Letters To A Stranger
by Momma2fan
Chapter 7
Emmett and Rosalie pulled up to Bella's a few moments before his parents. Just before they got inside Emmett received a text from Edward. He pulled out his phone and checked to see what was going on.
Are you at Bella's yet? ~E
Just got here. What's up? ~ Em
I just got a text from Bella. Something is going on, sounds bad. She said the shit is going to hit the fan. ~E
Okay, we’re here now. We'll make sure everything is okay. ~Em
Thanks, Bro. Hurry up and give her the gift ~E
Shut up and I will. LOL! ~Em
Bella and the rest of her family were sitting in the living room when Emmett, Rosalie and the Cullens walked in. "Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!"
Bella stood and gave Emmett and Rose hugs, before taking the gifts and placing them under the tree. She turned and hugged Esme and Carlisle as well. "Merry Christmas. Thanks for coming."
"Oh, honey, thank you for having us." Esme added their gifts under the tree.
"Apparently we are waiting for one more and then we can eat," Bella told them bitterly. She turned and walked into the kitchen to remove the lasagna from the oven. Just as she had taken it out, there was a knock at the door. Bella braced herself for what was coming.
"Jacob, I am so glad that you could come,” Renee gushed. “Bella is in the kitchen, go say hi."
"Hello, Renee, everyone." Jake said a little hesitantly. He walked to the kitchen and found Bella taking the garlic bread out of the oven. "Hey, Bells. Merry Christmas, thanks for having me."
She tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice, but did a poor job. "I didn't, Jake. I can't believe you showed up."
"I was invited," he snapped back.
"Not by me. Does the fact that we broke up mean nothing to you or do..." Bella didn't get to finish her thought because Renee chose that moment to walk in.
"How are we doing kids?" Renee asked, oblivious to the tension.
Bella glared at her mother, "Fine. Dinner's ready."
She walked to the living room and announced that they could all move to the dining room. Alice and Rose hung back to make sure Bella was okay.
"What the fuck is he doing here, B?" Rose hissed.
"Ask my mother." Bella clipped.
The three women walked into the dining room and noticed Renee had somehow managed to make sure the only seat available for Bella was right next to Jake. Bella squared her shoulders and prepared herself for the worst meal of her life. Everyone could feel the tension in the air, while Renee prattled away about nothing.
Bella pushed her food around her plate, she had lost her appetite. When Renee commented on it, she couldn't help what came out of her mouth, her filter was gone. "I'm sorry, Mother, I’ve lost my appetite. These things happen when I get disrespected in my own home. Excuse me," Bella pushed away from the table and went into the living room.
Renee excused herself and followed her daughter. "Bella, you are being childish. It's Christmas. Can't you at least be nice to the man? He obviously cares for you."
"You don't get it do you, Mom. I do not want to be with Jacob, I have met someone else. God! Why can't you respect me enough to not meddle in my personal life?"
"Oh, please, Isabella. How serious can you be over a man you’ve never met? He’s in the army, he could die tomorrow and then where would you be? Jake is a safe bet. He’s stable and he is here."
Bella's jaw dropped, "Are fucking kidding me? Do you even hear yourself? His parents are in that room. So are his brother and soon to be sister-in-law. You are unbelievable. And you want to know how serious I am about Edward?"
"Yes, actually, I would love to know where this relationship is heading." Renee scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Mom, listen to me and listen well, I am only going to say this once. I feel more for Edward in the little time we have communicated than I have ever felt in my life. He is kind and he listens to what I have to say. I could see myself falling in love with him and having a life with him. If he were to die tomorrow, he is what I would compare every other man against for the rest of my life. Do you get it, Mom? Is it sinking in yet?" Bella was so angry she didn't realize they had an audience. She looked up when she heard Esme sob.
Jake spoke first. "I get it, Bells. I'm sorry I ruined your Christmas. Thanks for the meal, I’m just going to go." He was out the door before anything else was said.
Renee looked as though she was going to go after him, but stopped when she got a hard look from Charlie. "Well, that's just great. There goes the best thing that ever happened to you. You are so selfish, Isabella. Jacob was your future and you ruined it."
Bella caught the look on Jasper's, but shook her head at him. "Really? That's really what you think?"
"Yes, it is," Renee replied without remorse
"Then you know what, Mom? You have fifteen minutes to get your shit and get the fuck out of my house.” I stared at her waiting for her to move. “The clock is running, Renee.”
"I did not raise my daughter to talk to me like that. I won't stay here and be treated like this. Phil, let's go." Renee swept from the room with Phil following behind her. Less than ten minutes later she swept out of the house and waited for her husband by the car.
"I'm sorry about this. Have a good rest of the holiday." Phil shut the door behind him.
The air in the room seemed to clear, causing to Bella notice Emmett was nowhere to be found. She shrugged and walked back into the dining room. She helped clear the table and was then pushed out of the kitchen.
"You cooked and did all of this, let us clean up. Besides, I think Emmett has something for you." Rose said, shooing Bella from the kitchen. She wasn't going to argue.
Bella walked out of the kitchen and searched for Emmett. She found him in her room doing something with her computer. "You had better not be watching porn on there, Emmett Cullen, I will totally kick your ass." The velvety laugh was unexpected. "Emmett?"
Emmett smiled at her, "Come here Bells. I want you to meet someone." Bella rounded the desk and almost cried at the sight which greeted her. She sat down in the seat Emmett vacated. "Bella, this is Edward. Edward, this is Bella. My job here is done. Bye, kiddies."
Bella stared at the man before her, as emerald eyes looked back at her. "Merry Christmas, beautiful."
"Merry Christmas, Edward. How are you?" Bella smiled and leaned forward, almost as if she could get to him through the screen.
"I'm good. Do you like the rest of your gift?" He smiled.
"I've never had a webcam before. Do I have to do anything to it?"
Edward laughed. "No, but I think Emmett put the manual in one of your drawers."
Bella smiled because he didn't realize what he had said. "Okay I'll read it over. Have you received your box yet?"
"No, but the mail is probably a couple of days behind because of the holiday. What's in it?"
Bella smiled, knowing he would ask. "Cookies, some baby wipes, chapstick and your present."
Edward laughed, "Aww, come on just a little hint?"
"No. Where is the fun in that?" Bella laughed with him. She heard something from the door and looked up to find Esme and Carlisle smiling at her. She motioned for them to come in. "Say hi."
"Hey, sweetheart, Merry Christmas." Esme smiled and laid her hand on Bella's shoulder. Seeing the gesture warmed Edward's heart. His parents talked to him for a few more minutes and then left him alone with Bella.
"I'm glad you invited my parents for dinner. That means a lot."
"I really like them. Besides I get to hear about you. That's always a plus."
"Listen, I have to go but I'll call you in a couple of days. Okay?" He smiled.
"I can't wait. Be safe. I'll be thinking about you." Bella's heart twisted a little.
"Me too, talk to you soon." With one last smile he was gone.
Bella walked back into the living room and joined her family in a daze. The rest of the holiday passed in a blur. When everyone left she was still zoned out, she barely remembered agreeing to be at Rose and Emmett's for New Years. Tonight her dreams were about emerald eyes.
~~LTaS~~
The rest of the holidays seemed to fly by and before she knew it she was back in her classroom teaching kids proper grammar and punctuation. The rest of January flew by. Bella was so busy grading compositions and other projects, she was exhausted every night when she got home. She hadn't had time to even have her Wednesday dinner with the girls.
She spoke with Edward at least once a week. There was a period where she didn't hear from him for ten days, but that was because something had happened and they went black. Her life seemed to move on at an incredibly fast pace. Before she knew it Valentine's Day was upon her. The school was decked in red and pink and there were construction paper hearts everywhere. The carnations the student council had sold were delivered. Love was in the air.
When Bella got home that day, waiting on her porch was a long white box. She wasn't expecting anything, so she was leery to pick it up. Upon closer inspection she saw the florists' logo on the side. She squealed and pulled the lid off. Nestled inside were two dozen long stem red roses. The card attached read:
Happy Valentine’s day,
I hope you had a great day and that these put a smile on your face.
Love, Edward
Tears spilled from her eyes as she fell in love with her penpal, turned friend, turned something more. She wiped her face and picked up the box, walking into the house and putting her bag down. She ran to her room and flipped on her computer. As soon as she had it on, a message popped up that Edward was calling.
"Hey, thanks for the roses. They're beautiful," Bella smiled
"Not as beautiful as you. If you liked them so much, why are you crying?" Edward sounded worried.
"I'm fine, just happy. These are happy tears, Edward." Bella smiled.
Edward decided to change the subject. "Do you have any kind of vacation coming up?"
Bella looked confused. "Spring break, why?"
"Well...my R&R is coming and I thought about coming home for a few weeks. I would love to see you in person, but I don't want to make any guarantees about when I’ll be coming. I'll call you when it gets closer." Edward looked over his shoulder.
"Okay, I can't wait." Bella smiled.
"Me either, I gotta go. Happy Valentine's Day."
"You, too, be safe." Bella signed off and realized that she was in love with him. She couldn't wait to see him.
Across the ocean the anticipation was growing, as was the love.
Emmett and Rosalie pulled up to Bella's a few moments before his parents. Just before they got inside Emmett received a text from Edward. He pulled out his phone and checked to see what was going on.
Are you at Bella's yet? ~E
Just got here. What's up? ~ Em
I just got a text from Bella. Something is going on, sounds bad. She said the shit is going to hit the fan. ~E
Okay, we’re here now. We'll make sure everything is okay. ~Em
Thanks, Bro. Hurry up and give her the gift ~E
Shut up and I will. LOL! ~Em
Bella and the rest of her family were sitting in the living room when Emmett, Rosalie and the Cullens walked in. "Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!"
Bella stood and gave Emmett and Rose hugs, before taking the gifts and placing them under the tree. She turned and hugged Esme and Carlisle as well. "Merry Christmas. Thanks for coming."
"Oh, honey, thank you for having us." Esme added their gifts under the tree.
"Apparently we are waiting for one more and then we can eat," Bella told them bitterly. She turned and walked into the kitchen to remove the lasagna from the oven. Just as she had taken it out, there was a knock at the door. Bella braced herself for what was coming.
"Jacob, I am so glad that you could come,” Renee gushed. “Bella is in the kitchen, go say hi."
"Hello, Renee, everyone." Jake said a little hesitantly. He walked to the kitchen and found Bella taking the garlic bread out of the oven. "Hey, Bells. Merry Christmas, thanks for having me."
She tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice, but did a poor job. "I didn't, Jake. I can't believe you showed up."
"I was invited," he snapped back.
"Not by me. Does the fact that we broke up mean nothing to you or do..." Bella didn't get to finish her thought because Renee chose that moment to walk in.
"How are we doing kids?" Renee asked, oblivious to the tension.
Bella glared at her mother, "Fine. Dinner's ready."
She walked to the living room and announced that they could all move to the dining room. Alice and Rose hung back to make sure Bella was okay.
"What the fuck is he doing here, B?" Rose hissed.
"Ask my mother." Bella clipped.
The three women walked into the dining room and noticed Renee had somehow managed to make sure the only seat available for Bella was right next to Jake. Bella squared her shoulders and prepared herself for the worst meal of her life. Everyone could feel the tension in the air, while Renee prattled away about nothing.
Bella pushed her food around her plate, she had lost her appetite. When Renee commented on it, she couldn't help what came out of her mouth, her filter was gone. "I'm sorry, Mother, I’ve lost my appetite. These things happen when I get disrespected in my own home. Excuse me," Bella pushed away from the table and went into the living room.
Renee excused herself and followed her daughter. "Bella, you are being childish. It's Christmas. Can't you at least be nice to the man? He obviously cares for you."
"You don't get it do you, Mom. I do not want to be with Jacob, I have met someone else. God! Why can't you respect me enough to not meddle in my personal life?"
"Oh, please, Isabella. How serious can you be over a man you’ve never met? He’s in the army, he could die tomorrow and then where would you be? Jake is a safe bet. He’s stable and he is here."
Bella's jaw dropped, "Are fucking kidding me? Do you even hear yourself? His parents are in that room. So are his brother and soon to be sister-in-law. You are unbelievable. And you want to know how serious I am about Edward?"
"Yes, actually, I would love to know where this relationship is heading." Renee scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Mom, listen to me and listen well, I am only going to say this once. I feel more for Edward in the little time we have communicated than I have ever felt in my life. He is kind and he listens to what I have to say. I could see myself falling in love with him and having a life with him. If he were to die tomorrow, he is what I would compare every other man against for the rest of my life. Do you get it, Mom? Is it sinking in yet?" Bella was so angry she didn't realize they had an audience. She looked up when she heard Esme sob.
Jake spoke first. "I get it, Bells. I'm sorry I ruined your Christmas. Thanks for the meal, I’m just going to go." He was out the door before anything else was said.
Renee looked as though she was going to go after him, but stopped when she got a hard look from Charlie. "Well, that's just great. There goes the best thing that ever happened to you. You are so selfish, Isabella. Jacob was your future and you ruined it."
Bella caught the look on Jasper's, but shook her head at him. "Really? That's really what you think?"
"Yes, it is," Renee replied without remorse
"Then you know what, Mom? You have fifteen minutes to get your shit and get the fuck out of my house.” I stared at her waiting for her to move. “The clock is running, Renee.”
"I did not raise my daughter to talk to me like that. I won't stay here and be treated like this. Phil, let's go." Renee swept from the room with Phil following behind her. Less than ten minutes later she swept out of the house and waited for her husband by the car.
"I'm sorry about this. Have a good rest of the holiday." Phil shut the door behind him.
The air in the room seemed to clear, causing to Bella notice Emmett was nowhere to be found. She shrugged and walked back into the dining room. She helped clear the table and was then pushed out of the kitchen.
"You cooked and did all of this, let us clean up. Besides, I think Emmett has something for you." Rose said, shooing Bella from the kitchen. She wasn't going to argue.
Bella walked out of the kitchen and searched for Emmett. She found him in her room doing something with her computer. "You had better not be watching porn on there, Emmett Cullen, I will totally kick your ass." The velvety laugh was unexpected. "Emmett?"
Emmett smiled at her, "Come here Bells. I want you to meet someone." Bella rounded the desk and almost cried at the sight which greeted her. She sat down in the seat Emmett vacated. "Bella, this is Edward. Edward, this is Bella. My job here is done. Bye, kiddies."
Bella stared at the man before her, as emerald eyes looked back at her. "Merry Christmas, beautiful."
"Merry Christmas, Edward. How are you?" Bella smiled and leaned forward, almost as if she could get to him through the screen.
"I'm good. Do you like the rest of your gift?" He smiled.
"I've never had a webcam before. Do I have to do anything to it?"
Edward laughed. "No, but I think Emmett put the manual in one of your drawers."
Bella smiled because he didn't realize what he had said. "Okay I'll read it over. Have you received your box yet?"
"No, but the mail is probably a couple of days behind because of the holiday. What's in it?"
Bella smiled, knowing he would ask. "Cookies, some baby wipes, chapstick and your present."
Edward laughed, "Aww, come on just a little hint?"
"No. Where is the fun in that?" Bella laughed with him. She heard something from the door and looked up to find Esme and Carlisle smiling at her. She motioned for them to come in. "Say hi."
"Hey, sweetheart, Merry Christmas." Esme smiled and laid her hand on Bella's shoulder. Seeing the gesture warmed Edward's heart. His parents talked to him for a few more minutes and then left him alone with Bella.
"I'm glad you invited my parents for dinner. That means a lot."
"I really like them. Besides I get to hear about you. That's always a plus."
"Listen, I have to go but I'll call you in a couple of days. Okay?" He smiled.
"I can't wait. Be safe. I'll be thinking about you." Bella's heart twisted a little.
"Me too, talk to you soon." With one last smile he was gone.
Bella walked back into the living room and joined her family in a daze. The rest of the holiday passed in a blur. When everyone left she was still zoned out, she barely remembered agreeing to be at Rose and Emmett's for New Years. Tonight her dreams were about emerald eyes.
~~LTaS~~
The rest of the holidays seemed to fly by and before she knew it she was back in her classroom teaching kids proper grammar and punctuation. The rest of January flew by. Bella was so busy grading compositions and other projects, she was exhausted every night when she got home. She hadn't had time to even have her Wednesday dinner with the girls.
She spoke with Edward at least once a week. There was a period where she didn't hear from him for ten days, but that was because something had happened and they went black. Her life seemed to move on at an incredibly fast pace. Before she knew it Valentine's Day was upon her. The school was decked in red and pink and there were construction paper hearts everywhere. The carnations the student council had sold were delivered. Love was in the air.
When Bella got home that day, waiting on her porch was a long white box. She wasn't expecting anything, so she was leery to pick it up. Upon closer inspection she saw the florists' logo on the side. She squealed and pulled the lid off. Nestled inside were two dozen long stem red roses. The card attached read:
Happy Valentine’s day,
I hope you had a great day and that these put a smile on your face.
Love, Edward
Tears spilled from her eyes as she fell in love with her penpal, turned friend, turned something more. She wiped her face and picked up the box, walking into the house and putting her bag down. She ran to her room and flipped on her computer. As soon as she had it on, a message popped up that Edward was calling.
"Hey, thanks for the roses. They're beautiful," Bella smiled
"Not as beautiful as you. If you liked them so much, why are you crying?" Edward sounded worried.
"I'm fine, just happy. These are happy tears, Edward." Bella smiled.
Edward decided to change the subject. "Do you have any kind of vacation coming up?"
Bella looked confused. "Spring break, why?"
"Well...my R&R is coming and I thought about coming home for a few weeks. I would love to see you in person, but I don't want to make any guarantees about when I’ll be coming. I'll call you when it gets closer." Edward looked over his shoulder.
"Okay, I can't wait." Bella smiled.
"Me either, I gotta go. Happy Valentine's Day."
"You, too, be safe." Bella signed off and realized that she was in love with him. She couldn't wait to see him.
Across the ocean the anticipation was growing, as was the love.