A/N: So, it's looking like I'm doing weekly updates. The story may seem a bit immature since they are doing prank phone calls other silly things, but that's because part of B's personality is that she is immature in areas – for a reason. I think she's already grown up a bit, though Edward will be testing her new found patience.

Thanks Twike the super runner best beta.

Characters are not mine. My dog can jump a six foot fence.

Chapter 3 Intimidation

Bella was by nature a people pleaser. It wasn't so much that she needed to please everyone, it's just that she liked everyone to be pleased. That was why she struggled so much to tell Edward what she'd really wanted for their wedding and even before that to tell him how much she adored him and wanted to be with him. She just wanted more than anything, whatever would make him happy. Seeing the people she loved happy was what made her happy.

Alice and Bella had evolved into the best of friends. Bella had grown to love Alice more than almost anyone. She had a way of making Bella feel mellow and relaxed. No, it was not because Alice was soothing. When Bella compared herself to Alice though, she just felt like her own spastic and out there tendencies paled in comparison. That fact, along with Alice's occasional ditzy outbursts followed by founts of wisdom, endeared her to Bella. Alice was also the ultimate optimist and had helped Bella to put things into perspective on many occasions. Bella's fist impression was that Alice was wild and flighty, but that wasn't the case at all. Her enthusiasm just cloaked the wisdom and insightful creature underneath.

Now as Bella sat across from her best friend, she felt awful. Bella was chewing on her bottom lip so hard it was probably bleeding, and she clung to Edward's hand for dear life. It felt like an intervention. It felt like breaking up with someone. It felt like a betrayal.

"So what did you guys want to talk about?" Alice asked finally taking a breath from describing the new clothes she'd found for Jasper that afternoon.

"Nothing," Bella blurted out quickly. Edward squeezed her hand and shot her a sideways glance.

"Bella, you invited us to dinner because you said you needed to tell me something," Alice said.

"Oh, right…that. It's nothing really. I mean, I'm sorry Alice. Please promise you won't get mad," Bella pleaded.

"Why would I get mad?" Alice crossed her arms across her chest, and Jasper reached an arm across her shoulders trying to send a wave of calm over her.

"It's about the wedding," Edward interjected. Bella gave him a look that made it clear he was not to speak any further.

"You eloped, didn't you! I knew this would happen. Edward's been so oooh Bella lately but I figured you secretly wanted to wait for marriage and I knew Edward couldn't wait much longer. I mean he looks at you like he wants to eat you half the time, but how could you do this to me? After all we've been through, not to even let me be there when you got married. I can't believe you didn't even tell me first! Edward, you're my brother, and Bella, you're my best friend. I can never forgive you for this… never."

"Are you finished?" Edward chuckled.

"I hate you," Alice spat at him.

Bella's mouth hung open in shock.

"She doesn't mean it, love. She just likes to be dramatic." Edward reached his hand over and pushed on Bella's chin to close her mouth.

"Alice, we didn't get married," Bella reached out a hand toward her friend. "I could never get married without you. I wanted to ask you to be my maid of honor."

Alice's face changed in an instant from disgust to elation. "Oh Bella, I knew you loved me too much to do that. Of course I'll be your maid of honor. I love you so much! You're my sister!"

Bella sighed in a mixture of relief and frustration. "Alice, that's not what we wanted to tell you though. There's more."

"Oh no, what?" Alice cried.

"Ali, Bella and I…"

"Edward, please just shut up. I want to tell her," Bella snapped. Edward shut up.

"Alice, I know you want to help plan the wedding, and I do want your help. It's just that the wedding Edward and I want is not the wedding you are envisioning for us. We want something simple and small, in the park, with just family, and then a quick reception at the restaurant. Remember that time you told me that my relationship with Edward was so organic, and I told you I had no idea what that meant? Well, I think I get it now, and that's exactly the reason why we need a small organic wedding."

Alice's face fell slightly, but she didn't start screaming again. Instead she looked down at the table and started taking deep breaths. The three of them stared at her nervously wondering if she was about erupt.

After what seemed like forever, Alice took a final deep breath and spoke, "It's your wedding. You should do what you want. Just…please… please tell me you're going to wear a wedding dress?"

"Oh yes, Alice. I want to find something perfect, and I know you can help me find it. I'm also going to need help finding bridesmaid dresses for you and Rosalie and a dress for Emily, and well… you know I'm hopeless. I can't do any of this without you."

Alice beamed, and Edward and Jasper both looked at Bella with pride and awe. Only Bella could handle Alice with such skill. It was an art that not even Jasper had perfected after several years of marriage.

"I think something intimate in the park will be beautiful," Alice smiled. "Of course we'll need flowers, lots of flowers, oh and a small orchestra."

"Thank you Alice. I know this will be perfect with your help," Bella stood up to hug her.

Jasper leaned over to Edward and whispered, "She's a keeper."

"Don't I know it," he answered smugly.

Alice spent the next hour brainstorming ideas for the organic wedding. Bella didn't argue with most of the ideas. She just sat there laughing to herself at the fact that she still had absolutely no idea what an organic relationship or wedding were. She was pretty sure it had something to do with Whole Foods, but what, she had no idea. Edward sat there just watching the exchange between his future wife and sister looking confused. Bella squeezed his hand to reassure him and rested her head on his shoulder. Alice's enthusiasm exhausted her.

On the way home that night, Edward wanted to clear some things up. "Bella, I don't want you to have a wedding that is any more or less than what you want just to appease Alice."

"What do you mean appease Alice?"

"She's already turning our simple park ceremony into an outdoor wedding extravaganza. You saw the lists she was making."

"Oh Edward, that was just brainstorming. For now, the important thing is that she pretty much believes a wedding in the park was her idea. We'll wait a couple of days, and then I'll convince her that the rest of the details I want are actually her idea as well. It's all about letting her feel some ownership over the process. That's what's important to her – she needs to feel like she's doing this for us. Besides, she does have impeccable taste, and I do want her input without letting her go overboard."

"You are either extremely sensitive to others' feelings and determined to make people feel needed and special, or a master manipulator. I wonder how many times you've convinced me that doing exactly what you want was my original idea."

"That is something you will never know my dear. Oh, by the way, I need you, and you're special."

Edward pulled Bella towards him and kissed her head. Bella smiled. Everyone seemed happy, so she was happy.

The next morning, Bella sat at her computer working furiously to get everything she needed done before the lunch rush so she could spend time with Edward later. After everything they'd been through, she'd vowed not to keep anything else hidden from him even if it was for his own good. If only she'd told him about her heart transplant from the beginning, the worst month of her life could have probably been reduced to a few difficult and confusing hours. This was the one time she was making an exception.

Bella was still volunteering for NODA, corresponding with transplant recipients, and moderating an online support group. It wasn't something she felt completely passionate about anymore though. Finding out she had her future husband's dead wife's heart was still a concept she had trouble wrapping her mind around. On the one hand it was a beautiful and romantic story, and Edward and Sarah had literally saved her life making it possible for her to experience the love and passion she had with Edward. On the other hand, it was a little awkward. They were past thinking of it as some strange supernatural occurrence that would allow Edward to be with Sarah forever, but Bella still felt torn between overwhelming gratefulness and occasionally wishing that she was Edward's first true love and that they didn't have to be reminded of the other one every time her heart beat.

Bella finished up her NODA work and got on to what she was still passionate about – writing. This was the secret she was keeping from Edward. She wanted it to be a surprise. She had fantasized many times about presenting him with the first copy of her book. He would be elated and proud of her, and he'd probably spin her around. Then they would kiss passionately, and he would go around introducing everyone they saw to his fiancé, the author. The contract from the publisher had come about a month ago, and even though it wasn't much, Bella couldn't believe she was going to get actual money for writing about Aro's slobber and drawing pictures of a chipmunk. She made the final edits the publisher recommended and sent the file back. Soon the book would be going to press, and she could give Edward his surprise.

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Bella was taking the order of some of granddad's old buddies when she heard the door of the restaurant jingle. She looked up and was greeted by Edward's crooked grin. Guh! No, double guh… that man was hot. Bella still wondered how she'd managed to win the hot man lottery. It must have been her reward for putting up with Emmett.

She smiled and winked at him. He was followed by Angela, who greeted Bella with a wave, and then a tall gorgeous leggy redhead. The three of them sat down at a table, and Bella made their way over to them.

"The usual Mr. Cullen?"

"Yes, right here please," Edward pointed to his lips and Bella leaned over to kiss him.

"Good grief you guys. We're about to eat, and you're making me sick," Angela teased.

"Tori, this is my fiancé, Bella. Bella, this is Tori our newest engineer. She's going to be working on our west coast projects and on development."

"You're engaged to the waitress?" Tori laughed loudly. Bella felt like she was being made fun of.

"Yeah, he can't resist my spaghetti." Bella winked at Edward ignoring fire crotch.

Angela and Bella exchanged pleasantries and Bella took their orders. She couldn't help feeling like she'd been dismissed by Tori, and she immediately didn't like her. Bella watched them from across the room as they talked. Every time Edward talked, Tori looked completely captivated. She laughed a little too loud at Edward. Edward was so oblivious sometimes that Bella worried he'd inadvertently encourage Tori's flirting. It happened constantly when they were out together. Edward got checked out by other women and flirted with by wait staff. Most of the time he acted like he was so focused on Bella that he didn't even notice. She loved him for it. Still, Bella didn't like the idea of him working with a beautiful woman who wasn't even trying to hide the fact that she found Edward desirable.

"Mine," Bella growled from behind the bar. She felt the need to make it clear who her man belonged to. She went back to the table and scooted into the booth next to Edward. She rested her hand on his thigh and gave it a squeeze. Edward glanced at her longingly and wrapped an arm around her waist. Take that, hooker. Bella smiled at Tori sweetly.

Angela asked Tori something about her work on network protocol development, but Tori looked at Edward to answer the question. Bella turned and breathed in Edward's ear, "I love that color on you, and you look particularly sexy in that shirt."

Edward had been taking a sip of his drink, and started to choke on it. Bella rubbed his back until he could breathe again. Bella smiled when she noticed him blushing.

"So, Bella," Tori intruded, "how exactly did a waitress end up engaged to one of the most brilliant men in America?"

Bella's hand was still resting on Edward's leg, and she instinctively squeezed again so hard that she felt Edward flinch in pain. Oh. No. She. Didn't. Nobody puts Bella in a corner. Nobody.

"I guess it was the fact that I can satisfy him physically like no other. Why else would one of the most brilliant men in America bother even talk to a lowly waitress like me? I'll see you tonight baby." Bella reached up and turned Edward's face to hers and kissed him long and hard. Angela cleared her throat, and Tori eyed Bella with a smirk on her face.

Without another word, Bella released Edward, got up, and went back to the kitchen. She informed Emmett that she would not be going back out there until Edward and his guests left, and that he would have to cover her tables. Bella was furious and felt more inferior to Edward than ever before.

A minute later, Edward walked into the kitchen.

"Not that I minded really, but would you please explain to me what that was all about?" he asked.

Bella shot daggers at him with her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "She was totally making fun of me and insinuating that I am beneath you."

"Surely she didn't mean it like that. I'll admit it came out a bit harsh, but she was probably just making conversation."

"She's pretty, and she's flirting with you."

"She's an ugly troll, and I wouldn't know. There's only one woman I noticed flirting with me, and I liked it till she squeezed the crap out of my leg."

"Sorry 'bout that," Bella giggled. Edward always knew just what she needed to hear.

"You are beautiful, and smart, and witty, and wise, and beautiful, and no other woman can even hold a candle to you." Edward inched his face closer to her with every word.

"But I'm just a waitress," Bella pouted.

"That's just your cover story. We both know you're really Wonder Woman, and spend your off hours saving the world. Tori's just a systems engineer trying to suck up to her new boss. She's nothing, and you're everything."

"That's true," Bella sighed.

"Now… about you satisfying me physically like no other… I'd like to know more about that," he leaned in to kiss her neck.

"I have to get back to work," Bella giggled. "Besides, we have to save our energy for tonight's mission."

"I told Alice and Jasper to meet us at my house at nine. Alice went out to buy us all black jogging suits."

"Oh Alice," Bella shook her head and laughed. "This is going to be so much fun! Emmett's going to kill us," Bella clapped.

"If we get caught, we blame it all on Jasper."

"Right, because he's the most obvious schemer of the group."

Edward went back out to finish lunch and then returned to the office. Bella still refused to leave the kitchen until Tori left.

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Later that night after a trip to Wal-Mart, Edward parked down the street from Emmett and Rosalie's house and cut his headlights. Bella and Alice spent at least 20 minutes arguing about what kind of toilet paper they should buy. Bella said they should get the cheap stuff, while Alice insisted that 2-ply would hold up better in the trees. Alice got her way, and the trunk was filled with almost 100 double rolls of Charmin.

"Edward and Bella, when we get out there you flank left, and Alice, you get started on the trees closest to the house. Above all do not make noise. Silence is the key to a successful mission," Jasper ordered the troops. He had always wanted to be in the military, and was obsessed with the Civil War.

They got out of the car silently and each grabbed as much toilet paper as their arms could carry. They moved in formation to the yard where they broke ranks and started the assault. Everything started out with perfect precision. There was no noise except the constant thump of the rolls hitting the ground after being thrown through the trees. Thump…thump… thump…. Bella thought it was almost musical. She looked up in awe as the old trees in the yard danced with hundreds of white streamers.

Then, they heard a car start down the street. "Run!" Alice screeched and they all sprinted back toward the Volvo. Once they were safely inside, they sat panting and watching Emmett's house for signs of life.

"Alice, it was just a car starting. Why did you freak us all out like that?" Jasper said.

"I don't know. What if they called the cops or something?"

"Is this illegal?" Edward asked, which led to Jasper and Edward debating whether or not toilet papering your brother could really be considered vandalism or if the police would even care.

"So does that mean we're done? It looks friggin awesome!" Bella interrupted.

"No way. We still have tons more toilet paper." Alice answered.

"Maybe we shouldn't push our luck." Edward said.

"Pansy," Jasper muttered.

"Yeah, pansy," Bella laughed. "Jasper's not afraid of getting caught. Are you Jasper?"

Without a word, Edward grabbed a roll and got out of the car. Before they could catch up with him, he'd climbed up the privacy fence on the side of the house and was standing on the roof. "Toss this back to me," he directed Bella and threw the roll even higher up into the tree.

Bella liked how Edward was showing off and trying to prove he wasn't a pansy by climbing up onto the roof. They continued to cover every inch of Emmett's yard with toilet paper, but everyone started to get a little too comfortable with the process. Alice was laughing and Jasper was barking orders louder than a whisper. Bella sensed danger and thought about making another dash for the car.

Without warning, they were all startled by some sort of primal roar coming from the side of the house followed by a spray of water soaking Alice, Jasper, and Bella before they could run for their lives. They were all entranced by the vision of Emmett standing barefoot in his boxers holding the water hose and screaming, "HOW DARE YOU INVADE MY CASTLE! DIE INFIDELS!"

Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. Bella watched as Alice ran and jumped onto Emmett's back, and Jasper tried to pry the hose from his hands. Bella made a run for the porch where she finally noticed Rosalie standing, holding her pregnant belly, and scowling at the shape of her yard and mumbling something about acting like a bunch of twelve-year-olds, while Emory and Emily laughed and pointed at their dad. In the end, Rosalie turned off the water. Bella, Jasper, Alice, and Emmett stood shivering cold and wet, and Edward sat on the roof laughing so hard he had tears running down his face.

Bella looked at Alice and nodded. Alice understood the gesture with perfect clarity. Without anyone noticing, Alice turned the hose back on and positioned herself for the attack.

"Hey, Edward!" Bella called out to her hysterical fiancé.

"Wha.. what?" he yelled down between his laughter.

Alice answered her brother with a shot of water straight at his face. Now it was everyone else's turn to laugh.

A little while later, Bella was snuggled up against Edward on Emmett's couch. They were dry and both looked ridiculous wearing her brother's clothes. Alice and Jasper looked just as silly wearing Rosalie's bath robes and sitting on the love seat. Rosalie sat in an arm chair and Emmett sat between her legs on the floor. They were all sipping hot chocolate and laughing after the third time they caught Emory and Emily trying to sneak out of bed and spy on the fun. Bella looked around content. She was getting used to being happy, and tried to ignore the old feeling that always seemed to taunt her. It was the feeling that happiness was fleeting and not meant for her. She held Edward tighter, and told herself that it was time to let that pessimistic sentiment go once and for all.

A/N: Regardless of Tori's other possible involvement – I think that this scenario is not all that uncommon in the workplace. Review or Tori will cast a love spell on Edward and only the little fairy Alice will be able to reverse it by making him sleep for 100 years in a castle. That was lame. Sorry.