Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.

I own my original characters and original story.

** This chapter reveals exactly what happened to Edward upon his return to L.A. It parallels chapter 13 of V&V, and takes place on 4-5 Jan 2010.

Enjoy!

******************************LRM**************************

13. Destiny Interrupted

About twenty minutes into my flight, I realized that Alice had ulterior motives for flying with me. I had my earbuds in, listening to my Bella play list when Alice flitted across the aisle and flopped down in the vacant seat next to me.

"Hello Alice." I smiled as I removed my earbuds. I decided to ask her something that had been on my mind since Saturday. She looked at me expectantly as I began. "How much did you know about my conversation with Bella when we got back to Mom and Dad's Saturday afternoon?"

She continued to smile gently at me. "I knew that she told you something important, and that it was traumatic. I surmise that it was about the day her mother died?" She asked softly.

I ran my hand roughly through my hair. "Yes. She told me everything that happened." I said quietly, my voice cracking with the memory of that afternoon with Bella.

Alice placed one hand on my bicep. "Edward, Bella has been saved, you both were, and that had to be for a reason. I believe there's more at work here than meets the eye. You were meant to find each other, meant to be together."

I looked at her questioningly. It wasn't that I didn't agree with what she was saying, it was just that I'd never heard Alice admit to being very spiritual before.

"Look Edward. I've had a lot of reason to think about these types of things over the years." I knew we weren't talking about me and Bella any more.

"Having this gift is both a blessing and a curse. There were so many times I could have butted into someone's life and changed their course, and from time to time I have. But, I've always been afraid that maybe I wasn't supposed to, like I was interfering with destiny. I've finally settled into a place where I offer advice and support when needed, but try not to interfere too much."

"Admittedly, sometimes I do intervene to save a loved one from a disastrous mistake. That is, if they will listen to me." She said with an arched glare aimed at me.

"Sometimes, I get the feeling that I'm being tested. Like I was given this gift for a reason, and I'm being judged by the way I use it. I try very hard not to use it for selfish self-serving purposes. Sometimes it's a hard line to walk. Does that make any sense?"

"Perfect sense Alice." I said as I hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "Have I told you lately what a great sister you are?"

She giggled. "Maybe. But I never get tired of hearing it." She said as she smiled.

My poor sister. Never once in all our years growing up had I even thought about how difficult having her gift must be for her. Once again, I had been too wrapped up in my own selfishness to care about the shit that others around me have gone through.

I thought about what she'd said about Bella and myself, and knew it was true. Something or someone had allowed us to be broken, allowed us to be saved and healed, although not healed completely. Now I realized we couldn't have that until we found each other.

The thoughts running through my head were truly mind-boggling. Something or Someone, call it Divine Providence, the hand of God, whatever you like, but Bella and I were meant to be together, just as Alice had said.

Alec was waiting for us at LAX. We dropped Alice at home, and headed over for a meeting with Jane. On the way up to Jane's office, I sent a quick text to Bella.

Beautiful-

I'm here. I'm lonely. About to step into a meeting.

Miss you more than I can say.

Love You

-E

My phone chimed almost immediately in response.

E-

I know how you feel. Never been lonelier. About to step into class.

Then work with Rose, after that, home to my empty apartment.

Wish I could snuggle with you instead.

Love, B

Jane was overzealous, as usual, in promoting different movie roles she thought I should be interested in doing. I had to make it very clear that once I was finished shooting The Harvest of Avarice, I wanted my summer off. The movie with Clint wouldn't start until September, and I had no desire to squeeze a six-week shoot for some indie flick in before that.

"But Edward, this could be the role that will land you an Oscar. This movie is going to be amazing." She pleaded.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "I want my summer off. End of discussion." I said forcefully.

There was no way that a stupid gold statuette was more appealing than spending the summer with Bella.

After the meeting, I was buoyant. I always took secret delight in pissing off Jane. There was something about the way her nostrils flared and her lips pursed like she'd just sucked on a lemon, that warmed my heart.

I knew she was going to be shitty to everyone in her office for the rest of the day, and that it was my fault.

I didn't give a fuck.

-LRM-

Alec, Jasper and I decided to grab a late lunch. While waiting for our food to arrive, I called Tanya's number.

Her assistant Dennis answered the phone. "Hello Edward, how was your vacation?"

Magnificent. Life-changing. "It was the best I've ever had." I said in answer.

"Is Tanya available?" I asked, needing to get to the point of my call.

"She's at the salon, well we both are, but I refuse to stand around feeling stupid so I'm walking down to the bookstore while babysitting her phone. I can tell her you called."

"I was hoping she and Felix could meet with me tonight. There's something we need to discuss."

"I know for a fact that she's free tonight. I'll text you as soon as I speak with her. Is that okay?" He asked.

"That sounds good, thanks Dennis."

I hung up just as our food arrived.

Alec gave me a strange look. "Edward, pardon my bluntness, but what the fuck is going on with you? Is this all about that chick?"

I glared at Alec as Jasper tried to shut him down, "Alec you need to quiet down, and don't refer to Bella as some chick please."

Jasper was a little too polite, I was livid. "I told you once before Alec to watch the way you speak about Isabella."

Alec looked bewildered. "Sorry bro, I just don't understand it. Are you really interested in this ch.., I mean Miss Swan?"

"I'm in love with her." I stated simply.

Alec's mouth fell open in shock. Normally, I would have found this funny, but I was still angry with him.

After a moment, he spoke. "Dude, seriously?"

I nodded.

"Damn. I sort of suspected you were gay. But when you never hit on me, I kind of assumed you just didn't like sex." He stated bluntly.

I glared at him incredulously. "Alec, you my friend, are a pig. Remind me why I keep you around again?"

Alec grinned. "Because Edward, you can't do shit for yourself." Alec said through a mouthful of ravioli. "And you had pity on me when my sister wouldn't hire me to work in her damn agency."

I sighed and shook my head while Jasper chuckled.

"Jane's just a bitch and she knows I'd steal all her clients away."

The boy was unflappable.

After lunch, I had the driver deposit Jasper and Alec at their homes, and me at mine. I needed to relax and think about what I was going to say to Tanya.

Before doing anything else, I phoned the florist and had two dozen roses delivered to Isabella, promising her that I would be holding her in my arms before they started to wilt.

It had been less than twenty-four hours since we'd been together, and I was already miserable.

I pulled out my guitar. Playing usually helped relax me.

.

Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear

And I can't help but ask myself how much I'll let the fear take the wheel and steer

It's driven me before and seems to have a vague haunting mass appeal

But lately I'm beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel

Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there with open arms and open eyes, yea

Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there, I'll be there

.

I was interrupted by the chime of an incoming text. It was from Tanya.

Spago 8:30. I've made reservations. Call me if there's a prob.

-T

I wasn't surprised that she chose a very trendy spot full of paps.

Shit.

The sooner this is overwith the better.

-LRM-

I arrived at the restaurant early, securing a private table near the back. Tanya arrived about fifteen minutes later, dressed for the paps, as always. I stood as she approached, Felix close on her heels. She gave me a brief hug, then she and Felix took their seats.

We made small talk until we'd order our entrees, then I decided to get to the point.

"Tanya I needed to meet with you for a specific reason."

She looked at me questioningly.

"I've met a someone. She means the world to me. I'm in love, and we need to come clean with the public." I blurted.

Tanya's face froze in shock. Her eyes started to blink rapidly as she processed what I'd just said.

"But.." she sputtered "Edward, you.." she started to look a little panicked. "You aren't serious. Tell me you're not serious?" She whispered.

"Dead serious Tanya."

Christ, she's acting as if this is a real breakup.

I watched as she drew in a deep breath and exhaled. Felix reached over and discreetly squeezed her hand. I couldn't help but notice that he looked very pleased about what I'd said.

"Edward if I'd known this was what you wanted, I would have met with you in private." She said through gritted teeth.

This riled me slightly. "Tanya, I never wanted to meet in public. You're the one who assumed that. You never even spoke with me, you just made plans. Let's eat, then we can go somewhere private to hash this out."

"Okay" She answered quietly "We'll go to my house."

Not surprisingly, the paps were waiting outside when we left. Upon arrival at her house, I looked around, not spotting any photographers, but I wasn't taking any chances. I rushed Tanya inside.

After showing me into the living room, Felix fixed us all drinks. As I prepared in my head what I wanted to say, Tanya spoke.

"Edward, I'm sorry. I realized how I must have sounded back there. It just came as quite a shock. I have to be honest, I've known you for years and you've never had a real girlfriend. I kind of assumed you were gay." She gave me a slight smile as I rolled my eyes.

Why the fuck does everyone keep saying that?

"Maybe you were just emotionally closed off?"

Could this conversation become any more awkward?

I breathed out a sigh before admitting the truth. "That's exactly what I was Tanya, and everything you just said was precisely why I needed to tell you about this in person. I realize this is all completely out of character for me. Suffice it to say that I had a very bad experience years ago which fucked me up royally." I took a deep breath. "Isabella has changed all of that."

"Are you sure Edward? I mean the backlash from this will probably be bad. I'll admit I am completely selfish about my reasons to continue this charade." She looked down at her lap. "If the public finds out the things I did before, I .."

Felix put his arm around Tanya and pulled her into his side. "Tanya, this is the best thing that could have happened. I wish you two had never agreed to this shit in the first place, but what's done is done." He tried to calm her. "Look, if you're worried about the video the studio has of you, why not do a preemptive strike? Confess to the public before it can be used against you?"

Tanya looked as if she was going to cry. "I… , I don't know if I can do that Felix." She said in a whisper.

Tanya was quiet as I saw a few tears escape. I felt horrible. Alice had warned me years ago not to agree to this arrangement, but I stubbornly ignored her.

"Look Tanya, I promise to take my share of the blame. I'm not innocent in this. I just need to fix things in order to go forward with Bella. I have a chance for a real future with her, and I'm just selfish enough to do whatever's necessary to bring that about."

Tanya studied me for a long moment. "No, Edward. You really don't need to do this. This mess is my fault. I will be the one to fix it."

I started to disagree with her, but she cut me off. "No. If I had simply done like you and kept my mouth shut, I wouldn't have as much to explain now."

She looked at Felix and smiled. "This could be a good thing, I mean I never intended to go on forever like this, living a lie." She then turned back to me. "Can I ask one favor Edward?"

"Of course." I answered.

"Can I have a little time to get my life in order, speak with my attorney. I don't want to say anything that will incriminate me."

"That's not a problem Tanya, but you should know that I'm going to reveal everything to Isabella this weekend. Even the information about the video. I'm sorry about that, but I'm not going to hide anything from her any more."

"You haven't told her already?" She asked, surprised.

"No Tanya. The contents of that video are your personal business. I didn't feel right discussing that with anyone before letting you know."

She smiled at me. "I have to say that you're a rare breed Edward, a true gentleman."

I laughed "My mother would appreciate the compliment."

"So" Tanya settled back into the sofa "Tell me more about this Isabella."

And so I did. I revealed how from the moment we met, I couldn't get her out of my mind. How awed I was when I found out that she felt the same.

I didn't reveal the details of Isabella's past or my stalking on Christmas Day.

I'm pretty sure Tanya would question whether I really was a gentleman if she knew about that.

Tanya and Felix both sat there grinning at me as I rambled.

After a while Felix laughed "Edward, you've got it bad man."

"And it looks like you'll finally get what you've wanted for years Felix, a job working for your wife." We both laughed again.

"Oh my God, Edward." Tanya startled as if she'd just thought of something. "I was questioned by reporters this weekend. They asked about photos of you and Isabella. I figured they were blowing your relationship with her out of proportion, so I played it off as 'you having your fun but coming back to me'. That's not going to cause a problem for you is it?" She looked worried.

"I don't think so Tanya, but don't worry about it. I'll be seeing Bella this weekend and will explain everything."

"Please tell her I apologize for that. I really thought she was just working for you and never considered there was anything more to it."

"Sure Tanya, no problem."

Soon, I could feel the exhaustion of the long day catching up with me. I stood to leave.

"Well, thank you both for hearing me out." I hugged Tanya goodbye, and shook Felix's hand.

"Just give me some time Edward. This isn't going to be easy." Tanya looked pleadingly at me.

I nodded, and was out the door.

When I finally crawled into bed, I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep without talking to my girl. I looked at the clock and realized how late it was.

If she's asleep I'll just leave a message.

I dialed Bella's number.

"Hello." came the voice of my angel over the phone.

"Hello sweetheart, I was afraid you'd be asleep." I murmured.

"I stayed up, hoping you'd call. I really missed you today. Like I said, I'd rather have spent the day snuggling with you on my sofa."

She may possibly be a mind reader.

The next voice I heard definitely wasn't Bella's "Jeez, I can't tell you how much this is creeping me out Bellaboo."

Emmett.

"More than humping dead goblins Emmett?" Bella retorted.

What the..?

"De-fin-ite-ly. I'm going to go to bed Bells, goodnight Eddie."

"Maybe I shouldn't ask but, humping dead goblins?" I was confused.

"We were playing Lord of The Rings Online, and Emmett was being Emmett. Need I say more?"

I chuckled. "Actually no, I understand."

"You sound tired."

"Yeah, it's been a long day, and a long evening. My meeting was… draining."

So draining, but so worth it.

"Did you want to talk about it?"

I definitely couldn't go into this right now.

"Not now, or over the phone. We'll have a long talk this weekend. I can't wait to see you again, and it's only been a day."

"I know what you mean Edward. It's going to be a long week."

After that, exhaustion starting to overwhelm me, we decided to say goodnight. We said our goodbyes and 'I love yous', and promised to speak again tomorrow.

-LRM-

It felt really good to sleep in the next morning. While drinking my morning coffee, I glanced at the time and realized that Bella was already in class.

I had a lunch meeting with the producer and director of The Harvest Of Avarice, so I decided to get in a workout before I had to get ready.

On my way to the restaurant for my lunch meeting, my phone rang.

"Hello Alice."

"Edward" she sounded upset "Have you spoken with Bella today?"

"No, by the time I woke up she was already in class. Why? Is something wrong?"

I could feel myself starting to panic. Did Alice 'see' something bad happen to Bella?

"Don't freak out okay, but there are pictures of you and Tanya from last night all over the internet. They're making it look like a date or a booty call, whichever you'd like to call it."

"Shit" I muttered. "Look I'll just call Bella, she knew I was having meetings this week. She'll understand."

Fuck, I never told her I'd be meeting with Tanya.

"Let me know if you need me to do anything Edward. I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Okay Alice. I've got to go to a meeting. I'll let you know."

I could feel a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. I decided to call Bella.

The phone rang several times before switching to voicemail.

"Bella, call me as soon as you get this. There's some stuff going around the internet that's misleading. Please don't look at anything until I have a chance to talk to you. I love you Bella, please call me."

The lunch meeting went well. I'd never worked with either of these men before, but after getting to know them a little better I knew this project was going to be a great experience.

I checked my phone as I left the restaurant, and started getting nervous when I found there were no return calls from Bella.

I called again, leaving a message similar to the last one. After arriving home, I called again, still nothing.

I was starting to freak the fuck out, so I went on my laptop to see for myself what was being said.

It was so bad. If Bella saw this before I was able to explain, I was fucked.

It was getting later, and I couldn't understand why she didn't call me back, even if it was to tell me to drop dead. I spent the rest of the afternoon burning up her voice mail with messages.

"Oh God Bella, why won't you call me? Baby if you've seen that stuff on those gossip sites, please don't believe them. I need to talk to you. Please, please call me."

I was in full panic mode now, not knowing how I would ever be able to explain anything if she wouldn't even speak to me.

I dialed her number again. This time someone answered.

"You are a fucking dead man." I heard Emmett's low menacing tone.

"Emmett, please, you have to listen, none of that stuff is true."

"I don't have to listen to one fucking word you say asshole. How could you Edward?" Emmett's voice cracked. "How could you do that to her? Hasn't she been through enough?" He took a deep breath "Don't you fucking call back."

The line went dead as I sank to the floor. I drew my knees up and dropped my head into my hand, while I held my phone in the other.

I don't know how long I sat like that before I heard Alice frantically calling my name.

"There you are" she shouted as she and Jasper moved quickly into the room. "You don't answer the door now? I was knocking and knocking. I finally had to use my key."

Alice dropped down beside me on the floor. "Edward, what's going on?"

"I haven't been able to reach her all day Alice. I know she hates me." I tried very hard not to fall apart in front of my sister. "Emmett answered her phone just now. I think she believes the reports."

Why wouldn't Bella have a little more faith in me?

Why should she trust me? I should have told her everything about Tanya from the beginning. Instead, I put Tanya's feelings before Bella's.

"Edward, no matter what you think, this isn't a lost cause. Keep trying to talk to her. She's just in shock right now. Be persistent, she's going to listen to you."

It is time to learn from my mistakes and listen to my sister for once.

"Okay Alice, I'll keep trying." I said despondently.

"Jasper and I are going to stay here with you. I'll go fix you something to eat."

Alice disappeared into my kitchen while Jasper sat down in a chair watching me.

I stayed in my spot on the floor cradling my phone, willing it to ring with a call from Bella.

Alice brought me a sandwich, I couldn't even look at it, much less eat it. After a while, she gave up trying to get me to take a bite. I did however drink the glass of orange juice she forced into my hand.

"Edward" Jasper said quietly "Why don't you go take a shower, I'll let you know if your phone rings."

I shook my head. There was no way I was going to miss a call. Jasper brought me the cord to my phone so I could keep it charged.

Alice and Jasper finally gave up trying to get me to move, and eventually they went to bed.

Around midnight I tried Bella's number again. It went straight to voicemail.

"Bella, I spoke with Emmett. I don't blame him for wanting to fucking kill me. Believe me Bella, if I'd really done anything to hurt you, I'd want to kill myself. Please let me talk to you, I need to explain. I love you Bella."

I'd hoped she would eventually listen to my messages and know that I love her. I continued to sit on the floor, keeping vigil over my phone for the rest of the night.

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

A/N Song rec: 'Drive' by Incubus

Hopefully this chap answered your questions about the meeting with Tanya.

More Edward angst in the next chapter. Let me know your thoughts!