Bring Him Home - Chapter 21

I had a welcoming committee the next morning, they were all stood around waiting for me trying desperately to look busy but obviously waiting for all the gory details. I toyed with whether to tell the truth or not, did I admit to just how bad everything had been or should I string this out and let them think I had had an amazing night?

The truth won when Judy finally asked, "I can't wait any longer boss, how was your night? Was the restaurant amazing?"

"Was Jake amazing, did he make it a memorable evening for you? Rosalie asked as her eyebrows shot up, she was obviously not asking about dinner.

"Ok before any of you go any further here are the bullet points of last night

1)      We didn't eat at the Silverdale, he met me outside

2)      He took me to a diner round the corner and we had waffles and fried chicken

3)      His current casual bed partner is a waitress at said diner and they had a small row while I was trying to cut through the very crispy fried chicken.

4)      He enquired if I was up for a threesome after he assured me the waitress could be talked into it.

5)      He paid exactly half of the $25.00 bill and then left me to get a cab.

6)      I was home in my apartment alone by 9.30pm

7)      I have flea bites on my ankles and they were the only things that got anywhere near me last night.

I looked around at their faces as I finished giving them the full details and the array of emotions was incredible. Alice was giggling so much she was rocking in her chair, Kate, Esme and Irina were trying not to laugh and looked almost in pain as they tried to control themselves. Judy and Rosalie though were angry and I knew I would have to act swiftly to dissipate that anger.

"I'm fine ladies, let's be honest I really didn't want to go in the first place, I only went because I had no idea of how to get in touch with him to decline and I suppose because I was curious, as you all well know, I've never been on an actual date before" I assured them all I really was fine and started to walk to my office.

" Boss I don't understand, why would he spend all that money on flowers and then split a bill in a diner, it doesn't make any sense" Judy asked as she looked at the amazing bouquet on the reception table.

"Maybe he pinched them from the cemetery "Alice said as she continued to giggle uncontrollably.

"Well I'm going to find out what is going on, something doesn't add up" Judy said as she went back to her desk.

I tried to carry on as normal but I could hear the girls outside my office talking about my night, this was why I didn't have relationships or date, it was just too distracting. Instead of concentrating on the huge amount of work they all had, they were trying to figure out what Jake was playing at. I could have filled them in quite easily; he was an arrogant, spoilt little boy who had never been told no. As I sat listening to them debate all about him I couldn't help but compare him to Edward, how would Jake have coped with living on the streets for about six years. It was quite obvious he wouldn't and for some reason that made me even more annoyed with him.

"You are never going to believe this boss but I just found out how much the bouquet cost" Judy shouted across from reception.

"Well come on then, tell us" Kate shouted back. "Don't keep us waiting"

"They were a freebie; his mum owns the florist. I told her how much I liked the arrangement and asked her how much it would cost to replicate it, she told me it was a one off, made up of all the flowers in the shop because her ‘baby boy ‘had needed something to impress this latest girlfriend. According to Sue, his mother, this girlfriend is shortly to become his fiancée, so she went totally over the top with the arrangement"

The thump I heard directly after Judy stopped talking was Alice falling off her chair as she screamed with laughter.

"What a fucking cheapskate" Rosalie said as she couldn't help but smile.

The shouting and laughing carried on for a good ten minutes before I finally told them all to quieten down and concentrate on work. Just as they were all settling back down and I'd decided it was safe to go back in to my office I heard Rosalie scream. I turned quickly to see what was bothering her this time and was surprised to see Emmett stood in the doorway. He looked well, he was well rested and the smile on his face could probably have illuminated a whole block. I looked to see what was causing the smile and I was surprised he was looking at me and not Rosalie.

Before I could speak to him Rosalie threw herself into his arms and wrapped her legs round his waist. It was funny to watch, not uncomfortable at all, we all' Ahhh'd' as they quickly kissed and hugged. I could see Emmett was whispering in her ear and she looked over his shoulder before kissing him again and allowing him to put her feet back on the ground. As they broke apart I caught a glimpse of a man stood behind Emmett, it took a few seconds but finally there was enough room for him to step into the reception area.

My first impression was WOW. The guy was about 6ft 2 he was lean but not skinny, clean shaven and had a lovely head of bronze hair. It was an amazing shade and I knew it would change colour naturally depending on the light he was stood in. He was dressed smartly, an expensive well cut dark blue suit with a white shirt and red tie and even his shoes shone and screamed class. He was probably the most attractive man I had seen and whilst he seemed familiar I had no idea who he was.

I walked towards Emmett eager for a chat and catch up about Edward. I ‘d tried to keep my distance because I didn't want to intrude in such an intense family time, but I needed to know he was ok and adjusting well to being home.

"Hi Emmett" I said as I kissed him on the cheek. "How is Edward doing? Is he settling in at home, does he need anything?" It all came out in a bit of a garbled ramble but I could tell from the smile on his face he had understood it all.

"Bella if it that important to you, why don't you just ask him?" Emmett said as he stood aside and held his hand out towards the guy behind him.

"I don't understand Emmett is he here?" I asked trying to peek round them both to see if he was standing outside in the corridor.

Emmett laughed and tuned to the guy stood next to him, "See I told you she wouldn't recognise you, but then you do look very different from the last time she saw you"

Suddenly everything dropped into place and I turned to look at Edward.

"Oh my I can't believe it's really you Edward, you look, well....amazing. You certainly clean up well, what I mean to say is I'm glad to see you're out of hospital and doing ok"

 I shut myself up because I knew I was starting to word vomit and I hadn't done that since I was about 17 years old. I could feel my face warming up as I blushed, a sure sign I was uncomfortable. What was happening to me I hadn't reacted like this in years, and never over a guy.

I took a moment to really look at him and as soon as I looked into his eyes I knew it really was Edward. The unusual green colour was there, only now it was a lot clearer than I had seen before and he had a twinkle in his eye that made me smile.

He reached out to me and took my hand saying "Well hello Bella I ‘ve really been looking forward to meeting up with you again".