Fic Lab Prompt 10: running into an ex you still have feelings for

This is a continuation of my Time Capsule prompt (Chapter 2 of this Musical Interludes story of one-shots).

"Edward Cullen?"

I hear my name as I'm leaving Starbucks after getting my morning coffee. I expect to see someone from my office calling me. I don't really know anyone else in Seattle at this point. Instead, I am surprised to see Angela Weber, a classmate from Forks High.

"Wow, hi, Angela," I say. "I wasn't expecting to see you."

"Me, neither. It's been a long time. Do you live here in Seattle now?"

"Yeah, just for the past 2 months," I tell her.

I don't really know what to say and I need to get to my office for a meeting. I'm about to tell her this, but then she mentions Bella.

"Well, this city is just about to get a little smaller. Bella is moving here this weekend." Angela is giving me a knowing look as she says this.

I wasn't expecting Bella to be in Seattle. I had heard that she was working as an assistant editor for the Port Angeles News. The fact that she'll be in Seattle throws me for a loop and I don't know how to respond. I think Angela can see that I'm a bit flustered.

"Well, it was great seeing you, Edward. I have to get to work. Maybe we'll see you around," she says.

"Yeah…sure…maybe. Great seeing you, too, Angela," I say as she's leaving. It takes all my effort to clear my head and get to work.

—-EX—-

I haven't been able to stop thinking about Bella since I ran into Angela at the beginning of the week. While I'm not sure what it means for us, I'm glad she's moving to Seattle. Truth be told, the main reason I transferred to my company's west coast office was to be closer to Bella. As soon as I heard there was an opening here, I jumped at the chance to move. I told myself it was to be closer to my family…but it was really to be closer to her.

Though it's been 5 years, I haven't been able to forget Bella. I still think about her all the time. When we broke up, I told myself it was the right thing to do. I was just starting a summer internship with my current company. They told me if things worked out, it could lead to more…another internship the following summer and then even to a full time position. I couldn't turn that down, but I also couldn't subject Bella to an ongoing long distance romance. I felt she deserved better than that. So I broke both of our hearts that day when I ended it. I thought I was being noble then. I'm not sure what I think now.

Bella had been my one constant since we were 10 years old. I think I always loved her, though I didn't realize that was what I was feeling until we started high school. Even then, it took until our junior year for me to get up the nerve to ask her out on a real date. I was terrified that changing our relationship would lead to its end…and in a way, it did. If we had just stayed friends, the internship and long distance wouldn't have felt like such a roadblock.

So now Bella will be here for good starting this weekend. I know I want to see her – I need to see her - but I don't know if she'll want to see me. Can she ever forgive me for choosing a job over her?

As I'm thinking of all the mistakes I've made, my phone rings…to my shock, it's Bella calling. It's as if she knew I was thinking about her. I haven't figured out everything I want to say to her yet, but I answer the phone anyway.

"Hi, Bella," I say, sounding more casual than I feel.

"Hello, Edward. How are you? I wasn't sure you'd pick up. I'm not sure if you are aware, but I'm moving to Seattle today. Angela told me she ran into you and that you live there now, too." She sounds so unsure of herself…of me. I did that to her, I put that doubt in her voice. I smile, hoping it will come through my voice and put her at ease.

"Yes, Angela told me you were moving here when I ran into her. That's great," I tell her.

"Great…good…that's perfect," she mutters. "I was wondering if we could meet up this coming week…maybe for coffee at some point? If you have the time, that is."

"I have the time," I tell her. Of course I have the time. There's no way I would pass up this opportunity. I was stupid once. I won't be stupid again.

We make plans to meet up on Monday afternoon. I don't know exactly what this means to her, but I will do whatever it takes to make Bella mine again.

—-EX—-

Monday afternoon, I get to the Starbucks early to give myself enough time to calm down before Bella gets here. I order our coffees – I hope she still takes it the way she used to - and take a seat a table near the window. I look up and see Bella heading towards me. She's even more beautiful than I remember and I have to remind myself to breathe. She's smiling, which I am taking as a good sign. While I'm a little unsure how to greet her, I decide to stand up and give her a quick hug.

"Wow, it's good to see you, Edward. You're looking well," she says as we hug.

"You, too, Bella. I'm so happy you contacted me. I wasn't sure you'd want to see me ever again," I reply as we both sit back down at the table.

"When I was packing up for the move here, I found a box that contained all of these mementos of us…things I kept that reminded me of you. That's why I called. I knew you were here in Seattle and just needed to see how you were doing, what you were up to."

Her smile turns shy.

"I'm so glad you did," I say, hoping she understands how much I really mean it. We use this chance to drink our coffee (yes, she still takes it the same way), catch up on how things are going in our lives and what brought each of us to Seattle – my job transfer and her new job at Eclipse Publishing.

"So, did you bring a girlfriend or wife with you to Seattle?" she asks as she bites her bottom lip. I can tell she is nervous about my response.

"No, I'm not with anyone," I say. "How about you?" I ask. Please say no, please say no I repeat in my head.

"No, I'm not with anyone, either," she replies.

I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know that Bella is it if for me, that there will never be anyone else.

"Damn, Bella. I've missed you so much. I still think about you all the time." I hadn't planned on blurting that out, but I can't help myself. I look at her to gauge her reaction and see that smile I've loved for so long. She lets out a breath and just nods her head, as though she's feeling the same emotions I am.

We still have a lot to discuss, things to work through, but now is not the time or place for that heavy conversation, so I simply ask, "Will you go out to dinner with me, Bella?"

Her smile gets bigger as replies, "Yes, Edward, I would love to go to dinner with you."

I have faith that this is the beginning of the new us.

Bella's smile tells me that she's right there with me.