Chapter Twenty One
Per usual Bella was late. Her meetings ran over. She rushed into her house at the time she was supposed to be ready for Jacob to pick her up. She was going to make them late as she still had to shower and change. She walked briskly into the kitchen and grabbed a handful of grape tomatoes. She was about to grab carrot sticks when the door bell rang. She jogged to answer the door.
Jacob stood on her door step. "Hello," he said giving a quick hug. His eyes fell upon her work clothes. "You aren't ready for dinner, are you?"
Bella shook her head. "Hi, come in," she said moving away from the door to allow him in her house. "I had a late meeting today that ran way over and then I hit traffic, so no, I'm not ready. Apparently my boss didn't know we had dinner plans and were heading to the theater," Bella said sarcastically. "I need to shower. Give me fifteen minutes."
Jacob began to laugh. "Says the girl who needs at least a half hour to shower."
"Shut it Jake. Seriously, fifteen minutes. Help yourself to anything in the house, which isn't much. I haven't had time to go food shopping."
"You have to eat Bells."
"I know, and I do. I order take out. Seriously, look at my stomach, we both are eating fine," she smiled as she patted her stomach. "Oh, maybe you could call the Teatro and change our reservations for after the show."
Jacob laughed again. "Okay, I'm on it just hurry up." He watched her begin to walk quickly up the stairs. He did follow her suggestion and helped himself to a handful of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups that were hidden in her cupboard in tea cups that she never used. He also grabbed a handful of pretzels as he called and the restaurant and rearranged their reservations with no problem. He grabbed a cup of milk and sat on her couch. After twenty minutes he began to chuckle to himself. She was so off on the amount of time it took her to get ready. She was still in the shower. He was reading the newest issue of People when the water shut off and her phone rang.
"Jake, could you get that?" she called from the bathroom.
"Of course, hurry though," he answered her as he picked up the phone. "Hello."
At first silence filled the line. Then the voice spoke up. "Um, Bel-Bel-Is Bella there? This is kind of an emergency."
Jacob knew immediately it was Edward. It took every ounce in Jacob's body not to yell and tell Edward to fuck off. He wanted to yell and expose Edward for the looser that he is, however, he didn't want to upset Bella. "Hold on and I'll get her." Jacob said as he brought the cordless phone up the stairs and knocked on the bathroom door. "Bells?"
"Jeez, you can't wait a few more minutes? I'm almost ready, hold your horses!" Bella laughed.
Jacob put his hand over the receiver and knocked again. "Um, Bells, I think he's on the phone. He said it was an emergency."
Isn't it always an emergency Bella thought as she shook her head and opened the bathroom door. She was wearing her fluffy blue robe. She emerged from the bathroom and looked at her friend. "Thanks Jake." She took the phone back into the bathroom and sat on the toilet seat. "What? What is such an emergency that you felt the need to call me?" She asked rolling her eyes.
"Why the hell was Jacob Black answering your phone? Are you dat-dating him?" Edward asked angrily.
Bella answered in raged. "Not that it is any of your business and you deserve to know the truth, but we were going out Edward as friends to the theater and out for dinner. If you really cared you'd-" Bella is interrupted by sounds of Edward crying.
"I guess we can talk about that another time."
"Fine," Bella agrees with him as she began to get dressed. "Are you going to make me guess why you called?"
Edward took a deep breath and tried to control his crying. "He's in the hospital Bella and it doesn't look good."
"Who's in the hospital?"
"My father," Edward said flatly. "I'm in waiting to get on a damn flight home. Jane called me a little while ago. Dad had a massive heart attack and they don't know if he is going to pull through. It doesn't look good." He sobbed again.
Bella sat again on the toilet seat. Her eyes were now filled with tears. She really had learned to love Charlie and was looking forward to his visit with Renee the following month. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry Edward. Where are you now?"
"I'm in LA. I was with a friend when Jane called me. I'm waiting for my flight to board. I'm so scared Bella, I don't want to lose him. I love him so much. I don't want my dad to die," Edward sobbed yet again into his phone in the middle of a terminal of Los Angeles International Airport. He prayed to god that there were no paparazzi around. Before Bella could replay, he spoke again. "They are boarding my flight now."
Sighing and wiping her tears, Bella was about to speak. She felt bad, horrible even. "Edward, will you do me a favor? When you know more will you, I don't know, call me and let me know what is going on. Please let me know how he's doing? When you see him let him know I am pulling for him." Bella was speechless after that. What else cold she say to him?
Edward took a deep breath. "I will. Bella, thank you for everything." I'm crazy not to have you in my life. You are the kindest person I think I have ever met. Why did I let you walk out of my life? Why do I still need you? Edward thought to himself before he coughed and continued. "I have to go but I'll talk to you soon. Bye Bella," he said as he hung up the phone.
Bella finished dressing and applying her make up before leaving the bathroom. She marched down stairs. Jacob's eyes soon met hers. He looked curious and ready to kill at the same time. Bella spoke to him. "Before you say anything, Edward's father had a heart attack and might not make it. He's going to call me with an update when he knows more."
Jacob shook his head. "Bella-"
Shaking her head, Bella explained something to Jacob. "No Jake, I want to know about his dad. I really like Charlie he and his mother were planning on visiting soon. I really just care about the both of them."
Jacob seemed like he understood. "Okay, I won't say anything. Are you ready to go? The play starts in just under an hour."
"Let's hit the road," Bella said as she picked up her purse and followed Jacob out of the house.
Within fifteen minutes Bella and Jacob were sitting in the orchestra section of the Colonial Theater waiting for the musical Les Miserables to begin.
"I think I've seen this." Bella remarked looking through the Playbill.
"I thought you'd like it since it was written by the same people who wrote Miss Saigon." Jacob explained. "But I do believe that Miss Saigon will be the better of the two."
Bella chuckled. "I have tissues in my bag in case you start to cry."
Jacob pretended to be hurt as the lights began to dim. "I'm hurt Bella, I am. You are making fun of me because I was emotional. Did you even watch Miss Saigon? It was heart breaking. Seriously, you are uncaring if you didn't get emotional at least a little bit."
Again, smiling, Bella answered him. "I did find it sad and heart breaking but I didn't cry over it. I do agree with you though, I think Miss Saigon will be better too."
Bella and Jacob watched the show and enjoyed the first act. They had reached an agreement that even though the songs in Les Miz were written better, the story line of Miss Saigon made that a better show. They took their seats as the second act began.
Bella tried to focus on the show but she kept glancing at her cell phone in her opened purse. The phone's ringer was off and on vibrate just in case Edward called. She was half paying attention when the song caught her attention. She had heard the song "On My Own" a billion times before; however, the words never rang more true for her life and her love for Edward. Eponine was singing about the love of her best friend and how in love she was with him. Bella took the lyrics as being in love with Edward and how she dreamed about him and wanted to be with him. She listened as the actress sang her heart out.
Sometimes I walk alone at night
When everybody else is sleeping
I think of him and then I'm happy
With the company I'm keeping
The city goes to bed
And I can live inside my head
On my own
Pretending he's beside me
All alone
I walk with him till morning
Without him
I feel his arms around me
And when I lose my way I close my eyes
And he has found me
Bella took a deep breath. She looked at Jacob out of the corner of her eye and was thankful he didn't notice her crying. He would have pretended to be Dr. Phil and examine her inner emotions. He had and it frustrated Bella. She shook her head as she continued to listen to the song.
And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself and not to him
And although I know that he is blind
Still I say, there's a way for us
I love him
But when the night is over
He is gone
The river's just a river
Without him
The world around me changes
The trees are bare and everywhere
The streets are full of strangers
Bella swallowed again and shook her head. Jacob caught on this time and placed his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulders as the actress belted out the rest of the song emotionally.
I love him
But every day I'm learning
All my life
I've only been pretending
Without me
His world would go on turning
A world that's full of happiness
That I have never known
I love him
I love him
I love him
But only on my own
"Shh, no crying," Jacob whispered as he wiped her tears away. He swallowed as his mouth met her ear and he spoke. "He's not worth it Bells. You are better than him."
Bella wiped her eyes and sat up. She nodded and glanced at her phone. It still sat silently, which she took as a good sign. She focused on the rest of the show. When it ended she looked at Jacob.
"So what did you think?" She asked him stretching.
He smiled. "Miss Saigon was better."
"I knew you were going to say that, you are so predictable." She laughed as he helped her up and helped her with her coat. "Are you ready for dinner?"
Jacob nodded. "Yes I am. Let's go."
The two began to walk out of the theater and walked the short distance to the restaurant. Once seated, Jacob looked at her again and began. "Are you okay?"
"Sure, I'm fine. I guess the hormones have me a little wacky," she smiled as she sipped her water.
"Right," Jacob said looking unconvinced. "It's okay you know."
"What?" Bella asked playing dumb.
"I know you loved him and miss him. It's not like you could just move on and get over him. There is a piece of him with you every day." He said pointing to her stomach.
"Jake, I really don't want to talk about this right now. Please?" Bella begged.
He agreed and changed the subject. They enjoyed a lovely dinner and even better, each others company. They began to walk back to the parking garage when Bella looked at Jacob. "Are you spending the night tonight?"
"Do you want me to?" Jacob asked entering the elevator.
Bella shrugged her shoulders. "If you wanted to, I guess I could put up with you for another night." She wanted him to say yes but didn't want him to stay if he didn't want to.
"Fine, twist my arm," he smiled at Bella. "You have to promise me something though." Jacob said as he unlocked his car.
"What is that?'
As they both sat in his car and fastened their seat belts, he looked at Bella. "For the love of god please don't hog all of the blankets tonight!"
Bella was sleeping soundly back to back with Jacob when the phone rang. It was three seven teen in the morning. She reached over and answered the phone half asleep. She tried to be quiet and quick as she didn't want to wake Jacob. "Hello?"
Heavy breathing was heard on the line. The breathing turned to crying. "Bella. Bella." He began but couldn't continue.
"Edward?" She whispered as she got out of bed. She placed her slippers on her feet and left the room. She walked down the stairs and on her couch. "Edward, what's going on?"
Taking a deep breath, Edward began to explain. "He's gone Bella. My dad died." He sobbed.
She sat on the couch and threw the blanket around her shoulders. "Edward, I'm so sorry. I really am."
"I don't know what I am going to do without him, or what my mother is going to do without him. They have been together since they were sixteen. Jane isn't going to have him to walk her down the aisle when she marries Marcus. Oh god, I miss him so much all ready." Edward said as he began to cry.
Bella ran her hair through her hair. She couldn't begin to comprehend how Edward was feeling. She made a haste decision to do something. "Edward, listen to me. I want to go to see your mom. I want to help her out. I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Bella, no, you can't come here." Edward said sadly.
"I wasn't asking Edward. You and your family are going to need help and I want to be there to at least help your mom." Bella said calmly to him.
Edward had a lot of thinking going on in his head. She can't come here. Then I'll see her pregnant and that will bring that whole issue home and make it more real. Mom will focus on the baby and tell me again how I need to grow up, be a man and quit acting like a coward, actually dad was the one who said that to me, not mom but she agreed. There is no way she can be here. I can't deal hearing about how poorly I have treated her while I am dealing with dad's death. I can't do it. Why couldn't she just send flowers like other people? "Bella, no, please don't come."
Bella repeated herself. "Edward, I wasn't asking you. I'm going to book a flight and I'm leaving as soon as possible. I'll rent a car and drive to get to your mom's house. I want to see your mom." Bella explained. "Are there hotels near your mom's house?"
"Hotels? For what?'
"For me to invest in and gain prosperity. It's for me to stay at Edward. Why else would I be looking into that?" Bella asked coldly.
Edward shook his head. There was no way Renee would allow her to stay in a hotel. Plus as nice as Forks was, it was a tiny little town and there were no hotels. "There are just a few motels and bed and breakfast places. I guess you can stay in my room at my moms, or the guest room."
Bella thought for a second. She didn't want to kick him out of his home. She also didn't feel comfortable staying under the same roof as him. "Where will you stay? I mean if I take your room? It would be easier to just stay somewhere else."
"Bella, no, don't be ridiculous, please stay with my mom. I'll tell her when we get off the phone to expect you. Just um, send me a text and I'll tell her when to expect you."
Bella nodded. "All right, but where will you stay? I don't want to put you out or anything."
"I bought a house near her. I haven't lived with there for a few weeks." Edward confessed.
Bella nodded even though Edward couldn't see her. Bella's heart sank a little. He had bought a house on the other side of the country. It just confirmed what she had all ready known, he wasn't going to be a fixture in her life. He wouldn't change his mind about the baby. She gently rubbed her stomach as she continued. "Thank you for keeping me in the loop and letting me know that he passed away. He was a good man and I'm sorry I didn't get to know him more."
Edward choked back tears. "Bella."
"Yes?"
"You don't know how much what you doing will mean to mm-mm-me-my mom. Renee will appreciate it and I bet she'll be excited to see you." He paused. Edward let out a yawn before he continued. "I should get going."
"Yea, you sound pretty tired." Bella agreed.
Edward ran his hands through his hair. "I'm pretty exhausted. You have to rest too. I know it's really earlier there. I guess I'll be seeing you soon. Don't forget to send me a text or email or even call me when you know your flight information."
"I will. Take it easy Edward. Good night." Bella said as she hung up the phone.
Bella walked into her home office and turned on the computer. She walked into the kitchen and began to make a cup of green tea. She stood looking out into the darkness of the early morning. Tears began to fall down her eyes. She was not close to Charlie. She had hardly known him except for a quick visit, casual conversations on the phone and emails, however, she felt part of her heart break. He was so excited about becoming a grandfather and couldn't wait to meet the baby. It saddened her to know that was no longer a possibility.
As she took the tea bag out of her cup, she thought about poor Renee. She was a widow now. Charlie was her soul mate and he was gone. She wondered how Renee would be feeling with Bella being in her home with her. Bella had decided that, even though she doubted it, if Renee didn't want her in her home she'd stay at a motel or bed and breakfast.
She walked back over into her office and began to look at flights. She must have looked at them for almost a half hour when a voice behind her startled her.
"What are you doing?" Jacob asked her.
Bella looked up. "Don't you know you shouldn't startle a pregnant woman?"
"Sorry," he yawned. Jacob always got up early. He said it was the time of day he enjoyed running the most. "I woke up and you weren't there. I was yelling at you to hurry up in the bathroom."
"I wasn't in there," she said as she brought her attention back to the computer.
"Really? I hadn't noticed," Jacob said sarcastically. He looked at Bella. Even in the soft light of her office desk lamp, he could see her eyes were red. Her checks were stained with dry tears. "You hate getting up early in the morning. Why are you at your computer at almost four thirty in the morning?"
"I'm gathering some of my stuff to go into the office early. I have to take some time off and get things in order. I'm looking up and hopefully booking a flight." Bella explained.
"Where in the world are you going?" Jacob asked as he took a seat in the chair in front of the computer.
"Washington." Bella said very matter a fact.
Jacob shook his head. "No way. I really don't think that's a good idea."
"Jake, please don't argue with me about this. It's early, we are both tired. I need to go."
Jacob was angry and irritated. "Why do you need to go? Is it because there is a small chance that Edward might need you? Bella, he made it clear that-"
Cutting him off, Bella began to explain herself in a quiet voice. She didn't want to argue and she didn't want to cry again. She hoped that Jacob would at least respect where she was coming from. "Charlie, Edward's dad, died. Edward called me this morning because I asked him to keep me informed. I'm going to help his mother. I wanted to make her a few meals and freeze them. I wanted to see how she was doing and if she needed anything. I want to help her. This trip isn't about Edward."
"No, but you will see him."
Bella nodded. "It is inevitable, yes. He isn't the reason for me going. My baby lost its grandfather. I'm going to pay respect to that man. I'm going to help the baby's grandmother out. The baby's father can dance his way to hell for all I care," Bella began to explain.
Jacob shook his head. "That is very noble of you Bells, but I don't think it's a good idea. You are going to get hurt."
Bella shook her head as she confirmed her flight information. "I don't think I can be any more hurt than I am now. He bought a house in Washington. He isn't coming back and I have to get out of my head the stupid dreams or thinking there is a slim chance. I know seeing him will destroy me on the inside, but I have to go to be respectful to his parents. I have learned to love them. After meeting Renee, I decided I wanted her to be my mother instead of Esme. She's very kind, where my mom, as you know, not so much."
Again, Jacob nodded. "Do you want me to come with you? I have a shit load of time from work. I could accompany you so you wouldn't have to do this alone."
Bella shook her head as she pulled up the rental car's website. "Thank you Jake, but I won't be alone. Like I said, Renee will be there and she is my focus of the trip." She paused for a moment as she looked at her itinerary. "Looks like I am on a six o'clock flight tonight."
"I don't mean to be insensitive or seem stupid, but I am totally serious when I ask this, can you even fly? You know because of the baby?"
Bella laughed. "Pregnant women fly all the time. I'm six months along. If I was any farther I probably wouldn't go, but I'm fine really. You have to stop worrying about me. I'm pregnant, I'm not glass. I'm unbreakable."
Jacob laughed. "Unbreakable, uh? Not from what I remember. You were always kind of a big klutz."
"I've grown out of most of that, thank you very much."
Jacob laughed as he leaned back in the chair. "Look, I don't agree with you going. I think it's a bad idea and you are just going to get hurt again, however, I will give you a ride to the airport so you don't have to call a cab. I'll be here about three; does that sound good to you?"
"Thanks Jake. I appreciate it and that sounds fine." Bella sighed as she clicked on the information in the rental car's website. She couldn't believe that she would be seeing Edward within the next day or so. She hoped she wasn't a complete basket case when she saw him. "I'm just going to pack and get ready for work. I'll go in early to try and get ahead on a few things. You go take that run."
Jacob nodded. As he took off and began to run outside, he was hoping he was letting his friend make the right decision. He worried about her and the baby. He was able to help her pick up the pieces of her life by living a few towns over from her; however he knew he couldn't do it thousands of miles away. The only thing he could do was pray that she would be okay without him. If she needed him she could call him. His gut was telling him she shouldn't go but there was no changing her mind.