Chapter 90

BPOV

I’m not exactly sure how this happened, I was a grown woman and I was grounded.

No wait, not grounded because even as I asked the question in total disbelief the sides of Edward’s lips twitched. I didn’t see anything remotely funny about what he was saying, actually he hadn’t said it, Emmett did and I tried to reserve my indignant anger until I heard directly from the horse’s mouth.

Or maybe I should say the horse’s ass.

But Edward never said those words instead he sounded as amused as he looked “noooo…not grounded baby…just a lockdown”

“A lockdown” I repeated thinking it sounds like the same thing as grounded “And what’s the difference?”

“You know like in school we would have lockdown drills, where everyone had to be accounted for and watched closely so they were kept safe”

What a load of shit

“It’s the same thing”

“No, it’s not” shaking his head in dismissal

“You want me to stay in the house” It wasn’t a question because it was very clear what his intentions were.

“I want you safe, that’s the only thing that matters to me Bella…keeping you safe at all cost”

“Cost to my freedom”

“Look I’m not trying to lock you away” he seemed to be searching for the right thing to say which at that point was a pretty good idea, because he was one wrong word away from me losing the tight reign I had on my anger.

“Remember when you were little and went to the YMCA for swimming lessons…”

“Jake pushed me in the Tide Pools and told me to sink or swim”

Tilting his head in total disbelief Edward asked. “He did?”

Fearing if I allowed my body to move I would lose total control all I could do was stare at him through the corner of my eyes and nod.

“Well…” he grimaced “…when you go to the Y, the first thing they tell you is to always swim with a buddy. Use the buddy system, right?” Looking around the room for conformation he nodded as I heard a few people murmur their agreement but I was too focused on reaching the point of the story to care who it was.

“So I want you to…look just please…” his voice was imploring “…for me and my sanity…please Bella…use the buddy system”

“Who’s going to be my buddy?” I had friends, people I talked to, but they all had their own lives and I couldn’t impose on them to run around with me while I did errands.

And Edward?

“You’re going to be busy all week with the contractors and working at the club…who is supposed to be my buddy?”

“I’ll go with you one day” Alice chimed in and Rose said she would go along with me too.

“See?” Edward was pleased “Compromise”

I on the other hand still felt like I was being railroaded into life as a prisoner and then I wondered “Just how long as I suppose to compromise for?”

He shrugged “As long as it takes…”

“That could be weeks” I all but shrieked

 And then Edward said the word that made me lose what little hold I had “Be reasonable…Isabella..”

Oh no he didn’t?

“Don’t You Dare” I sheethed through my teeth

He was not pulling that Dom crap on me.

Edward’s face contorted into the mask of indifference he wears “I think it would be best of we speak about this in private”

In hind sight it might have been better however I was already too far gone and he’s the one who started it

“Ohhhh…no you don’t. You brought it up let’s talk about it. But you better watch yourself” warning him through clinched teeth as I pointed my finger.

Edward jerked back a bit, I don’t know if it was from the words, my glare or his disbelief at the incensed tone, truthfully I didn’t care. He knew damn well what I was talking about; we had the same discussion before, his slipping into Master Persona in an attempt to control a situation. I could understand how that happened, during any kind of confrontation Edward was use to taking command. It was his way of keeping his life organized in the neat little rows he planted. Watching, cultivating and removing anything that would obstruct his desired outcome. His problem lied with the fact that I too had a desired outcome and there was no way in hell he was unilaterally placing me under some kind house arrest simply by calling me Isabella, he could shove that up his ass.

Emmett chuckled “Here come the claws”

“Ok…let’s just calm down” Carlisle stood to insinuated himself into the discussion “Bella I don’t think Edward’s request is unreasonable”

What happened to letting people live their lives?

“An hour ago you were telling me I couldn’t lock someone away for their own safety, now it’s ok to do it to me?”

“This is different” Carlisle spoke as calmly as he would have said Merry Christmas

“How?” I wondered in disbelief of the hypocrisy “It’s the damn thing. Edward wants to keep me in the house away from the outside world, which was exactly what you talked me out of…so how is it different?”

“Well for one thing now we are talking about you”

“And?” I demanded

Carlisle looked aghast that I would even voice the question, his expression became resolute   “And you’re my daughter”

He said it like there was no doubt in his mind which made me stop for a moment to let the statement settle. Carlisle had already told said I was part of the family but I thought he meant as an extension not an intimate member. The declaration held more weight than I could contemplate at that moment and before I could even respond my other father had something to say.

“Ms. Swan…” Aro’s face was stern yet there was an understanding behind his eyes. “We spoke about this very subject last night”

We had, while dancing he told me about his plan to have Mike charged with theft and he was worried what his absence would do to Karen’s mental state. He had asked me to take the necessary precautions to protect myself.

“You assured me you would take the measures needed to stay safe”

“I thought you meant I should carry pepper spray”

Emmett chuckled again while Edward sounded exasperated “No one should get that close to you Isabella”

The anger that had dissipated from his father’s term of endearment returned with Edward’s reply. My eyes widened at both the name and the reproachful tone causing Edward to hold his hands up and correct himself
“Sorry …Bella”

The saving grace to the whole afternoon and the one person who made me push aside the anger to see a glimmer of reason came from the most unlikely person. Squatting down to bring his eyes level with mine Jasper spoke in a calm cool voice “Listen to me darling, put aside all the anger and look at it objectively. And then answer this question, if this was one of your clients, what advice would you be offering her?”

That wasn’t fair because he knew damn well what I would tell her, no matter what the inconvenience, her first priority was to stay safe. I was still too damn mulish to admit that fact but Jasper didn’t need me to divulge the words he already knew the answer. At my quietness he nodded and went on.

“You know me Bella; I am the last person that would try to inflict their will over someone else. But I am telling you straight out, if this was Alice we were talking about, there is not a doubt in my mind I would be making the same request.”

He let that sink in for a moment before looking over his shoulder “Look at Edward…"

Green troubled eyes bore into mine while Jasper continued “You are probably right and nothing is going to happen…but on the off chance it does…do you really want to hurt him? Because if something happens to you…that’s exactly what you’re going to do…so ask yourself, are a few days or weeks of inconvenience worth the anguish you’re going to cause him…if he’s right…and you’re wrong?”

That was how I found myself sitting in the kitchen with Edward eating breakfast and trying to convince him that I had no other option but to drive myself to The Center with a small stop at Safeway. I had conceded to him and everyone else that I would comply with the request made of me. After all I did understand Edward was indeed making a request –not a demand - that I not be out alone.

I couldn’t deny Jasper’s claim that Edward had a valid reason to worry or that I too would be just as concerned for his safety. The last thing I wanted to do was cause the man who means the world to me more stress and if that meant spending a week or two with ‘a buddy’ by my side, I could do that.

I would do that. Just so I wasn’t smothered to the point of full captivity.

Edward’s piece of mind was worth any inconvenience to me, besides I couldn’t one hundred percent dispute his claims that Karen was dangerous. She wanted something from me, bad enough that she lied to get into the The Center and if she was desperate enough to do that, lord only knew what the next move would be.

Our disagreement at his parent’s house did accomplish a few things. First and foremost was the fact that Edward knew without a doubt I was not going to allow him to think he could order me into submission. My tirade had also had another effect, after everything was settled and I had spoken with Jane about Edward’s propensity to use my submission to him as a weapon. She pointed out I had a right to feel the way I did – desecrated.

“But don’t be too upset with him Bella; he has never had to deal with his submissive on a personal level. Just as Edward is learning all the little idiosyncrasies of living with a woman, he’s also learning how to push his natural tendencies to Dominate aside. He loves you and it was his fear, not his lack of respect that caused him to react with a Neanderthal mentality. You of all people can understand that. Besides in this instance this one happens to agree with Edward. It is not such a hard concession to be accompanied and if this one was not going away she would ask Master to be your companion.”

I had calmed down by that point and was feeling guilty for my behavior, after all it was only my safety Edward was concerned with. My response was to react stubbornly and a bit childish “I shouldn’t have yelled at him”

Jane giggled “Actually Bella it was probably a good thing you did. You clearly are not in your…what did you call it…usual?”

At my nod she giggled again “That is so adorable…but clearly it is not your usual time so Edward needed to know that you are not going to stand by and allow him to dictate your every move. Besides this one has told you there are times when Master needs his wife to yell at him – and she does”

The pointed look I got from Jane as she said the final words told me I wasn’t just acting like a spoiled brat, I was standing up for myself. I was embarrassed that I had done it in front of his family but later in the evening Alice was making plans with me to go out Thursday to get all the shopping done. Once we had it all figured out she too had something to say “You know Bella I can see Edward’s point but I’m glad to know you’re not a fucking pushover”

I held my head a little higher; the incident just might have been the turning point to Alice not being so damn condescending. 

I had stood my ground, and although Edward still got his way there were a few things I had gotten also. A little more respect, a clear voice in making decisions and most importantly I wasn’t grounded - it was a security induced lockdown…and there was a difference.

Surprisingly the contractors had shown up on time, a few minutes before eight o’clock they were knocking on the door. The permits were in their proper place in the front window and they were noisily working on demolishing the bathroom in Edward’s room. We had already been up for a few hours, not being able to go alone to the gym for a workout I used the stepper in the basement while he ran on the treadmill. Afterwards we finished moving items from his room to mine and then showered together where even though my bleeding had stated the previous night Edward took me against the wall. All in all it had been a good morning; the look of distress on his face was nothing I hadn’t expected when I told Edward my plans.

He sat there with a blank stare shaking his head “I don’t think so Bella, we agreed you could drive yourself to The Center, from garage to garage, no detours along the way”

Taking a drink of coffee I tried again “Edward I need to stop at the Safeway, I have to get Tampons and I should restock the shelves at The Center”

It had been nearly two months since I had bought the needed supplies of personal items and paper products.

“We can go together tonight for the stuff you need and you have a whole box of Tampons”

“They’re the wrong size”

“They come in different sizes?”

Jeez didn’t he know anything

I sighed and irritation clouded his features making me giggle “I’m sorry”

“You know…” he said relaxing back against the chair with his hands folded over his chest “…maybe we should do a twenty-four seven for like a week to cure you of that habit all together”

“You don’t mean that”

Edward smirked “Yeah…I think I do”

He was only kidding yet the gleam in his eye had me changing the subject “Anyway in answer to your question, yes they come in different sizes. I only have half a box of slims I need to get a multi pack so I have some regular and supers for heavy days”

His eyes narrowed in thought “I’ll go with you…”

“You can’t…” I retorted “…It’s the first day the men are here; you at least have to stay until they have all the plans settled”

“Jesus Christ Bella…I don’t like this.” He said straightening himself in the chair “You are going to be walking around a store by yourself and I’ll have no way to know if you’re alright or not”

There had to be some way I could put his mind at ease, eating the last piece of my bagel a possibility dawned on me “Suppose I call you when I get to the store and I’ll talk to you the whole time until I’m back in the car driving away”

He seemed to debate the option and I added “Compromise…remember”

The low rumble resounded from his chest as he shook his head in resolve “I feel the grey hair growing already”

I giggled “I’ll buy you some Grecian formula” 

Closing his eyes Edward sighed heavily, stretched his neck, let out another deep exhale and finally met my gaze. He wasn’t happy that much was clear still he relented “You call me the moment the car hits the parking lot, I want to hear you turning off the engine…I’m not fucking around here Bella. Under no circumstances are you to get out of that car until I’m on the line with you” narrowing his eyes almost menacingly he asked
“Do I make myself clear?”

I could have been a bitch but I understood where he was coming from so all I said was “Yes Sir”

He continued to stare at me until he murmured “I’m not happy” yet the discussion was over for the time being. I cleared the table to get the dishes done while Edward went to check on the workmen by the time he came back down I had to leave. Slipping on my shoes he was making me nervous as hell by following me around, while I checked my purse for the phone and gathered my brief case.

The lap dog routine continued all the way out into the garage where after opening my car door Edward pulled me close to him for a kiss was like a man going off to war. Pulling back I could feel the anxiety running through him even before he admitted “I got a bad feeling about this Bella”

Touching his face my fingers moved over the stubble which he hadn’t shaved off “I’ll be fine, can you calm down you’re starting to freak me out”

“Good…you need to be freaked out. You don’t take this seriously enough”

“Edward, I’ll be out of my car twenty minute’s tops and on the phone with you the whole time”

“Go...before I change my mind”

Getting into the car I gave my best smile “I’m going to miss you today”

It was the first time in two weeks I wouldn’t be spending the whole day with him. I had gotten use to Edward’s constant presence. Rather than be sick of it or annoyed at the lack of solitude I was so accustomed to before, I truly was going to miss him. Still I was excited to get back to The Center, there had been a few changes since I been there last. Tammy should be gone and Carlisle told me the night before a new girl had just arrived the end of the previous week.  

“Please be careful…” Edward leaned in for one more kiss “…I love you”

“Love you too” I answered just as he shut my door, then stood in the driveway in the pouring rain watching me until I turned the corner out of his view.

He really did have me freaked out; I kept checking my rear-view mirror wondering if someone was following me. After a few blocks I was starting to feel really anxious thinking that every dark shadow on or high bush had a manic hiding behind it. In order to take my mind away from the paranoia I thought back to the conversation I had with Charlie. As per my goal –which Edward had me set – to call my father every Sunday night I did that as soon as we got home from his parents.

It was rather late however Charlie was on the overnight shift so he was just waking up and was surprised yet pleased I had called. We only spoke for a short time, because my father was not verbose by any stretch of the word. Still in the less than ten minutes we were on the phone talking about the Mariners, and the Cranberry Apple stuffed Pork Loin Esme served for dinner, he seemed happy. Getting excited at my description of the decant Chocolate Fudge Cake I had for desert. If there was one thing Charlie loved it was his sweets. He became even more joyful at my intent to call him back later in the week to see if there was anything special Sue needed me to get for their stay at my house.

“Two phone calls? It must be going to snow”

I smirked “I call you”

“Yeah for my Birthday and Christmas”

The truth of his words hit me “I’m sorry about that dad…but I love you”

“Well…” his throat cleared “…I love you too Bells, I always have, always will”

There wasn’t much else to say and we hung up with a promise from me to call on Wednesday Night. The pattern reminded me of the phone calls I received from Charlie while I was at college. I wondered if he would mind so much if history repeated itself, from the tenor of his voice I highly doubted it.

The Safeway parking lot was fuller then I was expecting it to be at quarter after nine on a rainy Monday morning. Pulling into a spot I let the car idle while I fished my phone out to call Edward. He must have been holding the phone because he answered on the first ring. Edward listened while I turned off the engine and joked about me running in between the rain drops while I dashed for the entrance. He rambled on about the choice of color for the title while I filled the cart with sanitary items, oral hygiene products, and stuff for hair care. We debated the merits of painting the walls Ecru over the less alluring Sand as I got paper goods in the largest bulk packages they offered. Heading to the checkout I passed an end cap display that caught my eye.

Standing there with a cart full of stuff listening to Edward’s voice the memory of his words from the last time we were in the store came to mind. Without stopping to think I quickly snatched one off the shelf and made my way to the register.

The woman ringing me up asked paper or plastic at the same time Edward asked what I wanted for dinner. Telling one plastic – has she looked outside – and the other chicken, I grabbed one of every trashy tabloid magazine they had and dropped them on the conveyor belt , along with a People, Woman’s Day and just for some spice a Cosmo.

I could hear the anxiety in Edward’s voice spike after I paid and was heading back outside; I tried to keep him calm because there was no need for the unease. Nothing happened to me while I piled the bags into my trunk, pushed the cart to the caddy area and ran back to the car. He made me stay on the line until the ignition kicked over and he heard the door locks engage finally calm when I told him I was pulling away.

“Not again Bella, it’s just not worth it baby”

I had to agree, hearing the angst and worry in his voice was not something I wanted to repeat. When I was back on the street we said a round of ‘love you’s’, I promised call him when I got to my office, and we hung up.

Half way to The Center the Check Engine lite flashed on, it didn’t worry me because I knew from my truck you could still drive the vehicle. That little light could be anything from a loose gas cap to an electrical misconnection. I’d have Jake check it out but it was nothing that would deter me from getting where I was going.

Stopping at the red light in the down town area I started to notice the unmistaken odor of anti-freeze coming from the vents of the defroster and a second later the light with the little thermostat on it lite up the dash board. The traffic signal turned green at the same time smoke started coming out from around the hood of my car. Knowing the engine was overheating I pulled into the first available space, grabbed my purse and got the hell out of the car.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I stood under the awning of a store front watching my car being engulfed in grey smoke while I furiously pressed the button for Edward. He didn’t answer on the first try and when I immediately called him back it took four rings before he picked up.

His demeanor was much calmer “Bella? Are you there already?”

The words came out in a rush “something happened to my car the light came on and then it started over heating it was smoking so bad I was afraid it would catch on fire so I parked it and got out and now it’s smoking like crazy I don’t know what to do”

Two things happened at the same time Edward asked “Where are you?” and beside me a male voice said “Isabella”

The unexpected presence of the person beside me was so startling I screeched clutching my chest practically hyperventilating as Edward frantically called my name through the phone.

“I’m sorry Isabella, I didn’t mean to scare you”

Demetri stood there looking at me apologetically and the relief of his presence was so strong I broke down in tears. “Ed..Ed..Ed…”

He was still screeching my name through the receiver as Demetri put his arm around my shoulder while the tears ran down my face “Shhhh…give me the phone Isabella”

It was clasped so tightly in my fist he had to practically pry it out of my hand so he could talk “Edward…It’s Demetri….in front of my store…no other than slightly shaken she appears fine”

I sniffled pulling the hanky Carlisle had given me the day before from my purse and calmed down while I finished listening to the one sided conversation “Is it the Saab?... parked in my loading zone…no it’s still smoking looks like an overheated engine.”

‘I already said that’

Demetri chuckled and I cursed myself for talking out loud “Absolutely…she’ll be fine…ok I’ll see you in a few” Handing the phone back telling me “Edward wants to speak with you”

“Hello”

“Are you alright baby?”  Wiping my nose I answered honestly “No…but I have your dad’s hanky and I’ll be ok”

“Listen to me Bella, I want you to go inside with Demetri and stay with him; I’ll be there in twenty minutes”

“Ok” I didn’t know how he was going to make it there that fast in the morning traffic but I wasn’t arguing.

Sticking the phone back into my purse I looked up to find Demetri eyeing me as if I was going to break.

“Come on let’s get out of the rain”

Leading me inside I must have been more distressed then I thought because the Jewelry shocked me. I knew that Felix and Demetri were Jewelers and they fashioned special pieces for clients still the bright lights, gleaming glass cases and sparkly displays surprised me. 

“I just made a fresh pot of coffee in the back, would like some?”

Oh that sounded heavenly

“Yes please”

Pressing in the code for the lock Demetri open the steel door leading into the back room which was much larger then I was expecting. Two large wall safes stood against the far wall by a work station that reminded me of an architecture’s bench with an adjustable magnifying lamp arched over it. That area was clean, organized, and almost meticulously sanitary right down to the white gloves sitting in wait on the desk. 

The other work space took up half the room, and was nothing short of an artist studio. Sculptures of every size lined the rustic shelves with a life-size woman’s torso perched on a stand. Etchings, paintings, and drawings lined the walls, some half done, most in frames, the two work areas in direct contrast with each other. Looking between the two stations I couldn’t help but wonder if they represented the two different brothers. Much like the Odd Couple, I knew that Demetri was the artist making him the messy Oscar Madison who would be covered in paint and clay. Leaving Felix to be the finicky clean Felix Unger warding off the dirt and germs with white gloves. The names matched, although the painstakingly stuffy persona didn’t seem to fit his personality.  

“Cream or Sugar?”

Demetri’s question bringing me out of my conjecture “Ummm…just a little milk please”

“Do you need to call anyone?” He asked while twisting off the cap on the container of cream. Not sure what he was talking about I continued to stare blankly until he smiled “Are you going to be late for work, do you need to call Triple A to get the car towed?”

Oh yeah

After thanking him for the coffee and taking a much needed drink I set the cup down – on the messy table – and called Carol, leaving a message that I had car trouble and would be late. Then I called Jake he wasn’t any happier about me being out by myself then Edward was. After I assured him I was fine, I was safe and Edward was coming to get me he said he’d be by to get the car within the hour. Putting the phone back away I faced with a rather perplexed man.

“You on a first name basis with your mechanic?”

“He’s my brother-in-law”

“Well that must come in handy”

There was no reason to answer him instead I gestured to the wall “Is this all your work?”

“Yes” he said following me over to the shelves of figurines. Some were so small and intricate I was afraid to breathe around them for fear they would break. All of them were nude women in various poses one in particular caught my eye. It was done in a shiny faux wood tone depicting a headless woman kneeling down with one hand on her hip and the other arm missing from the elbow down. It’s not that the piece had been broken it was clearly intended to be made that way.

“Where’s her head” I wondered “And why does she only have one arm?”

Amusement colored his face “You tell me”

“Do you want philosophical or an amateur opinion”

“Ah Ms. Isabella I doubt there is nothing amateur about you”

“That’s because you haven’t heard me sing”

Demetri laughed “Just tell me what you think”

Staring at the unusual art my hands went out to pick it up, stopping myself when Demetri’s beat me there and handed it to me. The detail of the work was incredible right down to the ripples of the muscles in her stomach. There was so much care in making the figurine it was almost as if it was a work of love. Turning it in my hand I got the feeling that this was a rendition of someone Demetri knew.

“It’s Gianna” I murmured

“Yes it is”

 “You were m…” I was going to say mad but corrected myself “…displeased…with her. She definitely had attitude…”

He interrupted my ramblings “How do you know that?”

“The hand on her hip…that woman is peeved and in the heat of the moment she lost her head…” glancing up to see him studying me with intense curiosity I added “…figuratively for Gianna, literally for the sculpture.”

 At his smile my eyes went back to what was in my hands, there was still one thing I wasn’t sure about why in the world would she only have one arm. Why would he make her handicapped?  Or maybe that wasn’t it…maybe he just didn’t make her whole or she wasn’t …

I spoke the next thought “She’s not complete in herself…she can have all the attitude of a headstrong woman but she’s not complete, an important part is missing” glancing back up I asked “Did I get it right?”

“Ahhh…” Demetri sighed taking the statue from my hands and putting her back safely on the shelf “That’s the thing about art Isabella; two people can look at the same piece and see something very different. It’s all in the perspective, even something as simple as a rose can have diverse meanings depending on the person’s viewpoint” 

“Is that why you like it?” The question just came babbling out

“I guess, it gives me the chance to take liberties with my freedom of expression. I can do what I please, make anything that comes into my mind or communicate my passions through the art. I enjoy having beautiful woman model and pose for me while I immortalize them on canvas; I don’t believe there is anything more natural or beautiful then the female form in its natural state.”

“Is that why they are all naked?”

Damn it

I was blushing from the embarrassing question while Demetri laughed “They are not all naked”

That was true some of the drawings had clothing on however they all had some part of their genitals exposed or were engaging in sexual acts. I was going to ask how Felix liked working next to such a messy area but Demetri’s next statement answered it and shed yet more light on his personality.

“Like I said this gives me the freedom of expression, whereas the jewelry design involves percussion. I can still be artistic in the settings and the layout but there is no room for error. When you are working with gems one wrong lapse in judgment can ruin the whole piece and unlike a painting it can’t be covered up.”

“Oh…” I was surprised “I thought Felix did the jewelry designing”

“No…that’s all me. Felix takes care of the front end and the business aspect; I get to spend all day doing what I love”

“Lucky you…” I said then added “…I get to do what I love too”

“Which is?” He asked in genuine interest

“Psychology, I teach at the college but I also do private counseling and I love that, eventually I’d like to get my Doctorate go into private practice”

That was something I hadn’t really spoken to anyone about yet – except Edward. Why I felt comfortable telling Demetri I couldn’t be sure but for some reason and maybe it was solely because of Edward’s trust in him, I felt at ease in his presence.

“That’s explains why you are so astute at analyzing art, your trying to read into the artist”

I giggle “Would you like me to psychoanalyze you?”

“No” Demetri chuckle “I’m not sure I want to know what makes me tick”

Picking up the cup I took another drink glad that it was still warm “So, was the art something that came natural or did you go school”

“I went to school” he said moving over to one of the safes “got a Diploma and everything”

“Was it here at UW…” opening the door he gave me a slight glance before pulling out a metal box and I added quickly “…I mean did you grow up here in Washington or…”

Placing the box on the clean work bench he cut me off “I did, born and raised here in Seattle…but I went to the New York Academy of Art in Manhattan”

Wow

Before I could stop myself the curiosity came out “Why did you go so far away?”

Again I was given a quick glance and I suddenly felt like I had overstepped the boundaries of proper decorum and I tried to explain myself “usually when someone so young  leaves everything they know to go so far away they are usually running from someone or towards someone”

Demetri narrowed his eyes “Where did you go to school?”

He wasn’t asking out of curiosity, the tone of his voice told me he already knew the answer.

“I started at Community College” his raised eyebrows became an unspoken request for the rest. Taking another drink I admitted “Dartmouth”

“And who were you running from Isabella…or towards?”

Lowering my eyes into the empty cup there was an uncomfortable silence between us. It was true I was running from James when I accepted that scholarship. I knew it and Demetri did too because the only reason he added the ‘or towards’ was out of sensitivity.

After a brief moment he spoke “Come here, have a look”

Lifting the hinged lid Demetri revealed rows of rings nestled inside the royal blue velvet lined box. Each one wrapped around its own individual velvet covered holder.

“Do you see, even something as mundane as a ring can be given an artistic flare...” he held up gold band with a large ruby oval perched in the center “…from the basic”

Demetri handed the ruby to me to examine like a piece of Tupperware before taking out another one and adding “…to one with lots of embellishments”

The second ring was a diamond set in amongst a web of emeralds, it looked delicate and expensive and I was shocked beyond all reason at his request “Go ahead, try it on”

I don’t know why I put it on my left ring finger or why once it was in place I held my hand out wiggling it in the air. It was a bit loose and took up the whole area to my knuckle yet it was ‘beautiful’

“It is, but a bit big for you…try…” he looked back in the box “…this one”

Handing Demetri the one off my finger I took the ring he suggested, it was a Sapphire set with two smaller diamonds on either side. It appeared to be a simple design yet when studied the intricate silver setting of small hearts and swirls made it amazing unique.

Slipping it on my finger the fit was much better and as I waved it the gems sparkled and I couldn’t help but to evaluate it “It looks so plain yet up close there is a beauty that lies underneath”

“Exactly…working with gems and precious metals requires an accurately that other mediums don’t, yet the beauty is still there” 

“I see it” and I did, I saw why he was so passionate about his work.

“I knew you would” he said while I wiggled my finger one more time before slipping the ring off to give back. Just as he was placing the silver band on the holder a chime sounded and Demetri’s head shot back to the far corner of the room.

“Edward’s here” While he spoke my eyes flashed to where he had been looking to see a small corner mounted TV monitor showing the feed from the outside gallery. And after the lesson Demetri had just given me, it was indeed a gallery.

“Shall we” gesturing with his hand towards the door I picked up my purse to follow him out.

Edward engulfed me in his arms lifting me off the floor so my feet dangled in the air “What happened nâhtötse?”

After Edward set me down, I went through the whole story giving as much detail as I could when I was finished Demetri said it sounds like a hose blew. Those kinds of things happen from time to time and the explanation seemed to ease Edward’s mind. After I told him Jake would be by to retrieve my car and Demetri assured him that it was no problem to let it in his loading zone we got ready to leave.

Standing outside the store under the awning I thanked Demetri for coming to my rescue adding “You know if you’re going to keep getting stuck babysitting me you really should ask for that raise”

He laughed “Anytime you need a babysitter Ms. Isabella I’ll be glad to oblige. Who knows maybe one day I’ll even let you psychoanalyze me”

“I’d like that” so excited at the idea I thought it best to give him something too “and who knows maybe one day Master will let you paint me”

His expression turned into a leer “I’d like that”

Glancing up at Edward I was expecting to see some sort of discomfort on his face however there was nothing but amusement. I was right my Master trusted his friend with the welfare of his most precious possession – me.

Before we stepped out from under the cover of the rain Edward asked “Where is all the stuff from the store”

Shoot

With all the excitement I had forgotten about that “Ummm…in the trunk”

“Give me the keys and I’ll get it” holding his hand out while I looked through my purse and came up empty. Staring at the car it suddenly came on me “I think they are still in the ignition”

OH he wasn’t happy about that and I talked quick “It was smoking so bad all I wanted to do was get out of the car and then I didn’t really think about them and…”

“It’s ok…here” Edward handed me his keys “…get in my car and pop open the trunk for me. I’ll transfer the stuff over”

I started to say I would help because it was raining like a mad dog and two of us could do it faster, however Edward was not having it “Isabella, get in the car”

“Yes Sir”

I wasn’t going to argue with him about the Dominating tone or the use of my full name. Edward’s nerves were frayed from the stress; he needed to regain control so he could have some sense of normalcy. It was his go to position when things got a little chaotic and he needed something he knew to fall back on. He acts out of an instinct to shelter and protect me, how could I fault him for that?

Besides – at that moment I kind of liked it.

I too was feeling the effects of frazzled nerves from the events of the morning. The feeling of safety and security that comes over me in the presence of my Master is not something I can fully articulate. It’s like climbing into bed and letting the warmth of an old quilt lull you into sleep. A peaceful easy feeling of contentment that washes over you as the sleep begins to drown out all your cares. That’s how being in the presence of my master makes me feel and in that atmosphere my natural submissiveness comes out in full force and all I want to do is serve him. 

Sitting in the passenger seat I watched in the side view mirror as the two men moved the bags from one car to the next. Edward shut the trunk on my car and then he and Demetri stood under the cover of his open hood talking. I could hear their voices filtering through the rain pelting against the roof of the car, but couldn’t make out a word they said. The slamming of the trunk caused me to jump and a second later Edward was sliding into the driver’s seat and shutting the door against the harsh weather.

“Isabella?”

I heard him.

I truly did.

However the only thing I could focus on was the bright red Fred Flintstone ladened box resting on the console between our seats.

Damn I forgot about them too

“Isabella…would you care to explain?”

Letting out the breath I was holding my eyes slowly made their way from the box of Fruity Pebbles to Edward’s face. There was not one hint of emotion showing through, not a smirk, a gleam or a twitch as his eye bore into mine waiting for an answer.

“Yo..Y..Y…” swallowing hard I started again “Master you said…your exact words were …You can get them on the next shopping trip”

The eyes that had been devoid of any reaction turned intimidatingly dark.

Yeah…I didn’t think he was going to buy it.