I Got You
Chapter 2
I've been home for six months and feeling pretty good.
I haven't seen much of my family, its Spring Training time and they've been in Arizona 90% of the time. They've came home on occasional weekends and we'd cookout, but then they were gone.
I spent a lot of time with my uncle Carlisle and aunt Esme and I've even went to Seattle with the boys a couple of times to have lunch with Edward and James.
I'd found a great daycare for the boys. Sue, from the reservation owned a daycare in town and the boys loved it there. It gave me time to set up my photography studio. I found an awesome store front right across from the city park. It was spacious and allowed me to have a nice waiting area to keep kids entertained, a reception desk, a basic picture taking area with typical backdrops, a room to stock full of any prop I could think of, a changing area big enough for a family or a bride, a back office area where clients could come view their pictures right away if done in studio or a few days later if pictures were taken offsite, such as weddings and baby showers.
I labeled off all my areas and put the few things I had where they belonged and then swept and mopped the floors. I made a list of things I needed and things I'd like to find.
My phone rang as I was looking through a local thrift store. "Hello?" I asked at the UNKNOWN number.
"Bells! Hey, look we're going to be in town this weekend and Edward and James are coming home too, we're going to have a big party at mom and Phil's, most of the team and their families will be there. They're having it caterer, but mom wants to know if you'd make the desserts, you know your baking is the best." I could practically hear Jasper drooling.
"Yes brother dear, I will make desserts. How many am I making for?" I sighed.
"Um, maybe around 100?" Jasper whispered.
"UGH! You better be glad I love you!" I laughed.
"Why do you think I insisted on the kitchen you have? I knew you'd be baking like crazy!" he said with pride.
"It's just a hobby, I'm a photographer." I reminded him.
"Yeah, yeah. Oh, Phil wants to ask if you can put that skill to use to and take pictures of the team, families, etc… He'll pay for everything." Jasper said worriedly.
"I'll set up something. Better be glad I love you guys!" I gloated, ending the call shortly after.
I ran to the store and picked up everything I'd need to start my baking tonight after the boys were asleep. I'm so happy they built on a garage and put an extra fridge out there as well, I could freeze all the cakes and frost them on Saturday morning, make up the pies and freeze them as well and mix up the cookie dough and bake those tomorrow, knowing they'd stay fresh for a day.
I called Jacob and Paul asking if they'd like to come for pizza and of course I wasn't denied. I knew with them here I could get started on everything and they'd keep the boys entertained. Jake said they'd pick them up from the daycare. I reminded him they didn't have seats and he said Sue always kept extra's for emergencies. I thanked him and told him I'd have everything ready when they got here.
Saturday was here quickly. Jasper and Alice came over to help get the desserts and boys together.
I gathered my photography equipment and we were ready to go.
The boys and I were dressed alike in Mariners t-shirts and jeans, as well as Converse clad feet.
I threw my hair up in a ponytail and only grabbed my chap stick.
"OK, I'm already, let's go." I smiled.
"Looking good sis, you'll break some hearts today." Jasper smiled and Alice winked. I knew something was going on with these two, so I ignored it.
"My babies!" My mom ran out and hugged her grandkids, along with Phil.
"Some if the guys are here. We'll send them out to help." Phil smiled.
They all came rushing out hearing there were desserts, they weren't prepared for little me telling them hands off tough.
The day was in full swing and I'd taken a lot of pictures, I noticed Jasper on the phone a while ago getting upset with someone and yelling, excusing himself to the house to finish the call. I asked if everything was alright, he said yes and continued on.
I'd had several of the single players ask for my number, I politely declined, not sure of I was ready for that step or not.
It's been about a year and half and this independence I have, I'm enjoying. I've been with someone my entire life, not to say I don't miss Riley every day, because God I do, but having this independence has done wonders for me. I miss the sex though, that's something that I'm not coping well with, lack of intimacy. If I do start something with someone, I know it'd be awhile before we got to that stage and I can live with that, it's trusting someone else that scares me. Riley was my one and only.
I was in the kitchen getting out the cake that I made for the team and I heard laughing and squealing and a little boy taunting someone that they couldn't catch him. I smiled a big smile, loving that sound.
I turned around with the cake and almost collided into a very sexy stranger.
"Whoa! I got you." He smiled as he steadied me with his hands on my hips.
"Thanks." I blushed.
"You're Bella, right?" he asked with a shy smile.
"Yeah? Have we met?" I questioned.
"No, no. Sorry. I'm Peter." He held out his hand and then laughed when he realized I was still holding the cake.
He took it from me and sat it on the counter to shake my hand properly and drop a kiss to the top of it, causing both of us to blush.
"You're Atticus' dad." I pointed out.
"Yeah, I heard you were quite taken with him." He smiled.
"I met him when I first moved here, yeah. I've got two of my own." I mentioned.
"I've seen your pictures at Jasper's house. You don't even look old enough to have kids." He teased.
"I'm sorry for your loss." He said solemnly.
"Thank you. I'm doing better though. Having my family here and my business, speaking of which I haven't got one of Atticus and you yet." I declared.
"Yeah, I was actually trying to catch him to clean him up for it." He smiled shyly.
"Well, let's get this cake out there and see if we can capture him for a picture. Dirty face and all." I smiled brightly.
The party lasted until the night, all the kids upstairs asleep and the adults sitting and talking.
Jasper had come up to me after seeing me walk out with Peter and smiled brightly.
"I see you finally got to meet Peter." He stated.
"Yes I did and just from the few moments with him, I can't understand how anyone could walk out on him or his son. They're both so sweet and kind." I raved.
"I do know this, yes. Why do you think I wanted you to meet him? He's you with a penis." Jasper laughed.
"Ugh! You're so crude." I laughed and walked away from him.
Now every time Peter and I are talking, Jasper is watching us. He's great at reading body language and so I'm trying not to give him any.
"Hey, you sitting all by yourself?" Peter came and joined me on the blanket.
"Yeah, I can't handle listening to all the lovey dovey talk and planning the future." I sighed picking at a blade of grass.
"I know what you mean. I'm usually the odd man out, feels good to have company." He bumped his shoulder with mine.
"Yeah it does. It gets pretty lonely talking to two year olds all day." I shook my head, trying not to cry.
"Hey, it's OK to cry you know?" he looked into my eyes.
"Not in front of them." I nodded with my head. "They all want to make it better, but don't truly understand." I took a shuddering breath.
"I can't tell you how many times Jasper and Alice have tried to set me up. It's usually with one of Alice's friends, they make my skin crawl." He shuddered and I laughed, causing everyone to look at us and smile.
"Hey, would you like to come over for lunch tomorrow?" I blurted out.
"I'd love to." He answered back just as quickly, I guess so neither of us lost our nerve.
"Bring Atticus. I have several game systems." I shrugged.
"Oh, not necessary. He'll be at a friend's birthday party." He winked.
"I hope you won't mind my two wild ones there." I smiled nervously.
"No! They're adorable. I love kids, always wanted more." He gave me a crooked smile and I felt my heartbeat speed up.
"Well, I better go. The boys will be riled up from sleeping and trying to get them back to sleep will not be fun." I sighed and stood up, Peter offering me his hand.
"Thank you." I blushed at the feel of his hand on mine.
"Let me help you with the boys. It can't be easy to carry both of them." He stated.
"No, no it's not." I shook my head and headed inside.
Jasper grabbed my arm, motioning for me to come talk to him, sighing I gave Peter a look and he just waited inside.
"I see you hit it off well with Peter." Jasper raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah, we've got some of the same issues, I guess you could say." I told my brother.
"Look, leave the twins here. Alice has clothes and diapers for them, they'll be fine. We'll come over tomorrow night for dinner and bring the boys. We've got extra car seats too." He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed.
I thanked him for that and headed upstairs to check on them before leaving.
"Let me walk you out." Peter whispered at the top of the stairs.
"Thank you." I smiled and followed him downstairs.
"So lunch tomorrow?" he asked.
"Yeah, here's my number, call for directions." I stated.
"Don't need them. Who do you think built your kitchen?" he kissed my cheek and walked away.
I was suddenly looking very forward to lunch tomorrow.
AN:
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