All I Want is Everything
The characters belong to the Stephanie Meyers I do not own or claim to own them. This is my second fan fiction and I welcome your comments or constructive criticism.
A/N: This is one of two new stories I am working on and will be un-beta'd like my others. I have one story being beta'd and two stories which I am stuck on, so while I wait on the beta's to get back to me and inspiration to strike on the one's I am stuck on, I give you All I Want is Everything.
Summary: Bella left Edward standing in the woods after graduation high school. No one believes Edward when he tells them she transported away and a search of the woods near the high school commences with no trace of Bella found. Years later, Bella is back in Forks at the request of Ms. Brandt to help prepare for a special Valentine's Day Alumni Cantata show. She knew her chances of seeing Edward again were high and no matter how she prepared herself; she was in no way prepared for when she actually saw him. Will Edward forgive her? Will Bella forgive him?
Chapter One: The Letter from Forks High School
BPOV
September 13, 2008
It's my birthday once again! My life is in shambles and I can pinpoint the exact moment it started going to hell. Three years after I broke up with Edward Cullen. I couldn't think about that today or ever really. So anyway, today is my 29th birthday and Dad wanted me to come to visit him in Forks this weekend. I shook my head remembering the conversation from last night.
"Bells, I just don't understand. Why won't you come to Forks this weekend so we can celebrate your birthday together," Dad asked once again.
I had explained it to him twice already. "Dad, I just can't face people in Forks right now. It has been over 11 years since I left."
"That is no reason not to come this weekend," he said for the third time, or was it the forth.
I was getting frustrated. Why couldn't he understand? "Fine, you want the truth?"
"Yes," he answer was swift.
"Even if I know you are not going to like it," I challenged.
"Bells, out with it."
"I'm not coming because you will want to take me off the base for dinner."
"And would that be so bad," he defended.
"Of course it wouldn't, Dad. What would be bad is for us to run into any of the Cullen's!"
"Is that what this whole refusal to come visit me is about, the prospect of seeing Edward again?"
"Yes, Dad, I broke up with him without giving him a chance to get a word in edgewise and then disappear for weeks, worrying not only you but from what you told me him."
"Why did you end things in the first place? And don't give me the whole long distance non-sense you spout off every time I ask you for an explanation."
What could I say? I had told Dad the truth years ago. It was the whole long distance relationship and my own insecurities of losing Edward; better to end the relationship before I could get hurt. The only problem was I did get hurt but not by Edward. I hurt myself when I left him standing in the woods. "I told you the truth, Dad, of why I left. If you don't believe me, I don't know what I can say to convince you."
The phone call had ended not long after I had said those truthful yet painful words.
Shaking the memory away I brought myself back to the present as I headed outside to get the mail. Dad was disappointed in me and he had every right to be. I wanted to visit him but I couldn't bring myself to jump in a shuttle and head off to Forks.
After opening the mailbox, I pulled the mail out piece by piece sorting it as I went. The last envelope I pulled out was from the Forks High School. Why would the high school be sending me anything? Our ten year class reunion was last June and of course I didn't go, so why this letter now. I headed back inside with no intention of opening it but by the time I shut and locked the front door I had talked myself into seeing what the school wanted from me.
September 10, 2008
Dear Ms. Swan,
I know this letter might come as a surprise to you and I ask that you consider this request. I am writing to you first since you are the furthest alumni, from the classes 1996 and 1997, not living in Forks and what I have planned hinges on your and Edward Cullen's agreement. What I am proposing for you to consider is coming back for a special Valentine's Day performance featuring the 1996 and 1997 Alumni Cantata cast.
I don't know all the details or the songs or if there will be any other interest. Please let me know by October 1 whether you are in or not. I need to contact the rest of the cast as rehearsals need to start by October 24 and every weekend after, with some time taken out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. I will understand if you do not have the time. I make no presumptions on what you will decide and you should know I talked with your father, before writing you just to see if it were possible for you to travel free through Star Command. I leave the decision to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at the high school; leave a message if I do not answer and I will call you back.
Sincerely,
Ms. A. Brandt
I read the letter three times. Could I am consider this proposal after refusing to fly to Forks this weekend? No, I couldn't; but the opportunity to perform again with an amazing and talent group of friends – could I still call them friends? – again was a hard decision to make. I had time and would weigh the pros and cons carefully. Before I even could start the list my cell rang.
"Hello," I said answering.
"Hey, Bella," my supervisor, Steve, said. "I know you asked for the weekend off but we received an encoded message last night that no one can break."
"Let me guess, you want me to come in, Steve," I said.
"You are the best code breaker I have," he said trying to sweet talk me.
"I'll be there in an hour," I said not really having anything better to do today.
An hour later, I walked into the communication hub to find all the lights out and not a single computer on. What the hell? I flipped the lights on and jumped out of my skin when my co-workers jump up shouting, "Happy Birthday, Bella."
I looked around the room as my heart beat slowed. Everyone I had worked with since graduating from Star Command academy was in the hub room, even my Dad was here. I gave him a watery smile wiping my eyes as he approached me giving me a hug. "I know you don't like surprises, Bells. I knew they were planning this and that is why I was trying so hard to get you to come to Forks this weekend."
"You could have told me," I retorted jokingly.
"Would it have made a difference?"
"No, but I would have been prepared."
It wasn't the best birthday I have had but it was better than sitting at home alone.
A week after receiving the letter
The letter was still weighing heavily on my mind and the list of pros seriously outweighed the cons. I was thinking about it when I returned to my apartment and found my roommate had once again trashed the place with a wild Friday night party. I screamed. She had left this morning for a two week mission leaving me with the cleanup duty again. I hated parties and when she told me she was hosting one I had made arrangements to stay with a friend. I threw my bag in my still locked room, well after unlocking the door, and got to work. I was not going to live in a total mess for the next two weeks.
Grabbing the trash can off the balcony, I started tossing beer can after beer can into it along with several glass bottles of booze, red solo cups, and even several pairs of unmentionables. I didn't want to know what all went on last night. Once all the cans, bottles, and other trash was taken care of, I went across the hall and knocked on the door of my neighbor, Jake.
"Hey, Bella," he answered wiping his sweaty face with a towel. "Was my music too loud?"
"No, Jake," I answered. "I need your help. Leslie had a party last night…"
"I know," he said cutting me off, "I went over to ask her to turn down the music around midnight."
"Did she?"
"Yes," he said leaning against the doorjamb with the towel around his neck. "The party broke up a half hour later. I heard grumbled and drunken complaints that it wasn't a party without loud music."
I laughed. "Good to know. Anyway, I need your help. She left the mess for me again and I just finished picking up the trash and can't pick up the trash can. Could you please empty it into the dumpster for me?"
"Sure and it is horrible that she left you with the cleanup."
"She does every time."
He entered behind me and easily picked up the trash can walking out. While he was taking care of that, I started scrubbing every surface with Lysol.
"All done," Jake said coming back in and placed the trash can back on the balcony. "I was going to grab a shower and then head out to get something to eat. Would you like to join me?" I looked up and over at him questioningly. He blushed. "I didn't mean in the shower but for lunch."
I knew what he had meant. "I don't know, Jake," I started in a teasing way.
"Oh come on, you know I like you and all, Bella, but you are so not my type," he teased right back.
"And what is your type, Jake," I asked with a mocked hurt look.
"Manly men with muscles to die for and dreamy come hither eyes," he said with a wink.
"You are such a girl, Jake," I said throwing my cleaning rag at him which he naturally caught with one hand. "Go back to you apartment and shower. I'm hungry and don't want to wait too long on your ass."
"You wound me, Bella," he said placing the cleaning rag on the counter. "Give me twenty minutes to make myself beautiful."
Jake took me to Woody's Library Restaurant. "It's my treat, dear," he said as we sat down at the table.
"Jake, you don't have too."
"I missed your birthday last weekend and this is part of my gift to you. So quit your complaining and order whatever you want, sweetheart."
I laughed picking up my menu with a shake of my head. After ordering, he handed me a small gift bag with a card. "Jake," I said a little outraged when I opened bag and discovered a Tanzanite and White Sapphire necklace with matching earrings both set in Sterling Silver, "this is too much."
"It is not, girl. You deserve a little sparkling bling around your neck and on your ears," he readily answered taking a sip of his white wine.
Two weeks after receiving the letter
I don't know what it is about the letter from Ms. Brandt; it has taunted me every morning for the last two weeks from its place on my bulletin board to make a decision. Call or throw me away, it seemed to say each time I saw it hanging there.
I couldn't make a decision. One day I was all for agreeing and by the next day I had talked myself out of picking up the phone. It was a vicious cycle and I would have to come to a decision on in soon.
Two and half weeks after receiving the letter
It was 11 pm and I had finally made a decision. Picking up my cell, I dialed the number Ms. Brandt had included in the letter. I knew there was no way she was in her classroom at this hour, well it was only 9 in Forks, but still shouldn't be there.
"You have reached the classroom of Ms. Brandt. I am sorry I missed your call. I am either in the middle of a class or at lunch. Please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible. If you are a student and are going to miss rehearsal, please use the alternate phone number found on the rehearsal schedule. Beep."
"Hello, Ms. Brandt. It is Bella Swan and I would like to speak with you concerning the Valentine's Day show you are trying to put together. I know I am calling awfully late and cutting it close to the deadline you gave me to get back to you. My work schedule has been hectic and I haven't had much time to think about performing since receiving the letter. If you could call me so we can discuss further, I would appreciate it. You can reach me by calling the Forks Star Command base and they will patch you through to me. Talk to you soon."
October 1, 2008
"Lieutenant Swan," I answered my ringing desk phone. "How can I assist you?"
"Bella," an almost familiar voice came through the line, "this is Ms. Brandt from Forks High School. I'm returning your call about the Valentine's show."
I coiled the phone cord around my hand suddenly nervous. "Yes, Ms. Brandt," I said recognizing her voice finally. "I haven't made any decisions."
"Oh," she said surprised, "I thought that is why you called last night."
"I need more information to help me decide."
"Alright, ask away."
"I hate asking these two questions, but, first, is Alice Cullen involved in the planning," I asked getting straight to the point.
"No, no other former student knows yet," she answered. "And it is now Alice Hale. What's your other question?"
I mentally slapped my head. I knew that. Alice had sent me the wedding invitation. When was her wedding? "How about my Dad?"
"Again, no, Bella; I did speak with your father about a show I was thinking about putting together and how I would like you to be part of it. I didn't tell him when I was thinking for the show to take place."
I sighed looking at the message I was trying to decode. It was good to know the two factors I thought were behind this show didn't know anything about it. "I'll be happy to perform."
"Great. I will send out the rest of the letters today."
"I do ask that you do not mention my agreeing to anyone."
"Can I inquire as to why?"
"I want it to be a surprise," I said before telling her about why I disappeared without a word after graduation.
"I don't know what to say, Bella. I remember helping search the woods for you and the search being called off because you resurfaced. Those who help look were never told what happened to make you run."
"Will you keep this from anyone who asks?"
"Yes," she agreed but with reluctance. "I have got to run. Can you send me an email with your contact information?"
"Of course," I said pulling up the email I had started this morning to her, deleting my refusal and leaving only my contact information. "Sent."
"Thanks, Bella. I'll see you on the 24th."
What have I just done? I thought placing the phone back on its cradle. After a minute or two, I picked it back up and dialed Dad.
"Hey, Bells," he said answering. "What do I owe this unexpected call too? You're not in trouble or hurt are you?"
"No, Dad, not in trouble or hurt. I have decided to come for a visit."
"What? I mean, that's great, Bells. What made you changed your mind?"
I explained about the letter and the phone conversation with Ms. Brandt. "I am scared, Dad. I am sure Edward will readily agree to perform. I just don't know how either of us will react to seeing each other again."
"Don't let that stop you from coming and performing, Bella. You need to face you fear sooner or later. I have tried telling you this time and time again."
"I know and I heard you, I just wasn't ready. The letter came at a good time and I think I am ready as I will ever be to face the questions Edward and others will have."
"Do you want to stay on the base with me?"
"Not really, Dad. I don't want to hide. I'll make reservations at the Lodge for the weekend of the 24th and the next time weekend I'll stay at the base."
"If you're sure, Bella, it is fine with me, just as long as I get to face time with you."
"I know, Dad. I'm going to be late to a meeting."
"See you in a couple of weeks and talk to you even sooner," he said in farewell.
The meeting was standard bull shit. Star Command ship captains not happy with long waits on decryptions. Steve wasn't blaming us for working slow. He knew how long it took at time to break an encryption. And none of us could blame him for doing his job by letting us know of the complaints. Having dismissed us to return to our workstations, he turned to walk back to his office. "Hey, Steve," I called rushing to catch up to him. "I have a dilemma I need to talk to you about."
"It's not about your roommate again is it, Bella?"
"Well, she is a pain in my side," I answered.
"I told you to speak with your landlord about breaking your side of the lease."
"I know; I only have six months left and she has been away on a mission. And will be gone again in a few weeks for another mission that goes until the New Year."
"A perfect time to move out, if you asked me," he said indicating a chair in front of his desk as he settled himself in his office chair.
"I know, but it is a hassle and my weekends just became booked solid until after Valentine's Day, which is the dilemma I need to talk to you about."
"Explain," he said as steepled his fingers in front of his mouth.
"I am returning to Forks to perform in a show on Valentine's Day. Rehearsal starts October 24th and runs every Friday and Saturday, excluding a few weekends for Halloween and Thanksgiving and a week or two for Christmas. I will be unavailable to work on weekends for some time."
"Bella, that's great and I see no dilemma. You have worked almost every weekend for six years and the whole team knows this. God knows, I have tried countless times to kick you out of here on Friday's telling you to have a good weekend to no avail. Two weeks ago was the first time you have taken a weekend off since I became your supervisor. The team will understand," he said standing and walking out of his office with me following. I had no idea what he was going to do. "Everyone can I have your attention," he said over the hum of work going on around us. When everyone had stopped what they were translating and turned, he went on. "Starting this Friday at 3:30, Bella will no longer be working weekends until March."
I was shocked when everyone started clapping. "About time," Sarah, my best friend, shouted over the clapping. "Why now," she asked when everyone stopping clapping.
"Bella is finally going to visit her father in Forks and will be performing in a Valentine's Day show there too. Rehearsals start this month and every weekend, save a few until the show."
"Wow," Sarah said rush over to hug me. "This is big for you," she whispered. Sarah was the only one of my co-workers who knew of why I left Forks years ago.
I gave her a tight smile.
October 24, 2008
I stepped off the shuttle and looked up at the dreary cloud covered sky of Forks. It smelled like it had recently rained. God, I missed the smell of pine that was heavily present after a rain. Living in Indianapolis was great for the simple fact that it didn't always rain, but it never smelled this heavenly after a rainstorm.
An SUV was waiting for me with an Ensign standing next to it with the keys. "Lieutenant, let me help you with your bags," he said as I approached opening the backend.
"Thank you," I said handing him a bag at a time.
"Do you need directions anywhere," he asked after closed the backend
"No, I am quite familiar with Forks," I answered climbing into the driver's seat. I had called Dad right before landing and he was stuck in a meeting that would last well into the evening. He wished me luck before ending the call. I was now driving passed the hospital and prayed the car that turned out wasn't Carlisle.
The car went passed me as I waited for cars to clear thus allowing me to turn in to the Lodge's parking lot. I hazard a glance as it passed and it was Carlisle. I couldn't be for sure if he knew it was me or not. I sighed as I shut off the ignition having crossed the traffic lanes and parked.
"Good afternoon," a sweet young woman greeted me. "Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes, Isabella Swan."
"Umm, I am not finding you. Oh," she said looking at me.
"What?"
"It was cancelled three hours ago."
"What," I shouted causing her to jump. "Sorry."
"Your room was cancelled."
"Are there still rooms available," I asked trying to calm myself.
"No," she answered. "It is still hiking season."
I thanked her and walked out, groaning when I was in the SUV again. What was I going to do? I really didn't want to stay at the base but I had no other choice. I sent Dad a brief text letting him know.
His response was immediate and only one word. Alice?
I would kill her if she did. I had four hours to kill before I had to be at the high school and since the nap I was hoping for was now out of the question, I didn't know what to do. I ended up at the diner.
"Bella, is that you," Angela said coming over to the table I had been sitting at for the past two hours surfing the web. I had been pleasantly surprised to see a wireless sign on the door when I entered.
I looked up wide-eyed as she sat down joining me uninvited. "Hey, Ang," I said. She and I had ended up roommates in college and had since kept in touch. I knew she come back and took over the diner after graduating college with a business degree. It just surprised me to see her here in the dining room.
"Why didn't you email and tell me you were going to be in town? Wait, why are you here?"
"Surprise," I said with a grimace at the look she gave me. "Ms. Brandt wrote me," I told her lowering my voice and covering my face with my hair as Mike Newton walked in with Jessica, his wife.
"You agreed to be in the show," she whispered.
"Yep, but it's a secret until tonight," I whispered back.
"Where are you staying?"
"The base," I replied.
"You don't look happy about that," she commented.
"I had made a reservation at the Lodge but it somehow got cancelled."
"Oh, did anyone else know you were coming?"
"No," I said shaking my head, "just my Dad and Ms. Brandt. I swore them both to secrecy."
"And Ms. Brandt didn't say a word about you when I talked to her yesterday about who agreed. All she told me was that both you and Edward were the only two she hadn't heard from."
"I can't believe she lied. I talked to her on October 1st and let her know I was in."
"When did you receive your letter?"
"On my birthday, she wanted my answer first since I didn't leave in the area."
"Makes sense; I'm glad you here. And from what I heard from Alice, Edward has no plans on performing."
That was news to me, I had thought he would. We talked a few more minutes before she had to go deal with a rowdy customer.
An hour and a half, I walked into the high school, with a half hour to go, extremely nervous. I was not the first to arrive and I wasn't sure who already here. Almost as soon as I walked into the music room, I was wrapped up in someone's embrace. "Belly," Emmett's booming voice announced as he lifted me off my feet swinging me around in a circle. I hated that nickname and obviously he remembered.
"Put me down, Emily," I said through clenched teeth, using the nickname he earned after a rousing game of truth or dare, knowing he disliked the name as much as I hated Belly.
"You don't play fair, Bella," he said with a hurt look as he placed me back on my feet.
"Sorry," I mumbled. Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper were the only ones that witnessed the display. "Hey," I said timidly looking over at the others. "Sorry I lost contact."
"You're back now," Jasper said with a calming smile.
"Also, sorry I didn't come to your weddings," I said to Alice and Rosalie.
"No apology needed," Rosalie said with a laugh. "I didn't give you enough warning."
"Sorry I cancelled your room," Alice said crossing her arms over her chest, she was hurt. She had given me plenty of warning and I did even respond with an 'I can't make it' or send the gift I had bought, like I had when Rosalie married Emmett. I did bring it with me in the off chance I would see her.
"I do have the gift with me," I said placing my hand on her shoulder. I hoped she wouldn't be mad long.
She wrapped her arms around me hugging. "Why can't I stay mad at you right now, Bella?"
"The same reason I can't be mad at you for cancelling my room. I missed you all."
"We missed you too and you'll stay with us at Carlisle's and Esme's tonight," Jasper said pulling me away from Alice and into a hug. I wasn't going to protest it was better than staying at the base.
We all fell silent as other started filing in. "Okay, if everyone can take a seat," Ms. Brandt said coming in behind Angela.
Angela took the seat next to and gave me a how you doing look. I shrugged turning my attention to Ms. Brandt. I was fine right now, seeing as Edward wasn't here. If he was here, I would probably be freaking out.
"We'll start by reintroducing everyone and a brief update since the reunion," Ms. Brandt announced. "Bella, would you begin."
I quickly went over what I had been doing since graduating. Alice had just finished up when Ms. Brandt called on one last person. I thought Alice was the last. "Edward," Ms. Brandt said.
Edward? I turned and there he was leaning against the doorjamb in a dark grey suit with a black dress shirt unbutton at the throat. I locked eyes with him, and dear Lord, I was in trouble. He was even handsomer than my memory lead me to believe. He had definitely filled out more in the muscle department. His hair was in its typical disarray of bronze locks.
I turned away after seeing the look of hurt in his eyes. I had to talk to him soon and explain why I felt the need to leave him and give him a chance to lash out at me.