What Dreams May Come

BPOV

School had been hectic and I was thrilled I'd made it through the first year without trouble. I was worried about Rose and Alice more than I was worried about myself. They had been searching for the two guys they'd met over a year ago, they were obsessed beyond words. I tried to tell them on multiple occasions that it was pointless, if they were the ones, like they were so sure of then they would run into each other again. Fate works in mysterious ways, it will always find you.

I was sitting in the car waiting for Alice and Rose to show up so we could go home. It was Friday and we had the weekend to study for finals. Wednesday next week was the last day and then we were going back to Forks for a week. I actually couldn't wait.

"Oh my god," I heard Rose before she opened the door, "Bella look, look, look." She was pointing rapidly at a piece of paper in her hand. "You were right, and so were we."

"Right about what?" I asked as she handed me the paper.

"About fate and about the guys…They're having another party." I read the first line on the paper and knew exactly what she was talking about; that was as far as I needed to go.

"You're really going to go to this, the weekend of finals?" I hated being the motherly type of the group but someone had to keep us on track.

"Are you crazy, I'm not messing with fate," she defended. "You're the one who said it not me," she mentally put her hands on her hips.

"I don't want to hear you complaining when you get a poor grade," I scolded her. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Oh I'm not going alone; you and Alice are going with me."

"Ha, I am not going anywhere except to my chair with my laptop sitting on my lap." She'd lost her damn mind if she thought I was going to do anything else but study this weekend.

"Oh you are going, this is a graduation party Bella," she whined.

"No, absolutely not," Alice opened the door then, holding the same sheet of paper in her hand that Rose had. She screamed as soon as she shut the door behind her, her hands balled in fists as she threw a little mini fit over it.

"I can't believe it, they put "Two girls from LAU", they totally mean us," Alice celebrated.

"Eee," Rose joined her. I started to drive home; there was no way I was going to agree to this. I have finals to study for, tests to stress about and sleep to try and catch up on.

*****************

Driving to the condo was a pain, there were too many people on I5; all six lanes going 20 mph. We took the diamond lane (or HOV lane or carpool lane) when we could but it only got us so far.

"I think this is the street," Alice sang from the back seat. We were lost and this was the third time she'd said it.

"Alice, unless you know what you're talking about, please shut up." I wasn't happy about being dragged to this thing in the first place so us getting lost was just icing on the cake.

"Turn here." We came up on a skinny road that led us closer to the beach. Just as I was rounding the corner one headlight was coming towards us. In the same moment the feeling came over me that I feel sometimes and I swerved from the impact of it.

"Bella!" Rose called with worry. "Are you okay?" I looked ahead of me to see the one headlight morph into a dark motorcycle, like something off the syfy channel, and the rider looked in my direction but I couldn't see his face through the dark helmet.

"I'm fine," I replied when I found my breath. "I'm fine; something just…something came over me." I shook my head trying to bring my mind back to earth. It was spinning and revolving around the feeling that, now, only lingered.

"You almost hit that motorcycle," Rose exclaimed.

"No I didn't, he was way ahead of me."

"Just watch where you're going Bella, jeez, we haven't even had anything to drink yet and we're already getting into almost car accidents," Alice interrupted.

"I'm not going to drink and I didn't almost get into a car accident. He was visibly ahead of me and I corrected my overturn before he was within five feet from us. I know what I'm doing," I hate when anyone talks about my driving negatively. I know I'm a good driver so don't put me down.

I know my sisters weren't saying it to be mean in anyway but I just have a soft spot for driving.

"Right there; that's the house, right there." Alice was bouncing in the back seat up until I stopped and parked the car a block down. Rose and Alice both checked themselves in the rearview mirror and visor mirrors by the time I was out of the car with my arms crossed and waiting.

"Okay we're good," Rose said as they both exited the car. "You ready Bells?" She asked sarcastically.

"Oh, I'm fine, as long as you're ready." I ushered her to walk and I would follow. I hated when she was in these moods; like she was better than me or she felt that I thought I was better than her. We have always had these little tiffs because we aren't as close as Alice and I are. We always made up though.

"We won't be here long. I just want to get his name and number and hang out for a minute. Obviously he'll give it up if he's bold enough to ask for us on the flyer," she basically apologized in her roundabout way, resting her arm around my shoulders.

We reached the door and walked right in, you could hear the banter and chatter through the walls; there were that many people. I knew when they had spotted their guys because their eyes lit up and a smile unconsciously crossed their faces.

"So," I pushed after they were silent for what seemed like minutes.

"They're over there," Alice pointed and I saw two guys surrounded by a group of girls sitting on the ledge to their deck.

"Are we just going to stand here all night?"

Rose didn't say anything; she just started forward with Alice at her flanks. I followed a little further away; I only wanted to make sure they kept their end of the bargain.

**************

We didn't go home empty handed, actually, it was quite the opposite of that. Emmett, who was apparently pinning over Rose since the beginning of the year and Jasper, whom is head over heels for Alice, gave them both their phone numbers. They made plans to meet up after finals and Alice and Rose gave them their numbers too.

All in all a very good night.

On top of all of that, I actually got them to leave by midnight like they'd promised. Now I was going to sleep and hopefully going to get caught up, then it was straight studying tomorrow. I have a test on Monday and a test on Wednesday, then it's off to Forks after Alice and Rose's dates; same night same place.

They did have another brother; that was just unthinkable.

I let my mind wander on that, because they did have a third brother and by coincidence his name is Edward. My mind wandered even further and as I drifted off…their brother Edward was my Edward.

No, not my Edward…Edward from my past.

**************

"I think you have gone nuts, are you really going to do this?" Rose was such a worry wart sometimes.

"No, I haven't and, yes." I had made one or two friends at LAU and one of them like to drive fast cars. I'm not just talking about your run of the mill muscle car or tuned up Honda. I'm talking about track cars.

You take your everyday muscle/tuner car, add a roll cage, racing harnesses, turbo or a vtec head, take out any and all insulation to guarantee lightest weight and you got yourself a track car. The LA runway wasn't far from the LAU campus and I finally decided I was going to give it a shot. I love to drive, I like to drive fast and I don't like to get tickets; what better way than on a track?

"You have a roll cage Bella, that doesn't mean anything to you?" She waited impatiently for my response and I guess I wasn't fast enough for her. "Or are you some kind of adrenaline junkie now?"

"It means that if the car was to flip and it decides to bounce around a few times, I'll be safe and snug against the seat by the racing harness. The car won't cave in around me because of the roll cage."

"That is the stupidest thing I've heard come out of your mouth," she scolded.

"Well, I don't know what to tell ya, it is what it is, and I am going to do it." I positioned my hands on the steering wheel and concentrated on the lights to the side of me. As soon as it was green my foot is going to the floor.

"All persons and personnel off the race way," the announcer stated over the loud speaker.

"I hope you don't kill yourself Bella, Charlie and Renee will be pissed." Rose stalked off and Emmett followed close behind her.

"I think she'll be fine," I heard him reassuring her.

"Driver ready," the announcer called and I put my thumb up through the windshield. The light that was red disappeared and a yellow one took its place right below it and then another. The last light turned green and I slammed my foot over the accelerator. I purposefully let the tires spin for a second and then I was off.

The car bucked forward as the rear wheels caught traction. I had to correct myself a few times from over turning but moments later I was straight again. The speedometer needle inched passed 80 when I shifted into third gear and the rush was amazing. The first turn came and I went around it at 90 mph. Once I hit the straight away I shifted into fourth at 100 mph. The second and last turn on the course came and I didn't have to decelerate to take it with ease.

The car I was driving was a 2001 Acura Integra, black with leather racing seats, completely tracked out with the vtec head to prove it. It does 0 to 80 in seven seconds and it's lowered to four inches off the ground allowing better control around corners. It's been modified to rear wheel drive for better handling while drifting. Drifting wasn't really my forte, but the car was nice…and fast.

By the time my turn was up I had done 145 mph on the straight away, it was such a thrill to go that fast, it was more than a stress reliever like I intended it to be. Way more effective than yelling at the top of my lungs.

"Whoo Bella; that was off the hook girl…you got cohunes," Emmett's booming laugh could be heard all the way across the track. "Bella Balls," he called.

I climbed out of the window and saw the 100's of people watching me. It was nerve wracking but I wasn't there to impress anyone, I was only there to relieve some aggression. This was a defining moment for me; I was getting better at this whole people thing.

Eric, the owner of the Acura and my friend from school, met me on the track and offered me a high five. "I didn't expect it," he teased, "145 mph. You do have balls Bella," he agreed with Emmett.

"Well, I said I liked fast cars and I wasn't lying." We made our way across the track to where Rose, Alice, Emmett and Jasper were seated.

******

After the graduation party Rose and Alice had given the boys their phone numbers and vice versa. Every day since they have talked to each other; the guys come out to our place a lot, claiming it's boring at home without their other brother there. I think Alice or Rose or both said something to them about my problem with the name Edward because they never bring him up. They don't have any pictures in their house, not even of each other, so I never got to see what he looked like.

I would be lying if I said I didn't want to know if it were him. I wouldn't go out of my way to see him if I knew where he was, but if I ran into him randomly I would ask him all the questions I've wanted answers to for over seven years.

"I have to give it to you Bella," Jasper commented before anyone else, "You have pretty amazing driving skills."

"I knew she could do it," Alice added and I smiled in her direction. She always believed in me, from day negative one when she set up my room in the Swan house. I could never thank her enough for that.

"Yeah, yeah, you're lucky you aren't dead," Rose scolded again. There were a number of reasons behind why Rose was being so ill towards me. The fact that I'm always miserable when they're happy or the fact that graduation is coming up and we'll be leaving sunny California and Emmett will be staying in San Diego to play for the Chargers. Maybe even the fact that we were moving to Seattle and the fact that I'm always miserable was making her angry at herself and she was taking it out on me because I'm already unhappy.

I've come to the terms that I will probably always be minimally happy with my life. When something so catastrophic happens in one's life it sometimes alters it irrevocably; such as my situation. I will forever be broken, never to be mended because there is only one person that can mend it and I have no idea where that person is. Seven years is a long time, he could be anywhere; the worlds the limit. The couple that adopted him was well off, they could literally be anywhere.

"Bella, Bella, did you hear me?" Emmett tapped my shoulder bringing me back to the present.

"What…no I'm sorry. What did you say?"

"I said," heavy sarcasm," Want to race back to your place?"

"What in your Jeep? I'll smoke you in our Accord," I laughed and rolled my eyes before handing Eric the helmet. "Thank you, that was such a blast."

"Anytime, just give me a call. Oh," he was headed back to his car but stopped mid step. "We meet here every Wednesday and Friday night so come by any time."

"I will, thanks again," I turned back to see Alice giggling, "What?" I asked.

"Bella and Eric sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g." They all had a good laugh on my expense.

"No, Alice and Jasper sitting in a tree," I mocked her and she kissed him causing me to stop reciting it. "God…get a room you two."

EPOV

Portland Oregon, one of the most beautiful cities at night. The buildings were tall, every last one of them in down town were light up every night. The city was full of people, some not so fortunate people, and some such as myself: Fortunate.

Carlisle put me up in this apartment overlooking the Willamette River; not that it was a great site to see but a lot of people would die to see it every time they looked out their window. He also hooked my up with a friend of his who had his hand in all the music derived clubs and the Convention Center along with the Rose Garden. He offered me a job at the CC preparing sets for the local music.

Every Saturday night was open mic; any Joe Blow off the streets had a chance to woo the good people of Portland. Mostly rappers and wanabes showed up, but it still caused quite the raucous. They all had their regular fans show up and some even had merchandise, which we sold for them for a small fee.

Journal Entry 222: August 27, 2006

I never saw my life as being what I am, I didn't go to college and get a degree for this shit but everyone had to start somewhere and the CC is it for me.

The job is hectic and fucking nerve wracking but it always seems to keep my mind off of other things like the whole of my misery.

Seven fucking years and I still see her face when I close my eyes, seven ridiculous long agonizing years and I am still burdened by the dreams every night.

I am convinced they will never end; I even told my colleague Laurent about them.

If you have ever seen a Jamaican guy with dreads then you've seen Laurent. Funny guy, he lightened my mood most of the time, which was very convenient considering I have a façade to uphold.

"Maybe you should see a specialist about it," he suggested.

"I have and it only helped me to stop thinking about her all the time; it did nothing for the dreams."

"That's the breaks man; she must have made some kind of impact on you." We were preparing the set for tonight and he was climbing up the ladder to mess with the wiring to the curtain, it wasn't opening properly on both ends.

"Yeah, she ruined women for me, I can't look at them the same. They're just pawns to me, like women are only there to confuse me, to tempt me and make it hard for me to concentrate on what's important." For some reason Laurent was easy to talk to, he always had real insightful advice and he was older, around 30. Here I am barely 20.

"And to repopulate, don't forget that," he added in his comical demeanor.

"Oh yeah, who can forget that," my mind was aloof, no more thought of Bella and my past, only the present and the future.

My future started three days from then, the CEO of the Rose Garden stadium came by and asked me to meet with him and discuss possible employment. I wasn't sure what I was interviewing for and I didn't much care. Getting my foot in the door was what was important.

*****************

"Hello, I'm here to see Charles Jones," I told the receptionist when I entered the main office downtown. It was a tall building, just like the others but it was across from a little park that reminded me of the park me and Bella used to go to. It was more of a lake but the park setting looked identical.

"He's in a meeting right now but I'll bring it to his attention that you've arrived." She smiled at me; she was cute and I didn't even have to think about giving her my crooked grin because it was already plastered on my face. Just my smile caused so many adoring glances and even some stares. This little secretary behind her desk was probably mentally begging me to ask her for her number. If this wasn't a job interview I would have.

"Mr. Cullen, Mr. Jones will see you now," the receptionist called from her post.

"Thank you," I continued on through the door she was holding open and she closed it behind me. The man at the desk wasn't the man that came and saw me two days prior, this man was older, in his 80s maybe. He wore a pin striped suit and his hair was combed over. He looked very fit for his age, probably the type that runs every morning and has, for years.

"Edward, please take a seat, make yourself at home. I'll only be a minute longer." I sat in a chair opposing him and admired his office; it was nice with a dark cherry wood theme. There was a little mini bar in one corner of his office and pictures littered his desk. I assumed they were of his family. It was so surreal I felt like I was on top of the world.

"Forgive me," he startled me and I jumped. He stood up just before I followed suit and we shook hands. "I hear you're doing wondrous things over there at the convention center? Tell me about it."

"Well um," I didn't know what I did made that much of a difference, "I ah, make sure the talent is synched, set up the props and make sure everything is in working order. I have a few people that help but I do most of the preparation for the event. I also, this isn't part of my job title; I make sure the talent has entertainment while they're in town if they're from out of town and I check up on them and make sure they're taken care of."

"And it says here you have a degree in music management and you're fluent on the piano. It also says that you're outgoing and a smooth talker when it comes to the ladies. You have a way with people that's hard to find and that you would make an outstanding music director. Is all of that true and do you agree with it?"

"It is, but," I was a little thrown back at the type of information he had on me. "How did you get your information?"

"Someone recommended you for the job, a very reliable source, and gave me what they had on you. Do you disagree with what they say?"

"No, not at all, I'm just surprised. Yes, I have all of those qualities and I am good with the ladies," I chuckled nervously, "People tend to migrate toward me so yeah, I guess I am good with people."

"Would you like to work for me Edward? Your salary will be substantial and we have all accommodations available to you if there is anything you need." He was actually giving me the option to turn down the job of a lifetime.

"I'm a little shocked; yes I would very much appreciate the opportunity."

"Pleasures all mine; when can you start?" he was inputting information into his computer but continued with his questioning.

"I have to give notice to the convention center; I can let you know by tomorrow afternoon?" it was more a question than a request.

"Don't worry about that, they won't mind. I'll call them here in a few minutes and notify them of your transfer. You're in good hands son." He stayed on his computer, his eyes fixeated on whatever was across his screen. "I have some things to do, come see me tomorrow around 12 and we can discuss this further."

"Thank you Mr. Jones, I won't let you down." I shook his hand as firmly as I could because on the inside I was shaking. This was the job I had wanted since I moved here. A year was all it took, and an anonymous recommendation. I was pretty sure I knew who it was and a much needed long awaited thank you was in order.

Once I got to my apartment I dialed his number, knew it by heart but never told him that.

Journal Entry 303: September 22, 2007

I always put off that I hated him but in reality, he was the one person I truly held any respect for, well him and Esme.

They took me in even when I fought them; they saw something in me when no one else did.

I had all the reasons in the world to be nice to them but I never was.

They sent me back to Forks to find her, even when there was a chance I would not return; they trusted me.

They took care of me for the remainder of my adolescence and put me through college, with very little help from the state.

Carlisle put me up in this apartment rent free until I got the job that would suffice.

They both wanted what was best for me and that's why I had to show my appreciation for once.

I called Carlisle after arriving home; he was thrilled to hear from me on a personal note instead of business. I got a little emotional as I told him thank you, not just for the recommendation but for everything. For being the best father to me and my brothers when he didn't have to be, for being the man I look up to and being the man I want to become. He actually cried and I shed a tear myself. He made me promise to come home for Christmas this year and I agreed. I couldn't wait to see them now; now that I saw what I've been missing has been right under my nose.

I watched every game Emmett had at a little sports bar and grill down the street. Even before I turned 21, which I am now 22, they let me watch it without serving me any alcohol.

The game that got them the chance at the Super Bowl was a memorable one in more than just that way. That's the day I found out about Jasper's engagement to Alice. I hated him, I was happy for him but I hated the happiness he had over my own. I would never feel that for anyone, not again, it hurts too much when it ends badly. I couldn't fucking fathom the pain of going through that a second time.

I got the time off to go, I was spending three nights in Tampa Bay, which was where the Super Bowl was being held this year. I was excited to see my brothers and my parents again, I still hadn't seen them since the last Christmas I went home a year ago.

The plane ride was torturous; they played "A Walk to Remember" and I felt pity for the leading male character. He loved Mandy Moore's character, even married her in the church that her parents did a year before she died from cancer. He was a fool, love does not conquer all.

I met my family at the hotel we were all staying at and the déjà vu feeling that came over me sent me off balance and I almost ran into a guy with my luggage cart.

"Oh, excuse me, sorry about that," I apologized when I realized I'd hit him in the ankle.

"No problem man, you here for the Super Bowl?" he asked.

"Yeah, I have a family member on one of the teams," I repositioned my bags so they wouldn't end up on the floor. Louis Vuitton isn't something to mess around with. Present two Christmas's ago when Carlisle and Esme thought I needed better luggage.

"So does my girlfriend, pretty cool." He was a nerdy looking fellow, but seemed decent enough. I checked in and the feeling I haven't felt since I left San Diego hit me three times before I reached my room.

I tried to think of any connections between here and California, but the only thing I could come up with was the beach, but we were miles from the closest one. Anyway I put it, I could find no real correlation that would cause the feeling to return.

Carlisle and Esme came up to my room to talk about whatever came to mind, they were intrigued when I told them stories about all the famous musicians I'd met over the years. Esme's eyes lit up when I told her I'd met Elton John, her favorite pianist of all time.

"Did you ask him for pointers?" she was always telling me to learn as much as I can from the people around me. Her motto; "Every single person can teach you something new."

"I didn't, we were on a short schedule so I didn't get much time to talk about anything else but the show." Her smile faded a bit, "But next time he comes I'll do my best to sneak that in." She seemed to except that.

"So Edward, there's no lucky lady in your life?" This was the question I'd been dreading. They knew everything about Bella; they paid for the therapy session so of course they wanted status updated regularly. Now they always want to know if I've moved on from it, I don't think I ever will.

"Nope, still testing the water," I replied smoothly.

"I want three grandbabies, one from each of you, so you better get in the game soon. No more testing," Esme practically barked.

I laughed nervously, "I don't think babies are my thing, they need too much attention and I'm a busy guy." I do not want kids, that's what I wanted to say but I couldn't break Esme's heart just like that.

"Someday," she said and it seemed like she was trying to convince herself.

"Have you met Alice and Rose's sister, Isabella?" Carlisle asked. That name sent a shiver up my spine and I think they both caught on to it.

"No I haven't. In all the years I've known them she's never come around."

"She's here, she'll be sharing our box tomorrow with her boyfriend mike; he's a pretty decent guy."

"She seems a little troubled," Esme contemplated, "Like she's being held down by something. Her smiles seemed forced and so did her laugh. "I'm sure it has nothing to do with him but I surely hope not," she tried convincing herself yet again. Esme has always been the type to give people the benefit of the doubt, no judging a book by its cover. She's very feminist when it comes to things like that.

"I'm sure it has nothing to do with Mike, maybe she's just nervous about meeting us today," Carlisle always had a logical explanation for everything.

"Well, I'm tired; I think I'm going to hit the sack." I told them goodnight and they left shortly after. All I could see when I closed my eyes was the name Isabella.

Isabella…

Bella.

The sun shining through the curtain of my sliding glass door that led out onto a balcony woke me early the next morning. I showered and went with casual attire for the day.

Black slacks and a button up blue shirt, my favorite color.

I was meeting my family downstairs for breakfast and supposedly meeting the infamous Isabella and her boyfriend Mike; probably a loser if my interpretation of what Esme said is correct.

Of course she wasn't there and we ate breakfast without her. "She's not feeling well so they're going to meet us in the box before the show starts," Alice informed us.

"Edward, my brother it's been what over a year since I've seen you, that's too long man," Emmett looked good, healthy and big as always.

"Yeah, look at how you've aged," I teased and he punched me on the shoulder and we hugged genuinely. My family was definitely one of the best.

Breakfast went without a hitch and game time came quickly. There were bar servers in the box and I got a scotch on the rocks first thing. I'm not a heavy drinker but when it's free I'm always down to take advantage of it.

The mystery sister and her boyfriend were still MIA and I was beginning to think they weren't going to come at all.

Right after I finished that thought the feeling came over me and I heard the door open. I looked around to see what it could be that was causing it, and also looking to the door because it could only be the only people who were missing.

My entire world was turned upside down, or maybe right side up when I saw her walk through the door behind the man I'd run into last night with my luggage cart. I wished I would have run him over completely because he had every nightmare, every dream and every tear I have shed in almost the last decade in his hand.

So they still have not met, but I'm sure you can guess who was on Mike's arm. More of that will be explained in the next chapter. This is just a little bit of a cliffy for y'all. You know how I like to do that. BTW it's been 8 years now...they are both 22 years old. Edward is older than Bella by a few months but Bella was 13 when he got adopted and Edward was 14.

Some of you may not like how I am jumping from year to year and not covering all of the time in between but that is how this story is. It really isn't going be day by day until they meet or until they are together or whatever happens when it happens. I'm not much on mundane conversation and details so I skip around to the good stuff or the stuff that makes the plot line.

Also, I have a 2001 Acura Integra that is lowered to four inches and man does it take the corners with ease. As soon as I get a new car, hopefully a Jeep Wrangler or a Jetta my boyfriend and I will be turning the Acura into a track car. I love to drive fast, I love to go four wheeling and I love to just be one of the guys (I guess you could say). I've never been very girly and writing seems to bring it out in me. I feel girly a lot I just can't portray it very well.

So I hope you all are liking SH, I'm sorry if there are things you wanted to read about that I didn't include, but there is much, much more to come.

Thank you so much for your reviews, they make me smile every time and as some of you know I get the emails on my phone so I can read them no matter where I am. I don't have a lot of time to review as I don't really have a lot of time to write and type up the story so please forgive me if I don't respond to you review. I saw it trust me and I totally appreciate you taking the time to write it.

Thanks again to my Beta Scrimmy....sorry I've been MIA...the next chapter is coming your way very soon.

PLEASE LEAVE ME SUM LUV...LIL' BUTTON JUST BELOW

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