CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Missy finished the rest of the show quiet and reserved. Thankfully there wasn't much left for any of us to do after the final topic. They had their country artist come out and sing and then Daisy ended the show with their final farewell and thanks to me for coming on. I will say that I think Daisy's thank you to me was a tad bit overboard but once it was done I was able to finally get a move on.

"Bella, your phone has been blowing up. Marcus called. Embry called. Seth called. I just let it go to voicemail since we were taping." Emma approached me with my cell phone. There were half a dozen texts as well. It probably would have been better if the show wasn't aired live.

"Uh…here take it back. I will call everyone once I am back in D.C. Only let me know if Savannah or Gracie call." I replied handing the phone right back to her.

We were rushing out of the building to catch our flight. I'm sure Missy would be happier once she learned I was off the property as well but I wasn't doing it for her. I still had a full day of rehearsal ahead of me.

"Do you want me to field some of your calls?" Edward asked.

"Embry sure but I will call back Seth and Marcus when I have a chance."

I personally thanked Danielle and Daisy once more before leaving. We made it down to the parking garage when I suddenly stopped and grabbed Edward's arm.

"Be honest with me. Did I just do a bad thing?" I looked over to him concerned. I was proud of standing up to Missy but then it hit me that this could be a very bad thing. Missy was beloved…well beloved by the right-wing side of the country. How was this going to affect my career?

"Bella, don't worry about it. She may be popular in some crowds but I think you have upper hand and right for what you said. She was very unprofessional. Never should an interviewer call people out by name for a negative reasoning. I think you are going to find that people will stand behind you."

I exhaled and we continued walking. We were at the airport within a half hour of the show ending. I could hear Edward call Embry once we were in the car but I was just trying to rest my eyes for a moment hoping I have a little break before the grueling rehearsal.

"I know. That's what I said but she was worried." Edward said into the phone.

"No man, she's tired. I think she is just trying to get in some rest before she goes to work. She said she would call you later….I know." Edward sighed.

"Babe, he still wants to talk to you."

I didn't look up or even open my eyes I just held out my hand for Edward to give me the phone.

"What's up?" I asked.

"What's up?! Damn girl that has to be the finest hour of television since '94. Woooo!" he screamed into the phone. "You beat that bitch down."

"Embry, calm down. I didn't beat a bitch down."

"You work it. Don't fuck with us, mother fucker."

"Embry, I am tired. I'm happy to hear you're not upset with me but I really do want to rest before the rest of my day begins, okay?"

"Nah, what's there to be mad about? What the girls? Don't worry; I think it will help in the long run. You go rest. I'm going to go and re-watch as you rip that girl's phony ass face off. HAHA."

And then he was gone.

"Well, I guess Embry's cool."

"I told you he would be." Edward replied.

I snuggled into him until we arrived at the airport and then continued to use him as my personal pillow back to D.C. It was a shame that flight wasn't longer but when we touched down I was back to business.

While I started to prepare myself for rehearsal; Edward and Ian went back to the hotel to work on business of his own. He told me that he would be back at seven to pick me up. I tried telling him I could catch a cab but that was much too unsafe for a girl like me. I could still see Edward struggle to keep his cool when it came to factors regarding my safety so usually I just gave in sparing him the stress.

"It's the badass of the hour." Mike announced loudly. I had stretched by myself waiting for the rehearsal to begin. People all around me seemed to be talking in hushed conversations but I tried not to pay any attention.

Mike flopped down beside me throwing his gym bag to the side.

"Hi, Mike." I shook my head at him.

"Remind me to never get on your bad side. Did you see how her face puckered up with every word? It was awesome."

"All right. It's not that big of a deal. I want to just focus on this performance. The sooner Sunday comes the sooner I can get back to L.A."

"You know on You Tube you already have like over a hundred thousand views?" Mike took out his phone. "See."

He pushed it toward me to show me.

"Well, at least it will help her ratings." I replied.

Mike continued to talk nonstop over my morning triumph until I had to threaten him to stop or else he too would feel my wrath.

At seven on the dot, Edward arrived to come and escort me back to the hotel.

"I talked to Seth." He said just as I approached him. I immediately stopped in my tracks.

"Are they mad?" I cringed.

Edward smiled a little, "Yes but not for the reasons you're thinking. Seth really wishes you would get a publicist already. Their office has been fielding calls all day. Publicity wise they are happy but they didn't know whether or not this event would cause a negative media reaction. Now that it's been a couple of hours they can better gauge the situation and they think it will turn to be a positive in the long run."

I continued walking with him out to the car.

"Hey, babe what's going on with Jacob? He seemed short when I was talking to him today." Edward asked.

I was supposed to seek Jacob out after that day at rehearsal to apologize for my bitchy candor but I was so busy I hadn't the time.

"Uh…he and I are…just going through some things."

Edward and I got into the car and he continued to look at me like he was waiting for an explanation.

"He came to rehearsal earlier this week and I may have said some inconsiderate remark and he got all butt hurt over it."

Edward continued to give me a look.

"I know, I know. Come on Bella, be nice to Jacob. That's not how you should treat your friends." I made an impression of Edward.

"I didn't say anything. I know your conscience is already eating you up." He replied smug.

I crossed my arms, scowling out the window. Guilty, I hadn't even thought too much on it until he said something. I was too busy these days to think on these things and that actually started to worry me more.

Who was I turning into that I was slowly putting my family and friends behind my work. I had just ripped into Missy for speaking against the people in my life but was I really any better for not giving them the time of day? Jacob has always been there for me. He would cheer me up when I was down. He went out of his way sometimes to be a friend and I took something important to him and made a mockery of it. I was no better than the Missy's of the world.

I think Edward could tell that I just wanted to be left alone the rest of the night. When we arrived back at the hotel, Emma had already ordered up dinner for us which was eaten in silence. After I was finished I told Edward I wanted to fit in a warm bath before bed. He knew I had a long week ahead so he seemed to give me my way.

The whole point of my nightly baths was to try to relax and allow my body some rejuvenation but I spent the whole time thinking of my nasty words to Jacob. I ended the bath sooner than I normally did and thought it would be best to just get to bed and think of a way to talk to Jacob tomorrow… maybe.

I thought that my feelings would have kept me awake and tossing and turning for most of the night but it was the exact opposite. I was sound asleep having nightmares; not only of Jacob but others as well. I dreamt that I woke up and it was Gracie's high school graduation day and I had been so busy I had missed Savannah and her whole lives. People I loved had moved on with their lives and I hadn't even noticed that I was alone. Last was Jacob whose grave I visited where it was etched into his gravestone that he died from a broken heart.

When I awoke it was two in the morning and Edward was snoring softly beside me. I pushed myself out of bed wiping the tears from off my face. I needed to get a drink of water or something but I sat there staring at my phone and I knew I just had to check.

I crept out of the bedroom taking my phone with me and went to sit on the couch in the living room dialing as I went.

"Bella, what's wrong." Jacob answered somewhere between asleep and what the fuck.

"Uh…Jake?"

"Yeah."

I couldn't think of anything to say. Part of me was surprised that he answered. I was hoping to get his voicemail. I suddenly felt very stupid.

"Bella, is there something wrong? It's like five AM." He pressed.

Nothing.

"Good night, Bella." He huffed.

"Wait." I all but half screamed. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Jacob for what I said."

"Bella, it's early and I'm tired." He tried to dismiss me.

"Would you just give me a minute?" I whined. "I can't go back to sleep. Would you just talk to me? You're everywhere. You're there when I sleep; you're there when I'm awake."

"I'm in your dreams?" he replied amused.

"You're in my nightmares!"

Jacob sighed.

"I didn't mean it like that. Please would you just give me a minute? I…you…there was a grave and you were gone…" I started to cry. "I didn't know what to do, my life was over. I had missed everything…I"

"Whoa calm down, Bella."

My sniffles couldn't calm down. I was overly tired and in serious need of a mental health day.

"Bella, calm down." He said with a little more authority,

Slowly my sniffles and tears came to an end until I was left with a couple hiccups.

"Better?" he asked.

"Yeah." I whispered.

"You are going to go and climb back in bed, get some sleep and then kick ass on Sunday. Monday when you get back then we deal with our shit, okay?"

"Okay." I replied.

"Good night, Bella."

"Good night." I repeated.

I was just about to hang up the phone when I heard him whisper, "I love you." Unsure if I was supposed to have heard it or if he wanted a reply I held on the line for a second to hear him hang up almost instantly after it.

I walked back into the bedroom and saw Edward still asleep and I crawled into his arms laying my head on his chest. I felt Edward pull me closer. Yes, Jacob and I could deal with our shit on Monday.

The first President I ever met was me literally standing there in a line with my fellow performers while he went down the row shaking everyone's hand and giving them the standard thank you. I remember feeling more nervous than I was when I was on stage an hour ago, singing my little heart out and praying a big one to the man upstairs that I not be the one to mess up the dance.

I wasn't sure if the being surrounded by secret service was the cause of my nerves but when the President of the United States walked up to me and stuck out his hand to thank me; I knew it was definitely being here at this moment that was the reason for my sweaty palms. My mother had begged me to get an autograph but, I denied her. I ever so carefully wiped my hands on my dress making sure to not alert the secret service men and took Mr. President's hand in mine.

And then it was over. Michael poked me in the side, disrupting the silly smile on my face.

"Come on! After party!" he said and pushed me in the direction of the exit.

Edward greeted me with a kiss and praise when I saw him.

"Well, was he everything you'd hope he be?"

"I didn't even talk to him but…it was awesome." I couldn't contain the smile on my face. Was it really just a year ago when I was some big nobody getting bullied by that wench on the Italian Revenge's set? Now I was performing on stages and meeting the President. If my ten-year old self could see me now.

Edward and I didn't stay long at the party. Just long enough to meet Babette Brice who honored me with her praise. The party wasn't your typical Hollywood bash it was more stuffy than that. I just was focused on getting home and spending some quality time with my friends and family. I didn't have any big obligations until January thirteenth when my albums come out and this time I planned on keeping it that way.

"Just so you know, I plan on taking the next few weeks off. I will do whatever the label requires of me but no more major projects." I announced to Edward.

Edward smiled and looked over to me. I was content on staring out the plane window and having this conversation. The day looked peaceful as we flew above the clouds.

"Until the next person comes barreling into our office with an opportunity one cannot pass up." He replied.

"No. I mean it. The President of the United States himself could walk in and tell me that it was a matter of grave importance and I would say Mr. President, my apologies but I have to decline."

"I'm not upset with your busy schedule; you are finally getting everything you want and that makes me very happy but it would be nice if we could all see you for more than a meal or two." Edward said.

"I understand. It's the holiday season and I plan on enjoying it. Plus there's Savannah's birthday and I really want to make it special. I know we have a lot to do with getting this wedding underway so I will try to do some of that as well with you."

Edward gave me a grin and settled back into his chair.

"Edward, I know that this is supposed to be a you and me thing but I was hoping to maybe include the girls in on some things if that was alright with you. I know that the ultimate decision will be up to us but for maybe the fun things like cake tasting we could invite them along."

"Sure baby, whatever you want. Hmmm. Maybe they have a Bella flavored cake."

I cringed, "That's gross. Sounds like something Hannibal Lector would have at his wedding."

Edward laughed out loud. "Have you thought anymore on your bridesmaids?"

I sighed, "Not really. I think I am set on Angela, Jacqueline and Rosalie but I feel guilty for not including Alice. Do you think she'll be hurt?"

"Babe, you pick who you want to pick. I think she would be more hurt if she felt you asked her out of obligation. I'm sad to see you not close with her anymore and I know that is because of me. My failure was your price to pay."

"Don't say that. Alice made a choice and she didn't choose me. I wish I could go back to the way things were but it can't and I will still love her and if she needs me I will be there for her but we're not that close anymore."

"Bella, there will be people who come in and out of your life. Not just Alice. You will need to decide who you will fight for and who you can let go. I know that you and Jacob have been having a hard time with one another as well. I should be happy seeing how he loves you. I know that he will never be able to love you the way I do and I respect Jacob because I know that he loves you enough to let you go. I respect him because no matter his feelings he will always put your best interests at heart. He was able to protect you when I couldn't and that is why I choose him as my best man. I know he will always be there for you and he will respect our relationship enough to never cross the line. I hope you two will work out your differences."

"Well, we kind of started the peace talks. A couple of nights ago I had a horrible nightmare so I called him and he seemed at least receptive to talk with me."

"Where was I? I don't remember you leaving?" Edward sounded kind of worried.

"An atomic bomb couldn't have woken you." I laughed. "It was only a few minutes that I was gone…apparently I was back in bed before you knew it."

I smiled at Edward but he didn't seem too pleased so I tried to distract him with wedding talk since we would be meeting with Emily tomorrow. I asked Emma to call her first thing when we landed and invite her over to the house. I wanted to spend some time tomorrow with Savannah and Gracie and I really didn't want leave the house unless necessary.

"We're home." Edward announced loudly once we walked through the door.

Gracie came screaming into foyer. "You're home."

I picked her up and kissed her cheek. "I told you I would be back on Monday. See we're here bright and early. Did you and your dad have a good time?" I asked her.

Embry was going to take the girls to the zoo while we were gone to distract them and also make up for missing Gracie's birthday. Embry came in from the direction of the kitchen and greeted us.

"We had fun. We went to the zoo. We played in the pool. I wanted to play in the spa room but daddy said it needed to be specially cleaned."

I looked over to Embry and he busted up laughing. Edward looked confused and I wasn't about to discuss with him why Embry would say such a thing to Gracie.

"Where's your sister?" I asked trying to change direction.

"She went with Jacob and Becky to the stores." Gracie replied. I put her down and started to lug my suitcase upstairs, Gracie said she wanted to get back to her cartoons and necklace beading. Great, I would be stepping on beads for the next week.

"B, that can wait. Leave 'em and come check out your office." Embry stopped me from picking up the suitcase.

"What did you do to my office?" I asked accusingly.

"Damn. So hostile. I didn't do shit. Wish I could take credit."

Edward followed us out to the back house where my office resided. I walked in and stopped immediately when my eyes settled on a sleek black grand piano. I walked slowly over to it and ran my hand along it.

"Where did this come from?" I asked looking up to Embry.

He scrunched his shoulders. "They left a note." He winked and backed out of the room leaving Edward and I alone. Lying upon the keys was a note folded in thirds and sealed with wax. The seal was three circles linking one another.

Tria Fata.

I looked up to Edward.

"Open it." He replied softly. I took a breath and slid my finger along the paper to break the seal.

Our deepest gratitude. You honor us with your words and respect. Thank you.

"Peter and Charlotte?" I asked quietly.

"No Bella. All of Tria Fata wanted to extend their appreciation toward you. You may have stood up for Peter and Charlotte but you stood up for something greater."

I looked over to the piano bench and went to take a seat gliding my hands across the keys delicately. I had always wanted a nice piano. My parents were able to get the one we had at a yard sale. It needed to be tuned dearly and once it was it worked well enough but this was something else. I started to play just a little to get the feel and hear the beautiful sound fill the room.

Edward said that all members of Tria Fata were to thank for my gift but I had always thought that Peter and Charlotte were the driving force of the decision. It wasn't until years later when I learned that Garrett was the one to initiate the gesture. Of course when I talked to him he made some snarky reply that he was just thankful that I had finally put my smart mouth to good use. It took me a long time to realize that Garrett and I were somewhat similar. We both loved our family and friends and there wasn't anything we wouldn't do for them.

AN: I want to say thank you and welcome to all the people who recently joined this story. I have seen many people join this week and I am very appreciative. THANK YOU as always for taking the time to read and review.