A/N I own a Dingo/English bulldog named Rover, a pair of night vision goggles, a blender and some funky neon umbrellas, but I do not own Twilight. Here is chapter Numero Uno, thank you for sticking it out. Let me know what you think. Once again a HUGE thank you to my lovely beta Changed_by_Edward, you are DA BOMB!! A shout out to Ekkimuh, thank you for giving my story a try. Enjoy!!

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard

August 20

Within the past month, there have been three major developments in my rapidly evolving life:

1.) Domination Station and Nitetime Boutique are both open and doing great. Rose is currently in Paris looking at a new line to add to the boutique's collection. Alice would have gone as well, but she is currently smitten with her newest obsession, Jasper. That is another topic all together.

2.) We are now able to offer self-defense classes every Tuesday and Thursday. Emmett Cullen, owner of Rock Solid Gym and Fitness, offered to lead the classes in exchange for a seat in my SS&C course. So far, all of my applicants have been enrolling in pairs, so Mr. Cullen is looking to be the odd man out. He is easy on the eyes, but I am not yet sure if he is up to the task of being my partner. We shall have to wait and see on that one.

3.) Emmett's parents are none other than Pastor Carlisle and his wife Esme. Not only does their church run the local women's shelter, but Esme is the Emergency Dept Director at the hospital. She asked me if I would like to counsel abuse victims as they came into the ER so I gave her my cell number and told her…

Lady GaGa's "Love Games" pulled my attention away from my journal as my cell phone began blinking on the nightstand. The caller ID said Esme so I quickly flipped the phone open. "Hello, Esme, how may I help you?"

"Bella, I know that it's early, but are you available to come to the hospital? We just got a 'fall' victim with three broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder." The pain in her voice was apparent.

"Sure thing, Esme, give me about thirty minutes and I'll be there. Try not to let her leave… please?" I knew how hard it was to sit in one of those hospital beds while everyone looked you over. It was always so much easier to just stand up and walk away than to see the judgment in their eyes.

"She was given some Valium and Dilaudid so the doctor could get her shoulder back in place. Tomorrow is the soonest she will be going anywhere."

I was relieved to hear that she would be bed-ridden for at least one night. Just thinking about what had happened to put her there reopened the hole in my chest that was always so close to the surface. "Thank you for calling me, Esme. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"No, thank you, Bella. Please call me when you get here," she said and hung up the phone. Esme had a lot of responsibility at the hospital and many people looked up to her. She also had a lot of people that didn't approve of her stance on domestic violence. Many people never realize how widespread the problem really is and don't understand how many different forms it takes. It was high time people got educated and offered to help. These women needed to know that they had someone they could trust, someone who knew how to get away, someone they could depend on to help them, someone who had been there. I threw on a simple t-shirt and blue jeans, tied my hair in a messy ponytail, grabbed my keys and headed out the door. Right before I kick-started my bike, I sent a text to Alice telling her that I was going to the hospital and that I would call her for lunch.

Esme met me at the entrance to the ER. "Her name is Leah and she has agreed to speak with you, but she is still insisting that she fell. I haven't seen her boyfriend in here yet. Her mother dropped her off and will be back to pick her up in the morning. Bella," she said, her voice full of emotion, "thank you for helping." I turned to look at her and could see tears forming in her eyes. We had stopped in front of a closed door and Esme pulled me into a warm embrace before walking away.

I tapped lightly on the door and entered after I heard a soft, "Come in," from the other side.

"Hello, Leah, my name is Isa…"

"Bella, your name is Bella Swan," she said, cutting me off. The shock must have been apparent on my face because she smirked and said, "I live on the reservation, Bella. Not much happens around here without everyone knowing about it. What're you doing back in Washington?"

"I have some business ventures that I'm working on in Seattle. I've also decided that it's time I face my past and try to use my experience to help others. That's why I'm here, Leah. I want you to know that there's someone else who's been there, someone who wants to help."

"Exactly how do you know that I want to be helped? What makes you think that there's anything wrong? I'm just very klutzy. It's something that I'm working on." By the end, she was almost whispering. The strong, confident woman I had faced when I came through the door was now staring at her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

"Leah, I don't expect you to tell me anything about your relationship. I know how real the fear and pain are, I just want you to know that I'm here any time day or night. I won't ask questions and I won't press you for answers, but I'll be ready to listen when you're ready to talk. I'm going to leave you with one of my cards and I'll leave one with your mother, too. If there's ever a time that you need me, call that number." I placed my card on her bedside table next to her food tray, which looked untouched. "Would you like for me to sneak you in some real food?" A slight gleam flickered in her eyes when I asked.

"Why would you want to do that for me? Don't you find me pathetic?" The self-loathing that I heard in her voice reopened old wounds.

"Don't let anyone make you think that you're pathetic. People make mistakes. The key is to move past those mistakes and to learn from them." She looked down at her hospital robe and bandages before looking up with tears in her eyes.

"People have to do something wrong to make a mistake, Bella. I simply fell in love. You can't help who you fall in love with; you just have to take the good with the bad. You may not believe me but, we're happy, he loves me." She paused for a long time, as if she were fighting an inner battle. Then, she looked me in the eye before speaking again. "Thank you for coming to see me, but I want to be alone. I've had a lot of medicine and I'm getting sleepy." I nodded my head and turned to reach for the door. "Bella," I turned back to look at her as she continued, "don't expect to get a call from me. I love him."

I turned the knob and walked out into the hallway where I stood silently collecting my thoughts and calming my nerves for a moment. I was fighting the urge to go back into the room and force her to see the error of her ways. I wanted to yell and scream and make her understand that he didn't love her, that he didn't care. If he did, he would never raise his hand to her, let alone put her in the hospital. But, I knew that none of it would work. No amount of yelling or pleading would make her see. If I had any chance of helping her, I would have to be patient and calm. I would have to show her that I was someone she could trust, someone that would never look down on her. I had to be strong, for her as well as myself.

It was nearly lunchtime so I decided to have some Chinese delivered for Leah and went to find Esme. I found her in her office hiding behind a stack of folders. "Esme, would you like to go grab some lunch?" I hoped my question didn't sound too desperate; I just didn't want to eat alone.

"Yes, Bella, I'm starving. I also wanted to talk to you about one of our upcoming charity events. We need some volunteers for our date auction," she said, leaving me no room to argue. It wasn't a question it was a statement.

"Let me call Alice and have her meet us at the restaurant. She would be the perfect party planner and an extra volunteer for a charity auction."

..............

We met Alice at Bella Italia, a small Italian restaurant that Esme had been raving about for weeks. We opted to enjoy the unexpected sun and eat at one of their outside tables.

"They used to offer some of the best mushroom ravioli, but they stopped serving it about a year ago. Their chocolate martinis are fantastic though." I was surprised to know that Esme drank.

After deciding that one martini was not going to interfere with the rest our plans for the day, we ordered our meals. Esme began pulling a large binder out of her bag that had the word AUCTION written along the spine.

"This, ladies, is my newest project and fundraiser. Carlisle and I have been looking for new ways to raise money for the shelter for a couple of years now. A good friend of mine propositioned this date auction idea a few months ago. She put one together and they were able to raise $55,000 in one weekend. I do believe that with your help, we might be able to beat that number." There was an excited gleam in her eyes as she spoke.

"Esme, I know that we just met but I would love it if you would let me handle the planning of this event. It's a hobby of mine and I can't think of a better cause to support," Alice said with her best puppy dog eyes.

"Alice, I would love to have you handle all of the details!" Alice let out a squeal and we all burst out laughing.

"We've both volunteered to be auctioned off, but how would you feel about holding the auction at the club? There's plenty of room and I may have some other donations as well." I knew that the club would be perfect. It was in a great location with ample parking.

"Thank you, both of you. I was slightly overwhelmed by all of this, but I think that between the three of us it just might work."

"How many suckers… er… volunteers do you have so far?" I smirked.

"Well, let me look at my list. Obviously, I have the two of you," she began, writing our names on the list.

"Make that three, Rose still owes me," Alice added with an evil grin.

"Okay, I was able to get three other nurses, Carlisle recruited four men from church, my two sons and that brings our total so far to twelve. Not too bad, I was hoping to have at least fifteen." I was trying to think of more volunteers, but I found that my mind was distracted by the mention of her two sons. In the time that I had known Emmett, he had never mentioned that he had a brother.

"I'll talk to Jasper and see if I can convince him to help."

"Alice, when have you ever taken no for an answer?"

"Point taken, Bella. That makes thirteen, right Esme?"

Esme grinned and agreed with our number. Finally, our food arrived and the conversation slowed, but continued to revolve around the charity event. I was beginning to feel the excitement that Esme was displaying, but I couldn't shake my curiosity. I wanted to know more about Emmett. I wanted to know if I could trust him. So far, we'd only been on two dates, but I felt a connection between us. He was not judgmental about my lifestyle or my past; in fact, he actually seemed intrigued.

"So, Esme, sorry if this is a bit forward of me but, do you think that I could ask you a few questions about your sons?"

"Sure, Bella, would you like me to give you the basics first?" The knowing smile across her face helped to ease my nerves.

"Please, if you don't mind, that is."

"I have two sons, Emmett and Edward. Emmett is as outgoing and boisterous as Edward is quiet and studious. Two complete opposites, both with hearts of pure gold. Edward is a surgeon and is currently doing missionary work in Trinidad. As you know, Emmett owns his own gym, and has travelled to all of the continents. One of his goals in life is to visit every named country. Now Bella, what questions would you like for me to answer?"

"Um, I was just curious why Emmett has never mentioned Edward? Are they close?"

"Yes, they're close, but also very competitive. Emmett and Edward are only half brothers…" just then, Esme's cell phone started going off. "Excuse me, ladies, I need to answer this." She stepped away from the table for some privacy. Alice and I gave each other the same confused look.

"How could they only be half brothers? Are pastors allowed to divorce?" Alice whispered across the table. Before I could answer, Esme returned to the table.

"I'm sorry to cut lunch short, but I'm needed at the hospital. Bella, I was supposed to pick Edward up from the airport this afternoon but I'm not sure how long I'm going to be. If I'm unable to make it, would you mind picking him up?"

"No, Esme, not a problem. Just text me the gate information."

"Thank you, ladies, for everything. I'll be in touch," she said while gathering her things. She hurried out leaving Alice and me to process the new information.

"Bella, don't you have a date with Emmett tonight?" Crap, I was so scatter-brained sometimes. I was going to have to call and reschedule. Just as I grabbed my phone out of my purse, I got a text from Esme. It was the gate information and a picture of Edward. He had piercing green eyes and the most gorgeous bronze hair that I had ever seen.

"Would you like a napkin?" I looked questioningly at Alice. "You have drool on your chin. What are you gawking at?" Before I had the chance to close the phone, Alice had snatched it out of my hand and was using the napkin that she had just offered me to wipe her own chin. "Wow… between this man and Emmett, I think I'm going to have to start going to church more often."

"Don't let Jasper hear you say that. Plus, I think he might be a little too good for my taste. I like a little bad boy in my men," I said as I waggled my eyebrows suggestively.

"You're dating Emmett, honey, therefore Edward is off limits. You just don't come between brothers, it's unethical." The thought had never once crossed my mind. Edward had a pretty face, but I didn't think that we'd be compatible in the least. I'd still have to play my cards carefully to make sure that no one thought I was crossing the line.

"I'll see you tonight. I have a long drive ahead of me."

"Sure thing, Bells. Drive safe and behave. No scaring the naïve choir boy," she said playfully.

"Well I'm already dating one pastor's son, why not corrupt the other?" Alice simply shook her head as I started my bike. I was going to have to go home and pick up my car before heading to Sea-Tac. I didn't think that Edward would take to riding on the back of my Ninja with his luggage.

EPOV

As soon as the plane landed and the captain gave the okay for electronics, I switched on my phone and browsed through my messages. The most recent was from Esme and I couldn't help but smile to know that I was going to be seeing her in a few minutes. Although Esme did not bear me, I thought of her as my mother in every other sense of the word. As I read her message, I was saddened to hear that she wasn't going to be meeting me at the airport. She instructed me that a girl named Bella would be meeting me at the gate. I hoped that she knew what I looked like, as I had no idea who she was. I noticed the woman across the aisle struggling with the overhead compartment so I assisted her in retrieving her luggage.

"Thank you, young man, it's nice to see that not all manners are lost on our youth."

"You're welcome, ma'am." I retrieved my bag from the same compartment and exited the plane. After I acquired my luggage, I made my way to the appointed gate and began looking for Bella.

"Edward… Edward Cullen?" I turned toward the voice speaking my name and was met by the most exquisite woman that I had ever laid eyes on. I could no longer form any coherent sentences so I simply nodded my head.

"I'm Isabella Swan, but please call me Bella," she said stretching out her petite hand obviously intending for me to shake it in greeting. Her beauty however, called for a more traditional greeting so I raised her hand to my mouth, grazing her knuckles with my lips.

"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Swan. Esme has spoken nothing but high praises of your work." She pulled her hand back to her side and a light blush crept up her neck. The contrast in her skin was intoxicating.

"Bella, Edward, please just call me Bella. Let's get your luggage in my car as I'm sure that you're exhausted from your flight." She reached for the closest suitcase and we began walking through the airport. I wanted to ask her everything about herself, but I still couldn't find the words. I'll admit that I'm not a Casanova, but I had never had this much trouble talking to a woman. I finally conceded to walking in companionable silence to her waiting vehicle.

"This is me," she said as we walked up to a candy-apple red 2010 Chevy Camaro.

"That's your car?"

"Edward, I would like for you to meet Eleanor, Bumble Bee's distant cousin. Now if you could please roll your tongue back into your mouth before you get drool on my girl, you can throw your luggage in the trunk." She hit the release and the trunk sprung open. She reached in and began reorganizing the contents of her truck to make room for my baggage. Just as I was reaching for my first bag, I saw her grab a set of handcuffs, what appeared to be a whip, and some sort of leather garment and stuff them into a duffel bag in the corner.

"What… were those… why… why do you have that… stuff… in your trunk?" I could feel the heat on my face as I began glowing a dark shade of crimson.

She turned to me and winked, "They're for the ride home, big boy." I dropped my bag and began hyperventilating.

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