Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.
I own my original characters and original story.
**As promised two more chaps. This parallels Chap 32 'Swing Dancing & The Dearly Departed' and Chap 33 'Unsolicited Advice & Airline Wings' from V&V. Enjoy.
************************************LRM****************************************
Chapter 32&33 - A Boisterous Farewell To SoCal
I really didn't know what to think. It seemed that Emmett was in trouble, but he was still smiling and joking with everyone as we walked along, just as if he didn't have a care in the world.
I was beginning to believe that he just may be insane. Inside the Director of Security's office, I became positive of it.
Bella's worried look prompted me to squeeze her hand reassuringly.
The Director eyed Emmett with a disapproving glare. "Mr. Swan, what do you have to say for yourself?" He asked.
Emmett stood there with his hands on his hips, glaring back. "I think the better question would be, what the hell do you want with me douche bag?" He said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
He is insane. I wonder if he sustained brain damage while playing football that has led to this?
When Rose started to chuckled, I realized that either she was losing it too, or there was an inside joke that the rest of us weren't privy to. Before I could continue that thought, Emmett and the Director both began to laugh.
Emmett pulled the guy into a big bear hug, and then turned to face us with his arm around the Director's shoulders. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine, Elliot Robbins. We went to high school together."
We all breathed a sigh of relief.
Emmett spent a few minutes catching up with his friend before we headed back out into the park.
There is never a dull moment when Emmett is around.
-LRM-
After dinner, it was time for the girls' surprise.
"Now ladies, I need you all to follow me. The boys and I have a special treat planned for you." Christopher announced as he led the ladies off to get dressed.
We had a dressing room set up for us in the same building as the girls, and soon all five of us were clothed in our white dinner jackets and black pants. We knew we'd have some time to kill, because women took forever to get ready, so we walked around a little, keeping one eye on the door of the building nearby.
"I think I even managed to surprise Alice this time." Chris stated with a satisfied smile as we walked along. "You know that never happens."
We all chuckled.
Unfortunately, I was spotted by some fans, and before I knew it, I was signing autographs and posing for photos. After about fifteen minutes of this, we slipped away, into the shadows in front of the building where the girls were dressing.
The door suddenly opened to reveal three stunning beauties. Isabella approached, and I felt my mouth go dry. I finally pulled myself together enough to offer my arm and murmur, "You are beautiful beyond words Isabella" into her ear.
"You're pretty yummy yourself Mr. Movie Star." She smiled up at me.
"Where are we going?" Bella asked as we led the girls toward Carnation Plaza Gardens.
"Patience Miss Swan, you'll see soon enough." I grinned.
"We're going swing dancing!" Alice exclaimed excitedly, as she hugged Jasper and then ran over to Chris, throwing her arms around his neck. "Thank you Christopher. You knew I always wanted to do this. You thought of everything."
"Alice dear, you know I'm very much a perfectionist. I believe if we're going to do something, we ought to do it right." He smiled indulgently at her.
"Don't tell me you know how to swing dance too Edward?" Bella asked me.
"Isabella, I learned how to swing dance in high school." I smirked at her. "I also had a refresher course for the movie."
"Well, I can't do it." She muttered sadly.
"You will be fine. Just follow my lead."
Bella took those words to heart, and before I knew it, she was gliding across the dance floor easily.
She's much more graceful than she gives herself credit for.
"Chris had no way of knowing this, but I have a weakness for white dinner jackets. I think it must stem from seeing Sean Connery as James Bond years ago." She grinned.
Good to know.
"Miss Swan are you telling me that you have a thing for James Bond?" I asked, intrigued.
"Well, maybe only Sean Connery." She smiled. "If you ever played Bond, I'd definitely have a thing for you."
"Okay I admit it, I already have a thing for you." She laughed.
"On second thought, don't ever play Bond, that would be a terrible role for you."
With that last remark, I was pretty certain that Bella had just remembered the 'Bond girls'.I laughed.
We spent the next couple of hours dancing. Nothing made me happier than holding Bella in my arms. She seemed to be fascinated by an elderly couple as she watched them dance. They were lost in their own world of memories.
"I hope we'll be like that one day Bella." I spoke into her ear as we watched them.
I reluctantly gave her up as she danced with each of the men in our group. Her fear of being touched obviously didn't apply to our group of friends. I was so proud of her for taking the chance, and allowing herself to be a bit vulnerable.
"Come on little brother, let's jitterbug." Alice knew I wouldn't refuse.
It was at times like this I was thankful for my mother's insistence that we take all those dance lessons. Some days she dragged me kicking and screaming, but now I could ballroom dance with the best of them.
We made use of every inch of that dance floor. We slid and I spun Alice out and then back to me, everyone around us enjoying the show. We ended the dance with a dip. My eyes searched for Isabella. I found her smiling at me, so I returned her smile with a wink.
-LRM-
Our day at Disney ended with a spectacular fireworks display. I stood with my arms around Isabella as we watched. I hadn't enjoyed fireworks this much since I was a kid. Being with Bella made everything more enjoyable.
Neither of us were long for bed after arriving back at Alice's. If I were to allow myself to share a bed with Bella, I decided that my caveman alter-ego needed to be officially banished from polite society until further notice. I gave myself a stern talking to before crawling into bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell into a dreamless sleep.
I was woken suddenly, early the next morning, by Bella crying in her sleep.
"No, no, no, Edward" She sobbed as tears streamed down her cheeks.
I shook her gently. "Bella, sweetheart" I said urgently. "Bella, wake up. Please Bella."
She finally opened her eyes and looked at me. "Bella, you're trembling. That must have been quite a nightmare."
She lay there, trembling and sobbing for several minutes as I held her. Finally, she calmed down enough to speak. "It was terrible Edward." She said in a hoarse whisper. "He killed everyone. Jeff killed everyone."
A knot formed in my stomach at the thought of that monster.
He not only haunts Bella's waking thoughts, the bastard even disturbs her dreams.
I was no stranger to nightmares. Seeing a therapist for several years, helped me to understand and identify some of the triggers.
"Bella, don't get mad at me, but do you see a therapist?" I spoke quickly "There's no shame in it you know. They can help."
"I used to see someone in Port Angeles, but I haven't been in a couple of years." She said sadly. "I thought I was getting better."
I held her tighter. "Bella, all I know is from my own experience, but sometimes we still need help from time to time. Our needs and our reasons change, but a therapist helps give us perspective. Even if the problem seems small and insignificant."
"You see one?" She asked.
"Yes. Not regularly like I used to, but if I'm having a problem, I've found that seeing my therapist can only help me. I think you should consider going back."
She was quiet for a few moments as she thought.
"You're right. I'll call this week." She answered.
I smiled and kissed her nose. "Let's get ready. We've got another big day ahead of us."
Today we would be flying to Seattle. It made me sad to leave California because it signaled that the time for Bella to return to class had arrived and, all too soon I would be leaving for England.
Isabella had researched online and found a church close to a couple of tourist spots she wanted to visit before we had to leave today. I was surprised when Alice and Jasper decided to go with us.
The church service was strange. It was almost as strange an experience as when the old lady groped me.
The priest, evidently, was an old hippie. This fact alone didn't trouble me per se, what troubled me were the remarks he made to me personally. I found them to be a bit condescending.
"Welcome my friends. Welcome to our Lord's humble abode. I'm merely the caretaker. Remember our minds are like parachutes, they only work when they're open."
Mid-way through the service, he moved through the congregation distributing palms. As he approached our group, I found myself not wanting to breathe very deeply and confirm my suspicions that he smelled like marijuana.
As he handed me a palm he said, "Good to see you my brother in Christ. Like Gandhi, we should not be ashamed to become pacifists. You should ask for the Lord's guidance before accepting your next movie role. Glorify peace, not violence."
I gave him a dirty look, and after a minute of deliberation decided that no matter how deserved, it would never be acceptable, under any circumstances, to tell a priest to 'fuck off' while in church.
I could hear Emmett and Jasper snickering. I glared at them.
There's nothing stopping me from telling them to fuck off.
Emmett, ever the class clown, grabbed the priest's hand, "Hey there Padre. Did you by any chance attend Woodstock?"
Bella stomped on Emmett's foot, although I wasn't exactly sure why. She also seemed to be holding her breath.
I think I must have missed something.
The priest looked delighted. "You are very perceptive my friend. It was an experience that changed my life." He said as he walked away.
Freak.
Thankfully, Isabella decided to start breathing again.
-LRM-
"Rosalie, has anyone ever told you that you're weird?" Bella asked Rose, who was unfazed by her question.
At Rosalie's insistence, we were visiting Westwood Memorial Park. Well known as the final resting place of many of Hollywood's greatest.
"You aren't the first to say so, believe me." Rose smiled as she peered over the top of her sunglasses at Bella.
After a while, Bella and I were able to wander away from the group.
"It kind of makes me feel small" I said quietly after we'd visited so many graves of people whose work I had admired so much.
"How so?" Bella asked.
"Well look at them all Bella. All the money, all the fame, it didn't give them one more minute on earth did it?" I then laughed darkly. "Living and working in Hollywood, we are made to feel that every project we work on is the most important thing ever. It would be easy to get lost in the feeling that you're going to live forever and that neither illness nor death can touch you. But, in the end, even the rich and powerful wind up here, or someplace just like it."
"I guess it's a good thing that you weren't taken in by the lie then, isn't it Edward?"
I nodded and pulled her close.
Suddenly a woman's voice sounded from behind us, "I had a feeling we would meet again, I just didn't think it would be so soon."
Bella and I turned to find Gloria Powell smiling and looking in our direction.
Had she been speaking to us?
"Hello there Bella, and you must be Edward" Gloria said politely, as she shook my hand.
But…I've never met her before. This is surreal.
"Edward, I met Gloria on the plane last Saturday."
Oh shit, that day.
"Here visiting someone you knew?" Gloria asked us.
Bella shook her head, but I answered, "I've seen the graves of a couple of people that I've met, mainly at award shows, but no one that I knew very well."
Gloria looked back across the expanse of the graveyard, a wistful expression on her face. "I have a lot of dear friends buried here. But no one that I miss as much as my husband."
"I'm very sorry Gloria, when did you lose him?" Bella asked.
She is beyond sweet.
"George has been gone almost fourteen years, although it seems like it was only yesterday that I lost him." She answered sadly, then she perked up. "I come here faithfully every Sunday afternoon, weather and health permitting, to spend a little time with him."
I felt Bella shudder slightly beside me. I pulled her hand up and held it between both of mine, giving her a sad smile.
Gloria studied Bella for a moment, and then reached up and patted her upper arm in a comforting gesture.
"I try to avoid television as much as possible, but living in this town it's been impossible to avoid the news about the two of you." She said with a chuckle, successfully changing the subject. She quirked an eyebrow "It's been quite a week for you hasn't it?"
We both smiled back. "If I hadn't lived through it, I wouldn't have believed it." Bella said as she laughed out a breath.
"You're the darling of the week Bella, but don't let it affect your behavior. The press and the public are a fickle lot. They'll love you one moment and hate you the next. Just don't let wanting to be liked govern your behavior."
Good advice, and something that Bella and I had discussed at length recently.
Gloria then turned to me. "I've been away from the business for so long that sometimes I grow restless to return. I find that I have to be satisfied with hearing about it from others." She smiled. "So what's next for you young Mr. Masen?"
"I'm in the middle of filming The Harvest of Avarice, a film which takes place during World War II. I'll be leaving for England next week, and filming there for a month." Gloria nodded her head as she listened with interest.
"After that, I'll be working on a project with Clint Eastwood called Enemy Combatant. Parts of that will be filmed in Seattle."
Gloria's eyes lit up. "You're filming with Clint?" She asked smiling.
"Yes, I'm actually supposed to call him today. I wanted to touch base with him before leaving town." I answered.
"Please tell him that I said hello. I had the pleasure of working with him on a couple episodes of Rawhide way back when. He was such a joy to work with, a total professional but also a lot of fun." She smiled fondly. "He and George struck up quite a friendship, but just like everything else, the years go by and, with working and raising a family we tend to lose track of friends." She lost her smile. "I've only seen him a couple of times since George's funeral." She trailed off.
"I'll be sure to say something to him Miss Powell." I reassured.
"Thank you Edward." Gloria said, then she looked me in the eye. "Edward, I hope you don't mind, but Bella and I talked a lot on the flight from Seattle, and most of the conversation revolved around you."
Oh shit, what must she think of me?
"Don't worry so much." She said with a laugh. "Do you know what I took away from that conversation?"
I'm a jackass and don't deserve to have Bella in my life?
I shook my head.
"The fact that Isabella loves you with all her heart. Granted, at the time she was also on the verge of killing you." Gloria laughed. "My point is, Edward don't ever, ever, willingly let go of the ones you love. At some point, through circumstances beyond your control, you will be separated from them. Until that day, hold onto them with every ounce of your strength. Don't break your own heart through some misguided sense of chivalry."
Her words really struck home. I will never take one moment with Bella for granted again.
Gloria looked a little sheepish. "I'm sorry. I'm just an old woman who buts in where she shouldn't sometimes, but I've lived long enough to learn a few things. I've lived with a hole in my heart for fourteen years, a hole that won't heal until the day I lie beside my George again. Don't waste these precious years, you will never get them back."
What an amazing woman.
"Well, I've said too much. You probably both think I'm an old busybody, I apologize." Gloria said as she turned to walk away.
"No, Gloria, wait. What you said, it was so.." Bella started.
"Perfect" I finished her thought. Bella nodded. "Thank you Miss Powell, I think those words were exactly what Bella and I needed to hear."
Gloria smiled, relieved. At that exact moment, I turned my head to notice Alice barreling across the cemetery, headed straight for us.
Alice adores Gloria Powell.
Gloria seemed amused by Alice's exuberance. I tuned out all the crap about Hollywood glamour, or lack of it. When Alice got on that subject, she tended to sound like a broken record.
Jasper caught up to us, out of breath after evidently chasing Alice over about a hundred yards of cemetery.
With the arrival of Jasper, I decided to interrupt my sister's chatter. "Miss Powell, allow me to introduce my sister Alice Whitlock, and her husband Jasper. Jasper is also my manager."
Gloria nodded then in understanding and shook hands. Rose and Emmett arrived soon after, and more introductions we made.
We chatted for another fifteen minutes or so, until Gloria's son arrived to take her to dinner.
"Well, I must leave you all now. I'm dining with my son and his family. It seems that I'll be giving out more unsolicitedadvice. One of my granddaughters got a tattoo." She said, as if it was a dirty word. "In my day, only sailors got tattoos." She sighed and shook her head as we all laughed.
Alice exchanged phone numbers, and we all said our goodbyes.
Before she left, Gloria turned to Bella and me. "Goodbye my friends. Something tells me that we'll meet again." She said as she patted our hands.
"If I had to assign a one-word description to Miss Powell" Alice said as we watched Gloria walk away, "I think it would be Classy."
I nodded in agreement.
-LRM-
Next stop was the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. I'd never attended their Sunday Gospel brunch before, so I had no idea what to expect.
When the Gospel group asked for 'audience participation', I realized that I shouldn't have been surprised that Emmett would be one of the first people they'd call up there.
One of the ladies eyed me at the same time, silently pleading with me to come up on stage, but I politely refused with a slight shake of the head and my Hollywood smile. She smiled back sweetly.
Bella and I had the best seats in the house to watch her brother. I saw Bella cringe as Emmett rubbed up against all the little old Gospel ladies. I may have been wrong, but I swore I saw one of them cop a feel.
I'll have to ask Emmett about that later.
I watched Bella as she studied everyone around us. My sister, although she couldn't bring herself to go up on stage, was dancing beside her chair. Rose stayed seated while keeping an eye on Emmett.
Jasper, that stupid motherfucker, was so wrapped up in eating, that I doubt he even noticed the show.
Bella was so beautiful, and seemingly lost in the moment until her eyes made contact with mine. I pulled her to me and kissed her, not giving a damn about the prying eyes around us.
She pulled away from me and smiled. I watched her face as she glanced around the table and proceeded to give Alice, Jasper and Rose dirty looks.
-LRM-
As Emmett and I packed the luggage in the car for our trip to the airport, we were able to talk without the girls overhearing. "Edward, I've got to tell you something, and you may not approve" Emmett stood facing me with his hands on his hips.
I looked at him questioningly.
"When we get to the airport, I want to confront that fucker that shouted at Bella." He stated calmly.
I was immediately pissed when I thought of that piece of shit. "Emmett, I know that I don't want you getting arrested. If you hit the guy, that's what will happen. On the other hand, I'd like to help you pummel the hell out of the bastard."
Emmett grabbed my shoulder with his hand. "Glad to know you feel like that. I'm not planning to lay a finger on him by the way. But, I think it best that you keep the girls back, while I deal with this."
I really didn't want Emmett handling this alone. "No, Emmett. You want me to look like a pussy and not defend my girlfriend?" I snapped.
Emmett grinned. "Too bad Andy. It was my idea, so I get to do it. You keep the girls back."
I scowled. "Damn you Emmett. I'm definitely going to look like a pussy."
He shrugged. "No you're not."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Really?"
He grinned. "Well maybe a little."
I glared at him. "Douche bag."
He laughed.
-LRM-
As soon as we neared the line of paps, Emmett and I were able to slow the pace of our group. Emmett gave me a short nod which I returned before getting everyone to come to a full stop. I immediately pulled Bella behind me.
Emmett wasted no time. "Which one of you was it?" He asked angrily.
Jasper immediately stepped in. "Emmett, I know what you're doing, and as much as I'd like to see you wipe up the floor with that piece of garbage, there are two things that stop me from helping you."
Emmett crossed his arms over his chest and eyed Jasper coolly.
Jasper sighed. "First of all, I don't want to be responsible for you being arrested. And second, I don't see that asshole anywhere, he's not here."
Emmett seemed to become less angry. "You're sure?" He questioned.
"Yes." Jasper answered sincerely.
Emmet turned back toward the paps. "It seems that the one I really wanted to see isn't here, so I'll just pass on a message through you. You tell him I'd better never see him. He'd better never show his face around me. I will fucking end him." He then grabbed Rose's hand and stalked away.
We followed at a brisk pace. Bella turned to me. "You knew about this didn't you?"
I nodded. "Your brother has a mind of his own. I doubt he would have hit the guy, but I know he intended to scare the piss out of him." I smiled. "He has his own way of handling things, not the path I would have chosen, but effective none the less."
"Oh really? How would you have handled it?" Bella asked.
"I'm more of a 'plotting quiet revenge' sort of guy. I don't go after them physically, but there are other ways to make their life hell."
Although I'm starting to appreciate Emmett's methods more and more.
"I don't know Mr. Movie Star, I distinctly remember you pinning Mike Newton against a wall and threatening his life." She grinned.
Yes, that was very satisfying.
I chuckled. "I guess you've got me there Miss Swan. A lot of things about me have changed since I met you, and you have no idea how happy that makes me." I said as I pulled her closer as we walked.
-LRM-
For some unknown reason, Bella forced me to sit in the window seat. All I could guess was that she wanted to be able to talk across the aisle to Emmett if need be.
Before take-off I decided to touch base with Clint.
"Hello."
How cool is that? Clint answers his own phone. He doesn't have an assistant do it for him.
"Hi, it's Edward Masen. How are you?"
"Hello Edward. I'm fine, as a matter of fact, I was just thinking about calling you. How are you?"
"I'm good. I'm just getting ready to take off on a flight to Seattle. My girlfriend lives there."
"Yeah, I think I heard a little about that." Clint said with a chuckle.
I smiled at Bella. "Yes, I'm sure you have." I laughed.
"Anyway, I have to fly to England in about a week, and I won't be returning until late May, so I wanted to touch base with you."
"I plan to visit Seattle in June. I know we've never worked together before Edward, but I'm one of those guys that likes to be involved in every part of the process of the film. I even get involved with the casting of the extras."
"Yes, I knew that, and I do appreciate that approach." I said.
"Do you plan to spend much time in Seattle after you're finished filming in England?" He asked.
"Yes, as much time as I can."
"Let me know when you return from England, we'll meet then and talk over things."
"That sounds good. I'll call you then, and we can set that up. Oh by the way, I ran into a friend of yours that wished to tell you hello." I said.
"Oh, yeah?" Clint sounded curious.
"Gloria Powell."
"Gloria! She's a wonderful woman. Where did you see her?" Clint asked.
"Of all places, would you believe Westwood Cemetery?"
"She was probably visiting George" Clint said quietly. "How is she?"
"She seems well. Bella and I enjoyed our conversation with her very much. It was, enlightening." I squeezed Bella's hand.
"She's a very smart lady." He chuckled. "If I know Gloria, she probably gave you quite a bit to think about. I should probably give her a call." He said.
"I think she'd really appreciate that." I answered.
"Well, it was good talking to you Edward. Enjoy England, and we'll get together when you return."
"Okay, thanks Clint, I'll speak with you soon."
I ended the call and shut off the phone.
"Clint wants to fly to Seattle after I return from England. He likes to visit all the film locations so he can be involved in the local casting. I think I'm really going to like working with him." I told Bella.
"Why does he care about the casting?" Bella asked.
"I guess I didn't tell you, he's directing as well as acting in this film. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity."
After take-off I pulled out my ipod, hoping to relax for the next couple of hours. Bella and I listened together, sharing my earbuds, before she got distracted by her brother.
A few minutes later, she handed me the earbud and motioned that I should put it in my ear. I did as she wanted, and sat back relaxing into the seat. After a while, I closed my eyes and lost myself in the music.
My eyes flew open when I felt a thump which shook my seat. When it happened for the second time, I removed my earbuds and leaned toward Bella "I hate turbulence." I said as I grabbed her hand.
Bella didn't seem upset as she continued to drink her wine. "It's not turbulence Edward."
I was confused.
If it wasn't turbulence, what the hell was it?
The thumping continued, and it wasn't long before I became all too aware of what was causing it.
Damn seats would have to be right in front of the bathroom.
"I knew we should have changed our seats, I can't believe that some people are so horny that they can't wait." I was disgusted that Bella had to be a witness to this.
She just sighed and continued to sip her wine.
She's really calm about this. Doesn't seem embarrassed at all.
The thumping continued, and I looked around Bella toward Emmett and Rose. Their seats were empty. "Where are Rose and Emmett?" I asked.
Bella just looked at me.
Why won't she answer me?
Then I realized exactly where Rose and Emmett had disappeared to.
No fucking way.
"No." I muttered, in shock.
"Yes." She whispered.
A few minutes later, Rose and Emmett emerged from the bathroom. Neither of them looking in the least bit embarrassed.
I had to hand it to Emmett, he had balls.
For the rest of the flight, I watched my beautiful Bella, as she kept an eye on her brother.
I thought it odd that Emmett introduced Rose to the flight attendant as we left, but Emmett was nothing if not unpredictable.
When the guy offered them airline wings for joining the 'Mile High Club', I laughed my ass off.
I wonder if, some day, Bella would consider joining the Mile High Club with me.
I looked down at her beautiful face as we walked.
I'm so glad she can't read my mind.
**********************************A/N***********************
A/N Now that I've gotten those posted, I'm back to V&V.
There's a great movie from several years ago, 'Blast From The Past' starring Brendan Fraser. In that movie is a swing dance segment between Brendan and a couple girls. This is what I envision the dance between Edward and Alice to look like. If you've never need the flick, you can view just the dance segment on Youtube. It's definitely worth a look.
Anything I have to say between postings can be found on the Facebook page.
All my chapters are posted on the blog, with the added benefit of photos to go with each one. This applies to both LRM and V&V. Thanks everyone!