Hey everyone! Sorry i took so long to update this chapter i've been crazy busy and couldn't quite pull myself away from READING fanfiction to actually finish writing any of mine!

I hope you enjoy this chapter, it was a joy to write

Chapter 9

BPOV

I sat in bed typing all of the information needed for the client's specific cases and transferring the information onto a database that Edward made publically available for only me to access. This is something that halved my workload as I could simply log in and retrace all of the clients I had already worked through and access the integral information needed to finalise a date on their cases.

This is what I'd been doing, every day, not letting up and not having a day off. I didn't want to. As soon as I'd put the laptop to the side even just to go to the bathroom my mind wandered to Edward. My eyes struggled to stay on my computer screen as it was and not wander to the bulging basket of goodies he left for me or the beautiful rose that has sat in water on my bedside table this whole time.

My knees are improving; I can walk around without my crutches but not for long and only if I hold the walls for support. The swelling had gone down and I could now just about wiggle my knee around to get it free from the sweaty confines of its cast.

I hadn't seen Edward again but he did give me his personal email address when he sent me the information for the database. I had yet to contact him on it but it stared me out every time I logged into my email to try and see if I had any updates from Alice. I wanted to know if he was thinking of me like I was of him.

After feeling lightheaded from staring at my computer screen for so long I decided enough was enough for work and I would treat myself to a nap. I folded the laptop shut and pushed it away from me, adjusting my sheets and pillows to let my hair fan out and my knee breathe. As I drifted off into sleep I couldn't help but think of my boss.

I wanted to talk to him and to thank him for my gifts but I couldn't, I just couldn't bring myself to forgive him completely for snooping around in my bag. I knew my photographs were going to be public eventually if I wanted to make any money out of the art but I wanted to be the one to decide when they would go public… and at least control the majority of people who saw them first!

Alice knew I loved photography from a young age, I would follow her around taking pictures of her with an imaginary camera and she of course would love it, putting on fashion shows for me and dressing up. It was the only way I could get out of dressing up too! I loved taking pictures of her when we were teenagers, she was the perfect model, and when she married Jasper I photographed the whole thing. The weeks running up to it, the day itself and even some of the honeymoon, when it started getting PG13 I put my camera away and headed to the bar of course.

The photographs I had in my satchel were the ones I was planning to get blown up to canvas size and be sent off for Alice's upcoming birthday. It was going to be a personal gift; she hadn't even seen the photos herself yet. I wanted it to be a union between best friends, now it was a union between best friends and a nosy boss.

I didn't know what to think.

He didn't insult them! He was complimentary but it didn't matter! It was the principle!

'Too stubborn' my mother would say, come to think of it so would Alice.

And so the thoughts swirled around getting more and more complicated as I drifted off to sleep.

EPOV

My coffee was staring at me, getting cold, the milk starting to separate from the insane heat in my office. I couldn't wear a jacket in weather like this but the only hindrance was that it encouraged all of the sluts who work here to fawn after me like I'm the last human in a zombie apocalypse. Man I wish this was a zombie apocalypse then I could take them all out and say it was for the good of mankind. I really needed to hire some dudes.

It didn't help that Tanya saw the heat as more of an excuse to dress like a street walker. I couldn't try to address the clothing issue as she only saw it as me trying to make a move on her.

I couldn't win.

I didn't want that coffee. I wanted some time off.

Fuck it. I'm having a fortnight off. There I've declared it.

We wouldn't be getting any new clients this time of year and the busy season won't start for months. I'm taking the time off.

I began to gather up my belongings and headed out of the office. Before I reached the door my heart leaped into my throat when I realised what I'd forgotten.

The photo

I knew she would kill me. Genuinely tear me limb from limb if she knew I had it but I couldn't give it back.

My mind had been on Bella these past weeks anyway. She wouldn't be back to work for another 4 weeks and I couldn't stand to be in the office without her presence. I know I treated her badly but she was a distraction from the whores in the office. I mean I treated her like a whore yeah... and I suppose acted like she was a whore... but she was just a distraction from the real whores… yeah I'll convince myself with that one so I don't realise what a total asshole I've been to an innocent bystander.

I put the beautiful photograph away in my patched up briefcase and headed out. Ignoring every word Tanya said and slapping a notice of my holiday on her desk. She called after me but I continued to walk out of the building. Passing the scratch in the marble flooring I smiled to myself and headed down the stairs that held such a striking memory in my head.

Jumping in my car with the biggest smile I've had since I saw Bella at her window those 3 weeks ago I started the engine, only to completely stop my movements all together when a flash of white caught my eye. The only thing I could hear was the steady hum of the engine as I reached between the passenger seat and the gearstick to manoeuvre the fabric from its hiding place.

Pulling it into my eye line I noticed the blood stains dried and impossibly poignant contrasting with the white. Moving it around in my hands I noticed the torn buttons and the make-up stains.

I had made those stains, I had crashed into Bella's life like a whirlwind and I expected her to forgive me with a stupid rose and some store bought muffins. Who was I kidding? I could dress it up as I liked and act like I knew what was best for the woman but I knew nothing. I couldn't even bring myself to go home with the reality of what faced me there. I had nothing. Just a cold house with a lot of bad memories. An empty life and a fake heart.

Just as I began feeling sorry for myself my phone rang loudly, pulling me out of my reverie.

DAD

Answer End call

As my thumb hovered over 'End call' I remembered what he had said to me in the hospital and I thumbed 'Answer' before I could change my mind again. Bringing the handset to my ear I took a deep breath.

"Hey Son, how are you?"
"I'm okay Dad how about you?"
"I'm okay, tired from the hospital but what can you do! How about that drink tonight, I'm flying back home tomorrow morning and would love to spend some quality time with you before I go!"
"I don't know dad, I would love to it's just I'm not great company at the moment, I've just got a lot going on in my head what with the Bella situ-"
"Oh yes! How is Bella, recovering well I hope. Please tell me you haven't shouted at the poor girl again she doesn't deserve it you know! Not all women are like her you know son!"
"Dad! I don't want to talk about tha-"
"Oop Son, must dash your mother is using the Skype to talk to me and she gets impatient if I don't pick up straight away. The Irish Tavern 7oclock don't be late son, take care of yourself until then"
"Dad wai-"
call ended

"Dad?" I looked back at the phone and sighed. Looks like I'll be going out tonight after all.

Hearing my dad talk about Bella and automatically assume I had done something to upset her again actually hurt. And to hear him accuse me of comparing her to Vicky, well that just about tore me apart. Had I been treating her like that? I can't have! I didn't even want to think about it.

I don't know how long I sat waiting in the car thinking things over but before I knew it I had 5 hours to meet my father and I knew that in that time I would see Bella. Even if she did tear me limb from limb.

My first stop was the florist to buy another white rose for her. Vicky always told me flowers were for corpses, but my mother told me otherwise whilst growing up and the look on Bella's face when she held her rose told me the truth.

Entering the flower shop I was hit by the beautiful scent and it reminded me of Bella, her light-hearted smile when she really let go and I wasn't attacking her accusations. I began searching for the roses not really looking where I was going when I bumped into something. A little girl around 4 or 5 started to fall to her bottom and without a second thought my arm swooped down to save her from her fall. I let her get her balance before removing my arm.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there!" I said in earnest, bending down to her level

"Oh, it's k, mumma says that to me allllllllllllllll the time" she smiled a big smile

Having heard her little girl speak, the woman behind the counter spoke loudly towards us

"Molly what have I told you about bothering customers!" she chastised the small girl then looked to me, "I'm so sorry sir, I hope she didn't get in the way!"

Before I had a chance to admit that I had actually stood on the girl, Molly spoke up

"I didn't Mumma I swear!" she crossed her hands over her heart, "Please let me water the flowers some more, it's the bestest job and it's MY job!" she paced on the spot, squeezing her heart through her tiny chest.

"Okay little miss but If I see one toe out of line I will put your watering can on the top shelf and no choosing a flower for your bedroom" her mother looked at her with completely seriousness in her eyes causing the little girls jaw to drop and her eyes to bulge.

"I'll be good I'll be good I'll be good, see my toes are in line!" she pointed at her feet while they stood on tip toes.

Her mother smiled at me warmly, "Can I help you sir?"

Her daughter carried on watering the flowers and being careful not to spill any water on the fake grass carpet that the flower pots rested on.

"Yes actually, I came in here a few weeks ago and bought a single white rose, I was just wondering if you had any more of those" I asked eagerly

"I'm afraid we don't have any roses in season sir, not ones of a quality I'd like to sell anyway!" she said sadly

My heart dropped, I would have to think of something else to get her, I didn't know if chocolates were too cliché. I thanked the lady and started to walk out of the store.

"You must like a lady a lot to buy her a rose all by itself" a little quiet voice called out to me as I stepped out of the door.

I looked back to see Molly hiding behind the door out of sight of her mother.

"A flower by itself is better than a big bunch?" I asked her whispering and moving down to her level

"Mhmm!" she smiled like a Cheshire cat, "lots of boys come in here and buy huge huuuugeee bunches! Mumma always lets me guess what they are saying sorry for cause mumma said nobody needs that many flowers for love"

"Oh really" I thought about it whole heartedly, "and how many flowers do you think you need for love?"

She tip toed closer to me before whispering the word I was terrified to hear

"One" she pulled back and smiled widely at me

Love?! I couldn't! I wouldn't know how! I can't love anybody at the moment! It's just a flower!

"It's not just a flower! Flowers mean things!" Molly huffed her little arms crossing and her eyebrows furrowing. I could sense a strop coming along.

I didn't even realise I had spoken out loud!

"I'm sorry I'm sorry, okay well your mother doesn't have any roses, not even one! So what am I supposed to buy?"

"Follow me!" she winked comically and tip toed back into the store, I followed willingly until she all of a sudden stopped me and put her little palm up in the air.

"Do you trust me?" she said, her face in complete seriousness

"Yes" I spoke without even thinking, a smile blossomed on my face naturally

"Then wait by mumma and I'll be back soon" and with that she dashed off through the store weaving and bobbing through the tiny aisles.

I walked over to the counter only to be greeted in shock by her mother

"Oh, hello again, I thought you had left us!" she smiled warmly, reminding me of my mother.

"A little lady convinced me to trust her" I said smiling, blushing slightly at being told what to do by a little girl

"Oh that little menace! I swear I'll take that watering can off of her one day! If I can catch her!" she scolded

"Oh no, no, no need for that. I really did need to buy a gift for somebody and your little angel convinced me to come back into your store. She's a credit to you, honestly!"

The woman blushed at my flattery, "thank you dear, she is something special!"

We only waited a few more seconds before little Molly came out of one of the aisles with a little handful of flowers. I didn't see what she had until she handed them to her mother behind the counter.

"Did you ask this gentleman what he wanted Molly or did you find these yourself?"

"He said he trusted me mumma, please please please show him!" she bounced behind the counter her little head popping into view with every jump.

"Okay, okay!" Her mother pulled a little stool beside her so Molly could jump up and rest her elbows on the counter.

"Are you ready?!" the little girl bounced about with anticipation.

I was beginning to feel the anticipation too when her mother brought her hand forward and showed me the selection.

I was blown away instantly. Although it was a small bunch, there in the bunch sat the most beautifully vibrant daisy I had ever seen. Surrounding it were an abundance of beautiful small pale blue flowers with yellow centres. It was beautiful and absolutely perfect. I loved them.

"They're perfect! I'll take them!"

Molly smiled beautifully as her mother smiled down at her before starting to delicately and intricately wrap the beautiful flowers. I was in such a hurry last time that I just requested the rose to be simple, her mother had wrapped some ribbon around it and I fled the shop leaving money on the counter. This time I let her do her magic.

She reached for a small strange thimble like object, slightly larger than a thimble and stretched out into a rectangular shape. She reached for a cupboard behind her and took out two old fashioned vials.

"Can I ask what that is?" I was astonished

"of course, it's plant feed specifically designed for each species of plant, you have two here so I need to blend them for the flowers to stay healthy for longer" I must have looked confused as Molly perked up, shouting out "it's potions!" causing her mother and I to laugh.

Her mother filled the small glass thimble thing? I don't know what it was! With a gently made mixture of the two vials before filling the rest with fresh cold water. The flowers were only small and could easily all fit in the palm of my hand. This was truly delicate work.

Her mother then gently placed the flowers in the thimble object and arranged them beautifully before wrapping the whole thing in a delicate white linen, synching it around the top of the thimble object and asking Molly which ribbon to choose. She chose white and yellow and handed them to her mother obediently who tied them beautifully around the synched area of linen.

"Perfect!" Molly declared as her mother turned it to face me

It truly was perfect, I loved them and I knew Bella would love them too.

"Thank you so much!" I complimented both of them whole heartedly.

"They are very beautiful flowers! Is that everything you would like?"

"Yes, and any flower your beautiful daughter would like too, add that to my bill!" Molly jumped up excitedly and ran over to a coveted spot in the corner where she pulled out a pale pink lily and dashed back to her spot on the stool.

"Thank you mister thank you so much!" she cuddled her flower and inhaled deeply

"That'll be £21.70 please sir" her mother smiled widely at her daughter.

I reached for my wallet and pulled out two £50 notes, pushing them towards her before taking my flowers and walking away. Her speech faltered as she called after me.

"Sorry if you misheard me sir I said £21.70, you gave me too much!" she came around the side of the counter

I put my hand up in front of me, "Oh well my mistake, keep the change!" I smiled at her and winked at Molly before walking out.

I was nearly away from the store when I heard a little voice call me back

Molly was standing outside the shop and I rushed back over telling her to go back inside and be safe.

"Don't you want to know what those meanings are mister?" she pointed up at my flowers while tightly holding her lily.

"Oh, I'd completely forgotten, yes, yes I do!" I bent down to her level once again

"The daisy means innocences! I chosed that one cause you didn't even realise you gave a girl a flower for love! And those oneses are called 'forget me nots', cause you look sad in your eyes, and if you 'esplain the reason why you gotted her the one flower she will never forget you mister! And I only got you a little amount of the flowers because it's your job to make the love get bigger, the flowers is just the first hop!"

By the time she had finished explaining I almost had tears in my eyes. How could nobody get through to me in so many years and a 4 year old could break my heart open and scoop out all the cynicism in just 10 minutes of knowing her.

"Thank you so much Molly, now go back to your mumma, I'll see you soon!" I ruffled her hair and she smiled at me before running off back to her mother demanding water for the new flower the nice man bought her.

I looked down at the flowers in my hand and almost ran back to the car.

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