~Edward~

Two weeks turned into three. Three weeks of meetings, discussions, jam sessions, and a lot of late nights spent with the other musicians who lived in the large apartment over the recording studio owned by the record label. I sat in on sessions, participated in some back up work, spoke with producers, and had more than my fill of Victoria Gordon.

I came to the conclusion she was a viper. She had a way of twisting words, brushing off concerns, and talking over people.

Tonight we'd exchanged harsh words when I informed her I was returning home the next day. I had already been there longer than planned, and my life had been ignored long enough. She accused me of having no drive, and sneered at the thought of me returning to "swinging a hammer" and taking the chance I could injure myself and not be able to play my guitar. When I pointed out that although being here cost me nothing, it also wasn't paying the bills back home, and I had people depending on me. She then got right in my face, informing me there was a contract going to be offered, but if I left, it would be off the table. Then she stormed away, telling me to think long and hard before I "fucked up" the best career opportunity I would ever have.

I sat down on the edge of the bed I'd been sleeping in the past weeks. I flipped my cellphone over and again in my hands, and finally hit send, needing to hear the one voice that could calm and soothe me. Bella's soft "hi," washed over me, and I leaned back with a heavy sigh.

"Hello, my Angel."

"Edward," she breathed out. "Are you all right?"

"I'm okay. I'm coming home tomorrow."

"You are?"

"Yeah." I rubbed my hand over my eyes. "I'm not getting anywhere here. I feel like I'm standing still. Lots of talk, implied promises, and not much else. I'm done."

"Are you sure?"

"Do you not want me to come home?" I asked, half-jesting, yet feeling a little hurt.

"Of course I do. But I don't want you to have any regrets."

"Coming home to you would never be a regret. I should have come back last week."

"You had to give it everything, Edward. I'm so proud of you."

I shut my eyes at the sound of her soothing voice and gentle words.

"I'm tired, Bella. I miss you. I miss our house and the sound of your laughter. I miss the life we were building."

"Then come home."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Angel."

"I'll be waiting."

~o0o~

I grabbed my bag, glancing around to make sure I hadn't missed anything. I picked up my guitar case, and swung the bag over my shoulder. The large apartment was quiet as I made my way to the door. I had said me goodbyes to the other occupants last night. I was heading to the airport and grabbing the first flight out I could get. I didn't even care about the cost—I just wanted to get home to Bella.

My feet made low thuds as I headed down the steps and pushed open the door in the early morning light. I was surprised to see Victoria and Riley, the head of the company, getting out of a car at the front of the building.

She crossed her arms, staring at me. "Going somewhere, Edward?

"I told you I was going home."

"I don't remember issuing you a plane ticket."

"It's fine. I'll get home on my own."

Riley held up his hand. "Okay, not so fast. Edward, come back upstairs. Give me a couple hours to talk with you."

"We have talked. We've talked, I've played, I've co-operated. I've pitched in, done back-up vocals, helped lay tracks, and posed for a shit tons of pictures. And I am no further ahead than I was when I got here. I get it. I'm not what you are looking for. No hard feelings, Riley, but it's time I head home and back to my life."

He shook his head. "Two hours. That's all I'm asking. I'll have Kim book you a flight home this afternoon. No matter what happens."

I paused. What was two more hours—chances were I wouldn't get out until this afternoon anyway.

"Okay. Two hours."

~o0o~

It was longer. More like six hours. By the time I got on the plane, my head was spinning and I was overwhelmed. In my bag was a contract. Riley had spent hours telling me exactly what he had planned. Victoria was in and out of the room, adding comments and making observations. One part of the conversation echoed repeatedly in my head.

"We'll send you to Toronto. You can finish your songs, practice and record there."

"Toronto? Not here?"

Riley shook his head. "No. Toronto. We can tap into the network there, get you in some venues to start getting your name out there. There's a producer there I want you to work with. He can teach you a lot."

I frowned. "I see."

"Something wrong with Toronto?"

I was honest. "It's farther from home. If I were here, Bella could come visit easier—it's a short flight."

Victoria had interjected. "Exactly. You need to concentrate on your career. Less distractions in Toronto."

I glared at her. "Bella isn't a distraction."

Riley held up his hand. "We'll make sure you get to see your girlfriend, Edward. But Vic is right. You need to concentrate."

By the time I got back to Riverstoke, I was exhausted. I had texted Bella, telling her I would be later than planned, and as usual, her reply was nothing but supportive.

Do what you have to do, and I'll be here waiting. Love you.

Riley had arranged for a car to drive the two hours to our small town, which was a bonus, since by the time I landed, the next bus wouldn't have been until the following day. The car dropped me in front of the house, which, except for the porch light was shrouded in darkness. Entering the house, I stood for a moment, breathing in the scent of home. Bella was everywhere, her light floral scent hanging in the air. I climbed the stairs, dropping my bag on the floor, staring at our bed. My side was made up, but my pillows were in the middle of the bed, all bunched and creased. I knew Bella had been snuggling with them. A T-shirt laid across the bottom of the bed, and I lifted it, bringing it to my nose. Although it carried Bella's fragrance, I could still pick up me in the mix. Us.

I hurried down the stairs, certain I knew where to find Bella. Crossing the street, I knocked on the door, waiting impatiently. Carlisle opened the door, smiling at me. "I was hoping it was you. Welcome home, Edward. Someone is very anxious about seeing you."

"She's here?"

"Yes. In the kitchen with Esme."

Long strides covered the distance and I stood in the doorway, my eyes finding Bella instantly. Music was playing, Esme cooking, but unlike other times, Bella wasn't helping. She was sitting on one of the stools, a glass of wine in front of her, leaning on her elbow. Her fingers fiddled with the stem, a sad expression on her face. Emmett stood in the corner, eating a huge bowl of pasta, his face breaking into a wide grin when he saw me. Esme glanced up from her cookbook, caught my eye and winked.

"Bella," she murmured.

Bella looked up and Esme nodded toward me. Bella's head turned slightly and her eyes widened. She was off the stool at the same time I surged forward. Catching her in my arms, I yanked her tight to my chest, reveling having her close again. Her arms wound around my neck, and she buried her face into my shoulder. I was shocked to feel the sobs tearing through her body as I held her, and I looked at Esme in dismay. She patted Emmett's shoulder, and they left the room. Holding Bella tight, I carried her to the counter, setting her down and talking to her quietly.

"Hey, Angel. What's this? I thought you'd be happy to see me?"

"I am," she gasped out, still crying.

I tugged her away, cupping her face, trying to wipe away the tears that kept falling. "Why are you crying, baby? I'd said I'd be home today."

"You said you'd be home last week, and it changed. It was getting so late, I thought you'd be calling to say tomorrow or the next day," she admitted.

Feeling a rush of guilt at her words, I pulled her back to me. "I'm sorry. I rushed to make the flight, and I didn't charge up my phone. I should have stopped to call."

"It's okay." She hiccupped. "You're here now."

"I am."

"I missed you so much."

"I missed you, too."

Cupping her face, I leaned down and kissed her. "Stop, please," I begged against her lips. "I hate to see you cry. I'm here, Bella."

She offered me a watery smile. "O–okay."

"Let's go home."

"Esme made dinner. You must be hungry!"

I hesitated. I really wanted to take her to home and crawl into bed with her, but I was starving.

"Eat, and visit for a little while. I took tomorrow off so we can sleep late and you can tell me everything. They missed you, too."

"Fine. I'll eat, but then we go home. I want you naked in the shower, and then in our bed before midnight. Understood?"

"Understood."

~o0o~

Esme's pasta was great, as usual. I was sure I ate more than Emmett. It felt so good to be back, sitting with them all, talking, listening to their laughter and stories. It felt especially good to feel Bella beside me. I kept her close, often stopping to nuzzle her hair or drop a kiss to her cheek. I was grateful nobody brought up Vancouver, instead filling me in on everything happening here. Emmett told me about hiring a local boy to help him out who had been great. "He's not you, Edward, but with him and Jasper I've been able to keep up."

I nodded, glad my mouth was full. I didn't want to say anything to anyone until I spoke with Bella. She was quiet for the most part, seemingly content to sit beside me, her hand resting on my thigh. She looked tired, and I thought she had lost weight—she looked paler than usual. I didn't like it.

After filling up on pasta and stifling a couple yawns, I met Carlisle's gaze. "I'm pretty beat."

"Of course. You need to go home and get some rest."

"Are you around tomorrow?"

"Yep. All afternoon."

"Okay." I stood, holding out my hand for Bella. "I'll see you all tomorrow, at different times and we'll catch up."

I kissed Esme's cheek, shook Carlisle's hand, and barely remained upright from Emmett's slap on the back. Inhaling deeply, I wrapped my arm around Bella as we walked across the street.

"It's so quiet here. And it smells like the forest. I missed that." I pulled her closer. "I missed you most of all."

She leaned her head against my shoulder, and I saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes. "Me, too."

I waited until we walked in the door and we were alone. In the kitchen, I turned to Bella, who was watching me, looking surprisingly nervous. I leaned against the counter and held out my hand. "Angel, are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"Why are you over there?"

She stepped forward, burying herself in my embrace. I could feel her tension, her body rigid in my arms.

"Tell me," I demanded. "Tell me what's wrong. You're scaring me."

She looked up, tears already gathering in her eyes.

"You're leaving again, aren't you?"

I sucked in a surprised breath. I didn't want to talk about it right now. But I couldn't lie to her.

"We have a lot to talk about."

"Can we have tonight to just be us before it all changes?"

I held her face between my palms. "Regardless of the future, nothing about us changes, Bella. Nothing. You are the very best part of my life and I love you. I'm not letting you go."

One tear rolled down her cheek, passing over my thumb; its singularity was somehow more painful to me than buckets of tears.

"I love you," I repeated. "More than anything."

She pulled me to her. "Show me."

I lifted her into my arms. "Always."

Thank you for reading. See you next week.