Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Faith, Hope, And Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 21:

Surprises…

Bella breathed a sigh of relief when she was finally released to go back to work. Things with Edward had definitely improved since their talk. He made sure he always told Bella how he felt—several times a day. He kissed her goodbye whenever he left her and again hello whenever he was back. They hadn’t taken that next step, but Edward had a plan. First, he had to get rid of the leach that had suddenly latched onto him.

“For the last time, Stanley, I am with Bella and I love her. You need to back off of me or I will be forced to go to the board.”

Jessica Stanley had been in love with Edward Cullen since they were in junior high. He had never noticed her, though. His eyes had always been on Bella, but she was too stupid to do anything about it. Now he was here, and Jessica wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass her by. Bella didn’t deserve this beautiful man.

“Come on, Eddie. I can make it worth your while,” she purred.

Edward barely held in the grimace. He was getting tired of her behavior. “Your behavior is inappropriate and I have had enough. I’ve asked you repeatedly to stay away from me. Now you leave me with no choice…”

Jessica watched as Edward reached for the phone sitting on the nurse’s desk. In an act of desperation, she forced him to face her. Once she had his attention, she planted her mouth firmly to his. She took no notice that he was still as a statue and forced her tongue between his lips.

Bella rounded the corner and found her boyfriend in an embrace with that bitchy Nurse Stanley from Dr. George’s office. “What the hell!?”

Edward wrenched his mouth from Jessica’s. “Bella, baby, this isn’t what…”

Bella raised her hand, effectively cutting him off. “So this is the reason you were such a bitch to me at the office. I should have known.”

“You don’t deserve him, Swan,” Jessica sneered. “A man like Edward needs a real woman. I can fulfill his needs like he has never known.”

Behind Bella, she heard hysterical laughter. Carlisle and Alistair were holding onto each other and laughing.

Bella walked forward and was immediately in Jessica’s face. “He doesn’t want you! He has made that perfectly clear on several occasions. I know all about your attempts to get at him. Trust me when I tell you we laugh our asses off over dinner.” She turned to Edward and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Now, I believe you have some explaining to do to the board, seeing as two of its members witnessed your pathetic attempt at sexual harassment.”

Carlisle and Alistair had sobered and were looking at Jessica with contempt.

“Nurse Stanley, I think you should join us,” Alistair insisted.

Jessica sent Bella one last glare before following the two administrators to meet her fate.

**FHL**

Edward stood under the hot spray and let his day wash down the drain. He was exhausted both mentally and physically. He wanted to stay under the water forever, but he had so much to get done before Bella got home. Tonight was his night and he wanted everything to be perfect.

He shut the water off and wrapped a towel around his waist. Wiping the water from the mirror, he quickly shaved and tried to tame his wild hair. He finally gave up and walked into their room, where he threw on a pair of jeans and a green button down. As he walked into the kitchen, he rolled the sleeves up to his elbows.

He preheated the oven while pulling out everything he would need for a fresh salad. Once the salad was prepared, he covered it, put the bowl in the fridge, and collected the pre-made lasagna his mother had made for them. After putting it in the oven, he set the timer.

He rubbed his hands together and walked into the dining room. He set the table, adding two red candles that would be lit just before Bella came in. Once he was satisfied, he re-entered their bedroom, quickly stripped the bed, and put on fresh linens. He then set candles all around the room.

He knew Bella said she didn’t need all of the pomp and circumstance, but he wanted her to have it.

Ten minutes before she was due home, he had the lasagna cooling, the bread heating, and a warm bath running. When Bella opened the door five minutes early, she was shocked at what she saw.

“Edward?” she asked as she watched him light the last candle.

“Hey, baby.” He walked over to her, took her coat, and hung it up. He then leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. When they broke apart, she was breathless.

“What is all this?”

“This…” Edward swept his hand around the room, “…is all for you, Sweetheart.”

Bella looked at him, her eyes shining with emotion. “Oh, Edward.”

There were rose petals strung across the room forming a path toward the bathroom. Edward gently grasped her hand and led her in that direction. “I want you to go in there and relax. I will come get you when dinner is ready. He leaned down and kissed her nose. “I love you, Bells.”

He was gone before she could respond, so she slipped into the bathroom. The sight that greeted her brought tears to her eyes. Not wanting to waste a minute, she quickly stripped and slid into the warm water, closing her eyes and letting herself drift.