17. Love Happens

EPOV

I had to leave Bella's side and I did so right before she fell asleep. "I have to go home, I have to quit my job in five hours," I whispered so I wouldn't startle her. She groaned in protest and objected that I don't leave but I eventually convinced her that I needed to so I could get it over with. I was almost out the door when I heard her, "Are you sure you want to do this?" I could see the glint in her eyes when I looked back.

I smiled for her because nothing was better than her; nothing was worth not being around her every chance I got. "I'm sure about you and that's all that matters." She managed to smile for me but she was a terrible actress.

I retraced my steps back to the bed but on Bella's side this time. I knelt down to be level with her and I took her hands in mine. "I love you Bella and I'm not sure what the future will bring or if we will always be as happy as we are right now. I do know one thing and that is that I have never been happy unless I am with you." She pulled me closer and tilted her head so I could kiss her; and I didn't disappoint.

I exited the room after a lengthy goodbye kiss. After getting into my car and shutting the door I let the last night and day replay in my memory. The entire drive to Portland consisted of smiles at nothing and Bella's eyes always looking back at me. I had the windows down and the stereo blasting by the time I drove over the I5 Bridge into Oregon.

By the time I arrived at my place it was 5:27 and I had to be to work at six. I didn't even bother getting dressed; I just wore jeans and a t-shirt. As I drove towards the job I had been waiting for, Bella's words replayed in my head.

"I love you…"

"I have never stopped loving you…"

"I'm yours forever…"

"Yours…"

I didn't need the reassurance that Bella loved me, or that she wanted me as much as I needed her. I saw everything I needed in her eyes every time I was graced to look into them. I didn't need anything but her and all I had to do was get through the day and I could be back where I want to be most and that is with Bella.

"Good morning Mr. Cullen," Chelsea said when I entered the lobby. The look on her face told me my attire was something noticeable. I didn't care.

"Yeah, is Mr. Jones ready to see me?" I asked very disinterested and preoccupied.

"He isn't expecting you for another 20 minutes but I'll let him know you're here." She typed away at her computer and I went and sat down on one of the two couches. I didn't bother sitting properly or even bother with making light conversation with Chelsea. I just sprawled out on the couch and prepared to wait out the 20 minutes. I heard her fingers tapping away and then suddenly they stopped. She took off her headset, came from behind her desk and sauntered toward me; I knew the walk.

"So…" she sat down next to me, hiking her skirt and revealing most of her thigh. "I was wondering if you wanted to get together some time. I know we've worked together and everything but I would hate to pass up the chance before you move to New York."

I was struck with two very different emotions at once. One, the shock and amazement that Chelsea actually grew the cohunes and actually asked me and two, the disgust at the thought of taking her out when I have Bella waiting for me in Seattle. I leaned away from her to show how fucking disinterested I was. "I have a girlfriend, I think I'll pass."

"I'm okay with it if you're okay with it," she winked and licked her bottom lip.

I recoiled as she leaned in closer, "I'm not okay with it," I replied and hurried off the couch. She got up and followed.

"I'm not asking for a serious relationship, I just want one night with you." I was backing away from her and ran into a barrier; the wall. I was cornered as her hands rested on my chest and I didn't know what to do.

"Send him in," her head turned to the sound and she darted over to her desk. She leaned over her desk in a very inappropriate manner and I shielded my eyes.

"Right away Mr. Jones."

She turned toward me and with a heavy voice she said, "Mr. Jones will see you now." I dodged past her and hurried through the double doors and into his office.

"Edward," he greeted and his gaze fell on my appearance. His smile fell and so did his hand. "This isn't the way to start your new career Edward," he informed me.

I sat down exhausted in his chair and let out a loud sigh. "Did I ever tell you about Bella?" I asked, not really thinking coherently from the lack of sleep in the last 24 hours. I wanted to tell someone about her, someone who doesn't know her or that hasn't heard me speak ill of her. I wanted someone to tell me congratulations and mean it; not because they felt like they should because of what happened. I wanted to show Mr. Jones why I was declining his job offer, to tell him the reason is because I am in love with a woman who has stolen my heart and given me hers in return.

"No, but what does she have to do with anything?"

"She has everything to do with everything." I leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees. "She was the first girl I fell in love with and the last girl I will ever love." I paused to let him speak if he wanted to, for him to stop me; he didn't.

"I lost her once and it nearly killed me. We were 13 and 14 when I lost her. I found her again and she hated me just as I thought I hated her." A smile flirted at my lips and my eyes felt dry; or hot I couldn't really say. "She told me she loves me two days ago, she wants to give us another chance and I want nothing more from life than to be by her side every night."

I was looking into Mr. Jones' eyes, he looked thoughtful, like my story had moved him in some way. "I can't take this job Mr. Jones, I have been given another chance at happiness and I won't pass it up again. I won't be that stupid twice."

"Well," he grabbed a photo off of his desk, "I guess I can't blame you. Women hold a kind of power over us men don't they?" I shook my head, "I'll notify the big wigs of your decision."

I didn't care that this was my boss, or that he probably wouldn't give a shit about what I had to say but I needed to say it. Like telling someone else meant that I wasn't the only one that was aware of it. "I'm moving to Seattle to be with her," I confided in him. "I'm packing up everything and giving up a lot to be with her."

"You must really love her; a man's resources are everything, to give it up so willingly; that's only something love can do." He started typing on his computer and I knew that was the signal that the conversation was over.

"Thank you Mr. Jones, it's been a fun experience working with you…I'll never forget it," he smiled but didn't look up to meet my gaze.

"You're welcome, I'll put in a good word for you around the Seattle area; it shouldn't be too hard for you to find something. Not with your persona and passion for the business. Oh, and Edward, I really regret having to say this but you're fired son."

I reached out and accepted his hand, "I'm not happy to see you go, you have a lot of potential to go far in this industry, I know this won't be the last time I see you."

"Thank you for understanding sir." He basically shooed me off after that; that was just how he was. I left without looking back and Chelsea cornered me again once the door was shut.

"Did you think about it, can you image the things I am willing to do to get you to agree?" Her fingers walked up my chest until she poked my chin and tried to rub against my cheek with her palm.

"No…I thought about my girlfriend lying in bed naked waiting for me. I am not interested." I shoved her hands down and stormed off to my office. I never thought it would be this hard to turn down a woman. I guess that's because I never had to do it before and it wasn't because I wanted her; it was because of her persistence.

I cleaned out my things and said bye to the people I'd grown close to and the people that I have befriended since my employment there. I didn't worry too much about what would happen when I move to Seattle, but I was relieved to hear that I had a good recommendation waiting for me when I needed it.

Bella sent me a text; I'll admit I was a little worried about how she would feel in the morning, that said only three words: The only three words that would calm my worries.

I love you.-B

Now it was time to call Jasper.

I stood in the middle of my living room, half passed five and dialed his cell; three rings and I heard, "Hello."

"Hey bro, what's going on?"

"Just who I wanted to speak to."

"Great minds think alike," I joked.

"How the hell did you do it?" he asked.

"What did I do?"

"You got through to her; she's a whole different person Edward. She's here, at my house right now giggling like a little girl with Alice in the next room. I have never in all the years I have known her, seen her like this."
His tone sounded a little too concerned and that worried me, "You sound like that's a bad thing."

"No Edward, it's a very good thing. Albeit a little sudden and soon but she's had a lot of trauma in her life. I think she can finally let it go. She's happy Edward."

"I can continue to make her happy with your help," I told him.

"With my help? What do I have to do with anything?"

"Let me move in with you Jazz, just until I can get on my feet. I want to be closer to her, and to you." I held my breath for his answer because what he decides could very well determine my existence.

"Not a problem, as long as you need. But," of course there was a but, "You have to ask Alice also. This is her house too and I won't give you a definite answer until she has her say."

A smile crossed my face; I knew I could get through to Alice. If Bella is really as happy as Jasper says then she has noticed. If she's the great sister I know she is then she will want to keep Bella happy. "Hand her the phone."

"She's talking to Bella; I really would rather not interrupt that."

"How am I supposed to ask her then?"

"Call her. I'll send you her number."

"I'll just call Bella," I hung up without another word and quickly dialed Bella's number. I was excited, my hand trembling and I had a grin on my face. Everything was falling into place; life's little pieces were putting themselves back together.

"Hello," I heard after the second ring. She sounded excited too.

"Hey Bella, can I talk to Alice please?" I didn't want to get into a conversation with her until after I spoke with Alice. I haven't talked to her a lot but I don't think there's any reason for her not to approve. She did tell me once that I would get my second chance but I would have to fight for it.

I know now, that she was right.

BPOV

I woke up and Edward wasn't there. At first I started to hyperventilate until the memory came back to me. I reached for my phone, thankful today was the beginning of spring break so I didn't have work until next week. The only thing that would make it better would be Edward.

I looked at the clock, 9:50. I decided I didn't want to wait to talk to him; so I sent him a message just to let him know that I was thinking about him. I was completely energetic when I got out of the shower and I had to find something to do with myself. So I called Alice and she invited me over. I went straight there without a second thought. I couldn't wait to talk boys with Alice, something I've never done; or at least I wasn't the one talking.

I walked up to her door and she opened it before I had a chance to knock, "Get your ass in here." She reached for me and wrapped her skinny fingers around my wrist and pulled me through the door. "Tell me everything, every dirty little detail," she demanded.

I followed her into the living room and the fire was already lit. "Where's the hot cocoa?" I asked when she released my hand and took a seat on the floor in front of the fire.

She patted her hand on the carpet next to her, "Jazz is bringing it, sit," she ordered with a firm smack of her palm. I did as I was told and seconds later Jasper came in with two mugs with mini marshmallows floating all along the top.

"Thanks," I said and he smiled at me. He left quickly after sharing a quick glance with Alice.

"Yum, this is delicious," I said, not really caring that Alice was about to go all reserved and proper on me.

"It's a new mix from the store, but stop dodging my question. Give me the skinny," she chuckled.

"I stayed the night at his house, but you already know that, and he stayed at mine for most of the night last night. Oh," she was totally focused on me, sipping her drink and looking at me through her all seeing eyes. "And he is turning down that job offer so we can see where this goes. Did I mention he is an amazing kisser," I feigned passing out, my mug of cocoa safely sat on the floor

"He kissed you? Bella, is there more?" She knew there was, I could tell she was just egging me on. That's fine, I've been waiting to have this conversation for a long time now and I'm sure she has too.

I bit my bottom lip, "I kissed him."

She giggled and threw a couch pillow at me, "Bella Marie, you little whore," she teased.

"Am not, this is different," I defended my actions.

"Oh, yeah…how so?"

We sat and talked about Edward and my situation for quite some time. That was until my phone rang and it was Edward.

I smiled at my phone and Alice's expression was heartening. "Hello."

His voice did unmentionable things to my body, even though he was miles away. "Hey Bella, can I talk to Alice please?"

"Sure," I hoped he didn't hear the despair in my reply as I held the phone out to Alice.

"For me," she mouthed.

"It's Edward," I whispered and shrugged my shoulders. She took it from my hand and brought it to her ear slowly with a confused look.

"Yes," she said to Edward, her eyes wide looking at me. "Good," she replied to a question I didn't know the words to. She was silent after that for some time. She smiled a lot and looked me in the eye a few times; even winked. "Edward if you feel you must than you must. I am totally okay with it…as long as you need."

"Okay, here she is."

She held the phone down to her chest with her free hand wrapped protectively over the receiver. "Oh my god Bella, I'm so excited. Here, talk to him….talk to him, talk to him, talk to him," she chanted and wiggled in her spot.

I took the phone, shot her a worried glance then put it to my ear. "What was all that about?" I didn't take my eyes from Alice; I had to judge her reaction because her sudden burst of happiness was making me nervous.

"Well, I asked Jasper earlier and he said to ask Alice first and they both said yes."

"Yes to what, I'm confused."

"To me staying with them for a while until I can get a job and a place. I hope you're okay with that." I was more than okay with it.

A smile crossed my face and Alice got up and left the room. "Yeah, of course I am." I cradled the phone as if it were the most precious thing.

"Good, because I'm moving there sometime next month, I just have to give my 20 days notice."

"Next month? That's too long. Do I have to wait until then to see you?" I curled my legs up to my chest and waited for his answer. I didn't want to wait that long. Just thinking about it was painful enough.

"Not if you don't want to."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I can come see you or you can come see me, either way I don't want to go a day without seeing you. I don't have a job anymore so all of my time is yours."

"Come see me now," I basically dared him. I wanted to see him. "I have been without you for 10 years and that is an overabundant amount of time and I don't want to go through another day without you."

"I will be there in a few hours, I'm already walking out the door."

"I love you," I said in a languid thankful tone. He knew exactly what I wanted; he was already walking out the door before I said anything.

"And I love you…" his tone went up a notch, "It feels so fucking good to say that to you. I've said it to myself for so long."

"Well hurry up so you can say it to my face," I giggled through the phone.

"I'm already driving towards the freeway so it won't be long. I have to go though, there's this new law, only hands free while you're driving."

"Okay…" stupid laws, "Can't wait to see you."

"You and me both."

It took us another five minutes to say bye because neither of us wanted to hang up first. Alice heard our argument from the other room and she assisted us. She snatched the phone out of my hand and put up to her ear, "Goodbye Edward," and snapped the phone shut.

"Hey, why did you do that," I snatched it back from her and opened it, hoping he would but knowing that he wouldn't be there.

"Because you would have gone back and forth all day if I hadn't. I've been there Bella, I know how that game goes." She sat down next to me and her look was serious, not what I expected. "You're really happy aren't you?"

"Yes, I really am. Thank you so much Alice." I pounced on her and she wasn't expecting it. This has never been me, happy bouncy and giggling.

That's Alice, not me; not the old me.

EPOV

In the last 48 hours I have spent close to 12 hours driving between Portland and Seattle; this is the last time I'll be driving to Seattle from home. Soon, I will call Seattle home, mine and Bella's home. I couldn't wait to see her after telling her I'd be living there, how different would she be?

I have seen a change in her but only from our first reunion. Every time we were together alone, she was this bubbly happy girl, not even close to the girl I'd seen during the Superbowl. The week I spent at her house was wonderful, a taste of what's to come. I texted her when I took the exit and she texted me back saying that she had some car trouble on her way home and that she needed my help. She text me the directions from her house to where she was at and I headed in that direction. She didn't say what kind of car trouble but I was positive I could help in some way.

I had to double back before I found her, her car was jacked up and there was a man knelt down under it with a 4-way tire iron putting on the spare tire. Something inside of me ignited, I could almost taste the bile rising in the back off my throat.

I pulled over quickly and saw Bella smiling as the man was looking up at her. She wasn't supposed to smile at anyone but me. I was the one to bring out that smile in her, not some random stranger. I hoped out of the car and walked over to them, neither of them taking notice to my approach.

"Thank you so much, I don't know what I would have done if you wouldn't have stopped," Bella thanked the man as he stood and wiped the debris from his clothing.

"Not a problem, if you want to thank me maybe we could go out some time. I work at the Key Arena so I can get tickets to any concert you want to see." I walked up then and greeted Bella, ignoring the man that was heading towards a meeting with my fist.

"Hey Bella, what happened?" When she looked at me it was either relief or she was startled. I was hoping for relief.

"Oh," she seemed flustered looking between me and the unnamed man. "I don't know my tire just blew out. I didn't have a tire iron with me and this kind man had one and thank god he stopped," she said winded.

"My name's Lucas," he said and I ignored him, all of my attention on Bella.

Bella didn't have the same idea, "Thank you so much for your help, I think I better get going home."

"Did you want to come out to the Arena some time? I can get tickets any time." He offered and I bite my tongue.

"Lucas, you seem like a great guy but I'm not interested, thanks for the offer though." I smiled on the inside. Serves that fucker right.

"Oh, alright. If you happen to change your mind…"

I was through listening to this guy try and take my Bella away from me. If I had anything to do with it, she wasn't going anywhere. "She isn't interested." I reiterated for her.

Lucas wasn't happy but he turned around without another word and got into his car. I looked at Bella and she didn't look happy with my outburst either.

"Edward, that was uncalled for."

"No it wasn't, he was hitting on you right in front of me. He's lucky that was all he got," I told her truthfully.

She stormed off and got into her car, leaving me there, standing in the middle of the street alone. She didn't hold back that she was pissed when she pealed out as she left the scene. I got into my car and decided I needed to make it up to her. I can't let my arrogance get in the way of things.

I made a pit stop at the local convenient store and purchased a single yellow rose, which clearly says "I'm sorry" and a single orange rose—which I wasn't expecting to find—that said "I adore you." That's one thing I find on the up side of my old ways. I'm not Edward fucking Cullen for nothing.

I saw her looking out the window down at the street when I pulled up, she was anxious to see me. That gave me hope that it wouldn't be too hard to gain her forgiveness. I just couldn't imagine some guy taking her away from me. We have been through so much and who's to say it hasn't had an effect on her feelings toward me. It's only made my feelings stronger if anything but it could have had a different effect for her.

I ran up to meet her and once I was at the door it opened and she stood on the other side of it. I had my hand behind my back holding the roses. I was planning on surprising her with them but she jumped on me as soon as the door was open enough and I had to wrap my arms around her for support. She kissed me with fervor, her hands fisted in my hair, exactly how I liked it. When our lips parted she looked at me, a very light pink covering her cheeks.

"Hi," she smiled.

"That was a fucktastic hello," I joked and she laughed as I sat her back down. "Maybe I should upset you more often."

Her eyes lit up a little when she saw the rose's. "Oh, I got these for you," she took them from my hands and stuffed her nose against them so she could smell them.

Then she held them close to her chest and whispered, "I've never been given flowers before."

I snatched her up in another embrace and whispered back, "Get used to it," and half carried her through the door.

"Good ol' Mike never gave you any flowers?" I asked while she put the roses into an old vodka bottle.

"No, Mike wasn't really the romantic type, he was more about the future and stability." She shrugged her shoulders and placed the bottle on the bar that divided her living room from her kitchen.

"I'm about those things too, stability isn't such a bad thing to plan for." I have thought about my future with Bella a lot and I assumed she has thought about it herself.

I was seated on the bar stool and she came over to me and climbed into my lap. "I agree with you but that was all Mike was about. He never paid attention to the little things." She bit her bottom lip as I looked into her eyes. She did that whenever she was nervous…but I remember that from our past.

"Like the way you bite your lip when you're nervous?" I pointed out. "Or how incredibly natural and sexy you are when you work those hands." I laced my right hand with her left and we both gazed at our locked fingers.

My eyes caught with hers and an electric hum ran through me, like an ignition and my entire body was fully aware of Bella's close proximity. I could feel the perspiration on my neck as I imagined what was to come. "Mike would have never said anything like that; he probably never took the time to notice." Her gaze fell back to our hands as I wove our fingers back and forth.

"That's because Mike didn't know what he would be missing."

"And you do?" She challenged.

"I know what it feels like to miss you," I said fervently, "I missed you for 10 years. Your smile that always made me smile, your laugh that was like fucking pure joy in my heart and your presence, you always have this kind of aura around you or some shit. It's intoxicating just to be around you."

"I'm sorry I intoxicate you," she joked and started shuffling in my lap. "Maybe I should move somewhere further away."

My arms formed an iron grasp around her, "Oh hell no, I want to be fucking wasted by you, you're staying right here." We made it to the couch before all of our clothes were off. Being with Bella in this way is beyond any form of satisfaction I have ever experienced. I can't recall ever kissing a woman during sex; I kissed Bella every chance I got. I also recall not giving a shit if they got theirs; with Bella I made damn sure she did. I didn't have sex with Bella, I made the sweetest kind of love with Bella. Nothing less would suffice.

Ahh, Edward was jealous. Who can blame him though...he's never had to worry about a woman cheating on him or falling out of love with him. He's never had a relationship to worry about such things. So of course he would go a little over the top...but for him what he did was good. Bella hasn't ever had a boyfriend that she really loved...Mike was just something to bide her time until she found Edward (not that she knew that though). She doesn't know what it's like to have someone stick up for her in that way, so to her it was uncalled for and just rude. Anyways, she didn't worry about it too much....she was more worried about being in Edwards arms, who wouldn't haha!!!

So I have one more chapter fully written but other than that it's all on my phone. I just recently gave my phone to someone else because I got a new one and I forgot to email the stories on there to myself. Long story short, I have to wait until she can email before I can get them. So I have to wait until then to put more of the story down on paper. Good news though, two weeks left of school and then I have two weeks off. If you were here for BMNM then you now what that means. Close to daily updates whoooo!!! I cannot wait.

Thank you Scrimmy....I hope you get your email up and running soon so I can send you the next chappy for you to beta....I miss talking with you lady:)

Thank you so much to the people who are still reading and reviewing...that's amazing..Hello to the new readers..please don't be shy to leave me your thoughts as I love to hear from you. Thanks for adding this story to your favs or alerts and thank you in general for reading.

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