Fire of Your Soul Teaser

 “I don’t know if eating food with chopsticks was the wisest decision,” Bella said, scowling at her bowl of fried rice and beef and broccoli. She growled lowly at the chopsticks next to the bowl. “I’m also not very adept at eating with my non-dominant hand. Add in two pieces of wood to try and shovel this into my mouth? Yeah, no.”

“You’ve got this, Bells,” Rosalie said, handing her a spoon. “I could always spoon feed you.”

“I’m going to drop kick you,” Bella grumbled. “This is so humiliating.” She sighed, picking up the spoon and began eating.

“I bet you don’t feel this self-conscious when you’re with Edward,” Alice chirped, slurping up her lo mein. “God, this is so good.”

“I don’t feel self-conscious because he’s been with me every step of the way while I’ve recovered. I’ve got a long way to go, unfortunately,” she sighed.

“How so?” Rosalie asked.

“My broken wrist … I’ll have to have surgery on it,” Bella explained, scowling at the aforementioned wrist. “I went to a specialist, at Edward’s insistence, since my wrist is still hurting. It shouldn’t be this painful, almost two weeks post break. My ribs feel better, but I’m still taking pain meds for my wrist. I tried to use something over-the-counter, but it didn’t help. It barely scratched the surface when it came to pain management.”

“What are you on?” Alice asked.

“Tramadol,” Bella said. “I didn’t want to be on anything stronger, like oxy. If I stay on a schedule, my pain is manageable.” She dipped her spoon into her meal and managed to not spill it all over shirt. “Speaking of which, I need my pain pill. Rose, next to the stove, there’s my prescription bottle. Can you grab my meds for me?”

“Got it, Bells,” she said, hopping up and opening up the medication. She handed Bella two pills. “So, I heard that you went to the police station today. How did that go?”

Bella swallowed her medicine, grimacing. “It’s over. They just needed some information about what happened in the apartment, to close up the case, since my mom was a little confused. When she’s stressed, she gets very scattered. She lost some time. Her memories were fuzzy.”

“You also lost some time. You were knocked unconscious,” Rosalie said, her lip curled into a snarl. “I also cannot believe that Peter fell in with Aro.”

“Peter is a douche … was a douche,” Bella said. “My dad had every right to fire him. He obviously couldn’t cope with that.”

“I looked into Peter, specifically into his psychological evaluation,” Rosalie smirked. “He applied several times to the fire department. He had a history of mental health issues and he wouldn’t be accepted until he had his issues under control. He didn’t like to be on medication. Well, that’s what was said in his file.”

“Is that allowed?” Alice asked.

“What? Me looking up his psych evaluation or him not being approved to work for the fire department until he got his shit together?” Rose snorted, arching a brow at Alice.

“Both,” Alice chuckled.

Blockbuster Teaser

 “Ugh, this thing won’t load,” I grumbled, scowling at my computer. “What’s that faint whining sound?”

“That’s because it’s older than dirt, Bella. That whining sound is its last gasping breaths,” Jasper, Rose’s twin brother, and one of my closest friends, teased me. “You know, you can get a new computer. That money you’d earned from your books are collecting dust in the bank.”

“It’s for Seth’s college fund,” I argued.

“Isabella Marie, you need a new computer. You needed a new computer when you walked in with that hunk of junk. It’s a glorified brick! No! I take that back. A brick has more functions than that dinosaur,” Jasper sighed. “Will you let me show the ways of modern technology? You’re going to need it.”

I pursed my lips, wringing my hands anxiously. I hated to waste money. I’d always be afraid of being starving, homeless and bankrupt. You never know when the rug will be pulled out from underneath you. Jasper gently stopped my hands. “Stop, Bells. You’re not going to be thrown out of the apartment. Emmett and Rosalie would never do that to you. You’re not going to lose Seth if you buy yourself a new computer.”

“Sorry,” I whispered, hating that my insecurities were so easily identified.

“Come on, sweet girl,” Jasper smirked. “You need a new computer since I don’t want my best girl to stall out. You’re on fire with the novels you’ve written. A new one will be published at the end of the month and you’ll be back on the best seller list!”

“Okay,” I sighed, closing my computer. “I don’t want to spend too much.”

“Bella, you will spend too much because you’re getting a MacBook. It’ll last you for forever,” Jasper said. “Maybe. we can also update your cell phone, too.”

“Jasper,” I moaned, allowing him to drag me from the publishing house where I worked. When I wasn’t writing for them, I worked as a copy editor to earn some extra money.

It all came down to money.

We got into his Toyota Rav-4 and drove to the Apple Store in Union Square. When we walked in, a chirpy sales associate asked us what we needed. Jasper prattled off some computer mumbo-jumbo and the sales associate scurried away. Another sales associate, a guy with hipster glasses and an iPad, approached us with a grin. Within an hour, I had a new laptop and cell phone. Honestly, I spent way too much money. I damn near had a panic attack when I signed the credit slip, but Jasper promised me tequila.

“I don’t want tequila,” I grumbled to him. “Chocolate, Hale. I want chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.”

Picking Up The Pieces Update

Picking Up The Pieces Chapter 16 on FicPad

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Picking Up The Pieces Chapter 16 on FFn

Picking Up The Pieces Chapter 16 on Wattpad

“I can see how much you adore her,” Billy smiled. “I know that Jake must have had a hand in guiding the two of you together. I think you’re a good man. You’ve made my third daughter smile again. You brought her back to life. I’ve seen her at her darkest, her emptiest. I saw her scrape herself out of that dark hole and start fresh in Forks. She struggled, but she’s flourished up there. She wouldn’t have done that down here, surrounded by the memories of Jake and what she’d lost.”

“I’m afraid that if I ask her, she won’t …” I whispered, my nose wrinkled.

“Edward, Bella may be the most stubborn woman in the world, but she loves you so much,” Billy said. “And I know that you want to give your mother something to live for. Esme is an amazing woman. Strong, compassionate and caring.  And she loves Grace and John like they were her own blood.”

“Do you think she’d say yes?” I asked, watching my girlfriend. “And are you okay with me …?”

“Edward, Jake sent you. I’m more than okay with you marrying her. You have my blessing and I’m certain that Charlie feels the same way,” Billy chuckled. “Now, why don’t you brave the sun and have fun with your girl? If what I gathered from Rebecca, this is going to be nice and cool compared to the ire of Rachel.”

“Why can’t she see that Bella’s happy?” I growled, standing up and putting on my own sunglasses.

“Because Rachel is not happy,” Billy sighed. “I’m going to call her and try to reason with her. I know she wants to see the kids, but I don’t want her to cause you or Bella any undue stress.”

“What happened with Rachel?”

“She’s …” he trailed off. He got up, nodding to Bella and the kids. He walked away, and I went into the pool, playing with the kids and racing John and Ryan until my muscles burned. That wasn’t the only thing that was burned. I could feel my shoulders ache from a new sunburn. We all went back to the hotel. Ryan and Billy drove separately, back to Ryan’s house and then to Billy’s home.

We ate some snacks and went to visit some of Bella’s old teacher friends from the elementary school worked at in Phoenix, before heading to Billy’s house. His residence was a bit outside of Phoenix, on the property of the reservation. His was one of the nicer homes in the reservation. His position as a tribal elder gave him that luxury. A number of people were in the backyard, which was decorated with twinkle lights and paper lanterns. Bella was hugged, and the kids were doted on. I was introduced and the cold shoulder I was expecting was not there. I was welcomed like a long-lost brother.

An hour passed, and I was drinking some alcoholic beverage made on the reservation grounds. It was strong, but delicious. I was laughing with Ryan and another worker from his company, Quil, when I heard an angry shriek and harsh slap.

“You bitch!” came the bitter sound from a tall, exotic woman. “How dare you bring him here!”

“Hello, Rachel,” Bella sighed, cupping her cheek, her eyes narrowed.

Shaky Ground Update

Shaky Ground Chapter 20 on FicPad

Shaky Ground Chapter 20 on Stars

Shaky Ground Chapter 20 on AO3

Shaky Ground Chapter 20 on FFn

Shaky Ground Chapter 20 on Wattpad

“Isabella Marie Swan, sit your ass down!” barked Alice. “I haven’t seen you since your fucking birthday celebration and that was a month ago!”

“I have to go to work!” Bella wailed, sitting down on the stool. “Alice, I’d love to talk, but I’m floating up to the PICU floor again.”

“Are you avoiding Dr. Masen?” Alice asked. “After he brought you home after your birthday, you’ve been …”

“I’m not avoiding, Dr. Masen,” Bella said. “Working opposite schedules and pulling these shifts up in the PICU? My schedule is fucking insane, Alice. I swear to god, I need a vacation.”

“Are you getting one?”

“Yes. For Thanksgiving, I have the weekend off and I’m going to see my dad. It’s a part of the reason why I’ve been working like a mad woman,” Bella said, tugging on her coat. “Now, can I go?”

“Only if you promise to be home for dinner tonight. We need another girl’s night,” Alice said, wagging her finger at Bella.

“If my schedule allows it, your majesty,” Bella deadpanned, darting out the door. Alice shook her head, chuckling at her roommate. Let’s just say, Alice had heard some rumors about Bella and the elusive Dr. Masen. Nothing bad. In fact, they were things that Alice wanted to encourage. Dr. Masen was so sad and so grumpy for the longest time. But, from what Alice heard from her friends down in the emergency department, he’d relaxed and was smiling. He was interacting with the staff, not treating the women like the scum of the earth. He even bought the staff, including the first responders who were in the emergency room with drop-offs, a massive meal as a thank you.

Dr. Edward Masen never did shit like that.

He’d usually bitch about it being unsanitary and unnecessary.

But, when men and women work for insanely long hours, usually without any sort of schedule, meals are usually rushed and frequently interrupted. The night that Edward purchased the thirty pizzas, twelve dozen breadsticks and slew of cookies, no one had a break until the shift change. In the locker room, everyone got their share of the meal and Edward leaned against the lockers, smiling and encouraging everyone to enjoy their meal. What Shelly Cope told Alice was that Bella walked over to Edward during that shift change. He took her hand and held her close, almost cuddling her like a boyfriend would hold a girlfriend.

Later that evening, Bella did come home and they went up to Rose’s loft apartment, sharing some sushi that Rose had picked up from a nearby sushi restaurant. Alice was sipping her sake when she looked at her roommate, arching a brow. “So, are you and Edward Masen a thing?” Alice asked.

Bella spit out her drink, her eyes wide as she looked at Alice. “What? No. We’re friends, but we’re not a thing. What the hell do you mean anyway?”

“I can’t believe you managed to melt his cold, dead heart,” Alice snickered.

“You’re crazy. We’re friends. That’s it,” Bella said, getting up to get a paper towel.