BPOV
I was distracted by Edward's lean body angled to the side of me. I had to admit he was pretty hot, his body bent into downward dog. I realized I wasn't the only one noticing. Mrs. Stanley and Jessica were gawking at him along with two girls from Port Angles Community College.
Like really, keep your grimy eyes off my man.
Edward tilted his head and smirked at me. I couldn't be rude so I raised him with a smirk of my own. 'I love you' I mouthed. He pouted out his lips, making this ridiculous kissy face. I erupted into giggles.
"Focus," Mom said, tapping on my butt as it hung in the air while she moved around the room.
After that, class started to wind down. Jessica kept staring from me to Edward, a glare slowly growing on her face. When Mom clapped her hands together, Jessica sat up like she was waiting.
Edward crawled over to my mat, tugging on my ankles until I was almost on his lap. I leaned forward pecking his lips. We laughed at each other between kisses.
"Keep it PG you two," Mom warned, tugging on my ponytail.
I smiled against his lips as I placed my hands on his chest to keep him at bay.
"More," he grinned.
Later. I signed.
Lately we'd get really hot and heavy and then have to stop. A few months ago, I might have been influenced by Alice to take things to the next step because of our ages, but now I thought I was ready to be more with him on my own.
Jessica stood glaring at us as Edward helped me up, completely ignoring her. I noticed a lot lately that even though everyone was afraid of Edward and would make remarks about him behind his back, the girl population of Forks now drooled over him.
We were just us. I was still Bella Swan, the quirky, somewhat new girl that wore kids sized band tees and baggy jeans. Edward was still Edward Masen, the boy who wore his flannel shirts unbuttoned with t-shirts underneath, his dark jeans and Docs. They all needed to relax and back off my man.
Also, the shift in Edward's environment was helping him. He hung out with Emmett more; they would come to the gym or play video games. Before, Edward had only Carlisle for that, but now I think he enjoyed having a friend more his age. Rosalie unfortunately was slipping further away from Alice and Edward, maybe even away from Em. He wouldn't talk about it though. Not to mention the fact that she didn't really show up at school.
"B?" Mom called.
"Yeah?"
"Are you two going straight home?"
"We were staying in Port Angeles for dinner," I said, feeling Edward's fingers twine with mine.
"I'm taking Bella out on a date," he smiled and I squeezed his hand.
"You two are so cute it's ridiculous," she sighed wistfully. "I know it's a Friday and you have a Cinderella license, but try to at least be back by twelve."
"Gram?" I questioned, knowing Renee hated the idea of a curfew.
"Yeah, she says you need more structure," she rolled her eyes. "I say you're amazing without. I mean you do your homework without having to be badgered."
She kissed us both on the cheek, excusing us so she could start her second class. Mom's Birkham class had become such a hit in Clallam County that everyone came. The gym had asked her if she could add more classes and they would raise her pay, contracting her for two years of service. I think that boosted her morale more than anything, which was always a good thing. She was happy and I was happy. Those were very good things.
I separated with Edward to get changed, giving him a kiss. He pulled on my ponytail, giving my bottom lip a tug with his teeth before letting me go. It was new and kind of aggressive and to be honest, I really loved it.
"She's pathetic," Jessica mumbled further back in the locker room.
"Jessica, pouting is unbecoming," her mother snipped. "Maybe if you lost some weight the Masen boy would look at you."
"Hardly, mother," she responded. "I mean you saw them. Bella just spreads her legs for him. I have some self-respect."
"Then I don't want to hear you whining," Mrs. Stanley sighed exasperated. "You don't want to get mixed up with Isabella and Edward's trashy families. You know before Lizzie Platt left she was saying Isabella was Carlisle Cullen's child. I mean how convenient was it that Renee left Forks, met her husband, and got pregnant with that girl almost right after leaving. Carlisle and Renee were like Isabella and Edward in high school. They couldn't keep their hands off each other…"
Before I could hear anything else, I frantically grabbed my stuff to shower. What Mrs. Stanley was saying was completely ridiculous. Charlie Swan was my father. I had his hair and eyes, even his freckles. She made no sense. Mom found out she was pregnant with me right before she was supposed to come home for Thanksgiving. She had been at school almost three months and was two months pregnant. Someone with the ability to do simple math could figure out Carlisle was not my father. And how could Edward's mother spread such hateful lies?
I dried off, throwing on a t-shirt, shorts and my flip-flops. I didn't bother to dry my hair off. Edward was leaning against the wall, waiting for me with a silly grin on his face. I knew I had to push all the bull I'd just heard away. Edward was so excited. He'd planned our whole night and I wouldn't let this ruin it.
Your curls are beautiful. He signed before picking one up between his fingers.
Thank you.
Ready to go? He asked, taking my bag and carrying it out to the SUV.
I drove us down the street to Bella Italiana and Edward hurried out to open my door.
"Hi," I giggled.
"May I have a kiss?" he asked.
I leaned forward, kissing him, his hand cupping my jaw as he deepened it. I smiled against his lips.
"We're going to be late," he warned.
"Okay," I nodded.
He helped me out of my monster of a vehicle. Mom and Gram came home with it last week. It was like Mom's car, which was fine, but a little big. The huge blind spot on that thing was annoying.
His fingers found mine as we walked through the parking lot. For the first time, I felt like a girlfriend. We were going on a date, just the two of us, and it was real.
"Hi, Welcome to Bella Italiana," Tyler started. "Oh."
"Tyler, Edward has a reservation," I explained, trying to stop the conflict a bit.
A lady by the bar was watching us. She looked like she was probably his boss. He couldn't get away with anything but friendly behavior, Tyler sighed and grabbed two menus from his stand. "Follow me," he gritted.
Once we were seated and both guys exchanged a glare, Tyler informed us Lauren would be our waitress. Great!
"Next time maybe I should plan our date in Seattle," Edward commented while looking at his menu.
"What do you want to drink?" Lauren said, rolling her eyes at us.
"Yeah, he's not giving you a tip," I announced. "Can we have another waitress?"
"This is my section."
"Well, this is my date and you're ruining it."
"Bella," Edward soothed, scooping up my hand. "Lauren, may we please have someone else."
Her eyes glazed over looking at him, much like Jessica's did. It was rare when he spoke around anyone but our friends, but I was proud of him. She nodded, still dazed by him and I glared at her as she left.
Edward wiped the glare away as he slid closer to me in our booth, nipping my neck, jaw, ear, and cheek, pretty much anywhere he could in public. I erupted with giggles as he teased.
"Better?" he chuckled.
He was being playful and I loved it. His fingers played with my hair while we went over our menu. Our new waitress, Emma, came over to take our orders. I choose the mushroom ravioli and he got spaghetti with their famous meatballs. When the food came, it was amazing.
"So good," he mumbled around his food.
I nudged his side with my palm, earning me a sloppy kiss.
"Gross."
"I love you," he beamed.
"And love to get sauce on my face," I groaned, wiping it off.
"Best date ever?"
"I would say," I smiled and cupped his face with my hand.
"I wine and dine," he grinned.
"Or iced tea and dine," I teased, kissing him quick.
Emma came back with our check once we were done and Edward refused to let me see it, stating he was a gentleman and my man so he paid. The lady of the man was not allowed to even see the dinner cost, let alone pay. Whatever. However, I did see him leave Emma a really nice tip, one that Lauren would shit a brick over which was fine by me.
"Want to go home?"
"Can we go to your house?" I asked instead.
"Carlisle is there. Esme had to work the night shift," he explained.
"That's fine." I replied, but in reality my thoughts went straight to what Mrs. Stanley had said.
How could someone say such horrible, untrue things?
"You okay?" he asked, sensing something was wrong as he rubbed my arm.
"Yeah."
Once we arrived back at his house, I saw Mom peeking out the window at us. She saw us but we had two hours left of her asked curfew.
"Carlisle?" Edward called, letting him know he was home.
Walking into the living room, we found Carlisle sprawled out on the couch, watching something on Discovery Health. I sat on the love seat when Edward said he was going to get us some drinks. I stared at the man on the couch. I looked nothing like him. Like at all.
"You're not my dad?" I blurted out, unable to control my mouth in that second.
His eyebrows rose as his eyes widened.
"No I'm not kiddo," he said slowly. "Uh, why?"
"I heard Mrs. Stanley talking to Jessica at the gym…" I trailed off.
"First of all she is a terrible gossip and second of all, Lizzie started that rumor before she drank her way out of town," he said, getting up before crouching in front of me. "Your Mom and I broke up right before we went away to school, the very last day we were in Forks, but there is no question that you are Charlie's. Maybe if she found out a couple of weeks sooner we all would have had questioning, but she left at the beginning of August and found out mid November. By then she was two months along."
"Okay," I frowned.
"I will be talking to Val and I am sure your mom will be too."
"It hurt," I mumbled.
"The only reason it was brought up was because Lizzie hates me and wants Esme to have nothing to do with me. She wants Es as miserable as her."
"She's not around so I guess that's good, right?" I said, not sure if he agreed with me on this issue.
"A little," he sighed. "It would be nice if Edward had at least one parent to love him, but you saw how Lizzie was."
I nodded sadly. Carlisle lifted my chin with his finger. "Hey, tonight was the night of your big date. Don't let Val Stanley ruin that for you. Edward was excited about tonight so I want you guys happy and love sick."
I laughed and Carlisle's smile brightened.
"Thatta girl. Tomorrow I'm going to need your help because I was planning on talking to our boy about taking his GED," he explained.
"Okay."
Edward chose that moment to walk in, looking at us funny when he saw Carlisle in front of me. We ended up falling asleep on the love seat and Carlisle slept on the couch. As I drifted off, I realized I felt nervous about how Edward would react to us plotting over his well-being. I didn't want him to think we had betrayed him; he had been hurt enough in his life. But as nervous as I was, I couldn't watch him hide his brilliance for another day. I guess we would find out his reaction soon enough.
A/N: I was sick all last week and still a bit now that is the reason this is late. I hate allergies. Another thing I know I've been saying this for a while, but time jump is either happening after next chapter or the one after that. It will be a part two if you will. These kids will be kind of grown up meaning freshly out of college. I'm 24 and I still say I'm not quite a big kid yet, sooooo… Huge thanks to dolphin62598 and rainydays23 for their betaing!