Disclaimer: The characters of Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer.

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author (Emmamama88) is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. All other characters, and the original story of Love Rescue Me are the intellectual property of Emmamama88, copyright 2010.

** I hope no one minds that I'm squeezing in these chapters between writing for V&V. Both stories are fun to write, and LRM gives me the opportunity to let you know what was going on 'behind the scenes'.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4 - A Stalker's Guide to The Olympic Peninsula

"How many guests will there be this year Mother?" I asked my Mom as I drank my coffee.

Mom was out of breath, no doubt because she'd been running from room to room preparing for this afternoon's dinner guests. "Well there's Dorothy, the Weiss family, and the Maxwells. That makes eight plus the five of us, so a total of thirteen for dinner."

"I'll be happy to see Dorothy again." I smiled thinking about Dorothy Ward. My mother had met her while doing some design work on her home years ago. Dorothy was like a breath of fresh air. There was not a pretentious bone in her body, and she always spoke her mind. "She must be over seventy by now Mom. How's her health?" I asked.

Mom stopped her busy-work to answer. "She had a mild stroke last year, but seems to have recovered beautifully. She's forced to use a cane now, so she doesn't risk the chance of falling, but you know Dorothy, she's very theatrical about it." Mom laughed. "You'll see what I mean, be careful that she doesn't poke you with it."

Mom met Dorothy the year after my grandmother died. Mom was grieving, and Dorothy became sort of a surrogate mother. She was like my grandmother in many ways, in that they shared a similar view of the world, and were fiercely devoted to their families. The differences between them though were pretty profound, stemming from the fact that Dorothy had a love of cigars and alcohol, and she cursed like a sailor.

I laughed thinking about her.

I knew who I'd be spending my time with today.

Then I thought about the other guests. Byron and Lydia Weiss were nice. They had a son who must be in college by now. The other family, the Maxwell's stood out in my memory for all the wrong reasons. Simon and Trudy were nice enough as was their younger daughter, but the oldest daughter, Simone, was a total bitch. There was no other way to put it.

I decided to leave my Mother to her madness, and went in search of my father. I found him in his study. It was really a home office, but he hated that term. "Hello there son. Did you get any breakfast?" He asked with a smile.

"Yeah Dad, I ate a while ago. How long have you been hiding up here anyway?" I smiled thinking about how my Dad always made himself scarce when we were expecting guests.

He grinned. "So you found me out? I've been here for over an hour. I learned years ago Edward that when your Mom is preparing for company, I need to stay out of the way."

It was true. If Dad showed his face, Mom would become frustrated because he wasn't helping. When, in truth, there was nothing to do. The house was immaculate, and the dinner was being catered.

A few minutes later, Jasper appeared. "Is this a private club, or can anyone join?" He asked as he stuck his head in the door.

Dad laughed. "Come on in son. Trying to escape the women?"

Jasper looked a little shook up. "Alice is helping Esme. I was just sitting on the sofa, minding my own business, thought I might watch a little television, when Alice started yelling at me."

"I still don't know what I did wrong. She grabbed the remote, shut off the TV, and told me I was making a mess." Jasper looked bewildered.

Dad and I laughed at him. "Jasper my boy, you're lucky that I'm here to impart these words of wisdom to you during your first year of marriage." Dad said sincerely. "Unlike me, you won't have to waste years figuring this out for yourself. When they get like this, the best thing you can do is hide."

Jasper eyed him suspiciously. "That's it?"

Dad nodded. "That's the easiest solution. I spent years trying to be helpful. Only to get shot down every time. Believe me, Esme likes me better when I stay out of the way."

We all laughed.

It was quite enjoyable hanging out with Jasper and Dad. We decided to watch football to pass the time.

I bet Bella's family is watching football right now.

My mind drifted off until I was thinking about the brown-eyed beauty that I wouldn't see until Monday.

Monday. Can I survive until Monday?

Just then, the door to Dad's study flew open.

"Well if it isn't the three stooges." My sister was only half-joking. "I'll have you know that you successfully avoided all the work." She said with her arms crossed over her chest.

Jasper looked scared. Dad and I just laughed. Alice rolled her eyes. "Anyway, Mom wanted me to tell you all that the guests will start to arrive in less than an hour. You need to get ready!"

At her words, we dispersed to our rooms and dressed in the clothing she'd chosen for us. Thankfully, there were no cartoon characters to be seen. Although the ties she'd picked were quite colorful.

Wanting to keep busy until I had to force myself to be cordial, I went to the music room and sat down at the piano. Knowing that it would make my mother and sister happy, I reached back into my memory and started to play 'Cantique de Noel'.

Maybe next Christmas I'll be able to play this for Bella.

"Edward, that was lovely." My mother said quietly when the song ended. "I missed that last Christmas, your playing." She continued.

"I know Mom, sorry." I said sheepishly.

"There's someone here who wants to say hello, she arrived a little early." Mom whispered.

I walked into the living room and found Dorothy sitting there, happily chatting with Alice and Jasper. She turned and spotted me standing in the doorway. "Edward, if you want me to kiss you, just say so, there's no need to loiter under the mistletoe." Dorothy said with a smile.

I looked up, and sure enough, dangling above my head was a sprig of mistletoe. I went over to Dorothy and gave her a hug. She kissed me on one cheek and patted the other. "Oh for heaven's sake, now I've left a big red smudge on your cheek." She laughed as she wiped at it. "I apologize, but I do have a weakness for whorehouse-red lip paint."

The entire family burst into laughter as Dorothy continued. "Sorry I'm here a little early, I wanted to arrive before the stiffs did."

Another round of laughter. Dorothy tolerated Trudy and Simone Maxwell only for the sake of my mother.

Before long, all the guests had arrived. I decided to forgo the cocktails for an iced tea. I noticed that Dorothy was drinking the same.

By three o'clock we were seated at the dining room table eating a delicious turkey dinner. Dorothy kept me occupied in conversation about my next movie and life in L.A.

After a while, the conversation turned to her health when I inquired about her stroke.

"This has been one big pain in my ass. I have now become one of those old ladies that has a 'pill container' laid out on the dresser with a compartment for each day of the week." She shook her head in disgust.

"I had to give up my cigars and my liquor. I'm not sure life is worth living any more." She said with a smirk, before she laughed. "Just kidding about the 'ending it' shit. Truth is that I'm on so much medication, that alcohol is a big no-no. And the cigars, what can I say? They probably helped bring on the stroke, so they're gone."

Simone tried several times to engage me in conversation. Unfortunately for her, I was an expert at avoiding the advances of grasping women. Years of experience were on my side.

I couldn't stay focused on anything though. Instead, I found myself thinking about what Isabella might be doing.

She likes to cook, I bet she's cooking a Christmas feast for her family.

Dorothy kept having to call my attention back to our conversation.

While speaking with her, she told me in a whisper that she was going to fake exhaustion soon after dessert, so that I could offer to drive her home. That way I could escape without upsetting my parents, and she could get away from the Maxwells.

It all played out beautifully. However, just as I went to grab the keys to the Vanquish, Alice stopped me. "You should drive Dad's Mercedes. The Vanquish sits a little low, it's difficult for Dorothy to get into. Also, the Mercedes is less conspicuous."

Why would that matter?

"I'll let Dad know you're taking it. Also, Edward, you're going to want to change into comfortable clothes." For once I didn't argue with Alice. I couldn't believe she was actually suggesting I wear my jeans and hoodie.

I hope she's not coming down with something.

After I changed clothes, I headed toward the garage. Once again Alice was waiting. "Here." She said as she handed me a folded piece of paper. "Read this after you drop Dorothy off." She looked into my eyes, a serious expression on her face. "It's important. Don't come home before you've read it."

Alice is acting very strangely. Even more so than usual.

Once in the car, Dorothy started to grill me. "So what's going on Edward?" She asked. "You haven't been yourself all afternoon. Even if you didn't enjoy my company, being as good an actor as you are, you could have at least faked it." She grinned.

"I'm so sorry Dorothy. I admit it, I've been very distracted, I'm having a hard time focusing." I told her.

"You've obviously got something or someone on your mind. I've never seen you like this."

I sighed in defeat. "Yeah, I met someone. I'm pretty sure that she thinks I'm a bastard though." I said despondently.

Dorothy laughed. "Most of the world thinks you're a bastard Edward. Of course those of us who know the real you don't. I guess your job is to change her opinion."

"That's what everyone tells me." I sighed. "I think I'm losing my mind. We truly only met like three days ago, and I can't stop thinking about her."

"And you wish you could see her right now don't you?" She asked.

"Nothing would make me happier." I admitted.

"Where is she?"

"About three hours away, she went to her Dad's for Christmas." I replied sadly.

"Edward, I've been around a long time and been through a lot. What you're talking about is 'love at first sight'. It does exist. And that's coming from the most cynical bitch you're probably ever going to meet." She laughed.

"My first husband was a no good, rotten, son of a bitch. He was cruel to me in every way you can imagine. But, he gave me a beautiful daughter, and because of that, I can forgive him."

She paused, thinking. "At one time, I actually thought I loved him. Years later, after we divorced, I met Roy. My heart knew immediately that he was the one for me. It took my brain a little while to catch up." She laughed again. "If I had given up on love because of my first marriage, I'd have missed a hell of a lot. He could never give me more children, but it didn't matter. He was enough."

"So, if you know where she is, go see her." She said matter-of-factly.

I was stunned. Go see her?

"Look it's up to you, but if it makes you feel better, I'd do it. You don't even have to let her know you're there, if you're just doing surveillance." She grinned conspiratorially. "Just don't be a peeping tom, and don't get arrested." She laughed.

We had arrived at Dorothy's house and I exited the car to help her get out. Just then Suzanne, Dorothy's housekeeper came out to greet us.

"Suzanne, you're supposed to be having dinner with your kids." Dorothy snapped.

"I already did you bossy thing. I had a feeling you'd come home early, so I came back. Besides, I've got lots of time to spend with my children once your sorry behind leaves tomorrow." She answered.

I laughed. They were always like this.

Dorothy turned to me. "That reminds me. I'm sorry to say that I won't see you any more during your visit Edward. I'm flying to Florida tomorrow, spending the winter with my daughter and her family. I'm curious to see how all this turns out with you."

Me too Dorothy.

"That's okay, I'll keep in touch with your Mom." She patted my arm and hugged me. "I'm not kissing you this time stud. It wouldn't do if your girlfriend were to see you, and you had another woman's lip prints on your cheek." She winked.

I laughed again and got back in the car. I just sat there, not knowing what to do next.

My girlfriend. My God I liked the sound of that.

My phone buzzed with an incoming text.

The paper I gave you has the Swan's address on it. Use the GPS and be careful.

-A

Alice knew I would be thinking about driving to Forks? She knew I was going to spy on Bella?

Although, if I went it wouldn't be to spy necessarily. I just need to see her again. Monday is too long to wait.

I programmed the address into the GPS.

If I do this would I go up to the door and knock? Or would I just watch her from a distance?

What the hell am I thinking? If I do this thing I would be a stalker, and I would be certifiably insane.

I started driving toward Forks.

My phone buzzed again.

Don't get arrested.

-A

Why does everyone think I'm going to get arrested?

During the entire drive, I argued with myself about the completely insane thing that I was doing. When my rational, logical side would start to win, I could feel the car begin to slow as I searched for a good spot to turn around.

Every time I did this though, an image of Bella's face would flash unbidden before my eyes, and I would immediately step on the gas and roar down the highway continuing on my path of insanity.

Once I was more than halfway to Forks, the mental interruptions became fewer, and by the time I reached 'The City of Forks Welcomes You' sign, my rational side gave up the fight altogether.

I was in Forks. I was in Bella's hometown. I had officially taken leave of my senses.

Not ready to face her house just yet, I decided to drive around the town. Because it was Christmas Day, well actually Christmas night now, all the stores were closed. I saw a coffee shop, closed. I saw a shopping center which housed the Olympic Outfitters and the Thriftway, closed.

I started driving down the side streets, all the while the GPS was barking at me to turn right or left, trying to force me toward the Swan house. I ignored it.

I drove past the police station and chuckled to myself.

I guess that's where they'll take me when I get arrested.

I drove past Forks High School.

That's where Bella went to school.

I drove past a motel called the 'Pacific Inn'.

Good to know for later, in case I'm too tired to make it home.

My stalking knew no bounds.

I turned the Mercedes around and started to drive down another side street when I suddenly saw flashing lights in the rear-view mirror. A police car was behind me, and signaling that I should pull over.

Shit! I'm going to be arrested!

No way. I didn't do anything illegal. Did I? Honestly, I'd been so engrossed in my thoughts of Bella and the town she called home that I could have been driving on the wrong side of the street for all I knew.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. ….and Fuck.

"License and registration please." The deputy said in a monotone voice.

I handed them over. "Mr. Cullen is it? I see that your name is Edward, is this Carlisle a relative?"

"Yes sir, that's my Dad."

Oh fuck why am I so nervous? My hands are shaking. Get a grip Edward.

"I'll be right back." He said as he took my license and the registration back to the squad car.

He returned a few minutes later, obviously aware of my impeccably clean driving record. The deputy studied me for a couple of minutes. "Mr. Cullen do you know why I stopped you?"

I have no fucking clue. Unless you can read my mind and know that I'm a stalker.

"No sir, I don't." I answered politely. My voice cracked like a thirteen year old boy's.

"I stopped you because you seemed to be driving erratically. I've been following you for a couple of miles."

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit...and Shit.

"Oh, I apologize. I was just looking around the town." I whimpered out. "My girlfriend lives here?" I said it as a question.

Because she's not my fucking girlfriend.

I am such a tool. Bella would be within her rights to file charges against me.

The deputy gave me a strange look. "Mr. Cullen, I need to ask if you've ingested any illegal substances today?"

I was horrified. "No, of course not." I replied sincerely.

He eyed me closely. "Have you by any chance been drinking?"

"No, definitely not." I replied adamantly.

"Are you sure? It is a holiday after all. Sometimes these things happen." He was trying to get a confession out of me.

He's probably pissed because he had to work the holiday.

"No sir, I would never get behind the wheel of a car after drinking." I tried to be forceful with my answer, but failed miserably.

"Uhuh." He muttered, not believing me for a minute. "How about medications? Are you taking any medications?"

What the fuck? Is this guy going to give me an anal probe while we're at it?

I gritted my teeth. "No sir. Nothing of the kind. I was just driving around. I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention to what I was doing."

The deputy pursed his lips. "Okay, I'm going to let you go Mr. Cullen." He cleared his throat. "I noticed that the address on your license says California." He looked a little nervous now. "Did anyone ever tell you that you look just like that actor, Edward Masen?"

Oh for the love of …..he's a fan. I can't be honest with him, not this time, this incident can never get back to Bella.

"Yeah, I get that sometimes." I stated coolly.

"Well, I'll let you be on your way, have a good rest of your holiday Mr. Cullen."

I'm kind of thinking he didn't believe me, but I'm thankful he didn't arrest me.

I finally swallowed down the last of my nerves and pulled out onto the street. This time I obeyed the GPS, and drove to the Swan residence.

By this time, it was after nine. I drove down the little street where Bella lived as a child, stopping in front of a small house. I think it was white, but it was difficult to tell in the darkness.

I parked across the street, and turned off the lights. Knowing that I'd never have the nerve to approach the front door, I discovered that I was satisfied just to watch.

I saw several people standing in what must be the living room. A couple of them were putting on their coats.

Then I saw her. She was even more beautiful than I remembered from two days ago. It looked like she was saying goodbye to some guests.

Suddenly, as I sat there, the front door opened. Several people filed out of the house. I felt pretty sure that no one could see me in the darkness of my parking spot, but I huddled down in the seat just to be sure.

A middle-aged couple were being walked to their truck by a man who looked to be in his forties with brown hair.

That must be Bella's father.

A big, young, good-looking guy with dark hair came out of the house then.

Who the hell is that guy?

I had a sudden fear that Bella possibly did have a boyfriend. My heart started to sink into my stomach. I was such a fool.

Emmett walked the young guy to the truck, and said goodbye. I could see that Bella was still in the house. She never came to the door or outside.

So the man and woman were obviously the guy's parents. They're probably family friends. Just like the ones at my parents' house today. That makes sense.

I watched Bella as she happily chatted with an elderly gentleman. He was wearing a collar so he was either a priest or minister. He stayed for quite a while. I continued to catch glimpses of Bella through the window as she laughed now and then.

I can't hear her laughter, but her smile is breathtaking.

A little while later the minister or priest left. This time Bella did come out on the porch to wave.

He obviously means more to her than the young guy does.

This made me feel more at ease. I continued to catch glimpses of her as she went through the rooms downstairs, straightening up. I could also see Rose and Emmett helping. I cringed thinking about what Bella's entire family would do to me if they knew I was sitting out here.

I really need to go back to Dr. Gould's.

A few minutes later, all the downstairs lights were turned off, and I knew Bella was preparing for bed.

I wonder which window upstairs is her's?

Since I pussied out of speaking to her in person, I decided that I couldn't leave without talking to her somehow. I wrote her a text.

B-

Here's hoping all of your Christmas wishes came true. Sweet dreams, beautiful Bella.

-E

O shit. I hope she doesn't think it's creepy that I know she's getting ready for bed right now.

When my phone buzzed with an incoming text a moment later, I was shocked.

E-

Thank you Edward. I hope that you got everything you wanted for Christmas as well.

I'm looking forward to seeing you again, I enjoy your company very much.

-B

The warmth of feeling that washed over me was incredible. Little did she know that what I really wanted was her.

B-

When I see you again, I hope to show how much I value your company.

As for getting what I wanted, there are officially 'twelve' days of Christmas, and I hope to get what I really want before that time is up.

I miss your beautiful smile.

-E

I started the car and drove away into the darkness.

Realizing that I was too tired to make the more than three hour trek back to Mom and Dad's, I decided to stay at the motel I'd seen when I'd arrived in Forks.

I heard my phone buzz with a text.

See? The Vanquish would have drawn too much attention. There's a packed bag behind your seat. I'll explain to Mom and Dad. Get some rest. Love you.

-A

As Alice promised, I found a bag behind my seat containing toiletries and a change of clothing. I really must do something special for my sister after all of this.

Because of the late hour, the hotel manager was half asleep when I rang the bell to check-in. Thankfully this worked to my benefit when she didn't recognize me.

I couldn't help the overwhelming feeling of satisfaction I felt knowing that all of my out of character behavior today had been worth it.

As I felt sleep overtake me, I thought about what a complete disaster this day could have been.

Bella can never find out what a freak I've been today. Well, maybe I'll tell her years from now…..

My mind was filled with images of Bella from tonight, her radiant beauty, her shy smile. I was grateful to know that less than two miles away she slept in the quiet comfort and safety of her childhood home.

*****************************************A/N***************************************

A/N So one of 'original Edward's' personality traits from the Twilight series on full display. Edward as Bella's stalker. I couldn't very well let him climb in her window, he is only human after all. Also, I didn't relish the thought of what Rose, Emmett and Charlie would do to the poor boy.

Love me some Stalkerward.

Hope you liked it. I'm back to writing the next chap of V&V. More LRM after that.

Let me know what you think, it encourages and inspires me, resulting in faster updates! Thanks to all of you.