Don't own Twilight or anything else. What are Jasper and Rosalie's happy songs? Jasper's is The Joker by the Steve Miller Band. Rosalie's is Long Cool Woman by the Hollies.

Two songs in this chapter. I highly suggest that you listen to both because they express way more than I ever could.

"All my life I've stumbled, but up here I am just perfect… as perfect as I'll ever be. I have you…" Spell, Marie Digby

How had I managed to live three years without Edward? It had only been two weeks since I'd left LA and it already felt like years. We were constantly texting or calling each other just to try and ease the ache of being apart from each other. Late at night when there was nothing else to say, we would fall asleep while listening to each other breathe. It made it easier at the time, but waking up the morning after in an empty bed always felt wrong, like we had been cheated out of the end of a good dream.

But instead of sitting at home and counting down the hours until Edward would be here, I spent the majority of my time at Vivre. I still hadn't agreed to working with Jasper, but was seriously considering it. Being wrapped up in the Grammys and then in Edward, I had forgotten how much I actually liked writing. I had written two new songs since I had gotten back, and neither one of them were sad and depressing. It made me feel better to know that I wasn't limited to desperate lyrics. The words were lighter - more hopeful - while the music was airy and free flowing. Everyone at the store noticed the difference in my writing and they were nothing but encouraging.

I had been worried about what my friends would say once I got back to Austin. I wondered if they would treat me differently, knowing that I knew Edward. But, the worrying was for nothing. They acted like they always did. No one asked about the Grammys, or asked if Edward and I were together. Garrett, whom I was especially concerned about, only asked me if I was okay. Our friendship went back to being carefree and maybe a little easier now that there wasn't an awkward one-sided attraction. It made me happy that my life finally seemed balanced. I had my own life and I had Edward. And as soon as he wrapped up everything in Seattle, he would be moving to Austin. We would be together… finally.

"Bella!" Garrett yelled, snapping his fingers in front of my face.

I shook my head and looked at him. "Sorry… what?"

He laughed before shaking his head. His fingers pushed a folded piece of paper across the glass counter top. I picked it up and read it quickly. It was a flyer for an open mic night at a new bar that was nearly always impossible to get in to. Anytime they had an open night, the slots would fill up before you could even try to register. I nodded when Garrett told me that he had already signed up. I continued reading the same details as all the other clubs, must be original songs blah… blah… I looked at the date and frowned.

"This is tonight."

"Yup," Garrett nodded. He leaned across the counter and smiled. "I think we should do one of the new ones. We can see how people react to it."

"Yeah, Jessica could sing it. She would probably be really good actually," I told him.

"Good! I've already had her working on it in the back," Garret said. He pulled the paper out of my hands and shrugged when I mock glared at him. "Tonight at seven then?"

I laughed but agreed. "Yeah. I'm going to go now then so I can finish some stuff up before tonight." It was already five, and I wanted to be able to call Edward before the show.

"Tell him I said hello," he joked. My cheeks flushed and Garrett laughed, but didn't push the issue. "See ya in a few hours."

I waved and left the store. Making my way across the street to my apartment, I tried not to feel like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Garrett hadn't said that to make me feel bad, he was just trying to be funny, but I still hadn't really told Edward about Garrett. I was pretty sure the whole jealously thing about the guitar would only increase if he found out it was a guy who had taught me. Not to mention the fact that Garrett had kissed me. I would have to take care of it before Edward got here.

Sitting in the oversized armchair, I called Edward. My heart rate quickened as I waited the few seconds for it to connect. When it went straight to his voicemail, I frowned. Edward never turned his phone off. I listened to the generic recording of his number and waited for the beep.

"Hey," I said softly, feeling giddy and nervous. "I guess you're working or something. Um… They're doing an open mic night tonight, and Jessica is going to sing one of my songs. Kind of nervous about it… Anyway, I hope you're having a good day. I'll try to call you again before I leave tonight. I love you."

Trying not to feel disappointed, I got up and went to get ready. I didn't put very much effort into it and after showering, pulled on jeans and a casual top. I didn't touch my hair, leaving it down and uncontrollably curly as always. I tried to call Edward two more times, feeling more and more agitated when it kept going to his voicemail.

By the time I left the apartment I was running late and felt beyond frustrated. I hurriedly checked in at the back door and shoved my way through the mess of people lining the hallway. When I finally found Garrett, he was pacing in a small circle holding his phone to his ear. When he saw me, he snapped the phone shut.

"Where the hell have you been? Don't you answer phone calls anymore?" He asked. I frowned and looked at my phone. It didn't show any missed calls or text messages.

"I didn't know…" I told him. I held my phone up, showing him the empty screen. "Where are Jessica and Sam?"

"Jessica fell down the stairs and broke her ankle. Gramps and Emily are at the hospital with her and Sam is out front trying to find you. Bella you have to sing tonight," Garrett explained quickly. I started to shake my head but he stopped me. "We've waited five months to get a slot here. We can't not play; they'll never let us come back!"

"Then play something else! You sing and I'll play!" I tried to reason with him. "Garret, I suck! If I sing they will… I dunno… throw beer bottles at the stage or something!"

"You don't suck! All of that negativity is in your head, Bella. I know I said I wouldn't ever push you to do this, but you have to. Eventually you have to let go of… whatever it is that you keep holding on to. Who gives a shit if they don't like you? Sing for yourself, not someone else!"

I stood there completely terrified. Garrett kept trying to persuade me, picking up the guitar case and handing it to me. Sam rejoined us and immediately started nudging me toward the back, telling me I needed to warm up.

"Bella it's a three minute song. Three minutes out of the hundreds of thousands you will have the rest of your life. Please trust me," Garrett begged. He pulled my guitar out of the case and held it out for me, his eyes silently pleading.

"You so fucking owe me!" I snapped at him. I grabbed the neck of my guitar and huffed while I pulled it over my shoulder.

Sam laughed while Garrett nodded. The three of us quickly made our way through the hallway and out into the back alley. We rushed through a quick rehearsal, and by the time our name was called I was positive I would puke on stage.

"Up next we have Bella Swan, singing with The Fakers. Give it up everybody!" The MC's voice was enthusiastic and slightly annoying.

"Breathe," Garrett told me. It sounded like a whisper against the volume of people clapping.

Swallowing several times, I followed Sam and Garrett onto the stage. I nearly tripped over a cord, but steadied myself before I face planted. The boys gave me reassuring looks before taking their places. While Garrett sat behind the piano, Sam moved the mic stand closer to me. He lowered it to fit my height.

"Thank you," I whispered. He nodded and patted my arm. After we got situated, the crowd got quiet and I took a deep breath before stepping up to the microphone.

Gentle notes starting playing from the piano behind me and my eyes closed. I counted the measured beats and started moving my fingers, letting the guitar's soothing humming join the piano. The seconds inched closer to the start of the vocals. My lips pressed together, and I thought about the only thing that made me relax.

As I opened my mouth to sing, I pictured Edward standing in front of me. We were the only two people in the room, and as I sang his fingers gently ran over the top of my arms. His delicate voice whispered the chords to keep me from forgetting their sequence.

I smiled as his imaginary breath tickled my neck. My voice kept singing and fingers kept playing. My imaginary Edward slowly circled around me, humming along with the music. His fingertips danced across my shoulders and back, reminding me that he was there.

We were locked into a dizzying dance, my imaginary Edward and me. His calming presence draped over me, blocking out everything but the music and him. He walked around me, spinning a web of peace and warmth. I smiled and delicately moved my head with the piano notes that swirled around me. The music stopped as my voice drifted off into nothingness, letting the last note float.

The sudden sound of people clapping made me open my eyes. I blinked at the bright light shining on me, and smiled awkwardly. Garrett's arm pulled me into a sideways hug, and I laughed at his excitement. The three of us bowed our heads in appreciation before walking off the stage.

"That… You were incredible!" Garrett yelled.

"Thank you," I said softly. Blushing, I put my guitar back into its case and listened to Garrett and Sam recap the entire performance.

"You hit it perfectly. Seriously, I've never heard you sound like that before," Sam told me. "I don't know why you've been hiding that voice from us."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I laughed. "I sang like I always do."

"Oh no. No. No. No. You sounded totally different," Garrett argued. "God, I wish we would have had someone here to record it. You were fantastic, Bella. It was sexy but still teasingly innocent. It was amazing."

"Oh," I said lamely. I didn't know what else to say. Was I supposed to tell them that I had conjured my boyfriend up, having an imaginary version of him walking around me? That sounded crazy even thinking about it. "I guess I just connected with the song."

The boys continued talking; their enthusiasm made me smile wider. We were packing up Sam's instrument when my phone started vibrating from my back pocket. I pulled it out and smiled when I saw that it was Edward.

"I'll be right back," I told both of them. They nodded and I slipped out into the alley to answer the call on my cell phone. "Hey!" I said excitedly.

My voice rushed into a story mode, explaining what had just happened. I hadn't even finished the first sentence when he interrupted me.

"Where are you?" Edward asked me. His voice was loud, yelling over the sound of people talking.

"I'm in an alley behind the club we just played at! Where are you? I can hardly hear you!" I yelled, hoping he could hear me. He said something, but it was drowned out by the sound of an electric guitar. "Hello?!" I yelled louder.

When he didn't answer me I ended the call. I quickly dialed his number again, waited as it rang and cussed when it went to his voicemail. "Damn phones!" I yelled. Taking a deep breath, I tried again.

"Hello?" His voice answered after a second. It was much quieter now.

"Where are you? I could hardly hear you," I asked him.

Edward laughed quietly before answering me. "I'm like thirty feet behind you."

I quickly turned around. He laughed louder and quickened his pace while I stood there like an idiot with my mouth hanging open. When he reached me I shook my head, asking him what he was doing here.

"I live here now," Edward said sarcastically.

He pulled away the phone I was still holding against my ear and shove it in his pocket. Once his hands were free, they immediately worked themselves into my hair. Edward pulled me toward him and I went willingly.

We became nothing but a frenzy of roaming hands, crushing lips, and enticing tongues. His panting breath mixed with my wanting sighs, making a sultry song together. My skin tingled from his fiery touches mixing with the coolness of the air around us. My arms wound their way around his neck and I pushed the hoodie off of his head so that my fingers could thread themselves into his hair.

"We… have… to… stop," Edward panted. I nodded but kept kissing his neck. His head leaned back while his fingers tightened around my hips, pulling me harder against him. A ferial growl rumbled in his chest when I nipped at his earlobe. "I really don't want to do this in an alleyway," Edward's voice ground out. "If we don't stop…"

"Promise me you won't stop me later," I demanded. He nodded and I shook my head. "Say it."

Edward's lips moved against my ear and I shivered. "I promise I won't stop tonight until you absolutely beg me to."

A desperate moan escaped my mouth. Edward smiled and loosened his grip on me, but still found ways to keep his hands on me. I watched as his hands smoothed out my shirt… he was such a tease.

"You're here a week early," I told him. He nodded. "Why? How did you know I was here?"

"Well the short version is that I told the label I could work on their promotion bullshit here. Jasper and Alice were going to just drop me off at your apartment, but you weren't there. So we went by some record store and they said you were singing here," Edward explained.

"Oh."

"Imagine my surprise when someone says that you're singing… in public," he teased me. "We decided to watch. Alice and Jasper are still inside, but I wanted to come find you."

"So you saw the performance?" I whispered.

"Mmm," he nodded. "It was…"

"Horrible?" I finished for him.

Edward shook his head. "It was one of the sexiest things I've ever seen in my life."

"Oh please," I muttered sarcastically.

"It was very annoying to have to stand in the back," he said, ignoring my remark. "I hope I can get a repeat performance later on."

I smiled and pulled on the front of his jacket. "That's funny. I was hoping for repeat performances tonight too."

Edward's laughed echoed around the empty alleyway. His mouth opened to say something, but the back door opened and Sam and Garrett started calling my name.

"Bell—" Garrett's voice yelled, but stopped when he saw me.

"Hey," I said casually. Sam and Garrett's eyes moved from me to Edward. They widened slightly when he moved to stand behind me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. Yup, definite jealousy, I thought to myself. "Guys, this is Edward Cullen. Edward this is Sam and Garrett."

They all muttered pleasantries and the awkwardness ensued. Thankfully we were saved a few minutes later by Alice and Jasper. I thanked Garrett when he handed me my guitar case and jacket. He asked me if everything was okay and I nodded. Soon after I was sitting in the back of some rental car, watching as Jasper navigated his way through downtown Austin.

"Am I taking y'all to Bella's apartment or the hotel?" he asked Edward and me.

I looked at Edward, hoping he would say the hotel. I loved Jessica and really hoped that she was okay, but I didn't want to worry about her overhearing anything tonight.

"Hotel?" Edward asked me.

I nodded, and Alice resumed the previous conversation. She was talking about looking at houses and apartment, something Edward probably should have been paying attention to. Instead he was too busy drawing patterns around my thigh with his fingers.

My teeth were already digging into my bottom lip as a distraction to his fingers and to try and keep myself from moaning. When his fingers slipped between my thighs and resumed their pattern making, I closed my eyes and grabbed onto his arm.

"So really it just depends on where you want to live, Edward. I've made some phone calls to meet with a few realtors tomorrow," Alice said.

"Sound good," Edward answered her. How the hell could he be so damn calm? My nails were practically digging into his arm while his fingers brushed against my very sensitive center. "I'm going to need to get a car too."

Cars?! He's concerned about cars?!

Edward's fingers pushed against me, making the seam of my jeans rub against me and a quiet gasping breath left my mouth. Thankfully Edward was the only one who had heard it. My eyes opened and I saw him watching me. His eyes were wide and curious and a small smile sat on his lips.

We shouldn't be doing this, especially with Jasper and Alice in the car. But it had been so long since he had touched me like this, and the promise of what was to come only made it easier to let my inhibitions go. Alice and Jasper were talking about roads to take, arguing with the GPS. And in a split second decision I made up my mind.

"This better count as foreplay because I don't want anything but you when we get into that fucking hotel room," I whispered to Edward. His eyes widened at my words but he nodded.

I moved my legs out, letting his hand slip further between my thighs. As he pushed and rubbed against me, my hips moved with him. My eyes stayed connected with his, and I watched as they got more and more primal.

"Come on," Edward whispered. His voice was rough and tender at the same time.

I nodded as he moved quicker, and pushed back against the seat as a wave of bliss washed over me. My legs clamped shut around his hand, holding him where he was. I let my eyes slip closed; embarrassed by the way he was looking at me and by what we had just done. A soft squeeze on my thigh made me open my eyes and I looked back at Edward.

"I love you," he told me. His voice was louder now, not caring if Alice or Jasper heard him.

"I love you too." I said back.

His fingers went back to drawing patterns on my leg and we rode the rest of the way to the hotel in silence, listening to Alice's continued discussion on where Edward should live in Austin.

*** ** ***

"I believe in what I see, and baby we were meant to be. Just believe…" All For Believing, Missy Higgins

My hands were hurried, trying to pull off as many pieces of his clothing as I could. Edward kept stopping me, telling me to slow down, and I would for a few minutes. But then our kisses would get more intense and his fingers would slowly dance over my skin. Then I would forget what he had said and start rushing again.

"Bella, please…" Edward whispered. His hands stilled my fingers that were trying to unbutton his jeans.

"But I want you, Edward… please… you promised…"

I was cut off by his lips on mine. "I'm not going to fuck you, Bella."

"You promised!" I yelled, pulling away from his mouth.

His hand gently fisted in my hair, holding my head in place. "We're going to make love, Bella. I'm not going to rush this because I want us to enjoy every second of it. Do you understand?" Edward spoke soft whispers against my lips.

I nodded, feeling like an idiot. He was trying to be romantic, and I was rushing through this like a hormonal teenager. Deciding to just keep my mouth shut, I let him take the lead.

He slowly and carefully pulled my shirt over my head. In turn I kissed his bare shoulders, letting my hands touch and caress his skin. Edward unbuttoned my jeans, letting his fingers dance around my bellybutton and waist. As he knelt down to slide my legs out of the pants, my hands ran through his hair. I gently scratched his scalp while his lips kissed over my stomach.

"I love you," he spoke against my stomach, in between kisses.

"I love you too," I told him.

Edward helped me balance myself while his hands pulled my panties off of my body and down my legs. He stood back up, kissing and licking at my skin as he did so. When his lips finally came back to mine, I tentatively let my hands slide over his stomach to the fly of his jeans.

He didn't protest when I undid the button, instead he just cupped my face and placed small kisses against my lips. I finished undoing his jeans, and with far less grace that he had done with mine, I pushed them and his boxers down his legs. His kissing didn't stop; he just stepped out of his clothes and started walking the two of us back to the bed.

"I want you," Edward's voice was soft and caring. "I've wanted you for three years."

My hand slipped between us with the intention of making sure he was… ready. But when my fingers made contact, his hand was already there.

"Can I?" I asked in an embarrassed whisper.

Edward nodded and leaned his forehead against mine. My fingers moved over him, loving the contrast of soft silky skin over hard strained muscle. As I work on him, his hands traveled up my sides and around my back. When they reached the clasp of my bra I stopped moving.

"Can I?" he asked, repeating my words.

"Edward," I said quietly, shaking my head.

I started to pull away from him, shying away from the one thing that I hadn't ever done with him. It was stupid, I knew that. Edward had seen every inch of me, but I hadn't been completely naked with him. Ever. It was the same insecurities and fears from before that made me want to hide away from him.

"Hey," Edward's soothing voice stopped me. "I want to see you."

"You've seen them before," I muttered.

"Please," he pleaded in a soft whisper. "I love you."

I looked up at him while his hands moved over the fabric on my back.

"I love you," Edward repeated.

His fingers unhooked one of the clasps, and then another. Edward's eyes never left mine, gauging my reactions to what he was doing. When the last hook was undone, his hands slid across my back and up my shoulders. As his fingers slid under the straps of my bra, he leaned forward and kissed me gently.

"I love you," he said again. Edward kept repeating himself, continually reminding me that this wasn't like it was before. My arms uncrossed from my chest, and I let him pull the last piece of clothing away from me. His eyes still held mine, and I let him push me back against the bed.

I'd never felt so exposed in my entire life, but I'd also never felt as beautiful or wanted. Edward's hands moved over my body, caressing and touching as he moved between my legs. His hands slipped under my knees, bending them and pushing my legs further apart. My entire body hummed in response to his touches. He slowly lined himself up with me, and carefully leaned over me.

"Tell me," Edward said, resting his weight on his elbows. "Please tell me…"

"I love you," I told him. My back arched up against him as he slid into me.

"Again," he begged.

My hands held onto his shoulders and my hips moved with his, trying to keep him as close to me as possible.

"I love you, Edward," I whimpered. My head pushed back against the bed, but I refused to let my eyes close.

Edward's fingers wound through the top of my hair as his forehead rested against mine. His nose grazed over mine as he moved forward and backwards, slowly. My brown met his green, both of us refusing to break the link we had created. It was slow and beautiful, like the music he had written for me.

"Always, Bella," Edward's ragged whisper fanned over my face. "I'll always love you."

I nodded; my voice was blocked by the knot of emotion that sat in my throat. My hands moved over his shoulders and into the back of his hair. Tears rolled down the side of my face and into my hair as Edward continued the steady rhythm.

"Baby, don't cry. Please," he pleaded.

"I… love you…" I told him, gasping for breath and fighting off the familiar unraveling feeling that was starting in my toes and working its way up my legs. I didn't want this to end yet. I wanted to stay with him in this moment forever.

"I promised you, Bella. Until you tell me to stop," Edward heavy breath fell against my lips.

"Forever?" I asked him. My voice was strained from every muscle in my body tightening, waiting for the expected release that was coming. "Promise me forever, Edward."

"I'll give you forever. I promise."

His words unlocked the barrier that I had been holding onto. Edward's lips fell against mine, mixing kisses with whispers of devotion and moans of ecstasy. We both fell, wrapped around each other, begging and giving. It was pain and pleasure mixed into something invisible, yet heavy and almost tangible. It was everything good and perfect about both of us, leaving us panting and wanting for more.

"You love me," I breathed.

Edward nodded and his eyes slipped closed. "Forever."

Forever.

A/N: All of this fluff is killing me, seriously. I'm just going to warn you guys that I'm not a sex every chapter kind of girl. It isn't realistic to have that much sex without chaffing or getting a UTI, and I'm not really interested in writing about that shit. So… yeah. Superfly… this is alllllll yours!