So, the wait is almost over. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and no more drama to come.


TWO YEARS LATER

"Bella? Are you ready for the meeting? It starts in ten" Maggie called from her desk, in front of mine. I was currently reading over the notes for the presentation.

I had been working at Vulturi architects since my graduation two years ago. I was living in the same apartment I used to, but now alone. Both of my roommates had moved out and I had all the space to myself. After I came back from Aspen's trip and broke things up with Riley I made a promise to myself, to focus on myself for a while. I focused on finishing my architecture degree and getting healthy. I started seeing a therapist, which made me nervous at first, but after some sessions I improved my way of seeing life. That first semester was difficult for me, I had been used to being with someone that I was a stranger to myself. During the days I would focus on school, but the nights were harder. I would stay awake for hours craving contact. I talked about that with my therapist and she suggested writing or some form of outlet for my emotions. And that's house my painting habit began. The nights I could not sleep I would spend on my studio (Alice former's room) drawing and painting my emotions away.

After graduation I started looking for jobs and got lucky when Vulturi decided to hire me. At first I did barely anything, filled cups and made copies, but as time passed I got assigned to small projects and then to bigger ones. On October of that year I flew to Boston to Jessica's wedding. I was dreading the whole thing since I expected Edward to be there, and I was not sure how I felt about the whole thing.

"I am scared" I said to Alice while we were having lunch a week before I was supposed to fly to Boston.

"Scared of what?" She asked

"Of what I might feel when I see him"

"Okay" She said standing straight "first of all, we are not even sure he will be there. And even if he is you should not be afraid Bella. You are ready for this. You go and enjoy your friend's wedding and if you see him then let be it and see what happens"

As it turned out I was worried for nothing, since Edward didn't attend the wedding. He was now living in Chile. Working with the same magazine that had hired him for his work in Germany. I had an amazing time with my old friends and didn't think about once about the man with green eyes.

Time passed and I enjoyed my time in LA. I made new friends at work and even went out on a couple of dates. I was currently working on my first solo project. It was a small one, a house on the beach that some rich couple wanted to build. It was not the most exciting project there was, but it was a start. I got my things and headed to the meeting room where I would see the clients.

Tanya and Irina, the clients names. Had been married for a couple of years now and wanted to build a house on the beach. Tanya was a famous photographer and Irina owned a couple of restaurants around the city. At first I was pretty nervous since they looked like they were used to high end things and what I had in mind was more of a cozy house. No glass and steel, just wood, bricks and a lot of natural lights. It turned out they loved the project too and wanted to start as soon as possible.

"So, are we going out to celebrate?" Maggie asked as we were heading out of the office, a smile on both of our faces

"I don't know. How about dinner? You can bring Garret with you" I said. I did want to celebrate but I was really tired and I liked Jared, he was a good guy and treated Maggie right.

"Okay" She said "Let's go to that sushi place you like. Some sake is in order"

I was getting ready for our dinner when my cellphones rang. It was Maggie.

"Hey listen. I know we agreed on going out, but how do you feel about coming over? I totally forgot Garret had a little thing organized for one of his friends that just moved here, and bunch of his friends are coming over and firing up the grill. It's an informal thing but it will be fun"

"I don't know" I said sitting on my bed "Won't I be intruding too much? I men, I won't know anybody"

"No!" she said from the other end of the line "You would be doing me a favor, please. All these people know each other form college, please come and make me company. And from what I've seen some of this guys are really hot, we can get you a date"

"Oh my god" I said laughing "Is this a set up Maggie? Because last time to set me up with someone it was a complete disaster"

"It's not I swear, I don't even know who is coming, but maybe your prince charming would be attending"

"Ugh, okay I'll be there, but not prince charming or any funny business, I don't want to see anyone right now"

"You are o boring Isabella"

Later that afternoon I was driving down to Maggie's. I decided to wear a sundress, it was summer un LA after all. And even tough I had said to Maggie I didn't want to be set up with anyone I took my time doing my hair and makeup. I wanted to make a good impression on Garret's friends and maybe I would meet someone interesting. Who nows?

I parked around their place and walked to the door. Maggie opened the door and rushed me inside.

"Oh my god Bella" She whispered as soon as I was inside "You have to meet Garret's friend. He just moved here, he want to Harvard and they met in Boston. He is like the prettiest man on earth and he is single"

"Okay, okay, calm the fuck down woman" I said with a smile on my face "I am slightly worried about Garret here, should I warn him about his friend stealing his woman?"

"Oh my god, no. But that doesn't men I can't leave trough you" She then took my hand and we headed to the kitchen

"Baby, who was that?" We heard Garret calling from the back yard. He then appeared on the door that let from the kitchen to their backyard. He had an apron around his waist and was wearing some shorts and a white shirt.

"It's me Garret" I said heading his way and hugging him "How are you?"

"Amazing. It's been so long since I've seen my friends" He said smiling "Come on, I want to introduce you to them" He took me by the hand and dragged me outside. There were around 6 men, some of them with what I would asume were their girlfriends.

"Hey everyone" Garret called and everyone turned to look at us. I didn't hear no more because my eyes were suddenly locked with a pair of green eyes heading my way.

"Bella?" He asked standing in front of me

"Hello Edward" I said back

"Do you know each other?" Garret asked looking between us with a confused expression on his face.

"Yes" Edward answered without breaking eye contact "Isabella and I went to high school together"

"No shit. You are Isabella?"

"What?" I asked confused "Garret, we've known each other for almost two years now and you don't know my name?"

"Yes, no, I mean Maggie always calls you Bella"

"Everyone does" I said turning to look at Edward again. He was standing there just looking at me like he could not believe his eyes.

"Well, not him apparently"

"Oh, I you already met" Maggie said while coming from the kitchen with plates on her hands

"Babe, I think they have known each other for a long time" Garret said

After that I excused myself and went to the bathroom. Inside it I splashed my face with cold water and took deep breaths. I had not expected to see him anytime soon. I had been preparing for this for a long time, I was supposed to act cool and collected, I was and adult now. But all that flew out the window as soon as I saw his green eyes. My heart was beating loudly and my palms were sweating. A bunch of butterflies had taken residence in my belly and my face was flushed. I could not help it, I was still attracted to this man.

"Okay, Bella. You've got this. You are an adult now. Don't stress about it. Just see were things go tonight"

After my pep talk in front of the mirror I headed to the party again. I turned to the hall and there he was leaning against the wall looking at some pictures on the wall.

"Well, well, look who's hiding from the party now" I said with a smile on my face

"It seemed that for once the roles are reversed" He said turning to look at me "You look amazing Bella" He said coming closer

"What are you doing here Edward?"

"Garret invited me"

"I mean L.A. Last time I heard from you you were in Chile working for the magazine"

"I was" He answered "And after that it was Japan, and then I realized I didn't want that life anymore."

"And you moved to L.A"

"I did. I've got a more stable and permanent job here"

"Why not Boston?" I asked. I wanted to know, and even tough I had promised myself not to hope I still did. Was it for me?

"I thought about it" He said "But there was something that L.A has that no other place does" He said coming closer

"The sun?" I asked trying to joke

"Something like that" He whispered in my ear "Am I too late Isabella?"

"No, you are right on time"

After we shared that moment in the hall we went back to the backyard but something had changed. He stood by y side all night, his hand in my lower back or playing with my hair. He told me stories of his time around the world and I shared some of my own. I got to know his friends from Boston and we had a good time. After everyone began to leave I went to the kitchen to help Maggie with the dishes.

"So" She said "Are you going to tell me what was that? Or are we going to pretend you are not smiling like a fool and Garret's friend is not looking at you with puppy eyes?"

"We've known each other for a while"

"And?" She asked, the cleaning task forgotten "You've got to give me something, I've never seen you like that"

"I guess you could say we have story behind us"

"Romantic one I guess from the looks of it"

"Kind of"

"Isabella! You are killing me here"

"Listen Maggie" I said resting against the kitchen island with my arms crossed in front of me "I am not even sure what is going on right now "I've just been waiting for this so long, and it looks like our time it's finally here. I promise that as soon as I figure this out I'll tell you all about it. I just have to talk to him first"

"Okay chica, you are not making any sense, but I guess it's alright. But just an advise, don't think too much about it, He clearly makes you happy and you him. Things don't have to be so complicated, and maybe the universe put him back in your path for something. Everything has a reason"

"Oh god, have you been reading the horoscope again?"

Edward and I were the only guests left. Everything was back in its place and It was time to go home.

"I better call a cab" Edward mentioned

"Where are you staying?" I asked "I can drive you there"

"At the Hilton downtown, but don't worry I can call a cab" He said looking at me

"No, really I can drive you, I don't care"

"You sure?"

"Yes"

We said our goodbyes and headed to my car. Once inside it I began to drive

"I don't want the night to end" He said looking at me

"Me neither" I whispered back "Do you want to go to my place? We can have coffee there and talk some more"

After he accepted my invitation we headed to my place and once inside it I put some water to boil. He wandered around and looking at my things

"Your place suits you" He said once we were seated on my sofa in the living room

"I guess it does" I said "I've lived here for a long time now"

"I guess we need to talk" He said placing his mug on my table

"I guess we do" I said turning to look at him "Are you back for good?"

"I am. I have no plan of leaving"

"But for how long until that changes?" I asked "I need you to understand that I can't put my heart on the line again Edward, and then have you leave"

"Hey" He said coming closer our legs touching "I am staying here. It's what I want"

"Is it? Are you really doing this for you? or is it for me? Because I can't ask you to forget about your dreams. You were living them before, traveling around the world and writing"

"I got really sick on my last trip" he suddenly said

"What? Are you alright?" My mind was going crazy over all the crazy sickness I've seen on TV people got when they travelled

"Yeah, I am fine now" He said "But I was in the hospital in Japan and they asked me if I wanted to call someone so they could visit me. And I realized I didn't have someone. I didn't have anybody, sure, my parents were there for me, but I felt so alone and I realized I was chasing the wrong dream. I had been so career focused that I forgot what was really important in life. I was living for my dream not living my dream. As soon as I got out of the hospital I quit and went back to the states. I went to Washington to live with my parents for a while because I had to receive treatment for a while and then I looked for a job here. When the doctors said I was back to normal I accepted the job and took the first plane here" He was playing with my hair by this time "And I know I am being selfish by asking this, but please give me a chance to do this right. And I understand If you don't want to, but I would not be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try it. My dreams have changed Isabella, I want to be happy, and before I thought that meant having some glamorous job. I am not gonna lie to you and say I didn't enjoy it, I really did, and maybe it was what I needed that time in my life, but not anymore. I want to keep writing, but I also want a stable life, where I can share my life with my family, my friends and with the person I choose to love"

"Edward…" By this time tears were running down my eyes

"Don't cry" He said kissing my tears away "Not for me. I've caused you enough pain. No more tears Isabella"

"These are happy tears" I swear trying to smile

"So, is that a yes? Can we try this, the right way this time?"

"You don't even have to ask"

Edward left that night to his hotel. He called a cab after all. We said our goodbyes and exchanged telephones numbers. He kissed my cheek on drove away. I could not sleep that night. I was turning in my bed thinking about the night I just had. Me day had begun like any other and had turned out to be what I can call one of the best nights of my life. I was getting sleepy when a been alerted me of a text message.

I am in my bed thinking about you. I close my eyes and I see your lovely smile and brown eyes. My heart can't stop beating wildly in my chest. I have not felt this alive in so long, and I only have you to thank. Sweet dreams, I know mine will be, because you'll be in them. Xo. Edward.

And with that message the land of dreams claimed me and my head was filled with green eyes and see words all night.


So?