Author's note: Thank you all for reading and reviewing. I truly love hearing your feedback. I know these characters are extremely different from the original but I wrote this with other characters in mind initially. I hope you all enjoy a step from the norm.

Disclaimer: Unedited.

…

"Forward

Best foot first just in case

When we made our way 'til now

It's time to listen, it's time to fight"

Forward - Beyonce ft James Blake

...

"So how are you and Bella?" Jasper asks, sitting in my office chair leaning back like it is his. I scramble around looking for the key to the cash safe while also trying not to think about the bad Bella endured this past month.

New Year's was supposed to be a way to celebrate a new start to us and Renee fucked it up. It's only been a couple of weeks and Bella seems to be fully recouped from the visit.

The first couple of days were hard and it was scary to watch her lose complete control. She walked around like a zombie. Her confidence was gone, her vibrant smile erased and her bright eyes darkened.

She barely ate or showered. She stayed on the air mattress even when it sank due to loss of air. She kept blankets around her and only muttered a few words. She completely shut down and I didn't know what to do other than to follow her around like a pleading puppy for her to snap out of it.

I know rehab taught her new coping skills but she reminded me of how she was after she was attacked, so guarded and unsure of herself. I assumed her shut down was the opposite of what they encouraged her to do. Shutting down was what she normally did but this time she had me to be there and comfort her. I stayed silent most of the time, made her food she may like and put dry shampoo in her dirty hair. I wasn't leaving her to do this alone again.

I shake the images of Bella out of my head and answer Jasper. "Things are good." I meant to say we are good because things are not good. Bella and I are fine but we both individually battle something bigger than the both of us.

"Dude, what is wrong with you?" His job is to read people and their body ques to tell if they're lying and he's good at it. He doesn't believe me, as he shouldn't. I wear my emotions on my face and he knows something is up.

"Aro called." I finally find my key and walk over to the safe. I catch a glance at Jasper as he thinks about what I just told him.

"About what?" He settles to ask.

"He has a job for me." I count the money quickly and stuff it in an envelope so I can take it to the bank. "He's coming to Seattle in April because something challenged him or some shit."

I'm annoyed talking about it now. Aro has never been one to back down and for my sake I wish he was.

"And you said?" Jasper is good at reading body language so as soon as he sees my shoulders slump he knows. "For fucks sake Edward, I thought you were done with this."

At the time, it sounded like a good idea to finally do one last favor for Aro and my debt be paid. But as I've watched Bella break into tiny pieces these last over the month and I can only imagine what would happen if she found out about Aro and my history with him.

"I need to pay my debt to him." I explain, "I need to end my ties with him and gambling."

"Does Bella know?" He asks, taking a few seconds to read my body language to know she doesn't and shakes his head. "I actually had hope for you both this time."

"It's not a good time. I'm going to tell her," I say honestly. I will tell her when the time for her is right.

"Do you have a plan?" Jasper's type A personality is shining through. There always needs to be a plan and end goal. I have no plan but my end goal is Bella.

"I just need to do this and be done with it." That's my plan and it sounds like a horrible one.

"If you're going to do this, you need to make sure you win or have a back up plan."

Jasper's doubt in my ability to win is offending. The casino has never been his scene but he's seen me play and win.

"Maybe you should talk to your dad." His suggestion is also offending but I get why. If this goes wrong, Edward Sr will be able to bail me out, again.

I haven't talked to him in months which is abnormal. We're doing two different things in two separate cities. He's almost three hours away in Olympia and I would have to make an appointment to even have a phone call with him.

"And you shouldn't go by yourself," he says following me out of my office.

I roll my eyes because Jasper isn't the first person I would choose for a partner at the casino.

"You should ask Tanya." He doesn't try to whisper as we walk past Tanya's booth.

"Ask Tanya what?" Her voice is annoying as she sets her magazine down.

My irritation for Tanya has grown since she disrespected Bella. She's only here because Bella told me not to fire her but she is on thin ice and I think she knows it. She's stayed away from me and Bella when she does visit the shop.

I shake my head but Jasper continues anyway. "Casino visit in April." Sometimes I think Jasper is crushing on Tanya but I know he wants to be on her good side because he is interested in her cousin.

"What's my cut?" This is the most Tanya has spoken to me since almost firing her.

"No." It's better off if no one gets involved. I shouldn't go alone but she isn't my first choice either.

She rolls her eyes. "C'mon, the shop could use some more upgrades and I could use a raise." She's trying to make light of the situation but it only annoys me.

"I'll talk to you later Jasper." I mutter, moving past them both. I have errands to run and I want to get back to Bella.

I walk to my car quickly and drive to the bank trying to keep my thoughts on my girl but the fact that I don't have a plan and need to come up with one quickly clouds everything.

There's only two ways this could go. I could win and it all be done or I could lose and owe even more to Aro. Either way, I have to keep Bella safe so I have to at least try for the first option.

Keeping Bella safe means keeping her away from the casino. I would love to have her as my wing woman again but that would mean talking about her last night stepping foot into a casino and that's something we've never done.

Tanya is my only option if I want this to work quickly and not have to bring anyone from the outside in. She's good at flirting and distracting which will aid in my game. I just don't want her to think it puts her in any position above Bella and it never will.

Thinking about April being almost three months away gives me a headache. I just want it to be over so I can put everything behind me and be who I truly am with Bella.

After I finish depositing my cash into the back, I go to the grocery store to get some of Bella's favorite things. Chips, cookies and some kind of herbal drink that she absolutely loves.

"Edward?" A familiar voice calls.

My body unconsciously tenses as I turn slowly to face the voice. My dad stands in front of me in an all black suit with a red tie. He's not smiling but he's not unhappy either.

I haven't seen him in a few months, not intentionally though. I finally understand what he meant when he said running a business is a twenty four seven job.

As a kid, I just wanted my dad around especially after my mom passed. He ran one of the top firms in Olympia at the time and when he wasn't doing that he was in the courtroom or boating with colleagues. He had no time for a whiney teen because he was making sure the second love of his life, work, was thriving.

Now, I don't have time to rekindle a relationship that should have been perfected years ago because I'm making sure my own loves of my life are thriving.

"Hey Dad." I can't wave at him because of the items in my hand and I didn't get a basket. "What are you doing here?"

He looks nervous. "I was in the area."

My eyes narrow and I immediately call bullshit. What could Forks have that Olympia doesn't? There's nothing here but small restaurants, convenient stores and family owned shops.

"Truthfully, I was getting something customized for the firm." He holds a receipt up for proof but it still doesn't explain why he looks so nervous. The last time we were together ended well and there aren't any bad feelings between us that I know of.

"Oh," I chuckle and adjust the items in my arms. "Well it's good to see you."

"Good to see you too, you should come by soon. I heard Bella has been in town."

He must have been talking to Jasper.

Even though he was a witness at Bella and I's wedding, he didn't support us after the wedding and was able to go through loops so we could divorce quicker. He said some nasty things to Bella and about her. After the accident, he felt Bella was just in the way of me making money because at the time, I was helping to keep his firm afloat.

"She is." I keep my voice low since we are in a public space. "Let me know when you have an opening so I can come by."

I move to walk past him so I can finish doing what I came here for. As I step to the side, he steps with me so I can't go around him. We stand awkwardly staring at each other. He continues to look like someone is following him. I am starting to get pissed off because if something is wrong, I would like to know.

He steps closer to me, looking both ways before speaking. "Aro called," he whispers but his voice still feels loud.

My dad has represented people all over the United States, including the Volturis. Whether they had committed the crime they were accused of or not, they were always able to get out of it by the persuasion of Edward Sr.

If Aro is reaching out to my father then this underground match he is arranging must be more dangerous than I thought. It means there is a potential for trouble and he needs a backup plan.

"I assume he also contacted you."

"Not here." I am stern because it is always possible that Aro has someone watching us. Also the small neighborly grocery store isn't the best place to talk about this. Luckily there's not too many shoppers or employees around.

"I just need to know you have a plan and tell you that I am here to help." He tries to whisper.

"I have a plan." It's a lie but I'm working on it. All I am concerned with is keeping Bella safe.

He nods. "You should come by soon. Bring Bella."

"She's staying out of this." I am defensive as he mentions her name, remembering the things he once said about her.

"You're going to have to tell her about this eventually if you want her to stay in your life this time." His words hit hard because they are true.

I only nod because arguing with him would be foolish.

There's a chance that despite everything I have done and continued to do can be forgiven when this is over. There's a chance Bella could still love me after all of my faults and damage I have inflicted. There's a chance she will be able to move forward with me when all of this is over.

What if keeping her safe is telling her so she can choose how she wants me to handle the situation. Maybe she is safer knowing than being kept in the dark. She is strong and obviously knows how to take care of herself but I still worry about her. I want to protect what's mine and she is mine to protect.

I've failed her before but I won't do so again.

…

Author's note: Do you all think he should tell her everything? Would you want to know? Thank you all for reading! Please leave a review to tell me what you think (: