Happy New Year's Eve! I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended
From Chapter 27:
"I'm not accepting your rejection."
Her faced flushed in anger before she placed her hands on her hips. Glaring at me, she said, "Of course, you're not! There's the controlling dick I've always known!"
I took three steps until I was mere inches from her face. After tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, I said, "I'm sticking around, Bella, and I'm going to prove to you that I'm a changed man. Your soul already recognizes it, and hopefully with time, your heart will as well."
Her mouth gaped open and close like a fish at my words. "Well … well don't you dare try to kiss me again, Edward Cullen. Mike taught me how to shoot a gun, and if you do so, I won't think twice about putting a bullet straight up your ass!"
I barked out a laugh, before running my fingertip along her soft, bottom lip. "Oh sweetheart, the next time we kiss, you'll be the one doing the asking."
And with that, I walked to the door, leaving her standing in the middle of the room with an astonished look on her face. I could have sworn when I left her house, I heard her shout an expletive, followed by the crashing sound of glass against the interior side of the door.
It's Time
Chapter 28
BPOV
I didn't know who I was angrier with - Edward Cullen or myself.
Edward for kissing me or myself for thinking of little else since.
Even though it had been over a week since I had last seen or heard from him, thoughts of his touch consumed me. It was as if that damned kiss of his had opened the floodgates to every feeling I had fought so hard to suppress and deny. Now, I found myself drowning in the resulting deluge.
As I unpacked a new shipment of books at the shop, I recalled the moment his lips pressed against mine. A quiver pulsed through my veins as I remembered how his mouth had felt both hard and soft. His kisses were tender, but with the heat of male power. The pit of my stomach went into a wild swirl as I thought about how my body had reacted to his touch. How a simple kiss had set fire to my soul.
"Bella?"
I snapped out of my daze and turned to find Nonna looking at me. Concern etched her face.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay? Are you sure you're up for this? You've only been home from the hospital for a little over a week."
After placing a copy of Sense and Sensibility on the shelf beside me, I answered, "I'm fine. Just thinking. That's all."
She studied me for a long moment. "Anything you want to discuss?"
I shook my head. Even though I trusted Nonna, I wasn't ready to talk to her or anyone else about what had occurred between Edward and me. Anyway, how could I, when I didn't even understand it myself?
"Well, I'm here if you change your mind."
"Thanks."
"If you are up for taking a short break, there is something I need to talk with you about."
"Sure." After grabbing both of us a bottle of water from the mini-fridge I kept in the backroom, we sat on one of the leather sofas I had purchased for the shop. "What's up?" I asked after taking a small sip of my drink.
"Sweetheart, I spoke with Carmen last night."
I sighed. My scalp prickled with heat and I looked away. Ashamed of my lies and secrets, I had been avoiding Carmen, Eli, and Alice.
Nonna grasped me gently by the chin. "Bella, they'll forgive you. They love you."
-IT-
Later that evening, I took Nonna's advice and called my parents. Before I even apologized, Eli asked if he could speak first. To my surprise, I wasn't the only one harboring feelings of guilt all these years. Eli also wanted to make amends for his attempt at forcing me into a relationship with Edward. Listening to him cry in regret had almost been my undoing.
When I finally confessed all of my untruths, they easily forgave me. Even though they were both hurt to learn I had kept Gia a secret, they were eager to meet their granddaughter, and we made plans for them to visit the following weekend.
After our three-hour, tear-filled conversation, I felt lighter than I had in years. Wanting the feeling to last, I called Alice next, who forgave me as well but could not make the trip since she was currently pursuing her master's degree in Paris.
-IT-
EPOV
After I left Bella's house, I was a man on a mission. Once I placed my mouth on hers, I instantly knew one kiss would never be enough - I needed enough to fill a lifetime. Now, I had to do whatever I could in my power to convince her I was the man for her.
When I returned to the hotel, Nonno and Mike both questioned why I had left Bella alone at home. Jasper simply raised an eyebrow and smirked in my direction.
"She's fine." Was the only response I gave. "Where's Marks?" I asked as I searched around the room for the fucker.
"Jared is escorting him to the airport," Nonno answered.
My eyebrows shot into my hairline. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
When I was met by his steely gaze, I gulped. "Are you questioning my judgment, son?"
"No, it's just ... he looked pretty fucked up from that ass kicking you gave him."
He chuckled while inspecting his knuckles. "Well, your Nonno's still a crackerjack."
I looked at Jasper and mouthed, "Crackerjack?"
He shrugged and silently laughed.
After picking up a set of papers from the dresser, Nonno said, "I'm going to run these to the courthouse and return to Bella's." He turned toward Mike. "Are you coming?"
"Yep, I'll meet you in the car." He nodded to Jasper and walked outside.
"Bye, Mikey!" I called after him with a chuckle.
"Watch it, Edward. He's one hundred percent Team Bella," Nonno said shaking his head.
"Team Bella? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, he hates your fucking guts."
"I don't care what that old shit thinks about me," I snorted, running a hand through my hair.
"Hmm." Nonno slapped a hand on my shoulder. "Well, you might want to reconsider if you ever hope to win Bella's heart."
-IT-
Later that evening when Jared returned from the airport, I met with him to put some of my plans into action.
"I'll be returning to Chicago for a week or two, but when I return, I'll need a place to stay."
"Do you want me to book another room? How many nights?"
"No, not a room. Rent a place. Make sure it has two, no three bedrooms. I'll be living and working from there, so make sure it's equipped with the best WiFi this town has to offer."
Taken back by my request, Jared stared at me blankly before finally asking, "Y-you plan to live here?"
"Yes. I will need the place furnished as well. No, scratch that. I'll have my secretary arrange for furniture - I'm not sure I want you picking out a sofa for me. She'll contact you with the details." I watched as he furiously typed notes into his phone. "Make sure you also rent a hangar at the airport. I'll need to house my jet. Oh, and I'll have a car delivered sometime at the beginning of the week."
"Is that all?"
"For now … I'll let you know if there is anything else."
The next morning, Jasper and I flew back to Chicago. Even though it had only been a few weeks since I had been gone, it had seemed much longer. After a quick shower back at my apartment, I drove to my office.
As soon as I entered, my secretary pounced from her chair. A smile crossed my face at her appearance. As soon as I came home from rehab, I had fired Lauren and hired Cora, a cheerful woman who had been forced into early retirement by her former employer. Unable to pay her bills, it thrilled her to find employment at my company.
"Edward! I missed you."
"Cora!" I gave her a gentle hug. "How's my girl?"
"Better now that you're back." She pulled from my embrace. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming home? I would have made you some berry cobbler."
My stomach growled at the thought of her famous dessert. "Last minute decision. I'll be here tomorrow though." I winked.
She laughed her warm, infectious laugh. "Well, I'll be sure to bring a dish with me in the morning."
"That will give me something to look forward to, I have a feeling I'll need it by the end of this day."
She frowned. "I'm afraid you might be right. Your father has already called twice."
I ran a hand through my hair. "Well, I suppose I'd better call him back. Can you clear your schedule at one? I need to touch base with you and get your assistance with a project."
"Sure, Edward. Whatever you need."
I sat at my desk for ten minutes before finally dialing Pops' number.
"Edward." His voice rang so clearly it sounded as if he were in the room with me.
"Hey, Pops."
"Is that all you've got to say?"
"What are you talking about? Listen, I'm busy here ..."
"I'm sure you're busy since you've been fucking MIA for the past two weeks."
"Pops ..."
"I knew it was a mistake to turn operations over to you. I knew you weren't ready, but your ma was insistent. Dammit, Edward! What in the fuck are you doing? Where in the hell have you been? Are you using again?"
"No! No! I swear! I'm not."
As usual, he didn't even listen to my response. "Look, I understand if you need a little relief every now and again, but you can't go off on these week-long binges anymore. Stay sober enough to get shit taken care of at work."
I couldn't believe my ears. After all this time, he still didn't get it. "No, Pops, you're wrong. I can't use at all; I don't use at all. I'm clean, and I have been for over three years."
"Whatever, Edward. All I care about is that your ass is at the office getting shit done. If you're incapable of doing that, then perhaps I better come down there and do it for you."
Fed up, I choked back my anger and disgust. "You don't need to come down here. I'm a grown man, and I am more than capable of taking care of what needs to be done in this office. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."
I hung up without giving him a chance to reply. Burying my head in my hands, I exhaled.
Carlisle would definitely be a complication to the plans I was about to undertake.
AN:
Thanks to Fran and K!
Sorry for the long delay in posting this chapter.
I get so easily distracted by new story ideas and all the pretty contests our fandom has to offer. I am attempting to change my ways and refrain from writing anything new until I complete It's Time. I have been working on it exclusively the past few weeks and just finished writing Chapter 32.
Here are a couple of recommendations. If you aren't already reading them, make sure to check them out!
Ghostreader24
Off the Grid
Burned out movie star, Edward Cullen, takes a break from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, and ends up finding love in the middle of nowhere.
s/13152336/1/Off-the-Grid
Sunshine1220
Not the Boy I Married
Southwestern PA, Steel Country. In February 1959, I married a boy. Life, and its path, made him into a man, a man I didn't recognize, with secrets I didn't want to know.
s/13109404/1/Not-the-Boy-I-Married