Return to Forks
Chapter 15
It's been six months and I love my teaching job.
I teach all grades and really love it.
Elyse and I were doing great, she was talking up a storm and even beginning to recognize some sight words.
She'd be 3 soon and was so smart.
Jasper had went back to California of course, that's where his career was.
We did talk a lot and Skype, but we weren't dating, I told him I wouldn't do the 'long distance' thing, he agreed, reluctantly.
As I was working late one night at school, before Spring Break, there was a knock at my door.
"Bella hey!" It was Mr. Newton or Mike, I should say. He was the new Social Studies teacher here and we'd became good friends.
"Mike, hey. What's up?" I asked.
"Well, I see you're working late, I'd like to buy you dinner, unless you have to get home to your little girl?" he asked.
"Um, yeah. That'd be great. She's staying with her grandparents tonight, since I'm working late." I smiled.
"Cool, let me grab my stuff and I'll be back in a couple minutes." he smiled.
He'd asked me out several times before, but I'd always had plans or was just too tired.
Elyse was in dance class now, and I had that twice a week, after work.
I finished up my stuff and was ready when Mike got back.
"So where to?" I asked.
"Well, my aunt and uncle own this awesome Pub and they serve food too, they're always busy, but it's worth it." he smiled.
"O.K., sure." I smiled.
I followed him to the Pub and he was right, it was packed.
We found a corner table and an older blonde woman came out hugging him.
"Oh, Mike! We haven't seen you in ages." she smiled.
"Um, Aunt Marie, you and Uncle John just saw me a few weeks ago." he smiled.
"Well, that's to long. You used to come here every week for dinner, until that vile Jessica…" she was ranting and Mike held up his hand to stop her.
"Aunt Marie, this is Bella, she's a colleague." he smiled.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." she blushed.
"It's O.K." I smiled.
We ordered and had a couple of beers, it felt good to be out.
As we ate, I asked him about 'vile Jessica' and he laughed.
"Ahhh, yeah. She's my Ex-wife." he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh, I'm sorry." I smiled at him.
"Oh, God no… I left her. She was cheating on me with her boss, my BEST FRIEND at the time as well. So, I left her, thankfully before we could start a family, I don't know what I'd do if I had to share custody with that bitch." he said viscously.
"Oh, I understand that all to well." I smiled and chuckled.
"How do you mean?" he asked.
I proceeded to tell him about what happened to me and he was apologetic.
"Oh, I'm over it. It's taken a lot, but I've come to grips with it." I shrugged.
We then went on to happier subject's of our family.
I looked at my watch and realized it was 10:30pm.
"Um, Mike. I've had a really good time, but it's 10:30pm and I really need some sleep." I smiled, hoping he would understand.
"Oh, wow. Yeah." he smiled and we walked out.
"Thanks for inviting me out Mike, I really do appreciate it." I smiled.
"No problem, I had a really good time." he said.
"I'd like to do it again sometime." I said, before I could even stop myself.
"Really?" his face broke into a big smile.
I don't know why he was so surprised. He was very handsome.
He was tall, about 6'1 with sandy blond hair and these gorgeous blue eyes.
Not to mention you could tell he took care of himself, his arms were very muscular.
"How about next Friday? Will you have your daughter then?" he asked.
"Um, I'm sure I can get someone to watch her, that'd be a great way to start Spring Break." I smiled.
He agreed and said he'd see me at school tomorrow.
The rest of the week flew by and I asked Felix and Alice if they'd like to keep their niece, because I had a date.
"What? Why didn't you tell me sooner." Alice pouted.
"Um, Alice. It's Sunday…The date isn't until Friday." I assured her.
"O.K., shopping. We've GOT to get you an outfit." she smiled.
Felix said he'd keep Elyse while we went shopping.
Alice found the perfect outfit, as always.
A black skirt, that came just above my knee and a blue halter top. The back was all open and had a dangerous plunge.
She said she'd do my hair and makeup when I dropped Elyse off, since Mike was picking me up at 7pm, I didn't have to rush…Much!
Friday got here before I knew it, I had a busy week, trying to get my kids tested and clean up my room, not to mention house, plus dance for Elyse, on top of all the other day to day things.
I'd talked to Jasper a few times and he seemed really happy, but wouldn't tell me why.
I told him he better tell me soon or he was in trouble, to which he smiled bigger.
There was a knock on my door and when I opened it, Mike look really HOT!
He had on black pants and a light blue button down, sleeves rolled up and a few buttons undone.
"Wow! You look fabulous!" he smiled.
"Thanks, you're not to bad yourself." I smiled back.
We ended up having a great time.
He took me to a little restaurant and they had a band playing, we danced to some slow songs on their little dance floor and he even kissed me.
There were no fireworks, but it was nice.
We actually started dating, I introduced him to my family and me to his.
He liked Elyse and she said he was a goofy.
He was always making faces with her and she'd bring a book out, he'd read to her, we took her out a lot with us, to the park, zoo, picnics.
We finally took the sex step and he was a careful and intense love maker, never fast and hard, always slow and loving.
He was over for dinner one night and I was cooking, the phone rang and I asked him to answer it, he brought it in with a puzzled look on his face, kissed my cheek and went back to playing 'go fish' with Elyse.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Who the hell was that?" Jasper seethed.
"Whoa! Stop right there, buddy!" I snapped.
"Well?" he demanded.
"I don't have to answer to you Jasper!" I snapped again.
"Well, I guess my news doesn't matter to you anymore!" he stated.
"Jasper, just because I'm dating doesn't mean you don't matter. You're my friend." I told him.
He made a pffttt sound and it sound like he mumbled 'always the friend'.
"Well, I'll be home next week, I just signed a recording deal." he stated.
"WOW! Jasper, that's great! We'll have a big party to celebrate." I was really happy for him.
"No, I just want some quiet time before I have to buckle down." he stated.
"Oh, o.k., Well, keep me informed when you get here, I've got to go, dinner is going to burn." I said.
"Yeah, fine." he said and hung up the phone.
I stood there a minute before I processed why he was so upset.
I'd dated everyone else, but him. He thought I was rejecting him again, which wasn't true.
I'd have to talk to him next week.
We had a nice dinner and after we put Elyse to bed, he finally asked about the phone call.
I explained it all to him, everything.
"Wow. I guess I'd be jealous too." he smiled.
It was Wednesday and I hadn't heard from Jasper, he was suppose to call me as soon as he got here, I know he leaves on Friday.
"Alice, hey. Have you seen Jasper?" I asked, it was summer now and I was home with Elyse everyday.
"Um, yeah. He was here for a couple days, then left on Tuesday to go to Forks. He said it was quieter there." she sighed.
"It's because of me right?" I asked.
"Well, yeah. He didn't want to take the chance of running into you and Mike. Hell, he was so pissed when he saw the picture of the three of you from the zoo, he threw it against the wall and that's when he left." she sighed.
"Alice I'm so sorry. I told him a I couldn't and wouldn't do the long distance thing." I stated, everyone knew that!
"Yeah, well he's not going to be too far." she sighed.
"What? What are you talking about?" I asked.
"The recording company has a studio in Tacoma. So he's moving back, Bella." she sighed and I dropped the phone.
"Sorry, Alice you stunned me. I thought you said he was moving back." I said.
"Yep." she said softly.
"Well, that changes things." I sighed.
"Look Bella. Just let him come to you. I know he will." she said.
"O.K., Thanks Alice." I said, hanging up the phone.
The next month passed by in a blur, which sucked.
Mike was going away for the rest of the summer on an educational trip and wouldn't be back until two weeks before school started.
I managed to keep Elyse busy with dance and some tumbling classes.
It was about a month after Jasper had been here, when I swore I saw him in downtown Seattle, I called his name, but he disappeared.
I'd call his cell and no answer, I'd try and Skype, he wasn't there.
Alice said he'd moved back, but I hadn't heard or seen him.
A month before school started, I went in to set up my class and the principal walked in.
"Bella. I'm so glad to see you." she smiled.
"Thank you. Why are you here this early?" I asked her.
"I'm interviewing teachers." she sighed. "I've had three quit in the past month." she shook her head.
"Oh. Wow. Who all left?" I asked.
"Mrs. Pace, the English teacher, Mr. John's the P.E. coach and Mr. Newton, you know him." she smiled sweetly at me.
"He what?" I asked.
"He just called this morning. A school in Washington D.C. offered him the head of his department and a very generous salary. They offered it after he gave a speech at the school." she sighed.
"Oh, well." I said, I couldn't think of anything.
"If it makes you feel any better, he was just offered it yesterday." she smiled and patted my back before leaving.
I finished for the day and headed home to call Mike.
"Hello?" I heard him ask.
"Mike." I said coldly.
"Oh, Bella. I wanted to tell you tonight." he sighed.
"Yeah, well thanks. We're over Mike, I don't mean to sound so pissed, well, yeah I do. We were in a relationship for several months and you didn't think to call me last night AFTER they offered you the job?" I snapped.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. It's not something I can pass up. What they're offering and all and it's a great change of scenery." he sighed.
"Oh, O.K. fine. The scenery. Good luck Mike." I hung up and didn't answer the next five times he called and text me.
"Dmitri. Would you like to take out your little sister to dinner?" I asked.
"Oh, Bells, sorry I have plans already. But, you can join us." he smiled.
"No, I don't want to be a bother and ruin your date, Mike and I broke up and I just needed my brother." I sighed.
"Well, that's settled. We'll be there at 6pm, wear jeans and a cute top." he hung up.
I had no clue where we were going, Elyse was with dad and Sue for the week, so I didn't have to worry about that.
I showered and dressed. My skinny jeans, the blue halter top Alice had bought for me, looked great with them and a pair of simple black heals.
I left my hair down and applied light make up.
At five minutes to 6, there was a knock on my door.
I opened it to see Jasper standing there with a bouquet of wild flowers and a small smile.
A/N:
Hope y'all enjoyed this!
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