Bella ended up taking a cab home after Edward left. She was all by herself when she got home, Alice having gone out with Jasper somewhere. She changed into some more comfortable clothes and set out some of her work on the dining room table, but she couldn't concentrate and kept wondering if Edward was all right.
She knew by the way that he'd run off that it had to be important and though she knew she should be upset that he'd forgotten that he was her ride home, she wasn't. It was actually something that was quite commonplace for her growing up. Being a cop, and more specifically a detective, her father had run out on supper or other occasions more than once. She remembered once when he hadn't shown up to pick her up from dance practice when she was about six years old. Her dance teacher had finally been able to get a hold of her mother who was at parent-teacher night at her school and her mother had been able to get a kindly old neighbor to pick her up. She'd refused to go back to dance class after that. Though her parents loved her, she'd learned to become independent from a very young age due to her father's profession and her mother's free-spirited personality.
Honestly, she wouldn't have it any other way.
Finally getting into the groove of things, she worked a bit more on the speech that Senator Cullen wanted for an upcoming event in which he was announcing his candidacy for the party's ticket for president. She was going over the outline for the speech again, looking at the topics that the Senator and Jasper wanted her to cover when she heard her phone ring.
Glancing at the caller ID she immediately answered the phone when she saw it was Edward. "Hello?"
"Bella, I'm so glad I didn't wake you. I know it's late," Edward said, sounding tired.
Bella frowned a bit, hearing the tension in his voice. "No, I was just working on some things I brought home with me from the office. Edward, are you all right?"
Edward sighed. "No, it seems I owe you another apology."
"Oh?" She knew exactly what he was apologizing for, but it didn't hurt to put him on the spot.
"I was supposed to have given you a ride home," he replied. I was hoping to do so in the morning, he thought. "I really am sorry about that, but I had to help a friend out."
"Is your friend all right?" she asked, glad that it hadn't been work that had called him away like that.
Edward sighed tiredly. "I hope so."
At the sigh, her mind wandered and she pictured him running his hand through his unruly hair, remembering how soft it had been to touch and run her fingers through. She remembered the way his fingers had felt touching her bare skin.
His voice interrupted her thoughts, "Bella? Should I take that as a yes?"
"I'm sorry, what was that?" she asked, glad he couldn't see her blushing.
He chuckled a bit. "Was just asking if I should go see if the Chinese place has another potted palm they're willing to sell me?"
The smile was evident in her voice as she spoke, "Is that your way of saying you're sorry and you'll make it up to me?"
"Yes," Edward replied honestly.
"Still going with me tomorrow the Senator's house for dinner?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied again with certainty.
"Promise not to be late or to rush off in the middle of dinner?" she continued.
This time he sounded a little more cautious, "Yes, but…"
"No. No, 'buts', Edward," Bella replied in a firm tone.
"I promise not to be late or rush off in the middle of dinner," he said.
"Good, then all is forgiven," she said with a smile in her voice once again.
Edward chuckled. "I'm still planning on making it up to you."
"Good," she repeated more softly this time.
)( )( )( )(
Edward showed up ten minutes early at Bella's door the following evening, a mixed bouquet of purple hyacinth and white violets…interspersed with palm leaves. It was an unusual combination, but somehow it worked.
When Bella opened the door she smiled at him, glancing at the bouquet. "Hello, Edward."
Edward eyes widened when he saw her. She was a vision in a deep wine colored wrap around dress and high heels. Smiling he said, "Bella, you look gorgeous." Leaning in, he kissed her softly, letting his lips linger on hers for a moment before he pulled back and held out the bouquet. "These are for you."
"They're lovely," she smiled and took the bouquet, using it as an opportunity to tiptoe up and kiss him. "Thank you."
He gave her a crooked smile and looked at the flowers in her hand. "The purple flowers are hyacinth, they mean 'I'm sorry,' these white ones are violets, they mean 'give us a chance,' and the palm leaves, well, that's just us…"
She chuckled. "Are they? How appropriate." She smiled and stood to one side to let him into the apartment. "Please, come in while I put these in some water."
Edward stepped inside and glanced to the potted palm which had been moved closer to a window where it could get some light. "Seems like he palm is doing well."
Bella smiled, made her way to the kitchen, and found a vase. "Yes, well, wouldn't want anything to happen to it," she said with a blush.
He glanced her way and smiled. "Good." Edward watched her as she moved around the kitchen and then came out to the living room where she set the flowers on one of the end tables.
"Do the flowers really mean what you said?" she asked, fingering one of the petals softly.
Edward nodded. "I did some research." He'd also found out that the palm leaves stood for victory, but he wasn't confident enough to tell her that. Victory in terms of their relationship was something he was only hoping for thus far.
She grinned at him and went up to kiss him softly again. "Thank you. It's very thoughtful of you, but let's hope there's no need for the hyacinth again anytime soon."
Edward gave her a sheepish smile and nodded.
)( )( )( )(
Bella hand rested in the crook of Edward's arm as they walked up the steps of Senator Cullen's home. In one hand he held a bottle of expensive whiskey, in the other he held another bouquet of flowers. She was happily surprised that he had been so thoughtful in bringing something along for their hosts.
In the car he told her that the pretty, fragrant flowers were sweetpeas. Apparently he'd really done his research, telling her that they stood for thanks.
He'd also told her the flowers he'd given to her weren't his way of making things up to her. He planned to do a lot more.
She had really liked the sound of that.
Edward sighed a bit and watched as Bella used her free hand to ring the doorbell to the house, but as Bella squeezed his arm and smiled up at him, he knew everything would be all right.
Somehow, when he was around her, he wasn't worried about the things that were going on at work. He only worried about her and making her happy. Of course, he hadn't done the best job of it thus far.
The previous night after he had gotten Alec settled at his place, making sure the kid sobered up a bit and staying up with him till Edward was sure he wasn't suffering from a concussion, he'd remembered that he was supposed to drive Bella home. Instead he'd left her standing on the sidewalk. He had a legitimate excuse, but he still felt like a dick.
Edward had called her as soon as Alec had passed out on his couch, worried that she wouldn't answer or that she'd reject him. She hadn't done either and she'd given him another chance. He still didn't understand why, but he was grateful.
The Senator opened the front door and smiled at both of them. "Bella! Edward! Good to see you both. Please come in."
As they stepped into the house, and before they had a chance to say anything, Esme Cullen came into the foyer, drying her hands on the apron she was wearing as he called out, "Who is it, darling?...Oh, Bella! Edward! How good to see you both." Esme came forward and gave Bella a kiss on the cheek and smiled up at Edward.
"Hello, Esme," Bella said with a soft smile.
Edward smiled as he watched them great each other. He'd been surprised to see Esme in an apron, having expected that like most of the women in D.C. she would have hired a caterer to do the cooking. "Hello, Senator Cullen, Mrs. Cullen. Thank you so much for the invitation this evening." He held out the bouquet of flowers to Esme who immediately gave him a bright smile.
"Thank you, Edward," these are lovely.
Edward smiled in response and handed the bottle of Johnny Walker Blue to Carlisle after he finished helping Bella take off her coat.
"You must have done your homework. This is my favorite liquor," Carlisle said with a smile. "Thank you."
Edward just smiled and handed over his coat as Carlisle set aside the bottle of liquor. "You're very welcome, Senator."
Carlisle smiled. "Please, call me Carlisle."
Edward nodded.
"Alice and Jasper went out to get some wine since Alice insisted my selection was subpar," Esme was telling Bella with a chuckle. "Either that or she want to smack around Jasper in private."
Bella sighed and shook her head while Edward looked confused and Carlisle just chuckled.
"Can you help me finish up in the kitchen, Bella? I'm sure that Alice and Jasper won't be long," Esme said as she took Bella's hand.
"Certainly, Esme," Bella replied as she smiled at Edward as she was led away.
Edward just smiled in return as he watched Bella walk away. He barely noticed as Carlisle came to stand up beside him.
He took in the look on Edward's face.
Carlisle knew that look. He still looked at Esme that way. As a matter of fact he remembered the first time he'd seen Esme. He was fresh out of law school, working for the legal division of his father's company. Esme had been working in the contracts division and she'd come into his office with a look of fury on her face. It had disappeared for a second when she'd seen him, but then she'd gone off on him about some work that hadn't been done. She was the most gorgeous, fiery woman he had ever seen. After he'd apologized, said he'd get on it right away and gotten her to calm down, he'd asked her to dinner. She'd refused. In fact, she'd refused the next three times he'd asked her, saying that she wouldn't date the boss' son. It was only after he'd shown her a copy of his letter of resignation that she'd agreed to go out with him. The rest was history.
Clapping Edward on the back he chuckled. "How about a drink?"