She Rocks My World

80's Rocker, Edward Cullen, is the frontman for the enormously popular band, Cullen.

He's every woman's dream; handsome, wealthy, and talented, but the elusive rocker has something to hide until an overwhelmingly gifted, doe-eyed beauty steals his heart at first sight and sound.

This is Beta'd by the wonderful and lovely Fran who likes sunflowers. I also did some tweaking after the fact … mistakes are ALL mine.

Chapter Three: The Studio

BPOV

Breathing heavily, my heart pounds with each whistle and scream of my name. The crowd is on their feet shouting for more. Jasper smiles giving me a wink while nodding his head as Edward looks around the room. He turns to me, leans forward and says, "This is all for you."

I shake my head and grimace. "No, you and Jasper."

He kisses my cheek, and his eyes don't leave mine shaking his head back and forth.

I smile.

He smiles.

From the deafening cheers, I awake from my lucid dreaming, and strum my guitar giving it a tune. Once again, the applause and hooting simmer down to a stilled silence. The steam rises, but the pot no longer boils.

Jasper and Edward start to stand, and I plead with beseeching eyes for them to stay.

To my relief, they sit.

I pick my strings at the beginning of the Beatles' tune, 'Dear Prudence' and they follow along without missing a beat.

"Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play

Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day

The sun is up, the sky is blue

It's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence won't you come out and play."

EPOV

Bella's voice is strong but she brings her levels down for Jazz and me, not overshadowing but blending into a three-part harmony.

When the song ends, we finally say 'goodnight' to the crowd. Pushing the people out the door, Rosalie closes up a few hours earlier, inviting us to stay for a midnight supper. We follow her down a well-lit hallway to a large elevator.

Bella carries her guitar case and a small overnight bag that I offer to take from her. "Allow me."

She smiles with pink cheeks. "Okay, thank you."

Rosalie explains, flinging her arms, "I had all this open space upstairs, and it made perfect sense to me to renovate it into an apartment." She huffs. "I don't have to go far to get to work."

Emmett adds, "Falling out of bed."

She smiles. "Exactly, and I'm here for any emergency."

Rosalie inserts her key, and when the doors open, we enter the elevator and rise to the second floor.

"We do a popular brunch every Sunday. Now, my cook has created a mean-ass breakfast. " Rosalie laughs. "Hey, I had the biggest house* thanks to all of you. Breakfast is the least I can do to say a thank you."

Emmett groans.

Bella pokes Rosalie. "Ha, a way to a man's heart."

And Emmett pours on the charm. "She had me at first glance."

Garrett chokes, "Suckup."

The doors open to a large, sunken living space with light beige sofas contrasting with the dark hardwood floors. In the back, there is a small kitchen and a wall of plate glass windows looking out over the water. An ornate, black, wrought iron spiral staircase leads to another level. And to the right, there is a long, rectangular table with Sterno-containers of French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and fried potatoes. Nearby, there are small bowls of jellies, syrups, cream cheese, butter and English clotted cream. There's a basket of bagels, toast, and croissants and a second with Danish, doughnuts, and cookies, both lined in white linens. A round table off to the side holds a good-sized coffee and teapot, along with bottles of juice, water, and milk.

I would say Rosalie has all of our tastes covered, especially my brother. He can't tear his eyes from her.

"Please, help yourselves. I'm just going to run to my room," Rosalie offers. "I won't be long."

"I'll bring my things to your guest room, Rose," Bella adds and takes her bag and guitar case from me. "Thank you, Edward."

Both women exit past a door on the left.

Ali stares Jasper and me down. "Well?" She taps a foot with her hands on her hips.

We simultaneously answer, "You're right."

My sister exhausts a long breath.

Emmett agrees, "I like her."

"Thank you, Em," Ali whispers and he salutes her.

Jasper says, "I'm going to state the obvious that every guy is going to want her and every chick is going to want to be her."

Garrett blatantly moans, "And every label is going to screw her." He and Kate walk over to the buffet and help themselves.

"That's horrible," Kate moans.

"Then, it's our job to protect her," Ali vehemently announces.

"I agree."

Ali looks surprised. "Seriously, Edward?"

Jasper gives me a nod.

"Yeah, I'm serious. If Bella wants a career in music, we'll back her."

Ali lunges for me, squeezing me around the waist while jabbering, "I've done all the research to start a label. I have all the paperwork from our attorneys."

I frown at her.

"What? I had a feeling," she spouts. "All I need from you is a name and a logo." Ali smirks.

I look down at her anxious face. "Let's do the Cullen crest."

Jasper agrees, "The name, too."

Bella walks through the door. "The Cullen crest?"

Ali grabs Bella's hand. "This is all up to you, Bella."

She questions. "What is?"

"Starting a record label, if you're interested," Ali spouts.

Emmett interjects while grabbing a piece of bacon. "We want to start our own record label … and sign you." He pops the bacon into his mouth and grins at Bella.

She looks around. "I couldn't … I can't."

"Bella, you've talked about music since the day I met you. Writing your own songs and performing them has been your dream," Ali reminds her.

"That's not realistic, Ali. I have my uncle's store, my dad, and so many responsibilities."

Rose enters in tight-skinned jeans, bare feet, and a fitted T-shirt "What's going on?"

Emmett's mouth drops.

"The guys want to create a label and sign Bella," Ali states.

Rosalie wraps her arms around Bella and happily hugs her. "That's amazing." She admonishes, "Why are you so stiff?"

"Rose, I can't do this now. My uncle left me his store to run. I can't go off and leave."

"Bella, he had capable people running the place before he died. Just make one the manager, give them a raise, and go live your dream."

"You make it sound easy, Rose."

Ali interjects, "It can be. C'mon, Bella, how many people get a chance like this? Edward isn't the easiest person to sell, and he wants to do this."

With a full mouth, Garrett struggles to swallow and adds, "Don't look this gift horse in the mouth, Bella, he has sincere intentions."

Kate quietly adds, "You were amazing."

"We all do." Jasper smiles. "Hey, do you think I could play your guitar? I've always wanted a Hummingbird, and Keith Richards and Lenny Kravitz wouldn't share theirs."

Emmett pipes in, "Chris Cornell let you play his."

Jasper whines, "But not for long."

"Bella, can I talk with you … alone?" I ask.

Rosalie offers, "Bella, go take Edward into the guest room."

We silently walk through the door, down a hallway and into a room with sliding glass doors that overlook the water. There's a brass daybed up against the wall with a small dresser to the right and a roll-top desk with a chair on the other side.

I close the door and lean against it, as Bella sits on the edge of the bed. Crossing my arms over my chest, I lay it all on the line. "You have no idea what you did tonight."

She shrugs. "I'm a lucky girl who got to jam with some heavy duty rockers."

"That's what you think?"

"That's what it was. So, I can carry a tune, but you and Jasper are the rock stars. I got caught up in the excitement, as did the crowd."

I look at her in disbelief. "Bella, you were the excitement. Jesus, you have no idea how you commanded them." I sit next to her.

"Edward, be serious, I'm not your typical rocker," she modestly explains.

I lightly wrap my fingers around her beautiful, chestnut ends. "I wouldn't change a strand." It's so soft to the touch.

She stares.

I remove my hand and apologize, "Sorry."

"Did Ali put you up to this?"

I sigh, lean my elbows on my thighs and turn my head to her. "When you get to know me, and you will get to know me, you'll realize no one pulls my strings."

Understanding I mean business, Bella sits cross-legged on the bed facing me. "You really want me?" She stutters, "Um, you know what I mean."

I smile. "I meant what I said. I don't want to change anything about you."

"The simple girl?"

"No, you're not simple. People are going to want to know about you, where you came from, what you think, what inspires you, and what you like for breakfast."

And at that note, her stomach growls.

"I think we need to eat."

I stand and extend my hand. "Well?"

"I like bacon."

We laugh.

"I guess I have my answer."

She smiles. "I guess you do."

~*~SRMW~*~

The following morning, I feel very rested instead of achy and tired. Turning over, I glance at the clock, and it's a little past nine-thirty.

"Jesus, I slept without taking anything."

I smile to myself, and I'm actually looking forward to today.

Bella will be here in an hour. I want to work with her before Jasper and Ali arrive at noon.

I snort. Jasper still has a boner for the Hummingbird. I guess I need to find him one.

After a quick shower, I towel-dry my hair, put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and take a

stiff drink. I head down to the studio, flipping on lights and equipment.

The time goes by quickly and soon the doorbell chimes.

Racing up to the first floor, I open the door to find Bella with a large, brown paper bag and said guitar in case. "You know, you'd better guard that thing in front of Jasper. Since he saw you play, he's been talking about nothing else."

She giggles. It's like music to my ears. "I have another in the shop."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, my uncle stored it in the back room."

"Can we get someone to bring it out?"

"I guess so."

"I will gladly pay for it."

"I don't doubt that. May I use your phone?" she asks.

"Sure." I guide her into the kitchen and show her the vintage pay phone with a mounted Mason jar of dimes.

She's in a daze turning and looking at every inch of the cabinets. She places her case on the floor and the bag on the countertop.

"Edward, this place is huge."

"Yeah, my mother does the decorating. I did choose the black appliances, though."

She runs her hand over the countertop. "I like the wood look. Do you cook?"

"No, I leave that up to Emmett. He's quite the chef."

She laughs, "I think he and Rose will get along famously."

I kid, "I thought they already did. He talked about her all the way home, last night."

"She kept me up until three."

I nod. "A budding romance in the making. So, what's in the bag?"

"Rose sent me off with food." She smirks.

"Well, Emmett and Garrett will be here later this afternoon for a band practice. I'm sure we can save them some of Rose's goody bag."

"Ali called me and said she'll be here around noon."

"Yes, along with Jasper."

"Oh, let me call the shop and get the guitar."

~*~SRMW~*~

Bella and I settle into the studio. I have her play a song with a low and high range, while I get all the sound levels.

I close my eyes and listen without any interruption. She has perfect pitch. She sings on the correct note, holds it and her accents are on the right phrase. When I tell her to add vibrato, her voice vibrates holding the note at length. Every instruction I throw at her, she does it with ease, exactly as I suggest.

Ali and Jasper come into the engineering room. Jasper sits to my right, as Ali stands behind me. We watch and listen to Bella through the glass, as I put her through all the motions and Jasper sits forward.

"Bella?"

She looks up.

"I'm going to record. You ready?"

She nods.

She sings on cue.

After five tracks, I call her in.

We listen to each segment. My eyes on Jazz, he stares back at me.

"Jesus!"

I nod.

Bella asks, "What? What's wrong?"

I shake my head. "Nothing."

Jasper's jaw drops, as he stares at Bella. "You're perfect on every take."

Ali easily states, "She's like Shirley Temple."

Jasper frowns, "I don't get it, Baby."

"She was called 'one-take Temple.' Every time they filmed, she did her part perfectly.

Bella, you're a one-take."

"How do you know that?" I ask.

"Trivia, I play it every day on the Net. Yeah, Bella, one-take!"

Jasper shrugs. "OT."

The girl turns beet red. "I just did what Edward told me to do."

"But it doesn't always work. We've been a band for over five years. I can't tell you how many times we've done something over because Mr. Perfection didn't like a riff* or Garrett was too hard on his high-hat." Jasper spews.

Bella stares at me. "And all five takes were good?"

I nod. "On the money. We've had trained studio musicians fuck up."

"Hell, we've fucked up plenty ourselves," Jasper adds.

"Bella, play that song you wrote about your dad. Edward, record it. I'm telling you it's great." She sits next to me as Bella goes back into the studio, picks up her guitar and plays:

"I was five years old

When he told me to sit

And I closed my eyes

To rest and breathe a bit.

He bandaged my hand

And put it in a sling

Told me not to cry

You just whistle and sing.

Do do do… do do do.

He was always there

Daddy knows what to do

He'd keep me busy

Not thinking of the bruise.

A song in your head

Will keep the pain away

The music will heal

Just let it play today.

La la la… la la la.

So when you're the mom

And your girl breaks a bone

You sing her a song

And there will be no moans.

There'll be no moans ... do la.

We saved those bones … do la.

She did not cry … do la.

She did not cry."

I wave Bella to come in.

As she enters, Jasper spouts, "Man, I wished you played that last night. I liked the twang in your voice."

"Yeah, it's a not country sound, but it's almost close," Bella says.

Ali comments. "Bella's used to play that song for me whenever I was down."

"Music heals all."

Bella smiles at me. "It's what my Dad believes."

"So that's why you're so musical."

"It's just there … like breathing. Not perfection, Edward, it's just being. I don't think about what I'm going to do. It just happens."

"And nerves?"

"Well, I was singing in front of a crowd with you and Jasper. Yeah, I thought about that," she admits.

Ali proudly says, "She was eight when she wrote that song."

Jasper puffs his chest out and imitates the Queen of England, "Ooo, I do believe we have a prodigy on our hands."

Ali falls in. "Why, yes, she's a musical prodigy."

"Have you written anything classical?" I ask.

Bella giggles. "I have a few."

I stare at her in amazement. "I'd like to hear them."

"I need a piano," she says.

"I have one in the family room. We haven't moved it down here yet."

Jaspers insists, "Then, to the family room we shall go."

~*~SRMW~*~

BPOV

As I play my 'Autumn Sonata,' a piece that begins slowly but works into a fast, frenzied movement, I watch Edward's intense, facial expressions. It's as though he's playing along with me. His fingers follow on his thighs like a keyboard.

When I finish, there's a dead silence until Ali jumps up vigorously clapping.

At the doorway, Emmett and Garrett begin to hoot and holler.

Emmett shouts, "She's a classy chick. Was that Beethoven?"

I drop my head and smile.

Jasper laughs, "He thinks everything is Beethoven."

"Bella, can you stick around for a while? Edward needs to do a sound check on the band, but I would like to go over your contract," Ali explains.

"Sure."

Ali then whispers in my ear, "Bella, this is going to be great for you, the band, and Edward."

A/N: *House: The house can refer to any area, which is not considered playing

space or backstage area.

*riff: a short repeated phrase in popular music and jazz, typically used as an introduction or refrain in a song.

"a brilliant guitar riff"

A/N: Pay It Forward will be featuring fics in four different categories on their new blog. Number one will be our Rookie ... A new, first-time writer showcasing their first fic on our blog. Number two will be our Encore ... A new fic from a seasoned author giving us a sneak peek. Number three will be our Classix ... one from the vault, a time-tested oldie. And four, is an Overlooked fic that needs some love.
If you are a Rookie and need help, contact Fran on the PIF page. And if you have an Encore, contact her to get your new fic showcased. Also, anyone interested in writing a summary on one of their favs, please feel free to send it in for our Classix section.