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 steals his heart at first sight and sound.

This is Beta'd by my queen, Fran. I love her! And should I do some tweaking after the fact … mistakes are ALL mine.

A/N: I'd like to address a negative guest reader, only because they upset another reader who was concerned about my feelings. Please know, I don't give a rat's tushie about negative cowards who hide behind GR status. And BTW, 'Blackbird' was introduced to the world in 1968, as a Beatle's song. YOU get your facts straight. Thank you, Riam, for your concern.

Chapter Eight: The Findings in the East

BPOV

Edward looks up at me, smiles and shakes his head. "Caught red-handed."

"It was beautiful."

"Thank you."

"I love the melody, it's haunting."

"And you know it was for you."

"I-I thought, but I didn't want to presume."

I sit on the bench next to him.

He hesitates. "Would you object?"

"No."

"I feel close to you. Before you opened your mouth to sing … Before you played the guitar, the drums, the whole orchestra!" He laughs.

I laugh.

"There's something about you, Bella Swan that draws me in." He takes my hands and plays with my fingers.

I shyly blush. "I know."

"Would you be okay waiting?"

I tilt my head to the side.

"I have to protect you. I don't want anyone to say I did this because you were my girlfriend. I want people to see you for your talent. I want them to see me fall for you because of it, and who you are as a person." He swallows. "And I hope you'll fall for me, too."

I boldly sit sideways on his lap and run my finger through his wayward, copper-blonde locks. Staring into his eyes, I whisper, "That's a given, Edward Cullen." I kiss his cheek and hug him. "I appreciate the slow burn."

He tightly hugs me. "And it's a burn, Bella."

From the entrance of the downstairs, Esme sings, "Edward, are you down here?"

I jump off his lap and sit back on the bench.

Both Carlisle and Esme walk into the studio.

"If you don't mind, I've brought vials to take samples. I want to have some tests done in China. Bekka, Dr. Song Yè, has been very cooperative," Carlisle says, as he carries his doctor's bag and a small cooler.

"Yeah, he was great. I never felt like a lab rat."

"Well, I'd like to bring him blood, urine, and saliva samples from the both of you. He can see your progress, Bella. Possibly, now he can define his diagnosis and also, see what he can do for Edward."

"Thanks, Dad and Mom."

"You already booked a flight?" I ask.

"Edward insisted we use the band's plane."

Edward shrugs. "They might as well be comfortable for the long flight. We're not using it."

"We'll only be gone a few days, and I'll keep in touch with Dr. Yè. He said it would take about two to three weeks for the results."

"Sounds good." Edward smiles.

"After your dad takes the samples, I'm going to head out."

"But you'll be back by three."

"Yeah, of course. I'm looking forward to working with my band."

Esme coos, "Listen to you, young lady. 'Your band,' I like that."

I giggle. "Me, too."

"Okay, let me get your spit and guts, and you can go." Carlisle claps his hands together.

Esme moans.

Carlisle complains, "What?"

EPOV

After tearful goodbyes, Mom and Dad are on their way to China. Within minutes of their departure, Ali and Jasper arrive at the door.

"Hey, what's up?"

Jasper nods. "She needed to see you."

We head down to the studio. "We can talk as I do the audio check."

Once I sit, I take a good look at my sister and see her eyes are puffy and surrounded by dark circles. "What's wrong, Ali?'

She puts her arms out, and I embrace her as she cries. "Hey, it's all right." I stare at Jasper over her shoulder and mouth, "What?"

"She's been like this all night and this morning," Jasper informs.

"You want to tell me what this is all about?"

She sniffles. "Bella."

I nervously ask, "What about her?"

"I didn't know about her. She never told me, Edward. I can't imagine her being that sick and all alone in New York, but China, too. I should have known."

I sigh. "She didn't want you to worry. C'mon, Ali, be reasonable. What could you have done?"

"I could have been there for her. I could have helped her."

"At the cost of your education? That's why she didn't tell you. You have to put yourself in her place. Would you have told her?"

She shakes her head. "No."

"Then, stop beating yourself up."

"She's the closest thing I have to a sister, Edward. She's such a good friend. It hurts to know she was that sick, like you."

"So, now that you know, you'll be there for her." I smile. "And you're coming on tour with us."

"That's not for months."

"But you're both here. You can watch over her. When Mom and Dad come back, they'll have new information that will help us."

"Don't be mad at me, but I've wanted you to be with Bella since we became friends."

Jasper kids, "She's plotted this."

I smile. "Well, it worked."

Ali looks at me with surprise. "What?"

I smile at her. "It worked."

She squeezes me to her. "Oh, Edward, I knew there would be something between you two. I just felt she was your soulmate. She's the perfect girl for you. She's unaffected by money, and she has the biggest heart."

"I know, Ali."

"She's funny and smart."

"I know."

"She unselfish and giving."

"I know, that's why we have to take our time and wait."

"What! Are you crazy? You need to be together and learn about each other and fall madly in love."

"Hold on. Hold on. I have to protect her first. I have a plan."

She wipes under her eye with her index fingers. "What kind of plan?"

"I told this to Bella. Well, not everything. But I want the world to see how talented she is. Introduce her, and allow them to see she is the real deal. And I want them to see how well we play together musically while writing songs underlining the attraction we have for each other as it grown into to a solid relationship."

Jasper mumbles, "Fall in love in the public eye. That's kind of brilliant, Edward. No one will ever think you did all of this for your girlfriend."

"On her own merit," Ali says biting her lip. "What about Bella?"

I smirk. "She's in, but she wants us to take it slow, too."

"Bella's not a run-around. She dated a few guys in high school and college, but nothing serious. She's not broken by a guy. She was consumed with her music and always had an instrument in her hand, like you."

"It's all in the breathing, Ali,"

"Oh, I love this. This is better than I could ever dream of." She hugs me again.

"So, we're writing a story, song by song." Jasper nods. "I can relate to love." He smiles at Ali.

"Softy." She smirks at him.

"She'll be here at three to work with her band. We'll start on the plan with the group."

"Now, I feel so much better. I also had another idea I wanted to throw your way," Ali explains.

"What?"

"A helicopter pad. You have plenty of room on the other side of the pool and the flat roof on the top back. When we came back a few days ago, the drive home was rough on you. I spoke to our accountant, and he thinks it's a great idea tax-wise and time-saving."

"I'm not adverse to the idea."

"Edward, the difference from Sea Tak would be over a three-hour difference. A helicopter ride is only forty-two minutes."

"Beats four hours," Jasper huffs. "It's a thought. You can use it on the American tour."

"What, and not bus it with you?"

"True. What would you do without me, man?" Jasper smiles.

"Okay, we can look around Seattle; figure out a seat count, whatever. Besides, we do our best writing on that bus, Jazz."

"Yes, we do. I look forward to writing about you falling down the love hole."

"Jazz that sounds really dirty." Ali bats her eyes.

"Jesus, Ali, I meant like going down the rabbit hole in 'Alice in Wonderland.'

"Edward, The 'Wonderland Tour' sounds good," she gasps.

"It does. Yeah, I'm not thrilled about a public flashing of this relationship, but it's the romance that will bring people in. Fans for Bella."

Ali taunts, "Now, who's the sacrificial lamb, brother?"

"If we can start her on the right foot, protect her from the wolves, then so be it."

Jasper sings falsetto, "Then so be it.

That's what it is.

Got no control

Heart's in your hand.

Then so be it.

Baby, that's right.

You have the hold

Now understand.

Be gentle Babe

Don't hurt my soul

It's new for this

Shiny and bright.

I'm a young guy

With lots to give.

You take me, girl

And hold me tight.

Then so be it

You take the lead.

I'll follow you

To Wonderland.

Then so be it

You're my muse.

It's your power

Your yonder hand."

I stare at him. "What the fuck is a yonder hand?"

"I don't know, I have to work on that."

Ali makes a face and mumbles, "No kidding."

Jasper frowns.

Ali reassures, "But it was good, honey. You just rambled that right off."

BPOV

Gus, my store manager, runs the place like clockwork. He's a conscientious, older man who takes responsibility with a high regard. I can easily walk out without a thought to his competency. He twirls his white, handlebar mustache with a grin and rings up a purchase. "Bella, when I close up, I'll clean out the back."

"Oh, no need, Gus. I straightened it out," I say putting on my coat.

"Thank you. I'll have time to stop at the bakery and get my wife her favorite doughnuts. She likes the powdered ones filled with vanilla cream."

"I used to love those. Okay, gotta go, see you on Wednesday, Gus."

"Bye, Bella."

I open the door and run right into Ria and Barry. "Hey."

"We're so glad we ran into you," Ria breathlessly says.

"Everything okay?"

"We had a water hose in our car burst, and it's at a garage."

"And since it's afternoon, we won't get it back until tomorrow," Barry adds.

"That stinks. Well, I'm headed to Edward's, so you two can ride with me and then I can take you back to your hotel."

"That would be great, thank you."

We arrive at Edward's with fifteen minutes to spare. He opens the door before we can knock.

I notice many cars in the driveway, and as I enter the studio, there are no chairs available in the engineering room. Edward sets Barry behind the drums and hands Ria a bass. Both go through their progressions to ready themselves to play. Ria warms up by playing the scales, moving her fingers extremely fast, while Barry lightly taps the cymbals and rolls on the snare.

Bitsy and Danny are already here playing rhythm.

Edward grabs my hand and escorts me to a group of men standing in the corner. "Ray, Beaker, this is Bella Swan. Bella, Ray Marks is with Stars, Inc. and Beaker Grace is the talent scout for Music Man Corp."

Puzzled, I look at Edward.

He whispers in my ear, "Word travels fast about our label. They're here to check out the new talent."

"But I'm already signed with Cullen Crest," I whisper.

"Bella, you and I know that, but they're going to try to steal you away."

"That's unethical. I'm under your roof."

"Exactly."

I nod. "Oh, I get it. You're flaunting your prize."

He smiles. "I know you do. Now, go play a song for these sharks."

Edward proudly explains that this is our second meetup. We play a beat-up version of Pat Benatar's, 'Love is a Battlefield.' We receive a great reception with enthusiastic applauds.

Edward and the guys join in, and Edward sings the first few lines:

I thought that dreams belonged to other men

'Cuz each time I got close

They'd fall apart again."

Then, me:

I feared my heart would beat in secrecy

I faced the nights alone

Edward harmonizes with me:

Oh, how could I have known

That all my life I only needed you

Almost Paradise

We're knocking at heaven's door.

Almost Paradise

How could we ask for more?

I swear that I can see forever in your eyes

Paradise.

Edward sings to me:

It seems that perfect love's so hard to find

I'd almost given up

You must have read my mind.

I sing to him:

And all these dreams I saved for a rainy day

They're finally comin' true

We sing together:

I'll share them all with you

'Cos now we hold the future in our hands

Almost Paradise

We're knocking at heaven's door.

Almost Paradise

How could we ask for more?

I swear that I can see forever in your eyes

Paradise.

Edward sings to me, again, with a smirky smile:

And in your arms salvation's not so far away

It's getting closer,

We sing together:

Closer every day

Almost Paradise

We're knocking on heaven's door.

Almost Paradise

How could we ask for more?

I swear that I can see forever in your eyes

Paradise.

Paradise.

Paradise.

We fade into silence.

The room explodes. Everyone hoots and hollers. Ali has tears down her face as she jumps up and down screaming our names in the engineering room. Jasper's hugging Edward and me.

I look over at Emmett, and he's a crying mess. Even Garrett is emotionally shaken.

My band members are on a newbie high taking everyone in. Their eyes and mouths are wide open in absolute shock.

And when the everything winds down, Ali quietly says, "I knew it!"

A/N: I hope you do read the lyrics. They're all telling the story within a story.

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.

A/N: Pay It Forward, Winterward Card Contest… All done in fun!

Submit a photo you think depicts the way put very own Edward Cullen would be celebrating the December holidays. He could be single, with a date or with his family and friends. Inside, outside, home or away. Use your imagination and make him the best you can. He can be Winterward, Holidayward, Decemberward, etc. Let's have fun.

Entries submitted no later than Dec 20.

Winner announced Dec. 25.

Each entry must have a photo along with a caption or a short story no longer than 500 words tying it together.

Facebook name or Twitter handle:

Pen Name:

Title:

Send entries to: Winterward2017

There will be Amazon gift cards awarded to the winners.

Collabs welcome. Anon please!

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