…'Meyer' made the mold…but we are all here to break it…lol…
Chapter 32
THE THREE of them must be quite a sight, all curled up together and cozy on top of Bella's bed. They were watching Beauty Shop with Queen Latifah, and Rosey had drifted off to sleep at some point while Bella ran her fingers through her youngest daughter's soft blonde hair.
It was Tuesday afternoon now. Tanya was downstairs, helping with the laundry and tidying up a bit after her weekend of staying with the girls and letting things go just a bit around the house. It was apparent that they had fun while she was away. Their fort was still standing in the living room and there was stuff everywhere inside and around the huge blanket-made shelter. They'd left the mess to deal with today.
" 'What's with the Kmart thing, huh? Is it cuz I'm black? IS IT CUZ I'M BLACK?' " June busted out giggling as she said the line along with the Queen. "Mama, that line is so funny, the way she says it with her eyes all big and her body…her arms…" More giggles.
"Shhh," Bella whispered as she move her right arm up from where it lay behind June's neck to cover her daughter's mouth with her hand, "…you will wake up Rosey, baby."
Tanya had picked Bella up from the airport in Austin yesterday afternoon, and together they drove to the girls' school to get them after each was let out for the day. Of course, Bella had shared the events of the previous night with her best girlfriend, who, surprisingly, decided to keep her comments to herself, at least for the time being anyway.
Ugh. Bella wanted to just forget about it.
Rosey and June had no idea their mom was going to be back early. They were so excited to see her sitting in the passenger seat. Of course they each asked why she wasn't still in New York, but Bella just said that she had missed them too much to stay away any longer and had to come back for a few days to visit before flying back for the second opening on Saturday.
Once they had arrived home and helped carry in Bella's bags as well as the girls backpacks and stuff, they settled in Bella's room where she proceeded to hand out the few presents and treats that she had been able to get those few days stay in the Big Apple. T-shirts, Statue of Liberty key chains…and candy. No doubt Rosey's candy consumption has also lent to her current state of passed-out-cold. Twenty-four hours of sugar high would do that to a body. June was still going strong, enjoying an astro pop. Most of the candy Bella got was of the novelty variety like candy buttons, giant gummy worms and candy necklaces and rings, too.
Thank goodness Demetri had picked her up from MoMo's coffee shop Sunday night with enough time for them to hit the candy store before they had closed. Dylan's Candy Store was a sight to behold. You could get a sugar rush just walking through the door.
June settled down next to her mom as she licked melted sugar from her sticky lips, then she asked in a loud whisper, "Mama, why didn't you get yourself some cherry sours? You always get some."
"I would have, baby, but the manager said that someone had just bought all of their supply right before I got there. It's fine though. I will just get some when we go to Walgreen's next time. They always have them."
Tanya came through the open doorway, munching on a red velvet chocolate bar. "Mmm. Girrrl, these chocolate bars are to die for. I'm gonna gain ten pounds, you know. I think that angel food cake one I ate yesterday is my favorite, too." She crossed the room and laid across the foot of the bed watching as Queen Latifah's character, Gina, tried to get a loan from the frumpy lady at the bank. "Oh, I love this part. 'I got a hundred and fifty thou, a hundred and fifty thou…' "
Bella rolled her eyes at her too-loud friend. "Shhhhhh," she hissed quietly as she pretending that she was going to push her off the bed with her toes.
Tanya reached back and swatted at Bella. "Girl, you better stop that. Don't make me hurt you."
Hearing Tanya's words instantly made Bella think about Edward.
Fuck. She really, really missed him.
Expecting a response but getting none, Tanya looked over her should at Bella and saw the sad expression on her face. "You know, it's okay to call him, BB. I bet the man is thinking about you right now, too."
June groaned at the topic. "Ugh, boys are dumb. I don't want to hear this."
"You may think they are gross now, Junebug, but just wait," Tanya rose to her knees on the bed and crawled over to her and began poking her in her sides, "not so long from now you will be singing a different tune."
June squealed, trying to twist away from Tanya's pokes. "Stop…STOP IT…PLEASE!"
Bella gave up. Obviously they had both consumed too much candy to be able to stay quiet.
Tanya kept on, "And what about that Alec Bright boy, huh?" Poke, poke, squeal. "Don't think I didn't see his name doodled all over your notebook binder." Poke.
June rolled away and onto the floor, glaring at Tanya. "I wasn't the one who drew his name there. It was my friend, Sasha."
"That's not true. I saw her do it. And, they kissed two weeks ago behind the coke machine…she told me."
Silence.
All three of their mouths dropped open.
Two, stunned and shocked. One, in betrayed disbelief.
Bella was the first to recover, glancing down to her left side where Rosey still laid against her with her eyes still closed. There was a mischievous little grin on her mouth now that she had outed her older sister.
Karma's a bitch and then some.
June jumped to her feet, embarrassed and pointing at Rose who just stayed still, "I did not!" She was furious. "You promised you wouldn't tell!"
Okay, time to intervene. "Junebug…calm down, baby. You are not in trouble. But we will be talking about this boy later. Why don't you go wash up and then listen to your music in your room? You will feel better, I promise."
Not removing her glare from her not-so-angelic sister, she huffed, "Fine, but don't be surprised when you find an empty ice cream jug under her bed." With that said, she turned around, placed both hands on her tween hips and stomped off to the bathroom.
Rosey quickly hid her face under her pillow as Bella gently swatted at her bottom as punishment for her ice cream sneak. "And you, Little Miss Ice Cream Thief! I hope your tummy ached bad like the last time." It's not the first time that's happened.
Tanya fell to the spot June had vacated and stared at her girlfriend with wide eyes. She envied Bella so much for moments like these, but she wouldn't be in her shoes for all the angel food bars in the world. "Didn't see that one coming did you?"
Bella just blinked and stared into space. "Wow."
Tanya nudged her, "You will handle it like a pro, I know it. You always do. Besides, it was gonna happen soon or later. That girl is somethin' else. And beautiful just like you."
Bella scoffed at that understatement, "Somethin' else is right, T-Dog." She settled back into her pillow more and tried not to wonder what Edward was doing.
"You know, you can always talk with my mother," she grinned, "because after surviving me and my own tween years, she is bound to have some sage advice."
Eye roll. "Yeah, right. Like how to help my daughter primp for the boys and make them work for it?" The sarcasm didn't go unnoticed.
"You know us well…"
"Exactly."
"Mama, is Edward gonna come back here to live?" Rosey's muffled question came out of nowhere.
Bella looked down at her baby girl, shaking her head a little in bewilderment. "Oh. Um…I, uh…I don't know baby. Why do you ask?"
Bella glanced briefly at Tanya, a little worried at Rosey's subject matter.
Rosey removed the pillow from over her head and opened her eyes to stare up at her mother, exasperated. "Well, because you love each other, duh."
Oh shit!
"Uh…we love each other, huh? Who says?"
"I do, that's who."
Bella smoothed the hair back off Rosey's forehead. "I see. Well, how do you know we are in love, sweetheart?"
"That's easy. My friend told me that you know you are in love when you can't stop smiling when you see the boy or girl you like."
Bella couldn't help but smile at that. "Really?"
"Really. Aaaaand…I saw him kissing you in the living room and at the store," she giggled, "and when you kiss someone it is forever. Mrs. Marcum told me that when we got pancakes at the diner Sunday morning."
Jesus…those Marcum's were something else, too.
And, they were not kissing that time at the store. It just looked like they were. "Look, baby-"
"BB…" Tanya interrupted then, linking her left arm with Bella's right, her eyes saying that she might need to listen to the oh-so-wise 9 year old, "she's got some good points there."
Bella just gaped at the two of them, barely registering the movie still playing, now at the part where Alisha Silverstone's character started daydreaming' out loud about Denzel.
Before she could think of anything to say, Rosey spoke again, "Aaaaand, when you are not together you miss each other. You missed me and June and you love us. You missed Tanya and you love her. You miss Edward, so," she scratched her nose, "you must love him, too."
Damn.
Who knew?
Apparently Rosey did.
xxCSxx
AFTER WASHING and rinsing off the last pan from dinner and placing it on the drying wrack next to the sink, Bella dried her hands and huffed out a breath, effectively blowing a stray strand of brown hair out of her eyes. The girls were upstairs in bed for the night. She had made shrimp quesadillas with black beans and guacamole for their dinner.
Man she was full.
And tired.
And missing Edward.
It was pathetic.
Pathetic how much she wanted his arms around her right now…whispering silly sexy things in her ear. Pathetic that he had completely and utterly consumed her heart so quickly…so thoroughly.
It was staggering really.
She needed a drink.
Moving across the kitchen to her bar, she poured herself an amaretto and, after grabbing her cell, she went out to her studio on the back porch and sat on the couch. She smiled as she sipped, remembering how Edward had practically forced an invite that night to dinner when Esme had sent him over with her box of art supplies. And Tanya sabotaging girl's night and exiting the scene with her babies, too.
She remembered spilling her wine on his jeans and the sound of his voice when he told her to stop wiping at the mess…and what happened after that…in her kitchen…up against the counter. She never stood a chance.
She wanted his chaos.
She wanted his cocky attitude.
She wanted…him.
Rosey was right, the brilliant little sweetheart. Her 9 year old daughter had cleared away the haze of confusion for her…effortlessly…simply…innocently…clearly.
She was in love with Edward Cullen and nothing else mattered.
God she wished he was here.
Her cell phone buzzed next to her on the couch. Setting her amaretto down on the table, she reached for it blindly and answered.
"Hello?"
"Bella, dear. Ronny Henderson here. Still in hiding?" He laughed.
Holy crow, she was hoping to avoid this embarrassing conversation for a least one more day. Her hand went to cover her eyes as she replied with a reluctant murmur, "Uh, hi Mr. Henderson. Ha, ha. Very funny."
He laughed again, "Indeed, my dear. Now, don't you worry that pretty little head of yours for one more second."
She rushed out her apology anyway, "I am so sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am."
"Stop that now. It was magnificent!"
Wha…
"What?"
"Couldn't have turned at better, really. The publicity. In the paper Monday morning. Turns out it is good business for a beautiful Texas Flower to cause a ruckus at her own New York showing."
"The paper?" Christ.
"Indeed, and a follow up story this morning, too. I am sure you haven't heard about it so let me fill you in."
"Okay?" Her eyes were wide as saucers now.
Oh God…
"To make it short…"
Ten minutes later, Bella's head swam with such words as arrested…restraining order…cell block love…police statements…cashier's check…and most importantly…SOLD OUT SHOW.
"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that last part again?"
"That's right, my dear. You heard me correctly. Every piece sold as of this morning. Except the one you gave to Gallery Nine, of course."
Bella blinked and shook her head. Then she grabbed her forgotten drink and downed it in one huge gulp.
Then she screamed.
"HOLY SHIT!"
Mr. Henderson kept on, "Miss Swan, you are a hit in New York City. My colleagues and business associates plan to keep you busy for the foreseeable future, so get those brushes ready, my dear."
"I can't believe this!" She stammered, stunned. "I…I just can't believe it went down like this…so unexpectedly awful…but perfect!"
"And let that young man, Stew-G I believe it was…yes, let him know we want to contract him, too. Fantastic job on those flyers. Made quite an impression on us all with his young fresh attitude and professionalism."
He's gonna flip!
Her hand moved up to grip her hair. "I…I will…I'll tell him first thing in the morning!" She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head some more, amazed. "Um, Mr. Henderson. I hate to be rude, but I need to get off the phone now."
"Ah, yes. I am sure that there is a certain young beau that you need to contact. I saw Mr. Cullen this afternoon, by the way. Kept checking his phone." She heard him snort. "Looked like a love sick fool, he did. He came by the gallery to see if we needed any help since you were away yourself, and to pick up a few racks of glassware that we stored after the opening for him."
A thrill shot through her entire body. He was looking after her.
Oh my God!
She wanted to attack him and fuck him silly.
Trying to get control of her emotions, she continued, "Okay, now I really need to go."
"Go. We can talk out your future later, my dear. And, of course, I will see you Saturday. Now, go."
And with that, the line disconnected.
Bella just sat there, blown away, flabbergasted, shell shocked, floored…ecstatic.
In love.
a/n….i want to give a huge thank you to the most awesome person who rec'd my little story a couple chapters ago…THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU!...*mucho hugs*…if anyone knows who it was feel free to share…thanks…now, please…leave me some love…review review review…please please please…review…
xxx jess