Thanks Katydid2363 for turning this around and being patient with me. Dinx, Angstaddict09, & fngrcufs are three truely amazing ladies. I love them more than they know.

Stephanie Meyer owns all.

Chapter 14

Take me back to New Orleans
And drop me at my door
Cause I might love you yeah
But I love me more
-Take Me Back to New Orleans, Cowboy Mouth

EPOV

I never considered New York a dull, bland place. People were everywhere, all the time, especially this time of year. It was the holidays and a place like New York City was a hotspot for tourists. With the lighting of the tree in Rockefeller Center, the town came alive more than usual.

As I stepped off the plane at JFK, I realized that the city no longer held the same appeal. I wasn't feeling that rush of being amongst the throes of people. I didn't care about anything here any longer. My life now resided in a grief stricken town in the deep south. My life, my girl, my everything were now in New Orleans.

Tyler met me at the airport to escort me to my meeting with the big wigs at the Met. I wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. I didn't need for them to offer me anything. I had all that I could've ever imagined waiting for me to return home.

When I walked outside to the awaiting cabs, I was shocked to see whom Tyler had wrapped around his arm. For a split second I was pissed that he would stoop to such levels as to bring Lauren along. Did he really think that she could bring me back? Was he not there in the car when I told her that it wasn't her I wanted? Surely he wasn't this dense. I kept my guard up as I walked closer to the cab they reserved for us. As I approached, his smile increasingly became larger.

Sliding Lauren out of his grasp, he strode over to me and reached down to help with my bags. "Good flight?" he asked in a cocky manner.

"Just the best ever," I said, putting on a fake smile and sounding full of shit.

Tyler laughed. "Ed, c'mon man. It won't be that bad. I promise."

"Sure. What's Lauren doing here?" I asked.

"Oh, um…" Tyler stumbled with his words.

"Spill it," I demanded. "If you brought her along to try and entice me, you may be out a client."

"Really?" he asked in an offensive tone. "Do you really think that everything is about you, Edward? Don't you think that maybe what you did to her hurt her pretty bad? Shit man," he said, running his hands through his hair. "You know, maybe after you she needed a real man to fix her."

"A real man?" I asked. "Tyler, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Tyler looked at his feet, shuffling a pebble back and forth. He looked at me through his half-lidded eyes. "She and I might be together now."

"Might be?" I smiled, not caring in the least that he was getting my seconds.

"You're not pissed, are you?"

"Me? Pissed? Hardly, Ty. I've got the best woman I could have ever asked for waiting for me to come back to her. I'm happy for you and if Lauren makes you happy, well then, congratulations."

He smiled and clapped his hand on my back. "Let's get you gone, then. You've got some assholes to turn down."

~xxx~

"Hey, baby," I said when Bella answered the phone.

"Hey yourself. You headed to face the big bad wolves?" she joked. I could tell she was only using the humor as a way to pass the fact that she was hurting. I shared her pain.

"Yeah, something like that. I don't have much time; I just wanted to hear your voice."

"Awww, you're too sweet. Thank you."

"You headed to work?"

"Just about to walk out the door."

"Call me when you get home tonight. I don't care what time it is, call me."

"Okay," she whispered.

We said our goodbyes and I said the one thing to myself that I wanted to say to her, so badly. I love you.

~xxx~

"Mr. Mason," Aro Brigham, the head of the Metropolitan Arts Council, began.

"It's Cullen, sir. Edward Cullen," I corrected him.

He looked at me through his half moon spectacles and grinned. "Oh yes, of the famous New Orleans Cullens. Your father is a talented musician himself, am I correct?"

I nodded. "Yes sir, he is. The best in the city."

"The Doctor is what they call him. I've heard all about him. Tell me, Edward, why do you think New Orleans is better for your music? What has New York done that has been so wrong?"

I looked at the three men sitting across the table from me, Aro and the two other heads of the council, Demitri Finn and Caius Edgington. In their own time, these men had been the best at their game, famed in the symphony arts and legends to aspiring artists. They were trying their best to persuade me to stay. Little did they know that they could have offered me a million dollars and I still would have turned them down. Nothing was going to keep me here, but playing their game was proving to be entertaining. They were wasting my time so I decided to waste theirs as well.

"New York has done nothing to me, sir. I feel like my time here is over and I need to move on. New Orleans and jazz runs through my veins. I'm sure you're aware with the storm that the city needs more of those local lovers of the heritage to come back. My father is one of those leading the pack and if I'm being honest, there is no other place I'd rather be than standing behind him when she rises again."

Demetri looked bored, as if he'd rather be anywhere other than facing me on a Saturday afternoon. I wanted to tell him I felt his pain. Caius, on the other hand, decided to mock me.

"You speak of New Orleans as if the city is some sort of Phoenix, rising from the ashes. I know what happened is devastating, but why would you give up a regular job to work gigs in dive bars or local tourist attractions? If what I'm hearing is correct, it sounds as if your father is the talent. You'll just be playing in the shadows of him."

I could feel my blood pressure rising as he subtly offended my city. I kept my composure, answered, and hoped that this meeting was about to come to an end.

"With all due respect, gentlemen, you're only as good as those you play alongside. My father, as well as the other musicians in the city, is one of the best I've ever heard. I want to continue my career where my roots started. The city may not be in form to host a proper Mardi Gras, but you can bet your asses that they will roll this year. Now," I said, pushing myself out of the chair. "If you'll excuse me for being so blunt, I know that my manager has given you my resignation letter. I'm not sure exactly what you three had in mind for this meeting today. I don't intend on accepting any sort of offer you are willing to dish out. Quite frankly, there is a beautiful woman and an amazing city that need me right now, and you are wasting my time."

"So, this is your final decision?" Aro questioned.

"It is. I'm sorry if Tyler or anyone else led you to believe that I would reconsider leaving. The fact remains, that as soon as I can get things wrapped up here I'm returning to New Orleans for good."

"You will be missed, Edward. I can't begin to tell you what an asset you've been for the Met," Aro continued. Demetri continued to look bored out of his mind and Caius looked like he was ready to hit me for my outburst.

"Thank you for the amazing opportunity. My time here has been very memorable, but as I see it, the best years of my life are in front of me."

Aro stood from the table and extended his hand. "Edward, please let us arrange for a going away party for you this week sometime."

"That's not necessary, Aro."

"Of course it is. I'm sure the sooner the better, yes? How does Tuesday sound? Nothing big, just the orchestra and a few of the performers perhaps?"

We shook hands and offered reassuring smiles to one another. Demetri, out of good manners, stood and followed the Aro's lead. Caius simply nodded, as if his hand was too good for me to touch.

I walked away from the meeting, put out and relieved. One obstacle down, only a handful more to go.

~xxx~

Bella called, as she promised, on her way home from work. I didn't like that she walked alone in the city so late at night, but I knew that if I went all caveman on her she'd only get worked up. Then again, a worked up Bella equaled a happy, horny Edward.

I didn't have to get her angry over my irrational fears of someone abducting her in the Quarter to get her worked up. Once I mentioned her friend, the vibrator, her tone quickly changed to one of lust and desire. Knowing that she was walking down the street talking to me as I stroked my length and imagining her on all fours was enough to work us both up. I wanted her to run home so I could hear the buzzing of her toy. I wanted her to pleasure herself to the sound of my voice. I wanted to tell her all the things I wanted to do to her and have her tell me all the things she longed for. Instead of reaching climax, she abruptly ended our call. When I asked what was wrong, she only mentioned Jasper's name. I didn't know how to feel about this. She was obviously upset, but pleaded with me to let her go so she could take care of whatever she meant when she said his name.

I didn't like it one bit. I trusted her, though, and I knew that she would tell me everything that happened. Or would she? Was something wrong and she didn't want to tell me because Alice was my sister? Did she think that whatever it was would be enough for me to be so irate that I would beat the shit out of him? It was in this moment that I knew that I had to light a fire under Tyler's ass to make sure all of our ducks were in a row. I needed to be back in New Orleans. I needed to be home and help Bella face whatever burden had been thrown her way. Whatever it was, I would help her fight it. We were a team now. I loved her.

I slept like shit after Bella ended our phone call. She hadn't called back like she said she would. I spent the better part of the morning trying to reach her, only to have her cell phone go straight to voice mail. It made me sick to my stomach that something could be wrong and I would have no way of knowing. I considered calling Alice to see if she had heard from Jasper, but that would only worry her. If it was nothing, then I would be jumping the gun and getting everyone worked up for no reason. Instead, I kept blowing up her phone. She had to answer eventually.

Tyler stopped by around mid morning to go over the contracts for the album. He had been skeptical at first, but eventually relented when he saw that I wasn't budging on the idea.

"It was your idea, anyway," I told him after he had all the papers sealed up to be delivered to the attorney.

"Yeah?" he questioned. "How's that?"

"Well, that night in the car, when you tried to get me back on a plane for New York, you said that we ought to consider asking Bella to play on the album."

"I said that?" Tyler asked, his face scrunched up in confusion.

I nodded. "You did. Then I got to thinking. You're kind of a dick."

"Hey!" he shouted, "I might be a dick, but I get you what you want, right?"

"True," I said with a laugh. "Anyway, when you called on Thanksgiving, I was so pissed that you pulled this shit when I was trying to enjoy a nice holiday with my family. Then it hit me. I knew once you mentioned getting Bella on board that I wanted her to be apart of the album, but as I walked into my parents dining room and I saw the faces of the others, man, the talent in that room was just bursting at the seams! I knew right then that I had to have them all in on it."

"Well, since you say that it was my idea to begin with, I'm going to take all the credit for it."

I laughed and threw a pillow from the couch in Tyler's direction. "How long do you think it will take for them to agree to everything?"

"Honestly? Man, I don't know. When I talked to the attorney's office yesterday, he's backlogged on a few cases. Being that I'm an asshole, as you say," he said with a wink, "I think I can stay on his ass long enough to get it done by Wednesday."

"Wednesday?" I asked.

"Sorry, man. Right now it's the best I can do. In the mean time, why don't we start packing up your shit? I mean, you are moving down there, right?"

"Oh yeah, I'm moving down there."

"Okay then, where do we start?"

Packing provided to be a good distraction. It didn't take my mind completely off of trying to reach Bella, but it helped a little.

It was a little after twelve when I heard my cell phone ring her signature tone. New Orleans Lady sounded throughout my apartment as I jumped across a few boxes in a hasty attempt to hear her voice.

"Thank God! I've been trying to reach you all morning!" I said instead of the customary hello.

"Well, good morning to you, too," she said in that playful tone that made me want to smack her ass. Yeah, it was early in the afternoon and I was thinking about the dirty things I could do to her.

After telling me that she had no missed calls, I told her that her coverage sucked. She laughed which made me feel better about whatever went down the night before.

"What going on, Bella? I was so worried last night. What happened?"

She sighed deeply and jumped right into explaining Jasper's back-story. I had to admit, it wouldn't have been my first guess when she told me that he had issues she didn't feel like sharing. I could see why now. Instantly I went into over protective brother mode.

"He's clean, and I believe him, but last night when I saw him standing in the alley, just like that night I caught him doing lines on that stripper's tits, I lost it. Edward, you'll never guess what he was really doing!"

I was trying to keep my anger at bay. I would not hold any of this against Jasper. I would not throw stones. We all had our issues.

"What's that?"

"You have to swear to me that you won't tell a soul."

"I promise, 'Cher."

"He was picking up your sisters engagement ring. He plans on asking her to marry him at Christmas."

I paused, letting this information digest into my system. Instead of mulling these thoughts in my head, I voiced them out loud.

"So, let me get this straight. When you and Jasper were…sleeping together," I said, feeling the bile rise in my throat, "you caught him doing blow off a stripper in a dark alley. You kicked him to the curb and called it quits. Last night, you saw him in a similar situation, but this time he was buying a ring off someone with the intentions of asking my sister to marry him?"

"Yeah, that's about it," Bella said.

After hearing it all said aloud, I burst out laughing.

"You do realize that all of this could have been solved last night if you just would have confronted him in that alley, right?"

"My mind was otherwise occupied. I'm sorry if images of you fucking me doggy style clouded my judgment."

My mind went to the one place I wanted my body to be, in her. After breaking the news that it would be Wednesday at the earliest before I would be back, I got my wish. I heard her scream out in ecstasy as I lay in bed catching my own breath.

"That was…," she trailed off, breathing deep.

"Yeah," I agreed.

"But it's not the same."

"Not at all, nothing compares to feeling you beneath me."

"I…" she started to say something but abruptly stopped.

"Yeah," I said back, because I knew what she wanted to say. She felt it. However many miles apart we were, she knew. I couldn't wait to see her again because the first thing out of my mouth was going to be those three words that said so much.

Tuesday evening was spent saying good-byes to old colleagues. Lauren and Tyler both accompanied me to the party. One would have thought that it would have been slightly weird to have your ex-girlfriend and current manager dating, but only one person played on a constant loop in my mind.

I wished that she could have been there to celebrate the ending of my time in New York. It totally wasn't her scene but that's what would have made it that much more fun.

When the night ended, Tyler, Lauren and I ended up at a small coffee shop not far from my apartment.

"The moving crew is coming in the morning to load things up," I said once we were all three seated in a booth.

"You're having your stuff driven back?" Lauren asked.

"Yeah. Don't want to chance my flat screen getting damaged on a flight. This way, I know it's all staying in one spot on the truck."

She looked at me thoughtfully for a moment. "Edward, I know that I wasn't the nicest person to your family and friends." A small laugh escaped her lips. "What can I say? I'm a New York girl. I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you, Lauren. And you're really happy with this asshole?" I asked, pointing at Tyler. "You sure he's just not some rebound?"

Tyler knew I was kidding so he brushed my comment off. "Whatever, I'm better in bed than you, anyway."

I arched my eye at him not believing that for one second. Lauren, on the other hand, confirmed what he said.

"You are pretty phenomenal," she said to Tyler.

"I'm in love with Bella," I blurted out.

Both of their heads turned to look at me. I took a swig of my coffee like saying that I loved Bella was the most natural thing in the world. It was, I thought to myself. Nothing had ever felt so good rolling off my tongue.

"Touché, Edward," Lauren said with a smile.

"You really are in love with her, aren't you?" Tyler asked.

"No offense, Lauren, but I've never felt this way about a person before."

"None taken, Edward. We're happy for you. Just don't expect us to pay you a visit anytime soon."

"Oh right, Paris. How is that going to work out anyway? How are you going to represent me if you're in Paris?"

"Oh, don't you worry about that, Ed," Tyler said with a smirk. "I'll still be able to handle everything from over there. Kind of sad I'm going to miss the benefit and the album recording, but it's worth it." He looked at Lauren and they shared a smile meant for only each other.

It was Tuesday and, at this rate, it didn't look like I was going to head home tomorrow. I needed my very own smile. I needed Bella.

Wednesday passed and there was still no word from the attorney on the papers. I had threatened Tyler that I was going to march my very unhappy ass over there and shove them up his ass if he didn't sign them soon. Tyler assured me, even though I think he only did it to shut me up, that all would work out. I was finding it very hard to believe him.

Thursday afternoon rolled around and I was at my wits end. I had called Bella to hear her voice, because it seemed she was the only one who could talk me off whatever ledge I was ready to jump from. After telling her, again, that I wasn't going to make it home, she told me, in the saddest voice I had ever heard, that she was going to have to find a replacement. As long as that replacement was for one night and one night only, I'd be all right. As long as she wasn't replacing me in her heart, I could live. Knowing that I was being replaced altogether brought me to knees. I needed to get out of this city.

My apartment had been packed and the only thing left was the suitcase I had brought with me. Everything else was on a truck, driving its way to my new home. Optimistically, I had given the driver Bella's address. I knew it was a long shot to assume that I was going to live with her, but I had to try. As soon as I got home to her, I would ask her to live with me properly. It didn't matter that I didn't have a place to call my own. I'd find one, if that's what it took.

On Friday morning, I had come to the conclusion that I was leaving New York, contracts or no contracts. I was not going to miss the benefit. At ten that morning, just as I was rolling my suitcase out of the lobby, Tyler came running down the street.

"Edward, stop," he said out of breath. "Wait, the attorney has the papers ready. If you can wait to leave for just an hour or so, you can take them back to everyone."

"I swear to God, Tyler, if you are bullshitting me, I will kick your ass."

"Can we take a cab? I just ran ten blocks and I'm tired."

We quickly hailed a taxi and drove across town to the lawyer's office. Just as Tyler had promised, all the contracts were written up and ready to be presented to the others. I grabbed the large, thick manila folder from the secretary and took off in a sprint down the hall. It was just after eleven and I had no idea when the next flight would leave. Tyler was hot on my heels as I threw myself into the elevator.

"Not in a hurry, are you?" Tyler asked. "I was thinking we could grab a drink or something to celebrate."

"Dude, if I didn't think you were kidding, I'd beat your head into the wall right now."

The elevator dinged as we reached the lobby. The lady at the front desk had been kind enough to let me leave my suitcase. The cabby was too much of an ass to stick around and wait.

I turned to face Tyler, preparing to tell him goodbye. Holding out my hand, he extended his towards me. "Thanks for being, well…,"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm an ass. Sorry it took them so long. We'll be in touch. I expect to hear all over the news how the good Doctor and his boy are causing a frenzy in the Crescent City."

I laughed and nodded. "You better believe it. We'll be in touch."

"Go get her," Tyler called out as I jumped in the first cab that stopped.

When I got to the airport, I was put on the standby list for the flight that was leaving mid afternoon. If all worked out well, I'd be arriving by the hair on my ass. Just in time to cause everyone to panic. Luckily, I was called for the flight and sat back thinking to myself, as the plane pulled into the sky, why in the hell didn't I call Bella to tell her that I was on my way?

We touched down in New Orleans at five after six. The benefit was scheduled to start at seven. Between collecting my bag, renting a car, and then driving from the airport to downtown, I would just barely make it. And that's if I didn't run into any traffic.

With my bags in hand, I called Bella's cell frantically. Over and over I called and she never answered. Of course she wouldn't. She was in the bar and I'm sure her phone was in the back. I dialed information for the number to Tizzy's.

"Tizzy's," the unfamiliar voice on the other end said. It was loud and I could barely make out at all who it could be.

"Hey, is Bella around?" I asked, even though it felt like I was screaming at him.

"Who?"

"Bella," I shouted.

"Listen brah, I can barely hear you. Can you speak up?"

"Emmett?" I asked, wondering if that was who had answered the phone.

"Nah, man. Em's onstage, the band's about to start. Listen, I can't talk, this place is crawling with people. You'll either have to come up here and find who you're looking for or call back later."

On that last note, the speaker on the phone hung up. I cursed and slammed my fists into the steering wheel. I drove like hell down the interstate until I reached the exit I needed to take me into the Quarter. I kept glancing at the time on the dashboard and my stomach knotted up every time the minutes crept closer to seven. When I finally reached the club, I sighed in relief and noted the time was six fifty-nine. Yeah, I had just barely made it. I ran to the door, shocked when I saw just how crowded it really was. With my cornet case in my hands, I opened the door and looked at the stage.

Bella had her back turned, talking to the band behind her. I pushed through the crowd, doing my damnedest for someone to see me. Bella pointed to my father, who looked up and saw me. He smiled and winked, while Bella kept her back turned. I returned the smile and rushed to the stage. Not bothering to walk the small stairs close to where the piano was, I jumped up, causing Bella to jump. She spun around, her hands drawn in a tight fist. I smiled, proud that she was ready to pounce on the asshole that had jumped the stage.

I grabbed her waist and pulled her body flush against mine. As our eyes locked, a single tear slipped from her eyes. She grabbed my shirt and pulled me to her, crashing her lips upon mine.

It didn't matter to me that we were in a bar, surrounded by tons of people. What mattered in this moment, and for the rest of my life, was the woman in my arms.

Our tongues danced a tango while everyone watched. When I was sated enough to pull away, Bella's lips were swollen and her eyes were still closed. I leaned closer and whispered into her ear.

"I love you."

She opened her eyes and smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I love you, too. But right now, I really want to kick your ass for almost giving me a heart attack."

"What can I say?" I said with a shrug, "I plan on keeping you on your toes."

We kissed again, more gently as the crowd erupted in a chorus of applause and catcalls. In my declaration of love, I failed to realize that the microphone had been on the whole time.

"I think you just told a room full of drunks that you loved me," she said, grinning from ear to ear.

"And I think you just admitted the same thing."

"We ready to play or what?" Emmett asked.

"Oh, um…Edward, this is Jacob," Bella introduced me to the man holding a cornet in his lap.

"My replacement," I said, shaking the man's hand.

"Look, I know it was intended for you to play, so I'm cool with sitting out," Jacob said.

"Don't even think about it," I said, stopping him.

"I'd much rather share the stage with my beautiful girlfriend, singing how much I love her." I pulled Bella into my side and wrapped my free arm around her waist.

We started the set off with a duet by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Tenderly, signified just how much I was going to show her how much I loved her, Tenderly, all through the night. As we sang, our eyes never left each other's. We smiled, touched each other tenderly, and loved one another through the lyrics of the song.

Jacob, my replacement, offered to sit out a few songs so that I could play. Renee took the stage for a few numbers, wooing the crowd onto their feet, while I sat back and played my horn. It felt good, being on stage with everyone. I had a feeling that this album would be more than just some odd mix of New Orleans natives laying down tracks. This would be soulful, real, and one hundred percent authentic.

In the end, we raised over ten thousand dollars for displaced musicians. My dad was going to take care of speaking to the appropriate people in order to get the money to those who needed it. After helping everyone clean up the place, Bella left with me, arm and arm toward my rental car. I took her hand in mine as we drove down the street to her place.

"Tonight was unbelievable," I said, smiling and squeezing her hand.

"It was wasn't it? I can't believe you, though. You damn near gave me heart attack! I tried calling you a million times."

"I'm guessing I was in transit. I tried calling you, too."

"It worked out, though," she said, laying her head against the back of the seat.

"It did. Everything has worked out."

"I take it things in New York went well?" she asked.

"They did. Got the contracts looked over this morning, as a matter of fact. All is good. We'll start setting up studio space to record."

"I can't believe this, Edward. You've made me so happy."

"I love you, Bella. I mean that." We had arrived at her apartment and before she could exit the car, I grabbed her face in my hands.

"I've wanted to say that to you all week," she admitted.

"Me too, 'Cher. On the phone just didn't feel right."

"I know. But now we have…forever! We can say it all the time and you never have to leave like that again."

"If I do, you're coming with me. No excuses."

"Deal," she said, kissing me gently on the nose. "Now, get me upstairs and show my just how much you missed me."

"I think I can manage that."

We stepped out of the car in a hurry, running through the building like our pants were on fire. I guess in some ways they were. When we reached the door, there was a note taped to it. Bella lifted it off the door and read it, her eyes growing bigger by the second. She smirked and held the note out to me.

"It says here that a delivery from New York is going to be made tomorrow. You want to tell me what this is about?" Her tone was playful and I imagined she had an idea as to what the delivery was about.

"Oh," I scoffed like it was no big deal. "You know…just some things of mine from my apartment in the city."

We walked inside the house, our moves calculated around one another. "What kind of things, Mr. Cullen?"

I stalked toward her, effectively trapping her against the wall. "Oh, just a few knick knacks. My TV, my clothes, maybe a few pieces of furniture."

Kissing down her neck, her breathing became labored. "Are…are you moving in with me?" she stuttered.

"I don't know? Are you asking me?" I teased, lifting her shirt over her head and trailing kisses along her stomach.

"Depends," she said, tugging on my hair. "How big is your TV?"

I stopped suddenly and gazed at her trying to gauge if she was serious or not. The look on her face told me that she was kidding. Playing along, I replied, "Oh, it's plenty big. Big enough that you'll scream so loud when a touchdown is made."

~xxx~

A/N- See? He made it back! LOL Only one more chapter to go & then the epi. Expect both to post back to back next week.