Chapter Twelve: Backs Against the Wall
Edward's POV
"I'll be ready to tell her whenever you are." I told her. Bella was who I wanted and I wanted everything that came with being with her. Ava included. "Bella, I'm in. I understand Ava will always come first, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I just," I stopped. "I just want a part in your life."
"Me too," She whispered, looking up at me with her beautiful eyes. "I should go get her out of her costume and get her ready for bed." She said. "We'll talk more tomorrow?"
"How about I take you both to dinner on Friday?" I asked. I thought it was just as important to get to know Ava a little better as well as getting to know Bella. "We'll go to her favorite restaurant."
"I'd like that a lot." She giggled as we stood up. She walked me downstairs and I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist as we stood by the door. I almost didn't want to let go, and I really wanted to kiss her. But, I knew we weren't at that stage yet so I just settled for the hug. Once we said another goodbye, I left and got into my car.
The drive home seemed to take a lot longer than usual. I just kept rewatching tonight in my head, everything that happened. Her parents looked surprised to see me, but I got a sense that they wanted this for her. Like they wanted Ava to have someone to protect her when Jake wasn't around. Like they wanted someone to be with Bella again.
Once I was at my apartment building, I went up to my place and just as I was opening the door, my phone rang.
"Hey, Mom." I greeted as I kicked the door shut.
"Hi, pumpkin." She laughed. "So, how was your Halloween?" Halloween was always special to her and we always talked that night, even when I was at school. It was a good tradition we had going. I hoped when I had kids though, she'd be there to actually see them in their costumes.
"Good, I went with Bella and her daughter Trick or Treating." I told her. She figured out that I had feelings when Bella had dinner with us when they were in Seattle. Mom knew me better than anyone, and was glad I was moving on from Tanya. Apparently, no one ever really like Tanya, but they put up with her because I loved her.
I wished people would have actually told me what they thought instead of lying.
"Really?" She asked, sounding very excited. "And?"
"And she told me she was ready to tell her daughter about...us." I explained. "I'm taking them both to dinner on Friday."
"Awe, Edward. I'm so glad." She gushed. All she ever wanted was for me to be happy, and she could tell Bella made me ecstatic. "She seemed like a very sweet girl. And very smart. And, I have a lot of respect for her."
"You do?" I asked since most people wouldn't think getting pregnant at seventeen was work respecting. My Mom and Dad was different, but still.
"Not many people could have done what she did." She told me. "She got pregnant and raised that baby into what you've described as a wonderful child. She gave up so much to be a mother, and she did it alone."
"Yeah, well Ava's father definitely doesn't get a medal or anything." I snapped without thinking. Bella never told them he was an ass, just that they were broken up.
"Well, whatever happened between them, it didn't affect her ability to be an amazing girl." She told me and I was so happy that my mom liked her and I wasn't even dating her officially. "I just...I thought you'd like to know."
"Yeah, I am glad you like her, Mom." I sighed. "It makes life so much easier." I laughed. As much as I loved Tanya, looking back at our relationship, I'm realizing how hard it was to be with her. She was so sweet and passionate, but sometimes she let her passion take over her life.
"I'm glad you had a fun night with your new little family." She laughed. "But, it's time to head off to bed. Goodnight, Edward."
"Night, Mom." I sighed and hung up my phone. I got out of the costume I was wearing and changed into my PJs before grabbing a beer and settling on the couch. Bella texted me, saying that she was glad I was there and it just made me feel good. Not only did she have a good time, but Ava did too and I was so happy things were all coming together.
Being with Ava tonight made me realize that I did need a family to live a happy life. I know that may be girly, and maybe people would pick on me for it, but I didn't care. I loved kids and I wanted to take my own kids Trick or Treating and throw them a birthday party. I wanted a relationship like Bella has with Ava with my own kids.
A family is really what I needed...and a family I would eventually have.
Getting up the next morning was a struggle since it had taken forever to actually fall asleep. But, once I got into the shower and let the water run down my skin, I was fine. It was Thursday, which meant it was Spelling Test Day and the day I wouldn't get to see Bella after school. I tried not to let it bother me, but I hated when she wasn't there.
After getting out of the shower, I got dressed and went to pour myself a bowel of cereal. The one thing I did miss about living with Tanya was her cooking. Everything she made was delicious and she always made me breakfast. Some of what she did confused me when she said she didn't want kids. She was always neat and organized, and she loved cooking for people. But, I pushed that out of my mind because I had Bella now.
Ava was one of the last students to arrive that morning. I looked up from helping Max with his math problem and saw her smiling at me. I gave her a small wave before finishing the problem with Max.
"Hi," I whispered once I walked over to her.
"Hey," She sighed as Jessica and her daughter walked into the room. I hated when she dropped her off instead of Mr. Stanley. She was always trying to flirt with me and even Seth. It was kind of disgusting.
"Hi, Bella." She sighed before locking eyes with me. "Mr. Masen." She flirted, batting her eye lashed at me. I laughed when I saw Bella rolling her eyes as she walked into the room, but I knew how she felt. Jessica had three kids and a husband at home.
"So, today is my parents day to pick her up." She told me. "I have to work late."
"I know. I always know when it's Thursday." I said. "There isn't anything to look forward to in the afternoon." I smiled, giving her a wink. Her cheeks turned pink like they always did when I flirted with her. I wondered if she'd always been like that, or it started when she had Ava.
Once she left, I turned to the class and greeted them. It was a typical Thursday morning, and it went faster than usual. It was lunchtime before I knew it and I took the time to grade their tests. I was proud to see Ava had only missed one, and put a big star sticker at the top.
"Here are your spelling tests back!" I called at the end of the day, just as the bell was about to ring. They always did a good job, and they'd all gotten stickers today. But, I wanted Ava to know that she had the best score in the class so when I handed her her test back, I kneeled down.
"A big sticker!" She giggled. "I've never got one before!"
"I know, you did really good, kiddo." I smiled at her. "You got the only big sticker this week."
"Really?!" She screeched. "This is gonna go on the fridge!"
I loved when my kids got excited about doing well on tests or writing on the board. And I really loved when they finally succeeded at something they'd been struggling with. It was the most rewarding thing about being a teacher. There was never a dull moment, and you really felt important.
We spent the last ten minutes on the reading carpet to finish Horton Hears a Who before the parents started to come in.
"Bye, Mr. Masen!" Ava called as I saw her grandmother came into the room. I smiled as she ran over and hugged her tightly, and it was obvious that the four of them were very close. Not many teen moms have their parents support, so it was nice to see Renee and Charlie helping.
"I just wanted to say thanks again for going with them last night." Renee smiled after she'd walked over to my desk. "Bella told us you were very helpful getting this one home."
"I wan happy to do it," I smiled, looking down at Ava who looked ready to leave. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning, Ava."
"Okay!" She laughed as she tugged on her grandma's arm. I shook my head as she literally dragger her away and gathered my things to leave. I stopped by Seth's room, making sure he didn't need a ride before leaving for my house. When I got to the building, Jasper was sitting on the floor in the lobby.
"Hey, what's going on?" I asked gently since he normally didn't do things like this. "You okay? Is Emmett okay?"
"We're fine," He smiled. "I just...I just needed my best friend."
"Okay?" I said as I pressed the button to the elevator. We walked down to my apartment and I unlocked the door, elating both of us inside. He walked inside and just stood in the middle of the living room.
"Maria was a good person, right?" He asked once I'd put my things from school away. "She loved me?"
"Of course she did, Jasper. She loved you more than anyone in the world." I assured her because I knew it was the truth. I loved Maria like a sister and she spent countless hours telling me how great Jasper was and how much she wanted to be with him forever.
"She wanted me to be happy?" He asked and I knew where this was coming from. He wanted to move on, but he was clinging to that little bit of guilt in his chest. "She wouldn't be upset if I moved on?"
"Come here," I sighed, motioning to the small kitchen table. I got us some beers and handed him one. I spent countless hour with him like this, and vice versa. Even though we were guys, we were close as hell and we trusted each other with our lives. Sometimes we were a little girly with what we shared with each other, but after twenty-five years of friendship, it didn't matter anymore.
"I loved her so much," He sighed. "And I probably always will, I mean she was the first girl I loved...she was the first girl I kissed." He laughed and I remembered that spin-the-bottle game. His wish finally came true. "But, is moving on like saying...screw you?"
"Moving on is good, Jasper." I assured him. "Maria was not a selfish person and she would want you to be happy. She would want you to have everything. What do you want, Jazz?"
"I want something like you have with Bella." He sighed. "Something without a lot of pressure, someone who's understanding. Someone who wouldn't be offended by a picture of Maria and I or upset if I talked about her." He explained.
"You want a life with someone." I said.
"Yeah, but what girl is that cool?" He asked, making it sound like all girls were selfish.
"Alice." I said simply. "You've met a few times and Bella told me that Alice thinks you're really cute."
"Well, I mean, who doesn't think that?" He laughed. "You don't think it'd be weird?"
"Why would it be weird?"
"Cause you're seeing Bella." He shrugged.
"Why does it matter that I'm seeing Bella?" I asked. "I'm not saying you have to marry her, but asking her out wouldn't hurt. And I've talked to her multiple times, she seems perfect for you."
"How?"
"She reminds me of Maria a little bit." I shrugged. "I mean, she's sweet and she's insanely funny. And, she seems very successful for only being twenty-five." I told him and I saw him crack a smile. "And, she seems to believe in true love...just like you."
"I don't want her getting hurt."
"Jazz, I know you think you'll never love again and that you'd just break up with whoever you decided to date, but I don't think that's true." I told him. "And, if you keep fighting with yourself about this, you're going to end up alone and I know you don't want that."
"No, you're right." He agreed. "I don't even remember the last time I asked a girl on a date that wasn't Maria."
"Didn't you ask Charlotte out right before you and Maria got off your high horses?"
"Yeah, but that was only to piss Peter off." He laughed. "And that was the summer before freshman year even started."
"It's been a long time, but I have faith in you." I told him. "It's gonna be okay, Jazz."
"Yeah," He sighed. I smiled at him, knowing that he was taking a huge step. I wasn't sure if he'd go straight for Alice or wait a little until he'd been on a few dates, but I could tell he liked her. And, from what Bella had told me, Alice was already crazy for Jasper and they'd only met a few times.
"Let's call Emmett and go out to eat." I suggested. "Have some man time."
"Don't we only ever have man time?" He laughed as I dug my phone out of my pocket.
Bella Swan
iMessage
I unlocked my phone and read the message she'd sent and almost fell out of my chair.
'Jake showed up. He moved to Seattle like I told him to.'
"Whoa," I whispered. I looked back up at Jasper who looked at me confused. "Ummm, Bella's ex moved to Seattle. Her daughters father."
"He didn't live here already?" He asked and I just shook my head no. "Well, that's good then. Isn't it?"
"He's an ass and I don't like the way he treats her." I told him. "I know it isn't my business, but I don't trust the guy."
"Yeah, well you aren't Ava's dad. That guy is, so if you're gonna date Bella, you better get used to him being around." He told me, going all Dr. Whitlock on me. "Because as long as the kids around, he's going to be around."
"Yeah, yeah." I sighed. "Just call Emmett."
While he dialed his number, I went into my room to try and call Bella. She didn't answer, and I hung up disappointed. But, she thankfully messaged me right away.
'Things are kinda crazy right now. I can't talk right now, but I'll hopefully have time once Ava's in bed to talk.'
I sighed, trying to hide the ping of jealousy in my chest.
'I understand. Don't let him give you any crap and hit him in the nose if he does. Call me if you need anything...and I mean anything.'
I sent send and walked back into the living room. Jasper was on the couch, going through my On Demand listing. Emmett showed up shortly after with Mexican food and the three of us dug in. It was nice to have the two of them over, it helped keep my mind off of what was happening at Bella's.
I knew Jasper was right. As long as I was with Bella, Jake would be there too. As bad as he was to everyone else, he did seem good to his daughter with what she drew in art class a lot of the time. But, he wasn't good to Bella or anyone else and that bugged me. I just wanted her to be okay, and I was afraid she wouldn't be if he was around.
But, she wanted him here. She wanted him to be there for his daughter when she was sick or something really important happened. I understood that, but I also wanted to be selfish about it. I wanted all of her attention, but not the attention she needed to give Ava. The attention she was going to have to give Jake now that he was here.
"You okay, man?" Emmett asked once the credits for The Hobbit rolled. "You love this movie and you didn't even yell or laugh at any of the good parts like you usually do."
"Jake moved to town." I sighed.
"Right." He nodded. "And Jake is..."
"The father of Bella's kid." Jasper explained. "But, Edward can't be upset about this because it's a family matter. It has nothing to do with him."
"He is banging Bella though." Emmett pointed out. "So, I think it affects him."
"We haven't had sex yet, Em." I told him. "We haven't even kissed."
"What are you?" He laughed. "Fourteen?"
"No, I'm just in a very...complicated relationship."
"Dude, you haven't had sex with her yet. You're not in a relationship."
"Then that means you're in like, fifteen relationships right now," Jazz pointed out. "Right?"
"Fuck off," Emmett barked,shoving Jasper. "You two need to just do it already. Or maybe just kiss."
"We're getting there." I sighed. "Very slowly."
Author's Note: Hey everyone! I usually don't do these, so I'll keep it short. I want to make a trailer for this story, but I'm horrible at making things like that. I am having a contest for it, and whoever makes the best one will be posted on my Fanfiction profile and my Youtube account. I have a video with all the information linked here... watch?v=lcIS48SjUjY
I hope everyone participates because I'd love to see what you all can come up with! Thanks guys!