As always, I don't own it - I just like to play with the characters on occasion.

Ch 4

"Welcome to Casa Cullen... soon to be the Cullen-Swan abode."

"Maybe... I didn't say yes yet, just that I'd have a look. And you'll have to meet Emmett. Oh God, Emmett! The note! Fuck." She was out the door and running for her truck before I could even blink. What the hell?

"Bella!" I screamed after her, "Where are you going?"

"Emmett – I have to see him. I left a note. If he's back and has found it I might he's gotta be freaking out right now."

"You can call him." For whatever reason I needed her to stay with me. Forget the suicide attempt even, I just didn't want to let her go.

"A call won't cut it and how would I explain where I am? Plus if I get there fast enough I might be able to grab the note and destroy before he finds it. There's no way in hell he'll take that job if he gets hold of that note and I'm still alive. He'll want to stay for me. He doesn't even really know what happened with James. He has no clue. But he will if he gets a hold of that note!"

We'd made it back to her truck and she didn't seem surprised when I jumped back into the passenger seat. She took off and sped along as fast as her old truck would take us. It was a few minutes before she finally looked over and took stock of the situation.

"Edward, what are you even doing coming along for this? You should've stayed at your place and called a tow truck. If Emmett's found that note this is going to get ugly really fast and you don't to see Emmett angry."

"What is he the hulk or something?"

"Close," she replied and I audibly gulped. Maybe following her was a mistake but screw it, I can deal with Hulk Emmett and I'll need to meet the guy anyway if I'm going to try to convince Bella to move into my house. How did this day turn upside down so quickly? I know for certain I'm going to crash soon. The adrenaline I've been running off of through this whole encounter is bound to wear off at some point.

Before long we reached a charming little white cottage with a small playground set up just past the end of the driveway. Rose bushes lined the front porch and an American flag waved proudly from it's stand on the side of the front door. It was the quintessential American home.

Bella was out the door like a flash of lightening and running to what looked like the side entrance, probably into the kitchen. I hightailed it after her, not sure what to do other than stay close to her trail. She weaved through the kitchen down a flight of stairs into the basement. This must be her room. I quickly surveyed the area taking mental notes of the lack of décor on the white walls. The only personal affects were her two bookshelves fulled to the brim. She ran to her full sized bed and snatched up an envelope that had "Emmett" scrawled across the front.

"Thank God it's not opened. It looks like they haven't come home yet. I was hoping when I didn't see their minivan but you never know." She sat down on the bed and released a loud breath of relief, then reached for a cell phone on the bedside table. "Want to call that tow truck now?" I was more concerned with her at the moment so I shook my head no. "You sure? It's getting late, it might be tomorrow before they can get your car."

"I'll deal with that later. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I mean he never found the note so it's like it never happened, right?" She took a moment shred the note into bits and tossed them into her trash bin by the bed.

The truth is it did happen or I wouldn't be standing here ready to alter my existence for this woman. Finally she looked up at me with an odd expression of curiosity like she'd really forgotten everything that had happened and wondered why I really was in her room. I don't think she's delusional, merely that the events of the day were finally catching up with her.

"So what now, Edward? Where do I go from here?" I sighed ready to ask her once more if she'll move in with me but I know that's not really what she's asking. I didn't get a chance to respond however because at that moment the basement door swung open and a booming voice shouted out Bella's name.

A thunderous cacophony of stomps echoed from the stairs as the mammoth beast of a man who must be Bella's brother, Emmett, entered the room. I stared blankly like a deer in headlights completely unaware of how I could possibly explain my presence to this tank of a man that won't somehow land me in a hospital.

"Emmett, hey, glad you're home. This is Edward."

For some reason I couldn't help but think my countenance must in some way show my ever growing attraction to his sister. Readying myself for a punch I stood stalk still for a moment longer until finally he reached out his enormous hand to shake mine.

"Hell must have frozen over if Bells is bringing a dude to her room. Nice to meet ya, man. How do you know my sis?"

I have an MD in psychiatry, and yet at that moment I could not quite figure out how to work my tongue to speak.

"We met at the scenic view spot outside of Charlottesville. I was... having a picnic up there and Edward's car broke down and both of our cell phones were dead so I gave him a ride back to town. Turns out he just moved here from Chicago."

Emmett seemed to accept this well enough, nodding and smiling. There's no way this hulk sized dude could be this chill, right?

"Yeah, Bella was just helping me out... I mean, um." Shit, what am I fourteen and meeting her dad? "She told me about the job offer, congrats." Take the job and split so I can have Bella to myself. Good god I'm a selfish prick. Here she has serious issues and may need years of therapy before she could possibly have a healthy relationship and I want to throw her over my shoulder like some neanderthal?

Mine.

Thank God Emmett was ignorant of my internal monologue.

"Yeah, I haven't been able to find something my field down here since I was 'downsized' a while back so things are looking up. Speaking of which, Bella I really need to talk to you about that soon. I have to get back to them by Monday and this decision affects all of us. But we can discuss after your friend deals with his car troubles."

"Actually, Emmett, that's something Edward and I were just talking about." Please God let's not have this conversation now. What is he going to think of my offer when he only knows half the story? He's going to think I'm pervy slimebag that's macking on his sister. Well at least that's partly true but I'd never hurt her. I just hope she knows that.

The look of fear I gave Bella must have only spurred her on because she kept going. "Turns out he's looking for a housemate so I was thinking maybe if you guys head up north I could stay here … with him."

Emmett turned to me and I swear if looks could kill... "That's awfully sudden, sis." He said to her while continuing his death glare through my skull.

"I know it seems that way but it might not be a bad idea."

WTF? Did she just say she wanted to live with me?

"Think about it, Em. I only just left the city. It's not really designed for the sickly and it's not like I'm in the same social circle anymore." So he knows at least part of the James story. "But at the same time I don't want to hold you back from this opportunity. You need this job, your whole family does."

"You're my family too, Bells." Emmett started softening up again. Thank God, maybe I won't be smashed to a pulp... yet.

"Yes, I'm family but I'm also a grown woman who can support herself. Well, at least mostly. I can still work part-time and if I get published..."

"Wait, published? You're a writer?" Couldn't help but interject. That was something she hadn't shared yet, right?

"Trying to be one. I've written a few short stories but I haven't finished my novel yet. If I had some place quiet to work it would probably go a lot faster." Emmett looked hurt at that statement. "No! Don't get me wrong, I love Sam and Embry to bits you all need to have your own place and your own time together. I've always lived with someone... Mom & Dad..." I still need that story...okay, later "James, then you Emmett. I may be Edward's housemate but it will be like living in an apartment almost. I'll pay rent like a normal person and not via chores and babysitting, and I'll get a chance to prove myself without someone supporting me for once."

Wow, all she really needed was a shove in the right direction. I don't know if this is all how she really feels or if she's doing this for Emmett's benefit while she secretly plans to drive back to that cliff next week but she's got me convinced.

"Is this really what you want, sis? I don't want you falling on the sword here just because you think this is what I need." He has no idea just how accurate that statement is.

"Yes, this is what I want. Edward, you've got a new housemate. How much is the rent, I want to pay for the first month?"

Crap I didn't think that far ahead. When I thought of this idea I wasn't even planning on charging her rent but it's obvious she's trying to prove herself. The house is bought and paid for... thank you trust fund... so it's not like she needs to pay a portion of the mortgage. How much does rent even go for these days in an area like this?

"How much do you want to pay?" I'll just have to figure out a way to give it back to her after she pays it. Maybe I can set up a savings account in her name and surprise her with it later.

Apparently that wasn't a good response because she looked nervous all of sudden. No, go back to headstrong, confident Bella from five minutes ago!

"Well I've never actually paid rent before. I know what James paid up in New York but that was pretty steep and it was a great big loft."

Emmett decided to play the role of negotiator. "Back up a minute, is this place in a safe neighborhood?"

"It's Short Pump, Em. You don't get more white bread yuppified than that."

"I'll need to see it first before I can give my okay on this, sis. And you'll need to sign a renter's agreement."

"How about this," time to diffuse the situation. "I'll call my lawyer and have him draft up the paperwork and send it over. Meanwhile, we can all ride over back to my place since I'm still missing my car at the moment. As for rent, I'll let you two talk that out and you can tell me what works for your budget. Emmett, I'm sure you're wondering if I'm some skeeze trying to take advantage of your sister here. I assure you I am not but as my word may not be enough to convince you, I'd be happy to supply personal references. Basically I'm new in town and don't know a soul in Richmond except for Bella. It would be my great pleasure to rent out my spare room to her and hopefully get to know her better..." wait that didn't sound good at the end, hmm... "as friends, of course." Hope he bought that last part.

"Well I guess that sounds okay. You'll have to meet Rose too. She's an excellent judge of character."

Bella leaned over an whispered in my ear causing me to hold back a shudder from her sudden close proximity. "He means she can bust your balls until you break if you're not the real deal. But don't worry, because I know you are." Her smile made me feel suddenly very warm.

"No time like the present. Rose is upstairs with the kids making dinner. Let's head up, get some grub and then we can check out your place, Eddie." Ugh I hate that name but I really don't want to correct a guy who could pull out my spleen and shove it down my throat so I'll stay quiet.

Bella and I followed Emmett up the stairs and because I couldn't help myself, my hand stayed on the small of her back all the way up.