Novaturient (adj.) Desiring or seeking powerful change in one's life, behavior, or situation

Chapter 10

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November 12th 1989

Bern, Switzerland

7:59 am

Bella woke up to Eloise's little feet pressing painfully into her side. She looked up to find Eloise's empty double bed on the other side of the room. She gently shifted the girl, checking the time on the clock. Memories of the previous night's events flooded her mind. The intensity of what happened with Edward made her quiver with desire.

With a longing sigh, she slipped out of bed and headed into the en suite bathroom. Her entire morning shower was spent with thoughts of Edward and the way he made her feel.

At the end of her shower, she spent quite a bit of time staring at her reflection in the large mirror. She tried to smooth down her thick, damp hair.

She couldn't stop smiling.

As she stepped out of the bathroom, she collided with a solid form with a loud wet smack. One minute she was on her feet, the next she was flat on her ass in front of the bathroom door. Her legs comically splayed far apart. A loud squeal escaped her lips.

"Miss Swan!" Edward scrambled forward attempting to grab her hand, his reaction much too late. He ended up slipping and falling on top of her, between her spread legs. "I'm so sorry…" He tried to balance himself while attempting to get back on his feet.

Eloise shifted on the bed, sitting up and sleepily rubbing her eyes. "Papa?"

"I…uh." Edward managed to pop back onto his feet. He held out a hand for Bella, pulling her up as she held her towel together with one hand. "I just came to see if you and Miss Bella were up," he said, guiltily. "I knocked." He pointed to the door of the bedroom. "Nobody answered so I came in to –"

Bella cut off his nervous rambling. "It's fine."

He looked down at her, probably remembering where they were and the fact that she was wearing only a tiny bath towel. "I should go," he said quickly. "I'll just be out…there. We can get breakfast when the two of you are ready." He all but ran out of the bedroom."

"Morning Papa!" Eloise yelled, as he hastily left the room.

"Morning love," he called over his shoulder, quickly shutting the door behind him.

Bella turned to Eloise with a heavy sigh. This was going to prove to be a very complicated situation.

Edward was seated in the living room with an impressive spread of food when Bella emerged with Eloise. "Breakfast!" Eloise squealed, running over to her father.

Bella took a seat across from them, reaching for a croissant and small bowl of oat flakes and yogurt. "This all looks so delicious."

"Zopf?" Edward asked, gesturing to some braid-shaped bread.

"No thanks," she smiled. "I'm good with the croissants and…what do they call this here?"

"Müesli. And those croissants are called gipfeli."

"Gipfeli," she repeated. He smiled as his eyes followed her lips. She felt her face heaten.

"Do you like Müesli Miss Bella? Je ne l'aime pas," Eloise said scrunching up her nose. "I like Gipfeli though."

"I can see that," Bella giggled, seeing Eloise's food-messed face. She reached for a napkin to wipe off the girl's face.

"You know what else I like Miss Bella?" Eloise asked.

"What El?"

"You," she giggled. "I wish you never leave like Miss Vanessa." She turned to look up at Edward. "Papa?"

"What is it mon chou?" Edward asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"If you marry Miss Bella will she stay forever?"

Edward nearly choked on his coffee. His eyes grew wide and he gave Bella a panicked glance. Eloise patted her father's back with her tiny hand. "I'm afraid it's not that simple chérie."

"Why?" Eloise tilted her head to the side, waiting for an explanation.

"Well…people get married after knowing each other for some time and they have to spend time together and fall in love."

Eloise looked confused. "So…later?"

"That's not how it works Eloise," he said with a frustrated sigh as he shot Bella an apologetic look. "We'll talk about it later. Eat."

Bella ducked her head, wondering what exactly that explanation would entail. Her mind drifted back to the question of Eloise's mother. Was Edward in love with her at some point? It was entirely likely that he was.

The rest of breakfast was filled with long silences that were eventually filled with Eloise's chatter, as the child was oblivious to the awkwardness her innocent questions caused.

They checked out of the Bellevue place after breakfast, heading back to Edward's decadent home on the hill.

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November 12th 1989

Bern, Switzerland

3:02 pm

Edward gave Bella the afternoon off once they arrived back at the house. He quickly explained that he and Eloise were in for some quality father daughter time and they had a lot to discuss. He also cited a family issue that he had to deal with.

Bella spent the afternoon in Bern thinking over he current situation. She knew she felt something for Edward but she was unsure as to how to begin to define what it was.

Even if she and Edward were to pursue a relationship, how would it function? She only expected to spend a year in Europe. Could she see herself there on a long-term basis, living between France and Switzerland? Was it what she wanted? She wasn't entirely sure.

Bella stopped to admire a beautiful green handmade necklace that was made by one of the local artisans.

"Für sie?" For you?

"Nein. Meine schwester," Bella responded meeting the kind eyes of the small elderly woman. She thought of how beautiful the necklace would look on her sister Rachel. Rachel was the girly twin. Angela's tastes were far different.

"Are you from America?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"No. Lucky guess."

"I'll take the necklace," Bella said running her finger across it.

"It's a beautiful piece," the woman said, taking the necklace. "It would look beautiful against your skin. If your sister is anything like you, it will be the same on her."

The woman wrapped up the necklace, placing it in a bag. "Your eyes," the woman said.

"Pardon me?"

"You are conflicted," she said, handing Bella the bag. "Does love have your heart heavy?"

"I'm not even sure," Bella said absently taking the bag. The woman offered her a knowing smile.

"I know that look," she said. "If you want, I can offer you something that could help. Or I can even tell you how it all turns out. Put your mind at ease."

The woman held out a wiry hand.

"I don't know," Bella said, holding on tightly to her purchase. She was curious to find out what the woman might say, but at the same time she didn't want what the woman would say to fill her with more obsessive thoughts of Edward. She just wanted to clear her mind. Besides, she didn't particularly buy into fortune telling.

"It's okay," she told the woman. "I'll wait and see how everything turns out. Thank you though."

Bella spent the rest of the afternoon strolling around the artisan market, looking for things that reminded her of people back home and trying to keep her mind off of Edward Caron.

When she got back to the house, it was Eloise's bedtime and Edward was in her room reading a bedtime story.

After he put the sleeping Eloise down in her room Edward made his way into the living room where Bella was seated on the divan. Her face reddened as he entered. She couldn't help but think of what transpired between them the night before after fighting against those thoughts for most of the afternoon.

"Eloise was worn out?"

"Yeah…we should talk." He locked eyes with her. His gaze was burning with intensity. "About us."

Bella's stomach fluttered at his words. She nodded in agreement. "Do you regret it?" She had been dreading this moment. She knew it was inevitable, but it was still a nerve-racking conversation to have.

"No…it's not that. It's Eloise."

"Oh," she said with a sigh of relief. "Of course."

He raked a hand through his hair as he took a seat across from her. "I don't want to confuse her."

"Okay." She waited for him to explain further.

"I think we should hold off on this for the time being. I don't want to jeopardize our working relationship or anything else. I'm just not ready to go further as yet"

Bella's heart fell. Her mind was racing, attempting to formulate a response.

The idea of continuing as if there was nothing between them physically pained her. She understood that Eloise had to be their first priority, but she wanted to be a little selfish. She wanted to assure him that they would come out of this unscathed if they were to enter a relationship.

Something about being with him felt right. Deep down, she was sure this was how things were supposed to proceed. It felt like a natural course of action.

She swallowed back the protests that were running through her mind, nodding her head in agreement. "I understand." She rubbed her palms against her jeans, feeling guilty for thinking so selfishly.

He leaned towards her, taking her hands in his. "I feel something for you and I know you feel the same, but I think we should slow down. I meant what I said last night, but we cannot pursue this yet. I got ahead of myself last night. I wasn't thinking completely clearly."

"I understand," she repeated softly averting her eyes. She wished she meant it, but it felt like her heart was breaking.

He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but seemed to think the better of it.

"I really do understand. You are my boss. We should keep this professional." She gently pulled her hands away as she stood up. "Goodnight Edward." She quickly turned and darted toward the stairs.

"Sleep well Miss Swan," he said softly as she ascended the stairs.

Thanks for reading! Please review! You might get chapter 11 soon.