A/N ~ This story is dedicated to my lovely friend Butterfly Betty, who has given me so much encouragement and support in my journey here on FF. Thank you!
I don't own Twilight or anyone in it!
This story is rated M for future Lemons. Please review. xx
The Journey ~ Chapter 2.
Edward junior held his hand out and cautiously she took hold of it, reaching out, holding on...
~~~~~TJ~~~~~
Bella gripped onto his hand nervously as they walked out to the car park. Edward opened the car door and helped her in before walking round to the driver's side.
He didn't really know what was going on...it felt like he had known this girl all his life, but yet he really knew very little about her at all. A normally quiet a shy man, he was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable he felt just being with her.
Bella inhaled the comforting smell inside the car, leather and something else; she wasn't quite sure what it was until Edward got into the driver's seat.
It was his scent.
He smelled of spice, soap and coffee, all earthy and clean. Bella closed her eyes and within a few moments, the motion of the car and the gentle music playing softly in the background had lulled her to sleep. She had been working way too hard and not getting nearly enough proper sleep for quite some time now. The three boys she shared the house with liked to party and seemed to have no concerns about passing exams. Living with three male students was not the best idea, but it was all she could afford just now. They were no threat to her, but noisy and messy. Bella kept herself to herself and had learned to keep her own plates and cutlery in her room, to knock before going into the bathroom and to lock it behind her before attending to her own needs. The positive to it was she was never left alone in the house by herself over night.
Edward drove much slower than he normally would, after all he had the most precious cargo ever on board, keeping his eyes on the road, only turning to catch a glimpse of Bella when he had safely stopped at junctions.
She was stunning.
Her lips parted slightly as she smiled in her sleep. He hoped whatever she was dreaming about included him, knowing that he would dream of her that night.
All too soon Edward turned onto the drive, carefully braking the car into a smooth stop.
"Bella...Sweetie..." he hesitated before reaching out to touch her face, "We are home."
"Home?" she mumbled in the quietest whisper as she turned her head to snuggle her cheek into his palm.
"Yes...we are home...are you awake?"
She nodded as she struggled to open her weary eyes. She had been having the most amazing dream; a green eyed man was holding her hand, saying that he loved her. Family all around them watched on as he promised to be at her side forever, and now it was over, her dream had been nothing but that.
It was too soon to wake up...
She sighed before realising that she had no idea who had just spoken to her or where she was.
Her eyes flew open in panic! Bella threw herself as far away from the voice, pressing her shaking body against the car door as she fumbled for the handle to open the door.
"Bella...it's ok."
She turned to look at the velvet voice. It took a moment for her to recognise Edward and remember that she was meeting Pop's family for dinner.
Suddenly she felt so vulnerable and reckless, had Charlie taught her nothing? She had no idea where he had taken her to. Tears filled her eyes when she could not think of anyone who would notice she was missing until it was too late.
Mrs Stanley, she would care if Bella didn't turn up for her shift...but that was not until next week.
The boys...they might notice but would probably think she was just out.
Edward looked at Bella, concerned by the fear now showing on her face. Bella looked around at her surroundings; she had no idea which direction to run in, not that she thought for one minute she would be able to out run Edward. He was obviously much faster and stronger than she was.
"What's wrong, Bella?" He asked quietly.
"I...I didn't confirm with Mrs Stanley...about..." think Bella she told herself..." tomorrow's shift?" It was more of a question than a statement.
"Ah ok, do you want to call her?"
"I don't have...I didn't take my cell phone." She stuttered.
Edward nodded at her, reached into his pocket and took out his phone, offering the life line to her.
"I will give you a moment to make your call."
He stepped out of the car and stood back giving her some privacy.
Bella called the shop, hoping Mrs Stanley would still be there.
"Hello...Time for tea."
"Ahh, Mrs Stanley, thank goodness I caught you, it's Bella."
"Hello my Dear, what a lovely surprise, I thought you had gone to the Cullen's?"
"I have...I just, how well do you know them? I mean I know you know Pop's...I just..."
Mrs Stanley understood the nerves in her young employee's voice. "Bella honey, they are good people. I used to go to school with Esme and I remember when she married Carlisle they had a beautiful wedding up at the family house they live in now."
"Ok...up at Cullen House."
"Yes, big white house with a glass conservatory on the left hand side."
Bella looked at the grand house in front of her. A name plaque told her that she was outside Cullen House; she sighed and relaxed a little more.
"Do you want to call me later and tell me how it all went?"
"Yes please, Mrs Stanley."
"Ok dear, do you have a pen and I will give you my home number?" Bella took a pen and receipt out of her purse and wrote the number down. "Now have a lovely time and I will hear from you later this evening."
Bella ended the call and looked around for Edward. He was standing with his back against a huge tree and gazing out towards the extensive beautiful garden that wrapped around the estate.
After taking a deep breath hoping to try and calm herself she hesitantly stepped out of the car to walk towards him.
Edward turned and smiled at Bella as her shaking legs carried her slowly over to where he patiently waited. It took all he had not to run towards her, but he knew this would probably scare her even more.
Edward held his hand out to her; Bella went to place the cell phone in his hand and noticed some car keys sat there on his huge palm.
"You are nervous and scared about being here alone?"
Bella bit her lip and nodded, unable to look away from his gaze.
"Do you drive? Take my car keys; keep the cell phone, if you need to go, then it gives you a way leave." He whispered, hoping that even if he gave her the means to run that she would stay.
"I trust you." She whispered back.
"I won't hurt you, none of us will."
Bella nodded again, her fingers touched briefly Edward as he placed his car keys in her hand knowing she was too nervous to take them from him.
"You will drive me home this evening?" she asked softly.
"Yes whenever you are ready to go." He reassured her.
She put the phone and keys into her pocket, zipping it closed to keep them safe.
Neither was aware they were being watched by Pop's, Rose and Emmett from the kitchen window.
"What are they waiting on?" Emmett asked puzzled as he observed his younger brother move cautiously stand beside the quiet girl.
"She will come in when she is ready." Rose whispered.
Pops nodded as his arm moved around Rosie's shoulder.
"She will." He agreed. "Just let her come to us."
Edward offered his hand again; Bella reached out and placed her small shaking hand into his. As soon and his fingers moved around hers she felt instantly felt much safer. He smiled softly as she smiled back at him.
"You live here?"
"I was born here...I moved away to go to school, and am back here again while I find a new apartment."
"You studied music?"
"Yes."
"Pops told me." She explained. "I am too, I play the cello."
"Do you? I play piano and guitar." He grinned.
"I am glad the term is finish for the summer...I am so ready for a break."
"I am finished and now need to find a job!" he grinned.
It had never been this easy for him to talk to girls. There had been many times he had wished for his older brother Emmett's ease to talk to new people, or Jaspers calm confidence.
They reached the door and Edward rang the bell explaining that Bella has his house key on the fob with the car keys in her pocket.
She blushed as she went to retrieve the key to give him, but the door opened revealing Esme who couldn't resist any longer.
Bella could see where Edward's beautiful hair colouring came from.
"Mom, this is Bella Swan."
"I am pleased to meet you, Mrs Cullen."
"Call me Esme, Sweetie," she spoke warmly while pulling Bella into a nurturing cuddle, giving her a gentle squeeze before letting go to hug her youngest son.
"Mom..." Edward kissed his mother on the cheek as she released him from her embrace. He didn't let go of Bella's hand the whole time.
"There you are, Little One." Pops stood up and walked over towards Bella, who smiled as Pop's hugged her.
"Sorry, I was just..." She couldn't think of an explanation that didn't sound silly.
"It's not a problem, Bella...you are here now, come and meet my eldest son Carlisle."
Bella walked into the living room with Pop's arm wrapped protectively around her, Edward still holding her hand on the other side, following on behind her. His son stood up to greet the newest member of the family.
It didn't take long for Bella to relax with the Cullen's in their home.
That was until Emmett said how sorry he was to hear about her father's death. The whole room went quiet.
"I knew your Dad, he was a great man." He carried on talking with obvious fondness for the late Chief.
"Thank you Emmett, it is nice to speak to someone who remembers him."
It had been quite some time since she had spoke to anyone about Charlie Swan apart from Mrs Stanley, who got so upset it made Bella feel worse, and certainly reluctant to bring his name up again.
"He was a good man; I met him many times when he came to the hospital." Carlisle reminisced fondly. "I introduced you to him at the last fundraiser dance we held at the art gallery."
Esme nodded, "He had a fine moustache!" she smiled as she remembered the charming but quiet policeman.
Bella giggled, thinking of her Dad this time had made her happy. She opened the heart shaped locket around her neck and showed Esme the last photo she had of her Daddy.
"That's him, when he laughed his moustache moved." Esme chuckled.
Bella nodded and smiled, a tear slid silently down her cheek. Edward pulled her close and wiped it away with his thumb. "It's alright to miss him, Sweet girl."
"He was all I had." Bella tried to speak through her sobs. "I really am all alone...you know, when I got here...I was worried if something happened to me...that no one would notice until my shift next week at the café. My housemates they wouldn't notice if I am there or not."
"Firstly, you are safe here, and second...we would miss you." Pops said while everyone else nodded.
Bella put her hand into her pocket and took out the keys and cell phone, turning she returned them to Edward.
"Can I get your number Bella?" Edward asked shyly.
"I don't have a cell phone and no phone at the apartment. No one calls me so I have never worried about it before."
"I have a spare one from my last upgrade you can have if you want Bella." Edward offered.
They watched as she blushed and seemed to work out a puzzle in her head, "Thank you, but I am on a bit of a budget and not sure if I can really afford to use it."
"We have a family plan. I can add you on to that." Carlisle announced.
"Your Dad was a good man; he helped us sort out a few things." He looked at Rose who nodded for him to continue.
"He was the policeman who helped us deal with some people who were less than professional when they should have been caring for Rose in the child care system."
Bella remembered her father's fury at foster parents who had neglected a young girl in their care, and when she had asked him a few weeks later his relief that said girl was somewhere safe being looked after.
"That was you..."she looked at Rose as she explained what she remembered.
"I will be back in a moment." Edward went to stand up but Bella held onto his hand as if her life depended on it. "Or you can come with me if you want?" he asked.
Bella stood up and quietly followed him out of the room, not letting go of his hand. She trusted Pops but Edward was her lifeline at the moment.
Everyone looked at Pops who shrugged his shoulders.
"She really is all alone." Esme's heart broke as she said what they all knew.
"Not any more she isn't." Pops shook his head. "She was Charlie Swan's daughter and deserves to be loved and part of a family."
"We can do that." Rose whispered, knowing that she herself had been given a second chance by the Cullen's.
"Yes we can." Esme wiped away her own tears away before turning to do the same to Rose.
"How do we help her more?" Emmett asked.
"We offer her somewhere to stay, and take it from there."Esme suggested.
"How about we ask her to be your companion for the summer Pops?" Emmett thought out loud, "Say we need someone to be around in case you need anything. We can work it round her shifts at the tea room and her classes when she goes back to school."
"We could offer her a wage, and make sure she has regular meals and warm clothes." Rose added.
Pops nodded.
He didn't need another baby sitter but he enjoyed the young woman's company and he could make sure she was looked after.
The family had all made plans to cut back on their workloads and be around a lot more now they knew Pops was on borrowed time. Carlisle and Esme had encouraged Rose to stop working as soon as she fell pregnant after her last two miscarriages. She didn't need the money; work had been a time filler and distraction while she waited to become a mother. Pops and Rose had spent the last few weeks looking after each other. Easy days listening to music while they both read, Rose had taken this time with her beloved Pops as a gift.
Edward led Bella up to his room. He had dated a few girls but never taken one into his sanctuary before.
"So...yeah...this is my room."
She followed him in and looked around; the room was beautiful like the rest of the house, simply decorated and cosy but very much Edward style. There was a whole wall of shelves filled with books, CD's and DVD's.
"May I?" Bella pointed at the CD player.
"Sure...play anything you want to listen to.
"What you got in just now?" Bella hit play and smiled as she recognised Clair de Lune by Debussy.
"Beautiful..." she closed her eyes and let the music fill her soul.
"Yes..." Edward nodded, looking at the beautiful women absorbing one of his favourite pieces of music.
He had never had such feelings for any woman. Let alone one he had only just met.
Bella sighed as she opened her eyes, looking into Edward's hypnotising gaze.
After shaking his head to clear it Edward focused back on the task at hand.
"I know I have the other cell phone in here, I just got a new phone last week and haven't had a chance to do anything with the old one yet."
Bella released her hold on Edward's hand as he opened the closet door. He watched her move to stand beside his large wooden sleigh bed; she sat down and ran her fingers along the soft, silky, deep green comforter before he turned his attention to searching for the cell phone.
Thankfully Edward liked things to be tidy, so finding his cell phone in its original packaging complete didn't take too long at all.
"Here it is..."
He plugged the phone onto charge and sat down beside Bella.
As each song new song began to play the two new friends found more and more in common to discuss.
They both relaxed back on the bed, Edward stretched out with his hands resting behind his head, and eyes closed as the music wove inside his head and around his heart.
Neither had spoken for a little while, both comfortable with tinkling of the piano whispering to them from the music player.
He turned to find his pretty girl lying curled up asleep on the bed. Pulling up the extra blanket, Edward tucked it around Bella, pushed a stray strand of hair away from her face and lay mesmerised by the beautiful woman who had walked into his life and turned it upside down.
Really he should go downstairs, but he could not take his eyes off her. This was the second time she had fallen asleep since leaving the café, she looked absolutely shattered. She must have been exhausted to fall asleep so quickly. Dark shadows lay under her eyes. Her long eyelashes flickered in her sleep.
He didn't want Bella to be scared if she woke up all alone, but he didn't want her to think him strange for watching her sleeping either.
Edward decided to pick up a book and wait for her wake up, he debated sitting on the floor beside her or going to the chair over at his computer desk but he could not tear himself away from her. She had been alright lying next to him before so he hoped she would be alright waking up next to him. Bella started whimpering in her sleep, Edward quickly found himself stroking her hair and whispering words of comfort when Esme walked into the room.
"Edward?"
"Shush...she has just fallen asleep again."
"Again?"
Edward explained how Bella had dozed in the drive home, and how scared she had been when they arrived home. He wondered if the music that she seemed to love as much as he did had comforted and soothed her to relax enough to doze.
"Dinner won't be ready for at least another hour, let's leave her to sleep and you stay here so she feels safe when she awakens."
Esme kissed her gentle son's forehead and turned to kiss Bella on the hair soothing her when she murmured in her sleep. Edward settled back against pillows, opened his book and started reading. Bella became restless; she started talking as she moved beside him.
"Dad...Daddy...please don't go and leave me all alone..."
"Bella...it's going to be ok Sweetie." Edward reached down trying to sooth her bad dreams when Bella turned over threw her arm over his waist and snuggled in closer. Her body relaxed as it moulded into him. Picking up the book he tried to carry on reading but gave up when he realised he had read the same paragraph three times without understanding a word of it.
"He won't hurt me Daddy..."
Edward barely heard the words she murmured.
"You are safe here Sweetie."
Bella nodded against his chest and carried on sleeping.
The daylight began to fade; Edward lay there wondering what Bella was dreaming about. Everything felt so right having Bella snuggled up against him.
He had dated a few women in the last few years, but only one had been a serious relationship. Kate could have been that someone he made a long term commitment with, but finding her packing to go away with another man for the summer had put a sharp end to that. Thank goodness they had always used protection; it seems Edward was the only one who had believed in monogamy.
He had not missed Kate as much as he thought he would. Looking down at Bella only confused him even further, how could he have only met her today and yet he knew in his heart that he would miss her more if she left him than he missed Kate who had already gone?
"Edward...?"
"It's ok Bella. You are safe here with me." He whispered, pledging to himself to do all he could to make Bella feel safe. Bella felt herself wake from the most glorious sleep, stretching out she realised the pillow she was hugging was in fact Edward. Blinking as her eyes adjusted to the light she looked up at him, relieved to see his beautiful crooked grin smiling back down at her.
She felt safe and secure and not at all embarrassed which surprised her completely.
"You feel better after your sleep?"
She nodded shyly.
"I haven't been getting enough sleep...school has been hard going." She explained.
"Glad all the exams are over with?"
"Yes." She sighed.
"Do you have plans for the summer?"
"Just need to find a job to save up some more money really, the cafe is not enough but fits in while I am at school."
"What about you?"
"I have a few places booked to play the piano but this summer is really all about Pop's."
"What do you mean?"
"Bella...Pop's is really sick..."
Bella shook her head, tears filled her eyes and she looked to Edward hoping, wishing, that he would tell her she misunderstood, that Pop's was going to be ok.
"NO...no...no..."Her body started to shake.
"Come on, let's go and speak with him, I am sorry it's not good news Honey."
Edward got up and offered Bella his hand, but she needed more, he felt her tiny body press up against his and her arms wrap around him for support. He kept his arm wrapped round her shoulder, tucking her tightly into his side, they went down stairs, and with Bella quietly crying as she thought about Pop's looking frailer as the weeks had moved on.
Everyone looked up as they walked into the family room, Pop's looked at Edward and understood Bella knew he was poorly. He had planned to talk to about it this evening but it looked like the time to talk was now.
"Come here sweetie." He whispered opening up his arms to her. Bella started sobbing as he soothed her with words and comforting kisses to her hair.
"Edward told you that I am ill?"
They both nodded.
"Bella...let's talk Sweetie."
Many tears were cried, as the family listened while Pops told the newest member of the family about his prognosis.
"Now...I was hoping that you would be available this summer to spend some time with me?"
Bella looked at him before looking to Edward for help. As much as she wanted to spend time with Pop's there was no way she could afford to return to school with her summer savings.
Rose explained their idea for Bella to be Pop's girl Friday. Not providing nursing care but more of a companion. It would be paid, and include somewhere to live, with meals provided. Bella would have done it for free if she could. They all knew she would have.
"When would you want me to start? I need to have Wednesday's off to work at the cafe; I can't let Mrs Stanley down..."
Finer details were worked out over the best meal Bella had enjoyed in a very long time.
Bella could move into Cullen House any time she wanted. The lease on her flat was due renewing in a few weeks and she knew the boys had a friend who could take her room at any time. Bella didn't want to think what would happen to her after Pop's was no longer here. Right now she wanted to spend her time with her surrogate Grandpa and family.
"Move in this week, and if you don't like it the lease on the flat will still be in your name so you will still have some where to go back to?" Alice suggested.
Bella agreed, her eyes were struggling to stay awake, her mind and body exhausted.
"Are you ready for me to take you home Bella?" Edward asked, knowing it was time for him to make good on his promise to return her to the flat.
She looked at him, "I feel like I am already home."
"Then stay." Esme answered. "We haven't got your own room ready, but the spare room would do tonight."
Bella looked around at the family; they all wanted her to stay as much as she wanted to be here with them.
"I don't have anything with me?" She was looking for reasons to go.
"We can easily find you some clothes and a new toothbrush. If you would prefer to go back that's ok too." Esme reassured Bella that whatever she decided to do would be alright with them.
"I just need to call Mrs Stanley...I said I would."
Edward held his phone out once more to her. "Yours is still charging."
After a quick call to Mrs Stanley, Bella decided to stay.
Rose, Emmett, Alice and Jasper were all planning to head home for the night, promising to return in time for breakfast tomorrow.
"We will all be here in the morning Sweetie."
"You promise?" Bella asked, unsure if she what to do if they said no.
"We promise, now what about something for you to wear? I don't think we have any clothes left here, just need to get you something for tonight and we can bring you something for tomorrow...and then shopping..."
Alice did not even stop for breath!
Bella looked on wide eyed at the shopping monster unleashed before her.
"No shopping...no shopping!" Bella laughed as she protested weakly against the over enthusiastic woman bouncing up and down beside her.
"Yes shopping...now...Edward...we need a tee shirt for Bella to sleep in. No offence Esme, but your night wear is not going be any good here tonight."
Esme smirked; she had been shopping with Alice many times to find slinky sexy night wear that Carlisle was rather fond of peeling off his beloved wife.
Rose, Alice and Esme laughed as Carlisle blushed and muttered. "That's what this family needs...another strong woman." But the wink he sent Bella's way told her he wanted her in the family as much as everyone else did.
Pops grimaced, his bones were weary, the painkillers made him feel nauseous, but he could no longer deny the need for them.
Seeing Edward and Bella interact had given him hope for their friendship. His heart felt that there may be more but he would settle for her being looked after just now. Accepting hugs and kisses goodnight from the four leaving, took the last of his energy. Pops had little place for pride now his physical strength was limited. "Edward...do you think could help an old man to his room please?" This was the first time he had asked for assistance to retire to bed. The time would come soon for Pops to move into one of the rooms Esme was renovating on the ground floor to move him even closer than the apartment that joined onto the main house. It didn't matter where Pops slept, his home was near his family, and no house had meant anything to him since his Beth had been taken from his side.
Young Edward stood and supported his Grandpa while Bella quickly moved round to help, placing her left arm under his left elbow and wrapping her right arm around his waist. Between them they slowly walked towards his living quarters. None of them in a hurry, walking at the pace Pops set. Edward took Pops the last few steps on his own in to the bathroom, while Bella turned down his bed and set a glass of fresh water on his bedside next to the bottles of medication Esme had sorted out for him. Never once did she question helping him in his personal care. She knocked on the door and passed in pyjamas and slippers. Edward took them before turning to help Pops undress. The once strong man who had carried little Edward high on his shoulders now struggled to raise his arms to pull off his clothes. Today had taken a lot out of him.
Once he was dressed ready for bed, Bella came back in and stood beside Pops once more to walk him to bed with Edward. Tablets were taken and Edward lifted Pop's legs into bed. Once settled he asked to speak to Bella alone, Edward nodded and left to go and help his mother sort things for Bella upstairs.
"Now sweet Bella, I am not normally this weary, but I want you to know, this will become worse for me. I am not looking for you to be my nurse maid, so do not feel obliged to wait on me hand and foot."
Bella nodded quietly.
"I am not scared to die, but I will go happier knowing you are happy."
"I am not ready to lose you too Pops." Bella confessed.
"I am not ready to go yet Little One. But I will go sometime, and I don't want you to be sad when I do."
"I can't promise you that Pop's. You know I care for you."
Pops nodded and gestured for Bella to lie down beside him. "I know, and that's alright...you will not be alone again though, this family care for you already and if you let them, they will love you."
Tears spilled down Bella's cheek. Pop's started to drift off to sleep, his medication taking effect.
Edward returned and Bella jumped up into his arms sobbing. Could she stay and face the heartache of losing Pops? She was going be broken hearted if she walked away now anyway.
Edward soothed her as best as he could for a few moments. Checking once more on his Grandpa, he switched on the baby monitor that had handsets in both his parents and his room, dimmed the lights and with a gentle kiss from either of them on Pops forehead they both left the sleeping man to dream.
Edward explained how the two rooms downstairs were being converted for Pop's needs, one as his bedroom/bathroom and the one next to it for whoever was taking their turn to listen out for him. His parents, Emmett and Jasper would take turns as would Alice but Rose would only be here if Emmett was due to the risky pregnancy.
The whole family had arranged their lives around to make sure time was spent with Pops, without letting him feel that they were giving anything up. He was a proud man, and treasured his family and their love.
Neither Edward nor Bella spoke as they walked to the bedrooms upstairs. Esme met the silent pair at the top of the stairs. She gave them both a hug and said Carlisle had their monitor on listening for Pops.
She offered Bella a choice of two rooms; one used to be Emmett's and still had boxes in it that could be pushed to the side if she wanted to use it tonight. The other room had been Jasper's and was much tidier but shared a joining bathroom with Edward's room. "I don't mind if you don't" she shrugged her shoulders, now tired and just needing to lie down to sleep. "I share a bathroom with three college boys, so unless you are a slob Edward...it should be ok." Edward laughed and shook his head. Esme chuckled as she told Bella how Jasper and Edward had always been very tidy boys, it was Emmett who made all the mess, but he had now been whipped into shape by Rose.
Edward produced a tee shirt and sleeping shorts for Bella to wear while Esme had already given her toiletries and toothbrush. They took turns in the bathroom but neither was ready to be apart yet.
"Do you think it would be ok, if I stayed here with you for a wee while please?" Bella asked timidly.
Edward smiled and nudged her shoulder with his. "I don't know you have already fallen asleep on me twice today...it does not do much a guys ego when a girl he is sweet on falls asleep on him."
He had admitted too much.
Bella blushed and looked at him shyly. "This girl is sweet on the boy too."
Edward grinned and took her hand as he led her over to his bed. "Come on Sweet girl, if you are gonna go to sleep on me we might as well do it in comfort."
There was only a moment's hesitation as she slid into his bed beside him to cuddle, and only a few more moments until they were both fast sleep wrapped up in each other's arms.