End of Chapter 18
She stepped away from me and picked up her bag that I wasn't even aware had fallen to her feet. I watched her walk through the gate. She turned once more and waved. I waved back, and she turned and headed away from me to her terminal. I felt a small hand on my shoulder, then. I reached up without looking, and placed my hand on top of Alice's.
"Four days," she said to me like a promise.
"Four days," I repeated.
Chapter 19: Falling Slowly (BPOV)
I sat there waiting for my flight to board running my fingertips over the side of my jaw where I could still feel Edward's lips lingering. It was an innocent enough kiss. I would have dismissed it as a warm good-bye of a close friend, if it weren't for the almost kiss that Alice interrupted earlier. I swore Edward was going to kiss me, and the thing that surprised me the most is that I realized that I wanted him to. Then when he had called me back and pulled me into his arms, it just felt right. Closing my eyes, I remembered how it felt having his cheek brush so softly against my own. I let out a long, slow breath.
I was brought out of my daydream by the boarding call for my flight. I got into line, and called my dad to let him know I was boarding.
"Swan residence," he answered.
"Dad," I replied. "I just wanted to give you a quick call and let you know my flight is boarding."
"OK, baby. You be safe, and call me when you arrive in Bolder."
"I will, dad. I am going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too, sweetie. You have fun with your mom."
"I will. I'll call you in a couple of hours."
"OK. Love ya, Bells."
"I love you too, dad."
I was still a ways back in the queue to get onto the plane, so I decided to send one more quick text.
In line to board. Thanks again for the ride! –B
I was glad I could do it. I'll miss you! – E
I'll miss you, too. Can I call you when I get to Bolder? –B
I would be sad if you didn't. –E
Talk to you in a couple of hours then. – B
Be safe. – E
I spent the flight to Denver with my nose buried in the first book of a series that Edward had recommended to me. He lent me the first few books in the series for my flights, because he knew I was a fast reader. I was so engrossed that I almost missed the seatbelt light coming on. I quickly packed up my stuff, and looked out the window as we skidded into Colorado. I wish I hadn't had to take a night flight, because I would have loved to see the mountains. Maybe the next time I came out here I would arrange for a flight at sunrise or sunset.
I glanced down at my watch to see that I had about an hour until my next flight boarded. I walked over to the coffee shop, and grabbed a caramel latte and a muffin, then made my way to my terminal. Before I tucked into my muffin, I had to check in with my guys. My guys. One was, and was I hoping that the other was too? Could Edward look at me as more than a friend? He had held me so close that night he read to me. He was always touching me in some small way, and he was so attentive. Could this be why he had been distracted so much these past few weeks? I tucked that thought into the back of my mind while I went about making my phone calls.
The one with my dad went quickly, just a hello, and a promise to call once I had landed in Wyoming. After I hung up with him, I dialed Edward's number.
"Hey there, beautiful," he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Well, hello to you, too."
"How was your flight?"
"Quiet," I admitted. "I read the whole time."
"Martin?" he asked excitedly.
"Yes, and I really like it so far."
"I knew you would."
"Yes, you are very smart. Now, what are you doing?"
"Practicing my music for the Christmas program. You?"
"I got a coffee and a muffin to snack on, because I have about forty-five minutes until my flight boards."
"Are you going to read to pass the time?"
"I was going to, but I just got a better idea, but it will require your participation."
"And what is that, Ms. Swan?"
"Will you play for me? Well, not play for me, but can I listen while you practice?"
"Sure," he said with a laugh, "but you don't have to, Bella. I can take a break."
"Please, Edward," I entreated. "I love to hear you play."
"As you wish," he said, and I giggled. "Let me put you on speaker phone, because I want to be able to hear you as well."
I heard him shuffling things around then, and then the sound of the click of the phone being laid down on the piano.
"Can you hear me?"
"Yes, I can hear you. What in on the program for tonight, maestro?"
"I was working on Fur Elise."
"OK, Schroeder, let's have it.
"Enough of your sass, woman. And you can lay against my piano anytime, Lucy. Ready?"
"Yes, please."
He launched into the music then, and I closed my eyes. I listened to the way he put emotion into the notes. The way he made the passages rise and fall. The gentleness he put into the soft beginning, and how it built it up to the more furious movements. The notes he was playing were orchestrating my respiration. Then, there was almost a longing in the way he played out the rest of the song as he brought it to a close.
"Are you still there?" He asked worriedly.
"Yes," I said through my heavy breaths. "Edward…that was amazing! There was an almost longing nature to those final notes."
"You could sense that?" He asked in awe.
"Yes, it was like the notes were reaching out to someone just out of their grasp."
"That is exactly what they were doing, Bella."
"So, is your inspiration your fifth mistress as well?"
He let out a loud guffaw at that, and I joined him with my laughter.
"This is why I choose you as my partner for all the trivia games, Bella. You have the strangest conglomeration of knowledge of anyone I know."
"I guess I am kind of a nerd like that, aren't I?" I said embarrassed now.
"I love your mind, Bella. Don't be embarrassed by it."
"How did you know I was embarrassed?" I scoffed.
"Because I know you," he answered, and he did. Somehow, Edward Cullen had a sixth sense about me, and as disarming it was, I was beginning to be happy that it was there.
"I still have some more time. Will you play some more for me?"
"I need to work on this piece some more, so if you don't mind hearing Beethoven over and over…"
"I don't mind. I'll just sit here and eat my muffin, and enjoy."
That is exactly what I did. Edward filled my forty minutes until my plane boarded with the sounds of him working through Fur Elise. I could hear him working through movements. The different inflections he gave the notes testing out what worked best for him. We finally said good-bye when it was time to get in line for boarding. I promised I would send him a text tonight before I went to bed, because he was sure that I wouldn't get much time to talk once I was with my mom. I told him I would, and once again I was on a plane heading for Wyoming.
I could hear my mom squealing at me before I was even through the security gates. Once I was clear of it, I was wrapped up in her arms, and she was holding me tight and saying my name over and over while she kissed my cheek.
"Baby girl, I have missed you so much," she said looking at me and then pulling me into another hug.
"Babe, you're blocking the exit," Phil said. We scooted out of the way, and Phil reached down to give me a hug. "We missed you, kid."
"I missed you both as well," I said. "I am looking forward to spending the next four days with you guys catching up."
We picked up my suitcase from baggage claim, and then headed out to the car. My mom talked non-stop the whole way to their house about what she had planned for us for the next four days. Their house. This was the first time I hadn't referred to the home where Renee lived as my house in my mind. How strange. Did I consider Forks home now? Was Charlie now my home? As I thought about it, I realized it was. How would Renee feel about this? I would talk to her about it, because that is what Renee and I did. We talked. We had always had an open line of communication. Probably because, since I was a teenager, I had thought of her as more of a friend than a mother figure.
Since it was so late when we got back to their house, Renee just showed me to my room, and said we would talk in the morning. I gave Charlie a quick call, and sent a text to Edward. Then I brushed my teeth, put on my pajamas, and settled in to a bed that was no longer mine. As I lay there in a strange house, I started missing those I left behind in Forks. Just as I wondered how I was going to fall asleep, my phone buzzed from the nightstand. I picked it up, and written on the screen was all the lullaby I would need for the night.
Good night, sweet girl. - E
The next morning I woke up to the sounds of my mother banging around the kitchen. I looked over at the clock to see it was 8am. What was she doing up so early? Dear God, she wasn't trying to make a turkey was she?! I hurried up, and ran down the stairs to the kitchen. I saw eggs and bacon, and various fruits scattered across the counters.
"Morning," I said and Renee jumped clutching her heart.
"Good morning, baby," she said.
"So…what's all this about?" I asked.
"We need a good breakfast, so we have enough energy for the Turkey Trot!" She answered with a big grin.
"That is what we are doing this year, isn't it. What is it?" I asked.
"It's a 5K run!" Renee said excitedly.
"You don't run," I said with my eyes wide, "and for me it is down right dangerous."
"You don't have to run, silly," she said with a tut. "We are running to help raise money for the children's charity that the ballplayers support."
I just shook my head and walked over and wrapped my arms around my mom, hugging this insane woman who bore me. We worked together making breakfast, and Phil came in and joined us just as it was ready. I listened to my mom talk about what she was doing to keep herself busy in Casper, and Phil talked about his hopes for next year's team. I just spent the morning listening. I would do my share of talking, but I wanted to wait until Renee and I had some time alone later.
After breakfast, we all went to bundle up for the Turkey Trot. As I was getting ready, I heard my phone buzz.
What's on the agenda? Scaling Devil's Tower? –E
No, smart ass. Turkey Trot. 5k for charity. –B
You're running? LOL! –E
Smart ass. I know I said as much earlier, but he was teasing, and I realized that he couldn't see my pouting lip. I was getting ready to respond, when my phone buzzed again.
I'm sorry. You know I was kidding, right? -E
I'll use my three miles to decide how you can make it up to me. Talk to you later! –B
I slid my phone in my coat pocket and found my way downstairs to where Phil and Renee were waiting. We made our way to the race, and I would be lying if I said I didn't spend the entire race thinking about Edward Cullen. It ended with us raising $2000 for the children's charity, and frozen noses and toes. We got back to the house, and warmed up with a crackling fire and hot chocolate.
The next day, Phil had some errands to run, so I used it as my chance to talk to Renee.
"What's on your mind, baby?" Renee asked as we sprawled out on my bed together like two teenagers. "Is everything OK with your dad?"
"No, Charlie is good. Since his chemo ended at the end of October, his daily health and mood have improved greatly."
"That's great, babe. So, if it is not Charlie, then what is it?"
"Just missing my friends back in Forks."
"The Cullens and Hales?"
"Yeah, and Seth and Leah too."
"The Clearwaters?"
"Yeah," I said with a sly smile. "I think dad and Sue are kind of dating now."
"Charlie, you sly devil," she giggled. "I'm happy for him. He's a good man, and I have always liked Sue."
"I like her, too," I nodded. "She has been a big help to me. We had hired her to help me with the housework, because it was getting overwhelming…all of it. She won't take the money now."
"I am so sorry you have had to deal with this, Bella, but know how damn proud I am of you for taking care of your father like this. I know he is not the most loquacious man, but having you there has meant so much to him."
"It's meant a lot to me, too. It feels like we've talked more in these few months than we have my entire life. Not just chatting, but really talking. I do miss you, but I am glad I am getting this time with dad."
"I am, too, honey. I do miss you so very much, but I am happy with what you are doing with your life. I still feel like there is something you are not telling me."
I blushed and started fidgeting with the edge of my quilt.
"It's a boy, isn't it? It's this Edward that has your phone buzzing like a bee, am I right?"
"Yes," I said exhaling.
"Spill it," she said sitting up facing me and taking my hands into hers.
I launched into the whole story from us first meeting in the school office to the arguments to him reading to me and playing to me over the phone. Renee's eyes lit up and she "aww"d through the last part.
"So what is the problem, Bella? He sounds like a wonderful young man."
"He is! The problem is that we are such great friends. What if he just wants to be my friend? What kind of girlfriend would I be if he feels the same? Charlie's surgery is coming up and then he has chemo again in the spring. I am going to barely have time for myself."
"Bella, you are going to have to have faith in him. He knows what is going on with Charlie. His dad is a doctor. It sounds like he has already been so supportive of you, why do you think that would change with a shift in the definition of your relationship?"
"I don't know. I just don't want to loose what we have. He means so much to me already."
"Then you need to talk to him, jelly bean. If your experience of the last few months has taught you anything, let it be that time is precious. Don't put your life on hold for the 'time to be right'. Live your life, Bella. Embrace it."
I didn't even realize I had tears running down my face until my mom reached across and wiped them from my face with her thumbs. We hugged then, and she went to give me some time to myself. I knew exactly what I needed to do. I picked up my phone.
"Hello?" Edward answered.
"Hi, there," I said.
"Bella," he breathed out my name, "I'm so glad you called."
"You are?"
"I was just sitting here in my room trying to read, but really I was just missing you. More than you know," he mumbled.
"Edward?"
"Yes?"
"I miss you more than you know, too."
"Bella, can I ask you something? And, please, be honest with your answer, even if you think it will hurt my feelings."
"Of course."
"When you get back, can I take you out to dinner?"
"Like as in a date?" I asked.
"As in a date," he answered hesitantly.
"I would like that very much."
"Really?" He said sounding shocked and eager.
"Yes, really," I laughed at the excitement in his voice.
"I can't wait to see you on Sunday night! Can I pick you up from the airport?"
"You'll have to talk to Charlie, but I am sure he wouldn't mind avoiding the car ride to Seattle."
"I'll do that. I can't wait, Bella. Truly."
"Me either, Edward. I'll text you with my flight information once I get my boarding call from Wyoming."
"Sounds great. I am so glad you called, Bella."
"I am, too. This time away has brought some clarity to so many things, but we will talk more about that when I get back to Forks. I'll talk to you Sunday."
"Good-night, Buttercup."
"Good-night, Schroeder."
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A/N: I hope this nice long chapter makes up for the last short one.
I can't believe all the reviews I have been getting! You guys overwhelm me with your support! I am sorry I haven't been able to reply to them all, but I have been hard at work on getting this next chapter to you! I hope you enjoyed it!
Reviews are like being asked out by Edward…or Rob's abs!
