Chapter 14: mothers know best (at least they think they do.)
A/N: just a small character detail- Bella is nineteen not eighteen! May bad for any confusion.
"ARRGGHH stupid pan!" Monica yelled in frustration as she threw the burning skillet.
The pan flew across the kitchen almost hitting her husband who was walking in.
"Lucy I'm ho- woah!" he yelled and quickly phased, flying into the air and grabbing the pan with his talons.
He quickly put it back on the stove and phased back.
" honey! You can't go throwing flaming skillets!" he snapped.
"well tell the skillet to work right!" she snapped back.
The couple stared at each other until Monica began to giggle.
Her husband was quick to pull her into a hug and chirped in her ear.
"what's got you throwing pans lady?" he asked gently.
"Because I only have an hour left to finish this food and it's not doing what I want it to do. And where are the steaks, Old man? I told you I was making my shishkabobs!"
"Bella Bee is grabbing them." He told her as he grabbed an oyster.
"Chester! Why is she getting the groceries? She shouldn't be driving all around town!"
" deja de gritar a las mujeres!" he told her. ( quit hollering women) " she will be fine. And speak of the angel now. I'm going to go out and help her."
"don't you dare speak Spanish in my house!" Monica yelled.
"you have to embrace your heritage honey!" he called out playfully.
"whatever. You better be lucky I love you."
Five minutes later, her husband and niece walked in.
"Bella bee, I wish you wouldn't strain yourself." She scolded lightly as she hugged her niece.
" I promise I won't Aunty."
Monica didn't believe her but said "Good girl, now go shower and change. Our guests will be here soon."
She smiled in success when an hour later, her backyard table was full of a wonderful spread of food.
For an appetizer, steak kabobs
For dinner: Oysters, steak, chicken, carne adovada, mashed potatoes, peas, garlic bread,
and for dessert pecan pie with ice cream.
" I brought the coffee!" a voice said behind her.
Monica smiled and felt a wave of relief as Ayana and Ajana stepped into the backyard.
" oh, Ajana you are a life savior! Hello Ayana! How is my little flower?"
"I'm good Auntie Monica, is Bella around?" she asked somewhat shyly.
Monica couldn't hold back her laugh.
When Bella first arrived Ayana saw her as an enemy. But now, the little girl was joined at the hip to her niece.
"she's in her room changing darling, make sure you knock."
"yes, mam!" and off she went.
"she adores Bella," Ajana told her as she handed her a latte.
"I know anytime she comes here, she is always by her side. She helps Bella study too."
Ajana laughed." Does she now? Well, that's sweet. You know Bella's presence at the flower shop has really boosted our sales. You know she mentioned that we should open an online store. She said Quil could probably help us set it up."
"Really? I never thought about an online store. And speaking of Quil how is he doing? Is it odd having a teenage boy in your home?" Monica asked as the two of them placed silverware on the table.
Ajana snorted.
"teenage boy? Girl that is a grown man I live with. I have two grown men in my house. You know, he's a really good man. He's kind to Ayana, he's taken up some of the responsibility around the house like taking out the trash and fixing things. He pops by my office at least once a week just to say hello. He and Senior seem to be on good terms. I can tell there's still some resentment but Junior doesn't disrespect him. How are things with Bella?"
"somedays she seems good and then some days she seems lost. But she's much better than she was when she first came here. We have been trying to get her to slow down a little. She's been doing a lot. School, therapy, the shop, and being pregnant. We don't want her to be stressed out. I'm thinking of asking her to maybe take time off from the shop."
"oh Mon, no. I don't think you should do that. One she's been so awesome at her job and two, I think having the job helps Bella not only have a chance at being normal. But it helps her feel like she's pulling her weight. Don't take that from her, at least not now. Let's wait until she gets to be seven or eight months and then we can talk about sitting her down."
Monica smiled and rolled her eyes. "you just have all the answers don't you."
Ajana was going to say something but Ayana came running out of the house.
"mama! Aunt Monica! Big sister is throwing up!"
"I'll go help her Monica, you finish up."
"oh thank you."
…...
Monica stood at her front door in nervousness.
Everything was set and everyone was dressed.
"Charlie says they're coming down the road." Her husband informed her. " everyone ready for this? "
" ready as we will ever be," Monica stated. She looked over her shoulder to see Bella leaning against the wall with X, by her side.
" Bella bee you good?"
"yes, mam. Just a little tired and a little nervous. Can I have the seat closest to the house, just in case I have to upchuck?"
"that's no problem and theirs no need to be nervous. It's just my parents, my brother, my nephew, and your grandfather."
Monica watched as surprise and horror filled her niece's face. she then turns to her husband rage filling her body.
"YOU DIDN'T TELL BELLA THAT HER GRANDFATHER WAS COMING!"
"wait!" Bella shouted standing between her and Chester. "I was just really confused! I thought Grandpa Swan was dead."
Chester sighed.
"oh Bella Bee, I am so sorry. Charlie and I never did explain our parentage, did we? Your grandfather our father as much as we love him, had an open-door policy if we can call it that. Your dad and I share a father but we have different mothers. The man you call Grandpa Swan was your step-grandfather. The man you're going to meet is your biological grandfather. He's where I get my shifting gene from."
"ok, um I am going to go puke and give myself a minute."
Monica wanted to go after her but ajana stopped her.
"I got it you worry about the parents."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Charlie pulled up in the Range Rover.
Monica grabbed her husband's hand and squeezed.
"Deep breaths mon." her husband encouraged.
"you got nothing to worry about mon." Quil senior encouraged.
The door opened to reveal a red-faced Charlie.
"Charlie? everyone ok?" Quil senior asked.
"We got a big problem," Charlie said gruffly.
It was then Charlie opened the rover doors, not only revealing their intended guest. But three uninvited guests.
Renee Dwyer, Joy Ateara, and Bridgett Alvarez; Charlie, and Chester's half-sister.
Monica felt her face drain of all color.
"oh crap." She hissed.