The Twilight Twenty-Five

thetwilight25[dot]com

Prompt: Greenhouse

Pen Name: Mcgt

Pairing/Main Character(s): Bella

Rating: M

This will be a multi-chaptered story.

Photo prompts can be viewed here: thetwilight25[dot]com/round-six/prompts

A/N

Thanks to LittleRedScientist for helping beta this for me and Jenequilter for her prereader skills.

Chapter 16 – Greenhouse – Swallow My Pride

Leaning the back of my head against the door of my office, the grin was still firmly planted on my face after whispering in Edward's ear. My sudden reversal in attitude towards him was bugging me. All these wavering emotions were driving me batty. I could only imagine how Edward was feeling. He was probably getting whiplash from my all my sudden swings in emotions and I wouldn't blame him a bit if he stopped talking to me all together. Not that I wanted that but I couldn't very well blame the poor guy when I was acting like I belonged in the psych ward.

I was shaken out of my blissful yet overanalyzing stupor when someone knocked on my door.

Opening it, there was Angela smiling mischievously at me.

"What?" I asked laughing, ushering her in to the tiny room.

"Are you ready to talk now?" She quirked her eyebrow in question, hand firmly planted on her hip.

Waving at the chair I told her to have a seat.

She held her smirk but kept quiet waiting for me to speak. I wasn't exactly sure what to say. Even though I'd been up for the last two nights running all the scenarios through my thoughts I hadn't come up with an adequate reply for her. So instead of something long and drawn out I simply said, "I'm sorry."

She opened her mouth to reply but I silenced her with the wave of my hand realizing I wasn't quite finished.

"I know I've been a bitch on wheels around here and I wanted to sincerely apologize for that. Some of it can be blamed on the emotional roller coaster I'm having because of my brain damage," I teased, waving my hand over the side of my head like I was Vanna White. "But the majority of it was just me being a bull headed, prideful person who felt humiliated and betrayed. I know I can't really make it up to you but you and Esme have been working here for a while now and I would appreciate sitting down with you both and maybe brainstorming for a bit."

When I looked up Angela's mouth was agape.

"What?"

Shaking herself out of her stupor she replied, "Nothing really but I think that's about the most you've ever spoken to me on a personal level. That's all.

Her comment made me laugh out loud. "That's all, huh?"

"Bella, Esme and I really like working for you. If we didn't, we'd both probably be doing something else. You do know it's okay to be friends with the people you work with, right?"

We were interrupted when the bell above the entrance rang indicating we had a customer.

"I'll get it. But if you have time you might want to tell Esme the same thing. I think she'd really appreciate hearing it from you. Believe it or not she's been really worried about you. Not just since the accident but for a lot longer than that."

Without letting me reply she stood and went to the front of the store to help whoever had just come in.

Grabbing my coat, I was resolved to do just that. It was the least I could do and who knows, perhaps I'd just make two new friends today.

I was just about out the door when I realized I didn't know what Esme did on her day off. "Angela do you know where Esme might be? I don't want to intrude if she's busy."

"Same place she always is on Saturday afternoons. At the Greenhouse Project."

Now it was my turn to look stunned. I never knew she worked at the local nursery that was set up to show the children in the area the benefits of eating healthy locally grown foods and living a sustainable life.

"Wow, I didn't know," I said more to myself than anyone. Angela waved a quick goodbye before returning to help Janice Weatherstone with her book order.

Glancing up at the sky when I opened up the door I was happy to see that our usual cloud cover had receded somewhat, allowing for a pleasant stroll over to where the Greenhouse Project was set up on the outskirts of town in what had once been an abandoned lot.

I'd only made it about half way there when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I smiled, seeing Edward finally using my nickname.

Bella.

I'm not sure if you're still angry with me but I'd like a chance to explain and perhaps take you out to dinner at the same time?

I mentally high fived myself along with a massive face palm for giving him such mixed messages.

Wanting to clear things up I stopped walking to quickly text, I'd love to hear your side of the story. Pick me up at seven? I figured since that was the time he originally said it wasn't a long shot.

See you at seven. E.

Pocketing the phone I continued on my pleasant walk lost in thought.

Rounding the corner I saw the greenhouse's far door propped open and a big white school bus sitting in the parking lot.

Perhaps this wasn't the best time to try and talk, but now that I was here I really wanted to see how the project worked and to see what they were currently growing. I'd heard such wonderful things about it and how it was benefiting our small community, yet I'd never found time to visit.

I pulled the door open peeking my head around to see Esme and her husband Carlisle speaking to a large group of children of varying ages. Looking back outside for a moment I saw the words Mars Hills Church written along the side.

"As you can see, one of the Greenhouse Project's main goals is using a hands-on approach for teaching people all about nutrition, ecology, water resource management, climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and sustainable development. We're so happy that you've all decided to make the trip here to learn about all the work we do here," Esme explained to the group but upon noticing me standing in the corner she told everyone that Carlisle would be giving them the tour before whispering in his ear and wandering over to where I was.

"Bella!" she called, embracing me in an unexpected yet warm hug. "What on earth are you doing here? Is everything okay?" She held me out at arm's length examining me.

Laughing I replied, "Everything's fine. I was just hoping to chat with you for a second but it looks like you guys are busy…"

Waving me off she said, "Nonsense. Come on in. I'll brew up some tea I made using ingredients we grew right here. " She grabbed my elbow and steered me towards the opposite side of the building.

We walked into a small office that was lit by a beautiful Tiffany lamp that probably cost more than anything I owned.

"Please sit. I'll just go start the water."

Leaving me alone, I examined the tiny room further seeing photographs littered around the desk of her with various people, although Carlisle's face was the only one I recognized. The wall behind her desk had framed newspaper clippings touting everything from the ground breaking ceremony to its first batch of locally grown produce they'd sold at the Farmer's Market just last year.

Esme returned and commented about each of the articles and how proud she was of what she and Carlisle had accomplished in the last few years.

"How did I not know you owned this place?" I asked, clearly not afraid of sounding like the one ignorant idiot in town who hadn't heard about it.

"You've been busy with your own life. This is really Carlisle's passion but I work here when I can. My first love will always be the written word while his will always be how to better our community and environment." She smiled warmly at me and handed me the cup of tea she'd just brewed. "So I'm assuming you weren't just in the neighborhood?" she teased, gesturing for me to sit in one of the leather chairs opposite where she was now sitting.

"This is really impressive. Perhaps you'll give me a tour sometime? I'd love to hear all about it," I said genuinely interested, wanting to let her know that before explaining my visit's purpose. "First though I came here because I owe you an apology. I've been horrible to you and Angela these last few days and I just wanted to tell you that I hope you can forgive my deplorable behavior and agree to sit down with me sometime in the next few days to go over some ideas on how we can bolster business."

"Really?" she exclaimed, rounding the desk to hug me again.

I'd never realized what a hugger Esme was.

"Angela and I have been talking about it ever since Edward came in and asked us about how he could help. I can't wait to get started. What do you think about maybe meeting after closing on Monday? Angela and I usually go out for a cocktail after work since both of our husbands are in the same softball league.

"Sure, Monday sounds great." I started to stand when Esme asked if wanted that tour now, explaining that the church group should be just about done.

Esme swept me away with her enthusiasm and smile as she grabbed my arm and ushered us both back into the greenhouse whispering that she'd always hoped I'd become a great friend.

And instead of cringing at the thought of being close with someone who worked for me, I actually smiled and agreed, looking forward to getting to know my new friend.

A/N

Thanks for reading. And FYI – TUESDAY'S chapter is the big date! Have a spectacular weekend.

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