Sorry this is short and sweet. I know exactly how I want this to end, I'm just having a hard time getting it there. It will start to pick up now, however. Hopefully, I will be able to update again soon. Thanks for sticking with me!
"Hello, Alicia? This is Bella Swan. I was told by Edward that there may be an opening coming up on L&D and that I should contact you about it," I said quickly into the receiver, my voice shaking with nerves.
"Oh, right. Yeah, Edward said you would be calling me soon. One of my nurses will be moving in about three months, her husband is in the military and they are being transferred out. I would prefer to hire from within before I have HR post the job to the nursing agencies. Do you have any experience with L&D?" Alicia asks politely.
"Not really. I did the mandatory rotation during my clinicals in school, but that was where I wanted to work if I hadn't signed up for the tuition reimbursement. My contract is currently up in four months for Med/Surg. I'm just weighing my options and trying to see what's available."
"Bella, I'm not going to beat around the bush with you. I've already asked around and you have glowing recommendations from fellow staff and supervisors. If you want the job, it's yours. You will still have to come to see me for a formal interview and complete all the paperwork though. I'm sure I can work something out to have you begin training on the floor before your contract is up on Med/Surg, that way you can transition in without any interruptions. The pay is higher than what you have been receiving, and the position that will be available is on nights. You will have a probationary period to ensure you are a good fit for the floor, but I don't see that being a problem. I need a team player who is compassionate and caring, from what I have gathered, that is you."
I am shocked into silence for a moment before I regain my senses. "If you don't mind me asking, who did you speak with that talked me up so much?"
"I spoke with Emmett and Penny, who had nothing but wonderful things to say about you. Edward Cullen is actually who first brought your name to my attention though. He gave me a letter of reference for you from Dr. Volturi, which I have never seen that man have anything nice to say about anyone," she chuckled.
"Wait, you mean letters of reference have already been turned in to you? Dr. Volturi wrote one for me? Wow, huh." I sit, shocked by the revelation.
"Obviously, you're an excellent nurse if Dr. Volturi has noticed. Like I said, the job is yours if you want it. Just let me know by the end of the week. Hopefully, I will be speaking with you soon Bella," she happily said as she ended the call. I sat dumbly, still cradling the silent phone to my ear. I'm elated that I will actually have a job that I will enjoy going to, but at the same time terrified about remaining here. Specifically, staying at Saints Memorial. I'm getting too comfortable with Edward, which I know will lead to trouble. I must remain strong and continue to push him away. It will be best for me, and him in the end.
"I hear someone is the new labor and delivery nurse," Edward sing songs as he approaches the nurses' station, holding a cup of coffee in each hand and a smirk on his face.
"You know, it's funny. Alicia already had a letter of reference for me from Dr. Volturi, and recommendations from some co-workers. Any idea how she would be in receipt of such things, Mr. Cullen?" I ask, studying him carefully. His mouth opens and closes several times, while he tries to formulate an answer to my question. I sit back, thoroughly amused by the effort he is putting forth.
"Before you get mad, hear me out. Alice doesn't want you to leave either, so she may have helped me with Alicia. I'm not supposed to tell you, Alice threatened my manhood if you were to find out. She is small, but terrifying."
I chuckle at his statement, knowing exactly how Alice is. He looks up quickly, shocked by my response.
"Alice already told me, she can't keep anything to herself. I'm just surprised by the effort you put into this whole thing. You're working pretty hard, unfortunately, you're not getting anything from me just because you somehow got me my dream job." Once the words left my lips I knew that I had gone too far. His face went from relief to anger in a split second.
"Why can't you just say thank you and be nice to me for once? I don't know what else to do to show you that I've changed. Everyone sees it, but you can't. You can't let me be better in your mind. I'm not the same person that I was, but you just refuse to let my past go. Congrats on your job." He bitterly said as he threw the cups of coffee in the trash and stormed away, irately walking down the hall. Before I could comprehend everything that he told me, Alice walked up behind me.
"Bella, when are you going to realize that man likes you. Like, really likes you. So much so, that he has been working on getting you that job for at least a month now," Alice tells me. The look of astonishment on my face is enough of an answer for her to continue.
"Now you tell me, does that sound like anything Edward Cullen has ever done before for anyone? You have changed him. I don't know how, but you have, and he is doing everything he can to prove it to you. If I were you, I would hunt him down and make amends, even if you don't feel the same about him as he does you. Let him know you appreciate what he has done for you, before you break him," she says as she turns and walks to a patient's room.
I know she is right but apologizing to Edward is a hard pill to swallow. I begrudgingly set off to find Edward, luckily, I don't have to go too far. I find him in the medication room on the floor, stocking the cart. I clear my throat to get his attention. He turns his head in my direction, but once he sees that it's me he goes back to his task. I enter the room and stand at his side, gazing at his progress.
"Would you believe me if I told you that I was sorry for being a jerk to you?" I reluctantly turn to see that he is still ignoring me. I sigh and continue. "It's been a long time since anyone has done anything for me, I'm not used to it and I don't know how to accept it. I really do appreciate what you did, so thank you." I breathe out, relieved that I got all the words I intended out. I look back to Edward to find him staring at me, his piercing green eyes evaluating me cautiously.
"Was that so hard to say? All I was wanting was a simple thanks, but you always have to be so snarky to me. I'm sorry I let it get to me. Bella, you're important to me, I just want you to stick around, okay?" he states, smiling down at me. Now I'm confused by his disclosure. It's one thing to assume, another for him to outright tell me his feelings. I feel like my skin is crawling, I'm so unnerved by everything he just relayed.
"Edward, I don't know exactly what you are saying, but just trust me when I say that you don't want to get close to me. It will be best all around if we just stay acquaintances, alright? Please don't try to get close to me, I have managed to keep my distance from everyone in this state and even my family. I can't have it ruined now. I'm sorry," I say as I rush out of the room and leave Edward calling after me. I can't let him see the tears falling down my face. He can't see that an epiphany has hit me, in the middle of my shift in the med room with him at my side. The realization that I am falling in love with Edward Cullen. Even worse, that he may be falling for me as well.
