The Divorce

Chapter 5

People stared at me in shock as I passed by them on my way to the school gates to meet Trent, they were surprised to see me out walking about with an easy smile on my face but they would find out why tomorrow from my interview. Just as I reached the school gates one of my brother's friends, Jake, approached me.

He greeted me with a kiss to the cheek and a friendly hug since we'd known each other for years I thought nothing of it, as he did this he asked "Hey, Bella. How are you?"

I stepped back and smiled he was a bit taken a back by the smile since he had only recently returned to the city after he moved to Washington four years ago so as far as he knew me and Charles were still a happy couple, like we were when he left.

I laughed at his confused look before saying, "Yeah, I'm great. We haven't been happy for a while but we put on a front for the media, perfect family and all."

"I'm so sorry, Bella. I wish your life had turned out better." Jake commented.

I almost forgot how sweet Jake was, I haven't seen him in just over four years, he's a politician and a damn good one he just won the election for New York mayor. Jake was always like another big brother to me.

"So do I, Jake. Anyway how's Anna and the kids?" I changed the subject from my failed marriage.

He smiled and I knew I had distracted him as he began, "They're great. Anna still loves her cooking, you should come over to dinner soon, she'd love that. James is eleven and loves his baseball. Sarah is six and loves to sing and dance. Finally, Derek who's just turned four is amazing."

"That's great, Jake. I'm glad you have a happy family." I was happy, life worked out for one of us.

"So, what are you doing here, Bella?" he asked.

I looked over at the school doors as the bell rang signalling the end of the day, I noticed my little man come sprinting out with a big smile across his face.

I turned back to Jake and answered just before Trent reached us, "Picking up Trent. You?"

Before he could reply, Trent shouted up at me ecstatic, "Mom, Guess what?"

"Hey, sweetie. What?" I said as I bent to kiss his forehead.

He smiled up at me revealing a missing front tooth, "I lost a tooth."

"Have you been kissing the girls?" I joked causing him to pout and Jake who was watching our interaction to laugh.

"No," he crossed his arms in a huff, looking so much like his father that I froze unable to speak.

Jake seemed to realise this as he bent down to Trent's level before saying, "Hey, you must be Trent, I'm your Uncle Jake," while extending his hand.

Trent shook his hand and smiled at him, "You're my Uncle Jake?" he asked looking up at me for assurance, which I nodded my head in agreement.

"Yeah. I'm Uncle Jay's best friend." As he said this three kids walked up, I immediately recognised them as Jake and Anna's children from their similar features.

"Hey, dad" The oldest boy said who must be James.

Jake stood up and turned to his kids before saying, "Hey, kids. This is your Aunt Bella and your cousin Trent."

The girl and little boy's faces lit up at this, "Really?" they screamed.

"Yeah," I answered this time.

The little boy smiled up at me showing his still chubby cheeks as he spoke, "You're really pretty."

"Thank you. You're a handsome little boy." I laughed back at his sweetness.

The older boy looked at me haughtily before saying, "Where's Uncle Charles?"

"James!" Jake yelled at him.

I put on my polite smile before answering, "It's ok. He's at home."

"Really? Because I heard you were getting a divorce." He quipped back.

I changed my smile to a smirk before replying, "I never said he was at my house and you might want to stop whatever game your trying to play because I will win."

"Leave my mom alone you big bully." Trent screamed up at the other boy before kicking him in the shin.

James jumped around holding his shin cursing Trent and I but before he could get a word in another voice interrupted our conversation.

"Wow, what's going on here?" the familiar voice said, I would recognise that voice anywhere even though I hadn't heard it in seven years. It belonged to Liam, Jake's younger brother.

"He kicked me in the shin," James answered his Uncle while pointing at Trent.

I turned to look at Liam, he hadn't changed much he stood at 6ft 4" longish brown hair tanned skin set off his ocean blue eyes. Liam's eyes met mine and he stepped back in surprise of it being me his brother was talking to. The last time I saw Liam he had tears streaming down his face as he watched me marry Charles and then he was gone.

I spoke first trying to diffuse the awkward silence, "Hello, Liam."

"Isabella." The way my name rolled of his tongue sent shivers down my spine just like before, as I stared into the ocean blue eyes that brought back so many memories.

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