Chapter 22 Part 1

The reviews last chapters ranged from 'that bitch!' to 'WTF!'. I had one person tell me it was over the top. Understandable. It was originally a soap opera storyline so y'all should expect that from here on out.

But this is TWILIGHT fanfiction (pay especially close attention to the FICTION part. Fanfiction from a set of books that showcased vampires, werewolves and werewolves imprinting on half-vampire babies. Clearly I'm not the only one over the top...)

Also a word about the Cullens. They're vultures. They are not a warm and fuzzy family. To outsiders maybe, after all they have to keep up appearances. Don't think for a minute they wouldn't turn on Bella whether they liked her or not if they felt the need to close ranks. Look at what they are trying to make their own flesh and blood do.

A big thank you to Sarah for her help with Denver details for this chapter and the next two. Any mistakes are mine.

Thank you as always to Team Harpy and to my 'Sunshine' for always looking out for my mental health.

To the lovely GR who is hellbent on trying to rattle me by sending me death threats, you won't win and I'm sorry you feel that way about anyone. If in the US, please think about calling 1-800-662-4357 , Australia 1300 22 4636 or if you are in the UK please call 0300 123 3393. They might be able to help you work out some things. May you find peace in yourself. And if my story triggers you that badly, for the love of God, STOP READING!

***E***

I'm almost late meeting them at the airport. For one, I've been racking my brain trying to figure this mess out. Secondly, we are flying Frontier and they don't offer first-class seating, not that Bella could afford that anyway. Might be a little snobbish on my part but I was raised with the finer things in life and that includes never flying economy. We have our own plane for Christ's sake.

I paste a smile on my face as I spot them and walk towards them casually trying to act like my entire life isn't falling apart. Even though it feels like it is. If I go with family loyalty and responsibility then this could very well be the last weekend I see Bella. My heart squeezes at the thought and her breathtaking smile directed towards me almost does exactly that.

She flies into my arms like we didn't leave each other just hours before. I hug her tightly to me and try to memorize her scent.

Just tell her the truth, my subconscious nudges.

"You're actually on time. I'm impressed." She pulls back and I reluctantly let her. She tugs me towards her parents.

"Renee, Charlie. It's great to see you." Renee is warm and gives me a hug but I sense a coldness from Charlie.

I decide to ignore it until he decides to say something and I go over to greet the guys, sitting with them until it's time to board. Bella feels my eyes on her and comes over, perching herself on my lap. We go over the set list and I keep my nose in the crook of Bella's neck most of the time.

"You okay?" She asks.

"Yes."

"You sure? Cause you're acting awfully clingy this afternoon. I don't mind but it's out of character for you."

Which one, I think bitterly.

"I just… love you." I manage a smile.

"I love you too." She kisses me softly… one, two, three times. She pulls back when she hears the intercom announcing our flight.

We're a flurry of activity as we board the plane and find our seats. Bella graciously lets me have the aisle seat. Behind us are Charlie and Renee, to the side of us Peter and Liam. Brady is the odd man out right in front of us sitting next to a random girl. She's cute so there's that. And Brady definitely notices. So far she is pointedly ignoring him.

The flight attendants go through their spiel and with our trays in their upright and locked position, we take off. I really want to lean my seat back but I can feel Charlie glaring a hole into the back of my head so I shift uncomfortably in the limited space.

I lean my head to Bella's. She cocks an eyebrow and removes an earbud.

"Why is your dad acting like I'm on his shit list?"

"I might have told Ma about you standing me up while I was still angry and she told Pops. They don't have secrets." She steals a look back at where they are holding hands and laughing as they look out the window at the very distant scenery. "I want that one day. Still laughing after so many years together. I think the key is love. And honesty and trust, of course."

Well, that ship has sailed...

"So how bad am I in trouble?"

"He wants to have a conversation with you. I'm sorry. I tried to talk him out of it." She crinkles her nose adorably. "I'll run interference."

"No need. It's okay." And it is. As long as he hasn't found out about who I really am, I can handle his ire about hurting his daughter by being a no show.

She leans her head onto my shoulder. "Thank you." She sighs.

"Anything for you."

We sit silently like that for what feels like the longest stretch of time but in reality is only about twenty minutes.

"Brady is pulling out all the moves." Bella giggles.

"To no avail. She isn't having it."

"I can't let him go down like that." She takes off her seat

belt and leans up in between the two seats. I watch her make instant friends with the girl and together they start to mock Brady but they are all laughing. Before Bella settles back next to me, Brady is deep in conversation with Maggie and she is coming to our show tomorrow night.

"You work fast."

"Brady needs to settle down. Peter has Charlotte and Liam has Maria. You have me." She states it simply like its fact. One plus one equals two. Pi equals 3.14159…

Edward loves Bella. Bella loves Edward.

Facts.

I spend the rest of the flight pondering things I know to be factual in my life.

I'm a liar. Facts.

I'm a CEO portraying a real estate scout portraying a wannabe rock star. Facts.

My family wouldn't accept Bella but would accept a gold digging barracuda who is blackmailing them. Facts.

My uncle is an 'accidental murderer'. Facts.

I might very well be taking the fall for his momentary indiscretion. Facts.

Angela makes my skin crawl and my testicles retract up into my body. Facts.

Bella is everything good in my life. Facts.

I'm gonna lose her. Facts.

She nudges me out of my trance. "Hey, buckle your seat belt. We're about to land. Where were you just now?"

"Right here with you." I smile.

The landing is a little less smooth than I am accustomed to but not too bad. Another bout of activity as we disembark and grab our luggage. We meet the cars; one for Renee and Charlie and one for the rest of us. Bella hugs her parents and we arrange to meet them for brunch tomorrow morning at their resort.

"So where are we staying?"

"The Grand Hyatt. Very fancy."

I wish we could stay at the family house here right outside of Denver but that might tip her off that something is amiss.

"Same room?"

"Of course. Gotta keep their costs down and all." She winks.

"We're being very fiscally responsible." I agree as I take her lips with mine.

She laughs into my mouth, then pushes me back. "Later, Lover." My smile dims a bit as Angela comes to mind but I shove it to the back quickly

We make the eighteen miles pretty quickly for the late Denver traffic. We get checked in but there is a hairy moment when the concierge flirts with me. I defuse the situation before Bella gets really riled up. I wonder fleetingly what would happen if Angela and Bella were ever in the same room. Then yeet that thought straight out of my mind because that would bring on nothing but a nightmare- literally and figuratively.

Bella is still ranting about it when we enter our room.

"Bella."

"What?"

"Why are you so mad?"

"Did you not see her drooling all over you?"

"No." Not a lie. I didn't notice.

She shoots me a look that says 'yeah right'.

"I swear! I find I have a hard time noticing anyone else when you're around." I sweep her into my arms.

"Only when I'm around?"

"No, I find you are never far from my thoughts." I brush a wayward strand of hair from her face.

She smiles and steps into my arms. "Well then, I guess that's good. Means I am doing my job right."

"I certainly have no complaints about your… prompt attention to my needs. Ten out of ten would recommend."

"You want to pimp me out to someone else, do you?"

I tighten my grip on her. "No. The thought of someone else touching you makes me physically ill."

"Well, I can assure you that I am a one man woman."

"So, you're mine?"

"I belong to me and me alone but I'm all about sharing."

I look her up and down. "I like sharing. More sharing I say."

Then I swing her up over my shoulder and she shares with me… all night long.

***E***

"All I'm saying is that I don't see where you're committed to anything or anyone."

Brunch is going swimmingly. The waitress had just brought our food when Charlie digs in… with me as the main dish.

"That is not true, Pops. I told you what happened that night?" Bella always has my back which I appreciate but she's not exactly running off of correct information here.

"Oh really? Tell me one thing he's committed to? I'll wait."

Bella flounders for a second. "His job, Pops. He is really dedicated to his job." She looks at me for… agreement? Support? I nod as expected.

"Great, you're datin' a workaholic."

"Charlie, let it go," Renee demands. "The kids have worked it out amongst themselves. It is not our place to interfere."

"She's our daughter and I'm not going to let her settle for an uncompromising dipshit."

"Charlie!"

"Pops!"

"Well, am I wrong, Masen?" Charlie demands to know.

"No, you're not."

"Masen, we can go." I feel her tug at my hand.

"Now, he's right. I'm not committed. Not like I should be." Her expression is pained.

I look at Charlie. "I love your daughter. More than I've ever loved anyone. And I know those might seem like hollow words to you but I mean it. If you think I'm a workaholic now, you should've seen me before. She makes me want to live more, laugh more, love more. I am hesitant to quit my job before this takes off. I need that security because I didn't have it growing up. But rest assured, the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt Bella."

"He knows that, Masen. Don't you, Charlie?" Renee's tone is slightly threatening at this point.

"He's got a lot to prove."

"But he doesn't have to prove it to you." Bella's voice is strong.

"He's just looking out for you,"I tell her in an effort to calm her down.

"I know that, Babe. But he doesn't get to insult you by calling you names. We Swans are better than that. At least that's what he taught me."

Charlie hangs his head. "You're right. I'm sorry Masen for calling you a dipshit. But I'm not sorry for looking out for my baby girl."

"No need to apologize. If I had a daughter as wonderful as Bella then I would be just as protective."

"I just want you to do right by her. If you're in this, you're in this. If you're not then let her go."

I swallow heavily. My brain is screaming to let her go. That's the right thing to do for her.

My heart is another matter altogether. The thought of letting her go made me struggle to breathe. How do I choose? Family or love?

I know I open my mouth to talk many times but no words are coming out.

"Masen, are you okay? Pops, you broke him. Are you happy now? Babe, don't listen to him. We are fine the way things are. What are you trying to do? Get him to propose? Back off, please. Masen?"

Propose? As in marriage? There's that word again.

"I need a minute. I'm sorry." I get up and flee the scene. My phone is to my ear as soon as I'm out of sight and earshot.

"Jared? Do you have a minute? I need to ask you a few questions."

Playlist- Leaving on a Jet Plane- Chantal Kreviazuk but I'm partial to Ben Affleck's Armageddon version.

Rude- MAGIC!

Who is Jared and what epiphany did Edward just have?

Answers soon.