*edited as of 9/2017

Chapter 17

"Waiting is a sign of true love and patience. Anyone can say I love you, but not everyone can wait and prove its true."

- Anonymous

Bella's POV

"Maggie is that you?" I pant as her arms tighten around me.

"Oh my gosh Bella, thank you for opening up your door." Maggie gushes. I'm suddenly confused as she holds me at arms length.

Maggie was one of the tenants in my apartment complex that lived on the floor above me who had recently moved in about a year ago. I hadn't talked to her much, but from what little I did interact with her, I could tell that she was a sweet mannered person. She was a bit ditzy, loud and obnoxious at times but still very sweet. She also seemed to change her appearance every time I saw her. Instead of her usual red curls and pale skin, she was now brunette and overtly tanned. Despite her being slightly shorter than me and heavier chested, I had to admit with this new hair change, we could pass for sisters as we shared similar facial features.

"What are you doing here?" I question, partly happy to see her and a little miffed that she was knocking on my door at this time of hour. I notice she looks a little panicked and disheveled, dressed in nothing but her pajamas which happens to have a large water stain on the front of her shirt.

"Oh I'm sorry, I know how crazy this looks. I'm wondering if you have a wrench or anything? I kind of broke the handle on my sink's faucet and now my water won't stop running and it's getting everywhere. The drain's still clogged from my garbage disposal being broken. I can't reach the stupid landlord and the maintenance man can't come until the morning. I've asked practically everyone on my floor and this one, for some kind of help. Everyone keeps ignoring me or isn't home and I'm getting desperate. I know you're probably thinking why is this crazy woman asking me? Well, it just so happened that you were the first person who opened the door for me so I really hope you can help me." Maggie rushes out in one breath. It takes my brain a few seconds to process her words.

Geeze, I forgot how much she could babble.

"Hold on Maggie, I have a small tool kit, maybe there's a wrench in there. One moment." I assure. Leaving her standing in my doorway, I quickly grab the toolkit I have under my bathroom sink, which thankfully has the wrench in it. I meet her back in the doorway and hand her the tool. She eyes it warily in her hands.

"Um, do you think you can help me? I'm pretty sure I already know how to use it but then again, I also thought I knew how to fix my sink the first time around and look where it got me. You know me and being ditzy sometimes, I swear I was a blonde in a past life." Maggie continues to babble. Letting out a small laugh, since she was in fact a blonde when I first met her, I toe on my converse and grab my keys to follow her upstairs to her apartment. She wasn't kidding when she said she had made a mess. Water was everywhere with makeshift towels around the sink and water continued to flow from the faucet.

"If you don't mind me asking how did this happen in the first place?" Maggie giggles nervously as she ponders her answer.

"Okay, well I noticed some water coming from the bottom of the handle and figured it needed a bit of tightening right? I had no tools and decided to fix it anyway which was my first mistake, but I figured I could fix it. So I went online which was my second mistake and looked up some easy at home fixes. One of them included a rubber band, a sock and a hammer…"

"You didn't…" I gasp in disbelief that she would even try something like that. She rubs her neck and sighs.

"Yep book sense but no common sense. This is what I get for trying to be a makeshift plumber but I was panicking. I made it ten times worse. Now can you help me please? I don't trust myself not to make it worse. Oh and be careful, I nearly wiped out earlier." Maggie gestures to the small puddle of water on the floor.

Falling in step behind her, I assist her in stopping the flow of water and help her make a makeshift tourniquet to stop the remaining water from coming out. It takes us both a solid fifteen minutes to fix it ,with both of us taking water shots to the face. It wasn't a pretty fix, but at least it would do the job until the maintenance man could come in the morning. Maggie smiles at me gratefully before heading into her bathroom to grab us both some towels. After drying myself off, I make motion to leave, but she grabs my arm.

"Stay for a glass of wine would you? It's the least I can do after you saved me from flooding my apartment, plus I want to catch up. If you have the time I mean. I need a drink considering my water bill is going to be just 'beautiful' this month." She grimaces.

Nodding my head, she grabs me into another hug before going to pour us both a glass of red wine. We both settle ourselves on the couch to catch up. She gives me various updates about her life and even mentions how she had began working at another Freddie's chain as a bartender on weekends to make some extra cash.

"Really? I'm surprised we haven't run into each other much sooner then." Well partly surprised. I guess she would be easy to miss since I was rarely at my own apartment these days.

"So what do you do during the week for work?" I ask.

"Oh I'm a receptionist down at the hospital. The hours are crazy but I love it. What about you?" She asks and I divulge into my boring job as a waitress and how life post degree was not looking up for me.

"Oh I have a friend at an small auction house down by Puget Sound. His name is Caius, and he looks mean but I swear he's a real sweetheart. In fact the other day he told me how one of their workers was going on permanent sick leave and that they were trying to fill the position. Maybe I can call and see if it still open." I watch as she grabs her phone to send out a text. Once she's finished with whatever message she wrote she looks up at me with a broad smile that instantly falls when she notices my bewildered expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Why are you helping me? I'm just your neighbor…who you haven't seen in months?" I question.
"Well why wouldn't I? You have the degree and the experience so why not utilize it? Plus you seem to be a good person although sometimes you look sad. I know I can be obnoxious at times and I'm pretty sure that's the reason no one helped me, but you did, so it's the least I can do. Besides, it's not like you got the job anyways. I'm just asking him if it's still open and if they're still accepting applicants. Whether you get it or not it solely their decision and has no influence on my part." Maggie finishes. Letting out a deep breath I nod my head agreement.

We continue our conversation, talking about random idioms of pop culture and other random tidbits of information when the subject of relationships comes up. She's asks if I'm currently dating anyone.

"I do have something going on. It's real new. Well not really in the sense of how long we've known each other but this whole relationship thing is new for me. I was really hesitant at first but it's growing on me. I'm really happy." I admit honestly shocking myself. "I've even met his family which should be a certifiable crime in itself. I just hope they liked me and aren't putting on a front just to please me."

"It'll be fine. You're a catch," she laughs. " I admit I envy you a little. I had a really good thing going with this guy and now its over. Granted it was for sex but when I tell you the sex was out of this world and he was hung like a horse. Ugh, I was actually beginning to like him. Ain't that a bitch." …"Maggie sighs almost nostalgically and takes another sip of her wine.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. The fucked up part is that he was actually really sweet about it. I mean I know we weren't exclusive or anything and we really only just had sex, but I could tell his mind was elsewhere. Invited me out to lunch and just out of the blue decided to end things. Went into this whole spiel about how I deserved someone better than him just for casual sex. I tried to ask if there was someone else but I don't even think he knew himself. He even gave me a kiss on the cheek goodbye. I can't even be mad at him. What an asshole right?" She huffs taking another sip of her wine. I pat her hand sympathetically cause believe me I had been there many times.

"Well at least that asshole had the decency to end things in person. I can't believe I'm the one saying this but there are plenty of fish in the sea for you to have."

"I know but damn it he was a good lay. The plus side is that there's someone new in my life. There's an RN; Liam at the clinic I work at. We've been out a few times for drinks and he's asked me out on a date. I didn't say yes yet but I really should, since he's so well mannered, not to mention he's Irish and that accent he has is to die for." Maggie waggles her eyebrows suggestively causing us both to laugh. We talk for a few more minutes before I notice the late hour and that its time for me to leave. We both agree to hang out once we're both free and I leave. I barely make it back into my apartment to watch another episode of House when Bree calls screaming of her engagement. Sighing I turn off the TV. I guess my marathon would have to wait.

….WLTYAS…

"And it was so sweet! I'd just finished my last table and he grabbed me and…" Bree gushed but soon became silent as I placed my hand over her mouth to shut her up.

"And then he pulled out the ring and proposed…yadda yadda yadda." I groan taking a sip of my wine.

Was I becoming an alcoholic? Wine seemed to be all I drink these days when in the company of friends (plural I might add) but I digress….

Bree was once again regaling the moment Diego proposed to her. I may have shown more enthusiasm if it weren't the fifteenth time she'd told me…today…. despite the numerous times over the past week she's told me. Each time she tells it, the more gritty details I find out, yuck.

"Bella!" Bree growls, swatting my hand from her mouth. " I'm trying to tell you about the best moment of my life and you're being rude!" She feigns hurt and continues to rant.

"Well its rude when I invite you over to tell you about me meeting Edward's family and you've been gabbing for the past three hours about your engagement. I swear I feel like I know more about that moment than Diego may remember himself now" I retort. Bree pauses her rant and blushes.

"Oops, I did come over here for that purpose huh? Sorry." Bree apologizes and refills my glass with some more wine. Rolling my eyes, I finally begin to give her the details of my evening with Edward and his family.

"I was nervous as shit you know? In all my relationships as disastrous as they were, I never made it to the family stage. It's a big deal and I didn't want to fuck things up and have Edward break up with me if his family didn't like me." I confess taking another sip of my wine. Bree pats my hand sympathetically.

"Girl, I don't think you could mess up even if you tried to intentionally. Edward worships the ground you walk on."

"You really think so?" Bree rolls her eyes.

"Are you really that blind? I wish a guy went through that much trouble to win my affections." She sighs dramatically. Now it's my turn to roll my eyes.

"I'm pretty sure Diego did." I point out. "Exhibit A." I gesture to the rock that is her engagement ring. Bree looks at her ring finger thoughtfully.

"True, but we're not talking about me, at least not anymore we aren't." Bree motions for me to continue.

"Everyone was so welcoming and lovey-dovey. I'm not used to any of that. Bree you should see how many aunts and uncles and cousins he had, there were so many people whose names I could barely remember….. there were just so many and his parents…" I pause for dramatic effect. " His mother Elizabeth is so sweet and nurturing and his dad Edward Sr.…Bree I never thought I would ever say this and please don't mention this to anyone but he is a total DILF! He's basically Edward and I mean that literally in thirty years. Let me tell you that man is fine like aged wine." I giggle. Maybe the wine was really getting to me at this point.

"Bella that's so cheesy. It seems like his parents are great though." Bree laughs.

"Yeah they're great. I felt like I was in an alternate universe or something. My parents are not like that at all. Its not to say that they don't love me because I know they do but they weren't exactly the most ideal parents."

"Whose parents were? I can tell you tales about my parents that would give you nightmares." Bree shudders.

"Well they weren't really amorous with each other then there's the whole divorce mess. I mean I've grown up seeing them with other people only to catch them together again. Like what are the chances of that happening? I can only imagine what Edward would say when he meets them." I huff. Bree mouth drops before she begins to smile broadly.

"What?" Her smile was beginning to creep me out.

"You want Edward to meet your parents? That's big!" She gushes.

"Did I really just say that?" I gasp.

"Yes, yes you did. Bella that's big!"

"But…but my parents are embarrassing."

"You said they're back together though right?"

"Yeah but its still weird, they've been divorced pretty much my entire life. Plus my parents are kind of crazy. My dad is a hard ass and my mom…well she's still attempting to be a hippie in the 21st century which is enough to send anyone running the opposite direction." I add.

"Bella, so what? People get divorced all the time. The big thing is that they found their way back to each other. I think you're just deflecting because you don't want to admit that you're in love with him." Bree adds.

"Love? What makes you so sure that I'm in love with him" I question although I'm pretty sure I already know the answer myself. I was in love with Edward. He made me feel like I was invincible. He could tell me were going to jump into a volcano and I would happily follow behind him if it meant we would be together.

It was a terrifying feeling…but exhilarating at the same time.

"Its written all over your face. You light up every time he's around and so does he when he sees you. Not to mention you nearly bit my head off earlier when I talked about how pasty his feet were." I watch as she shivers in disgust.

"His feet are not pasty, they're perfect." I growl. Edward did have perfect feet…even if they were a bit on the pale side compared to the rest of his skin.

"Bella, his feet remind me of Casper the ghost they're so pale… but look, you just proved my point. You're in love with him and I'm pretty sure that boy of yours is in love with you too." Bree finishes handing me her empty wine glass.

"When did you become a love guru Ms. Tanner?" I laugh taking our glasses into the kitchen.

"Oh I think when I got engaged." She flashes me her ring …once again.

"Show me that finger one more time and you're going to lose it." I bark.

"Oh shush. One day lover boy will have one of these on your finger too." She gushes looking down on her phone.

"Okay Bree, lets not get a head of ourselves." I urge.

"Trust me, I have a feeling." She giggles looking at her phone once again just as there is a knock on the door. Bree hops up quickly to answer it.

"Uh Bree, shouldn't I be the one to answer my own door?" I call out as I hear my front door open.

"Yeah but where's the fun in that?" Bree says coming back followed by…

"Edward! What are you doing here?" I breathe as I nearly knock Bree over in my haste to get to him. Edward immediately wraps me in his arms where I inhale the soothing scent that is just pure him.

"Well, I was planning on coming over anyways, but Bree just texted me stating that I should just come now since you were being mean to her." He chuckles into my neck.

"Since when do you text my boyfriend Bree, should I be worried?"

"Nah, lover boy is not my type. I prefer my yummy olive toned, curly haired, Spanish fiancée. You can keep Casper over here." Edward furrows his brow in confusion as I flip her the bird. Bree continues to laugh as I gesture for her to leave.

"Geesh, I know when I'm not wanted, you two go get a room." Bree squeals after I let out a small moan as Edward begins placing small kisses to my neck.

"Gross, you guys are worse than Diego and me. I'll call you later. Bye Bella, bye lover boy." Bree waves closing the door behind her.

"Finally she's gone." I sigh wrapping my arms around Edward and pulling him closer to me.

"I missed you." Edward whispers against my lips.

"I missed you too." I breathe, pushing him down on the couch as I straddle his lap. We begin making out like a bunch of teenagers and I can feel it escalating, but the conversation with Bree earlier was distracting me from enjoying my make out session with Edward. I grudgingly pull myself from his lips.

"We need to talk." I sigh.

"Well that doesn't sound good." Edward laughs although I can see the stir of emotions building in his eyes in fear that this conversation was going to go left.

"It's not bad baby, I promise." I reassure him and I see him let out a sigh of relief both at my admission and term of endearment for him. I don't say anything for a few minutes as I try to build up the courage to speak. Edward tries to interrupt me but I shush him.

"Please I just need to get this out okay." I whisper and adjust myself on his lap to look him in the eye.

"It's been a while since I've said these words to anyone so I don't take them lightly okay."

"Bella I..." I press a finger to his lips to quiet him.

I'm…I'm in love with you alright?" Edward gapes at me but doesn't say anything.

"Look you don't have to say it back right now. Trust me, I didn't know what to say myself once I realized I had fallen in love with you. Hell, I don't think I realized it myself; Bree had to point it out to me but that's beside the point." I giggle under my breath to ease the nervousness in the pit of my stomach.

"I love you Edward Cullen and it scares me because after everything that's occurred with my previous relationships I didn't think I was capable of love or being loved. Even then, I never felt the same way about them as I do with you. This feeling that I have is nerve-wracking and scary and I know I'm rambling but …" Edward cuts me off by pressing his lips to mine in a tender kiss that leaves me breathless and dizzy. Edward presses his forehead to mine.

"So you love me eh?" Edward smirks. I swat his arm.

"Yeah I do, but don't make me regret it Edward Cullen. I gave you something of mine and I don't want it broken."

"And do tell love, what exactly is that." He questions but I can already tell he knows the answer, as his smile grows broader.

"My heart ..it's all yours." I breathe kissing him once again. Suddenly our kisses shift from soft and tender to hard and rough as hands begin to move and clothes begin shed. It isn't long before Edward and I end up in a sweaty pile on my living room floor.

Using my fingers I trace the words "I love you" against his chest and listen to the thud of his heart against my ear. After doing it a few times, Edward grabs my hand and presses his lips to my palm.

"You really love me." Edward says hoarsely, although I think he's admitting it more to himself than me. I raise my head up and look at him.

"Maybe. I feel like I need a little more convincing before I can give you a definitive answer." I could feel his arousal growing against my leg.

"Convincing, love? I'll show you some convincing." I giggle as he picks me up bridal style and head towards my bedroom. Edward had just placed me on the bed when I hear a harsh knocking on my door.

"Ignore it." Edward gasps as my hands begin to drift lower. He attempts to keep his breath even as I grasp him but the damn knocking continues.

I just know its Bree. That damned girl is always forgetting her stuff in my apartment.

"Got damn it Bree. What did you forget this time? I'm going to kill you." I sigh against his lips. Edward lets out a chuckle although it sounds more like a groan.

"Go see what Bree wants, I'll be back. I need to go cool down for a moment before I blow my load." Edward winces as he adjusts himself.

"And here I though you had a lot of stamina." I smirk quickly grabbing my robe to answer the door.

"Oh I'll show you some stamina, my little mystery girl. Now go tell Bree to leave us alone." Edward gripes heading towards the bathroom. Rolling my eyes, I go to answer my door. Much to my surprise, its not Bree but Maggie who is once again dressed in her pajamas.

"What did you do now?" I sigh. At least now Maggie has the audacity to look a little sheepish.

"I locked myself out my apartment taking out the trash. Remember that spare key I gave you…" Maggie starts and I already know where this conversation was heading. Rolling my eyes, I remember how earlier on in the week she gave me her spare key for emergency purposes. I guess I didn't realize how soon of an emergency it would become. I try to remember for a moment where I placed it when I remember its on my spare key ring on my bedroom dresser. Knowing that if I invite her in she would interrupt my sexy time with Edward I try to keep her in the doorway.

"Edward," I call out.

"What love?" I hear his voice reply.

"Can you grab the set of keys off my dresser?" I ask. I don't hear him reply for a moment but hear the shuffling of things as he no doubt tries to find the keys on my crowded dresser top. I'm just about to say fuck it and go find the damn keys myself when Edward comes into the living room with said keys and is fortunately dressed in a pair of boxers.

"Thanks babe." I thank, noticing that Edward has frozen mid step and is looking at the doorway in horror/?

"Edward what's wrong?" I ask, not realizing that Maggie has stepped into my apartment and is now looking at the both of us.

"Masen? Is that you?" Maggie stares and I look at her in confusion. Edward continues to stand their frozen; his mouth agape like a fish.

"Edward are you okay?" I ask. I notice he's turning an unusual shade of green.

"Who's Edward? His name is Masen." Maggie huffs.

"No, I'm pretty sure I know my boyfriend's name." I retort wondering what in the hell was going on.

Maggie looks confused and Edward…well he looks like he's about to faint or be sick…maybe both.

"No his name is Masen, as in the guy I was telling you about…Well Bella, if only I knew you were the girl I was vying his attention for." She sniffs…oh my gosh was she crying?

"Bella I…" Edward finally manages to speak.

"Wait, I'm confused by everything going on right now. Maggie what are you trying to say?" I gasp although in the pit of my stomach I can feel the acid beginning to build.

"Your boyfriend is the guy I was sleeping with remember? The guy I told you I was having the best sex ever with." She adds but I don't hear the rest of her spiel. I'm still stuck on the words "sleeping with".

The rest of my actions are a blur after that.

Throwing Maggie's key at her face as I pushed her out my apartment….

Edward's pleas as I gathered his clothes and threw them down the hallway….

The slew of curses I throw at him as I too shove him out in nothing but his underwear...

The the slam of the door and his harsh knocks….

What I do remember is sliding down the back of my door and letting tears I was trying to hold break loose; suddenly turning into sobbing that leaves me breathless.

Once again, I can't believe I was so stupid.

The guy I was in love with was a cheater.

Thoughts? Leave it in a Review!
xoxo Sylvia Cullen