A/N - I do not own any TWLIGHT -- all Stephenie.

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It's Thursday morning and I'm on the 101, nearing Port Angeles. Half way there, I tell myself. I look at the clock, 7:27. Good, I'll be there with some time to spare. My palms are sweaty and my breathing is a little ragged. I'm already getting nervous and I still have two hours to go.

The roads are slick and I have to slow down. I should've switched vehicles already, I think to myself. I can't bear to part with my BMW Sedan to drive that beast of a vehicle I reserve for the icy winters, my Ford Expedition. I just bought the BMW two months ago and I am absolutely in love with it, it gives me more happiness than any man I've known.

I turn on my iPod, tired of the talk radio I've been listening to. You can only take so much Howard Stern, before he starts to irritate you and today they're discussing the latest Tiger Woods infidelity. I think the count is up to thirteen women – Tiger, I'm disappointed in you. All men are the same. Even Tiger with his beautiful wife Elin and their two beautiful kids, he still can't keep his cock in his pants. That is why I won't ever get married. They cannot be trusted.

I turn on my latest favorite song 'Tik Tok' by Kesha, losing myself in the beat. Music always helps me get rid my nerves. I start singing along as the chorus begins,

Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, Imma fight
Till we see the sunlight
Tick tock, on the clock
But the party don't stop,no
Woah-oh oh oh

I sound horrible, but I don't care, singing always alleviates any stress I have. It's a trick I learned a few years back. Whenever I'm on my way in to an important meeting or event I do my ritual of singing my little heart out. I feel sorry when I have someone with me during these rituals; poor Alice has been subject to my singing on more than one occasion.

DJ, you build me up
You break me down
My heart, it pounds
Yeah, you got me

I start bobbing my head to the sound as I glance down to the passenger seat beside me. My briefcase with all our business plans lay there, waiting to be presented to Billy. My stomach does a little flip, anxiously awaiting the meeting that's going to take place in….I glance at the clock again……less than two hours.

No, the party don't start until I walk in

I stop at Starbucks to grab myself a grandé house blend, black. I need a jolt, this lack of sleep is definitely not agreeing with me. The boy at the window gives me a too-friendly smile as I take the hot coffee out of his hands. I notice his name tag, Mike.

I turn to hand him the two dollars, but he shook his head. "It's on the house, ma'am."

"Why?" I ask.

He leaned closer to me, his blond spiky hair almost touching the frame of the window, "Because, it's not right for me to take money from such a beautiful woman." I roll my eyes at him and accelerate away quickly. You fucking wish, loser, but thanks for the free coffee.

I take a sip of the black brew and nearly burn my tongue. "Fuck!" I cry as I set the coffee down in the cup holder. Serves you right for being mean to him, my subconscious scolded. I continue driving absentmindedly, listening to the amazing vocals of my favorite band, Coldplay.

The dashboard screen lit up and Chris Martin is cut off for the soothing melody of Clair De Lune. The screen is flashing with Alice's cell phone number.

"What's up?" I say as I push the talk button on the screen.

"Where are you?" Alice asked rudely.

"Out. Why?"

"Because Bella, I'm in your apartment right now and you are not here!" I can picture her stomping her foot.

"You broke in again?" I laugh lightly.

"Yes." She pouted. "And you're not here."

"Well, I'm sorry Alice. I didn't know you were coming by. Is something up?"

"I just thought we could get a head start on shopping for future costumes. It's never too early to be prepared!" Alice's voice quickly perked up, talking about her favorite pastime.

"Shopping? Alice, it's barely nine and you're already thinking about future costumes?" I marveled at her thought process.

"Bella, just because you don't appreciate the importance of fashion, doesn't mean that the rest of us should be dressed inadequately."

Alice thinks I dress inadequately? "I dress fine." I defend myself.

"For you, but not to my standards."

"Fine, Alice. I officially appoint you 'wardrobe director' for our company. Think you can handle the responsibility? I mean, style is a tremendously significant element." She doesn't hear the sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"That's awesome, Bella!" Alice is squealing in delight. "I will make even you appreciate the incredible designs!"

I roll my eyes. "You are way too much Alice."

"I know." She replies. "And don't think I didn't notice the sarcasm in your voice before. But, I don't care. I fully accept the new position of 'wardrobe director'."

I laugh. "You have fun with that. I don't want anywhere near the kitchen or the costumes. Let me stick to what I know – the clientele and the promotion."

She laughed with me. "Deal. So, where are you anyway?" She asked again.

"I'm on my way to try and secure Huron."

"Really?" She asked elated. "When will you know?"

"I'm not sure, but I won't be back until later tonight."

Buzzzzz. Is that my door?

"Someone's at your door." Alice said confirming my thoughts. "Did you want me to answer it?"

"Might as well." Who would be at my door this early?

'Delivery for Isabella Swan' I hear faintly in the background. Huh? I have a delivery? I shuffle through my memory; I haven't ordered anything lately.

I hear Alice thank the delivery man and return to the phone. "Someone got flowers!"

"Flowers?" I question surprised. Who would send me flowers?

"Yes, and they are absolutely gorgeous! Hydrangea's, roses, and ornithogalums….I think."

I sigh; of course Alice would know the types of flowers. "Wonder who they're from."

"I'll tell you in a minute." Alice says with a big smile.

"Don't you dare open the card. Alice!" I shriek into the phone.

"My sincerest apologies Spitfire." Alice reads aloud, confusion evident in her tone. "Are you spitfire?"

I can't believe he sent flowers. I am completely dumbfounded. "They're from Edward." I explain. "He called me a little spitfire when I lost my temper the other night."

Alice's voice cut out briefly, as another call beeped through. I looked down and saw Cullen Industries flashing on the screen. "Sorry, Alice. It's Edward on the other line. I'm going to put an end to this right now." Alice said good-bye making me promise to call her right back.

"Edward." I hissed through the phone.

"Isabella, you've fixed your phone." My heart rate accelerated at his voice that was filling up the space in the car. Stop that! I ordered myself.

"What do you want?" I snapped at him.

"Youto come back. But, I'll settle for a calm discussion."

"Not a chance, Edward. We're done talking – there's nothing left to discuss and I would appreciate it if you would stop harassing me."

The desperation was clear in his voice. "I promise, Bella. No more harassing, but I need one conversation. Did you get the flowers?" He asked quickly.

"Yes, I got the flowers. And I'm hanging up now."

"Wait! No, don't hang up. Please Isabella, one discussion. You owe me one calm discussion….after everything we've been through together. Please?" Wow, he's laying it on thick. I struggled internally – do I owe him one conversation?

"And then you promise, no more harassing?"

"Scouts honor."

"Were you even a boy scout?"

"Well..no. I pinky swear. Is that better?" I could hear him smiling, knowing he won this battle.

"Fine…one conversation. That's it…and then this ends." I sigh in exasperation, giving up. I would allow Edward one opportunity to vent. It wouldn't make a difference, but if it got him off my back then it would be worth it. You want to see him, my subconscious smirked at me. No, I don't! I want him off my back!

"When?" Edward asked anxiously. I pondered for a moment, I'll probably be back too late tonight and after driving for nine hours, I think I'll be too tired to deal with the wrath of Edward. Saturday's out, Mr. Johnson – I cringe at the memory of the bunny costume. That leaves Friday – tomorrow night.

"Umm….how about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow night is perfect. I'll pick you up at your place at seven."

Edward in my apartment again? "I don't think so. I'll meet you somewhere."

"Okay, how about…Troiani on Third Avenue?"

Troiani? The Italian restaurant? He has got to be kidding. "Edward, I agreed to a discussion…..not dinner."

"You have to eat, right? Besides, this will allow me the opportunity talk with you for a small amount of time. Please?" Arg…stop with the pleading.

"Fine. Troiani at seven, and then you'll leave me alone?"

"Only if you want me to." I heard the hint of a smile in his tone.

"You certainly are full of yourself."

"Tomorrow at seven. See you then, Isabella."

I hung up the phone and stared at the road ahead of me my mind spinning. Lucky for me, the roads aren't quite as slick anymore. I punch down the gas and speed towards La Push. I'll make it in plenty of time, but my determination is at an all time high after talking with Edward.

You're excited to see him, my subconscious informed me. "I am not." I say aloud to myself in the car. Yes, you are. "Fuck off."

I pulled into Billy's circular driveway at 9:42. With the extra few minutes, I took the opportunity to review the painstaking notes I prepared last night. It gave Billy an overview of exactly what we were hoping to accomplish, right down to a simplified budget statement. You got this, I encouraged myself.

I took a deep breath and started for the front door. I rang the bell and took in the surroundings. It is beautiful here, I thought to myself. All the striking trees, covered in a blanket of snow and the immense yard that I spent my childhood in. Billy's house was a spectacular bungalow nested into the vast trees. It was settled in the previous location of his run-down log cabin. He completely renovated his place when the accident occurred. I brought my gaze back to the wood paneled door as it opened.

"Bella!" Billy greeted me with a wide toothy grin.

"Hi, Billy." I said as I reached down and gave him a hug. He looks exactly the same, hasn't changed a bit. I smile at this and walk into the warmth of his home. The aroma brings me back to years ago, when this was my second home. Not even the smell has changed.

I take off my coat and leather boots and walk further into the home. I glance around and notice that he's replaced much of the furniture. "Redecorate?"

"A while ago. Place needed to be freshened up."

"It looks good." I give him a tight smile. How long has it been since I've been here? You haven't come since you started working with Cullen, I thought to myself. I grimace at the thought, that was over two years ago.

"Sorry I haven't visited you sooner, Billy. I actually feel a little bad that it took me this long, and for business." I was sincere in my apology, I did feel bad.

"Not a problem, Bella." He said motioning me into the living room. "Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"

"Oh, no thank you. I had a couple coffees on my way in." I sit on the plush leather couch set in front of a massive stone fireplace. The walls were coated in a deep chocolate color, reminding me of a rustic library. I immediately felt myself relax. See, nothing to get worked up over, it's Billy.

"So, Bella..." Billy began, "what was so important that it brought you here this quickly?" This is it, I tell myself. I took a deep breath and opened my briefcase. I started the discussion telling Billy that I no longer worked for Cullen Industries and that I was starting a venture with Alice Brandon. He listened politely, nodding his head as I continued explaining the details of this new undertaking.

"So, that brings us to why I'm here." I handed Billy the listing of his Huron Street property. He took the piece of paper and looked at it thoughtfully.

"You want this building?" He said, face showing no expression.

"Yes." I held my breath as I allowed him to process this.

"Do you have this type of capital?" He asked, his eyes reaching mine.

"Um, yes and no. We do have enough to handle the 10% down, with some of my and Alice's resources."

"You do realize that this is a popular listing – I have a few different prospects looking at this."

"Yes, I figured as much. I was hoping that you would allow us the opportunity to purchase it before the bidding began."

"I would love to say yes, but I will have to discuss this with a few people first. Can I get back to you in a couple days?"

"Absolutely, not a problem." At least he was thinking about it. That's good news, right?

We sat and talked for a bit longer, not bringing up the subject again. Even if Billy decided not to allow us to purchase the property ahead of time, I wouldn't hold it against him. Billy was an old family friend and I wouldn't allow a petty thing like real estate come between us. I said a quick good-bye to Billy promising to visit more often and he in turn promised to give me a call within the next couple days.

I thought I'd give Charlie a quick visit for the afternoon since I was already in town, hopefully he wasn't working. I pulled up to the familiar small two storey that I called home growing up and saw his cruiser was parked in the driveway.

Charlie met me at the door and enveloped me into a huge hug. "Bells! What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to Billy about his property and thought I'd drop in to see my old man."

Charlie ushered me inside, closing the door on the blistering cold outside. "Jeez Bells, I like your new car, but you really shouldn't be driving that thing in this weather."

I rolled my eyes. Charlie wouldn't be happy until I was driving a beast of a truck that was indestructible. "It's fine, Cha….Dad."

I settled into my childhood home and prepared lunch for us while Charlie sat at the table watching. We were comfortable with silence and I was happy that he didn't feel the need to fill the air with unnecessary chatter. After a light lunch of soup and sandwiches I decided to head back on the road. It was almost mid-afternoon and I had another long drive ahead of me.

I waved good-bye to Charlie as I backed out of the driveway and started on the journey back home. My dashboard screen lit up as I started the car signaling that it received my Bluetooth connection to my blackberry. Fuck, Alice called – twelve times. I had switched my phone to silent before my meeting with Billy. I pressed the message icon to see Alice's text fill the screen,

Isabella Marie Swan – why the hell aren't you answering your damn phone?

I cringed, remembering I promised to call her back after Edward beeped through. I pressed the call button and the car filled with ringing.

"What the hell?" Alice answered on the second ring.

"Sorry about that." I apologized. "I was in a meeting and didn't get an opportunity to call you back." I lied, not wanting Alice to realize that I'm completely useless after the conversation I had with Edward.

"So, tell me…did you get it?"

"Get what?"

"Huron silly!"

"Oh, we won't know for a couple days, but I think it looks good."

"Oooohhhhh…..can't wait!!!" Alice squealed.

"I'll be home in a couple hours…meet me there?"

"Sure…so tell me what happened with Edward? Was he still groveling…or was he begging for another night with you?" Alice giggled in the phone.

"I'll see you soon, Alice." I hung up and stomped on the gas again, speeding towards home and towards the little pixie I knew that would be waiting for me.

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