CHAPTER 24 -
"I'm sorry, but are you knitting behind my bar right now?" Jasper asked.
I looked up from my hook and yarn. "It's crochet. And besides, we don't have any customers." I said simply.
He looked at me with wide eyes and then turned to Alice, who was sitting at the bar with her laptop doing payroll.
"It's her quarter-life crisis. She's finding herself." She explained.
"Go get a tattoo and drink yourself into a coma like a normal fucking person, Bella. You're killing the outlaw vibes I have here."
I rolled my eyes and went back to what was hopefully going to be a blanket. "I can't get a tattoo, Jasper. My two biggest fears in life are needles and commitment. I'd probably have a panic attack as soon as I walked into the shop."
"Ya know…" Alice said thoughtfully. "Maybe that is what you need."
I looked up at her in shock. "Nah. I'm good. Every one of my piercings took weeks of mental preparation. I'm a little bitch about needles, and I'll be the first to admit that. The last thing I need right now is to be stuck in a chair getting stabbed by one for hours."
She tilted her head at me.
"Also, I'm going to wake up hating it and wishing I'd never gotten it. I already know it."
Alice sighed. "You've been trying these crazy hobbies for the past three weeks now. Have any of them seemed to give you what you're looking for?"
I shrugged. "Eh. That welding class was pretty cool. I like plants. Yoga was alright. Rock climbing was a definite no. So was pottery and kayaking."
"You've done all of those things in the past three weeks?" Jasper asked, disbelievingly.
"Yeah. And crocheting. I like this one, too." I said happily.
"What about just going back to school?" He asked.
"Ixnay on the choolsay." Alice muttered loudly.
"What?" He asked, shrugging in his defense. "It's a legitimate question."
I sighed. "Because that would require me to pick a career path. We're right back at the root of the issue, which is that the idea of doing one thing for the rest of my life makes me want to throw up. I need to commit to something small before I go big." I said, reinforcing my point with my hands and a single nod of my head.
"Oh, good God almighty." Jasper groaned. "Go get a tattoo, go apply for college, and get that crochet shit out of my bar."
I pouted slightly and looked at Alice for help.
She shrugged. "I don't know, babe. I kinda agree with him. Edward's been really sweet about everything, but I think you do need some tough love."
As if he had been waiting for her to say those exact words, Emmett walked through the bar doors with Rosalie.
"Perfect timing!" Jasper said as Emmett sat down.
"For what?" Emmett asked and then looked at me. "Get me a beer, MaMaw."
I huffed and shoved my hook and yarn in my bag before getting Emmett a beer.
"That." Jasper smirked.
"We just think Bella is a little lost and needs a nudge in the right direction." Alice explained softly.
"I've been nudging her skinny, stubborn ass the past three years. Any more nudging and she's gonna fall off the cliff." Emmett said as I handed him his beer.
"Well, she's trying. She's been taking all those classes and stuff. I even saw actual groceries at her apartment when I dropped something off to her the other day." Rosalie said in my defense. "I'm proud of her."
"Aww. Thanks, Rose." I said.
"Rosalie does have a point." Emmett conceded. "I mean, Bella is the poster kid for taking the long way around. What's the rush for her to find her direction? As long as she's happy and safe," he stressed the word, eyeing me, "then I'm happy."
Rosalie, Alice, Jasper, and I all shared a look. Emmett still had no idea of my conversation with Edward about potentially living together, and I didn't know how to tell him. I felt like I at least needed to introduce Edward to my dad before I told Emmett the situation. There was no doubt that if Emmett found out, the news would quickly make it back to my dad. And I had yet to even tell my dad about Edward to begin with. It was just another thing I was procrastinating.
Fuck, I need to get my shit together.
I added 'get shit together' to my growing mental to do list.
Edward walked into the bar then and took a seat next to Alice. The six of us would be getting dinner after my shift ended.
Jasper looked at Edward incredulously. "You're not all concerned that your ol' lady might be on the verge of a mental break right now?"
Edward looked at me with a sweet smile as he answered. "Nope."
I looked over at Jasper triumphantly.
He shook his head and then narrowed his eyes at me. "Bella Swan, I swear if I come into this bar and see you fucking with anything electrical or refinishing any furniture, you'll be homeless." He threatened.
I beamed evilly and looked him in the eye. "Well, you just gave me two new hobbies to research, Jasper Hale."
"Go ahead, baby doll. Fuck around and find out."
I heard Edward chuckle. "Why don't you clock out so we can go eat, bellbottoms?"
Jasper and I continued our staring contest for a couple more seconds before I finally turned to the computer and clocked out.
"Ya know, Rosalie, I think you were wrong about Jasper and Edward." Alice giggled. "They're not the same person. They are." She nodded to me and Jasper.
"We are not!" We yelled simultaneously.
Alice started ticking the similarities on her fingers. "Argumentative and over dramatic yet also weirdly chill. Sarcastic. Depressing music taste. Borderline drinking problem. Reject any type of authority or people telling you what to do. Jasper, you only have this bar because you didn't want to grow up and find a nine to five job. You both think you're Edward's favorite person. And my favorite person for that matter. And I've literally never seen anyone else get as lit to Whitehouse Road as the two of you do. Every. Single. Time." She looked at Edward, still giggling. "Did you know that we have the same type?"
Edward made a face and rubbed his forehead. "I don't know how I feel about this."
"That's just not at all true." I said angrily.
Rosalie snorted. "That was literally only facts. I do revoke my earlier statement, Ali. Bella and Jasper are definitely the same person."
"Can we just go eat?" I huffed.
"Please." Jasper emphasized.
After more glaring, the six of us made our way to the restaurant we had decided on. When we got to the restaurant, there was a couple minutes wait for our table, and Edward pulled me close so that my back was to his chest.
I looked up over my shoulder at him. "Do you really think Jasper and I are alike?" I whispered.
He squinted an eye at me. "Maybe a little." He admitted.
"Am I really that cranky?"
He chuckled. "No, darlin'. You're not nearly as cranky." He assured me softly.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Most of the time." He teased. I narrowed my eyes at him as he laughed.
"I'm your favorite, though, right?"
His face went stoic for a minute as he avoided my eyes.
"Edward. Anthony."
"Table's ready." He said, nudging me forward. I huffed but walked towards the table with the rest of the group.
Dinner was fun, and I thought briefly back to the last time the six of us had gotten together for dinner. Tanya had been there, and I was the awkward seventh wheel. My mind drifted to the conversation I'd had with him after Tanya left that night. Edward had point blank asked me if I thought I'd ever find home, and at the time, I really didn't believe I would. But looking around the table at that restaurant and seeing the people who had all been my rock the past four and half months, I felt the same calmness and peace I felt sitting on campus at LSU next to Edward two weeks ago.
I braced myself for the restlessness, but it never came.
Edward must have felt my gaze because he looked over at me and smiled questioningly.
Pretty green eyes, big crooked smile, a beard, and messy hair. That was it. That was my safe place. That was home.
"You okay?" He whispered.
I nodded, but before I could reply, his phone started ringing. He checked to see who it was and excused himself from the table to go answer it.
"So, what classes are on your schedule for this upcoming week, Bella?" Alice teased.
I rolled my eyes playfully. "No classes. But I'm going to try cooking, and I may get a banjo."
"A banjo?" Rosalie laughed.
"Why not?" I shrugged. "I think it could be fun."
"You can rock on a banjo." Jasper said, nodding.
"Please stop agreeing with me." I begged.
He rolled his eyes. "You could've been compared to much worse people, alright?"
"Speak for yourself." I huffed, and everyone went back to their meals.
"Hey, Bella, have you talked to dad recently?" Emmett asked softly from beside me.
I looked over. "I texted him this week for a little bit. Why?"
Emmett raised an eyebrow and nodded toward the door Edward had just walked out of.
I sighed. "I know. I will."
"Don't stress about it, sis. As soon as Dad hears that Edward's a lawyer with hunting land and actual attainable aspirations, he'll be fine with it."
"So, I should lead in with the hunting land?" I asked.
"Oh, shit yeah."
"Noted."
Edward sat back down a few moments later, looking both excited and slightly nervous, but as dinner went on, he continued in conversation like normal. Once we were all finished eating and had called it a night, I followed Edward to his apartment and followed our typical nightly routine: let the dog out, get ready for bed, lay down and talk for a little while, turn off the lamp, cuddle until we fall asleep. I had started to like the normalcy of it all, and after my realization earlier in the night, I felt myself nuzzling even further into his embrace.
"Hey, baby?" He whispered into the darkness.
"Hmm?" I replied, half asleep.
"Just for the record, you are my favorite."
I smiled against his chest. "I know." I mumbled as I drifted off completely into my slumber.
When I woke up the next morning, the shower was running, and Winnie was laying on Edward's side of the bed. I looked over at the clock and then glared at the light flooding through under the crack of the door. It was seven o' three. That man was turning me into a natural early riser. It was my day off, and I had been looking forward to sleeping in until at least ten.
Begrudgingly, I got out of bed and went into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. After filling a mug for me as well as Edward's thermos, I sat down at the counter and took a sip of the hot liquid, sighing happily. A few minutes later, Edward emerged from the bedroom in one of his black work suits.
"Morning, baby." He said, kissing my temple as he passed by to get his thermos.
I smirked to myself, waiting for him to realize that I had already filled it for him. "Morning."
Edward looked through the clear cover of the cup for a moment and then turned to me with an adoring smile that made my insides flip. "Did you fix my coffee for me?"
"I did." I replied smugly.
He walked over to me and gave me a kiss. "You're so sweet."
I shrugged. "I try."
He smirked and gave me another quick kiss. "What are you going to do today?"
"I don't know yet. Probably play it by ear."
"Alright." He kissed me again and intertwined one of his hands with mine. "See you when I get home tonight?"
I nodded.
"Bye, beautiful."
"Bye, handsome."
With one last kiss, he grabbed his thermos and work bag and was out the door. I sighed and looked around his apartment.
Slowly, my things had started creeping into his space. I ended up having to bring my fiddle leaf here since it had gotten to the point that I was spending about eighty percent of my time here anyway, and I'd since added a snake plant and some hanging plants to my collection as well that were here. Remnants of my other tried hobbies were here as well. A little basket of yarn was tucked between Winnie's chair and the television. My yoga mat was rolled up, leaning against the wall next to the sliding door. My shoes from last night were next to his in the entryway. My favorite quilt that I had been keeping safe at Emmett's since I left LSU was now here and thrown over the back of his couch. And I couldn't help but notice his once empty and cold feeling apartment was starting to feel a lot more cozy.
Seeing my things all mixed up with his was comforting and unnerving all at once, but I was at the point where I had trouble imagining being on my own again. I liked being around Edward and my family and friends. I liked having people to grab lunch or a coffee with. I liked the random pop ins and calls. It wasn't a nuisance like it used to be. It was normal. Which reminded me…
I went back into the bedroom to grab my phone off of the charger. I found my dad's number and hit the call button before walking out onto the balcony.
"Hey, baby girl." Charlie greeted in his gruff old Texas drawl.
"Hey, Daddy."
"You're calling early this mornin'. Everything alright?"
"Yeah, I just have some news I wanted to tell you." I said, heart racing.
"Oh, yeah?" He sounded nervous. Very nervous.
"I'm seeing someone, and um... I'd say it's pretty serious."
"How long have you been seeing this person?"
"Almost four months." I replied softly.
"Huh." I knew him well enough to know that his tone was one of shock and approval, and I had to keep from sighing in relief. "And what does this boy do?"
"He's a business attorney."
"Huh." He was intrigued. Very intrigued. "Alright, well where's he from?"
I almost groaned. I knew the questions were going to come, but I thought he'd at least wait to ask Edward in person and save me from the inquisition. "His parents have a farm in North Louisiana."
"Does he fish?"
I rolled my eyes and then giggled a little, before repeating what Edward told me the other night. "He doesn't not fish. He does have some hunting land about forty minutes east of Shreveport."
"When can I meet him?"
I smiled. The hook had been set. "Well, I'd have to check with him, but we could probably come over for lunch on Sunday. I'm off."
"Well, I think that oughtta be fine. You wanna tell your brother? Emmett meet him yet?"
"They're actually friends." I said, knowing that would give Edward some more points in Charlie's tally.
"Well, hell, sugar bee, why'd you wait so long to bring this boy around me? What's his name?"
The reel was spinning, and the line was getting shorter. "It's Edward… Cullen."
"Jasper's brother-in-law?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I'll be." Charlie mused. "Alright, I'll see y'all Sunday."
My smile brightened. That bass was in the live well. "See ya Sunday, Daddy." I hung up the phone and looked at Winnie. "That's how it's done, baby girl."
She perked up and tilted her head at me.
"Don't think I haven't noticed you looking at that chocolate lab that lives on the second floor. Have you told your father about him yet?"
She let out one of her rumble barks.
"You know you don't need a man, Winnie Mae. You catch your own ducks, huh?"
She sat up straighter at the mention of a duck and looked at me expectantly.
I laughed. "Come on. Let's go for a walk."
After I walked Winnie, I hopped in the shower and then got dressed for the day in the faded jeans that I knew were Edward's favorite on me and a black tank top. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and made sure it would stay out of my face with a thick headband since I was going to attempt a new hobby today: cooking. Well, baking, specifically. Once I was done getting ready for the day, I made a quick trip to the store for what I needed and then went back to Edward's apartment to start my projects.
I learned quickly that I did like baking. Maybe a little too much. By the time Edward came home, I had a batch of blueberry muffins, chocolate chip scones, and homemade cinnamon rolls. I was also apparently very into breakfast foods.
When the door opened and Edward walked in, he looked concerned as he took in the scene in front of him in the kitchen.
"What?" I asked, closing the container of scones that were now fully cooled.
"Baby, I love you, but don't you think this hobby thing is getting slightly out of hand?"
"What do you mean?" I took a sip from my beer.
His look turned from one of concern into amusement as he shook his head at me and chuckled softly.
"What's so funny?" I huffed.
Edward pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead before his dark green eyes looked into mine, shining with mischief. "My little hippie homemaker." He said lovingly and kissed my lips.
I rolled my eyes and hit his chest. "Shut up."
"Bella… Baby, you're barefoot in the kitchen, drinking a Coors heavy, and making enough pastries to feed three armies." He said slowly, trying to contain a laugh. "I'm not complaining. In fact, it's something I could get quite used to coming home to. But… ya sure you don't actually wanna be a spoiled housewife?"
I froze in his arms and looked around the kitchen, registering the words that Edward had just said. "I think this has gotten slightly out of hand."
Edward looked at me, smirking. "Ya think?"
I shook my head and backed out of his arms. I looked at what must have been five or six dozen pastries. "Who's gonna eat all of this, E?" I picked my beer back up and downed the rest of it. "Fuck, I needa go back to school. Where's your laptop?"
"In my bag." He chuckled.
I got another beer from the fridge, got his work bag from the counter, and walked over to the couch. "Jasper was right. I just need to get a tattoo and drink myself into a coma like a normal person." I muttered, turning the laptop on.
Edward sat down next to me and turned on the television. "I don't think you need to do either of those things right now. You're mid freak out. You'd have a panic attack as soon as you walked into the tattoo shop. And who would make my coffee tomorrow if you were in a coma?" He laughed.
"I'm gonna punch you in the throat, law school." I muttered, pulling up his already opened web browser. It was on a realty website. I quickly shut the laptop back and looked at Edward.
He was concerned again. "I can bring some of the food to work, baby. It's alright."
I took a deep breath and leaned against his arm. He twined our fingers together and kissed my head. After a few minutes of silence, I sat up and faced him, bringing my hand up to scratch his scruffy cheek. He smiled sadly and turned his head to kiss my palm.
"Do you wanna have lunch with my dad on Sunday?" I asked softly.
Edward turned back towards me and nodded. "Sure."
I smiled softly and kissed him.
He pulled back and looked at me nervously. "I do have a request for you this weekend, too. And I know it's a little last minute, but it got sprung on me, too."
"Okay."
"Last night at the restaurant, it was my uncle that called me. They're going to be coming into town tomorrow to look at houses this weekend in Dallas. He wanted to know if Alice and I would be available for dinner. I told him about you, and he wants to meet you."
"Sure." I replied, trying not to think about the warning Esme had given me about her sister-in-law or the fact that Edward seemed a lot more nervous to introduce me to his aunt and uncle than he had been when he introduced me to his parents. "I'm sure Carmen would switch shifts with me." She was always down for a Friday night shift versus a Friday morning shift.
Edward smiled and gave me a kiss. "Feel better?"
I nodded and put his laptop on the coffee table. "Yeah."
He looked to the kitchen. "So, muffins for dinner?" He joked.
I hid my face in my hands and sighed. "There's a casserole in the oven." I mumbled.
Edward guffawed, his laugh louder and harder than what I had ever heard from him before.
"Shut up." I grumbled.
He managed to sober himself up and looked at me with bright, shining eyes. "I really could get used to this, Bella."
"Edward Cullen."
"What? You're gonna beat me up? Go ahead."
I started to get on top of him, but before I could, he grabbed my wrists and pinned me down beneath him on sofa. I struggled against him for a minute, and he only smirked down at me.
"This isn't fair." I whined.
The oven alarm went off then, and Edward kissed my nose before getting from on top of me. I huffed, got up, and went to check the food in the oven. It wasn't quite ready, so I shut the oven back closed and set another timer for five minutes.
"Hey, baby?" Edward asked.
"Hmm?"
"What time do you think lunch with your dad will wrap up?"
"Um, I don't know. He didn't even say what time to go over there yet. Did you have something you needed to do?" I responded, sitting back down next to him.
"Not really. There's just a house I wanted to see, and the realtor can only do Sunday afternoon this week. I was just wondering if you knew a time."
"Oh, um, we can leave whenever you need to. Two or three should be pretty safe, though."
Edward nodded as he typed on his phone, most likely texting back the realtor.
Even without knowing my answer for sure, Edward had started looking at houses. I wasn't holding it against him, and I didn't blame him for wanting to move on from his small apartment to something bigger and that had a yard for the dog. I just never knew how to respond when he said he had a house showing to go to. He had looked at four already. I didn't go with him to look at any of them, and he didn't pressure me to. He had asked when he went to see the first one, and I told him I didn't think I should. He hadn't asked since, but I knew the invitation was still open if and when I was ready.
Dinner was ready the next time I checked it, and we sat down at the counter to eat. When we went to the bedroom that night, I couldn't help but feel a little anxious for the next day. I didn't know what to expect or how I should act, and I briefly wondered if the warnings about Lizzie from Edward and Esme were a good thing.
It was hard to keep my emotions in check, and I half hoped Carmen would tell me that she couldn't take the night shift. Of course, as soon as I got out of the shower, I saw a text from her saying that she'd be happy to switch with me.
When I got into bed, Edward pulled me close just like he always did and kissed my forehead. "Bellbottoms?"
I looked up at him and reached my hand up to his cheek.
He leaned his forehead against mine and looked into my eyes with sincerity and that signature Edward Cullen confidence. "I love you." He said it the same way someone would talk to a stubborn kid with a thick skull, like he needed me to hear it and believe it and listen to him without any question.
"I love you, too, E." I whispered, not at all liking his change in demeanor or tone.
He kissed me deeply, and as was usual, I found myself getting lost in him. His hand slowly made its way under his flannel shirt that I was wearing, and before long, I couldn't find any reason to be anxious or worried. All I felt was him and the soft sheets and the eerie peacefulness of the night.
~ COFFEE & BOURBON~
"Edward said you were coming to dinner tonight?" Alice asked as we ate lunch together in the breakroom.
"Yeah, I'll be there." I said softly.
"Great!" She said, smiling brightly. "You're going to love Uncle J.R."
She left her statement at that and went back to work shortly after. After I finished my leftovers from the night before, I made my way back to the bar, starting to feel a little uneasy again and hoping that time would pass by at a snail's pace.
There were a few more customers there than when I had left for lunch, and I was happy for the distraction. Time did go by slowly, but eventually, five o'clock did roll around. I headed to Edward's apartment to clean up and change.
I was a little surprised to see Edward already home when I got there, and he greeted me with a sweet smile and a kiss.
"How was work?" I asked him.
"Work." He chuckled. "You?"
"About the same. I'm gonna go shower and change and I'll be ready."
"Okay, baby. Take your time."
I made my way to the bathroom and hopped in the shower. When I was finished in the shower, I dried off and wrapped the towel around me to put on my makeup and do my hair. I took a little extra time with my makeup, and I made sure my hair was perfect before slipping on the dress Rosalie had lent me for tonight. It was a simple, short black dress with long sleeves and a deep v-neck. I accessorized with my real gold pieces from when I worked at the jewelry store and the nude heels I also borrowed from Rosalie.
I walked out into the living room after I was done getting ready. Edward was outside on the balcony on his phone, looking slightly irritated. I decided not to interrupt, so I sat on the arm of Winnie's chair and scratched her ears.
When Edward came back inside, he pulled me up by my hand and brought me close to him. "You look beautiful, baby."
"Thank you." I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Ready?"
I nodded.
He gave me a kiss. "Then, let's go."
We made it to the restaurant in a little over half an hour, and Jasper and Alice were waiting for us near Alice's car when we got there. Alice looped her arm through mine as we walked to the front doors, talking excitedly about the trip she and Jasper were planning for their anniversary next month.
As we got closer to the restaurant, I could see a couple standing near the entryway. The man was tall and wearing a suit, and he had a thick, salt and pepper beard and dark brown, wavy hair that was graying near his ears. The woman next to him was in a fitted navy dress and had her raven black hair pulled into a tight chignon. The man saw us first, and he smiled kindly as we approached. I knew this had to be his aunt and uncle. The similarities between Edward's and the man's features were striking.
When we got to them, they both greeted Alice, Jasper, and Edward warmly with hugs and smiles. I had been standing awkwardly to the side, and Edward pulled me close to his side. "Aunt Lizzie, Uncle J.R.,, this is Bella."
Edward's uncle held out his hand to me. "Nice to meet you, Bella. I'm Edward Masen." He glanced over at Edward and Alice before smiling back at me, his amber eyes twinkling. "But since you're family, call me J.R."
"Nice to meet you, too." I replied, shaking his hand and instantly feeling the same welcoming warmth I felt when I had met Esme and Carlisle. When I released his hand, I looked over at Lizzie.
She gave me a smile that almost looked sincere, but her light blue eyes remained cold. "We're glad you could join us this evening, Bella."
"Thank you. Me, too."
"Well, I think our table should be ready by now. Why don't we head inside?" J.R. suggested.
The six of us walked into the restaurant and were led to the table. Once we got our drinks and had ordered our meals, the small talk began. For the first while, things were focused mostly on Edward and Alice. They talked about work. Alice mentioned the trip she and Jasper would be taking. Edward mentioned that he was also looking for a house, and he and J.R. discussed the real estate market for a couple of minutes. They asked Jasper how his family was, but it intrigued me that the bar never got brought up, especially since they had outright asked Edward how his work had been going.
I was happy for the attention to be off of me, and I could slowly feel all of my anxieties start to fade away as J.R. started to talk less about business and began catching up and joking around and teasing with his niece and nephew. The comfort was short lived, however.
J.R. had just finished telling a story about Edward from when he lived in Chicago during his undergrad when Lizzie caught my eye and smiled too innocently. "So, Bella…" She began.
Here we go.
A/N So we have a cliff hanger. Oops. I gotta put one in there from time to time, ya know. And full disclosure, if you're also reading Silent Sweetheart, you're REALLY gonna hate me for a few days. I promise I didn't plan on both stories leaving you hanging like that, but I won't lie and say it's not a little funny (for me). Until the next one, bebs.
