*Disclaimer - Sadly, I own nothing of Twilight with the exception of merchandise, bought and paid for. I do, however, own my love for borrowing the characters and playing with them however I choose to. I thank Stephenie Meyer for creating the TwiWorld and for allowing us to have our fun with it. She owns Twilight, the insanity it created in my mind is my own.

Thank you, Shug, for all your time and effort beta-reading for me. She's the reason I can throw up extra updates now and then. No one likes the NM time of fics, but stick with me and we'll work through it quickly. Promise. ;)

Now, it was brought to my attention that not everyone is aware of a term used in this chapter, so I'll define. Earworm: a song (usually uber annoying) that gets stuck in your head and will not DIE! We've all had 'em. Best way to eliminate is to trade it in for a new one.

I'll shut up now and let you read.

Whatever Works

Bright Side of the Road

He was gone. He'd left without another goodbye. And left with another stupid talisman for me to tote around. Again, it was signed 'yours'. I drove myself mad trying to decide if it meant what I thought it did on his other note or if it was simply how he signed everything. With bitterness, I vowed that was not something I would ever endeavor to look up on the new laptop.

I was, however, thankful for the stereo. My iPod was still out of commission with Van Morrison frozen in place – I couldn't listen to it but was unable to move past it either. I found a radio station that played '80s and '90s pop, and it provided mindless entertainment. No reminders of Edward. No reminders of running from an empty life. I simply tried to look at my situation as a great opportunity. I had never travelled, and though I had initially been unnerved by the move, it didn't take long to not feel foreign. Everyone I met was friendly and curious about my accent, and I seemed to have been deposited in a land where everyone blurted. I felt at home.

The freedom of being out of LA was a definite perk. Everything we needed was within walking distance, and several times Esme met up with old friends, improving her spirits even though she missed her children. She had a regular visitor, an old friend of Alice's, Lauren Mallory. Sometimes Lauren brought along another visitor – the most adorable little boy. He was absolutely precious, and Esme loved him to bits. When he'd climb up on her lap, I could picture a younger Esme cradling toddler Edward much the same way. He'd fall asleep in her arms, and she'd smooth out his wild mop of hair and stroke his rosy cheeks. He had trouble saying her name, so he called her "Maymay." He had no trouble with mine, and he had no trouble displaying affection either. I always got a huge hug and a very polite "Thank you, Bella" when I'd get him a cup of milk or play trains with him. He was rather amused with my giggle-snort, and his own laugh was so infectious it would draw out more snorts from me. Lauren was sweet too, filling me in on the best places to shop and get my hair done. Her stories of antics with Alice were always amusing – this was the family she had stayed with when Esme and Carlisle went to LA for Edward.

For days after visits with them, Esme would work much harder on her therapy. She was no longer fighting me, not a hint of denial that she didn't feel every bit of muscle ache to prove she was working harder, and she never objected when I made her ditch the chair for a walker to the exercise room.

"Do you miss the pool?" I asked one day when I was doing a deep tissue massage. I missed the pool. I missed Edward's flirtations and playfulness in the pool. "It was good exercise."

"And it didn't feel like exercise until after." She smirked. "I'm not sorry Edward made this choice though. Both places have their good points, but this is home. I'm ready to start living a normal life again, and this is the place to do it."

Alice may have been right all along. She was right about choosing Jasper; he was the most devoted man as a boyfriend, and he often called us up to check in on his own while Alice was busy getting registered for fall classes. And Edward was busy being Edward.

Esme watched the entertainment news relentlessly, and I, longing for a glimpse of the beautiful asshole, watched along with her.

"The latest scoop on the set of Diamonds and Spades is that not everyone is tickled to be back. Rumor has it, tensions are running high and the season will be one cast member shorter by the end. Maybe sooner!" They then proceeded to show several cast pictures and several more of just Edward. They were older pictures, nothing current – still beautiful, but I wanted to see how he looked right at this moment.

Two days later: "Rumors continue to fly over on the Diamonds and Spades set - our source tells us someone is not a happy camper at all these days. The normally amicable and always charming Edward Masen has become somewhat of a recluse, angering some of his fellow cast mates. Possibly due to those murmurs of someone being released from their contract? We'll see!" And more pictures of the precious – some smiling, some scowling. The two sides of Edward.

"They make it sound like he's been fired! Oh, those people!" Esme snapped off the TV but was perched in the same spot, the same time the next day.

"Ladies, it's looking more and more like we'll only get our fill of the red hot Edward Masen on the big screen. Sources reveal that he is indeed moving on to bigger things, and some co-stars are seeing red! Dillon Spade is a character that many storylines revolve around. Without him, who knows how the rest will fare. We predict a huge drop in ratings!"

"No shit," Esme mumbled, and I had to snicker. "Sources? Who? The person who comes in and sweeps up the makeup room? God, I hope they're not really upset with him… giving him a hard time. He doesn't need that." Her switch from being disgruntled to showing genuine concern mirrored my own thoughts. He had a way of doing that to the women in his life.

"Dillon Spade, aka Edward Masen, is doing some spirit mending these days. He was spotted out last night with fellow cast mates enjoying dinner before heading over to the Comedy Store for a few more laughs. Sources say Masen played nice in public, treating his put-off friends the entire night. Covering up that bad taste he left in their mouths?"

Finally! A current picture! He looked tired.

Esme huffed. "That's not mending – that's being Edward. He didn't look very drunk, do you think?"

He looked dead on his feet and still beautiful. "No, he didn't. It's nice that he had a night out. He must miss Emmett a lot."

The following day had a rush of little blurbs on the hot topic. "We caught up with several of Edward Masen's cast mates to get their feelings on the situation. Riley Biers, who plays Eli Diamond, was one of the friends Edward treated to a night out the other night. 'Is Edward leaving? I hadn't heard. He sticks to himself pretty much, so I don't know what's going on.' A peace offering perhaps? Riley doesn't seem too concerned."

Esme was livid. "Do they not see the contradiction there? He sticks to himself, yet he joins a bunch of people he works with for a night out. Riley isn't a friend but went along for the freebie the other day. They work together, that's all."

"Someone who should be very concerned with the rumors of Edward Masen leaving the hit series Diamonds and Spades is his onscreen lover, Victoria James. 'He's fine! He's been a sweetheart on set, as always. A pleasure to work with.' Still treating the ladies right at least. Victoria was a no-show at The Comedy Store, but I'd think a more private setting would be up this pair's alley for a big send-off! Love to have some pictures of that romantic dinner!"

Esme rolled her eyes, and I chewed on a thumbnail. She's not young enough for him… Bitterness hit me, and I couldn't watch any more cast clips surrounded by nonsensical rumors.

~ 0 ~

A few days after the last publicized sighting of Edward, my phone rang mid-morning.

"Bella! How's my favorite klutz?" Emmett's booming voice put a smile on my face.

"I'm just fine, thank you. Staying out of pools these days. The cobblestone walkways are challenging at times though." I chuckled.

"A few ankle twists, I'd bet. Keep Esme off them for a while."

I chuckled some more. "You should see her, Emmett. She's doing so great. Every day she's improving, and this house is perfect for her. It gives her enough of a challenge, back and forth through the rooms, but it's easily manageable with the walker. She can probably do crutches soon."

"Yeah, Edward looked at loads of places, and this was the best for all purposes. I'm glad it's working out for you. You like it?"

"I do! Yeah, London is great. The people are so nice! Everyone thinks I talk funny. It's crazy! How are things with you? Are you with Rosalie?"

"Mm-hmm! She's right here." Rosalie shouted out a hello in the background. "We're in Phoenix right now."

"Oh! I've been there!" I chuckled, proud to have three locations in common. "Is she performing there?"

"Yeah. We just got back to the hotel. She was fabulous, of course." Emmett gushed fondly over his girlfriend, and there was laughter in the background. "She's got another show tomorrow, and then we're heading east. We'll ditch Edward in Kansas – he's got a re-shoot to do there before he flies back."

My stomach flipped at the mention of his name. He was there. He was with Emmett and Rosalie. I hoped he was better rested. And not lonely. But I did hope he was lonely when they split up at night. Staring out the window, I focused on a bird nesting in the tree in an attempt to clear out the mental image of red hair splayed across Edward's chest in bed. Please, God, please let him be alone at night.

"… and I tell you, it can't be soon enough – dude's got an earworm that he refuses to keep to himself. Annoying as fuck! I won't inflict it on you as well."

My laughter couldn't be contained. "I almost wish you would! I've had an annoying one myself for days. I'd bet his is better than mine."

"Tell me yours, and I'll tell you mine," Emmett taunted.

"Get ready to laugh… 'Say You'll Be There.'"

"I'll be there… but where?"

"That's the song, you goof!" I giggle-snorted.

"Spice Girls? Oh shit. Dude, you've got it worse than us. My condolences. So… Baby Spice? You're not Scary or a Ginger –"

"Dude! Sporty! Totally! Melanie C, baby… she totally rocks it at the end!" I sang out my Sporty Spice earworm, and Emmett roared with laughter. "Now feed me a new one. Please!"

"The Guess Who. 'These Eyes.' Know it?" And he broke into a bad rendition. "These eyes… are crying. These eyes have seen a lot of love but they're never gonna see another one like I had with you. These eyes cry every night for you… These arms, these arms long to hold you… hold you again…"

I was in stitches. He sang it very badly, but what he lacked in tone he made up for with enthusiasm.

"… these eyes… OHHHH are crying… OW! That really hurt, asshole!"

My laughter stopped. He wouldn't call Rosalie an asshole. That had to mean THE asshole was right there with him, not just in the same city – in the same room. Was his little red-headed porcelain doll with them as well?

"Okay, apparently Edward would prefer to sing it himself. I can't serenade you anymore."

"I'm fine with that – you not singing. I'm kind of deaf now." I went into teasing mode to hide the fact that I was freaking the hell out just thinking about Edward singing that song, let alone to me. He must have been actually singing it for days, not just stuck with the earworm. He had a gorgeous singing voice; I could remember how he sounded singing with Rosalie in the car the night the four of us had gone out. He was piss drunk and still sounded good. Every sound that came from his mouth sounded musical to me. He was there with the guy I was speaking to. Instead of making me feel closer to him and his voice, it made me feel the miles between us were even vaster than they were in reality.

"I should go, Em. I have to get our therapy session started," I said quietly. "Thanks for calling though. It was so great hearing from you. Please say hi for me."

I spent several minutes trying to calm myself down when I hung up. I had been so elated to hear Emmett's friendly voice that I hadn't realized the full scene while on the phone. Why had he even thought to call right then? They had just come back from Rosalie's gig, and I was sure they'd had some drinks and were enjoying their time together – so why call me?

Esme noticed my mood was off and tried to draw me into spilling it. I turned the tables on her, not willing to admit that not only had I slept with her son, but I had fallen in love with him. Her son… my employer. My unavailable employer… her beloved son.

"So have you told Edward you're walking?"

"I'd hardly call this walking, dear. It's more of a shuffle," she remarked.

"It's done on your own two legs," I countered. "He should know that you're doing this well. You're well on your way to recovery now."

She sighed and set the walker aside to sit at the kitchen table, motioning for me to join her. "Honey, he knows. He's always known."

My jaw dropped. She knew? I hoped that she believed my shock was over her statement. Regardless of how Edward had hurt me, I wouldn't divulge any of our private talks. "What the…? Why would he go through all this… hiring me… sending me here with you –"

She offered a sad smile. "He's simply playing along. I've never come out and said that I've been… less than truthful. But he knows. For whatever reason, he's granted me this. It's given me time with him, and for that, I have no regrets about my deception. Not this one anyway."

I patted her hand and then went over to embrace her. In my heart, I believed that Esme had kept the truth about Edward's father from him for his own sake, but I also saw that she still held onto her guilt even though he had forgiven, if not forgotten. It struck me that he may have been playing on her guilt by allowing this little game to play out.

Several days later, I got the opportunity to call him on it. Tensing up as I normally did whenever the ID box indicated "unknown caller," I knew it would be him. "Hi. Your mother isn't in right now."

"Oh? And hello, yourself." His voice in those few words melted me. "Did you send her out to run errands?" he asked in a light, teasing manner.

"She knows that you know," I blurted.

He chuckled. "Figured as much. She told you that? So she's being more agreeable to getting her arse out of the chair then?"

Smiling, I took the phone into the sunroom to watch the birds at the feeder in the garden. It was probably my favorite place to be in this house. "She's improving daily. More steps added each day, and she's gaining more confidence in her movements – not so unsteady on her feet. I really hope she continues with this and you can see it for yourself… whenever that will be. And I shouldn't be telling you, because it's not my place and it was supposed to be kept between her, and I… I just feel that you should know."

There was a pregnant pause before his voice returned, softly. "Thank you. I appreciate you telling me." Another pause, a little longer, and the tension returned despite me being in my happy room. "You know…" He was still speaking very softly when he finally cut the silence. "This is the most you've said to me in a month."

"You haven't been around for a month."

"I'm not around now, but you're talking to me."

I let him feel the frustration of a long hesitation this time. "There's no point in holding onto bad feelings. I know that we agreed to be professional and continue on with our agreement, but it is difficult if we can't even be civil towards each other."

"Would you like us to be civil, Bella?"

I would like to feel your arms around me, your lips on my neck. I'd like to run my cheek along your arm and see your penetrating eyes begging me to stay the night with you again. "We're both adults. I think we can manage to be friendly."

"Friendly? We're under contract and we're friends? I'd say that's a step in the right direction. Emmett tells me you're quite content there, in London. True? Or do you hate it, really?"

Clenching my eyes shut, I leaned my head back to avoid tear shed. "It's lovely here. True," I croaked out.

"Bella…" he whispered pleadingly. "You sound so sad."

He could hear that? I couldn't risk speaking.

"I wish I wasn't a ten hour flight away. If I was there, with you right now, would you talk to me this way? Would you be civil… friendly… yourself?"

I snorted. "Myself would be awkward and sarcastic."

"Precisely. But your soul is open and honest. It's a wonderful combination." His words, combined with the low tone of sincerity as he spoke them drew out a tiny sob. "I'm sorry… I won't do this… I hate that I've made you cry. And I hate that I can't be there to fix it."

Squeezing away the last of the tears pooled in my eyes, I took a cleansing breath and put on my big girl pants. "So… where are you these days? Still with Rosalie and Emmett?"

"Mmm… no, unfortunately. I'm back in LA. Everyone asks for you, by the way. I've caught Sue pouring you a coffee without thinking on more than a few occasions." He chuckled. "Emily has started her courses again, so she's very busy and excited and quite happy. She misses you. A lot. Jake's got a job lined up for him at the studio. He'll be like Sam was when we met – security-slash-driver on demand for whomever they need a guy for."

"What about you?" I gasped. "Emmett's not there, and now Jake isn't either?"

"I'm fine. Jake's still around if I really need him. And Sam's with me at work. I don't really go out otherwise. The producers of the show are pleased about the unexpected press my departure is making for them. They may get a brilliant season yet, but it is making it difficult to get anything done around town. You're finding your way around there all right?"

The conversation turned light and carried on for a good twenty minutes about various places nearby and all the things I had to be sure to check out.

"Can I send you a new earworm?"

"Ummm… yeah. Nothing from the '90s, please." I laughed.

"This one's… '70s. I think. You're safe from the '90s for sure. So where is my mother hiding herself anyway?" he asked. "Did she really go out, or is she just hiding so you'll have to speak to me?"

"She's out," I chuckled, enjoying our chat thoroughly now that it was in full swing. "One of Alice's old friends came and picked her up. Lauren Mallory."

The pause returned. "Really."

"Oh! I keep forgetting that you left London before your family did – maybe you don't know her."

"I know Lauren," he said quietly. "My sister stayed with Lauren and her family –"

"Yeah, I know. She's been around quite a bit. Esme goes to visit with Lauren's mom, Siobhan, quite often as well. Lauren's a nice girl."

"Lovely girl. Good family. They're all good people."

"Esme gets such a kick out of their visits."

"They…?"

"Lauren mostly. Sometimes she brings a little boy with her, Evan. He's sweet – you'll have to meet him."

"Hmm. Bella, I have to leave for work. Would it be all right to call you again sometime?"

Please. Please do. "Sure. I'll keep you up to date on your mum."

"Sending your song. Hope you like it. Bye, Bella."

Hanging up, I raced upstairs to turn on the laptop and see what he sent. It was another Van Morrison song – 'Bright Side of the Road.' I laughed and cried and went insane analyzing what, if anything, it meant for us. Maybe it was just another earworm.

"We'll be lovers once again, on the bright side of the road…"Sing it to me, Van.

A/N ~ Happy 4th of July to my friends south of the border! :D

I have to gush about a topic completely unrelated to this story for just a moment - DLT has won an Avant Garde Award for Best HEA! I cannot express how honoured I am. Huge thanks to theonlykyla for the nom. Kyla, you know I love your reviews, and I heart you big time for this one, BB. And to everyone who voted? Ohmygosh... if I could send out personal Daddywards to each of you, I surely would. THANK YOU! I know I'm not super involved in the fandom and rarely have time to respond to each review, but I appreciate my readers soooo much. You all rock! XX ~ SR