Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.
I own my original characters and original story.
*This parallels chapter 60 of V&V 'Wrap Parties & Shattered Glass'. Please read that before attempting this.
Enjoy!
****************************LRM**********************************
Chapter 60 – The Stuff of Nightmares…
Once we arrived at the party, I had a quick drink with Jasper before sending a text to Bella.
.
You know what they say about paybacks my love
I'll meet you in the lobby
.
After hitting 'send', I took another look at the photo. I couldn't wait to plot my revenge for her little stunt.
Sidney and I waited in the lobby for her arrival. When she entered, she took my breath away dressed in her curve-hugging t-shirt and jeans, with her long brown hair falling in waves around her face and shoulders.
How does she manage to make a simple t-shirt and jeans look so damned sexy?
Then I remembered what was probably under the t-shirt and jeans and my dick sprang to attention.
She snickered at me, although I hadn't uttered a word. I looked at her questioningly before giving her a quick kiss and leading her to the elevator.
I could feel the straps to Bella's bra under the material of her shirt, and was in agony wondering if she was wearing the one from the photo. When Bella leaned back and brushed against me, I almost groaned out loud.
As we rode up to the roof, I felt Bella's shoulders suddenly slump as if something was troubling her.
I wondered if someone had said something to upset her.
Maybe the paps had shouted at her on the way in.
Whatever it was, I wanted to find out. Once we stepped off the elevator, I signaled for Lou and Sidney to wait there before grabbing Bella's hand and pulling her into a small hallway by the rest rooms. "Bella what's wrong?" I asked.
"I'm sorry" She said without looking into my eyes.
I pulled her face up to look at me. "Why are you sorry sweetheart?"
"I shouldn't have sent the photo, it wasn't nice." She said.
What? Why in the world would she regret that?
I smiled. "Oh, on the contrary, I thought it was very nice." I said as I bent down and brushed my lips against hers. "I should be angry with you though." I whispered.
"I know."
"That image is now burned into my brain. You are one cruel woman Bella Swan." I breathed, teasing her. "Answer me one question, and all will be forgiven." I continued.
"What's that?" She asked quietly.
I moved my lips to her ear "Are you wearing them now?"
She nodded in answer.
Fuuuck.
I pulled her close and wrapped my arms around her then. "Ah Bella" I sighed. "Whatever will I do with you?"
"Anything you want seven weeks from now." She blurted before slapping her hand over her mouth.
I laughed loudly.
She'd always so unpredictable
"So you've been keeping track of the days too?" I asked, exceedingly pleased at the thought.
"Maybe" She grinned.
From behind me, I heard the most annoying sound imaginable. Alec's voice.
"There you are." He announced. I turned to glare at him.
He is fucking clueless.
"You're missing the party." He said, completely ignoring me.
"Trust me, we're not missing anything." I answered with a smirk.
I clasped Bella's hand in mine. "Shall we?" I said as I gestured toward the party.
"Sure." Bella said before I led her to a sofa near the bar.
We had a great evening with Tony, Molly, Crystal and Yves. I was glad to see Bella relax.
Jasper snuck out early, I was almost certain that it had to do with his embarrassment over Bella's text photo.
The evening passed quickly while that idiot Nicole French kept us entertained. It's always a bittersweet moment when a film is finished. I'd made a couple of good friends in Tony and Yves, and I hoped to work with them again, but no one can ever be certain that will happen.
While we were there, I introduced Bella to Sal and Herb, the two men I had considered my enemies for the last few months. If she suspected the reasons for my hostility toward the two men, she never mentioned it.
Eventually, we said goodbye to our friends, with the assurance that they would be attending our wedding in August.
As we lay in bed that night, laughing about the day's events, Bella finally asked about something that had evidently been on her mind.
"Edward, were those studio executives involved in the whole Tanya mess?"
I tensed as I thought about the problems that my stupidity had caused. "Yes. Actually, back in January when you thought I'd lied to you about Tanya not being my girlfriend, those two guys were part of a roomful of people that I told to go fuck themselves." I admitted.
"Oh" She said before going quiet for a minute.
"Edward, it can't be healthy to hold onto all this anger. I worry about you so much." She whispered as she reached up to kiss me.
I relaxed as I held her, enjoying the closeness.
"I know you're right." I admitted. "You're a better person than I am Bella."
"That's doubtful." She blurted. "I go around feeling guilty most of the time. I feel like a terrible person."
"Guilty? What could you possibly have to feel guilty about?" I asked.
She sighed. "A lot of things. I'm working on it though. The biggest one is feeling responsible for my Mom's death. It's been difficult to talk myself out of that one."
Her confession broke my heart.
"Oh Bella, there's only one person to blame for that, and he's in prison." I tried to reassure.
"I know."
-LRM—
Bella and Mrs. Hernandez were in my kitchen preparing dinner. They threw me out when I attempted to help saying something about 'too many cooks'. It was just as well. If they wanted it to be edible, it was best if I wasn't involved.
Kyle had arrived soon after we'd gotten back from Mass, so we sat in the living room while he filled me in on the Jill Richardson nonsense.
"Evidently, no one coerced her into making the statement that implicated you." Kyle said. "She came up with that one all on her own." He shook his head at her stupidity.
"Wow" I interjected. "Whereas before she was just an invisible out-of-work actress, she's managed through that statement to draw enough attention to herself to make a few enemies."
Kyle nodded. "Do you count yourself among those enemies Edward?"
I thought about that. It was true that I was extremely angry with Jill Richardson in the beginning, my feelings bordering on hatred, I had let go of most of those feelings. Bella had been the cause of that. I realized that I didn't hate Jill, and I wasn't her enemy. She was nothing to me.
During dinner, Kyle filled Bella and Mrs. Hernandez in on everything he'd already told me.
Kyle was amused by Bella's naiveté concerning the matter of race. I knew her so well, that I wasn't surprised by her reaction. In so many ways, Bella was very innocent, like a small child.
I had lost my naiveté some time ago. Hollywood pretended to be this bastion of 'open minds'. Over the years, I'd realized a lot of that talk was bullshit. Just like anywhere else in America, I'd witnessed my fair share of instances of racism on set, especially early on.
It wasn't something I tolerated. There were a handful of people in the business that I vowed to never work with again because of it.
Kyle stayed around chatting for a while after dinner. I discovered his love for music was as eclectic as mine. We vowed that after my return to Seattle, we'd get together with him and his wife for dinner and maybe visit a jazz club afterwards.
-LRM—
Before the MTV movie awards, I knew I was a jealous motherfucker where Bella was concerned. After the awards, I realized I was so jealous that I was borderline insane.
If one more 'actor' had come up to us asking to be introduced to my girl while giving her that look, the one which was a cross between a leer and an admiring stare, I was going to wipe it from their face with my fist.
Admittedly, a bit of an overreaction
Usually I was able to convince them of my feelings on the matter by raising an eyebrow. They would get the message, while Bella remained oblivious.
"Aziz wears the white dinner jacket well, but not as well as you Edward." She whispered.
I wonder if I should tell her that I've chosen white dinner jackets for the wedding.
I smiled down at her as I laced our fingers together. She was so beautiful, positively glowing. I was pretty sure that I was never going to get used to just how beautiful she was.
She seemed to enjoy herself, even when I kissed her by surprise on national television.
When it came time for the Global Superstar award, I was happy I'd won simply for the fact that I got to thank my girl in front of the world.
Bella seemed relaxed and happy all evening, even when she had to wait around for me as I did a couple of short interviews.
I was more than ready to leave by the time we said our goodbyes. All I wanted was to spend time with Bella, especially since she'd be leaving in the morning. I couldn't stand the thought that she'd be going home without me, but comforted myself with the idea that it would only be for one night.
Once we were back at the house and settled in to watch a movie, Bella started a conversation I'd been meaning to for a while.
There was no simple answer to where we would live after our marriage. In many ways I was a vagabond for several months out of each year. If I chose to continue in this profession, I didn't see that changing any time soon.
Bella had said before that she wanted to stay with me always, but I knew there would be times that wouldn't be prudent or convenient. I tried to make it clear that I wouldn't hold her to that promise.
She still seemed determined, and I couldn't have been more delighted.
"Edward, when I told you we wouldn't be apart, I meant it. I intend to go with you on location every time."
Soon after that conversation we had one that I'd been avoiding. I'd mentioned wanting children with Bella, and I did, but I was also apprehensive about the day that would actually happen. I didn't relish the thought of her in pain. Even Bella in slight discomfort would distress me.
After our discussion, I felt a knot form in my stomach.
She wanted to try Natural Family Planning.
Just when I thought my days of abstinence were finally drawing to a close, Bella hits me with that. I understood her reasoning, she was trying to be a good Catholic, but I had very selfish reasons for wishing she wasn't so dedicated.
My head was swimming from the conversation. If we didn't abstain, I was convinced that Bella would become pregnant right away. I didn't know if I could handle that.
Birth control would make things so much easier.
I sighed deeply. I was very conflicted. I wasn't joking when I told her that I'd beg Chief Swan and Emmett to kick my ass for causing her physical pain.
"Oh Edward" She chuckled as she reached up to kiss my lips. "That's a welcome kind of pain. But you're worrying about something that's not even close to happening yet. We get to have lots of sex before we have to worry about that." She actually wiggled her eyebrows at me.
I flipped her onto her back so that I could position myself above her. "My beautiful girl, I know you're trying to distract me, and it's most definitely working. I also know that as soon as we've made love, I'm not going to want to abstain. Not ever. So that which I fear, will happen a lot sooner than you think." I grinned, although inside I was feeling nervous again.
"Okay then, let's not worry about any kind of family planning until after the first baby." She said with a grin.
I growled then. "You are incorrigible." I announced before claiming her lips. Bella allowed me to control the kiss, slowly tracing her bottom lip with my tongue, before she allowed me entrance. I knew that once we were married, it would be moments such as this that would lead to other things such as making a baby. But while lost in this moment, the thought didn't bother me. Whatever happened, we would face it together.
As soon as she playfully bit my earlobe, I knew I was lost.
"I can deny you nothing beautiful. If it means that much to you, I'll agree." I said in surrender.
"Thank you Edward, I love you so much." She whispered.
"As I love you sweetheart."
We lay there quietly for a few minutes before Bella spoke again.
"Edward?"
"Yes, love?"
"Are you sure that you just don't want to have to share me." She teased. "You know, with a baby."
Admittedly, I had hoped for some time alone, a few years of just us. I chuckled "I can't argue with that Bella, and there's no man on earth that would blame me. But on the other hand, to know you were carrying our child, something we made together out of love." I held her closer. "The thought overwhelms me." I answered honestly.
That night I dreamed of a beautiful little girl with her mother's brown hair and lovely brown eyes.
-LRM-
It was with a heavy heart that I said goodbye to Bella at the airport the next morning. I couldn't help the uneasy feeling which had been building in my stomach from the moment I got out of bed.
My appearance on Letterman was scheduled for that evening, but before that I had several other things to do. First thing on the agenda was an appointment with Dr. Gould, my therapist.
"Hello Edward, it's been a while." Dr. Gould said as he greeted me with a smile and a handshake.
"Yes it has." I replied with a nod.
"So what seems to be the trouble?"
I looked at him questioningly.
He smiled. "You're not one of those patients that merely stops by to talk about how great everything is in your life Edward. You usually have very specific issues to discuss."
He knew me well.
I sighed as I started to run my fingers through my hair.
Once I began to tell him about my anxiety, it was as if I'd opened the floodgates. I told Dr. Gould everything. The nightmares, the flower stalker, the way I felt if I had to leave Bella for even a day, the jealousy, everything.
He studied me during my sometimes emotional tirade. He let me berate myself for being overprotective, all the while he simply sat and listened.
When I'd finished, I waited for him to speak.
"Edward, I want you to think about how you feel at this exact moment." He began in a quiet voice. "Do you feel better, having gotten those thoughts and feelings off your chest?"
As I thought about what he'd asked, I realized that I did. It seemed that the more I spoke of these things, the less they had control over me.
I nodded. "Actually, I think I do." I said before breathing out a sigh of relief.
I would venture to guess that Bella doesn't have the same anxiety issues that you do. I shook my head in answer.
"From what you've told me, she processes her worries out loud in many cases. She asks your opinion a lot of the time. She doesn't internalize as much as you do."
I couldn't disagree.
"Edward, you have always been loath to discuss your worries with others. I believe that as much as it makes you feel better to discuss these things with me, you would be infinitely more relieved if you shared them with Bella. You've admitted that she's the most important person in your life, why not let her help you Edward?"
"I have shared some of it." I admitted. "I just find it very difficult to burden her. Her recovery and wellness are more important than mine."
"You see that's where you're wrong. Your happiness is dependent on hers and vice versa. She won't be truly happy if you are not. This is something you need to address."
"But the nightmares…" I whispered.
"Are part of your subconscious only Edward. It wouldn't matter if the nightmare involved a balloon from the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade chasing you down the street" he said with a smile "if it troubles you, it doesn't hurt to share that with the woman you love."
I smiled at the image of me running through Times Square, with a giant Scooby Doo balloon in hot pursuit.
"The fact that she is in the dreams only signifies how important she is to you."
"You're right. I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else."
-LRM—
"It looks like the soonest I'll be in Seattle is early to mid-July" Clint advised.
I'd phoned him on my way home from Dr. Gould's.
That being said, we agreed to meet as soon as he arrived to discuss a few things pertaining to the film.
And to set up a ridiculous practical joke to be played on my future father-in-law
Bella had sent a text letting me know she'd arrived. I glanced at my watch, and knew that she was probably in the middle of taking her exam by that time.
I relaxed for a little while before having to get ready for the Letterman show.
My last task of the day was to set up an appointment with the director of a soup kitchen in L.A. I still had those community service hours hanging over my head. Bella and I had discussed it, and she suggested that I complete the hours by working in a soup kitchen since I was already familiar with that type of volunteer work. She even said she wanted to work with me. Things such as that made me realize that I'd never be good enough for her.
The director agreed to meet with me early the next morning.
-LRM—
"Tonight, we have with us arguably the most popular young actor out there" David Letterman announced. "Please welcome to the show Edward Masen."
I walked onstage and waved to the audience before shaking David's hand.
"How's everything been going?" David asked after I'd taken my seat.
"Good. Things have been good. I've been busy." I answered.
"So I hear." Dave said with a smile. "Tell me a little about the film you just finished."
I proceeded to give the standard answer to that question. There was just enough detail to interest the general public in The Harvest of Avarice, without giving major plot points away.
"Now Edward, the big news is that you're getting married."
I smiled and nodded.
"Your fiancée Bella is quite beautiful." Dave said matter-of-factly.
"Yes she is." I smiled.
"So how did you guys meet anyway?"
"Well, when I was home in Seattle for Christmas, I was scheduled to do an interview with one of the local TV stations. The interviewer is actually engaged to Bella's brother, and Bella was working part-time at the station, so I met her then."
David nodded sagely.
"I've heard a little bit about Bella's brother." He then turned to the audience. "In case any of you were unaware, Bella's brother is Emmett Swan of Seattle Seahawks fame."
I nodded again.
"So Edward, I've heard from a few sources that Emmett is known to be a colorful character" David paused. "In short, quite a few people tell me he's a nut."
The audience erupted into laughter as did I.
"Well, I have to say that from what I know of him, that's an accurate assessment."
Letterman and the audience started laughing again.
"So is Bella crazy like her brother or is she the calm and quiet type."
I laughed and shook my head. "She'll probably kill me for this but; I'd say that for the most part she's very calm, although she does have her moments." I grinned, thinking about her verbal spew, her drunken belly-dancing, and her Pootie Tang speak.
After the commercial break, David had a little surprise planned for me.
"Had an interesting conversation earlier today with an Alice Whitlock." He grinned. "Would you like to tell the audience who that is?"
"That would be my sister." I answered, wondering what David was up to.
"She's a fashion designer, am I right?" David asked, already knowing the answer.
I nodded.
"She told me that you were her guinea pig when you were quite young." He smirked. "And then lo and behold, she sent me photographic proof."
Dave then held up an 8 by 10 glossy of Alice and me. I was probably about three years old at the time which would make her about four, and I was wearing one of Alice's frilly pink dresses and a string of beads. The ensemble looked quite odd with my little boy haircut.
I cringed as the audience laughed.
"Is it out of line for me to ask if you still have a penchant for cross-dressing Edward?" Dave asked with a smirk.
Queue audience laughter once again.
I shook my head. When the laughter died down, I was finally able to speak. "What can I say? My sister was a bit of a bully." I grinned. "But I can honestly tell you that I've never in my life, had the desire to dress in women's clothing."
"Wow, that's a load off." David chuckled.
I will get Alice for this.
After the show, I found a message on my phone from Bella. "Hey Edward, I guess you're at the Letterman show. I just called to let you know that I'm done for the day. Call me when you can. I love you."
-LRM—
For the next hour or so, Bella and I played phone tag. We finally caught up with each other and logged on to skype.
"Lou told me that his mom isn't doing very well Edward, he needs a few days off to visit her."
I was very sad to hear that. Lou was a great guy, and a real friend to Bella. "Of course he can take as much time as he needs once Sidney and I arrive tomorrow. Bella please tell him how sorry I am about his Mom." I replied.
"I know he'll be grateful to hear that." She said softly. "Edward, I see no reason why he has to wait for you and Sidney to arrive. I'll be perfectly fine by myself for a few hours."
That is simply not an option.
I frowned. "Absolutely not Bella."
"Edward, I promise to lock myself in the apartment until you arrive."
I couldn't understand why she would push me on this.
Probably because you've never been completely honest with her about your anxiety.
I began to run my fingers through my hair. "Bella, please don't ask me that." I wasn't above begging.
"Edward please, I swear I won't do anything stupid."
"Bella, I can't."
"Please." She insisted.
As hard as it was to refuse her, I just couldn't risk it. I shook my head, not able to verbalize my answer.
Because of her exams, I didn't let Bella stay up late to watch Letterman. Besides, we knew that Rose and Emmett had recorded it, so we all planned to watch it together after they arrived home from New York.
-LRM—
The next morning, Alec and I met with the director of the soup kitchen and filled out some paperwork that all volunteers were required to do. She would be the one to sign off on my time log which would be the only proof I needed to fulfill my required community service.
It was almost noon when I got a call from Bella. "Edward, Lou's mother had another stroke last night. He said it doesn't look good."
Oh no
I drew in a breath. "I'm sorry. What do you want me to do Bella?" I knew what she was going to ask. Either way I answered was going to be painful.
"I want you to let him go to her. He needs to leave now."
"Bella" I couldn't bring myself to say yes.
"Okay, then after my exams Edward. Let him leave then."
I sighed.
"Edward, if she dies and he doesn't get to see her because of me, I'll never forgive myself." I could hear that she was close to tears.
I knew what I needed to say, but I was just selfish enough to hesitate a moment longer. It would be unfair for me to let Bella feel guilty for one more thing she didn't do. "Okay" I said quietly. "I'm going to see if I can get an earlier flight back."
"That's not necessary Edward. I told you I won't leave the apartment."
"I know." I said with a sigh. "Bella, promise me you'll stay safe."
"I promise. I love you Edward. You'd better call Lou; I know he won't believe it coming from me."
"Alright, but I'm calling you this evening. I expect you to be locked in your apartment by then." I demanded.
"Yes sir" She teased. "I love you Edward."
"I love you too baby."
As it turned out, I was only able to move my departure time back one hour. It would mean one hour less of Bella on her own, so I booked it.
I was agitated the entire time I was meeting with Jane. After that, Jasper and Alec traveled with me to the hotel where most of the interviews were to be conducted.
The minutes dragged on as I answered question after repetitive question. There was nothing new to reveal, no interesting new facts uncovered. By the time the last interviewer was ready to have his turn; it was time for me to leave for the airport. The reporter travelled along with us in the car as he asked his questions.
I stayed talking with him as long as possible before I couldn't put off going through the security checkpoint one more minute.
When I finally made it to the gate area, I looked at my phone to see three messages. The first was a text from Kyle Browning; the others were voice messages from Rosalie and Alice.
Most of the passengers had already boarded, so Sidney and I rushed on and quickly found our seats. I settled in, knowing I only had a few minutes before I'd have to shut off my cell phone.
I read Kyle's message first.
.
Edward-
Test results 99.9 percent positive that you ARE NOT the father.
Already knew that, but congrats anyway.
I'll see you back in Seattle.
-Kyle
.
I smiled before listening to Rose's message next.
Rose began in a shaky voice. She sounded as if she would break down in tears at any second.
'Hey Edward it's Rose. We just got a call from Bella. Someone from the Forks Police Station called to tell her Charlie was rushed to the hospital with a heart attack. She wanted us to call you. It sounded like she was going to drive straight there. Emmett's getting more information right now. We'll call you when we know something.'
I thought of my poor girl and how she must have taken the news. My heart clenched with the thought of her having to handle this all alone.
Fuck. She's all alone.
That's when I began to panic, hoping against hope that Bella was not attempting to drive to Forks by herself. I tried her number, but it went straight to voicemail.
I then dialed Rose.
"Edward, I can't talk, I need to call Charlie." Her voice was urgent and strained.
"What do you mean? He's okay?" I asked forcefully.
"There was nothing wrong with him" She practically choked on the words. "We think someone wanted to lure Bella out of her apartment."
I felt my heart plummet into my shoes at her words.
"What the fuck are you saying Rose?" I shouted. The flight attendant gave me a dirty look before approaching to ask me to shut off the cell phone in order to prepare for take-off.
I glared her down.
Rose heard her speak to me though. "Hang up Edward, Emmett's got Bella on the phone. He'll stay on with her until Charlie gets there."
"Where the fuck is she?" I asked, frantic now.
"Mr. Masen, I'm afraid you will need to shut off that cell phone immediately." The flight attendant snapped at me. I ignored her.
Rose's voice sounded muffled as she spoke with Emmett, 'Edward's freaking out Emmett. I'll call Charlie as soon as I hang up.' Her voice came clearer then. "She's driving; I think she's almost to Sequim."
"Mr. Masen, the cell phone now, or you will be escorted off this plane." I looked up to see that the flight attendant was now accompanied by an Air Marshall.
Sidney reached over and placed one hand on my phone, the other on my shoulder. "Sir, let me take this. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get to Seattle." He said in a calm voice, his eyes sad.
I gave him a pleading look before handing him the phone as my shoulders slumped in defeat.
I couldn't believe this was happening. For a solid half hour, I sat there in shock, sorting through everything in my mind.
As soon as I considered the purpose of someone wanting to lure Bella from her apartment, I wanted to be physically ill. Sidney looked after me with a worried expression. Eventually he got me to drink a coke and tell him what Rose had said.
My hands trembled as I drank the soda and relayed in a whisper everything I knew.
"If whoever lured her out has gotten to her, I don't know what I'll do Sidney." My voice cracked with emotion. I was barely able to think the words, let alone speak them.
I realized then that I was holding out hope that Charlie would get to her before her stalker. I wasn't able to even consider the alternative.
The next couple of hours went by in a blur of strain and worry. I noticed at one point that the Air Marshal had positioned himself so that he could keep an eye on me at all times.
I'm sure I looked like a lunatic.
It was a good thing that Sidney had taken my phone, because if I'd had possession of it, I wouldn't have given a shit about breaking the law. I'd have been calling Rose or Emmett again. It would have been worth going to jail just to hear that Bella was safe.
As soon as we landed, Sidney handed me my phone. We stayed in our seats as the other passengers exited the plane. I tried Bella's number first; once again it went straight to voicemail.
I then took a deep breath and dialed Rose.
"Edward." Emmett said before he began to sob in my ear.
Oh God no.
"Emmett.." I whispered as my own eyes filled with tears.
"Someone took her Edward. Took her from her car, I could hear her screaming and fighting them. I couldn't do a fucking thing to help her." He sobbed again. "No one knows where she is." He took a shuddering breath.
I couldn't make out the rest of his words. The room started to spin as I suddenly felt sick. I lurched to my feet, climbing over Sidney in the process, and bolted to the restroom, collapsing to the floor before emptying the contents of my stomach into the toilet.
****************************************A/N*************************************
A/N Let me know what you think. Next V&V is almost ready. Needs a little editing, then it will be up.
Emmett and Rose are taking this hard. A little background on what they are doing because these details won't come out in the story itself. No evening flights travel from East coast to West coast, mainly because of the three hour time change. Therefore they are stuck in their hotel room waiting to fly back early the next day. Rose was distraught and was given a mild sedative (very mild because of the pregnancy) and put to bed, hence the reason Emmett answered her phone.
Please review, we need to get Edward up off the bathroom floor.