A/N: Weeellllp it's notthatamanda's birthday today and I have nothing to give but my words.

"Oh, holy crap," Edward said under his breath. He was glad his laptop was sitting on his lap because his reaction to Bella appearing on his Skype screen was instant. She was on her belly on her bed, her legs swinging in the air. She was wearing the cutest boy shorts that showed off her ass quite nicely.

"Hey, you," she said with a grin.

"Hi, duckling." He sighed. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you, too." She smiled, and he wanted so much to run his fingers over her lips.

"Tell me everything I've missed in the last-" he looked at the clock, "six hours since we've talked. I'm not very pleased about that, by the way."

She rolled her eyes. "Sorry. I thought I wasn't supposed to drop out of school to let you be my sugar daddy."

"I'll forgive you this time."

"Such a relief."

"Speaking of forgiveness… How are Rose and Emmett doing?"

Bella grimaced. "Aunt Rose always snips at me. She's always playing those celebrity news shows now. She buys all the magazines and talks about them whenever I come in eyesight. It's like she's figured out a way to ground me because I stay in my room when I'm not at school."

"And Emmett?"

She was trying to hide it, but he saw hurt flit across her features. "He's… awkward around me. He doesn't look me in the eyes. It's like when he sees me, he sees us together."

Edward shuddered. "That would be uncomfortable." He didn't like the idea of his brother seeing them together anymore than he was sure Emmett appreciated it. "Well, what do you think about sneaking out tomorrow?"

She looked startled. "Tomorrow? What do you mean?"

"Come see me. Get on a plane after your morning class and come for the weekend."

"Don't you have that premiere tomorrow?"

Edward swallowed a lump in his throat. "We have to get it over with sometime. If you'd prefer not to, I'd understand. I think you'd like the movie. Your friend, Mr. Hemsworth. I hear it's good."

The screen shook and settled a few moments later with Bella cross legged on the bed. She looked so worried, he ached to comfort her. "You want me to go to a movie premiere. A red carpet with you?"

"I always want you with me."

"It's a red carpet Edward. Insanely beautiful people in insanely beautiful dresses. Camera people everywhere. And you want me with you."

Edward sighed. "It's not as terrible as all that. You and I both know we're not going to be able to avoid the paps. We talked about that, right?"

"Yeah…" She sounded so nervous.

"I thought… the first time could be a controlled environment. They're supposed to be at those events. There's space between where they can be and where we'd be. We wouldn't be the main attraction either."

She nodded. "I, um… it makes sense. I just…" She huffed. "Edward, the fanciest dress I have would make me a laughing stock."

Edward ran his hand through his hair. He remembered yelling at Rose not that long ago. There was nothing wrong with the way Bella dressed, nothing at all. But he knew his business. He knew in front of those cameras, more than anywhere else, it mattered what she wore. It wouldn't matter how smart she was, how strong, how amazing. They would only see every flaw in her makeup. He hated bringing her into a world where even for a few minutes, she could not be herself.

"I want you to understand I would be proud to walk in there with old jeans and a shredded t-shirt. I would dress exactly the same, if that's what you wanted," he said.

"You and I both know that would be the opposite of helpful. It is what it is, Edward."

He smiled and wished again that he could touch her. "If you come, a team of very talented men and women will take you shopping. They'll know the latest fashions, and they'll help you find something you're comfortable wearing. They'll do your hair and makeup however you'd like. You're beautiful, Bella. Natural beauty, not the plastic pretty we get out here. I would be very surprised if at least one casting agent doesn't approach you."

She closed her eyes. "You realize that's a terrifying idea to me, right?"

"Believe me, love. I don't want them to get their hands on you. You're perfect just the way you are."

Her smile was more sincere, her features less frightened when she opened her eyes again. "And there's a party?"

It had been a long while since Edward had stayed more than an obligatory twenty minutes at a premiere party that wasn't for his own movie. Even then, he'd only stayed longer because it was expected of him. It had been a long time since a Hollywood party held any appeal, but it was different now. He found he was excited at the prospect of seeing Bella's face at the lavish, ostentatious affairs. "Yes, there will be an after party with no cameramen invited."

"And Chris Hemsworth."

"You would hold on to that fact." He gave her a wry look.

She grinned. "Okay. I'll do it."

He brightened. "You will?"

"Yeah. We have to face it sooner or later, like you said. And I'd really love to see you."

"We'll spend the whole rest of the weekend doing whatever you'd like."

She tilted her head. Her cheeks tinted red, but her expression was seductive. "I have a few things in mind."

Edward groaned. "Minx."

"Well, come on, sugar daddy. Where's my plane ticket? I'll skip my class. There's no way I'll be able to concentrate."

"One plane ticket coming up, first thing tomorrow."

~0~

Edward was perturbed. It irritated him to no end that he'd been unable to pick Bella up from the airport. They wanted to do this on their own terms, and the paps had an uncanny ability of taking control of the situation. He sent a car for her. Then he'd only gotten a fraction of the kisses he wanted before the stylists he'd hired pried her from his grasp. They'd whisked her off to shop. Then he'd only glimpsed her when they got back. The stylists would not let him see her.

"You'll be glad you waited," one of them, Edward thought his name might be Eric, said.

That left him pacing downstairs like an abandoned prom date until finally, she appeared.

He had to admit Eric was right. It was a perfect, surreal moment straight out of every cliche movie. She appeared at the top of the steps and stole his breath. The stylists hadn't bothered to hide her obvious youth behind fake elegance. Her dress was short and sassy. Her hair was up in a simple twist. Her makeup was subtle, her cheeks and lips pink.

"You're so perfect," he said as he extended a hand for hers.

Her eyes raked over him. "Jesus Christ you look good in a suit. Are you sure we have to go?"

"Baby cakes, you are going to that party." Eric shook his head and leaned against the other stylist, admiring their work. "It's been a pleasure, really. Flawless skin. Big, beautiful eyes, and those lips…" He whistled.

Bella ducked her head, shy but pleased.

"Thank you," Edward said to them, though he didn't take his eyes off her. He brought her hand hand to his lips. "Are you ready?"

She laughed. "No, but let's go anyway."

~0~

The limo drive was short, and too soon, they were pulled up to the screaming crowd.

"Oh, God." Bella tugged at her dress for the thousandth time.

Edward squeezed her hand one last time before he got out of the limo. As he was accustomed to, he grinned wide and waved to the fans. The pitch of the screams rose. Then he turned back and offered his hand to Bella. She looked sallow. He wrapped his arm around her, stroking her back as he held her steady. He pulled her close to him so he could murmur in her ear.

"Look at me." He cupped her cheek and tried to get her to tilt her face up, but she refused. "You're fine. Everything's fine."

Her breath was erratic. "I feel like I'm going to be sick."

"Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth." He stroked her cheek. "Deep breaths."

She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. He found her hand and squeezed reassuringly. Her palms were sweaty. "Okay. I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. Her hand was still clammy in his, but she didn't look as sickly. She was jittery though, and her attention was drawn to the shouting fans and camera people. There were a lot of flashes going off. He'd prepared her as much as he could, but there was a huge difference between describing the scene and living it. "Look at me," he said again. This time, she did. "You're going to follow the handler. She's going to take you in the theater. There aren't any cameras there. I'll be in as quick as I can. Half an hour at most." He stroked her cheek. "Okay?"

She squeezed his fingers. "Okay."

"Can I kiss you?"

That coaxed a smile from her. "Yeah."

He did. It was a soft, chaste kiss, and when he pulled back, she seemed much calmer. "I love you," he said.

"I love you."

He was reluctant to let her go, but he wanted her away from the screaming as quickly as possible. He watched her as she was lead away and smiled when she looked over her shoulder. She stood up straighter. She was amazing, he reflected. She had to be intimidated, but she'd gotten control of herself quickly.

"Mr. Cullen. This way."

Edward nodded at the handler and put on his business smile. He walked to the fans and began to sign autographs.

By the time he got to the cameramen, they were ravenous.

"That was Isabella Swan, wasn't it, Edward?"

"That was more than a friendly kiss."

Edward smirked at them, blinded as usual by the flashing lights.

"Nothing to say, Edward?"

"She played hard to get, huh?"

"Are we done here?" Edward asked the handler.

The man gestured to the line of reporters. Edward took a deep breath.

The, "I'm just here to support my future co-star. I'm excited about our new project," line didn't work for long.

"Really, Edward. You came with Isabella Swan. Last we spoke, you said you were just friends."

Edward gave the reporter his most cheeky grin. "Things change."

"Wow, man, she's… pretty young."

Edward shrugged, as though it didn't concern him. Really, it was none of their business if it did or didn't. "The heart wants what the heart wants."

"It's serious then?"

"Very much so." He clapped the man on the shoulder. "It's good to see you. I'm going to get out of here so you can talk to Robert Downey over there." He nodded his head to where the superstar was headed in their direction.

The process repeated over and over and over. Edward was tense and exhausted by the time he finally made it to the theater.

"You got balls, Edward." Alistair Deas, another actor, thumped him on the back. "Good on ya, mate. Can I meet her?" He waggled his eyebrows.

Edward flexed his fists and reminded himself that Alistair was a nice guy; Edward was just in a bad mood. "At the party," he promised.

He went into the auditorium then and found Bella. He hugged her. Neither of them spoke. She didn't ask how it went. They both knew their story was out, and it would be everywhere soon. There was nothing else to be said.

He took a deep breath and pulled back, kissing her cheek.

The rest of the night went as could be expected. He introduced her around as much as he could before the lights went down. He could tell when she was starstruck, but she held her own. During the movie, he held her hand and when that wasn't enough, he stroked her thigh.

The party was another story. Most people were nice. Some seemed surprised when they saw her with him, saw how he held her hand and kissed her cheek. But Bella was smart and engaging.

She told Robert Downey Jr. he was too old for her and winked at him. He threw his head back and laughed. "I like her," he told Edward.

Tanya was at the party, and though Edward greeted her warmly, her stare was cold. Her eyes flicked to Bella and back. "I thought you were better than that."

As much as the comment bothered him, Edward knew damn well there was nothing he could say that would erase the facts. Bella was half his age, and people were going to have their opinions. "We're both happy," he said with a shrug, and then he walked away, back to where Bella was talking with a casting agent. The agent was trying to get her to come in for a screen test. He tilted his head as if to say, 'I told you so'.

For the most part, it was more fun than he'd had at a party in at least a decade. Watching Bella as she grew more comfortable with the environment, the people, made him proud and smitten all over again.

They cut out early. That was the worst part - the walk from the venue to the waiting car. The paps converged. Edward kept Bella tucked under his arm, close to him, but they still touched her. They still shouted some fairly vile insinuations that he could not protect her from. He helped her into the back of the limo and held her tightly, hating that they were ending the night as it had begun - with her shaking in fear in his arms.

"That fucking sucked. Are they always like that?"

"They're always a pain in the ass, but they're not always so aggressive." He shook his head. "I should have thought to hire a bodyguard."

Bella laughed - a sound without any humor. "Is this real life?" she asked with a groan.

Edward nuzzled the side of her hair. "Regretting us yet?"

She raised her head. "No. Never." She took a steadying breath and splayed her hands over his chest. "Totally worth it."

He kissed her then. He was still kissing her when they got home. It took all his willpower not to rip her clothes off before they got in the door. As it was, they left a trail up the stairs and down his hallway. He laid her down in the middle of his bed. He sunk into her and let every other person in the world fade away.

A/N: Many thanks to jessypt and twilly and lellabeth.

Happy weekend, folks.