A/N: Hey readers! Another chapter. All thanks to my wonderful beta EdwardsFirstKiss who has done its editing so fast. I'll leave you to it, now.
All twilight stuff belongs to SM while this one is all mine. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 11
BELLA
December 23, 2014
"Mmm... hmm. What's that fucking delectable smell?" Edward hummed appreciatively, biting my earlobe. I was making brownies in the kitchen when he came to stand behind me, with his arms around my waist.
"I thought you would love to eat your favorite chocolate brownies for Christmas...," I trailed off as he started peppering kisses on my neck.
"Mmm... You thought right." I felt his crooked smirk as he sucked on my neck. Sucking on my neck! I pushed myself out of his grip and turned around to slap his chest.
"If you give me another hickey, I'm going to hang you upside down from the ceiling like a real vamp," I glared at him.
"Hey! Don't you start calling me that. Your Dear Jacob is enough to call me that shit," he snarked back. I stuck my tongue out at him, and he rolled his eyes.
"You know, we are about to get married and you won't even allow me to leave a fucking possessive mark on you," he huffed.
"Yeah, because that's what marriage entitles you," I snickered at his silliness.
"Whatever! But Black should know that you're mine." That said, he started towards me and I stepped back until my back hit the counter.
"Edward, it's not the time for your sexual escapades, so please let me make these brownies," I tried to convince him. Like he would ever listen. I'm about to marry a sex obsessed man.
"Fuck the brownies!" With that he jumped forward and threw me over his shoulder in one swift move.
"You asshole, put me down," I shrieked, hitting him on his back.
"Sorry babe, but I want you more than those fucking brownies." He slapped my ass, and I gasped. But as he put me down and his lips met mine, all protests left my body, and I melted into him. My man. The man I was going to marry in two weeks.
Life is bliss; until it's not...
Later that day in the evening...
"Yes... yes I know Mr. Greene but that isn't possible at the moment. We are on Christmas break and I'm on a month's vacation after that for my wedding... Mr. Greene, I understand..." Edward paced back and forth in the living area of our apartment with his hand constantly raking through his hair. He was talking to Mr. Greene, assistant of Mr. Felix Wigzell, who was our dealer for the upcoming project- Seventh Street. We were given the instructions to complete it in four years, which was a long time considering the details of the project. Edward and I had decided to see to it after returning from our honeymoon but it seemed that Mr. Wigzell has some issues with that. I touched Edward's forearm to calm him, and he gave me a weak smile.
"I know what Mr. Wigzell wants is important, but we can do it after another month. What's the problem with that?... Fine! I'll do it, but let him know he owes us big time," he ended the call, frustrated. I pulled him down on the couch beside me and entwined our fingers.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Wigzell is one son of a bitch, that's what. Mother fucker!" he cursed loudly, running a hand through his hair.
"Come here," I said pulling his head down on my lap. "Now relax," I urged as I ran my fingers slowly in his soft locks, massaging his scalp. He closed his eyes and the frown between his brows loosened. I stayed quiet for some time so that he could calm down. He looked so peaceful like this with his eyes closed; his long eyelashes almost touching the skin underneath. His chiseled jaw was scuffed by a five-o-clock shadow. I leaned over to press my lips to his forehead.
"I don't know what I would do without you, love," he sighed and sat up.
"You never have to know that," I smiled, pecking chastely on his lips. "Now tell me what happened?"
"Wigzell wants us to see the sites on Seventh Street and provide him with the rough plan for renovation before New Year's. I mean that's fucking insanity, Bella. He has given us four years to work on this and now he wants the draft by New Year's. He is just being a dick," Edward spat.
"Ok... But why do I feel like that's not the entire thing?" I wondered.
"Because the above action would make Wigzell the biggest...," he thought for a second, "No, the littlest, dick in whole New York but what he had asked afterwards would make him the littlest dick on the entire planet," I snorted at that.
"Edward, I think you need grammar lessons. Littlest is not even a word," I trailed off laughing.
"I know but you know what I want to imply," he frowned. I put my head on his shoulder, and he continued. "Anyway, Wigzell's assistant said that if we can't hand over the plans to them by then, they will pass the project on to another firm. One guess which firm he said... James' Firm," he announced when I shook my head.
"What? But... he... he can't do that, Edward. We have a signed contract…" I gaped at him.
"He can, Bella. One of the clauses in contract is that he can withdraw at any time if we haven't started the project. I don't know why Dad agreed to that," he hunched forward with his head in his hands. "So much for a fucking wedding and honeymoon."
"Hey, it's alright. We can go to the sites tomorrow and then work together on the draft. I'm sure Jasper and his team will also help," I suggested, rubbing his arm.
"I don't know, Bella," he turned to look at me. "I have a feeling that this project will not do us any good."
"Come on, Edward. You're not trying to back out, are you? Don't tell me you're afraid of the Manor's, haunted stories," I lowered my voice dramatically.
"Of course not! It's just... I want to give all of my time to you these days... but...," he shook his head.
"Hey, it's okay. It's not like we still won't spend all of our time together. And we will be going to the sites together; so it'll be like a short pre-wedding trip. And if you're good then I think we can explore how comfortable the seats of my car are?" I quirked an eyebrow. He looked at me confused but then an understanding crept into his features.
"I like the way you think, Miss Swan," he smirked.
"Why thank you, Mr. Cullen," I replied cheekily.
"So, now that this is resolved, what do you think about exploring the comfort of our couch?" he leaned forward until my back lay flat on the couch.
"I guess... my smartness is rubbing off on you... Mr. Cullen," I whispered breathless as he brushed the tip of his nose and lips down my throat.
"Mmm... Let's see what else we can rub." And that's how Mr. Wigzell was forgotten for good.
December 24, 2014
"Edward, I don't like this. I want to go with you," I whined.
"Love, we talked earlier about this and you're not going," he said calmly, taking his keys and cell from the nightstand.
"But I can go for my fitting tomorrow. It's not like I have gained weight and the dress won't fit," I huffed, folding my arms beneath my chest. He pocketed his keys and cell and pulled me by my arm to him. He tilted my face towards him and brushed my hair off from it.
"You know, you're too cute when you behave so stubbornly," he chuckled.
"Edward please, I want to go with you. I'll tell Alice to postpone the dress fitting until tomorrow," I pleaded with my eyes. I didn't want him to go alone. I was having a strange feeling and no matter how much I tried to avoid it, it came back with new vigor.
"Bella, love, I'll be back before your fitting. I told you that I'm not going to let this project interfere with our wedding. You would've gone with Alice alone for the fitting even if I were at home. So what's the difference now? Just pretend that I'm sitting on our comfortable couch waiting for you to come back and explore its comfort once more," he wiggled his eyebrows, and I snorted. But there was still a feeling that was giving me a lump in my throat. Like something bad was going to happen. A tear fell from my eye at that thought before I could even notice its existence.
"Bella," Edward cupped my face and wiped the tear. "What is it, baby?"
"I... I don't know... I... I'm being stup...," a sob broke out of my throat and I gasped.
"Hey," he pulled me to his firm chest as sobs racked through my frame. "Hush, sweetheart, I'm here," he rubbed my back and pressed his lips to my hair.
"I won't go today if you don't want me too," he offered. I looked up at him when I had calmed down a bit.
"Is it possible?" I whispered.
"Everything's possible, love. We will go together the day after Christmas, ok?" he smiled down at me. I gave him my own teary smile, and he pressed his lips to my forehead. "Now, go before Alice comes barging through the door, accusing me of stealing you," he cocked his head and gave me my crooked smile. I giggled at that and he released me.
"I love you," I said with my arms on his shoulder and fingers buried in his hair. "Call me if you need anything."
"Love you too, and yes Ma'am," he leaned forward to press his lips to mine for a quick goodbye kiss. But as his lips met mine, desperation took its toll on me. I pushed myself further into him and kissed him passionately. He seemed to feel my desperation and responded eagerly, his fingers tightly gripping my waist. It was like this was our last kiss and we had to make full use of this last opportunity. No! I shouldn't think like that. He will be here when I get back. We separated breathless, and I put my hands on his chest.
"I... Don't know what came over me...," I shook my head.
"Well feel free to do that anytime. Who am I to complain?" he smirked, and I punched his shoulder playfully.
"I love you. Don't ever leave me," I said seriously looking into his green orbs.
"Love you too, baby. And like I said earlier, I'm Forever Yours," he smiled, and gave me a final peck on my lips.
I turned to open the apartment door and looked over my shoulder. Those endless green pools were the last thing I saw before leaving.
"If I knew all these preparations would be so trying, I would have eloped," I muttered under my breath as I sat on the chair in the cafe across from Alice.
"Don't be like that, Bella. It was fun. Edward won't know what hit him when he sees you in that dress," Ali cheered.
"Whatever you say Alice," I sighed, once again thinking about Edward and looked down towards my cell on the table.
"You should call him, you know," Alice looked at me sympathetically. I told her about the strange feelings I had been having all day but I adamantly refused to call Edward. I don't want to worry him unnecessarily. Even I know that I'm worrying unnecessarily. He was in the safety of our apartment. I sighed and shook my head in denial at Ali's suggestion.
"Ok. Let's have some coffee, and then we can leave you to your Edward?" She cocked an eyebrow, and I snickered.
The waiter came to our table to take our order.
"You want some snacks?" Ali asked.
"No, just...," I trailed off as my cell started ringing, Edward's pretty face filling the screen. My heart soared in my chest and immense relief filled my nerves. "I'll just have black coffee, Ali," I told her hastily and grabbed my phone from the table.
"Hello," I breathed out. "We were just talking about you," I smiled. I expected him to make some smartass comment or to say that he missed me too. But what I heard was the one thing I feared all day. My cell slipped from my hand and I feel my body growing closer and closer to the cafe floor.
Somewhere in my stupor I heard a soft, melodious voice calling out my name while somewhere far, far away I heard one velvet voice whispering Forever Yours.
December 25, 2014
"I'm taking her to her apartment, Jazz... No, she is deadly silent... Don't worry I have Rose with me; you stay there with Esme and Carlisle. They need you more... yeah, ok I'll call you later... love you too."
Love you too... Strange phrase. A lie. But Alice didn't know that this phrase was a lie. I should tell her; I was her friend. I wanted to turn my face to tell her not to lie. But my body seemed frozen in Alice's arm in the backseat of the car. I couldn't move my lips and my throat felt like it was on fire. I wanted to cough but I couldn't. I want to scratch my throat to satisfy the itch there but like the rest of my body, my hands were also immobile. There was so much pain inside me but I can't see any wounds. However, the hollowness of my heart reminded me that the wounds are buried deep inside. I wanted to cry, to shout... to hit something, to throw things... but my senses were rendered useless. My brain was aware of everything around me but my body wasn't co-ordinating with its commands.
"How's Esme?" Rosalie asked quietly from the driver's seat.
"A mess. Jazz says her tears are flowing continuously, and she is having panic attacks almost after every minute. They are trying to calm her down, but she keeps on asking about Edward..." she stopped as I jumped in her arms. "Jesus... I'm sorry, Bella. I won't say his name again, sweetie... please say something," Alice said in a trembling voice. What does she want me to say? Does she want me to announce how that man cheated me? Lied to me?
"Esme is pouring out her emotion every second but Bella... she is just numb. I don't think it's good for her. We should shake her to get some sort of a response, Alice," Rose expressed her concerns.
"I don't know, Rose. She is not responding to anything. The only time we get a reaction from her is when any of us say Ed... his name."
"This is such a mess. We were all so happy for these two. How this all ended like this...," Rose sighed.
"I know nothing, Rose. I just hope Bella will be able to pull herself together," Alice responded.
The car stopped after few minutes.
"Come on sweetie, let's get you inside," Alice urged, pulling me out of the car. My feet moved mechanically, like they were not a part of my body. We reached the apartment and Rose unlocked the door.
"We should try to bathe her, and then try to get her to eat something," Rose suggested.
"Ok. Bella, sit here and we'll run a bath for you," Alice said gently and settled me on the couch. They both left the living area and for the first time, in what seemed like a long time, I was alone. All alone. My hands move on their own accord to touch the softness of the couch beside me. My senses slowly started to come into action. That's when my ears registered and my fingers met a piece of paper. It was folded and tucked neatly under the cushion. My trembling hands started towards it and I took it out from its hiding place. But as I opened it, the handwriting made my senses come out with a vengeance from their slumber. My eyes registered the space around me and his scent assaulted my senses. Tears blurred my vision, but I tried hard to read the words on the paper. Like the masochist I am.
Love,
If you've found this letter, then it means you're sitting on our 'comfortable' couch. Mmm... so fucking comfortable. Anyway, I would advise you to take a deep breath and calm down. I know you'll be mad when you read this.
I'm going to Seventh Street to look at the sites and I know I shouldn't do it but please baby don't be angry. I just want to complete this shit as soon as possible so that we can celebrate our New Year peacefully. Please forgive me, my love.
Don't worry; I'll be there with you soon; maybe even before you get this letter. Hey, now when I think about that, there wasn't a need to write one in the first place. We could have called each other. Leave it! I've written this shit now so let it be. Bella will understand. Now why had I written my thoughts?
Oops! Sorry for that. You know this passing of notes is one damn interesting concept. I'll write more for you. And you too owe me one fucking letter. And a fucking Bella... Hey, that sounds good. Shit! I got distracted again, woman! Now, where was I? Yeah, so don't be mad, I'll be back soon, and we can have make-up sex and all that shit. Sound good? Well it does to me.
In about two damn weeks we'll be married and then you'll be forever mine. I love you so fucking much, Bella Swan.
Forever Yours,
Edward
PS: Call me. I want to hear your voice.
I reached for my cell but couldn't find it.
"Where is my cell phone?" I shouted, throwing the cushions off the couches.
"Bella, what is it?" Alice asked alarmed as she and Rose came running towards me.
"I can't find my cell, Alice... You know where it is?" I came to stand in front of her and shook her by her shoulders. She gaped at me. "Don't stand there like that, Alice. Gimme my cell."
"Yours is broken, Bella. You can use mine," Rose offered her cell to me. I snatched it out of her hands and started dialing the number I had memorized by heart.
"Who are you calling, sweetie?" Alice tried to step towards me, but I glared at her and motioned with my finger to stop. I pressed send and cradled the cell to my ear. But there was no response. There was a beeping sound and then the line went silent. The whole room seemed to be bathed in a haunting silence.
"He is not answering, Rose," I told her, giving back her cell.
"Who's not answering, Bella?" Alice asked.
"Edward," Rose whispered, looking up from the screen of her cell and I winced.
"No," I whispered.
"Bella?" Alice hurried to stand by me.
"NO!" I shouted.
"Alice, get her seated. I think she is having a panic attack."
"NO! NO!" I chanted with my hands on my ear. The letter I had in my hand crumpled and fell on the floor.
"Bella, sit. Sit here," Rose urged, and they both made me sit on the couch. Couch!
"No!" I pushed them away and stood abruptly. "I can't sit on that. THROW IT AWAY!" I shouted. The doorbell rang and Alice hurried to open the door.
"What's going on?" Jasper shouted.
"I said throw the couch away! Burn it," I shrieked.
"Bella, Bella. Stop it. Everything's fine, Sista," Jasper cooed in my ear, pulling me into his arms.
"Jazz, throw away the couch. Please throw the couch away!" I sobbed hysterically.
"Sshh... We'll throw it away, Sista. Don't you worry. Em, take the couch somewhere else," Jasper commanded. That was the first time I noticed Emmett standing by the door. He stood frozen, looking at me solemnly.
"Dammit! Em what are you thinking? Take the damn couch, will you?" That set him into motion, and he proceeded to do as told.
"Can you see, Sista? We're taking the couch away. Tell me what else you want," Jasper murmured in my ear.
"Nothing," I whispered and shrugs out of his arm.
"Bella?" Alice came to stand beside me and put her arm around my shoulder.
"I don't want to live here, Ali," I said quietly.
"You don't have to, sweetie. You can come to live with us," Alice replied.
"For now. I'll find a place for myself, soon." I declared.
"Our place is big enough for you to live, Bells. You don't have to hurry in finding yourself one," Jasper stepped towards us. I said nothing.
"Bella. You ok?" Rose asked cautiously.
"Yes, I'm fine. Let's get out of here," I pleaded to them with my eyes.
Seeing the streets of Rochester passing swiftly through the car's window, my thoughts drifted again to the one man I trusted with my life, who has so brutally broken my trust in him. He was a liar. He cheated me. He had said he wouldn't leave me. But he left. Left me all alone. Left me just like my birth parents and my muma. I hate him!
I stopped at that thought. No, I can never hate him. Because, I love him so much. I love him, even though he has cheated me. I love him, even though he lied to me. I love him, even if he had died in an accident. I love him, even if he had left me alone. I love him because I'm Forever his.
That was the first time I realized that I would never get over Edward Cullen.
Phew! That was one tough chapter. Too much angst? Sorry guys, it was necessary for the story to continue. How many of you wanted to kill Edward for going to Seventh Street alone? Well technically he already died so... But I would have, if he hadn't died. Oh, I'm the one who killed him. LOL. PLEASE REVIEW and let me know your thoughts.
I've found that story I'd asked about in last chapter because of EdwardsFirstKiss. She's a life saver. The story is called To Be Loved. It's amazing; you can find it in my favorite stories' list if you want to have a look.
Thanks for reading, following and favoriting this. #Suzy-Chapstick: I hope this update was soon enough ;)
See you soon.
-K