! You here?" More stomping and one slammed door later, "Nikki?"

"We're both in Nikki's office man. What's up?" Edward felt his stomach clench with stressful tension.

Christ, what now?

Jackson entered quickly through Nikki's office door, coat tails flying, and began pacing. Then he stopped and rushed to the window, peering out like he was looking for some perpetrator. Turns out he was.

He looked like he was ready to kill. He spoke so vehemently you could see spit fly onto the window. "Fuck, man! Carmen. That bitch Carmen Maestro, Victoria's friend. The one that helped vandalize our joints." He was wild-eyed.

"Fuck Jackson, spit it out!"

Jackson left the window to pace again, pointing back at the window, "Just as I was walking through the front door she was walking out…laughing like the fucking witch that she is…and waving Bella's flier in her hand like she had found the golden ticket!"

They all froze.

Fuck no.

"Dude, where's my gun? Fuck, Nikki! Get me that guy I know…get me his number!" He ran out of Nikki's office and into his own right across the hall. Edward and Nikki followed quickly.

"Fuck, I told you, man! If I so much as saw any one of them…" Jackson spat, rifling through the back of his closet.

"Jackson Lutz," Nikki's voice held every ounce of warning she could muster, as she stood there tapping her foot at his back, "you stop what you are thinking…what you are doing right now!"

Edward just watched as his friend lost more than just his cool. He had lost a little bit of his sanity, too.

"Fuck that, doll. Stay out of my way!"

Nikki's mouth dropped open after hearing his words, and turned to Edward with narrowed eyes, speaking softly, "Edward…I need some privacy with the idiot inside the closet. And lock the door on your way out. This could take a while."

Edward spun on his heel and beat it out the door, not forgetting to lock it, either.

Oh fuck. Ball-breaker's in the house.

a/n…please note that i have nothing against the catholic church…the language was necessary for nikki's character development only…and i have to admit i maybe kinda have a crush on jackson…leave me some love…review review review…please please please…review…

xxx jess