Author's Note:
Welcome back everyone! Yes, this is a NEW chapter, I'm not kidding. I can apologize fifty million ways but I figured this would make up for my absence. Sorry! You will be happy to know that you won't have to wait long for this story to be updated and finished. I'm working on upcoming chapters as we speak.
Thanks to my friend and BETA GAjujubee for giving me the push and encouragement to get back to writing this story. I couldn't have done it without her. :)
So without further ado...Chapter 21...
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Twilight. It all belongs to the talented Stephanie Meyer.
_
"So there's this beautiful girl on the phone for you. Should I tell her to call back?" Emmett teased as I prepared for my date tonight.
"Not a chance." I grinned as I grabbed the phone and put it to my ears. "Hey sweetheart. I've missed you."
"Umm…Edward?" she asked quietly. I stared daggers at Emmett.
"Hey. It's me. I'm sorry I thought you were my daughter." I cleared up not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. But I realized that although it was meant for Gabby, I did miss her too.
"I thought so." She laughed but there was something wrong about her laugh... "I was just calling to say that I'm thinking of going to the beach for walk. Would it be okay if you picked me up there?" she asked timidly.
"Oh yeah. Of course I can. The one outside your cabana, right?"
"Yes. Thanks. I'll see you then." She said with what I'm sure was a small smile on her face. What I would give to look at that smile all the time…
After she hung up I turned to ream my brother for his little prank.
"Oh Eddie has it bad. Very bad." Emmett snickered before I could say anything.
"Shut up, says the one who's practically naming his babies with the blonde." I throw back at him and head out the door without waiting for him to deny it.
He couldn't because he was head over heels with that girl.
Jumping into my Volvo I thought I about this evenings date and I couldn't wait to spend the evening enjoying the beautiful island we were on. But mostly I couldn't wait to see the blush and the smile of the one girl that kept my mind preoccupied all morning. All morning I couldn't keep my mind wondering what she was doing at that moment, what she thought about her accomodations, about the island, about spending time alone with me. She was slowly and surely burying herself into my heart.
And then I though about the way she sounded on the phone and knew that something wasn't right. Her laugh wasn't the same, her voice was quiet. More quiet than she's ever been. Suddenly I felt jittery; like I couldn't get to her fast enough. I worried that there was bad news ahead; that she realized she didn't want this anymore or that she had to leave, or something happened with the girls. Every possible scenario passed through my head as I made my way to her.
I couldn't get to her fast enough but finally I did reached her. I quickly parked the car and made my way towards the water.
Looking around I briefly noticed the beauty of the beach. The water so serene and blue against the brightness of the sun. But all of it paled in comparison to my objective for being on this beach. Sitting in the sand with her head tilted upwards. The way the rays of sun hit her was breathtaking. She was immersed in a beautiful halo of sunshine. She had a small smile playing on her lips as she soaked up the sunshine around her. A smile that I had missed since the last time I was with her.
Watching her this way was becoming my favorite thing in the world.
I walked over and looked down at her.
"You are so beautiful." I smiled down at her.
Startled, she jumped to her feet quickly and held her hand to her chest.
"Oh my goodness, Edward you scared the shit out of me!" she yelped and then covered her mouth in embarrassment.
"Oh doesn't someone have a potty mouth?" I laugh as I looked over at her burning cheeks.
"Yeah, well you scared me." she then smiled at me. "You could give a girl a heart attack creeping up on her like that." She softly shoved me.
Before she could move away, I captured her hands in mine and brought her towards me. "Did I make your heart stop? Hmm…" I teased. I was very aware that we were mere inches away from each other. So close that I could feel her breathe against my lips. So close that I could just tilt my head down and capture those beautiful lips in a kiss but I wanted to let her take the initiative first. I wanted her to make the decision herself.
"Constantly." She mumbles and then as if realizing she said it out loud turns bright red again. Damn this woman doesn't know the affect she has on me.
"Hmm...I'll have to keep that in mind." I smile while placing a soft kiss on her cheek. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I was just surprised." She shakes her head and softly squeezes my hands. "So we should probably get going. I don't want to hold us up."
"Yeah, we should." I glance at my watch and then let go of one hand while I lead her towards my car.
"So I thought maybe we could do some sightseeing. How does that sound?" I ask when I'm in the car.
"Wonderful. I've never been to such a beautiful place so sightseeing would be great. I have to admit that the plane ride over was terrifying. As you know, I'm always terrified of heights, of the unknown when you are so high up. Alice gave me a bottle of tequila, claiming that it would calm my nerves. I'm not much of a drinker but if it could calm me then I could do this. I worked and I'm so happy I made it. " She smiles over at me.
"I was worried about that, since you were terrified about the helicopter ride. I hoped that the other girls would make you feel safer. We asked about traveling with you all but were told it wasn't possible. I really wanted to be there." I reached over and laced my fingers through hers.
Later, when we arrived at Old City San Juan, I helped Bella out of the car and didn't let go of her hand as we began our walk.
"Wow, it's so lively." She acknowledges as we walk through the area.
As we walk through Old City stopping to marvel at the beautiful structures, I take her to taste café con pan at the cafés and do some shopping at the small tourist shops. As the sun starts to go down, the view is much more exquisite than sundown in the states. Slowly, the streets of Old San Juan is filled with music and performers which excites Bella. I know this because her eyes glitter much more then they have the whole day and as she looks over at the people around us there is a smile on her face. I want nothing more than to grab her in my arms and dance with her but as I look at my watch I see that we have to get going. There is one place I've been waiting to take her to but waited until this time of day.
When we make it to the ancient castle, I am amazed at how pictures do not do it justice. Bella's gasp at the sight before her tells me she feels the same way. After I purchase our tickets to both forts, we make our way towards the tram that will take us on our tour.
An hour later I lean into her, "So what do you say to walking a little?" I offer.
"That would be nice." She looks at me and then at the scenery.
We walk down through one of the numerous tunnels in the castle and are rewarded with a spectacular view of the sun setting against the drop of the ocean surrounding El Morro. Bella stands frozen in front of me looking out. Although the sight is exquisite and one that must be seen in one's life, I can't keep my eyes off her. I can't help thinking that there is no one else I would want to share this moment with. Not ever.
I slowly wrap my arms around her and bring her back towards me. At first she seems hesitant but then leans in to me. I move her hair to the side and feel her shiver. "Are you cold?" I whisper against her ear.
"No." She whispers back breathlessly.
"Scared?" I ask, again, knowing why she really shivered. My touch did that to her.
"Terrified." She whispers so quietly that if it wasn't just us I wouldn't have heard her.
Wondering why, I turn her around to face me. She lowers her face but I lift up her chin so that she looks into my eyes. "Why?" I ask and as she tries to lower her face once more I adamantly but gently keep her chin raised.
"Just a little creeped out by the darkness." She throws out but her eyes roam all over the place. I know that isn't the real reason but I don't want to push her. She seems uncomfortable and I never want her to be. Not with me.
"Okay. Why don't we head back?" I offer and lead her toward the extensive green lawn surrounding the castle. This one is tucked in a private section of the castle so there is no one but Bella and I. Once we arrive Bella breaks out in a smile when she sees the setup before us.
The production company went to work and created a comfortable ambiance around the grounds. A round dining table, clothed in a blue silk spread, dinner encased in trays, a wine bottle and two glasses were set up close to one of the castle walls overlooking the ocean, candles placed on the edge of the rock wall as well as two on the table. The setting was perfect.
"Edward." Bella whispered frozen in silence. "This is the loveliest thing anyone has ever done for me."
"I'm glad that you like it. I wasn't sure if you would." I admitted shyly. Since when am I shy about anything?
"It's perfect." She smiles as she walks over and before she can sit I pull out her chair for her. Chivalry isn't dead.
"I'm glad. Would you like some wine?" I ask and then, after she nods, I pour her a glass.
At that moment, my phone blares and I know that ringtone. I'm late…again.
"I'm sorry Bella I really have to take this." I apologize as I stand up.
"Edward." She stops me before I turn with wide doe eyes. "Don't leave. Please. I promise I won't eavesdrop on your conversation." She pleads looking around at the darkness surrounding us.
"Okay. Don't take points away after this conversation." I smirk and answer the call.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart." I say before I'm reprimanded by my five year old daughter.
"Daddy you didn't call." She sounds so sad once again that I let out a frustrated sigh. I'm screwing this up.
"I'm so sorry honey. I really am. I promise it won't happen again." And it won't. No one is more important to me than my daughter.
"Gabriella that isn't nice. You know your daddy wouldn't do it on purpose." I hear my mother in the background.
"Nana!" she squeaks. "Daddy, I'm not mad at you. I promise. I'm just messing with you. Right, Nana?"
"Yes, Edward. She has actually been bugging us with her stories about your daaaates." My mother laughs on the other end.
"Girls." I laugh with them. "So how has your day been sweetheart?" I ask my daughter and listen as she recounts her going shopping with mom and a boy that apparently bothers her at school.
"And so I told him that when my daddy gets back he was going to punch him in the face." She stated matter-of-factly.
"You are spending too much time with your Uncle Emmett." I mutter and then look over at Bella as she stares out towards the ocean. Although she tries to hold it I can see the smile playing on her lips as she tries to give me my privacy.
"Well Uncle Emmy says that I should not let anyone pick on me." she reminds me.
"Okay, but it's not nice to say things like that."
"Daddy you are a…nana what's the word you call grandpa when he's not fun?" my daughter asks my mother on the other line.
"Prude… and that's not nice to repeat young lady." I hear my mother say.
"Okay then…" she huffs "…nevermind daddy. So what did you do today?" she perks up on the phone.
"Daddy actually had a very nice day with a beautiful gir,l and now daddy has to go so that the beautiful girl doesn't feel like I abandoned her." I grin as I meet Bella's eyes.
"Oh Daddy, I can't wait to see her next week! Is it Bella? I like Bella!" my daughter giggles.
"Maybe. It's time for bed young lady. Goodnight." I chuckle and try to sound authoritative in my request.
"Goodnight daddy. GOODNIGHT BELLA!" she suddenly yells which makes me hold my phone away from my ear.
"Gabby!" I reprimand her while trying to hold in my laugh. "That is…"
"Goodnight Gabriela. Don't let the bedbugs bite." Bella says while giggling across from me.
"Eeeep I knew it! Night daddy." She quickly laughs and hangs up on me.
"I'm so…" I start to apologize to Bella about my daughter's rudeness.
"Don't worry about it." Bella laughs. "She is too precious."
"Thank you. That was so inappropriate. I apologize." I quickly say.
"Don't. You might think that but if I'm being honest I think that was the cutest thing ever." She assures me as she places her hand on mine.
I twist my hand palm up and give her hand a squeeze. "She says she can't wait to meet you." I smile at her. "I can't wait for you to meet her."
"The feeling is mutual. I'm thrilled and nervous to finally meet the people in your life. Heck, I'm afraid for tomorrow. " She admits.
"Don't be. They will all love you. Emmett and Jasper are really excited about meeting you tomorrow as well as my family next week. Don't be nervous, just be yourself." I smile as I rub my thumb across her hand reassuringly.
After a small amount of time has lapse in comfortable quiet, Bella gets up and leans against the short wall. I smile remembering how much she hates heights but with me she is okay with being up high.
"There isn't a beautiful view that you haven't shown me Edward. This is something I will never forget. It's not possible."
"I know what you mean." I join her but keep my eyes on her.
"Edward…" she starts and then stops. "Nevermind." She retracts.
"What do you want to ask Bella?"
"I was just wondering what happened with Gabby's…I mean Gabriela's mother." She looks at me with sadness in her eyes.
"I like when you use her nickname." I smile at her before I continue. "She was in an accident when Gabby was 1. She was on her way home from picking up Gabby's birthday cake and was struck by a drunk driver." I say quietly and try to contain my anger. "She died at the scene." I finish quickly.
"How was she?" she surprises me by not apologizing or offering any pity. I hate that look of pity people gave.
"She was wonderful. She had one of those smiles that made others smile back. The ones that made anyone's day better. She was always the one to break any tension in the air. The first time I met her I knew I was a goner. After two years of dating I asked her to marry me. When Gabby came we put off the wedding until she turned one but..." I stop as I remember that the day we buried her was the day she was to become my wife.
"But life has a way of crashing around you…" she whispers. And I nod in agreement. "She sounds like an incredible woman. I'm sure she's proud of you every day."
"I hope so…" I look over and give her a small smile.
"Okay so I shared something deep. Your turn." I turn the tables on her wanting to not think about Lucille anymore.
"Okay…hmm…" she contemplates and then sighs. "Edward, I have no idea what to say." She laughs quietly.
"Okay, tell me something you've never told anyone."
"Okay… I am terrified that when I have kids one day they will hate me. That I'll be the worse mother in the world." She cringes as she says that words. As If she truly believes that.
And she does…
"That preposterous, Bella. Stop yanking my chain." I say in disbelief.
"I'm not joking. Kids do not like me. I worked at a daycare once with Angela and only lasted one week. The kids, even babies, hated me. The director suggested I get placed in a different location. I was horrified. Ever since then I steer clear of kids. But the thing is I want them. I want a family and it terrifies me that my own children will hate me."
"Do you not hear how much my daughter already adores you? You have the sweetest personality. You sit here and giggle with my daughter and make her laugh. Hell,you make me laugh all the time, you make me smile and you make me want to spend every damn minute with you. Your children will love you because you are incredible. Never doubt that. You have no reason to be terrified because I guarantee you that you will be an amazing mother." I assure her and notice the tears running down her cheek.
I pull her towards me and wrap her in my arms. The moment her body snuggles into my chest I tighten my grip on her. "I can't believe that you truly think that, Bella." I whisper and then lift up her head to look at me. "No woman as incredible as you can be hated. She is to be loved."
I move closer but don't place my lips on her until she moves hers closer. Then I capture them with mine. The moment our lips join, the kiss ignites me. Again, I'm transported back to that place of tranquility. When she presses herself to me, I don't hesitate in pulling her even closer and deepening our kiss.
It seems like hours, but really is minutes, before I pull back and notice that it unfortunately is time to head home.
Bella is quiet as we move through the street and after a few minutes I hear someone calling Bella's name. When we turn, Emmett and Rosalie are bounding towards us.
"Bella!" Rose yells as she closes in.
"Rose." Bella smiles at her. "Why are you glistening so much?"
"I've been showing this one here how to salsa." She laughs as Em comes up behind her.
"Salsa is what you call that…huh." He smirks and whispers something into her ear. My brother the playboy.
"Bella is it?" my brother ask with a smirk on his face.
Emmett don't embarrass her. I think as he sticks out his hand towards Bella.
"That would be me. " Bella smiles timidly and returns his handshake. "Hi Emmett."
"I've been dying to meet the...what did you say Edward? Marvelous, exquisite, beautiful Bella." Emmett teases as he looks at me. "Well damn, my brother was right." he adds and I see Bella's face turning that beautiful shade of red.
"Thank you. Umm..we should get going." Bella says suddenly uncomfortable with my brother's teasing. "Rose I will…nevermind. Have a good night." She smiles at them.
"Oh Edward, I've got her running away from me already. What am I going to do with her when I have her all to myself?" Emmett jokes and snickers when Bella's cheeks turn bright red.
I'm about to defend her when Bella pipes up, "What's there to run from Emmy?" she teases as she uses Gabby's name for Emmett, and she makes me so damn proud.
As we continue walking away, Emmett is standing there flabbergasted by Bella's jab. I can't help laughing but also liking that they seem to have hit it off already. My family is my everything and to know that my brothers and daughter already adored Bella meant the world to me. I just hoped that she loved them too...
After arriving at my place, Bella is nervous and I can tell it's her fear of spending the night with me. I wrap her in my arms and assure her that all we will be doing is sleeping and she immediately leans into me. We talk a little bit about our day and then fall asleep in each other's arms.
Waking up with Bella in my arms is one of the best moments in my life. Her head lies on my chest, her hair sprawled all over and she has a small smile on her lips as she cuddles into me.
I lay in bed and think about my time during this process and these last 24 hours with Bella. The comfort and joy I feel when I'm with her is like nothing I've experienced. I loved Lucy very much, but even so what I feel with Bella is so much more. So different than what I had with Lucille but in some ways so similar.
I place a kiss on Bella's head and slowly move to stand but she holds onto my shirt.
"Don't leave." she whispers.
So we end up spending the morning lounging in bed, talking and watching her favorite movie, The Proposal. She was surprised to hear I had never seen it but I was more surprised to have actually like the movie.
Later that afternoon, we roam the streets of Old San Juan for shopping and, all too soon, I am on my way to drop her off at her place.
"Edward, thank you so much for this. I had a wonderful time." She says as I lead her to her door.
"I should be thanking you. I had a fantastic time. I can't remember the last time I was able to just relax and not worry about anything. It was nice." I smile at her and wrap her in my arms.
"I'm glad. You need it, Dr. Cullen." She tease and places her hands on my chest.
"Hmm…" I mumble as I lean toward her and capture her lips in mine.
Sooner than I would like, Bella kisses me one last time and pulls back.
"I'll see you next week Edward. I'm looking forward to meeting Gabriella and your parents." She smiles at me.
"They are, too. A week is so long. I'll miss you too much." I sigh and run my hand through my hair.
"Just one week Edward. It will fly by quickly. You'll see." She tries to comfort me but I see the sadness in her eyes. She will miss me too.
I give her one more kiss before turning and heading back to my suite.
On my drive back my mind is on Bella and what it will be like to not see her for a week. This time with her will be something I will always cherish.
However, there is still the fact that I liked Tanya as well. I enjoyed being with her and she made me feel other things that I didn't know I could feel.
Two girls, so different, but so similar in the way they make me feel. This was going to be the hardest two weeks of my life.
_
So what did you think? Did you enjoy Bella and Edward's time together? What do you think Rose and Emmett were up to? I would love to hear from you.
Until next week!