Merry Christmas!
A short update will be posted today as a thank you for your continued readership!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Chapter 45 teaser
I looked at her for the first time since sitting down. She was staring at me warily. I shrugged at her and gave her an embarrassed half-smile.
“I’m not sure what to say,” she offered.
I shrugged again. “Don’t say anything."
“I’m not sure what to say,” she offered.
I shrugged again. “Don’t say anything."
Uh-oh...
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Chapter 44, teaser
I don't usually do this, but this chapter's teaser is going to simply be the title:
Chapter 44 -- The Smelly Brown Stuff Meets the Whirling Blades
And here's the picture I promised you on the Twilighted thread:
Chapter 44 -- The Smelly Brown Stuff Meets the Whirling Blades
And here's the picture I promised you on the Twilighted thread:
Season's Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Outtakes, smuttakes, bits and pieces, ramblings, review replies and a teaser for Chapter 43!
Hi!
So, I created a new story on ffnet today. It's not really a new story, it's a collection of stuff related to The Harder they Fall. It's called The Bigger they Are. Right now it contains five chapters. Chapters 1 & 2 of The Bigger they Are are copies of Chapters 20 & 24 from The Harder they Fall. These chapters are outtake chapters and have nothing to do with the original story.
Chapter 3 of The Bigger they Are is the wrong turn I took when I wrote chapter 27 of The Harder they Fall. It is not official or "canon."
Chapters 4 & 5, however, are canon. They are bits of the story I sent out as review replies. If you read chapters 20 & 24 and reviewed chapters 27, 29 and 34, then you've already read everything I posted in The Bigger they Are to date.
However, there's a reason I posted The Bigger they Are right now. When I publish chapter 43 of The Harder they Fall on Sunday there will be an outtake. The outtake will be published as chapter 6 of The Bigger they Are. I hope you enjoy both the chapter and the outtake.
So, let's see. You've read all this, how about a little THTF teaser for you?
THTF chapter 43 teaser:
“Mr. Cullen’s office, Angela speaking.”
“Angela, it’s Kathleen Snow. Where’s Edward? He’s not answering his office phone and his cell is going right to voicemail.”
“Edward is at a lunch meeting, Dr. Snow.”
“With who? He didn’t mention a lunch meeting to me last night.”
I froze. “With who?” she wanted to know. I didn’t know if Dr. Snow knew Bella was back in the office, but I certainly wasn’t going to mention it unless she did first. “Uh, it wasn’t previously scheduled. He left on very short notice.”
So, I created a new story on ffnet today. It's not really a new story, it's a collection of stuff related to The Harder they Fall. It's called The Bigger they Are. Right now it contains five chapters. Chapters 1 & 2 of The Bigger they Are are copies of Chapters 20 & 24 from The Harder they Fall. These chapters are outtake chapters and have nothing to do with the original story.
Chapter 3 of The Bigger they Are is the wrong turn I took when I wrote chapter 27 of The Harder they Fall. It is not official or "canon."
Chapters 4 & 5, however, are canon. They are bits of the story I sent out as review replies. If you read chapters 20 & 24 and reviewed chapters 27, 29 and 34, then you've already read everything I posted in The Bigger they Are to date.
However, there's a reason I posted The Bigger they Are right now. When I publish chapter 43 of The Harder they Fall on Sunday there will be an outtake. The outtake will be published as chapter 6 of The Bigger they Are. I hope you enjoy both the chapter and the outtake.
So, let's see. You've read all this, how about a little THTF teaser for you?
THTF chapter 43 teaser:
“Mr. Cullen’s office, Angela speaking.”
“Angela, it’s Kathleen Snow. Where’s Edward? He’s not answering his office phone and his cell is going right to voicemail.”
“Edward is at a lunch meeting, Dr. Snow.”
“With who? He didn’t mention a lunch meeting to me last night.”
I froze. “With who?” she wanted to know. I didn’t know if Dr. Snow knew Bella was back in the office, but I certainly wasn’t going to mention it unless she did first. “Uh, it wasn’t previously scheduled. He left on very short notice.”
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Chapter 42 teaser
I nodded, agreeing, and sat down at my desk just as the elevator chimed and Edward stepped off. He was reading something in a folder he was holding. He looked up and our gazes met briefly before his eyes zeroed in on the flowers on my desk. He scowled.
“From your boyfriend?” he asked.
“Uh, no, they’re not from Jake.” The scowl slid from Edward’s face to be replaced with a look of confusion.
“Who are they from, then?”
I didn’t immediately answer as Edward walked over and stopped before my desk.
“Umm…”
Before I could answer, Angela burst into a very loud and undignified laugh, startling Edward and causing me to giggle nervously.
“Bella?” Edward asked, clearly confused.
Hesitantly, I held out the card to him. He took it, glanced down briefly, and froze, a twisted frown on his face. I grimaced and wondered if I should have lied about the flowers being from Jake. Edward held the card out to me and I took it from him, our hands brushing together lightly. He snatched his hand back as if he’d been burned before turning abruptly and making his way to his office.
“From your boyfriend?” he asked.
“Uh, no, they’re not from Jake.” The scowl slid from Edward’s face to be replaced with a look of confusion.
“Who are they from, then?”
I didn’t immediately answer as Edward walked over and stopped before my desk.
“Umm…”
Before I could answer, Angela burst into a very loud and undignified laugh, startling Edward and causing me to giggle nervously.
“Bella?” Edward asked, clearly confused.
Hesitantly, I held out the card to him. He took it, glanced down briefly, and froze, a twisted frown on his face. I grimaced and wondered if I should have lied about the flowers being from Jake. Edward held the card out to me and I took it from him, our hands brushing together lightly. He snatched his hand back as if he’d been burned before turning abruptly and making his way to his office.
Bella's flowers
Friday, October 15, 2010
Chapter 41 teaser
I jammed my key into the lock and swung the door wide. The first thing I noticed was that it was pitch black except for the TV. Angela was sprawled on the floor, leaning against one of our club chairs staring unseeing at the screen.
“Ang?”
She popped up as if startled, which was impossible, since she must have heard me come in.
“Bella!” she shouted, as if she hadn’t seen me in a year instead of a day.
“Hey, Ang, what’s with the darkness?” I flipped on the lights.
Angela hissed and covered her eyes.
“Turn them off!”
I quickly turned the lights off as a feeling of dread settled in my stomach.
“Ang?” I dropped by bag at the door and made my way blindly to where she was sitting and squatted down next to her. “Ang? Is everything alright? Did something happen with Ben?”
“Ang?”
She popped up as if startled, which was impossible, since she must have heard me come in.
“Bella!” she shouted, as if she hadn’t seen me in a year instead of a day.
“Hey, Ang, what’s with the darkness?” I flipped on the lights.
Angela hissed and covered her eyes.
“Turn them off!”
I quickly turned the lights off as a feeling of dread settled in my stomach.
“Ang?” I dropped by bag at the door and made my way blindly to where she was sitting and squatted down next to her. “Ang? Is everything alright? Did something happen with Ben?”
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Q & A
Q & A:
So, if you could ask the THTF crew anything at all and be assured of their honesty, what would you ask? The most common question was for Edward and dealt with his similarities to a particular feminine hygiene product. Yeah, he’s not going to answer that. However, there were some really interesting questions. I had a little sit-down with some of the cast of characters and hope you enjoy what they have to say.
First up…Mrs. Cope
IT: Mrs. Cope, you’ve known the Cullens for a very long time. What changes have you seen in Edward through the years—from the time he was very young until his time with Bella.
Mrs. Cope: When I just started work for Edward Carlisle Cullen the First, Edward would stop for visits with his mother or father from time to time. He had an irresistible smile and a twinkle in his eye. And that hair. What can I say?
He was always a studious boy, but he and his older brother, Emmett, could be typical little boys, too. I remember one time, Edward managed to lock himself in the bathroom. Maintenance had to be called to remove the door from its hinges. And once, he and his brother broke a crystal dish while eating their way through the candy that was kept in it. They looked so guilty standing there with their chocolate-smeared faces. It took all I had in me not to laugh. First wasn’t mad but he used the incident as a lesson on proper behavior in the business environment. Emmett seemed bored, but Edward listened as if his grandfather was preaching from on high.
I didn’t see much of Edward when he was in his teens. I’m sure he had better things to do than hang out at his grandfather’s office. He was always cheerful and polite when he did stop in, though. Then, after his high school graduation he started interning at the office. He was so bright and capable but First insisted he be treated like the other interns. Oh sure, I always maintained proper decorum in the office, but I hoped by referring to young Edward as Mr. Cullen I’d help instill in him the understanding that he was different from the others.
Then he went off to college. He returned after his freshman year a changed boy. It wasn’t just the physical changes of a boy becoming a man, but his personality changed as well. He was a little harder, a little less trusting, a little less likely to smile. He threw himself into his duties after that. Office gossip was that he had had his heart broken. Poor thing. In the years after that, Mr. Cullen never discussed his personal life at work, but it is almost impossible to live in Chicago and not have some idea of who he was dating.
Then his grandfather took ill. It wasn’t anything too serious, but the decision was made for him to retire. Since his son, Dr. Cullen, went into medicine, the CEO position went to Mr. Cullen. Sure, Emmett Cullen is older, but he was already happy with his VP position. The Cullen sons always supported one another. There was no animosity or competition for the position. Honesty, I think the older Mr. Cullen has no interest in being the boss.
Mr. Cullen started dating Tanya Denali, a woman who is famous simply for being famous. To be honest, I never liked her. She came into the office treating the assistants as if she were in charge. However, she wasn’t around much. I always stopped her at the door until she put up such a stink one day, Edward finally told me to let her through unless he was in a meeting. She was a spitfire, that one, but not in a good way. More than once she came in here, and marched straight through the office, slamming Mr. Cullen’s door. I’d often hear her yelling, but Mr. Cullen never raised his voice. I guess he finally got tired of the drama.
And then Ms. Swan happened. I didn’t realize it right away, but it was like the younger Edward Cullen gradually resurfaced. Little things changed. He smiled more and talked about…not personal stuff, but non-business related things more often; like the artwork in the office. He seemed less world-weary and more like the young man he is. I know for a fact that he was drinking less, not that he ever appeared intoxicated or drank enough for me to worry that there was a problem, but in the time Ms. Swan was around that Scotch bottle on his bar only got replaced once. Ms. Weber tells me she’s back to replacing it every two weeks or so now.
It might be unprofessional of me, but I was fond of Ms. Swan. She was delightful. She never appeared intimidated by Mr. Cullen; he can be an exacting boss. It was almost as if she didn’t know she should be wary of him, so she never was. I know, I know their “relationship” was a sham, but Ms. Swan was the “realest” woman I’d ever seen him with.
When Ms. Weber came to me and told me that Ms. Swan was going to resign I was heartbroken. My reaction caught me by surprise. Mr. Cullen is not my son, but I do feel a motherly affection for him that goes beyond what is appropriate for a boss and employee. Seeing him after she left that day was like looking at someone else; he immediately reverted to the man he was before he started seeing her.
This new woman he is with, Dr. Snow, well, she seems to be the right sort of woman for him. She’s obviously intelligent. There’s no question that she’s with him solely for him money, as I feared Ms. Denali was. I hope she makes him happy, but I don’t think that she does. He’s not the man he was when he was with Ms. Swan.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hurt by his lack of regard when I retired. I’ve known Edward Cullen since he was a youngster. Of course, Cullen Enterprises has been very good to me over the years; perhaps he felt that was enough. I shouldn’t complain.
~**~
IT: Jasper, readers want to know, what is your take on things as they stand now? What’s your opinion of Alice and Bella’s relationship? What about Bella and Edward’s?
Jasper: Let me start by saying I don’t make it a habit to talk about my friends. Or my wife. That said, Edward’s recent behavior really has me wondering about that boy’s sanity.
I believe that Bella’s a good person. However, if I understand correctly, and don’t tell Alice I said this, she’s half at fault for the mess she and Edward are in now. She’s a great friend to Alice and that’s important to me. Alice is a special woman and deserves to have people like Bella in her life. And if that was my only concern we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
The way I see it, Bella looked at some pictures of Edward being friendly with someone he’s known a long time, and decided to end their relationship. I’ve seen the pictures. Hell, all of Chicago has seen the pictures. There was nothing risqué or inappropriate about them, really, but they did hint at a level of intimacy two acquaintances don’t usually have.
However, Edward and Kathleen Snow weren’t lovers. Edward wasn’t cheating on Bella. I’m not even going to get into the whole fake relationship thing, because as far as I’m concerned they were a real couple. Real couples talk to one another. Bella and Edward had been on the outs for a week or so because of their disagreement about Bella going back to school. On this point, I disagree with my friend. You should stand behind your woman when she wants to better herself.
Really, the whole mess was a misunderstanding that rational people would have worked out. I think that their agreement gave Bella an easy out, via resigning, which allowed her to quit without having to face the fact that she had developed real feelings for Edward. Maybe those feelings scared her. Maybe she felt she wasn’t worthy or deserving, but the opposite is closer to true.
At first I thought they’d figure things out, but as the days turned into weeks I became less sure. Three weeks after they broke up Edward asked out Dr. Snow. Kathleen Snow had always been around. She and Edward had flirted before. I’m not sure why they had never hooked up or what made this the right time, but there you have it.
I’ve seen Bella with Jacob Black. He’s an okay guy. He’s nice to her, polite. I don’t see any kind of spark, but after the forest fire that was her relationship with Edward maybe she’s looking for a slower pace. It’s really not my business.
But here’s the part that makes me question Edward’s sanity. He’s not happy. He’s the most miserable I’ve ever seen him and that includes the time that Jessica slept with his roommate. He’s short-tempered at work and no fun during the little downtime we have together. It’s obvious that Kathleen doesn’t make him happy the way Bella did. Edward is my friend and I want to see him happy.
*~~*
IT: Carlisle, Kathleen Snow is a colleague of yours. How do you feel about your son’s current relationship with her?
Carlisle: Kathleen Snow is a good doctor and an excellent surgeon. She’s an asset to the hospital.
IT: But how do you feel about her relationship with Edward?
Carlisle: If Edward is happy with Dr. Snow then I am happy for them.
IT: “If?” Certainly you’ve seen them together enough to make that determination?
Carlisle: Actually, no. Edward and Kathleen don’t spend much time with the family. As a doctor, Kathleen works nontraditional hours. My son also puts in many hours at his job, but they tend to be more business-normal. Understandably, they prefer spending what little time they have together alone. However, our family is fairly tight knit and Edward makes time for his mother and me.
IT: How does your wife feel about Edward dating Dr. Snow?
Carlisle: I know what you’re trying to do here. I know you’re trying to get me to paint Dr. Snow as a hellish shrew who has cleaved our son from our sides and who makes him miserable. The truth is neither I nor my wife has spent any significant time with Dr. Snow outside of our professional and charitable interests. Even if we were so inclined, we cannot comment on Edward’s relationship with his lady friend because we haven’t seen them together.
What I can do, however, is tell you that Esme, particularly, is disturbed by this. As I said earlier, we have a tight-knit family. Esme was thrilled when Edward was seeing Bella because we saw more of him, not less, when they were dating. Since he started his relationship with Dr. Snow we are back to seeing him less frequently, as was the case when he was dating Ms. Denali and prior to that. Now, if you’ll excuse me…
*~~*
IT: Edward, thank you for agreeing to sit down and talk a little. As you can imagine, many readers are upset with you.
Edward: :bewildered: What? Why?
IT: Most are unhappy that you’ve moved on from your relationship with Bella. Some are mad at you for not pursuing her when she left.
Edward: The decision to end our relationship was not mine. I thought I made it clear to Ms. Swan that I was interested in more with her. I had no intention of firing her so that we could be together, however. She is a proud and infuriatingly stubborn. She saw my offer of a corner office as offensive. While I would be happy to support her in any way, the only support she’d allow me to offer was moral. She saw any financial support as a mere step away from prostitution. I think she was overly sensitive about the subject, honestly.
IT: That doesn’t explain why you didn’t pursue her.
Edward: :sighs: She was so set on her path. We were down that road once before, remember? The first time she attempted to quit I broke all kinds of labor laws in an effort to keep her close. I brought in a desk for her and forced her to work in the same room as me. I threatened to sue her for breach of contract. I was a real…. Well, let’s just say I promised myself I would never treat her like that again.
At first I thought if I gave her a little space she’d come around. Days passed and I wanted to call her, but I kept myself in check, hoping she’d miss me as much as I missed her. As the days passed, I realized that there was no way she missed me as much as I missed her because she wouldn’t stay away if she did. She didn’t want me.
I’ve had it with dating women who don’t want me, okay. Being in that position is more painful than a dozen meaningless relationships with women like Tanya Denali or a string of one-night stands.
IT: But, you have to realize that moving on with another woman so quickly makes it look like you didn’t really want her either.
Edward: Frankly, I don’t care what it looks like. Kathleen Snow and I have known each other for a long time. While I don’t want her the same way I wanted Ms. Swan, it is nice to be the one who is wanted for a change.
IT: But…
Edward: No, no buts. If you have no further questions for me, I have work to do.
IT: :sighs: Fine. Next question: boxers or briefs?
Edward: :rolls eyes: Good day, Ms. Twist.
~**~
IT: Bella, thanks for stopping by. Most readers have a lot of sympathy for you.
Bella: :looks startled: Sympathy for me? Why?
IT: They’re mad at Edward for moving on so quickly.
Bella: That’s silly. I broke our agreement and told Edward I thought Kathleen Snow would be a good match for him.
IT: Still, did you find him running to her so quickly as affirmation that something inappropriate happened the night you received those picture texts?
Bella: I don’t think that Edward cheated on me if that’s what you’re getting at.
IT: Then why did you leave him after you saw them?
Bella: Let’s face it, what Edward and I had was unhealthy. He was not supportive of me working for his mother or going back to school. Something had to give. Either we’d end up having sex and I would have sunk as low as I could go or Edward eventually would have left me for a woman with whom he could have a real relationship.
IT: Really, would the sex option have been that bad?
Bella: Women who sleep with the men who pay for their companionship are called very nasty names.
IT: So you saw the pictures as Edward gearing up to leave you for a “real relationship?”
Bella: It was certainly possible.
IT: Possible, but not likely. Well, now Edward is in a real relationship. How do you feel about it?
Bella: My feelings really aren’t relevant.
IT: Frankly, Bella, that’s bullshit. How do you feel about Edward’s relationship with Kathleen?
Bella: I don’t see how my feelings…
IT: How. Do. You. Feel?
Bella: I have no hard feelings.
IT: :sighing: You’re very good at this.
Bella: Good at what?
IT: You are deliberately not answering the question you know I’m asking.
Bella: What question is that?
IT: I’m asking your personal opinion of Edward and Kathleen’s relationship.
Bella: I have no personal opinion. If he’s happy, then I’m happy for him.
IT: What if he’s not happy?
Bella: Excuse me?
IT: What if he’s not happy? What if he is just with her because you broke his heart and he’s settling for someone who he thinks is safe.
Bella: I’m sure that’s not the case. No, that can’t be true. That would be…that would be terrible. Edward wouldn’t settle. He has too much to offer to just settle. Do you think he’s settling? No. Dr. Snow is the whole package. She’s beautiful, smart and well-off…. He’s not settling. He’s happy, I’m sure. Right?
IT: Don’t ask me. Maybe you should ask him.
~**~
IT: Angela, I should tell you legions of readers have a girl crush on you after the last chapter.
Angela: :laughs: Why?
IT: Let’s just say they appreciate the way you finally put Edward in his place.
Angela: Well, I’m not proud of my ranting, but the words needed to be said. He’s been so miserable lately.
IT: And why do you think that is?
Angela: Why? That’s easy. He misses Bella. There, I said it. Out loud and in public. Edward Cullen misses my roommate Bella Swan.
IT: You’re the first person to finally admit that, you know.
Angela: Well, that’s just stupid. Anyone who knows them knows they are both unhappy.
IT: Bella is unhappy, too?
Angela: She’s not going to end it all, or anything, but she was happier with Edward than she is with Jake.
IT: Jake makes her unhappy?
Angela: No, no. He’s just nothing special to her. He’s a buddy, a friend. I think he feels more for her, but she’s not really over Edward.
IT: Let’s move on to the question. A reader wants to know if you hear Bella talk in her sleep and if so, what you’ve heard her say.
Angela: :laughs: My and Bella’s bedrooms are pretty far apart.
IT: So, you’ve never heard her talk in her sleep?
Angela: Well, I didn’t say that. Bella has fallen asleep on the couch a few times.
IT: Anything interesting?
Angela: I wish I had something funny to share, but Bella talks in her sleep the most when she’s sad or upset. The night that she got those pictures she was very restless. I heard her pacing and came out of my room to sit with her for awhile. When she finally fell asleep she said, “Edward, no,” in this heartbreaking voice. I think she was devastated by the pictures.
*~~*
IT: Hello, Riley.
Riley: Hello, Itty.
IT: Itty? :shakes head: Never mind, I don’t want to know. You are the readers’ absolute favorite character.
Riley: Of course I am. That shouldn’t surprise you.
IT: No, I guess it shouldn’t. So, I have a reader question, but I want to preface it with one of my own.
Riley: I’m all ears.
IT: What’s your take on the current status of Edward and Bella’s relationship?
Riley: The current status sucks. Edward Cullen, while being the hottest thing on two legs, is pretty stupid. I even call him Stupid. Well, Stoop for short. He had my Beautiful all wrapped up and just tossed her away for that obvious woman.
IT: Well, now that you’ve made your feelings clear, I think we’re ready for the question. What would be the best outfit for Bella to torture Edward with.
Riley: Oooooh, I have just the outfit. You know, Itty, you’re losing your touch. This question is really a spoiler for a future chapter.
IT: :huffs: I know that, Riley. Do you want to share the outfit or not?
Riley: Of course I do. Here it is…
So, if you could ask the THTF crew anything at all and be assured of their honesty, what would you ask? The most common question was for Edward and dealt with his similarities to a particular feminine hygiene product. Yeah, he’s not going to answer that. However, there were some really interesting questions. I had a little sit-down with some of the cast of characters and hope you enjoy what they have to say.
First up…Mrs. Cope
IT: Mrs. Cope, you’ve known the Cullens for a very long time. What changes have you seen in Edward through the years—from the time he was very young until his time with Bella.
Mrs. Cope: When I just started work for Edward Carlisle Cullen the First, Edward would stop for visits with his mother or father from time to time. He had an irresistible smile and a twinkle in his eye. And that hair. What can I say?
He was always a studious boy, but he and his older brother, Emmett, could be typical little boys, too. I remember one time, Edward managed to lock himself in the bathroom. Maintenance had to be called to remove the door from its hinges. And once, he and his brother broke a crystal dish while eating their way through the candy that was kept in it. They looked so guilty standing there with their chocolate-smeared faces. It took all I had in me not to laugh. First wasn’t mad but he used the incident as a lesson on proper behavior in the business environment. Emmett seemed bored, but Edward listened as if his grandfather was preaching from on high.
I didn’t see much of Edward when he was in his teens. I’m sure he had better things to do than hang out at his grandfather’s office. He was always cheerful and polite when he did stop in, though. Then, after his high school graduation he started interning at the office. He was so bright and capable but First insisted he be treated like the other interns. Oh sure, I always maintained proper decorum in the office, but I hoped by referring to young Edward as Mr. Cullen I’d help instill in him the understanding that he was different from the others.
Then he went off to college. He returned after his freshman year a changed boy. It wasn’t just the physical changes of a boy becoming a man, but his personality changed as well. He was a little harder, a little less trusting, a little less likely to smile. He threw himself into his duties after that. Office gossip was that he had had his heart broken. Poor thing. In the years after that, Mr. Cullen never discussed his personal life at work, but it is almost impossible to live in Chicago and not have some idea of who he was dating.
Then his grandfather took ill. It wasn’t anything too serious, but the decision was made for him to retire. Since his son, Dr. Cullen, went into medicine, the CEO position went to Mr. Cullen. Sure, Emmett Cullen is older, but he was already happy with his VP position. The Cullen sons always supported one another. There was no animosity or competition for the position. Honesty, I think the older Mr. Cullen has no interest in being the boss.
Mr. Cullen started dating Tanya Denali, a woman who is famous simply for being famous. To be honest, I never liked her. She came into the office treating the assistants as if she were in charge. However, she wasn’t around much. I always stopped her at the door until she put up such a stink one day, Edward finally told me to let her through unless he was in a meeting. She was a spitfire, that one, but not in a good way. More than once she came in here, and marched straight through the office, slamming Mr. Cullen’s door. I’d often hear her yelling, but Mr. Cullen never raised his voice. I guess he finally got tired of the drama.
And then Ms. Swan happened. I didn’t realize it right away, but it was like the younger Edward Cullen gradually resurfaced. Little things changed. He smiled more and talked about…not personal stuff, but non-business related things more often; like the artwork in the office. He seemed less world-weary and more like the young man he is. I know for a fact that he was drinking less, not that he ever appeared intoxicated or drank enough for me to worry that there was a problem, but in the time Ms. Swan was around that Scotch bottle on his bar only got replaced once. Ms. Weber tells me she’s back to replacing it every two weeks or so now.
It might be unprofessional of me, but I was fond of Ms. Swan. She was delightful. She never appeared intimidated by Mr. Cullen; he can be an exacting boss. It was almost as if she didn’t know she should be wary of him, so she never was. I know, I know their “relationship” was a sham, but Ms. Swan was the “realest” woman I’d ever seen him with.
When Ms. Weber came to me and told me that Ms. Swan was going to resign I was heartbroken. My reaction caught me by surprise. Mr. Cullen is not my son, but I do feel a motherly affection for him that goes beyond what is appropriate for a boss and employee. Seeing him after she left that day was like looking at someone else; he immediately reverted to the man he was before he started seeing her.
This new woman he is with, Dr. Snow, well, she seems to be the right sort of woman for him. She’s obviously intelligent. There’s no question that she’s with him solely for him money, as I feared Ms. Denali was. I hope she makes him happy, but I don’t think that she does. He’s not the man he was when he was with Ms. Swan.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hurt by his lack of regard when I retired. I’ve known Edward Cullen since he was a youngster. Of course, Cullen Enterprises has been very good to me over the years; perhaps he felt that was enough. I shouldn’t complain.
~**~
IT: Jasper, readers want to know, what is your take on things as they stand now? What’s your opinion of Alice and Bella’s relationship? What about Bella and Edward’s?
Jasper: Let me start by saying I don’t make it a habit to talk about my friends. Or my wife. That said, Edward’s recent behavior really has me wondering about that boy’s sanity.
I believe that Bella’s a good person. However, if I understand correctly, and don’t tell Alice I said this, she’s half at fault for the mess she and Edward are in now. She’s a great friend to Alice and that’s important to me. Alice is a special woman and deserves to have people like Bella in her life. And if that was my only concern we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
The way I see it, Bella looked at some pictures of Edward being friendly with someone he’s known a long time, and decided to end their relationship. I’ve seen the pictures. Hell, all of Chicago has seen the pictures. There was nothing risqué or inappropriate about them, really, but they did hint at a level of intimacy two acquaintances don’t usually have.
However, Edward and Kathleen Snow weren’t lovers. Edward wasn’t cheating on Bella. I’m not even going to get into the whole fake relationship thing, because as far as I’m concerned they were a real couple. Real couples talk to one another. Bella and Edward had been on the outs for a week or so because of their disagreement about Bella going back to school. On this point, I disagree with my friend. You should stand behind your woman when she wants to better herself.
Really, the whole mess was a misunderstanding that rational people would have worked out. I think that their agreement gave Bella an easy out, via resigning, which allowed her to quit without having to face the fact that she had developed real feelings for Edward. Maybe those feelings scared her. Maybe she felt she wasn’t worthy or deserving, but the opposite is closer to true.
At first I thought they’d figure things out, but as the days turned into weeks I became less sure. Three weeks after they broke up Edward asked out Dr. Snow. Kathleen Snow had always been around. She and Edward had flirted before. I’m not sure why they had never hooked up or what made this the right time, but there you have it.
I’ve seen Bella with Jacob Black. He’s an okay guy. He’s nice to her, polite. I don’t see any kind of spark, but after the forest fire that was her relationship with Edward maybe she’s looking for a slower pace. It’s really not my business.
But here’s the part that makes me question Edward’s sanity. He’s not happy. He’s the most miserable I’ve ever seen him and that includes the time that Jessica slept with his roommate. He’s short-tempered at work and no fun during the little downtime we have together. It’s obvious that Kathleen doesn’t make him happy the way Bella did. Edward is my friend and I want to see him happy.
*~~*
IT: Carlisle, Kathleen Snow is a colleague of yours. How do you feel about your son’s current relationship with her?
Carlisle: Kathleen Snow is a good doctor and an excellent surgeon. She’s an asset to the hospital.
IT: But how do you feel about her relationship with Edward?
Carlisle: If Edward is happy with Dr. Snow then I am happy for them.
IT: “If?” Certainly you’ve seen them together enough to make that determination?
Carlisle: Actually, no. Edward and Kathleen don’t spend much time with the family. As a doctor, Kathleen works nontraditional hours. My son also puts in many hours at his job, but they tend to be more business-normal. Understandably, they prefer spending what little time they have together alone. However, our family is fairly tight knit and Edward makes time for his mother and me.
IT: How does your wife feel about Edward dating Dr. Snow?
Carlisle: I know what you’re trying to do here. I know you’re trying to get me to paint Dr. Snow as a hellish shrew who has cleaved our son from our sides and who makes him miserable. The truth is neither I nor my wife has spent any significant time with Dr. Snow outside of our professional and charitable interests. Even if we were so inclined, we cannot comment on Edward’s relationship with his lady friend because we haven’t seen them together.
What I can do, however, is tell you that Esme, particularly, is disturbed by this. As I said earlier, we have a tight-knit family. Esme was thrilled when Edward was seeing Bella because we saw more of him, not less, when they were dating. Since he started his relationship with Dr. Snow we are back to seeing him less frequently, as was the case when he was dating Ms. Denali and prior to that. Now, if you’ll excuse me…
*~~*
IT: Edward, thank you for agreeing to sit down and talk a little. As you can imagine, many readers are upset with you.
Edward: :bewildered: What? Why?
IT: Most are unhappy that you’ve moved on from your relationship with Bella. Some are mad at you for not pursuing her when she left.
Edward: The decision to end our relationship was not mine. I thought I made it clear to Ms. Swan that I was interested in more with her. I had no intention of firing her so that we could be together, however. She is a proud and infuriatingly stubborn. She saw my offer of a corner office as offensive. While I would be happy to support her in any way, the only support she’d allow me to offer was moral. She saw any financial support as a mere step away from prostitution. I think she was overly sensitive about the subject, honestly.
IT: That doesn’t explain why you didn’t pursue her.
Edward: :sighs: She was so set on her path. We were down that road once before, remember? The first time she attempted to quit I broke all kinds of labor laws in an effort to keep her close. I brought in a desk for her and forced her to work in the same room as me. I threatened to sue her for breach of contract. I was a real…. Well, let’s just say I promised myself I would never treat her like that again.
At first I thought if I gave her a little space she’d come around. Days passed and I wanted to call her, but I kept myself in check, hoping she’d miss me as much as I missed her. As the days passed, I realized that there was no way she missed me as much as I missed her because she wouldn’t stay away if she did. She didn’t want me.
I’ve had it with dating women who don’t want me, okay. Being in that position is more painful than a dozen meaningless relationships with women like Tanya Denali or a string of one-night stands.
IT: But, you have to realize that moving on with another woman so quickly makes it look like you didn’t really want her either.
Edward: Frankly, I don’t care what it looks like. Kathleen Snow and I have known each other for a long time. While I don’t want her the same way I wanted Ms. Swan, it is nice to be the one who is wanted for a change.
IT: But…
Edward: No, no buts. If you have no further questions for me, I have work to do.
IT: :sighs: Fine. Next question: boxers or briefs?
Edward: :rolls eyes: Good day, Ms. Twist.
~**~
IT: Bella, thanks for stopping by. Most readers have a lot of sympathy for you.
Bella: :looks startled: Sympathy for me? Why?
IT: They’re mad at Edward for moving on so quickly.
Bella: That’s silly. I broke our agreement and told Edward I thought Kathleen Snow would be a good match for him.
IT: Still, did you find him running to her so quickly as affirmation that something inappropriate happened the night you received those picture texts?
Bella: I don’t think that Edward cheated on me if that’s what you’re getting at.
IT: Then why did you leave him after you saw them?
Bella: Let’s face it, what Edward and I had was unhealthy. He was not supportive of me working for his mother or going back to school. Something had to give. Either we’d end up having sex and I would have sunk as low as I could go or Edward eventually would have left me for a woman with whom he could have a real relationship.
IT: Really, would the sex option have been that bad?
Bella: Women who sleep with the men who pay for their companionship are called very nasty names.
IT: So you saw the pictures as Edward gearing up to leave you for a “real relationship?”
Bella: It was certainly possible.
IT: Possible, but not likely. Well, now Edward is in a real relationship. How do you feel about it?
Bella: My feelings really aren’t relevant.
IT: Frankly, Bella, that’s bullshit. How do you feel about Edward’s relationship with Kathleen?
Bella: I don’t see how my feelings…
IT: How. Do. You. Feel?
Bella: I have no hard feelings.
IT: :sighing: You’re very good at this.
Bella: Good at what?
IT: You are deliberately not answering the question you know I’m asking.
Bella: What question is that?
IT: I’m asking your personal opinion of Edward and Kathleen’s relationship.
Bella: I have no personal opinion. If he’s happy, then I’m happy for him.
IT: What if he’s not happy?
Bella: Excuse me?
IT: What if he’s not happy? What if he is just with her because you broke his heart and he’s settling for someone who he thinks is safe.
Bella: I’m sure that’s not the case. No, that can’t be true. That would be…that would be terrible. Edward wouldn’t settle. He has too much to offer to just settle. Do you think he’s settling? No. Dr. Snow is the whole package. She’s beautiful, smart and well-off…. He’s not settling. He’s happy, I’m sure. Right?
IT: Don’t ask me. Maybe you should ask him.
~**~
IT: Angela, I should tell you legions of readers have a girl crush on you after the last chapter.
Angela: :laughs: Why?
IT: Let’s just say they appreciate the way you finally put Edward in his place.
Angela: Well, I’m not proud of my ranting, but the words needed to be said. He’s been so miserable lately.
IT: And why do you think that is?
Angela: Why? That’s easy. He misses Bella. There, I said it. Out loud and in public. Edward Cullen misses my roommate Bella Swan.
IT: You’re the first person to finally admit that, you know.
Angela: Well, that’s just stupid. Anyone who knows them knows they are both unhappy.
IT: Bella is unhappy, too?
Angela: She’s not going to end it all, or anything, but she was happier with Edward than she is with Jake.
IT: Jake makes her unhappy?
Angela: No, no. He’s just nothing special to her. He’s a buddy, a friend. I think he feels more for her, but she’s not really over Edward.
IT: Let’s move on to the question. A reader wants to know if you hear Bella talk in her sleep and if so, what you’ve heard her say.
Angela: :laughs: My and Bella’s bedrooms are pretty far apart.
IT: So, you’ve never heard her talk in her sleep?
Angela: Well, I didn’t say that. Bella has fallen asleep on the couch a few times.
IT: Anything interesting?
Angela: I wish I had something funny to share, but Bella talks in her sleep the most when she’s sad or upset. The night that she got those pictures she was very restless. I heard her pacing and came out of my room to sit with her for awhile. When she finally fell asleep she said, “Edward, no,” in this heartbreaking voice. I think she was devastated by the pictures.
*~~*
IT: Hello, Riley.
Riley: Hello, Itty.
IT: Itty? :shakes head: Never mind, I don’t want to know. You are the readers’ absolute favorite character.
Riley: Of course I am. That shouldn’t surprise you.
IT: No, I guess it shouldn’t. So, I have a reader question, but I want to preface it with one of my own.
Riley: I’m all ears.
IT: What’s your take on the current status of Edward and Bella’s relationship?
Riley: The current status sucks. Edward Cullen, while being the hottest thing on two legs, is pretty stupid. I even call him Stupid. Well, Stoop for short. He had my Beautiful all wrapped up and just tossed her away for that obvious woman.
IT: Well, now that you’ve made your feelings clear, I think we’re ready for the question. What would be the best outfit for Bella to torture Edward with.
Riley: Oooooh, I have just the outfit. You know, Itty, you’re losing your touch. This question is really a spoiler for a future chapter.
IT: :huffs: I know that, Riley. Do you want to share the outfit or not?
Riley: Of course I do. Here it is…
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Chapter 40 teaser
Everyone in the room was sitting and talking when I heard the front door open. I looked up from where I was sitting next to my mom, who was holding EJ on her lap, to watch for Emmett.
What I saw floored me.
Breezing into the room, a big smile on her face, was Bella. There was a beat of silence before greetings were called from every corner of the room.
What I saw floored me.
Breezing into the room, a big smile on her face, was Bella. There was a beat of silence before greetings were called from every corner of the room.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I won!
I'm so excited. Voters for the Hidden Star Awards recognized me and THTF by awarding me the "You Cliffy Bitch" award. I'm stunned, thrilled and humbled. Thank you to everyone who voted for me!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Chapter 39, teasers
“Bella!” Ang shouted to me from the living room. She must have just gotten home. I was vegging out in my room bare-footed, wearing a soft pair of yoga pants and a tank top, trying to read through the most boring book ever written, Classroom Management for the 21st Century. My hair was piled on my head, being held up by two pins, a pen and a precariously perched highlighter.
Grateful for the break, I called out, “Be right there.”
Tossing the book aside and rubbing my eyes, I got up and went into the living room, where Angela was sitting on the edge of the sofa with…
“Jake?”
Grateful for the break, I called out, “Be right there.”
Tossing the book aside and rubbing my eyes, I got up and went into the living room, where Angela was sitting on the edge of the sofa with…
“Jake?”
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Chapter 38, teaser
“What?”
“I let the mistletoe in the bathroom go, but this…?” He pointed to a sprig of the parasitic plant that was tacked over my bed.
“Angela!” I growled under my breath. I looked at Edward. He was looking at me with an amused expression on his face, patiently waiting my explanation.
“It was Angela. I was teasing her about her mistletoe fetish earlier today…I’m sure she thought this was funny.”
“It is.”
“Mortifying is more like it,” I replied.
“Look at that blush,” Edward commented, making me flush even harder. He approached me slowly. “My understanding,” he said quietly, tucking my hair behind my ear, “is that blushing is a sign of guilt, not innocence. What are you thinking, Ms. Swan?”
The question seemed rhetorical as he lowered his face towards mine.
“I let the mistletoe in the bathroom go, but this…?” He pointed to a sprig of the parasitic plant that was tacked over my bed.
“Angela!” I growled under my breath. I looked at Edward. He was looking at me with an amused expression on his face, patiently waiting my explanation.
“It was Angela. I was teasing her about her mistletoe fetish earlier today…I’m sure she thought this was funny.”
“It is.”
“Mortifying is more like it,” I replied.
“Look at that blush,” Edward commented, making me flush even harder. He approached me slowly. “My understanding,” he said quietly, tucking my hair behind my ear, “is that blushing is a sign of guilt, not innocence. What are you thinking, Ms. Swan?”
The question seemed rhetorical as he lowered his face towards mine.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Information
Hey folks --
The Bargain was removed from ffnet for TOS violations. My posting privileges have been suspended “for a few days” according to the email I received from the ffnet admin bot. My family and I are going on vacation this week. I will think about what I’m going to do with The Bargain and post my plans with my next THTF update.
Sadly, the THTF update is being delayed by my suspended privileges. I will get it posted as soon as possible after my vacation.
Both The Bargain and The Harder they Fall have threads on Twilighted which I visit regularly:
The Harder they Fall: www.twilighted.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=7258&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
The Bargain: www.twilighted.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=10352&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=the+bargain
Best,
Ironic Twist
The Bargain was removed from ffnet for TOS violations. My posting privileges have been suspended “for a few days” according to the email I received from the ffnet admin bot. My family and I are going on vacation this week. I will think about what I’m going to do with The Bargain and post my plans with my next THTF update.
Sadly, the THTF update is being delayed by my suspended privileges. I will get it posted as soon as possible after my vacation.
Both The Bargain and The Harder they Fall have threads on Twilighted which I visit regularly:
The Harder they Fall: www.twilighted.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=7258&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
The Bargain: www.twilighted.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=10352&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=the+bargain
Best,
Ironic Twist
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Bargain, chapter 12, teaser
Bella directed Attila towards the path that would lead her to the docks, where a large ship from the colonies had docked earlier in the day. She encouraged the beast to stretch out and allowed the flying wind to take with it her frustrations.
In short order she was once again the unruffled mistress of the island. She slowed as she entered the village. Locals and visitors alike stopped in their labors to watch the beautiful lady make her way down the road. Finding the attention not unpleasant, Bella nodded greetings. As she approached the spot where the grand ship was berthed, Bella found her father’s carriage. Tossing the reins to the driver she asked him where her father was.
“Aboard the ship, madam. Talking with the captain, I believe.”
Bella thanked the driver and began to dismount, only to become aware of a nearby scuffle. A small crowd of sailors jostled for the chance to help her down from the horse’s back.
In short order she was once again the unruffled mistress of the island. She slowed as she entered the village. Locals and visitors alike stopped in their labors to watch the beautiful lady make her way down the road. Finding the attention not unpleasant, Bella nodded greetings. As she approached the spot where the grand ship was berthed, Bella found her father’s carriage. Tossing the reins to the driver she asked him where her father was.
“Aboard the ship, madam. Talking with the captain, I believe.”
Bella thanked the driver and began to dismount, only to become aware of a nearby scuffle. A small crowd of sailors jostled for the chance to help her down from the horse’s back.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
The Bargain Chapter 11, teaser
“Have you ever been in love?” she asked.
Edward smiled at her question. “Why Bella, I’ve told you, you are my only love.”
“Be serious,” she chided. “I know you’ve had other women. Were you ever in love with any of them?”
Edward sighed before bending his arm behind his head. “Only an infatuation when I was a lad.”
“A lad? Nine, ten?”
“Nay, not so young. I was eighteen and she was a young widow. She taught me much about women.”
Edward smiled at her question. “Why Bella, I’ve told you, you are my only love.”
“Be serious,” she chided. “I know you’ve had other women. Were you ever in love with any of them?”
Edward sighed before bending his arm behind his head. “Only an infatuation when I was a lad.”
“A lad? Nine, ten?”
“Nay, not so young. I was eighteen and she was a young widow. She taught me much about women.”
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Bargain: Chapter 10, teaser
Groaning in frustration, Edward rose from the bed and pulled on a pair of breeches. Padding barefoot, he roamed through the rooms seeking relief from his thoughts and haunted dreams. His eyes fell on the mill sketches he’d left on the dining room table earlier. Edward sat down and contemplated the drawings in the dim light of an oil lamp.
Slowly, he became aware of the fact that he was not alone. Raising his head, he peered through the darkness. The shadowy figure of an island woman leaned against the frame of his door. Edward cocked his head in an unvoiced question. Without a sound, the woman stepped forward into the dim circle of light.
Slowly, he became aware of the fact that he was not alone. Raising his head, he peered through the darkness. The shadowy figure of an island woman leaned against the frame of his door. Edward cocked his head in an unvoiced question. Without a sound, the woman stepped forward into the dim circle of light.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Chapter 37, pictures
Bella's dress for the Christmas party
Snowflake pendant
Alice's wedding dress
Alice's hat and veil
Alice's engagement ring
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Advent and Events
Chapter 37 teaser
“The Tuesday/Thursday class is in the morning, so I can’t work for your mom on those days, but the Monday/Wednesday class is at night.”
Edward’s eyebrows rose. “At night?”
“Yeah. From seven to eight-thirty.”
“What about work?”
“The Tuesday/Thursday class is in the morning, so I can’t work for your mom on those days, but the Monday/Wednesday class is at night.”
Edward’s eyebrows rose. “At night?”
“Yeah. From seven to eight-thirty.”
“What about work?”
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Chapter 9 teaser, The Bargain
Bella greeted the new day with enthusiasm and a smile that had long been missing. The weight of her deceit was no longer upon her. Her honor was restored. She fulfilled the bargain and Edward could no longer make demands upon her. She sat at her father’s side as he worked, playing her role as assistant and advisor. They dined together and Bella partook heartily. Her sleep was untroubled and she rose early each day.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Chapter 8
“Papa, I spent an ill night and cannot accompany you about the island today.”
Charles rose from his seat and approached his daughter. Touching her brow lightly he found it slightly warm.
“I would be much saddened to see you not well, my dear. Go back to bed and I’ll send Sue with a tray for you.”
Bella had no intention of returning to her torturous bed, and tried to convince her father to let her stay.
“There’s no need father. I’ll just have a small bite here and relax in the library.”
Charles rose from his seat and approached his daughter. Touching her brow lightly he found it slightly warm.
“I would be much saddened to see you not well, my dear. Go back to bed and I’ll send Sue with a tray for you.”
Bella had no intention of returning to her torturous bed, and tried to convince her father to let her stay.
“There’s no need father. I’ll just have a small bite here and relax in the library.”
“Nonsense. Come now, I’ll see you abed before I go.”
Friday, July 9, 2010
Dinner Plans
Chapter 36, teaser
“So what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to make a few phone calls today, and then I’m going to take Bella home with me. My building has better security. If she’s not at her apartment, then hopefully the paparazzi won’t harass Ms. Weber, either. She is here, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, she’s at her desk. Um, she asked me to ask you if she could see Bella.”
I sighed. “Of course, she’s a good friend. Tell her that I’ll send her out when she wakes up. She had a hard night and didn’t get much sleep.”
I could tell that Emmett’s dirty mind was having a field day with that little bit of information.
“A tough night, huh? The paper didn’t hit the stands until early this morning. Why was she up so late?” His grin was just this side of a leer.
“Rein it in there, brother. She and I had a fight.”
“What?” He made a scoffing sound. “I’m starting to think that Rose is right about you. What could you have possibly fought about?”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to make a few phone calls today, and then I’m going to take Bella home with me. My building has better security. If she’s not at her apartment, then hopefully the paparazzi won’t harass Ms. Weber, either. She is here, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, she’s at her desk. Um, she asked me to ask you if she could see Bella.”
I sighed. “Of course, she’s a good friend. Tell her that I’ll send her out when she wakes up. She had a hard night and didn’t get much sleep.”
I could tell that Emmett’s dirty mind was having a field day with that little bit of information.
“A tough night, huh? The paper didn’t hit the stands until early this morning. Why was she up so late?” His grin was just this side of a leer.
“Rein it in there, brother. She and I had a fight.”
“What?” He made a scoffing sound. “I’m starting to think that Rose is right about you. What could you have possibly fought about?”
The Bargain, chapter 6, teaser
“Mister Masen,” she interrupted, “what was your trade before you became a bondslave? Overseer perhaps? You are from the colonies, I understand. What were you doing in England?”
“Horses, madam. I work with horses quite a bit.”
“Then you must be the one who tended to my Attila when he was lame.” No wonder the steed was so comfortable with him. “You mean you train horses? To what end?”
“Mostly for riding, madam. And, some enjoy the sport of racing their mounts. I went first to Scotland to select breeding stock.”
“Your master trusted you to know good breeding stock when you saw it?”
“Indeed, madam, I most certainly do.”
“Horses, madam. I work with horses quite a bit.”
“Then you must be the one who tended to my Attila when he was lame.” No wonder the steed was so comfortable with him. “You mean you train horses? To what end?”
“Mostly for riding, madam. And, some enjoy the sport of racing their mounts. I went first to Scotland to select breeding stock.”
“Your master trusted you to know good breeding stock when you saw it?”
“Indeed, madam, I most certainly do.”
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Bargain, chapter 5, teaser
Charles cleared his throat. “Daughter, your time away seems to have toughened you. I’m surprised to see you forgo the relative luxury of the Kensington to sail home on the most modest of my ships.”
“Is it so hard to believe that I missed you, Papa?” Her confession caused a lump to form in Charles’s throat, for in truth, he had missed his daughter, as well.
“Aye, well…so enough of thither and yondering for you?”
“Aye, father.”
“So…” Charles was reluctant to bring up the reason for their enforced separation, but he couldn’t help but be curious. “Have you chosen, then?”
Charles didn’t look at his daughter as he asked the question. Bella twisted the simple gold band on her finger once, before laying her hand on the one her father had between them. Charles looked down at their joined hands.
“You may call me Madam Cullen, if not by my given name, Papa.”
“Is it so hard to believe that I missed you, Papa?” Her confession caused a lump to form in Charles’s throat, for in truth, he had missed his daughter, as well.
“Aye, well…so enough of thither and yondering for you?”
“Aye, father.”
“So…” Charles was reluctant to bring up the reason for their enforced separation, but he couldn’t help but be curious. “Have you chosen, then?”
Charles didn’t look at his daughter as he asked the question. Bella twisted the simple gold band on her finger once, before laying her hand on the one her father had between them. Charles looked down at their joined hands.
“You may call me Madam Cullen, if not by my given name, Papa.”
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Bargain, chapter 4, teaser
Sam followed Yorkie down the dark hall. Skittering rats fled their approach.
“Whatever ‘twere you did ta ‘im, you did ta ‘im good,” Yorkie commented. Sam stopped and raised an eyebrow in question.
Yorkie chuckled. “’E’s come down a madman ‘e ‘as, since you brought ‘im back. Hafta keep ‘im chained to the wall ere ‘e kill us. Or see us kill ‘im. He ain’t took a bit o’ the food you sent for ‘im, just takes ‘is bread and water like afore.”
“Whatever ‘twere you did ta ‘im, you did ta ‘im good,” Yorkie commented. Sam stopped and raised an eyebrow in question.
Yorkie chuckled. “’E’s come down a madman ‘e ‘as, since you brought ‘im back. Hafta keep ‘im chained to the wall ere ‘e kill us. Or see us kill ‘im. He ain’t took a bit o’ the food you sent for ‘im, just takes ‘is bread and water like afore.”
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Bargain, chapter 3, teaser
Edward approached his wife with the remainder of his glass of sherry. Holding it aloft, he said quietly, “To our marriage, my love. May it be long and fruitful.” Draining his glass he returned it to the tray carried by Mrs. Weber. Seeing that Bella still held her glass Edward stretched out his hand and raised the glass to her lips. “Drink, my love. We needs must be going.”
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Exposed
Chapter 35 teaser
“Okay, this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to call Demetri and let him know we’re coming down. He’s double parked right out front. The photographers aren’t allowed on private property, so they’re all standing on the sidewalk. Even though it is fairly dark, I want you to put on those sunglasses as soon as we’re in the lobby. Keep your head down and don’t let go of me. I’ll lead you to the car. The windows are tinted, so once you’re inside they can’t see you.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“Don’t be scared. Don’t show them your fear, that will only make it worse."
“Okay, this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to call Demetri and let him know we’re coming down. He’s double parked right out front. The photographers aren’t allowed on private property, so they’re all standing on the sidewalk. Even though it is fairly dark, I want you to put on those sunglasses as soon as we’re in the lobby. Keep your head down and don’t let go of me. I’ll lead you to the car. The windows are tinted, so once you’re inside they can’t see you.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“Don’t be scared. Don’t show them your fear, that will only make it worse."
The Bargain, chapter 2 teaser
"Seems the girl doubts I'm human," Edward commented ruefully.
"Don't worry about it," Sam grunted. "You won't be here long enough to try her."
Edward met his look stoically. "That wasn't my intention. 'Tis my wedding day, after all."
Sam scowled. "I wouldn't worry about that either," Sam said menacingly. "I'm here to see to my Mistress's bidding, whether I like it or not. But my first task is always her welfare. I judge what's best for her welfare myself. Don't give me cause to believe that keeping you alive is a threat to her safety."
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Bargain banners
A gift from the generous BeanFlikn247. Thank you, Connie!
This was was created by the incredible pkitten21 as a favor to me.
The Bargain
I'm starting a summer fun fic that will post fast and furious. The first chapter is already live. The fic is called "The Bargain" and is based on a 1970s era bodice ripper by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. Here's the summary:
A condemned man consents to wed a lovely heiress to free her from an unwanted arranged marriage. For his name she promises that which is only hers to give. When the bargain is violated what recourse has the cheated man, bound for the gallows unfulfilled?
So, a little tease, perhaps?
"I am cursed," she muttered. "Would that I were born poor, so I would know that a man wanted me for myself."
And this, she fully believed. Neither her beauty nor riches had aided her in finding a suitable life mate. Once it was known that she was the daughter of Charles Swan, one of the richest men to ever walk the market, young men in need of a wealthy spouse crawled from the woodwork to seek her hand.
Her refusal to accept the court of even the most deserving of these young men drove her father to issue his ultimatum.
"The young studs flock to you, but you refuse any man with a name to be proud of." His inconsiderate words bruised Bella's pride and brought a hot rush of tears to her eyes. Heedless of this, her father continued.
"What are riches for if they are to buried with you? I want grandchildren! Are you set on being a spinster? A poor man with a title to give to his heirs would bestow upon your children power at court. The wealth I have, it is the name I lack. You could give that to them, by accepting the hand of any of the rutting swains.
"It is my cross to bear that I be blessed with a daughter who has the beauty to choose among barons, earls and dukes. Instead she whiles away her days waiting for a knight on a white horse to sweep her off her feet."
It was at this point that Bella made her mistake. She chose to argue with her father, goading him into driving his walking stick into the floor at her feet.
"You have one year to come to your senses. If, on your twenty-first birthday you have not married into a family of the aristocracy, I will promise you to the next strutting rooster still young enough to get you with child. If I have to drag you to the altar in chains, you will obey me."
A condemned man consents to wed a lovely heiress to free her from an unwanted arranged marriage. For his name she promises that which is only hers to give. When the bargain is violated what recourse has the cheated man, bound for the gallows unfulfilled?
So, a little tease, perhaps?
"I am cursed," she muttered. "Would that I were born poor, so I would know that a man wanted me for myself."
And this, she fully believed. Neither her beauty nor riches had aided her in finding a suitable life mate. Once it was known that she was the daughter of Charles Swan, one of the richest men to ever walk the market, young men in need of a wealthy spouse crawled from the woodwork to seek her hand.
Her refusal to accept the court of even the most deserving of these young men drove her father to issue his ultimatum.
"The young studs flock to you, but you refuse any man with a name to be proud of." His inconsiderate words bruised Bella's pride and brought a hot rush of tears to her eyes. Heedless of this, her father continued.
"What are riches for if they are to buried with you? I want grandchildren! Are you set on being a spinster? A poor man with a title to give to his heirs would bestow upon your children power at court. The wealth I have, it is the name I lack. You could give that to them, by accepting the hand of any of the rutting swains.
"It is my cross to bear that I be blessed with a daughter who has the beauty to choose among barons, earls and dukes. Instead she whiles away her days waiting for a knight on a white horse to sweep her off her feet."
It was at this point that Bella made her mistake. She chose to argue with her father, goading him into driving his walking stick into the floor at her feet.
"You have one year to come to your senses. If, on your twenty-first birthday you have not married into a family of the aristocracy, I will promise you to the next strutting rooster still young enough to get you with child. If I have to drag you to the altar in chains, you will obey me."
Moving Day
Chapter 34 teaser
"Where's that boyfriend of yours?" Jasper asked me in a low, menacing voice. "I'm going to kick his ass. Couldn't he have hired movers or something for you?
"Edward?"
"Do you have another boyfriend?" he asked sarcastically.
"Don't get snippy with me," I told him.
"Don't get snippy with Bella," Alice called from the other side of the room, simultaneously. Riley snorted, a surprisingly indelicate sound.
"Morning, Bella!" a loud voice boomed from the doorway. Both Jasper and I turned to see Jacob standing just inside the now crowded apartment, a couple of guys I thought I recognized milled about in the hallway behind him.
"I was only kidding about having another boyfriend, Bella," Jasper said to me quietly, eyeing Jacob with concern.
"Where's that boyfriend of yours?" Jasper asked me in a low, menacing voice. "I'm going to kick his ass. Couldn't he have hired movers or something for you?
"Edward?"
"Do you have another boyfriend?" he asked sarcastically.
"Don't get snippy with me," I told him.
"Don't get snippy with Bella," Alice called from the other side of the room, simultaneously. Riley snorted, a surprisingly indelicate sound.
"Morning, Bella!" a loud voice boomed from the doorway. Both Jasper and I turned to see Jacob standing just inside the now crowded apartment, a couple of guys I thought I recognized milled about in the hallway behind him.
"I was only kidding about having another boyfriend, Bella," Jasper said to me quietly, eyeing Jacob with concern.
Giving Thanks
Chapter 33 teaser
"You and Edward are, like, serious? You're finally really dating?"
"What? No?" I was confused by her assumption. "What do you mean 'finally'? And why would you think that?"
"Oh, I just assumed." She seemed embarrassed. "The way you two are together. Do you know how often you two touch each other when you're in a room together? He can't keep his hands off you and you're not much better. And then, when you got upset over his crack about making dinner, he apologized and kissed you. Why would he kiss you if he wasn't really into you?"
"It's just the way we are," I explained. "It's like we're always 'on.' We are trying to fool people into believing we're together. Obviously we're doing a good job, if we're able to fool you."
Alice shot me a look I could only describe as frustrated, and started muttering under her breath, something that sounded like, "The only person you're fooling is yourself."
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," I told her with exaggerated politeness.
"You weren't supposed to," she snapped back. Then her eyes softened.
"No one would blame you if you liked him, Bella," she said. "I've worked with him for a couple of years. He's always been nice to me. According to Jasper he's a great guy. And, let's face it, Edward is pretty easy on the eyes."
I didn't like where this conversation was going. "Yeah, well, Jasper also thought I was a gold digging muckraker at one point, so his opinion is suspect."
"You and Edward are, like, serious? You're finally really dating?"
"What? No?" I was confused by her assumption. "What do you mean 'finally'? And why would you think that?"
"Oh, I just assumed." She seemed embarrassed. "The way you two are together. Do you know how often you two touch each other when you're in a room together? He can't keep his hands off you and you're not much better. And then, when you got upset over his crack about making dinner, he apologized and kissed you. Why would he kiss you if he wasn't really into you?"
"It's just the way we are," I explained. "It's like we're always 'on.' We are trying to fool people into believing we're together. Obviously we're doing a good job, if we're able to fool you."
Alice shot me a look I could only describe as frustrated, and started muttering under her breath, something that sounded like, "The only person you're fooling is yourself."
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," I told her with exaggerated politeness.
"You weren't supposed to," she snapped back. Then her eyes softened.
"No one would blame you if you liked him, Bella," she said. "I've worked with him for a couple of years. He's always been nice to me. According to Jasper he's a great guy. And, let's face it, Edward is pretty easy on the eyes."
I didn't like where this conversation was going. "Yeah, well, Jasper also thought I was a gold digging muckraker at one point, so his opinion is suspect."
It Doesn't Mean Anything
Chapter 32 teaser
"So, tell me why is there a message on Alice's voicemail from Edward Cullen, telling her that you need a change of clothes, when we all know that I've slipped you enough haute couture to last you a lifetime, hm?"
"Um, how do you know what's on Alice's voicemail, Riley?"
"That's not important, darling, answer my question."
I sighed.
"Um, I spent the night at Edward's place-" was as far as I got before Riley let out an ear-splitting scream that went on and on. I yanked the phone away from my ear until I was sure he was done. When I brought the phone back to my ear, he was in midrant.
"…I knew, I just knew…" he continued on and on, speaking faster and faster, until his words were just an unintelligible cacophony.
"Riley!"
"…with that dress and those shoes…"
"Riley!"
"…and Alice owes me a day off, with pay…"
"Riley!"
"…the websites had it so wrong…"
"Riley!"
"What?" he responded as I finally got through to him.
"Are you bringing me my clothes?"
Stunned silence ensued.
"Are you still there?" he finally asked, in a hopeful whisper.
"Yes."
"So, tell me why is there a message on Alice's voicemail from Edward Cullen, telling her that you need a change of clothes, when we all know that I've slipped you enough haute couture to last you a lifetime, hm?"
"Um, how do you know what's on Alice's voicemail, Riley?"
"That's not important, darling, answer my question."
I sighed.
"Um, I spent the night at Edward's place-" was as far as I got before Riley let out an ear-splitting scream that went on and on. I yanked the phone away from my ear until I was sure he was done. When I brought the phone back to my ear, he was in midrant.
"…I knew, I just knew…" he continued on and on, speaking faster and faster, until his words were just an unintelligible cacophony.
"Riley!"
"…with that dress and those shoes…"
"Riley!"
"…and Alice owes me a day off, with pay…"
"Riley!"
"…the websites had it so wrong…"
"Riley!"
"What?" he responded as I finally got through to him.
"Are you bringing me my clothes?"
Stunned silence ensued.
"Are you still there?" he finally asked, in a hopeful whisper.
"Yes."
First Date
Chapter 31 teaser
Marking His Territory
Edward Cullen's most recent outing with his current gal pal was to the same watering hole where she was recently caught in the arms of another man.
"Edward was devastated when he found out about Bella straying," says a source close to the Chicago's Most Eligible Bachelor. "He was quite put out by Bella's public display, and the two fought terribly."
Ultimately, it seems, they've decided to give it another try by erasing the memories of Bella and her erstwhile suitor, and replacing them with memories of their own.
Marking His Territory
Edward Cullen's most recent outing with his current gal pal was to the same watering hole where she was recently caught in the arms of another man.
"Edward was devastated when he found out about Bella straying," says a source close to the Chicago's Most Eligible Bachelor. "He was quite put out by Bella's public display, and the two fought terribly."
Ultimately, it seems, they've decided to give it another try by erasing the memories of Bella and her erstwhile suitor, and replacing them with memories of their own.
Reconciliation in Three Acts
Chapter 30 teaser
"Babe, as sexy as you look wearing my shirt, would you change into something else? The cleaners are picking up tomorrow, and I want to send it out to be dry cleaned."
"Sure," I replied, mentally rolling my eyes at the endearment while enjoying the way Victoria's eyes narrowed.
I turned to walk away. I had just taken a step when I felt Edward's hand on my ass. He slapped me painlessly, though the sound rang through the room. I let out a sound between a squeak and a shout.
"I'll get you for that, babe," I threatened as I continued into the dressing room.
"I'll look forward to it," Edward called to me as I closed the door behind me.
"Babe, as sexy as you look wearing my shirt, would you change into something else? The cleaners are picking up tomorrow, and I want to send it out to be dry cleaned."
"Sure," I replied, mentally rolling my eyes at the endearment while enjoying the way Victoria's eyes narrowed.
I turned to walk away. I had just taken a step when I felt Edward's hand on my ass. He slapped me painlessly, though the sound rang through the room. I let out a sound between a squeak and a shout.
"I'll get you for that, babe," I threatened as I continued into the dressing room.
"I'll look forward to it," Edward called to me as I closed the door behind me.
Killer
Chapter 29 teaser
"Edward, I'm sorry…" I began.
He cut me off. "You will have lunch with my brother and me in the cafeteria today. If your 'date' from last night is there you will follow my lead. No matter what, you will sit at my side and you will do your job…"
"Wait," Riley interrupted once more. "What? 'Sit at my side and do your job…?' What, exactly, do you do for Edward Cullen?"
"Edward, I'm sorry…" I began.
He cut me off. "You will have lunch with my brother and me in the cafeteria today. If your 'date' from last night is there you will follow my lead. No matter what, you will sit at my side and you will do your job…"
"Wait," Riley interrupted once more. "What? 'Sit at my side and do your job…?' What, exactly, do you do for Edward Cullen?"
What Jessica Did
Chapter 28 teaser
"Are you still drunk?" The disgusted amusement was back in his voice.
"No, I'm not still drunk," I mimicked, "just a little light-headed."
"Well, just settle down. Bella made arrangements for you to have late check-out before she left."
"Bella left? When?"
"A couple hours ago. She called Alice for a ride around nine this morning."
I groaned and rubbed my face again. Jasper chuckled without a trace of compassion.
"Go take a shower," he suggested. "I'll get your shit packed up and order something for you to eat."
I nodded and stood more slowly than before. I took a few steps towards the bathroom before hesitating.
"Did she quit?" I asked, quietly, not turning around to look at him.
"You'll need to talk to her about that yourself."
"Are you still drunk?" The disgusted amusement was back in his voice.
"No, I'm not still drunk," I mimicked, "just a little light-headed."
"Well, just settle down. Bella made arrangements for you to have late check-out before she left."
"Bella left? When?"
"A couple hours ago. She called Alice for a ride around nine this morning."
I groaned and rubbed my face again. Jasper chuckled without a trace of compassion.
"Go take a shower," he suggested. "I'll get your shit packed up and order something for you to eat."
I nodded and stood more slowly than before. I took a few steps towards the bathroom before hesitating.
"Did she quit?" I asked, quietly, not turning around to look at him.
"You'll need to talk to her about that yourself."
Chapter 27 pictures
Saturday afternoon in the park
Bella's outfit for the reunion formal
Bella's jammies
The Highest High and the Lowest Low
Chapter 27 teaser
"One, two, THREE!" I let go of the horseshoe, but Bella held on a bit longer. By the time she let go she was so high in her swing that the horseshoe went straight up in the air. I followed its progress incredulously before realizing it was likely to come down right on our heads.
"Shit!"
I grabbed Bella by the shoulders and pulled her out of the way of the falling horseshoe. She stumbled and we went down in a tangle of arms and legs. Not knowing if the horseshoe had hit the ground yet, I scrambled to cover her head with my own body before throwing my arms up over my own head.
I heard a meaty thunk nearby and raised my head cautiously. The horseshoe had landed less than a foot away from us. I rolled over to let Bella free. She didn't move.
"Bella?" I reached over and tapped her shoulder gently. Her back and shoulders were shaking and I began to worry that I hurt her.
"Bella? Are you okay? I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" The words came rushing out of my mouth in a torrent.
She still hadn't moved, except for the shaking. I jumped up and ran around her before squatting down in front of her. Her hands were covering her face.
"Bella? Bella!" I pulled her hands away from her face and registered that there were tears streaming down her face.
"One, two, THREE!" I let go of the horseshoe, but Bella held on a bit longer. By the time she let go she was so high in her swing that the horseshoe went straight up in the air. I followed its progress incredulously before realizing it was likely to come down right on our heads.
"Shit!"
I grabbed Bella by the shoulders and pulled her out of the way of the falling horseshoe. She stumbled and we went down in a tangle of arms and legs. Not knowing if the horseshoe had hit the ground yet, I scrambled to cover her head with my own body before throwing my arms up over my own head.
I heard a meaty thunk nearby and raised my head cautiously. The horseshoe had landed less than a foot away from us. I rolled over to let Bella free. She didn't move.
"Bella?" I reached over and tapped her shoulder gently. Her back and shoulders were shaking and I began to worry that I hurt her.
"Bella? Are you okay? I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" The words came rushing out of my mouth in a torrent.
She still hadn't moved, except for the shaking. I jumped up and ran around her before squatting down in front of her. Her hands were covering her face.
"Bella? Bella!" I pulled her hands away from her face and registered that there were tears streaming down her face.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)