Edward
Settling into my new role and my new life on the East Coast hasn't been easy, but I haven't felt like I've been struggling either. Changing ranks and duty stations is always difficult, but this transition has been really smooth … on my end.
I feel somewhat guilty whenever Bella and I talk or FaceTime because I can see how much this has affected her. The difficulty she's facing figuring out her job situation, and now she's saying she wants to postpone her move out here.
We're on the phone with each other, on FaceTime, she's eating dinner, and I'm having a beer before bed. I've stopped trying to convince her that everything will work out because I can't promise that. I don't know if it will or not.
"What do you want to do then? Just wait?" I ask, setting down my bottle and looking into the screen.
Bella sighs and sets her plate aside. "I don't know. I'm just so frustrated. Jasper told me to buck up, and I'm trying because I get it. I have to be a strong partner; this is my first rodeo and I know that."
I heard the same version of the Outback story twice, and both accounts were the same. Bella was feeling sorry for herself, and Jasper let her have it. I was annoyed with Jasper at first, thinking he was too hard on Bella, but my girl is a trooper, and she owned up to her whining. That doesn't change the fact that she is struggling, and it's not fair.
"It's okay to be frustrated because it does suck. We can't change that. And you don't have to be the rock of our relationship right now. I'm still here; I haven't left yet."
Bella smiles and leans back in her chair. "I really love you. You know that, right?"
"I do, but I like hearing it." I laugh when she does, and I know that whatever we decide, we'll be just fine.
"Are you still coming for the reception?" She wants to change the subject, and I'm happy to help.
"Yes. I've already got my leave approved. I'll send you my flight info once I book." I listen as Bella talks about hanging out with the newlyweds, and I can't help but smile to myself.
The reception that Emmett and Rose are throwing is right after the new year. I told Bella that I wouldn't be able to take leave before then to come out for the holidays, but in truth, I'll be back in California just after Christmas.
"Edward?"
"What?"
Bella laughs. "Go to bed. I'll talk to you later."
"Love you."
**BoU**
"Babe, I've got to go. I have training all day. I'll text you when I can. I love you." I turn my phone off and slip it into my pocket as the flight attendants begin to close the overhead bins, and the plane begins to pull out from the jetway. I managed to book a nonstop early in the morning on a Friday.
By the time I get into San Diego, it'll be around noon, and I plan to surprise Bella at work. Alice and Rose are keeping tabs on her for me, and I've shelled out the Wi-Fi fee on the flight so I can get iMessages. According to the girls, she has a meeting all morning, so I might be able to hide out in her office and wait for her.
Getting an Uber at the airport is easy, and once I get dropped off at her building, it only takes a few minutes to get checked in with a visitor badge. I'm really glad I made nice with the receptionist. As I make my way down the hall to Bella's office with my carry-on bag in tow, I round the corner and almost run smack into Ben.
"Excuse me. I'm so sorry. Edward?" Ben smiles, and I can't help but like this guy. He's never been anything but kind and understanding.
"Ben, hi." I can feel my cheeks growing hot. I don't want to blow my mission.
"Bella said you weren't going to be here until later this week." He looks confused, and I can't blame him. I know he and Bella are friends, so it stands to reason that she would have told him when I was coming out.
"I'm trying to surprise her. Is she in her office?" I crane my neck around, trying to see if she's out on the floor.
Ben sighs. "She's actually in a meeting. It's running long. But, you should wait in her office because she's got a bunch of stuff with her, and she'll probably go right back there when they finally get out."
"Thanks, Ben." We shake hands, and Ben walks with me to her office.
"Do you want anything? Water? Coffee?" he asks as he lingers in the doorway.
"Do you think I have time to run to the restroom before she gets done?" I tried to freshen up a little at the airport, but I could do with brushing my teeth again.
"I think so. If you want, you can stash your bag in my office. I'm on the other side of the hall on the other end. That way if she beats you back, she won't see it." How is Ben so nice?
"I appreciate it, but maybe I'll leave it and let her freak out." Ben laughs as he walks out of the office with a wave.
I settle in on the small couch in Bella's office and dig out my phone charger to plug my phone in. I'm scrolling through Facebook for about twenty minutes when I hear her voice down the hall. In seconds, she's barreling inside the room, dropping her armful of folders onto her desk before she turns around and gasps loudly as her hand flies up to her throat.
"OH MY GOD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Doubling over, she's trying to catch her breath as I stand, waiting for her to get on the same page as me. I'm really here, and I know she needs a moment.
"Surprise?" I say with a slight laugh. Bella straightens up and immediately runs to me. I open my arms for her, pulling her to my chest.
"I thought— You said— How are you here?" She looks up at me, and before I answer, I lean down to sweep my lips across hers. Bella lets out a quiet sigh and melts into my arms as my lips move against hers. When I break away, she clings to me for a moment longer.
"I wanted to surprise you. I know things haven't been going well, and you've been frustrated, so I'm here." I shrug around her, and she smiles.
"I love you. And I'm ready to go home. My meeting didn't go well, and since you're here, you get to hear all about it." She rolls her eyes and pulls away to grab her bags. "Grab your stuff. Let's go home."
**BoU**
"The company got bought out, and it's being sold off, piece by piece? What does that mean for you?" Bella is changing out of her work clothes, and I'm unpacking my carry-on. She's been telling me about the last week of work but especially this morning since we walked out of her building.
"I'm probably not going to have a job regardless. So …" She slides into one of my old Navy shirts and turns to look at me. "We don't have to necessarily adjust the plan. I could still come out as planned."
Leaning on her mattress, I take a good look at her. She looks dejected, and I hate that. "Is that what you want?"
Bella sighs. "I don't know if you noticed when we came in, but half of the condo is already packed up, Edward. I can't have one foot in and one out. I need to just make a decision."
She flops facedown onto the bed, and I laugh to myself. Reaching out to rub her back, I remind her how much I love her. "I'm behind you, no matter what. If you want to come when we planned before I leave, I'm on board. But if you want to wait, try to figure out the job situation, or see what happens, I understand."
Her voice is muffled by the mattress, but I can hear her just fine. "What would you do?"
"Well, I don't have to make these kinds of choices, so I don't think that's fair to ask me." I want to be selfish and tell her to come with me when I have to be back in fifteen days. But that isn't fair of me, right?
She picks her head up to squint at me. "Fine. I'll be a grown-up and make decisions all by myself." Bella pokes her tongue out at me, and we both laugh.
"Fine. You do that and let me know. I'll go to Lido's and get us subs. What do you say?"
She all but pushes me out the door and tells me to bring home an antipasto salad as well. I have an ulterior motive for going to our old haunt for lunch. It's near where Rose and Emmett bought their house, and Emmett has something for me to pick up.
I call the restaurant from Bella's car to place my order, and then swing by Emmett's to pick up my prize. While my best friend isn't home, his spare key is just where he told me it would be. Making my way into his office, I pull open his right desk drawer to find the small velvet box. I flip the lid open, admiring in person for the first time my purchase.
A long time ago, Bella told me her favorite book was "The Secret Garden". When I started my search and I found this, I was so excited. It's simple but exquisite. The marquise-shaped diamond is set on top of a ring that has a winding vine-like design with smaller stones set on the side that look like leaves.
I snap it closed and scribble out a note for Emmett before locking up and stashing the key away where it belongs. I got to collect our lunch, and I'm back at Bella's condo all within thirty minutes. As Bella plates everything for us, I stow the ring and think about when the perfect time might arise. I have nothing planned, but I'll know if and when the right time presents itself.