A/N: Guess who's back to weekly posting for now? ME!

It feels great to get a new chapter up within a week of the previous one as compared to the monthly posting schedule I had to follow when I was in school. I hated abandoning you guys for that long! For now, though, I'm here and posting weekly.

On July 21, I head on tour for a few weeks so the schedule might get a bit weird. I'll have time between when I arrive at the venue and when the show actually begins to post, so the schedule shouldn't get too messed up.

Speaking of tour, the big conversation between Bella & Edward happens... I hope you guys respect Edward's reaction. It was so difficult to find the balance between him being supportive but also cautious in his reaction. I hope you guys think the balance was alright.

Thank you so much to the Facebook group, Pay it Forward, for recommending this story. I'm not a part of the group, but many of you have messaged me saying it was recommended there and that's how you found this story. Welcome to the family!

There's only one video for this chapter, and it's linked in my profile. Check it out!

For now, keep leaving reviews so I can get motivated to keep up the weekly posting schedule. It's hard to keep up with on top of my career, but your reviews motivate me so make sure to write them so I will get chapters up sooner!

Love you guys. Enjoy.

xx,

S


I roll over in bed to find the body that kept me warm through the night had disappeared. The sleepy film covering my eyes dissipates and I stretch, letting my muscles and blood flow rejuvenate after a long sleep.

I roll out of bed with a yawn and pull on a pair of jeans and the "Stoked" t-shirt I wore last night. I open the bedroom door and am struck by blinding light; it was nine in the morning so the sun was pouring through, especially since about 90% of Bella's walls are glass. It takes me a minute to realize it, but I hear the low, sweet hum of a voice coming through a cracked window. It almost sounds like a bird, it's barely audible voice ringing softly. The consistency and harmony prove to me that it isn't a bird, but must be Bella singing. I round the corner and near the back porch that overlooks the hills of Los Angeles and as I get closer, I hear the soft strum of her guitar. I approach the all-glass wall that leads to the back porch and see the back of Bella, her hair tied up on top of her head, her favorite "B" mug by her side, one of my dress shirts covering her body, and her guitar on her lap as she sings out towards the hills, her feet hanging off the ledge of the porch.

I slowly rotate the door open, careful not to interrupt her, and her voice now becomes audible as I step outside.

The lyrics hit me immediately and I'm transported back to the living room in my childhood home on Sundays as a boy. Every Sunday, before dinner, my parents would play the song that Bella's singing right now, La Vie en Rose by Louis Armstrong.

Bella's unique, high but raspy voice gives the song a whole new dimension and the replacement of the jazz band with her guitar softens the song beautifully.

If you listened to her play it with your eyes closed, you would be convinced she was singing this from the balcony of a Paris apartment with a cigarette in her hand and red lipstick on as she watches the Parisian lovers pass by, serenading them with her sweet voice.

Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose
When you kiss me heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose
When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom
And when you speak
Angels sing from above
Everyday words seems
To turn into love song
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be la vie en rose

Careful not to scare her once she plays the last chord, I clear my throat softly. She spins around and when she sees me a smile that could warm the Arctic crosses her face.

"Good morning, singing beauty." I plop down next to her on the ledge, closing my eyes and facing towards the sun warming the morning chill.

"Good morning. Nice shirt." she places a kiss on my smile.

Even though she was her normal self, I could sense something was off since she got home last night. She was a bit distracted and had two lines on her face that I know only appear when she's stressed about something.

As if she was reading my mind, she shifts uncomfortably and her eyes focus on the strings of her guitar.

"I have to talk to you about something." She starts.

My stomach flips in anxiety and I feel my heart quicken ever so slightly. Any conversation that starts with "I need to talk to you about something" is always an important one, and it usually isn't positive.

I remain silent and wait for her to continue.

"Obviously, I've dated guys before I found you."

Shit this is not how I wanted this to start.

"Over a year ago, though, I ended a two year relationship with my most recent boyfriend. I would never bring this up for no reason because the relationship is long over and I moved on a few weeks after we broke up, but he still is in my life. He's a big musician and while we were together I was their full time tour photographer. After we ended things, I gave the job to a very close friend of mine, Adam Powell, who is a tour photographer and was looking for a job. Since it was a very quick transition for him, he still had shoots scheduled and jobs to do, so I would fill in for the times he couldn't be there and go on tour with them for a few days every couple of months. At first, it of course was a bit odd, but when my ex and I ended our relationship, we both agreed that we had to move on and that due to my extremely close relationship with the band and their whole crew, I would remain tied to them. I mean, I spent every second with the four boys in the band and their crew members for the two years we were on tour, so they're like family to me; especially the band members who I consider my brothers. Just the other day, I got a call from Jamie, their manager and a very close friend of mine, and he let me know they'll be touring Australia right before Thanksgiving when we'll all be there and that Powell isn't free in November. Since he knows I spend Thanksgiving in Australia every year, Jamie called me because he asked if I could fill in during their Australia shows, but I told him I would have to think about it. I would normally accept as I always do, but I didn't feel comfortable without speaking to you first now that you're a part of my life. I know it sounds suspicious, but I can assure you that this is strictly business that I'm doing with a band that I've known for a very long time. I will admit, it was uncomfortable between he and I the first time I shot them after breaking up, but that was a year ago and we got over it so since then I've shot them multiple times and it's been like I'm shooting any other band: completely normal. I can imagine it's a hard position for you to be in, but I just want you to be honest with me. The shows are right around when you'll be flying into Australia and it is totally fine to come a few days early with me and be with me at every show. I asked Jamie, and the lighting and sound crew's tour bus, which is the one I stay on, has an extra bed, so you could come along if that would ease your anxiety. Also, I know you have gotten close to Angus and I just spoke to him about this late last night and he said you can give him a call and talk to him about it; Angus became very good friends with my ex and they are still close, so he knows him on a different level that I do so he can maybe give you some man-to-man clarity." She takes a deep breath as she speaks the last word.

I didn't really know what to think.

I understood what she meant and that these are her friends who she works for, but it's hard to digest knowing that the head of it all is her ex-boyfriend and that he'll be there. Even though my egotistical, jealous side has shrunk since Bella came into my life, it's still there and it's banging on the door to try and get out.

I stumble for a few seconds, trying to find words because I don't really know how to respond.

I really want to let her do this because I know she's close to all the people on that tour and I also don't want to be that guy that holds their girlfriend on a leash and doesn't allow her to do anything; I was sick of that guy. Knowing that I have the option to come along on the tour certainly helps, but the ex-boyfriend just makes it so complicated for me.

"To be honest," I start, "I don't know what answer I can give you because I know and understand why you want to do this, but it's a bit shocking you think I would be comfortable with you spending time with your ex-boyfriend." I admit.

"I know that, but you also have to realize the whole tour consists of 72 people and 9 tour buses, so it isn't like I'm going on a getaway with my ex-boyfriend. I'll be working constantly since it's a small tour the schedule is tight. He's always extremely busy, especially because he's the front man and oversees everything, and I'll also be with 71 other people who I'm very close with and spending time with them as well, so I would be shocked if I even had a chance to sit down and "hang out" with the band. Plus, if you were with me, then I would spend most of the time with you and you could see what tour life is like and you could meet the four other core band members who are some of my best friends, and you could see all of Australia. If I ever thought this would be an uncomfortable situation for you or for me, I would've never considered it. You know I care about you and us far more than I care about anything else in this world." She explains.

She had a point. I now trust the investment Bella has in this relationship and me and I know that she wouldn't put herself in a position where what we have would be threatened.

"Do you promise me that if I say that you should do this that you will be nothing but honest with me?" I ask in a serious tone.

"I swear on my whole life that I will." She answers, just as serious.

I pause for a second, and make sure I'm making the right decision. It's against everything and every value I once had in relationships, but Bella and I's relationship is different and my gut's telling me that what she's explaining is the absolute truth. Plus, as a music junkie, I've secretly always wanted to tour with a band.

"Well then, you better tell them to get that bunk ready because I guess I'm going on tour." I say with a small smile. I was surprisingly excited to see Australia and travel with a band.

Bella's face erupts in a smile and she throws her arms around my neck, throwing her guitar to the side. I hug her back just as tight.

"Know that I'm not this happy and excited because you're letting me go on this tour, but because right there you just further proved that you love me enough to trust me and to know that I value and protect this relationship just as much as I tell you I do." She whispers, placing a gentle kiss on my earlobe.

"I know you do, sweets, I know you do." I whisper back. After a few minutes, we pull away finally and I remember that I forgot to ask her who I'm even going to be touring with.

"Wait, what band are you even talking about?" I ask.

"Babe," she starts with an excited smile, "you're going to be on tour with The 1975." She states.

My eyes just about fall out of my head. The 1975 was definitely in my top five favorite bands, and she knew this.

"What the fuck? Why didn't you say something when I belt their songs so loudly in the shower you ass?!" I shout

She's laughing at my mixture of complete shock and excitement as I smile like a kid on Christmas.

"For a major celebrity, I have to say you fangirl a shit-ton, you know that?" She teases me.

"Oh, fuck you. I'm allowed to fangirl over musicians because I don't work in that industry so I don't have that many connections to them."

"That's bull, you could walk up to any venue and say you're Edward Cullen and the band would let you chill with them. It's a celebrity perk." She affirms.

I move my mouth to respond, but the obvious fact hits me.

"Wait, you dated the lead singer of The 1975?" I say

"Yeah, Matty Healy." She responds

Well shit.

I don't really know much about him, but all I know is that Alice has had a crazy obsession with him since before he was well known. Alice always tells me that if she was forced to leave Jasper and marry someone else, it would be him. This, in turn, makes Jasper hate the guy.

"I look forward to meeting them, then." I state. It was kind of a lie because I'm not exactly keen on the idea of meeting the guy who once was with my Bella, but it's not a complete lie because I'm a big fan.

Bella looks at me like I have three heads, her eyes wide and eyebrows furrowed.

"What?" I ask.

"You know you've been creepily calm about this and now you're saying you're looking forward to meeting Matty. Are you sure you're human?" She asks

I silently chuckle to myself. "I will admit that although I'm a fan of their music, the part about looking forward to meeting Matty was kinda a lie. The part about meeting any other people in the band who have not dated you was true. I guess I now truly know that somehow you love me with all my flaws and the craziness of my life, and because of that, I trust you." I say

"And that, my friend," she places a kiss on my lips, "is why I love you. You have so much humility that you could accept me doing this, you see how much I love you, you try and act as supportive as you can about my decisions, even if you aren't really keen about them, and most of all because you listen and think through things rationally. I just love all of you." She gives me a look that expresses every word she just said.

I place a kiss on her and I move to stand up and get ready for the day.

"Wait," She grabs my arm and pulls me back down. "I have some more news I need to talk to you about."

Oh shit.

Not like before, though, she starts this conversation with a small smile. "I got another call yesterday from Angus." She moves and places her hand on top of mine. "And I basically found out that my dream since I was six years old has an opportunity to come true." At this point her smile is so wide and I'm waiting anxiously to find out the news. I was happy that this was good news; when she said she had something else to talk about my stomach started doing somersaults.

"Well, come on, what happened?" I blurt out.

"Edward, Fleetwood Mac wants Angus and I to open for them." She announces with a smile and laugh of disbelief that could light up the world.

Like instinct, I throw myself and hug her body humming with laughter of happiness.

"What? How did this happen? When? Where" I question, frazzled. I know how much Bella looks up to Fleetwood Mac and how her one dream was to tour with them.

"I don't even know, I got call from Angus telling me that our old producer got contacted by Fleetwood's manager saying they wanted us to open for them." She says, still just as shocked and frazzled as I am.

"Well, you said yes, right?" I say- she couldn't miss this opportunity.

She's silent for a second and the excitement that was just there dissipates.

"This is what I wanted to talk to you about. It's two weeks long and starts right after Thanksgiving. You would still be in Australia for the first few days of the tour, but it starts in Byron Bay then goes straight to Queensland and you have to be back in LA for press so I wouldn't see you for those whole two weeks and I don't know if I should do it because I know I work for you and-"

"Hold on." I cut her off and her eyes jerk to me anxiously. "You're second guessing this because you're worried about me being without a girlfriend and a photographer for two weeks?" I ask.

"Uh- yeah, I guess, but I don't know, it sounds stupid, but I'd really miss you." She replies sheepishly

"Bella," I start firmly. "This is Fleetwood fucking Mac, not some indie band that has 200 followers. I've lived 25 years without a photographer, I think I can live two weeks without one. As for being without you, yeah it will hurt like a bitch, but it's only 14 days and this is good for us because films will come along where I'll have to be away for weeks so it's good to get used to this now. I'm sorry, but if the tour was on Jupiter I would still make you go because I'm not letting you give something like this up." I push.

I seriously thought she had to be kidding when she said she was second guessing this.

"I know, but I haven't played live since I was a teenager and I don't know if I'm qualified or prepared for that. I also have never gone without photographing for that long" She nibbles on her nail anxiously; it's like you can see the internal battle within her.

"Alright, I'm done with this conversation because you're going no matter what and all these anxieties you're having are completely pointless." She was frustrating me by letting the smallest of unnecessary worries influence this decision. "Think of it this way," I start, "if I asked if I should take an offer to be the lead in a Scorsese film, what would you say?" I ask.

"I'd say you'd be an idiot if you didn't." She answers immediately.

"There we go. Point made. Now go call your brother and tell him you're doing it." I demand, getting up and holding my hand out for her to take.

After a few seconds of more internal debate, she takes it and looks right up at me.

"You really think I should do this?" She asks softly

"I'm surer about this than I am that the sun rises and sets." I state.

After a few seconds, I finally see her smile and I knew I had won.

"I'm going on tour with Fleetwood Mac." She whispers to herself.

"You're going on tour with Fleetwood fucking Mac, babe." I repeat. She throws her arms around me giggling in a way that makes my heart soar.

"God, how did I get so lucky to find you?" She asks, confusing me. This was about Fleetwood Mac, not me.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"It's just, here I am unloading all these pretty substantial decisions about us and my future and you shocked me, to be honest. I know most people would overreact and scream and freak out but you thought through it logically and were able to see that touring with The 1975 isn't a big deal and is actually an amazing and fun opportunity for not just me but you as well. Then you pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me accept a huge opportunity that I was stupidly second guessing, even though it meant that you would lose me for two weeks. I'm just really fucking lucky to have such an amazing person next to me." She says, pushing a piece of my hair that fell forward back in its normal position.

"You're not losing me for two weeks and I'm not losing you for two weeks, love; we'll just be on different ends of the oceans. As for the whole The 1975 thing, I'm still not peachy about the whole thing but I know that if a group of people who I considered family needed my help you wouldn't stop me, even if my ex was going to be there." I answer truthfully.

"I love you." She whispers, grabbing my neck and pulling me into a deep kiss.

"Go on, you vixen." I command, grabbing her hips and swiveling her around and pushing her in the direction of the house where her phone lays by the bed. "Call Angus and Jamie and tell them you're coming." I say, with a broad smile as I watch her practically run to the door in excitement in nothing but my button down shirt, which is my favorite outfit of hers to this day.

As I'm moving to pick up Bella's guitar and my coffee that are still by the ledge, I feel my phone hum in the back of my pocket.

"Hello?"

"How are you alive?" I hear my sister moan on the other end of the line, sounding like her throat was begin rubbed with sanding paper.

"I'm a smart human and don't drink on an empty stomach." I respond, trying not to be amused by my sister's misery.

"You suck." It takes me a minute to understand what she's even saying because I can tell her face is stuffed in a pillow.

"Well, then, if you think I suck then I probably shouldn't tell you the big news…" I start, knowing that once Alice hears about The 1975 she'll scream then start designing proposals for a special, custom collection for their tour outfits then consider talking about the idea of an open marriage to Jasper so she can try and get with Matty. That is, until she hears how Bella knows him. I have no clue what any of the band looks like, but I remember Jasper complaining all the time about Alice watching his interviews and live performances for hours and not giving him any attention.

"Wait, hold on, I'm not that hungover. What's the news?" She interjects so fast it all comes out sounding like one word.

"Well," I say, dragging out every sound of the word as slowly as possible.

"Spit it out, you ass." I hear Jasper moan/mumble in the back.

"The situation of how this came about isn't ideal, but your brother is going on tour with The 1975." I announce, immediately pulling my phone from my ear to brace myself for the scream to come.

Instead, I hear a loud smack and fumbling for a few seconds as Alice searches for the phone that dropped out of her hand when she heard the news.

"W-wai-wh-wait what?" She stutters out.

"You heard me." I'm chuckling at her ridiculous fangirling; she was more well known than the band, yet she never fails to lose her shit over them.

"You heard me. And last I checked, you will be able to make it to one of the shows."

And this is when all hell broke loose. Even though she was drastically hungover, she lets out a loud scream met by the sound of a pillow hitting her, courtesy of Jasper also who isn't having the easiest morning.

"You're shitting me. How? Fucking how?" She yells, practically in tears.

"Well, that's the non-ideal part." I say, scrambling for how to explain this in the simplest terms.

"Wait, hold on, I'm turning on Facetime." Alice's face pops up on the phone, still in bed with Jasper in the background, both looking a little worse for wear.

"Jeez, you weren't kidding about feeling rough." I notice.

"Fuck you. Continue." She commands.

"To make a long story as simple as possible, Bella dated the lead singer and toured with them as their photographer for two years. There are massive amounts of people working for the band, and they're all like family to her. According to her, her and the lead singer ended on good terms so Bella wouldn't have to ruin all the close friendships she has with the rest of the band, including him; as far as I know they're still friendly when they see each other and it doesn't go further than that. She still shoots for them as needed, and she was called in to do their Australia tour right before we'll all be there for Thanksgiving since their normal photographer just found out he can't do it. I was extremely hesitant at first and was going to tell her I wouldn't be comfortable, but she explained how it won't be like it's just her and her ex on tour together, but there are 72 people on the tour who she considers her extended family. Since she knew it was a really tough situation, she said she spoke to their manager and they have an open bed and I was invited on the tour to stay with Bella and to make it easier for me. So, yeah, I guess I'll be on tour with them for two weeks." I explain.

Alice is just looking at me and I see Jasper, who was listening with his head on the pillow facing away from the camera, lift his head and turn to look at me on the screen.

"Wait." He grabs the phone from Alice. "Did you just say you're going with Bella on tour with the band whose lead singer is Bella's ex?" He asks, turning to look at Alice who's looking back at him, both with faces of shock.

"I know it sounds weird, but I trust Angus and Be-"

"No, no, no." Jasper says, laying back down with Alice both with an amazed smile on their faces.

"What?"

"This is my brother, Edward Cullen, correct?" Alice asks.

"Um, yeah, I'm lost."

Alice and Jasper look at each other with big smiles. "FINALLY." Alice's fist pumps in the air.

"Explain, please." I push.

"Dude, don't take this the wrong way because it was understandable in your situation, but it's no secret that you were a tad over possessive over your girlfriends in the past and that's what's ended pretty much all your relationships." Jasper claims, with an agreeing Alice.

"I wasn't that bad…"

I totally was.

"Being possessive is normal, but just a few months ago you couldn't trust anyone, not even your own family. Jasper and I were just talking about this a few days ago, but since you've been with Bella, you've changed. You're happier, your ego has shrunk massively, no offense, but mostly we've seen you open up and trust people again. I know after getting thrown into the media and limelight at such a young age was extremely tough and made it hard to trust people and their intentions, but Jasper and I are just beyond happy that you're past that thanks to Bella." Alice and Jasper are both grinning at me

It was true, now that I thought about it. Once I became well known, in the beginning everybody was trying to get to me and I would naïvely let them in and always get hurt after discovering they were just using me for money or attention. After that, I shut myself out and only allowed people to know me on a surface level. This presented itself in my relationships and I remember tracking everything my girlfriends did to make sure they weren't being untruthful about their intentions with being with me. I remember when I was fifteen and had my first girlfriend, my mom told me that if you're lucky enough to find someone you have true, real love with, then questions of cheating, lying, and loyalty all dissipate because you know the depths of your partner's love and you feel it just the same way. I didn't remember that until now, but it all makes sense. I know for a fact that the Edward a few months ago would've probably lost it if Bella asked about touring with The 1975 and would've yelled then stormed out of the house and turned off my phone for days, only to cause days of worry from my girlfriend then send a text breaking it off and accusing her of cheating. It wasn't the right thing, but I did it a lot back then.

So, when Bella told me that, it was like an out of body experience when the rage I used to once feel didn't bubble up. The devil on my shoulder that used to tell me to yell and leave had disappeared. I, for once, could think rationally about a situation like this and see where Bella was coming from.

"So, you don't think it's sketchy or weird? That Bella still helps out for her ex-boyfriend's band?" I ask, just needing a tiny push of validation.

"To be perfectly honest, not really." Jasper starts. "There are 72 people on the whole tour so it's not like an intimate thing, Angus would vouch for the situation, and Bella was completely transparent about it all and asked you to come with her, so it seems innocent to me." Jasper comments.

"Plus, if she was really sneaking around or hiding something, which is probably the last thing on earth Bella would ever do, then she would hide the whole situation from you. Liars don't sit you down and explain the situation they're lying about." Alice adds.

"We see the way she acts around you. I would bet money that she would rather saw her fingers off than do something to traumatize your relationship." Jasper states.

Even though I trusted Bella in my gut from the beginning, Jasper and Alice's validation helped me assure I was making the right choice.

"It's good to see you like this. Don't change, okay?" Alice asks.

"It's funny," I begin, "I now see how much energy distrust and rage took up in my life." I reflect.

"I know, we can physically see the lightness back in you. And don't forget to tell Bella that I can't wait to meet my husband Matty in a few weeks and to tell them they have a custom tour collection coming for them." Alice squeals excitedly while Jasper rolls his eyes so hard he can see his brain.

"I will," I chuckle, "Love you guys. See you tomorrow night."

"Bella's place, right?" Jasper asks, right before I hang up.

"Yes sir, 7 o'clock." Bella and I were having a dinner tomorrow for Emmett, Rose, Alice, Jasper, and our friends so we could go over plans for Australia, but we mostly are all using this as an excuse to throw another party at Bella's place. If it went as well as the last one that ended with me seducing Bella for the first time, then I'll be pleased.

"Can't wait!" Alice kisses the camera and hangs up the call.

I turn to head in and see Bella stepping back out on the porch walking towards me with her phone in her hand.

"Grab your leather jacket and skinny jeans, babe, because we're going on tour." She announces with her arms open and a huge smile. I drop the stuff in my hands and she lets out a squeal scoop her up in my arms, walking straight to our bedroom.

Our productive day of work was clearly postponed.


A/N:

So. What did you think? I hope you all were pleased with Edward's reaction. I know there might be some of you who think he agreed too easily, but I am a firm believer that healthy relationships are the ones with trust. I wouldn't be comfortable saying Edward and Bella have a healthy relationship if Edward either freaked out over the thing or he didn't let her go. There's a fine line between being protective and being controlling and things get messy when that line crosses over into control. I think his reaction was a good balance of support and caution.

There's a video of La Vie En Rose in my profile that's actually a cover with a guitar so it sounds like the style she sang it in this chapter. It's one of my favorite covers of all time and it totally worth your two minutes to give it a listen... I play it on repeat. It's in my profile!

I am going to try and get another chapter up next week so I can continue this weekly posting thing. Sound good?

Please leave your reviews and get ready for the Australia planning party chapter next week! I can't wait till we get to the Australia part of the story and the chapters that will come from that.

Leave a review!

xxxxx,

S