Jasper's POV:
"Come on Char," I laughed as she glanced up at me from where she was finger painting her latest 'masterpiece'. "Let's go get you cleaned up before mommy gets home."
She smiled widely when I said 'mommy' and stood with her arms outstretched towards me. I picked her up with an exaggerated grunt and swung her around a half turn carefully.
"Daddy careful," Charlotte said firmly wagging her finger in my face before snuggling down into my shoulder "Where momma?"
"Momma's at the grocery store," I explained.
Bella had been so upset about the flowers that her ex Edward had sent her, and I completely understood and I was worried about how she was handling it. She was getting fairly close to giving birth and she really didn't need the extra stress.
The only thing that kept me sane was the thought that we were only in Forks for another week and then we were going to head back up to Seattle. At least Seattle was a big enough place that the likelihood of accidently running into Edward or Bella's once friend Alice was slim to none.
"Oh," Charlotte looked like she was considering that "Okay."
I put Charlotte down next to the tub and turned it on to run so that I could scrub her clean of all the paint she had coated her hands, face and hair with.
"Warm?" Charlotte asked glancing between the tub and me. She looked too cute with her blond hair in tiny pigtails, overalls splattered with red, blue and orange finger paints and blue eyes shining with curiosity.
"Yes darlin' the water will be warm," I chuckled sitting down on the closed lid of the toilet and motioning her forward.
She toddled forward a little bit and lifted her arms toward the ceiling. I opened the clasps on her overalls and she wiggled so they fell around her ankles and she let loose a tinkling giggle and clasped her hands over her mouth to cover a smile.
"Oh you goof," I laughed too and finally we got her out of all her clothing and into the tub. She instantly laid back and started floating in the water.
I sighed when I saw the still pinkish scar that marred her otherwise pristine, fair skin. It extended from the base of her neck to the bottom of her ribs and unconsciously I traced my finger along it causing my little girl to shiver and splash in the water.
"Sorry," I said when she gave me one of those looks that she had recently picked up from Bella. I helped her sit up and worked the green apple tearless shampoo through her thin hair.
I couldn't help but think to myself how lucky I was to have such a beautiful little girl and such an amazing wife.
I gave Charlotte a sponge loaded with a little body wash because she loved helping wash up. Bath time was her favourite time of day and Bella and I believed that she should have been born a mermaid or at the very least a fish.
Her doctors had been enthusiastic about the idea of putting her into swimming lessons hoping that it might help her heart and so we had signed her up. When we returned to Seattle she would be starting a toddler mommy and me class at the local YMCA and we had decided that when the baby was old enough to be put in we'd do that as well.
I told Charlotte to close her eyes as I poured a margarine tub full of water over her head to rinse out the shampoo and even then she gawped like a fish momentarily at the sudden shock of wetness.
She shuddered slightly as I helped her stand and wrapped her in a fluffy towel and swiftly picked her up.
I was just pulling a new sweater over her head when I heard the door downstairs open and evidently Charlotte had too because she shrieked "Momma!" excitedly.
I heard Bella, Charlie and Sue speaking downstairs and cupboards opening and closing and knew Bella had actually gone to pick up groceries to calm herself. Charlotte was practically vibrating with excitement and was making it hard to finish getting her dressed.
"Char the sooner you sit still the sooner we go see mom," I said sternly and she instantly stilled, a small petulant pout forming on her lips.
"Okay let's go," I laughed and she practically leapt off the bed she'd been standing on before I'd even finished speaking.
Bella had dark bags under her eyes when we got down to the kitchen and I gazed at her.
She was wearing simple jeans and a t shirt and if you didn't know her you'd think that she was just a happy, pregnant woman but I could see the weight of worry and frustration in her eyes and the way her shoulders sagged slightly as she sat at the kitchen table speaking softly with her father's girlfriend, Sue.
Bella's facial features brightened visibly when she saw Charlotte and I brought her to the table before turning to help Charlie put away the remaining groceries.
"You okay Bells?" I asked as I put away some vegetables in the fridge.
"I'm okay," She nodded "I'll tell you after we put Charlotte down for a N-A-P about my adventure at the grocery store."
My stomach knotted at the thought that something had happened and the grim look on Charlie's face confirmed my fears. I could only hope she hadn't had another run in with Edward.
J&BJ&BJ&BJ&BJ&B
"Okay now tell me what happened." I said the second the bedroom door closed separating us from our now sleeping daughter. I rested a hand on her stomach protectively feeling calmed by the movements of our unborn child.
"Well I'd been in the store for about ten minutes," She explained gripping my other hand "Alice showed up, she basically accused me of being a whore and trying to steal Edward back from her."
I was livid; my head was pounding from the sudden increase in my blood pressure. "I swear..."
She interrupted me "Dad and Sue showed up and she stormed off. They helped me finish shopping and made sure everything was okay." She ran her thumb across the back of my hand soothingly.
"Well I am glad they showed up but that pisses me off that she had the gall to do that!" I groaned and ran my other hand, the one that had been resting on her belly, over my face in frustration "If you run into either of them again I think we really should think about filing a restraining order against them."
She nodded "I agree. I can't deal with a newborn, a toddler with health problems and those two at the same time so if that will keep them away from our family I think we should do it."
"Thank you," I grinned thinking she'd been going to argue and I had been steeling myself for an argument. I bent over and captured her lips with mine.
"Now," She smiled brightly "I think it's time for baby and I to take a nap." She pulled away slightly and headed to the room that was hers as a child.
"Probably a good idea," I smiled and pulled her towards me kissing her one more time. "I love you."
"Love you too," She said and tried to swallow a yawn as she pulled away again and entered the bedroom. She gave me a little wave as she shut the door behind me and I chuckled shaking my head at her silly actions.
J&BJ&BJ&BJ&B
I had just settled on the couch when the doorbell rang and Charlie went to answer it.
I didn't look up from the paper I was reading until I heard Charlie telling the person at the door to "Get the hell off his property and never return."
I stood knowing exactly who it was and headed to back up my father in law. I planted myself directly behind a furious Charlie, feet shoulder width apart and arms crossed over my chest.
"I think you should leave now," I stated simply.
"You must be Bella's 'husband'" A crazy haired Edward mocked "Won't be for long."
"Yes I am Bella's husband," I replied "And the only way I will leave her is if she asks me to leave and after I have fought as hard as I possibly can to get her back and so far that hasn't happened so obviously I'm who she wants to be with."
Charlie snorted and repeated again "Now I suggest you get the hell off my property and quit harassing my daughter and her family." And then he added for good measure "If you choose to continue hassling her then I will be forced to take legal action."
"Did she at least get my flowers?" He asked snarkily in response, not at all backing down.
I was the one who snorted loudly now and said "Oh ya and you can pick those up from the trash can on your way off the Swan property. I must say for apparently loving her and being her soul mate you haven't a clue what she likes."
"Red roses have always been her favourite," He said off handily.
I rolled my eyes. Bella's favourite flower was the lily and it had been since her dad gave her a bouquet of them at her high school graduation. "Think what you like but that won't change a thing. You are being asked to leave and if you refuse, you can and will be arrested for trespassing and harassment."
He huffed but did slowly leave the property. Charlie and I watched together until he was out of sight and then went inside ensuring to lock all the doors and windows. Bella and Charlotte's safety was key and our first priority no matter what.
"We should report it." Charlie said.
I raised an eyebrow.
"To someone who is at least a little more impartial than I am," He smirked at me "Should probably get Bells to report the grocery store and park incidents too. At least then if anything happens it's all written down somewhere."
"I agree," I nodded "I'm going to call Emmett and my buddy Paul and see what they can do about installing a security system before we get home too. With the baby coming so soon it's best to make sure Bella doesn't have to worry about surprise visitors."
"Okay then," Charlie nodded "I'll go down to the station and start filling out the paperwork. I don't think Bella or Char should be left alone until he backs off."
He stood, grabbed his jacket off the table beside the door and without another word left- a man on a mission.
J&BJ&BJ&BJ&B
"Emmett," I said relieved at finally having gotten a hold of my brother in law. "Good you're around."
"That I am," He said and I picked up the undertones of worry in his voice "Is everything okay? My girls are okay? Baby's okay?"
"Everyone and everything is okay," I reassured him "We've had a couple of incidents in the past couple of days but your dad and I have it under control."
"What happened?" Emmett's voice hardened and I knew he was wondering who he'd have to pound.
"Alice and Edward have been causing some ruckus in town. He sent Bella some flowers, confronted her at the park and showed up here, Alice made a scene at the grocery store." I explained "Bella's understandably upset but she's sleeping now."
"Where's my dad?" He asked.
"Making reports of all the incidents down at the station." I said "What he and I were hoping is that before Bella and I get home you and Paul could install a security system and a security camera at both doorways."
"Sure thing," Emmett responded and I could tell he was nodding along "I'll call Paul as soon as I get off the phone with you it'll be running within a couple of days so we can make sure it works before you guys get home."
"Thanks Emmett," I smiled "We really appreciate it."
"Anything to keep my sister and her family safe," He said vehemently. "Anything at all."