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Chapter 24

The Solution

My life was never easy.

I knew that since the day my parents were divorced. I had to struggle with my feelings and put aside those guilty ones to build my own self esteem. Lucky for me, because my interests in Psychology field helped me enough to learn more about myself and how not to feel guilty about the divorce. But, the efforts were double when it concerned to other person. I'd meet lots of people who needed my help and it was a lot of work for me to build their self esteem.

The same thing also happened to Edward.

After our declaration, I spent two days with him and also with Margaret. I tried to engage Margaret and Edward in the same room with me. It went well, but it needed lot of work when it comes to the term 'how worthy are you'. Margaret spent most of her time with me so it was easy for me to build her self esteem. But, it was different with Edward. I dealt more with his anger management problem and haven't yet tried to build his self esteem. Even though he already planned to continue his study, but he always back out when we talked further. I could see he was afraid that Harvard won't accept him back.

Also we haven't settled his family issues and my 'observer' status. But, I didn't have to wait very long for that. The next day after spending my two days with Edward and Margaret, I talked to Kate and asked for a day off because I wanted to see my lecturer to discuss about my final presentation. After I got my schedule for my final presentation, Kate called me and asked me to come to Our Hearts. She didn't say why, but from the way she talks, I knew something was wrong.

"Did something happen, Kate?" I asked her from the phone as I walked to my truck.

"No, Bella...well, not exactly," she answered hesitantly.

I rolled my eyes. "Then, what's wrong?"

Kate took a deep breath. "Edward needs you."

Without another word, I pressed the end button and opened the driver's door.

Kate was pacing furiously outside the main building when I parked my truck on the parking lot. I quickly turned the engine off and approached her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw me.

"What hap-"

"Come with me," Kate snatched my hand before I could say something.

She took me inside the building and I was half-running to keep my pace with her. Her face was so tight and it made me worried.

"Kate, what is it?" I asked her in fear. Was there something happened to Edward?

She stopped on her feet and looked around as if fear someone would hear her. We were already in the second floor and I could see some noises from a room.

"All the owner of this place are here," she hissed at me.

I blinked. "Owner?"

"You remember them, don't you? Dr. Adams? And the other two?"

Oh...

Oh!

I swallowed. "Dr. McGrath and Dr. McCollins?"

Kate nodded.

"And why do you need me here for?"

She looked briefly to the empty hall and sighed. "Just play along with me, Bella."

Huh?

Before I could say something else, Kate returned to walk and I followed her. I didn't have much choice because she was still holding onto my hand. We stopped in front of room and Kate glanced at me briefly before knocking on the door. The voices were stopped and the door cracked open.

"Yes, Kate?"

I saw Dr. Cullen on the door and the other stood behind them. They all looked at us curiously.

"Miss Swan is here, Doctor," Kate answered him without blinking as if she tried to say something to Edward's dad through her eyes.

The blond doctor raised his eyebrows and then he smiled grimly. "Yes, of course." And then, he looked at me. "Please, come inside, Bella."

"Carlisle, why did you ask her to come? She has nothing to do with all of this," I saw Dr. Adams speaking.

Dr. Cullen looked over his shoulder. "I've told you before, Bertha. When it concerns with Edward, Bella will never left behind."

Okay...

Now I'm getting confused.

He looked over to me again. "Please, come in, Bella." He glanced at Kate. "Thank you, Kate."

I looked briefly at Kate and she smiled slightly while mouthed, "Good luck."

Yeah, luck is my best ally for this moment.

I slowly entered the room and almost gasped when I saw Edward was there too. He smiled when he saw me and my heart skipped a beat. He approached me and held my hand, ignoring all the people in the room. I glanced at them nervously before I returned my eyes to Edward. He didn't look at me, but stared deeply to the three doctors in front of with his hand still entwined with mine.

Dr. Adams rolled her eyes. "So, is it true, then? You are having affair with her?"

Edward chuckled darkly. "Affair? What kind of word is that? Affair is something to do when you're cheating with someone. I'm not having an affair with Bella. I am in relationship with Bella."

"But she is your observer," Dr. McGrath spoke and finally I could place all the puzzles now.

Apparently they all were objected with my current relationship with Edward. Although it was already on my mind these past few days, but to solve this problem with this kind of situation was never on my list. I was hoping I could talk to Dr. Cullen, either he already found out or not and ended my status as Edward's observer.

"I know that," Edward said calmly. "One thing that bothers me is how on earth you know about my relationship with Bella? I only talked to my dad and even though we have lots of disagreement, but I knew he's not a gossiper."

I blinked several times.

Did I just hear him correctly?

From all of my times in this place, this was the first time I heard Edward defends his father. I glanced sideways to Dr. Cullen and noticed he was surprised too.

This time it was Dr. McCollins who spoke, "We have our resources."

Edward raised his eyebrows. "Really? Is it too much if I ask who is it?"

"It's none of your business."

"Then, my relationship with Bella is also none of your fucking business."

"Language, young man!"

Edward shrugged. "You guys are not my family. Even my own family has never been this noisy with me. They just want me to be happy and they know Bella is making me happy."

Dr. Adams turned to me. "I'm sure Bella knows that this is unprofessional."

"She knows," Edward answered coldly. "She's not stupid. She's the one who makes lots of kids here want to continue their study and be a better person. Something your stupid therapies won't do."

I looked at Edward.

Is it true?

Do I really help all of these kids?

They were all looked a little flush after Edward said those words. And then, Dr. McGrath cleared his throat and spoke directly to Edward, "But, we still want Bella to end her service here. We don't want to cause another scandal."

Edward snorted. "Scandal? Did you guys even realize what you are saying?"

"We don't want other people to know that one of our volunteers is having a relationship with one of our patients here. We already heard lots from her and-"

Edward's eyes flashed. "Her?"

Dr. McGrath stopped and swallowed when his gaze met with Edward.

Edward titled his head slightly. "Is it Rosalie or Tanya?" And then he pursed his lips. "Oh well...it doesn't matter." His eyes turned cold again. "Perhaps Tanya or Rosalie didn't tell you that I asked Bella to be my observer."

"You what?" This time it was Dr. Collins who spoke.

He smiled slightly. "And if only you guys could wait a little longer, I already decided I don't want to be her subject anymore." Edward turned to me. "You don't mind, do you?"

I looked at his green eyes and smiled. He already passed the test, a test to control his anger. He also could handle all these banters by himself. He didn't need me anymore.

"No, I don't. Actually being your observer is not in my interest anymore," I answered him.

Edward grinned while from the corner of my eyes I could see his father tried not to laugh. I guess Edward already had some talks with his dad and their relationship was better now.

Dr. Adams narrowed her eyes and looked at Edward's dad. "Carlisle, say something."

He shrugged. "What can I say? My son is right. He's the one who asked Bella in the first place."

She narrowed her eyes. "I can't believe this." And then she turned to me. "We won't give you any recommendations, Miss Swan."

Edward clenched his jaw and opened his mouth to say something, but Dr. Cullen beat him to it.

"Don't worry about that, Bertha. I already wrote a recommendation for Bella."

"What?"

"You can't do that."

"This is ridiculous."

The three of them were speaking at the same time.

Dr. Cullen smiled, but I could see humor in his eyes. "When you said 'we', I don't see I'm on it. So...yeah, I wrote one for Bella."

They all looked at Carlisle with horror while Edward smirked.

"And don't worry about Bella being here. Her program will end this weekend and also Edward will be released...so they both won't stay here long enough to cause another scandal," Dr. Cullen added and smiled. "FYI, my dear colleagues, two of my staffs here are husband and wife and they met here. Is that a scandal? I can't say that because they are happy and they are a better person now. Enough talking about scandal if you don't know a shit about it."

My eyes widened.

Wow!

Is that really Dr. Cullen?

Yeah...he really is Edward's dad.

The blond doctor looked at both of us and smiled warmly. "You can go now."

Edward nodded. "Thanks, dad." He turned to the others. "Will you excuse us?"

We didn't wait for their reply because we were already out from the room and walked quickly to Edward's room. He closed the door behind us and suddenly hugged me so tight. I was still daze from the scene earlier and I could do is hugging him back.

"Are you alright?" he murmured on my hair.

"I guess so," I answered softly.

He leaned away from our embrace and cupped my cheek. He searched my eyes. "I'm sorry if my dad asks for your presence. I already told him I could handle it."

I shook my head. "I don't think it was your dad. I think it's Kate. She called me when I was still on the college." I stroked his hair gently and he closed his eyes when my fingers trailing on those beautiful bronze locks. "So, is it Tanya or Rosalie?"

His eyes snapped open. "I don't fucking care." He took a deep breath and leaned his forehead to mine. "Sorry...I don't mean to yell in front of you. But, really...it doesn't matter now. You are not my observer anymore. We are free now."

I nodded. "So...we are boyfriend and girlfriend now?"

Edward smiled wistfully. "We are Edward and Bella."

I smiled back. "Plain and simple, but you do know that life is never simple."

He chuckled. "Of course I know. I don't have to live in this place to know about that."

I pursed my lips. "What happened to your dad? Did you guys already in good terms?"

Edward shrugged. "We tried and still do. Although we still have more to do to reach the good terms."

"How about your mother? Emmett?"

"All in due time," Edward sighed. "But, I think we're okay now."

"Good to hear that." I stroked his hair again. "Is it true they will release you?"

He nodded and wrapped his arms on my waist. "Yes."

I smiled. "Congratulations, Edward. I'm so happy for you."

He kissed me softly.

"How about you? Are you happy?"

I sighed on his lips. "Of course I am," I whispered and my breathing turned shallow when I felt Edward's hand on my nape now.

"Good to hear that," he copied my words.

"Is this meaning we already solved our problem?"

"Let's say we already found our solution, baby," he answered huskily. "And now, can I kiss my girlfriend properly?"

I nodded before he crushed his lips to mine.

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