Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Beta'd by HollettLA.

Last update until next week some time! We'll be flipping back to BPOV in the next series of chapters.

Enjoy!

Higher

Chapter Twenty: Conclusion

EPOV

Sighing, I walked through the living room. Jasper sat with Alice, holding ice to his face. Emmett still had his chicken.

I left without a word to anyone, nor did anyone have a word for me.

In the hallway, I counted how much cash I had on me.

Then I went toward the deli. I got our food, the chips Bella likes, and quite few other snacks—I just randomly filled my arms with junk. I also bought a beer that I kept in the paper bag, drinking it as I walked another block over. On my way, I greeted the bangers I knew, not saying much.

Irina and Kate were on the stoop of their building, like they always are.

"Edward!" Irina waved. "Hey."

I jerked my chin. "You two interested in making some cash?"

Kate rubbed up my bicep. "Since when you need to pay, papi? You come to us—it's free." The hand went down my back.

I smirked at her greasy, nasty ass. "It's not like that."

"Yo, even if he wanted to pay for that . . . We ain't pros." Irina grimaced at her friend. "What's wrong wit'chu?"

Kate's simple ass just smiled.

"What do you need?" Irina asked me.

"I need you two to rough up some bitch for me." I lit another cigarette.

"Can I get a sip?" Kate asked.

I handed her the beer. "Keep it. Youse want a snack?" I held up the bag. "I got Yankee Doodles..." When approaching hoodrats for a favor, you get more with sugar than just being a dick about shit.

I gave them each a Drake's cake, making sure they didn't take anything Bella liked.

"Can you bust me down?" Kate looked to my cigarette.

I took my pack out and handed her one. "Look…tomorrow, I don't care when, or if it has to be done the day after. I need you two to go down to Bay Ridge."

"Bay Ridge?" Kate made a face.

"Shut up!" Irina hissed at her. "Okay…" She gestured for me to continue.

"It's a couple stops on the R train, nothing major. 86th and Fifth, there's a Carvel. This ho is running her mouth…I want her teeth knocked out so she does less gum flappin'. You feel me?"

"Sounds like fun," Irina said.

"We'd do anything…anything for you, Edward." Kate winked.

I smiled at her to be nice, quick to look back to Irina. "She's a blond…dye-job blond, about five seven. Skinny. Yo, she kinda looks like Kelly Bundy, but more trashy. Her name is Rose. You'll know it's her because you're gonna go to her job, but you gotta get her outside. I know they open at ten and close at ten on weekdays and Saturdays. She's management; she'll be opening and closing up. If you go in the store—cause a scene—someone might call five-o. Youse handle it however…But make sure you peep her nametag—Rose, Rosalie Hale." I ranted all that in a whisper.

"Understand? Don't kill her. Youse are…bruiser chicks, but youse ain't killas." I chuckled. "Rough her up—put the fear of God in her. Lemme know when it goes down, too." I took out a pen and pulled some paper from the bag, and I scribbled my phone number down. "You got my beeper, now you have my phone number…Try my crib first, then if I'm not home you page me. Do not give this to Tanya. Do not give this to anybody. If my girl answers, be polite. Don't say shit about nothin', just ask for me." I had to figure out what I'd tell Bella. I'll worry about that when I have to.

"And don't let that bitch know the beat down came from me. I'll handle that." I nodded.

"I got you." Irina nodded. "Any problems, I'll page you…call you."

"Thank you." I shook her hand, leaving two hundred bucks and the number there. "Youse split that...Clock her nice in the eye, too—the right eye. And I mean get her good." Or else I'll have to send them back another time.

They both nodded, seemed excited about it.

"And if either of youse see my girl on the street…Yo, if Tanya even thinks to step to her—"

"We won't let that happen," Irina said. "It's cool. Your wifey's fine. Good for you, Ed. Don't do nothin' to fuck that up…especially this one." She pointed to her friend.

"I've been on my best behavior." I smiled. "Her name's Bella…She's a scrapper, too, ain't afraid to step to a bitch, but…if she gets hurt…I'll tear through everywhere. Youse know me."

"Hurricane Edward," Kate giggled. "Bella's a lucky girl, she has that fat cock all to herself. Right?"

"All to herself," I agreed. "Lemme go. I left for sandwiches a while ago."

"Take care, Edward."

They waved, and I sped back home—feeling much better.

So, so much better.

Now that Rose would get what's coming to her, I tried to remember what else I had to do. The washer/dryer jammy, right. That shit would have to wait 'til tomorrow or something.

Still uneasy, I didn't know how to be, feeling awkward when I entered the apartment. It had nothing to do with Jazz, his girl, or Emmett eyeballing me. Jasper knows he fucked up. He knew I'd beat his ass. Alice was just upset with me for hurting her man, who—again—had it coming. Emmett was still watching TV, smoking a cigarette, unaffected. He didn't give a fuck.

I was still upset with Bella, angry with her, and no matter how many times I told myself to let it go, the pit in my stomach wouldn't go away.

And I knew we had to talk some more.

That would more than likely be the only way I'd work through this aggression...talking it out with her.

When I entered our bedroom, Bella was changing the sheets, making the bed.

"Hey," she whispered.

"'Sup?" I placed the plastic bag down on the nightstand. "Food's in there."

Bella reached for the red bag with her pager. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." I pushed my hair back and sat on the bed. "Come here."

She was apprehensive; her movements slow as she came toward me.

"It's cool," I said. "I'm not gonna yell at you, but you know we gotta talk more."

"I'm not, um, scared." She furrowed her brow, sidling up to me.

"You have no reason to be," I replied.

"I love you." Bella kissed my cheek. "And I'm sorry," she said, before I could say anything. "It was a lapse in judgment. Bay Ridge is so lame, barely any cops around because it's a good neighborhood. I don't know—"

"Guineas live in Bensonhurst, but they own Bay Ridge, too," I explained. "Many live there—mafiosi or whatever they call themselves. It's safe because thugs know better, and they pay to keep cops away. It is what it is."

"Still…I'm so sorry." She kissed my cheek again. "I really, really am sorry." Bella met my gaze, eyes pleading.

I nodded. "I know you are." I placed my arm around her. "I don't want problems wit'chu. I wanna forget about today, but I'm still mad…I wish I wasn't."

"I'll never do anything like that again. I'll chill out. Okay?" She squeezed my hand. "I didn't think you'd care. I thought you'd think it funny." She put her head down. "Like…you might think I was cool. I didn't think—"

"Baby, you are cool—the way you are." I shook my head. "I don't do shit like that no more. I know better. That shit is dumb—too great a risk. I don't want my fuckin' woman doing that shit."

"I learned my lesson," she said, looking over to me.

"Okay." I nodded.

"But I need you to understand—the way I feel." She turned to face me. "I'm not as cool as you and your friends…I'm about as edgy as a butter knife. Last night…I was pissed…just pissed that someone else had you. I went off on anger, but I was scared. I have no balls…I was a good kid…dabbling with weed and X…Do you know how badass I used to feel?" she laughed. "Then I met you…your past isn't a big deal. I don't wanna be with a criminal, and I'm so happy you have your shit together now. You're wonderful. I don't know what I'm trying to say. I guess I've been trying my best to be…more like you, cooler." She sniffled, had started crying again.

"Stop with the tears." I used my knuckle to wipe a few away.

"I'm not from the ghetto. I love Ace of Base. I don't talk as cool as you. I'm just…a boring white girl from a middle-class family." She shrugged. "Boring."

I shook my head, wondering what was so fucking horrible about that. "First, you know what you do to me. You're beautiful; your body is bangin'. Your family is your family…and I love you…for the Bella that you are. All that shit you just said…What's wrong with being you?" I smirked over at her. "You think I'm cool? That I speak like an illiterate, fucking read slow—" I chuckled, standing from the bed.

Now that…even if the things I've said about myself are true, there was no way I'd name them off for Bella. "You're a smart girl. You're young. You start college next month and, baby, you could go somewheres." I got down on my knees, easing between those meaty-meat thighs.

"Baby, I'm going to bust my ass to make sure you get everything you deserve. I promised to take you higher…if you'd let me. I'm not breaking that promise. Me leaving was stupid, thinking I could legit leave. It's good I left, though, needing to get my dome right."

"I understand. I was just scared you'd, you'd really leave me. I need you."

Her words made me grin. "I need you, too . . . We're just starting now. But one day…I mean, you start school, you focus on that." I lifted her hand to kiss her palm, and then I placed it on my cheek. "You study in some kick-ass field, get a career—something that makes your heart sing, not just a job—and we'll get a house. I'll pull my weight. I'll better myself for you—to be on your level. You make me wanna be better, baby. I won't sling forever. But I want so much for us." I cleared my throat, feeling emotional.

The way I saw things…Bella is smart. She can study and do well on tests.

Last night, after we got back from the store, we chilled in bed like I'd suggested. And I asked her about the shit her father had said. Bella decided on community college because there was no way she'd be able to pay for university—she said she's too poor to pay the tuition, and her family made too much money for her to qualify for financial aid. While her grades were good, they weren't up to scholarship par.

Bella's caught in the middle, and she can't swing working full-time and a whole course load. Even if she had the drive to strive for it, she didn't think she could do it.

She settled on getting some bullshit two-year degree.

But I wanted so much more for her.

I wanted her dreams to come true.

She's got the potential, and I swore money wasn't going to hold my baby back.

No fucking way.

I'll work my ass off—convince Dad to let us do business on weekends, sling some more to come up with the cash. It didn't matter to me. It'd essentially be nothing to me. I'd do whatever I'd have to—to make Bella's dreams come true.

Now, if my girl becomes some high-powered attorney, or decides she wants to be a doctor or anything she'd make like six figures from…

By that time, we'd be settled.

I could get us there, and then Bella could keep us there.

Give and take…

And no matter what, I'd always pull my own weight.

Hell, maybe Bella could be a career woman, pop out a few babies, and I'd stay home with the kids. But all of that is only if she felt the need to pay me back—I'll work hard now, so Bella won't have to struggle in the future.

It seemed win-win.

Bella wiped at her cheeks. "I promise." She nodded. "We'll do it all together—get higher," she giggled. "I'll do my best. You take such good care of me, and one day…I'm going to take care of you."

"You already do." I smiled, placing my lips to hers.

Keeping my eyes closed, I deepened the kiss, so I didn't have to open my eyes—already feeling the tears seep through my lids. And I wasn't necessarily sad. It was just like I had an epiphany.

Yeah, we haven't been together long, but I knew Bella was my future.

We were meant to hit the heights together—get through the mud, fight tooth and nail for a kick-ass, comfortable future somewhere.

We'd make it.

I knew it.

And I wanted to tell her that I loved her.

And those words…

They meant so much yesterday—such a heavy sentiment—and yet, in this moment, they didn't feel like enough.

"Edward…" She pulled away to wipe my tears away.

I chuckled at myself, sniffing and looking away.

"Don't be embarrassed," she whispered. "It's okay, but why—"

I wasn't sobbing, crying really. I was just tearing with a lump in my throat, butterflies in my belly. And I couldn't remember the last time I cried.

It was probably when my mother died.

Getting arrested, being locked up…I was already dead inside. I knew a few people who were locked up with me. They had my back, and then before I knew it…

Others were afraid of me. I was the kid you didn't fuck with.

Hard as stone, I'd take each day as it came—do what I had to so I had some money in my commissary, hustle on the inside, count down the days, work out, and I tried to read…

Reading puts me to sleep, and I knew others who cried themselves to sleep.

I never did, never gave a fuck.

That was my problem.

And most of my problems I'd handle with my fist, or get someone else who was doing a long-ass bid—someone who had nothing to lose—to do my bidding for me.

Heartless…

I guess I'm persuasive, too—a manipulative fuck, someone who will do anything to get their way. I used to think it was a good thing. I still do, kind of.

But with being out, learning how to live in a world that I'd never lived before…trying to make it by waking up in the morning, working—labor, doing right by my father, my friends…

I couldn't go back to my old lifestyle, and the first month I was out…

Sometimes I'd wish I was still inside, actually. Things were simpler, weren't as hard. Somewhere along the lines…being locked up since I was sixteen, being there for so long…it became like a home.

I was different. No one knew this Edward, and I hardly remembered who I was before I went away.

Just home, I was still living and interacting like the world was a prison. The way I went around doing things…It was ridiculous, and Dad did his best to get me accustomed to having freedom again.

He'd put me on a schedule. Dad would wake me up at six in the morning. I'd exercise, have breakfast, and then we'd go to work. After the day was over, we'd go home, have dinner, watch TV…all while Dad would constantly correct me.

Months ago, it wasn't only my English that he'd harp on.

I had no idea what I was doing, nor did I know how to speak to people.

In a nutshell, I was so used to living like an animal that my father had to teach me how to be a human being again.

Regular people could just be…but I couldn't. Smoking weed relaxes me, makes the loud world shut up for a little while, but I know I can't live my life stoned out of my skull. I can't be smoking all the time.

That's why I roll a fat blunt every morning.

It's incentive.

For every day I get through—every day I work, behave myself, and do the right thing—that blunt is my reward.

And last night, today…

I realized I don't necessarily need it anymore.

Sure, things have gotten easier while also more complicated in different ways.

But I'm coping better, understanding more.

I know I still have a long way to go.

Hopefully, I mean, in a few years…maybe I'll be able to keep my anger in check, I'll stop screaming all the time, I'll drop the attitude.

"I'm sorry," I sighed, grabbing Bella's hand. "You probably think I'm a pussy—"

"No!" She threw her arms around me; it made me smile. "Never. Men are so macho…I think it takes a stronger man to cry…you know?" She pulled back to stick her tongue down my throat.

I rolled with it, kissed her back, and I thought her words made some sense.

Bella leaned back. "And because you're such…a good man…in here." She placed her hand on my chest. "I'm sure you'll forgive Jasper."

I sucked my teeth and looked away. "He fucked up—taking you along on that ride."

"Me and Alice goaded him!" she nearly shouted. "We weren't thinking—were stupid, and Jasper does whatever we say. I don't know why." She winced. "He just does. Little dude thinks he's a pimp walking around with us both." Bella snorted. "You know what I mean."

"My friend has a lot of growing up to do, too," I said.

Bella nodded, but she also grimaced and rubbed her stomach. "Cramps," she said.

"Can you take anything for that?" I asked.

She shook her head. "It's nothing major like that. I just feel gross and tired."

I squeezed that thigh. "Let's eat—watch a movie." I turned to grab the bag, get our food out. "We'll stay in bed, go to sleep early." After today, that sounded like the best plan ever.

"Fresh Prince is on." Bella grabbed for the remote.

I continued to get our food situated. "You want some Coke?"

She nodded. "Yeah…with ice, please." She got under the blankets. "Oh, you got me Sugar Daddys?" She spoke of those caramel shits that threaten to break your teeth.

"Well, you like them." I made for the door. "Be easy, though…watch your teeth." I frowned.

She giggled, settling back against the pillows, and I stared at my beautiful Bella from the doorway.

"You want some ice for that shiner?" I raised a brow while my stomach knotted up—anger hitting me like a wave, but it quickly ebbed. Like a flare-up?

She squinted. "It doesn't hurt. I'm okay. I promise."

I nodded, leaving for the kitchen.

Going into the fridge, I grabbed a twenty-two of Heineken for myself, and then I poured Bella a cup of soda with some ice.

Before I left the kitchen, I lifted the beer to my lips and guzzled that shit. It was nice and frosty, and I was mad thirsty. It really hit the spot, and I felt even better after a belch.

That was…until a bruised Jasper entered the doorway.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked, reproachful.

I sighed, walking around him. "Lemme give Bella her soda."

He waited for me in the hall while I brought our drinks in.

Bella was wrapped in the covers, giggling at the TV, and eating her sandwich. She looked adorable, and I wanted nothing more than to hop into bed with her.

"Jazz wants to talk," I told her, keeping my tone hushed.

Bella sat up to rub my bicep. "What'd you tell Jazz? About Alice? Just like you knew he would…You know you're going to forgive Jasper," she whispered. "Just…get over it, you know? Like you told him. I'm sorry. It was all my fault, and I'll make it up to you. I promise."

I pecked her lips. "I'll be back." Longingly, I stared at my hero, all filled with meat and cheese, but it'd have to wait.

Beer in hand, I entered the kitchen to have a seat at the table. Jasper didn't sit or get too close.

He actually grabbed a glass out of the cupboard. "You wanna share that with me?"

I cracked a grin and then poured some of my beer out for him. Then I pushed it across the table. "Sit," I said.

He cleared his throat, taking a seat.

"You know me." I started. "Maybe you never seen me with a girl before—never cared for any broads." I shrugged. "But if something happened to Bella, if she got in trouble—dude, I would have killed you. Hunted you down and fucking strangled you. I know we been boys since we was in diapers, but…that girl in there is my heart."

He nodded. "It was your heart's idea, but I take full responsibility." He shook his head. "They both have those big, brown eyes—and I'm a sorry sucker, and then they pout. I was a goner, defenseless against the two of them."

I actually laughed, and I believed him.

"And…like you said, you know me too. I wanted Alice to think…I wasn't a computer nerd who tweaks cars and smokes too much weed." He pushed his hair back. "And remember what it was like? Back in the day? I mean, we weren't shit, but we had the stats like we were? The girls, the older women, and here we were…kids. We'd jack a whip, cruise around on top of the world—"

"And then we knew better, and then we grew up." I sipped my beer. "Jazz, man—it's depressing, to think back and think those were the best days. I know what you're saying, but we were dumbass kids, bro. We're adults now. Now we both got too much to lose, and doing stupid shit…the risk's too high. And the future? You should focus on that. You don't like who you are? Strive to be better, impress Alice that way. Don't go back, because then you'll get stuck in the past."

"I know," he admitted. "You like making money, hustling—that gets your dick hard. Jackin' a whip, it always did it for me, the thrill of the ride. Earlier? It didn't do anything for me. All it did was make me wanna save money and get my own car." He chuckled but winced and touched his eye. "The girls thought it was…I know I'll get laid later because of it, and this." He pointed to his eye. "Alice is all—sympathizing. Her Jazzy got hurt." He rolled his eyes. "I'm just sayin' . . . they got a kick out of it. I'm feelin' like a loser lately, and then I was suddenly hot shit because I did that dumb shit."

"I get it," I said. "But I'll tell you the same shit I said to Bella. Fucking wise up. Think." I left the table. "My bad for clockin' you."

"It's fine. Trust me, bro. I get it, deserved it, and I knew it was coming." He stood up to widen his arms. "You've always been like a big brother—and you still keep my ass in line." He hugged me.

I laughed, patting his back. "Thanks for…understanding, forgiving me, too."

He gave me a pound, knocking his closed fist to my own. "Womb to tomb."

"Word." We snapped our fingers together, and then I walked toward my bedroom wearing a smile.

"Ed!" Emmett called me.

Huffing, I turned to face him.

"Lemme talk to you a minute."

"What's up?" I asked.

"Yo…I was coming home from work. That chick gave me her number—Tanya."

"Dude," I laughed. "You don't wanna go there. Trust me. But if you want to…" He's had chicks when I was done with them, just like I'd had chicks he was done with before. "It's nothing to me, but she's not allowed in this house—out of respect to my wifey."

He nodded, slouching back. "She's not that bad, I don't think. I'll holler at her, hit her off." He scratched his chin. "What'chu think? That cool with you?"

I widened my arms. "Why you askin' such stupid questions?" I guzzled some beer back. "Em, do you…get it, whatever. Just don't bring that skeeze up in here. She's never been here before. We used to chill at her place. Tanya lives with her moms, but it's…whatever, Em. She's not the type you get involved with, though."

He waved a hand. "I only planned to hit it once. She got a kid. I'm not daddy material, and she was all on my jock, wants it bad."

I leaned against the wall. "You ain't a bad looking guy. You got a decent job…You could probably land some classy broad, settle down, find someone you like."

"Well, once upon a time…" he shrugged, "I thought I'd found that. Thought I'd have that, and then you stole her away."

Taken aback, I raised a brow. "You still sore over that? You didn't even know her."

He waved a hand. "Forget I said anything…Bella got any more friends besides Alice?"

I hummed. "There's Rose…" I thought if they got closer…I don't know. It'd be easier to keep an eye on her, know what she's up to since the feud between Rose and Bella has only escalated when I thought it'd be over by now.

"Rose beeped me earlier…I called her back from work," he laughed. "She was crying. Bella told Rose you were gonna send people after her."

"What?" I spat, wondering how Bella would know that.

"Look, I told Rose to stop running her mouth and nothing would happen. She said she would." He leaned back. "But fuck her. Who cares?" He drank his soda. "Dumb ho. How's she gonna punch Bella in the face?"

"I heard Bella beat her good." But I hadn't really heard that as much as Bella just told me.

"Rose ain't scared of Bella. She's scared of you, what you're capable of," he explained. "And she's all crying, acting like she didn't do nothin', saying she was worried about Bella, that's why she told her pops." He shook his head. "I wanted to play her my favorite violin song."

I chuckled. "I'm not worried about it. Everything's cool, the drama will subside soon enough." I finished off the Heineken, and I needed to take a wicked piss. "But if she was a decent lay…Leave Tanya to 61st Street, and holla at Rose." I adjusted my cock, holding the crotch of my jeans.

"It was…I don't know. She wanted me to munch on her cooter, but…fuck that. She gave good head, though. I'll see. I just see you and Jazz, and here I am, lonely on the couch."

I felt for him, I really did, but… "I got food waiting for me. We'll hang out tomorrow night—all of us. Sound cool? Maybe we'll hit up a bar? You could pick up a new sweetie, or get drunk and call Rose," I laughed.

He waved me away. "All right. Enjoy your food and your woman." He changed the channel. "Maybe I'll let Alice do my nails again." Emmett was definitely feeling sorry for himself. "But yeah…tomorrow night sounds awesome. Thanks, Ed."

I threw him a chin jerk and went for the bathroom.

Keeping my back to the door, I dug my cock out and lifted the seat.

"Ugh…do any of you close the door ever?" Alice asked from behind me.

"You better run, little girl. I don't wanna turn around and poke your eye out." I winced, steady stream of piss still flowing. I really had to go.

Alice gasped.

"Yo, Ed, man!" Jasper complained.

I shook my head and put my cock away, flushed the toilet, put the seat down… "She didn't see nothing," I said as I washed my hands.

"That's my girl, man."

"We're even—you whipping your cock out in front of Bella?" This shit wasn't my intention, Alice catching me; it just worked out well. "We all need to do shit different—there's girls here now." I dried my wet hands on a towel.

"Bella saw your penis?" Alice pouted.

"Uh…" Jazz was stuck.

"You showed her?" Alice pushed him. "I'm going home . . . BELLA!" she fucking shrieked, and Bella ran outta the room.

"What?" she asked, holding her heart.

"You saw Jasper's penis?"

Bella shook her head, looking to me.

"Relax!" I exclaimed. "Jazz was pissin', like you just caught me..."

Bella rolled her eyes, disappearing back into the room.

When Alice dropped her shoulders, relieved, I finally entered my bedroom, following Bella.

"You missed the whole episode." She got comfortable in bed again.

"It's summer—they're reruns." I chuckled, pulling my shirt off.

"Fraiser's on now," she sighed, and I noticed she did a good job on her sandwich; she caught me checking it out. "I was so hungry. It hit the spot." She really looked like she was about to fall out, tired.

I grinned, crawling behind my baby with my hero in one hand, while I turned the volume up a pinch with the other. Bella's always watching TV with the sound too low, and then she threatens to break speakers when her music's on. "I think the dad is funny on this show," I said.

"Niles is hilarious," she giggled.

I rested my cheek to her bicep, taking a bite of my food.

Once again, I was filled with such contentment.

Maybe my past was fucked, maybe today was fucked, but I knew my future was bright as fuck.

"I love you," Bella whispered.

I planted a greasy kiss in her neck, still chewing. "I love you."

She smiled, nestling back into me.

I watched TV, calmed down some more, and before the show was over, Bella was asleep.

Briefly, I thought about rolling myself a blunt—chillin' with Emmett.

But I didn't need it.

So, with my full stomach, I placed my arms around my sleeping Bella and succumbed to sleep myself.

Thank you for reading.

Please leave me your thoughts.

After all the crap it took to get these two together, did youse really think I'd break them up?

*scoffs*

LMAO.

Last update until next week some time! We'll be flipping back to BPOV in the next series of chapters.

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