Update ~ Chapter Seventy Four

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Peeking out the side window, I saw a shoulder with a bag resting on it. Frowning, I unlocked the door and wrenched it open. Standing on my stoop was someone that I did not expect until at least Wednesday. “Dad?”

“Bella,” he said, smiling. His mustache twitched nervously as he shifted his bag from one shoulder to the next. “Surprise!”

“Come in,” I squeaked out, moving back, bumping directly into my still sleepy boyfriend. “Sorry, Edward.”

“It’s okay,” he replied tightly, his eyes narrowed on my father.

“I thought you were coming on Wednesday,” I sputtered out, taking my dad’s luggage and putting in the living room.

“I managed to get some more time off and I switched my flights,” Charlie answered, his face flushed and his eyes appraising my home nervously. “Bells, I haven’t seen you in years. I couldn’t wait any longer.” Charlie looked at Edward, his brows furrowing. “Am I interrupting?”

“No! We were just watching a movie,” I answered. “Charlie Swan, this is my boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Edward, my Dad, Charlie.”

“Nice to meet you,” Edward said, extending his injured hand.

“What happened to your hand, son?” Charlie asked as he gingerly shook it.

“I’m a member of the Chicago Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and I cut my hand on a boat propeller,” Edward answered, clenching his fist.

“Firefighter?” Charlie said, his voice wistful. “How long?”

“Since I graduated from college. Roughly six years,” Edward replied. “It’s a grueling job, but I love it.” Charlie beamed, obviously experiencing a bit of hero worship.

Caught in the Flames Update ~ Chapter Seventy-Two

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By midnight, I had new locks throughout my entire house and garage. I tried to pay Emmett, but he just shoved my hands away and told me to make some of my rocky road cookies. He had pilfered a few when I gave some Edward of my latest batch, falling in love with them. I promised to bring some by the next time I came over to my boyfriend’s. Beaming brightly, Emmett gave me a hug, kissing my cheek and ambled out of the brownstone with a goody bag of leftovers from the barbeque. Edward was rifling with the new keys, attaching them to my key ring.

“You have four extra keys, Bella,” Edward said, handing me the remaining keys. “The gold key opens up the deadbolt and the silver key opens up the door. You have two extras of each.”

“That’s perfect,” I replied, swiping a key chain that I had found when I went grocery shopping with Alice. I put one of the extra sets keys on the Chicago Fire Department keychain, handing it to him. “I want you to keep these.”

“Really?” he asked, his brows shooting to his hairline.

“Edward, you are the person I trust the most in this city,” I whispered, closing his hand over the keys. 

“Besides your sister and she’s not getting her keys until later.” I pulled out a butterfly, sparkly and dangly keychain. “Once I realize that she won’t randomly barge in.”

“Which will be never,” Edward snorted, adding my keys to his own keychain. 

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Renee

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By mid-afternoon, Bella’s backyard was filled with some of my coworkers, my mom and a few of Bella’s neighbors. Emmett was at the grill, dancing to the music playing on Bella’s sound dock. I could see my mom fuss over Bella, excited that I had such a wonderful girlfriend. Hell, I was excited. She was everything I had ever hoped for, wished for in my life. Someone smart, funny, sarcastic and snarky. Not to mention beautiful inside and out.

I did truly love her. More than anyone else on this world. I knew that she was scared of saying it back, but she showed me how much she loved me with her actions. I wanted to hear her say those three little words, but I couldn’t push her. I couldn’t force her to say something she wasn’t ready to say. Her fear was her guiding force. I hated that James and her mother implanted this fear inside of her, causing her flame inside to flicker and burn out. It was slowly gaining its power, but she was still hesitant to trust.

That would take time. 

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I was sitting in Edward’s car, fidgeting. I couldn’t sleep last night and had backed a ton of cookies and new white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. They were sitting in the backseat of Edward’s car. I twisted my bracelet on my wrist, nervous, anxious and almost sick to my stomach. James never introduced me to his parents. They were always out of town. It was probably a good thing. I assumed they were just as sadistic as he was.

Fucker.

“Sweet girl, calm down,” Edward soothed, threading his fingers with mine. “My parents are going to love you.”

“You think?” I squeaked, my low self-esteem pouring off of me in waves.

“Baby,” Edward cooed, pulling over and parking his car in a church parking lot. “We don’t have to do this.”

“I’m just…I’m afraid that your family will think that I’m not good for you,” I whispered, a lone tear streaking down my cheek. Edward’s thumb caresses my skin and he gently moves my face so I am looking at him. “I’m sorry.”

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Dinner was amazing but the conversation with Edward was even better. He was smart, well-spoken and funny. From his looks, he’d appear to be a brooding, moody man but he had this dry wit that made me laugh more times than not. He was also snarky and sarcastic, matching my demeanor well. We talked about his family, Alice’s shop, my business and my search for a new car. I wanted another SUV, but I couldn’t even rationalize having a car that cost nearly a hundred bucks to fill up. The gas prices up here were ridiculously expensive. It made want to buy one of those little mini Smart cars.

We finished our meal and sipped some coffee, debating on getting dessert. “All of this looks great, but I think you’ve spoiled me for life with your amazing baking,” Edward said, wrinkling his nose.

“I do have some cheesecake back at my house,” I giggled.

“Cheesecake?” he asked, his brows shooting to his hairline. My giggles increased at his reaction. “What kind of cheesecake?”

“White chocolate raspberry,” I smirked. “I was experimenting last night when I was having a bout of insomnia. It turned out pretty good.”

“Ooooh, after our date, can we go back to your place and have some cheesecake?” he asked, almost bouncing in his seat.

“You really have a sweet tooth,” I remarked.

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I dropped Bella off at Alice’s condo. My sister was happy to see our new friend out and about. I told my sister that I was working at Clear Waters, inviting them to come along to the bar. Alice nodded excitedly, saying that they would be ready to go once I showered and came back down. I quickly hosed off, washing off the sweat from the day. I put some gel in my hair and tried to make myself look decent. Once I was dressed in my clothes for Clear Waters, a pair of jeans and a tight black t-shirt, I sprayed some cologne on and went back downstairs.

Knocking on the door, I poked my head inside. I didn’t want to see my sister half naked. She’s been known to walk around her place in the nude, but with Bella around, I doubt she’d do that. “You ladies ready?” I called out.

“Just about,” Alice called back. “I’m just finishing getting dressed.”

“And curling my hair,” Bella deadpanned.

“Alice, put down the curling iron,” I snorted.

“I’m not attacking her entire head. Just smoothing some tendrils. Thirty seconds,” Alice giggled. A minute later, Alice came out, wearing a pair of hot pink lacy shorts with a white tunic, draped over one shoulder. She had a pink tank top underneath and her hair was braided, hanging down her bare shoulder. “The humidity is awful. I was just giving some of Bella’s curls a little bounce.”

“Thanks, Alice. I was going for the drowned rat look,” Bella teased, putting her purse back over her body. 

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Bella and I finished our cheeseborgers and walked around downtown Chicago. I pointed out some architectural things and history. Bella was really interested in the fragments of various historical buildings on the Tribune Tower. She took pictures with her brand new phone, asking a million questions. I answered as best I could, but was just thrilled to see her smiling.

She was so beautiful when she smiled.

And yes, before you all get all pissy, I have feelings for this beautiful girl. Something about her makes me want to protect her. Her story broke my heart. Seeing her fall apart shattered me. Knowing what she went through, it definitely caused my ‘superhero’ complex to kick into high gear. Yes, I had just broke it off with Tanya, but we weren’t doing anything but fucking around. Tanya wanted a relationship but I definitely didn’t want one with her. Now, Bella? I want it. I want it bad. I want it so badly, that I can taste it. 

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Alice's Condo