I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT!
CHAPTER 14
(Bella)
I took a deep breath and opened the front door and stepped inside motioning for him to join me. "They wont bite." He rolled his eyes and followed me inside. I could hear noises coming from the kitchen.
We walked into the kitchen, where my dad was sitting cleaning his gun. "Dad!" I gasped.
"Oh hi Bella," He said waving and smiling. "Sue said you were bringing someone over."
I rolled my eyes and glance back at Edward who looked very pale. "Put it away!" I told my dad.
"I'm going to," He said eying Edward.
"Dad, this is Edward, his son Matt is in my class. Edward, this is my dad Charlie."
"How do you do?" Edward asked shaking his hand.
"Pretty good, just finished cleaning my gun here. You just never know when you might need it," Dad said winking at me.
"Dad!" I exclaimed.
"Just kidding Bells. Your son is in Bella's class?" He asked Edward.
"Yes sir, he thinks the world of Bella," Edward said causing me to blush.
"And what is it that you do?" Dad asked him.
"I teach music at the high school," Edward told him.
"Do you play anything Edward?"
"I play the piano," He said.
"Oh so you are good with your hands?" He asked causing me to choke.
"Bella, you okay?" Edward asked patting my back.
"Just wonderful," I muttered taking a deep breath.
"Well, I'm going to go check on Sue." Dad said laughing as he picked up his gun and left the kitchen.
I turned to look at Edward. "Oh my God Edward I'm so sorry, he's such a cop sometimes."
"Don't worry about it," Edward said regaining some of the color he'd lost in his face.
"I cant believe he asked if you were good with your hands."
"He was just trying to get a rise out of you, it's all good," He laughed.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" I asked him.
"I'm good." He said smiling down at me. I had thousands of butterflies in my stomach, I couldn't fight my nerves. I'd been reasonably calm, but suddenly I was about to go into a panic attack.
"Bella, you're back!" Sue exclained coming into the kitchen with dad folloing her.
"Where's Jayc?" I asked.
"She's still taking her nap," Sue said smiling.
"Oh," I said disappointed. For some reason I really wanted him to see her and I didn't know how long he would be staying.
"So Bella why don't you introduce us to your friend." Sue said.
I blushed. "Sue, this is Edward Cullen. His son Matt is in my class and his sister Alice is a teacher."
"It's nice to meet Edward," Sue said smiling at him.
"Nice to meet you to." He said.
Dad looked to Sue and me. "You two go do something, I'd like to have a moment alone with Edward."
"Dad, no!" I gasped. "I think you've said enough to him!"
"We'll be fine Bella," Edward said.
"Charlie, why don't you two go for a walk," Sue said.
"Edward, would you like to go hunting?" Dad asked him.
"Charlie!" Sue and I exclaimed in unison.
"I was just kidding," Dad said smiling.
Sue put her arm around me and led me out of the kitchen. "Sorry," I whispered lookig back at Edward.
We went into her and dad's bedroom and I collapsed on their bed covering my face with a pillow. "He's really cute," Sue said.
"I know," I groaned. "And my father will ruin it."
"He wont Bella, not unless he sees something he doesn't like."
I uncovered my face and rolled to my side. "What do I do?"
"About what?" She asked. "Edward?" I nodded. "Things must have gone really well today for you to bring him back here."
"His wife died in his arms after suffering from breast cancer. Sue, he understands me and it scares me."
"Bella," She sighed. "I know you're scared, but he really seems to care about you. Do you like him though?"
"I do, I'm just really scared."
"Okay, then Bella do you want to live your life in fear and end up losing him, only to look back on the 'what ifs' or do you want to jump in and take a chance?"
"What if I get my heart broken?" I asked.
"What if you don't?" She asked me.
"Sue," I cried feeling very overwhelmed.
"Listen to me Bella, if your dad doesn't scare him away give him a chance, you have both been through a lot and I'm assuming he hasn't been in a relationship since his wife died has he?"
"No," I said.
"Then he's taking a huge chance on you to isn't he?" She asked.
"I guess so."
"Do you think it's too soon for him to meet Jaycie?" I asked.
"That's tricky Bella, she's very young so she wont connect to him in the same way as an older child would. Now, when it comes to his son, that could get tricky and that needs to be up to him on how he handles that."
"What if we fall in love and I lose him?"
"Oh Bella, don't worry about that." She said softly.
"I really really like him." I admitted.
"I can tell, if you didn't like him you wouldn't be worrying so much."
"What do I do?" I asked.
"Go on birth control." She giggled.
"Sue!" I yelled blushing.
"Just saying, don't yell at me."
"If you need to know, I'm on the pill." I covered my face wanting to die.
"Then Bella, take it slow and have fun."
(Edward)
"Want a beer?" Charlie asked me.
"No thank you sir," I said.
"Have a seat and lets talk." We sat down at the table and he cleared his throat. "So what are your intentions with my daughter?"
"Sir, I know she lost her fiance when she was pregnant with her daughter and it hasn't been that long ago for her."
"So you think you can just come in here and make her happy?"
"Charlie, I know what she's going through, I lost my wife a year ago to breast cancer, She died in my arms."
"I'm sorry to hear that Edward, you are very young to have to go through that," He said. "But you aren't looking for a mom for your son are you?"
"No sir, Charlie, my son still really misses his mom, but I'm not out looking for a mom for him, at some point if that happens then it does, but that's not my intentions with Bella. My intentions right now are to take this slow, neither of us are ready for anything too serious."
"Edward, you seem like a nice young man, but let me tell you something, that girl and her baby girl are my life and I will not sit by and watch them get hurt! Is that clear?"
"Yes sir," I said softly.
"What about your son?" He asked.
"Bella and I have talked about it today, Matt wont know, at least not right away. If things were to get serious then I would be the one to talk to him."
"Edward, she still cries, it hasn't been that long for her and she still really struggles with losing Jake," He took a deep breath. "If you can't handle that, then there is the door, you need to leave now."
"Charlie, she's cried in my arms, I know how she's struggling."
"Take care of her then and don't break her heart."
"I wont sir." I said shaking his hand.
Bella and Sue came back into the kitchen. "Are you okay?" Bella asked looking at me.
"I'm fine," I assured her.
"Well Charlie, we need to get going," Sue said.
"Yah okay," He said getting up. "You two be good this evening, I mean it."
"Dad!" Bella gasped blushing again.
"I'll talk to him," Sue said winking at us.
As soon as they were gone Bella collapsed in the chair. "Could he have been more embarrassing?"
"He really cares about you Bella and it's his job as a dad to embarrass his daughter."
"I could only imagine what Jake would have been like with her, he would have been hiding in the trees following her, just to make sure she was okay."
"When Rose started dating Emmett, my dad took one look at him and knew he was going to get her pregnant immediately. He chaparoned all of their dates for the first six months."
"That's too funny," She laughed.
"So," She sighed. "What would you like to do?"
"How long does Jaycie usually sleep?" I asked her.
"Um, she could be down for another hour," She sighed.
I stared at her, unsure of why she looked sad, I lifted her chin with my finger. "What's wrong?" I asked her.
"I was hoping she would be awake before you left."
"Are you trying to kick me out?" I asked grinning at her.
"No, I mean, it's just the two of us for the evening you are free to stay as long as you would like to." She blushed again.
"How do you do that?" I asked.
"Do what?" She asked.
"Blush, I've never seen a blush like that."
"I, uh, I don't know, but I'm horrible at lying, obviously." She said.
"What kind of things do you like to do?" I asked her.
"Well, I like to read and go for walks, but I love to cook."
"Well, what do you like to cook?" I asked.
"Anything and everything. I taught myself to cook when I was 11years old, I did most of the cooking until Sue and my dad married, I resented her for taking my spot in the kitchen, but we finally got over that. Now we take turns."
"I was going to suggest going out for dinner, but, maybe we can cook something here."
For the first time, she smiled and her eyes actually lit up. "Do you cook?"
"I can make a few things. Right after Lauren got sick she taught me how to cook, she wanted out son to eat something besides take out every night."
"Jake tried, but he couldn't cook, no matter how hard I tried, he just couldn't do it."
"Since Jaycie is still sleeping, should we figure out what to make?" I asked.
"I'd like that." She said walking over to the cabinets. "Is there anything you like or don't like?" She asked.
"No, I'll eat whatever."
"Lasagna with garlic bread and homemade brownies." She suggested.
"Sounds amazing." I said.
I got to work on chopping the onions, green peppers and mushrooms while Bella began cooking the hamburger meat. "When you get that done, can you bring all that to me and start grating the cheese?"
"Of course." I said finishing up the mushrooms. I gave her everything and she dumped it into the hamburger. Then I grabbed the cheese and began grating it.
"Do you want me to start on the sauce?" I asked setting the bowl aside.
"Sure," She said stiring the noodles.
I was adding the seasoning to the sauce, when I heard a tiny cry come from the other room. "Um," She said biting her lip.
"Go get her, I've got this." I assured her.
Bella came in minutes later carrying the most beautiful little girl I'd ever seen. "This is Jaycie," Bella said bringing her closer.
"She's beautiful." I said touching her tiny hand.
"Thanks," She said.
I watched as Bella made her a bottle. "Can I help?" I asked her.
"No, I've got this." She sat down at the table giving Jaycie the bottle. I couldn't stop watching them, she looked so beautiful holding her daughter.
"What?" She asked shyly.
"I don't know, she's just so cute!"
She laughed. "I think so to."
I continued with supper as she cared for her daughter. She came over, "The sauce smells great."
I put the spoon up to her lips. "Try it," I said.
"Oh my God that tastes great," She said. "Would you like to hold her so I could finish supper?"
"I'd love to." Bella placed her in my arms and I couldn't stop the smile on my face. She was so precious, I looked down at her, earning a huge toothless grin. "Aren't you so sweet." I cooed caressing her cheek with my thumb. I brought her up, so I could kiss her cheek, then allowed her to rest on my shoulder as I rubbed her back. She curled up against me making her sweet baby noises.
"She likes you," Bella said softly.
"Feeling goes both ways."
I noticed a tear slide down Bella's cheek. "What is it?" I asked.
"I just think of how much she's missing out on by not having Jake here, I mean I know she has my dad, but Jake was her dad."
"I worry about Matt missing out on things by not having his mom to. He has my mom and sisters, but not Lauren."
Bella stared at me. "Jaycie really likes you."
"She's drooling on me," I laughed.
"What if Matt doesn't want us to be together?"
"Then we will work that out if it comes to it, obviously the kid's needs come first, but we have needs to that need to be taken in to account."
"I'm scared you're going to decide it's too much and I'll be alone."
"Bella, I'm here for as long as you want me to be."
"I just don't want her to get hurt," She cried. "I don't want to get hurt either." She said so softly I'm not sure if I was supposed to hear it or not.
I shifted Jaycie and pulled Bella into a hug. "I'm not going to hurt either one of you," I whispered. "But don't hurt Matt, or me."
"That would never be my intention," She said wiping her eyes.
We managed to get all of the food, even the brownies finished. Bella placed Jaycie into her swing and we sat down to eat. "This tastes great," I said.
"The sauce is amazing, what did you do to it?" She asked.
"Just a few spices here and there."
"Wow, you'll have to teach me."
We ate quietly, I enjoyed being with her. I wanted to grab her and Jaycie and take her to my house introducing her to my family, but I would have to wait. I was enjoying this time, just the three of us.
"It would be fun if Matt was here to," She said softly.
My heart soared. "It would, we'll give 'us' sometime, then maybe we can go out as friends."
"I like that idea."
(Bella)
Around 9pm, I took Jaycie in and changed her diaper and clothes getting her ready for bed. It had been a fun evening and I wasn't ready to end. Edward had been really great with her, he'd held her and just talked to her.
"Sleep good angel, mommy loves you." I whispered kissing her soft cheek. She smelled like Edward and it made me smile.
I turned off her light and closed the door. I could hear Edward in the kitchen. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"Thought I would help clean up the kitchen."
"You don't have to do that." I said.
"I know, but I did help cook." He said.
I wrapped my arms around his waist. "I've had a lot of fun today."
"Me to Bella."
The bowl that we'd mixed the brownies up in was still sitting there. I dipped my finger in it then touched his nose. "You really did not just do that did you?" He asked.
"Yep," I giggled.
He stuck his finger in the bowl and went for my nose, but I moved and he smeared it on my cheek. "Edward!" I laughed.
"I'll get that off," He leaned down and kissed my cheek.
I turned in his arms and looked at him. "Sorry," He whispered.
"For what?" I asked.
"All day, I've wanted nothing more than to kiss you." He looked almost embarrassed. "I don't understand my feelings for you. When I moved back here, I was convinced I'd never love anyone again, but I'm not so sure anymore."
"I know Edward, I know."
Very slowly, he leaned in and kissed me softly on the mouth. "Bella," He whispered pulling back. I reached up and touched his face. "You make me feel whole again, like I can breathe."
"Edward, you make me feel like its okay to be happy again."
He kissed me on the cheek. "Lets get this mess cleaned up and go into the living room.'
"Sounds great," I sighed.
We finished the kitchen and went into the livingroom. "Movie or TV?" I asked.
"TV," He said grinning.
I grabbed the remote and began flipping through the channels. "What do you like to watch?" I asked staring at the TV.
He grabbed the remote from my hand and tossed it to the side. "Hey! What are..." His mouth was on mine kissing me passionately. I turned and wrapped my arms around him, gripping his neck as he ran his fingers through my hair. I parted my lips allowing his tongue permission to enter, I moaned into his mouth as his tonuge caressed my mouth.
I broke the kiss panting for air, our foreheads resting together. "Wow," I gasped.
"Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have done that," He murmured.
"Don't apologize," I breathed. "That was amazing." I pulled his face back down to mine kissing him again.
Someone cleared their throat causing us to jump. "Young love, it's it romantic?" Sue asked. I blushed burying my face in Edward's chest.
"Um, yah, whatever." Dad groaned walking away.
"Looks like you had fun tonight," Sue said.
"Maybe you should go," I murmured into his chest.
"Oh Bella stop, don't make him leave." Sue said.
I looked up at her, she was smiling, while Edward just hugged me tighter. "It really is getting late," He said.
I nodded. "I'll call you tomorrow."
I walked him to the door and he kissed me softly. "I had fun today, we'll do it again soon."
I watched from the door as he pulled away, I sighed, feeling very lonely. I went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
"Sue, I'm telling you, I have a bad feeling about this," I heard dad say.
"Charlie, she doesn't have to be sad over Jake forever, she needs to start moving on."
"He's looking for a mom for his kid, so he doesn't have to be a single dad."
I stood there listening to them. "Why would you say something like that about him?" Sue asked.
"They barely know each other and we come home to find them groping on the couch. He's using her Sue!"
Tears filled my eyes. Was he using me? Was he only looking for a mom for Matt?
"They were not groping!" Sue exclaimed quietly. "They were kissing, it's normal Charlie, you used to kiss me like that when we were dating."
"It's not the same thing!" He gasped. "She just lost her fiance and had a baby."
"Charlie, it's been almost a year! She's doing amazing and has found a man who will be there for her to."
"Yah so she can be a mother to his kid!"
"So does that mean that she's attracted to him so he'll be a dad to Jaycie?" She asked him. "Or what, you married me just so Bella would have a mom?"
I couldn't stop my tears, I couldn't believe my dad was doing this to me and doing it behind my back.
"Sue had we been gone any longer more would have gone on and what if she gets pregnant? You really want to help her raise another baby?"
I stormed out of the bathroom and into their room. "I didn't ask him to be Jaycie's dad, nor am I having sex with him!" I yelled.
"Bella, I..."
"Save it dad!" I yelled. "I'm sorry you feel like you are being stuck raising Jaycie!"
"Calm down Bella, don't wake her up." Sue said softly.
"I needed help," I cried. "I'm here every day before and after work caring for her. Yes I went out today, but it wont happen again."
"I'm just worried about you." Dad said.
"I'm not stupid dad and I'm not a whore! I'm not just going to allow myself to get pregnant again!" I turned around and stormed out of their room, going into mine and collapsing on the bed. I curled up into a ball sobbing hard core sobs.
At some point the bed dipped and an arm wrapped around me. "Bella," Sue whispered.
"I never meant to make you raise Jaycie."
"I know Bella," She cooed holding me as a cried.
"My dad thinks I'm a whore."
"No he doesn't Bella, he's worried about you and he was shocked."
"I really like Edward, he's funny, loves to cook, really cares about his family and his son always comes first."
"I know that Bella, but you are a daddy's girl, he watched you struggle after Jake died, he's scared for you."
"Nothing happened tonight, I swear to you."
"Looked pretty passionate to me," She whispered.
"But it wasn't sex."
"Bella, you deserve to be happy and if he makes you happy, then like I've said go for it. Just make sure you bring him around some so your dad can get to know him."
I drifted off to sleep in Sue's arms that night, it still felt good to curl up in my mom's arms and know that she supported me.
"Bella, she's beautiful," I walked into Jaycie's room and found Jake standing by her crib.
"She looks just like you," I whispered.
He turned to me. "Bella, you are doing a wonderful job with her, I'm sorry I had to leave you, but you know I love you."
Jake smiled at me. "Bella, I know you are struggling."
"I miss you so much, we need you Jake," I said starting to cry.
"Hush now Bella, you know I never liked watching you cry and I still don't. Follow your heart Bells, he's a good guy and he will take care of both of you."
I walked towards him. "Jake," I cried.
He wrapped his arms around me. "I don't have all the answers, but things happened for a reason. I need to go though."
"No Jake please don't leave me, I need you."
"Bella," He said wiping my tears. "Take care of Sam and Emily too."
"She's pregnant," I said softly.
"Yah I know. I wish I could have been there for you when you had Jaycie, but I was there in your heart."
He stood there staring at me. "I need you to do something for me."
"What," I whimpered.
"Tell Edward that Lauren is okay and she is proud of him and Matt. I love you Bella, I always have and I always will."
"I, I, I love you to," I sobbed grabbing onto him and trying to hold him.
"I need to go Bells, but I wont be far. You might not see me, but I'll always be watching over you."
"Jake!" I cried.
"And if he breaks your heart, I'll make sure he knows I'm not happy with him," He said giving me his famous Jacob smile.
(Sue)
"Jake, please Jake don't go, I need you!" Bella cried tossing and turning in her sleep.
"I'm right here Bella," I whispered rubbing her arm.
"Jake!" She sobbed sitting straight up in bed.
"Bella," I said softly.
She jumped out of bed and ran from the room, I followed her into Jaycie's room. "Jake," She sobbed "where are you?" She sobbed.
"He's not here Bella, it was just a dream." I said wrapping my arms around her. I knew I needed to get her out of the room before Jaycie woke up.
"He was here."
"No baby, it was a dream," I cried.
She slid down to the floor sobbing. "Jake, come back to me."
"What's going on?" Charlie asked.
"She had a nightmare," I said as I heard Jaycie start whimpering.
"Um, okay let me get Jaycie calmed down and I'll be back," He said stepping around us.
I continued to run my fingers through her hair, her sobs were quieting, but she was visiably shaking. "Bella, I'm right here."
"Sue," She whimpered. "He was here."
"Talk to me Bella," I said softly.
"He was here watching her sleep. He told me that I'm doing a wonderful job with her and that he's always watching over us."
"Oh Bella," She said. "I know he is."
"He told me to tell Edward that Lauren is okay and that she's proud of him and Matt."
She clung to me sobbing. "He told me Edward's a good guy."
"He's giving you premission to move on Bella, I know it's hard, but Bella he's right."
"Oh God," She cried. "I could feel his arms around me."
"Cry it out Bella, I've got you."
She continued to sob in my arms for quite awhile, when Charlie walked in, he looked heart broken. "She's asleep on our bed, I've got pillows all around her."
"Good," I whispered.
He came over and lifted her up and carried her back to her room and laid her down on the bed. "Get in on the other side of her."
We held her as she cried herself to sleep just like she had the day he died. Charlie and I didn't get much sleep, but in those moments it didn't matter she was alone and needed us.
THIS CHAPTER WAS HARD TO WRITE AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT. DON'T BE TOO HARD ON CHARLIE, HE'S JUST A DAD WHO'S WORRIED ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER. THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS, ALERTS AND FAVORITES. I APPRECIATE ALL OF THEM!
