Friends with Benefits

Chapter One Hundred Forty-One

Things I own: my sanity (though, that's debatable at times), not enough time to write and incredible friends and family!!

Things I don't: Twilight, Edward and Bella (Damn. It.)

Chapter 141

BPOV

"I want to throw Edward a surprise birthday party," I said, sitting on the back counter of Alice's shop. "He's turning thirty."

"He'd shit a brick, Bells. He's like you when it comes to surprises," Alice laughed.

I made a face. "Okay, not a surprise party. Just a party," I shrugged.

"Are you still trying to get over the whole guilt thing?" Alice asked, arching a brow from the mannequin she was working on. I blushed. "You are! Bella, Edward has forgiven you. You need to forgive yourself, chickadee."

"I'm trying. Elsa is working with me on it, but I feel like the world's biggest asshole. Here's Edward, trying to bring my ex-boyfriend to justice because he acted unethically and immorally, and I defend him. What jackass does that? Me," I grumped. "Because of him, both Edward and I had to get tested for STDs. Because of him, over fifty girls are questioning their lives. Because of him, a large amount of those girls are sterile due to untreated infections. Because of him, a girl is dead. And I fucking defended Paul." My anger flared and I wanted to punch something.

"Breathe, Bells," Alice said as she walked over to me, rubbing my legs. School finished and I was on summer vacation. I decided not to teach summer school and so my days were spent obsessing over my almost fuck-up with Edward. "You need to get out more, Bella. I could use some help in the store."

"We've tried that, Ali. I'm not the best sales associate," I chuckled.

"No, but you're good with computers and payroll. The month you did work for me, you fixed my entire ordering process and I wouldn't mind if you streamlined everything else," Alice smirked. "You're really good at that shit, Bells. Besides, it'll get you out of the house and stop you from perseverating over your issues. Besides, my bachelorette party, it's going to be a destination party. You've got to save up for Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend."

"And who's planning this shindig, Alice?" I scoffed.

"I am. I've always wanted to go to Vegas with a bunch of girlfriends. So, start saving your pennies. You have to be there since you're the maid of honor," Alice said. "Think of this job as your Vegas job."

"Fine," I said. "But, I need your help with Edward's party. You only turn thirty once."

"Done," she said.

The next couple of days were spent planning Edward's party in between me completely revamping and improving Alice's office in her shop. I loved the girl, but she was so unorganized when it came to her business. Alice decided to keep me on as a consultant from now on to help her. She paid really well and I got the satisfaction of cleaning and organizing.

After much deliberation, Edward's party was going to be a dinner party at our place. When I described the party I wanted, Alice agreed that a surprise party would be the best. I sent out invitations to some of his friends at work, Seth, Marcus, Eleazar and Felix in addition to his parents, Emmett and his now girlfriend, Angela.

A couple of days before Edward's birthday, I had my finalized guest list. Alice and Jasper along with Emmett and Angela were coming early to set up the apartment while I created a diversion for my boyfriend. Carlisle and Esme, along with Eleazar and his wife, Carmen, were coming for dinner. Marcus and his wife were unavailable. Felix never responded and Seth said he'd comeby later. I determined the menu, making it a buffet of finger foods and Edward's favorites set up in the kitchen. I'd have to hold off buying the food because then Edward would suspect something. I already asked Alice and Emmett to purchase the drinks and bring them when they arrived.

Now, Edward's birthday fell on a Friday, June 20th. I didn't want to have his birthday party on that day. So, Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle were taking him on his birthday so I could have an opportunity to go grocery shopping, using his car. The party wasscheduled for Saturday evening. I was taking Edward out for a late lunch and a movie while my minions were readying theapartment.

On Thursday before his birthday, Edward walked into our home, looking completely downtrodden. His eyes were sad and his shoulders slumped. Running over to him, I took his hands. "What's wrong?"

"We got the test results back on baby Ethan," Edward explained. "Paul is the baby's father. There's no doubt. However, when the police went to go arrest him. He was in the wind. Gone."

A/N: Do you really think that Paul's gone? Or do you think he's going to exact revenge? Leave me some!!