Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.

I own my original characters and original story.

**This chapter parallels V&V chap 22 'Chipmunks & Oscars'.

Unfortunately, some of you have fanfic profiles that won't allow me to send a 'response' to your review. SO…after I've sent responses(which include the 'sneak peek') to those I can, I'll post the sneak peek on V&V's facebook page. (Link is on my profile page).

Hope that is satisfactory….Enjoy!

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

Chapter 22 - Warm Love For The Impatient

Pick up the damn phone Tanya.

Another day, another unreturned phone call from Tanya. It had been two months since I'd met with her and Felix. I'd promised to give them time, and in my opinion they'd had more than enough for her to get her shit together and make a statement.

Soon after Valentine's Day, I'd started calling Tanya's cell phone. Not every day, I wasn't a complete dick. But I'd been calling her a couple times a week, with no success.

Bella had been so wrapped up in her court case that we hadn't talked about the Tanya situation much lately, but I know the paps hadn't left her alone and this wasn't something that would go away until Tanya did what she promised.

I had spent most of today sleeping because we were doing night shoots all week. By late afternoon I was wide awake and pacing. I knew I couldn't call Bella because she was meeting with Wendy, so while I waited to hear from her, I ate the dinner platter Mrs. Hernandez had left for me.

After eating, I walked to the music room, intent on playing the guitar until Bella called. I picked up my acoustic, so I'd be able to hear the phone.

Look at the ivy on the old clinging wall, Look at the flowers and the green grass so tall

It's not a matter of when push comes to shove, It's just an hour on the wings of a dove

I dig it when you're fancy dressed up in lace, I dig it when you have a smile on your face

This inspiration's got to be on the flow, This invitation's got to see it and know

It's just warm love, It's just warm love

I hadn't gotten to the next verse before my phone rang and interrupted me.

Bella.

I set down the guitar.

"Hey sweetheart, how did your meeting go?" I asked.

"Let's just say it went." She said in a sarcastic tone.

"What do you mean? What happened?" I was immediately concerned.

Bella hesitated a moment before speaking. "Wendy just needed to tell me that Ms. Chance offered a plea agreement."

I was a little afraid to ask, but did anyway. "Which was?"

"Plea guilty to assault, spend a night in jail." She answered in a dead voice.

What. The. Fuck. ?

"WHAT?" I was livid.

"Oh and take an anger management class. I told them no, of course."

I should hope so.

I blurted, "Christ, Bella. I can't believe those lying assholes had the nerve to.."

"Edward, calm down. For better or worse this will all be over in ten days." She stated too calmly.

I knew she was terribly worried, and I hoped she didn't stop eating again. "Everything will be fine baby, you'll see."

"I hope so."

-LRM-

"These night shoots are screwing up my sleep patterns" I admitted to Jasper.

We'd gone out to eat dinner before I had to get ready and head to the studio. It had been a couple of days since Bella had met with Wendy and was offered that ridiculous plea agreement.

I filled Jasper in on the details of Bella's court case. He shook his head in disbelief when I mentioned the plea offer. "Damn, this all sounds like something from a bad movie."

He looked deep in thought before speaking again. "Look Edward, I have a feeling this will all work out. You guys deserve your happiness."

I grinned at him. "Is Alice starting to rub off on you? Now you're getting 'feelings'."

Jasper smirked. "Shut the fuck up and eat so we can talk business."

We did have quite a lot of 'business issues' to discuss. Jasper had begun to schedule some interviews and television appearances for me. None of them would happen until after filming was completed of course.

"The people from Saturday Night Live are asking again for you to host sometime next season."

I thought about that one. I'd turned them down every time they'd asked, but now I liked having an excuse to take Bella to New York for a week.

"Tell them I'm interested, but we'd have to work around my schedule for the next film."

Jasper's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Damn. You're actually willing to do it?"

I nodded.

"You keep surprising the hell out of me." Jasper said as he grinned.

Once again, the Bella Swan effect.

-LRM-

As I waited for the car to arrive to drive me to the studio, my phone rang.

Bella

I'd spoken with her earlier, and knew she was spending the evening with Rose, so I was surprised by the call.

"Hey baby, I thought you were hanging out with Rose tonight?"

"I was, I am, I…. Oh Edward I have the best news!" She said excitedly.

I smiled, her enthusiasm contagious. "What is it Bella?"

"Okay, so you remember the two paps that Emmett farted on?"

I couldn't help it, I burst into laughter at her question. "How could I forget?" I said as I continued to snicker.

"Well, it turns out that one of them followed me to the park the day the ranger accosted me. He witnessed everything. He even has photos Edward! They back up my story entirely."

I was ecstatic. I'd been begging, pleading and trying to coerce Hal into letting me off filming on March 11, but as nice and accommodating as the guy was, he didn't enjoy losing money.

My next course of action would have been to go awol that day, but I knew everyone, including Bella, would be angry with me. Now it looked as if I wouldn't need to go to extremes.

"That is wonderful news Bella, the best. So what happens now?" I asked.

"Wendy is on her way to speak with us, but I think we just won the case." I could hear the smile in her voice.

"I wish I was there with you baby. We could go out and celebrate." I answered sadly.

"Edward, we'll celebrate when I see you. I still have to get this court date out of the way." She answered. "I love you Edward."

"I love you too Bella. I'm so happy right now."

"Me too." She answered quietly.

-LRM-

Oscar night is a pain in the ass.

Sure I get to rub elbows with the 'elite' of Hollywood. I'll probably meet an idol or two of mine, maybe even one I haven't met before. I'll have my photo taken with actors, directors, and musicians. I'll be interviewed and told how 'talented' I am and how much I deserved an award for my last film, but alas, didn't even receive a nomination.

I'll smile and play the part just as I've always done, but my heart won't be in it.

The afore-mentioned heart will remain where it has been for months now, in the keeping of a beautiful brunette in an apartment in downtown Seattle.

By the time I'd thrown Christopher and his two assistants out, I didn't have long to wait for the car to arrive. I liked Chris, but he was exactly like Alice, and on Oscar night it was difficult to be around either of them.

I'd long ago stopped allowing my sister to come over while I got ready for the big night, because her nervousness was contagious. Thinking it would be better having Chris here as my stylist, turned out to be an epic mistake.

He freaked the fuck out about everything, driving his assistants and me to distraction. By the time they left I had a throbbing headache.

Two Tylenol later, I decided to phone Bella while waiting for the car.

"Hey baby."

"Hi Edward." She breathed.

God I miss her.

"When do you have to leave?" She asked.

"A car will be here to pick me up in about a half hour."

"When the awards show is over, I have to attend two after-parties, I'll call you when I get home." I added.

"You sound tired." She remarked.

"Well, as you're aware the filming schedule has been grueling. I'm glad I have tomorrow off. Although I'd rather it be Thursday." I said.

I desperately wanted to be there for Bella's court date.

"No, Edward. I'm glad you can't try to do a one-day trip like that. You'd be even more exhausted. You're going to get sick." She scolded.

"You sound like my mother." I chuckled.

"When are you going to realize that your mother is always right?" Bella laughed.

Knowing that she worried about me, even though we were so far apart, meant so much.

"Thank you." I said quietly.

"For what?" Bella asked.

"For worrying about me, for being you. I love you Bella."

"I love you too."

"I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"Next year would you be my date for the Academy Awards?" I smiled as I asked. Having Bella with me would make this something to look forward to, rather than something I merely tolerated.

"I would be honored Mister Movie Star."

-LRM-

As I exited the limo with Alec and Sidney in tow, and began my trek down the red carpet, I realized that this was the first time I'd attended anything 'dateless' in years.

After my blowup at the offices of Plateau studios, I'd had lunch with Herb and Sal in order to apologize.

During that lunch, I made it clear that I was in a committed relationship, and would never again be escorting anyone other than Bella to anything.

They were stunned, but had no choice other than to accept my statement in silence.

I make them millions of dollars every year. They'd damn well better not argue about this.

Now, as I walked the red carpet, the only thing on my mind was the fact that next year Bella had agreed to be with me.

Alec directed me to the line of reporters looking for a sound byte. I didn't mind it very much, because I knew that Bella was watching from home.

I stood waiting for the standard questions. These reporters knew not to ask about my personal life unless they wanted me to walk away, so everything remained fairly predictable.

Shari Dean was a bit of a bubble head, but had always been polite.

"I'm here with Edward Masen. Star of Time Stands Still. Now Edward, a lot of people felt that you should have been nominated for your performance in that movie."

"I appreciate that Shari, and I appreciate the fans that support all my movies. The nominees for best actor all gave outstanding performances, and I wouldn't want to be the one to take the nomination away from any of them. There's always next year." I gave Shari a smile and winked for extra effect.

After that, Shari seemed to lose her train of thought and the interview was over fairly quickly.

Why are people so predictable?

I chuckled to myself as I was ushered inside. As soon as I saw Tanya and the empty seat beside her, I knew where the usher was leading me.

Damn Plateau Studios. They still found a way to make it look like I had a date.

Tanya plastered on her fake smile, which I'd seen a hundred times, as I took the vacant seat.

"Hello Edward." She said through clenched smiling teeth. "Don't seem so surprised. We're presenting together also, just in case no one informed you."

I sighed and shook my head. I wasn't as willing to act for the cameras as she was, instead I looked at her incredulously as I asked "Why the hell haven't you returned any of my phone calls?"

"Edward, please not here." Still speaking through her perfect capped teeth.

I sighed loudly and lowered my voice. "It seems to me that you've had more than enough time to do what you promised Tanya."

"Edward, stop. I just needed to get past tonight, it would have been a publicity nightmare for everyone involved if I'd made my statement before now."

That was true. Something like that would have overshadowed the entire award show to some extent.

"Okay, I'll grant you that Tanya. Just promise me soon." I whispered.

"I promise." She whispered back.

"How's Felix?" He'd been my friend for a long time, and I missed talking to him.

She smiled a genuine smile as she answered. "He's good. He's been so busy making plans for once the ….. um once we're past all this public statement business." Her smile disappeared and her face grew pale. She covered her mouth with her hand as she mumbled "Excuse me Edward, I need to leave for a moment." Then she bolted from the seat.

Later, Tanya and I were ushered backstage in preparation to present the award for best original song. As we stood there, Tanya suddenly became ill and had to leave again.

She arrived back just before we were ushered on stage.

"We're here to present the award for best original song." I said.

"I don't know about you Edward, but I stand in awe of the musically gifted." Tanya read her lines.

Funny. All the years we've know each other and she has no clue about my musical ability.

I just nodded my head in agreement.

We presented the award and left the stage. "Tanya are you okay?" I asked, concerned for her health.

"I've been ill for a while. Don't worry Edward, I'm seeing a… specialist about this next week. I'm sure I'll be fine."

I returned to my seat, but Tanya must have been feeling sick again, because I didn't see any more for the rest of the night.

The after-parties that I attended were better than usual. I was able to talk with Hal for a little while. I really liked the guy, and I couldn't say that about every director I'd worked with.

"Edward my boy how are you?" Hal was a little tipsy.

"I'm good Hal."

"So Edward, I've got to ask. What the hell is going on? I've seen your face when you speak about the girl in Seattle, and I know you're in love with her. But tonight you were sitting next to Tanya Madison. What gives son?"

Wow, Hal is nosey when he's drinking.

"Hal, I'm not at liberty to speak about that right now. Suffice it to say that Bella is the love of my life, and everyone will know that soon."

I'd had enough of these damn parties. I sent a text to Alec to have the driver bring the car around. I nodded to Sidney, and we made our way out the door.

-LRM-

"Did you have a chance to speak with Tanya at the award show?" Bella asked.

We were chatting on skype.

"I tried, but she kept leaving, she was really sick. I was afraid that I'd end up presenting the award alone."

"What was wrong with her?" Bella asked.

"I don't know. Hopefully nothing serious, but she did abuse her body pretty severely when she was using drugs. I voiced my concern, but she informed me that she was going to see a specialist next week."

"Oh. Maybe that's why she hasn't come forth with a statement yet. Could it be that she's been sick?"

"Maybe. I'm really starting to get impatient with this situation. It puts you in such a bad light, and I'm sorry for that."

"Edward stop worrying about me please."

"I can't help it. I know I said I'd give Tanya and Felix time, but it's been two months. This is getting ridiculous."

"Why don't you say something to the press then?" She asked.

"It would never work Bella. Without Tanya to back me up, I'd just look like a worse bastard than I already do."

She thought about that. "Well let's hope she's planning something soon, for both our sakes."

-LRM-

The internet and tabloids went crazy after Tanya and I appeared at the Oscar's 'together'. The stories about Bella became more and more criticizing and mean.

She certainly didn't need this during the same week she had go to court.

It broke my heart to think about how Bella was being painted as the 'other woman'.

My sweet Bella. The truest and kindest person I've ever known, was thought to be no better than gold-digging, home-wrecking tramp.

If they only knew the truth, they would understand that no one else has ever captured my heart the way my beautiful Bella has. And no one ever would.

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

A/N Song rec: 'Warm Love' by the incomparable Van Morrison

In case you wondered how V&V's next is coming along…Bella has landed safely at Heathrow Airport...and has already had some 'adventures'.

Let me know how you liked this one, and I promise to be hard at work helping Bella navigate London in order to reunite her with E as soon as possible.