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Danna, my beta you totally rock my world! Thank you for all your fine tuning and help! Dear Twi-Sisters, love you all madly and deeply, thanks for your support – If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here *hugs and tugs* Finally, I know I've been behind on a 2 week turn around, Please forgive me ~ I'm begging you here! To myall of my dear Readers, please review and Enjoy!
~ Forbidden to Remember or Terrified to Forget ~ From New Moon
One Month Earlier...
~Edward~
I breathed slowly into the phone, "Mom..."
"Sweetheart, hello, are you doing okay?" she asked.
"Yes, maybe, no not exactly..."I stammered, "Is dad around?"
"Yes, he is...hold on," she replied.
This was a time I needed to talk to my dad of all people. Fatherly advice, possible; affairs of the heart, a definite maybe; 'what would you do,' most definitely. I didn't want to talk to Jasper or Emmett about this. Jasper could keep a secret where Alice was concerned, but I wanted this to be kept totally confidential. Emmett, that was another story, he had a way of spreading stuff like wildfire; good bad or indifferent. He would be sure to tell Rose and it would be back to Bella. This might be the time I come back to my old stomping ground, but then again I wasn't sure if I should. I wanted my father's opinion, I needed some guidance. He and my mother had been there for me through everything, although through high school I gave them hell. My parents wanted the best for me, although I took a different direction with my life. My father wanted me in the medical field, just like him. I decided marketing and advertising was a flair I liked and that what brought me to New York of all places. Other than that, I still loved the hum of a good car that could ride like the wind.
"Edward, what's wrong?" my father asked.
"Doing ok, physically. Not sure about mentally," I said laughing. "Can I ask you if you have any regrets in your lifetime?'
"That's a pretty strong question, Edward," he said, "what has got you so...bum fuddled, should I ask?"
"I have a situation that I'm not sure if I should tackle or leave well enough alone. I didn't want to ask the guys opinions, but wanted yours..."
"Mine? What on earth for? I have raised you to think for yourself and if you are regretting something, look in your heart, and make it right no matter how bad the situation is or how good the outcome could be."
I pondered back and forth for several moments.
"Son?" my father asked. "Is this regarding a work situation, friend situation, a girl perhaps?"
"Dad, what if I told you I am thinking about moving back to Forks or in the general area?"
"Your mother and I would be delighted!" he said. At this point, I knew my mother had been listening. She screamed into to phone. "Edward, when?"
"I need to give my two weeks' notice with the marketing firm and then I should be back within the next week. But all I ask is that you don't tell anyone."
"Oh, good! You should be back in time for Bella's wedding," my mother exclaimed. Then my parents put two and two together and realized why I was coming home...
"So is it Bella or is it Bella's wedding?" My father inquired.
"Let's just say a combination, she has been on my mind and I just want to make sure she is happy. If she is, that is fine and I can move on." Part of me prayed that she wasn't happy but then again; would I be the one that could make her happy? People change so much and I had too. I had gotten softer, not the sharp edged kid I was in high school. I finally had come to some sort of peace about Jessica and the baby.
*OOOo~oOOO*
The next morning I gave my two weeks' notice to the marketing firm and began searching on the internet for jobs in the surrounding area of Forks and beyond. I placed about fifteen applications within two hours online and with twenty-four hours my inbox was full with job offers galore. Within the coming days I packed my apartment up and rented a U-Haul. I decided to drive back cross country. It took four days nonstop, when I reached my parent's house at three-thirty in the morning. My mother had left a door key under the flower pot, as I turned the key; my parents had jumped awake from the living room. Hugs and kisses from my mom, and a smile and a handshake from my dad welcomed me home.
"I got to get some sleep," I said yawning.
"That's fine, son," my father said yawning also. "Your mother and I have a lot to do in just a few hours; we've been dozing on the couch waiting on you to get here."
"Goodnight or good morning, should I say," kissing my forehead me mother said. "We've both got a busy day ahead so the house will be quite, give us a call later and maybe we can go to dinner late. Get some rest."
I climbed the stairs to my bedroom upstairs. As I turned on the light by my bed, I noticed the walls had been painted a deep blue. My room had not changed much except for new bedding and the paint on the walls. Pictures from high school and my childhood adorned the walls still. I glanced at a picture from graduation that read "Friends Forever" and took it from the wall. It included, Bella, Alice, Jasper, Rose, Emmet and I. It seemed like a lifetime ago. I climbed into the four poster bed and drifted off to sleep...
"Okay, you six get together; we need a picture to preserve this moment," my mother commenced "who knows when you guys will be ALL back together."
"Oh we are going to stay in touch forever, Esme, no worries," Alice chirped.
All of us scrambled together amidst the noise and the commotion of the post ceremony celebrations. At that moment, Bella's father, Charlie along with all of the other parents crowded around my mother to take a picture too.
"Say Pickles and Ice Cream!" someone hollered.
"Pickles and Ice Cream!" We all screamed.
"Who's pregnant?" Emmett asked laughing.
"Lord have mercy, I hope it's not us!" Rose said jokingly.
I glanced over at Bella and she smirked. Jake had not shown up, but it didn't seem to bother Bella. She seemed to be ready for a new start in college and so was I. The future was ours as we headed to the Eclipse Diner to party.
"Hey, can I catch a ride?" Bella asked. "My dad is headed home; he drove me in the police cruiser."
"Sure," I responded. My heart jumped with the thought of Bella riding with me. We had come to a mutual decision that we were friends. Good friends at that.
"Hey, we'll meet you there," Jasper yelled from across the parking lot. I threw a thumb up and opened the door for Bella.
My new silver Volvo had been a graduation present from my parents, no more racing with this baby. I did have the old one in the garage and it was going to by racing car only.
I slid into the black leather seat, while Bella grabbed her seat belt and immediately buckled it. "So are you going to drive a hundred to get it us to the diner," she joked.
"No, I have made a promise to myself that in this car, I will drive the appropriate speed limit," I responded cranking the engine, "and I am hauling special cargo tonight." I turned and grinned at her.
"Edward..."Bella blushed and smiled.
Music began to blare from the radio as we began to pullout from the parking lot. We talked about how she was going to start college in the fall at the University of Tennessee. I talked about how I was going to Northwestern. Jasper, Alice, Emmett and Rose were all going to college together to Washington State.
"You should come down for some southern hospitality on one of your breaks," she said in her best southern drawl.
"So what does Charlie, I mean Chief Swan, think about you moving all the way out there?" I asked.
"He's okay with it, he has already packed up a case of pepper spray", she laughed.
We reached Eclipse and cars were parked everywhere. Music was blaring and the diner was lit up like a Christmas tree. I drove the car around back so the Volvo wouldn't get dinged. As the car crept, the tires started to sink into the grass from the rain the night before. I parked the car and walked around to open Bella's door.
"Watch your step", I said extending my hand. "We don't want you twisting your ankle, again."
"Thank you," she said grasping my hand.
Her hand was warm. We walked into the back door of the diner. Charlotte greeted us with punch and chocolate cheesecake in hand.
"Let's find a table. Find something to hold onto and I'll lead you through the crowd," she winked.
I reached immediately for a belt loop on the back of her dress pants, "Lead the way."
We found Emmett and Rose already in a corner table not coming up for air, "get a room" I yelled above the music. Emmett and Rose immediately stopped. "Hey, we were just killing time waiting for you two, Jasper and Alice to show up," Emmett said clearing his throat.
Alice and Jasper arrived on the heels of the conversation and we all pulled chairs over to the corner table to sit. Before I knew it, Bella, Alice and Rose got up from the table. "Be back in a minute boys, ladies room..." Alice said pointing.
The guys and I talked smack about college and what they had planned for the summer. I was racing in three weeks in Portland. When the girls returned, Alice and Rose motioned for them to join them on the dance floor. Bella grabbed the corner seat and motioned for me to join her. We downed the punch and the chocolate cheesecake within minutes.
"I'm going back for something else; I'm starving, need anything?" I asked.
"My sweet tooth is hyper, what else does Charlotte have?" she asked.
"Knowing Charlotte, she has everything," I responded.
"Surprise me," Bella teased.
I made it to the dessert bar and saw a chocolate fountain. I filled two plates full of everything from chocolate covered pretzels, strawberries, blueberries and marshmallows, to two pieces of a triple chocolate cake with a strawberry filling. Bella was beaming when I returned to the table.
"Strawberry?" I offered setting the plate down.
"Chocolate covered...ohhh, yes!" she exclaimed, taking a bite.
"Hey leave some for us," Alice yelled across the dance floor,
"It's all mine and Edward's go get your own", Bella said taking another bite.
I watched Bella bite into a chocolate covered marshmallow and I began to laugh.
"What's so funny, Edward..." she smiled.
"Hold on...you got something on your face." I smirked. I reached over and wiped a piece of chocolate from her cheek and placed it in my mouth
"Mmmmmm..."
"Hey if you can't wear chocolate it's not good...You've got to try a chocolate covered marshmallow
She said placing it in front of my face.
I bit into is slowly to see her reaction and her eyes began to smolder; she began to bite her lip. What is it about Bella tonight, I thought. She is going to be the death of me yet.
"So, are you going to dance tonight," Bella said coyly.
"No, don't think so. What about you?"
"Yeah, I think I might...it has to be the right song and the right person. I got to have an awesome memory from graduation night...something that I can talk about later in college."
"So you need the right song and the right person?" I asked. My inner voice began talking...
~IS SHE TALKING TO ME ABOUT DANCING WITH HER~
~MAYBE~
~GO FOR IT – SHE'S BEEN FLIRTING WITH YOU SINCE YOU GUYS LEFT GRADUATION~
A slow song began playing and that was my cue. I stood up and walked around the other side of the table,
"Bella, would you like to dance?" I asked outstretching my hand.
"But you don't dance..." she stammered.
"I'll make an exception and it's not a onetime offer," I replied offering my hand again.
"Not a onetime offer?" she smiled placing her hand in mine.
We made our way on to the dance floor, whispers of 'Edward and Bella are dancing' echoed around us. She placed her head on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around her waist. A sigh came from Bella's lips, "This is nice.
"Yes, it is..."I responded.
"I'll hold you to another dance, Mr. Cullen."
"Bella, I told you it wasn't a onetime offer."
We swayed to the music. Bella smelled of lavender. Just before the music ended, my face brushed her's and I found her lips pressed against mine...her lips tasted sweet. Just like chocolate covered strawberries with a hint of marshmallow...
I drifted out of my sleep to find my mother standing in my doorway. "Sorry to bother you, I've been putting away your clean clothes. Sweetheart you okay, you've been saying Bella's name for the last few minutes."
"She has been constantly on my mind lately, Mom."
"I feel like we have some unfinished business. I was shocked to get a wedding invitation that she and Jake are getting married. Do you know what happened there?" I inquired.
"Well, Chief Swan talked to your dad about it the other day. Jake apparently moved to Knoxville to be closer to Bella while she was in college the last six months. They moved back shortly thereafter, and according to Chief Swan, Jake is the same person Bella first fell in love with." She informed dryly.
"I know you two started seeing each other right after graduation but something happened during the summer."
"I know and I've regretted it ever since, we just left being friends before she headed to college. I should have handled things differently, but I didn't. I've got to make it right..."
The conversation between my mother and I continued for the next hour. We talked about what I had been doing while I was in New York. The work with the marketing firm of Volturi Enterprises; girls I had dated; people I had met. My father arrived home later to find my mother and I concocting a plan of attack for my new apartment in Seattle. My new job was a director position with Masen Marketing in Seattle. I was fortunate enough to get a loft apartment that was fully furnished with the position. Knowing full well my mother wanted to add a personal touch, my parents decided to follow me to Seattle the next day to help me get settled.
*OOOo~oOOO*
I arrived at Masen Marketing at ten in the morning to meet with my new boss, Mr. Jenks and my new assistant Claire. Mr. Jenks was very professional. Good grief, I wondered if the man could smile. Very stone faced and not very personable but I have worked with his type before. Claire on the other hand was very pleasant and professional. Mr. Jenks agreed for me to be in the office the following Tuesday and handed me a proposal we were working with Seattle Grace Hospital on.
"This consists of a commercial campaign for the hospital," he directed. "I need a proposal on my desk by no later than next Wednesday."
"Yes, sir. I'll take care of it." I nodded.
"Claire, could you show Mr. Cullen to his new office. Cullen, your keys for the apartment have been left in an envelope on your desk this morning. Claire, could you call the apartment complex and let them know Mr. Cullen has arrived?" Mr., Jenks asked.
"Yes, Mr. Jenks." Claire answered, "Right this way, Mr. Cullen."
Claire showed me the corner office that already had my name embossed on a gold plate on the door. The office coincided with a conference room. Glass windows accented the room with a rich brown color and cream undertones.
"Mr. Cullen, is there anything I can get you?" Claire asked.
"No, thank you." I responded taking a deep breath and looking around the room. I walked over to my desk and grabbed the envelope. I read, 501 Seneca Street, opening it, I found two keys.
"I'll be at my desk, if you need anything." Claire said closing the door.
"Claire? Is the apartment near the water?" I asked.
"Yes, it is. It is actually one block over and nine blocks west. Do you need a map?" Claire asked.
"No, thank you. I'll check it on my GPS." I said grinning, "Another question though, how is the apartment?"
"You haven't seen it? One of the most top notch in Seattle," Claire gushed. She went on and on about the features, door, the rooms, the fireplace and the Jacuzzi on the balcony.
"A Jacuzzi?" I inquired.
She stopped in mid sentence, and apologized, "Yes...sorry Mr. Cullen. I don't know what got into me..."
"Claire, it's okay. Thanks for the description. I'm leaving here to go get things unpacked. My parents are downstairs and are helping me move in today. Got to go...if you need anything give me a call on my cell. See you on Tuesday." I said closing the door to my office.
This is perfect I thought. If my life didn't turn out like I had hoped, I would have an awesome job and be close to my family again. My thoughts drifted to Bella...wonder where she is living in Seattle and working? Time will soon tell I thought...T minus and counting until Saturday at two o'clock...
My parents gushed over the apartment and helped me get all my belongings unpacked. They headed back to Forks and would be back on Saturday in time for Bella's wedding.
"We should do breakfast Saturday morning at Rainer Square," my mother said.
"Sure, I'll meet you there. How about nine-ish?" I said.
"Sounds like a plan," my father stated, "Question, Edward...what are you going to do at the wedding?"
"Not sure yet Dad, I'm playing this one by my heartstrings...See you on Saturday." I responded.
I knew that is not what my father wanted to hear, but I didn't know how I was going to approach Bella at the moment. This was something I was going to have to think about.
*OOOo~oOOO**OOOo~oOOO*
The proposal for the hospital kept me busy on Thursday and Friday. I had made a power-point presentation that I felt pretty confident about. Friday dragged on and my thought turned to Bella and how I was going to approach her and tell her how I felt. I prayed that maybe deep down that the feeling might be mutual, even after all these years...
Friday seemed to be the longest day ever. As night fell, I decided to jump into the hot tub. It beckoned me to relax and think. With a beer in hand, I left the work behind from the last two days and focused on what I was going to do tomorrow. Would I object at the wedding...NO, I thought; that would embarrass her to pieces. Should I ask to see her before the wedding...POSSIBLE; or would that catch her off guard or would that push her into marrying Jake without even thinking about me...Could I be her Prince Charming after all? I know I wanted to be.
I gradually got up from the Jacuzzi and reached for a towel, placing it around my waist. From the Jacuzzi I looked at the moon, Tomorrow is a new day and anything is possible...
*OOOo~oOOO*
My alarm clock beeped heavily in my ear the next morning. The beeping kept getting louder and louder, however I didn't want to wake up. I felt a smile creep across my face...Bella's lips on mine and a sweet scent of lavender as I held her in my arms...
"Damn! Eight thirty! I have to meet Mom and Dad at Rainer in thirty minutes!" I said straight up in bed.
"Shit! I'm late!"
I hurriedly called my dad's cell and told them I would be there soon.
"I'm running late, got to take a shower and get the suit on. Can you give me forty-five minutes?"
"Sure, do you want us to order you anything?" my dad inquired.
"Please, coffee, black with two eggs over easy and toast. Thanks Dad." I said hanging up the phone.
I was in and out of the shower, and fully dressed in twenty minutes. I grabbed an extra white dress shirt and my silver tie with my black jacket and headed to the car. I started the car and music blared as I journeyed down First Avenue and turned left on Main Street. Damn, traffic light...I started cussing under my breath and the traffic light. I glanced over to the car at the right of me...There sat Rose and Alice with Bella in the back seat...
Wonder what twisted path will happen next *devilsh grin* Please give me some warm fuzzies and Review! Love and Hugs! Remember – I'm a busy mama – but I'm already working on the next chapter!