Chapter Nine – The Stranger
Bella spent the evening with Edward and his mother. They enjoyed a meal prepared by Sue who was an amazing cook. It reminded Bella of her mom's southern cooking. Even the pecan pie was made to perfection.
As Sue and Mrs. Cullen turned down for the evening, Bella and Edward relaxed in the living room. He kept teasing her hands with his own and managed to not let go of her hands.
"Come on." He got up from the sofa and pulled her hands to follow him. He led her up the stairs and down the hallway.
"Where are we going?"
"To my bedroom, but it's not what you think it is." He gave her a reassuring smile which she bought into.
"What do you have planned in your room that can't be done out here?"
As they stopped in front of his bedroom, he looked down at her with the brightest gleams in his eyes.
"Bella, promise me that whatever happens going forward that you won't tell anyone."
"You're making me nervous, Edward." Her head pulled back with a puzzled look.
He let out a small laugh, "Don't be. I promise it's not as dramatic as you think."
Bella squeezed his hand and let him lead her in. When he opened the door, she noticed the massive room. It was almost the size of her apartment. His bed was heavily influenced with the bachelor stamp of modern sleek lines but still very charming. She noticed he had a desk at the corner of his room, but his room had a partition that separated what looked like another entrance to another room. But what caught her attention were all the large black and white photos of his mother.
Mrs. Cullen was in her most natural form. She was kneading dough in one photo; the other she was sitting on the front porch staring out to the garden. Another had her smiling and even though it was black and white, you could tell her eyes were a light shade of blue. Her gaze was directed at the camera and her dimples were just as warm as Edward's.
She then saw all the camera gear at the open desk. They were vintage cameras and not the digital ones that were popular as of late.
"Edward. These are stunning. Did you capture these photos? Why would you not want to share these?"
She studied them closer, and she couldn't help but smile at the images.
"Why film?"
"Maybe because it becomes a craft because you have to focus more on what you're capturing since you're limited to how many films you have. But I do this to keep memories of my Mom. Knowing she has Alzheimers influenced my thirst for photography."
She then heard a camera shutter. He was taking her photos with one of his cameras. She blushed and placed her hand in front of the lens to block it.
"Please, Edward. I'm simply ordinary compared to your photos."
"That's what I love about you, Bella. Your modesty. Your simplicity."
"I don't know how to be anything else."
She extended her hand out to him and grabbed his camera. She looked into the camera viewer and focused on him. She started to snap away, and already knew he was naturally photogenic.
"Alright, that's enough of me. And how did you know how to use an analog camera?"
"My parents use to own one similar to yours. They were notorious for following my brother and me everywhere. We use to get so annoyed with them, but then I realized it was their way of keeping memories so that we would always remember those moments."
"Your parents sound like they were loving and caring. I'm so sorry, Bella."
"It's ok. Seth and I grew closer because of it and to be honest, I discovered more about myself during these past few years because of it."
He pulled her into his arms and he kissed her on the head. She held him tighter and didn't realize how much she needed that hug. His warmth calmed her, and she rested her head on his chest just so she could hear his beating heart.
He placed his finger under her chin and turned her to face him. He lowered his head and gave her a sentimental kiss.
"Let me make love to you, Bella."
She didn't know how he could be so honest with her. She was having a hard time telling him she wanted him too, but she didn't know if she was ready to embark into a relationship with him. How serious did he want this relationship to work? She was torn. Was it infatuation or more that she was feeling?
"Bella, your silence is killing me. Please tell me what you are thinking."
She nodded her head and couldn't bring herself to admit what she thought of him. She wanted him to remain this loyal and honest man who only had eyes for her.
"It's nothing. But I'm sorry, I can't tonight."
He took in a deep breath and squeezed her even harder. "Don't be sorry. I'm just being selfish and want you all to myself. I know you want to figure things out."
She started to pull away from and didn't think it was fair to him to remain there. But he wouldn't release her.
"Don't leave yet. I'm not ready to say goodnight."
She bit her lip and agreed to stay a bit longer with him. He led her towards his bed, "Don't worry. I know my limits. I just want to lie beside you if you will allow it."
She trusted him but she didn't know if she could trust herself. He was easy to get lost in, and her emotions may get the best of her.
As he leaned against his pillows, she slipped beside him and leaned against his shoulders. They conversed through the night about their lives. She found him to be more humble than she had expected. It was such an enlightening time, and she felt more open discussing her life.
The evening was running out of time, and she was getting exhausted. She kept talking but soon realized Edward had fallen asleep already. She didn't want to wake him, so she quietly crawled out of his bed. She covered him with the white quilt at the edge of the bed. She placed a kiss on his temple and made her way out of his house.
Edward woke up from his buzzing alarm at 5:30 am. He rushed up to find that Bella had left him. He wanted to punch himself for letting her slip thru the night without noticing. He wondered if it was too early to text her? He wanted to know if she made it home safely at least. That was a good enough reason to text her.
Edward: Good morning. I'm embarrassed to have fallen asleep on you, but I did sleep well last night. I hope you made it home safely.
He waited and hoped she would immediately reply back, but there was no response. He decided to go for his morning run and then maybe she would reply back.
After the run and a long shower, there was still no response. Would it be too much to call her then? He halted his decision, and went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for his mom.
He was quiet during his meal and his mom noticed.
"What's got my son so tangled that he can't speak to his mom this morning?"
He felt guilty for ignoring her and let out a smile to reassure her, "It's nothing, Mom. I fine."
"Edward, since when have you never been honest with me?"
She was right. He never lied to her, and he didn't see why he should start now.
"Mom, I've met someone. She's everything and more. I've fallen for her actually."
"Well, then what's the problem?"
"I don't think she feels the same way about me."
"What's not to like about you?"
"I'm far from perfect, Mom."
"Nonsense, give her time. You know it took me a while before I confessed to your father. So be patient."
"I will. Well, I have to go to work. I'll see you this evening, but I may be late. I have a few errands I have to run."
He planted a kiss on her forehead before he was about to step out.
"Edward, I would love to meet this lady of yours. What's her name?"
Edward felt a sting of pain in his chest. He knew his mother would have these memory losses, and this was a simple reminder of how hopeless he felt.
"Her name is Bella, Mom, and I would love for you to meet her."
The bakery shop was a massive circus this morning. The moment she walked in, her employees surrounded her with questions. Most of which were related to work, but only Alice's questions pertained to Bella's personal life. Regardless, she tried to knock them out before it would become more hectic during the day.
Bella felt her phone vibrate, but her hands were in too deep on baking that she would look later. Fridays were their busiest days and she didn't have a moment to spare. Before she realized it, lunch was already here.
Renee was kind enough to pick up lunch for the staff, and Bella had no problem taking care of the tab. It was the least she could do for her staff and their dedicated work. Bella worked through lunch and would steal a few bites of her sandwich in between the rest of the afternoon.
As the sun started to set, and the shop began to close, Bella locked the front door. But she saw a figure standing there, and her eyes lit with joy.
Edward was feeling frustrated all day. Not once did Bella respond back to his texts. Did he scare her away?
He had a conference call that couldn't be avoided after work, but he would walk over to her bakery shop just to make sure she was still alive.
As he left his empty office, he tried to rehearse what he would say to her without sounding too obsessive. He wasn't obsessive, was he?
When he arrived at the shop, the closed sign was displayed and he saw her at the door. But in front of the door was a stranger standing there. He had her smiling ear to ear. He only saw the back of the man. Jasper? Turn around he thought, but his focus shifted to Bella as she wrapped her arms around him.
Edward was losing his cool. He didn't want to feel this way, but he wanted to be open knowing she hadn't confessed her feelings for him. He decided to still walk over.
It was then that she saw him and her face froze. Was it a face of guilt?
He walked into the shop and saw the handsome man with dark hair stare straight at Edward with a serious glare. He still had his arm around Bella's waist. Let go of her dammit, Edward thought to himself.
"Sorry, sir, but the store is closed." So the young man spoke and didn't mind telling Edward off.
Bella then punched the young man in the stomach, "Seth, stop it! That's not the way to treat customers."
As if the angels were watching over Edward tonight, he let out his deepest sigh. He extended his hand out to Bella's younger brother. Yes, thank God it was Seth.
"I'm Edward Cullen."
Seth didn't know what to think of it. He arched his eyebrow and shook Edward's hand. "Seth Swan."
Bella finally got in the middle, "Alright, now that you both have met, what are you doing here, Seth?"
She then turned to Edward, "I could ask you the same thing, Edward?"
Both men replied, "I texted you today."
Bella put both her hands up to both their chests, "Hold on."
She picked her phone out of her apron and saw all the missed texts she had received today. She couldn't believe the amount. She read each one and saw their messages. Seth wanted to meet up for dinner while Edward was making sure she made it home safely.
She slammed her hand on her forehead, "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. It's Friday and our busiest day and when I came to work, everything was a fiasco."
She turned to Seth, "Yes, let's have dinner."
Then she looked at Edward, "Yes, I made it home safely last night."
Seth stopped Bella from continuing, "Wait, were you on a date last night?"
"Actually, she's been on a date every night this week, but unfortunately they weren't all with me."
"What! Sis, I didn't know you were playing the field!"
Bella shook her head and didn't want to be the center of attention, "I will not be scrutinized while standing here in front of you. That means the both of you."
They both saw her temper rise and backed away by surrendering their hands in the air.
Seth looked up at Edward, "Hey! You should join us for dinner. I'm taking her to her favorite restaurant."
She gave Seth a hard stare.
"What! You know it's rude to talk about going out for dinner in front of someone and not inviting them."
"Mr. Cullen has more important matters to attend to, Seth."
"No, I don't. I'm actually free tonight."
"See! That's perfect! Let's go then because I am famished!"
Bella didn't know how she was going to get out of this one. She rolled her eyes and headed back to her office to grab her belongings. Before she did though, Edward pulled her to him and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. She didn't fight back because she knew she missed him too, but she felt embarrassed displaying the affection in front of her brother. She was speechless.
"I've missed you, love. Please don't ever leave me like you did last night without saying goodbye."
Bella didn't know what to make of his behavior. Edward wasn't going to shy away from his feelings from her, even in front of her brother. Her cheeks were warm from blushing profusely. She pulled herself away from his hold and walked backwards to her office. Her brother was smiling ear to ear which she knew he was going to pester her about Edward.
She finally looked at Edward, and saw the pleasure he had in hypnotizing her.
A/N: I love comments, so please leave them!
Seriously, isn't Seth fun? Never had a little brother growing up, but I'm sure he would be an annoying tease like Seth too.
-KL
