Sorry for the delay guys…been busy with the family! Kelliwelli

Chapter 26

A few weeks have gone by and the new "robot" wing is up and running. The hospital is bringing in some new surgeons to advance the success of the robotic surgical service. I wondered if Edward was interested in learning robot hysterectomies and if I would be the one to assist him. I am due to go to a workshop in Dallas with some of the other staff members about the robot and successful robotic programs. I need to tell Edward but it seems our schedules have been so different now that I am not in the main hospital. It feels that something…or someone is trying to put a wedge in between us. I am sure I am just paranoid. Did I rush into this relationship? I feel like we haven't been able to spend quality time together in a while. There have been nights that he either stayed at the hospital or slept in the main house. Something is up I just don't know what it is.

After finishing my shift at the hospital, I notice Edward's car parked right beside Dr. Stone's. I walked over to his and placed my hand on the hood; it's cold. I wonder how long he has been here. I start to walk to the stairs but I can hear voices coming from people walking down the stairs.

"You know what they say about female softball players?"

"No, what?"

"Oh you know that most of them are gay or bi?" She said as she giggled. Were they talking about me?

*(NOW BEFORE SOME OF YOU GO BALLISTIC ON ME…I JUST NEEDED SOMETHING THAT WOULD MAKE US HATE THIS WOMAN. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO PISS ANYBODY OFF.) CONTINUE STORY….

I peeked around the corner to see who they were. I recognize them they are those new assistants they hired in the surgery department. What were their names? Candy and Debra I think.

"Well, let me tell you, if I could I would fuck him till he couldn't walk straight." I heard one of them say to the other.

"Me too, but isn't he just head over heels in love with her?"

"I heard they made her go to work in another department because she was distracting him and couldn't keep her hands off of him. Making a public display of her and embarrassing him. I am sure the bosses didn't like that. I bet she bragged and thought she could do whatever she wanted to the other employees' faces."

I never did that. Who are these women and why would they say these terrible things?

"He thanked me today and said I did a great job assisting him today. I mean that's a start right?" Candy said as she smoothed her scrubs over her overly done fake breasts. I immediately looked down at my not so endowed chest. Insecure Bella was making an appearance. I miss you Edward I thought to myself. I could feel the tears start to form. I closed my eyes and took a deep calming breath.

"Look isn't that her car? I bet she made him buy it for her. She will have him broke and lonely before he knows what hit him." What…why would they say these things?

"Ya and will probably get knocked up just to try and trap him." One of the bitches says while the other nods and laughs.

They finally got into their cars after promising to call or text one another. I think my feet are frozen in place. I need to find Edward but all I can think about is getting into the bath then going to sleep. Surely tomorrow will be a better day.

I pull out of the hospital and as I am driving through Starbucks I get an incoming call from Edward.

"Hello?"

"Bella?" He says. God I love his voice. A lump has formed in my throat.

"Hi Edward." I say as I try to sound cheery.

"I miss you baby; it's been too long since we have spent quality time together. Are you alright?" He says.

"Ya I guess our schedules aren't clicking right now. How are you?"

"Busy, as I am sure you can tell. Bella…can I come and see you tonight? I am sorry I haven't been able to sleep in your bed but I have been getting home so late and honestly I haven't been the best of company."

"Is there something wrong?" Not sure, I want to hear the answer to the question.

"No just shit at work…people, the workload and my gosh don't people have better things to do than make babies? I bet I have delivered at least 30 babies in the last 8 days."

"Well think of all the money you made." WTF? I never say things like that. A few quiet seconds pass…

"Bella…why would you say that?" I can tell he is pissed at the statement.

"Well…I don't know. It just slipped out." I think those stupid bitches have bothered me more than I realize.

"You know I am not a money hungry doctor Bella. I can't believe you would say such a thing…" I stopped him before he said anything else.

"Edward; I know you aren't. I am truly sorry…I haven't had the best day either. Besides some doctors are like that and it gets really old and frustrating when I hear some of them talk about patient's as if they are inconveniencing them." I take a breath hoping he accepted my apology.

Beep-beep-beep! I heard Edward whisper "Fuck."

"Bella that's L&D…I need to call them. If it isn't too late can I come sleep in your bed; I miss feeling you beside me all night." He has no idea how much I want to say yes.

"Edward honestly; I am exhausted and was planning on taking a hot bath then eat and probably will take an Ambien. I need a good night's sleep; we have 4 robot cases tomorrow." I hear him sigh.

"Okay Bella…I uh guess I will talk to you later then." Silence again!

"Okay goodnight Edward. I really do miss you." I hang up before he can hear my voice break.

EPOV (earlier in the day)

What the fuck is wrong with these women in surgery? Do they not know I am involved with someone? Enough with the looks and "accidental" rubbing of their boobs on my arms as I work. I actually had to tell the new assist Candace, Katrina or something like that to move over that she was crowding me. God how I miss my Bella assisting me. She knew exactly what I was going to do next before I did it. She would have made one hell of a surgeon.

I hate that we haven't been able to spend time together. And not just sexual time together. I miss her. I feel that something is off though. It's not just our schedules being fucked up; it's something deeper. It all started when my-Ex showed up and then when Angela showed up something changed. I don't have feelings for either of these women in any way but professional. And one of those I wish I didn't have anything to do with. I try to make Bella see that she is everything to me, but as soon as Kay suggested that we change Bella's surgical duties things started going downhill. I know she trusts me. It isn't that.

I really should take the two of us away on a little trip. Maybe I can surprise her. She would like to go visit her family in Texas and I am sure that big state has something she would like to show me. Maybe I can call her mom or sister and surprise her.

I started going over the past few weeks in my head looking for the source of the change in our relationship. Victoria is a pain in our ass but I am not sure she would cause trouble for Bella but I could be wrong. Now I pray that Angela is not responsible for any of this. She has changed somewhat since our days of being study buddies. Thank God that is all we were. That night I found out Angela was coming to join us here Bella got a bad migraine. I bet this is when she started doubting us. Bella has no idea what she means to me…

"Dr. Cullen…Dr. Cullen?" I feel somebody place their hand on my shoulder trying to get my attention.

"Are you alright? Do you need help with anything?" I look up to the voice…damn! It's that new assistant. Carla, Kate…now what was her name. Here she goes again invading my personal space. I gently but effectively remove her hand from my shoulder.

"No I'm fine…and for the record unless I ask you to, don't touch me. I am not interested in you and never will be. Do I make myself clear? So you can pull back the cat claws." I know rude right but I don't care.

She straightens up, removes her hand and says, "Maybe this pussy is just what you need."

That's it…patience has left the building.

"Do you not have one shred of self-respect? Why in the hell would I want a woman like you when I have a beautiful woman in my life that could for the record run circles around you in whatever she does. And that includes assisting. Don't take one step inside my OR again." I say as I slam the chart closed and walk away.

"Kay won't allow that Dr. Cullen, I was hired to be your assistant." She sneered. I stopped walking and turned around. Just breathe Cullen…I said to myself.

"You want to make a bet on that?" Childish I know but I am done playing games with this bitch. I turn and go straight to Kay's office.

I don't even hesitate as I walk into her office.

She is on the phone and there I stand arms crossed looking all pissed. I hear her say, "Let me call you back."

"Dr. Cullen is there I something I can help you with?" She says.

"Let me say this one time, don't you ever put either of the new assistants in my room ever again." She starts to say something…I stop her from saying another word.

"First you take away one of the best assistants I have ever worked with…never mind that you basically stabbed her in the heart. You know as well as me that she was not a hindrance to me in the OR. Second, if you do not get ahold of these assistants I will. And I am sure you do not want a "sexual harassment" suit against anyone of your staff. Do you understand me?" Again harsh…but I really don't give a fuck.

"Dr. Cullen, what is this all about?" She has the nerve to act innocent.

"Kay…good grief, do you not know what has been going on in my OR's the past few cases? Your new girls…have tried every way but stripping to try and get my attention. I don't want it and I sure as hell don't want anything either of them has to offer. Take care of this NOW!" I didn't give her a chance to respond as I turned and left her office. I walked through the crowd that gathered. Fuckers…just like paparazzi, wanting to get their claws into other people's business.

I notice the "assistant's" huddled together, then turn and smile at me. I gave them my best go-to-hell look as I slam through the OR doors.

(Bella later…)

I hear my cell phone ringing just as I am fixing to step into my much-needed bubble bath.

"Hello."

"Oh hi Bella, it's Kay."

"Hi Kay, what's up?"

"Well I wanted you to go to a workshop about Robot surgical service. It's in Dallas, do you mind if I make the arrangements for you? It would mean a lot to us if you went." She paused…

"When is it? And who all would be going?"

"A couple of the doctors' have asked to go and probably some of the other staff will go as well. I have a couple of new assistant that I would possibly like to cross-train in robotics."

"Sure Kay, just get me the itinerary."

"Uh Bella, are you alright?"

"Oh ya, I'm good… just tired and have some things on my mind."

"Okay then, well I will get you the information. Oh and Bella, the surgeons have been very pleased with you in the Robot room."

"Well that's good…but I do miss working with the other staff in the main OR." I am hoping that she can hear the secret message in that statement.

"Just keep up the good work Bella, the hospital appreciates it and so do I."

"Thanks Kay, see you around."

Great…I don't want to put that many miles between Edward and me. I am actually rather pissed, I feel forced in this trip. But then again I wouldn't mind seeing Texas again and Dallas is a great city.

After my bath, I go fix me a sandwich and take an Ambien. I don't like to make a habit of taking medication to help me sleep but tonight I just wanted the world to go away for a few hours. I really do miss Edward…

I texted my sister…"Guess who is coming to Texas?"