(Un)Requited Chapter 3

That went well.

That was quite possibly the worst coffee date I've ever been on. It does nothing to soothe the ache to remind myself that I've just seen Bella for the first time in so many fucking years.

She's goddamn engaged. Couldn't spring that one over the phone, I suppose. Better to twist the knife into my gut in person. God, and she looked so good, too. Better than when we were younger. Her hair is longer, thicker, wavier. Her legs were killer in her boots, her body perfect under that dress and sweater. Of course, I know that she's a television personality and that she has to look good, but geez. Just go ahead and stab me harder with that knife.

After her stunted announcement, I choked on my danish, and she just about had to give me life saving techniques. When the wheezing subsided, she looked at me with concern before stuttering that she should really go to the hospital to visit Riley.

Her fiancé. That leaves a bitter, nasty taste in my mouth.

I can't go with her to the hospital without making a bigger fool of myself, so here I am, pacing up and down the office of a car rental place. I have enough meetings to attend while I'm here being tortured that I decided to go ahead and rent something. My ego, okay let's face it, my dick, commands that I get something flashy, with two tiny seats that I'll have to fold my legs into accordion-style.

Have I mentioned that the girl I'm in love with—still—is engaged to her co-anchor?

When the guy drives around from the back with the car, I step out into the tiny bit of sunshine and put on my dark sunglasses, nodding at the ladies crossing the lot and staring at me. This is exactly why I picked this car. My ego needed the boost, it's been so pulverized lately.

I head to the meeting with the team manager for the Sounders, and it goes well. They are extremely interested in taking me on as soon as my other contract is up at the end of the month. We shake hands and agree to meet for lunch one day before I leave, and I move on to the showing of the apartment I'm thinking of renting. I feel productive, but I don't know that I want the first place I see.

I head to the hospital, because I'm a glutton for punishment. After asking at the information desk, I find Riley's room on the 5th floor. My approach slows as I hear voices from inside the open door of the room. It must be Riley, because it's a male voice, but dude, he sounds like an ass.

"I didn't ask for fucking jello! I am sick of hospital garbage! Why don't you take your pretty little ass down to the corner and get me some real food!"

I've stopped just outside the door, and I back up as I hear the sound of heels clicking on the floor. Bella emerges, flushed, from the room. Her eyes are swimming with tears. I put a hand out to stop her, placing a finger over her lips so she won't greet me out loud. Instead, I wrap my arms around her shoulders, pulling her head to my chest and holding her tightly. After a moment, she steps back and flicks the tears from her lashes. There's something so striking about her in that moment; flushed skin, wet, black lashes, large dark eyes. She will always take my breath away.

We start walking towards the elevators without speaking, but I do take her hand in mine once the doors close behind us. We make it all the way out of the building before I finally say something. "Bella, what the hell?" Sorry, but I'm not known for being eloquent.

"That in there… that's not how he is, not usually. We spend so much time together, but there's almost always a camera on us."

"So when the camera goes off, he's a demanding pig?" I ask. Oh, Shakespeare, don't roll over in your grave just yet.

"I don't know," she sighs. "Not before this. He's in pain, you know? He can't get out of bed, he's got to have bed baths and stare at the same four white walls. I'm only trying to keep him happy."

"Whose fault was it?" I ask abruptly.

"Whose fault was what?" See, I'm on a roll.

"The accident. Was it his fault or another driver's?"

She stops walking and looks at me. "How is this relevant?"

"Most likely, it's not. I'm just curious if he caused his own misery, and you're taking on the responsibility." She rolls her eyes, a classic response when I open my big mouth. "I'm right, aren't I?"

She heads off towards the cafe again, ignoring me and my verbal vomit. She heads to the counter and orders, and I wait at a nearby table for her to finish paying. She's been in the same outfit all day, and I think she once told me she gets to the studio at 4 AM. It's currently 8:45, and she must be exhausted, but she doesn't show it. She takes the opposite chair to wait for her to-go order.

She stares at me until I rub the back of my neck self-consciously. "Do I have broccoli in my teeth?"

She barks out a laugh, immediately covering her mouth with her hand. "No," she says around her fingers.

"Good, because that would be awkward. I haven't had any broccoli today." Her shoulders are shaking, and I can tell by looking at her eyes that she's amused but trying not to show it.

She jumps up when her number is called and grabs the to-go bag, gesturing for me to get up and go out the door with her. I walk alongside her in the cold night air, bumping her shoulder with my own. She bumps me back.

"Why were you hiding your laugh in there? Afraid to stroke my giant… ego?"

I see out of my periphery as she smiles and shakes her head. "Someone once told me my teeth are too big. I try to not smile too widely on camera, and I hate for people to see me laugh." She stops walking, looking back at me where I've stopped. "What?"

"I simply can't believe that someone was that insensitive about your smile." I take a step towards her, my fingers coming to rest on her parted lips. "You have magnificent lips, and your teeth are perfectly straight and white, and fit just right in your mouth. You have a contagious, melodic laugh, even when I make you snort." I watch as tears pool in her eyes yet again. I catch them with the pads of my thumbs before they can track down her face. "You've had far too many tears for one day, Bella. You're so tired, let me take you home."

She shakes her head mutely, then takes a deep breath. Holding up the brown paper bag, she says, "Riley is waiting."

Oh, yeah. That son of a bitch.

(Un)Requited Chapter 2

The dream is real enough that I don't at first realize I'm not awake. It's a repeat, this particular dream where Bella is hovering over me, her breasts brushing against me as she lifts and lowers, soft sounds escaping her throat. I can almost pretend it's actually happening, so I spend several minutes losing myself in her lush mouth. It's when I feel the tightening in my balls that I finally wake up with a gasp, feeling the wet stickiness on my stomach.

"Jesus H. Christ, a wet dream, really, Cullen?" I grumble to myself, immediately getting up and jumping in the shower. When I get out, I flip on the TV and start the in-room coffee maker, aka the portal to heaven.

I'm listening with half an ear as I wait for my coffee to finish, but I whip my head around when I hear Bella's voice coming from the television.

"Yes, Victoria, we're both okay. Riley will have to stay in the hospital for a few weeks, however. I believe Paul will be filling in for him in the meantime."

"If I can be the spokesperson for the show," the redhead looks around the table as though for approval, "I would just like to say that we're all grateful the accident wasn't worse." She gives a toothy smile towards the camera. She's never been my favorite anchor.

"Meanwhile, let's take a look at the five day forecast," Bella says in what I refer to as her newscaster voice.

I go back to tuning out, assuming it's rain in the forecast, and snatch my phone from where I dropped it when the battery died last night. Now that it's charged, I turn it on, impatiently waiting for it to boot up. I see immediately that I have missed calls and voicemails, and that Bella tried to get in touch while I was still in the air. I sink down on the bed, running my hand through my hair as I listen to her disembodied voice tell me she and her boyfriend were in a car accident last night and she wouldn't be able to meet me at the airport.

I feel like a dick, like Grade A Dick.

I was angry and hurt last night, thinking she'd blown me off. Turns out she was at the fucking hospital after an accident. I need to get ahold of her. I keep my eyes trained on the screen while she finishes her segment. She's wearing a black dress with a long, thick multi-colored sweater as she stands in front of the map of the United States. I can't help but watch her shapely legs in their knee high boots as she moves to the middle of the map.

As soon as she finishes, I pick up my phone and send her a text.

~I'm sorry I missed your call last night. My phone died. Are you okay?

I only have to wait for a few seconds before her response comes through.

~You made it alright? I'm fine, Riley crushed his tibia. He'll be in the hospital for a bit.

~I'm sorry to hear that. I'm not, but I'm guessing it would be impolite to say so.

~My last segment is at 9:45. Meet me downtown after for coffee, breakfast?

~I'll see you then.

I hurry to get dressed so I can meet her in time. I hail a cab again, thinking I should rent a car while I'm here.

When I reach the station, I get out and hand some money to the driver before hurrying inside the tall steel building. I have to search the directory, but I find her floor and head up, hoping to see where she works before she leaves. Turning the corner, I almost run right into the redhead I recognize as a co-anchor of Bella's. True to my word, I've followed her career online.

"Excuse me, Victoria, is it? I'm looking for Isabella's office." I offer her a crooked smile.

"Of course, it's down the hall, second on the right," she purrs before placing a well-manicured hand on my arm. "Is there anything else I can assist you with?" She's obviously used to being in the spotlight. Her strawberry blonde curls brush my cheek as she leans in even closer. "Anything…" Not freaking likely.

I take a deliberate step back. "No, thanks." I head in the direction she pointed out, breathing a sigh of relief when I catch sight of chestnut hair through the office door. Her outfit is even more stunning in person, the dress hugging her body in all the right places. Her heeled boots are tall and look sexy as hell. I look down at my own worn out Metallica t-shirt and jeans, then just shrug.

"Bella," I say softly, and she twirls around quickly to face me.

"Edward," she breathes, staring at me. We just look at each other for a few seconds before she finally closes the gap, hugging me hesitantly.

I wrap my arms around her waist, burying my face in her hair by her neck and inhaling deeply. She smells different than I remember, but it's a good smell, sultry and warm. I pull back, holding on to her waist as I look at her again.

"You look good, Bella, really good."

She smiles tentatively. "So do you. Was your flight okay? I'm sorry I couldn't be there, it was crazy last night. I got no sleep. Thank God for makeup artists."

"I'm sorry to hear about your accident. My phone was dead last night, and I didn't turn it back on until this morning. Do you need anything?"

"No, but I would like to hook an IV full of coffee right here," she says, tapping her inner arm. "Then I should probably visit Riley in the hospital."

"Of course. Would you like to head out for that coffee?" I ask.

She nods. "Let me grab my sweater and bag."

She picks up the sweater she was wearing on air along with a black bag and we head out the door. When we reach the ground floor, she takes my hand and leads me to the coffee shop down the street. I'm pleased to see they have Cuban coffee, and I order a cafe con leche. We sit, and she sets her purse on the empty chair.

"I bet you're wondering why I asked you to come for a visit." I watch her toying with her spoon.

"I'd be lying if I said no, but I happened to have other business here, too." Cover story, remember?

"Oh, really?" She sounds truly interested. Score one for me.

"My, ah, my career in soccer is working out. I've got a scout recruiting me for the team here. The Sounders."

Her eyebrows go up, and her mouth forms an 'O'. "That… that makes my reason for calling you easier."

"Easier?" I ask.

"Yes, I mean, I don't know if that's the correct word..." Now she seems flustered.

"Hey, it's alright. I understand, just tell me. It's just me, the same old Edward." I've scooted so far to the edge of the seat that I'm practically off of it, because I'm dying to know why she called.

"Riley proposed."

Fuck.

(Un)Requited Chapter 1

As I'm waiting impatiently for my plane to land, my hands tap insistently on my knees. I'm leaning forward in my seat, as though I can simply launch myself out of it and straight into her arms. It's been five long, tortuous goddamn years since I've seen her. I've spoken to her frequently, especially in the last week, but I was friend-zoned five fucking years ago. Five years, three months, six days, and approximately two hours.

But who the hell is counting.

I can remember what that day looked like. It was a hot, dry day, just like it always was in Phoenix. The sun was blinding me, even through my sunglasses, and the smell of creosote was stronger than usual.

I could tell she'd been crying, even behind the large, dark sunglasses she wore. You know the slope of your lover's shoulders, the tilt of their head, and I knew that the way her nose was reddened and her chest was flushed meant that she was upset. It was in the way she continuously ran her hands through her hair instead of accepting my embrace, the way she stood an arm's length from where I was waiting.

"I'm leaving, Edward. I...I told you the other day…" she trailed off.

I remembered, how the hell could I forget? She broke up with me after telling me she was probably moving out of state.

"I know, but you weren't certain then. So, I guess this means it's concrete." I yanked off my sunglasses and scrubbed my hands over my face before replacing them.

"Yeah. Yeah, it's concrete." She was fidgeting, nervous. Scared to disappoint me.

There were two ways this could go. Two ways I could make this go for her.

I smiled, a huge, fake grin that I felt split my face. "That's fantastic. You'll be great, Bella, just like we always said. Seattle is a great market, you know, it's such a big step for you." I clamped my mouth shut before the rambling gave me away.

She gave a tentative smile. "Maybe you can catch Good Morning Seattle online and let me know how I'm doing."

"Absolutely, Bella, of course I will. Do you need to get going?" I gestured to the cab idling behind her. I couldn't hold on much longer.

"Yes. I do, yes," she repeated. She glanced behind her, holding up one finger to the cabbie before returning her attention to me.

"So I'll see you sometime, I'm sure…" I said lamely. My heart was cracking into a million shards, and 'see ya' was all I could come up with.

"Um, yeah." She pushed her hair over her shoulder before leaning towards me. I stayed perfectly still as I breathed in her subtle perfume. Her lips, dry instead of their normal lush feel, touched my cheek as her hands gripped my shirt tightly. She backed away, slowly letting go of my Eagles t-shirt.

"Goodbye, Bella," I said quietly. She gave a tiny wave before jumping in the taxi. I watched, rooted to the spot like a chump, until they were no longer in my sight.

The bumping of the wheels on the tarmac bring me out of my memories, and I straighten in my seat.

Here we go.

oOo oOo

Sea-Tac airport is almost as big as Sky Harbor International. I don't see Bella as I struggle not to get lost on my way to baggage claim, and I wind up waiting for her for more than forty-five minutes before I give up and head outside to the long line of yellow vehicles. I've got a headache the size of The Hulk, and I'm quickly becoming as pissed as the big green guy.

Clenching my jaw, I give the address of the hotel I've chosen to the driver, and sit back against the seat. I'm not surprised she didn't show, which sucks all by itself, but I am incredibly annoyed. Why in the hell would she call me, asking me to come all the way to Washington, and then not even bother to be available when I land? It's important for me to drop everything and come running, but not important enough for her to act like she cares I came.

The answer to her disappearing act appears to be simple. She's selfish now that she's a big star.

But then why the teary phone call?

It's not like I've been rolling this very question around in my head since she contacted me a week ago. Not like I have anything better to do than ruminate on my One True Love. Yes, that title deserves capitals because, fuck me, I still love her with a sickness. What's happening with her that she called? Why did she beg me to fly here with little to no information as to why? Why does she suddenly want me to visit Seattle when we've shared about a dozen phone calls over the past five years? Should I break into a verse from Here Comes The Rain Again?

Why the fuck did I drop everything to run when she asked?

Well, I do have a reason that keeps me from looking whipped by my ex. I can save face while still running when called, like a pet dog. Call me Kong and throw me a T-bone.

My cover story is that I'm being scouted by the Seattle Sounders, and they're considering buying out the end of my current contract. See, I've not been idle the entire time Isabella Swan was becoming well-known by Seattle's morning commuters as they sipped their overly priced funnily named coffees. She may be the number one meteorologist in the Pacific Northwest due to her position on Good Morning Seattle (and uncanny ability to predict the rain), but I've been enjoying a rising soccer career in the Valley of the Sun. Now, instead, I have the pleasure of enjoying more rain per capita than any other state in the union. Forecast? Rain. Every. Day.

These are the thoughts circling the drain as I watch the blurry scenery through the rain streaked window of the cab. I have a shot out here, to move to the place I couldn't five years ago. When Bella broke up with me to move here and advance her career, I simply wasn't free to come too. I had just signed my contract back home, and I would've lost everything if I'd tried to tag along.

It almost killed me, practically broke me, to pretend to be happy for her. I was thrilled for her advancement, but not happy in the slightest that she was leaving. It was something we'd discussed before, the idea that our careers could take us in different directions. I just never thought it would actually happen. I envisioned her working for the local television station, marrying me and the two of us having spectacular careers in the same state. I never pictured this misery that I've been living through and around, like the proverbial elephant sitting on the Barcalounger in grandpa's living room.

The driver pulls up to the hotel and I unload my things before dashing inside, shaking the cold rain from my hair. I need a haircut, but I haven't had the time, so it flops in my face a little. I ignore the overtures made by the big boobed blonde girl (what? I'm still a guy) behind the desk, and take the elevator alone to my room. I unload my luggage directly in front of the door before collapsing on the bed and falling into a deep sleep.

Daddyward Futuretake #5- Ex Delicto

Claire was always the hit of the office when we brought her in. She resembled my mom more than anybody else; she had Renée's light brown hair and blue eyes, and looked like Jasper's child when we were all out together. In other words, she looked nothing like me or Edward.

We had just arrived at the IPNW office Christmas party, something that was open to all paid employees, volunteers, law students, and exonerees. Claire was excited over all the decorations, the lights being her favorite. She spotted Edward through the glass office walls, and bounced up and down in my arms.

Daddyward Futuretake #4- Capo di Tutti Capi

"Daddy!"

"Daddy!"

Both girls come running as fast as their tiny legs allow, the gold sashes on their matching red velvet dresses trailing along behind them. I kneel, dropping my bag and opening my arms.

"Hello to you, princesses," I greet them. "How was your morning?"

Daddyward Futuretake #3- Perdition

Mallie POV

"Shh! Daddy will hear us. We're not supposed to be outside."

"Nobody else is awake, what else are we gonna do?"

"This is more fun, anyway. I have stuff we can do, come on."

Daddyward Futuretakes #2- Jack & Crush

Carlisle was pushing the double stroller with Jack and Lucy inside, and Emmett was walking next to him with little Garrett in his arms. I wasn't quite sure who thought it was a good idea for this crazy crowd to go to the zoo, but so far it hadn't been total chaos.

Harper was a little mother hen, watching over the other children so carefully. Any time someone wandered a foot out of her comfort zone, she'd tsk at them and herd them back to the fold. Four kids under the age of three was a freaking handful, but that little drill sergeant was doing a fine job.