SM owns it all, I just play with it. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's a little shorter than normal.

Out of the Shadows

Chapter 14: Do You Realize?

EPOV

As I went to bed Saturday night, I was feeling elated. Sending the package to Bella had lifted a weight from my shoulders. I had opened up to her and myself about how long I've really wanted her, since high school.

The drawing that I had made of Bella in school was in a small envelope that I slipped into my luggage before I left Forks. As I went through the envelope it struck me that I was almost of the verge of obsession with her back then. I had several drawings of her and poems that spoke of her beauty. I never used her name in any of the writings but I knew who they were about. Most of these were done in my bedroom at night because I didn't want to open myself up to ridicule.

Bella Swan wasn't cool so my admiration of her wasn't cool. It didn't stop me from thinking about her, and being inspired by her, it just stopped me from doing anything about it. Most people wouldn't have understood why I didn't just act on my feelings, and my friends be damned, but for someone who gave the impression of confidence I didn't have a lot of it. The girls usually threw themselves at me so I never had to make the first move. I don't think I ever asked a girl out. For someone with so little confidence, it was surprising that I choose acting as my profession. I guess it was easier pretending to be someone else than myself.

I woke up Sunday morning feeling better than I had in a week. I decided that I needed some fresh air and space. Dressing for the weather, I went down to the Starbucks to grab a coffee and some breakfast. Thankfully there were no fans hanging around this morning, so far.

After breakfast, I put my ear buds in and just started walking. I wasn't sure where I was going but it felt great to just keep moving. I made it down to the waterfront, and wandered around there for a while. I stopped to just sit and write. There was something about this city that helped my creativity, maybe because it was so similar to home. L.A. would never be home for me; it was just a place to do my work.

Eventually I ended up at the Granville market again. I bought some fresh fruit and Granville Island beer, to take home to Emmett. One of the stalls caught my eye because I recognized the style of glass that Bella had bought for mom and dad. As I looked in, the most beautiful jewelry piece caught my eye. It was like fire and ice blended together in one pendant, and it was on a simple leather necklace. I knew as soon as I saw it that it was meant to be Bella's. The mix of the two sides was what Bella was to me, the passion and the aloofness.

Now weighed down with my purchases, I decided to take a cab back to the hotel. During the ride, my phone alerted me to a message from Alice.

Just a heads up.

A.

With the message was a photo of Bella. She looked exquisite, and I longed to be with her even more, then I saw the caption. "That bitch!" The cabbie turned to look at me. "Sorry, man." I mumbled.

It didn't say who the source was but I knew right away. How could she do that to Bella? She didn't even know her. I knew that Tanya was a piece of work but I didn't think that she would stoop this low to get back with me or at me. I had to let Bella know that I had nothing to do with this.

As soon as I got back to the hotel, I spoke with the concierge to arrange a delivery to Bella's house. When I was satisfied with what had been arranged, I went back to my room. I needed to speak to someone about the Tanya situation. I wanted to her back for what she did to Bella, but I also didn't want to drag my personal life through the tabloids.

I picked up my phone and made a call. My call was answered on the first ring. "Alice."

"I knew that you would call me once you saw the picture. What do you want to do?"

" I want Tanya to cease and desist, and I don't want Bella dragged into this anymore. I don't care what she says about me, but dragging Bella into it was the last straw. I'm not going to talk to her because I never come out on the good side with that. She has a wonderful way of twisting everything I say." I was pacing my room, like a caged lion.

"I will call her publicity and talk to him first. I'm pretty sure that he doesn't want the things that we know about her to come out in the tabloids. I hate pulling this dirty stuff, but as soon as she brought Bella into the situation she went too far." I could tell by the way Alice was talking that she was as pissed as I was.

When our conversation stopped, I felt better that something could be done to protect Bella. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing some writing and packaging Bella's gift. I planned to send it out on Wednesday. Since I sent flowers today I didn't want to smother her with attention. I had to take it slow and woo. Only one more week of filming then I could get back to L.A., and see Bella again, if she lets me.

BPOV

The rest of Monday went by in a haze. The flowers that Edward sent were lovely and filled my tiny apartment with the most incredible smell. I was amazed that Edward was putting this much effort into me. From the pictures that he did, it was obvious that I was on his radar in high school, as well as now. There are a lot more layers to Edward that I never thought about. We both spent too much time hiding in high school, he hid behind his friends and I hid behind my weight.

I just had to wait out the week until he arrived back in L.A. I had to let him know that I wanted to talk to him when he got back. There was so much that needed to be discussed, but whatever happened I knew that we have to move slowly. I didn't want to jump into being with Edward until I was sure I could handle all that came with it. Edward's star was just starting to rise, and I needed to know if I wanted to be attached to that star.

On Tuesday, I sent Edward a message.

Call me when you get back home.

B.

Tuesday and Wednesday blurred by as I cleaned, sorted and slept. It felt like I hadn't had a good sleep in years. My mind and body were always on the go, so it was wonderful to just take a nap when I wanted. Next week, Edward was coming back, and it would be hectic and emotional, I'm sure.

Thursday started with a knock on the door, another delivery guy. I signed for the package and was so anxious to open it that I practically slammed the door in the guys face. I ripped open the envelope, and a small wrapped package fell out with more letters.

I opened the letters first. There was a small poem on one card. It was beautiful. The next few letters where like a conversation with a good friend. He told me about everything that had happened since he last wrote, including his reaction to the picture of me in the tabloids.

You don't know how much I wanted to be with you that night when I saw the photo. Not only to defend you from Tanya, but also to be the man who was with the most beautiful woman in L.A. When I saw the picture, all I could think about is how I miss you, your smile, your laugh and our conversations. I hope we can talk when I get back to L.A.

I picked up the package and opened it carefully. I recognized the box from the glass works in Granville market. Lifting the top, I was amazed by the beautiful pendant that was inside, a piece that I admired when I was in the store buying Carlisle and Esme's gift. There was something about the relationship between the two sides that drew me in. I never mentioned it to Edward so how did he know I wanted it. I put the necklace on and admired it in the bathroom mirror. I wasn't sure there was any part of me that didn't want Edward now. This week couldn't end soon enough.

My phone rang, and I ran to it. I was so hoping that it was Edward so I could thank him. I didn't have the nerve to call him, but a call from him would be just incredible right now.

"Hello." My voice was full of joy.

"Bella?" It was Angela. Her voice was very subdued and that worried me for some reason.

"Hey Ang, what's up?" I was gripping my phone a bit tighter now.

"Bells, there's been an accident." The silence lingered between us. "Your dad was hit by a car on the 101. He had pulled someone over to the shoulder. A drunk driver came along a hit him. He's in hospital in a coma at the moment."

I fell back, thankfully into a chair, and my grip on the phone was starting to slip. My breathing was shallow as I tried to take in what Angela just told me. "When?"

"Late last night. Dr. Cullen is looking after him in the ICU. He wants you to come home as quick as you can."

"Thanks, Ang. I'll be there as soon as I can." I dropped the phone back into the cradle, and just stood there shaking. I always knew that this was a possibility. Every family member of a police officer has the fear, but I figured with Dad being in a sleepy, little town that the odds were much lower.

I gripped onto the counter to keep myself standing. I had a lot to do to get to Forks as quick as I could. Stumbling to the couch, I grabbed my phone, and started to make calls. With the numerous flights that I have booked as a PA, I had several contacts with the airlines. After an hour, I was booked on the next flight out to Seattle, which left in 1 hour, and after that I had a charter to Forks airport.

I quickly threw some clothes into a bag, grabbed what I might need for a few weeks away and jumped into my car. I hated leaving my Porsche at LAX but I had no time to arrange a ride. Running to catch my flight was never fun, thankfully the line-ups at security weren't bad and I didn't get tagged for any extra checks. By the time I got into my seat on the plane I was exhausted.

My three-hour flight to Seattle left me with plenty of time to worry and pray for my father. He was all I had left in this world, and I just didn't want to think about him leaving it so soon. I also made a list of all the people who I needed to contact about work, about my car, and about my apartment.

It wasn't until I landed in Seattle that I thought about Edward again. Maybe it was the scenery, how close I was to Vancouver, or the fact that I was going to see his father in a short amount of time. I gave Angela a quick call to see if she could pick me up at the tiny Forks airport.

"I don't know if I'll be able to but I'll make sure that there is someone there." From the noise in the background, I got the impression that she was at work.

"That's okay. Even if you can send one of the cabs there it would be great. How's he doing?" I wasn't sure I wanted an answer because I was still so far away.

"He's the same as he was before. Don't worry too much. You'll get to see him shortly." Once I hung up the phone, I had trouble trying to find the charter flight that I had booked to Forks. I usually flew to Port Angeles but I did not trust myself to drive to Forks from there.

By the time I was in the air, I was more than anxious to get to my father. How bad were his injuries? How was I going to cope with his death, if it happens? If his injuries are so great, how much time will it take to heal him and get back to himself, if that is even possible? My life was going to take a dramatic turn, one way or another.