AN: Now we hear from Edward, and the promised coffee date
My thanks to MeteorOnAMoonlessNight and Midnight Cougar for stepping in over and over again to get this ready for posting in time for me
Disclaimer: Edward Cullen isn't mine, though I live in hope
Boyfriends of Christmas Past Chapter 8
Summary
A trip back home for the holidays shows Bella everything she didn't know had been missing from her life.
Chapter 8
Edward
If you had told me I'd run into Bella in Forks, I would've said you were insane. When I'd finally returned to Forks, I'd been disappointed to find she'd not only high-tailed it out of town almost the second she'd graduated, but she also hadn't been home in five years.
So when I stepped out of the hardware store across from Books & Beans, the coffee shop, and caught a glimpse of long mahogany hair and a heart-shaped face, my heart skipped a beat. I came to an abrupt halt beside my truck and leaned back against the driver's door, taking in the sight of her laughing with Lauren, Jess, and Angela.
She hadn't changed much in the nine years since I'd seen her. Oh, her skin was a little more tanned than it'd been in high school, and her face was a little more angular, but essentially she was the same beautiful girl I'd known back then.
Things had been a little busy for me over the last couple of months, and I hadn't seen Charlie Swan, so I had no idea she would be here.
Without taking my eyes from her, I pushed away from the side of my truck and headed directly for her. Jess Stanley whispered in Bella's ear, but the brown eyes I remembered so well didn't waver from mine.
I didn't want to take my eyes from her in case she disappeared, and the blush that suffused her cheeks had me hard in a nano-second. The breathless sound of my name falling from her lips was an aphrodisiac to my ears and my body.
"I thought I recognized the truck, and I wondered if it was you."
Her eyes roved across my face before I claimed them with my own, unable to look away. Her familiar, light floral perfume seemed to surround the two of us, enveloping me in memories.
My heart pounded in my chest at her nearness, and I wondered briefly if she could hear it. I wanted nothing more than to pull her body into mine and never let her go. "Are you back for good?"
"No, just visiting for Christmas. What about you?"
A shaft of disappointment lanced into my heart, but I kept it from showing on my face. Instead of reaching out to bridge the gap between us, I forced myself to answer her question. There had been nothing holding me in Chicago, and when I arrived last year, I stupidly held out some hope that Bella would somehow still be waiting for me, even though we'd lost contact.
There was a moment of silence between us, and I shoved my fingers in my hair, tugging at the strands to stop myself from touching her skin, from pulling her in for a kiss.
"I'd love to catch up if you have time," I heard myself say.
I was disappointed to hear she was busy for now, but I readily agreed when she asked me to meet her for coffee after Christmas, and offered her my phone so we could exchange numbers.
In the nine years since I last touched her skin, nothing had changed for me; the brush of her fingers on my palm sent a shock of electricity up my arm and straight into my heart. Her head shot up, her eyes catching mine, the same shock showing on her face. She felt it, too.
With a single touch I knew she was still the one for me. I wondered if there was someone special in her life, but this wasn't the time or place for me to ask. Instead, I took the phone back, selecting the number she just entered and dialing it.
"There, now I have yours," I said. "I'll speak to you soon, Bella."
Reluctantly, I headed back to my truck and kept my eyes on her figure in my rear view mirror until I drove round the bend on my way to my parents' house, my thoughts on the path that led me back here.
~ oOo ~
Leaving Forks, and Bella in particular, was heartbreaking—for both of us. When Dad had come home with the news that he'd accepted a job offer at a major teaching hospital in Chicago, and I discovered he and Mom had known about it for months, I lost it. I ranted and screamed at them for ruining my life, and how they should've consulted me, but in the end, I had to accept their decision.
I understood that Mom's parents were getting on in years, and moving to Chicago was partially for them, but that didn't make it any easier to accept. I was angry with them for a long time and blamed them for the end of my relationship with Bella. Truthfully, keeping a long-distance relationship going took its toll on both of us, with letters and phone calls tailing off and eventually ceasing by the time both of us attended college.
Even at sixteen, I knew I was in love with Bella Swan, and I vowed I would one day return to Forks and ask her to marry me.
Dad was furious when I almost fucked up my education by acting out in school. I refused to take the medicine route, as I couldn't see myself spending the better part of ten years studying. I already had first-hand experience of the effects of a career in medicine on family life, and I was determined that wouldn't happen to Bella and me.
When I finally got my head together, I realized I wouldn't be able to move forward with my plans to reunite with Bella, so I set out to finish school with high grades, followed by college where I chose to study construction management and business with the idea of starting my own company. I considered architecture, but I was sure it was the manual element of construction that interested me the most.
When I met Victoria during my second year at college, I was at a low point in my life, missing Bella fiercely. For a long time, Victoria demanded nothing of me other than friendship. She was a few years older than me and worked at the same hospital as Dad, and I'd met her when visiting my grandmother not long before she died.
Slowly, the relationship between me and Victoria morphed into boyfriend and girlfriend. I thought we were getting on well until one day I arrived at her apartment, planning to spend the evening together and take the next step in our relationship. I found her in the bedroom on her hands and knees with Riley Biers, one of the doctors at the hospital, plowing into her from behind.
I was furious at the betrayal, but she screamed at me that since I wasn't prepare to "fuck her," as she so eloquently put it, she had to find it elsewhere. She finished by telling me it had always been her plan to marry a doctor, and I just didn't cut it.
There were a few girlfriends after Victoria, though none were serious. I was wary of getting sucked into a relationship that wasn't real.
Finishing college, I got an entry-level job with one of the large construction companies in Chicago, and spent two years putting my degree to work and learning the practicalities of the trade.
When my parents decided they missed the lifestyle in a small town and returned to Forks, the decision to follow them was an easy one to make. It was time I branched out into building my own business.
~ oOo ~
Bella
Waking on Boxing Day, Alec was already on the phone with his agent when I got downstairs. Dad was already at work since police work never took a holiday. I fixed a fresh pot of coffee and poured one for myself and another for Alec before heading into the living room.
I placed it on the coffee table, but Alec merely nodded his head in acknowledgment. I returned to the kitchen and slipped a couple of pop tarts into the toaster, something I hadn't done in years. The sun was shining, although weakly, so when they were ready, I grabbed my jacket from the hook and stepped out the front door to take a seat on the porch swing.
My mind wandered back to the warm nights Edward and I had spent on that seat making out before Dad put a stop to it by flicking the light on and off to signal it was time Edward went home.
Since it seemed Alec would be busy today, I decided it was time to take Edward up on his offer of coffee, and pulled out my phone. Before I could second-guess myself, I called up his number and hit it.
It rang only once before he answered. "Hey, Bella. I'm glad you called."
His voice washed over me, creating warmth. "Hi, Edward. I was wondering if, umm, if you were free today for that coffee?"
"If you can give me a couple of hours, I can meet you at the diner. Is that okay?"
"That sounds great, thanks. I'll see you at ten."
"Looking forward to it, Bella."
I finished the call, my heart skipping a beat at the thought of seeing Edward again. I leaned back in the seat, enjoying the slight warmth of the sun, sipping my coffee and finishing my pop tarts. Most people were at home today, and I waved to old Mrs. Cope and Mr. Berty as he shoveled the remaining snow from their shared drive.
Despite the sun, the temperature hadn't increased, and when I finished my coffee, I headed inside to change my clothes. I wanted to look my best for Edward, and wearing my tattiest pair of jeans and one of Dad's old sweatshirts didn't convey the right picture—not that I was sure what the right picture was.
Alec was off the phone, but was studying the script for the film he would commence shooting when we got back to L.A.
"Alec?" I called. "I'm heading out to catch up with Edward. Do you want to come?" I was pretty sure he wouldn't, but I felt I had to be honest about what I was doing.
"Can't, Bella, I'll be busy the rest of the day with this script," Alec answered absentmindedly.
I hadn't brought much with me since I figured I'd be spending casual time with friends and family. I decided not to read anything into meeting Edward and just to enjoy spending a few hours with him. Alec and I would be on our way back to L.A. in the near future, and my life was there, not here in Forks, no matter what feelings Edward elicited. Any decisions I made needed to be for myself, and not for Edward.
Still, I wanted to look attractive, and eventually, settled on a pair of dark-wash skinny jeans and a cream roll-neck top. I left my hair down but clipped back, added silver jewelry and minimal make-up to complete the look. Downstairs, I slipped my feet into low-heeled black boots since it was still icy in places, and grabbed my black leather jacket.
"See you later, Alec," I called as I opened the front door.
I stood there for a few moments waiting for his answer, but he was obviously too deeply engrossed in the script to answer. I stepped outside and carefully headed down the porch steps and climbed into my truck.
When I got to the diner, Edward's truck was parked outside. I drew up next to him, unable to stop the smile on my face when I saw him sitting in the cab waiting for me. He hopped down from the cab as I slid out of my seat, and we met at the tailgate.
"Hi," I said, suddenly feeling shy.
"Come on, I have coffee and pastries in the truck, so how about we head on over to my house? I can show you around, and we can catch up."
"I'd love that, Edward."
His hand on the small of my back as we moved around to the passenger side of his truck sent a bolt of warmth through me. Helping me up into the cab, he swiftly closed the door and returned to the driver's side.
We set off in the direction of the old Cullen House, bypassing the almost hidden driveway. There were many afternoons and weekends we'd traveled the same way, and I knew it well. As we turned off the road, I knew exactly where we were heading, and my heart sped up at the thought of being back at our special place. It was the place where he'd told me his family was moving away, but at the same time, it was the place where we'd spent our free time. Somewhere we could have total privacy.
~ oOo ~
A new rough road led past the track that led to the meadow, and ended at a cleared piece of land. The space was ringed with a myriad of trees and shrubs, and encircled in a low fence on three sides; the fourth open to the river with a wide, flat pebble beach.
My gaze landed on the house. Built on the left side of the land, it faced east so it would catch the morning sunshine when it appeared. With the river on its left, there was a long, wooden boardwalk leading from the house to a small boatshed.
"It's gorgeous, Edward." I looked across at him. "Is this—this—?"
The look he gave me was loaded with something—something I was afraid to think too deeply about.
"Yes, the one we talked about."
I let out the breath I'd been holding and grinned at him. "Show me," I demanded.
I pushed the car door open and climbed out, my eyes on the house in front of me, and met Edward at the front of his truck. He held out his hand, and I took it without hesitation as we stepped forward as one toward the wide steps leading up to the front door.
He pushed it open, revealing a wide hallway with a slate-tile floor seamlessly melding with the polished wooden floor beyond. I could see the river through the floor-to-ceiling glass that swept across the rear of the building.
"Wow," I exclaimed as I stepped over the threshold and farther into the house. "It's so light and open."
Edward spoke from behind me. "I wanted it to have as much sunshine as is possible in Forks."
The open-plan design at the rear of the house consisted of a dining area to the left with double doors to the outside. The room to the right was open on two sides with a column between the dining area and what I assumed was a living space. Double doors on either side opened out onto decks. Looking up, I could see a carved wooden balustrade overlooking the living space.
The only thing in the room, apart from the thick cream rug in the center, was the Christmas tree Edward had picked out at the lot. It was decorated simply in pale blue, white, and silver, and the lights twinkled even in the bright light from the windows.
"What's up there?" I asked.
"There will be two bedrooms overlooking the front of the house. I haven't finished them yet, but I'm going to add a shared en-suite."
I turned and stared out at the river, which, today, was rough and wild.
"I love the view, Edward. Will you be able to get down to the river from here?"
"Yeah, I'm planning on building a deck on both sides of the house, both of which will have steps and will link to the boardwalk to the river. There's also a bathroom behind the stairs, which will have access to the deck."
I turned and walked back through and into the open space between the front door and the living area. To the right, fitted under a large picture window and overlooking the front of the house, was a full chef's kitchen. I walked around it, running my hands over the cool granite tops, opening the cupboards and even the oven. I imagined what it would be like to cook in a kitchen like this instead of the small functional space in Alec's apartment.
Guilt flashed through me, but I pushed it away, determined to enjoy this time with Edward since it was unlikely to happen again.
"There's space for a breakfast table over there." Edward pointed to the right of the kitchen island. "I'll be adding a patio outside those doors too, as well as an office under the window."
Turning to my left, I stood on the first step of the staircase. "Is it okay if I go up?"
"You're welcome anywhere, Bella."
I looked at him, knowing there was more behind the words spoken, which I couldn't acknowledge.
The rooms at the top of the stairs, as he'd said, were unfinished, so there wasn't much to see, but I did lean over the balustrade and admire the living space from above. Back down on the first floor, Edward showed me into the master bedroom. Double doors led into a huge en-suite bathroom with a large claw-foot tub and a separate shower cubicle, both large enough for more than two people.
The corner fireplace held the ashes of a fire, and a large air mattress sat in the middle of the room, and as my gaze landed on the rumpled sleeping bag, the atmosphere thickened.
Standing on either side of the bed, our eyes met, the familiar spark from seven years ago arcing between us. The rushing sound of the river, which had accompanied us around the house, faded into the background. Almost against my will, I took a single step in his direction. I wanted to step into his arms, to hug, and have him hug me back. I was itching to inhale his particular scent, but it wasn't an option. I couldn't act on what I wanted before I'd spoken to Alec, and I wasn't sure what Edward's reaction might be.
Was there someone important in his life? Would he reject me politely? Would he welcome my touch? I couldn't jump from Alec to Edward; I had to make decisions based on what I wanted from my life, and not feelings I might be imagining.
I swallowed and looked away, breaking eye contact. "Umm, do you have a lot still to do?" I asked.
I could see Edward take in a deep breath, and a small thrill went through me at the thought he might be as affected as me.
"Well, other than the rooms upstairs as you saw, and there are plans for another bedroom, an en-suite, a laundry room, and a recreation room in the basement. It'll probably take me until the end of the summer because I have a few projects lined up."
"It sounds like your business is doing well. Is it something you planned on when you finished college? I remember you talked about taking courses in architecture."
Edward led the way out of the bedroom, and the thick atmosphere between us dissipated. "Hold that thought for a second, Bella. I need to fetch something from the truck."
In less than five minutes, he returned with a paper bag, a thermos, and a couple of blankets which he spread out on the living room floor. A fire was already laid, and he kneeled in front of it to light it while I spread out the blanket. He joined me a couple of minutes later when the fire had taken hold, the room warming already.
I dug into the bag, finding some sandwiches, chips, and a couple of pieces of cake from the diner. We settled on the blanket in front of the now blazing fire.
"You were going to tell me about college?"
"Yes. For a long time after we moved to Chicago, I was angry. Angry with Mom and Dad, with my grandparents, and with the whole situation. It was the farthest thing from what I wanted. So, in true teenager style, I messed around at school instead of studying, getting into trouble and generally acting out.
"Halfway through the year, Dad and I had a blazing argument, where basically, he told me I was fucking up my chances of getting into medical school. My answer was that I wasn't interested in being anything like him if it meant hurting those I loved.
"That's when I let my creative side have free rein. I decided to take business studies and construction management instead of pre-med, and managed to find a job with a large construction company when I graduated. When Mom and Dad moved back here, it was my chance to make something of myself. Forks is small, I know, but I felt I had a better chance of building up my own business here than in Chicago. And there was nothing holding me there."
"Well, from what I've seen here, Edward, you definitely picked the right career. This house is gorgeous. It's the type of house I've always dreamed of."
There was a short silence while we finished the food. Edward poured two coffees from the thermos he'd brought, and we leaned with our backs to the fire, looking out of the windows over the river.
"What about you, Bella? Your dad said you work for a movie company. How did that come about?"
I took a deep breath, skirting around the fact that I didn't want to stay in Forks once he'd left with his family. Instead, I explained that I'd gotten a full scholarship to UCLA.
"I studied English and Creative Writing, although I didn't really have any idea what I wanted to do with it when I graduated. I decided I was going to enjoy the college experience and joined a few clubs and groups, including a drama club. I was a terrible actor, but I found I had a talent for writing scripts. When I got an internship with the company I work for now, I jumped at the chance to learn from the bottom up. I lucked out when the woman I worked for decided she'd rather be a stay-at-home-mom. She recommended me for her job, and I got it."
"And Alec? Where did you meet him?"
"He was auditioning for a movie I'd collaborated on. We hit it off right away, and we've been together ever since."
Edward stood and walked over to the window, his back facing me. "Do you ever think about moving back here? To be closer to your dad?"
"I haven't been back for almost five years, and I wasn't sure about this visit either. But I missed Dad, and when he asked me to come, I couldn't say no. Alec didn't want to come at first. The Christmas season of parties is the best way to network, but he didn't want us to spend Christmas apart either."
Something had shifted, though I couldn't work out what exactly I'd said to change the atmosphere. I walked over to where he was gazing out over the river and stood beside him, the heat of his body close enough to warm my side.
"Have you moved in here yet?" I asked.
He shook his head. "I was planning on finishing up over this week and moving in after New Year's. Mom said I was welcome to stay at their house, but I'm twenty-seven. It's time I moved out."
Before I could find an answer, my phone pinged with a text message. I slipped it out of my pocket and read it. "I have to go, Edward. Alec wants to go out for a drink and dinner."
He turned to me and smiled, I thought a little sadly. "No problem, Bella. I've loved showing you around. Let me pick up this stuff and I'll drive you back to your truck."
I helped him to clean up, then put on my jacket and climbed into his truck. We didn't talk on the way back to the diner, but the silence was comfortable nonetheless. He pulled up and parked next to the truck again.
"Thanks for showing me around, Edward. I've had a lovely time, and your house is so gorgeous—in case I haven't already told you." I smiled and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.
"Me, too, Bella. It's been great to catch up. I'll see you at Mom and Dad's on New Year's Eve, won't I?"
I nodded, then jumped down from the cab and closed the door. Edward started the truck again, and pulled out of the diner parking lot and back onto the road. I watched until his truck disappeared around the bend.
I stood there for a few minutes until the wind picked up, chilling me. My phone pinged again, no doubt Alec reminding me he was demanding my presence. I'd had a perfect few hours with Edward, and I didn't want to spoil that yet, so I decided to head into the diner to warm up, get a coffee and maybe a piece of apple pie.
Pushing open the door, a blast of warm, apple-scented air hit me. I breathed it in and stepped over the threshold, looking for an empty booth. I was about to sit in the booth closest to the door when a familiar voice called from the back of the diner.
Jess and Mike were waving wildly. "Hey, Bella. Over here, come and join us."
I slid into the booth opposite the two of them, ordering coffee and a piece of pie when the waitress came over to the table.
"Hi, Mike, How are you?"
"Good, Bella. Great, even. And you? I hear you're in town with your boyfriend over Christmas."
"I'm great, Mike, and yes, I'm back to visit my dad with my boyfriend, Alec."
I dug into the pie when the waitress placed it in front of me while Mike peppered me with questions about Hollywood, movie stars, and the like before we were interrupted by his phone.
"Y'hello, Mike Newton here."
After a couple of minutes, he hung up. "Gotta go, Jess. Alarm on the store just went off, though the chief thinks it's kids. I still need to check it out. I'll see you at home?"
Jess nodded.
"I'll see you soon, Bella, before you go back to L.A., right?"
"Sure thing, Mike," I answered, then he was gone.
Jess picked up her cup and leaned back in the seat. "Was that Edward Cullen's truck I saw you climb out of?" She grinned, waiting for my answer.
I felt my face flush. "It was. He wanted to show me his house."
She laughed out loud. "Not heard it called that before," she exclaimed. "But I get how you'd want to tap that."
"Jess! It's not like that. I have a boyfriend, in case you've forgotten."
Jess leaned in, now serious. "I don't know how you look at Alec, Bella Swan, but there's something between you and Edward. Don't deny it; it's written on both of your faces."
I leaned back and sighed, no longer interested in the pie in front of me. "I'm not blind, Jess, and there's something there, but it's just the memory of when we were seventeen. We've grown up since then. I've grown up, and we've both moved on. I'm with Alec now."
"I can hear the doubt in your voice, Bella. You're not sure, are you?"
I thought about the last few hours I'd spent with Edward.
"Tell me to butt out if you want, Bella, but life is far too short to settle, and from the way you're looking right now, there's something bothering you. Is it Alec?"
I thought about the conversation I'd had with my dad on Christmas Eve. He'd noticed how little time Alec and I had spent in each other's company. I'd even admitted to him I didn't feel as much for Alec as I'd wanted to. Then there were my own thoughts. His touch didn't thrill me the way it used to, and if I was honest with myself, our relationship hadn't been right for a while.
"I don't know what to do, Jess. I think—I think I want to break up with Alec. God," I huffed. "I feel so guilty, Jess. I spent the last four hours with a man who's not my boyfriend. We had coffee and a sandwich, and he showed me around the house he's built, and I had more fun with him than I've had with Alec in I don't know how long."
"I think that says it all, Bella. Even if you don't end up with Edward, you owe it to yourself to be happy. And if that's not with Alec, then so be it. Do what makes you happy, Bella," she urged.
Jess had to go, hugging me and whispering in my ear. "Remember, Bella. Do what makes you happy and don't waste your life doing what makes someone else happy." She stepped back. "I'll see you at the Cullens' party, okay?"
I stayed at the diner for another half an hour, during which time my phone pinged with text messages and buzzed with calls. I knew it was Alec, but I needed this time to think about what I was going to say to him.
Eventually, I left the warmth of the diner and headed toward home, not looking forward to my conversation with Alec.
~ oOo ~
