The One That Got Away

Chapter Twelve

For those of you who read the Get Your Southern On contest entries, this is my contribution. I am tickled at the results ... first place in public vote and third place for the judge's choice. I've decided to break this up into smaller, drabblish chapters and it will be continued. The contest contribution is the first six or so chapters, roughly. I don't know how long it will be, but I do have it planned. Thank you to Bridget for betaing this for me and for Clo, who created the banner.

Thank you for those of you who have read this! I hope you continue to do so! Without further ado ...

This is the beginning of the extension of the original contest entry. ALL NEW! Thank you for sticking with me and I hope you enjoy this!

After Edward dropped off Bella at her house, he sped to his family's jeweler. With Valentine's Day, Edward wanted to get something special for his girlfriend and only Julio would have that special something. After hemming and hawing for over an hour, Julio suggested something called a journey pendant. It was perfect, but Edward was having a hard time deciding between the all diamond version or one that had sapphires along with the diamonds. Sapphires were Bella's birthstone.

"Go with the diamond one and I'm not saying that because it's more expensive," Julio chuckled. "This is your first holiday with this woman, yes?"

"First everything," Edward said, picking up the diamond pendant. "I don't want to freak her out. That's why I'm leaning toward the sapphire one."

"If you want to get her sapphires, don't get her this. These stones are not quality," Julio said. "See how dark they are? Very occluded. Almost black. Not pretty at all."

"Okay, let's go with the diamond pendant," Edward said, handing Julio his credit card. Julio gleefully wrapped it up, including a gaudy stuffed bear. That was definitely going to Lucy. Thinking about his children, he finished the transaction and walked out to his car. Edward dialed his parents, wanting to talk to his little cherubs.

When the phone picked up, their voices sang through the speaker of his car, "Daddy!"

"Hello, my little loves," he smiled. "Are you enjoying Disney World?"

"It's so much fun, Dad," Liam said. "I love Epcot. They have this cool imagination place with all of these inventions."

"I liked the different countries," Lucy piped up. "Can we go to Italy, Daddy?"

"Someday, Lucy," Edward chuckled. "I promise to take you to Italy."

"Can we go to the moon?" Liam pleaded.

"I don't know, Liam. That's a tall order. Italy is a little more doable since it's on the same planet," Edward said. "I don't have access to a rocket ship. Are you two behaving for Nana and Papa?"

"Yes," they sang. "Did you have fun at the reunion?"

"I did. I ran into a couple of my friends," Edward said. "There was also one friend that I hadn't seen since high school and it was nice to talk to her."

"Did you dance, Daddy?" Lucy asked. "Treat her like a princess?"

"We didn't dance, but I did treat her like a princess," Edward beamed. "Can I talk to Nana?"

"Okay, Daddy," Lucy said.

There was a little scuffle and then Esme's voice over the line. "Did you see her?" she asked, her voice cold.

"No, Mom. She didn't come, which I'm eternally grateful," Edward deadpanned. "I did run into Bella."

"You did? And?" she squealed.

"And that's all I'm going to tell you because anything more would weird, Ma," Edward laughed. "I'm bringing her over for dinner because it's virtually impossible to get a reservation now on Valentine's Day."

"That's probably best," Esme agreed. "Make chicken piccata. It's easy enough that even you can't screw it up."

"Hey now," Edward grumbled.

"Love you," Esme sang. There was another scuffle and both of his children sent their love. Edward responded in kind, missing them but eager to spend another evening with Bella. Driving back to his house, he did some of his chores that had been neglected thanks to his hectic schedule. Thankfully, his parents had a cleaning service and that included Edward's pool house. The laundry, however, was not done and he had to strip the beds.

After cleaning the house, doing the laundry and getting the necessary ingredients for their meal, Edward showered and changed into a pair of khakis and a burgundy shirt. He ran some gel through his disheveled locks and tossed on his glasses. Sleeping in his contacts had caused major irritation to his eyes. Checking the time, he hopped into the car and drove to a nearby flower shop. He worked with the elderly shop keeper, picking a romantic and dramatic variation of traditional and exotic flowers. It turned out beautifully.

It was unique, gorgeous and exquisite.

Just like Bella.

Parking in the chief's driveway, Edward got out and balanced the bouquet in his hands. He knocked on the door since the doorbell no longer worked and the chief was never going to fix it.