Thank you for reviews for last chapter.
BPOV
I was surprised when my door was knocked the next night at nine thirty. Everyone knew the hours I kept at work and usually didn't come near after about eight. I looked through the peephole expecting to see Jacob here ready for another argument but surprised to see Alice.
I opened the door and she threw herself at me in a hug.
"Um. Hey Alice," I said, wondering what she was doing here.
"Bella, can I talk to you?" she asked nervously.
"Sure, come in," I replied and moved to let her in.
"I hope you don't mind me dropping by like this. I know things didn't go great at dinner the other night and I wanted to clear the air."
"Oh?" I answered, surprised.
"I would've came sooner but I've been up in Seattle overseeing the renovations at the boutique and this is the first I've been home since the other night. I was going to call you but I thought I should come over."
"Okay. So what did you want to clear the air about?" I knew she meant the fuck up that was dinner.
"To start with I want to apologize for my reaction when you first got to mom and dad's. I thought he was bringing his ex and I was pissed. She has put him through so much but Edward can be so forgiving at times that I wouldn't have been shocked if he was thinking of giving her another shot. I also shouldn't have cussed in front of Carson. That was out of line but it just slipped out before I had the chance to even think."
"As much as I hate to admit it I slip too. Everyone does. So long as it doesn't happen regularly I can let that go. I also realise that you were thinking I was his ex. We both realised that before we even came into the living room. The thing I couldn't understand was the way you were so angry that he hadn't told you we were dating. I mean it hasn't been long, it's not like we had a full blown long term relationship and you were just finding out about it."
"I know. I guess most of the time when it comes to Edward or Emmett I'm usually the first to know what's going on in there lives, especially with Edward. Every time he and Giuliana had a fight he would call me for advice. If he was unsure of anything he would let me know and I would help him through. While he was married we drifted apart a bit but he still kept me up to date on what was happening in his life, so to find out he's pretty much been with you since he got here and this was the first I was hearing about it surprised me."
"I get that but the way you spoke was as though you thought you had a right to know about us. I'm a private person and don't like the fact that you assumed that he had to tell you about us. I guess I don't have siblings so maybe I just don't get it."
"No. You're right. I will try to reign myself in." she smiled.
"Thank you. Now how are things at the shop?"
She told me all about the décor and some of the stock she had ordered in. As much as it was later than I normally got to bed I was glad she had came over. Edward is extremely important to me and his family is important to him so I wouldn't want any issues between us.
The next few of weeks went by so quickly. I had met with the lawyer Angela's mom had told me about the day Alice came over and then I met with the woman Jasper gave me the number for. I'd decided to go with the latter, Nicole Austin. The other guy sounded like he knew what he was doing but he kind of freaked me out a little. Nicole was a mother herself and I just felt she understood me better.
She had applied to the court for sole custody with no visitation for Jacob. He had time to contest it but I really hoped he never. I hoped that whatever lawyer he went to would make him see that he didn't have a case.
Edward and I were doing great. Esme had found him a great house on the outskirts of town but at the other side from where her and Carlisle lived. It was nearer my parents house and was about ten minutes from me. He had also opened his studio and had already gotten a few jobs with local companies as well as some jobs doing portraits and things.
Alice and Rosalie were opening the boutique on the November sixth. It was a Saturday so they were having things like canapes and champagne and stuff for any customers who went in. Any one who bought something that day would also get a free gift bag with a skincare product and make up and stuff and a money off voucher for their next visit. They had already had a ton of publicity because the Seattle store was so popular. Edward was going in two weeks to photograph the finished shop. That gave them a week to relax before the opening.
We had spent a lot of time with his siblings now that they were all living in Forks. Alice and Rosalie had managed to get me on a couple of shopping trips much to my disdain. I, of course, dragged Angela along for the ride. It was good to spend time with them. As much as I loved Alice I seemed to have more in common with Rosalie. She was a bit calmer than Alice. We had one night where we were going to dinner and Alice had shown up at my door at four in the afternoon to help me get ready. I let her but told her it would be a one off. I still wasn't sure if she had agreed or not.
Today was my parents wedding anniversary and they were coming over for dinner. I had invited Carlisle and Esme as well and obviously Edward was coming. I was in the process of making the marinade for the steak when Edward came in. I got him to work chopping the vegetables for the chinese stir fry I was making to go with the steak.
"Have you heard anything from Nicole yet?" He asked.
"No not yet. I'm going to give her a call next week if I don't hear anything. How are things coming along with the house?" I asked.
He was just waiting for all the paperwork to go through. The previous owner had passed away and his family wanted a quick sale.
"I think I should get a phone call maybe Monday or Tuesday. Do we have any plans for tomorrow?" he asked as he washed the peppers.
"Nope. I thought we could just have a relaxing day here, maybe watch some movies. Disney of course, at least until bedtime. Angela and Ben might pop over. She was going to come over tonight but with me having this dinner for my parents she said maybe tomorrow. Was there something you wanted to do?" I asked.
"No, just wondered. It's unlike Alice not to have some kind of plan for everyone on a Saturday. She knows that's the night you tend to have Carson watched." he answered.
"I know. If she calls and you want to go out you can. I just want a quiet weekend."
If only I had known to keep my big mouth shut. We had just finished putting dinner together when I went upstairs to get ready. I had been in the shower for a few minutes when Edward came in.
"Baby, I think you should come down. Your dad's here." he said almost nervously
"Tell him I won't be long." I answered.
Why the hell would he want me to come down because my dad was here. I'm sure him and my mom could keep him entertained.
"Um, he's here alone. He said he doesn't think your mom is coming. He's playing with Carson just now but I don't know what's wrong." he answered, grabbing my towel from the heated rail.
"Okay. Give me two minutes."
I wrapped the towel around me and wrapped another round my hair. I pulled my robe on and went downstairs.
My dad was sitting on the couch watching Carson playing, but looked as though he was in his own world. When I got closer I could see his eyes were bloodshot.
"Dad, is everything okay?" I asked.
He never answered me, just kept on staring. I looked at Edward and moved my eyes to Carson.
"Hey buddy do you want to come and play with your cars in your room?" he asked with fake excitement.
"Yay. Come on Ewa!" Carson yelled as he jumped up and ran over to Edward.
He scooped him up and carried him upstairs.
"Dad, you're scaring me what's happened? Where is mom?" I asked again as I went over and sat with my dad.
"She, um, she's gone." he whispered.
"What do you mean gone? She was here this morning." I asked, confused.
"I got home from work early, wanted to give her her gift before we came over here and she wasn't home. I called her cell but it went straight to voicemail. I went upstairs to shower and found the letters on the bed. Twenty eight years and then nothing," he said, almost to himself.
He handed me to envelopes. One was sealed with my name on it. I tore it open and couldn't believe what I was reading.
Dear Bella,
I know this will come as a shock to you but I am leaving your father. I haven't been happy in a long time and I've finally found someone who makes me happy. I never meant for it to happen, it just did. Your father and I have merely been going through the motions for a long time and I have thought of doing this many times before but I couldn't leave when you were so unhappy. Now that you have Edward and seem to be settling into your own life I feel it's time I have mine.
Phil is a great guy and I'm sure through time if you meet him you'll agree. Don't think I never loved your dad because I did deeply. Now it is more like having a roomate than a husband. I'm sorry I haven't given you any warning but I thought this was the best way. I couldn't come to your house and celebrate the anniversary of a marriage I don't want to be in anymore.
Take care of your dad. He'll need you now more than ever. Take care of my little man. I hope I will see him soon. I will be in contact once I settle somewhere. We've decided to leave Washington and start afresh.
I am sorry Bella. I love you and Carson very much. Give him a big hug and kiss from Gamma and tell Edward he'd better be good to you both.
Love Mom
I was dumbstruck. I never thought my mom could be so heartless and cruel. How could she do this today of all days? I hugged my dad.
"I'm so sorry dad."
My father, the big tough cop, fell apart in my arms. We sat there for a long time as he cried. I had never in my life seem my father cry with the exception of when my gamma died. I didn't know what to say to him so I just hugged him as tightly as I could and let him get it all out. Not only had she left him but she had left me too.
After about an hour the doorbell rang. Edward came downstairs to answer it and I heard him take his parents into the kitchen. A few minutes later he came into the living room.
"Can I get you two anything?" he asked.
My dad stood and gave him a small smile and mumbled he was going to the bathroom. I sat there still stunned.
"What's going on baby?" he asked as he came over and pulled me into his arms.
"My mom has left him." I said as I burrowed into his chest.
"Oh my god. What happened?" he sounded as shocked as me.
"She met some other guy. She wrote me a letter. She's leaving the state. I saw her this morning and she never let on. She was no different than any other morning."
"I'm sorry baby. What can I do?" he asked.
"I don't really know. I'm just so shocked. My poor dad. Where are your parents?" I asked.
"In the kitchen. I set them up with some drinks and then came in here. I've left them with Carson to keep them amused. I'll tell them to go." He went to stand.
"No, don't yet. Give me a minute." I got up and went upstairs. My dad was in Carsons room looking around.
"That little boy has more toys than a toy store," he laughed softly.
"Tell me about it. They seem to grow by number on a daily basis. Listen, Esme and Carlisle are downstairs. Do you want to hang out up here and I'll pack them some dinner to take home? You can stay here tonight." I said.
I thought the last thing he would want is to be around two happy couples while he was dealing with all this.
"Um, no. I'll just go home. I just wanted to let you know and give you your letter. Did she tell you why?"
"Yeah. Some guy called Phil," I answered.
"At least she told you that much, All I got was how unhappy she was with her life."
She hadn't even told him she had met someone else.
"God, I'm sorry I assumed she would have put that in the letter."
"You would think. Anyway, I'll be on my way,"
"No you won't. I am not leaving you on your own tonight. Let me just tell Edward-" I was cut off with the door being knocked.
I opened it expecting Edward but instead found Esme.
"I'm sorry to interrupt. Edward told us what happened. I'm so sorry Charlie. If there's anything you need just let me know. Bella, I was going to finish making dinner for you. You two need to relax right now."
"It's fine Esme. I'm just going to head home and let you all have dinner as planned. No need for Bella's efforts to go to waste." my dad smiled sadly at her.
"Charlie, why don't you have dinner and then see how you feel. I know you must be devastated right now but I'm willing to bet you haven't eaten since lunchtime today. You need to eat. Come down and we'll have dinner and then Carlisle and I will head home and if it's okay we'll take Carson for the night and let you and Bella have some time together."
I loved that woman at this moment. As much as dad would argue with me I knew he wouldn't with Esme.
"Um, sure, if that's okay with Bella," he answered.
"That's fine. And you don't need to take Carson, Esme. Edward will be here to help me with him. Let's go downstairs and I'll get you a beer dad." I said as I took his hand and lead him from the room.
A short while later we were at the table having dinner. I deliberately sat Carson's high chair beside me and my dad so that it would take his mind of things. I couldn't eat. I felt sick to my stomach. Esme, god bless her, kept the conversation flowing throughout dinner. My mind was turning over trying to think back over any signs I could've missed but right now I couldn't think of anything.
After dinner Carlisle and my dad watched tv while Edward and I cleaned up. Esme had offered to bathe Carson and get him ready for bed. I had been holding back tears all night, not wanting to break down in front of my dad but I could feel a lump the size of a boulder in my throat. I stopped wiping the counter and leaned my hands on it. Edward came over and pulled me into a hug and I let the tears fall.
I cried quietly and he let me, stroking my hair and rubbing my back. Poor guy had nothing but drama since I had stumbled into his life. Esme came into the kitchen shortly after I had stopped crying.
"Sorry to interrupt guys. Bella, Carlisle is going to drive your dad home to pack an overnight bag. He's going to stay with you tonight. I read Carson the book that was on his dresser and he went out like a light. Why don't you two go and sit in the living room and I'll make some coffee while I wait for Carlisle." she offered.
"Thanks Esme, but I think I need something stronger than coffee. Edward could you pour me some wine? I'm going to go and wash my face. I don't want my dad to see me like this."
"Of course I will baby. Do you need anything else?" he asked.
"No, you being here is enough. Will you stay tonight?" I asked.
I wasn't sure he would be comfortable with my dad being here.
"I wasn't going anywhere. I want to be here in case you need me. If Charlie's more comfortable with it I'll sleep on the couch."
"No you won't you will sleep beside me as you always do. If Charlie doesn't like it tough but to be honest I don't think he'll mind." I answered sadly.
By the time I came back downstairs Esme was in the living room with two glasses of wine on the table. Edward was nowhere in sight. Esme must have seen me looking around.
"He's gone to the store to get some more beers for your dad. I offered to go but he wanted to. I think it makes him feel like he's doing something," she laughed.
"He's doing enough by still being here. He must be wondering what the hell he's let himself in for being with me," I answered.
"He's with you because he loves you. I've never seen him so happy. You and Carson bring great joy to him and don't ever forget that. The day you all went to the zoo you'd think he had been the child. He went on about it for days," she laughed softly.
My birthday had been on September thirteenth and as much as Alice wanted to throw me a party, I'd politely declined. Edward took me and Carson out for the day. We had breakfast at the diner, went to the zoo and then had dinner before we came home and celebrated together.
"That was a great day. My mom was so surprised that he would think to include Carson in the whole day the way he did. If only she'd considered his feelings as much as Edward does. How do you explain to a two year old that there Grandma has bailed?" I asked and felt the tears coming again.
"This is horrible to say but he's young. He'll adapt. You and your dad, not so much. I can't believe she would do such a thing. She never seemed the type to abandon her family. You know Bella, I know you don't know me all that well, but I'm here for you if you need me. Whether it's to sound off to or to look after Carson to give you some time off just say the word. I know you have Edward but we're here too. For you and your dad."
"Thank you Esme. I may take you up on that at some point. I just can't get over the fact that she didn't even tell him about the other guy. I had to tell my dad that my mother had left him for another man. How shitty is that? She never even let on that she wasn't happy. Or maybe she did and I was too wrapped up in my own life that I never noticed. How could she come over here this morning acting like everything was fine and then just leave?"
"I don't know sweetheart. What I do know is that you are a strong young woman. You will get through this and so will your dad. It may take you time but you will be fine."
I only hoped she was right.
Again characters not mine.