Disclaimer: None of this is mine, nor will it ever be (sigh). I like to play with the characters that Stephenie Meyers created and make them do pervy things or become angels with a bad attitude.

Chapter Twenty-Six

BPOV

"I've sent off resumes to over twenty districts all over the state of Washington," I said, rolling my wrists. "Let's hope that one of them gets a nibble." Edward was staring off into space, his lips moving. "Edward? Did you hear me?"

He blinked back, looking at me. "Twenty districts, yes. I heard you," he said, giving me a stiff smile.

"Okay, you've been weird since Alice disappeared," I muttered. "What's going on?"

"Alice didn't disappear," Edward argued.

"I have Seth working as my aide," I replied. "Please, tell me. I'm freaking out. A lot."

Edward sighed, scrubbing his face and walked over to me, sitting down on his couch. He moved my computer to the cocktail table and took my hands in his. He ran his thumbs over my knuckles and stared at our hands. "Your old boss, Rosalie? She disappeared," he said.

"I thought she was committed," I frowned.

"She was, but she was released to her boyfriend's care. I worked for him prior to becoming a long-term sub. He was a good guy, but Rose's hatred must have spilled into him. He disappeared, too," Edward explained.

"Disappeared? I don't understand."

"Angels, Dominion Lordships, Arch Angels and God himself can sense humans, all humans," Edward said. "With the exception of those who were corrupted by darkness. It would appear that Rosalie and Emmett were taken over. We believe that they're becoming minions of Satan, preparing for whatever it is they want to do. Unfortunately, it's all revolving around you."

"I don't get why I'm so important," I said. "I'm nothing important."

"I beg to differ," Edward said, his eyes flashing. "You're the most important person to me. You're my mate, my other half. I've lived for a long fucking time, alone and in empty, useless relationships. What I feel for you is more than love. It's everything. I can't lose you. I won't lose you. Don't ever say that you're not important, because you are." He shot up and stomped to the window, his body stiff and angry.

Fucking low self-esteem. Why couldn't I keep my mouth shut?

"It's comments like that, Bella," he said. "Satan feeds off them. I know that you're dealing with your own issues, thanks to the assholes who broke your spirit, but Satan never managed to taint you. I need you to stay strong, Bella. Believe that you are worth so much. That you're worthy of being loved, of loving in return."

"Why can't I use Seth and his memory wipe to erase my insecurities?" I grumbled.

"It doesn't work that way," Edward replied, turning around. "He can erase the short-term memory of humans, but things in the long-term memory can't be trifled with. It would cause brain damage."

"Then, heal me," I said, shrugging.

"You'd lose your upper brain functions, Bella," he said, sitting down and pulling me into his lap.

"If the attacks had happened and they were still in my short-term memory, would you do it?" I asked.

"Bella, as much as I hate what happened to you and I want to punish the men who took away your choice, your past makes up who you are. You are the strongest person I know, Bella. I'm proud to be your mate, your personal guardian angel," he whispered.

"I wish you could have been there for me when I really needed you," I choked out. "I know I'm getting better. But, it's so slow. When we're kissing, touching each other, I want to move forward, but, I'm terrified I'm going to panic like I did in Seattle."

"You're in charge, pretty Bella," he said, cupping my cheek. "I want to show you all of my love, but at your speed. I'll gladly give you what you're willing to take."

"And I want to give you more," I pouted. "I'm just frustrated. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," he chuckled, kissing my forehead and snuggling me closer. "Your mental anguish is not as prevalent as before. Your confidence has grown, at least when it comes to our relationship."

"You can feel that through our connection?" I asked.

"Part of it," he chuckled, threading our fingers together. "The rest I see when you're around me. You're not as skittish. You initiate physical contact and not out of comfort. You snuggle next to me while we watch that Real Housewives show. Though, those people are fucking lunatics. I think I can feel my brain rotting."

"It's mindless and dumb," I snickered. "Sometimes you just need to have brain candy."

"Well, I pay more attention to you," he said. "You're far more beautiful than those plastic, wannabe beauty queens."

"Aww, baby, you think I'm prettier than Silicon Barbie," I quipped. He made a face. I just laughed, moving so I was in his lap. I slid my hands up his shoulders, kissing his lips. I pressed my mouth to his once, angling my head to kiss him a second time and sighing as I kissed a third and final time. He smiled against my mouth.

"That's what I'm talking about," he said. "You are getting better. I'm so proud of you, pretty Bella. I love you."

"Thank you," I whispered. I closed my eyes, laying my head on his shoulder. The words were on the tip of my lips. I wanted to say them back, but I was still terrified. Would I ever open up my heart fully to show Edward the depth of my feelings?

xx OOTD xx

Working at my desk during my plan while my students were at music, I was inputting grades and checking over their growth from the beginning of the year. My cell phone was next to me. I'd been stalking it since I sent out my resumes. I'd had a few phone calls, thanking me for my interest, but no offers to interview. Edward breezed in, carrying a cup of coffee. I smiled at him. "You read my mind."

"You'd only been day dreaming about a latte since Jessica walked in with that venti frou-frou monstrosity from lunch," he laughed. "So, yes, I read your mind, pretty Bella." He placed it on my desk with a deep, elegant bow.

"Thank you, kind sir," I smiled. "Don't you ever grade or something?"

"Super brain," he chuckled, pointing to his head.

I scowled at him playfully as I used my human brain to determine if my students were meeting their goals for their grade and for their ages. For the most part, my students were growing, but there was a little girl who was falling behind. She was struggling with math and reading below grade level. "Look at this," I said, tugging on his arm. "Do you think that this little girl should get services?"

"Have you started the RTI process?" Edward asked.

"I brought her up to the social worker and administrative team and we are giving her accommodations and services, but she's not improving," I frowned.

"What about a case study?" Edward murmured, his brows pulled together as he looked at her lack of improvement.

"Mom doesn't want her labeled," I scoffed. "But, doesn't she see her daughter struggling to sound out words and get frustrated with not getting these concepts. I've tried talking to the mother, but …" My cell phone rang. I looked down at the number. "Seattle number …"

"Pick up," Edward said.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Is this Isabella Swan?" came a pleasant female voice.

"Yes," I replied.

"Wonderful! My name is Jane Hopkins and I'm the assistant superintendent for human resources from the Bellevue School District. We received your resume and we're opening up a new elementary school. We're looking for young, but experienced teachers to open up the building. I spoke with Mrs. Cope and she had nothing but wonderful things to say about you," Jane gushed. "Would you like to meet with me and the new principal to discuss the possibility of joining our team?"

I blinked over to Edward, concerned that this was a trap. He shrugged, showing me a website on his cell phone. I scanned the information. "When would you want to meet?"

"Whenever is convenient for you," she said. "I know you're on spring break next week. Mrs. Cope said that the buildings are closed. Perhaps then?"

"Okay. Let me talk to my fiancé and I'll let you know. Can I reach you at this number?" I asked.

"Yes. It'll probably link you to the main directory. Just ask for me," Jane said. "I look forward to meeting you, Ms. Swan."

"Thank you," I answered. "I'll be in touch." She said goodbye and I hung up my phone. "Could she be …? What if …?"

"I know, pretty Bella," Edward said. "Is she the real deal or is she one of Satan's pawns?" He tapped something on his phone. "I just sent one of my colleagues to check out Jane Hopkins. If she's authentic, do you want to go to that interview?"

"It's Bellevue," I said. "I mean, Bellevue is one of the most affluent parts of Seattle. I'd be getting twice what I made here!" Edward snickered, but his face sobered. "What? Is Jane …?"

"No. Quil is fast, but not that fast," Edward snorted. "It's a text from Carlisle. He has information."

"About?"

"About why you're so important in this whole mess of things? Why Lucifer is fixated on you?" Edward said. "Or at least a plausible theory." He looked at me, his green eyes questioning and concerned. "Knowing that, we could begin to form a plan of attack. To end this. Once and for all."

A/N: Sorry, cliff hanger … Leaving everyone in the dark regarding the reason why Bella is the focus of Lucifer/Riley's ire. And why she has the protection of some of the strongest angels in the entire legion of angels. We need answers and we're going to hear from Carlisle and Esme, in Edward's point of view. What will they say? And what about that job in Bellevue? Real or fake?

Leave me some lovin …

Thank you for reading!