CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The second President I ever met, I was required to do more than give a little smile and a handshake.

"Isabella Swan, the President elect will see you now. You have five minutes."

I didn't really see why it was necessary for me to be here, not that I wasn't honored to be meeting with the soon to be President. I rose up out of the chair, squeezing my fists a little and trying to straighten out my posture as much as possible but my walk was wobbly and it was pretty evident that I had yet to perfect a calm and composed exterior.

Why would the President want an audience with me? I just figured that I would show up in D.C., be in rehearsals for a week and then at the end I would perform and Mr. President would continue down his path of leading a country and I would continue on my path of trying to schedule four music video tapings for the month of February. Never the two paths should cross; that was until I was summoned to the historic Blair House where the President elect and his family were to stay until he relocated to the better side of Pennsylvania Avenue.

But I guess I should back up a moment because it felt like a lot had happened in a very short period of time. After Edward and my little talk about future and babies I suddenly felt like I was trying to beat a stop watch on my career. I felt rushed to try to complete as much as possible knowing that Edward would become antsy in a years' time if one of his swimmers had failed the mission impossible of fertilizing one of my girls before then.

I had one year to cement my standing in Hollywood before the possible deportation back down to obscurity. It wasn't fame I was chasing, it was respect. All I had ever dreamed of was to become successful and well-respected in this industry. I didn't put time in thinking about marriage, babies and homemaking when I was wee girl because I honestly didn't think that was in the cards for me. After years of girls telling me that I was too fat or too ugly and the boys fleeing from me like I was the plague, I didn't sit in my room playing house with my Barbie's and dreaming of the day when I would have my house in the burbs after marrying a doctor and then becoming a baby making factory.

It would take time for me to switch gears and start thinking of my future in different terms, hell I still had trouble imagining why someone like Edward Cullen would ever want to be with me. Usually it was when I would pass a magazine rack and catch a glimpse of Edward laid out on GQ or a Vanity Fair type magazine. I couldn't help myself to stop and stare and then the doubt would start creep in. First it would begin with little things like; man Edward is hot and then it would progress to why is he with me again? And before I would tear myself away from the cover it would end with how long is this really going to last before he wakes up and realizes all the hot girls he is giving up.

Then I would buy a chocolate bar to numb the pain.

Wow that was a tangent. Anyway what I am trying to say is that I was in a meeting with Seth over at the WMG offices and looking through all the promotional materials they had put together for the release of the albums next week. Stefan of course went back to thinking I was his little diamond in the rough once he had heard that I agreed to go to Washington.

"I really love what you did with the posters." I commented looking down at a copy on the table. Something then caught my eye. "What's this?"

"Oh well that's just part of an ad that is running in The Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. We really want to get your name out there and so people will realize how amazingly talented you are." Seth replied.

"Seth." I looked at him pointedly, "I don't need you kissing my ass." I shook my head and laughed a little.

"Do the boys know about this? I can't imagine how much money you all put out for this." I added.

"Bella, it's not just for the song you wrote with Liberty Project; Warner Bros. knows that they are in a very good position for them to be able to pick up a couple Academy Awards for sound, editing and costuming for Dark Heroes. So there really is no problem adding your song to the list of considerations for Oscar nominations. Tortured was an original song that was written for Dark Heroes and Warner Bros. was very happy with it."

Yeah…remember that night from a couple of months ago when Jacqueline and the boys from Liberty Project were all sitting around after we had just finished filming the music video and we wrote that song together…so now Warner Bros. was beseeching some media attention to be brought so they could garner another Oscar nomination. During this season, production companies were shameless in begging Academy voters to think of their films above all others when filling out their ballots. The trade magazines would be filled with full-page ads reminding all voters of the gems that were released this year. I sighed at our long shot status on that one. It's not that I didn't love the song that the boys and I wrote but really, Oscar worthy? I don't think so.

"So what next?" I asked.

Seth began telling me that everything was set up for Tuesday afternoon the thirteenth at the Virgin Music Store. I would be doing a three-hour block of album signings. Nothing more was planned since I needed to jump on a plane later that evening for D.C.

I was leaving my meeting and decided to stop by and look in on my boys. I hadn't seen them in a little bit and I was hoping that they were at the studios that day. I knew that they were working tirelessly on getting everything perfect for their first worldwide concert tour which was kicking off some time in March.

"Hey, what do we have here? Apparently Oscar contenders from what my music manager just showed me." I greeted.

"Bella." There was a chorus.

"Haven't heard from you all in a long time and wondered if this big concert tour you're going on made you too good to even talk to me anymore." I perched myself up on a stool.

"What? You crazy. We were just talking about you in fact." Scott replied and then gave a very pointed look to Kyle. Kyle jogged over to the other side of the studio and pulled a rather large item up from behind the drum set.

"We have a Christmas gift for you." Matthew announced.

"What? No. I feel bad. I didn't get you anything." I said feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Well, then consider it a bribe." Kyle handed me a very large object. A very large guitar shaped object.

"What is this?" I shook my head slightly and gave a shy smile.

"We were thinking that we know how much you love to write music and to be honest a piano is not really a very portable instrument so maybe if you learn guitar you could take it on the road with you and it could be helpful." Scott explained.

"You guys are too much." I hopped off the stool and placed the guitar case down on the ground and opened it. "Oh my god it's pink!"

I pulled the hot pink guitar out of the case and tried to put it on. "I love it!" I practically screamed.

"Well, we went ahead and already outfitted it with your first band sticker. Didn't think you'd mind." Mark pointed to the sticker on the guitar which was their album cover and outlined in pink was the shadow that was supposed to represent me.

"Wow, it's like you metaphorically pissed on my guitar. You guys are just the best." I started to hug each one of them trying not to get weepy.

It occurred to me that if I had to go through all that hell growing up with being bullied and picked on maybe it was worth it to get to now. Now with genuine friends. Now with lots and lots of family. Now was perfect.

"Like we said, this is a bribe." Scott replied tugging on my new guitar strap.

"What do you want?" I sighed.

"A video. We are ready to do another music video and since we have had such great success with you at the helm…"Mark started.

"What song?"

"Frozen Winter…my song." Kyle answered softly.

The room became very quiet and I didn't know what to think. A couple of years ago Kyle's family home burned down during the Christmas season and his father lost his life in that house. It took a long time before Kyle would ever talk about it. I had only ever heard about it from music articles but when he wrote Frozen Winter for this album I could hardly listen to it because the song was so somber that it depressed me and I would end up crying the whole time. A note to self that happened after I was driving one day listening to the new album and my vision was suddenly so blurred that I had to pull over and park in a Trader Joe's Parking lot until it would pass.

"Uh…" I couldn't say no, right? "Of course I'll do it."

I left WMG shortly after and all I could think was how I was going to have to subject myself to this heartbreaking song over and over again until I could come up with a vision. For anyone who ever lost someone, trust me it's a hard song to get through.

I arrived home and was thankful that Edward was there. He was sitting on the living room couch reading his new script I presumed. I placed my new guitar case down and without a word I pulled the script from him and wiggled my way down into his arms.

"What's wrong baby?" he asked.

I breathed him in and tried to move in closer.

"Bella." He said in warning.

"Just give me a minute. I just need you for a moment." I replied.

He enclosed me in his arms and started to rub my back, waiting.

"What's the guitar for?" he asked after a couple solid quiet minutes.

I shrugged causing Edward to sigh. And he called me impatient.

"I went by and saw the boys today after my meeting with Seth and they asked me to do another video for them. Normally it would be no problem but the song they chose is kind of a downer and now I'm going to have to listen to that song over and over and I already know it will make me sad and I won't be able to stop from going all girl." I huffed.

"There's nothing wrong with going all girl. I happen to like the fact that you're a girl." Edward teased.

"Do you like the fact that I'm going to become a weepy miserable crying fit of a girl?" I snapped.

"No. Not so much."

I sighed and snuggled my way back to my spot on his chest.

"The guitar is a bribe. They thought it would make me say yes to their video. It's pink and I love it so I said yes." I continued.

"Whoa, whoa whoa." Embry's booming voice practically made me jump out of my skin. "So I ask you to do a video with me this morning and you're all" He gave his best high-pitched girl impression, "Oh Embry I have to think about it. I just can't imagine working on something with you right now."

He walked around from the kitchen sink. "And now you agree to do another video for L.P. which would bring your total to three and you won't even consider working with me for video one? That's messed up. Didn't know I had to bribe you."

I got up from the couch ready to defend myself. "Embry, it's not like that. Liberty Project needs my help a lot more than you need my help. Have you seen their past videos? You are already a music video god. I would just mess you all up."

"I see how it goes down." Embry started to shake his head and he genuinely looked upset.

"I'm sorry. You know how high the pedestal I place you on is. Come on man don't be mad." I practically begged.

"Then say you'll do my video…and before the boys. I was in line first." He waved his foreboding finger at me.

"Fine. I'll start thinking of something. Happy?" I shouted.

"Jubilant. I'm off to pick up the girls." He winked and left. Somehow I think I was just manipulated. Damn him.

My mom was so excited about the whole autograph signing event that she insisted that she'd come along and who was I to deny her on her birthday. She showed up bright and early that morning arriving a half hour after the hair and makeup people who were sent from the studio had arrived. I wanted to make my mom's day special so I asked Marcus to design a special outfit for her to wear and I asked my mom to join me in getting her hair and makeup done as well. It was nice to be able to share that time with my mom. She had been so on wedding mode for so long that this was relaxing for both of us.

"Are you sure you don't want me coming along?" Edward appeared behind my chair and was looking at me through the mirror with sad puppy dog eyes.

"You know what Seth said." I replied quietly.

"But I could stay hidden in the background, never even know I was there." He protested.

"You know that's not true. You're like the biggest star on the planet; people will be looking for you. I don't mind you coming and slumming it but Seth said it wouldn't do well." I explained.

Seth had said that it wouldn't be good for Edward to come along that day because any publicist would tell me that in order for my career to go to the next level there needed to be a separation of our two careers for certain events. Since this was my first event in which I would be interacting with my new fan base, Edward had the potential to outshine me which wouldn't be good for the albums. I felt torn; I knew what Seth was trying to say and I personally felt uncomfortable when Edward would watch me while I was trying to work. Part of me still felt silly knowing that Edward who had years of experience on me was watching and I couldn't help but think of what negative critiques could be going through his mind. Another part of me hated saying no to those damn puppy dog eyes. The worst thing about them was he had picked it up from Gracie.

"Okay, baby. I guess I will just have to leave you with your mother. Try and not kill each other." He leaned down and kissed me quickly.

"Oh, Edward I would never kill my mother on her birthday. What kind of savage do you think I am? Mother's Day is far more appropriate." I mocked.

He gave me one last look before shaking his head and leaving.

Seth was already the limo when it arrived at the house to pick us up. My mom and I were all doll'd up and promptly got into it.

"So then Embry said that I needed to get down with my bad self because you agreed to do a video with him and there was to be a party of asshakers. What's an asshaker?" my mom looked somewhere caught between confused and disgusted.

"Mom, he was joking and its ass shakers not asshakers. Embry never does ass shaking videos which is why I respect him. Most rap artists do that crap and it's soo overdone." I explained.

"What video?" Seth asked overhearing my mother and my discussion. Since we had arrived in the limo he had been on the phone and looked as if he wished to be undisturbed.

"I told Embry that I would work on directing his next music video." I paused, "Oh and then I told Liberty Project that I would do their next video as well. Don't worry it will be sometime in February."

"Isabella Swan. You're supposed to be getting married in February. Don't you think you're biting off more than you can chew?" my mom looked positively aghast.

"We're getting married on Friday the thirteenth. After a week-long honeymoon there will still be one more week left in February…okay maybe I will have to push one of the tapings off to the first week of March but I can handle it."

"I don't think that's wise. You're going to want to work on this up until they put your veil on. I don't like it one bit." My mom huffed.

"Oh mom what do you think Edward's going to be doing. He just accepted a grueling role for a film that will take much of his attention away all up until the wedding and after it." So there.

My mom's mouth dropped open and I stopped for a second of patting myself on the back for throwing Edward under the bus to shift back my thinking to I should probably warn him.

"Bella, when are you going to work on a music video for one of your albums? I mean we all are happy when you want to help out a WMG artist but come on you need to start thinking of your own career here." Seth interjected.

I just loved the little dig at the fact that I agreed to help out Embry who wasn't a WMG artist.

"Well, I could do one for me as well…I guess." I really hated the idea of having to be in front of the camera again. But I couldn't argue with him, he was right.

"Look the higher-ups have been meaning to have a sit down with you. They want to make sure that since they have put a lot of money and resources into these albums, they're going to want some reassurance that you will be willing to focus a little more on them." Seth stated.

"I understand but I am more than just a music artist. I have other loves too. I am a team player so when you go back to the boys in blue tell them that not only will I do the videos for Liberty Project and E.C. Crime but for every video I do for other artists I will do one for me as well. Will that appease them?" I negotiated.

Seth nodded stiffly, "Yes, I believe so."

"Oh my goodness, look at all those people." My mom shouted pointing out the window.

"What's going on?" I asked looking, trying to get a glimpse of the cause.

"Uh…Bella they're here for you." Seth remarked.

"Me? Why would anyone waste their time standing in line for me?"

"Oh wow, baby you're famous." My mother looked at me in awe.

"Yeah, and it didn't take a sex tape to get there." I jested. "Edward would look damn good in a sex tape."

My mom slapped my arm, "Don't you even think about it."

"I'm with Mrs. Swan on that one." Seth agreed.

"Geez, guys I was kidding." I rolled my eyes.

The limo pulled into an underground parking structure and there was security and representatives all ready from Virgin to welcome us. The whole experience was surreal. I quickly learned that my autograph was a tad long to sign the full Isabella Swan so that was definitely something I would think about changing in the future but for now I figured it was best to stick to the same signature. All the people were super nice and I tried my best to be "likeable" since that was what Seth harped on me at our little meeting. After the couple hours I was obligated to do I continued on because I felt bad seeing how these people spent so much time waiting for me. However, after another hour or so; Seth reminded me that I needed to catch a flight so we packed on up.

I listened to Frozen Winter part of the flight to D.C. and eventually I was able to shut off my feelings and get down to thinking up a concept. We arrived in D.C. in the early morning hours which was quite the task for Edward to get me up and off the plane. I was able to sleep a couple more hours at the hotel before I was due at rehearsal.

Working with little people seemed easier since I had been around Savannah and Gracie. Most of these kids were around Savannah's age. About fifty students from three different schools made up the choir. Their part was to sing the ooo's and ahhh's in the background and then they would finish up the last verse with me. I had a blast working with them mostly because they were so excited and that energy was the best to be around.

I was right in the middle of the final rehearsal for the day when I saw Edward walk into the rehearsal space and of course like the spaz I was, I faltered on the line I was singing. See what I'm talking about, I always get flustered when I know he is watching me. I would worry about Tuesday but I think that the fact that the entire country and several places around the world would be watching was enough to stop me from worrying about Edward for the day.

The song finally finished and we were excused. I walked over to Edward and he gave me a great big hug.

"Honey, you were terrific." I cringed at his words. "Stop it. You were." He insisted.

"Thanks." I mumbled.

"Miss Swan." Erica Jefferson approached us. I hadn't seen her since that day in our office.

"Erica. Pleasure to see you again." I greeted.

"Nice to see you too." She paused. "I am here to inform you that you have a meeting at four pm with President elect."

"What…wha…why…why..why would you want that?" I fumbled.

"It's customary. There will be a brief meet and then a photo-op of the pair of you for media purposes. The children are to meet with him tomorrow." She stated like I would be sitting down for tea with old friend and not the soon to be leader of the free world.

"I can't imagine any scenario where this is a good idea." I wasn't even sure if I was talking out loud or if my words were even coherent. It felt like my tongue was swelling up.

"Bella, this is a very good thing. You should meet with him. I think you'd like him." Edward tried to calm me by shaking me a little probably hoping I would snap out it.

"There is a car waiting outside to take you to Blair house." Erica said.

"Shouldn't I at least change?" I broke out of my little trance.

"Well I suppose the car could make a brief stop at your hotel but you really must hurry. We haven't got all day." She replied.

"Of course. Come on honey." Edward started to pull me along and I went willingly knowing I was of little use at the moment.

The problem was when I arrived back at the apartment I nearly tore my suitcase apart to look for the right outfit. My mother would never let me hear the end of it if I met the President in anything less than perfect.

Finally I found a somewhat workable navy outfit. I noticed in the past that it was proper to wear patriotic colors when having a picture taken with the President. Edward said I looked beautiful but how could I count on an unbiased opinion out of him.

"Wait, I want to take a picture real quick and send it to Marcus to get his approval first." I stopped as Edward was trying to push me out the door.

"Bella, you don't have time. I told you that you look beautiful. Now go." He blocked me from coming back into the hotel room.

"You're not coming with me?" I asked.

"They requested you. You'll be fine. I know you will do great." He replied.

"No. I don't want to go alone." I started to push my way back into the room.

"Honey, I will be right here when you get back. You have to go now or you're going to be late." He gave me one last kiss and like a parent dropping their child off at school on their first day he just cut the cord closing the door in my face.

I sighed and walked with a security officer back down to the car.

So now I was walking toward the looming door to the office where on the other side the most powerful person I ever met was situated.

"This is Isabella Swan. She is the one you requested to sing at your inauguration." A secretary introduced me.

I walked forward and managed to raise out a hand toward him for the traditional shake. "It's an honor to meet you Mr. President…elect? Or is it just Mr. President or what up Pres?" Oh my god shut up! Stop talking Bella! "I told them this was a bad idea."

I shook my head uneasy while my heart was still racing. I could feel my chest start to rise and fall a tad too quickly.

The man laughed. "You remind me of Edward. It's nice to meet you too, Isabella."

"Remind you of Edward? I don't see how that's even possible. Edward is like…so much better at this stuff then I am." I replied flustered.

"Well, I guess what I meant to say is that I can definitely see what he sees in you. You're perfect for him." The President replied.

"Uh…thank you? Um…I just have to ask. It's been killing me really but Edward would never admit it so here it goes. Did you request me to sing because you felt the need to square things off with Edward since he helped raise all that money for your campaign?" Now I was talking at super speed.

"Why would you think that? If that was my criteria then I would have called up Clooney."

That's what I said!

"I know but…I'm a nobody. I can imagine someone in your power… or I mean someone of your stature who is coming into power could get huge names for this gig."

"This gig." He stated.

"Uh…your little inauguration…I mean big inauguration. It's big. Really big." I tried to correct myself but ended up confusing him more. "Can I sit down? Standing in front of you is really making me dizzy."

He gestured for me to sit on the couch and I quickly did so.

"When I was on the campaign trail I was going from hotel to hotel and half the time my room was being filled with people working around the clock to try to get me to where I am today. The television was always set on CNN or some news channel and it became tedious. So one evening I decided to flip around a bit and see if I could find something else to watch, even if for only a few minutes and I landed on a television special where my new friend and campaign contributor was giving an interview with his new girlfriend."

I searched my memory and quickly was reminded of the first television interview I ever gave with Pamela Stewart and was trying to think of why he would bring up that right now.

"And then you said something that stuck with me. You said I was born in America. My parents were born in America. My grandparents and their parents were born in America. I am an American and I proud of it." He quoted.

"I remember." I replied softly.

"The majority of American's have become apathetic to their own country. It takes a war or a horrific event to bring us closer together. I requested you to perform because you are the type of person I would want representing me and this country on inauguration day. I hope that in my four or eight years that I hold this office that more people will become proud of the country that they are citizens of again. It's a wonderful thing to be proud of one's heritage but what about the heritage of America? Many people suffered and fought hard hundreds of years ago to afford us the freedoms we have now. I hope that people will realize what it exactly means to be proud to be an American once again."

I sat there with my mouth slightly open in awe. I felt like there should have been some patriotic music playing in the background. Hearing him talk I could now see first-hand why Edward was so passionate about this man and his campaign.

"That was very moving, Mr Pre…sir." I replied. "Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this historic day. I will try to not let you down."

"I'm sure you'll do great." He smiled.

A knock on the door alerted us and a couple of people came in to get ready to take our picture. As we got into place Mr. President said one more thing to me. "So Edward wondered if it was a good idea for me to allow you to sing since he is pretty sure that you didn't vote for me." He smirked at me.

"That bastard." I said slightly outraged. "What did he tell you?"

"He gave me a call last week to congratulate me again and then wondered if it was a brave move to have someone on stage who possibly wasn't a supporter. He said I should look into your voting records just to confirm."

"I told him it was none of his business to know who I voted for and I didn't confirm or deny whether or not I voted for you sir." I huffed.

"I told him that I'm sure that I could just ask you and you would give me an honest answer." He replied, "So Isabella Swan…"

"I'm not telling you how I voted." I cut him off. "That is for me to know and if you really are that desperate; in a couple days' time you will have all the power at your fingertips to find out. I'm sure a great use of that CIA resource of yours will be plenty." I replied indignant.

"Oh, is that what they're there for. Good to know. Well it has been a pleasure to meet with you, Isabella." He gave me one last handshake for good measure.

"Please we're practically old friends, call me Bella. It was so nice to meet you Mr. President. Good luck on that whole recession thingy."

I smiled one last time and proudly walked out of the room into the elevator and out the door to my car. Once I was in the car I gave out a sound of relief that I'm sure scared the driver.

"So how did it go?" Edward's smile was large when I finally returned back to the hotel.

"Uh…good. I'm pretty sure thanks to me that the ole Pres won't be requesting your help with campaign funds in 2012" I smirked. I walked toward the bedroom to get dressed leaving Edward looking a tad confused. "Oh and nice try, babe."

"What ever do you mean?" he feigned ignorance.

"Even the President of the United States couldn't get you the dirt on me. I suggest you move on to a higher power."

"No. This just means that I have to move on to plan B." I furrowed my brow as he shook his head slowly. "I'm just going to have to torture it out of you."

Suddenly Edward turned into a wildcat chasing me off into the bedroom where he "tortured" me for hours and hours. Unfortunately for Mr. Cullen he was unable to extract the information he needed so he may have to work a little harder on me tomorrow. Somehow that didn't seem like a problem for me.

AN: So I just decided to work on a chap by chap basis meaning that I will post chapters the moment I have finished them. I usually don't get a lot of opportunity to write on the weekends so the next chapter probably won't be up till next Wednesday. I am really dreading having to write the next couple chapters because they really hit home. Thank you once again to all my fabulous readers and my amazing reviewers.