Hello all the people of the world, and to YOU since you're reading it :D Sorry for the late update, I was on vacation!
This is the last chapter (before the outtakes) for THIS story.
The sequel shall follow, so be patient—it's a virtue.
And without further ado . . . the recap of chapter 9:
Previously . . .
He doesn't want me!! Wait! Did he say I would love it if you were my girlfriend?
My eyes widened. He immediately took that as a sign that he said something wrong.
"Bella, I'm sorry I said that, I shouldn't have said that, I understand if you're not ready—"I cut off his explaining with my lips as I kissed him long and deep.
I pulled away and rested my forehead against his. "Edward, I would love to be your girlfriend," I told him, laughing slightly. He smiled crookedly at me, this time, it looked even brighter than usual, and I knew it was because of me.
He hugged me tightly, "thank you Bella," he whispered against my hair.
The next few days were sheer bliss, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought that this would just be the first of many more to come. Even though Edward went back to work at the hospital, he still found ways to make everyday special for me, and to somehow, surprise me.
Edward and I were attending another one of Alice's fashion shows. It was for her Christmas line and it was also the launch for my Christmas line, and this came as a surprise since I didn't even think I had one. The line is called Christmas Charms since every trinket came in its own adorable crystal-studded case with intricate swirls that's shaped like a Christmas ball. Alice said it "really fit the season".
I leaned back against Edward's arm as Alice took the stage after the models went backstage once more.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," she said, greeting the crowd of buyers, viewers and paparazzi. I didn't know what the buzz was about and neither did Edward, when I asked Alice, all she did was throw me a smug smile and a wink—a mischievous wink.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming to Marié Ecila for tonight's show. Now, I would like to call Ms Isabella Swan to talk about our new coincided Christmas fashion line," she said looking towards me as the heads of the people in the crowd followed. I blushed a deep scarlet as I got up in the most inconspicuous manner that I could muster in my flushed state.
I joined Alice onstage and she handed me a microphone. Ok, I must start talking now. "Um, good evening everyone! Once again, we would like to thank you all for attending tonight's launching. Our new Christmas line, Christmas Charms, is not only the name of the jewelry line for this Christmas, but also for Alice's new line of Christmas-appropriate clothing. It's a collection of clothes and accessories that are interesting, fun, affordable, flexible and completely perfect for those who want to give them away as gifts. If you would like to start buying and ordering some of the merchandise, please proceed to the Marié Ecila boutique, the exit door is to your left. Thank you everyone, and good evening," I finished with a smile.
I turned to Alice; she was beaming with happiness at our success. She also had that glow about her that only the joy of Christmas planning could bring. She's probably already thinking of the Christmas dinner that we'll have in a few days. It's the 19th today and Alice wanted us to stay overnight at her place for Christmas Eve. She also said that Rose and I will get to meet Emmett, her older brother who'll be coming on the 23rd. apparently, according to Alice and Edward; he is "a big teddy bear". He's the eldest from the three of them and though he likes pulling their leg sometimes (ok, most of the time, also according to Alice) he's also their protector and all-around great big brother.
Alice went down the stage after the majority of the audience went to the boutique. She headed straight for Jasper's arms and gave him a big hug. I heard him whisper something in her ear and they just stared into each other's eyes. I felt the need to look away. It was just too intimate that I felt like I was intruding.
Luckily, Edward was by my side in an instant and gave me a squeeze. "You were great up there," he whispered in my ear.
I rolled my eyes. "No I wasn't! I was nervous!"
"You're only saying that. You were radiant," he replied, giving me a kiss on the forehead. I saw a flash go off and we broke apart, it was one of the paparazzi.
"What was that for?" I asked Edward, he shrugged.
I looked over his shoulder at Alice and she just gave me two thumbs up in reply.
Nah, probably nothing.
We walked around, waiting for everyone to disperse, just enjoying each other's company. When Edward saw me leafing through one of the Marié Ecila catalogues, he said something I didn't quite expect to hear.
"Did you know that I used to model for Alice when she was just starting?" He asked me.
Whoa . . . Edward used to model!? I never knew that, well, I never knew of anything recent up until I became friends with Alice, so I guess it's understandable.
But still . . . EDWARD used to MODEL!? I snuck a glance at him, looking through the catalogs I was leafing through. I observed his perfect cheekbones, his sculpted body and thought: yeah, makes sense.
I just feel more inferior now.
Bella! We went through this before! If Edward wants to be with you and only you, then there's nothing to worry about!
I finally found my voice to reply. "You used to model?" I asked him.
He looked at me. "Yeah, back when Alice was just starting, she needed some models for her male line. Jasper and I were her premier candidates for that. We modeled in the spreads, the catalogs and sometimes on the runway," he said as if it was no big deal at all, I saw a hint of a blush though.
Suddenly, a picture of Edward walking down the runway and another of him posing for a magazine entered my mind.
Mmmmm . . . now THAT is hot! Could I get any luckier?
"What happened?" I asked him. I mean, he certainly doesn't model now. Does he?
"Well, I got attention, that's for sure, and it made it harder to work at the hospital without nurses and patients ogling you, so I asked Alice if I could stop, she agreed. The business was already booming by then, so she had enough money to hire other male models," he answered with a shrug.
Alice bounced up to us happily, apparently hearing what we were talking about. "Bella, Edward already told you he modeled? Did he also tell you that he was voted as Sexiest Bachelor of New York?" Alice asked me.
Sexiest Bachelor huh? I looked up at Edward with a questioning glance, he blushed. Now THAT'S unusual.
"I don't like talking about it," Edward said. "When I was voted that title, women around me started swooning and I had more and more patients at the hospital specifically asking for ME to treat them, mostly women. Not to mention the gift baskets I get with phone numbers . . ." he trailed off.
"And a bunch of innuendo!" Alice piped in. Edward rubbed his face with his hand.
"Sorry Edward, but it's true!" She said giggling, I joined in, it was just too funny.
"So I guess I got lucky huh?" I asked him, winking. He just pulled me tighter to his side and kissed my temple.
"I guess you did," he whispered in my ear.
I woke up the next morning to Alice's squeal as she scurried around the kitchen making breakfast.
"Good morning sleepyhead!" she chirped. God, does this woman EVER sleep? I mean REALLY! It's like I'm living across THE energizer bunny. She never seems tired no matter how late she sleeps . . . and here I am, looking like Medusa with my hair all over the place and there she is . . . not a hair out of place.
She was moving around the kitchen, picking up the toast from the toaster, pouring coffee from the coffee pot, and putting the bacon and eggs on a plate for us. I looked at the table; there was a vase of fresh flowers, a pitcher of orange juice and there were three places on the table.
Wait, three? Isn't it just, like, Alice and me?
Alice noticed my confused expression (she never misses ANYTHING) and answered my unspoken question. "I invited Edward over for breakfast," she said winking at me. "I know you won't mind, and I have something to show you two!"
I sat down at one of the places on the table. I looked around for the newspaper as a vain attempt to entertain myself while Alice was cooking but I couldn't find it.
"Hey Alice, do you know where the paper is?" I asked her.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "No idea" she replied, preparing the last plate.
Just then, I heard light knocking on the door. I sprang up from my seat and to the door. I knew who it was . . . it was Edward.
After we officially became a couple 2 months ago, I'd taken it upon myself to know as much about him as possible—without seeming like a stalker and scaring him away, of course. He, on the other hand, didn't mind and was actually flattered and he took to doing the same to me.
I knew his knock, the sound of his footsteps, the message every emotion across his face conveys, the way he holds me, his dislikes, you name it. I guess you could say I knew him almost as much as Alice did—except the embarrassing childhood memories that he just wouldn't tell me.
I reached the door and peeked at the mirror by the entrance and gave a slight yelp at my reflection.
And to think I was going to answer the door looking like this! I look like death!
I smoothed down my tank top and pulled up my sweatpants. I wove my fingers through my unruly hair, wincing slightly as I pulled the tangles apart then I answered the door.
Just as expected, Edward was on the other side, crooked grin in place, wearing his favorite green tracksuit.
It's my favorite too . . .
"Good morning love," he said, leaning over and giving me a chaste peck on the lips.
He called me love . . . gah!
And thank goodness I used that toothpaste that prevents morning breath! Thank you modern science!
"Good morning to you too," I replied, leading him to the dining room where Alice was busy cleaning the frying pans.
"I'm guessing Alice invited you over?"
He looked at her. "Of course," he replied and just as he did, Alice came up to him and gave him a hug.
She quickly pulled away, scrunching her nose in disgust. "Eww Edward! You stink! Go take a shower," she said, pushing him to the bathroom.
"Third drawer," I yelled after him. He already knew what I was talking about. I kept all the clothes he left behind there and also some of the clothes that I . . . um . . . borrowed. . .
Once more, I sat down, mixing some cream and sugar to the coffee that Alice poured into my mug. I took a sip and sighed contentedly. Now I have Edward and my morning coffee fix. I'm happy.
"So Alice, what's with the breakfast and inviting Edward over?" I asked her.
She sat down and just smiled. "Let's wait for Edward and I'll tell you," was all she said.
A few minutes later, Edward emerged from my room, wearing a pair of pants that he left behind and a t-shirt that I loved on him.
About time he wore that shirt . . . it was losing "The Edward Smell".
He sat down next to me with Alice across us.
Edward looked at me and raised a confused eyebrow at Alice.
"Ok, so you two are probably curious as to why the heck I cooked breakfast when I almost never cook and why I suddenly insisted that Eddie over here join us for breakfast, not that you have any complaints. And why I'm here grinning at you with this odd looking smile-slash-smirk, right?" she asked us in one breath.
Whoa.
"Yes!" I replied, exasperated at how she kept on drawing out this . . . whatever it is!
"Ok, so I'll explain," she replied, standing up and grabbing today's paper and a few other magazines from her tote bag which I didn't notice earlier. She laid them out one by one in front of us and each headline caught my eye.
New York's Resident McDreamy: Off the Market?
I saw a picture of Edward and I at the fashion show yesterday, he was kissing my forehead tenderly and we looked like . . . well, a couple, which we are.
Spotted: Designer Isabella Swan and Former Model Edward Cullen ME Fashion Launch
Hot Couple Can Rival Hollywood Tandems ANYDAY
And there was another snapshot at the show, this one of Edward and I kissing. God, I'm starting to hate paparazzi!
Sexiest Bachelor of NY, Still Single or Not?
"Alice, what are these?" I asked her. I wasn't mad at her being too happy about this or anything, it's just that, well, I like my life private and this is just an invasion of my privacy.
"Those are the headlines that were sprouted out from the people who attended last night's show. Edward, I know you used to model, and now you're off the radar but I guess when you have archives, you can't really forget, can you? Not to mention that it's one hot topic. You guys look adorable together. You're already a well known designer Bella, and Edward, you used to model, like, what . . . you did another spread just a couple of months before you met Bella, your pretty little face is still imprinted on the minds of the unsuspecting female of New York!"
I turned to Edward. "Really?"
He scratched his head, looking sheepish. "Yeah, it's something I do in my spare time. Jazz does it too, and so does Rose. I believe it's only Emmett who hasn't done much," he replied.
"Well . . . I guess it is good exposure, I don't find anything wrong with it. I just like my life private."
"Yeah, I don't like people watching me jog," Edward added with a shudder.
We all laughed at that.
I don't really mind. Whatever happens has to happen for a reason, there are those times when you feel like you need friends, and times when these little accidents and moments happen that lead up to something much bigger. Meeting Alice, Edward, Rose and Jasper has been the best highlight of my life. After all I've been through, I'm convinced that I do deserve some happiness in my life.
Now I just have to go about finishing and editing my book . . .
So there you go! The last chapter of Little Trinkets! The outtakes shall follow soon . . . here are the titles just in case you want to go on and speculate about what happens there:
Christmas Day: The New York Scene
Please review! It's what keeps me going! ;)