Chapter 1, Wake Me Up

"…gorgeous spring morning folks… Metro Atlanta traffic and weather coming at you on the other side of…"

Dammit! I stretched across the empty bed to Lauren's nightstand to shut off the radio alarm clock.

"Mornin'," my wife said in her trademark southern drawl. Stalking out of the master bathroom towards the bed with her long pageant stride, she was naked with the exception of the dark mascara surrounding her blue eyes.

"Hey," I replied running my hands over my face and through my hair.

"What time did ya'll finally get in?" She asked distractedly as she looked at her reflection in the large mirror hanging over our bed. I watched her pull her short, blond hair into a ponytail as her tall, lean frame loomed over me.

"After two." She didn't acknowledge my answer. Instead, she slid under the down duvet and grabbed the band of my boxers.

"I have to get to the studio early, Demetri is highlighting my hair. And it's Wednesday." She said bluntly.

"Wednesday." I repeated and silently processed its meaning. The therapist's suggestion for a passionless marriage; pick a specific day of the week and make each other orgasm.

I moved towards her for a kiss, for no other purpose than to preface the sex we were going to have. Knowing I would have to prepare her body first, I hovered over her and rested one leg between her thighs. Running my hand over my wife's enhanced breasts; I imagined the softness of Bella's natural swells. Feeling her nipples pucker under my fingertips, I took one in my mouth and lightly tugged with my teeth. Her right hand made its way to the back of my neck, but the left lay limp at her side. While my tongue continued with her nipple, I made a trail down her taut stomach and headed towards her artfully waxed sex. As my fingers worked between her folds, I stroked her the way I knew would get the quickest results. Finally feeling her wetness, I positioned my cock at her entrance. Without further warning, I plunged into her. She gasped and her hands found my shoulders.

Pushing my hips forward, I moved deeper searching for a rhythm that would benefit us both. Her manicured nails scratching down my chest left me aching for Bella's gentle hands and loving touch. As I purposely picked up speed, the only sound in the room was the occasional obligatory moan from Lauren. While I worked my way in and out, she tried to meet my thrusts, but it was awkward. All we had to do was fuck and we couldn't even get that right. In an attempt to end our 'scheduled lovemaking', I worked my hand between our bodies. I began rubbing small, tight circles around her clit and I finally heard a groan of approval. Her walls clenched around me and with three more quick thrusts, I came. Lauren immediately nudged me to move out of her. I rolled over to catch my breath and she headed back to the bathroom.

-~-~-~-LitE-~-~-~-

I grabbed my phone from the kitchen counter where I'd left it charging overnight. I scrolled hopefully through my calls looking for the one name that made everything else insignificant. Twelve missed calls…six from Rosalie, two from Mike, a few unfamiliar numbers and the one I was hoping for. It vibrated in my hand momentarily throwing off my plan.

"Hey Rose." I answered.

"I've been trying to call since last night."

"Sorry, I left my phone at home. I worked late at…"

"Edward," she interrupted. "Angela's gone. They let her go yesterday."

"Oh God. Rose, no. How's Eric?" I asked pulling at my hair, to support my trembling hand.

"Strong. Peaceful. He's Eric. The memorial service is this Saturday in town. But, Bella wants us all to stay at Hale House."

"Really? Do you think that's a good idea?"

"It's what she wants, so that's what we're going to do. Emmett and I are flying out of Miami this afternoon."

I exhaled deeply.

"I'll leave tomorrow morning. I just can't…I mean it's twice this year."

"I know. Call Bella, she needs you."

Hi. You've reached Isabella Swan-Uley. I'm unavailable right now. Please leave your name, number and a brief message. If this call is regarding a pediatric speech appointment please call my office number at 360-555-7241. Have a great day.

"It's me. Just talked to Rosalie. I'm booking a flight now. I'll try you again later."

I walked into my downstairs office located off the kitchen and powered on my computer. I pushed aside the stacks of rolled blueprints and my satchel lying haphazardly on my work table. I vaguely recalled tossing them there before making my way wearily to bed early this morning. The menacing sound of a vacuum suddenly vibrated throughout the house as soon as I sat down. I didn't realize Bree was at the house cleaning.

I searched the earliest flights out of Hartsfield for the next day and returning on Sunday. Jasper and I had our presentation scheduled early Monday morning with Randall Land Development. I figured by now he and Alice knew the news about Angela and I briefly considered sending them an e-mail to see if they wanted to travel together, but then thought better of it. If I had my own rental car I could go straight to see Bella in Port Angeles as soon as I arrived.

"Edward." My father-in-law's voice bellowed into the room startling me.

"Peter! I didn't hear you come in."

He moved further into the room and I noticed the vacuuming had ceased.

"That pretty young lady out there let me in." He emphasized his obnoxious statement with a wink.

"So what brings you by today?" I asked, urging the end of the surprise visit before it even began.

"Well, I was hoping to take my baby girl to lunch."

"She's left for the studio already…something about Demetri and hair."

"Oh," he chuckled and sat down on the edge of my antique pine work table.

"Well that's alright then. She always deserves to be pampered. What are ya'll doing home on a Wednesday mornin'?" He asked in the familiar Mallory family drawl.

"Well, I actually worked through the night. I was just making some flight arrangements for this weekend."

"Oh yeah? You and Laurie goin' somewhere special?"

"Unfortunately, I'm headed to a funeral back home. My friend Angela was taken off life support yesterday."

He shook his head and looked down in a supposedly sympathetic way, then picked some lint off his khaki golf pants. He crossed his arms across his chest and looked me in the eye, "Was she part of that bunch you fooled around with in college?"

Smirking at his pathetic patronizing, I continued, "Yes, she went to UW with me and high school."

Peter scooted himself off the table and walked over to my wall of diplomas and framed certificates. "So, you got the big presentation on Monday?"

"Yes. Nine A.M."

"Yeah, I ran into old Aro Randall on the links yesterday. That crazy son of a bitch was shootin' three over par." He cackled and rubbed his hands over his stomach. "He was in a damn fine mood. I bought him a scotch at the club and thought I'd mention you boys." I sat and watched Peter's performance in seething silence. "Don't think ya'll need to worry about gettin' that contract."

"Oh, I don't know, Peter. I've seen the bidder's list. The big guns are out for it. Jasper and I are still the new kids in the neighborhood."

"Well, I made goddamn sure that Aro had Cullen~Whitlock Design and Engineering at the top of that list. Figured I'd cash in on a favor from way back."

"What the hell are you talking about?" I strained to maintain my temper.

Peter moved within an inch of my face. "You listen to me, that's how we operate down here. Now, I don't doubt you're real good at what you do. I see those honors and awards hangin' over there. But, I know the drill with you goddamn pretty boys. So, I'm gonna make sure you keep your shit together. You understand me, son?"

His breath smelled of cigars, whiskey, and crooked conceit. My fists and jaw involuntarily tightened. I forced myself to step back, steeled my stance and offered him a stiff nod to end his bullshit attempt at intimidation. His flat, sunburned face broke into a fake smile as he wrapped one strong hand around my shoulder and slapped my cheek firmly with his other. "Good, I knew you were a smart one. You married my Laurie, after all."

The smug bastard then threw up his right hand in a mock wave as walked out the door, taking with him my professional dignity.

-~-~-~-LitE-~-~-~-

Sucking down a glass of cold grapefruit juice in the kitchen, I tried to regain my composure. I was completely overwhelmed with a toxic fusion of sadness and rage. Fuck! I slammed the small glass against the granite counter. The shattering echoed; and as my body sank to the floor, my mind sank into darkness…

"You look beautiful," I whispered moving flush against her, while she stood at the window. Her silent response was the knowing smile that comforted my dreams when I was far away. As she took the wine glass from my hand for her own sip, I moved her long hair behind her shoulder. She gazed back out the window over the lawn as I ran my fingers down the side of her flawless face and neck. I worked my way to her breastbone and into the top of her sundress, over the swell of her breasts lightly brushing my fingertips over the sensitive skin and felt the tightening of her nipples as my fingers teased; lost in our quiet, stolen moment.

"What the… Something's wrong…" She said urgently, breaking my reverie.

"Call 911...Call 911!" Emmett's demand was muffled by distance and structure but, his panic penetrated us.

"Sam!" Bella screamed and dropped the wine glass on the ceramic tile floor.

The shattering into tiny shards and jagged edges was a painful metaphor for what followed.

Running behind her out the door to the water's edge, I knew from the look on Emmett's face we were rushing for no reason.

"What happened… oh God…Sam!" She was crying hysterically while holding her husband's face in her trembling hands. "No, no, no… Sam listen to me… you're okay… fucking call someone! Please!"

I stepped back to give the emergency dispatch directions to Hale House on my cell phone. When the operator asked me if Sam was breathing, I watched my lover hovering helplessly over her young husband's lifeless body still strapped into his wheelchair.

"I'm sorry… Sam, oh God, I'm so sorry." She whispered to him, stroking his hair.

"Mr. Cullen, are you okay?"

I rubbed my damp eyes and focused on the young woman kneeling in front of me.

"Bree. Yeah… I'm fine." I looked at the broken glass on the floor behind her. She turned and began placing the pieces into the trashcan.

Feeling slightly nauseated, I gripped the edge of the counter as I stood up. Mustering just enough strength to redeem my odd behavior, I asked her how her classes were going.

"Really good. I'll be transferring to UGA this summer. I'm pretty excited."

"Are you still majoring in math?"

"Yeah, either math or graphic design."

"If you're interested in an internship when the time comes, be sure and give me a call."

"Oh wow, thanks. I'm gonna miss ya'll. Working for Lauren Mallory…Mrs. Cullen's pretty cool. She's like a total celebrity around here. I mean ever since she was Miss Georgia Belle and everything."

I responded with a forced smile, a little more small talk and headed upstairs to regroup. I wasn't in the right frame of mind to debate the true value of my wife's local celebrity with a twenty year old sporting stars in her eyes.

-~-~-~-LitE-~-~-~-

My flight was booked and my bag was packed for the long weekend away. My emotions warred with each other as I was headed to bury a second friend in less than a year and to see Bella. A desirable heat surged through me as I thought of holding her delicate body underneath mine. I hadn't made love to her since Christmas and I could still picture her lying naked, illuminated only by the lights on the tree as I cherished her.

I placed the small, black velvet pouch into the side pocket of my carry on and imagined her wide, gorgeous eyes when she saw the contents.

As the evening wore on I decided to face the inevitable. Avoidance was usually my prescription for survival with Lauren, though I knew it was a coward's remedy.

"Darlin'. I've only got a few minutes." Lauren said in a hurried, hushed tone.

"Okay, well Angela passed away yesterday."

"Aww. That's so sad. She was married to Mike, right?"

"No, Eric."

"That's right. They gave us that hand painted vase for the wedding. I remember now. Didn't they just have a baby? We sent something, didn't we?"

"Yes, Leah's six months old. The memorial is on Saturday. I'm leaving in the morning and I'll be back on Sunday."

"Edward, it's Easter Sunday. We were going to the early church service and having brunch with Daddy at the club. And we're supposed to go to the charity egg hunt. I need to make an appearance."

"Maybe Riley can go with you."

"Oh, good idea. Will you be staying with your parents?"

"No, at Hale House with Rose and Emmett and…"

"Did you watch me at six?" She interrupted.

"No, Lauren! Jesus Christ! One of my best friends just died. I don't give a shit about the local crime report."

"Edward, please don't yell at me. I'm about to go on air."

"I'm sorry." I said flatly.

"It's okay. You can still watch the eleven. I want you to see my new hair. It's lighter and shorter, and I'm even wearing your favorite color tonight." She teased as if she was doing me a favor.

"Alright, I'll try to watch."

Walking back into the bedroom just as the 17Live newscast started, I grabbed the remote control and ran my finger over the power button. I settled back against the pillows and propped my arm up behind my head. Lauren Mallory, my wife of two years and her transparently handsome co-anchor Riley Biers appeared on the screen. Her hair was indeed shorter and lighter if that was possible, I smirked to no one, which was the constant for that time of night. And breaking fucking news, fine citizens of Atlanta, Edward Cullen's favorite color is apparently pink.

I clicked the power off.

Just as I glanced down at the time on my phone, it vibrated.

"Hey." I answered anxiously.

"Hi. Sorry I missed you earlier." Her sweet, calm voice resonated straight to my heart.

"How are you?"

She exhaled deeply, sounding relieved to hear my voice too.

"I'm okay. I'm still at Eric and Angela's. I was rocking Leah to sleep. She's so perfect, I just can't stay away from her. She looks exactly like her."

"I know she does. Are you staying there tonight?"

"No, I'm driving back to Port Angeles. Eric's parent's are here now."

"Be careful driving home. I should be in around five tomorrow."

"I have a late appointment; do you maybe want to come by the new office?"

"Absolutely, I can't wait to see it."

"Are you ready for your meeting on Monday?"

"Yeah, Jasper and I are both feeling pretty confident about it," I answered, suppressing the anger over my father-in-law's sudden involvement.

"I'm so proud of you. Edward…" Her voice cracked.

"It's okay, baby, I'll be there soon." I said reassuringly.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Bella."

A/N

Thank you for reading and for all of your wonderful words of encouragement to continue.

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jaimearkin and Renas40 simply thanks for being you, I couldn't do this without you. xo

Chapter two will be posted next week... as the beautiful lovers reunite.

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