Previous chapter -

"Hi, Bella."

"Edward, what's wrong? I can hear something in your voice."

"It's nothing," he said. "But could you cancel class tonight and come to my house?"

"Why?"

"Two reasons. My mother and agent are in town. Secondly, we're about to be on the cover of a tabloid."

Chapter 12

"What? How?"

"I'll explain later. I promise it could be much worse, so can you get your class covered or cancel?"

"I guess, I'll call my dad."

"Actually, can you get someone else?"

"I want your parents to come out too. This will affect them as well."

"Fine, I'll see you in an hour or so."

"Bella, I know you are upset; but it'll be okay. I'll make sure of that. I'm sending a security guard to your house to bring you out."

"Great."

"Please don't fly away. Give me a chance to protect you."

"How bad is it going to be?"

"Beautiful, they figured out who you are from when we were in New York City."

"Nothing more, but now everyone is going to want to know more about you. The paparazzi eill look for anyone at your school to talk to. They will also contact your flight service as well. I'll see you in about an hour."

"Okay." I went and got a glass of wine and drank it to start to settle my nerves. I called Edward back ten minutes later and said, "They have someone to fill in for me after I told them my dad and I were both needed elsewhere. I also called my mom and they'll be out there at 6:00 pm. I gave her directions and what to do when they got to the gate."

I quickly changed into a dress, fixed my hair and make-up and then I heard my door bell ring and my cell phone at the same time. I answered the phone, "Hello."

"Hi, Bella."

"Hi, Edward."

"Well? How are you holding up?"

"Everything's fine. I'm going to the front door."

"Why?"

"My doorbell rang."

"Don't answer it."

"Why not?"

"It's photographers; I bet. Look out the peep hole."

So I did and said, "I don't know who it is."

"Go to the back of the house and wait for my security guard."

"I'm sorry, Beautiful; I'll see you soon."

My phone rang and this time I heard a security guard on the other end. "Hello, Ms. Swan. I'm Seth am and I'm sending the second guard to the door to get you. He is in all black and his name is Jacob. I believe you met him the first time you came to Edward's house."

"Okay."

So once he was at the door, the driver told me, "Now open the door."

I did and Jacob filled my door with his size and said, "Evening Ms. Swan. I'm Jake. He shielded me from the press; and he took my keys and locked my door. Jake then escorted me by a couple photographers asking questions and trying to take pictures of me. He opened the door, I slid into the back seat and moved to the over side. Jake slid in next to me and Seth drove away immediately. I just sat there in silence thinking as I was driven for thirty minutes towards Edward's house. I had just walked into all this blind. I just thought we would never get caught. If we did, it would just be one photographer here or there. I was wrong and it hadn't even hit all the press yet. Maybe I should just fly away. Seth punched in the code at the gate and we drove in. Jake got out of the car and stayed by the gate. Seth pulled us into the garage and once the garage door was closed, Edward came out to the car, opened my door, he pulled me into a hug and said, "I'm sorry. Come on into the house."

"My parents will be here in about an hour."

"Okay, but wait a minute before you meet my mom and my agent."

"What Edward? What do you want?"

"I need a kiss; I want to see you smile. I'll make this my promise to you, baby. If I can't protect you and make you feel safe, then I'll let you go, I promise." Edward leaned down and lifted my chin up towards him and whispered, "I promise." Then we shared some kisses. That felt wonderful to me I needed to feel this close to him. It gave me the security that I needed. What could these people say about me? Oh my God, I thought to myself I have to tell him about me before he hears it from someone else or someone makes up a story about me. I quietly end the kiss.

"Okay, I think I'm a little better.

"Let's go. I can't wait for you to meet my mom." Once we stop in the kitchen, Edward says, "Mrs. Esme Masen-Cullen and Robert Pattinson, this is Bella Swan. Bella, this is my mother, Esme and my agent, Robert."

"Hi," I said. I shook both their hands. Then, I just blurted out, "So how do you know that this is going to happen?"

Robert said, "Because I have a contact in a couple of the tabloids and they leaked the information to me. "Here is the copy."

I take the newspaper rag; and on the cover, it says, "Edward's flight companion and dance companion." I then proceed to read the article. The mystery woman is his new girl of choice. He didn't even wait to get to the movie set this time. He fell for his new flight instructor. The story even suggested that while the plane is in auto pilot mode we have joined the mile high club. Will he dump her as soon as he gets to the set of his film? It was nothing bad, but they knew all about me. About ten minutes later, I heard, "Bella, are you okay?"

I had made my way to Edward's den and that is where I read the article. I pushed the rag aside and looked at him and said, "I guess."

"How?"

"When I filed the international flight plan, they must've figured it out. With me getting ready to leave the country to film, they were looking at putting me back in the spotlight. Are you ready to run yet?"

"No, I'm competitive; but I'm a little scared, too."

"Good, that's a plus for you and me."

"Let's go start talking about how to protect you and I, whether we're together or apart."

"I guess we better. But will you please come home with me when I go tonight? I want to talk too just you."

"I think that can be arranged."

"Good."

We were all visiting in the kitchen when my parents arrived. Edward introduced Charlie and Renee to Esme and Robert. The conversation moved with us to the dining room and an amazing dinner. We found out that Esme had stopped by to surprise Edward on her way back from a China buying trip. Robert had flown in as soon as he heard word.

"Bella, I want security with you any time you leave your condo and you're not flying. My biggest suggestion is that you only take flying runs if it is a client you know; otherwise, the paparazzi may try and buy a flight with you to get an interview. Charlie and Bella, you'll need to let your agency know what is going on. No new flying lessons for you two until a full background check is done on them. Get new phone numbers at your house and make them unlisted and unpublished. I'm going to pay to put security systems in both your places and use them. Bella, Jake is going to be your guard whenever you leave your condo. Seth'll be his backup. You have to promise once they go home every night; you won't go anywhere."

"Edward, this is fuckin' nuts! I'm sorry."

"Bella! " Esme said.

"Yes, Esme."

"Come with me to get the dessert Edward made?"

"Alright."

Once we made it to the kitchen, Esme said, "Bella, trust Edward. He knows what he's talking about; you two have been lucky until now. You're a wonderful and incredible young lady that I just met, even I want you protected. Though I just met you, I haven't seen Edward so happy in years. I believe it's all because of you; so if he wants to protect you, let him. Plus if something happens to you, your parents would never forgive him. Neither would I or himself."

"Okay. Trust me."

"I'm trying but this is overwhelming." We then returned with the dessert. After two more hours of more discussion on all our precautions and getting to know one another, I was ready to go home. My parents offered to take me home.

"Actually, Edward is going to."

As we all left heading for the garage, Robert said, "Bella, though, I always like to see Edward with actresses. I can see why he picked you. While you two are in Costa Rica, can I get the two of you to have stock photos taken for me?"

"We'll see," I said. "But thanks for the compliment."

"You're welcome. It was nice meeting you, Esme and Robert."

Edward looked at them and said, "I'll see you in a few hours." Our security guards got in the front seat and we slipped into the back seats. Edward took my hand as we drove away and said, "We'll be okay; I promise."

"Edward, how bad is this going to get?"

"Some days, you won't be able to move without the press being around; but some days no one will bother you. However the first day, you let your guard down, that's when you'll get caught up."

"What do I do after my guards leave for the night and I need to leave the condo?"

"You drive away carefully and make sure you are not being followed. If you are then you go back home, come to my house, or your parents, someplace safe." The rest of the way home we quietly talked about Costa Rica. But I was really only half listening, I so wanted to run and I wondered how Edward was going to handle my announcement that I was a virgin. Would we finally make love in Costa Rica like I so wanted to? But I also was scared to death to have camera men following me everywhere. I was pulled out of my reverie when I heard, "Bella, come back to me."

"What Edward?"

"Do you have your garage door opener?"

"No, it's in my car."

"That's okay," and Edward was talking to our security guards then.

"Bella, give Jake your house keys. He'll go unlock your door and then we can run in with Seth protecting us."

Seth was on my one side and Edward on my other as we slipped out of the car heading for the condo. Edward was really trying to shield me from photographers. The photographers and reporters were pushing on Seth and Edward to get close to us. Edward shielded me and Seth covered us on my patio and Jake opened my door so that we could slip inside. Jake gave me the keys back and said, "Edward, call us if you need anything." I locked the door and we both quickly went and closed all my blinds.

"So, Bella," I heard Edward say to me as he got really close behind me after he closed his last blind.

"Yes, Edward," I responded. He backed me up trapping me against one of my living room walls and started kissing me.

He pulled back gently from the kiss and said, "Please smile, you're very beautiful," as he nibbled on my lips. We continued kissing. Finally, my arms went around his neck, Edward pulled back enough to whisper, "Bella, can I carry you to your bed? I promise nothing more than kissing will happen tonight."

I looked at him almost in a daze and shook my head yes. The next thing I knew I was scooped up into his arms within steps we were laying in my bed on top of my comforter kissing again. Five minutes later, I started to pull back from the kiss, "Edward, we need to talk."

"Bella, haven't we done enough talking tonight?"

"Edward," and I pushed him away and sat up on one side of the bed wrapping my arms around my knees to protect myself.

"Baby, I'm sorry; of course, we can talk." Edward then moved next to me and draped his arm around me.

"Before we talk about me, why are you Edward Cullen and your mother is Esme Masen-Cullen?"

"I'm sorry, but that is easy. My mother was already a promising designer when she met my father so she kept her last name. Now my beautiful it is back to you, what do you want to talk about?"

"If the press goes looking for people to talk to about me, what can be said or done?"

"Nothing, if people want to talk they can."

"Why are there any skeletons I don't know about?"

"No, but will people make up things?"

"Yes, they can and we're stuck with it. How about I go get us a couple glasses of wine and we can talk?"

After I took a drink of what I thought was the liquid courage I needed and sat my glass back down. Edward said, "Now what is going on?"

"Everyone in the tabloids gets talked about by for their sexual activities, past boyfriends, weight and drugs."

"Yes, I promise I don't believe that stuff."

"Edward, I wasn't kidding when I told you my brothers scared away my dates. Then flying was more important. I have never had a boyfriend. I have dated a guy maybe four times at most. So I have never made love to anyone before except in my dreams. Until you came along, I really didn't care, I just knew I wanted to get married, have kids and the 'happily ever after.' Now I'm doing a lot of thinking about sex, making love, or whatever you want to call it."

As I finish saying that Edward said with a smile on his face, "With you, it will be making love. You're absolutely perfect fit with me." Edward started to kiss me and whispered to me very quietly, "Does that mean I was the first guy to ever kiss your breasts?"

"Yes you were. Though some guy thought he could touch them one night and that was the end of the date."

"Why did you tell me this tonight?"

"Because I can only guess what the press will find someone to say. I can see it now, they're a past lover and I wanted you to know the truth first from me. Had you figured it out yet?"

"No, but I thought you might have had a little experience in the early years of college and then settled down. Though I should have known, seeing how you always pushed away from my contact when we got to hot and bothered."

"Edward," and I finally smiled and said, "No, my one brother was still around at college with me when I first started. He scared them away."

"I hope I get to meet these guys soon. But I really hope they don't try and scare me away then."

"They will love you."

"Why don't you go put on your pjs and come lay down with me. Let's see if I can help you fall asleep."

"Edward, I will in a minute. Is Jake coming with me to class?"

"Yes and your flight instruction classes."

"Fine. I'm going to go change."

When I returned, I heard "I love you, mom. Take care. See you soon and tell Alice and Rosalie to call me soon."

Then I said, "I thought she was staying the night."

"She was; but she's going to get out of here before all the press hits."

I'm sorry Edward; you barely got to see your mother. I'll be okay; call Jake and Seth to come and get you."

"No, Beautiful. I'm not going anywhere. Grab a blanket and come here. My mom understands and she thinks that you need to feel safe and that I am the one that can make you feel safe, so I am staying and she is flying out of here."

I climbed into bed. Edward put some pillows up against my headboard and then put a pillow on his lap and said, "Come here and lay down."

I laid down and looked up at Edward and said, "Thank you for preparing me and protecting me."

Edward simply looked down at me and whispered, "Bella."

"Yes, Edward."

He lifted his legs up and started kissing me slowly. Together we both went to lying down side by side on the bed. After he had tasted my breasts again and buttoned my top up again. He returned to my lips, he finally kissed his way over to my ear and whispered, "Don't lay down on my lap on your back again. Your eyes and lips are way too beautiful to leave alone."

"Well, you're kissing me and whispering in my ears doesn't help me either."

"Really."

"Yes." Then we started kissing again. As that kiss ended, he sat back up and said, "Lay down on my lap; but don't you dare look up to me this time."

"But I want to know that you're here."

"I can arrange that." Edward repositioned the pillows; then I laid down on his lap and rolled so that I was looking at his feet. Once I had my cover on me, Edward draped his arm over my shoulder. "Now go to sleep. I promise I'm not going anywhere."

"Wait a minute. Is it smart for you to stay here tonight?"

"No, but I am. I want to make sure you're safe. Plus now, I'll be here when the security company comes tomorrow. Don't worry, I have a duffel that Jake is going to bring me tomorrow. You and I are number one in all of this. So shhhhhh! Now go to sleep."

A/N - There you go the papparrazzi is the evil that lays ahead for them or will there be more. Stay tuned and see you in a week. Click that wonderful little review button and leave me some love.