Hey everyone! Thanks for the great response to the last chapter! You are all simply fantastic! I hope you keep reviewing.

I know the updates have been slower lately. I wish I could get them done faster but I'm trying. And DON'T WORRY, I'm not going to abandon you! I want to get to that HEA as much, if not more than you do. I'm finishing this, no question. Thanks a million for your patience.

Staceleo (a fellow author on FF, check out her stories) made a banner for The Trip and it's now my story image. Thanks Staceleo! And thank you MC for betaing this fic.

Enjoy.

Chapter 30: A New Life

I didn't think I would ever get used to flying first class. It was nice, but it felt strange being so catered to. But of course Edward had made sure Irina had booked me in first class for my flight from SEA/TAC to LAX that Saturday evening, despite my attempts to tell him I didn't need it.

Sigh. I doubted I'd ever get Edward to change his mind on giving me such things, so I guessed I would have to learn to accept and get used to them.

When I landed at LAX, walking through the first class lounge, and into the baggage claim area, I was rather shocked and admittedly shaken when a paparazzo spotted and recognized me. He quickly rushed to my side yelling 'Isabella,' snapping pictures, following me as I walked, and began flinging questions at me; if I'd seen the picture of him and Tanya, if I was still with Anthony and why I was in town. The commotion he caused, attracted the attention of another pap with a video camera, who quickly came over, following me on the other side with his own string of questions, which resulted in many airport patrons to turn my way, gawking.

My cheeks had to have been a blazing color of scarlet from embarrassment and I felt like a cornered animal with no way to run, wanting to just get out of there. I could feel my heart racing frantically as I kept my eyes straight ahead of me and projected downward as I walked. I didn't reply to any of their questions or comments, no matter how much I wanted to tell them to leave me alone, to go to hell or that Edward and I were just fine, thank you very much. All of it would have been skewed and turned into something completely devoid of what I had said, so I clamped my mouth shut and kept walking—trying not to run as I'd surely trip and fall—hoping they'd lose interest and leave me be.

Thankfully, though, I didn't have any luggage other than my carry-on since everything had already been brought to Edward's place through the moving company, so I didn't have to endure standing around at a baggage carrousel while they harassed me. I quickly spotted the driver waiting for me—holding a sign that said "I. Swan" like a beacon to me—as I came around the corner, who, to my relief, swiftly recognized me as well and ushered me out of the area and into the waiting car. I had to admit, at that moment, I was grateful for Edward's insistence on such extravagances, because I was relieved for the quick getaway I was able to manage from the barrage of questions.

As soon as the driver pulled away from the curb to Edw— my new place, I began texting everyone to let them all know I had landed safely, feeling myself relax in the quiet car, watching the city through the darkly tinted window.

Replies from Rose, Alice and Jess came quickly, with ones from others like Edward—since he was on set—and my mother shortly after. I tried to not take it too personally that neither Jake nor my dad replied back to me. I knew neither was completely convinced on Edward's explanation about the photograph of him and Tanya.

Jessica had surprised me when she found out about the photo the following day by turning into a protective mama bear, telling me Edward was "a no good prick" and that I should just forget about "the asshole". I was impressed; for Jess to say anything skating along the edge of negative about her beloved Anthony Cullen, much less full-blown slander. I felt it said quite a bit about how much she really did care about me.

As for Rose, she was ready to castrate him herself when she saw the photograph.

Jess had been the easiest to calm down though and accepted the explanation Edward had given me immediately. Rose had not been so easily swayed, but did finally come around after a few days, mostly in part to Emmett's defense of Edward's character and insistence that he knew for a fact Edward was completely serious about me and wouldn't do something like that with anyone, least of all Tanya. So thankfully, she finally believed he wasn't a "fucking bastard" after all.

When my dad and Jake had seen the photograph, however, they wanted blood. And when they found out I still had every intention to move to LA with him they were furious, to say the least. I had tried to explain it to them what had actually happened and, after some help from Rose, they calmed down. Though not before taking the opportunity to point out to me that they thought this was a perfect example of how I didn't know him well enough or been with him long enough to drastically jump states to go live with him. Finally, though, they grudgingly conceded they had to trust my judgment on this and since I believed him, maybe he wasn't a "lowlife scum bucket who deserved to painfully rot in hell alongside James" and they would have to let it go.

Their lack of reply to my text letting them know I was in LA, however, told me they still weren't happy about it or completely on board with me in trusting Edward. As painful as that was to endure, a small part of me was glad, because I knew it meant they were only so fiercely protective of me because they loved me so much.

When the car came to a stop and I stepped out, I found the doorman holding open the door for me. I was startled when he greeted me by name with the familiarization I would have only expected him to have with someone who'd been a resident of the place for years. I quickly searched for his name and returned the greeting to him as a wistful memory of Charles, the driver in New York City, came to mind. I found, strangely enough, that I missed his friendly, crinkly smile and hoped someday Edward and I would go back so I could maybe see him again. It seemed such a silly thing to miss someone I hadn't really known but I did. Or maybe it was simply the nostalgia he represented.

I was greeted again by name by another person who retrieved the elevator for me and offered to help with my bag. I declined, graciously, feeling silly to accept help for something I was quite capable of doing myself.

It was going to be difficult getting used to this catered world.

When I arrived at the floor I stood in front of Edward's door, fumbling through my purse in a panic looking for the key he'd sent me, terrified I'd done something like left it in Washington.

I breathed a shaky sigh of relief when I finally found it.

But then, to my surprise, my nerves spiked again, as I slid the key into the lock. When the key easily turned it though, my breath, I'd not realized I'd been holding, let out in a loud whoosh.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at myself as I opened the door.

Of course the key worked Bella. I chastised myself. "Old habits die hard" was the saying. I guessed there was a reason the saying had become used so much it was now cliché and it was a very apt statement for me in that moment.

I walked over the threshold into the dark, cool stillness of the empty space and the smell of Edward mixed with the scent of cardboard in the stagnant air filled my lungs; welcoming me to my new home. A soft hum of contentment swirled in the back of my throat in response to the inviting fragrance.

I flipped on a light feeling odd being there when Edward wasn't. I'd only been there once before when I'd been in town attending the movie Premiere, and no matter how much Edward wanted me to think of this place as my own too, it didn't feel like it. Not yet anyway.

I laughed at myself aloud realizing whether it felt like it or not, technically, at that moment, it was my place and an incredulous smile of excitement swept across my face. It was truly, actually happening; I was here, moving in with Edward.

I looked around the gorgeous space soaking that in seeing my boxes strewn about everywhere thanks to Alice who had been here to receive them when the movers had arrived with my things.

I walked through the huge place I wondered errantly where I might put some of my things for when Alice came over the next day to help me unpack. And then I noticed that she already seemed to have had the boxes clustered, placed into specific rooms.

I laughed. Well, that saved me from having to figure it out. I thought.

Not that there really were very many boxes to contend with for unpacking.

I had discovered as I had packed that there wasn't much I wanted or felt I needed to bring with me, so there really wasn't too much to go through. After Edward had straightened things out with me about the whole Tanya thing, instead of feeling more doubtful, I found that I'd felt a whole new level of security in Edward and my relationship and decided against keeping anything in storage at all. I had either thrown or donated anything that I decided I didn't want to take with me to LA. In the end, the only things I had kept that didn't fit in a box were my bed—which was far too comfortable to bear parting with—and my bookshelf.

My new packing strategy had made the chore simple and quick, leaving very little for my family and Rose to do to help me.

Those two weeks had gone by surprisingly fast and before I knew it, it was the Friday morning of my last day at work. The movers arrived to pick up all my things; one truck heading to Good Will, the other destined to LA. I had laughed as I got in my car to head into work for my last day; it had seemed an awful large truck for the very little I ended up deciding to take with me. I actually wondered if I would have been able to fit it all in my Honda, had I not been leaving that behind as well since Edward convinced me I wouldn't need it.

I had been taken by surprise though, at how much more difficult it was, leaving the job and career I'd never really wanted, behind then I figured it would be. The office had thrown me a farewell lunch and a few people got a bit emotional at the gathering, but, for me, it was shutting off my computer and walking out the building for the last time that actually got me choked up. It was an odd feeling being so sad about leaving behind the job I always just considered simply something that paid the bills and coworkers I never really was very close to. But then I figured it was because any ending, was sad in its own way.

After work that night, I had swung by the apartment to do one last walk through, hearing the sound of my footsteps echo from the emptiness of the small place as I did. It had been bittersweet leaving the simple, little apartment that sat overlooking the main street of Port Angeles behind for many reasons. I had stood, looking out the window to the street and realized just then how much I was going to miss the place. But the wistful feelings were quickly chased away by the excitement of moving on to my future with Edward, and I knew I was ready to run headlong towards that.

I had stayed at Rosalie's place that night. We had stayed up most of the night talking, crying, laughing and drinking. It was that night she had confessed to me that she'd fallen in love with Emmett and she didn't think it would be much longer that she'd be able to keep him and Henry in separate worlds. She also told me that after dropping me off at the airport, she was going to meet Emmett at his parents' place so she could meet and have dinner with them. Her confession had recalled the vision I'd had of her and me at Carlisle and Esme's with the rest of Edward and Emmett's family, gathered around, talking and laughing. I'd smiled to myself, thinking maybe the wishful image I'd conjured up wasn't only going to be fantasy after all.

When we had headed to my parent's place for lunch the next morning, we still hadn't quite recovered from all the drinking the night before but my parents had decided to have everyone over for pizza one last time before I flew out that afternoon. The men remained dry faced, but every one of us women were in tears at one point or another. Despite that, when it was time for Rose and I to hit the road, Jake hugged me so hard I thought he was going to break a rib and he made me promise to let him know if I needed him for anything at all. He had then used his authoritative, police officer voice to order me to come back and see him often. And as for my father, I'd had to practically fight to get him to let go of me from his bear hug and when he did, he actually looked little choked up…

I shook off the thought of moving away from my friends and family and the state I'd always called home because leaving them was difficult. Besides, I knew I'd still see them—Edward and I were planning to go over there in a couple weeks—and more so, there was something I wanted more than to be with them; to be with Edward.

I walked into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water and then realized I was hungry. It was late in the day and I hadn't been able to stomach much of the pizza for lunch before I'd left. I wondered what I was going to do for something to eat, as it just occurred to me that Edward wouldn't have much of anything in the house for food with him being away for months shooting his film.

Crap.

I guessed it was time to take Edward's Volvo for a spin—which he insisted I use, leaving my Honda at my parents' place for now—and blindly learn LA.

Yikes. The thought tightened my stomach with nerves at the thought of trying to navigate through the fast city. By the time I entered the kitchen I'd lost my appetite as quickly as I'd recovered it.

Maybe just a glass of water was best.

But as I walked past the refrigerator to the cupboards for a glass, a bright green Post-it note stuck to its handle caught my eye. I stopped to read it and found it was actually addressed to me:

Bella,
I knew there would be nothing to eat in the house, so I picked you up a few things.
See you tomorrow!
Love, Alice

I smiled, feeling my nervous stomach relax. Leave it to Alice to anticipate what I would need.

XXXXX

"I'm curious," I said, lying in Edward's bed—in our bed—breathing in the crisp scent of clean linens mixed with the smell of Edward later that night.

Hmmm. Practically heaven.

"And what exactly are you curious about?" Edward prompted playfully.

"Your closet," I explained, trying to make it sound like a genuinely innocent question. "Have you always kept one side of it completely empty?" I bit my lip to hold back a giggle.

"Why of course," he said in a serious tone.

"That's very odd. You know that, right?"

"I've always had this thing about the right-side of closets. I've been frightened of them since I was a child. Emmett hid in one dressed as a monster and popped out, frightening the daylights out of me when I was little. Scarred me for life."

"You should really see a shrink about that," I teased. "Oh, and your clothes are all on the right, it's the left-side that's empty," I pointed out.

"Fifty-fifty shot of getting that right," he breathed regretfully with a chuckle.

I laughed loudly.

"The part about Emmett hiding in a closet with a frightening mask and scaring the piss out of me when we were little is totally true though," he insisted. "That ass! I had nightmares for months."

"The curse of having an older brother," I said knowingly.

"Exactly," Edward laughed. "The real reason half the closet is bare is I asked Alice when she was over there yesterday, if she'd be willing to rearrange my clothes, so you had a place to put yours away," Edward explained. "I wanted to do it myself, but since I'm stuck here for another week, I had no choice but to ask Alice to do it for me."

"Yes you did."

"I did what?" he asked confused.

"Have another choice," I explained. "I could have done it."

"Oh I know you could have, but I doubt you would have actually done it," he challenged. "I think, no matter what I told you, that you would have felt too presumptuous to go ahead and take half, or any of the closet for that matter, without it being specifically cleared for you. You're not the kind of person who easily feels entitled to anything, even if it's rightfully yours."

"I have you fooled," I scoffed with false bravado. "I was going to tell you I was rather offended I was cleared only half; I feel I should get whole thing."

"Done," he replied immediately. "My clothes can go to the spare room."

"Edward! I was joking!" I said, horrified.

Edward laughed hardily. "I know," he said through his laughter and then continued as it calmed. "But if you need more room, take it."

"I don't see that happening in my lifetime. That closet is huge. I doubt my stuff would fill a small fraction of that space."

"You'd be surprised what a little time around Alice can do," he pointed out. "She's personally supplemented more than three quarters of my wardrobe. She's an unstoppable force."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Be warned, she'll probably start immediately," he cautioned.

I groaned.

"She means well," he added softly.

"I know," I sighed.

A comfortable silence drifted between us.

"Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"How did the doorman—and everyone else here for that matter—immediately recognize me and know my name?"

"It's a secure building, love, they have to know who all the residents are," he explained.

"Oh."

I tried to digest that; I was a resident of the building. That thought would take some getting used to just like all the rest.

"But that reminds me, you'll probably want to talk to security tomorrow to have a list of your friends and relatives you want on the visitors list."

"Do I have to do that?"

"No," he laughed. "But they won't be allowed to come up to the house without you accompanying them if they're not."

"Hmm, I kind of like the sound of that—for now anyway."

Edward laughed.

I yawned loudly; the day quickly catching up to me.

"Am I boring you?" Edward teased.

"No. It's just been a long day and your bed is really comfortable."

"You're in bed?" he asked, his voice taking on a sultry tone. That got his attention.

"Mmmhmm," I said with a sleepy smile, feeling exhaustion creep heavily over me, quickly pushing me under.

"You love to torment me," he accused.

"Nope, just giving you good incentive to hurry home," I said shifting to my side and curling up in the blankets.

"What are you wearing?"

"I'll disappoint you if you were hoping for my answer to be 'nothing,'" I warned, my eyelids closing, feeling like they'd been filled with lead and I tried to stifle another yawn.

"Actually, I must say I'm relieved, I don't think I could handle hearing that you're wearing nothing in our bed when I'm not there," he murmured.

"Good, 'cause I'm wearing your t-shirt," I said with a smile, knowing for some reason I couldn't comprehend, he found that incredibly sexy. His reaction did not disappoint.

He let out a deep humming groan. "Fuck, Bella."

I giggled sleepily. "I suppose I don't need to wear it here, since the whole place smells like you, but I like sleeping in your shirts; they're comfy. I've gotten used to sleeping in them." It made me feel like I was wrapped in Edward.

"You're killing me here Bella," he moaned.

"I told you, I'm giving you incentive," I insisted, my eyes closing out of their own accord.

"You're incentive enough, everything in addition to that is just—"

"Icing on top of the cake?" I offered, feeling my head sink lower into the pillow as my body relaxed into the bed.

"I was going to say, 'unnecessarily cruel' but now I've got this image of you and icing…"

"Hmmm. Icing sounds good. I'll pick some up at the grocery store," I said sleepily thinking I really should shut off the light I'd left on in the other room, but I couldn't get my body to pull away from the mattress. My hand couldn't even hold the phone, my head was laying on it.

Edward started laughing, there was no sound other than his breath exhaling in short bursts for a few seconds before he took a breath and the incredulously sounding laughter was audible. It was a wonderful sound I could listen to for the rest of my life.

"I better let you sleep, Bella. I don't think you know what you're saying anymore," he said through his laughter.

"Kay. But don't forget; you, me and icing when you get back. It sounds interesting. I'm curious now," I said, my voice garbled with sleep that was pulling me under.

"Goodnight, Bella. I love you."

"I love you too, baby," I said skating so close the edge of consciousness I wasn't entirely certain I'd said it out loud.

XXXXX

Unpacking my things the next day was significantly less chaotic than packing my things up at my old apartment had been with my family. Alice was a pleasantly chipper companion, placing my things in just the right places in their new home; my crystal vase making an end table look complete, the framed picture of Rosalie and me set perfectly on a shelf, and a throw blanket my Grandma Swan had sewn for me folded and lain over the back of the oversized chair giving the room a homier feel. She seemed to have a knack for knowing the perfect place for everything, making them look like they belonged there all along—which was a good feeling because it made me feel like maybe I had too.

"Do you care if I mix your CDs in with Edward's?" Alice asked looking up from the box of CDs she'd just opened.

I shook my head as I looked up from the grocery list I was constructing to supplement what Alice had left for me.

"No, I don't," I said with a small smile. "But do you think Edward would?" I posed.

Alice flashed me a reproachful look.

"What?" I asked defensively. "It's not like I'm asking you if he'd mind my toothbrush being laid next to his, it's his music. It's different."

"I suppose you make a point," she conceded grudgingly as she reached in to start pulling the jewel cases out. "But no, Edward won't mind. This is your home too and like I told you before Edward's birthday dinner I don't think you realize just how taken he is with you. I've never seen him want anything so much as to be with you."

"No, I think I'm starting to grasp it," I smiled. Because I felt like I was. For some unknown reason, Edward felt the same way about me as I did about him and I could feel that I believed that.

Alice let out a laugh that made her positively glow.

"Yes, I suppose you are," she admitted and I watched her face turn serious again and she let go of the jewel cases, pulling her hands from the box, empty. "I know about what Tanya did, and how you were shown the picture," she said looking at me carefully, probably easily seeing how my body stiffened and face contorted with the memory of the picture flashing through my head with the mention of it. The image of Tanya's lips on Edward's still hurt, even though I wished it wouldn't because I truly believed what Edward said really happened. I figured after I saw Edward again it would be easier to toss the image aside but for now, it still stung whenever it came to mind.

I nodded as I bit my lip.

"I also know that you believed Edward immediately when he told you what actually happened," she continued. "I can't tell you how much that means to Edward… and to all of us that he has someone like you in his life," she said softly.

"Like I told him; he's given me every reason in the world to believe him and no reason to doubt him," I shrugged.

"Bella," Alice said, giving me a withering look, "are you forgetting I found you at the Premiere? And that I know, at least the basics, of what happened with your ex? Even with your reasoning, I could imagine it was nothing short of difficult to see that photograph."

"Yeah. It was," I admitted quietly, dropping my eyes back to my list, willing myself to not cry. I had no reason to cry. What the image looked like didn't happen. It wasn't real. I fully believed that. So why my eyes started to well with tears, I had no idea and that bothered me.

"You're one strong woman," she said sounding awed.

I didn't feel strong. While I no longer felt frail, weak and worthless like I had at one time, I still didn't feel necessarily strong. Not in that moment anyway. Not while I was standing there, fighting back threatening tears because of a simple mention of a photograph that had zero merit; that didn't feel strong to me.

"You're right though; Edward isn't that kind of a guy," Alice continued. "And I can't tell you how happy I am that he has someone like you who can look past all the Hollywood crap and see the real him."

I glanced up at her and met her smiling face, completely serious about what she'd just said. I smiled back and blushed brightly—for what, I didn't know.

"I'm sorry you had to be at the receiving end of one of Tanya's schemes," she added. "She's one conniving little bitch."

My eyes locked with hers with question and surprise of Alice's harsh statement that seemed so out of character for her.

"Oh yeah," she nodded. "She's a piece of work. She always has some ulterior motive running. I never trusted her and thankfully it didn't take long for Edward to realize it too with all the things she was doing behind his back. I hate her for hurting him the way she did. You know," she added, angrily, "I'd bet everything I own that she had that whole photograph staged."

"What do you mean by 'staged'?" I asked, confused. To me, "staged" sounded like something orchestrated where Edward played a willing part in and I knew that wasn't true.

"I mean," she explained, "I think Tanya had set up someone to be there taking pictures, and had them submit the one that made it look like Edward was kissing her back. It's not like she hasn't done that kind of crap before," she tsked. "That woman was always desperate for attention, needing to be in the center of it. There's been so much chatter in the media about Edward being with you—far more than there ever was when he was with her—I don't think she could handle it."

I stared, unfocused, in Alice's direction, not really looking at anything, just taking in what Alice had said as she returned to her task beginning pulling out the CDs again. Alice's hands stopped in mid-air, holding the first few CDs she pulled from the box. She looked at them closer, turning them over and began to giggle.

"What?" I asked, blushing as my eyes refocused, wondering what CD I owned she found funny.

"It really was just a matter of time before you two crossed paths, wasn't it?" she asked, dividing the stack into two, and holding up the Rules of Caius CDs in both hands to show me. "You have all their CDs," she laughed again. "I heard you and Rosalie regularly went to their concerts," she said like a question.

"Um, yeah, whenever they were in the area we almost always went. After that first concert at some hole-in-the-wall place in Seattle back in college, we were hooked," I admitted. "They've been my favorite band ever since."

"What place?"

"The Attic."

"Edward was there—Emmett and me too, in fact," she laughed. "It was Rules of Caius' first concert in the Seattle; the only place they could get into back then. They had played a few places in New York and then played at The Attic before they went down to LA for a while and started getting really popular here in the US."

My phone rang loudly from the counter, sounding out with that newest favorite Rules of Caius song. Alice let out a chiming giggle as I went to answer it.

"Hello?" I answered in a laugh without looking at the display, distracted by Alice's amusement of my ringtone.

"That is one beautiful sound," Edward's voice answered me.

"Hey baby," I said, biting my lip, trying unsuccessfully to hide the giddy grin Edward's voice evoked. I could feel my cheeks heat up, knowing I had an audience.

"Something funny?" he enquired.

"Alice," I said, simply.

"I'm glad she's not only helping you settle in, but providing entertainment as well," he laughed.

"I think I'm the entertainment, to be honest," I corrected as Alice returned to pulling out all my CDs and stacking them on the coffee table. "But yes, she's been expertly finding new homes for my things," I said, flashing Alice a smile as I walked out of the room and into the bedroom.

"Good. Though I'm sorry it's not me helping you unpack. I wish it were," he apologized.

"Edward, stop. It's not a big deal, really," I assured him as I sat on the edge of the bed. "I've really been enjoying spending time with your sister."

"Well, good then," he laughed. Then he let out a deep breath. "Just a few more days, love," he reminded me, but it sounded like the statement was just as much a reminder for himself.

I hummed. "I can't wait," I sighed longingly. "It feels like ages since I've been able to touch you."

"You're telling me," he agreed making me giggle, which evoked a breathy laugh from him. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes."

"Good. I don't want you falling asleep on me again when we talk later," he laughed lightly. "Though I always enjoy listening to you talk in your sleep—I've missed that. You're rather amusing," he added.

Wait.

"What?" I felt my insides freeze and twist.

"I'm pretty sure you fell asleep on me last night," he said with a smile in his voice.

"No. What do you mean you 'always enjoy listening to me talk in my sleep'?"

"Just that. Didn't you know that you talk in your sleep?" he asked.

"Yes, but…" My cheeks were on fire. I'd thought, or rather hoped, I'd outgrown it. "What have I said?" I squeaked hesitantly feeling mortified.

"Numerous interesting things," he said vaguely. "Bella, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Edward, just tell me," I pleaded.

"Most of it is nonsense words or phrases that are mumbled so I can't make them out," he began. "But you've mostly said my name, that you love me, that you don't want me to go, things like that."

I began to breathe. "What did I say last night that made you think I was talking in my sleep?"

"Something about icing," he admitted, the smile returning to his voice, hearing mine relax.

I laughed loudly as my whole body heated with embarrassment. "I wish I could blame that on sleep talking. I do remember that. Though I don't know what possessed me to say it; I've never found the appeal of bringing food into the bedroom. I'm claiming Temporary Partial Consciousness."

"Temporary Partial Consciousness?" Edward laughed incredulously.

"It's a state of mind where you say things you normally wouldn't," I said defining it like it was a real thing.

"Interesting," he laughed. "That's alright about the icing, love. I wasn't planning to hold you to it; there's nothing better than the taste of you anyway," he said. "And besides, you're sweet enough on your own."

I laughed. "I'm glad you think so. Though I might have to pick some up… just in case."

Edward laughed loudly. "I can't wait. Either way."

"Good," I replied. "Because I'm going a little crazy here without you."

"Well, I actually might have just the thing for you to pass the time," he offered changing the subject.

"And what is that?" I asked inquisitively.

"What do you plan on doing tomorrow?" he asked.

"Well, at the rate Alice and I are going, we should be done unpacking today, so I have no idea. Grocery shopping probably. Why?"

"Feel up for doing an interview?"

Wait.

"What?"

"I told you that I've been working at finding more out for you for on-set teaching," he said, like my surprise was unwarranted.

"Well, yeah," I replied. "But, I wasn't expecting you to get me an interview."

"Well, I did," he said smugly. "I just got off the phone with Siobhan at the agency that supplies the majority of on-set teachers in Hollywood. She wants to meet with you. She said if you're available, she could make time to talk to you tomorrow."

"Are you serious?" I breathed incredulously, covering my mouth with my free hand. My dream job was actually within arm's reach. Just like that. I was stunned. "Oh Edward, thank you!"

"Oh, I can't take all the credit," he insisted. "I may have reached out to her, but it was Seth's glowing feedback about you that got her to stop and really pay attention to how wonderful a teacher you are."

"Seth?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes, Seth," Edward confirmed. "Siobhan told me that if you're even half as wonderful of a teacher as Seth insisted you were, they'd be lucky to have you. And I wholeheartedly agree."

"He said that?"

"If you were able to see yourself properly," Edward rebuked, "it wouldn't surprise you that he had. Bella, Seth told me that he learned more from you in that half hour than he had from Charlotte since he arrived on set. He adores you—actually I think he has a crush on you," I rolled my eyes at the absurdity of that comment, "but that's beside the point. You're obviously a natural at teaching."

"Tell him 'thank you' for me," I requested, tears welling with gratitude and starting to spill over. What a fantastic kid.

"Of course," Edward replied softly. "So, if you want it, you have an interview set up with Siobhan tomorrow at two o'clock. She's holding that time for you. If you can't or don't want to—."

"No! I do! I want to!" I insisted, cutting him off.

Edward laughed and I would have bet he was racking his fingers through his hair. Then he gave me Siobhan's phone number to confirm the meeting and the address of where in LA the agency's office was located.

"Thank you, Edward. This is…" I trailed off, at a loss for words. I was trembling.

"Bella, you don't need to thank me," he assured me. "I'll do everything in my power to help you realize any and all of your dreams, baby. You deserve every last one of them."

Tears raced down my face now. I still wasn't used to this kind of encouragement and support, at least not from my significant other. And this was my dream job; something I had quite literally tossed away, giving up on it. Now, it was staring me right in the face.

"Why are you crying, love?" he asked, at a loss, hearing my sniffles.

"I'm just so happy," I explained my overwhelming rush of emotion.

Edward laughed, "Good, I want you happy."

I smiled and thanked him again, telling him I'd make sure to be all ready for the interview.

We hung up, Edward promising to call again later tonight after he got back from the set.

I sat there, on the edge of the bed and let myself cry for a minute or two. My emotions felt so overloaded—moving in with Edward, an interview for my dream job—I felt like I just needed to let them out; to escape and drain. When the tears calmed, I composed myself and called Siobhan's number, leaving a message to confirm my meeting with her the next day and thanking her for the opportunity.

Lost in thought, when a round of soft knocking at the bedroom door sounded, I gave a start.

"I don't mean to pry," Alice said, peeking her head in, "but are you alright? I heard you crying…" she trailed off, stepping into the room and hovering by the doorway.

"Everything is great," I told her honestly. "In fact everything is completely perfect," I marveled at just how true that statement was. Then I explained I was crying because I was happy and told her about my interview the next day.

"We have to go shopping!" Alice gasped and immediately grinned widely.

"Why?"

"To buy clothes for your interview!" Alice said, like it was obvious. It was, of course, but that wasn't what I'd meant by my question.

"I realize that's what you meant, but what I meant was, why do I need new clothes? I have plenty of work clothes. I'm sure I could find something in there," I insisted.

"Please Bella?" she begged, her eyes wide like a young child asking for their birthday present.

"Fine," I said with a laugh, unable to resist her, just like I was rarely ever able to resist Rosalie when she wanted to take me shopping. Besides, I didn't want to hurt my chances at this dream job because of my inept fashion sense.

"Really?" she asked, in an octave higher than her usual bell-like voice as her face lit up. "Thank you!" she said jumping up and down with excitement. "Come on, let's go! We can finish unpacking later!"

I couldn't help but join her in her excitement as she towed me out of the house and down to her car. Not for the shopping, of course, but for the fact that I was actually going to interview for my dream job.

I felt incredibly blessed and happy, like the universe had shifted and become a place where things went right for me. It was an incredible feeling accompanying all the countless life changes I'd had in such a short time.

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Thanks for reading.

TJE