A/N: First and always, to my SUPER beta masters bbwraven and casket4mytears, I am eternally devoted to you, I rant, I change my mind more then I have sex, and I make the same mistakes over and over. I promise you that I am yours, devoted forever, and will bend to your ever whim. Just say the word, I will submit. (unless Rob shows up at my door step and then you're gonna have to forgive me while I'm a selfish bitch! Sorry!!)

Thank you to everyone who left reviews after the last chapter, it was so exciting to see so many more come in! I hope you all enjoyed your pizza. :-)

As always S Meyer owns all this wonderful, I on the other hand own a half eaten box of day old pepperoni pizza and a 6 pack of Heineken.

This chapter is all Bella!

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Stitch in your knitted brow
And you don't know how
You're gonna get it out
Crushed under heavy chest
Trying to catch your breath
But it always beats you by a step, all right now
Making the best of it
Playing the hand you get
You're not alone in this
There's hope for the hopeless
There's hope for the hopeless
There's hope

There's Hope For The Hopeless~A Fine Frenzy

BPOV

Luck: a belief in good or bad fortune in life caused by accident or chance which happens beyond a person's control.

I had the most rotten luck! Hell, if it wasn't for my rotten luck it wouldn't have any luck at all.

How I managed in the span of three days to literally run into the same man, whom I have NEVER before Friday seen once in my entire life was beyond me! And this time in the fucking grocery store! I mean what the fuck; you would think I could just watch where the hell I was going right? No! Wrong, I can't even do that! I have to screw that up as well and just plow right into him all over again. And what does he do? He fucking introduces himself! That's what he does!

"Well hello again, let me properly introduce myself this time. I'm Edward Cullen. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Shit! It's you...How...I...Ummm, I'm sorry I just ran you over."

"Again."

"Excuse me?"

"Again, you just ran me over, again."

"Oh, again, I'm sorry I ran you over again then. I - I really have to go."

Woah! Wait a minute. He reached out and grabbed my hand. "You're giving me a complex here. You bump into me, you run? Is it something I said?" He flashed me a disarming smile and I could feel a slight blush creeping up my cheeks.

"I'm sorry, I - just...I'm clumsy and I nearly ran you over twice. Its a bit embarrassing and I am in a bit of a hurry."

"Oh, well I don't want to keep you. I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm new in town so I don't know many people. You're friends with Rose right?"

Friends with Rose?? How in the world would he know Rose?

"Umm, yeah, how-"

"I'm Edward; it's nice to meet you..."

He very quickly stuck out his hand to introduce himself.

"Bella, my name is Bella."

"Well, Bella, it's nice to finally put a name with a face. I hope to see you around more. Like I said, I don't really know many people around here."

"Sure, Edward. It was nice to meet you. I have to go. I'll see you around."

I got the rest of my stuff and left like I was on fire. I couldn't wait to get out of the place, away from that man, the green eyed God that made my body betray me and think things that I vowed not to think. I don't know what it was exactly that drew me to him, I just knew that I needed to stop. It wasn't what I was after or what I was ready for.

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The next two weeks passed by with relative speed, and before I knew it I had divorce papers in hand waiting to be signed. Rose and Alice had an entire evening planned out, and as much as I protested I had no say in the marking of the occasion.

"Alice, I'm not wearing leather, forget it!"

"But, Bella! You are going to look totally hot in those pants. You can pair it with your knee high boots and this blue and black metallic lace halter top."

"Oh no Alice, forget it! There is no way you are getting me into leather!"

Alice had been badgering me all evening long about going out and celebrating. I had received my divorce papers earlier in the day and Rose made the decision that it did not matter who was scheduled to work what; we were shifting schedules around and all going out to the bar to 'do things up properly.' She also insisted I wait to sign them until we were were all together. She wanted to make it a pivotal moment in my life.

So, now I was getting brow beat by Alice into wearing painted on leather pants with a skimpy top while waiting for Rose to come home. Unfortunately, I couldn't even count on her to save me because I knew she would side with Alice. They have been trying to gang up on me for weeks and get me out of the house to 'loosen up'.

I blew out a breath and glanced over at Alice, "Let me see the outfit Alice. I'm not promising anything, BUT I'll try it on and see what it looks like."

"Oh, goodie Bella!! You're going to love it, I just know you will. Hurry up and go put it on. I wanna see what you look like." Alice was practically beaming with excitement.

I grabbed the outfit and took it back to my room to change. I stripped out of my clothes and shimmied into the leather pants. I had to admit, they fit like a second skin and I did look, well...hot. I slipped the shirt over my head and buttoned it at the back of my neck. I tied the ribbon that was attached as a belt around my waist and slipped on the boots and zipped them up the back. Standing in front of the full length mirror I inspected myself.

"Not bad Bella, not bad."

I was going to hear it from Alice though. I told you so's would ensue and then I would have nothing to complain about. I grinned at myself in the mirror. It really was a great day and I could not remember ever feeling so good. Tonight was going to be all about starting fresh. A new chapter in my life; hell, a new book being written even. As soon as Rose got home this would all be over. I was so excited to finally be Bella Swan again, to figure out who I was for a change.

I turned from the mirror and opened my bedroom door to make my reveal to Alice when the house phone rang. I walked into the living room and picked up the hand set.

"Hello?"

"Bella..."

"Oh God, James, what do you want? You're not supposed to be calling me"

"I, I need to talk to you. I want you to come home; we don't have to do this. Please tell me you haven't signed the papers yet. I love you Bella and I want you back. Letting you walk out that door was the worst mistake I have ever made. I realize now that I took you for granted. I was wrong."

Part of me wasn't surprised to hear his voice on the other end of the phone, begging. He always had tried to make me feel bad about everything I did, but why should I feel guilty about a loveless marriage filled with nothing but pain and regret? This time it was my turn because this was bull shit!

"James, stop! Stop right now! Anything you're saying, it's, it's just too late. You may think you love me, but you don't. You just miss having someone to control, someone to cook and clean for you, to cater to your needs and make you feel important. But you know what? it's not me, not any more. I don't love you. You killed my love. You killed it every time you belittled me, every time you treated me like a child and called me a bad wife. You say you love me? Then sign the fucking papers James, and just leave me alone so I can get on with my life!"

I was so close to tears. This was supposed to be a day of celebration, not a day of mourning, and he was ruining it just like always. Just then Alice came around the corner and saw me, a look of alarm springing to her face. I covered the mouth piece of the phone and mouthed the name James to her and she yanked the phone out of my hand.

"JAMES WITHERDALE! What in the hell are you doing calling and harassing Bella? I don't give a shit how sorry you think you are. The fact remains that you are indeed just a sorry individual all together. You fucked up and now you're crawling back in a last ditch effort with your tail between your legs. Well let me tell you something: I DON'T think so! She's healing dammit, no thanks to you and all the fucked up shit you've done to her over the years. I hope you rot in hell for everything you have done, and I hope you spend every day for the rest of your life regretting every bit of it. I hope it haunts you in your sleep and makes you miserable. And even after all that, it still won't be payment enough for all the wrong you did her and all the sleepless nights she had, crying over you. I hope you suffer. So do us all a favor, no, do her a favor and sign the papers. For once in your rotten life just do something selfless, for her.'

Alice slammed down the phone, her breath heaving. I had never seen her so upset. She looked over at me and I was not sure if she was going to hug me or flog me. I, on the other hand, had a huge grin on my face and my tears were completely gone.

"Alice... that. was. amazing! I thought for sure you were going to jump through the phone and let him have it. I bet he is fuming right now! I LOVE it!! I know I don't tell you enough how much I love you. Thank you."

"Bella, you weren't so bad yourself but I just couldn't stand it anymore. I've sat back and kept my mouth shut for months letting you handle things your way, not saying a thing and well, sorry but the word vomit just ensued. That man just makes me want to say vile things."

"Vile is one thing he certainly is. What time is Rose supposed to be home? I want to get this celebration started."

I was bubbling over with excitement. Tonight was the first day of the rest of my life. We were going to start the celebration at home by opening up a bottle of bubbly, while I signed my copy of the divorce papers. It remained to be seen whether or not James would sign his. I hoped he would not string me along. He only had a certain amount of time to sign or the divorce would be considered uncontested, and then the court costs and attorney fees would go up significantly and he would end up having to pay more. Knowing how much he hated to spend money was the only thing that gave me hope that he would just give in and sign without trouble.

"I'm pretty sure she should be home- OH! There she is..."

Rose walked into the living room wearing her standard jeans, t-shirt and tennis shoes uniform from the bar. She threw her purse on the couch and gave me a huge grin.

"Hey Bella baby! You're looking mighty hot in those leathers! Looking to pick up a man tonight?"

"For your information, no, Alice conned me into putting them on and I just so happen to feel...sassy tonight. So don't give me any shit Rosalie Hale or I'll start telling everyone in the bar about that time our freshman year in high school when you accidentally dyed your green and looked like you had a head full of Broccoli colored ringlets for a week."

"You wouldn't!"

"Try me!"

"Well, Bella's getting feisty huh?? I'll be damned. Divorce looks good on you baby."

"I'm not there yet, but if you wouldn't mind doing me the honors of grabbing me those papers over there and that pen I'll be one step closer."

"Bella, I can honestly say that this is the single most exciting moment I can remember having with you in the last 10 years."

Rose walked over to the coffee table, brought back the thick stack of papers and an ink pen. She held them out to me with a wide smile on her face. I reached out and took them from her with trembling hands. Even knowing that this was the right thing to do it was still a huge hurdle in my life to get over. I was finally moving on and making something of my life, and the two people that started things with me were there to see me end it. It was full circle; it was perfect.

"Okay guys, let's do this."

I unfolded the papers and started flipping through them. I found the first page that was flagged for my signature and without hesitation I signed. It was pure freedom. I looked up to see my two best friends holding hands and noticed Alice had tears in her eyes. Rose, on the other hand, had the most vindictive smile on her face. With each page that required my signature, I felt that much closer to my freedom. When I was finally at the last page, I looked up at them both.

"Okay guys this is it."

I put the pen to the paper and signed. It was the most profound moment in my life. I flipped the papers closed, folded them back up and looked at my friends.

"So, where's that bubbly? I thought we were celebrating!"

********************

Rosalie, on a normal day, drove her Camaro like a bat out of hell. Alice and I used to tease her saying she drove like a NASCAR driver. We even went so far as to get her a sticker to put on the back of her car that says 'I'm not speeding, I'm qualifying' and I'll be damned if she didn't put it on there. And forget trying to get from point A to point B; she usually missed B and we would have to turn around and go back.

The bar she and Alice ran, Lunar Eclipse, was only about 5 miles from the condo, so we arrived in about 3.5 minutes. We parked in the employee lot in the back and went in the side door.

Rose, as always, was dressed to kill. Tonight she opted for a denim mini skirt, a white cotton crochet tank and a pair of knee high tan leather boots that showed off her long, golden, shapely legs. Around her neck was a tear drop pearl necklace that nestled just between her cleavage in typical Rose fashion. With her long blond hair flowing around her shoulders she walked in the bar confidently, aware of the appreciative glances.

Alice was decked out in a pair of skinny jeans, a red flower corset top and a black pair of Christian Louboutin pumps. Abruptly Alice was caught by the elbow and pulled around into Jasper's open arms. He tipped her head back and gave her a searing kiss.

"I've been waiting to do that all week." He gave her a few more chaste pecks before leaning back and taking her in, there was eagerness in his eyes, "You look amazing tonight, I've missed you."

"Hi, baby. I've missed you too." She wound a hand into his hair and pulled his head down for another kiss.

When they broke apart, Alice looked at Jasper with such longing it made my heart ache. I only wished I could have found a love like that; now I'd settle for a good fuck now and again. Maybe that was my problem; maybe I had set my expectations too high. I had been looking for way too much and gotten way too little, so when push came to shove, I had ended up an unhappy woman who let the one man that was supposed to make her feel good walk all over her instead. Well that wasn't gonna happen again, that was for sure.

I looked back over at the two of them and gestured in the direction that Rose had gone.

"Come on guys, you can whisper sweet nothings and make goo goo eyes at each other later. This in my night, remember?"

I grabbed Alice by the arm and dragged her in the direction of our regular table in the back corner. Behind me I could hear Jasper muttering

"Wow, what happened to our sweet timid Bella?"

"She checked herself at the door, get used to it."

We made our way over to the table where Rose and Emmett were in deep conversation with someone else sitting there. Emmett looked up and gave me a broad smile. He got up from his chair, made his way over to me and enveloped me in a bear hug.

"Emmett, I love you and all, but I don't want to be a permanent fixture! I need to breathe."

"Sorry, Bella, I just got excited for you." Emmett took my hand and led me closer to the table.

"Hey, I want you to meet someone. I hope you don't mind. My brother just moved here from Chicago and he doesn't really know anyone yet, I know we didn't ask..."

"Is that who's at the table? That's fantastic Em, I'm so happy for you. Of course he can join us, the more the merrier. It's a celebration remember?"

"Good, okay then. Rose said you wouldn't mind but I had to be sure. Let me introduce you then." He turned me around and I found myself looking into some very oddly familiar green eyes, "Bella, I'd like you to meet my brother Edward, Edward, this is Bella."

OH FUCK!

I could feel my face flushing as the embarrassment set in. I pinched my lips between my teeth in an effort to keep from laughing hysterically. I looked up at Edward and I could see the amusement on his face. It was evident that he was enjoying my discomfort. Rose gave me an odd look and then looked from him and back to me again.

"Bella, Have the two of you met before?"

I looked back at Edward, pleading for help with my eyes.

"Actually, Rose" he said "I was having some trouble picking out some tomatoes at the supermarket a couple weeks ago and Bella just happened to be there and was kind enough to step up and help me. I didn't know she was a friend of yours. Hopefully I'll get a chance to return the favor. So... Bella."

He stood up and held out his hand for what I thought was going to be a hand shake, but when I reached my hand forward to reciprocate he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it.

"It's a pleasure to see you again," he said huskily.

At that moment I found myself extremely conscious of his virile appeal. My breath caught in my throat. His scent was intoxicating, like a mixture of sage and sandalwood but something sweet mixed in, and I wondered briefly if he tasted the same. He was wearing a snug black t-shirt that showed off his well muscled arms, a pair of washed out blue jeans with black and white converse high tops. His deep bronze hair was tousled, like he had just rolled out of bed, Alice would have called it sex hair, I just called it sex. This was a man that was very well put together. I could literally see the golden flecks in his vibrant green eyes. MY. GOD, the man was beautiful. I felt a twinge of longing curl in my stomach and I quickly pushed it back where it came from. It had no place here, especially not tonight.

Th-thank you. It's nice to see you again as well. So-" I clapped my hands together and turned to the group who were all staring at us with odd expressions. "are we gonna sit down and get this party started or what?"

Thankfully everyone turned around and took a seat. Angela came over to the table and Rose ordered us all a round of celebration shots in honor of the occasion.

Edward turned toward me and smiled, It was loud in the bar and he had to lean his face in closer than normal so I could hear him.

"So Bella, what exactly are we celebrating? My brother didn't exactly give me the specifics... Did you get a promotion? Is it your birthday?" One corner of his mouth was pulled into a slight smile.

I couldn't control my sudden burst of laughter, "Actually, this may sound really crass and heartless, but we're all here celebrating my divorce."

Edward threw back his head and let out a great peal of laughter, which only made me want to laugh more. I brought my hands to my lips to stifle my giggles when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned my head to see Jake standing behind me with a tray full of shots.

"Hey Bells, I thought since this was a special occasion I'd bring these over personally."

"Jake! Thanks so much, do you have a few minutes? Can you join pull up a chair and join us? You should grab yourself a shot and toast with us."

"I could spare a few, are you sure? I don't want to intrude or anything."

"Hey, you were my guardian angel more times than not keeping the beast at bay and all. You're never an intrusion."

"Jake, if you have the bar covered then pull up a chair," Rose shouted across the table.

"Okay, but just for a few minutes, I don't want to leave that Newton guy up there for too long. He's still pretty new and still learning his way around behind the bar."

We waved Angela back over, had her bring one more shot over for Jake, as soon as she returned we all toasted and threw it back. The rush of the alcohol moving down my throat burned, but only for a second before the citrus taste took over. It was welcome and I could feel my body beginning to loosen up. We all talked amongst ourselves for a few minutes, Edward asking Jake and I random questions. I noticed that Jake kept glancing toward the bar, and it was apparent the he was anxious to get back over there.

"Jake, it's okay, go back to the bar."

"Am I that obvious?"

"Actually, yes you are. But it's okay, after the disaster with Royce I can hardly blame you."

"You're the best Bells, I'll catch you later. Congratulations, by the way!"

"Thanks Jake." He leaned down and hugged me before making his way back to the bar.

I had to admit that I was really enjoying myself this evening. Before we left the house I had serious doubts about this 'celebration' of sorts. I mean, the whole ordeal of going through the divorce was excruciating enough, but to celebrate the signing of papers? It seemed so callous to me. But Rose and Alice insisted that after everything that I had gone through, it was a mile marker in my life that needed to be recognized, up until this point nothing in my life ever was and I had a lot to make up for.

And believe it or not, I actually really liked Edward too. As long as he NEVER brought up the piano/singing incident I think I could handle another friend in my life. It was pretty obvious from the way he and Emmett were around each other that they were fairly close, so I could only assume he'd be sticking around.

I jumped at the sound of Edward's voice whispering, his breath hot against my ear, "Do you dance Bella?" He had his hand out in front of me waiting for me to take it. Alice looked at me expectantly as if she were waiting for me to make an epic move.

"What?" I mouthed quietly, looking at her. Alice was literally shooing me off, little pixie demon.

I held up my hand for Edward to take, "To be quite honest, I haven't danced in years, but if your feet are willing to take a risk, I'm willing to give it a try," I said with a glint of humor on my lips.

"I bet all you really need is the right partner."

The tone of his voice was low and husky, and if I wasn't mistaken I could have sworn I detected a second meaning in his words. I brushed it off as best as I could and let him lead me out onto the dance floor. Just as we reached the edge I groaned.

"What?" he said with an amused expression on his face?

"It's nothing, let's just dance."

Could this night get any worse? I mean really, Ne-Yo's song 'Single'?? How ironic was that?

Edward put one hand on my hip and swung me into the circle of his arms. With one hand encased in his and the other wrapped around his side I could feel the outline of his taunt back muscles beneath my fingers. We slowly began moving to the music in a slow sensual manner. He pulled me closer to him, resting his cheek up against my own. I could feel his uneven breathing on my cheek as he held me close.

"Do you play and sing often Bella?"

Shit! These were not the questions I wanted to answer. He was not supposed to be asking me this. I mean I could play but I never did for anyone but my family, Rose and Alice. I NEVER sang in front of anyone. I was terrible and I knew it. James had been telling me for years to keep it down, that I embarrassed him. So I knew I couldn't hold a tune.

Awkwardly I cleared my throat and answered, "You weren't supposed to hear that. I thought everyone had gone home for the evening or I never would have sang."

Edward pulled his head back and looked at me quizzically. "Why not? You have a beautiful voice."

"No, I don't. You're just being kind; you don't have to say that."

He pulled back in his arms pressing his cheek back to mine again, "Bella I don't know where you got the idea in your head that you can't sing, but you're wrong. And trust me, I would know."

We danced in silence for another minute and if I had not been paying attention I wouldn't have heard the breathy words in my ear.

"Who are you Bella? Who is this enchanting woman with the voice of an angel that sings and plays for no one?"

Without looking away I backed out of his grasp and walked away back to the table. He felt good, too good and I was not about to let myself fall back into another trap I could not dig myself out of. I was fighting my own battle of personal restraint and it was my own driving need that shocked me. God was playing a very cruel joke on me and it was all about temptation.

I reached the table with Edward right behind me.

"Bella, wait-"

"Don't Edward. I'm sure being that you're Emmett's brother you're going to be around a lot, so us getting along is a pretty big deal, and surprisingly from what little I've seen so far, you seem like a pretty decent guy. So let's just chalk this up to awkwardness and forget it okay?"

"Bella!! Bella!!" Angela screamed frantically running up to me.

"Angela? What's wrong?"

"You have to come now. It's your office. I went in the back to clock out and I noticed you door was cracked open. I gripped the door knob to pull it shut and it wouldn't budge, so I opened it up, and oh my God, Bella I don't know who would have done it."

"Done what Angela?!"

"Bella! Someone broke into your office and completely trashed it. There's stuff everywhere."

"Edward..." I said stonily, "Would you please go find Rose and Alice?" I looked up at him with a blank expression on my face. "Ask them to meet me in at my office?"

"Sure Bella."

My heart was in my throat. I had never in my life felt so violated.

Angela and I rushed to the back of the bar where the hallway led to the back offices. The door was standing open, and when I looked inside at destruction I was stunned and sickened. I gulped hard as the hot tears started falling down my cheeks. Who would do such a cruel thing? And what could I possibly have that anyone would want? A thought froze in my brain. THE SAFE!! I was just about to place my foot over the threshold and step inside when a firm hand gripped my elbow and pulled me back.

"Bella, you can't go in there. We need to wait for the police first."

"Edward, let go! I need to check the safe."

"It won't matter if you check now or in a little while Bella. Please think about this; if you go rummaging around in there you may mess stuff up and you may screw up their chances of finding out who did this."

I let paused and let out a weary breath. He was right and I was over reacting.

Smothering a sob I said as calmly as I could, "You're right, I'm sorry... Did you find the girls?"

"Yeah," He raised his hand and ran it through the thickness of his hair, "Rose is calling the police and Alice is getting Jasper and Emmett. They should be over here in a minute. Hey..." he tilted my chin up and wiped the tears from my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs, "It's gonna be okay. We'll catch this guy."

"You must think I'm a real mental case huh? You get invited to go out, only to find out it a party for some broad's divorce, then my office gets broken into and I go in to hysterics. What's next? I get trapped in a dark alley by a stalker?"

"Don't say that! That's not even funny. For your information I have had a great time tonight, I don't think you're a broad, and your hysterics were mild compared to my ex-girlfriend's tantrums. As for your divorce party, the only comment I have is that it's his loss and I hope he knows what he gave up. Now come on."

He grasped my hand and lead me back out to the table to wait for the Police to show up.

*****************

Two hours, three interviews and one major headache later we were ready to go home. There was no more functioning for me - I was mentally and physically drained. Edward, bless him had been a rock through the whole thing. Maybe he did have an ulterior motive, maybe I was reading something else into the way he looked at me and spoke to me, but there was something to be said about the way he handled things tonight when push came to shove. He was a pro: he took charge, and he took care. That was the kind of friend I needed. The rest could be dealt with later.

After the officers interviewed the six of us, they pulled each of the staff members aside and interviewed them as well. They did a thorough run through of my office with me and thank God nothing was missing, but I had a lot of work to do cleaning up. There were papers strewn everywhere. My pictures were shattered and glass was busted all over the floor. The back-up liquor stock had been busted as well and my office reeked of alcohol. My office chair was torn to shreds, like someone had taken a knife to it, and the stuffing was spilling out everywhere, not to mention the wheels on the bottom had been broken off. Luckily I now worked off of a laptop so my computer was at home and intact, but my monitor would have to be replaced as well as my mouse, which had had its cord severed.

I stood in the doorway with my hands in my hair assessing the chaos. Everything damaged tonight was replaceable. I wasn't worried about my possessions or even the mess, but rather who would do this. The police lifted a few prints but it was likely that they were all bar employees, or mine. Detective Clearwater had seemed to think it was random act of vandalism, maybe a bar patron that got drunk and decided to have a little fun at my expense. I certainly hoped that was the case and it was nothing more than that.

Rose's voice snapped me back to attention.

"Hey Bella, are you ready to go?" Rose walked up with Alice and put her arm around my shoulder giving me a tight squeeze.

"You have no idea; can we please get out of here?"

"Yeah, I think we've all had enough excitement for one evening. I told the guys we were leaving and Jake's locking up. Tomorrow is soon enough to deal with the mess."

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I see you looking at the button, its okay, just do it!

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