Shaky Ground Teaser

“I find this combined bachelor and bachelorette party to be distasteful, Rosalie,” said the snooty voice of Rosalie’s mother. Mrs. Hale, as she insisted to be called, was the epitome of a bitch. She was controlling and condescending, belittling Rose as often as possible, even over a screen since she hated the humid air of Pacific Northwest.

“Well, that’s why you’re not invited, Mom, nor is Lindsay. You get your over-the-top wedding and I’m getting my bachelorette party. I’m going with my friends, my bridesmaids,” Rose snapped as she scowled at her mother on FaceTime. “Look, I’m helping Bella move in with her boyfriend. Then, my phone will be off for the entire week I’m in Cabo.”

“So, uncouth,” Mrs. Hale growled, flipping her long, overly-styled hair.

“Just how I like it,” Rose cackled, hanging up the phone and shutting it off with a flourish. “Fuck me. My mother is going to be the death of me.”

“She’s in rare form. Pissed off from my little stunt, sis, no doubt, but seeing what you’re dealing with? It was fucking wise decision,” Jasper chuckled as he put down a heavy box. “Where do you want this, Bells?”

“Right here,” Bella answered, gesturing to the counter top. “And at least you’re talking to your mom, Rose. My mom only calls me when she wants money. She’s been permanently blocked from my phone, email and Facebook. With my dad, too. As far as I know, her lawyer is also done with her, too. She’s stuck in Iceland or something, deserted by her latest boy toy.”

“Doesn’t she learn?” Alice asked.

“Nope,” Bella replied, opening up the box that Jasper put on the counters and putting the glasses into the beautiful white cabinets in their new home, that was part of a new subdivision. It was a beautiful craftsman that had been built for some big-wig, but the sale fell through. So, the house was for sale and Edward and Bella fell in love with it. It was a perfect combination of their styles. It was contemporary, but warm and inviting with hard wood floors and rustic accents. Edward had moved in once his lease ended at his apartment in late March. Bella stayed in her apartment for another month and was finally settling into the house, despite working an insane number of hours, working for their week off for Emmett and Rose’s party in Cabo San Lucas.

They were very committed to each other, but there was still no ring on Bella’s finger, nor did it appear that there would be any time soon. They were happy ‘living in sin’ and navigating their blissful, loving relationship.

Rose was getting married in a month. The wedding was a three-ring circus, thanks to her mother and maid of honor. Rose was just showing up, wearing the monstrosity of a dress. Though, she probably wanted what her twin brother had done …

He had eloped.

Smart. Man.

Alice and Jasper had just gotten engaged on Halloween, which was Alice’s favorite holiday, and subsequently got married in a quickie wedding in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago over a long weekend. Jasper saw the hell that Rose was dealing with their mother and he didn’t want to deal with that bullshit. So, they flew out to Vegas with everyone on a weekend, celebrating their wedding on Valentine’s Day and then spending their honeymoon at the blackjack table.

As they worked, the doorbell rang. Edward ran down the stairs, yelling he’d answer it. Bella was grateful since she was sitting on the floor, organizing pots and pans since Edward was still hopeless in kitchen. The man was a wonderful doctor and fantastic administrator, having more responsibilities thrust upon him in the emergency department, for the hospital, but he could burn water.

Listening to the ruckus in their foyer, she heard the happy voices of Carlisle and Esme, along with Jake. Bella got up, clumsily, and with Alice’s help and she hugged her friends, smothering Jake with kisses. “You’ve grown another thirty million inches, Jakey! You’re going to be taller than me, soon,” she laughed. “You’re too young to be taller than me.”

“Aunt Bella, stop,” he laughed, wiping his face. “You’re slobbering on me. Does Uncle Edward like it when you slobber on him?”

“Very much, Jake,” Edward snickered, his arm sliding around Bella’s waist. He nuzzled her temple and smiled against her skin. “And there will come a time where you want the slobber of the person you love.”

“Sure, sure. Not now. Girls are gross,” Jake said, rolling his eyes. “You needed help with your wireless router?”

“It’s sad that I’m asking an eight-year-old for technological advice,” Edward snickered, wrinkling his nose distastefully. “Come on. The router is in the office, brat.”

“You love me,” Jake said smugly, slugging Edward in the arm.

He rubbed his arm, making a big show of his ‘injury.’ “Very much, punk,” Edward teased, following Jake up to the office with Carlisle in tow.

“Oh, Bella, this place is gorgeous,” Esme breathed, handing Bella a large basket, filled with high-end goodies. “I bet you’re happy to be settled.”

“Oh, yes,” Bella laughed. “Audrey’s abrupt departure from the PICU really jacked up our schedules. I understand her reason for leaving. A chief position at St. Joe’s down in Tampa is a great opportunity, but yeah … living out of boxes for six weeks? I’m about ready to kill someone, namely Edward or Audrey, but Edward’s the likely target since he’s closer than Tampa.”

“It fast-tracked your promotion to be an attending,” Esme said. “Congratulations!”

“And you’re in line to be the associate chief,” Alice chirped. “Or, so I’ve been told.” Alice and Jasper had moved down to Portland when the hospital Alice had been transferred to cut back on nurses and physician’s assistants. OHSU was hiring and they’d moved down to a suburb just outside of Portland, living in a tiny rental home for the time being. Alice worked in the PICU with Bella, knowing all of the gossip and loving every minute of it!

“I put my hat in the ring, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to get it,” Bella shrugged. “I’m still the low man on the totem pole. I’m only above the residents and new fellows who started a few months ago.”

“I beg to differ, Bella,” Esme shrugged.

“You know something,” Bella said, arching a brow. “Spill it, woman!”

“I can’t. But, I can tell you that the decision about who’s going to be replacing Audrey will be announced in a week, coinciding with our return from Cabo,” Esme said.