Bella's Pov
A week had past by in a blur and I was currently on the phone with Angela discussing potential dates to send the book to publish and arguing over the fact I needed to be in New York as soon as possible. A topic I didn't want to think about.
"Bella, I'm sorry but we both knew you would need to come back at some point. I can not sign these contracts for you. If I could you know I would and you could stay in your loved up happy bubble in Forks." Angela sighed feeling my pain of the thought of leaving Edward.
"I know Ange, I'll decide today and let you know a definite day for my return okay? It's just hard you know? I've never been in this position before. I've never experienced Love like this and leaving it behind for however length of time is breaking my heart the more I think about it." I replied resting back against the headboard of the guest room at Rose and Emmett's house.
"Okay Bella, call me back later once you have your dates in place."
"Thank you Angela, bye."
Throwing my phone to the bed I put my face in my hands and let out an exasperated sigh. I thought back to the short few months I had spent in this small town, and how much the people here had impacted my life. I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. I knew I couldn't make a rational decision right now, I needed someone to talk to.
Picking up my phone once more I scrolled down my contact list and found the number I was after and pressed call. The phone rang three times before she picked up.
"Hello dear how are you?" Esme's bright voice said down the receiver.
"Not great Esme if I'm being honest. Can I come see you? I need someone to talk too." I asked sounding possibly a little desperate and defeated. Not like myself at all.
"Of course! Come right over dear. I'm working from home today and Carlisle is at the hospital so we have the place to ourselves." She replied, hearing the caring, concern in her voice.
"Thank you, I'll be over in twenty minutes."
Once I was off of the phone I called a taxi which was despatched straight away. I quickly put on some heeled boots and a jacket, threw my things in my bag and headed out the door.
...
Twenty minutes later I arrived in the Cullen's driveway, I paid the taxi driver and made my way towards the front door. As I walked up the steps to the porch Esme appeared at the front door swinging it open and ushering me straight into her open arms. I walked to her eagerly and embraced her. Her strong arms around me calmed my mind and I released a deep breath.
"Lets get you inside" Esme said taking my hand pulling me gently towards the living room.
I took a seat on the sofa as she rushed off into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee for us both. I shrugged off my jacket and placed my boots beside me, lifting my legs tucking them under myself as I got comfortable. I checked my phone and saw Edward had sent me a message asking what I was doing with my day. I quickly replied to him letting him know I had come to see Esme and that I would speak to him later. A small smile crossed my face as he replied instantly telling me he loved me.
"Is Edward okay?" Esme asked as she placed a tray on the coffee table.
"How did you know it was Edward?" I asked a small laugh leaving my lips.
"When you speak to him your eyes light up and you get that smile on your face." She replied handing me a mug.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Oh honey, we are all the same. I don't know what is in those male Cullen gene's but they have a way of making women like yourself and I fall under their spell" she laughed stroking my hair gently.
"I was taken with him the moment I walked into his music store and he came over and nearly scared the life out of me as I was looking in the music racks."
"He is very much taken with you too Bella. Honestly I have never seen my son look so happy and I thank you for that. I'm glad he's found someone that lights him up. So what is it I can help you with? You didn't sound to good when you called me earlier."
"I have to go back to New York." I told her, the sadness clearly in my eyes as I looked at her.
"And you don't want to?" She asked clearly reading my mind.
"No. I'm not ready to leave yet, but I know I have to."
"Sometimes in life it is very difficult to balance your professional and personal life. But dear if I have learnt anything over the years is that your home will always be waiting for you. If you have to go back to New York for a couple weeks then everyone here including Edward will be here waiting for you when you want to come home. Many a times I have had to go across the country to work on an interior project and my heart aches knowing I have to leave Carlisle, Edward and Alice. But what kept me going was that I was bettering my career and they all supported me in my professional life, but they knew and I knew I'd always come home to enjoy the downtime and treasure the family moments we had together."
I smiled at her as she spoke so clearly. I understood now that she knew I considered Forks home. Being with Edward was my safe place, my happy place. Having Emmett and Rose, Alice and Jasper filled my personal life with such joy. But they'd all be here waiting for me even after my book deal was done.
"I wonder sometimes if this is all some kind of dream and that I will wake up one day back in my New York apartment." I told her.
"Maybe it feels like a dream because you've finally found what you have always wanted in life?" She said taking my hand and squeezing it gently.
"Where have you been all my life Esme Cullen?" I laughed at her wise words.
"You flatter me dear, but if you ever need someone to talk to, a motherly ear you now know where I am" she smiled pulling me in for a hug.
"I think its time for me to book my flights." I said to her confidently.
"Okay dear, I will go make us a bite to eat while you make your bookings."
As she left the room I pulled my phone out and checked flight availability. In my mind the quicker I left the quicker I could return to my home. I booked a flight for Monday morning and I would be gone for ten days. Ten days to get everything sorted. Ten days to be without Edward. Sadness crept into my heart but I pushed it away telling myself Esme was right. I will be coming home, back to my wonderful family. I sent my confirmation over to Angela and she set about planning meetings for me the following few days I was back in the City knowing I wanted this to be a quick job. Leaving the rest in her hands I set my phone to the side and waited for Esme to return.
"Everything sorted?" She asked place a plate of sandwiches in front of us.
"Yes, I leave Monday morning for ten days. Angela is already on the ball of booking meetings so I will be pretty occupied the first few days, which is good. Stop me missing this place too much." I laughed lightly.
"Have you told your parents you are heading back?" She asked cautiously.
"No, I will send my mom a message the weekend to let her know I will be in the city. I'm sure we will meet up for a meal. Hopefully she doesn't try and set me up with anyone while I'm back." I breathed deeply.
"Does she know about you and Edward?" Esme asked.
"Yes, I told her about us the last time we spoke, but Renee being Renee didn't listen and thought it was a silly crush. I told her that we are in love and he was the one for me but she was just talking about gala's and rich bachelors not paying attention to what I was actually feeling." I rambled my blood beginning to boil slightly as I retold our last conversation.
"Hmmmm... " Esme shook her head obviously a little annoyed at what my mother thought of her son and I.
"I'm sorry Esme, I promise I put her straight as soon as she tried to discredit Edward and I's relationship." I blurted out worrying she would be mad at me because of what my mother had said.
"Shhhh... Dear, I don't blame you at all. I'm so proud of you for standing up to your mother for what she said. I'm just struggling to figure out why she would discredit you so much."
"It's the way it has always been since I got my First published book." I said sadly.
"Well, I know you are a strong woman and you can take whatever she does. But Bella I think of you as one of my own now and I want you to know you shouldn't have to deal with that emotional turmoil. If she tries to pressure you like that again you send her to me okay? I won't have one of my children spoken to or belittled that way."
The protective mother in Esme had made a full appearance and warmed my heart she had taken me in and was treating me like she would Alice or Edward. But I dreaded what Renee would say to her, I didn't want Esme to think I was like my mother.
I stayed with Esme for a couple more hours before I decided to head over to Edwards. I said my goodbyes and she wished me luck on my travels back to New York. I left feeling a whole lot better than I did this morning. I was glad I had a strong female figure in my life in the form of Esme Cullen.
Now it was time to tell Edward I was leaving.
...
As I walked up. Edward's drive way I took a deep breath calming my beating heart before opening the front door. I walked in which Edward had told me to do since the first night I stopped over. Smiling at the memory I walked into the living room and called out his name.
"Edward? Where are you?"
"Hey, I was just getting changed." I heard him say as he jogged briskly down the stairs towards me. He wore loose fitting joggers and a tight fitting long sleeved t-shirt showing off his toned physique. He wrapped me in his arms as he reached me, and I welcomed the embrace snuggling into his warm arms. I tilted my head up as he pressed his lips to mine.
"How was your day?" I asked him as we stayed locked in each others embrace.
"It was great, I had a couple morning lessons which ran pretty smoothly. Both of my students had been using what I had taught them and are progressing really well. Which reminds me you need another lesson soon." He added kissing my neck causing me to giggle and try to wriggle out of his grasp.
"We haven't been able to finish a lesson yet Edward, because somebody gets distracted!" I laughed slipping out of my jacket and boots.
"What can I say you're such a temptress when you play the piano." He replied pulling me back to him.
"So how was your afternoon with my mom?" He asked warmly.
And so it is time.
"It was really good, she helped me out a lot and we had a really nice talk. Your mother is an extremely wise woman. I needed her today. Can we sit? I need to talk to you." I said releasing him gently pulling him to the sofa.
"Of course" he replied his eyes softening and eyebrows coming together slightly. His emotions becoming apprehensive.
As we sat down I took us away from our usual corner needing to be able to concentrate for a while. We sat facing each other and I he held onto one of my hands in his. I looked into his eyes and my heart ached knowing I was going to have to leave him for two weeks.
"I'm going back to New York"
A hurry of emotions crossed Edwards face. His eyes widened in shock and his hands tightened around mine not wanting to let me go.
"When? For how long? Are you coming back!" He blurted out in a hurry his head starting to move from side to side.
I managed to get one of my hands out of his grip to reach up and cup his face gently coaxing him to calm down.
"Shhhh... Edward, I'm leaving Monday morning. I have contracts I need to sign and meetings I need to attend for my new book. I couldn't postpone leaving any longer, Angela needs me back in New York as soon as possible." I told him gently.
"I'll be gone for ten days, and then I'll be straight back. I promise" I added leaning over to kiss him.
As I leaned over he pulled me too him wrapping me up tightly as if afraid I would leave that second. I sunk into his embrace and let my emotions flow. A few tears betrayed me and left the corner of my eye dropping to Edwards shirt. Edward saw my tears and instantly rolled us so we lay side by side still arms tangled around each other. He lifted a hand and gently wiped my tears away.
"I'm going to miss you. I tried to work out a way of not going back but I knew I had too." I said sadly tucking my head into the crock of his neck.
"I'm going to miss you too. I can't believe you're leaving already. I thought you weren't coming back for a second, my heart stopped." Edward said tightening his hold on my body.
"Oh Edward, I will always come back. As Esme reminded me. You're my home now, we all have to leave to peruse our career but home will always be waiting." I replied softly.
I looked into Edward's eyes and they matched my own with love and sadness at the upcoming departure, but we knew we felt the same. He pressed his lips to mine gently and my own responded almost immediately. Our kiss became more passionate as the seconds ticked by. Each of us pouring our love into our actions. His hands began to explore my warm skin beneath my top. He rolled on top of me and I let my hands reach down to remove his shirt. I threw it to the floor as our hands roamed each others bodies.
Before we knew it our clothes were discarded on the floor, and all that separated us was our underwear. I pulled his boxers down and took him in my hands. He moaned into my neck as he slid my panties down my legs, his hand beginning to caress my entrance. As we pleasured each other we both pressed kisses wherever we could reach, I was aching for him and I pulled his face to mine giving him a searing kiss.
"Edward, please. I need you" I moaned bringing my leg up to hook it over his hip.
Edward placed himself at my entrance and slowly entered me until he was in fully. We both moaned in pleasure feeling the euphoric connection. Edward entwined our fingers and lifted them above my head, he began to move in and out slowly. Enjoying every second of our connection, he whispered lovingly in my ear causing my heart to melt.
"Oh Edward" I cried out as he increased the pace. I grasped his shoulders meeting him thrust for thrust riding out the pleasure that was building inside.
"Bella, I'm so close come with my baby" he groaned in my ear.
He began rubbing my clit pushing us towards our peak, our moans getting louder and louder. I grasped a hand in his hair as I was unable to hold on any longer, we both fell apart in each others arms crying out as we rode out our orgasms together.
"I love you" we whispered.