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.
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~~Edward~~
"I know, please try. I hate that you think there's no other way for us, please..." my fingers slowly wrapped into her hair, and I lowered my face to hers.
I used all my willpower, my training, everything I'd learned over the last three years. I became the character, but in my mind I wasn't just about to kiss my character's girlfriend. In my mind's eye, it was Bella's lips I was about to consume.
Even during the act itself, visions of Bella flitted through my head; her sitting in the bar, the look on her face when I played the piano at Laurent's, her face blushing that delicious crimson as I kissed her cheek. Bella.
"Cut! Print! That was fucking brilliant guys. Let's move on to scene twenty-five," instructed Marc, breaking the silence instantly. The crew proceeded to move to the next scene set-up.
Rosalie pulled herself out of my arms. She stood, breathing heavily, like me, staring. Her face was impassive. I snapped myself out of it, brought myself back.
"Have you looked at the publicity schedule yet?" she asked. Surprisingly, she sounded genuinely inquisitive, no hint of sarcasm.
"No." I answered.
She continued to stare. "Can we talk before we do the next scene? In private? Please."
Rosalie's uncharacteristic use of politeness intrigued me.
"Sure."
We proceeded to walk off the set. I was cautious and curious. Just then Rosalie's make-up artist approached.
"I need ten minutes!" Rosalie snapped.
I smiled apologetically as the makeup girl backed away. So much for the brief glimpse of Rosalie's politeness. I now doubted Rose wanted to talk to me to apologize for the way she acted last night, for her rudeness towards Bella.
Rosalie was headed for my trailer. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, so I walked up to hold the door open for her.
We stood inside facing each other.
"I spoke to Marc this morning and he said he'd be happy to reschedule the car scene for when we get back."
"Really?" I raised my eyebrow waiting for her to get to the point.
"So, we can leave for LA this afternoon, instead of tomorrow. I've planned it all, I've had the flights already changed." she stated.
I took in a deep breath. I waited. I knew it was coming, something she wanted from me.
"There's a party you need to attend with me, tonight."
I didn't respond. I was numb.
"Zafrina Yolanda is going to be the next big thing in Hollywood. Royce manages her. The party is going to be the place to be tonight. We need to be seen there, together. I think you should wear that Gucci suit - "
I turned away from her, enraged. She has no fucking idea! Selfish, delusional!
"Edward! This is as much about your career as it is about mine. You know what it's like: one false move and we're done, old news. Looks and talent fade Edward; we need to be seen, we need to shore up our personal profile so we can continue to get work, as individuals."
Don't lose it. Stay calm.
"Is that what Royce King, your all knowing manager told you to tell me? Are they his words of wisdom for surviving in this cut throat industry? Are they, Rose?" I closed my eyes, willing myself to calm down.
She doesn't know any better; she's being fed poor advice, and she's only nineteen. Fuck!
"I will go to LA on that flight this afternoon but I will not be attending any party with you." I stayed calm. "I don't see the point, Rose. We're not together; we will never be anything more than co-stars. I will not continue to perpetuate the belief that we are together. Not after your display last night in front of Bella. Never again. I will continue, as I always have. I allow my manger to make decisions based on reputable information to advance my career. I will actively seek acting opportunities based on my desire, my ability and my need to be fulfilled in my working life. I will not play the Hollywood game Rose. I'm not a puppet. I'm not an accessory for you to use to enhance your personal profile. I will not be manipulated for someone else's gain, not willingly."
I didn't need to open my eyes to tell she was fuming. I heard the latch on the door and she was gone. At least she didn't slam the door.
I sat, pulling angrily at my hair, trying to calm myself. This is so fucked up.
I looked at my iPhone on the table and pushed the home button; there was a voice message.
Bella!
~~Bella~~
I pulled into a parking bay at the front of the Forks Police Station. I'd already stopped in town to buy groceries, because on my previous visits, Charlie practically lived on pizza, beer and dinners at the diner. I wanted to cook him a meal, and re-connect with him. I hadn't stayed with him since I was eighteen, five years ago - the longest stretch of time between visits, ever.
Light misty rain fell, but it wasn't cold. I locked the car and walked slowly up the stairs and inside.
Everything looks exactly the same.
I was standing just inside the doorway when a tall officer, with short dark hair and a very cheeky smirk walked behind the counter. He was holding a steaming mug in one hand and a bundle of folders in the other.
"Hello, can I help you?" His tone was pleasant enough, but he was seriously checking me out. I almost laughed out loud. I could only imagine how ragged and disheveled I looked, remembering the knotted and frizzed state of my hair.
"Hello, I'd like to see Charlie Swan please." I stepped forward to the counter, and read the embroidered name on the breast of his uniform - J. BLACK.
"The Chief is really busy right now," he said authoritatively. He gestured with his head towards my dad's office in the back. I could make him out through the old horizontal venetian blinds that were a little askew. His back was to his desk and he was on the phone, his legs propped up against the windowsill.
"I can assist you with whatever you need," said the officer. He looked toward my chest. His innuendo was not lost on me, but I couldn't help smiling. He was young, he was cute, but he obviously had no idea he was talking to his boss's daughter. I thought his flirting was pretty unprofessional considering he was an officer of the law.
"No, that's OK; I'll wait for Chief Swan."
"Are you from England?" he enquired, leaning forward slightly, a puzzled look on his face. He had obviously picked up on my accent, but he was way off on the geography of its origin.
I smiled. This may be fun.
"No, I'm from Australia. I'm Bella."
He contemplated and then his face turned puce and he straightened his stance and coughed.
"Um, Bella...Swan?" Yep, he's mortified.
"Yes, and you are?"
"Officer Jared Black. I'm sure the Chief won't be long. I'll let him know you're here when he's off the phone."
"Thanks Jared. I'll just wait here," I said and turned and sat on the little seventies wooden framed sofa. There was a pile of old magazines on the table. I flicked through, sucking in a painful breath as the second on the pile had a picture of Edward on the cover.
It was nearly twelve months old and he looked younger, but it was obvious that the photograph was airbrushed. I internally laughed. Why would anyone feel the need to fuck around and manipulate his skin? His beauty was obvious but the picture had nothing on what he looked like in real life. Edward's pose was pretty contrived, and he looked uncomfortable. I couldn't help but think back to Angela's glorious photo of Edward on stage. Then I closed my eyes and I remembered how Edward looked at Laurent's; how he had been so comfortable and happy while he played the guitar.
I heard Jared cough.
"Excuse me, Bella? The Chief is off the phone, do you want to go in?"
"Yes!" I was suddenly very excited. I dropped the magazine on top of the pile. Jared held open a little swing door at the end of the counter and knocked on Charlie's office door.
"Chief, you have a visitor," he called as he opened the door. I walked by Jared and stood beaming as Charlie slowly looked up from what he was reading. His surprised reaction was priceless.
"Bells!" He jumped around his desk and scooped me up in a fatherly hug, a hug that I had missed so much, easily lifting me clean off my feet and squeezing me too tightly as he spun me around.
"Hi dad, surprise!"
"When did you get here, and why didn't you tell me you were coming?" He placed me down on my feet then his face fell. "Is something wrong? Has something happened?"
"Chief, I'll be out front," said Jared meekly. I heard the door close behind him.
"No, dad, everything is fine." Just a little white lie. "I missed you and you said you couldn't get away, so I thought I'd come and see you." God, it's not like I can just blurt out that I'm in love with Edward Cullen and he's dating a supermodel actress and I can't deal so I needed to get the hell out of Vancouver. How pathetic.
"You should have told me Bells, I haven't set up your room. I don't have any food in the house and it's in a bit of a mess, so-"
I cut him off. "Dad it's fine. I already stopped by the store and bought some things for dinner. I can set up my room and clean before you get home; really, I don't mind. I've been so spoiled in that hotel, it will be nice to make myself useful."
"I can't believe you're here. I have so much to tell you, to catch up on. I wish I could leave now, but I still have some things to do. If I'd known... "
"I'm staying for the weekend; we'll have lots of time to catch up. If you give me the key I'll go and settle in then we can have dinner and talk tonight. I've missed you."
He grabbed me in a hug again. "My little girl is all grown up." He sounded sad.
"Dad, I..."
"Now, now, just ignore me being all sentimental. I'll get the key." He released me from our hug and walked behind his desk. Pulling out his keychain, he unhooked a single key from the collection and handed it to me. "I'll try and get away early."
"OK," I smiled. "You're looking good. You look...I dunno, different somehow?"
He smirked at me. "I am different Bella. We have so much to talk about. I'll see you at about four."
"OK, see you then." I stood on tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "Love you," I smiled as I walked out, remembering how he used to get coy when I said such things.
I continued out and through the swing door, passed the counter and glanced at Jared. "Nice to meet you."
"You too Bella, I hope you enjoy your visit." He sounded like a professional officer now. His clipped tone had taken on an authoritative edge.
I laughed. "I will! Bye Jared."
~~Edward~~
The flight had been bearable, so far, and only because I had been listening to Bella's Aussie playlist and because I insisted on being seated as far away from Rosalie as was physically possible. That wouldn't last for long though. I knew as soon as we landed we'd be whisked off in a shared car to meet with Heidi to go over our schedule. Rose can go to hell, there's no way I'm going to some bratty socialite's party so she can be 'seen' with me.
Four days with her. Four days of purgatory, trying to be civil. This is going to be harder than any acting job.
My mind kept hearing Bella's voice. I needed to hear her message again. I got up from my seat and went into the restroom, switched my iPhone out of Airplane Mode and I dialed into my saved voice messages:
'Hey Edward. I'm sorry I didn't call you back last night. Forgive me? I hope you got my note? Um, so I'm away from the hotel for a while. I just wanted you to know that...you can trust me. I'm not going to say anything; you don't have to pretend with me. I'm so glad we're still friends, right? I mean you said things won't change, you're not the type of guy that ditches your friends when you start...um, you know, seeing someone? Anyway, I'd say have a great time, but that probably goes without saying. Bye.'
I closed my eyes. Her voice sounded light, happy. The only time it faltered was in the middle of the message '...you can trust me. I'm not going to say anything; you don't have to pretend, with me.' Just there, her voice was quieter, softer. She sounds hurt, thinking I've lied to her, thinking that, all this time, I've been with Rosalie.
It made me nauseous that she had interpreted my words about our friendship not changing in relation to Rosalie, when what I really meant was that I wanted to be her lover, her best friend, her everything. I wanted it all to be with her; I was her soul mate.
I remembered back to the night I told her that I don't get involved with people I work with. I told her because I didn't want her to assume what everyone else in the world did, that Rosalie and me were an item. My relationship was Rosalie was a working one. The fact that the media wanted to allude to an off-screen romance was beyond my control. In Hollywood, all publicity is considered good publicity. Having a pseudo romance was good business, it kept the focus on the film, kept us on magazine covers, had people talking, building up to guaranteed box office records. Even now, this whole trip to promote the DVD release of our last movie was all about increasing sales, lining the studio execs pockets with greenbacks.
I could protest all I liked, but really I was just as much a part of it as Rosalie or Royce or any of them. I'd chosen this career with my eyes open. I had only started to question the ethics, or lack thereof, after seeing Tanya play the game. It was even more prominent now when I compared this part of my fucked up existence with Bella's genuineness.
Bella thinks I'm going to have a 'great time' with Rosalie over the next four days. That couldn't be further from the truth.
The seat-belt sign illuminated with a ding. The pilot announced we were descending into LAX. I reluctantly switched off my phone and put it in my pocket before walking back to my seat.
During our descent I closed my eyes and took in some deep breaths. I could only imagine the number of paparazzi waiting to photograph us when we got through to the terminal; especially if Royce King had anything to do with the flight change. I would do what I always did. Look straight ahead, walk around them, not look into their lenses if I could help it. Smile only at the fans that'd been waiting to see me.
I needed to be focused. I had a job to do. I couldn't let my feelings for Bella, or my anger at Rosalie, seep into my working day.
After sitting stationary on the tarmac for what seemed like an eternity, we finally taxied in and exited the plane.
Emmett led me through to baggage claim.
"Edward, the cars are out waiting by gate fifteen. We'll make a run for it as soon as your bag comes through, OK?" stated Emmett, in his assertive professional voice.
"Cars?" I inquired.
"Yes, Rosalie asked for a separate car this time. I'll be riding with you to the hotel," he explained.
Thank God! It would be easy to get along with Rosalie in front of the media and fans, but when it was just us, even with our entourage, she wouldn't hold back, she would be like she always is with me, like she was this morning - demanding, bossy and bitchy.
"Am I not meeting with Heidi?" I queried.
"No man; unless you plan on going to that Hollywood party, you have the night free. You're meeting with Heidi tomorrow."
This is what Emmett's job was really about. Getting me to and from the set each day in Vancouver was a breeze, compared to what he was going to have to endure with me now, and for the next four days; stopping the paps from getting too close, hovering when I signed autographs, being ready to pounce on anyone that touched me inappropriately or who got too excited.
"Emmett, I don't want to stay at the hotel tonight. I want to stay at my condo," I told him.
"Alright, but please don't argue with me about this tomorrow, Ed. John will have my balls if he finds out you're not staying there, you'll need to be at the hotel tomorrow night. OK?"
"Sure, I'll be there tomorrow," I reluctantly agreed.
As we waited for the bags I noticed some women staring and giggling. Then I caught sight of Rosalie; she was staring at someone too. I looked across to see she was staring at Emmett.
He was oblivious, of course, as he spotted our bags and easily grabbed both. I hope she's not going to keep on at me about firing him.
Then I spotted Felix, hauling Rosalie's large Louis Vuitton suitcase in one fluid motion. I locked eyes with her and she smiled sweetly at me. So infuriating!
Emmett led me through the terminal and guided me out. The flashes started; the shouts for me to look. I'd never felt so utterly void in a long time.
Focusing on seeing my mom, dad, Alice and Jasper got me through the ordeal and into the car.
As soon as the car started moving I turned my phone on and dialed Bella's number. I almost wanted to throw the fucking thing when I realized she still had hers switched off.
I called Alice.
"Edward, have you spoken to Bella yet?"
"No, she left me a message. Alice, I've just landed. There was a change of flights."
"You're here? Do mom and dad know?" She sounded excited.
"No, I wanted to surprise them. I don't suppose they'd mind if I just show up for dinner tonight?"
"Of course they wouldn't, Edward. Jazz and I can be there at seven."
"Alice, you haven't told them about Bella, have you?" I wasn't surprised by her silence.
"Alice!"
"I'm sorry. You were going to tell her how you felt. I was sure that she'd feel the same. I should have waited. I'm so sorry Edward, I really am." I couldn't blame Alice. It was my hesitation that had fucked up the situation. I wanted to talk about what Jasper had told me last night, but I knew he'd kill me if I said anything.
"Do they know of the misunderstanding?" I asked.
"No, they assume you're together."
"Well, Alice, you better set them straight before I get there, OK? I don't want mom planning a wedding at this point," I laughed, but it was a shallow unhappy one.
"OK, I will. We'll work it out Edward; it'll be fine, you'll see. You just need patience."
"Patience, and the whole bottle of dad's Dewar's. See you all at seven."
~~Bella~~
I cleaned the entire house within an hour. The only room I didn't touch was my room. Everywhere else in the house was tidy and vacuumed. I walked up the stairs to the linen closet, pulled out some sheets but they were musty smelling, so I went back down to the laundry and placed a load on.
When I finally did walk back up the stairs, vacuum cleaner in hand, I was awash with emotions.
This had been my room since I was a child. Back then I thought it was big, huge even. Coming to Forks was always a novelty, exciting to see my dad, be somewhere familiar yet foreign. Back then, even the fact the house had a staircase was thrilling. I remembered being here over Christmases, the snow, the rain. I looked at the old corkboard, full of pictures and cards I sent dad for birthdays and Father's Day.
I sat on the bed. It's not that dusty, Charlie must come in sometimes to clean. I dusted anyway, picking up things and looking at them as I went. I vacuumed under the bed and when I'd finished I took the vacuum back downstairs and sat on the sofa.
I woke with a start some time later. It was 3:23pm. Charlie would be home at four. I stood up, sleepy. I looked outside; the rain was back, heavier than this morning, creating a haze as I looked out the window and down the street.
I placed the sheets in the dryer. I had decided I'd treat dad to one of my specialties, a baked risotto that really only took twenty minutes to make. I prepped the food and left it, and then I took a bottle of wine from the fridge and corked it. I searched the cupboard for a wine glass, eventually finding one buried at the back. The base of the glass was chipped. I couldn't help but smile, as I saw in the same cupboard a little clay teacup that I remembered making at school.
I sat at the kitchen table. I felt like I was on autopilot, lost in some weird parallel universe, the Twilight zone.
It was always so quiet here, eerily so. I looked to the window; it was dark from the rain clouds. I saw my reflection. I looked pitiful. Oh God. This is exactly how I looked after Riley. Pathetic and weak. Edward was only ever my friend; it wasn't like with Riley. Edward never fooled me into believing he was in love with me. I can't fall back into that intense depression. I can't, I have to focus on my novel. Life goes on.
I left my wine glass on the table and bounded up the stairs two at a time. I grabbed some clean clothes and my toiletries then jumped into the shower, washed and conditioned my hair. I was out within five minutes. I pulled my old hairdryer from under the vanity. I hope it still works.
It did, but with a burning dust smell that made my nose crinkle. I didn't bother to spend time straightening my hair; I just got it dry and ran my brush through it. I was dressed and back down to the kitchen in time to hear my dad's cruiser pull up.
I got one of his beers from the fridge and placed it on the table.
"The place looks great Bells! Thanks for cleaning." Charlie gave me a quick hug and cracked open the beer. He took in the sight of my wine glass. He raised his eyebrow but didn't say anything.
"Dad, I've been legally drinking for five years. The legal consumption of alcohol in Australia is eighteen, remember?" I smiled as I recalled the last time I was here. He wouldn't let me drink alcohol. He basically freaked, because I was under his roof and the chief of Police had to make sure his daughter followed the rules; 'no drinking until you're twenty-one', he'd scolded.
"I didn't say anything," he said with a wry smirk.
"You didn't have to, you gave me that look," I laughed.
"What look?" He questioned, innocently.
"You know, the fatherly look of concern..."
"Bells, I just can't believe your twenty-three now. It seems like only yesterday you were learning to ride your bike in the street and remember that time you nearly fell out of the boat!" he chuckled.
"Don't remind me." I took a sip of wine and then walked over to sit down.
"So dad. Is there something you want to tell me?"
He sighed and took a very long pull on his can of Rainer.
I'd suspected, when I saw him earlier in the day that something had changed. Something about him was different. He seemed happier. I mean he was always happy around me, but even though I hadn't seen him since I was eighteen, I immediately noticed that he seemed just a little more—what was the word—vibrant.
I'd put to and two together when I'd noticed two toothbrushes in the bathroom...and one was pink!
"Well, Bells, yes, in fact. I have been seeing someone." He was staring at me, trying to gauge my reaction. I waited, hoping he would continue.
"A woman." He looked away then nervously started fingering the lip of his beer can.
"It's pretty serious, Bells. I mean...what I want to say is, that I've asked her to move in with me, here."
I silently stood up and smirked when I noticed his panicked look. I stepped toward him to wrap my arms around his waist. "Dad, I think that's so great! You deserve to find happiness. I always hoped you would."
He hugged me back, and sighed with relief.
I released him and sat back down. "So, what's her name, where did you meet her? I need to know...everything!"
He looked a little sheepish then he took another swig of beer.
"Her name is Lainey. Elaine Yorkie. She's a divorcee too. I've known her for years; she has a son your age. We've been, um, kinda dating for almost six months."
"I think that's great. I can't wait to meet her!"
"I'm actually supposed to go to Elaine's house for dinner on Saturday night. Her son Eric will be visiting from Seattle and, well, we were going to tell him that she wants to move in with me here. I mean it's pointless having two places. You should come along; meet her and Eric, then. I've told her all about you." He gulped the last of his beer and was instantly up and in the fridge to crack open another one.
"We haven't talked about marriage yet, but I'd be willing, if she wants to."
I'd never in my life been able to recall my dad blushing. But there it was, my dad, suave Charlie Swan blushing when he talked about Elaine Yorkie and being 'willing' to get married.
After all these years of him being just Charlie, alone, I couldn't help but smile with glee. I could tell he was happy, I could see it in his eyes.
I closed mine. Edward's intense green eyes flashed back to me. He had that same piercing, blissful look of love, when I'd told him I was happy for him and Rosalie. My stomach lurched.
Edward is in love with Rosalie.
"Bella?" Charlie's voice broke through the aching pain and the pulsing sweep of acceptance rising through my body like a wave.
Tears were streaming down my face and Charlie looked aghast. "No, dad, I'm really so happy for you!" I sobbed.
They're in love. Edward has someone to love him, to spend his life with.
I felt my Charlie gather me in his arms. "Bella, are you sure, I mean, I just—"
"Dad, please ignore me. I'm just so happy to finally be here and to see you're so happy; it's made me, a bit emotional. I can't wait to meet her!" I sniffled.
He rubbed my back slowly.
I was happy for my dad. I should feel the same happiness for Edward. I should. But all I could feel was pain and loss.
"We can get take-out, if you don't feel like cooking Bella." His voice was soft and reassuring.
"No, I've already started, it won't take long."
"Are you sure there's nothing else you want to tell me, Bells?"
I should tell him about Edward, and my stupidity, but I don't want my first night back in Forks to be about me and my deluded mind. Poor Charlie had put up with that shit from me since I was fourteen, since I developed my insanely idiotic crush on Riley. This is like déjà vu; me falling for the popular boy who wasn't interested. Same old same old. I didn't want my dad thinking I was still living in a fantasy world.
"I'm sorry. I'm exhausted from the trip and overwhelmed at being home finally." I watched as a small proud smile twitched at his lips, no doubt from my reference to this house being my home.
"So, let me show you how to make risotto; you can cook it for Elaine when she moves in!"
I wiped at my tears and dragged him to the stove. There would be time enough over the weekend to talk to him about my pathetic personal life, but tonight, I just wanted to spend time with my dad and hear more about his new love, and maybe my future step-mum - Elaine Yorkie.
I was genuinely happy for my dad. I hoped I could find a way to be as happy for Edward.
~0~
A/N: Sorry for the tease team Jacob fans...but Jake (the cat) is already in my story. Bella loves him, and he is in Sydney and being looked after by Jessica (if only he had some dialogue)! lol
My praise goes to my wonderful beta CandyTwi, who just won Fictionista's Editor of the Month (July) W00T W00T, and to the lovely LadyZoe, who still picks up on my Aussie sayings and edits them out of Edward's speech! Thank you :)
So, has everyone read Ellipsis yet? It's a flashback Chapter to Episode and recounts Bella and Riley's first date. If you haven't, you may want to read it before the next chapter posts…may just give you a little more visual understanding of where Bella's head is at (or what she can't help but compare Edward to). You can read it on Fanfiction
www (dot) fanfiction (dot) net/s/6088589/1/Ellipsis
or TWCS
www (dot) twcslibrary (dot) com/viewstory (dot) php?sid=2755
and I'll be posting to Twilighted soon.
So, how are we all dealing with the slow burn – last chapter got more reviews than any previous chapter so, I take it some of you are a little 'upset' with me and others are eager for these two to hurry up already and bloody get it on?
Please let me know, your reviews make me smile. Luv BBxx
