Hello lovelies, sorry for the little bit of a longer wait on this one. I got stuck about halfway through the chapter, and words refused to come out onto the computer. But, I finally pushed past it, so here is the next chapter! It's a bit of a filler until more drama ensues in the next one. Enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

BELLA POV

April 2016

With the weather warming to around the mid- to high-sixties everyday, people came out of their houses more and did outdoor activities. Outdoor activities usually meant kids running amuck after school, and kids running amuck meant accidents. And accidents meant lots of people in and out of the hospital, keeping Edward there more often than not. He was rarely home, and when he was, he was usually sleeping after working a twenty-four hour plus shift. All of this mixed together meant I rarely got to see him during April.

The only day I really spent time with him was on Emmett's birthday around the middle of the month, since he specifically asked for that day off in order to celebrate with his only cousin. We had a great time that night, and it was the first time in a few weeks that we had sex, so I wasn't complaining. But I did complain a little when he had to leave at ten the next morning in order to get home and shower before his noon shift at the hospital.

Portland State was on spring break this week, so I could lay around the house the morning after our wild night of partying on a Wednesday. I was the first one awake, since I was pretty sure everybody else besides Edward got way more trashed than I did the night before. I didn't like getting shit-faced in public, since I could still get in trouble for drinking, even though most places didn't check ID. Alice had turned twenty-one at the end of March, making me the only underage one in the group, which sucked to say the least.

I started up Grey's Anatomy on Netflix while I started the coffee maker and searched the kitchen for food. I eventually gave up and just decided to make myself some toast and made a mental note to go shopping later.

Spring break made us all lazy, but I didn't have that big of a luxury, since I had a project due for my biology class the Wednesday after we got back. Luckily, it was a project only to be done in pairs, and I had partnered up with Eric Yorkie, who was just as dedicated to our education as I was. We had hammered out most of the PowerPoint for our presentation by the Friday after it was assigned, and we had been working on fine tuning it individually and sending it to one another to get it approved. We had agreed to meet on Friday afternoon and the Tuesday before the presentation to really set everything in stone and practice presenting.

Just as I had settled in on the couch under a light blanket and with my toast and coffee, Alice emerged from her room, her dark hair a mess, and a bit of last night's mascara under her eyes. She curled up beside me on the couch, her head resting on my shoulder, and didn't say a word until the current episode ended.

"Is there more coffee?" she inquired, yawning at the end of her statement. For being a morning person, she sure seemed a little sluggish that morning.

I confirmed and she padded off to pour herself a cup, asking me if I wanted another. I thanked her as she took my mug. We must have finished off that pot, because I heard her refilling the coffee grounds and adding more water to the reservoir.

When she joined me on the couch again, she cleared her throat before speaking.

"So, have you thought about what you're going to do with the whole 'Jared' situation?"

I sighed, setting my mug on the side table. I had told Alice and Rose the whole thing a few days after it had happened, and they had both wanted to drive to Seattle and beat the crap out of him. I appreciated their tenaciousness, but if anyone was getting a go at Jared, it was me. But I couldn't assault someone, so that was never going to happen.

"I have no idea. I could tell Carlisle that he's harassing and threatening me, but that would mean telling him and pretty much everybody else about what I do." I had seriously contemplated just telling the whole world that I was a stripper, but I wasn't sure I was ready for that yet. I knew no one would think any lesser of me, although, my dad would probably blanche a little at the thought of his only child dancing nearly naked for men for money. He was the chief of police, after all

"Maybe it's just time that you tell people," Alice shrugged, taking a small sip of her coffee. "It's been, like, three years, Bella. You can't keep it a secret forever."

When I didn't respond, she continued.

"Besides, Jared is planning to out you anyways. It's more scandalous if he does it. At least this way you're taking away that power from him. Beating him to the punch."

I was going to respond, but Emmett emerged at that moment, calling out a good morning as he went into the kitchen.

"And you can start with Emmett," Alice beamed, the caffeine apparently starting to course through her bloodstream.

"What are we starting with Emmett?" he asked, plopping himself into the armchair across from the couch where Alice and I were sitting.

"Bella would like to run something past you."

His eyebrows furrowed. "If it doesn't have to do with cars, engineering, or sex, I'm not gonna be much help."

Alice and I made gagging sounds at the prospect of hearing about Em's sex life with Rosalie, which he laughed at, sending us a wink.

"Okay, not "run something by you", per se, but just kind of tell you something," Alice amended.

"You're not pregnant, are you?" Em asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Oh, God, no," I denied, shaking my head.

He nodded, satisfied. "Good, you're too young for a baby. I wanna see you become a doctor, Bells. And I would have killed Eddie."

I rolled my eyes. "Thank you, oh valiant Emmett."
He gave me a cheeky grin. "Alright, lay it on me, Sweet Cheeks."

I decided to just lay it all out there, since that's how my relationship with Emmett had always been. It had worked out for us thus far.

"I don't work at a restaurant, Em. I work at the club with Rose."

He just nodded. "Do you bartend, then?"

Alice barked out a laugh before muffling it with her hand.

"No, I strip. I'm a dancer."

Emmett's jaw dropped open as he stared at me. Rose chose that time to walk in, looking much too pretty to have just woken up. She furrowed her eyebrows at her fiance, unaware of the bomb I had just dropped on him.

"Baby, you're catching flies," she told him, tapping his chin as she walked by to join Alice and I on the couch.

"What the fuck, Rosie?" he shouted once he had snapped out of his stupor. I saw Rose's eyes flame at his harsh tone. She was never one to take Em's crap, which is why they got along so well. I cut in before they could start arguing for no reason.

"I told him I dance at the club," I informed her. When she asked why I was telling him now, Alice and I both just said, "Jared," and she nodded her head in understanding.

Em seemed to be getting frustrated, though, and started shouting more. "What the fuck? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Why are we yelling?" Jasper questioned, squinting against the sun streaming through the open windows, his hands combing through his shaggy hair.

"Because Bells has been working at the club with Rose, and I'm just now finding out about this!" Emmett shouted, drawing a glare from Jasper.

"Bro, you don't have to yell. We're all here," he soothed.

"Why are you not freaking out about this? Little Baby B is a stripper!" Emmett could not seem to wrap his head around this, which would have been hilarious if he wasn't pissing us all off with his yelling.

Jasper shrugged. "I mean, I kinda figured it out. No waitress is able to pay for rent, utilities, and student loans with tips. Plus, she was always gone the nights Rose was. I put two and two together like two years ago."

Emmett sat dumbfounded for several minutes, while the four of us stared at him, waiting for him to say something. Finally he spoke, his tone much quieter.

"Does Ed know about this?"

When the three of us on the couch nodded, he bellowed, "I'm literally the last one to find out!"

Now, we could all laugh.

We filled Jasper and Em in on the Jared situation over lunch that day. Both men threatened to go hunt the bastard down and take care of him themselves, and questioned why Edward hadn't already done so. I didn't think I'd have to explain to them why he totally could not do that, seeing as he was a doctor and what not. They agreed, and I assured them that I was trying to figure out a way to deal with it on my own. I mentioned that I only told Emmett because I had plans to tell everyone else so that I could get some help from Carlisle, and Em seemed genuinely hurt from all the time I had kept this from him. I tried to explain that I couldn't risk anything with my future career, but I never kept it from him because I didn't trust him. The less people that knew, the better, but my current situation necessitated that I tell people. I'd obviously have to quit after this, but I was okay with that now.

I was definitely nervous about telling my parents and Edward's parents about how I paid for rent and school. I knew my mom and Esme would probably accept it, because that's the type of open, free-spirited people that they are, but Carlisle might be a little shocked, given how long he had known me. But I knew he'd do anything to help me, so I was hoping his protective instincts would win out over his feelings toward me being an exotic dancer. And my dad, well...let's just say he was not going to be happy. He was the police chief, after all, and he arrested a lot of dancers who also had to work as escorts or prostitutes, which I knew he didn't approve of at all. I knew it would probably be inadvertent, but he would probably correlate my choices with the women he had encountered before, which was sad, honestly. Those girls were just trying to get their way through life, most likely just trying to pay bills and feed kids, but their way of making money was illegal, and it was absolutely horrible. Hopefully that all could change.

When Edward got off of work that night, we agreed that he would stay here tonight so that we could talk. Jared had been texting me a lot lately, leaving gross messages and threatening me over and over again about ruining my career. I had to guess that he was banking on the fact that he thought there was no way that I would ever tell anyone about my job. So, hopefully, by going to my family and Edward's family about it all, I'd throw him off a little bit and catch him by surprise. And if things really went the way that I wanted them to, he'd be out of a job by the end of it.

I let Edward know, before he walked in the door, that I had told Emmett that I worked at Lucky Devil, and Jasper evidently already knew. He simply nodded before kissing me quickly and walked to sit in the living room with the rest of our friends. Emmett, being Emmett, gave him the third degree about knowing I was a dancer before he did. Edward then had to explain to him that that was how he and I had first met. Watching Em react to this news was hilarious, and I couldn't help but laugh at his dramatic astonishment. Further explaining the whole Bambi/Bella dynamic over the first few months seemed a little too much for him to handle after all the bombs today, so we moved on to more pressing topics.

Edward and I agreed that it would be good to sit both sets of parents down and tell them both at once, sort of like ripping off a band aid. It would be less time taken up having to explain things, and they'd be able to ask all the questions they had in one go. We'd also be able to explain the Jared situation to all the right ears, since Carlisle was his boss and Charlie was able to explain any legal proceedings that may be able to take place. I wasn't sure if nonviolent threats were illegal, but I knew it was a big no-no when the person you're threatening is your boss's son's girlfriend.

We called our parents that night to tell them we'd like to see them that weekend. We had suggested that we meet somewhere in the middle of all three of our cities, but they both insist that they were going to come to Portland, since they knew our schedules were so busy, even though their schedules were just as jam-packed. We all agreed that Saturday afternoon for lunch was a good time, and Edward offered his apartment so that we could cook for them instead of going out and dropping a bomb on them in public.

Friday passed in a blur, since my classes kept me occupied pretty much all day long. By seven that night I was absolutely exhausted, but I had promised Edward that I would spend the night at his place since he was off the next day. I had made sure to pack a bag before I left my place that night, so I headed straight to Edward's after school. I walked right into his home with the key he had given me a few months back.

"Hey, angel," Edward called when he heard the front door open. I could see him in the kitchen pouring two glasses of red wine. I set my bag down by the front door and strode over, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my body against his.

"Hi, handsome," I greeted, my voice muffled from my face being pressed into his shirt, which was very soft and smelled like fabric softener and Edward. After my long day, being surrounded by him was just the relaxation I needed.

"Tired?" he asked, turning around in my arms and wrapping his around my shoulders. I could feel the heat radiating off of him and his heart beating in his chest where it was pressed against mine. Being in his presence relaxed me considerably, but I was still in need of something more. I wanted to take that night to relax before I had to deal with the immense stress that was sure to take place tomorrow.

"Yeah, it's been a long day," I affirmed. I pressed my forehead to his chest and heaved out a sigh. I had a feeling I wasn't going to get a break until the summer came around.

"Stay right here, I'll be right back," Edward said, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. I watched him as he left the kitchen and walked down the hallway. I took the few moments that he was gone to take a few sips of the wine that he had poured when I walked in. Edward walked back and took my hand in one of his, and he scooped up his own glass in his free one. He led us to his bedroom and then into the attached en suite, where the water was running in the tub. I could see bubbles were rising as the water level rose.

Edward took my glass from my hands and set both of ours on the counter. He took his time as he unzipped my sweater and slipped it off my shoulder. He tugged my shirt over my head and hooked his thumbs into my yoga pants, pushing them down along with my panties. My bra was the last to come off before he helped me into the tub. He turned off the faucet before removing his own clothes and settling in behind me, our wine in hands. I couldn't help but gawk at his fuck hot body, which I swore that I would never get used to. His abs were so toned, his biceps so bulging, and his pecs so hard. How could a girl ever get over that?

We sat for a while just drinking our wine, his left arm wrapped around my waist, his hand gently stroking my skin. The smell of the lavender in the bubbles and the smell that was innately Edward mixed together to create the most heady scent. I couldn't help but sigh and lean my head back onto his shoulder once I had finished my glass. Edward knew exactly what I needed after my long week, and I couldn't be more grateful to have him around to treat me like this. I had always gotten along just fine on my own, and I never really needed a guy around to take care of me. But having Edward just felt like an extension of myself-someone who knew that I was capable and willing, but also knew that I appreciated this love and care. He never smothered me, and somehow he knew just how much affection I needed and when I needed it. I had never met a man that I was so in sync with; it was lovely.

We stayed in the tub well after our glasses were empty. Our skin got nice and pruney, the bubbles popped and disappeared, and the water got lukewarm. Edward stepped out first behind me and grabbed some towels from the cabinet. He wrapped one around his own waist before unfolding one and holding it out for me to step into. The air in the bathroom was still warm and moist from the steam when he had first drawn the bath. Stepping into his room sent a bit of a chill through me, the air much cooler than that of the en suite. He pulled back the covers on his bed and helped me into it, taking my towel from me. He discarded both of our towels and snuggled into the bed next to me, his warm naked body wrapping around mine. His arm draped over my waist and his leg tangled between both of mine. The lamp on his bedside table was still on, casting the room in faint yellow glow, allowing us to see each other.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I sighed at his question, because I honestly didn't know. "I feel more relaxed, so thank you for the bath," I told him, pressing some kisses to his chest lightly. "But I'm freaking out about tomorrow. Just a little bit."

Edward pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "You'll be okay, angel. I'll be right there with you the whole time."

"I know, but how is that gonna make you look?" I wondered aloud. I knew our parents knew we loved each other, but they didn't know that Edward fell for a girl who spends her spare time as a stripper. Would their image of us and our relationship be distorted when they found out my chosen profession before I achieved what I really wanted to do in life? I could imagine Esme and Renee wouldn't really pay it much mind, because I knew how their personalities were, but what about Carlisle? I knew he was pretty cool, but I wasn't quite sure if he was that cool. And don't even get me started with Charlie.

Jesus Christ, I'm gonna break my old man's heart, probably.

What man wants to find out that his only daughter-his only child-was a sex worker? Especially a man who had been a cop since before I was even a thought. If anyone else from Forks ever found out that I had spent the last nearly three years as an exotic dancer named Bambi at Lucky Devil Lounge strip club, Charlie's rep as the Chief of Police would be completely tarnished. I was supposed to be the chief's model citizen of a daughter. Model citizens, according to most of society-especially the society of Forks-did not become sex workers, even as a last ditch effort. And my decision to become a dancer had not been a last ditch effort, by any means. It was actually my first choice when I moved to Portland.

"Angel, please stop thinking so hard. I can practically see the gears grinding in your head," Edward teased, lightly brushing my hair back from my face. "You're just going to freak yourself out about this more if you keep thinking about it. Let's get to bed now, maybe have a little fun to get your minds off things, and then you'll be ready for tomorrow."

His sexy little smirk adorned his face when he mentioned "having a little fun" and I couldn't help but return with a smirk of my own. Edward was insatiable. He very typically had sex on the brain, which I think was pretty common for most men, and luckily, I was just as bad. Ever since the first time with Edward, it was like my boy constantly craved him, no matter where we were or what we were doing or who we were with, I wanted to have him. Especially now since it had been a while since the last time that we had been together, my body instantly ignited with the mention of any type of sexual activity.

It took Edward less than five seconds to have himself hovering over me, pressing kisses across my cheeks and down my neck. It took him only another fifteen before he gave me a wink and disappeared under the blankets, kissing down my stomach as he went. His tongue flicking across my clit surprised me and made me twitch with the sudden contact to the sensitive part of me. His tongue lapped, his lips tugged, and his teeth teased, causing the euphoria to build up inside me. I was very nearly over the edge when he cut off contact, and I whimpered at the loss of sensation. He chuckled at me and shushed me. I was unable to see what he was doing, but he asked me if I trusted him, and when I answered in the affirmative, his mouth was back on me. He used his arms to tilt my hips up, making my ass lose contact with the bed. I felt him palm my left cheek as his mouth still worked over me.

Next thing I knew, I felt a digit lightly stroking me lower down. My body tensed slightly as he played with the ring of muscle. I had never had anyone touch me there before, not even by my own doing, but I had definitely entertained the idea before. Edward had asked if I trusted him, and I did, so I willed my body to relax. I think he noticed when my body uncoiled, because I felt him press forward slightly, the tip of one of his fingers slipping inside of me. The sensation was not at all unpleasant, but it was definitely different. It took a few shallow strokes for me to become accustomed to the feeling, and when I did, the pleasure I was experiencing soared through the roof. The combination of his mouth and his finger in my back entrance built up fast, and I came hard, screaming out his name with my release.

He emerged as I was coming down from my sexual high, allowing me to catch my breath before speaking or asking me to speak. Once my heart rate had gone back to relatively normal, he smiled at me.

"Was that okay?" he asked, his voice soft. His eyes searched my face as he awaited my answer, and his hand came up as his fingers gently stroked the side of my face.

"Can we do that more often, please?" I asked. I was not ashamed to admit that that had felt like nothing I had ever experienced before, not that I had a whole lot of it outside of my time with Edward. But still, a girl knew when things did and did not feel good, and having his finger in my ass was definitely part of the former.

He laughed at my request, kissing my forehead to stifle his laughter into chuckles. "We can most definitely do that more often, Bella," he assured. "There are a few other things that I want to try, if you'll let me. Not tonight, but over the next several times we have a chance to be together."

I quirked an eyebrow at him. "What are these 'things'?" I asked. I was definitely a sexually adventurous person, but there were a few things that I knew were already hard no's for me. "I can tell you right now, I'm not into swinging or threesomes, and I will never, under any circumstance, call you Daddy."

Edward laughed again, shaking his head. "I can promise you, angel, I don't share. And I don't want to hear it come out of your mouth when referring to me as much as you don't want to say it." My shoulders, which I hadn't realized were tense, relaxed at his assurance. "What I have in mind are some things I know you'll if you give them a chance, but we'll talk about it another time. I think it's time that we sleep."

He snuggled in next to me, resuming the position we were in before he had spontaneously decided to go down on me.

"You don't want me to return the favor?" I asked. Not that it was ever a "favor" thing with us, but I usually made a point to reciprocate. Honestly, I loved giving it just as much as he liked receiving it.

He shook his head and pulled me closer to him. He reached over and turned out the lamp before tucking my head under his chin. "No, it's okay, love. Tonight was about helping you relax. I accomplished my mission, and now I'm satisfied."

Even though I could feel his hard cock pressing into my hip, I knew that he meant what he had said. So, I just hummed my acceptance and closed my eyes, pressing my body into his more. I was so tired and relaxed from our night, that I fell asleep within a matter of minutes after cuddling into Edward, no thoughts of the stress I was bound to experience the next day plaguing my mind. I would deal with everything in the morning.

Alright, so I hoped you guys liked this chapter. I promise the next one will be more interesting. We'll finally get to the reveal to the parents, and then we'll get to see some action on the Jared front.

I can tell you that I know where this story is headed, and it is definitely winding down. I have a few more big events for Bella and Edward and the rest of the crew, so I'm foreseeing about ten-ish more chapters. Don't hold me to that, but that's what I'm estimating right now. We'll see though.

I will be writing an epilogue that will probably be much longer than a normal chapter, because I don't want to leave loose ends. But I will also take requests for any outtakes or future takes anyone would like to see. I like to write little scenarios that may not have otherwise made it into the story.

Anyway, leave me comments, I always read all of them and I appreciate hearing from you guys!

Until nest time, lovelies!