A Getty Romance

Disclaimer: All Twilight related characters belong to S. Meyer.

Chapter 26

Saturday evening arrived all too soon and the nerves I'd been pushing aside crashed on top of me like an avalanche. It would have been easy if had happened while I was getting ready or driving to the museum. I could have hidden in my closet at home or pulled over to a curb until the nerves subsided.

But no, of course not.

My anxiety decided to surface the moment the Esme and Carlisle Cullen swept through the door for the benefit. I gaped at them like a fish as my mouth bobbed open and closed. My heart rammed against my ribcage and my hands were slick and sweaty as I twisted my fingers together.

How could this work? Why would they ever settle for someone like me when they could choose someone like Tanya?

My chest heaved as I tried to take in deep, slow breaths. The Cullens were about to reach me in a matter of seconds and it was important that I didn't look like I was hyperventilating.

I felt a cool hand on my shoulder and I practically jumped out of my skin. Tanya squeezed my arm and looked at me with wide eyes.

"Holy crap, Bella," she said. "Calm down. Do you need a drink?"

I glared at her as my shock faded. I waved my hand in front of my face. "I can't drink. I'm working."

"I'm your boss," she said, lifting her chin haughtily. "I say, have a drink. You look terrible."

My eyebrows lowered and my self-esteem took a nose drive. "That's nice, thanks."

"You know what I mean," she said, smoothing out my ponytail. "Besides, he can't stop talking about how you look."

I perked up instantly and craned my neck as I looked through the crowd. "Edward is here?" I must have missed his entrance when I was answering questions.

"He's making himself scarce until it's time. I just ran into him."

Suddenly, I was aching for him. He was like an invisible carrot being dangled in front of my nose. Even a glimpse of his hair would have been enough for me. "He likes my dress?"

Tanya snorted. "You guys are so ridiculous. Yes. He thinks you look beautiful, and so do I."

I looked down at my dress for the evening. It was less modest than last time but still black. It was a simple, crepe halter dress. I had felt like I needed to step it up for this evening. Meek Bella wasn't going to convince anyone of anything. The sparkles from Tanya's turquoise evening gown caught my eye and I smiled back at her. "You look amazing too."

She waved me off. "Be quiet. Are you going to be all right? I'm going to go abscond Carlisle and Esme. Get your act together. Everything will be fine, okay?"

I nodded. "Okay."

As she walked away, she added over her shoulder, "And Edward is probably pacing in his office. Just so you know…"

I was out the door and power walking across the grounds before she reached the Cullens. The front door was unlocked and I slipped inside, past Emmett's unoccupied desk and down the hall towards Edward's office. The hallway was dark and the building was eerily quiet. My heels padded silently on the carpet. The door to his office was open and I stood awkwardly in the doorframe.

My last unannounced entry in his office still haunted me.

Edward was pacing in front of the window, behind his desk. Lights streamed in through the glass, illuminating his navy tux and glinting off the glossy buttons on his shirt. His hair was somewhat tamed but not completely. He held his arms tightly around his back, clenching and unclenching his fists.

I lifted my hand and rapped my knuckles softly on his door. He whirled around in shock then relaxed as his eyes met mine.

"Oh thank God," he sighed, rounding his desk and walking towards me with open arms.

I stepped into his embrace and pressed my cheek to his chest. His arms closed around me tightly and he lowered his face into my hair. "Are you okay?" he mumbled.

"I'm better now," I replied simply.

"Me too." He stepped back and smiled at me.

"Tanya told me you were over here and I didn't even think before coming over. I'm sorry, I just wanted to see you."

He shook his head, still smiling. "I'm glad you did. I needed to see you too."

"Your parents are here," I told him and the unpleasant reminder made my heart rate pick up again. The anxiety coiled in my stomach.

Edward nodded. "I figured. I need to stop hiding."

"Tanya's with them now."

We stood in silence for a minute or two, too cowardly to leave the shelter of his quiet office. When Edward took a step towards me, I didn't even think before lifting my chin and meeting his lips for a kiss. His long fingers framed my face as his soft mouth covered mine. I felt the nerves in my belly fade away. They were replaced by the longing I always felt when Edward kissed me this way.

When he pulled away he kissed the corner of my mouth, my nose and my forehead before reaching for my hand. He motioned towards the door with a tilt of his head. "Will you walk back over with me?"

I chewed on my lip slowly. "Is that a good idea?"

Edward sighed and led us out the door anyway. "I don't care. I want to get this over with."

I followed him into the warm night without a word. My hand was clasped tightly in his and I felt more reassured than I had all evening.

"You look beautiful by the way," Edward said, smiling down at me. "You're probably going to argue, but I wish you wouldn't."

My cheeks heated and I looked away bashfully. "It's no Dior, but I do like this dress."

"Dior is overrated," he said, lifting our hands to his lips so he could kiss my knuckles. "I like your dress better." He squeezed my hand one more time before we reached the door.

"I'll come find you," he said quietly into my ear as he slipped his hand out from mine.

I nodded and watched as he wove his way through the crowd away from me. This time the anxiety didn't settle in…

It was pure, unwavering dread.

A/N: Hang in there Bellar! It'll be okay! Not really a cliffie but setting you up with some anticipation for next week. We've got 2 more weeks of posting, which include the epilogue and a little outtake, just to give you a posting visual. I'm so happy all of you like the last chapter. Nice to take a big deep breath of summer air, isn't it?

For the record, Edward is wearing Rob's navy Gucci tux. Yep. And Bella is wearing a dress that I have, because...well sometimes she IS me.

Thanks to Aussiegirl for always making my chapters sparkle!

See you guys on Wednesday!

xx