Chapter 19

Edward's Home

Days progressed slowly after my last conversation with Edward. And my days in Our Hearts were turned in slow mode too. Margaret was busy with her appointment with her sponsor who will give her the scholarship, Edward was busy with his therapy session and Kate...well...she seemed a little bit tense since we had our last conversation. She even distanced herself from Garrett. I was beginning to think it was because my confrontation with her, but my Psychology side told me it was because other things.

The day when I will go to Chicago came closer and I was beginning to feel anxious. And also worried. I don't know what things will wait for me there. Is it good or bad? Will my presence in Edward's family will bring them back together again or the opposite way? I asked for my lecturer opinion about this and he said sometimes we need to think and look from our subject's side. It's risky because it could blur our rational opinion, but it's also the good way to understand our subject's motive. And speaking about my lecturer, I gave him my final project and I will do the presentation one day before my day in Our Hearts ended.

One day before my trip to Chicago, I found Kate in her office looking disgruntled and sad. She seemed busy collecting some files on a cabinet when I came in to the office to take my bag. I glanced at her and noticed her puffy eyes, but I didn't say anything. I continued to walk to take my bag when I heard her slumped on the floor and crying. I blinked and looked at her. Kate was crying in front of half-opened cabinet and her papers were scattered around the floor. My heart clenched and quickly approached her.

"Kate? Kate?" I shook her shoulder gently and with my other hand, I closed the cabinet. "Hey? Are you alright?"

She nodded and sniffed. She wiped her tears hastily and looked at me. "Yeah, I guess so."

I frowned. "Wait here." I got up quickly and grabbed a plastic cup from the water dispenser in the corner of the room. I poured the water to the cup and gave it to her. While she was drinking, I grabbed some tissues and handed it to her.

"Thank you," she said to me.

I nodded and collected the papers around her. I put it on her desk and sat next to her. Kate leaned herself on the cabinet and I mimicked her move.

"Life's sucks," suddenly she said.

I chuckled. "Tell me about it."

"I'm sorry you have to see that."

"That's okay."

Silence.

"I heard you will go to Chicago tomorrow with Edward and Dr. Cullen."

I smiled slightly. "I know you will find out soon enough."

Kate smiled too. "It's hard to keep secrets in this place."

I laughed heartily. Yeah, I remember Edward said the same thing to me in the beginning of our times together.

"So, how's Edward?"

"He's good. Better than we first met," I answered her.

Kate nodded. "Do you have any plans after next week?"

I shrugged. "I will finish my degree, of course. And after that...I don't know...maybe I will open my own consulting agent or just work in social service."

"Will you do that in here?"

I shook my head slowly. "I don't know about that either. It could be anywhere. DC, Florida, Boston...any places will need Psychology service."

Kate nodded slowly. "Garrett wants to continue his education to master degree while I want to stay here. We have lots of arguments about that." She sighed and ran her hand through his hair. "Sometimes it's difficult to have a relationship with someone who has a dark past."

I raised my eyebrows.

Kate looked at me. "I can see Edward has feelings for you. I just want you to be careful, Bella."

I took a deep breath and leaned myself back to the cabinet. "I haven't decided about that yet. One thing for sure is I don't want to hurt him. I want what's best for him."

I felt Kate touched my shoulder and I looked at her. She smiled at me. "You already are the best thing for him. He changed because of you."

I smiled back. "Maybe, but I told him to do it for himself and not just because of me." I looked over the ceiling again. "I never dream I will find someone who could make my heart skip whenever I see him in this place."

Kate chuckled. "I understand that feeling. Just be careful, Bella."

I grinned. "You said it's difficult to have relationship with someone who has a dark past. But, of course it's not impossible."

Kate raised her eyebrows. "So, you decided to have a relationship with Edward, then?"

I shrugged. "Like I said before I haven't decided yet. Let's see about that next week."

Kate nodded. "I hope you have a great time in Chicago."

I smiled. "Thank you, Kate. I hope you can find a way to solve your problem with Garrett."

She nodded back.

I got up from my sitting position and grabbed my bag. "Is it alright to leave you now?" I asked her.

Kate nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. Thank you, Bella. Enjoy your holiday."

I smiled slightly and walked out from her office.

Yeah, I really hope so too.

I read my book while Edward was busy with his Rubik cube next to me. We were sitting in the garden in the middle of the building area. Today is a quite day; none of the kids were playing soccer. I glanced at Edward sideways when I heard him grunted and he put the cube harshly on the grass. He took some deep breaths and closed his eyes. I watched his expression turned calmer and then he opened his eyes. My heart did the erratic rhythm again and I tried to smile when our eyes met.

"It's funny for you, isn't it? Watching me like this?" he grumbled.

"If it was funny, I would have laughed. But, I didn't, did I? That means you're not funny," I answered him and then returned to read my book.

I heard Edward sighed. "I'm sorry."

I looked back at him. "You're doing well. You can control your anger...most of it."

Edward smiled grimly. "I want to do better than that."

I held his hand and Edward's eyes flashed to mine. "You will. It takes time. You already had the will to control it. It's a good sign."

He blinked several times and nodded slowly. I pulled my hand back, but Edward quickly held my hand this time. The world stopped spinning for me in a moment.

"You haven't changed your mind, have you?" he asked me.

"About what?"

"Going to Chicago."

I took a deep breath. "No. I want to go. I haven't been to Chicago. I'm sure it's a wonderful place."

Edward smiled and his gaze turned dreamy. "It is."

I smiled back and he played with my fingers while my heart was beating rapidly in my chest. His touch was warm and comforting.

"I'm just afraid," Suddenly he said.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Of what?"

"I'm afraid after you see my family, you will say no and I can't see you anymore."

I almost gasped. Actually that was what haunted me the most. What if I found that it was all not worthed? Will I end up hurting Edward?

I looked into those green eyes and seeing him looking at me with pained eyes. My body almost shook when I saw Edward trembled slightly. He was afraid.

I quickly did something instinctively. I cupped his face and tried to hold his gaze. "Edward, look at me."

His eyes already blank and I almost panic. Oh no! Not this time.

"Edward!" I said again. "No one is going to leave you. I will be here. I'm here."

He looked at me blankly and I took a deep breath. "I won't leave you, Edward."

Slowly, his gaze becoming more focus and I almost breathed the sigh of relief. I leaned my forehead to his and hugged him. Edward hugged me back tightly and I closed my eyes.

Yes, I could do this.

As his observer and his friend...and hopefully his 'someone special'.

I packed my things before I went to bed the night before my departure. I only bought one backpack and Alice insisted I should bring one formal dress in case something happened in Chicago.

"What could something happen in Chicago?" I narrowed my eyes at her when she handed me a blue dress.

She shrugged. "You'll never know. Just take this dress, Bella. I got a feeling you'll need it."

"Uh-huh. I learn not to argue with you when it comes to your 'feelings'," I quoted the word with my fingers and Alice laughed lightly.

I smiled and took the dress from Alice's hand. I carefully folded it and put it on my backpack. For the up tenth time, I really hope everything is going to fine. And I really mean everything.

"Don't worry, Bella."

I blinked and looked at my best friend.

She smiled brightly. "Everything is going to be alright."

I chuckled lightly and zipped my bag. I rose on my feet and sat next to Alice on the bed. I sighed. "Yeah, I hope you're right."

Alice grinned and wrapped her arm on my shoulders. "I'm always right."

We both giggled.

I will take my flight with Edward in the afternoon and I decided to spend my time in Our Hearts before I went to Chicago. Our flight will be short, not more than two hours. I was anticipating myself if I had to take the flight with Carlisle, but apparently he already went to Chicago in the morning. I guessed he prepared everything or 'situated' everything back in their home. I only grinned mentally. This could be very interesting.

I talked with Margaret about her scholarship and she decided she wanted to study science. It's good for her. I know she can do it. I spent my lunch time with her outside from a small cafe and then returned to Our Hearts. We separated when Edward approached me around 2 pm. He was just like me, only carrying one backpack. However I silently pray the blue dress which Alice insisted me to bring will come in handy when the time is come.

We took a cab to the airport and we arrived to our terminal to check our plane ticket and our belongings. Edward and I didn't speak much, but sometimes he smiled at me when our eyes met. He looks happy even though he already had several therapy sessions. We waited several minutes before our flight was announced. Finally, here I am inside of the plan which will take me to Chicago for the first time. I almost giggled when I imagined my mom's face if I told her about this.

Edward fell asleep during the flight and he accidentally leaned his head on my shoulder. Not that I mind. He really needs to rest. I looked over to his sleeping face and stroked his hair gently. I couldn't resist myself to kiss his forehead. Deep down inside, I care about him. So much. And I really want the best for him.

We landed in Chicago airport when the day turned twilight. Edward looked a little bit fresh after having a short sleep on the plane. We stopped a cab again and Edward gave the driver his home address. Since the day already turned dark, I couldn't give much attention to the scenery outside my window.

"Don't worry, Bella. I'll take you to see Chicago tomorrow morning," Edward said.

I looked at him. That was the first time he spoke to me since we arrived in Chicago. He smiled slightly and I smiled back. "I'd love that. Thank you."

And then, I returned to look outside my window. The scenery now changed into more suburban area and I could see the blocks of houses. I've googled what is Chicago homes look like and it really not much in difference. Our taxi slowed down and we arrived at a very luxury home. Edward paid the driver and I instantly knew we already arrived. I opened my door and Edward held the door for me with our bags on his free hand.

We stood next to each other in front of the beautiful house when the taxi sped away. Neither of us made a move.

"So..."

I grinned and looked at him. "So...are you going to let me in or we have to camp outside?"

Edward chuckled. "I won't let us camp outside, that's for sure." He sighed and looked over to the house again.

I watched his face closely and slowly held his hand. Edward looked down to our hands and his gaze fell on me. I smiled slightly. "Let's see what your family look like."

Edward laughed lightly and nodded. "Good idea."

We walked to the front door and Edward took a deep breath before opened the well-polished door. The house was not quite. We could hear soft music from the living room.

Edward closed the door behind us and cleared his throat. "Mom, Dad. We're here."

There are several noises before a woman with caramel colored hair and green eyes came out from the living room. Her eyes shone brightly when she saw us.

"Oh, Edward. It's good to have you home again," she said to Edward and gave him a hug.

Edward returned her hug and murmured, "Me too, Mom."

I smiled slightly.

Edward's mom released her hug and then she smiled at me.

"Mom, this is Bella. Bella, this is my mom, Esme," Edward introduced us.

I nodded slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Cullen."

She giggled and waved her hand. "No need to call me that, my dear. Please, call me Esme." She also gave me a hug and I returned it a little bit awkwardly.

"Oh...hi, Bella."

Esme's body turned rigid when she heard Carlisle's voice, but then she quickly composed herself. He released her hug and smiled at me although it didn't reach her eyes.

"Bella!" Another voice heard and I almost winced when I recognized the voice.

I grimaced. "Hi, Emmett. Nice to meet you again."

Emmett didn't look any different since the last time I saw him. He grinned widely and hugged me tightly. I laughed lightly when he twirled me around a little bit. He released his hug and then looked at Edward. They both hugged too.

"Are they here?" A female's voice was heard and we all looked at the living room direction.

I blinked several times when I saw the blond woman while she stopped on her feet when she saw me.

"You're Bella? The one that The Cullens brothers have been talk about?" Her voice flat an icy.

Oh, really?

Well, that's flattering...to be honest.

"I don't know about The Cullens brother part, but, yes, I'm Bella," I smiled again. "Hello, Miss Hale."

I swore everyone in the room almost gasped at the same time while Rosalie narrowed her eyes on me.

"Dinner is ready," she said icily and turned around on her heels back to the living room.

"You know her?" Edward asked me in amazement.

I shrugged.

"Well, I guess it's dinner time. Shall we?" Carlisle spoke again.

This is going to be a very good time, indeed.

I grinned widely.

Well, Rosalie...we meet again. Lols.

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