AN: Happy Weekend! Thanks for all the love as always, and special shout out to: Monica, May, Maria, Heather and Ciara. Lucky to have you guys.

To those of you who haven't seen yet, Belladonna and TheFictionFreak have started posting their New York prohibition era fic this week. It's called Clean Sneak and Marie and Jo are absolutely killing it. If you're a fan of Peaky Blinders or thug/crime/badboy 'Wards, this one'll be right up your street. Check it out!

Anyway, have a fab weekend whatever you're doing. Think I'll go jerk off a little more, wbu? 😏

Chapter 15

Los Angeles.

Pastel pink sunrises and bloody red sunsets, heat bouncing off the sidewalks, tall palms lining the streets. I've been breathing it all in and soaking it up; the busy hustle, the feeling that there's always something going on.

It's different from the chilled, laid back vibes of home. I can see why my brother stays out here.

This morning I've woken too early and I'm antsy; counting down the days until I can see Edward again. It's not that I'm not enjoying myself, because I am… I just miss him. And I wasn't expecting to feel quite so cheated when we had to fly out earlier than planned, or my feelings for him to be quite this… strong. The constant feeling that I'm missing something.

That something being him.

Saying bye was hard. Walking away was harder. I'd almost felt embarrassed about how my voice wavered and my eyes filled with tears; except I know that he feels this between us too.

It feels good.

It's not like with Jamie when we'd have a bust up over the smallest thing and I felt like I had to try. All the time. Constantly.

Edward is just easy.

Everything is just easy with him.

Distractedly, I log onto MySpace, clicking on the link where it says I have a new wall message, my heart rewarded with a gift that makes me laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing at?" Garrett asks as he slips behind me, reaching into the fridge for milk.

"Nothing."

I make to slam the lid down because I know what he's like, but his large hand stops me.

"Wait—wait, is that you as a turtle?"

"Yup."

He lingers, looking at my laptop screen only for my elbow to dig into his ribs. He retreats to the other side of the kitchen to grab a mug and a jar of instant coffee.

"Why?" he asks.

I spin myself around on the breakfast bar stool, feet finding purchase on the chrome circle at the bottom, unable to wipe the smile off my face.

"Inside joke. You wouldn't get it."

"Who's the guy?"

I tuck hair behind my ear, tilting my head. "Edward. Jasper and Emmett's cousin."

"Really?" he's skeptical, staring at me with one of his eyebrows raised. I can feel my cheeks pink and I have to look away, and then I remember it's Garrett and maybe I can trust my big brother to impart some wisdom on me. If he has any.

I look down at my hands, nails painted an electric shade of blue to match my toes.

"Have you ever liked someone, and it just been really shitty timing?"

"So, you're… seeing him? Mom never said anything."

"Sort of," I admit.

His eyes narrow.

"Fine, yes."

"He gets you knocked up before you start college, I'll fly back to Vancouver and toss him off the I-5," he warns.

I think he's joking. Sort of. I'm on the pill, so everything is just… fine. Besides, it's none of his business.

"You sound like Mom. I'm not after a sex-ed lesson, Garrett."

"Probably because Mom's seen hundreds of teen pregnancies at the clinic," he gripes.

I glare because this is not helping.

"Sorry. I forget you're not a little kid anymore, begging me to play Barbies. Still can't believe you're off to college." He shakes his head and swallows a large mouthful of coffee. "Go on."

"College." I sigh. "He's in Seattle. I'm off to Northwestern…"

Garrett nods and runs a hand through his hair. Far gone are the days of him grumbling about showers; he's groomed now, in a rugged kind of way. Dark hair cropped, tan from the sun, pearly-white teeth that look suspiciously like veneers.

"Tough break," he tells me.

"Thanks for the award-winning advice," I snipe.

He raises his shoulders.

"Well, I don't know what you want me to say."

"Urgh, I don't know. I just… he asked me out a few weeks ago, and I said no. We hadn't known each other long, and with us both off in different places at the end of summer it doesn't make sense. I just think it's really unfair on both of us… that kind of commitment, when we're thousands of miles away from each other…" I pick at a nail. "But I really like him. Like really like him…"

I trail off, my voice catching in my throat.

He puts his mug down on the counter and scrubs his hand down his face.

"So, you need to make a decision, you either like him enough it's gonna be worth the distance or you don't. And if you don't, I'd suggest stopping whatever's going on before feelings happen. Cos feelings suck."

He puts it so succinctly, it's almost like he's slapped me in the face.

"You've still got what? Five—six weeks before you fly out? A lot can happen in that time. Just… figure it out."

"Now you sound like Heidi." I sigh and look out the window, straight out onto another apartment block.

"Who knew you were so wise?"

Garrett snorts.

"I'm not, I just say it like it is. Did it help?"

I think and suddenly I'm a whirl of stomach flutters and movements. Because I know what I'm going to do when I get back, but for now…

"Where are you going?" Garrett asks, as I retreat into the guest room, snatching up my cell.

I smile, and then I shut the door, leaning up against it as I scroll to Edward's number and hit the dial button.

There's relief when I hear him say 'hey'… his voice groggy and full of sleep. I can just picture him lying there, his sheets barely covering him.

"Bella? You ok?"

I realize I haven't actually said anything.

"Hey," I say. "Sorry. Did I wake you?"

"Yeah, but I don't mind. It's you."

It's you.

My heart thumps louder in my chest.

It's you.

"I got your picture," I say. "Made me laugh."

Edward's soft chuckle is right in my ear. "Good. Aim to please." He yawns and apologizes.

"Late night?" I ask, wistful.

"Nah, not really. I went round to Auntie C and Uncle Al's for dinner."

"How are they? I haven't seen them in a while," I say, moving to the window and peeking through the blinds at the sleepy neighborhood Garrett lives in.

"They said the same about you, actually. Asked how you were."

"They did?" I'll have to—"

I stop myself from saying, 'visit them before I leave,' and settle on: "Visit soon."

The last thing I want to do is remind him of the impending end of summer. I feel like it might taint the conversation.

"They actually invited you for lunch when you're back. They, um…. They know we're seeing each other. I don't know if that's… okay? I blame Jazz."

"Why wouldn't it be?" I press the cell closer to my ear, turning back to the bed and flopping down on it.

"I dunno."

He pauses and my stomach clenches at how unsure he sounds.

"I guess they've known you forever, so it feels… strange. And we're not… together, so I dunno… yeah. I dunno."

"It's not strange," I tell him.

"How's LA?" he quizzes, changing the subject.

"Awesome. I can totally see why you'd want to move out here. I didn't fully appreciate the last couple of trips, to be honest. Too busy being emo."

"Can't imagine you being emo, you're all… like… sunshine. Fuck, that sounds so—"

"Shhh. I like that. You think I'm like sunshine?"

I'm melting.

"You're just… happy and smiley, all the time. I like that."

"Come back to me when I'm PMSing."

"I hadn't noticed."

"That's because I've been running my birth control packs together," I confess, "So we can do stuff."

"Bella." He pauses and I can hear the rustle of sheets. "I'm not saying I don't want to do stuff all the time with you, because that'd make me a liar. But you don't have to do that. I'm sure I can handle you at your worst. You've seen me at mine."

My heart lurches, thinking about Edward and his comedown last week. We stayed wrapped around each other for hours, listening to him just talk all his anxieties out, his insecurities. And I told him all the good things he is…

He shouldn't doubt himself, because he's not hard to love at all, because… well. How can you be hard to love when you can make someone fall for you so fast? I didn't tell him that though, not out loud. Not yet.

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you."

He laughs, but I'm being serious. Hormones are a bitch.

"Look, I'll feed you chocolate and Cheetos and we can watch shitty movies all day. Think I can manage it?"

"Yeah, I do." I concede. "But I've still run this pack on, so there's not much you can do about that."

"I guess not. What're you doing today? Anything fun?"

"Um… Mom and Dad are going whale watching all day, so I think me and my brother are going to spend the day at Venice Beach and later on we're meeting his girlfriend for dinner in Santa Monica. She's been on some yoga well-being retreat since we got here."

"You never met her before?"

"He hasn't been seeing her that long. So, nope. His girlfriends have all been super bitchy in the past, so here's hoping he's finally got taste."

Edward's breathy chuckle makes me smile, and I urge him to tell me everything he's been doing, propping myself up against pillows. I listen carefully as he talks about Embry's project they've been working on, his almost run-in with the cops, and how the next few days he's going to be skating at a private indoor vert ramp in Portland. He's street skating at the X Games, but he wants to see whether he's up to skating vert. He says he probably won't, but he's energized and enthusiastic and I could spend the whole day on my cell just talking to him.

Reality knocks though, Garrett banging on the door, telling me we need to get going for the day if we're going to make the most of the brother-sister bonding time.

I hastily say bye to Edward, words on the tip of my tongue, bursting to come out… but I think he needs to hear them in person first.

...

"Sorry, she must be running late," Garrett says as he tugs at the collar of his linen shirt, pocketing his cell. "Must be the traffic or something."

"Are you sure you actually have a girlfriend?" I mock. "Are you sure she's not just a figment of your imagination?"

"She's real, you dork."

"Whatever you say."

I replace the strap of my heel around my ankle before picking up the menu. Silently, I'm wishing for burger and fries, but instead the restaurant is the type of that only serves refined artsy dishes that are smaller than my fist.

I eye the food on the table next to us, stomach rumbling. After the day spent at Venice Beach with Garrett, baking in the sun, playing frisbee, swimming, diving in and out of the shops along the boardwalk in my quest for offensive souvenirs, and watching the skaters at the skate park… I'm more than a little hungry and I wonder whether I'm going to have to sneak to the nearest fast-food place after we've eaten for more.

Garrett taps his hands against the table, full of nervous energy. Whether that's because of Vanessa running late or the prospect of her meeting us for the first time, I'm not sure, but it's odd to see him wound up like this.

Five minutes later a brunette with wavy hair and glossed lips appears, darting through the tables, carrying her bag in front of her.

"I'm so, so sorry I'm late; traffic was madness! Hope you haven't been waiting long." She leans down to kiss Garrett before straightening and smiling brightly.

"Not too long, babe. Dad, Mom, this is Vanessa."

Vanessa turns to my Dad and offers a hand, stacked bracelets jangling around a delicate wrist with a lotus flower tattooed there.

"Mr. Swan and Mrs. Swan, it's a pleasure to finally meet you!"

Dad is taken instantly. I can tell. He takes her hand, moustache twitching as he smiles.

"Call me Charlie." His voice is gruff, and I have to hold back my laughter. Definitely taken. She is super pretty though.

"So nice to meet you, Vanessa. We've heard so much about you. Just call me Renee, please," Mom says, smiling.

Vanessa turns to me and her eyes light up even more.

"And you must be Bella. I've heard so much about you."

"Hey." I raise my hand and wave, giving her points for not calling me Isabella. "I hope all good things."

"Definitely; this one was so proud of you graduating; we were gutted we couldn't come out, but he emailed me all the pictures your mom took."

"Aw, Garrett," I say, nudging him. "Who knew you were so soft."

"Shut up," he mumbles.

Vanessa is fascinating to watch because she's very much the opposite of the girls Garrett would bring home in high school: blonde cheerleaders. She's got a kind of new age hippie vibe going on—an emotional well-being coach, teaching yoga on the side. She talks fast, asks interesting questions and most of all, my brother looks at her with that kind of look in his eyes that I still catch my parents exchanging.

Love.

The word that's on the tip of my tongue when I think about Edward.

After we've finished our entrée, Garrett gets tense again, distractedly twirling his wine glass in between his pointer and thumb. He glances at Vanessa and she nods encouragingly, taking a sip of water.

"Actually," he clears his throat. "While you're here… we kind of… have some big news."

Dad pats at his mouth with his napkin, Mom taking a sip of her red wine, looking at Garrett expectantly. He scratches the back of his neck with his index finger, shifting in his seat and taking Vanessa's hand. She squeezes it as he laughs nervously.

"I know… This is fast and well—" He takes a big gulp of air. "We're, um—we're having a baby."

There's a beat of silence, as I try to process the words before I let out an excited little noise, somewhere between a gasp and a shriek.

"No. Way!"

Vanessa fishes in her bag, bringing out an ultrasound picture, glowing.

"Oh my God!"

She points out the little features to me—the head, the legs, the hand—and I stare at the picture, fascinated, before glancing at her stomach, still perfectly flat.

"Wow. This is—congratulations!"

I look toward Mom and Dad, still sitting in stunned silence. Mom's gotten a little teary. She reaches out so she can take the picture, nudging Dad, before reaching out to take Vanessa's hand across the table.

"I'm so sorry," she sniffs as she wipes at her eye with the napkin. "I'm just a little shocked. I wasn't expecting this; this is wonderful news." She flaps, getting up and moving round the table to give Garrett a hug. She embraces Vanessa too, rubbing her arms warmly.

"Sure you're prepared for this?" Dad teases, slightly more reserved. "Kids are no joke."

Vanessa and Garrett look at each other contentedly.

"I think we're ready for the challenge."

They grin at each other, and their happiness in this moment is everything.

"It was a bit of a surprise, not going to lie," Garrett says, with a cheeky smile, arm around Vanessa as the waitress brings our desserts over.

"I bet. Wow! I can't believe you're going to be a dad." I shake my head, still finding the idea surreal. I can't quite picture my brother with a baby, struggling with diapers and night feeds. Garrett's never been one to back down from a challenge though.

"Neither can I," he confesses. "Doesn't seem real at the moment but… definitely felt more real when we had the ultrasound last week, seeing it wiggle around on the screen."

"It's such a magical time," Mom agrees excitedly. "Are you finding out the gender? When are you due?"

"January the 24th. And we're not sure yet. Haven't really thought about it."

"No, we've been busy house hunting, actually. We still have some time to decide, but that's the more pressing issue at the moment."

"Agreed," Dad says. "Your apartment isn't suitable for a baby. Need a bit of a yard at least. No doubt the property market is a hell of a lot more expensive around here than back home?"

Garrett and Vanessa both nod in agreement. "It's insane. We've been looking around for a month or so but not found anything yet, looking further and further out of LA at the moment, but we've gotta balance the commute."

"Well, hopefully you'll find somewhere by the time baby arrives. Have you considered moving back to Vancouver?" Mom asks, wistfully.

Garrett's shaking his head though.

"I don't think so, Mom. We're settled here. Don't want to pile all of that pressure on ourselves because of the baby. Don't get me wrong, I'd never say never, but for now, we're happy here."

…

The airport is jammed. My legs jiggle, my hands twist, I haven't flown a lot, and the nervousness that always accompanies being in a metal tin hurtling through the air takes up all the room in my head. Even though I was on the plane here less than a week ago, the same worries are there. What if we crash, what if it gets hijacked, what if, what if, what if?!

I hold my cell tightly in my hand, texting Rose back as we snake through security. She hasn't texted often while I've been away, and has avoided answering anything about her mom. And it worries me.

I still need to have the conversation with my parents I promised her. They know, to a certain extent; they weren't blind or deaf at graduation. They were the ones who took her mom home after all, but they don't know what Rose told me.

Flicking through the travel guide as flight attendants march up and down the aisle directing people to their seats, I try to distract myself from the impending take-off.

Dad is sitting behind us, content with a book when I twist my head to look at him. Mom is sitting next to the window, opening the magazine on her lap, landing on an ad for baby lotion.

"I still can't believe I'm going to be a Grandma. I'm too young."

I stifle a laugh. "It's exciting though, right?"

"New babies always are. Gosh, when we found out we were pregnant with Garrett, that was a hell of a surprise too. Your Grandpa and Grandma Swan were not happy. Thought I was robbing him of a future." She sighs and smiles. "But we proved them wrong in the end. I have a good feeling about Vanessa, too."

"She's super nice," I agree. "I really like her."

Having spent the last few days together with her and Garrett shopping for baby things and helping them narrow down areas around LA that would be good for a young family, we got to know each other a little better. By yesterday evening I even sought her opinion on the situation with Edward.

"Sometimes you've just got to listen to what's in here," she said, her hand on her heart. "Sometimes love doesn't make sense, or it doesn't have great timing… but you'll know if it's worth it."

I'm brought out of my thoughts by the captain's voice, and the slow movement of the plane as it taxis to the runway.

Take off is never my favorite thing. Proof of that in the way I cling to Mom's hand.

"Always a bad flier," she says, once we reach cruising height and I've detached myself from her.

"Just not used to it. You know I don't like it," I mumble, running a hand through my hair.

"Oh honey, what are you going to be like when you're flying to Chicago on your own?"

Truth is, I hadn't given it much thought, but now I am. I groan. Time to get used to it, I guess.

I bite my lip, wondering whether now is the time to air Rose's problems to real grownups. I huff a little, trying to think of the best way to approach it, but Mom is already telling me to come out with it.

"It's about Rose's mom…"

The more I talk, the easier it becomes. Mom is, quite rightly, concerned.

"That poor girl," she sighs. "I mean, we all… we were aware things weren't great, graduation was proof of that. And now I feel guilty, I should've checked on her mom sooner but I didn't quite realize the extent..."

"It's not your fault. Rose has been so secretive about it. I had no idea until she blurted it all out. But… we have to help, Mom, she can't just carry on like this… it's like… a car crash just waiting to happen."

"Leave it with me, I'll talk to your dad and we'll figure it out. I have resources at the practice I can dig out too. We'll try and get her the help she needs."

...

By the time we reach baggage claim, I'm not in the best of moods. I'm hot, tired, and hungry. It's never a good combination.

Waiting for our luggage takes ages, and then when we're in arrivals I have to wait for Mom and Dad to visit the bathroom. I stand with our luggage in the middle of people greeting each other, pacing on aching legs, knowing I'm going to head to see Edward as soon as we're home. I wonder whether I can get Dad to drop me off on their way.

My cell vibrates in my pocket, and I smile when I see his name.

His message though, doesn't make sense.

Turn around.

I spin on the spot, eyes roving over the crowds. And then on tiptoe to help me see above people's heads.

"What are you doing?" Mom asks as she rejoins me, bewildered as my bag hits the floor.

"It's Edward."

"What?"

"He messaged me." I hold up my cell so she can read.

Mom peers around; as if he's actually here… I mean. He never said anything about coming to the airport. But if he has...

I'm looking everywhere, but I can't see him. I can't see him until I jump out of my skin as arms slip around my waist.

"Gotcha," his voice whispers in my ear.

I'm turning in his arms so fast, hit with a rush of his smell and his touch and just… him.

"Oh my God, what are you even doing here?!" But then, I don't care much for his answer. The only thing that matters is he is here. My lips are on his already, one peck, two, three, punctuating my next question. "How did you even know?"

"Wild guess." He smirks and his eyes are bright. "Nah, I googled, found arrival times on the airport website. Who knew they were so forward thinking?"

"It is 2006 after all. I can't believe you're here. I thought you were just trying to be funny, or something."

"I don't have to try to be funny," he laughs.

Mom and Dad hover.

"Hi again, Mr. and Mrs. Swan," Edward says, as I clasp his hand, still giddy, squealing inside.

"Edward," Mom leans in to give him a hug. "This is a pleasant surprise! Bella never said."

"I didn't know!"

"Well, I was hoping you'd think so." He takes a breath and smiles down at me. "I've actually got an ulterior motive for being here."

"You do?" I'm blank, curious as he slips his hand in his pocket and brings out tickets, a familiar logo on them. My eyes widen. Darting from the tickets in his hands to the right side of his mouth, pulling into a smile.

"No way!" I'm dancing on the spot, sure I'm about to combust. "Are you for real?"

"If it's okay with you, and you want to go…"

"What is it?" Dad says, looking utterly confused. "I've had enough surprises this trip."

"Warped Tour tickets."

He still looks blankly at me and I tsk.

"Like a festival. Spread over two days in St. Helen's. We went last year."

"So, do you want to go..." Dad asks, amused.

"Yes!"

"When is it?"

"Today and tomorrow," Edward says. "We've booked some rooms so we don't have to drive back overnight. Jasper, Alice, and Heidi are already travelling up there. Rose is working, but she says she'll try and make it tomorrow, and I know you're not working 'til Monday, so… I was kinda hoping."

"This is OK, right? I've got stuff packed anyway…" I turn to Mom and Dad, pleading with my eyes.

Mom beams, her hand playing with her necklace.

"It's fine. You go have fun. Just text us every now and then."

"Sorry to be stealing her away like this," Edward apologizes, but I know he's not really sorry.

"No, no, no," Mom says, "Go and enjoy yourselves."