brierlynn03 pointed out when I posted this chapter, I reposted chapter 3. Sorry about that. Here's THIRTEEN!
A/N: I goal is get this all posted before the end of break. I've been reading through the future chapters and I'm getting excited for you to read them, too. It's still going to get worse before it gets better.
"Bella, I don't see why couldn't have taken the Volvo," I said in protest of riding in that orange monstrosity.
"Because you said you wanted to experience the area to see it through my eyes. This is how to do it," she said curtly. I didn't understand her attitude. "Can we please just have a nice day like you promised?" she asked.
"I'm trying," I defended. "I've bought us a nice lunch," I patted the picnic basket setting between us on the bench seat. "Did you remember the blankets?" I asked. She looked over at me, her look stoic. "I don't know what that means, Bella. I can't read your mind," I bit back. I took a deep breath to try to calm my irritation.
"Yes, Edward. I brought blankets," she breathed out. I didn't understand why she was so irritated with me. "They're in the back. The truck bed has a cover now so I can haul stuff without it getting wet." I turned to look out the back window and, sure enough, it did. I took the opportunity to look around the cab of the truck, too. It may be old, but I'd have to call this vintage. It had a really nice interior and it was really clean. I ran my hand over the seat and then over the dashboard.
"It is actually pretty nice," I admitted. She looked over at me and then smiled. Finally. "There's my girl!" I said back to her. "I'm so glad your father is doing well." She bit her lip which she did when she was holding something back. I knew it was about my father, so I didn't press. I didn't want to talk about him. He'd cornered me in the hospital.
"Edward, it's good to see you," he'd said when I'd left the room to escape Jake's inane friends who were visiting Charlie. He was standing near the nurse's station. He walked nearer to me so he couldn't be overheard.
"Hello, Father," I returned.
"I'm glad you made it back up here," he said. "Bella has been distressed."
"Well, she is my wife and she's worried about her father. Did you do this knowing you'd get to see me?" I asked, looking at him for the first time.
"No, Edward, I didn't even know that name of the patient when Dr. Gerandy called me. It was a routine demonstration of a procedure I've spearheaded. It was just a happy coincidence and I was delighted to finally meet your wife. And she really is wonderful."
"She is," I agreed. I had to give him that. I knew it was about the only thing we'd agree on.
"Will you permit to get to know her better? Maybe have lunch with her once and a while when she's back in Seattle? I'd like to get to know her a little better. You don't have to come and I won't ask about you," he said. Looks like he'd thought of all the things I might object to.
"She's a free woman to do as she pleases," I commented. I wasn't going to say yes, but an outright no would cause further discussion.
"Is she?" he asked. He gave me that searching look he always used when he'd ask me if I'd taken my meds.
"Okay, we're done," I said and moved to walk down the hallway to the waiting room. I just needed to clear my head.
"Edward, you need to be careful you don't suffocate her," he called behind me. I didn't stop. "Love who she is and not who you think she is."
"Edward?" Bella said. We'd stopped and we were in a parking space.
"Sorry, Love, I got lost in my thoughts." I grabbed the handle of the picnic basket and pulled the handle of the door. I came open surprisingly easy and with the sound of a new car. There was a great deal of care in the restoration of this vehicle. It must have cost a fortune. No wonder Jake wore such old clothes. But I guess if he did all the labor himself it wouldn't cost as much. I was glad he had such a constructive hobby. Maybe I should talk to him about starting a business in restoration. That would make Bella happy that I was helping her friend. I could even offer him a startup loan.
Bella had flipped the cover of the bed over, and was pulling a few blankets out of the back. The weather was chilly and the skies were gray. They didn't threaten rain quite yet. We'd probably get to eat before the weather forced us back.
"So, is this Second Beach?" I asked forcing a smile on my face. She hadn't really told me where she was taking me.
"No, this is First Beach," she reported.
"Don't you want to see the land I just signed over into your name?" I asked. I thought she'd be excited.
"I've seen it," she said. "You wanted to see things about me, right? You wanted to see this place through my eyes. Or, do you want to just go visit the property you just acquired?" Her tone was acerbic. Was she still stressed about her father? He'd been doing great.
"You're right. You know how excited I get about an acquisition. But I'm more excited about you. What's that over there?" I asked, pointing to a set of buildings.
"That's the school. Jake graduated from there." She got a wistful look on her face. It was lovely.
"So what happened on this beach that makes it so important to you?" I asked and held out my hand for hers. She took it and led me down a short path to the beach that was covered with drift wood.
"I'll tell you after we have everything set up." She directed me to set up the blankets and the food while she built a small fire. It was actually a really good idea since it was chillier out here by the water. We settled down and ate some of the gourmet food I'd packed. It was probably the best food she'd eaten since she'd been up here. The sound of the surf was relaxing in a way I hadn't anticipated.
She laughed while she told me stories about the tribal bonfires that she and her father were invited to. She talked about the days she spent watching Jake and his friends playing football while she watched from a special log that she pointed at. Her eyes lit up and were bright and I really loved seeing her like that. I laughed at all the appropriate places, but that was easy since she was being funny.
"This is really nice, Edward. I'm glad we did this," she said, poking the fire with a long stick. "Do you see all the different colors in the flames?" she asked.
"Yes," I said, a little captivated. "It's beautiful."
"The salt water does that. It's why I chose this beach. It's the easiest to get to, but Third Beach is the most beautiful," she said. Her eyes were unfocused as she remembered something fondly. I allowed her to reminisce in her mind for a few moments. I hoped she looked like that when she remembered our honeymoon.
"Will you take me to Third Beach sometime?" I asked after a few moments.
"It's about a two hour hike to get there and it's rough. The trail to Second Beach can be a little challenging as well. Though I think the tribe sorted that out in the past few years-they built a boardwalk. I think Jake mentioned that. Does he know that you've acquired that property?" she asked.
"Why would Jake know?" I asked. I repressed the scoff that wanted to escape.
"Because his father is the one who owned the land. Surely you knew that. Is that why you put it in my name? So when they find out they won't be alarmed?" Her mood had darkened. I did know that, but I didn't know she knew that.
"Bella, it's meant to be a gift for you. I felt badly about leaving you the other day and this came to my attention so I grabbed it. I thought it could be a way to make amends," I explained. Talking her into building a resort might be more difficult that I had originally imagined. But all in good time. It really would improve the economy for everyone.
She was biting her lip, mulling something over in her head. She often got that look when she was researching something for one of the books she was editing.
"Edward, your father shared some things with me that concerns me deeply. And I think we need to talk about it," she finally said.
"Here we go," I muttered.
"Edward, please be reasonable," she said. I jerked my head up and saw that she was smirking at her use of my phrase. I smiled back at her before I could help it. That encouraged her to finish.
"He reluctantly confessed that you suffer from OCD. I've been very confused since I've been home. I've realized how much I've changed and I don't like all the changes I've made. I've really altered some core parts of my personality and I want them back. That's led me to question many things including our marriage. But when Carlisle told me about your OCD a bunch of things clicked into place."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She was questioning our marriage?
"Edward, I know what that look means," she said, cutting my thoughts off. "Listen to the rest." I nodded, willing myself to hear. "What clicked together was that some of the things I was questioning can be explained by the OCD. I've been doing some reading and I think what was irritating me were just symptoms of the disease. If that's the case, then this can all be fixed. I can fix what I think is wrong with me, and if you're willing to work on some of your controlling habits where I'm concerned I think we can be happier than we've ever been."
"Controlling habits? What are you talking about?" I asked. I truly was confused.
"Edward, you dictate what I wear, what I eat, how I do my make up, and even when I go into work." Her tone was acerbic, but her look mirthful.
"I just want you to look nice," I responded. I really didn't know what to think. I thought I had shed most of the OCD behaviors since living with Aro.
"That doesn't explain how you act when I go to work. It's almost as if you think I'll cheat on you. Edward, I'm not going to cheat on you. And as far as what I wear and what I eat, you have to let me be me. That is what is fundamentally making me unhappy."
"Bella, I don't want you to be unhappy." I inched closer to her and pulled her into my arms and she snuggled in. We hadn't done this in a very long time.
"I don't want to be unhappy either. I chose you. You chased me, and I chose you. Even after you dumped me, I took you back. And that's when I began to play the part and change. I need you to love me for who I am, and not who you think I am."
I pulled back a little bit. "What else has my father said to you?" I asked.
"Just that you left because you didn't want to take the medication or do the cognitive therapy. He's very perceptive, Edward. He's a good man who loves you. He misses you. He didn't ask anything about you, nor did I offer any information about you. I don't want to betray any confidences. But Edward, if you can't let go of these obsessions that have to do with me, you may want to seek out some help. What you do with you is up to you," she said. I could see the honest sincerity in her eyes. I knew she was telling the truth, my Bella couldn't lie.
She was sitting in front of me since I had pulled away. She never mentioned leaving me. I didn't think she ever would. That wasn't like her. All she was asking is that I allow her to wear clothes she likes and maybe go to work more. That didn't sound so bad.
"Okay, Bella. I'm not ready to go back to therapy, nor do I think I need to. But if all you're asking is show your sense of style and go into the office a little more, I can support that," I told her. "My father asked if he could have lunch with you every now and then. I admit that I wouldn't really be comfortable with that, but I told him you're a free woman to do what you want." She smiled and nodded.
"I like your father, Edward, I won't lie. And I don't want to make you uncomfortable. But sometimes we have to endure uncomfortable things to make others happy. I've been doing that for a few years now. And I'll continue because if we're being completely honest, I really don't like your assistant. She looks at you like she owns you. And she's not very nice to me. But, I'm not going to ask you to fire her because I trust you, Edward. I need you to trust me," she said. Her eyes searched mine for the same truth I sought in hers.
"Bella, love, you have nothing to worry about there. Tanya cannot hold a candle to you. She could never take my heart from you," I said. I didn't lie, so I was able to say it with all the sincerity I felt.
"It's not your heart I'm worried about, Edward. I know you love me," she said, her look skeptical. I stopped her mouth with a kiss. This was the most we had talked about anything significant in a really long time. It was sweet and intimate even if it was irritating. I hadn't realized that she was unhappy, but she wanted to work on it. Aro had told me that marriage was hard. If this is what makes it hard, well, I could play along.
I nibbled on her bottom lip and a sweet little moan escaped her lips. I lay her back and pressed down on top of her. Her hands wrapped around my waist and she pulled me impossibly closer to her. I traced a line of kisses down her neck and her breathing became heavy as my hand found its way under her sweater.
"Bella? Is that you under there?" a voice called from the path. I sat up, annoyed.
"Rachel!" Bella blurted out and jumped up. She ran over to the woman and gave her a hug. I remembered that name from the other day. She was a mini, female version of Jake and this must be the woman who had made the lasagna.
"Are you going to introduce me to the infamous Edward? I never got a chance to meet him at your wedding," she said and pulled out of Bella's arms and took a step towards me.
"Edward, this is Rachel, she is Jake's sister," Bella said. "Rachel, this is my Edward." She beamed and grabbed my hand and melted into my side. I really liked how she called me her Edward. I guess our talk had been good and this trip down to First Beach had really done the trick.
"It's nice to meet you, Rachel," I said, extending my free hand.
"You, too. Glad to see you're back," she said, taking my hand and shaking it. It was a firm handshake and I could tell she was an extremely self-possessed woman.
"Well, I got back as soon as I could. I'll be here for a bit while Bella helps Charlie get back on his feet. He's quite a local hero I understand," I commented.
"Yes he is. So is your father, from what I understand. My brother gave two pints of blood that wasn't even needed because you're father perfected a different procedure. You come from good stock," she said. She held my gaze and I felt Bella squeeze my hand. This woman couldn't possibly know how I felt about my father, so I just played along.
"Yes, he is quite renowned in Seattle and across the country, from what I understand. He's rather humble, though. So he doesn't toot his own horn," I said. It was all true. I didn't understand that about him, but it was true.
"So you married Paul LaHote?" Bella asked. She was very skilled at changing the subject. I've always appreciated that about her.
"Yeah. He's an asshole. I couldn't help it because that asshole has a good heart. And now he's gone and knocked me up," she said with a grin.
"Really?" Bella breathed out in an excited sigh.
"Yeah. He let me install a Jacuzzi tub, so I guess I'll breed the dog's pack," she stated. I could not fathom why she was talking about her husband in such a manner.
"I'm glad you see that in him. He was so misunderstood while I was in high school, but he was only ever sweet to me. He'd sit next to me while the others played ball on the beach. He'd make me laugh so hard!" she confessed.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. That's why I married that asshole," she shrugged. "So Edward, when am I going to get you back over for dinner? I heard you barely touched my mom's La Push famous lasagna. I'll have to figure out something you do like. I did go to culinary school," she said.
"Ahh," I started, but she kept talking. There was so much information coming at me it would take a week to process it all.
"You look like a health freak. How about I get some fresh fish from the boats and prepare something a little more healthful. You probably aren't a fan of shell fish are you?" She paused and I felt Bella shake her head. I looked down and she was smiling. How did this woman know all this?
"I'd do salmon, but that is so Seattle. And you live there. I know, I'll surprise you. How about tomorrow evening. I'm booked solid tonight, I was just taking a walk before I head over to PA for a few things. What do you say?" she asked.
"Ahh…" I started again.
"We have no prior commitments so I'll say yes," Bella answered for us. "I'd love to see Paul again. And I'm actually interested to see Edward's reaction to him," she giggled.
"What do you mean?" I asked. I couldn't stop my smile because she looked so tickled.
"Paul has no filter," Rachel explained. "He makes me look shy."
"That's hard to believe," I commented.
"Which is why I am interested in seeing your reaction," Bella said again. "If you understand that Paul's thought processes are worked out verbally, he's easy to take."
"Well, I guess it's a date. If he made my Bella feel included, he can't be all bad," I remarked. I mentally prepared to be shocked by bluntness and foul language.
"Great! I gotta get back. I have some stuff to do before I head to the hospital. I hope to see you there!" she called before she turned and ran back up the path.
We watched her go for a few moments, standing there hand in hand.
"Well, that was interesting," I said. I didn't quite know what to make of her. I think I liked her.
"It always is. And she's the only one who could have handled LaHote. I'm glad they found each other," she said. She turned and wrapped her arms around my waist again. "Thanks for today, Edward. I really feel like we connected again. I'm happy again."
I reached down and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry you were unhappy. If it's in my power to change it, I will."
"Only I can make me happy. But allowing me to be me will make it a lot easier. Thank you for listening."
I bent down and gave her another kiss. "Let's go visit your father again," I said and the smile the spread across her face was magic.
Chapter 14 is a doosey. Leave me enough thoughts and I might post it tonight...
Yeah, I'm begging for reviews. I need some affirmation and y'all have been so kind thus far. :)
