First of all, a big shout out to my team of pre-readers and beta: NimNimBonjangles, bevey99, and Fran. Thank you so much for all the help with this story.
Secondly, a big 'THANK YOU' to all of you, who take the time to read reviews.
Happy New Year!
There's a time jump at the beginning of this chapter.
PART TWO
[Edward]
During my last year in obtaining my Ph.D., I got the opportunity to start working at some private clinic in San Francisco as a lab technician. It was a great entry-level opportunity to join an innovative laboratory and receive targeted one-on-one training that will help me grow in a career in the biotechnology field. The schedule for this position would be Monday-Friday, 6 am-2:30 pm, with rotating weekends (one month on, one month off). I knew I could do it, so I accepted their offer. I even spoke with them on the phone, and they seemed like genuinely nice people in need of new hires.
I'd tried my hand at finding something in New York, but the few interviews I'd been to have been unsatisfying for both sides. They all expected experience, more than my classes had provided, and the lab hours I'd spent at the local hospital where we'd had practical classes.
I had signed a contract with this clinic in San Francisco. They expected me at the end of July, which gave me two full months of freedom and enough time to move there. Bella took over the task of finding an apartment for us, saying I had to focus on finishing my education while she searched for our future home. She'd sent me several pictures of apartments, but the few I liked, she returned with a sad face in her text messages saying they were too expensive or already sold.
Then, last night, on my last day in New York, she'd sent me a picture of a small house, followed by a heart-eyes emoji. After packing and wrapping up my life in the city, I'd been so tired that I hadn't realized what it meant. I'd only sent her a string of question marks in return before falling asleep.
When I was on the bus taking me from Seattle to Forks, I made the connection. Sadly, Emmett and Rosalie had their hands full with preparing for their wedding, which was a week before our departure to San Francisco. Emmett had taken his sweet time in asking her, but I wasn't one to judge. Bella and I were completely happy with our relationship without that piece of paper.
The bus station was closer to her apartment. It was very late at night when I arrived in Forks, close to midnight.
I was dead tired but extremely happy to finally be done with my studying, ready to start our life together as a normal couple.
I used my key to get inside her apartment. The TV was on, which was something unusual. Bella rarely watched TV. It was running on some animal show.
I dropped my luggage by the front door, going to shut off the TV, but I was surprised to find Bella curled on the couch with a blanket around her shoulders. She was fast asleep. I noticed several paper tissues around her, a cup of tea on the coffee table, and a variety of cold medicines.
She hadn't said anything about not feeling well. I crouched to pick her up carefully. Surprisingly, Bella didn't even stir as I carried her to bed.
I dug in my suitcase for clean underwear before I went to take a shower, ready to wash away the sweat of traveling across the country the whole day. The sound of the pipes and the water falling in the shower cabin was too loud at the late hour of the night, but I hoped it wouldn't wake Bella or any of her neighbors.
When I returned to her bedroom, Bella sat on top of her bed, rubbing her eyes. She blinked sleepily at me.
"Hey, baby. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." I joined her in bed.
"I'm gross," she mumbled, but I hugged her into my side.
"Shh. Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"
"Because I was okay yesterday," she said into my shoulder, snuggling close. "It's been abnormally hot for Forks this past week, and we stayed with the door and window open in class."
"Oh. Now you've become an expert at judging the weather in Forks?" I teased.
"I've lived here for about six years now, Edward."
I stroked her hair, kissing her warm forehead. "Do you have a fever?"
"It's just a cold. Let me sleep it off."
I woke up first in the morning, which was a rare event. Bella was curled on her side of the bed, not moving. I felt her forehead, which was a normal temperature, and it relaxed me.
The coffee was brewing, and I was chewing on a slice of bread smeared with peanut butter when Bella came into my line of view. She walked slowly to me, hugging me tightly.
"I didn't even greet you properly." Her lips pressed against my throat. "I don't think I'm contagious, but let's keep this on the safe side."
I rolled my eyes. "I most likely got what you have if you were contagious. But it's a cold, which is nothing terrible." I kept my arms around her waist. "When do you think you got it?"
"Sometime this past week, but it hit me like a wrecking train when I got home. And I was looking forward to seeing you again."
"Well, here I am." I grinned, pecking her lips. "And I'm staying this time. Forever."
She cupped my cheeks, smiling brightly. "Forever."
Later, while we drank from our coffees on the couch, I remembered the picture Bella had sent to me the other day.
"What was with that house?"
"Did you like it?" Bella glanced at me, chewing on her bottom lip.
"We can't possibly afford a house, Bella."
"It's the price of that apartment you liked, that by the time I called, it was sold."
I pulled my phone out, going to the picture, and just now noticed a link. I clicked on it, and many pictures of the interior appeared. The Victorian style was typical for some parts of San Fran, but what I didn't expect was how modern it was inside.
"You like it, don't you?" Bella asked eagerly, burrowing closer into me.
"Definitely. But do we really want to buy?"
"I've put away money since we decided to think about this seriously. It's not enough, but we had a little help from—"
"I saved some money too. It's clearly not as much as you did, but I haven't touched the money I got during Lilian's lessons in over four years. And you know how she always demands my teaching skills when I'm in town." I rolled my eyes.
"Should I be jealous?" she joked, sneezing three times.
"No," I laughed. "Bless you." Bella scowled, blowing her nose loudly. "Anyway, I knew you'd like the house, so I called as soon as I found it. Turns out no one wants it because there's no garage like that's a deal-breaker these days."
"That front lawn is much better than pavement leading to a garage," I commented, returning to the picture of the house.
"So, you like it," Bella insisted.
"Yeah," I admitted, scrolling through the features. It had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, which was more than we'd ever need. Then I noticed the price – it was much more than the apartment I'd liked. It was near two million dollars. "Whoa. We definitely can't afford this."
"Edward, I've saved almost one million and a half. I told you this last Christmas when we started looking for rentals, but then decided to buy."
"But I don't even…" I frowned at my phone, avoiding her eyes. "How am I even going to help? I probably can't even afford to look at it."
"I knew we were going to fight about this," she mumbled, wrapping her arms around herself. "But hear me out."
I turned to see her watching me warily. "Hmm?" I hummed noncommittedly.
"I already got it."
I kept my muscles locked, so I wouldn't jump up and throw something at the wall. I also kept my mouth shut because the rational part of my brain reminded me I'd have never been able to afford anything like that. If she'd waited for my decision, I'd have said no, based on the fact that I couldn't help pay for it.
"I'm paying the utilities for the next decade," I said firmly.
A loud gush of air left Bella's mouth, and her shoulders sagged. "I'm so relieved you didn't blow a gasket."
"I'm in two minds about throwing a fit, but I'd like to believe I'm mature enough to understand that I'm still a fucking kid." I got up from the couch and started pacing. "Did Carlisle help with the money?"
"Yes," she whispered, hugging her legs to her chest.
I ran a hand through my hair. "I don't think I'm mad," I said quietly, still pacing. "I just hate that I don't have the money yet to invest in our future life."
"You're going to pay the utilities for a decade; we established that," she teased. "Come here."
I went to her, because I could never deny her anything. She hugged me tightly, kissing my nose.
"I love you."
My heart soared, like every time I heard those words from her lips. "I love you more."
Bella giggled, peppering small kisses down my jaw. "When do you plan on going home?"
"I am home, Bella. I've lived in your bed for years now. I'll visit my family later – we'll go together."
"I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to be around children."
"It's a cold," I reminded her. "It's not contagious. You're talking to a Ph.D. graduate in virology."
She touched her breast theatrically. "My bad. I forgot who I was talking to for a second."
I kissed her slowly, enjoying the feeling of her smaller body against mine. I'd missed her desperately in the past year. I'd only been able to come home for Christmas, which meant I hadn't seen Bella in five months – more than we'd ever gone without seeing each other.
We spent most of the day in bed, getting reconnected in the best ways. In the evening, Bella took me with her to Dawn, where she was meeting her colleagues.
She was catching me up with their lives as we stepped inside the bar. I was surprised to see only a handful of them there, not the big party I was used to from the other times I'd accompanied Bella. Only Coach, who I doubt I'd ever be able to call Jacob out loud, Tanya, and some guy I didn't know, were there.
Bella pulled me to their table, sitting next to Jacob, across from the other two. After shaking hands with Jacob and greeting the others, I sat next to her.
"Just us?" Bella checked.
"Nessie's tired after being drained by toddlers all week," Jake joked.
"Tell her to try teaching high school students. She'd found new joy in her job," Tanya quipped.
Vanessa had become a kindergarten teacher a couple of years ago after taking her GE. Then she earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education before completing a student teaching internship in a kindergarten classroom as part of a state-approved teacher preparation program. After taking the required tests and applying for a teacher license, she was officially a kindergarten teacher.
"Oh, this is the new music teacher," Bella said, waving to the guy next to Tanya. He had chin-length long blond hair and light blue eyes that looked unreal. "Caius Volturi."
That last name was familiar. "Related to old Marcus?"
"He's my uncle," Caius answered in a thick Italian accent. "How do you know him?"
I shot Bella a confused look, but before she could answer, Tanya explained in a snotty voice. "Edward used to be our student back in the day. That's how he and Bella met, actually."
"Good Lord, Tanya," Bella shouted. "That sounds a hundred times more dangerous than it actually was."
"We didn't hook up until I graduated," I explained. I'd told this lie so many times; sometimes, I believed it was the truth.
Bella covered my hand, reminding me Tanya loved to get a rise out of us.
"What do you want to drink?" Jacob got up, eyeing us. "On me, this round."
"The usual," I answered. It felt good to be able to enjoy one beer without beingogled at like I was some rare exhibit at a museum.
"Uh, some juice for me, but nothing cold or fizzy," Bella interjected.
Right. She'd taken some cold medicine before we left.
Jacob eyed her amused but nodded, heading to the bar.
"That's quite the demand. Do you have something to tell us?" Tanya waggled her brows at Bella.
I clenched my jaw when I noticed the snide comment embarrassed Bella, whose cheeks were red.
I wanted nothing more than to say something terrible, like, I'd sent my sperm magically into Bella while I hadn't been able to visit. But it would freak out Bella because babies were not a joking matter with her.
She'd had a scare some years ago, and she'd managed to freak me out so badly I'd skipped one big test to come home. It turned out her period was late because of the stress she'd been under at school.
It had been then when I knew that children were something we'd never have. As much as I adored my little sister, I was aware it would be much different if she were mine. That thought brought me back to earth every time I wondered if it was possible to somehow change Bella's mind. Besides, we weren't financially stable enough for something like that; at least, I wasn't. Not yet.
Jacob returned with our beverages, mixing our orders by mistake. "Ooops," he barked a laugh before switching out bottles.
I rolled my eyes, touching the bottom of my beer to his. "Thanks."
"Force of habit," he said, still laughing.
"Ha, ha."
"I'm turning twenty-five this summer, in case you forgot," I pointed out.
"Don't remind me. I have a constant reminder at home of what an old fuck I'd grown to be." He shuddered.
"Talking about Vanessa?"
"Maya, of course," he muttered. "Nessie is still perfectly happy with my performance."
"Oh, God. Stop," Tanya complained, paling.
Bella surprised me by wrapping her arms around one of mine, leaning over me to stage-whisper to Jacob. "Not all of us are lucky to have a young stud at home."
"Bella," I gasped, more surprised at her brazenness than upset she'd advertised me as a sex machine.
"What? It's true, baby." She cupped my cheek, kissing my lips.
I felt my ears turning red. I knew how much these sex talks deviated among her colleagues, but Bella rarely participated in them. Now, she'd instigated one.
"Kudos to younger lovers," Caius shouted, raising his glass of scotch.
"Shhh!" Tanya appeared to be mortified when the whole bar turned to stare at our table.
"It's a pity not everyone gets the pleasure to enjoy a younger body in bed," he continued.
"I'm out of here. You're a bunch of pervs," Tanya huffed, and to my surprise, she actually got up and left.
Jacob laughed loudly, holding his stomach. "I can't believe you made her leave with your comments. We have to learn from him what to say to get Tanya off our backs at school," he told Bella.
"I told you multiple times, Jacob. I don't want to fight with Tanya because if I'm the one to throw the first proverbial punch, there will be no going back." Bella returned to her seat, sipping from her pineapple juice.
Lizzie loved that shit. It tasted like ass, and I was surprised Bella liked it. Maybe her taste buds were altered due to her cold.
"So, who's the lucky, young lover you're sharing the bed with?" Jacob turned his attention to Caius.
It was an odd name, but after knowing old Marcus for over a decade, I'd stopped finding unusual names odd. Being named after Latin individuals must run in their family history.
"Oh, that would be me," he answered, smiling brightly.
"You're in a relationship with yourself?" Jacob gasped.
"How many of these did you have?" Bella teased, pointing to Jacob's beer. "Caius is saying he's the young lover in the relationship."
"Oh." Jacob frowned. "I knew that."
I couldn't help but laugh.
"You don't have to tell him." I heard Bella saying quietly, holding Caius's hand across the table. "But Jake won't judge you."
I was truly curious now. I leaned back in my chair, sipping from my beer.
"My lover is Dr. Anderson."
"The pediatrician?" Jacob stared at him in shock.
"That would be him." Caius nodded.
"But…b-but…he's, like…one hundred."
Bella reached out behind me to smack Jacob. "Alistair is barely fifty. Caius is two years older than Edward."
Jacob blinked while I did the math in my head, trying not to show any emotion at the shock of the age difference between Caius and his partner.
"Some men age like fine wine," Caius said, winking. "Of course, you're not the case."
"You little rat!" Jacob cried out, but then both of them started laughing.
"It's just how they communicate. Don't be alarmed," Bella whispered into my ear. "It took me a while to realize they insulted each other out of admiration, not hate."
"Why did you never mention Caius?"
"I did. You're unobservant. He started last year. I mean, at the beginning of this school year."
"And you knew about his secret," I said, curious how that happened. I shouldn't be surprised because secrets could barely be held in our small town.
"During my visit to Carlisle last fall, after the whole Homecoming Dance debacle, I saw them at the hospital."
I rubbed her back, remembering how she'd managed to twist her ankle again, but this time while dancing. She'd indulged the idiot to my left, and the dance ended with Bella in a hospital bed. Carlisle had to convince me not to board the first plane back home, reminding me that Bella would be fine, and it wasn't her first injury.
.
.
.
Some hours later, we returned to Bella's apartment. I wasn't used to drinking since I had never found the appeal in alcohol, but I was clearly buzzed after three beers. It was only Black's fault for pushing me to drink the last one.
I had to hold onto the hallway wall to manage the otherwise easy task of stepping out of my sneakers. Bella laughed at my wobbly feet. She led me to the bedroom, saying a good night's sleep was everything I needed.
I tried talking her into a quickie before bed, but she told me I was likely to fall asleep in the middle of it. I scoffed, but as soon as I was lying on the soft mattress, sleep pulled me under.
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