I don't own Twilight or any of the characters etc...all belong to the fabulous Stephanie Meyer and Summit. I just wanted to play with them a bit.
I have loved reading all of your reviews, please keep them coming. I really do appreciate them a lot. I hope you enjoy this chapter…it's longer than the last
To the guest who submitted a review saying she could not bring herself to read my story because I had accidently spelt Mom, Mum (I live is Australia) well that's unfortunate, I mean we all make mistakes and really if you had that to say about that little mistake, well jeez I'd hate to read your thoughts on the whole thing. Yikes!
Please note, all mistakes are my own…big or small
Where we left off last chapter…
It's almost as if someone else is controlling my body, I feel numb, out of control. My heart is racing.
My finger touches the icon and almost as if in slow motion the dreaded message opens up before me.
Oh god…
My stomach sinks as an image of Tanya fills the screen. She's clad in nothing but a tiny black bikini and a multi coloured sarong. Her perfect smile, her prefect legs, she's like perfection personified and she's staring back at me, almost taunting me. Then I see the words beneath the offending picture.
Thanks again lover boy xx
We Met by Chance
Chapter 14
And let's continue...back to the flashback…
BPOV
I feel sick, the bile rising rapidly. My hands are shaking as I close the message before all but dropping Edward's phone back on the bedside, my skin tingling, stinging as if I've been burnt.
Maybe you have been burnt. Maybe he…
"No…no," I whisper.
Maybe yes…did you really expect him to wait?
The bile rises once more and this time I know I can't stop it. I race from my bedroom as the sound of Edward's voice continues to echo through the room, the lyrics he's singing now adding to my anxiety, my fear, and my anger. I stumble as I reach the bathroom door, heaving as I struggle with the door handle before miraculously throwing it open just in time as the Chinese takeout from last night makes an unwelcome reappearance.
I heave and heave until there is nothing left, flushing away the offending matter in the toilet before slumping to the floor, head resting on the wall, eyes glued shut.
This doesn't help as the image of Tanya basically half naked haunts me; it's burned to memory.
It was bound to happen, taunt my inner demons as they slowly crawl their way out of the vault I had managed to build around them. Look at her and look at you.
"Bella, what are you doing? What's wrong?" Angela's voice is full of panic, her words melding into one.
"Edward's phone, Tanya," I whisper.
Maybe it was the look on my face, the confusion in my voice but a second later I am being hauled down the stairs and into the kitchen and unceremoniously shoved onto a dining chair just off the kitchen.
"Bella, honey," whispers Ange frantically her hands grasping mine. "You look like you've seen a ghost and no offense but you smell like Chinese and not in a good way."
"I...I was tidying my room…Edward singing in the shower." My voice sounds so disjointed. I can't put together a sentence.
"Breathe, breathe," repeats Angela calmly.
I follow her lead, breathing deeply and gathering my thoughts. I know I need to talk to Edward but until I can get my thoughts out of the clutches of my demons, I just can't.
"Edward's phone went off and it…it was from Tanya."
"Okay, I know how you feel about her but…they do work together Bells, they're friends and are bound to send each other messages," offers Ange.
I snap my head towards her, her words dousing my sadness and confusion while igniting my anger.
"We work together, I'm friends with Ben," I all but hiss back. "Does that make it okay for me to send him a picture of myself half naked?"
The answer is in her now bulging eyes.
"Oh my god, did she say anything?"
I nod, that nauseous feeling making itself known once more. "Thanks again lover boy."
Angela slaps her hand to her mouth shaking her head. "It…it has to have been meant for someone else. He wouldn't do that –"
"Who wouldn't do what?" asks Edward from the stairs.
The mere sight of Edward usually calms me, soothes me. But even now, dark denim jeans hanging low on his hips, grey t-shirt just tight enough to show off what hides beneath, his hair still wet from his shower and pointing in every which direction; it's not enough. Seeing him only heightens my nervousness, my growing anxiety and deep down the anger that is building.
Angela breaks the silence as she squeezes my hand. "Oh, no one, just work stuff," she covers. "Did you want another coffee before you go?"
He looks to me and back to Angela. I can't meet his eyes.
"Ah…sure," he answers cautiously, it's clear he knows he's walked in on something but he doesn't push it.
I know I need to address this; we need to talk.
"I'm um…I'm gonna just go grab my bag," I say as normally as possible, standing and moving towards the stairs.
Edward steps off the bottom step and out of my way as I move to pass him. I feel his fingers wrap gently around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
"Hey," he says quietly his grasp holding me where I stand. "Everything okay?"
No…
My mouth is dry, the words sitting right on the tip of my tongue but I'm unable to let them out. I try again; nothing. I'm forced to resort to a simple nod and forced smile before pulling out of his grasp and taking myself up the stairs to the sanctuary of my bathroom, feeling his eyes on me the entire way.
End flashback…
I know we need to talk, well I need to talk. The fact that he has not uttered a word about it has my mind wandering down a multitude of paths. The rapidly increasing height of my nerves is not helped by the fact that we're on our way to his parents' house. In this particular moment I hate that I'm weak. I hate that I didn't have the balls to just spit it out confrontation be damned. At least I would have been on home ground, had an advantage of sorts if you will. Sitting here now I can feel the tension growing steadily.
"Bella –"
The sound of Edward's phone blaring through the car cuts him off. He mutters something under his breath that I don't quite catch.
"What Alice?" he barks.
I know he's angry but hell, so am I. Regardless of the guilt I'm still feeling about reading his message and how my reaction brings into question my trust in him, in our relationship, I'm angry. I'm confused. I'm shocked. I'm every emotion rolled into one and the closer we get to his parents, the more I regret not dealing with this before we walked out the door.
"Jesus Alice, I'm not…what...why?"
I have no idea what is going on but the anger in Edward's voice is all I need to tell me that whatever it is, he doesn't like it.
"For the love of god Alice I'm perfectly capable of…Jesus FINE!" he all but roars before ending the call.
Angry Edward is not something I see often. I can count on one hand the number of times he'd reared his head and it was not something I particularly enjoyed. This was different though. This time I was fairly confident that I was the reason for his anger.
Swallowing, I tentatively ask what is going on as he taps his fingers angrily on the steering wheel, following the moving traffic before indicating into the car park of a shopping complex on our right.
"Apparently Alice and Rosalie desperately need your help with something girl related. You're riding with them from here and Jasper and Emmett are with me," he answers without meeting my gaze.
"Oh," is all I can offer.
"Yeah," he answers humourlessly. "Here they are now. Maybe you can tell them what's wrong seeing as clearly you can't seem to tell me. Here I was thinking we didn't have secrets."
I sit there in shock as he gets out of the car, slamming the door and walking around to open mine. The time it takes for him to slam his door and reach mine is all it takes for my mixed emotions to single out just one; pissed off.
He seems to pause before opening my door.
"Bella, I'm sorry look I didn't –" he begins as I grab my bag and pull myself out of the car, ignoring the hand he is holding out for me.
Moving around him, I feel part of me break as I see his face drop as I flinch away from his touch.
"Bella…"
I hate this; I hate myself for doubting him but I've been burnt in the past and he knows that. I have to deal with this and putting it off is not doing any good for either of us. I'm pissed off at Edward and at myself.
"Secrets," I begin my voice trembling with every emotion currently coursing through me. "We don't have secrets huh? Tell me Edward, do all of the women you work with like sharing pictures of themselves with you, or is it just one in particular?" The venom in my voice is just as startling to my ears as it is Edward's, the look of utter shock plastered across his face making it quite evident.
I can hear Emmett and Jasper approaching. I don't want to do this in front of them so reluctantly I turn on my heel and walk away from Edward.
"Tinker, yo' girl what's happenin'?" booms Emmett.
I can feel the tears coming. I was actually quite proud of myself for not breaking down sooner, but at the end of the day, they were inevitable anger be damned.
I force a smile, my eyes locking with Jasper's. I watch as he looks between Edward and I and back again. Whatever he sees is enough for him to put a hand on Emmett's shoulder, halting him in his tracks.
"Leave her man," he says just loud enough for me to hear.
I move quickly past them, my head down. Just as I reach Alice and Jasper's Range Rover I hear his voice.
"Bella, Bella wait!" he yells, pleading almost. I know he is moving towards me.
I pull open the door and am met with two concerned faces.
"Please, let's just go," I whisper as I sit down, pulling the door closed behind me.
"You sure?" asks Alice.
I chance a look out of the window and I see Edward running towards the car. I swallow as the guilt, the anger and frustration and the way I've dealt with all of it becomes too much, a lone tear burning its way down my cheek.
I simply nod.
The tears come in torrents as Alice speeds away and back onto the freeway. I'm so frustrated with myself. One minute I'm all emotional, then I'm pissed and angry calling Edward out, then I'm crying and all emotional again, driving away from the one person who I really need to talk to. I just don't even know where to start and I most definitely don't want an audience.
"I knew something was up," says Alice from the front seat. "When I called and he answered all shitty and snappy, I just knew it!"
I look up and see Rosalie unclipping her belt and somewhat awkwardly climbing into the back with me. I look down as she grabs my hand.
"What happened?" she asks gently as Alice continues on towards the Cullen Estate.
EPOV
"Dude, what the hell was that?" bellows Emmett arms in the air, his eyes moving from the quickly disappearing Range Rover and back to me where I stand rooted to the spot, my hands fisting at my hair.
"Edward," calls Jasper from behind me. The tone in his voice tells me that deep down he knows this is somehow my fault but he's here for me. Problem is I don't even know what I've done.
"Jas, I don't know…I mean," I begin as I turn to face the guys rubbing my hands up and down my face. "Everything was fine, I mean it was great. I surprised her, we talked, we fooled around a little," I can't help the smile that creeps over my face as I vividly remember Bella coming apart under my touch.
"I thought you said you wouldn't push her," adds Jasper shaking his head. Emmett has a look of utter confusion on his face but then it clears and he too is staring me down.
Now I'm seething. I know my past isn't all roses and shit, but I'm not an asshole. Well not anymore. Not with Bella; well at least I didn't think I was.
I step forward towards Jasper my fists clenched at my sides. "Not that it's any of your business but I'm not pushing her into anything. Everything is on her terms. Do I want to? Hell yes! Have you seen her? She's fucking beautiful and goddamn irresistible. But do I want it to be a quick fuck, no."
I watch Emmett move to stand between us as I step closer again, my anger at boiling point.
"I know I've been an asshole, I fucked up my life unlike you. But I…" I'm trembling, shaking with anger and the overwhelming feeling that I have somehow managed to fuck up the best thing in my life without even realising how. "I love Bella. I do. She's everything, she's everywhere. She's it for me and whatever I've done, I'll do anything to fix it," I say with sheer determination. "But man, I don't even know where to start. I've got no fucking clue what the hell I've done other than snap at her because god dammit she won't talk to me!"
I'm now pacing, pulling desperately at my hair as if that will give me the answer.
Emmett is the first to say anything. "I'm happy for ya man, Tinker is one hell of a catch. But dude, the girl was in tears when she walked past me. You gotta think man cause this shit is real. I mean with Rose she's all good one second and the next it's like that Blahnik dude ain't making shoes anymore and the worlds gonna end and I'm like –"
I can't help the small smile that pulls at my lips as Jasper tells him to shut the fuck up before he turns back to me, his eyes trained on mine as if he's trying to decide if I am in fact not being an asshole and complete dick and am instead being honest.
"I love her Jas. Desperately," I sigh.
He continues to stare at me, as if waiting for me to slip up and call me out. I can't blame the guy really. It's what I do. I get something good and I fuck it up.
"Well if you love this woman," he begins slowly, "I guess we better help your sorry ass figure out what the hell you've done wrong."
-OoO-
Driving down the freeway I go over everything with Jasper and Emmett, even going back to our argument the night before over the phone. I draw the line at giving Emmett details about our morning bedroom activities, nosey bastard that he is. Even they can't pull anything from it.
"Here, throw me your phone," says Jasper from the back seat. "Mine's cactus thanks to Maddie. I'll text Alice and see how Bella is."
I fish into my pocket for my phone knowing that's what I need; I need to know how she is. Throwing it into the back without a second thought I exit onto Hillcrest Drive, the last leg of the trip to Mom and Dad's estate. I am mere minutes from Bella.
"What the fuck…" comes Jasper's shocked voice from the back. "I'm pretty sure I just found ya' problem Edward."
"What?"
I hear the click of Jasper's seat belt before he appears in between the front seats.
"Well you said Bella had asked you if all of the women you work with like sharing pictures of themselves with you, or if it was just one in particular, right?"
I gripped the wheel tighter.
"Yeah, she did," I answer shaking my head.
"Well given the half-naked picture of Tanya Denali you seemed to have received this morning, I'd say Bella thinks there's something going between the two of you. Care to explain, lover boy?" he asks as he holds my phone forward.
I hit the brakes on Bella's Mazda and the car is immediately filled with curses from both Emmett and Jasper especially.
"Give me the phone, give it here!" I say frantically, the pieces to this puzzle starting to fall into place.
I stare in horror at the image of Tanya and the message beneath.
It's all making sense now. I check the time.
11:53am
"11:53," I say out aloud. "I was in the shower, there were no missed calls or messages when I got out, I didn't open my messages I had no need to."
"Where was Bella?"
"In the bedroom, she said she was going to tidy up," I answer getting angrier by the second as I put two and two together. "She's opened the message and she's just assumed that I…that Tanya and I…SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!"
I belt my hands against the steering wheel again and again.
"Whoa Ed, calm down!" calls Emmett while I feel Jasper grab my arms.
"Get the hell off me!" I roar before jumping out of the car.
I pace back and forth kicking stones on the road and hurl stick after stick littering the road. I'm so angry. I'm angry at Tanya, at Bella…myself.
"There is nothing, NOTHING going on between me and Tanya. I have no fucking idea why the hell she sent me that picture but I swear to god there is nothing there. Bella's it. She's all I need and she…Jesus she thinks I…I'd never…"
"Come on man, get back in the car, we'll drive it off. We'll call Carlisle, tell him we've got a flat," calls Emmett from the car.
"Ed, man come on," adds Jasper.
My hands fist my hair, pulling furiously. I need space. I need to calm the fuck down.
"Nah, I'm gonna…I need to walk it off," I say turning and holding up my hands. "I'll meet you guys there."
They try once more to convince me to get back in the car but I won't have any of it.
Minutes later Bella's Mazda slowly drives by but does not stop and I'm grateful. I need to find my head. I need to process how I feel about all this. I never wanted to make Bella feel the way all the other men in her life have, but god dammit why didn't she trust me.
I lose track of how long it takes me to reach the gates leading to my parents. My primary focus was finding Bella; I needed Bella. I rub my chest, the mere thought of Bella causing it to ache. I'd never felt anything like it in my life. I'd been attracted to Bella the moment I met her but these last few weeks, my feelings for this wonderfully generous woman had only intensified and I'd never been happier but at the same time scared shitless.
As I get closer to the house I almost stumble over my own feet as my eyes lock onto a familiar black BMW parked beside Bella's Mazda.
"Shit…"
I'm running for the door at full speed, my day accelerating just as quickly from shit to double shit. As I make my way through the house I can hear the voices of my family floating through from the back patio. I clearly hear Emmett followed by Mike Newton.
Maybe it's just Mike…
I instantly feel stupid as two hands cover my eyes and a voice whispers guess who?
What I would have once just laughed off or played along with now makes my insides twist in knots. Throwing her hands from my face I put distance between us. She's the one who's put my relationship with Bella in the mess that it is; her and her stupid message.
"What the hell did you think you were doing?" I seethe.
She looks confused. "Edward, I, I was just joking. If I scared you I'm sorry I-"
I shake my head in frustration unable to control the volume of my voice. "I'm talking about the stupid message you sent me this morning! Why the hell would I want it?"
By now everyone is standing in the kitchen. I make a quick scan of the group and I realise that Bella is missing. My first thought is that she's gone, she's run but I'm quickly comforted by the fact that her car is still sitting out the front.
"Edward," says Tanya, her tall statuesque stance no longer. "I didn't send you any messages, I didn't."
I haul my phone out of my pocket opening the message and all but throwing it at her. "Explain that shit then."
There's a collective gasp from Esme and Mike but also Tanya.
"Tanya," says Mike stepping forward his tone questioning. "What's going on?"
I watch on, my anger only intensifying as Tanya frantically explains that the picture was meant for Mike, she would never have sent it to me; it is all just a big mistake.
She turns to me. "I'm so sorry Edward, I didn't realise, I promise…"
She looks sincere. She seems just as shocked as I was.
She moves onto Mike, apologising profusely but suddenly stops and spins to face me.
"Oh god, that's why…that's why Isabella seemed so angry and upset when she saw me here. She thinks…oh my god Edward I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
I glance towards Alice who is standing, arms crossed and watching Tanya closely, almost sceptically.
Mike steps forward and pulls Tanya into a loose embrace as she starts crying and repeating how she didn't mean it, it was an accident.
Regardless, she is not who I want to comfort; she's not my paramount concern.
I look to Alice and Rosalie. "Where is she?"
Their eyes show sympathy but still hold an edge to them.
"She's with Maddie down by the lake," says Alice quietly, an underlying warning in her tone, however considering her gaze is still fixed on Tanya, I'm led to believe it is not directed at me.
As I move towards the patio my mother puts herself in my path.
"Sweetheart, what's going on, is everything ok?" she asks gently as she takes my hand in her own giving it a small reassuring squeeze.
I look out towards the direction of the lake. I need to see Bella.
I squeeze her hand in return before muttering a brief explanation and suggesting that it might be best if Tanya and Mike leave.
She takes a quick glance behind me before answering. "Yes, okay sweetheart, if that's what you think is best."
"For today mom, yes." I muster up the smallest of reassuring smiles. "I'm gonna go find my girl now."
-OoO-
I'm almost to the top of the rise that leads down to the pristine lake when I hear it. My heart clenches and the tightness in my chest intensifies.
"Miss Bewaa, why you crying for? The sunshine's is out, today is a happy day!" calls Maddie.
The sound of Bella giggling and sniffling fills the air.
"Yes sweetheart, the sunshine is out today. Sometimes grown-ups have sad days, but I'm okay," she explains.
I stay glued to the spot as I listen.
"My mommy and daddy does give me hugs when I is sad. Who gives you hugs when you is sad Miss Bewaa?"
Me...It should be me.
There's a moment of silence before she answers.
"Well," she begins quietly. "When I was a little girl my daddy would give me hugs too. He would pick me up and spin me around in the air. I was his princess."
I could hear the sense of longing in her voice. I knew that she spoke to her father every Sunday night but it had been a long time since she had seen him. I knew she missed him.
"What about your Mommy, did she give you hugs too?" Maddie asks curiously.
"My Mommy died a long time ago Maddie. She went to heaven," answers Bella softly.
I remember the afternoon we spent weeks ago wrapped up on the sun lounge watching the sunset and I'd asked her about her childhood. I'd wiped away the tears that had spilt as she talked about her mother, or lack thereof. It was about five years ago that her father had called to share the news that her mother had died in a car accident. It was by chance that Charlie had even found out, a friend of his working at a small station just outside of Seattle had called him after recognising her at the scene.
"My bunny Mr Spots dieded and went to bunny heaven. Maybe your Mommy can wook after him wike you wook after me?" suggests Maddie innocently.
Another sniffle meets my ears and I listen on as Bella tells Maddie what a good idea that is.
"Miss Bewaa?"
"Yes Maddie."
"Now dat you a big grown up, who gives you hugs? Does my Uncle Edwood give you hugs?" she prattles off.
My heart warms as I hear Bella laugh. It's a beautiful sound.
"Yes Maddie, your Uncle Edward gives me hugs."
"He gives me hugs too! Oh and kisses! Him's does big, wet swoppy ones cause him's cheeky."
I stifle my laugh. It's true, I do.
"Hmm," answers Bella. "Big sloppy ones like this!"
The sound of Maddie's squeals and little feet running have me smiling and moving slowly up and over the small hill. I stand silently as I watch Bella chase Maddie around in circles, and then Maddie chase Bella. They look so carefree.
I watch Bella intently as her smile grows; the sun shining off her loosely pulled back hair. I notice she's taken her sandals off, her dress floating with the breeze as she skips along in front of Maddie who is laughing happily, arms in the air. Bella suddenly stops and turns, picking Maddie up and spinning her around.
Who wouldn't want this? What man could not want a beautiful woman in his life and equally beautiful children, a family? I've fucked my life around enough. No more. I want normal, I want happy and settled. I want love. I want Bella.
"I'm a princess like you Miss Bewaa!" cries Maddie gleefully.
"A beautiful princess," adds Bella as Maddie hugs her fiercely.
"I wuv you wots Miss Bewaa!" she says before kissing her on the cheek.
Makes two of us kiddo…
"Are you giving away all my kisses Miss Maddie?" I ask from halfway down the embankment, my hands stowed in the pockets of my jeans as I do my best to not rush forward and just take Bella in my arms.
"UNCLE EDWOOD!"
I smile as she wiggles her way out of Bella's arms and runs towards me, arms flying about.
"UNCLE EDWOOD!"
I scoop her up easily and she wraps her little arms around my neck squeezing tight.
"Hey kiddo," I say as I turn my head and plant a kiss in her hair. "I've missed you."
She pulls back, placing her little hands on my shoulders. "I did miss you too."
The smile on her face slowly fades. "Uncle Edwood?"
"Yeah kiddo?"
She turns her little head to look at Bella who is still standing where Maddie left her. She's holding herself like she's cold and now that I'm closer and looking directly at her; I can see that her eyes are red and puffy.
"Miss Bewaa is sad today," she says softly but I know that Bella has heard her.
"I know, I-" I start but am interrupted by Jasper.
"There's my little princess," he says stepping closer. "It's time for lunch and Grandpa needs your help."
She sighs before holding out her arms for Jasper.
"Are Uncle Edwood and Miss Bewaa coming too?" she asks quietly.
Jasper looks between Bella and me before answering Maddie.
"Soon honey, soon. Now come on, Grandpa's waiting."
He's rewarded with a pout but she relents and they're off but not before Maddie promises Bella that she'll save her a seat.
Now it's just us.
I watch as she holds herself that little bit tighter. She's looking everywhere but at me. I know she's trying to be strong, to hold it together.
"Bella, look at me…please," I all but plead.
Nothing.
"Bella…"
After a few moments her eyes meet mine and I see everything I'm feeling mirrored back at me. Sadness, confusion, anger…love.
That's all it takes and I'm moving towards her. I just want to feel her in my arms again.
"Bella sweetheart, come –"
"No! No! You can't…you should be angry!" she yells.
I skid to a halt and take a step back like I've been hit by electricity.
What…
"Bella, it's okay," I say edging forward slowly.
She shakes her head back and forth again and again. "No it's not! Be angry at me! I'm so stupid, stupid, stupid, be angry, be angry!"
I move to hold her, to comfort her but her hands belt at my chest as she pleads with me to be angry with her.
"Bella stop, stop it!" I say firmly, holding her in a vice grip. "Sweetheart stop, its okay."
Slowly her hands stop and she fists my shirt, her free flowing tears drenching my shirt. I hold her as she cries, her head buried against my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around her. I hold her until her tears become hiccups.
I place a lingering kiss on her head and take a deep breath.
"I promise you Bella, there is nothing going on. There never will be," I say as firmly yet as lovingly as I can.
I feel her fingers tighten their hold on my shirt. "I didn't talk to you. I didn't let you explain…"
I nod slowly. It was true, she didn't. It had been a kick in the guts for me, thinking that she didn't trust me.
I sigh. "I'm not them Bella, I know I'm not perfect but I'm not them. She says she meant to send it to Mike, it was meant for him, not me. Regardless, I've asked them to leave. I need to know you trust me Bella. I trust you with everything I am. I need to know you feel the same," I explain, my heart pounding in my chest.
She slowly pulls out of my embrace, wiping at her tear stained face. Even like this she's still the most stunning, most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She has no idea just how breathtaking she is.
"It wasn't…it's not you I don't trust Edward. I was cleaning up and your phone went off. I saw her name and just…I just couldn't leave it. The woman makes me feel uncomfortable Edward and I just couldn't leave it."
She rubs her face once more before meeting my eyes.
"I'm sorry I checked it Edward, I am. I betrayed your trust just by looking at it. I shouldn't have but I did and now everything's just a mess!" she sighs, closing her eyes.
I reach out and take her hand in mine causing her eyes to open.
"I trust you Edward. I trust you with everything I am. I let my fears get to me and I'm so sorry. I just saw the picture and I mean she's just perfect. She's got legs for days, perfect hair, she's all Hollywood and from your world…she's just –"
I knew it…her insecurities. She feels she's not worthy.
"Not you," I interject putting my fingers to her lips, silencing her.
I step forward filling the small distance she has put between us and move my hands to cup her face.
"You know for a very bright and intelligent woman, you're quite silly," I say and am thankfully rewarded with a small giggle.
"You, Isabella Swan are perfect. You are beautiful, sexy, loving, caring, giving, sexy, kind, patient, wonderful, sexy, and I'll have you know I'm quite partial to your legs. Did I mention you were sexy?" I ask, trying but failing to sound serious.
"Once or twice," she sniffs.
I stare at her, gently pushing the stray pieces of hair behind her ears.
"I only need you. I don't want Hollywood, I don't want fake. I want you. It's not going to be easy, I've told you that. My past will always haunt me, but I know we can be stronger than that. We have to be, because you're it for me Bella. I don't want anybody else. I want you," my voice trembling.
She's staring at me wide eyed.
"I don't want to hide anymore. I want to show the world that I'm the luckiest man in the world. I want people to see how lucky I am," I pause taking a deep breath. "I love you Bella."
She gasps and her fingers tighten around mine.
"I love you so much and I can't lose you. I won't lose you, you're my life now," I say determinedly.
I watch as her eyes well with tears and they slowly begin to escape, cascading down her cheeks.
"You love me…" she whispers.
I smile my megawatt, panting dropping smile as she calls it. "Yes I do sweetheart, with all my heart. I love you so much it hurts."
She's suddenly kissing me like her life depends on it and I find myself doing the exact same.
"I love you Edward, I love you so much, god I'm so sorry," she cries, holding my head in her hands as my hands do the same to her.
"Hey, hey, sweet girl, it's okay. I promise its okay. Just promise me, promise me you'll talk to me. Always talk to me. We're in this together."
She's nodding again and I'm starting to worry her head will fall off.
"I will, I promise I will. I love you Edward. I love you," she answers before kissing me slowly.
Her hands on my chest, her lips dancing with mine and her declaration of love for me has my desire for her growing rapidly.
"We…we need to stop sweetheart," I whisper softly bringing my lips to her forehead instead. "I don't want the first time I make love to you to be out here and if we continue like we are, well…let's just say I may not be able to stop myself…you're like my own personal brand of heroin."
"Lunch then," she giggles looking up at me through her lashes.
I've never been so happy to see her smile than I am right now. We both screwed up today, but we're okay. I won't let anyone hurt her, hurt us.
I kiss her slowly, revelling in the fact that she's mine.
"Lunch," I laugh as I pull away reluctantly, "lunch."
Minutes later we're walking hand in hand up the path towards the house, towards my family, our family. Less than a year ago I couldn't have cared less for gatherings like this. I couldn't have cared less for my family; but not now. I realise how important family is, how easily it can be taken away. I look over towards Bella as she turns her head towards me, smiling brightly.
"Forever," I whisper.
Her smile, if at all possible grows bigger.
"I'll hold you to that Cullen."
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
So...your thoughts? Was it just a mistake on Tanya's part? Is more drama over the horizon? How will Hollywood take to Bella and vice versa?
I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please, please, please review!