So here we go, the next chapter in the story. I hope you're all enjoying this. After this chapter there will be a bit of a time jump. As always all mistakes are mine, because I tend to dabble after the wonderful AWayWithWords does her thing, and I give her a lot to do. All things Twilight are not mine, just this storyline that is evolving inside my head as I type.
Chapter 9
We sit on the bench for a little while longer, not really discussing anything. I moved my hand from his face several minutes ago, but his hand followed mine and is still holding it. My stomach growls and Edward raises his brow. "Should we go feed that monster in your belly?"
I look at my phone screen and see it is already three o'clock. "Yeah, my client will be at the shop in an hour," I say.
We stand, and Edward pulls me into a hug. "Thank you, Bella, I hope you don't think less of me, and I am sorry I didn't ask first before hugging you."
I squeeze him tighter. "No need to apologize, I like hugs, and you're pretty great at giving them," I say.
He squeezes me once more, and when he releases me, he keeps my hand in his as we begin walking back toward the shop.
"As for thinking less of you, Edward, that isn't happening. You were a victim, and you experienced some very traumatic events in your life. You're entitled to feel anger, hate, and resentment for the loss of not only your child, but the fact that your personal space was violated in such a horrific way."
"Thank you, Bella. I plan to go see the therapist my father recommended as soon as I can get in. I plan to see the dermatologist specialist my father knows too. I told my dad the schedule for the shop, and he was going to call me later to let me know when they could both see me."
"I think that sounds like a plan, and I will help you and support you in any way I can," I tell him, giving his hand a squeeze.
When we get back to the shop, we both grab a pot pie and sit in the work space room.
"Goodness, this is so good," Edward says after he takes his first bite.
"Yeah they are pretty good, but they are huge," I say.
"Yeah I wonder how many Alice and Emmett ate?" Edward says.
"I'd wager ten bucks that Alice ate five of them, and Emmett ate the same, but Emmett is miserable right now," I say.
"I will not take that bet, because I know you know them better than I do," Edward laughs.
At a quarter to four, I stand up. "I'm taking my dishes to the kitchen and then I need to make sure the upstairs room is set up. Do you want to go up with me to get the lay of the land?" I ask him as I walk to the kitchen.
"Absolutely, do you think the client will mind?" he asks, following and washing his own dishes.
"No, not at all. Of all my private clients this one is by far more laid back."
"Is this someone I may have heard of?" Edward asks.
"I don't know many people on planet earth that haven't heard of him, but I will wait to see if you can figure it out. I'm not doing anything new for him, just touching up the last things I did for him."
"So a repeat customer, and his work needs to be touched up. Did something go wrong in the healing process?"
"No, it is a blacklight tattoo. Not only does the UV ink fade easily but he enjoys having the black lights show off the tattoo when he is on stage, so about every six months, he wants it touched up."
"Okay, on stage, and blacklights. That means he is some sort of musical performer," Edward says following me upstairs.
"Yes, he is. He also stars on television in a reality series," I say giving another huge clue.
"Okay," Edward says as we enter the room.
I go about setting everything up. I know I will be touching up both hands, and arms. I smile when I hear the buzzer, because I know that Edward's mind is about to be blown away.
"Knock-knock," the voice says before the door starts to open.
"Come in, Dave," I say and turn to see Edward's face.
When Dave comes in, he walks over and gives me a big hug. "How are you, Bells?"
"I'm great, Dave. I want you to meet someone new here at the shop. You and Chris would love his work, maybe he will grab his stuff so you can see it," I say pointing behind Dave.
Dave turns and Edward's mouth about drops to the floor, and I giggle. "Dave this is Edward Cullen, he is our newest artist here at Etched Swan and he specializes in lots of things, but his Japanese rivals Jerry's"
"Edward, nice to meet you, man," Dave says, holding out his hand to shake.
Edward reaches out and shakes his hand. "You're Dave Navarro," Edward says in aw.
"Yeah, man, I am," Dave says. Dave and I both laugh.
"Wow, sorry I was not expecting to meet you, wow, you are awesome. I love your music, and I love watching you on Ink Master."
"Thanks, man. I keep trying to get Bells here to come on the show, but she keeps turning me down."
"Her work is amazing," Edward says.
"Yeah it is, for sure. Way back in the day Jerry did a piece for me at a convention in Las Vegas. He was one heck of a guy. I kept in touch with him over the years. I sent many people here to see him. After Jerry died, I had to come to the shop and check it out and pay my respects. Bells here was doing some kick ass black light ink for a customer. I was entranced by it, and set up an appointment."
"Yeah she is working on me doing a full back piece for me in black and gray realism," Edward says.
"I'd love to see it," Dave says.
"I'll show you," Edward says, pulling his shirt off before turning around.
"Bells, this is amazing, your drawing skills are solid," Dave says.
"I didn't draw that, I only laid the ink," I say.
"Whoa, who is the artist?" Dave asks.
"He is," I point to Edward.
"That is a sick tattoo, is there more of it, or just the centered piece?" Dave asks.
"There are full wings for both sides," Edward says.
"Badass. So, I assume that you served, what branch, my man?"
"I was in the Army, and those are tags for my fallen team on our last deployment."
"That's rough, man, sorry for your loss, and thank you for your service."
"Okay, enough of the heavy, how about we get to work?" I say knowing that today has been emotional enough for Edward at this point.
"Sounds good to me, Would you mind showing me some of your work, Edward?"
"I'd love to show you," Edward excitedly says. "I'll be right back."
I giggle as Edward almost runs from the room.
"You know even a laid back guy like me, does feel the excitement of meeting that kind of fan," Dave says.
"Yeah, I figured he would be a fan, but wasn't positive. I hope it's cool that I invited him in here with us today."
"Of course it is. Are you going to have time to grab a bite with me after we're done?" Dave asks and I know he wants to go to Five Points.
"Of course, but the whole crew may want to join," I say with a grin, knowing he loves everyone at the shop.
"Who could pass up that offer," he laughs.
I get to work and Edward comes upstairs with his Japanese binder and the board showing what his finished tattoo will look like. I have both of Dave's hands done, and have my space cleaned up before they are done looking through stuff. I enjoy listening to Edward explain the meaning behind a few of the tattoos that Dave asks about. I glance at the clock and see it is already six.
"Hey, guys, lets see who can go have supper with us, and I will make sure Five-Points has a table for us."
"Sounds good, I hope Jane is working," Dave states.
"You know Jane too?" Edward asks.
"Yeah that woman has brass ones," Dave says. "Oh, shit, Bells, I have some stuff for you guys in the rental, I'll be right back," Dave says.
We head downstairs, and I can hear that the shop is quiet. We usually don't book a lot on Monday nights because we like to hit Five-Points for dinner. "Hey, Dave wants to know who all is joining him, Edward and I for supper?" I ask from the main room.
"We are in," Emmett says and Alice looks up from behind the counter with a DUH look.
I call over to Five Points and Jane answers. "Hey, Jane, its Bella. Do you have the ability to snag and save me a table for at least seven?"
"Are you bringing more of your customers in here? I hope you don't start expecting discounts and shit you know that won't fly," Jane snarks.
"Nope, no discounts, just the workers at the shop and friends," I tell her, being vague since I want to see her face when she finds out Edward works at the shop now.
"You know I am giving you crap, I've got a big table about to leave, I'll pop the reserve sign on it, and it's yours."
"Thanks, Jane, you're the best."
"Tell me something I don't already know," she snarks.
"Please like we need to go there, the last time I told you something you didn't know, you about choked to death on the gum you were chewing," I laugh.
"Yeah, well it is not often that I am told I am a male homosexual trapped in a woman's body," she laughs.
"Hey, I have to work hard to keep you on your toes," I tell her, laughing again.
"See you all soon," she says before hanging up, but I know she is not mad as she was still chuckling.
Dave walks back in with Jasper who is carrying a box. Jasper sets it down on the work table, and Alice bounces over to give Dave a hug.
"Yo, Dave, how's it crack-a-lackin'?" Emmett booms out as he walks into the room.
"Hey, Emmett, things are good. Have you married Rosie yet, or do I still have a chance to steal her away from you?"
Emmett walks over and gives him a one arm hug as he laughs. "Like she would ever deal with your crazy lifestyle," Emmett laughs.
"Keep running your mouth, and acting a fool and me becoming a trophy wife is sounding better and better," Rose snarks.
Edward's jaw about hits the floor, he has no idea this is normal for them.
"You guys are gonna make Edward here think you are serious," Jasper says, having noticed Edward's expression.
"It's all good, Edward, Dave here is more like family to me. I've known him for a very long time. My dad and him were very good friends," Rose says, before giving Dave a big hug.
"Jane has a table for us, I told her seven or eight of us, Dave, I wasn't sure if you were alone or not," I say.
"Cool, no I came alone this time, and I am catching the red-eye out around one am, to head for New York. Before we head over to eat, I brought gifts," he says pointing to the box Jasper brought in.
He moves over to the work table and opens the box. He pulls out several Duel Diagnosis shirts and hands each of us a couple. Then he pulls out several rolled posters and lays them on the worktable. "So there are a few different sizes of the newest tee-shirts we made and I brought poster copies of all the newest prints for you guys."
"It's like Christmas, and Uncle Dave brought us all gifts," Emmett says in an excited voice that makes him sound twelve.
"Thanks, Uncle Dave," Alice and Rose say together and everyone cracks up, including Dave.
"Okay, Jasper, let's hit the road and get some food, I'm starving," Alice states.
"Yes, food! Rose you riding with me?" Emmett asks.
"I already locked up the front and closed everything down out there," Jasper says. "So we will meet you all over there."
"I've got all my stuff packed up, I'll be there in about twenty minutes, Bella, I have to return my dad's call. Can you just have Jane get me the same as whatever you get?" Edward asks.
"Yeah, I got you," I say with a grin
"Okay, I'll ride with you Bells, if that's okay," Dave says.
"Absolutely, let's just go out the back door. Big Red is out there anyway since I did a grocery run today."
We make our way out and I hear the alarm engage after I lock the door.
The ride over to Five Points is fun, but being in Dave's presence is always a great time, and I love listening to his stories.
He pulls a hoodie over his head after we park and throws on a pair of shades, and I smile when I see he has a couple of shirts for Jane.
"Gotta butter up the waitress, huh?" I tease.
"Damn right, I don't ever want to be on her bad side," Dave answers with a chuckle.
I smile when I see that Alice, Jasper, Rose, and Emmett have already arrived and made it so Dave will be able to sit between Alice and Rose, with his back to most of the room at the large round table.
"Jane said she'd be right with us, we ordered pitchers of soda and a few different appetizers," Alice says.
Dave sits down and I make my way around the table, seeing Edward walk in as I sit.
"So you ordered how many of each appetizer on the menu?" Dave asks, as Edward walks up to the chair beside mine.
"I'm guessing at least ten appetizers were ordered," Edward says as he sits down.
"As if," Alice says.
"She ordered five orders of wings alone, along with two of cheeseballs, two of poutine, two of onion rings, two jalapeno poppers, and two of the loaded Jo Jo's," Rose deadpans.
"Alice, there will not be room on the table or in anyone's belly to get entrees," I say.
"That's what Jane said," Emmett booms.
"What exactly did Jane say?" Jane asks with a smirk on her face.
"You said that we wouldn't have room for entrees," Emmett says in a quieter more normal voice.
"And what did I tell you I would do if you started being loud?" Jane asks, as the rest of us smirk at Emmett's expense.
"You said I would not be allowed to have dessert," Emmett says quietly.
"Let this be your last warning," Jane says before turning to Alice. "If you think that you will get dessert either you better think again, so don't rile him up." Jane then looks at Dave and walks around the table to him and gives him a hug. "It's good to see you, Dave. Will you be having the normal?"
"Jane, you know I will always eat whatever you bring me," Dave says with a smile. "How ya been, Jane?"
"Eh, you know, working hard to keep these guys in line. Well except for Edward here, this is only his second time here, and he is such a gentleman. I even told Bells here that he was a keeper, I see she has listened to the wise one for once."
"I always listen," I say and she shakes her head at me.
"No you don't or you would have already agreed to go on Ink Master with my buddy Dave here," Jane smirks before walking away.
"See, you need to agree to come on the show," Dave says.
"Not for me, the spread in Inked magazine was already more lime light than I am comfortable with," I say.
"Well no matter, I still tell everyone that Etched Swan in Seattle is one of the best shops within the United States," Dave says.
Soon the appetizers arrive and we order our food, well Edward and I don't because Jane doesn't even ask us. Alice and Emmett eat about half of the appetizers, the rest of us pick a bit. Rose asks Jane to box up the rest of the appetizers and after she does she brings our food to the table. Edward laughs when he sees the vegetable of the day is lima beans.
A/N: Okay first thing is first ... I happen to love Dave Navarro and there was no way I could pass up the chance to involve him in the story in any way that I could. I do not know if he has any black light tattoos, but I do know that he is an amazing person and the gifts he brought to the peeps in the shop is a collaborative company he is involved in, and Duel Diagnosis promotes mental health. I encourage you to search the Duel Diagnosis website, and check out the prints, posters, shirts, and messages they share.
What did you think of Edward fan-boying over Dave?
I appreciate you reading this story, please let me know what you think, Kasi~