It's Time

Chapter 36

Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

A second disclaimer:

I'm not a professional writer. I write Twilight fanfic simply because I love this fandom.

I apologize in advance for any errors.

-IT-

As I left the hospital's parking lot, I received a call.

"Hello?"

"Are you finished with your visit?"

At the sound of Mike's gravelly voice, a bout of unease hit me. Even though he hadn't said anything, I knew he was unhappy with my decision to see Edward.

"Yeah, I'm on my way home."

"Can you stop at the diner for a cup of coffee?"

"Sure."

"Great. See you in a few."

When I arrived at the restaurant, I found Mike already seated.

"Just like old times, huh?" I teased as I sat across from him.

He smiled. "Our coffee dates were always the highlight of my week."

"Mine, too. We should make time for them again."

He shook his head. "Nah, you've got the store and Gia to think of now —"

"Hey," I grabbed his fingers and gave them a tender squeeze. "I'm never too busy for you."

I grinned as I watched him rub the back of his neck. He hated it when I got mushy.

After we each ordered our drinks and a slice of pie, he cleared his throat. "Kid, I'm worried."

"Mike —"

He raised a hand to stop me from speaking. "Let me say my piece. I've noticed a change in your attitude towards Edward. Now, I didn't think too much of it at first, but by God, Bella, after what happened last week, I'm scared to death." After scrubbing a palm across his face, he continued. "Please tell me I'm wrong … you aren't seriously considering a relationship with that boy, are you?"

"No, I mean ... I'm not sure," I mumbled, not meeting his intense stare.

"Bella," he said with a groan. "Are you forgetting what a controlling prick he is?"

"But … he's changed."

Mike snorted.

"No, he has," I said. "And, anyhow, I've forgiven him for his past mistakes."

He shook his head in disbelief. "Even if that's the case, have you forgotten what he does for a living?"

I winced at his question. In all honesty, I had become an expert at pretending that side of my family's life didn't exist.

"I'm well aware of what he does for a living." Feeling defensive, I added, "And if I recall correctly, it's the same as your former profession."

He grimaced, and I immediately felt ashamed of my words.

The waitress appeared and placed our food and beverages on the table.

After nodding my thanks to her, I looked at Mike. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have said that."

"Why not? It's the truth," he said before coughing. After taking a large gulp of his coffee, he continued, "I just want better … for you … for Gia."

"I know, and I promise, I won't make any hasty decisions regarding Edward."

"That's all I can ask."

-IT-

Later that evening, Carmen and Eleazar announced they would be leaving the next day for Chicago to help run operations while Edward recuperated from his injuries.

I couldn't help but be surprised by their news. My parents hadn't been involved in the family business for quite some time, and I couldn't imagine why Carmen would be in agreement with the decision. When she excused herself to begin packing, I followed her.

Once we entered the guest room where they had been staying, I asked, "Mom, are you okay with all of this?"

She paused for a moment before sitting on the bed. After patting on the empty spot next to her, she said, "Come here, sweetheart."

I sat, and she took my hands in hers. "When Eli first told me about Nonno's request, I have to admit; I was terrified. You have to remember, Eli almost lost his life before we left the business."

My eyes welled up with tears at the thought of how close my father had come to dying in that warehouse explosion. If he had, I would never have met him. "So why do it? Why take the chance again?"

"In all honesty, Eli wouldn't have left in the first place if it hadn't been for Carlisle, and I know he's missed it. It's in his blood. It's a part of him."

As I listened to her talk, my mind drifted to my conversation with Mike, and I thought of Edward. Could I ever be with a man whose occupation put him in constant danger?

"But how is it fair to you?"

"Oh, sweetheart, Eli wouldn't have agreed to return if I didn't support him. We had a lengthy discussion and made the decision together. Truthfully, it helps to know the business is run differently than it was before, and they aren't dealing with the same lowlifes."

I scrunched my brow in confusion.

She cleared her throat. "Edward cleaned house, so to speak when he took over … he changed the way they do business."

My eyes widened. "Cleaned house? You mean …"

She laughed. "No, that was a poor choice of words on my part. I just meant he restructured operations. I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but Edward is extraordinarily intelligent. Since he took over, profits have almost tripled."

"Do you mean they're no longer involved in illegal activity?"

She gave me a soft smile. "No, sweetheart, I'm afraid that's not the case. Many of their endeavors involve online gambling and wire fraud. Edward refuses to deal with any activities involving drugs or human trafficking."

Even though I knew most of my family were involved in criminal acts, hearing my mother say it aloud was an entirely different matter. "Should you even be telling me these things?"

"Probably not, but I think you need to know. My guess is you'll have a decision to make yourself in the not so distant future, and it needs to be an informed one."

I blushed at her statement. "How did you do it? How did you decide to become a part of this world … to turn a blind eye to your husband's dealings?"

"The way I saw it, I had two choices. I could either learn to accept the family's lifestyle or learn to live without my soulmate." She paused to meet my gaze. "And I knew there was no way I could survive without your father."

After giving my cheek a tender kiss, she resumed her packing.

-IT-

A week after Carmen and Eleazar left for Chicago, I received a surprising phone call from Edward.

"Hi, Bella."

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Much better, other than going a bit stir crazy."

We both laughed.

"That's actually the reason I'm calling," he paused, and I heard him clear his throat. "Nonna is going to run some errands, and I was wondering if I could stop by while she's out?"

I contemplated his request as I recalled our last interaction at the hospital - how affected I had been both emotionally and physically.

"Bella?" he said, a tone of uncertainty in his voice.

"Sorry." I snapped out of my stupor. "Sure, of course, you're welcome to come over … what time should I expect you?"

"Is an hour too soon?"

"No, that sounds good. Would you like to have lunch with us? I made a pot of chili this morning. It's nothing fancy, but—"

"I would love it, and chili happens to be one of my favorites."

"Well, I rarely make it, so I guess it's a good thing you picked today to visit."

"Maybe it's just fate," he said.

Twirling a piece of my hair, I whispered my response. "Maybe, you're right."

-IT-

Exactly sixty minutes later, my doorbell rang. After placing a loaf of banana bread into the oven, I wiped my hands and removed my apron.

As I walked past Mike who sat at the dining room table reading the newspaper, he shook his head and warned, "I still think you're making a big mistake."

"It's only a friendly visit," I replied, not believing my own words.

"Whatever you say, kid."

After taking a deep breath and exhaling, I opened the door and found Edward leaning against the porch wall, yanking his hair. As soon as our eyes met, he offered a half-smile, and my stomach somersaulted.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Come in." I stopped to the side as he entered the foyer. After taking his jacket, I said, "Go have a seat."

As he left the room, I opened the closet and grabbed a hanger. Before I hung up his coat, however, I brought it to my nose and took a long sniff.

Oh, dear Lord.

It smelled like a mixture of expensive cologne, leather, and a hint of tobacco; a scent I had come to associate with Edward.

I rubbed it across my cheek, wishing I could bottle up the scent and roll myself in it. With my head still buried inside the collar, I didn't notice Edward's return.

"Is everything okay?" he said before chuckling.

Started by his presence, I dropped the jacket. Turning to face him, I placed my hand against my chest. "You scared me."

"Sorry, I said your name, but you were too busy canoodling with my coat to hear me." He continued laughing.

The blood rushed to my cheeks. "What? N-no! I … I … I was just reading the cleaning label."

"Whatever you say, sweetheart." He shot me a wink.

My fists balled. "Ugh, you are so frustrating." I picked up the garment and placed it on a hanger. After completing the task, I added, "And who says canoodling anyhow?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I do."

"Well, it's a dumb word." My pride injured, I stomped into the living room.

He followed. "Perhaps, but it's sure fun to do."

I paused and looked at him. Arching an eyebrow, I said, "You would know since you've had a lot of practice."

He blanched at my words and ran his fingers through his hair. With a serious expression, he said, "Not as much as you probably think, Bella."

For some reason, the thought of him canoodling with anyone caused a hollow ache to spread throughout my chest. I sat on the sofa with a frown.

After sitting next to me, he apologized. "Shit, I'm sorry. This is not how I envisioned today going."

He reached for my hand, but I pulled it away, knowing I wouldn't be able to think clearly if we made contact. I was aware of his scrutiny but refused to meet his gaze.

He sighed at my reaction before rubbing his palm across his forehead. "God, why is this always so difficult? It's like we go one step forward and then two steps back?"

After a few moments of silence, I said, "I'm sorry. I'm not being fair to you. I was just embarrassed over your stupid coat, and, I guess, I overreacted." Turning toward him, I continued. "Anyway, it's not any of my business how many girls you've … well, you know." I waved my hand in the air.

"Canoodled?" he said with a small smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "Can you please stop saying that word?"

"Is there a word you would prefer me to use?"

I gave it a moment of consideration, and all the alternatives seemed worse. "Can we just change the subject?"

He leaned over and grabbed a lock of my hair. As he gently massaged it between his fingers, he said, "I'd like to, but I think it's time we lay it all on the line, so to speak. Obviously, it's bothering you, and even though I have no right, I can't help but wonder the same about you."

I wanted to deny what he said wasn't true, but I remembered the conversations I had overheard between Carmen and Eleazar when I was a teenager - the ones about Edward cheating. At the time, I didn't care; it hadn't meant anything, but now, the thought of him with someone else … well, it felt as if I was being speared in the heart by a blazing, hot poker.

I winced at my thoughts.

"Are you okay?"

"Thinking about a conversation I overheard years ago."

He grimaced. "About me, I assume?"

I nodded.

He dropped my hair and rubbed the back of his neck. "Nonno said this day would come." He gave a half laugh. "And, so it has."

"It's fine, Edward. It doesn't matter—"

"Yes. It does. Don't make excuses for me." After standing from the sofa, he bent down in front of me. Placing his hands on each side of my thighs, he said, "Bella, I've made so many mistakes … committed so many sins against you, but my biggest regret in life is attempting to find," he paused before continuing, "solace in the arms of another woman."

"Solace?" I said with a snort.

A sheepish expression crossed his face. "I don't know what you want me to say, Bella. I'm trying to be a gentleman."

"Just call it what it was, Edward." I crossed my arms against my chest. Hurt consumed me.

"Fine. I regret every woman I've ever fucked because that's all it was … fucking. Over the years, I've come to realize they meant nothing to me, and how unfair my actions were to you. But I also need you to know, I've been celibate for the past four years - ever since I've been out of rehab."

For a brief second, I thought he was joking, but then I saw the sincerity in his gaze. "Edward—"

He leaned forward; our eyes became locked. "And I plan on remaining celibate." His warm breath fanned my face, and my heart raced. "There's only one person for me. I know that now."

I licked my lips. Half of me yearned to kiss him, but the other half knew I wasn't ready for that step. Fumbling over my words, I responded, "I … I don't know what you expect me to say."

"I don't expect you to say anything, but can I ask … about your history?"

"There's only been Austin. And even though it was a mistake, I can't ... regret it." I chewed on my bottom lip, worried my statement would upset him.

His hand cupped my chin, and his thumb lightly stroked my jaw. An involuntary shiver flitted across the nape of my neck. "Don't. I understand. Austin may have been a mistake, but Gia wasn't. She's a blessing."

Overwhelmed by his words, a tear rolled down my cheek.

Concerned flashed across his face.

I pulled from his grasp and wiped away the dampness with the back of my sleeve. "Sorry."

"Bella, you have nothing to apologize for … I'm the screw up in this story, not you."

A tiny smile formed at the corner of my mouth. "Well, that's certainly true."

He laughed, sitting back on his heels. "Speaking of Gia … where is she? I was hoping to see her if that's all right with you?"

"Of course, you can see her." I looked at my watch. "She's taking a nap, but it's time for her to get up for lunch." After standing, I said, "Would you like to go with me to wake her?"

His face lit up at the invitation. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Yes, come on."

As we walked to her room, we passed Mike who was still seated in the dining room. Scattered across the table were at least a dozen guns.

Pausing, I placed my hands on my hips. "Mike! What in the hell do you think you're doing?"

After picking up a rifle, he raised an eyebrow and gave Edward a cold glare. "Cleaning my weapons."

I huffed. "You're being ridiculous."

Edward placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "Hey, maybe I should wait here while you get Gia. I think it's time Mike and I talked."

AN:

The mob issue definitely needed to be addressed as did Edward's past indiscretions.

Thanks to Fran, K, Kay, Gail, Diane, and Cheryl for their never-ending support with this fic.

A special shout out to the ladies of The Lemonade Stand for featuring It's Time in their blog. It's always such a thrill and an honor.

Thank you to everyone who voted for Edward Cullen: Tree Murderer and Harvey Girls during the Twific Fandom Awards. It was an absolute surprise to be recognized, and I am so grateful for your support.

Also, thank you to those who voted The Beach House into February's Top Ten Completed Fics.

And finally, hello and much love to all my fandom friends in NC this weekend! I hope everyone has a blast.