TLC - Chapter 5 - My Cup Overflows
Disclaimer: I don’t own Twilight or any of the characters. I am just living vicariously through them.
A/N: Although BPOV and EPOV looks like they might be identical, they aren’t in this chapter. There are some things thought and said by Edward that are not included in Bella’s point of view.
There are 771 people reading this story, but only 56 have been brave enough to review, favorite, or alert the story so you can get updates. That said, I’m calling on all readers to let me hear from you. I’m waiting…
Trust, Loyalty, Commitment
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5
Chapter 5 - TLC: My Cup Overflows
BPOV
When their laughter subsided over the roses mix-up, Bella was blown away by the real bomb James had just dropped on her. He. Liked. Her. Bella was engulfed by a mixture of emotions. She really didn’t know how to feel about his belated declaration. After his erstwhile confession about his painkiller addiction earlier, she now understood exactly why they had never connected. Bella was about to get out of the car, but James called to her softly.
“Bella?”
She turned to look at him and he took her hand in his. His blue eyes were serious again.
“Even if things don’t work out with Reformed Baptist and I don’t get to move to Tallahassee, I’d like to keep in touch with you, if that’s OK. I missed one opportunity to get to know you better. I don’t want to do that again.”
“James, I don’t…know.” Bella looked down at their interlocked hands. She was torn. Should she wait and hope to someday explore a relationship with Edward, who was unsure of his worth, or should she accept this man who didn’t seem afraid to bare his very soul to her.
“Are you involved with anyone right now?”
She looked up into his eyes again. “No, but to be honest, I just met someone that I like, but we’re not really… involved. It’s complicated.”
“No pressure, then. We can take it slow, see how things go. If he doesn’t man-up soon, it’ll be his loss. In the meantime, I’m gonna’ be pulling out all the stops, if you’ll let me.” His sincerity was touching.
“OK,” Bella acquiesced. Her face was so hot, she feared she might faint.
James brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “I promise not to ever make you regret that decision, Bella.”
James was the perfect gentleman; he gallantly opened the door for her, and wouldn’t allow her to carry any of the items she brought from the car. He carried the two Tupperware bowls full of cookies and the bottle of wine Bella had chosen to bring for the party afterwards. Alice swung the door open before Bella could ring the doorbell.
“Bella! I’m so glad you’re here.” Alice ushered them in and closed the door behind them. She looked expectantly to Bella for an introduction.
“Alice, this is James Hall. James, Alice Whitlock.”
“Nice to meet you, James.” Alice extended her hands to take the cookies from him.
“It’s very nice to meet you, too, Alice. Thanks for having me in your lovely home.”
“My husband, Jasper, is in the den, go on through and introduce yourself, I’m going to steal Bella away to help me in the kitchen. Jasper will show you where to put the wine.”
Bella helped Alice finish preparing the snacks and James helped Jasper set up a rather elaborate Bible Jeopardy game that Alice designed for the youth group’s gaming pleasure. When all the teens and pre-teens arrived, they had about 30 young guests who spent the first fifteen minutes devouring all the goodies Alice had prepared for them. For an icebreaker, Bella and Alice stuck cards to their foreheads on which the name of a person famous or infamous was written. The object was for them to partner up with someone, and through asking a series of probing questions, discover the name of the person written on their partner’s forehead.
The teenage girls were drawn to Jasper and James like bees to pollen and squabbled over who would partner with them. They were enamored with the two older blonde hotties in the room. Bella and Alice had to run interference. Finally, they all identified their people and they managed to get them settled in a less chaotic game of Bible Jeopardy, girls against guys. Jasper played the jeopardy jingle in the appropriate places on his guitar during the game. The girls won, but only by 100 jeopardy dollars. They each got a goody bag consisting of movie passes, iTunes dollars, and a gift certificate to Chick Fila; the boys were given a movie pass as a consolation prize. You would have thought they’d won the Powerball; the screams were deafening.
James led them in a couple of songs at Jasper’s request. He chose two Brandon Heath songs; “Give Me Your Eyes” and “I’m Not Who I Was.” The teens really seemed to like the songs and sang along happily without any prompting. He looked at Bella as he sang, “I’m Not Who I Was,” as if sending a message to her saying, please see me as I am now, not that jerk who didn’t have his act together a few years ago. Bella was moved by his song choice. She gave his hand a squeeze when he came back to sit next to her.
Jasper shared a little bit with them about the next meeting in two weeks which would involve a Scavenger Hunt. The kids were stoked and those who could drive left quickly, while the ones who were being picked up by parents trickled out. Bella, Alice and James did a hasty clean-up and began preparing for the second party. They heated hors d'ouevres and set out party plates and glassware. The last teen left at exactly ten minutes before the time designated for the party guests to arrive, so Jasper enlisted James to help with setting up the bar.
Alice was excited to finally have Bella alone in the kitchen again.
“You were in Atlanta with that fine specimen for four years and you never jumped his bones?” Alice was incredulous.
“No. Let’s just say the opportunity never presented itself. We were both in very different places then… Hey what happened to, ‘Bella you’re going to be with my cousin. I’ve seen it.’”
Alice smirked. “A little competition might just make Edward get his ass in gear.”
“Edward’s coming here, tonight?” Bella’s heart rate doubled.
“Yes.”
“And when were you going to tell me that?”
“Now.”
“You’re an evil little munchkin, Alice.”
Alice sighed dramatically. “I know, but you will thank me for this, eventually.”
“Is he coming with the skankster model?”
“Yeah, but she’s on the way out, trust me.” Alice took some trays out of the cabinet and set them on the island.
“If I hadn’t brought James here, then would you have invited me here to…what, be the third wheel and meet Edward’s girlfriend?”
“No, I would have asked him to come alone, duh.”
“Alice, this is going to look so…so contrived. James likes me and he’s a good Christian man. Maybe I should just give him a serious chance and forget about your cousin.”
“You can try. You do have free will, Bella. But what I’ve seen comes straight from the source. It is not subjective like the visions one might get from a mere fortune teller.”
“Then tell me, how long am I supposed to wait around for Edward to get his act together, if he ever does?”
Alice didn’t have a response.
“That’s what I thought.” Bella went back to the oven to check on the last pan of hors d’oeuvres. “These are ready.” She grabbed the oven mitts and pulled the pan out of the oven, slapping it agitatedly on the countertop.
Alice brought the party tray over with a wan smile, hugged her friend and together they silently transferred the hot hors d’oeuvres from the pan to the tray. The first party guests rang the doorbell and they finished the task and scurried to the living room to greet the guests.
~888~
The party turned out to be smaller than Bella expected, despite Alice’s preference for the large and elaborate. Emmett and Rosalie arrived first. Bella found Rosalie a lot less intimidating in her regular clothes than she had been in uniform, but she was gorgeous nonetheless. Bella wasn’t sure just yet how to take her. Emmett was a massively built brunette whose size was rather daunting, but he was really a teddy bear and immediately became the life of the party. Bella already liked him.
Mike and Jessica Newton were a young African American couple from Alice and Jasper’s church, rather quiet and studious looking, but very nice. Mike was an Administrator at Capital Regional Medical Center and Jessica was a Middle School Teacher. Jessica was impressed with the improvement the children at City of Hope had made in one year. Bella promised to share the curriculum with Jessica that she used with them.
Edward and Tanya arrived last. Bella was standing at the bar where James was pouring her a glass of wine, when Edward entered the room with Tanya in tow. Tanya was indeed a beautiful strawberry blonde who carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew they looked good and was eager to flaunt it. She wore a short white shift dress that accentuated her long tanned legs. Bella was almost certain that Rosalie was wearing the same dress. She wondered how that would play out tonight. Edward’s eyes narrowed infinitesimally when they met Bella’s, but he recovered smoothly and sauntered over, hands in pockets, a tiny muscle working in his jaw.
“Bella.” His velvety voice was cordial.
“Hello, Edward.” Bella returned his acknowledgement in the same tone. “I’d like you to meet James Hall, James this is Edward Cullen. Edward is the community liaison at the Center where I work.” She said this more for Tanya’s benefit than James’.
James offered his hand to Edward to shake over the bar. Edward took it albeit reluctantly. “I’m hearing good things about the work at the Center,” James said. “Thanks for keeping this beautiful lady safe.” He smiled, handing Bella her glass of wine, and commenced pouring a club soda for himself.
Bella smiled, willing herself stubbornly not to blush. Tanya was giving her the once-over, and she didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing her uncomfortable with a mere compliment.
Edward smirked. “That is one of my more pleasant duties.”
Tanya was livid that Bella seemed to be getting more attention than she was. She tugged petulantly on Edward’s arm, and he made a hurried introduction.
“Bella, James, this is Tanya Denali.”
“Hello, Tanya.” Bella said with what she hoped was a friendly smile.
“Nice to meet you.” James said almost at the same time.
Tanya curled her lips in a supercilious smile. “Hi. Are you bartending, James?”
“I’d be happy to pour you something, Tanya. What’ll it be?”
Tanya crowded in and Bella stepped back, catching the corner of her bottom lip by her teeth. James was taking Tanya’s order, so she turned to Edward.
She looked up into Edward’s green eyes. His brows were slightly furrowed, but it looked as if his eyes were boring questioningly into hers.
Bella decided to ask a question of her own. “So, how did it go today with Kwame and Marcus?”
Edward pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head briskly, his wild hair, tamed with product again, moving in a bit of a delay. He forced a smile. “Um…it went very well. They worked me out pretty thoroughly on the basketball court, and I taught them a few soccer fundamentals. We had a really good talk over lunch. I’ll…uh, fill you in on Monday?”
“Sure, what am I thinking, discussing work at a party. Alice wants us to have fun tonight.”
“That she does,” Edward’s tone was slightly acerbic.
James looked over at them. “Hey, Edward, can I get you anything?”
“Yeah, Dewar’s White Label, neat.”
“Coming right up.”
Tanya brandished her drink in one hand and walked back over to Edward, snaking her arm through his.
“Tanya,” Bella tried again at polite conversation. “I hear you’re a model. Are you working on a project right now?”
“You probably wouldn’t know it. I’m doing some work for House of Dereon. I’m not very familiar with them myself.”
“Actually, its Beyonce’s clothing line. She and her mother are design partners.”
“Wow, I had no idea. I thought she was just endorsing the line, or something.”
“Mrs. Knowles has made quite an improvement since those atrocious outfits she designed for Destiny’s Child, huh?” Bella chuckled.
“I know, right?” Tanya laughed.
James came around to the front of the bar and delivered Edward’s drink to him.
“Thanks,” Edward said tightly with a rather insincere smile.
Alice peeked into the room. “Come on into the Den, you guys. We’re about to play Couples Mad Gab.”
James, holding his club soda in his left hand, took Bella’s hand in his right, pulled her close to his side and wound his arm around her waist, “Let’s go show them how this is done.”
Edward looked like he could chew nails.
~888~
Bella and James entered the den and perched in a huge chair in the corner that seated them both comfortably. Rosalie was helping Alice set up the Mad Gab game when she looked up and saw Tanya and Edward taking a couple of cushioned dining chairs that had been brought into the room for the games. Once seated, Tanya looked over at Rosalie. They regarded one another malevolently across the room, eyes narrowed, senses heightened, looking like two cowboys at a high noon shootout in a Spaghetti Western. No one was brave enough to state the obvious to those two.
Emmett and Edward did the handshake and shoulder bump thing, sharing a mumbled joke and chuckling like they might have done while they were in high school. Alice introduced everyone who wasn’t introduced to the newcomers and they settled down for the game.
Mad Gab was a riot. Emmett and Rosalie came up with some of the most hilarious answers for the word jumbles, although invariably they were wrong. Mike and Jessica won, hands down. Bella and James came in a close second, followed by Alice and Jasper, Tanya and Edward, and finally Emmett and Rose. They refreshed drinks, ate finger food and mingled until the next activity, which Alice informed them would be “Couples Karaoke.”
“That gives us a snowball’s chance in hell to win any of these games, then. Right, babe?”
“Em, karaoke’s not really a game,” Rosalie said rolling her eyes.
“It will be if Alice decides to give points, god damn it.”
Rose glared at him. “Watch your French, babe. We’re in mixed company.”
“It’s OK Rosalie, contrary to popular belief; Christians' ears don’t bleed when they hear curse words. Like my Nana says, if god can’t stand a damn he isn’t worth one,” Bella quipped.
“Whoa, and this from the Pastor’s daughter,” Emmett guffawed.
“Nana just believes God is bigger than any curse word you can utter. She likes to think He probably has a few choice ones of His own.”
“Bella, your Nana sounds kinda’ twisted,” Emmett declared.
“My Nana is quite the force of nature.”
“Eh, my Dad worked on an Oil Rig in the Gulf before he became a Pastor.” James offered. “It was years before he got a handle on his cussin’. And he’s used some of it on me over the years, let me tell ya’.”
Bella was astonished. “I’ll never be able to look at your Dad again without cracking up.”
“I’ll tickle you or something, then. He won’t be any the wiser.” James’ words were laced with innuendo. The Swan blush invaded her cheeks. Bella smiled as she realized he was looking at her lips again.
“How sweet,” Rosalie said. “I can’t remember the last time Emmett made me blush like that.”
“Excuse me,” Bella turned hoping to quickly extricate herself from the unwanted attention and slammed right into Edward.
~888~
EPOV
Tanya made them run late as usual, and it pissed Edward off. She was always taking more time in front of the mirror, as if it would somehow magically transform her into something beyond what she already was. She was beautiful, but beyond that, there was not very much to keep him tethered to her for very long. She was shallow, vain, and high maintenance on overdrive, and he was tiring of her rapidly.
When they were halfway to Alice and Jasper’s, he had calmed down considerably and was really looking forward to hanging out with them tonight. He wondered if Bella would be there, but then remembered that Alice told him this was a couple’s thing, and Bella wasn’t coupled with anyone. Admittedly, he would love to be coupled with her, but knew it was impossible considering his current mental state. He would need to work through some major psychotherapy before he ever attempted to woo a girl like Bella, and he knew this. All week long he had worked with her at the Center and was becoming increasingly intrigued by her. She was smart, compassionate, extremely well-adjusted, kind to the point of selflessness, a very strong woman who didn’t take any shit, who loved music as much as he did, and was sexy as hell. In short she was his ideal, but he could fuck that up in a heartbeat.
He parked on the curb in front of the house and opened the door for Tanya. He wouldn’t let his chagrin with her for making them late make him less than the gentleman his mother taught him to be. Alice greeted them at the door.
“Cousin!” She rose on her tip-toes to hug him.
“Alice.” He smiled and gestured toward his date. “You remember Tanya?”
“Yes, thank you for coming, Tanya,” Alice was ever the gracious hostess.
“Thank you for having us,” Tanya threw Alice a pasted on smile.
“So, we’ve just been eating hors d’ouerves and mingling a bit until you guys got here. We’re going to start some games in a few minutes. Please, go on into the den and grab some drinks.”
“Great. This way, Tanya.” Edward gestured to the left. They walked the few feet through the foyer and down the hallway to the Den.
At the threshold, Edward stopped, his jaw dropping briefly. Bella. He made what he hoped was a quick recovery and fashioned his mouth into what he intended as a smile, but it contorted into a smirk. Bella was standing at the bar where a blonde guy wearing a metrosexual version of a “high and tight” haircut was pouring her a glass of wine. Edward’s eyes narrowed wondering if this was Bella’s date. He sauntered over nonchalantly stuffing his hands in pockets, as they were visibly shaking, a tiny muscle working in his jaw.
“Bella.” He addressed her as cordially as his nerves would allow.
“Hello, Edward.” Just her saying his name made him have to begin humming “Taps.”
She made introductions cordially. “I’d like you to meet James Hall, James this is Edward Cullen. Edward is the community liaison at the Center where I work.”
James offered a hand for him to shake over the bar. Edward briefly considered blowing him off, but that would smack of a lameness he was not ready to exhibit in front of Bella.
“I’m hearing good things about the work at the Center,” James said. “Thanks for keeping this beautiful lady safe.” He smiled, handed Bella her glass of wine, and poured a club soda for himself.
Bella smiled and there was a hint of a blush that didn’t quite make it to full-on. Tanya was eyeing Bella as if she was sizing up the competition.
Edward smirked and responded, “That is one of my more pleasant duties.”
Tanya looked like she could have shit a brick at that moment. She tugged petulantly on his arm, and he made a quick introduction.
“Bella, James, this is Tanya Denali.”
“Hello, Tanya.” Bella smiled like she wanted to be best friends with Tanya.
“Nice to meet you.” James said, looking like that bad guy from the movie, “Never Back Down.” Edward hoped he wasn’t as fucked up as that dude. Bella deserved better.
Tanya smiled condescendingly. “Hi. Are you bartending, James?”
“I’d be happy to pour you something, Tanya. What’ll it be?” The bastard seemed to be nice, anyway.
Tanya pushed her ass forward, causing Bella to have to step back. Bella worried her bottom lip with her teeth, and then turned to Edward.
She looked up into his eyes; her liquid brown pools were friendly, attempting to draw him in. Edward knit his brow slightly, and stared searchingly into her eyes.
“So, how did it go today with Kwame and Marcus?” Her question was polite and friendly.
Edward pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. He hoped his smile was genuine. “Um…it went very well. They worked me out pretty thoroughly on the basketball court, and I taught them a few soccer fundamentals. We had a really good talk over lunch. I’ll…uh, fill you in on Monday?”
“Sure, what am I thinking, discussing work at a party. Alice wants us to have fun tonight.”
“That she does,” Edward felt like he was being rude, but he couldn’t control himself.
James looked over and got Edward’s attention. “Hey, Edward, can I get you anything?”
“Yeah, Dewar’s White Label, neat.” To get through this night, he needed some serious fucking alcohol.
“Coming right up.”
Tanya, drink in hand, walked back over to Edward, and put her arm through his.
“Tanya,” Bella said. “I hear you’re a model. Are you working on a project right now?”
“You probably wouldn’t know it. I’m doing some work for House of Dereon. I’m not very familiar with them myself.”
“Actually, its Beyonce’s clothing line. She and her mother are design partners.” Tanya’s attempt at patronizing Bella backfired on her ass.
“Wow, I had no idea. I thought she was just endorsing the line, or something.”
“Mrs. Knowles has made quite an improvement since those atrocious outfits she designed for Destiny’s Child, huh?” Bella giggled.
“I know, right?” Tanya tried to play that shit off.
James brought Edward’s drink to him, abandoning his bartending duty.
“Thanks,” Edward said forcing his lips into a thin smile.
Alice poked her head in the door. “Come on into the Den, you guys. We’re about to play Couples Mad Gab.”
James, holding his club soda in his left hand, took Bella’s hand in his right, pulled her close to his side and wound his arm around her waist, “Let’s go show them how this is done.”
Edward saw red.
~888~
Edward watched as James led Bella to large cozy chair in the corner where they sat together, like they had been a couple forever. Rosalie and Alice were setting up the game. Edward noticed that Rose and Tanya were wearing the same dress. He and Tanya took a couple of cushioned dining chairs that were positioned around the room for the games. When they were seated, Tanya looked over at Rosalie, who was already giving her the stink eye. Tanya brandished her stink eye and they stared one another down for a few seconds. Edward acted oblivious. He did not want be the one to go there, and neither did anyone else in the room.
Emmett came over to greet them. When he shook Edward’s hand and leaned his shoulder in, he whispered into Edward’s ear so Tanya couldn’t hear. “Bella is smoking, bro. You’re a dick.”
Then Emmett mumbled loudly, “What the fuck is this Mad Gab Game your cousin’s got us playing?” They laughed.
“Just play the game, you cretin. Alice’s feelings might get hurt.” Edward waved at Rose, who pursed her lips, but her eyes were smiling. Alice introduced everyone who hadn’t been introduced to Edward and Tanya and they settled down for the game.
Mad Gab was interesting, but Edward kept stealing glances at Bella and her date; they were animated and immersed in the fun of playing the game. Emmett and Rosalie were like the funniest two of the three stooges; they were worse than bad. Mike and Jessica won and Bella and her date came in second, Alice and Jasper were third, Edward and Tanya were fourth, but he didn’t care, and Emmett and Rose were dead last. They refreshed drinks, ate finger food and mingled until the next activity, which Alice informed them would be “Couples Karaoke.”
Tanya attempted a private game with him, but Edward wasn’t in the mood. She made sure no one was looking and assaulted his neck with her tongue. Edward was watching Bella, Emmett, Rose and that Cam Gigandet-looking motherfucker as they talked in a little circle.
“That gives us a snowball’s chance in hell to win any of these games, then. Right, babe?”
“Em, karaoke’s not really a game,” Rosalie said rolling her eyes.
“It will be if Alice decides to give points, god damn it.”
Rose glared at him. “Watch your French, babe. We’re in mixed company.”
“Like my Nana used to say, if god can’t stand a damn he isn’t worth one.” Bella was always trying to put others at ease.
“Whoa, and this from the Pastor’s daughter.” Emmett was a dick.
“Nana just believes God is bigger than any curse word you can utter. She likes to think He probably has a few choice ones of His own.”
“Bella, your Nana sounds kinda’ twisted,” Emmett was still a dick.
“Eh, my Dad worked on an Oil Rig in the Gulf before he became a Pastor.” James was a dick that was trying too hard. “It was years before he got a handle on his cussin’. But don’t tell him I let you guys in on that little family secret.”
Bella was surprised by this tid bit of information. “I’ll never be able to look at your Dad again without cracking up.”
“I’ll tickle you or something, then. He won’t be any the wiser.” James’ feeble attempt at flirting was lamer than lame.
Edward felt like gagging himself. Bella was blushing, and Edward had enough. He slid Tanya off him gently. He had to get out of here.
“How sweet,” Rosalie said. “I can’t remember the last time Emmett made me blush like that.”
“Excuse me,” Bella turned trying to avoid the unwanted attention and slammed right into Edward.
Edward caught and steadied her. Her face was flushed, her eyes wide with embarrassment, but she looked ravishing. His body immediately responded to her. He held her a second longer than necessary, then gently stepped back, dropping his hands.
“Sorry,” Bella said sheepishly. “I was just going to see if Alice needed any help in the kitchen.”
“I’m going that way, too.” He motioned toward the door, and Bella walked through.
“Edward,” Tanya said, demanding his attention. “Bring me another drink, please.”
“Sure thing.” Edward followed Bella into the kitchen.
Alice wasn’t there, so Bella began transferring food from near empty trays and combining one to fill it up.
“Your date is quite beautiful,” she said, as he entered the room. “You guys look good together.”
“Your date seems like a real stand up kinda’ guy. Have you known him long?”
“I met James when I went to school in Atlanta. His Dad and my Dad went to Seminary together.”
“So, what? Did you two decide that a long distance relationship wouldn’t work out after you left Atlanta?”
“Not really, we didn’t date when I was in Atlanta. James was…we were not ready for a relationship then. We were just…friends.”
“And now he’s had a change of heart?”
“Why the third degree, Edward? You made it abundantly clear that you were in no position to be with me. I am simply moving on.”
“Bella, I just want you to be happy...”
“Then you and I are like-minded men,” James said from the door. He sauntered over to Bella smiling. “Can I help in here?”
Bella smiled back, “Sure, we should take these out so they can be eaten.”
Edward stalked to the bar in the den and poured himself a double.
~888~
A/N:
Brandon Heath is a contemporary Christian musician from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released two studio albums: Don't Get Comfortable (2006) and What If We (2008). He is best known for the number one hits "I'm Not Who I Was" and "Give Me Your Eyes". He was nominated four times at the Dove Awards of 2008 and won in the "New Artist of the Year" category. His second album was nominated for "Gospel Album of the Year" at the 51st Grammy Awards of 2009.
Mad Gab is a game created by Terry White in which there are at least two teams and 2 to 12 players. Each team has two minutes to sound out three puzzles. The puzzles, also known as mondegreens, contain small words that, when put together, make a word or phrase. For example, "These If Hill Wore" when pronounced quickly sounds like "The Civil War." There are 2 difficulties: easy and hard. The faster the puzzles are answered, the more points the players score. (Couple Mad Gab is Alice’s variation.)
Go to Chapter 6: The Music Never Ends