Your eyes are NOT deceiving you. This is a second update in as many days. Maybe my muse will stick around for a while, but I'm taking advantage while I can.
I have decided to finish this story out before starting to finish Olympic Pen Missed Connections, but I promise that one will finish hopefully by summer's end. There is about ten more chapters for this story… I think.
Thanks to Mandy for letting me talk this chapter out with her and special thanks to Joanne Riddy for her help today. She's such an asset in this fandom.
Your reviews make my day and I think you all for each and every one. I know a lot of people were worried about Edward lying to Bella, so I didn't want to make you wait.
Thanks again for all the recommendations for books and fics. I have some more down below.
The American Princess
Chapter 21
Bella
I strive to act unaffected when we arrive back at his apartment. Emmett is on the couch reading the New York Times and he glances up when we enter.
I know I haven't fooled him but then again, he knows me almost better than I know myself. Not for the first time, I wish I was attracted to him and him to me. It would be so easy- just like breathing. Certainly, less dramatic. And don't forget honest.
I shake my head subtly at him to let him know I have this. He greets Edward then retires to his room. Just like Emmett to avoid the fireworks. You'd never know he was a public relations guru.
"Are you hungry?" Edward asks.
"No."
"Are you sure? It's been forever since lunch."
"Yes."
"Is there something wrong?" He asks, more hesitantly this time. Oh look, Charming is starting to get it.
"I don't know, is there?"
"No?"
"Are you sure?"
"Honestly, Bella, we're adults here. Just spit it out."
I throw my clutch on the table in frustration. And I carefully mull over my next words. Charlie always told me to never speak out in anger for you can't take back what you say. A few deep breaths and I think I'm ready to be a calm, rational adult.
"Didn't I tell you not to ever lie to me again?" Okay, that comes out louder than I intended. Maybe not so rational. Or calm.
A few more deep breaths.
"Yes. I haven't."
I gape at him.
"Yes, you have. Not more than half an hour ago in the car. I asked you what you and Jasper talked about. And you brushed it off saying 'nothing that will affect you'."
"How is that lying to you?"
"Because everything about this," I motion between the two of us, "affects me. And you know it. And it did have something to do with our 'situation' for lack of a better word. Because I sure as hell don't know what this is anymore."
His knuckles whiten as he grips the back of the chair he is standing behind. His verdant eyes are flashing. His mouth tight. Charming is angry. Normally, this would turn me on, but I'm pissed too.
"You want to know what my brother and I talked about earlier? Do you really?"
"Yes, or I wouldn't have asked." The 'duh' is implied.
"He offered to take the crown."
I take a step back as I scramble to decipher what that all means- for him, for his country and for me. No. No. No no no no no.
"No. Absolutely not."
"That is not your choice."
"You're right. It's not. But you can't do that just because you aren't happy being the future king. This is your birthright. And honestly, you're great at it. You relate so well with everyone we've met. You're a little stiff but I think that's more because of your father than anything else. You have no problems getting dirty or wet or…"
"Before you, I have never done anything other than smile and wave and give speeches that were written for me." He moves the chair out from in between us and stands directly in front of me. "You're the difference. You inspire me to be a better man."
Oh, wow.
"And if I'm being honest with myself, I do love my birthright and what it entails. It has granted me a privileged life that I wouldn't have otherwise had. I do love the people and the good we have done even if I am stiff and distant for the most part. I am proud that I am next in line to the throne."
"Then why would you ever give it up? I know when we met you, you were angry at your father and rightfully so in my mind. Most children rebel as teenagers. You're just a decade behind is all." I joke.
He doesn't smile.
"Because I don't think I can be King and have you at the same time."
"Well, we already knew that going in to this." I reply gently.
"That's no longer acceptable to me."
"So, what are you saying exactly?" Dread is beginning to weave its way throughout my entire body.
"I'd rather have you than the crown."
Such a simple statement yet weaved within far far reaching consequences.
"Do you remember your uncle Edward? Wallis Simpson? Any of that ring a bell? Cause as lovely as I am sure she was, I don't think I'd like being compared to her throughout all of the future British history books."
"She was his twice divorced American mistress, Bella. The only thing you have in common with her is your nationality. It's not the same thing."
"He was abdicated, Charming."
"Yes, and I would be to. And like him, my brother would take over and I'd step down and be known as the Duke of Cambridge while Jasper would take the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall titles. I'd have other ones as well but that's neither here nor there."
He traces one finger over my cheek and gazes at me so adoringly, I want to cringe. Not because the adoration is not reciprocated but because I…
"I can't do this." I back away. "I can't let you do this."
"What are you saying?"
"I can't be the reason you do this. So, I'm taking myself out of the equation. I'm sorry." I choke out as I turn around and flee to my room, locking him out.
I am overwhelmed as my back is against the door. I have to pack. Em has to pack. Where is my phone? Shit, in my clutch that is sitting where I threw it. I grab my suitcase out of the closet, toss it on my bed and start throwing things in there. I'll sort it later. I need a flight. I need a car. Damn it, I need my phone!
I go into the bathroom where I start gathering my makeup and toiletries. I chance a look in the mirror. I'm a flushed, neurotic mess. I close my eyes to stop the tears and when I open them there are two reflections in the mirror.
"Going somewhere?" He asks, lightly but with an edge.
"How did you get in here?"
"I own this place so…" He holds up a key with a smug look on his face. "I never knew you as someone who would panic and run away."
"Yeah, well, you don't really know me all that well. Certainly not well enough to make this kind of decision."
I walk around him and blindly continue what I was doing. "Emmett!" I call out of frustration.
"I won't let you go." Edward says, leaning against the bathroom door facing.
"You can't stop me. Emmett!" Frustrated I walk back into the kitchen to retrieve my phone and bang on Em's door as I pass it. "Pack your things. We're leaving." I call out. I here him fumble around and the door opens.
"What happened? Did he hurt you?"
"I beg your pardon?" Edward interjects, clearly affronted.
"Sorry, Dude, I had to ask."
"No, he didn't hurt me, but he lied to me then he told me the truth and I would have rather he kept lying to me, quite frankly. So, we need to go!"
"She's being irrational." Edward tells Emmett.
I whirl around on him.
"Oh yeah, I'm the irrational one. You're just abdicating your throne for a hussy you've known like five weeks."
"Um… Bella? Did you just call yourself a hussy?" Em asks.
"That's what you're focusing on? Really?"
"He's a grown man, Bella."
"Thank you, Emmett." Edward says.
"Well, then you can stay here and be all chummy with Charming. I'm leaving."
I go around both of them and google Heathrow's phone number.
"Can you at least call for a car?" I ask Emmett as I wait for someone to answer at the airport.
"Heathrow. How may I direct your call?"
"Yes, I need the next available flight to Los Angel…." The phone disappears from my hand.
"Sorry, wrong number. Do have a nice night." Edward tells the operator. He then tosses my phone to Emmett then tosses me over his shoulder.
"Emmett!"
"Sorry, Bells, you're on your own with this one." He chuckles as he shuts himself, and my phone, in his room.
"Traitor!"
I'm unceremoniously dumped onto his bed and he locks and stands in front of his bedroom door.
"Why am I in here?"
"Because your room looks like a rummage sale is occurring. I have to say I never would have thought you to be one for tantrums. It's quite amusing. And quite arousing as well."
I rise off his bed and stand in front of him. "Let me go!"
"I can't. I won't."
"Why can't you be this stubborn about your crown?"
"I'll still have my crown. It will just be a different title and meaning behind it. Will you let this go?!"
"No! I will not let you do this. Not because of me!"
"This is not about you!" He explodes as he leaves the door and stalks me as I back away. "This is about me and what I want to do with my life! Who I want to share it with!" My back hits a wall. He leans in, the side of his face resting against the top of my head, his mouth right at my ear. "Don't you know I'd give up everything for you? Don't you understand why?"
I shake my head 'no', but the movement is restricted by his.
"I'm in love with you, Bella. And the thought of not having you in my life doesn't make it much worth living. All the crowns and all the titles in the world can't make up for that."
"This wasn't the plan, Edward." I whisper as all fight leaves me.
"I know, but here we are anyway." He laughs weakly.
A single tear escapes without permission and he wipes it gently away.
"I know I'm probably not what you imagined as a significant other and you may not feel for me what I feel for you but you're all about honesty so… there it is. I love you."
I don't know what to do with this information. I've never said those three words to anyone- romantically speaking. It's a big thing. Especially in this situation. And quite frankly, I have to wrap my head around all this because this wasn't a path, I thought possible for us.
"Hey, you don't have to say it back. Just please don't leave." The unspoken word 'me' hangs heavy in the air between us.
"I'm sorry." His face falls at my words, so I hasten to finish my sentence. "I overreacted. I'm usually much calmer in the face of a crisis but this threw me for a loop. I just… I don't want to be a regret for you."
He kisses me deeply and I cling to him.
"Does that feel like I'm regretting anything?" He asks as he pulls his lips from mine.
I shake my head cause… no words possible at the moment.
So, I respond the only way I can right now- by pulling his lips back to mine. I feel my legs leaving the ground and instinctively I wrap them around his waist. It's not lost on me that we were in this same position last night.
"Why do we keep ending up with my back against the wall?" I ask, breathlessly.
"Because you're suddenly a skittish creature and I need to have you boxed in," is his answer.
"Fair enough, but do you think we can move it your bed? I'm sure my back will be more comfortable on that."
He freezes. "Are you sure?"
"Am I sure my back is hurting? Or am I sure I want to be horizontal with you on your bed? Yes, to both."
"Your wish is my command." He says as he whirls me around to lay me gently on the more comfortable surface.
I laugh. "I thought you were a prince, not a genie."
He settles in next to me and we both turn to face each other. "Right here, right now, I am just a man in love with a woman."
"I like that. Here we're equals." I smile.
"Oh, no. You are far above me in every way that counts."
"Clearly." I deadpan. "Okay, we're talking too much. Let's get back to the kissing. More kissing I say."
He's suddenly on top of me, all his parts pressed into all of mine. Just before his lips meet mine again, I hear him whisper, "As you wish".
That's the last thing either of us says for a long long time.
I know, I know. I have to write the sexin' next chapter. I'll get on that, or rather they will. Ha Ha.
Rec's- Million Reasons by MissLiss15
The Mountain Between Us by Knicnort3
Uncredited by shouldbecleaning
Chimera by weekittyandtat
Unsteady by 2carm2carm
No book rec's this week.
Until next time,
Harpy Out!