Shaky Ground Update

Shaky Ground Chapter 39 on FicPad

Shaky Ground Chapter 39 on Stars

Shaky Ground Chapter 39 on AO3

Shaky Ground Chapter 39 on FFn

Shaky Ground Chapter 39 on Wattpad

Weeks passed and Bella’s pain eventually subsided. There was always a dull ache, but the throbbing agony she’d experienced that first night hadn’t reappeared. She eventually stopped taking her heavy-duty pain killers after a week in order to sleep and within two weeks, she was able to move without limping. Part of it was to prove to Oliver and Audrey that she could handle a full schedule. The other part was to be able to give Edward his birthday present. They’d made love, but he was always doing the ‘work.’ Bella wanted to make love to him.

By the grace of the scheduling gods, Bella and Edward were both off for his birthday in mid-June. They wanted to explore their new city and decided to wander about the award-winning rose gardens and Japanese gardens. After that, they went out to eat and went back to Edward’s apartment where Bella gave him his gift … herself. They made love, or rather, Bella made love to Edward, rolling her body over his, all night. In addition to the lovemaking, she’d also purchased a new watch for him and Keurig. His apartment was lacking a coffee maker. He didn’t mind going down to the local coffee shop, but Bella was not fully awake until she had her morning cup of joe. And she was not about to get dressed to get her daily jolt of caffeine.

So, the Keurig was a selfish present, but one he happily accepted.

Weeks turned into months and in late August, while Bella and Edward were sharing a meal in the cafeteria, his cell phone rang. “Masen,” he barked tersely. “Oh, Jane … hello!” Bella arched a brow. Edward mouthed it was his realtor. “There’s an offer on my house? Do you think it’s a fair offer?”

Bella scribbled down a question onto a napkin. How much?

$25K below asking price, he wrote back. “Counter back, splitting the difference. Let me know if they accept. Thanks, Jane,” he nodded. Hanging up the phone, he looked up at Bella. “They’re really interested.”

“If they really want your place, they should take your counter offer,” Bella smiled. “With the house being sold, are you going to look for something more permanent?”

He looked down and reached across, taking Bella’s slender hand in his. “I’m going to stay where I am because the next step I want to take is to move in with you, love. I know that you’re not ready for that. Adult sleepovers have their benefits, but having our own places is also nice, too. But, when you’re ready, I am. I want to find a house for the two of us and make it a home.”

Bella blushed and nodded, leaning over the table to quickly peck him on the lips. “I want that, too, but I have seven months left on my lease.”

“And I just extended my lease for another six,” he said. “Do you think you’ll be ready …?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “By then, yes. And, I want to go with you, back to Seattle, when you sign over the paperwork for your house. I want to see … I want to see where Harborview was.”

“Okay, Bella,” he said, kissing her pulse point. 

Shaky Ground Update

Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on FicPad

Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on Stars

Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on AO3

Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on FFn

Shaky Ground Chapter 28 on Wattpad

By the end of the week, Bella was released from the hospital. Things were still up in the air as to where she was going to stay, but until she had her final appointment with Dr. Denali in about two weeks, she’d be staying with Carlisle and Esme, along with Edward, her father and Jake. Also, Edward’s parents were driving down to Portland with Edward’s car, which he’d left on the I-5 on his way to Harborview.

Esme, however, was a godsend. She had taken some time off to help Jake acclimate to his new surroundings. He’d be going back to school after Thanksgiving, which was in a week. Everyone was coming down to Portland to celebrate the holiday, including Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper. They were anxious to hear how Bella was doing and wanted to give her an update on what was going on in Seattle.

When Esme wasn’t helping Jake, Esme was slowly rebuilding Bella’s meager wardrobe. Edward was bankrolling Bella’s makeover and Bella vowed to pay him back once she got back on her feet, both literally and figuratively. Edward arched a brow, shaking his head. While Esme was out shopping with Edward, Bella was at the house, hanging out with Carlisle, Charlie and Jake. She was reading one of the many books her father had picked up for her while Jake was schooling Carlisle and Charlie in the finer art of playing Nintendo Wii. Bella’s cell phone, which had been replaced by Edward, started ringing next to her. Sliding her finger across the screen, she answered it. “Hello?”

“Dr. Swan, it’s good to hear your voice,” said a relieved Dr. Volturi. “Edward was a mess.”

“He still is a mess,” she snickered. “But, then again, so am I. How are things in Seattle?”

“Slow-going,” he replied. “Demolition of the remaining structures of Harborview have begun. They’re talking about not reopening. The loss of revenue … it’s too great.”

“What does that mean?” Bella whispered. “Do I have a job?”

“The uncomplicated answer is no,” he replied and the sadness creeping into his tone. “The staff members who have tenure and seniority are being offered positions in other university hospitals. The most recent hires, including you and about two hundred other staffers, are not getting the same offer. Technically, you’re still on your probationary period until January first. However, due to your heroism and valor during the quake, I’ve fought for you. You will receive your salary until one year after the quake as severance. Plus, we’re still keeping you on the university insurance.”

Bella’s heart dropped. She was homeless, unemployed and just lost. “Okay,” she said woodenly.

“I know my son would love to have you work for him in his office,” Dr. Volturi stammered.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said. “I’ve got to go. Any further phone calls … just … don’t …” She hung up the phone, stuffing it into the pocket of the plaid pants she wore. Picking up her crutches, she hobbled to the room she shared with Edward and curled up on the bed, her tears spilling over onto her cheeks.

Shaky Ground Teaser

By the end of the week, Bella was released from the hospital. Things were still up in the air as to where she was going to stay, but until she had her final appointment with Dr. Denali in about two weeks, she’d be staying with Carlisle and Esme, along with Edward, her father and Jake. Also, Edward’s parents were driving down to Portland with Edward’s car, which he’d left on the I-5 on his way to Harborview.

Esme, however, was a godsend. She had taken some time off to help Jake acclimate to his new surroundings. He’d be going back to school after Thanksgiving, which was in a week. Everyone was coming down to Portland to celebrate the holiday, including Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper. They were anxious to hear how Bella was doing and wanted to give her an update on what was going on in Seattle.

When Esme wasn’t helping Jake, Esme was slowly rebuilding Bella’s meager wardrobe. Edward was bankrolling Bella’s makeover and Bella vowed to pay him back once she got back on her feet, both literally and figuratively. Edward arched a brow, shaking his head. While Esme was out shopping with Edward, Bella was at the house, hanging out with Carlisle, Charlie and Jake. She was reading one of the many books her father had picked up for her while Jake was schooling Carlisle and Charlie in the finer art of playing Nintendo Wii. Bella’s cell phone, which had been replaced by Edward, started ringing next to her. Sliding her finger across the screen, she answered it. “Hello?”

“Dr. Swan, it’s good to hear your voice,” said a relieved Dr. Volturi. “Edward was a mess.”

“He still is a mess,” she snickered. “But, then again, so am I. How are things in Seattle?”

“Slow-going,” he replied. “Demolition of the remaining structures of Harborview have begun. They’re talking about not reopening. The loss of revenue … it’s too great.”

“What does that mean?” Bella whispered. “Do I have a job?”

“The uncomplicated answer is no,” he replied and the sadness creeping into his tone. “The staff members who have tenure and seniority are being offered positions in other university hospitals. The most recent hires, including you and about two hundred other staffers, are not getting the same offer. Technically, you’re still on your probationary period until January first. However, due to your heroism and valor during the quake, I’ve fought for you. You will receive your salary until one year after the quake as severance. Plus, we’re still keeping you on the university insurance.”

Bella’s heart dropped. She was homeless, unemployed and just lost. “Okay,” she said woodenly.

“I know my son would love to have you work for him in his office,” Dr. Volturi stammered.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said. “I’ve got to go. Any further phone calls … just … don’t …” She hung up the phone, stuffing it into the pocket of the plaid pants she wore. Picking up her crutches, she hobbled to the room she shared with Edward and curled up on the bed, her tears spilling over onto her cheeks.