Let the fun begin. From this point moving forward we have a little angst, some troubles, and then per usual there will be sunshine and rainbows or as much of that as life allows.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight...I don't own the characters...But this little show here is mine, ALL mine!
Also, I don't have an editor or beta'd reader. I try to catch all of my mistakes and write as well as I can. If you find reoccurring mistakes or fails altogether let me know and I will fix them. I appreciate you all!
BPOV
Edward pulled me into him as we walked to my car. It was comfortable, I hadn't realized just how much I missed him. He was currently talking about how he couldn't wait to get his hands on some stir fry and how he was going to spend all my money on food. I smiled, though he could eat someone out of a house and a home like Emmett, he wouldn't eat as much as he claimed.
"We'll see. Rose would kill you if you no longer fit into your clothes with all this eating you do." I said and he pushed me and pulled me back
"If you don't tell, I won't." He snickered
He opened up my door for me. I thanked him and started up the car. He slid in like he owned it throwing his suit jacket in the back seat. I smiled at him and backed out.
"So seriously what is this lunch about?" he asked suspiciously
"Can't I just take my best friend to lunch?" I asked and he smirked
"Bells come on. I know you and I know while you do want to spend time with me you have something going on too." He answered and my smile faltered
"I know you know something is wrong but for now, I just need my best friend." I told truthfully
He seemed pleased with that answer. He changed the subject matter to Rosalie driving him up the wall with wedding questions and they had a little less than eight months until the wedding.
"I'm telling you Bella, once she gets her hands on you and Alice she will not let up." Edward whined and I laughed
"Alice will love it. I will probably cry." I replied
"Just don't hit her." Edward shot back
"Rose and I have ever only been in one physical fight and we promised we wouldn't do it again." I said
"I can't believe I missed that because I was visiting Emmett." Edward said disappointed
"Well, it wasn't that great. She had a swollen lip and I had a knot on my forehead. I am surprised we managed to laugh it off when it was all said and done." I stated and he snorted
"As if you two can survive not being friends. I can't even imagine you two being mad enough to fight." Edward said with a chuckle
"Well, it was an accident. The first hit just came out of nowhere and after that we pounced on each other." I said and Edward laughed
"Glad you both made it out without serious damage." He said and I agreed
We pulled up to the restaurant and made it in. I requested a fairly private booth for Edward and I. We looked over the menu as we waited for our waiter. He returned and we gave our order.
"So, I would like to apologize. I have had so much going on and then being so wrapped up in my relationship that I had been pushing everyone aside even some of the most important people in my life. Edward you mean everything to me, absolutely everything and I am so sorry that I am the reason you felt left out." I said
"Bells, I won't lie and say that I am okay with it. I totally understand and I forgive you. I was mad, it felt like Emmett came along and he is the only one who mattered. At first things seemed the same but things did begin to change. I was upset thinking I was about to lose my best friend to my other best friend. Then with Masen, he loves you so much and wants to spend so much time with you but I told him you have been too busy to be concerned with us and he seemed so sad. I owe you an apology, I am not used to you being in a happy, functioning relationship where you don't need me there to comfort you and I am not use to not being able to hang out with me all day. For me, this is weird but I am so happy that you're finally happy. I just miss us." He responded
"I'm never too busy for Masen or you. I am so happy that I don't want it to end with Emmett so I have been stuck in our bubble. Whenever Masen asks to come over, let me know and most of the time if not all the time he is more than welcome to spend the weekend or some of the week with me. Please don't think that because Emmett and I are the way we are will change the way you and I are." I added and he nodded
"I know that your relationship won't change us. I guess this is how you felt when Rosalie and I got together huh?" he asked
"Oh big time. I went from enjoying you two separately to having to enjoy you two as a couple. It caused some issues but I adjusted because I knew you were both happy." I answered
"I am being selfish with you, I know. I will adjust and understand. I have to get use to Bella being in love." He snickered
"I guess this is my first serious relationship. Mike was just a waste of time." I said smiling
"Yes he was. Have you heard from the idiot lately?" Edward asked
"Not since he delivered food at my place." I said
"He delivers food? I thought he worked for his dad?" Edward asked
"Well, apparently not being with me was the straw that broke the camel's back. His dad always told me if I weren't dating Mike, he wouldn't put up with him. Mike is a brat so if he didn't have me to mooch off of as well as his dad his dad just cut him off completely." I said and Edward frowned
"He has a degree he can do something productive and not depending on his father for everything. That is crazy." Edward seethed
"Tell me about it. I can't help but be happy about all the money I have saved not spending it on him. I do have a question though." I said
"What is it?" he asked
"Did you ever hear any buzz about Mike and Jessica being seen together or anything like that?" I asked
"Honestly, that time at Esme and Carlisle's was the first time I even realized they knew each other. Jessica hardly paid him any attention when we were all around one another." Edward answered
"It is weird. Before Jake's incident, Mike approached me in the parking garage at home and told me he heard Emmett and I broke up. Jessica told him I was looking for sex and he was here to help so I could move on. Then Jake came out, hit him and Mike said he would regret it. Then…Well it was just weird." I said
"Then what?" Edward asked
"Well, it is a long story." I said and paused as the waiter dropped off our food.
"Well?" Edward asked curious
"Back in Forks, before we spent that summer here in New York with Emmett, do you remember the new neighbor we had?" I asked
"Daniel? The guy who was in your house that day after school?" he asked
"Yes and you remember I had to stop babysitting for him?" I asked
"Yeah, what does he have to do with anything?" Edward asked
"The reason I had to stop babysitting was he started to make a move on me. The longer I had babysat for him the more advances he made. I told my mom and dad made sure I stayed away from him. It is why my dad had Carlisle make sure you all had someone with me at all times. A restraining order was filed and I hadn't seen the guy. Well there was a time pictures of me doing things would arrive. I would be the only one in the picture even if I was with someone else. They were so infrequent Charlie didn't make a big deal of it but he kept his eyes open for trouble. Then for some reason, they started coming everyday some multiple times a day. I was scared, terrified of him because he practically went missing. His sister had his son in her custody and she had no idea where Daniel was." I said and looked at Edward his brows knitted close together but he said nothing.
"This lasted until my junior year of high school. Charlie sent us out of Forks for my safety and to get my mind off of things. It worked. Then we got back and everything was normal. All Charlie said was things were handled and I didn't have to worry." I said and he nodded still silent
"Three weeks or so ago, I received pictures on my car at work. They matched the style of those I had received when I was in high school. I told Charlie, Jake and Carlisle know, and I had to tell Emmett. I'm scared Edward but this is one of the reasons I have been keeping myself busy and stuck to Emmett, I feel safe with him." I said and he sat back
"So when I asked if he was back, that didn't scare you?" Edward asked and I frowned
"Why did you ask that?" I asked curious
"I've known. At first I heard Charlie and Carlisle whispering. Then I heard another conversation Carlisle was having with some guy who looked like someone you don't mess with. I cornered him and tried to get answers but he did not budge. The day Daniel was in your house and you were shaking like a leaf I had to know the truth. Both your dad and Charlie talked to me. they said I couldn't tell you I knew because it would worry you but I am supposed to make it my business that I keep you safe at all cost. Bella, all you have to do is talk to me." He said and I was angry
"You've always known?" I asked furious
"Bella, lower your voice." He said calmly
"Don't. You don't get to tell me to lower my voice. Carlisle looked me in the face today and didn't tell me he told you. I asked him should I tell you and he said he believed you should know because we are close, practically brother and sister. I felt like crap because I kept the secret from you. Why?" I asked
"Because I am supposed to protect you Isabella." He whispered forcefully
"Edward Anthony, you're an ass. You should've said something if you knew! I was worried you would hate me for not saying anything all these years! I needed reassurance from Carlisle to talk to you." I said stabbing at me food and shoving it into my mouth
"It gets me every time that you're an emotional eater." Edward said smirking
"It keeps me from hitting you." I said
"Aren't you happy we both aired our dirty laundry?" he asked and I almost smiled
"Sorta but you have to answer some questions for me." I said
"Depends on the question. Are these questions your dad won't answer?" he asked
"Technically but you owe me." I said
"Fine deal, ask away." He sighed
"What happened to Daniel?" I asked
"Dead." He stated flatly
"Dead?" I whispered
"Dead Bells." Edward said
"How? But wait, how?" I asked confused
"Well, your dad had a whole team put together to track the man down. They got their hands on him and he admitted to taking the pictures but he said he wasn't the man behind the madness. He was merely being paid to do what he did. Now, he did admit to wanting you sexually which got him ass kicking from your dad but he wasn't your stalker." Edward said and I felt my breath leave me in pants
"You mean, all this time…" I said gasping and fighting for air
"I'm saying there has been an ongoing investigation albeit quiet because the man/woman hasn't showed their face in years. No one has said anything because we need you to live your life." Edward finished. He moved to my side of the booth and pulled me into him. I held onto him tightly.
"What about his son? Am I safe?" I asked after sitting together silently
"He is out there but not on your father's radar. We want to keep it that way and we make it our priority to keep you safe." He answered
"Who knows?" I asked
"Your dad's team, Carlisle, Jake, and me." he answered
"I need to talk to them. We need to tell Emmett." I said
"We can talk to them at dinner Sunday, for now please just calm down." Edward said rubbing soothing circles along my back.
How could I calm down when I have an unknown stalker out there.
***ACCIDENTAL LOVE*** ***ACCIDENTAL LOVE***
I was sitting across from my family at dinner. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the whole stalker thing. Edward had been keeping up with me since our lunch to make sure I was alright. Emmett could tell something was up but I wouldn't say anything to him about it until I got some answers from the men who had them.
Conversation was the usual but I didn't talk much. I ate my food in silence and listened to the chatter. I eyed Carlisle who seemed to be unaware of my glare or random huffs of air. From time to time Emmett would grip my thigh and give me a concerned look. I would smile his worry away and go back to wanting to yell but talking myself out of it.
"So Bella is everything good? Things at the bookstore are fine?" Carlisle asked and I frowned
"Is that a no?" Esme asked and I quickly masked my anger
"Everything at the store is fine, things are going very well." I answered
"What was the frown for?" Carlisle was studying me
"I really hate being lied to Carlisle." I stated and it was now his turn to frown
"What do you mean?" he asked
"Bella maybe now is not a good time." Edward added quickly
"Now is fine." I replied keeping my focus on Carlisle
"What are you two talking about?" Rose asked
"Why didn't you tell me Edward knew?" I asked and Carlisle looked confused until it became clear. He cleared his throat and sat back from the table.
"Bella now wouldn't be a good time for this." He said firmly and I almost let it go
"Can we talk in private?" Edward asked and Carlisle nodded
We excused ourselves from the table. Emmett looked like he was itching to ask questions and the girls looked upset with being left out of the loop once again. Esme eyed her husband but remained silent.
We entered Carlisle's study and he poured himself a drink in the corner. I sat down on the couch opposite his side of the room and Edward leaned against the desk. It was silent except the clinking of glass. Carlisle turned to us and he must have found his cup of liquor very fascinating. He finally looked up at us his expression unreadable.
"How did she find out?" Carlisle asked Edward
"We were having lunch the other day and she was telling me about Daniel from back home and how she thought he was back to harass her. I told her about how long I had known and what I know. I hadn't realized you guys never told her he was dead. I figured it was time she knew the truth and not some story to keep her safe. Sometimes there is safe in blunt truth." Edward answered and Carlisle nodded his head.
"Well Edward I can bluntly say you had no right. If anyone should've told her it was Charlie. I encouraged her to open up to you for her own peace of mind not to have you scare nor worry her with some idiot who thinks they have some moronic claim on her and unhealthy obsession. You went too far Edward. We discussed why we hadn't said a word and you go and do this. Now I have to tell Charlie and it is his wrath you must deal with." Carlisle stated
"You can't blame him for this! He did nothing but finally be honest with you but you and my dad are the liars. All you two did were hide things and then you forced Edward to hide things. It isn't fair to him nor is it fair to me." I said fuming
"Isabella, lower your voice please. You don't know just how much danger you are in and you do not understand to any capacity how much we want to protect you physically and mentally from it all. Do not push me on this and do not push your father. We do what we do to keep you sane and very much alive. Charlie and Renee are supposed to be visiting next week, we will all discuss this then. Until then write down any question for when we can meet. I don't want you mad at me Bellarina and I don't want you to hate us for protecting you. Please see that is what we were doing." Carlisle said sincerely and my stance waivered.
How much danger was I in and should I be backing off to let them protect me?
"Daddy C, I could never hate you. I am not happy with you or daddy right now but I could never hate either of you for protecting me. I am also not happy about postponing this conversation but I will do it if you promise all my questions will be answered next week." I stated and he nodded
"It is only fair. Now let's go back before Alice and Rosalie have a fit, Emmett comes looking for you, and Esme chews me out for being so rude at Sunday dinner." Carlisle said smiling and I smiled too.
At least this wasn't over.
Tsk tsk what is going on? Review if you like [I would like that] and I'll see you next chapter!