Chapter 12: Unwanted Attention
I'm delighted to say that this story and 'Heaven Help My Heart' have been nominated in the Emerging Swan Awards. Please vote for your favourites:
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I expect there will be 2 more chapters to this story. Then, it's back to my usual posts.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Monday, July 18th, 2005, 11:30 am:
The Fairmont Olympic, Seattle:
Edward's pov:
"Thank you," I told the clerk, distracted by the woman standing at his side behind the desk.
So, so hawt. It didn't say what they did for a living in that Announcement. I bet they're models. I'd like to see him model underw-
"It's no trouble at all, Mr Cullen. I hope you and Ms Swan have a lovely stay in Seattle."
Obviously, he had seen the Announcement, too. I frowned at him, evaluating. No, he wasn't being snotty, even if he was nosy. He really was wishing us well. "Mrs Cullen. We eloped."
The clerk looked at me, astonished. "What happens with your wedding? It sounds like it's to be quite the affair. I expect you would have a hard time cancelling the arrangements, and looking after the guests, and-"
"We aren't cancelling," I growled, pocketing my receipts. "We're just getting away from the stress." I walked angrily away from the desk in time to see Bella coming down the grand staircase, her eyes alight with wonder at the loveliness of the curved archways and fancy plaster-work. She was wearing the minxiest, short-sleeved little black dress, which clung to her slender form in all the right places. And Converse. Hah. How cute was that!
My heart swelled, and I instantly forgot my upset. I hurried up to join her before she could see me, and do one of her typical nosedives down the stairs. My crankiness evaporated. I would have another day and night with her, all to myself, before we had to return home to the usual chaos. Hopefully, we could see some of the best things Seattle had to offer. The weather so far was promising: it was teeming rain. I stood three steps below her, affectionately watching her descend.
"Hi," Bella smiled, peeping at me from under her lashes.
"Hello, Mrs Cullen," I said softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. There was a lot of crazy stuff going on in the heads of people in the lobby. Some of them were paying rapt attention to us. They were more than unduly curious. Their thoughts were actually intrusive. My eyes flickered around a bit warily. Were we under threat?
I tucked Bella's hand under my elbow, and escorted her down the stairs. She looked relaxed and excited, and I sincerely hoped to be able to help her stay that way. "What do you think?" I wondered.
"The architectural elements are stunning," she told me, "and I love the décor."
"Esme will be glad you liked it," I smiled.
"Did she design this?" Bella gawped.
"No, she was a Newborn when they built this, and she hadn't studied, but she did very much admire the design. Are you ready for brunch, Dear?" A loud tummy rumble answered me, and I chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to my mate's temple. Mmm, soon I would be able to have her with me every night, wrapped in that heavenly scent. "I don't feed you often enough."
"I smell bacon," Bella growled, scenting the air like an apex predator. How hawt was that!
We crossed the lobby, and people stopped and stared as we passed. How perplexing. I escorted my mate into the Georgian, and we waited to be seated. The hostess bustled over, and wrote something down on her seating map, straightened, and beamed at us.
"Well, good morning, Mr and Mrs Cullen. Welcome to the Georgian. Buffet for two?"
"Just for Bella. All I want is coffee," I said, smiling politely, and wondered just how many people had seen the morning paper.
"No, I'd prefer something off the menu," Bella said, hugging my arm tightly.
"As the lady wishes," I said adoringly.
"Would you prefer somewhere quiet, or one of the best tables?" the hostess asked me.
I was confused. What sort of impression had she formed of us? Her thoughts were unrevealing. I mean just because I paid for the meal of the people in the room below us didn't mean we needed posh treatment. "Uh, a quiet table. Please."
"Please follow me," she said eagerly, like we were celebrities or something. I hope they're pleased with me. A compliment to my boss wouldn't hurt. Bella and I looked at each other. She looked as confused as me. I gestured for her to precede me into the restaurant, and the hostess led us proudly to a small table away from the windows. "Is this adequate?" she checked, whispering as though we were conducting some secret spy operation.
"Yes, thank you," I said, still confused. I slipped her a tip, and she thanked me profusely. I stepped to pull out Bella's chair, and assisted her into it. Then, I sat down. A very fey waiter came over immediately, and passed us menus. I waved mine away, and Bella began to peruse hers.
"Good morning, Mr and Mrs Cullen. I'm Declan and I'll be serving you today. May I get you a beverage?"
"Two coffees, cream and sugar," I said, bemused.
"And orange juice? Or perhaps cranberry?" he coaxed, winking. So good for ladies on their honeymoons.
I felt my forehead crinkle. "Bella?"
"Orange juice, please," she said softly, and he beamed at her like she'd done him some great favour.
"Back in a jiff," he smiled, and off he went.
I leaned toward my mate and whispered, "People are acting kind of strangely, don't you think?"
She nodded energetically. "Weird."
Declan came back with a carafe, and poured coffee into our cups with a flourish.
"Thank you," we murmured.
"The very best for our precious celebs. May I ask if you're in town to make a movie?" he asked solicitously.
I leaned back in the chair and regarded him quizzically. "We aren't actors. We aren't anyone famous."
"Ah, I see," he nodded knowingly, and winked again. A clandestine escape from the public eye. Sexy. Shame he doesn't swing for my team. Bella and I looked at each other, speechless. The waiter sashayed away, and returned with a dish bearing cream and sugar, and another dish bearing little balls of butter. " Are you ready to order?" he asked pleasantly.
"I'd like the Eggs Benedict, and a side of bacon," Bella informed him.
"Lovely. And for you, sir?"
"Just the coffee, thank you," I said dismissively.
Our waiter giggled, and leaned in conspiratorially. "Yes, I don't expect you want the buffet. It must be difficult, being in the public eye all the time. I don't expect you like the attention."
Bella and I eyed him like he was from another planet. He waited expectantly for an answer. "No," I said finally. "We like a quiet life."
"Of course you do," he said affectionately. "Well, I hope you have a lovely time in Seattle."
"Thank you," I said, still thoroughly lost.
"He thinks we're from Hollywood or something," Bella hissed.
"I know," I said a bit anxiously. "But where on earth would people get that impression? I mean, way too many people are paying attention to us right now. I don't get it."
"You don't think it has anything to do with the Announcement, do you?" Bella worried, a crease forming between her eyes.
"How could it?" I wondered, smoothing the crease. "I know it's a ginchy picture, but we're nobody special."
Declan brought Bella's food, and she thanked him and tucked in.
"I wondered if you might like to go to the Art Gallery," I suggested.
"That would be great. We haven't been to a gallery since our trip to British Columbia. And I wondered about the Space Needle."
"Yes, you should see that. I could take you there for dinner," I agreed, pretending to sip my coffee. Bella emptied her cup, and I switched them surreptitiously.
-just have to speak to them, and thank them for…
I cocked my head to the side, Listening, and then, a bunch of humans were standing just behind me. I turned to them, looking up warily. There were two plump adults and four oddly mismatched children. The little ones were chubby and squat, and the bigger ones were incredibly tall and thin. One was mousy, one was titian, and one was blond. The oldest –a boy- had purple hair. Well, I didn't look like my parents or siblings either, I conceded.
"Mr Cullen?" the portly father inquired.
"Yes?"
"We just wanted to thank you for our lunch."
"Oh, you must be our downstairs neighbours," I smiled. "I am so sorry for the disturbance."
"Oh, we're a little embarrassed actually, to have fussed you on your wedding night," the rather rubenesque wife titttered.
I gawped at her a little. "How did you-?" An idea took root in my mind, and my eyes narrowed. "Were you talking to the security guard about us?"
The whole fam-damily nodded energetically.
"Oh, boy," I said weakly. A gossipy, romance-loving hotel employee? Not. Good.
"Terry is a nice girl," the woman said fondly. "She showed us your Engagement Announcement."
"It's sick, man," the pimply youth of about fifteen enthused.
"Um, thanks?" I winced.
"Terry says she's sure that she saw you in 'Vanity Fair'," the woman whispered.
There wasn't even a part for a guy my seeming-age in that movie. "We aren't actors," I insisted.
"No, the magazine," the teenage daughter supplied helpfully.
"Oh. No, I'm sorry, we've never had our pictures in a magazine," I said, amused. "My bride and I are headed for college in the fall. We aren't working at present."
The husband and wife looked at each other triumphantly. They still believed we were actors. Apparently, a lack of gainful employment and a surfeit of money indicated celebrity. "Well, thank you again for our lunch. It was lovely."
"You're welcome," I told them, and they departed cheerfully. The tween-age girl watched her parents go, then scurried over to us, and put a copy of the Seattle Times and a black pen in front of me. She sneaked a look over her shoulder, hoping her parents weren't looking.
"Can I have your autograph?" she whispered, quivering hopefully.
"You want my autograph?" I asked blankly. She nodded enthusiastically.
"I don't normally do this," I whispered. "Don't tell anyone." Bella disguised a snort as a sneeze.
The tween nodded so hard she was going to get whiplash. I hurriedly signed the picture, and passed the paper and pen to Bella. The young girl quivered, dancing on the spot, and snatched the signed newspaper and the pen from my mate. Then, she leaned over me, and whispered, "You should totally grow a beard. The stubble is hawt." She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me on the mouth, her decision so instantaneous that I didn't even see it coming. Then, she scurried away.
I breathed raggedly, clutching the sides of the table, scared out of my wits. What were young girls coming to these days, kissing compete strangers in restaurants? Bella stared at me with eyes round as saucers.
"That little girl just assaulted me," I squeaked. If I had a working heart it would be leaping out of my chest.
Bella nodded, open-mouthed. "I know, right?"
"She tried to tongue me!" I gasped.
Bella watched me for a few beats. "Well… she has great taste. Do you want to get out of here?"
I stared at the little girl's family in shock, and brought my focus back to the only person who mattered. "No, I'll live. Finish your breakfast." I wondered how soon I could brush my teeth.
"You sure?" she checked.
"Yep. I'm okay. Such things happen upon occasion, although the hussy involved is not usually thirteen years old."
Bella smiled around her mouthful of food. I watched her chew, calming down as the familiar action made me think of other oral activities. No need to panic because some little human girl took liberties, I decided. My mate didn't appear to be fazed, so I should just get over it.
"Yeah, so … the museum has a particularly fine O'Keeffe," I shared, forcing myself onto pleasant subjects.
"Isn't she the one who painted abstract lady bits?" Bella wondered, eyes teasing.
Razz me, minxy! "This one's of clouds. And as for her… flowers, well, you know I love flowers, Bella." I took her hand and pressed my lips to her pulse point, delighted when her eyes turned smoky.
Chemistry!
I released Bella's wrist regretfully, and eyed the new intruder mistrustfully. Slick-looking bastard reminded me of James. Creep.
"Allow me to give you my card," the man said firmly, presenting it.
"Black Cat Productions," I read off of it. I handed it back. "No thank you."
"You could make a lot of money with me," he insisted.
"No thank you," I said coldly.
"Keep it. You might change your mind," he told me, tucking the small, white rectangle into my shirt pocket and giving it a pat. He swaggered away.
"I sincerely doubt it," I said wryly, removing the card from my pocket and flinging it down on the table.
"What's he want?" Bella asked, looking bemused.
I checked that she had nothing in her mouth, lest she gag. "He's a pornographer."
"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand and collapsing into giggles.
"Welcome to my world," I whined.
"Does that happen often?" my mate gasped.
"Only when I'm in big cities, but believe me, it happens with alarming frequency."
Bella's smile was infectious, and soon, we were both laughing at the absurdity of the morning.
Our visit to the Art Gallery of Seattle consumed the entire day. We devoured the various galleries voraciously, and I constantly asked my mate what she thought of the pieces, fascinated with her interpretations. I guess she got a little fed up with that, because her responses became increasingly linked to sex. And Mr Ed liked that. A lot. So, I kept on asking, and I started backing up whatever she said with loads of bull, until, finally, she caught on. We stood before the O'Keeffe, having saved it for the end of the day:
"So you like this one, huh?" my mate mused, having a look at the little white card next to it. "Georgia O'Keeffe, 'The Celebration', Oil on Canvas, 1924."
"What's not to like?" I murmured, resting my chin on her shoulder from behind as I held her in my arms. "It's blue."
"It's full of movement," my mate said admiringly. "It looks like souls dancing."
I nuzzled her behind the ear. "They say it represents her marriage."
"Mmm. That so?" She turned her head to breathe in my ear, "We're going to have a marriage that looks like that."
"Mmm," I agreed.
"Of course, the whole thing does still rather resemble labia, even with the break at the top."
"Oh, I don't know. The bottom left looks rather phallic to me. And those clouds look like boobs."
"No, that's definitely a vagina, see? And the whole right side could be lips."
Holy. I was definitely out of my depth. And sadly, I had not brought a handy jacket or backpack to hold in front of Mr Ed, who had no shame about advertising his appreciation for art in public. "Really." My pushy dick gave my mate a good prod on the bum, and she turned and put her arms around my neck.
A guided group came into the hall, and bee-lined straight for us.
"Look, you can see the lovers!" the guide enthused, waving both arms at us. We looked at her like a deer in front of Alice. She scurried over and beamed at us. "Do me a favour and just hold that position for a minute." She spun on her heel and waved at her twenty-odd charges. "Gather round, gather round, no need to be shy." She addressed us again. "Just turn around, would you?"
"Huh?" I asked blankly. The woman had the audacity to put her hands on our waists and give us a push, indicating that we should switch places. "Oh," I said, seeing what she had pictured. I permitted her to steer us so that I stood to the left, and Bella stood to the right. Then, the woman gestured at us like she was Vanna White. Bella blushed redder than Rosalie's car. I was feeling rather self-conscious myself.
"These kind kids are going to demonstrate the basic flow of O'Keeffe's brilliant portrayal of lovers," she beamed. When we stood gawping at her, she nodded encouragingly. "Well, go on!"
"Huh?" I asked brilliantly.
"Kiss the girl!"
"Oh." I started to lean down, and Bella tipped up her face, still rather pink.
"Freeze!" the woman bellowed, startling us. We stopped, inches from each other.
"Ohhhh," various people in the group said, nodding. I see it. Cameras started flashing.
"Hey!" an old guy in a Hawaiian shirt yelled from the back. I flinched, knowing what was coming. "You're the couple from the paper this morning!"
I held onto my bride tightly. Then, we were mobbed by admiring Baby Boomers who apparently wanted us to sign their gallery programs. Slinging my terrified girl under my arm, I bid a hasty retreat, not stopping until we were hidden behind a bunch of pillars.
"Where did they go?" the tour guide asked weakly.
Bella and I didn't budge. I started breathing again when the group moved dejectedly on.
"First movies, then art," Bella said, arching a brow at me. "Take me back to the hotel, Mocha-chino." She gave Mr Ed a little caress.
I swallowed a chuckle, and put on the dazzle. "Later, naughty. You need sustenance."
"Why do I get the impression that you want me to keep up my strength?" she teased.
"Because Charlie might expect you home in one piece? Oh, jeez Louise! Charlie! We neglected to call Charlie!"