…'Meyer' made the mold…but we are all here to break it…lol…

Chapter 11

SAM WALKED toward the swinging doors to the kitchen. He knew he was gonna have to clean up more than just one mess tonight. He decided to gather some trays and glassware on his way so his intent was not so obvious. He spotted Edward's parents across the room and gave them a reassuring look that told them he would take care of this. Everyone here knew his relationship with Bella was more than just employer and employee. He loved that girl like she was his own.

He had never had any children of his own. His darling young wife had died just after their third year of marriage and he had never remarried. No one had ever compared to her. His lovely Clara. She had been his whole world. Her death had been very difficult for him. Unexpected to say the least.

One day she had been walking home from work and it just happened. She had been complaining about a head ache all day at the bakery where she worked and had left just after the lunch rush. She hadn't even known she had been bleeding internally. Sam had rushed to the hospital but it was too late. She was already gone. The Doctor had told him it was an aneurism. He didn't even get to tell her he loved her one last time.

He knew all too well the loss and heartache had changed him immediately. And he also knew that it was so very important to do right by the ones you loved. He would never forgive himself for the argument he had with Clara that night before. It was so meaningless and unnecessary. There was a new man working at the bakery with her and he did not like the attention he was giving to his Clara.

Jealousy.

They had argued for hours because Sam wanted Clara to quit her job and find a new one. But of course she wasn't going to do that. What a fool he had been. And he had slept on the couch that last night, too. If only he had trusted their love he could have made love to his beautiful young wife that last night of her bright life.

Approaching the doors now, Sam swung them open and saw Edward leaning with his back to the expo line, his head bowed down as if in defeat. Edward looked up then and said nothing, but Sam could see everything clear as day in his eyes.

Regret.

Remaining silent, Sam walked over to the dish line and cleared the empty glassware from his tray. He set the tray down and walked over to the coffee machine and started a pot. He had a feeling there would be a lengthy discussion over tonight's events, and possibly over events leading up to them.

Edward just watched Sam, feeling like he had really messed things up bad. Why had he been so sure she would be happy to see him tonight? And why was she so angry that he had stepped in and ordered more refreshments for her? It was what he did for a living. Second nature to him. He had just wanted to help her out and see her smile at him. God, he was like a lost puppy dog looking for love and …and …and wait, what?

What was he looking for?

Sam poured two cups full of the now brewed steaming liquid and turn and motioned Edward to follow. Edward knew he was in for it now. He had known Sam for a good 20 years or more. The diner had been one of the hang out spots during high school and Edward always came here after game night. The burgers were and still are the best he had ever had.

Edward followed Sam back through the kitchen and down the small hallway leading to Sam's office. Small but tidy with wood panel and few windows. There were two desks with computers and paperwork spread out and one small table with two wooden chairs near the largest of the two windows. You could look out and see a large smoker, a compost pen and scattered trees but not much else.

They each took a seat at the table and sat for a while sipping the coffee. Edward didn't really know what to say. But it didn't matter as Sam began the conversation for him.

"Well, looks like there is a bit of a mess you've created, my boy. And I am not just talking about the one in the kitchen, which you of course will clean up before you leave here tonight." Sam lifted his cup again as his eyes took in the worried look in Edward's expression. "You want to tell me about it?"

Edward was dumbstruck as he just stared at the wise man sitting across from him. Not really knowing where to begin or how to get out of this conversation, he blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.

"Why'd it have to be her up on that ladder, Sam? Why does she have to be so damn sexy that I can't control what I'm doing around her?" He leaned back in his chair and let his fingers play around the rim of his cup. Sam just remained silent, knowing Edward really wasn't looking for answers to his questions, yet.

"Jesus, I've made such a mess of things." Edward leaned forward and looked out the window and continued, suddenly weary of the situation with Bella. "She has no idea the power she has over me. I didn't know it until a few moments ago before you came into the kitchen. It's like I'm a teenager again and I don't know my right hand from my left." His breath left his lungs in a rough whoosh as he lifted both hands to rub his eyes, searching for clarity.

Seeing Edward's confusion, Sam spoke up then, cautious and cool. "My boy, there is not a man alive on this planet who hasn't felt like that once or twice over a woman. But you have got to understand something." He paused then, stressing his words now. "If there is one thing that a woman needs, it's to be taken seriously. If she doesn't trust your motifs; if she doesn't trust you to see and hear her, she will never let you in. And with Bella, there is a whole lot of mistrust she is clinging to." Sam looked out the window now, as if he was remembering things, thinking about another time and place.

Edward shook his head slowly at himself. How could he have been so careless? She had even told him too his face not to mess around with her and he had still gone ahead and done whatever his stupid-ass wanted.

"Look Sam. I never wanted to make things uncomfortable for her. I know her life hasn't been a bed of roses." He looked at Sam now, wanted the older man to believe him. "I've never stopped thinking about her after all these years. And seeing her has made me realize just how much I cherish her friendship."

Damn it…it was more than friendship.

He took in the older man's look of understanding, hoping there was a ray of hope there. "I have made such a mess of things now. I swear I'm not trying to mess with her," he practically pleaded. "Why does she have to constantly battle with me?"

"Bella's been alone a long time and she's worked very hard to get her life to some point of stability that she is gonna fight tooth and nail to keep it that way." Sam looked down at his hand, not knowing how much he should say to this young man who, in just a very short period of time, had disrupted her peace. He leaned back and looked up at Edward's distressed face. "Have you tried doing things on her level?"

Edward let out a disbelieving grunt. "I would if I could control myself. I mean…shit…how do I say this…I can't help but look at her and go crazy…things happen that I would never dream of doing otherwise. I mean, I know her…I know who she is and what her past has been like. And I know she doesn't need any of this, Sam." He paused and Sam knew there was something else, so he waited for it. "I just want to spend time with her."

There it was.

"Well now…there's a revelation," Sam said softly as he spoke. He felt a pang of sympathy for the boy. After all, he had definitely screwed things up so far.

Sam paused, making sure that Edward was looking him in the eyes as he mumble under his breath more to himself than for Edward's benefit, "…aw, why not. Look Edward. I'm gonna help you out here and I truly hope that this does not backfire on me. This information might help you out…might not. It's gonna depend on you and what you do with it that counts." The twinkle in the older man's eye was unmistakable.

"Bella has the morning shifts here every Tuesday through Friday." Sam looked up at the sky as if looking for the Almighty's approval. "If I was you I might try to see if I could be there without upsetting her in any way. She has got some thick walls up but I hope with the right kind of pressure you might be the one to break them down, my boy." Sam looked up, hoping that he wasn't making a mistake in giving that information to Edward.

Edward reached across the small table and clasped Sam's shoulder in appreciation, a wide smile on his lips and a gleam in his eye.

"Sam, you have no idea how much of the right kind of pressure I can have." And with that Edward gulped his last sip of coffee and headed back out to clean the mess in the kitchen, giving the older man a wide smile as he left.

Suddenly thing weren't looking so bad.

a/n…do do-do…*twiddles thumbs*…wonder what he's got up his sleeve for bella now…

…let me know what you are thinking please…review, review, review…it REALLY REALLY REALLY make a huge difference to know what you all are thinking…

Xxx jess