"Daddy" Charlotte's voice cut through the darkness seconds after a loud crack of thunder. I got up as quickly as my pregnant belly would allow.
"I've got her," Jasper said as lightening lit up the bedroom again. He was already out the door by the time I sat up completely.
"Thanks!" I called out over the next crack of thunder. It had been storming all night and I was surprised Charlotte hadn't freaked out earlier. After I had told Jasper about Edward we had a quiet evening with my dad, who had left a few hours ago for the night to 'catch the game re-run' with Billy- in other words he was going to spend the night with Sue.
Jasper reappeared with Charlotte snuggled down into his chest and sat on the bed next to me and he sat her up so she could see both of us clearly.
"Mommy," She pouted sadly and stuck her thumb in her mouth, a habit she'd picked up after we'd taken away her 'suckies' last month. This was her first major thunder storm and she was obviously petrified.
"See Charlotte," Jasper spoke soothingly and ran his big, calloused hand up and down her back "Mommy and daddy are here and you're safe. It's just a loud noise outside that can't hurt you."
She nodded slightly and Jasper laid her down in the middle of the bed and she nestled close to my side after I laid down.
"Too much noise for our poor girl," Jasper smiled and kissed me as he too laid down.
"Try to sleep Charlotte," I whispered quietly when she started to blabber on and she finally settled down a tiny hand rested on my arm.
The baby shifted inside me but thankfully didn't start kicking up a storm that would keep me up all night.
The rain against the window soothed us all back to sleep, together, a family.
J&BJ&BJ&BJ&B
"Bella you've got a delivery," Jasper called from the front door into the kitchen. I heard a mixture of mirth and confusion and I walked to the door of the living room.
Jasper was standing by the door holding what looked like two dozen red roses.
"Who are they from?" He asked after I'd plucked a card from the stand in the middle of the bouquet.
I skimmed over the card and found myself flushing with anger and frustration.
It said:
"My dearest Bella,
Two dozen roses to show just the beginning of our story of true love and fairytales. Come home to me, please!
Loving you forever,
Edward"
"Edward," I spat furiously and Jasper's expression darkened. I take tore the roses from my husband's grip and stormed out the front door and down the wet driveway in my bare feet through the rain.
I flipped open the garbage can lid and threw the roses on top of the bags of garbage that had yet to be picked up to be taken to the local dump.
The rain pouring down caused my hair to stick to my forehead and cheeks haphazardly.
Jasper watched from the doorway and worry was clearly visible in his face. He didn't follow me but I know that was only because I probably would have screamed at him if he had.
I took a few deep calming breaths and brushed my wet hair off my face with the back of my hand and let the cool rain calm me. Jasper continued to watch until I headed to the door and into his open arms hugging me tightly.
"We're only visiting your dad for another week and then we're going home Bell." Jasper soothed, much like he had Charlotte early this morning. "And then we can forget all about this and about him."
"He's living in Seattle now though!" I lamented frustrated "What if he doesn't stop?" I found that idea very disturbing and held my husband tighter.
"We'll deal with that if or when we have to but don't worry too much. It's not good for you or the baby." Jasper ghosted a hand over my belly as he spoke and the baby kicked in response. He or she loved when Jasper touched my belly and when he spoke.
"I'm going to go grocery shopping." I sighed "Can you look after Char? I just need some time alone."
"Of course I will," He smiled and kissed me gently "Be careful. I love you."
"I love you too," I squeezed his hand before heading to my childhood bedroom to change into dry clothes before heading out to think and shop.
J&BJ&BJ&BJ&B
I took Jasper's truck and headed to the local grocery store in 'downtown' Forks. My childhood friend, Eric Yorkie's, parents owned it and it was a very pleasant place to shop.
I parked at the far end of the parking lot and grabbed a cart before heading into the store.
I started on the outside ring of the store heading straight to the produce section to look at the fresh vegetables. I loved cooking because it always helped to sooth my frayed nerves. As I walked down the produce section I decided to make spinach and strawberry salad, roasted chicken and French bread for dinner with a brownie for dessert.
I was in the middle of looking at a bunch of spinach when a far too perky voice jarred me.
"You!" A voice hadn't heard in years shrieked making me jump and drop the vegetable. Great just what I needed- Alice.
I tried not to groan too loudly as I turned to face Alice.
She didn't look like her normal put together self. Instead of a designer outfit she had on ripped jeans and a plain t-shirt; nothing like the typical designer duds she always used to wear. Her hair looked wild and she had large, darkened bags under her eyes.
"You!" She shrieked again coming towards me so fast I took an unconscious step back and knocked into the produce stand I was in front of.
I moved my cart in between us quickly wanting to keep as much distance between us as possible.
"Yes me," I tried not to sound too sarcastic. Too many people I never wanted to see again and my poor nerves were on overload and I really didn't want to deal with anymore of this bull.
"You're trying to steal my boyfriend," She said "Stay away from him- he's MINE!"
"You can keep him," I groaned in exasperation. "I don't want him Alice, I want nothing to do with him."
"Yes you do," She continued to shriek wildly in my face and by this point we were drawing the attention of our fellow shoppers. "Edward told me about you coming onto him at the park and with a kid no less. You're deplorable."
"I did no such thing," I rolled my eyes automatically. I'd known Alice all through college and the only reason Alice would know such a word as 'deplorable' would be hearing it from Edward.
I turned on my heel and started walking towards the deli where I could pick up a chicken to roast. I wasn't going to have this conversation with Alice, most certainly not in a public venue.
She tried to grab my arm and I yanked it away violently. I was pissed off, this was getting ridiculous- the man who had cheated on me and his floozy were starting to ruining my life.
I moved a little faster and was very relieved when all of a sudden I heard "Excuse me miss, I'd suggest you stay away from my daughter and quit making ridiculous accusations about someone you obviously don't know very well."
I turned grinning wildly and saw my dad and Sue standing in between Alice and I.
"Dad, Sue!" I hugged both as Alice glared. "Boy, am I happy to see you."
"Are you okay Bella?" Sue asked looking me over as Charlie glared right back at Alice.
"Do you want to report harassment Bella?" My dad asked before I had a chance to respond to Sue's question.
"I'm okay, frustrated but okay." I said "Dad I don't want to right now but if she continues or Edward comes near me again I will very happily report harassment." I made sure Alice heard me clearly.
"Stay away from us and we'll stay away from you." Alice growled and her eyes smouldered with anger and I knew she believed wholeheartedly that I was to blame for her sadness.
She glared at me once more before turning and storming out with all eyes glued on her.
As soon as the doors slid shut behind her the silence that had fallen over the store broke and everyone started talking in whispers and I blushed.
"Thanks," I muttered thoroughly embarrassed about the scene I had caused.
"Anytime," Sue said and squeezed my hand reassuringly.
"They'd both better stay away from you and Charlotte," My dad said gruffly and gave me a sideways hug.
"Do you need help with anything?" Sue asked as Charlie continued to grumble.
"I'm just going to finish picking up groceries," I said giving her a small smile "Jasper and Char are at home so I want to hurry and go home."
"We'll see you there later then." Charlie said finally paying some attention to the conversation.
We parted ways and I finished picking up the groceries I needed.
I talked for a short time with Mike Newton, another old friend and finally- an hour after the incident with Alice- I climbed back into Jasper's truck to head home.
J&BJ&BJ&BJ&B
Jasper was furious when I told him about Alice and her remarks and he paced angrily as I started to cook dinner.
"If they come near you again I want to know immediately." He said firmly "We can look into getting a restraining order if this keeps up."
"Okay," I nodded in agreement but Jasper continued to rant.
"It's not right that they are doing this!" He drawled, his natural accent coming through heavily "I am so scared that you or one of the kids may end up hurt because of their stupidity."
I turned and reached out placing both my hands on his hips.
"Jasper I promise that if I even see either of them again I will tell you, Emmett and Charlie immediately."
"Good," He nodded vehemently. "If anything were to happen I wouldn't be able to be held responsible for my actions."
I tried not to smile because I knew he was dead serious and I found it very endearing.
He pulled me against him and buried his face into my hair and I knew he was trying to calm down; his heart was racing so hard I could feel it against my body.
I held him back and I knew that leaving Edward was definitely one of the best choices I had ever made in my life and I was never going to give up the man holding me so close that I felt like I was the most precious thing in his world.
"It'll be okay," I reassured him "We'll all be okay and Edward and Alice will realize they can't hurt or affect us and will eventually leave us alone. All I need is you, Charlotte and my family to be happy."
"I know." Jasper said huskily and kissed me passionately before pulling away suddenly and moved to cut up the pre-roasted chicken I had picked up. He smiled and I pouted playfully.
It felt good to be bantering playfully with the love of my life, doing the normal everyday things that needed to be done. I watched silently as Jasper carved the chicken and Charlotte played with metal mixing bowls on the ground.