AN: My apologies for the wait for the last few chapters of this story - it kinda got away from me, and neither of the characters would stop talking. Then there's Alec. You didn't think he'd go quietly, did you?
Anyway, the remaining chapters are complete, so the plan is to post every day for the next 4 days, then the epilogues 1 & 2 will post on Sunday.
My thanks as always to my great team of pre-readers and betas, MeteorOnAMoonlessNight and Midnight Cougar, now joined by ghostreader24. I'm truly grateful for suggestions, comments, corrections, and general help, all of which have helped me give this story the ending it deserves.
Thank you for all your reviews, favourites, and follows, and for your patience. Let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all its characters, but this plot is all mine
Boyfriends of Christmas Past Chapter 13
Summary
A trip back home for the holidays shows Bella everything she didn't know had been missing from her life.
Chapter 13
Bella
Saying goodbye to Edward at the airport was going to be difficult, especially after spending the last two days alone in each other's company. Making love where and when we wanted was perfect. We got to know each other in ways we had been too young for nine years ago.
When I finally made it to Dad's with only a few hours to spare before I had to leave for the airport, I expected him to look at me disapprovingly.
"Well, well, well. It's about time you showed up, Bella." I could see from the twitch under his mustache and the twinkle in his eye he wasn't upset. "I thought you'd gotten lost."
"Dad, it wasn't as if you didn't know where I was—I even called you."
Edward stepped inside the house behind me. "I'm sorry, Charlie. I should've brought Bella back yesterday. She came here to visit with you."
Dad shook his head and laughed out loud. "I'm joking. Seriously, Edward, I couldn't be happier you two have obviously found your way back to each other." He paused and looked from Edward to me. "You two have talked, haven't you?"
I blushed profusely. We'd done a lot more than talk, though I doubted that was what he was referring to. "Yes, we have, Dad. We're together, aren't we?" I looked over at Edward, who was standing beside me, somehow looking even more embarrassed than I was. He reached out for me and grabbed my hand, pulling it to his lips for a kiss.
"We are," he confirmed with a wide grin. "I love her, Charlie."
Dad nodded in approval. "Glad to hear it, Edward. I'm sure you've talked about what comes next. You wanna let your old man know what to expect?"
"We've talked about it, Dad, and I'll be moving back to Forks. Is it okay if I stay here until I can arrange something?"
"Of course it is, Bells. You know you're welcome to stay here as long as you want. It'll be great to have you home again."
While Edward and Dad sat in the kitchen drinking coffee, I headed upstairs to gather my things together. Although my flight wasn't due to leave for six hours, it would take over three of those to drive to SeaTac.
It took me only half an hour to finish my packing, although I didn't want to leave at all. Unfortunately, it was something I had to do before we could both move on. Dad hugged me as if I wasn't coming back as soon as I'd planned.
"Okay, Dad, we've gotta be on our way now."
He squeezed me tighter, kissing the top of my head. "You make sure you come back, Bella. I'm looking forward to having you home again," he said then lowered his voice. "And I think this one might chase after you this time."
I nodded, and he let me go reluctantly. Edward picked up my bag, heading out to his truck. I followed him with Dad bringing up the rear. With a last hug, I climbed into the passenger side while Edward started it.
The drive to the airport was simultaneously enjoyable and tense. We spent the time talking and listening to music, happy in each other's company, but there was an underlying tension and sadness at being parted after having found the other again.
We arrived with an hour to go before check-in. Edward parked in the short-term parking lot and walked me into the terminal. I'd already left some of my things in my old room at Dad's, so I only had a carry-on, and although we'd had coffee, Edward led me to a coffee shop.
"Come on, you find a seat, and I'll get coffee. Okay?"
I nodded, the imminent parting stealing my tongue, and found a seat within sight of the departures board. I watched as the girl at the counter tried to flirt with Edward, fluttering her eyelashes and flicking her hair.
"They can't resist you, can they?" I said with a giggle when he dropped onto the seat beside me after putting the drinks on the table.
"What? Who?"
I shook my head at how oblivious he was to the admiring looks he got from every female under fifty with a pulse, and some men, too. "The girl at the counter. Didn't you see her trying to get your attention?" I gestured at the blonde behind the counter.
He looked over at her, confusion on his face. When she did the little finger wave, which she obviously thought was cute, Edward blushed. "I don't encourage any of them, Bella, believe me."
I stood from my seat and sat on his lap. "There, she's under no illusions now that you're taken, and my sweet man, of course, I believe you. And I love you."
Edward reached up and kissed me. "I love you, too." He sighed. "I'm not looking forward to being apart from you. You could stay here and send for your things, couldn't you?"
The pout on his face would be worthy of a five-year-old denied sweets before dinner, and I shook my head and giggled. I leaned into his body as his arms came around me.
"I know, Edward. I don't want to be apart from you either, but I have to speak to Emma, my supervisor, face-to-face and talk about my options. I also have some furniture and personal things in storage from before I lived with Alec, some of which I might want to keep."
"That's the other reason I don't want to let you go, at least not by yourself—Alec."
"Alec? You don't need to worry about him, Edward. Honestly, he won't bother me. In fact, I doubt very much I'll even see him."
All too soon, my flight appeared on the departure board with the gate number, and it was time for me to go. With a last hug and kiss, I headed for the security line, turning back to look at Edward until I passed into the departure lounge, feeling as if I was leaving half of myself behind. Fortunately, the two days I'd spent with Edward at his house had tired me out, and from take-off to landing at LAX, I slept like a baby.
By the time I deplaned and cleared baggage claim, it was almost nine-thirty. I collected my car from secure parking and arrived at Alice and Jasper's place just after ten. Fortunately, I managed to find a parking spot reasonably close. The concierge allowed me in, calling up to the apartment to let them know I'd arrived. Alice was waiting at the door for me and pulled me into a hug.
"Hi, Alice, thanks for letting me stay again."
"Pssh, you know we love having you. Come on in, your room is ready for you. Would you like something to drink? Or would you prefer to turn in for the night? You must be tired." She winked at the last statement, and I felt my face heat, my mind producing an image of Edward and me over the last few days.
"If you don't mind, Ali, I'd really like to go to bed. I'm exhausted."
"No problem, Bella. But I will need full details from you tomorrow. Capiche?"
Yawning, I headed for the room I'd stayed in a year ago. After a quick wash and brushing my teeth, I changed into sleep shorts and a cami top and climbed into bed. I sent a quick text to Edward, telling him I was home and safe and would call him in the morning.
Within seconds of placing my phone on the nightstand and laying my head on the pillow, my eyes closed and I knew nothing more until the alarm on my phone woke me the following morning.
Alice had already left for work, as had Jasper, so I had the apartment to myself. I took a leisurely shower since I didn't need to be at work until ten o'clock, and washed my hair. With a towel wrapped around my body, I applied lotion, then some simple makeup. Satisfied with my look, I blow-dried my hair and pinned it back.
A quick look out the window told me that, as usual, the sun was shining, but from experience, I knew it would be a little cool, being January. Slipping into a pair of black high-waisted pants, I paired it with a cobalt-blue shirt and a black cardigan.
Leaving the apartment, I headed for the coffee shop on the next block, collecting my usual coffee and a muffin. The day was nice, so I decided to walk the four blocks to the office, enjoying the morning sunshine.
Along the way, I found myself daydreaming about my upcoming move to Forks. After Edward had left when I was seventeen, the gray skies and almost perpetual rain seemed to match my mood, and I couldn't wait to move away to a place where the sun shone, if not every day, then most days. The residual guilt at running away and leaving my dad hadn't been enough to send me back since I graduated.
Looking back, I knew it was Edward's absence that had initiated my move, and it was his absence I didn't want to be reminded of every day. Now that he was back in my life, the weather in Forks took a back seat, and I couldn't wait to be back in his arms.
I walked into the office with a huge smile on my face. Bree, my assistant, leaped to her feet.
"Miss Swan, it's nice to see you back. Did you have a good vacation?"
"I did, thanks, Bree. It was wonderful."
She handed me the mail and followed me into my office, chattering about her Christmas vacation and simultaneously handing me messages from the last few days.
"Would you like a coffee, Miss Swan?" Bree asked as she stopped at the door.
"I'm fine for now, thanks, Bree. Could you call Emma and set up a meeting for later today, please? I'll let you know if there's anything else as soon as I've checked my emails."
Bree nodded and closed the door quietly behind her. I checked the mail, tossing most of it to the trash, then cleared out my emails, leaving a few to get back to later today.
My phone sounded to tell me I had a text just as Bree opened the door. "Emma will see you in her office at two."
Nodding to let her know I heard, I picked up my phone, and my heart leaped as I saw a text from Edward.
I missed waking up with you this morning xx - E
Instead of answering his text, I dialed his number, listening to it ring.
"Hello, sweetheart. I hope it's okay to text you while you're at work."
"You can text me or call me anytime, Edward. I love you."
"I love you, too. I can't wait until you're here with me. I know you've only been home a few hours, but have you spoken to your supervisor yet?"
At that moment, the intercom on my desk chimed. "Sorry, Edward, I have to go. I'll call you later this evening."
"Okay, Bella, have a good day. Love you."
"Love you, too."
Answering my intercom, I listened as Bree told me Alec was on the line.
"Please tell him I'm not available."
A couple of minutes later, Bree buzzed through again. "I'm sorry, Miss Swan, he won't take no for an answer. He insists he needs to speak to you, and—" she hesitated. "He's being very rude, Miss Swan; he threatened to force his way in here if I didn't put him through."
I sighed, wondering what the hell Alec would need to say to me. "I'm sorry about that, Bree. Please put him through."
"Bella, how are you?" Alec sounded cheerful and spoke as if nothing had happened back in Forks, nor that he'd been obnoxious and threatening toward Bree.
"We have nothing to say to each other, Alec," I said coldly. "I hear you threatened my assistant, too."
"Don't be like that, Bella. It was all a misunderstanding. I'll apologize to the girl if you want me to; I just needed to speak to you and she wasn't going to let me. Why don't you let me take you to lunch and I can explain?"
"No, Alec. I don't care why you acted the way you did, I don't want to see you. We have nothing to talk about; we're over."
I put down the receiver without giving him a chance to say anything further. My heart was beating a little fast, adrenaline running through my veins. I sat back and took a deep breath, calming myself. When I'd evened out my breathing, I leaned forward and pressed the intercom button.
"Bree, could you come in here for a minute, please?" Two seconds later, the door opened, admitting her. "Come in and close the door, please, and take a seat."
"What is it, Miss Swan, have I done something wrong?"
"Not at all, Bree." I paused to get my thoughts together. "This goes no further, okay?" When she nodded, I continued. "Alec Reynolds and I broke up over the Christmas vacation. He didn't take it well, and—well, things became difficult."
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Miss Swan. Mr. Reynolds sounded very cross. What do you need me to do?"
"If he calls, you are to tell him I'm not available. If he insists, hang up the phone and let me know. I'll deal with it from there."
"I understand, Miss Swan. Do you want me to let reception know to refuse him entry?"
"That's a good idea, Bree, but he may need to be in the building since he has a role in an upcoming film, so it will need to be this floor only he's restricted from entering. If he does manage to make his way up here, ask security to escort him out, and under no circumstances should you let him in here."
Bree nodded and looked as if she wanted to ask more questions, but silently left me to my thoughts.
I'd told Edward Alec wouldn't be a problem, and usually, I would've been absolutely certain he wouldn't touch me. But the way he'd behaved at Dad's had shocked me. I never thought he'd be so angry, and to see him lose it frightened me more than I'd let on.
I shook away the disturbing thoughts, determined that whatever the outcome of today's meeting, I would be heading back to Forks sooner rather than later.
~ oOo ~
The next few hours were spent arranging meetings with the scriptwriting teams and going through my development ideas. Bree knocked and brought me a sandwich, which I ate while working through lunch until it was time for me to meet with Emma.
I smoothed out my clothes and checked my makeup in the mirror in the Executive Restroom before taking a deep breath and stepping inside Emma's office just before 2 p.m. Jane, her personal assistant, greeted me and informed Emma I was here.
"Go on in, Bella," Jane said.
I knocked politely on the door before pushing it open and stepping inside.
"Take a seat, Bella. I'll be with you in a few seconds." She finished the note she was writing, then sat back and looked at me expectantly, asking me about Christmas. "How was your vacation? You went to Forks, Washington, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it's where my dad lives, and I had a wonderful time, thanks, Emma. It's what happened there that prompted me to ask for this meeting."
Emma nodded for me to continue.
"Well, I need to request to work from home because I'm planning on moving back as soon as I can."
Emma looked a little shocked and frowned in confusion. "Hmm, that's very sudden, Bella. Is everything okay with your family?"
"There's nothing wrong with them, Emma. The truth is, I met up with someone who was very important to me in the past, and I've—no, we've—decided we still love each other, and it just isn't possible for him to move his business here. Also, I missed my dad, so I've decided I want to move back."
I stopped myself from talking, having heard the word vomit that spilled from my mouth.
Emma and I had been friends from the first day I'd worked at the company, and she knew me well. She grinned and shook her head. "It sounds like you have a lot of reasons to be there. Are you sure it isn't too soon?"
I leaned forward. "We've wasted nine years, Emma, and I know this is fast, but I'm absolutely certain it's the right move. We were high school sweethearts, and when his parents moved to Chicago, he had no option but to go with them. I had no idea he'd moved back to Forks, or that he loved me. I never forgot him, though, and meeting up with him brought back all the feelings between us. I don't want to waste another second if I can help it. I love him."
She leaned back and steepled her fingers. "Both you and I know writing can be done from anywhere. What about team meetings and collaborations? How would you manage them?"
"Well, Zoom is a great way to stay in touch and is as good as face-to-face in the office, so that would suit almost all the meetings I might need to attend. Of course, I can fly back regularly—say every other month, although if anything important comes up, I'm sure it would be easy to arrange to be back in the office as necessary. My dad is out at work all day, so I can use his office. I'm sure he'd be happy for me to rearrange the furniture and add a desk for me, and anything else I need. He's pretty easygoing."
What crossed my mind was the space Edward had pointed out to one side of the kitchen in his house. That could easily be adapted for two people. I shook away the thought—it was too early for that conversation.
"It sounds as if you've thought about this, Bella." Emma's voice brought me back to our discussion. "I'm happy for you to make the move, and I'll take it to the department senior executives on your behalf."
"That's perfect, Emma. Thank you so much."
Emma held her hand up. "I can't promise they'll agree, though. What if they don't?"
I looked at her solemnly.
"Oh, it's that serious?" she said.
"Believe me, it's not an ultimatum, Emma. But I have to do this—for me. If the company really is against me working from home, then I'll have to resign. Of course, I don't want to, I love my job, but there isn't another alternative. I hope you understand."
"I get it, Bella. I'll try my best for you."
I stood, smiling at her. "I truly don't want to leave; I love working here. You're a good friend." Emma walked around her desk and hugged me.
"Don't be a stranger, Bella. I'll see you soon, okay? We should go out, have dinner before you leave?"
"Sounds great, Emma. I'll check my calendar and give you a call. Thank you again for supporting me."
~ oOo ~
As I walked into the apartment that evening, Alice jumped up from the sofa. "Bella, Bella, come on. I need to hear it all."
"Give me a chance to get in the door, Alice. Pour me a glass of wine, and I'll be out in a moment."
I headed for the bedroom and changed into pajama pants and a T-shirt—Edward's T-shirt— and sat beside Alice, taking a large sip from my glass of wine.
"Okay, spill, Bella. From the beginning," Alice demanded. "And what happened with Alec?"
"I never expected to see Edward Cullen again after he moved to Chicago with his parents when we were in high school. It was a bit of a shock to see him outside the local coffee shop. I was still attracted to him, but I never thought he felt anything for me, so when he suggested we get together to catch up, I didn't think anything of it."
"What did Alec think of him? I know he can be a jealous ass."
"When Dad and I went to cut a Christmas tree, Edward was there. Of course, Alec was childishly jealous and practically interrogated me about who Edward was."
"And what did you tell him?"
"I told him Edward was a friend from high school."
"Not completely true, though, was it?"
I shook my head. "Somehow I didn't want to even touch on the subject of what Edward had been to me. Anyway, when we got home, Alec did his usual disappearing act, talking on the phone for hours while Dad and I decorated the tree. We had a heart-to-heart, and Dad told me about how he felt about Mom, even though she left us, and pointed out that Alec should've been spending time with me since we were on vacation together.
"It gave me a lot to think about, and I admitted to Dad I didn't feel as much for Alec as I should have. Later, Alec wanted me to sleep with him and was pretty pissed when I refused. I suppose he wanted to claim me in some way. I couldn't bring myself to let him touch me, and I even locked my door, too." I leaned forward conspiratorially. "What made my night was Edward. He turned up at midnight under my window to wish me a Merry Christmas."
"Aw, that's so sweet. What did Alec say to that?"
"He never knew, and nothing else happened except Edward made me feel ridiculously happy with such a small thing."
I could feel a buzz from the wine since I'd almost finished my glass. As Alice poured me another, I suggested we order in.
"Where's Jasper tonight?" I asked.
"He's out with some friends from the college. Didn't want to spoil our gossip time—his words, not mine."
"Now that's sweet and thoughtful. You'll both have to come and visit when I move to Forks. Jasper and Edward will get on well together."
"What? You're moving? When did this happen?" Alice screeched.
"Alice! Calm down, and I'll tell you in a minute."
We decided on Chinese food for dinner, and Alice ordered then collected flatware and napkins from the kitchen before sitting back next to me. With Alice's favorite restaurant only two blocks away, our order was delivered quickly and the conversation was put on hold while we ate.
Alice fetched another bottle of wine from the refrigerator, then turned to me and raised her eyebrows. "Come on, Bella. You can't casually say you're moving to Forks, then not explain."
"I was going to tell you, of course, Alice. I'll get to that in a minute." While she refilled our wine glasses, I continued where I'd left off. "Anyway, we went to Billy's for Christmas—he's my dad's oldest friend—the day was nice, although Alec didn't really interact much. He could have been intimidated by the close family relationship we all have—"
"Pssh, Alec intimidated? I don't think so!" Alice huffed. "He's too full of himself to be intimidated by anyone. What happened next?"
"I called Edward to invite him out for coffee so we could catch up. He took me to the house he built. Oh, Alice, it was exactly like the one we'd discussed when we were seventeen; I could see it immediately. We had an impromptu picnic on the living room floor, and then Alec kept calling, and Edward took me back to the diner. I had an interesting conversation with Jess—I told you she was my best friend from school, didn't I? She opened my eyes a little more, and I realized I'd have to talk to Alec. I think it was then I decided I had to break up with him."
"I can't say it's a surprise, Bella. I always said you should never have gone back to him."
"I know, Alice—I just felt I owed it to myself to give our relationship every chance. But, if I hadn't, I might not have gone back to Forks at all, and I would've missed out on Edward. He could've met someone else."
The thought made me shiver. Never getting to see Edward again would've been bad enough, but to see him with someone else would be worse. Watching Irina hang all over him at the party had made me realize how devastated I'd have been.
"But then you might have gone back sooner."
Alice's comment brought me out of my thoughts. "Yes, he moved back to Forks a couple of years ago. He said he'd hoped that somehow I would be there."
"From your phone call, it sounded as if Alec didn't take the breakup well."
"Have you seen him since he got back?"
"Not at all. Jasper and I collected your things from the apartment before he arrived home, though he did call and try to get Jared, that sweet concierge, to refuse us entry. Lucky for you, I can be pretty persuasive, and anyway, Jared doesn't like Alec much, and he likes you."
"He doesn't like me like that, Alice." She raised her eyebrows but said nothing. "When I told Alec we weren't working out, he was so mad, Alice, and for the first time, he scared me. He grabbed me, and I don't know what would have happened if Dad hadn't come home from work. He even drew his gun and threatened Alec. If I hadn't been so scared by Alec's actions, Dad drawing his gun would've shocked me."
"He actually threatened to shoot him?" Alice's voice rose. "I'm liking your dad more and more."
"Alice, he wouldn't have shot him! He might have arrested him, though, if Alec hadn't let me go, stomped around collecting his stuff then leaving."
"Whoa, you've had an eventful Christmas, Bella. How on earth did you get to moving back to Forks from that? You're not going because of Alec, are you? We can get a restraining order if you need one. And I'm sure Jasper would be okay with you staying here for as long as you need."
"No, that's all Edward. I kept to myself for a few days, and I was worried because Edward hadn't contacted me. I thought maybe he had someone else, though I'd told him about Alec and my job, so maybe he thought I wasn't on the same page. We'd been invited to the Cullens' New Year's Eve party, and the whole time I was looking for Edward. When I did see him, he was with Irina, another girl from school—and I thought they might be together.
"I was going to leave the party, Alice; I couldn't bear to see him with someone else, especially when they both disappeared at the same time."
"He didn't?" She gasped.
"No, he didn't. He was asking her to leave, though not as politely as that. We left the party so we could talk, and that cleared up a lot of things. I told him Alec and I had broken up, he said he'd never stopped loving me, I told him I loved him, and we had sex, and I told him I was going to move back to Forks."
"What? Already?" Alice jumped to her feet. "You've had sex? Was it good? Isn't that all a bit quick, Bella? Are you sure?"
"Slow down, Alice. Yes, it felt right, and yes, it was fantastic. Alec never made me feel that good. And I do, I do love Edward. I realized I've been in love with him since I was seventeen, so it wasn't quick at all." I answered all her questions at once before taking a breath, then pulling her down beside me. "And yes, Alice, I am so absolutely sure it's the right thing for me; I can't be apart from him."
Alice was quiet for a long time, and I worried in case she wouldn't approve and would try to talk me out of it. Instead, she threw her arms around me, squeezing the breath out of me.
"If you're sure, I'm one-hundred percent behind you. I'm so happy for you, Bella."
We spent the next couple of hours talking about my meeting with Emma, how her job was going, and that she and Jasper were thinking of starting a family. By the time Jasper arrived home, we were a giggly mess of girls. He just laughed and helped a very handsy Alice to bed while I climbed into mine, calling Edward before I fell asleep.
~ oOo ~
