*Stephenie Meyer created Twilight, I just play with her characters now and then*

A/N: Sorry this is a couple of days late. As my friend and Beta Shannon (aka CullenSweetheart) said, RL is treating me like a Red-headed step child!

I want to send a heartfelt Thank You out to some dear friends – Shannon, Misty, Tiffany, Leigh and several others. I met all of you through this amazing fandom and through the facebook group that Shannon and I started (Edward and Bella's place). Thank you for all the support you have given me over the last little while! I truly appreciate it and you are all loved!

~11~

I woke up the morning after my last final with the mother of all hangovers. I opened my eyes and wished that there was a way to dim the brightness of the sun that was shining into my bedroom. I stumbled into the kitchen intent on a glass of water and some pain killers. I glanced in the living room as I walked by and saw Emmett sprawled on the couch. I just barely remembered taking his keys and making him promise to either stay on the couch or take a cab home. I saw Alice standing at the counter staring intently at the coffee pot.

"Is it going to perform magic?" I asked as I grabbed a glass out of the cupboard.

She just grunted and glared at me.

"Sorry, hung-over much?"

"You could say that. I just turned this thing on and now I'm trying to mentally tell it to brew faster." She looked up at me with sleepy eyes and a scowl. "It's not listening"

I giggled and then immediately groaned. "Oh, Al, don't make me laugh today. Please."

I filled my glass with water and grabbed a couple Advil. "I think I need hangover food. The greasier, the better."

Emmett plodded into the kitchen, swiped the glass out of my hand and downed the water in one gulp.

"Just for that, you're the lucky one that gets to go get breakfast. Something disgusting and greasy." I said slapping Emmett on the shoulder.

"Must you yell? And, I need my keys back if I am going to do that."

I found the keys and handed them to Emmett. He was going to get breakfast from A&W and would be back shortly. I decided to have a shower and felt much better after. My phone chirped just as I was going into my bedroom.

On a break and wanted to say I love you and Good Morning. ~E

Morning, yes. Good? Not so much. Too hung-over. I love you too. ~B

Kept drinking after I left did ya? ~E

Uh huh. WAY too much. Em and Ali too. Plotting makes for a good reason to get sloshed. ~B

Plotting? ~E

Yes… Jessica's demise. ~B

I don't think I want to know. Got to get back to work. I love you. ~E

Love you too. ~B

We didn't really plot much. Just a few far fetched things that we knew were inappropriate and would just embarrass Edward and me, and I was not going to do that.

The next few days flew by. It was the day before graduation and I was getting ready to head to the airport to pick up my parents. I didn't have any extra room at my place, so Edward had offered his spare bedroom to them. After running it past my mom, who accepted immediately, I spent a day at Edward's tidying up and making it look less like a bachelor pad. After I picked them up, we were going to head directly to his place and then out to Esme and Carlisle's for dinner. Esme had also invited Emmett, his parents, as well as Alice and her parents.

I parked in the short term parking lot and made my way to the waiting area for my parents' arrival. I knew the plane had landed and that they would have to go through customs before I would see them, so I sat and waited in one of the uncomfortable chairs. I thought about what I had to do to get out of my apartment without being noticed by the dozen cameramen that were scattered around the entrance to my building. Ball cap with my hair hiding completely underneath, sunglasses and a shapeless outfit that made me look like a pre-pubescent boy. I had shorts and a tank underneath the outfit so that I just had to take it off when I had a chance. I got to Alice's car with a sigh of relief.

I saw my Mom emerge from customs first. She had a smile on her face and was talking animatedly to the lady beside her as my dad pushed the luggage cart behind her. Dad noticed me first. His eyes lit up and the edges of his moustache rose up. I ran right into his arms and squeezed him tight.

"Hi, Daddy." I said tearfully. It had been too long since I last saw him.

"How's my baby girl? I missed you."

"Charlie, let me get in there." Mom said from beside him.

"Hi Mom" Was all I got out before I was wrapped in her arms.

"Oh sweetie, I missed you so much. You look good, I was half expecting you to be too skinny."

"Yeah, Edward has been feeding me." I kissed her on the cheek.

"So, when do we get to meet this boy?" My dad asked as we started to make our way to the car.

"We're going straight to his place. He'ss working until 4, so I will help get you settled and then once he's home we will head to his parent's for dinner."

We settled in the car and started towards Edward's place. Dad grilled me the whole way, making sure I knew what I was getting myself into. He'd seen the pictures that were popping up.

He was still harping about it when we arrived at Edward's. Mom was shocked that the place was so modest.

"I was half expecting a huge mansion in a gated community." She said eyeing the outside of the condo.

"That isn't Edward, Mom. Wait till you meet him; you'll see what I mean."

I pulled out the key Edward had given me the night before and let us into the condo. My dad continued his worried rant.

"I just don't want to see you hurt, especially so publicly."

"Don't worry Daddy; Edward would never hurt me intentionally. He loves me."

"Love? Bella, you've known him what? Six weeks? Baby girl, he's a Hollywood hotshot. Just be careful. Wait, do you love him too?"

"I do Dad, so much. I think I loved him from the moment I met him."

Dad scoffed at that. "Seriously Bella, you were just blinded by the Hollywood sign."

"Actually Dad, I had no clue who he was when I first met him. I hadn't even seen any of his movies until the night, when Alice made me watch one. So Hollywood had nothing to do with it. He is an amazing person, a wonderful man, and he treats me like I should be treated. Isn't that all that matters?"

"I hope so." A smooth voice said from the entrance to the living room. I looked over and Edward was standing there with a huge smile on his face.

I squeaked and practically jumped into his arms. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't done till 4 today?" I kissed him firmly on the lips.

"Tanya had to fly back to LA for some meeting, so we broke up early. I'm now all yours for the next 4 days." He said kissing me back.

My dad cleared his throat. I laughed and buried my head in Edward's chest as I blushed.

"Sorry, Dad, Mom. This is Edward Cullen. Edward, these are my parents. Charlie and Renee Swan."

"Mr. Swan, Mrs. Swan. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said extending his hand for a shake.

Mom just waved his hand out of the want and pulled him in for a hug. "Nice to meet you too, Edward. Please, call us Renee and Charlie."

Dad choked a bit behind her. He didn't like anyone calling him by his first name unless he gave permission. I giggled a little bit. Mom let go of Edward and he turned to my dad and again extended his hand. Dad gave it a look and grasped it. I could tell from the look in Edwards's eyes that Dad was trying to squeeze fear into that handshake. But he held, didn't squeeze back, just nodded and said. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Swan." Dad's eyes brightened a little bit, and he let up the grip on Edward's hand.

"Nice to meet you, Edward. Nice place you have here." He wasn't accepting him yet, but I could tell that Dad was going to give him a chance, which at this point in the game, was all I could ask for.

We got my parents settled into the guest room and let them rest for a bit before we headed to the Cullen's.

"So I think my Dad is open to liking you." I said as we settled down on the couch.

"You think so? That handshake he gave me shouted otherwise."

"Yeah, but then you called him Mr. Swan instead of Charlie like Mom told you to, he liked that. I do warn you though, before they leave on Sunday, he will corner you and he will read you the riot act about hurting his baby girl and all that shit, he may even ask what your intentions are."

He laughed out loud to that. "I don't think he has a thing to worry about there. I would rather cut my right arm off than hurt you."

"I know this, but my Dad doesn't. So you'll just have to convince him." I kissed him lightly on the lips and sighed.

Edward wrapped his arm around me and I snuggled in close. We sat on the couch and talked for an hour until my parents came back downstairs.. As soon as they did, we left for the Cullen house. My parents had already met Esme, during one of their visits. But at the time she was only the Aunt of my friend and not the mother of my boyfriend. I knew I shouldn't be, but I was kinda nervous about it.

"Renee, Charlie, how wonderful to see you again." Esme greeted as we walked up the small path to the front door. Esme and my Mom hugged and smiled at each other.

Edward gave me a look that said 'The fuck?'

I laughed and remembered that I hadn't t told him that my parent's had met his mother before. "They've met a few times over the years. My Mom adores Emmett."

"So basically, I'm the only member of my family that knew nothing about you? I feel gypped you know." He said with a dramatic sigh. I just slapped him lightly and laughed.

Our parents chatted while we waited for everyone else to arrive; when Emmett arrived you would have thought that it was a reunion of long lost Mother and Son. He ran straight to my Mom and swung her around. "Momma Renee! Long time no see."

"Emmett honey! I've missed you dear!" Mom said laughing.

Em put my Mom back down on the ground and turned to my Dad. "Pops! How was the flight?" He asked shaking his hand.

"It was good son. Happy to be done with school?"

"Oh more than you can imagine! So what do you think of Ed?" He asked getting right to the point.

"I've reserved judgment until I know the boy better." Dad said with a glance toward me and Edward.

"Ahh don't worry about it Pops. Ed's a good guy. After all, he is blood related to me."

"I'm not sure that helps his case, Emmett." Dad said with a smirk.

That made us all laugh; except Edward. He looked kinda worried. I just rubbed his back and smiled up at him.

The rest of the guests arrived soon after. Alice was just as enthusiastic as Em was when she saw my parents. Alice's parents were a little star struck when they met Edward, but they got over it quickly. Dinner was nice. We stretched the evening out knowing that the next day was going to be a busy one.

We got to back to Edward's just after 10. My parents promised that they would see me in the morning after the ceremony and headed to bed, leaving Edward and I alone downstairs.

"Well that went well. I didn't realize that our parents already knew each other" He said as he wrapped his arms around me for a hug,

"Yeah, they actually met during Christmas my first year here; I couldn't get home because I was working so my parents came up here. Your Mom stopped by Emmett's apartment on Christmas Eve and we were all there."

"I really wish we had met sooner. I feel like I've known you forever and that we've somehow lost so much time"

"I feel the same way." We stood in the kitchen wrapped in each others arms for a few minutes.

"I don't want to, but I should get going. I have to be up early. Alice is going to do my hair and then we have to be on campus at 9."

"I wish you could stay here." He sighed tightening his hold on me.

"I do too, but not gonna happen with my parents across the hall from you. Sunday after they leave, I am all yours. Monday, I have to start figuring out what I'm going do about work."

"I'm looking forward to Sunday." He leaned in for a kiss. A kiss that, had my parents not been in the house, would have ended up with us in the bedroom.

I pulled away panting and giving him the evil eye. "Mr. Cullen, that was not very nice."

"Hey, you're the one who kept kissing me, I did nothing." He said with a smirk.

"Uh huh. But really, I should go. I love you."

"I love you too, so much. I'll see you tomorrow. Text me when you are home safely."

He walked me to my car and kissed me again. I headed home with a smile but with the feeling that I was leaving something important behind.

Alice woke me up at 7 the next morning by pounding on my door. "BELLA, get your ass out of that bed. It is going to take more than an hour to get ready. We have to start NOW!" She shouted through the door.

We were ready to go by twenty to nine. Emmett arrived and the three of us left together. As soon as we exited the building I heard several clicks of cameras and shouted questions. I ignored them and slid in between Alice and Emmett as we headed to the car. We arrived at the school auditorium five minutes before we had to be there and got in line to get our caps and gowns. By 9:30 the three of us had our gowns, we still had an hour before we had to line up to file in and take our seats. My Mom and Edward both sent texts saying they were on their way and would hopefully see me before the ceremony. Alice, Emmett and I were joined by Angela and her fiance, Ben and we chatted with them and a few other grads while we continued to wait. I heard my name called and turned. There, making his way through the crowd, slightly towering over most of the other people there was Jacob. My jaw dropped and I felt the anger burn through me. I turned to my friends with a look of shock.

"Bella, isn't that…." Alice asked; her voice full of as much shock and anger that I had written on my face.

"Yeah, it is." I said though clenched teeth. Then I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"Hey Bells, I told you I wouldn't miss your grad." The voice came from the one man I never wanted to see again.

"Jacob, what the fuck are you doing here? I told you I did not want you here and that I never wanted to see you again. Do you not know how to take a hint?"

"I wanted to be here for you to prove to you that I still love you and that I would do anything for you. I think driving for 15 hours to get here shows that a little bit."

"I don't want you here. AT ALL. So you can get back in your car and head 15 hours back the way you came." I turned back toward my friends. Emmett looked like he was ready to kill on my command. I just shook my head.

Jacob went to say something else but at the same time a girl close to the parking lot screamed. "OH MY GOD, You're Anthony Masen!"

My head snapped up in the direction of the scream and my eyes met the amazing green eyes of my boyfriend. My parents were close behind him and they started making their way through the crowd to my friends and me. I heard Angela giggle behind me and I turned to smile at her. The next thing I know I am being grabbed by my upper arm and pulled away from my friends by Jacob.

"The fuck? Jacob, let me go!"

"Not until you listen to me." He pulled me further away as I struggled. He was able to drag me a couple of feet away before Edward was at my side with Emmett directly behind him.

"Let her go." Edward growled. Jacob's hand tightened on my arm.

"Jacob, let me go. I don't want to talk to you; I don't want anything to do with you. We were through four years ago and nothing is going to change that." His grip became painful. Edward noticed immediately that I had winced. He grabbed Jacob's forearm and squeezed.

"Let her go now." He said with a bit of force.

"Why? You're just some Hollywood pretty boy. What do you want with my Bella?" Jacob asked staring daggers at Edward.

"Your Bella?" I screeched. "I have never been YOUR Bella. Even when we dated, I was never yours. You have to have my heart for me to be yours."

"You loved me then Bella, and I know deep down you still do. Now, let go Hollywood. She is going to talk to me."

"No, she isn't. You may think she's yours. But she isn't. Ask her who owns her heart before you try to drag her away like a Neanderthal."

"I already know the answer to that. It's me. It's always been me, she just doesn't remember. Right, Bella?" His grip finally lightened up and I saw what I knew was a mixture of hope and defeat in his eyes.

"No Jacob, I never loved you. There's only one person who has truly ever owned my heart, and he isn't you." His grip wavered until it was just his hand lightly curled on my arm and I saw the hope fade a bit.

"Then who?" He asked, but I knew he already knew the answer from the way Edward was hovering.

"You're looking at him." I gestured to Edward. "He is the only person to ever have my whole heart. I love him." Jacob finally removed his hand from my arm and Edward quickly wrapped his arm around my waist as he pulled me into his side.

"Are you okay love?" He asked as he rubbed my arm where Jacob had been squeezing.

"I am, I know there'll be a bruise, but I'm fine. Thank you. I love you." I said as I tilted my head to see his face.

"I love you too." He bent down and lightly kissed my lips. My Dad had moved between me and Jacob and had pulled Jacob away. I couldn't hear much of what was being said, but I could tell from how red my Dad's face was and the look on Jacobs's face that he was in for a whole lot of hell.

After my Dad sent Jacob on his way, everyone surrounded me to make sure I was okay. Then it was time. Alice, Em and I headed in to line up for the ceremony.

A/N: And Jacob makes his appearance. A little delusional if you ask me!

Story recs: I have three for you this week. I won't say much – just this: Edward as a Firefighter! All three are WIPs – but update on a regular basis!

Worth the Risk by footprints358

Caught in the Flames by Tufano79 (on FictionPad)

Rescue Me – Edward's Eternal