A/N: First, I swear on my Chardonnay that I'll never try to post to both stories the same night again. If you're reading this and "Labels" you know of my f*ck up and I apologize, yet again.

Second…my one shot, "If the World Ends" got pimped by the Fellowship of the Peen. Those WordyBitches are incredible, and I was truly honored.

We're almost done here…one more full chap and then a short epi. I appreciate your interest, really I do.

SMeyer owns all Twilight characters. No copyright infringement intended.

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14. Redemption

##

EDWARD

"I can afford to buy you a damn hamburger," I bitched as we fought over the bill. I was so incredibly grateful that she agreed to go to dinner with me that I was bound and determined that I was going to pay.

When she suggested going to her place, my first instinct was to say, "Fuck yes," but I knew that I needed to put in the time to win her over again, and I'd do it if it took me until my dying day. I knew that she was the woman with whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life, but I also knew that she wouldn't believe me if I just blurted it out like the stupid moron I was. So, I'd do the legwork and prove myself.

"I didn't mean to make you think that I was under a hardship by not drawing a salary, Masen," she protested. She was so cute with that shit that I wanted to haul her over my shoulder and take her to her house, which I loved a lot more than my own, and show her how much I still loved her. Hopefully, Cupid would shoot as straight to her heart as her mother had when she shot Traigor right between the eyes. That was my prayer, anyway.

"Stop, okay? It's a goddamn five dollar hamburger. You can pay next time. I still…um, I believe I still owe you some meals," I corrected. I damn near told her that I still loved her, but it wasn't the time or place, standing at the checkout counter of the diner.

We walked outside and she hit the fob to unlock the Ford that she was driving. "What happened to the Audi? I always wanted to drive that car," I joked.

"When I thought I had a shot at getting…at becoming a…it was just time to grow up, I guess. I miss it, but this one goes a lot better in bad weather," she answered looking a little sad. I yearned to pull her into me and hold her because I knew what she wasn't saying, and I felt responsible. I didn't like feeling that way one fucking bit.

"That's nice, though," I offered lamely. She smiled and nodded as she opened the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Masen. I'll handle Lauren Mallory," she called as she climbed into her car and closed the door. I could only wave good-bye.

Another time…another place…a time which I hadn't completely fucked up, we'd both be in my car driving to her house to go home and collapse into bed, hopefully making love before we fell asleep holding each other tightly, each of us grateful to have the other.

It wasn't the time, and it wasn't the place, and that wasn't going to happen, but if I had any say in the matter, it might just happen sooner than later. That was my hope and that was my plan. I was going to get Bella Swan back, and when I did, I'd make damn sure that I never let her go again.

##

We were sitting around the large conference room table, each of us with a plate of food in front of us and we were chatting about mundane bullshit. It was the monthly partnership breakfast, and I hated it but my father had instituted the breakfasts years ago as a way for the partners to touch base with each other, and as the newest partner, I had to endure…albeit bitterly.

Once the dishes and food were cleared, my father began. "So, any new business?" he asked. I was so happy that he was back in the office that I could have kissed his feet. I hated being managing partner, and none of the others appreciated it either, but he was back and in command just as it should have been.

I cleared my throat and took a drink of water. "I've got a proposal that could very well help us with regard to the situation that we face every time we walk into a courtroom here in town. As you all know, I've been volunteering…and I use that term loosely…at the Women's Law Center. The woman who runs it, Bella Swan, works for Black & Clearwater, but she's thinking of leaving. I propose that we bring her on board and funnel all of our pro bono work through her. She can continue to work at the Center and our firm racks up hours of pro bono work without the rest of us having to sacrifice our case loads to reach our required hours," I submitted.

Of course, my father smirked at me and put his hand over his mouth to probably keep from laughing out loud at my lame attempt to have Bella around all the time. I just hoped that the rest of the partnership didn't know my reasons for the proposal.

"I've been up against her in court before. She's tough. Would she have time to take on cases that would actually make money for the firm?" Peter O'Brien asked.

"She would, but I'd say that a condition of her even agreeing to this proposal would be that she'd have veto power over the cases presented to her. I haven't approached her with the idea, but based on what I've witnessed at the Center, she seems to be that type of woman," I responded, looking at my father for back-up.

He chuckled and then took sip of coffee, letting me know I was out in the middle of the lake alone and he wasn't going to offer me a paddle, the bastard.

"So how would she be beneficial to the practice, exactly? We're not a non-profit, you know," Garrett McIntyre reminded, like I didn't fucking know it.

I thought about his comment and then an idea struck me. "Aren't you litigating a custody case that was assigned to you by Judge Sloane? Isn't it pro bono and with the circumstances as I recall them, you've got two associates and a paralegal dedicated to the case. Let's do the math. Two associates at two-hundred dollars an hour plus a paralegal at one-ten? That's five-ten an hour for research and filings, not to mention the fees and then court appearances that you have to make. What's your billable rate?" I asked knowing damn well it was nearly five-hundred dollars an hour.

He sat back in his chair and looked at me, steepling his fingers in front of his mouth. I could tell that he understood my point. Any salary that we paid Bella would be justified because she was worth her weight in gold.

"Wasn't she involved in that shooting scandal with James Traigor?" Eleazer Cummings asked. I'd waited for name recognition to set in, and it finally had.

My dad leaned forward and looked at Eleazer, knocking on the table to get his attention. "Isabella was the victim in that situation. That man tried to rape her, and her mother defended her the best way she knew how. None of that will come into this decision. I support Edward on this because I've met the young woman and she's worth her weight in salt. She's savvy, and she rarely walks out of a courtroom in defeat. I say we put it to a vote. All of those in favor of establishing a section for pro bono work and bringing Isabella Swan in as Of Counsel to head it up, say aye," Dad ordered. Thankfully, it was unanimous.

As the breakfast broke up, I heard my father over the talk, "Junior, a word." I was almost out the fucking door, of course.

I turned around and waited until the room was vacant, shutting the door behind Garrett. "Please don't give me a sermon about this. I believe I had valid points, and it's not about getting Bella to work here," I remarked.

"I wasn't going to make any such accusations. All I wanted to tell you was that the name of the firm is Masen & Associates, and the next partner I take on better have the last name Masen. You've got a year if she accepts the job because we only keep people Of Counsel for a year. This ball is in your court. Make the most of it," he called as he grabbed his tablet and walked passed me, squeezing my shoulder.

I hoped and prayed it wouldn't take me a year to make her a Masen. I couldn't imagine living a year without her next to me, so I knew I had to turn up the heat. How I'd do it, I didn't know, but I'd figure it out. Or, so I hoped.

##

"There's a Mr. Yorkie here. He claims he was recommended by Bella Swan," Shirley called over the intercom with a laugh in her voice.

Buying time, I responded, "I'm in the middle of a conference call. Ask him if he can wait."

I picked up the phone and called Bella's cell to find out what fresh hell she'd sent to my doorstep. "Masen, what's up?" she asked sweetly. She knew exactly why I was calling, damn her.

It was early March, and we'd been dating, though we didn't label it. I'd taken her to dinners and she'd cooked for me at my house or hers, but I felt like we were making progress at getting back to "us."

She had accepted the position at the firm, and she was set to start at the beginning of April. I was anxious for her to be there so I could see her on a more regular basis and hopefully, make more headway into the relationship we were building. It wasn't as much of a long shot as it had been when I started in January.

"I have your friend, Eric, here telling Shirley that you referred him. Might I ask why?"

She giggled. "Well, I thought that maybe your firm was more flexible than B & C. I'd been asked by Eric and his partner to draw up a domestic partnership agreement, but the partnership shut it down. I promise you this…if you help them out, they'll bring a lot of business your way. It's a specialty, but if you're not interested…did I mention that Trent is loaded?" she replied with a laugh.

"Damn you, Swan. Fine. You're going to help me with this because I have no idea about any of it, but I'll take it on based on your recommendation. Oh, and I'm circulating the conflicts memo under your name. What time are we meeting up with Alice and Jasper?" I asked. I was so fucking happy to talk to her that I couldn't help myself but draw it out.

"Seven, I believe. Rose and Emmett are supposed to come along. Oh, God, you should bring Emmett into the room and sic Eric on him. Trent is nearly as big as Emmett, and I promise you, the flirting that Eric will do with Emmett should provide you an afternoon of entertainment," she joked.

"I'm holding you to that, love. I'll see you tonight. Have a great afternoon," I responded feeling lighter than air.

"You too, Masen," she answered. We hung up and I missed her immensely. How I was going to tell her that I still loved her and wanted a future with her, I didn't know, but it was becoming more apparent every day that I couldn't wait much longer. I was about to combust with the information, and I knew that I couldn't keep it to myself. I just hoped she'd take it the right way.

##

"They were ruthless. I should spank you for that," I teased as Bella and I were sitting on her couch drinking wine after we returned from dinner with our friends.

The afternoon had been quite entertaining, just as she promised. I'd instructed Shirley to get Emmett, and when the two men walked into my office, they were immediately taken with him. Of course, that left Emmett a sputtering disaster and I wanted to grab my phone and record it.

I'd assured them that Bella would be working with me on the agreement, and we came to an arrangement. When Eric kissed Emmett good-bye on both cheeks, I could see it pissed his significant other off, and it left Emmett speechless.

I had to hear the rant all through dinner with Bella and Rosalie laughing the whole time, and it was the most fun I'd had in a while.

I grabbed the remote off of her coffee table and turned on her CD player hearing the familiar strains of Nat King Cole through the speakers, which brought a smile to my lips. Apparently, I'd rubbed off on the gorgeous brunette, and I could only pull her to her bare feet and hold her in my arms, dancing to "The Very Thought of You" as we'd done once before.

It was time to test the waters, and I wasn't looking forward to it at all, but I needed to do it. "Bella, are we going toward something here or are we just reliving happy memories? I know I sound like a fucking girl, but I've got to know," I asked.

She pulled back and looked into my eyes as we slowly swayed to the music. She took a deep breath and let it go slowly, which caused me to worry. Maybe it was too soon, but I had to have an answer of some kind. If she was going to break my heart, I had to know.

"You know, you really hurt me. I loved you more than I ever thought I could love anyone, and when you told me that you just couldn't be…you weren't the marrying kind, I knew it, but I just couldn't accept it. I get it now, and I'd never expect it from you. I'm fine with where things are right now. We're friends… good friends…and colleagues. I know that's all you can do, and I accept it. I'm still looking for my Mr. Everything, but I just can't seem to find him, so I guess we're just two old spinsters who will grow old together. I'm happy to do it with you," she answered with a chuckle that didn't sound genuine.

That wasn't the answer that I was prepared to get, nor was it one I was happy hearing. It was time to actually take some action, and I knew it was going to be hard to do, but it was a now-or-never proposition, so I swallowed my pride and steeled myself for battle.

"That's a little bleak. I'll have you know that I have found a girl with whom I hope to settle down and I actually have designs on a family. I don't know about you, but I have no plans to spend the rest of my life in solitude," I announced firmly.

She stopped moving and looked at me. If she had her head about her, she'd know the truth because I spent nearly every moment of the day, save sleeping…which I didn't do well…with her, so if she was surprised, I was prepared to rib the shit out of her…after she and I had a serious discussion.

"Oh, well, that's…that's really great, Masen. Is it someone I know?" she asked appearing to be completely flummoxed by my admission.

For crying out loud, how the hell could she even think that any other girl in the entire free world and most third-world countries could ever turn my head after she got under my skin? God, she didn't see herself clearly at all.

"I'll get her picture," I called flippantly as I left her and went to my briefcase pulling out the two carat emerald cut diamond with sapphires on either side that Alice had told me to get. Maybe she wasn't one hundred percent in her predictions, but she was the closest thing I had to a crystal ball, and she'd assured me that it was the right ring when I took her to lunch the Tuesday before.

I grabbed a picture of Bella and me that my mother had put on her damn Facebook page wherein she declared Bella her new daughter, and I walked back over to where Bella stood with a pained look on her face.

For a fleeting moment, I felt bad about giving her shit, but honestly, after the Yorkie debacle, she deserved something in return.

I walked back to where she stood with a look of devastation on her face, and I knew I'd taken it a step too far. "Here she is. Now, this was taken with a cell phone camera and my mother's photography skills are sorely lacking, but I've been in love with her for quite a while and she's absolutely stunning to me," I announced as I thrust the picture at her.

She smiled a watery smile at me and looked at the picture. I saw the confusion cross her face and when she looked at me again, I chuckled. That fucking look on her face would be etched in my memory forever.

"Did you really think that I could let you go so easily? Did you really think that I could live my life without you? I owe Judge Murphy dinner or a new house for her sentence. I love you, and I've never stopped, though I see that you thought I did, but seriously? How the fuck do you think I was able to stop?" I asked rhetorically.

"I just…I mean…you said you didn't want anything permanent," she threw up to me. I remembered all too well my stupidity and denial, and I wasn't exactly thrilled with the reminder, nor the crow I was going to have to eat for said stupidity.

"I was a completely idiot, okay? When you told me you wanted to foster Janie, I panicked. I had no idea how to be anyone's dad, foster or otherwise, but you seemed so sure of yourself and I felt completely inadequate. That little girl deserved better than me," I responded honestly.

"She deserved better than me as well. I don't know if I'm cut out to be a mother at all. I wasn't prepared for what she needed, and after the whole…well, after everything…I realized it. I'm glad Angela and Ben Cheney were able to take her. She's a special little girl, and she deserves the best. I wasn't the best for her. At least you had the sense to admit it," she replied.

I placed my hands on her face, seeing the tears in her eyes. We hadn't talked about Jane since the night of the anniversary party. "Bella, I made a mistake. I'm not saying that together we'd have been able to give that child what she needed, but I know that you loved her, and I was scared. I'm done being scared. I won't ever let go of you, I promise. I'll do a hell of a lot better job at protecting you, should the need arise, and I want to grow old with you. Will you…will you please marry me?" I asked as I produced the ring from my pocket.

She looked at it with surprise, and then she laughed. It wasn't just a fucking chuckle. It was a goddamn guffaw. She actually fucking doubled over. Once she finally got ahold of herself, she looked at me and wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. I didn't think one goddamn thing was funny.

"Masen, you are a hell of a good time, do you know that?" she asked, not taking the ring or me seriously.

"What the fuck is so hilarious?" I snapped immediately.

"You want to get married as much as you want another hole in your head. I'm sorry, but we both know that's the truth. Don't try to defend yourself and make bullshit excuses because we both know that you'd have a fucking panic attack at the church and likely pass out before I ever started walking down the aisle.

"To be honest, I've never seen us getting married. Oh, I can see us making a life together, but I can't see it with us being married. You need the escape clause and I know it, so I'll tell you what. I'll put that pretty little sparkler on my finger to appease your jealousy when other men hit on me, and we'll decide if we want to live here or at your place. After that, we settle into a life together. Neither of us sells our houses so that we've got something to go back to if this ends badly, but maybe we try living together. What do you say? Edward Masen, I love you and I'd love nothing more than to live with you in unmitigated sin. Will you live with me?" she asked.

How do you like that? She actually one-upped me. Fuck, I was in for a world of hurt when it came to the woman that was for sure.

##

BELLA

"Your Honor, I respectfully request that the court grant a ten-day stay on the order to remove the children from my client's home. Miss Griffin is working at a law firm and has child care. The State has failed to provide a compelling argument regarding the neglect charge. It's based solely on the testimony of a disgruntled neighbor, and I believe a review of the record, in light of the change in venue, is required before a decision can be rendered fairly," I pleaded.

Judge Murphy was out on sick leave, and the interim judge was a jackoff. I hated her and it was difficult to hold my contempt at bay. Edward was supposed to be there to argue the case, having appeared before Judge Farris before, but something had come up and it was up to me.

"Miss Swan, I've reviewed the record. Apparently, Judge Murphy allowed you to ride roughshod over this court and that's not something I'm prepared to do. I rule in favor of the State. The minor children are immediately remanded to the custody of Officer Reed. Court is adjourned," the judge ordered, striking the gavel on the wooden bench, thus sealing the fate of my client.

Once children were removed from the home, it was nearly impossible to get the decision reversed. I knew it and I could tell that Debbie Griffin knew it.

She'd turned her life around, but she'd never been able to move from her shitty apartment. That was her downfall. Her children weren't crying from hunger any longer because she worked part-time at Masen & Associates, and we made certain that she had a decent salary to take care of her family. It was the jackoff who lived next door who claimed that she abused her children who'd caused it. I hated him, and when I saw the old crackpot sitting in the courtroom, I wanted to hit him.

Just as the judge was calling the next case and Nikki Reed was taking away Jamie and Ashley, Edward came breezing into the courtroom. It was too much too late. He dropped his briefcase on the chair next to where I stood and handed papers to the attorney for DCFS and then he handed a copy to me and stood in the middle of the room.

"Your Honor, I'm sorry I'm late, but there was an accident. Before you enter your order, I'd ask you to review the…may I approach the bench?" he asked.

Judge Ellen Farris was a woman and even she wasn't immune to the charms of the man I loved. "Approach," she called as she sat back down. Counsel for the State followed him, reviewing the document as they stood speaking quietly.

I looked at the paper in my hands and gasped. It was a copy of a felony arrest record for Debbie's neighbor. He was a registered sex offender, but he'd failed to register his latest address, and he was in violation of his parole by living where he did. I hoped it would be enough.

"Step back," the judge ordered. I could tell she was pissed and counsel for the State was pissed because apparently, they hadn't bothered to check into the man, they'd just gone along with his allegations.

"In light of new facts put forth, this Court grants the request for a ten-day stay in order to review the record. The minor children are to remain in the custody of the parent, and get an officer in here. Bailiff, remove that man from my courtroom until he can be dealt with. Mr. Masen, you should teach your colleague how to do her research," she admonished.

I was about to lash out when Edward squeezed my hand. "If I may, your honor, the State nor this Court had knowledge of the background of the accuser. Had the State done its due diligence on the claim, this case would have never appeared on your docket. The man has no legitimate claim, except the fact that he lives next door to a hard-working single parent who has children who laugh and cry and watch television.

"No evidence of abuse or neglect has ever been entered into the record. I'd recommend that the State be required to thoroughly investigate similar charges before a case is brought forth. The tax payers of Washington shouldn't have to bear the burden of the expense because of sloppy work on the part of the State," Edward snapped.

That was the reason that I ached for the man. He was fucking perfect. He was mine, and he was perfect.

"Court's adjourned," the judge snapped without comment. I didn't care. It was all in the record. I turned to Debbie who was smiling because she knew just enough to know that we'd won. That was really what it was all about…doing justice for those who were the least likely to get it. The good guys won one, and we were happy. It was a good day in Mudville.

When we got home that night…my home was where we'd agreed to live…I barely let the man inside the house before I dropped to my knees and undid his belt and pants, whipping them down, along with his boxers, and quickly sucked him inside my mouth. Getting back our physical relationship had been a slower process than either of us liked, but we were both tentative about the relationship and neither of us wanted to do anything to mess it up.

"Gah…jeez…fuck, that feels good," he gasped as I swirled my tongue around his quickly hardening cock. It was time for things to get back to normal, and I didn't mind taking the bull by the horns…so to speak.

I bobbed my head down the length of him and looked up at him through my lashes, seeing him watching me with that familiar glazed-over look on his face that he got right before he climaxed. "Baby, it's been a week since…shit…Bella, I'm about to…FUCK!" he yelled as I felt the hot stream go down my throat.

I knew he'd bitch because I didn't stop when he was trying to get away from me to slow down the magic, but there was a method to my madness. I was nowhere near done showing my appreciation for what he'd done in court that afternoon. I didn't feel like I'd thanked him enough until about 3:00 AM when I collapsed on my stomach after the thorough pounding he'd given me from behind. My gratitude knew no bounds.

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E/N: So, we're moving toward something. I know that many thought he should have to crawl across glad for his fail, but this story didn't lend itself (to me) to draw out the pain. I do, however, apologize for not putting up a disclaimer regarding the violence Bella suffered at James' attack. Consider me adequately spanked, please.

Now, I'll be out of the country for a week or so…hubs is taking me to Croatia for our anniversary. If anyone knows anything about the Dalmation Islands, I'd love to hear it.

The other thing is, I'll leave my next story selection to you…I have a vamp story that I've been working on and a story about two virgins…I guess I should give you more.

"Choices"

The Volturis' three most intoxicating agent are dispatched to the United States with orders to bring back three powerful assets. Unbeknownst to the Triumvirate, one of their agents knows that things have changed in the organization and a very important part of the process has been abandoned…the choice of the asset to join or not to join. Will the agents succumb to the orders of their superiors or will they take matters into their own hands to protect the innocents?

Twilight/AU. Vamps/Humans/Wolves/Hybrids…They're all in there, but I mixed it up a bit. Canon couples with a few surprises thrown in. NC-17 for lemony goodness, language. Good guys…bad guys…Beautiful girls.

Or the other…

"Doors & Windows & Faith"

The road less traveled was the path on which Edward Cullen was walking. As his mentor had told him, it wasn't for everyone, and as the day approached to make a lifelong commitment, he knew that it wasn't right for him. A flight home to explain his decision to his loved ones puts him in the seat next to someone who would change his path forever.

All human. Canon couples. NC-17 for language and future adult situations.

So, with that said…Till next time…xoxo