So, this is the Story of a Man named Jed ... no, but somehow I had that song in my head this morning. Dedicated to my Beta Team on this round and my fellow authors -Esecially those who have tweeted me recently - you RoCK! Now for a little more teasing ... My next project will be to finish my story with a horrible title ... yeah! and participate in two other projects, the Exchange and Fandom 4 Texas - See the note at the end for more information!

Chapter 11: Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire

Chicago yard parties!

About two years later

Carlisle manned the grill. It was his pleasure, and it was nice to help his son have a normal life when he could. Edward had bought this little triplex and had it renovated so he'd have a spot of normality and a steady income. The quiet north side neighborhood was not where you'd expect a music star to live, but it was exactly where he expected his son would choose.

The first few years had been a whirlwind, and now that the band was releasing a third album, they had achieved a place where they were all talking about taking a long break. Away from the concert scene and recording too, once the rest of the summer was over. Paul was engaged, and he wasn't too keen on the constant travel any more. Embry and Laurent wanted more time to write music.

Edward had his own house now, and he wanted to get a dog. The thought of Edward with a dog had surprised Carlisle and Esme. He'd never wanted a pet before, well, that was before Bella, anyway. Carlisle chucked softly at his memory of their meeting.

He'd been backstage the first time he'd seen her. She was texting furiously, and when she stopped and smiled with her apology, it was a glorious one. She explained how she'd turned off her phone earlier and just now realized her friend was concerned about her – so she'd been filling her in and letting her know all was well. Well indeed. The other text had been from her mother, she'd explained. She'd turned the phone so he could read. It was just one word. Benign. She was almost glowing as she'd turned off her phone again and sat with him for the performance.

Esme looked around, wondering if Bella was living here too. The décor had a few feminine touches, but the couple hadn't said anything to her or to Carlisle, that she knew of. It brought up a memory from last year. That was almost an out of body experience; they had gone on a double date of all things, and had been spotted in the restaurant after seeing Avatar.

Esme remembered that Bella had been calm and happy even with all the attention. She looked into the cameras and smiled, as if to say, "Bring it" when word got out that she was the girl in the song.

Tabloids and award shows didn't faze her either. There was a framed copy of "People," from the night the two of them were photographed at the Grammy's.

It sat next to the award for song of the year on the mantle of the living room fireplace. She walked into the kitchen to find Bella's friend Rose talking with the contractor who had done all the work on the place. Esme recalled they had married. Alice, one of Bella's other friends, was pulling a tray out of the fridge, so Esme grabbed the plates and followed her downstairs to the backyard.

They found Bella introducing the mystery man who had gladly given her so many passes so she could surprise Edward and see him while on tour. It was Edward's pleasure to meet Jasper. It was apparent Alice was pleased, seeing him for the first time as well. The new tenants came downstairs and the rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly. The band even sang a couple of songs for fun, and to prove to a seven-year-old neighbor boy that they were really who his mother had told him they were.

Bella's parents were both there, which was a feat, since they lived on either end of the country. Phil, Renee's husband, was in Chicago from time to time as a scout for the Cubs, but he'd mostly retired. Charlie wasn't much for flying, yet here he sat.

-MHBG-

The afternoon drifted on, as summer days in Chicago hold on to the sun as long as possible. No one noticed the absence of the couple of the hour. It had been a long couple of years for Edward and Bella, their relationship growing with help from the good old USPS and of modern conveniences like Skype and Email, along with a wonderful relationship with FedEx and the men in Brown – and when Edward teased Bella about them, she'd then enquire if the FedEx girl had been in shorts – he'd respond it was usually a stuffy hotel clerk that brought the surprises. The homemade treats never lasted very long if they arrived when the band was at hand.

He was thinking the color in her eyes was much prettier than that of her sought after brownies, and she was thinking that his eyes reminded her of the newly planted sod in front of his building, as they climbed the stairs. He brought her to sit at the baby grand for which the picture window had to be removed just to get it into the apartment. The walls and windows muffled the sounds of the festivities outdoors. As Edward began to play his new pride and joy, Bella began to feel they were alone at the top of the world.

"This place is perfect for you. It's so close to school and it turned out beautiful."

"Bella, your suggestions and your presence make it so." He left the piano and came to stand in front of her, as she sat on the large chair by the window. "I can't imagine this place without you in it. Since I met you at the station, I can't really imagine much else that isn't better when you are there."

"It's like a dream that you are really here most of the time now. I can see you without a camera or a boarding pass whenever, well, as much as you'd like." She smiled up at him, wondering a bit at his stance.

Edward took her hand. "I'd like you here all the time. Bella, I know we haven't had the most traditional time dating."

"You mean the first three dates in the first 24 hours, and then ten days before we could get together again?" The Tonight show was blamed for that.

"Yeah, it was crazy from time to time, but it was also some of the best times I've ever had." Edward had moved to the ottoman, barely seating himself on the edge and still holding Bella's hand. He slipped down onto one knee, placing his other hand with a small white box on her knee. "Bella, I want you here all the time, always. Would you do me the extreme honor-and become my wife?"

Bella forgot about the people downstairs or the day's activities. She forgot about the box on her knees as she took Edward's face in her hands and she drew him closer, whispering a strong "Yes" as they came together in a kiss. It was one of many kisses as they wrapped their arms around each other and settled together in the oversized chair.

After a few moments of just holding and looking at each other, enjoying their smiles and finally breaking into giggles, Edward realized that she hadn't seen the ring. He scooped up the white box, and proffered it up on his outstretched palm, as a butler would hold a tray. "Your ring, milady."

"Edward, you do the honors, please." Bella softly placed her left hand on his chest. He set the box on his thigh and popped it open before lifting it before her.

"It was my Mom's." Edward watched her eyes for any sign of disappointment as he removed it out of the box and slid it on her finger, lifting her hand from his chest to his lips. Bella brought her hand toward her face for a moment and then let it rest on his thigh, covering his hand.

"It's perfect." Bella looked again at her hand, the ring finger encircled by a platinum band, with a round diamond surrounded by a ring of smaller stones, and a few on each side of the band.

Standing up and pulling her into his arms, he swept her up into his embrace and swung her around, smiling with a new melody filling his heart.

-MHBG-

The gathering again struck Carlisle as a little unusual. Even though Edward had a very public persona, at heart he was still the quiet, well-mannered, somewhat shy student and son. The touring and crowds had not changed him. He'd barely show his face, much less plan an afternoon like this for his family.

It all made sense a little later as Bella and Edward came down the back stairs, a noticeable sparkle on her left hand. Elizabeth's ring had found a new home.

The roof of the building was a perfect spot to see the holiday spectacle over the lake. The couples found themselves overlooking the yards, under the stars.

At ten, the firehouse horn sounded just after the church bell's chimed. Fireworks shot up and filled the inky sky. Magic must have been catching that night; under the skyrockets there were kisses, even on the neighboring porches where other couples embraced beneath the sparkling sky. The muses of misfortune must have found a new home, for they had not appeared in quite a while.

~Fin~

So, it had occurred to me that there might be another missing scene. For those of you who donated too F4SAA, you heard what happened after the Radio Station performance, and that will be posting shortly, as soon as allowed, BUT... we don't know what Bella did after that, so If you review, you will get a teaser of that scene plus a teaser for the scene I am donating to Fandom 4 Texas. Don't panic if it takes me a few days, I'm driving from Dallas to Wilmington Delaware and won't be on the net much till after the 10th. If I get more than 10 reviews, one reader will be getting both chapters, so let me know what you thought of my drabbles here - just click that graphic!

All the best

Reb