(w)riteofpassion
Chapter 31

EPOV

Words can't express how much I counted down the days. Two weeks used to go by in the blink of an eye, but the past fourteen days were dragging out slowly. Torturously slowly.

I took half the day off work since all the overtime I put in while Bella was away resulted in about a million vacation days. I filled Eric in, eager to know how things were progressing between Bella and me. He seemed just as excited about my reunion with my girl.

Once I got home I tidied up the place and put fresh sheets on the bed I got on clearance at Bed, Bath & Beyond. The thought of me not having to sleep by myself tonight brought a smile to my face. I could hardly wait to have my Enchantress in my arms again.

In about two hours I'd cleaned my entire condo from top to bottom and took an elaborate shower in my spotless bathroom. I lathered and shampooed for way too long, enjoying the steam and hot water, begging for the minutes to tick by faster.

I didn't shave, since Bella loved some scruff on my face and put in my contacts. When I was done, I jumped into a pair of black, skinny jeans and pulled a fresh, grey, fitted T-shirt over my head. I basically drowned myself in my cologne and ran my hands through my slightly damp hair, hoping to tame it a little and wishing for the best.

It was three-fifteen when I glanced at my phone and Bella's last message was hours ago. She texted me her entire trip, from the studio apartment to the cab and from the cab to the airport. Her messages only ended when she stepped foot on the plane, but it was a six-hour flight so I already missed hearing from her. I wasn't used to not hearing her for longer times anymore, not since we saw each other two weeks ago and made up. If today ended as good as I hoped, I would never have to spend this long without her.

I picked up my keys off the coffee table and locked up the front door before I drove myself over to LAX. Traffic in L.A. typically made me want to rip my hair out, but today the odds seemed ever in my favor, making me arrive way earlier than I'd anticipated. I grabbed a coffee to kill some time and started looking for a little gift for my girl. Flowers were too much of a cliché, and I didn't want to get her some perfume either.

In the window of a little press shop, I spotted a leather bounded notebook in Bella's favorite shade of blue. That would be a good gift for her, I thought. I was going to write in it, make it a symbol of us getting back together. A fresh page, a new start.

The airport was quite busy as I walked over to the waiting area. I went over to the front desk, confirming that this was the right gate to wait for my girl and sat down.

My nerves hit me hard and my palms were sweaty as I went over my plans for the evening in my head. I tried to shake them off, borrowing a pen from an older lady who sat across from me.

"You seem awfully tense, dear." She remarked. The woman's bright blue eyes peeked over the edges of her neon orange reading glasses, the copy of the novel she was reading tattered and dog-eared. Loved. Her grey hair was curled immaculately in the way they did in the fifties, her pants matching the flashy color of her glasses.

"Yeah." I sighed. "I've been waiting for this moment for two weeks now. Two excruciating weeks." I smiled at her. The lady took off her glasses, letting them dangle around her neck on a chain with pearls.

"Picking up your special someone?" She wiggled her brows curiously.

I played with the leather straps around the notebook in my lap and found myself unable to hold back a grin.

"You could definitely say that. My girlfriend's been in New York for a few months now, and it's been two weeks since we last saw each other." The woman nodded, seemingly understanding of my situation.

"I bet she's just as anxious as you, honey." She was probably right.

"Are you waiting for someone special, Ma'am?" She laughed, the sound melodic.

"Bless your handsome soul." She smiled. "Call me Denise, please. Ans yes. I'm waiting for my daughter, actually. She's moving in with me, making the big step to come back home after living in Minnesota for way too long. She finally got a divorce from that piece of shit husband of hers." She paused for a minute. "Don't get me wrong, I'm awfully excited about her moving back in with me. But I can't shake the feeling that she's doing it for me and not for herself."

Denise probably spotted the unasked questions hiding behind my eyes.

"I lost my husband last month." She gave me a sad, nostalgic smile while her gaze appeared miles away.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Denise."

"Thank you sweetheart. It's been very strange without him, honestly. After living with someone for over thirty years, the place seems too big for me. The silence is absolutely deafening."

"I can imagine. I suppose it can be good for the both of you that your daughter's moving back in. It's going to give you someone to talk to, someone to break the silence."

"Yes. Frankie's a doll, really. It's a shame she won't ever get to have the type of bond with someone the way we do. Her husband never wanted kids, and now she fears that ship has sailed for her. Poor dear just turned thirty-six. So young to feel that lost, broken." I nodded.

"For sure. No one's made to be alone. We all need some sort of companion, whether that be a pet or a person. The two of you will get through this together, I'm sure. You seem really close."

"You're wise beyond your years, handsome." Denise winked at me. I could feel my cheeks turn more pink than usual.

"Edward." I introduced myself.

Denise took in a deep breath, choosing her words before she spoke to me again.

"Well Edward, let this old woman give you some advice on life. I don't know how serious you and your girl are, but by the look on your face this probably isn't a fling. I think the two of you are quite lucky to have each other." I hadn't talked to anyone about my actual feelings for Bella except for Eric, Alice and my brother. It felt good to tell someone new, someone with an open mind like Denise. It made it seem all the more real.

"She might just be the one for me, Denise. I never loved anyone like this before." I admitted.

"Darling, let me tell you this. Don't waste any time, because they only take time away from you. You'll never get it back. It's important to enjoy each and every minute, every day."

"I really want to spend the rest of my days with her." I took a breath, pausing for an instant. "Actually I plan on asking her to move in with me tonight." Denise's smile could light up the entire airport.

"That's wonderful. What a great idea. Don't let the first few fights get you you, honey. It's only natural when two people who've lived separate lives share a house. It'll take some getting used to."

"Yeah, I've never lived with a girlfriend before. But I'm ready and Bella's great." I shrugged. Denise's phone rang. She stared at the screen of her bedazzled iPhone and grinned.

"Well, that's my cue. It was so nice meeting you, Edward. I wish you the best of luck. I hope you two end up being as happy together as I was with my Thomas." Her demeanor was warm, as was her smile.

"Enjoy the time with your Frankie, Denise. She's got the best mom, I can already tell. Thanks so much for the talk."

"And keep the pen, darling. Consider it a parting gift from the crazy, old lady at the airport who gave you some advice." She winked at me before she stuffed the novel into her handbag.

"Thanks, Denise." She put a warm hand on my shoulder and gave me one last smile before she took off, leaving me in my seat with a turquoise pen. Something told me I would take her advice by heart. I was ready, and Denise made me see that.

I felt an instant surge of inspiration hit me and flipped the notebook open, the brand new, crisp page staring at me.

Isabella Swan.

My future before you appeared as empty as this notebook, but since I met you the visions became clearer.

It's you: my future, my vision.

You hold my heart and my hopes.

Today, tomorrow, forever.

As long as you'll have me.

I'm yours.