Naaaawwwww you guys are so sweet! I love how y'all love these two together! I also love hearing y'all's own travel details from your own trips to Paris or Italy!

Next stop, Greece!

Just a side note; today is a rough day for me. My mom passed five years ago, today, and it's been really difficult for me over the last few years, because I was her caretaker throughout her illness. People always say that you'll adjust to a new normal after a parent is gone... I don't know what my new normal is. I went from taking care of my mom to taking care of my dad just after she was gone. Anywho, but writing has made me feel a little happier. Not sure why, but I guess I can get away from my own world and dive into another one. Not that my story worlds are happy places, because most of the ones I've written since then have had a lot of difficult subject matter... It makes me scratch my head in wonder.

Anyways, I just want y'all to know that being here, doing this for y'all to read and then haring your feedback, really helps ease my nerves for a while. So, thank y'all!

Chapter 13 - Ciao

BPOV

I hate saying goodbye.

I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.

But Edward has work to get back to, and I've got a plane to Greece to catch.

"Stop with the face. You're making it harder for me to leave for my terminal." Edward says as he puts an arm around my shoulders while we walk through the airport after we've checked in for our flights.

"Sorry. I just hate saying goodbye. It's jus-" I start saying, but my phone ringing stops me, and I pull it out and see Rose calling.

"Hey Rose. What's up?" I answer as we continue walking.

"Hello, my dear. I wanted to call and give you some updates before you're off again to beautiful places." She says in her official agent tone.

"Ok, shoot." I tell her as we find a spot to sit and wait before it's time to separate.

"Well, Disney got back to me, and you're locked in for the lead character!" She tells me, excitedly, which causes me to almost lose my shit.

"Seriously?!" I squeak, then start doing a little dance in my seat because I'm so fucking excited for this project.

"Absolutely! Read-throughs will start in another month, once they start getting the rest of the cast nailed down. Ummm…" She hesitates, which is never a good thing. "I sort of showed them the video of you and Edward singing while you were back home, you know, just to shoot the point home that you've got the voice they're looking for… and they kind of asked about Edward…" She trails off and I'm a little shell-shocked.

"Wait… what? What does that mean?" I turn and look at Edward with wide eyes.

His eyes turned concerned at my tone.

"Well, they asked if he was new to Hollywood, since they'd never seen or heard of him before. And when I told them he's from your hometown, they asked if he was signed and if I would know if he'd be available… for you counterpart in the movie…" She trails again, and I'm not sure what to say about that.

"Uhh… ok, wait a second. They want him just based of that video?" Edward's eyes bug out and looks at me questioningly.

"Yeah. They loved his voice and how well you two complimented each other. They thought, if it was possible, that it would be good for the chemistry of the characters in the film if the people voicing them already had a good repertoire. I told them I'd pass along the request but that he may not be interested since he's not in the acting scene in Hollywood. So, you know, talk to him about it, see if he's even remotely interested. You never know, this could be something big." She says, and I'm still kind of in a haze from this information.

Never in a million years, would I have ever thought Disney would want me for a movie, much less have seen a video of me and Edward singing together and wanting him, too.

This is surreal.

"I'm… just trying to wrap my head around this. When do they need an answer?" I ask, because I'm pretty sure Edward's gonna need a hot minute on this one.

"Two weeks, at the very latest. They'd like to know sooner, so they can make sure they've got everything lined up in time. I know this was out of left field, but in all honesty, I think this would be a great project for the two of you to do. I'll let you go cuz I know you've got a plane to catch soon. But, talk to him and let me know what he decides." She says, and we hang up.

Slowly pulling the phone from my ear, I look over at Edward and see that he's still got a concerned look on his face.

"You're freaking me out a little right now, Bella. What's going on?" He asks, taking my phone and putting it back in my bag for me because I'm still a little in shock.

"Ummm, Disney wants you to do this project with me…" I tell him, cautiously.

He opens his mouth, only to snap it shut again, then repeats that process several times because he obviously is at a loss for words.

"Rose showed them the video from that night at Prohibition and they loved both of us together. They thought, since we've got a good relationship and sing well together, that it would be good to translate to the film. It's just an animated voiceover you'd be doing." I tell him, hoping that'll, at least, ease some of his anxiety over this.

"Wow… Ok… Do I have some time to think about it? I mean, this is just so unexpected and I'm not sure what to do here." He says as he runs his fingers through his hair and pulling on it.

"Yeah, of course. They said they'd want an answer within two weeks. If you don't wanna do it, we can tell them no. It's not a huge deal if you don't, and it's not gonna effect anything between us, so don't worry about that. It's only if you want to do it. I don't want you to feel pressured." I tell him as I rub my hand along his back.

He seems contemplative for a few moments then turns to look at me.

"Like I told Jasper, I'd only ever do something like that with you. Hollywood and all that, just isn't my scene. I'm just a simple guy from the south that enjoys singing every so often with his gorgeous girlfriend. I never wanted to pursue anything like that, myself." He says, and I narrow my eyes at him playfully.

"Girlfriend? Where? I'll kick her ass!" I act like I'm gonna get up and run off to find her, but he yanks me back down into his lap.

Yeah, I like this spot right here.

He laughs as he wraps his arms around me, squeezing me to him. I wrap my own arms around his shoulders and hold on to him, because I know we're gonna have to say goodbye soon.

"You know, I guess I never did ask you to be my girlfriend, did I? I just assumed, since we kinda fell back into our old ways." He says with a smile on his face.

"Weeeelllllllll… I guess I could be persuaded into it…" I tease, running my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

"Persuaded, huh? I'm sure I can find some way…" He's got a glint in his eyes, and I know exactly what way he'd like to persuade me.

Sadly, we don't have that kind of time.

"Hmmmm, I'll have to take a raincheck on your persuasion tactics. But, just so you know, the answer will always be 'yes'." I give him a pointed look so that he knows that I mean more than just being his girlfriend.

I wouldn't hesitate in marrying this man, at all.

He's what I want for forever.

"Always?" He asks with that hopeful look in his eyes as his hand rubs at my hipbone.

Looking him straight in his eyes, with every ounce of my being I tell him, "Always."

I hear them start calling for passengers on my flight, and my heart picks up a little at having to leave him now.

"I've gotta go." I whisper, leaning my forehead against his.

"I know. It's not 'goodbye', though. It's 'I'll see you soon'. You'll be home before you know it." He says as he pulls back.

I sigh, knowing he's right, but it doesn't make it any easier leaving him, again.

"You're right. This was a treat, on so many levels. I just don't want it to end." I stand up from his lap and grab my carry-on bag. Looking back up at him, I reach up and kiss him. "I love you. And I'll see you soon."

"I love you, too, gorgeous. I'll see you soon." He kisses me again, three times.

I smile, knowing with his kisses that he's saying he loves me again.

I turn and walk to my gate, turning and blowing him a kiss before I'm out of sight from him.

/-/

There's always something beautiful about a ruin.

The Roman Colosseum and the ruins around it were incredible. And now, looking at the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, it feels much the same. That, even after so much time has passed, and after so much has happened to them, they're still standing, despite their damage.

I've got that in common with them.

It hit me yesterday while I was sitting on a bench, looking at the Acropolis and the Parthenon. They've been through hell and back, and yet, they're still standing proud and beautiful. Both beacons of strength and perseverance, of survival.

Now, I'm back today, with my notebook, writing another song that I found inspiration for, here.

I'm on a roll with songs the past few weeks.

I've got another full day here before I head back to L.A.

I sigh thinking about that.

I honestly don't want to go back to L.A. at all. I'd rather just go straight home to Charleston. But I know I've gotta get things figured out with my house and start packing and all that jazz.

Rose did call a couple days ago and said she'd found a realtor for me. So I'll get my house listed soon enough, and hopefully sold quickly.

Jasper called when Rose let it slip that I was moving home. He first told me he was going to miss me like crazy. Then he told me he was gonna be a regular house guest cuz he was gonna visit me as often as humanly possible.

I called bullshit because I know for a fact that he'll be staying with Alice when he comes to Charleston. And he knows it.

But I digress.

I feel my phone vibrate from my bag and reach in and check to see that I've got a message from Rose.

Are you able to make a pit-stop back home before you come back to L.A.?

I stare at the phone, wondering what's gotten into her and why I'd need to go back to Charleston before going back to L.A.

Which I don't mind doing, since I was literally just thinking about that… but still…

I call her instead of messaging her back, because something's up.

"Hey, Bells." She greets me, but I can hear the stress in her voice.

"What's going on, Ro? Why are you wanting me to go to Charleston before I head back?"

She's quiet for a minute, but when she speaks in a quiet voice, it leads me to believe she's around other people.

"The shit hath hitteth the fan…" She says cryptically.

I think for a second, then it snaps into focus.

"Oh shit. What happened?" She's got my full attention now.

She's quiet again and I hear shuffling on her end.

"Ok, sorry. I had to get somewhere a little more private and away from prying ears." She says then takes a deep breathe. "Those women came forward. They've got lawyers, and they've just made a joint statement against him. They went to the police with their stories a couple weeks ago and told them what happened to them, asking for an investigation and an arrest of Hunter. It's been gaining steam over the last week or so, and I didn't want to call and ruin your trip. But I didn't want you to come home and walk into a snake-pit. Because we all know this is gonna be huge over the next… I don't even know how long. I would love to just tell you to not come back to L.A. at all and I'll send you all your stuff, but I know you wouldn't go for it."

"I'm sorely tempted to do just that. I really don't wanna get in the middle of this shit, but I have a feeling my name's gonna get dragged into it anyways." I rub my hand over my face. "This is gonna be a shitshow, isn't it?"

She sighs and says, "I'm afraid so, honey. This is why I didn't want you here when it all came out, but I didn't know when they'd do it. I was hoping the sooner, the better. But we'll deal with it as it comes."

I groan and start thinking about what to do. Maybe a week or so will be enough for the initial shock of the whole thing to wear off.

"I'll check with my mom and Edward. I'm sure I can crash back home, somewhere. Do you think it's gonna matter once people start putting my name in the mix? I mean, it's been about five years, the statute on my case won't matter in this, except to prove a history of previous attacks. I doubt they'll be able to do anything about my case." I tell her, remembering now that there's a statute of limitations on cases like mine, and if I remember correctly, it's five years.

At this point, he won't be able to go to jail for what he did to me.

But he can for other women he's attacked, and if that's all we can get, it's at least something.

I'm not happy about him probably not getting any sort of punishment for my attack, though.

It actually pisses me off, a little.

Ok, a lot.

I just wanted him to pay for what he did to me. The timing of these women coming forward isn't ideal, but hopefully the cops will listen this time.

Then maybe James can finally take it in the ass by some greasy, hairy, muscled up dude name Carl, in prison.

It would serve him right.

He'd probably like it, though.

Asshole.

"I know, honey. And you're right, they'll use your case to prove a history and pattern. I know it's not fair that you probably won't get retribution for what he did, but I'd like to think if he goes to jail for at least something, it'll be worth it just to see him finally go down." She tells me, and I know she's upset, too.

I sigh again and say, "Ok, so I'll go home to Charleston for a little bit. See how bad things are blowing up when I get there and we'll go from there."

I hang up with Rose, and stare back up at the Parthenon, thinking about the fact that it, too, had things blow up in it's face, literally, and it's still standing strong.

/-/

Pulling into Edward's driveway, I see him poke his head out of his workshop that sits just beside his garage, and smile at seeing me.

I step out of the car and am engulfed in strong arms.

"Welcome home, gorgeous."

A/N: Ok, some more information in this chapter. We'll see where things go in the next chapters.

Leave me some love! You know I love hearing from y'all!