Picking up the Pieces

Chapter Nine

This story is dedicated to my friend, Pam, who recently lost her husband to cancer. She's a wonderful friend with a beautiful soul who didn't deserve losing her best friend to such a devastating and deadly disease. I love you, girl.

Not mine...Just sayin...

We're back to Bella next chapter. As stated before, this is going to be mainly in BPOV with a smattering of Edward.

Chapter Nine

BPOV

After John's birthday party, I was about to collapse. Exhaustion was washing over me like a wet, heavy blanket. So many things happened at that party and prior to it, as well. I had spring parent/teacher conferences the days leading up to spring break, which had started the Friday prior to the party; I had to finalize plans with Frank, the owner of the stables, for the party, find time to actually buy my son a gift, get food, drinks and goodies for the goody bags and bake John's favorite cake, funfetti cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. On top of all of that, I'd been having some pretty raunchy dreams, featuring Edward Cullen, severely cutting into my sleepy time.

Not that I was complaining.

And let me tell ya, 'Dream Edward' is one hell of a lover.

For the first time in my entire life, I had an orgasm from sleep sex.

Just wait until the real thing, Bella. You'll be quivering for days.

What. Was. That? Am I serious? We've yet to go on our first god damned date and I'm already planning when we have sex? Holy crap. Stop it, Bella.

I really am in the lonely and horny stage. Damn.

However, the weirdest occurrence was my father-in-law. He kept giving me secretive little glances and mumbling incoherently upon his arrival on Friday. I called him on it the morning of John's party. Billy had explained that he was also having dreams, featuring the man that Jake said would make me happy and would fill the void in my heart, complete my soul. When Billy said that, my heart stammered against my ribs. Could he be talking about Edward? Quietly, I asked him to describe his mystery dream man and I nearly fell off my chair when Billy described Edward perfectly.

Even down to his unruly bronze hair and golden-flecked green eyes.

I asked Billy to give me his interpretation of Edward since he was coming to John's birthday. They spoke during the party. I was anxious to hear what he had to say. I was also filled with fear and sadness that Billy would be upset at my willingness to move on. From the fact that Edward was still breathing and had asked me out, Billy seemed to have approved him, but I still wanted to know. I had to hear it from my father-in-law's mouth.

When we got home, John went upstairs, carrying his load of toys, books and clothes from his friends. Grace went to her room to take a nap since I had to give her a Benadryl due to allergies to hay. Billy guided me to the living room and smiled softly. "I saw you talking to Edward. He is an amazing man. Good heart. Strong mind. Loving soul," Billy said reverently. "I can tell that he cares about you a great deal. When you're in the same room together, you move like magnets, attracting each other."

"And you think that Edward was the man that Jacob chose for me?" I whispered.

"Without a doubt. Bella, Jacob loved you and he didn't want to leave you. He hated his illness and that there was nothing thatcould be done. However, he and I spoke at length about you when you were with the kids or running errands. With you being so young and having two young children, he didn't want you to be alone. Jacob, while saddened that he wouldn't be with you forever, wanted you to move on. To date. To not be alone. Seeing you with Edward and how he interacted with Grace and John, you were meant to be," Billy said, taking my hand. "With him. Is it forever? I don't know, but, Edward could be that man who puts on the path towards your new forever."