Well let's see what you all think of this chapter. Please be sure to let me know. The wonderful AWayWithWords has edited this for me, but I dabble, so all mistakes are mine. All things Twilight are not mine, I also dabble with it. No copy right infringement is intended.
Chapter 5
Edward just seems stunned at my question, and I am afraid I may have pushed too much too fast.
"It's a very nice offer, are you sure?" Edward asks.
"Man, Edward, to be honest we would be crazy to not want you," Jasper says.
"Hells, yeah, Dude. You're a perfect fit for our shop, I just got this gut feeling," Emmett adds.
"So, what do you think?" Alice, Rose, ask together, waiting for him to answer.
"I think I would love the opportunity," Edward says with a smile.
"That's awesome, Dude. Let's all go down to the shop and that way you can take a good look around and see all the hidden shit most people don't see," Emmett says.
"Sure," Edward says and smiles at me.
"Before we do that, let's stop by and get dessert. Pie AlaMode is open until nine and I need some dessert," Alice pipes up.
Edward just looks at Alice, and the rest of us burst out laughing.
"I warned you that she could out eat Emmett," I tell him with a chuckle.
"No she can't!" Emmett states.
"Denial is not just a river," Rose says, as she pats Emmett on the head.
"Before we can go anywhere, I need to clean and redress Edward's back, so he can comfortably wear a shirt," I say.
I walk into the kitchen and pull out the aftercare kit.
"Bella, will you help me dress my leg, if we are going to the shop to set stuff up for Edward, and I know that is what this will turn into, I need jeans. Jeans require me to wrap it."
"Sure, Rose. Go get your jeans while I take care of Edward and we will fix you up too."
I make quick work of cleaning and redressing Edward's back. He pulls his t-shirt over his head after I'm done and smiles.
"Thanks, Bella."
"You're welcome, Edward."
"Yo, Ed, I got your binders back in the box, I'll carry it, you grab your portfolio," Emmett says.
"Hey you guys go ahead and go to the shop and start the grand tour, the girls and I will text you from Pie AlaMode and let you know what they have to choose from. We will bring dessert to the shop. Make sure you have all the black out blinds pulled or we will have people trying to come in," I say as Rose comes back in the door.
"Okay, let's roll guys, we can take my Jeep," Emmett says.
I smile as Emmett kisses Rose before walking out. Alice waves at Jasper, while bouncing happily in place. I am guessing she is excited for the dessert.
"See you soon," Edward smiles.
The guys leave, and Rose pulls off her maxi dress leaving her in a cami and her underwear. I clean and check out Rose's leg, and much like Edward her skin looks good and the tattoo is doing well. I cover it and wrap it and she pulls her jeans on, and a hoodie over her head.
"I'm driving us, besides they left Edward's car blocking you in the garage," Rose says.
"Okay give me a minute to change, I want something more durable than these leggings if we are going to do any work at the shop," I tell them.
I make my way into my room and grab my skinny jeans and throw a hoodie over my tank. I brush my hair quick and tie it up, and slide my feet into my comfortable old Docs'.
"I'm ready," I say walking back into my kitchen.
Rose and Alice both have smiles on their faces, like they are up to something.
"Okay, what are you two plotting now?"
"Bells, if Edward is going to work at the shop, maybe you could rent one of your extra bedrooms to him? If not I will ask Jazzy if he can stay in our spare room."
"Like Edward wants to see your or Jasper's pale asses walking around naked," Rose scoffs.
"Facts!" I say, before thinking about what Alice said. "What do you think, Rose? I mean he is a nice person and all, and we are giving him a chair at the shop. But … don't you think offering him into my home is a bit much?"
"Maybe a little soonish, but you've always been a pretty good judge of character and he does seem like a pretty decent guy. Hell, he is a medal carrying owner of more than one award from the US Army."
I think over what she said as we walk out the door and head to her house to jump into her Escalade. I close the front door, and give both of them a look. "I'm going to talk to Jasper and Emmett about it first, but if they think it is a good idea, I will offer Edward the whole basement. We refinished it for Emmett, and it's just sitting unused. I mean honestly the last time we used it was when we had the Superbowl party. Christmas is a few months away yet, so we can figure something out."
"Okay, now let's get to Pie AlaMode," Alice states. "I looked online and already called the boys and got their orders. Here, look at the list and let me know what you want and I will order it so it is ready to pick up."
"Okay, Alice, I am looking," I say, taking her phone.
I look through the list and quickly decide.
"Rose, did you already pick what you want?" I ask.
"Yeah, I am getting my favorite French Apple."
"Yes, that did sound good, but I have to try the Mexican Chocolate Mousse, that sounds like heaven."
Alice starts laughing. I turn in my seat to look at her, hand her the phone. "What's funny, Alice?"
"Edward literally shouted 'that is what I want' as soon as I said the name. You guys have a lot in common." she says.
"No, do not start matchmaking," I warn.
"I won't but mark my words, there is an undeniable and immediate chemistry there between you two, it's like his aura and yours meld."
I turn back around rolling my eyes, and glance at Rose who is keeping her lips tight, but I can tell she wants to say something.
"Spit it out, Rosie," I demand.
"Bells, you know I love you, and I don't mince words. You and Edward will end up together. It is like you and him are on your own wavelength. Today in the kitchen while peeling potatoes, you guys worked in a sync that people would assume you've known each other forever. He moves, you move. It is exactly like Alice said your auras, they seem to belong together," Rose states.
I just turn and look out the window, wondering if there is something there. Alice and Rose both think there is something deeper between Edward and I. Jane at Five Points even felt like he was a keeper. I have thought about him a lot since I met him last night. "Get it together, Bella, you just met him last night!" My inner thoughts yell at me.
We pull up to Pie AlaMode and Alice goes inside to get our order.
"I wasn't trying to make your head explode in thought, but I think the best thing you can do is sit back and let it be. If it is what we think, it will come naturally to you both. You know I love you, and even if Emmett wasn't the love of my life, you'd be my sister. Trust me, as your friend, and your sister, things will work out," Rose says in a quiet tone.
"Thanks, Rosie, I think that is great advice."
"Holy crap, they had more than just pies. I got our order, and I also bought twenty of their homemade chicken pot pies, and two of their quiches for tomorrow. The guy is bringing them out after he finishes getting them boxed up."
"You do know that the pot pies are like huge, right?" I ask.
"Yeah and why in heaven did you get twenty of them and two full quiches?" Rose asks.
"I got lunch for the shop tomorrow. I mean I got myself four of them and Emmett four of them or he will whine. I figured Jasper and Edward might eat three each, and I got a couple for each of you and a couple extra. The quiches, I figured we could heat for breakfast in the morning, since you know we will all be at the shop early tomorrow." Alice states as a guy comes out carrying a box.
"You can put those in here," Alice says, as she opens the rear of the Escalade.
I just shake my head and look over to see Rose is doing the same thing.
After Alice gets in we make our way to the shop, which isn't far from Pie AlaMode. Rose calls Emmett when we arrive and has him come out to carry in all the food Alice got.
As we enter the shop, I don't see Edward or Jasper.
"Hey, everyone come to the kitchen," Emmett calls out.
"Kitchen?" I hear Edward say in a questioning way.
"Yeah, we have a sink and cabinets for food and dishes, a stove, dishwasher, microwave, big fridge and a freezer in a room off the workspace room," I hear Jasper explain.
As we make our way into the kitchen, I cannot help but laugh out loud when I see the look on Edward's face when Alice starts telling everyone what all she got.
"Where exactly does the amount of food you eat go?" Edward asks Alice.
"I have no idea, I have a really high metabolism, I guess. I think if we could bottle whatever it is, we could be gazillionaires," Alice says.
Everyone bursts out laughing, including Alice.
"Okay, here are your slices, and forks," Rose says, handing everyone a container.
We all take our pie and make our way to the waiting area where we can all sit.
"Okay, so there are five rooms with doors, and the workspace room off the waiting area, and there are mens and womens bathrooms off the workspace, and a full kitchen, so what is the other door for? Edward asks as we all dig into our pie.
"That goes to a hallway that leads to the backdoor and there is also a staircase to the upstairs," I say. "The upstairs is our main storage area, there's a full bathroom up there including walk in shower. Then there is one big room up there that has a full set up in it, but it is only used for really long tattoos or if we have a secret appointment come in the back way to avoid being seen."
"Does the shop get many secret appointments?" Edward asks.
"Remember the tattoo I did that got me the spread in Inked Magazine?" I ask.
"Yeah," he responds.
"So that person told friends, who told friends, who told friends, and now I tend to get about three a month who call me for something to be done, and most of the time they want it to be under the wraps of not having to deal with the public, especially the press."
"So basically you use that room only for celebrities?" Edward asks.
"No, we all can use it, but always check with Alice she knows the schedules for when it is needed," Jasper tells him.
"So, I hope you're all serious about me working here, because I think this shop is exactly where I belong. I just have the feeling this was meant to be."
"Me too," Alice, Rose, and I say together before cracking up.
"Okay, Al, grab your laptop and lets make a list," Rose says.
"Rose likes her lists, Edward, don't ever fuck with her lists," Alice laughs.
"Shut up, you," Rose snarks as Alice sits back down with her laptop. "Okay first things first. Tomorrow morning we call Mr. Volturi and let them know we have obtained a new artist, book something so it can be published as a spread in the paper next Sunday. I want full color, and even use a few of Edward's pictures to show off his talent. Edward, I need you and maybe enlist Bella, Jasper and Emmett to pick out a few of your pictures for the spread. Alice, Edward needs to fill out all of the state stuff and tax paperwork, so get that printed tonight before we leave so he can get it done. We'll need to get his state license fast tracked; Mr. Volturi will help with that as well. I want you to call Kate and let her know that I need Garrett here to do new headshots and staff photos, we can use those for the spread as well. We will all update our photos, as it has been a bit since we did. When you call Kate, make sure she knows we want a whole set of shirts ordered for Edward," Rose stops and turns back to Edward.
"What size of polo shirts, hoodies, and tee-shirts do you want?"
"I wear a large tee-shirt, but prefer an extra large for polos and hoodies."
"Perfect," Rose says, turning back to Alice.
"Alice, the new supply order is about ready, but we will need to add a quarter increase to all of the tattooing stuff," Jasper adds.
"Edward, is there any special accommodations you need for your leg?" Rose asks.
"Nope, there may be a couple days here and there when I will not be able to wear my prosthetic, but I use crutches like a pro. I can also get around pretty well on one leg hopping."
"Is there a problem?" I ask.
"No, not really, just thinking it is past time to remove the ink I want gone."
"Now there has to be a story there," Emmett says, as Edward looks like someone kicked his puppy.
"Yeah, there definitely is," Edward stops and takes a breath. "But, can we talk about it some other time, I'm kind of happy right now and don't want to rehash old drama?"
"For sure, Dude," Emmett says, holding up his fist.
Edward fist bumps him and his smile returns.
"Okay, so we also need to get that room cleaned out and make sure everything Edward needs or wants is in there. Edward, I assume that you have all of your own personal equipment, is there anything that you haven't seen here that you may want or need?" Rose asks.
"Well I have The Bishop full set and Critical Torque machine with the full wand set. I also have a new full set of Kingpin liners and shaders. I have my own chair, it is the new Oros Artist Chair, it has great lumbar support for my lower back. You guys already use Intenze ink, and it is my preference. I also have a 1350 watt A4 Thermal Imager and quite a bit of Blue Acetate. The only thing I don't have besides the actual chair for a client, is my tray got destroyed during shipping here."
"You're staying in a hotel, where are you storing all your stuff?" I ask.
"You're staying in a hotel?" Jasper asks.
"Yeah, I've been at the Quality Inn and Suites over on John Street. I have a king suite, and all my stuff is in my room."
"Holy hell, Dude that must be costing you at least a buck-fifty a day," Emmett says.
"Yeah, plus another almost thirty to be able to park there," Edward says.
"That is way too much, man. I wish we still had the apartment upstairs to offer you," Jasper says, as Emmett nods.
"Listen, these guys talking got me thinking. If you are interested, Edward, you can use the basement apartment area of my house for now. We set it up so Emmett would have his own entrance, and there is a full bathroom, bedroom, living room, and laundry facilities down there. The only thing we use that for is when we are having a big party or get together. It hasn't been used since the Superbowl," I say.
"That is a perfect idea, Bellsy," Emmett says. "What do ya say, Dude. Ya gonna shack up with my sister?"
A/N: Well Emmett knows how to ask the questions, doesn't he? So what are you guys thinking?
I had some guesses where the drama may come from, and so far no one has touched on it too much, there was some ideas, but not quite all the way there.
Also I willingly accept any doozies to share in the story of things that Bella leaves for Jane as "tips" ... True story, my mother (God rest her soul) once told a co-worker who called her a bitch that he was a "pussy" and he said I ain't no pussy and she said well I would have called you a prick, but it is part of a man, something you'll never be. So that really happened back in early 1980's.
Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing, and many thanks to those who are sharing this around as a recommendation for others. I appreciate all of it, so much.