Thank you for the continuous support. I still can't believe we cross the 1000th threshold.
A big THANK YOU to Gabby for helping me improve my writing and making sure the story flows smoothly.
When Felix showed up at Edward's parents to rescue her, Bella knew that Edward had something to do with this. She hadn't needed rescuing, though.
Dr. Cullen had insisted Bella should go to their house upon his wife's insistence. The idea of being alone with them had terrified Bella, but as they had gotten talking, she'd realized there was nothing to worry about. They were actually very nice people and their only intention was to get to know her better. Mrs. Cullen even had a present for her, remembering it was her birthday soon, which surprised Bella. Probably, Bella's fight with her son had been memorable.
Now, on the way back to Edward's house, a feeling of dread coursed through her body regarding the following day. Edward had been acting impeccable ever since their fight, which made Bella reconsider her plans with James and Jake.
She knew that Edward would want her all to himself. He probably had some grand plan to whisk her away, which she started hoping it was true. Jake and her brother would understand that she'd rather spend her birthday alone with her boyfriend.
Bella stopped herself from cancelling her pre-made plans, before she had a chat with Edward.
But he wasn't home when she arrived in the early evening. With both her legs available, she decided it was time to take Harley for a walk. Edward had been the one to walk him for the past week.
"I'm going for a walk on the beach with Harley," she told Felix, as she returned to the kitchen after changing her clothes.
He was leaning over Tanya's shoulder, sampling the dinner and getting smacked in the process. He turned to Bella, regarding her thoughtfully.
"You could tag along if you think I'm not capable of walking my own dog," Bella joked.
"Please, take him. Before he eats the dinner!" Tanya begged.
Laughing, Bella pulled Felix toward the backyard. Harley rushed to her when she stepped outside. After attempting to jump on her several times, he started doing laps while yapping loudly.
"You'd think he hasn't seen you in years," Felix said, amused.
"When he was a puppy, he did this every time he saw me, which included inside the house. Like, if I dared use the bathroom without taking him with me," Bella giggled.
Felix laughed loudly, beckoning Harley to him. The dog knocked into Felix's legs, raising on his back legs to lick at Felix's face.
Bella seized the opportunity to fasten Harley's leash to his collar. "Come on," she urged, tugging him. But Harley was busy getting smooches from Felix.
"May I?" Felix reached for the leash.
Bella handed it to him, glaring at her dog for betraying her yet again. He was a sucker for affection, as if she didn't love him enough.
They ambled toward the beach, down the stone steps behind the house. Bella saw Felix pulling Harley back several times, when he tried running down the stairs.
She had no idea what to say to Felix. As much time as it had passed, since she'd first met him, he still seemed inaccessible somehow. It wasn't that he was Edward's driver, he just had that air about him that kept Bella away.
After several minutes spent in silence, where Felix gave Harley all the leash length to explore the sand, Felix cleared his throat.
Bella glanced at him, but he wasn't looking at her. "What?" she mumbled.
"It's going to sound improper, but is everything okay between you and Mr. Cullen?"
Bella stared down at her feet, not sure how could he tell they had a fight. Maybe he knew Edward that well.
"We're okay," she said, after a minute.
"I'm sorry. It's just…we heard you fighting over the weekend," he added hastily. "We're worried."
Oh, so he and Tanya were a team of spies. As subtle as Bella thought them to be, they seemed to be the ears and eyes of the house.
"I see…" Bella looked out toward the ocean. "We're okay, Felix."
Several steps later, Bella stopped and crouched down. "Harley!" The dog came to her side. "Sit." She pointed to the sand, as she folded her legs under her, sitting next to him. "You, too." She smirked up at Felix, towering over them.
"Aye." He mock-saluted, sitting on the dog's other side.
Bella threaded her fingers through Harley's fur, staring off into the horizon. "Did you have to hear a lot of such fights before?" She was curious, and she finally found a window of opportunity to ask Felix about Edward.
"Never, ma'am."
"I think I told you to call me Bella," she grumbled. "You can't be much older than Edward himself." It wasn't like she knew his exact age, but she figured he was in his thirties.
They had never discussed their age, which she found funny now that she thought about it.
"I'm thirty-nine," Felix answered. "And it's my job to be respectful with my employer and his family and friends. But sure, if you insist, I'll drop the status."
"Thanks." Felix had said never. He'd never heard Edward fighting with his previous subs. "Not even…" Bella bit on her cheek. "…Angela?"
"No, ma— Bella."
"Shit." She focused on her fingers combing through Harley's fur. "You suppose Edward's very mad?"
"You said you were fine," he said, amused. The skin around his eyes wrinkled as he smiled.
She cringed, then she shrugged. "It feels like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"If you want my opinion?" he asked, pulling out his smokes and offering her one. They had shared a cigarette before. He helped her light up the cigarette. "I've never seen Mr. Cullen so in love before."
Bella choked on the smoke she'd inhaled. She brushed at her sudden tears with the back of her hand. "So I fucked up really bad?"
"He'll forgive you," he said quietly. "It might take some time for Mr. Cullen to realize you're different…yet, dare I say, everything he needed in his life."
Bella pressed her forehead to her knees, blushing lightly. "Felix…"
"I'm serious. Do I even have to ask if you return his feelings?"
She glanced at him, taking a drag from her cigarette. "He knows I love him."
He nodded, as if understanding that sometimes love wasn't enough. They smoked in silence, until Felix's phone rang loudly.
Bella patted Harley's head when he became agitated at the sound.
Felix listened to whoever had called, then said, "We'll be right back, sir." He pocketed the phone, catching Bella's eye. "Guess, Mr. Cullen's home and you're not answering your phone."
"Shoot!" Bella froze, trying to remember when she'd last seen her phone. "I think I left the phone in the car."
"I'll check the backseat when we return."
They walked back slowly, and Harley actually listened to her and didn't pull like he usually did. Bella took him to his new favorite place – Edward's backyard, before heading to the front of the house.
Felix was just closing the back door of the Caddy. He handed her the phone.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
They stepped inside, while Bella was scrolling through the several missed calls from Edward and a text message from Jake – cancelling their date tomorrow.
She was in the middle of replying him, asking why he'd changed his mind, when Edward pulled the phone from her hand. He looked upset and worried, which had to be difficult.
"Hey!" Bella made to get her phone back.
"What did my parents want?" he asked, backing her into the glass wall by the front door.
"Just to talk. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." She seized his wrist, trying to pry her phone from his claw. "Come on, I was in the middle of texting Jake."
"So, him you answer," Edward scowled.
"I forgot the phone in the car. Ask Felix." She looked around, noticing they were alone. Felix was a master in ninja skills and could disappear at will.
"What time are you seeing him tomorrow?" Edward placed her phone back in her hand.
"Well, I hope you'll be happy to hear that he just cancelled on me. I'm trying to find out why," she said, returning her eyes to her phone's screen. "But I'm meeting James around ten, then, I guess, I'm all yours."
"You could invite him over – your brother."
Bella looked up from the phone to see Edward watching her with a guarded expression. "I'm still not sure where we're standing, Edward."
Pain flashed in his eyes, and it took Bella a moment to realize he thought she was talking about them. Time to show Edward, she wasn't going anywhere.
She hit send to her message to Jake, then pocketed her phone. Then she looped her arms around Edward's neck, raising on her tiptoes. She nipped at his chin, peppering kissed to his mouth, which twitched up as she kissed it. His hands grabbed her hips, before lifting her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding tightly on his shoulders, as his hands went to support her weight under her ass.
He walked her to the couch, where they fell into a heap, laughing as they continued to kiss.
"I'll see how it goes, before I ask James over," she said against his lips.
"I won't mind spending tomorrow alone." He showered kissed down her neck.
"Me either."
His head snapped up, his eyes wide. His jaw clenched, then he barked a loud laugh. "You'd rather spend the day with me than with your brother or friend?"
"Of course! I was silly to fight you on this."
"Now, you tell me?" One of his hands went into his hair, as he groaned loudly.
"Why? Did you actually plan a secret trip for us?" Bella could hear the desperation in her voice. She had never been a fan of birthdays, especially after her seventeenth birthday when there had been no reason to celebrate anymore, but with Edward, she wanted to have fun on her special day.
"You said you didn't want anything," he said seriously. "I guess, it will be just us and your brother."
"Oh, well…" She shrugged, slightly disappointed Edward had listened to her for once.
"Did you eat?" He offered her a hand, pulling her to the kitchen.
She just shook her head, surprised at how much Edward had changed. He was trying his best to please her.
When they retired to his bedroom after dinner, Bella pulled Edward toward the bathroom. With the water beating down on them, she hugged him tightly, pressing her cheek to his chest.
Edward stroked a hand down her back. "I promise you now to never hurt you again. There are other ways to punish you, that don't include my hand on your ass."
Bella tensed up. "You mean, you'd use the whip next time?"
"No!" he shouted, pulling away enough to look at her, horrified. "I'm just saying…I could always deny you what you desire the most. That should be worse than my hand on your ass."
"What I desire the most?" she echoed his words, confused.
"Release, to touch me," he said, shrugging.
"You're the devil in person, Cullen."
"I've been accused of worse," he murmured.
Bella gasped, thinking back of the unfortunate night almost a week ago. She cupped his cheeks, raising on her toes to kiss him. "I'm so sorry for calling you a monster. It was such a below the belt move."
"You were right." He nudged her nose with his. "I love you."
"I love you, too," she whispered, kissing him firmly, showing him exactly how much she loved him.
They're alright. =)
Reviews are love.
PS: I posted a story centered around Jake/Nessie, though, it includes everyone. It's set many decades after BD and there's a new threat from the Volturi looming around. If you'd like to give it a try, it's called Retaliation. Thank you!