MOH'S A/N: So, It is totally my fault on why this update has taken ages. I blame RL for getting in the way, and my brain not wanting to work when it comes to spilling the words for this story. I'm pretty sure Kris was close to disowning me.
Anyway, thanks for having the patience. I think Kris had something she wanted to say about her last chapter and address something.
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Edward's mind had been wandering a lot at work, his thoughts constantly revolving around Bella and their late night chats. He found that he simply couldn't get enough of her, and that was somewhat troubling. Rather, it was perplexing. She was, after all, a voice across an ocean, and yet, their relationship seemed to be progressing quickly.
The phone sex. The flirting and everything in between, but mostly the phone sex.
Could phone sex possibly be more than just sex?
He found that the sultriness of Bella's voice stayed in his head long after they got off the phone. There was just something about the way she said his name right before she climaxed. Edward found himself wishing that he could see that face-to-face, be the one to bring her pleasure with his own hands, mouth, and body.
Maybe it was only sex, except he wanted the physical as well as the auditory.
But no. Even when he wasn't thinking of the filthy things he would do if she were there with him, he spent so much time thinking about the next thing he could talk to her about. The newest discoveries or even an exhibit he thought she might like.
He couldn't stop fantasizing about her, about what he would do if they lived in the same city, let alone same country. Yes, he wanted the sex, but just as much he wanted to be able to walk down the same street and murmur his observations while she was there with him. As frustration began to take hold of him, he realized he truly wanted her to be his and his alone. Damn the age difference.
Sighing as he ran his fingers through his hair and pushed away from his desk, his fingers twitched to call her, hear her voice again; he wasn't going to make it through the rest of this day without it.
Edward dialed her number, listened to it ring four times, and then quickly hung up, tossing his phone down on his desk in frustration. She was under his skin, but she didn't need to know that.
It was getting ridiculous.
Once he'd determined he was too worked up to get any work done, he shut down his computer and started putting papers in his briefcase. Edward figured he would be better off trying to work from home. That plan was quickly shot down the minute his direct superior knocked on his door and demanded his presence in his office in five minutes.
The director of the lab almost never bothered him, and the look on his face was serious. Edward couldn't help but be nervous. Maybe he was seen texting Bella, or slacking off on inputting current project reports in the lab's files, or maybe he just wasn't needed anymore. That was more likely-that his funding had been cut off. Either way, he was metaphorically sweating as he sat down in the chair across from his boss.
Edward tugged on his tie and suit as he looked back at Mr. Volturi, who looked completely calm, cool and collected, which only served to make Edward's nerves spike even higher.
"Oh, come on, Edward. I'm not going to fire you," his boss said, laughing. "I'm not stupid enough to get rid of one of my best employees."
Edward sighed. He supposed he was being ridiculous in more ways than one today. A smile slowly made its way across his face as his boss continued. "I called you in because as much as we love having you here, and despite how perfect it's been, I have another plan for you. I mean, this lab hadn't run as efficiently in years until you came in here."
His boss handed off a pile of papers to Edward, which caused his eyes to grow wide. He now had a huge smile that adorned his face as he looked over the information on the papers.
He couldn't wait to tell Bella.
"Chicago?" Edward said, looking up at his boss. "You want me to go back to the Chicago office?"
"Yes, we think you will be better suited there. They have much bigger projects going on, with even larger grants that need to be looked over. They specifically asked for you to come back."
Now he really couldn't wait to tell Bella. His first thought was to tell her the news, not his family, which threw him for a tiny loop.
"You will have a much higher position over there. You will be the head of the whole lab, a lot more responsibility, but I think you can handle it," his boss told him, handing him information about his travel arrangements and lodging until his new apartment would be ready near the lab. "First visit is five weeks, as you can see. We have you slated to leave permanently in about six month's time. That should give plenty of time for a smooth transition on both ends. Surely, that gives you enough time to get your affairs in order? Yeah?"
Edward nodded. "Yes, sir. Thank you. I look forward to this new opportunity, really excited about it, actually."
They shook hands before Edward left to return to his office, his phone burning a hole in his pocket with the need to call Bella and tell her the news of his impending move. He hoped she'd be happy about it, especially since they hadn't talked seriously about meeting.
Unfortunately, once he returned to his office, there was a fresh pile of work that needed to be done. A new grant needed to be written, and from the notes left by the lab tech, it was an emergency and needed to be done as quickly as he could. Edward ran a hand over his face, groaning. All he wanted was to talk to Bella. Instead, he spread the papers out, set up his laptop and got to work.
He was shocked at the time when he finally looked up from his laptop. Half past seven at night. Edward quickly grabbed his unfinished work and added the collection to his briefcase, and placed his laptop in its carrier. He was so engrossed in his paperwork, that he didn't even notice the lab was emptied, and lights turned low.
Edward nodded to the security guard once he was down on the main level, just before he left through the front doors. He called a taxi for a lift back to his flat, and as he waited, he decided to text Bella.
E: So, I have some news to share. Can I call you when I get back to my flat?
The lights from the taxi pulling up took his eyes from his phone. He got in, set his briefcase and bag down in the seat next to him, and placed his mobile on his lap as he told the driver his address. Shortly after, his phone pinged with a new message.
B: I'm in class, but I'll be at lunch in about 20 if you want to call then? If you need more time, I'll be in the lab. I could probably sneak away. ~wink~
E: Sounds good, my little minx. Be ready for my call in about twenty minutes.
The driver pulled up to his building and recited Edward's fare. Edward paid the man, got out and made it into his flat. All the while, butterflies seemed to make a home in his stomach. This phone call could change so many things for him, and hopefully Bella.
Since he still had about ten minute before he was due to call Bella, he set about making tea; dinner would have to wait a bit.
The steaming mug shook in his hands as he pressed dial on Bella's number.
"Hey, Edward," Bella answered.
"Hello, Bella. Good day for you so far?" This was also ridiculous-how he couldn't wait to ask about the minute accomplishments of her day.
"So far, yes, but you just made my day a thousand times better."
"Did I, now? How so?"
Bella sighed. "Would you think I was pathetic if I told you I think about your voice all the time? You seem to be bringing out a naughtier Bella. I miss your voice when I'm not hearing it."
"I like a naughtier Bella. That...that does things to me. And I've found when I'm not talking to you, I'm missing you."
"Mmmm, I'm glad we're on the same page then."
"So am I, Ducky. I just hope it stays that way."
"I'm quite sure you have nothing to worry about, Edward."
"So, um..." Edward began to pace the flat, his hands rubbing at the back of his neck. "I was offered a position at the Chicago lab; I move in a few months."
The silence on the other side of the line was deafening. What had he expected? He hoped she'd be happy, maybe yell, scream into the phone in joy, but she was leaving him with nothing.
"I...I.. you-you were the first I thought to call, Bella. I felt like I needed to share this news with you first," he told her, worry gripping his gut.
"That's great, Edward! Means a lot to me that you thought to tell me first. So, you'll, um...be closer to me now, close enough to date?" Bella asked, a shy, nervous laugh over taking the line.
Edward's heart skipped a beat at what Bella said. "That...You have no idea how much I would really like that."
"But you have no idea what I look like. You only know my voice, Edward. How do you even know that I would be good enough to date?" Bella inquired, and Edward detected a slight sadness to her voice.
"You should know me by now. At least, I hope you would. You should know that what you look like doesn't matter. What I do know is that I love your voice, our chats, as well as what I have learned about you over the last few months," he admitted, laying himself out there. "Dating, Bella, that is all that is left for us to figure out if we truly work, and to be honest, I think we will work. We will more than work."
"Out of all the times we've talked, I guess I never gave much thought that you'd like me that way."
"We've had phone sex."
She scoffed. "That's the most casual kind of sex there is."
"Have you not been paying attention, you silly, sweet girl? Did the rest of it not give me away? My flirting? My constant need and want to say 'my Bella?'" Edward pointed out. "What more evidence do you need? I'll gladly give it."
Bella giggled, which Edward took as a good sign. "Wow, Edward... I... yeah, now that you mention it... So, is that why you said it didn't matter what I looked like? That it shouldn't matter to me, either?"
"Not at all what I'm saying. It should matter, but shouldn't be a priority. I already know that I like you as a person, isn't it enough to know I want to date you?"
"I see what you're saying, Edward. I guess I just don't want to disappoint you."
"Like I said, Bella. You, as a person… I like what I know. That is enough for me."
"Okay," Bella said. "I trust you."
Edward chuckled. "Good. About time, sweet girl."
"Okay. I just... I hate to come off shallow or what not. That is the last thing I want you to think about me. Especially after everything."
"You could never disappoint me. You keep amazing me," Edward admitted to her, smiling as he switched the phone to the other ear.
"Thank you, Edward." Bella sighed, and groaned. "Unfortunately, I have to cut this call short. I need to get to the lab and grab a bite to eat. I'll sneak some time to call you again before you go to bed, I hope. This conversation isn't done."
"Of course, lovely. I'll be awake awhile yet. Damn huge proposal request for a grant decided to land on my desk. Trust me, I'd rather talk to you all night then write down numbers."
They hung up and Edward finished his now not-so-warm tea before making dinner. His thoughts were still glued to Bella and the hopes that he could soon lay claim to her and call her his girlfriend, which seemed so juvenile. Especially after everything they'd shared.
And everything they hadn't shared.
He damn well knew she didn't know how old he was. Oh, she assumed he was a bit older, but not even as old as her flatmate's boyfriend, Jasper, who was three years younger than Edward.
He tapped his finger on the table, staring at his phone as though it was going to bite him. Of course it was his own bad judgment coming back to haunt him. She had assumed he was only a bit older, and he hadn't bothered to correct her because they were never meant to be more than casual Internet pals. Now that things had changed, especially given what she had said about Alice and Jasper, it might seem like a much bigger.
The trick was to be smooth. He had to segue into the truth.
Decided, he tapped out a message.
E: You do remember I'm older than you?
Sometime later, after filling out and inputting numerous pages of the grant onto the laptop, he rubbed his eyes just as a message came up on the phone, an instant smile came across his face when he saw who it was from.
B: Ah, yeah, but you're not one foot in the grave
Edward snickered.
E: I have a few good years left in me, though I have it on good authority men peak at nineteen. Shame, that.
B: Okay, well, white hair?
E: One, but it's on my rear.
B: I'm almost curious enough to ask how you found it… but no. Do you have all your teeth?
E: Not the ones I was born with, but not to worry, a second set grew in.
B: Then we'll be fine.
He found he was reading the texts in her voice and missed her.
E: Can I call?
It took another twenty minutes and a few more papers being filled out before he got another reply. He knew she was a busy girl, and cursed time zones as he picked up his phone to read her text.
B: Not right now, but I'll call you as soon as I'm home. Lab is closing early due to a staff meeting. Give me an hour. Xoxo
Edward tossed his phone next to him on the couch and grabbed his laptop so he could finish the grant. He'd been able to field all her questions honestly. He would push her a little bit more next time. After all, he believed age was just a number. They knew each other and liked each other. That would work out in the end.
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Thanks for reading, and thank you all again for being patient for this chapter. Also, thank you to the girls who take the time to read and look this over.
Kris's A/N: I don't know what I was going to comment on. I made a mistake last chapter, but I can't remember what it was.
