I own nothing…this fabulous world and everything in it belongs to the very talented Stephenie Meyer…I do however, own this particular story…whatever that means!
Chapter 28: Thank You
After Mandy left, I faced my usual afternoon routine of phone calls, grading papers, mounds of school paperwork, and email. It's a wonder that I got any real teaching done with all the other red tape that I was constantly trying to cut through.
I started to reach for the phone to check the voicemails that had been left during the afternoon, while we had been outside for a little well-deserved recess, when my overeager sense of smell caught the scent of the beautiful flowers the Cullens had sent me.
I stopped my mundane activities for a moment and took the opportunity to really look at the beautiful bouquet. They were striking and must have been rather costly. The smell was wonderful, but not overpowering.
Before I really thought about what I was doing, I was digging through my purse and retrieving the map with the Cullen's phone numbers that Jasper had given me the night before. Without allowing myself to think this through, I picked up my phone and dialed the main number to the house. Only as the line was ringing did the thought force itself into my brain. What am I doing? I had no time to answer myself before I heard a voice that pierced through to my very soul.
"Hello. Cullen residence," a beautiful, velvet voice resonated in my ear, making me swoon and lose my concentration for just a moment. I was momentarily rendered speechless. I definitely assumed that Esme or even Alice would answer the main number…I certainly wasn't expecting him.
"Ah…hi, Edward. How are you?" I stammered nervously, realizing that I must have sounded like a complete idiot.
"Bella," he answered, his voice never wavering, "I'm doing well. And you?"
"Fine. Fine. Um…I just wanted to call and thank you for the beautiful flowers. That was so sweet of your family to send me something so beautiful. They're really very beautiful. Thank you." Just how many times could I say beautiful in a fifteen second timeframe? This is ridiculous! I should be committed.
"So you got them. I'm pleased. You like them?" he inquired, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Great. I have to answer again. What do I say? My mind raced to find the words that wouldn't betray how excited I was to be talking with him. "Yes, they are really," don't you dare say beautiful again, "lovely, but completely unnecessary. They do, however, brighten my classroom quite a bit," I responded, becoming more in control of my thoughts, emotions and traitorous voice.
"I'm delighted that you like them. Alice and I went this morning and picked them out. When did they arrive?" he questioned, sounding like he was trying to make polite conversation.
"Um…mid-morning," I answered before something occurred to me from earlier in the day. "Edward," I began, picking my words very carefully, "how exactly did you know where to send them? I don't recall telling you where the elementary school was located."
There was silence on the other end. I wasn't sure he was still even on the phone with me, but then, just as quickly, I heard a small intake of breath, to alert me that he was still there. I fleetingly wondered if he had been holding his breath. Did my question really take him by surprise?
"Well, Jasper did a little research this morning after you left. He's rather good at finding things that are well hidden and the internet does have its advantages. I hope you don't feel that we encroached on your privacy. We just wanted to send you a little something to thank you for your time with us last night. I hope that's acceptable," he replied, the last of it coming out like a deluge of rain, so quickly that I had to rush to keep up.
A small smile found its way to my mouth. "No. I'm not offended; just curious. No harm done." If I didn't know better, I could have sworn I heard a relieved sigh on his end of the extension.
"I hope that our time together last night didn't make you too late this morning. I would hate to think that we caused you any trouble, especially with how accommodating you were with your time and as Esme put it, our 'morbid' curiosity," he replied, teasing me, his tone generating memories of that absolutely devastatingly dazzling smile. That crooked smile that I loved so much!
I could hear the teasing nature in his voice. Without hesitation, I smiled again. Thank goodness he can't see me.
"No, I arrived at work in plenty of time, but it's very thoughtful of you to be concerned," I said, stretching the truth a bit and then something occurred to me and I thought, why not? "Edward, did you happen to get that window fixed from last night?" This is an honest question, I told myself knowing I was NOT teasing and most certainly NOT flirting with him. Yeah right…sure I wasn't.
Edward let out a hearty laugh, his voice sounding genuinely pleased. "Yes, I helped replace that very window this afternoon. Esme gave me hell for that. Our homes are very precious to her, as she carefully selects each one and tends to them with her special little touches, coaxing them to their ultimate glory. I won't make that mistake again."
I thought back to the night before and how shocked I had been when he had put his fist through the window before taking off. It still made absolutely no sense to me, but not wanting to pry or seem impolite, I let it go. I did allow myself a moment to appreciate his laughter. It was still a sound that brought joy to my heart. I can't believe that such a small sound can impact so much—still.
"Well, I have to run. I've got loads of paperwork to do before I head to the university. Thank you again, Edward. Will you pass along my thanks to the rest of your family?" I asked him, realizing that while I didn't want the conversation to end, I knew there was nothing else to say.
"Of course. And, I'll see you tomorrow afternoon with Jasper and Alice at your office. Is that still acceptable, professor?" he inquired, his voice smooth, with just a hint of teasing.
"Well, if you three are insistent on taking classes with me, I won't stop you. But, you'll have to earn those grades. I'm not one to give anything away, you know," I finished, hoping that my voice sounded breezy, while my throat constricted thinking ahead to the coming weeks of being in such close proximity to him.
"Yes, I realize that we will actually have to work to receive acceptable grades with you as our instructor. But all in all, it should be an interesting semester. At the very least, Monday and Wednesday nights will give us something to look forward to," he replied, sounding somewhat excited. Was he really excited or was it just my wishful thinking?
I could feel my excitement, as butterflies filled my stomach. Was he flirting? No, that's impossible, Bella. My long dormant heart was coming to life, but I forced it back. I was used to men flirting. Not that I paid any mind to it. Humans were generally repelled by us, but our physical appearance sometimes won out over the repulsion.
I didn't notice myself looking much different after my change, but I could see a new look in men's eyes when I would walk by. It was the same look that Gerry, the slime ball, had every time he and I crossed paths.
After a while, it got annoying, but then I would remember how it felt to look at Edward when I was still human. I was…am, captivated by his handsome features. I had never seen anything like him before and knew that I would never find anyone else to compare to him, no matter how long I lived.
Jacob was handsome; extremely good-looking and I knew that other women envied me when we had been together. But Edward was something else entirely. He was incomparable.
"Well, I'm sure that my Mondays and Wednesdays will be nerve racking, to say the least, but I'll manage," I choked out, realizing that I had been absent from the conversation for far too long. Despite the fact that it was more than a few seconds, I knew that Edward knew I had been lost in my thoughts. I chuckled silently to myself as I remembered how much that used to torture him.
"Bella, if this is not comfortable for you, then none of us will force the issue. That isn't fair to you. Granted, Alice will be very disappointed, but she'll survive. She can still see you when your schedule can allow it," he began tentatively with obvious disappointment in his voice, before I felt the need to clear the air.
No, that wouldn't do, as I thought how wonderful it would be to see them at least twice a week. "Edward, I'll survive. Trust me. You and your siblings won't be the worst I have faced in terms of students. You should see what I have to deal with during the daytime," I laughed, thinking back to some of my more unique charges.
"Well, as long as you're certain," he replied, his tone doubtful.
"Absolutely. It might even be fun," I answered him forcing my tone to be warmer. It was then that I realized that it would do wonders for me to see them during class, even if it was solely in a professional capacity. This conversation was generating too many insecurities and emotions that I didn't have time to deal with. "Edward, I have to run. Again, thank you and please pass that along to the others as well."
"I will. And, I'll see you tomorrow afternoon," he finished, his tone soft yet determined.
"Goodbye."
"Till tomorrow, Bella," he said, before he hung up the phone.
I sat there, the receiver still in my hand, going over the conversation. It was then that I knew that I would be looking forward to my Monday and Wednesday nights, much more than I ever had before. Of course, if I was being completely honest with myself, as much as I had missed Alice, I knew that my newfound enthusiasm for my night classes was due to Edward. As much as I tried to believe that I wasn't affected by his presence, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Again, I had thought of his playful tone on the phone and then I understood. He was always the perfect gentleman. He was being polite for the sake of his family. That's it. That's what it had to be. Disappointment started to flood my form, as I realized that I had allowed myself to hope, even if it was only a little bit. I forced myself to accept that it was only civility that permeated his conversation with me. Edward didn't love me. He left me. He was only curious. He didn't really want me. He was just being nice for the sake of his family.
Before I could allow myself to get bogged down in my depressing thoughts, I glanced at the clock in my room and realized that I had to hurry since I had a faculty meeting and needed to leave immediately to ensure that I made it in time.
I rushed to grab paperwork that I could finish at home that night, as well as papers that needed grading and my planning book. I had just finished gathering my things and was heading toward the door, when I smelled him…his familiar, unwelcome scent of rancid fish and nicotine…Gerry. I did my best to best to block the stench.
"Beth, heading out so soon?" he asked me, standing in the doorframe, as if I would find his attempt to keep me trapped appealing. The smirk on his face as he glanced around the room and found me alone in my classroom made my stomach turn.
"I have a faculty meeting at the university. I've gotta dash or I'll be late," I answered him hurriedly, hoping that he would take the hint.
"I hope you're not neglecting your duties here. Looks like you've got paperwork piling up," he retorted, waving a hand at my bag that I had recently filled with things that I would take care of once I got home. He honestly thinks I would respond to this crap? I was starting to get irritated.
I squared my shoulders as I turned to face him fully. "Have I ever not completed my work without plenty of time to spare? Have I ever not been amenable with my responsibilities?" I shot back at him, keeping the same polite smile on my lips. I'm sure that my annoyance was starting to seep through. He just stood there with that dumb, leering face and I was becoming angrier by the minute.
"Relax, Beth. All I'm saying is that I think you work entirely too much. It wouldn't hurt for you to kick back once in a while and just have some fun. I might be able to help you out with that," he smirked obscenely, obviously thinking thoughts that I was sure I didn't want to know as his eyes raced up and down my body.
"Well, I appreciate your consideration for my feelings, but I'll be fine. I'm happy with my life the way it is and I have plenty to occupy my time," I finished, hoping that would be the end of this conversation.
He took a step inside my room moving uncomfortably close to me. "Beth, you can't grieve him forever. You've been a widow, what, at least five years now? I mean, you still wear his ring, for crying out loud. It's like you're still in mourning. He'd want you to be happy, to move on with someone who could really treat you right," he said lustfully to me, the tone of his voice clearly implying that he meant nothing of emotional intimacy, but rather focusing entirely on the physical aspect of that type of relationship.
"Gerry, how I live my life and who I spend my time with is my concern," I answered him, this time my smile gone and the tone of my voice completely devoid of any friendliness.
"I'm just saying you shouldn't waste your life. You're only young once," he snapped back, clearly displeased with the direction the conversation had taken. "Of course, I'm a patient man. I've got plenty of time to wait."
With that, I pushed my way past him to exit the room, bidding him a good night and made my way to the car. I was fuming by the time that I got there. If I hadn't been so completely terrified of my identity being found out and having to start over, I wouldn't have put up with his harassment.
Gerry had a reputation of not being trustworthy, and it was easy to see why. He had friends in high places and although his tactics were beyond reprehensible, most people just stood aside and gave him his way.
Unfortunately, I had to be one of those people. He could ruin what I had tried so hard to build here. So far, I had been able to do my job and only had to put up with his juvenile behavior occasionally. I tried to push him from my mind as I started the car.
I smiled though. "You're only young once…" Laughable. I would be young forever. At first, my looks had been a definite disadvantage. I looked too young to be able to do the things that I could do, but I got better at acting and looking older. More sophisticated clothing, hair worn up, professional demeanor…it helped me when it came to career choices.
When people would comment on my youthful appearance, I would laugh lightly and praise genetics and a liberal use of sunscreen for my good fortune. And as for his patience, well he could just go ahead and wait forever! Even as lonely as I was, Gerry Goodwin would never be someone I would actively seek out to ease that ache. If anything, I would just as soon start feeding on humans than spend anymore time with that man than was absolutely necessary.
Pushing the thoughts of Gerry from my mind, I arrived at the university in record time and made my way to the staff meeting. I rushed inside, stopping only to greet a few people and check my mailbox before making my way to the conference room, where people had already begun to arrive and settle in. I greeted the colleagues that I knew and things quickly got underway.
Same old, same old. I found myself barely paying attention, my thoughts distractedly drifting to the night before, and all that I had laid out for the Cullens to see; remembering how it felt to sit there, so close to Edward. I was still lost in my own daydreams when I realized that someone was trying to get my attention.
My boss and department chair, Lynn, was speaking to me, snapping me out of my bemused state, "Elizabeth, would you care to chair the event again? Elizabeth?"
I smiled sweetly in her direction, trying to feign interest. "I'm sorry. What did you ask me? I must have missed a step," I answered, hoping that I hadn't offended her.
"The annual cocktail reception and dance for the honors students and faculty. Would you be willing to chair this again? Last year's event was such a huge success, I thought you wouldn't mind putting it on again this season," she said, her eyes innocent and wide with a smile on her face just willing me to agree.
Ugh…the cocktail reception. The year prior I had been "volunteered" to chair the event, which, in essence, meant planning this huge party single handedly. Venue, theme, décor, music, food and drink, invitations…the list went on and on. The party had been a big hit, but I was never one for parties. However, I looked back at Lynn, ready to turn down the honor.
Instead, when my eyes met hers, I sighed. "I'd love to," I answered, with a great big fake smile plastered across my face.
Edward's POV:
I pushed the button on the cordless phone, ending the call with Bella, though I didn't want to. My shoulders settled back into the overstuffed chair, the very one that I had sat in all day; the very same chair she had occupied the night before, never once moving, hoping…praying that she would call the house in regards to the flowers that I had sent her. I fervently prayed that she would call the main house, and not someone's cell phone that wasn't mine. When the phone finally rang, late in the afternoon and the caller ID flashed the elementary school, my chest actually soared. It was so wonderful to hear her voice…
Jasper scoured the internet, trying to find her address at the school, while Alice and I had driven out to the nearest big city. I personally chose the cut-crystal vase from Tiffany's, before driving like a hellion back to the local florist. I took it upon myself to hand select each and every flower, knowing that each bloom had a specific meaning from me to her, that filled that sculptured piece of crystal. Only the best for my Bella…
When it came time to fill out the card, I panicked. I still had no clear idea of how she felt about me, and the idea of signing only my name to the card seemed too forward. Until I had an opportunity to talk with her in private, explain everything and hope that she would have me again, I wouldn't push her. At least not yet….
Alice and I discussed options and thought it best to sign it The Cullens. At the very least, she would have me on her mind. I tipped the florist and the delivery man gratuitously, anxious that she get the delivery as soon as was humanly possible. Her teasing on the phone and genuine appreciation of the bouquet had me realizing that I could hang on one more day until I saw her again…be with her again and appreciate this second chance once more.
