One word: Epic. It's been used to describe this chapter by more than one person and it is totally apropos. I got a little um, carried away, maybe? I blame New Moon. Damn depressing book/movie.

Thanks to Stratan for beta'ing this and not making everyone who read the teaser wait.

Don't forget to check me out on Twitter and my blog.

I'll be adding them shortly, but Marianne_Northman_Cullen has started making outfits for this fic. I'm telling you in the last week, this sucker's kind of exploded (Yay). I'll post everything on my profile so those who want a visual can have it.

That being said, links for all of E's cars and B's ring are already there. He still has yet to drive that Ferarri...

Chapter 21

Bella

I walked into Edward's study, running my hands through my still damp hair and stopped at the sight of the exotic-looking woman standing before me. Her height matched that of Edward's, and her skin was a dewy, caramel color. Her limbs were long and lean, and her black hair cascaded down her graceful back in elegant waves. She had a gray pencil skirt on, showcasing her insanely perfect body, and a deep burgundy silk shell that veed in the front, giving my Edward full view of her ample chest.

My self esteem plummeted a good ten points just from being in close proximity to her.

She said something I couldn't understand, and Edward let out a genuine laugh as she lightly touched his forearm, shamelessly flirting with him right in front of me.

Reason fled my mind for a split second, and I nearly leapt across the room to tear them apart. Something unfamiliar stirred in my chest, and I quickly realized that for the first time in my life, I was truly jealous of the way another woman looked at him. Before now, it had been a dreamy, unadulterated lust that crossed the faces of strangers and classmates whenever I mentioned that my boss was Edward Masen. That I could handle, because none of them knew him personally and unfortunately, it came with the territory of dating a celebrity.

But this... she knew him--well--and I found that I irrationally despised her. No matter how good she was at her job. Worse was that Edward was completely oblivious to her intentions.

Edward glanced over and saw me standing in the doorway observing them. He gave me a dazzling smile, effectively putting me in my place. Edward loved me. I just had to remember that.

"Z, this is Bella." He motioned for me to join them. "Bella, this is Zafrina Torres."

Z? Oh, no. I don't like that...

"Uh-huh."

Edward gave me a curious look, but didn't comment.

"Hello, Bella. It's nice to meet you." God, even her accent was beautiful and exotic.

She stretched out her hand expectantly.

Well, fuck.

"Nice to meet you, too," I muttered, reluctantly shaking her hand.

Edward's arm snaked around my waist and pulled me against him. "What is wrong with you?" he whispered into my ear.

I shrugged and forced myself not to grope him in front of her to stake my claim. "I didn't like the way she was touching you."

He laughed once. "Are you envious of my publicist?" he asked teasingly.

"I don't share." I concentrated on Edward's mossy eyes instead of giving Zafrina a dirty look.

"Neither do I," he growled. "But there's nothing for you to be upset about."

"So you say."

"What?" He looked baffled.

"Nothing. It's nothing," I responded hurriedly. I was being stupid. Any more idiocy, and I'd be blushing.

"This conversation is far from over," he warned.

Great. I had to find the most observant man in America to fall in love with.

"So, Bella," Zafrina started. "I understand you're a student at USC?"

I leaned on the arm of the couch in front of Edward and pushed everything aside so that I could talk to her without trying to rip her hair out. "Yeah. My last semester before graduate school."

"You've been accepted?" she asked.

"No, not yet. My advisor doesn't think I'll have any issues."

She nodded and glanced back at Edward. "How long have the two of you been together?"

"Officially, since Thanksgiving."

She stared at us in disbelief. "And you're already engaged?"

Edward chuckled and put his chin on my shoulder. "I knew she was the one the moment I saw her. I couldn't get her out of my mind, Z. I don't think time spent with a person really matters, does it? Look at couples who get married in Vegas without knowing each other at all. Most fail, but a select few find out that the spark that was felt between them was real and turned into so much more."

"Beautifully put, Edward, but let's be serious. This complicates things."

"I don't bloody care." He almost snarled it at her. "I hid my feelings for her over three months. I'm not doing it any longer."

"Okay." She held up her hands in surrender and laughed awkwardly. "Bella, you wouldn't be willing to take off the ring for a few months and make my job easier, would you?"

"No," I said firmly.

She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. "Here's the problem. We've created an image with you, Edward. It's worked for a long time. We were slowly ridding you of that image with Tanya, and now that this secret relationship you've had with Bella has been leaked, it's... Well, you're back at square one. Any progress we made clearing you of your playboy status is ruined."

"What are you trying to say?" I asked, leaning back into Edward.

"No one is going to believe that Edward fell in love and gave up his ways in such a short amount of time."

"But the shit with Tanya wasn't real!" I protested.

She cocked her brow. "Now, that is something we're going to have to work on. You can't just curse whenever you want anymore, Bella."

I nodded glumly; I knew with all the censorship on TV, there was no way I could speak normally in public anymore.

She continued. "I know Edward's relationship with Tanya wasn't real, but it was executed to look like the two of them met when Tanya auditioned for the part and slowly built a relationship from there. In the months that they were supposedly dating, how many times were they actually spotted out together outside some sort of Hollywood function?"

"Three," Edward answered. "Two dinner dates and the night at Area."

Zafrina reached into her huge, black leather bag and handed us a few pictures. "You've already managed twice in a weekend."

"So what do you want us to do?" he asked, not bothering to look at the photos.

"Lay low for a while."

"I knew it," Edward said smugly.

Zafrina laughed. "I want to set up a couple of interviews and photo shoots. One with the two of you together and one with just Edward. I think instead of trying to fight what Tanya's saying, I want to spin it to benefit you."

"How so?"

"So what if you met your assistant and fell in love while dating someone else? It suits the personality you've let everyone perceive of you. You can use this as your reasoning; you've not been whoring yourself out all these years. You've been searching for her." She looked at me pointedly.

"That's not really a lie other than the fact that I've been whoring myself out. We both know that is far from true." He started playing with my ring while he spoke.

She shrugged and grinned at us. "Now, here's my plan. We'll get these interviews out as soon as we can, but then we'll say nothing else until closer to Rogue's release. I'd rather not, but since the two of you are so adamant about it, we'll announce your engagement just before the first article comes out to create some buzz and help its circulation. I want you to be completely honest in the interview; don't hide who you are, Bella."

"Why?"

"I think America will love you. You're normal and yet you still managed to snag America's most wanted man, and not have just a one night stand. You tamed him. It's every girl's fantasy."

I nodded again.

"When I say to lay low, I don't mean hide out in the house. Go to class, perform your everyday tasks, but don't make it a point to go on date after date after date, just because you can. I don't want you two to seem like a publicity stunt."

"All right," Edward said. "What about awards season?"

"Bella, do you think you could accompany him to the Oscars?"

I shifted. "That's the only one?" It wasn't like I really wanted to get dressed up like a Barbie and traipse all over town, but I hated that he was going to go alone to the other ceremonies.

She nodded. "For this year. It's the biggest of the year for Edward--he's presenting Lead Actress in a Drama since he won last year--and he'll be expected to go to the Vanity Fair after party. I think it's perfect for your first time out as an official couple."

"Are you comfortable with that, love?" Edward asked me.

I watched something flash in Zafrina's eyes, and my own narrowed in response, prompting her to look away. I sucked in a breath so that I could answer Edward calmly. "It's okay. I just hate that you have to go stag to whatever comes before that. Especially since Tanya will be there."

"Tanya will not be a problem," Zafrina said confidently. "She'll be too worried about making herself look good to cause a scene. However, I think it would be best if the two of you stayed as far away from each other as possible. If you see her somewhere, Bella, leave." She pulled another stack of papers out of her bag with a cocky grin. "If she goes too far with her little scandal, these'll shut her up."

Edward chuckled. "I'd completely forgotten about those. I assumed since Tanya went completely psychotic on me Thursday night, she'd never signed them."

"She did," Zafrina replied.

I was lost. "What is it?"

"The agreement we signed when we went into this fake relationship," he answered. "We're allowed to take matters into our own hands to protect our careers if this happened to go bad, however, if she goes too far--as Zafrina said--we can leak these and stop this ridiculous press war."

"Why didn't we do that in the first place?" I asked dumbly.

"Have you ever heard the old saying 'the only bad publicity is no publicity at all'?" Zafrina asked.

"Oh."

She tucked her hair behind her ear. "You need to be aware that they'll use the age difference to try to break you--both." She stared at Edward seriously. "They'll be looking into her now. Are you sure you know everything about her?"

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Edward squeezed my hand in a silent warning to stop. "I know all there is. From day one we promised nothing but honesty with one another. She's nothing to hide."

Her smile was thin. "I was just making sure. I'd hate to put all this effort into the two of you as a couple, only for something to come out about Bella, and then deal with cleaning up after a tumultuous break up."

I was completely offended by her assessment of me. "Are you implying that I'm not what I seem?"

"Not at all. I'm simply making sure I have all the details of the situation. It's my job."

I bit my tongue so that I didn't hurl some kind of immature insult at her.

Edward seemed to sense the tension and changed the subject to my behavior with the press alone. I was instructed to keep my mouth shut at all times and let Edward handle things himself. The only time I was to comment--no matter how pissed off I got--was if Edward was near.

It was like being forced to sign a gag order; I hated it. So I told them about it.

"I'm not an idiot. I'm not going to slap some random paparazzi because he told me I was a gold-digger or said something equally asinine. I'd never do or say anything to embarrass Edward."

"I think you should lighten up on her, Z," Edward chimed in. "She's been extremely gracious under fire so far. Why would she suddenly stop now?"

Zafrina nodded reluctantly. "Please, whatever you do, be vague. No specifics--ever. And be polite. Even if it kills you."

"Got it. Vague. Polite. Charming. Even when I want to rip their throats out. I can handle that."

She gazed at me skeptically, but let it go. "I've got a meeting in an hour. Edward, I'll call you in a few days and speak to you about your first interview. Who's your agent now?"

"You're looking at her." Edward kissed my temple with a grin.

"Oh, Jesus. Are you serious?" She exhaled sharply. "Okay, Bella, what's your number so I can talk to you about which publications to call?"

I bristled in Edward's arms. "Let's get one thing straight here, Z. I'm well aware you don't like me. But don't for one second insinuate that I'm incapable of handling any of this."

"Bella," Edward groaned. "Please, love."

"It's okay, Edward." Zafrina smiled. "I'm sorry, Bella, that wasn't my intention. I'm trying not to let personal feelings get involved, but it's hard."

My heart dropped. "Personal feelings?"

Her smile faded. "You're well aware how distanced Edward is from everyone. He rarely lets anyone get close to him because of the potential backlash when they turn out to be... less than honorable. I'm one of the few friends Edward has allowed himself to have in this business. It's hard to sit here and be just his publicist and not his friend as well; I don't want anyone to hurt him."

I cocked my head to the side. "That's all?"

She flushed slightly and averted her gaze again. "That's it."

Liar, liar, pants on fire, I taunted in my head.

I opened my mouth to reply, only to be interrupted by the sound of someone pressing the button on the gate's intercom. Edward patted my arms so that I'd get up.

"That'd be Emmett," he murmured.

Fucking Emmett and his God-awful timing.

I left the room--but not before I stared at Zafrina and made sure she knew that I wasn't fooled--and went to kitchen to check the monitor. Sure enough, Emmett was making goofy faces at the camera.

"Cut it out, weirdo."

He laughed and rolled up the window as the gate started to go up. I could hear his massive Jeep coming up the driveway, so I went on over to the door and threw it open. Emmett gracefully jumped out of his Jeep and hurried up the steps, grinning widely at me.

"Agent McCarty reporting for duty," he joked.

"You have the worst timing ever."

He frowned. "Why? I'm here at a quarter after. Just like we agreed on."

"I left Edward in the study with his skank of a publicist," I told him in irritation.

"Want me to throw her out? It is my job now."

I laughed a little. "No, but thanks anyway."

I led him to the study, listening to him whistle lowly in appreciation at Edward's house. "Shit, BDB. You sure know how to pick 'em."

"Don't call me that, asshole." His angelic face made me giggle. "God, I'm going to hate this.

He wrapped his massive arm around me and kissed my hair. "You love me. You can't live without me. Just admit that Masen's all for show, and I'll whisk you off into the sunset."

"And do what with Rosalie?" I countered.

"Nothing. Two girls at my beck and call sounds fucking awesome." He grinned and winked.

"Kiss me, Emmett," said in a breathy moan. "Let's see how long it takes before one of us hurls on the other."

He grimaced. "Or maybe not."

Zafrina was packing up her belongings when we walked back into the study. She caught sight of Emmett and me, and her motions faltered slightly before she resumed putting her notebook back inside.

Yep, Emmett was the perfect bodyguard. Unconsciously scary.

I grabbed my book bag and sat it on my shoulder, rummaging through it to make sure I had everything I needed. I set the Blackberry on vibrate and put it in the side pocket just as Edward's arms wrapped around my waist.

"You leaving?" he murmured sadly.

"Yeah. I don't want to be late."

"Be careful."

I spun around to face him. "I will. I'll have Emmett."

"Very true." He smirked down at me.

I ran my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. "You have that photo shoot today."

"I remember. Call me later? I'll be absurdly bored without you here." He pouted like a child, making me laugh.

"I'll call you when I'm eating lunch. Okay?"

"I want you back for dinner." My brows knit. "I've not forgotten the conversation we still need to have."

"Shit. Fine, whatever, make me feel like an idiot." I stood on my toes and kissed him quickly. "I'll talk to you later."

He grinned crookedly and released me. "Later then."

I hopped in the passenger's seat of Emmett's Jeep and put my bag between my feet and felt my personal phone vibrate in my jeans pocket. I pulled it out, rolling my eyes and expecting it to be Edward, only to hear my mother's voice in my ear.

"Reneé!" I exclaimed, startled. "I have to go. I'm-"

"Don't hang up. Bella, we need to talk."

"About what? I'm pretty sure you said everything you needed to on the phone the other day."

Emmett cast me a sideways look at my tone.

"I know I said a lot of horrible things that I shouldn't have. I'm just worried about you. You don't call; you don't come by. You got involved with Edward only a couple of months ago and now you're engaged? I don't want you to rush into anything, sis. Like I did."

"No, Reneé, you didn't rush into anything. ou got pregnant and Charlie Swan was there to make sure you didn't look like a whore," I spat.

"Bella!" she gasped.

"You know what I don't understand?" I asked rhetorically. "I don't understand why, if you didn't want to be a mother, why you took me with you when you divorced him. Why didn't you just leave me there? I would've been happy with Charlie. I wouldn't have had to learn how to do everything myself; Charlie would have taught it all to me. And I wouldn't have thought to run away from Edward every time he got too close to me."

"Bella, I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say except you're wrong. I may not be the mother you wish I was or think I should've been, but don't think for one second that I didn't want you. If I didn't, you wouldn't be here now. End of story."

"Well, that's fucking fantastic. Thanks for that. But it's too little too late. You're lucky I didn't turn out to be some crack whore with as little as you had to do with me as a kid. God, did you ever think how much you were screwing me up by exposing me to the revolving door of men? You didn't for once think about what you were doing to me; you were just worried about where your next orgasm was coming from."

"I think that's a little exaggerated, Bella."

"I don't. Not at all. Stay with Phil, Reneé. Stop being such a stupid woman and be a responsible adult. If not for me, then at least for my brother because he deserves a better life than what you gave me. As for me, forget I exist."

"Bella, stop!"

I shook my head. "I can't do it anymore. I can't keep wishing for the mother I don't have only to be disappointed each and every time I think she might make her first appearance. It's not worth it. I'm happy now with Edward. I can't let you fuck it up for me anymore."

And with that, I hung up.

I rested my head on the window and let a few tears fall. Emmett reached over and squeezed my shoulder.

"You all right, Bond?"

I nodded and sniffled. "Fine."

"You know, Rosie's told me a lot about your mom. She's a fucking piece of work, that girl."

I laughed bleakly.

"She's the fucking poster child for people who should not be allowed to reproduce." He paused. "But I guess that means that if she didn't, you wouldn't be here and Rosie wouldn't have her best friend. So... that's out."

I sighed heavily. "Thanks, Em."

Emmett parked on campus and came around to my side of his massive Jeep so that none of the photographers could get too close to me. I opened the door and stood by his protective stance with my head bent down, letting my hair form a curtain around my face. Something inside me shifted, and I felt myself being thrown back to the shy, uncertain girl I was before.

I was suddenly, acutely aware that the graciousness I'd managed to show during all this was simply because Edward was with me. He was my strength--my composure. Without him guiding me through all of this, I was lost.

A surge of panic rolled through me, and I swayed on my feet unsteadily. Bile rose in my throat with the sounds of the shouts surrounding me, and I found myself gripping to Emmett like a lifeline, only to find that it had no calming effect whatsoever. It felt like the figures around me loomed ominously, slowly closing in on me and suffocating me.

"Bell?" Emmett whispered. "What's up?"

I swallowed convulsively and willed myself to be heard over the buzz surrounding us. "Call Edward," I croaked.

I untangled myself from the crowd and bolted to the nearest bathroom, hearing the rapid fire of questions chasing after me like exorcised demons, furiously reaching out to bring my soul back into their clutches and causing a sliver of fear to crawl down my spine.

I stormed into the bathroom and shoved the door shut, locking it behind me. I raced to the closest stall and threw myself over the toilet. Tears streamed down my face, and I brought my hands up to my clammy face to push my hair back. I dry heaved twice before collapsing onto the floor and curling up into a ball.

My body shook in terror and broken sobs randomly escaped me. It was unfounded, this hysterical reaction I was having to the press and publicity after having already experienced it over the weekend. I knew, rationally, that Emmett would never let any of these people harm me and that I could handle this. All I had to do was walk from the car to class and it would all be over.

So what the fuck was wrong with me?

I felt exposed--down to the quick--without Edward's presence. All the fears I'd felt before slammed into me, like I was reverting back to the way I was before Edward. I didn't want to hear any of the hateful words that were currently being said about me. I didn't want to hear people say I was ugly and undeserving, a slut, or after his money. I didn't want to be featured on blog after blog and have pictures of me eating or something else just as unflattering everywhere. I wanted to be unknown again, but the desperate need I had to be with Edward was more powerful.

The thought of Edward coming to find me like this brought a fresh wave of tears. I cried harder with the shame that I wasn't good enough for him. I couldn't handle his life like the person he deserved. I was nothing but a scared, immature child still. A simple phone call with Reneé had proven that.

I knew I needed to get up off the floor and go to class, but I couldn't. I'd withdrawn into myself and had no idea how to surface from the dark waters I'd suddenly found myself fighting against.

And so I drowned.

Edward

Something felt off. I'd felt it since the moment I'd awoken this morning. I wasn't sure if the feeling was for Bella or myself, but as time slowly progressed, the feeling grew more and more intense.

I let Samson outside to run before I retreated back to the bedroom to shower and ready myself for a quick photo shoot planned with a few other actors for an article in Vanity Fair. The house felt empty and silent without Bella. My room swam with her scent, and I ridiculously found myself worrying about her again, though I knew she was safe with Emmett.

I shaved, showered, and dressed quickly, unable to stand being inside my hollow surroundings. Alice had always teased me about how sterile my house was, but now I knew exactly what she meant. It wasn't a home until Bella, merely an array of lumber and stone, plaster and paint. She made it come to life just by simply leaving her towel on the floor in the bathroom or throwing her latest lecture's notes on the desk for future study.

I got into the R8 and drove to the location of the shoot. My morning had gone... not as expected, further increasing that strange sense of wrongness. Bella and Zafrina for some reason did not seem to like one another, and I was completely clueless as to why.

But I had every intention of prying the reason from Bella tonight when she was through with her last class.

I arrived on set and went straight for the chair, murmuring quick hellos to everyone I passed. Makeup and hair worked on me for a while, and then I got up to change into the white linen shirt and jeans they had laid out for me before joining the other actors waiting on the beach.

"Masen!" Demetri Kelley called out as I came over. "I hear you got yourself a little tart on the side. Tanya's pissed, dude!"

My hand itched to reach up and shove my hair back. I had to be careful what I said so that I didn't give away the fact that I was engaged before it was announced. "Erm, she's not exactly on the side."

"What?" he laughed. "Did you ditch her already?"

I didn't answer.

"She's fucking hot. If you're finished with her, pass her on over here." He high-fived some other moron.

"That's never going to happen," I said through my teeth. Anger whipped through me , and I was perilously close to reaching out and wrapping my hands around his neck so that I could squeeze the life out of him. "And if I hear you breathe a word about her to anyone else, so help me, I'll kill you."

His eyes widened and he backed up a little. "Sorry. Didn't know it was so serious."

"Now you do," I said shortly.

He mumbled something about how I needed to get a grip, and I realized immediately, he was right. I couldn't threaten harm to everyone who thought Bella was beautiful, because Bella was one of the most gorgeous women around; she just didn't know it. It was given that men would fantasize about her, and women would envy her. While I loved envisioning wrapping my arm around her waist on the red carpet, Bella actually being in the spotlight with me was going to take a bit of adjustment. I'd grown used to having her solely to myself.

"Listen, uh, she's important to me," I said, by way of an apology.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it, man. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, mate."

We walked down the beach a ways and posed as a group for the cover before heading into the individual shots. I found myself pacing the shore and staring out into the deep blue water as I awaited my turn.

Odd.

I posed as instructed all while a strange sense of foreboding slowly crept over me. I kept trying to bury it down and focus on the task at hand, only for it to burst free from its cage and shock me with its strength.

My mobile buzzed incessantly in my pocket, and my heart literally stopped beating when I saw the name of the caller.

Emmett.

My heart resumed its beating, sprinting in my chest as I motioned for everyone to give me a moment. I put the mobile to my ear and instinctively knew that this was the reason for my worry all morning long.

"What's happened?" I asked in alarm.

"She freaked. She locked herself in a bathroom, and I can't get her to come out. I can hear her, Edward. She's crying. Shit, I've tried everything; it's like she can't hear me. I even tried telling her I was going to go to her place and get her vibrator so she could work out some of that stress but got nothing. No 'fuck you' , nothing." His voice was gruff with anxiety.

Thank God I wasn't that far away. "Don't move. I'll be right over."

I pocketed the mobile and ran to my car, shouting apologies and explaining that I had to take care of an emergency over my shoulder.

Speed limits and traffic signals meant nothing as I weaved in and out of the other vehicles on the road, desperate to get to Bella. I'd never been so terrified of something in all my life. I didn't know what was happening and each time I rang her mobile, but it threw me over to voicemail. I left a message every time, getting progressively more and more frantic with every passing second. If we came out of this intact, I was sure Bella would laugh at how shrill and ridiculous I sounded.

I finally pulled into the lot and parked haphazardly in a handicapped spot in front. I scanned the campus for any sign of them, only to see nothing but a group of people standing by Emmett's white Jeep.

I dialed Emmett's number, bouncing anxiously as I waited for him to answer.

"Where are you?" I snapped.

"Straight ahead. There's a bathroom to your right."

I didn't bother saying anything more or locking my car, for that matter. I simply took off at a dead sprint in the direction Emmett had said. My eyes darted around my surroundings, spotting Emmett's massive body hunkered down protectively in front of the door, snarling at anyone who dared to come near him.

He jumped up as soon as he saw me. "Thank God. I still can't get her to fucking answer me. Rosie's in class, and I didn't-"

"It's fine. It's fine." I knocked on the door. "Bella?"

Nothing.

"Help me break it down."

"Are you serious?" he asked incredulously. "Edward, the university might charge you with something like destruction of property."

"I don't give a shit!" I yelled. "Help me get to her!" Panic was clawing at my chest and threatening to rip me to shreds.

His eyes lit up with excitement. "Fuck yeah!"

We worked together to bring down the door. My shoulder ached, but finally, the lock gave way with a splintering crack and the door flew open, showing me the agonizing scene inside.

A strangled moan broke free from my chest as I saw Bella crumpled up on the dirty floor, shaking violently and whimpering softly. Her teeth chattered and her hair was wet from sweat and tears.

I knew instantly what this was. A severe panic attack.

"Holy fuck," Emmett whispered, wide eyed.

"Don't let anyone come near this door."

In a blink, I was by her side. I reached down and pushed her hair out of her face so that I could see her. "Oh, God, Bella," I moaned as my heart wrenched in my chest.

I took a deep breath and focused on retrieving the Bella that was hidden somewhere in those glassy eyes. "Emmett's outside wearing nothing but tiny pink women's knickers. The kind that ride in his arse. Thongs? It's quite disturbing, really."

Her eyes snapped to mine, and she let out a shuddering breath. "What?"

"Did the visual make you nauseated? You try witnessing it."

She blinked, and the fear slowly faded from her eyes. "Edward, I... I can't..." She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. "I can't without you."

She clambered into my lap, knocking me into the wall and burying her face into my neck. Her hands fisted my shirt and tugged as she slowly came down from the incapacitating terror that had come from knowing me.

"Oh, baby. Oh, baby," I murmured in her ear, over and over again, while my own hands fisted against her, restraining themselves from harming her in my desire to feel her close to me, to bury her inside me and protect her. I relished the sharp intakes of air against my skin because it meant she was still here with me in some way.

"I-I felt claustro- claust-"

"Claustrophobic?" I prompted.

She nodded furiously against me. "Without you there, I couldn't." She shuddered. "I was so scared."

"I'm so sorry," I breathed, unable to communicate how true those words were in my desolate shape.

"I'm no good for you," she said in a broken whisper.

"You are!" I cried adamantly, grabbing her face and forcing her to look at me. "You are all I've ever wanted, every part of you. The good and the bad. This... This is nothing. We can work with this."

"How?" Fresh tears filled her eyes. "I don't know what I'm doing. I can't even function right. I'm like a little girl, emotionally stunted and terrified of everything."

"So?" I responded. "You've come so far, love. Don't give up on us now."

"Don't make me go out there alone again."

I tried to smile at her, but my body was still so locked down with fear, it didn't really work properly. "That's a bit unrealistic," I said softly. "But I won't just shove you out the door with Emmett and expect you to be all right. Ever."

"I'm sorry I'm not the strong, refined girl you deserve," she sniffled.

"Isabella," I said tenderly. "You're more than I deserve because you're real. Don't ever forget that."

Her chin trembled, and she nodded. "I love you."

I groaned and brought her down so that I could taste her lips. "I love you." I pulled back and laid my forehead on hers. "Are you all right now?"

She nodded. "I don't know what happened. I got off the phone with Reneé, and it was like everything I was so scared of before came hurtling at me. It was worse than I'd ever imagined, going out there and facing it all without you. You ground me, Edward. I don't know how else to say it." She let out her breath slowly. "What am I going to do? I can't not go to class."

"I'll come with you." She stared at me in disbelief. "At least until you're more comfortable with this. I know you'll be able to walk out there and talk to the press just as I do someday. I've seen glimpses of that confident woman lurking inside you, you just need to believe it yourself."

"You think?" she asked, a spark of hope igniting in those gorgeous brown eyes of hers.

"I know. This is simply a setback. And I blame your mother entirely," I growled.

"My mom?"

"You were there with me, in every way. You were ready to marry me and commit yourself to me. You were ready to stand in front of the world and be photographed with me. You even agreed to be my agent. Then you spoke to your mother... and now we are here."

"You're right," she said, sounding a little awed. "I told her to forget I existed."

My eyes widened in shock. "Good for you."

"Thanks." She gave me a small smile.

I thought it best to lighten things up a bit. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get off this disgusting floor and go murder your mother now."

She giggled, but it wasn't the airy sound I loved so much. It was still weighed down by the emotions she'd succumbed to today. "You can't. She's pregnant."

"Damn," I teased. "Perhaps after that little boy gets here, eh?"

"Maybe." She tilted her head and looked at me funny. "Edward Anthony Masen, are you wearing makeup?"

I wiped my cheek and saw a bit of the tawny powder rub off on my fingertips. "I wasn't really worried about taking off my makeup before I left the photo shoot," I laughed. "I was a little more involved with running to this gorgeous brunette who is determined to stop my heart."

"I won't do it again," she swore, looking down in shame.

"Hey," I whispered. "It's all right," I reminded her.

"Yeah."

"What do you say we skip class and practice your time in front of the camera instead?" I asked, quirking my brow.

"What do you mean?"

"Let's go to the beach and take a walk. I've got a couple of sweatshirts and a blanket in the car and the press is all out there waiting for us to step foot off university ground. Let's make today your first lesson on how to deal with the insanity that comes with being with me."

Because I should have never sent you out there unprepared like I did...

She smiled slowly. "Okay."

I helped her up off the floor and went to wash my face.

Bella stood next to me and gasped at her appearance. "Oh, my God! I'm all splotchy and swollen! I look horrible!" she shrieked.

I chuckled. "You look wonderful." I reached on and traced the black design on the shirt she had on. "This makes your tits look incredible."

"Tits." She snorted and shook her head in disbelief.

"What?" I smiled innocently.

"You're fucking full of shit, that's what." She splashed some water on her face. "I can't go out there like this." She stared at me for a second and shook her head. "Here, let me get it. You've got makeup running down your face."

She gently took a paper towel and wiped the excess makeup off my face. When she was finished, I bent down and kissed her. "Thank you," I murmured.

She rolled her eyes. "Boys. What would they do without girls?"

"I've no idea."

"Speaking of girls, you're in the ladies room." She waggled her eyebrows. "You know what everyone's going to think we did in here."

I flashed her a crooked grin. "Let them."

Bella and I cautiously went back outside, only for Emmett to rush her and throw her over his shoulder like some deranged kidnapper.

"You stupid bitch!" he roared. "I was out here freaking out! Don't ever do that shit to me again, do you hear me?"

I almost laughed at his reaction. I wasn't sure if she realized it or not, but he was her family. Their dynamic was very much of an older brother with his younger sister. He mocked her and joked with her, but obviously loved her just as much as Rosalie did.

"I-I'm sorry, Emmett. Put me down," she mumbled, slapping his back. "You're embarrassing me."

He obliged, cradling her face in his large hands. "You're okay? Rosie will fucking castrate me if you're not."

"I'm fine. Won't happen again, I swear."

"It better not," he warned. "No amount of money pretty boy over there pays me is worth going through that again." He crushed her to his chest and took a deep breath of relief. "God, I nearly pissed myself I was so fucking scared."

"I'm sorry," she repeated, no doubt mortified.

"Are you going to class now?" he asked, glancing at me and abruptly stepping back. "Fuck, ah, you don't think... I mean..."

"It's all right, Emmett," I told him sincerely. "You've no idea how grateful I am that I hired someone to protect Bella that cares for her so."

He nodded and waited for Bella to answer.

"No, I don't think I could concentrate if I did. I think I'm just going to go with Edward. You go on ahead. We'll try this again tomorrow."

He rocked on his heels while his eyes darted between us. "I don't know..."

She sighed in exasperation. "Go to fucking class, you big ape. I'll be fine."

Emmett relented and walked away in the direction of his own class, allowing Bella to finally notice the spectators around us, murmuring to one another.

"Oh, shit," she whispered, backing up into me.

I chuckled and spun her around. "Lesson number one," I told her, cupping her face in my hand. "Camera phones are your worst enemy. They'll sneak up and bite you in the arse every time."

"So I...?"

"Always think before you speak and never act out on any of those uncivilized thoughts that may be burning your brain," I answered, running my thumb across her cheek.

She leaned into my touch and closed her eyes. That one small movement was my undoing. Electricity crackled and sparked between us, thrumming steadily in the air and causing my breathing to speed in response. She licked her lips as the urge to consume overtook her as well, and I felt all my blood run south as my body hardened for her. I suddenly longed to throw her against the wall and drive myself into her in an attempt to satisfy the ache that came from desiring her.

But I would never do that. Too many things could go wrong with that scenario.

I swallowed thickly and focused on clearing my head of the wondrous fog she'd created. "Like now," I whispered, quickly stepping away from her. "We should go before I do something we both regret."

She nodded with a knowing smile, and I reluctantly draped my arm around her shoulders and waved pleasantly at the people surrounding us. We started toward my car but didn't get far before I felt Bella tense against me.

"Can you do this?" I questioned.

She nodded and wrapped her arms around my waist, holding onto me tightly. "It's just... it's right there," she breathed. "I can feel it in my chest."

"Panic."

"Yeah."

"Think back to the other afternoon when we stood in front of an army of photographers while I listened to that overenthusiastic salesman go on and on and on about some hideous Motorola he was determined to sell."

She giggled. "I ignored him. Sorry."

"Lucky you," I said wryly, squeezing her shoulder with my hand. "You were so calm, so unconcerned with what was happening. I know what you're capable of."

"Why are you being so patient with me?" she asked incredulously. "A lot of people would have just said 'fuck it' by now."

"I'm so patient with you because I love you. And, Bella, you got scared, but you didn't run," I explained.

She stopped abruptly and stared up at me. "It never even crossed my mind."

I beamed at her. "Progress."

We came into view, and the entire group of press that had been hovering around Emmett's Jeep came flying up to us with unimaginable speed.

"Here we go, love," I said lowly.

She took a deep breath and unbelievably, broke free from my grasp, opting to take my hand instead.

"Where did my terrified fiancée go?" I teased.

"I'm not going to let it get to me again. It was stupid in the first place. I can't panic any time you're not near." She hesitated, and then let go of my hand so that we were no longer touching at all.

"I'm not sure I like that," I admitted, curling my now empty fingers into my palm. "You could fall or be shoved or-"

She put her hand over my mouth and smiled. "Stop it. You're almost as bad as me."

"Yes, well, I'm not in need of meds," I quipped.

She giggled. "You suck."

"Only on certain areas of one specific woman." She reddened, and I laughed. "Come on. Get in the car before they start after you. I'll handle it."

I got her safely in the car and then turned to face the demands behind me with the most winning smile I could muster, given how incredibly strained I still was from seeing Bella on the floor like that. Not including the fact that my body still burned for her.

An involuntary shudder went through me as I relived that moment. I'd spend the rest of my life making sure that scene never happened again. My Bella deserved to be nothing less than happy with me, and if she couldn't find a way to cope with the paparazzi that were determined to follow her from now on, well, I'd buy a ranch in Montana so that we weren't in the heart of the entertainment business anymore.

Bella was the most important thing in my life now. My life was void without her.

"Eric," I greeted. "How're you this morning?"

"Good. You ever going to tell us what's going on with you and your assistant? Your publicist gave us some bullshit statement over the weekend that didn't confirm or deny anything."

I laughed. "That's her job, is it not?"

"It is. So what's the deal?"

"Simply put, the deal is that I'm in a relationship with Bella," I answered.

"Behind Tanya's back?" he inquired.

"I'm not going to answer that again. I will tell you that I'm happy now, Eric. Happier than I've ever been."

He grinned widely. "She's going to shit when she reads that."

I smiled wickedly in return. "Make sure you have your camera ready for that. I'd love to see it."

He laughed. "Well, I'm officially 'Team Edward'."

My brow furrowed. "'Team Edward'? What is that?"

"Dude, check the internet. There are people selling t-shirts that say 'Team Edward' and 'Team Tanya' on them. I think there might even be some with your girl's face on them."

I groaned. "Oh, she's going to love that."

"Why?"

"She's not interested in being a celebrity. But I suppose it can't be helped so long as she's with me."

"No. So where are you off to?"

"The beach. Venice, perhaps. I'm not sure."

He nodded.

"Keep your distance, please," I requested of them all. "She's not used to all of this and is still trying to adjust."

They didn't answer but then again, I hadn't expected them to.

I climbed into the car and started it, backing out carefully before I said anything to Bella.

"Do a Google search on the Blackberry," I instructed, "for 'Team Edward'."

She blanched as her mind raced with the possibilities but looked it up regardless. "Oh, God."

"That bad?"

She nodded. "There are shirts with our faces on them!" she screeched. "In every fucking color imaginable! They're everywhere!"

"Let's buy a couple," I suggested.

She looked at me like I'd just grown another head. "What for?"

"Embrace the madness."

She sat in silence for a moment before she dissolved into a fit of helpless laughter. I kept glancing over at her, waiting for her to explain, but she could only wave at me while she wiped her tears.

She finally sobered enough to speak to me in between giggles."I'm sorry. It's just..." She took a deep breath. "It's so ridiculous. Jesus, you're a lot of trouble."

I knew she was only teasing me, but it didn't stop the sharp sting that rushed through me. "Is it worth it?" I asked quietly.

"Yes. Yes, Edward. You're worth it." She giggled, obviously in a much better mood now. "I sound like one of those L'Oreal commercials," she snickered.

I reached over and took her hand, bringing it to my mouth and pressing a kiss on her palm. "I'm glad you're back to being you. You scared me there, love."

"Sorry. God, I feel like that's all I'm saying today." She shifted in the seat toward me. "I told you, you ground me, Edward. It's so empowering to be around you. I feel like I'm invincible, fearless. The moment I saw your green eyes staring down at me, I instantly felt better and slowly came out of whatever-it-was that I was in."

I didn't have words to express the way that made me feel, so I simply smiled at her quickly before turning my attention to the road. Bella closed her eyes and curled up in the seat with her head resting on the cup holders; it looked incredibly uncomfortable, but I kept quiet.

She'd lain there for so long, I thought she was talking in her sleep when she finally broke the silence. "Edward," she mumbled sleepily.

I stroked her face with my hand and said nothing in return.

"Let's elope."