A/N: Thanks for the reviews, adds and alerts. Enjoy Rated M for Mature Readers only please. Two Chapters to EPOV Read and Review
The next morning after we ate breakfast we headed over to my old apartment.
"Miss Swan?" A voice said from the door.
"Yes." I asked.
"Carol Smith." She said coming in. "I've had a complete inspection of the apartment and here is the bill."
She handed me a paper and I looked it over.
"You have to be kidding me." I said.
"This place is not livable." She said.
"It looks like I did when I moved in here." I said. "I do have proof of that."
"You do?" She said stunned.
I pulled out my pad and pulled up some picture.
"I'll I need to do is have the place painted." I said. "Because I did paint the wall another color because the stains on the walls were sickening to look at."
"Mrs. Smith you aren't trying to swindle Bella out of cash so that you can have a big check and rent this place as it?" Edward asked.
"How dare you?" She said. "I'd never do that."
"Mrs. Smith." A young woman said from the door. "We're here to see the apartment."
I looked over at the couple standing there and back and then back at Mrs. Smith.
"I think you are trying to swindle me." I said.
"How do you know they are here to see this place?" She asked.
"Let's ask." Edward said walking over. "Hello, I am Edward Cullen, can I ask you to come in."
The couple came in and he walked them to where we were standing.
"I'm Bella." I said. "Did Mrs. Smith arrange for you to see this apartment today?"
"Yes, we're early." The man said. "Is this place not for rent?"
"Oh it is." I said. "I was just settling my bill with Mrs. Smith here."
"Yes, Bella just moved out." Mrs. Smith said trying to salvage the situation.
"I did, the place needs a paint job and I'm happy to have it done." I said.
"I like the walls." The lady said.
"There is a can in the closet for touch ups." I said. "It was recently broken into and some places need it."
"My Quil can do it." She said. "I am Claire by the way."
"Well Mrs. Smith it seems you have new renters to show around and settle in." I said. "Shall we say the issue is settled now?"
"Of course." She said smiling tightly.
Edward and I left and headed to the club.
We spent the morning going over the schedules and changing it.
"I hope it's only two weeks I'm out of commission, otherwise we may need to hire another dancer or two." I said.
"We will work it out." Edward said. "I need to go over these numbers with Jasper, I'll be right back."
I nodded and he walked down stairs. I picked up the phone and found the number I wanted and let it dial.
"Cullen resident." A male voice answered.
"Hello, may I speak with Esme Cullen?" I asked.
"May I ask who's calling?" He asked.
"My name is Bella Swan, I work for her son Edward Cullen." I said.
"One moment miss." He said.
"Hello?" Esme's voice came over the line.
"Hello, my name is Bella and Edward asked me to call and inform you he will be attending your birthday party next month." I said.
"Oh that is wonderful news." Esme said. "Please tell him I so very happy and looking forward to seeing him."
"I will let him know Mrs. Cullen." I said.
We hung up after that and I put the event in his calendar.
"Ok, I have that done." Edward said. "How is it looking?"
"A few spots I need to go over, with two girls out it will be tough." I said.
There was a knock at the door and Edward pulled it open.
"Leah." He said.
"Hi boss." Leah said coming in. "Mini Boss."
"I thought you were going to be gone longer." I said.
"I was but I am so over my family moping, my mother would be so mad, she wanted her life celebrated not her death mourned." Leah said. "So I left and being back here is boring so I figured I'd come by and beg to go back to work."
"No need to beg, you can start this afternoon." I said.
"Thank the gods." Leah said.
"I can work up a schedule for you and let you get it later." I said.
"Perfect, I am going to go get ready, see ya later." She said happily leaving the room.
"Well now we are only down one girl but you took the least amount of shifts so it wont be too hard to cover." Edward said. "Besides I like having you here in the office."
I smiled and kissed him softly.
"I have my first appointment this afternoon." I said. "And I called and confirmed your mom's birthday party."
"Ok." He said.
"She is really looking forward to seeing you." I said. "She sounded so hopeful when she took the line."
"I do miss her, but I am still apprehensive about going home." He said.
"I know you are but we can't all run from our past." I said. "It's hurting you."
"I know, as long as you are with me my love I know I can do it." He said.
"I wont be anywhere else." I said kissing him.
"You are so amazing." He said. "Now it's time to get you to your appointment."
"I can drive over myself and you could meet me there so you don't have to leave the club empty handed." I said.
"I do have a few things to do but I can drop you off and then come back." He said.
"Ok." I said.
"Hey guys." Ben said knocking on the door.
"Ben, glad you made it." Edward said.
"I have to take Bella to an appointment so you are in charge for the afternoon." Edward said.
"Ok, I can work from here." Ben said.
"You learn more tomorrow but this will happen five other times in the next two weeks as well." Edward said.
"Is everything ok?" Ben asked.
"You'll learn more tomorrow." Edward said.
Ben nodded and we walked down to my car. Edward drove us to the doctor and once I was checked in he kissed me and ran to do is errands.
"Hello Bella." Emily said leading me to the back room. "How are you feeling?"
"My feet are killing me, I've been staying off them as much as possible but sitting to long hurts as well." I said.
"Hmm, how about you lay here and I will start with a foot massage." Emily said.
I smiled and laid on my stomach and she began working on me.
"I know it's meant to be PT but I feel with injuries such as these that massage and muscle relaxation work better." Emily said.
"You're the boss." I said lazily.
She laughed and worked her hands up my legs. I hissed when she touched my back.
"Do your back hurt?" Emily asked.
"Only when pressed like that." I said.
"May I lift you shirt to see your back?" She asked.
"Sure." I said worried about how she sounded.
"Oh my." She said. "Your back is bruised."
"It wasn't this morning." I said. "Edward would've told me."
"It goes from here." She pressed the right side of my back. "To here." She ended touching my left side. "It's about twin inches wide."
"That is where my work chair sits, but it didn't hurt until touched." I said.
"Hmm, you're taking Mintatone." She asked.
"Yes, 50mg." I said.
"I think we need to inform Dr. Gardadie about this." Emily said.
I nodded and she left to go call Dr. Gardadie.
"Bella?" Edward said coming in. "Oh my what happened?"
"I'm not sure." I said. "Emily was massaging me when she found it. She's called Dr. Gardadie now so we can figure out what's going on."
Emily came in then and I sat up.
"Dr. Gardadie wants you go up to her office now." Emily said.
Edward helped me down off the table and I slipped my flats on. He held my hand as we walked up stairs.
"Hello Bella." Dr. Gardadie said.
"Hello, this is Edward my fiancée." I said.
"Nice to meet you." Dr. Gardadie said. "So, let's have a look at your back."
I laid down and she looked at my back. I hissed and cried out at one more.
"Bella this is not good." She said allowing me to sit back up. "The swelling is getting worse and meds are making you bruise."
"What does this all mean?" I asked.
"I am taking you off Mintatone and I will arrange for you to see a specialist." She said. "I know this sounds scary but a specialist will know more and be better able to help you."
I could only nod.
She looked some things up on her computer.
"So sitting in a chair seems to hurt as well." She said.
I nodded and she looked back at her computer.
"This is troubling, we'll need to find a position that doesn't hurt or positions." She said. "So try alternating sitting, standing and laying every twenty, thirty or sixty minutes and see what is best for you."
"Ok." I said.
"I still don't want you dancing and I am afraid sex is out of the question for now as well." She said. "I don't think the PT is needed and I want you to avoid having back massages until we know what's going on. Foot rubs are still ok as long as they don't cause you pain."
I nodded and she looked back at her computer.
"I want you two try an ice pack if it gets to bad or a warm pad if it helps." She said. "It's trick to know what to do, if at any time you lose feeling in your legs you are to call here right away."
"I will do that." I said.
"Ok, so the specialist has an opening in two weeks in Port Lander, I know it's two days away but he's the best." Dr. Gardadie said.
"We will be there anyways." Edward said. "It wont be an issue to stay and see a doctor."
"Good, Dr. Cullen is the best in this field and I know he will be able to figure it out." Dr. Gardadie said.
I looked over at Edward and his eyes were closed.
"Keep taking the pain meds if you need them and relax as much as possible." She said.
She left and I looked over at Edward.
"Are you ok?" I asked.
"I'm scared." He said.
"Me too." I said.
He gently wrapped his arms around me and we cried together.
"We should get you home to rest." Edward said.
I agreed and we walked out to the car. He drove carefully home so I wasn't bounced around and I giggled.
"Sorry I don't want to hurt you more." He said.
"It's sweet, I was just picturing how you'd drive after I've birthed our first child and we have to drive home." I said.
He smiled as we pulled up to the house. He helped me out and we walked inside. I could smell food cooking and looked over at him.
"I hired a cook and house keeper for the time being." He said.
We walked into the kitchen to find them sitting at the island.
"Bella this is Marcus and Didyme." Edward said.
"Nice to meet you both." I said.
"They've worked for me in the past, usually Didyme comes to clean and Marcus does my dinner parties, but since you need to be off your feet more I hired Marcus on full time to cook and Didyme will be here daily so if you stay home she can help you." Edward said. "They will be living in the guest house until we decide we no longer want them."
"Thanks." I said shyly.
"We are happy to help as long as we're needed." Didyme said.
"Dinner will be done in about an hour, should I set the table?" Marcus asked.
"I'd like to lay down so maybe just bring a tray up." I said.
"Will do." Marcus said. "Mushroom Ravioli, I hope that is ok."
"It smells amazing." I said. "I can't wait."
"If there is anything you like let me know." Marcus said.
"Oh, Sunday we'll be having some guest." I said.
"Who?" Edward asked.
"I invited Rosalie and Emmett over so I can officially meet Seth." I said.
"Ok, a dinner party it is, maybe bring Jasper and Alice over?" Edward said.
"You can ask them." I said smiling. "Seth is three years old, I'll ask Rosalie what he likes if that helps."
"Ok, I will plan a menu." Marcus said. "Crab is in and I make a killed crab cake."
"I love crab cake." I said my mouth watering. "Put it on the menu no matter what."
Everyone laughed and Edward took me up stairs. I laid on the bed with the pad and sent a message to Rosalie who wrote back chicken fingers and fries or burgers and fries. I passed the information on to Marcus when they brought dinner up to us.
"I can work with that." Marcus said. "I will write a couple menus up for you to approve tomorrow."
"Thanks." I said.
Edward and I ate and Jasper wrote back saying they'd be here.
"Our first dinner party as a couple." I said.
"Yes, I hope it's not too much for you." Edward said.
"It will be fine." I said. "If it does become too much we can call it an early night."
"Ok." Edward said. "If you make a list up of flowers you'd like to have and drinks Didyme will get them for you."
"I will work on it." I said. "I think maybe tomorrow I will only go in for part of the day and come home after lunch."
"You do whatever you feel like doing." Edward said. "As your boss, your lover and friend I will support whatever you need."
"Thank." I say finishing my dinner. "This was so yummy."
"Do you want more?" Edward asked.
"No, I could go for some dessert before bed." I said.
"Ok, I will take these down and we will see what we can do." Edward said. "Do you want some meds?"
"Yes please." I said.
Edward left and returned with chocolate cake and milk. I took my meds and ate dessert.
"So good." I moaned.
"It is." Edward said.
"We'll have to get Marcus to make this for our wedding." I said.
"He'd love that." Edward said. "He'd cook it all if you'd let him."
"We haven't set a date." I said.
"Let's set one." Edward said.
"Christmas." I said.
"Was always my favorite holiday." He said.
"Mine too." I said. "It always felt like magic."
"Ok, so this Christmas or next?" He asked.
"This one." We say together.
We kissed for a moment and then he took our dishes to the kitchen. I was in the shower when I felt him slip in behind me.
"I know we can make love in the shower but I can still wash you." He said.
I smiled and handed him my soapy luffa. He washed me and my hair and then I washed him. It was nice to be close to him. Lying in his arms was good too. The pain was gone thanks to my meds so I slept well.
"Bella love I'm going into the club." Edward said. "You keep resting."
"Ok." I said sleeping on my stomach on the bed.
"Didyme is cleaning the bathroom right now so call if you need anything." Edward said.
"I will." I said.
He kissed my head and left.
"Bella dear it's noon, you should eat and have your meds." Didyme said.
"Yes, I'll be down after a shower." I said.
"Very good." Didyme said.
I showered and walked down stairs.
"Good afternoon Miss Bella." Marcus said.
"Please just Bella." I said. "It smells amazing."
"Lasagna Soup." Marcus said. "I have a bowl here for you."
I smiled and sat at the bar.
"Thank you." I said.
He smiled and got me a bottle of water and the pill case off the top of the fridge. I ate took my meds.
"I have some errands to run, maybe I could take a thing of soup to Edward." I said.
"I will make you up a container." Marcus said.
I finished getting ready and got the soup. Getting in my car I headed out. My first stop of Waltims.
"Good day miss, how can I help you?" A tech asked.
"I need twelve 164ig Cyber Pads." I said. "All black."
"Ok, I can help you with that." He said. "Will you need them loaded?"
"Yes, I have the programs I'd like add and I'd like all the junk removed." I said handing him a cyber chip. "How long will it take?"
"About ten minutes." He said.
"Ok, I'm going to look around some." I said.
He nodded and got to work and I walked around the little shop.
"I have your cyber pads done." He said coming over.
"Good, I'd also like that lion and lioness speakers." I said.
"Ok." He said adding it to my order.
I paid and he carried everything out to my car for me.
"Thanks for shopping with us." He said before heading in.
I arrived at the clue and saw Jasper in the parking lot talking with Emmett.
"Mini Boss." Jasper said coming over with Emmett. "Alice says something is wrong with you."
"There is, but we'll talk more about it tomorrow, in the mean time can you carry these bags up for me?" I asked.
He nodded and they each took a bag while I grabbed the soup and we headed up to the office.
"I wasn't sure if you were coming in." Edward said seeing me.
"I enjoyed sleeping in." I said. "Thanks guys."
They smiled and left the office.
"I brought you some of Marcus's Lasagna Soup." I said.
"I was just going to call and order lunch but now I don't have too." He said taking the container.
He warmed it up and grabbed a spoon to eat.
I took the cyber pads out and put the Tease Logo on them as well as each girl's stage name.
"I was thinking with all the events, ideas and project it would be best to give each their own work cyber pad and then we can share things and keep track easier." I said.
"That is a brilliant idea." Edward said.
"You, Ben and myself have one so I got one for each girl, both Jasper and Garrett and Emmett as well." I said. "Also one for Jacob with the Music Infinity on it so he can work the music side of things."
"That's good, he is a good DJ." Edward said.
"He is, he works each girls music so it suits them, it's a good skill he has." I said. "Tanya has change so much in her dancing thanks to him."
"I have some numbers for you." Edward said handing me his pad.
I looked over the numbers and smiled.
"These look really good." I said. "Also I was thinking you know the building next door is up for sale yes."
"I just saw that today." Edward said.
"I think we should buy it." I said. "I was thinking maybe turn it into s Tease Shop once we have an idea on the products and you'd own the whole lot and it would be better to control." I said.
"I'll have Ben get on it right away." Edward said. "And Bella we'd own it, you have put so much into Tease and now this new avenue that it's more than half yours and once we're married it will be officially ours."
I smiled and leaned over and kissed him.
"You get on Ben it now before it's snatched away, I have some more errands to run then I am heading him to relax." I said.
"You're back ok?" I asked.
"It's sore but manageable." I said. "I am going to look up hotels later so we can find a place to stay while we're there unless you want to stay with your parents."
"No, a place to stay would be good." Edward said.
"Ok, I'll see you at home." I said kissing him before heading out.
"Mini Boss." Jasper said.
"Tomorrow at the Staff meeting, I promise." I said.
"Ok." Jasper said.
I was walking though mall looking for a present for Esme. I wasn't sure what she's like.
"Cullen resident." A voice said.
"Yes, may I speak with Esme please?" I asked.
"I'm sorry Esme is out of the house." The voice said. "Can I take a message?"
"Oh umm I was just calling to see what she'd might like for a present." I said.
"Oh, well she's been looking at getting a mixer, the one with all the changeable heads." The voice said. "But seeing as her son is finally coming up I doubt anything will compare to that."
"Ok, well I'll see about the mixer." I said. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." The voice said before hanging up.
I walked over to the Appliance center in Sears and found the latest mixer and got that.
"Hello?" I asked answering my phone.
"Where are you?" Edward asked.
"At the mall." I said.
"Oh I snuck out early to see you and you weren't home." He said.
"Sorry I was picking up some things and getting a present for us to bring your mother." I said. "I'm loading it in my car now and will be home."
"Ok, Marcus is making Fried Chicken and it smells amazing." Edward said. "Hurry home before I eat it all."
I pulled into the garage and Edward came out to greet me.
"Welcome home." He said helping me out of the car and kissing me.
"Thanks." I said. "Can you bring my bags in?"
"My pleasure." Edward said.
I walked in and sat on the couch well Edward carried all my bags in.
"Someone buy the mall?" Didyme joked.
"No, but close." I said. "This mixer is for Esme."
"My mother is a cooking nut, she'll love it." Edward said.
"I called and asked whoever answered the phone what she'd like." I admitted. "I wasn't sure."
"It's cool." Edward said. "More than likely Eleazar the butler."
"I didn't get a name, but he did say your return is likely to over shadow all the presents." I said.
"I'm sure everyone is going to be wondering what happened to the missing Cullen." Edward groaned.
"Well tell them he was found by an amazing women who he loves and is marrying Christmas Day." I said kissing him.
"I like that answer." He said.
"Would you like me to wrap it?" Didyme asked.
"Yes please and these two bags out the accessories to it so those to." I said.
"And who do I put on the tag?" Didyme asked.
"Edward and Bella." Edward said.
"Very nice." Didyme said.
She took the bags and Mixer box off to another room to work on them.
"What else did you get?" Edward asked.
"Just some bath products as mine are running low, some travel products too." I said. "I also got this cooling pillow, we put it in the freezer and then I can use for about twelve hours to help relieve pain. I called my doctor and she okayed it."
"Ok, I'll put it in the freezer." Edward said taking it and putting in the freezer. "Dinner smells so amazing."
"I miss cooking." I said.
"I know but you'll be back at before you know it." Edward said.
"From your lips to Fate's ears." I said.
"You will be ok no matter what." Edward said. "I will love you no matter what."
"I know and thank you." I said kissing him. "Can you take these bags up to our room and I'll sort them after dinner."
"Ok." Edward said kissing me before gathering the bags and going up stairs.
I walked in and saw Didyme fiddling with a ribbon on the present.
"Here, let me." I said moving over and arranging the bow so it was big and sitting pretty.
"Thank you I'm all thumbs with bows." She said.
"Another hidden talent." I joked. "If you want to wrap them all I will add bows later on."
"Very well." Didyme said. "Thanks."
I smiled and left her to work and wandered into the kitchen.
"Edward is going to storm in here soon and demand your food." I said.
"Yes, always a lover of food that boy." Marcus said. "He will wait as he knows he has too."
"It does smell amazing." I said.
Marcus smiled and set a dump stick on a plate and placed it in front of me. Edward found me after the first bite.
"What's this." He demanded.
"She's tasting it for me." Marcus said.
Edward pouted and I held the chicken leg up to his mouth and he took a bite.
"MmmHmmm." He said chewing it.
I finished the meat and sat the bone on the plate.
"It taste amazing." I said.
"Thank you." Marcus said. "I have a menus for Sunday's dinner for you."
I looked them over with Edward.
"The ribs." I said.
"Yes, Marcus's ribs are mouth watering." Edward said.
"I like Manu two." I said. "And I am sure Seth will love the sliders and fries."
"Very good." Marcus said. "I will go get supplies tomorrow."
"I can't wait to try the crab cakes." I said.
"That reminds me." Marcus said moving a covered tray where my plate had sat.
He pulled the lid off and I squalled like a school girl. Two perfect crab cakes were sitting there all for me.
"Try them and tell me what you think." Marcus said.
I brought the cake up to my mouth and took a big bite and moaned.
"I think she loves it." Edward said.
I nodded and chewed the bite gone.
"That was so good." I said. "I haven't had one that good since I was in college and the shop down at the road ordered too much crab and had to sell them off in a hurry and crab cakes sold fast."
"I am pleased." Marcus said.
I ate another bite and saw Edward watching me. Smiling I slide the other crab cake over to him and he smiled.
"Thanks." He said before diving in.
"I may not get to cook you food but I can still feed you." I said.
"I'll happily eat anything you give me." Edward said. "Would you like a glass of wine?"
"Is it that fruity one from the first time you cooked for me?" I asked.
"Yes." Edward said.
"Then a small one." I said.
He got the bottle out of the fridge and poured me a glass along with himself.
"Dinner is done if you can move to the dining room." Marcus said.
We walked to the dining room and Didyme and Marcus joined up. Edward ran for glass for them. It was nice to sit and eat. They told me stories of Edward from when they first met him as a boy. We all laughed and it was nice to be carefree.
After dinner and dessert of Lava Cake I took my meds and headed up to put my things away. Edward helped me where he could and I fell more in love with him.
"What is that look?" Edward asked.
"I am just happy." I said. "No one has ever taken such good care of me."
"I am happy to do it." Edward said. "You have become my life and I want to give you the world."
I smiled and kissed him.
"I wish we could make love." I said.
"Me too, but soon." He said.
"I think I'll take a bath." I said. "Can you join me?"
"Of course I can." Edward said. "I'll draw one for us."
He left and I put the last of my new socks away. I changed out of my clothes into a silk robe and then walked to the bath room. Edward was taking off his socks as I walked in. I never got tired of seeing him naked.
He looked up at me and smiled. Walking over to me he took the bath robe off and hung it on it's hook and we walked into the bath together. He sat behind me and carefully washed my back and hair. I loved being so close to him.
"Oh, I forgot to mention we got the space next door to the club." Edward said. "Ben brought me the contract before I left and let me tell you he loves the idea of opening a Tease Shop."
"Good, I am glad we got it." I said.
He smiled and kissed my neck here and then as we washing me.
"You're not in pain are you?" I asked.
"Shouldn't that be my line?" He asked.
"I meant with us being so close, I know hard-ons can become painful." I said.
"It isn't an issue." Edward said. "Knowing you're in pain make me not in the mood. I just want to be close and take care of you."
I smiled and lean back and kissed him.
"How did I ever end up with someone so amazing?" I asked.
"I ask myself that many times a day." He said. "You make sure I'm cared for and loved."
"I didn't have that growing up so I want to have that in the life we're creating." I said. "I love cooking you dinner knowing when you come home you have a hot meal waiting for you."
"I like doing that for you too." He said.
"I think we're going to be ok with whatever comes along." I said.
"A true partnership in every way." He said. "I can't wait to marry you."
"Me too, I picked up a couple cyber bride magazines." I said. "I have a good Idea about what I want but I think we should just jot ideas down for now until after everything with me back is figured out."
"Ok, I've been doing some research on honeymoons." He said. "I hope you'll let me plan it and have it be a surprise."
"You plan to your heart's content." I said. "You always seem to give the best surprises."
He kissed my neck and then we finished out bath and rinsed off. He wrapped me in a big towel and I put my hair in another.
"There is water on the fool so I'm going to clean it up." He said.
I smiled and walked to the bedroom. I found some pajamas and slipped them on before I combed out my hair and then grabbed my cyber pad and sat on the bed. Edward came out and went into the closet. He came back in a pair of pajama pants and nothing else.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Hotels." I said. "Are we driving there?" I asked.
"I think it might be to hard on your back to five the two days so I am going to fly us there." He said. "It will take only a couple hours then."
"Ok, so do we want a place near the landing strips?" I asked.
"What about the MoleDulf?" He asked.
I looked it up and saw several room we could have.
"They have amenities and it's close to the hospital and your parents." I said.
"Ok, let's book it." Edward said grabbing his card.
I was looking over the rooms when Edward clicked on a pent house suite.
"We don't need a place that big." I said.
"I like it and it's private with a private deck and pool." He said. "We don't know how long we'll be there so maybe having more space will help with whatever we have to do."
"Ok." I said booking the suite and confirming it when they called ten minutes later.
Edward explained we may only be there a couple nights to many weeks. The lady was happy to put a hold on the room for as long as we needed it. The Cullen name was big in Port Lander. Once that was settled we turned in for the night.
TBC
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