Disclaimer: I am most certinly not Stephine Meyer. The only character I own is Piper. I aslo am not in Bowling For Soup (no matter how much I wish I was), so I don't own they lyrics. However, that doesn't mean you can't check out their amazing songs. I don't own Power Rangers either, thought I did think I was the Pink Power Ranger when I was little (:
Away we go...
Out of the fire and into the fire again
You make me want to forget
And Start all over
-Start All Over by Miley CyrusBella's POV (6 years later):
"Alright Baby, Mommy will see you when she gets home from work alright?" I gave Piper a hug and a kiss on the check.
"Okay Mommy. See you when I get home! Have fun at work." She turned to get out of the car, but just like every other day, she turned back around and waved to Gabe, our driver.
"Bye Gabey!" She blew me and Gabe one last kiss and then ran up the steps into her school. Gabe and I both laughed, just like we do every day after dropping our precious Piper.
Piper was five now, and she just started school. Even if she was five years old, she was my best friend. Her hair color was the same as mine, but it had more of a red tint to it, just like my hair in the sunlight. Her eyes were brown too, and she inherited the pale skin. It's hard to believe that she looks so much like me. I wonder what her father looks like. I still don't know his name, but I'm leaning towards Patrick or Pablo. Piper Renee Swan was my daughter, my best friend, and my life. I decided to name her something that started with a "P" after her father, just so she could have a little something of him to hold onto. It was the least I could do since she doesn't even know who he is.
After having her at the ripe age of 19, I soon realized that I might have made a mistake, but it was a good one. When I called Renee to tell her about being pregnant, she yelled at me, but she was also proud of me for wanting to take such responsibilities into my own hands. She flew up as fast as she could from Florida, Phil joining her a few weeks later. Charlie was another story. He was furious, and wouldn't talk to me at all between the months of November and June. However, when I went into the delivery room on the 27th day of June, and he saw his granddaughter for the first time, all was forgiven.
I realized I had to get my shit together quite quickly, considering I still had another 3 years of college left and a kid. My roommate Lai and her boyfriend Nate helped out tremendously. We bought a small loft, and the four of us lived together. I got a job working at a café that had a great music scene. It was my idea to have weekly Open-Mic nights and we brought in a lot of crowds.
I made great friends serving coffee to the troubled New York souls. I had my regulars that came in just for my coffee and then there were my singers. Carri was a great guitar playing goddess onstage. I bonded with her instantly. She helped me with Piper a lot, and it was a great feeling knowing that people out there were actually willing to help you. Kia, she was a soulful sister. She wrote her own songs and sang them with some guy named Jay on the guitar. All three of them bonded, and it soon became a nice little hang out for all 4 of us to chill and let off some steam. Then Ryan showed up and he taught me how to write music.
Now, I was originally going to Colombia on full scholarship, after I worked my ass off during my zombie days. My plan was to go into literature, but while I was pregnant, I started writing down some thoughts. Instead of them turning into a world-wide best seller, they turned into lyrics, and by the time Piper turned 1, I had a whole composition book full of them. I'm not going to lie, alot of them were about Edward, but alot were about Piper too. He might have been the most important at one part of my life, but he gave that spot up the minute he left and I had no problem with Piper overtaking it. I showed them to the gang, and they said I had a real talent. So I majored in English and changed my minor into music management.
One day, I somehow convinced some hot shot to come check out our open Mic night. Clyde came in for my coffee daily, but I never figured out who he was until later. He was from the record label called Eclipse, and I was anxious for my friends to see what I had done for them. He liked every single one of them, and gave them a deal right on the spot. Kia and Jay stayed together, while Carri played guitar for Andiee Hayes, a solo artist. Ryan also got a solo career. When they found out that it was indeed I who set them up, they decided to help me. The next day I was sitting in an office across from Clyde Ryder, showing him my composition book.
He took an instant liking to my lyrics, and offered me a job with the record label. They would pay for me to go to college, give me an internship until I had enough experience and then offer me a job the minute I graduate. It was the greatest thing that could ever have happened to me, and I would have been a fool to turn an offer like that down. They would even let me bring Piper to the office, and had no problem paying for her daycare.
My job is easy. Basically, I write the lyrics to songs, and I get a lot of money for selling them to big-name artists. Most people have a problem with selling their lyrics, but it's not like I would sing them or anything. I also love the job. I go to meetings every once in a while, and I have a huge office that I never use. I travel a lot, and I take Piper with me. So far this year we've traveled to London, France, Spain, and Japan. Honestly, I just promote things and "my" music and the record company and meet famous people. It's quite fun, and Alice would love to see the money I spend on my wardrobe. Piper loves traveling with me, and I love it too. We get lots more mommy daughter time that way.
"Gabe, can you take me to the office please?" I asked as I took a sip of my coffee.
"Sure thing Miss Bella." He smiled and looked back at me, nodding his head. He was probably surprised that I asked to go to the office, considering I only go in about once a month or so.
Yesterday I got a call from my secretary, Kim, telling me that a new band named "Birth of a Theory" had an idea for a song and needed some help with fillers.
That's another thing. I don't always just write the songs, and sell them. Most of the time, bands come to me with ideas and lyrics and I help them scramble things around to make it flow. "Fillers" are what we call the bands that have everything down and just need help adding a few more words to their stanzas, to make it fit or to add more lines or an extra verse. I actually prefer helping than to writing. I've always been the person to help rather than lead.
"Important meeting at the office today Miss Bella?" Gabe asked me while driving down Broadway. He always calls me Miss Bella because Miss Swan is too formal, and Bella is too personal. It fits. Gabe knows everything about me; due to the numerous times I've jumped into the back of the car and cried. He cheers me up and doesn't mind when I blast sappy Girl Power songs when I'm going through a tough time.
Yes, I'll admit it. I crack sometimes. I may be pissed at him, but that doesn't mean I can't miss him or still love him. Edward will always own my heart; I just won't admit that to anyone. So whenever I get really sad thinking about the past, Gabe lets me turn up songs by 90's girl bands, like the Spice Girls and B*Witched. When Piper is in the car, he doesn't even mind listening to the numerous Sesame Street songs. Yes, I do happen to let my child watch Sesame Street. Big bird was my best friend when I was growing up. And Piper is way too cool for Dora the Explorer or the Wiggles. She also has this weird fascination with Power Rangers.
"Yeah, the company is marketing a new band that needs some lyric help." I smiled and so did he, because we both knew that I loved my job. Gabe loved his job too; he told me that driving for anybody else was a horrible experience. I was the first "celebrity" (even though I cringe at that terminology) that ever talked to him and bought him coffee every morning. Whenever I go out of the country, I always bring him along, free of charge. Usually he never drives me anywhere, and that's what I want. Gabe coming with me is a vacation for him and his family, because he brings them along too. His son, Logan, is a year older than Piper and they get along great. In a way, I think she's found her one and only in him, but Piper has always been a boy magnet. She is also very cynical, just like her mother. His wife, Jamie, is great too and we all get along well. The trips are my way of saying Thank You to Gabe for all the times I've broken down in his car.
"That sounds exciting. Well here we are. Have a great day Miss Bella. What time shall I pick you up?" He said as he opened the door for me.
"Maybe around three? Is that okay for you?"
"Perfect. See you then." And he got into the car and drove away while I entered the office.
The record label headquarters was actually located in London, and I always made frequent trips there. It was always for a week at most when there was a meeting, and those are the only trips Gabe didn't come on because they were useless. Piper didn't even come on all of them. Whenever they went for longer than 4 days she came, but a lot of the times she just stayed with her Aunt Lai and Uncle Nate. However, even if the company in New York wasn't the headquarters, it was beautiful. The lobby had a very modern, glass feel to it. The over head lights were shaped geometrically, with glass windows everywhere. The big black desk sat at a back wall, with the words Eclipse Records etched into the wall behind it in chrome. The floor was made of slate blue tile, and there were comfortable chairs and a few sofas scattered around, in case we wanted to sit down. The whole building was actually quite small, but it made up for the small size in height. My office was on the 28th story; Clyde's being on the 32nd.
"Hello Miss Swan." Every time I walked in, the whole lobby would stop and greet me.
I wasn't a big deal, but I was one of the most frequently requested lyricists. I worked with every band under the label at least once. I was respected. And that made me feel good. Whenever Piper was with me, they made sure to greet her too. Everybody knows that Piper is a part of me, and if they don't treat her with the same respect they treat me, they will have hell to pay.
"Good morning Miss Trent." I greeted her at the desk and walked towards the elevator.
Once I reached my own personal office, I was greeted by Kim.
"Miss Swan your meeting starts in an hour. Here's what they have so far, and here's the idea of what they are trying to accomplish." She handed me file with papers, a CD and sheet music. Not like I knew how to read the sheet music or anything.
"Thanks Kim. Anything else?" Not only was she my secretary, she was also my semi-personal assistant.
"There is a Columbia alumni gathering tonight in Dodge Hall. It's a black tie affair, and they would be honored if you will go." Now that I make a lot of money, Columbia can't get enough of me. I always attend at least one alumni event every 6 months, but not without my loyal friends to back me up. I've never been one for small talk, and that's all you do at these things, besides drink expensive champagne that is disgusting.
"I don't know I mi-" Kim interpreted me mid-excuse.
"Lai and Nate are already going, and so is Ryan who is bringing Carri as his date." She smiled at me. She knew that I never attended these things without them. Ryan was from Columbia too, and since he is now a national recording artist dating Carri, my guitar playing goddess, he was more than welcome to come. Kia and Jay were graduates of NYU. Lai was also doing a pretty good job herself, becoming a national photographer for her shots of what real New York life is like. They ranged from the more controversial shots, homelessness and such, to the all-american Statue of Liberty. She was majorly talented, and often shot covers for records produced by Eclipse.
"Sure. I need to find a dress. Can Piper come?" I loved bringing Piper. It taught her how to behave, and when you have a cute 5 year old on your arm, everybody is going to talk about her and draw attention away from me. She's always my date.
...Yes, I haven't dated anyone since Edward. I'm not afraid to admit it. I honestely don't see the point, when I know it's not going to work out, considering that stupid bastard stole my heart a long long time ago.
"Yes, I already called and asked if she was going to be a problem. They would love to have her. You know they already see her as a future student, so why would they waste this opportunity to show her the ropes?" Kim and I both had to laugh at that. It was true. Since the first alumni picnic I brought her too, they've been trying to plan her future. They already forsee her as a Columbia graduate, enetering either the law or buisness field. Law beacuse she loved to argue, and business beacuse already at 5 she had a way of negoatiating deals.
I swear, she's good. I don't know how many times she's talked Jay and Ryan into playing Candyland with her. She get's the business side from her mommy.
"Alright. I'll go. Call and reserve two more spots. Thanks Kim you are a lifesaver."
"It's already been done, and you're welcome." I gave her a smile and laughed at how on top of things she was.
I entered my office and sank down into my comfy office chair that I loved. I loved my whole office in fact. There were huge windows that overlooked the castle in Central Park. My desk was big and black and had a sleek white Mac desktop sitting on the desk. The floor to ceiling white book selves filled with CD's and books occupied one whole wall with the bottom three shelves holding crayons, coloring books, markers, puzzles, children's books, Lego's and Power Rangers. I always made sure Piper had stuff to do in case she came here, and it didn't hurt to keep a few coloring books around. I always found coloring to be very relaxing. Her Power Ranger collection took up almost one whole shelf by itself.
Sure, I let my little girl play with power rangers. Is there a problem with that? She is naturally tomboyish. Heck, I played with Hot Wheels when I was little. She doesn't always have to wear frilly pink sundresses and prance around while playing house. I raised my daughter better than that. And her grandfather wouldn't like that anyways, considering she's a natural at fishing.
A couch and huge white fluffy chairs sat at the side opposite of my desk. The whole wall behind me was filled with pictures, some in frames and some grouped together in a collogue. Pictures of me and Lai, Carri, Ryan, Jay, Kia and Piper and some even with Kim. Pictures of me and Jacob Black, back when he tried to pull me out of my depression, but didn't quite succeed. I hated looking at those pictures, but they're the only ones I had. He needed to come visit soon. I missed him. He was the one that convinced me New York was a good idea, and the one that had the hardest time letting me go. He truly was my best friend.
Pictures of Charlie and Renee and pictures of every single band I've ever met and/or worked for. I made sure to get a picture with Piper and me, so that she'd always remember the important people she met. Autographs, Lai's pictures of New York, and pictures of all the places I've been hung on the wall too. I had a wall just like this at home in my office, and I constantly found myself looking at this wall filled with memories rather than the view outside my window. That wall was my life. It documented everything since I've moved to New York.
Lai orignally came up with the idea of a 'wall of happiness' as she called it. It started back when we first moved into our loft, with a picture of me and Piper in the hosiptal. It was the 'start of a new life' and a reminder of how happy I am. It was great, and now it seemed to grow into a whole wall.
My favorite picture to look at was the one Lai and I took in our clubbing outfits. It was the picture taken on the night that I let everything go on my 19th birthday. The reason I liked it so much was because of the look on my face. I remember taking that picture.
"Holy Shit Bella. You look hot! We need to get a picture of this." Lai was scurrying around the room, trying to find the camera.
"I don't want a picture of me looking like a whore Lai." I told her sternly as I looked at myself in the mirror. I had to admit, I did look hot. My red sequined dress hugged my body perfectly, making my legs look long and sleek. My hair hung in loose waves around my face that had very little makeup on it. However, my eyes looked bigger and deeper and as I looked in the mirror, I realized something was off. My eyes had a sparkle to them. For the last year, I looked in the mirror at the lifeless creature that I had become. Now, looking through the reflexive glass, I saw something totally new. My eyes had light and shine. But besides that, I had a look of fierce determination on my face. I was determined to not let Edward get to me tonight, or ever. This was the last time I was going to look in the mirror and see a broken hearted 19 year old girl. I was better than that.
"Admit it Bella. You look amazing." Lai came up behind me and saw me starting intently at myself in the mirror. She knew the internal battle I was fighting, and she knew that I was going to win.
"That doesn't mean I want to take a picture." She frowned, and then pulled me back to her.
"Look Bella. I haven't known you for very long, but I do know that in the short 3 to 4 months I have known you, when you came here in June and we bonded before school started, I do know that he hurt you. You were dead. And you just told me two hours ago that you had enough waiting. Look at yourself. We both know that you're ready to let it go. What if he does come back? Do you want him to see how much he hurt you? Do you want him to see weakness? No. You want him to see the beautiful, strong and determined woman that you are. We want to show him what he's missing, and looking in the mirror; this is what he's missing. You have your sparkle back. It's time to let go."
Throughout this whole speech, I couldn't help but keep staring. I saw the look on Lai's face when she talked about me being dead. I saw how she looked when she told me to get over it. And most importantly, I saw the look on my face when she called me a strong and determined woman. It was time.
"What better way to celebrate this new birth than to document it forever with a picture? If he ever comes back then you can show him this picture and say 'I took this on the night that I couldn't wait for you anymore' and then shove your new found happiness down his throat." She smiled, and for the first time in what felt like years, so did I. It reached my eyes, and that just caused me to smile wider.
This is who I was. A 19 year old college student, having fun with her roommate, getting ready to go clubbing with her cheap $30 fake ID. I wasn't the naïve 17 year old that was helplessly in love with a vampire. A vampire who could never love her back nonetheless. Nor was I the pathetic 18 year old zombie that pushed away all of her friends and was running away from a past that haunted her. I was done with those two; I left those girls back in Forks. I was in New York, the city that never sleeps. It was about time that I celebrated my independent self. I was ready.
"Okay. Let's do it." And then we hugged each other while Lai held the camera out, capturing the moment forever.
I almost had tears in my eyes thinking about that day, but I knew that they were happy tears. This picture just shows Lai's talent off. It was supposed to be a picture of two girls, a casual head shot for MySpace or something. It was so much more. It belonged in a gallery. The lighting was perfect. It bounced off the sequins in our dress, making our eyes sparkle involuntarily. It also cast down onto our hair, making the tiny red pop out, matching my dress. Lai looked just as heavenly as ever, and we both had glow on our faces.
My favorite part is the eyes. Lai's held pure happiness and joy, at my expense. I knew she was thinking about how happy I looked in the mirror. But my eyes held everything. They held the pain I was in, but you really had to look to see that. Instead, you could see happiness, joy, independence, determination, and most importantly, strength. You could look into my eyes and see the internal struggle, but you had to search to see it. Instead, it was covered up with a look of strength and confidence, because for the first time in a year, you could see that I was going to win. You could also see my smile. It was the first smile that reached my eyes since he left, and it was wide and full of happiness, my teeth gleaming in the light.
Lai has the exact same picture hanging up in her gallery. I was the first friend she had here, and she was my first friend too.
We were both running away from something. I was running away from Forks and my heartbreaking past, while she was running away from the small town life she hated, and running toward freedom.
We were both lonely runaways who found each other in a dorm room at Columbia.
Without her, I'd still be lying in that forest (metaphorically speaking; Sam did save me). She taught me how to be proud and strong. She was my best friend. And to think I wouldn't even have met her if the incident didn't happen. In a way, I almost want to thank Edward for leaving me, and bringing me these people that cared about me. They were my family.
I was swirling around in my chair at this point, thinking about how one horrible moment could lead to all this happiness, when I saw the folder sitting on the desk. I opened it up, and was looking through the information. I was laughing at the lyrics, because so far they were quite funny. The message however, was great. I loved what they had so far, so I popped the CD into my Mac and listened to the story of a lost love.
Almost (Bowling for Soup)
I almost got drunk at school at 14
Where I almost made out with the Homecoming Queen
Who almost went on to be Miss Texas
But lost to a slut with much bigger breastes
I almost dropped out to move to LA
Where I was almost famous for almost a day
And I almost had you
But I guess that doesn't cut it
I almost loved you
I almost wished you would've loved me too
I almost held up a grocery store
Where I almost did five years and then seven more
Cause I almost got bopped for a fight with a thug
Cause he almost made off with a bunch of the drugs
That I almost got hooked on cause you ran away
And I wish I would have had the nerve to ask you to stay
And I almost had you
But I guess that doesn't cut it
almost had you
And I didn't even know it
And you kept me guessin'
And now I'm destined
To spend my time missing you
I almost wish you would a loved me too
Here I go thinkin' bout all the things I could have done
I'm gonna need a forklift cause all the baggage weighs a ton (baggage weighs a ton)
I know we had our problems, I can't remember one.
I almost forgot to say something else
And if I can't fit it in I'll keep it all to myself
I almost wrote a song about you today
But I tore it all up and then I threw it away
And I almost had you
But I guess that doesn't cut it
Almost had you
And I didn't even know it
You kept me guessin'
And now I'm destined
To spend my time missin' you
And I almost had you
(Almost had you)
Almost had you
I almost wished you would've loved me too
(wished you would've loved me too)
I filled in a few words were I thought they were necessary, and looked at the clock. I headed downstairs to the conference room.
I loved the conference rooms here. It wasn't a small room with a large table and a projector. It was the complete opposite. They were homey and made you feel important. Two walls had windows on them, while a small yet still large, glass conference table sat in the middle of the room. Big blue chairs were set around it, while a bookshelf at the other end held all of our contracts.
The walls that didn't have windows were filled with guitars and records and awards. The whole building looked like this, and it was nice.
I walked in, and sat down at the one end of the table while the whole room greeted me.
"Miss Swan. How are you today?" Clyde asked me.
"I'm doing quite well. I'm excited to discuss things with you." I got introduced to each member of the band, there were four, and they looked a bit nervous. Clyde and their manager Randall nodded their heads, signaling me to go on.
"Well, I must say that I love the song and I think it's going to be a hit. The lyrics are hysterical, but still convey an important message about an almost-lover type of thing, and given the background that you gave me, I filled in some spaces." I handed over the completed lyrics to them, slightly anxious. No matter how many times I present lyrics to people, I still get nervous.
After taking a few minutes for each member of the band to read over the new things I added, they all looked at each other smiling.
"Miss Swan, this is amazing. This is better than anything we could of come up with. Thank you so much!" the lead singer said, and they jumped up and hugged me. These weren't just tiny hugs though, these were big bear hugs. Kind of like Emmett hugs, minus the vampire strength and the muscles. Stop thinking about Emmett! They were so happy that I managed to fill in the blanks for them, and were probably just over excited about this whole record deal anyways.
"You're welcome. You guys are going to be amazing. If you need any more help, don't be afraid to call me." I gave each of them another hug and walked out the door. In the background, you could hear Clyde talking to them about signing the contract and giving me some legal rights to the song. I quickly ran back to my office, grabbed my coat and said goodbye to Kim.
It was almost 3 and Gabe would be here soon to pick me up. He was never late, and as I excited the lobby I saw the shiny black car waiting for me.
"How was the meeting today Miss Bella?" Gabe asked.
"It went great. The song is going to be a hit with the teenagers." I smiled, proud of my work.
"Can we pick up Piper and then head over to Nordstrom? I need to scrounge up some dresses for some stupid alumni event tonight." Gabe laughed, knowing hw much I hate shopping. I still did it anyway. I wanted to look good and put together. Every day, I usually meet about one famous person, and I don't want to come off as sloppy. Alice would be very pleased with the amount I spend on clothes each month.
We picked Piper from school. She came out wearing her cute little pleated jumper, and I laughed thinking of how cute she looked in her school uniform. It's crazy how many options she has. She has an assortment of plaid and plain skirts, plain and plaid jumpers, polo shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, blazers, pants and shorts for the summer. She has more options than I can count. And the funny thing is, she loved her uniform. She loved picking out what to wear each morning, deciding between the plaid skirt and the polo shirt or the plain jumper. It made her feel independent.
My baby girl loved to assert independence, just like her mother.
"HEY MOMMY!" She basically screamed and attacked me as she got in the car.
"Hey Baby Girl, how was your day today?" She didn't even hesitate to jump right into the story.
"It was great! I got to paint today, and do you know what I painted?"
"What did you paint?" Gabe asked eagerly from the front seat. We always played along.
"I painted a pretty picture with grass and flowers and trees and sunshine! Just like the place you talk about all the time mommy!" she was talking about the meadow. As much as I hate the Cullen family, I will always love the meadow, even if I don't want to think about what happened there. I want Piper to have a place to go to when she was sad or when she wanted to think, and she said that place was a small place in Central Park that we always walked past. She asked me one day if I ever had a place I liked to sit and watch the clouds at, and I told her the honest answer about the meadow. Since that day she's wanted to see it, but I told her it was far away at Grandpa's house. Now she pictures it in her mind, and is apparently painting it during art class. I wasn't mad though. I was happy that I was able to share that with her.
"I can't wait to see it. It's probably beautiful!" I said to her, with a smile on my face. Just then, we pulled up to Nordstrom and Gabe let us out at the car.
"What time shall I return for you ladies?" he asked as he was getting a hug from Piper.
"Around 6 is good. Thanks." He got in the car and drove away.
"Mommy, why are we at the store?" She asked as she grabbed my hand.
"Do you want to be my date this evening?" I asked my daughter. She laughed and gave me a hug.
"Of course! Do I get to wear a pretty dress?" She doesn't usually like dressing up, but once in a while she likes to show off to the little boys that happen to catch her eye.
"Yes you do sweetheart. Let's go before it gets too late!" and that is how we found ourselves, me and my daughter, my best friend, rushing around Nordstrom at 4:00 on a Friday Afternoon, looking for a dress to wear to a party at 7. I was smiling the whole time, laughing, while finding a pretty black dress for Piper to wear tonight. By the time we finished, Piper was getting a piggy back ride and Gabe was waiting outside. We arrived home 15 minutes later and started to get changed, ready for another boring Alumni party. It was the same old thing as always, but I just had a feeling that tonight would be different.
Let me just apologize for the Miley Cyrus song. Really, it's the only one that seemed to fit.
Well, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. Bassically, this just fills you in on how indpenednet, succesfull and happy Bella is. She still loves Edward of course, she just doesn't want to admit it. Do you blame her? If the love of your life left you in a forest, what would you do?
Also, Piper may come off as being spoiled here, but she honestly isn't. She's just one of those tough little girls that are just too cute. She's a smart cookie, just like I assume Bella would be if we had seen her when she was 5.
Sorry, no Edward and Bella yet. We have to introduce herself first, we can't just have Edward jump head first into the situation. It would mess things up.
Beware: some parts of this story are not going to be all sunshine and unicorns. Once Edward does come back, Bella is going to put up a fight and be her usual stubborn self. I think her reactions to things though, are the be expected.
That's all for now, just let me know what you think. I already have Edward's chapter written, so it should be up soon.
xoxo
