Bellezza Swan | A Carlisle Cullen Love Story

Chapter Two: Years Later

          2008: I parked my Jeep in the staff parking lot and headed into work with my high ponytail bouncing with every step. My first day at work! Not only did I finish nursing school at a world record time frame, I was the top of the class and highly recommended by my professors. However, I knew that schooling would be different from a real world experience so I never boasted about my academics or training. Now, I am an intern. I was introduced to everyone but I was disappointed that Dr. Cullen was not here. Regardless, I began my work as an intern and I was adapting rather well to working on real people. After the first month, I had my routine down and I already knew most of the returning patients by name.

          Halfway through my 10 week internship program, a familiar voice greeted me in the hospital library, "Bellezza Swan, is that you?"

          I looked up from the book I was reading and all my feelings rekindled, "D-Dr. Cullen! It's great to see you! You haven't aged a day!"

          He walked briskly to me with open arms, "You're interning already?"

          After shoving the book in the shelf, I threw my arms over his shoulders despite him being taller than me and he surprisingly held my lower back tightly in a hug, "Yes! I started 5 weeks ago and I have another 5 weeks left."

          He let me go but cupped my face with his cold hands, "Well done! I knew you could do it! I apologize for my absence. Now, you will be interning under me. I was told you come here often."

          I rather liked his cold touch but blushed with him touching me, "I do."

          He smiled brightly and brushed my hair behind my ear, "You look beautiful. Your father must be so proud of you. Come, I'll show you to my office and brief you of your duties as my intern."

          I inhaled sharply as I felt myself turning completely red and nodded profusely, "Th-Thank you."

          I walked quickly behind him as he went into his office. It was brightly lit and I was surprised to see his many plants throughout his office. He even had a brown leather Freudian couch that most therapists used. The sound of his office chair creaking caught my attention and I stood in front of his desk as he flipped through papers that were left on his desk.

          "I apologize for my absence. My children were rather headstrong in moving on to colleges in Canada. Is Bella also in Forks?" he asked casually.

          I nodded, "She insisted on staying with Charlie because she didn't want him living alone in that large house. I moved out and I have my own apartment in town. Were you going to move to Canada?"

          With a wry chuckle, I caught his eyes looking up at my body, "No. I have no intention of leaving. There are certain reasons that I chose to stay here."

          My heart skipped a beat when we made eye contact, "Are you living by yourself now?"

          "I am." he said simply and handed me a stack of papers, "If you don't mind, here is a list of patients that I feel you can tend to. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to talk to me, Miss Swan."

          I purposely overreached to touch his hands, "With pleasure, Dr. Cullen."

          In a blink of an eye, my internship was completed and I was now an official nurse working under Dr. Cullen. His children would visit during the holidays and I always saw them visiting in the hospital. Edward continued to mock me for my crush on his father but he began to tease me about Dr. Cullen possibly noticing me. I didn't get my hopes up because it would be humiliating to talk to my own boss in a flirtatious way just to see where we are. Dr. Cullen took me as his second in command after the first year since becoming a full fledged nurse.