Bella's POV:
After placing my bag in the foyer I quickly head up the stairs to shower and change clothes. Since I'm still wearing my scrubs, and still smell like the clinic.
Twenty minutes later:
After I watched Edward get my bags into his SUV, I walked back into the house and grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled down a note for the Copes, stating an emergency had come up and had to leave immediately, and that I would call as soon as possible.
I pinned the note onto the door and grabbed my coat, walked out of the house, with my keys, and a medium leather backpack.
"Are you ready to go?" He asked me.
I sighed. No, why would I be ready to go back to where I saw my parents get murdered before my eyes? Could you blame me for avoiding it all these years?
"Yes, let's go…" I muttered, glumly.
He nodded, opening the passenger's door, waited for me to climb in and buckle in before he closed it and walked around the front.
I waited, a full five minutes until we got on the highway before I finally snapped. "Which airport are we heading to?" I asked, clutching at the seat as he sped through the partially empty road.
"Great Falls International." He replied. "We'll be flying to Texas, a friend of mine owns a small jet, we'll be taking that to Sao Paulo…" he explained.
I nodded in response, twisting the pendant on the chain around my neck, anxiously. Letting my mind wander where I hadn't allowed it to for a very long time.
How were the people on the tribe doing? Would they remember me? Could they forgive me for running away?
Memories of my mother's smile as we walked through the thick vegetation suddenly clouded my mind. The smell of their unique coffee seemed to cloud my mind.
My mouth watered as I thought of having a cup of it. The delicious nutty, chocolatey, bittersweet taste made me almost groan in anticipation as I thought of drinking a cup of it once more.
The tribe always used it in rituals, celebrations, and peace offerings. Always avoiding violence.
"Tell me something." He suddenly spoke, jolting me out of my reverie.
"What would you like to know?" I whispered, still twisting the small pendant between my forefinger and thumb.
"You grew up within the tribe. Right?" He asked as he veered out of the highway.
"Yes." I replied honestly.
"So, would you be considered an honorary member of the tribe?" He asked.
"Yes, I was made an honorary member after I turned seven, my entire family was." I whispered.
"Oh.."
As we reached the airport, he took our bags to the luggage drop off, flashing his badge at the airport security, and left the large SUV at the car rental parking designated spot.
We were sitting in gate 155, waiting to board the plane when I heard Edward curse.
"What's wrong, Ed?" I asked, raising a brow at him, slowly turning to look at him.
"Ed? Ah...no. I forgot to give you this." He said, producing a small, black, velvet box.
The air in my throat caught as I looked down at the small, inoffensive velvet box sitting in the palm of his hand.
"The rings?" I asked, flatly.
He cleared his throat, before nodding at me dryly. "Aro got two plain gold bands for us. Though, after the call the other day, you didn't strike me as a gold-wearing person, so, I took the liberty of replacing them." He explained.
I didn't know how to feel. Confused, I supposed.
He cleared his throat and opened the box to reveal a thin, Versailles cushion cut band, and its matching infinity band. The cushion cut diamond was small, and I loved it.
It was practical. Many women love massive diamonds on their ring finger. Not me, especially since my occupation hardly permits the use of rings due to the risk of infection.
"If you don't like it, we can always use the ones Aro bought us..." He said as he began to pull his hand away.
"No. I like these." I say quickly, interrupting him.
'He is right. I do prefer silver to gold, not that a lot of people know that.' I think as I stare at his extended hand.
He nods, before taking the rings from the box and extending his right hand towards me. I look at him flustered before I slowly extend my left hand towards him.
I watch as he slowly slides the rings into place. His mesmerizing deep sea-green eyes flicking towards mine as he did. An unexplained emotion shining in his eyes.
"What about you? Will you be wearing a ring too?" I asked him curiously.
"I already am." He whispered, smirking at me as he stuffed the small black box into his carry on.
It is then that I let my eyes flick down to his left hand, and see a thick black titanium band on his left ring finger.
"A black band?" I asked, raising a brow at him in question.
"Yes, I thought it was fitting." He replied.
"Ah. Marking the dark event already?" I teased.
His chuckling response, makes me smile back amused. "No, I wouldn't say dark… though the meaning of the band itself is symbolic. It means protection, strength, and courage." He explains.
Wow. Well, at least he doesn't hate me for unintentionally tying him down for the next few months.
I hoped.
"When I lived with the tribe, wearing a silver ring meant different things. I used to wear my mother's ring on a chain, around my neck. It was a silver band, with hearts along the front. I never found it after her death." I murmured sadly.
Just as he was about to respond, a woman on the intercom called for our flight to board.
She looked at Edward and winked as we passed her to board the plane.
I slowly walked onto the plane, looked for my seat and plopped down, placing my backpack on my lap. Edward rolled his eyes as he shoved his bag onto the overhead compartment, plopping down on the seat next to mine.
The stewardess gave brief instructions before telling us to have a wonderful and safe flight.
Yeah, easier said than done, lady.
"Can I get you anything from the snack cart?" Another stewardess asked, suggestively, looking at Edward.
Was this woman seriously asking that?
"No, thank you. What about you, love?" He asked, turning to look at me.
"How about a Sprite and some cookies?" I asked.
She looked between us before she dejectedly grabbed a can of Sprite and began to open it.
"Hold it, I don't want any ice." I say before her brightly colored talons could pop the can open.
She rolled her eyes, and hands Edward the can. "I'll take a Coke and some ranch-flavored corn nuts." He said after he handed me my Sprite and Oreo minis.
"Thank you." I replied, sweetly.
As soon as she walks away, we look at each other and snicker at the expression on her face.
God, I just hoped there weren't too many bumps on the road while on this trip.
Three Hours and Fifty-four minutes later:
(Houston, Texas)
Have you ever fallen asleep only to wake up feeling like your head is full of cotton? Yeah, that is how I feel right now.
"Here, this should help you feel better." He whispered, handing me a bag of food and a cold drink. "Eat." He instructed as he pulled out a white styrofoam box and tore into the large sandwich that was in there.
When I looked into the bag to see a large sandwich and fries staring back at me. "Please tell me you didn't get me a large burger…" I complained, biting my lips.
He stopped eating and turned towards me, "Bacon, cheeseburger, plain." He said, brows furrowed, licking his lips.
How did he know that's how I like my burgers?
Fuck. My stomach growled at the thought. "Thank you." I whispered.
How could he have possibly known, that I wanted a burger like this?