I could make all sorts of excuses but I won't. Just know this story will be finished and not left to die in AbandonedFic land.

This is not edited by B because I have made you wait way too long as it is. As I get some chapters banked, she will make them pretty again. Until then, try to overlook my errors.

Thanks to all who have nominated me for the TwiFic Awards. Six nominations. I'm honored.

The American Princess

Chapter 10

EPOV

"I told you to let this fade out! Not make her the People's Princess!"

I controlled my flinch as my father threw rag after rag toward me. I picked one up. Bella was on the front page, sitting down on the floor with Lila and a book in her lap. Lila was laughing up at her and Bella was laughing down at her. It was a money shot for sure.

I realized my father was still waiting, "I had nothing to do with this. I thought she was right behind me." Weak answer, for sure, but honest. I hadn't realized she wasn't behind me, thinking she would stick to my side in an unfamiliar situation. I'm not sure if that is my arrogance or just delusional thinking.

Father scoffed. "And don't get me started on the online reports. I expected negativity to reign supreme but obviously I underestimated Miss Swan's fan base. They are a rather vocal group."

"I'm afraid I don't know much about that. Maybe you should ask Alice. She's a fan of Bella's after all," I suggest. My father's scowl suggests he would like me to stick my suggestion up my arse.

"All I know, is that the next outing should be away from sick children. Perhaps you can find a brothel?"

"She's not a prostitute, Father. She's an actress."

"Humpf. Natalie Wood was an actress. Grace Kelly was an actress."

"An actress turned princess," I point out.

"Okay, maybe that wasn't the best example. My point is she is nowhere near their caliber."

"Have you even seen a movie she was in?"

"Have you?"

"Touché."

My father sighs. "This can not happen again, Edward. I hate to say it, but you must make her look bad or else the press will crucify you for damaging this 'sweet young lady'. And I can't have that."

"But you condone sullying her reputation?"

"She did that when she punched that director. Surely, you don't condone that type of boorish behavior?"

"He was sexually harassing her, so yes."

"Be that as it may, please find events for her to accompany you that won't put her in a dazzling light."

"Have you met her?"

"Edward!"

"Okay, okay. I'll look at my schedule and pick out non-dazzling events," I mock as I get up and exit his office.

I need a drink.

Instead of rifling through our liquor cabinet, I go in search of Bella. She's a calming influence after surviving the storm that is my father. Emmett, who is making eyes at my sister, tells me she is out in the garden with Alice and the little princesses. I tell him thank you and he flashes me an easy grin then turns back to Rosalie, who is pointedly ignoring him. The mirth in her eyes tells me she is much enjoying his attention.

We may give my father a heart attack.

I find Alice, who is reading what looks to be a smutty novel.

"That's hardly Pride and Prejudice."

She lazily looks up at me from her perch on the marble bench and grins at me, much like Emmett did minutes ago. "No, but much more entertaining, for both me and Jasper, if you get my drift?"

I cringe. Yes, I get her drift. I look around but do not see who I am currently searching for.

"She's with the girls. Helping them get into mischief, I'm sure. Not that they need any help with that."

I sigh then thank her intent on continuing my quest.

"Edward, sit down with me for a moment." It's not a request. Alice, the gentle soul that she is, can be as scary as my father at times. I do as I'm told and wait.

"She's lovely. Much more than I originally thought she would be."

I nod because yes, she is lovely.

"She's also hilarious and quick on her feet. Very intelligent."

I nod again, because she's still correct. Before I can ask her where she is going with this, she dives right in.

"She's also sweet and kind and she's been hurt before. Now, I know you know all this, but I can't help but feel that you and Carlisle are going to destroy this woman. Unintentional as it might be on your part, and as intentional as it will be on his, I will not stand by and let this happen quietly."

I bristle at the accusation that I will let Bella get hurt.

"She knew what she is getting into." Weak, yes, but my only defense at this moment.

"Be that as it may, I like her, and I think she could be very good for you."

I thrust my right hand into my hair and tug in frustration.

"You know full well that can never happen. I am not allowed such luxuries, like Jasper and Rosalie are."

"Oh, quit your complaining, Edward! You are such a whiny little bitch sometimes. 'Poor, poor me. I can't do anything'. You can do anything you want if you just stand up and take it. And I don't mean bending over and taking your father's shit up the ass!" She pauses. "No pun intended."

I grab her book and rifle through it. "What kind of crap is this book teaching you?"

She grabs it back and hugs it to her chest. "I don't need a book to tell me what you should already know. Now, I believe the girls are around front."

I get up since I'm now obviously excused and trudge toward the front of the palace.

Finally. There she is. However, once I see what she is doing, I can't help but laugh.

She is in front of one of the King's Guard, making faces and telling corny jokes that she could have only gotten off a taffy wrapper, trying to get him to laugh. Grace and Alivia have joined in and I see that I am not the only one who notices them. I hang back out of sight as the cameras flash in almost beautiful synchrony.

I'm not sure why but Bella's joyful laughter rings out above all the din. I lean by head back out to see that amazingly enough, she has succeeded with the guard and the dazzling smile she offers him in return is enough to make me buckle at the knees. But, I know this can be deemed as disrespectful to my people and even though it would make my father's day to see her ridiculed, I know I must interject.

She sees me almost immediately, as if she is always on alert when I am near. She practically tackles me in her excitement, her arms and legs wrapping around me intimately.

"I got him to smile! I was told that was impossible!" She squeals as she peppers my face with tiny little pecking kisses.

As if a switch flipped, or maybe it was the blinding lights from the still flashing cameras, she suddenly remembers her self and slowly slides down me with an apologetic look.

"I wasn't supposed to do that. I'm so…"

I place a fingertip over her lovely painted lips. "I'm not."

And I'm not. Not when the sun is bringing out the reds in her hair. Not when the blush of waning excitement and growing shame in her cheeks rivals the color of her lips. Not when said lips are still within inches of mine.

So, taking a page out of Alice's literal book, I kiss Bella, throwing out all inhibitions.

It's not a kiss would normally change lives. After all, I'm not Prince Charming waking up a sleeping princess. Just a simple pressing of lips, a lingering of… something. It doesn't involve tongues or teeth. It's not erotic in the least but it feels like the most important kiss I will ever experience.

And I know now, I will never be the same.

Because of this one simple kiss.

She looks at me, obviously taken aback. Her eyes are questioning.

But I have no answers. So, I give her none, instead choosing to gather up the now giggling girls and lead them in the palace, away from prying eyes. And I know I will have to say something for my erratic behavior.

"I shouldn't have done that…"

"If you apologize to me, Edward Cullen, I will…" Again, my fingertip stops her, but her eyes are still scowling.

"I shouldn't have done that, but I don't regret that I did… for now. But once this hits the rags, I'm done for."

"I'm not sorry you did that either. And as for your father, let me at him."

I laugh and want to pull her in my arms but instead I take her hand. "I'll think about it but for now you should clean-up for dinner."

"Okay." She leans over and kisses me on my cheek. "See you in an hour, Your Highness."

With a wink and a wave, she's gone. And all I can think is that woman will be the death of me.

I know there is only one People's Princess but in this story world, Diana did not exist and I imagine my Bella to be as kind hearted and as wonderful as she was. And to all my Englanders, hope I'm not making your cringe too much with my Edward. I'm rather Americanized but I do try to make it authentic enough.