The Perfect Storm Teaser

March 28^th, 2022
Las Vegas, Nevada
Bellagio Hotel

“Will you calm your tits?” Angela laughed. She’d quickly become one Bella’s closest friends. She taught drama, introduction to public speaking and Brit Lit. “You’re going to sweat through your dress. You don’t have cold feet, do you?”

“Hell, no! My feet are toasty warm,” Bella retorted. “I just never imagined being here. I never thought I’d be married again.”

“You’re not married yet, bitch,” Angela smirked. “Dr. Heatwave is still single at this moment. Do you think he’d go for me?”

“I don’t think so, Ang. Besides, you’re married, woman! I love you and I love that you helped me come out of my shell,” Bella snickered. “I never realized how much I hid my personality. You know?”

“You were pretty quiet when I first met you. Then, I drew you into my world. Thank you for being my assistant director for the play. You were awesome. You’re doing it again, next year,” Angela proclaimed. “If you’re not knocked up.”

“I’m not pregnant, Angela,” Bella sighed.

“Then, why the rush to the altar?”

“Because, when you know, you know,” Bella shrugged. 

The Perfect Storm Teaser

Monday, August 17^th, 2021
6:45am
Elmhurst, Illinois

“Today is going to be another scorcher,” Edward said on the television in front of the green screen. “But, there is going to be relief in sight. A cool front will be dipping through the area later on today. With the front moving through, there is a possibility of storms this afternoon. Remember to bring your umbrella! Before I hand it back Zafrina, I want to wish my favorite teacher an amazing first day of school. I love you, beautiful.”

“You’re going to get in so much trouble, Dr. Heatwave,” Bella said to the television before turning it off, and picking up her coffee from the kitchen counter. She slid her bag over her head and left a note for her still-sleeping boys on the fridge, asking them to mow the lawn and pick up school supplies. Scurrying out of the house, she got into her car. She sent a text to Edward as she waited for the car to cool down. Even in the garage, the car was way too hot.  

Really, Dr. Heatwave? ~ B

Yes, really, and before you get all in a huff, I got permission, Ms. Swan. I’m so proud of you, Bella. I wish I could talk to you, but I need to get back on the air. I love you ~ E

I love you so much, Edward. Thank you for the encouragement. I needed that more than I realized ~ B

Check your lunch box. I’ll see you tonight when you get home ~ E

She opened her lunch box and found a very sweet but slightly naughty love note from her Dr. Heatwave. Bella blushed and smiled, backing out of the driveway, and driving to the high school. She parked in the parking lot, hooking her staff parking pass on the rearview mirror. She slipped on her lanyard with her ID and keys. With a fierce nod of her head, she walked into the building and dropped off her bag into her classroom. She picked up her laptop along with her planner, scurrying to the auditorium. Her department head, an older woman named Shelly, waved her over to the rest of the English department. Bella sat down next to her new boss and was introduced to her team.

After the keynote speaker, welcome back speeches by Dr. Riggs, and introductions of new staff, everyone broke off into smaller professional learning teams. While in these meetings, Bella got the curriculum for the classes she was teaching along with ideas for lessons and copies of exams.

The rest of the day was spent getting her classroom ready. She made a list of what she needed for her room, sighing that it was so empty. She’d had a lot of cheery decorations when she taught in Oklahoma, but all that was scattered or destroyed.

“Hey Bella,” said Shelly. “You’re starting from scratch? I thought you’d taught English …”

“I did, but I recently lost everything in a tornado. I moved up here for a fresh start,” Bella explained. “I’ll be putting in an order to Amazon.” She held up her list.

“Let me see that,” Shelly smirked, taking it from her. “I’ve been teaching for twenty-five years. I’ve got a ton of random shit.” She dragged Bella to her room and handed her armloads of things.

    

The Perfect Storm Update

 The Perfect Storm Ch. 12 on FFn

The Perfect Storm Ch. 12 on AO3

The Perfect Storm Ch. 12 on fanfiction.online

The Perfect Storm Ch. 12 on Stars

The Perfect Storm Ch. 12 on Wattpad

Dr. Riggs

Monday, July 12^th, 2021
11:48am
Elmhurst, Illinois

“We’re looking forward to having you join our staff, Ms. Swan,” said the principal, Dr. Riggs, at York High School. “We needed some fresh blood in our building. I’m sorry that we don’t have any administrative openings, but I think you’ll fit in nicely with our English department.”

“I’m eager to start fresh,” Bella said, shaking his hand. “My license is being transferred from Oklahoma and I’m registering with the county.”

“Excellent. Have you found some place to live?” Dr. Riggs asked.

“I’m moving into a place off Mitchell Avenue,” Bella answered. “My sons and boyfriend are currently unloading a moving truck. Not that we had much … we lost everything in a tornado. We managed to find a few mementos in the rubble of our destroyed home, but we’re starting from scratch.”

Dr. Riggs looked down at the paperwork. “Oh, wow. You’re from Elgin, Oklahoma. Are you okay?”

“Physically? I’m fine. I had to have minor surgery to deal with a torn rotator cuff. I was caught in the storm and my now boyfriend, Edward, saved me from being blown away by a tornado. He held onto my hand and pulled me back, dislocating my shoulder. He felt awful, but he was my savior that day,” Bella breathed. “Mentally, I’m struggling with some PTSD, but I’m seeing someone for it and I’m grateful to be out of tornado alley.”

“We get our fair share of storms here in Illinois,” Dr. Riggs chuckled.

“Nowhere near as bad as Oklahoma,” Bella snickered. “Anyway, this is a new start for me and my children.”

“Well, I’m grateful that path led you to us,” Dr. Riggs smiled. “If you need anything, please feel free to call me and I’ll see you at new teacher orientation.”

They shook hands and Bella walked out to her new car, a Toyota Highlander. She grinned widely as she turned it over, driving to her new home.

Since that day, that disastrous day where Elgin, Oklahoma had been erased from the map, so much had changed. Bella had stayed at the Holiday Inn Express for a couple of days to let her arm heal as much as it could. Then, after Memorial Day, Edward drove them back to Elgin to see the devastation of what was left of their home.

Nothing.

There was nothing.

Their home was a pile of rubble. 

The Perfect Storm Update

 The Perfect Storm Ch. 11 on FFn

The Perfect Storm Ch. 11 on AO3

The Perfect Storm Ch. 11 on fanfiction.online

The Perfect Storm Ch. 11 on Stars

The Perfect Storm Ch. 11 on Wattpad

Thursday, May 27^th, 2021
7:47pm
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The survivors from the Elgin tornado sat in the lobby of Holiday Inn Express and Suites while rooms were being prepared. The buses came back to what was left of the high school after the tornado blew through the town, obliterating everything in its wake. The entire town had been wiped off the map. All that was left Elgin, Oklahoma was a two-mile-wide gouge in the earth that spanned from near Clinton to Duncan before dissipating completely.  

The storm lasted an hour, but in that hour homes were destroyed. Lives were changed.

Irrevocably.

In the lobby, there was a small triage center with nurses, paramedics, and off-duty doctors. Bella was being checked out by a paramedic, having her shoulder assessed. It was being determined if she needed further care from a doctor or if a nurse and paramedic could fix her injury. Edward was staying by her side, hovering near the boys. After the storm, once cell service had been restored, he’d talked to his mother, telling her about the tornado and how he was going to stick around for a couple days before flying home to Chicago. He managed to get that conversation before his cell phone battery completely died.

All for Bella and the boys.

This family that had wriggled into his heart.

“Dr. Cullen,” Riley asked, sitting down next to him, giving him a bottle of water. “Thank you for your help today. You saved us. All of us.” He looked at him, smiling shyly. “You saved my mom. That was something.”

“I would have done it again in a heartbeat,” Edward chuckled, leaning back on the stiff chair in the lobby. He was sore as fuck. Every muscle screamed from all the action he’d seen, along with trying to keep Bella and her sons safe. All he wanted to do was sleep for days, but there were too many people and not enough rooms.

“Can you stay with us?” Riley asked. “We have a suite. Alec and I are sharing a sofa bed, but I’m certain that you’d like a place to crash, yeah? I kind of said you were my dad …”

“What would your mom say?” Edward quipped.

“She was okay with it. She really doesn’t want you to leave the hotel. She kind of likes you,” Riley blushed with a shy grin.

I kind of like her, too, Edward thought, blinking back at where Bella was having her arm strapped into a sling. I more than like her. Despite being through hell and back, she was still beautiful and gracious, with a kind word and warm smile. “I’ll stay with you,” Edward smiled. “I really don’t want to sleep on the bus.”

The Perfect Storm Teaser

Thursday, May 27^th, 2021
7:47pm
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The survivors from the Elgin tornado sat in the lobby of Holiday Inn Express and Suites while rooms were being prepared. The buses came back to what was left of the high school after the tornado blew through the town, obliterating everything in its wake. The entire town had been wiped off the map. All that was left Elgin, Oklahoma was a two-mile-wide gouge in the earth that spanned from near Clinton to Duncan before dissipating completely.  

The storm lasted an hour, but in that hour homes were destroyed. Lives were changed.

Irrevocably.

In the lobby, there was a small triage center with nurses, paramedics, and off-duty doctors. Bella was being checked out by a paramedic, having her shoulder assessed. It was being determined if she needed further care from a doctor or if a nurse and paramedic could fix her injury. Edward was staying by her side, hovering near the boys. After the storm, once cell service had been restored, he’d talked to his mother, telling her about the tornado and how he was going to stick around for a couple days before flying home to Chicago.

All for Bella and the boys.

This family that had wriggled into his heart.

“Dr. Cullen,” Riley asked, sitting down next to him, giving him a bottle of water. “Thank you for your help today. You saved us. All of us.” He looked at him, smiling shyly. “You saved my mom. That was something.”

“I would have done it again in a heartbeat,” Edward chuckled, leaning back on the stiff chair in the lobby. He was sore as fuck. Every muscle screamed from all the action he’d seen, along with trying to keep Bella and her sons safe. All he wanted to do was sleep for days, but there were too many people and not enough rooms.

“Can you stay with us?” Riley asked. “We have a suite. Alec and I are sharing a sofa bed, but I’m certain that you’d like a place to crash, yeah? I kind of said you were my dad …”

“What would your mom say?” Edward quipped.

“She was okay with it. She really doesn’t want you to leave the hotel. She kind of likes you,” Riley blushed with a shy grin.

I kind of like her, too, Edward thought, blinking back at where Bella was having her arm strapped into a sling. I more than like her. Despite being through hell and back, she was still beautiful and gracious, with a kind word and warm smile. “I’ll stay with you,” Edward smiled. “I really don’t want to sleep on the bus.”

“I don’t blame you there,” Riley laughed. “I just want to shower, but with no clean clothes? Yeah, gross!”

“Ask and ye shall find,” Alec said, holding up a couple of bags as he stroll. “The Red Cross kind of figured we needed everything since our homes, clothes, cars and everything else … well, it’s gone.”

“Where’s Mom?” Riley asked, looking back at where Bella was sitting. She was gone.

“A nurse is helping her change into something more comfortable after she showers,” Alec explained.