19

BPOV

"preperations"

A week after the sellers accept my cash offer, Edward offers to pick up the keys from Lauren since he lives closer. While I'm packing and tying up loose ends, he's busy unpacking his house while overseeing the painters and carpet cleaners sprucing up my place.

He's a true angel, and I'm incredibly thankful to have him in my corner. The previous owners had cats, and their choices in color weren't that great. I want a clean slate when I arrive to make the place my own. I'm having the walls painted white, the carpets steamed, and the house professionally cleaned. Money sure does make things happen fast and easily.

I have my truck towed to McCarty's and the owner, Emmett, an old friend from high school, is excited to take on his first restoration project. I trust that he'll take good care of my baby and ask him to take his time because I want her to be perfect.

I stop by a packing supply store for boxes and masking tape before meeting with Jess and Wanda at the park.

"Thanks for watching her again, Jess. We're still not over her destroying everything the second I leave."

Jess wipes her sweaty face and smiles brightly. "I should thank you. Cardio is the worst, but it's nice to have a friend." Her face falls. "A friend who's moving three hours away. When are you leaving?"

"I just got supplies, dropped off my truck at the garage, and things at the new house are getting finished up." I help Wanda jump in the SUV. "I want to see Cora and Waylon before I go, so I'm taking Wanda to meet them."

Jess nods. "I'm so happy for you, Bella. Please don't forget about me."

"I could never." I pull her in for a hug despite her protests. "I have a going-away present for you."

"Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?" she sniffs.

I laugh and reach into the glove compartment, pulling out the envelope before handing it to her.

Jess's eyes widen and fill with tears when she realizes what it means.

"Wait. Did you pay off my car? Bella, you can't do this," she chokes out.

"I can and I did." I wipe her tears away. "You're my best friend, and you never ask for anything. This means you can save money and take some time off so you can come out to Bremerton."

"As often as I can. You'll grow sick of me."

I assure her it's not possible, and we say our goodbyes for now.

Cora and Waylon are happy to see me, and Waylon is excited to show off the still unfinished bathroom. He tells me when he found out what happened at Swan and Sons, he took his business elsewhere and has no plans to return, but things are slow, considering he's having to drive out to Port Angeles. Despite the delay, Cora loves it, and I'm given a plethora of hugs from the only grandparents I ever had.

The last stop in my quick goodbye tour is the shelter, and Wanda refuses to get out of the car. My poor baby probably thinks I'm bringing her back, as if that would ever happen.

Mrs. Cope comes out with treats, but Wanda digs in her heels and won't move. "She's not going to budge, Bella."

"It's fine. I just came by to say thank you for everything and to tell you I'm moving to Bremerton at the end of the week."

"Oh, good for you, sweetie. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you. I also wanted to hand deliver this." I hand her a check for ten grand. "When I was last here, I noticed you could use some upgrades."

"My gosh, Bella. This is … This is going to help so much around here. Thank you."

I ask her to put the donation in Wanda's name.

"For sure, Bella. We'll keep your donation anonymous, but an endowment this large calls for a plaque or at least some recognition." She pulls out her phone. "Do you mind if I take a picture of your girl?"

"Not at all."

The apartment is waiting for us, and we have a lot of packing to do; well, I do. Wanda will probably camp out on the bed while I do all the heavy lifting.

I feed her dinner and start constructing boxes while patiently waiting for seven o'clock. Right on the dot, the phone rings.

"Hello, Mr. Cullen. How's my house?"

He sighs. "I'm wounded."

I smile into the phone. "How so?"

"There's this pretty girl I've been talking to for a few weeks." He sighs again, and my stomach flutters. "I think she's just using me to get her house set up."

"Should I remind you that you convinced this so-called pretty girl to move three hours away from the only home she's ever known?"

Edward chuckles, and my heart swells. "Things are finished. The carpets are drying, so I opened all the windows. I'll run over and shut them before I head to bed." He catches me up on his house progress and asks for an estimate as to when I'll be headed his way.

"By the end of the week. I have to pack and get rid of everything."

"Are you sure you don't need help packing? I'm well versed in driving a U-Haul."

"No. I'm going to do this fresh start right. If it can't fit in the SUV, it's not coming with me. I'm donating the rest to a women's shelter in Port Angeles. The truck will be here on Wednesday."

"That's a really good idea. Good for you. I was wondering … erm. When you get into town, if I could maybe take you out?"

"Sure. But it'll be a lot like going out with you. I'm going to use you and your truck to do a little furniture shopping."

He laughs and promises that one day soon we'll go on an actual date before telling me goodnight.