Happy Sunday everyone, I hope you had a good weekend. Here's chapter 24 for you, thank you all for the support, I hope you'll enjoy it.
I don't know how it works in the USA universities with scholarships and everything, so I totally made up what you'll read. But I thought it was logical.
Oh, and the restaurant and Starbucks mentioned? They're real. I made some research while writing the story :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 24
BPOV
Rose calls during the weekend, informing me she will arrive in Seattle on Friday. She seems happier. I bet it has something to do with coming to spend time with us, especially Emmett.
When Edward tells Emmett the news over the phone, I can hear Emmett at the other end of the line whooping and starting to freak out. I can't help but laugh. He always manages to surprise me. He looks scary, but he's such a teddy bear at heart, it's such a dichotomy. And the love and devotion he shows for Rose… he's amazing.
Not that I'm saying Edward's not amazing, it's quite the opposite. They both have their own way. Rose and I both are lucky.
Given the circumstances and the fact that Edward works pretty much all week, I decided to head back to Seattle with him on Sunday. Charlie frowns at this at first, since I'll be alone with Edward, unsupervised, for at least a week. But I finally convince him that I won't be spending all of my time with Edward. I tell him Rosalie's coming to Seattle for a while and that we're going to spend time together.
"Dad, come on. We're trying to convince Rose to move to Seattle. She's not happy with her family. She said herself that it was as if she wasn't even there." I know appealing to his emotional side is dirty pool but he has to understand her plight. "Her parents aren't taking care of her, at all, and besides I won't be spending all of my time with Edward, I told you that. He's going to be working or at school most of the time anyway. I'll show Rose around Seattle, Alice will even join us when she's not busy with school stuff."
I can see he's still hesitant about this, but I can see it slip away slowly.
"Chief Swan, you know I wouldn't force her to do anything she doesn't want to do." Edward adds, for the sake of it. If only to shred the last bit of doubt lingering. Charlie does know that, and I know he trusts Edward with my life. But he wouldn't be my dad if he weren't doubtful.
"Alright." Charlie finally conceded. "But, I want you to call every few days, even if it's just to say 'hi'. Just so I know you're safe and that everything's going well."
I can understand where this is coming from. I was missing for 2 years, and he doesn't want me to disappear again. I guess that fear won't ever really go away, and I can't exactly blame him.
We leave shortly after Charlie gives us his last instructions. We make a stop by the Cullen house before heading for Seattle. We get into Seattle later after all of our stops, so we grab some take out before going to the apartment to eat. We find Emmett and Jasper playing some video game, and Alice sitting on the side, pouting.
"What's going on here?" I ask as I make my way to Edward's bed… well, our bedroom. I hear Alice follow me.
"Jasper and I were supposed to go out for dinner 2 hours ago. He's been playing that stupid video game all day." Her voice grates on my ears like nails on a chalk board.
"Again? Alice, you need to use something other than your whining on him." I scold her.
"Excuse me?" Oops, she feels insulted.
"I don't mean to insult you. I just mean… use your charm on him or something. There must be something that you know has an instant effect on him." I hope my quick thinking has gotten me out of the dog house with Alice.
She thinks it over, and her face lights up when she comes up with something. Without a word, she walks out of the room. The first thing I know when I follow her out, Jasper is following her out the front door like a puppy. I can't help but giggle as I pull the food out of the bags.
The game suddenly pauses and Emmett looks up.
"Do I smell food?" He asks, sniffing the air.
"Yes, but there's nothing for you." I reply. "Where's Edward?"
"Bathroom." He says before resuming his game. He knows not to bug me about food when I say there's nothing for him. Edward reappears shortly after, circling my waist with his arms.
"Hungry?" He asks before kissing my temple.
"I'm starving." I feel more than hear his chuckle.
"Alright, let's eat." Graceful hands grab the boxes before he makes his way to the dining table. I smile, grab utensils, and follow him.
The next few days are quiet. While Edward's either in school or at work, I stay at the apartment or spend some time with Alice. I also keep my promise to Charlie and call every few days to check in.
Despite her exuberant, exhausting personality, Alice's an amazing friend. I know I can trust her, I can confide in her. I hope Rose will see that as well. Rose going back to her family seemed like a good idea at first, but now… I realize it was a mistake.
I know it's not really my fault, but I can't stop myself from feeling guilty. I can't help but think that maybe I should have insisted that Rose stays here with us. However, her parents sounded so relieved and happy when she talked to them the day after we were pulled out of our situation. What happened? How can parents be so cold? Weren't they worried? Weren't they scared?
These thoughts run around in my head all week. I can't even shake them off when I'm at the airport with Edward and Emmett that Friday night, waiting for Rose's plane to arrive. Edward seems to notice there's something off with me.
"Are you alright?" He asks as we're waiting by the baggage carousels.
"Yeah, I'm just a bit nervous." I reply without looking at him. He grabs my chin and lifts up my face so I look him in the eyes.
"Are you sure?"
I purse my lips, not sure how to respond.
"Can I talk to you about it later?" I concede. He searches my eyes for a moment.
"Okay."
It's about 20 minutes and two runs for food for Emmett later that Rose finally appears. At first, I don't even recognize her because she doesn't look herself. She looks almost worse than she did when we were at Phil's. Her hair's lifeless and a sick shade of dull blonde, she has black circles under her eyes as if she hasn't slept in weeks, and her baggy clothes seem too large on her.
When she sees us, she slows down her walk for a moment, before she picks up again, and practically runs her last few steps before throwing herself into Emmett's awaiting arms. I hear her start to cry.
"Let's give them a moment." I tell Edward. He nods and we step back a little.
It is when the carousel starts to run that Rose finally calms down. When I see her pick her head up from Emmett's shoulder and wipe at her eyes, I grab Edward's hand and take a few steps in their direction. She notices me from the corner of her eye and turns to me with a sheepish smile.
"Sorry," she says quietly. I give her what I hope to be a reassuring smile.
"It's okay. Are you feeling better?" She nods. It's no use asking more questions, I know she doesn't feel up to it. "Great."
"Hi Rose." Edward says warmly.
"Hey, Edward." She responds with a shy smile.
We're all silent for a moment.
"Which bag is yours?" Emmett finally asks.
"It's the purple one over there." She points to the left. Emmett grabs the bag when he can reach it, then we make our way out of the airport. Edward loads the bag in the back of Emmett's jeep then we make our way back to the apartment. We're all silent during the ride. Rosalie's leaning against Emmett's chest in the back of the jeep.
I watch the city run by, thinking of my friend in the back. I hope we can help her and convince her to stay here in Seattle with us. I think that's what would be best for her.
When we arrive back at the apartment, Rose doesn't say much apart from expressing her desire to sleep. We all understand, and Emmett leads her to his bedroom. We don't see them again for the next 24 hours.
On Sunday, I'm lounging around in bed waiting for Edward to wake up when I hear voices in the kitchen. I decide to get out of bed and join whoever's out there. When I open the door, Jasper and Rose are hugging.
"Everything okay here?" I ask as I approach them.
"Yeah." Rose says with a small smile. I smile back at her.
"If you girls will excuse me, I have to go to work. It's good to see you, Rose." Jasper says before walking to his room.
"You too, Jas." She replies before looking down at her hands. "Sorry about yesterday." She suddenly says without looking up.
"Sorry about what?" I ask, confused.
"Well, Emmett and I… we didn't make an appearance yesterday."
"Rose, it's okay, really. I was expecting as much. You needed to sleep, and you needed time with Emmett. There's nothing wrong with that." She hugs me.
"Thanks, Bella. It's good to be here." I hug her back.
"It's good to have you here." I reply as I let go of her.
Rose, Alice and I spend time together later that afternoon. When I call Alice to make plans, she wants to take Rose shopping, but when I relay the idea to Rose, I see the distress on her face, and quickly decline. Alice's disappointed at first, but she quickly understands that Rose's not in the frame of mind for that yet. We agree to meet for coffee at my favourite coffee shop. While we're there, I see Rose slowly opening herself up again. Alice does her best to bring her up to date with the latest gossip, but Rose quickly dismisses her, saying she's been gone for too long to keep up. She then has the fabulous idea to ask Alice about what she studies in school, so the topic of gossip is quickly dropped. I can see they will make great friends. Alice stays for dinner that night, and we have loads of fun. We make plans to meet all again in a few days, and this time we plan to include Angela and Ben.
During the week, while the guys are either working or at school, I take Rose around the city. I show her my favourite spots. Alice sometimes joins us as well, and she finally convinces Rose to a shopping spree. I skillfully step out of that one, saying I have a meeting at UW, which is a half-truth. I don't exactly have an appointment there, but I do have to go as I want to re-enroll.
So that morning, when Rose leaves with Alice for the mall, I leave with Edward to go to campus. He shows me to the administrative office, and then quickly leaves for his class with the promise to text him when I'm done.
Once inside, I'm a bit apprehensive, but everything goes well in the end. The lady at the desk is horrified by my story and says that she understands, but unfortunately, they didn't hold onto my scholarship since I never confirmed I would be attending, so I have to go through the process all over again. I fill out all of the necessary paperwork. After signing the last form, she informs me of the delays before expressing how glad she was that I was able to escape. I thank her, for both her help and her kind words, and leave. When I'm outside the building, I sit down on a nearby bench and pull out my phone to text Edward.
I'm all done. Where are you? –Bella xxx
It's a few minutes before his reply.
Still in class. Will be done soon. Where are you? –Edward xxx
Outside the admin building. –Bella xxx
I'll meet you there. –Edward xxx
I put my phone away, grab my book from my purse and start to read. I have time to read a few chapters before Edward finally shows up. He sits down beside me on the bench.
"Hey love," he says before kissing my lips lightly. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. I have to go through the process all over again. They didn't hold onto my scholarship since I never confirmed I would be attending. Which is logical, when you think about it." I'm trying to keep a positive attitude and see their side of things.
"Sorry about that, love. But I'm sure you'll be in. I honestly don't see why they wouldn't accept you." His sweet words never fail to encourage me, I give him a smile.
"Thanks."
"No problem." He replies with a wink. I giggle.
"Are you done for today?"
"Unfortunately not, I have a lab in an hour with Angela. We agreed to meet at the cafeteria. You want to grab a bite with me there?"
"Sure."
"Let's go, then." He stands up and offers his hand. I quickly put my book back in my purse before I grab his outstretched hand and we make our way to the cafeteria. There, we find Angela and Ben already sitting at a table. I sit with them while Edward is going to get us something to eat. We chat for a while, until my phone dings, announcing an incoming text. I look it up and find it's from Alice, asking where I am. I tell her and she says she and Rose are on their way. Not long after that, Jasper and Emmett join us. After Angela and Ben agree to meet us all for dinner the next day, Edward announces he and Angela have to leave.
"Yeah, right. They're gonna play doctor," Emmett says before he starts to laugh, but soon stops because Rosalie slaps him on the back of the head. "Ow! Rosie!"
Edward just rolls his eyes at Emmett's comment, used to it, and turns back to me, kissing me softly before he leaves.
"I'll see you later, love." I nod and he and Angela make their way out.
"Get to class, you idiot," Rosalie tells Emmett. "We'll see you guys later," she says to the others before Alice, Rose and I walk out of the cafeteria, and Alice drives us back to the apartment.
The next day, we all meet at Aoki Japanese Grill & Sushi bar, a place Alice highly recommended. The guys whined about it for a while, wanting to eat some steak, but Alice assured them they would find something to their liking.
The place is small, but the atmosphere and food are great. The owners know Alice by name, so we get impeccable service. I'm happy to be hanging out with friends like this, to hang out with Angela again. Her and Ben are so cute together, I'm so happy she finally got the nerve to reveal her feelings to him. Rose is enjoying herself. She's been doing a lot better since she arrived here. She's laughing more, more relaxed and easygoing. I can see the Rosalie that showed up from time to time when we were captives: a playful and smiling Rosalie, always ready to have fun, and always ready to listen when I had a bad day. She has her place among us, and by Emmett's side. I can only hope she'll realize that.
After dinner is finished as we're slowly making our way out of the quaint restaurant, Edward's phone rings.
"Hello? Oh, hey Leah, what's up? … Really? …Sure, where? … We're on Broadway, there's a Starbucks not too far from here, on East Olive; can you meet us there? … Great, see you soon." He hangs up and puts his phone back into his pocket before looking at me. "The investigation's over."
I gasp, and immediately look at Rose. She has a hand on her mouth, and Emmett is holding her close to him, as if he were afraid she'd pass out or something. I feel Edward's arms circle me in a similar way, and I put my head on his chest for a moment, absorbing the news. It feels like the wind is knocked out of me for a second, then I feel desperation and fear. The same fear I used to feel when I was Phil's prisoner. I'm pulled back into those memories, experiencing the pain and despair again.
It's a moment before I realize I'm crying and shaking in Edward's arms, who's trying desperately to make me calm down. I look up at him, but I can't hear him. I can't hear anything. Fear is flooding me, making me blind to everything else. Edward is looking frantic, but it doesn't really register with me, because the fear is too strong. I can't fight it.
Thoughts? Please review :)