BPOV
After the witty repertoire I had with the baboon's ass I walked back into the house to get more snacks. These were not the best cookies I had done but they were a family favorite and I wanted to try them out. I was worried about making everything work together. We had the best equipment we could find. Alice made sure we had the best computer systems in for not only the business but our living quarters as well. She was one smart cookie to make sure we were all linked together. We could do anything we needed to do from anywhere on the property.
I pulled out the bin of cookies and poured some more lemonade into the pitcher. Alice and I had to thank everyone for all their help somehow. I made a mental list as to what we could do and how Alice could plan it. Something simple for the neighborhood. We could do a going away part for Mr. Xavier, a thank you party and a welcome to the neighborhood all in one. It would mean a lot of work for the both of us but we were used to it and that is why we went into this business.
We did not have our phones hooked up yet but tomorrow was the day we would be all set to go. The one thing that plagued me was a website. We needed someone to do that for us. Cooking and party planning we were geniuses at but when it came to computers I just went where I was supposed to go. All those codes and such made my head spin. Heck I used a cheat site to update my Myspace and Face Book accounts. I silently chuckled at the memory of the first time I did my Myspace. What a mess that was and I just gave up till Angela fixed it for me.
My cell phone went off in my pants pocket and I took it out and went to sit on a box. I flipped it open and noticed it was Chef Clay. He was my mentor and he took me under his wing. Due to his constant yelling and making me re-do things. I am where I am today.
"Chef Clay how is my wonderful but temperamental mentor doing this fine day?" I made a note to add him to the guest list. He needed to be there to see that I was doing what I was meant to do as he said in his own words.
"Mi Bella I am doing wonderful! How is everything going and can I help in anyway?" I just loved his accent. He was so Italian and so married but still we were meant to be friends. Even his wife said it was kismet that we were together and she was happy to see him happy.
"We are unpacking and trying to make sure everything fits. I am tired but a good tired. So by what honor do you grace your presence? Don't tell me your new students are not anything like me. That would make my ego bigger than it already is." I said giggling
"I received a phone call from my dear friend Keegan Gerhard. Food TV is doing a challenge to help celebrate Nickelodeons anniversary and are doing a great cake challenge. One of their teams had to drop out due to a death in the family. He called me up to see if I could recommend anyone and I said for them to add you to the list of participants. "
My head was spinning! Oh my fucking….! Me on food TV! I remained calm and started asking questions. " What do I have to do and when is this challenge. I am excited and scared to do it but I think it would be a great experience. I am just worried with all the unpacking and getting the business up and running."
"Bella you an do this. I can run over the paperwork he faxed me. You can stay at my place there and use the kitchen in my restaurant so you don't have to pack anything. You are perfect for this and this will make the talent I know you have shine even more. Just being on this will bring you more prestige and business than you will know what to do with." he chuckled knowing that my voice was wobbly and I was trying not to faint.
" Chef I will do it. Come over anytime. Do you need directions for our place?" I asked and backed up into the wall to steady myself.
" I will be over within the hour to go over rules and such with you. Bella this is going to be wonderful for you! Just to let you know I am proud of you and so would your parents. I know you wont let anyone down." He found out about my history a few years back. I had been struggling with this one pastry course and broke down. I let it all flow out and that night we became friends forever.
"Thank you and I wont let you down. I will make us both shine!" I flipped the cell phone closed and screamed as I slid down the wall. I sat there with my head in between my knees. All I could think was don't pass out please don't pass out.
APOV
I ran into where Bella was and found her slumped against the wall. Did she pass out and if she did why? I ran over to her and made sure she was still breathing. I learned cpr and first aid cause of her frequent hospital visits. It just made our lives easier. She always said she needed a mileage card for the hospital. With all her trips we could get the next one free.
"Bella please talk to me. What is wrong? How can I help?" I rubbed her arms and noticed everyone was standing behind me now.
"Chef Clay called, food TV, Keegan Gerhard, cake challenge, me…." it was all I could get out without passing out. I had to keep it together cause I knew once Alice knew she would be bouncing all over the damn place.
"Bella did you just say you are going to be on food TV with one of your idols for a cake challenge? ARE YOU HIGH? DID THE MOVE DO YOU IN FINALLY?" Alice was nearly screeching at me. I knew I need to get myself together and explain.
"Alice calm down and I will explain. I will explain to all of you being now that I have an audience. " I shook off the daze I was in and we all walked out to the porch. I chugged a glass of lemonade down and started on the phone conversation I just had.
"Keegan called Chef Clay to see if he had anyone to recommend to fill a spot. One set of the teams had to drop out due to a death. Chef Clay put me in for the spot. I am honored but a little over whelmed right now. He is due within the hour to go over everything with me." I finally let out a slow breath and awaited her response.
"Bella oh my goodness this is your dream come true! Give us all the details I know I want to hear them! Think of the exposure you will get!!" She nearly bounced across the porch till Jasper got a hold of her waist and sat her on his lap. That sure calmed her down in a hurry.
Everyone started asking questions at once and I finally answered them all to the best I could just as Chef Clay walked up the stairs.
"Mi Bella!!" he hugged me and sat down with paperwork in hand. There went the butterflies in my stomach again and my head was turning. I had to keep it together so I could fall a part later on in the bathtub.
" The theme is shows on Nickelodeon through the years. There will be a grab bag of what you can choose from. There is a list of what they have put in but not all of it. I suggest you get familiar with the shows so you have some idea of what you want to do before hand. The cake can be no smaller than 50 inches and you have 8 hours to complete it. Like I said on the phone you can stay at my place and use the kitchen in the restaurant to bake. We are close to the Waldorf Astoria where the competition will be. I know that is in the rules to do so. That way you don't have to bring everything with you. The show will be in New York City and everything is set up for you. You leave in a few days. I know it is short notice but you can do this!" He was bouncing just like Alice was. He was just as excited as I was for this but I wanted to throw up.
I tried not to lose the snack we just had I put my head between my knees once again but this time the floor was came closer to my face.
"Bella shit can you not be careful you could have hurt yourself. " he glared at me. I don't know what is up with this guy but he was beginning to great on my nerves.
"Thank you again. My head started spinning and this time I lost it." I looked at him and just wanted to deck him
"It is ok I would have done it for anyone." His words cut like a knife. I noticed his brothers glare at him and then turn back to me.
"Bella can we go with you? I know for one that Emmett and I would love to see you work!" Rosalie had such a kind heart and her love for Emmett showed. She looked at Jasper and he nodded too. Great now I was going to have an audience.
" I love that you want to be there but I don't want anyone there. For this first time of my life I have friends other than Alice and thank you for that. I am nervous enough and the competition has not even started. I know I cant keep Alice away not like I could stop her but she knows where she needs to be. Knowing my luck I would cut myself and pass out."
They all laughed at me but I knew in reality it could happen. I noticed Alice pick up her cell phone and dial. I knew she was calling our parents and I knew I would have an audience with them there cheering me on. I just hoped I would not see them till afterwards. I did not need to know I had an audience with people I knew in it.
"Hi mom and dad you are not going to believe the chance Bella was just offered! " she walked off to talk to them. She could explain it to them right now I am at the point of still hyperventilating.
"Bella I don't want to take up much of our time but I need to go back to school. I will leave the rules and shows for you. I know you can do it. Just show them the talent you have and you will dazzle the judges!" Chef Clay hugged me and we told each other we would talk after I got back. Alice came back and told me our parents were so proud of me and would be there. Great more people to add to the nervousness I was already feeling. I noticed Alice go off to talk to Chef Clay. I don't know what was up with her but I am sure she was just checking it all out. I saw him nod and her hug him. He walked off and she bounced back up onto the porch with the rest of us.
Emmett cleared his throat, " Did we get everything moved in from the van.? I don't mean to be intrusive but Jasper and I can take the van back."
"You don't know where to take it. I have a brilliant idea! Jasper and I can take the van back. Jasper can follow me in my car and we can come back together. Bella can bark orders to where everything goes in her kitchen!" that dear friend of mine was scheming and had something up her sleeve. I would let her get her way cause there was a wave of electricity between those too that I was not going to interrupt.
"Fine with us. You better get going. Bella we are at our beck and call. Show us where you want things put away. " Rosalie said as she took Emmett's hand. Edward and I followed them into my new home. I just loved this kitchen and hopefully it would love me.
"Bella I don't want to pry but how did you an Alice meet? How did this all happen.?" Rose asked me while holding mixing bowls. I pointed where to put those and thought how am I going to pull this one out of my hat.
"We both grew up in a small town in Alaska. Our parents were best friends and it was just natural that Alice and I gravitated towards each other. When I was 11 my parents were killed in an accident. My parents trusted them so much they made the Brandons my guardians. I am lucky cause they treat me just like their own daughter. They always have. We both got scholarships to attend the university here. When we both graduated it just felt right to stay here." I could not tell them that I just could not go back home. With my voice shaking I tried to hold back the tears but they fell anyway. I said it was nothing but nerves and excused myself. I headed out the back door and headed for the gazebo. It was so peaceful out here and the gardens were breathtaking even though some of them were not in bloom yet.
My eyes were closed trying to hold back the tears that fought my eyelids. I felt someone brush me as they sat down. I did not want to go back into the past. I loved my parents but I miss them so much. The believed in anything I could and would have done. Renee so would have loved me using all the family recipes and Charlie would have loved to see me use the food sources he taught me about.
"Bella are you ok?" I opened my eyes and saw Rosalie sitting next to me. She may look like a supermodel but she had a heart of gold.
"Hi Rose, I am ok. This happened so fast. The stress and the news of the competition finally got to me." I looked at hoping that my little charade would fool her for now. One day I would tell her what happened but right now I needed to concentrate on the now.
"Bella if you and Alice ever need anything please let us know. We are here to help. We all think of you as friends now. Even Edward despite him being a baboons ass." She rolled her eyes and we both started laughing. She hugged me and we both walked back to the house. I walked into the kitchen and Edward looked at me. I looked back and there was kind of a connection there between us. I don't know what it was but I certainly was not going to get involved with someone like him.
"Wow you men have everything put away already! Thank you for doing this. It would have taken me days by myself. Are you all hungry I am sure it is late. We can go to the coach house and I can whip something up for us all. I am sure mom made sure the fridge is stocked." I looked at my watch and noticed it was after 6pm and a certain friend was not back with my car yet.