Still Stephenie Meyer's.

Chapter21/Trigger

I met Jasper on the 32nd floor to pick up the girls.

When I saw Bella, I felt oddly vindicated. This was the woman I loved and I would claim her a million times if I need to. It seemed the only acceptable statement I could think of.

Her face lit up as soon she saw me. She went straight to me and held out her hand.

"Smell it," she said, her eyes shining. I dutifully did as she asked. Her skin had a sweet, luxurious fragrance.

I inhaled deeply and was instantly aroused.

"Do you like it?"

I kissed her hand and since I missed her in the longest five hours of my life, I licked her skin too, to show her just how much I liked her scent.

She smirked quite adoringly at me.

"I see you liked it. Good. Because your sister bought a dozen of these things," she held up a cotton bag. I grinned at her and took the bags – she was carrying three – with me.

"You always smell good to me," I told her honestly, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.

She linked arms with me and we joined my sister. She and Jasper were already inside the elevator waiting for us.

Alice had to go to her school to pick up some papers she needed for when her term begins in a few weeks. It was too early to go to our dinner so I asked Bella if she wanted to see the school's art museum.

"Oh, yes," she agreed, glancing around Alice's school. I led her to the gallery.

There were only a few people there for which I was extremely glad. I wanted to spend some quiet time with her.

She held my hand as we walked around the museum. She sighed happily.

"What kind of music do you play?" she asked, turning to me.

"I have an eclectic taste, mostly jazz and classical music," I said, smiling indulgently at her.

"I'd like to hear you play someday," she said shyly.

She was so beautiful I felt that familiar throbbing ache in my chest.

I quickly surveyed the room. It was empty. I pulled her behind a large white column and held her close to me. I could feel the beat of her heart against my own.

I took her face in my hands and lowered my mouth, kissing her face and neck. I heard her sigh against my mouth. I kissed her up to her ear.

"You smell exotic," I murmured. "Is it like this all over?"

She nodded. I groaned.

Maybe we should skip dinner. Her spa and my lunch - I grimaced when I thought of Tanya - was enough socialization for the day.

And as if she knew what I was thinking, my phone came alive.

Alice, I thought with resignation.

"We've been summoned," I said wryly.

She reached up and placed a solid kiss on my scruffy chin.

"Then we had better leave. I've come to realize that it's best not to upset Alice's plans," she said quite seriously, but her eyes were merry.

I smirked down at her.

"Welcome to the family," I said, highly amused. She blushed.

As we walked out of the museum, I realized that by anyone's standards it was very early to call what we had a relationship. But this was Bella and me.

It would be very easy to plan my life around her. However it would be too soon to set my plans in motion. I should tell her how I felt about her first.

I tried to ignore the giddy sensation that came with the thought of telling her finally that I was in love with her.

We went to a little vegetarian restaurant. It seemed that my sister had carefully planned our Friday - the obvious theme being herbal and organic.

Emmett and Rosalie were already there.

We had been chatting and eating for an hour – or rather Alice and Emmett were talking, with Jasper and Rosalie occasionally contributing – when Tanya finally arrived. Heads swiveled as soon she was inside the big room.

She wore a little black dress and high stiletto heeled shoes. Panther incarnate, I thought dryly. Half of the room, mostly men and a few women, followed her long-legged stride to our table.

Bella was holding my hand. She wasn't aware of Tanya yet but when she stood next to me and she leaned down to kiss my cheek, I felt her hand clench mine convulsively.

"My apologies, everyone," Tanya said breezily. She sat down opposite Bella. "Hallo, you must be Bella."

I rolled my eyes at her but I cleared my throat and made the introductions.

"Tanya," Bella said quietly in acknowledgment.

Alice smoothly took over the conversation, to my relief. I didn't think anyone missed the veiled tension around the table.

It was not unusual that Bella was quiet. But her silence now lacked its calming effect on me.

She removed her hand from mine and she seemed to be avoiding looking at me.

I knew for a fact that women tend to view these things badly. Tanya wasn't exactly an ex but she was certainly behaving like one.

I heard Bella release a small sigh and she stood up, mumbling something about going to the wash room. The men stood up as well when she left the table.

"Excuse me," Rosalie murmured, following Bella to the ladies room.

I narrowed my eyes at her. I saw that Alice was also looking in Rosalie's direction.

I suddenly felt impatience.

This shouldn't be complicated at all. It was just fucking dinner with friends and family.

I arched a brow at Alice and she nodded, also excusing herself.

Now it was just the men and Tanya.

"What, should I joined the ladies?" she asked me with all the hauteur of a duchess.

"You can do whatever you want, Tanya," I said softly, but my voice was low and hard.

"Right," she muttered, her cheeks turning pink.

Emmett and Jasper had the sudden urge to talk loudly about the weather, of all damnable things. It was a poor attempt if distraction was their purpose. I shook my head at them.

"Look, I'm not being deliberate!" Tanya hissed at me.

"I'm not arguing with you," I said with a frown.

She looked behind her and at Emmett and Jasper. When she was satisfied she would not be overheard, she said, "I'm sorry."

I nodded, dropping the whole issue – whatever it was.

After 15 minutes, Bella, followed by Alice and Rosalie, returned to the table. If anything, she was more tensed.

I leaned towards her and took her hand, hidden under the table.

"Tired?" I whispered to her.

She looked up and smiled wanly.

I signaled to Alice that we were leaving, but she stalled us further. I waited impatiently for another 10 minutes while the bill was being settled.

We all exchanged polite goodnights and I almost dragged Bella to the exit. I couldn't wait to get her out of there.

Finally, we were inside the Volvo and speeding towards home. It had started to rain.

I kept glancing at Bella's pale face.

I would make it better tonight, I silently promised her.

I was so focused on her that I almost completely missed our turn. I stepped on the break and we stopped abruptly.

I had just put the car in reverse when a speeding mass of metal ploughed straight to my side of the vehicle and I heard a terrible crunching sound. My neck snapped back and hit the headrest; my vision began to blur and to darken fast but I was still cognizant enough to jut my arm out protectively in front of Bella.

The last thing I heard was Bella … screaming … crying ... Don't die! Edward! Don't die! …

No, Bella … I tried to tell her that it would be alright … Don't cry, Bella.

I heard the pitter-pattering of the rain ... heard her voice fading to a whisper and then it was ... gone.