As always, I don't own anything Twilight, I just dabble with what they provided to us all. BIG thanks to the Wonderful Bobbi Wordsmith aka AWayWithWords for being my editor - God knows I need one! All mistakes though belong to me, as I dabble when she is done at times. Sorry this one took a little longer, we had email issues between Bobbi and myself. Chapters 5 and 6 are ready to go and as soon as I finish 7 I will post 5.
Chapter 4
"BELLA! Whose car is in the driveway?" Emmett bellows as he walks in the door.
I shake my head, and Edward actually stands, which puts him slightly in front of me.
"Emmett, can you quiet down, if she does have company, you have likely blown out their ear drums with your loud ass mouth!" Rose snarks, as I look around Edward's side and see her set something down and smack his head.
"Ow, Rosie, you know I have a hangover headache."
"Yeah, and a fucking frat boy party mouth. Now, put this veggie tray in the fridge," Rose responds.
I move out from behind Edward and take a step into the kitchen.
"Hey, Sissy, who is this, and doesn't he own a shirt?" Emmett finally sees us after closing the fridge, and asks.
"Hey, Emmy, this is Edward. Hey, Rose."
"Emmett, Rose, this is Edward."
"Hey, Edward, how are you?" Rose says, reaching out her hand.
Edward shakes her hand. "I'm good. I remember seeing you last night at the shop and at Five Points."
"You were at the shop?" Emmett says.
"Yes, Emmett, I worked on his tattoo last night, which is why he is shirtless. We got to talking while I worked on him, and went to Five Points after we left the shop to get some food. Edward is new to town and is a tattoo artist. I invited him to eat with us today and asked that he bring his portfolio to show us."
"Well, let's see what Bellsy did for ya," Emmett says, using his finger to motion Edward to turn around.
Edward turns, and Emmett looks at his back with interest. "Man, this is badass. Bells, did you draw this?"
"Nope, Edward did. I just laid the ink," I replied.
"She did more than just lay ink, her talent with black and gray realism is by far the best I've ever seen," Edward states as he turns back around.
"Facts, Dude," Emmett says while high-fiving Edward.
"That tattoo is amazing, do you mind sharing the story behind it?" Rose asks.
Before he can answer, I interrupt. "Hey, before he answers that, how about you guys look at his other work, and if he wants to explain the story behind this tattoo, he can do so after everyone is here."
"Dude, if you are the one who designed the tat on your back, I cannot wait to see what else you can do."
"His work is amazing," I say to Emmett before turning to face Rose. "Rosie, his specialty will amaze you."
Rose turns her head to look at Edward. "Your specialty is Japanese isn't it?"
"Ah, I'm okay at it," Edward states.
"Okay?" I scoff. "Are you insane, I just was looking at his binder of Japanese work, and it's literally some of the best I've seen in years, maybe even ever."
"Okay, now I have to see this," Emmett says.
"Me too," Rose adds.
"Then let's move everything to the dining room table, so we can all sit down," I say looking at the clock to see that it's already after two. "Actually, you guys go ahead, I have to check the roast and get the potatoes peeled and on to boil."
"Hey, you guys go ahead and look at the binders, I told Bella I'd help her peel the potatoes," Edward says.
"You don't have to help," I tell him.
"I don't mind, and besides this will be the first time I've had a home cooked meal in a long time. I have been eating out every day for the past almost three weeks. The hotel I'm in doesn't have any rooms with a kitchenette."
"You're staying at a hotel?" Rose asks with a pinched look.
"Yeah, I haven't found a rental I like yet, and want to secure a chair someplace before I lay down roots."
"Yeah, that's understandable. What places have you checked out?" Emmett adds.
"I have been to about five places so far. The ones that interested me aren't looking to fill any chairs right now. I was offered a chair at one place. I could never work there though; I was not impressed with the standards of how they ran things or the atmosphere."
Emmett and I look at each other and immediately say, "Moonshade Quest," together.
"How did you know?" Edward asks.
"They are so dishonest. They seem to get away with shit though, and we still haven't figured out how. They even got away with doing piercings on some girl who was definitely not an adult, without parents and nothing happened to them for it," I say.
"Don't you have to be eighteen or have a parent with you to get pierced here in Washington?" Edward asks.
"That is the standard, but most shops wouldn't pierce nipples or hood piercings on anyone under the age of eighteen anyway, with or without a parent's permission," I say.
"What? They pierced a female's genital area and nipples and she was a minor?" Edward asks.
"For sure they did, and thankfully the truth came out in the end. Lucky for all of us, since Bella was accused of doing the piercings," Rose states.
"Thanks also to Jerry, who always kept meticulous records, plus cameras that record all things done in the shop," I say.
"Yeah, that girl told her parents that the girl who worked at "Stained" did her piercings. We had the state inspector in, along with Washington State Children, Youth and Families, investigators, and the police. We were closed down immediately, but were able to prove without a doubt that we did not do it," Rose adds.
"I knew it was bullshit as soon as they said Bella did her piercings. When the girl gave the description of Bella, she said she had spiked hair, and a bunch of tattoos. We all know that is not true. Then the date she claimed we did it was a Wednesday, and the shop has always been closed that day," Emmett states.
"Jerry also willingly gave them all of the footage to go over. It took them twenty-eight days, but it was proven she had never been in the shop. After the investigation was over we were allowed to reopen, and Jerry threatened to sue the family for defamation," I say.
"The parents had blasted the shop all over the news and papers, so it was all very public. Several lawyers contacted my dad when the charges against the shop were dropped," Rose says.
"Yeah, and the parents eventually got the truth out of the girl, and before Jerry could hire an attorney they made a rather large offer to keep it from going to court," Emmett states.
"They gave my dad enough to pay all of the employees a thousand dollars a day for each day closed, they gave Bella a large settlement, and they gave him another hundred and twenty-thousand on top of that. Plus, since the parents owned one of the largest newspaper and television stations in the metro area, they made sure to clear the shop, and Bella's reputation. They still to this day give the shop free advertising in all publications, online, and television ads," Rose states.
"Emmett and I used our money from the settlement to put down the downpayment on this place," I say.
"This is your place, Bells," Emmett states. "I may have put in my money to help buy the house, but you covered me in my part of the downpayment on buying the shop."
I roll my eyes, and pick up a potato to start peeling.
"I'm going to help Bella, you guys go ahead and look at my binders, and I'll show you the rest of my back tattoo drawing when we're done with this," Edward says.
We make quick work of the potatoes, and just as we join Rose and Emmett, Alice and Jasper show up.
"Knock-knock," Alice sing-songs. "I made Snicker Salad," Jasper says, holding up a huge bowl.
"Dibs!" Emmett yells and almost falls out of the chair trying to get up.
"Sit down you neanderthal!" Rose states. "You can have some with dinner, not before."
"Not fair, Jasper made Snicker Salad and I'm sure Alice has already eaten a bunch of it," Emmett complains.
"There's room in the fridge for it," I say, shaking my head.
"Hello, Edward, how is your back?" Alice asks.
"Hello," Edward replies, "it's doing great."
"Well turn around and show me," Alice states as Jasper walks over.
Edward stands up and turns his back to them.
"Wow, if I didn't know Bella worked on this last night, I would say it is almost a week old from the looks of it," Alice carries on.
"Man, that is seriously awesome, Bells. Where did you serve, Edward?" Jasper asks.
"Well since you are all here now, I guess I will get the story done and over with before there are more questions," Edward states.
"I was in the United States Army for seven years. During that time I did four tours, the last two I was an E-6 Staff Sergeant. I was actually due for another promotion, but during my final tour we were ambushed by a roadside bomb and insurgents. We were on a recovery mission, and my team got cornered into a valley when our Humvee hit an IED. We were taking fire from two sides. It was … bad. I lost nine of my men that day, and wasn't sure the other three of us would live."
"Wait, your back has ten sets of dog tags, but you said you only lost nine men?" Jasper asks.
"Bella caught that too. My team lost nine men that day, but the stuff we saw over there, it sticks with you. One of my guys had bad PTSD, his best friend was a part of the team. Seth took a big impact from the IED, and parts of him were everywhere. Riley couldn't get past the loss of Seth and the others, and a year ago he took his own life."
"I'm so sorry for your loss, total respect, but I can see why you are no longer enlisted," Emmett says.
"I would still be enlisted if it weren't for losing part of my leg in the same IED explosion." Edward again pulls up his pant leg. "The Army retired me on disability, and gave me a couple of medals."
"You got medals?" I ask, because he didn't tell me that part last night.
"Yeah, I was given a Purple Heart, a Silver Star, and the Medal of Valor," Edward states.
"Thank you for your service, Edward," Rose says as she wipes a tear from her eye.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. I've been out now for two years and I'm doing what I love, drawing and laying ink."
"Wait, you're also an artist?" Jasper asks.
"Oh, yeah, he is an artist alright. Take a look at his Japanese work alone," Rose says pointing to the binder.
Before I know it, the whole group is at my table looking at Edward's work and I can't help but smile. Edward's story is sad, and I am sure there is more to it than the slight versions I've heard, but everyone needs time to deal.
"You all keep checking things out, but know that I need the table cleared in about twenty minutes. I am going to smash those potatoes, throw the rolls in the oven to warm, and make gravy," I tell them.
"Do you need any help?" Rose asks.
"Sure, Rose, you can get the table set after Edward's stuff is put up. Al, you wanna help, get everything out of the fridge?"
"Yes," Alice says and Emmett gives her a look and uses his fingers to indicate he will be watching her.
"Works for me," Edward states as he starts picking up.
Jasper and Emmett help him and I smile as I see them talking as they put Edward's stuff in the living room.
"His back looks amazing, Bella. I think that may be some of your best work," Rose says and Alice nods as she eats some vegetables from the relish tray Rose made.
"Stay out of the food, we will eat very shortly," I giggle as I see Emmett giving Alice the evil eye.
Rose sets the table, and Alice puts out all the cold food and drinks. I put the mashed potatoes in a big bowl and all the carrots and onions in another bowl.
"Hey, Emmie, come help me put this roast on the platter."
Emmett comes in and we work together to put the large roast on the platter. I start cutting it, and Emmett leans against the counter.
"He's super talented, did you tell him we were thinking of adding a chair?" Emmett asks.
"Yeah, that's why I invited him, and asked him to bring his stuff."
"Jasper hasn't even really seen much of his stuff and is already in awe. I know Rosie likes his work, she even said if he would, she wants him to finish her dragon."
"Really?" I ask in shock. Rose was getting a dragon that goes all around her midsection, but Jerry died before it was completed.
"Yeah, you were right about his Japanese work. It is dead on with the likes of what Jerry did, and some of it may be better."
"Like that bodysuit and the full back colored koi?" I ask.
"Those for sure, yeah," Emmett states.
"Okay, I'm going to pour the gravy into the serving bowl, you carry this stuff in," I tell him, having finished slicing the beef.
The oven timer goes off, and I grab the rolls and throw them into a serving basket. I make sure everything is off, and grab the basket of rolls and gravy before heading to the table.
We sit around the table and eat. I can see that Edward is shocked by the amount of food that Alice can put away, but he doesn't say anything.
After dinner, and clean up we are back at the table. Rose has her laptop out and is working on something, while Edward shares the sketch of what his entire tattoo will look like when it is completed.
"Man, this is an amazing drawing," Jasper says.
"Thanks," Edward replies.
"Didn't you already have it sized and transfers made?" Alice asks, having clearly overheard us last night.
"Yeah, I had a buddy put the size markers on some paper for me, and I have it laid out in three pieces. The centerpiece you can see is already done. Then the wings are separate."
"Man your binders are great and your raw drawing is fantastic. What shop are you working out of?" Jasper asks.
"I'm not," Edward says at the same time I say. "He's not."
Edward smiles at me, and I give him one back.
"Which is why I asked him to bring his work for us all to see. I was very impressed by the drawing he wanted me to tattoo, so I wanted you guys to see his work as well. I thought maybe we could discuss offering a chair to Edward, considering we've been wanting to add someone to the shop for a while now."
Everyone looks around at the others and back to me, except my brother.
Emmett turns to look at Edward. "What did you think of our shop, and would being an artist at Etched Swan be something you'd consider?"
"I love your shop, and from what I was able to see it is a perfect set up. I haven't seen much of the work that you or Jasper do, but I have seen a lot of Bella's work."
"Here," Rose says, pushing her laptop over to Edward.
When the laptop is in front of him, I can see it is Rose's personal gallery of tattoos done by all of us. I watch Edward's expression as he scrolls through several photos, and smile when he does.
"I hate doing tramp stamps and pin ups, does anyone have issues with that?" Edward asks.
"Nope, Bellsy won't do tramp stamps either, and she refuses to do any portraits of those actors from that movie either," Emmett says.
"No issue here," Jasper states.
Edward keeps looking through the photos, and I can see he appreciates the work done in our shop.
"So, what do you think, Edward? Do you think we'd be a good fit for you at Etched Swan?" I ask.
A/N: So what do you think he will say? How are you liking things so far. You know there has to be drama from somewhere, so what are your thoughts on where it will come from?