Here we are, Chapter 7 – well beyond the one shot. You got a glimpse of life outside the bubble. It's time for a bit more, including some new faces…

As always – not ours, but heck, a girl can dream.

Chapter 7 The World Closes In

Breaking in - E

The yellow boots were the last thing I saw when I left her apartment. I couldn't get them out of my head so I decided to lose myself in one of my Bella fantasies rather than face the very real fears I had about seeing my father the next day.

Sleep came more easily than I anticipated. Thoughts of Bella always seemed to calm me.

I woke up way too early though. My subconscious had finally decided to process what was to come today. I saw everyone else in my family regularly, but somehow my dad had avoided all but one situation that brought us together socially for over six months. He conveniently planned a business trip to Japan for Thanksgiving. We were in the same house at Christmas, but not a single word passed between us. Of course, I saw him at work, mostly in passing. We'd been in a few meetings together, sitting on opposite sides of the room. I'd received some memos and even a phone message, but all were professional exchanges. He hadn't once said, "Welcome back," or "Let's have coffee," or even, "Hi, son."

Nor had he scolded me, or made me promise to work hard. I think I could have handled him being a controlling dad more than I could handle being ignored. I drew parallels to Bella's situation with her mom. How could she be so strong? How did she not harbor deep resentment about being abandoned? Perhaps her example could help me eradicate this cloud of bitterness.

As I lay in bed, feeling disappointed that I wouldn't see her today, I heard my phone buzz. I reached for the nightstand, and I saw the text from her. How the hell did she know? She was exactly what I needed right now.

But I had to make a decision. She asked to come here. It was only fair. She let me into her world yesterday; I would have to open up mine. I still held the fear that she was too good for my reality. Lately, I hadn't even wanted to be a part it; how could I expect her to understand?

She could come here though, to my apartment, where we didn't have to face anyone else—just us. Testing the water so to speak. Damn, I couldn't start the day thinking about Bella and water.

I swallowed my concerns, and I pulled up her number. I'd programmed it in days ago when I saw it in an email.

She answered instantly.

"So, what's the verdict?"

"I could never resist breakfast with you."

"Tell me when and where."

"I can be ready whenever you can get here." I gave her the address and told her what to say to the doorman. "And Bella, it's my turn to thank you."

"No need for thanks. I'll see you in a few."

I called down to the front to let them know I was expecting someone. Then, I rushed to get showered, shaved, and dressed. I stood in my closet for a while deciding what to wear today. I had to figure out what would work for both for seeing Bella and for going to my parent's house.

I chose khakis and a white button down. I put a white t-shirt on underneath and I only buttoned the oxford halfway up. I remembered an old girlfriend ogling a picture of Matthew McConaughey dressed in a similar manner. She said there was nothing sexier. I wasn't afraid to make Bella little weak in the knees. God knows what she was doing to me.

I figured it would be a while yet if she were coming from the village and stopping for breakfast, but I'd barely gotten plates out when I heard the knock at the door. It was tentative.

I didn't even check the peep hole before I opened it.

She was breathing a little heavy.

"Did you run here?"

"Maybe a little," she answered. "It got me here faster, didn't it?"

She was still holding the bakery bag and coffee tray, so I set them on the hall table in the entry. I took her coat and hung it in the closet. When I turned around she had walked to the end of the hall and was starting into my apartment.

"Whoa, you were really slumming at my place yesterday."

"Nonsense, no place is a slum if you're there," I said, purposefully bumping into her as I carried the bag and tray toward the kitchen. "Eat first or tour first?"

"Tour, definitely."

My apartment had a very open concept living, kitchen, dining area. It was a large space with high ceilings, and a wall of windows overlooking the park. "Well this is the main living area of course. " She was already walking around, looking at pictures and decorative items as I pointed things out. "My mom did the decorating. It's a hobby of hers, but she tends to pick up on peoples' personalities well."

"I love this picture, the colors are amazing." I felt like I'd learned her life story from hers the day before. But mine weren't alive. They were either artistic or staged. I wondered what the narrative of my pictures revealed.

"Thank you. Most of the artwork I had in L.A. She designed around what she liked best about my place there."

"How long have you been back?"

"A little over six months." I continued working in the kitchen, setting out cups and utensils.

"Why did you move?"

"Which time?"

"Either? Both?" She paused. "I am such a crappy liar. I got curious, and, well, I might have read something about you going to a VC firm out there."

I took a deep breath on that one. I wondered what else she'd been curious about, but she was being honest, and I would be as well.

"My dad and I had a fight. It's a long story, but suffice it to say I went through a rebellious period. He got mad at me, and I charged off to forge my own path. I made a lot of mistakes, Bella. He wasn't necessarily wrong at the time, but he doesn't seem to be able to let go. Today will only be the second time I'll see him outside of work since I came back."

"What made him so angry?"

"I'd rather not get into it right now." And I put my arm on her waist to lead her down the hall toward the bedrooms. I led her to the room I knew would impress. I paused and let her take in the scene before stating the obvious. "This is my office."

"I don't give up that easily, Cullen. I'm just letting you off for the minute because I have the hots for your book collection."

"I thought you might like it."

"This is one of my ideas of heaven, but I'm getting hungry. Wanna finish the tour?"

"This way, my lady." I took her hand to lead her down the hall.

The last room was my bedroom of course. It had the same wall of windows with the magnificent view. "My mom did very well when she picked this place."

"You didn't see it first?"

"No, she sent pictures, but I bought it sight unseen."

"Wow, you must really trust her."

"I do. She's amazing." I felt guilty talking about my mom, considering Bella's lack of a relationship with hers. "Well, that's everything."

"It's gorgeous here Edward. It's very…you..." And she got up on her tip toes and pulled me to her. I was getting very used to that move.

"I thought you said you were hungry."

"I am, but you never greeted me properly. We really need to update your copy of Emily Post."

After her proper greeting, I grabbed a plate and was about to sit down at the table, when she stopped me, "Don't you want to break in your couch?"

I have a feeling my eyes got wide. Eating wasn't the only thing we did on hers yesterday. She took her bagel and coffee and plopped down exactly as she had on her own sofa. Feet tucked under her.

I shrugged and made my way over. I didn't usually allow myself food on the couch, but I doubted I could deny her much. We focused on the bagels for a while, and I flipped the TV on for background noise. When my bagel was done, I took my dishes to the kitchen.

On the way back to the couch I asked, "So are you against tables or do you just have a thing for couches?"

I sat down on next to her, but left enough space for her to eat without feeling like I was breathing down her neck. She set her food down on the coffee table, ran her hand up my leg, as she moved to close the space between. "I just think couches are more comfortable."

I closed my eyes and let her roam, but I didn't have to be patient for long. She took control today, pushing me down on my back. She lay at an angle with her back against the couch, half on top of me. Our kisses and touches were becoming more familiar, but that didn't mean they were any less exciting.

We'd sufficiently broken in the couch with another make out session by the time I had to leave. As I stood to tuck in my shirt, she smiled at me impishly.

"The white oxford is hot, but it looks better after I had my way with it."

"I could say the same thing about yours. By the way, you missed a button." She turned bright red as she scrambled to adjust her shirt. How could she be so bold yet fluster so easy?

"Bella, I really appreciate you coming over. I needed you today. I wish . . ." I paused thinking I shouldn't say anything more.

"What?"

"I wish you were going to be here when I got home. "

"I will if you want me to be."

"I'll be gone a long time. You'd be bored to tears."

"Edward, have you been in your office lately? I'll be like a kid in a candy store. I bet there are a few first editions in there."

I didn't acknowledge that, but she had no idea. I argued with myself about whether I asking her was the right thing to do before responding.

"You would be welcome to make yourself at home. You can use whatever you want. Eat anything you like. I'll leave you a key, and I can let the people downstairs know, so they don't stop you from coming back in. We're at my parent's place in the city today, so I shouldn't be too late, but I expect I'll be gone at least five hours. And I would completely understand if you change your mind and go home."

"I'm a big girl, Edward. I'll be okay. And I promise I won't go through your underwear drawer."

Personal Space - B

When I texted Edward, I had meant to bring him coffee and some bagels and provide a shoulder if he needed it. I hadn't anticipated that he would want me to stay. Then again, he never did what I expected. Maybe I was being unfair to him, expecting him to act like every other guy I had dated, when it was clear that he was anything but.

He was worried that I would be bored. The furthest thing from it.

After he left, I wandered back into his office. I wasn't joking with him when I said I was in a candy store. I had a full wall, fourteen feet high, filled with books. I began scanning the titles, pausing periodically to pull out a spine, study the cover, or read the fly leaf.

Needless to say, my personal library and Edward's were a bit different. I had mostly paperbacks, well read, and well loved. Edward's were almost all hard back, all in pristine condition. He had a whole section of first editions. Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, Brave New World. He even had 1984.

Interspersed amongst the books were clusters of photos. Edward and his brother. Edward and his mom. Numerous pictures of an infant girl. That must be his niece, Haley. There were no pictures of Edward's father.

There was one lone candid in the group. A faded photo of four kids at the beach, they looked to be eleven or twelve years old. Three boys and a girl, their arms draped around each others' shoulders. On closer observation, it was clear that two of the boys were Edward and his brother Emmett. Even at that gawky tween age, Edward had a smile that could stop traffic.

The little girl in the photo was gorgeous, with long strawberry blonde hair. The other little boy had golden blonde hair and blue eyes. There was something oddly familiar about him that I couldn't place. Maybe they were cousins.

I went back to scanning the titles, mentally salivating over the literary gold mine in front of me, when I stopped cold.

No way.

I pulled a book of the shelf. Did I find Edward Cullen's dirty little secret? A whole row of Jack Hale books. They were hard back, but still, you didn't get any more mainstream brain candy than Jack Hale.

I pulled the first of the series out, smiling as I remembered how we had fought over the cover art. Oh this was just too priceless.

I opened the book. On the inside cover, written in black ink, was a short note:

Thanks for believing in me, and not outing me to the crowd. You always have my back. JW

What the…

…the blonde boy in the photo. Sonofabitch.

I carried the book back out into the living room, and dropped it on the coffee table. I retrieved my cell phone from the pocket of my coat and pulled up the number that I had called every week for the last six years.

"Dizzy Izzy! To what do I owe the honor?"

"How many times have I told you, Jasper Whitlock, you keep calling me Dizzy Izzy, and I will publicly call you Jack Hale often in front of people you don't want me to…" I let my voice trial off, waiting for him to rise to the bait.

"Touché, touché. You've kept my little secret. I have to respect that."

"So tell me, Jasper, who else knows your secret?"

"You, my mother, my two best friends and my accountant. Why?"

"Because I am holding a signed copy of your first book. The message thanks the recipient for 'always having my back'. The initials in the book are JW, not JH."

He was silent for a moment. "Where are you, Bella?"

"Where do you think I am?"

"I only signed one book with my real initials. If you are at his apartment, I want to know what the hell you are doing there. If you are not where I think you are, I want to know how the fucking book got there."

"Why are you worried about where I would be?" I asked, truly curious.

"Because you are a wonderful woman, Bella. I love Edward like a brother, but I will not let him put you through the wringer like he's done to all the other women in his life."

And there it was.

"How do you know Edward?" He queried cautiously.

"We have been…involved for a few weeks. How do you know Edward?"

"We grew up together. He's the one that encouraged me to start writing in the first place." I heard a chime in the background. Jasper cursed under his breath. "That's Maria. I need to go deal with this once and for all. I will call you tomorrow and we will continue this discussion."

"Fine, Jasper. Good luck with Maria."

I sat my phone down on the coffee table and studied the cover of the book I had carried out of Edward's office.

Jasper Whitlock and Edward were childhood friends.

Jasper was my first author. He came from an old family with a lot of name and no more money. He had written a number of scholarly books on political theory, but desperately needed to make some money to help keep the family estate up and running. I had been given his first book as my first assignment. It was a western that harkened back to the early days of Louis L'Amour. It had great potential, but Jasper was insistent that it go out under a nom de plum. Apparently his family barely tolerated the literary bent. Mainstream 'schlock' would not fly.

It was the beginning of a great partnership. In six years, we had put out five of his books. The last one was an immediate best seller, and at last tally was in its fourth reprint.

He was also a wonderful friend.

What are the odds?

I settled into the couch with the book. I hadn't read it in ages, and it felt like curling up with an old stuffed animal. Comfortable and familiar.

I spent the afternoon reading. I had forgotten how fabulous the book was. Get past the cowboy posturing, and it really was lovely. So full of imagery.

Around three, I started to get tired. The poor sleep from the previous night had caught up with me. I would have loved to curl up in Edward's bed and take a nap, but that felt too presumptuous. It was enough that he left me here alone.

As comfortable as the couch was, I had started to get a crick in my neck. I wandered back into Edward's room to grab a pillow off his bed. As I was walking out I saw a zip front hoodie draped over the treadmill in the corner. I grabbed the sweatshirt, and slipped back out into the living room. Curled up on the couch with his sweatshirt pulled over me like a blanket felt like small slice of heaven. It smelled like him. That smell and the warmth were just enough to relax me into sleep.

Home - E

"Fuck!"

I usually found profanity unnecessary, but right now they were the only words coming to mind.

"Fucking asshole!"

I hoped there weren't any cameras in the elevator as I made up to my apartment. It was good to get my anger and frustration out. I was hoping Bella would be in there when I opened the door, and I didn't intend to unload all of this on her.

Time with my dad had gone badly. I knew it would. My mom was insistent that we all try to get together. Even Emmett didn't think it was a good idea, but we all went because no one would say no to Esme.

"Bullshit!"

For the first hour, everyone was engaged in pleasantries. We oohed and ahhed over everything Haley did. The night before my mom and dad had babysat while Rosalie and Emmett went out. Well, I think the nanny was there too, but mom liked to pretend she was a normal grandmother. My mom told Emmett and Rosalie everything that Haley did the night before. Emmett talked about his business trip, and Rosalie shared the story of their Valentine's date. They had the kind of night I'd originally planned with dinner at the latest hot spot and dancing after. It sounded nice, but I couldn't help but gloat internally. Mine was better.

Dad started slowly. "So, Edward, did you have Valentine's plans? I haven't read any tabloids lately so I'm not sure if you're seeing anyone."

That one wasn't unexpected, but it still stung. I felt possessive of my relationship with Bella, and I didn't want to share any of it with them. However, our relationship was escalating, and it was only a matter of time before we were public.

"I am seeing someone, but to my knowledge I haven't been in the tabloids lately." I didn't know for sure, but I hadn't seen any photographers or anyone following me lately.

"I don't suppose you could keep it that way." He bore a hole in me with his gaze.

"Son of a Bitch!"

"Carlisle, let's have a nice afternoon, shall we?" my mom interrupted before I could complain. "Edward, you're seeing someone? You should have brought her today."

I looked at Rosalie, hoping she'd give me courage to continue. She just shrugged and raised an eyebrow as if to say I was all on my own here. I was used to be left to fight my own battles, so it didn't faze me.

"It's all very new, mom."

"It always is with you, Edward," my dad threw out.

"Damn him!"

I whispered under my breath that things aren't always what they appear, when Emmett chimed in to try to salvage the afternoon.

"Hey Dad, you should see what Edward's been doing in his department lately. He's got them eating out of the palm of his hand." Emmett looked at Dad almost with warning in his eyes, but my dad didn't heed. Emmett typically took the diffusion approach rather than the direct attack.

"Yes, well, Edward came to us with plenty of experience, so he should be able to handle our little firm after his years dealing with the big names." It was a complete farce to imply CI was a "little firm." His intention was merely to humiliate me for jumping ship.

I was going to speak, but Emmett stepped in again. "As long as he's putting that experience to work for us now, I'm happy. Hey mom, these appetizers are great. What's in them?"

She'd actually had them catered, so she didn't know, but the subject had changed, and we didn't return to it. I watched as my dad interacted happily with everyone but me. He bounced the baby on his lap and made funny faces, like a typical grandfather.

I couldn't reconcile that with the image I had of him as a cold hearted snake right now.

He didn't even acknowledge me when I left.

"Mother fucker!"

When the elevator reached my floor, I took a deep breath, trying to relieve some of my tension.

I turned the corner and was about to call out to see if Bella were still in the apartment when I saw her asleep on the couch, curled up in a ball. She'd wrapped herself in one of my sweatshirts. I noticed she'd picked one of Jasper's books to read. I wouldn't have expected her to go for the trashy Western, but then again, Jasper could definitely turn a phrase. I'd have to remember to be careful to use his pen name when I teased her about the book.

I didn't want to wake her up just yet. I sat down on the edge of the couch and studied her more. Her breathing was deep. Her lips were slightly parted, and she had a few strands of hair covering them. She seemed so small and innocent. Such a contrast to the bold woman I'd come to know. I liked the idea that she had vulnerabilities too. It always worked better when there was balance in a relationship. Not that I had any real relationship experience, but I've observed others well.

I was about to lift her legs and rub her feet when she said my name out loud. I looked back up to her face, assuming she'd awoken. But she was still fast asleep.

For the longest time, I just watched her sleep. Her presence here made my apartment feel intimate, warmer. My official homecoming may have been a half a year ago, but it wasn't until this exact minute that I truly felt at home.

I had a feeling I'd never feel at home again unless I were with Bella.

Promises - B

It was faint at first. Just the slightest pressure, over and over again. As I shifted back into consciousness, the pressure became a little bit stronger. It started at my temple, trailed down my cheekbone, and then started all over again.

I opened my eyes. It must be late; the apartment was dark. Weak light filtered out from the kitchen.

Edward sat on the floor in front of me. The back of his hand the cause for the pressure.

"That feels good." I whispered as I closed my eyes, reveling in his touch. "Have you been home long?"

"About an hour."

"You should have woken me up. Although if that is what you are doing right now, please don't stop."

His knuckles ghosted over my lips before repeating the path back up over my cheek. I leaned into his hand, not wanting him to stop.

"You looked so peaceful. I just wanted to watch you for a while." His knuckles skimmed across my lips again, and I managed to brush a quick kiss on one before they resumed their path.

I opened my eyes and looked up at him. I could only make out his silhouette in the dark. His head was propped up with one arm.

"Did your mom have a special tutor brought in to teach you all the right things to say to girls?"

His hand paused for a moment, not completing its circuit.

"I hope you're paying attention to my actions because I'm not just saying I love you, Bella. This isn't some silly little diversion for me."

Something wasn't right. I tried to sit up, but was twisted up in Edward's sweatshirt. I struggled for a moment, untangling myself so that I could slip down on the floor beside him.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I mirrored his posture, my legs curled up underneath me, my arm resting on the couch. I traced slow patterns on his knee as I waited for him to speak.

He reached out to the table and retrieved a wine glass. He took a long sip before offering it to me.

"It's merlot."

I took the glass and took a sip, still waiting for him to open up.

"Let's just say it didn't go well today and leave it at that." He sounded so tired, so lost. The concern bubbled up in me, immediately followed by anger. I didn't know what was said, and I didn't need to. Edward had walked out of here nervous but hopeful. Now he was anything but that.

He barked out a bitter little laugh. "I can see the righteous indignation welling up in you. You'd go over there and tell him off right now if you could, wouldn't you?"

"It sounds like someone needs to kick him in the ass and since no one else in your family is willing to stand up for you…"

He cut me off. "Emmett tries, but it falls on deaf ears. "

His free hand began tracing the path along my cheek again, slower this time. I couldn't help but close my eyes in reaction.

"You think you are a tiger, Bella. But to him, you'd be an angry kitten. He'd bat you out of the way without a second glance. I won't let him hurt you like that."

"He can only hurt people if you let him, Edward. Stop giving him the power."

He was quiet for a moment as he absorbed my words. Then he pushed up off the couch so that he could lean in toward me.

"You are right. " The hand that had been tracing my cheekbone slipped into my hair, and he tugged a bit, forcing me to tilt my head to the side. He trailed a line of kisses along my neck and across my jaw, before leaning his forehead against mine.

"Just you and me, okay? That's all that matters. Just promise me you are in this with me?"

He sounded so vulnerable, so exposed. I hated that his father had the power to do this to him. I hope there is a special place in hell for Carlisle Cullen.

I slipped my arms around his neck, and hugged him as tight as I could.

"Just you and me. I promise."

Well, well, well. Good old Jasper, huh? Wonder how that will play out when Edward finds out. And ouch on the Carlisle stuff. Wonder what the heck happened there?

We are throwing the gauntlet – we want to hear theories. What happened to get Carlisle so riled up? What are they going to think when they finally meet Bella? Come on, let's hear it! Reviews are almost better than getting Edward's white oxford all rumpled on the couch.