In His Words

Bella returns home from Europe after a six-month work-study. She takes a

psychology class at UDub dealing with romance and erotic relationships. All

throughout her textbook, there are written comments from its former owner, and

Bella feels drawn to his words, as she tries to find him.

A/N: Thank you Fran for always being there for me.

Chapter Nine: Opening the Door

BPOV

With the blank screen on my laptop, Alice and Jasper finally release me. Alice cups my face in her hands. "You know I love you, and whatever you decide, I'll support you." She smiles. "But Bella, you never know unless you try."

I smile, and she kisses my cheek. "Love you, too."

Jasper grabs my hand. "That goes for me, as well." He looks at Alice. "Ali knows I love her." He looks back at me. "I think E.C. deserves to know and have a chance to love you. He left the ball in your court, Bella."

They hug me, leaving my room and closing the door.

My laptop dings. Jean Luc appears. "Cherie, I'm so very sorry I was pushing you. This is your decision." He huffs, "And I made it mine."

"No, you weren't pushing me. You were giving me wonderful advice. E.C. did give me the choice. I owe it to the both of us to call him."

"I am very happy to hear that, Bella."

"I do listen."

"Would it be too much to ask for a call back after you talk?"

I smile. "If I get him and we do talk, I'll call you as soon as I can."

"I don't care about the time," he chimes.

I smile. "Thank you, Jean Luc."

"There are no thanks needed. What did your Alice say?"

"She was supportive, leaving it up to me. Jasper, too."

He nods. "And I will do the same, mon ami. I only want the best for you."

"I know that."

"We are good?"

With a thumbs-up, "Of course."

The screen fades to white, and I close the lid.

I lean over the bed and pull my backpack on my lap. Finding E.C.'s note, I stare at his number, whispering to myself, "I can do this."

I punch in the numbers, hear a few rings pass, and a deep, rich voice says, 'Hello.'

I clear my throat, "E.C.?"

He quietly says, "Bella."

"Yeah, hi."

"I'm glad you called."

"Me, too."

A pause.

"I, ah, I didn't catch you at a bad time?" I question.

"No, no. It's good."

"Well, um …"

He apologizes, "I'm sorry if this is awkward for you."

"But it's not. Just new, E.C."

"Edward."

"Okay … Edward." I smile, biting my bottom lip.

"I want," we say in unison and laugh. "I need …" Again.

Edward offers, "You first."

I lean back on my pillows. "I wanted to ask you how you put your note in my book?"

"You're direct. I like that." He clears his throat. "When you and Alice went to the powder room, I was handing out papers. I slipped the note into your book."

I nod and smile. "Then, you are Dale's T.A.?"

"That would be me."

"I see. So, you've heard all my comments about your notes."

"Quite passionately."

"Wow, I'm a little embarrassed here."

"Don't be. You were honest and forthright. To be honest, I was just as passionate when I wrote my impressions," he admits.

I scrunch up my nose. "Really?"

"Yes. I'm pleased you have my book."

"Well, it was Alice who grabbed two copies. I was still in Paris."

"On a work-study, I believe. Which was?"

"I'm an artist. I had the opportunity to explore a few career choices."

"Will you be returning?'

I smile, lightly giggling, "No, I won't be for a while. When I left the states, I was so confused. I didn't know which way to take my art. Paris gave me many alternatives."

"Such as?"

"Oh, I don't want to bore you."

"I don't believe there is anything you could say, Bella, that would bore me."

I stop breathing and catch myself. "I think you're giving me too much credit."

"And I believe you're giving yourself too little."

"I don't handle compliments very well, Edward."

"Then, I have my work cut out for me."

I have to change the subject. "What about you? Are you focusing your work studies around Sociology?"

"No. Dale needed a T.A., and I needed the work. I'm studying architecture."

"Ah, the mechanical side of art. Commercial or residential?"

"A little of both. That's why I hesitated to contact you. I didn't want to go against school policy, but Dale gave me the green light. He has been encouraging me to meet with you. I sort of froze."

"Why? You seem so sure of yourself in your words."

"It may be what I want, but sometimes you can be uncertain about how to get it."

"I guess I have my work cut out for me."

"Touché. Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"Oh, um, that came out of left field."

"Was I being too pushy?"

"No. But as much as we say we're comfortable, the newness is uncharted territory. I'm an only child. My parents are in limbo. Well, we don't really know where my mother is; she ran off when I was five."

"Hmm, daddy's little princess?"

"He's the police chief in a small town. I'm more like his little deputy," I say.

"With his expertise, did he try to locate her?'

"At first, he did. Then, he realized that if she left with no goodbye, she didn't want to be here, so why pursue her."

"How did you feel about that?"

"I was five, but my dad filled any void. He may have worked long hours, but he made sure I was in good hands. My mother was always elsewhere anyway. She'd sign up for arts and craft classes, pottery, jewelry making, anything to get her out of the house. Alice lived next door. I was always with her and her parents.

"And how old are you? May I ask?"

"I'll be twenty-one. You?"

"Twenty-two."

Silence.

"Did I lose you, Bella?"

"I don't think you could."

His sigh develops into a growl. "You tempt me."

I smile. "Maybe I want to."

"And maybe I want you to."

So, E.C., Edward. What is the C?"

"Cullen. Edward Anthony Masen Cullen."

"It's nice to mean you." My smile grows across my beaming face. I want to squeal.

"It's nice to meet you, Isabella Marie Swan. I did look at your files."

"Did you find anything interesting?"

"A plethora of goodies."

"Oh, I like that word; it's sound, its meaning."

"It's Greek for 'be full.'

"I see. I have a question."

"I have many. But you go first."

"Are you tall with a bronze halo?"

"Is six-foot-three tall? What's a bronze halo?"

"It was a slight clue from Dale. I once sort of felt your presence in one of the hallways at school. When I looked up as you walked by, the sun created a glow around your reddish highlights."

"I'm not a ginger. But there's red throughout my brown hair. You look very petite."

"Okay. I'm really shorter than you."

"I like it."

"I probably fit under your arm."

"Yeah, a comfortable fit."

"I have to be honest. I'm about to burst; my heart is racing."

"Why?"

"I'm so excited talking to you, and you're making it very easy. Your voice is welcoming."

"Yours is music to my ears."

"Edward, you're going to make me squeal." I giggle.

"I'm kinda beaming here, too."

"Do you always say the right things?"

"I'm hoping to."

"I didn't know if I would find you. I kept thinking you were this dream. Alice has been my driving force. She's the true romantic." I giggle. "She would have never let me give up."

"And if I hadn't come forward?"

"As I said, I had a bloodhound on your trail."

"You two are close."

"I think more so than sisters." I simmer down and seriously say, "I want to know everything about you, Edward. I want to know your favorite color, food … anything."

"I like royal blue on your skin. And I will eat anything if you'll join me. Ah, I know it's late, but there's this all-night dinner around the corner from your apartment. Yeah, I know where you live. I'm not that far from you. Will you come join me?"

"Yes."

I jump out of bed and quietly bounce around, squealing on mute mode. Redressing, I leave a note for Alice on the kitchen table as I run out the door, with my toothbrush hanging from my mouth.

*IHW*

Once inside the diner, I see there are few people at different tables. A warmth covers my back and I turn to a tall, slim figure in a pea coat, dark jeans, and biker boots. My eyes follow to a scruffy, reddish beard and piercing green eyes that soften as they take in my appearance. It's the bronze halo that catches my attention.

"You are tall."

"You are small."

He smiles, nods to the waitress, takes my hand, and leads me to a back table. I scoot into the booth, as Edward sits next to me with our thighs touching. I'm lucky to have jeans protecting me from his heat. There's a vibration between us that's intense. He reaches his arm around the back of the seat, cornering me to the wall. "Would you rather I sit across from you?"

"No," I grab his arm. "This is fine."

We laugh.

A small, stout woman with her white hair in a bun, wearing a pink fifties uniform and crisp white apron, walks to the table, smiling. "Hi, I'm LeeAnne. What can I get you guys?"

Edward gestures with the menu. "What would you like?"

I shrug. "A decaf tea with milk and sugar, please."

LeeAnne offers, "I have a nice plain bagel with butter to go with that tea."

I smile. "How could I say 'no' to a bagel?"

She smiles at me. "Exactly." LeeAnn looks at Edward. "And for you?"

He orders a full breakfast of eggs, extra bacon, pancakes, and black coffee.

As we wait, Edward plays with the tips of my hair, curling the strands around his fingers. "You have nice hair."

"Thank you." I lean forward, running a hand through his bronzeness and rubbing at his nape. He closes his eyes, and I stare at his lashes. "God, Edward, most women would kill for your long lashes."

He hums, "I'm all about your little massage, Bella." He smiles, opening his eyes to find me right there.

"Sorry." I begin to move, but he grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. I stare with my mouth wide open.

"I could get used to that." He gently closes my mouth.

LeeAnn brings our food and places the plates in front of us. "If you think of anything else, just let me know." She winks and walks away.

Edward asks me if I'd like a bite, and somehow, I'm not thinking of his food. He places a piece of bacon on my plate. "Goes good with a bagel."

I smirk.

We dig in. After devouring half my bagel, I ask, " Would you tell me more about your parents?"

"My mother was a stay-home mom; still is. She does all the 'mom' things; cooks, bakes, gardens. She loves flowers. Dad always brings her a bouquet every Friday."

"Why Friday?"

"He's a busy surgeon. Fridays begin his weekend." Edward shrugs. "They still hold hands."

I smile. "That's so nice. And your brother?"

He laughs. "Emmett is the most care-free spirit. He's smart, hard-working, and uninhibited. He'll tell you exactly how he feels. He played for the Seahawks for a couple of years, made some money, and left football; one concussion was all he needed. He started a construction company."

I nod. "Yeah, I get it. He'll build what you create."

"I knew you'd get it. Yeah, Emmett has built up a great business. All he needs now is to find the right girl. Give him a tall blonde, and he'll be happy."

"I might know someone."

"Good. Then, he'll get the idea of you out of his thick head."

We laugh.

Hours pass, and we continue to talk. LeeAnn fills our cups as the sun rises. "You kids need anything else? My shift is almost over." She places the bill on the table.

I look at the clock. "Edward, it's six-fifteen. We've been here for over six hours."

"Let me pay the bill so you can go home, LeeAnn." He stands, walking to the register.

LeeAnn whispers, "He's a nice young man."

I nod.

"I'd say that was a very successful first date."

My eyes widen. "How did you know?"

"At first, you were kind of nervous, but as time went on, you both forgot everything else."

I blush.

Edward hands LeeAnn a twenty. "Thanks for the great service."

She pats his hand. "Thank you." She points at me as I stand. "He's a keeper." And walks away.

"So, I'm a keeper?"

"Meh, you'll do."

He takes my hand. "Let me get you home."

"We'd better run. Alice is going to kill me."

Bella did leave Alice a note … but a while ago.

A/N: I put my other two stories (She Rocks My World and The Cop and The Psychic) on hold to finish this one. Three at once is nerve-shattering. I will finish the other two.

A/N: To guest reader… Thank you for your help. I am so pleased when someone cares enough to point out a spelling error on my part. NOT yours, Fran! I did it.

A/N: Also, Fran has done some remodeling with her Facebook group 'Pay It Forward.' The name has been changed to 'It All Started with Twilight' … If you would like to join us for fun, fic, and friendship:

:/ groups/ 896806390388220/

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