Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to SM. No infringement intended. Anything original is mine, though. Rated M for future chapters.
This is an AU/AH story. My first fanfic in the Twilight world.
CHAPTER NINE
If ever there was a picture proving that opposites attract, Bella figured it would be of Alice and her fiancé, Jasper Whitlock.
While Alice was a pale, dark haired Tinkerbelle on a perpetual caffeine high, Jasper was a tall, lean surfer boy loaded with calm southern charm. He was tanned a golden brown, with shaggy dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes and when he kissed Bella's hand upon introduction and said "It's a right pleasure to meet you, Miss Bella" in a thick accent, she couldn't help but dissolve into flustered giggles.
Upon returning from their outing the evening before, Edward had brought up Bella's desire to cook to Esme, who was more than thrilled to invite her houseguest to make herself at home in the kitchen. To thank the Cullen's for their phenomenal hospitality, Bella treated them to a breakfast of apple cinnamon French toast and bacon. All of the Cullen's, plus Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper joined them at the table, and they all raved over Bella's cooking.
Edward and Jasper were going to spend the afternoon going over the final plans for the library project while Emmett was volunteering at the fire station. Carlisle would be opening his office around ten, and Esme offered to answer the phones for him to give Rosalie and Alice the day off to show Bella around Chapel Crossing.
Before leaving for the day, Edward had given Bella a kiss on the cheek and reminded her to try a Moon Pie at Sweet Bites when she went out. The feel of his soft lips on her cheek left her in a faint Edward scented fog, staring into space until Alice's giggle brought her back to reality. When she looked at her new little friend, the glee she saw on that pixie face had her laughing along with her.
"Edward and Bella, sitting in a tree," Alice sang softly as she walked by, earning a playful smack on the arm from Rosalie as Bella blushed hotly. "What?"
Rosalie rolled her eyes. "Ignore her, Bella. She's been trying to play matchmaker to Edward since high school. Last time she tried, he threatened to tie her to the stop sign on the corner of Main and Chestnut dressed in a shirt that said 'I buy my clothes at Wal-Mart'."
Alice growled at the memory and Bella just chuckled. "Wal-Mart not up to your fashion standards, Alice? Some of their stuff isn't too bad."
Alice shuddered. "I just have issues with buying clothing where I buy groceries. Who goes out to buy panties and ground beef at the same store?"
Laughing at Alice's disgust, they followed her out of the house, where a bright yellow Porsche was parked in the circle drive. Bella's eyes bugged out at the color, which was almost as bright and blinding as the sun.
"Wow, Alice, a Porsche?"
The pixie smiled proudly, patting the car gently. "I like to make a statement. This says 'I'm loads of fun, now get the fuck out of my way'."
Bella was still chuckling a few minutes later, when Alice turned off of Chestnut St and onto Main. From what Bella had seen of the town so far, it was a mix of old grand Victorian style homes, smaller bungalows and a few cookie cutter ranch style homes. Quaint streets lined with ancient trees, an elementary school, a combination middle/high school and only a few businesses outside of the downtown area. It was a cute little place, quiet and family friendly. She liked it immediately.
The Cullen's large Colonial home was located on the outskirts of town, but it still only took about two minutes to get to the downtown center. 'Downtown' consisted of four blocks of Main St, with beautifully restored storefronts in red, gray and white brick. Even the sidewalks and the street were brick, and Bella immediately fell in love with the charm of the place. Ancient trees and planters of brightly colored flowers lined the curbs and she was itching to get out of the car and snap a few pictures on her phone. Across the street from Carlisle's doctor's office, at the corner of Main and Chestnut, was an adorable little white clapboard chapel. An image of Bella walking down the stairs of that chapel in a white wedding dress flashed through her mind and was gone in an instant, leaving her a bit surprised at the thought.
"Isn't it adorable?" Alice stood next to Bella, glancing over at the church. "I would have loved to get married there, but it's too small for all of my guests and Jasper's to fit into."
"It's beautiful," Bella murmured. She had never thought of getting married before, unless she counted the silly little girl dreams she used to have as a child.
"So where do we start?" Rosalie asked, spreading her arms wide. "I don't want to hit Sweet Bites until I've walked off breakfast."
Alice pointed west. "Let's start out by the post office and make our way this way. We can end at the library site."
They walked up the north side of the street, past the chapel, a hair and nail salon, a Law office and the post office before crossing the street. There, they headed back east. Alice and Rosalie pointed out the combination gas station/pizza parlor, Sheriff's office, and a mom and pop diner simply called 'The Lunch Counter'.
"When Edward came back from Chicago, he told Bertie about this sandwich he got up in Illinois that he loved," Alice said, nodding at the diner. "It's called a horseshoe and it's basically an open faced sandwich with meat, covered with French fries and cheese sauce. Bertie loves Edward to pieces, so he started making it for him whenever he came in. Now it's one of the diner's bestsellers."
Bella chuckled. "Strangely, I'm not surprised. I get the feeling Edward could talk anyone into anything with that gentlemanly charm of his."
They continued back across Chestnut, to the East end of Main St. The building on the corner was a red brick two story with a sign above the glass door with "Lucinda's Appalachia" in flowing red script. The huge windows displayed handmade jewelry and rocks.
"This store is kind of cute, but don't ever let Lucinda Mallory know I said that," Rosalie said, stopping to admire a pink quartz bracelet in the window. "She's an uppity bitch and her daughter is the town bicycle. I can't stand either one of them."
Bella could see jewelry making supplies inside the store and decided to take a look. They walked inside and were hit with the overpowering scent of perfume. Rosalie gagged and Alice cleared her throat.
"I swear, that woman bathes every morning in Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds," she muttered, making Bella laugh. She headed straight for the bins of rocks, gemstones and minerals, admiring the varying sizes of quartz, tourmaline and citrine. There were shelves of jewelry making supplies and Bella remembered making pendants as a child when her mother went through another creative phase. When she saw a beautiful round piece of Rainforest Jasper, she decided it would make a lovely necklace for Alice.
Bella grabbed a little basket and started filling it with stones and gems, different colors of wire and a little set of wire cutters and pliers. The thought of making gifts to send to her friends made her smile and she loved the thought of creating something with her hands.
A little bell tinkled in the shop and Bella looked up to see a dark haired woman float in from a back room in an expensive looking gray pantsuit. The heavy smell of perfume surrounded her like a thick fog and Bella fought hard not to be rude and gag.
The woman would be attractive if her face weren't so distorted with obvious plastic surgery and thick pancake makeup. Her blue eyes were heavily lined in black and lifted unnaturally by Botox. Her lips were as surgically enhanced as her breasts, and her smile looked more like a grimace.
"Well if it isn't Alice Cullen and Rosalie McCarty," the woman purred in phony enthusiasm. "Lovely to see you ladies."
"Mrs. Mallory, you're looking well," Alice lied, going along with the woman's air kisses. Rosalie just nodded, picking up a pair of turquoise earrings before placing them back on the shelf. Bella turned around, finished with her shopping to find herself under the scrutiny of Mrs. Mallory.
"Well I haven't seen you here before, dear," she held out her hand. "I'm Lucinda Mallory, owner of this establishment."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Mallory," Bella said politely, shaking the woman's hand. "I'm Bella Swan."
Lucinda Mallory looked her up and down, face stuck in a sour frown. "Are you one of Alice's little school friends?"
Alice stepped towards Bella, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Bella is a family friend, staying with us for a while."
Rosalie abandoned her perusal of the jewelry, moving to stand on Bella's other side. A smirk played at the corners of her mouth. "We're hoping she'll be staying longer than a while, though. Edward sure is taken with her and Carlisle and Esme are ready to adopt her."
Mrs. Mallory's face pinched, looking from one woman to the other. "How lovely."
She sounded anything but pleased. Bella didn't know what the deal was, but she was already tired of the woman.
"Well I'm done shopping," she said brightly, moving towards the counter. "Are you guys about ready?"
Alice grinned. "Just waiting on you."
Mrs. Mallory rushed behind the counter, fluttering around as she checked Bella out. "How is Edward doing on the library? Lauren said they were about to break ground soon."
Bella rolled her eyes, immediately realizing what Mrs. Mallory's problem with her was. Looked like Mommy Dearest was hoping Edward would be her future son in law.
"He's going over the plans with Jasper this afternoon," Alice said, taking her place beside Bella. "That reminds me, Bella. We need to pick up lunch to take to them soon. You'll have to pick out something special for Edward."
"Yes, you're right," Bella went along with it, finding the pinched look on Mrs. Mallory's face fascinating. She wondered if it would stick like that if she kept it up. "I know exactly what Edward likes."
"I'm sure you do," Rosalie chimed in, giving the frustrated store owner her best smile. Bella quickly paid for her purchases and took the bag. "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Mallory."
"Have a lovely day," Alice gave her a finger wave before taking Bella's arm and leading her towards the door. "Ciao!"
All three were laughing once they reached the blessedly fresh air outside.
"Oh my God, she was pissed!" Alice choked, waving her hand in front of her face. "And Jesus, I thought I was going to suffocate with that damn perfume."
"I take it she wants Edward to take the bicycle off her hands?" Bella asked.
"Lucille and Lauren Mallory are both head over heels for Edward. They're both whores and gold diggers and Lucille thinks that if Lauren were a Cullen, they would be financially set." Rosalie said bluntly. "Of course, Edward can't stand either one of them, but he's too damn polite to tell them to fuck off."
They looked back in the windows to see Lucinda Mallory on the phone behind the counter, her hand swinging around her head in obvious anxiety.
"I'll bet my Porsche that she's talking to Lauren, telling her all about the new competition in town."
"Will Edward be upset that we told her all that?" Bella worried, biting her lip.
Rosalie snorted. "He'll be thrilled. And it's not really a lie. Carlisle and Esme love you already, and I'm pretty sure if Edward doesn't yet, he's on his way there. He never pays that much attention to women but since you arrived, he's barely been away from you."
Butterflies began swarming in Bella's stomach and her heart pounded at her friend's words. Edward had been very attentive since she met him, but she had figured that he was just that way, and considering how they met, that he probably had some protective tendencies towards her. Hearing Rosalie say the "L" word left her breathless. She had never been in love before, didn't really know what to expect or how it would feel.
Alice reached out and playfully poked her arm. "C'mon ladies. We have some more exploring to do."
They continued on their way, stopping next door at an adorable used bookstore. Bella made a few more purchases before they passed an insurance agency and an old movie house. Across Pine St was an empty lot with a sign reading "Home of the Future Chapel Crossing Public Library".
"And that is where Edward's library will go," Alice announced proudly. "And when that's finished, he'll be able to focus completely with Jasper on getting their company started up."
"It'll be the start of the Cullen-Whitlock Empire," Bella teased, hip checking her pixie friend. "They'll build the houses and you and Esme will decorate them. You'll be on HGTV before you know it."
Alice bounced on her heels, clapping her hands in excitement. "Oh, I hope so! We'll be the next Property Brothers, the next Chip and Joanna! It'll be fabulous!"
Rosalie shook her head. "Okay, Fun Sized, time to shop some more. No more staring at an empty lot."
Across Main St from the library site was a small general store with an amazing selection of International spices and products. Bella bought a ravioli cutter, planning to make dinner that night.
All three women went a little crazy at "Fashionista", the boutique next door to Sweet Bites. The owner, Maggie, was a friend of Alice, and had studied fashion design in New York before coming home to Chapel Crossing. Most of her sales were online, but she made more than enough to have her own brick and mortar store as well.
The selection was insane, everything from stunning, intricate lingerie to casual wear to prom and wedding gowns.
"You make all these?" Bella was stunned. "When the hell do you sleep?"
Maggie laughed. "A lot of it is mine, but some things are made by some friends I made back in New York. We've all put money into this store, and we split the sales. I'm more into designing gowns, but my friend Mindy has a crazy love of designing shoes and tee shirts. There's a bit of everything here."
Alice sighed dreamily, holding a deep purple gown up to her body. "I should wear this to the library opening. I know the Women's Association is planning a big opening night gala when the building is complete."
"That's a ways off," Rosalie said, although her eyes were glued to a long sapphire blue gown on the window mannequin.
Bella felt a strange tightness in her chest at their conversation. The thought of being in Florida or somewhere else entirely, while her friends were celebrating Edward's work without her, broke her heart. She wanted to celebrate Edward's accomplishments, too. She wanted him to know how proud she was of him. In less than a week, the entire Cullen/McCarty clan had become extremely important to Bella, and she hated the thought of leaving them behind.
You don't have to leave.
But she couldn't stay at the Cullen's house forever, no matter what they said.
You can afford your own place.
But if she stayed, what would she do?
Culinary or creative writing classes at UT, moron! Edward's already brought up setting up roots here!
But what about Florida? What about riding those damn teacups or swimming in an ocean where she didn't need a wetsuit?
The Cullen's could go too. Just because Dad's letter said to try those things, he didn't mean to leave loved ones behind to do them.
Bella's thoughts were moving a mile a minute. Were things really that simple? The Cullen's had hinted more than once that she should stay. And really, how hard would it be to find her own place in Chapel Crossing and take classes at UT? The commute wasn't too bad to Knoxville.
You still need to get behind the wheel without freaking out.
She had forgotten about that. Her stomach churned. What if she were never able to drive again?
Drama Queen much?
Bella sighed. She needed to stop thinking when her subconscious started picking on her.
"What do you think, Bella?"
Bella turned back to Alice, who was holding up the purple dress in one hand and a filmy pink dress in the other. "For the gala?"
Alice nodded and Bella looked between dresses. "I like the purple."
Alice nodded, pleased with her answer as she hung the pink dress back up. Bella noticed that Rosalie had given in and had the sapphire blue dress on a hanger to purchase.
Bella started looking through the tee shirt selection, fighting the urge to look for her own dress. Even if she stayed, that didn't mean she would be invited to the gala. Hell, for all she knew, Lauren Mallory could very well snag her gold digging, whorish claws into Edward and he could ask her to be his date.
Bitch better keep her diseased paws off my man!
"Jesus, shut up," she muttered to herself. If she kept arguing with herself like a lunatic, the Cullen's might have her committed to a mental institution.
"Oh my God, Bella, you have to get this!" Alice suddenly squealed. Bella turned to find her friend holding up a stunning dress in a familiar emerald green.
Edward's eyes green.
The dress was perfect. It was a sheer, emerald green tulle with a beaded black lace appliqué and a sheer sweep train. It was a gown fit for a princess. Or a red carpet event.
She stared at the dress longingly. She had never worn something so feminine before, sticking mostly to jeans and tee shirts. Would it look as good on her as it did hanging from Alice's hands?
"Alice, I don't have anywhere to wear that to."
Alice rolled her eyes. "Stop fighting us, Bella! You can wear this to the library opening! You know you love us and we love you! And if you take off to Florida, well we're just going to have to go after you and drag you back."
Rosalie grinned, one sleek blond eyebrow curving in a playful arch. "Don't fight the little one, Bella. She's all knowing."
Alice glared at Rosalie before turning her pout back onto Bella. "You know you love this color. You know Edward will love you in this color."
"Well even if I was here for it, what makes you think Edward would want me there?" Bella knew she was just arguing for the sake of arguing. "By that time, he might decide that Lauren is the girl of his dreams."
Rosalie burst out laughing and Alice let out a shriek of indignation. "Not funny, Bella Swan! Not funny at all!"
Bella chuckled at the look of horror on Alice's face. Sighing, she reached out and took the dress from her friend's hands. The tulle was so soft; airy and elegant and so, so beautiful.
"If you don't buy it, I'm buying it for you," Alice threatened.
"I'm buying the dress," Bella said softly, fingering the delicate beading and lace. "Do you think it would be alright if I went to this thing? Is it an invitation only kind of event?"
Rosalie wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving her a friendly squeeze. "Sweetie, Esme is in the Women's Association. She will want you there just as much as me or Alice. Plus, you're already family. And this is celebrating part of our family."
Alice clapped in glee, bouncing on her heels. "I'm so happy I could burst! This means you're staying, right? You've finally given up this silly notion of leaving us all behind?"
Bella and Rosalie groaned, breaking apart to hang their dresses by the register. "We'll see how it goes, Alice. I need to figure out a few things before I start declaring that I'm moving to town for good."
Alice nodded, hanging up her own dress by the register before heading towards a rack of shorter dresses. "I'll take that for now. It'll give me time to wear you down."
*.*.*
"I'm glad we saved this for last," Alice announced, leading the way into Sweet Bites. "All that shopping has left me exhausted!"
Bella couldn't agree more as she followed her into the bakery. The smell of coffee and fresh baked bread hit her immediately and she groaned in pleasure. And then she got a good look at what smelled so good.
"My God, I'm in Heaven," she murmured.
Rosalie grinned, walking past her. "It tastes even better than it smells. Mrs. Cope is a master of the oven."
It was a fairly good sized bakery, three large cases and the counter with a register at the back of the room with two large cases on the two other sides. A few little round ice cream style tables were scattered in the empty space near the front windows. Shelves behind the back cases displayed baskets of fresh bread loaves and bagels. The floor was black and white patterned linoleum and the walls were a dingy white. Despite the updates it could definitely use, it was homey and warm.
And the cases! Bella could feel the saliva pooling in her mouth at the sight of the full cases. Cupcakes, cookies, full sized cakes, Danishes, doughnuts, pies and little chocolate covered hockey puck looking things that she figured were Edward's beloved Moon Pies.
"I'm gonna get so fat living here," Bella admitted.
"But it'll be so worth it," Alice giggled.
"Do I hear Alice Cullen?" A voice called out from the hidden back room. The swinging door opened and a tiny older lady walked out, wearing a flour covered apron, a pink sweat suit and a huge smile. "I'd recognize that giggle anywhere!"
Alice laughed, rushing around the counter to wrap her arms around the woman. "I've missed you, Mrs. Cope! I've been wasting away at school without your baking!"
Mrs. Cope laughed joyfully, patting Alice on the back with obvious affection. "I was going to tell you that you were too skinny, girl. We need to get a little meat on your bones before you marry that young man of yours."
"Well if anybody could do it, you can," Alice pulled back and smiled lovingly at the woman. "Bella, this is the great Shelley Cope, Queen of the Oven and winner of the Blue Ribbon for 'Best Cupcake in the Region' seven years in a row. Mrs. Cope, this is our dear friend Bella Swan. We're trying to convince her to move to Chapel Crossing for good, and I knew this place would seal the deal."
Mrs. Cope blushed in pleasure at Alice's words. "You sure know how to butter an old woman up, young lady." She turned to face Bella and smiled welcomingly. "Welcome to 'Sweet Bites', dear. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"You too, Mrs. Cope. Thank you."
"Please call me Shelley." She reached out to pat Alice's cheek. "I've been trying to get this one to call me Shelley for years. I keep telling her that Mrs. Cope was my mother in law."
"You know my Mama, Mrs. Cope," Alice teased, letting the woman lead her to a table. "If I didn't show you the utmost respect, she'd tan my hide."
Shelley clucked her tongue. "I love your mother to pieces, girl, but Esme has always been the epitome of sweet and polite. Forty some odd years and she still calls me Mrs. Cope."
Bella couldn't help but fall in love with Shelley Cope as she watched the playful banter between the two women. She was everything that Bella pictured a grandmother to look like. Short and smiling with a silvery gray perm and glasses, wearing a flour covered apron. She seemed like the kind of woman who would teach a child how to make cookies and then give them the bowl to lick clean.
Bella sat down at the table with Alice and Rosalie at Shelley's insistence. The woman kept up a steady stream of conversation as she went back and forth, bringing them fresh coffee, Moon Pies and slices of fresh bread with little ramekins of whipped butter and her homemade apple butter.
Bella quietly listened to Shelley and Alice discussing the library as she spread apple butter over a slice of warm bread. At her first bite, though, a moan of absolute pleasure escaped her, interrupting their conversation.
Alice and Rosalie laughed and Shelley beamed in pride. "My grandmother's recipe. Nobody made apple butter like Nana Hall."
"I've never tasted anything this amazing before," Bella admitted before taking another big unladylike bite.
"Everything Shelley makes is incredible," Rosalie said, taking a bite of her own Moon Pie. "Esme had to mail Moon Pies to Edward when he was in Chicago because he was going through withdrawals."
"Edward told me yesterday that when we came here, I had to try the Moon Pies," Bella smiled, remembering his description of his favorite treat.
"That boy," Shelley smiled affectionately. "Like the son I never had. He used to come here before school every morning as a child and I would give him a Moon Pie to take with him and he would come back after school to sweep the floors for me to pay it off. I never would accept his money. He's taken to leaving money under the register when I'm not looking, that sneak."
Bella laughed at the peek into Edward's character. She reached out for her own Moon Pie and took a bite, another moan escaping. Fluffy homemade marshmallow fluff between two crisp chocolate graham cracker cookies and dipped in creamy chocolate. It was like a S'More on crack.
"I think I'm going to have to set up a cot in the back," Bella admitted.
A bell tinkled over the door, announcing the arrival of more customers. Bella was so involved in her Moon Pie that she didn't even look up until she heard a familiar voice that made her heart speed up.
"Shelley! My one true love!" Edward walked into the shop and immediately swept the older women off of her feet and into a hug. Shelley giggled like a schoolgirl, hugging Edward back before demanding that he put her back on solid ground. Edward gently lowered her to her feet and leaned down to kiss her cheek.
Jasper came up from behind Edward, heading straight for Alice to give her a kiss on the top of her head.
"How was your day, sweetheart?" He asked, pulling up a chair to the table that Edward dragged up beside theirs.
"We exhausted ourselves shopping," Alice replied, taking a sip of her coffee.
Edward sat beside Bella and eyeballed the Moon Pie in her hand. "Amazing, isn't it?"
Bella nodded, her mouth too full of marshmallowy goodness to speak. He chuckled at her, leaning over to kiss her puffed out cheek.
Shelley returned with a plate of Moon Pies and two more coffees for the men and Edward threatened to chain her to a chair if she didn't join them.
Bella looked around at the group of friends and was stunned by how much she felt at home there. She felt so comfortable in that moment, as if she belonged there.
They talked and ate until Shelley had to get up and get back to the kitchen and there were only crumbs left on the plates. Edward insisted on carrying their dirty dishes back to the sink and followed her into the back before returning to the table with the coffee pot, refilling everybody's cups.
"So what do you think of our little town?" Edward asked, taking his seat beside Bella.
"I love it," Bella smiled at him, her heart fluttering at his returning grin. "It's so peaceful. And the Moon Pies! My God, they blow everything else I've ever eaten out of the water!"
Rosalie suddenly groaned, catching everybody's attention. She was glaring at the windows and everybody turned to see what she was looking at.
"Well it was peaceful," Jasper chuckled as Alice growled in her chair.
Bella watched as two women sauntered towards the bakery from Lucinda Mallory's shop across the street. Both women looked to be around Bella's age and when she took a hard look at the dark haired one on the left, she recognized the blue eyes and surgically enhanced lips and breasts.
"I'm going to assume that's Lauren Mallory?"
Edward nodded. "You already know of her?"
"Yes, we warned her about the town bicycle," Alice grumbled, wrapping her hands around her coffee cup. "We went into her mother's shop today and I'm sure Lucinda warned her skanky daughter that there was someone new staying with us."
"I wonder if Shelley would mind if I hit them over the head with a chair," Rosalie wondered, making them all laugh.
The bell tinkled over the door and the women walked in. Bella looked them both over from head to toe. While Lauren was a surgically enhanced mess in too tight clothing and pancake makeup, her friend was actually very pretty. Tall and slender with long dark hair and pretty gray eyes, she was dressed in a sky blue sundress that was a conservative knee length and complemented her figure. Both women stared at the table, looking at Bella the longest.
"Eddie!" Lauren squealed, walking over to stand beside him. "I haven't seen you in so long! How have you been?"
Edward forced a polite smile as he looked over at her. "I've been good, Lauren, thank you. Hello Chelsea."
Lauren's friend smiled back. "Edward, nice to see you again."
Lauren zeroed in on Bella and Bella could see the anger and jealousy in the woman's blue eyes. "Who are you?"
"I'm sure your mother told you all about Bella the second we left her store this morning," Alice said in a bored tone, studying her nails. "For all the pancake makeup you wear, Lauren, you're pretty transparent."
Lauren glared at Alice, fire flashing in her eyes. "What crawled up your butt, Alice? I was just being polite."
"More like nosy," Rosalie muttered, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
Bella caught Edward's apologetic look and winked at him. He grinned, reaching out to squeeze her hand. Lauren and Chelsea immediately caught the movement. While Lauren's face turned red with jealousy, Chelsea's eyes only widened slightly before her face returned to normal.
"I'm Bella Swan," Bella replied. "You must be Lauren Mallory."
Lauren's smile was just as phony as her mother's. "Oh, you've heard of me?" Her hand landed on Edward's shoulder and he tensed. "Have you been talking about me, Eddie?"
"Actually, your mother mentioned you when we were at your store earlier," Bella said sweetly. "Something about your immunity to penicillin being an issue now?"
Jasper had just taken a sip of coffee and began to choke as soon as the words left Bella's mouth. The entire table burst out laughing and Alice reached out to pound on Jasper's back. Even Chelsea bit her lip to keep from laughing. Lauren just looked confused.
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm allergic to penicillin."
Edward's disguised his laugh with a cough and stood up, dragging Bella with him and causing Lauren's hand to fall from his shoulder. "Well it's been lovely talking to you ladies, but we have to be going."
Lauren's disappointment was visible as she was pushed back by everybody standing up. "You should join us for dinner some evening, Eddie. Mother's been hoping to make you her sweet potato pie."
"Thank your mother for me, Lauren, but I'm really busy with work." He nodded politely at Chelsea before turning back to Bella. "You ready to head out, honey?"
Bella smiled brightly, playing it up for their audience. Leaning against his side, she wrapped her free arm around his waist. "Absolutely, baby. I've missed you today."
They walked past the women and out the door, calling a goodbye to Shelley, who poked her head out of the kitchen and waved pleasantly.
"Bella, sweetie, you be sure to come back and visit with me. I'll make up a batch of apple butter for you to take with you," she offered.
"I will, Shelley, thank you so much!" Bella waved back as the door was closing.
Alice was clinging to Jasper's arm, both of them still laughing. Rosalie wrapped her arms around Bella and hugged her tightly. "My God, that was the greatest thing I've ever heard! You are a genius!"
Edward grinned down at her. "Who knew that behind that sweet, innocent face was a kitten with sharp claws?"
Bella snorted. "I don't deal with that passive aggressive bullshit she was spouting. I can't stand that phony act. It annoyed me from her mother this morning and I'm not going to smile and take it from her."
Alice hip checked Bella. "I can't wait to tell Mom. She'll be so proud of you."
They headed towards Edward's truck, which was parked beside the Porsche. Bella held him back as the others walked forward.
"I hope you didn't mind the whole possessive thing I did back there," Bella bit her lip anxiously. "You just tensed up when she touched you and my bitch came out."
Edward smiled at her, reaching out to brush her hair behind her ear. "I have to admit, I really like when 'your bitch comes out'. And the possessive thing was pretty hot."
Bella chuckled as he leaned down to pull her into a hug. "Good. 'Cause I have a feeling that one is going to bring the bitch out quite a bit."
"She does, believe me. Unfortunately, Mom would take a switch to my backside if I were ever rude to a lady. Although Lauren Mallory isn't much of a lady."
"Well I'll try to be polite around Esme, but if she messes with you again, all bets are off."
Edward grinned. "I look forward to it."
*.*.*
A/N: What brings your bitch out?