Life's a Beach
Chapter 10
A/N – Chapters 9 and 10 have posted! I have to admit I was really concerned when no one read the chapter I posted last week, then I found out FFN wasn't sending out story alerts. A few loyal readers found it anyway (thank you!). So if you haven't read chapter 9, please go back and read that first.
As always, everything belongs to Ms. Meyer. And Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!
Bella sighed with relief when she got off the plane and saw the text message from Edward.
All is good, long story, but dad and I are okay. Olympics, here we come! With you by my side, of course. Yours, Edward.
Alice jumped on her back and Bella let out a shriek that had everyone in the terminal turning around.
"Jeez, Alice, scare me much?"
Rosalie took control of the situation. She put a hand on her amazingly curvy hip and used her best no nonsense voice. "Move along, nothing to see here people. That means you too, idiot with the pink luggage." She ignored the fact that the poor guy with the dreadfully pink luggage was nearly drooling at the sight of her. She pointed one highly polished nail at him and he slunk away, bags in tow.
Alice gave Bella a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Bella, I just wanted to know what happened. From the grin on your face, its good news?
"The best news" she replied, turning her phone so the girls could see it. "I can't wait to find out what happened, but I'm just so happy for him."
Rosalie smirked. "Look at our little Bella, dating an Olympic athlete. Who would have seen that coming?"
"He's not in the Olympics yet, Rose" Bella replied, scared to say or do anything that might jinx it for him. She tried really hard not to be superstitious, but it was just part of who she was. "But he's got the chance, and that's what matters."
"So what happens now?" Alice was the first to reach baggage claim and grabbed her suitcase.
"You" said Rose.
"Me ? Me what?" Alice reached for Bella's bag.
"You should have a pink suitcase, not that bozo who was staring at Bella."
"I really should, shouldn't I?" Alice grinned. "I'll have to get one before I fly back to South Carolina." She clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oooops!" She grabbed her suitcase and took off for the door.
Bella was having none of it. "Mary Alice Brandon, get back here this minute and tell us what you and Jasper have planned."
"Yeah" said Rose. "Did you think you were sneaking back there without us?"
Alice frowned. "No, I figured you'd be visiting Emmett. But Bella will be headed to Chicago, right Bells?"
Bella grabbed her bag and pulled it toward the door. "I don't know. I guess so. It definitely what I want." She grinned. "Good things we only have one semester left, huh?"
"Absolutely" said Rosalie. "I may want Emmett, but I am not transferring schools. He can wait till graduation and then we'll decide if I'm moving in."
Bella kicked Rose's suitcase. "Move it or lose it, Rose. I have a phone call to make." All three girls laughed as they headed outside to take the airport monorail to the train and then head back to school.
LaB
Edward wasted no time notifying the national committee that he would be there for the next training session. Fortunately, the schedule would allow him to stay in Chicago to train and finish school this semester, though he'd have a few competitions between now and the end of the year. Nationals and the Olympic trials wouldn't be till the end of the year. He started packing to head back to school while he waited for Bella to call. At least he hoped she would call when she got back to school.
When he was done, he hefted his bag on his shoulder, trotted down the steps, and deposited it by the front door. Edward followed the smell of fresh baked cookies to the kitchen. "Hey, Mom."
"Hi sweetie" Esme replied with a smile. She held out a plate of cookies. "I made some cookies for you to take back to school."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek before picking up two of the warm cookies. "Thanks, Mom. Have you talked to Dad since I got back?"
"I did" she said "and I can't tell you how relieved I am that you two worked everything out. I love you both, and the tension has been driving me crazy. I'm so happy to have both my guys on the same page again." She got out a container from the pantry and started stacking the cookies inside. "Now, we need to have a talk about when you're bringing Bella home so we can meet her."
Edward couldn't help the grin on his face when he thought about seeing Bella. He wanted to bring her home, introduce her to his mom and dad, show her Chicago. He'd take her back to school if she could stay for a couple of days so he could show her where he skated. And his room. He wanted to show her his room. He was never so happy that he didn't have a roommate.
"I'm waiting for her to call. Her flight landed about an hour ago, but she's gonna call when she gets back to her dorm." Edward checked his watch again. "I promise I'll talk to her about coming out here."
"Good thing" said his mom. "I want to meet the girl that put that look on your face. Anyone who can make my boy that happy….well, I want to meet her."
"You'll love her, mom. I guarantee it."
Edward gave his mom a warm hug, took the cookies, and headed for the car. Forty minutes later, he unlocked the door to his dorm room and dumped his stuff on the bed. He checked his phone to make sure he didn't miss a call. Unable to help himself, he fired off a quick text.
Can't wait to talk to you.
When she didn't answer, Edward felt just a flutter of nerves. As he unpacked, he let his imagination run, and he didn't like where it went. Maybe, he thought, she wouldn't feel the same way once she got back to school. Maybe all three girls would chalk it all up to a vacation fling. Maybe he should call Jasper or Emmett. Maybe he should call both of them. No, he thought. He knew Bella felt the same way he did. He would wait till she called. He'd have faith in what they had, and wait for her to call.
Two hours later, he was still waiting. Just when he was about to give in and call Jasper, his phone rang with an unfamiliar number. Edward really didn't want to answer it and tie up his phone. It stopped ringing, and buzzed with a text message, quickly followed by two more.
Please pick up, it's me using Alice's phone.
It's me Bella.
Please pick up.
Edward didn't wait for her to call again. He hit the redial button and held his breath until he heard the voice he'd waited all day to hear.
"Edward? It's Bella, I lost my phone." Bella sounded beyond frustrated. "I had to go all the way back to the airport to look for it, but we couldn't find it. I finally gave up and just used Alice's phone. Were you worried? I'm so sorry."
"Slow down, sweet girl. I was a little worried, but I knew you'd call." Edward sat on his bed and propped himself up on his pillows. He took a deep breath. "I miss you already."
"I miss you too" she answered. "Tell me what happened with your dad. I'm so excited for you."
Edward went through the whole story, including the mysterious picture and the story behind it. "So it turns out he thought he was protecting me from what happened to him, but I made him see how much I wanted this. And I showed him your text."
"My text?"
Edward hoped she would understand what he was about to say. "I told him that no matter what happened, Olympics or not, win or lose, I knew I'd have you. And because of that, I'd be okay. More than okay, actually."
He heard her sniffle and hoped she wasn't upset. "Bella? Are you alright? I'm not trying to pressure you into anything."
Bella wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm fine, Edward. I feel the same way about you. I want to be there for you, no matter what."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. That's good." He grinned. "Actually, that's great."
They spoke about her flight, the unsuccessful search for her phone, and getting back to school. She told him that Alice and Rosalie already had a trip planned to Hilton Head to see Jasper and Emmett.
"I can't believe how this all worked out, can you?"
"No, it's amazing. And actually" said Edward "I wanted to talk to you about that. I really want to you to come to Chicago, as soon as you can. Before we both get busy with classes and stuff. My mom and dad want to meet you."
Bella squeaked. "Your parents? You want me to meet your parents?"
"I do, sweetheart. But mostly I just want to see you. Did I mention that I have a single room this semester?"
"I think you might have mentioned it, but maybe I need to see it for myself." Bella felt her heart beating more rapidly. "You know, just to be sure."
"Can you come next weekend?" Edward held his breath waiting for her reply. Even that wouldn't be soon enough.
Bella checked her class schedule. "I don't have any classes on Friday, so I can leave anytime after 4:00 on Thursday."
"I'll book a ticket for you and let you know. When do you have to be back?" Edward started looking up flights on his laptop.
"I have an 8:00 class Monday morning, so I have to be back Sunday night." That gave them three days and two nights, thought Bella. "Are you sure you're ready to have me meet your parents?"
"Absolutely. And I want to meet your dad, whenever we can arrange it."
Bella laughed. "Yeah, I want to see that. Charlie is….interesting." She yawned, loud and long. "Oops, sorry."
"You're tired" he responded. "I should let you get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow, okay? And email you the flight information."
She pouted, but he was right. She was going to crash any minute. "As long as you promise to call tomorrow. Goodnight Edward. I, um, I miss you already."
Edward wanted to tell her he more than missed her. He wanted to tell her he was crazy, head over heels in love with her. But that could wait till he could see her, till he could hold her again. "I miss you too, sweetheart. Talk to you tomorrow."
They each ended the call, and went to bed thinking about the weekend ahead.
Bella climbed into bed, only to have the door to her room fly open as Alice and Rose ran in and jumped on the bed.
"Tell us, tell us, tell us" said Alice. "And give me back my damn phone."
"I'm flying out there this weekend." Bella answered. "To meet the parents!"
"Are you serious? Already?" Rosalie gaped at her. Then she thought for a moment. "You're staying with his parents?"
"Oh no" Bella said. "I'm staying on campus with him."
"Well, thank goodness for that" answered Alice. "Now tomorrow, we have to get you a phone. And clothes. And some slinky…"
Bella interrupted. "I don't even want to hear what you are thinking. I'm a little overwhelmed right now. Can we have this conversation in the light of day?"
"Absolutely" said Rosalie. "Meeting the parents. I'm going to go call Emmett. He better step up his game."