Chapter 8 Bonus Scene

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Chapter 8 Bonus Scene

Once Seth had taken his leave to allow Edward a few moments of privacy to talk with Isabella, he found himself in the company of Gideon once again. Seth's mind was a flurry of activity, furiously allowing scenario after scenario to play in his mind as he tried to decipher what the best course of action would be for Edward to undertake in order to protect CP. It was so important he do so.

Imperative in all matter-of-fact.

"Young Edward seemed in much better spirits this morning," Gideon remarked with a loud chuckle.

Seth let his ice blue eyes twinkle and he laughed heartily at the remark. "Well, yes, I would suppose that rediscovering your passion for your wife would do that to a man, especially for one as beautiful and special as Isabella Marie," the angel said and then let out his usual sigh whenever Isabella's name came up in conversation.

It had been that way for many, many years now. Ever since his kind had taken an interest in Edward Cullen and his family, they had been waiting for the one it would take to break down the barriers Edward had erected around himself. Whomever it would be would have to have an infinite amount of love and patience and that person would have to be someone extraordinary. As soon as Isabella was discovered, they all knew that there was no one better suited for Edward than her.

She was as strong and loyal as they came, and she had barely touched on the surface of what would be asked of her in the coming days and weeks. She had no idea of the things she was about to have to face and though Seth was as confident as any of them in her and her love for Edward, he felt great pain at the amount of hurt she was going to have to endure. When his favorite human hurt, he hurt; it was just the way it was for his kind. Their love knew no bounds, but because it was so all-encompassing, so powerful, angels felt every nuance, every fleeting thought their assignments felt.

Seth had been all over the map, so to speak, since he'd made his presence known to Edward. There were emotions aplenty floating around, and that wasn't an understatement in the least. Between Edward and Isabella, for any lesser being, it would have been too much to handle. For Seth, while it was no walk in the park to be sure, it was going to be worth it in the end.

Gideon chose not to comment any further on the lovely Isabella for there was another person he was curious about today. "Jasper will see young Edward for the first time since he's become the new and improved Edward. Any thoughts on how you perceive their meeting might go?" Gideon asked.

Seth floated around for a moment to allow himself to truly think about the question. Jasper Whitlock was a complex man, not Edward Cullen complex thank goodness, but deep and esoteric. He had a way of looking through layers upon layers of people, situations, legal briefs, whatever the case was, and getting to the heart of the matter. He was able to look past first impressions and truly understand things that were hidden, either purposely or unconsciously.

All traits that came in very handy when one was best friends with someone like Edward, that was for sure.

As Jasper and Edward's friendship developed, it was hoped amongst Seth and his kind that Jasper would be able to break through some of Edward's very sturdy and well-fortified walls. It wasn't for lack of trying on Jasper's part that Edward proved to be so difficult. But, Jasper didn't give up and didn't let Edward's surliness and reticence turn him away. He stayed, day after day, month after month, year after year, just waiting for the time Edward realized there were so many people that loved and cared about him. That was the reason he'd agreed to step in for Edward and be Emma's godfather. Not that he didn't love the little girl, and of course he cared a great deal about Rose and Emmett, but with Edward was where his loyalty and faith lay.

He knew better than anyone, even Isabella, how much influence William Cullen had had over Edward. He listened to him reinforce his belief that Cullen Publishing was the be all, end all of everything, no matter the cost. It was William Cullen that instilled in Edward that it was up to him to work himself to the detriment of all else, Isabella included. It was William Cullen that did all he could to ensure that the rift between Carlisle and Edward grew into the wide chasm it had become over the years.

Jasper adored and respected Isabella, like everyone else that knew her. He also knew there was no one that could ever be better suited for his mercurial friend than her. Jasper had been friends with Edward during both the demise of his relationship with Sophie, as well as the debacle otherwise known as Anna. Neither woman was able to love and stand beside Edward the way he'd needed, though Sophie had tried. She just wasn't meant for Edward; he had always been meant for Isabella.

Seth looked at Gideon once he'd given the question the consideration it deserved. "I think Jasper has been waiting as long, if not longer, for the new and improved Edward Cullen. He's been a true friend, though Edward has, like everything else, not taken the time to appreciate all Jasper has done for him through the years. He knows as well as anyone the influences Edward has had over the years, most of which have been detrimental."

"Do you think Jasper will be able to help Edward with CP?" Gideon asked, for he knew as well as Seth how important it was to Edward's remaining days to get the situation at the office well in hand.

Seth smiled knowingly, his ice blue eyes twinkling with a mischievousness that emphasized just how much he was going to enjoy watching the events unfold up close and personally. "Oh, you can bet he will. I have a feeling our boy is going to be in for some rather eye-opening experiences in the coming days. Poor guy, if I wasn't going to enjoy this so much, I might feel sorry for him," Seth said and then disappeared to return to Edward.

Gideon couldn't help but laugh loudly at the shenanigans of his most beloved prodigy as he watched Seth and Edward bicker back and forth. It might be an unconventional way to handle an assignment, but Gideon had no doubt Seth knew exactly what he was doing when it came to Edward.

He had to, anything less than success would be a disaster, for more than just Edward.

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