A/N:

I love to see how invested you guys are in this story and that you enjoy reading this rewrite as much as I enjoy writing it!

Here's another time jump for you. About 3 years, and for those of you not keeping count, we've arrived in the year of 2016 :)

Title: Love is Strange

Author: MarieCarro

Beta: Alice's White Rabbit

Pre-reader: LunaEclipse

Genre: Friendship/Romance/Drama

Rating: NC-17

Summary: Bella Swan and Edward Cullen live in the small town of Ligonier in Pennsylvania. They've been best friends since they were six years old, and not much can keep them apart. Bella wants to leave small-town life behind, while Edward is fine with whatever, but that's not the only complication in their relationship. What happens when they fall in love … with each other?

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

CHAPTER 18

THINGS CHANGE. PEOPLE CHANGE

"How large of a piece are we talking about here? Is it front page or just a small side-interview?" Bella asked as she strode down the streets of New York toward the restaurant where she was meeting her dad for a bit of birthday celebration.

After six years in the city, no one could look at her and say she didn't look or act like a proper New Yorker. She easily navigated the crowded street while talking on the phone with Jasper, her feet keeping pace with the people surrounding her.

"It will be a large five-page editorial in the lifestyle section, and the photos have to be exquisite as they will tell a story by themselves," Jasper said.

Ever since Emmett and Rosalie's wedding, Bella and Jasper had gotten to know each other even more, and compared to some of his other employees, they were on a comfortable first-name basis. He had even confided in her once he'd confronted his parents—with the help of Rosalie, who happily accepted him as a relative—and he'd thanked her profusely for suggesting it.

Bella didn't know the details, but apparently, it had been a rather ugly confrontation where Rosalie's aunt and uncle just proved Jasper had been better off being raised by his adoptive parents in Austin. Since that day, they'd tried to mooch off his ever-growing name in the media business, but Jasper wasn't having it. He had flagged his own name to guarantee it was never mentioned in connection with Mr. and Mrs. Hale, and they were now properly feeling the burn of being shunned by the press, which wasn't exactly a good thing for socialites like them.

Now, Bella chuckled. "You're aware of who you're talking to, right?" she teased. "My photos are always exquisite."

"But of course," Jasper agreed and the smile in his voice was apparent. "There's a reason why I promoted you to Senior Photographer. I just wanted to underline the importance. There's already some buzz about this new designer and how she might earn a spot on the Top 20 list of luxury brands."

"Really?" Bella asked, surprised by that since she had never even heard of the brand before. She entered the restaurant and spotted Charlie. She waved at him, and then indicated toward her phone that she was just going to finish the call. "Isn't this the brand's first complete spring collection? And by the way, why are you giving me this assignment? Isn't that Ms. Dalton's job?"

"Usually, yes, but I've been invited to attend the show, along with most other media moguls in New York. I haven't had the time to tell Francine about this yet. I called you first, and I'll call Rebecca after. I wanted to be certain I got the best of the best for this one, and Rebecca's the best fashion reporter I have."

"Sure. So when's the show?" Bella dug through her bag for her planner and a pen. Despite most people going digital, Bella still preferred a physical book to write down her schedule in.

"Friday October 21st. Are you available?"

As Bella's reputation as a photographer grew, she was frequently booked for months on end, and she was booked that day, but was free on Saturday. Since the photoshoot wasn't a set event, she would call the arranger and ask if it was possible to reschedule.

"I'll have to make some calls and get back to you on that, Jasper, but I think I can make it work."

"Okay, great. I'll need to know by the end of the day, though. I'm sorry. I know it's your birthday and you have plans."

"No, I get it," she reassured as the workaholic she had become. "I'm about to have lunch with my dad, but I should be able to call around after that. I promise you'll have an answer tonight."

"Thank you. And Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"Happy birthday."

She smiled. "Thank you, Jasper." They hung up, and Bella went over to the table where her dad was waiting. He stood up and they hugged tightly. "Sorry about that," she apologized. "Work, you know."

Charlie waved her away. He was aware of how busy and sought after she was, hence the reason they hadn't seen each other in over a year and why he had decided to fly to New York to celebrate her birthday. "Don't worry about it, honey."

"No, really," she insisted. "We rarely see each other anymore, Dad, and I don't want our short time to be ruined by work. After lunch, I have one thing to fix, but after that, I've made it clear to everyone else that I am unavailable." She picked up the menu and perused it. "So how is everything at home?" she asked to change the subject.

She hadn't been in her hometown once since she moved to New York and so she had little information about the people she had grown up around. Especially as she and Esme spoke on the phone less and less as the years passed.

After Esme had told her about Edward's engagement, Bella had asked her not to give any more updates about his life, and as their conversations became shallower and leaned toward polite small talk, the phone calls became fewer and farther in-between.

"It's pretty much the same," Charlie replied and looked at his own menu. "Things rarely change in Ligonier. Although"—he put the menu back down on the table and smiled at his daughter—"you might like to know that Garrett and that girl you went to school with, Kate, got married this summer."

Bella's eyes widened. "Really?" Charlie nodded. "Wow. I would never have guessed that. He could barely stand her in high school."

"Well, people change as they grow up," Charlie said and looked at his menu again but not before giving her new hairdo a pointed glance. "You sure did."

She laughed quietly and ran her hand through the short tresses. "Do you hate it?"

"No, I think it suits you, but it's different."

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and since she was fairly certain it wasn't work, she took a quick glance at the screen and couldn't hold in her smile.

"Is that the boyfriend I've yet to meet?" Charlie asked a little bit too innocently.

"Dad, you know why I haven't introduced you yet. It's still very new."

He nodded in understanding. "True, but I'm here in New York now, and I'd like to meet the man who's responsible for that smile on my daughter's face."

She contemplated it a moment, and then conceded. "Fine. I'll see if he's available later today. But please, play nice. I like this guy."

Charlie held up his hands in surrender. "I wouldn't dream of scaring him away. You're an adult, Bells, and I trust your judgment. I just want to meet him."

Two hours and a few calls to reschedule the photoshoot later, Bella and Charlie arrived at the south entrance of Central Park, and on one of the benches, the aforementioned boyfriend sat waiting, a cigarette occasionally brought up to his lips. When he saw them approach, he stood up and smiled while stubbing out the butt of the smoke, and then offered his hand for Charlie to shake.

"Mr. Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is George Hale."

Charlie reciprocated with a polite smile, but he was already surprised that his daughter, who hated the smell of cigarettes, had chosen a smoker for her boyfriend. "Nice to meet you, George. It's reassuring to finally have a face with the name."

George smirked proudly and glanced at Bella. "Bella's told you about me, then?"

"Just in passing," Charlie clarified. "I've understood you just recently started dating."

The three of them started strolling leisurely through the park. As accustomed to the pulse of New York as Bella had gotten, she still made sure to wind down now and then, and she had taught George that it was okay to walk slowly at times. He was still working on it but getting better.

"Yes, sir. About a month back, although, I would have preferred it to happen sooner." He put his arm affectionately around Bella's shoulders, and she rolled her eyes.

"That's what you keep saying," she said and grinned. "Be happy I said yes at last."

Charlie chuckled. "Still being stubborn, Bells?"

"It's one of my best traits so why would I stop," she replied, and then elaborated. "George and I actually met at Emmett's wedding. He's Rosalie's older brother, and he's been hounding me for a date ever since."

"I wouldn't say hounding," George defended. "More like trying to persuade you. Thought it would have been enough to tell you about my books, but I was sorely mistaken."

"George is the author behind the pseudonym G.T. Haze. His novel Room 999 just struck a movie deal," Bella bragged for him since George was on the shyer side when it came to his writing, and he would never have told Charlie about it.

"Impressive," Charlie said, but he didn't really care about all of that. His only concern was Bella's happiness, and seeing how she looked at George was enough for him. It was obvious she really liked him, and it soothed Charlie's heart. Bella hadn't been in a serious relationship since Edward, and a part of Charlie had been afraid she would remain alone.

During lunch, Charlie had contemplated telling Bella about Edward, whom he knew more about than he let on, but after seeing his daughter with George, he decided against ripping open old wounds. Still, he wondered how she would take the news once she found out.

He didn't want to think further on that at the time though because he didn't want Bella to read his face and ask what he was thinking. It wasn't his place to tell anyway.

So for the time being, he pushed the thoughts away and simply enjoyed spending time with Bella on her birthday.

~~LiS~~

Bella buzzed the intercom at the entrance of the office building on 6th Avenue in the Garment District. Rebecca, the Chronicle's very own fashionista, was standing beside her while mentally going through the questions she was going to ask the designer of the new brand Alicia Hush.

They had set up a meeting a couple days before the launch fashion show to get more one-on-one time with Alicia and also to get a better insight into the designer.

As a fellow artist, Bella understood the designer's vision was very important, and she wanted to make sure she knew exactly how the photos represented the clothes in the best way possible.

"Hello?" a vaguely familiar voice said over the speaker.

"Yes, hi, we're from the Metropolitan Chronicle. We have a scheduled interview with Ms. Alicia," Bella said, as she was closest to the intercom.

"Come right up."

Just as Bella stepped off the elevator on the seventh floor, the door to the office was opened, and Bella was hit with a blast from the past.

"Alice?" she said, and the young woman's surprised eyes took her in.

"Oh, my God, Bella?"

Almost in a daze, the two of them approached each other and hugged. They hadn't seen each other in over eight years, and it was a little surreal to meet on a scheduled interview when neither of them had known who the other was.

When they parted, everything finally clicked in Bella's head. "You're Alicia Hush? Wow, that's great."

Alice smiled widely and invited the two of them inside her office. Rebecca was a little bit stunned that Bella obviously knew and was quite familiar with the subject of her interview but soon realized how that was to their advantage. Maybe they could get some info for the editorial the other magazines wouldn't have access to.

"Yeah, it really is. I started working on it as soon as I came back from Milan. It's a dream come true, really."

"When did you come back?"

"About two years ago."

"Really? I'm surprised Irina never told me that," Bella said, wondering why her former roommate, who she still considered a friend, hadn't mentioned Alice was back in New York. "Or that we haven't run into each other before now."

Alice shrugged. "Honestly, Irina and I didn't talk much when I moved to Paris, and when I continued on to Milan, we lost touch completely. And I had completely forgotten you moved to New York. I'd ask how you're doing, but considering you're here to take photos of me and my work, I think I'm safe to say you're doing well."

Bella let out a soft laugh. "Yeah, I'm doing all right," she agreed, and then introduced Rebecca.

From there, all three of them kept everything professional until the interview was over. However, when everything was wrapped up and Rebecca started toward the door, Bella lingered behind. There were still so many things she wanted to talk to Alice about but in private.

She turned around. "Are you scheduled for anything else today, or would you like to grab a cup of coffee? I feel like we have so much to catch up on."

"I have a few hours," Alice said with a smile. "My favorite coffee shop is just up on 7th. They have the best coffee in New York."

Bella and Rebecca said goodbye as the latter left, and then she and Alice walked in a somewhat awkward silence toward the café. It wasn't too uncomfortable, but it made it quite obvious the two women weren't as at ease in each other's company as they once were, and there were a lot of unsaid things in the air between them. They ordered their coffee drinks and sat down opposite each other in one of the booths.

"So was Paris and Milan everything you dreamed they'd be?" Bella asked to ease the both them back into conversation.

"Even better. I got to walk the same halls as the fashion legends of the world and listen to the experts. And the French are just as passionate as it's said."

"Yeah?" Bella grinned over the rim of her cup. "Any whirlwind romances?"

"More than one," Alice admitted without shame. "I dated a lot of European guys, but none of them were ever intended for long-term, so I proudly remain sexy, single, and ready to mingle." She winked and Bella laughed, happy to see some of the eccentric personality Alice had when they were teenagers was intact. "And you? You finally became a professional photographer. Does that mean all of your dreams came true?" The question was breezy and kind, but there was a certain tightness to Alice's jaw, and Bella knew why.

"Kinda, I guess," she replied without immediately commenting on the underlying tone. "Career-wise, I'm on cloud nine, but when you work as much as I do, your private life has a tendency to suffer. I'm sure you can relate to that."

"Do I!" Alice agreed. "So you're single then? No husband and kids hidden away in a penthouse apartment."

The scoff Bella let out was completely unstoppable. "What kind of life do you think I'm living? Out of the two of us, you are much more the penthouse type." Alice didn't say anything, still waiting for Bella to answer her question. "No husband, but I'm not exactly single. It's a very new relationship, though."

As they continued to drink their coffees, the two of them talked about everything that had happened in their lives since they last saw each other, and the atmosphere remained politely positive. It wasn't until they closed in on the past that the heavier subjects were brought up.

"Mom told me about your miscarriage," Alice said, and then grabbed Bella's hand across the table. Her expression was genuine, and she gave her a comforting squeeze. "I'm really sorry, Bella. It must have been very traumatic for you."

"It's certainly not my top ten moments," she replied solemnly. Bella considered herself completely healed, but a small part remained in her heart, and that part was terrified of even attempting to create a family one day in case she'd miscarry again. "But at the same time, I can't even imagine how things would have been if I hadn't lost the baby. With the way things were between me and Edward at the time, a child would have complicated everything even more. As morbid as it sounds, I think what happened was for the best," she said honestly.

Alice nodded and slowly retracted her hand.

"Speaking of Edward," Bella said, hoping to raise the mood back up. "How do you like your sister-in-law?"

"My what?" Alice asked in confusion, her eyes narrowed, but then she made the connection and her expression smoothed out. "Oh, you mean Maria? No, they never got married. Edward called it all off two months before the wedding."

Bella's heart skipped a beat. "What? Why? When your mom told me about their engagement, they sounded very much in love."

Alice grimaced. "Not really. If you ask me, their entire engagement was a sham, and honestly, I'm relieved they never went through with it. But the details aren't really for me to tell. If you want to know more, you should ask Edward."

"He and I aren't exactly on speaking terms nowadays," Bella said with a hint of regret in her voice. She would be lying if she said there weren't times when she missed him something fierce. No one had ever understood her like he did—Emmett had come very close, but wasn't quite there yet—and even though the end of their relationship had been riddled with miscommunication, stubbornness, selfishness, and an inability to listen to the words they said, Edward had always instinctively known what she needed. "Last time we talked was when I told him about the miscarriage. Actually, I'd be surprised if he didn't hate me by now."

"Believe me, he doesn't hate you," Alice reassured. "And you'll see that for yourself at the launch party."

"I will?"

"Yeah, Edward will be there. His law firm's transferring him to their New York office, so he's moving here in a couple days. He has to take his bar exam again since the state laws here are a little different but ..."

Bella didn't catch the end of Alice's sentence because her mind zoned out when it registered to her that for the first time since they left for college, she and Edward would be in the same city full-time, and her heart immediately started thundering in her chest.

But then, immense guilt washed over her as the part of her heart that would always belong to Edward started spinning fantasies in her head while she was still very much in a relationship with George, who she cared for a lot.

However, the onslaught of memories were impossible to stop, and she remembered all-too-vividly how passionate her love for Edward had been, and how she had reconciled with the truth that no man would ever live up to him.

All of this, and she didn't even know if Edward would be able to exist in the same room as she did yet. Still, at the mere thought of meeting him again and discovering if they were still the kindred spirits they'd once been caused butterflies to flutter in Bella's stomach, and she found herself feeling equally nervous and excited for that Friday to arrive.

A/N:

My beta knew the instant I brought Maria into the story that I wouldn't have Edward marry her :-P How many of you knew? ;-)

So, next chapter, Edward's making a re-entrance into Bella's life. What are your thoughts on that?

Until next week,

Stay Awesome!