.
"Don't worry about me, Gettys. Don't worry about me. I'm Charles Foster Kane!"
- Kane
April 9, 2010
Bella
"I'm sure they'll just be a minute," I placate, glancing at the bookstore Angela and Jessica disappeared into.
"It's okay. I don't mind."
I nod, still somewhat anxious. I can't really imagine Rosalie waiting for anyone.
She taps her red nails on the steering wheel, but I don't think it's out of impatience. It almost seems like she's nervous as well.
"So you're sure?" she says, clear-blue eyes still looking through the windshield.
"About what?" I ask casually, not having any clue of what she's talking about.
Rosalie turns her upper body, mirroring my own position on the passenger's side.
"Edward."
As far as one-word sentences go, this one is very determined.
I can feel my forehead crease unattractively.
"I'm just a little worried," she continues quietly.
More unattractive face-scrunching.
This is coming out of nowhere.
"What do you mean? Didn't you help Edward pick out the ring and everything?" I ask, rattled by her mixed signals.
"Yes. And I'm glad I did because you deserve this to be perfect. It's just...you're so young. Why the rush?"
She stares and waits, her face showing genuine curiosity
My cheeks heat up, spreading pink all over. I'm suddenly worried that she can read my mind.
"I mean...you're not..." Rosalie trails, unconvinced. She looks at my midsection, appearing positively horrified by the thought.
"No! No," I assure. "I'm so not." Unless immaculate conception is making a comeback.
"Okay, good. Things are hard enough without a baby added to the mix right away. Or three." She grins good-naturedly. "I would know."
I nod, frantically thinking ahead. I need to change the subject before someone says the V-word.
I look out my window again, at the parking lot.
"Do you think it's going to storm?" I ask, trying to keep from cringing a moment later.
Lamest topic change ever.
I know Rosalie sees right through it.
When I'm brave enough to face her again, she's wearing a slightly chagrined expression. It doesn't look quite right on her.
"I'm sorry; I probably shouldn't have mentioned it. You're going to marry him no matter what, right?" Her voice is defeated yet unsurprised.
I nod, wary of her reaction, but she doesn't say anything. That's somehow worse.
"I really do love him," I murmur, almost apologetically.
Out of all truths, this is most important. Edward and I may be new to this, but I've never been more sure of anything.
Rosalie only studies my face in response, and I hope she recognizes what's there.
As the silence grows longer, I worry that she's angry because I'm ignoring her advice. But she smiles after only a few more seconds.
The secret, girly smile that's contagious.
I can't tell if it's genuine or just supportive, but either way, I'm excited by her next words.
"Okay. Let's get you a dress."
July 29, 2010
Edward
"I thought you said we were going to your house," I challenge, my voice a little too dead to suggest betrayal.
Marcus sighs, looking even older than before. His fingertips silently tap against the steering wheel, using it as an outlet for his pent-up energy.
"I realized that you would need some clothes since we're not exactly the same size. You don't have to go inside. I'm sure I can figure it out, unless you need some papers or files for work," he offers.
He glances at the huge house dubiously, likely second-guessing what he just said. His tone is gentler as he continues.
"You're welcome to stay as long as you want, but I'll be doing a lot of working and driving around. So you might want to visit your brother for a while in Forks, just to be around family. Don't your parents live around there as well?"
"Port Angeles," I mumble, not wanting to involve them.
"Right. Well, you should take some time off. That's why you have employees, right?"
"I can't just run off to Forks, Marcus. This is all I have left."
"I'm worried about you," he admits.
I don't reply as I get out the car.
My body vaguely notices that the weather has taken a turn for the worse. Numerous rain drops fall from the sky like heavy bombs, splattering on my head. I don't care. The violent comparison suits my mood perfectly.
I'm a grown man. I don't need a babysitter.
I open and shut the front door, not checking to see if Marcus has started to follow. My wet shoes form a trail of water to my office, revealing my location should he need it. I've taken this route so many times - too many times - that I don't even have to think about where my feet take me.
With practiced movements, I unlock my desk drawer, pulling out the contracts I took home to read. The bright yellow folder stands out like a beacon, showing up all the other colors in the room.
As I set it down on the oversized desk, it makes the wood look downright boring.
I'm still not very cognizant of my actions as I pick up the only non-paper object hidden inside the drawer.
At least, that's the excuse I tell myself.
My fingers glide over the aged case with morbid fascination, still not revealing the ring inside. The ring that Isabella should have had. The one I would have given her, if I wasn't still so upset by the sight of it.
Another regret.
"Edward?" Marcus calls, sounding close-by. "Do you need help packing?"
The interruption wakes me up, breaking me out of my dismal thoughts. I pick up the folder again, ready to head upstairs. And I don't know why I do it, but I slip the cased ring into my pocket anyway.
At this point, I'm willing to take Marcus up on his offer, simply to get us out of the house sooner.
March 26, 2010
Edward
I brush my fingers against my pant pocket, checking on my precious cargo.
I can almost feel the ring burning a little hole in the fabric, as if it knows it belongs on her finger instead.
It's time to go get Isabella.
Excitement blends with anxiety until they are one and the same.
I look around, double-checking that everything looks as it should.
Again, I wonder if I should have gotten more expensive, exotic flowers.
But Rosalie said daisies were better. Something about Gilmore Girls. Whatever the fuck that is.
It's a little late to switch varieties now, anyway.
I run a hand over the top of my head, pushing back my hair and nervousness.
I'm getting too distracted by my surroundings. It is rather over-the-top.
If a kid wanted to play "He loves me, he loves me not" with all these petals, it would take forever.
Isabella loves me.
Loves, loves, loves.
And she's the only reason I know about that silly game.
I smile, feeling a little less jittery as I turn to leave.
This is the right thing.
I want her with me - always - and this is the way to make that happen.
A/N:
There are some new links on my profile:
- Playlist: Music that makes me think of the story, ready to play on YouTube
- Banner 3
Thank you for all the reviews for the last chapter; you guys are the best! And a big thanks to What The Fun for prereading. You make this much better.
The updated timeline is below.
...
Edward and Emmett at bar - August 20, 2008 (Chapter 18)
Meet at diner - November 22, 2009 (Chapter 2)
First date - December 6, 2009 (Chapter 3 and 18)
Edward visits Emmett in Forks - December 18, 2009 (Chapter 18)
Edward sleeps at Bella's for the first time - December 18, 2009 (Chapter 13)
Cockblocked by Benny - January 16, 2010 (Chapter 6)
Bella tells Edward that she loves him...when he's asleep - January 30, 2010 (Chapter 8)
Bella cries after burning surprise breakfast - February 14, 2010 (Chapter 10)
Talk about God / forever - February 21, 2010 (Chapter 18)
Humorous handjob and "Marry me first" thought - March 7, 2010 (Chapter 11)
Proposal jitters - March 26, 2010 (Chapter 21)
Ice cream run in Forks / Talk about Edward's family - April 4, 2010 (Chapter 20)
Rose and Bella's conversation before shopping for wedding dress - April 9, 2010 (Chapter 21)
Packing up Bella's things in Forks / Bella's family photo - April 10, 2010 (Chapter 7)
Pick out house - April 15, 2010 (Chapter 9)
Prenup discussed after a night out - April 17, 2010 (Chapter 4)
Marry - April 30, 2010 (Chapter 18)
Arrive at Nice, France for honeymoon - May 1, 2010 (Chapter 15)
Delayed "wedding night" - May 2, 2010 (Chapter 19)
Honeymoon moment in Sospel - May 4, 2010 (Chapter 7)
Honeymoon beach makeout - May 5, 2010 (Chapter 15)
Bella's drunken moment in Nice - May 7, 2010 (Chapter 19)
French lesson in Nice - May 12, 2010 (Chapter 20)
Amusement park (back in Washington) - May 22, 2010 (Chapter 16)
Edward takes a photo of Bella - May 23, 2010 (Chapter 11)
Dandelion wishes - May 23, 2010 (Chapter 12)
Edward's lunch break with Alec and Heidi - May 27, 2010 (Chapter 16)
Bella tells Sue about 365 project - May 28, 2010 (Chapter 8)
Bella's lonely phone call to Jessica - May 28, 2010 (Chapter 12)
Bella stays home instead of going to club - May 29, 2010 (Chapter 14)
Edward misses gallery date - June 11, 2010 (Chapter 10)
Bella pretends to be asleep - June 12, 2010 (Chapter 14)
Edward's birthday party - June 20, 2010 (Chapter 13)
Edward plans carnival date - July 7, 2010 (Chapter 16)
Breakup - July 12, 2010 (Chapter 17 and 18)
Meet with lawyers - July 17, 2010 (Chapter 1)
Last time Edward saw Bella - July 17, 2010 (Chapter 4)
Bella about to leave home - July 17, 2010 (Chapter 20)
Edward sees newscast - July 20, 2010 (Chapter 1)
Edward is interviewed by Mike - July 21, 2010 (Chapter 3)
Edward hires Marcus to investigate - July 21, 2010 (Chapter 4)
Edward messes with Mike - July 24, 2010 (Chapter 5)
Edward finds Benny in bedroom and breaks down - July 24, 2010 (Chapter 6 and 7)
Sue tells off Edward - July 26, 2010 (Chapter 9)
Edward finds 365 project - July 27, 2010 (Chapter 11)
Edward meets with Rosalie - July 28, 2010 (Chapter 12 and 14)
Edward's meeting with employees - July 29, 2010 (Chapter 16)
Edward at bar - July 29, 2010 (Chapter 18 and 19)
Edward gets ready to stay with Marcus - July 29, 2010 (Chapter 21)