Disclaimer: Not mine.
CHAPTER 15
Bella watched Edward go, and slowly turned to make her way out of the terminal. The photographers were still taking her picture, and she winced at the flashes. She had to get out of there. Keeping her eyes firmly on the ground, she moved through the crowd hugging her elbows as passersby jostled her. A couple of the photographers tailed her for a while, but once they realised she wasn't going to give them a photo opportunity they soon left in search of other game.
As soon as she was outside, she stopped and took a deep breath, rubbing her face and trying to rid herself of the hollow ache that seemed to have taken up residence in her chest.
12 weeks.
She fished in her bag for her car keys, frowning and finally scrabbling for them in panic until she realised she had shoved them in her jeans pocket. She set off across the car park, and had just gotten back to the car when she heard a soft beep from her cell phone. She pulled it out and looked at the screen.
Hope ur ok. I miss you – E.
Her throat tightened, but she smiled as she looked at the message and then glanced at her watch. The plane hadn't even taken off yet.
o * o * o * o
The studio had booked him a first class ticket as usual, but Edward shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He flicked open the window blind and peered back at the terminal. He couldn't see anything, but he hoped Bella had gotten out okay. The sight her standing looking so forlorn as the photographers had gleefully documented their parting was gnawing at his gut. He shifted again, picking at a loose thread on his worn jeans and waved away the stewardess who had stopped to see if he needed anything. The only thing he wanted had been left behind in the terminal.
He was missing her already, and now he was gone for 12 weeks, and there was so much left unsaid.
o * o * o * o
Bella slapped off the radio, angry that all the radio stations she had access to were playing nothing but love songs. It was a goddamn conspiracy. She wound down the window in the hopes that the breeze would clear her head, but the smell of the exhausts had her winding the window back up again. When she stopped at the lights, she glanced into rear view mirror to pat down her hair. Her eyes widened as she glimpsed her neck, and she twisted her head to get a better view.
Stubble rash.
Her neck was pink with stubble rash, and he hadn't said a word.
She smiled as she remembered the innocent grin he had given her in the terminal, but the smile turned into a grimace as she choked back tears. The car behind her blared its horn, and she flinched as she realised the lights had changed. Taking a hearty sniff and hastily rubbing her nose on her sleeve, she pulled out into the traffic.
o * o * o * o
The plane began to taxi down the runway, and Edward leaned back into his seat with a sigh and closed his eyes. He normally liked the sensation of takeoff, the sense of speed and power underneath him. This time it just felt like there was a slender thread connecting him to the ground that was getting stretched to breaking point. There was a soft thump and dip as the plane left the ground. Getting stretched thinner now. He heard the wheels begin to retract into the plane. He turned to look out of the window again, but he could no longer see the terminal. She was gone.
o * o * o * o
Bella closed her apartment door and leaned against for a moment, then pushed herself away and walked through to her bedroom. She hung her bag on the bedroom door, kicked off her shoes and threw herself onto the bed. She lay there for a moment, and then rolled over onto her back, staring at the ceiling.
12 weeks.
Her cell phone began to ring, and she rolled over onto her side to wiggle it out of her hip pocket.
"Hi, Angela," she said.
"Hey girl, are you moping?"
"Yeah, you know me too well," Bella half laughed, half sighed as she began twirling a lock of hair around one of her fingers.
"Oh you poor, pathetic, sad, creature. What are we going to do with you?"
"I don't know. Have you got any suggestions?" She put her legs up in the air and stared at her feet. Maybe she'd go get a pedicure tomorrow. That would help kill a bit of time. Foot inspection over, Bella was now picking at a thread on her jeans.
"I have to work tonight, but how about we catch up tomorrow?"
"That sounds good. I'm just hanging around here at the moment trying to work out what to do with the rest of the evening." Bella replied.
"How was it at the airport?"
"Fine, if you don't include the paparazzi."
"I guess the airport would be a hotspot for them, especially if they knew Edward was going to be heading out today."
"True." Bella heaved another sigh.
Angela laughed quietly. "Bella, I have to say that you're sounding terrible. I think we need a girlie night."
"I feel terrible. Are you this bad when Ben leaves town?"
"Well, for starters Ben doesn't get called away for 12 weeks at a time, and secondly he and I are in an established relationship. Did you and Edward get to have much of a chat before he left?"
"Well, now that you mention it … not really."
"What? But you spent the whole day together, so … oh, so there wasn't much talking going on, right?"
"Right."
"Bella," Angela said in a growl, "Are you tell you that you just put him on a plane knowing that you're not going to be seeing him for 12 weeks, and you guys didn't talk it out?"
"Something like that," Bella conceded.
"No wonder you're feeling like shit. So right now you're doing what exactly?"
"I'm on the bed doing nothing."
"So you're a sad bitch with no life?"
"Hang on, I'll check." Bella sat up and looked around the bedroom for a moment. She saw that Edward had left a t-shirt hanging on the back of the bedroom door, and felt the familiar hollow ache in her chest. "Yes."
"Okay, that needs action. I'm hereby convening an emergency Sisterhood Summit Meeting tomorrow night. Have you got anyone else you want to invite?"
"Actually there is someone else that springs to mind," Bella said slowly. "I'll give her a call."
Bella thought back over events from earlier in the day. She and Rosalie had been inside at Edward's place and she was chatting to Rosalie as they were preparing to leave for the airport.
o * o * o * o
"Are you going to be alright?"
Bella had looked up to see Rosalie looking at her with some concern. Edward and Emmett were outside loading suitcases into Bella's car, while Rosalie and Bella cleaned up and did a last minute check of anything that Edward might have missed.
"Yeah, I'm a big girl, but it's going to be pretty strange though," Bella admitted. "It feels like we've just started to get a bit of a routine going, and now he's off again." She pulled a face. "If it's not him leaving town, it's me. I'm not sure how we're going to make this work."
"Don't let Edward hear you say that, he seems pretty keen," Rosalie warned with a smile. "But I have to say the feeling seems to be mutual."
"It is," Bella assured her, "but we haven't had much time to talk about it."
The fact was, Edward was the one that had tried to talk about their relationship, and she was the one to avoid it. He had told her he was off the market, and she hadn't known what to say. He had offered to fly her to Prague, and she had cited work commitments. What the hell was wrong with her?
"Listen, if you both want it badly enough I'm sure you'll find a way," Rosalie said, looping an arm through Bella's as they headed towards the front door. "Just, don't be a stranger, okay? Emmett and I would love to keep seeing you, and I'm always up for anything that involves ice-cream."
"Thanks, Rose," Bella laughed, giving Rose an impulsive peck on the cheek. "I'll keep that in mind."
"And just think," Rosalie continued as Emmett and Edward appeared in the doorway. "While Edward's away I'll be able to teach you how to do the man-call whistle."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Bella said doubtfully, "I can't even blow bubbles with gum, so I don't think I'm very good at blowing."
"Oh I don't know, you've made the occasional exception," observed Edward as he came inside.
Bella replayed what she had just said and went bright pink as Rosalie cracked up in laughter.
"Oh, god!" she said, clapping her hands to her face. "Someone get me a word filter!"
"Never," vowed Edward as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "I love you just the way you are."
Bella ducked her head against his chest, as Rosalie gave Emmett an excited thump on the shoulder.
o * o * o * o
"Hello?"
"Hey, Rose, it's Bella."
"Awww, are you missing us already?" Rosalie teased gently. "Did you get to the airport on time?"
"Only just, we were cutting it pretty fine," Bella laughed.
"And how are you holding up? Are you okay?"
"I'll live. There were a few cameras at the airport, so things were a little more rushed than we would have liked, but I'm back at home now. It feels kinda weird knowing he's gone though."
"He'll be back soon enough," Rosalie soothed.
"I hope so. I was just talking to my friend Angela and she said I sounded so forlorn that she's calling me a sad bitch with no life."
Rosalie hooted with laughter. "I like the sound of her! Mind you, I'm the same whenever Emmett is away."
"Well that's what I'm calling about. Angela wants to have a Sisterhood Summit Meeting, and I thought you might want to get in on that."
"Sounds good, what does it involve?"
"Generally lots of chick flicks, boy talk, ice-cream and alcohol."
"I'm in. I'll get Emmett to drop me off at yours so I don't have to worry about driving home."
"Done."
o * o * o * o
Edward woke up from a light doze and squinted around the cabin. The lights had been dimmed and the other passengers seemed to be asleep or reading quietly. He rolled his neck to work out a few kinks and checked his watch. It would be early morning back home. He wondered how Bella was going. He got up and eased out of his seat, walking down the cabin to get a drink and to stretch his legs.
He had no idea how he looked, with his sleepy eyes and rumpled hair, but one of the stewardesses watched him approach her down the aisle and bit her lip.
"Hi," he smiled, "is there any chance of a drink?"
"Certainly sir, what would you like?" Oh, honey. Coffee? Tea? Me?
"Something without caffeine, I wouldn't mind getting some more sleep."
"Hot chocolate?"
"That sounds great."
"No problem. I'll bring it down to you."
"Thanks very much," he replied, giving her a slow grin.
The stewardess watched him make his way back to his seat, admiring the way his jeans hugged his thighs. A few minutes later she enjoyed the brief touch of his hand as she delivered his drink. There were times when she really loved her job.
He checked his watch again. Bella would be asleep by now. He reached up to turn off the overhead air vent. It was getting cold. He sipped his drink, staring out at the blackness.
o * o * o * o
Bella woke with a start, and sat up. She'd fallen asleep on the touch, and she stood up with a groan as she stretched out her kinks. She blinked slowly at the coffee table, seeing the empty wine glass and plate. That's right. She'd made herself a half-hearted dinner and watched television, staring sightlessly at the screen until she had dozed off. She switched everything off and fumbled her way into the bedroom.
Wriggling out of her clothes and into Edward's t-shirt, she crawled into bed. The sheets felt cold, and she shivered slightly as she waited for sleep to claim her again.
o * o * o * o
A chime sounded, waking him up, and he listened to the pilot's voice advised they would be landing in Paris soon. Edward blinked slowly, then straightened in his seat and scrubbed his face and ran his hands through his hair. His sleep had been patchy at best, and he stretched as best he could in his seat. Flicking open the window blind, he looked out at the clouds as the plane banked into a turn. He wondered what Bella was doing.
o * o * o * o
Stop mooning like a lovesick teenager! Bella sighed to herself and reached out to grab the ice-cream tub. She had woken up and gone through a very half-hearted morning routine before heading out to get some shopping done. She'd avoided 'their' café for breakfast. It wouldn't feel right going there without Edward, plus of course the paparazzi had discovered them there as well. She didn't feel up to running the gauntlet of any more cameras than she had to. She'd driven aimlessly around town, picking up a few things here and there, before finding her way back to the Whole Food Market.
Bella stood and deliberated for a moment, and then chose another ice-cream flavour, then headed towards the chocolate stand. If her love life meant that her diet was going to hell, she might as well do it properly.
o * o * o * o
Edward made his way through the airport, hoping to change flights with a minimum of fuss. He had a baseball cap on, brim pulled low, and walked with his chin tucked into his chest. It wasn't a foolproof disguise by any means, but now at then it seemed to deflect a bit of attention. Today wasn't one of those days though, and he winced mentally as he heard a couple of squeals nearby. He kept walking at a steady pace, and heard the patter of footsteps hurrying to catch up.
"Est-ce qu'Edouard, nous m'excusent peuvent avoir votre autographe?"
He looked up with a smile. At least these ones were being polite. They hadn't grabbed at him, and were looking at him with bright expectant smiles.
"Naturellement. Désolé, mon Français est très mauvais."
The girls' eyes grew wider if that were possible, as he obliged and excused his appalling French, taking the proffered pen and scribbling a quick autograph on their scraps of paper. Another quick smile and he was on his way. Fortunately everyone else seemed to be in a hurry as well, so he was able to make it to his next check-in unmolested. As he stood in the queue, he checked his watch and then got his mobile phone out to send Bella a quick message. He rolled his neck and shoulders, trying to work out some of the stiffness. Nearly there, and then he'd be able to call her.
o * o * o * o
It was late afternoon by the time Bella finally let herself back into the apartment, nearly tripping over her shopping bags as she realised her phone was ringing. She cursed as she dropped her keys, then abruptly gave up and dropped everything as she lunged towards the phone.
"I'm here! Don't hang up!"
"Bella?"
"Edward! Where are you?"
"I just got in, I'm in the car on my way to the hotel but I wanted to call you first. How are you?"
Bella blew her hair off her face. "I'm okay I guess, feeling a lot better now though."
"That's good to hear. So what have you been doing today?" After sitting in an airline cabin for the last 13 hours he was hungry for news of the outside world.
"Well," Bella said in a teasing tone, "would you believe I've been sitting by the phone, pining away, waiting for you to call?"
"Not really," he deadpanned.
"Good, because I've been out and about for most of the day."
"Really? What doing?"
"Nothing much. I found a great bookshop that I think you'll like when you get back, though," Bella went on.
Edward listened to Bella talk about her day, laughing when she described Angela's summit meeting. The fatigue from the trip seemed to lighten somewhat as Bella teased and entertained him over the phone.
"I'm really pleased that Rosalie is able to come over as well," Bella said. "I've wanted her to meet Angela for a while now, and I think they'll get along like a house on fire."
"Minus the smoke, flames, and people running around screaming in agony," Edward commented.
"Well, yes, that would be a bit of a downer," Bella agreed.
"So what's on the agenda for the meeting? Dare I ask?"
"Hmm, well you know it's secret women's business … but what I can tell is that ice-cream and excessive alcohol will be major elements for the evening."
"Now I'm really sorry I can't be there with you. I have rather fond memories of what happened the last time you enjoyed that combination."
"I'll have to make sure I've got plenty on standby for when you get back."
"I'll hold you to that," he said softly. "Listen, I'm going to have to go because I'm nearly at the hotel, but can I call you later?"
"You can," she said with a smile, "although I'm not sure what condition I'll be in."
"On second thoughts, maybe I'll call you tomorrow. What's the time difference?"
"Ah, I looked that up earlier, I think it's about 9 hours."
"I'll call you tomorrow then, or email you, or both."
"Sounds good. I miss you."
"I miss you too. Have a great time tonight."
"I will, talk to you soon."
"Bye, gorgeous."
Bella hung up, then went back to pick up her shopping with a happy heart.
o * o * o * o
"Hey!" Bella opened the door and greeted Rosalie with a hug. "I'm so glad you were able to make it at short notice, come on in!"
"Hell girl, once you said ice-cream was in the equation you would've had a hell of a time keeping me away. I brought this as well," she said, brandishing a bottle of Moet. "I thought it'd help get the party started."
Angela appeared just in time to see the Moet make an appearance, and she beamed at Rosalie. "Oh I think we're going to get along famously," she said.
Introductions were made, and the women fell into an easy conversation as Bella got out the wineglasses.
"So have you heard from Edward?" asked Rosalie as they made themselves comfortable in the living room.
"Yep," said Bella with a broad grin. "He sent me a message before take-off, another one when he was changing flights, and then he called me a little while ago to let me know he'd landed."
"Wow," Rosalie was impressed. "Maybe I won't have to teach you that man-whistle after all, you've got him pretty well trained already."
"Man whistle?" Angela cocked her head in puzzlement.
Bella gave an evil grin as she sipped her champagne. By getting Rosalie and Angela together, she may well have created a monster. She couldn't wait to see the results.
o * o * o * o
Edward wandered out the bathroom, tying his towel around his waist as he rummaged through his suitcase for something to wear to bed. He ended up choosing a pair of form fitting boxer shorts and a t-shirt. He hung up his towel, picked up the envelope that had been waiting for him at reception, and crawled into bed.
The sheets were cool and crisp, and he propped himself up against the pillows as he fished out the documents. It was as he expected, script revisions for the table reading in the morning, and an outline of his schedule. He flicked through it quickly, then went back to the start and gave it a more thorough read. When his eyes began to droop with fatigue, he tossed the bundle onto the floor and flicked off his bedside lamp.
Just as he was dozing off, his phone beeped. He fumbled for it and flicked it open, smiling when he saw the message.
Sweet dreams – B.
o * o * o * o
"God, that was so good," said Rosalie as she carried her plate back to the kitchen. The women had decided on Thai food, and ordered a feast which they had happily demolished.
"I hope you've got room for ice-cream later," laughed Bella as she followed with some empty take-out boxes.
"Oh there's always room for that."
"Shall we open another bottle?" Angela turned from the refrigerator and held up another bottle of wine.
"I don't see why not," said Bella. She was feeling a nice buzz from the champagne earlier. She was glad Angela had suggested catching up, it was just the tonic she needed.
Angela hunted in the kitchen drawers for the bottle opener, and headed back to the living room. "So Bells, you didn't talk much about what happened at the airport," she said as she settled back down on the sofa.
"Urgh," Bella made a face as she was about to take a sip of wine. "Thanks for the reminder."
"Come on, what happened?"
Bella sighed and raked her hands through her hair. "Well, there were a few cameras, more than a few actually. We didn't get much of a private moment for goodbyes," she closed her eyes for a moment.
"And then what happened?" Rosalie asked in a quiet voice.
"He kissed me, or at least he tried to," Bella gave a wry grin. "One of the cameras was getting in my face so I tried to get away, so in the end …" her lip trembled, "all I got was a kiss on the cheek and he had to go."
She took a deep breath and tried to smile, but it dissolved. "Oh, crap," she wailed as she put her head in her hands. "I can't believe I'm acting like this. Sorry guys."
"Hey, there's nothing to apologise for sweetie," Angela said, moving over to side beside Bella and give her a cuddle. "We've all been there."
"She's right Bella," added Rosalie.
"I just wish I knew where I stood with him. Twelve weeks is such a long time, and … " Bella's voice trailed off and she shrugged.
"I just can't believe you didn't say anything Bella. You're normally a ballsy chick, what the hell is holding you back?" Angela said, her face creased with concern.
"I don't know, it's just really hard to talk about," Bella started to chew on her thumbnail.
"You've got to be shitting me." Angela said. "Bella, you can talk to anyone about anything … you've got such a passion for language, how is it that you can be lost for words?"
"Maybe it's not the words," Rosalie said quietly.
"Huh?" Angela looked at her.
"We were wondering how you were going to handle the media attention a while ago, and Emmett made a comment that stuck in my head," Rosalie explained. "He said that Edward's a headline, you're a byline." She looked at the girls who nodded for her to continue. "Edward's the subject of the news, he's the front man. You get to report what's going on, but you still stay hidden." She sipped her wine and thought for a long moment. "Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I realise my monkey man was onto something. Edward's name and photo gets splashed everywhere, and the news is all about him. You're in the media as well of course, but it's your name, and the words are always about someone else."
"Wow," Angela was impressed. "Your man's good."
"He has his moments," said Rosalie with a proud smile. "Plus, he's really good at the old …" she snapped her fingers in a remarkably expressive hand gesture that left nothing to the imagination. Angela whooped with laughter.
"Huh." Bella sipped her wine and sat chin in hand as she mulled over Rosalie's words. "Damn, I can't believe I didn't work that out sooner."
"Well, to be fair it's a bit hard to be impartial when you're the subject," said Angela with a squeeze.
"All this time … " Bella said in a wondering tone. She stared off into space for a moment, and then her gaze switched back to Angela and Rosalie. "All those years I surrounded myself in books, exploring different worlds, meeting all those people," she gave a small laugh. "It's all been a fucking smokescreen."
"So what happened to jolt you out of that?" said Angela.
Bella gave her a wry grin.
"I guess I slipped on a kiss and fell in love."
"You said it!" whooped Rosalie, making the other two jump in surprise. "God the suspense has been killing me!"
"What, the L word?" said Bella, hastily moving her glass out of the way as Rosalie lunged at her for a congratulatory hug. "What about it?"
Rosalie sat down and pushed her hair away from her face. "You didn't hear Edward say it the other day?"
"He did?"
"You were probably freaked out over your blowing comment, but he said he loved you."
"Holy shit, Bella, you've got it bad," commented Angela with a broad smile, "and uh … Rose you'd better tell me what she said."
Rosalie recounted the conversation and Edward's reaction, while Bella got up to get the ice-cream and three spoons. By the time she got back into the living room, Angela was in hysterics.
"Oh Bella, you've definitely got to keep this guy, he's perfect for you," Angela said with a giggle, accepting a spoon and tub, and promptly digging in.
"Bit hard to keep him when he's left the country," Bella replied.
"Only temporarily," observed Rosalie.
"It's just so unfair," groused Bella. "I'd just broken the drought and then he up and leaves."
Angela spluttered over her ice-cream.
"What? You're telling you hadn't … Rose, do the hand thing again."
"I will not," laughed Rosalie, "but I'm with you girl. C'mon Bells, spill."
"Nothing much to spill," Bella continued. "other than the fact I hadn't gotten laid for a while until Edward happened."
"You're serious," said Angela in disbelief. "But what about all those hot guys you interviewed? All those bands? There must have been at least one that you …"
"Hey," Bella objected with a hiccup, "I'm not saying the opportunity wasn't there, but they just …" she waved a hand and wobbled a bit in her chair.
"Didn't blow your skirt up?" said Rosalie with an understanding smile.
"Exactly!" Bella beamed.
"Huh?" Angela looked blank.
"You know," Rosalie continued. "You see them and it's like every cell in your body goes on red alert, then your ovaries spring to attention and start screaming This One!"
"Oh yeah, now I get you," Angela gave a reminiscent smile. "It was like that with Ben."
"Rub it in," Bella sighed.
"That's what she said!" chorused Angela and Rosalie, then looked at each other and squealed "Jinx!" before collapsing into a fit of giggles.
"Come on though, Bells," said Rosalie as she wiped her eyes, "how much of a drought are we talking about here?"
"Pretty big."
Angela and Rosalie both leaned forward in their seats looking expectant.
"Okay," she sighed. "If you really must know, it had been so long since I'd had sex that when Edward came along I'm surprised that I didn't call out my own name," she took a sip of wine, "and I just know that would have killed the moment."
There was a moment's silence as Bella's words hung in the air, and then the girls all screamed with laughter.
"Oh yeah," Bella giggled, "laugh it up you coupled bitches. You've forgotten what it's like to be a singleton, but for people like me it's considered a luxury to have an orgasm with someone else in the room."
"Oh stop!" Rosalie wailed as she doubled over on the sofa clutching her middle. "It's starting to hurt when I laugh!"
"Good, that's what you get for mocking my pain," said Bella as she held out her glass. Angela was still giggling so much that the bottle wobbled alarmingly, and Bella flicked her hand at Angela, spraying her with drops.
o * o * o * o
It was after midnight when there was a knock at the door. Edward lurched out of bed and stumbled towards the door. Opening it a crack he squinted out into the hallway. A stranger in a mussy business suit stood there swaying slightly, blinking in surprise at Edward.
"Can I help you?" Edward rasped as he scratched his head.
The man blinked slowly, looked at the number on Edward's door, then at the key in his hand.
"Stanza, spiacente e sbagliata," he muttered, as he turned and lurched down to the corridor to the next door, where he fumbled with the key and managed to let himself in.
"No problem," Edward muttered, shutting the door with a bit more force than necessary and making his way back to bed.
o * o * o * o
It was after midnight when there was knock at the door. Bella opened it to see Emmett beaming at her.
"There's my girl!" he beamed, shaking his head at Bella's obvious state of inebriation.
"Hey hang on, what does that make me?" called Rosalie as she got up from the sofa.
"You're my woman," answered Emmett as he swooped her into a hug, making her squeal.
"Angela, this is Emmett," said Bella, waving a hand back and forth between the two as she closed the door behind her.
"Hey, Angela," said Emmett as he shook her hand, "Bella has told us plenty about you."
Angela's eyes widened. "I didn't do it, nobody saw me do it, you can't prove anything!"
Emmett laughed. "Relax, Ange, she didn't dish the dirt."
"Yet," added Bella with a wink.
"Whoa," said Emmett as he spotted the empty bottles on the table. "Looks like you girls have had one helluva night."
"You know it baby, and it's not over yet," Rosalie wrapped herself around Emmett and nipped at his ear.
Angela laughed at them both and then looked up as there was another knock at the door.
"That'll be my boy," she said, and tripped over to the door to answer it. She yanked it open and beamed up at Ben's lanky frame.
"Hey babe," he smiled. He draped an arm around Angela's shoulders and strolled inside. If Ben was ever capable of looking stressed, Bella was yet to see it. "Bells, how are ya?" He wrapped his other arm around Bella's neck and pulled her in, squashing them all together in a three-way hug for a moment before letting her go.
"Guh, I couldn't breathe!" Bella pushed her hair off her face. "Ben, I'd like you to meet Rose, another partner in crime, and Emmett."
The men shook hands, and Ben nodded hello to Rosalie.
"You guys want a drink?" Bella opened the fridge and looked back at them in query.
"Sure, something soft since I'm driving," called Ben.
"Make it two!" added Emmett.
Bella produced a couple of sodas, and then they all made themselves comfortable on the couches. She sat back and smiled, enjoying the easy camaraderie that Emmett and Ben immediately fell into. She was still smiling to herself when Emmett looked up and saw her.
"Happy attack?" he said quietly.
"Yeah," she answered. "I like it when all my friends are happy," she said. That was true, although she wished that Edward could be there to enjoy the moment as well.
Finally, they all decided it was time to call it a night.
"Benny," said Angela in a pleading voice, "could you carry me? I'm so tired."
Ben snorted. "You're so toasted you mean. Poor baby, all the alcohol and ice-cream finally catch up with you?"
"Don't be mean," she pouted. "I had to drink it all, it was medicinal."
"Oh really? I don't remember you being sick," teased Ben.
"I think that's the bit that's going to happen tomorrow," commented Emmett as he helped Rosalie to her feet.
"Hey," said Rosalie, "it was a gesture of solidarity, we had to help our girl through a rough patch."
Bella gave her best 'deer in the headlights' impersonation as they all turned and looked at her.
"I'm fine," she squeaked.
"Right, well we'll be keeping a close eye on you, Missy," said Rose as she walked towards Bella and gave her a hug. "You'll get through this okay."
"I wish I knew for sure," sighed Bella.
"Listen, I worked Emmett out quickly enough, but Edward has always been a bit of a mystery. I know you guys will work things out."
"Hey," Emmett objected. "I'm a mystery."
"Honey," said Rosalie, turning towards him, "you want to have sex tonight?"
"Hell yes," he replied.
"No mystery, "Rosalie shrugged. She turned back to Ben. "How about you big guy, you got any deep, dark secrets?"
Ben grinned down at Angela.
"Nah, Angela's known me through sick and sin, and she's seen me in stonewash denim, so I figure we're good."
"Well I'm still here," Angela chipped in.
"That's all I need," he answered, dropping a quick kiss on her lips.
"Urgh, that's it guys … get outta here before I go into sugar shock," Bella said, flapping her hands at them as if shooing ducks.
"Carry me," Angela looked up at Ben.
"You can't walk?"
"I would … but I've got a bone in my leg," she replied.
"Nice try, c'mon." Ben hauled her to her feet and gently propelled her towards the door.
"Hey Rose, speaking of bones," Emmett began in a suggestive tone.
"Out! We'll discuss that later!" Rose yelped, giving Emmett a shove and winking at Bella.
There was a lot more laughter and catcalls before they were all on their way. Bella stood in her doorway, laughing and waving them off before going inside and closing the door. She walked back into the living room and looked at the array of bottles and glasses.
"And then there was one," she said quietly, missing Edward more than ever.
o * o * o * o
To: Bella Swan
From: Edward Cullen
Subject: Missing you
It's too early to call, but I wanted to say good morning. Did you have a nice evening with Angela and Rose? I wish I could tell you what Prague is like, but I haven't had a chance to see any of it yet. The hotel room is like any other hotel room I've been in. I miss you by the way.
We've got a table-read of the script today, and we'll be marking out the first couple of scenes after that. I miss you. The filming days look like they're going to be long, I miss you, so I don't know when I'll get a chance to call you that won't involve me waking you up.
Have I mentioned that I miss you?
Edward
To: Edward Cullen
From: Bella Swan
Subject: RE: Missing you
Details of the evening are a little hazy at the moment, and I think that someone turned the volume level up on the world today. Angela and Rose combined with alcohol are a force to be reckoned with. We've created a monster!
I think I have to go drink a lake now, then curl up in bed and hope for a quick and merciful death.
I miss you too.
Bella
To: Bella Swan
From: Edward Cullen
Subject: RE: RE: Missing you
Are you still alive?
And what's this "We've created a monster" business, I'm innocent I tell you!
Sorry this is short, got to get back to work.
Miss you more.
Edward
To: Edward Cullen
From: Bella Swan
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Missing you
Excuse me, but if I hadn't met you in the first place, then the combined forces of Rose and Angela would never have come into being. Actually now that I put it that way, I think the whole situation is entirely your fault. Suck on that Cullen!
Had a couple of photographers tailing me while I was out shopping today. Just what the hell they think they can do with pictures of me in a bookstore I don't know. Maybe it was the naked men and the karma sutra that got them a bit stirred up. Kidding!
Miss you lots.
Bella
To: Bella Swan
From: Edward Cullen
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Missing you
I like a woman that takes her book shopping so seriously, was it the revised edition? If not, I can probably give you some pointers – those naked bookstore guys don't know what they're doing.
Gotta go, the naked room service maid just turned up. Kidding! Suck on that Swan!
On a more serious note, I'd like it if you called my agent, Eric. Rose can give you his number. He'll help you out with the press if they're giving you a hard time. I don't want you having to deal with it all on your own.
Miss you most.
Edward
To: Edward Cullen
From: Bella Swan
Subject: Big girl now
I've been thinking about your offer, and I'm going with the time-honoured 'no comment' response. They aren't pestering me too much, and I figure I can hold my own with those guys. Hopefully once they find out I'm a writer they might cut me a bit of slack anyway. My main reason though, is that I don't want my life to be out there in print, I figure it just trivialises all the good stuff that we've got going on. If I say nothing, they've got nothing to print. If they make stuff up, then it's like you said – the people that know us will know the truth anyway. Which reminds me, I've got to call Mom. Wish me luck!
Missing you from here.
And here.
Ohhhhh, and here too!
Bella
To: Bella Swan
From: Edward Cullen
Subject: RE: Big girl now
Good morning, I miss you. I get what you're saying, but if you have ANY problems at all, I want to know! I know you're used to fighting your own battles, but you've got me on your side now, as well as Rose and Em. Hell, Em would definitely go into battle for you if he thought there were cupcakes at the end of it.
Missing you all over …
Edward
Bella smiled as she read the email, then looked at her watch and sighed. It seemed that whenever she had a chance to catch up on her emails and think about calling Edward, he was either at work or asleep. They were going to have to work out some kind of routine.
Her phone rang and she snatched up the handset.
"Hello?"
"Hey Bella, it's Dave."
"Oh, hey Dave," she said, deflated. For a moment she had hoped it was Edward.
"No need to sound too excited," he teased.
"Sorry, I thought you might have been someone else."
"So I gather," he replied. "Are you working tomorrow?"
"Yep, but nothing that can't be bumped, what have you got in mind?"
"I want to take you out for lunch, we need to have a talk."
"That sounds serious," she said warily. "Good serious, or bad serious?"
"That depends. It's crunch time Bella. Jasper wants to meet you so we're putting our cards on the table."
"Okay, where and when."
She carefully wrote down the time and place, and then concluded the conversation. She sat at the table for a moment, tapping the pen against her teeth as she thought.
This could change everything. But she wasn't sure if she was excited or terrified.
A/N: Ready for Jasper to make an appearance? Hope you're all liking it so far!
A huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed, it's wonderful hearing from you all, and I enjoy replying and getting to know you. I know there are lots of others out there that have me on their update lists – don't be shy! Drop me a line!
I'll be posting the recipe for those Oreo Depth Charge Cupcakes soon too – stay tuned!
In other breaking news, I've been nominated in the INDIE TWI FIC awards! SQUEEEEE! If you'd like to vote, and I'd love it if you did, here's the address – www (dot) theindietwificawards (dot) com
Um, but before you do that … how about a review?