I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 18
EPOV
Right before I answered the phone, Jasper reached out his hand for it.
"Maybe you should let me. The last time you talked with him you were threatening to kill him." Jasper smirked.
"Right." I handed it over.
"Garrett," Jasper greeted him. "Well, unless you're calling to say that you've found Bella, then I think you'd rather talk to me. To say my cousin isn't happy with you would be putting it mildly."
I rolled my eyes and was about to head into the bathroom because we were short on time when I noticed how nervous Bella looked. She was biting her lower lip and wringing her hands as she stared at Jasper. I reached out and touched her shoulder. She glanced up at me. I was about to remove it when she gave me a small smile.
"She made contact with Phil?" Jasper's eyes narrowed. "That seems suspicious to me. Why would she contact him and not her mother?"
Jasper nodded then glanced at Bella. "I see…has Renée been around, or do you think it's possible she ran off too?"
"So, Phil has been keeping her close, but she was at the club for breakfast this morning." Jasper winked at Bella and she relaxed slightly. "What did Bella say when she spoke with him?"
Since the most critical part was over, I excused myself quietly to go get cleaned up. When I got out, Jasper was off the phone and the three of them were waiting for me.
"What did Garrett say about Bella?" I asked.
Jasper snickered. "Well, if we want them confused to her whereabouts, then it's working. Even though Bella said she was in Massachusetts, her call was traced to Montreal. He asked if we knew anything about the lake house. I played dumb and told him we had planned on checking out there today. He thinks we checked in with Charlie yesterday."
I nodded. "So far so good. Any new information on the trafficking?"
The smile dropped from Jasper's face. "The big day is Valentine's day."
"What better gift a rich man can give himself than buying himself some ass," Emmett said sarcastically.
Bella elbowed him hard in the stomach. "That's disgusting."
"Ouch, Tommy. It was just a joke." He winced.
"It was crass," Bella snapped.
"She's right. That wasn't funny," I agreed.
"You're only saying that to get in her good graces," Emmett grumbled.
"Well, I'm not trying to get in her good graces, but I agree too. You're lucky my sister didn't hear that." Jasper shook his head and he picked up his bag. "We need to move so we don't miss our time slot."
"Hold on." Emmett grabbed his Mariner's hat and placed it on Bella's head. Wear your hood up and keep your head down until we're in the air."
"Okay," she agreed, following his directions.
Days
"That's a small plane." Bella looked at it skeptically as we stayed in the car while Jasper and Emmett readied it.
"Are you nervous? You fly all the time," I asked in surprise.
"Yeah, in bigger commercial planes. Isn't it the small ones the crash more statistically?" she questioned.
"I have no clue. Do you want something to relax you?" I offered.
Bella looked at me in shock. "You have drugs?"
I snickered. "Legal ones I promise."
She took a deep breath. "I think I'll be good. I want to sleep on the plane anyway."
I noted how exhausted she looked and felt guilty. "You didn't have to stay up all night."
"I wasn't saying it to make you feel bad. I didn't mind." She yawned.
"Before you go to sleep, there's something I've got to tell you," I told her.
"What?" She gave me a suspicious look.
I shifted awkwardly. "On my last call with my father, he said he doesn't want you staying at the house."
She sat up straighter in her seat. "You're just telling this to me now?"
"Sorry. I was afraid if you heard the other options, then you'd refuse to come back," I admitted.
"And what are the other options." Bella crossed her arms.
"My apartment or Rose and Emmett's. Both are in the same building, as well as Jasper and Alice's. The building is owned by my Uncle Peter, so the security is as good as my parents' house," I explained.
Bella gave me a hesitant look. "Maybe it would be better for everyone if you drop me off in some remote area of Canada."
"Bella, no. If this is about sharing an apartment with me—"
"It's not that. Hear me out. I don't blame your dad for being concerned I may bring danger to your doorstep. Your family has been through enough already. There's your mother to think about, Alice…and Rose is pregnant, so she might not be able to fight like she's used to. I'm grateful you want to help me, but me being one person isn't worth risking others' safety. I'll find a small cabin to rent in the middle of nowhere and promise to keep in touch," she suggested.
I admired her selflessness, but for my own sanity, I needed to keep her close. "Bella, if you do that you'd be too far away if something were to happen to you. I thought you wanted to help and get trained by Emmett."
"And I thought you were against it," she challenged.
"I like it better than you being alone right now," I admitted.
She tilted her head from side to side, then glanced out the window. There was an awkward moment of silence before she turned back to me.
"Okay. I'll stay with you," she agreed.
"If it makes you uncomfortable, then I'm sure Rose and Emmett won't mind," I told her.
Bella's lips lifted into a smirk. "I prefer your company over Rose's. She may have apologized, but I don't know if I want to stay in an apartment with her."
"Okay, my guest room is all yours for as long as you need." I suppressed my smile.
Bella played with the cuffs of her sleeves. "Earlier, I tried to tell you something before Garrett called. I did a lot of thinking last night. Even though it still hurts, and I don't fully trust you, I do forgive you. I wish you had confided in me, but I get why you didn't. Although, I'm not ready for anything more than friendship—I miss my best friend."
Knowing that she forgave me, warmed my heart. It had weighed on my conscious for so long. I may still have to work on gaining her trust, but it was a leap from where we were forty-eight hours ago.
"I've missed my best friend too," I told her.
She leaned in and hugged me. I wrapped my arms around her, enjoying the moment. I wanted to stay in this bubble and not head back to Chicago. Emmett rapped on the roof, making us break apart.
"Time to fly," he said.
Bella fixed her hood before pushing her car door open and stepping out. Emmett gave me a grin and clapped me on the shoulder before handing me a bag with artillery to load onto the plane. He waited until she was out of earshot before saying anything.
"So, things are things between you are looking friendly." He wiggled his eyebrows.
"And that's all it is…friends." I sighed.
"That's what I said…friends." Emmett gave me an amused look before walking ahead.
I shook my head. "By the way, we're going to need to stay at the apartments. Dad—"
"Say, no more, cuz." Emmett's smile faded.
When I got on the plane, Bella had already settled in her seat with the shade on the window down. Before sitting, I grabbed a pillow and blanket for her. She gave me a tired smile and thanked me.
Days
We drove through the city until we reached the high rise. Bella looked out the windows with curiosity. I hoped I'd get a chance to show her the city I grew up in before she left. As it stood, I may only have over a month with her.
I entered the underground parking with Emmett right behind me. We pulled into the secure area of the garage which was only accessible to family. Once we unloaded the vehicles and went to the elevators, Jasper punched in the code, then got his retinas scanned. Bella's mouth dropped open a little when the door slid open.
"That's cool," she commented.
"Alice will be happy to hear you say that." Jasper smiled.
We rode up and Jasper got out first, then we rode to the floor above. I stepped out and Bella followed me into the small foyer. She headed to the door with the penthouse number.
"Actually, my door is over here." I gestured to a wall with a painting of a boy and girl fishing.
I placed my hand in the center of it and there was a soft click. A section of the wall pushed in, then slid to the left. Bella audibly gasped and was wide-eyed.
"Wow, I can't decide if that's more James Bond or Harry Potter like." She laughed.
"As I told you, top notch security." I smiled.
"So where does the door go?" She pointed behind us.
"Brick wall. However, it's painted to look like an apartment. Kind of like how the old Looney Toon cartoon, where the coyote tries to trick the bird," I explained.
"No way! Can I see?" Bella walked back over to the door.
I opened it so she could see. She bit her lip and reached out her hand to touch it.
"Is this Alice too?" she asked.
"Partially. She had the idea of the fake door. It was Emmett's to make look like a fake room. My aunt Esme painted it," I answered her.
We continued into the apartment. It was minimally decorated since I never saw the need for knickknacks. I had a few pictures and some furniture my mother had picked out.
We were greeted by a loud meow. Alice must have brought her back from my parents' and let her in. My ginger tabby sauntered into the room and rubbed herself against my legs. She investigated Bella, sniffing, then brushing against her.
"Aww, you have a kitty. What's her name?" Bella knelt and petted her.
I rubbed the back of my neck and realized I had a potentially embarrassing situation on my hands. I'd named her during a period when I was feeling sorry for myself and was drunk. "Her name is B.B.," I said.
Bella tilted her head, and I instantly knew she suspected. I prepared to be called out, but instead she scratched under the kitten's chin.
"Hello, B.B," she cooed. "So, are you going to give me a tour?"
"Sure…or are you talking to the cat?" I joked.
"You." Bella stood and smirked.
"Right this way. The living room and kitchen have an open concept." I gestured to the left where there was decent sized kitchen behind an island that separated the two rooms. There was a small table located by the windows which looked over the city. Bella walked over and stood in front of the bullet proof glass.
"You have a nice view," she commented. "Which park is that?"
"Lincoln Park." I came up beside her.
"Where you had little league games?" she asked about my short-lived sporting career.
"Yes. You can actually fish there too. Maybe we can take a walk through," I suggested.
"Can I do that? I was under the impression I should stay hidden from view." Bella looked up at me.
"We can work something out. You might need to wear a disguise like a wig or even dye your hair or something. Colored eye contacts could work too," I told her.
Bella pulled her ponytail in front of her and fingered it. "What color do you think…red or blonde?"
I didn't like the idea of either of those colors. "How about black?"
"Maybe…sounds a little goth." Her eyes twinkled.
"Pink?" I teased.
Her nose wrinkled. "Ugh no. Maybe purple…or I know I seen some girls around campus with rainbow colors."
"You're supposed to be incognito not stand out by a mile." I laughed and she joined me.
"Either way, I need to do something soon. I think my first trip out should be for some clothes."
"I remember. We can go later today or tomorrow. We can borrow a wig from Rose. She has a few." I pulled out my phone and texted her.
While I waited to hear back, I brought Bella down the hallway and showed her the bedrooms and bathrooms.
"The apartment isn't huge, but it is the perfect size for me," I said.
"You don't need to apologize; I've lived in smaller with my mom. This may even be bigger than the cabin." She walked over and placed her bag on the bed.
"Have you been dating since?" I asked in curiosity, then immediately changed my mind. "I'm sorry. That was out of line. You don't owe me an answer."
"It's fair, I asked. I dated here and there, nothing remotely serious though." Bella gave me an apologetic smile.
"You don't need to feel bad about it. You were more than in your right to. I'm glad someone could make you happy," I said honestly.
My phone rang, saving us from the awkward moment I'd created. I smiled when I saw it was my mother.
"Hi, Mom," I greeted her.
"Hi, Anthony, how was your trip? Did you get to Bella okay?" she asked.
"Everything went well," I informed her.
"Wonderful. I hope you both will come to dinner tonight," she stated.
"I'm sorry, Mom, but Dad—"
"Phoo on your father. I'll deal with him; you know he won't say no to me. I want to meet her and it's plenty safe. I insist you bring her, please," she pleaded.
"Alright, Mom. We will be there," I promised.
"Thank you. Does she have any food allergies?" Mom asked.
"I don't think so." I looked at Bella. "Do you have any food allergies?"
Bella shook her head and raised an eyebrow.
"No, she doesn't," I replied.
"Perfect. See you tonight." Mom hung up.
"So where are we going?" Bella asked.
"My mother wants us to be there for dinner. She says she will take care of my dad," I told her.
"Well, this should be interesting evening," Bella commented dryly.
A/N: Some small steps foward. Any guesses on the cats name?
Hopefully FF is going to allow me to post this without a problem. But we shall see.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.