A/N: As always, these lovely characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. I am grateful for the chance to play with them a little….
If you like this story, please let me know and I will continue. It's beginning to take a direction that I had not planned. Drama, drama, drama. Never smooth sailing for Edward and Bella!
I was leaving New York City tomorrow and Bella hadn't come to me. I had hoped she would. At night, when most everyone was sleeping, even New Yorkers, I walked the streets. Inevitably, I ended up at Bella's brownstone, staring up into the third floor where she worked. I'd occasionally see flashbulbs going off.
It was 4:00 am when I once again headed down the twisting and winding streets of her Tribeca neighborhood. There was not much sound, only the echo of my hard soled shoes on the pavement. I was just rounding the corner when I pulled up short. Bella was standing in the door way of her building. She was with a man. I could not see his face, but he was young, muscular with blond hair. Human.
I heard Bella's laugh, like the tinkling of fine crystal. She threw her head back and smiled at her companion. My stomach sank like a stone. Then he turned to head to a waiting cab. He looked back over his shoulder as he climbed into the car.
"Hey Iz?"
"Yeah?" Bella answered.
"Love you."
"I love you too." She whispered back to him. He smiled and closed the car door. I stood in the street and watched it drive away.
"Edward?" Bella's startled voice called from the doorway. I looked up and saw the embarrassment on her face as she wrapped a large sweater around her slender body.
"I… I'm sorry." I needed to explain my presence, but my tongue simply would not work.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was walking. He called you Iz."
"Oh, well, it's a nickname. People call me Izzy. Isabella is so formal." She waved a dismissive hand.
"Right." I felt like choking on the words.
"Well, come on up." She smiled at me and headed into the darkened doorway.
She led the way into the building and climbed three flights of marble stairs. At the third floor landing, there were two doors; one at each end of the hallway.
"This is my personal apartment. The other is my studio." She opened the apartment door. It was decorated in classic, but modern furniture. Very minimalist. Everything was neat. She walked to a white couch and wrapped herself in a throw blanket. She indicated with a hand that I should sit.
"So, this is what you do with your nights?"
"Sometimes."
"I see."
"You're with that human?" I asked, still is disbelief over what I saw.
"I know it's odd…"
"Odd? It's dangerous."
"I know what I'm doing." Her tone turned cool.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry, but how can you…"
She cut me off. "He knows, alright? He knows what I am."
"Oh God Bella, what a mess."
"It's Izzy, and no, it's not a mess. He's okay with it all."
"How do you… how do you control yourself?"
She crossed her lovely slim legs and pondered my question. "It's not so hard. I make sure I'm well fed before I see him."
I shook my head and stared down at my feet, striving for control.
"Haven't you ever been with a human?" She asked. My head shot up.
"I have."
"And?"
"It did not end well." I could not meet her intense gaze.
"Oh." She stood and walked to the window. "I'm sorry. Truly."
I shrugged and looked away from her. This way beyond surreal. Here I was talking to the love of my life about the love of my life.
"It was a long time ago." I rose up and headed for the door. "I'm sorry I disturbed you. I did not mean to interrupt your farewell with your companion."
She walked slowly towards me. The throw blanket had moved off of her shoulder. I could see the black strap of whatever she wore against her perfect shoulder. When she reached me, she put a hand on my arm. I was grateful for the two layers of clothing I was wearing. I don't think I could've maintained my composure if Bella touched me.
"You are always welcome here, Edward."
"You're very kind." I turned and put my hand on the doorknob.
"You have an open invitation anytime you come back to the city." She smiled at me and I realized it was not the same smile my Bella had given me thousands of time. This was the polite smile of a stranger. She was kind, and happy to find someone like herself, but still a stranger. I smiled back at her.
"Well, until next time then." I moved through the doorway and pulled it shut behind me. I took a few steadying breaths as I made my way down the stairs and back outside into the damp night.
I was tempted to call Alice or Carlisle, but in the end I decided to keep this news to myself. I had found Bella, but not. The Bella I had known and loved was not here.
xXx
I prepared for my departure the following morning. I was packed and ready for my early flight back to Washington. I walked outside into the gray and gloomy morning. I was about to get into my waiting taxi when I felt her presence near me. I turned my head and saw her standing on the street corner. She gave me a little smile and a wave. I had my luggage removed from the cab as she slowly approached me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I wanted to see you one last time before you left."
Her voice cascaded over me. I took in her appearance. She was dressed so unlike my Bella. Gone were the zip-up hooded sweatshirts and jeans. This woman before me wore a long black jacket belted at her tiny waist. I could see leather boots peeking out from under her coat that would've made Rosalie jealous. And to top it all off, she wore a newsboy style cap atop her head.
"Would you like to come inside?" I indicated the hotel lobby with my hand.
"No, I was hoping we could walk in the park."
I laughed. We would most certainly be the only people walking in the park on this cold, rainy morning.
"Sure."
I began to move and was startled when she tucked her arm inside the crook of my elbow. We crossed the street and strolled down the paths inside the park.
"I know this is silly. You must think I'm odd for showing up like this."
"No more so than me showing up on your doorstep last night. It's not so unusual really. We are probably the only two of our kind in the area."
She laughed nervously. "I wouldn't be so sure about that."
I stopped abruptly. "What?"
"It's nothing I can't handle. Just a small pack that passed through here not long ago."
"Bella, did they threaten you?" I realized I was grabbing her arm. I exhaled and released her.
"It's Izzy. Or Isabella, and no, they didn't."
"But…"
"They were… not pleased with the way I was living; so closely with humans. They said they'd be back to check up."
"You're afraid?"
"Well, a little I suppose. I mean, I can handle myself. I know I can, it's just… I didn't want to talk to my brother about this. He'd only worry and then come out here and try and convince me to come back."
"Jake?"
"Yes. He's…protective."
I couldn't help the snort that came out of my mouth. I could see Bella glance at me with a frown, but she continued. "It's just nice having someone else…. Someone else like me."
"I'm glad I came then." I smiled at her and she linked her arm with mine once again.
We walked the perimeter of the park and then back toward the hotel. As we approached the grand revolving doors, she pulled me to a stop.
"I…" she bit her lip nervously and it was almost enough to drive me to my knees. "I was wondering if we could stay in touch?"
"I'd like that." I clenched my fists together to keep from reaching out and touching her porcelain cheek.
"I hope you don't mind. I mean, Conner is protective, but afterall is said and done, he's only human."
"Ah, Conner."
"You don't approve. I know." She shook her head.
I chose my words carefully. "It's not that, Bella. I've been down this road. I loved a human once and it cost us both. It ruined a lot of lives."
She opened her mouth to speak but then shut it firmly. I waited, but she didn't continue. Finally, she broke the tension.
"I suppose you should be going."
I checked my watch. "Yes,"
"My number is 646-487-1919."
I pulled out my cell phone and punched in her number. "And now you have my number."
I heard her phone ring in her pocket. The ring tone was Clair de Lune. She quickly silenced it. "Weird I know. It's DeBussy."
"I know."
She stared at me again. I wondered if anything about me was starting to trigger her memory. I desperately wanted her to remember me. I wanted her to look at me the way my Bella used to. I was terrified of the anger and derision I would see, but still, it would be her. I watched her, but then her face returned to the serene canvas it had been.
"You know DeBussy?"
"Yes."
"You are unlike anyone I've ever met." She laughed and held out her hand. "Well, it was nice to meet you Edward. Have a safe flight."
I slid my hand into hers and tried not to linger too long. "Thank you Bella."
She laughed. "It's Izzy."
"Right."
She laughed again as she turned to leave. I watched her walk away, that long black coat swishing as she moved. I wondered when I'd see her again.
xXx
It was a month later when my cell phone chimed. I picked it up ½ way through the first ring.
"Bella?"
I heard her laugh, but weakly. Her breathing was rapid and shallow. "How many times to we need to go over this? It's Izzy."
"What's wrong?"
"I need you."
