Everyone seems to want Edward to jump on a plane to England.
You will see him begin to bring the woo in this chapter. Don't let
his lack of flight dissuade you .

I have to make a statement in light of the many people who seem
to feel that Bella's behavior was so inexcusable…
YES, Bella is a surgeon, and maybe she needs to develop a tougher
'skin,' but she is dedicated to her profession and her patients.
Losing one was devastating to her and if my readers have come to
know the Edward I am writing at all, they should know … beyond
a shadow of a doubt, that he will understand.

Also, to the 'Guest' who felt that this story is "not relatable and real.
The characters are so immature (not iNmmature)… Edward cries
because he was a man w****?! Really."
Yes, REALLY. You are more than welcome to find another story to
read. There are literally THOUSANDS of them out there that will be
more relevant to your point of view.

Sorry all, I was really frustrated last night. I hope those of you who
continue to identify at all with this story will continue to read and
hopefully enjoy.

Fran, thank you for your assistance with editing, as well as talking
me down a bit last evening! *puffy hearts*

-LWTC-

Chapter 19

"Edward, dude," Emmett slapped him on the back with a bit too much of his brute strength, "would you stop second guessing yourself? I mean, seriously … if she doesn't swoon and turn to jelly over this, she's so not worth it."

With a fury his family had never seen before, Edward spun towards his brother-in-law, his eyes were blazing as he shoved him against the wall. Bella brought out the best in Edward, but this time—it appeared—his instinct toward protecting her had brought out something darker than Emmett had seen in him before.

"You don't get to say that about her," Edward spat through his clenched teeth. "She is just grieving the loss of her patient right now. She is worth it." Edward eased up, the sudden flare of his temper abated and he felt somewhat badly for having manhandled his best friend. His typically gentle nature balked at his behavior. "I'm sorry, Em."

Emmett shook his head and waved him off easily with a grin. "Nah, Bro, it's cool. I've roughed a few people up in my day. 'Sides, I was outta line anyways. No harm, no foul, man."

The rest of the family, who has been sitting in stunned silence after bearing witness to Edward's outburst, began to murmur agreement and encouragement to Edward once again over his plans.

"So, what did you manage to arrange for today?" Carlisle asked. "Weren't the stores closed?"

"I got lucky, Dad," the excitement returned to Edward's eyes as he explained, "Walgreens is called Boots over there, or Alliance Boots. See, there was this merger back in-"

"Edward, I don't need an analysis of a merger," Carlisle chuckled at his son's proclivity to get caught up in a tangent. "So, Walgreens is Boots, go." He waved his arm forward, as if ushering his son forward—into the conversation.

"So, I Googled it, and found that there is a Boots not too far from where Katy lives. I called them, and asked to speak with a manager … long story short, I spoke to the store manager who was there to oversee a month-end inventory audit. I explained what happened, and begged his help. This guy, Seth, just got married last month, and is really excited to help me out any way he can.

So, every evening, I will email him a copy of the letter for the item of the day, and he'll stick in a suitable card, and have his assistant deliver it by nine am. For the next two weeks, he says his assistant is at my beck and call. Since the audit he was working on was the end of the fiscal year, his schedule is clear."

"And today's gift is …" Esme prompted.

-LWTC-

"I have a delivery for a Dr. Swan?"

"That would be me," Bella was puzzled as to why a delivery was being made to her at Katy's house. Her office didn't even know where she was staying; only that she was currently taking two weeks of personal time.

"Please sign here."

"Do you know who ordered this?" Bella asked as she signed the slip of paper thrust at her. She returned the clipboard, and was handed a very large gift bag and a card.

"No ma'am. My boss says deliver this to so-and-so, and that's what I do."

"And just who is your boss?" Bella asked warily as she looked the man over. He didn't appear to her to be a deliveryman. He was dressed in a nice suit, not a uniform.

"Seth Clearwater, ma'am," he answered politely.

"And who, pray-tell is Seth Clearwater?"

"My boss," the man said with a cheeky smirk on his face, "you have a good day now, Dr. Swan. I'll be seeing you." He tossed out the last sentence over his shoulder as he walked briskly back to the Lexus that was still idling, and drove away.

Bella brought the bag into the living room and opened it carefully. Inside, she found a bottle of Bartenura Moscato, a hardback copy of Jane Eyre, a box of tissues, and a blanket inside a plastic, zippered bag. She sat the gifts aside and turned to the card. She opened the simple card that had a picture of a bouquet of pink, calla lilies. There was a sheet of paper folded and tucked into the card, but no signature on the card itself. Curiosity peaked, she unfolded the paper.

What she read brought tears to her eyes.

My Dearest Isabella,
I was saddened to hear about the death of your patient. I know
you well enough by now to know that you are taking the weight
of the responsibility on your own shoulders. I wish you would not,
but I know that nothing I say—or anyone else for that matter—
will change this inevitability.
I do, wish that you would answer my texts at the very least, but I
understand your need to take some time. These gifts are about
exactly that. Please, use them today as an escape. Wrap yourself
in the warmth of this blanket, sip on some fine wine, and let Bronte
take you away to another place and time. The tissues, I believe,
are self-explanatory.
When you are wrapped in the blanket, imagine if you would, that
my arms are wrapped around you, lending you strength and
comfort.
It is my understanding that you have arranged to remain where
you are for the next two weeks. I must admit that I am saddened
that I will not have the pleasure of accompanying you to the Gala
as planned. I was looking forward to holding you in my arms as
we danced, and to showing you off in your finery … as my date.
That said; I don't begrudge you this time. Take care of yourself,
and know that you will be on my mind; and in both my thoughts
and prayers every day.

Unrepentantly yours,
Edward

Bella read the letter several times. She was amazed, once again, at Edward's gentle and giving nature. She knew he had feelings for her … as deep and strong as her own for him. A part of her started kicking and condemning herself for the self-centeredness she displayed by not returning his texts. In truth, she was ashamed of herself for having ignored him. It was the cruelest display of selfishness on her part. He had admitted to being hurt by her lack of response, but the tone of the whole letter had been entirely blame-free.

She laid the letter down and opened the box of tissues to wipe at her eyes, and blow her nose. She was amazed to find that she had not drained her tear ducts dry. It seemed that all she had done yesterday was to sob like a baby. She cried over her patient, and bawled in shame with each text and voicemail that came from Edward. You should be stronger than this, she told herself.

Bella cleared her throat, and shook off the tears as well as she could, then reached for the blanket. She unzipped the bag, and reached inside to feel the velour fabric. It was a pretty shade of jade green, and as she began to pull it out, she noticed the scent wafting into the air. She buried her face into the rich, downy folds of the material and inhaled deeply. It smelled like her Edward. Hers, his letter had said. Her heart warmed at the thought. She might not feel that she deserved him, but she knew without a doubt that her lack of contact had hurt him, and felt utterly remorseful.

She made a decision in that moment. She would no longer hold him at arms' length. Even if she didn't feel like she was truly his equal, she had once told Alice that she would take whatever he offered her. He had just offered himself to her … unrepentantly.

From this moment on, Bella was all in. She picked up her phone and dialed, knowing that there would be an answer on the other end.

-LWTC-

How are we feeling NOW? I told you, Chocolateward gives
great woo! I do believe they are finally together in spite of
the distance, don't you? :D

*huggles*

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