When You Least Expect It
A/N: I know I said Sunday, but I wasn't expecting a family day. Aha, so I hope y'all will settle for Tuesday. Aha, and yeah, this is a fairly lengthed chapter! Aha and I hope I don't disappoint! So enjoy!
Disclaimer: Not mine.
The Persuasion of a Rose
Walking into work, I suddenly felt anxious and wondered how long I'd have before Dr. Black would call and I'd have to tell him that I wouldn't be going to dinner or to see that movie with him tonight. The thought of it made me sad as I knew that id let Rachel down with the choice, but I had my mind made up—I could only hope that things would work out for the best.
Yeah, cause telling a nice, sexy doctor that you're cancelling your plans is just a recipe for good times, I thought to myself sarcastically as I passed through the first floor fitness area all the way to the back offices so I could clock in. Maybe I'm making a mistake by thinking that tonight is a mistake. Maybe he will be really nice and good for me and the kids…ugh! I spent the length of the clocking-in process trying to make heads-or-tails of my situation and decision to cancel. I mean, honestly the whole situation had turned into a mess within an hour and that in itself was ridiculous. But really, I had to think about the whole picture—not just the image of myself and the doctor—and the whole picture involved the boys as well as myself. So, taking myself out of the equation, do I think that the kids would really be okay with this? Immediately after the thought crossed my mind, Rachel's words from earlier came to mind.
"Yeah, but it's not just for you. Brady wants this too—you said it yourself, he's been excited about this day with Jake. And Brady does some things that Peter likes all the time, even though he hates them, he does them for his brother. So what makes you think Peter won't do the same for Brady?"
Even then, I knew that she was right. Even if Peter hated Toy Story, he would still go and watch it because he knew Brady wanted to. He knew that much was true, but as for Peter liking Jacob well…
"And okay, maybe Peter isn't too excited about the whole 'new guy' thing, but Brady is so excited about tonight, and he already likes Jacob so you know that Peter will probably warm up to him too when they meet." Her voice rang through my head again.
Damn, she's right even when she's not around. But really, was I rushing things with this? I barely even know the guy and I'm gonna take my kids around him? Well…I mean, he is related to Rachel, and I doubt she would push me into this kind of situation if she didn't completely trust the guy first. And considering the fact that this was her brother…well, I'm sure that counts for something, right?
"Well, whats got you in deep thought, cutie?" A feminine voice asked from behind me, and it was only then that I realized that I was still standing in front of the computer that people use to clock in.
"Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to just stand here like that." I excused myself as I sidestepped out of the way and gestured my hand to the computer, "It's all yours." I said with a smile.
"Oh, no!" She gave a small chuckle as she held her hand up to her mouth, "I don't need to clock in. I see my mother has done a good job of informing everyone of my arrival." She said with a sigh before stepping forward to extend a hand, "I'm new here, I guess you could say; Rosalie Hale, soon to be McCarty—Hale from my Father's side as my mother now goes by a new name, and McCarty from my fiancé." She informed me with a smile and a shake of our now locked hands.
"Oh, it's nice to meet you. Welcome to the team, I guess." I smiled as we began moving away from our position as others began showing up to clock in. "What do you do?"
"Oh, I'm the new co-owner." She beamed as we stopped just outside of the owner…or, I guess the co-owner's office, "My father decided that once I got my degree in business and had myself situated, it would be a good idea for me to take his half of this institution and run it along with my mother."
At this I immediately began to take in Rosalie Hale's appearance and noticed just how stunning she looked with her long, slightly wavy, golden locks of hair flowing over one shoulder, to her perfect blemish free skin, gorgeous hazel eyes and a body that could kill if the way her tight black, knee length shoulder-length sleeved dress clung to her body was any hint. Hell, her outfit should've given it away that she wasn't just any employee—but in my defense my mind really was elsewhere.
"O-Oh, I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't mean to keep you busy!" I apologized. Oh crap, yeah, I would stop and talk to the new owner without even realizing it. "Ah, I should probably go check my schedule to see-"
"Ah, Rose, you're here!" The other co-owner of Isle Esme appeared in the doorway where there was previously a closed door. Esme Cullen was—in every sense of the word—a beautiful woman. She had a big heart and always treated everybody she encountered with love and respect, "Oh, I see you've met Paul, our resident sweetheart." She sent a wink my way as she laced her and with Rosalie's and pulled her into the office.
When she noticed I wasn't following them, Esme turned back to me with a smile, "Won't you join us, dear?"
"Uh, I should really get to work though…" I trailed off, nervously rubbing the back of my neck. Did I really want to spend time in the office with my bosses? Did I really want to say no to said bosses either?"
But of course, Esme simply waved this off with a giggle, "Of course you do, dear, but I don't want you to worry about that today! I've already asked my assistant to call Heidi in to take over for the day."
Stepping into her office, and also allowing her to close the door and lead me to sit on the large white couch next to her daughter as she pulled one of the two chairs that sat in front of the chairs that sat in front of her desk to sit with us.
"Oh, I should go clock out so-"
Esme simply waved this away again as she giggled at my antics, "Paul, dear, I'll be paying you for the full day, don't worry about that!"
"O-Okay."
"Now, as I can see, Rosalie, you've already met Paul Meraz—my sometimes receptionist, sometimes personal trainer, and all-around sweetheart?" Esme asked her daughter with that same small genuine smile as she crossed her legs and smoothed down her pencil skirt.
"Of course." She nodded, with a grin that seemed to mirror that of her mother, "But he never really did get around to telling me just what it was that was bothering him this morning."
At hearing this, Esme's smile faltered as she turned to look at me, "Is everything okay, Paul? Are the kids okay?"
"Kids?" Rosalie asked with growing curiosity, both of them practically leaning forward in their seats.
"Uh, yeah, I have twin boys. And to answer your question, Ms. Cull-"
"Esme." She corrected with a nod.
"Esme," I said with a small smile of my own, "the kids are fine. It's just…" It seemed as though they were both just leaning in closer to me so I trailed off with a shrug, "I met someone new, but I don't think things will work out."
"Aww!" Rosalie and Esme both let out with small shakes of their head, but only Rosalie went on, "Well don't you worry about a thing, Paul! I know tons of girls that would think you were the most amazing guy for having twins and taking care of them, I'll have a new girl-"
"Guy." Esme corrected her daughter as well, sitting in her chair, ankles crossed, calm as ever—as if she didn't just out me to her daughter, the new boss! Her expression didn't even change as her daughter and I both looked at her wide eyed, "What?"
"Uhm…" I really didn't know what to say right now; it wasn't awkward or tense—it was just quiet.
"So you're gay?" She took my silence as confirmation and simply smirked before laughing, "Oh, how adorable is this! Oh, I'm such a fag-hag—excuse the language mom—but it's true. You have no idea! But, have no fear; my rolodex of single gay men is even bigger than the one of single women."
I looked at her, a little frightened by the woman if I were to be totally honest, as Esme's laugh tinkled through the room, "Well, I'll just hop to it then since you two have obviously hit it off—so I've left you in good hands Rosie."
"Y-You're leaving?" I questions, rising from the couch.
"Ah, well, I suppose I should've fully explained things before-hand." She continued to smile as she situated the strap of her purse on her shoulder, "Paul, the reason I'm having Heidi come in to take over your schedule for the day is because I'd love it if you would help my daughter get settled in, introduce her to the staff as well as the clients; things in that nature. You don't mind, do you dear?"
"Uh, well…"
"Of course not!" She answered for me with a giggle, "Now, I'm off to meet Carlisle for lunch!"She told us as she opened the door, but she turned around once more before leaving, "Oh, and don't worry about your pay for today; I'll double it in thanks for doing me a favor." And with a wink, she closed the door and was gone.
The silence that filled the room was short lived as Rosalie turned to me with a wide grin, "So, tell me about this guy."
I hesitated—only for a moment—before I decided to drop my filter and just spill everything. "Well, his name is Jacob…" and after that, everything simply seemed to flow out. I mean, I had told her everything: why I really wanted to go out with him, every fear I had when it came to getting close to him, my fear that Peter wont like him even though Brady already seems to, and even the emotional trauma that the kids and I had to go through in the wake of Garrett's sudden departure from our lives.
Maybe I just really wanted—needed—to let somebody hear everything and get a neutral opinion about the whole thing. Rosalie Hale just so happened to be that neutral party that I needed. I don't know what it was about her, but she gave this air of trust, respect, and power and that all seemed to make my mind think that it would be okay to let her in on everything—the only other person that I could say knew everything is Rachel.
After everything was out in the open, there was a moment of silence as Rosalie simply took everything in—her fingers running idly through her hair as a look of complete concentration took over her features before they turned into an expression that could only describes as that 'oh shit!' face that people make when they forget something important.
"What time is it?" She asked suddenly, as she dug through her purse until she pulled out her iPhone 4 with a triumphant, "Ah-ha!" which quickly turned into an "Oh, shit." When she saw the time, "It's already one-forty-five?"
"What?" I asked in disbelief, until she showed me the screen of her phone, "I got here and ten!" Had it really taken me that long to relay all of my thoughts over to her? If so…that's kind of disturbing that it had taken that long. I thought to myself as I watched her rise to her feet just as her phone started ringing.
"Hello?" Pause. "I know; I forgot! I'm so sorry! But I can go out to lunch for sure!" Whoever she was talking to, had her smiling like a love struck puppy. "Yeah, and I'm bringing a friend too…Em, shut up. Stop cracking jokes and get your ass—oh! You're here? Okay, I'll see you in two seconds!" Then she was hanging up and working on pulling me up off the couch, "C'mon!"
"Where am I going?" I asked with uncertainty yet continued to allow her to pull me along whichever way she led.
"Out to lunch with my fiancé." She told me as if I'd known it all along and couldn't believe I was asking her about it, but just as we were about to push our way out of the front entrance, she stopped and whipped around to look at me, "He's supposed to call here isn't he?"
"Who-oh! Oh, yeah he is…so I can't go." I said, feeling a bit relieved in my mind for having been able to dodge a bullet here. I honestly like Rosalie Hale, but her determination scared me.
She gave me a once over as she thought things over, "Maybe, I'll just-"
"No, Rosalie, it's fine really. You have somewhere to be, and someone to be with." I smiled, "I really just needed to rent to somebody and you did a great job of listening. Don't even worry about the call."
A look of utter calm crossed her features before a smile that seemed…sad curved her lips as she reached out to squeeze my bicep, "Paul, don't be scared of this. Don't try and think of excuses, alright? It's natural to feel hesitant towards something like this, but how will you ever know if this could've been exactly what you needed if you keep making excuses? You keep saying, oh Brady likes him, but I don't think Peter will—how do you know? I mean, really, I know that this stuff is scary and you don't want your kids to go through the trouble that came along with Garrett leaving your lives; but that's life. We take risks to find happiness because the happiness will be worth every risk you took, every fear you faced, and every moment of hesitation and doubt that told you 'no'. It's all worth it…but how would you know if you turn and run away every time you questioned something?"
I simply stared at her, trying to take in everything she was saying, and at the same time surprised that something like this was coming from her.
"Really, if it's bad, if Peter doesn't feel comfortable with this guy, then it's just dinner. You don't have to pursue anything that you don't want. But, if Peter does like him, and this guy is just as great, and nice, and sexy as you make him out to be…then what's left to stop you?" another silence filled the space between us as a woman passed through with a small greeting as she entered the establishment, and then Rosalie's phone made a 'ding' noise and she gave me another small smile, "Just take a chance Paul; you never know what might happen until you do. And if you don't, you'll just be left to wonder what if."
Again I didn't say anything as she turned to push the door open, calling out a, "I'll bring you back something!" over her shoulder before the door closed.
I was left alone to watch her get into a black Range Rover for a good minute before one of the receptionists working the desk today came up to me, "Paul, hey there's a guy on the phone asking for you; says his name is Jacob?"
Go figure. I inwardly sighed as I nodded and followed her back to the reception desk. Once I was there, however, I simply stared at the phone as a light flashed, showing a call was on hold. I didn't really want to answer it yet, I didn't want to have to make this decision after only having thought about what Rosalie said for a few minutes.
As if on cue, her voice flittered to my mind just as Rachel's had this morning.
"Just take a chance Paul; you never know what might happen until you do. And if you don't, you'll just be left to wonder what if."
With a strange burning confidence to make this thing happen ignited in me, I picked up the phone and held it to my ear as I took the call off hold, "Hello?"
"Paul? It's Jacob." Well, there goes my confidence. "Rachel told me you wanted me to call…she said to prepare myself so, I'll admit, I'm a bit nervous." He let out the chuckle that matched his statement, and I also noted the slight edge in his tone—it wasn't mean or anything like that, it was more or less anxious.
"Ah," I began, and what a brilliant beginning it was, I thought bitterly to myself as I searched my mind for some resemblance of an idea as to what I should say. "It was nothing, you know Rachel—over-dramatic as always." I let out a small laugh, hoping to all the almighty powers I knew that it didn't give away my lie.
"Oh, yeah that's true." He even let out a small, genuine laugh of his own, so I was in the clear, "So, what did you need?"
Crap! I hadn't thought that far ahead! "Uhh…did you get my address from Rachel? I just wanted to make sure you know where you're headed when you pick us up tonight." BRILLIANT!
"Oh, I was actually gonna get it from her tonight, but if you wanna give it to me now, I'll just get that out of the way."
"Alright, do you have a pen?" At his confirmation, I rambled off my address, making sure he knew where it was and then went on to give him my number just in case he got lost.
"Alright, well, the movie starts at eight, so I'd say six or six thirty would be a good time to head out…is that alright?"
"Yeah! I'm excited to see y-" I cut myself off with wide eyes as I realized what I was about to say, and hoped he didn't hear me, "the movie." I quickly changed my words.
He let out a small chuckle before saying, "Yeah, me too. Haven't watched it in forever. How're the kids?"
Damn butterflies, again! "They're good. Brady kept asking if it was Friday all week. You should've seen the smile on his face this morning." I chuckled at the memory.
His laugh matched my own but ended with a sigh, "Alright, well my next patient just came in. A cat needs to get caps on her claws."
I laughed again, "You sound so excited."
"Oh, I'm ecstatic; and I was trying so hard to hide it too." We laughed again before we both decided that we should probably get back to work, but before I hung up he said, "Oh, hey Paul? I'm excited to see you tonight too."
A/N: Yay! Hahaha so they're going on the date for sure in the next chapter! Ahaha, how did you guys like Rosalie and her advice? Aha, and then yeah…I've got a little something planned for their date, so it should be…interesting. Hahaha but yeah, please review and lemme know what your thoughts on this chapter are! And also, if you guys read my story Lollipop Luxury, could y'all tell me what you would like to happen in the next chapter of that story? And if you don't read it…you should. Aha, so yeah, review!
Notoriously Yours,
GoinnGaGa
