…'Meyer' made the mold…but we are all here to break it…lol…

Chapter 21

"JACKSON!" EDWARD put the fingers of his right hand to his lips and gave a sharp loud whistle.

This place was a madhouse even at such an early morning hour. JFK International, New York City. Suddenly he was really missing his hometown, Georgetown, Texas, population 'small' even in comparison to the sea of people inside this airport at 7 o'clock a.m.

He was missing something else, too. Or rather, someone.

It had only been seven hours since Edward left Bella on her couch. She had practically been ready to pass out from exhaustion after the effects of two late nights in a row with him. If he had taken her upstairs to her bedroom there was a strong possibility that he wouldn't leave and would miss his flight.

Their evening was fun. He, Bella and her girls had a blast making homemade pizzas. They even allowed Rosey to keep her candy-topped one, which obviously turned out extremely 'gross' according to big sis, with the condition that she had to make another pizza with her regular favorite toppings. She and June refused to share with each other, too. Typical.

And of course there was a large variety of veggies and meats, even pineapple, for the adults to use. They sat in the living room to eat and relax and watched The Avengers. Everyone really enjoyed the time together, he thought. When Bella ushered her girls up to bed at 9:30 on the dot, Edward had planned ahead and packed his duffle ahead of time so that he could stay until it was time to head to the airport in Austin.

He couldn't get enough of her.

They stayed on the couch wrapped up in each other, and made out like teenagers. He couldn't keep his hand off of her and he found it extremely difficult to keep his body outside her personal space around her daughters. She was so sexy, and perfect, funny with her girls…and feisty…oh, and did he say sexy?

He loved their developing connection and he couldn't help but think that Bella was a perfect balance for his cocky-ass self. He would no doubt enjoy having her bring him down a notch or two. That girl knew how to hold her own.

Hearing Edward, Jackson spun around on the bar stool where he sat waiting for his friend and business partner, raising his cocktail glass in greeting.

Seeing what was in that glass caused a bit of worry to cross Edward's face. Cautiously, he spoke as he approached, "Hey, man. You, ah, trying to wake up to hair of the dog or are you still trying to maintain from an all-nighter? What is that, a Bloody Mary?"

"Bloody Molly. I need the vitamins. But if they offered it I would have ordered a Bloody Fairy, despite the girly name." Jackson's laugh sounded tired and forced.

Damn, he must have been working his ass off what with Edward being away and running two restaurants along with the fucking mess that Victoria had caused. Edward put his duffle down and placed the small package he held on top of it carefully.

"Dude, after what you have been dealing with, I don't blame you, man." He smacked his friend hello on the shoulder and motioned for the bartender to give them two more of the same.

"What's in the package there, Ed? Did your mom find your porn stash and force you to bring it back with you?"

"No, you fucker. She actually made you some of those banana coconut brownies you were crying for last weekend. I think she might love you more than me a little." He smiled and reached for his drink just as the bartender placed it down on the napkin. Grabbing his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, he threw a twenty down, asking 'Phil', per the nametag on the dude's vest, for a side of green olives and a fresh bowl of Spanish peanuts.

"Hell, I knew I should have made the moves on the lovely Esme when she visited last spring. Carlisle wasn't even here to throw my game and I fucked it all up by being respectful and shit." He drained his glass and picked up a few olives, tossing them into his mouth.

Edward snorted, "Dude, you stay the hell away from my mom." He sat on the stool next to Jackson's and took a large swallow. Damn he needed that more than he thought. He was tired also and the long flight only allowed his thoughts to focus on the issues with his restaurants and the amount of money and work it would take to restore each one back to order. Reaching for some peanuts, he threw some into his mouth and contemplated his next words. "So, tell me. Have any more problems occurred since we spoke? Any of those idiots shown their faces?"

Jackson let out a long breath and slumped back to lean against the bar, "No, thank fuck. If any one of them had you would have needed to come bail me out of jail. Or Nikki would have. Christ, like I need that. The broad's got me by the balls."

Edward smirked at that. "Oh, yeah? You mean you finally got over yourself and asked her out?"

It was a well-known if not-to-be-spoken-of fact that one tough Mr. Lutz had been lusting after one hard-as-nails Ms. Greene for a while now.

A bark of laughter rushed from Jackson's chest. "Fuck no, man. The woman actually attacked me after I got off the phone with you yesterday. Can't say that I minded much and can't say that I won't be following up on that a little later today, either."

"Good for you, Jackson. But just don't let me walk in on anything at the offices. Please. I do not need to see Nikki in any compromising situations. Comprende?" He smirked at that.

"Capishe, mother fucker. But seriously, dude. We have a lot of work ahead. And by the way, I got the specs in on the new project. That old friend of yours is quite a character. I like him. And we will do well in that venture. It will be good to branch out. I mean, it's already thriving for fuck's sake. It's a win-win all around."

Edward smiled, remembering his conversation on the phone outside of Bella's house early last night. He could not deny that if things went his way, his life was going to take a drastic turn of events. For the better, too.

He could hardly wait.

Jackson saw the look on Edward's face. It was obvious the dude had it bad for someone. Now to find out.

Clearing his throat, he asked, "So, ah, you wanna tell me what…or should I say who…has your head in the clouds? There is fucked up shit to deal with and you look like you just got the blowjob of your life, you prick. And don't even try to tell me otherwise, man. I know you. It's written all over that ugly mug of yours."

Edward drained his drink, needing the alcohol to settle his thoughts and relax his stiff muscles. He dropped his chin to his chest as he spoke, running a hand through his messy hair, "Yeah, uh…about that." He gave an unsure laugh. "I, um, I'm not sure exactly how to label it just yet. All I know is that I ran into someone special from my school days and I can't get her out of my head. I find that for the first time ever I am having thoughts of my future…I mean, thoughts of her and me…and the future." His hand released his hair and lowered to rub at his chest a little. "Fuck, my chest feels weird."

Goddammit, did I just say that out loud?

"Oh shit, dude, you are whipped!" Jackson raised his glass in salud and polished off his own drink. "Cheers to this lucky lady, then!" He smacked Edward hard on the back, and grinned, "Never thought I would see the day. The great Edward Cullen falls off his bachelor horse!" He smiled huge at his friend. "What will the single women of New York do without you?"

"Whatever, man. I am still a bachelor, but I think that status is about to change, at least in the sense that I am removing myself from the market indefinitely if not permanently. The women of New York…hell, all my ex's, too, can go fuck themselves. None of them ever stood a chance to begin with. Sounds bad but it's true." He grinned. "And now there is one Texas girl that most certainly does stand a chance, and then some." His brows furrowed then, thinking that his statement was not accurate at all. "Scratch that, man. I'm the one that never stood a chance against her."

His eyes glazed over as he remembered the effect it had on him to see his marks on Bella's beautiful behind.

Jackson smacked him across the back of his head when he saw his friend zone out again. "Dude, you fucking tell me her name at least, or I might have to sucker-punch you 'til you do." He mock punched Edward in his gut.

"Alright, alright. Her name is Bella Swan. She is gorgeous…beautiful, and way too good for my sorry cocky-ass self. And, she has two of the cutest daughter's in existence." His face warmed as he realized how true his words were.

Jackson's mouth dropped open. "Fuck, man. You got it bad." He was stunned. "Heaven help you, my friend. Heaven help us all."

xxCSxx

"EARTH TO Bella, come in, Bella, I repeat, come in…"

Snapping out of her daze, she remembered where she was. It was Tuesday morning, her first shift of the week at the diner, and she was supposed to be rolling silverware for her shift. She was finding it difficult to think of anything but Edward.

She missed him more than she would like to admit. She tried hard not to think about the fact that this was the first day she hadn't seen him since he had interrupted her calm life just two Sunday's ago.

Nine days. It only took the man fucking nine days to upheave everything in her life. Including her emotions. Wow.

"Honey, when are you going to buck it up and just call the man? Have pity on us all and do it sooner rather than later because if I have to pick up your slack anymore this morning," Ginger grinned, "I am taking part of your tips. You know I will, too. I am too old for this crap."

Bella just smiled and remained quiet.

Just then Kelly came in to the back wait area. "Bella. You got a new one. It's Tanya and Jane. I already got their drink order for you."

Ginger gave a most unladylike snort at that.

Okay, now Bella was starting to get the picture loud and clear. Guilty as charged.

"Thanks, Kelly. I will be right out." She rolled the few remaining silverware and carried the bin to the counter by the 'out' door, then rushed out to check her section, ponytail whipping back and forth in her haste. They were seated in Edward's booth. Jesus.

I am pa-the-tic.

Grabbing the coffee pot automatically, she walked to her section and stopped to pour a top-off to Mr. Marcum's waiting coffee mug.

"Looks like you have not been getting enough sleep, deary." Mr. Marcum eyed Bella with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Now, Max, you leave our Bella alone. The girl has had quite a week I am thinking." She just smiled sweetly at Bella knowing all about the actions of one evil-hearted Lauren Stanley.

It had been all the talk at her bridge club on Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Marcum's best friend, Doris, had heard through a friend of a friend about what Lauren had pulled outside Taj Palace. Another friend, Edith, from her morning aerobic swim class at the community center, had shared yesterday at the grocery store that she had witness a certain young swan leaving it's nest of the night from none other than Edward Cullen's current living quarters.

Mrs. Marcum thought that her soap operas couldn't get any better than this. She was glade for Bella. She's been on her own for too long now.

"I am fine. Don't worry about me. Just a little distracted, is all." Bella heard a tiny snort coming from the booth behind her. She kept right on, though, eying the both of them and nodding to their breakfasts, "You just worry about whether your food is to your liking. How is everything?"

"Just peachy as usual, deary." Mr. Marcum gave her a fond look then peered over his should at Bella's friend and mother-figure. "Now, Jane," he pointed his spoon in her direction in all seriousness, " I trust you will get this girl to rest because if I know things…and I am pretty sure that I do know things…I am a man after all…she will need it when a certain man comes back into the picture."

Mrs. Marcum swatted his arm. "You stop that Max. Leave Bella alone."

Oh brother.

Mr. Marcum hooted and turned to give his wife a kiss on her check, which made his wife smile. They really are sweet together.

Bella stared pointedly at her older customer, "You are just as bad as someone else I know." With that said, she left to go sit next to Tanya in the booth across from Jane, setting the coffee pot down in front of her in the process.

She tossed her order pad down on the smooth table top, sighed and slumped, letting her emotions and fatigue overtake her for the moment.

"BB, you need a double espresso, stat girl. Better yet, make that a triple." Tanya moved to lower Bella's weary head to her shoulder in comfort. She whispered, "You miss him don't you?"

Bella closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them she saw Jane looking across the tabletop at her with so much love and understanding it made her heart clench. She blew out a breath and replied, "Yeah, I miss him. It's ridiculous, I know."

Jane huffed, "Now you listen here, Bella Marie Swan. Don't you dare try to judge your feelings, let alone your actions…or your reactions…to that sexy man. It is way too soon for that nonsense. Besides, I have a feeling that the two of you are good for each other."

Bella sighed, and said quietly, "I didn't know it was going to feel like this so soon. It's weird and intense and altogether screwed up."

Tanya scoffed at that. "You just wait, BB. I bet that man is pining for you as we speak. I saw the way he looked and reacted to you, too, you know. How could he not fall head over heels for you?"

That put a small smile on Bella's face. She knew first hand just how much Edward 'liked' her. The evidence was still all over her body. The man couldn't get enough. She couldn't deny that. But where did they stand? She knew it was too soon to tell, but that didn't make her fears, or her feeling, diminish in the least.

"And besides, with your showing only twelve days away now, you will be seeing him again soon. Could be A LOT of fun in the big apple with Mr. Sexy Cullen, if you know what I mean." Tanya let her eyebrows waggle at her best friend.

"She's right, sweetheart. Don't think this thing is anywhere near done with him. You are both written together in the stars. I know it."

Just then Sam came from the bar and stopped at the front cash register to speak to Kelly about a to-go order. He glanced from the corner of his eye at their table and then waived a somewhat discreet waive to the owner of JJ's Jezebel.

Jane gave the tiniest of waves in return and then focused back to the now wide-eyed and opened-mouthed pair across from her.

"Whoa! Hold the phone. What was that, dear mother? Did I just witness a flirty little wave and smile in our dear Sam Morrison's direction?" Tanya leaned forward abruptly, forcing Bella to sit up straight again. She gave her mother the most expectant look of her entire life. "Spill, woman. Now."

Jane, ever the lady that she was, tried to rein in her daughter's forceful demand, giving her that look only a mother can, "I will spill, as you put it daughter, when the time is ripe. No earlier and no later."

Bella stared in disbelief. "Why, Jane Jackson. Here you are, meddling in my every affair when you yourself have a story to tell of your own. I call bull shit." She crossed her arms in mock disappointment across her chest. She turned her head to scowl at Sam who turned beet red and made a hasty retreat back to the bar.

Mr. Marcum hooted again.

Mrs. Marcum kicked him under their table. "Keep quiet, dear, or we will miss something."

Priceless, the pair of them.

Turning back, Bella decided an intervention was needed. Standing up now, she was all business, "Alright, ladies, enough nonsense. What can I get you this morning?"

Tanya rolled her eyes as she pulled out her ringing cell phone, smiling at whomever's name displayed on its face. Jane just smiled secretly and ordered for the both of them.

After Jane finished, Bella left them and headed to the kitchen to give River their order. "Order in, Big Boy." She saw his reaction to her choice of words written all over his round face. "Don't even go there. I need two California omelets, one wheat, one dark rye, both with grits…and a large side a strawberries and blueberries only. And don't give me that look either, River. You know Tanya and Jane are spoiled." She laughed at that and River just smiled and shook his head.

"Only for them, Bella. You know Sam would kick my ass if he knew we catered to their every culinary whim." He waved his knife at her in mock warning, the bandana wrapped around his head lending to his don't-mess-with-me charade.

Bella smirked knowingly, remembering Jane and Sam just moments ago. "Recent events would say differently, I am thinking. If the boss complains you just tell him who it is for, alright?"

She hung the order on the spin wheel for him then turned to Stew-G and caught him staring at her ass…again. Incorrigible should be his middle name.

She sang-song his name, "Ohhhh, Stewwwwy."

His eyes bugged out as Bella walked over to him swaying her hips to tease him further. It was harmless fun. She loved to mess with him and sometimes he really deserved it.

She saw him swallow and stand up straighter, trying to be older or more manly or something like that. "What, beautiful? You got something for me…like a kiss."

"Ha. Yeah, no. But I do have a proposition for you. Interested?" She placed her palms on the dish deck and leaned in towards him.

"Oh, yeah? What's that, then?"

"Well, I made a deal with the gallery owners and they have very kindly agreed to collaborate with your fantastic self…you know, your style of drawings like the tat you gave me…and they want you to co-design the promo for my opening."

She waited.

He squealed like a little girl and jumped in the air. Can you blame him. He's only eighteen for Christ's sake. It was cute.

"Is that a yes, because you have like four days to work with them tops, beginning to end. They will need time to print and post for a least a week prior to the opening date, but they are pushing for earlier than that."

He stopped jumping and attempted to act like he wasn't just about to pee his hanging-too-low-over-his-ass-cheeks jeans. "Erm, uh…yeah, I guess I got the time. Sure." He put his hand over his mouth and rubbed back and forth, no doubt trying to stop more erupting little girl noises from coming out.

Bella laughed and shook her head. "Good, and we are gonna promo your name too so you better take this seriously."

His eyes widened. "Fuck, yeah!" Fist pump. "Bella, I think I love you."

She smiled and began to walk to her locker behind the back prep tables. "You just hold that love inside…or better yet, find some young girl to give it to. And I will get you that info later this afternoon after my shift, so don't leave, okay?"

"Bella, wait!" Stew ran after her and grabbed her in a huge hug. "Thanks," he whispered, then turned and ran to the phone to call his mom.

Approaching her locker, she reached to open it as she glanced at the clock on the wall. She only had a couple minute for a private moment. Glancing back to her open locker, her jaw dropped open.

Oh my god!

He's so fucking cute!

But how did he…?

Reaching inside, she pulled out the little cellophane wrapped treat…a small bundle, that is, of round red treats. Her favorite cherry sours.

She wanted to molest them.

And there was a note attached with a small silver-blue ribbon.

She quickly glanced up to see if anyone was watching her. No one was, so she moved to the corner of the small area near the open window and read:

"My dearest Bella. Another treat for my sweet. No doubt by the time you get this Tuesday morning I will be up to my eyeballs in damage control…and missing you, sweetheart. Don't even ask how or who I bribed to get this to you. Just know that said bribe is paid in full…to another 'ginger'…(cough)…and you should know that I felt so dirty after payment was given, too. Ha, just joking. I hope you are thinking of me and I am really excited…and when I say really excited I mean REALLY excited at the thought of having you here in New York….innuendo completely and wholeheartedly intended. And don't worry because I plan on calling you real soon, baby. – Edward"

Blink.

Blink.

Wide-ass smile.

How was she supposed to work after that?

Swoonswoonswoon.

a/n…thank you guys for reading…and especially for your reviews…makes me smile every dang time…for those that guest-reviewed my last chapter, gotta admit i accidentally deleted a few when i meant to accept them…oopsie…i am really sorry…and in case you guys are not aware, authors cannot reply to 'guest' reviews…you have to have an account and be logged in when you review to get replies back…thanks…as always, leave me some love…review review review…please please please…review…

xxx jess