Author's note: Hi! Its been awhile, real life has been a bit crazy here lately. On a side note, I have been working on Before I Die. Its just not going as fast as I would like it to. Just know I intend to finish it! This isnt BETA'd by the way. So I'm owning up to that now. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 15 Another Look
It had been a few weeks, since that night. We had talked off and, on the phone, occasional texts during the day. He had bought dinner one night and brought it over. He had talked about work but never mentioned the "Aro" dude again. It didn't matter because I had looked him up.
Edward was telling the truth Aro was a business rival apparently. They had been trying to buy Cullen Inc. for years. Apparently, there was history there, but it never said. Edward, however, always came out on top. Aro was wealthy and currently his headquarters was in Italy. Maybe he was trying to expand into the states?
I would have to dig further, but right now I was on my way to the coffee house near campus. Jacob wasn't aware of my next objective, but it didn't matter. This was my case, and I needed to make progress there.
I was hoping with a stroke of luck that I would hear talk about the murders here. It was a popular shop for college students, and I know that Gianna came here the day she was murdered. I was just looking for a little hope that would point me in the right direction.
Pulling up to the coffee shop, I entered, and my nose was assaulted with the rich aroma. God, I missed coffee.
"Agent Swan!" Bern the owner shouted from the register. "The usual?" I smiled at him. "No, I'll take a bagel today and some honey tea." I said as I scanned the board in front of me. "But of course, Agent Swan." He gave me his warm smile. I stood off to the side and waited for my order to be done. I often came here when I could because Bern does everything homemade.
Taking a look around, there wasn't many people in the shop. I guess it hadn't picked up yet, it was still early. After a young girl gave me my order, I took a seat in a nearby booth and read emails from my phone. Moments later, a young blonde dressed in black walked in. She looked very familiar.
Looking at my phone I checked the picture I had found from Facebook of Chelsea Hale. The one and the same was currently in the coffee shop. What are the chances of her showing up the day I decided to come here? She ordered and then took a seat in a different booth.
I nibbled on my bagel and sipped my tea as she did some work on her computer. The urge to talk to her became needy. This was Charlotte Myers best friend, she had to know things we didn't know. I threw my trash away and headed outside. There was a bench nearby, I decided to wait for Chelsea there.
It took a few moments, but she then decided to come out of the coffee shop toting her backpack. After she passed me, I followed. "Miss Hale." I called when she stopped and turned but kept walking. "Miss Hale!" I yelled a little louder before she stopped on the sidewalk and turned her attention to me.
"What?" She said in a loud voice. Her eyes went wide when she saw me and then she started mumbling. "You're that detective!" She said then the tears started to pour. I guess she recognized me from the news conference "I just wanted to talk to you." I said keeping my distance.
"About what?" She said as she wiped her eyes, mascara running down. "Charlotte Myers." I said and Chelsea looked stricken but then stopped. "Charlotte?" She seemed like she wanted to say something but didn't. "Chelsea, I just want to try to find her killer." I sighed but she then started freaking out. "I can't. I'm sorry." She turned from me and ran away.
That was odd. Her behavior seemed so chaotic. I huffed out a breath and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I glanced around, there was just a bunch of college kids standing around. Why did I feel like someone was following me? My phone rang in my pocket, and I let out a small scream. Which of course got the attention of others.
"Geez." I said to myself as I pulled it out. I answered it without looking at who called. "Swan." I said as I went to sit on a nearby bench to catch my bearings. "Hey." I smiled at the voice on the other end. "Hi." I said as I got comfortable on the bench.
"Just seeing how your morning was going." He said on the other end. I let out a breath as I noticed a guy in dreads a few benches away. "It's fine." I kept my gaze on him as my heart sped up a bit. "You sure?" He said on the other end.
I looked around again swearing to myself that someone was watching me. "Bella?" I turned back towards the other bench the man in the dreads gone. "Huh?" My heart slowed down; I didn't think the man was watching me, but someone was. I usually don't get like this for no reason. "Bella." I heard Edward from the other end, forgetting for a moment he was on the other line.
"Sorry, what did you say?" I brought my attention back to my phone call. "I was making sure your fine. You seem distracted." He said and I swore I detected a slight tense worried tone in his voice. "I'm fine." I turned away again this time not feeling like I was being watched anymore and calm a bit down. I swear this fucking case was getting to me.
"You sure?" He chuckled. I rose up and walked down towards the shop to my car. "Yeah. I'm fine." I brushed off and gave him a forced chuckle back. "You still coming this afternoon?" I asked as I slid into the driver's seat.
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it." I smiled; it was hard not to. I pushed the start button on my car. "My doctor won't be able to say who's with me. She's discreet." I pointed out and heard a huff on the other end. "You know you're the only one worried about that." He said it sounded like he was having trouble remaining calm.
I stayed quiet this time, I didn't know what we really were Edward and I. Two people having a baby? Sometimes, I hoped I wasn't imagining things it seemed he wanted more. I think that I did but was also afraid of messing things up. "I'll see you later Bella." He said and hung up. Well Shit.
**** LATER****
I walked into my apartment and headed for the shower, today was a slow day just Jacob and I going over files again. This morning still had me spinning, seeing Chelsea and then the whole following thing. I still hadn't made any progress on the case, and I had begun to try not to stress myself out due to being pregnant. My boss still didn't know no one knew except Edward and my doctor.
I wasn't ashamed of my baby; I just hadn't been able to tell anyone yet. I knew the real reason why I hadn't, but I would keep that under wraps for now. When I was done with my shower, I quickly put on some jeans and a nice shirt and my sneakers. I had a doctor's appointment in a few and had gotten off early to go to it.
I decided to not twist my hair up like I usually did, and I straighten it. I even put on some blush and eye shadow. When I was done, I noticed I still had some time to kill. I them made my way to my office which consisted of a computer, desk, and chair and one shelf full of case files from this case. I also had a corkboard on the wall.
I was going to have figure out what to do with this stuff by the time the baby came. This was going to be his or her room, so I needed to do something. I pulled out the file on Charlotte Myers when I noticed that small book peeping out from my computer desk. Shit, I had forgotten about the diary. Putting down the case file, I picked up the small journal that belonged to Bree Tanner.
I sat down in my computer chair and picked up where I left off:
I got the job! I'm so excited! I also met my boss and he's very good looking and very nice. His name is Jasper. I can't wait to start my job! My mother seemed happy for me, but I also still think she would have rathered I have not gotten it. It doesn't matter I'm doing what makes me happy.
Good looking? It seemed Bree had instantly had an attraction to Jasper right off the bat. I kept reading
Today was my first day! Everyone was so welcoming and nice. I did a lot of HR today and I don't know if I'm fond of the HR woman Victoria. She's such a bitch the way she looks at me with her weird colored eyes and snotty nose. I'm pretty sure there contact lenses because no one has eyes like that. When I came back to my desk there were flowers. I was so excited thinking they were from Jasper or someone in the office welcoming me to my first day but sadly they were not. They were from my father. Sigh.
Carmen, Jasper's secretary is really nice as well. She helped me set up, she's like the mother of this department, always willing to help. Tomorrow I'll be meeting the Head of Cullen Inc and from what I hear he's an asshole.
Hmm, why did it bother me that she called Edward an asshole? I looked at my phone, I had a few minutes to spare.
I met Edward Cullen today, he's the boss boss, the big man, and everyone was right he's an asshole. He's also hot and dreamy and I wouldn't mind getting fucked by him. There's something about him though, something I can't quite put my finger on. He's mysterious and at the same time something about him just drives me wild.
So, Bree instantly had an attraction to both? I said to myself According to the HR report she was let go because of her threats to Jasper. Bree was on antidepressants, could she have had another illness as well? I mean to automatically assume. I shook my head I was no better than Bree. I had got the hots for Edward the moment I met him.
I put down the diary and quickly rose out of the chair. It was time for my doctor's appointment, and I needed to leave if I was going to make it on time.
**** MOMENTS LATER*****
After signing in and taking a seat in the otherwise empty waiting room I sent a text to Edward.
"You Still coming?" It read.
I hadn't spoken to him since earlier on the phone call. I wondered if he would show up? I could tell he was irritated with me earlier. He just needed to understand I had an obligation to find the killer of these girls!
"Bella Swan" The nurse said from the doorway. I put my phone in my purse and made my way to the nurse.
After being weighed, blood taken, and being asked questions I waited in the exam room on the doctor. I had left my phone in my purse, so I didn't even know if Edward had texted back. A knock on the door had my attention and I quickly turned towards it.
A pair of green eyes stared at me as they entered and closed the door behind him. "Hey" I said as I gave him a small smile. "Hey, Sorry I'm late." He said as he sat down in the chair near my bed. He gave me a smile as well. He then put his hand on mine. It was such an intimate gesture that it caught me off guard a bit.
"I'm sorry for earlier." I said out of the blue. He then pushed his fingers through mine. It caught me off guard, why was he being affectionate? It seemed off for him to be honest. "It's alright, you explained to me why it's needed. I just don't know how to feel about it I guess." He said as he smiled but I could tell it was forced.
Our conservation was stopped when the doctor came in. Her eyebrows went up when she saw Edward. I told her that he would be here with me today.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Keener." She said as she went to shake Edward's hand. He shook it back with the one not holding mine. "I'm Edward Cullen." Dr. Keener's eyebrows went up even more if they could when he said his name. She must know who he is.
"Bella, how are things?" She said as she turned her attention to me. "Good." I answered. "Still getting sick at random times." I let out a giggle. She nodded. "That's normal, they should call it random sickness instead of morning because it happens anytime." Dr. Keener laughed.
She then came to my side and Edward let go of my hand. Something odd happened then, I didn't like him pulling away and I suddenly felt sick when I did. That was very odd I knew he had to so the doctor could measure my belly but why would I feel sick?
"Hmm." The doctor said. "Bella, I'm going to do an ultrasound okay?" My heart sped up, why would she act like that after a measuring? Edward seemed concerned as well. "Is everything alright?" I said the worry creeping in, Edward held my hand again when the doctor moved to the other wall to get the sonogram machine.
"Let's just check with the sonogram, okay?" She put on a smile. I was trying to calm down and Edward holding my hand helped. The nausea had gone away as well once he came back to me. She put the cold liquid on my stomach and then started moving the monitor across my belly.
Tears came to my eyes when my baby appeared on screen. This time it looked like a baby no longer a bean. I was never one to become emotional but since being pregnant my emotions were all over the place. It made me even more emotional to see Edward staring with such awe at the screen. I swore I thought I saw him wipe his eyes, but I could be wrong. Something changed in me then watching him. He couldn't take his eyes off the screen; I think at that moment I finally could admit to myself I wanted more.
"According to the dates you gave me, you should be 8 weeks along. This is a 12-week fetus." Dr. Keener said and I looked at her strange, and she looked from me to Edward who was still looking at the baby but was now trained on my doctor giving her an odd look.
"What do you mean?" I asked looking at her and Edward who was also looking at her odd. "I mean last time you came I'll admit I thought maybe you had the dates wrong, but it still being that much further along I'm very convinced you indeed have the dates wrong." She said sadly but kept giving glances to Edward.
"I don't though, that's the only time I've." I stopped talking, never in all my years had she made me feel like I was a whore or something.
"What are you implying?" Edward spoke, he was cool, calm, and collected.
Dr. Keener blinked, "Nothing, I'm just saying the dates have to be wrong for a fetus this size." She moved the wand around.
"What other reasons could it be measuring bigger?" Edward asked and I was glad because I couldn't talk at the moment.
"There being more than one, baby measuring big but none of those are happening right now." She took the wand off me and wiped it off. "Also, any medical conditions Bella may have but I've been her doctor so long I know that's also not the case since the only one that was really causing her issues has been resolved."
I pushed my shirt down "So, the baby measuring bigger couldn't be one?" I needed this to make sense, I didn't like the way she was talking. She made it seem like I was faking the dates.
"I'm not saying it's not possible, it just way too early for a baby to be this size. Usually this is more of a thing to happen later." I nodded still feeling odd.
"We'll keep an eye on this Bella." She said as she touched my arm offering her support. I could only nod.
After making another appointment for 4 weeks, Edward and I left the office and headed towards the parking lot. Mine was the only one in the lot, I rose an eyebrow in confusion. "I had my driver drop me off." Edward answered my unspoken question.
"Is he picking you up?" I asked still not feeling myself after the appointment. "He can, but I was hoping you wanted to get some dinner?" Edward asked. "I know of a steak place, it's private." He added and I couldn't do nothing but give him a smirk. "It also wouldn't sit right with me If I didn't feed the mother of my child." He added with a smile.
"Sure, you want to drive?" I threw him my keys not even giving him a chance to answer.
He drove silently along the road; we hadn't said much to each other. I watched the people that passed by. Some were in a hurry, some were laughing, and some were just looked depressed. I wonder which category I would fit in if I was out there?
We pulled up to the restaurant and Edward was at my door in a flash before I even could try to open it. I must have been distracted because it seemed he just got out of the car. He helped me out of the car with a smile and we headed into the restaurant. I had noticed he kept me close, his arm in mine, and I didn't know what to make of that.
"Mr. Cullen." A sultry hostess said when we approached. Edward hadn't let go of my arm since we left the car. The hostess eyed me up and down and gave me a look of disgust. I didn't miss the look Edward gave her. I also thought I heard him growl, but that could have been my ears playing tricks on me.
"I need my private booth and will need to talk Bertino before I leave." He said and she nodded no longer looking cocky nor sultry. She led us upstairs to a private booth, that literally was in its own room. She gave us menus and walked out of the room.
I had noticed Edward hadn't even opened his. I gazed at mine, looking at the items. Everything was so expensive. When I looked up from the menu, I noticed Edward staring at me. "What?" I asked with a small smile.
"Order what you want Bella." He chuckled. "Cost means nothing." I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm guessing it was my eyebrows being raised that brought you to the conclusion it was about price." I said as I scanned over the items.
"Correct." He let out a laugh. "Your good with body language." I let out a small smile. "I have to be with my job." I sat the menu down knowing what I wanted to eat now.
The waitress then came to take our orders sitting down a glass of wine for Edward and a glass of water for me. "You must be good with body language as well." I said sipping my water.
"Well, with my job I have to be." He said and we let out a laugh. "Right now, your unrelaxed, worried, probably have a head full of questions." He said as my smile vanished from my face. Damn he saw right through me.
"Wow. Impressive." I said as I looked around but when turning back to Edward, I noticed he was still staring at me like he was trying to figure something out. I didn't like that he could see right through me. I perfected my strong facade and being tough, but how was this man able to see through it so easily?
"What?" I said as I drank some more water.
"Nothing." He said and then it looked like he forced a smile on his face. It was awkward to say the least. The waitress then brought our food, and I was never more thankful at that moment. I ordered steak and some asparagus. While Edward had ordered steak with some broccoli. Cutting in, I noticed it was very red. Hmm I had ordered it medium well.
"Damn it." I said in a whisper like voice.
"What is it?" Edward looked at me stopping him from cutting into his steak which was cooked rare as well.
"Ah, they must not have heard me when I said Medium well." I let out a weird laugh. "It's alright I'll eat it.
Edward put his hand on mine as I was about to put my fork in the meat. "Bella." He said with such a powerful voice. "They can bring you another one, you deserve what you want." I gasped as I felt shocks go up my body. I always did when he touched me, and my stomach rolled as well. Hmmm.
I don't know what it was, but the way he talked it was so possessive, his voice dripped with power. It was just so weird to hear it over steak.
"It's fine Edward." I laughed and took a bite. It actually tasted good. It didn't taste gross like I was going to throw up or anything. "It's not bad." I told him and he smirked while eating his food. My stomach also actually settled.
"You always eat steak like this? I nodded towards his. "Of course, there's no other way to eat it." He said with a laugh, and I felt at ease with him again.
"it's not bad, I'll admit." I said as I took another bite. He grinned at me from the rim of his glass. "Glad you like it." He said as I gave him a smile in return.
We finished our meal in silence, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. I felt rather at ease with him. "So, did you make any business men shake in their boots today? I let out a laugh. He smiled at me again "Possibly." He let out a laugh and I smiled back in return.
"Did you catch any unsuspecting criminals today?" he asked, and I sighed. He stopped smiling then as he drank his wine. "Wrong subject?" He said as I waved him off
"I'm just having problems progressing still." I let out a breath. I wiped my mouth and pushed my plate to the side. "I'm also worried about the baby."
If I didn't have his attention before I did now. "I could tell but I think I would be confused if a mother wasn't worried about her child especially one who was told she would never get pregnant." He grabbed my hand from across the table and I felt that familiar jolt again. "It's normal to be worried but don't let it consume you." He finished. "Trust me I'll be keeping you both safe." He said as he looked in my eyes.
His eyes were always my fucking weakness, they always drew me in. I smiled at his words. "I know its normal, I'm just struggling right now." I couldn't believe I was opening up to him like this. I usually am a self-soothe person but here I was. I blame the baby.
"I'm trying my hardest to not let what my doctor said get to me. I mean I know when we-." I quit talking while my cheeks blushed.
"Had sex?" Edward finished with a smile. "Yes." I giggled. "She keeps saying I have the dates wrong and that the baby is farther along then what I thought." I sighed. "It can't be but who am I to argue with modern technology." I giggled but it wasn't funny. It made me seem crazy, but I hadn't been with anyone other than Edward in a really long time.
"What about a second opinion?" He said as he pushed his plate to the side. "I know some good doctors you could see what they say."
I thought about it, it wouldn't hurt just to see what someone else would say? I mean I could go and if it didn't work out, I could always go back to my doctor.
"You know baby doctors?" I gave him a laugh, but I also wondered if he had been through this before. We had many talks but nothing way too personal yet.
He laughed, and honestly it was great to see him so carefree. "Okay, I have some doctor friends who could give me some recommendations on baby doctors." He let out a laugh
"I was about to say." I started and then all humor from him was gone then. He looked me back in the eyes
"This is my only child, Bella." He said with such determination that it made me wet even though I didn't understand the mood change suddenly.
"I was just joking Edward." I said and now there was an uncomfortable silence between us. "I'll be right back." He said as he got up and walked to the door to our little private booth and left. What had just happened? He had a short temper it seemed; I was joking. I mean I guess hinting that he had other children may have been wrong but it's not every day you hear of a man tell you that he knows doctor friends.
Edward had been gone for a bit, and I started to grow restless. I also had to pee very badly. Standing up, I looked around for a restroom leaving the private booth. I walked around the restaurant until I found one on the other end of the hall. Entering it, I quickly entered a stall and pull my jeans down. While peeing I heard two females enter and was gossiping about someone.
"Did you see him?" She laughed
"Yes, he had someone with him." The other sighed. "I've been trying to get him to notice me every time he comes here."
"Why?" The other girl asked. "He's an asshole."
"Why? Why you ask? Do you see how hot that man is?" The one talking moved and I rose up to wipe. "I just want to fuck him."
I flushed and they both became quiet as I exited the stall. One of the girls' eyes went wide, and If I didn't know they was talking about Edward before, I definitely knew now. The one that must have said he had someone with him couldn't quit staring.
I washed my hands and went to get a paper towel. One of the girls looked worried but when I turned back towards her, she looked away. Hmm odd behavior. It was obvious she was talking about me the way her eyes rose.
Exiting the bathroom, someone grabbed me from the side, I quickly went into a defensive mode and went to pull the hand away from my arm when I realized it was Edward. "What are you doing?" I said as he jerked me towards the door. "Edward!" His face was one of fury. What the hell? His grip on me was strong and it worried me that I couldn't shake him.
"Edward!" I pulled back as soon as we were outside. I think that's when he realized where we were and loosened his grip and let go of my arm. He quickly turned towards me his face not as mad but a little calmer. I knew he had mood swings but damn. We were in the parking lot of the restaurant near my car as we stared at each other.
"Bella.." He started, my mind a bundle of emotions and I shook my head. Why was he so possessive? This wasn't the first time; I remember him getting mad at me when I left the hospital.
"Bella…" I shook my head and closed my eyes, trying to calm down taking deep breaths. "Bella." He repeated this time it sounded painful
I opened my eyes, and they went wide. "What was that?" I gestured to the restaurant.
"You were gone when I came back, I thought something happened." He said nonchantly putting his hands in his pocket.
"So, you drag me through a restaurant?" I gasped my face red at this point. "I went to pee!" I shouted not giving a fuck who heard me.
"You have a thing for leaving when you're not supposed to." He said as he walked towards my car. Did he just? I walked fast towards him "Did you just walk away?" He quickly turned towards me as I approached him. "Yes, aren't you the one who doesn't want to be seen in public with me?" I huffed and just looked at him. "You can finish yelling at me in the car." He said as he unlocked my doors as he opened the passenger door for me.
"Thank you." I said as I climbed in, and he went around to the driver's side. I also realized in that moment where if it had been anyone else, I would have tried to set my dominance by getting in the driver's side. So why was it so different with Edward?
We sat there for a minute catching our breaths. "I'm sorry for grabbing you." He said and I looked at him weirdly because honestly it was weird to hear this man apologize.
"Edward, its not that I'm ashamed of being with you in public." I let out a breath "It's..." I stopped talking. "I know I would get pulled from the case; my boss would spin it as hard as he could. I even feel like my partner whom I've known since I was a child is up to something or being pressured."
"I have an obligation to those girls Edward." I looked at him. "I feel like I'm alone right now at work, I'm the only one trying to find the killer it feels like and everyone else wants to blame it on the first person they see." I let out another breath, my stomach rolling a bit. I noticed Edward caught that.
"Are you alright?" He said and I nodded. He didn't look convinced, but I tried to smile at him. "Why don't you give it to someone else, you work behind the scenes?" He asked and it was like he didn't even hear me just now.
"Are you crazy? I just said-"He put his hand up like he wanted me to stop. "Are you serious right now?" Really was he being for real right now?
"Bella." He said in that voice that was demanding but dripped possessiveness. "I know that's not what you want but I don't want you stressed. I don't want you so stressed that something happens to our child. There's also a killer out there targeting woman that look like you." He huffed. "I don't want there to be any chance of something happening to either of you." He finished as he backed out of the parking spot.
I sat in silence trying to calm down, why I got so heated I don't know. My stomach rolled again, and I wasn't sure why. I took a few breaths trying to calm my nerves. We sat in silence for a bit before coming up to my apartment building. The silence between us getting suffocating. I was tired and started to open my door and was confused as Edward had opened it before I did to let me out. That was the 2nd time tonight I seemed to be distracted. This time though, I could have sworn he was just beside me.
I got out of the car with ease and made my way towards the building. I could hear Edward behind me, knowing he was following, I went inside the building. I gave a nod to Carl as I passed him and made my way to the elevator. Edward and I stood in it neither one of us speaking to each other but the tension rolling off of us.
I made my way to my apartment door, with Edward hot on my heels. I unlocked it and let him in. I was undoubtedly still angry, but I wasn't going to be childish and not let him speak.
I sat down on the couch and crossed my arms while he stood across from me hands in his pockets. I broke the ice first now that I had calmed down some. "Look, I get that your concerned about the baby. I get that, I do. I am as well. "He scoffed and then his eyes eased. "I shouldn't have done that." He said as he sat down in the chair beside me.
I nodded. "I know it seems like I'm not, but I am. Trust me I most definitely am. I made promises to the victims' families that I would find their killer. I must do that for them." I finished looking at him.
"Even if its at the expense of you own child?" His face grew red and so did mine. "Help me out Isabella, but aren't the victims sharing your features? Don't you think that makes you a target?" His green eyes blazing at me as he waited for me to answer.
"Yes but,." I sighed trying not to get so worked up, I understood where Edward was coming from. "This isn't easy for me, okay?"
"Do you think its easy for me? To have the mother of your child out looking for a killer who is hunting women that look like her?"
"Look, I know you care about the baby and you are protective but I can handle myself."
It kinda of hurt not to be mentioned by him, maybe we weren't on the same wavelength as I thought. Maybe all he really did was care about the baby.
"I never said you can't handle yourself." He said as he rose from beside me and began to pace. "I just don't want nothing bad to happen."
I rolled my eyes, "I'm pretty good at keeping promises but I promise I'll keep the baby safe since that's the only thing you care about." I said more bitchy than usual.
His face dropped at my comment, and I realized that in that moment I may have gone overboard. Why did I say that?
"Edward…" He put his hand up and for once it didn't bother me like it had all the other times, he had done it tonight.
"If that's all you think I care about than maybe this wont work out." I think he was talking more to himself than me, but he walked towards my door. "Edward!" I shouted before he closed it behind him.
A/N: I hope everyone caught on to the baby being bigger than normal thing Because they baby isnt exactly normal? Thank you for reading!