Bella's POV
Its been four days since I arrived back in New York. After the meal with my father on my First night back the rest of the week blurred all into one. Between throwing myself into my professional work, organising my book publishing and launches the days flew by. Which I was grateful for. I missed Edward of course and my friends but I knew I needed to concentrate on other aspects of my life. Edward and I had spoken every evening filling each other in on our days and what had occurred. True to his word Emmett made sure Edward kept himself from wallowing in his music room. They were working out together and Rose was thankful it got him out of her hair for a while each day.
It was currently Friday and I had plans to meet up for a meal with my mother and father tonight. My mother not too pleased it had taken me almost a week to see her but she seemed to calm when she found out I was working on my book deal. Of course. Money First. So I was in the process of getting ready. I knew I had to dress up for when we went out for our family meals. I didn't mind too much I did enjoy putting on nice clothes but sometimes I would love to go out in a pair of jeans and just have a relaxed evening with them.
Renee had made reservations at one of the top restaurants in the city, and told me I needed to arrive at half seven sharp. The time was currently seven and I was putting the final touches to my hair. I was wearing a black tailored Gucci suit with a black lace bodysuit below. Pairing it with my black pointed Louboutin's and Chanel shoulder bag. I slipped on some Jewellery and my Westwood watch. I took one last look in the mirror before setting out.
While in the taxi I pulled out my phone to call Edward.
"Hello Love" he answered warmly.
"Hey you, how are you?" I replied my heart aching at the sound of his velvet voice.
"Missing you, and trying to work on a couple compositions."
"I miss you too Edward so much. Can I hear some?" I asked hopefully.
"Not right now my Bella, this is a very special piece which I only want heard once it is ready which may be very, very soon."
"Okay" I pouted playfully.
"I promise it'll be worth the wait"
"Wish you were here right now" I told him as I approached the restaurant.
"Me too, I hate being so far away from you. What are you doing this evening?"
"I'm currently walking towards the restaurant I am meeting my parents at. My mother demanded we go out as a family." I laughed lightly.
"Well that is nice of her right?" Edward asked cautiously.
"Of course! But I would have preferred going to their place or them come to me so I can cook. Except Renee Swan will only dine in public with her family." I scoffed.
"I'm sure it'll be fine my darling. If you need anything don't hesitate to call me. I'm here for you" he said lovingly, how I wished he was here holding my hand as I went to face my mother.
"Thank you Edward. I love you."
"I love you too, my Bella"
As I hung up the phone the hostess showed me over to the table my parents were situated at. Of course in the centre of the room, Great.
"Isabella!" My mother exclaimed as she saw me, causing a few surrounding guests to look directly at me.
"Hi mom, how are you?" I asked as we hugged briefly.
"Excellent, excellent. Who were you just talking too on the phone as you came in? Angela? Is the book ready to go?"
I looked to my father who smiled sheepishly and rolled his eyes at my mother.
"No mom I was talking to Edward" I told her.
"Oh nothing important then." She muttered as she set her napkin on her lap.
Strike one.
"Renee" my father said in a warning tone.
Before my mother could reply our waiter arrived at the table taking our drink orders. I opted to go straight for a bottle of white wine. It was going to be one of those nights. Once the waiter left I began to ask my father how his work was at the police department. Charlie was a detective, a job I always worried about him doing, but my father was as stubborn as I when it came to choosing a career. His own parents my grandparents thought it was too dangerous but Charlie Swan stuck to his guns. Metaphorically and literally.
"Never a dull day Bella. There are quite a few new younger guys coming up through the ranks I'm pretty sure they might be asking me to take a step back in my front line role soon."
"How do you feel about that?" I asked him knowing how much he loved his work.
"Oh don't get him started Bella" my mother said dismissing whatever my father was about to say.
"Mom, please. I was just trying to take an interest in what is happening in his life." I replied slightly agitated at her tone towards my dad.
"It's okay Bella. Tell us what is new with you." My father interjected. Not wanting to make a scene.
"Yes how is the book launch going?" My mother added sitting forward in her seat eager to know about my meetings.
"Very well. We have set a date for the launch, which will be September 1st. The book is being sent to print in two weeks." I told them happily.
"So five months? Excellent. When will the book tour happen? When will you have a signing here in New York?" My mother blurted out.
"Those details are not yet set In stone. I need to further discuss with Angela. For obvious reasons." I said bluntly.
"Obvious reasons?" My mother asked raising a brow at me.
"My personal situation is different now. I'm in a relationship. I'm not alone and single anymore I have to think about what is best for me, us. I can't just leave for months on end touring the world." I said honestly. My heart hurting even at the thought of being away from Edward for two, three months.
"Oh Isabella are you still hung up on this Edward man? I told you he is just a fleeting interest. Once you're back here you'll forget all about him." Renee laughed as she waved a casual hand as if flicking a fly away.
Strike two.
"Mother I'm returning to Forks. I go back next week." I told her my blood boiling. My father reached over and lay a supportive hand over my fist that had instinctively tightened as my mother dismissed Edward for a second time tonight.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm going back to Forks mother."
Renee looked between my father and I and back again in utter disbelief.
"No you are not!" She stated firmly.
"Yes she is Renee." My father interjected, before I could reply.
"You have a Gala to attend on Sunday! I have plans for me in the next few weeks which you are invited too. People. Very important people are banking on your attendance."
"This is the first time I have heard about this. When did you become my manager? Why are you making reservations for my attendance at parties and gatherings that I have not one ounce of knowledge about." I asked my voice becoming very angry by the second.
"I do it for you Isabella, for your career!"
"No you do not! You do it for yourself! You get yourself invited to socialite parties using my name and my connections. You do this to better your own name. I couldn't care less about attending these parties. It's all about who has the most money. I take pride in my writing ability that is what I base my career success off, not what is in my bank account."
I began to get all flustered. I was trying to contain my anger as we were sat surrounded by a large amount of people. I could already sense a few prying eyes as to the commotion coming from our direction. I hated it. I hated being in these situations, this is why I left in the first place.
"I think I'm going to leave" I said quietly, lifting my jacket and slipping it on as I fought back the tears.
"Isabella you will attend the gala on Sunday" my mother carried on. Would she ever stop?
"I will attend this one event, but after that I'm done." I told her angry tears shining in my eyes.
"Your done?" My mother asked, my father eyeing the situation grabbing his own jacket from his chair.
"Yes. From Sunday on you will not use my name for your benefit. You want something. You earn it. And if I ever hear you degrade Edward again. I will never speak to you ever, a mother who can't see when her own child is happy and in love is no true mother of mine."
"I'm seeing Bella home. Make your own way home Renee." My father added walking me away from the table.
As we walked outside the tears came crashing out of me. My father took hold of me and held me tightly. The pent up anger attacked my eyes and my tears fell down my cheeks and blurred my vision. My father hailed a taxi and helped me inside. Once he slid in next to me he pulled me into his arms.
"Shhhh... I'm so sorry Bella" my father soothed, his voice wavering slightly unsure of what to do. But him holding me was more than I needed.
"It's not your fault dad" I hiccupped out trying to control my sobbing.
"I should of stepped in sooner, I let her go too far. She can say whatever she likes to me but I draw the line at her effecting you like this."
Another round of tears rushed out at the words my mother spoke to me, not one ounce of loving emotion came from her. Not once did she ask about my trip, or how Emmett was or even acknowledged I was in a relationship. Why could Esme act more of a mother towards me in a couple of weeks than Renee has in the past five years? Am I not good enough for her?
I was pulled from my racing thoughts by my father helping me from the taxi and walking me inside of my building. I kept my face down the whole walk through the lobby not wanting to draw too much attention to the state I knew my face was currently in. Charlie refused to let me go until we made it to my apartment. We didn't utter a word to one another the whole way up. Both trying to process our own thoughts and actions.
As I walked through my door I threw my bag on the sofa and slipped off my shoes.
"Why don't you go and freshen up and change into some comfortable clothes. I'll make us a drink" my father said gently, removing his own jacket and placing it in an armchair.
I nodded numbly, words evading me. I walked to my room and pulled out some pyjama bottoms before walking to my case and pulling out one of Edwards large jumpers which I snuck in. I bought the jumper to my face and breathed in deeply, his smell filling my senses. A few more tears creeped out as I thought about how much I missed him and could really do with him right here, right now.
I quickly made my way into the bathroom and switched on the light. As I looked in the mirror my eyes had become red and slightly puffy from my tears. My eyes looked sad and alone. I looked a bare shell of a person that I was not just a week ago. The happiness torn away from me. Shaking my head I washed what make up was left from my face, tied my hair up and slipping into my new set of clothes. Having a small piece of Edward with me helped calm my tense muscles.
I walked back out into the living room to hear my father on the phone.
"I'm glad to here that son, I know we have never met, yet... But I'm glad she has you and that family of yours"
Edward?
As I walked towards him, my father turned and held out the phone to me.
"Somebody wants to speak to you" my father said the edges of his moustache tugging up slightly.
I eagerly took the phone...
"Hello" I answered.
"Bella! " Edward's worried voice sounded down the receiver.
"I called to see if you were having a good night, your father answered your phone and has told me what occurred between your mother and yourself. I'm so sorry baby... I should be there with you, you shouldn't have to deal with this alone. " he continued to rush out.
"It is okay Edward, my father got me home. It wasn't the way I expected the evening to go but I have said my piece." I told him as a few stray tears fell and a small sob left my mouth.
"Oh, Bella please don't cry. She isn't worth your tears. I wish I was there to hold you. You crying is breaking my heart love." Edward pleaded, hearing the pain in his voice.
"I'll be okay Edward. I've dealt with this before."
"But you don't need to bare this alone. You have me now and I won't allow anyone to make you hurt or cry."
"I miss you Edward" I whispered to him, my voice barely coming out.
"I miss you too Bella, I love you so much. Never forget that. You have all of us waiting for you to come home back to us."
I tucked my face into his jumper as my heart ached at his words of love. I didn't know what to say. I missed them all so much. My father took the phone from my hands and began to speak with Edward as he sat beside me wrapping an arm around my slightly shaking frame.
"I've got her son don't worry. I can hear you pacing the floor." He chuckled.
"She's tough as old boots this one, takes after her pop. But I'll look after her till then. Once again Edward thank you for what you've done for my baby girl."
As Charlie put my phone down he kissed my head softly and held me in his arms till my body gave way to the exhaustion of my tears. My eyes drooped and my muscles relaxed as I began to drift into dreams about green trees, coffee and pianos.