IMPORTANT AUTHOR NOTE:-PLEASE READ THIS FIRST. Hello my lovely readers. First of all, thank you for all your lovely reviews. Secondly, for those of you that are writers, I know that I don't have to explain to you that sometimes as you're writing, your characters take things off the beaten path and away from the original outline. Please keep that in mind while reading. I discovered that this was a necessary part of the story. I hope you like it, please review so I know what you think. You'll be very pleased to know that the next chapter is FINISHED (!) I'm just proofreading it. It should be up in a few hours, but if you really like this one, review, review, review and maybe I'll get it up a little quicker! Much love. Also. This one is much longer than I usually post. Enjoy.
Chapter 7
I sat there for at least a minute completely shocked, jaw slack.
"Edward…" I stammered, my hand over my heart.
"No, stop. I know you're going to say things like it's too soon and your job and life is in America. But you can't deny there has been a connection with us from the beginning". He argued passionately. I reached across, holding his hand in mine.
"You're right. There absolutely has been a connection between us since we met. In fact, for me it goes beyond that. But Edward you're also right. My job, my life, is in the States. It is soon, Edward. You can't deny that". I argued back, trying to find a way to let him down gently. I couldn't move thousands of miles away from everything I'd ever known. But looking into his eyes, I knew he wouldn't give up so easily.
"Just say yes," he pleaded. I shook my head.
"I can't say yes now". I said, looking into his eyes. He got up and began pacing in front of me before coming to stand in front of me.
"I'm not asking you to move in with me or to marry me right now. I'm asking you to move to London to give us a chance. I would move to New York in a second if I could. I would already be packed if it were an option. But this is my life. I cannot leave my family and my obligations. It would devastate my family if I were to walk away. I love my country, as you love yours. I ask you to move to London because I know you would thrive here. I've seen it in your eyes since you arrived. I saw it in your article. You belong here, Bella. You belong in London with the history. I could help you get a job and an apartment or I could not. I could stay out of it and let you be independent. Just please. Think about it. Think about how wonderful life would be". He pleaded. I sat for a moment, thinking about his passionate words.
"I will think about it," I promised.
And think about it I did. I sat up in bed that night, hair piled high on my head and wearing black leggings and an oversized 80's style sweatshirt the fell off one shoulder. I was stalking Skype, hoping Jess or Angela were on and unable to sleep too. Finally, about 2 am London time, I decided to log off and get some sleep to process the idea Edward had planted in my head. The truth was the idea had been in my head since my first visit. I did truly love it here, with or without Edward. Just as I closed my eyes and got comfortable in the bed, my phone buzzed beside me on the night table. I glanced at the screen, It was from Jessica.
You are two days behind on similes. Love, Jess
I'm sorry. It's been a little crazy. I was actually just stalking you on Skype. Do you have a few to chat?
You are in Buckingham Palace right now. I always have time. Hit me.
Well. It's amazing. Love it.
Are you still considering moving there? I know you fell in love with it last time.
I am actually. But something rather strange happened.
Rather strange? Gosh, you're a Brit already.
Things with Edward have been…progressing much quicker than I anticipated. You know I've always felt such a strong connection…but we kissed my first night in town, on Baker Street and I can't stop thinking about it.
Wait, you call him Edward? Man I'm jealous.
YOU KISSED HIM?!
I chuckled that it took her an extra minute to read my last text completely to get that information.
Yes. Anyway. Tonight we laid kind of low since we did so much sightseeing and since Mr. Jetlag wants to be my best friend. We watched a super unromantic movie (except for the fact that it starred both Christian Bale AND Johnny Depp) and then at the end…out of the blue, he asked me to consider moving to London. To be together.
It took her a fairly long time to compose her reply.
Bella. I'm so happy and excited for and jealous of you all at the same time. That's big. After only a few days. How are you feeling about that? That's a big step…I mean, I know you were considering moving long before you actually met him, so there's that, but that's still a big step. Are you dating?
No, I don't think so. Ha-I feel like I'm in high school again with that response. We've not characterized anything as a date or boyfriend/girlfriend but let's remember that a) he is a PRINCE and b) that I live thousands of miles away in New York city.
So? You're a catch too. But you need to remember that yes, he is a Prince. That's going to be incredibly tough on you once the press finds out that you even know him, let alone moved from the States to be with him.
She made a terrific point.
That's very true. I hadn't thought of that.
Listen, it's the middle of the night there. Don't make any decisions right now. You still have a couple of days there. See how they go. If you still don't know, then come back to NYC as planned and see what happens. There is no need to rush anything here. Just get some sleep tonight and see how you feel in the next few days. Text me if you need anything. I love and miss you.
Thanks, Jess. Love and miss you too. Girls weekend when I'm back stateside.
I quickly erased the text messages, mostly out of paranoia and drifted off to a deep, dreamless sleep.
The next morning, we were going to see Edward's younger brother, Emmett, who lived north of London near the RAF base. It was a colder fall day. I pulled on a pair of leggings, brown boots that came to just above my knee and a long, red flannel shirt with a brown crochet cap. I touched up my hair and make up, feeling more nervous today. I checked myself over once more in the mirror before tidying up the room a little before I met Edward downstairs.
As I descended the stairs, I saw Edward waiting at the foot of the stairs with a coffee cup.
"Good morning," he greeted quietly, handing me the cup.
"Thank you, good morning to you as well". I said, following him outside. As he came around to the passenger side to open my door, he paused, squinting a bit.
"I didn't make this completely awkward last night, did I?" He asked, though it seemed as if he was a little afraid of my answer. I leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"No. You didn't", I promised before climbing into the car. He shut the door behind me.
As the drive to the base was a few hours, I took the opportunity to discuss moving.
"Well, since we have some time. Could we discuss what me moving might look like?" I asked taking a long sip of the hot coffee.
"Sure. What would you like to know?" he asked.
"Well, how would this work?" I asked, unsure of which question to start with.
"However you want it to work. I told you last night, I'm open to whatever you're most comfortable with". I nodded, watching the tourist's wave wildly at the car as we drove by.
"I don't know that I'm ready to deal with all the press, Edward," I said honestly.
"No one ever is. If it was a factor I could eliminate, I would. But you could chalk up a point for London on that one. Even at its worst, the paparazzi here are nowhere near as crazy as the New York paparazzi. Not to mention the press in America would be all over you. At least here the Palace staff deals with all media announcements." He did have a point. I knew for a fact that I would be on the cover of every weekly tabloid magazine if this became something more than a friendship.
"Fair enough. Just so that you know where I stand, I'm so appreciative that you are so wiling to help me get on my feet, but if I do decide to do this, I would greatly appreciate it if you would grant me the space to be independent and get an apartment and a job. I do hope, however, that you would help me find good areas for an apartment, though".
"I can respect that". Edward said, turning onto the expressway. "May I ask you a question?" Edward asked, glancing over at me quickly. I nodded in agreement.
"I'll allow it," I laughed.
"May I ask where you stand, at this moment?" he asked. He seemed to be treading carefully.
"Currently, in this exact moment, I was already playing with the idea of moving, since the first time I was here for your mothers concert, actually. I am still considering it, as promised, but to be honest, at this exact moment, I am thinking it would be best for me to return to America through at least Thanksgiving or so to tie up loose ends back there". I told him honestly. Thanksgiving was just a few weeks away. Edward only nodded. He had a perfect poker face so I couldn't tell what he was thinking in terms of my current stance on the issue.
"I really hate to be the girl that brings this up Edward, but I really need to address the elephant in the room", I said, bracing myself. I hated this conversation. If I never had it again it would be too soon.
"May I ask," I began, "where do we stand?"
"I thought I made that quite clear," he laughed.
"If you did, you must have had a conversation with me while I was half asleep," I quipped.
"Bella, I am crazy about you and would love nothing more than for us to be together, but I think it best if we keep things between just us until we know where things are headed. It comes down to your safety. I try my best to stay out of the public eye, but when it comes down to it, there's really no way around it. My business life spills into my personal one and vice versa. This is a position I was born into. I owe it to my parents, to my mother especially, to take it."
"Fair enough," I responded. I sat there feeling a little awkward, unsure of whether I should prod the subject anymore. I still had no idea where we stood now. Luckily, he must have read my mind.
"I'm saying that, if you feel the same, I want to be with you. Just quietly," he laughed, taking my hand. I took a long sip of my coffee.
"I definitely agree that I'm not ready for the press to be all over me with this," I admitted. I'd seen tabloid after tabloid wreck all my favorite couples. While I'm sure that it isn't 100% the fault of any publication, it still cannot help an already struggling relationship, especially with one as new as Edward's and mine.
"I would do something about it if I could," he promised, kissing my knuckles as he drove. I felt something strange in the pit of my stomach as we sped toward the RAF base. I realized I was already halfway through my trip and in 3 short days, I would be leaving London. As much as I hate to admit it (and would never do so out loud, I have too much pride for that), Edward was right. I belonged in London. London was my home now.
We arrived on base in the beautiful English countryside a few hours later. I looked around with awe as Edward led me to Emmett's apartment.
"Did you live up here at one point as well?" I asked, straightening my shirt. Edward was walking a half step ahead of me. He nodded.
"I did", he said proudly.
"Where is your official residence?" I asked a little quickly. How was I to call myself this man's girlfriend and not know where he lived? He turned to look at me strangely.
"I don't know what you mean by that", he laughed.
"I mean, I know you have a room at the Palace and an apartment at Kensington Palace. But where do you call 'home'?" I asked. He nodded in understanding and thought for a moment.
"I guess right now I spend most of my time at Kensington. My room in the Palace is like my childhood room. I also spend a lot of time at our home in Edinburgh. That's my favorite place". He was staring at his feet, hands stuffed in the pockets of his dark jeans. He looked awfully sad for someone that was talking about his favorite place.
"Everything okay?" I asked, lightly touching his bicep. He smiled at me again, but it was a sad smile this time.
"It's just…well, that's where we secretly buried my mother," he said, looking around as if he was afraid someone would hear. The press had reported she'd been buried somewhere up here…near the Air Force base on some kind of remote island that you couldn't really get to.
"We considered burying here on this little island a few miles away, but we just didn't want to bury her anywhere that didn't mean something to the family. Ultimately, my father let Emmett and I decide and since she loved the castle so much, we brought her there. There's an old family plot that the press no longer care about since it's so old on the property near the house".
"I'm sorry, Edward," I whispered. I could tell his spirits were down and he was missing her. I wanted more than anything to envelope him in a hug but with so many eyes staring at me I didn't want to start any rumors. Edward was right. We had to keep our romance to ourselves for right now.
Prince Emmett was exactly as I had pictured him to be. I mean, I knew what he looked like of course, but he was always so serious and reserved in front the cameras and in public that I wasn't sure what to expect. Based on some of the stories Edward had told me the last few days, I knew he was going to be a lot of fun.
"Bella, I just wanted to thank you in person for the article you wrote about my mother," he said sincerely, holding my hand in both of his.
"Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it Pr-" he held up a hand to stop me.
"Please do not call me Prince anything," he laughed. "Emmett".
I nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Emmett. It's great to finally meet you".
"Likewise. I've heard all about you," Emmett said, smiling at Edward, who looked a little aggravated that he had said something.
"Why are you pissed?" Emmett asked loudly. Edward just rolled his eyes.
"Well? You're dating, aren't you? I think the cats out of the bag, Edward". Emmett argued. I had to try very hard not to start giggling like a 3rd grader.
"So Bella, how about we head to a pub?" Emmett suggested. Edward firehosed that idea immediately.
"Emmett, you know we can't go anywhere in public. You, me, Bella and Rose? The papers will be all over that".
"You're not in London anymore, no one cares Edward". Emmett rolled his eyes this time and held an arm out to escort me.
"Are you in? Shall we live dangerously and get a beer in public?" Emmett asked, his facial expressing feigning scandal.
"I think I'd love to!" I agreed, taking the offered arm.
"I smell an unpleasant cover story tomorrow," Edward groaned, dragging his feet behind us.
We piled into Edward's car and drove a little further into a quaint little town just a few minutes away from the base. Emmett had promised Rosalie we'd meet her there. Rosalie intimidated me from the moment we met. She was kind and beautiful. She seemed to have her life completely together. She worked at the Palace as the president of a charity with the Queen, which is how she met Emmett.
About halfway through dinner, our table got quiet as we inhaled our food. I took a long sip of wine.
"Oh, Edward, I'm so sorry, I forgot to tell you. You need to get a suit for the party". She said, stabbing a piece of fish with her fork. Edward only raised an eyebrow.
"No. I have at least a hundred. I don't need a new one". He said, adamantly, not even looking up from his plate.
"Edward your stylist called me herself. Since you don't have a girlfriend it's my duty". Emmett, Edward and I exchanged surprised glance but went back to eating. I wasn't about to correct her. Not with all these people here.
"Well Alice will just need to deal with it, because I'm not. I just got a new one 3 weeks ago."
"And you wore it to that wedding. The one with the groom that we nicknamed Weasel?" Rosalie said, laughing. Emmett nearly spit out his beer.
"That's right! Oh man. I think I lost that bet. That was almost a month ago. I bet Dad that she'd finally wake up and realize she could do better after 29 days". Emmett pouted.
"Serves you right for betting on a divorce at a wedding," Rosalie shrugged, as if it didn't surprise her that her boyfriend had been gambling on such things. Edward and Emmett began talking about family issues, so Rosalie turned to me.
"So Bella, tell me about yourself. Where are you from?"
"A small town outside of Seattle, Washington. I went to school there and after college I moved to New York City. I work for the paper there".
"Yes, I read your article. Very well written. Your parents must be proud," she said with a sincere smile.
"They are. Thank you".
"What do your parents do? Are they still in Seattle?"
"My dad is, yes. He's the chief of police. My mom just re-married and moved south. She jumps jobs a lot. She gets sick of things very quickly". I laughed. Rosalie smiled in agreement.
"I can relate to that".
"How about you? What do you do, Rosalie? I know you said you were the president of a charity at the Palace, but tell me about your job".
"Well, the Queen has about 5 charities that office out of either Buckingham or Kensington Palace. I head up a children's charity. We do events for families of children that are in the hospital".
"Girls, we'd better get going," Emmett said, placing a hand over Rosalie's. I hugged Rosalie goodbye.
"It was great to meet you, I hope to see you again soon!" I said enthusiastically.
Edward opened the door for me and I hopped back into the car with Edward and Emmett as Rosalie sped away in an expensive red convertible.
We dropped Emmett off at base and drove back to London. I was truly sad to leave Emmett. He was so funny and so much fun to be around. I was, however, glad to have Edward to myself again.
It was late when we returned to the Palace. Edward kissed me good night at the door. I was still a little wired from the wine at dinner, so I decided to take a long bubble bath in the large whirlpool built for a queen. As I relaxed, I heard my phone buzz in my purse. I rolled my eyes and ignored it. It was probably Jessica or Mike. I leaned back onto the cold marble and closed my eyes. How did I get here? A few months ago, I was struggling to make ends me and now I'm in Buckingham Palace taking a bubble bath. My phone buzzed again. I groaned. How was a girl to relax in a Palace? I should have left my phone in the bedroom so I couldn't hear it. I felt just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman in that scene where she's singing a Prince song in the bathtub. My phone buzzed again. I sighed. There was no way I was going to relax. I stepped carefully out of the bathtub and into the shower to rinse off the bubbles. I shampooed my hair quickly. I stepped back out to hear my phone buzzing. Again. Who the hell could this be? I toweled off quickly, wrapping the towel around my torso. I tiptoed around the puddles and checked my cell phone. 10 missed calls all from the same phone number. It was a Seattle area code, but I didn't recognize the number. I slipped on a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt. Just as I was pulling the sweatshirt over my head, my phone rang again. This time I picked up immediately.
"Bella Swan". I answered.
"Bella, it's Jake". His voice sounded off. I checked the face of my phone. He wasn't calling from his cell phone.
"Jake? Is everything okay?
"No Bella. You need to get back to Seattle."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Bella, just get on a plane and fly to Seattle". He insisted.
"Jake, I'm an adult, not a child. I'm in London. You're going to need to give more to go on. I'm in London, for crying out loud. It's not like I'm in New York".
"Shit. I forgot." He said, sounding legitimately upset.
"You are driving me insane, Jake. What is going on?" My mind raced through the thousands of possibilities. Did the media get wind that I was dating a prince? Were they swarming my dad's house? Dating a prince was certainly making me paranoid.
"Fine, I'll tell you but you need to hang up the phone, get a cab and get on the first flight to Seattle."
"I'll make that call once you tell me what the hell is going on," I was frustrated now.
"Bella, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your dad was hurt very badly. He was shot. That's all I know. The hospital won't tell anyone anything further until you arrive. I'll pick you up at the airport, just text me once you get to the airport". If he said anything else after that, I didn't hear it. I dropped the phone and began flying around the bedroom and bathroom like a tornado, packing in a hurry. I threw my wet hair into a ponytail and pulled on my running shoes, not bothering to change. I threw everything into my suitcases and zipped them up, stacking them by the door. I quickly cleaned the bathroom the best I could and made the bed.
Edward.
I stood still for a moment, trying to decide what to do. I checked my watch. It was after 1:45am. There was no way he was awake. I didn't want to wake him up. I didn't have time to explain. I needed to get to Heathrow. I shut the lights off and quietly wheeled my suitcases to the stairs. A security officer met me at the stairs.
"Ms. Swan? Is everything okay?" he asked, concerned. I realized tears were streaking down my face.
"I need to get to the airport as soon as possible and I don't want to wake Prince Edward. Is it possible for someone to take me?" I asked, trying to keep the lump in my throat down as soon as possible. Once I started crying I wouldn't be able to stop.
"Of course, right away Ms. Swan. Let me take your baggage. I'll put them in the car and meet you outside." I nodded in thanks and ran back upstairs to grab my purse. I checked once more and looked at Edward's door sadly. I took a deep breath and walked out of the Palace and into the Range Rover.
Once I got in, Edward's security officer, George, sped off to the airport.
"Everything okay, Ms. Swan?" he asked. He was a kind older man who reminded me of my father. I shook my head as more tears fell.
"My father is a police officer in America. He was badly hurt on the job. I don't know anything else except that the hospital can't do much without me there to make medical decisions". I said, my voice choking.
"I'm very sorry, Ms. Swan,"
"Bella, please" I said, attempting a smile.
"Is there any paper that I could write Edward a note? I don't want him to think I ran out in the middle of the night".
"Of course. In the glove compartment." I nodded in thanks. I took out a pen from my purse and pulled a pad of paper from the glove compartment. I switched on an interior light as the Range Rover pulled onto the expressway toward the airport.
Edward,
I am so sorry to have left like this. My dad was injured at work early this morning and I didn't want to wake you. I had to leave immediately. I'll call when I can.
Bella
My tears were a mix of having to say goodbye to London so quickly, without any plans of returning, saying goodbye to Edward without actually being able to say goodbye and most of all, my dad who was lying in a hospital thousands of miles away, who I may never see again.
As I got out of the car at the curb, I handed the note to George.
"Would you mind seeing that Edward gets this?" I asked.
"I'll give it to him myself, ma'am." He said. I smiled and shook his outstretched hand.
"Good luck, Ms. Swan. I hope to see you again soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your father," he said kindly. The tears started again.
"Thank you," I choked.
I rushed inside the airport and to the United ticket counter and bought a ticket to the first flight out. I would still have to wait nearly 2 hours. At least it would give me time to call Jake and the hospital to see if they would give me any details over the phone. I handed my credit card to the ticket attendant without even asking for a total and checked my bags as quickly as I could. I made it through security and stopped for a cup of coffee before heading to my gate. I dialed Jacob's cell phone immediately and he answered on the second ring.
"Hey Bella," he said quietly.
"Hey Jake. Any news?" I asked, wiping my eyes.
"No, no one will talk to us."
"Would they tell me anything if I called?" I asked.
"Honestly, I would just wait until you got here. Did you get a flight?"
"Yeah, I'm at my gate now. We start boarding in a little over an hour".
"What time do you land?" he asked. I checked my ticket. 1pm tomorrow your time. If that makes sense. It doesn't to me". I said.
"Yeah. I'm not far from the airport. Just call when you land. Have a safe flight."
"Thanks Jake. I'll see you soon". As I hung up the phone, I had to keep myself from absolutely falling apart. I sipped on my coffee and checked news on my cell phone to see if there were any details that might give me a clue to my father's condition, but nothing was showing up on any of the Seattle news outlets.
I nodded off a bit in the black armchair, but the boarding announcement woke me up. I gathered up my cell phone and purse and boarded the plane. Before I shut off my phone I texted Jake.
Boarded. Everything on time so far. United flight 1731. Call you when I land. Love, B
I switched off my cell phone and set it inside my purse. As the plane pulled away from the gate and sped down the runway, a single tear rolled down my cheek. I saw the lights of Buckingham Palace in the distance and succumbed to the tears.