Chapter 3-
A/N - Thank you to anyone who is reading, but all the gratitude and a million cheers to the incomparably generous and grammatically wise SunFlower Fran who was still willing to beta for me after a very long hiatus. You should all personally thank her, too, because she saved you from over thirty unnecessary "that"'s. You are a saint for catching my conjunction crutch, girl. I'll work on that. ;-)

The tasks of packing both of us for any trip were well-practiced. My hands could have been torn from my body, and they would continue to work at opening drawers to gather our necessities, leaving my mind free to handle the other logistics while Bella talked with Sue.

The first thing was to find out the fastest method of travel. Asking any of the numerous contacts we had for the use of a private jet was tempting but would probably not be worth the hassle of explanations. Plus, they were likely taken up by the jet-setters bringing in guests for award season and after-parties.

The next-best option was to book commercial and hope we could maneuver around the paparazzi who should be plenty distracted by all the commotion, including the handsy date. I quickly brought up an app on my phone, ignoring the prices, and choose an airline with dedicated seating. Between business travel and Bella's regular need to escape the city, we had premiere memberships with all the airlines, which meant we could use the more exclusive waiting area.

There was a flight leaving in ninety minutes, and although first class was booked, there was an empty row of three seats. I purchased those, as well as, the middle seat in the rows directly in front and the aisle and middle behind. As I punched in the familiar aliases for the 'passengers' who would not be filling those seats, I frowned at the Xs on the diagram and hoped that those who would occupy the spaces weren't the curious or chatty types.

Next, I tossed the two largest suitcases allowable as carry-ons onto Bella's bed and started organizing the essentials. I had always been good at focusing on more than one thing at a time. The three-dimensional, puzzle-solving part of my brain figured out how to be most efficient in fitting her seldom-used water-proof shoes, warm sweaters, jeans, pajamas, and of course, the necessary socks and underwear into the case. I tracked my time by looking at Bella's bedside clock; seven minutes was a rather pathetic time, but I was out of practice packing for a trip home.

Those words in my head made me realize I had another important task. I could still hear Bella asking Sue questions and scribbling down the information she received in the kitchen. I took out my cell and entered the number I still knew by heart but hadn't bothered to put into my contacts. I felt a little of the familiar shame before pushing it away with the even more familiar excuse that I needed to focus on Bella's needs right now, not my own.

The voice that answered gave nothing away in its well-practiced tone of authority. "It's as if you could read my mind. I just now had the opportunity to talk and was going to call you."

I was relieved he didn't bother with a hello or any other preamble, and I returned in kind. "How bad is it?" I asked.

"We're still not sure," came the reply. "I've told Sue everything we know at this point, and I'm sure she's filling in Bella."

I cut him off, impatient and annoyed despite how much I trusted and respected my uncle, Carlisle Cullen, Chief Medical Officer of Forks' Hospital. "I'm sure Sue is telling Bella whatever sanitized version of what the physician who saw Charlie thinks he can tell the family. I need to know what you know. Did you see any of his test results?"

"Of course," Carlisle replied. "I ordered the tests, and as the physician treating Chief Swan, I was the first to see the results."

I was surprised for only an instant. And then my heart started beating at a normal rhythm for the first time since the house phone had rung. There was no better doctor on earth than Carlisle, and though he seldom personally treated patients these days, I should have known he would have inserted himself into Charlie's care. Aside from being my family, he and my aunt Esme had unofficially adopted Bella as a member of their clan. Both greatly respected Charlie as another key figure in our small town.

"Thank you," I breathed, just as I finished getting Bella's toiletry bag in place and zipped closed the one full case. I then put her warmest sweater and a pair of boots into the second suitcase, noticing the precise amount of space left available for my things.

"Would you mind if I had some things shipped to your place?" I asked as I raced across the driveway to the guesthouse, planning to grab just what I would be able to fit, but knowing that wouldn't be enough. The cold climate of Forks meant the essentials for even a few days were bulkier than a week worth of Bella's usual clothes. I decided I would do some shopping for both of us, perhaps even on the plane, and just packed a few T-shirts, one change of pants, and my toothbrush, deodorant, and razor.

I double-checked that the call hadn't been dropped. "I want to get us off and on the plane as quickly as possible, so I'm packing light," I explained.

There was still another moment's pause. I wondered if Carlisle was concerned I might bring the paps to his door. I would assure him I wouldn't be using mine or Bella's real name on the packages. This just showed how I had let the constant Hollywood buzz enter my brain, like trying to focus your thoughts in a room full of a hundred conversations.

Finally, the silence was broken. "Of course, you should have anything you need shipped here," he said in a tone like he was explaining something for the hundredth time to a stubborn child. "Considering you and Bella will be staying here." His voice was calm but did not leave any room for disagreement.

My hands stilled on the suitcase zipper at these words. "Of course," I replied. "Thank you, Carlisle."

I was genuinely grateful and relieved. I couldn't imagine there were many AirBnBs that would be sufficiently private, and staying at Charlie's place or a hotel were both problematic. Carlisle and Esme's house was well out of town on a private road that few knew how to find. It made the most sense, and I was sure that being with people who cared about her would be most helpful for Bella.

"Do you want Esme to pick you up at the airport?" he asked. "She's ready to leave as soon as you know your flight information, or earlier."

Again, I was taken off guard and found my body unnaturally still. My own guilt made me think of Bella. I could only imagine the self-recriminating things she was now saying to Sue, who I was certain would assure Bella there was no way her being in Washington State would have prevented this medical misfortune from happening. I needed to get us moving toward Forks, as that was the only thing that would make her feel better. The flight from LA to Seattle and the drive from there to Fork were each normally around three hours.

"No," I replied. "Please tell Esme thank you, but I'll rent a car and drive. I'm sure Bella would appreciate it if she could be there at the hospital when we arrive, though."

Carlisle tried to make his laugh sound like a sigh of disappointment but failed. "I suppose driving would be more expedient," he said. "We should all be grateful you're even taking a plane and not trying to beat the time of a flight in a Volvo."

"Honestly," I replied. "I did consider the possibilities." The small joke at my expense was a welcome break in the tension. However, as I glanced at the clock, I realized the conversation had taken about four minutes longer than I had budgeted, which meant I would have to make up for that time on the road to LAX.

"Be sure to call us when you are in the car, so we'll know when to expect you," Carlisle said. "And I promise I will call with any updates over the next hours."

"Actually," I said. "I think it would be better if you text me. That way, Bella won't be trying to guess what you say by what she hears me answer."

Carlisle didn't respond right away. "Edward," he replied. "I can't share anything with you I don't first make Charlie's daughter aware of."

My teeth snapped together. Didn't he understand that I needed to help her, which meant I needed to know everything first? But, of course, even though he was my uncle and loved me like a son, Carlisle was the most moral person and dedicated doctor that had lived for probably hundreds of years. You'd have to search history to find someone with his compassion and skill.

"Of course," I managed to keep my tone neutral. "Thank you for everything, Carlisle. I've got to finish getting us ready and get to the airport."

"Don't forget to call Esme," he said. "We may be your small-town relatives, but we do know how to be discreet and will do everything in our power to help Bella and Charlie."

"I'll call her," I promised. "Thank you again." I hung up and exhaled, trying not to dwell on anything that had been said or implied except that I had arranged another of Bella's needs. I now needed to move on to the next items of our prep list.

Arms full, I raced back across the driveway and into Bella's room, where I quickly arranged my necessities in the empty space of the second suitcase and zipped it shut. When I looked up, she was standing in the doorway, clutching the cordless receiver of the ridiculous landline phone in both hands in front of her, as if it were an offering that she wasn't certain how to present.

I crossed the room and took the receiver out of her hands.

"We'll take the Volvo to the airport and leave it in long-term parking," I told her. She looked like she was going to ask something, but I silenced her with a shake of my head.

"All you need to do right now is change into these." I pointed at the dark jeans and navy-blue cable-knit sweater I'd laid next to the suitcase on her bed.

"I'll get everything into the car," I called over my shoulder, already taking a suitcase in each hand. After depositing those in the back seat, I went back to the kitchen and placed our dishes from the early morning meal that now seemed days ago into the dishwasher. Bella had finally agreed to a part-time housekeeper, so I wasn't worried about leaving them dirty. I then grabbed two bottled waters from the fridge and sprinted back to Bella's room.

She'd left the door open, as always. And, as I always did, I made a quick peek to make sure she was finished dressing before entering. I then grabbed her seldom-used parka from the back of her closet, and, juggling it and the water in my left hand, held my right out to her.

Bella was silent as we left the house, and I got her settled in the passenger seat of the Volvo. I moved at lightning speed as soon as her car door was closed to engage our home security and then slide into the driver's seat. Thankfully, it was still early enough on a Sunday that LA's famous traffic didn't get in my way. Bella didn't bother to tell me to slow down as I tested the Volvo's engine on the freeway. Though her hands were gripped on the seat cushions, I sensed she really wanted to ask me to go faster.

I didn't dare leave her side for a moment, so we both stayed in the car until I parked in the long-term lot. I took her hand again as we got on the shuttle, and I told the driver our gate. Bella stayed silent, her head angled down, so her long hair hid her face. I could tell she was nervous about being recognized. I wondered if she'd manage to not break into tears if someone approached us.

Thankfully, the shuttle was full of the kind of travel-worn businessmen who were too overwhelmed by the stress coming over their smartphones to pay attention to who else was on the shuttle. And, while Bella was still beautiful enough to catch any eye, I'd purposely chosen clothes that hid her curves, and we were in the land of beautiful men and women. We managed to blend in with the crowd as we hurried to our departure gate.

The flight was boarding first class when we arrived. Bella headed to stand in line, but I shook my head and settled us both into seats to wait until our row was called. Bella blushed at her assumption. "I never thought I'd be one of those people who assume they get to go first," she whispered to me.

"You could never be one of those people," I assured her. "I'd have booked first class if I could, but timing had to come over comfort today."

Bella nodded, her hair falling over her shoulder. From across the waiting area, I saw a girl who looked about fourteen stare a moment too long, her eyes going wide and her lips forming an "oh."

Crap, I thought. I could only hope we'd be far enough away on the 747 that the girl wouldn't be able to eavesdrop on us. I knew Bella would need to ask questions and be reassured while we were in flight. It was too much to ask that she not say anything until we were driving, and her voice was just as recognizable for its beauty as her face.

The universe was willing to spare me just enough luck on this cursed day that the possible fan girl was seated at the very front of the coach compartment, while Bella and I were in the middle. I didn't think she'd be silly enough to pretend she would need the bathroom at the opposite end, and the seats were tall enough that Bella and I could slouch out of sight.

There were no delays in the flight. The familiar feeling of take-off, as we were pushed back into our seats and the air in my ears expanded, actually felt like the sweetest relief of pressure. When the signal came from the pilot that we could turn on our electronics, Bella instantly opened Google on her Smartphone.

"Don't," I warned her, placing my hand over hers and the little screen. "There's no point in looking at the Internet right now; you're only going to stress yourself out."

Bella rolled her eyes at me. "If you think it's going to keep me less stressed not to be online, then your mind obviously isn't fully functioning as well as you think."

I had to give her some credit for that. She made an excellent point. Bella never could truly relax when there was something on her mind, and right now, there was probably so much she needed a distraction from.

"Just promise me you'll stay off TMZ, okay?" I urged, taking away my hand and granting her access.

"I wasn't even thinking about that," she said. "I was planning to get on web MD."

"My God," I said. "That is probably the only thing in the world that's worse than a gossip site right now." As usual, I was careful not to say her name while we were around people who might perk up at hearing Bella.

She ignored me, and I could see the site come up on the tiny screen in her hand. I placed my own hand over the screen once more. Her head snapped up, and she looked ready to bite my head off.

"Just keep in mind that those sites make hypochondriacs of everybody," I said in a placating voice while releasing her hand. "The best thing you can do is just wait to hear what Carlisle has to say."

She nodded and bit her lip.

Sighing, I realized I should probably take care of some things while she was distracted. I took out my phone and opened up my e-mail. I still had the aftermath of that stupid kiss photo to deal with. After composing a simple response to the first press inquiry, I started copying and pasting into more replies.

I still had about five messages marked urgent in my inbox when Bella's hand covered mine, just like I had done to her. She raised an eyebrow toward me and then toward the male flight attending who had been standing patiently, or at least pretending to be patient while waiting for my drink order. I smiled, embarrassed, and told him I'd take a coffee.

"And for you, Miss?" the steward asked.

"A water, please, and if you don't mind some ice?" Bella made the request a question.

She hated the idea of coming across as another high maintenance Hollywood-type who thought she was better than everyone. Of course, she was indeed better than most people I'd ever met, but it had nothing to do with her A-list status, or her checkbook, or even her perfect figure. Bella was just a kind soul, and she smiled with real gratitude when she was handed the lukewarm bottle and a cup of ice.

As the attendant pushed the cart past us, I heard a small gasp and turned to Bella, expecting to see her staring at some worst-case scenario for stroke victims.

But, her phone was off, and she was staring past me as if seeing something far away.

"I left all sorts of perishables in the fridge, and the trash isn't out," she whispered as if she was having a terrifying vision of the future in which her home was overrun with vermin.

"I can have our regular cleaning service take care of that," I said. "Despite you forbidding me from hiring a full-time housekeeper, there are plenty of reliable services that will come in for whatever special tasks we need."

"What about the mail?" Bella countered, biting her lip. "It's going to be obvious we're not there if it starts building up."

I shook my head. "Calm down," I told her. "I can put a stop on the mail and have someone come by to check on things. There is absolutely nothing we can't take care of by phone or e-mail, okay?"

She chewed her lip, thinking.

"You need both a credit card and a driver's license to rent a car, right?" she asked. I thought there was a small bit of pride in her voice.

I nodded.

"I guess it is a good thing I still keep up my driver's license," she said.

"Yes," I said patiently. "It's a good thing for you to be able to legally drive. But you're not renting the car, nor are you driving, especially since you're not allowing yourself to sleep."

"So, you're going to be my chauffeur as well as my assistant once we get to Washington?" she asked petulantly. "What if you get a speeding ticket and get your license suspended? I can totally imagine that happening the way you drive."

"I'm guessing you won't mind me driving fast, at least for our first part of the trip," I countered. "And after we get there, I'm sure you can borrow a car. Your old truck is still registered, but I'm assuming that hunk of metal has rusted in place by now."

Bella's eyes went wide. "My truck?"

"Yes," I said. "The registration was renewed last September. And despite my wishing it stopped running, I actually had it serviced not long after that. So, if you insist on driving somewhere, that will be available for you."

I shuddered at the thought of delicate Bella behind the wheel of that tank, but I had to admit, despite its age, her old Chevy that she'd driven through high school and college was safe. It could probably walk away from any collision with just another scratch on the decade's old paint.

Bella scowled at my display. "I hate it when you have all the answers," she pouted, crossing her arms in front of her.

"You should have hired a less competent assistant," I replied with a crooked grin. I could tell this familiar teasing was distracting her. Perhaps I could even get her in a good enough mood to take a nap.

"Hiring a less competent assistant would have been easy," she said. "There is literally no one as competent as you anywhere in the world. As we both know, you're shamefully overqualified."

"Yes," I replied. "But you've made up for that since my first performance review by making me shamefully overpaid as well."

Bella shook her head, "That can't be true," she whispered, and then added quietly. "Even now, I can't afford what you are really worth."

"I'd gladly do it all for free," I matched her low whisper with my own, daring at this low volume to say her name. "Trust me, Bella, that's very, very, true."

The intimacy of our little bubble was pierced by the stern voice of one of the flight attendants, urging someone to return to their seat. I peeked up over the headrest as Bella turned her head toward the window and slouched lower.

I met the eyes of the attendant, who, like the teenager in front of her, was staring back exactly where Bella and I were sitting.

The woman in uniform winked at me before turning back to the girl. "Good lord, child," she said. "Do you honestly think a woman who was on the red carpet twelve hours ago is sitting in coach right now? If that was anybody, trust me, I'd be getting her autograph myself. Now, you turn yourself around, sit down, and fasten your seatbelt before I have to tell the TSA agent we've got a lunatic on board."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Beside me, I could feel the heat of Bella's blush. She still turned bright red whenever someone recognized her in public.

"I'll take care of it," I told her. I figured I would have a chance to thank the flight attendant when we disembarked but didn't wait to slip a large bill into my pocket so it would be ready.

My need to use the restroom came first, however. As I was stepping out and wrestling with the sliding door, a toothpaste-commercial smile was waiting for me.

"I hope you've had a relaxing flight, sir," the flight attendant purred. "Would you believe someone wanted to ask your friend for an autograph?" She was sure to put a questioning emphasis on the word while raising an eyebrow. "As if that would be worth anything."

"Yes, as if," I quipped. "What do you suppose an autograph from someone in coach would be worth." Noticing how her smile spread, I was momentarily worried I wouldn't have enough cash on hand.

"I don't know what an autograph of someone as famous as say, Bella Swan's would go for," she replied. "But, I think your phone number would be worth more." She winked, and I couldn't contain the laugh. "Do you come to Seattle often?" she continued to press.

The cliche pick up line made me want to laugh again, but I knew I was in a delicate situation. "Why don't you put your info in my phone and text yourself," I said. "Assuming we're still safe to use electronics right now."

The attendant's grin widened as I opened a new contact and handed her my phone. Her practiced fingers quickly entered her info and handed it back to me. I glanced down at the screen and then gave her my best grin, hoping the charm I'd had in college wasn't completely gone.

"Thanks, Tanya," I said to her. "I really appreciate your help today and look forward to properly thanking you soon."

"Oh," she said. "The pleasure is all mine, Mike." I grinned again, grateful I'd used an alias for myself and Bella on this flight. Of course, I'd wait until at least tomorrow to delete her info from my phone just in case she decided to do something stupid like post about this on social media.

I could feel her eyes on my ass as I walked back to my seat. Bella was still staring out the window but seemed calm enough that I could get some work done.

We still had an hour before we'd reach Seattle.

Stay safe and well, friends. No promises on when I will have another chapter, but I'm doing my best to beat back the writer's block.