Chapter 23
On Monday, I went back to the school and architecture. Now every night, when I talk to Edward, he asks me more architectural questions so that he can help me get ready for my boards. The next three weeks went flying by. My A's weren't as high as they had been, but I still had them. On Friday, the day before the test, Edward called and said, "Good luck, but try and do something fun today, too."
He quizzed me for an hour and then he went back to work on his movie.
After our call, I went into a reviewing pattern, I did thirty minutes review and then thirty minutes play and so on all day long until five. I called my mom and asked if she wanted to go to the spa with me. We had a light dinner and went to the spa. At 10:30, I was driving home. I checked my phone for messages and Edward had called. I called him back and told him about dinner and the spa with my mom.
"Good for you. Do you want me to ask you questions or not?"
"No that's okay. Why don't you talk dirty to me?" First Edward laughed at me, but I didn't let that bother me. I simply asked him what he was wearing to prove my point. After making it back to my condo, I was definitely hot and bothered.
As I stepped into my house, Edward said, "Goodnight my love and good luck tomorrow though you won't need it. I love you, Principessa."
"I love you, too. Good night."
The next morning I got up, ate, reviewed my notes and then went to the school for the exam. After 3 hours, I walked out with a sigh of relief. I went for drive and was having lunch when Edward called. He said, "One down, five to go."
"I know. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and then Monday and Tuesday." I went back to my condo to start studying for my last five finals. On Wednesday, I got my grade back on my project. I got an A plus a note from the professor that it was the best projects to date. I called Edward all excited. He applauded me and sent me a dozen roses the next morning. My brothers and his family all called and checked on me. While I continued studying for my finals, I did thirty minutes on and thirty minutes off. It was working really well. On Sunday, I enjoyed the day and studied in the evening. By Monday night, I was tired yet excited to be done. Around 5:00 pm, my phone rang and I answered, "Hello."
"Bella Swan."
"Yes."
"This is Mr. Volturri. I'm the head of a local architectural firm. A couple, no actually several of your professors recommended you for a job with my firm. Would you be able to come by my office around 3:00 PM tomorrow?"
"Sure, I would love too. Let me get all the details." I soon hung up with Mr. Volturri then I called Edward and blurted out, "Hi! How fast can you check someone out for me?"
"I can have it done by 10:00 AM. Who is it?"
I told Edward about Mr. Volturri and gave him all the information that I got. Edward acknowledged, "My Principessa, you're on a roll and only one final left."
"Yes, I think so," and we chatted. I had dinner and did the rest of my studying.
I finished my last final before 10:00 am. As I left, I kind of squealed in the parking lot before I got into my car. The first thing I did was call Edward. He answered and said, "He's clear. Go for the interview."
"Thanks for checking him out for me."
"Are you ready to graduate on Friday?"
"Yes, I'm so ready.
"How have you done on your finals?"
"I'm sure; I have done fine. I'm just glad I'm done. I feel like I could sleep for days."
"I'm coming in late Thursday night and will be at my house between 6 to 7 am Friday morning. What are the chances I could convince you to sleep at my place on Thursday night? I would love to wake you up with kisses and know I get to see my beautiful girlfriend sleeping in my bed."
"Pretty good because I've missed you."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it. So I'll see you Friday morning."
I went home and changed and went to my interview. We talked about my school and what I'd be doing for his office. He told me that my professors all loved me and my talent. He finally said, "I don't know what you got on your test; but I know you passed. I had the board fedex your scores to here for you to have."
"Okay, how did you do that?"
"I use to be on the board and still know several of the graders. The results were mailed today so I just asked to have it sent here." He handed me a sealed envelope; I opened it. I first saw a letter that came with it. I scored in the top 5% of everyone. I got to the score page. I got a 92% and I just smiled to myself. This piece of paper was everything I had worked for and with my degree tomorrow I was done and ready to go forward in my life.
"Well?," he said.
"I'm in the top 5% and scored a 92% across the nation."
"Bella, that's astounding. The average score in the office is an 83. When would you like to start?"
"What?" I stammered.
"Yes, I'm offering you a job. Your teachers' recommendations are all I needed. I saw your project and now I want to give you a job!"
"Okay, but I wanted to wait to start until after Memorial Day."
"No problem."
"Plus I really was hoping I could work from home unless I had a meeting with a client or I was needed to go to a worksite."
"Done," and then he offered me an amazing salary. He told me to think about it and let him know by Friday. Mr. Volturi sent me off with a contract to review with all my requests already added.
I got back to my car and went straight to my parents. I called Edward and put him on speaker on their house. Then I told everyone my news. After everyone settled down, I said, "Now Edward, do you see why I worked so hard?"
"I do and it paid off Bella. Though you had no idea it was coming."
"No I didn't."
"Well, the three of you should go out and celebrate."
"I think we will and you and I can celebrate Saturday. Okay?"
"Of course, we will and I know exactly what we are going to do."
After my parents and I went out for an amazing dinner that was my treat, I headed back to my condo. Photographers were starting to show up because they weren't sure when Edward would return. On Thursday, I went to Edward's to work out; the press was hovering expecting Edward to come back for my graduation so I was stuck in his house with the blinds down.
I called him and told him to watch out for them. I went to bed early and I was wearing the negligee that Edward had given me but this time with the thong on that he hadn't seen yet. At 5:00 am he wasn't there; but at 6:15 he crawled into bed with me and cuddled up with me. He whispered, "Shhh, go back to sleep," and we did until eight.
At 8, when I thought he was still asleep, I started to roll away but he pulled me in tight and said, "Where are you going?"
"Nowhere."
"Now come here," and we reunited as one after six weeks apart. It was all love and soft, gentle touches and caresses until we exploded as one.
"I love you, Edward. Welcome home."
"I love you, my Principessa."
I headed for the shower so that I could start getting ready for graduation. I was in the kitchen nibbling on a muffin Edward had made me. Jake came into the kitchen and I turned and said, "Welcome home, Jake. Did you and your wife enjoy the morning?"
"Hi Bella and yes, Edward was kind enough to have her meet me over here after we heard about all the press around. But that is why I am here now, Leah can't even get out. We have a paparazzi problem out front!"
I gulped and asked, "How bad?" Edward turned to bring up the surveillance cameras on his computer.
"Way too much press. Leah is safe in my room for right now."
I looked over Edward's shoulder at the screen and saw how bad it was. Then I took a deep breath and said, "Edward, I don't want to ruin graduation for everyone else."
"No problem, I've an answer both of you come with me. Jake call Seth for backup just in case." Hand in hand, Edward led me outside to the fence line. Edward finally got everyone to quiet down. Edward said, "I have a deal for you all, are you interested?"
"What's that?" several of them said.
"We'll give you guys an interview if you all will not interrupt the commencement exercises today. There are way too many other people trying to enjoy their day. You guys know everyone else; you can call and get them away from the commencement ceremony. I can even get a photographer I know to supply pictures from the graduation."
"When would you do the interview?"
"Saturday morning."
"Deal."
"Okay, but one disturbance and the interview and the deal is off. We'll do the interview at 10 am here tomorrow."
"Deal."
The photographers got in their cars and started calling their buddies.
Edward leaned over, kissed me and said, "That did it."
"Yes and thank you for that Edward." We went back inside and we all finished our breakfast. Leah left first and we made sure the press knew it was her alone. Edward and I just went outside at the same time to wait for Seth and Jake to pull another car around. As we left, they photographed us but did not follow us towards the campus. My phone rang as we drove off. I answered, "Hi Alice."
"Congratulations, Bella. Are you on your way to graduation?"
"Yes. I'm with Edward, Seth and Jake, my new family."
"Hey. What about Carlisle, Esme, Rose and me?"
"Well you're my boyfriend's family. So Alice, what can I do for you?"
"Carlisle and Esme thought I should call and tell you that we are about to meet you at your graduation. I really wanted to see Jazzy again. Rose really wanted to see Emmett; so we all decided to fly in to surprise our brother's girlfriend." I kind of growled and handed the phone to Edward and said, "Please take care of her for me." Jake and Seth chuckled in the front seat.
Then I heard Edward say, "Hi Alice. Yes, I'll see you soon and Bella will be busy with her graduation. Tonight, we're going to have a dinner back at my house. Of course, you all can come. Just give us a break, Bella has to face her first interview with the press tomorrow. Thanks Alice. Tell everyone we'll see them soon."
We found no photographers anywhere on campus. Edward went and met my parents and two brothers and his family. Jake escorted me to the area for the graduates to meet. Once he knew I was safely inside, he left to join up with everyone else. I graduated at the main ceremony and then we went to my architecture one. There were some pictures taken, but thankfully no disturbances. We all went back to Edward's house for a catered dinner. They all shared vacation pictures with Edward, too. Edward and I went to a few of my friends parties and got back to his place around 1:00 am. Only Jake and Seth were still around. We went to bed. As I snuggled into bed, he handed me a box. Happy Graduation, my Principessa. I opened a very heavy box. There was a briefcase bag in pink leather with a small plaque with my initials on it. As I picked it up, it was heavy so I opened the bag and inside was a laptop. "Edward, this is too much."
He started kissing me and said, "No, it's not. You deserve it. I have seen your laptop and you needed a new one. Plus this one has the top of the line software and speed so that you can work from anywhere. Now let's put this away and get more comfortable."
"Edward, oh my god, with you coming home this morning, I never called Mr. Volutri back."
"Call him in the morning and explain."
"Oh, I guess I can. When he sent me the contract over, he gave me his cell number."
"Now come here," and we fell asleep.
The next morning I woke to fresh blueberry pancakes. "Come on beautiful eat, we have our first press interview in about ninety minutes."
"Fine, if I have too." We sat in bed and ate them. I put on a dress, did my hair and makeup.
"Edward, since we have time, can I go and call Mr. Volturi first?"
"Yes," so I went to Edward's office and called.
"Mr. Volturi?" I asked as he answered.
"Yes."
"This is Bella Swan."
"Hello, I'm so sorry. Edward got home yesterday for my graduation and the press hit. We had to make a deal with them to get through graduation in peace. So my day was very hectic."
"Bella, that's okay, I understand. I should've never asked you to answer me on your graduation day."
"Well, I'm really sorry; I don't just forget things. I remembered at 2:00 am, but decided not to call you then."
"Thank you."
"By the way, my answer is yes and I'll bring the contract in on Monday."
"No problem and I look forward to seeing you then. How about you come in at lunchtime and I'll take you to lunch?"
"Okay, now please excuse me, I have to go face my first press conference."
"Good luck."
"Thanks."