Disclaimer:

Stephenie Meyer owns all things twilight, but when you find some wackadoodle crazy bitch in there stalking Edward, well that is all ours!

Chapter 9: One Step Closer

EPOV

As I drive to the gym, I try unsuccessfully to clear the image of a crying Angela being taken into custody from my head. I'm glad that this nightmare is over, though, because to be honest, this stalking was really starting to get to me. I feel relieved to have this weight lifted from my shoulders. I've always been the kind of person who doesn't let stuff ruffle me, but the thoughts of a stranger in my home, my bed, my office, and God only knows where else, is disturbing to me.

Parking at the gym, I glance at the clock. Emmett told me to be here at four so we could work-out together. I know I need to start working out a little more. I have a sudden desire to increase my physical stamina for a certain brunette detective. With a smile, I walk in and scan my keycard for entry. Once in the locker room, I open my locker, grab my shorts and tank, and head to the bathroom to change. I've never liked being out in the open while changing clothes; some things should just always be done in private.

Making my way out into the main gym, I spot Emmett in the corner. It seems like he's wrapping up a one-on-one training session with a client, so I head to the treadmills, where I usually start out with a good five-mile run. I know Emmett will be ready to lift with me once I'm done.

I'm working up quite a decent sweat as I listen to my iPod. Once the machine starts to slow, I know I've reached my cool down, so I take a quick look around to see where Emmett is. I scan the entire room, but he's nowhere to be seen. Victoria, a redhead who works at the gym, notices me scanning the room and points to the office. I smile and wave, letting her know I understand. Emmett will be out soon; he just went into the office for a minute.

Victoria is a little odd; the most I've ever noticed of her, is a meek smile or a point in a certain direction. She's not a big conversationalist. Emmett says she works great with the ladies, but refuses to take on any male clientele. We both find it odd, but it keeps the women off of Emmett, and in turn, keeps Rose happy.

"Yo, Spunk," Emmett says as he comes over to me.

"Spunk? What the fuck?" I ask as I wipe down the treadmill with the antibacterial cleaner.

"Well . . . you're a punk who's getting some now, so I'm calling you spunk," he laughs.

"Emmett, I swear to God, if you teach that to BB, I'm going to cut your nuts off. Lay off the nicknames, okay? My name is Edward."

"Chill out, Spunk. Let's go lift. What's going on with you, bro? You look happy, yet sad at the same time?" Emmett asks as we move over to the weights and he starts to set them up for me.

"Emmett, the police arrested Angela today. She's the one who's been sending me letters and shit."

"Wow, Spunk, that sucks! I know Angela was a good teaching assistant. Is there any doubt that it was her?"

"I have no doubt about it being her. I saw her, man. She was writing a note, kissed it and then put it in her briefcase. It's spooky to know that she's been in my apartment, man. I'm just really freaked out. I mean, that tattoo Jasper just did for me, was something she drew. It's just all so strange."

"Wow, that is strange, but I understand. I would be freaked out, too. Hey, Edward, I have to run to my office really quick to take care of something. I'll be right back, man."

"Yeah, no problem," I say to his retreating form.

I finish the set and then switch off to work on some curls. I notice someone standing beside me, so I turn to where I'm almost face-to-face with Jessica.

"Sorry," I say. "I didn't see you standing there." I move over a little so I'm not quite so close to her.

"Hi, Ed! You're looking mighty fine today, all hot and sweaty," she says with a giggle. I'm sure she thinks she's cute, but in my opinion, she missed the bus. I don't say anything, but she continues her rambling anyway. I hear the words I've been dreading since I saw her standing there, before she can finish, I interrupt.

"Jessica, I'm sorry, but my girlfriend wouldn't really like it if I went out with anyone else," I say, hoping she'll go away believing that I'm off the market.

"What! Who are you dating? Please tell me it's not that redheaded loser over there that you were waving at earlier!"

"Jessica, I am not dating Victoria, and who I am dating is none of your business. I've already told you I'm not interested, so please just back off and leave me alone."

Quickly, she lunges her body toward me, and catching me off guard, places her lips to mine. I gently, but quickly, push her away from me. Before she gets too far, her nails scratch into my scalp, and her fingers tighten in my hair. With her mouth close to my ear, I can both feel and hear her breathing.

"I told you before, I don't give up. One day I will make you mine," she says and then kisses my cheek before letting go of my hair. Man, that woman is a nutcase! Wait a minute . . . she said 'I will make you mine.' Oh shit! I don't even know what to think anymore; everyone looks guilty. Angela and her notes . . . Jessica and her clear need of medication . . . To top it all off, Victoria is still watching me from across the room. I have to get the fuck out of here; I could really use a drink right now.

After cleaning up the stuff I used, I quickly make my way to the locker room to get changed. Once I'm dressed, I check my phone and see that I have a missed call from my Mom. In her voicemail, she asks me to invite Emmett, Rose and BB to dinner tonight. She said she wanted us all to be there to help support Bella. When I leave the locker room, I stop long enough to make sure Emmett and his family will join us for dinner, before I get in my car and leave. The few short blocks between the gym and home fly by quickly.

I stop off on the second floor on the way up to my place, wanting to check things out. I can see that Mom already has a crew here working. When I glance inside Bella's apartment, I'm amazed by what I see. The difference is already clear. I bet they'll be completely done, and she'll be able to move back in within a week. I head up to my place so I can shower and change my clothes. I decide to head over to Mom's early; I have a lot on my mind.

~LK&IV~

BPOV

Well, until Edward called me, I thought for sure it was Emily. She is a total wacko, but Edward saw Angela writing a note and kissing it. She was sitting at his desk, too, where she wasn't supposed to be. Alec is taking her in for questioning, and I'm relieved that this mess appears to be over. Something tells me that Angela isn't the stalker, but I can't go against what Edward saw, either. I still told Alec about the interaction with Emily, and if things don't pan out with Angela, she'll be checked out, too.

Alice and I meet Esme at three, and find that the crew has already removed everything that had been destroyed from the apartment. They are really fast workers. The crew leader comes up and informs us that I can move back in by this weekend.

We leave Jasper's Hummer here at the apartment, and Alice and I go with Esme. She stops by a large storage building and explains that I can have any of the furniture there.

"Esme, the insurance is giving me money to replace the furniture. I can buy some new stuff, really."

"Don't be silly, Bella; I have this huge storage place full of furnishings that my clients want me to get rid of for them. Most of this stuff is practically brand new, but the owners ended up replacing it anyway. The price is right, and there's a ton to choose from. Let's look at the living room stuff first," she says, directing us toward the left side of the building.

There was a beautiful, soft pink leather sectional set, and I fall in love with it as soon as I see it. Esme comes up beside me and smiles. "You like it don't you?" I nod, and with a giant smile, Esme does the same squealing and jumping thing that Alice always does. I can clearly see where Alice gets her excitement from; Edward is right about that.

"Okay, now that's settled, we can check out the bedroom furniture. The workers said that there were some slashes in the cloth covering the headboard, and that all of the other furniture was cut as well. Here, my dear, are several different bedroom sets. You can pick out any size that you'd like. I get all my new mattress and box spring sets from Serta at a discount, so after you choose the furniture, we'll order the bedding set."

I take a look around the area and am amazed that there are so many different sets to choose from. Alice is walking silently beside me, and letting me choose without offering any input. I stop, taking a closer look at a set that is dark wood, but has beautiful detailing. It's a king-sized, four-poster bed. The headboard is covered in black metal designs of vines and flowers. It is feminine, yet not girlie. I love everything about it. "Esme, this is absolutely beautiful, but I'm not sure that it would fit in my bedroom."

"Bella, that is beautiful and I have personally considered moving it to my house to use in my guest room. You're right, though. I don't think it would fit in the apartment. There is a lot more to choose from, and you never know . . . maybe someday when you get a bigger place, I will still have this and you would be more than welcome to have it then, my dear. Oh, here is a lovely queen set with a sleigh design. It's in black walnut, and has a matching dresser and armoire. That would look lovely in your room," she says.

I agree after seeing the set, so she calls and orders the mattresses and bedding. As we walk to another part of the warehouse, I can't help but glide my hand across the cool metal of the king-sized set.

We finally make it back to Esme's, and I see Edward's car in the driveway. When we enter the house, I hear soft notes from the piano floating through the house. I see Esme's smile, and can just about feel the happiness his music brings to her.

"You love listening to him play, don't you?" I ask, with a smile.

"Yes, I do. Carlisle wanted Edward to become a doctor because of his ability to read something once and know it, but Edward would have never found joy in medicine. His joy is in his music." I nod in understanding as we listen to the sounds his fingers create.

Renee shows up at around six, and everyone else arrives about thirty minutes later. I haven't had much of a chance to speak to my mom; she closes herself off in the guest room as soon as she gets here. I help Esme with dinner. I love cooking and her kitchen is amazing!

We all sit down at the table when dinner is ready, and Carlisle says grace. While we eat, everyone makes small talk, but no one really wants to say anything about the elephant in the room: the damage to my apartment. Finally, I clear my throat.

"Well, everyone, I haven't heard differently, but I think they've made an arrest in Edward's case. He witnessed Angela Webber writing notes today, and then kissing them. Alec was supposed to be picking her up and taking her in for questioning. "

Everyone agrees that it is indeed good news. "I am just so glad that this is over. I can finally relax," Edward says.

"Well, until we know for certain, I would still be careful and watchful," I reply. Everyone agrees that being cautious is still in Edward's best interest.

Alice leans forward and smiles at Renee. "I am so glad that you weren't there last night to get hurt. I know you have been through so much already." Three things happen at once after that comment. I glare at Alice for opening her mouth, Renee glares at me for opening mine, and everyone else looks at Alice, seeking an explanation.

Renee turns and smiles at Esme and Carlisle. "I think I need to excuse myself. Thank you for the lovely meal," she says as she leaves the table. I watch her leave the room, and I know she is going to leave Esme's altogether.

"Excuse me," I say, following Renee to her guest room. The door is open, so I stick my head in. "Mom?" I say, not seeing her. Renee walks out of the bathroom carrying her bag of toiletries.

"What do you want, Isabella? Did you come to make sure that your low-life druggie mother was fully put in her place?"

"Mom…" I start as she cuts me off.

"I'm leaving. Do not talk to me. I am going to stay with a friend of mine. Since all of my stuff is already out of your place, I won't be coming back. Leave me alone, please. I have nothing else to say to you."

I watch as my mother walks out of the room before I sit down and silently cry to myself. I know she's not the perfect mother. Hell, I'm not sure there is such a thing. I mean, Tanya is great and wonderful, but even she's not perfect. I wish that my mother knew that her past is exactly that for me: the past. I wish she loved herself enough to know that I do love and care about her.

After a few minutes, I hear a noise and look up, seeing Alice and Esme standing in the doorway.

"Bella, can we come in for a minute, please?" Alice asks in a much more subdued than normal tone. I nod my head and quickly dry my tears. I've never been one to show a large amount of emotion in front of others. "Bella, I am so sorry. I never meant anything at all by my comment, and I swear to all that is holy, I never told anyone anything. I haven't even talked to Jasper yet."

"I know, Alice, and your comment was innocent. I realize that you meant well."

"Alice, why don't you go back downstairs now so that Bella and I can talk," Esme says. I watch as Alice moves to leave the room, but turns to hug me first, instead. I hug her back; I can't be mad at Alice. She didn't mean anything bad by her comment.

"I'm okay, Alice. I know you didn't mean anything bad by your comment. Everything will work out, and Renee will eventually calm down." Alice nodded her head and made her way back out the door. Esme moves over and sits beside me on the bed, taking my hand in hers and giving it a little squeeze.

"Bella, you are not to blame for Renee's behavior. Not tonight, or any other time in your life. Don't beat yourself up over this, just give her some time. She will stay clean. She told me today a little about her past. She never went into much detail, but she did tell me how she's been working to make herself a better person. Now, how about we go back downstairs and let my son know that you're okay, since he lashed out at Alice as soon as you left the room?"

I nod my head and we head back downstairs to join everyone else. I can see that Edward is mad at his sister the moment I enter the room. I quickly pull him aside and let him know everything is okay. We end up staying at Esme and Carlisle's for another hour or so discussing today's events, before finally heading back to the building we all live in. After Emmett and Rose take Bree and bid us a goodnight on the second floor, we go up to the third. Not wanting the night to end yet, Edward joins us at Alice and Jasper's apartment. Alice makes some popcorn, and we all sit to watch a movie on the ginormous flat screen.

I feel content, even with all the drama my mother caused. Edward and I cuddle under a blanket and he wraps his arm securely around me. Being with Edward is too easy. We're still getting to know one another, but I feel so connected to him already. I want to be with him and take our relationship to the next level.

"We're heading to bed," Jasper says as he picks up a sleeping Alice. We wish him a good night, and I cuddle even closer to Edward. He looks down at me and smiles before kissing my lips. I deepen the kiss as he places his hand that isn't around me, on my the side of my face.

"How about we go out to dinner with each other tomorrow night?" he asks as he lightly kisses me again.

"I would really love that," I say as we kiss some more.

"Thank you for everything you have done for me. I'm grateful for you," he says as he kisses me again.

"I'm so glad I met you. I want to see where this goes," I tell him as I sit up a little more.

"Me too. I think we have something special. I know you are the first person I have ever wanted in any way," he says as we chuckle.

"You're sweet," I say, laying my head on his shoulder. "I'm glad this is over for you."

"Me too, baby."

"You sound off. I would think you would sound relived right now," I tell him as I look at his face. He looks conflicted.

"I know what I saw, but part of me still feels like something isn't right," he says as I nod.

"I feel the same way. Part of me feels that Angela isn't the one stalking you."

"Maybe we just need some time to let all this shit sink in," he says, pulling me closer to him. "Maybe everything will fall into place now."

"I really like you," I say and watch as he smiles. "I told Emily I was your girlfriend and she didn't like it very much."

"She didn't?" he says with a laugh. "Well, I told Jessica I had a girlfriend, and she didn't like that either."

"I think I'm going to be the most hated woman in Port Angeles if we become a thing," I say as he laughs.

"I think we're already a thing," he says. I can't help but smile at that.

"Yeah, I think we are, too. I just didn't want to sound all teen-girl by saying it," I say as I laugh.

"Did you just call me a girl?" he asks as he stares at me with a spark in his eyes.

"It is what it is," I say. I'm caught off guard when starts to tickle me. He had me pinned to the couch and I was doing everything I could to get away. I was a trained officer of the law, but when I was being tickled, I couldn't think of what to do. I absolutely hated being tickled!

"Don't blame me if I knee you in the nuts," I laugh out as he stills his movements.

"You would kick me in my family jewels?"

"I will if you don't stop tickling me," I say as I catch my breath. We laugh as he lowers his face to mine.

"I don't care if I sound like a girl," he says with a smile. "We're a thing now, and that's final."

"Yes, sir," I say before leaning in for another kiss. His kisses are unlike anything I have ever felt. They felt right. After some heated kisses, he lays behind me on the couch and pulls the blanket over us. I have that stupid girly smile on my face as I close my eyes. The moment he wraps his arms around me, I feel this amazing warmth spread through me, and sleep quickly takes me.

A/N: We want to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate it that is. We had a few really great reviews lately and some are asking really great questions. Please make sure that you have your private messaging turned on, or I cannot answer you. I always take the time to answer each and EVERY review that is able to be answered. Jadedghost22 asked: Cool, so we know it is not Angela, or Emily. Or are you going to make it so he has a whole bunch of stalkers? Answer: No, Edward has only one stalker. The mystery is who is the stalker? Don't fret too much, you will get to hear all about Jessica next chapter, we promise.