CHAPTER 7: DITTO

Edward sat inside his trailer, trying to ignore the noise emanating from the street outside. Filming on location today, in lower Manhattan no less,

meant dealing with the racket from downtown traffic, construction and frequent sirens. Not to mention the screaming fans who were packed like

sardines behind makeshift barriers and overzealous paparazzi willing to do anything for the money shot. It was virtually impossible to find a

a quiet spot to relax.

His trailer was better than most, but by no means posh. Similar to a suburban living room, it included a full-size sofa and two arm chairs rather

than to the typical cheap cushioned-benches one usually finds in a standard RV. A flat screen television hung on the wall next to a kitchenette. A

small bathroom and sleeping quarters were in the back.

Edward put in earbuds and began shuffling through his IPhone. Settling on Jeff Buckley, he stretched out on the sofa and closed his eyes. His

thoughts immediately went to Bella, as they almost always did when he had the luxury of a few quiet moments. Her delicate features and wavy

brown hair; the way loose curls fell down past her shoulders, brushing against her plump breasts. The depth of her chocolate brown

eyes when she looked at him longingly. And the perfection of her soft lips as they touched his. Edward thought about the fact that it had been

over a week since he told her he loved her. Since then, they had seen each other almost every day. Made love, God

knows how many times. He lost count. Sometimes it felt as if they could not get enough of one another. Ever. But there was more than just a

physical connection. They were amazingly comfortable with each other from the very beginning. She got his quirky sense of humor, and he loved

her teasing. He was blown away by her ambition – working her way toward a Master's Degree at an Ivy League institution. Most of all, he l

loved being able to just relax and be himself with Bella. They could talk for hours or they could be completely quiet. It had only been a little over

a month, but he could not imagine her not being part of his life. He wondered if she felt the same way. Should it bother him that she didn't say

she loved him, too? "Fuck, I'm such a pussy," he thought to himself.

A loud pounding against the outside of the trailer disrupted his thoughts, followed by Emmett and Jasper bursting through the door. Edward

pulled out his earbuds and looked directly at the them, obviously annoyed at the interruption. "What's so important that you can't wait for me to

answer the door?" he hissed.

"We knocked for five minutes. You didn't answer. " Jasper huffed as he took a seat across from Edward, dropping a paper bag stuffed with

submarine sandwiches on the table in front of them.

"If you're going to be stuck in here, we thought you should at least eat."

"Oh," Edward said sheepishly. "Thanks." He walked over to the fridge to grab three sodas.

Emmett pulled out the first sandwich, barely unwrapping it before taking a giant bite. "I fucking love authentic New York City subs," he mumbled while chewing.

"What's going on out there?" Edward asked as he unwrapped his lunch, motioning with his chin to the outside.

"Well," Jasper began, "There are about a hundred and fifty fans and twice as many paparazzi. All waiting for you to step outside."

"Shit, really?" Edward responded. He felt bad about the fans.

"Its crazy, Ed," Emmett interrupted. "The only good part is that your co-star thinks they are all there for her, so her big-ass ego is satisfied."

"For now," Jasper added with a sneer.

Looking at his manager, Edward asked, "So I'm stuck here until they're ready to shoot?"

"Unless you want to start a riot…yes."

Edward slumped back into his seat, deflated, then reached for his phone.

…………………..

Across town, a smile came across Bella's face as she instantly recognized the ringtone coming from her Blackberry. "Hi there," she answered

flirtatiously.

"Hey," Edward said, feeling better just hearing her voice. "What are you doing?"

"I just stepped out of the shower," she said flirtatiously. She had in fact just showered, and was wrapped in a towel but nothing else. "You?"

"I just wanted to hear your voice. Its a rough day - already."

"Anything I can do to make it better?" she purred.

Edward grinned slyly as he felt a tugging sensation in his pants, "Oh, there are few things I can think of, but I'm at work."

"Don't you get a lunch hour?" she teased. As if an hour was long enough. The mere vibration of his voice over the phone sent shivers up and

down her body.

"Aw, Bella, you're killing me. If it weren't insane down here I'd ask you to keep me company. Just trust me that it wouldn't be a good idea today. "

"I'll take a rain check. Anyway, I'm on my way to school. I've got a meeting with my advisor and I'm working tonight."

Edward sat up. This was the first time he'd heard of any kind of meeting with an advisor. "Wait, why are you meeting with your advisor? Is

everything okay?" He knew she was taking a course this summer, but that was about all she had shared with him, even

though he often asked her about school.

Bella loved that he was concerned. He admitted he missed being able to experience college, although it certainly hadn't hurt is earning potential.

"Don't worry. Everything is fine. I'm just…well, I'm applying for this internship next semester, and I need to meet with my advisor to go over my

portfolio before I submit the final application."

"Baby, are you serious? How come you haven't said anything?"

"Because the odds of being selected are like, a thousand to one. Literally. But I was asked to apply, so I'm doing it. That's all, no big deal."

"Bella, anything you do is a big deal to me. I want to talk about it tonight, okay? Call me when you can."

Bella's heart skipped just thinking about seeing him later that night. "I will, I promise. Bye, baby."

"Good bye, beautiful."

She looked at the time, calculating how many more hours until they saw each other when her phone rang again. "Missed me that much already?"

Bella answered playfully, assuming Edward had forgotten to tell her something.

"Bella," a familiar voice was on the other end, but it was not Edward.

"Jake?"

……………………………

Bella skipped down the steps in front of the Media Arts Building two at a time. The meeting with Professor Molina, her advisor, went better than

she had hoped. He loved her portfolio and made great suggestions for her application. Last but not least, he provided a glowing

recommendation. All in all, she was feeling really good. A lot better than she thought she would after the surprise call from Jacob.

Hearing from him after so long had thrown her for a loop. Bella was aware he was coming to town. Angela told her last week, and Jake sent an

email that she had yet to respond to. Somehow she had managed to put it all in the back of her mind and focus on the internship.

As her red converse sneakers hit the final step, she looked across at the marble reflecting pool,situated between a quad of academic buildings on

campus. Cascading streams of water squirted from the fountain. Reaching into her pocket book, Bella dug for a coin to toss in for good luck. She

took a few steps forward before freezing in place.

There he was.

Jacob.

Sitting casually on the ledge in front of the fountain, wearing familiar khaki shorts and a green polo that exposed his ripped biceps. His sleek

black hair was cut shorter than the last time she saw him. Seeing him there, in the same spot he used to wait for her when they were

undergrads, brought back a rush of memories and emotions.

Jake looked around, clearly watching for something, or someone. As his eyes locked in on Bella, he smiled wide and began jogging toward her.

Still frozen in place, Bella did not move a muscle.

"Bella!", he called as he came closer.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her shoulders rising in apprehension. She prayed that she would be able to say something…

anything…any words at all…preferably in English. Keeping her eyes closed for several seconds gave her some sense of control.

When she finally opened them again, he was there, less than a foot away. Chiseled features, warm smile and open arms.

"Jacob," she managed. "Oh my God, what are you doing here?"

Taking a step back, he could not help admiring her. She was even more gorgeous than he remembered. "My God, Bella, you look beautiful."

Her face became flushed. She fumbled with her words. "Um, thanks."

"I like that dress," he said, "I remember the dress."

Bella was wearing a simple blue and white sun dress with spaghetti straps, but she knew exactly what he meant. The last time Jake had seen

her wear it was almost a year ago, when they rented a boat at Central Park and spent a romantic afternoon floating around

the lake. At sunset, they dined on the terrace of the Boathouse restaurant holding hands throughout their dinner. He stifled a grin as he

remembered taking the dress off her later that night.

Bella stood before him in a daze.

"What's the matter, aren't you happy to see me?" He had hoped for at least a hug.

She was not sure if she was happy. Stunned would be a better adjective. "I'm just…surprised. How did you know I'd be here?"

"You told me, remember? When I called you earlier? You said you couldn't talk because you had to go to campus. I figured this is where you

would be."

"And you just waited here? Wow." Bella felt her head begin to spin.

"Bells, I didn't think this would be that much of a surprise. You knew I was coming to the city, right? Didn't you get my email? I never heard back

from you."

Walking to a nearby bench, Bella sat down and attempted to remain calm. "I'm sorry I didn't reply, yet. I was going to. I've just been so busy with

this project for school, and working, you know."

As Jacob sat down he draped his arm along the back of the bench. He turned to face her but Bella could not bring herself to look directly at him.

Attempting to ease the tension, he made a lame joke. "Hey, can't you even look at me? I mean, I know I'm butt-ugly, but its not like you haven't

seen me look even worse."

Despite her best effort a giggle forced its way out. Jacob was far from ugly. Tall, dark, muscular and classically handsome, he looked as if he

stepped right out of an Abercrombie ad. Lifting her eyes to meet his, she finally spoke. "Very funny."

"So, what's this all about , Jake? Your email said you needed to talk."

He looked around, nodding his head with a smile. "So, you did read it."

"I told you I did."

It was clear to him this was not going to easy. Jacob lowered his voice and spoke slowly – almost as if he had rehearsed what he was about to

say. "Bella, maybe this isn't the right time or place. I was hoping I could take you out to dinner or something."

"But we're here right now," she said. If he had something to say, she wanted him to spit it out.

"Yeah, we're here, together, for the first time in way too long," he conceded. "So, I'm just going to say this, okay?" He wrung his hands out of nervousness.

Bella nodded, then glanced around to make sure nobody was watching them. " I blew it. I know I blew it and I'm sorry."

"You blew it? Blew what?" she asked.

"It. Us. That's what I mean. I understand now, probably way too late, that I took us for granted, took you for granted. And I just needed to tell

you that, and that I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. And," he gulped, "I miss you." He looked directly into her

eyes as he said the last words, searching for a some sort of reaction.

Bella gave no hint about what was going on behind her big brown eyes. Yes, her heart was racing. Her mind was numb. But her eyes did not

betray her. For months she had longed to hear these words, but she was not going to let him know that now. "Jake," she

said in the coolest tone she could muster, "I don't know what to say. You don't owe me an apology. Relationships end."

Jake slumped over, his elbows resting on his knees and his head hanging down. "I also said I miss you. Did you hear that part?"

"Uh huh."

He turned his head to her. "Do you miss me?"

A pit formed in the bottom of Bella's stomach. She felt like she was riding an emotional roller coaster. The shock of hearing his voice for the first

time in months. The excitement after meeting with Professor Molina. Now, seeing him and hearing these words. "Is that why you came here? To

find out if I missed you?" She bit her quivering lower lip as teardrops began to form.

He pulled her closer to him, " Come on now, I feel like shit already. Don't make me feel worse," Jake said softly as tears began streaming down

her face. He wrapped both of his strong arms around her. She buried her head into his chest as he held her tight.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," she sobbed. "I should be so happy right now."

Jacob eased his hold enough to look at her face to face. "Happy that I finally figured out what a self-absorbed prick I've been?" The confused look

on Bella's face told Jake that he misunderstood.

Sniffling, Bella tried to clarify what she meant. "I meant I should be happy about the meeting I just had. I'm up for a really great internship. I

didn't think I had a shot, but my advisor thinks I have a really good chance."

"Oh," Jacob answered, obviously expecting her to say something else. "That's great, Bella. Good for you. I'm not surprised, though. You have an

amazingly talent."

" I should be really excited. Instead I'm a blubbering idiot. And I've completely soaked your shirt." She lifted her head off his chest to examine the

damage. A large wet spot, and streaks of black mascara, covered one whole side of his chest.

Jacob glanced down nonchalantly, "That's fine. I deserved it." He kept his arms wrapped loosely around her, not wanting to let go. " Why don't

we go back to my house? I can change shirts and we can grab dinner somewhere?"

An anxious feeling came over Bella and again she fumbled with what she wanted to say. "Uh, Jake, I don't think I can do that." She could not

bring herself to pull away from him, but something inside told her it would be a mistake to take things any further.

He pressed his forehead against hers, pushing her hair back behind her ears, their lips mere inches apart. "Bella, please," he whispered. "I've

missed you so much."

She breathed in deeply, her thoughts whirling in a million different directions. "Jake, things are different now.…I…"

"Its just dinner, nothing more. Besides, I know you. You were so focused on your meeting that you've probably had nothing but coffee and Diet

Pepsi all day. Am I right?"

She shrugged. He did know her. "I guess I could eat."

Rising from the bench, he pulled her up with him and began walking toward the taxi stand. She held the bag with her laptop with both hands

until Jacob reached over and took it from her. "I can carry that." Just like they had done many times before, Jacob

carried her laptop in one hand with the free arm wrapped casually around her shoulder.

…………………………

Walking into the Black's brownstone for the first time in months, Bella instantly recognized the scent of freshly cut roses. His father had a

patio garden with half a dozen prize rose bushes that he cherished. The rest of the house was exactly as she remembered. A number of Native

American sculptures and artifacts were placed throughout this first floor, in recognition of their heritage. Most of the furnishings

were handcrafted on the Quilette reservation in Washington state.

As Jacob started up stairs, he look back at Bella, assuming she would follow. "Aren't you coming upstairs so I can change my shirt?"

Biting her lip, Bella shrugged her shoulders before answering. "Um, I'll just wait down here. I need to use the restroom."

As he disappeared to the second floor, Bella made her way to the restroom. As soon as the door closed behind her she began to hyperventilate.

"What the hell am I doing?" she thought to herself. She looked in the mirror.. Why hadn't Jake told her she had mascara

smudged all over her eyes? Turning on the faucet, Bella ran a wash cloth underneath the warm water then began dabbing it at her eyes. Once

her face was clean, she sat down on the toilet seat and took several long, deep breaths. She must have been in there

a long time, because Jacob eventually knocked on the door.

"Bells, you okay in there?" he asked in a concerned tone.

The door open and Bella walked out, only slightly more composed than when she went in.

"Hey, sit down in the kitchen for a second. I just found some snacks in the fridge. This can hold us over until we go to dinner."

Bella reached for a handful of grapes before her bottom had even hit the chair. Jacob was right. She was famished. As soon as she finished the

grapes, he placed a plate of cheese and crackers, then a vegetable dip, in front of her.

"I knew you'd be hungry!" he said with a laugh.

Having food in her system made Bella feel world's better. She hadn't realized just how starved she was. "Do you have anything to drink?"

Jacob reached in the refrigerator and came back with two Corona's. "Still your favorite?" he asked as he opened both bottles of beer and

squeezed lime wedges down the necks.

Bella had actually meant a soda or water when she asked for a drink, but one Corona wouldn't hurt. Sipping her beer, she looked around the

kitchen, spotting a picture of Jake and his dad that she had never seen. "That picture on the shelf, of you and Billy,

was that in Boston?"

Jacob looked up, then reached to the shelf for the framed photograph. "Yeah, that was this past Spring."

"It's a nice photo," she said. "So, do you like it there?"

Jacob took a long sip before placing his beer down on the table. "To tell you the truth, no. I'm a New Yorker. I'd rather be in New York. But when I

got into Harvard everyone told me I'd be crazy to turn down that opportunity." As he finished his sentence, he got up again and took two more

bottles of beer from the fridge.

"I don't remember telling you that," Bella replied.

"Touché" he smiled.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"I know you didn't. No worries, okay? I want to hear about this internship you're shooting for."

As Bella started on her second Corona, she fidgeted in her seat a little, "Well, to tell you the truth it all came about kind of randomly. I'm taking

this studio class for the summer semester. My advisor calls me in one day and started talking about this internship for second year grad students,

specifically geared toward digital media and photo essays."

Jacob's chimed in with sincere excitement, "Bells…that's great. That's exactly what you love to do. And you're so good at it."

She blushed, "You're not exactly objective, but thanks."

"Well," he conceded. "That's true. But I'm still right. Is this internship in the city?"

"I don't have all the specifics. What I do know is that its based here but some travel would be required."

Jake shook his head, "Travel. Figures."

Bella wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but she was starting to catch a buzz and felt the most relaxed she'd been all day. So relaxed that she

didn't object when Jacob suggested they order dinner in, rather than go out. As they finished their meals, Jake walked into the family room,

motioning for Bella to join him. She stood up, stumbling before Jake caught her by the arm. "Most people shouldn't drink and drive, Bella…you

shouldn't drink and walk," he kidded.

"Very funny," she answered as she walked toward the couch. Glancing at the clock on the fireplace mantle, Bella was shocked to see the time.

"Oh my God, is that clock right?"

Jake looked across the room. "Eight o'clock? That seems about right, why?"

Bella tensed. "I was supposed to be at work an hour ago! Shit! I totally forgot."

"Alright, okay. Calm down. We can fix this," he reassured her. " Let me just call the bar and tell them you weren't feeling well, you fell

asleep….that I'm calling on your behalf."

Bella shook her head. "No, that won't work. I'll call." She picked up her purse and pulled out her cell phone, pressing speed dial for the bar.

Within one ring someone picked up. "Dive Bar, this is Mike." Mike. Fuck. Of all people. They barely spoke anymore, in fact she usually switched her

shifts if she noticed they were scheduled to work together.

"Mike, hi, its Bella."

"Bella, hello. Hey, where are you?" He was surprised, but happy, to hear from her.

"Listen Mike, I need you to cover for me. You owe me and I'm calling it in right now. Okay?"

"What's going on, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I just…to be honest I forgot until just now that I was supposed to work tonight."

"Okay," Mike replied skeptically. "So what does that have to do with me?"

"Can you just say I called in sick or something? Tell them I fell asleep and just now woke up?"

Mike hesitated. He suspected she was with Edward and it infuriated him to even think about that. But maybe if he did her this favor it would help

repair their friendship.

"Alright," he said begrudgingly. "I hope you're feeling better soon."

Hanging up, Bella put her phone back in her purse and picked her drink. "Phew…close one." They sat down on the couch, facing each other as

they drank their beer. "So Jacob," Bella asked. "You don't' like it in Boston? Really?"

He nodded his head. "I, uh, I made a mistake," he said wistfully. Looking down he continued, "Actually I made a couple of mistakes."

Bella looked perplexed.

'I'm transferring to Columbia in the Fall, Bella. I'm coming back to the city."

"What?" she asked. "You're coming back? To Columbia? You can transfer like that in Med School?"

"Its not easy, but yes," Mike added. "But that's not my biggest mistake. And I want to say this so don't interrupt okay?"

She nodded.

"My biggest mistake was letting you go."

Another rush of emotion flooded through Bella as Jacob's hand reached toward her cheek, stroking it softly. These were the words she spent

months praying for. He ran his thumb over the outside of her lips. Parting them slightly, she took it into her mouth a bit down lightly. She closed

her eyes and moaned to herself. Why God? Why did this have to feel so fucking good?

He pulled her closer, whispering in her ear just before his lips pressed against hers. "Bella, I've missed you so much." Her lips met his with

eagerness, welcoming his tongue into her mouth as it tangled with hers. His kiss was passionate, just as she'd remembered. Their lips were

locked together, as if neither one dare to let go again. She reached around to run her fingers through his hair.

And stopped.

His hair.

This wasn't the hair she loved. Or the head she loved. Or the person she loved. Anymore. Pulling away, she looked at Jacob with apologetic eyes.

"Oh God, Jake. I'm sorry. I. I just can't do this."

Letting his arms fall from around her, Jacob looked at her pleadingly. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Bella stood up, searching the room frantically for her purse. She needed to leave before things got any worse. Before he convinced her to stay.

"Bella, please. Talk to me," he begged.

Turning to him, she spoke from the heart, unaware what she would say until the words came out of her mouth. "Jake, I will always love you.

Always," she continued as tears fell again. "But we can't do this. I can't do this. I don't want to tarnish what we had by

doing something we might regret. And I would regret it, because I'm in love with someone else."

The stunned look on his face said all she needed to know. He had expected her to wait for him. If not wait, at least to drop everything when he

returned. It hurt her to see that in his expression. Disbelief. Pain. Regret.

"Good bye, Jake," she said as she let herself out. "Please take care."

…………………………………

After a day of being hidden inside a twenty-by-thirty foot trailer, Edward was finally back in his suite. As he walked into the living room, he

checked his IPhone again to see if Bella had called or texted. Should he be worried, he thought? Hadn't she said she'd call after her meeting?

Maybe things ran longer than expected and she had to rush straight to work, he thought. Stretching out on the couch, he began flipping through

the channels in search of something worth watching on tv. Finding nothing, he picked up his phone again, this time deciding to text her.

Baby, how'd it go?

Call me when you get off work, okay?

I want to hear everything.

He thought for a moment before he added the last line.

I love you.

And he hit send.

As he set the phone down it began to vibrate. "What the hell did I do, send a text to myself?" he thought out loud. Picking it up, he looked

closely, trying to figure out what he had done wrong, when it vibrated again and the message box indicated he had a text.

He smiled as he opened the message:

Ditto.

And then the next message:

Now please open the door.

Opening the door, Bella stood in front of him more disheveled and exhausted than he had ever seen her. Her hair was a tangled mess, her eyes

were red and puffy. Edward took her into his arms immediately. "Baby, are you okay? What happened?"

She surprised him with a smile. "I'm great now. Now that I'm with you."

Lying her down on the couch, he placed her head in his lap. "I was worried about you. Did something go wrong at your meeting?"

"It went fantastic Edward. Really, really well." She reached up, pulled his face to hers and planted a big kiss on his mouth."

"Okay," he chuckled. "I know I shouldn't say this, then, but…"

"I look like hell, I know."

"No, I wasn't going to say that," he lied. "But have you been crying?"

She sat up, facing him, wrapping her hands around his shoulders. "I was. But not anymore. And I'll tell you everything, but I just want to be here

with you for a while. I need you to hold me, Edward. I want to be with you. Only you."

Leaning in, she kissed his welcoming lips. Their warm tongues teased one another until she moved her mouth to his neck, gently biting then

kissing it until she reached his chest. He slid his shirt off as her hands wandered. Straddling him, the blue and white dress rose to her hips as

she thrust herself into his lap.

"Bella, Bella, Bella. If you only knew what that does to me…" He could not restrain himself any more as he picked her up and carried her in his

arms to the bedroom.

"Make love to me, Edward. I need you," Bella pleaded.

Her dress was off before her body fell onto the bed. Edward's hands scrambled to remove her bra. He cursed when he realized it was a front

snap. As he released her breasts his mouth moved right her nipples, going back and forth, teasing with his tongue, sucking, playfully biting. She

groaned as they throbbed each time his mouth came near. His hand reached down to her panties, already moist for him. As he slid

them down her legs his mouth stopped to tease her wetness, tickling her clit with his tongue before he moved back up to her breast.

Taking her hand in his, Edward it to his crotch. "Do you feel what you do to me? Every fucking day of my life. This is what you do, baby. I've never

been so hot for anyone."

Pushing his hand away, Bella reached to the waistband and began unzipping. Sliding his pants off, Bella gasped as she saw his raging hard-on.

"Edward, please don't make me beg. I've never needed you like this before."

He climbed on top of her, spreading her legs wide with his knees. "Beg, baby. I want to hear you beg." He teased her further by slipping two

fingers inside her, causing her to cry out in ecstasy.

"Fuck me Edward, please. I need you inside me. "

His cock plunged inside her forcefully. She gasped, sure he had never gone so deep before. Each time he slid in and out it felt as if he was

pounding deeper, and she could not get enough. Her hips thrashed wildly, trying to keep up with his rhythm. She had

never been fucked so hard in her life, and it was the most incredible feeling she had ever experienced.

Her body started to quake. She dug her nails into his back, desperately trying to pull him closer. He continued to rock in and out of her. She tried

not to scream, biting into his shoulder at one point as her entire body shook out of control."

Her cries were more than Edward could handle. He pushed himself into her one last time, while she screamed and shook.

He collapsed on top of her, as she wrapped her arms around him. "Stay there," she said quietly. "Stay inside me for now, okay?" He could not

help but smile. As if he wanted to be anywhere else.

He raised his head to look at her. Tears were falling down the sides of her face. He kissed each one away before it hit her pillow.

"Are you okay, baby?" he asked as he brushed hair from her face.

"Edward," she said as her lips pulled towards his. "I love you."

"Bella," Edward smiled.

"Yes."

"Ditto."

………………………………………………

Did you like it? Please leave your feedback...good or bad! I'm already at work on chapter 8