A/N: Ok, so this chapter is pretty boring, kind of a filler. I promise the story is going somewhere, this is just letting us see a bit more of Bella and Edward.
Thanks again for the reviews and the adds – it's nice to know what people are thinking!
Chapter 11
After a rather long shower together, I dressed for the day in a comfy pair of jeans and a t-shirt and Edward decided to eat in his towel.
"As much as I like looking at you in a towel, don't you have an interview to get dressed for?" I teased.
"I don't want to spill anything on my suit," he answered. "I only brought one with me and I've only got one shirt that matches my tie – I'd kind of like to make a good impression."
"Fair enough," I turned back to making breakfast, and soon we were sitting down to omelets made with tomato, bacon and mushrooms with toast on the side, and of course the obligatory coffee.
We ate quickly and quietly, and I offered to clean up so Edward could get dressed and go over his notes again before I drove him to the hospital. I heard him moving around, from the bathroom to my bedroom and then into the living room. I peeked in, not wanting to disturb him and saw him sitting on the couch with his notes, deep in concentration. He was wearing a crisp white business shirt and that was all I could see from the back, but I had no doubt that whatever else he was wearing, he'd take my breath away.
I headed to the bathroom and cleaned my teeth, pulling my hair up into its usual ponytail. I walked into the living room and slowly approached the couch, stopping when I was behind Edward.
"Ready?" I asked, reaching my hands out to gently squeeze his shoulders.
"As I'll ever be," he replied quietly, standing and reaching for the black leather briefcase on the floor. He slid his papers inside and turned to face me. He smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes, and it was then that I realised he wasn't always Mr Cool, Calm and Collected.
I grabbed his suit jacket off the armchair and held it open for him to slide his arms into. I slid it up over his shoulders, smoothing the creases and folding the collar neatly.
He turned to me again, straightening his lapels and asked, "How do I look?"
"Perfect," I replied with a warm smile. And he did – black pin striped suit, white shirt, dark silver tie – all perfectly tailored and probably more expensive than most of my wardrobe combined. "Come on – don't want you to be late."
We headed out the door and down the hall to the elevator. I was surprised when Edward reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers tightly.
I turned to him and said, "Don't be nervous. We both know you've got all the credentials you need for this job, and besides, Alice said you'll get it, and she's very rarely wrong."
His smile reached his eyes this time and they sparkled. "I learned a long time ago to never bet against that pixie I call my sister."
All of a sudden he was serious again as we stepped into the lift. "But this job, it's about more than just me now Bella. It's about you, too." I was taken aback at his words and turned to ask him to explain where he was going, but he continued, "I've only really known you for a couple of days, but I already know you make me happy and I want to be with you. Getting this job will make that possible."
I smiled up at him and squeezed his hand. "Well, you'd better get over your nerves and go knock their socks off then!" I said as I stretched up and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
The lift dinged as we hit the basement car park. We stepped out and I led the way to my well-used truck. "Sorry it's nothing flashy," I apologised. "It gets me from A to B."
"It's totally you," he grinned at me over the roof as I unlocked the drivers' door. Once inside the cab, I leaned over and unlocked his door, amazed once again at the gorgeous man who was now sitting beside me, looking totally out of place in his thousand dollar suit. "What?" he asked.
I blushed, embarrassed at getting caught staring again. "Nothing," I mumbled with my head down.
He reached over and gently tilted my chin up so I had no choice but to look at him. "Tell me Bella," he whispered, leaning across the seats towards me.
"I was just thinking how out of place you look, sitting in my rusty old truck in your thousand dollar suit." I dropped my eyes but he only tilted my chin further.
"Bella," he started seriously, "I don't feel out of place – I feel comfortable whenever you're near me, no matter where I am. Your truck is a part of you – I can see that. And," his eyes twinkled, "it's not a thousand dollar suit."
"See?" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in frustration. "I can't even pick a thousand dollar suit – you, of course, would be able to pick one hands down!"
He chuckled and reached out for my hands. "I bought this suit in Singapore and had it tailored when I came home. Had I bought it here, it would be a thousand dollar suit. Buying it overseas, it cost me less than half that." He leaned across, still grinning, and brushed his lips tenderly against mine. "Now, how about you get me to the hospital so I can start planning on how I'm going to spend all my time with you?"
I started the truck and pulled out of my parking space, then headed out of the underground car park and turned towards the hospital. We chatted about Emmett and Alice and growing up on the way, but he became quieter and quieter as the signs for the hospital appeared in the distance.
I pulled into the public car park and turned off my truck. Edward drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Did you want me to come in with you, show you where you're going?" I asked softly.
He turned to me with a smile. "I need to do this myself Bella, but thank you. I'm guessing there's a reception desk just inside the front door somewhere?"
"Yep, on your left as you walk in. The girls there are all really nice – they'll get you going in the right direction." I reached over and gently ran my fingers down his face. "Good luck," I whispered. "I'll be back here at 11."
He kissed my fingertips and gave me a nervous smile. "See you then," he said softly as he slid out of the cab.
I watched as he walked across the lot and into the main entrance of the hospital, then started the truck once more and headed for the supermarket.
I wandered up and down the aisles, picking up all the ingredients for homemade ham and cheese tortellini with creamy bacon sauce, as well as a French bread stick and garlic butter to make garlic bread and a couple of ready-made pie crusts to turn into dessert. I headed for the fruit and vegetables and picked out some apples and some blueberries to make the pie fillings and finally stopped in the chilled section for fresh cream.
I passed through the checkout and headed back to the car park. I passed the small local florist on the way out and stopped for some fresh flowers, a mixed bunch of roses, gerberas and carnations in bright oranges, deep reds and vibrant yellows. It was 10:45 by the time I loaded it all into the bed of the truck and I was about to start the engine and head back the hospital to wait for Edward when my message tone sounded.
Have you heard from Edward yet? I just KNOW he's going to get it! xA
I quickly messaged back;
Haven't heard anything yet, just on my way back to the hospital to pick him up. Will let you know. xB
I headed back the hospital and parked in the public lot again. I was only waiting for a minute or two when Edward walked out the doors and practically ran across the lot with a big grin on his face, throwing himself into the cab and leaning over and kissing me enthusiastically.
"I take it that went well?" I teased when we broke apart.
"It was brilliant Bella!" He was almost bouncing in his seat with excitement. "They told me they're only interviewing two others, but they're more than happy with what I can bring them!"
"I'm so happy for you, Edward!" I smiled quickly over at him before turning my eyes back to the road.
"Happy for us, Bella, happy for us," he sang. He reached down and flicked on the radio and started singing along with Van Morrison. He wasn't awful but he also wasn't star material.
I giggled out loud at how happy he was and he turned and smiled at me again, his eyes dancing. "I should find out by the start of next week if I've got the job," he told me. "If I do, I'll be back about two weeks after that to sign some paperwork and find a place to live. Will you help me look?"
"Of course I'll help you look silly!" I laughed. "I think there's an apartment in Jasper's building coming up soon, he was mentioning the guy down the hall was moving out with his girlfriend or something. Although…" I trailed off, starting to regret mentioning it.
"Although what?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Jasper lives in the same building as Emmett and Rose – do you really want to live that close to your brother?"
"Do they live on the same floor as Jasper?" he questioned.
I shook my head in the negative. "Nope – Jasper is on 3, Emmett and Rose are on 12."
"Pssh," he scoffed. "That's not close at all! Can you keep an ear out for me, let me know if it comes up?"
"Only if you help me unload these groceries!" I countered as we pulled back into the car park at my apartment.
Ten minutes later, the groceries were inside and Edward had changed into jeans and a t-shirt. He found me in the kitchen, starting to cook the apples for the pie for dessert.
"Lunch?" he asked, opening the fridge and peering inside. "I make a mean sandwich!"
"Sounds good – I just need to call Alice and Rose to confirm tonight," I told him.
I'd totally forgotten until I was shopping that I was cooking for six, even if Jasper's was going to him at the hospital. I picked up my phone and called Rose first.
"Hello?" she answered chirpily.
"Hi Rose, its Bella. How are you?" I asked.
"Hey you! I hear you've been getting close with Edward!" I could hear the grin on her face through the phone.
"And I wonder who you heard that from?" I shot back, smiling despite myself. "Anyway," I went on before she could ask for details, "I'm cooking dinner tonight and wanted to invite you and Emmett over."
"Ooh! Bella dinner!" she squealed. "We'll be there – you know I don't even need to ask Emmett – he loves your cooking almost as much as he loves me! We'll bring the wine?" she offered.
"That'd be great Rose, thanks!" Rosalie and Emmett both had a great knowledge of wine – I usually bought what was on sale. "See you round 7?"
"Can't wait!" she said as we hung up.
I was pretty sure Alice would be home since Jasper was working but I wanted to make sure.
"How'd he go?" she asked as she answered the phone.
"Well hi Alice, I'm fine thanks, how are you?" I responded in mock irritation.
"Sorry Bella! I'm just nervous and excited for Edward," she apologised.
"It's ok Al. He seems really happy with how the interview went, they said he'll know early next week," I relayed to her what Edward had told me. "But that's not why I called," I continued. "I'm cooking dinner tonight and invited Emmett and Rose over, I just wanted to make sure you could make it too."
"Like I'm going to turn down your cooking! But what about Jasper?" she asked me disappointedly.
"I'll cook enough for him too Alice – you can take it to him at work, break up the monotony of his shifts."
"You're the best Bella! Did you want me to bring anything home?" she asked.
I thought for a minute and thought about the flowers I'd bought. "Can you try and get some red, orange or yellow candles and napkins for me please?"
"Ooh, sounds fancy!" she squeaked in my ear. "Consider it done!"
"Thanks Al, see you tonight," I said and hung up.
I turned to find two gigantic sandwiches on plates in front of me on the kitchen table. "Wow!" I said in appreciation.
"Told you I make a mean sandwich!" Edward smirked as we sat to eat.
He told me about his interview over lunch, and then offered to help me with dinner.
"I'm more of a…solo cook," I told him gently. "But you can keep me company and help set the table a bit later?"
"Works for me!" he said, pulling up a chair at the table.
He watched for the next couple of hours and I put an apple and a blueberry pie together, made the tortellini and sauce and prepared the garlic bread. At 6 I had a quick shower then turned the oven on for the garlic bread and put water on to boil for the tortellini.
"Edward, can you please set the table for me?" I called. No answer. I stuck my head in the living room – no Edward. I heard the bathroom door open and poked my head into the hallway. My breath caught as Edward walked towards me in jeans and an open white button-down shirt.
"Can I help you?" he asked with a crooked grin.
"Uh…umm…" I looked away to gather my thoughts. "Yes! First you can do your shirt up so you stop distracting me, then you can set the table."
"Your wish is my command," he answered, quickly buttoning his shirt, leaving the top three buttons open. He followed me back to the kitchen and grabbed the cutlery and wine glasses.
"Honey, I'm home!" Alice hollered as she came in the front door. I heard her bag hit the wooden floor in the living room and then she danced into the kitchen. "Smells good!" she declared as she came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"What's in the bag, pixie?" Edward asked as he came back in from the dining room.
"Ooh flowers!" Alice squealed as she spotted the bouquet I'd bought sitting in a vase.
"Oh, they need to go in the middle of the table please Edward," I said, turning and smiling at him.
He returned my smile and picked up the flowers, carrying them into the dining room.
"Now I see why you wanted red, orange or yellow!" Alice said, clapping her hands together. "Voila!" She upended the grocery bag she'd been carrying on the kitchen table. Two candles and a pack of napkins fell out. The candles were red at the base, orange in the centre and yellow at the top – the colours kind of flowed into each other making them tasteful, not trashy. The napkins were a mass of red, orange and yellow flowers – and being Alice's choice, they matched the candles perfectly.
"Classy, Al, very nice," Edward commented as he came back in. "Anything else Bella?"
"Can you please put six dinner plates in the oven for me? Dinner's almost ready," I announced, testing the tortellini with a fork.
Alice pulled out the candlesticks from the other night and placed her candles in them and quickly folded six napkins into hats. She carried them into the dining room and called me in for a look.
It was perfect. The flowers were in the centre of the table with the candles placed halfway between the vase and the ends of the table. Alice had placed her napkin hats next to each of the wine glasses. I couldn't have been happier.
"Now all we need is Emmett and Rose!" I declared as the doorbell rang.
"Yay! Let the eating begin!" Alice sang as she ran to answer the door.