I think I've caught the crazies. I actually had a dream last night about Twilight, or Twilight the movie, or my Twilight stories, or something. I don't remember what, but it was about Twilight. So I'm officially insane like the rest of you. Party?

Ch 21: Surprise!

I woke the next morning in my bed, and assumed Edward had taken me there. What a cutie. I just sat there smiling for a moment, thinking about how truly amazing he was.

Sometimes I do that.

I just can't help myself, I sometimes don't believe that it's actually happening. I mean seriously, the Edward Cullen had involved himself with me…intentionally. Definitely something I'd never have imagined could come true.

Okay, time to stop daydreaming. I had to get to work…

"Hey Bella!" Angela said as I was slumped into my seat at the cubicle next to hers. "What's wrong?"

"The interview is today." I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "With Jacob."

"Ooh…ouch." She said sympathetically, then reached into her tray of coffees to put one in front of me. "Cheer up, it'll only be an hour."

"Oh, Ang, you didn't have to…" I said, trying to hand back the coffee. She just smiled at me and ignored my attempts.

"Don't worry about it. You need it to calm your nerves."

"I said I was you, by the way." I took a sip of my coffee, regardless of the fact that it wasn't prepared as I usually had it. It was a nice gesture. "When I confirmed the interview. I didn't think his office would allow me to talk to him, and I still have the restraining order…"

"Oh, that's right. What's going on with that? Shouldn't it be illegal for you to see him?"

"It is." I sighed, "but my lawyer spoke to some people. And as an extra precaution Edward is having his brother go with me."

"Jasper or Emmett?"

"Emmett, who else?" I let out a light chuckle. "He's built like a bear, and probably wouldn't get as angry as Edward would if he joined me." I paused. "I understand it and everything, but Edward worries too much."

"You had a history with Jacob, right? He's just jealous."

"But why? That doesn't even make sense, I hate Jacob Black!"

"But there was a time when you didn't."

"It was high school though, it hardly even counts—"

"Hey, watch it with that. I happen to still be dating my high school sweetheart." She said, mock indignantly. She showed me her left hand, and the glistening diamond ring on it. "Actually, we're getting married."

I congratulated her, smiling as I saw the contagious smile she wore. The boy smile. After all these years, all the time she'd been with him, she still wore what I remember the girls in my high school called the "boy smile". She was truly in love, yet still retained that giddiness upon talking about him.

"Last night… he proposed. I couldn't believe it, he took cooking classes and everything, to make me dinner, bought champagne…everything was perfect."

"That sounds great." I said, smiling. I couldn't stop smiling, I was so happy for her. It wasn't often that you came across that, high school sweethearts who kept up their relationship.

"It was…hey, I'm sure Edward knows how to be romantic, though. He just seems like the type."

"You know, you're the first person I've come across who doesn't think he's this big playboy."

"I don't believe the tabloids. And he paid off your debt right? If he just wanted a fling, why would he spend all that money? No, I think he's a sweetheart."

"He is." I smiled, just thinking about him. It was the only reason why I let the overprotectiveness go, because it was just he being concerned for my wellbeing.

"What's the most romantic thing he's done?" Angela said with a grin. It was nice having a female friend to be girly with. I hadn't kept in touch with my friends from school, I was too busy…

"Oh Jeez, I don't know." I chuckled, thinking. "I'd have to say Valentine's day, he took me on a carriage ride in central park—"

"Well isn't that sweet." Mr. Mackenzie said in a mocking, annoyed voice. "I don't pay you to gossip, I pay you to work. I suggest you do that. Weber, in my office."

"Yes, sir." She said, and mouthed 'I'm sorry' as she followed him, walking backward for a few seconds.

I sighed, checking the time. I still had a little while before my interview, and I just wanted to get it over with…

Maybe he'd be human, because it was an interview?

Doubtful. Very doubtful.

I went over my questions and what I had of the article so far, and basically sat there waiting for Angela to get back. What was taking so long? I hoped she wasn't in trouble…

Engrossed in my thoughts, I jumped when my desk phone rang.

"Hello?" I said, wondering who on earth would be calling my work phone. I didn't even know the number to it, so I hadn't given it out to anyone…

"Hey Bells, I can't make it today." Emmett's voice said, sounding almost sheepish. "Don't tell Edward I didn't go, but we have a team meeting at eleven."

"Alright." I said, inwardly sighing with relief. I did NOT want people to babysit me, and the whole situation was unnecessary.

"Please don't tell Edward. He'd kill me."

"Got it. Don't worry, Edward won't know." I said, smirking. It was funny how someone of his size and strength was so afraid of Edward. I guess I understood it, I had seen Edward angry before…

…but Emmett was a professional football player, there was no way Edward could possibly harm him if they got into a scuffle…

"Okay good. Thanks, Bella. And good luck, the cab will be there on time."

He hung up, and I sighed, still thinking about Edward. He had come a long way, I thought, from when I first met him. He was so angry…

Now, though he did sometimes fly off the handle, he was mostly calmer, and when he did get angry it was about my protection. I could hardly get angry with him anymore, because I knew that he was only looking out for me. That, and most of the time his little hissy fits didn't faze me anymore. Well, not much anyway…

But that was probably also because I'm dating him. I'm sure on the outside he was probably still as deadly as ever.

"What was that all about?" I asked Angela as she came back. She shrugged, and stood in my cubicle anyway, regardless of the fact that Mackenzie had just yelled at us for it.

"He didn't like an article. Or rather, one of our patrons didn't, and he wanted me to write a retraction."

"Are you going to?"

"Nope. That old geezer can relax, there was nothing offensive about the article."

"Aren't you worried he's going to fire you?"

"He wouldn't dare." She grinned. "My father is another patron, and owned this paper before he did. He retired a couple of years ago and signed it over."

"Lucky. Most women would get fired if they refused anything he said."

"Which is why this office has the most social drama out of any I've ever worked in." she said, then checked the time. "Hey, weren't you getting picked up soon?"

"Yeah. I want to show up a few minutes late though, Emmett's not coming anymore and I don't want to deal with him for that long."

"Understandable. But it's the lunch hour, and traffic is bad in that part of town."

"I guess." I shrugged, and sighed, standing with my tape recorder and my notes. "See you in a bit."

The cab was there, as promised, and I tried to prepare myself for probably an awful encounter with a wretched human being.

I don't think I could ever be fully prepared to deal with that bastard. Well, at least I'm never going to see him again, or rather, not for a while. The court date was in a few weeks, and that was a few weeks that I wouldn't have with him bothering me.

Such bliss…

I stood in the entrance to the restaurant, and found myself lucky enough that Jacob was already here so I didn't have to have him try and avoid me when he came over.

"What are you doing here." He glared, as I turned on the tape recorder and placed it on the table.

"Getting my interview. I gave your office a false name. And my new boss gave me this story, so deal with it."

"What about your little restraining order, hmm? Won't that get in the way?"

"We've worked that out for this meeting. Now Mr. Black, I understand your firm is sponsoring the Brooklyn Community Center Fundraising dinner? How did you get involved with that?"

"I'm not giving you an interview."

"Yes you are." I said simply, looking through my list of questions. "What is your expected turnout for this event?"

"Fine. I'll answer some questions if you do."

"This is an interview, Jacob. I'm not going to answer any questions of yours, this is strictly for my story."

"I won't answer anything if you don't."

"I'm not trying to harass you, I'm trying to get an interview for my story." I sighed, trying not to get angry. He was so annoying. "Please, let's handle this like adults, for once?"

"I don't see what's so hard about a few questions. You're the one who arranged this, the least you could do is answer a few questions."

"It's not my fault I was assigned this, I don't want to do this any more than you do." I snapped. "For once in your life, realize that this isn't about you and me, this is about something completely different."

"But it is about you and me, Bella, everything is about you and me. Everywhere I look your paper is publishing something related to the trial, something about the situation. Everywhere I look, I'm reminded of the mistakes I've made, and that there you are with another man." His voice was pleading, instead of his usual fit of rage. I sat there, stunned by this change in character. "Everything I've done since high school has been about you and me. I made a mistake in losing you, and I tried to be successful, I wanted you to see that I was worth your while."

I didn't say anything for a few moments. How could I? What could I possibly say that wouldn't sound catty coming out? Sure, I still hated him, but he was pathetic right now. I couldn't stand it, and it only took a few more seconds for me to realize the load of bull he'd just spewed.

"How am I supposed to believe you, when you made no conscious effort to make contact in college, and only started following me around when by chance we crossed paths at that banquet." I said slowly, quietly. "Stop fooling yourself, Jake. None of this was about me. Everything you've done since high school has been about you. You could have a million girls out there, the same girls that go to those banquets, the same girls that you've wanted all along. You only started after me for the thrill of the gossip in your circle, so please, go back to your trophy girls."

"Just tell me this, and I'll answer your questions." He said after probably two full minutes of silence. He wouldn't look me in the eye, and his head was hung, his shoulders slumped. He looked rather pitiful. "Why Edward Cullen? Why would you choose to stay with him when it meant losing your job, when it meant that you could possibly never find work in this city again?"

"Because he's the best thing that ever happened to me. He brought me out of a dark place. I started living again, instead of working nonstop day in and day out." I said, unable to hide the smile that wanted to break free, upon talking about him.

"I was sure he'd leave you, when the tabloids came out. His reputation…"

"All the rumors are false, Jacob. If you took the time to look at him as a person you would be able to tell." I sighed. This was a mess. "Now will you answer my questions?"

"But why him? You knew it was wrong, he was your boss. Why would you risk that? Why him, why not me? I'm just as accomplished as he is, I could take care of you, I could be anything you want me to be—"

"I've tried to be civil throughout this, but you are absolutely out of line. Honestly, Jacob. I've explained myself enough, I've said more than enough to satisfy your insane pleas for closure. I have an article to write, trying to put you in a good light when I and the rest of the city know yo're being an irrational little child. You've done your worst, you've tried to break us, but you failed. Accept it, and move on."

"I'll have these to you by tomorrow." He said gruffly, taking my sheet of questions and leaving, paying the man at the door. I hadn't gotten anything, and sighed heavily.

What. A. Trainwreck.

I had started to feel bad for him, but stopped when I remembered everything he'd done to harm me and Edward.

How dare he…just how dare he. I didn't even know what to call that little display, it was absolutely ridiculous. I stood and left, turning off the tape recorder and walking. This restaurant was only a few blocks from the Herald, and I could use the cold to calm myself.

I completely forgot that Emmett was supposed to have accompanied me, and that I was supposed to cover for him. I didn't realize this until after I entered his office and saw him going over an article, a stack of them on the desk beside him.

He looked up at my entrance, a pleasant smile overtaking his features.

"Out so soon? What are you doing here?" he said, embracing me and kissing my forehead in the same fluid motion.

"I wanted to see you…grab lunch, maybe?"

"What about your interview, wasn't that supposed to be over lunch?" he said, obeying my request anyway as he put on his coat.

"It ended pretty quickly. Before we could order, actually."

"Impressive." He said absently, then stopped short with his hand on the doorknob. "Where's Emmett? Wasn't he with you to keep the peace?"

Crap.

I had completely forgotten about Emmett, that he was supposed to be with me. And I was an awful liar, there's no way he wouldn't believe me…

"He...dropped me off here. He had a meeting to go to." I said, inwardly wincing. Where part of that was the truth, both of us would still probably fall victim to Edwrad's wrath.

"Bella…you didn't ditch him, did you?"

"What? No. Why would I do that? I didn't want to see him alone…" I said, finding this actually true. As much as I had complained about having him tag along, I had found the idea refreshing, until he called this morning with alternative plans…

"Then where is he? Why wasn't he there?"

"He was, I told you he just dropped me off here, he had a meeting--"

"You're an awful liar." he said, putting his hand on my still-cold cheek. "Your cheeks don't get rosy unless you've been out walking for a while."

"Don't flip out, okay? It's not his fault…" I said, staring up into his stern, but still beautiful gaze.

"He left you alone with him! How am I supposed to not flip out! You could have been hurt--"

"But I wasn't." I said, grateful he wasn't yelling yet. His voice was raised, but it was more concerned than upset.

"I thought he'd understand…after what happened to Rosalie…" he said, pacing. "Jasper wouldn't have left you there. I could have asked him, he knows how to handle himself…God! I can't believe it!"

"It's okay." I said, trying to reason with him as he worked himself up. His hands were on his head, grabbing his hair as if he were going to rip it out, he was still pacing…

I took his hands with my good hand, forcing him to stop and look at me.

"Relax."

He sighed, and kissed my good hand, as I saw him visibly trying to keep calm.

"You're sure you're okay?" he said quietly, running his thumb over my knuckles on my good hand.

"I'm fine." I said with a smile, moving so I had his arm. "Shall we?"

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