Falling for a Dark Soul Update

FFADS Chapter 7 on FFn

FFADS Chapter 7 on AO3

FFADS Chapter 7 on Stars

FFADS Chapter 7 on Wattpad

FFADS Chapter 7 on FicPad

“Bella!” Alice called.

“Excuse me,” I said, reaching down to squeeze his hand. Edward’s hand was so big, slightly calloused and it completely enveloped mine. I wanted to feel his touch before I went to see my friends. I tightened my fingers around his. “Thank you for the ride. Katie and I appreciate it.”

I turned, leaving him near the entrance. Alice, who was dressed up as a saloon girl, hugged me. “Edward is staring at you,” she whispered. “Did you blow him in the car?”

“Alice!” I gasped. “One, he’s my boss. Two, Katie was with us. Three, he’s my boss!”

“Technically, I’m Jasper’s boss and I blew him in the bathroom,” Alice said. “And the car, office, conference room … Edward is definitely checking you out.”

“Too much information, Alice,” I grumbled. Plus, it was also a reminder that I hadn’t had sex in well over two years since I’d broken up with last boyfriend. It wasn’t great sex, but it was better than nothing. I also felt weird using a vibrator with my sister down the hall. Would she hear the buzzing?

Suffice it to say, I’m in the middle of the mother of all dry spells.

“My apologies,” Alice snickered. “Halloween is my favorite holiday. Dressing up as something, or someone completely different is very hot.” She smiled at me. “I like the costume. How’s the wig?”

“Hot,” I replied. “And trying to fit all of my hair underneath this thing was really hard.”

“Well, you look amazing. You should try going blonde,” Alice suggested. “You came in with Edward. Is there something going on?”

“I tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up,” I said. “My car battery died. I don’t like taking cabs and Uber is … I don’t trust it. So, I called you and Rosalie. I also texted Emmett and Jasper, no one replied. Edward picked up. Plus, he lives really close to me.”

Alice took out her cell phone from a satchel around her waist. “Shit, I’m sorry, Bella,” she said, looking at her missed calls. “I was … indisposed.”

“Blowing Jasper?” I deadpanned. Alice’s cheeks reddened as she grinned widely. I snorted, rolling my eyes. “It’s okay. I got here.”

“I’m still so sorry,” Alice breathed, her smile falling. “Rose didn’t pick up either?”

“No. Maybe, she was doing something with Emmett. Is she here, yet?”

“I haven’t seen her,” Alice said. “Come on! I want to introduce you to some other junior executives. They’re not as awesome as you, but this is the whole point of this event.” She looped her arm through mine, walking me to a cluster of people. They were all dressed up like characters from Stranger Things. “Hey, everyone. This is Bella. She’s working on my team and has been with us since August. Bella, this is Jared, Maggie, Embry and Sarah.”

“Nice to meet you all,” I smiled, shaking their hands.

Costumes

Characters

Halloween Decor

Leaving the Party

First 'Date'

Falling for a Dark Soul Teaser

 “Bella!” Alice called.

“Excuse me,” I said, reaching down to squeeze his hand. Edward’s hand was so big, slightly calloused and it completely enveloped mine. I wanted to feel his touch before I went to see my friends. I tightened my fingers around his. “Thank you for the ride. Katie and I appreciate it.”

I turned, leaving him near the entrance. Alice, who was dressed up as a saloon girl, hugged me. “Edward is staring at you,” she whispered. “Did you blow him in the car?”

“Alice!” I gasped. “One, he’s my boss. Two, Katie was with us. Three, he’s my boss!”

“Technically, I’m Jasper’s boss and I blew him in the bathroom,” Alice said. “And the car, office, conference room … Edward is definitely checking you out.”

“Too much information, Alice,” I grumbled. Plus, it was also a reminder that I hadn’t had sex in well over two years since I’d broken up with last boyfriend. It wasn’t great sex, but it was better than nothing. I also felt weird using a vibrator with my sister down the hall. Would she hear the buzzing?

Suffice it to say, I’m in the middle of the mother of all dry spells.

“My apologies,” Alice snickered. “Halloween is my favorite holiday. Dressing up as something, or someone completely different is very hot.” She smiled at me. “I like the costume. How’s the wig?”

“Hot,” I replied. “And trying to fit all of my hair underneath this thing was really hard.”

“Well, you look amazing. You should try going blonde,” Alice suggested. “You came in with Edward. Is there something going on?”

“I tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up,” I said. “My car battery died. I don’t like taking cabs and Uber is … I don’t trust it. So, I called you and Rosalie. I also texted Emmett and Jasper, no one replied. Edward picked up. Plus, he lives really close to me.”

Alice took out her cell phone from a satchel around her waist. “Shit, I’m sorry, Bella,” she said, looking at her missed calls. “I was … indisposed.”

“Blowing Jasper?” I deadpanned. Alice’s cheeks reddened as she grinned widely. I snorted, rolling my eyes. “It’s okay. I got here.”

“I’m still so sorry,” Alice breathed, her smile falling. “Rose didn’t pick up either?”

“No. Maybe, she was doing something with Emmett. Is she here, yet?”

“I haven’t seen her,” Alice said. “Come on! I want to introduce you to some other junior executives. They’re not as awesome as you, but this is the whole point of this event.” She looped her arm through mine, walking me to a cluster of people. They were all dressed up like characters from Stranger Things. “Hey, everyone. This is Bella. She’s working on my team and has been with us since August. Bella, this is Jared, Maggie, Embry and Sarah.”

"Nice to meet you all," I said, shaking their hands. 

Picking up the Pieces Update

This is the last update until my show is done in two weeks. 

Picking Up The Pieces Chapter 20 on FicPad

Picking Up The Pieces Chapter 20 on FFn

Picking Up The Pieces Chapter 20 on Stars

Picking Up The Pieces Chapter 20 on AO3

Picking Up The Pieces Chapter 20 on Wattpad

Labor Day weekend came, and Edward had to work most of it. He was pissed, to say the least. He was originally scheduled to be off, but one of the newer deputies broke his leg in a surfing accident and was riding a desk for the foreseeable future, leaving them a man short. My dad was willing to step up, but he was also battling an injury in the form of a strained back muscle. The most he could do was monitor the communication channels and act like a dispatcher.

Thankfully, he was off on Monday and we’d planned to go First Beach for a picnic with the kids. We would have the conversation that was plaguing Edward since I agreed to marry him.

The dreaded name change.

Not for me … for the kids … I would become Isabella Marie Swan Black Cullen. That’s a lot of freaking names, but they were all a part of me. I was born Isabella Marie Swan. I bore that name for almost twenty-three years. I became Isabella Marie Black and still wore that name, honoring my deceased husband. I would continue to do so when I became Edward’s wife, adding his last name into the mix, which I would remain until I died.

“Mom, can we bring our swim suits?” Grace asked. “We’re going to a beach!”

“It’s not that kind of beach, Grace,” I said as I packed the picnic basket. “The water’s cold and choppy. Perfect for surfing … not for swimming.”

“There are tide pools on First Beach,” Edward said. “But, swimming isn’t on tap, pretty girl.” Grace scowled, going upstairs to change since she’d had on her purple swimsuit on. “And it’s not perfect for surfing either, sweetness. It’s how Joe broke his damn leg. He crashed into a sandbar, shattering his leg.”

“How long is he out?” I asked.

“Until after the first of the year,” Edward grumbled, his nose wrinkled. “I need to see if I have enough budget to hire someone part-time. A swing officer or something. I can’t pull these hours until January. I’ll never see you or my family.” He slid his arms around my waist, holding me tightly. “All of that on top of campaigning for your dad’s job. I’m overwhelmed.”

“What can I do to help, Edward?” I whispered, turning around in his arms and brushing his hair back from his forehead. “You’re getting shaggy, baby.”

“I’ll add it to my to-do list,” he snorted. “But, you can’t really do anything. Just be understanding when I’ve got to pull long hours. It’s not that I don’t want to be around you or the kids …”

“Edward, don’t even worry,” I said, hugging him tightly. He buried his nose in my neck, holding me to his muscular body. I could feel the tension in his back. I rubbed my hands along his body and he melted into me. “You can talk to me any time. You know that, right?”

“I know, sweetness. And I appreciate it,” he murmured, brushing his lips over mine. Our kiss deepened, and we broke apart when one of the kids cleared their throat. I blushed and glowered at my children. “Do we need to put bells on you?” Edward asked, arching a brow.

“You were kissing Mommy,” Grace giggled. “Really kissing Mommy.”

“As opposed to fake kissing?” Edward quipped, arching a brow. His arm was draped around my waist and he smirked at the kids. I elbowed him. He just pulled me closer to his body, nuzzling my hair. He pressed his lips to my temple. “Let’s load up the car.” He picked up the basket from the kitchen counter. John followed him to the car while I got the bags with blankets and a few toys. I checked my phone, slinging the bag over my shoulder and guiding Grace outside. She got into Edward’s backseat with John. Edward helped me into the front seat, kissing my nose. “Real kissing?” he asked.

“With Jake, we were pretty chaste. Closed-mouth kisses, maybe,” I whispered, running my hands along his shoulders. “Jake was affectionate, but not as demonstrative as you are.”

“I can stop,” he said, his brows pulling together.

“No, don’t. I like it,” I giggled. “You’re never disrespectful. I feel loved. Cherished.”

“I do love you.  I cherish you with my whole heart, sweetness,” Edward said, his face smoothing out. “And I’ll do that from now until the end of time.” He kissed me again, closing the door with a goofy grin on his face.

First Beach

Drift Wood Fire

Edward's Engagement Ring  for Bella

Bella's Wedding Set from Jake

Engagement Photos Inspiration

La Musica del Cuore Teaser

“You’re shaggy, Kellan,” I said.

“I need a haircut,” he replied. “I’m just hesitant with anyone going near my shoulders or arms. They still hurt. A lot.”

“Alice can cut hair. She styled Edward’s hair before the final performance,” I smirked. “But, after the party. The longer hair will go better with your costume.”

“What am I going to be?” he asked, arching a brow.

“Alice didn’t tell you?” I snickered. He shook his head. “A voodoo priest. It’s a sexy, but fun costume.”

“I’m not sexy, Bells,” Kellan laughed. “I’m a nerd.”

“Edward would say the same thing, Kellan. And I think he’s the hottest man on the planet,” I smirked. “Rest assured, Alice thinks the same about you.”

After everyone left, Edward and I discussed what furniture pieces we’d want for the nursery and then we tried on our costumes for the party. We were both going as Greek gods. Wearing a toga seemed much more comfortable than a corseted monstrosity that Alice wanted me to wear. Did she forget that I’m pregnant? A corset with a baby belly? Not a comfortable option. Edward was going to be dressed like Hercules, a Greek warrior, with a shield, breast plate, and sexy-as-hell broad sword. Mine was more akin to the goddess of love. The costumes fit perfectly and mine even had room for me to grow in the stomach, thankfully. I was terrified it would be too tight.

The next couple of days were spent making final preparations for the wrap party, plus picking up Aria from the doggy-foster parents. The morning of the party came and it was a typical Los Angeles day … sunny, warm and perfect.

The women, including Esme, Sue, Amelia and Kathryn, came over to my house to get ready. I’d made arrangements for a set of Hollywood makeup artists to come over to do our hair and makeup. I was surprised when the moms decided to also dress up for the party. They weren’t as intense as our costumes, but they were cute. Esme went as June Cleaver. Sue decided to play up her heritage and go as a Native American princess. Amelia chose to be a cat and Kathryn, she was probably the most risqué, dressing as a sexy prisoner, with Senior being her ‘jailer.’

The guys were getting ready at Emmett’s house before he was going to put it on the market. We were all taking separate limos, but leaving from our address.

Kellan

Alice

Bella

Edward (minus the cheesy expression)