PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTE
Right basically, this story has been running through my head for ages and I knew I had to do something with it. I've written the first chapter but I'm having a hard time deciding on whether I should continue it or not. I'm really not sure. I'd like your opinions on it and also I'd love to know what you think I should do.
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any associated characters.
Chapter 1
Bella POV
Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep
What the hell is that noise? Beep…Beep… It sounds familiar and then it registered. My phone was going off somewhere in the hell-hole I call my room. I groaned and rolled over, my head rolling from the night before. Last night was…interesting. All I can remember is the bar, Alice and Vodka. Shit, I really was not feeling well.
Groaning again, I rolled over, leaning over my mattress to fish out my phone from the mess on the floor. I finally laid hand on the stupid thing and opened up the text message.
Bella! Where are you? Work started half hour ago! – Alice x
Shit! I tore out of my bedroom and flew into the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror viewing the damage of last night…make up everywhere and messy hair. I jumped into the shower and quickly washed. The wash cloth glided over my inked body. Ah, my tattoos! I loved them so much…the feeling of the needle staining my skin, permanent marking my body. My body…well, what can I say about that. I had a light tan to my skin and I had curves. I jumped from the shower and wrapped myself in a towel and I decided that I should probably text Alice.
I'm sorry! Over slept, on way now – Bella x
Thank god that Riley was at Rosalie and Emmett's. Ahh Riley, he was the one man in my life. My little man. Riley was my 1 year old son. I was thankful that he had so far gained most of my looks, the brown hair with slight curls, the deep brown eyes and unfortunately, the clumsiness. His father, well…let's just say that his father had not been seen since they day I mumbled the words 'I'm pregnant' and I was thankful for that. I never really loved him just found him as a distraction. He was the bad boy type of person…constantly drunk, taking drugs. I never wanted my little boy to grow up around that.
I pulled on a plain black, long sleeved top, a pair of bum-hugging jeans and my combat boots. I quickly towel dried my hair and ran a brush through it. I grabbed one of the jumpers that was on my floor. It wasn't my jumper…it was some guy's who I had brought home and had left it here. I know what you must be thinking, that I'm a slut, whore etc but really… Alice and I go out and with Alice's dress style and also her dressing me, we always look extremely hot. Emmett and Rosalie were always glad to babysit since they were trying for their own anyway and they thought they needed the practise. The guys buy us drinks and we occasionally brought some one home. I hated sleeping alone, I always found it difficult. Then Alice found Jasper and then it was just me bringing guys home. I usually wrap up Riley and bring him to get but he was learning to walk (but not yet mastered it) and I couldn't bare the thought of him falling out of my bed so I kept him in his cot.
I was soon running out of my apartment door, pulling my hood up and starting the 30 minute walk to work. People usually dislike or hate their jobs but I love mine. I had started out as an artist, majoring in Art from UOW. It then progressed to moving my art work to skin. I designed each of my tattoos and I loved them all. I had a passion for them.
I shoved the door open of 'Waterfall Tattoo' and ran straight into a very annoyed Alice.
"Where the hell have you been? You're nearly an hour late!" Alice basically screamed in my ear. I winced from the loudness; it did no good for my hangover.
"Sorry Alice but this is not all my fault. I seem to remember you pouring shot after shot last night! You knew I had to work early" I said back to her. Gah, I loved this girl with my heart but seriously, I was tempted to hit her.
"Bella!" I heard called from behind me. Oh great…Jacob
"Yes Jake?" I asked sweetly. I turned around, putting on my best pout face.
"Care to explain why you're so late?" He asked. Ah I so had an advantage. Everybody knew that Jacob Black wanted a piece of my ass but he was never lucky enough. Guys seemed to come and go…for one night.
"I'm so sorry Jake" I said sweetly, biting my lip. I took a step closer to him stood as innocently as possible. "Alice took me out last night and now I have a rather bad hangover" I pouted. I saw Jake falter…Yes!
"Well…you can just draw up designs today. No inking with a hangover" He said, obviously trying to hide the bulge in his trousers and failing.
"Thank you Jake" I said, gliding past him and into the back room. I grabbed a glass of water and swallowed some Tylenol that hopefully would kick in some time soon. I settled down at the desk in the corner and pulled up the drawing pad. I was about to plug in my iPod so that I could concentrate when Alice danced into the room.
"You're so evil Isabella" She sang. "Not only do you tease him when we're out, you also do it at work just so you don't get in trouble" I laughed.
"Well, if you've got it, flaunt it." I joked. "Nah, I'm kidding. I know I'm evil but I can't deal with being shouted at today." I rubbed my head.
"What's up chic?" She asked, perching herself on the edge of the desk.
"Well apart from the hangover, my Mom moaning at me for Inking as a career and Dad asking when I'm going back for a visit…I'm just generally feeling abit…" I sighed.
"Ah Bella" She pulled me into a hug. "You're one of the most outgoing people I know. You had the guts to turn around to your Mom and say 'No' and actually follow through! I have a feeling that something or someone good is about to happen to you and plus you have Riley. I don't think I know a mother who loves a little boy more" she said with a wink.
I had learnt not to doubt her. She walked out of the room, leaving me to my thoughts and drawings. I put in my headphones and turned the music on; I was in an acoustic mood today. I don't think I could handle Nirvana or Theory of a Deadman today. The day passed quickly and Alice was handling a customer in the shop when she called my name. I groaned and stood from my chair, apparently the Tylenol hadn't had much effect and I felt queasy when I stood up. I walked out and walked over to Alice.
"Bells…maybe you should go home? You really don't look well" Alice commented and I looked at her.
"Thanks Alice but I'll be ok and I've got to wait for Emmett to drop Riley off. What did you want?" I asked.
"Well this gentleman here is looking for a new tattoo and I was going to ask you for your sketch books for him to look through" She said. It was only then that I realised that there was another person in the room. I glanced up, my eyes locking with brilliant green pools. Unruly copper hair perfected his strong facial features and his arms that were perched on the desk had muscles that were screaming to be let out of the tight confines of his t-shirt.
"Bella? Sit down, I'll get them" She guided me over to a seat and I leant against the table.
"Do you want anything?" a sexy voice asked. I looked up and saw the man staring at me. He was really…handsome.
"To be honest, I just want to go to bed…or throw my guts up. I'm not sure which would make me feel better" I joked. I gasped quietly when I heard his laugh.
"Yeah, I know that feeling. Too much drink last night?" He asked. I kinda felt a pull towards him, a feeling that I knew I could trust this man, even if I didn't know his name.
"Yeah, blame Alice. Although I usually don't drink that much" I said, looking at my fingers.
"Here you go" Alice chimed in, placing my sketch book on the table. The man flicked through the pages, stopping every so often to look more intently at a drawing.
The bell on the door chimed and I saw Emmett walk in with a sleeping Riley wrapped up in his arms. He shook his head, sending the raindrops that had gathered in his hair to fly everywhere.
"Afternoon Bells" He whispered. I walked over to my darling Brother and prised my Son from his arms.
"Hey Emmett, I hope he was no trouble" I said, as he placed Riley's diaper bag and overnight bag on the floor.
"Him? Trouble? Well apart from falling on his butt every time he stood up, he was an angel as always" he smiled showing his dimples. "Anyway I gotta go, Rose is waiting. Love you Bells" he kissed my cheek and he was gone.
Riley was still sound asleep with his face nuzzled into my neck. I slowly turned back around to Alice and the man. I walked back over to my seat and watched as he flicked through the pages.
"These are amazing" he commented. I could feel the blush rising in my cheeks.
"Thank you" I replied, hiding my face from him. Alice and the man kept talking and he eventually decided on one of my favourite designs, but asked to have it altered slightly…when I was feeling better.
"And who is this little man?" He questioned, eyeing Riley.
"This is Riley Taylor Swan" I said, staring at my gorgeous Son.
"I better get going…It was nice meeting you Bella" He said, and then left the shop.
"I have a good feeling about him…" Alice sang. Oh dear…her and her feelings.
"Right…I'm going back to my drawings." I walked back over to my desk and I picked up Riley's blanket, making a cocoon on the sofa out back, letting him take his afternoon nap.
I picked up my pencil and worked continuously until I heard the clock chime 4pm, signalling my time to leave. Alice had already left, claiming to have a date with Jasper and had wished me well with feeling better. In Seattle, it got very dark, very early and I disliked walking home, even though it wasn't that late, especially with Riley.
I packed up my things and zipped up the jumper, not doubt I would still freeze and plus, it was raining. I don't think my day could get worse… I hated having to walk with Riley but I had no other choice. I collected Riley's things and made my way over to him so that I could gently wake him up.
"Riley baby, come on wake up otherwise you wont sleep at all tonight." I said, more to myself. I gently picked him up and wiggled his arm abit until I saw him sleepily open his eyes, showing me his wide brown orbs. A smile broke over his face when he saw my and I couldn't help but smile back. I made sure that he was wrapped up warm against the weather before making my way over to Jake.
"Jake, I'm off…" I said, leaning on the door frame to his office. He stood up, coming to my side.
"Okay Bella" he said to me, before turning his attention to Riley. "Oh good afternoon Riley, you've finally decided to wake up have you" he said, tickling his stomach which caused a gurgle to escape his lips followed by a high pitched squeal.
"Cya Jake" I said, I walked out into the cold, rainy night and the fresh air caused a chill to seep down my spine. God, I hoped this weather didn't get much worse. It was nearing December and the snow was sure to start to fall soon. That would make my balance much worse, and make my day harder.
The rain started to fall harder and harder and Riley became restless and was soon screaming in my arms. Damn stupid Seattle, damn for not having an umbrella or a car, damn for not having enough arms to carry everything. By now, my jumper had become completely drenched and heavy. Riley was nuzzling his head into my shoulder, trying to escape from the rain. Thank god I had packed his waterproof.
"Bella…You ok?" a familiar voice startled me. I looked up to see the guy from the Tattoo shop earlier. Oh could my day get any worse?
"Yes…No….I don't know" I said, nearing the verge of tears. I had no idea why but I felt like unloading all of my problems onto his complete stranger who I had only met for about 5 minutes earlier.
"Look, my apartment is literally round the corner if you want to come dry off?" He offered. I was abit worried. I had always been taught not to talk to strangers and all that. Should I trust him? He seemed to sense my hesitation. "Honestly, I can get you dry clothes and then drive you home." I thought about it and then thought about the screaming child in my arms. I really needed to get him dry and warm.
"Ok but first, tell me your name" I said, hoping that it would make me feel better.
"Edward Cullen at your service" He said, and we walked off down the road, stopping outside an old apartment door. He turned his key in the lock and like a gentleman, he stepped to the side, allowing me to enter and he shut the door behind us.
Well, continue or not?
Please be honest with what you think because this will help me decide. I also would love to hear your ideas on what you think should happen and I can try to incorporate it into the story.
Thank you
