A/N: I found this jem half finished so I dusted it off, finished it up and sent it off to Mary and Robin for them to beta! I appreciate both of them. Now, get on down there and see what these two have been up to since we saw them last.


Chapter 3

Bella

After Edward left, I spent a few days in bed beside my mom. She was there after another round of chemo and it always made her sick for a few days afterwards. I was there to comfort her but also because I wanted to mope, be sad, and to weep so I could try to figure out what to do with my life; when it finally became my life.

I felt sick to think of my life as my own because it would mean that -most likely- my mom would be gone from this earth. It was all I could think about, though. I would finally be able to be with Edward. I could decide if I wanted to tour with him or stay home and finish school. I could get a job, be a full time writer; hell my possibilities were endless. I just had to wait to get there, and that was the hard part: the waiting.

I enjoyed the time with my mom though, even if it was spent in bed. We would eat, as much as she could anyway, watch movies and we talk for hours. She told me how handsome my dad looked on the day they met and I went up in the attic and found her old pictures to look at just because it made her so happy to look at them while she talked.

One day while we watched a movie, my mother blurted out. "Bella, nothing would make you happier than the man you love. By the same token, he can also be the one to hurt you the most. " I turned to look at her in surprise. "What do you mean, Mom?" I asked in confusion. It shocked me to hear my mom speak that way.

"Well, your Daddy has made my life so much fun and he loves me like no one else. But at the same time, because I love him so much and hold him so close, he knows things that have the ability to hurt me more so than other people." She took my hands and held them as she spoke.

"People are human, and they make mistakes and sometime those mistakes hurt like hell. You have to choose your fate. Are those mistakes big enough to walk away or are they small enough to forgive and live a happy life?" Her hand found my face, and pulled me down so that my head lay on her shoulder.

She rubbed my back like she did when I was a child. "Bella, I hope you never face another mistake in your life where you are forced to choose to stay or walk away, but if you are, chose to stay. It hurts at the time, but overall it's worth it." She pressed a small kiss against my head at the same time I felt a tear ghost across my skin.

I heard her sniffle, and gave her a moment to collect herself before I asked what she meant. "Why do you say that, Mom?" I'm a sympathetic crier so to know that my mom was emotional enough to cry was enough to make me well up too.

"Bella, you and Edward are meant to be together; your dad and I know this. Why do you think we allowed the two of you to go through all of that in high school without putting a stop to it?" Mom fiddled with the blanket letting her unease show. "We knew way back then."

To say I was blown away was an understatement. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Her smile reminded me of days before cancer ravaged her body; it was a sweet smile of pure happiness. "Sweetheart, you have to learn these things for yourself. You can't spend your life with someone because of something Daddy or I say- you have to decide. You're an old soul, Bella. You haven't needed us since you were about eight years old. You know what you want out of life and you go and get it. It just seems with matters of the heart, you hold back some. It's like you're scared to let go and finally have it all."

"I'm scared, I am. I wanted Edward and what we had, but I knew it had to be better than what we had in high school. I mean, look at you and dad, Carlisle and Esme? We had the exact opposite of what you guys had. How is that okay?" I was in full on panic mode now. What if we didn't make it?

"Bella stop! Listen to yourself; you're comparing people that have been married for twenty-five years to a couple that just started out, and in high school no less." Her frail hands reached over and patted mine before she continued. "You two had all sorts of hormones running through your bodies. You had to figure out who you were as individuals and you were just so damned confused at that time.

"But guess what? So were we; all four of us were the same way. We had to grow up, learn, and get more comfortable with ourselves before we got to this point at twenty-five years of marriage. We were a disaster just like you and Edward. Your daddy and I laughed at you so many times because you two fought over the exact same things we did."

Her words sobered me; I lay back on my dad's pillow to contemplate what she'd said. It all made sense but it just scared the hell out of me then that we wouldn't make it. I guess I thought that if we couldn't be a perfect couple then why even try. I now see the fault in that thinking. There was only one question I could think to ask her now. "Did you and Dad ever break up?"

She giggled and covered her mouth. "Yeah, we did. He got mad because I wanted to go to this Halloween party- a costume party. He said, 'Guys don't do that stupid shit'. I told him I was going, but he said I couldn't go, that his girlfriend wouldn't go to a party when he wasn't around. So I told him that was fine, and I wouldn't be his girlfriend. I gave his ring and letter jacket back and then marched home."

She stared off into space, and was definitely lost in her words. "I dressed up, and went to the party without him. I was miserable the whole time, the party was lame, and it ended up being an excuse for couples to make out." I rolled my eyes. I mean, all parties were an excuse to drink and make out.

"I was about to leave when this new guy grabbed my arm to stopped me. Long story short, he wanted me to stay and make out with him." Mom's eyes cut across and looked at me from the corner of her sockets, I could still see how upset this story made her, even after all of this time. "I told him no, that I had a boyfriend. He said he didn't see any boyfriend around. I started to get scared and worry about what would happen when I saw your daddy push past me and show himself.

"Charlie punched him in his jaw and knocked him out cold. We left the party and the whole way home I cried, begging forgiveness. When we parked in my driveway, he turned to me and said it was his fault. He was supposed to be there to take care of me and had let me down." Tears began streaming from her eyes.

"That night, you were conceived and we were married a few months later." She shrugged her shoulders as if to say this was the only piece of the story that really ended up being important. Mom always believed all's well the end's well.

"So, there will be ups and downs. You just have to know that no matter what, he loves you as much as you love him. If you two love each other first then all the arguments will fade away, and you'll have your love at the end of the day." We heard the front door open and Dad's tell tale signs of being home. Mom wiped her face and adjusted the covers. "You get out of here now; I want to spend time with my husband." I could see the mischief written in her eyes, she loved to use their alone time as an excuse to try to freak me out. I knew that they spent it talking about their day and so on, but Mom loved to joke. She always had. So, I played along.

I jumped from the bed and dashed out of their room. "Gross mom, keep that shit to yourself. I'm going to make dinner and call Edward." I loved to tease my Mom and she loved to tease me back.

I passed my dad on the stairs, I was going down and he was going up. He had a knowing smirk, and I wanted to gag some more. There is one thing in life that people should never be subjected to, and that is your parent's sex life. Gross! I knew it was unlikely that they actually had anything going on right now but just the thought alone was enough to gross me out!

Edward

Bella was pissed when a shiny new iPhone showed up at her house a few days after I left. She got over it soon enough when I called and told her how to work the Facetime app. Now we talk all the time, and in between those times we texted, tweeted, and sent pictures. It was as close to being together as we would get.

Several times I'd even done Facetime with Bella and Renee. We laughed at stuff I'd done or seen while on the road. We also spent a lot of time where we talked about our pasts. Things we did when we were younger, funny stories and some- not so funny. I didn't want talk about the bad stuff, the fights, and times we'd treated each other poorly. But I guess I had no choice. We talked about those times so that we never made the same mistakes. At least I prayed that we'd never made those mistakes again. I loved Bella with all of my heart, and it hurt me to even think about hurting her. She had given up enough in her life, and one day soon she would give up even more. So, I only wanted to add joy and love to her life.

It was one of those times when I called Bella and asked her to come and join me for a few days in Nashville. It turned out that Bella was a perfect muse, and since I walked away from Forks I'd written fourteen songs. I was ready to put down some tracks and get a new record ready. If I could get it all recorded, then that might give me some time off to spend with Bella. I crossed my fingers as I dialed her number.

"Hello." Her breathless voice answered the phone, and I missed her instantly.

"Hey baby, how are you? How's Renee today?" I always asked about Renee. It helped Bella to share some of that burden, and I gladly helped her in any way I could.

"She's good, she's sitting right here beside me. We're watching The Notebook." I heard Renee yell out a greeting as well. "Hey Edward." She made kissy sounds, and her voice was sing-songish as she called my name. I couldn't help but chuckle at her, and her silly ways.

I heard the difference when Bella pressed the speaker button so I knew that Renee could hear me. "Hi, Renee, glad you're doing well today. Can I send you anything?" I asked. "Nope, I'm good. I've got my girl with me, and Charlie will be home in about fifteen minutes." Bella gagged loudly at this statement, but I just chuckled. I loved to see both of our parents so in love and crazy for each other after all of these years. "How are you?" Renee asked me.

"Well, fine I guess. I'd be better if Bella would say yes and fly out to see me for the next six days in Nashville, though." I heard Bella gasp, but I kept up my teasing. "Do you have any suggestions as to how to make that happen? I mean I can make one click, and have the ticket purchased, but she's a stubborn one. So how do I convince her?" I heard a scuffle over the phone, and then Renee's voice was slightly louder so I assumed that she ended up with the device.

First of all, I am her momma, and she is a good girl and does what her momma says to. Maybe I just need to tell her to get her ass packed and on the plane? How does that sound?" I would bet my pocket change that Bella was blushing bright red at her mom's comment. I didn't care about that because Bella's blush was beautiful. It made her skin glow and her eyes brighten. I was just a little sad I couldn't see it for myself.

"You think it'll be that simple?" I asked. I really wish that I had taken the time to open up Facetime so I could see her for myself, and the blush.

"Oh, yeah I think it'd absolutely be that simple. What time should I tell her to have her suitcase at the airport?" Renee asked.

"Hey, wait, Dad has to work days this week, and that would mean you were alone all day. I can't leave you alone." Bella protested.

"I thought of that, hold on." I tapped the screen and brought up my contacts. I pressed the green button beside my mom's name. It rang two times before her sweet voice answered.

"And to what do I owe this honor?" she answered feigning shock.

"Mom, cut it out! You're on three-way with Bella and Renee. Say hello!" I admonished. I didn't know why I bothered, she would act and say whatever way she wanted so I should have just went along with her. She was almost as silly as Renee sometimes. I really hated that I never had the ability to watch the two of them as teen-aged girls. "Hell on wheels," were the only words I think would come close to being accurate.

"Hi Renee and Bella. How are you two?" Mom asked, and Renee launched into three new recipes and several movies that she knew Esme would for sure love. They talked for so long I wondered if anyone missed me at all, the seemingly forgotten element in this equation. I took the chance to clear my throat and speak up for myself. I had to stop the chatter or I'd run out of time and not be able to actually get the answers I needed.

"Ladies, I hate to interrupt the hen party, but I did have a reason for calling you, Mom."

"Who you calling a hen?" Renee shouted while Bella just laughed.

"I knew it was too good to be true and there had to be a motive. Alright, I might regret this, but what is the purpose of this not-so-casual call you have made my dear son?" My mother had a flare for the dramatic. Mentally I just shook my head at her and carried on.

"I called Renee to ask her how in the world I could get Bella to get on a plane and join me in Nashville for six whole days, all expenses paid, no strings attached. It would be a nice little vacation for her while I recorded some songs. Then we could sightsee while she was here as well." Okay, I might have picked up a little of that dramatic flair as well. I was more subtle, though, nothing like Esme's gift at all.

"Okay, go on." Esme prodded.

"Well, Renee seemed to think that it was as easy as telling Bella- let me see how did she put it-" I pretended to think, but Renee jumped in and helped me out.

"I said it was a simple as telling her to pack her bags and get her ass on the plane."

"Oh, yeah that's it—that's what she said." Bella and my mom both laughed at the two of us.

"It sounded that simple, but Bella found a problem. She pointed out that Charlie will work day shifts this week would leave Renee alone all day, so that's where you come in." Esme squealed, and began to get excited before I could even finish that sentence.

"Oh, can I come and sit with her during the day? I've got some new movies I could bring, and we could knit those ugly scarves for everyone. Do you remember, Renee? The ones we learned how to make in Home ec class?" Before the sentence was even finished all three girls broke out into laughter. I guess I missed the joke, because I didn't get it.

"Oh, God, I haven't thought of those things in years. , I would love to!" I did a quick fist pump; I was one step closer to having Bella's sexy body with me for six whole days.

"Fine Romeo, you got me. All obstacles are out of the way. I can clearly see that you are not-" Bella was interrupted by my mom and Renee both, as they joined in on the most out of tune, terribly sung song, ever. I almost didn't recognize it as they sung.

"I can see clearly now the rain is gone.

I can see all obstacles in my way.

It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright, sun shiny day!"

They collapsed into fits of laughter, and I could only imagine the confused, what the hell look on Bella's face. I'm sure it matched mine perfectly.

"Ladies, focus here. I have somewhere to be in thirty minutes, so let's get the plan down before then, okay?" All laughter stopped. "Okay, sorry, Edward." I continued on, "So, you can hang with Renee, and do whatever it is you women do then?"

"Sure thing. I can do it for the week with no problem. In fact, I can even make dinner each night and bring it with me the next morning so Charlie won't have to cook. How does that sound Renee?"

I had to put a stop to this now or I would never get it all nailed down. "How about you two exchange phone numbers and we talk about all of this after I get my problems fixed, Okay?"

"We have each other's phone numbers already, silly." My mother sounded like she was about twelve. I wanted to shout at her.

"Well then that means you two won't have any problems working out all the details with each other later." I tried to keep my voice even but I don't think I did a very good job. I just wanted to know for sure that Bella could come to Tennessee, and when she would arrive.

"Sure thing, sweetie. I'll call you later, Renee. Bye, Bella, love you both." My mom said in closing.

Bella and Renee called out a farewell to my mom.

I didn't know if I had a prayer of getting this conversation back on track now. "Okay, so if I buy Bella a ticket for tomorrow afternoon from Seattle at ten after twelve, she would be able to make that flight?"

Bella squeaked, while Renee answered. "Oh, she will certainly be on that flight, I promise."

I talked with Bella a few minutes longer, and then hung up. She had packing to do and I had to arrange all the details.

I purchased her ticket, arranged for a car to pick her up at the airport, and booked a hotel room. I already had a room, but there was no way I was letting Bella stay in my small room. I wanted a large and lavish suite for her visit. It was important for Bella to know I loved her. I knew expensive things weren't always the way for Bella, but this one time I hoped she would forgive me for it. She needed to enjoy her time here.

Bella's flight wouldn't land until after six in the evening with a layover in Dallas, so I made reservations for a nice dinner as well. I felt pretty proud of myself. Who needed a personal assistant? I was a master at this. Now I just needed to find a way to pass the time until Bella got to Nashville.

I pulled out my notebook, and tried to finish up a song I had written for her.


E/N: Okay well, I do have the next chapter started but I got to be honest, I have a new story that has taken over my head...I can't wait to start on posting it. It is a plot bunny that belonged to someone else and she asked me to write it. I did and within the first half of the first chapter I was in love, I have 25 chapters written so far and should be finished with it completely by the time I start to post. In the mean time I will continue to work on these shorter stories and post Metal Pointe on Mondays and Thursdays. I think that should keep you all busy for now!

Till next time...