A/N: Happy Wednesday! I'm very excited to get you another chapter of the story. I'm also humbled by the reviews and the number of you who have put my story on alert! My gmail box overfloweth! Please, keep it up.
On to business…SMeyer owns all Twilight characters. No copyright infringement intended.
Shall we go to lunch at the Cullens?
4.
"Hey, Mom. Yeah, I'm at Bella's, and Jax is feeling better, so we'll be over in about…," he looked at me for an answer.
"Half hour?" I asked looking at the clock on the cable box to see that the entire production had taken an hour. It was 3:30, and we were originally supposed to go to the Cullens at 3:00. Apparently, we wouldn't be too late.
"Half hour. Yeah, I think it was just a bug. She's completely fine, though she seems to have some sort of adoration of a big blue dog. Yeah, that's the show. Okay, we'll see you in a bit," Edward announced over the line and then hung up.
"She actually knows the show. So, what do we need to take for Jax? I'm afraid that my parents don't have any toys or anything," he informed me.
"I'll get a few books and toys together. Jax, let's go change so we can go see Miss Esme. She wants us to come over for dinner," I announced. I saw her face light up as she turned off the television and scampered up the stairs ahead of me without any argument whatsoever. How novel.
"We'll be right back. Make yourself at home," I announced as I followed my daughter upstairs. I quickly changed Jax into a sundress and sandals, and I went to my room and pulled on a pair of capri pants and a clean blouse. I swept my hair up in a ponytail and quickly braided Jax long hair to keep it out of her face. We packed a small backpack that was a favorite of hers with books and a few puzzles, and we were back downstairs within fifteen minutes.
Edward was sitting on the couch looking at a photo album of Jax that rested on the shelf next to the couch, and when he saw us, he smiled and closed it. "You both look lovely. Bella, do you want to follow me?" he asked. Obviously, I did because I had no idea where the Cullens lived. I knew it was outside the city limits of Forks, but I had no idea where.
"Sure," I responded as I grabbed my purse and keys, turning on the hall lamp for when we returned later in the evening. Edward picked up Jax and carried her to the car, easily sliding her into the car seat that she hated, and we were off.
Twenty minutes later, we were driving down a long one-lane road that was hidden from the highway. The grounds were actually lovely. Luckily, there were clear skies, and the sun was sitting low in the sky, promising a beautiful sunset.
When we pulled up in front of the house, I was immediately taken aback. I heard a chuckle next to me and turned to see Jacob sitting in the passenger's seat. "Nice shack. Don't get all freaked out. You like the woman. It's just a house, you know. Are you actually going to give him a chance to explain things to you, or are you going to do that thing you do where you smile and nod and then stick to your original opinion without taking into account what was said to you?" he asked. I hated that he knew me so well.
I looked in the rearview mirror and saw Jax completely enthralled with a book, so I turned up the radio and whispered, "I'm going to give him a chance to explain. I'm not a total bitch, you know. Now, go away. If I get caught talking to you again, I believe the two shrinks I'm having dinner with will lock me up and take away our daughter." I looked to my right and saw the seat empty. Thank God.
Edward parked his car…a very sporty, expensive-looking, two-seater…in the garage and quickly jogged over to my little CRV, pulling the rear passenger door open and freeing Jax from her car seat just as the Cullens stepped out onto the front porch, each with bright smiles on their faces.
When Jax saw Esme, it was all over. "Mesme! Mesme!" she shouted as she wiggled from Edward's arms. He put her down, and she ran to the front porch bounding into Esme's waiting embrace. Esme hugged her and said something to her that I couldn't hear, and I saw a man who I assumed was Carlisle shake Jax's hand vigorously, causing her to laugh riotously.
"Well, seems she's got all three of us wrapped around her little finger. Come on. I want you to meet my dad," Edward remarked as he picked up Jax's backpack and pulled me behind him to the porch. By then, Esme and Jax were inside the house, and Carlisle was standing alone waiting for us.
"And, you must be that adorable little girl's mother, Bella. It's so nice to finally meet you. I'm Carlisle, the third Cullen," he introduced himself. He shook my hand and clapped Edward on the back. The two men didn't resemble each other, which was understandable since Edward was adopted, but they had very similar mannerisms.
"It's very nice to meet you, Dr. Cullen. You have a lovely home," I offered by way of a response.
"Please, dear, Carlisle. We're so glad that Jax felt better to be able to come over. Es has been looking forward to it all day," he offered. I felt guilty for lying to the woman, but Edward squeezed my hand that he was still holding, and I didn't say anything. I guessed we were going to continue to go with the white lie he'd told his mother. I hoped he was a better liar than me.
When we walked into what I believed was either a living room or a family room, I was taken aback, yet again. I looked like the Mattel Company had puked all over the room. There was anything and everything you could ever imagine Barbie having, and Jax and Esme were in the middle of it, opening packages of clothes and boxes with dolls. "What the hell?" I whispered. Edward and Carlisle were laughing next to me.
Esme turned to us and smiled. "I had a bit of time on my hands today, so I went to Port Angeles to Target. I love Barbies. I couldn't get Edward to play with them when he was little, so I couldn't resist buying everything I could find, knowing that Jax was coming over," Esme offered. I looked at my daughter, and I could see that she was in love with the beautiful woman sitting on the floor cross-legged in front of her. Apparently, Esme Cullen knew the way to my daughter's heart, and it was paved with a Barbie Dream House complete with a blow-up pool and pool toys.
"She used to try to push that Barbie sh…stuff on me when I was little. It's a wonder I didn't turn out to be a drag queen or something similar. Thank goodness Carlisle came along and took me to the driving range or the batting cages. This whole thing could be going a whole different way, and I could be standing here with Yorkie," Edward teased. I laughed.
"Oh, if that was the case, he'd be in Barbie heaven. He believes that if he got a shot at you, he could change your orientation," I responded, eliciting a laugh from Esme and Carlisle. I didn't know if they knew Eric, but clearly they understood the intent.
"Yes, well, that's not exactly going to happen. So, Mom, since you're tied up, I'm just going to show Bella around the grounds. How long before dinner?" Edward asked.
"Ask Dad. I've already made Jax's dinner. Your father is responsible for the rest of it," Esme volunteered without looking at us. It appeared that she was trying to put a bathing suit on a Ken doll. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and thank the Mattel gods that Ken wasn't anatomically correct. I didn't want to have to explain the differences between men and women to my daughter just yet.
"So?" Edward asked Carlisle. Carlisle looked at the clock on the mantle and smiled. "5:30? I've got corn to shuck. Go, show Bella around," he called as he walked away, leaving us in Barbie Land.
"Shall we?" Edward asked as he took my hand and led me through the maze of pink boxes in the floor and out a set of French doors to a large deck. I looked around and admired the view. The gardens were beautiful, and they were just beginning to bloom.
As we made our way down the back stairs to the yard, I could see a stone path that led to a lower garden that appeared to be situated next to a river or creek of some kind. It was almost too beautiful to be real. "Who takes care of all of this?" I asked, envisioning an army of landscapers roaming around on a daily basis.
"Dad. Gardening and horticulture are hobbies of his. Since he and Mom moved here, he's semi-retired. He only sees patients a few days a week now, and the rest of his time is spent out here. There's a rose garden over there, and a vegetable garden over there, and an herb garden closer to the house. Let's go down here by the river. It's really lovely," he responded, placing his hand on the small of my back to guide me. The feel of his hand on me wasn't something for which I was prepared. It seemed quite intimate and not at all uncomfortable for me, which surprised me.
He guided me to a marble bench near the river. There was a plaque a few feet in front of it, and I strained to see what it read. Edward could see me struggling and he cleared his throat. "This is my daughter, Chelsea's garden. The stone reads, "In loving memory of Chelsea Carlotta Cullen. May 15, 2003 to April 10, 2004," he commented seeing my curiosity.
I quickly did the math and figured out that the child was short of eleven months old when he lost her. I couldn't help the tears that stung my eyes, quickly thinking about how I'd feel if I had the same tragedy in my life.
"I'm so sorry. I can't even…" I responded softly. I couldn't help but sniff. Edward reached into his pocket of his shorts and handed me a handkerchief, which I gladly accepted. I dried my eyes, and turned to see he had his own unshed tears.
"She'd have been about five years older than Jax. She had Gianna's hair and my green eyes. Now, before you start hearing Rosalie's voice in your head, I'm not trying to work out some issues by substituting you for my dead girlfriend. I live with two psychiatrists. Do you really think I'd get away with that shit?" he asked.
It made sense. "No, I know your mother. She's very good at her practice," I offered from personal experience. I was very sure that Esme Cullen wouldn't let her son get away with anything like that, especially living under her own roof.
"So, how'd you meet her?" I asked. If we were diving into it, I might as well get the whole thing in one heart-wrenching bite.
"I was at the Piazza Navona in Rome. I was looking for the Fountain of the Four Rivers, and I stopped her to ask her directions. My Italian was straight out of the damn translation dictionary, and she laughed at me. Apparently, I'd asked her how to get to the bathroom of the four rivers. She answered me in English, and I instantly fell for her. I was only supposed to be in Italy for a month, but I stayed for eighteen.
"After we were together for six months, she told me she was pregnant. I was working at the American Consulate as an analyst, and when Chelsea was born, I knew I had to get them back here with me. I was told by the lawyer we'd hired in Italy that I'd have a better chance getting them visas if I worked on it from the States, so I came home. While I was home, there was a car accident. Gianna was headed to the country to her parents' place, and it had been raining. Apparently, the car veered off the road, and they were both killed instantly. Her parents actually hated me. They said I wasn't good enough for her, and they were against us from the beginning, but Gianna didn't care…" he continued relating to me most of the story that Rosalie had already told me.
The tears on his face caused me to pull him into me and hug him tightly. I felt his pain coursing through my body, though if I was being honest with myself, he was suffering much more than I had suffered. I'd lost the love of my life, just as it seemed he had, but he'd lost his daughter at the same time, and mine was inside the house swimming in a sea of pink.
After a few minutes, he seemed to compose himself. "I know that I bring a reputation with me that maybe gives you cause for concern. Much of its trumped up, but I've fed into it with a few drunken nights, one-night stands with some of the nursing staff, and my massive mistake of dating Jane Volturi. I got my ass in a sling in Boston over a nurse, and you'd think I'd have learned my lesson, but I didn't. When Simmons announced, at Em's bachelor party no less, that he and Jane were having sex in the on-call room on a regular basis, it was all news to me. It was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"I'd been looking for a reason to get out of it with Jane, but with her father being the Head of Pathology, and my reputation coming into the hospital, I was worried about it. I'm already on probation, so if I fuck up, I'm out on my ass. That's why Mom has suspended me twice. She told me if I fuck up again, she'll fire me herself. Then, you lifted that sheet from my head the other night, and even in my drunken state, I saw my salvation in your beautiful smile.
"I've had you on my radar since the first time I saw you, but I knew you had a daughter and I couldn't get anyone to explain to me exactly what was your situation. You're a great person, and I had no idea what you were going through because I could never get a straight answer, but you made me realize the shit-shape I was in. Thanks for that," he explained.
I didn't think I could take credit for his awakening, but I appreciated his position more than I thought I would. He was a broken individual, just like I was, and I wanted people to give me a second chance, so who was I to not give him a second chance, regardless of what Rosalie had told me.
"Edward, I'll go with you to Emmett and Rosalie's wedding, if you still want me to. I'd be happy to be your date," I answered without really giving it much more thought.
"Bella, thank you, but please don't do it out of a sense of pity. Like you said, I don't want anyone's pity," he answered as he sat up next to me and dried his eyes. I noticed my t-shirt was wet where his head had rested, and I began to pull it away from my body to dry it. I was pretty sure he didn't want to go into his parents' house and explain why my shoulder was wet.
"Of everyone you know, no one will ever understand the desire not to see the head tilt of pity on someone's face. I want to go with you because I actually enjoy your company. If we have to go, then I think going together is the prudent thing to do. At least we can make fun of everyone together," I offered. Edward laughed.
The rest of the evening went along perfectly. The Cullens were absolutely wonderful to us, and when we left at 8:00 PM, I was reluctant to leave because we'd all had a great time together. I hadn't had that much fun in a very long time. Esme's pursuit of a promise from me that she could babysit Jax the night of the wedding and my agreement to her pitch was enough to allow us our leave, and when Edward carried my daughter out to the car, I couldn't help but smile.
"So, I'm not on again until Tuesday. Maybe I could come to Hell and steal you away for dinner on Monday night. How about 8:00? That's the middle of your shift, right?" he asked as he placed a tired Jax into her car seat, buckling it expertly. He kissed her forehead and she smiled at him.
"Night, Redward," she whispered before she dropped off again. Esme had completely worn her out, and I was actually grateful.
"Dinner on Monday is doable, but call me before you leave to come in. You never know what's going to happen," I responded as I tossed the backpack in the passenger seat of my SUV. I saw two Barbie legs sticking out of the zipper, and I knew that even though I'd protested about them sending things home with us, some of the world of Barbie was in that damn backpack.
"I will. Thanks for coming over and thanks for hearing me out. I like the fact that we've sort of cleared the air. Next time, we'll need to discuss your husband," he responded. I knew it was a discussion for another day, so I merely nodded in agreement. Edward hugged me as he opened my door for me, and we left.
As I settled into bed that night in one of my own t-shirts, I wondered what would happen with Edward Cullen. It felt like he'd bared his soul to me, and he'd asked for nothing in return except for my listening ear. That wasn't what I expected from him at all. I never expected the arrogant, sexy doctor to be so vulnerable. It was a new side of him that I pondered as I fell asleep.
##
"Bells, you seem distracted. It seems that everything went well," Jake remarked as he sat across from me, drinking his coffee. I picked up my mug and contemplated what he'd said.
"Well, I did what you thought I wouldn't do. I let him explain himself. Am I making a mistake by trusting what he says? Fuck, Jacob, I don't know how to read the man," I complained. He laughed, as I suspected he would.
"Bells, you're developing feelings for him, and it's scaring you. I think it's great that you let him explain himself. When are you planning to tell him about me?" Jake asked as he set his mug down on the table. I looked around and saw that not one thing was different in the little house than it had been the last morning that we'd shared coffee before he left, with the exception of Jake's appearance. The last time I saw him alive, his hair was very short, and he was wearing his ACUs. The man sitting across from me was still wearing the sleeveless t-shirt and torn jeans that I'd grown to love over the years with his long straight black hair pulled back in the familiar leather wrap.
"I'm not sure. I think things need to go slow, so I guess I'll wait until he asks. Isn't that the thing to do?" I asked him as I sipped the tasteless coffee.
"Slow is probably good. I wouldn't wait until he asks, though, because that makes it seem like he needs to drag it out of you and it makes you look like you're reluctant to talk about me. You talk about me and to me all the time. Don't stop doing that with Edward because he's been through hell just like you have, honey. His hell might be a little deeper than yours, but don't push him away. It seems like you two have a link of some kind. Maybe it's the loss you've both suffered, but don't write him off because of what Rosalie told you. I think he explained it pretty well, don't you?" Jacob asked.
"Yeah. I feel really bad for him. If I'd have lost Jax on the heels of losing you, I swear I'd have done myself in," I answered.
"Now, none of that talk. We've talked about that a couple of years ago, and you've gotta raise our daughter. You don't have the luxury of thinking about offin' yourself. I'm actually amazed that Cullen could live through the loss without doin' something rash. I don't think I could have," he answered.
We sipped our coffee and didn't say anything much more to each other. After a while, he looked at me and smiled. "Okay, well, I'm gonna go. You've got a while before you gotta get up, but it seems we've settled things for tonight. I love you, Bells. I'll see you tomorrow night," he remarked as he kissed my lips. I didn't feel it, but I knew he'd done it.
"Good night, Jake. I love you, too," I called. I shut off the light in the kitchen, and I woke up in my bed. I looked at the clock and saw it was only 4:00 AM. I fell back to sleep for the first time in four years without any other dreams. It was a new frontier for me.
##
Days went by, and Edward and I were becoming closer. We had dinners when he wasn't on duty, and he came down to Hell, as he referred to the morgue, when he was on duty. We talked, and I told him a little bit about my life with Jacob. He came to our house for lunch sometimes when he had a day off, and the three of us got to be very good friends. He adored Jax, and as much as I worried about it, she adored him. Rosalie and I had reached a truce with regard to my relationship with Edward, and things were actually going well with her.
Jake and I continued to have our coffee…me relating my days and nights, and him commenting along the way, but I noticed that the time we spent together gradually got shorter, and I worried about it because I didn't want to lose him. We'd spent a long time together, and I wasn't ready to let go of him. He seemed to be making room for Edward Cullen to be in my life, and I wasn't sure what to do about that.
The day of the wedding, my parents were leaving bright and early for their getaway, and I'd had to take off on Monday night because they wouldn't be back until sometime on Tuesday. I didn't want to think about what they were doing, regardless of Jake's speculation in our quick conversations in my dreams, because I never wanted to think about my parents doing anything remotely sexual.
Esme and Carlisle were set to watch Jax on Saturday night while I was at the reception with Edward. They'd even offered to keep her overnight, but I declined because I was worried that Jax would freak out about being in a different house when she woke up, Barbie heaven aside.
Edward and I had made arrangements for me to drop off my daughter and my car at his parents' house after the wedding and ride with him to the reception venue so that I'd have the car seat to take Jax home after the reception.
The wedding had been absolutely lovely. I'd taken Jax with me, and she'd been captivated by the whole thing. She wanted a veil immediately, which caused me to laugh. "Momma, I want one," Jax had whispered, which wasn't really a whisper. I saw Edward turn toward her voice and smile at us. He winked at me as I tried to calm her down. I'd already had to contain her from running up to the altar to "Redward" when she saw him, and I didn't really need her causing a scene because she was coveting the bride's veil.
After the ceremony, the bridal party went outside for the receiving line, and I continued to wait inside with Jax for some of the people to clear out. Edward quickly came back inside the church as I was trying to usher the two of us out so that I could take Jax home and change her into play clothes before taking her to the Cullens. He stopped us before we got outside and picked up Jax, kissing her cheek sweetly. "You look pretty," he told her. I'd bought her a new dress for the occasion, and she did look adorable.
"Fank you, Redward. I want a white blanket like Rose," she responded as she watched the photographer taking pictures of the wedding party. Rosalie's veil was stunning.
"Not too soon, I hope. Come on. Let's get the man to take your picture," Edward remarked as he pulled me from the pew and carried Jax to the front of the church. He looked yummy in his tuxedo, and I caught myself getting a little warmer than necessary in the air-conditioned church as I watched his ass while he walked up the aisle.
I could see that Rose wasn't pleased to see Edward holding my hand as we approached the front of the church, but Emmett glowed at seeing the three of us together. "Baa Baa Blacksheep, you're here. Look at my girl. You look absolutely perfect. Let's get a picture with you and me and Rosie," Emmett announced as he took Jax from Edward's arms.
I watched the photographer pose the three of them, and I couldn't help but laugh as I saw my daughter pull on Rosalie's veil and fidget it on her head as well. The picture was perfect because Rosalie saw what she was doing, and she laughed heartily. I was surprised at it, and immediately, I wanted several copies of it. The next picture found Rosalie taking her veil off and placing it on Jax's head. The two were sitting on the steps of the altar, and it was, yet again, perfect.
"That's probably going to be one of the best pictures of the day," Emmett remarked next to us.
"She's perfect, isn't she? She's just like her mother," Edward whispered. I pretended not to hear him, but Emmett patted him on the back and whispered something to him that I didn't hear.
"Yeah, likely," Edward responded. Once the picture was taken, I quickly ran to the altar and salvaged Rosalie's veil before my daughter took off with it. I placed it back on Rose's head, and I smiled at her. She looked at me for a moment and hugged me, mumbling an "I'm sorry" before she pulled away. I wasn't sure for what she was sorry, but I didn't have time to dwell on it.
"Can I get one with the three of us?" Edward asked the photographer. He picked up Jax and pulled me next to the two of them. The man took the picture, and I couldn't help but smile. Edward put Jax down and went over to the man talking in low tones. I looked at my beautiful daughter and saw her father all over her face.
I couldn't help but squat down, tottering on my modest heels, to speak to her. "Someday, you'll have your own wedding, and we'll make sure you have a veil just like that," I told her. I couldn't help but tear up because the fact that her father wouldn't be there to walk her down the aisle weighed heavily on my mind.
Jax put her hands on both sides of my face and looked me square in the eye. "Momma, Memmett wouldn't like it if you cried today. It's a happy day," she announced quite confidently. That didn't make the tears stop, but it did make me laugh through them. I saw a flash out of the corner of my eye, and I turned to see Edward standing next to the photographer.
I saw him whisper to the man and hand him money, and then he walked over to where we stood. "So, let's go get Jax changed and settled at the Barbie Castle. Mom's chomping at the bit to get her there. Apparently, Dad's made hot dogs for her and there's homemade ice cream. I think I heard it was chocolate," Edward announced as he picked Jax up and blew a raspberry against her cheek causing her to squeal.
I prayed to God that I wasn't making a huge mistake by letting him get so entrenched in our life. She adored him, and I found myself feeling the same way. If he left us, we'd both be hurt, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to take the chance.
We drove to his parents' house where I was to leave my car, and we dropped off my daughter. She didn't even seem to register that I was leaving her there. When Edward and I climbed into his sports car to leave for the reception, he had a shit-eating grin on his face that begged the question.
"What's that about?" I asked. He grabbed my left hand and kissed it, and he laughed at my question.
"I'm happier than I've been in a long time. My mother hasn't lit up like that in all the years that I've been cognizant that she has feelings. They are so looking forward to tonight, as am I. That's all because of you. My parents never got to meet Chelsea, and seeing them with Jax makes me wonder how they would have been with my daughter," he responded. Over the time we'd spent together, he'd gotten more comfortable talking about his past, and I understood what he meant. I didn't really talk much about Jacob, and he never pushed me, for which I was truly appreciative.
I couldn't comment because I was fighting the tears at his statement, and he didn't press me. We arrived at the hotel in Port Angeles where the reception was being held, and Edward opened my door helping me from his car. "Bella, I didn't tell you earlier, but you look beautiful tonight." All I could offer was a blush and a smile.
I had to sit alone at a table in the middle of the ballroom because Edward was in the wedding party and had to sit at the head table. The discussion at my table was lively, but I didn't know anyone there. I talked to a realtor who thought I should sell my house because the market was looking up, and a plastic surgeon who suggested that I should get a little Botox for the crease between my eyes. I wasn't happy about either suggestion.
When the music started, I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw Jasper Whitlock standing next to me. "Mrs. Black, could I beg you to dance with me. There's a very odd guest giving me the eye, and I'd like to fend her off," he asked. I gratefully took his hand and allowed him to lead me to the dance floor.
We danced to two songs before he made his intentions known. "Bella, can I ask you something?"
"Sure," I answered as I tried to covertly ascertain the whereabouts of one Edward Cullen, my date for all intents and purposes. When I saw him at the bar talking to a woman who was absolutely stunning, all bets were off and I was pissed.
"I'd like to take you out for a date. I know with your schedule and mine, it could be difficult to coordinate, but I'd very much like to see you outside of the hospital," Jasper informed. I inhaled deeply, mostly because I wanted to see if he was drunk. When I didn't smell alcohol on his breath, I knew I had to consider his request seriously.
I looked to my left again and saw Edward laughing heartily with the small brunette, and I decided that I had nothing to lose. "Sure. Um, are you busy tomorrow? Jax will actually be with me, but I can make brunch at my house. Why don't you come over?" I asked, which was completely unlike me, but I didn't like seeing my supposed date talking to another woman so I wasn't actually paying a lot of attention to the shit coming out of my mouth. In my mind, Edward should have been the man twirling me around the dance floor…not Jasper Whitlock.
"A home-cooked meal? That sounds great. What time?" Jasper asked. I had no idea that the man even knew I existed outside of the fact that he was my daughter's pediatrician. His impromptu request for a date was quite a surprise to me.
"Is 11:00 too early?" I asked. I figured it would give me enough time to fix breakfast and look presentable before he arrived, but it would be early enough that I wouldn't have to entertain him for the whole day. I had chicken in the refrigerator that needed to be fried anyway, and God knew I had plenty of eggs and bacon, so I thought I could throw together a respectable brunch.
When the song ended, Jasper kissed my cheek and led me back to my table. "I'll see you at 11:00 sharp. I'm looking forward to it, Bella." With that, he was gone. I wasn't sure if I was happy about it or pissed off that Edward spent that much time away from me to allow another man to ask for a date.
What the hell I was doing entertaining a date from yet another man was beyond me because I'd just opened myself up to the possibility of one man being in our life who wasn't my husband. I wasn't sure what the fuck to do about Edward Cullen, much less Jasper Whitlock.
The rest of the evening was actually pleasant. I danced with Edward a few times, and he danced with the short brunette a few times. I danced with Jasper more than I did Edward, and we got to know each other, which threw me completely off kilter.
At midnight, Rosalie and Emmett left, and then we all made our way to our cars. Edward took me back to his parents' house and helped me get Jax into the car. "Thank you for a nice night," I commented after my sleeping daughter was buckled into her car seat.
"I think that should be reserved for Whitlock. I'm not sure what happened tonight," he responded, seeming put out.
"Um, I think a very pretty brunette happened. It's fine. We're just friends, and you owe me no explanations," I replied as I climbed into my CRV.
"Bella, it wasn't what you thought. Alice is Emmett's little sister. I knew her from visiting Emmett's family when I was in undergrad. I haven't seen her in years, and she didn't really know anyone else there. I tried to get you out of Jasper's inappropriate groping to introduce you, but that became nearly impossible," he answered. Yeah, that's what they all say.
"Edward, we're friends. You can date anyone you want. I'll talk to you soon," I replied. I drove away, seeing him on the drive of his parents' house looking agitated. He should have thought about that shit before he ditched me for a college girlfriend whether she was Emmett's sister or not.
##
"So, you had a big night, what with two men vying for your attention," Jake commented as we sat at the small table in our little house once again.
"Don't make it out to be more than it was. Edward and I are nothing more than friends. Jasper actually asked me on a date. I had to figure out how to do that with Jax around, so I invited him over for brunch," I defended.
"Hmm. That's interesting. Well, she likes him, so it won't be a big deal. Look, I'm not pointing a finger here or anything, but don't traipse a lot of men through Jax's life. She's bound to get confused, and I'm afraid she's too young to understand what's going on," Jake suggested. He was right. I was stupid for inviting Jasper over the next day. I should have just thanked him politely but declined. I hadn't dated in so long that I had no idea how to handle it, and apparently, I wasn't good at it.
"I know you're right. Should I call and cancel it?" I asked. He didn't appear to be jealous or anything, he was just stating an obvious fact that I should have taken into consideration.
"No, don't cancel, but why don't you make it a group thing? Emmett and Rose aren't leaving on their honeymoon for a few days, and if Emmett's sister is in town, maybe you should meet her. You like Emmett. She's probably a lot like him. You might also want to invite Edward and get a look at him and the McCarty woman together. That way, you can tell if there's more there than just friends," Jake suggested.
"That's a good idea. I'll call them when I get up in the morning. So, did you see Jax at the wedding?" I asked. I had no idea if he was there or not because I didn't see him there.
"No. I guess you didn't need me there. You've gotta quit feeling guilty about the fact that I'm not going to be there to walk her down the aisle. It's a fact of life, honey, so you need to get used to it. Now, the car needs the oil changed, so call Embry and ask him to do it, and while you're down there, go see Dad. You haven't been down to see him in a while. It's time for you to get up," Jake announced and then disappeared. Moments later, I felt a poke on my forehead and opened my eyes to see Jax standing by my side of the bed smiling.
She had a pink corvette with Barbie and Ken firmly ensconced, Barbie behind the wheel. "That's very feminist of you. How'd you sleep?" I asked.
"Good. It's light out. I'm hungwy," she responded. I hauled myself out of bed and made quick work of my morning routine.
When I opened the bathroom door, I found her pushing the car around my bedroom floor making motor sounds, and I couldn't help but laugh. Apparently, she had her father's love of fancy cars in her soul. It also appeared to me that Esme Cullen was planning to send Barbieville home with her, one piece at a time. I'd have to head that shit off before my house was a sea of pink. Jax had more toys than she knew what to do with as it was. We didn't need the world of Barbie to add to it.
After she was dressed, I called over to the newlyweds' house, having seen Emmett's Hummer in the driveway. "'Lo?" I heard his raspy voice.
"Dr. McCarty, how are the newlyweds?" I asked with a laugh. I could hear Rosalie mumbling in the background.
"Tired and hungover. How about the Black girls?" Emmett asked, sounding happy to hear from me.
"We're calling to extend an invitation for brunch to you two and your little sister. Dr. Whitlock is coming over, and I seem to have a lot of chicken, so maybe you three want to come over and join us?" I asked hopefully.
"Hang on," he responded. I heard muffled mumbling, and then Rosalie's loud laugh.
"Yes, we'd love to. Apparently, now that we're married, my wife informs me that I have to do half of the cooking, starting with breakfast this morning. You're my ace in the hole, Blacksheep. I'll call my sister. She's at a bed and breakfast across town, and she's supposed to come over this afternoon while we open gifts. We'll just eat at your place and then move the party over here while Rose and I inspect the loot," Emmett suggested. It sounded like the perfect way to keep it from seeming like a much more intimate date with Jasper.
"That sounds great. I'll call Edward and see if he wants to come," I suggested. I couldn't help but feel my pulse race at my own suggestion.
"He'll want to, I'm sure. What time?" Emmett asked. I told him what time and declined his offer of bringing anything. After good-byes were said, we hung up, and I called Edward and left him a message on his cell, hoping that he'd show up. After that, I called Jasper because I owed it to him to alert him of the change of plans.
"Hello?" Jasper asked. I had his number because he was Jax pediatrician, and he'd been kind enough to give me his cell in case of emergencies. As I dialed, I wondered if that was the real reason he'd given it to me in the first place.
"Hi, Jasper, it's me, Bella Black. Look, I wanted to give you a call and let you know that brunch is actually turning into a group thing. I invited Em and Rose, Em's sister, and Edward," I announced. I heard crickets.
"Um, the reason is because I don't want to confuse Jax. If you still want to take me out some time, maybe we can go just the two of us. I need to be very careful about having men around Jax. She knows we all know each other, but I'm afraid she won't understand why you're here and we're not meeting you at your office. I think you can see how it could confuse her. If the others are around, it'll seem more normal for her," I explained.
"Oh, well that makes sense. Okay. I'm still invited, right?" he asked. I couldn't believe he agreed with me so easily.
"Of course you are. I'm looking forward to seeing you. I need to go and begin frying chicken or there won't be a brunch to eat," I responded. He laughed and we hung up. I was pleased that he understood my position, and I was actually anxious to meet Emmett's sister. I could lie to myself and say it was just because she was Emmett's sister, but deep down, I knew it was because I wanted to see if there was anything between her and Edward.
So, Bella's a little jealous? That's interesting. Next chapter will be the brunch which will include Dr. Cullen's reaction to Jasper's attention toward Bella…stay tuned.
Let me know what you think please!
Till next time..xoxo.