I don't own Twilight.
AN: While I have a loose outline of the story there are still some things up in the air for this story. I'd love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, comments. Reviews are my brand of heroin :)
Ch 5
Dinner was delicious and other than a few suspicious eyebrow arches, Rose seemed fine with Bella's and my new living arrangement. The kids were two little whirling hurricanes of energy but since I'm used to living with Alice it was no surprise. Thinking about my sister made me realize I still hadn't called my family to let them know I got in safely. Once I charge my phone I'm sure there will be a million missed calls. I'll just have to deal with that later because I have no interest in having that conversation right now. I can still remember the last time I spoke with Alice and it was not something I'm eager to repeat.
"So you're just leaving town. One bad egg and you're going to leave your whole life behind? What the hell, Edward?" Alice always did have a flair for the dramatic.
"One bad egg? A girl died on my watch, Alice." I had to breathe in slowly to ward of the inevitable flashbacks when I think of it now. "Every time I step foot in that office it happens again and again on constant loop. I can't think straight anymore. And who the hell would want me for their doctor in this city? Everyone knows what happened. Most of my patients have either left or barely will speak to me."
"But it wasn't your fault!"
"I disagree... and so do countless others. If it weren't for her parents agreeing with you I'd have lost my license by now. It doesn't even matter what actually happened at this point. It's all perception."
"And because of their perceptions you're just going to throw away your family, your practice, your whole world? What about Tanya? Have you even told her?"
"Tanya? You make it sound like we're actually a couple and I'm leaving her at the altar or something." Tanya and I knew each other since we were kids, her parents being my God parents and vice verse. In the last few years our families have been trying to push together. The pressure picked up when I finished my internship but I've never had romantic feelings for her. She's likewise uninterested but makes a show of flirting with me at social affairs which only eggs on our families and makes things worse. I haven't even spoken with her since the last gala event and that was months ago.
"Well you could be... she could be the one and you're just going to leave her behind without a word?"
"Alice, you know as well as I do that there is nor will there ever be a relationship between Tanya and me. It's just wishful thinking that we'll tie the two families together and that's it. If you're so eager to link us with the Denali's, why don't you hook up with Laurent?" She shuddered at the thought. I don't blame her, the guys is creepy. "Yeah, that's what I thought."
"But Edward, please don't leave. What the hell is in Virginia that you can't find here in Chicago?"
The sound of Emmett's booming laugh brought me back to the moment. And I have the answer for Alice now.
The one thing Virginia has that Chicago lacks... Bella.
"Alright man, let's head over to your place and check it out. Can't have my sis living in a crack den." Emmett smiled warmly. I have to admit I'll be sad to see this guy go. After he got over the protective brother routine he showed his true colors which admittedly were very cool. You'd never think by looking at him at that he's this engineering genius. Professional football player maybe, weight lifter, something along those lines would seem reasonable. He's also hilarious and super friendly. Of course I still wouldn't want to get on his bad side.
Rose is the quintessential mother hen. She could whip up a gourmet meal and still keep her rag tag munchkins in check without batting an eye. I also got the sense that she would lay a major smackdown on anyone who tried to hurt her family, especially Bella. My guess is she knows a lot more about the James character than Emmett.
We piled into Emmett's jeep to drive back to my house. We'd been it so briefly before I hadn't had a chance to really check it out. The realtor had sent me photos of course so I knew the layout but I was eager to see Bella's impression.
From the outside you could see it's a white Cape Cod style home with grey shutters, nothing overly remarkable but definitely quaint which is what I'd been going for. I felt no need to flaunt my family's wealth. I really meant business with this whole fresh start idea. There were some amenities I had to have if only because I am still a spoiled rich kid at heart, but I didn't want anything outwardly ostentatious. The first floor consisted of the 'great room' as the realtor called, which is basically a family/living room that practically takes up the entire floor, and the kitchen. I'd had my furniture delivered and set up already so the great room was filled with a long white couch and matching chairs. My baby grand was set up by the bay window overlooking the backyard... perfect.
I watched as Bella's eyes lit up while she perused the marble counter tops and stainless steel of the kitchen. I could just imagine her at the stove, her hair pulled back in a loose knot, wearing only some cute pajamas while making us eggs for breakfast. Then I'd walk up behind her encircling my arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck to smell her fragrant lilac scent... ugh... must stop.
"Let's check out the bedrooms," I suggested... yeah because that will help my situation SO much.
Upstairs consisted of two bedrooms, one on either side of the floor, with a shared bathroom in between. They each had vaulted ceilings with skylights which was a big draw for me when choosing this house.
It looks like my personal stuff was already set up in the slightly larger room but I offered to move it if she preferred more space.
"Seriously? This is your house! And both rooms are plenty big. You saw the size of my room now, this is fine."
"You mentioned needing some private workspace. If you'd like we can section off a part of the great room for an office, or I could add on to the house if you want. I know it's kind of small but there's an enclosed porch out back and..."
"Relax, bro! She likes it." Emmett was definitely amused by my nervous ramblings. "This place is almost the size of our house and she shares that with a whole family." I watched her nod in agreement, then her face turned sad. I'm sure she's worried about leaving her brother.
"Are you sure about this, Bells? I know you want to stay in the area. I don't have to take this job, ya know. There might be something closer to Richmond and I could commute. Plus I know Rose isn't too thrilled about raising the boys close to the city."
"No, Em, you need to do this. Opportunities like this don't come along very often and you need to support your family. And you guys will find a house in the NJ suburbs and it won't be much different from the kids living here. Plus think of all the new experiences the kids will get to have being so close to Manhattan. I'll be fine here. Plus Edward here needs someone to show him the city. Maybe now I'll get a chance to explore it more and make more roots here. It will be good." It almost sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than her brother.
"Okay, sis, if this is what you want. Just know that you always have a home with us. We'll have a spare room waiting for you if you ever want to visit or if you get sick of this guy." The pat on my back almost knocked me to the floor.
"When do you plan on moving, Emmett?"
"Well they want me up there yesterday apparently. Turns out the last guy left without notice, a real douchebag move if you ask me." Ugh, that's basically how I left my practice. My poor receptionist had to spend her last day calling all my patients to cancel any remaining appointments and to tell them I skipped town. At least I gave her a month's pay for severance but he's right, it's still a douchebag move.
"Anyway, it will take some time to find a house and get the kids settled but hopefully we'll be settled in before next month. Then the kids will have a couple months to get used to the new place before they have to start school. I imagine it will take a while to sell the house, so Bells you can stay there after we go for a while if you'd like."
Not good. The idea of her in her current state living on her own does not sound appealing. As it is I have an urge to sneak into her room tonight to keep a suicide watch on her. The worst might be over but she's got plenty to deal with still and you don't get over that kind of depression in a matter of a few hours.
"Actually, Em, I was thinking I'd move in sooner rather than later. That way I'll be out of your hair while you guys are packing up. I can still come over and watch the boys whenever you need me but I imagine it will be a bit of a circus once you guys start your big move."
I couldn't hold back my grin.
"I'll give my lawyer a call in the morning and we'll sort out the details. I can bring over the paperwork tomorrow afternoon if that works for you guys."
"I guess that's okay." He still sounded reluctant. I can imagine this must seem pretty fast to him. To be honest if this was Alice moving in with some strange guy I'd only just met, I'd be fairly suspicious as well.
"If you'd like I can give you a list of references to check as well. I assure you I will make Bella is not harmed in any way. And if you both want some time to review everything and think it over, that's fine by me." I'd meant to direct that to Bella as well as her brother but realized at that moment she'd wandered off.
"Where'd Bells run off to?" Em was obviously making the same observation.
It's not a large house so we found her fairly quickly, lounging on the sofa downstairs.
"Sorry guys, I need to sit for a minute." Her voice was so soft I had to strain my ears just to hear her. I noticed she was even more pale than usual and her eyes were only barely open.
"You okay, sis? Getting sleepy? It's been a long day."
"You have no idea, Em... no idea." She mumbled. Of course she's exhausted, even a person without her condition would be worn out by the emotional strain she'd been under today. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her and comfort her but decided that probably wouldn't help with the plan of not looking like a skeezy perv.
"Babe, you okay lounging here for a minute, I want to talk to Edward in the kitchen." She nodded and closed her eyes. "We'll be right back."
Once in the kitchen the interrogation began.
"Did Bells tell you about her health issues yet?"
"Lupus, I know."
"You prepared for this, man? I mean, it's not like you're going to be her nurse maid or something but I need to know you'll be able to help her when she needs it."
"I understand and I will help her in whatever way I can. I know about the condition and the symptoms are pretty bad. Whatever I can do to make it easier for her I will."
"Good to hear but I also want to know you're not going to try to take advantage of her. She has good days and bad days and when it's bad she's pretty much unable to function. There's guys out there that would use that to there advantage. I like you, man, and I don't think you'd do something like but I need your word on this."
"I swear to you, on my life I would never harm Bella in any way. I may not have known her for long but I know that she's special and I … well I just wouldn't hurt her and I'd kick the crap out of anyone who would try." Honestly if I knew how to find that James son-of-a-bitch I'd kick his teeth in right now.
"Good answer. I'll only say this once. You hurt her and you're dead." His tone was dead serious and though I'd like to say I could hold my own in a fight, it took a lot of effort not to whimper.
In as split second his grim face turned into a smile. "Now that's settled, let's go check on our girl."
Our girl. Does he suspect I'm already having feelings for his sister? Wait, do I?
Before I could brood on that topic anymore we were back in the great room and Emmett was cradling a sleeping Bella in his arms.
"Can you get the door for me man?"
We headed back out to the Jeep and I helped him get her settled into the passenger seat, while her head lolled to the side.
"Ketchup on my burger please... fish hat..." Looks like "our girl" talks in her sleep. She just gets more adorable by the minute.
Emmett chuckled softly as he buckled her in. "You wouldn't believe some of the stuff she's said while she's out," he whispered. Then he straightened up and went back into all-business mode. "Why don't you give me your number. I'll give you a call tomorrow and we can set up a time for you to bring over the paperwork."
Once that was settled I watched as the drove off into the night. I suddenly felt an empty feeling I'd never experienced before. This is dangerous territory. I know that Bella is going to need help but I know now there is no way I'll be able to keep a professional distance from her. Less than 24 hours and she's already made her way into my heart, something no woman has come close to before. And I know she could just as easily break me as I could irrevocably damage her fragile psyche.
I'm just going to have to remain in control. Bella's emotional and medical health must come first.