5
"Hey Bells I'm," Charlie's voice suddenly cut off as I watched him walk into the kitchen.
He stood there staring at the room, I smiled, "Hey dad how was work?" I asked acting as if the new kitchen color was no big deal.
He continued to stare then after a few minutes he asked "Um, Bells did you do this?"
"Oh, the paint," I responded nonchalant and he nodded, "Oh no, this was Edward, I guess Alice was paying more attention to our conversation at dinner last night. I came home this afternoon to this and then he called asking if I liked it."
It wasn't technically a lie I did talk to him on the phone but it was me who called him and only because he left the note.
"Well that was nice of him," Charlie sad as he sat his belt down on the table, "I wonder why he felt the need to do this." He finished as he continued to look around.
"Um he said it was because of how much I have helped him out this last year." I paused and shrugged, "He said it was his way of thanking us that and he knows how much we hate the color."
"Well that was nice of him." He said as he stopped pacing around the room and stood next to me as I finished dishing up d
"Yeah I was surprised but I can't say I still am this is something he would do." I said as I set everything on the table.
Charlie nodded in agreement as we began to eat we ate in silence both of us just relishing in how peaceful the kitchen was now.
I wiped my brow as I loaded groceries into the back of Edwards Volvo. It was Friday and I was shopping for his house I did this on alternating weeks with my own grocery shopping.
Tomorrow I will be taking the kids to Seattle to go shopping with their grandparents (their mother's parents) they needed new clothes they had outgrown 80% of their current wardrobe. I had already sorted through what they had and would be dropping the clothes that don't fit off at the goodwill on the way to Seattle. Normally I would suggest that we keep Emmett's for Jasper but it's not likely that Jasper will be as bulky as Emmett is.
I got in the front seat and started the car before turning and looking at the kids in the back seat, "So how does spaghetti sound for dinner guys?"
"Okay, only if we can have garlic bread with it!" Emmett stated matter-of-factly then added as if answering some unasked question, "Tyler Crowley says that's what keeps vampires away."
I started pulling out of the parking lot as I answered him, "Well we can have garlic bread but the garlic doesn't keep a vampire away that's just a myth."
"But Tyler says his big brother read it on the internet!" he stated worried
"Well Tyler Crowley is a stupid head Emmett and so are you for believing him!" Alice practically shouted at him
I had a hard time not laughing but I held my self together as I scolded Alice, "Alice Brandon Cullen you do not get to call anybody bad names even if we think they are true!" she hung her head down but I continued, "Now you need to apologize to your brother, and tomorrow you when we go shopping you don't get to pick out a new pair of earrings."
Her eyes widened in shock but she apologized to Emmett, "Sorry for calling you a bad name."
We rode the rest of the drive to the house in silence as I pulled into the drive I heard Emmett whisper an answer to Alice in response to a question I hadn't heard. It was actually really sweet because he was trying to make her feel better for causing me to take away her earrings.
"It's okay though at least you still get to pick out new clothes and shoes and our birthday is coming up maybe I'll get you a pair then."
As I parked I watched as they hugged and he rubbed her back. I have to admit that even though they fight like the devil possesses them, they are super sweet to each other when they want to be.
"Come on Alice the faster you pick up your toys the sooner we can leave to go shopping."
That got her going for the last hour we had been cleaning up the house in preparation to head out for the day.
"Bella Jasper can't find his other shoe." I gave a huff as I made my way up the stairs towards the sound of an Emmett tornado as he looked for Jaspers other shoe. I was surprised when I entered the room and found that instead of a mess the room was surprisingly clean. I watched as Emmett moved some things around to look for the shoe then put them back when he came up empty.
"I can't find it Bella and I looked everywhere!" he exclaimed exasperated
"Emmett before you lose your cool Alice said that those shoes don't go with his outfit he's supposed to wear his converse and they are by the front door." He looked up relieved then pulled off Jasper's lone shoe then led him down the stairs.
There were two reasons I didn't argue with Alice when she had told me what shoes he was supposed to wear today, the first one being she was right converse shoes went way better with the long sleeve/skinny jean combo that Jasper had on and two was because the shoe Emmett had been looking for got lost at the supermarket months ago. So I grabbed the shoe on my way out of the room so I could toss it in the trash on our way out of the house.
I had to admit though, that for 4 year old she was really good with this fashion stuff.
We made it to Seattle without incident and went straight for the mall where we were supposed to meet their grandparents.
I unloaded the kids and with jasper on my hip and Alice and Emmett on either side of me we made our way into the mall.
I had planned for us to meet Eliezer and Carmen at the food court but when I got there I realized they weren't here yet so after looking to see what time it was I realized I better get them lunch while we waited.
They were halfway through their sandwiches when their grandparents walked up.
"Hi, Carmen, hi Eliezer how have you been?" I asked as I stood when they approached the table.
"Oh we're good, how have you been Bella?" Carmen replied giving me a gentle hug.
"I've been good," I replied as I gave Eliezer a hug.
"That's good to hear dear," It seemed as if she had something else to say but was suddenly interrupted by a shrill squeal followed closely by Alice Yelling "Grandma Grandpa!" and then running up to give them both hugs followed closely by Emmett while Jasper just hid behind me.
In his defense they hadn't seen him since the twin's birthday about 6 months ago. They would have been here every month except Eliezer had been sent to Italy to help his company set up an office out there and Carmen had gone with him, they had just gotten back.
While Alice and Emmett had their grandparent's attention I knelt down to face Jasper, "Hey bud, what's the matter?"
He looked at me for a second before looking pointedly at his grandparents then back to me.
"Are you a little bit shy?" he nodded, "I bet it's been awhile since you saw them last. It's okay though, they are your mommy's parents. They used to come a few times a month to see you guys but then your grandpa Eliezer had to go to Italy which is far away so him and grandma Carmen couldn't come as much."
He just kept staring at me as if to say 'do I really have to go and give them hugs?'
"I'll tell you what though," I said as I pulled him closer to me, "Why don't you stick by me and just watch them while we shop then if you feel like you're ready you can give them hugs. How about that does that sound like a deal?"
He nodded and gave me a smile letting me know that we had a deal.
We all sat back at the table while the kids finished their food, and then made our way through the mall.
Alice and Emmett insisted on having their grandparents help them pick out clothes, while Jasper was perfectly content to let me do it all only giving his opinion when I asked for it. He usually answered with a nod or a shake of his head and every now and then he would point out something he liked.
After a few hours while Eliezer took Alice and Emmett to get soft pretzels Carmen pulled me aside and motioned for me to sit with her on a bench.
We sat down I set Jasper in-between us (he had slowly gotten comfortable with them he had yet to give them a hug) with my phone on kidz doddle to keep him occupied because I knew she wanted to talk.
"So Bella how have you been?" she asked once Jasper was into his game
"I've been good, this is my last semester of school I'm getting straight a's and in all honors classes. My friend Rose is on a date with Edward's brother Emmett as we speak."
"Oh I already know all of that how are you personally none of that other stuff. I want to know how you're doing."
I caught on rather quickly to what she was asking I was silently debating telling her about Edward and me. "I've been good that much is true actually I've been happier lately then I have most of my life." I paused trying to bring it up then I thought of something, "Have you by chance talked with Esme and Carlisle in the last two weeks?"
"Actually I spoke with them yesterday which is why I asked you how you've been."
"So you know that I started seeing Edward on a more personal level?"
"I do," She grabbed the hand that was resting behind Jasper and looked into my eyes, "Bella if you think we're going to think any less of you for being with him we don't. From what Esme was telling me you make him happy. I actually suspected something at the twin's birthday party but I wasn't sure. I was actually surprised when she told me it had only been a week since the two of you officially got together."
"You don't think I'm replacing Lauren?" I had to ask it had been bugging me all week.
"Oh, honey no I don't think that one bit, Lauren's gone and we accepted that long ago. And if Edward were to be with anyone we're glad it's you. I know how you are you would never try to replace her. You're good with the kids and you make Edward happy, this last year I have seen him change so much. I see now that it was because of you, Bella we know your story and you deserve this just as much as he does. If it makes you feel better you have our full blessing."
We hugged for a minute before pulling away Jasper seemed un-phased about being squeezed between the two of us.
Soon after Eliezer, Alice and Emmett came back with pretzels for everyone and we went about finishing our shopping.