AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I cannot even express just how much your kind reviews have meant to me. Thank you! It makes it all worth the work. I do not know how many chapters this part will be. As of right now I have it outlined for twenty-one chapters but the last part was outlined for twenty-three chapters and it went to thirty-one. If you have not read Non-Disclosure Agreement you might want to do that soon as I will finally reveal all in the next couple of chapters. Thank you again!

CHAPTER TWO

Embry eventually found me and he must have carried me in because when I woke up I was no longer in the SUV, I was in bed. I didn't tell him about Edward, I just said that I had a girl moment that was unavoidable. But seeing Edward pushed me into a dark place. The past week before I saw the broken Edward, I was able to find many distractions and that helped me temporally forget the severity of Edward's actions. Don't get me wrong, I had a constant physical reminder but the pain dulled and I was able to push my thoughts into other directions. But now, that was not the case; all I kept seeing were images of Edward the broken man. The nightmares at night continued and rarely was I able to get more than three hours of sleep at a time.

Levi noticed the drastic change; my music turned almost savage. At first he was excited for the change and thought it was brilliant but after a couple of days he said he needed to take a break because it was starting to become depressing.

"What's going on, B?" Levi had just left and Embry and I sat in the recording studio.

"I don't know?" I whispered.

"Yes you do." Embry replied. "I don't approve of what Edward did; in fact I would love nothing more than to whip the shit out of him to give him a taste of his own medicine…"

"Embry, that's not the answer. I'm not going to fight violence with violence."

"Eye for an eye."

"You hurt me once, remember? You pushed me into that concrete wall over there and you would have hit me if I hadn't said anything."

Embry sighed, "I know, I was asshole on drugs and I was drinking."

"That doesn't make it more right then Edward. I'm not upset with you, Embry. I understand that people can make mistakes. I forgive you and I hope that someday if I ever make a mistake you will forgive me too." Embry nodded his head. "I saw him the other day."

"What? I told that fucker to stay away from you." Embry spit.

"You saw him?" I asked.

"He came here; the night you showed up. He called me around six a.m. and asked for entrance at the gate." Embry rubbed his neck and sighed. "I was pissed so I let him in. I met him on the driveway; I let my emotions get the better of me and I threatened him. I told him; he may have friends in high places but I got friends in low places and I could assure him that if he ever touched you again my friends would turn him into a bloody mess."

I stood there in shock and awe; I can't believe that he would do that for me. Since I had known Edward, he always had friends who would do whatever he asked. Embry was the first person I knew that would stand up to him and not just hand me over.

"Thank you, Embry. I don't know what to say. I'm afraid however that I may have to sit down with Edward eventually."

"You're going back to him?"

"I love him." It was a pathetic excuse but I couldn't deny it. I did love him. I would always hate what he did and it would take a very long time before I could ever place trust in him but I loved him.

Embry sighed and sat down. "I know, but I'm serious; if he hurts even a hair on your head I won't care if you love him."

I walked over and wrapped my arms around him.

"Bella, if you insist on speaking with Edward; do it here." Embry asked.

"Okay."

I understood. Embry was still worried. I was too.

Another couple of days passed and I was starting to feel more confident. I had sat down and wrote out a list of things I wanted to discuss with Edward when I finally decided to meet with him. If this relationship was going to work; there needed to be drastic changes.

I worked with Levi trying to complete as much as possible. That was another decision I made; I needed to stop being afraid and go out and achieve what I wanted in life without the fear of failure. When I returned to Los Angeles, I would be a different Bella. I would be a stronger Bella.

I was happy with what I had accomplished in such a short time. Levi had already spoken with Darren and told me when I got back to L.A., he would be there to help me complete the two records. Levi said it was the fastest he had ever worked but he credited with the fact that I already had a full notebook of well thought out ideas at my fingertips. I not only thanked him for all of his work but for the therapy he helped provide in the process.

I volunteered to pick up Savannah and Gracie from school on Thursday. They had been dying to show me their classrooms and meet their teachers. I was happy to walk around and see what they had been working on. Both teachers seemed to be very nice and positive about Gracie and Savannah's work. Gracie seemed to be having trouble with counting and I assured her teacher that we would work on that. Savannah was at the top of her class and her teacher was impressed with her reading abilities.

We were driving home and I was trying to help Gracie recite her even numbers.

"Two, four, six, eight…ten….twelve…"

"You're doing great Gracie. You know how you can remember all the lines from Cinderella? Well that's because you watch it over and over. Just recite your numbers over and over and pretty soon you'll be able to recite your even numbers at warp speed." I said.

"Warp speed?" she asked.

"Sorry ahead of your time, kid. I mean really fast like lighting fast." I laughed.

We arrived home and I helped the girls with their homework before starting dinner. I told Embry that Gracie needed to start saying her even numbers out loud and get used to them. After dinner and after the girls were tucked in for the night I went to my room and pulled out my phone.

With a deep breath I turned it on and waited for the Apple to disappear. For two minutes straight it buzzed with text messages, emails and voice messages. I quickly started looking through text messages. One from Rosalie apologizing profusely and asking for me to call her. A couple from Jacob asking why I had disappeared from off the planet. One from Alice asking me to forgive her and begging for a chance to talk to me. She must have tipped Edward off, after all. I didn't know how I felt about that. Betrayed yes but….I sighed. Then a couple of miscellaneous ones from Marcus, Justin, Scott and Darren. I was surprised that Edward hadn't tried to text me but he was sort of old-fashioned and knowing him he would have found texting in this situation unfathomable.

There were however fifteen voice mails from him and I have a feeling there would have been more if my mailbox hadn't been full. I sat there and listened to every last one of them. In all the messages he was cut off by going too long and in all the messages he begged and pleaded for me to call him back. I didn't want to call him, I was afraid we would get into a long discussion over the phone and I wanted to do this in person so I sent him a text.

Ready to talk

My heart was racing when I hit send. I quickly added to that message afraid he would think I meant now.

Can you come by tomorrow at noon?

I didn't have too wait long; I could picture Edward lying around at some swanky hotel surrounded by room service with his phone near his hand.

Yes. Thank you! I will be there. Thank you!

I placed my phone on the night stand and prepared myself for sleep. Before closing my eyes, I went over my checklist of things I needed to discuss with Edward tomorrow. Two hours later my eyes still wouldn't shut. I don't know what time I finally passed out around but when I woke up it was already eleven-thirty.

I jumped out of bed and ran off toward the bathroom. The way I have been sweating at night it would not do well to not get in a shower before Edward arrived. I hadn't even told Embry of his impending arrival which may not have been the smartest idea since I was running down the stairs when I heard the buzzer for the gate sound.

"Embry, its Edward I told him to come by. Can you let him in." I said slightly out of breath.

"What?" he gave me a disgruntled look.

"Don't look at me like that? Would you rather have me meet him someplace else?" I asked.

"No. Of course not. Could have told me." Embry mumbled and pushed the button for the gate.

My stomach started to hurt as I pictured Edward driving up the path. I heard the car door open and close.

"You can go, I'll be fine." I told Embry.

"No. I want to talk to him first and make sure he understands one thing." Embry said and then turned to open the door.

Edward was immediately startled and faltered a step. He looked a tad bit better than at the supermarket. He had at least shaved and I could not see the hint of a black eye anymore. Although he still looked tired and older. This was the first time that Edward ever looked as old as he was. I could see my promise ring dangle from around his neck on a silver chain but there was another ring with it; my engagement ring.

"Before you talk to Bella, I want you to understand that I'm right in the next room and if I even hear one call for me…" Embry started.

"I understand." Edward interrupted him.

Embry stepped back and Edward tentatively stepped into the house. Embry gave him one last menacing look before departing.

Edward looked to me and whispered a, "Hi."

"Hey" I replied back softly. "We should go into the living room." I turned awkwardly and walked the few feet into the living room.

I took a seat in the high back chair leaving the couch for Edward. I really wasn't sure what to say to start but Edward was ready first.

"Bella, thank you for giving me this opportunity." He breathed out and continued. "I wish there was something I could do to make you see that I would never hurt you again. You were right, what I did was abusive, I abused you. I abused the person that means everything in world to me."

I could see him trying to blink his tears away. I didn't want to speak for fear I would lose it so I just let him continue.

"I will never forgive myself for hurting you. I will do whatever it takes to get you to love me again. I just…"

"Edward, I never stopped loving you." I interrupted. "Even if this doesn't work and eventually we go our own ways; I won't stop loving you. But I refuse to be in an abusive relationship. My whole life there has been people who tried to tear me down. There were days when I was growing up where all I could think about was death and wishing for it. You can't fathom what I have had to go through but all of that does not even compare to loving someone and placing your trust into that person and then having that person hurt you the way you did. That was the worst kind of pain I have had to endure yet. You know all I have been replaying in my head the past couple of weeks were your words to me in Italy. You said I needed to trust you, trust you that you would never use more than your hand and trust you to know you would never give me more than I can handle. I went along with this crazy archaic Tria Fata crap because I loved you and I trusted you but I refuse to do it any longer. You made a vow, what I don't even know; but if in your vow states that you will raise me up to abide by the Tria Fata standards of a wife then we cannot be together. You need to make a decision on what is more important to you."

Edward nodded his head slowly. "There is nothing more important in my life then you. Please Bella give me another chance. Let me prove to you that I can be whatever you want to be."

"I want you to be Edward. I don't want you to change except for the crazy scary man I saw a couple of weeks ago. I don't ever want to see him again." I stated.

"I fucked up..."

"Well what happens the next time I fuck up in your eyes?" I asked.

I could see Edward visually swallow and shake his head if trying to find the right words.

"Nothing."

"Nothing. No more spankings?" I asked, he shook his head.

"No more restrictions." He shook his head.

"I want you to tell me that you will never lay unkind hand on me again. There will be no more punishments."

"I promise I will never hurt you again. I will never touch you in anger ever again. I won't punish you ever again. I promise."

"I am going to admit that I wasn't completely faultless. I promise to try to communicate with you more and I promise that I will do my best when it comes to my health, safety and well-being. However, I am a grown woman and I will do what I think is in my best interest. I will take your advice under consideration but I will make choices for myself and if you cannot live with that kind of Bella, then I cannot live with you."

"Okay. Whatever it takes. I will prove myself to you. I know I was never worthy of your love but I will do whatever it takes to earn it completely. To earn your trust." He vowed.

"I'm not going to lie, it will be awhile. I know there are things that you have kept from me. You have always punished me in the past for withholding information but how is it any different from what you do. There are I'm sure a million things that you do not tell me about your secret society. Some of which has to involve me. I'm not asking for you to divulge all the secrets because I can respect your little group enough to understand the idea surrounding a secret society. But I would just like you to think about that."

Edward nodded but didn't defend himself. He knew I was right.

"Moving on, I want you to get rid of the whipping bench, I don't ever want to see that piece of furniture again and in return I promise that I will never step foot near a motorcycle. I don't think I could stomach it."

Edward placed his head in his hand and nodded. "Not a problem."

"There's one more thing." I stared at the rings dangling from his neck. "I don't think I can accept your proposal at this time."

His head snapped up to meet my eyes instantly.

"I don't want to commit to marrying you until I feel safe with you or trust you. It wouldn't be right."

"Bella, can't we just have a long engagement." Edward started to play with the rings dangling.

"No. I'm sorry. If you love me, you will wait even if it takes years, you will wait." I said resolved.

I could see the disappointment in Edward's eyes but I knew I was doing the right thing. Edward looked down and then when his eyes met mine again he looked determined.

"You're right. I will earn that honor back." I could see his fists tighten and he caught me looking at them apprehensively. Edward loosened them, quickly. "Sorry, I just…I'm fighting the urge to touch you. I have missed you so much; I have missed even just touching you."

I took a large breath and rose out of my chair and slowly I sat down next to Edward. Edward moved his hand ever so slowly to my face. He pulled himself closer I could feel him breathe me in. He placed a gentle kiss on my temple.

"I'm so sorry, god Bella; I'm so sorry." I could feel his body shutter as he softly cried. Eventually I was able to embrace him and as much as I wanted to cry, I couldn't. I guess my tears were already done falling.

"Edward, the girls are going to home soon. I probably should speak to Embry before that happens." I whispered.

"Okay, what's going to happen?" he looked into my eyes trying to search out an answer. I knew that I needed to get back to L.A. I had to get back to working. Also if Edward and I were going to try to work this out we needed to be back in our home and seeing if the changes could work for us.

"I think it's time to go home." I stated. Edward breathed a sigh of relief.

"When can we leave?" he asked eager.

"Tomorrow, I want to give the girls one more night with me. Maybe you should go back to the hotel and pick me up tomorrow."

I could see Edward instantly begin fighting within himself to do this. It wasn't natural for him to not be where I was; it wasn't safe by past standards. Yes it was kind of a test to see if he understood what I wanted from him.

"Okay, what time should I pick you up?" he asked.

"How about one pm. I assume you brought your plane."

"Yes. I will tell the pilot." Edward got up from the couch and I stood up with him. We walked toward the front door. "I'm staying at the Inn on Cutter Mill."

"No Four Seasons out here?" I tried to joke.

"I don't know, this was the closest I could get to you." He replied. I guess my vision of Edward lying up at some swanky hotel was amiss.

We arrived at the door and Edward paused. He turned back to look at me. He kissed my forehead, "Thank you."

I didn't know what to say so I just nodded. I watched him leave to his car and I watched as he drove down the path.

"How did it go?" Embry asked from behind me. I shrugged.

"I guess as well as it could be under the circumstances. Hey, you didn't give him the black eye did you?" I turned to close the door and address Embry.

"What? No. The dude showed up already mangled. And for the record it wasn't Darren either. He asked what happened to you but I didn't say anything. You can keep your semi-freaky lifestyle to yourselves."

I smirked. "Semi-freaky lifestyle? Well, there will be no more semi-freaky lifestyle. One of the conditions Edward agreed to meet. But it wasn't just spanking and punishing, apparently there is this whole secret society founded on these principles where these men take an oath to love and protect their soul mates above all else. You know I could get behind some of the principles but the whole punishing aspect had to go."

"You guys are just all kinds of weird. But never fear your secret is safe with me." He vowed.

"Thanks." I paused. "Embry, I'm going to be heading back to Los Angeles tomorrow."

"I know. Sorry I couldn't help myself. I wanted to make sure he was going to try anything." He had heard the whole conversation.

"I don't think he will ever try anything again." I said.

"What makes you so sure." He asked.

"I have faith."

Savannah and Gracie arrived home from school and I broke the news that Edward was going to be coming tomorrow to take me home. I could see the girls both disappointed but Embry and I promised that they could come to California in a few short weeks for Thanksgiving.

We spent the night having a pajama party, eating pizza and ice cream and watching movies. I even painted the girls toes and they tried to get their dad to do his toes but Embry wasn't going to fall for it like Jacob. After he outright refused I told him the story of Jacob and he just about died laughing. It was nice to be able to spend one more night with them. Tomorrow would be a whole new day.

I was upstairs packing when Edward arrived. I wasn't there for the talk that Embry wanted to give him but when they both came upstairs to the room I had stayed in. They actually shook hands with one another. That must have been some talk.

The girls upon seeing Edward ran over and gave him a hug. They had helped me pack.

"Hey B, here are your audio files. Be careful with them. Darren's expecting you bright and early Monday morning." Embry said.

Edward looked to me with a curious expression. I walked over and took them from him and placed them in my purse.

"Thank you, Embry and please be sure to thank Levi once more for me. I will be sure that he receives the proper compensation."

"Don't worry about that, I think he was happy to do it and plus he owed me a favor."

"Well I think I'm ready. Edward can you help take my bag down."

"Sure, sweetheart…" Edward faltered. "I mean Bella."

Edward must not have forgotten the last time he tried to use a term of endearment. I would need to talk with him about that. I gave the girls a big hug and kiss and then walked over to Embry.

"Whatever you need." Embry said.

I hugged him, "I know. Thank you again, for everything."

Edward was talking with the pilot while I sat staring out the window. I had been thinking over the past couple of weeks and going over every detail. I knew I needed to let it go and move on but I wasn't so sure that was going to be easy.

"All right. We are ready to go." Edward announced while taking a seat next to mine and buckling his seatbelt.

I nodded.

"Is there something I can get you, hon…Bella."

I sighed. "Edward you don't have to stop calling me honey, baby, or sweetheart. I was mad at you that day at the grocery store. I'm not going to be mad if you use an affectionate name. I can feel your tenseness and I'm sorry for that but really you don't need to be stressed out around me."

"I can't help it Bella; I went weeks without you and I never want to go through that kind of pain again. I don't want to lose you again." He confided.

"Then just don't hurt me."

I could see him cringe. "Edward just because I said I wanted to wait to get married doesn't mean that I'm running away. I just need time."

"Okay…honey."

I smiled at him and looked back out the window.

"When you showed up you had a black eye. What happened?" I asked.

Edward breathed in and slowly let it out. "Emmett. Rosalie went home and told Emmett what happened with getting caught and he came over and I was of course upset from what had happened. He tried to make me feel better but then I told him what I had done. He didn't hesitate. I know you think that the Tria Fata is responsible for what I did but it wasn't. In fact it went against all rules and Emmett did his job as a fellow member. He probably would have done worse if he hadn't taken off to find you but you had left and at that moment I couldn't stick around to receive the price of my actions. You see Emmett took the same vow I did and like I always told you that I would protect you even from yourself; Emmett promised to protect you even from me if necessary."

"So are you going to have to pay some kind of retribution when you get back?" I swallowed nervously.

"I don't know. I haven't spoken to anyone since I left. Ironically enough, the society could choose to kick me out if they wished."

"What would happen if they did that?"

"Well…" he laughed a little, "You would be in a relationship with very poor man."

I gave him a puzzled look.

"You see Bella, everything I own; the car, house, everything is not technically mine. For the past couple hundred years the society has been putting their money all together. Whatever I make goes into a bank account and that money is essentially there for all of us to use. All the years that the Tria Fata existed they have been earning money to build up the nice nest egg we all live off of. When we take our oath, it's like a contract. We know that if we were to break the oath then we could be left with nothing. The house would be reprocessed by the other members; I would no longer have access to any accounts. Even my career would be in jeopardy, I would black balled from Hollywood. I would be literally left with nothing."

"Wow. You guys don't mess around." I sat there in awe. "Well, I almost have a hundred thousand built up of my own money. I can float us for a while."

Edward smiled and leaned over to me. "Thank you baby, but I don't think they will go to that extreme…I have you with me and that means something to them."

I couldn't focus on anything else the rest of the trip home. I kept thinking that I only just had the tip of the iceberg of information about this secret society. How many other things did I not know of? I never would have guessed that Jacqueline Wayne held all my answers.