102DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all sparkly Twilight things.
I own an inability to update on a regular basis.
Emmett POV
I spooned in Forks.
That is fucking hilarious! Edward swears that he picked out this shirt for me, but I have my suspicions that it was really Bella Boo. Man I miss that girl. It has almost been 2 weeks and I'm going crazy. Bella truly is family, and she's been through so much. Granted - most of that was because of my douche of a brother, but still. I really wanted to do something special for her. . . .something to tell her how much we love her and honestly, how sorry we really are for going along with the aforementioned douche.
I talked to Esme about Bella's living arrangements, but she already had that covered. I want Bella to stay here, but I get it that she wants some space of her own. Hell, Rosie and I have often had some space of our own, and when we weren't careful, we crushed that space into rubble. Damn that girl is good in the sack.
Where was I? Oh, right, Bella. Anyway, when Bella needs to get away, she likes to go to the bookstore. The big chain stores always have some things that she likes, but they are seriously lacking in specialty and hard to find items. I found a little Mom & Pop book shop on the verge of bankruptcy here in town. Now, it will be Bella's and I can't wait to give it to her. She is going to SHIT. I love getting that girl riled up! Luckily, the guy that keeps the books for the store has agreed to stay on until Bella gets a handle on things. Jayden, or Jason, or Jackson. . . .Hell I don't know. Whatever his name is.
Now, speaking of riled up. . . . .I need to go find Rosie and see if we can knock some holes in the walls!
EPOV
2 weeks without Bella. They felt like 2 of the longest weeks of my life. I knew she needed this time with her Dad, and I knew she needed some time to think, but I couldn't stand it. Alice was blocking her thoughts from me. She and Bella had yet to really make up and I knew that it was killing her. Alice always meant well, but she could get carried away with her gift.
Esme had kept us all busy getting Bella's house ready. There was an old house on the edge of our property that was intended as a servant's house originally. Esme had been looking for a reason to fix it up, and now she had one. It was close by the main house, but still far enough away to feel separated. Also, there were trees blocking the view of the little house, so it would hopefully be to Bella's liking. I had talked with Carlisle, and while we understood that Bella wanted her own place. . . the fact that she knew about us and our world made it a necessity to keep her near the family.
Emmett was overjoyed when he realized that his "Belly Bear" would still be close. If it weren't for his huge frame, I would swear that Emmett was changed at the age of 12!
Bella would be coming home soon to a new house and a new job, thanks to Emmett. I still wasn't sure how she would feel about the book store. I seem to remember that Bella wasn't all too keen on surprises.
I was just getting ready to go check on the progress of the house and get my next "assignment" from Esme when my phone rang. It was Bella. I tried to sound calm on the phone, but I was excited beyond belief.
"Bella, so good to hear from you. Have you been enjoying yourself?"
"Yes, Edward. Very much. Listen, if it's not too much trouble, could you head down to pick me up? Your offer for a ride home still stands, right?"
Home. This is a good sign - she's still calling this house "home."
"I'll leave right away, love."
"Edward, can we talk on the way back? I have some things I want to discuss with you."
"Yes, I'd be happy to Bella. I can't wait to see you." Oh, was that too much? I said too much, didn't I?
Bella let out a big breath and said, "I'm really looking forward to seeing you too, Edward. Call me when you get close. And Edward?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Bella, but I'm not sure what you are thanking me for."
"Time. I'm thanking you for giving me time."
"I'll call you when I'm close to Forks, my love."
"Talk to you then, Edward."
We both hung up without another word.
Please let me do this right. Pleeeeeeeease.
BPOV
Can I do this? I can't do this. I need to do this. I should do this.
I'm doing this.
I can't do this.
And so, I didn't. I didn't ask Edward on a date. Instead, I slept most of the way home, and he let me. I think this was one of those times when he wishes he could read my mind. Hell, I wish I knew what was going on in my mind.
One minute, I'm confident Bella, ready to take the world by storm. The next minute, I'm the same old damn Bella I've always been. I was all ready to ask Edward out. . .until I saw him. That old pang of hurt was still there. You know, the one that says there is no way this gorgeous creature could ever really be interested in you. He says he still loves me, but I just can't shake the lingering doubt.
Perhaps when I get back to Seattle and find my own place to live, then I can move forward with Edward.
Edward woke me when he pulled into the driveway at the Cullen's house in Seattle. I looked out the window and saw Emmett jumping up and down on the porch like a court jester. I couldn't help but to laugh.
Edward opened my door for me and I hopped out to see what was going on.
"Belly, Belly, Belly Bear. . do I have a surprise for yooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuu!" he sang in a silly voice.
I groaned audibly.
"Come on, Bella Boo. . .you know if it's a surprise from ME that it will be something cool!"
He had a point.
"Okay, Em. Just let me put my stuff inside and I'll play along."
"Don't worry, Love," Edward said, "I'll take care of your things. I would hate to see the damage Emmett would inflict on our poor porch if you made him wait any longer."
Emmett did a fist pump in the air and was instantly by my side, throwing me into his Jeep.
"Whoa, Em, slow down!" I shrieked with laughter. "Where are we going."
"To your surprise, Bellalicious! Now shut your yap and close your eyes!"
It wasn't a long drive, but I was really anxious to see where he was taking me. When I felt the Jeep stop, I started to open my eyes, but Emmett was faster. He was already around to my side and had the door open. He put his massive paw over my eyes and pulled me down to the pavement.
"Now Bella, I know that you have been looking for some sort of identity, and a place to call your own. I want you to know that those are the reasons that I purchased this for you, and I hope you can take it and make something beautiful out of it."
Now to say that I was confused by Emmett's soliloquy would be an understatement. How could he know all of those things about me. Emmett was a clown. A big burly looking, teddy bear clown. Those things did a good job of hiding the intelligent man inside of his head. Emmett was truly one of a kind.
He uncovered my eyes, and I looked up to see a bookstore. There was a CLOSED sign in the window. It was a small brick building that fit right in with the neighborhood.
"You bought me some books?"
"No, Bells. I bought you the whole damn store. You can name it whatever you want, and fill it with whatever you want. If that happens to be porn, I'm all for it."
I would have elbowed him, but I like my elbows too much.
It was starting to sink in. A store. Emmett bought me a book store. My very own store.
"Em, how will I compete with the chains?"
"Bella, this was a Mom & Pop store that faced the same dilemma. With your knowledge of books and literature, I think you can make your own little corner in the market, catering to the people that those big chain stores leave out. The bookkeeper has offered to stay on for a couple of weeks to get you familiar with the operations of the store and the suppliers. I just know you can take this place and make it work."
"This is my store?"
Emmett nodded at me with a huge grin on his face.
"This is my store."
Still grinning.
I threw myself at him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Em, you are the best big brother bear in the whole world! I think this is just what I need, and I know it is what I have always wanted! I just, I can't. . . .oh Emmett, I love you SO much!" I cried as the tears came rolling down my face.
"Do you want to go inside, Bellisima?" Em whispered in my ear.
"Just try and keep me out!" I said as I laughed and ran for the door.
This is my store, and I couldn't be happier!
Emmett showed me around the store, and gave me my key. He said that the bookkeeper, who I found out later was named Jordan Cooper, would be in tomorrow to go over some things with me. I had some ideas to change the decor, but I knew Esme would be a great help to me too.
Emmett and I were headed back to the Cullen house in the Jeep when he told me that he had a stop to make before we got there.
We were almost to their house when Em pulled into a short driveway and up to a nice little cottage. It was strange - this cottage appeared to be on the Cullen's property, but wasn't anything I had ever noticed. It was a cute little place, and I wondered what we would be doing here.
As we hopped out and approached the front door, it opened. Just under the threshold stood Esme, smiling brightly.
"Bella, darling. Welcome home!"
I ran up to hug her and told her thank you. "Esme, Emmett said we had to stop off here, but he never said what for. Whose house is this?"
"It is your house, dear."
"WHAT?"
"Well, we knew how much you craved a place of your own, but none of us could bear to let you go. So. . .we spruced up this little cottage and decided to give it to you."
"Esme, this is gorgeous, but you can't just give it to me. Emmett just bought me a book store, and this, this is too much!"
"Bella, dear, you are family. We want to do this for you."
"I'll buy it. Sell it to me, Esme. Let me do this, for once, on my own. . . sort of."
I finally got her to agree to sell it to me after I toured the inside. It was, of course, perfect for me in every way. I'm bid high, she offered low. We eventually met in the middle, but I know it was no where hear what this cottage and the furnishings are worth. I suspect she gave the money to charity. I'm fine with that.
I, Bella Swan Richards, am a home owner and a member of the business community. This is a good thing. Now. . .what am I forgetting?
Please read and review. I know I don't deserve, but I crave it none the less.
Sparkly kisses and Emmett bear hugs to you all!