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.
**There's a distinct possibility that Emmett fried my brain. I wrote and re-wrote this chap twice. I'm okay with it now. Author's note at bottom
********************************LRM************************
Chapter 6 - A Glimpse of the Past For The Hopeful
Isabella likes green, I thought as I put my green sweater over my button down shirt. Jeans and a sweater would send a message that this is a casual dinner, not work-related.
Perfect.
It had been so long since I'd been on a date, I wasn't sure how to act.
This isn't a date. No, not yet. But it sure feels like one.
Should I bring something? Wine? Flowers? Jewelry?
Jewelry? I'm a fucking idiot.
That is the Isabella Swan effect. Since the day I met her, almost a week ago, I've had a difficult time focusing on anything else. And, as evidenced by my stalking excursion to Forks, common sense has eluded me.
My phone rang just as I tried to clear the fog in my brain with thoughts of something, anything, other than Bella. It was a lost cause.
"Hi Dad."
"Hello Son." My father said and then cleared his throat. "Um I'm supposed to remind you about dinner tomorrow night." He said very formally.
I laughed. "She doesn't give up does she?" I asked him.
Dad laughed too. "No, your mother is quite tenacious." He paused for a moment. "Anything new happening with you?" He asked hesitantly.
I knew what he wanted to hear. In many ways, Dad was just as bad as Mom when it came to worrying about me. I learned a long time ago that my parents' happiness depended a great deal upon their children's happiness. Over the years, I'd become an expert in deception, in order to hide from them how truly miserable I was.
Ever since they'd learned of my interest in Isabella, they'd been pinning all their hopes on some kind of relationship developing there.
I had to admit that they weren't alone.
"I'm having dinner at Isabella's apartment tonight." I knew I was smiling like an idiot at the thought, and was thankful my father couldn't see my face.
"Is that right?" I could tell he was pleased. "So you two are seeing each other now?"
"We just want to get to know each other Dad. I can't push Isabella into anything with me. There are issues in California that need to be resolved first." I sighed.
"Son, don't beat yourself up about all that. You did what you thought was right at the time. We all make errors in judgment. They are called 'learning experiences'. The key is to not make the same mistakes again. Learn from them and move on."
This is why I loved speaking with my Dad. He was so logical, his emotions didn't get in the way of his clear thinking. It was the doctor in him that made him that way. He could always keep a cool head in the midst of a crisis.
"Thanks Dad." I took a deep breath and glanced at the time. "As for tomorrow night, tell Mom that I'm not sure yet. I probably won't know until sometime tomorrow. I'll call her when I do."
That was the best I could offer right now. I didn't want to scare Isabella away.
I said goodbye to Dad, and proceeded to pace my hotel suite until it was time to leave for dinner.
Sidney parked the car, and I waited until five minutes before six to enter Bella's building. I reached her door precisely on time.
We both found it amusing that we were dressed similarly. Well, she found it amusing, I just enjoyed watching her smile. I loved that she opted for casual instead of trying to 'impress' me.
Her apartment was exactly as I had expected. Feminine, but not frilly. Clean, but a little cluttered with tokens of her many interests. Her love of reading was evident in the display of books and bookshelves in her living room.
In her little dining area, the tulips I sent were positioned beneath a beautiful oil painting of, what I assumed to be, her parents' wedding day.
As we sat close together on Isabella's sofa after eating the delicious dinner she'd prepared, I couldn't help but be amazed that she seemed to enjoy our time together as much as I did.
Just like this morning, our conversation flowed as if we'd known each other for years instead of only a week. We talked about our extended families for a bit, before the conversation turned back to Bella's life before her mother's death.
She attempted to apologize for the melancholy shift in our talk from earlier today, but I wouldn't hear of it.
"Bella please don't worry about that. I want to know everything about you. I know it probably sounds crazy, and I've only known you a few days, but you've been on my mind a lot. I find myself worrying about you when we're not together."
Damn it, why when I'm in her presence do I revert to being an infatuated fourteen year old boy with a talent for putting my foot in my mouth?
"I'm sorry, I know I must sound like a freak." I chuckled to hide my nervousness.
Isabella is probably used to guys trying to sweep her off her feet with grand gestures. I must be quite a disappointment.
"I understand Edward. I thought it was just me, but you've been on my mind a lot also. I think I'd like to become friends, if that's okay with you? I don't have many friends."
Instead of tossing me from her apartment, as I deserved after practically admitting my obsession, she confessed to thinking about me too, and offered friendship.
"I'd love to be your friend Bella." I wanted to choke on those words. They were difficult to say because I knew friendship would never be enough.
Jasper's words came back to me then, and his sincere suggestion that I take the three days to get to know Isabella and decide if I wanted something more than friendship.
I laughed inwardly realizing that it had taken exactly one day.
One day.
The more time we spent together, the more I never wanted to be apart from her. Now, sitting close to her in her little apartment, I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her. I knew if I did that, I'd want nothing more than to kiss her. I had been compiling a list in my head of all the other things I wanted to do with her.
But, we were friends.
"Also, I think I'd like to try to share some of the things that happened to me, who knows, maybe it will help." She said quietly.
As my friend, Bella then proceeded to tell me some of the details of being the collateral damage of her mother's fucked up decisions.
She sat there with her arms wrapped around herself, prompting me to try to comfort her in some way.
She became visibly upset when she began to speak of her mother's relationship with a man named Jeff. By her description, it became clear that their move back to Arizona from Florida was made in an effort to distance themselves from this Jeff.
"She dated him for about a year, then she left him and moved us back to Phoenix, where we'd lived the first year after she divorced Charlie."
"She never told me why she left Jeff. Within six months, she met Phil. He thought the world of her, and was very good to both of us. I believe they would have married if…"
I held her hand in both of mine in a comforting gesture, enjoying the same familiar electric spark from before, as she told me about Jeff finding them, and her mother dying.
I held her close to me when she broke down in sobs. "Oh Bella, I wish I could make it go away. I would do anything to be able to do that for you." I felt useless.
From the things she told me, I had to assume Jeff , that piece of shit who needs to drown in a pool of his own vomit, killed her mother.
"Edward, if you didn't already figure it out, I'll just tell you. I'm broken. I don't know if I'll ever work right. I witnessed things that nobody, much less a fifteen year old child, should ever see or hear." She whispered.
When she listed her many injuries and showed me the scars on her wrists, I almost crumbled under that weight of my sorrow for the young girl who had lost so much.
"After that night, I can't stand to have anything around my wrists. I don't wear a watch or bracelets." She continued in a whisper.
"My God Bella, what did he do to you?" I couldn't hide my alarm. The question kept playing over and over in my mind, like a broken record. I honestly don't know what I thought had happened in Bella's past, but I didn't expect this.
"My mother saved me before he could physically damage me too much. But that doesn't mean I'm not ruined. I fear I'll never be normal. Some days that thought kills me Edward, it literally sucks me down into the blackness and my will alone isn't enough to pull me out."
Somehow her mother had saved her life. I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of what she must have gone through, and even sicker with the realization that she might have been killed that day.
I knew for a fact that I would be haunted by the thought of what she may have suffered until she could tell me the rest of her story.
Bella's depression in the years following her mother's death was something I could relate to. I had been in that grey and barren place before myself. Our experiences were different, yes, but the ways we coped, or didn't cope, were similar.
"If I hadn't had my family, I would not have made it. I think now you can understand my closeness to Rose and Emmett, and why they are a bit overprotective." Her sad smile broke my heart.
I tightened my hold on her "I do understand completely Bella. Please don't feel that you have to explain all this to me right now. I don't want to add to your pain."
"I feel compelled to tell you this Edward."
I was floored when she told me that I was the only man, outside of family and close friends, that had been able to touch her without a negative response.
"Edward, I don't know why, but I feel safe with you."
She felt safe with me. With those simple words, Isabella had succeeded in melting what was left of my frozen heart. I wanted to be the one to protect her. I wanted to be the one she confided in.
I didn't know if there would be any coming back from this for me. The cold bastard that used to be Edward Masen, appeared to have checked out, possibly never to return.
I stared at the marks on her wrists.
I wonder when I will have the courage to show her my scars?
Wanting to comfort and reassure her, I kissed the scars on both wrists, "I promise to never hurt you Bella." I whispered into her ear.
She and her family had been to hell and back. They were each others' support. I was beginning to understand their relationship. It all started to make perfect sense to me now. Even her parish priest back in Forks, part of Bella's 'inner circle', had played a vital role in her recovery.
"I had moved back to Forks in May of my freshman year of high school. Charlie made arrangements with the school to allow me to do my lessons at home for the remainder of that school year. I'm a very dedicated student, so I kept up with the classes easily."
Another parallel in out lives. I finished that school year from home also, before escaping to my new life in California.
"By September, my emotional state had improved enough to attend school. After I graduated, I moved here for college, and you already know the rest."
I thought about everything she had just told me.
"Bella, I don't know what to say" I admitted.
"Edward, why don't we talk about you for a while?" I could tell that she was tired.
"No, this is your day. We can talk about me another day." I used every bit of my skill as an actor to pull off a smile.
My basic insecurity, which flared up only when I was around Bella, reared its ugly head and forced me to ask the stupidest question of the day.
"I know what you just said about men, but you had to have had a boyfriend in high school or college, Bella. You're so beautiful, I can't imagine that no nice guys pursued you" My statement was true, but as soon as the words left my mouth, I felt like an asshole that just wanted the details of her romantic past.
Congratulations dickhead. What a way to show your sensitivity, after Bella just shared so many agonizing details of her past with you.
She shook her head, "No Edward. I couldn't stand it if any boys got too close to me. I would have flashbacks to that terrible day. Dating for me, was never an option."
Being angry with myself didn't change the fact that I was desperately happy inside when she admitted to never having had a boyfriend.
I'm a fucking Neanderthal. I could never deserve her.
"Some guys in high school tried to ask me out. I never said yes, so after a while, and with the help of my very public meltdowns, they stopped asking."
"Eventually, even the girls stopped talking to me. I never even told my family about that."
"It's been better in college, but I also became an expert at keeping my shield in place. I don't put myself in a position to be asked out. It's quite easy if you apply yourself." She smiled.
I had to chuckle. "Oh Bella, I definitely know something about that."
It was true, I'd become an expert at avoiding sexual advances. But there was no way for Bella to know this.
"Bella, you say it's different with me?"
"Yes, with you I haven't had any of my usual reactions. It's almost like I'm normal when I'm with you."
This lit a flame of hope in my heart that maybe, just maybe, she'd be willing to try a relationship with me.
"Do you think you could date me?" I held my breath as I waited for her answer.
""That depends Edward."
"On what?"
"You would have to understand that I wouldn't share."
She wouldn't share.
If she only knew. She'd never have to share not now, not ever.
I smiled genuinely this time. "Oh Bella, I wouldn't expect you to want anything less."
I had to fight back the urge to kiss her. The desire had been there from the first day, but it had never been this strong. Instead, I kept my outward cool as I reassured her.
"Bella, I can't explain everything to you now, but I promise I will soon. For now, I need you to believe me when I say that I'm not dating anyone. I have no girlfriend." This was the most I could tell her right now.
I knew that I needed to see Tanya face-to-face in order to explain things to her. This wasn't a conversation to be had over the phone. There were several reasons for this, first of all it was too impersonal. Tanya needed to see that I was sincere. My second reason was that phone calls are intercepted all the time, and I didn't want to run the risk of the details of this particular conversation being leaked to the press prematurely. The third issue had to do with Felix. For at least a year, he's wanted to quit working for me, but Tanya was the hold-up. The façade we'd created was always the number one priority with Tanya.
Bella's voice pulled me from my thoughts "I can't wait to have that talk Edward."
This evening had been a turning point in my relationship with Bella and, after tonight there would be no going back.
-V&V-
Back at my hotel suite, I tried to relax before going to bed, but my mind wouldn't stop replaying the evening over in my head.
There was a song stuck in my head, and I needed to add it to my 'Bella' play list. Knowing that my presence helped ease her pain, I was filled with a resolve to do everything I could to help her heal completely. I needed to do that for her, and for me.
When you try your best, but you don't succeed, When you get what you want, but not what you need,
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep, Stuck in reverse.
And the tears come streaming down your face, When you lose something you can't replace,
When you love someone, but it goes to waste, Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home, And ignite your bones,
And I will try to fix you.
Tears stream down on your face, When you lose something you cannot replace,
Tears stream down on your face, And on your face I...
Lights will guide you homeAnd ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Hopefully someday she'd be able to think of her mother without reliving the pain and sorrow of that horrible day.
Isabella had confided so much in me tonight, not only her past, but she also hinted at her feelings for me. I knew that sometime soon I would need to be just as honest with her about my past.
Soon, but when exactly?
That remained to be seen. I was certain that I would know when the time was right.
I may not have known when I would tell Bella my story, but there was one thing I was sure of. After a week of mental confusion resulting in many incidents of out-of-character behavior for me. One word summed up the feelings that I had for Bella.
Love
I was in love with Isabella Swan.
-V&V-
The next morning, I had just slipped on my boxers after taking a shower, when I heard a knock at my door.
Knowing it was too early for Isabella to be here yet, I looked through the peephole. The concierge was waiting in the hall.
I covered my state of partial undress with a bathrobe, and answered the door.
"Yes?" was my curt but polite address.
I watched as the concierge blatantly checked me out without even attempting to answer my question. She smirked and played with the button on her blouse while taking a seductive stance.
Here we go.
"Is there something you need?" I was a little hostile this time.
She must not have even noticed the tone of my voice, because she gave me a sultry smile before reaching out to place her hand on my chest. I took a step back before she made contact.
"Let me help you gather your thoughts, Julia. You must have important business to discuss with me if you are knocking on my door at eight in the morning. Either get to your business, or be on your way, because I can assure you that if you attempt to touch me again or attempt any other type of behavior that I deem as anything other than professional, I will phone the owner of this hotel and inform them. I'm fairly certain that things would end badly for you."
Thank God I didn't lost the 'asshole persona' completely. Maybe it only disappears around Isabella.
As for the concierge, while I spoke her face reddened, before losing color altogether. She blurted out a stilted apology, and handed me a stack of correspondence that she'd been holding.
"Um, Mr. Masen, here this was delivered for you."
I leafed through the stack. It was the mail that had been forwarded to the hotel from my home.
"Julia, there's a week's worth of mail here, why wasn't it delivered sooner."
She flushed, and then smiled. "You were gone for a few days, and I wanted to make sure that you received it."
"I still don't see why it couldn't have been left in the room, but be that as it may, I've got it now. I ask that in future, whether I'm here or not, the mail needs to be left on the desk in my suite." I ordered.
"Now if that's all, I'd like to get ready for my day."
I saw her eyes glimmer once more as she glanced down at my robe-clad body and licked her lips.
I raised an eyebrow and scowled in warning.
Her posture changed abruptly then, and any thoughts she may have had of resuming her inappropriate behavior seemed to vanish.
Finally.
After finding out that Bella was on vacation from work and school until the fourth of January, I decided to change my return flight to Los Angeles until then in order to, hopefully, spend more time with her.
I set Isabella to work changing my flight arrangements, and rescheduling the meetings I would miss by going home later.
I sat in the living room, attempting to read a script that Jasper thought I'd be interested in. He had read the book and really liked it, and after reading the script, he assured me that the scriptwriter had remained true to the story. That was all well and good, but meant nothing to me at this point, because I couldn't comprehend two words of what I was reading. I was too busy surreptitiously watching Bella, hoping she wouldn't catch me.
I could watch her all day.
I gave up trying to read the script altogether, opting to just fake it instead. She was opening the mail and biting her lower lip while concentrating on what she was reading. I was still mesmerized by her lips when she began to twist a piece of hair around her fingers.
Please don't play with your hair.
Isabella was so sexy without even realizing it. Maybe it was just me that she affected this way. I didn't care, I only knew that she was the first woman I've wanted to drag into the bedroom and…..
Fuck, I have to stop thinking about that. I need to get my dick under control. I'm beginning to forget what a hot shower feels like as it is.
Suddenly, Bella's eyes widened in surprise as she read.
"Is everything alright Isabella?" I tried to hide my amusement at the expression on her face.
"Well, yeah, but you've got a wedding invite here for Sylvia McGuire and Mark Sargent. I'm amazed that they've been able to keep their relationship secret."
Oh Isabella, if you only knew the truth about Hollywood, you'd be shocked. She's as naïve as I was when I first arrived there.
She seemed intrigued as I explained how Sylvia and Mark had made a deal with People magazine to cover their wedding. Everything was being done on their terms.
If Isabella and I were to marry, I'd like to manage the media the same way.
Whoa. Marriage? I really need to get a grip.
She looked apprehensive when she asked if I'd be attending the wedding. I couldn't understand why that would make her worry.
I wonder if she would consider attending with me? That would be a nice thing for friends to do wouldn't it?
When I told her I was thinking of asking someone to go with me, I guessed at the source of her worry.
Is it even possible that Isabella is afraid I will take someone else? God I hope so.
"Bella, would you consider going with me?" I asked her.
Why would I expect her to agree to that? It's too soon Edward.
"Um, Edward, I don't know how to answer that."
Maybe by the time it gets here, she'll want to go with me.
"Put me down with a plus one anyway. Maybe I'll be able to talk you into it by then." Deciding to remain hopeful, I winked at her.
By then, she will know everything. Which may be a bad thing.
Hopeful Edward. Hopeful.
-V&V-
A little while later, Christopher arrived for my fitting. He kept Bella entertained for the better part of two hours with tales of he and Alice in college.
I really enjoyed spending time with Chris. Especially when he was annoying Jasper. If Jasper only knew that I was partially responsible for that, he'd have my ass.
It all started a couple of years ago. Jasper has always tried to convey the image of being a dignified, unaffected, serious type of guy. Alice, Chris and I believed that Jasper needed to loosen up because he took himself way too seriously.
Chris has never hidden the fact that he has a big crush on Jazz. As soon as Alice and I realized that Chris's simple compliments and little remarks could rattle Jazz, we encouraged Chris to take every opportunity to annoy and embarrass the shit out of him, while we sat back and laughed our asses off.
I never wanted Jasper to know about my involvement in any of it. He was a cold, calculating motherfucker, just like his Father, and I was certain he'd find a way to exact revenge and make it look like an accident.
When Bella excused herself to the bathroom, I pulled out my cell and made a quick call to Alice.
"Hello brother dear" She answered.
"Hey, I need a favor." I spoke in almost a whisper
As usual, Alice knew what I needed before I asked.
"You want me to convince Bella to go with you to the wedding in Aspen." She answered. "Piece of cake Edward." She chirped.
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks Alice."
"Jasper and I are on our way to take you guys to lunch. We'll be there soon. I'll bring it up then."
Hands down, the best sister on earth.
"You are the best Ali." I smiled.
"Yeah? You're not so bad either." She answered. "Most of the time." She added with a chuckle.
Before Bella came out of the bathroom, Chris quietly told me that I'd be a fool if I ever let her get away.
I had to agree.
Soon after Chris was finished with the fitting, Alice and Jasper arrived.
We chatted with them and Chris for a few minutes, and Bella was made aware of my sister's psychic abilities.
I was relieved when she didn't seem bothered by it.
Chris started saying his goodbyes, and I waited to see what he would do to Jazz. Chris didn't disappoint.
"I see you're still wearing those cowboy boots Jazz. Just remember that my offer still stands." And then he winked at Jasper.
I wonder what that means?
Jasper reacted the way he always did, gasping for air and scoping out a way to escape. Alice grinned at Chris, who chuckled in answer.
Chris then said goodbye to Bella and I, "Edward, always a pleasure to see you. You're drool worthy on screen, and even more so in person."
I laughed and shook his hand while patting his shoulder.
"And Bella" he said as he took her hand. "You are truly a gem, I am so glad to have met you, sweetheart." He then placed a light kiss on my beautiful Bella's hand.
I loved seeing Bella interact with my friends and family.
I noticed that she didn't pull away from Chris.
"Well folks, I must dash. Being in a room with this many gorgeous people is starting to make me hyperventilate." Chris said as he headed out the door.
I asked about the 'boots' reference Chris made, and laughed again when Alice explained it. "A couple of months ago, Chris told Jazz, and I quote: 'Jasper, you can park your boots under my bed any time.'." And then she exploded into laughter soon joined by Bella and myself.
Jasper just looked uncomfortable.
-V&V-
Later, as we ate lunch at a little bistro around the corner from my hotel, I was, once again extremely thankful for my sister.
"So, you got your invitation to Mark and Sylvia's wedding?" It was more of a statement rather than a question from Alice.
"Bella, I hope you'll decide to go with us." She stated to a flustered Bella.
"So, you and Jasper are attending?" She asked.
"I wouldn't miss it, Sylvia and Mark are two of my best clients, and I designed the wedding gown." Alice smiled.
"We are all going, Edward will rent a suite for everyone, so you'll have your own room. There's no need to feel awkward about it."
Yes! Once again my sister proves her brilliance.
"Well, I guess if Edward really wants me to, I can come."
I am a lucky man.
"Really?" Alice squealed.
I'm also going to be a deaf man if Alice doesn't tone it down.
"Sugar, I'd suggest you bring your enthusiasm down just a notch. I'm afraid Edward may have all kinds of unwanted attention as it is already." Jasper smiled at my sister.
I looked around and noticed about three tables of customers looking our way, a far smaller number than I was used to.
This Aspen trip is a dream come true. I'll be able to get to know Bella better before her visit to California.
The next part of my interview with Rosalie was to take place at the Washington Park Arboretum. It had been years since I'd been there, and I barely remembered it.
Upon our arrival, I immediately went to the makeup chair. The crazy makeup artist was back, dressed for Halloween or a hooker's convention, take your pick.
Bella left to get coffee and, presumably, that was all it took for Camille to lose all pretense of professionalism. As she started on my makeup she proceeded to tell me all about her plastic surgery.
I tuned her out as I thought about how to ask Bella to come to my parents' house for dinner tonight. Suddenly, I realized that the crazy chick was pulling my hand toward her half unbuttoned shirt.
Was she trying to make me touch her tits? What. The. Fuck. ?
I wrenched my hand away from hers, and rocketed out of the chair. I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of Isabella, but I was mad as Hell.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I yelled.
The crazy chick just smirked and moved closer. "Eddie, you know you want it. We could have a very good time together. After your interview, ditch the little whiny bitch, and we can get out of here together. I know Swan can't be satisfying your needs. Why waste your time with that when you can have this."
Then she started to unbutton her blouse more.
My life is so fucked-up. Every woman I meet believes me to be a man-whore, and I have no one to blame but myself.
"Stop right there." I was so angry. "First of all, don't you ever speak of Isabella that way again. She's ten times the woman you are, and you're a complete fucking idiot if you think I'd ever choose someone like you over her." I fumed.
She started walking closer as I crossed my arms across my chest, daring her to touch me.
Just then, Bella reappeared and immediately caught on that something wasn't right.
Camille stopped when she spied Bella approaching.
"What's going on?" Bella asked me.
"Bella, I'm sorry, but I'm not comfortable with her touching me." I was done with this shit. I could do the interview without makeup.
"She decided she couldn't live without my opinion of her breast augmentation surgery! She told me as much, and before I realized what was happening, she was unbuttoning her shirt and pulling my hand towards her…ugh, I can't even say anymore." I didn't want Bella's innocent ears to be exposed to what just happened.
"Camille, I need you to come with me." Bella was pissed. It was such a turn-on.
I watched as she walked Camille over to where Rose was speaking with her producer.
I caught a few words of Bella's explanation, "several remarks….sexual nature….inappropriate behavior…..she be replaced… Stifler's mom here…
That part made me laugh out loud.
"…tried to flash Edward…her diseased tits."
She's like an angry little kitten.
From where I stood, I was able to hear every word of Rose's response.
"I can't deal with you as I would like right now because that would be illegal." she seethed. "You need to pack up your shit, right now, and go. I'll leave it up to Wally here and the station manager to decide if you have a job at all after today, but you will never work on any of my segments again you classless bitch."
The crazy chick ran away, as did the producer, just before I saw Rose and Bella begin to laugh hysterically.
I smirked and shook my head while watching the two of them. Bella's laughter was the most beautiful sound in my world.
She owns me. I've known her a week, and she owns me.
*********************************A/N************************
A/N Song cred: 'Fix You' by Coldplay.
When you read the next installment of V&V, it will be helpful to have read LRM through chapter 5. Aren't you glad you did?
I hope everyone is enjoying this. It helps me purge Edward's constant inner monologue from my head. I also get to see Bella from his perspective. I also get to make him walk around in boxerbriefs and a robe, or not...
As usual, let me know what you think. Cheers.