Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. I do own this plot and storyline. I own my own original characters and a sweet little Chromebook I just love. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 10: Just Like Family
EPOV
"Well Ladies and Gentleman, hope those are your work clothes 'cause we have about fifteen kids with their parents that'll be here around nine o'clock tomorrow mornin'. Esme if you want to help Sarah get dinner for this gang ready, we can get started," Billy says. He then turns to Bella and asks, "You want Sarah to take Cassie with her or is she hangin' with the help?"
She takes the couple of steps over to her daughter and kneels down so that they are at eye level with each other. Everyone nearby practically stops what they are doing to watch the interaction between mother and daughter. The place is dead silent except for Bella. When she is positive that she has Cassie's attention, in a voice that sounds as if she were singing, she asks, "Sassy girl? You wanna go with gamma or momma?"
"Momma," she replies in the sweetest, softest voice. Her response was so quiet, that practically everyone was leaning in to hear what this beautiful girl has to say. Bella nods her head in response and leads Cassie over to a smaller, four passenger XUV along with Jessica.
"I guess that answers that," Billy says. "Let's load up," he commands as everyone starts climbing in the large vehicle we had just used for the tour. In order to accommodate everyone, some of the girls sit on their husband's laps as Billy and my dad climb up front. We follow Bella as she leads us to a huge building, which I realize is the activities center we passed earlier.
After unloading, Billy leads us over to the pavilion and we all take a seat at a group of picnic tables before he speaks. "Tomorrow's a mini overnight camp. We'll provide a light welcome breakfast in the mornin' and snacks throughout the day. There'll be lunch served around noon and a cookout tomorrow evenin' with s'mores. Sunday mornin' will consists of a breakfast buffet before the campers leave.
"Now for the fun, inside the activity center there will be learnin' areas with games and music. Along this grassy area," he states pointing out a long patch of grass leading toward the lake. "There's gonna be a couple of therapy stations set up with different exercises.
"We're gonna set the pier up for fishin' and make sure the horse walker and corral are both in workin' order.
Now, tell me what each of your talents are, and I'll pair you off with a ranch member so we can get started settin' up. Bella, are we providin' transportation to the ranch?"
"Um, yeah, we'll pick 'em up from Normangee High School at eight o'clock," she tells him.
"Well then, Jake and Seth, you'll need to take the two large coaches. So, have 'em ready to go tonight. Leah and Emily will be goin' wit'cha," he tells his son.
"Ok, little Alice, what's it ya do, sweetheart?" he asks my sister in-law.
"I'm a veterinary assistant for a large animal clinic outside of Seattle," she tells him as Jasper looks at her with pride.
"Ok then, you'll be with Jake," he tells her. "He's the barn manager and in charge of the horses. Y'all will make sure everything is ready for the horses; also that the corral and walker are in order."
"Rosalie, right?" he asks my other sister in-law.
"Just Rose," she replies smiling. "I'm the Deputy Superintendent of Special Education for Seattle ISD."
"Well, you're a blessin', my dear," he tells her with a soft smile, glancing at Cassie. "You'll be with Bella, settin' up the learning areas inside the activity center."
"Ok, big guy," he acknowledges Emmett who is smiling like a goon. "What kinds of trouble do ya cause?"
"Up until recently, I was a physical therapist for the Seattle Seahawks," he states giving me a small smile, letting me know he didn't blame me for the loss of his dream job. "I also have a degree in Sports Medicine."
"Oh, man," Tyler blurts out. "I remember when Charlie took us guys to the game in '09, the Texans creamed the Seahawks. It was awesome." A small smirk crossed Billy's face at the outburst, but continued with his directives.
"Well then, Emmett, you're with Leah," Billy directs. "She's a physical and occupational therapist and you two will be settin' up the exercise and therapy stations."
"Next, we have Jasper. What skills do ya possess, son?" he asks.
"I own a construction company," Jasper states sounding a little unsure of himself.
"Do ya just run the company from a cushioned chair or do ya get your hands dirty, too?" Billy rebuts.
"Um, I work alongside my crews," Jasper answers, clearly offended.
"Well, based on that, I think we're gonna wanna keep ya even after this weekend. There is always somethin' needin' to be built or fixed 'round here," he explains with a smile toward my youngest brother. We all laugh as Jasper releases a deep breath and squeezes Alice's hand, and I finally see a smile of relief on his face. "You're gonna be with Tyler and me 'cause we have to put together every one of the booths and anything else these other yahoos may need built." Another round of chuckles sounds throughout the pavilion at his statement.
"Now, Edward," Billy says turning to me. "What kind of mad talent are you hiding?"
"I'm the executive chef and owner of a restaurant in Seattle," I answer unsure.
"Sarah is gonna love you, son," he states with wide eyes. "Why don't cha sit down with Jessica and y'all review the dietary information on the registration forms and make sure of any special restrictions or allergies. Then, meet up with Sarah and Esme to see that everything is ready. This way, if ya need to make a trip to the store, then y'all have plenty of time."
"Yes, sir," I answer back in acknowledgement.
"Well, let's get to it," he says dismissing us all. "Seth and Eric, y'all know what to do."
Bella walks over to me and Jessica with Rose following close behind her, "Jess, all the forms are on my desk in the office. You and Edward can go over everythin' in there. I stocked the cooler and pantry in the activities center, but if I missed anything just take the business card and go pick it up." she instructs before walking away. She gets about three steps away then turns back calling out, "Oh, and if ya do need to go into town, let me know. I have a list of things I need for Sunday's dinner."
"Come on, Edward. This'll be quick since most of these kids are camp regulars," Jessica says as we load onto the small XUV that Bella was driving earlier.
As we ride over to the office, I notice that Jessica seems like a really nice, but quite girl.
The office is very clean and well-organized, with a variety of pictures all over the walls. Some are of just horses while others are of different people. There is a large picture behind the desk with a little girl on a horse and a man standing beside her that catches my attention.
"That's Charlie and Bella. I think she was five or so when that was taken. Renée actually took the picture," Jessica comments when she notices what I'm looking at.
"We're all really happy y'all are here, it's a blessing to us," she states quietly as she picks up a stack of papers and walks to a small conference table by the window. I follow and sit down across from her. She hands me a legal pad and pen as we start reading the registration forms, taking note of any restrictions we come across. It only takes us about forty-five minutes to go through them and make a list before we head over to the main house to decide on a menu with Sarah.
Once Jessica tells Sarah I am a chef, I don't think the woman is going to stop hugging me. I learn that she cooks for just about everyone on the ranch by herself. Three meals a day. She explains that Bella cooks for her daughter and herself because Cassie has special dietary needs.
All of us, including my mother, come up with a menu to feed approximately seventy people. We make a list of everything that we'll need from local shops and markets.
This is right up my alley.
Jessica and I head over to the activities center to check in with Bella and make a list for the store. As we walk in, I notice that Cassie is sitting on the floor playing with some type of musical pad. She sees us and smiles, then turns her attention back to the pad. Bella and Rose are in the corner, setting up some instruments and wave at us as we walk toward the kitchen entry in the back of the center.
I'm in heaven.
The activity center kitchen is nicer than any restaurant's I ever worked in. Everything is sterile and clean. I just stop and look around in awe. I'm broken out of my thoughts by Jessica's giggle.
"Bella makes sure that we have the best equipment to work with. She says that it makes our jobs easier," she comments.
We start marking the list, noting what we need and what we already have. It looks like a trip to the store is in order.
As we walk out of the kitchen, Jessica tells Bella that we are taking her truck and heading to the store. Bella hands her another list of the stuff she needs for Sunday's dinner.
As we drive to town, Jessica tells me about her time on the ranch with Charlie and Bella. She doesn't go into anything personal, just a general history of the ranch and the changes they have made over the years.
When we get to the store, we both grab a cart and while I head to get the meat and vegetable, Jessica makes her way to get the dry goods. It takes us over an hour and six hundred dollars before we are on our way back to the ranch.
As we pull up to the activities center, you can tell everyone else has been hard at work. The place has been completely transformed. It reminds me of a county fair without the carnival rides. Everyone that is available jumps up to help us unload everything. Jessica and I make quick work of putting it all away before we join the others in the pavilion.
As I take a seat next to my dad, I ask laughing, "What did you do old man, I didn't hear Billy give you any orders?"
"Well smart ass, if you must know, I organized and made sure the First Aid centers were stocked and cleaned. Did you get everything done you needed to?" he asks.
"Yep, and the kitchen here is to die for. I can't wait to start preparing everything," I tell him. We're interrupted when Bella starts to speak.
"I wanna thank everyone for their help. This is the quickest we've ever gotten it all done. Go get cleaned up and meet at my house in thirty minutes for dinner," she states.
She then turns and takes her daughter's hand and walks to her truck which is still parked outside the center. The rest of us load onto the large XUV with Jacob driving as Billy and my father take the smaller one. Jacob drops us off at the main house. We all make our way upstairs to clean up for dinner.
I can't help but feel like this is where I belong. Let's just hope Bella feels the same.