*Disclaimer - Sadly, I own nothing of Twilight with the exception of merchandise, bought and paid for. I do, however, own my love for borrowing the characters and playing with them however I choose to. I thank Stephenie Meyer for creating the TwiWorld and for allowing us to have our fun with it. She owns Twilight, the insanity it created in my mind is my own.

I am so fortunate to have Shug as my beta reader. And all of you following along with my twisty tale. :)

Whatever Works

Contracts

I had told Emily I'd take care of breakfast since she had stayed up so late waiting for me to get home. I was on my way to the kitchen when Rosalie and Emmett bounded down the stairs in jogging attire. Edward didn't bound, but he did trail after them.

"I'm dying," he groaned as he passed by me. "Nice knowing you. I may not make it back."

"Suck it up!" Rosalie taunted from the door. "You'll feel better after you get the blood flowing."

He grunted a response that got a smack from her and a snicker from Emmett, and then he turned back to me. "You get my music collection if I do in fact die on the side of the road."

I had time to get Esme's breakfast to her and take a shower before they returned. I was actually glad for the quiet time. Emily had grilled me about the events of the night when I got in. I wasn't looking forward to a repeat. She was in the kitchen with her normal disposition when I brought the empty dishes back, however, talking with Emmett and Rosalie. No sign of Edward.

"So he did die?" I quipped.

"A few plants did…" Emmett retorted with a laugh.

"He needed to clean himself up," Rosalie added. "We had some issues."

"A few pit stops." They grinned at each other, not only over the private joke. Definite chemistry.

Emily winked at me when she saw me watching them. She approved too. "And here he comes now… feeling better?"

"Feed me!" Edward called out as he bolted in. He was wearing jeans and a tight black t-shirt. His feet were bare and his hair was still wet from the shower. He went for the fridge and scrutinized the contents.

"Kinda empty there pal?" Emmett laughed.

"Fucking sore, I'll tell you that." He rubbed his abdomen as he grabbed the milk out of the fridge.

"Burger went down a lot easier than it came up huh?"

"Oh! Gross." Emily covered her mouth in disgust.

"You didn't give me enough time to digest!" Edward laughed. "I left some chunks for the neighbors – by their car. They won't be amused."

"Ew! Too much detail!" Emily slapped his shoulder as he reached for a bowl and poured some cereal for himself.

"They shouldn't have parked on the street," Emmett replied, ignoring Emily's blatant repulsion. "It'll wash off."

"You should go hose it down," Rosalie added.

Edward sighed as he took a seat next to her and across from me. "I should. But I won't."

"Brat."

"Step up from asshole, don't you think?" He was grinning at me rather than his sister when he made that remark. "Is my mother up?"

"She is. She's already seen the reports from last night," I warned him.

Rosalie snickered as he groaned. "Christ. Why does she do that? It's not normal, tracking your grown children that way."

"I thought I had it rough being a cop's daughter," I laughed. "At least he didn't get details from the internet."

"At least you both have someone who cares enough to see what you're up to." Rosalie's comment put an end to our commissary on that topic. She was right. "I'm gonna go hang with Ez." She dropped a kiss on Edward's check as she lifted off the stool and then one on Emmett when she passed him. He blushed. Edward blushed. Emily and I smiled at each other.

"You two are cute around Rosalie," Emily teased.

Edward finished wolfing down his cereal and rinsed his bowl. "I'm going to see Mum." He took off, pausing momentarily as he nearly ran over Jessica as she came running down the stairs. There was a brief exchange between the two and then he was out of view.

"Ho'," Emily muttered under her breath.

"Got that right," Emmett responded in the same tone. In a flash, his irritation was gone and he turned his glowing smile on. "Pool action is out today, unless you're game for a midnight event."

"Uh… no." I winced, recalling his early warning about what I may want into out there at night. Jessica had obviously stayed overnight again. The very last thing I would ever want to witness was her legs wrapped around Edward. "You're going out?"

"Working." He flexed his back as he stood. "I should go clean up. Edward has to be on location at noon. He's already whining about missing Sunday dinner. And other… stuff. Anyway, walk with me?" I followed him out of the kitchen, and he spoke in a low voice. "I wanted to ask you how you felt about last night. Edward's concerned that you may have been put off."

They were discussing me? "Was this before or after he sobered up?"

"After," Emmett chuckled. "Actually, I believe it was between the second and third pit stop this morning. I told him you seemed pretty cool about everything – but you'd probably be put off if you saw him bent over the bushes that way."

I rolled my eyes with amusement. "He probably blamed the running, right? Not last night's indulgence?"

"You've already got him nailed!"

"Last night was fine, Emmett. You can tell him it's all good. Or you can tell him he's a bratty asshole and let him figure out which comment is true." In truth, both were – my time with him had been most enjoyable. It was what he did after that I wasn't thrilled about. I couldn't afford to play these games with my employer. I couldn't get let myself get more deeply invested in caring about him. Both Rosalie and Emily had given me food for thought, but they didn't go well together and I honestly couldn't tell if he was playing with me.

~ 0 ~

He kept his new routine of spending evenings with us, even with Rosalie visiting. Though she usually only stayed with us for a short time and then went off with Emmett. On her second to last day, Edward treated the three of us, plus Sue and Emily, to a spa treatment, in home. We enjoyed massages and mud wraps, manicures and pedicures, and even had our hair done. It had to have cost him a fortune! He also arranged for a catered dinner that night – for everyone. He couldn't hide his amusement over his mother getting tipsy as the wine kept getting passed down to her end. He helped me get her to bed that night. She was asleep before we even left her room.

Edward sighed in exhaustion and flopped down on the couch in our sitting room. "I hope she enjoyed today," he said softly. His eyes were closed and his head tipped back. His long legs stretched out across the floor in front of him. He looked comfortable.

"She did, Edward. It was a lot of fun. Thank you. You didn't have to involve me." I wanted him to know I appreciated the gesture, but he didn't need to indulge me.

He raised his head to look at me. "I wanted to."

"Well, thanks…" I suddenly felt uncomfortable.

"Your hair looks nice. They didn't change it too much. That's good."

I took my hand off the hairband I had on my wrist. I was about to pull it off to tie my hair up. My neck was hot. "Thanks. It was really nice."

"That's three."

Quirking an eyebrow, I shifted the chairs back into place that had been moved for the massage table. "Three…?"

"Thank you's. I don't do these things to have praise heaped upon me. This was supposed to be my way of thanking you. Stop working. You're off duty."

I grinned and halted, leaning over the back of a chair. Awkward silence ensued.

"Should I leave?" he asked softly. "Or are you going to join me?"

I moved to sit in the chair I had been leaning on, but he held his hand out to me. I could feel my heart rate picking up even before I put my hand in his.

"Sit with me here. I don't have the energy to shout across the room."

Tucking myself in next to him, I laughed nervously. "It's not across the room!"

"Humor me… How else would I get you to sit with me?" He turned his head to face me, smirking before laying his head back in the position he originally took on the couch. This time his hands were folded across his stomach rather than laying limply at his sides. "I understand Rosalie told you about our dick of a father."

Thump-thump… thump-thump… My heart was in my throat. "I haven't repeated any of it. I won't."

"I know." He hesitated. "You signed a contract."

THUMP-THUMP… He didn't trust me!

His upper body shook as his low laugh sounded out. "No comment?"

"Asshole!"

More laughter.

"I thought you were angry about it! And it's not like I asked her… And I did sign a contract… But I wouldn't say anything anyway!"

"Bella… Bella! Relax. I hope you understand the contracts weren't about you, personally. It's necessary, unfortunately. I haven't always met with decent people. There are more who will sell me out than keep my confidences. I do have valid reasons for mistrusting people – even those I know." He twisted to take my hands in between his. He held them on my lap. "I'm not angry. I'm teasing you. It's a coping mechanism to get the focus off me. I'm not proud of my… parentage debacle. Nor how I handled it."

"Your sister is," I informed him. "She thinks you're awesome."

He snorted and removed one hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. "It could have gone either way – she could have thought I was a complete bastard for turning it around on him. I was lucky with her. She does think I'm an idiot for giving him back any money. If I had it to do over, I would have given it to her instead. She deserved it as much as I did."

I had no idea how much money was involved. His father had to have a good fortune amassed if he thought it was worth paying his son off to begin with. "It was cheeky – sending him a pay-off of your own," I said with a grin. "Mega cool points for that one. I hope you put the rest to good use." My eyes roamed around, taking in the luxury of this room alone.

He snickered and shook his head. "This has nothing to do with him. God. I wouldn't let one cent of his dirty money have anything to do with caring for my mother. I take care of her better than he ever did. I try to anyway." He blew out a breath. "No, the money I kept went to help out family friends for the most part. I kept a bit but blew it pretty quickly. I didn't have a manager then." His impish little boy eyes batted at me.

Family friends… the Blacks… gah, so sweet! "Did you misbehave?" I wanted to keep the conversation going. He was being quite forthwith, and his hand felt really good holding mine. I really liked Playful Edward.

"Horribly."

"Are you telling me that Mike keeps you from misbehaving now?"

"No." He laughed raucously. "Certainly not. That credit goes to Emmett, no question."

I smiled. "I like Emmett. He's awesome."

"I want to be Emmett when I grow up."

"He's really sweet with Rosalie… you approve of your sister's choice then, I presume."

He held my gaze for a moment with that unreadable look on his face before turning them down. "He's going about it the right way, so… yeah. I think they're perfect for each other. My only concern is that I'll lose him myself if he decides to travel around with her. But at least I'd know that she'd always be safe and well taken care of."

"Maybe she'd move here, to LA, I mean. And stay."

"In a perfect world…" He sighed, running his free hand over his face. "Actually, in a perfect world we'd all be in another place entirely. And I wouldn't be so reliant on my friends; so needy. In a perfect world, I'd be a grown up for real." His voice had grown very soft and his hand released mine. He turned his body to face me. "Why are you here Bella?"

"You hired me to be here. Did you forget that part?" I teased.

"I mean here, in LA. You're not a native either – you're too pale."

"You should talk!" I giggled.

"I know… it's not an insult. More of an observation. I happen to like porcelain skin."

Plenty of people had commented on my pale-assed complexion. No one had ever referred to it as 'porcelain'. Thoughtful warnings from Emily be damned, I liked how Edward made me feel when we were like this, and I ended up telling him my entire story from Charlie's injury to his death and the year of job jumping since. Throughout, his eyes never strayed. He asked questions as I related the tale, showing that he was paying attention and interested – I hoped he was interested. He grasped my hand a few times, and what I liked even more was when he trailed his fingers lightly up and down my arm. When I got to the point in the story that took me here, he embraced me.

After several minutes of simply holding me in his arms and rubbing his cheek against the top of my head, he finally spoke. "I'm so thankful that you're here, Bella. My mother adores you. You're good for her."

"I feel the same. She's a wonderful, sweet woman."

I felt his breath against my hair as he hummed in agreement. "You've got a lot in common. And yet, you're completely unalike. This… having you come here, was probably the best decision I've ever made."

I was stunned, and my words came without warning. "I thought you hated me."

Easing me away from his body, he tipped my chin up with his finger. "What? Why would you say that?"

"You seemed cold… distant… like you didn't want me around."

"I detest the whole process of hiring. I'm sick about requiring someone to take care of my mother. And… I can be an arse. I told you that already." A gentle smile played across his lips. "The contract business… Bella, I'm really sorry about that. You can see how it's necessary though. Right?"

Nodding, I looked away from his intense stare. I couldn't handle it – it was enveloping me, making it difficult to breathe. "I get that. I heard you yelling in your office, the day I was hired. You didn't want me here. You were only appeasing Esme…"

"What? I was yelling? I don't remember that at all." He scratched as his head as he thought back. I believed him. Or he was doing an incredible acting job again. "You're wrong, you know. I knew you were the one the day of the formal interview. Your remark to that bitchy, stiff woman about not killing your own father… you had me with that." He laughed softly, and I had to look at him again. His eyes were twinkling. "I can only work with real people – preferably people with attitudes and a sense of humour. And you stood up for yourself under really intense pressure. I was impressed to say the least."

"You're lying…" I said without thought.

"I'm not." His statement was firm. Completely believable. "Best decision. Ever. Are you certain it was me yelling?"

He was still thinking about that? "Quite sure, yeah."

"Do you recall what I was saying?"

Oh yes, I certainly did. "That it wasn't your choice. It was up to her…"

He shook his head, still thinking back and then it hit him. "OH!" He slapped his forehead. "Oh my god… that wasn't what you thought. I was arguing with my sister – not Rosalie, Alice. It had nothing to do with you."

Sucking in my lip, I could feel my cheeks glowing. And I knew it stood out on my porcelain skin… Damn. "Gee, who's got the biggest ego in the room?" I chuckled uncomfortably.

"You can't possibly outdo me," he teased with a haughty voice before hugging me against him once more. "I'm so sorry you heard that. It must have made you really uncomfortable."

"You weren't exactly in your comfort zone either," I retorted.

"I rarely am," he said softly. "Listen, I'm going to be away for a little while… just so you know. I'm not taking off and stranding my invalid mother."

"Shut up." My words were muffled against his chest and issued with a giggle.

"I'll call and check in when I can work out the time zone thing. I'm not sure yet where I'll be."

"You're going away, away then?"

"Yes. I've got a bit of growing up to do in a faraway place…" He huffed against my hair. "I'm taking Emmett with me, but Sam will still be here if you need to go anywhere. Please feel free to ask him for anything."

"Emmett will keep you from misbehaving in a faraway place…" I mused, hopefully.

"Emmett will save me from myself in a faraway place. I need to not rely on him so much." He chuckled and squeezed me a little tighter. "I'm sorry I drank so much that night we went out. Nerves. Being in crowds doesn't sit well with me, and I tend to drink out of nervousness. They tend to replenish without fail. It's a bad combination."

That seemed to come out of nowhere. I had no response. My fingers played with one of his shirt buttons as my mind worked to come up with something.

After a very awkward silence, his hand came up to meet mine, halting my button play. I felt his lips on the top on my head, and then he pulled my hand up and kissed my fingertips, not the pads, the actual tips – each one. Individually. It was the most bizarre – and sweetest – thing anyone had ever done to me. I gave him a curious look.

"What?" He chuckled as his arms wrapped around my waist.

"What was that?"

"Truthfully? A substitute. I've been wanting to do that to your toes since your self-pedicure the other day, but I figured you'd just think that was some kinky shit."

I nodded, holding back a smirk. "That would be weird."

He nodded with a crooked grin. "Weird."

"Did the substitute work for you?"

"Yes and no. I still want the toes. Another time."

Before I had time to contemplate that and respond, he sighed and released me, abruptly standing up. "I won't see you again before I leave. I'm going to the airport with Rosalie in the morning. Mike kept me from meeting her at the airport, but he won't stop me seeing her off – I have my own flight to catch. He's seriously getting on my nerves. Anyway, take care, Bella. See you when I get back – a little more grown up, I hope."

~ 0 ~

As was my routine in the morning, I showered, got Esme out of bed, and left her to brush out her hair and wash up. I intended to head for the kitchen, anxious for my coffee. I always had a cup while I helped Sue prepare a breakfast tray to bring back. I saw an envelope lying on the floor. Someone must have stuck in under the door. I picked it up and headed back to give it to Esme, but then noticed it had my name on it. Curious, I tore it open on my way to the kitchen instead. It was another contract, of sorts. It was more of a form letter printed off a home computer. This one was from Edward.

I, Edward Anthony Cullen, aka Edward Masen, reserve the right to claim the toes of Isabella Swan. Each digit will be caressed and appreciated before any kisses will be placed upon them. The handling of said toes, may or may not include nibbling and/or sucking, purely at the discretion of Ms. Swan.

By accepting the terms of this contract, Ms. Swan also agrees to 'another time'. Details to be provided at a future date.

Please confirm with your signature below, where indicated and return to E. A. Cullen under the door of the upstairs room at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your consideration. Further details will be provided by Mr Cullen, if and when he grows up.

It was signed and dated by Edward, with a space beside his name for my own signature. I smiled and tucked it into the waistband of my jeans. I'd need to make a copy of this contract before turning it in.