Both Sides of the Story
Chapter 4
BPOV
Today was Charlie's party and Rose and Emmett were there helping me set up and trying to keep me calm.
There was a knock at the door, it was my dad and Sue with Billy and Jacob.
"Bells, you look wonderful as always." Billy smiled and hugged me.
"Thanks Billy. The kids are out back, if you're brave enough." I told them.
"Can I help you B?" Jacob asked.
"Sure, um I need these tables set up, for the food and presents." I smiled.
He got straight to work and put the table clothes on for me as well.
"So B, I hope you don't mind, but I bought Charlie a BB gun, your dad said it'd be O.K. and I'll keep it at my place, I'll teach him to be responsible and everything." Jake smiled.
I sighed "Jake, that's very thoughtful, but you know he's going to want to be there every free moment he has. Ever since dad showed him how to handle a rifle at 8, he's enjoyed guns."
"Bells, I've got every weekend off. No biggie. I'm here for both of you." he smiled and hugged me.
"I know Jake and thanks. I do appreciate it. You've been great." I smiled and hugged him back.
"Do you mind being my 'date' today, so I don't feel left out?" I smiled.
"B, I'd be yours forever, if you'd have me." he smiled.
I was just getting ready to reply, when there was a knock, it was several guests arriving.
Jake took the presents and put them on the table and showed the kids the back yard.
I had a bouncy obstacle course and a huge blow up slide I'd ordered for the kids, so they were having a blast.
Lee and Linda arrived as did James and Victoria. Edward, Alice, Esme, Carlisle and the last of the guests.
The party was in full swing and Emmett and James were manning the grill.
Linda and Rose were setting up the rest of the food and I was putting the finishing touches on the cake, when there was a knock at the door.
I opened the door and there stood Jasper and his girlfriend.
"Oh, um hi, come in." I smiled.
Just then, two arms wrapped around my waist.
"Hi. I'm Jake. B's friend." I could hear the smirk in his voice and Jasper's eyes cut to mine.
I pushed Jake off and he took the present in Jasper's hand, he knew Jake years ago, but as a skinny boy with the hots for me.
Jasper hated him, almost as much as Newton, today would prove to be interesting.
"Oh. Sorry ladies." Jasper smiled. "Bella Swan, this is Maria Sanchez." he smiled, albeit fake.
I stuck my hand out to Maria and she looked at me like I had cooties or something.
Then I realized there was frosting on my hands.
"Oh, sorry. I've been finishing up Charlie's cake." I smiled. "Come on in, I'll get Charlie, he doesn't know you're here." I shrugged.
I tapped on the glass, signaling to Rose that Jasper was here, I heard her yell for Charlie and the back door opening.
Charlie came into the kitchen, Rose hot on his heels.
"Dad!" Charlie ran and jumped into Jasper's arms.
He was crying. "I didn't know you were going to be here. I've missed you so much! I've got so much to tell you." he was hugging Jasper so tight, it brought tears to my eyes and glares from Maria.
"Charlie, I want you to meet my friend, Maria." Jasper smiled.
"Nice to meet you Maria." Charlie held out his hand, Maria looked at it.
"Nice to meet you too, but I can't shake your hand, it's dirty and now you've gotten Jasper dirty too." she snapped.
HELL TO THE NO!
"Charlie, you go play, lunch is almost ready." I smiled and kissed his cheek, smelling Jasper as I'd leaned in.
Charlie hugged and kissed Jasper before he jumped down and ran outside.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? Coming into my home and ignoring my handshake? But to ignore a child's handshake, that's fucking rude bitch!" I snapped.
"Jasper?" she whined.
"Really Bella, is it that bad?" Jasper asked.
I didn't get a chance to say anything, Rose was in their face.
"Yeah, it is that fucking bad! Charlie had tears down his cheeks when he ran outside! He hasn't seen you in three fucking years and then you show up with this bitch and she ignores your son! Give me a fucking break! Mom told you not to bring the bitch!" Rose snapped.
"Rose, mind your own business." Jasper snapped.
"Excuse me? He's my fucking nephew! He is my business!" she stormed outside.
"Look. This is Charlie's day. She can stay, but she better keep her mouth shut! I'll send her home and Rose and Victoria will escort her." I snapped and walked out.
A few minutes later, they walked out, Maria looking smug.
Until I called for lunch.
The kids all came running up and were loud.
They started with the hotdogs and worked their way down the table, some had parents help, but most did it alone, then they went to the grass and ate, then the parents came up.
"Jasper, I'm not eating that food the children touched, they didn't even wash their hands" Maria thought she'd whispered.
"It's not going to kill you." Jasper sighed.
"It's disgusting." she snapped.
I walked over and said "I guess you're going to starve." and walked away to join everyone.
After eating, Emmett emerged with a huge bag and I looked at him, he just smiled and motioned for Edward and James to help him.
"What's he up to?" I asked Rose.
"Oh, he bought all the kids these outrageous water guns." she smiled.
Thankfully it was the end of summer, just getting chilly at night, so they'd be o.k. to play with these today.
I shook my head and watched the kids line up and wait their turn.
Emmett gave them rules.
1) be careful
2) have fun
And with that, he pulled his own gun up and sprayed the kids.
They were having a blast, while we cleaned up from lunch, to prepare for presents and cake.
Charlie came running up and blasted my dad, Billy and Sue, they all laughed, Maria huffed in annoyance, Rose, Linda and I giggled inside, but the next thing happened to fast.
Charlie ran up and sprayed Jasper, in turn getting Maria, she grabbed his gun, smashed it, shoved him down, and started yelling at him.
Everything stopped and it was surreal.
I rushed out the door and shoved through the crowd.
"Get your nasty shrew out of here and NEVER let her around my child again. My dad will have papers for a restraining order for you and if there is 1 bruise on my son that's NOT already been there, I will file assault charges. Got it?" I snapped.
"He needs to learn some manners! You don't go and spray people." she snapped.
"Get the hell out of my house NOW! Or you will be going to jail." I yelled.
Jasper pulled her along, Charlie was crying because Jasper was leaving, but he promised he come back later.
After she left, the party resumed.
Charlie wasn't into like before, but still put on a brave face.
After everyone left, Rose and Linda were cleaning up, while Emmett and I gave the boys a bath.
"Look, I'm sorry he did that today, Linda told him not to bring her. And that's not all sis. He- he wants to fight for custody." Emmett grimaced.
"Well, I kinda looked into this a while ago, just in case. He can have all the visitation he wants, but until he is out of the military, I'd win any fight he'd try to have. Especially if I'm willing to let him take Charlie whenever, basically." I sighed.
"Well, he's back in Washington, Bells. He's stationed at Ft. Lewis." Emmett smiled sadly.
"That's all fine and dandy, but, I've still got the power. I've raised him, his school, family and activities are all here. No judge in their right mind would take him away." I shrugged.
"I guess your right, I just wanted to give you a heads up." Emmett hugged me.
We got up from Charlie's bed and walked into his bathroom and rinsed the boys off.
Emmett and Rose headed home shortly after that.
Charlie and I were watching Harry Potter, when the doorbell rang.
"Jasper." I nodded and stood aside.
"Daddy!" Charlie ran into his arms.
"Hey buddy, I told you I'd be back." he smiled.
"I'm going to shower, you two have fun." I walked upstairs while they talked and giggled.
I came back down to see them playing video games.
"Hey buddy, it's bedtime." I smiled.
"Mom." he whined.
"Look, your dad can tuck you in, but it's 10pm, you've had a long day and school starts in another week, so bed time will be back to 9pm." I stated.
"Yes, ma'am." he hugged and kissed me goodnight and showed Jasper his room.
I walked into the kitchen and got a glass of wine, I needed the entire bottle after today.
I walked back out to the living room to see Jasper on the couch.
"Um, would you like a drink?" I asked.
"No, I'll only be a few more minutes, but we need to talk." he sighed.
"Look, I know you're back, you want joint custody and you're serious with that horrible woman." I said.
"Bells…" he started.
"No, no way! You do not get to call me that!" I spat.
"Fine, Bella. I have moved back, but I'm not going to ask for joint custody, yet. I know I could get sent overseas and that wouldn't be fair, but if I can see Charlie and visit often, I would appreciate that." he said.
"That's reasonable Jasper, as long as Maria is no where around when these visits happen." I stated.
"That won't be a problem. We got in a huge fight when we got back to the hotel. She said she couldn't handle my rude family and then she called you 'a bad mother' and I drew the line there. You are a wonderful mom. You've worked your ass off to get where you are and I was selfish and left you to do it alone and I never talked to you about the state of our relationship. I gave you a promise ring, that was suppose to mean something and I broke that promise. I'm sorry." he was pacing now.
"Look, we both agreed for you to go to college. I was fine here, but yes, you did brake our promise and my heart. And the worst part, I didn't stop loving you until I found out you were bringing Maria home. I haven't been with anyone since you. Not even dated. I really thought we were going to live happily ever after. I guess I was still being a stupid lovesick teenager." I was trying to hold my tears in.
"I'm sorry." he said and walked out the door.
I walked over and locked it, slid down the door and cried.
A/N:
I hope you enjoy this chapter!
I want to thank everyone for the great reviews!
I had a few people who reviewed and I couldn't answer, b/c it wouldn't allow me to respond.
But thanks to everyone for reading!
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**Stephanie owns all and I just mix them up! Thanks Steph!**