Disclaimer: you guys already know this.
All of you guys are amazing, seeing all the people who are adding me, daily, is making me so happy. You guys are the cherry on my sundae.
Chapter 24
BPOV
"Bella, do you realize what you just said?" Jake asks me as we get about a block away.
"Yes, Jake, I do and I meant every word. I just didn't mean for it to come out yet. You just got me so mad because of how you treated Edward."
"Bella what's it been like three weeks?"
"I know Jake and I didn't say I was IN love with him. I don't even know if I am, but he is important to me."
"That's Bella talk for I love him." Jake stops me and takes my arm to make me face him. "DO you love him Bells?"
"I think I do. He is a good man. He treats me well and does everything that melts my heart."
"But love really?"
"Jake, stop. The boys adore him and he is all about me. You know that's what I want. He loves to show me off at the club, we have almost everything in common and my happiness is all he strives for. Yes Jake I think love him." I think in defending it I felt more resolved in the issue.
"But it is so fast Bella." Jake sounds like he is pleading.
"I tell you what Jake, go out with us one time and you can see for yourself, you will see he does everything that makes me swoon like a freshmen crushing on the senior football quarterback."
"I'll get the sitter and cover the whole thing. Why are you being such a hard ass with him? He knows almost everything and he still wants me and if I'm being honest Jake, he had every opportunity a while back to take advantage of me and he didn't. He was a perfect gentleman and believe me I was all but nice about it and he still left me medicine. So I wouldn't hurt to long the next day. So really Jake if you care about me as much as you say you do then you will back off a little bit and stop smothering me like an overbearing parent. I know you care and if this does go sour then I will give you all the right in the world to tell me I told you so."
"Bella, I can't just shut this off, I can't just stop worrying and you of all people should know that if it seems too good to be true then it more than likely is. I don't want you to be in the position for an 'I told you so' or to have to run to your aid because some 'ken doll' broke you again."
"Jake, he is different. I feel it in my gut."
"Your voodoo powers could be wrong Bells."
"Jake, stop it, just stop it. I am letting you do your thing with Leah. I am even being nice; now return the favor like a true friend would. If you keep this up you will push me away because I am not letting him go."
He sighs deeply. "You are going to kill me Bells."
"No, just drive you to the nut house." I laugh
"Oh Bella, between you and Leah, I am half way there." He huffs a laugh.
"Leah? I thought you guys where okay."
"Oh we are. I am just not being clear." He takes a deep breath. "She wants to…take things farther now, I am a little nervous."
"Uh…why?" That's one of the things I miss about you. Fuck sakes Jake don't deprive the woman of that. Poor Leah.
"Why?" yeah that thought- I will keep to myself, thank you very much.
"Bella you are the only one I have ever been with you know that."
"Jake I can't be your last."
"Oh I know… it's just…what if…I mean…fuck I don't know."
"Jake," I smirk, I can't help it, "you are a wonderful person in that aspect and really if Leah has any common sense she will be more than satisfied."
He laughs, but I can see I have embarrassed him. "Bells you don't have to boost my ego."
"If honesty does that, fine, but I never had to fake anything. At the risk of sounding odd…Jake sleep with the woman she has needs believe me I know." Boy do I ever my poor toy has seen a little too much action the batteries can't keep up.
He laughs again. "Fuck Bells I knew where a perv …but really?" he shakes his head smiling.
"If it freaks you out don't talk to me about it." I shrug.
"No, I guess I just never thought I would be venting my insecurities to my ex-wife."
"Jake, I don't see you as my ex-husband I see you as my best friend. Billy is just a gift you gave me because you love me." I give him a tight half smile.
"Let's get back before your boyfriend goes nuts."
"Okay but I don't think he is concerned like that. There is a lot to do, time to show off those muscles for Leah." I poke him in the ribs
We walk in the door and Alice is right there helping Jasper sand the cupboards. "How's it coming guys?"
"Oh Bella" Alice hops up. "Well Edward is upstairs painting the toy room, as you can see Jazz and I are working in the kitchen, and Rose and Em are in the attic I think, you better hurry though Em is talking about knocking out walls." Alice is always all over everything, damn chipper pixie.
I roll my eyes, "Lovely" I look to Jake "wanna give me a hand here." He nods and we walk quickly to the attic.
On the steps I hear "Emmett you idiot. Bella will kill you and if you make her unhappy Edward will revive you just to kill you again."
"Oh come on Rosie, it will be fun."
I push the door open. "Emmett, I swear if you knock one wall out of my house I will castrate you will the dullest knife I can find." I joke.
"Uh…Hey Bella, pick something else please I am rather fond of that particular part of his anatomy." Rosalie laughs as Emmett holds himself.
"Fine I will go get Edward." I shrug and turn to go out the door.
"Hey wait, you had me a castration." Emmett shutters.
Rosalie and I start laughing so hard we drop to out knees. Jake just stands there and shakes his head with a grimace.
"How is it going up here?" I ask though light giggles.
"Oh we are doing great, absolutely wonderful." Rose says getting right back to work.
Alright what did you do?
I watch her for a second and she keeps fidgeting and glancing over her shoulder.
You are so busted.
"Rose what did you do?"
She doesn't even look at me, "Bella I am hurt you would think I would do anything…wrong."
"Oh hell if it aint Jake it's you. What the hell did you do to him?" I put my hand on my hips.
"I didn't DO anything."
"Rosalie what did you say to him?" I have started taping my foot.
"Nothing that's too detrimental." She smiles.
"Jake, will you watch Emmett and make sure he doesn't break my house, I need to check on the kids… and Edward." Then I realize Leah ahsnt been seen for a while. "Oh, hey, where is Leah?" All I get are shrugs. That girl can just disappear and reappear all the time, Holy crap.
"I'll find her in a bit, its okay, she is just trying to show you she is letting you lead, so she is probably off working somewhere alone. Don't worry about it."
I nod and walk away pausing at the door and turning around again, "Rose let Ali know next weekend we will have another guest for ladies night."
"Who?" Rose looks confused.
"Leah," I look at Jake and smile, he smiles and half nods 'a thanks' in return.
I hope you back off Edward, now, you big oaf. I smile as I turn and walk away.
When I walked to the play area, I hear them talking. I stop in the door way and watch for a little bit.
Wow look at him he is keeping right up with everything. That is amazing.
"Well look at you guys, workin hard." I had to interrupt them.
"Yeah, Edward put us to work. Isn't there laws against that mama?" Seth smirks at me knowing he will get a rise out of Edward.
You little turkey. Poor Edward.
"No wait that's not it…" shear terror crosses his face.
I have to laugh, my son can be quite a piece of work, "Seth be nice, Edward relax he is just being ornery."
After what looks like relief comes back he walks up to me, "Are you okay?"
"Of course" Why wouldn't I be? You think Jake is a problem for me, wow you have another thing commin. Jake is a cake walk compared to James. Let's see how easy you are to get to.
I try to hold my smile and set him up. "So what did Rose say to you?" I know it is mean but I need to know if he would tell me the truth. I glance over his shoulder and see Seth watching. I look into his eyes to let him know I am in no way upset. I love how he just knows.
Edward runs his hand through his hair and looks into my eyes and back at Seth. Seth looks back at Edward, unlocking eyes with me. Seth is still smiling then he nods. What the fuck is that? dude- not cool at all. What is Seth doing? I don't get much time to speculate because Edward looks back at me smiling.
"What did Rose say?" He answers with a cocked brow.
"She won't tell me."
"Cliff notes version, she said I am important."
"No I said that."
He chuckles. "She warned me you don't trust easily and I should feel special because you trust me with your boys. She said be patient with Jake but don't let him walk all over me, and I have nothing to worry about with you two, that you are only best friends."
"I have told you that. Are you still worrying about Jake?" If you don't trust me then this will never work, and if you try to make me get rid of him I will toss you to the curb. Jake had earned all he has from me.
"No Bella it's not like that, I just… he knows all this stuff about you and, I am still learning. I trust you; believe me I know you would never screw me over. I know that. I think I understand things better and Jake is what keeps you balanced so I would never dream of taking that from you. I just want to know you like he does."
I wrap my hands around his neck. "You are closer than you think." He rests his hands on my hips.
Billy rushes over maneuvering between us, "DAAAAD!" he screams causing Edward to cover his ears and step away. Five seconds later I hear a thumping, and a thudding, and Jake appears.
"What happened!" he rushes to Billy. Seth just starts laughing pointing at Edward. I look over and Edward has taken a few more steps back and is holding his hands up.
Amanda rolls her eyes. "You freak out too much, daddy was talking to Bella and he didn't like him touching her. He knows that if he don't like it then he can scream then you will make them stop. You guys are so stupid." WHOA!
"Amanda Cullen, come here right now young lady." Edward points to the floor in front of him. She rolls her eyes and stomps over. I can hardly retain my giggle. "You apologize, right now, young lady."
" But Dad this is stupid, I like Bella and if he keeps doing that you guys wont be happy cuz he," she points to Jake "Will keep coming in and then Bella leaves with him and you look sad. This is so stupid, I like you guys together and so does Seth, just cuz he whines all the time don't mean that his dad has to come in here and make everyone sad. It's so stupid, and it's not fair. He is so selfish." She crosses her arms. By now we have everyone in the house in this room.
Edward is clearly embarrassed by her out burst, but I feel bad because she has a point. I look at Jake and he is, now, kneeling with Billy in the corner and I think realization hit him because he looks at me and then Edward then drops his head. See all your "rescuing" is causing problems for more than just me. "Its okay Bella," Edward says look over at me then back to his daughter. "Amanda that is what dads do, I do it for you. When you need me all you have to do is call and I am there for you. Billy is five and he needs his dad, he makes him feel safe…"
"Daddy you don't hurt kids, and he don't need him to help him. He just don't want you and Bella to get married."
In that instant Seth rushes up to Amanda and whispers something to her. Her eyes get big and then her shoulders slump. "Really…" she looks at him in awe "ugh…. fine." Her voice rings with defeat.
"I'm sorry I was mean daddy." She looks up at him, then walks over to Jake "Sorry I was mean to you too Jake." Then she walks back over to Seth, he smiles at her and they pick up a brush and start painting again. I get a look from Edward; I can see the questions rolling in his eyes.
Seth, what the hell are you doing? As if he heard my thoughts he looks over his shoulder at me and gives me the wickedest smile I have ever seen, this one scares me but only because it tells me he is plotting, and if there is one person, other than Alice, you don't want to plot against you it would be my sons. Now they are plotting against each other, but against me too.
"Billy, what is the problem?" Jake asks.
"Edward isn't post to touch mama like that." Uh no Billy he is, and it is supposed to go oh so much farther. I shake my head because I am not supposed to be having these thoughts right now, and then I hear a chuckle come from Edward and Jake.
"Buddy, remember that talk we had about new friends, well this is one of those times where friends can do that. As long as your mom says its okay, than Edward can do that." He looks up at me "All though maybe she should be a little more careful when and where she does it." He smirks, so I know he is not mad just making a point.
"But dad he was gonna kiss her." I can't hold back the giggle, as Edward blushes.
"That's okay, as long as mommy likes it." he reiterates.
"Jake, may I?" Edward asks. Jake looks perplexed, I clear my thought making him look again as I grab Leah's hand and pull her up to me. Jake nods in approval to Edward.
"Don't move you need to be here for this too." I whisper to Leah, who looks as confused as shit.
"Billy, when two adults like each other, sometimes they kiss and I like your mom a lot and I think she likes me too. Just because we like each other doesn't mean we are forgetting you in anyway."
"I know that, I just don't want a little brother or sister right now." HUH
"What?" I squeak.
"Amanda said that when a mom and dad kiss it means they will have a baby."
"No I said that my mom and dad had me because they kissed." Amanda and Seth stop painting. This is never gonna get my house done.
"Uh well, no that's not what makes a baby." No, no, no, Edward shut up. I am not having this conversation with my kids right now.
Leah looks at me as Emmett starts laughing nervously. I look over and see Alice, trying to hide her smile, Rose is leaned into Emmett her shoulder shaking, and Jasper is shaking his head with his hand over his eyes.
"Okay my turn," Leah gives me a pleading look. I nod and drop my head to focus on the floor and say a little prayer.
Please, Leah, fix this I'm givin you a shot here, don't let me down.
"Okay let's put it this way. When a mom and a dad love each other unconditionally, they spend some time alone and sometimes a baby magically appears. Fate decides who gets a baby and who doesn't. Trust me though if your mom gets to have a baby it will be a wonderful thing and you will love it."
"So mama can't have a baby by just kissing?"
"No dear she can't" Leah smiles and shakes her head.
Welcome to the village Leah.
"Okay we have lost half a day if you guys are here to help lets get this done." I wave everyone out the door and back to their original rooms.
"Want some help in here?" I turn to face the kids and Edward in the room.
"Always" Edward smiles as he walks up to me.
"Ohhhh… Seth!" we hear Amanda laugh "got you back ha, ha."
We look at the kids and Seth and Amanda have paint on their faces. Edward and I just laugh. "Looks like you are rubbing off on her. She isn't one to get dirty too often." He looks pleased.
I know this one is kinda short. I'm sorry they won't all be like this; I try to get as much in a chapter to keep it interesting for you. Please do the review thing; I love all the opinions I get. You guys light up my day. Thanks for reading.