All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer; I just like to play with her characters.
No copyright infringement is intended.
HUGE thanks to darcysmom and twimom817 for beta'ing; Lakermom37 for pre-reading and huge HUGS to the three of them for their unending encouragement.
When You Least Expect It
Chapter Two
Pizza – It's what's for dinner
"Good morning, Isabella! This is Eric, Edward Cullen's assistant. How are you?"
"Good morning, Eric. I'm well and you?"
"Excellent. Listen, I just wanted to go over a few things with you. Edward will be back in town next week and we'd like to give you a couple days to acclimate yourself to the kitchen."
"That sounds good. I'll also need to shop, yes?"
"Yes. Do you have an email address? I can send you a list of foods that Edward doesn't care for and items that he likes."
I gave Eric my email address and talked about a few other things such as when I could go over and he gave me Mr. Cullen's address. We ended the conversation and I felt light, happy, and eager to start my new job.
A few days later, I got Kaden buckled up in the car and made my way to the preschool to drop him off. I helped him hang up his little Jake and the Neverland Pirates backpack and he headed straight for the table with the worksheets and crayons.
I spoke to his teacher, Ms. Sharon, for a few minutes before I knelt down next to him.
"Hey, Little Bear, Mama will see you later."
"Bye, Mama. I love you."
"Love you too, Little Bear."
I climbed back into my SUV and made my way toward the Hollywood Hills. I pulled up into the drive where Eric had told me to park. The gates to the drive were open – expecting my arrival. A tall, handsome yet serious looking man approached me as I stepped out of my SUV.
"Ms. Newton?" He asked.
I shivered at the sound of my estranged husband's last name.
"Isabella, actually but I prefer Bella."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Doug, Mr. Cullen's head of security."
"Hi, Doug," I said, shaking his offered hand.
"Come on in, I'll show you around."
I followed him into the house. It was spacious and beautiful. The architecture was Spanish inspired from the stucco walls and clay tile roof to the wrought iron accents. Inside, the décor was warm and inviting. The kitchen was beautiful with dark mahogany cabinets and gorgeous sunset granite countertops. There was a large Viking range and Sub-Zero refrigerator, both in stainless steel. If I had my own home, this would have been my dream kitchen.
Doug must have noticed the look on my face because he chuckled softly as I ran my fingers across the smooth surface of the countertop.
"Think you'll be able to work in here?"
"Yeah … I don't think that will be a problem." I smiled.
"Here's the deal … Edward wants you to feel comfortable in this kitchen. You have free reign in here to rearrange things to suit your needs. If there are things like utensils or appliances that you need that he doesn't have, make a list and we'll make sure you get it. The only thing Edward asked is that you keep the dishes, glassware and silverware easily accessible."
"That sounds reasonable to me. I got the list that Eric sent me. It really didn't qualify as a list," I giggled. "What would really be helpful is a list of Mr. Cullen's favorite dishes."
Doug looked at me wryly.
"Don't spoil him too much, Bella."
"It never hurts to have your favorite comfort foods every once in a while."
Doug finished his brief tour of the house – showing me where the bathroom was before leading me out to the backyard to show me the outdoor kitchen.
I spent a few hours organizing the kitchen and making a list.
"Doug?" I asked, walking into the foyer.
"Yes?"
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I couldn't seem to find any pots, pans or bake ware."
Doug sighed.
"I'll have to let Edward know."
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news."
"No, don't be sorry. It's not your fault."
"Okay, I'm going to check out what's in the fridge and make a list. When I'm done, I'm going to head out so I can get my son."
"Sounds good. See you tomorrow, Bella."
The next morning, Eric and I went shopping for new pots and pans and a few other items that were on my list for Mr. Cullen's kitchen. We went to Sur la Table at the Grove in Los Angeles hoping to find what we needed.
"You know, Eric, we can pick up some things while we're here. Fresh meats, bread and vegetables – we can't go wrong."
I grabbed a few recyclable shopping bags out of the back of my SUV and we lost ourselves in the Farmer's Market.
Two hours later, we were done but I was cutting it close time-wise for picking Kaden up from school. Eric asked me what was wrong and I quickly explained.
"Oh, well, let's stop by and get him. I can hang out with him while you get things organized and put away."
"Eric … I can have my dad get him. I don't want to mix my personal life with my professional life."
My words were cut off by the ringing of Eric's phone.
"Sorry, Bella. It's Edward … I have to take this."
Eric took the call and I used the opportunity to connect my Blue-tooth to call my dad and arrange for him to pick up Kaden.
"Damn," I cursed.
Eric, who was still on the phone raised his eyebrow at me.
"Everything okay, Bella?"
"I can't get a hold of my dad." I sighed. "I'm going to have to pick Kaden up. I'm so sorry, Eric."
"Don't worry, Bella. It's fine."
Eric continued to talk into his iPhone with his planner splayed across his lap.
He was still on the phone when I walked into the school to get my son.
"Honey, you have to be a really good boy for me this afternoon. Mama has to work for a little while." I explained as we walked to the car.
"Okay, Mama."
I kissed his sweet little face as I buckled him in.
"Who're you?" Kaden asked Eric as I climbed in behind the wheel.
Eric was off the phone but scribbling notes onto his calendar.
"Hey there, little guy. I'm Eric, I work for your Mom's boss." He explained.
Kaden crossed his arms and huffed.
"I'm not little, I'mma big boy!"
"Kaden! Stop, honey. Be nice, please?" I asked looking at him through the rear-view mirror.
"Sorry, Mama."
I apologized to Eric and he just smiled at me telling me it was okay.
When we pulled into Mr. Cullen's driveway, Eric gave me the code and I punched it into the keypad. Kaden thought it was cool watching the gate open, allowing us entry. I parked my SUV next to a little sports car and got out. Eric collected his things while I got Kaden out of his car seat. Doug made his way toward us and smiled at me briefly before going over and speaking in a hushed tone to Eric.
I opened the back and began to take out the bags with the groceries in them first. I instructed Kaden to stay close to me and not to touch anything once we got into the house. He followed me in with his backpack in tow. It took several trips, but between Eric, Doug, and myself we managed to get everything.
Immediately, I began to put things away in the refrigerator as I told Kaden, "Get your crayons and coloring book out of your back pack, Little Bear. Climb up on the barstool so you can color for a while."
Being the good little boy he was, Kaden did as he was told.
"Mama?" Kaden asked.
"Yes, honey?"
"How come there's no pictures on the fridge?"
"Because this is Mr. Cullen's house, honey. Maybe he doesn't like pictures on his fridge."
"But everyone likes pictures!" He pouted adorably.
As soon as I finished putting away the meat and vegetables, I stacked the bread we'd bought on the counter and began opening the boxes of pots and pans. We'd even purchased a top of the line Kitchen Aide mixer. I couldn't wait to make fresh pasta with it.
"Bella?" Doug asked from the doorway.
"Yeah?"
"I just wanted to let you know that Edward will be home sooner than later. He wasn't expected to be back until day after tomorrow, but he wrapped early and he'll be home later this afternoon. Would it be possible for you to make something simple for dinner?"
"Oh … uhh … sure. Does he have any preferences? I still need to pick up a few things from the market."
"If you make a list, I'll run and get them," Eric offered.
I quickly jotted down a list. I had hoped to make a menu for the entire week the following day so if there was something that Mr. Cullen didn't want – he could tell me and I'd wipe it off the menu. Eric's list of Mr. Cullen's dislikes only listed one item: mushrooms.
I handed Eric the list and while he ran to the market, I finished unboxing our purchases and set them in the sink to wash them.
"We do have a dishwasher for that you know," Doug laughed.
"Most of these you shouldn't put in a dishwasher - especially the pans with the copper bottoms. Anything bamboo, like the utensils and cutting boards – they shouldn't be put in the dishwasher either."
"I'll remember to tell Edward that."
"Doug?"
"Yes ma'am?"
"What's he like?"
"Edward?"
"Yeah."
"He's a good man. He's not perfect by any means but he doesn't try to be. Until he gets to know you he might be shy and standoffish."
"Good to know."
"Bella … we're all pretty protective of him right now. He's been through a lot of sh … stuff in the past few months." He explained, catching himself at the right moment and shooting me an apologetic look. "He's just starting to get on his feet again and this is the first time he's been back in this house since …"
"It's okay, Doug. You don't have to explain. I may not know the dish on every celebrity, but I think that was pretty much covered. I get the gist. If there is anything I can do, let me know, okay?"
"Right now, keeping him fed will be enough, Bella." Doug smiled sadly and turned to walk away.
"Okay. Oh … Doug?"
"Yeah?" He asked.
"How many do I need to make dinner for? Do you and Eric eat here?"
"Eric won't but I will, for tonight, anyway."
"Pizza okay?"
"It's his first night back after being in the desert in Iraq and you want to make him pizza? I'm pretty sure he's going to love having you for a chef, Bella."
After setting out a bowl of grapes I'd bought and cut up for Kaden, I set to work carefully peeling some garlic and setting it in the pre-heated oven to roast. Eric came floating in the door a few minutes later, his arms laden with bags.
"What are you making, Bella?"
"I'm going to make pizzas. Sounds boring, I know, but these pizzas will be anything but boring."
"Edward will love that."
"I hope so."
I called my Dad to let him know that I was needed at work that afternoon and I asked him if he could come by and pick up Kaden. He apologized for missing my call earlier but I'd forgotten that he had a doctor's appointment that morning. I was just ending the call when Doug walked back into the kitchen.
"Doug … that was my dad. He's coming by to pick up my son. He should be here in about twenty minutes."
"He wouldn't give out the address to anyone else if he was asked would he?"
"Doug … my dad's a retired police chief. He doesn't know who I'm working for - he only knows that I'm working as a personal chef to a celebrity. I assumed that not revealing Mr. Cullen's identity was part of the NDA I signed so I didn't give that information to my dad."
Doug breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank God they hired someone with a brain," Doug mumbled under his breath. "I'm heading to the airport to pick up Edward right now, Bella. We should be back in a couple of hours."
"Sounds like our timing will be perfect then." I smiled.
My dad called when he pulled up to the driveway. Eric opened the gate and let him drive up. I got Kaden's coloring book and crayons cleaned up and put into his backpack and walked him out to my dad.
"Thanks, Dad."
"Sure thing, kiddo."
"Mama …" Kaden whined. "Can't I stay here with you? I promise I'll be good."
"No, baby. You need to go home with Papa, okay? I'll be home in a few hours and then we'll make hot dogs for dinner, okay?"
"Ooh! Can we eat them outside?"
"Yes, baby, we can eat them outside. But you have to be a good boy for Papa."
"I will, Mama. I will."
I kissed my little boy as I buckled him into the backseat of Dad's truck.
"Love you, K!" I said, blowing him another kiss.
"Love you, Mama!" He yelled.
I turned and went back into the house my mind focused on getting dinner done. I'd made the pizza dough and it was now sitting in a covered bowl on top of the stove rising nicely. My roasted garlic was done and I was in the midst of making a creamy garlic sauce to use in place of traditional tomato sauce. I had put a couple chicken breasts in some olive oil along with some oregano, roasted garlic and rosemary to marinate. I'd grill it up later and then dice it up to spread on the pizza. I was working my way through slicing some red onions when Eric popped his head in again.
"I'm taking off for the day, Bella. Doug said they didn't have any problems at the airport and they are on their way home. You have a good evening and I'll see you in the morning. By the way … it smells fantastic in here."
"Thanks, Eric. Have a good night."
I was left by myself in the enormous house and the silence was nearly overwhelming. I dug into my bag and pulled out my iPod and ear buds and popped them in just so I could have something to listen to while I was finishing up.
I rolled out the pizza dough and set it out on the pans. Thankfully I had thought ahead and bought two of them. I set them into the warm oven to rise again while I grated the cheese and grilled the chicken. I carefully assembled the pizzas after the crusts had risen again and slid them into the oven. While they were baking, I whipped up some batter for some crepes. Using fresh cream, mascarpone and some fresh vanilla bean, I made filling for the crepes and sliced some strawberries to go with them. I was flipping the crepes in the pan when I heard voices in the entry way.
"Hey, Bella, we're back."
"Dinner's just about ready, Doug."
"Excellent. It smells amazing in here, by the way."
I giggled.
"What?" Doug asked.
"Eric said the same thing, I just found it funny."
I was turning the second crepe out of the pan when a handsome yet scruffy, bronze haired man entered the kitchen.
Doug cleared his throat.
"Edward … this is Bella, your new personal chef. Bella … this is Edward Cullen."
"Hello, Mr. Cullen," I said softly, offering my hand to him.
"Please, call me Edward."
Edward shook my hand gently and offered a small smile. He looked worn and tired but it was his emerald green eyes that caught my attention. They were beautiful, but the hurt I saw in them cut me to the core.
"Umm … the pizza will be ready in a few minutes. I'm just finishing up some dessert."
"Pizza sounds amazing," Edward murmured as he grabbed a beer out of the fridge.
"Edward …I didn't get a chance today, but tomorrow I'll make a menu for the week. If there is anything in particular you'd like, just let me know, okay?"
"Thanks, Bella."
The timer went off and I pulled the pizzas out of the oven. I quickly sliced them and served them up, setting them on the breakfast bar where Doug sat. Edward was leaning against the wall sipping on his beer looking broody and a little bit lost.
"Wow, Bella. This looks great." Doug grinned.
"Thanks."
I finished plating up the crepes as Doug took his first bite out of his pizza.
"Edward … Jesus. This is fantastic. The best pizza I've ever had."
I smiled to myself as I listened to the two men at the bar dig in to their meal. I set about cleaning up my mess, washing the dishes that couldn't be put into the dishwasher and loading it up with the ones that could be.
When I was done, I began to assemble a pan of Crème Brulee French Toast for breakfast.
"Now what are you making?" Doug asked.
"Breakfast." I smiled.
"Bella … you don't have to be here early in the morning," Edward said quietly.
"I'll be here around nine. If you're not up by then, that's okay. It'll take breakfast about an hour to bake anyway."
Edward nodded and went back to his pizza.
Ten minutes later I was done with the French Toast and slid it into the fridge. I cleaned up the dishes again and turned to see Edward and Doug both tucking into their desserts. I watched with satisfaction as Edward's eyes rolled into the back of his head as he tasted his crepe.
"Bella …" Edward whispered. "This is amazing. Thank you."
"You're very welcome, Edward. I'll see you tomorrow."
A/N: Just a little taste of Edward … ;) Don't worry there is plenty more of him to come. Thank you to everyone who favorited or put this story on alert. I have to admit – like every story, I was nervous about posting this and if it wasn't for the encouragement from my beta's and pre-reader it would still be sitting in a folder on my desktop.
I've had a couple of requests to post more than once a week - I'd love to do that but I've had a bout of writers block lately and I'd rather give you something once a week than nothing at all. I'm hoping to get a little further along and then and ONLY then will I consider it ;)
I wanted to take a moment to recognize a member of our fandom family that we lost to cancer over the weekend, Just4ALE. I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2011 at Comic-Con. I didn't know her well but am familiar with her stories. She will be missed.
If you like it – please leave me a review. If you love it so far – rec it to a friend. Passing the word on is the best kind of review ;)