A/N
Buon giorno!
I'm still in Italy and will be heading to London tomorrow. I'll be back in the states at the end of the month. I love reading your reviews! Thank you for the well wishes.
Thanks to the usual suspects, especially Sunshine, for beta'ing this chapter.
And away we go…
.
.
.
Chapter Eighteen
Awkward
.
.
"Edward, I can still see it from here; move it back a little further."
Twisting around in my seat, I check the visibility of her wheelchair, folded and hidden by the children's highchairs on the way to the restrooms.
"Alice, if it was any further away, it would be in the kitchen."
"Can we arrange that?" She asks with a hint of ruefulness, knowing she's being a pain in the ass.
"No. Alice, Jasper knows you're in a wheelchair. I don't understand what you're trying to do here."
"He might know I have a wheelchair, but he doesn't have to see me in the wheelchair."
"Alice it's fine where it is. Why don't we order something to drink while we wait?" I hand her the folded, laminated menu.
"No beverages for me; I don't know what I'll do if I have to go to the restroom."
"You'll go to the restroom," I say as I scan the menu.
"Why did we come here? A diner? Really? I usually don't like diners." Dear Lord, grant me patience. I know she's nervous, but she needs to relax or operation matchmaker will be a disaster.
"What's not to like? Breakfast anytime of day." And none of your favorite places are wheelchair accessible, but you don't need to know that right now.
"I guess you're right. This place isn't that bad. It looks familiar; I must have been here before."
As much as Alice's anxiety is wearing on me, at least she's distracting me from my own pensive thoughts about Jasper and Bella's meeting this morning. What are they talking about? God, don't let her forget to tell him something. I pretend to read the menu, glad for Alice's surprising silence.
Again, I go over my list: PTSD is the top priority; surely she knows to discuss that. Eating has not appeared to be a problem over the past two days, since Alice has been back. I'm still curious about the details of her parents' divorce. Though Bella doesn't talk about Mike, his death must be in her constant thoughts…
"Edward?"
"Huh?" I'm too distracted to look up.
"Edward?"
"Yes, Alice?"
"You're as worried as I am, aren't you?"
I look up to find wide, sympathetic eyes. "Worried?"
"You're doing the jaw clenchy thing," she says gesturing to her jaw with her slender finger.
I unclench and rub my fingers against my jaw, feeling the tension I'd been holding there, the dull ache in my molars and wisdom teeth.
Alice lets out a long exhale and places her menu down.
"There's nothing to worry about, Alice. We're just having lunch together…"
"No. I'm not talking about Jasper. Bella."
I put down my menu. This conversation was going to happen sooner or later. While I conducted hospital hours with Carlisle last night, Bella told Alice about her meeting today with Jasper. Though I don't think Bella shared the gruesome details of our weekend together, Alice at least now knows of Bella's nightmares.
"Bella will be fine. Jasper is just talking to her to help select a good therapist. There's nothing to worry about." My voice in nonchalant, far from how I really feel.
Alice presses her lips together in a line and audibly exhales through her nose.
"Edward, tell me what she didn't tell me. How bad has it been?"
I try to keep it abstract. If Bella doesn't want Alice to worry, I want to respect her wishes. "I don't know. She had a nightmare or two, not a big deal."
"She's so private," Alice says, almost to herself. "I wonder what they're talking about."
Ditto.
"And they're late, too." Alice asks with her face in her hand, elbow propped on the table. "What time did the appointment start?" she asks, gazing out the window.
"They're not late. We're very early. Remember? Someone wanted to get here early and hide her wheelchair—I'm not naming any names…"
Alice rolls her eyes at me, but it ends in a grin. "Alright, point made. Let's order a drink—wait, that's them. Here they come…"
We watch as Bella and Jasper come down the street together. Slightly over two weeks since we met, the sight of her still makes my heart beat faster, louder. I wonder if that will ever change.
Jasper wears a sharp, dark suit and Bella is in a black trench coat, jeans, and it looks like a pink sweater under the coat. There is a spring in their step. Jasper says something that makes Bella laugh and he puts his arm around her shoulder as they continue to walk and talk. You like her, don't you Jasper? I told you she's something special.
As they walk up the steps to the front door, I notice again how tall Bella can appear at times, in spite of her height. Today, she is tall; she is happy.
"Edward," Alice whispers as they walk through the door, "how do I look?"
"Gorgeous," I tell her and I mean it. I now know that the Alice in the hospital was a grey shadow of the woman sitting across from me. Her short hair is glossy, her eyes sparkle, and her skin is a warm blush.
Bella and Jasper both wave as they approach our four-top table. I stand to greet them.
"Hi gang," I say taking Bella's small hand and lacing her fingers in mine. "Jasper, I'd like to introduce you to Ms. Alice Brandon." I think they will both like the formality of the introduction. "Alice, this is Mr. Jasper—"
"You've kept me waiting for a long time."
I snap my head to Alice, but she doesn't break her stare at Jasper. No, no, no… why are you being rude? They're not late, we're early. My head snaps back to Jasper.
Jasper smiles down at her and takes Alice's hand, "I'm sorry ma'am."
Noooo. I told you the whole Southern gentleman thing wouldn't work on Alice.
I look back to Alice, then again to Jasper… I can't read either of their expressions. They just keep staring at each other. Bella is doing the same… back and forth… it's like we're watching Wimbledon.
Ok, Alice… ask him to sit. Ask him to SIT. For the love of all things holy, Alice, ASK HIM TO…
"Why don't we all have a seat?" Bella intercedes and ends the awkwardness.
I change seats so that Bella and I sit across from each other. She bites her lip, as nervous and confused by their reaction as I. Subtly, I shrug, but it doesn't need to be subtle, neither Jasper nor Alice have averted their eyes from one another.
"So, Jasper…" Bella begins. Good, take it away, Bella. "Alice is in public relations."
"Public relations. That sounds interesting." Jasper's voice is flat, impassive.
"It's fine." Alice sounds… I don't know… bored? I've never seen her lack some sort of expression; her lips are pressed in a firm line.
Jasper, now ask her a follow up.
I wait, but he says nothing. What the fuck? The little I know about talking to women came from him.
Bella looks as confused as I and tries again to get this going. "Oh, it's more than fine. Alice, you love your work. Jasper, Alice promotes new bands in the Seattle area."
"That's interesting." Again with the 'interesting.'
"It's fine." Aughhh.
"Alice, Jasper here is a therapist," I say with artificial enthusiasm in an attempt to get this going.
"Yes, I know."
Well, that went over well.
"He has a gift; he's very easy to talk to," Bella says and I no longer care about operation awkward; I only want to know about Bella's session.
Looking across the table at her, I raise my brows, asking her for some sort of message. Bella slowly closes her eyes and gives a single, heartening nod. I relax… a bit.
Opening the menu, I try to move this along. "So what looks good to everyone?"
Bella and I turn our heads back and forth between the two, but neither of them opens a menu. They simply continue to stare.
"Well, I think I'm going to have a burger. Bella, what about you?"
Bella glances at the menu for a moment and says, "Um… cheese sandwich for me."
A cheese sandwich can't be a good sign.
"I like cheese sandwiches," she responds to my narrowed eyes.
I try to read her; see if there's something else she's hiding. Then Bella mouths an admonishing, 'don't worry.' I continue my glare. Then, quite surprisingly, her eyes soften and she blows me a kiss.
Though I try to hide it, a half smile creeps up.
"Alice what are you having?" Bella asks.
"I don't know. What are you two having?" Alice mutters absently as she continues her stare down with Jasper.
"I'm having a burger and Bella is having a cheese sandwich." I tell them again since they are in their own bizarre world.
"Mm-burger. Sounds good," Jasper says in a husky voice like he hasn't eaten in days.
"Yeah," Alice breathes, "burger."
"Well, that's settled." I roll my eyes at Bella and she stifles a laugh and shakes her head, bemused.
After I place our order with our server, I excuse myself to go to the restroom.
Bella jumps up, "I'll come with you."
Briskly, we walk down the corridor to the restroom.
When we're out of ear-shot, Bella says, "Alice is never like this. I'm sorry… I have no idea what's going on."
"You're sorry? I thought they would be perfect together."
"I'm getting ready for her to leap up and scratch his eyes."
"I know."
"Edward, are we just talking or do you really have to go?" Bella gestures towards the restroom door.
"I have to go."
"Good, me too. Meet you back here."
Bella turns to go into the restroom and I grab her arm and pull her back to me. "I miss you," I say, taking her head in my hands. I kiss her with the urgency of a teenager approaching curfew. Not caring who sees, I hold her still and explore her mouth. Bella reciprocates—twisting her tongue around mine. Her hands slide up my arms and she holds onto my shoulders for dear life. I glide one hand down her body and snake my arm around her waist locking her securely against me. Soft, sucking lips begin to pull away before she opens her mouth and invites me in again. It is the best kiss we've had since Alice came home. Too afraid to make sex noises in their little apartment, there's been little hanky panky since the morning before we picked up Alice, two days ago. The kiss sends a jolt to my groin.
Bella breaks our contact and says with a breathy voice, "I miss you too… Now go think about baseball and meet me back here in a minute."
"Tonight… we have to find a way." I say still holding her, desperation in my voice.
"I know; we will."
I release her and she playfully brushes her hand over the soft bulge in my jeans. "Down boy," she teases before disappearing into the restroom.
After replaying my baseball errors in my mind, I meet Bella out in the corridor.
"Edward, we need a plan to save Alice and Jasper from any more suffering."
"I'm open for suggestions."
"Well… Alice hasn't started talking about her niece yet, but that's coming any minute now."
"I'm lost."
"Whenever Alice needs saving from a conversation or wants to leave a party, she starts talking about her niece. It's our code."
"What if Alice wants to talk about her niece?"
"Alice doesn't have a niece."
"Oh," I laugh. I love knowing this stuff, being one of the girls. No I don't-must be more macho.
"When she talks about her niece, you get the wheelchair and I'll- " Bella freezes as she catches sight of something over my shoulder. As I turn to see her vision, she grabs my shirt and pulls me against the wall, behind the payphones, with her.
A few yards from us, we see Jasper retrieve and unfold Alice's wheelchair. Bella and I exchange shocked expressions. When we see him roll the chair out, we hunch down and quietly follow. We peek around the corner to see an image that blows both of us away: Alice looks at Jasper with wide eyes as he leans down, and she wraps her arms around his neck. With expert gentleness, he scoops her in his arms and, after blinking down at her for a moment, places her in her wheelchair.
Operation matchmaker—mother fucking success. Thank you, Lord. Sorry about the f-word.
Bella and I stagger out to meet them. It's their turn to read our expressions and stifle laughs.
"Bella, Edward, I hope you forgive us, but Alice and I thought we'd take a walk together," Jasper says, clasping the handles of her wheelchair as Alice looks up at him.
Jasper takes both of my hands in his, slipping me some sort of bill, and says with great sincerity, "Thank you for the introduction."
Bella and Alice end some sort of silent conversation.
"Bella. It was a pleasure meeting you; I'm sure we'll talk soon." Jasper leans down and gives a peck on her cheek.
"Thank you, Jasper." Bella reaches up and pulls Jasper into a tight hug and he reciprocates her strength and warmth. She whispers in his ear, "Really, thank you so much."
Alice looks up and winks at me. Still completely thrown by the turn of events, all I can do is shake my head at her, amused.
They turn to leave and Bella calls out, "Alice, do you have your cell phone?"
"Yes, mom."
"You'll call?"
Jasper turns around and says with quiet earnestness, "I'll look after her."
As they go through the door, Alice lifts her hand in a final good-bye.
Bella and I stand, dumbfounded, until the server brings our three burgers and a sad looking cheese sandwich on soft white bread, just the way Bella likes it.
Bella and I finish our lunch while dissecting what happened. We conclude that they must have wanted to be alone together from the minute they met.
"Do you have to go back to work this afternoon?"
"Considering I've only been in one day this week, I think the answer is yes."
I stand and offer my hand. "Let's walk."
We stroll out of the diner, our hands swinging slightly between us.
"No class today?"
"No. I have to go to the hospital again tonight with Carlisle."
"I think I better put your schedule on Alice's calendar."
I rub my thumb back and forth over her knuckles. Even the skin on her hand feels like velvet. Not wanting to interrupt her eating, I've waited to ask about the session today.
"So, you like Jasper?"
Bella gives a small laugh. "Like him...? Yes. He's a very special guy. I'm glad he's your best friend."
"The session went well?"
Bella nods, watching our feet as we walk. I squeeze her hand a little tighter. And after a few moments reach into my pocket.
"Here," I say giving her a penny, "this is for."
"A penny?"
"For your thoughts."
She smiles and shakes her head. "Sorry, I don't mean to be so elusive… The meeting was very good. A little embarrassing at first."
"How so?"
"I started to cry the moment I sat on his couch." Bella continues to stare at our feet as we walk. I let go of her hand to wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into me. Her head falls on my chest and she lets out a small sigh.
"That's common. Did Jasper tell you that? It's very common for people to do that."
"Yes, he did. It stopped almost as quickly as it started. I think I just felt relief for being there." Bella looks up at me and I give her a kiss on her soft lips.
"Did he suggest a therapist for you?"
"Yes. There are a few that would be a good fit. I'm going to snoop around about them on the interwebs before I make a decision."
"Always the investigator."
"That's me."
Soon, we reach the block that houses Newton's Olympic Outfitters flagship store and main office. The store windows, taking up about half the block, displaying buff looking manikins sporting hiking apparel and carrying oversized backpacks. Yep, I even hate the manikins.
"Do you want to come in? I'll show you my swanky office."
"You have an office?"
"No," she laughs, "I call it my office, it's really a little desk in the corner."
I open the door for her. "You probably won't get to meet many of the office staff. Most folks will still be at lunch."
"Hi Bella." A tall, middle-aged man, wearing khakis and a polo, calls out to her from behind the cash register.
"Hi Bob. Busy day?" The store is bustling with people.
"I'll say."
We continue to stride through the store and head straight for a door on the back wall.
"Is this where all the magic happens?"
"Try to control yourself, it's a palace back here," she says wryly.
Bella opens the door and we walk through to find a large space, big enough for a small store, lit by florescent overheads. It seems to serve as both an office and storage.
"It's not always this bad, we just got some inventory in." I follow Bella through a maze of boxes. "Our desks are back here."
Before I can take it all in, a booming woman's voice reaches out to us. "Hello, Bella."
"Mrs. Newton," Bella breathes. I turn in time to see the blood drain from Bella's face.
From an area behind a stack of boxes, Mrs. Newton emerges. I have to check myself to make sure I'm no longer holding Bella's hand.
"Mrs. Newton. This is a surprise. It's… so good to see you." Bella recovers and finds her voice again. It is the first time they've seen each other since the funeral.
"I needed to stop over today. We're looking at rearranging the merchandise on the main floor," she says to Bella as she shifts her eyes to me.
"You remember Edward," Bella says, looking nervously at me.
"Of course."
I reach out and shake her hand as she eyes my suspiciously. "It's good to see you again, Mrs. Newton." My mouth dries and I pray for some words to smooth out the situation. "I was… Bella and I… I was just checking in on Bella."
"I see." Her voice is as tight as her stare.
"Well," Bella says, walking towards her, "it really is nice to see you." Bella gives Mrs. Newton a hug that is reciprocated in, what I assume to be, Mrs. Newton's best ability. But it is still a pretty weak hug, more of a pat on the back than an embrace. After the hug, Bella walks the few steps back over to me. It is as if she and I are teammates standing across some imaginary line from our opponent, Mrs. Newton. That's right, Bella, we're a team.
"How long have the two of you known each other?"
What?
Though her voice sounds casual, I know what she is really asking. She wants to know if there's merit to Mike's accusations of Bella cheating.
"You know I met Edward the same day you met him," Bella says in a cold voice. Wow. I look down at her to see her eyes filled with a mix of indignation and fortitude.
"Mrs. Newton, will you excuse us for a moment?" Bella doesn't wait for an answer; rather, she grabs my elbow and rushes me towards the door.
With her back to Mrs. Newton, Bella says in a barely audible voice. "Drug store, next door."
I nod.
"Virginia Slims ultra light menthol," she over articulates each word.
I nod.
"Meet me in the alley."
I nod again, wishing I could wink or say something, but we're still in view of Mrs. Newton, so I simply hold Bella's gaze for a moment, then leave to fill her requests.
I'm on my second cigarette when I hear the quick clicks of Bella's high heel boots.
Stretching out her hand as she turns the corner she says, rushed, "cigarette, cigarette, cigarette." I hand her my cigarette and watch as she takes two quick puffs without inhaling.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I cannot believe that just happened..."
Fueled by a clear shot of adrenalin, she paces back and forth, pretending to smoke, as I light myself another cigarette twisting with anticipation.
"Well…?"
"I think I sort of told her off."
"You did what?"
"Well, not really told her off… but for me, it was telling someone off." She puffs again. "I went right up to her, right up to her and said, 'Mrs. Newton, we need to talk..."
"You quit, didn't you?"
"No." Damn. "But wait, let me finish. I said, 'Mrs. Newton, we need to talk. I am having a very difficult time, as I am sure you are having a very difficult time…"
"What did she say?"
"Shh, she didn't say anything… let me tell my story…" Bella says, amused.
I can't help myself but to grin at the vision in front of me: An elated Bella animating her story using the cigarette as a prop.
"'Mrs. Netwon,' I said, 'I need time to recover. And coming in here everyday, the constant reminder, is not helping me recover.'"
"I love the word recover."
"Me too; it's Sue's word."
I nod. Thank you, God, for Sue.
"And then I said, 'Mrs. Newton I've decided I need some professional help to aid in my recovery…"
"Good line."
"Thank you. I told her, 'but I can't afford that help without the health benefits of this job. And I can't come in here everyday if I want to get better. So, Mrs. Newton, what do you suggest I do?'" She puffs again, so I take my turn to speak.
"You left the ball in her court?"
"Indeed I did." I've never seen her so proud. My heart swells at the sight of my courageous woman.
"What did she say?"
"It's good. It's really good. I only have to come in a few hours a month, doing whatever I want to help out. That way, she can keep me on the books and I can keep my benefits."
"So, that's pretty close to quitting."
"Pretty close. She asked me to give her two weeks to find a replacement."
I don't want to burst her bubble, so I keep my happy face. But really, until this moment, I had no idea that coming to work had been so difficult for her. I wish she would walk away right now, but for Bella, this is a huge step.
She beams at me as she puffs again. I shake my head at her, still surprised by this turn of events, "What changed? Where did this come from? Was it your meeting with Jasper?" Maybe me?
"Yes… and no. Jasper and I talked a bit about me working here. But really, I think it was the way she looked at you."
"Me?"
"Yes. I don't like the way she looked at you, like you were some sort of lecher. You're my man; no one can look at you like that."
I'm your man. I like the sound of that.
"Isabella Sawn, were you defending my honor?" I'm both overjoyed and felling a little wimpy.
"Maybe."
"You are so tough." I say, knowing this is her favorite compliment.
"You better believe it," she says in a flirtatious way, then puts her cigarette out in a nearby trashcan. I follow suit and she proffers her hand saying, "Let's throw them all out."
Nooooo. "Okay." I hand her the pack, and she tosses them. Good-bye girly cigarettes that I love so much.
"You really shouldn't smoke that brand, anyway. They're not very macho."
"Ohhh. So now my tough woman is out machoing me?"
"Maybe," she cocks her head, "I'm pretty tough; I might be able to take you."
"Take me?"
Bella smiles and hunches down in a boxer's pose, hands up to jab.
"Oh, is that how you want to play?" I lean down and hold my hands up to block. We circle each other, locking our stare, both smiling. "You better be careful Bella, I'm quick."
"I'm scrappy," she says, reaching up and giving a quick jab that I block. I'm reminded of Bella in the woods and during her dream; she is pretty strong.
"So you want a macho man?" I ask, continuing to circle.
"I like macho every now and then," she says, then gives a quick body shot that connects. We both freeze and mirror shocked faces at her ability to land a little punch. We go back to circling.
"What time did you say you get off work?"
"I saved the best news for last, Mrs. Newton gave me the afternoon off."
I drop my hands and stand up straight. "Now you tell me?"
Bella laughs, "Afternoon delight?"
I reach out, grab her arm, and in one swift move, throw her over my shoulder.
She squeals and I give her a firm spank on her behind, "Quiet. You want macho, I'll give you macho." She laughs, so I know it wasn't too hard.
"Yes, sir," she says teasingly.
"Sir?" Where does she get this?
"You like?"
"Oh, Isabella, I have been called worse."
As I walk with her out of the ally, I freeze at the sight of Mrs. Newton leaving the store about twenty yards away. Holy Fuck!
"Edward… ?"
"Shhh…" I whisper, walking backwards with Bella into the alley. Fortunately, I'm sure Mrs. Newton didn't see us and Bella is still in the dark.
"What are you doing?" Bella murmurs.
"Nothing… I just wanted to put you down for a second so I could kiss you." I walk behind a dumpster, place Bella back down on her feet and lean her against the brick wall, my heart racing. Grabbing her hands, I lift them over her head and press my body into hers. I try for the most commanding, macho kiss I can manage. Invading her mouth, I explore every surface. I feel her breath on my cheek. Kissing in the alley feels dirty, and I like it. Keith Richards awakens.
I pull away and leave her panting. Leaning my forehead against hers, I ask, "Big bed or little bed?"
"Big bed," she breathes. I take her hand and glance around the corner as shrewdly as I can.
The coast is clear.
.
.
.
.
.
A/N: Lemon coming next chapter-pun intended-about a week.
If you are so inclined, I have a little tumblr photo story of my trip through Europe with my pocket Saintward and Gracella. It is a chronological story, so you might want to go back to the beginning of the blog. You can find it at lizlemben (dot) tumblr (dot) com
Sooo… are these two ready for some playful sex? Will Jasper and Alice ever return from their walk? Will Mrs. Newton leave these two alone? What should I see in London? Should I stop by the Pattinson's for tea? I'll bring pastry.
I'd love to hear what you think.
Warm regards,
Liz x