All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer; I just like to play with her characters.

No copyright infringement is intended.

HUGE thanks to my betas darcysmom and twimom817 and my pre-reader EdwardsmyObsession1971 for their unending support and encouragement. This little ditty wouldn't be possible without them!

A/N: Some people wondered what it was that Eric did to get fired. Let's just say it was a laundry list of things and it was time. You'll hear what Edward has to say about it in this chapter. =)

When You Least Expect It

Chapter Twelve

From the other side

EPOV

"Eric … they are aware that we're on a schedule right?" I asked after he confirmed my upcoming photo shoot with me.

"Yes. They confirmed it with Nick."

I hated doing interviews like this - where they'd come into my home and see a side of me that I was reluctant to share with anyone else. Eric suggested the interview, and Nick encouraged it so long as Eric was around to control it. I was leery of the idea from its conception but Nick argued with me and ultimately convinced me to go ahead with it.

"This will be good for you, Edward. Give your fans a little peek into your life to reassure them that you're doing okay. The tabloids have made you out to be a heartbroken, chain-smoking alcoholic. Fans want to be reassured that nothing could be further from the truth."

I had to admit that Nick had a point. Not that I cared much what people thought of me anyway. I reluctantly agreed to let People Magazine come into my house and interview and photograph me.

Eric suggested asking Bella to put out a spread of muffins and Danishes along with coffee and juice.

"That's a lot of work for her and I don't want her slaving over the stove to feed these people," I warned him.

"Edward, relax. I was going to ask her to order them from a bakery. Being a chef, I'm sure she knows where to get good pastries from."

"You can ask her, but I don't want her going out of her way to make something special."

I felt relieved when Eric said he only wanted Bella to be in charge of ordering the pastries. That - I was okay with.

I only had a couple weeks between my Holiday vacation and when I left for Australia. In that time I had the interview, several meetings with the studio and meetings with the director scheduled. I needed to make sure that everything at the house would be taken care of while I was gone and that included Bella.

"Eric … when will I have Doug back on staff?" I asked.

"Umm … I'm not sure. I can check with Nick and let you know, why?" Eric replied.

"Because if something happens here, I'd like to know that I'm covered and can send Emmett back here if I need to."

"You mean in case Bella needs him?"

I glared at Eric but that was exactly why I wanted to know when Doug was returning.

As the photo shoot drew near, I grew increasingly more anxious. I was worried about the interview and how it would be published – if they would take my words for what they were or twist them in to something they weren't. I was worried about what Bella would think of the interview. I knew they were going to ask me about my relationship with Lauren and whether or not I was still single or if I had entered into a new relationship. In my opinion that was none of the public's business. Yes, I was in the public eye but I'm a very private person and any relationship I have in the future I'll protect fiercely – much like I did my relationship with Lauren. A relationship is hard enough without having the general public looking at it under a magnifying glass.

I love and appreciate my fans, but if they want me to be happy – they'll understand that I make decisions that I believe are right for me. If I were to choose a significant other that they didn't like – as long as I have feelings for her and she returns them – I couldn't give two shits as to whether my fans liked her or not. They don't have to be with her – I do.

After Bella's emotional breakdown when we finally sat down to talk, I couldn't help but want to be with her. I wanted to pull her into my arms and keep her there forever. I wanted to protect her and be everything for her that her husband couldn't be. The problem is that she's so fucking strong and that's the last thing she wants. Bella doesn't want to be shielded from the world – she wants to face it head on. Her strength amazes me and makes me fall for her a little more every day.

I drove Bella home after she'd fallen asleep twice on my couch. She was exhausted and I wanted to be sure that she made it home safely to her little boy. We'd talked about him a lot over the course of the evening and I couldn't wait to meet him and spend some time with him. I could only imagine how amazing he'd be – because if he was anything like his mom ….

The morning of the interview and photo shoot, I spent pacing in my music room. It was my favorite room in the house. It held my piano and all my guitars and it was my getaway – my safe haven. It had three huge picture windows that overlooked my property and I could see the crew working tirelessly to set up for the outdoor photo shoot that would take place in just a couple hours.

Emmett texted me to let me know that Bella had arrived and that there was plenty to eat downstairs. If I only felt like I could eat. My stomach was in knots. Not because of what was going on that day but because of the conversation I knew I needed to have with Bella beforehand. I knew I had to lay everything out for her and I needed to know how she felt in return. The unknown was eating me alive.

She's leaving to do her shopping for the day. If you want to talk to her you need to do it NOW. – Em

Thank goodness for texting and the fact that Emmett was willing to keep me informed as to what was going on in my own damn house because God knows Eric wasn't doing it. After I read Emmett's text, I slipped my phone in my pocket and headed downstairs.

"Bella? Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked quietly.

Bella was just getting ready to walk out the door. Emmett wasn't kidding – it was now or never.

"Sure. What's up?" She asked as she approached the bottom of the staircase.

"Umm … let's talk in private." I suggested.

The truth was that I didn't want any of the crew members that were currently milling about my house to overhear what I wanted to say to Bella. I didn't want them to think they had a juicy story and then try to dig up information on Bella. That was the last thing in the world I wanted to happen. I needed to protect her from that.

"Okay …." She drawled out.

I waved at Bella to follow me up the stairs. Sure, I could have taken her into my office downstairs but I didn't feel like it was a comfortable enough place for the conversation we were about to have. I led her into my music room where I'd been pacing only minutes earlier and watched her in awe as she took everything in.

"Edward …" She breathed. "This is beautiful."

"Thank you," I said softly, closing the door behind us.

"You wanted to talk to me?" She asked nervously.

"Yeah …" I said, slowly walking toward her. "I … umm …."

I took Bella's hand in mine and looked into her beautiful hazel eyes. I loved that I could see flecks of green, gold and the most beautiful shade of chocolate brown in them. I could have lost myself in them for days. My intent gaze upon her face must have upset her because she looked down – suddenly finding the rug very interesting. I raised my hand to her chin and encouraged her to look up at me.

"Bella … I just wanted to tell you to ignore whatever I may say in my interview today because it won't be anything close to how I truly feel."

"What do you mean?" She asked confused.

I took a deep breath before I led her over to sit on the couch.

"Bella, they've going to ask me questions about my relationship status – whether I'm single or not and if I plan to get back into dating."

"Okay … so why don't you just be honest?" She asked.

If it were only that easy.

"Because, Bella … I'm a very private person. Lauren and I were together for years before we went public with our relationship." I explained.

She seemed to ponder my explanation for a minute before she bit down on her lip and looked back up at me.

"So what are you going to tell them?"

"That I'm content with focusing on my career at the moment and a romantic entanglement is the last thing I want to worry about."

Bella's brow furrowed and she had a pained expression on her beautiful face.

"Which one is the lie? Either you're not focused on your career which you very much seem to be or you do want to worry about a romantic entanglement?"

I sighed. If she only knew ….

"Bella, I like you a lot. I know we're trying this whole friends thing, but I hope one day, you'll be open to exploring a relationship with me."

She opened her mouth to interrupt me but I needed to get everything out or I never would. I gently placed my finger on her soft lips to stop her from speaking so I could finish.

"I know you're not there yet, Bella. That's okay, but it doesn't mean that I can't get to know you in the meantime."

I hoped that she comprehended my understanding and that she found the sincerity behind my words and demeanor that she needed to believe me. I wanted her to trust me and I knew I had to earn it.

"Bella …" I said quietly as I looked down at our hands still entwined in my lap.
"If that's not something you think you'll eventually be capable of, I need you to tell me."

I looked up at Bella's face to see several emotions flitting across it. She seemed as conflicted as I had felt earlier and I hoped with everything in me that her response to my admission would be a positive one.

"Edward … the only answer I can give you is that I'll try. I like you a lot, I do it's just that there are so many things that are unresolved in my life right now that I need to get sorted out. I understand and can appreciate how you feel but I need you to understand me too. I have Kaden to think about and if you want me, you have to want him too because we're a package deal."

I nodded. How could Bella and Kaden not be a package deal? I still couldn't fathom why her husband walked away from her and their son. I wanted to get to know both of them. What I already knew of Bella, I was falling hard and fast for. I was more than sure that it would be the same with Kaden.

The thing that scared me the most was thinking that I could potentially fall in love with both of them and should Bella decide that she didn't want to be with me – I'd have to suffer heartbreak twice.

"I don't want to be played with and I won't be a flavor of the week, Edward. If it doesn't work out – it doesn't work out but I don't want to walk away with a broken heart because I've been hurt." Bella said honestly.

"Bella … I get it. I know that you and Kaden are a package deal. I'm good with that. I also know that I need to gain your trust before you'll allow me to get to know him. Honestly, I can't wait for that day to come. I love kids and can't wait to have a few of my own running around. They key here, Bella - is time. I want you to be able to trust me and you've got to do that at your own pace – when you're ready, I'll be here. I don't want to hurt you – that is the last thing in the world that I want to do. I'll be completely honest with you as long as you're open and honest with me."

Bella nodded and wiped at a stray tear. I wanted so badly to pull her into my arms and thank her for even agreeing to try. I wanted to kiss her too, but again, I knew that was something that would come in time. She looked over at me like she wanted the same thing but we were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Edward?" Eric called out. "They're ready for you downstairs."

I sighed knowing my time with Bella was gone for the moment. I had to go downstairs and endure the bullshit of my life.

Bella explained that she was on her way out to do the shopping for the day and she asked me if I wanted anything in particular from the store. What I wanted more than anything was to have dinner with her again. So I asked her if she would make her favorite dish for me.

"What if my favorite dish was something like mushroom ravioli?" She asked.

"I'd eat it because you made it." I answered honestly.

It was the truth. Had Bella said that she loved mushroom ravioli, I would have eaten it just because it was something she liked and made it just for me. I didn't care … maybe Bella could make me a mushroom lover after all.

The look on Bella's beautiful face told me how surprised she was that I would eat something I didn't like to appease her. I only hoped that she would be honest in her choices.

"You'd endure something you don't like because it's my favorite?" Bella asked incredulously.

"Absolutely. I'll try just about anything at least once."

"All righty then. I better get going so I can get back, and you are needed downstairs."

I hated the reminder that I had people waiting downstairs to interview me and take God only knows how many photos of me. But before Bella walked out, I had something infinitely more important to ask her.

"Yep. Oh … and Bella, if you are cooking your favorite, I'd love for you to stay for dinner."

Bella smiled shyly and nodded before slipping out the door.

I took a deep breath and headed downstairs to my impending doom.

I sat on my couch, wearing a pair of artfully faded, dark wash jeans, and a band t-shirt with a dark gray button up over it. I may have looked comfortable but, in reality, I was far from it.

The questions I was asked in the interview were pretty much along the lines of what I described to Bella. The interviewer asked me what happened in my relationship with Lauren and I wanted to be honest but give as little information as possible.

"I chose to end it. Cheating is a hard limit for me and Lauren understood that. The most we can offer each other is friendship and we're both okay with that."

The truth was that Lauren took the break up pretty hard and she had a difficult time letting go. She would have happily served herself up on a silver platter if I had let her. Cheating really was a hard limit for me especially after all we had gone through to protect our relationship from the scrutiny of the fans and media. After the phone call I initially made to break up with Lauren, I hadn't spoken with her since. She'd called and left me several messages and sent me a ton of texts but they've all gone unanswered. The pain of Lauren's admission still stung and so did the thought of her leaving our home to have her tryst, only to crawl back into the bed we shared.

Lauren humiliated me publicly and that was something else I wasn't sure I could forgive. Instead, I chose to move on and not think about it. Spending eight weeks in Iraq was exactly what I needed. It allowed me time away from home in a place where I had to be uber aware of everything around me because of the underlying danger in a somewhat unstable country. Focusing on work gave me the reprieve I needed from the drama surrounding my own life.

Emmett became a good friend and a sounding board. I'm sure I sounded like a whiny bitch, but talking to him helped me work out everything in my head and allowed me to do what I needed to do in order to let Lauren go. Then I came home and met a little brown haired, hazel eyed angel.

"Are you dating anyone now and if not do you have plans on getting back into dating?"

I sighed even though I knew the question was coming.

"I'm not dating anyone currently. Right now, I'm happy to focus on my career. I have several projects lined up, and I'm starting the first in a series of them later next week. My concentration is on my career for now, so I'm avoiding any kind of romantic entanglement until I have the time to focus on it."

The answer to that question was exactly what I didn't want Bella to hear. I was happy to focus on my career but that didn't mean that I didn't want to rule out getting to know her either. I didn't want to jump into a relationship at the moment by any means, but I had a good idea where Bella was in her life and I figured if we could ease each other into it, and by the time we were both ready – we'd have surpassed the awkward 'getting to know you' stage.

The interview ran longer than I thought it would. Occasionally while we were talking, the photographer would have us pause so he could snap some candid photos. Eventually we made our way outside for the actual photo session part, which also took longer than I thought it would and as they were wrapping up the photographer asked if they could take a few shots of the house and asked if I would show them my favorite rooms in the house. That was so not happening. My house was private. It was one of the few things in my life that I had entirely to myself and I wasn't about to share it with anyone.

I called Eric out to see why they had even been able to approach me about it. I would have thought that it would have been something that Nick took care of and it was Eric's job to enforce whatever stipulations that Nick set.

"Edward, I'm sorry, Nick didn't say anything so I didn't think twice about it. Had I known, I definitely would have said something."

I was seething.

"Eric! You know how I feel about my personal life. Nick shouldn't have had to remind you to make sure they knew that photos of the house were off limits. In fact, any photos taken today that weren't of me are off limits."

Eric stood cowering in front of me as I heard Nick's voice behind me.

"Edward, don't worry, it's all taken care of." Nick promised. "Everything was clearly stated in their contract and if they have any photos of the house in what they took today – they cannot be published. If they are published we can sue them for breach of contract and it's as simple as that."

I nodded indicating that I'd understood him but I was still fuming.

"Eric," Nick said, clearly unhappy. "You are free to go. Make sure you take all your things as you won't be coming back. Since this isn't your first screw up you won't be receiving a severance check."

I pulled my hair in frustration at the fact that I'd be without an assistant in Australia and even more importantly – I wouldn't have someone to help me settle my affairs at home in the days before I left. That was one thing that I had counted on Eric for helping me with.

"Edward, don't panic," Nick murmured. "I've got a call in already. You should have a new assistant by tomorrow morning."

That was reassuring. With one last tug on my hair, I made my way into the house – grimacing as I passed by the kitchen. I saw the worried look on Bella's face but didn't stop to explain. I wanted to get upstairs and out of sight of the circus that was currently playing in my living room – not to mention I was already late for a meeting at the studio that afternoon. I was kind of pissed off actually because now that I was running late, I'd have to delay or change my plans for dinner with Bella.

I watched carefully to see that the last of the camera crew had left the house before I made my way down the stairs again. I was assaulted by the most delicious aroma of cinnamon and brown sugar floating from the kitchen. Bella had made dessert and it smelled amazing. She was setting a pan on top of the stove when I walked into the kitchen in search of a snack to munch on while on my way to the studio.

"Is there something easy I can take with me to the studio to munch on?"

"There's cheese slices in the deli drawer and there are fresh crackers in the pantry. I also made some chicken salad if you want me to make you a sandwich real quick. You can take that with you in the car." Bella offered.

"That would be great, Bella." I smiled.

After closing the oven and throwing her mitts on the counter, she pulled out a loaf of bread and a few items from the fridge. I couldn't tell her how much I appreciated her making me a sandwich. After my morning, I was starving and I knew I couldn't wait until dinner but at the same time, I didn't want to ruin her favorite dish.

"I'm not ruining your dinner am I?" I asked.

"I haven't started dinner yet." Bella said shaking her head.

"Good. I'm not sure when I'll be back but hopefully it won't be too late. We're only going over some last minute scheduling things at the studio and then we should be back. Will you still join me for dinner?" I asked quietly.

"As long as it's not too late. Can you call and let us know when you're on your way back?"

I nodded and thanked her for the sandwich she'd made for me.

"You're welcome."

My meetings at the studio ran longer than I thought they would and then I got to talking with the director and producer and they wanted to take me to dinner to finish our conversation. Unfortunately, it wasn't something that I could just duck out of.

I called Bella with a heavy heart and apologized profusely for the change in plans. If I could only convey to her how much I would rather be with her than at a stuffy dinner meeting.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I really did want to have dinner with you."

"That's okay, Edward. I understand that you have other things to take care of. You don't need to worry about me."

I sighed. I did worry about her, and I told her as much. I also wanted her to know that I wasn't one to make plans only to cancel them because something else came up. Bella was so sweet and understanding about the whole fiasco.

"It's okay, Edward, honestly. I'm sure you have a lot of things to take care of before you leave next week. I'm not going anywhere."

Thank fuck.

There was one other thing I needed to let her know about because I didn't have the best record of making it downstairs before Bella arrived. I needed to let her know about Eric's replacement who Nick had told me all about on the way to the studio.

"Okay. Oh … and just so you know, I will have a new assistant there in the morning. I'm hoping he'll be more attentive than Eric."

"I liked Eric!"

Bella sounded like a ferocious little tiger kitten as she made to defend Eric. I was sure that she made acquaintances with him quickly. He was flamboyant and friendly and more than likely the first person she interacted with when she started working for me.

"I know. He wasn't a horrible person; he just didn't do his job very well."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow, Edward."

"See you tomorrow, Bella."

When I got home later that evening, I went straight to the fridge to pull out a beer. I needed it after the day I'd had – granted I had a couple with dinner; another one wouldn't hurt in the least. I trudged to bed a couple hours later a little worse for wear and I fell into a heap on my bed. Thoughts of a certain petite, beautiful brunette - swirled in my head as I drifted off into a restless sleep.

A/N: There is more to EPOV but it would have made this chapter ridiculously long so instead I have broken it up into two chapters. I'm aware ya'll don't want to wait a week for the second part, so I certainly won't make you. Nor will I cheat you a chapter next week. Part Two of this chapter will post tomorrow and then you'll get a regular update next Monday.

One of my lovely beta's - darcysmom has been nominated for Excellence in Editing in the Fandom Choice Awards. Also, Christagbanners who made the incredible banner for this story has been nominated for Best Art Direction (Best Banners). If you have a minute - PLEASE go and vote - these are the behind the scenes people of fanfiction and they deserve a little recognition for all they do. Sometimes thank you doesn't seem like it's enough, ya' know?

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