A/N- I hope everyone in the US had a great four-day weekend. I spent the whole time lounging in my pool. It was productive from my end. Thank you katydid2363 for cranking this out for me. I think we've got a pretty good schedule down don't you? To fngrcufs, dinx, and angstaddict09 for lending a helping hand. And a special thank you to Nattydread for being well…Natty. If you know her then you know what I mean.

Chapter 3

I'm lost deep
In the emotions
That hit me
Just like an ocean
That seemed so refreshing once
But it's not
For now

The Avenue, Cowboy Mouth

BPOV
October 8, 2005

I woke up Saturday afternoon refreshed from a night of beautiful music being made. It was amazing how the affect of good music and good company could affect a person's outlook on the world. I was beginning to think that just a little over a month since the turmoil of the storm that maybe, just maybe, things would begin to get brighter.

I rolled over onto my side and eyed the folded up napkin Carlisle had given me when we left the club. The name written down was one I didn't recall, but that didn't mean much. New Orleans was a large city and the talent that had been born from it was stretched far and wide. It wasn't unusual not to know every single jazz musician that had come from the city.

The area code was definitely an out of town number not even a Louisiana number. I decided that after I had showered and ate a bite for lunch that I would call this Edward Masen who Carlisle had suggested.

I spent the better part of the afternoon cleaning my apartment and doing laundry. I looked at the clock to see that it was three. There seemed like no time like the present to give Edward a call.

I dialed the number expecting to hear the voice of man who had been born and raised in the city. Instead I was greeted by a faint hint of a Cajun accent that had faded most likely due to living so far from home. That tended to happen to people if they moved away, especially to areas that already had a strong dialect themselves.

The call was far from what I had expected. For starters, even though he seemed like a pompous ass, he had a soothing quality to his voice. I was certain that if Edward would spend a few days back in his home town that he would gain his full accent back. That made me wonder how sexy he would sound dropping his –ers and –ings.

The worst part of the phone call was he would hardly let me explain my reason for calling. He offered me money instead of his services. Money? Yeah, I would be the first to admit that we needed all the money we could get, but that wasn't what that phone call had been about. Carlisle obviously thought that he would be onboard with the benefit but I couldn't wait to tell him that this cornet player he thought would lend a helping hand only wanted to lend his checkbook.

It was true that the city needed the money but one would have thought that an instant referral from Carlisle Cullen would have sent in him a frenzy to help us out. Not offer his money. I kind of felt that if you were good enough to be recommended by the Doctor that he would have had the decency to at least want to talk about the benefit before he opened his wallet.

I hung up the phone, without giving him the satisfaction of a proper goodbye. I was so pissed I was seeing red. I stormed out of my apartment and down the street towards the club not bothering to acknowledge any passersby.

When I arrived at work, I pulled the door to with more force than I had intended. Rosalie stared at me as I pushed my way though the rows of tables. I held up a hand to stop her from directing any conversation towards me as I stormed to the back to put my things away. When I returned to the front Jasper and Emmett were setting up the stage with Carlisle and my dad. I stomped over to them, my hands firmly on my hips. Carlisle looked up and smiled, but his expression quickly faded as he took in the angry look on my face.

"Bella, before you start I reckon I know where this is headed. I take it Edward didn't agree to come and play."

"Oh," I said, smiling a cynical smile. "I think you already knew he wasn't going to come. That no good, sorry sack of shit offered me money, fucking money!" I shouted. "And you know what? My dumbass didn't accept it. I was so pissed off by the time I'd hung up on that New Orleanian wannabe mother fucker that I forgot to tell him where he could send the check."

Carlisle stepped off the stage shaking his head. "Bella I'm sorry. I really thought that maybe if he heard from someone other than me what we were planning that he might come to his senses and come home. I hate that he was so abrupt with you. I truly am."

"Whatever," I said throwing my hands up. "He could use a good vacation down here. Sounds to me like he's lost more than just his way home-he's lost what I'm sure was a fuck hot accent."

Carlisle laughed and resumed helping the boys set up the stage. Before I could leave well enough alone I had to ask one more question.

"Hey Doc? How come you wanted me to call him? I mean, if he's so hell bent on not coming home, why'd you put so much faith in him that he might consider helping out?"

Carlisle looked as if he was thinking hard on how to answer me. Finally, after a few moments he spoke. "It's complicated Bella. He thinks all I do is harp on him. I just thought if someone he didn't know called and asked him to come home that he would give it more thought than if the invitation would have come from me. And as for putting so much faith in him? Well, the only way I can properly answer that is because we invest a lot in the people we love. He might've lost his way home, and his accent, but he hasn't forgotten. He'll come around Bella. It just may take him a little longer than we want."

Carlisle Cullen was one deep soul. I nodded at his reply mulling over what he had said. In hindsight I guess it made a lot of sense. Then again, I didn't know this Edward Masen from a hole in the wall. I had to reply solely on the wisdoms of the Doctor. If he thought he was the best cornet player for our band then he was. I just hoped like hell that he would come around and with enough time to play the benefit.

The crowds had begun to get thick around seven that night. We had another packed crowd which pleased my dad. Hell, it pleased all of us to know that people were coming out. Whether it was to have a drink or just to hear some good music, they were coming out.

The band had taken a break a little after eight. I walked over to the hostess stand that Rosalie was occupying. We chatted for a moment about the numbers we were pulling in for the night when two well to do ladies entered the club. The older one had auburn hair that was kept nice. Her beautiful green eyes shined like emeralds. The smaller one had jet black hair cut short in a very stylish do. She was petite and bouncy. The bouncy part was because she was bouncing on her heels looking around the bar. The older lady smiled at Rosalie and me as she walked up to the stand.

"Hello. I was wondering if you might tell me if my husband is here?" she said in a soft, feminine voice.

Rosalie answered before I had the chance to. "Ma'am a lot of women's husbands are here. Is there anyone in particular I can find for you?"

She smiled before addressing Rose. "Carlisle, Carlisle Cullen. He was supposed to playing with the band tonight."

Rosalie and I looked at one another and exchanged an eye-opening stare. "The band just took a break. Why don't I escort you two ladies to our best table while I go find your husband?"

Both ladies nodded and said thank you as they followed Rosalie to our best table in the house. Once she returned to the hostess stand I walked over to introduce myself and to get their drink orders.

"I'm sorry about my friend. You're the Doctor's wife?" I asked as a way of easing into conversation.

"I am. I'm Esme and this is our daughter Alice."

The dark haired girl, Alice waved like she was swatting at a mosquito hawk. I smiled and waved a little less dramatically at her.

"Bella," I said extending my hand. "I'm Bella Swan."

Esme's hands flew up to her mouth. "Isabella Swan? Charlie and Renee's daughter?" I nodded. "Oh gosh! I haven't seen you since you were knee high to a grasshopper! You and Alice here used to play in the crawfish holes all the time when you were girls. Y'all used to give my son hell! I can't believe it. Isabella Swan all grown up."

"Yes ma'am but it's just Bella now. Alice, I'm sorry I don't remember us doing anything like that but I'm sure we were got into all kinds of messes."

"Oh no doubt about it. And I believe the part about us giving my brother hell. That doesn't seem hard to do at any age."

"Well, what can I get you ladies to drink?"

"Two glasses of Merlot. Whatever you have on the shelf is fine."

"Comin' right up," I said and walked off to the bar. Jasper stood behind the bar filling in as the bartender while he was on a break. His face was serious and he stared blankly ahead. I waved my hand in front of his face to gain his attention and after a few times he grabbed my hand to hold it still.

He looked me in the eyes, not a hint of playfulness in his stare. "Tizzy Izzy, I think I'm in love."

I snorted. "Jazz Man, the only times I've ever head you utter those words to me was when I had your cock in my mouth."

"I'm serious Bells. Who is the beautiful dark haired girl you just sat down?"

I stared over at the table that housed the Doctor's wife and daughter. "Get me two glasses of Merlot and I'll tell you."

Jasper busied himself pouring two glasses of the best red wine we had on the shelf. He handed the glasses to me but I pushed them back.

"Jasper, you haven't even met her. What makes you think you're in love with her?"

"I just know. I can feel it."

I smiled and nodded my head towards their table. "Here, you take the drinks to them. And be on your best behavior," I said as he rounded from behind the bar, wineglasses in his hands. "That's Carlisle's wife and baby girl."

Jasper stopped and turned around, a huge toothy grin on his face. "Perfect. The Doctor loves me already."

I shook my head and took up his position as bartender. Not a moment later Carlisle appeared pouring himself a glass of water. "The crowd is thick tonight Bella."

I nodded. "Just got thicker. Your wife and daughter just arrived. Jasper is over there putting the moves on Alice right now."

Carlisle laughed. "From what I can tell about Jasper he's perfect for her."

I looked at Carlisle in shock. Then again, there was no way I was about to tell him about the real Jasper. That was his story to tell and maybe the Jazz Man had indeed turned a corner in his life.

"You better get over there before he ruins his chances," I joked nudging Carlisle in the shoulder.

"Or Alice starts planning their wedding," he shot back. My mouth formed a perfect 'O' as he moved away from the bar and over to the table where his family sat.

Our regular bartender Mike had returned from his break so I left the confines of the bar and sat on one of the vacant stools. We weren't set to take the stage again for another five minutes and I was quite enjoying the view of Jasper wooing Alice.

Emmett sat down next to me and clamped his hand on my knee. "Looks like Jasper might have finally moved on. Maybe he'll stop propositioning you."

I laughed. "Maybe so. Let's hope anyways."

We finished our set at around eleven that night. The rest of the evening was spent waiting tables and talking to the patrons. I had to give it to Esme and Alice; they hung around all night like troopers. Then again, I was pretty sure that Jasper wasn't going to let Alice out of his sight. She didn't look like she wanted to be any where else for that matter.

Once everyone had cleared out, I joined the rest of the group at the tables that had been joined together as another person was added to the mix. I sat down and sighed after being on my feet for most of the night.

"Bella, Carlisle tells me you talked to Edward. I'm assuming the conversation didn't go well?" Esme asked, sipping her wine.

"Not at all. It's okay though. Carlisle says he'll come around so I can only hope."

"And if he doesn't?" Alice asked, sitting pretty in Jasper's lap.

I shrugged. "He's not the only cornet player in the city. We'll find someone."

"Don't give up on him. Carlisle is right. He'll come around." Esme said with a tight smile.

I returned the smile but I wasn't quite sure why these people stayed so optimistic about Edward. They apparently knew him so I could only rely on their perspectives on the man.

"Charlie, how is Renee? I haven't seen her in years," Esme said, patting my dad's hand that was outstretched across the table.

"She's good. In Shreveport with her sista and not coming home until the house is somewhat back to normal."

"Alice and I were just saying yesterday that we wanted to go to Shreveport this coming week. Maybe we can drop by and see her while we are in town."

"She'd like that Esme. She'd like that a lot. Maybe you and Alice could start getting her to focus on the interior design aspect of the house. That way I can start shovin' my foot up Emmett's ass here to get it done."

"Hey, I'm a one man crew. I'm working with all that I've got." Emmett said. "Hey Bella, doesn't James still do some construction? Maybe you could give him a call and see if he wants to help your old man out."

It was a miracle to me how Rosalie was able to make sounds from her mouth without moving her lips. She leaned over closer to me without drawing attention to herself. "Or maybe you could give him a ride on the old Bella Express to help out your daddy."

I kicked her under the table making it none the wiser to the rest of the table. I looked at my watch and saw how late it was. I pushed myself from the table and stood stretching my back. "I think I'm going to call it a night. Esme, Alice, it was great meeting y'all and catching up."

"You too, Bella. Do you need some of us to give you a lift?"

"No thank you. I just live a few blocks from here."

"Be safe kiddo. I'll see you Monday." My dad stood from his chair and kissed me on the cheek.

"Bella, before you go," Alice called out, leaping off of Jasper's lap. "I was wondering if maybe you'd like to meet up this week for coffee or to go shopping. Maybe if we take the ride to Shreveport you'd like to come with us?"

"Alice, I'd really like that. Thank you." She squealed and threw herself into my arms.

"Thanks, Bella. I just know that you and I are going to be great friends."

I pulled back and looked her face over. She didn't show any signs of malice, maybe she was sincere. I was afraid that once she found out about Jasper's and my past that her tune would change drastically.

"I hope so, Alice. I really do."

Another quick hug and I was on my way home. Between a phone call with a douche bag, an ex lover finding love at first sight, and said woman predicting we'd be great friends, I was in need of a long hot bath and a good nights sleep. Maybe even a visit from my benefactor to drown out the soothing voice of the aforementioned douche bag.

~xxx~

The bar was closed on Sunday so I spent the entire day milling around my apartment. I talked with Carlisle several times regarding the benefit and we both decided that we could pull it off in two months. Two weeks before Christmas we would put on the show, with or without his coveted cornet player. We both felt that people still needed time to get home and access the damage done to their houses.

Alice and I had spent practically every day together since Saturday night. She came over on Monday and helped me come up with some ideas for the flyers. On Tuesday we had coffee and shopped around the city. Wednesday we did lunch and by Thursday I was in a car with her and Esme as we began our journey to Shreveport. My dad had given me Thursday off so that I could spend some time with the girls. We tried to convince Rosalie to come but she had different people coming by her house giving her bids on the remodel of her and Emmett's house.

Our time in Shreveport was well spent. My mom and Esme laughed and talked like the years had never passed them by. Alice and I learned more than we ever wanted to know about our once wild and crazy parents. Stories of Alice and me as toddlers fell from both of our mothers' mouths. It seemed that even at two years old, Alice and I were good friends. It was nice to see that we were on that same track now, twenty-two years later.

Thursday night my mom, Esme, Alice, my Aunt Sue, and myself all gathered at one of Shreveport's local hot spots, Superior Bar and Grill for good Mexican food and even better margaritas. It was nice to get out of town and not have to see a blue roof every five feet. Though of course, I missed home like crazy.

Late that night while Alice and I giggled ourselves to sleep she admitted to me that she knew of Jasper's and my sordid past. She said everyone had deep dark secrets and that we were no different. She was fully aware that things were not like that between us anymore and that there were no emotions involved. Jasper had also told her about his past drug habit. I had to give it to my dear friend. Since the storm he had really come along way. I was happy to hear that he made Alice happy. She had surprised me when she said that in the short week that they had spent together that she had fallen madly in love with him.

It wasn't entirely hard to believe. Jasper was hard not to love and I was quickly learning that neither was Alice.

We returned home Friday afternoon a little after lunch. The ladies dropped me off at my apartment where I fell into my bed as soon as I eyed it. I woke up at six-thirty that evening cussing into the thin air. I scrambled around, working fast to get myself ready for work. I threw on a simple white shirt and my low cut blue jeans. I grabbed the first pair of shoes I spied. Much to my dismay they were a pair of black pointy fuck me pumps. I had run out of time so I slipped the shoes on my feet and ran down the stairs practically sprinting through the Quarter to get to work.

When I arrived the place was far more packed that it had been the past few Friday nights. Rosalie eyed me as I rushed past the patrons towards the back of the club. My dad and Carlisle sat in his office as I threw my things away.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry I'm late. I over slept."

"It's alright Bells but you should know that while you were still in dreamland we voted to start the show off tonight with a few vocal songs. Looks like you're going to be behind the mic."

I rolled my eyes. Just my fucking luck. "Great. Glad that my opinion matters."

"It does, boo," my dad said, placing one arm around my shoulders. "We considered your feelings before we voted and then we decided we didn't care."

He and Carlisle laughed at my expense so I joined along and laughed sarcastically.

"Har de har har guys. I'm headed out there. See y'all on stage."

When I entered the main area of the bar I spotted Alice and Esme at the same table that they sat at last week. Alice and Jasper were making goo goo eyes at one another and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I took the stage, leaving my poor clarinet alone behind me. It took a moment for me to notice though that the stage was much more crowded than it had been in the past. I looked around at our newcomers and was shocked at who I saw.

"Jacob Black!" I shouted and threw myself in his arms.

"Bells! It's good to see you too." His laughter vibrated his entire body as I held on to him.

Jacob Black and his dad Billy went way back with my family. Billy used to play alongside my dad back in the early days and continued to do so throughout the years. Jacob and I had grown up together but it was never anything more than just a brother/sister type relationship.

Jacob and his family lived across the river in the Gentilly neighborhood. It was one of the hardest hit places after the storm. I couldn't believe that they were back in town.

"When did y'all get back?"

"Today. We stopped by the bar on the way to the house when Charlie told dad about the Doctor playing on the weekends. Well, you know Billy; he hates to be upstaged by anyone so he offered our services for the night."

"So we have a full brass band tonight? Awesome. Hey how was y'alls house?"

"Not good Bells. Not good at all. Thankfully though by the time we arrived the FEMA people had shown up with our trailers. It's going to be a rough road Bella but we'll make it."

"No doubt Jake, I know y'all will. Hey did they tell y'all about the benefit show?"

Jake nodded. "Yeah they did. That's really great. I'm glad to hear something's being done."

"I might need a cornet player if this douche bag Carlisle has suggested falls through."

"You know you can count on me. I'll be more than happy to help out."

I smiled realizing that I should have mentioned Jake from the get go but I was going to hold out for Carlisle's choice. He was the Doctor after all.

"Jacob where's Leah at?" I began to search the club for Jacob's dark haired wife.

"She's over there talking with Rosalie. She's been amazing Bella. More than I could have ever asked for during all of this."

I smiled a half smile and patted his shoulder. "If y'all need anything you know we're here for y'all right?"

He nodded. "I know. Thank you."

"No problem. Now, get ready to play your ass off and help me woo this crowd."

I walked over to Billy and gave him a hug, giving him my condolences for the loss of his home. He assured me just as Jake had done that all would work out for them in the end. I believed him that it would and not just for them but for all of us.

We began the show five minutes after seven. I led the band though a few songs wishing I was in the back playing my instrument. I made the most of my time front and center. I was able to see the people who had come out and appraise the looks on their faces as they listened to the soulful melodies of the jazz classics.

We were on our fourth song when I spotted a couple entering the bar. They spoke with Rosalie for a brief second before she led them over to the table where Esme and Alice sat. I watched Esme jump up from her seat and hug the man tightly. He stepped back from her embrace and looked up at the stage, locking eyes with me. I stared at him, lost in his eyes. He was without a doubt the most beautiful man I had ever seen. His bronze sex hair made me want to run my hands through it while he ran his own hands over my body. His tall lean frame had me curious as to how muscular he was under the simple black T-shirt he wore. I shook my head and tore my gaze away from him. It was then that I noticed the platinum blonde at this side. Figured. Men like that were either taken or gay.

I watched from the stage, as he looked me up and down clearly eye fucking me. I smirked, glad that I had gotten to him when I noticed he shifted in his chair. The Barbie next to him placed her hand on his thigh but he caught it before she could roam any higher. I smiled wondering if maybe he had a little problem in his pants that he didn't want his girlfriend to notice.

For the rest of the set I tried not to look in his direction. I was apparently going insane. Just the sight of this man made me want to change my panties. I chocked it up to the lack of my sexual needs being fulfilled over the past week. James and my down time had conflicted with one another's so I wasn't able to get my fix for the week. It was too bad that hottie had Town and Country Barbie on his arm. He looked like he might be able to rock my world.

When we took our first break at nine, too fired up to stop playing before then, I bolted to the bar for a glass of water. Spending the whole first set singing jazz number after jazz number had taken a toll on my vocal cords. I surveyed the crowd from behind the bar and watched as people moved around and spoke to one another. Rosalie hip checked me as she joined me at my post.

"I see you noticed the hottie that came in earlier." I looked at her and frowned. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Please, Bella. I was watching you watch him while he watched you. You two were so having virtual sex with one another. I felt kind of dirty looking on." She shivered making it seem as if the thought had disgusted her.

"I don't know what you're talking about Rosalie. I wasn't having virtual sex with anyone. If anything he was the one staring at my tits and adjusting his junk from his seat. And who wouldn't be checking me out tonight? Do you see how hot my tits look in this shirt?" I asked, jutting my chest out.

"Uh huh. I see. They're much nicer than the fake ones that waltzed in with him."

"No shit. Who is he? You got any goods on the mystery man meat?"

"Nope none. Well unless you count him asking for you when he entered but then asked for Esme when I told him you'd be a while," she said arching her eye.

I snapped my attention onto her quickly. "What? He asked for me?"

"Yup," she said with a pop.

"Why? I've never seen him before in my life."

"Well maybe you and your hot ass real tits should get over and introduce yourselves. I'm pretty sure girlfriend or no girlfriend he'd be pleased to meet them."

I turned around so that my back was to the main part of the bar and so that prying eyes couldn't see me readjust my boobs in the wonder bra I was sporting. I wasn't huge in the boob department by any means but the wonder bra did amazing things to make those less fortunate look a whole lot more endowed.

"You comin'?" I asked as I walked from behind the bar towards the table everyone I knew was now occupying.

She hurried behind me and caught up when I felt her playfully slap my ass. "Go get'em tiger."

"Just the lady I was looking for," Carlisle said as he pulled me over to his side. "I'd like for you to meet someone."

"Bella," Carlisle began and hottie's eyes grew wide at the mention of my name. "This is Edward Masen."

I wanted my eyes to shoot daggers at the asshole that I had hung up on a week ago but my traitorous body felt otherwise. Besides, he was too busy staring at my boobs and I couldn't fault him for that.

"Edward Masen?" I asked, extending out my hand. "It's a pleasure to finally put a face to a name."

"Likewise Bella," he said taking my hand in his. As soon as our skin touched I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through my body straight to my lady parts. His face contorted and he looked like he was in pain as he shook my hand.

Carlisle clapped him on the back and smiled at the crowd around us. "Yes, Bella. It seems that your cornet player has come home."

It felt odd and slightly territorial for Carlisle to call him "my" cornet player. For some reason I wanted him to be mine. I wanted him to be my cornet player for the benefit and I wanted him to be mine in the bedroom. I knew the latter was impossible seeing as how the blonde at his side had not let him out of her grasp since Carlisle had begun introductions.

Edward shifted his weight from one foot to the other as Carlisle continued on. "I told you Bella that he would come home. All you needed was a little faith. Welcome home son."

"Thanks, Dad. It's good to be home," Edward said, looking at me from the corner of his eye.

"Dad?" I questioned, catching on a little late because Edward's whole demeanor made me lose sight of where I was.

Carlisle smiled at me and that damn twinkle appeared in his damn eye again. Holy shit! Just a week ago I was calling Edward names to his father's face that would have made sailors blush.

All was silent until Rosalie leaned over and whispered in my ear. "Well, don't that just pepper your gumbo."

~xxx~

A/N- and so they meet. Next chapter we visit with Edward again and maybe dive a little deeper into this little meeting. Thank you for all the love & support. Drop me a line and tell me what you thought!

Xoxo
Holly