So You Think You Can Dance

Packing up my belongings and moving across the country freaked the shit out of me. My new job didn’t begin until mid-April, but I wanted to make sure that Bella and I were settled in our new home in the suburbs of Los Angeles. I decided to sublet my condo to Peter. He was taking a part in Hamilton, thanks to Lauren’s help. He’d live in my condo until his contract was up in the following year.

“Edward, I don’t think we’ll need this mountain of winter weather gear,” Bella laughed in our closet. “I looked at the weather and it’s in the mid-seventies.”

“We can leave it here. Peter said he was just going to stay in one of the guest rooms. He seemed squicked out at sleeping in our porn palace,” I said, poking my head in the closet. Bella was blushing, giving me a glower. “What? You have to admit, we’ve been going at it like bunnies since Christmas.”

“That’s because you’re horny,” she quipped. “And to be honest, so am I.” She winked at me, folding more of my t-shirts and placed them into an open suitcase next to her. “When will the moving truck get here?”

“They said early tomorrow morning,” I explained. “We need to get a move on.”

“Edward, we’re only moving our clothes and some personal items,” she said.

“And my car,” I argued. “If there is one ding on that baby, I’ll be pissed.”

“I swear, you love that car more than me,” she laughed, closing the bag and standing up stiffly. She was getting stronger and was starting to take some beginning classes at my mom’s studio. Once we arrived at Los Angeles, Carmen was going to take over her training, working with some local dance studios.

“I love you more than anything in my world, pretty girl,” I said, taking her into my arms. “Do you need some ice?”

“I’m fine. I was just sitting too long,” she said, kissing my chin. “I’m going to the gym with Jake in a bit. You have an office to pack up, mister.”

“What are you doing with Jake?” I asked as she changed into a pair of yoga pants and a tight tank top. “You better not be running. Helga hasn’t given you approval to run yet.”

“I’m not running,” she said, twisting her hair into a messy bun. “Jogging, yes. Running, no. I’m also doing some strength training on my legs. Jake is gentle with me. I rather work with him than Helga. Ugh, I won’t miss her.”

“Helga did give us some recommendations to use in Los Angeles. She’s got a sister, Hildy,” I teased.

“No. Thank. You,” Bella sang, putting on her sneakers and a knee brace around her left leg. “Alistair said he was going to have work with one of the physical therapists from the show. She’s new. Her name is McKenna and specializes in working with dancers with significant injuries. I have no doubt that she’ll whip me back into shape.” Her phone rang and she picked it up. “Jake? I’m on my way down. Just reminding Edward to pack up the office.” She kissed me and tugged on her winter coat. “See you in a bit, Jake.” Tossing her phone into a pocket. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. The shredder has been emptied and the bubble wrap is in the dining room. Love you, baby.”

“Love you more, Bella,” I said, kissing her lips and watching as she breezed out of the condo. 

So You Think You Can Dance Teaser

I had been in the hospital for two weeks. I’d had surgery to remove the cage around my left leg. I was now in a foot to thigh cast. I had been a raging bitch and I was absolutely miserable from being confined to the bed, not able to fend for myself and peeing into a damn bag.

Oh, let’s not mention the fact that I’m in horrific pain.

I was also ignoring Edward. He’d been nothing but supportive, loving and patient. However, seeing him reminded me of what I was going to lose once I got out of the hospital. I would never dance again. I’d forever have a limp. I may not be able to have children. The internal damage was healing, but there would be significant scarring to my uterus due to the surgery and internal injuries I’d sustained.

I was working with a physical therapist on my other leg when Rose stomped into my room, scowling and her face red with anger. “Do you mind if I have a moment with my best friend who’s being an epic bitch? I want to talk to her before I drive back up to Seattle to make sure our apartment hasn’t burned down,” she sneered. She glared at the therapist who scurried out of the room. Turning to me, she snapped, “I’m not going to apologize. Yes, you’ve been in an accident. Your mom and arch-nemesis are sitting in a jail cell. You have every right to be pissed off, but treating the man who adores you more than his own life like complete and utter shit? That’s cold, Swan.”

“You’re right. I’m entitled to be pissed off. Now, if you don’t mind. I want to be pissed off,” I snapped. “Because of my mom’s sick pleasure in ruining my life, I’ve lost everything.”

“You haven’t lost everything. You’re still fucking breathing,” Rose growled. “You could have died, but you didn’t. You have new scars and injuries to your legs, but you’re still here. Don’t give up and shut down. You don’t see Edward. He’s just as broken as you are. But, his wounds are due to you and your harsh treatment of him. Stop being so awful to him. Quit shutting him out, bitch!”

“I’m not treating him harshly,” I argued.

“And I’m a natural red head,” Rose deadpanned. She flipped her blonde curls, glowering at me. “Bella, I know that you’re struggling. I remember when I first met you, just after your dad died and you were still trying to heal from your knee injury. You acted the same way: distant and cold. After a few months, you warmed up to me but you still … there was this anger inside of you.”

“Do you blame me? My knee was fucked up. My dad was killed on the job because he was pulling extra shifts to pay for my medical bills. My mom blamed me. And now? It all boils down to my mom and her bullshit. Because of her actions, I’m back in the same position, with injuries that are threatening my dancing career and mounting medical bills, but even worse. I don’t know how I’m going to pay for this. Edward’s going to see that I’m not worth it. Just like you. I’m just preparing for the inevitable,” I sobbed. “I’m going to be alone.”

“Fuck,” Rose mumbled, sitting down next to me and wrapping her arms around me. “You’re not going to be alone, if you change how you’re acting, Bells. The walls are back up and I miss the girl, my best girl. The girl who auditioned with me, on a whim, for this crazy competition. A competition you won!”

“A competition that I’ll never be able to take part in again because of my fucked-up legs,” I said, shrugging her off. “Oh, let’s not talk about the damage inside. Carrying a baby to term is ‘questionable’ at best.” I pointed to her barely visible baby bump. “You think that I don’t know?” I felt the tears streaming down my cheeks and I whimpered in pain.

“What’s going on?” Sarah, one of my nurses, asked.

“Nothing. I was just hoping that Bella would pull her head out of her ass,” Rose growled, stomping past her.