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: Fran, Fran, now she is my girl.
She's the best Beta in the World!
But this chapter is unBeta'd. So, try to overlook my typos and misplaced commas.
A/N: At the end of the chapter, you'll find important information. Please, read.
Chapter 24: Back Home
BPOV
Once we return home, I just feel like something is off. Everyone smiles, but I just believe they're keeping something from me.
The next few days are in the studio hammering out every song but I'm so tense about this whispering and giggling, I can't concentrate. I finally grab Ria cornering her in the backyard. "Would you like to tell me what is going on?"
She seriously looks at me with doe eyes. "What do you mean?" I can see the glint in her eyes.
I whisper-shout, "That look, for one. Everyone's walking around downright goofy when I enter a room."
Bitsy stands against the wall to one side and her eyebrows pop up in surprise. "We're goofy?"
"C'mon, you guys are hiding something from me." I sigh.
"I think you're a bit paranoid, Bella," Bitsy mumbles.
"So, you're not going to tell me," I huff.
Ria smiles. "There's nothing to tell …" She mumbles, "From us." Ria begins to walk away and looks over her shoulder. "Oh, Edward's by the garage. He needs to talk to you."
Bitsy winks and follows Ria through the glass doors, giggling.
I ball up my fist and stomp my way to the garage. As I turn the corner, Edward runs to me, placing his hands over my shoulders. "I need you to close your eyes."
"Why?" I ask.
"I have a surprise for you."
Being very skeptical, I cross my arms over my chest. "Why do I need to close my eyes?"
He kisses my nose. "Just do it."
I roll my eyes and huff. "Okay."
Either he doesn't trust me or my brat behavior incites him to cover my eyes with his large hands and whispers into my ear, "No peeking."
"How could I?" I giggle and place my hands over his. "Your hands are assuring a 'no peek' glance."
Edward kisses the top of my head. "You're cute when you're frustrated."
I sing, "I'm glad you think so."
He guides from the lawn onto the hard pavement of the driveway.
Carefully at a slow pace, we move downward. "Where are you taking me?"
"Just a few more steps."
I get shuffled into place, Edward places his hands on my hips saying, "Open your eyes."
The trees block the glare from the sun but create a halo over a large object. Once my eyes adjust to the light, I drop my mouth in amazement and whisper, "Oh, my God." My hands cover my gaping mouth. "Edward, what did you do?"
Edward releases his hands. "Go see."
I don't know where to look first, yet I run my hands over the side in disbelief, tracing the lines of the swan with my fingertips.
Turning to Edward, I take the few steps and jump into his arms. "I can't believe you did this for me, for my band."
"I don't think both bands could fit in Cullen's tour bus."
Ali complains, "Maybe, now, we can all see the inside?"
I grab hold of her and see everyone standing around. "So, this is what all of your were keeping from me? God, you guys, I was so worried I couldn't concentrate on rehearsals."
"We know," Ria smirks.
Bitsy laughs, "You were so flustered."
Barry admits, "Hey, I was all for telling you what was going on."
"Suck up," Danny irks.
"Hey, when she kept screwing up, you begged Edward to tell her," Barry defends to Danny.
"It was upsetting. Bella doesn't make mistakes."
Ali hugs Bella. "He wanted to surprise you."
I wipe my tear smeared cheeks. "Well, he did."
Edward leans his chin on my head wrapping his arms around my shoulders. "Well, what do you think?"
"It's amazing. I love the navy-blue, midnight sky with the 'S' as a swan. It's the same color as the moon." I look back and forth. "All the twinkling stars. Oh, there's a shooting star."
"Exactly what you are," he whispers in my ear and I rub his hands.
"Wow, I love how the moonlight shimmers in the pond. That is a pond?"
"Yes, it is."
"The wings look like real feathers. I mean, the whole swan looks as though it will fly off. I love the trail of musical notes. How did you do all of this?"
"Well, Ria did the design for the bus."
I throw Ria a kiss. "Thank you."
"You want to see the inside?"
"Yes!"
Edward opens the door and urges me to go in first. I climb the four steps into the cockpit for the driver and shotgun seat. Both have pale bluish-gray, leather padding and swivel from side to side.
From the outside, Emmett shouts, "C'mon, Bells, the rest of us want in."
"Sorry, Em."
I walk into a living room area with plush cream, leather sofas on both sides stacked with bluish gray and dark brown pillows, and upper bunks overhead that have rolling ladders.
The walls are the same color as the captains chairs giving an ethereal feeling of floating through the morning sky.
There's a large kitchen with stainless steel, double sinks, microwave, stove, oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator. I open a pantry door and find a stackable washer and dryer.
"Wow," I say to Edward.
"Do you like it?"
"I'm speechless. I never knew that you could cook on the road and have wooden floors."
There's laughter and I realize that everyone's on the bus.
There are two bathrooms across from one another with a small shower, sink, and toilet.
On the end, there is a master bedroom with a king-size bed decorated with more pillows and plenty of storage.
"Your mom did an amazing job. I love the colors," I happily say.
"Yeah, Mom's pretty good with figuring out people's style. She said you've always been easy to read, Bella," Alice admits.
"Thank you." I hug her.
Hell, I hug everyone.
Then, I ask, "Who's going to drive this thing?"
"The roadies. They've all been trained," Edward informs.
"Okay, now I need to get to work. No more fussing," I announce.
"She's back to breaking our asses," Danny shouts.
I smile. "You bet your …"
The last few weeks pass quickly. Kate and Ali finish off all the bands' costumes. I help with the hems. Christy stuffs the refrigerators on all three busses. She will ride on the Swan bus. After having an encounter with Garrett and Emmett's farting contests, she can't stomach their competitions.
There are three semis carrying all the equipment and another Cullen/Swan bus for all the roadies. They leave a day earlier to set up the stage, prepare any special effects, and rig my overhead pulleys.
Hours before we leave, we have dinner with Esme and Carlisle. They're unable to make the opening, but plan to fly to New York for the finale of the tour.
I'm restless with anxiety. My head repeats question after question while Edward sleeps like a newborn. I don't want to disturb him, so I tie my robe and head for the kitchen.
With a bowl of cereal and milk, I skip down the steps to the studio. Garrett sits at the control panel nursing a drink.
"Hey, G-man."
"OT."
"Couldn't sleep?"
"Kate snores," he lies and grabs my spoon taking a hefty bite.
I extend the bowl and he grabs onto it.
"You don't want it?" he asks.
"No, you eat it."
"Are you nervous about Seattle?"
"I wouldn't say it's nerves. I just keep going over everything in my head."
"It's okay. We have your back. The roadies have their lists. Besides, Edward handled everything. His mind is like a sieve. He's a fine-tooth comb. Nothing gets past him. Every tour runs better each time."
"How many tours have you done?"
"We've done five of our own and opened for six other bands. Edward has it down to a science. Wait until you inspect your bus, he has things no one else thinks to include."
I quietly laugh. "I can imagine."
"He's good with surprises like a mind reader."
I tsks. "Tell me about it." I yawn.
"Hit the sack, OT, tomorrow night will come awfully fast."
Little did I know how dead on his words rang true.
We will perform to a packed house. I stand in the rafters with four of our roadies. The pulleys are in place and I await the intro.
My opening costume is of white satin and lace. Braided strands of ribbon with snow-white feathers hang through my waves. I do wear white ballet slippers with traction on the soles. Edward's idea for a safe landing.
Seth helps me onto the balcony ledge giving me a slight shove and I soar toward the stage with every strip of fabric flowing from my skirt to sleeves and singing my heart out through the head mic.
Once I step foot onto solid ground, I turn and see Edward smile in the wings.
The crowd roars.
I sit center stage and set my Uilleann pipes over my lap. Bitsy joints with her harp while Ria thumps her bass. We play a simple Irish lullaby. Then, Danny's guitar segues into rock with Barry's rolling beat. As I sing, I place my pipes near Barry's drums and dance around the stage.
We perform a few of our original songs and then Danny and I play the lengthy acoustic intro to "Love Alive" by Heart.
I hear another guitar and Nancy Wilson struts on stage standing between Danny and me. My mouth drops.
I almost forget to sing, but I get the first line out and the one woman I look up to sings with me. Every hair on my arms stands at attention, my breath hitches, and I live my Nirvana. Ann Wilson blends her voice with mine.
Heart and Bella
Love Alive
"The sky was dark this morning
When I raised my head.
I stood at the window
Darkness was my bane.
Suddenly a sunbeam arch
Thrilled to my weary heart.
It was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen.
I knew I had to keep my love.
Keep my love alive.
Keep my love. Keep my love alive.
Oh, Baby I want you to roll me.
Hold me in your love
No more habits, promises and jive.
Ever since I was a baby girl
Wanted one thing most in this world.
It was to keep my love.
Keep my love alive.
Yeah, I knew I had to keep my love.
Keep my love alive.
Keep my love Keep my love alive.
Well, ohh, keep my love Keep my love alive.
During the instrumental part of the song, Ann and Nancy, Danny and I play our guitars together. I'm all smiles. Bitsy plays along with Ria while Barry has a steady beat.
"You're up there under the spotlight.
Your silver trophy shines
With all you got, my Lord.
You must get high
You need a whole lot more than money.
You need more to survive.
You gotta keep your love.
Keep your love alive.
Yeah, I knew I had to keep my love.
Keep my love alive.
Keep my love Keep my love alive.
Well, ohh, keep my love Keep my love alive."
We fade our strings and the crowd goes wild.
There's a lot of hugging and good wishes.
Ann and Nancy exit the stage.
"Wow, I don't know about you guys, but they are my idols. What a trip to play with them."
The crowd goes crazy.
I continue to talk with the audience, "Yeah, you were surprised? Me, too. I don't think anything can top that."
Edward and the guys walk out.
I smile. "Well, maybe Cullen."
Two roadies roll out Garrett's drum set on a round pedestal and secure the bottom, as he jumps up and flicks his sticks over each head. Edward, Jasper, and Emmett plug in there guitars to their amplifiers playing a few rifs.
Edward approaches me with a nervous smile. He clears his throat and asks if I'm ready and I nod. He begins to sing.
Bella and Edward
Long Time
Edward
"There is something about your moves
I do like the way you walk
And listen to your voice.
I do love the way you talk."
Bella
"I can't put my finger on
What I love most about you.
Is it your lopsided smile
Or your haphazard hairdo?"
Together
"I've waited for a long time
To finally call you mine.
I've been alone way too long.
I am no longer blind.
Yeah, you helped open my eyes.
Now, I can truly see
Edward
"Like the way your nose turns up
And how your eyes smile at me.
Chocolate hair down your waist
Where my fingers long to be.
Bella
"Have to stand on my tip toes
To reach up to kiss your lips
And stare at your eyes of green.
I just have to get a grip.
Together
"I've waited for a long time
To finally call you mine.
I've been alone way too long.
I am no longer blind.
Yeah, you helped open my eyes.
Now, I can truly see.
I start to lift my guitar over my head and Ria takes it. "Oh, you're not going anywhere."
I frown at Edward.
He pokes my nose. "Just stay put."
A roadie brings me a stool and I sit.
I watch my band stand in the wings. I mumble, "I'm dumbfounded and confused, again."
Jasper plays a soft melody on his Gibson Hummingbird, while Edward sings to me.
Edward
You and Me
"I'm a guy who feels the music
Wrapped up in a song.
One look at you and I lose it.
You're where I belong.
Nothing, no one will stand between…
Us! Just you and me.
There's so much more there to be seen.
I want us, you see.
You're my everything.
I see you in my dreams.
Past, present and future;
It's about what it seems.
We're an open book for all to be.
I awake to the sound of tunes
Floating in my head
With the feelings filling balloons
In my heart instead.
You stand before me and I stare
At your perfection.
You mirror back my little glare
With your affection.
You're my everything.
I see you in my dreams.
Past, present and future;
It's about what it seems.
We're an open book for all to be.
There's just only one place to go
And that's forever.
On the stage or life, it's our show
And be together.
Be mine and take my ring and sing
Claiming me for you.
And I will look at no other
Just you for me, too.
The song ends and Edward whispers, "Please, say yes."
I freeze in place, as Edward drops down on one knee.
A/N: Well, that's some opening show for the tour!
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 is presenting another contest. Last December, Fran created the Winterward Postcard Vacation Contest and now for Summer … The Summerward Postcard Vacation Contest. Entries should have a picture postcard with a short message of about 500 is an anonymous contest, and you can write alone or partner up. Submissions are presently open until August 6th. Look on the PIF Facebook page for more info and samples / groups/ 193511977943143.
A/N: Also, I have joined "Babies at the Border"... Authors (as of now, 95) from different Fandoms have come together with the help of Jeannie Boom and Consuelo Hernandez to help the families that have been separated at the border. This is not political. It's about human rights and decency. Check out the FB page to get all the details. Go donate or sign up to write and get the compilation.
: / groups /1836116970026714/
My story is 'Once Upon a Time: The Cullen Faeries Tales'. The first chapter. Yes, it will continue.
And I have a second story: 'The Cop and the Psychic'. Also, to be continued.
These are the reasons this chapter has been delayed. All for a good cause.