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.

A/N: I'm very fortunate to have Fran beta my stories. BUT this chapter isn't. With sick kids and no time, real life … Please, disregard my comma handicap. Fran is ill, and I couldn't ask her to edit anything at the eleventh hour. So, hang in there with me.

Chapter Thirteen: The Hard Work Begins

EPOV

It's apparent we are too open for our own good. Ria keeps smiling at me nodding her approval. Emmett smirks with boyish joy that I have my mojo back. Even quiet Jasper, who doesn't step on toes, blushes at me with a toothy grin. But it's Garrett's one-line whisper that rings in my head, "You deserve this, man, and I'm happy for you both."

Bella shyly looks at me, sweeping her hair behind her ear and smiling as she hums with the music. She works on a classical piece playing the violin as Bitsy picks at her harp. We all watch in amazement as both women transition this timely masterpiece of the finale of Swan Lake into a haunting rock melody. Ria joins in with her bass, as Danny moves his fingers over the piano, and Barry lightly taps on his cymbals. I stare at Garrett and point. He flips me off.

Jazz follows me into the engineering room and we record their jam session.

Bella

Each

"Is it obvious

We two have a fate

To share a lifetime

With only one mate?

True to each other

There is a strong bond.

That red string found us

Coupled like two swans.

Each breath is for you.

Each kiss seals that bond.

Each touch warms our souls.

Each word is our song.

There is no other

I could give my heart.

You stole my feelings

From the very start.

There are no secrets.

We have told the world

That you are my man

And I am your girl.

Each breath is for you.

Each kiss seals that bond.

Each touch warms our souls.

Each word is our song."

The guys watch intently, and when the song ends, they file into the studio from the control room. All of them jump in with different ideas and Bella listens with absolute undivided attention taking every suggestion with the utmost respect and care.

I remain with Jasper in the engineering room, as he fiddles with the tape, and I watch the group.

But it's Ria that blows us all away.

"I think this song could be the band's opening." She looks around for approval.

Bella pushes her on. "How do you see this, Ria?"

"Well, Swan Lake is about a prince who is expected to find a wife at a ball given in his honor."

Ali pipes in, as she sits next to Bella, "Like Cinderella?"

Ria continues, "Yeah, somewhat. Frustrated by any lack of interest in anyone, he leaves this gala and escapes into the forest. Oh, since he was a huntsman, he was given a special bow. He sees a bevy of swans in the lake. As they exit, one stretches her long neck and he aims his bow only to throw it down and stare at this beautiful, peaceful bird. She lies down and begins to transition into a woman. Long story short, they do tragically come together in the end. But instead of a tragedy, we can change this outcome into a forever on earth. Swans do mate for life. So, two people find one another and get together finding their happily ever after. I'm an artist." She looks around. "Well, the bills had to be paid so I worked for an advertising agency while Barry was a set designer for the stage."

Barry adds, "I have a friend who has a small theater. I do his special effects and set up all the electrical rigs."

"I can see the logo for the tour, if I may suggest," she anxiously says.

I urge her on from the control room and speak into the mic, "Sure."

She continues, "I see the Cullen crest with swan wings on each side on fire. Instead of The Wonderland Tour, why not, 'Wings on Fire'? Show the flames of this love."

I clear my throat, as Bella blushes.

Ria looks at Bella, then me. "Oh, c'mon you two, there's no sense in being sketchy. We all know you have 'it' for one another. Anyone can see 'it'. Geez, the other night, everyone in the room felt your sexual tension, your passion, and it completely trickled down everyone's spine. Hell, I did Barry as soon as we got home. Jasper jumped Ali and Rose looked at Emmett like he was a burger."

Emmett widely grins. "I am tasty."

We laugh.

"Even sweet Kate lusted over Garrett."

Garrett agrees, "You know it." Kate slaps his arm.

"In advertising, you take the product and run with it. Edward, you want the world to know Bella has talent and you fell in love with her in the meantime. You want to showcase her as a talent, not as your girlfriend. But you need to use that as the advantage not squelch it. Show the lust, for God Sake, people eat that up. Give them a taste and they'll be hungry for more. They'll see she's the real deal, not a nepotistical rocker's one-night-stand of a fling to shove in their faces."

Ali exhaust, "Wow, I agree. And I like the idea of flaming wings on the Cullen Crest. Can you do a prototype, Ria?"

"Yeah."

"I like the idea, too. We're advertising both bands," I say.

"Yes, it will incorporate your crest with swan wings. Swan being Bella." Ria laughs. "Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. Cullen and Swan."

Ali nods. "This makes sense."

"The play on names fits, Edward," Jazz agrees.

"How do you feel about it, Bella?"

"I like the crest and wings. I think Swan will work for our name. What do you think," she asks me.

I smile at her. "I like it."

Hours later, we take a break and head up to the kitchen, finding Christy busy taking something out of the oven.

"What did you cook, Christy? It smells out of this world," Bella hums.

"I made meatloaves from ground turkey and millet. Add a little egg, salt and it's delicious. You'd think breadcrumbs were in the mix. And I glazed them with brown rice syrup to give it extra flavor. Is everyone staying for lunch? There's plenty."

Emmett sits at the island and takes Christy's hand. "You are the best find. I hope one day I'm with a woman who can tend to my culinary needs."

"Christy squeezes his hand. "Emmett, I've seen you eat. She'll have to be a pro."

Everyone piles into the kitchen and laughs.

Bella teases, "Hmm, did you know that Rose went to culinary school? The bar is a family business. All the food prepared is from Rose's recipes."

"She can cook?" he says in surprise.

"And bake."

Christy chirps, "Well, looks like you found your 'one', Emmett!"

Ali giggles, "Guess something's in the air for the Cullen band."

"There's a lot going on," I say. "We have a new tour to plan."

Ria smiles. "Then, you liked my ideas."

"I liked the 'Wings on Fire' surrounding the crest, Ria." Can you work up a drawing for us soon?"

"I need a copy of the crest and I can do the rest," she rhymes.

"We're in business," Ali yelps. "Now, all we need to do is finite those ideas and have them ready for your interview, so Kurt Loder will tell the world what to expect. Oh, I need to apologize. Silly me, got things confused. Kurt will be interviewing you for Rolling Stone Magazine and Mark Goodman will also be here from MTV." She laughs. "Kurt doesn't work for MTV, well, not yet."

I kid her, "You know something we don't, sis?"

She smirks. "Just a hunch."

The week passes by without a hitch. We are in the studio from early morning until late at night. Christy, my watchdog, makes lunch and sees to my naps. She forces me into my room and swears she'll lock me in if I don't rest for a few hours. I have to admit, she keeps me sane. Bella is right behind her making sure I do as I'm told. Bossy women.

But no one compares to my sister. She has them all under her thumb. With a schedule of every minute on the hour, Ali has the bands writing, rehearsing, recording and being fitted for costumes like clockwork. So, for the two hours, I am in a 'nap', everyone is busy doing something on a routine.

We have the healthiest bands in the business with Christy's supervision over meals, an added gym on the first floor and meditation exercises by Bitsy. So, I'm stronger, bigger and in touch with my inner self.

When I head downstairs, Ria meets me with a drawing, on the bottom step.

"I finally finished the prototype," she happily says and hands it to me.

My eyes widen and I shake my head. "This is great, Ria."

The crest has a golden Griffin with a green background, standing on three legs, facing the left side with one paw in the air and its tail curling upward on the right. He balances on a golden V-shaped platform with three evenly-spaced, green shamrocks. There are some golden, wavy-vine designs on both sides and a filigree-heart at the top of the oval crest. Over the head of the Griffin, there is an open-hand in gold with drips of green in the palm. The impressive flames for the swan wings burn from each side.

Between the top of the wings with a flame font, the title reads, 'Wings on Fire Tour' with 'Cullen' and 'Swan' at the bottom on a black background.

"It's beautiful, Ria. I'm really impressed. Has Bella seen it?" I ask.

"We worked on it together. She suggested the green for the background for the crest." She giggles. "Something to do with your eyes."

I blush. "Oh."

As Ria and I walk into the kitchen, the sound of rushing wind by powerful blades echoes from the backyard.

Christy hands me a protein drink. "Must be your interviewer." She turns back to the sink.

Ria and I walk through the sliding glass doors to meet with Ali.

"I had the film crew set everything up in the living room." She smiles at me. "You look rested, and thank you for wearing the jeans and T-shirt I laid out for you."

I smile at her. "Of course."

Mark Goodman walks behind Ali.

I extend my hand and we shake.

"Nice to see you again, Edward," Marks greets me.

"Thanks for coming out, Mark."

"Well, Ali gave me a heads up about some exclusive info you want to share."

"Damn straight."

We enter the living room and find Bella fluffing a pillow, as everyone else sits around the room.

I introduce Mark to Bella. "Mark Goodman, this is Bella Swan."

Mark takes her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Bella."

Bella blushes. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Before we sit, I like for you to see something, first, Mark."

"Okay."

I direct Mark downstairs into the control room and tell Bella and Bitsy to play their new song and the rest to follow along.

I sit next to Mark, as Jasper stands near the wide window with Emmett, Garrett, and Kate. Ali comes in and sits on the other side of Mark and winks at me.

Bella and Bitsy begin their intro. Mark sits up in amazement sitting on the edge of his chair watching Bella caress her violin and Bitsy her harp. I certainly recall that feeling.

The recognition of Swan Lake passes across Mark's face. He whispers to me, "Swan Lake?"

I nod. "Just wait."

Bella sings the first two lines in a sweet operatic melody to change the third line into her raspy, rock voice. She hits the high note holding it while quickly gliding her bow over the strings in rapid movements. Bitsy's nimble fingers rush across the harp keeping up with Bella's pace.

Everyone's eyes are on Mark. He gasps a few 'fuck me' watching both women intensely make their instruments sing. Ria, Barry, and Danny join in and Mark shakes his head. "Where did you find them? Jesus."

When the song ends, Mark stands erratically clapping. He turns to me and smiles. "I guess you wanted to show me not tell me."

"They speak for themselves."

He huffs. "Man, let's go do this interview."

A/N: Do you think they impressed Mark Goodman?

A/N: Yes, Swan won with the most votes for the band name, so Christy is the runner-up and will get the NOLA prize.

A/N: Sabrina Michaels suggested Wings of Love for the band name. I thought it would be great as the tour's name. But as the characters progressed on, it changed to Wings on Fire. So, thank you Sabrina (Nan).

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.
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