All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer; I just like to play with her characters.
No copyright infringement is intended.
HUGE thanks to my betas darcysmom and twimom817 as well as my pre-reader EdwardsMyObsession1971 – without them this story would be a mess!
When You Least Expect It
Chapter Twenty-One
Talking Change
EPOV
"Hey, Edward … it's umm … Bella. I was wondering if we could talk … later? I'm on my way to work right now, but I should be off by nine or so. So … call me. Bye."
I was happy that Bella had called me so soon but I was disappointed that I hadn't actually answered. I spent a bit of time working out my aggression in the gym instead of on my piano. I was in the shower when Bella called and I hated that I missed talking to her. Even more, I hated the fact that she was on her way to work. It was a little after three p.m. when I got her message she said she'd be off by nine. A six hour shift in the evening – it meant she was working when she could have been at home cooking Kaden dinner, giving him a bath, reading him a bedtime story, and tucking him into bed. I knew from our conversations that their nightly routine was one of her favorite times of the day.
"That's when we have our cuddle time," she explained. "He's going to grow up on me, and I won't have that time anymore."
Kaden might outgrow his cuddle time with his mother, but he'd never outgrow her; he'd always need his mom and I tried my damnedest to make her believe that.
I quickly texted her back.
Call me when you get home from work. Looking forward to talking to you. – E
I didn't figure she'd have time to text me back for a while and an hour later, I got a reply.
Can we talk in person? Could you come over maybe? I don't want to have such a serious conversation over the phone. – B
Of course. I'd rather talk in person too. Text me when you get home and I'll come over. – E
I felt much better knowing that she wanted to talk in person. I needed to see her and it was huge that she was asking me over to talk after I barged into her home the night before.
I spent the next few hours reading over some scripts that Nick had brought over. I still had a couple of projects lined up, and I'd be starting on one of them in a few weeks, but I'd been asked by one of the directors to take a look. The script was so intense and captivating that I hadn't noticed the time. It was well after nine and upon checking my phone, I realized that I hadn't heard from Bella. I couldn't help but think that maybe she'd changed her mind. Of course, that probably wasn't the case but it was definitely a possibility.
Sorry, I got held up at work. I just got home. Is it too late for you? – B
I replied almost immediately.
I was getting worried. Hope everything is okay. It's not too late … unless it's too late for you? – E
No. But be warned – I'm cooking ;) – B
The thought of Bella cooking excited me more than I wanted to admit.
I'm on my way. – E
I pulled up in front of Bella's condo fifteen minutes later. I had a bottle of her favorite wine in hand – thanks to Jasper and Alice. I also picked up a bouquet of Irises because I know she loves blue. I knocked on the door and a few minutes later, Bella sheepishly swung open the door.
"Hi," Bella whispered.
"Hi." I grinned.
"Come on in."
Bella closed the door behind me before leading me into her kitchen. I didn't know what she was cooking but it smelled amazing.
"I was craving comfort food so I made some beef stroganoff. My Gran used to make it all the time when I was little," Bella explained as she poured noodles into a pot of boiling water.
I offered her the wine and flowers and she smiled softly.
"They're beautiful."
Not as beautiful as you are – I thought to myself.
I watched Bella cross the room and reach up on her tip-toes to get a vase out of the cabinet. I quickly stepped up behind her to help.
"Here … let me …."
"Oh … umm, thanks." Bella blushed.
I was standing so close to her. I could smell the scent of her shampoo and the faint trace of the fabric softener on her sweatshirt. I set the vase on the counter beside her and took a step back. Bella turned to face me and her eyes bore into me – so full of warmth and hope. I wanted to pull her to me and wrap my arms around her but I thought better of it. Still I needed some sort of connection so I tugged at the bottom of her sweatshirt.
Nervously, she reached up and tugged her hair free of the elastic it was in and as her hair fell around her shoulders; the scent of her shampoo was so much stronger. Bella smelled like orange blossoms and vanilla. It was intoxicating.
"I've got to … umm check on the stroganoff," Bella murmured as she scurried over to the stove.
I took the vase and filled it, carefully setting Bella's flowers in it.
"Can I uncork the wine and pour you some?" I offered.
"Sure … that would be great."
Bella checked on the noodles and stirred some more.
"The glasses are in that cabinet on the top shelf," She said pointing to the cabinet next to the refrigerator. "I need to go check on Kaden. I'll be right back."
While Bella checked on Kaden, I poured the wine and set it on the table that Bella had carefully set.
"Sorry," Bella apologized, coming back into the kitchen. "Dad said Kaden was a little unsettled when he put him to bed. It might be a long night tonight."
"Should I leave you alone so you can get some rest?"
"No, I'll be fine. He'll just crawl in bed with me if he wakes up anyway."
"Does that happen a lot?"
"Every once in a while - when he has bad dreams. Sometimes I wait for him to go back to sleep and then I carry him back to bed, and other times I just leave him with me."
"Does he ever ask about his dad?"
"Yeah," Bella sighed. "His questions come out of the blue. It's like he'll suddenly remember something he did with Mike and he'll ask me about it. It's funny because they're things that I would completely forget about if he didn't ask about them."
Bella seemed so sad as she spoke of Kaden's relationship with his dad.
"I didn't want this for him. When my mom died … I felt so lost and I hated that I didn't have two parents. People always asked questions – kids can be so mean … ya know?"
I did know. I remembered being in school and Rosalie would come home in tears because kids gave her a hard time on the bus because she looked nothing like Carlie and me. Rosalie's petite with white-blonde hair and eyes so blue they almost look violet. Carlie and I share the same reddish brown hair as our mom but we have our dad's brilliant green eyes. Kids would tease her – saying that she didn't know who her dad was. Mom and dad explained to us when we were old enough that Rosalie was adopted by dad but he truly considered himself to be her father. He never treated her differently – in fact, Rosalie had dad wrapped around her little finger. She still does and she's thirty-two years old and successful in her own right.
"Yeah, I get that. Rosalie was teased relentlessly when we were kids."
Bella was quiet for a few minutes as she drained the pasta and served it up on plates. I helped her carry our meal to the table and pulled out her chair for her to sit down.
"Edward … this isn't the easiest thing for me. I like you … so much and I think you're a wonderful person but I don't know how to let you in. I'm so … scared. I know I've said it before but there is more than my heart at stake here. Unfortunately, I still feel like Mike is this cloud hanging over my head and until the judge signs those papers I don't think that feeling is going to go away."
I understood what she was trying to tell me. She didn't want anything physical to happen between us until her divorce was final and I respected that.
"Bella, I completely understand. I won't ask you to do something you're uncomfortable with. I only want to be able to spend time with you and get to know you better. I'd like to get to know Kaden too … eventually. I think you need to be more comfortable with me before that happens."
I tucked into the meal that she'd made and it was just as delicious as it smelled. Bella looked at me expectantly and I smiled back at her.
"This is great, by the way."
"Thanks."
"I've really missed your cooking. Are you sure I can't convince you to come back to work for me?"
Bella laughed humorlessly.
"I wish. I don't care for my new job very much."
"What? What's wrong?" I asked, worried.
"The couple I work for … they're so stuffy … and picky. They have a strict menu they want me to follow and a strict list of ingredients. Most of the dishes are completely tasteless and awful."
"Bella … there's no point in working somewhere you're unhappy. I mean … you're working in the evening now – you're giving up quality time with your son. That's not fair to either one of you. Come back to work for me … you can work your schedule to fit what you need and cook whatever you want."
She seemed to be lost in thought for a few moments, but I hoped that she was genuinely thinking about my offer.
"Wouldn't it be weird if we started seeing each other and you're paying me to work for you?"
"I … I don't know, Bella. I hadn't given it much thought. Would you be willing to play it by ear and see how it goes?"
"See how it goes? Edward … I can't take a risk like that. I need a job to take care of myself and Kaden. If I quit and then say a month down the road it didn't work out – I'd be without a job. I know Mike agreed to the alimony I asked for but that doesn't mean that he's going to pay it willingly. I … I can't take that chance, Edward."
"I don't want you to be miserable, Bella."
"Let's give it a little more time, okay? If it's this way … say in a month, I'll seriously consider it."
"If it gets really bad do you promise to tell me?"
Bella nodded.
When we finished eating, we cleaned up the dishes side by side, light conversation passing between us. We talked about Australia and places in the world that Bella would like to visit one day.
"I want to go somewhere warm, where there's a beach and fruity drinks with little umbrellas in them. I want to lie on the beach and soak up the sun and listen to the ocean. Somewhere relaxing – but somewhere that Kaden could go. He loves the beach."
I wanted to be the one to take them. Maybe … if things went the way I wanted them to – I could take them on my time off between projects. We could go to Mexico, Hawaii or even Fiji maybe … it would have to be somewhere private. I wouldn't want the paparazzi to follow us and ruin our vacation and more importantly - I wouldn't want whatever story they try to come up with to upset Bella or involve Kaden.
"I bet he does." I chuckled.
"Should we sit in the living room or do you need to get back?" Bella asked nervously.
"I don't have anywhere to be except here with you."
We moved into the living room and got comfortable on the couch. It was the first time that I'd really looked at Bella's home. It was small and cozy – perfect for Bella and Kaden.
"What do you want in the future, Edward?"
"Career wise or in my personal life?"
"Both, I guess. One directly affects the other."
"That's true. Well, I guess career wise, I want to keep working. I love what I do even if it comes with some craziness sometimes. But … ultimately, I want to be like my parents. I want to get married and have kids. I know it'll be work to balance it all, but I think I can handle it. I'd like to think I can at least."
"Do you think you could love another man's child?"
I figured that Bella would ask that question eventually and it was one that I'd given a lot of thought to. Before I met Bella, I may have answered differently.
"Are you asking about Kaden specifically?"
Bella nodded slowly before looking down and wringing her hands in her lap.
"Bella … I think if I was given the opportunity to get to know him – absolutely."
Bella took a few moments to think about my response to her question.
"Could you love him like he was your own?"
I understood her question and why she would need to know. Had the roles been reversed, I would have felt the same way. I could only imagine how Bella felt – what was going on in her head as she asked me that question. It had to be hard for her to be a single parent – left all alone to raise a child and do it while you're trying to discover who you are again. Surely she wasn't the same woman she was when she first met her husband.
"Bella …" I sighed, not wanting to answer incorrectly. "I believe it would be that would be something that would come with time. Maybe it's not the answer you're looking for but it's the best one that I can give you."
"I appreciate your honesty, Edward. I'm sorry if these questions seem a bit premature, but I need to know before I get in over my head."
I nodded and looked up to see Bella yawning.
"You're tired, I better get going."
She looked like she wanted to pour for a moment but when she had to stifle another yawn, she couldn't argue.
"Thanks for coming over."
"Anytime. I'm glad we talked."
"Me too."
I stood from the couch and walked toward the door. Bella followed closely behind me.
"Will you text me and let me know you got home okay?" Bella asked quietly from the doorway.
"Of course, but I'll be fine, Bella."
"I know, but I'd like to know you're safe."
"Okay," I chuckled, reaching out and taking her hand in mine.
"Promise me you'll call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Thank you but I think we'll be all right."
"Bella …." I pleaded, pulling her into a hug.
She came willingly into my embrace and wrapped her arms around my waist. I gave her a gentle squeeze and it hit me how perfectly she fit in my arms. It had been so long since we'd been in close contact, only this time there were feelings attached – stronger feelings. So strong, I didn't want to go – I wanted to stay and wrap myself around this amazing woman and her little boy if only so they didn't feel abandoned, unwanted and unloved. Those things couldn't be further from the truth.
Bella was the first to pull out of our embrace, although she seemed reluctant to do so.
"I'll see you soon, okay?" I asked softly.
Bella nodded and I offered a soft smile.
As I drove home, I couldn't help but replay the evening's conversation in my head. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything – like something she didn't say – or something she did with underlying meaning. I didn't want to over think it but I couldn't help but worry that Bella would pull away again. That was the last thing I wanted to happen.
Over the next few weeks, Bella and I chatted on the phone and texted. Unfortunately, she only had two nights a week off so we had to settle for lunch dates. I didn't argue – I'd take what she gave me. Bella suggested making lunch for us, but I put my foot down saying she didn't need to work more than she already was. On the days we met for lunch, Bella's dad would watch Kaden so we had a few hours to ourselves. One day, I picked Bella up after she had dropped Kaden off and we went to the Huntington Library Grounds. I packed a picnic lunch using a couple of the recipes Bella had left for me.
After we strolled through the grounds, we talked and I held her hand in mine. It wasn't the cuddly embrace I longed to wrap her up in, but we were working up to it.
"I want to quit my job," Bella admitted finally after a long while when I'd asked her how work was.
I raised my brows at her in question.
"Why?" I asked softly.
"Because you're right. I should spend my evenings with Kaden. I miss it so much."
"So … does that mean that you'll come back to work for me?" I asked hopeful.
Bella sighed.
"Edward … don't you think that would be awkward? It would be awkward for me. I'd have a hard time being involved with you if you're paying me to work for you."
"Then pretend I'm not paying you, Bella. You need a job – I need someone to cook for me. Both our needs are met."
"Edward … be serious. You wouldn't think it's awkward?"
"I am serious, Bella. I don't think it would be awkward at all. Besides, I'm leaving in a few weeks for Morocco."
I watched as Bella's face fell and sadness overcame her.
"I forgot you're leaving …." Bella trailed off.
"Bella … I'll only be gone for seven weeks. Then I'll be back and I have some time off before I start the next project which will be here in L.A. Look at it this way, you can work for me for a few weeks and then enjoy some paid time off while I'm gone. Enjoy that time off with Kaden."
Bella nodded slowly but she still seemed sad.
"Bella … I will keep in touch while I'm gone – it'll be just like Australia. We'll talk when we can and email in between. I can't not talk to you."
"I know … I just … I'm not ready for you to leave yet."
"We've got a few weeks still, Bella," I reassured her.
We sat in silence for a long while. It was a beautiful spring day – the weather was perfect and the company was fantastic.
"I'll give my notice tonight. But, Edward – I have to say that I'm incredibly worried."
"What are you worried about, Bella?"
"I'm worried about what will happen if our situation doesn't work out. Then I'll be out of a job again and then where will I be?"
"Bella … I know you're worried but I want you to trust me. I wouldn't leave you and Kaden out to dry."
"I don't want to be kept, Edward. I want to work - to earn my keep. I don't want to accept hand-outs."
"That's not what I'm saying. If it got too awkward for you to stay under my employment, I'd do my best to help you secure another job."
Bella stood and walked closer to the bridge we were sitting by. I stayed where I was, leaving her alone with her thoughts. The gardens were beautiful but they wouldn't compare to the quiet simplicity of Bella standing under a canopy of wisteria. Her features gave nothing away except that she was lost in thought. I got lost in my own thoughts and was broken out of them when I felt a nudge against my foot.
"You okay?" Bella asked softly.
"Yeah, I'm good. How about you?"
Bella's eyes were a bit red-rimmed and I realized at some point, she'd been crying.
"C'mere," I urged, opening my arms to her.
She hesitated for a second before she knelt down and settled between my legs. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her back to my chest.
"Why were you crying?" I asked softly in her ear.
"I don't know what to do," She admitted with a sniffle. "My heart wants me to take you up on your offer by my head wants me to be sensible and cautious. If I choose to work for you – I'd be throwing caution to the wind and I have Kaden to think about."
I rubbed my hands soothingly up and down her arms.
"Bella … I don't want you to stress out over this. If you don't honestly feel like it's the right thing to do then don't do it."
"That's just it …" she whispered, "I feel like you are the right thing."
I felt like my heart would burst out of my chest I was so happy. Bella was so strong and brave – she only needed to see it for herself. I know she was agonizing over making a decision but she was willing to take a chance on me – on us.
"I'm so glad you feel that way," I whispered against her temple, placing a soft kiss there.
Bella hummed in contentment as she sat wrapped in my arms.
"Thank you," I murmured softly in her ear.
"For what?" She asked.
"For taking a chance."
A/N: So … a few sweet moments shared between these two and Bella has made quite a decision. =D
Thanks for being so patient the last couple weeks … I know it was rough without an update … it seemed so weird not to post. As of now, we're back on our regular schedule so I'll see y'all next week!
Thanks again for each and every review – I may not reply but I do appreciate them and I'm sure that you'd rather have another chapter as opposed to a reply yeah?