A/N Sorry for taking a bit to get this out. I've been busy but am also working on a new fic of which I am about to post the first few chapters.

R/R Enjoy

Stephanie Meyer owns everything under the Twilight universe. Not me, I play with her creations.

"Oh, Alice, he's going to be pissed," Bella whispered as they walked out of the studio. They had spent the entire day working with casting for the new film but were disappointed. Alice didn't agree with anything the casting director had to say. She told them that they would work on brainstorming and get back with them after the weekend.

"You don't have to go, you know? We never signed a contract saying that we would do all of this stuff! We just wanted credit for writing the script that we did. Mission accomplished; you can relax if you want." Alice tried to make Bella feel better.

"Yeah, but that means if I don't, the douche co-writer is going to end up going. I didn't think Thanksgiving was a big deal until I met his family." Bella took a deep breath, "I have to think about it, he's going start shooting in Berlin in November, I don't know if I can be away from him that long."

"Why don't you ask him to come with you? Then go with him?" Alice asked, "It's not like either place is isolated from the business. I am sure Esme would understand, or you could fly back for Thanksgiving and fly back to Vancouver."

"You are going home to Forks?" Bella asked.

Alice nodded, "My parents want all of you to come, but they understand first holidays and what not. I don't think Edward would ditch you for anything. Think about Berlin for Christmas, and it's romantic?"

"Except he's shooting a war flick, 16 hours a day." Bella rolled her eyes

"And you can hang out in his trailer and write." Alice didn't know why Bella was being so awkward, "We can survive without you, Bella."

"Thanks, Alice. What's up next on the schedule?"

"You don't remember?" Alice asked, "Kate is coming back over to the condo for the story about us, and Emmett and Edward. She said this wasn't going to take too long. Two different photographers, we should be done by dinner. Then Kate Alexander will be out of our world for at least a little while."

"Alright, well, I'll tell Edward about Vancouver later, he's been itching to talk about Berlin. You guys are positive you won't mind if I leave for Germany for that long?" Bella asked, almost frightened of being separated, alone with Edward.

"Bella, we are writers, you know how easy it is to do from other places. You need to work on your book, so I think having some time alone is not a bad thing. This is what you two talked about when you first got together, and frankly, neither of us have the patience to deal with you when you mope as you do. Also, just a reminder that award season pretty much starts at the end of January. So, you won't be gone that long. When you get back into town, we should be starting pre-production, and our input is built into that contract, so get your schedule together and do it with Edward. Are you going to tell him about the director of his film, directing ours?" Alice asked.

"I hadn't even thought of it. I was going to give him a copy of the script to read over to see what he thinks." Bella replied casually.

"Umm, I would make sure to tell him, so he isn't surprised by it," Alice warned.

"Sure, sure," Bella said, looking at the window as they pulled into the garage, "So when are you going to be moving in?"

Alice smiled, "Saturday since Jasper is going to be here. I still cannot believe he is doing this for us. It's going to be strange but refreshing living on my own, or without you but I guess it's about time. All of us have important people in our lives and doing multiple projects."

"Edward is either a total suck up, or he really loves you, Alice," Bella said.

"I think it's a bit of both. Jasper didn't believe it; he thought I was joking. He hasn't seen Edward's place, either." Alice said, shaking her head.

"Oh, I wonder what Anthony thought about that," Bella couldn't help herself.

"If you want to know Anthony is trying to put up his supportive face, but he's pissed that his family likes Edward so much. When Jasper came home, he told Anthony about seeing you dance. He told him that the minute Edward came into your life, he never stood a chance at getting you back and even if he did that you two weren't a good fit. Edward loves you for who you are, and Anthony's antiquated vision of the future was not compatible with the person you became. Nikki, dislikes Edward, of course, because somehow it's his fault now that the family is splitting up." Alice laughed.

"God she is such a piece of work," Bella said, rolling her eyes.

"You two are never gonna get along, seriously. I bet you and Anthony become better friends than you and Nikki do." Alice surmised.

"Yeah? Well, don't look for tears. I don't give a flying fuck about what Nikki thinks about anything." Bella smiled at the idea of saying that to her face.

My, how things have changed.

Xxxxxxxx

When Alice and Bella walked into the condo, they thought they had stepped into an alternate universe. Edward Cullen was being friendly, genuinely friendly to Kate Alexander.

Edward abruptly broke away from the conversation to greet his girlfriend, "How was it?"

"Long and conflicting, we hated everyone, and we think they should go with someone new. They don't agree. Alice has a stack of headshots and CV's we'll go through over the weekend. Seriously, they asked if you were available. I knew that was going to happen." Bella explained it made sense now why she was in such a shitty mood.

"I'm sorry, love. I feel your pain, I've never been on your side before, but I have seen the disputes between writers and casting. The writers are usually right, and they know the characters much better." Edward comforted.

Bella buried her head into his chest, "thanks, I needed to hear that."

Edward furrowed his brow, there was something else, "are you okay?" He asked.

"Just stress, don't want to talk about it now. Can we talk about it when we get home?" Bella responded. Edward knew the reason, and she didn't want to discuss anything sensitive in front of Kate. She didn't care how nice she has been.

"Of course," Edward kissed her forehead and took her hand, "we might as well get this over with."

"Gee, thanks," Kate said sarcastically.

"Bella, do you think you could get that scowl off your face before we take pictures?" Kate asked it wasn't unreasonable.

"Can we do the interviews first?" Bella pleaded.

"Yeah, that will be fine. We can get the photos done of Edward and Emmett." She conceded.

"Perfect." Bella said, "thank you. can we can do this in the library?" She didn't see Rose but could hear her and Emmett laughing. Alice nodded her head and agreed. Bella lead the way.

Alice cleared her throat as she passed Rosalie, "are you planning on joining us for this interview? Emmett has a photo shoot he is supposed to be getting ready for."

Rose rolled her eyes, gave Emmett a chaste kiss, and joined her friends.

As everyone was getting comfortable, Rose complimented Kate, "we appreciate all that you have written about us. Also, doing some of the television interviews. I am glad you were impressed."

"I wish I weren't, but I only told the truth." Kate grinned.

"Thanks anyway," Bella whispered.

"You aren't in a great mood today, Bella," Kate asked the obvious question.

"Yeah, we just got back from the studio. Casting for the movie." Bella answered.

"You don't get along?" Kate asked, and Alice shot her a sharp look.

"I would rather not talk about that stuff, sorry," Bella said and shrugged.

"Well, we're going on the record now," Kate announced.

Kate: So it looks like you three have settled down quickly.

Rose: Well, it seems we have had some pretty excellent guides. They have made it very easy for us. We were lucky. We are fortunate.

Kate: You are referring to Emmett and Edward.

Rose: Who else would I be?

Kate: Rose you and Emmett, have also been on a fast track since Edward introduced you.

Rose: Is there a question there?

Kate: Just wondering if you two are headed in the same direction? You have to admit, from the outside the fact that you are dating brothers, love, at first sight, looks both inspiring and a bit odd.

Rose: I am not sure that's true. Emmett and I have a very different relationship than Bella and Edward do. We are fortunate we found each other when we did, I'll say that. On the outside, it may look similar, but we are different people. Yes, we are moving as fast as Bella and Edward, but as Bella has mentioned, we are doing what feels right for us. We both are in careers where we will separate for extended periods, so we make the most of the time we have.

Kate: Bella that is especially true with you and Edward, career-wise.

Bella: It's unavoidable. A career hazard for both of us. We talked about these things before we got serious. He tried to warn me about it. Truthfully, Edward has been extremely honest with me about the business and what his job requires and at the same time very open to compromise. I am lucky to have him.

Kate: I am sure he would say the same. Can you tell me what you dislike about his job the most? Don't worry; I'll ask him the same thing.

Bella: I've never dated an actor before, so I cannot say. I dislike how little privacy he gets. I hate the opinions people form about him, without knowing who he really is. I dislike the fact that others profit from trying to tear him down. I don't like being separated from him, but that has to do with my career as much as his. I suppose as we continue our relationship, I will find out more. So far, we have more than I thought possible. I cannot imagine my life without him, and so all that bad means nothing.

Kate: Rose?

Rose: I think Bella pretty much nailed it.

Kate: Okay, so let's talk about your film. You are set to start filming in Vancouver in October," Bella winced, and Alice sent her a scolding look. Are you excited to have been asked to be a part of this process?

Alice shot Bella a look of I told you so.

Bella: Bella gulped, she hoped Edward hadn't heard that. It's nice to have been invited, sure. Especially since we never signed a contract to do these things, unlike the one we're writing now. I am not sure how I am going to feel about filming in Vancouver. My life changes a lot, so we'll see, right now I am enjoying each moment.

Kate: Alice?

Alice: I am thrilled that they want my input on casting the film. We weren't sure how popular we would be because of how much we rewrote the original script, but it does say a lot about the faith they do have in us. If our contributions make for a better film than it's worth it.

Kate: You three are all very busy, doing separate things. We've talked about Bella's book but Alice, you have been a stylist, and now you have been featured as a designer. Are you designing all of the dresses for award season? When your label is known, how is that going to affect your consulting work?

Alice: Well, yes I am designing all the dresses for Award season. I cannot honestly tell you what my slate will look like after that. Bella has pointed out before that it's essential to live up to your commitments, and I am committed to working with these two. That means I'll have to split my time, just as they do. Neither of them, after all of this press, were obligated, and I never asked them to advertise my label practically, but we all know each other's dreams and are equally committed to helping them come true if we can. I would never abandon the work I love. It just means having priorities and being responsible.

Kate: And you don't mind if they wear another designer's dress if you are too busy?

Alice: Bella wore a different label for the cover of your magazine. No, it doesn't bother me. Bella and I have this relationship because of something that happened in college. I enjoy designing for her because she challenged me back then to step out of my comfort zone and find a way to style taste's that differ from mine. When she Challenged me to be a real designer, I stepped up and felt like one for the first time, and I owe her for that. I love that she likes what I design for her, and if she doesn't, I guarantee you she doesn't wear it. I am good at anticipating her now. I am sure there will be a thousand designers who will want her to wear their label, and I hope she does, that is part of the experience.

Kate: I wanted to talk about your relationship a little, Alice.

Alice: And Kate, I don't want to talk about that with you. I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but we are in the early stages of it, and you are aware of the family dynamic's involved. Maybe after he's been exposed to this world but I won't speak for him or an unknown future.

Kate: Fair enough, I guess I'll try to remember to ask you in a few months.

Kate: Bella, your birthday is this Friday as is Edward's premiere. How does that feel considering everything that happens in your book is triggered by your eighteenth birthday.

Bella: This is the first birthday I am celebrating since then. I feel like it is a sign telling me that all of that is behind me. This is a fresh start. I will be dressing up with my best friends and his family and going to see a film my boyfriend is exceptionally proud of and celebrating after that. It feels like my life has come full circle. My 18th birthday has always been the worst day of the year for me, but this is my reset.

All the work that I put in to changing myself for the better and doing the impossible, worked. He is part of the reward, my life is.

It tells me that I can tell others who are at their lowest, with certainty, they can too. Just because you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel doesn't mean it's not there, the tunnel might be a lot longer than you think. It is definitely worth the effort.

Kate: I can see that the three of you worked for what you have. Do you know that you are the talk of the town? You impressed some of the most prominent shot callers in Hollywood before you even arrived. Now that you have, you've impressed them more. What is that like?

Rose: It doesn't feel any different. Our goal hasn't been to climb some ladder of fame and name recognition. We have always had the same principals. We never compromise on the work that we do. We always put our entire selves into action, for a final product, we can be genuinely proud of. What is most important is that we know we did the best that we could if we have impressed the right people because of our talent and work ethic, fantastic. It's always been about the final result of our combined talents.

Kate: Bella, what's your favorite book?

Bella: Wuthering Heights.

Kate: Cheerful. Rose favorite television show?

Rose: Lost.

Kate: Same question, Alice.

Alice: Sex and the City or Gossip Girl, for all of the wrong reasons.

Kate: The clothes, and the setting. Bella?

Bella: Sherlock

"Okay, that was great ladies. Thanks so much, you are released from my duties after this photo shoot. We did bring different designers for you to wear, high fashion, but more tailored to your taste. I'm going to talk to Emmett and Edward now. Thanks for everything!" Kate beamed. Bella wondered if she had gone out with that Garrett fellow, he was a nice guy.

Bella walked out of the room and saw Edward trying not to look pissed but he was, he had to have heard.

Bella walked up to him, "What's wrong?"

He scoffed, "you lied to me," his face twisted into disappointment. Bella felt nauseated. "I didn't lie," that was a lie.

"How long have you known?" he asked

"Not too long. Please don't be mad at me." Bella whimpered in her most desperate voice.

"Too late," he turned on his heels and walked away to interview with Kate.

Xxxxxxx

The girls looked fantastic. For their first shoot, they were very natural dressed in simple black; they took endearing group pictures and a little fierce. The friendship and comradery was easy to pick up in. Their individual shoots were old school Hollywood dresses. Rose wearing something befitting of Marilyn Monroe, Bella something befitting of Audrey Hepburn and Alice just looked like the most beautiful of silent film stars. They were filmed in both black and white and color with a noir background. It felt to Bella and Rose like they were about to attend the Oscar's in the late '50s or early '60s.

While the way Bella looked may have caught Edward's attention; as Rose surely did Emmett's, he did not acknowledge it, and he was even more pissed off, and she wondered if Edward had found out about the director thing.

"Fuck," she muttered under her breath.

"I told you to tell him. Were you supposed to be the honest one? Remember?" Alice shook her head in condemnation.

"How do I fix it?" She asked, not knowing if perhaps her birthday was cursed. That Edward would stay mad at her for that long and realize he didn't want to be with her.

"Stop being stupid. He loves you; otherwise, he wouldn't be so hurt. He probably left with Emmett so he wouldn't say anything he would regret. That sounds familiar. Do what you should have done in the first place, start with an apology for keeping it from him this long when you didn't have to. He had to have been embarrassed that Kate knew something he did not. Talk to him about the filming. I don't know why you are avoiding it if you are too scared to leave town with him for that long. Bella, maybe you are not in the best place to be living with him. He's gonna get hurt."

"That's not it, Alice. It's just that I don't want to be that girl eating ice cream and crying over when her boyfriend is going to come home. I don't want to feel dependent." Bella admitted.

"Now, that is stupid. You promised him you would find a way to make this work together, and you are being selfish and dragging yourself back to that dark time. He told you what his life was like and you told him what yours was going to be like. Stop being such a wuss and deal with it. IF you want to be with him in the long term, you better get used to making these sort of compromises." Alice was right with each word she spoke of her very long-winded explanation.

Bella didn't want to face it. She was terrified, she had been mad at him before, but he had never been angry at her. Hypocritical as it made her feel she also felt the unease of knowing that something so minor could be something more. Something she's already gone through.

"Go home," Alice said, looking her straight in the eyes. "If he's not there, you wait until he does. Gosh do something nice for him as he does for you, I don't know Swan but stop being scared and cope."

Bella nodded.

"Joe, Bella is ready to go home now," Alice demanded, and Bella followed, but she had another idea. She gave directions to Joe, and he looked at her a bit wearily, hoping she wasn't serious, but she was.

Xxxxxx

Edward got home and was so mad that Kate Alexander was the one to tell him about what was happening with Bella's film. She had lashed into him so much for not giving her the same courtesy, and she was hiding it. Now that he was home, and had been back for a while, he wondered if she was hiding from him. Had she left? She had no reason to.

Did he overreact? He didn't think he did. He wasn't going to call Bella, so he did the next best thing he called Alice.

She answered on the first ring, "I take it you two mended fences?" She chirped.

"No, she hasn't come home yet." Edward was now worried that maybe she had left.

"She said she was going home, to talk to you. She was apprehensive but determined I know her looks." Alice was concerned now.

"I'm going to call Joe," Edward proclaimed.

"But not Bella?" Alice grumbled, "you two need to grow up, but whatever. I'll see what I can find out. Tell me if you find her."

They hung up. He dialed Joe's number.

"Mr. Cullen," he sounded uncomfortable.

"Do you know where my girlfriend is?" he asked, pretty sure Joe knew exactly where she was.

"I do, and she asked me not to tell you if you called and has put me in a terrible position. She told me that if you called that she would be home, and from the looks of it soon and to forgive her for a lot of things but especially her secrecy, double meaning. Verbatim, sir."

Edward didn't want to trust this, but he would give her the benefit of the doubt. "Okay, as long as she's safe, and she's not being harassed, I'll see her soon?"

"We were tailed, but I lost them, she's perfectly safe," Joe said in a manner that would be hard not to trust.

"Okay, I'll see you soon."

He grabbed a beer and sat in the living room, trying to take his mind off of things, but he could not. He had warned Bella about all of this stuff. He didn't understand why she didn't trust him to know. Why she had shot him down every time he tried to talk about Berlin and Christmas, and he wanted to do something extraordinary there, and this was killing it. He was made aware of the fact that she would be shooting about the same time he was. She would be in Canada for ten days while he was in Germany until the end of the year.

What did she think he expected? For her to quit her job? It was ludacris to think that he would never do that to her. All he was asking for was that she visit, and he didn't understand why she couldn't just tell him that they were working with the same director.

He couldn't come up with reasoning, and this made him uneasy. The only one that seemed possible was that she just didn't want to go.

He heard a door shut and a wistful sigh behind him.

"Hi," Bella said, her face was stained with tear marks, and now he felt terrible.

"Where have you been? You told Alice that you were going home?" He demanded.

"No, Alice told Joe to take me home. I didn't agree to her demand. I thought about London, and when I was so mad at you, I had to get another room. You dazzled me that night with your thoughtful gestures. There was nothing I wanted to buy or could buy you to make you understand that I am committed to you and that sometimes my logic is flawed, but I am sorry for not telling you. I was going to tell you tonight, but I shouldn't have waited for so long. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, can I show you something?"

Edward was reluctant, "sure."

"I got this today, as a gesture of my commitment and faith in you and me. Permanent, unbreakable, irreversible." Bella lifted the side of her shirt, which dawned a tattoo of thick red ribbon, twisting beautifully up her ribs. He gasped.

"Bella that is supposedly the most painful place to get a tattoo, I cannot believe you did that. Why did you do that?"

"Because I realized that my actions spoke my fear of both being with you and being without you. The thought of being without you hurts me, and that thought hurts me too. As far as finding out about your director, I didn't know until very recently. I thought I would tell you, but it would be when I asked you to read the script, but we've been busy, and I haven't had an opportunity to do that."

"I can understand why you fear that, but you should have been honest with me at least about the details. I need to trust you, and you need to trust me. You didn't have to mark yourself up to say you're sorry. Don't misunderstand me, I think it's beautiful, but I need to know what we are going to do." Edward admitted.

Bella took in a deep breath and let it out. She made her way to sit on Edward's lap, she had made a decision, and it was the easiest one, the one she knew to choose the entire time. Edward couldn't help but hold her in an embrace.

"I would like it if you came with me to Vancouver until you have to leave, and when I'm done, I'll join you in Berlin until you are finished. I've been informed it's award season shortly after that, and I don't know what your schedule looks like after." Bella informed him like that's what he had in mind.

"I didn't mean you had to give up a month and a half of your life. I just wanted some time, Bella. I don't want you to feel that you are needy either. I don't like being away from you, but if that's what you need, I'll deal with it." He felt like he had just betrayed himself.

"So, you don't want to do that?" She felt crushed, stupid to ask for it all.

Bella was avoiding his gaze now, and he knew that he had hurt her feelings.

"No, that would be perfect. I wasn't expecting you to walk away from your life for me." He tried to make her feel better.

"You are a huge part of my life. How can I let you walk away? My career is mobile. I've been informed that I need to talk time by myself and write, so I thought maybe I could hole up in your trailer and write and research while you shoot. I know you'll be busy, but if I get to wake up next to you every morning, it will be worth it." Bella smiled a confident smile.

"Okay, then we are going leaving in a couple of weeks until the end of the year?" Edward smiled.

"More or less," Bella couldn't help but smile back.

"Well then, hopefully, we'll close on the house this week. We need to get my mom here so we can come home to our forever home."

She couldn't help but giggle whenever he said that but nodded in agreement.

"I am sorry, though. I'm thoroughly embarrassed. I let my insecurities get the best of me. Honesty pact still in place?" She sounded hopeful.

"Always," he teased.

"Always," she concurred.

A/N I know everyone was hoping this was going to be about the premiere, and Bella's birthday. That is coming up soon. Sorry for taking so long to post this but that's why I gave you two chapters before. About to post the first couple chapters of my next fic… (Don't worry I'll be finishing this one very soon)

It's very different, a lot of people may not like it but I kind of love it. More action, lots of supernatural, including the Cullen's as vampires.