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Chapter 7
I stand patiently outside of SI, waiting for Tia to arrive. Actually I'm starting to feel nervous; it's been years since I've been out on a date.
"Edward," says a soft voice. I turn seeing Bella standing there looking surprised to see me.
"What are you doing here?" I blurt out and Bella bites her lip.
"It's my mom's birthday, so I thought I should take her out for it. She's been talking about going to this place for months now. I figured this would be a nice surprise for her."
I nod smiling at her being so thoughtful. "This was nice of you; where's your mom at?" I ask as I look around for her.
"She's meeting me inside," Bella says giving me a smile, but there's something in her eyes which has me feeling worried for her. "Well, I better get inside; just in case she's already here. Good luck on your date, not that you'll need it, I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Thank you," I say opening the door for her.
She thanks me and walks in and I close it behind her.
Taking another deep breath I look at the time seeing it's now five past seven. Running my fingers through my hair my mind goes through all those wonderful what ifs. What if she came by and saw me standing out here and left, or what if she changed her mind.
"Edward ..."
I jump turning around to see a woman around my age with brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Tia?" I ask and she nods smiling at me. "Shall we?" I ask with a nod to the door of SI.
"Yes, we shall," Tia giggles and we walk to the door.
For the second time tonight, I open the door and Tia just looks at me.
"After you," I say softly and she gives me a strange look before walking in.
I give the hostess my name and she leads us to our table, which just happens to be two away from Bella's table. Bella gives me another smile and a wave. I pull out Tia's seat for her.
"Who's that?" she asks looking over her shoulder at Bella.
"That's Bella, she's Emmett's—my son's girlfriend."
"Oh, that's right; I forgot you had a teenage son – she's a pretty girl."
I smile at Tia and move to my own seat to sit down.
"Good evening, I'm Frank and I'll be your waiter for this evening; may I take your drink order?"
"Tia?" I ask directing Frank's attentions to her first.
"Red wine, please."
"How about we get a bottle of red wine?" I ask Tia who smiles at me nodding.
I look over Tia and see Bella is watching the door of SI with so much hope in her eyes; it makes me feel both angry and sad for her.
"Tell me about yourself, Edward?" Tia says.
I grin a little, but before I can talk, Frank's back with the wine. I ask him to leave it so that I can pour Tia's and my glasses myself.
"Of course, sir, are you ready to order or do you need more time?"
"Can we have some more time please?" Frank nods and walks away.
I pick up the wine bottle and let out a soft sigh. "I'm thirty-eight with a nineteen-year-old son. I've raised him single-handed for most of his life. I work most days as an accountant. I like to work out in my spare time as well as read. Also, I enjoy playing and listening to music," I say as I pour the wine.
"What about ..."
I trail off as I hear Bella's soft voice, making me look her way. Where I can't hear what she's saying, the heartbreak look on her face tells me her mom isn't coming tonight.
"Please excuse me for a few moments, Tia," I say standing up. Moving swiftly to Bella I crouch down beside her chair. I place my hand under her chin moving her head up to see that her face and eyes are full of tears.
"Dad planned something else for Mom. He's in Vegas this week; Mom always wanted to go so he talked to Mom's boss about giving her time off."
I frown in wonder why no one told her before now. Bella must have picked up the worry in my face because she starts to talk again.
"I haven't had the chance to speak to Dad in months, so he didn't know about this," Bella says waving her hand. "And he got Mom's boss at the hotel to surprise Mom last night. She just remembered when Dad took her out for dinner; she was just really excited."
I take a deep breath as I feel a wave of anger coming over me. How the hell can they forget this sweet girl so often? Would it have hurt to at least invite her to go with them?
"It's fine; you should get back to your date. I'm just going get the bus home."
I look at her wide-eyed.
"Bus?"
"Yeah, my truck would never make it from Forks to Seattle and back again. I was planning on staying with Mom in her room at the hotel, but she's not here, so I'll need to go home."
"You're not taking the bus, Bella. Stay here, have something to eat and I'll drive you home. In fact ..." I stop the words coming out of my mouth but only just.
"Stay here, I'll be right back." I get up from beside her and move quickly to Tia.
"Hey," I say and she looks at me with a little frown.
"Is she okay?"
I shake my head at her knowing I'm about to do a real dickhead thing, but there's no way I can leave Bella on her own.
"Her mom was supposed to join her for dinner, but instead her dad took her mom away for the weekend; they just told her on the phone. She took the bus to come here, Tia, and I just can't allow her to go back this late on one. Would you mind terribly if she joined us, it's just she's—"
Tia holds up her hand chuckling as she cuts me off. "She's your son's girlfriend, I get it. Of course, yes, bring her over."
As soon as she gives me her agreement, I move back to Bella who seems to have calmed her tears, but the heartbreak is still clear on her face.
"Come on," I say offering her my arm.
"What?"
"You're joining Tia and me for dinner," I clarify for her.
"Edward, I'm not sure how dates went back in your day, or even this day for that matter, but I'm pretty sure they don't include inviting another girl to join your table."
"What do you mean this day; doesn't Emmett take you out on dates?"
Bella's face flushes so red it makes me know right away I need to have a talk with my son.
"Move to my table, now," I say showing her she has no choice in the matter.
I pull Bella's seat out and help her to sit before taking my own seat. "Bella, this Tia," I say looking at Bella who's face looks so flushed.
"What's wrong?" I ask as Bella shakes her head.
"I ... ah, the whole helping a female sit thing; I thought that was something that was only in old films and books. I didn't know that guys really did that stuff."
I chuckle a little and grin at her.
"They don't, not anymore; thankfully because I personally don't like it," Tia says and I turn frowning at her.
"Really, I think it's sweet and nice. I would love it if the guy I was with, married to in the future did that," Bella gushes out.
"See, you think it's sweet, I think it's more cave-mannish. It's a man's way to try to control a woman and tell her she's incapable of opening a door or sit in a chair on her own."
"It has nothing to do with being a caveman; it's called being a gentleman," I argue.
"Are you ready to order?" Franks asks eyeing Bella oddly.
"She's joining us, Frank," I say making him turn to me with a nod. "Ladies, are you ready to order?"
Tia nods and I look at Bella who nods, too.
"Bella?" I ask wondering what she'd like.
"Frank, I'll have the Flat Iron Steak, well done, salad with Ranch and fries, please."
I hold back my chuckle with the fact she just told the waiter what she wanted outright.
"I'll have the Curry Chicken Salad," Tia says as she gently laughs.
"I'll have the same as Bella here, but the steak needs to be rare for me."
Frank nods and takes our menus.
"Would you like a drink from the bar, or are you having the wine, too?" Franks asks Bella who blushes.
"I'll have a cola please."
Frank again nods and then walks away.
"I'm sorry, I just ... I've never been out to eat anywhere besides the local diner back in Forks," Bella says as her face turns a deep red color.
"It's fine – you did fine," I say placing my hand on her arm reassuring her.
"Where's Emmett tonight?" Tia asks making me remember I'm out on a date.
"He's out with some friends," Bella say quietly. "I did ask him to join my mom and me, but he thought we should have some mother and daughter time." Bella shrugs a little at the end, but as I glance at Tia I know she, too, was able to pick up on Bella's hurt.
"Do you enjoy school, Bella?" Tia asks before she takes a sip of her wine.
"Yes and no. I do enjoy it, but it has some down sides, too."
Tia just nods. "Let me guess: straight A student, not many friends. Only wear clothes you like and feel comfortable in, and not care about the name on the tag. I'd say artistically creative and possibly a band geek?"
Bella just chuckles. "Almost nailed it, but shouldn't you two be talking? I mean, where did you two meet?" Bella asks as Frank places her glass of cola down along with our salads.
"This is our first meeting," I tell Bella taking a bite.
My words cause her to turn pale, and I swallow almost choking as she closes her eyes in worry.
"I personally am rather grateful you're here with us this evening," Tia pipes up. "I hate blind dates, and this way I can ask you questions and find out about the real Edward Cullen."
I smirk at Tia pleased that she seems generally okay with Bella joining us.
"Oh, well Edward is amazing. Emmett and he have a great relationship; it's like nothing I've ever seen before. Edward's sweet and caring and has great taste in music. Oh, and he can cook the most amazing meals, too," Bella gushes out, as I fall in love with Bella just a little bit more.
"Wow, really?" Tia asks as her eyes sparkle.
I just shrug feeling a little embarrassed at how I'm reacting to what Bella just said about me.
"Now tell me, how much did he pay you?" Tia asks cheekily.
"He wouldn't need to pay me to tell you how great he is. I just wish I had someone like him; someone I could turn to and talk to when I had ... had a problem."
I again feel this pull and I place my hand on Bella's arm, stroking her skin with my thumb until she looks at me. "You can come to me anytime, sweetheart, my door is always open."
Bella seems to just look at me and then she drops her eyes giving me just a little nod.
Before anyone can speak again Frank comes over and sets our meals down.
"Do you have any children, Tia?" Bella asks and I do a mental eye roll at myself having not asked Tia anything about herself.
"No, it just never seemed to be the right time, and it's too late now," she says sounding sad about the fact.
"Oh, it's never too late, and I think you'd make a wonderful mom," Bella tells Tia and I nod.
Tia smiles and lets out a gentle laugh. "Thank you, dear, but I think I have left it a little late. Besides, I do prefer the babies I can hand back when they start to cry. What about you, Edward, would you have more kids?"
I shake my head right away. "As much as I love Emmett, I hope the only diapers I will be changing will be that of my future grandchildren. I'm more than too old at this point."
"Maybe if the right woman came along, you would change your mind," Bella says with a hurt look on her face.
I frown over how my statement seems to have bothered her.
"I don't think even then, sweetheart. I had to raise Emmett alone; it was hard and tiring. I just want to enjoy my adulthood now."
Bella just gives me a nod and begins eating her meal.
"I take it you would like children, Bella?" Tia asks and Bella shrugs.
"Not right now, no, but yes someday. I would just hope I don't screw it up, but if I have Emmett in my corner and Edward there to give me tips, I'm sure I could do all right."
"I'll help you," I say winking at her and she pouts.
"Edward, you need to have more babies, at least one with your green eyes."
I look at Bella in shock.
"Oh … Emmett doesn't have those eyes?" Tia asks, but continues on. "Oh, then yes, Edward, I agree you need to have babies until one has green eyes like yours."
I turn and look at Tia who's smiling away.
I shake my head at them. "Everyone always loves me for my eyes," I sigh with a smile.
"Yep, well at least you know now."
I turn to Bella and glare at her playfully before winking at her.
The meal passes with Bella, Tia and I talking and joking with each other. I find despite the fact I'm having my first date in years—which just happens to be a blind date that I asked my son's girlfriend, who I'm crushing on to join—I'm having a good time.
"So tell me, Bella, anything about Edward I should stay away from?"
"No, he's great ... Oh wait … don't call him Ed, or Eddie! He hates all that and will only accept being called Edward," Bella says as she looks at me.
"What if you got married to the woman; could your wife call you those names?"
I shake my head at her. "Hell no! I'd divorce her if she did."
"What– really?" Tia asks and I nod.
As Bella blushes I raise my eyebrow in question.
"Shit, that just makes me want to marry you just so I could call you it, and then watch the judge's face when he reads the reason for the divorce, was my wife called me Eddie." Bella outright laughs at the end, making Tia laugh with her.
"In that case, sweetheart, I'd just make you stay married to my old ass."
"You make it sound like a bad thing?" Bella counters.
"Oh believe me, you call me Eddie and it will be very bad," I tell Bella making her blush even more.
"Does he scare you?" Bella asks as she turns looking at Tia.
"Not even a little, but I'll call him Eddie if it means he'll punish me."
I gasp turning to Tia, who gives me a sexy smile, and I know deep down I should be turned on by it.
When I hear my most favorite sound—Bella's laughing—I turn looking at her, and I know she got Tia's double meaning.
My body gives Bella the reaction it should have given Tia for that comment, which shows me just how off my head is right now.
Frank brings over the bill and I move to get my wallet out.
"I think this should cover mine," Bella says setting down a fifty dollar bill.
I look at her frowning as I go to speak, but Tia beats me to it.
"Nonsense, Bella," she says and I smile which quickly falls as she starts to talk again. "Edward and I will take care of yours. Edward, what's my share of the bill?"
I look at her in shock. "Just like Bella here, nothing," I say picking up the bill as Tia glares at me.
"Split the bill, Edward, or I'll be paying for it all the next time."
I swallow hearing how she plans to see me again. There's a part of me that wants to go, there'll be no next time, but the other knows I need to get over Bella and this crush. Tia seems like a nice woman; a woman who's given the chance I could feel something for.
"No, I'll pay mine and Bella's, if you insist, then you can pay for your own meal," I relent.
There's no way I will let her pay for Bella's share; that's mine to pay.
"Edward," Bella says softly. "I saved up for this, It's fine – really it's not like I have anything else to spend my money on."
I shake my head at her. "Please, sweetheart, Tia here is already taking my man card by not letting me pay for all of it. Let me get some of my gentlemen ways out, by paying for yours."
Bella just looks at me and I give her my sad eyes, and finally she nods a little taking her money back.
"That was a low play, Cullen; Bella, dear you're going to have to say no to the puppy eyes, or whatever man you end up with will walk all over you."
I go to argue but stop and just smirk. "Hush or I'll not ask you out on a second date."
Tia just looks at me, not taken back even a little.
"You do know this is the twenty-first century, and woman now ask the men out, too, right?"
My smirk drops right away, and I start to grumble as I take her money from her placing it along with my own.
I stand up and knowing that Tia doesn't like it. I stick with helping Bella into her jacket.
"Let me walk her to my car," I say softly to Tia, who nods choosing to walk with us.
"I'll be right back, sweetheart," I say helping Bella into the front seat.
"I've had a good time tonight," I say to Tia as we walk to her car.
"So did I."
I bite my lip before looking at her. "Can I take you out again?"
"I would like that," she replies with a smile.
"Okay; well Emmett's having a Halloween teen party that I have to supervise next weekend, but I can take you out the following Saturday?"
"Here I was hoping to come to the Halloween party."
I chuckle pulling my hair. "You are welcome to if you'd like, but it'll be full of teens that are drinking."
"I think I will come; besides, I'd enjoy seeing Bella again. She seems so much older than just eighteen," Tia murmurs as she looks toward where my car is.
I turn facing it, too, and frown wondering if maybe that's the reason I'm attracted to Bella, because she doesn't act like most teens.
"Never really thought about it," I say turning back to Tia.
"Text me your address and the time, and I'll see you next week, Edward, drive safe," she says getting in her car.
I stand watching her drive away before making my way back to my car.
"Ready to go home, sweetheart?" I ask as I start my car.
"Yes," Bella replies giving me a weak smile.
"Edward," Bella whispers softly after a short while.
I turn my head a little, but keep my eyes mainly on the road.
"I'm sorry you had to cut your date short, but thank you for taking me home and for letting me join you both."
"It was my pleasure," I say simply.
The rest of the way home is quiet. I pull up in my drive and when the car comes to a stop, I look at Bella, who's facing me. I push her hair out of her face and see she's asleep. I get out the car and making my way to her side. As I open the door, I lean in a little so I can stroke her face.
"Sweetheart, we're home," I tell her and her eyes flicker.
Bella turns her head to me, without opening her eyes she's still able to give me a sad look. "Can't I stay with you; I don't want to be alone anymore."
Swallowing, I know she's still asleep, so I lean in kissing her temple. "I will try to always be there for you darling, but it's hard at times, and I get so jealous, but I promise to try."
I unbuckle her and pick her up. Cradling her close to my chest, I kick my car door closed before making my way in the house. Holding her close, I manage to get us both inside, without waking or dropping her.
Up the stairs, I feel like I'm standing at the crossroads. One side leads to the guestroom, the other my room.
I so want her in my room, my bed, but I know that's crossing the line—more than one line, it's the biggest—with her being asleep, she's unable to make that choice.
Taking a deep breath I force myself to turn heading to the guestroom. Placing her in the center of the bed and looking down at her, I know she'll be uncomfortable in her dress, but there's no way I can change her.
A/N: So the date with Tia, turned into much more than a date. What are your thoughts about Tia? What do you think of the way Edward handled things? I'm sure more and more you are all hating Bella's parents. How will the events from this night in their lives shape and changes things in the future?