Chapter 1: Making Plans

Summary: Bella is finally gaining her independence after seven years of living with her green-eyed roommate. Eager to work and newly engaged, Bella discovers she has a marriage she never even knew about. What happens then? Edward does everything in his power to keep her with him. AH/ Canon

A/N: I lied! Haha. I'm sorry. I just had to. Yeah,I know I said one month, but here's the thing(s). Studying for state competition for 4-H U, maid of honor for my sister, future Nienie (aunt) of a wonderful little unborn boy named Owen, finally getting inspiration for my original story (not ready to share that with y'all anytime soon: sorry), babysitting, and the possibility of getting a second job working as a tour guide at a plantation. Not to mention that my junior year schedule has just gone to crap. On a happier and more informative note…


And in the winter night sky ships are sailing,
Looking down on these bright blue city lights.
And they won't wait, and they won't wait, and they won't wait.
We're here to stay, we're here to stay, we're here to stay.

King and Lionheart by: Of Monsters and Men


"I can't thank you enough, Edward. Really. You didn't have to do this." Bella thanked Edward for the umpteenth time that day.

Edward rolled his eyes at her. "It's only while you're in college. Besides, it gets boring all alone up here in the city."

Bella smiled at him and gave him another hug. "Still. You have no idea how much this means to me."

~~Seven Years Later~~

Bella woke up that morning with an extra spring in her step. Everything seemed to be going perfectly well for her. Everything except for her career status, but that was changing today. She just had that feeling.

When Bella first graduated college, she thought that she surely had a job in the art world available with her double major of Art History and General Business. She was beyond wrong. Everyone said the same thing when they turned her down. "You seem like an eager young women, but we are looking for someone with more experience." Those comments always made Bella roll her eyes. How in the hell am I going to freaking experience if you don't give me a job?

She digressed.

Bella got out of her bed and walked into her bathroom and sighed. The nice bathroom and bedroom she lived in only made her happier about her job opportunity. She had been living with her older brother's best friend since she first started college.

Edward Cullen had truly been a godsend. She had met him her freshman year of high school, and she was closest to him out of all of the friends her older brother, Emmett, had. When he learned that she was attending college near to his house, he let Bella move in with him at a rock bottom rent price. He didn't want her to pay rent at all, but she insisted.

She was happy that she was finally able to help with more of the bills and groceries around the house. The thought of finally being able to leave behind waiting tables, bartending, and dog-sitting for people she hated was freeing and sent Bella into fits of giggles.

Bella got dressed in a high-waisted black skirt, a nice, black silk shirt, and finished the look with the silver jewelry and royal blue heels for a pop of color.

I am graceful. I am mature. I am ready, willing, and able to take this job. Bella kept chanting her inner mantra over and over as she walked down the stairs to the kitchen.

Edward was leaning against the counter reading a file when Bella walked into the kitchen. He looked up at her and smiled. She had been going on and on about her interview for weeks. He liked seeing her so excited and hoped that the smile would stay on her beautiful face.

"How do I look?" Bella asked, twirling in her clothes for Edward.

"Great. You know, Bella, you really don't have to be doing this. I could easily just get you a job at the office."

Bella rolled her eyes and started to gather her coat and purse. "Not likely. I don't need you, Emmett, Jacob, or anyone else taking care of me, Edward."

It was Edward who rolled his eyes at that comment. Not because of what was said, but because of the name that had been in the sentence. Jacob. He was punk and no good for Bella. Edward hated… no he loathed Jacob Black with every fiber of his being. And the fact that the Black and Cullen Corporations had been fighting for years had only added onto his disdain for the boy. The thought of Bella getting her heart broken by a playboy like him had Edward just itching to punch Jacob in his smug-looking face and pull Bella into his arms.

"Yeah, okay, Bells." He said and held out a thermos of her coffee of choice: caffeinated with half of a tablespoon of vanilla creamer, a tiny bit of milk, and one packet of Splenda.

Bella smiled, looking sheepish. "What would I do without you?"

"Die, most likely." Edward chuckled.

She kissed Edward on the cheek before skipping out of the house where her worn out Firebird was sitting in the driveway. Bella had been having the same tan Pontiac since she was sixteen. That car was her most prized possession, mostly due to the fact that she had worked her tail off to save enough money for a down payment and loan payments.

The coffee was just the extra jolt she needed. In conjunction with the fact that Christmas music had finally made it to the radio, she was positively glowing by the time she got to the museum.

Bella had no idea where her newfound confidence had come from, but she thanked God for the much-needed boost. She only hoped that the confidence she felt stayed and was evident in her face throughout the entire interview.

Edward walked out of the elevator, greeting people as he walked by to his corner office. Edward wouldn't lie if someone asked him. His job had been handed to him on a ruby accented-silver platter… along with the matching utensils. Still, that did not mean his job was always sunshine and roses.

The Cullen Corporation was one of largest companies in the United States when it came to marketing and advertising. People were begging to be on the client list, which only consisted of some of the highest-ranked companies in the States.

He had inherited the job straight out of college from his grandfather when he retired. Edward's father was happy as a surgeon at one of the hospitals in Houston, and Edward's older, gypsy-like brother, Jasper, wanted nothing to do with the job. That only left Edward and his little sister, Rosalie, as candidates. And when Grandfather Cullen asked Rosalie if she was interested in being co-president with Edward, she laughed, saying she was too 'common-senseless' for a job like that. After Grandfather Cullen heard that comment, Edward basically had no choice in the matter. Being the middle child kind of sucked like that sometimes.

"What's on my schedule today, Carmen?" Edward asked his secretary before he walked into his office.

"Constant meetings until lunch. Then, you're free."

Edward made a face. "Okay. Then, hold my calls until lunch unless their emergencies. Thanks, Car." He called and walked into his office, tossing his briefcase onto the sofa against the wall. He then sat down at his desk and looked out of the window-wall at Houston.

It was another foggy morning. Another one of those days, Edward thought to himself as he took in the view below him. He smiled softly as the bright lights that peaked through the dense fog. They were just like her eyes- bright and vibrant and proving the life that can hide amongst the darkness.

Edward's first meeting arrived, and he turned from the dreary fog to his computer. One of those days, indeed...

Bella hopped, skipped, and jumped her way to the car after her interview at the museum. Apparently, she had done so well that they chose to hire her on the spot. She was the newest assistant to the main art curator at a popular art museum in the heart of Houston. It was something small, but it was a step that got her that much closer to being where she wanted to be.

Once she was in her car, she squealed and grabbed in her phone to call Jacob.

"Hey, beautiful," Jacob greeted.

Bella could hear the smile in his voice, causing her own smile to surface. "I got the job!"

"Seriously? Bell, that's great. I'll take you out tonight to celebrate." He promised.

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do. Be ready for seven." Bella could hear someone calling Jacob's name in the background and then a huff from her boyfriend. "I have to go, but I'll see you tonight, okay? I love you."

"I love you, too. Bye." Bella said and hung up after Jacob.

After that, Bella called Edward, but had to leave a message after Carmen snottily told her that he was a meeting. She rolled her eyes as she hung up the phone. She never did like Carmen. However, Bella was not letting it get to her. Nothing could ruin her day.

When Edward's last meeting finished, he called Bella to see how her interview had gone. When she informed him that she had, in fact, received the job, he offered to go out to lunch with her to celebrate. She agreed to meet him at their favorite diner a few miles away from Edward's office.

"So, were you nervous?" Edward asked as he and Bella sat down at a table that sat isolated in the corner of the diner.

"Actually, no. I can't believe that I wasn't. I don't know if it was adrenaline or if I'm just getting used to the entire interview process." Bella laughed and stirred her mocha latte.

Edward smiled that crooked smile that always made Bella's heart lurch. She hated the feeling it gave her. Jacob's smile made her happy, but it didn't give her butterflies like Edward's. She chose to ignore that feeling. She was happy with Jacob, and it was not like a man like Edward would go for a girl like Bella.

"Well, I'm glad it's all working out for you, Bella."

"Maybe now I can finally get out of your hair." Bella joked.

Edward rolled his eyes. "Bella, I really don't mind you living with me. Besides, that house is too big for just me anyway."

"Then maybe that means we should find you a woman, Mr. Cullen."

"Okay, Esme. Sure, so what, are you going to set me up with a 'nice, young woman who would do me good'?" Edward mimicked his mother's sweet, motherly voice.

Bella giggled at Edward's foolishness and took a sip of her coffee.

The waitress walked up, took their order, and walked away.

"So, are you going out tonight to celebrate?" Edward asked after a few moments of a comfortable silence.

"Yeah, um, Jacob said he's taking me out, so I won't be home for dinner." Bella could practically feel the ager radiating off of her companion. The tension was tangible. "Oh, stop being such a hot-shot exec."

"I'm just worried about you, Bella. I would hate to see you get hurt because of a guy like him."

"Please, enlighten me, Edward. What type of guy is he?" Bella asked, growing angrier by the moment.

"Not the kind you can trust."

Bella's heart broke at the honest on her best friend's face.

"Why not?" Her voice cracked as she asked the question, afraid of what Edward saw and what she didn't.

"He just doesn't seem right to me, Bell."

Bella huffed and looked out of the window, trying to calm herself down. She heard Edward's chair scrape against the floor and then smelt is cologne as he sat down next to her.

"Hey, I just want you to be happy. And if you're happy with Jacob then so be it. I'll just have to deal with sitting across from him every year at Thanksgiving." Edward joked, trying to get Bella to laugh. It worked. Albeit her laugh was half-hearted, it was still something. "Don't listen to me. I'm just a hot-shot exec."

After the two of them were finished eating, they went their separate ways. Bella climbed into her car and drove to the mall so that could buy more clothes for work. Unfortunately, she had to wear all black. They said it made the employees look sleeker. To Bella, it was just depressing.

After about two hours or so of shopping, Bella made her way back to the house to start getting ready for her date.

When she stepped into the shower, she took a deep breath and let the hot water relax her tight muscles. The smell of her coconut shampoo and vanilla body wash brought her back to reality and gave her time to think about her progressing relationship with Jacob.

The two of them had been together for nearly ten months. Bella could feel that Jacob was about to take that next step, but she didn't know exactly how she felt about that. On one hand, she loved the idea. On the other, she felt that it may have been just a smidge too early for a proposal.

Bella stepped out of the shower and wrapped her towel around her chest before blow drying her hair. She was already dressed and putting on her makeup when she saw Edward's brand new Camaro in the driveway. She looked at the clock and realized that it was much later than she initially thought. Picking out her outfit took longer than she would have liked to admit.

She had ended up wearing simple, one shoulder, red dress that went a little past mid-thigh. Once she was done with her makeup, she brushed hair, pulling it into a side bun at the nape of her neck. She put on some dangly, silver earrings and grabbed her shoes from her closet floor before walking downstairs barefoot.

When she walked downstairs, Edward was lounging on the couch, still in his black slacks and his shirt un-tucked. He was taking a swig of beer when Bella walked downstairs. Damn. Damn that dress and damn Jacob Black. Edward didn't like the fact that she would be going out with Jacob dressed like that. He hated the fact that he was jealous. Bella wasn't his possession.

"You look nice." Edward said dumbly.

Bella smiled at him. "Thanks. It's not too much?" She asked, twirling around for him for the second time that day.

Edward shook his head. "You look beautiful, Bella."

Bella sighed in relief and sank down on the sofa next to Edward.

"Ridiculousness, Edward? Really?" Bella asked and laughed.

"What? This shit is funny, Bells. Admit it."

"No, it's people being idiotic and doing dangerous things for attention." Bella huffed and crossed her arms, but she ended up laughing at the video that had come up.

Edward cast a sideways glance at her with a smirk.

The doorbell rang halfway during the second episode. Bella hopped up and ran to get it. Edward heard Jacob and Bella softly conversing before they both walked into the living room. Bella sat down back on the sofa and put on her shoes. Jacob and Edward glowered at each other as she did, but the glares turned into tight-lipped smiles when Bella stood up and grabbed her pea-coat from the table.

"Hope you have fun," Edward called to Bella.

"I'm sure I will." She called back, and he heard the door slam as well as Jacob's chuckle.

Edward was still on the sofa and was switching through channels when there was a knock on the front door. He got up and answered it, seeing Jasper, his younger brother, standing on the other side as well as Emmett. Both of them were holding a six pack. They pushed past Edward and into the house. Emmett pulled a deck of card from his pocket and sat down at the dining room table.

"So, how's it going with my baby sis, Eddie?"

Edward rolled his eyes. "There's nothing going on, Em."

"I know, and that's the problem. And because of that, she's hanging around with the likes of Black."

"Yeah, why did you let that happen?" Jasper asked him.

"She's twenty-four and perfectly capable of making her own decisions. I'm her roommate, not her babysitter."

"You're also her best friend." Emmett added in.

"Alice is her best friend and her sister. She knows Bella much better than I do, and if she doesn't mind Jacob then he can't be that bad." Edward lied smoothly.

Neither Emmett nor Jasper bought it.

"Alice is also in New York at college for the time being. She has never even met Jacob. You're closest thing she's got to a best friend, Edward." Emmett stated. "You're closer to her than Rose is. And believe me; Rosie has tried to make Bella see the light."

Edward sighed, knowing that the guys were right. He just did not want to admit that they were. The truth was that Bella was also his best friend. She was the only person who truly kept him sane. She knew who he was and who he wasn't. And in turn, he knew the same exact things about her. He did love Bella; he just did not know how he loved Bella.

"I'll see what I can do, but Emmett, you're her brother. You know just as well as I do how stubborn she can be. I tried earlier today to warn her, but do you know where she is now? Out with him." Edward grumbled.

"How is that not considered cheating?" Jasper chuckled.

"We. Are. Not. Together!" Edward insisted and chugged down his beer, praying that Bella would walk through the door to save him from the torment he was going through.

"So, how are Rosalie and the little one?" Jasper asked, turning the conversation onto Emmett.

. . .

Bella giggled as Jacob kissed her cheek, then her nose, and then her lips.

"I'm so proud of you." Jacob said and kissed her again.

Bella shook her head. "It's really not that big of a deal, Jake."

"Yes, it is, Bella. If it wasn't, we would be celebrating." He said.

They were walking along the street, just getting out of the restaurant after having a very filling meal. The couple held hands and leaned against each other as the window shopped down the busy street.

"But, I do have another reason to be celebrating." Jacob admitted.

"What's that?" Bella asked, looking up at her boyfriend.

"I got promoted."

"Really? Jake, that's great." Bella said and stopped, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Jacob chuckled and pulled her onto the emptier side of the street. When she pulled away, Jacob pulled away from her and caressed her sweet face. "I have a question for you, beautiful."

"What's that?" Bella asked, her heart beating faster than she would like it to.

Jacob tilted his head to the side with a child-like smile. Bella thought back to what Edward and said. Is that smile of his too innocent? Bella pushed those thoughts away. Jacob would never hurt her.

At the moment she pushed the thoughts out of her head, Jacob got down on one knee. "Isabella Marie Swan, will you marry me?"

"I… um, yeah." Bella stuttered with a small smile.

"I'm taking that as yes." Jacob laughed and slipped the ring on her finger. When he stood up, Bella jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a long kiss.

"I love you." She said and kissed him again.

"I can't wait to marry you."

For the rest of the walk to Jacob's car, the two of them joke about wedding plans and try to come up with a date. Unfortunately, with Jacob's schedule, they didn't know when it would be a good time. Bella ignore the fact that Jacob had to make time for their wedding. It was quickly turning into the best day of her life, and she was pretty sure that nothing could ruin that for her.

By the time the two of them reached the house, Jacob was begging Bella to spend the night.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Jake."

"Come on, Bell. I won't do anything you don't want me to do." He promised, still trying to get used to Bella's old-fashioned ways.

Bella rolled her eyes. "It's not exactly you that I'm worried about." She said and sighed, looking at the front door. "Walk me inside?"

Jacob nodded and unbuckled his seat belt. Bella got out of the car and waited for Jacob on her side of the car. He made his way around and grabbed her hand, slowly walking her down the pathway to the front door.

He leaned down and gave her a kiss before opening the front door. Jacob followed Bella into the house and to the dining room where Jasper, Emmett, and Edward were playing poker. She walked behind him and pulled the cigarette from Edward's lips.

"Not in house." Bella said as she crushed it in the ash tray. "I wish the three of you would quit this crap."

Emmett and Jasper rolled their eyes but still stubbed out their own cigarettes in the ash tray.

"So, how was your night, baby sis?" Emmett asked, looking at Jacob with scrutinizing eyes.

"It was great." Bella said and leaned into Jacob. "I actually have some news for all of you."

Edward saw her beaming face and wanted groan. He had a feeling he knew which words were about to flit from her mouth.

"We're engaged!" Bella squealed and shoved the ring in towards them.

The guys' eyes widened. The ring was huge. It looked like a lot more than three carats. In the light of the dining room, the glitter reflecting off of the ring practically blinded them.

"You're what?" The three guys all shouted at the same time.

What did I say? Bella thought innocently as she studied all four of the most important men in her life. Shock, shock, fear, pure rage. "Emmett, what's wrong?"

Before the question was out of Bella's mouth, her older brother hurdled the dining room table and lunged at Jacob.

A/N: So, tell me what you think! Leave a little review. And also check out Deafening Darlings (shout-out to PercyJacksonFan1997 for the title). But, if you haven't read Silent Sweetheart, read that first. Anyway… I now have a Polyvore which will have all of their outfits. The attire for this chapter is already up. Here is the link:

Don't forget to leave a review, my lovelies!

-Layn