Hey Friends!!! I Have some great news, Husband bought me a laptop for my late, late, late birthday slash Christmas present!! I am sure you are saying to yourself right about now "Miss Symphiann what does you getting an awesome laptop have to do with me?" Well I will tell you what. Me having a laptop means that I am able to work on my story at any given time, which means quicker updates for you!!!! So give a round for Husband, he's feeding my and your addiction!!
I also want to give a shout out to my beta Yuki Sakura-chan. She just started, but she is doing an awesome job!!
Just a reminder I put the links to their outfits on my profile. Check em out!!
Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Twilight or any of the lovely characters. They belong to the talented Stephenie Meyer. But I do own: All of the books, soundtracks to both movies, Team Edward t-shirt, Twilight the movie, and used ticket stubs to Twilight and New Moon.
Monday morning came with down pouring rain. I stood in the foyer of my building trying to talk myself into making a mad dash for my ancient truck. Seth, the doorman, kept giving me amused looks from his station. After a good five minutes of pep talks, I made a run for it. I was drenched by the time I hit my truck. Groaning, I sped to work, cursing my thoughtlessness of renting an apartment with outdoor parking. Thankfully my work has covered parking. I still managed to look like a drowned rat by the time I flopped down in my chair in my office. I was appreciative of the fact that I have no in person meetings today.
About two hours into my workday there was a knock at my door. I yelled for them to come in. My assistant Emily popped her head in.
"Miss. Swan you have a delivery at the front desk."
"Thank you Emily, do you know what it is?" I asked not looking up from my computer.
"It's a flower arrangement," she said.
I looked at her then and smiled. Riley.
"Okay, thank you I will be out in one minute to grab them."
I made my way out to the front area and spotted a large arrangement of calla lilies and freesia in a beautiful blue vase. He definitely had amazing taste. I grabbed the flowers and headed back into my office. I wanted to read his card in private. After depositing the flowers onto my desk, I started the hunt for the card, finally I found it tucked behind a lily. The writing on the outside was feminine and most likely a woman from the flower shop wrote it. I opened it up and slipped the tiny card out and much to my surprise the hand writing in there was very familiar.
Bella,
It was lovely seeing you the other night.
You looked beautiful. I will be seeing you soon.
I can't wait to finish our conversation.
If you want you can call me at
555-555-5555
Love, Edward Cullen
I dropped the card, like it was on fire. Edward. I was hoping that A. He forgot he ever came over, B. He was embarrassed by the whole thing or C. He fell of the face of the planet. Obviously I was not planning for D. He would still want to talk. Crap, crap, crap. I wonder if flowers and a note falls under Jake's "if he even breathes in your direction" clause. I am making the executive decision that it does not.
I was definitely ready for dinner with Alice tonight; I really need her opinion on this whole situation.
I actually beat Alice to the restaurant. This never happens. I was seated in a booth, in the back of the dimly lit room. I was having that weird feeling of someone watching me again but after a careful perusal of the place I didn't see anyone I knew or anyone paying attention to me. I shrugged it off, I am just being paranoid. I was on my second glass of wine when Alice finally graced me with her appearance.
"Sorry," she said as she gracefully folded herself into the bench across from me. "Traffic was horrendous."
"Shouldn't you have seen that happening?" I poked fun at her.
She just glared at me and ordered a glass of wine from the waiter. After we both ordered our dinners, she turned to me and said, "So tell me everything."
I proceeded to go into descriptive detail about everything. Riley and my date. Edward showing up at my place, I even included his change of demeanor. I told her about my upcoming date with Riley and I finished with the flowers.
"Wow," she said taking a gulp of her wine. "You have had a busy couple of days."
"That's all, no words of advice or your opinion on everything?" I asked shocked.
"That's coming, just give me a minute. I need to process it all," she said with a contemplative look on her face.
So we sat in silence for a few minutes, while Alice looked to be having an internal argument with herself. Finally she sighed. "Okay, I am beyond ecstatic that Riley and you are hitting it off. Does it surprise me? No. I always thought that you two would have chemistry. But I am pretty sure that it isn't the situation with Riley that you want my opinion on. So I will move on to Edward, I honestly don't know what to think. I mean deep down there was a part of me that always believed that Edward would return for you one day. A love like yours didn't come along every day. But after the years went by without even a call, I even began to wonder. So I guess I have to say it's up to you. Do you want to hear what he has to say? Can you live the rest of your life not knowing? That being said, I am going to slip into best friend mode here and say, Fuck him." I gasped, I think that has to be one of the only times I had heard Alice say the F word. "He didn't think about you or your feelings when he left, so why does he get the right to now? Plus what you have told me about his whole shift in behavior and the flower thing kind of freaks me out. I mean I don't think that he would hurt you or anything. But I don't trust him."
She sat back in her seat, indicating that she was finished.
"So you think that I should just avoid him then?" I asked sipping my wine.
"That's not what I said."
"Well then I am confused." I truly was.
"I said that it was basically up to you. If you can live your whole life with no answer then avoid him at all costs. If you can't then you need to hear him out," she explained, not really clearing things up for me.
"Then what about the whole "Fuck him" part?" I asked
"That was best friend Alice speaking, she said what you needed to hear, not necessarily what you need to do."
I give up; sometimes Alice was too cryptic for her own good. "Well I guess I need to think it through then." I said.
"Don't let other people we know influence your decision. If you decide to talk to him, then do it. Your brother and Jacob can't decide that for you. So don't let them go bullying you into staying away, if that's not what you want to do."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now did you have things to talk to your MOH about." I said, changing the subject.
Her face lit up, Alice loved talking about her and Jaspers upcoming nuptials.
"I think I want to have the wedding back in Forks at my grandparent's estate. They have that large ballroom and dining hall. It would look amazing all lit up with twinkle lights and shimmering tulle. They have about fifteen guest rooms in the main house and then they have the guest house with four more additional rooms. Plus they have the over the garage apartment they built for my Dad when he was in his twenties. I figure there should be enough room for everyone in the bridal party to stay on sight." She stopped to take a needed breathe of air
"That sounds nice." I butted in before she could start again. "I told the office that I would need the third week in June off. When are we all going to try on dresses?"
"I was hoping to get everyone together in about two weeks. I figure that would give the seamstress time to adjust anything that needs to be adjusted." she said thoughtfully. I knew what that face meant, she was making mental lists.
"So." she said with a glimmer of mischief in her eye. "Is Riley going to need one of those guest rooms, or is he going to be sharing with you."
I choked on my broccoli. "Um, I haven't really thought about it Alice, I mean we have only been on two dates. Isn't it a little premature to be planning on that?" I said after I dislodged the vegetable in my throat. Before she could say anything I heard a very shocked voice from my side.
"Bella." the feminine voice said.
I turned and was looking into the watery green eyes of none other than Esme Cullen.
"Esme." I gasped out. I stood up to give her an awkward hug.
"Sweetheart I thought that was you." She said into my hair. She pulled back, but kept hold of shoulders. "You look amazing."
"So do you." I said, she hadn't changed at all in the last four years.
"It's been to long. I have missed you so much." She sighed out, pulling me into another fierce hug. In another lifetime she was a second mother to me. I started to feel the guilt creeping in for cutting her and Carlisle out of my life when Edward left. It wasn't because I was mad at them, it just hurt to be around them. They reminded me to much of Edward and what might have been.
"I'm so sorry Esme, I should have called you or something." I mumbled out.
"No, don't go apologizing. You had your reasons." She finally realized that I wasn't dining alone. "Mary Alice, my darling girl, how are you?" She promptly let me go and pulled Alice into a tight hug.
"I'm doing great Esme. It's nice to see you," she chirped out.
"How is Jasper." Esme asked like there was no chance that they weren't still together after all these years.
"Oh he's wonderful, Bella and I are actually hear planning the wedding." she gushed out, holding up her left hand to show off her sparkling ring.
Esme made a big show of examining the diamond. Before anything else was said, Carlisle stepped around the booth, obviously looking for Esme.
"There you are darling, I was wondering where you disappeared…" he sentence trailed off as he realized I was standing there.
"Bella." he practically shouted as he scooped me up in his arms and trilled me around. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" He said once he deposited me back on the ground. "Oh and Alice, too." He gave her a quick hug.
"Well now I know what was keeping you." He looked lovingly at his wife.
"Yes, I was on my way to the ladies room, when I spotted this stunning brunette sitting here and the rest in history," she said reaching out and grabbing my hand.
"Well we are so glad to see you both." Carlisle exclaimed, but then looked nervously over his shoulder, like he just remembered something. He nudged Esme, confirming my thought.
"Oh yes, um." Esme stammered out awkwardly "Call me and we can make lunch plans to catch up on everything." They seemed in a hurry to get away from me know. What the heck.
"Okay, I can do that. I will call you soon." I said pulling her into another hug. Before I let go, a familiar velvety voice filled the air around me.
"Why if it isn't Bella and Alice." Edward said rounding the booth with Tanya in tow.
Now I know why they were acting so weird. They were having dinner with Edward and his supermodel.
"Hello Edward." Alice said coldly sitting back into her seat.
"Edward." I said calmly, following Alice's action and sitting back down.
The air around our group turned tense. "Edward, are you going to introduce me to your friends?" Came Tanya's nasally voice. Just as annoying as I remembered.
"Of course Tanya," he said. "This is Alice and Bella." His eyes lingering on me longer than necessary. Thankfully I looked decent today. I was wearing my black lace trimmed wool Valentino dress and open toed stilettos with little white bows.
"It's so nice to meet you Alice and Stella." She said, glaring at me. So original messing up my name. Esme threw her a pointed look and said calmly "Well we were just going, you girls call me soon for that lunch date." She then leaned down and hugged. She whispered into my ear "Don't let her get to you, she's not worth it." Obviously I wasn't the only one not impressed my Tanya.
When she had let go and stood back up I said "We'll make plans soon."
After a few more awkward goodbyes, the Cullen group, plus one disembarked. Edward suddenly stopped "You guys go on ahead without me. I will be there in a minute," shooing Tanya along with his parents. Once they were out of earshot, he leaned down over me and stated, "I hope you liked the flowers I sent you. I meant what I said in the card." He obviously didn't care that Alice was sitting right there.
I gave him a cold glare and stated, "Yes they look lovely in my garbage can."
Smirking he said "That's what I always loved about you, your spunk."
"So Edward," Alice interrupted us, "Don't you have a girlfriend that you could be sending those flowers to?"
He just smirked and started walking away. "I'll talk to you soon Bella."
"Don't count on it," I snapped back.
But he was already gone. Groaning, I dropped my head into my hands.
"Bella, Bella, Bella." Alice said "That boy has it bad."
"I don't know what you mean," I mumbled from my place on the table.
"You'll figure it out soon enough." she said coyly, dropping a tip on the table. "Let's go."
"I'm going to let your comment go, because honestly I don't have the energy to deal with both of you tonight," I said, grabbing up my purse and wool coat. I just wanted to go to bed.
Thankfully the rest of the week went without incident. By Friday, I was definitely ready for a fun night out with Riley. Alice came over on Thursday and picked out an outfit for me. I just let her, I knew better then to fight with her. I slipped on the pink strapless draped jersey dress and silver heels. I let my hair fall around my shoulders in soft curls. I pleased with what saw in the mirror. Just as I was stepping out of my bedroom I heard a knock on the door, glancing at the clock I saw that it was only six. Too early to be Riley.
Before I opened the door I stopped, remembering that I should check to see who it was.
"Who is it?" I called through the door.
"It's Edward." Ha! It does pay to listen to Emmett.
"What do you want?" I called back, not making an effort to open the door.
"Will you open the door please, Bella."
"I don't think so." I was going to hold my ground.
"Bella, I know that you are probably busy right now, but I need just a minute of your time. I would like to apologize for my recent behavior," He slightly begged.
"Fine!" I huffed out, I needed him gone before Riley got here. I knew that if I left him standing in the hallway, Riley and him would most likely have a face to face. I pulled the door open and was met with a very disheveled looking Edward. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair an even bigger mess than usual. His eyes popped open wide when he took in my appearance.
"Wow love, you look nice," he stated after a minute.
"Get on with it Edward, as you can tell I have plans tonight."
"Oh, so you're going out with white shirt guy again huh?" He said with no malice in his voice only a little sadness.
"If you must know, yes I am going out with Riley again," I said impatiently.
"Look, I'm sorry for my recent behavior. We have gotten off on the wrong foot and I would like to correct that," He stated, not breaking eye contact with the floor. "If you would be willing I would like to take you out to lunch and discuss everything."
The remorseful and gentlemanly Edward was back. I was beginning to think there was more to the story then what meets the eye.
"I don't think so Edward, I told you the other night how I feel. I really don't need to hear your excuses. What happened, happened. I've moved on and obviously so have you. If you need to purge to ease your guilt, then go see a priest. I am sure he can help you with that."
His head snapped up then and his eyes were blazing with some kind of emotion.
"You think I am here out of guilt?" He snapped.
"Of course."
"Guilt has very little to do with it," he started but before he could finish the elevator dinged and out walked a very nicely dressed Riley.
He took in the situation in front of him, Edward looking crazy and me clutching the door.
"Is everything alright here Bella?" He asked slowly, assessing the situation.
"Everything's fine. Edward was just leaving." I looked pointedly at Edward. Who of course did his own thing.
"You must be White shirt guy," he said mockingly.
"Um, It's Riley Carter," he said holding his hand out to Edward.
"Nice to meet you Riley, I am Edward Cullen." He said grasping his hand and shaking it.
"Well Bella, We should get going." Riley said after a minute of awkward silence.
"Of course, just let me grab my jacket." I slipped back into my apartment and grabbed my cream pea coat. I came back out to find Edward and Riley staring each other down. I locked my door and slipped my hand into Riley's
"I will see you later Edward," I said, ending their silent game.
"Of course you will." He smirked until he noticed our intertwined hands. Then his jaw teased and his eyes darkened. He stormed off towards the stairwell. I'm sure not wanting to endure the elevator ride with us.
"Do I even want to know what that was about?" Riley asked once we were in the elevator.
"Probably not," I answered. I was not ready for this awkward conversation.
"Well then, I will not ask about it, but maybe one day you'll feel like telling me," he said looking at down at me with imploring eyes. I was thankful that he didn't push it. I know that I would have to eventually tell him who that was and that he was sort of back in my life but not yet. I didn't want it to taint our nice evening. I knew Alice would call this my avoidance technique. But she wasn't here to call me out on it.
"So handsome, where are you taking me this evening?" I batted my eyelashes at him.
"That's a surprise, but before anything else I need to tell you that you look absolutely breathtaking," he said, his eyes raking over me causing a slight blush to spring forth.
"Well thank you. You also look very nice," I said taking in his Stark white shirt and black blazer. His long legs clad in a nice pair of black pants. The top button of his shirt was undone, showing off some of his smooth defined chest.
"I try," he joked. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips lightly on mine.
Pulling back he said "I'm sorry, I have been wanting to do that since I saw you upstairs."
"No need to apologize, I liked it," I hummed out, leaning gently into his side. The elevator deposited us on the ground floor, luckily Edward was nowhere in sight.
After a thirty minute ride we pulled up at a nice restaurant right in the harbor, The Verona Rose, I had never been there before but have heard amazing things about it.
"This place is suppose to be amazing," I said as helped me out of the car.
"That's what I have heard," he chuckled at my awestruck face.
"What, you've never been here, big shot lawyer man," I joked
"Nope, I'm a Verona Rose virgin."
"Well so am I." I laughed at our silly conversation.
"Whew, I'm glad to hear that. I was worried," he said laughing, too.
We made our way into the beautiful restaurant. It was elegantly decorated on the outside and as well in the inside. We were seated in a secluded area that looked to be made up for dates. We perused that menu together, telling each other what sounded good, and picking a nice wine. By the time the waiter had arrived, we had decided what we wanted.
"I'll take the New York Steak dinner," Riley ordered.
"And for the beautiful lady?" The waiter asked.
Riley just smiled at me, giving me the chance to order for myself. I could have just kissed him. Nothing bugs me more than a man who thinks he needs to do everything.
"I will take the Lobster Bisque." I told the waiter.
The waiter left after depositing our bottle of wine in a chilled bucket. We spent the rest of the dinner talking about anything and everything. After a very good dinner and lovely dessert, Riley asked if I would like to take a walk around the harbor.
The wind was very light as we made our way along the docks.
"It's funny," Riley said breaking the silence, "I feel like I have know you a lifetime."
"I know what you mean," I agreed. I knew exactly what he was talking about.
"I'm glad that you changed your mind about dating," he mused, "you are an amazing woman and I really like you." He turned his face away, looking out over the water.
"Well, I really like you to," I said.
"You do?" he snapped his head back towards me.
"What would make you think that I don't?" I asked genuinely confused.
"Okay, well this may sound stupid, but it was the guy at your apartment earlier; the way he looked at you. It was like you were the last woman on earth. I can't explain it really; I just got an uneasy feeling that's all," he said shuffling his feet.
"Oh." Crap, I guess it's now or never. "That was Edward. My ex-fiancée."
His eyes snapped up to me. "I thought you hadn't seen him in four years!"
"I hadn't, he just recently showed back up," I explained.
"Oh, so, I don't know how to ask this politely. Am I wasting my time here, are you guys getting back together?" He asked, grabbing my hand.
"No, not at all," answering both of his questions, "He just feels the need to explain himself."
"Your freezing, let's head back to the car. I have a feeling this is going to be a long conversation."
Once we were settled in his car, with the heater blowing full blast I turned to Riley.
"I have no intentions of being with Edward. I'm sure he also feels the same way. I think that he is just feeling immense guilt for leaving like he did all those years ago and now he needs to purge himself of it," I explained what I thought was going on.
"Bella the man I saw standing in your doorway wasn't there because of guilt, he looked a lot like the men I see on a daily basis, when they have done something so wrong and they will do anything to make it right. You may not see it, but he is still in love with you," he said with his eyes fixed on the steering wheel.
"Well there is nothing to fix. I have moved on with my life. Riley you have nothing to worry about. If I thought that Edward and I would have a chance at getting back together, I wouldn't be here with you right now." I knew that he honestly thought that Edward felt that way, but I didn't believe it. If Edward loved me he would have never left like he did. If he loved me, he would have at least given me some sort of explanation and not disappeared into the night.
"You don't know how happy I am to hear that. I like you Bella, and I would like to be a part of your life," he said grabbing my hand in his.
"Well you are," I stated leaning in and gently kissing him. Before I knew it we were in a deep make out session, tongues and hands everywhere. Reluctantly I pulled back, I wasn't ready for that step yet. Riley must have sensed my unease, "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to rush you into anything."
"No, I know that. I should tell you though, I do like you a lot but I am not ready for us to make that step yet," I said looking down at my lap in embarrassment. His fingers slid under my chin, lifting my face up.
"Please don't be embarrassed by that. Call me old fashioned but I think it's also too soon for that step."
Relieved I looked at him and smiled. I can't believe what a great guy I had found. But I would be lying, if I said Edward didn't have anything to do with me wanting to wait. In that moment I realized that the only way I can move on with Riley is letting Edward have his say.
"I guess I should get you home," Riley said breaking into my thoughts.
"Okay," I replied, squeezing his hand.
Once I was home and alone. I gathered up my courage and dug out Edwards flower card. I couldn't bring myself to throw any of it away, not matter what I told him. I slowly dialed his number. I really couldn't believe that I was doing this.
"Hello." His voice was professional. I'm guessing he didn't know my cell number.
"Edward," I said, "I think that when need to talk."
Dun, dun, dunnnnnn……So I am writing this quickly, because I am going into hiding. Lol. I know you all hate cliffies and I hate doing it to you. Well maybe I don't but don't fret my pets, I am working on chapter seven as you read this, unless it is an obscenely hour and then I am sleeping. Plus remember what I said about the laptop and quicker updates.
I also posted a new story called "The Other Twin" Please go check it out!! Don't worry it won't slow down my updating on this story. I have been working on both for awhile. So now review, if you do I promise you sweet dreams about Edward.