I huffed in frustration and looked up at Bella who was grinning as she briskly trimmed the excess pastry off the pie she was working on. Then, so efficiently, it made my head spin, she worked on the edges and set the plate to the side. "Done yet?" she asked sweetly.

I looked down at the pie she had given me to 'flute.' She had patiently shown me again and again how she pinched the edges to make them, as she described it, 'so pretty', but my pie looked rather … mangled; far more lumpy than pretty. I looked over at hers, which was perfection of course, and threw my hands in the air. "I give up."

Chuckling, she rounded the work table and stood in front of me. I wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder and watched in awe as she spun and pinched, and in about thirty seconds made the one I had been working on for over five minutes pretty again. Not moving from my arms she pulled the other shell over and filled them both with the strawberry rhubarb filling I had requested and then topped them both with the streusel topping. I was quite proud of it seeing that topping as I had measured the oatmeal and sugar for her. Sort of. I had taken the lids of the containers and handed her the measuring cup things, so that had to count as helping, right? Now, I could tell Carlisle and Esme I had helped make the pies we were bringing. My reward had been the sweetest of kisses and I had hoped to get another one for the fluting thing. The disappointment must have shown on my face since she reached up, brushing her lips against mine. "Good effort, Edward."

"Yeah?"

She lifted the pies, nodding, silently asking me to open the large oven door. She placed the pies inside and smiled. "It takes a lot of time to get as fast as I am. Now I am going to make the dough for tomorrow while these cook."

I watched her bustle around, so at home in the kitchen of the diner. "So did you answer an ad for pie baker wanted? Is that how you found this job?"

"No. I started as a waitress. I lived quite a ways from here and my bus got me here really early for my shift. I was watching Leah make the daily pies and noticed how many times she winced when she was doing it. I asked her about it, and she admitted she had terrible arthritis in her hands and rolling the pastry hurt her. I offered to help; I'd been baking pies as far back as I could remember because my dad loved pies." She looked up from what she was doing and winked. "Sort of like you."

"I think I would have liked him."

She smiled sadly. "You would have. He would have liked you as well." She sighed. "She was very skeptical but she let me. At that point the diner wasn't even called Easy as Pie it was J&L Coffee Shop. Leah made three or four pies a day. Apple and cherry. That was it."

"How did it change?"

"There was some left over dough and I made a couple lemon meringue pies. They sold out. My next shift, Leah pulled me off waitressing and asked me to make more pies. It just … grew. Six, ten, twelve… and now we do twenty. Most days we could do more, but they want to keep it … limited, I guess. The shop became known for the pies and they changed the name. They offered me the apartment upstairs a few weeks after I started and things just sort of fell into place." She smiled over at me. "I finally had a place to belong again. They became my family."

"You do it all?"

"Leah or Jake often make the dough since it has to chill overnight. Jess is a good cook too, and she helps on weeks I am busier. Sometimes all I have to do is add the fillings and bake them." She shrugged. "It's not forever so I've been trying to make sure others know the recipes, etc. Once I finish school I want to work in the field I've chosen, not bake pies the rest of my life. But for now, it's mine and it's what I do."

"You do it very well, Bella. They're lucky to have you."

"I'm lucky to have them."

I grinned at her. "The aroma of your pie brought me to you."

She finished wrapping the dough she'd been busy making and flashed her impish grin at me, arching that sexy eyebrow as she did so. "Told you. Pie magic."

I took in the sight of her standing in front of me. Her hair piled up away from her face, a light dusting of flour across her nose, her eyes dancing as she teased me. She was swaddled in a huge white apron, which somehow she made look sexy and she looked utterly adorable. I grinned at her as I stepped toward her. "How long before the pies are ready, Bella?"

"About half an hour or so."

I smiled and reached into my pocket. When we had stopped at the hotel for me to grab a few things the item I had ordered was waiting, and I wanted to give it to her. She frowned at me as I came closer, grinning at her.

"What are you up to?"

I pulled my hand out of my pocket, the light catching on the pendant swinging from my fingers. Bella gasped as her eyes took in the long gold chain and the round disc with the diamond in the center. Grinning, I opened up the locket and was treated to her delighted smile as she saw the inside. Pieologist was etched into porcelain over a picture of a pie. "It was meant for you, Bella."

"How did you …?"

"The internet is a wonderful thing." I winked at her as I clipped the chain around her neck and settled the pendant between her breasts. "Perfect."

I saw her bottom lip disappear under her mouth. "Please accept it, Bella. It means a lot to me."

She glanced down, then threw her arms around my neck. "Thank you," she breathed against my lips.

Groaning, I dragged her closer, unable to resist her mouth.

She tasted so sweet, her soft lips pliant and full underneath mine. Moaning, I pulled her up against me, desire humming along my spine as she arched, pressing herself closer, her hands tugging on my hair.

God, I wanted her. Now.

I pulled back, panting, looking down at her. Her cheeks were now diffused with her soft blush, her eyes wide and dilated as she stared up at me, her chest heaving.

I smirked. She wanted me as well. And she could have me. Anyway she wanted me.

My eyes fell onto the marble work surface she'd been working on. "Hmm." I leaned over and pushed on the tall surface. "This thing sturdy?"

Her eyes widened, instantly knowing what I was asking. "Edward! I make pies on that."

I waggled my eyebrows at her. "You have cleaners. We can stick to one corner… I think."

She giggled, her cheeks darkening further. Her gaze never leaving mine, she untied her apron. "You think? It's pretty slippery …"

I wrapped my arms around her, lifting her to the table. "Oh, Ms. Swan… I think I'm up to the challenge."

My mouth swallowed her giggle.

*()*

I heard Bella's laughter drift over the patio and I rolled my eyes at Carlisle. "Your wife is telling stories about me again."

He chuckled. "I bet she is." He looked over his shoulder and grinned. "Esme already adores her."

"It's easy to do."

"Does Bella know how strongly you feel?"

"I've tried to tell her, without scaring her off."

"Have you talked about … the future?"

I sighed. "No. I don't know how, Carlisle. We'll be done shooting in a few weeks. What am I supposed to do? Ask her to give up her life and come with me? As much as I want that, I don't know if she is ready for something so … huge. Or if she can handle the world I live in. She is so … sweet. I'm afraid my world would crush her."

He frowned at me. "First off, she'd have you to lean on. You could protect her from a lot of what happens, Edward. And secondly, she doesn't have to be the one to move."

"What?"

For a minute he was silent as he moved food around on the grill. Closing the lid, he looked at me. "There is another option, Edward. You move here to be with her."

I stared at him. "I'm an actor."

He nodded. "Canada has actors. Many of them." He smirked. "Highly successful directors, too."

"My life is in L.A.," I protested.

He tilted his head. "A life, you recently told me, wasn't making you happy. If you feel about this girl the way I think you do, your life is here, with her, Edward. Hollywood is a plane ride away. You're as close as your phone if needed. This is your chance to have your career and a life." He clapped me on the shoulder. "I did it. Many other actors do it as well. You're already established, Edward. You don't have to stay in L.A. to have a career. It's different here. You wouldn't be under so much pressure or scrutinized nearly as much." He paused. "Do you really think you could have done what you've been doing in L.A.? You would have been spotted so quickly and you never would have had the chance to get to see Bella as often."

I stared at him speechless. He was right. I probably never would have even made it to the diner that night without being spotted and photographed. I was freer to move around here. But move here— permanently?

The idea hadn't even entered my head. Stay here. With Bella. Live here with her and still work. Carlisle was right, I could commute. Use technology for meetings and fly when necessary. The possibilities were staggering as I thought about it.

Carlisle shook his head at my expression. "Think about it. We'll talk more. Now let's go see what stories my wife is telling your girl. You might need to defend yourself."

I smiled as I followed him, my head swimming with his words.

I had so much I needed to figure out. So much to work through.

And, even more important than the rest; was this something also Bella wanted?

*()*

My phone rang, waking me from my restless sleep. Groaning, I rolled over and picked it up, a smile on my face knowing who would be on the other end.

"Hey, Little Bell." My voice was rough sounding.

"Hi. Time to wake up."

I rolled back over, clutching my pillow. "I missed you last night. I liked sleeping beside you."

Her sigh was soft. "Me too. I held your pillow all night—it smelled like you."

"How go the pies?"

"Good. Leah is helping me this morning. I have to go to class soon."

"You'll text me— and call on your break?"

"Yes."

"I'll see you tonight, Bella."

Her goodbye was so quiet I almost didn't hear her. I stared at my phone for a minute before setting it down. I knew she was worried. I had seen the flash of pain that crossed her face when Carlisle had mentioned we wrapped in a few weeks. I had wanted to talk to her when we got back to her place, but instead we ended up making love over and over again. Then when I left late in the evening, it was with a tender kiss goodbye as she lay slumbering in her bed. I slipped out of her apartment and headed back to my hotel room that felt as empty as I did without her.

I knew we needed to talk; there was so much I had to say and so many things I wanted to ask her, but I had let my fears overcome me. What if she didn't want this— me and my crazy life? Maybe it was all too fast for her and the idea of me moving here would be too much for her to handle right now. I had barely slept all night thinking and rethinking about Carlisle's words. I needed to talk to him, as well. I needed more information.

I also needed advice. It was the middle of the night on the West Coast but my mom was a night owl and I knew she would have no problem with me waking her up if she happened to be in bed. Picking up my phone I dialed and settled back into the pillows. This was going to be a long conversation and I knew I was going to be late arriving on set.

*()*

"Do you love her, Edward?"

"I think I really do, Mom. I know it's crazy and fast, but she is … she's just …" I sighed. "She is just everything." I leaned back, closing my eyes. "I feel it with my entire soul." I had been talking for over forty minutes, telling my mom everything—well, almost everything, that had happened since I met Bella. Including what happened with Vic and the conversation with Carlisle.

"You take after your father," she chuckled warmly. "He told me he was going to marry me twenty minutes after we met. He told me he loved me on date two. I'd say you've shown great restraint, son."

I laughed quietly with her. "I don't want to scare her away, Mom. I'm … my life; it's a lot to handle."

"You're worth it, sweetheart. "

I chuckled. "You have to say that, you're my mom. It's the law."

"I speak only the truth."

We were quiet for a moment and when she spoke her voice was very soft. "Do you see a life with her, Edward?"

I didn't hesitate. "Yes."

"Then tell her, son. Let her know your feelings and what you're thinking. If this is right for you then do it. Move. Build a life there with her."

"Anxious to be rid of me, Mom?"

"Anxious for my son to be happy, and you haven't been. Not for a while."

"What if I scare her?"

"Then find a way to reassure her. If this is something you want, then fight for it, Edward. Is she worth it?"

"Yes."

"Then tell her. Move. Find a life that makes you happy. That is more important than any amount of fame."

"I'd be far away."

"I heard of these new things they have, Edward. They're called planes. Take you anywhere you want to go."

"Ha-ha."

"Seriously, my boy. I have to travel to see you now. I'd rather travel a little farther knowing you're happy. And she makes you happy?"

"She does. So much, Mom."

"It is fast."

"I know. But everything in me tells me it's right. She's what I've been waiting for all my life. I want to look after her. I want us to look after each other."

"Then you know what you have to do."

*()*

I was late, and Carlisle actually growled at me to get my ass in gear when I arrived on the set. As I waited for makeup, I quickly sent Bella a text.

I didn't like the sadness in your voice this morning Little Bell. Remember what I said. What we are is us. What we are is together.

Her reply was brief.

I will. See you later.

Tonight, Bella. We'll talk tonight.

There was no reply and with a sigh I left my phone on the table and went to get the day going. I was already anxious for the evening to come so I could see her. I needed to hold her. I needed to tell her … everything.

We both needed that as soon as possible.

*()*

Wearily, I walked into my dressing room. It was well past nine and the day had been horrendous. There were problems all over the set and we had done take after take. Nothing had gone right and I knew I wasn't going to see Bella tonight. Carlisle was on a rare tear, and I wasn't finished yet. I stopped short in the doorway at the sight of Victoria sitting in a chair in my dressing room. I shut my eyes and drew in a deep breath. I didn't need her attitude on top of everything else today.

I was surprised when I opened my eyes and met her calm gaze. "Hey."

"Vic."

"Bad day?"

I nodded and sat down on the couch. "Not the best."

"Yeah. I watched a bit but stayed in the background."

"Ah. When did you get back?"

"Earlier today." She paused. "Edward, I'm sorry. I've been … difficult."

I was shocked at her quiet words. Victoria rarely apologized.

She leaned forward. "Tell me what you want. I'll take care of it."

I paused. "I want out of The Soldier."

She nodded. "Okay."

"No more projects for a while. I want a break. I need it."

"How long?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. A few months, maybe more."

"Okay. I'll clear your schedule."

"I'm going to be out of touch for a while. I have some things I need to take care of."

Her face was sad, but she remained calm. "Okay. Whatever you need, Edward. You'll at least stay in touch occasionally? Let me know how you are doing?"

I felt some of the tension ease from my shoulders. This was more like the old Victoria. My friend Vic.

I nodded. "Sure."

"Okay. I'll figure it out." She stood up. "I'm heading back to the hotel. Are you done?"

I shook my head. "Carlisle's going over a few things. I think he wants to reshoot one scene. Maybe more ...I don't know when I'll be done." I sighed heavily.

"Okay. I'll see you in the morning. I'll start making some calls, Edward."

I watched her leave. Something had happened over the weekend to change her attitude. I had no idea what it was, but I was grateful for it. With her help I had just cleared the biggest hurdle in my plans to find a way to be with Bella.

I looked around for my phone. I needed to text Bella and let her know I wouldn't be showing up tonight. I could already hear Carlisle bellowing my name, so I didn't have time to call her. I couldn't help the grin that tugged at my lips when I thought of her reaction when I saw her tomorrow and told her my decision. I'd lay it all out on the line and hopefully watch her face light up when she realized how very much she meant to me. And that we would be together from now on. It would more than make up for not seeing her tonight.

Have to work late Little Bell. Will make it up tomorrow. Promise.

I headed back to the set feeling lighter.

Tomorrow.

I'd tell her tomorrow.

Thank you for your love of this fic. Your reviews make me smile. So many of you joined me yesterday for the launch of Into the Storm. Thank you. You made the day a great one for me.

I will see you mid-week.