Most of you think he's faking it and you would be correct. I had one person ask me how you can go to an ER with no ID and get diagnosed if you don't actually have it. Have you ever tried to fake being sick when you were a kid? And not many hospitals can refuse to treat you no matter if you have an ID. Couple that with paying cash and doing whatever you can to make your vocal cords swollen (singing at the top of your lungs, etc) it can be done. He's duplicitous, that Edward...

Anyway, let's see the tables turn a bit.

**E**

I'm in my family's study awaiting yet another meeting with Grandfather when Alice arrives. I smile at her as she sets down her bag and settles in the chair perpendicular to mine after grabbing a croissant.

"How was your weekend?" I ask, taking a break from the accounting report for last month's revenue.

"Better than yours." She smirks, taking a bite.

"You heard?"

"Better yet, I was there to see you stand Bella up. Thank God for Jasper." Her voice takes on a dreamy tone.

"What is it about this guy? Bella was going on about him too. Saying I should be worried."

"Well, he did ask her out." She eagerly parts with this piece of gossip.

I sit up straighter. "He what?"

She rolled her eyes. "She turned him down which I think makes her crazy. About as crazy as your fake illness. You really wasted a good ER room?"

"I had to do something."

"How about telling her the truth? There's an idea."

"You know why I can't."

"Well do you know how exhausted I am from keeping your little secret?"

"That's the price you pay for being my confidant." I laugh knowing she asked for this just a little.

"You do know you don't deserve Bella, right?"

"Excuse me, but did I request a lecture? Here I am just going over revenue reports, waiting for my meeting with Grandfather which will be in just a minute… so ciao baby." I then pointedly ignore her.

"I think it's disgusting how you are going to break her heart." And she keeps on going.

I sigh and look at my watch. "And… your time is up. Grandfather will be here so I need to finish preparing my notes."

"It's like that, huh?" She stands up. "Well, make sure you ask him about his guest on Friday. From what I can tell everyone really loved. Meeting. Bella."

My head snaps up so fast, I think I pull a tendon in my neck.

"Bella was here at the house?"

Alice giggles. "That's right."

"Oh, I know what this is. This is something you cooked up to get one over on me. It's not funny." I huff.

"It's no joke. She met the whole family. She met Ed and Elizabeth and your mom and dad and James and Victoria and Riley. She already knew Emmett who has a big crush on her by the way. Seems everyone does really."

"I don't have time for this." I pull at my hair a little.

"Look, she called me looking for you but she couldn't find you because you had scheduled a last-minute meeting out of state."

"I know where I was." I snap.

"So I invited her to come stay with me. And I had to drop off that paperwork to Ed because I'm such a great employee."

"Alice…" I bite off my words and convince myself that killing her would not be prudent. "How could you do this to me? You know what's at stake here and not just with me but with my family. Because I've lied to Bella, I mean, she must hate me. She will never let me explain now. And my family. Oh God, Grandfather is going to… next time I need a friend, I'll summon up Hitler."

Alice laughs.

"I didn't mess anything up. You saw Bella Saturday night. Did she say anything about meeting your family? Everything is okay, nobody knows anything."

"So this is a joke? Are you punishing me, is that it?"

"No, it's not a joke but Bella doesn't know who you are and the Cullens don't know you know Bella."

"Wait a minute, I'm lost." I rub my temples.

"That's because you are living like Clark Kent but without the good deeds. You're more like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

"Tell me plain and simple without the editorials, without the histrionics, what happened." I hiss.

"Okay." She hisses back. "I kept your little secret and I have to tell you, it was not easy. I had to keep her attention away from pictures and make up these stories and sidestep and you want to know the worst part of it? I like Bella. You know, this might be hard for you to believe but I actually feel terrible about lying to her and so should you."

"So, let me get this straight… Bella was at the house but who is she?"

"She's herself. She's Bella Swan, manager of the Idle Rich. I mean, the problem is not who she is, the problem is who you are, remember?"

"Yeah."

"See that's the problem with deception. You always have to remember who's who and what's what."

"Thanks for the tip."

"You should be thanking me because I worked very hard to pave the way for you to work everything out. Even though Bella did tell me she doesn't go for men with money. Sorry." She breaks out into peals of laughter.

"When did she say that?"

"When we were watching Sweet Home Alabama at my apartment."

"You're killing me. This is great. You've killed me. You've dug my grave."

"I've made things simple for you. Open your eyes. I introduced Bella to the family. She liked them and they adored her. All you have to do now is tell her who you are."

"Is that all?"

"Yeah."

"Just tell her the truth, just like that."

"Tell who the truth?"

We both turn and look at Grandfather who's just entered the study, Grandmother in tow.

"Um, no one. We were just teasing each other." Alice lies.

"Oh well, to hell with it. I want to know where you've been. I've just about had it with your disappearing acts every other day." He finally notices Alice even though she just spoke to him. "I'm sorry, my dear. Please forgive me for my outburst and for not greeting you."

"Oh, it's okay."

"That was an astounding woman you brought to the house. Edward, have you met Alice's friend?"

"I think they would really like each other, don't you?" Alice simpers.

"Who wouldn't like her? She's beautiful to look at and she is a whiz at numbers. A little outre in her dress of course but a remarkable young woman. You must bring her back to see us again."

"Oh yes, do bring her back." Grandmother implores.

"I will, I promise," Alice responds with a devious look at me.

"Shouldn't you be on your way back to the office now?" I hint.

"No, please stay. Edward, surely you can let her visit with me while you talk with Ed."

I look helplessly at my grandmother. Lord knows I can't tell her no.

"Of course." I reluctantly agree.

Alice happily settles right next to Grandmother's wheelchair and starts chatting. I am trying to block it out but it's next to impossible to not hear what is being said.

"She's a breath of fresh air, that Bella."

"She is." Alice agrees.

"It's just such a shame about her presentation."

"Her presentation?" Alice falters.

"Of herself, Dear. Her nails, the leather, the personal style. It doesn't make the best impression."

"It's kinda part of her charm, Mrs. Cullen."

Grandfather snorts as apparently he, too, has been eavesdropping. "We didn't call it charm in my day. It's all a question of background. Plus that exposure to that whole rock and roll scene. Vandals and idiots, all of them, pretending to be musicians."

"What are we talking about?" I feign ignorance.

"Your grandfather was rather rudely criticizing one of Alice's friends."

"I like the girl enormously, I was just deploring her background. You were the one that was criticizing her ridiculous fingernails." He accuses.

"I was merely commenting on Bella's somewhat eccentric tastes. A young lady is better served by a more subtle approach."

"Well, that young lady would be better served by sticking to her talent for numbers and figures and abandoning that whole punk rock scene."

"Ed, punk rock is passe, I thought everyone knew that?"

"I guess my friend, Bella, is just a little too cutting edge for everyone." She laughs weakly. "Edward, would you like some coffee?"

"No, thank you. Now, Grandfather, back to…" I try to divert the conversation.

"Tell the truth, Ed, you'd be singing a different tune if Bella was involved with jazz rather than rock and roll." Grandmother interrupts.

"Well, naturally, as jazz is a thinking man's music."

"Oh, bologna. Musical preference has little to do with intelligence. Good taste, on the other hand, can be acquired which is all I was suggesting as far as Bella is concerned and if you weren't so narrow-minded you'd recognize that."

"I am not narrow-minded. My tastes in music are very eclectic. I learned to love the Beatles, didn't I, Edward?"

"Yes, Grandfather, we managed to drag you kicking and screaming into the 21st century." We all shared a laugh at his expense.

"Ha, ha, ha. Very funny."

"Oh really, Ed, your relationship with rock music began and ended with Johnnie Ray."

"Who?" Alice wrinkles her nose.

'The little white cloud

That sat right down

And criiiieeeedddd.' I sang.

"At least Johnnie Ray cut his hair." Grandfather blusters while ignoring my musical outburst.

"Ed, I love you dearly but you are turning into an old poop."

"I took you to watch that band Saturday night, didn't I?"

I shoot an evil look at Alice? My family was there? She won't meet my eyes.

"Only under duress."

"I still did it."

"I'm sorry, I do have other meetings to get to, so can we hurry this along?' I suggest.

"Yes, yes. Let's go into my office and let these ladies gossip."

I follow him out with a warning glare at Alice who rolls her eyes. We go over the budget and revenues and adjourn no worse for wear.

I come back to grab my coat to see Alice staring out over the gardens.

"I told you."

She startles and looks back at me. "You told me what?"

"That they'd never accept her. Not as she is and I don't want her to change. Not for me. Not for anyone."

"If it came down to it, who would you choose? What would you choose? Bella or your family? Your position at Cullen, Inc or Masen Whitlock?"

"Alice, if I had the answer to that, I wouldn't be in this predicament," I say sadly, as I grab my coat and leave.

***E***

I slam my phone down on my desk and drop my head in my hands. Bella is ignoring all my calls, sending them directly to voicemail. I know she's mad but I haven't talked to her since the ER on Saturday night and it's Tuesday now. We normally talk every day. Granted she thinks- or doesn't think- that I am able to talk and her distaste for all things technical are making things a bit difficult.

Not that I would even know what to say if she did answer. I don't apologize to anyone, especially not women I'm dating. Hell, I didn't even apologize to Kate and we were married.

Maybe I can send her flowers and some diamonds. That's what has worked before but Bella isn't like most women and I don't see expensive gestures working on her. Then there's the whole Masen doesn't really have that much money issue …

I tug on my hair, making a face when it comes back sticky from my pomade. I smooth it back in place.

Think, Edward, think.

What does Bella love?

Me, though I am sure she is wondering why right now. Pasta. Her family.

Brooklyn.

She loves Brooklyn. And New York.

I pull up Google and type in New York Jewelry.

Images upon images pop up and I click on one that leads me to the Jared's site. I'm overwhelmed by the choices and I think about asking Alice for help but she's been less than helpful lately so I'll go it alone.

I spot a Brooklyn Bridge one and I put it in the cart. I choose the bangle. Done.

But then I see a pasta charm. And I add it to the cart.

Then I see a music note. And I add it to the cart.

A family one. Added.

Oh, but I need little beads to separate the charms and I choose little jewel studded hearts. Six of them. Added.

Seven hundred and twenty-three dollars later, I arranged to pick it up at Jared's on South 38th street.

Come hell or high water, Bella will talk to me tomorrow night.

**B**

I quickly throw on my robe and rush to the front door. "Hold your horses. I'm coming, I'm coming."

The smile dies on my lips when I see a nervous Masen on the other side.

"Did I know you were coming?"

"Would you have been home if you knew I was?" He asks. His voice is still a bit hoarse.

"Probably not," I admit.

"Can I come in?"

I hesitate.

"Look, just for a minute and if you don't want me to stay, I'll leave."

I open the door in response and he passes by me. I turn to face him once I've closed the door.

Neither of us says anything.

"Well this is stimulating conversation but I'm really tired so…"

"I love you." He blurts.

A sarcastic retort hovers on my lips but I stifle it, mashing my lips together tightly.

"I know my actions prove otherwise at times but I do. So much it scares me. I've never felt like this before. For anyone. Not even my ex-wife."

"Then why?"

"I didn't plan on it. Maybe you are right and it was psychosomatic. I freaked out. I'm sorry."

He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small square box.

"You can't buy my forgiveness. It and I are not for sale."

"I'm not." He hesitates when he sees my eyebrow cock. "Okay, maybe a little. I'm a little out of my element here."

"You haven't made girls mad before? Cause I find that highly unlikely."

"No, I have, I just never cared to try to fix it before."

"Before what?"

"Before you."

Suddenly, I'm exhausted so I sink down on my couch. It's exhausting trying to stay mad at Masen when I love him so dang much.

I pat the space next to me and he eagerly joins me, setting the box on my coffee table.

"You can't do that to me again," I say.

"I won't. I promise."

I nod at him then nod towards the gift. "What is that?" I try not to let my distaste show. I hate people spending money on me and there is some fancy wrapping on that little square box.

He grabs the box and hands it to me. I unwrap it then cautiously open it and gasp at the charm bracelet. My head jerks up to look at him.

"You got me the Brooklyn Bridge?"

"Among other things." He takes the bracelet from me. "We have the Brooklyn Bridge to represent New York, your favorite place on earth. Then there's pasta because it's your favorite kind of food. Family because yours means so much to you. A music note because it represents your dream. And the hearts represent my love for you." He places the bracelet on my wrist.

"I can't accept this. It's too much." I object.

"It didn't cost that much."

"The box says Pandora. I may not Google like you and the rest of the world but I have stepped into a jewelry store before, thank you very much. This had to have cost hundreds."

"You're worth it."

"I'm not saying I'm not worth it. I know my worth. But you can't afford to buy me things like this and I don't expect you to."

"You're my girlfriend and I have never bought you anything. You wouldn't even let me help with the recording studio or the CDs or any of the promotional costs."

"You bought me groceries." I point out.

"And the only reason I got away with that is because I screwed you into submission. Now, I'm all for doing that right now if it gets you to accept this gift that I painstakingly picked out by myself. No help. That's a big deal for any guy but especially me. Alice usually takes care of all my gift shopping. But I wanted this to mean something. So will you please accept it?"

I look at the bracelet. I really do love it.

"Yes. Thank you. Just please don't make this a habit, okay?" I'm talking about more than the gift but I don't elaborate.

He leans forward and his lips hover over mine. "Okay." He breathes before kissing me. I drink him in. I haven't kissed him in over a week and I feel the anger I was holding onto seep out of my body. He moves me to straddle him and I comply, feeling all kinds of delicious things as our lower bodies ebb and flow together.

Like lightning, the energy changes from languid to fervent and I'm being lifted up before being placed down onto my softer mattress. His shirt is being torn from his body. He stands up to remove the rest of his clothing, the rustling muted with my heart pounding in my ears. He settles back in between my legs, kissing everywhere his mouth can reach. His hands deftly untie my robe and he opens it up like I'm a gift. Then his mouth goes down, lower then lower still until I can't breathe under his expert ministrations. My hands grab his wild hair and I pull harder and harder to egg him on. The pain only serves to fuel him as he vigorously brings me to completion.

I fall over the edge in an intense wave of energy and just as I'm just about to relax, he sheaths himself inside me and I build right back up again until I'm left on this ledge that I can't fall off of as he keeps me there, running me through again and again. I buck against him in little jerky motions. My breath comes in quiet, high pitched gasps. I nonsensically grapple for the comforter beneath me, trying to hold on to anything to keep me grounded.

He stops.

"Masen!" I yell in frustration.

He laughs but I can see he is dying to let go as well.

"Tell me you love me."

"Wha?"

"Tell me you love me." He grits out, his teeth, his whole body clenched, to keep from finishing.

"Please," I beg.

"Tell me you love me and you forgive me." He demands, his voice almost harsh.

"I love you and I forgive you." I pant. Just please, I scream in my head.

He starts pounding and pounding me into oblivion in a rutting, desperate and violent finish, my screams ricocheting around my otherwise silent apartment. He collapses on top of me for just a minute but moves ever so slightly to the side so he isn't squishing me.

We both lay there, catching our breaths. My throat feels sore, so I know I screamed more than I cognitively thought.

"God, I hope my neighbors were out."

Masen laughs.

"I love you, too." He says.

"That's just dirty pool, Dude."

"I use what weapons I have at my disposal."

"Your penis is a weapon?"

"Of mass destruction."

"As long as it isn't one of ass destruction, I can handle it." I giggle.

"I don't like I've ever heard you curse before."

"I don't normally but I'm delirious," I admit. "I have to get cleaned up and in a better position." I groan.

"Stay there. I'll be right back."

I hear him dart into the bathroom and running water. He is back quickly and I jump when he cleans me up and then himself before settling me up near my pillows. He tosses the washrag in the floor and cuddles up beside me.

"When do you have to leave?" My eyes are slowly losing their battle with sleep but if he's leaving soon I don't want to waste time with him by sleeping it away.

"Not until morning. Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

The last thing I remember is his lips to my temple, humming a Damien Rice song to me.

Playlist:

Just the Way You Are- Bruno Mars.

Try- Colbie Caillat.

Sleep, don't weep- Damien Rice.

Yes, Edward does use presents and sex to avoid the issues. Yes, Bella is naive and blind as hell. Flawed characters are my thing.

Just so you know, I'm not trying to drag this on forever but you have a while to go before she discovers his double life. So much more has to happen first. So buckle up, Buttercups!