Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.

I own my original characters and original story.

**Parallels Chap 37 (Lap Dance & Abstinence) and Chap 38 (Pool Tables & Revelations) from V&V. Enjoy!

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

Chapter 37&38 - The Ugly Truths

'It's no surprise to me
I am my own worst enemy,'Cause every now and then
I kick the living shit out of me'

It was kind of ironic that we were in the parking lot of a Catholic Church, since I was about to make one hell of a confession.

As I sat there trying to figure out the best way to tell Bella what I needed to tell her, all my nervous habits rose to the surface. I was fully aware that, to Bella, I probably looked like a lunatic.

Of course the possibility that frightened me the most was that, if I came clean, Bella would dump me. I mean, of all the things to do, I was certain that stalking her would be the most unacceptable, especially taking into consideration what she'd had to endure at the hands of a stalker.

I hate myself.

"Edward, would you relax. It's just me here. So you've been to Forks, so what?" The voice of my angel sounded in my ears.

I attempted to calm down by taking a deep breath and releasing it. I looked into her beautiful brown eyes.

Prove that you can trust her not to leave you.

"Okay. I can't hide this from you anymore. Not that I intended to hide this from you this long. It's just that the days and then weeks got away from me, being really busy, and I completely forgot about it. I meant to tell you, honestly…."

Okay, that was a load of bullshit. I'd been hoping to put this off for a few years at least.

"It all started when I met you. Well, I guess everything started when I met you." I smiled at her, remembering that day. The last day I was one hundred percent rational, and one hundred percent miserable.

"I knew I'd miss you when you went home to Forks, I just never realized how much. All Christmas Day as I tried to enjoy myself with friends and family, my thoughts kept returning to you. More and more, you consumed my every waking moment. It got to the point that Dorothy even told me to go see you."

"Once the thought entered my head, I couldn't shake it. Alice being well, Alice, she knew I'd be making the trip. She told me to take Dad's car because it was less conspicuous, she even packed an overnight bag for me, just in case I needed to stay."

I glanced surreptitiously at Bella. She just sat there listening to me.

Probably planning her escape. Father Pat would most likely give her sanctuary until Charlie came to arrest my stupid ass.

I bit my fingernail and stared forward. "Once I arrived in Forks, things got weird. Not that they weren't weird before, seeing as I'm a stalker."

There, I said it, here's the moment when she leaves me forever.

Isabella still hadn't moved.

Maybe she's in shock.

I continued my sordid tale. "First, I drove around the town trying to work up the nerve to go to your house. A deputy pulled me over for 'driving erratically' and proceeded to fuck with my head."

The sound of her voice startled me somewhat "Do you know which deputy it was?" She didn't sound freaked out.

Not even a little.

"That same dude that pulled up in front of your Dad's house this afternoon." I admitted.

"Ah, Mark. So that's why you hid in the bathroom." She was so calm.

"Exactly. Anyway, he let me go with a warning. After that, I drove straight to Charlie's." I cut my eyes at her.

"Why didn't I ever see you Edward? Why didn't you come to the door?" She asked.

Because I felt like an ass.

"You had company, I didn't want to intrude. Also, if I'd gone to that door, I was convinced that your brother and Rose and probably even Charlie would kill me. Therefore, I sat in the car, watching from a distance like the fucking stalker I am."

I continued looking out the windshield. "So, I just sat there watching you, falling more in love with you every minute. Of course I didn't know it was love at the time, but it was." I finally turned to look at her.

"Remember the text I sent you that night?"

She nodded.

"I was sitting in front of Charlie's house when I sent it. After that, I spent the night at The Pacific Inn." I sighed.

I waited for her reaction, and braced myself for the words that would officially 'end me'.

Isabella seemed deep in thought.

Without warning she dove onto my lap, straddling me, and held my head between her hands.

My first thought was: Chief Swan has taught Bella how to break an assailant's neck with her bare hands.

My second thought was: Fuuuck this it hot.

"Edward" she gasped before executing me.

"Bella?" I was afraid of what she was about to do, but this was So. Fucking. Hot.

Realizing that my sudden, and very unexpected erection was probably noticeable to her, I eased the seat back to give Bella a little more room to end my miserable life.

"Edward. That is the sweetest and sexiest thing you've ever done." She whispered. "I can't even tell you how much I love you right now. There. Are. No. Words." She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me. Hard.

My mouth fell open in surprise, and her tongue slipped inside. I couldn't help but give myself over to the senses overwhelming me.

She didn't hate me. She didn't want to leave me. She thought my stalking was sweet and sexy?

I love this woman.

I kissed down her neck as she started grinding against me. She was in effect, giving me a lap dance.

Fuuuuck me.

When she whispered she loved me just before gently biting my earlobe, I was in serious jeopardy of jizzing my pants.

Bella and I had missed all the normal teenage moments, such as making out in my Dad's car. Maybe we were making up for lost time? I didn't fucking care as I continued to kiss her neck.

Without my permission, my hands started to travel up her legs, up under the hem of her skirt, until they reached their goal: the lace edge of Bella's panties.

The sweet torture of her grinding stopped immediately. She moved her head until our foreheads were touching, and we both tried to bring our breathing under control. "Edward, you have no idea how much I'd love to continue this, but I may die of embarrassment if someone sees me giving you a lap dance in the church parking lot."

I couldn't help the laugh that burst from my mouth as she said this. "My God Bella, when I'm with you I lose all awareness of my surroundings." I raised my head and gently brushed my lips against hers. "I wish I could say I was sorry for that." I whispered.

I was a little sorry. I mean, if we'd gone much farther, I'm pretty sure that The Lord would have chosen a particularly hot and nasty spot in which I would spend eternity. After all, we were still on church grounds.

After a moment our breathing calmed and Bella extricated herself from my lap. I missed her warmth immediately. I turned to watch her, but she wouldn't meet my eyes.

Maybe she's finally angry with me. A delayed reaction?

"What are you thinking Bella?" I whispered.

She hesitated. "I just, what you said just now, I know exactly what you mean Edward. Every time you touch me, I lose track of where I am, and how I should behave. I'm trying so hard to be good, but I think it's killing me." She sighed.

I smiled gently as I shook my head. "You are good Bella. You're the best person I know." I took her left hand in mine, caressing her ring finger with my thumb, and thinking how much I'd like a symbol of our love to rest there. "Sometimes, we get carried away, but isn't that what people in love are supposed to do?"

"I sometimes feel like a terrible person Edward. It used to be easy to keep my thoughts kind of, I don't know, maybe the word pure would be appropriate."

I laughed out loud. She was so sweet.

"Okay, so maybe that's not the right word."

"Suffice it to say that, in the past at least I tried, but now look at me. I'm grinding on my boyfriend in the church parking lot." She said in a disgusted tone. "On Good Friday!" She added in alarm. "I feel like Bella the bimbo."

I palmed my face as I laughed at her words, all the tension and apprehension of a few moments ago gone. It didn't take long for Bella to laugh along with me. After our laughter quieted down, I looked at her, still smiling, "I'm so going to miss you" I said as I leaned over and kissed her quickly on the lips before starting the car.

"Edward why were you so weird during lunch today?" She asked as we drove to the grocery store.

I chuckled, finally secure in the knowledge that she wouldn't leave me over this. "The day after Christmas, I went to the Forks coffee shop for a quick breakfast. I was sitting on the other side of the partition when you and your family arrived. I hid behind that damned elk head until you left."

She laughed at that. "Oh Edward, that is hysterical. Let me guess, Raye was your waitress?" She asked as she continued to laugh.

I nodded, remembering how afraid I'd been that day. "I was afraid she would recognize me today. Sorry I freaked you out." I started to chuckle.

"You had quite an adventure didn't you?" Bella asked.

I grinned. "I'd do it all again. If you haven't figured it out by now, you're my favorite obsession Miss Swan." I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it as I drove.

"As you are mine Mister Movie Star."

-LRM-

I got the feeling that the smiles and curious looks we received from the locals had more to do with the fact that these people had known Bella all her life, and less to do with my fame.

They'd known her as a small carefree child, then as a traumatized young girl. I hoped that now they would see her as a happy, confident young woman, finally moving forward and living her life as she was meant to.

The most surprising meeting of the day took place at the pizza parlor. I didn't want her to exhaust herself by cooking a big meal tonight, so I'd convinced her to allow me to buy pizza with the promise that I would help her cook tomorrow.

As we sat waiting for the pizzas, Bella met an old high school classmate. It was clear that he truly cared for her. I tried very hard to hide my jealousy. It was difficult.

I was glad I didn't know that he'd asked her out in high school before I shook his hand, or I would have probably acted like a dick.

As I drove back to Charlie's, Bella mentioned the fact that the publicizing of her past had made it possible for everyone who knew her in high school to understand why she behaved the way she did, and hopefully forgive her. That statement troubled me.

"Bella, sweetheart, there is nothing to forgive. I never want to hear you talk like that again." I said sincerely as I squeezed her hand. "You know, there are a lot of people that care about both of us. Sometimes I get so caught up in the 'eye of the storm' as it were, that I forget that." I answered quietly.

-LRM-

We were back at Charlie's, enjoying the pizza, when my cell rang.

Wendy Graham

I'd been expecting this call, so I excused myself and walked toward the living room to take it. "Hello, do you have news for me?" I asked Wendy.

"Hello Edward. Yes, we made the agreement." Wendy began. She'd been working diligently to come up with a plea agreement on my airport arrest case. "There's not even a fine, because they know that it wouldn't mean anything to a guy with your kind of money." She chuckled. "You're expected to pay for the replacement of the cameras you damaged, and the only other requirement is twenty hours of community service to be completed by July 30."

I internally groaned, although I knew I deserved some kind of punishment for my drunken behavior.

"That's doable." I responded. "I can't start until I'm back from England though."

"Oh and Edward?" Wendy continued.

"Yes?"

"They were adamant that the community service be performed in L.A." She said.

Shit.

"Well, I'll have time once I return. Thanks for all your hard work Wendy."

"No problem, that's why you pay me the big bucks." She chuckled. "Have a great holiday Edward. I'll have my assistant look into some community service options for you and e-mail them to Alec."

"Thanks very much Wendy. You have a nice holiday also."

After I disconnected the call, I walked back toward the kitchen. I could hear Bella and her Dad talking.

"No Dad, that's okay. I'll leave it up to Edward. He can decide what he wants to do."

"What are you leaving up to me Bella?" I asked from the doorway.

Charlie cleared his throat. "I was going fishing for a few hours tomorrow morning, wanted to know if you'd like to join me. Emmett's going too."

Fuck. Do I want to be alone with Bella's father and brother for hours? Especially since one of them will probably be armed?

I cut my eyes at Bella, wondering what she wanted me to do. "Edward, I told Dad it was okay with me if you wanted to fish. Rose and I can get all the cooking done while you're gone."

Great. Wonderful. Superb. She wants me to do this. Oh well, maybe we'll bond.

Yeah, right.

I sighed and smiled, resigned to my fate. "In that case, I'd love to go Charlie."

Charlie beamed. "Alright then, we'll leave about five am" He said as he left the room.

Five o' fucking what?

"Just think of it as a 'bonding experience' Edward." Bella said as she laughed, no doubt taking in the expression on my face.

Once again, she's thinking what I'm thinking. And probably with the same amount of sarcasm.

Rose and Emmett arrived later that evening. Evidently there was an ongoing argument between Emmett and the Chief about sharing a room with Rose.

I had to admit that I admired the Chief for sticking to his principles. Although I'd have given anything for Bella to be able to stay with me, I knew it was impossible. Her Dad would never buy the fact that I could be a gentleman.

"Cheer up Edward" Bella said with a smile. "At least you have a bathroom down here, and a pool table." Bella said jokingly as we made up the sleeper sofa in the basement.

I frowned "It smells like moth balls, and cigars." I stepped closer to her as I wrapped my arms around her, "and nothing like you." I murmured as I ducked my head to kiss along her neck.

"I know it's kind of stuffy, but it's better than sleeping in the living room. You'd be woken up by every noise, at least down here your sleep will be undisturbed. Five a.m. comes pretty early." Bella said quietly.

"Besides, if it makes you feel better, Rose and I never had sex on that sofa." A voice boomed from across the room.

Emmett.

We looked toward the sound to find Emmett standing on the basement stairs smiling from ear to ear.

"Good to know Emmett." I answered while shaking my head.

"Although I should probably tell you that this is the room where I perfected my 'fart on demand' technique." He sighed and stretched "Good times, good times…"

Oh for God's sake… probably explains why this room smells like ass.

"Emmett, why are you down here?" Bella asked, disgusted.

"Just making sure you're coming upstairs Bellaboo. Not that I think Andy's going to do anything out of line, but if I've got to be lonely, then he does too."

I wish he'd go away.

Bella just stuck her tongue out at her brother just before I gave her a passionate goodnight kiss, putting her tongue to much better use.

-LRM-

"You really don't know anything about fishing do you Andy?" Emmett asked with a smug expression.

"About as much as you know about shutting the fuck up." I snarked. I was grouchy and tired.

Emmett barked out a laugh, to which his Dad told him to be quiet before he scared all the fish away.

I was also starving and it was cold. If anyone had told me a week ago that I'd be out on the water, freezing my ass off, as I pretended to know how to fish at six o'clock at the fucking morning, I'd have told them to lay off the crack pipe.

"Andy, watch closely, I'm going to show you how to bait a hook." Emmett said in an authoritative tone.

Chief Swan gave him a puzzled look.

Baiting the hook was disgusting. I thought back to when I was a kid, and Mom and Dad took us out on the boat. Sometimes we'd take a fishing pole along and 'fish'. We always baited the hook with lunchmeat, and we always threw the fish back.

Nightcrawlers are disgusting.

A couple hours into our excursion, I was actually starting to enjoy myself. Charlie was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people paid attention.

I finally understood the remark last night about the tub full of lime jello when Charlie told me about the April fool's pranks Emmett had played on him. When I told Charlie about the wookie head in the fridge, I saw a twinkle in his eye, as though he was suppressing a laugh, just before he turned an angry glare on his son.

"What the hell were you trying to do to Bella with a stunt like that Emmett?" He barked.

Emmett actually looked a little sheepish as he defended himself. "Bella didn't find the head now did she Pops? Besides, she's tougher than you think." He stretched and propped his legs up on the cooler. "Yeah, I'll have to think of something even more brilliant for next year, since Andy Stitzer here spoiled all my fun."

Charlie still didn't look happy.

Note to self: Make sure to have Bella on the other side of the world next April Fool's Day.

Hold on, I'll probably be filming in Europe at that time. Perfect.

All of a sudden there was a tug on my line. Whereas Emmett and the Chief had caught several fish by this time, this was the first bite I'd had all morning. As I reeled in the fish, Emmett got excited and jumped to his feet, racing over to my side.

He grabbed my rod just as my catch cleared the water. "Well, would you look at that. That sucker's pretty big. Congratulations Eddie."

I'd almost rather he call me Andy.

It turned out that my fish was bigger than anything they had caught that morning. A fact that made me feel a little smug.

By the time we got back to the house, my mood had improved significantly. We told the girls all about our exciting morning as we ate Eggs Benedict.

I helped Bella clean the kitchen afterwards, and while she started to boil eggs in order to color them later, I went to lay down in the smelly basement.

The next thing I knew, I'd fallen asleep. I felt a soft warm body snuggle against me, and put my arm around Bella, holding her close. "Where's Charlie?" I asked, not wanting him to see us and come to the wrong conclusion.

More importantly, I didn't want Bella to be humiliated.

"He's taking a nap in his recliner. It's okay, I can't be down here too long, anyway. I've got to start cooking." She said with a yawn.

We were awoken by the sound of the kitchen timer. Bella hopped off the sofa and headed upstairs. Rose and Emmett were just leaving as I walked upstairs to help with the cooking.

"Where are they going?" I asked.

"They have a meeting with Father Pat about getting married in the church."

"Oh" was my brilliant response.

All this time I had assumed they would get married in a public, secular venue, not thinking that either of them was particularly religious. Bella, on the other hand, seemed more dedicated to her faith.

Except when she was giving me a lap dance in the church parking lot.

Shit. I have to stop thinking about that.

It dawned on me that Bella would most definitely want to marry in her church. The thought made me inexplicably happy.

My first task in the kitchen was to help color the now cooled eggs. "Why exactly are we doing this?" I asked.

"I'll give you three guesses, and the first two don't count." She answered as she arched an eyebrow at me.

"Emmett" I muttered.

"Bingo" She smiled.

"Don't feel bad Bella, Alice colors eggs every Easter"

We both laughed.

After the eggs, we started cooking the fish feast. We were in the middle of making hushpuppies when the front door flew open.

"I can't fucking believe this" Emmett boomed.

We rushed from the kitchen just as Charlie jumped up from his recliner to see what the trouble was.

"Emmett, you need to calm down. After all this was your idea. You just need to decide how important it is to you." Rosalie said, trying to calm him.

Emmett stomped into the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge. "It's not just about the wedding, it's the fact that I want to rejoin the church." He stormed as he took a big swig. "I thought Father Pat was a friend. This is ridiculous."

Charlie finally said what we were thinking "What the hell's going on Emmett?"

Emmett scowled "I had a long discussion with Father Pat about rejoining the Church. He was agreeable and gave me some literature I needed to read. He wants me to think it over and get back to him in a couple of weeks. If everything works out, I'll be able to start receiving the Sacraments again. He also said that having the wedding in the Cathedral wouldn't be a problem."

"So what's the big deal Emmett?" Bella asked.

"He said I was to use the next couple of weeks to reflect and decide if I was really serious. If I truly loved Rose and wanted to rejoin the Church, then the sacrifice asked of me would be secondary to that, in fact it should be easy."

"What sacrifice Emmett?" Bella asked.

Emmett looked at her with a defeated expression. "No sex until the wedding." He answered mournfully "Ab-sti-nence" He pronounced each syllable.

He sighed and took another swig of his beer as we all looked on in stunned silence.

"I may just fucking die before the wedding." He muttered "Because you know what? I sure as hell won't die fucking."

What can one even say to that?

Evidently, words were unnecessary, as Rosalie chose to smack Emmett's head instead.

"Emmett, what did you expect Father Pat to say?" Rose asked. "Sure Emmett, continue living in sin with your fiancée, because I know you're a twenty-eight year old horndog and can't help yourself ?"

Emmett looked at her incredulously "While the word horndog never entered into my mind, yes I thought he would see reason. I even offered him money."

"You tried to bribe Father Pat?" Bella asked.

"Not bribe per se. I offered to finance the new parish hall that he wants to build. I offered to pay for the entire thing if he'd just forget this abstinence stipulation. He wouldn't budge." Emmett slumped into a chair in defeat.

Chief Swan started to laugh which, in turn, caused the rest of us to do the same. Except for Emmett of course.

"Laugh it up nearest and dearest, but now I've got some serious thinking to do."

As funny as this is, it's so awkward hearing about it in front of Bella's Dad.

"Sorry Emmett, but you have to admit that this is kind of funny." Bella answered him.

His brow creased, and then he grinned. "Look, if it was happening to anyone else, I'd be laughing my ass off." He chuckled.

After that, I was glad to escape to the kitchen where I helped Bella fry the fish. Charlie said something about needing to go to the hardware store before he left. After a while, I realized that I'd left my cell phone in the basement when I'd fallen asleep earlier.

I told Bella I'd only be a minute as I left to retrieve it.

By the time the sounds I was hearing registered in my brain, I had reached the bottom of the staircase and was greeted with a highly disturbing view of Emmett's bare ass, with Rose's legs wrapped around it.

"O fuck", the words escaped my mouth before I could stop them. I immediately did an about face, and bolted back up the stairs without a second glance.

I reached the kitchen in a matter of seconds, startling Bella.

"What the heck Edward?" She asked.

"Your brother and Rose….Jesus that was awkward." I blurted out.

Just then, Emmett's voice sounded from the basement "Sorry Eddie, my bad."

Bella looked confused. "Edward, what…?" I watched as realization dawned on her face. "They did not.." She stared, wide-eyed.

"They most certainly did, and are doing" I answered, shaking my head in semi-disbelief. "I should have stopped when I heard the grunts and moans, but it didn't register until I caught a glimpse of them 'doing the deed'. Thank God it was only a glimpse."

"Oh shit." Bella muttered. "On the sofa?"

"No" I was still shaking my head "On the pool table" I said quietly.

"You saw them?" Bella asked in alarm.

"Well, no, not them. Actually, almost one hundred percent of my 'glimpse' was limited to your brother's bare ass." I blurted.

We stared at each other for one silent moment before bursting into laughter.

As I said before, with Emmett, I'd learned to 'expect the unexpected'.

-LRM-

That evening, we all decided to go out. Except for the Chief who opted instead to be our 'designated driver'. Unfortunately, the choices in Forks were pretty slim, so we ended up in the only bar which also provided live music.

The band was setting up just as we arrived. Bella snagged a large corner booth, and I settled in happily beside her. For a while, there was a steady stream of people stopping by to say hello. I managed to ignore them by keeping my attention on Bella. We only had two days left together, and I found myself trying to commit everything about her to memory. Her beautiful face, her shy smile, her laughter, the way she bit her lip when she was unsure of something. I now understood the term 'lovesick fool'.

The urge to have my arms around her took over, and I asked her to dance. Although I knew it wasn't her favorite thing, I got her to reluctantly agree.

Maybe she also craves the closeness.

As we danced, I shared with Bella my determination that we wouldn't have any long separations after this trip to England.

After we'd been in the bar for a couple of hours, Rose and Emmett disappeared. "Edward, maybe you should go looking for them?" Bella asked worriedly.

The memory of the scene in the basement came back to me. "Seriously Bella? I have no desire to walk up on what I did in the basement this afternoon."

"Good point Mister Movie Star." Bella grinned.

Bella slipped off to the rest room as I went to the bar to get us a couple of cokes.

By the time I'd taken the drinks to our booth, Bella still hadn't come back.

There must be a long line for the ladies' room.

I had been sitting for a little while when Emmett and Rose arrived back at the table, looking a little 'rumpled', for lack of a better word.

So fucking glad I didn't go look for them.

"Where's Bella?" Emmett asked as he looked around.

"She went to the rest room." I answered. "I was just going to check on her, she's been gone quite a while."

Emmett and Rose immediately turned toward the hall leading to the ladies' room. I jumped from my seat to follow them.

As we turned into the hall, I froze. My girl was literally being cornered by a big ugly motherfucker who was just about to take his last breath.

Emmett and I lurched toward him at the same moment, only to be stopped by Rose's hands on our chests. "Wait" She whispered.

"Do you like these boots? I've been told they're sexy." Bella said through gritted teeth.

"Yeah little Swan, they are mighty sexy. I'd like to see those boots resting up on my shoulders while I pound into you baby."

I immediately saw red as I clenched my fists. I was so angry that it was hard to breathe.

I'm going to kill this douchebag.

Once again Rose held us back. "Let's hear what Bella says." She whispered.

"I'm really glad you like them Tim, because if you touch me with any part of your nasty body, I'm going to see how far I can shove one of these boots up your ass."

Bella? My Bella just threatened that?

"After that, I'm going to find my brother Emmett. I'm sure you remember him don't you? As a matter of fact, he's around here somewhere."

Asshole looked a little panicked.

"I'm not sure what Emmett will do to you, he'll probably have to argue with my overprotective boyfriend to see who gets first crack."

Damn straight.

I looked at Emmett, he was smirking.

"Then, after they're done, Chief Swan will come down here to pick up what's left of you and throw it in jail."

"Sounds like a lot of fucking fun for you." Bella hissed at him. The asshole took a step back.

"Cheer up Tim, maybe if you keep molesting women, you'll eventually be arrested for assault. You won't have to hang around bathrooms in small town bars, hoping for some drunk dude to shove his dick in your mouth, you'll get lots of dick in prison."

Holy shit. It was definitely Bella speaking, but the words were more befitting Rosalie.

Bella wheeled around to leave, immediately surprised when she noticed us standing there. I stood stock still, stunned over what I'd just witnessed.

Rose had her hand on her heart, looking a little misty-eyed. "And to think, I raised her from a pup." She said admiringly.

The piece of shit Tim scurried quickly past us.

I'll deal with him momentarily, right now I need to make sure that my girl is alright.

"Are you okay Bella" I asked, full of concern.

"I'm fine Edward. He didn't touch me." I was relieved, to say the least. I didn't have a chance to ask anything else before Rose grabbed Bella's arm and pulled her into the ladies' room.

Time to hurt a motherfucker.

I turned and started to walk in the direction I'd seen Tim go when a strong hand grabbed my arm. "Where do you think you're going without me Eddie?" Emmett asked.

We went back into the main room of the bar to find Tim flanked by two guys just as ugly and drunk as he was.

I was so angry I could literally feel my hands shaking as I balled them into fists. I wouldn't be happy until I hit something, or in particular, someone.

"Outside asswipe." Emmett directed to the dick.

Motherfucker had the nerve to sneer at us.

"What do you want Swan? I didn't touch your precious little sister." He slurred.

"I said outside. I have no desire to fuck up this fine establishment." Emmett said with a nod to the bartender.

"Whatever." Tim said as he stood to walk out. The two lackeys followed behind.

Once outside, Emmett began. "I'm going to fuck you up for what I heard you say." Then he nodded in my direction. "He's going to fuck you up for the stuff we didn't hear."

My pleasure.

The dick actually started to laugh. "What? You realize that it's three against two. How about we fuck both of you up and maybe I'll find your little sister and fuck her afterwards.

Son of a motherfucking bitch.

I dove at him. Emmett held me back. I was seriously considering hitting Emmett for such a punk ass move, when one of the sidekicks of the dick actually punched him first.

It was a weak punch, but Emmett still felt it full force since he was unprepared for it. He turned and flattened the jackass.

I turned to Tim and raised my fist for the first punch.

"Eddie, stick with body shots so you don't damage your knuckles. You've got to film next week." Emmett shouted in reminder as he punched lackey number two.

I landed at least four shots to Tim's torso, in comparison to the two he was able to hit me with, before Emmett was finished with sidekick number two. Tim was holding his side as he began swinging wildly, trying to hit Emmett. Emmett turned and landed one on the bastard's jaw that effectively put him out of commission.

Sidekick number one was back on his feet, and as I turned to look at him all I saw was a fist coming straight for me. Just then, Emmett jumped between us and took the punch full in the face.

"That's gonna leave a mark." I heard Emmett mutter as I pummeled sidekick one. He got a coupe of shots in before I finally laid him out.

The girls arrived at that moment. I have to admit, I felt pretty good standing there with Emmett's arm around my shoulders, victorious, the ground around us littered with shitheads.

Deputy Mark arrived a few minutes later, and we explained to him and the girls that drunk asshole number one had thrown the first punch. When Mark saw who the guys were, he shook his head explaining that these guys were regular brawlers. "They'll be charged with Drunk and Disorderly, again."

He started to cuff them and read them their rights.

Emmett gave the girls a play-by-play of the action as I stood with my arm around Bella, eyeing the piece of shit motherfuckers as Mark loaded them into the patrol car.

Chief Swan arrived just in time to have a word with Mark before he drove away.

When we told him what had happened, he looked proudly at his son. He then turned to me and shook my hand while looking me in the eye. He gave me a slight nod and then turned back to get in the hummer. The handshake was a simple gesture, but I felt the weight of the meaning behind it.

Before we left, I ran back inside and threw a couple hundreds to the bartender, explaining that I wanted to make sure he was covered for the drinks the assholes probably never paid for. He thanked me with a smile.

Bella gave me a hug as we climbed into the hummer. She must have noticed my slight wince as she pressed against the side that had taken most of the abuse.

"Edward what's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing Bella, I just caught a couple of punches."

Once we arrived back at Charlie's, Bella made me lift my shirt. She obviously didn't like what she found because she looked as if she wanted to cry.

"Oh Edward" She sighed as she kissed the bruises.

Rose examined Emmett and found several bruises starting to form on him as well. "You're lucky those guys were falling down drunk Emmett, otherwise they might have seriously injured you both."

"It's alright ladies, nothing broken, and bruises heal quickly." He answered with a smile. "I get worse than this during practice."

I smiled too. "It's not often I get to defend your honor in such a satisfying manner Miss Swan. Let me enjoy the moment."

-LRM-

My dreams that night were restless. They were filling with my beautiful girl, but at every turn there would be some piece of shit throwing insults at her, and I would have to beat the living daylights out of him. I startled from sleep, feeling exhausted.

After Emmett and Rose's 'incident' on the pool table earlier that day, the basement had become an even less desirable place to sleep. Therefore, I'd carried my pillow and blanket upstairs after everyone had gone to bed.

As I sat on the living room sofa, wide awake, I thought I heard sniffling and what sounded like someone softly crying.

Bella

I flew off the sofa and rushed over to her. The sight I found broke my heart. She was sitting by the basement door, her legs drawn up and her face buried against her knees as she sobbed.

I quickly sat down and pulled her to me. "Sweetheart, what's wrong? What's happened?" I asked frantically as I brushed her hair from her face.

She didn't answer, instead she continued to cry and hold onto me. "Bella please, you're scaring me." I begged.

She took a few deep breaths, trying to regain control as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "I just, I really try you know?" She said as she wiped her eyes with her shirt. "I try to be strong. I try not to think about her, but I just miss her. Sometimes it's hard to bear."

My poor girl. She's missing her Mom.

"Oh Bella, I can only imagine how it would be to lose a parent." I held her tighter. "I wish I knew what to say to help…"

"You do help Edward, more than you realize." At that she started to sob again. "And now you're going to leave. I'll miss you so much." She blurted out between sobs.

I felt like shit. How was I going to be able to board that airplane?

"Bella, I'm sorry baby. I wish I didn't have to go." I said as I kissed her cheek.

I soothed her for a few minutes, continually reminding her of how much I loved her. When she finally calmed, I walked her over to the sofa where I'd been sleeping.

She looked at me questioningly. "Edward are you sleeping up here?"

I smirked. "Yes Bella. There's no way I want to sleep downstairs after the porn moment I witnessed earlier. It would be too freaky."

She giggled. I was so glad that she was returning to normal. I pulled her down with me, cradling her in my arms until we both fell into a deep sleep.

-LRM-

"Isabella Marie Swan, what the hell is going on?"

I almost jumped up at the sound of the Chief's angry voice. Thankfully, I didn't because that move surely would have knocked Bella to the floor. I waited until she moved, and we both hopped to our feet together.

"What do you have to say for yourself Bella?" Charlie asked as he glared at me.

It was clear that any good opinion I'd earned from him yesterday had evaporated.

By this time, Emmett and Rose had both stumbled down the stairs to watch the show.

"I was having a bad night Dad. I…" Bella stuttered out.

"Chief Swan, this is my fault not Bella's. She was crying, I carried her over here and held her until she fell asleep." I tried to explain, not wanting him to be angry with Bella.

"You know I can't control what happens at my daughter's apartment, or at your big fancy home in L.A., but I sure as hell should be able to say what's allowed in my own damn house." Charlie was pissed. "I'm just very shocked that Bella would disregard my rules.." He ranted.

"Dad, I didn't disregard any rules. It's just like Edward said, I was missing Mom. He was comforting me."

"Humph" Charlie still wasn't satisfied, although he lost a little of his anger. "I still don't like it." He said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess I'd just hoped that you'd take a little time before jumping into that part of your relationship…"

I felt awful that he was jumping to conclusions because I knew his words would bother Bella for a long time to come.

"Dad, stop right there. Nothing is going on, not now and not before now."

"Edward's been a perfect gentleman."

Not perfect, definitely not perfect.

My thoughts drifted to a drunken groping/kissing session against the wall of a karaoke bar.

"Sure he has, Bella." Chief Swan muttered sarcastically.

Yeah, he hates me.

"Dad, I really wish you weren't making me say this." She sighed loudly. "I'm a virgin, and that's not likely to change any time soon."

Charlie actually looked surprised. Didn't he know his own daughter?

Yes, but he doesn't know or trust me. Who could blame him?

"Well, with his reputation I'm sure it's only a matter of time…"

"Pops you really need to lighten up." Emmett suddenly chimed in. "They are both adults, and this is not anybody's business but theirs."

Charlie looked at Emmett in shock. "What the hell Emmett? I don't care how old Bella gets, she's still my daughter and I don't want her to make any decisions that she'll regret. No offense Edward, but your past is pretty sketchy."

Emmett guffawed. "Pops if you only knew." He said as he continued laughing "I think our little Bella is perfectly safe with Andy, at least for now."

Damn you Emmett. Does my nonexistent sex life have to be the main topic of conversation?

Charlie narrowed his eyes at Emmett. "There you go again Emmett. You keep calling Edward by the name Andy. At first I thought that must be his middle name, but then while we were fishing you referred to him as Andy Stitzer. I googled that shit and found out that's the name of the guy from The 40 Year Old Virgin." Charlie looked puzzled.

"Oh yeah that. Uh, it's just my nickname for Eddie ever since I found out he was a v-" He was cut off when Rose elbowed him in his already bruised abdomen. "Ow Rose, that shit hurts. Do you mind?"

What an asshole. I can't believe he almost just 'outed' me to Charlie.

"Found out he was a what?" Charlie was still confused. "He's no where near 40 years old and he certainly isn't a vir-"

Oh fuck.

Charlie looked at Bella and me, no doubt catching our panicked expressions.

Charlie just stared at us, his eyes shifting back and forth between our blushing faces. "Holy shit." He muttered before collapsing into his recliner.

Holy shit is right. I need a drink.

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

A/N Song Rec: 'My Own Worst Enemy' by Lit

Edward's sure to get an ulcer if he spends much more time with the Swans.

As always, tell me what you think. Next up is a chap of V&V which is almost complete.