AUTHOR'S NOTE: Getting nervous the end is near... Just want to mention again that Non-disclosure Agreement and Crossfade which are from Edward's POV have been posted and they may clear up some of your questions or heck they could give you more questions. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Warning:
This story may contain content that could offend readers. Story will surround story lines involving acts of dominance such as domestic discipline. This story will not contain BDSM. This story will have spanking themes in later chapters. The following story will use mature language. This story has already been written and will contain character death in future follow ups. Lemons will not occur right away and not in every chapter this isn't Fifty Shades of fun. Please do not read this story if you think you may feel offended by the discussed themes.
Story and lyrics are mine; the characters are borrowed from Stephenie Meyer.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
I of course stiffly apologized to Jacob; he could tell it wasn't genuine. Edward and I had been a bit prickly with one another the days after. Don't even get me started on my current relationship with Jacob, a couple of times he tried to say "I gave you a chance" or "It was the right thing to do." Usually I would just immediately walk away from him.
I had a lot on my plate at the moment. I only had a limited amount of time to prepare what usually takes a month or so. I was happy for the distraction but even Savannah and Gracie could tell there was trouble in paradise. Edward and I tried to remain upbeat for their sake but children notice everything. Edward and my physical affection toward one another was strained; they noticed. Jacob wasn't making jokes or hanging around as much, they noticed.
Two weeks later however I received great news.
"Hello." I answered the phone.
"Guess what?"
I scrunched my forehead, "Embry?"
"Yep. Mind coming to pick me up?" he laughed.
"Oh my god, really? Oh my god." I couldn't contain my happiness. My friend was coming home.
In accordance with the thirty-day probation I was on I called Edward to alert him of the fact that I was headed out to Malibu to pick Embry up. I got his voicemail but it shouldn't be a problem, it wasn't like I was leaving the state.
I had the girls all ready in the car and we headed out. Gracie was jumping with happiness and couldn't wait to tell her daddy all about Princess Meow Meow. Savannah was resolved but not jumping up and down.
It was a reunion I will never forget.
Gracie ran to her father's arms. Savannah even walked up and gave her dad a hug. Embry looked like a changed man. I knew that he would always struggle with temptation but I vowed I would always be there to pull him back.
We hadn't really discussed what was going to happen after he returned so when we arrived back home I made sure to sit down with him for a private chat after the girls were done showing him their new room and kitten.
"I don't really know what your plans are, but you are welcome to stay here as long as you wish." I started.
"Thanks Bella. Maybe a couple of days or so but the girls start-up soon with school and I want to make sure they are settled before that."
I nodded my head but my heart broke a little at the thought that I wouldn't see them every day. I don't know how divorced parents do it. That was the closest comparison I could make to our situation.
"Well I don't want to make plans for you but maybe you can bring them for holidays." I suggested.
"I think that's good idea."
Edward walked in with Jacob. "Embry, congratulations. Welcome home." Edward greeted.
"I'm glad to see you're doing better." Jacob added.
They came to join us on the couch.
"Yeah, I feel great. Truly." Embry remarked.
"I was just talking to Embry on his plans." I informed. "He says he will probably be leaving in a couple of days, he wants the girls to get settled before school begins."
I could feel Edward's eyes on me, even though I was trying to stay positive I knew he could tell what I was feeling. He was feeling it as well.
"Of course…uh well you know you can always count on us if you should ever need anything." Edward replied.
"Well, I should probably start dinner. I'll be back in a moment I want to change." I rose up from the couch.
"Hey Bells, I'll make dinner." Jacob volunteered.
I nodded my head. It was the most contact we had with each other lately.
When I made it up to my bedroom, I landed on my bed and I broke down. It was only minutes later when Edward joined me. He sat on the bed beside me and started to rub my back.
"I'm just being stupid. I knew this day would come…hell I even wanted it to come. But it still hurts…" I stuttered through breathes. "Then Jacob is leaving and god knows when we'll see him again."
"I know baby, but we'll still see them. We can go there, they can come here. I promise even if we go once a month, we will make this work." Edward soothed me. "Jacob will only be gone a couple of weeks."
"Edward, we don't know that. I'm sure Jacob will want to move on with his life, who knows where he'll end up."
"Sweetheart, Jacob is not going to ride off into the sunset never to be heard from again. Besides, I thought you were upset with Jacob."
"I am. I am. But…I'm still going to miss him. I don't do well with change." I replied lamely.
"I think you're being silly. You're holding a grudge, you only have a couple more days with Jacob and you're wasting them on your stubbornness."
I hated that he was right. Edward lay down beside me still petting me.
"I'm still mad at you too." I huffed.
"I'm not going to apologize; you did the crime now you do the time." He was relentless.
"Ugh, it wasn't that big of a deal."
"If it wasn't that big of a deal, then why didn't you tell me? Jacob told you that night that I should be told." He reasoned.
"Because you always like to blow things out of proportion. I was having a good night; I didn't need a showdown at the O.K. corral. I stood up for myself and handle the situation myself; I think you should be proud."
"I will be proud the day you don't put yourself in dangerous situations and I will also be proud the day when you come and share with me instead of always keeping everything from me."
"So what you're saying is that you have already set your life up for disappointment." I jested.
Edward's hand landed playfully on my ass. He rolled over on top of me and pulled me to him.
"Plenty more where that came." He said in my ear.
"Why don't you put your hands to better use? I'm so horny." I started to squirm.
"Ahh does my baby need relief?" Edward cooed. "Maybe I should put you on restriction from sex, maybe then the message will be clear for you."
"Edward Cullen, you better not deny me sex; I may have to resort to drastic measures." I threatened.
Edward turned me over to face him and with that mischievous smile of his he gently kissed my lips. "Well we wouldn't want that to happen, it's my job to take care of my baby's needs."
Edward pushed his weight on me and kissed me passionately. It had been so long due to my stubbornness. In the future I will try to direct my anger at others and leave my orgasm maker free from responsibility.
We had just managed to get our clothes off when Jacob knocked on our door announcing dinner. I started to whine, "It's just not fair."
Edward was up and putting on his clothes, "Come on baby, I promise to make this up to you later."
I got up dramatically, "Stupid Jacob." I huffed. Edward was completely amused by my antics and continued to laugh at me all the way to the kitchen.
I did make up with Jacob, or at least I started talking to him again. With the two of us, we never made a big deal out of things. We would just pick right up where we left off. Jacob was done filming here in the states and he agreed to help me as much as he could with getting everything ready for my upcoming project. He wasn't as great at Emma but every little bit helps.
Edward officially hired Emma to be my personal assistant. I loved Emma but I wasn't sure if I was ready to have a full-time personal assistant but he explained that when I didn't need her she could help out Angel with running things at E=MC2.
A couple of days later, Embry was ready to get on back to New York. Part of me wanted to go along and help him assimilate back into his life but I needed to let him do it on his own. I did however text Derrick and asked him to keep watch and to let me know if anything went wrong.
"So I guess this is it." I said. We were standing in the entry way and Savannah was carting down a suitcase. Jacob ran over to help her with it. Darren had volunteered to take them to the airport.
"Yeah. Why the long face B, we'll be back in a couple of weeks. We wouldn't want to miss out on that massive birthday party of yours."
"What massive birthday party?" I asked confused.
Edward groaned beside me, "I haven't talk to you officially about it. But I told Embry that I wanted to throw you a birthday party this year and I asked them to come."
"Edward, that's not necessary. I hate being the center of attention."
Embry decided to help out ole Edward, "So are you saying that we don't have a reason to come back in September?"
"I'm ready to get my freak on." Darren added.
I sighed, "Fine, I'll have a birthday party, but don't expect it to be as off the hook as you were hoping. Edward you're going to have to tone it down, maybe only fifty people or so."
"Or so." Edward laughed. "Access Hollywood was going to cover it but I guess I'll have to cancel."
I rolled my eyes. I was definitely going to overlook his plans; if I was having a birthday party I didn't want it being ostentatious.
"All right, come here and give me a hug." I said to the girls.
Savannah came to me first, "Call me anytime, no matter what. You also can get a hold of me on that Facebook." I gave her a strong hug. Savannah and I decided that maybe we should set up a Facebook account so we could keep in contact better. I set hers up and made sure the parental controls were in effect as well as keep her profile private. I had never had an account before so it took some time to navigate.
"I tried adding you, Bells and you still haven't accepted my request." Jacob remarked.
"There's a reason for that." I quipped.
I went to Gracie next, "You be good and make sure you take care of Princess Meow Meow."
"I will mommy." She replied.
"By the way, did you have to name that cat Princess Meow Meow. I lose street cred every time I even say that out loud." Embry complained.
"It was up to them, but I know how you feel." Edward commiserated.
"What do you know about street cred?" I laughed.
Edward just scowled. I gave Gracie a hug and kiss.
Our time had come to an end and Edward pulled me to him as we watched them get into Darren's car and drive away.
"And then there were three." Jacob announced.
We closed the front door, and like anything else in life; we just had to pick up and move on.
In was only a couple of days after Embry departing that Jacob was packing up his stuff to leave as well. I had my music video project to keep my mind occupied but the day before Jacob was set to leave, it hit me.
"So I was thinking of maybe taking the night off from work and we could have like a movie night or do something you know." I was trying to stay upbeat.
"That sounds…nice. Whatever you want to do Bells." He replied.
"Well it's your last night we should do something you want to do." I fussed.
Jacob stopped what he was packing and slowly walked over, "I don't care as long as I get to… hang out with you."
"Okay." I started to walk toward the door; I wanted to break up the tension we were all feeling. "I'll go downstairs and start preparing some snacks."
I was in the kitchen putting together some popcorn, candy and drinks. Edward came up and kissed my neck.
"Whatcha doing?" he asked.
"Well since its Jacob's last night, I figured we could have a movie night and just…hang out." I turned to face Edward, "Do you want to go and pick out some movies?"
"Babe, I need to read that script tonight. I'll probably be in my office or upstairs most of the night. I need quiet. But you and Jacob have fun. Order some pizza so that you have something of substance to eat." Edward departed with one last kiss.
Jacob and I each took turns picking out a movie to watch. Edward's collection was rather extensive and it was put to good use. I had picked one of Jacob's movies from his child acting days thinking I was going to embarrass him but this is Jacob we're talking about; he loved nothing more than watching himself on screen.
I don't remember when I fell asleep it had to be after two a.m. I felt someone lift me up from off the couch and carry me. I was so tired that I felt trapped between sleep and awake.
"Hey. I figured it was best if she slept in her own bed instead of on the couch." A whisper.
"Thank you." A reply
I was laid down on my bed.
"I just called a cab; I was able to move up my flight time. I'm leaving now."
"Don't you want to wake up, Bella?"
"No, I think it's better this way."
"Jacob" a pause. "Thank you."
"She's an amazing girl."
"I know."
"Would you mind if I kissed her goodbye."
Nothing.
A soft gentle kiss was laid on my lips and one more on my forehead.
"Good-bye, Bella."
And then there was nothing.
When I woke up the next morning, I felt refreshed.
"Hey baby we should get going, we both have a lot to do today." Edward greeted me. "Filming day's tomorrow." He sang.
I got up out of the bed and made my way to the bathroom. "Sweetheart, Jacob left last night."
I whirled around, "What?"
"He thought it was for the best."
I clutched my chest and then came to my senses. "Fine. Whatever."
I turned to continue on with my morning ritual.
Fuck him.
Couldn't even say good-bye. A thought flashed in my mind of the previous night. It felt like a dream. I touched my lips for a moment. It must have been a dream. Jacob wanted to move on without even a good-bye, especially after all we had been through. That was just fine with me...
I was thankful the shower water could wash away the evidence dripping down my cheeks.
I had a job to do, man up Bella. Jacob is of no concern to you anymore.
My filming went even smoother than the Liberty Project video, maybe I really was getting the hang of all this. Of course it helped when you had a crew like mine. All the diva things I had heard about Michael Newton and he really wasn't all that bad, a couple of times I had to kiddingly chastise him but overall he really wasn't too much of a problem.
Veonna wasn't a problem in the least; you could tell that when it came to her music and her career she put in the work to reap the benefits. She was very serious and always willing to spit ball ideas. The video was mostly going to be filmed using green screen technology and Justin had been working with me and Veonna to come up with a very impressive dance number.
We finished production in four days, working fourteen hours a day. It was all worth it. I nearly choked when I signed my deal memo and I saw that the producer was planning on paying me $50,000 dollars. It was a lot of money for only a couple of weeks of work but if you were to look up the average pay scale it actually was a tad bit conservative. However I wasn't greedy, I felt bad even getting that much. I tried to give Edward the money since he was always footing the bill but he refused and told me I should save it or go and buy myself something pretty. There was no way I was going to be so frivolous.
I had a couple of Skpe sessions with Savannah and Gracie and we always talked on Facebook. Gracie had just started kindergarten and she wanted to tell me all about it. There was no word from Jacob. He should have been in London by now, not even an email or Facebook poke. I kind of felt like I did when Embry decided to unfriend me. Two weeks and nothing, not even a text to say he arrived safely. It was clear to me now that Jacob had moved on and so must I.
I may not have heard from Jacob but I did hear about him. In Touch magazine had written a story about Jacob Black and his diva attitude on his new set. He would miss call times, show up half asleep. The producers were really having issues with him. It was a good thing he was so far away; I would have no issue slapping the crap out of him.
A few days later I received a message via Facebook from him but I refused on principle to open it. If he really wanted to talk to me, he could pick up the damn phone. But curiosity got the best of me and I finally opened the message.
Dear Bella,
I know you don't know me. I'm Becky, Jacob's sister. He talks about you constantly. I need your help. Something happened to Jacob, he has completely gone off the deep end. He was caught a couple of nights ago drunk driving but thankfully the police here let him off with a warning. I know this is all my fault, I caused this. Please, can you please talk to him? He won't listen to me and I am afraid that something might happen to him. He's the only family I have left. He would kill me if he knew I was writing you. Please help me.
Rebecca Black.
I sat back in my chair in shock. What the hell happened?
"Edward." I called.
Edward was in his office, he appeared a couple of seconds later.
"What's up sweetie?"
"Something's wrong with Jacob."
"What happened?"
I read Edward the letter I received from Becky. Edward sat beside me in thought.
"I need to see him." I insisted.
"Whoa, just wait a minute. Jacob will be fine; he's just going through stuff right now."
"Have you talked to him?" I asked.
"Briefly."
"Why didn't you say anything? What happened?" I demanded.
"Honey, he will talk to you when he is ready. It's not my place to say." Edward defended.
"That's ridiculous, he is acting out. I've read all about the issues he is causing on set and his sister said he was drunk driving? This isn't normal. I want to go and see him."
"Bella, no. I know you're frustrated but just leave Jacob alone, he just needs to work things out. I will make sure he is fine."
"You know how you are always upset at me for leaving the state without consulting you? This is why I don't consult you. My friend is in pain. I don't know why. If it were me, I know Jacob would be on the first plane out here."
"Isabella, I said no." Edward ordered.
I was so…words could not describe how I felt at the moment. I closed my laptop and rose from the couch.
"I consulted you." I affirmed.
I walked out of the room and made my way upstairs.
"I'm warning you, Isabella." Edward called after me.
He could warn me all he wanted; I had done what he asked. I consulted him but when it came to my family and friends no amount of warnings or threats were going to deter me.
I wrote a quick email to a friend who I knew was in town.
Hey Jacqueline, coming to town. Think you can help a girl out, need a ride.
I packed a small backpack, I wasn't planning on staying for weeks just long enough to figure out what the hell was going on and smacking some sense into my friend. I still couldn't believe how cavalier Edward was being on the whole situation. And just what had Jacob told him. Why wouldn't he call me?
I snuck out the back unwilling to have a showdown with Edward.
Las Vegas, New York, and now London. Each time I got further and further away, but was I the one running or was Edward pushing?
