A/N: Thank you for your wonderful reviews, and if you don't review, thank you for just reading. :)
Thanks to Dinx, my ever-fab beta!
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters you recognize. This story is rated M, and is not suitable for younger readers. Story contains some violence, character death, very foul language and may eventually contain sexual situations. Please do not read if any of these things offend you.
Chapter Thirty Six
It wasn't but a half hour into the drive to SeaTac the next morning that Charlie cleared his throat, and Bella laughed a little.
"Okay, Dad."
He glanced over at her. "What?"
"You want to ask about Edward," she said, clutching a paperback book in her lap.
"It's not really any of my business," he responded, despite his curiosity.
Bella rolled her eyes. "Dad, it's okay. You can ask me."
"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter all that much since you live in New York now, and he's here. But it's good that you feel you can be friends, or, you know, whatever."
"Right," Bella said, nodding. "Friends or whatever."
"I gained some respect for the guy when he punched that ..." He paused and glanced at her. "He's a different man now, that's easy to see."
Bella smiled, turning slightly in her seat. "Dad, Edward's moving to New York."
Charlie's grip on the wheel tightened. It was easier to stomach his daughter's friendship - or whatever- with Edward when he knew they were separated by three thousand miles.
"Is that so," he stated. "And what's he going to, uh, do there?"
Bella kept her eyes on him. "Jess is going to talk to her dad about helping Edward find a job. She said-"
"Where will he live? With you?"
Bella's eyes widened. "No! God, no. No," she stated emphatically. "He'll have his own place. And Alice is there, so he'll have family around."
"Was this his idea, Bells?"
"It wasn't mine," she replied. "And I wasn't sure at first, but we talked about it and it makes sense."
"Wouldn't it just be easier if you moved back here? Now, I know you like New York, and things are good, but-"
"But you aren't there to keep an eye on me," Bella said. "Right, I get it. And no, he deserves a shot there, too, just like I did. He'll have a better life there, I think."
Charlie looked at her. "I know you're not a little girl anymore, Bells, but you'll always be my little girl, and I'll always be protective of you. That's what being a dad is about."
Bella nodded. "I know. And I love you for that."
"Your mom would be proud of you, kiddo. Real damn proud."
As the truck headed toward Seattle, Bella tried to read, but found herself reading the same sentences over and over. She glanced at her phone peeking out of her purse.
Should I text him?
Minutes later, the temptation got to be too much, and she pulled her phone out, scrolling to his number.
Her fingers hovered over the keys as she thought about what to say.
Charlie was eying her curiously, a smirk on his face. He was glad to see Bella happy after all the hell she had been through.
Finally, she typed out a simple message before sticking the phone back inside the purse.
Thinking of you... - B
Edward was in the middle of loading clothes into the dryer when he heard his phone chirp in the other room. He quickly finished, slammed the door shut, turned it on and hurried to the living room.
His face lit up when he saw the message, and he grinned, taking a seat on the arm of the sofa.
Likewise, beautiful, he typed. I miss you already.
Bella smiled when her phone vibrated. She retrieved it, her heartbeat speeding up. When she accidentally let an 'aw' sound escape, Charlie rolled his eyes, causing Bella to smack him playfully.
"Why don't you just call the boy? I can tell you want to," he said.
She shook her head. "It can wait."
"It can, but I doubt he can," Charlie replied, chuckling.
Bella blushed a little before typing her message in.
I'll call soon.
Not if I call first, he shot back.
The chief is inches away. It's your life, she fired off, grinning.
I'll take my chances...
And that was when Bella may have given most of her heart to the boy she'd watched become a man.
"Is that you, Bella Swan?" Jessica called down the stairwell as soon as Bella entered the building.
Bella shook her head, laughing. "Yeah!" she called up. "Geez, give me a minute."
She paused at the third floor landing to pet Lucille Ball, who wrapped himself around her ankles. Bella nearly giggled herself silly when she found out that Lucille was a boy, but she had to admit the name fit the cat.
"Bellaaaa!"
"Shit, I'm coming!" Bella yelled. "For pete's sake, what-"
Bella froze at the bottom of the stairs to the fourth floor, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of the enormous bouquet of Gerber daisies Jessica presently held.
"Fuck," Bella whispered, grinning. "Those flowers are bigger than your head."
"Oh god, just take the card! Who are they from? I'm dyin' here!" Jessica said excitedly, nearly bouncing on her toes.
Bella dropped her bag when she hit the top of the stairs, and plucked the card from the bouquet before reading it to herself.
Dearest Bella,
Finally a note I can write you that doesn't identify me as five digits. Yours, however you want me,
Thank you for two wonderful evenings, and I hope we have many more.
You're taking a chance, and I promise I won't let you down.
Edward
Bella felt tears spring to her eyes, and she swiped them away. "Jesus fuck, I can't believe I'm crying again."
"Bella?" Jessica asked, concern in her voice. "These are happy flowers."
Bella smiled. "Yes, Jess, I'm aware of that."
"What's it say? Can I see it? Who are they from?"
The two friends spent the next few hours going over every little detail, pausing only to refill their wine glasses and order Chinese food.
When Bella finally went to her apartment, she wasted no time dialing Edward's number.
"I was beginning to think I'd lost you forever," he said teasingly on the second ring.
She collapsed onto the sofa, a grin on her face. "Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."
"You're welcome. I'm glad they're to your liking."
Bella snorted. "Edward, you could have sent me a dandelion and I would have loved it."
"Isabella Swan, are you tipsy?"
"Maybe just a little," she replied, laying her head back. "I had to give Jess the rundown, you know. Those things always go better with wine."
"Hm. I've had my share of alcohol-induced conversations, yes."
She giggled, and Edward grinned. "What are you doing tomorrow?" he asked.
"Back to work," she replied. "You?"
"Same, though in my head, I'm driving across the country."
"You should totally do that," she said, yawning.
Edward glanced at the clock. "Bella, it's almost eleven there. You should go to bed."
"I should, yes. Then it'll be morning, and in my head, you'll be driving across the country."
He didn't think it was possible, but his mouth curved upward even further. "Sleep, Bella."
"Okay, you pushy man. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, and sweet dreams."
As the days passed, and Christmas grew closer, so did Bella and Edward. They texted constantly, chatted by phone whenever they could, and even Skyped a few times.
Edward was wrapping up the Tanner project, and had talked to a few different people about jobs in New York. Jessica had been working with him and Bella, and with her dad to get Edward's foot in the door at one of the city's more established companies that worked to rehabilitate poor communities.
Two evenings before Christmas, Bella was curled up on the couch with a pint of cookies and cream ice cream and It's a Wonderful Life on television when the doorbell rang. Figuring it was Jessica, considering any outside visitors would need to ring from the lobby first, she paused the movie and went to the door, unconcerned that she was wearing yoga pants and a ratty t-shirt that was two sizes too big.
When she opened it, Emmett gave her his biggest grin and she gasped in shock. "Emmett!"
"Hiya, kid!" Rose said, stepping from beside the door.
"Rose!" Bella launched herself forward, hugging the both of them. "What … how ..."
"Just wait," Emmett said, interrupting her.
As if on cue, the door to Jessica's apartment opened and Edward stepped out, smiling at her.
Bella blew past Emmett and Rose, throwing her arms around Edward's neck.
"Hello to you, too," he whispered against her ear. "I take it you missed me."
"Shut up," she mumbled, burying her face against his shoulder.
He chuckled, pressing his lips to her head. "There's one more thing."
She pulled back, her eyes impossibly wide. "Are you guys trying to kill me?"
"Hi, Bells," Charlie said, making his appearance from inside Jessica's apartment.
Bella let out a cry of surprise and went to him, hugging him tight. "Dad!"
Jessica leaned against the doorframe, a grin on her face. "For the record, I was merely a pawn, not the instigator."
Bella hugged her. "Thanks, Jess."
"He's a keeper, hon," she whispered into Bella's ear before pulling away. "Now, I'm off to Boston for some quality family time. Merry Christmas!"
"Hot damn, she has pie!" Emmett yelled from inside the apartment.
Everyone laughed, and Bella told him to help himself before they started to file in. Edward hung back, grabbing Bella's hand to halt her. She glanced at Charlie, who merely smiled and closed the door to give them some privacy.
Edward cupped her face in his hands and bent to kiss her softly, his lips pausing inches from hers as if he were waiting for clearance. She closed the small gap, wrapping her arms around him. It was sweet and tender, and Bella couldn't believe it was happening. Minutes ago, she was contemplating a Christmas alone, thinking that maybe she should have traveled to Washington. Instead, Washington had come to her.
"What-" Bella started to say when Edward pulled back.
"Shh," he murmured, pressing his lips to her forehead. He hugged her against him, his eyes closed as he rested his head atop her chin. "Just let me hold you for a second."
Bella inhaled the scent of him, her cheek pressed against his chest.
"It was your dad's idea, believe it or not," Edward finally said. "He drove up to the Port a couple of weeks ago and asked if we'd be interested in joining him on his trip."
"I didn't think he was coming. He said he couldn't get away," Bella said, baffled.
"Hm, he told us he was going to surprise you. Mom is flying in tomorrow. Dad's … well, I'm not really sure. He's trying to get out of Chicago. Either way, we're here. Alice and Jasper are hosting."
"You were planning on coming this whole time?"
"We were, but everyone was sworn to secrecy, though Alice said she had invited you over already." He held her hands between them. "I couldn't bear to stay away any longer, especially with it being Christmas. I know how much you adore Christmas Eve. I want to share that with you. And it's my first Christmas back with my family, thanks to you."
The door behind them swung open, interrupting their conversation, and Emmett looked out, a piece of pie in his hand. "Are you guys gonna stay out there all night?"
Edward rolled his eyes as Bella giggled. He kissed her again before leading her into the apartment, now full of life and laughter, just as Bella longed for.
She snuggled against Edward on the sofa as the five of them laughed it up all evening. When it was nearing ten, Emmett and Rose called it a night, heading for their hotel.
"I should go, too," Edward said, removing his arm from Bella's shoulders. He stood, holding out his hand to her. She smiled as she took it, and walked with him to the hallway.
"Don't say anything," Edward started, "but Emmett's going to ask Rose to marry him while they're here. He wants everyone to be there."
Bella smiled. "That's wonderful."
"He has an elaborate scheme that involves taking her to the Empire State Building. I'll let you know when he's figured out the details."
Which is why, the next afternoon, Bella and Charlie greeted Edward on the sidewalk outside the apartment building. Bella immediately sought out Edward's hand, and he gave her a chaste kiss.
"Are we set?" Bella asked.
Edward nodded. "We are. Emmett's going to bring her up at three. I told him we'd be there. Alice and Jasper are probably there already. Mom's en route from the airport. Dad's still stuck in Chicago."
"Oh, that's too bad," Bella said, frowning.
Charlie had resisted at first, saying he didn't think he really had any business being there, but Bella insisted with some urging from Edward, and Charlie finally gave in.
As they walked the city streets, Edward couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he listened to Bella chatter on about various points of interest. The way she described the city made it clear to him why she was a writer, and he was growing more excited about moving with every story she told. Charlie hung back, listening to his daughter and giving a curious glance to his surroundings.
"Dad, I have to take you to Virgil's before you leave," she said over her shoulder.
"What's that?" he asked, mildly interested.
"It's barbecue, and it's to die for," she replied.
"Coming from someone who loves turkey burgers, I'm not sure I trust you on that," he responded with a grin.
Edward chuckled, his eyes moving skyward as the Empire State Building loomed above their heads. "Jesus, it's amazing."
Bella nodded. "I haven't been to the top yet. I'm so excited!"
They bought their tickets and loaded onto the elevator. The higher they went, the more excited they each became – even Charlie, who had a hard time not smiling when Bella was obviously so happy.
When they finally reached the top, Alice squealed when she laid eyes on them, hugging each of them – including the chief – before they joined Jasper.
"Oh my god," Bella said, looking at the city spread out below them. "It's beautiful."
Edward wrapped an arm around her waist, having a hard time looking at the scenery when all he wanted to do was look at Bella.
"Hey, you guys! Turn around!" Alice said, holding a camera.
They did as told and she snapped a photo of Bella leaning against Edward, the city as their backdrop. Esme arrived in the meantime, beaming as she told them that Emmett and Rose had caught the next elevator up.
"Oh, they're here!" Alice whisper-shouted. "Everyone act normal."
This earned laughter from all of them, but if Rose was surprised to see them all there, she was hiding it pretty well.
The group spent several minutes taking photos and enjoying themselves before Emmett finally made his move.
Edward pulled Bella to his side, entwining their fingers. He watched as Bella's smile grew wider and wider, her eyes brimming with tears as Emmett dropped to one knee in front of Rose.
Rose looked down at him, a smirk on her face. "Well, I'll be damned," she said.
Emmett didn't need to make some robust declaration of love. All he needed to do was hold up a sparkling diamond ring, give one of his most charming smiles, and Rose dropped to her knees in front of him, kissing him with every fiber of her being.
"I guess that's a yes," Charlie said, chuckling.
Bella smiled, nuzzling her head into the crook of Edward's neck. He planted a kiss atop her head, then let her go, laughing as she went into girl-mode with Rose, Alice and Esme.
Charlie stepped up next to him, his arms folded. "She's happier than I've ever seen her."
Edward nodded in agreement, unable to take his eyes off her. "She's finally found her place, I think."
Charlie glanced at him, then turned, looking across the city. "She's the most important thing in the world to me, son. It broke my heart to see how much pain she was in. I don't want her to go back to that place ever again."
Edward looked at him. "She means a lot to me, sir."
"Just so long as you understand," Charlie stated. "This isn't some kind of weird hero complex or something, is it?"
"God no," Edward said quickly. "Absolutely not. Look, Chief, I've got a lot to make up for with her, and I'm working on it." He paused, looking toward Bella, who was still fawning over Rose's ring. "Bella and I, we can be something. What that something is, I don't know. I laid the foundation, and I'm letting her lay the bricks."
Charlie snorted, amused by Edward's analogy.
Edward gave him a lopsided grin. "You know what I mean. I know that I want a chance to be the man she expects me to be. That I should be, for her. She's special to me, Chief. I can't promise you I won't make mistakes, because I'm not perfect. But I can promise you that I'll do everything in my power to make sure she's happy, even when there are bumps in the road."
Charlie's jaw clenched, and for a moment, Edward wondered if he'd overstepped his bounds.
"I guess I can't ask for more than that," Charlie replied. "As long as she's happy, and you keep her safe."
"Always," Edward said. "I can't imagine life without her."
Charlie pushed away from the wall and clapped Edward on the back before heading over to talk to Esme.
Bella eventually made her way to back over to Edward, who was staring across the vast jungle of life stretched out below and thinking about his talk with Charlie. She laid her hand on his back, and he glanced at her.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked, trailing her eyes down his strong-set jaw.
"Nothing. Everything," he said, pulling her against him. "What are the chances I can steal you away for some quiet time this evening?"
"Pretty good, I'd say," she responded with a smile as she reveled in his open adoration of her.
"Good. I'll pick you up at eight. In the meantime, you should spend some quality time with your dad. No doubt Alice will have us all over the city and back by then."
Edward was right. While Alice led her family on a whirlwind tour of Midtown, Bella took Charlie to Virgil's for some Christmas Eve barbecue.
"Now I know I'm not in Forks anymore," Charlie said in between bites. "No barbecue this good there, and definitely not on Christmas Eve."
Bella smiled. "The city never sleeps, Dad."
"I can see how much you love it now," he commented. "Your face just lights up. However, the walking part? I could do without that."
She laughed a little. "You get used to it. It helps that pretty much everything I need is right around any corner."
They strolled through Bryant Park on their way back to Bella's apartment. With a little time to kill before Edward arrived, they played a few rounds of poker, discussing the latest gossip in Forks. Charlie had her laughing until she had tears in her eyes as he regaled her with tales of Jacob changing diapers and getting puked on.
At seven thirty, Bella changed into her favorite pair of jeans and a black chenille sweater. It had turned markedly cooler since they'd left the Empire State Building, and there were flurries in the forecast for that evening.
She heard the bell ring from below, and hurried out to answer.
"Come on up," she said, hitting the button. A minute later, she opened the door to find a grinning Edward.
"Um, what's so funny?" she asked, glancing into the hall for something suspicious.
He pointed to his feet, where Bella found Lucille Ball presently snaking his way in and around Edward's legs.
Bella laughed and knelt, picking up the furball. "It's the building cat," she stated. "His name is Lucille Ball."
Edward snorted as he scratched the cat behind the ears. "Lucille Ball? And it's a boy?"
"Don't judge," Bella replied, letting the cat jump out of her arms. "Come in. I just need to pull my shoes on."
After she turned, he let his eyes freely roam her backside – until he heard a throat clear.
He grimaced. "Hey, Chief."
"Edward," Charlie said, glancing at him from his spot on the sofa. "Where you two headed?"
"Oh, uh..." He looked toward the hall. "It's a surprise."
"Ah. It's turning colder, so-"
"Dad," Bella said, shaking her head as she came into the room. She started to pull her coat on, but Edward stepped forward quickly to help. "We won't be gone too long, I'm sure," she finished. She kissed Charlie on the cheek and picked up her purse.
"You kids be careful," Charlie said, watching them as they walked to the door. He was growing increasingly more comfortable with Edward's presence, placated by the fact that Edward seemed to be well aware of how he should treat a woman.
"Did you eat yet?" Edward asked when they started down the stairs.
"Yeah, I took Dad to Virgil's. He loved it. What'd you guys do?"
"To be honest, I have no fucking idea. I feel like I've been walking for days."
Bella giggled, draping her arm through his. "Welcome to New York."
"I hope you don't mind," he said when they hit the sidewalk. "I've already planned something."
"Oh?"
"I, uh, may have asked for assistance, but only to get us there."
She looked at him curiously. "Are we walking? Is it close?"
"Er, I guess?" He gave her a sheepish grin.
"Well, it doesn't matter. It's not as if I have anything better to do," she teased.
He lifted a hand to his chest. "You wound me, woman."
She grinned, snuggling closer to him as they headed down 6th Avenue.
"I'm so happy for Rose and Emmett," she said, glancing into store windows as they walked along. "They're a perfect match."
"Hm, yeah. They're talking about a summer wedding." Edward didn't tell Bella that Rose was planning to ask her to be maid of honor.
"In the Port?"
"I guess. Or maybe Seattle."
"Have you talked to your dad?"
Edward shrugged. "Briefly. He wanted to be here, but the on-call doctor has an illness in the family, so he has to stay there."
Bella frowned. "Is he doing okay?"
"Better. He's still attending AA. I was worried, with it being Christmas, but he swears he won't be derailed."
Bella squeezed Edward's arm, then moved her hand down to his, grasping it.
They walked in silence until Rockefeller Center came into view. The crowd had thickened considerably, everyone clamoring to see the famous Christmas tree in its last few days of existence. Edward kept a tight hold to Bella as they walked along, ever so often stealing a glance at her face. She was smiling from ear to ear, taking it all in. Her first Christmas in the city. She caught his eye and he winked at her. When they were finally able to get a full view of the tree, they stood in front of it, looking at the twinkling lights, their faces lit up by the glow.
"It's so beautiful," she said.
To add to the magic of the moment, tiny snow flurries were drifting around, ending their journey on warm bodies.
"Bella?" Edward said, lifting a hand to brush a flurry off her cheek.
She looked at him, noticing the considerable difference in his face from several months ago. His heavy load had vanished, replaced with a light in his eyes.
"You have to make a wish," he told her. "On the star. You can't see any stars here in the city, so this is what I came up with."
Bella gaped at him, then tilted her head, allowing her eyes to settle on the star topping the tree.
"Remember?" he asked, thinking back to all those Christmases ago, when they were just kids and Grandpa Cullen had told them that they should always make a wish upon the brightest star on Christmas Eve.
She nodded. "I do. Of course I do. I haven't made a Christmas Eve wish in … well, it's been a couple of years. I remember the last thing I wished for, though."
"Yeah?"
"It was the first Christmas without my mom. I wished for her soul and yours to be at peace."
Stunned, he simply looked at her, no words to say.
"This year..." she began, looking at him, then at the star. She closed her eyes, smiling a little. She felt Edward's nearness, his fingers on her skin. She felt the soft kiss of a flurry as it hit her nose. She heard a choir singing Silent Night, her favorite of all Christmas carols.
I wish to never forget the feeling of discovery... she thought.
Edward had been mesmerized by the sight of her as she made her wish. The curve of her lips as she smiled, the lashes of her eyes fluttering closed. She was breathtaking.
He had his wish right in front of him.
"Done?" he asked when she finally opened her eyes.
"I am," she replied, locking her gaze with his. "Are you?"
"I am," he echoed.
"Have any of your wishes ever came true?"
"Hm, a couple of them, but the most important one is right in front of me," he answered, closing the distance between them. He looked down at her as she lifted her face toward him. "And with her permission, I'm going to kiss her."
She gasped a little. "Edward, you don't have to keep asking me."
"I just want to make sure we're on the same page," he said, grinning.
"I think I'm a few chapters ahead, and you need to catch up," she responded, breathless.
"Well, I better get started then." And with that, his lips descended to hers, and a delicious shudder heated her body when they met. Another kiss full of promise and longing, an ache so deep it should hurt, but didn't.
"Best Christmas ever," he whispered into her hair after they parted and he held her close.
Chapter End Notes: Next chapter, next weekend...
This week's rec: "My Sweet Thing" by An End Has a Start. This undiscovered gem had me wide-eyed and dropping my jaw by the time I finished the posted chapters. Rose and Jasper are ... well, not nice. And Bella used to be not so nice, but she's met an Edward (and Alice) so sweet that you can see her changing. The author's summary: Bella Swan's world is about to be turned upside down when she meets a strange boy named Bronze. His child like attitude is just what she needs to step down off the pedestal she lives upon. All Human.
To anyone with friends and/or family in the south affected by the storms, my thoughts are with you all. *HUGGGS*