Chapter 10 – Edward
Edward had never been big on pain. As a child, he once got a fishhook stuck in his hand and it made him pass out. Of course, something like that had the potential to make anyone woozy. But even the smallest scrape would send young Edward running back to his mother's arms…
"I hate trees! I'm never climbing again. I'm never even leaving the house again!" the twelve-year-old cried when he noticed the smallest amount of blood on his knee.
"Oh, my love. Don't give up on living just because you have a tiny setback," his mother would say encouragingly.
Most people may think a pre-teen having a meltdown over a little scratch was rather overly-dramatic, but given Edward's early childhood trauma, his mother knew any amount of blood exposed was liable to set her son off.
Ever the doting mother, she always kept her patience. She just bandaged him up and sent him back outside. He would usually sulk for a while, but eventually he would be off and running again.
Edward may have gotten over his adolescent tantrums, but he still didn't like pain, and he especially didn't like needles. In fact, the very idea of a tattoo was rather terrifying to him. However, when Bella walked out his door that day, he realized that even the idea of her never returning was more painful than any physical pain could ever be. Edward would gladly let her tattoo his entire body if it meant she would spend a little more time with him.
To even further confirm that his rapidly developing feelings for Bella had the ability to override physical pain, he didn't balk when she showed back up at his apartment with tattoo gun in hand. He was just so happy to have her back in his arms that he legitimately didn't care about anything else. He hardly even felt it as she began making her strokes; all that mattered to him was that she was there, and she looked happy.
The tattoo work had lasted most of the night and into the early hours of the morning, so after he finally fell asleep, he wasn't very surprised that he didn't wake back up until mid-afternoon.
He watched Bella sleep in his arms for another hour or so, and he honestly couldn't imagine a better way to spend his time. When her eyes did open, they looked right into his, and he could have sworn he saw his future.
Edward was never the type to get swept away by a romance, but even with only knowing her for such a short amount of time, their connection was just too strong to ignore.
Looking at Bella that way – so close, so peaceful – was like waking from one of his childhood nightmares. He had a sense that his entire life had been the nothing but a bad dream. He had squeezed his eyes shut when he was five years old, and it took more than two decades to open them again – and they were only open because of her.
Getting her to accept their unyielding connection, however, would take some more convincing…
"What time is it?" Bella asked with a yawn as she sat up in bed.
"I don't know. Around four, maybe," Edward said while rubbing her back affectionately.
"Four?" she questioned. "I thought you said you had classes today?"
"I did. I missed them," he said carelessly. "Do you need to go into work?"
"No, I canceled my clients for today, but I was under the impression that you never miss classes?" she asked concerned.
"I have never missed one," he admitted.
"Ever?" she spat.
"Not once, but it's kind of nice."
"Nice?" she said, suddenly lost in thought. Without any other explanation, she got off the bed and began getting dressed.
"Where are you going?" Edward asked curiously. He was still so convinced that their lives were furthermore intertwined that he didn't even think to be concerned about her sudden animation.
"I need to go," she said, trying to sound indifferent. "I just remembered I have… things to do."
"What things?" he asked with his brain only beginning to get alarmed with the possibility that she was about to disappear on him, but his heart remained steadfast in its conviction.
"Um… I've worn the same outfit for days now, and I do have to meet a client tomorrow, so I need to go home," she said, making up the excuse as she went.
"Okay, I'll get dressed and come with you," he offered.
"You will?" Bella asked, momentarily lost by the man's generosity and eagerness to spend even more time with her. "Aren't you sick of me yet?"
Edward chuckled. "Not even in the slightest."
"But I'm going home. My pop will be there."
"Cool. I'd love to meet him."
"Really?" Bella asked, taken aback, but then she shook her head. "No, I think you would only confuse him. The poor old man might have a heart attack if I bring home someone so… like you."
Edward wasn't sure how to take her comment, but he still wasn't concerned. Bella could leave if she wanted to, he didn't have a doubt she would be back.
"Okay, I'll see you later then?"
"Maybe. I have a few errands to run too. And tomorrow my schedule is pretty jammed, so…"
"So, the day after tomorrow?"
"I don't think so," she said regretfully.
Edward nodded to himself as he realized she was giving him the slip.
"I see how it is. Tattoo me and then run, huh?" he said, semi-jokingly. Had she seemed legitimately bored with him, he would have let her go and wished her luck, but he could see the sadness and confusion in her eyes. She was leaving for some other reason; a reason he wanted to reassure her wasn't accurate. "Bella, if there is something wrong…"
"Nothing is wrong!" she cut him off. "I'm sorry, I'm just a busy person. I don't have time for… all of this," she said, clearly trying to bury her emotions. "It's been fun though. Good luck with your dissertation."
"Okay," he said quietly. He still wasn't convinced this was really goodbye, but he had no choice but the let her go if she was determined to leave. He opened the door for her, but before she could walk out, he pulled her into one last embrace. He didn't say a word, he just held her tenderly and inhaled her scent deep into his lungs. He kissed her hair, and then reluctantly released her… but she didn't move. She just stayed there, leaning against his body like she was affixed to him permanently.
"You missed your class," she mumbled, almost unintelligibly. "I don't want to fuck up your life."
Edward wrapped his arms back around her and kissed her neck before telling her, "It's one day, Bella. Do you have any idea how many classes most people miss? I've never even taken a sick day. I can handle it."
"You'll go tomorrow?" she asked him.
"I'll go tomorrow," he confirmed. "And I'll even text someone in my study group for the notes I missed today. It's fine. I promise."
"Okay," she said, before shutting the door in front of her, and eagerly pulling him back to bed.
After making love again, they got redressed and followed through with Bella's previous spontaneous plan of going to her grandfather's house for some clothes, except now, she was happy to let Edward come. Her entire demeanor had morphed from sad and withdrawn, right back to excited and joyous like she had been the night before. As long as she wasn't feeling like she was a bad influence on him, she was thrilled to be spending more time together.
Edward was also feeling exuberant and optimistic of their budding relationship, but he couldn't help but become slightly nervous as they neared their destination.
"So, is your grandfather really going to freak from seeing me?" he asked concerned.
"Probably. I mean, I've never brought anyone home like you before. And the few times I have brought guys home, or whatever, it was mainly for shock value."
"Shock value?" Edward asked confused.
"Yeah. See, I really never had any friends I thought were worth letting him meet before, but he kept bugging me to bring people over. I guess he just wanted to feel more involved in my life. So, just to get him to stop asking, I'd bring over the most shocking people I could find. Tatted faces and excessive piercings. My poor pop, he had never seen people like that before. After the fourth or fifth guy I brought to him like that, he stopped asking."
"Well, I am now amongst the tatted," Edward reminded her, not that she could ever forget that particular tattooing session.
Bella smiled widely at him, and then paused her stride to kiss his chest over his tattoo. "Does it hurt?"
"Nah."
She giggled. "Liar."
"No, I'm good. It's kind of hard to move anything without it burning like hell, but it's a good burn. Like, kind of how I imagine it would feel like after setting yourself on fire."
"Aww," Bella cooed before lifting his shirt so she could look at it to make sure it wasn't getting infected. She carefully peeled back the corner of the bandage and was relieved to see it looked normal. "You'll be okay."
"Thank god, because I've been thinking I was dying for the last hour now," he said playfully.
Bella laughed again, and then kissed him once more, before pulling him towards her grandfather's door.
"Pop? You home?" she called as she led Edward through the place she grew up. "He might be on the balcony."
"Bells? Thank god?" her grandfather said, full of relief, as he rounded the corner and saw her there. "And you brought a… lawyer? Are you in trouble?"
Bella smirked and glanced at Edward. "No, this is my friend, Edward Masen. I've–uh, been staying with him for the past few days."
Charlie looked confused, but he held his hand out towards the surprisingly normal looking man anyway. "Charles Swan."
Edward shook his hand. "Edward Masen. I'm very pleased to meet you. Bella has told me so much about you."
"That's funny, she's never mentioned you before," Charlie grumbled.
"I just met him, Pop," Bella said casually as she moved about the apartment to gather some of her things in a bag.
"You just met him and you're... What are you doing?" Charlie asked when he noticed that Bella appeared to be packing.
"I'm just grabbing some of my things."
"Why?"
"We're heading to Vegas to get married," she joked.
"What?" Charlie spat, his face turning an alarming shade of red.
"Pop, I'm kidding," she said with a pat to his shoulder. "Keep breathing. Everything is fine."
"Bella, can I speak to you for a minute privately?" Charlie asked, though it was more of a demand than a request.
After her grandfather pulled her away, Edward awkwardly browsed the small living room. The wall there was full of pictures, and as he looked at each one, he took note of one in particular. It was of a pregnant woman smiling and embracing her stomach, and Edward immediately saw red.
So much blood…
He squeezed his eyes shut to try to avoid the onslaught of horrifying imagery, but it only made it worse.
It had been years since Edward had a panic attack, but he knew from experience that was exactly what was about to happen to him. He considered retreating out of the apartment, but then he felt a gentle hand on his arm and his eyes popped open.
"Are you okay?" Bella asked full of real concern for him. If she had seen anyone else standing in her living room with his eyes squeezed shut tight in that way, she probably would have called him a fucking lunatic and asked him to leave. But the pain and fear in Edward's eyes was utterly heartbreaking for her. Whatever caused his issue was clearly serious, and she just wanted to make sure he was okay.
Thankfully, he was okay. Having Bella there, with her gently caressing his back and looking at him with nothing but tenderness, Edward was able to thwart his panic and refocus on what was in front of him.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, shaking off his momentary freak-out as if it was nothing.
"Are you sure?" she asked, unconvinced.
"Yeah. Sorry, I just… uh… was thinking about my mother. I guess I haven't really dealt with her passing yet."
"I'm sorry," Bella murmured before wrapping him in her arms securely.
Charlie abruptly re-entered the room, clearing his throat as he came. He set down a platter of snacks on the coffee table, and awkwardly asked them to sit.
"So, Edward. Bella just told me you're a psychology major?" Charlie asked him.
"Uh… Yeah, I was. I have a degree in psychology already; I'm close to getting my doctorate."
"Oh. Wow, that's great," Charlie said impressed. "So, where are you from?"
"Um… Forks," Edward said vaguely.
"Okay, I think I've heard of it. West coast, right?"
"Yeah."
"So, are you planning to move back there after you've finished school?" Charlie questioned.
Edward reflexively looked at Bella, who was curiously awaiting his answer.
"Um…"
Being put on the spot in that way was making Edward anxious. He hadn't talked to Bella about his future plans yet. In fact, they hadn't talked about anything really serious and it was only then that he realized it might be an issue.
"Pop, stop giving him the third degree," Bella cut in, letting him off the hook. She must have sensed Edward's discomfort, and he was grateful.
"I just want to know what his plans are," Charlie said defensively. "I mean, you show up with this guy out of the blue, and you start packing your stuff like you're moving in with him, and you clearly don't even know the guy."
"Well, if I'm not concerned about it, you shouldn't be either," Bella told him.
"Come on, Bells!" Charlie said, getting upset. "This guy could be a cult leader for all you know."
"Cult leader?" Edward asked confused.
"You got him, Pop," Bella laughed. "He is recruiting me for some extreme sex cult. I may disappear forever."
"I have every right to be concerned."
"You do, but you also watch far too much True Crime TV. Everything is fine. I promise," she tried assuring him before getting up and kissing him on his cheek. "We are going to head out. Thanks for the crackers," she told him before pulling Edward up with her.
"Sir, I know you have no reason to trust me, but I swear to you, I mean Bella no harm," Edward told him with so much heartfelt sincerity that Charlie was almost compelled to believe him.
To further put Charlie at ease, Edward left him with all of his contact information, and even his school schedule. He was not some psychopath out to kidnap and murder Bella and then disappear. He only wanted some of her time, and Charlie had no choice but to put his faith in him.
"That's my baby girl. She is my whole world; please keep her safe," Charlie told him as they were leaving his apartment.
"You have my word," Edward assured him.
As they were walking away, Bella clung to Edward's arm and apologized for her grandfather's suspicions.
"Don't ever be sorry about someone's love for you," Edward told her. "He just wants you to be safe, and I'm nothing but a stranger. I appreciate his concern."
"You're more than a stranger to me," Bella said with another squeeze to his arm. "You're also my man-whore."
Edward chuckled. "I guess those are two reputable things. Your grandfather was crazy for being worried. But if I'm your man-whore, what are you paying me with for my services?"
"This mighty fine tattoo, of course. That shit isn't free. I could have made anywhere between three to five hundred bucks for that."
"So, I paid you in fucks? How much does a man-whore actually make? Because I think you still owe me."
"That's probably true. I knew a girl that paid a guy five-hundred for a couple hours. You've been working for me longer than that now. I may need to give you some more ink to make up for it."
"Or, you know what would be a better payment for my fucking skills?"
"What?"
"Your fucking skills. You can pay me for my services by giving me yours."
"How dare you insinuate that I'd sell my body like that," she said, playfully offended.
With a fresh supply of clothes and toiletries for Bella, they went back to Edward's apartment and settled back in to their own little perfect love bubble. They spent the rest of the day ordering delivery, watching old movies, and making love. But because Bella was still worried that she would corrupt the perfect man, she insisted they went to sleep at a decent hour, and even made sure he got up and went to school the following morning.
It was time to get back to the real world. Edward not only returned to his regular schedule, but so did Bella. She left the apartment every morning when he did and went in to work. She even did a few rehearsals with her band. However, every evening she went back to Edward's.
There was never a discussion about it – his apartment became theirs. When mention of home, that was where they were referring to. It didn't even take long for Charlie to come around to being comfortable with the idea.
Pizza night at my place to watch the big game – Charlie texted Bella one afternoon.
By "big game", Bella knew he meant the All-Star Jeopardy show airing that evening. Jeopardy had always been their thing. Some of her earliest memories were watching that show on her grandfather's lap while eating TV dinners. She knew it was important him, so she didn't want to miss it. Edward had study group that evening anyway, so she figured she would probably still make it back before he did.
When she walked into her childhood home, however, she was shocked to see that Edward was there, and looked to be cooking something in the kitchen.
"Hey," she said slowly. "Whatcha doing?"
"Hey babe," he greeted her with a kiss. "We're making pizza."
"What happened to study group?" she asked, unsure if she should be happy to see him, or upset he was skipping something important.
"It got canceled. Charlie invited me over for pizza, but I figured we could make some better than any delivery."
"Um… I don't think this oven has ever been used," she said with smile. "After my grandma died, Pop tried cooking once, but it caught fire, so we had to get a new oven. Neither if us have attempted to cook since," she explained while trying to peek in through the oven window. It did smell heavenly, but having him there in that way was so shocking to her that she was kind of in a daze. Pop had actually invited Edward over for All-Star Jeopardy. It was a big freaking deal.
"Hey, there you are. I was worried you wouldn't make it in time," Charlie said when he came into the room. "Edward is cooking. I don't know how you lucked out finding a dude like him, but don't mess it up."
Bella giggled. "I don't know what you're talking about. Edward is just a friend."
"That's not what you said last night," Edward mumbled playfully before kissing her shoulder as he passed behind her to grab an oven mitt.
"Well, whatever you are, just keep him around. I already tried his sauce and it's amazing," Charlie told her. "It didn't even come from a jar. Like, he actually made it."
"Wow, who knew you could cook too," Bella told Edward. "Why have we been ordering in every night then?"
"I can't show all my cards at once. What would I have left to surprise you with?" Edward said facetiously.
"Hmm, good point. There is such a thing as being too perfect. You know that, right?"
"Let me know when I get there," Edward joked unconcerned.
Just for that little smartass comment, Bella smacked him on the ass. "It's almost sickening how hot you are."
"Hey now," Charlie grumbled. "Jeopardy is a family show."
"You know, Pop, you should be watching Edward cook so you could learn how to do it yourself. It's a lot healthier than ordering out all the time."
"You could learn too," he retorted.
"Why would I need to learn when I have him to cook for me?" Bella said with a tongue sticking out at her grandfather. "Either learn or find yourself a sexy stranger to be your house-elf like I did. He cleans too. When he finishes his doctorate thing, I'll just quit my job and let him fully support me."
"Promise?" Edward challenged her.
Bella laughed. "No way in hell. It's only a matter of time before you get bored of me. I need to keep being self-sufficient."
Edward fell serious. "I'll never be bored of you."
"Aww, you're so cute," Bella cooed before swinging her arm around his neck so she could kiss him. "But words like 'never' and 'forever' are make-believe."
"Want to bet?" Edward deadpanned.
Bella was, once again, caught in Edward's intense stare. He was so passionate and loving that it was hard not to get sucked in to believing every word he said.
"I will take that bet," Bella told him quietly. "When this ends, what are you going to give me?"
Edward pretended to consider it. "I will let you tattoo your name on any part of me that you pick."
Bella laughed. "Deal! Seeing 'Isabella Swan' on your forehead is going to be worth getting my heart broken for."
"It's never going to happen," he maintained.
"Aren't you guys a little… new to be throwing around words like forever and never?" Charlie grumbled, only hearing the tail-end of their conversation as he came back from the living room.
"Some friendships last a lifetime," Edward said without missing a beat.
"Especially when those friendships have really good benefits," Bella finally agreed while pulling him down so she could kiss him again.
When the kiss got a little steamier than Charlie was comfortable with, he yanked Bella off of him by pulling her by the back of her shirt. "How about you save that kind of thing for when you're not here."
"Sorry Pop," Bella giggled.
"It's for the best anyway," Edward said while checking on the pizzas. "You keep kissing me like that and these are going to burn."
The three of them sat down to watch the show, and they all yelled out the answers and laughed when they got it wrong. Edward didn't just melt into Bella's heart; he had somehow clicked with Charlie too. He just fit with them both, and he even somehow brought the two Swans closer to each other than they had been in years.
After that night, Charlie began to think of Edward and Bella as a cohesive unit. He even met Edward for lunch a few times when Bella was busy at work. He wasn't just some guy that Bella followed home anymore; they somehow had managed to mold their vastly different lives together seamlessly. The wild tattoo artist with attachment issues, and the guy obsessively focused on his schooling, had somehow meshed together completely. They had only been together a month, but they had yet to spend a single night apart since.
Everyday they learned something new about each other, and every day they grew closer for it. But the more attached to each other they became, the more Bella could see the cracks in Edward's perfection.
His secrets were getting louder with every deflection he would make. Questions about his home seemed to be redirected or dismissed, and any time they had to use the bus, Edward would get weird for hours.
She didn't understand it, but at the same time, she was too scared to ask him about it. Her world was finally at peace. Her rage was quieted, and that was only because of the love and stability he had given her. She didn't want to risk fucking it all up with something that he was obviously withholding from her. Whatever it was, it could just stay buried for all she cared. As long as it didn't interfere with what they had, she was happy to leave it alone.
But secrets rarely ever stayed buried, and all too soon, Bella made a discovery that was sure to threaten everything…