Chapter 38

"I'm so glad you're here," she whispered, wrapping him in her arms. She loved the feel of him. She buried her nose into his neck and breathed deeply.

It had been far too long since she'd last seen him. It didn't help that their conversations were always stilted and awkward since he had confronted her about the stupid interview.

She was so glad he had decided to come.

"I've missed you," he said, burying his face into her hair.

"I have too. I've missed this," she said, placing a soft kiss on his lips. He smiled and she stepped away and allowed him into her suite. It was expensive and luxurious and as soon as he stepped into the living room she realized she didn't need anything in here.

She had grown up a humble small town girl and it surprised her how easy she got used to the glamorous lifestyle.

Somehow it all seemed too much when he walked in; reminding her of their simple lifestyle with his ripped jeans and wrinkled oxford.

He placed his bags down and sat on the sofa, rubbing his hands on his jeans. She felt nervous. He was anxious about something and it scared her.

They had just started this fragile make-up and she would never forgive herself if she ruined it before it even had a chance to blossom again.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," he said and she swallowed hard. She took a seat on the loveseat across from him.

"Should I be worried?" she asked cautiously.

"No. No, I mean, maybe. Not really," he stuttered, stopping to take a deep breath. "I just, um, wanna let you know that I'm ready."

"Ready for what?" she asked, unable to follow his conversation.

"Look, I realize it was stupid of me to be angry about the interview. It's my fault. I, I didn't want the media to know, but I can't get angry if they make assumptions. I just… I don't want them to make assumptions anymore. I want everyone to know your mine," he rambled. His hands went to his hair and she smiled. She recognized the tell tale sign that he was nervous and maybe a bit embarrassed.

She felt giddy with relief. She lifted herself from the sofa and practically launched herself across the short space. She straddled his lap and placed soft kissed on his face.

"I've always been yours," she admitted, running her hands through his silky soft hair. He smiled.

"I know. I just want everyone else to know too."

"It won't be easy. There will be a lot of scrutiny and media pressure. Are you sure you're ready?"

He sighed. "Not really. But I'm better prepared for it this time around. We're going to get caught eventually, why not it be on our own terms."

"I like the way you think, Mr. Cullen," she said and kissed him softly.

…

"What are you doing?" Edward asked, shocked and uncomfortable.

The make-up artist sighed in frustration. She hated working with civilians.

"I'm just doing some contouring," she explained, posing her brush.

"W-What is that?" he asked. Edward was not made out for this. His hair had been combed, snipped, sprayed and gelled in order for it to behave. He had gone through numerous stylists, who pinched and prodded and insulted. Now he had to deal with a stuck up makeup artist.

It's not that he was opposed to makeup, except for that fact that he was.

"I'm just highlighting your face," she patronized. He knew she gave the simple explanation.

"I don't want—"

"Look, just trust me okay. You're going to be under some harsh light. There's nothing gay—"

"I'm not—that's not—just fine, whatever," he grumbled, angered at the woman's assumption. She smiled and continued brushing different types of powder all over his face.

It was light, but he felt like his face was covered in gunk. He was already regretting his decision to do this.

"Okay, Mr. Cullen. When we give Cindy here the signal, she'll escort you on set. Just follow her on and take a seat next to Isabella. Is that clear?" some producer or assistant or whatever asked him, treating him like a small child.

He rolled his eyes. He was sick of being talked down to and treated like a simpleton. He may not be part of it but he understood how everything worked. He'd been with Bella long enough to know how the ropes were handled.

Granted he wasn't use to getting air time. He was the blurred spot behind her in the tabloids. The brief mention of a name.

The story was never about him.

That was how he preferred it.

"Yeah, I got it," he grumbled, taking a seat on the leather seat in the dressing room. He watched Bella's interview from a screen, nerves making his palm sweat.

"So Bella there seems to have been a misunderstanding the last time you were here," Irina said after the break. Bella laughed and her blush lit her cheeks.

"Yeah, well, just a small one," Bella said, her fingers curling on her lap. Edward knew she was nervous too.

She wasn't nervous about being on TV. She was nervous about the information she was about to reveal. So was he. It was a big step. But there was no backing out now.

"And I seem to understand it's something to do with your Dark Side costar?" Irina asked. The cat calls and hollers from the audience were enough to send a flame of red across Bella's cheeks.

"Riley has been an amazing friend and he's truly great to work with but I think it seems that people have been getting the wrong idea about us," Bella answered in stride.

"So you're saying the dating rumors are false?" Irina asked, setting up the moment.

Here we go, Edward thought, getting ready to take the stage.

"Well, about that…" Bella began.

No I haven't given up on this story. I hope the same can be said for all of you guys. I'm sorry I've been gone so long but I think I just needed to take a break and focus on some RL issues. I did manage to write a more chapters for this story and I'm hoping to finish before the end of summer.

So if you haven't given up and are still reading, I thank you. Don't forget to let me know what you think…or yell at me for being gone so long. I deserve it.

Hopefully another chapter tomorrow.

-T