Beta: Random Loves

Chapter 11: The Beautiful Barista

(EPOV)

"Edward, dear, please try to get home early tonight, okay?" Carmen asked me wearily.

"Sure, may I ask why? Do you need me for anything?"

She shook her head, and replied, "No, but our reprieve is over. Tanya is coming home today."

I had been pleasantly relieved that Tanya's stay in Portland had been extended an extra day. I think I may have even fist pumped a few times in my excitement. After my day at the hospital and talk with Carlisle, I wasn't sure I was ready to see Tanya. From all the information I heard about her, I was struggling with whether to salvage our poor excuse of a marriage.

"Well she'll be home around five and said that she expects you to be home, too," she muttered, shuffling her bucket of cleaning supplies in her arm, "I'm going to be cleaning all day…"

I nodded and said, "I'm really sorry that she treats you like her mule, Carmen. You deserve better."

She waved her hand in dismissal. "I'm fine. I really don't have to deal with her that much."

After bidding me a goodbye, she went upstairs to start cleaning. I was already dressed and ready to go. I wanted to get a head start on my day so I could hopefully duck out a bit early. After all, I planned to go to the café after my shift.

-xXx-

"Dr. Cullen, Mrs. Reyes is complaining of a headache again. She wants to see you," a nurse said with a roll of her eyes.

I got up from my desk and walked over to the door. I've actually had a hard time doing anything today. I was still pleasantly struck, that I had my very own office. In my other world I wouldn't have expected to be chief of department at this stage of my career, even if I still had a job.

I followed the nurse as she led me to room 38. Behind the curtain was a frail looking woman. Her vibrant green eyes light up as she spoke, "Dr. Cullen, thank heavens you're here! My head has been hurting and everyone," she shot a nasty glare at the nurse who faux cowered in response, "is telling me to just take Tylenol."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her cranky tone. Some seniors come to the E.R. because they were lonely, and yet, some have something seriously wrong and need medical attention. Mrs. Reyes was the former rather than the latter.

As was policy, we gave Mrs. Reyes the million dollar work up and as expected, she just had a headache. A couple of Tylenols fixed her right up. I did notice something in my examination though, she had an unusual spot on her arm. I referred her to a dermatologist for follow and she delightedly went on her way.

And so that's how my day went. The E.R. had been fairly quiet, but that didn't dampen my mood. I felt so good to practice medicine again. I had missed being a doctor more than I realized.

By the end of the day, I was getting more and more excited. The end of my shift couldn't come fast enough.

-xXx-

The harsh wind chilled my face as I made my way to the café door, the bell rang quietly as I pulled it open. I shivered in pleasure as the warmth of the café enveloped me, along with the tantalizing smell of coffee beans and freshly baked muffins.

I sat down on an empty table by the corner and waited for the long line to die down. Looking around, I grabbed a nearby magazine to read as a distraction.

Even from my seat, I could hear the murmurs of the people who were lined up at the register. But I didn't pay attention to every voice, I just zeroed in on the one I wanted, she was currently taking an order from a child.

"Hello there, fine sir. What can I get you? Cappuccino? Espresso?" she asked while trying to keep a straight face.

"I'm too little for grown-up coffee!" the small boy giggled, making his mommy smile next to him.

"Goodness! My mistake," she said, her warm smile playful, "How about a peppermint hot chocolate? It's my specialty."

"Yes please!" the boy replied enthusiastically.

"Coming right up," Bella replied with a light laugh that I swore only angels could ever make.

Ha-ha, funny Cullen. But just to let you know, Marcus is an angel and his laugh sure as hell doesn't sound like that.

Only she, only Bella, had the most perfect laugh on the planet. Hearing her voice made me realize how much I've truly missed it. In my other life, there were plenty of times when I just wanted her to stop nagging me. But now, I realized that she wasn't really nagging me, she was making suggestions. Tanya was the true nag and bossy beyond comprehension.

I took in a few deep calming breaths. I fought the urge to take Bella in my arms and hug the living shit out of her. It would be too strange.

The line had finally died down. Happy customers went to their seats, or left with their steaming mugs to keep them warm outside.

I wasn't sure if I was ready to see her again. It had felt like a lifetime since I last saw Bella. I finally chanced a look at her, my heart full of trepidation. My knees went weak. She was beautiful, even with her hair up in a messy ponytail, and her brown apron lightly stained. It really didn't matter what world I was in, I loved her.

Not even Tanya with her toned body and fancy dress could draw such a strong reaction from me.

Soon enough if was my turn to order. She hadn't looked at me yet, being too busy keeping the line moving. God, does she even remember me? Was the other Edward a regular? What if Tanya didn't like the old Edward coming here because Bella was a friend of Alice's?

Forks was a small town after all and everyone here knew everyone else's business. Jesus, does that mean that she knows how much of an asshole I -this Edward- was to his wife...shit, Tanya.

I shook my head. I refused to think about her when I was about to talk to Bella. My wife, the only wife I'd ever want, was standing less than two feet away from me. The guilt was back as my memory flashed to my first assumptions when I first landed in this reality. I'd been foolish to ever think that I could be satisfied anyone but Bella.

Act cool, man. She may not know you. I tried reign in all the love I was feeling for her. She looked up at me and then wiped her hands on her apron. I was pleasantly surprised to see her eyes brighten. "Hi, Edward. Nice to see you, it's been a while. What can I get you? The usual?" she teased.

I nodded, not knowing what to say. I had no idea what this Edward's usual was. I thought it would be easy to act cool around her, but actually being near her, I couldn't make my mouth work.

"Everything okay?" she asked, as she reached for a cup from the shelf.

"No, no. I mean. Yes. Yes. Everything is okay and yes, I'll have my…er, usual," I stammered, cursing my stupefied self. Come on, brain. You form the words and make my mouth say it. It's not that hard.

Bella continued to look at me worriedly while making my coffee. Seeing her agility with the coffee machine, I wondered when and where she learned to be a barista. I knew it was much harder than it looked.

Being around her again loosened up the pressure in my chest and made me feel normal again. I smiled a little at the tendrils of hair framing her face and her perfect eyebrows furrowing. She was so adorable when she was concentrating.

My smile faltered as I noticed something I wasn't prepared to see in a million years. It had been stupid of me to not consider the possibility. My own situation should have made me realize, but it didn't. Was this the "complication" Carlisle tried to warn me about?

While spinning the cup to get the proper amount of foam, I caught sight of Bella's left hand. On her fourth finger sat two shiny rings, but not just any rings. That was no costume jewelry. That was a wedding set.

One thought came to mind: I was completely and utterly fucked.

A/N: Uh oh. Things just got a hell lot more complicated. You didn't actually think I'd make it easy, don't you?

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