Chapter Twenty-Four
I wake the next day to Manny patting my face softly and then Jasper talking to him. My eyelids are heavy and I am unable to open them. I try to move the rest of my body, but it takes me a long time to get some form of feeling. I finally manage to open my eyes and i hear Manny call for me. Jasper sits on the side of the bed with a smile matching my son's. I smile weakly and then look at my shoulder to see that it has been bandaged up.
"How long have I been out?" I ask roughly.
"All night and all morning, it is almost lunch time. I can call for Carlisle to come and check on you if you like," Jasper says. I shake my head and lift my good arm for manny. He crawls over and he snuggles in my arm with me. Jasper holds my hand and he watches me and Manny together.
"How is Bella?"
"She is going through the change and we are waiting. Edward was scared, but he believes she will oush through."
"And their daughter?"
"Beautiful and Manny's new best friend. He loves talking to her and they are too cute together."
"Well, he is a ladies' man like his daddy. Huh, mi amore? Speaking of, what is going on about the pack?"
"Jacob is going to talk to Sam about it all and they are waiting for you to get better before Leah and Seth takeyou home for a bit."
"No,I am not going back there yet. I am not ready, have them go get a few more things for me and Manny. Would it be okay if we stayed with you and your family?"
"Of course, besides, Manny would be a little upset that he had to leave his best friend." I giggle and then kiss my son's hair. His tan skin stands out against Jasper when I look at the boys' hands together. Someone knocks on the door and Edward comes in with a tray of food.
"Hello, Marinna," Edward says nervously.
"Hello, Edward," I say softly. "How are you doing?"
"I should be asking you that. I brought this as thanks for trying to protect my family and for trying to make a negotiation," Edward says, lifting the tray a bit.
"Thank you and you can find a place to put it," I say. Jasper kisses my hand and he massages it a little.
"Do you need me to go get Carlisle?" Edward asks.
"No, but maybe ask Jacob to come up," I say with a small smile. Edward leaves and goes to get Jacob for me. I look at my baby boy and smile when I see he is fast asleep. "Manny is going to be one soon. My big boy is growing up so fast."
"Have you decided what you wish to do for his birthday?" Jasper asks with a sweet smile.
"I want to have a big party for my sweet boy, a really big one we will all remember," I say.
"When is his birthday?"
"The twefth of October, is when he was born." Jasper smiles and leans down to kiss Manny's forehead and then mine. Jacob comes into the room and he smiles at me a little.
"You wanted to see me?" Jacob asks.
"Can you go back home and get my things and Manny's things?" I ask kindly.
"Are you not going back?"
"No, the two of us are going to stay here for a bit to be away from Embry for a bit longer."
"Marinna, you need to face him. What a you going to do when Embry asks for visitation rights?"
"No, he left us and he is not permitted to see my son for that reason. Jake, please just do this for me."
"Fine, but you will have to go back home eventually." Jacob leaves us and I close my eyes. Jasper rubs my hand as I begin to drift back to sleep.
Months Later
Reneesme and Manny are playing in the living room while a movie is playing. I am going through a few items from the house in Italy and trying to get the numbers straight. Most of the Cullens are off doing their things. Bella comes into the kitchen, where I am sitting, and she puts a few dishes away. She smiles at me when I run my hand through my hair with a deep breathe.
"Mari, you have been stressing out ever since that was given to you. Whay is the matter?" Bella says.
"My brother and I have a small company on the side that our mum set up for us years ago. We have been managing that and this house that we are renting out to vacationers every now and then. Something is not right with the house and the amount we got in the past year for the time we rented it out," I say. Bella nods and she smiles while twking the papers away.
"You need a vacation and you need to have some sex with your boyfriend," Bella says as a matter of factly.
"Bella, that is not something to talk to me about. I am not going to have sex until I am married, Jasper knows that and he undestands. I have had my heartbroken twice in my life and I will experience one of those again," I say, shivering about the memory of Ethan.
"Come on, you need a vacation really bad. Why not taking the house and going there with Manny and Jasper?" Bella suggests. I sigh and rub my temples for a moment. A pair of cool hands runs up my back and massages my shoulders. I purr for a moment before looking to see my lovely and very handsome boyfriend standing behind me.
"Bella is right, you need a vacation," Jasper purrs to me. I smile and place my hand on the side of his face before kissing his lips softly.
"No, I do not need a vacation. I just need to get everything settled with my paperwork that Bella now has hostage," I say with a smile.
"That is because she is trying to get you to relax. Minus that part that she thinks we should have sex," Jasper says with a smile of his own. I look at Bella to see her shrug her shoulders before leaving us alone.
"Do you want to go on a vacation?" I ask the handsome man before me.
"Not until after we celebrate your gorgeous son's birthday," Jasper says softly. He kisses me once more, but this one is much deeper than the one before. Someone clears their throat and we both turn to see Jacob and Matthew standing at the doorway with Manny and Reneesme.
"Please do that in your room and not where the food is," Jacob says with a big smile. Reneesme smiles at Jacob and she hugs his leg a bit. Manny runs over and Jasper scoops the little boy up with a small toss in the air. I kiss my son's small hand and he smiles his big grin with a whole set of teeth that are sharp he goes to bite playfully. I pretend to eat his hand and he squeals happily. I love this sweet boy and he is just a relaly happy boy.
"You ready for your birthday, mi amore?" I ask my son.
"Take!" Manny exclaims. I laugh at my son's love for food and how he is so spoiled and hets what he wants. Jasper kisses Manny's cheek with a smile. Manny babbles to Jasper and calls him papa. I am not sure as to where he heard the word, but Jasper and. I have decided to let him call Jasper that.
"You want to go see grandpa today and get your pressnts?" I ask.
"Gwandpa!" Manny claps his hands happily. I stand and take my son from Jasper. Manny leans his head against mine and we smile at Jasper.
"Be safe and hurry back so we can go get his cake ordered," Jasper says, giving our cheeks a kiss. Manny and I wave to him before we go to the garage to get into one of the cars. Jacob and Matthew come with and they are smiling like fools.
"You are so in love with him and it is sickening, you know?" Matthew says, as I pull out of the garage and spin the car around quickly. The action gets a groan from Jacob, but a giggle from Manny.
"I could say the same about you and Alice. It is horrible to see you two sucking faces in the backyard at times," I tease my brother.
"Both of you are grossly in love, but I am glad to be able to see you two happy with peoplethat love you," Jacob says. I toss a toy at Jacob and Matthew turns around to hit Jacob. Manny joins in and he gently smacks Jacob's arm. I laugh at my son and we speed on to the reservation. It is only ten minutes befor we arrive at Billy's house. Sue's car is here and she comes out of the house with a big smile.
"Welcome back," Sue says. She gives me a hug while Jacob gets Manny out of his carseat. Manny straight for Billy and the two share a big hug.
"Hello, little man, you have gotten so big. I see your papa has been taking really good car of you and mama," Billy says, noting Manny's name brand clothes that costed too much for my taste. I lean down to give my dad a kiss on the cheek and he rubs my back softly.
"Hi, dad, how have you been doing?" I ask with a big smile, before pushing him back inside the house.
"I would be better if my daughter brought my grandson more often and came to see me more. Ever since you left to be with Embry and now Jasper, you are rarely home. The same goes for Matthew ans Jacob. I am womdering if any of my kids love me anymore," Billy says with a small pout.
"Dad, you know we love you," Matthew says. He sits at the kitchen table and Sue places a tray of cookies on the table. All the boys go after them and they smile after they take one bite. "Still make great cookies, Sue."
"Thank you, but it does not get you off the hook for not seeing Billy often," Sue laughs.
"I know you are avoiding Embry and Sam, but you need to get over that and come home more often," Billy says.
"Dad, Embry abandoned me and Manny and has not come back to talk to either of us. Sam is not approving my relationship with Jasper and is holding his temper since Jasper is my imprintee. The two of them are the ones avoiding me. We are here to see you for two reasons, the rest of our things and also to get Manny's prsent. You are coming to his party next week, right?" I say.
"Yes, how would I miss my grandson's birthday. He is special boy," Billy says. He puts his cowboy hat on Manny and the sweet boys smiles widely. "Your stuff is packed still from when Embry brought it over. It is in the living room."
"I will be right back," I say and go to twke my things to the car. As I am taking the last stuff to the car, Embry pulls up into the driveway with Sam. I sigh and run my hand through my hair when the wind picks it up.
"Is that you, Marinna?" Sam asks.
"Yeah, I only got a new wardrobe, nothing has changed," I say and look down at my new attire.
"Are you moving back in with Billy?" Sam asks. Embry avoids eye contact with me as we stand outside.
"No, getting my things to take to my new place. Jasper and I are buying a house to have our own space. We are hoping to have the deal done by next week for Manny's birthday party," I say. Embry looks at me and his face turns red.
"Oh, well, you look good," Sam says. I nod and then head back into the house.
"Dad, you have more guests," I say while walking in. Manny gets excited to see his dady and runs over to him. Embry fakes a smile and picks up his son. I go to stand by the sink with my arms crossed over my chest.
"So, it is a surprise to see you three here together," Sam says. I scoff and Billy gives me a look to be good.
"We came to see Billy and help Marinna get their stuff for their new place," Matthew says. Sam nods his head and he looks over at me.
"How is your boyfriend?" Sam asks with a bit of pain.
"Fine, he is taking good care of me and Manny. We are happy there," I say. Embry puts Manny down and he goes back to Billy. "I am sorry, i cannot play nice with you two after what you did. I cannot forgive either of you. Sam wanted to kill a child that was a hybrid like me and did not beleive I would be able to help the child control itself. Embry left me because he thought the child was a monster, but yet for two years he was in love with one. He abandoned his girlfriend and their son, but never came back or foguth for them back. He rolled over on his back and never gave a rat's ass about how his son was doin. Not even a phone call or a message passed through his best friend. I cannot do this, i am here to see my dad and Sue. Not you two."
"Marinna," Billy says.
"No, dad, I cannot take it. I am sorry, but I am taking Manny back home," I say. I walk over to grab Manny and kiss Billy's cheek. "I will call you in coming over before the party to have more time with Manny. I love you, dad."
"I love you too, Mari-belle," Billy says. Manny waves to veryone and he lays his head on my shoulder. My Jimmy Choos make me sink a little in the muddy gravel driveway. Embry runs outsid and he grabs my wrist to stop me.
"Marinna, this is your home. Come back and live here. We can start over and be the family we once were," Embry says.
"No, you gave us up and now you have to suffer the consequences. Allison can come to Forks and see Manny. You are not allowed near my son again. He is not your responsibility anymore," I say. I push him away and go to buckle Manny into his seat. He gets his favourtite sunglasses and gets his sippy cup. Once I clsoe the door, Embry grabs me and kisses my lips. I stiffen and melt a little for the familiar lips, but push him away quickly. "Are you out of your mind?! I am not your girlfriend anymore! We broke up and I have moved on!"
"You are in love with a leech that kills humans! He could kill Manny when you ar sleeping!" Embry exclaims. I slap him hard across his face and glare at him.
"You are too late to fight for me!" I scream.
"Give me anoher chance," Embry begs while trying to kis me again. This time. I rear my hand back and punch him right in the face. I shout when I feel my hand collide with his face. Once he is on the ground, I scramble to get into the car quickly and pull away at break neck speed. Tears fall down my face as I drive away with Embry watching me through the rearview mirror and with a sad look on his face. Phone rings and I scramble to get it. Jasper's picture pops up on the screen and I wipe my eyes before answering it.
"I am heading home with Manny right now," I sniffle.
"Matthew texted me about Embry and what happened. Do you want to meet at the house to see the furniture people put the stuff in? It might take your mind off it all," Jasper says. I take a deep breathe and agree to meet him at the new house. My heart breaks as I think about how this was how my life was supposed to be with Embry. It would have been him and I with Manny and Ethan. But now, I have neither Ethan or Embry in my life anymore. Maybe Ethan was a sign that we were not meant to. I hope. I am wrong about that.