Chapter 9
December 30
You've ruined me for sleeping alone for the rest of my life.
I smile at the text, hitting send on my phone before letting it rest on my thigh under the tablecloth in the dining room. I realize it's a bit strong, but there's no way I can't tell her exactly what the night we spent together meant to me.
To say that it was one of the best nights of my life is an understatement. Sure, the sex was great, so were rounds two and three. But the time spent in other ways after - lying with her under the blankets whispering and laughing, looking at the pictures of her life hanging on the walls, and making out while raiding the fridge were just as good.
But the best moment by far was waking up with her yesterday in my arms, snuggled against me as I watched the snow fall out her window. It was just as magical as this entire trip has been, and I felt a peace with her I haven't felt within myself in a long time.
My family is unusually quiet as we eat a late breakfast, and I'm enjoying not giving them the satisfaction of telling them anything. I smirk as I drink my coffee, knowing I avoided them yesterday and they've been waiting for me to divulge how the night went. My father even seems to be semi-aware and has chosen a sweater that possibly fits the situation - a Santa in a Hawaiian shirt asking 'Did you get lei'd for Xmas?'
After a few minutes, I check my phone again to see if she's replied. Seeing nothing, I don't worry too much about it, I know these next two days are an especially busy few for the employees getting ready for the big New Year's bash in the ballroom tomorrow night.
"I can't believe it's almost over. It's been such a great trip," my mother laments, hand on her chin looking slightly forlorn. "I'm going to miss my grandchildren."
"You're picking them up for the night on Friday." Rose points out, feeding a twin pieces of muffin that are really just crumbling in a pile on her lap.
Mom waves a dismissive hand. "Oh, I know, it's not the same though. Then it's all 'eat your dinner', 'clean up your toys', and 'stop biting your sister.' I've enjoyed being just a doting Grandma, letting them get away with murder. It's easier here because they're tired from the crisp, fresh air."
"Put some Benadryl in their Cheerios. That's what I do," my father says, and I'm not sure if he's joking or not.
"You could move out here, Mom. Be closer to us for once." Alice sticks her tongue out at Emmett who's immediately protesting about losing the free help.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you guys about something." I clear my throat and sit up straighter. Before I can say anything, out of the corner of my eye, I see Bella with a full tray walking towards the kitchen. I didn't know she was working the dining room today, and I wonder why she didn't stop by to say hello. Then remembering exactly how embarrassing my family can be, I immediately don't blame her. It wouldn't surprise me if one or all of them pounced to ask her how our date was.
Hell, that's why I decided to spend yesterday with a book, in between fantasizing about Bella while in my Jacuzzi tub.
Focusing my attention back to the table, all eyes are glued on me, and I think better of sharing my news of moving with them before I can tell Bella. It's a tricky thing. She has no idea I've been thinking of this before last night, and I don't want her to think I'm proposing marriage, but moving here does involve her a bit, as I hope that she wants to continue seeing me as much as I do her. I don't think she'd appreciate hearing it from my lunkhead of a brother or meddling mother before I've had the chance to tell her myself.
Emmett knocks me in the arm. "Spit it out. You knocked her up, is that it?"
My father guffaws loudly while I just look at my imbecile sibling. "Right, 'cause the way biology works, I would know that thirty-six hours later."
"Aha! So you did sleep with her! Why didn't you just come out and tell us first thing?"
"Because it's none of your business, that's why."
"If you remember correctly, it was exactly my idea on the plane ride over here. I should get some credit for that."
"You want credit? I'll let her kick you in the balls, how's that?"
"Oh, Edward! How wonderful! I'm so glad you've put yourself out there again," Mom says, beaming. "And she's such a nice girl."
Alice chimes in. "I helped him pick the restaurant! I get credit!"
"Everyone relax. We just met." Oh, how I regret even coming down for this meal.
"Here's to my lonely son finally getting some!" My father raises his bloody mary and I immediately put my head on the table. Thank God Bella hasn't come out from the kitchen yet that I've noticed.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and my first thought is that she did hear it and is too mortified to be seen but feels the need to give me an earful. Pulling it out, I see I've gotten an email from Ben. Nervously, I open it and quickly skim.
Edward,
So sorry for the delay in getting back to you, we've been inordinately swamped, I'm sure you know how that goes.
That being said, busy is good, and good for you because we are looking to fill a senior pathologist position within the next three months. It was something that had gone through my mind when you were here, so I was very happy to see your email stating you were looking to make a move.
Once the holiday is over and you've returned to Miami, give me a call so we can discuss setting up a phone interview with the director.
Happy New Year's,
Ben
A rush of excitement flows through me as I read the words, and I smile at fate showing its lovely face yet again.
I don't get a chance to corner Bella after breakfast, and I don't think she mentioned at all the detail of her schedule for the day, so I go in search of her at the pool bar, the snowmobile area and the van parking lot, but there's no sign of her. I know it's required that every employee work the last two days leading up to the party, so she's probably crazy busy. But I really don't want to hold off seeing her and try to talk to her about something so important on the last and busiest night of her holiday season.
Besides, I don't think I can wait another day to touch her again.
After my search for Bella turns up nothing, I join my family in the lobby playing board games with the kids. When I finally see her again, she's ducking between tables and looking swamped. I play the game but keep an eye on her, trying to find a moment to smile or say hello, but I always seem to look up when she's got her back turned or when she's walking away. There's an odd feeling in my stomach, but I push it down knowing it's only there because we haven't gone this long without some contact since we went snowmobiling. I choose instead to focus on my nieces and nephews, who I won't see for a while once we've all headed back to our lives.
"Hey, Alice. Can I talk to you a minute?" I nod towards the self-serve eggnog station in the lobby and tell the group we're getting a refill. Alice follows and we both stand near the table, her hand on her hip waiting for whatever it is I'm about to say.
"I don't want you to make a big deal, but I've been thinking a lot lately about Miami."
"What about it?"
"I've been thinking of moving. There's nothing there for me anymore, and I've been talking to Ben from the lab-"
"You're moving here? To Colorado?"
"It's something I've been considering for a while. I was leaning towards Atlanta to be near Mom and Dad initially but…"
"Bella's here."
"Not just that. The lab is a really great lab."
"And it's in the same state as Bella."
"Coincidentally, yes."
"If you're looking for some sort of permission from me, you have it. Oscar has taken a shine to you."
"I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be cramping your style. You have a lot on your plate with Oscar and the wedding, you don't need to worry about a brother that doesn't know anyone moving to town and possibly sleeping on your couch until he finds a place."
Alice moves in to hug me. "I can't think of anything better than having my big brother around. It's been a long time since we've had this much quality time."
"Thanks, Alice. Don't say anything just yet, okay?"
"I won't but let's be honest, Mom's probably over there lip-reading and looking at the classifieds as we speak." I roll my eyes 'cause she's probably right. "What does Bella think?"
Looking for the girl in question, I see her about to slip through the doors off the lobby, empty glasses on her full tray. "I haven't actually had a chance to run it by her." Alice's eyes widen and her lips curve in the shape of an 'O'.
Knowing I've screwed up the timeline, I start trying to explain. "When moving first started becoming a thought, she wasn't really in the mix. And then, well I didn't want her to think I was saying it to get laid. And then when it was apparent I was going to get laid, I didn't want to make it seem like I was moving because of that. And I haven't had a chance to talk to her besides a quick hello since I left her yesterday morning. But that's not what made me favor Colorado initially. Although it's a great perk. But I'd be stupid to move across the country for some girl I just met. Even if we do get along really well. But it doesn't mean anything will come of it and I still would want to be here if it doesn't. But something tells me that it's kind of meant to be. I mean, I know that's silly and I've been burned before-"
Alice holds her hands up to stop my rambling. "You don't need to sell it to me, I'm the romantic of the family, remember?"
I sigh. "I just have a feeling, Alice. A good one."
"And you're sure you never mentioned you were thinking about it in conversation at some point?"
"No, and I know I should've. I don't want her to think I'm some weird stalker now, ready to move in and get a bird together and share toothbrushes or something."
"Huh."
"What?"
"Well, I find it interesting she let herself get involved with someone that to her knowledge was leaving for good when vacation was over. Doesn't seem the type."
"She's not."
"Well then, I'd say there's a good chance she'll be real happy to hear your news."
Since my flight is early on the 1st, and Emmett and I are hitting the slopes again tomorrow before the party, I begin to slowly pack, an empty feeling in my stomach at the wonderful vacation I've had coming to an end, and of course, having to leave Bella.
Who still hasn't answered my text.
I try not to let the anxiety gnaw at my insides, but I really don't want to tell her I might be moving and get her reaction in a room full of strangers while she's balancing a tray full of champagne and trying to avoid my father, who will inevitably be wearing something atrocious and making offensive jokes.
If I'm being truthful though, what's bothering me the most is the distinct possibility I've read the situation completely wrong. Maybe I was just the right guy at the right time. Maybe she decided she doesn't like the way I talk in my sleep or wear socks to bed.
Maybe she's not as into me as I am her.
I run the past week with Bella through my mind. I thought things were progressing nicely, I thought it was obvious things were headed somewhere. Is it possible I read what was happening incorrectly? I'm a smart guy, so my gut says no, but this wouldn't be the first time I thought everything was okay with someone when it clearly wasn't.
The memory that I've been hurt before irks me, and I go back to relying on my feelings and what they've told me for the past week. That Bella is someone special and meant to be in my life.
As a distraction, I suggest taking the kids out for one final snowball fight, something Rose and Alice are thankful for so they can also pack and have the added benefit of exhausted children. It's Emmett, Jasper, and I against Gracie, Alexander, Oscar, and Matthew, and I'm sorry to say they're beating the bejesus out of us. There's snow in my shoes, my collar, and down the front of my pants.
The kids are yelling and falling, high-fiving each other with each direct hit they get at us. "Hey, no fair, I'm bigger than all of you, I have more body surface!" Emmett yells, hurling a snowball that falls apart mid-air.
"I think they're icing them with a bucket of water or something!" Jasper ducks just in time as a snowball smashes into a tree behind him.
"No! You just suck!" Oscar laughs and sticks his tongue out at Jasper, before getting another pre-made snowball from Matt.
"I gotta shake the snow out of my jacket, hold on!" I yell and raise my hands in surrender, backing up towards the lobby awning.
"Uncle Edward's a wuss!" Gracie shouts, and I stare at her, open-mouthed.
"Traitor!"
She just grins and lobs another snowball at her dad. Shaking my jacket out and stomping my feet on the pavers under the heated roof by the driveway, I see Bella through the glass windows, leaning against the front desk and looking at something with a fellow employee. Smiling, I pull my phone out and send another text.
I know you're incredibly busy for the next two days, but I'd like five minutes of your time to discuss something with you. And it's possible I can't wait until tomorrow night to kiss you again.
She's laughing at something the other woman says as she pulls her phone from her pocket. But immediately her smile falls as she looks down at it, and I'm confused when she shakes her head at the other woman and puts her phone face down on the desk. I suppose she can't answer me when she's working, but would she even look at it if she were doing something important?
I watch for a few more minutes, an icy feeling crawling up my back and not from the snow lodged there. When Bella turns to leave the desk, she grabs her phone and walks towards the entrance, but doesn't come out. She paces back and forth, rubbing her forehead and looking at her phone, before walking away and shoving it back in her pocket.
My silent phone feels suddenly very heavy in my hand.
I'd gladly let CarrieZM and Layathomemom kick my ass in a snowball fight.
