CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Edward's POV

I couldn't ever remember being as happy as I was now. There was no pressure for me to decide on a new movie, sign a contract, make an appearance; no sneaking out of my own house if I wanted to go anywhere without the paparazzi chasing after me; no need to watch what I did or said in case it upset my parents or made me look bad in the press. The first couple of weeks I had agreed to a fair amount of interviews, just to get the press off my back and Jacob's, and even doing those hadn't bothered me because when they over, I simply returned to the villa and to him and our own little private space. The press had mostly been persuaded that if they contacted Leah, I would be happy to meet them in Bridgetown for a final interview and photos and although one or two photographers lurked outside the house every so often in the hopes of getting some candid shots of us, most of them quickly left us alone when they began to get what they wanted. This was helped by a couple of Jacob's neighbours who took exception to the narrow road being obstructed by vehicles and people standing around with cameras. Barbados was very different from LA and a few choice words and a hint of a threat worked wonders. The police wouldn't give two hoots if a 'foreign' journalist complained about a bloody nose as a result of being a nuisance to the locals.

I loved living with Jacob. It wouldn't really have mattered where we were, but his modest two-bedroom house by the beach was perfect. He had asked once if I would like to look for a bigger house, perhaps with a pool, that we would choose together or have built, but I didn't see the need. The last thing I wanted was another large, pretentious property that would draw attention and feel like a show house instead of a home and when my belongings arrived, Jacob made space in his closet and drawers for my clothes and anything else went into the second bedroom.

We didn't do a great deal in those first few weeks. Jacob sent his manuscript off to the publishers and once I had talked to more than a dozen newspapers and magazines, we simply enjoyed being together and just being ourselves. We explored the island, by truck and on foot; Jacob taught me to surf, which I was completely useless at, eventually managing to stay on the board for all of ten seconds; we went out on the boat, sometimes for two or three days at a time and I eventually picked up a healthy tan for probably the first time in my life. I had never really had the time to lie out in the yard in LA and the few times I tried it, my picture had appeared in the paper the next day, looking white and sickly, as some determined photographers took shots of me from the top of other buildings or by climbing trees. The eight foot high wall around the back of the house hadn't offered much protection although Bella had regularly taken advantage of this, posing casually on a sun lounger in a designer swimsuit and Ray Bans, holding one of the latest bestselling novels for effect, even though she hated to read. It amused me now to think about how shallow she was. A lot of it had gone unnoticed by me at the time.

My house sold very quickly; within a month of it going on the market, my agent called to tell me I'd had an offer for fifty thousand under the asking price and I accepted it immediately. Another month and the money was in my account, while Bella appeared in the press bemoaning the fact that she had been forced to rent a house and that she thought I was somewhat unfeeling to have turned her out while she was pregnant. The public response was that she was somewhat unfeeling to be having someone else's baby and expecting me to provide her with accommodation.

Sam Uley was making a new movie, having secured a starring role after the interest in him garnered by Bella, and 'a source' said that he was in touch with her in order to check on the baby's progress. He continued to appear as a pretty down to earth character when interviewed and stated several times that although he had no time for Bella, he intended to make sure his child was well provided for.

We had an abundance of visitors during the next few weeks. Initially we were left alone and calls and emails from Paul and Emmett and Dad indicated that they intended to leave us alone to enjoy our privacy at first. Emmett was then the first visitor, taking full advantage of Jacob's offer of a vacation and moving in for ten days although he spent more nights in various girls' hotel rooms than he did at the house, finding a different one every other day to entertain him. On the last day of his visit, I spoke to him while Jacob was in the shower.

"I wanted to ask you a favour," I began.

"Another one? Needy, aren't you, Cullen?" he teased. I was used to him by now and just grinned.

"You know this tour I have to do..."

"Let me guess; you require to retain my services as bodyguard."

"Would you mind?"

"Jake already asked me," he said and winked. "It's no problem. I'm not taking any other jobs on for a while, so just call me when you know the date and the flight you're coming in on and I'll meet you. That religious freak won't know what hit him if he makes himself known."

"Thanks." I sighed with relief. I felt safe in Barbados with Jacob and going back to LA didn't really worry me too much, but the tour would last around three weeks, including New York, where I was convinced the sender of the letters would be waiting for another chance to perhaps carry out the threat to find an opportunity to hurt me in some way.

"Don't mention it."

"I'll pay the going rate, of course," I added quickly. "What is that, by the way?"

"Don't you know?"

"Leah always handled things like that. I don't even know what my driver cost; only what I paid him when I left."

"Jeez, are you sure you actually have any money? Accountants and lawyers are all leeches," Emmett grimaced. "The guy's probably been paying himself a fortune. I cost two grand a day for twenty-four-seven protection, for a star like you or some important politician type that I might have to put my life on the line for. Plus accommodation wherever."

My eyes widened and I quickly understood why Emmett could spend so much time doing what he wanted and only take jobs he felt like doing.

"I can do you a discount; you know, if your accountant left you high and dry," he joked.

"Jerk," I grinned. "I'll let you know the date as soon as Leah tells me. It's probably going to be right after Christmas. She'll book all the flights and hotel rooms."

Two weeks after Emmett left, Jasper and Alice arrived for a few days. They had become inseparable and were currently the hottest gossip in Hollywood. Unlike me, they revelled in the attention and had done several photo shoots together, appearing all loved up and had even been dubbed the new 'Golden Couple'. They stayed with us five days and then Paul came for a week. As much as Jacob and I enjoyed being alone together, having our friends visit just added to it. Other than Jasper, who I'd lost touch with for a while before making the last movie, I'd never really had proper friends and Emmett and Paul both became close ones.

Jacob took Paul to the airport when he left for his early morning flight and I sat in the yard, sipping coffee and checking the latest news. For once I didn't even get a mention. Jasper and Alice were on the front page at some party and below this was an article that made me choke on my coffee and splutter all over the keyboard.

'Hollywood Stars Carlisle and Esme Cullen Separate.'

"What the fuck?" I exclaimed aloud. My parents split and I didn't know anything about it! I had talked to Dad on the phone at least once a week and he had never hinted at this; in fact he had barely talked to me at all about Mom, saying only that she was 'the same as usual' and that he wished things could have been different.

I scrolled down to a picture of Dad loading a suitcase into the back of a car in front of their house. He was uncharacteristically dressed in jeans, shirt and boots and was wearing dark glasses, his face visibly strained. I read the article which stated 'a source', as usual, had indicated the pair had parted due to irreconcileable differences and that Carlisle was living in an hotel for the moment, while looking for a house to rent in the short term. Neither of my parents had been available for comment on the situation, although the Globe speculated on various reasons for the split, including incompatible working schedules and disagreements over my change in both career and lifestyle. I felt a little sick and wondered if this could be the reason. Had my parents fought over me? Dad had made it pretty clear what he thought of Mom's attitude towards me the last time I saw them both together.

I snatched up my phone and called Dad's cell, only realising as it began to ring that it was six-thirty in the morning in LA. He answered after a moment, however, and didn't sound as if he'd been asleep.

"Hello, Edward. Are you ok? It's early."

"I'm fine, but I just read the Globe online. You split with Mom?"

"Uh...well, it's probably just temporary, but we'll see."

"What happened? Why didn't you tell me?" I cried.

"I was going to, I guess things have been a little hectic here."

"Is it because of me?"

"Edward...don't think that. Your mother and I have been having some problems for a while now. Her attitude regarding you has made things somewhat more strained, I admit, but it wasn't the only reason."

"I'm sorry," I groaned. "I don't want to come between you."

"You're not. I still love your mother, but we need some time apart right now. Maybe we can work it out, but I don't want you worrying about it. I'm fine and you know what the press is like. Tomorrow's issue will say we're getting a divorce."

"Are you?" I gasped.

"No, of course not."

"Dad, do you want to come visit?" I asked, my mind whirling. I couldn't really believe my parents had separated after so many years and all I could think about was that it was Mom's attitude over me that had put the nail in the coffin. They probably would have been able to work through any other issues they had.

"Well..."

"You finished your current movie, didn't you?" I prompted.

"Yes, I'm not starting anything else until the New Year."

"Then come," I begged. "Come for Christmas."

"I'm not so sure about that. What about Jacob?"

"Sorry," I sighed. "I thought you were ok with us now. I mean, we can book a good hotel for you if you'd find it awkward."

"That's not what I meant, Edward. Won't Jacob mind me imposing on you? The house isn't large, is it?"

"Well, no, but the guest room is a decent size and it's en suite. Jacob would be happy to have you stay, we were only talking about it a few days ago."

"If you're sure, then yes, I'd be happy to come," Dad said, much to my surprise.

"Really? Awesome!" I exclaimed, aware that I sounded like an excited kid. Dad chuckled.

"I'll let you know when I've arranged a flight. Is Jacob there? Perhaps I could have a word with him?"

"No, we had Paul Lahote visiting, Jacob's taken him to the airport."

"Well, I guess I'll talk to him soon then."

I hung up a moment later, delighted that Dad had agreed to visit over Christmas, but still shocked that he and Mom were separated. I considered calling her for a few minutes, but then decided against it. It was down to her to approach me after the way she'd spoken to me previously and I had a feeling she wasn't going to do that. She had said she loved me, but if she was willing to shun me rather than accept who I was, I wondered whether I really meant that much to her.

Jacob was surprised, but pleased to hear that Dad had agreed to visit over Christmas. We hadn't discussed inviting him for the holidays as such, but he had no problem with me having done it. He was just as surprised as I when I told him Dad had moved out of home and that his separation from Mom was in the press.

Christmas was now only a few weeks away and Jacob and I went into town separately to do some shopping. We bought each other small inexpensive personal items rather than foolishly over-priced things that we may have done in LA and I chose a brightly coloured summer shirt for Dad and a pair of loafers. I doubted he would wear the shirt, but it would probably make him laugh.

Jacob returned from his trip with a box of decorations and lights, saying that he didn't possess any since he hadn't bothered to decorate the house for Christmas when he lived alone, or even have a special meal. This year was different and Adanna had agreed to work a few hours in the morning to cook us a feast before going to spend the rest of the day with her daughter's family.

Dad called again and talked to Jacob, letting him know he would be arriving on December twenty-second and had an open-ended ticket, so he could fly back whenever we wanted rid of him. He seemed a different person lately, much more laid back than I'd ever seen him. When he finally arrived, he was wearing casual clothes and looked like any regular guy going on vacation. He spent more than a week with us, planning to return on January second, a week before he started work on his next movie.

The holiday was probably the best I could remember. I had enjoyed them when I was a kid, of course, more keen for the gifts under the tree than anything else, but my parents had always been stiff and careful, inviting various guests to the house and I had felt that I had to restrain myself rather than just play and have fun like any other kid. This year although Mom was missing, I had the two people with me that I loved the most and I continued to be surprised at how relaxed Dad was. I never saw him wear anything smarter than slacks and an open-necked shirt and he happily wore the bright shirt I gave him when Jacob took us out on the boat. He didn't talk about Mom, although he did call her on Christmas Day to check that she was alright and reported to me that she was spending the day with some friends. She hadn't asked to speak to me and I felt pretty hurt; it seemed that she was washing her hands of me completely. However, in the evening she called my cellphone to wish me a Merry Christmas and say that she was sorry we couldn't all have been together. Despite this, she didn't ask to see me when I briefly returned to LA, or suggest visiting Barbados and the little hope I had felt when I received her call quickly faded. I wondered if she even cared that she was pushing away both her husband and her son with her cold attitude.

I received an email from Leah over the holidays with my tour schedule in it and was surprised to learn that the appearances had been arranged in reverse of the usual route. I would start in LA of course, but then head out to Australia, then Europe, Canada and finally New York. My heart sank as I read that I would be there for four days and because it was last on the list, I was going to spend the rest of the tour worrying about it. I hadn't really thought about what might wait for me there over the holidays, but now I had the schedule in black and white, all I could think about was the last line of the second letter.

'Eyes are upon you; an opportunity will come.'

Was he still out there waiting? Was he actually in New York or somewhere else? Nothing had happened when I returned to LA, so I had to assume it was New York and even though I would have Emmett shadowing my every move, it still worried me and on New Year's Day I discovered that it wouldn't just be the last four days I had to worry about, but the whole tour.

I opened up my email account to send out some happy New Year messages to Paul and Jasper and Leah and a few others and when I checked my inbox, the first thing I saw was a message from an unknown address, the subject header in capital letters making my heart stutter and my palms sweat.

'ELEVEN DAYS.'

It was eleven days until I flew to LA.

"Fuck," I muttered, clicking on the message to open it with a shaky hand. I wasn't sure I actually wanted to read it, but I did so anyway, knowing immediately it was from him before I read any further.

'Cullen, enjoy the rest of your time in your den of sin. The time has come for retribution for your continuing acts against God. You will learn to stay on the right path, or Hell awaits you.

'Los Angeles, Sydney, Canberra, Rome, Berlin, Paris, London, Ottawa, Montreal, Chicago, New York. Who knows where?'

It was the list of cities I was to visit in the exact order Leah had given me and I slammed the laptop lid down, shaking, and dropped my head into my hands. Who the hell was doing this? Why were they doing this? Just because of who I was? Because I was famous and gay? Weren't there others...?

"Edward, what's wrong?"

Jacob and Dad both came into the kitchen and I let out a groan and shook my head. Jacob appeared next to the stool I was sitting on and wrapped both arms around me, regardless of Dad and I clutched his hand where it lay on my chest.

"I got an email...from that guy," I whispered.

"What guy? What's going on?" Dad asked.

"He had a couple of threatening letters in New York; some religious creep," Jacob said.

Dad opened the computer again and read the message and I knew Jacob was doing the same over my shoulder as he cursed under his breath and hugged me tighter.

"You need to report this," Dad said at once. "Did you before?"

"No."

"Why on earth not? It might just be someone thinking they can scare you - we all get those - but it could be serious. Have you got a bodyguard for the tour?"

"Yes, Emmett McCarty's going with me," I confirmed. "He's a friend of Jacob's."

"I know of him," Dad nodded. "He was injured a few months back protecting the Secretary of Defence."

"He's good; one of the best," Jacob said.

"Armed?"

"Yeah."

I looked up quickly. "What do you mean?"

"I mean he carries a gun, Edward, what do you think?"

"Fuck," I muttered and shuddered. The thought of Emmett potentially killing someone to keep me safe was alarming. Up until now, I hadn't really thought it would come to anything and I had to wonder if Emmett had a gun under his clothes somewhere when I was with him in LA; probably. It made the whole thing seem even more frightening and I wished I could just cancel the tour and forget about it, but I knew I couldn't let the world down. This was the last time they would see me officially and I had a lot of obligations to fulfill as part of the contract for the movie.

I barely slept that night, tossing and turning beside Jacob with my heart racing and my stomach a knot of nerves. I still had eleven days to worry about things and then almost three weeks of wondering. I fully intended to report the situation to the cops in LA and New York the next day, but I knew they wouldn't be able to do anything. Unless something physically happened, they had nothing to go on. What did I have other than an email which probably couldn't be traced, which could have come from anywhere in the world?

Dad took a cab back to the airport the next morning, telling me to let him know which hotel I would be staying in when I returned to LA so that he could see me. He would be working on his own movie then, but it would be early days and as director, he could decide to take time out to see his son. I was sad to see him leave, but at the same time happy that things had gone so well over Christmas. The few times when Jacob had hugged me or held my hand in front of him hadn't appeared to bother him at all and on one occasion he had told me that he was pleased to see me so happy. It meant a lot to have his support at long last and I only wished Mom would follow in his footsteps.

As predicted, the police told me that they couldn't do anything unless I was actually approached physically and that by having a bodyguard with me, I was doing as much as I could to protect myself. I called Emmett to tell him about the email and his response was that I shouldn't let myself stress too much about it; he had no intention of letting me out of his sight for the duration of the tour, unless I was either taking a shit or jerking off on Skype for Jacob.

"Jesus, Emmett," I groaned, my face burning and his roar of laughter almost deafened me.

"Don't try to deny it," he chuckled. "But seriously...nothing's gonna happen to you; I won't let it. Trust me."

"I do," I said, but it didn't stop me worrying.

The next ten days went by all too quickly and I became more and more anxious as time went on. By now I had told Leah about the email and she had confirmed that each of the hotels I would stay in were two-bedroom suites so that Emmett could be close by all the time. I had already given her instructions to arrange a private jet so that I didn't have to travel on commercial flights and this would make things easier with regard to Emmett being armed. The jet would also transport Rosalie, Paul, Jasper, Alice, Charlie and some of the other cast including the teenager who had played my character's younger self and his father. There was no way I would have kept the jet for my sole use and expected the others to travel in the usual way - that would be the sort of thing my mother would do, I thought wrily.

Finally the day came for me to leave Bridgetown and I was dreading it. I had a small case containing some clothes and a piece of hand luggage with my iPad in it. Leah would be providing various suits and outfits for me to wear on camera, all of which would be stored on the plane along with wardrobe for the other cast members and Rosalie. Jacob drove me to Grantley Adams and waited with me until I had to pass through security to Departures and I struggled not to let on how scared I was. Being apart for him for three weeks again was hard enough, but all I could think about at that moment was that I might not come back. I had no doubt Emmett would die protecting me if he had to, but I didn't know what was waiting for me out there. It could be nothing at all except for someone trying to scare me, or it could be someone who wanted to see me dead. I clung to Jacob until the last possible second, fighting back tears determinedly and trying to draw strength from the feel of his arms around me, his lips close to my ear whispering that he loved me and that everything would be alright.

At last I pulled away and picked up the backpack at my feet, turned away from him and headed for the security gate. Three weeks and it seemed like a lifetime.