Author's Note:

Hello my dears, this chapter is one that I debated whether to put up or write at all.

I hope you all like and enjoy it.

Thank you all for the words of encouragement you gave me the other when I was doubting myself. Your words truly helped and mean so much to me.

Anyways, Enjoy!

Edward's POV:

Chicago, Illinois

The soft melody filled the air as I strummed my fingers through the strings of my guitar as I stared out the window.

I was lost in thought. My mind seemed to drift in only one direction. Her.

The sound of someone onto the bus, and towards me brings me out of my thoughts. I wonder for a second who it is when I suddenly feel their body warmth as it hits my arm. The smell of the familiar cologne hits my nostrils and I sigh, before looking up.

"Writing another song about your mystery girl, again?" Jasper asked, teasingly.

"No..." I mumbled as I snapped my notebook closed, and shoved the old photograph that I had. It was of the last concert we'd ever attended together. A Foo Fighters concert in the House Of Blues in Orlando, Florida.

We were staring at each other, grinning as we mouthed the lyrics to each other, a moment before we took the picture. She had been screaming the lyrics of the songs all night.

Drinks had been passed all around.

An old friend of ours snapped the picture as we held up our hands in the 'rock on' symbol and stuck out our tongue. Her eyes were shining with mischief. She looked like a little minx, despite the fact that her hair was in space buns, and her eyes were darkened with liner and other makeup.

When the night finished we went back to her place, and did things that would make both our mothers clutch at their pearls.

She was the best. I loved how she could be a smart ass, or sassy, or even witty, then go to dark humor, or dad jokes. We were always laughing around because of all the inside jokes we had.

I missed that, and knew that I fucked it all up by pushing her away. By allowing someone to come in between us... Stupidly thinking that money could erase my actions.

I missed her so much.

I blinked back into the present as Jasper sighed, "She's not really a mystery. She had the same classes as us, and knew Keith, before he became our manager..." I told him trying to divert the subject, looking down at my fingers, playing dumb.

But Jasper wasn't stupid...

He stared at me for a second, practically seeing through my front before he sighed, as I looked up at him. "We've known each other for how long? Exactly. Don't you think it's time you be honest with yourself about this entire ordeal? So, you two split four years ago. Isn't it time to let her go? I mean look at me. Maria left me, and I am okay." He told me as he slid into the seat across from me.

I reached up, and ran a callous hand over my face, before looking up at him, "You let go of Maria...? She fucking left you for another woman. Bella isn't in the same situation as her..." I mumbled.

"Bella? Isn't that the girl you met while we were studying in Jacksonville?" He asked me, frowning for a second before he .

"Yes... and she was not JUST some girl. She was— She was EVERYTHING, and more.. And I fucked it up." I mumbled.

"You SHOULD HAVE told her the truth instead of pushing her away." He told me.

I shook my head, "It's been a while... Besides, it's not like she'll see me ever again. I made sure I fucked it up." I mumbled to myself.

"Yeah... Epic proportion of a fuck up. But, well, if you THINK she's worth it... you could always explain why you acted the way you did. Tell her why you pushed her away. Beg if you have to... Try to prove to her that you're sorry." He told me, as Emmett and Garrett walked onto the bus.

"What's going on?" Emmett asked, raising a brow.

"Nothing. Edward is just writing another song." Jasper told them, quietly.

Emmett tilted his head, "What's the name of THIS one?" He asked as he sat down and pushed Jasper into the side of the bus.

"Voices." I mumbled.

"That's an interesting name... What's it about?" Garrett asked as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

I sighed, "Inner turmoil. Past regrets.." I mumbled.

They all exchanged looks, before looking back at me.

"Is this song anything like Take The Pain Away, Paralyzed, or Blood Runs Cold... Have Faith In Me... Let You Know... The Other Side?" Emmett asked, amused

I felt my face flame as I turned out the window before "Possibly." I mumbled.

"Fifty says it is." Garrett said pulling out a fifty dollar bill.

"I got one fifty that it's about the same girl that Take The Pain Away is about." Emmett said.

"That makes this song… what? The twelfth? Thirteenth?" Garrett asked.

"Fifteenth." Emmett stated, matter-of-factly.

I narrowed my eyes at them.

"Won't be long before we get the full album…" Garrett teased amused.

"Guys... Knock it off. We all know why he does this... Let's leave him alone. Besides it is easy money." Jasper said, amused.

Fucking Assholes. Not all of them were about Bee, some were about Tanya, and how much I hate her. But that's besides the point.

I shook my head at them, not bothering to answer, instead going back to strumming the guitar, and turning to looking out the window.

"Is that the beat?" Emmett asked.

I nodded, keeping my eyes on the window as I did.

"Jazz, go get the bass, Garrett go get you the silent drum." Emmett instructed as he scanned through the music sheet.

When Jasper walked back in, he had brought the keyboard.

"Good idea, Jazz. Let's get to it." Emmett said as he grabbed the keyboard.

El Paso, Texas

It took weeks for us to be able to get the perfect melody for the song.

When it was ready, we made a demo version, and had Keith Markum, our manager, listen to it.

It was approved a few days after we left Chicago. We were set to play it tonight at the concert for the first time...

The entire time we were recording it, I could think about, was the girl I'd hurt all those years ago. My Izzy Bee.

Maybe long ago I thought that I would somehow run into her at one of our concerts, and somehow get her to hear me out.

Wishful thinking, I guess. Stupid, too. Why would she ever come to one of our concerts?

Now, I had to pretend that I was stupid, that that day didn't affect me though I wanted nothing more than to go back in time and fix it all.

"You know, had you just told her that Tanya was blackmailing you, this entire thing could have been solved." Jasper told me as we practiced.

Tanya.

Even hearing that name made my skin prickle, and anger well in my stomach.

I hated her. Damn her to the fiery pits of hell!

I blinked, trying not to narrow my eyes at him as I do. Instead of responding, I go for the petty route and smile innocently. "What's that—? Can't hear you!" I called back as I flicked my fingers across the guitar to get a sour note, which caused us all to cringe.

"Edward!" All three of them called.

"Sorry." I mumbled, trying not to laugh.

Garrett shook his head, as he ducked his head to hide his laughter.

"So, what follows after El Paso?" Garrett asked, trying to divert attention from me.

"Isn't it Albuquerque, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco?" I asked, joining him.

"I believe Portland follows after San Fran, and then we head to Seattle..." Emmett said as he got a goofy grin.

I knew why he had that stupid look on his face, he'd been dating some chick by the name of Rose Higgins. Met her three years ago in Pennsylvania.

Only one night did they spend together before exchanging numbers. As far as I knew they had been in contact

"We finally gonna get to see this Rosie you've been talking about?" Garrett asked with a raised brow.

"Will we get to meet Kate, or Alice? Because you two have girls too and I sure as hell haven't asked to meet them because I mind my own business." Emmett replied.

"Well, my girl, Kate, travels a lot, so I don't know when she'll be back home. She'll probably miss us…." Garrett said in disappointment.

"Alice said she needs to get it cleared but odds are she may go…. She works long hours." Jasper told us.

They turned to look over at me, as if suddenly remembering that I was there. "Hey, don't mind me, I'm just going to head back to the bus to get some shut eye before the show." I told them, quietly excusing myself before heading out.

As it turns out we had already met her. At the concert in Pennsylvania when we first started touring.

Emmett hid this fact from us until Jasper confronted him about it.

He then confessed his reasons as to why he hadn't told us.

After that we left him alone.

As the tour closed up in Seattle, we all looked at each other, before doing our handshake and heading to the back room.

I sighed as I sat down on the section, trying to calm the incoming headache from all the smoke and lights from the show. Leaning my head back to close my eyes.

I could hear as Garrett pulled out his drumsticks and started tapping a random tune on the back of the couch.

I lifted my head, opened my eyes, and raised a brow in his direction as he mouthed the words to himself.

A small squeal pierced the air, causing us all to jump as a thin, ice blonde rushed in to pull Garrett into a fierce hug. Causing him to laugh and hug her back.

Well, that was Kate.

Then a small figure rushed past us to where Jasper stood, and hugged him from behind causing him to chuckle and sigh.

That must be Alice.

As I sat there looking at both couples wondering if I should leave to give them all some privacy, I heard some whispering, before a sigh was let out.

Emmett walked back in with a tall, statuesque blonde, holding her hand in one of his massive paws.

Wait. Had she dyed her hair? Wasn't she originally a brunette? What the hell is going on here?

"Guys, this is Rosie Higgins. My fiance." He said, introducing us proudly.

We gaped at them.

"You proposed?! When?" Jasper asked in disbelief.

"I'll explain." He told us as they made their way over to us, before plopping down.

"See, we started talking about the future, and we realized that we wanted to have it together. We want the house, the white picket fence… everything." He told us.

Jasper and I exchanged looks, smiling tightly in their direction.

I mean, it's not that weren't happy for him, we are. But Emmett always said that he didn't want to get married, mainly due to the animosity between his parents after they divorced.

He always said that he'd rather date someone for a long time, but marriage would never be on the table for him. Neither would kids.

So, how did Rose convince him that it was a good idea to get married?

As I wondered this, Rose got up and headed towards the door, only to come back a moment later.

She walked in with a small petite blonde, her hair was covering her face as she walked in.

I heard her mumble something to her friend. But as I heard the friend's voice, I felt as if I had been socked in the stomach.

"—because I'm his assistant…" She mumbled in annoyance.

Rose rolled her eyes, and sighed in exasperation, "It's Friday night. No more work. It's your only free weekend. Don't waste it on work." She told her as she pulled her in the direction of the couch.

The blood drops to my feet immediately, as I hear the voice of the last person I expected to be here at one of our concerts.

I dare not hope.

But I know that it is when she speaks again. Her voice is unmistakable.

"Rose..." She sighed, trying to get her hand out of Rose's hold.

Fuck.

Rose ignored her as she rushed over, and gently pushed her into an empty seat, which happened to be next to me, before sitting down next to her, an excited gleam in her eyes. "Bella, this is Emmett McCarthy. He's —" She introduced.

As I heard her name, I felt my eyes widen. Bee was here.

'Oh god….' I thought as I tried not to panic.

Bee sighed from her seat beside mine, "That's the guy you've been so secretive about, right?" She asked her, amused.

Rose flushed and nodded, "We didn't want to attract any attention just yet." She told me.

"So, you've been going out with this guy… for what two- three years? What's really going on, Rose?" Bee asked, not believing her.

She looked around to the other two ladies who were clinging to Jasper and Garrett.

"What is this all about?" She asked.

"Well, the truth is we've all been going out for a while now..." Alice said as she interlaced her fingers with Jasper's. Kate followed her example as she pulled Garrett closer to her.

She turned to look back at Rose, suspiciously. "Why didn't Maria, Lucy or Nettie really come?" She asked her.

The mentions of those three made me cringe.

Wait... Bee knows who Maria is? Or is this another Maria?

I now remembered the night we met her. She had three other friends with her, and they were all obnoxious, loud, and shallow.

Definitely a different Maria. The one we met that night was obnoxious, and very handsy. Jasper's Maria was nice, quite, and humble. Unlike Rose's other friend.

Rose gave her a sheepish look, "The last time they came with me, they were escorted out for getting too…" she trailed off.

Bee sighed, "Flamboyant? Annoying? Inappropriate?" She asked sarcastically.

"All of the above." I mumbled without meaning to.

She turned, probably to respond to me, for her green eyes to widen and her jaw to fall in surprise.

I took the opportunity to speak, letting a small smile play on my face as I spoke. "Hey Izzy Bee, long time no see." I said.

As I spoke, she stiffened, and the room went silent.

She didn't look in my way, or acknowledge my presence besides going as rigid as a board of wood. It was like she knew who it was without having to check.

"Bee?" Rose whispered, concerned.

Bee suddenly shook her head, "Rose, I'm not feeling well. I think I'm going to go." She finally tqold Rose as she got up, and rushed out of the room.

I shot out of my seat and rushed out after her to stop her. I wanted to explain. Badly. To tell her about everything.

"Come on, Iz, don't leave." I pleaded.

She yanked her hand out of my hold, wincing as she did. "Why not? Why should I stay here with you, of all people?" She asked, coldly.

I sighed, "Look, I get it. You're still angry about how things ended but… it was a long time ago. I'm not the same guy I was all those years ago." I told her.

She gave me a disbelieving scoff, letting out a cynical laugh, and shaking her head. "I'm sorry, it's just you seem to be under the impression that I'll believe what you're saying." She told me as Rose walked out with Emmett.

I looked down, knowing I deserved it. I deserved her anger.

"Bella, don't leave yet, come on, we wanted to talk to you about something… please...come back, and let's talk." Rose told her.

I frowned, wondering why Rose wasn't letting her leave.

Bee looked at her, betrayal clear on her face, shook her head at Rose. "You're right. You had something to tell me..." Bee finally said, in a clipped tone.

"What's going on?" Emmett asked as Jasper, and Garrett slowly made their way towards us.

"Don't worry about it, Em." I told Emmett, as my eyes stayed on her.

"No, something is happening. You clearly know who Rose's sister is, and she clearly knows you. I'm not stupid, Ed. What the hell happened between you two?" He asked, moving to block my view of her as he spoke.

Sister? I thought Rosie's name was Higgins? Not Swan.

That doesn't make sense. Unless—?

Nah... I must be mixing things up. I was wrong.

"You didn't tell your friends?" She asked. Nodding in disbelief as understanding sunk in.

"Tell us what?" Emmett asked, looking at her, confused.

"Your friend, here, met me while we were studying in Florida. We got to know each other pretty well, actually. Then when it all seemed to be turning into something more… your friend kicked me to the curb like I was a piece of yesterday's garbage, and told me I was nothing but a good lay to him." She told them, watching as I flinched.

Their heads snapped in my direction as I stared at her with a black expression.

Willing my emotions not to show.

"Ed …" Jasper said as he shook his head at me.

I almost wanted to deny that shit but he knew me too well. He was going to be pissed when he found out how callous I was to her.

"There's more." She added as she stared at me, coldly.

"What did you do, Ed?" Emmett asked, tensely.

"See? When I went to tell him that I needed his help. He threw money in my face as his new flavor of the month was cackling like a fucking hyena. Can you guess what I wanted?" She asked, sarcastically.

Rose stiffened as she turned to look at me. I blinked once before she got in my face. Slapping me twice and kneeing me in the balls before Emmett grabbed her.

"Put me down!" She seethed, as she tried to break free from his grasp.

I felt the food I ate earlier try to make its way up my esophagus.

"Rosie … calm down." Emmett told her as he turned to look at Jasper, before looking at Bee. "You had his kid… you're the girl he's been fucking writing about in all those songs..." He whispered realization.

There it was.

The truth was out.

She scoffed, shaking her head as she looked at me expressionlessly. "Yes, I had a baby a few months after. Premature. I reached out to his friends, unfortunately they didn't say much, so we've been on our own since. So, don't worry, I don't want or plan to ask for anything from you. We don't need you." She told him.

She did? Who did she speak to?

Why hadn't I known?

Fuck if Tanya had anything to do with this, I swear to God I would kill her myself.

"Please … I'm sorry." I rasped, from the ground, as my ears began to ring.

She shook her head, "You chose to walk away then… Now, you need to stay away. I will not have you pretending to be there only for you to leave when your career becomes hectic again. That's not how parenting works, Edward. My child needs stability." She told me.

"Bella…" Rose whispered.

All Bee did was close her eyes, and slowly shake her head, while clenching her hands to her side.

"Bella..." She repeated.

Bee sighed, "You know, you've done a lot of fucking crap in the past, Rose, but this is an all-time low, even for you." She told her.

"I didn't know it was him." Rose told her.

She scoffed, "She fucking looks exactly like him, Rose! How did you not know?!" She snapped.

Rose flinched, "I'm sorry." She whispered as she covered her face with her left hand.

"Yeah, so am I." Bee snapped with a head shake.

She looks away, before looking back, a shocked look passes through Bee's face as she shakes her head.

"That's the reason why you asked me to come here. To announce your engagement to him." She mumbled in shock. "Fuck. I'm so sorry I ruined your night. But there's no reason why the rest of the night has to be shitty. Go out and celebrate. I— I really need to go but I'll call you soon, okay? Congratulations." She told her as she rushed forward and pulled Rose into a hug.

Then she practically sprinted from the room.

Jasper kneeled beside me, "You alright, dude? She got you pretty good." He mumbled as he and Garrett tried to help me up.

My only answer was a pained whimper, before I got my strength and rushed in the direction of the bathroom.

It's been a fucking week, and my fucking nuts still felt like they were going to fall off.

Thank you, Rose.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Jasper asked, offering an ice bag.

I scowled at him, as I snatched the bag and set it on my lap.

"You know, you should have told her the truth…. Telling her to have an abortion was a dick move. Even if you panicked." He says as I grab my laptop and glue my eyes on the screen.

I sighed, "Tanya was there. I couldn't let her know I cared for Bella." I mumbled.

"Yes, well, now she thinks you're a dick… one with a dislocated testicle." he deadpanned.

"Shut the fuck up, you dick." I mumbled trying not to laugh at his tone.

"At least I've got a working one... Tell her when you get the chance." He told me as he got up and made his way up to the front of the bus.

Coming to terms with the fact that I have a kid, a daughter was harder than expected.

Jasper kept trying to tell me to reach out but I felt too shocked.

Besides the fact that I wasn't sure how to. If I went in person, I was sure she'd give me the ass kicking I deserved. If I went through the court, which is what Jasper and my parents advised, there was a good chance I'd lose the rights to my kid before I even met them.

Fuck, what a fucking mess.