Happy Belated St. Patricks Day. I hope you're not too hung over to appreciate a new chapter.
I want to thank my Beta Berlywood for all her hard work. I also would like to thank my friend misticbutterfly for allowing me to bounce ideas off of her and supporting my writing.
I do not own Twilight or any of the Characters created by Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 4 – It's Only the Beginning
August 17, 2009
BPOV
It was our first morning together in Seattle and I woke up excited. Once again, Edward was still soundly asleep, so I tiptoed downstairs and went looking for my coffee maker. I only had one box of stuff that Edward brought in from the car last night. I had no trouble finding the coffee maker and the canister that held my favorite blend of coffee and I stepped into the kitchen to prepare my first pot in my new home. I scanned the cabinets and refrigerator looking for something to make for breakfast. Edward's cupboards were practically bare and the fridge only held beer and condiments. I was delighted when I found some concentrated frozen orange juice, and waffles in the freezer and syrup on the shelf. There wasn't any milk or creamer for my coffee so I had to cringe and drink it black. I mixed up the orange juice and poured Edward a glass and set it on the breakfast counter. I warmed up the butter and syrup together in the microwave and toasted the waffles. I was looking for a tray when I heard Edward coming down the stairs.
"The smell of your coffee woke me up." Edward joined me in the kitchen half asleep. His hair was a crazy mess on top of his head and he was only wearing his boxers.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," that wasn't entirely true. I couldn't wait to start my first day here.
"I wanted to take you out for breakfast…" he sat on the stool and grabbed his glass of juice.
"I managed to find some frozen waffles," they popped out of the toaster and I placed them on a plate and poured the hot butter and syrup combination on top for him. "Bon Appetite."
Edward smiled and ran his fingers through his hair, "Thank you baby." He eagerly began to eat his breakfast.
"You need to point me in the direction of a grocery store because all you have in this house is beer."
"I haven't been home much," Edward grinned while he inhaled his waffles and gulped the last of his juice.
"I can see that…"
"Is it alright if I go over to Emmett's to work on the CD? I hate to leave you here being that it's our first day home, but I will make it up to you at dinner." Edward had spent two weeks with me in Los Angeles and he really should have been there working, so I knew he had a lot of work waiting for him.
"Go. I can explore the neighborhood and I have work to do myself."
"We have to get as many tracks down that we can before the tour," Edward walked around the counter and kissed my forehead. "I need to jump in the shower so I can get out of here, are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Better than okay. What time do you think you'll be home?"
"I'll have to call you." He raced up the stairs.
"I'll make dinner." I yelled behind him.
"Don't you want to go out?" Edward yelled over the railing.
"I'd rather stay in." We had been on the road for a few days, eating all our meals out, and I wanted something home cooked.
"Your call love, it's fine with me." I heard the bathroom door shut.
I cleaned up the dishes from breakfast and I found my laptop and I plugged it in to charge it. I wasn't enjoying my coffee like I normally do, so I decided to pick up groceries before I did anything else.
Edward showered quickly and ran downstairs with his hair still wet and face unshaven. "Here are the keys to the loft," Edward handled me two keys for the locks. "I feel bad that I'm leaving you here alone."
"I know you have to work, I'll be fine," I wrapped my arms around his waist. "Just remember to call me."
"I will." Edward brushed his whiskered chin against mine before he kissed me goodbye. He smelled so good that it lingered in the room long after he left.
It was the first time I'd ever been alone in the loft. I wanted to unpack my stuff, but I didn't know where to put my things. I still felt this place was like a work of art, pulled together with Esme's design and Edward's amazing collection of books, music and art. I didn't want to disturb it. This place was Edward.
I set up a small workspace on the breakfast counter with my laptop and checked my emails while I jotted a list of the things I needed to buy. Creamer was at the top of the list.
I went upstairs to shower and realized I didn't have any place to put my clothes. I didn't even have a drawer. I kept my luggage open on the floor and grabbed something comfortable to wear for the day.
I figured I would explore a small area around the loft and spend my day restocking the kitchen and making lasagna for dinner. I needed to call Alice after she got home from work. I locked up the loft and found my way to my car and took a right out onto the street.
I found grocery stores about a mile away from the loft. There was a Trader Joes and a Safeway Market, both near Madison Street. That's a perfect combination for me because I didn't have to learn any new labels, and I could find everything I needed easily. I loaded up my cart and made sure I stocked up on Prosecco and red wine for our nights together.
When I was driving back home I noticed a coffee café on the corner that I could easily walk over to. What a relief; I wished I had known it was there earlier when I had to suffer with my black coffee. It also looked like a great place I could hang out and write when Edward wasn't home.
I was able to carry all the grocery bags up to the loft by using the garage elevator in one trip, and I put everything away. Since the cabinets were empty I wasn't upsetting any sort of organization Edward might have had in place for storing his food. I searched around for his baking pans and found he had a complete set of unused pots and pans thanks to his mother.
I figured I would do some work and start dinner around 5. I liked to make my lasagna the hard way so it would take me a couple of hours to get it on the table. I focused on my first story as a freelance writer. LOUD was doing a review of "Death Cab for Cutie" an indie rock band from Bellingham, Washington. The band consisted of four members, just like Edward's band, and they were working on their seventh album and I had samples from it to listen to. I found my ear buds and put them in place as I began to do more research on them online.
I was on the computer for hours lost in my first draft when I noticed the time. It was late and I needed to start dinner. I was excited to cook because I loved to do it and now I had time and someone to share my recipes with.
I double-checked my phone to see if I might have missed a call from Edward while I had the music on, but there were no calls. I knew he lost track of time when he was in the studio. Sometimes, after we first started dating, he would call me early in the morning before I left for work because he was just coming home from the studio.
I carefully prepared my lasagna and placed it in the oven to bake. I set the dining room table and placed two taper candles I purchased in the center of the table to help celebrate our first dinner in the loft together.
Edward was always so sweet to me when I came home from work in L.A., and I wanted to return the love. Esme had a great eye for style because the place settings I found in the cabinet were Noritake and they were multi-hued black, grey and brown, giving them an onyx and granite appearance, masculine and still very beautiful. They looked like they had never been used.
I thought it would be nice if I dressed for dinner, so I ran upstairs to change my clothes and freshen up my make-up before I gave Edward a call. I selected a simple sundress and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. I decided I would put on my shoes when Edward was closer to home.
I ran downstairs to find my cell and I pressed Edward's number. My call went straight to his voicemail. He turned off his phone when he's working and sometimes he forgot to turn it back on. I was hoping he was on his way home.
I sliced the loaf of Italian bread that I had picked up at the bakery and started to make the salad. I selected a great bottle of wine and popped the cork, and filled two glasses so I could greet Edward at the door. I checked my watch and dinner was about ready, and I still hadn't heard from Edward.
I dialed him again and still got his voicemail. I lit the candles, turned off the oven and took the glasses of wine closer to the front door. I decided to call Alice, because she should be home from work. I pressed her number.
"Hey Bella."
"Hey there, how are you?"
"Great, I was wondering if I would hear from you tonight since it's your first official day as a Seattle resident."
"Edward is in the studio. Did Jasper go in today?"
"No, he doesn't go in until tomorrow. Why?"
"I can't reach Edward and I was wondering if he just forgot to turn on his phone or if he was still working." I didn't want to tell her that dinner was ready and I was sitting at the door waiting.
"Why don't you call Rose?" That wasn't what I wanted to hear. Rose and I really aren't what you would call friends, yet.
"Maybe I will, if he doesn't come home soon."
"How was your first day?'
"It was great, I located the Safeway and Trader Joes to stock up the empty kitchen. I even found a coffee café that is just up the block from the loft. I worked on my first assignment and made dinner."
"Wow, it sounds like you worked harder than I did today," Alice giggled. "I need to come and get you one night so we can do Happy Hour while the boys work. I also need to show you my place…how about Saturday?"
"Sounds like a plan." It was going to be nice to hang out with Alice more and actually have a girlfriend close.
"Well sweetie, my dinner is waiting for me. I hope Edward gets home soon, call me later if you're bored."
"Okay, enjoy your dinner." I was hoping I wouldn't have to call her later while still waiting for Edward.
I tried calling him again. It was after 7 p.m. now and dinner for us in Los Angeles was always at 7. I sat on the couch and slowly sipped my wine staring at the door anticipating Edward's arrival.
EPOV
I arrived early at Rose and Emmett's condo, where Em had a state-of-the-art studio set up in the other room. My sister usually works from home, but today she had to go out of town, so she left us with plenty of food, soda and beer. I was so grateful Bella made me breakfast that morning, so I didn't have to hunt for food the moment I stepped in the door. We recorded our first album in there and the label trusted we could do it again. Emmett and I went in the studio together to continue the work we had started on our second CD for the record company. We had been writing and sharing files for months and this was the first time we were in Seattle together to hear the progress.
Emmett was technically proficient and he took control as producer. He sat behind the mixing console while we plotted out what we needed to do next. We worked better as a band if Emmett and I had the music charts written for Jasper and Jake before they came in to record.
After a few hours we narrowed down the song selection and I still needed to write lyrics for one of them. I don't think of myself as a strong lyricist, I feel I am more of a singer. I muddled along and people seemed to always respond to my writing, so I kept at it.
While I was in Los Angeles with Bella, I sent Emmett files and he was able to help me to decide where I needed to start. I would lay down some vocals so Jazz and Jake would have a better idea what direction we wanted to take on this album.
"Do you think we'll have enough time to get this done?" Emmett was up for the work, but this was the first time we had a deadline and a sophomore album has huge expectations.
"If we don't fuck around we will." We only had a week to get the bulk of the album done before we left on a short tour.
"I never fuck around…is it too early for a beer?" Em laughed as we got back to work.
I sang two songs and we took a food break, then Em and I both handwrote the charts for all four parts. I got so lost in all the work that I didn't realize how late it had gotten because the windows were covered in the studio. I didn't wear a watch and when I stepped out to go to the bathroom, I saw it was dark and I panicked. I hadn't called Bella!
"Holy shit Em! What time is it?"
"After 11, dude."
I had been working over 10 hours since lunch and Bella must be furious with me. I checked my phone and I saw she tried to reach me several times and finally she sent me a text. "It's getting late, gone to bed, wake me when you get home."
I knew Bella understood my work, but tonight was supposed to be special and I had promised her I would call so we could have a nice dinner and I hadn't. I felt like a complete ass.
"I need to get home. I'll see you tomorrow." I rushed out the door and headed home as fast as I could.
When I got to the front door I could smell the delicious dinner that I missed, the table was set and there were half melted candles. I ruined it all.
I tiptoed upstairs and found Bella in a cute dress, asleep on top of the covers and an empty wine glass on the nightstand. Damn it Edward, you really fucked up. How could I have been so thoughtless? I didn't want to wake her, but she had asked me to and she needed to change out of her clothes.
I whispered softly so not to scare her, "Bella, love?" She moved her head slightly. "Bella darling, I'm home." She moaned quietly and started to open her eyes. I was afraid she was going to be upset with me. I felt like a jerk.
"Hi." Bella whispered sweetly like she always does when she is happy to see me.
"Hi, baby, I'm so sorry…" I sat on the edge of the bed to get closer to her.
"Sorry? What for?" Bella slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Kiss me."
Bella asked me to kiss her? I ruined her dinner and evening and she was reached out to me. I leaned over her and pressed my lips upon her softly.
"How was your day?" Her eyes were fighting to stay open.
"It's late, I'll tell you all about it in the morning. Now let me help you out of that dress and get you into your night shirt."
"I can get up." Bella draped her legs over the side of bed. I helped her remove her dress and I handed her the T-shirt she likes to sleep in. She must have had too much to drink because she smiled at me with her half closed eyes while I helped her and pulled the covers down so she could slip under the sheets.
I quickly went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready to join Bella in bed. "It's been a long day and I'm sorry I ruined your evening." I joined her under the sheets and kissed the top of her head.
"It's a perfect evening now that you're here with me." Bella curled around me and made herself comfortable and her nose nuzzled against my skin.
"I promise to never forget to call you and always keep my phone on," I weaved my fingers in her hair. "I love you."
"I love you too." Bella kissed me and sweetly fell asleep.
BPOV
Edward came home late last night and had completely missed the meal I prepared for us. I almost drank the whole bottle of wine I opened and fell asleep while waiting for him to come home. I was disappointed that he didn't call me, but I knew he had gotten too wrapped up in his work. Edward's favorite place in the world was the recording studio, it was his sanctuary, and I knew he had a huge amount of work he was dealing with, so I couldn't be angry with him.
I woke up early as usual and helped Edward wake up so he could jump in the shower while I made his breakfast. Today was the first day the entire band was going in the studio and they all had a long day ahead of them. They had five full days to devote recording before they had to think about leaving on the tour.
The next tour was booked for 10 weeks and it started August 25th when they all would fly to New York to film a segment for MTV, then fly to Chicago, where I would be joining them for a single show. A flight to Sacramento followed, where they would board the tour bus to tour Northern California, Las Vegas, across Canada, the East Coast and back through the West home. I would stay on the road with Edward until Boston, then I would need to get back home to cover a story for LOUD.
The band would be home in time to finish the album and celebrate the holidays before they needed to think about what the next months would bring them. Winter tours are an impossible experience in a tour bus, and we hoped that the band wouldn't have to go out on the road again until the spring.
The best part of my morning was when Edward ran down the stairs with his hair still wet from the shower. I had his orange juice poured and waiting for him on the counter. He gave me my morning kiss and I handed him his eggs and bacon. I stood next to the counter and sipped my coffee and watched him enjoy his meal.
"You're too good to me you know that?" Edward smiled and began eating his breakfast.
"I love taking care of you," I gave him the remaining pieces of bacon from the pan.
"Why haven't you unpacked your clothes? I noticed your suitcase is still on the floor."
"Oh, I wanted to talk to you about that. Where should I put my things? I need a drawer, and your dresser is full." I wasn't comfortable just rearranging his things when he wasn't home.
"I made you some room this morning. If you need more let me know." Edward grinned and continued to eat. "Make yourself at home, please."
"Thank you sweetie," it was a nice surprise he had done that without me asking. "Long day again today?"
"I'm afraid so, don't wait up for me tonight," Edward wiped his lips with the paper napkin. "Friday, I would like you to come with me. By then we should have enough accomplished that you will have something to listen to."
"Oh, that would be fantastic." I didn't have much experience sitting in an actual studio while a band was recording. It would give me a different perspective for my writing. "I can't wait."
Edward jumped off his stool and looked around the room to find his keys, "I hate leaving you, you know that right?"
"We all have to work. Don't worry about me, I have plenty to keep myself busy." I had lived alone before coming here, and it didn't bother me too much that Edward was away most of the day. I was happy to know he would be in bed with me at night.
Before Edward left, he gave me a kiss that seemed to last forever, "I really, really love you."
"I really, really do too," I reluctantly released him and gave him my best smile. "Don't stress too much today."
"I'll try not to. I'll call you… and this time I won't forget." Edward was out the door and I went back into the kitchen to refill my coffee and put the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher.
I went upstairs to take my shower and realized that my suitcase wasn't in the middle of the floor anymore. I was confused as to where Edward would have put it, so I looked around the room and found it slipped under the bed, and when I pulled it out, it was empty. I stepped over to the dresser and when I pulled the drawer open I found that Edward neatly had put all my clothes away and hung my dresses in the closet. That was incredibly thoughtful. How did I get so lucky?
I quickly showered and went straight to my computer to work. Edward texted me several times during the day and I called him before I invited Alice to come over and help me eat the lasagna leftovers for dinner. I opened another bottle of wine and we talked about our new lives with the men we loved and how Alice wished she had more time to go on tour, but she had just started a new job and would only be able to see the Northern California and Vegas shows. Alice would be experiencing her first real time alone in Seattle without Jazz during most of the tour. She was hoping that with the continued success of the band, she would be able to one day quit her job and be with Jazz full time.
Edward came home later than the night before, and this time I didn't even hear him. I woke in the middle of the night and reached out for him and was happy to find him asleep next to me.
OoOOOooO
Our day's fell into a pattern, I was completely content with my life in Seattle, Edward woke up early in the mornings and raced to the studio while I researched and wrote about bands all day. I couldn't wait until tomorrow when I would be able to hear what he had been working on.
Edward had been keeping this new album close to his chest and I was eager to hear his new songs. I hoped that he wasn't worried that I would be critiquing his music instead of purely listening to it.
I was still awake, reading in bed, when Edward returned home. "How was your day?"
"I think you'll like what you'll hear tomorrow." Edward stepped into the bathroom to brush his teeth and change for bed.
"I know I'm going to love what I hear." Edward plopped exhausted on his stomach on the bed beside me. I had begun to massage his shoulders to help release the tension. "You're a brilliant songwriter."
"Humph," Edward grunted. "I don't want to disappoint anyone."
"I doubt that's possible." I kissed his warm back and continued to massage until I knew he had fallen asleep.
Edward had been working so hard and the tour was only a few days away. I believed in him completely and I was determined to stand beside him and support him in any manner he required. Edward Pattinson was going to make his mark with his music.
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