Chapter Thirteen: Like Old Friends

Bella's POV

"I moved to Seattle." Jake told me. I just stared at him, unsure of what to say. Of course I'd asked him, but he said no. He told me he liked his life down in Florida, and he always said that. I was confused of why he suddenly just showed up, but I couldn't let Ava see him. Not yet anyway.

"Garage," I whispered through my teeth. I didn't know what he was up to and I wasn't going to let Ava get all excited. I shut the door behind me and led him through the garage door and upstairs. "What are you doing, Jake?"

"You told me that I should be selfless and be here for Ava." He shrugged. "You asked me to do this, why are you so upset?"

"Because you could have at least given us a heads up." I told him. "Do you have any plans for living in Seattle?"

"I found a small apartment in the city," He explained. "It isn't much, but it'll do."

"Oh, Jake." I sighed. "Do you have any idea what you'll do..."

"Bells? You up here?" My Dad called as I heard him walking up the steps. "What are you...you son of a bitch!" He hollered once he saw Jake standing there. He lunged at him, but I stepped in front of him. We didn't need another hospital visit.

"Dad," I warned.

"I let it slide when he was here after Ava fell, but I will not put up with him anymore, Bella." He told me sternly. "He hit you and who knows what he's going to do next."

"I know, but..."

"No buts, Bella Marie." He yelled. "I told you I was going to get a restraining order on him, and I was serious." He said. "I mean it, Jacob. Get out of here and stop bothering us."

"I moved to Seattle." Jake told him. "And in case you've forgotten, I am Ava's dad." Jake butted in, and I could tell he was getting angry. "I have every right to be here as Bella."

"Like hell you do," Dad barked. "And, it takes a lot more than sperm to be a dad. You're nothing, Jake. Just the sperm donor."

"Dad, stop." I said sternly. "No matter...what's happened between Jake and I, he's good to Ava."

"He beat you, Bells!" He reminded me. "I'm supposed to forget about that so he can just do it again?"

"In the eight years I've known him, that was the only time he was violent." I pointed out because it was true. No matter how bad our fights got, he never hit me...not until that day anyway.

"Bella, I don't like him being here. Why can't you just make him go?"

"Because," I sighed, looking over at Jake and locking eyes with him. "Eight years ago, we made a decision to not wear protection." I whispered. "And whether we like it or not, we are living with that choice."

"Bella,"

"And that choice led to Ava and he is her dad." I said, trying not to cry. This was too much. "And Ava loves him."

"I know Ava loves him, but she'd love anyone who gave her dolls and fed her ice creme." Dad argued. He wasn't going to let this go. "But, I don't trust him. And I'm surprised you do, Bella. After everything he put you through...do you not remember how heartbroken you were when he broke up with you?"

"Yes, I do." I told him. "Of course I remember. I thought Jake was the love of my life, so I'll never forget the ache in my chest after Florida."

"You...you thought I was the..." Jake started to ask.

"Yes." I snapped. "But, it's different now. Jake and I aren't together so he can't break my heart."

"He can break your nose." Dad said under his breath. "Jake, Bella is starting her life. She has a plan and a vision and you aren't in any of that. Why are you doing this to yourself? It's just going to end up hurting everyone, including Ava." He said and I could see Jake was getting frustrated. "What is Edward going to think?"

"Edward?" Jake asked.

"Her boyfriend." Dad said with a smirk. I thought it was funny he was trying to make Jake jealous. Jake wouldn't be jealous if he walked in on me having sex with someone while we were together.

"He isn't my boyfriend," I assured him.

"Not yet." Dad laughed.

"How old are you?" I asked my Dad because he was honestly acting like a bratty thirteen year old. I needed a few seconds to collect my thoughts and walked into the bathroom. I grabbed my phone out of my back pocket and pulled Edward's name up.

'Jake showed up. He moved to Seattle like I told him.'

I hit send, splashed some cold water on my face, and went back out to the kitchen. They were still standing there like statues, just staring at each other.

"Dad," I whispered. "When I got pregnant, I asked you for one word that described being a parent and you remember what you said?" I asked and he nodded without looking at me. "Selflessness. You told me that being a parent meant doing everything to make your kid happy, whether that was buying them a doll for Christmas or only watching kids shows on the TV.

"And, Jake makes Ava happy." I told him again, tears in my eyes. "She's a happy kid, but don't you see how much happier she is when Jake is in town? And how upset she is when he leaves?"

"I just don't trust him." Dad told me again. "I don't think he's here for Ava, he's here for his own plans."

"Sir, if Ava didn't live here there is no way in hell I'd live in Seattle." Jake butted in and I elbowed him in his stomach.

"Maybe you don't trust him, but I have to. Because he's in my life forever because of that little girl." I reminded him.

"He hit you, Bella." Dad sighed, his whole body softening. "Do you know how scary it is to walk into your house, and hear your daughter screaming in pain? I thought some thug was hitting you, but it turns out to be this guy."

"I know what he did, Dad." I whispered as I walked over to him. "But what's done is done."

"I'm still going to get a restraining order."

"Please let me handle this on my own. I'm not a kid anymore, Dad." I whispered. "I'm the one making the decisions, not you."

"Fine, but if he lays a finger on you..."

"I won't!" Jake yelled, putting his hands up in frustration. Dad glared at him one more time before going downstairs again. He promised to keep Ava away until I told him Jake was gone. "He's a real people person,"

"Shut up," I barked as my phone began ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw that it was Edward. I felt a tear streaming down my cheek as I pressed ignore. I couldn't deal with him. Not yet.

'Things are kinda crazy. I can't talk right now, but I'll hopefully have time when Ava's in bed to talk.'

I pressed send and looked up at Jake, just staring at me. I could see a sadness in his eyes that I'd never seen before.

"I was the love of your life?" He asked softly as my phone buzzed.

'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 thought you were." I told him when I put my phone back. "I fell hard for you, Jake. You couldn't see that?"

"Well yeah, but I didn't think it..." He stopped. "I didn't think it was that intense."

"It was. Believe me." I told him. "You...you made me feel so special. Like I was the only girl you saw, like I was important to you." I whispered. "Do you know how hard it is to find out the man you thought loved you...actually just wanted to get you into bed?"

"I was a crappy person, I get it." He sighed. "You don't need to keep reminding me!"

"No, Jake. Jessica Stanley is a crappy person." I snapped. "You're a horrible person."

"Can't we just let this go?" He asked, his voice rising.

"No we can't!" I yelled back. "Because you broke me, Jake! Do you know how hard it is to get close to Edward because of you? It's impossible because you couldn't just leave me alone!"

"What do you want me to say?" He barked. "Sorry?"

"That's a nice start!"

"Okay, I'm sorry for breaking your precious little heart!"

"This is what I'm talking about!" I told him. "You can't even see how mean you are and how horrible you are to the people who love you!"

"Yeah, well it isn't my fault you can't just get over it! I didn't sign up to be apart of your entire life!" He yelled.

"Of course you didn't! And I didn't sign up to be a mom when I went to Florida but I sucked it up!" I shouted. "God, Jake! What don't you understand?"

"Sorry I can't be perfect, Bella!"

"This isn't about perfection, Jake!"

"Then what is it about?" He asked.

"You never caring!" I shouted, just wanting this to be over.

We just stood there for a moment, staring at each other. Before I could do or say anything, he was walking towards me. He pushed me against the wall and crashed his lips into mine just like he had done so many times before.

I didn't want to be kissing him, but I could feel my body going weak in his arms. For a minute, I was seventeen again, having the summer of my life with Jake. There were no responsibilities, no broken hearts. Just us. The way we were before Ava. Before Edward.

Edward.

I brought myself back to the present and brought my hands up to his chest, pushing him back. We stood there, his arms still wrapped around my waist as we breathed heavily. I could feel the tears in my eyes again as he let go and stepped back.

"I'm...I'm..." He stuttoered. "Not sorry."

"What?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips, trying to stand my guard again. But, damn he was a good kisser. "Jake, you need to leave."

"I didn't say I was going to do it again," He assured me. "But, I'm not sorry that just happened. There was a reason I stayed with you all summer...we worked really well together."

"Yeah, we did but thats over." I said. "But, you still need to go."

"I want to see Ava."

"Not now." I shook my head. "She needs to start getting ready for bed, she doesn't need to get all wound up wit you here."

"When can I come see her?" He asked.

"Soon." I told him. "Maybe this weekend."

"Okay," He nodded as we walked down the steps. I watched as he got into his rental car and took a few deep breaths while he backed out of the driveway. I couldn't believe I let that happen. Things were going so well with Edward and I wasn't sure how this would affect us. I mean, if his ex came into town and started making out with him, I'd be pretty upset.

I took a few minutes to calm down before going back into my parents to see Ava. Thankfully, my parents kept her occupied with the rest of her math worksheet and the rest of her homework was finished. We finished the move they'd been watching before going back to our place to get her ready for bed.

"Where'd you go, Mommy?" She asked as I ran the conditioner in her hair.

"Someone needed to talk to me." I lied. She just couldn't know about Jake. Not until I trusted him being here. "I'm sorry I missed dinner."

"It's okay," She laughed. "Pappy let me have a piece of cake."

"He did?" I asked, not even caring that she'd already had her sugar for the day in her lunch. "That was very nice of him." I smiled. I rinsed her hair as she ran the washcloth over her body before getting her wrapped in a towel. I got her ready for bed and tucked her in.

Once I read to her, I quietly walked out of her room. I finally had some time to think. I grabbed my phone from the counter, and saw a bunch of messages from Edward, telling me everything would be okay and to call him if I needed him. But, then I wasn't sure if I should even drag him into this. It just got even more complicated and he probably just wanted a simple life.

So, I ignored him and poured myself a glass of wine and changed into my PJs. I covered myself with my favorite blanket when I sat down on the couch and turned on How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, one of the moves that always made me feel better.

Halfway through the movie though, there was a loud knock on the door downstairs. I paused the DVD player and put my slippers on before going downstairs. I smiled when I saw Edward standing there, a singe rose in his hands. I opened the door and he handed me the rose before saying anything to me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as he walked inside.

"You didn't call, and...I was worried." He said as he stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets. "Are you okay?"

"Jake kissed me." I told him. I knew he deserved to know because if he didn't, I would always be feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, it just kind of happened."

"Are you okay?" He asked again. He looked hurt, but he didn't look mad.

"Edward," I started.

"He's an ass, Bella." He said. "And I know how you feel about him." He whispered. "I trust you,"

"How can you say that?" I asked. "I mean, if things were reversed..."

"I can say that because I care about you, Bella. And I know that you didn't kiss him to be malicious or hurtful. I get it, you two have history together and there's obviously chemistry there but that's something I'd have to deal with regardless."

"Of course I didn't do it to hurt you." I cried and his face softened. He pulled me close to him and I tugged on his shirt as I cried on his shoulder. The day had just gotten so mixed up, and I was prepared for him to run.

But, he wasn't running. He was holding me while I cried and I knew he was too good to be true.

"I don't...I don't want to hurt you," I sobbed.

"Hey," He whispered, stepping back and bending down to look me in the eyes. "I'm in this, remember? And this is a very shitty, complicated situation. But, I'm not just going to give up."

"Sometimes I think you're too perfect." I laughed. "There has to be something wrong with you."

"Well, I do have a birthmark shaped like California on my butt." He laughed. "Does that count?"

"I'll have to think about it," I giggled as he reached up and wiped my face gently. "You're not okay with this."

"No, I'm not okay with him showing up and kissing you," He admitted. "But, this is something that comes with the territory of dating the single mother. Ava has a dad, her dad just happens to be the biggest douche ever." He smiled. "We have a connection and I'm not letting some...hot guy come in and scare me away."

"You think he's hot?" I laughed.

"Who wouldn't think he's hot?" He asked. "You wanna tell me what's really gotten you so worked up?"

"I knew that I was asking him to come here to be apart of her life but," I stopped. "I guess I didn't really...realize what would happen when he got here." I explained. "Like now I really have to share her with him and what happens if he tries to take me to court..."

"You've never been to court before?"

"Never thought it was needed. He lived in Florida and that's where he was going to stay." I shrugged. "We had a pretty good system going, but what if he wants her every weekend? What do I do then?"

"You'll figure something else out." He told me like it was no big deal. "But, you wanna know something non related to this?"

"Of course."

"Jasper wants to ask Alice out." He told me and my eyes widened. "He came over and told me he was ready to start the moving on process."

"She's going to be so happy," I laughed. "They haven't had much communication at all, but whoever you guys run into her in the lobby, she talks about it for like an hour after."

"I like Alice, she seems perfect for him."

"She's adaptable." I laughed. "She's perfect for anyone."

As Edward and I talked, I realized that this was going to work. If the two of us could move past Jake moving here and him kissing me, we could probably survive a nuclear war. Edward was gong to be there for me, I could just tell.

And I could tell that I was beginning to fall for him.