Oh Hey! Back again... Thanks to those of you who are hanging around!
You know when you go to sleep drunk and wake up in the middle of the night having to throw up? Well that's what I did. Multiple times. After purging the vat of margaritas I drank the night previous, I finally passed out cold.
When I woke again it was bright, so I got up and closed the black out curtains. The next time I woke up I took some meds, and fell back into Rose and Emmett's huge guest room bed.
When Rose came-a-knocking a couple of hours later, she tossed a sub sandwich and a bottle of water onto the bed, intentionally hitting me softly in the stomach with both.
"Hey Hangover Nancy, we're leaving to go to dinner and a movie. Don't wait up."
I waved her off.
An hour passed and I didn't move. It was when my phone didn't stop ringing that I put forth effort to move my limbs. It was Edward. I had put off talking to him because I knew he was right. I didn't want to hear "I told you so". The measly taco I ate didn't do anything to save me from a hangover. And I don't give a shit how expensive the tequila is that you happen to drink. It will still mess you up the second day.
I sighed and gave in to the phone call.
"Hello?"
"Bella."
"Edward. What can I do for you this fine morning?"
"Morning? Baby did you just wake up? It's past five. Could you possibly be...hung over?"
I could hear his smile in his voice.
"No."
"Liar."
I picked up the bottle of water off the bed and chugged some of it.
"Well maybe I am."
"I knew when you didn't eat dinner you'd be feeling it today."
"Yeah, well, I did it to myself."
"Well I just wanted to call and tell you that I can't wait to see you tomorrow."
"I can't wait either," I replied and stretched out like a cat.
"I have a meeting then dinner with associates tonight so I thought I'd call you now. I wouldn't want to wake you later."
"I don't think anything will wake me. I'm going to eat this lovely sandwich Rose chucked at me before she left and then I'm going back to bed."
"Good. Get some rest. Demetri has your itinerary and will drop you off at the airport in the morning."
"Oh, you aren't making him fly with me?" I asked sarcastically.
"Well, he actually asked for a couple of days off. And for some reason he wants to spend them in Seattle."
"Oh?"
I thought back to the night before. Go Jess!
"Yes, it's odd because he was very disappointed at first when he wouldn't be returning right away with me."
"Well Mr. Cullen, I'm sure it's because he never even had the chance to enjoy the city because you've been working him to the bone."
"Miss Swan, I'll have you know that I'm very good to my employees."
"Are you now, Mr. Cullen? I believe I'm going to be on payroll soon?"
"I'll show you how good I can be," he almost whispered.
"I can't wait for you to show me," I whispered back.
"Mmm. I miss you."
"I miss you too."
"I didn't sleep well without you," he whined.
"The only reason I slept is because I drank a bottle of tequila."
He laughed."I have to go. I don't want to, but I'm being summoned by my father's secretary."
"Oh. Are your parents back from Hawaii?"
"No. They're staying for awhile. They should be back by the end of next week, though."
"Well good for them. They deserve a vacation."
"Yeah. They do, I guess. Well I have to run, I'm holding up the meeting. I love you, Bella."
"Love you, Edward. Bye."
I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing Edward tell me that he loves me. It doesn't matter that he's told me a ton of times ever since he admitted it out loud. I liked hearing him say it.
I woke the next morning feeling totally refreshed...and alive. I showered and got my things together, and dressed casually for my early flight. I hugged Emmett and Rosalie goodbye, thanked them, and told them I'd see them soon.
Demetri met me in the lobby of the building.
So did two photographers.
Paparazzi.
"What?" I whispered aloud.
Demetri put his arm around me and told the men who were snapping pictures to "back off." I just kind of stared at them dumbfounded.
"Is is always like that for the Cullens? People waiting for them to come out?" I asked as he slid into the driver's seat of the big black Escalade.
He laughed. "Bella, they were probably waiting for you, and you're lucky there were only two. You're Edward Cullen's girlfriend now. Be prepared to be followed."
How encouraging. My picture in the local paper again was something I did not want to see.
Demetri drove me to the airport and thanked me profusely for not spilling his little secret about Jessica. When he dropped me off on the tarmac, I told him to enjoy his vacation and that I'd see him in New York.
The plane looked like any other private plane from the outside. I was a bit relieved not to be flying commercial, you know, with the paranoia about being followed I was starting to have.
When I reached the bottom of the plane, a middle aged woman helped me drag my bags up the stairs and into the cabin.
Woah.
I had never seen the inside of a plane like this.
There were six leather seats, four of them connected with a wood grain table in the middle, and the other two off to the side and face a large flat screen TV. There was plush carpeting and a basket of fresh fruit on the table. This, I think I can get used to.
"Miss Swan, can I get you a refreshment before we take off? We have bottled water, soda, and a fully stocked bar if you..."
"Water's fine. Thank you."
"I'm Mrs. Cope, if you need me, by the way. I'll be right back with that water." Mrs. Cope? No first name?
"Oh, um, thank you Mrs. Cope."
She returned in a flash with a cold bottle of water and a bag and envelope.
"Please fasten your seat belt, we'll be taking off shortly. The emergency exits are here, and here. Your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device. Please wait until we get the 'all clear' before you use your electronic devices. And there are movies, books and magazines in that chest under the TV. Well, you know the drill, don't you dear?"
"Yes, thanks," I said and smiled at her.
"Oh, these are some things I was told to give you by Mr. Cullen and Miss Alice," she said and handed me the envelope and the bag.
"Thanks."
"I'll be just inside here if you need me. The extension is 9," she said and pointed to the phone on the wall. I guess there was even more plane than I thought.
I shrugged and opened the large black bag and looked inside. There was a note from Alice sitting on top.
Bella!
I rolled my eyes and threw the paper down. Fine. I'll give in just to make her happy. I looked in the bag which contained a really cute black top, some skinny jeans, and the most beautiful pair of black Christian Louboutin shoes that I'd ever seen. Beats my department store pumps, that's for sure.
You're about to be a New Yorker! Exciting, huh? Because I know you, you'll be dressed down. That's no way to arrive in NYC. So in this bag you will find:
1. a pair of designer sunglasses
2. a nice top I picked out myself, just for you.
3. a nice fitting pair of jeans (because I know you're sitting there in your old nasty ones)
4. some Louboutins, because I know you're wearing sneakers or something ( and don't bitch because they're expensive, ok? It's a gift.)
Now go change into these before you land. Trust me on this. I'll see you at the airport.
Alice
PS. Put on some makeup too, k?
I was curious about the envelope Mrs. Cope had given me.
Miss Isabella Marie Swan was scrawled on the front in Edward's writing. There was something in it that was small, but made the envelope just a bit misshapen. I pulled the note out first.
Bella,
I am so happy that you've agreed to join me in New York. I hate being without you, baby, even for a second. I may not be able to be there right when you get there, so here is the key to our apartment. You already have the key to my heart.
Love you.
Edward
I smiled and clutched the piece of paper in my hand and pulled out the small unassuming key and put it in my purse for safekeeping.
I rummaged through a cabinet and picked out a few movies to tide me over while I flew . After the third movie was almost over, Mrs. Cope emerged and told me we would be landing at La Guardia in approximately thirty minutes.
Remembering Alice was to meet me in the airport, I snatched her goodie bag I went into the bathroom. I quickly undressed and changed my shoes. I whipped out my makeup bag and swiped some mascara and lip gloss on, and put a little product in my hair. Maybe she wanted me to go to work right away. But the day's almost over, I told myself. I looked at the sunglasses and threw them into my purse, remembering it was supposed to be overcast with a slight chance of rain in New York. I wouldn't need those.
When I was ready, I sat at the window of the plane and watched like a child as the city came into view.
My jaw dropped as I took in the expanse of it all.
I was moving to the largest city in the US and it looked absolutely monstrous from up here.
As we descended onto the runway, I couldn't figure out of the butterflies in my stomach were from the plane or from the fact that I was just plain nervous. When I got my shit together, thanked Mrs. Cope and the pilot and made it through the private gate, I saw Alice's smiling face and open arms.
"Bella! You made it!" she said and squealed as we hugged each other and jumped up and down like a pair of giggly teenagers.
"Let's go! I can't wait to see New York!" I said and tried to lead her by the hand. She pulled her hand out of mine and sighed.
"Where are your sunglasses?"
"What?"
"Didn't you get them? I swear to god if that Mrs. Cope..."
"What? No. No, no, no. I have them in my purse," I said and looked around.
My bags were gone.
"Where the hell-"
"Oh, right. Sorry guys," Alice apologized.
I turned to my right and saw a woman with sharp features who was petite and blonde holding out my purse, while another man who looked almost identical to her but very tall carried my luggage. The small woman had on a grey pencil skirt and a powder blue button up top, with high heeled stilettos and a sleek bun. The man was dressed in the usual "Cullen Employee" attire, black suit, black shirt, and black tie. He held my bags like it was nothing.
"Bella, this is Alec and Jane."
"Hi, Alec and Jane."
"Hello Miss Swan," they answered in monotone unison. Creepy.
"Uh...just Bella."
"Jane's my assistant who is this close to being fired, and Alec is our driver today for all intents and purposes. Jane can't handle it, apparently."
"Alice, please don't insult my driving skills," Jane replied dismissively.
"Jane, you're lucky I don't turn you in to the police for that little stunt you pulled earlier, and very lucky if I ever let you behind the wheel of a car again."
"Yes, Miss Cullen," she replied sarcastically.
"She's got a mouth on her," Alice replied and giggled," now put on the damn sunglasses, Bella."
I slipped the large shades on and followed behind Alice down to the end of the long corridor. She slipped her arm through mine and whispered something in my ear.
"Ready?"
"Ready for what?"
What seemed like a million flashes went off as we rounded the corner. Then people started yelling.
"Isabella! Isabella! Over here!"
"Isabella, look here!"
"Isabella, how are you? You look gorgeous!"
There were probably ten people with expensive cameras taking our picture. Holy shit! I tried not to panic as I walked forward, a bit disoriented from all the flashes.
"What the fuck!" I whispered sharply to Alice as she led me along.
"Calm down, Bella. Just keep walking and act like they aren't there."
The clothes and the sunglasses all made sense now. Alice had known this was going to happen. How could someone be photographed twice in a day?
When I got my bearings, I noticed along with Jane and Alec, there were also two men that had "Security" jackets on keeping the photographers from getting too close to us. I put my head down and kept walking until we reached the doors that led to the outside where a big black SUV was parked on the curb in an underground garage.
Alec threw our bags in and the men made sure we got into the car safely. The photographers were still snapping our picture as we pulled away.
"Welcome to New York!" Alice said as she turned to me in the back seat.
"What the hell was that, Alice?" I screeched.
"Oh, just some paparazzi. Don't worry about them. It happens."
"But you knew!"
"Of course I knew. Oh, and I saw the pictures from this morning when you left Rose's. No offense but you looked like a bum. So yeah, I knew they'd be waiting." How the hell?
" That was insane hearing those people yelling my name like that."
"Hmmm. Well now that your here you better get used to it. People are very interested in you, Bella. Edward hasn't had a significant other in...er...well since, you know."
Yeah, I know.
"So..am I like going to be in magazines and smut rags now?"
"Um. You already have been. You guys have been making headline for the past week. Are you like cut off from the rest of the world or something?"
I did nothing but raised my eyebrow at her.
"Sorry. I thought you knew," Alice said and looked down at her lap.
I huffed and turned to look out the window. Row after row after row of buildings flew by as we drove along.
People walked on the street and the sidewalk passing each other without another look, talking on cell phones and reading papers, smoking cigarettes, walking their dogs, laughing, snapping pictures, drinking coffee.
I began to feel excitement replace my apprehension as the city moved around me.
"Where are we headed?" I asked almost bouncing in my seat.
"Well, I'm dropping you off at Edward's. He said he'd be home as soon as he could, but he wanted me to make sure you got settled in...oh lookie, we're here."
I got out of the car and looked up at the huge highrise building. Amazing.
"Bring her things up will you, Alec? Jane, don't you dare move a muscle. I'll be right back."
"Yes, Alice."
She led me through one of the revolving doors into a lobby that looked like it was carved out of stone. We walked up to a large desk and she introduced me to the concierge, Paul.
"Alice, so good to see you again. And such a pleasure to meet you, Bella. I've heard such nice things from Edward."
"Nice to meet you Paul." Wow, he talks about me to the concierge?
"If you need anything, anything at all, just call down and we'll be happy to help."
"Thanks."
We went past the desk down a short hallway where a singular elevator door awaited us. I noticed the other elevators were just to the side of the concierge desk.
"Is this a private elevator?" I asked
"Yes, and it only goes one place. Get your key and turn it like this."
I fished the key out of my bag and turned it in the hole in the elevator. Then we began to go up.
"Well I'm just going to go out on a limb here and assume you own this building," I said and nudged her in the side.
"Um, no. My father owns it."
"Same difference."
She rolled her eyes, and after the short ride, we arrived at our destination. The doors opened, and we stepped into a large modern foyer.
The foyer led into a large modern living area surrounded my floor to ceiling glass with a breathtaking view. It had two long cream colored couches, a large square coffee table, with a vary large fireplace and television above it. To the right was the kitchen with a huge island and a long modern dining table for eight.
"Here we are. Casa de Edward Cullen. Where every woman dreams she can live."
"Shut up, Alice. Holy Moses, is this real? The view from up here is incredible." I rushed over to the large wall of windows and stared.
"...is that...Central Park?"
"Yes."
"Wow."
"Glad you like. It's way better than his last place."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, his last place was absolutely enormous. And cold."
"Maybe because there was a cold bitch living in it. What was it like?"
Alice laughed, " It just wasn't him. Persian rugs, chandeliers, the most expensive fancy furniture and finishes. He hated it. It reminded him of living at mom and dad's. When he asked me to decorate his new place, I dragged his ass all over town to make sure he got what he wanted."
" I really really love this room."
"Well let me show you the bedroom then."
Alice led me through the kitchen down a dark hall. There was a king sized bed with a modern iron frame and two end tables that had lamps on them with round shades. She showed me Edward's closet, and my own walk-in closet. I had to remember to thank Edward profusely later.
She led me to the master bathroom and explained how she had to import all the fixtures and tiles from Europe. She continued to tour me around the apartment, showing me the empty guest loft, an office, and last but not least, the large balcony.
Edward's apartment was so much more homey and so much less intimidating than I thought it would be.
I felt so much more at ease in this more modest space. I was imagining myself cooking and just hanging around with him on the couch when Alice interrupted my thoughts.
"...and we sold a unit like this one for nine-and-a-half million. I mean, the people got it for a steal!"
"Nine-and-a-half-million?" Scratch modest. Holy hell.
"Yep. Their broker was a real bitch, too."
Alice explained that if I moved to New York paying what I paid for my place in Seattle, that I would be living in a small one room apartment with the shower and toilet next to the stove. Huh.
"...oh, and don't think for a minute you aren't starting work tomorrow, missy. I have your desk set up and everything. But come in when you're ready though, I know jet lag can be a bitch." I loved how Alice could be totally bossy yet sweet at the same time. She programmed Alec's number into my phone and informed me that he would pick me up when I called.
Alec then brought my things and left with Alice who quickly informed me that I wasn't allowed to leave until Edward got home. Which wouldn't be for a couple of hours. Apparently he wanted to show me around the neighborhood himself and didn't want me wandering the streets on my own. Great. I see overprotective Edward is still enforcing rules.
I took the opportunity to unpack all of my things in my own personal closet, and take a nice long shower and change into some of Edward's sweats that I found in his closet. Bored and hungry, I went rummaging through the kitchen, opening cabinets and a refidgerator that was totally bare. Practice what you preach, Cullen.
Since I wasn't going to leave for food on the off chance that I would miss Edward, nor was I in any way dressed for it, I thought back to the concierge, Paul. I picked up the phone off the cradle in Edward's kitchen and dialed down to the front desk. Within thirty minutes I had enough ingredients to whip up a simple dinner of pasta with shrimp and a garden salad. I put on one of Edward's records on and poured myself a glass of wine while I learned my way around the kitchen. When I was finished cooking, I set the table with cloth napkins and nice silverware and lit a candle.
I was sprinkling some fresh parsley over the large bowl of pasta when I felt someone pinch my sides.
"Ahhh! Fuck!" I yelled and jumped while two strong arms caught me from behind and pressed me up against a hard, warm, familiar chest. He pushed my hair aside and gave me sweet peck just below my earlobe.
"I've been standing in the shadows watching you for the longest time and I just couldn't help myself any more."
I snaked my hand into his hair and pulled his lips back to my neck.
"You have to stop sneaking up on me, Edward. And watching me from the shadows is creepy."
"You just look so...you look like you belong here. I just didn't expect to see you in my clothes cooking dinner when I came through the door. This is such a pleasant surprise."
I turned around on his arms and kissed him fully on the lips. "Well I'm glad you like it."
"Welcome home, baby."
Ahhh. I had to split, once again, because it got too long...See you soon ladies...