A/N: Thanks to everyone who has stuck with us. We promise that it won't be long now before Edward & Bella come face to face. We had to set up their back stories, and besides…what fun would it be if we gave you what you wanted right away…ha ha.
We have to send a shout out to our girl Robicorn who is also writing her first fan fic that you should all check out. It's called "Let Your Mercy Fall On Me" which you can find the link to on our homepage under our favorite stories and/or favorite authors.
Disclaimer: SM owns all things Twilight, we just hope to one day own Rob.
Chapter 4
EPOV
I got out of my car, gathered the bags that I had thrown in the back seat, and made my way into the firehouse. As I walked in I heard a bunch of people start cheering and clapping.
"Yay…Edward finally decided to show up for work."
"Fuck off Dave", and I flipped him off. "If you must know, I was at the market picking up some steaks to cook you jerk offs for dinner, but I must admit I think I forgot one for you."
"Ha, like hell you did Cullen; and if you did I will just eat yours and you can eat that left over crap that resembles dog food that John cooked yesterday." "Hey…I heard that", John yelled. Dave and I busted out laughing.
"Come on wise ass; help me bring these bags into the kitchen." Dave grabbed a bag from me and we walked into the kitchen.
Dave was probably my closest friend in the house. We had actually known each other since grade school. I was ecstatic when we both decided to join the fire department. He knew me better then anyone else here.
"So, are you all ready for the big move?" "I don't know", I said. "I mean I am not packed or anything…"
"Shocker" he said sarcastically and then laughed.
"As I was saying ass munch…I am not packed but I'm nervous. I know this move is for the best but I'm going to miss Chicago. I don't know any other way of life but life here."
"Well, I'm not gonna say that I am thrilled you are leaving. Shit, I almost wanna cry like a little bitch over it, but I really think this is what you need right now. Let's face it man…you have been falling apart this last year; to many bad memories here for you. Even my little Missus, Lauren, has been worried sick over you."
"I know."
With that Dave grabbed the steaks out of the bag and put them on a plate and started seasoning them while I went over and turned on the grill to our big industrial sized range. Dave knew I hated talking about the whole Tanya thing so I was grateful that he didn't say anything more about it.
"So Eddie", Dave said, and I turned and punched him in the arm because he knew I hated being called that shit, "how long does it take one to drive from Chicago to Seattle?" he said while rubbing his arm and giving me the evil eye.
"Well I googled that shit the other day and it says it's like 2,063 miles, which means it would take over a day to drive there. I plan on stopping for some rest when I just can't see straight anymore and then I will get there sometime Saturday night. Jasper said he would hang around the apartment on Saturday so that he can help me unload the truck as soon as I get there."
Dave nodded his head. "Any idea what you are going to do for work?"
"Well actually my other roommate, the guy named Emmett, he is a firefighter too. He is actually a captain. I put in for a transfer to a Seattle Fire House and Emmett said he was going to try and make a few phone calls to see if he can find me a spot quickly. I am hoping to get into somewhere relatively soon but I would also like a few days to myself once I get there so I can explore the city and get the feel for my new surroundings."
"That's great man. It really seems like you are going into this with a plan and I'm really happy for you."
"Thanks", I said.
With that I took the last of the steaks off the grill while Dave pulled the potatoes out of the oven. I quickly whipped up the salad and then yelled "DINNER". Wouldn't you know it that those fuckers came running faster for food then they did when an actual fire alarm sounded. I just laughed to myself. Damn I'm gonna miss these guys.
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As soon as dinner was done we all cleaned up and then went into the TV room to catch a bit of the Cubs game.
"So are you going to switch sides now and become a Mariners fan", Pete said. "Oh hell no…I may be moving to another state but my heart and loyalties will always remain with Chicago. When the Cubs come to Seattle to play I will be there with my Cubs jersey on displaying it proudly. I don't care if people try to shove their foot up my ass…I'll never switch teams…EVER!"
"That's good to hear Cullen because if I ever see you in a Mariners jersey, the only foot up your ass will be mine", Pete joked.
Just then my phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out and saw that Jasper was calling.
"Hey guy what's going on?"
"Hey to you too Edward. I just got off the phone with your cousin, and my better half, and she was telling me that you plan on arriving Saturday and so I figured I would call and touch base. I will be home all day because I have tons of lesson plans to write up for my classes, so I'll definitely be around when you get here. I had Emmett's lazy ass clear out the spare bedroom that he had claimed for all his useless crap so that it would be all set and ready for you when you get here. There is already a queen sized bed in there and a dresser, so all you need to bring is your clothes, some bed linens, and yourself and you'll be right at home."
"Thanks man I really appreciate it. You have no idea how much it means to me that you are letting me move in with you. It's hard enough moving to a new city without having to worry about where I'm going to be living, and what shady ass roommate you might end up with."
"Well I am more then happy to help you out. Anyone who Alice approves of is definitely okay in my book…but I can't exactly say that you won't have to worry about shady ass roommates because Emmett is a pig. I mean you always have to check before you sit down somewhere because I can't tell you the amount of times that I have plopped down on the couch after a long day at work only to be lying on some leftover pizza from the night before, or some unidentified wet spot…that I would honestly rather not know what it is. At least he is serious with Rose now because before the two of them started dating seriously you REALLY don't want to know the shit I would find stuffed in between the couch cushions."
All I could do was laugh at that. I mean I have lived on my own for several years now but working in a firehouse with a bunch of dudes you pretty much got used to finding disgusting shit in the couch cushions…but I thank God every day that there were no sexual liaisons occurring on the couches we had in our TV room at the house…that I knew of. I cringed at that thought…some of those guys were just plain old nasty fuckers so you never know.
"Well thanks again man, I will keep you and Alice posted as to my whereabouts as I'm driving out, that way you aren't completely stuck in the apartment all day Saturday should you have to run out for anything."
"Sounds good Edward. Oh and speaking of the devil, Emmett's here and he wants to talk to you for a second, so I'll put him on and then I will talk to you sometime on Saturday."
"Thanks Jasper." And with that I heard a bit of a shuffle and then Emmett got on the phone.
"Edward my man how's it going?" Emmett said in a big booming voice that vibrated in my ear.
"It's going, it's going."
"Great! Well I just wanted to talk to you because I have some great news for you."
"Oh yeah, and what might that be?" I said.
"I just heard from the higher ups at the Seattle Fire Department and I was able to pull a few strings and I got you a spot in a house starting a week after you arrive in Seattle. And not just in any old house, but in my house! It's gonna be great Edward. We have a really great group of guys here and the house is within walking distance of our apartment so even if you have a car you won't really need to worry about driving to work."
"Wow man are you serious?!?! Emmett I really owe you big man. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
I know that often when you transfer to another city there are instances when guys have to take a side job and wait for a spot to open in a house. Most of the spots are filled by graduates of the local fire academy so an outsider looking for a job normally gets put on a waiting list and has to hope that something will eventually open up. So not only did Emmett get me a spot but he got me a spot in his house. That would be really beneficial in helping me get to know the other guys better and find my groove in fighting fires in a new city that I was unfamiliar with.
"Hey man, don't mention it. I have spoken to Alice numerous times about your commitment to your job and you sound a heck of a lot like me. It takes a lot more then muscle and stamina to make it as a firefighter. You have to have heart and determination and from what Alice tells me…you are the real deal. I'm glad to have you in my house and I know the other guys are really looking forward to meeting you." I could have had you start right away but I figured you would like a few days to settle in to the apartment and get to know the surrounding area. That is why I am having you start the following Monday."
"I appreciate it Emmett…it will also give me one full weekend before I start to have you guys take me out on the town and introduce me to some of the local watering holes that you frequent."
"Now you are talking man…I knew I was going to like you the second Alice and Jasper told me that you were moving here! Okay well I know you are at work now so I'll let you go but I'll see you on Saturday. Oh and Edward?"
"Yes."
"Don't let Jasper fool you. There have been plenty of times that I have been at work pulling doubles and I am pretty much out of the apartment all weekend, so Jasper and Alice have the place to themselves, and I have come home and found plenty of…uh…interesting things in the couch."
"Emmett", I said mixed with laughter, "I'm sure you have, but I would rather not think about Jasper's escapades since they happen to include my cousin who is more like my sister, and that shit just really makes me sick."
"Ha ha ha", Emmett boomed with laughter. "You got a point there bro…but I just needed to point out that I am not the only nasty guy living in this apartment."
"Point taken man", I said, "I'll talk to you later." And with that Emmett and I hung up.
I walked back into the common room and filled Dave and the other guys in about the news that Emmett had just given me. Everyone agreed that I had gotten really lucky as I wouldn't have to go get a job making pizzas or something while I waited for a spot to open up in one of the Seattle houses.
Just then the alarm went off setting everyone into motion. Dave looked at me and said "so Cullen you ready to do this one last time with your Chicago guys?"
I stood up, looked at Dave straight in the eye and gave him one of my famous crooked smiles.
"Let's roll."
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The next morning I got home around 6:30 AM. I had a late night as we were called to a four alarm fire at an apartment complex a few blocks away from the house. We didn't get back to the house until about 4:30. I caught a few hours of sleep but when my shift was over I knew I had to get up and go home. I would have normally just stayed and went home once I got some rest but I knew I had to get home and start packing. I also knew that if I didn't start packing Alice would somehow know and then I risked her showing up in Chicago that night and not only beating me up but then staying and making the ride back with me to Seattle.
So I dragged myself home after stopping at the local U-Haul store to buy some boxes. I was going to be renting a U-Haul to move my boxes out there, and to also tow my car. So while I was there I double checked my reservation for the following day.
Packing really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Like I had told Alice on the phone I really only have to pack clothes. I also took my towels, sheets & comforter. Pete was going to be taking over my lease and he gave me some money to buy my furniture, plates, pots and pans and such. I really wouldn't need all that stuff since Emmett and Jasper were already settled into their apartment and had all that stuff.
The day was going pretty smoothly until I realized that I had to go down to the basement of my apartment building and get my boxes that were in my storage compartment down there. I knew what those boxes contained and I really didn't want to go down there but at the same time I knew I couldn't leave their contents behind.
All those boxes consisted of all things Tanya. There were pictures of her and I, candles and nick knacks that she had put around our apartment when she was living there. If I thought hard enough I was sure there was even a granola bar wrapper in one of the boxes that I found on the kitchen table from her breakfast the last day she was there. But I didn't dare open them. I just carried them upstairs and placed them with the rest of the stuff I had packed. I hadn't opened any of those boxes since I had first packed them up. It was just too hard.
After I finished packing it was nearly midnight. I knew I needed to get to bed because I had a really long day ahead of me but there was one more thing that I needed to do. I walked over to my laptop and turned it on. After it finished loading I opened up my email and started writing.
Subject: Goodbye for now
Dear Tanya,
Hey sweetheart. I won't make this too long because I have to get to sleep, but I just wanted to let you know that I am leaving tomorrow. I will be driving most of the day on Friday and should be arriving in Seattle sometime Saturday evening. I'm all packed and ready to go. I didn't forget any of your stuff in storage. I'm bringing it with me. I know you would probably tell me that I am being crazy for not just throwing that stuff out but you know that I can't, not yet, maybe not ever. I know I won't be close enough to come and see you…not like I was ever able to get out of the car and actually come over to you…but you know what I mean. I just want you to know that I think about you every day and that won't change just because I am not in Chicago anymore. When I come back into town to visit my parents and stuff I will make sure you know and I will come and see you if that is okay. Well I better get some sleep. I'll write you when I get there to let you know how things are.
I love you,
Edward
xoxo
I hit send and then closed my eyes and felt a wave of anxiety shoot through me. I really hoped I was making the right decision by moving away from here, moving away from her. But I pushed those thoughts out of my head quickly and walked into the kitchen and took a shot of Jameson to calm me down and hopefully help me get to sleep. I walked into my bedroom and lay down on my bed. I let my mind wonder until sleep finally drew me under and I had a night of dreamless sleep.
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I walked back into my apartment after Pete had helped me get the last of the boxes into the truck. I took a last walk around checking to make sure there were no odds and ends that I had forgotten. It was really surreal to see my apartment looking so bare. Sure it had the furniture and stuff still in it but it felt empty. I was actually surprised I was feeling that right now because it had felt empty since Tanya had been gone. Once she wasn't there anymore it never really felt like home to me again. I heard Pete walk in behind me.
"Cullen the car is all hooked up to the trailer, so you should be all set and ready to go."
I turned to him, grabbed his hand and man hugged him to my shoulder. "Thanks Pete, I really appreciate all your help." I took my apartment key off my key ring and handed it to Pete. "Here you go man. Just promise me one thing. I know this apartment isn't much, but please take care of it for me."
Pete knew that I was saying this because this apartment had once been Mine & Tanya's and it would always be special to me.
"You got it Cullen."
I took one more look around and then walked out of the apartment and out to the truck. I climbed into the U-Haul and started the engine. I looked around my block and waved to some of my neighbors who knew I was leaving. I couldn't help it when I felt a tear drip down my face. I quickly wiped it away and told myself to get a grip. Damn Cullen stop acting like a pussy.
As I started driving my phone started ringing and I didn't even need to look at it to know who would be calling me right then and there.
"Hello Alice."
"Hello Edward my dear, dear cousin. I'm glad you finally took off."
How the hell does she do that???
"There is seriously something off with you Pixie and I don't know what it is but I damn well am going to find out. But yes I did take off and I'll be driving until late tonight and then will stop when I get tired."
"Great! Listen Edward I know it was really tough for you to leave today but I just want to let you know that I have a really good feeling about all this. I just know there are going to be some really great things in store for you in the future. It's time to live your life again and stop wallowing in all the hurt and anger. You can't change the past but you definitely have a say in the future. I hate to say this, especially to you, but everything happens for a reason Edward. I just know there is a reason you are leaving Chicago and coming to Seattle. I think you are going to have a very…uh…beautiful, yes beautiful life here."
"Beautiful? Shit Alice I'm not a chick…you could have come up with 'fucking awesome, amazing, da bomb' life or some shit like that." Ha ha…I had to laugh at her.
"Shut up Edward, I was just looking at one of my roommate's utility bills on the kitchen table and her name means…and I thought it was a nice word to describe how your life could be here and…oh never mind Edward call me later you jerk."
After Alice hung up the phone I just chuckled to myself. I was really hoping that Alice was on to something, as she usually always is, because I really needed something better then what I was leaving behind in Chicago and hey, secretly, although I would never admit it to her, I actually wouldn't mind having a 'beautiful' life waiting for me in Seattle.
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A/N: Well our guy is finally on his way. I hope you guys enjoyed getting to know our Edward a little bit. Please leave us some love or just comments in general by clicking on the review button below.
xoxo
