I had this idea pop into my head one day and I figured, what the heck...might as well do it.
So, in this one-shot we have Bella Swan, who is a Psychiatrist. And Edward Masen whose a surgeon. Emmett and Rosalie are in there too, and Alice and Jasper are minor characters; even though I love them.
Boredom is a disease, and I suffer from it...this is my therapy.
Disclaimer: I do not own this lovely characters, I just like putting them in random situations that only seem to work for them in my head.
Psych Consult
"Morning Dr. Swan!" Eugene the security guard at the front desk greeted me as I walked through the front doors.
"Good Morning, Eugene! You're looking very sharp today," I laughed looking at his typical security uniform attire that he wears every day. He winked at me as I signed in on the sign in chart and I then proceeded to walk towards the elevators waving goodbye as I walked.
Seattle Grace Hospital, my place of employment. I am a Psychologist in my 3rd year of practice, all of my peers and patients here at Seattle Grace make every day bearable and fun. I graduated with honours from the University of Washington's Psychology program and was offered a job at Seattle Grace immediately after graduating. Needless to say my father, Charlie, was thrilled that I would be able to stay close to home, well...Charlie's home of Forks, Washington; I seem to have numerous homes.
I moved to Forks from Phoenix my sophomore year of high school because my mother, Renee, got re-married and wanted to move to Florida with her new, baseball playing husband. I figured my present to Renee and Phil, my step-father, would be to give them their space in their new marriage, so I moved in with Charlie who was beyond thrilled.
Upon moving to Forks I befriended Mary Alice Brandon, although she goes by strictly Alice. Alice's family moved from Mississippi to Forks when Alice's father got transferred for a job, the summer before Alice's freshman year. Since Alice is a little on the eccentric side (she's not crazy, she's just...hyper) she had trouble making friends because they didn't know what to make of her. That was until I showed up sophomore year, and for some reason we just clicked and we've been best friends ever since.
Alice and I would sit by ourselves at lunch, just talking about nothing in particular or Alice trying to convince me to go on another shopping trip with her. Alice is a bit addicted to shopping, and is totally in her element once she's in a mall or department store. Alice is a little ball of pixie energy. If someone were to bottle Alice up they would probably end up with enough energy to fuel a thousand suns for a few life times.
It's pretty comical how completely opposite Alice and I are. Alice is outgoing, upbeat, fashion-forward and graceful. I, on the other hand, am shy, low key, a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of girl and klutzy to a fault.
I got into the elevator to take me up to the psych floor. I started digging through my gigantic purse—that I received for Christmas from Alice—for a granola bar, since I skipped breakfast due to me waking up late. I heard my phone buzzing and I immediately stopped my search for the granola bar. I grabbed the phone and read the caller id, Alice. Figures.
"Morning, Ali," I greeted, still looking for the damn granola bar.
"Good Mornin', Bells! The granola bar is in the front pocket." Knowing that Alice is usually freakishly right I opened the front pocket to find my missing granola bar.
"How do you do that, Ali?"
"I just know these things, Bella. Don't question the great, all knowing, Alice Brandon!"
I chucked and shook my head. "Noted. So, what's up buttercup?"
"I just thought I'd let you know that Emmett will be waiting for you at your office."
I groaned into the phone. Emmett Swan, my twin brother. Emmett decided when Renee and Phil got remarried he would stay a little longer in Florida with them, to give me some father-daughter alone time with Charlie. Emmett finally came to live with Charlie and me in Forks half way through sophomore year. Like Alice, Emmett is my polar opposite in many ways. He's loud, extremely friendly, obnoxious to the point of a brain tumour, athletic and massive. Some don't believe we are twins since I'm 5'4 and petite while Emmett is 6'3 and pure muscle. Thankfully we have the same colour brown eyes and brown hair, so the resemblance isn't completely lost.
Within 1 day of being at Forks High, Emmett was wanted by all the girls and every guy wanted to be his best friend. He also became the star player on basically every sports team Forks High had and was considered a high school hero for taking Forks to State Finals by himself so many times.
I love my brother, but he's extremely over protective of me (he's only 2 minutes older than me, but that has yet to stop him). He always grills the guys I date, claiming none of them are good enough for me, and making sure the flat Alice and I share is up to date on all the necessary security systems. Emmett claims that there are a lot of crazies in Seattle, and he only wants me to be safe. Emmett even roomed with me and Alice our second year at UW when we had to find our own housing, stating the only reason he was with us was because he loved us both and didn't want us to get involved in anything that was "morally wrong."
Emmett owns his own construction company, McCarty Construction, which he named after our Grandma whose maiden name was McCarty (Renee's mother). Emmett's company is basically rolling in money from all the construction jobs he's doing all over Washington State and Oregon. Emmett's company was even asked to build the new Cardiac Wing of Seattle Grace a couple months ago; which gives him annoying excuses to drop by at work and check up on me.
Because of Emmett's new found fortune he's always trying to convince me to let him buy me a new car, as if my Pontiac Wave is a shitty car, I only need to go from my flat to the hospital...I don't need a decent car, just one that works and is reliable. Emmett bought Charlie a new Camero for Christmas this year, which he got shipped in from god knows where from his ridiculous connections. I bought Charlie a fucking dress shirt—it was embarrassing day for me at the Swan residence on Christmas day, that's for sure.
"Ugh, what does he want now?" I asked Alice while taking a bite of my granola.
"Um, well when he called me, and wanted to know 'bout that date you went on a couple weeks ago. When I wouldn't give him any details he decided to go straight to the source—sorry."
I groaned again, I went on a date a week ago with a co-worker, one of the computer tech's, Eric, and nothing came from it...we didn't really connect. Of course Em would make a big deal about it, as is his usual big brother bear nature.
"Great." I muttered. "Elevator is almost at my floor, Al. See you at home later."
"Later, sugar. Have a good day!"
"You too, Al, go shop some serious carbs off!"
Alice laughed and agreed she would do her best, since being a professional shopper is her job. She is also in the process of starting her own clothing line which she hopes to sell to some of her clients; I'm her living breathing mannequin, tragically. Bella Barbie, my dreadful alter ego.
The elevator opened up and I didn't notice Em's gigantic form anywhere so I figured I was in the clear for now. I noticed a man sitting in the one of the chairs outside the psych offices, his head was in his hands and all I could see was his copper hair that was standing up at random places. I couldn't see his face, but I had a feeling that I had seen that head of hair somewhere before.
I'm sure I've seen that hair somewhere, but where?
"Morning, Dr. Swan!" Kate our receptionist/secretary greeted from her command post—as she likes to call it.
"Good morning, Kate! Got any good news for me today?"
"Why yes, I have good news and very good news!" Kate said smiling as I signed some charts she handed me that I forgot to sign last night before I left.
"Well, don't leave me hanging, woman! Give me some very good news! I woke up late this morning and had to skip on breakfast."
"Ah, that explains the granola bar!" Kate gave me a knowing grin; she has a box of granola bars stashed in her desk that she gives me from time to time.
I laughed quietly. "Indeed. So, news?"
"Okay, your very good news, your 9 o'clock appointment is here. Dr. Masen?" Kate looked over to the sitting area and the copper haired man stood up with a crooked smile at Kate. Now that I could finally see his face I couldn't look away. He had the most piercing green eyes I had ever seen, his jaw line was so defined I felt my stomach tense, and he had the face of a Greek God, I could only imagine the fit state his body is in underneath his jeans and a hoddie combination. I knew I recognized him from somewhere, he's a surgeon and I saw him at the annual Christmas party, although we never got the chance to talk. He was too busy drinking with the nurses at the bar.
"Dr. Swan, this is Dr. Masen," Kate introduced when he reached the front desk.
I stuck out my hand for him to shake. "Good Morning, Dr. Masen, I hope you're happy to know my very good news for this morning."
He shook my hand and chucked. "Things are looking up for me then, huh? And please, call me Edward."
"Bella," I said nodding my head, smiling, trying my hardest to avoid the electric tingle on my hand from where he touched me. He seemed to notice too because his eyes were looking directly into mine with an intrigued gleam in his eye.
"Okay, there's one piece of news," I said smiling at Kate. "What's the just good news?"
"Oh well—"
"BELLS!" A voice boomed from behind me, cutting off Kate.
"Kate," I whisper yelled. "Please tell me that isn't Emmett calling me."
She grinned and nodded her head sadly, "That was your good news, Bella." I turned to see Edward giving me a curious glance; I shot him an apologetic smile.
"Good morning, Em—" Before I could finish my greeting I was being lifted up into one of Emmett's signature bear hugs.
"I've missed you, Bella."
"Emmett, you damn dirty ape, you saw me last week! Now put me down!"
Emmett laughed and put me down back on my feet and kissed my forehead. I straightened out my pencil skirt and blouse.
"Eddie! My man! How's things?" Emmett pulled Edward into a man-hug; Edward grinned and patted Emmett on the shoulder.
What the hell?! They know each other?! "You two know each other?"
"Yeah, Eddie is Rosie's cousin."
Ah yes, the dreaded Rosalie. Emmett's mega-bitch of a girlfriend who basically hates my guts. I don't know why, but she does and it's annoying as hell; I've tried to ask Emmett what her deal is but he says he has no idea what I'm talking about and that his precious 'Rosie' loves me like a sister.
Earth to Twin, the bitch hates the ground I walk on!
The worst was when she started kissing my dad's ass at Christmas, deliberately, right in front of my face! And then she had the tenacity to ask Charlie to consider her his second daughter. I wanted to rip the bitch's blonde extensions right out of her head but I knew Emmett wouldn't appreciate that kind of behaviour.
---Flashback---
I was sitting with Charlie on his couch on Christmas Eve; we were watching A Year without a Santa Claus, one of my favourite movies to watch whenever it's on TV. We just finished the dinner I made and left some for Emmett to reheat whenever he finally made it into Forks. Apparently he had some last minute meetings this afternoon, so he would be leaving Seattle later then he intended initially.
"Has Em called yet, dad?" I asked not looking away from the TV screen as Charlie read the paper.
"Nope," Charlie replied. He's never been a man of many words, but since he's already distracted he talks even less. I was about to make another comment when I could see headlights shine through the front window.
"That's probably him," Charlie said, putting down his paper to greet Emmett at the door.
I stayed sitting on the couch, not worried about it since it was only Emmett and Charlie would tell him about the food that was left for him. I decided to tune out the conversation that was going on in the hall and just watched the movie. Until I heard a third voice and I knew that fucking voice. Emmett wouldn't dare bring her here, would he?I started hyperventilating; thinking that if I beat the shit out of Rosalie in front of Emmett and Charlie they would both defiantly put me on their shit lists. I tried to focus my rage and agitation towards the singing claymation figures dancing on Charlie's plasma screen. (A birthday gift from Emmett. I'm a psychologist for fuck's sake and I haven't even thought about spoiling my father with the money I have made. I'm a pretty shitty daughter if you ask me.)
'It was a year without a Santa Claus,
The worst we've ever had!'
"A Year without a Santa Claus!? Yes! This movie is a classic!" Emmett boomed from behind me. I didn't turn to look at him; I kept my focus on the screen. Fucking Rosalie. I felt the couch sink beside me and Emmett's freakishly large arm went around my shoulders. "Hey Bella, Merry Christmas!" He kissed my temple in a brotherly love gesture. I could have sworn I heard an intake of breath from behind me. I smirked and turned to look at him.
"Hey, Em. Merry Christmas to you too!" I kissed his cheek and gave him a hug. I turned back to the TV; acting to be none the wiser that she was in my house.
"Um, Bells—" Emmett started and I knew he was going to make a comment about Rosalie being here. I decided to cut him off and make it clear I couldn't care less.
"I left you some food in the kitchen. Just pasta noodles and some sauce, you can heat it all up in the microwave. If you want I will make you some garlic bread in a minute."
"Uh," Emmett was clearly confused since I knew Charlie probably already mentioned this to him, but I didn't want to start talking about Satan right now, I was holding off the inevitable it seemed. "Yeah, thanks B. But look I—"
"Emmett, I love you, but shut the hell up—the movie is on." I had to hold back a laugh because I knew Emmett and Rosalie were probably getting frustrated, I didn't know if Charlie was in the room but I had a feeling that he would either be impressed by my newly discovered evasive nature or unimpressed by my sudden immaturity.
"Bella, Rosalie decided to spend Christmas with us. Isn't that great?" Emmett said squeezing my shoulders again, trying to make me look away from the screen.
I turned around and saw Rosalie standing in her perfect model glory, complete with a skin tight red v-neck sweater and a short black mini skirt. I had to refrain from rolling my eyes. Dressing up like a whore to impress the boyfriend's father, way to be a classy lady Rosalie. She had her arms crossed over her chest and was leaning up against the doorway, trying not to scowl.
"Oh, hey, Rosalie! I didn't know you were coming, what a surprise. Merry Christmas!" I said, feigning shock. I could smell her nasty perfume from miles away if someone asked me to. "Now, if you would excuse me...there seem to be a few claymation children who are very sad about not having a Santa Claus on the TV screen." I turned back around to face the TV screen. I saw Emmett nod his head towards the open seat on the couch beside me and I heard Rosalie shuffle behind me.
You have got to be kidding me.
The other side of the couch dipped and I could see Rosalie's perfect blonde hair in my peripherals. I immediately tensed, and Emmett felt it. He started rubbing my shoulders to calm me down.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Bella. I didn't realize you still watched these kinds of movies," Rosalie said, trying her hardest not to sound unimpressed or bitchy. She wasn't trying hard enough it seemed because she was looking at her manicured nails as she said it.
"Yeah, well, Emmett and I have watched this movie every Christmas since we were little kids. Sue me for keeping up a tradition." I smirked at my pun, stupid Rosalie Hale is a lawyer for some big ass firm in Seattle. Emmett likes to brag that he's got a lawyer for a girlfriend, a doctor for a sister and a cop for a father and that he should have been a fireman and things would have been all set. I don't really get the way his brain works, I've tried, done numerous studies, but no matter how much is psycho-analyze he makes no sense to me.
"Bella," Emmett warned.
"What? I'm just telling her about our tradition; sorry if you don't think my sense of humour is funny."
Emmett grumbled something about food and left the room. Leaving me and Satan to hash it out probably. Thanks for nothing, Twin. I was sending prayers up to the heavens for Charlie to come in and save me.
When in doubt...continue to watch the TV.
'I'll have a blue Christmas without you,
I'll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't be the same dear, if you're not here with me.'
Damn you sad Christmas songs! I'm already in a crappy mood!
"What the fuck is your deal, Bella?" Rosalie hissed.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm making an effort here."
I laughed humourlessly, still staring at the screen. "Doesn't really look like it."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I'm not going to waste my breath explaining to it to you, Rosalie. I'm on my Christmas vacation and I really don't want to deal with your shit right now."
"Me and Emmett are together, why can't you accept that?"
I looked over at her like she grew a second head. "You're kidding right? You seriously think I care about you and Emmett being together? I'm his twin sister not his mother, it's not my place to give a shit. What I don't accept is your natural bitchy nature and why you hate me for no apparent reason."
"Oh, so now I'm the bitch? What about you, Bella?"
"Excuse me?" I fumed. This bitch is mad crazy. "Do you remember when Emmett invited you over for dinner at my flat and you made those not-so-subtle remarks about how crappy my flat was, or how horrendous the art work in it was? Want to know something really funny, Rosalie? Alice fucking painted those art pieces in college, so get your head out of your fucking ass and grow some goddamn feelings! You're the bitch, not me!"
I got off the couch leaving Rosalie slack jawed and surprised. Serves her right; I have been holding that in since that day Emmett convinced me to make dinner for him and his new girlfriend. That was 5 months ago and I was just letting her know now. But honestly, even Alice hates her! Alice loves everyone; she's one of the friendliest people on the goddamn planet! Why Emmett doesn't realize this, I have no idea. I didn't realize I was crying stupid frustrated, angry tears till Emmett stopped me before I could run to my car and drive around Forks to clear my head.
"Bella? What's wrong?" Emmett asked, clearly concerned. He shot a glance at Rosalie and looked back at me. "What happened?"
"Nothing, I called her out on her shit, end of story. I'm going out driving...I'll be back." I wiped my face and slammed the front door behind me.
With that I left Emmett slack jawed too and proceeded to drive around Forks to get my mind clear of the anger I felt over Rosalie. We didn't interact at all during the rest of the Christmas holidays and I could tell Emmett was upset about us not getting along. I felt a little guilty, but I wasn't going to do anything about it—I told Em how I felt about Rosalie, he just chose to ignore it.
The next day, Christmas day, I walked into Rosalie trying to convince Charlie to about Rosalie being Charlie's "second daughter". I saw red and immediately knew that Rosalie Hale is the spawn of Satan, sent to destroy me and my family. That was a fun conversation, to say the least.
It's been 3 months since Christmas and I still haven't said a word to Rosalie. Thank god for small miracles.
---End Flashback---
"Oh, small world," I said trying my hardest to hold back a grimace at Emmett's statement.
For the love of god, please tell me Edward isn't like his bitch of a cousin.
"So you two are brother and sister?" Edward inquired.
"Twins," Emmett and I said at the same time; getting a chuckle out of Edward and a giggle out of Kate.
"Do you have like mental Twin powers?" Edward asked smiling.
I looked up at Emmett who was looking down at me. "Well, kind of...I guess?"
I rolled my eyes at Emmett's statement.
I turned my attention to Edward. "We've had these freaky occurrences where I've hurt myself somehow out of my natural klutziness and Emmett feels pain too—he automatically calls me whenever that happens. One time I fell and broke my wrist at a friend's house in college and Em felt a sharp pain in his wrist suddenly, he called me up on my cell and found out I broke my wrist. He rushed over to get me and take me to the hospital; he's better than dialling 9-1-1."
Emmett, Edward and Kate all laughed while I smiled. Sure, Emmett can be an annoying over bearing brother who feels the unnecessary need to save me from basically everything, but he's still my brother, my twin, and that almost gives him a free pass on all the annoying shit he's pulled on my over the years.
Most of the time; Rosalie doesn't count.
"So what can I help you with, Emmett?" I knew he wanted to know about Eric, so I figured I would give him an opening.
"Well I just wanted to know a few things. One, I heard from Alice that you went on a date last week and two, will you please have dinner with me and Rosie tonight?"
I groaned and propped myself up against the front test to get a better look at Emmett's giant form. "One, yes I went on onedate; that was it. No sparks, no nothing, so you can switch off of brother bear mode. Two, I have...uh...plans tonight." A lie, but there is no way I am spending time with Rosalie the Queen of Bitchtopia.
"Bella," Emmett whined. "Please, just this once? She wants to make it up to you after what happened at Christmas."
I saw Edward send me a confused glance and then send Emmett another out of the corner of my eye.
"Emmett, can we discuss this later, or never?" I pleaded.
I left the boys and walked towards my office. I put my purse away inside a drawer of my desk and turned on my computer. I heard the door squeak open, both Emmett and Edward sauntered into my office.
"I understand why Edward is in here but why are you here, Em?"
Emmett was too busy looking at the pictures on my wall to hear what I was saying; I motioned for Edward to sit down in a chair in front of my desk. He smiled, nodded and sat down.
"Emmett? Earth to Emmett! Hello, what are you looking at?" I called as I sat in my desk chair looking over my schedule on my computer.
A pretty light day, thank god.
"I was just wondering why you don't have any pictures of me and Rosie on your wall; you have one of Angela and Ben?"
I looked away from my computer screen, grabbed my glasses off my desk and got a better look at Emmett. I forgot my glasses here so I was basically walking and driving around partially blind. Stupid Alice "accidentally" used my contacts instead of hers and forgot where she put them; so I also had to leave this morning without contacts or glasses. Sometimes I think she wants me to get into an accident and die.
"I have a picture of Ange and Ben because they are my friends. I don't have one of you and Rosalie because a) you've never given me one, b) I would never put it up in the first place and c) that's a freakishly awkward request, Emmett."
Emmett groaned and started massaging his temples. "For a shrink you're so confusing."
"For a twin brother you're very dim-witted. Now get out of my office you giant ape, I'll call you and we'll have lunch later, okay?"
"Fine," he grumbled. "I'll talk to you later, Eddie. Sorry about her, I think she was adopted."
I laughed humourlessly, "I believe everyone told me that about you in high school Em, have a good day. I will see you later."
"Bye Bells. Love yah."
"Love you too, you ogre."
I sighed and pulled Edward's file out of the pile Kate left on my desk. "Sorry about that, Edward. Emmett doesn't know when to shut up and realize his brain filter is broken."
Edward chucked and started paying very close attention to his hands. "It's cool, Emmett's a good guy."
"Hmm, yeah I guess so." I started reading over his file as a distraction from all the Emmett talk.
'Dr. Edward Anthony Masen. Age: 27. DOB: June 20th, 1982.
Psych Consult needed, Post-traumatic Stress after the killing of a patient: Miss Breanne "Bree" Michaels.
Cause of Death: Appendectomy complications.
Dr. Masen stopped coming in for shifts, arrived late for shifts, and was extremely morose and temperamental around and to fellow Surgical Staff.
Dr. Masen has been given 6 months paid leave to get over issues. During his 6 months it was highly recommended that he seek Therapy, and he agreed to do so.
Psych Consult recommendation by: Dr. Carlisle Cullen.'
I read his file over twice. I have seen this numerous times from different doctors in the hospital, the death of a patient causes a lot of mental stress for some doctors. Some can handle it, while others cannot. I have seen some doctors be fine with one death but completely distraught about another. Each person is different and people deal with stress differently.
It's time for Dr. Swan to do her thing.
"So, Edward, do you want to tell me why you're here today?" I asked, grabbing out my trusty note pad and pen.
Edward sighed and leaned his head back against the seat. "You read my file, you know why, why are you asking me?"
Hmm, he clearly doesn't want to be here.
"Because I will get a better understanding of what you think about being in therapy than your file will ever tell me. So, why are you here today?"
"I killed a patient."
"Was it directly your fault?"
Edward looked instantly uncomfortable; I made a note of his posture and body language. "Mostly, yes."
"Mostly?" I asked, picking up the key word in his answer.
Edward lifted his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger; he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. "Bella...Dr. Swan, I know this probably sounds horrible but...I think I'm going to need a different therapist.
Jerk says what?
Sure I've had patients not like my style of therapy and they've quit on me and rearranged for a different therapist; but that was after the entire session! This is probably about Emmett and Rosalie.
I put my pen down, grabbed his file, stood up and walked towards my office door. "It's not a problem, Dr. Masen. It's something we get used to here in Psych. I'll talk to Kate about getting you a different therapist. Shall we?" I opened the door and motioned for him to go forwards. He didn't make any move to leave, instead stood looking at me with sorrow in his eyes.
"Bella..." He said his voice clearly sad. Why is he sad? "I don't want to come off as rude, I just...I just think it would better this way."
"Its okay, Edward...you don't have to explain to me. It's you have rights to choose who you want your therapist to be." Doesn't mean you're any less of a jerk. A totally sexy jerk, albeit. But a jerk none the less. And a jerk related to Rosalie! It must be genetic. "Let's go find you a new therapist, shall we?" I joked, trying to lighten the tense mood that could be felt between us.
"Of course," Edward mumbled, leaving the room hanging his head.
"Done so soon?" Kate inquired.
"Kate, can you find Dr. Masen here a new therapist, please. Perhaps Dr. Franklin?" She nodded and turned to her computer to do whatever magic she does on that thing. "Dr. Franklin is head of the department; I know he'll be happy to take you as a patient." I said turning to smile politely at Edward.
I handed Kate Edward's file and signed whatever sheet she put in front of me; I wasn't really paying attention.
"Will I see you tonight?" Edward asked suddenly.
What the hell? Did I miss a conversation or something?
Kate looked confused and I could only imagine what my face looked like. "Uh," I said, at a loss for words.
"To dinner with Emmett and Rosalie, I got invited too," he clarified, giving me an apologetic smile.
Ah! Yes, Emmett did mention something about a dinner. Good lord, Emmett, Rosalie and Edward all at one dinner—that shit could either be hilarious or horrible.
Rosalie's a bitch, no doubt about it. But what if she's in a situation in public! With a fellow family member! With Emmett right there so she can't be her usual medusa self to me when Emmett isn't around! Hmm, this could be interesting. If anything it could be considered a research dinner; to try to figure out the fucked up puzzle that is Rosalie Hale's bitchy brain. Not to mention I'll get to see Edward out of his element; and it won't be awkward since I'm not his therapist anymore!
Score a point for Swan!
"Um, yeah, maybe? I'll talk to Emmett about it at lunch," I said, feigning lack of interest. "Have a good day, Dr. Masen. Maybe I will see you at dinner later tonight!" I said waving before turning around, back to my office.
"Goodbye, Dr. Swan," Edward's velvet voice said behind me.
I smiled over my shoulder and shut my door. I slumped into my chair letting out a deep breath. I ripped off the page of notes I made from my two minutes with Edward Masen, crumpled it into a ball and threw it in the garbage.
I sighed and started reading my e-mails to pass the time till my next patient.
Well, that was a great start to a morning.
***
E POV
Fuck.
I hate my life sometimes. Seriously, who did I murder in a past life to deserve this shit?
First, I see the woman of my dreams at the faculty Christmas party, to which I find out that her name is Isabella Swan and that she's a Psychiatrist with honours from the University of Washington—through a very reliable and gossipy source of a drunken nurse named Jessica Stanley, thank you very much. Apparently Isabella's brother is none other than my good buddy Emmett Swan; the man who is dating my bitch of a cousin, Rosalie Hale and whose company is going to be building the new cardiac wing of the hospital. Huh, it is a small world after all.
Second, I finally get the nerve to go over and talk to the lovely Isabella to find that she's gone. Vanished like fucking Cinderella without so much as a glass slipper.
Third, ever since that dreaded (depending on your point of view) Christmas party all I can think and dream about is Isabella and that beautiful blue dress she was wearing. Not to mention her brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, cute button nose, that adorable blush she had the entire night, and her apparent unease of being in a room with so many people while wearing a dress. She's one of a kind.
Basically, she's the girl of my dreams and I've never even talked to her. Yeah, that's not creepy at all, Edward. Sure I've heard stories of Bella through Emmett, so clearly Isabella prefers to shorten her name to Bella. Emmett isn't useful for a lot of information unfortunately, useless facts about her childhood and her life in college; nothing concrete about who she is now.
Rosalie hates her with a passion that could destroy a thousand suns, so Bella must be amazing. Rosalie only hates that hard if someone is considered a threat or she's secretly jealous of them. With the girl being Emmett's sister she probably has the upper hand on Rose; Bella sounds better by the second.
Work becomes unbearable, as soon as I see blue I think of her and her blue dress. The goddamn scrubs I wear are blue and it's fucking up my game in surgery. I don't know what happened, but a simple appendectomy went wrong somewhere and it was entirely my fault. The Chief of Surgery, Carlisle Cullen claims it wasn't just a simple mistake and freak accident that sometimes happens during surgeries. Fucking bleeders. Needless to say, I freaked the fuck out. I tried everything to get her out of my head, and I do mean everything. It was basically the lowest point in my life; I'm ashamed of what I had to do to achieve nothing. Still, the girl haunts my dreams.
I guess I snapped on someone at work one day, I don't fucking remember I wasn't really all there. So then Carlisle tells me to take some time off and go to therapy. Pshh, like that will work. But I didn't argue, pleased to have the time off to get my shit together.
Imagine to my surprise/horror that I find out Dr. Isabella Swan is now my therapist. Ah, irony in its greatest form. Fuck you universe! Or should I say thank you? I don't know. Either way Isabella is as beautiful as the day I saw her at the Christmas party. And I actually got to hear her voice, and find out what she smells like; freesia and strawberries—fuckin' eh!
Then Emmett shows up out of the blue, clearly surprising and embarrassing Dr. Swan. She even shot me an apologetic smile, that's how embarrassed she is by her brother. I decide to play the unknowing somewhat friend of Emmett and not realize that they are Twins; when I already knew. Last thing I need is to have Isabella thinking I have stalkerish tendencies. Emmett makes mention about some date Isabella goes on and I immediately tense, but she eases my mind when she claims there was only one date and nothing more.
Phew, dodged that bullet.
Isabella invites me into her office and I immediately realize that her being my therapist is the single worst idea known to mankind. There is no way anything productive is going to come from this. Having her talk to me, be around me, is only going to mess me up further. Not to mention she looks hot as hell with those glasses she puts one once she sits down.
Yeah, that's not going to help at all.
After Emmett leaves and Isabella promises to have lunch with him later, she starts the session and after about 3 questions I end it. I can't even answer a question without wanting to jump over her damn desk and attack her face with kisses because her voice is my fucking swan song.
Ha! And her last name is Swan, figures.
So I bail, she's probably pissed, but I hope to God that Emmett can convince her to come to this damn dinner that Rosalie and Emmett are dragging me to. It could be a little more bearable with Bella there, plus it could be fun to watch Rosalie squirm—especially since she's, what did Emmett say? 'Making up for Christmas'? Something big must have happened because Rosalie doesn't make anything up, to anyone. So yeah, dinner with Bella could be awesome. Fingers crossed she shows up, especially after the shit I just pulled. She's probably really pissed off at Dr. Douchebag me.
So now I have like...5 more hours to do absolutely nothing and wait for this blasted dinner to see if Bella will show up. C'mon, universe! You owe me one!
I suddenly heard my cell go off on my coffee table beside me, breaking me out of the nice little day dream I was having about Isabella.
"Hello?" I grumbled into my phone with a raspy, sleepy voice.
"Ed! What the fuck, man?" Emmett, dammit. His twin must have blabbed.
"What's up, Em?"
He sighed into the phone, probably pissed at my deflecting. "Why the hell did you drop Bella as your therapist, man? She thought she did something wrong."
It was my turn to sigh. Yep, I'm an asshole. "It wasn't her fault Em, really. I just...I don't know, man. It's fucking hard to explain, okay?"
"Dude, she's my fucking twin...if you've got a beef with her or some shit, tell me!"
"Emmett, I don't have a problem with her. It's complicated, man."
"You like her, don't you."
Whoa! Emmett fucking Swan comes right out with it.
"Uh...I...um, uh," I stuttered like an idiot.
"Ha-ha! Ed, my man! This is awesome! You and Bells would be great together! That's why you dumped her as your shrink right, because it would have been too distracting? Oh shit, Rosie is going to flip. Man, want me to help you? Like wingman style? She is my sister after all. But actually, if you fucking hurt her I'll end you—got it?"
I took a deep breath to try to come up with an answer for Emmett's giant epiphany rant.
"Em, I won't hurt her—you know me. I don't want help; she probably won't even want me after what a dick I was earlier this morning. And you cannot tell Rosalie, she doesn't like Bella enough as it is. Things will work out on their own, Em. Just leave 'em, be."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say yah hippie! I'm telling Rosie, god knows I can't keep a secret anyways. I'll try to calm her down, for some reason Bells and Rosie hate each other, I don't get it. But it should be interesting to see them together at dinner tonight."
What's this? Bella is coming to dinner? Hallelujah! I think I might start going to church again! Thank you lord!
"Oh, Bella will be at dinner tonight? That should be interesting." I tried to sound like I didn't really care but it came out more like an excited teenage boy who just found out his crush was talking about him. I'm so pathetic.
Emmett laughed and I could almost see him shaking his head at me. "Yeah, she agreed to come. I was surprised, what with the shit you pulled this morning and Rosalie's deal over Christmas I never thought she would come—but she said she was excited for it, so who knows. Maybe she's seen the light?"
"Yeah, maybe? So...uh...what happened between her and Rose anyway? If you don't mind me asking."
Emmett sighed and I leaned back on my couch, knowing full well this story could be epic. Might as well make myself comfy, right? Right.
"Might as well tell you...you're gonna have to know this shit for tonight. Alright," he took a deep breath. "So I started dating Rosie, I don't know how long ago and the first person I wanted her to meet was Bella. She's my twin after all, her opinion of the girls I date matters to me, you know? Anyways, I convinced Bella and Alice—who's Bella's best friend and flatmate—to have a dinner with me and Rosalie. Bella said whatever, and she even said she would cook her famous Lasagna for us. So I gave Rosie the run down on Bella, that she's my Twin sister, my best friend, she's a shrink at SGH and that her option matters to me. Rosie seemed to accept that and was excited to meet Bella." He suddenly laughed a humourless laugh.
"Didn't work out that well?" I guessed.
"No, not really. You have to understand, Bella won't put up with people walking all over her or who disrespect her friends or family. Rosie's the same way, and put them together and it's just bad news. They totally clash. So, I bring Rosie over to Bella and Alice's and I give her a tour since I already know the place by heart. Anyways, Alice graduated from U Dub with a degree in Art and she's a fashion designer now, so she had a bunch of her old art pieces from University hanging on the walls of the flat. Rosie didn't know this and made a comment about one of them being 'hideous' or something and Bella just so happened to walk into the room at that moment."
"Oh, shit."
"Yeah, no kidding. Bella, surprisingly, didn't say anything but I saw the look in her eyes. She was pissed. The entire night was awkward and tense. I don't think Bella told Alice what she heard because Alice was trying really hard to make a conversation happen, but Bella wasn't having it. She kept on glaring at Rosie as she talked to Alice. I pulled Bella aside discreetly trying to get her to calm down and get to know Rosie; I mean she's not that bad right?"
Uh, yeah Em she really is. Is what I wanted to say. "Rose is alright, once you get to know her." A little white lie, plus I can't go bad mouthing my cousin to her boyfriend; that's just not kosher.
"Exactly, but Bella wouldn't give her the time of day. Saying how she was a hateful bitch who only thinks about herself and was surprised she even had enough compassion to keep up a relationship with me." Well put Dr. Swan. "Honestly when she told me this it went in one ear and out the other. Bella didn't know the real Rose so I just let her opinion slide. Anyways, things didn't start off great between the two of them. Then I invited Rose to come home with me for Christmas, where I knew full well Bella would be. Rose said she was going to try to fix things with Bella."
He sighed again, I could tell he was getting to the point that Rosalie was trying to make up for with this dinner tonight.
"Bella is stubborn, extremely stubborn. So once she saw Rose in our Dad's house she was not impressed. I tried to diffuse the situation once I got there, but I figured leaving them be would be the best way for them to sort out their issues. So I left Bella and Rose alone on the couch while Bella was watching TV, not paying any attention to the fact that Rosie was sitting right beside her. I don't know what happened, because both Rose and Bella were too pissed to talk about it after, but I came back into the room with Bella crying angry tears and Rosie with her mouth wide open and eyes bulging like she was in shock."
"Damn..." I muttered.
"Yeah. I asked Bella what happened and she said something about 'calling Rosalie out on her shit' before storming out of the house and driving away. Not coming home till the middle of the night. She didn't talk to Rosalie directly the rest of Christmas day. That was until she walked into a conversation Rose was having with my dad, Charlie after dinner."
"Uh, oh. What happened?"
Emmett sighed. "I was on the phone with my mom, Renee, wishing her a Merry Christmas when all of a sudden I hear Bella yelling and scuffling coming from the family room. I immediately hung up on my mom telling her I'd call her back later. I walked into the room to find Charlie restraining Bella, who looked like she was going to kill a very shocked and equally pissed Rosalie. Apparently Rosalie was telling Charlie that he should consider her his second daughter and Bella flipped. She was screaming about Rosalie being an ungrateful, hateful bitch and that she would never be good enough to be Charlie's second daughter. It was rough man, real rough."
I immediately felt bad for Emmett, his Twin sister and his girlfriend hate each other—that can't be easy to deal with. He must really love Rosalie if she's willing to let this relationship come between him and his sister. But at the same time, Rosalie is a bitch and doesn't think things through for other people's consideration. She only focuses on herself, what she wants and how she can get it. She's a cut throat bitch, and that's why she's an amazing lawyer.
"Wow, dude. That sucks, I'm sorry. I'll do my best to not make tonight awkward," I promised.
Emmett laughed, "Thanks brother. I'm gonna need all the help I can get. But,I've got a meeting in 5, so I will see you later, man. Peace."
"Later."
Oh yeah, this dinner is going to be awesome.
***
B POV
Goddamn Alice Brandon making me late, again. Sure I'm late for a dinner with She-Satan and Dr. Jackass, but still, I hate being late.
I don't even want to know how many outfits she made me go through, and I don't want to remember. Then stupid Jasper Whitlock has to call her, halting my progress at getting to dinner on time. Fuck, if Rosalie makes some bitchy comment about my tardiness, then I'm going to put a butter tart in her hair at dessert. Pay back is a bitch, bitch.
So I had to text Em telling him the pixie is making me late and that I was on my way. Seriously, aren't pixies supposed to have magical powers or some shit? Alice needs to step up and tell her super hot Texan boyfriend to stop calling at the worst times.
Sure, blame the pixie. Just get here already. Rose is getting pissed. –Em.
I immediately stepped off the gas and started going slower, fuck Rosalie. I'll get there when I get there, she can suck it. I swear, I think she has permanent PMS because how one person can be so pissy and so bitchy is beyond me.
I made it to the Italian restaurant 10 minutes late, fashionably late as Alice likes to say. I immediately spot my beast of a brother, a bitch with blonde hair and a coppery head of hair at a table in the middle of the restaurant. Well hello, Dr. Jackass! It's kind of unfair how someone so good looking can be such a douche. Oh well, those are the breaks I guess. I skipped by the annoying teenage hostess and walked towards the table.
Emmett spotted me and jumped out of his seat to give me another bear hug.
"Bells! Finally made it, huh?"
"Yep, that damn pixie and her stupid hillbilly boyfriend are going to be the death of me one of these days, I swear."
Emmett laughed. "Aw, leave Jazz alone...that dude is awesome."
"Whatever, dude's an asshole for making me late."
Emmett laughed again and sat back down beside Rosalie; leaving the seat beside Edward empty...oh joy. Edward immediately stood up and grinned at me.
"Good to see you again, Bella."
I smiled in spite of myself. The way he says my name is like sex incarnate. "Nice to see you too, Edward."
He pulled out my chair for me to sit down. I nodded my thanks as he sat down beside me.
"Rosalie," I said in a monotone voice, nodding my head slightly.
"Bella," she replied back in the same tone.
Emmett cleared this throat and shot me a look. I rolled my eyes and looked at the menu.
"You okay there, Em?" I asked without looking up from the menu.
"Fine," he grumbled.
I saw Edward smirk from the corner of my eye. Oh yeah, this dinner is going to be awesome.
"What are you getting, Bella?" Rosalie asked in a bored tone. Well gee, Rosalie, pull my leg to start up a conversation.
"I was actually thinking about getting some food. How about you, Rosalie? Going to risk the carbs today?"
I heard Edward choke on his beer and Emmett groan, throwing his head back in exasperation. I kept my eyes focused on my menu.
Thankfully I was saved by the waiter before Rosalie could respond.
"Can I get you something to drink, Miss?" He asked in a squeaky teenager voice.
I bit my lip to hold back a laugh. I heard Edward snort beside me. "I'll just have a strawberry daiquiri, please."
"Sure thing. Are the rest of you ready to order?"
Everyone mumbles an agreement, and orders food. I ordered the Mushroom Ravioli while Rosalie ordered a single Caesar Salad. So much for carbs.
"So how was work after lunch today, Bells?" Emmett asked, before taking a drink of his beer.
"It was work, I guess. I had a runaway child storm into my office to hide because apparently her mother was being a meanie."
Emmett and Edward chuckled as Rosalie looked around the restaurant, not playing attention.
"Did you return the child to her mother?" Edward asked, looking right into my eyes.
I shook my head slightly to remind myself I was in a public place and jumping him would be poor form.
"Yeah I did, she wasn't really happy with me. Her mom was actually down in the ER getting stitches in her arm so she was being a meanie because she was in pain."
"I could see that, getting stitches freaking hurts," Emmett shuddered.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah I'm sure the whole two times you've gotten stitches it really hurt you, Em."
Emmett smirked and leaned across the table. "Just because I don't get stitches weekly like someone doesn't mean they hurt any less. Plus the last time I had to get stitches was because of a little Miss Isabella, if I do remember correctly."
I immediately blushed at the memory. Damn, he's good.
"Well now you have to tell the story," Edward said smiling that damn crooked smile at me.
The waiter came and put my daiquiri in front of me, I took a huge sip and Emmett chuckled before turning his attention to Edward.
"Three years ago when Bella graduated from U Dub we had a graduation party for her at her flat. How many people were there, would you say Bella?"
I scratched the back of my neck. "Well from the hour or two I do remember is was like 40-60 people or so," I laughed.
Emmett nodded his head in agreement. "Somehow in the middle of the night Bella and I were dubbed the bartenders—a bad idea really considering Bella is klutzy and I am bound to make a mistake or two. Anyways, someone asked for some drink—"
"A rum and coke," I interjected.
"Right, well I decided I would take care of the rum while Bella would go to the fridge and grab the coke. Somehow going from the fridge back to the counter I was standing at, Bella tripped over her feet, causing the coke to go all over the floor. I turned to assess the damage not realizing that there was coke everywhere and slipped."
"It was surprisingly graceful," I added chuckling.
Edward and Rosalie were listening with high anticipation of Emmett's story.
"So with the bottle of Rum still in my hand I slipped and fell, causing the bottle to break and a shard of glass to go into my hand. Thankfully I was so drunk I didn't really feel it, and the Rum kind of numbed the pain. But blood was everywhere and Bella faints at the sight of blood, so she passed out beside me. Alice called an ambulance for us both, I had to get 20 stitches in my hand and Bella was brought back to consciousness."
I could feel my cheeks burning and I started playing with the table cloth of the table.
"So that's why you have that scar?" Rosalie murmured.
I could hear Emmett discussing the scar with Edward and Rosalie but I was too busy looking around the restaurant. I have never been here before so I wanted to get a good look around. I looked over at the bar to see the bartender staring at me. Blonde hair, blue eyes, evil smirk...fuck. James Hunter. I immediately tensed and I felt my blood boil. He nodded his head at me and went back to fixing a drink. Smug bastard.
I knew Emmett was going to snap once he saw him, so I had to think up a way of getting to James at the bar without Emmett noticing.
C'mon Bella, think up a master plan...
***
E POV
"...yeah, so I had to do all this rehab and everything to make sure I could use my hand properly. Kind of sucked, but it was worth it in the end—since I can still use it," Emmett said, finishing his story about the rehab he had to do from the shard of glass that went into his hand.
I turned to look at Bella beside me who looked awfully tense. She was playing with her empty glass, focusing intently on what she was doing. Her other hand was clenched into a fist and her cheeks had some red blush over them.
Is she angry about something? I wondered.
"I'll be right back," she announced before I could ask if she's okay. I watched as she walked away, her perfect hips and ass swaying in her tight black jeans. Her mahogany hair hanging half way down the back of her navy blue blouse, even from the back she looks beautiful. Go figure.
Emmett and Rose were having some discussion beside me, so I continued to watch Bella walk away—in the opposite direction of the washrooms I noted, so she must not be going there. She was heading for the bar; her hands still in fists and her shoulders looked stiff. The bartender saw her coming and gave her a menacing smirk. What the fuck!? Who the hell is that?
"Hey, Em...who's Bella talking to?" I asked, not looking away from Bella.
I saw Emmett turn in the corner of my eye and tense. "Oh fuck, no!" He roared jumping out of his seat and storming off towards the bar.
I jumped up following him leaving Rose behind at the table.
As we got closer to the bar I could her Bella's angry voice as she yelled at the bartender.
"You've got some serious explaining to do, James. And I won't deal with your shit, you fucked Alice over and now you have to deal with me!"
James, the super creepy bartender, let out an even creepier laugh. "Bella, mind your own fucking business. You're not Alice so I'm not talking about this with you. Now, get the fuck out of my face before I move you myself."
"The hell you are," Emmett roared.
Bella turned with fear and anger in her eyes. James just smirked and raised an eyebrow at Emmett, daring him to continue.
"Let's take this outside, shall we, Hunter?" Emmett continued.
"Whatever, Swan," James snorted, threw his towel down on the bar and turned towards a door which I could only assume lead outside.
"Bella, you're staying in here," Emmett said in a firm, fatherly tone.
Bella glared. "No, I'm not."
Emmett sighed and walked passed Bella and I towards the door James just walked through.
"Who is that guy?" I whispered into Bella's ear.
"James Hunter, Alice's ex-boyfriend. He's a total douche and royally fucked up her life. He...um...well, not to get into the glory details right now, he tried kind of threw himself at me this one time and I told Em, who was livid. Hence the animosity. C'mon, let's go before they kill each other." Bella grabbed my hand and pulled me through the door.
The door led to a back alleyway, Emmett was pacing with his fists balled up, muttering under his breath. James was standing a couple steps away with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face as he watched Emmett.
I instinctively pulled Bella behind me so she would be protected if a fight did break out.
"I thought you moved to New York, James," Bella said from behind me, her voice defiant and angry.
James turned his attention to me and Bella and continued to smirk. "Plans change, Isabella. Plus, I wanted to stay close to you and Alice—never know when you might change your mind and take me up on my offer." Douche even had the tenacity to wink at her.
I felt Bella tense behind me and I could feel a growl growing in my chest.
Since when do I fucking growl?! Good lord.
Emmett stopped his pacing and turned his body to face James.
"Leave my sister and Alice alone, jackass or I'm gonna have to teach you a lesson." Emmett emphasized his point by pointing a finger directly into James' face, glaring a very un-Emmett like glare.
James snickered under his breath. "You seriously think you can hurt me, Swan? You may look big but I know it's all fat. After all, look at your porker of a sister."
I heard Bella gasp behind me. My hands balled into fists and I could feel my finger nails digging into my palms, but I did nothing to stop it.
Bella, fat? Is this guy being fucking serious?
"So I take it you call all the girls who deny you, fat huh, James? Jeez, most of the women in Seattle must be morbidly obese," Bella sneered from behind me.
"Shut the fuck up, Isabella. You don't know what you're talking about. I wouldn't want to be with a nun like you anyways. Thankfully Alice was fun while she lasted."
Bella took a step forward at the same time Emmett did. "Leave. Alice. Out. Of. This," Bella snapped.
"Oh, sweetheart, I could never leave Alice out when I've already been inside of her," James smirked.
"Oh fuck no..." Emmett snapped, lunging at James.
Emmett caught James around the waist, slamming him down to the ground. I could hear the air escape James's lungs with a grunt. Emmett released his vice grip on James's waist and started wailing on him. Punches being landed on his face, ribs, chest, everywhere Emmett could reach without James's hands failing around to stop him.
"Edward, stop him!" Bella cried behind me. I knew she wasn't worried about James, she was worried about Emmett doing something he would regret and a situation he couldn't get himself out of.
I ran forwards and tried to get Emmett off of James's almost completely unconscious form.
"Emmett! Em, man! It's over, you won! Let the dude go! He's not worth it! Em! Get off him, bro!" I yelled as I tried to pull and push him off.
Suddenly an extra pair of hands came to help me push Emmett. "Emmett! Em, stop! Please, stop!" Bella cried pushing and pulling on her brother from beside me.
Emmett seemed to understand Bella's request because he immediately got off and stepped away from James' unconscious form.
Emmett was huffing and puffing and muttering under his breath some more while he started pacing again. Bella moved around me to check James' vitals, making sure he still had a pulse. She gave me a quick nod of her head, telling me James was still alive and I went over to calm Emmett down.
"Em, it's okay man...really, I understand why you did it. In fact, you beat me to the bastard. We just had to—"
I was cut off by Bella's chocking scream coming from behind us. I whirled around to see James no longer unconscious and with his hands around Bella's neck, strangling her.
I sprinted at James, ripping him off of Bella with my own to two hands, then throwing him at an eager and seriously pissed off Emmett; who was swearing every word within the English language while turning a nice shade of red. I watched Emmett push James up against the brick wall of the bar, his forearm pinning his throat and talking to him in a menacing whisper. Knowing Emmett had James handled I turned my attention back to Bella who was still on the ground struggling for breath, causing herself to have a panic attack.
"Bella! Bella, I need you calm down, baby. You're fine; you're just having a panic attack." She continued to try to catch her breath which was coming out in quick, heavy pants. "Bella!" I called, grabbing her face between my hands. "Baby, you need to calm down! Listen to my voice, okay? I need you to calm your breathing down, slow deep breaths Bella. Emmett has James, he won't hurt you anymore. Just listen to my voice, calm yourself down. You're okay, you're fine. He won't hurt you ever again."
Bella's breathing came normal, but she was still looking at me frantic, clearly freaked out about what had happened. I cleared away the tears she shed with my thumbs. "You're fine, sweetheart, you're fine," I continued to mutter as she and I calmed ourselves down.
"Edward..." she whispered in a raspy voice.
"Yes, Bella?"
"Thank you."
I sighed and smiled down at her. "No thanks needed, Bella. I don't think there is anything I wouldn't do for you anymore," I said shyly.
She looked at me confused and interested but before she could question what I had said I heard Emmett's booming laugh coming from behind me. I turned my head to see Emmett still taunting James who looked extremely angry.
"Won't mess with the Swan's again, will you James?" He taunted, tightening his grip on his neck.
"Fuck...you...Emmett..." James gasped.
Emmett shook his head and sighed. "Wrong answer, James." Emmett started punching James in the ribs and stomach, all the while holding him to the brick wall of the bar by his forearm. "If you ever, ever, come near my sister or Alice again I will end you, I promise you. Don't make me live up to my promise, James." Emmett finally let go of his hold on James' throat and James crumpled onto the ground struggling for breath and hissing in pain.
Emmett rushed over towards Bella and me, his hands shaking from the adrenaline.
"Are you okay, Bells? I'm so sorry he touched you like that, it will never happen again, I promise."
Bella smiled and pushed herself up into sitting position. "It's okay, Emmett...I'm fine," she assured him in her raspy voice.
Emmett nodded sadly and motioned for me to help Bella up. I put my arm around her waist while Emmett supported her upper back.
"Edward? Do you mind getting Bella home, I left Rosie in there and she's probably freaking," Emmett asked leading us to the parking lot beside the restaurant.
"Sure Emmett. I'll take her in my car, do you or Rosalie mind getting her car home?"
"No problem."
Bella gave Emmett her car keys before he went back into the restaurant. I led Bella to my car, my arm still around her waist. I opened up the passenger side door and got her situated.
"Do you want me to take you home?" I asked while starting up my car.
"Umm...no, if I go home now like this Alice is going to be suspicious. And I can't lie to her, god knows she'll be pissed and do something she'll regret later. Anywhere but my flat sounds good right about now." She gave me an apologetic smile.
Okay, Bella's flat is out. How about...Edward's apartment?
"Okay, well...do you mind going to my apartment? I mean, we could order some food since we didn't get to eat any of our dinner."
Bella giggled and smiled at me. "Yeah, that sounds great. Thanks Edward, I'm starving."
I smiled and pulled out of the parking lot towards my apartment.
This could get interesting...
***
B POV
James tried to strangle me.
Edward comforting me.
Edward using terms of endearment for me.
Edward's apartment.
Completely alone with Edward Masen in his apartment.
Gah! What a crazy afternoon. I should probably be freaking out and crying like any normal person who was just viciously attacked, but instead my palms and even the balls of my feet are sweating.
For god's sake Bella, it's just a man's apartment. Just like Jasper's, or Emmett's! I tried to reason with myself. Plus, he probably doesn't even like you! Sure he called you 'Baby' and 'Sweetheart' but that was because you were having a full blown panic attack and he was trying to calm you down. Stop over analysing this!
"Are you okay?" Edward asked as he made a left hand turn. "You seem to be elsewhere."
I smiled. "Yeah, sorry...just thinking."
"Are you sure you're okay? Your neck doesn't hurt or anything does it?" He asked while pulling into the back parking lot of an apartment building.
"I'm fine, Edward. I promise. I've got a high pain threshold from all the injuries I've given to myself through my klutziness."
Edward nodded and gave me a tight smile. He led me to the elevator of his building and pressed the 6th floor button. The elevator ride was tense but there was a weird electricity around us, Edward seemed to notice it too because he was shuffling his feet from side to side; clearly uncomfortable.
Edward led me into his apartment, which was massive. Half of the walls were a nice beige colour and the other half were a deep chocolate brown. His couch was L shaped and black leather. He had a massive entertainment system with videogames and movies lined up beside his plasma screen TV. The entire apartment just gave off the bachelor pad feel, but it was beautiful.
The most beautiful thing I could see was a black baby grand piano in a back corner of the main room. I never learned how to play, but I've always been fascinated by people who could.
"Do you play?" Edward asked, noticing my assessment of his piano.
I giggled and shook my head. "No, not at all. I wish I could, but I've never really been of the musical nature. I take it you play? This isn't just something to impress the ladies with, right?" I smiled as she gave me another one of his gorgeous crooked grins.
"Yeah, I can play. My mom made me learn when I was younger and I just kept playing, it's more of a therapy thing for me now...but I still enjoy playing from time to time."
Ah yes, therapy through music; interesting technique.
"Will you play a little something for me?" I asked a little shyly.
Edward chuckled and grabbed my hand. "Of course, baby. Come here."
He called me 'baby' again. I felt my heart beat a little faster at the word.
We both sat down on the piano bench, thighs touching, staring at the keys; not sure where to go from here.
"What do you want me to play?"
I looked up from the keys to see Edward's entrancing green eyes peering down at me.
"Uh...any...anything you want," I stuttered, a bit dazzled. Damn him!
Edward grinned and nodded. He turned towards the keys and suddenly his face changed to a look of pure determination. He began playing, his fingers dancing across the keys without fault. The music was soft and wistful, with an undertone of something else...love, maybe? The notes Edward played merged into one another easily, the melody almost sounded like a lullaby, coaxing some unknown person to a deep sleep and dreams filled with love and magic. I felt my eyes sting from tears at the beauty that Edward was creating, my breathing became erratic and I could almost feel a sob coming up.
Edward would never write something so beautiful for the likes of me. Men like Edward Masen date Victoria Secret models from Brazil. No wonder he didn't want me as his therapist, he wanted someone he could stomach looking at for an hour a day.
Fuck, why does he have to be so damn beautiful and smart and loving and just, ugh, amazing? Why can't he love me?!
Edward must have noticed my tears because he stopped playing and turned towards me with a worried and anxious look in his eyes.
"That...that was beautiful, Edward," I managed to croak through my stupid, pointless tears.
"Thank you...but why are you crying, baby?"
Must he always call me baby? My heart can't take it.
"It, uh, it was just so beautiful. I'm sorry, I didn't expect for me to become all emotional. Whoever that was about must be truly wonderful, Edward. She's a very lucky girl."
"Bella," he breathed while reaching out and cupping my face in his hands. "I wrote that about you. That's how I feel about you."
I felt my eyes grow wide and my mind suddenly go blank. Uh...um...what...did, did he just say me?
"What?" I said just above a whisper.
"Bella, I don't really know how to explain this to you without sounding crazy...but I think I've been in love with you since I saw you that night at the Christmas party."
He saw me at the Christmas party? And he just say...love?
"Uh...what?" I stuttered.
Edward smiled a little sheepishly but didn't let go of my face between his hands. "You were so beautiful that night, Bella...I couldn't keep my eyes off you. I was so nervous to go over and talk to you that I had to resort to drinking some liquid courage at the bar. While there I found out who you were through some drunken, gossipy nurses. Once I finally got my nerve up to talk to you, you were gone. I couldn't stop think about you after that, and it messed me up in surgery. I was worried I would never see you blush again or see you smile again like you did that night. No woman has or will ever have the effect on me that you do. That's why I dropped you as my therapist today, baby, because all my apparent issues in surgery were because I was too busy thinking and dreaming of you."
Brain.
Not.
Functioning.
"Are...are you serious?" I gasped, smiling a little.
"Deadly. I can't get you out of my head, Bella."
I don't know how I did it but suddenly I was straddling his lap on the piano bench and kissing the crap out of him. Edward seemed a little shell shocked at first but started kissing me back with enthusiasm. His tongue traced my bottom lip and I opened up my mouth for him. As soon as his tongue touched mine I moaned, grinding myself tighter into his embrace. I could feel a growl deep in Edward's chest but he didn't disengage his mouth from mine.
Suddenly, Edward was standing with my legs wrapped around his waist and my arms around his shoulders. I had to move my mouth away from his to breathe but Edward's mouth never left my skin, he continued kissing down my neck, nipping and biting at my pulse point causing me to moan.
"Edward..." I moaned as he pushed us up against the wall of his dark hallway.
"Bella, baby, I need you...please," he whispered against my neck as he continued to kiss up and down causing me to shiver with pleasure. I could feel my panties getting wet and his excitement pressed up against my core.
"Always," I whispered, "Please, make me yours."
Edward moaned and attacked my mouth again, pushing us off of the wall and walking us down the hallway towards, what I could only assume, was his bedroom. I heard a door open and slam close and suddenly I was flung onto a huge bed, with Edward hovering over me.
"You're already mine, Bella," he murmured while kissing my neck again. "What I need is for you to make me yours."
I moaned at the sensation of his hands grasping at my sides, lifting up my shirt slowly.
"Please...please, Edward, I need you," I begged as he finally took my shirt completely off.
"You'll never need to beg for me to make love to you, baby."
I pushed myself off of the bed and attached my mouth to his again, I ran my hands down his back and then down across his tight abs. I pulled on the hem of his shirt and started inching it up as he fumbled with the button of my jeans.
I finally got the shirt over his head and I could see Edward's muscular chest in all its glory. It was perfect, his 6 pack of abs taunting me with their sexiness. His arms and chest were so muscularly defined I moaned at the sight, causing Edward to smile a cheeky grin.
"Like what you see, sweetheart?" He inquired, a little breathless.
"You have no idea," I growled, attacking his mouth again.
Edward started to pull down my jeans, not breaking our passionate kiss. He broke off once my jeans were completely off, just looking at my body, only left covered by my bra and panties. I felt myself blush and I turned my gaze elsewhere from his.
"Bella," he said as he gripped my chin to look at him. "Never be embarrassed at how beautiful you are, baby. You're a vision. So fucking beautiful."
He started kissing my abdomen, slowly working his way up between my breasts. He pulled the straps of my bra down my arms and reached behind me to undo the clasp. Once my bra was off and flung across the room, Edward attached his mouth to my left nipple while his right hand massaged my right. He kept on murmuring "beautiful" as he kissed my exposed chest.
"Edward," I moaned, arching my back into him. "Please...I need you inside of me."
Edward kissed a trail up my neck, across my cheek towards my mouth, hovering just above looking down at me with pure love and lust in his eyes. "I could never deny you anything," I whispered over my lips.
I pushed my mouth into his mouth again and started my attack on his jeans. I undid the button and the zipper in two quick movements and pushed them down as far as I could. Edward kicked them off the rest of the way. His excitement which was once constricted to the inside of his jeans was now up and ready for me to see, I smirked a little and I could feel him chuckle above me.
"Did you really doubt my readiness for you?" He asked, not really looking for an answer because he kissed me again, his hands ghosting down my sides till he came to my boy short panties. I moaned as his fingers traced the outline down my thighs and towards my heated core. His fingers rubbed my center, feeling my wetness that was soaking through my panties. "Oh god," I moaned against my lips. "You're so wet, sweetheart."
"All for you, Edward. Always, all for you."
Edward growled and pulled my panties down my legs, I could faintly hear ripping as he did. I moaned at the sensation of being completely naked in front of him.
"Protection..." Edward muttered against my pulse point.
I moaned and threw my head back. "Birth control. Now, Edward, please!"
With that Edward pushed himself into my entrance, both of us gasping with pleasure at the sensation. I had to take a second to adjust to his size, but then started bucking and thrusting my hips into his with a wild abandon.
"Edward..." I moaned against his lips as he kissed me. "Harder, I need your cock in me harder."
Our pace started to pick up and I could feel myself slowly coming towards the edge.
"Bella...baby...you feel so good, oh god, so good."
"Harder," was my only response and he responded in full, causing me to scream out his name.
I grasped onto his shoulders as I neared my orgasm, Edward started to tense above me.
"Bella...I'm close, guh, please...cum with me," I groaned out into my shoulder. "Cum with me now, baby!"
His forceful words pushed me over the edge and I let myself go screaming his name as I did. Edward followed right after me moaning my name over and over into my shoulder.
We disentangled ourselves and laid side by side gasping and panting for breath.
"Wow," was my ingenious reply to hot, steamy sex with my very own Greek god.
Bravo, Bella. Alice and Mom would be so proud with that tidbit of mortification.
"Understatement," Edward laughed.
I pulled the covers out from underneath me and got settled in, loving the smell of Edward on them. I turned my head to see Edward laying on his side smiling at me.
Edward reached out started stroking and moving my hair back from my newly sweaty forehead. "Bella," he said with a little smile, "I want you to know this isn't a onetime thing for me. I'm going to take you on a proper date, if you let me, and learn everything and anything I can about you. I'm going to meet your best friends and your parents and then one day make an honest woman out of you and stop living in sin. You're it for me, baby, I know that probably sounds creepy or insane but I can't help the way I feel."
I felt my heart soar and my breathing hitch at his declaration. How could I feel all that I'm feeling after not even 24 hours? I'm a sane person, a woman of science at that; yet I'm willing to leave everything I know and trust behind for this complete stranger who makes me feel things I never even dreamt possible as both a woman and as a therapist.
I moved closer to Edward on the bed, putting my hand on his cheek and gazing into his beautiful green eyes.
"I only have one question then, Edward."
"Sure..." Edward replied anxiously, almost waiting for me to deny him.
"How many total guests do you want at our wedding?"
Edward let out a breath and smiled the most brilliant smile I had ever seen. He laughed loudly, causing me to laugh along with him, totally care free and happy. Edward bent down and kissed me again, and I could feel two things: the electric spark that had been evident in the elevator ride earlier and love. Pure, wholesome, love.
I was finally home, with Edward Masen.