Yay, I'm almost back on the ball!!!
This Chapt was soo easy to write, I really enjoyed it. It's a good base for their relationship.
I just wanted to say thanks to lynntjax & acw1 for reviewing nearly every chapter. You guys make my day!
And as usual Angel, for listening to me whinge about this fic and editing all my stupid little mistakes. You are priceless!
Enjoy!
Edward POV
I reluctantly left Bella with Alice and Jasper so we could both get ready for lunch. Our parting was sweet and unbearable all at once. Neither of us wanted me to leave so soon after we had discovered each other. We stood at my car door, just staring at one another stupidly with mushy grins on our faces.
Finally Alice came out onto the porch and screamed at me to move my arse. I rolled my eyes and kissed Bella goodbye.
"I'll see you later love." She nodded and stood watching as I left.
The drive was quick, thank goodness. I didn't want to be away from her longer than I had to. I parked the Vanquish in the underground car park and made my way to the elevator, greeting the guard as I walked past. Once in the elevator, I swiped my card and pressed the button for the penthouse suite and waited patiently.
The penthouse was the second thing I bought when I started working, the Volvo being the first. I don't know why I bought it, perhaps because I could see it becoming my home; a home where I would want to be, somewhere I felt comfortable and safe, a place full of love. This place had not been that to me recently. I was going to put it on the market as soon as I could which was a shame. I really like the place but it was too full of misery for me to look at without a warm fuzzy feeling again.
I grabbed a bag and threw some clothes and toiletries in it, preparing for a stay over at Alice and Jaspers'. It was decided I would come back for more stuff later when I had a more permanent solution.
That house is going to be full for the next few days…or weeks.
I was quick to get out of there, swapping the Vanquish keys for the Volvo's and locking the door securely as I left. I may not want to live there anymore but the property was still valuable to me and I didn't want it destroyed while I wasn't here. Of course there was only one person I was worried about and she, thankfully, had left her key card behind.
I took the elevator down to the car park again and stopped to talk to the guard Winston. He promised not to let Tanya in while I was gone. At least that was one less thing I had to worry about.
The next thing on my 'to do list' was pay a visit to the dipshit James. I wasn't really allowed to go near him after the beating I gave him last night, but I had a warning to give him. I didn't want him anywhere near Bella ever again. I climbed up the stairs to his apartment, shaking my head and thinking of Bella actually living in this crap-hole of a building.
Well, I'll make sure she never has to step foot in a place like this again.
I approached room forty-two and knocked. The door swung open as my fist met the wood. Curious, I stuck my head through the doorway and called out.
"Hello? Anyone home?"
The sight that met my eyes made me smile in grim satisfaction. It was empty. No furniture, no clothes, nothing. It looked like he had been in a hurry when he packed though; there was a few odd pieces lying haphazardly around as if they had fallen there. I checked all the rooms and found more of the same, breathing a sigh of relief. I hadn't really wanted to confront that scumbag again but I would have done it if it meant that Bella wouldn't have to see him again.
I found a box of books in the spare room that must have been Bella's. I looked through some of the titles, noticing she liked the classics. Not just the Bronte sisters but children's classics as well such as Black Beauty and Treasure Island. I smiled fingering the well worn bindings of a few books, imagining her sitting in the sun reading with the light playing off her hair.
A picnic, it would be perfect.
I decided it suddenly. I wanted the vision in my imagination to become a reality. I wanted to see the stunning woman that captured my heart surrounded in sunlight and warmth. I smiled to myself and started planning our escapade sometime during the week. I could surprise her one day at work, we could take a long lunch on a nice day. I made a note to check the weather forecast and see if I could charm Bella's boss into letting her take a few days off.
I dialled Alice's number; it went straight to voicemail so I tried Rose next.
"Yes Edward?" she answered.
I told her my plan and she agreed, giving me all the details I would need and some free advice.
"Edward, her boss will be all for this, Angie is majorly cool and if she had heard what happened she would insist on Bells having a few days off. She hated that asshat too."
"Thanks Rose, I owe you big time."
"Don't I know it, Eddie boy."
My plan was coming along nicely.
I took one last snoop around the empty apartment, said good riddance and left taking Bella's books, leaving the door wide open. It was time to go back to Bella. My heart soared at the thought. I jogged down the stairs at breakneck speeds and jumped into my illegally parked Volvo. I drove as fast as I dared through traffic to Alice's house where I would find my angel.
Bella POV
I wasn't really watching the television; I was too busy listening out for Edward's return. So I was surprised when I didn't hear his car and he appeared in the doorway behind me as if by magic. I saw the movement in the reflection on the TV and jumped, spinning around in my seat on the couch with a gasp.
He was leaning against the door frame with a cocky grin on his face. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously and his twinkled.
"What have you been up to Mr. Cullen?" He pushed himself away from the doorframe and made his way towards me. I lifted my butt and moved over a bit so he could fit in the seat next to me. He shook his head slightly and pulled me back so that I was sitting on his lap. I smiled secretly to myself.
"I have been securing our future together," he said nonchalantly. I felt my eyes widen and my mouth drop open. I ducked my head so he wouldn't notice but I should have known better, Edward is far too observant. He lifted my chin with one finger and laughed when he saw the shock frozen on my face. He stroked my cheek gently with his long fingers, looking into my eyes. "My silly Bella, don't panic. I only planned a week or so ahead." He laughed again and I felt the heat rush to my face in a blush.
"What kind of plans Edward? I have work-"
He interrupted me with a finger to the lips. It silenced me immediately.
"Shh." I blinked and he searched my face, for what though I wasn't sure. "I have to tell you something Bella."
Yeah, that's a great start to a conversation.
I felt my heart drop to my feet. He smiled softly at me before continuing.
"Bella, I think you're going realise what a selfish person I am when I tell you this but I called your boss and got you the week off. Angela was actually very nice about it. Before you protest she told me that if you came in at all next week, you're fired."
"You did what?" I don't know how he did it but this man is continually surprising me. I wondered if he always would. I shook my head and opened and closed my mouth a few times, trying to form a coherent sentence. "No work for Bells?" He laughed at my stupidity.
"Yes, silly girl. I told Angie the bare minimum of what happened and that your brother is moving to town and she insisted." He grinned, pleased at his accomplishment. I slapped him in the arm and stood up, pacing away from him.
"Edward, you can't just call my boss and get me out of work for a week," I said incredulously.
I was slightly pissed at him for taking control of my life. I had always been so independent and here was this guy, sweeping me away with his intensity. We only met yesterday and now he was calling my boss and talking to my brother. I'd only just broken up with James, who didn't like me making the long distant phone calls to my family. Slightly pissed is probably an understatement.
"Uh, yes, I can. And I did." He stood as well and took my hands, halting my pacing. "Look, Bella, you need to spend some time with your brother when he gets here. You cannot leave him alone with us… Alice would have him carrying her shopping bags," he chuckled and I was distracted with the way his eyes danced as he laughed.
"Actually, I already spoke to Emmett and he was going to hang with Nate. Those two would get along like a house on fire. But hold on a second, you're trying to divert me aren't you?" I narrowed my eyes at him, my anger forgotten. He was only trying to help me, trying to help my brother. He was honestly a nice guy and that was something I would have to get used to.
"You got me. Like I said; selfish remember? I want you all to myself." He smiled shyly and fiddled with my fingers. "Please?"
"Fine," I groaned and threw my hands into the air, giving up completely. "Whatever. I don't know how I'm going to feed my bottomless pit of a brother while he's here though."
"I believe I can take care of that!" Emmett's booming voice came from out the front. We heard a car door close and Emmett materialised in the same doorway Edward had come through ten minutes ago. "Come on people, lunch time! Where's Alice and Jazz?"
I pointed in the general direction of the bedroom and Emmett made a face. I giggled. Rose chose that moment to walk through the front door, looking fabulous as always. She didn't even glance at us, just stalked off down the hall and began pounding on the bedroom door.
"Get out of bed, you pair of bunnies, we gave you hours! Hurry up! Emmett's hungry." Emmett's grin stretched across his face, I couldn't help but return it.
He really did remind me of Nate sometimes. It was the way he smiled at me like a brother and his fun loving attitude. They both love video games and sports. In fact, any game of any kind. I have seen Emmett play Twister a few times, watching him fall on his face is very satisfying and we make a point to pull out the mat whenever he goes a bit overboard. I could just see some of the spats Rose and I would throw while Nate and Emmett were in the same room.
At least it will always be interesting.
I was really looking forward to seeing my brother. We had been so reliant on each other for so long that it was strange not to have him nearby. I had caught myself serving up an extra plate for him a few times when I was living with James. I always made too much food because of Nate's appetite, it was handy having Emmett fill his shoes for a while but I missed my brother.
I checked my watch, midday. He would be here tonight and we would be a team again.
Plus, Bella, you have a whole week off work to spend time with him… and Edward.
I smiled widely at Edward as he opened the car door for me. I got in, barely noticing it wasn't the shiny car from last night and we were on our way to lunch. Where, I still had no idea but it didn't really bother me this time. As long as Edward was here, my brother was on his way and our friends were around us, I felt at home.
I think I just realised how happy I really am. Truly happy, for the first time since our mother died…
I'm as excited as Bella about their date! *woot* It's comin up soon!
What should happen on the date? What kinda date should they have?
Let me know, I'm always interested in other ideas.
- Gee
