Bella's Pov
Before I knew it I had been in Forks almost a month and a half. I had made amazing head way with my new book. I had even sent the first five chapters to my publishing agent Angela back in Ney York and her response was incredible.
Flash Back...
"Hey Angela, what do you think?" I asked biting my nails in anticipation.
"I have no words Bella, honestly I think this is your best work yet. It is so different to your other pieces. The character developments and relationships are so wholesome, it is a page turner for sure. Is there more? Please say there is more."
"Of course there is more but I thought the five chapters I sent were enough to give an incentive. You reckon it has a good selling chance?"
"Definitely! Can you give me some sort of prediction on when the book will be at least fifty percent written and then I can start setting up meetings to get it straight to print once it is finalised?"
"Well I am already half way through, I reckon another month and it'll be completed."
"Whew, girl you have found a source of inspiration in that tiny town. When you heading back to the big city? I'm missing you up here" Angela asked.
"I'm not sure. If I'm honest I haven't thought about booking a return flight" I replied honestly.
"What's his name?" Angela giggled knowing exactly what was going on a million miles away.
"Edward" I smiled down the phone.
"Well good for you girl, I'm happy for you. But at some point you're going to have to come back for business. I have no problems dealing with the publishing side from here but there will be contracts and deals to sign which I can not do for you. Not to mention book tours and promotion days."
"I know, just let me know when I need to come back for the contract meetings. Hopefully I can have something figured out by that point." I breathed sadly knowing it was inevitable at some point I was going to have to return to New York.
"Of course. By the way could you tell your mother to stop emailing me for book progression updates? I've told her three times I am not divulging your personal business, but she's a proper viper. I've now took to sending her emails straight to junk."
"I'm so sorry Angela, I'll talk to her. I don't think me ignoring her persistent calls is helping either." I told her apologetically.
"No problem Bell's, take care of yourself and I'll see you soon okay, bye."
"Bye Angie."
...
Renee however was a different matter. I had successfully lived in peace for a month before I finally had to pick up the phone and take the full wrath of my mother.
Flash back...
Dialling my mothers number I held my breath hearing the dial tone ring out. She picked up before the phone rang three times.
"Isabella Swan why have you not picked up your phone!" Renee screeched resulting in me holding my phone away from my ear.
"Hello mother, and I have told you I needed space to refocus and write. You knew before I left I wanted to be left alone. I'm sorry I haven't called but I did send you a message telling you I was fine..."
"Yes, yes, I got those little messages but you haven't gave us any details on how your work is coming along. I hope you haven't been galivanting off forgetting all about your career. You know how important it is to get another novel written Isabella. You know time in New York City moves a lot quicker than elsewhere. You'll be forgotten in five minutes here. It's important to keep your name relevant."
My mother ranted on for a full five minutes, each minute making my blood boil a little more.
"Why is that mother? Is it to keep the Isabella Swan name relevant or just Swan? So you can use and abuse my success?" I fumed, clenching my fists into tight balls.
"Not everything is about you Isabella, your work reflects on us all."
"Wow. I'm sorry I am failing you Renee maybe you should take up the pen since I seem to be failing you so much! Also not that you care too much to ask but yes my new piece is coming along excellently. Angela thinks it is going to be a great success. So you can go back to your High society friends and give them the good news." I said bitterly.
"Well make sure you're back in New York soon there are multiple galas and events you have been invited to and you must not let them down. You've had your fun playing the small town girl now its time to come back to the real world."
"Mother I don't know when I'm coming back. I have met someone and he is extremely important to me."
"Oh don't be silly Isabella, it's just a crush. There are plenty of suitable, rich bachelors here which I have lined up for you to date. They'll be better suited for you."
"You don't even know Edward! He's twice the man of any of those so call rich bachelors you have lined up. I would never leave him for a status."
"Isabella you have to do what is best for your career." She said obviously rolling her eyes.
"What I do with my career is my choice! I worked hard to be where I am and I did it alone! Remember all the years you discredited my writing passion and told me it would amount to nothing? Well look what I did? I became a best seller. Me. It wasn't given to me because of a name or a High society man. I have earnt my success and I will continue to work hard because I have found people who inspire me and are actually proud and supportive of what I do and I would take that every day than be your society puppet to show off. So unless you have anything else of importance to say I'm hanging up the phone."
...
It had been two weeks since I had spoken to Renee and it took two bottles of wine and a serious girl talk with Rose and Alice to calm me down and pick me up. I think if those two ever got their hands on Renee she would be eaten alive. I knew what she said shouldn't effect me but the way she tossed Edward aside like he was some lower class citizen made my blood boil. I did eventually tell him what happened between us as he had to come pick my drunk ass up from the bar which Rose, Alice and I were situated in at the time. He would pinch the bridge of his nose occasionally trying to control his anger and I thought it was due to my mother telling me she had guys for me lined up to date. But it was because he was so mad at her for upsetting me. He told me he couldn't of cared less what she thought about him. But the thought of me being upset in any way set his anger off, and Edward was one of the most calm, tender people I knew. Seeing him lose a little control shocked me. But it warmed my heart to see him so protective.
I was currently tucked into my favourite corner of Edward's sofa. I classed as my safe space. I had taken to working most of the time at his place. His aroma around his house just relaxed me and I seemed to write some of my best chapters. I was firmly into the closing chapter and felt good for the first time in a while. I had proof read my work multiple times enjoying the emotions going back to the beginning gave me. It was like reliving my life in Forks over and over again. I hadn't allowed anyone to read my work yet other than Angela. I wanted to wait till it was finished to unveil the piece. Edward was itching to know what I had wrote but he understood waiting for me to be happy with my work before handing it over. As he was the exact same with his own music.
As I was typing away my phone began to buzz, picking it up I saw Alice calling me. I quickly answered.
"Hi Alice! How are you?"
"I am great I have finished slightly early, Jasper is locking up soon but I could do with getting away I am exhausted. I thought I would call and see if you wanted any company for a while?" She asked.
"Oh sure, come over I'm just finishing up now."
"Excellent I'll see you in ten minutes. I'm just going to pop home and change into some fresh clothes."
"Bye Alice."
Looking back to my screen I smiled and proceeded to write my finishing line..
"looking to the people in front of me I saw my friends, my family and my eternal future."
Relaxing back I lifted my glasses off the bridge of my nose to my head and let out a breath I had been holding. Stretching out my fingers I put my laptop to the side and smiled.
"Knock knock" I heard Alice call out as she skipped up the steps into the living room.
"Hi! I beamed as she launched herself onto the sofa encasing me into a tight hug.
"Somebody looks pleased with herself. What have you been up to?" Alice asked as we giggled together.
"Well you will be the first to know. I have just written the last line of my book." I said a huge smile fighting its way onto my face.
"Are you serious! Its finished!" Alice squealed.
"Yep. Just before you arrived. Alice I can't explain it, I'm just so happy. Not that the experience is over but that its happened." I told her honestly.
"You truly do look happy Bella. I'm so happy for you! Oh my mom is going to beg you for a copy. She has been saying she can't wait to read what you've put together. I haven't seen her so proud since I opened Alice's or Edward opened his music store."
"I will make sure she gets the First official copy, signed too." I giggled.
"When are you going to tell everyone?" Alice asked.
"I have no idea? Tonight? Shall I cook us all a meal I'm sure Edward wouldn't mind me taking over the kitchen for the six of us."
"Bella my brother would let you do anything you wanted in this house. If he could have you living here twenty four seven he would." She laughed.
"I practically do already" I laughed walking into the kitchen Alice hot on my tail.
"Can you call everyone and ask if they're free while I have a look to see what I can make for us all."
"Of course. I will be five minutes." Alice replied walking back into the living room to make the calls.
I opened the fridge and pantry and they were both fully stocked. I stood there for a few minutes thinking to myself what I could make. Deciding on fajitas I began to pull various vegetables and meats from their shelves. I turned on the ovens to warm up just as Alice made her way back into the kitchen.
"Everyone is on board. I told them to be here for six so that is another hour away. I didn't call Edward but I'm sure he will be fine with everyone here."
"Are you okay with fajita's? I thought we could make some rice and dips and various accompaniments."
"Sounds excellent, why don't we find where Edward has stashed the wine and I will start helping you prep?" She asked pulling open a couple of cupboards before finding the wine.
I grabbed us a couple of glasses and Alice filled each one. We cheered and each took a good sip before she hit the music and I fetched the chopping boards and knives.
For the next twenty minutes we danced, laughed and prepped all the vegetables and put the meat in the oven giving it plenty of time to cook. We were getting so carried away that neither of us heard Edward arrive home. As Alice and I were dancing away to Nicki Minaj 'Starships' I spun and spotted Edward standing in the doorway with a rather bemused expression on his face.
"Well what is going on here?" He chuckled pointing between Alice and I.
"Isn't obvious dear brother, I'm showing Bella what it is like to cook in a kitchen with Alice Whitlock." She answered dancing away with her wine glass as I giggled at her.
"This is why she is not allowed to cook in the same kitchen with our mom." Edward chuckled.
I walked over to him and leaned up to give him a kiss. Lingering a little longer due to the small amount of wine in my system. He didn't seem to mind pulling me to him breathing me in.
"Hi" I said once we broke apart.
"You look happy, good day?" He asked coyly.
"No questions Edward!" Alice interrupted.
"Sorry, I can't tell you yet. Go get washed and dressed I'm cooking for everyone tonight they'll be here at 6 which is in half an hour so move that ass." I demanded ordering him from the room, Alice giggled at my dominance.
As Edward chuckled and left the room Alice topped our glasses up and we began on making dips and salsa to go with the food.
Fifteen minutes later Edward appeared freshly showered and dressed he walked into the kitchen and hugged me from behind as I was pulling out plates and utensils for everyone. I giggled as he kissed me behind my ear causing goose bumps to cross my collar bone.
"Edward, stop. I'm cooking." I laughed shoving him away playfully.
"I can't help it you look so sexy when you're concentrating."
"Edward, get off of Bella we are trying to prepare a meal right now. You can get back to your nasty antics when we all leave. But right now can you go lay the table in the other room." Alice said shooing her brother from the kitchen once again.
Edward grumbled and walked out of the room.
"Got to let them know who's boss Bell" Alice winked at me as I laughed.
"Helloooo" I heard Jasper call out.
He appeared in the doorway with a large smile on his face his hands filled with a pack of beers and a bottle of wine. He just about placed them on the island before Alice jumped into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist kissing him soundly.
"Excuse me! I give Bella a kiss and get shooed out of the room, Jasper turns up and you all but rugby tackle him as soon as he walks In" Edward said astonished.
"You can do what you like when you're married dear brother." Alice replied releasing Jasper from her tight grasp.
I walked round the island and pecked Edward on the cheek as he wrapped an arm around my waist. He looked funny when he was annoyed.
"What have you got cooking Bella? It smells amazing." Jasper said pulling out a couple beers handing one to Edward.
"Fajita's, thought everyone can make what they like. Alice and I have made plenty so don't fear the might wrath of Emmett" I giggled.
"MY EARS ARE BURNING!" Emmett's booming voice shouted out from the lounge.
Rose walked through the archway as Emmet's towering form followed her. Alice and I wrapped her up in a hug and grabbed her a wine glass to join us for a drink as Emmett went and greeted the guys.
"Food smells awesome baby Bel" Emmett said clinking his beer glass to my wine glass.
"Thank you, thank Alice too she helped me set all this up. Food should be ready in about twenty minutes" I replied.
The guys cleared out into the dining room leaving us girls to get everything together in the kitchen. Within five minutes we had everything onto serving plates and began taking everything through. Once everything was on the table we all sat down. Edward and I at either end of the table facing each other while Emmett, Rose, Alice and Jasper sat in pairs on either side of us.
It didn't take long for the food to be dug into and well received. We talked, drank and ate to our hearts content. Enjoying every second of each others company. In this moment I knew I would never tire of having these people with me day in and day out. They made me feel like one of them, looking up to Edward he smiled and gave me a playful wink. Which made me blush.
Once the meal was eaten and everyone was relaxing in their chairs Alice stood up and clinked her fork to her glass getting everyone's attention. I laughed at her knowing she was ready to burst with the secret she only knew.
"Now I know none of you have really asked or thought us all having a meal together was strange and to be honest it isn't. We all do spend a lot of time together but tonight is a special occasion. It is nearly two months since our Bella made her way into all of our lives and I can say on behalf of all of us I am so happy you came. Seeing you walk into our shop on your first day I knew you were going to be someone special, and I knew you would perfectly fit into our small family. Watching you come out of your professional rut and seeing you find your passion for your work again has made us all so happy and proud of you and we can see how much of a hard worker you really are. And your are a remarkable person and a true inspiration."
I looked at her and smiled my eyes beginning to water, I knew she was silently asking if she could reveal my news and I knew nobody would be able to break this news better than her so I gave her a small nod.
"So the news I am building up too is that our wonderful best friend, Cousin, Girl friend and author here finished her Novel today just as I arrived. And I am so happy and proud of her for achieving what she has worked so hard for. So if you all wouldn't mind I'd like us to raise a glass to Bella."
As everyone raised their glasses to me and cheered I could see the love and pride in all their faces and it made my heart swell, I couldn't stop the smile on my face and the single few tears that fell form my eyes. I had so much pent up emotion. I looked to Edward and there was nothing but love on his face and in his gleaming emerald eyes. He mouthed 'I love you' and I said it back.
As Alice sat back down everyone dived into their own congratulations and praise of my work all of them so excited to read what I had produced and it was the first time I had been happy and content to share the news of my work being complete.