Hello my lovelies! I hope you are all staying warm and cozy. I don't own these lovely characters. The songs for this chapter are "Warrior" by Scandal, "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks. Enjoy!
EPOV/SEPTEMBER 14TH
Last night was a night to remember. Bella was so surprised when she realized the dinner was for her birthday. I wanted to keep seeing that beautiful smile on her face. Mom gave her a tour and she was just in awe of everything. She never got to see the gardens out back but one day I would show them to her. When she saw that she received pots and pans it was funny to see her overjoyed about cookware. When she opened the bracelet I got her she held her breath. I knew I picked the right thing. She did not notice the small engraving on each heart. I had the jeweler engrave I LOVE YOU on it. I was hoping she would see it but she never did. I so wanted to tell her that it was from me and only me.
When she opened the necklace from everyone she had tears in her eyes. Mom and Rose had told me what they did after the day they spent with her and Alice. They told me about the time she spent at the cabin and the pain she had been dealing with. I was happy to hear she was healing just like I was.
When she said she needed a moment I wanted to take her in my arms and never let her go. I wanted to feel her tears on her cheeks and hold her tight. I followed her out and asked if I could help. She simply told me she was ok and followed me back to dinner. They all stared at her but she told us she was ok.
I had Mom call Angela one day and tell her what cake we wanted. I remembered one night in chat the talk we had about the birthdays she had growing up. She was very open about it but wanted to change the subject quickly. I am not one to push her into anything.
Dad did a beautiful toast to her and then took Mom dancing. Everyone else joined in and Bella just sat there. I knew how she felt about being left out without a partner. I asked her to dance with the hope of telling her the truth. The string quartet started in on one of her favorite songs. I took her in my arms and then snaked one arm around her waist. I wanted this moment never to end. I took her around the room and we continued to dance till no one was left. I stopped her and put my forehead on hers. I told her we needed to talk but Alice interrupted. It was karma telling me this was not the time.
I followed her out and watched her tell everyone thank you. I didn't want her to go. After they left we all helped clean up. Rosalie noticed something was bothering me.
"Edward what is wrong. I see sadness in your eyes." She took me to the couch and the rest of my family joined us.
"You all left and we were dancing. I decided to tell her the truth. Alice came in and the moment was gone." I sighed and ran my hands through my hair.
"Edward obviously this was not the time to tell her. We heard and saw the pain she was going through. It is going to take her time to heal. The right time will come for you to tell her everything." She hugged me and went up to bed. We were all staying the night and my parents were happy to have us under one roof again.
I went up to my old room. It was still the same as mom had not changed a thing. I got out of my suit and put on a t-shirt and pajama pants. I grabbed my laptop and hopped she would be on. I wanted to see what exactly she thought of tonight.
I saw her come on and smiled. She told me about how wonderful her night was. She told me about the presents she got. I was elated that she loved the bracelet and everything else she received. Something was bothering me. She was not saying what she wanted to talk about so I told her to spill it. She told me about how we danced and the moment then she paused. What was this about? I could see her biting her lip. She always did that when in thought or concentrating. It was one thing that I loved about her.
She told me that she was falling for me!!! I didn't know what to say. Should I tell her now or should I wait. I didn't type anything back. She asked if I was still there and I told her yes. I need to take it all in. She told me she was falling for me how could I not be elated at that? Then things turned bad as she took my pause as something other than what I meant it to be. She told me to forget it and then logged off. What the hell did I do and would I ever get to talk with her again? I closed the laptop and tried to go to sleep. There had to be a way to tell her everything.
I woke up the next morning to the smell of breakfast. Mom must have been cooking for everyone. I rolled out of bed with my hair everywhere and went down to join the family. I took in the sight of everyone sitting around the breakfast table and laughing. All I wanted was coffee because last night was a night of shit sleep.
"Edward my brother have some pancakes!" Emmett yelled at me as he put another stack on his plate. I said nothing and poured myself a hot cup of coffee.
"Edward what is wrong? The bags under your eyes tell me you did not get much sleep last night." Mom came over to me and hugged me. I was worrying everyone again. I sat down and just started in on what happened.
"After everyone went to bed I logged on hoping to catch Bella. She was there just like I knew she would be. She told me about the party, the presents and she called us family. Then it took a turn for the worse. She told me about our dance and then….." I took a gulp of the hot liquid.
"Don't keep us sitting her wondering what happened! Did you tell her?" Jasper looked at me and took a bite of his bacon.
"No she told me that she was falling for me. I didn't know what to say but let me tell you I was elated to hear her say it. I didn't type a message back and she took that as a bad sign. She told me to forget about it and she logged off. I don't know what to do. She needs to know how I feel and that I feel the same." I put my hands on the table and laid my head on them.
"Edward it will all be ok. Bella will understand eventually. You need to realize this is her first romance. I know she told you about her history. Like I said you will find the right words and the right time to tell her everything. Just remember to show her the real you." Rosalie came over and kissed my cheek.
We went back to eating and discussing work. The Japanese clients were coming over for two weeks to make finale plans and meet us face to face. I just hoped that would give Bella enough time to figure things out.
APOV/SEPTEMBER 26TH
"Bella!" I needed to tell her some good news! My heels clicked on the kitchen floor so I knew she could hear me coming.
"Alice no need to yell I am right here. " I noticed she put her head in her hands.
I had been busy planning a party for a couple that knew the Palmers and Bella had been busy doing dinners and smaller jobs. We had not seen the Cullen's since the night of the party. I had talked with Jasper on the phone and he told me what had happened that night. He also said what occurred on the internet after I went to bed. No wonder Bella had been such a moody mess. She normally is around her time of the month but this time it made it worse. My dear friend had admitted she was falling in love with someone she never met. I knew I would have to figure out how to get this all out in the open.
"Sorry I didn't realize you were right there. Angela said you had been downstairs cataloging supplies. Anyway……remember the night of the Palmer wedding and the chef talking to us? You will never guess who called me today?" I waited for her to ask.
"Alice get on with it I am no freaking mind reader!" She was even more grumpy than usual.
I had enough of her bitchy loathing self. I picked up the bowl of flour and flung it at her.
"Alice Brandon, what the hell was that for?" She was screaming at me looking like a snow storm hit her.
"That was for being a bitch in a box lately. Angela told me you took both of their heads off and now mine. I don't know what the hell is going through your head but I have had enough of my best friend acting like this!" I picked up the next bowl and poured it over her head. I had no idea what it was but now she was a sticky mess.
She was fuming at me. She picked up the bowl of eggs on the counter and looked at me. She wouldn't would she? She poured the whole bowl over my head and then smirked at me. I grabbed the bowl of sugar and poured it over her head. We were both going to be a mess but I wanted her to get this out of her system.
I grabbed a spatula and she grabbed a frosting knife. She looked at me and took her stance.
"En guard my friend." She swatted me on my ass and I returned the favor.
We both ended up on the kitchen floor an hour later. We were both panting but then I got the giggles. Bella joined in with me realizing what we had done. We both looked at each other and I hoped things were going to be ok.
"Ok back to business! The owner from the hotel called me and said they had a situation. The annual charity ball is coming up on October 25th! The activities director walked off the job and took her boyfriend with her!" I hoped she saw where I was going with this.
"Alice please get to the point. I am tired, hormonal and tired. I have had to figure out what to contribute to the dinner for the Aids Walk and make travel arrangements for the weekend after that." She was near tears. She was ready to unravel at the seams at any moment.
"They asked me to do the party and they want you to do the desserts! The chef has the dinner figured out but they want you to do the dessert party! The budget they gave is huge! They said we could do anything we wanted!" I saw a slight smile on her face. I knew that would make her happy.
"Alice that is great news!! Means more work for us but I am sure we can handle it." I could see the wheels turning in her head as she was pulling her fingers apart one by one. Sugar got very sticky when wet.
"Wait a minute who is leaving and where are they going?" Why was this not brought up before?
"I told you about this Alice. You don't listen to what I say most of the time. Remember the women with the braid in her hair from the cake competition? She holds one of the biggest sugar shows around. Angela and I talked and we are both going. We both want to compete. She wants to do special ones and I am going to do the wedding cake one. I just need to find an idea to go with this year's theme."
"I am so happy you are competing I think it will do you a world of good! Oh I forgot to tell you we also got an invitation to the ball! So that means shopping! We need gowns for the ball! We can go shopping this weekend!" I heard her groan but then a slight smile on her face.
"Alice that is fine but just us ok? How about we go shopping and then have a girls night just the two of us. We have not had one of those in a long time? Let me know what you want to eat and I will cook. You are in charge of drinks and by that I do mean drinks. I promise and cross my heart to apologize to Ben and Angela too. I will clean up this mess. I started this whole thing being a bitch. Go take a shower and make sure you put everything in the washer immediately." I was so elated that she thought of it I nodded yes like a bobble head doll. I went to turn on my heels but then realized I needed to know what kind of store she wanted to look at.
I went back to the coach house and took a hot shower. I do have to say the egg made my hair nice and shiny. I put my clothes in the washer and started it. I dialed Jasper while a plan formed in my head. I knew exactly how to get them together this plan had to work.
"Hey toots what is up?" I loved hearing his voice.
"Bella and I got the masquerade charity ball job and I think I have a plan for Edward. Do you mind if I stop by?" I knew he would not object. He said everyone would be in the conference room and to join them for afternoon tea. I laughed at that and he said it was something his mother picked up when they traveled Europe.
I knew that this was horrible to do to my best friend but she needed to see what was in front of her. Edward had made a bad impression but after hearing what he went through it made sense. He was showing who he was now and not the ass he was. Bella had been in so much pain for so long but she had changed so much since she got back. I just hoped that this would not backfire in my face.
I pulled into the parking garage and took the elevator up to their office. I walked into the lobby and noticed a new receptionist. She was friendly and told me to go right in as I was expected. I knew where to go and was happy to see the bitch from hell gone.
"Alice we are so glad to see you again!!" Esme came over and hugged me. I so loved her just like I loved my own mother. Everyone was sitting around the table. I did not realize that Esme and Carlisle were to be here but I was glad to see them there.
I sat down and Jasper brought me a plate of sandwiches. He poured me a cup of tea and gave me a few minutes to get accustomed to the office again.
"Alice, why do you smell like eggs?" Rosalie questioned me. She had a keen sense of smell since becoming pregnant.
"Bella has not been in the greatest of moods these days. When I walked into the kitchen the other day she was telling her mixer off. She loves her mixer! She took off Angela and Ben's heads and then started in on me. I couldn't take it any more so I dumped the nearest thing I could find on her. After the sword fight with the spatula and frosting knife we were both covered in food. It was a mess but at least Bella got it out of her system. Now down to business Bella and I got the masquerade ball job. We also got an invitation to it too. I am sure Mr. Xavier had something to do with that but I digress."
They all laughed at me at the though of us food fighting and her telling off her mixer. Jasper got a smirk on his face. I tried not to blush as I remember our little food fest at lunch that day. I told them I left and Bella was cleaning up.
"Is Bella ok?" Edward and Esme both asked me at once.
"A little sticky from our fight but fine. I am sure we will talk about what is going on in her head later and I am sure it has something to do with you Edward." I looked at him under my eyelashes.
"That is wonderful news about getting the job!! Knowing Xavier as we do I am sure you took his place. He was a huge contributor to many of the charities including that one." Carlisle took a drink of his tea.
"I will get Bella there but the rest is up to you Edward. I am sure she will be back online. She has been a bitchy mess since this all went down. I know she has missed talking to you. Somehow bring it up to meet her there. I don't know how you will do it but I think you can handle that. We are going shopping this weekend for gowns. I would invite the both of you but we need some girl time together. Bella and Angela are leaving again soon."
We all made small talk but I saw a hint of sadness in Edward's eyes. I knew his heart was breaking over what happened between them. After explaining a little more to Esme and Rosalie they both understood. I could tell that something was going on in the minds of Carlisle and Esme. They both went to speak and Carlisle let his beloved go first.
"Edward I would be so happy to see someone back in your life after all that has happened. I have loved Bella from the start just like I have Alice. How ever this goes down it could have repercussions. She does not know that we all know what is going on. If she finds that out she may not be happy with us all." Carlisle nodded. I knew he was thinking the same thing as I was.
"I have thought about that. I don't know what reaction Bella will have but I am willing to take that to see her happy." I took another sip of my tea and another bite of the wonderful tea cakes.
"Wait a minute did you mention they were leaving again? Where are they going this time?" Emmett had been quiet till he said that.
"Bella and Angela are going to a sugar competition in Oklahoma. It is the biggest of its kind. Angela is going to do the specialty contests and Bella is doing the wedding cake contest. It is a huge thing and will bring more prestige to the business. Between the Aids walk, the competition and us getting the job for the ball she has a lot on her plate right now."
"Great she is going to visit Toto." Emmett rolled his eyes.
"That is Kansas you idiot!" Rosalie told him. We all laughed as he blushed.
I noticed it was late afternoon. I had not meant to keep them so long. I kissed Jasper and hugged everyone else. I had some shops to find so we could get our shopping done on Saturday.