A/N: Here we go - another installment of everybody's favorite fic...Clementines!
Okay, so it's not everybody's favorite fic. And I don't even own the characters - lame, I know. But I'm having fun and loving all your comments about whodunnit and how Angela's such a bitch and that Carlisle is fucking hot. Thank you for making me smile with every alert that hits my inbox - you guys ROCK.
Chapter 37
BPOV
I sat in the cheerless, colorless waiting area of the hospital, biding my time until my name was called. As I sat flexing my soon to be free fingers, I found myself wondering if Edward was working today. I knew Carlisle didn't think it was a good idea to speak to him, but if I could only find out whether it was him or Angela who made the complaint...
No, I needed to push those thoughts out of my head. It would be like going behind Carlisle's back, and we didn't need any more added stress right now.
Finally, the nurse called my name, only to usher me in to another boring room to wait some more. After what felt like forever, Dr. Gerandy made his appearance.
"Hello, Bella," he greeted me warmly, rolling a small table and chair over to me. "How are you doing today?"
"I'm doing okay, thanks."
"And how is your friend? Angela - was that her name?"
"Umm, yes. Angela's...fine. She's at home in Forks with her family now."
"That's good to hear. She sounded like a very troubled young girl - she's very lucky to have a friend like you."
I shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, right," I mumbled. "I just did what anyone else would have done."
"Don't be so modest, Bella, you deserve a lot of credit. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out, and you did the right thing," he said, the corners of his eyes wrinkling warmly at me. "Now, let's take a look at those hands."
xXxXx
Dr. Gerandy's words still echoed through my mind as I navigated the dizzying maze of hallways and elevators toward the exit. I had tried to be a good friend to Angela. Really, I had. But she was the one who kept pushing me away. What more could I do? And now with this complaint, how could we possibly repair our shattered friendship?
And yet, despite everything, I missed her.
"Are you just going to stand there all day?" I heard a voice say from behind me.
Dear God, would I ever be able to come to this hospital without running into Edward? Not that I was surprised, but jeez - was the dude just stalking me now?
"Maybe."
"You've been standing in front of the elevator for like, five minutes."
"Hmmm, is that so? Thank you for pointing that out to me." I reached out and pushed the button with my finger, fighting every instinct I had to throw him against the wall and demand he tell me what the hell had happened.
"I saw you were getting your stitches out, so I thought I'd say hello."
"Hello," I replied as politely as I could.
"Well? Can I have a look?"
I instinctively folded my hands under my armpits. "No, that's okay."
"Why not?"
"Because. That's why."
"Ummm, just taking a stab in the dark here, but is something bothering you?"
Okay, so either Edward clearly wasn't the one who complained, or he deserved an Academy Award for this clueless performance. I hedged my bets on the former. Edward was a terrible actor from what I'd seen in our school's production of Romeo and Juliet.
"Nope. Everything's just peachy keen with me," I lied. The doors opened and I stepped inside with Edward right behind me.
"C'mon, something's not right - you're trying to act all aloof, but you're not that good of an actress."
Touché. Neither one of us was a good actor.
"Talk to me," he continued.
"Edward, even if something was wrong, you would be the last of all people I would speak to about it," I sighed, tapping the button for the lobby a few times for good measure.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Forget it."
"No. I want to know what you meant. Why am I the last person you'd speak to? What did I do?"
"Ummm, let's see - you slept with my best friend, for starters," I replied, not caring that my voice was rising. "And then you tried to kiss me that very same night - TWICE. AND you tried to pick a fight with my boyfriend. Need I go on?"
"Shit, Bella - I already said I was sorry," he hissed back. "I thought we moved past that."
"I thought so, too. Excuse me," I muttered, brushing past him as the doors opened.
"So, if it's not me, then I guess you're having trouble in paradise, then?" he called after me.
I stopped in my tracks.
"That's it, isn't it?"
I turned to face him. "And what would you know of my troubles?"
"Nothing. So, tell me - what did he do? Dump you for some older chick or something?"
I narrowed my eyes. Good ol' Edward - as wrong as he was, he always knew which buttons to push, and I would NOT give him the satisfaction of thinking he was right. "And why should I talk to you about anything? Maybe you'll just go blab to Angela again."
He looked momentarily taken aback. "Again? What do you mean, again?"
"Just never mind, Edward. I'm sure you'll figure it all out eventually. Goodbye."
"Real mature, Bella!" he called after me, as I pushed through the double doors. "What are we, in junior high?"
I didn't answer him, didn't cast him a second glance. I couldn't. Even though I was pretty sure by his reaction he wasn't the one who complained, I didn't want to break my promise to Carlisle any more than I already had.
Still, as ridiculous as it seemed, I hated to leave Edward hanging like that. I'd gone for several years seeing him only on occasion and being civil, and that had suited me just fine - and now to treat him like he had the plague didn't seem quite fair.
The bus ride home was long and crowded; by the time it dropped me off only a few blocks from my apartment, my head was spinning, and I felt slightly nauseous. I welcomed the cool air of the approaching twilight on my skin as I slowly walked toward my home. The little park I used to visit with Angela was empty and lonely-looking as I passed by. I paused for a moment, staring at the forgotten swings, and drew the zipper of my jacket higher, before stuffing my hands in its pockets and moving on.
I wasn't surprised to see an envelope from the University waiting for me in my mailbox. I didn't even bother to open it. However, I wasn't expecting to see a letter with Angela's return address in Forks. Once inside, I slit the envelope open with my shaking finger and found a letter from Angela's mom, Linda.
Dear Bella,
I hope this letter finds you well. Kevin and I just wanted to say thank for all of your help with Angela. While every day is a struggle with her, we both would like to assist you financially with the rent and any other utility costs you might incur without a roommate. Please accept this check as a small token of our gratitude for saving our daughter's life. We love you, and if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Linda Weber
I stared at the check in disbelief. In truth, I hadn't even thought of the money issues I might be facing. But I couldn't possibly expect the Webers to keep paying Angela's half of the rent. Did I need to post an ad on Craig's List? Or even move?
I tossed the letter on the kitchen table along with the rest of the mail and pulled out my cell phone.
"Hi, Mom? We need to talk."
xXxXx
Two phone calls later, I had told my parents everything - they were concerned to say the least, especially my father. But that was the cop in him - he'd be ready to arrest Angela and throw away the key at a moment's notice, and for once, I appreciated that. While they felt for my predicament, neither one made any offers to give me any money, and I couldn't bring myself to ask them for any either. Of course, my mother kept offering to book the next flight to apartment hunt with me, but I assured her that wasn't necessary. As much as I loved my hippy mother, I didn't want to end up living in a mud hut or tree house, and these were certainly not the circumstances I wanted her to meet Carlisle under.
I drummed my newly freed fingers along the smooth surface of the table as I stared down at the letter from the University. I usually considered myself to be a pretty patient person, but oh, how I wished there was a way to fast-forward to a point in my life where this was all behind me.
Eventually, I pulled my eyes away from the mail and dutifully turned to my homework. How proud Professor Cullen would be to know what a breeze my Principles of Reasoning class had been today. I had been able to jump right in and understand everything the TA was saying, blushing slightly when she asked the class for an example of disjunctive syllogism.
At six o'clock, right on the button, there was a soft knock at the door. I ran to it and flung it open.
"Hello, handsome," I grinned before pulling him in for a kiss. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too, beautiful. How's everything here?"
"Not bad, all things considered. How was your day?"
"Same. Alistair sends you his fondest regards," he said, smirking at me with his eyes.
"I take it you told him what was going on, then."
"Yep - I hope that was okay."
"Sure, I don't mind. What does he have to say about it?"
"He thinks it's all a load of manure, of course. And that we have nothing to worry about."
"Let's hope he's right," I sighed, relieving Carlisle of his suit jacket.
"Thanks. I'm sure he is. Meanwhile, I am ready to just relax and forget my troubles. How about you, babe?"
"I'd like nothing more, but first, I need to tell you a few things," I said, tossing the coat on the couch and pulling him toward the kitchen.
"Oh God, not more bad news," he groaned.
"It's not really bad news," I replied, handing him the letter and check from Angela's parents. "Look at this."
He took a moment and read the letter. "That's very generous of them. How do you feel about it?"
"I'm not sure. The Webers are like a second set of parents to me, and I know they wouldn't give me the money unless they really wanted me to have it. But at the same time, I can't let them do this every month; it wouldn't be right. So, I guess I should probably just bite the bullet and start looking for a new apartment."
"You don't need to do that."
"Well, it's not that easy finding a new roommate. And I don't want to live with some stranger I find on Craig's List."
"That's not exactly what I meant, Bella. I'm saying, I can help you."
I shot him a grateful smile. "That's sweet of you, but I can't take your money - I would feel too weird. And no, I don't want to ask my parents for it, either. I'm sure it won't take me that long to find a new place."
"Bella!" Carlisle's voice sounded exasperated.
"What?"
"What I'm trying to say is, you can live with me. In my home."
"With you?" I said slowly, not quite sure I was hearing him correctly. "Like, in your home?"
"Yes, I just said that," he chuckled.
"Oh." I wasn't sure what else to say after that. A million thoughts immediately started racing through my mind - was he being serious? Or was this one of those times when someone felt like they had to offer, but didn't really want you to say yes? Was this moving way too fast? Would it be a huge mistake? Or would it be the start of a long and happy life together? Would I have my own room - like a roommate? God, and what would my parents say?
A horrible silence filled the room until Carlisle cleared his throat and spoke.
"It was only a suggestion. I just thought since we spend so much time together anyway, you know, maybe it would be easier - more convenient - if you just moved in with me. I mean, that's not the only reason, of course - I would love to wake up to your face every morning just as I have the past few days. But I understand if this is too sudden or makes you uncomfortable. That wasn't my intention at all. I just love you and want to be with you, that's all. But living together is a big step, I know - "
I could have listened to Carlisle ramble on adorably for a while - something I thought I was only capable of doing - but decided to put him out of his misery.
"Carlisle, shut up."
"Excuse me?"
"Shut up and kiss me," I replied, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He obliged, pressing his lips softly against mine. But I didn't want soft. So I drew him in tighter and pressed my tongue against his lips until they parted. Eagerly, my tongue swept over his as his breath hitched in his throat. I felt his fingers dig into my back in response. Deeper, deeper I explored the intimate territory of his mouth, devouring his familiar, yet always delicious, taste.
When I'd had my fill, I gently broke away, and Carlisle looked at me with curiosity and slight confusion.
"That was my way of saying, yes. I'd love to live with you," I grinned at him.
"Really?"
"Really."
Before I knew it, my feet were off the ground as Carlisle spun me around in a circle. "You, little girl, have just made me the happiest man on the planet."
"We aren't making a huge mistake are we?" I giggled excitedly. "I mean, you aren't gonna get pissed when I hang my bras up to dry in the bathroom, right?"
"Of course not - I'm looking forward to it. In fact, let's go hang up the one you've got on right now!"
I groaned internally. Not that I didn't want to engage in some fun with Carlisle, but I really had wanted to get everything out in the open first. And I was positive that the topic of Edward would not make for the best post-coital conversation. So I took a deep breath and pushed him away slightly.
"Babe, I really hate to ruin the moment, but I have some other news for you as well."
"No...please?" he begged, reluctantly setting me down. "Can't we just be happy and celebrate for now?"
"Sure, if that's really what you want. I can wait."
"Shit." He slumped into one of the kitchen chairs and looked at me expectantly. "What is it?"
I plunked myself down in the chair next to him, and cleared my throat. "I ran into Edward today at the hospital."
His eyes momentarily flashed anger, but to his credit, he held it back. "And?"
"He didn't make the complaint."
"You asked him? I thought we agreed - "
"Of course not! I didn't even want to talk to him, but he kept following me and badgering me about what was wrong. I couldn't flat out ignore him."
"So what exactly makes you think he didn't do it?"
"I don't know, I just do."
"How very reassuring."
I shot him a warning look. "Why won't you believe me? Has he made threats against me like Angela has? Is he drinking himself into a psychosis like her, too? Are you really so threatened by an insignificant ex-boyfriend of mine that you would believe that he'd hurt me, just to hurt you?"
"Bella - "
"Please, just trust me on this. Give Edward the benefit of the doubt, you never know, we may need him later."
Carlisle snorted, "Great, how do you figure?"
"Well, right now, he's about the only one who Angela doesn't hate. So, if anyone's capable of knocking some sense into that girl, it's Edward. But I guarantee he won't do that if you keep seeing him as the enemy."
He was silent for a moment - mulling it all over in his brain, I assumed, so I continued. "I'm not asking you to like Edward; I'm not even asking you trust him. I'm asking you to trust me. Call it intuition or a sixth sense, whatever you want - I know it wasn't him."
"But again, he must have told Ang - "
"I don't believe that either," I interrupted.
"What? Are you insane?"
"No. I mean, I don't believe he told her with the purpose of her using it against us. I think she either overheard my conversation with Edward or that he told her not knowing what the consequences would be. I told you, Angela can be very manipulative when she wants to be. And Edward, well, he's very manipulate...able. I don't think he would've slept with her to begin with, if he'd been thinking with his brain."
"Classic inexperienced male behavior," he nodded.
"So with your permission, I want to speak to Edward again. I think he'll be willing to help us or, at least me, anyway. Please let me try."
"Fine. I suppose you're right," he finally conceded.
I leaned back in my chair and banged my fist down on the table triumphantly. "Damn right, I'm right!"
Carlisle looked started for a moment, then intrigued. "God, you're kinda hot when you're aggressive."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Wanna see just how aggressive I can get?"
A/N: Huge thanks as always to my girls uhyesplease and StormDragongfly (who just had a new bouncing baby boy, by the way - CONGRATS!). These ladies are like, the best betas ever. Seriously, I'd put money on this.