A/N: Welcome folks! I am posting this chapter a little earlier than you probably expected. Yeah, I know...you can faint!

I'd like to thank you all for your reviews and the hits. I'm blown away by the response to this story! I believe that BBC has been nominated for Sunflower Awards for Best Edward, Best Bella and Best Alice. My cowritten story with Totteacher, Isle of Enchantment, has also been nominated Best Carlisle! Thank you to those who nominated the stories...I truly do appreciate it. Voting is from May 4-25th, so please do me the honour if you are so inclined...the link is below and also on my profile.

http:/thesunflowerawards(dot)blogspot(dot)com/

I'm also writing a Jasper outtake for the Tsunami relief. The link is on my profile. Please contribute and get yourselves some great stories!

Also, I'd like to give a big thanks to my pre-reader Toni and my friends on FB. You all keep me amused and amazed with your friendship and generosity.

Disclaimer: Twilight ain't mine. I just like to take Edward and company out for a long hard ride now n again.

CHAPTER 34 – HOLIDAY FROM HELL

EPOV

"Well? Are you going to answer me?"

"Rosalie, I fail to see what business it is of yours," I said through gritted teeth as she flicked the water off her umbrella before she folded it up.

"Obviously that punch to the head made you even more stupid than you already are. Or, were you deprived of oxygen as a baby?"

"Nope. Were you deprived of a heart?" I shot back, causing her to snort.

She pushed past me and pounded on the door with her clenched fist. "Bella! Open up! We need to talk!"

"Talk about stupid," I mumbled. "Can't you see that she's not home?"

"Well then where the hell is she?" she demanded, turning to face me, her soured expression making me want to slap her face after what she had done. "I've been trying to get hold of her and Emmett without any luck."

"Do you honestly think I'd tell you?" I snapped.

"Well, you might change your mind if you knew why I need to speak to her."

Oh this woman was so fucking infuriating!

"For fuck's sake! Don't you think you should leave her alone after what you did?" I growled in frustration.

After everything that had come out at the conference, I'd had enough of the whole thing and her presence here, now, just made me want to tear her stupid blonde head off.

"Don't you realise how much advertising I've sold...how much money I've invested in the love and romance theme of this issue? The issue she's writing the feature for?" she countered.

"Do you think I give a shit about your problems?" I shot back in reply.

"Oh, this isn't just my problem. Bella's contractually obligated to hand over what she's written for my magazine by Friday's deadline...she was under my employ, using the company's resources to write her article. So she'd better hand it over or I'll be contacting my lawyers to make her."

Oh this was just fucking perfect! Not only was my brief relationship with Bella torn to shreds, now this poor excuse of a human being was threatening legal action against my angel/devil because of my stupid behaviour. I had to find Bella and warn her, but how? I had no idea where she was or how to contact her, and I knew that after what happened at the conference, Emmett would never reveal where she was to a lowlife like me.

My breathing became laboured as the implications of Rosalie's threat hit me. What the fuck could I do to salvage this? I needed to think of something to placate the woman so I could at least prevent Bella feeling more pain than she already had. And then, an idea struck.

"Jasper," I whispered. He was my only link to Bella, and as much as I wanted him to stay the hell out of my love life, this was different. I didn't want Bella being sued to be added to my list of crimes. Jasper had said he was still friends with Bella, and he also had links to Emmett's boyfriend. As much as I hated to admit it, I was going to need his help after all and find out where she was.

"What did you say?" she snapped, her expression livid at the mention of Jasper's name.

"Nothing."

"Nothing my ass!"

My mind continued to tick over as I fought to remain calm and focused, at the same time trying to figure out what to do next. If I promised to track down Bella, could I make a deal with this woman and get her off Bella's back, while still protecting the reputations of those I still cared about? I knew that Alice was happy with what Bella had already written before things had turned to shit, but I also knew that Alice wouldn't be happy about what would be revealed in the article once Rosalie decided to butcher it...and add her newly discovered information.

As much as I wanted to protect Alice, there were greater things at stake now, and it seemed that there was only one way to handle this. I just hoped that the person who stood in front of me, looking as though she wanted to tear me a new asshole, would accept the offer I was about to propose.

"I tell you what, Rosalie. I'll make a deal with you. If I find Bella and get her to agree to give you the article, will you promise to publish it as she wrote it, word for word...and leave out all the shit you so eloquently dropped on us all at the conference?"

"What? I don't think so. You have no idea how this juicy little story will boost our circulation," she said as her anger turned into a smile and an evil glint appeared in her eye.

Shit. I couldn't allow that to happen, but at the same time I didn't want to land Bella in hotter water by not producing the article either. I recalled reading the editors note in front of the issue of I Am Woman that I'd recently purchased. Though I couldn't remember everything Rosalie had written, I did recall the words 'fodder for the masses' being quoted, and how she wouldn't allow her magazine to go down that path under any circumstances. Perhaps threatening her reputation may be the way to go.

"I thought I had you all pegged, Rosalie, but it seems that I was wrong," I said, feigning disappointment.

"Wrong? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh you know. Bella always carried on about how professional you always were and how much she respected you because you never gave in to using your magazine to churn out worthless 'fodder for the masses'," I quoted.

"She...did?" she asked with a raised brow, her mouth opening briefly in apparent surprise. Perhaps I was on to something here. I smiled, my grin so forced and my facial muscles aching so much that I felt like my face was about to break in two.

"She told me that it's why she liked working there. She wanted to be taken seriously as a journalist and also said it was her dream to follow in your footsteps. From what she said, I actually believed that you prided yourself in producing a magazine with a bit more substance than ones that printed salacious gossip."

"We do," she confirmed. "But..." She appeared conflicted, and at a momentary loss for words, so I pressed on.

"Look, Rosalie...I don't see there being any other way. Even if you threaten to sue Bella, I don't think she would want to have her name associated with something like that. Don't forget how you began. She wants to travel the same path as you and be taken seriously as a journalist." God, this manipulating shit was easy, and the good thing about doing it to Rosalie was that I had no fear of remorse setting in later.

"You wouldn't know it, with the way she's been behaving," she retorted. "Besides, I'm committed to publish this...and if adding a bit more to it to spice things up boosts circulation, then that's what I'll do."

Oh shit, I was losing her! I knew I had to ram my argument home quickly, and inwardly cringed at what I was about to contemplate, but knew it was all to help Bella.

I took a deep breath. Rosalie needed further convincing, that was all. And as much as I hated to go down the path I was now considering, I also knew I had to pull out all the stops to protect those I cared about, even if they didn't return my sentiments. I swallowed heavily, fighting back the bile that threatened to rise from my stomach as I made my best effort to stroke the ego of this horrible woman.

"You don't get it, do you? As much as she hates to admit it, Bella envies you, Rosalie. A powerful woman such as you, who never takes no for an answer...who always gets whatever...or whomever she wants," I whispered, giving her a wink while at the same time grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckles, half expecting my lips to burn off at the brief contact. "It is, after all, what Bella wants for herself, and to tell you the truth, I really don't think she never quite got over Jasper's rejection."

She giggled. The woman actually giggled. And as much as I knew I had her, I felt ill at the same time, partly because I was manipulating her, but mostly because I hated flirting with her.

"Well, that explains a lot," she said as she reluctantly withdrew her hand, her lingering smile positively sickening as I let out a relieved breath. "She's not the first and won't be the last woman that wants to be me."

At that point, I think I threw up in my mouth a little.

"You are a formidable woman, Rosalie," I said, my deceptive words threatening to catch in my throat.

"And nobody seems to realise it!" she said. Could this woman be any further up her own ass?

"Well, pretty lady, I guess I should go find Bella before your deadline rolls around," I said as I took a step back toward the staircase, my body instinctively wanting to escape this woman's clutches.

She grabbed my arm before I could move further, and added, "You just make sure that when you see her, you tell her that she has until Friday to hand over the article, or else the deal's off. Capiche?"

"Got it," I said as the bile rose once more. I patted her clenched hand and as she released me, I gave her a reassuring smile before I turned to leave, taking my phone out to call Jasper as I rushed down the stairs and headed out, easing rain enabling me to call Jasper as I quickly made my way home.

"Hey, Edward. What's up?"

"Jasper, I need your help."

"Of course. What's going on?" he asked in a tense voice, obviously sensing my anxiety.

I told him about how I'd snuck out of the apartment and went to see Bella, only to find her place empty, instead running into Rosalie. He groaned in frustration as I told him about Rosalie's threats to sue Bella if she didn't cooperate.

"That bitch!" he yelled as I finished telling him what had happened.

"Tell me about it, Jasper. Please...we only have until Friday to get this done. Can you call Riley and see if Emmett knows how to find her? We don't have much time with Thanksgiving in the middle of it all."

"I'll give him a call...see if I can't track her down and sort this whole mess out."

"Thanks," I said, breathing a little easier in one sense, but longing to see her at the same time. I'd give anything to be part of her life...to spend Thanksgiving with her...to make her a permanent part of my life. I moaned in frustration, the need to see her overpowering every nerve in my body.

"Jasper...I need to see her again. Please...when you find her, can you..."

"Don't worry, Edward. I'll talk to her," he answered, cutting me off, his assuring voice making me feel a little better.

"Thanks," I said as I made my way back to my building, taking the stairs in a rush as the emotions of the day pumped through my body.

BPOV

"Oh for the love of God, Bella! You gave up your job all because of what some guy did to you? Are you crazy?" Charlie cursed as I finished my soap-opera of a story, anger crossing his face as he pounded his clenched fist on the table, his actions causing me to jump.

Unable to think of what else to do, I stood and picked up the breakfast dishes before placing them in the sink and turning on the water. "It was perfectly justifiable after what happened."

"What the hell were you thinking? Do you think that jobs grow on trees? And who the hell does this asswipe think he is anyway, lying to you like that?" he ranted, his voice trembling as he ignore my pitiful rebuttal.

At least, for once, I felt as though Charlie Swan was on my side. Well, kind of. His expression was a mixture of rage and judgement...so I knew that no matter what Edward had done, he wasn't about to let me off the hook for my behaviour either. I rinsed the dishes and packed them in the dishwasher, my feelings on a tightrope as I shut the door and pressed the button.

"Oh, just some guy who decided he couldn't take what I'd dished out I guess," I sighed as I poured myself a coffee and sat back down.

"How unusual," he said sarcastically. I huffed in disapproval, his usual behaviour though expected, still irritating me. "So, does this asswipe have a name?"

"Edward Cullen," I revealed, feeling my mouth automatically quirk into a half smile at the mere mention of his name. God, I was pathetic! Even when I was mad at the guy I still couldn't hide the effect he had on me.

"Oh shit! I know that look. You care about this guy, don't you?"

I had a look?

"No!" I snapped, his words of accusation causing a shitload of guilt to suddenly surge through me.

He leaned in closer and studied my expression before shaking his head and smiling. "Bella, I may have missed out on raising you for a good part of your life, but I'm not a blind fool either."

"Then I'd suggest an eye test, because you don't see shit, old man," I snarled, deflecting his accusation. It wasn't as if I'd ever had a slew of boyfriends during the time I'd lived with him, so how the hell would he know shit about this?

"Oh stop it with the smoke and mirrors, Isabella, because I ain't buying what you're selling." Did he ever?

"Whatever," I answered in my own sweet way of saying 'screw you'.

"Look, I know what I'm talking about. Your mother used to get that same dreamy look on her face," he explained further. "You may not look much like her...but it's something I've seen before, and even though it was a long time ago, it's a look I'll never forget."

He turned his face away from me for a moment, as if he was trying to control his emotions, his voice suddenly soft. Well this vulnerable side of him was something that I rarely saw. My theory that it was because he was a cop, but I also knew that I was much the same, and that fact unsettled me.

Was I destined to suffer the same fate...becoming a bitter and twisted old woman with nobody else in my life? A hateful shrew that pushed everyone away? A female version of my father?

"I don't know what you're talking about, Dad, and even if I did, it doesn't matter. He's yesterday's news anyway."

"Oh yes. I forgot who I was talking to," he said self-righteously, folding his arms. "The famous Isabella Swan...the girl with the impenetrable wall of bitch, accompanied by a side of snark. Now that's a meal best served cold."

"Well thanks for your support!" I yelled. "And thanks for taking Edward's side over your own daughter's!"

"Is that what you think I'm doing? Oh, grow up, Bella!" he scowled.

"Dad, if I were you, I'd mind my own business and shut the hell up," I warned. God, this man did nothing but constantly get a rise out of me!

"I'll do no such thing until you get a few things through that thick skull of yours!" he growled, getting my back up further.

As much as a girl needed her father, sometimes the stupid old bastard did nothing but infuriate me. I felt the heat rising in my face as I pursed my lips at him, the anger just beneath the surface as he raised that goddamned eyebrow at me whenever he was at the end of his rope. It wasn't as though I expected his support, but at the same time I didn't come home to be lectured either. I just needed some distance from the whole thing while he hopefully worked. A lot. Instead, I was here in his kitchen, facing his wrath as he continued to stare me down, obviously not intending to cut me any sort of break.

"If you care about this...Edward, then you need to talk to him about it," he said curtly.

"I don't care about him!" I shouted.

"Sure you don't," he said sarcastically, his disapproving stare boring right through me. "You know that letting shit like that fester inside that narrow mind of yours isn't healthy, don't you?"

"Oh I'm narrow-minded? Just where the hell do you think I got that quality from?"

"There you go again, blaming someone else for your flaws," he said in a disappointed tone.

"I should have known relying on your support was too much to ask and that coming home was a mistake!" I said in a broken voice, feeling tears sting my eyes once more.

"Oh stop with the dramatics and just calm the hell down," he said in a rush.

"My life's turned to shit, and you ask me to calm down? Easy for you to say!"

"Isabella, are you listening to yourself right now? You're behaving like a two year old! You just don't get it, do you?"

"No I don't Dad, so why don't you just get it the hell over with and enlighten me then?" I mocked.

"You need to stop being such a bitch to those who care about you, or you'll continue to drive them away for the rest of your life!"

"What?"

"I've been talking to Jake about this. He's loved you for a long time, Bella, but he doesn't recognise the person you've become, and frankly, neither do I. You've always been a strong girl, but lately you've turned nasty." Oh that's just fucking great. My body tensed up as I imagined the two of them gossiping about me like two old women.

"Well maybe I should just get a personality transplant then! Would that make you and your BFF happy?"

He let out a heavy sigh. "Look, Bella...as much as you don't deserve what has happened to you, don't you think you need to take ownership of your part in this?"

I knew he was right, but to have him point it out was like he'd plunged a knife to my heart. So much for garnering a bit of sympathy from someone who was supposed to love me unconditionally. Like me, the man was devoid of that particular quality, and like me, he never cut anybody a break and was the most judgemental man I knew.

"So, let me get this straight. You're saying this whole thing is my fault now?"

"Isabella, I'm not saying what happened is entirely your fault, but..." His brow lifted as he wordlessly let me know that I had more than a part to play in my plight.

"You know, I was always under the impression that parents were supposed to accept their kids no matter what. It seems I was wrong on that account."

"Don't you get what I'm trying to tell you? Bella, you can't keep running away from your problems. When things go wrong, you need to face them head-on and open up to people, not shut them out and high-tail it out of there, blaming the rest of them as you run," he said in a calmer tone. "You did it with Jake and look how that turned out. Don't be stupid enough to make the same mistake twice."

"Pot, meet kettle," I answered icily. "You did the same with Mom."

"Yeah, and look how that fairy tale ended. So do the old man a favour and let me impart what little wisdom I do have. Don't make the same mistakes I made Isabella, or else soon enough you'll find you have nobody else left in your life." His expression was filled with regret, causing me to hesitate. I'd never had such an open, honest conversation with my father. He was always so gruff, so closed off, but in that moment he'd bared more of his soul in that one conversation than in all the years I'd lived with him.

"Whatever," I answered once more as I quickly stood and added discourteously, "I'm going to make a few calls. Emmett and his new boyfriend want to come here for Thanksgiving and I need to find out the details."

"Okay," he said, his tone defeated. Gah! Why did this man get to me so much! I knew I had to throw him a bone, after all even though it hurt, some of what he said did made sense. Besides, I kind of liked that we were actually talking, even though the subject of the conversation wasn't exactly to my liking.

"And Dad? For what it's worth, thanks. I still have no idea what I'm going to do...but I get what you're trying to say."

He gave me a small smile, stood up and took a few tentative steps toward me before taking me in his arms and pulling me in for a hug.

"I'm glad," he whispered in my ear, releasing a huge breath. As he released me, I gave him a returning smile before I walked out of the kitchen and trudged upstairs, grabbing my phone and flopping on the bed. I was so fucking confused about this whole mess, and though Dad made sense, my stubborn nature was rallying against me forgiving and forgetting.

I sighed as I switched on my phone, once again ignoring the incoming messages that were now clogging up my inbox. I instantly marked and deleted all the messages once more before dialling Em's number. "I'm gonna have to change my number," I whined as I waited for him to pick up.

"Bellacakes!" Emmett shrieked as he answered. Jesus, could he dial the enthusiasm down just a bit?

"Hey, Em. How's things going?" I asked, trying to keep my tone even.

"It's been busy, but I'm loving it," he answered excitedly. "It's gonna be a push, but we should be ready for the show in two weeks. How are things going there?"

"Oh, great. Dad lecturing me on how I keep running away from my problems has been the highlight of my week," I deadpanned with a snort.

There was long pause of silence on the other end of the line.

"Em?"

"Bella, far be it from me to agree with someone I've never met over my best friend...but..."

"Oh for fuck's sake! Not you too?" I shouted at the traitor.

"Now just hear me out. You know I've always got your back, but I also hate seeing you this unhappy."

"So you're saying that I should pretend this whole thing didn't happen and forgive them after what they did?"

"No. Yes. Shit Bella, I don't know," he said in confusion.

"Are you going soft on me, Emmett McCarty? Why the sudden change of heart?"

"I...I've just been thinking. I really feel bad about all this. I shouldn't have punched Edward...then maybe he would have had the chance to talk to you, maybe nip this thing in the bud before it got out of hand."

"You don't honestly believe I was in any state to listen to him at the time, do you?"

"No, but I didn't help things," he said softly. "Having Riley in my life has made me realise a few home truths, and last night he basically read me the riot act...told me that I was interfering in your life far too much and that I should let you handle your own problems."

"He did, huh? That Riley seems a bit too sensible for my liking," I said, forcing a laugh.

"Bella, being with Riley has opened my eyes to so many new things, and now that I've had the chance to experience love for the first time, I want the same thing for you. I'm sorry if I blew that chance for you, Bella. I'll never forgive myself if I did."

I had to give it to Riley...he grounded Emmett so well, but love? Really? Could I even contemplate that possibility considering the shitty situation I was now knee deep in?

"Bella, I have to go in a second, so we'll talk about this when I see you."

"Yeah alright," I said. "So you two will be here for Thanksgiving then?"

"Count us in," he confirmed to my relief, glad for the buffer that Emmett and Riley would provide. At least Dad would be otherwise occupied with the houseguests instead of me.

"When will you be arriving?"

"We can't get there until tomorrow night, and I'm afraid staying the weekend's out with work, but I'm still bringing my larger than life appetite with me for Thanksgiving dinner, so be prepared!"

"I guess I'll be buying an extra large turkey when I go shopping then," I confirmed in a defeated tone, trying my best to hide my disappointment.

"Better make that two, Bella. You know how much I love me some white meat!" he said, trying to cheer me up.

I heard Riley laughing in the background, and as disappointed as I was, I couldn't help but join in.

"I'll even make you some of my special yams," I said. Chef I wasn't, but I knew how to mash vegetables and add some marshmallows with the best of them.

"Listen, I have to go see a man about a frame, and Riley needs to talk to you, so I'd better get going."

"Sure sure," I answered.

"Love you Bellacakes!" he shouted before handing the phone to Riley.

"Hello, Bella," Riley said softly as I heard a door slam in the background.

"Hi, Riley. So tell me something...have you been getting in Emmett's ear about Edward by any chance?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. Sorry, Bella. I just don't want to see anyone else get hurt, and I figure you had enough of your own problems without Emmy's fists getting in on the act."

"Thanks, Riley. I made sure to lecture Em on fighting my battles for me as well, so hopefully it won't happen again."

"Hopefully...I um..." he said, his voice trailing off. I sensed he wanted to talk to me further, but didn't know how to start, so I decided to keep the conversation rolling.

"So, how's the exhibition going?"

"Well actually that's one of the things I need to talk to you about," he said in a nervous voice. One of the things?

"Spill, Riley," I said impatiently.

"I know that since we've been busy, Emmett hasn't had the chance to ask you, but I was hoping that he could use a few shots of you in the exhibit," he said in a sweet, gentle voice, his unexpected request surprising the hell out of me.

"Oh Riley...thanks...but I don't know..."

"Please? It just won't be complete unless we use at least a few of them."

"But you have plenty of other shots to choose from, don't you?"

"Yes, but those shots of you are absolutely beautiful, and I want them to be the centrepiece of the exhibit. When we had our talk about you last night, Emmy showed them to me, and now that I've seen them, it just won't be the same if they're not part of it. You know we want this to be the best damned exhibit this year, and I think these shots will add to it nicely."

His tone was desperate and he was begging now, and as much as I was embarrassed by the idea of a blown up picture of me being on display for the world to see, I just didn't have the heart to let my best friend down either.

"So, you need them to make Em a big hit, huh?"

"You could say that, yes, but only if you agree. Please, Bella? It would mean the world to me and to Emmy."

"Fine!" I said, caving into his gentle but insistent demands. Oh this guy was good. Now I knew why Emmett had done a complete back flip on the whole Edward debacle. "But please, can you just use the bare minimum in the smallest possible size?"

"I'll only do what is deemed necessary. We have three shots we want to use if that's okay."

"Sure. Well, I'd better make a move. Apparently I have a lot of food shopping to do," I said. "Bye Riley. I'll see you tomorrow night."

I took the phone away from my ear, but as I was about to end the call, I heard Riley's voice shriek, "Bella, wait!"

"What is it now, Riley?" I knew that it wasn't just about the exhibit...something else was obviously eating him.

"I kind of did something that I need to warn you about...but since I'd just told him to butt out of your life, Emmy doesn't know..." he whispered.

Oh shit. This couldn't be good.

"Okay, out with it Riley. What did you do?"

"Jasper called me at home in a panic this morning, needing to speak to you urgently. I told him that your phone was switched off and that you'd probably be calling Emmett sometime today...but since I couldn't guarantee when he'd be talking to you, Jasper insisted I give him your Dad's address."

What the hell? Why in hell would Jasper want to contact me so desperately?

"What did he say was wrong? Is everything okay?" I asked, suddenly flying into a panic as I wondered what this could possibly be about.

"He didn't explain much, but he did sound really anxious. He said it has something to do with Rosalie, but he wouldn't tell me anything else. She's been trying to call Emmett over the past couple of days too, but he just wasn't prepared to speak to her after what she did. Bella, Jasper told me there wasn't enough time, and he sounded so desperate that I caved and gave him your father's address. He's on his way there now, and I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up at your door in the next few hours. I'm sorry if I did the wrong thing."

I knew she was among the calls I'd chosen to ignore, and though I really didn't give a shit about her and her problems any longer, why would Jasper be concerned about her after what she did? Something must have happened. Something big. What the hell was Rosalie up to now?

"It's okay, Riley. If he's that desperate to talk to me so urgently, something must be up, so of course I don't mind that you told him where I am."

"Thank God!" he said, relieved.

"Well, I'd better prepare myself for my visitor...and thanks for the warning, Riley. And please...do me a favour. Tell Em what happened. Don't make the mistake of keeping secrets from each other...you've seen first hand what that can do to a relationship."

"Okay," he conceded. "I guess I felt a bit hypocritical after the lecture I gave Emmy. Here's me telling him to butt out, and the very next day I get more than involved."

"Sans fists, though," I said with a chuckle.

"True. Well you'd best get ready. And thanks again for everything. We'll see you soon."

We said our goodbyes and hung up, and I turned off my phone and headed in for a quick shower, rushing to be ready for Jasper's arrival. As I tied my hair up and quickly washed my body, nerves began to take over as I searched for a reason why Jasper needed to see me so urgently.

I dried myself in no time and got dressed in my jeans and favourite tee and black hoodie, feeling anxious about what Jasper's impending visit meant. Unable to wait without feeling as though I was about to burst, I decided to call Jasper and check where he was, but no sooner had I picked up my phone, than someone was pounding on the front door.

"Bella...someone here to see you!" Charlie shouted as I threw my phone on the bed and flew out of my room and down the stairs, wondering what kind of shitstorm, courtesy of the bitch that was known as Rosalie Hale, had now been unleashed...

A/N: Remember, reviews make me write faster, so please, show me the love!