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CMF

CULLEN-MASEN FAMILY

Chapter 4

BPOV

I was thrilled to finally see my art supplies coming. Thank God I have Seth Clearwater, an art student, to come in and help me distribute my supplies in the many areas I work in. I am not paralyzed, but I do use arm brace crutches to walk. I also use a motorized wheel chair on my really rough days. Those are days that constitute very cold weather, twisting the wrong way, etc, etc. I just deal with it the best I can. I'm not going to be stopped doing what I love...painting.

I've made a name for myself in the art world, and I intend to keep my position. I'm not conceited, I'm just good at what I do. People pay a lot of money for my paintings. I'm going to throw myself into my work. That's why people want my art...it speaks to them. It speaks to me...when I'm working on it. I can see things on a canvas no one else can.

I'm glad he's here to help. He also brought a couple more friends as I got a big shipment of some very, very big canvases. I have some that will cover a large portion of the walls in here. Thank God for all the space.

I did notice some unusual movement across the way at the warehouse. It's one of the nicer ones in good shape. I wonder if someone is going to turn it into an apartment. Oohhh, who is that man? I do love that hair...the color, and it everywhere. Looks like he just had a wild bout of sex. Wait, why does that look familiar? I know I've seen it...him somewhere.

Anyway, got to get back to work. Thank God Seth came with help. These canvases are a right pain, and especially when I go to transport them to customers, or art galleries. There is still a big portion in the bottom floor I could put to use, too. Which just sparked another idea I might check out. I could see about a hydraulic elevator to go through the back of my apartment down even to the first floor. Sure I got the freight elevator, but it's a pain to have to walk all the way across this damn big apartment. Quit your bitching, and get this stuff put up. We just need to get out for a bit.

We manage to get everything pretty much put away, and I am exhausted. I think I'm going upstairs, and see if Angela's fixing anything for dinner. I think I just want to eat something, take a nice long hot shower, and possibly go to bed early.

I finally make it upstairs, and she is making us a huge spicy chicken salad. Yummm...along with sweet iced lemon tea.

I am so ready...

The morning is turning out alright so far. No rain, but it sure is gloomy looking. I think I'll check the weather before I think about going any where.

Alright, just overcast, and no rain until way later this evening. I think I'm going to go back to that last spot I went to, and try to get some more pictures. Woah, that's where...but I've not downloaded those pictures. I think I'll just leave the memory card, and do that this evening.

I spent the day out near Duwamish Waterway, where we spent the day last time I came out for some pictures. I do remember the man with the wild bronze hair, and now I want to know more. I will look at that memory card from last time tonight. I spend the day out here taking pics, and just enjoying the day. I can feel it in my bones it is going to be a rough few days with the rain moving in. Ever since the accident my body hurts. Not much can be done about it except pain pills when needed, but I hate the druggy feel from them. No pain is nice, but yuck.

After spending quite a few hours outside, I head home with Cane. I brought him to keep me company, and for my safety. Not only from people, but in the event I needed help. He has been trained as an all around body guard; kind of like a service dog. He is a big help at times, and he loves Peaches.

After getting home, I go to see what we're having for dinner, and Angela has made us some wonderful soup. It's an old recipe from her grandmother. It's polish sausage, cabbage, diced tomatoes, and yellow squash, seasoned only with salt, and pepper. She made some corn muffins to go with it. It smelled wonderful.

I made some soft boiled potatoes, and polish sausage for my babies. They loved that, and Cane ate like he was starved. Hog baby. To cute!

After dinner Angela goes downstairs to her apartment. I go into my office to look at the pictures I took today, and the ones I took the other day. I get my cameras, and start pulling the cards from them. I set down at my computer, and start downloading them. I start scanning through the ones from today, and find quite a few I like. Some I might use in some of my paintings. I also notice the coloring of the sunset, and think about the different color paints I could mix to get the colors of the sun on the water.

Most of my paintings are in the abstract, but there is still some use of colors I pick up from these pics.

Now, coming up on the pictures of that man at the warehouse that day. He has a few other men with him, but he exudes the impression of power. As if he was in charge of them all. Who exactly is he? I feel the need to find out more about him. He is a very beautiful, gorgeous man. Strong jaw, straight nose, long eyelashes, and the color of his hair unlike any I have ever seen. I wonder what his plans are for the warehouse across from me. I guess I'll just keep a watch on anything developing.

A few days pass, and there seems to be quite a bit of activity across the way. Wait a minute; who is the woman coming over here? I head towards the freight elevator, and suddenly, "Hello?"

"Yes, may I help you?"

"Oh, yes. My name is Carrie Cullen-Masen. I wanted to introduce myself, and to reassure you about all the activity in the neighborhood."

"Sure. Hold on, and I'll buzz you up. Just take the elevator to the top floor."

I send the elevator down for the lady, and stand back with Cane by my side. The elevator stops, and the door slides open. Out comes a very nicely dressed beautiful woman. She has a very big smile, caramel colored hair about shoulder length, and light hazel eyes. "Hello, I'm Carrie."

I take her hand shaking it, "Hello, I'm Bella Swan. It's nice to meet you. So, why don't you come on into my kitchen, and sit. I'll make us some tea while we talk." We walk into the kitchen, and Angela is there making us some tea. "Angela, this is Carrie Cullen-Masen. She is from the warehouse across from us."

They shake hands, and I ask Carrie if she would like a cup of hot tea, or a glass of sweet iced tea. She said she wasn't picky, and which ever one would be easiest was fine. Angela fixes us a glass of iced sweet tea, and we all sit down. Cane is sitting at my feet along with Peaches.

"Oh my, I love your dogs. He's a cane corso, right?"

"Yes, he's my constant companion. He's my body guard, and kind of a service dog. As you can tell I am kind of disabled."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

"No, it's alright. It happened a long time ago. Just an unfortunate accident. I manage just fine with Cane, and Angela. So, you said you were coming to tell us what was going on across the way. A bit of construction? Should I be concerned? I mean this is my home, and where I do my work. It won't interfere, will it?"

"Oh no, it's just one of my son's warehouses, and he's having it done into an apartment for his self. In fact, he owns quite a few of the warehouses around here. He's just tired of all the bother in town, and wanted a change."

"Alright. Well, what kind of work does he do, if I might ask."

"He owns quite a few businesses in town. Some restaurants, and a few bars. They are some of the better, classier places in town. Nothing seedy, I assure you."

"Oh no, I was just wondering what kind of work he done. Do you work, Carrie?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. I'm an interior designer. I have also bought quite a few of the paintings like in your living room by The Swan. Wait a minute, you said your name was Bella Swan. You wouldn't by chance be..."

She notices the slight blush, and I look down at my hands.

"You are The Swan. Oh my, I am so honored to finally meet you. I must let you know I own quite a few of your paintings for my home. My son also owns some of your bigger pieces for his apartment, and a few of his businesses. I can not believe this. Absolutely wonderful. You are an amazing artist."

"Thank you, Carrie. I appreciate the praise. It makes me want to work that much harder. I'm getting my workshop set up downstairs now. I'm fixing to also begin on some bigger pieces. I've been commissioned to do some pieces for the The Needle, the airport, and a couple of the new buildings at the University of Washington. I'm just now getting things set up with my supplies, and the canvases."

"Wonderful. I can hardly wait to see them then. If I might ask about a piece, or two for myself? I'm thinking something for Edward's new apartment as a house warming gift. Would that be possible?"

"I do have a few pieces downstairs I could show you, but I also have quite a few out at different places for sale. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes, if I may. I would absolutely love it." So, we head downstairs, and Cane is actually cordial towards her. We reach the second floor, and Angela goes through throwing on lights. We work our way down to where I have my finished works on display. Carrie automatically is gushing over them. I do love my paintings. They are each one a piece of me.

Carrie was looking at each one doling out high praise until...she came upon my painting called Scape, and ended up buying it from me for twenty five thousand dollars for Edward's apartment. She said she was doing his living room in shades of grey, and it would add just the right amount of color to the room. She also found one she couldn't believe what I named it...Snake, and told me that was the name of Edward's most proud accomplishment. Snake was the name of one of his restaurants, and I had to admit I had never been. She bought that one, too. She paid me ten thousand for it.

I told her I would hold the bigger painting until they got his apartment set up. She called and had someone come over to get the other painting, Snake. Angela went, and waited for them to arrive on the elevator. In a matter of minutes there were two men standing before me. One was built like a mini mack truck, and was introduced as Emmett. He worked with Edward. The other one was the bronze haired god. He was absolutely beautiful.

We had moved over to a setting area I had set up. I had to sit down as it was getting to be to much. Emmett shook my hand, and then Edward came forward. He took my hand bringing it to his lips where he proceeded to put a very light kiss to my hand. I felt the flames erupt on my face. He was looking at me as if I was something to eat.

Carrie explained about who I was, which he knew exactly, and was praising my paintings. He stated he owned quite a few of them for his home, and his businesses. Carrie explained she found one, and he wouldn't believe what it was named...Snake. A big smile enveloped his face, and he loved it when she showed it to him. He stated he was going to hang it right up front near the entrance.

I told him I had never been there, and he invited me to dinner this coming weekend. He said he would love to take me, and in the process show me where he hung the painting. I came very close to turning him down, but something told me to go, and have a good time. So, dinner this weekend with Edward Cullen-Masen. I was kind of nervous, and felt totally out of my comfort zone. Angela said she would help me get ready. So, it was set.

Emmett took the painting, and was waiting by the elevator for them. Carrie thanked me, and left. Edward then took my hand again, kissing it, and looking in my eyes the whole time. "Until this Friday then, Bella. I can hardly wait," and then he left. I could hear the elevator going down to the first floor, and I walked over to the window watching them walk across the way.

Needless to say, I was blown away. I made thirty five thousand dollars, and a dinner date with Edward. I actually could hardly wait.

OMG, OMG...they finally meet. To cute! Mr. Suave and debonaire. Laying it on a little thick, but it got the job done.

Dinner this weekend. I can hardly wait myself. So, let me know what ya'll think. Not very many reviews...kind of disappointing.

Let's see what we can do about that.

Thanks muches...