You Didn't Have me At Hello
A/N Don't own it boo hoo hoo
Chapter 4
January 27th 2008
Bella POV
It's 5am. I haven't been able to sleep well all night. I understand why, but I needed to do something. Let me run. I haven't been able to run for 3 days and I need to feel that rush again. Once I got ready, I left a note on the table for mum and dad to see and I went off. It's a bit cold, but I love that - gives me more of incentive to get warmed up. I remember loving this city so much when I was young but I never imagined coming back. I don't know if I will really have a home here. My home is where mum and dad are. London isn't as complicated as the states are and if I ever get married, I would like to raise my family in London. There is much less drama over there for my children. I knew that in the states, it is who you know, what you wear and how you look that takes you somewhere.
I have to figure a way to go back home more often. I am going to miss my mum and dad a lot. I am going to see what schedule Carlisle will have for me once I start working. I need to find my apartment, purchase at least a bed and furnish later. I think I am going to have to think of getting another laptop. Mm, maybe today I can go get the new iMac. That would be a great incentive to go back to photography. I only have Jacob and Billy as my friends so I am going to have to find how I am going to spend my free time. I don't want to be a burden.
After two hours on running the beautiful and quiet streets of Seattle, I feel awake. Let me order some tea and coffee to be brought upstairs. "Good morning Ms. Denali." "Good morning Samantha. Can you please have tea and coffee brought up to our room." "Surely, would you like any particular coffee flavor?" "Hmm, if you have Chocolate Rasberry, that would be delightful." "Right away."
I got on the elevator and thank God no one was on with me. I was completely soaked from the run. I wonder if Mum and Dad are up. "Mum! Daddy!" "Oh, good morning…"
Esme POV
I know Bella must be thinking that my children are the worst animals in the world. I thought they were too after what I had found out what had happened so many years ago. After now so many years, they have become good kids and I hope to God Bella will be able to surpass the past and become good friends. I had thought it would be a great idea to take Bella and Tanya out for breakfast and go show them the apartment Carlisle was going to give to Bella. It was the least we could do. Carlisle and Liam were best of friends for so many years. Alice and Rosalie thought it was a great idea and they came along. When we arrived at their hotel room, we found that Tanya was up. "Good morning Tanya. I hope we aren't disturbing you." She was still so beautiful without any hint of makeup. "No please come in. Can I get you some tea or coffee?" Alice was so excited to have this chance to make up for the past. "Here, let me do it Tanya." We all sat down and Alice immediately asked for Bella. "Oh my dear, she should be hear in a few minutes. She left pretty early to get a run in. I believe the note stated that she couldn't sleep." We continued to talk as Liam came out and gave us his hellos. He asked immediately for Bella. Then he stated that Jacob and Billy weren't coming over for breakfast because Jacob was called into work for an emergency. I was happy for that since I wanted to take them out. "Well, we actually came to take you out for breakfast and show you around town."
Liam smiled, "Why don't you make it a ladies day. I will stay here. I have some business to attend to, including getting to the realtor to get Bella's apartment." I was going to interrupt when the door opened and Bella came in. "Oh good morning to you all. I am sorry for not being able to properly greet you but I am completely soaked." Tanya smiled so proudly "Did you have a good run my Bella?" "Yes I did mum. Seattle is so much like London, cold and rainy." We all laughed. "Let me quickly get ready." Then Liam told her what had happened concerning Jacob. I could tell she was a little disappointed but she immediately changed her mood and smiled. When she disappeared to her room, "Liam, we wanted to keep this as a surprise, but I am going to have to let you know that Carlisle already has Bella's apartment ready." Tanya and Liam were shocked. "No, Esme, I can't let Carlisle do that. She is my baby girl and…" I interrupted him. "It is no problem. The building is ours. Her apartment will be in the same building as our apartment are. Our kids live in the apartment building as well. Carlisle and I want to do this. Please allow it." Liam smiled and advised me that it would be ok, but everything else would be taken care by him.
Bella came out so elegantly. She was wearing light grey trousers, a beautiful fushia v neck sweater, a light grey sports jacket, a black scarf, black kitten boots. Her makeup naturally placed emphasizing her cheeks and eyes. Here hair was wavy and flowing. She was a remarkable beauty. "Well, good morning to you all" She came by and placed a kiss on every one's cheeks. "So what do we owe this pleasant visit?" Alice then said, "We wanted to take you and your mom out for breakfast and sightseeing." She smiled, "Well that is so nice of you. What do you think mum?" Tanya had agreed and then stated to give her 15 minutes to get ready. We were chatting away when someone knocked on the door. Liam went to answer and the bellboy came in with 12 different arrangements of flowers. "What is this daddy?" Liam looked more surprised as she did.
Rosalie and Alice looked at each other. "Wow, Bella, did you leave a boyfriend back in London?" She laughed, "No – I didn't have time to date." Finally the last arrangement came in and Tanya came into the living room to find this surprise. The card was found in the last arrangement and Bella took it. Alice and Rosalie wanted to know "Whose it from?" Bella had to take a deep breath. "Our dearest Bella, we just wanted to let you know how upset we were that we couldn't make it to breakfast today. We hope to see you soon. But in the meantime, we send you these flowers to tell you how much we love you and how much we missed you. Each arrangement represents a sentiment and each one represents every year you were away from us. We are so happy that you have come to stay and we cannot wait to experience life with you again. We love you and can't wait to see you again, Billy, Jacob, Leah and your loving nephew, Jakey. "
We were in awe at how this family loved her so much. Bella was fighting the tears. I know she didn't want to show weakness in front of Alice and Rosalie. "Will you excuse me for one moment?" We nodded and she went to the phone to call Jacob. He didn't pick up his cell phone. She just left a quick message. "Jacob, thank you for the flowers. They are just beautiful. Please thank Billy, Leah and give a massive hug to my nephew Jakey. I will see you this week. I love you…" Liam came by and just took his hand and placed in on her cheek. She breathed, "Well, let's get going. I am starving."
Tanya POV
After what I saw Jacob had done for my Bella and what Carlisle and Esme were doing, I thought she was going to be fine. The only thing I would have to remind my darling Bella is to be able to forgive. I know she will not be able to forget and I would never want her to. What she suffered in her life at Seattle made her what she is today. All I did was help her channel that sadness and hate into tenacity and strength.
Esme, Alice and Rosalie took Bella and me to a quaint restaurant where French crepes were served. We were all seated and conversed small talk. I could tell the girls wanted to be Bella's friend but I knew they would really have to work hard at that.
Alice started, "So Bella, what do you like to do for fun?" Bella started, "Well, I love to read, listen to music. I love to get lost in the city and I like to go dancing once in a while. I love staying at home and just vegging out with a couple of old movies. Hmm, love bike riding, rollerblading, skiing, snowboarding. I am pretty much open to a lot of stuff. How about you all?"
Well, Alice and Rosalie liked all that stuff and they added shopping. Bella was smiling. She didn't agree to much shopping. I had to interrupt, "I'm sorry, Bella and I love to shop, but it is a mother daughter thing. You can understand it?"
We continued to speak on travel, school and the economy. Rosalie asked, "So Bella, did you leave a love back in London?" Bella laughed, "No actually my true loves are my mum and dad. I didn't have much time for that sort of stuff." Alice chimed in "So you never dated?" "Well, I did here and there but there wasn't any connection or energy. I am a hopeless romantic, so it takes a lot for some man to sweep me of my feet." That's my girl. She is not the type of girl to be sleeping around. Plus, I knew my daughter was still a virgin. She had seen too many of her friends heartbroken that she didn't want to involve sex in a relationship. She actually wanted to wait. Liam and I are proud on her decision since that is how I was brought up as well.
Once we were done Esme announced that she had a surprise for Bella. Bella kindly smiled. I knew she didn't like surprises but she was too nice to say anything. We all left once Esme took care of the bill. It was around 11:30am when we arrived at the apartment building. "Esme, why are we here?" Bella asked. Esme smiled so kindly, "You will see my dear." The building was about 57 floors. We went to the 52nd floor and when we arrived there were two doors. Esme opened the door, 5201 and Bella and I had to catch our breath. The view was spectacular. "Esme, what is this?" Alice laughed "Silly Bella, it's an apartment. It's your apartment."
Bella POV
"What?" Esme came to me and held my hand. "Bella, this is part of the job offer you accepted. This apartment is yours. The contracts are already in the works and the lawyers are working feverously so you can get the title and deed." I was shocked. "Esme, this is too much. I don't deserve this." Esme then held me in her arms "Oh yes you do Bella. Yes you do. You are an expert in your field and Carlisle has been working so hard to get you on his team. As well, he is very loyal to Liam and would never want anything to happen to you." I looked at mum and she shrugged. "I guess I am not going to win this argument huh?" Esme laughed "Not with me." I hugged her tightly, "Thank you Esme." "Oh my dear, thank you. We already consider you part of this family." The words came out but I still had a hard time believing it. I wasn't going to say anything.
The apartment was gorgeous. It was simple but spacious. It had a spectacular view. The kitchen was modern and I knew I was going to have fun experimenting. It had three bedrooms. "Mum, you can visit anytime now." Mum just held me and said, "More of an incentive huh?" Then I saw my bedroom. My imagination went crazy. This was going to be my first place. My first place – wow. I mean, I know I wouldn't be here much because I would be working so much, but just to imagine coming home to this was just breathtaking.
Alice and Rosalie were just admiring my reaction. Rosalie started to speak, "Bella, just to let you know, Mom and Dad own the last two floors. Emmett and I live on the 55th floor, Jasper and Alice lives on the 54th and Edward lives on the 53rd wife. Lauren will be joining him once they get married." Then I got scared. The entire family which had created a living hell for me when I was younger will be all living over me. "That is very interesting." Now I really had to think. I excused myself for a moment and went back to the living room. This apartment was my dream apartment. I knew deep down that the view alone would help me. It would be a great place to dream, but could I do this. Could I have the family from hell over me, stalking me? I was so in my thoughts that I didn't hear Carlisle, Dad, Edward, Emmett, Jasper and Lauren come into the apartment. They were standing next to the other women. I knew I was thinking a lot, because my lips were hurting from biting them so much.
Alice didn't like it that I was quiet and thinking so hard on this. Worse, she didn't like my position since I had crossed my arms and held myself tightly. I always did that especially when Dad wasn't around. Dad saw it and he came by next to me. I didn't even realize he was there until he gently swiped away my tear off my check. I saw him and he just held me. Then Alice came to me, uncrossed my arms and held my hands, "Bella, please, we are all sorry for what happened in the past. We can imagine what you must be thinking."
I had to interrupt, "Do you Alice? Rosalie? Do you? I mean, for 7 years of my life you and your sister created hell for me. The Cullen brothers belittled me 'til no end. Everyday the only solace and peace I found was in my books and in my home. Can you imagine every morning not wanting to go to school because you knew that you would be told one more thing wrong with you? Imagine it. My god, even now you are all examples of perfection. You never had a taste of negativity. I question myself everyday – EVERYDAY my reason of existence, my intelligence, my sanity. I question everyday to myself – why should I really be on this earth? Can you imagine that life Alice? Rosalie? Can you?"
They all remained quiet. Mum had already come by to hold me as well. Then Carlisle spoke, "Then why do you want to work for us, Bella?" I laughed at his question, "Don't you see my past work Carlisle. For the past few years, I have dedicated my life to find a cure to get rid of all those things that can hurt children. That is my mission in life. When I was told that my brother, my only flesh and blood, died from complications of Down Syndrome, I knew then that was my only reason to be on this earth. That was why I was put on this earth. It wasn't to be pretty or to get married or to whatever. My mission was to find that cure. The LAB was excellent, but SLR has made strides that no one else has. How could I upset and break my promise to my brother? If I would do that, then I wouldn't be worth anything on this earth. I know that if I would quit I would be worth shit."
Wow – it felt good to finally let all of it out.