Both Sides of the Story
Chapter 5
JPOV
It was the hardest thing to walk away from Bella.
I knew I had feelings for her still, but I also knew I'd hurt her too much to comfort her at that point and time.
I'd been so stupid!
I'd loved Bella, but never thought about trying to make things work between us, I was a stupid college boy who wanted to sow his wild oats before he settled down and by basically ignoring Bella these past 10 years, I'd hurt her more than I realized.
I was going to make things work with Charlie, I knew that. I had a week off before I had to report for actual duty, so I would find a place to live and then spend all next week with my family, I hope Bella won't object.
"Mom, hey. I just wanted to call and ask if it was O.K. if I spend next week with y'all? Um, I want to bring Charlie too, if that's O.K.." I asked.
"Jasper, as long as it's you, you're welcome here. I never want that horrible woman in my sight again." my mother said sternly.
"Don't worry, I don't think she'll come back here. We had a big fight when we left the party." I sighed.
"Well, good! And yes, Charlie has his own room here, so it'll work out fine. Have you cleared this with Bella yet?" She asked.
"No, I wanted to make sure it was O.K. for me to stay there first, so she knows Maria won't be around." I told her.
"O.K., well, Bella is at the bakery and Charlie is with Jake, so now would be a good time to go speak with her. She'll be closing up soon." my mom had a smile in her voice.
"Thanks mom." I told her I'd call her with plans later tonight.
I went and showered, put on a pair of jeans and a button down shirt, rolled up my sleeves and pulled on my boots.
I drove to Bella's shop, Rose had showed me when she drove me home the first night.
I arrived right as Bella was turning around the sign to closed.
I smiled at her and waved.
She opened the door and motioned me in.
"Hey, can we talk for a second." I asked.
"Yeah, you want coffee?" she asked.
"That'd be great." I smiled.
I felt like shit, because she looked like she'd cried herself to sleep or maybe not gone to sleep at all.
She sat down the coffee and some cookies and just stared at me.
"Um, so I have this next week off and I'd like to keep Charlie. But, before you protest, it'll be at my parents house, Maria is gone, she's not allowed there, I promise and my new place isn't ready yet." I held up my hand.
She sat for a few minutes thinking.
"O.K, if Charlie wants to. I'll give you his schedule, he starts school next week, so I'll take him on Monday." she smiled.
"Can I join you? I think the teachers would need to know me as well." I said.
"Yeah, we can get all your information added to the emergency contact list." she smiled. "Not like they'd need to call, they've got a long list." she smiled again.
"That's fine, I'll kind of be far away. Your family is much closer." I smiled.
"Yeah and I can almost always leave, but when I can't, Jake leaves work and gets him. He's the boss too, so it works." she shrugged.
I felt jealousy boiling in me.
"Jake? Really? You trust my son with Jake?" I snapped.
"Excuse ME? He's OUR son and YES! I do! Jake is his Godfather and loves him to death! He has always been there for him." she shouted.
"O.K., fine. I don't want to fight about this. It's not going to help." I sighed.
"Look, I know you want time with your son Jasper and that's fine. But, you have to remember he had a life before you came back, his own friends and activities. So you'll have to respect that and if it means shooting guns with Jake and fishing with his grandpa, then that's what you'll have to deal with." she said.
"Fine. I can do that." I shrugged.
"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to clean up and go home. I have company coming." she smiled.
I wanted to ask her who, but I didn't dare. I'd just drop by later to see my son.
BPOV
I rushed through cleaning up the shop.
I was so pissed at Jasper after he left last night and I'd cried myself to sleep on the floor, that when Mike came in today and asked me out, I asked him if he'd just like to come to my place for dinner.
I knew Charlie was spending the night with Jake tonight, since they were out 'hunting'.
Mike was a nice guy, but recently divorced and I know wanting more than I was ready for, so I set ground rules if he wanted to come over.
There would be NO kissing or making out, it was dinner as friends.
He agreed and asked if he could bring wine.
I agreed to that.
I went home and put the chicken in the oven and ran to shower.
I put on a pair of skinny jeans, a cute blue halter top, left my hair down to dry in it's natural curls and decided against shoes as well.
I finished up the sides, just as the doorbell rang.
Mike did look very handsome, khaki's and a white shirt, sleeves rolled up and brown loafers.
"Bells, hey." he smiled and kissed my cheek.
"Hey Mike, come on in." I motioned with my hand.
I led him into the kitchen and showed him where the wine opener was as well as the glasses.
Her poured us both a glass and took them to the table.
I handed him the lighter for the candles and told him to have a seat, I'd be right out.
I brought out the roasted chicken, potatoes and mixed vegetables.
"I also have cheesecake for dessert." I smiled as I sat the food down.
Mike got up and pulled out my chair. "That sounds great and this looks delicious." he smiled at me.
We enjoyed our dinner and light conversation, we talked about our businesses, he'd taken over his parents outdoor store and it was doing quite well, he told me the entire story behind his and Jessica's failed marriage, Jessica was having an affair, with one of our high school friends, Tyler, he and Mike use to be best friends. Jess said that Mike wasn't showing her enough attention, which I know is bullshit, because he'd always showered her with affection and gifts and from what I'd heard, he was quite the romantic, it was Jess who was just flighty and always wanted more.
Luckily they had a good pre-nup from his parents, she didn't get anything, since they never had kids.
He kept the house and everything.
She'd moved to Seattle and in with Tyler, who was a defense attorney.
I told him about Jasper being back and he said he'd heard and he was sorry that he'd hurt me.
"I'm just glad he's back for Charlie. I mean, he's got my dad. Lee, Emmett, Jake and sometimes James, but he really missed Jasper." I shrugged.
"I can understand that. I wouldn't want to be away from my child either." he smiled.
He helped me clear dishes and pour more wine and I cut us each a piece of cheesecake.
We sat on the couch and were in the middle of eating and talking, when there was a knock at the door.
I got up and answered it.
"Jasper, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"I wanted to see Charlie." he shrugged.
"For one, Charlie isn't here, he's at Jake's, I told you that today and for two, I have company. You really need to learn to call first." I snapped.
Jasper stepped inside, I stood blocking his way.
"You can leave now Jasper. Really." I growled.
"I just wanted to say 'hi' to your guest." he smirked at me.
At that time, Mike walked up.
"Bells, is everything O.K.?" he asked.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jasper asked.
"Jasper, enough! Leave!" I shoved him back.
"Bella, he's not good enough for you." he grabbed my arms and shook me.
Mike pried him off and told him to leave.
"She's not yours!" Jasper shouted.
"I didn't say she was! We're friends having dinner and you're not invited." Mike shut the door and locked it.
"Bells, are you O.K.? Mike asked concerned.
"I'm fine, I need another glass of wine though." I smiled.
Mike filled our glasses again.
"Sorry about that, I had no idea he'd come by." I sighed.
"Bells, it's o.k. I'm not offended or hurt, I know you 2 have a history, I'm just here as a friend. Just always know that." he smiled and hugged me.
We finished dessert and I walked him to the door.
"Thanks for a great dinner Bells. I hope we can do it again. I hate eating alone all the time." he smiled sadly.
"No problem. Next time, you buy." I smiled and hugged him goodnight.
He kissed my cheek and said he'd see me at the bakery.
I walked in and locked my door.
I actually had a good night.
I poured more wine and called Rose, she needed to know what happened, all of it.
A/N:
The end of another chapter…
This one is moving along quite well.
I'll try and update tomorrow, but if I don't get a chance, the next one will be up, sometime on Monday.
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**I don't own Twilight… Just mess w/ the characters**