Chapter 1

Seattle

Edward Cullen, CEO of WaSel Inc. One of the biggest companies on the west coast, sat behind his desk with a look of worry on his face. He had decided to sell the building his father had started this company in. It was just a 2 story building in a little town called Forks. He was worried what his father would say about it.

Carlisle Cullen had decided to retire from the business. Well retire may not be right to say. He still advised his two sons on what he thought was the right way to go. But none could question where the company was at. Also none could question who had put it there.

Edward had taken over four years ago when his father decided to step down. Since then the company had tripled in size and worth. Edward was now the richest man in the country, and had made sure his father and brother Emmet were well off as well.

But with all of this wealth came the worry that he was letting his father down by selling the first building the company had bought. he decided he couldn't sell it with out first talking to his father.

"Theresa!" Edward raised his voice.

"Yes Edward?" She said as she walked into his office.

"I will be going out of town for a week. Reschedule all of my appointments and call Tracey and let her know for me please." Edward explains to her.

"You know she is going to be mad right?"

"Yeah I know, send her those theater tickets and tell her to take one of her friends with her. Let her know that I will be picking up the tab for the whole evening, including dinner call the restaurant and inform them to charge it to our tab." He instructs her.

"That might calm her, but I wouldn't hold your breath. For the life of me I do not see what you like about that woman." Theresa says.

"She's not that bad t. She has her bad moments, but has her good moments as well." Edward says.

"If that is what you tell your self so you can sleep at night." She snickers back at him.

"Why do you hate her so much?" Edward asks.

"You want to see why?" She insists as she picks up the phone and dials a number. She place the phone on speaker and motions for Edward to be quiet.

"Edward darling." A voice says from the other end of the phone.

"No sorry Tracey it is Theresa."

"Ok what do you want? And why are you on Edward's phone. I think I will just have to tell him you are messing around in his office. Maybe this time he will learn his lesson and fire your stupid ass!" Tracey says.

"If you say so. I was calling to inform you that Edward was called out of town on business and won't be able to make your date tonight." Theresa says.

"Of all the low down dirty things to do. He knew I was counting on going to that show! I have it in my mind to just end things with him! He is more worried about that stupid company than he is about me!" She yells into the phone.

"I am sure that is not true. But in the same breath you have to realize it is that company that keeps you in the life style you like." Edward says into the phone, not being able to hold back any longer. "As for ending things with me, well you know that sounds like a great idea. Consider things ended. You have a great life Tracey. Bye now."

Theresa reaches over and hangs up the phone. She studies Edward for a few moments with a sad look on her face. 'If only he could find a girl who didn't care about how much money he has. One that would love him for the man I know he hides away.' She thinks to her self.

"I'm sorry Edward I didn't mean for you to break things off with her. I was just hoping you would be able to talk to her and get her to treat people nicer is all." Theresa tells him as he looks up at her.

"Theresa, don't worry about it. I am glad you showed me just what she is truly like before things went any father. Besides if she is that way now, she more than likely won't change cause it is the way she was raised. The fault lies with her and her parents, not you. OK." He lets her know he isn't upset with her.

"Ok, but I am still sorry." She tells him.

"Me too. Christmas is close isn't it?" He asks.

"Yep, just 2 months way." She answers him.

"Why don't you take those tickets and use them. I am sure you and your husband could use a night out. Go to dinner and then see the play. All on me. Consider it an early Christmas Gift." He smiles at her.

"We couldn't except that Edward. It is too much." She tells him.

"Non-sense. Please Take them. They will just go to waste if you don't. Plus the reservations are already made. Please just go and enjoy a night out with your husband Tom." He pleads with her.

"Oh Edward, how will I repay you?" She asks.

"You already do. Putting up with my neurotic ex, plus all the little things you do around here. Trust me my friend you more than repay me." Edward laughs.

"If it is what you want." She smiles at him.

"It is. Now go get out of here. You have a night to prepare for. Remember order whatever you guys want and just put it on the company bill." Edward says.

"Ok." She says as she rushes out of his office leaving a smiling Edward behind.

Edward starts to pick up the phone when his brother walks in. Emmett has a big smile on his face and is having a hard time containing his emotions.

"What has you so happy little brother." Edward chuckles to himself. Emmett is taller by 2 inches and is about 60 lbs heavier than Edward, but Edward is older by a year.

"You finally dumped that bitch!" Emmett almost yells.

"How did you hear?" Edward asks.

"Connie was walking by and heard your conversation on the phone." Emmett smiles at him.

"Remind me to keep my door closed from now on." Edward laughs.

"Please you just made most of the people in this office's day. They all hated Tracey." Emmett says.

"Yeah well why didn't you say something before now?" Edward asks.

"Mamma didn't raise no dummy!" Emmett laughs.

"Yeah yeah, ok I get it. Didn't want to be the messenger who got killed."

"My thoughts exactly!" Emmett replies with a smile.

"I'm head back to forks for the next week. Been thinking about selling the building. But I want to talk it over with dad first." Edward says.

"Really, got room for one more? I am sure we can run this place from there for a week?" Emmett asks.

"I am sure I do. I figured you would want to go so I had Theresa forward all your calls to your cell like she is doing with mine. But for the most part Chris and Kevin will handle the day to day things." Edward tells him.

"Ok then I will head home pack a bag and you can pick me up so we can drive back there." Emmett says.

"Sounds good, be ready in an hour." Edward says as he walks out with his brother.

Forks

Bella Swan was just driving into her drive way. It was her last day of work at the mine. She had no clue as to what she was going to do, now that the mine had actually closed. She had hoped that the rumors were true and that it would stay open. But it had closed right on time. Now 1000 people from Forks and the surrounding area were out of jobs. The hardest hit the was the people from the reservation. Over 600 hundred of the workers were from there.

Jake had been talking about they had no idea what they were going to do now that it had closed. it was going to be hard all over the area. Mr. Cullen had said he would try to pull in another business to take it's place, but hadn't had any luck.

The bad thing in all of it was all the people who might lose their homes. She was one of them. Bella realized that she still had 10 years left to pay on her house, and a year on her car. 'Can my life get any worse?' she thinks to herself. Just then her phone rings.

"Hello?" She answers it.

"Hey sweetheart how did today go?" A voice asks.

"It was emotional to say the least dad. But there was an undercurrent of tension as well. People trying to figure out what they are going to do now." She sighs.

"I know. Look Bells I will help you as much as I can. I have a feeling that things will work out in the end. I think Carlisle with find something." Charlie tells her.

"I hope so Dad I really do. That mine was a big part of the economy around here. With it gone even Forks might dry up." She tells him.

"I am sure it will all work out, just give it time." He tells her.

"Unfortantly, time is something I don't have a lot of. Sorry dad I have to go. I need to shower and get dressed so I can go pick up the kids. Leah has to be to work at 6."
Bella tells him.

Bella walked in to her kitchen to see the flashing red light on her answering machine. She sighs and pushes the play button thinking it is a bill collector already.

"Ms Bella, this is Carlisle Cullen. I was wondering if me and my wife could stop by this evening to talk about a possible job for you. I know it is short notice, but will be able to explain better in person. You have my number, please call to lets us know. Thank you." She almost laughs as she plays it back, grabbing the phone and dialing the number.

"Cullen residents how may I help you?" A voice says.

"Carlisle Cullen Please."

"May I ask who is calling?"

"Bella Swan."

"Hold on please."

"Sure, Thank you."

"Ms. Bella, it is so nice to hear from you so soon." Carlisle says.

"Carlisle how many times do I have to tell you to just call me Bella." She laughs at him.

"What and miss you getting on to me for doing it, never Bella." They both laugh.

"I was calling about the message you left. I have to pick up the kids as soon as I get out of the shower from La Push. Why don't I stop by there on my way home. That is if you don't mind me having the kids with me." She says.

"Of course we wouldn't mind. Esme feel as if she is a grandparent to them any way. She would never forgive me if I told you no. How about we make it a dinner meeting and we eat while we talk about the job?" Carlisle asks.

"Are you sure it wouldn't be any trouble? I mean the kids can be a pain sometimes." Bella asks nervously.

"No trouble at all. What would you like for dinner?' Carlisle asks.

"What ever you guys are having will be just fine." Bella says.

"Well it is Friday night so we normally order a large supreme pizza from the pizzeria. But I think we could add a pepperoni to that order as well if that would make the kids happy." Carlisle says.

"Tremendously, Dusty has had pizza since we found out about the mine closing." Bella tells him.

"Great and you are ok with Supreme?"

"Oh you bet! I love it. I will just bring a couple jars of baby food for Alya." Bella tells him.

"No you won't we will have everything ready when you get here. what kind does she like?" Carlisle asks.

"Carlisle!" Bella Pleads.

"Ms. Bella." Carlisle snickers.

"Fine, fine! Minced turkey, carrots, and apple sauce." Bella says.

"Ok then BELLA, we will see you in an hour or so." Carlisle says emphasizing her name.

"You bet, and Carlisle, thanks." Bella says shyly.

"Any time Bella." Bye for now.