A/N: I really like this chapter. It has some fun character development... and we're getting closer to Full Exposure's grand opening! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 24:

BPOV

Full Exposure is opening to the public on Saturday. We have just four more days to get the place ready for opening night, and needless to say everyone is working hard to get the job done. Alice and I have been here all morning cleaning and getting the theaters and private rooms ready.

"Ta Da!" Alice cheers. She just opened the door to one of the private scene rooms she's been working on. I'm stunned by how beautiful it is.

"Alice, you've done a fantastic job!"

I walk into the room with dark blue walls and soft crème carpets taking a good look around. There is a full sized bed against one wall with white mosquito netting draped around the four poster bed frame. A tan leather tantra chair is on the other side of the room. Alice has decorated with wrought iron wall hangings and a mirror hangs opposite the bed. Near the door is a narrow dresser that matches the bed and when I pull the drawers open I find various toys and props. I really wish Edward and I were testing this room out right now.

"You really like it?" Alice asks while biting her manicured nail.

"I do, honestly. I can't wait to see the other rooms you've designed."

Alice is biting her nail again. "Some of the fabrics I ordered aren't in yet, but I swear I'll have everything done by Friday."

I take one more look around and then walk back into the hallway. We're on the third floor where one large lounge area is located and six private rooms that will be used by members for private scenes and training purposes. "I have faith in you. Come on, we need to get moving if we're going to get to the restaurant on time."

Last weekend when Esme asked me to have a girls' lunch today I didn't think anything of it. Little did I know how crunched for time we'd be around the club. Edward is sort of losing his mind from the stress. But I can't cancel on Esme, it's Wednesday, and that means you don't cancel plans for lunch.

I give Edward a quick peck on the cheek before Alice and I leave to hail a cab to Sophie's, my favorite new local restaurant. I'm not sure he even heard me say where I was going; he was on the phone with one of the club's food vendors. That reminds me I'll need to do an inventory of all the food and alcohol we've had delivered so far to make sure we've got enough for the grand opening party. There is still so much work to do.

We beat Esme to the restaurant by just a few minutes. Rose is with her and after hugs are shared all around we sit down to a little round table by the front window.

"How are you feeling, Alice?" Esme asks after the waitress takes our drink order.

"Feeling a little better, Esme, thank you. I'm sixteen weeks now. I think my second trimester is going to be much easier than the first."

The baby talk continues for a few minutes while Rose and I look over the menu. I idly wonder how Rose feels about having a family. She's always believed the same as Edward, that people with our lifestyle can't juggle BDSM and raising a family. I know Rose thinks the only reason it will work for Alice and Jasper is that Alice has already conceded most of her submissive tendencies to pacify Jasper. I'm hoping that when the time comes for Edward and me that we can keep some of the D/s habits we currently have. But there's always a little niggling doubt in the back of my mind.

"It's strange not having the guys here," Rose comments.

"Carlisle had a late meeting at the hospital and I know how busy Edward is this week. Besides, with so many changes in our family these days I know it's unrealistic to think we can all get together every week," Esme says.

Alice places her hand over the small swell in her belly. I think it's reasonable to assume that when her baby is born she will understandably miss a few lunches. But Esme's leniency on the Wednesday tradition didn't start with Alice. The first time the family missed a Wednesday lunch was when Edward was hiding out in Forks. No one mentions that, but I'm sure they're all thinking it. I feel responsible for ruining something that used to be so special to the Cullens.

"I think it's nice having just the girls here," Rose says. Alice and Esme smile in response and it makes me feel a little less guilty.

"Girl time is important," Alice agrees.

"How long are you in town, Rosie?" Esme asks.

"I'll just be staying the day. I promised Edward I'd stop by the club after lunch to make sure he's got everything covered for Saturday. He's stressing hardcore," she replies.

Esme looks worried. "I hope he's taking care of himself. He's taken on so much responsibility with this new job."

Rosalie nods her head while the waitress places our drinks on the table. She waits for the girl to take our orders and walk away before responding. "All the renovations are done on the club and the theaters. That's the most important part. He just needs help with the managing end; employee schedules and paperwork, handling the money, keeping the memberships updated, those sorts of things."

I smile at Edward's mother reassuringly. "He's been dealing with a lot but I'm so impressed by how he's pulled it all together. Rose is right, he's never done anything like this before but we're all helping him."

Alice claps her hands happily. "I'm so excited for Saturday! It's going to be an awesome party. How many people RSVP'd online, Bella?"

I look over at Esme quickly before answering. I know she isn't comfortable with us discussing the club but she seems to be alright at the moment. My guess is that she's picturing Edward as a respectable businessman, behind a big desk in his office signing paperwork and making important business decisions. I see no reason to mention that Edward will likely be taking a break from managing in order to do a scene with me. She doesn't look uncomfortable or embarrassed by the topic of conversation so far.

"We had at least fifty people RSVP on Facebook alone, but that's never an accurate way to anticipate turnout. I just hope we get a lot of interest in memberships since it's going to be open to the public."

"The whole club?" Alice asks.

"Well, the first floor. Only official members will be allowed on the second and third floors where performances will take place," I amend.

I need to remind Felix that only vetted members will be allowed upstairs, just the way Midnight Sun operates their open house events, so he can spread the word to the new security guys. It's important to me and to Edward that all of our guests and members feel safe.

"We don't have to talk about this now," Alice says cautiously checking Esme's face for signs of anxiety.

"No, no, I want to hear about it," Esme insists. "I've decided that since Rose, Emmett, Edward, and Bella all work for these... clubs, then I need to be able to talk about them or I'm going to miss out on a big part of your lives. And I don't want that, I've spent enough time hiding in the kitchen."

"Are you sure?" Rose asks reaching out her hand to cover Esme's.

"Yes, dear. If it's important to you, then I want you to be able to talk to me about it. And I know I've never told you this, but I really am proud that you've been successfully managing two businesses the way you have."

The smile on Rose's face is uplifting. She's been waiting a long time for this moment. I don't know where this is coming from, but I'm certainly relieved Esme is opening up a little.

"I'm not saying I'm completely comfortable with all this, but I want to try to understand," Esme adds.

Rose laughs lightly. "Okay, what do you want to know?"

"What happens during one of these performances?" Esme whispers conspiratorially.

The three of us giggle at the way Esme looked over her shoulder before asking her question. I don't know exactly how to explain a BDSM scene to my future mother-in-law and so I'm extremely relieved when Rose speaks up first.

"Well, there's a dominant, usually the man. And a submissive, usually the woman. The dominant gives instructions to the submissive about how he wants her to pose, either on her knees, or lying down on a table or bed. The dominant uses a number of different toys to stimulate the submissive sexually to bring her to orgasm. Then they will have sex in whichever position the dominant chooses. Sometimes the submissive is tied down or spanked erotically. This can be done in the privacy of one's home of course, but the club has a stage where the dom and sub can conduct their scene in front of an audience. It adds an additional level of excitement to the act knowing that people are watching."

I bite my lip furiously as Rose talks, waiting for Esme to gasp or start crying. A number of her possible reactions to Rose's description are running through my mind but Esme surprises us all by her next words.

"Your uncle once slapped my rear end during intercourse. Do you think that this could be a hereditary trait?"

Alice coughs into her Shirley Temple causing the liquid to spray onto the table in front of her. Rose and I burst into a fit of laughter as Alice whines and starts sopping up the table cloth with her napkin.

"He really did that, Esme?" I ask out of morbid curiosity.

Edward's mother's cheeks are tinted pink but she seems determined to get through this awkward discussion. "Oh yes, he most certainly did. It was years ago, when the kids were all in college. We had the house to ourselves for the first time in eighteen years and it made Carlisle get some rather crazy ideas." Esme looks around the restaurant again to make sure no one is within earshot. "Do any of your friends ever... ask their female partners to get on their hands on knees?" she whispers.

Rose can't help the huge smile that is spreading across her face. "Aunt Esme? Did you and Uncle Carlisle have sex doggy style?"

"No, don't be so crude, Rosie," Esme whispers. "Why? Is that common in BDSM?"

Alice has recovered from her spitting fit and is eager to jump into the conversation. "Esme, we've all done it doggy style," she says pointing to herself, Rose, and me. "It feels really good. You should try it."

Esme laughs nervously and shakes her head like she can banish the very idea from her mind.

"We also all like to get tied up, blindfolded, and spanked during sex." Before Alice can say anything more the waitress returns with our food. Everyone is quiet for a minute or two while we all start enjoying our meals.

"We need to have more girls' only luncheons," Rose muses. "This has been very enlightening."

Alice giggles and I just keep my eyes trained on my chef salad. I wish I had even half as good a relationship with Renee that Rose has with Esme. I know it hasn't always been easy for them over the years but they obviously care about each other very much. Rose has waited a long time to be able to talk so candidly with her aunt.

After we've eaten and the plates have been cleared Alice announces she needs to use the ladies room. Rose offers to go with her which leaves me and Esme alone at the table. A few uncomfortable moments of silence pass in which I'm convinced Esme is imagining her son railing me doggy style. Then she clears her throat to speak.

"You seem quiet today, Bella. Is anything wrong?"

"No, not really. I'm a little surprised that you wanted to talk about the club today. It has me thinking about my mother," I confess shrugging my shoulders. "She's the only person in my life who doesn't know the truth now."

"I've never heard you mention your mother before, dear. Are you two close?"

I sigh wistfully. "We haven't been on good terms my entire adult life. She left my father and me when I was just ten years old. She lives in Florida now. We talk on birthdays and holidays, and I've been out to visit her a handful of times, but that's the extent of it."

"You say you aren't close, but that obviously bothers you. Do you feel like if you told her the truth about your relationship with Edward it would bring you closer?"

"I think I wish she would act more like a real mother. It was hard growing up without her around and I've never fully forgiven her for leaving. But at the same time I'll never have the kind of relationship with her that I want if I'm keeping such a huge part of my life a secret from her."

"If you want her to open up then you feel like you need to do the same," Esme replies.

"Yeah, I guess so. And I don't know... I felt so relieved when she was the one person who didn't find out about me from that Internet video. And now I'm thinking about telling her myself. I have no idea how she'll react to the news."

Esme smiles and pats my hand affectionately. "Bella, sweetheart. It's never easy to think about your children in a sexual capacity. Probably the same way you'd feel if you tried to picture your parents making love. Or Carlisle and me for that matter. But speaking as a mother who has recently had to come to terms with that same piece of news, let me assure you that Edward's colorful sex life in no way affects how much I love him. And I'm sure your mother will feel the same."

I nod my head, processing what she's said.

"Most of the time I still think of Edward as the little boy who used to help me bake apple pies and decorate sugar cookies. It feels like just yesterday he was sneaking into our bed at night after having a bad dream. It's hard to view that same little boy as an adult sexual being. Carlisle was the one who dealt with all the man to man talks with Edward as a teenager about girls and sex. Recently I've begun to wonder what it was they discussed! They seem to share a few sexual fantasies," she mutters thoughtfully.

"Carlisle's sex talks didn't turn Edward into a dom, Esme," I say smiling. "Nothing Charlie said, or the public school sex-ed program, or even watching rated R movies can be blamed for turning me into a submissive. It doesn't work that way. In fact, when I had my first boyfriend I spent most of that time wondering why I couldn't get excited about what we did together. I wanted him to be enough, it was frustrating and humiliating to feel like something was wrong with me."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Bella. And I'm also sorry if I ever made you or my son feel bad about yourselves this past year. I hope you'll forgive me if I have."

I see Alice and Rose on the other side of the restaurant as they exit the bathroom. Giving Esme a cheerful smile I say, "Please don't beat yourself up over anything that's happened. Edward is happier now that he doesn't have to hide from you and Carlisle, I promise. He's very happy."

Esme sees the girls approaching and offers me one final comment before they return to the table. "If I haven't said it before, Bella, thank you for making my son so happy. It's you who has put that bounce in his step and I'll be forever grateful to you. And I'm very much looking forward to calling you my daughter-in-law."

When the four of us exit the restaurant a few minutes later I'm still reeling from the information overload. Alice shares a cab with Esme and Rose heads back to Full Exposure with me. Neither of us talk during the ride. I keep thinking over everything Esme spoke about during the lunch and I suspect Rosalie is doing the same. When we return to the club we find Edward upstairs in his office just where I left him.

"How's it going, cuz?" Rosalie asks playfully.

Edward looks up from a pile of paperwork on his desk and looks just as overwhelmed as I know him to be. His hair shows evidence that his hand has been run through it a few dozen times and his dress shirt is unbuttoned at the collar.

"Hey, how was your lunch?" he greets forcing a smile to his face.

Rosalie looks over at me and we both start laughing when our eyes meet. Lunch was... eye opening to say the least. "Lunch was great," Rose replies.

Edward frowns, realizing he's missing something. He seems to have too much on his mind to ask us to let him in on the joke, which we wouldn't do anyway. "Are you here to help me, dear cousin?" he asks hopeful.

"Absolutely. Show me what you're working on now and we'll get this mess straightened out," she says gesturing to the piles of paper scattered in disarray.

I cross the room to give Edward a quick kiss and run my fingers through his disheveled hair trying to smooth it down a little. It's useless and he smirks at me knowingly. "I'm going to do a walkthrough and make a list of things that need to be finished or fixed," I say.

"Okay, that will be helpful, Bella. Thanks," Rose replies.

I grab a clipboard and notepad and wish them luck as I leave Edward's office. The first place I wander around are the other offices on the fourth floor. Some of this area is just storage. Edward's got extra chairs, building supplies, and office and janitorial supplies here. Jason has an office too but his is still empty. I jot down on my notepad to purchase a desk and chair for him. The bathroom is clean and stocked with towels and toilet paper. Fourth floor checks out.

I take the elevator down one level to the third floor where there are six private rooms and a large lounge area. Alice showed me the blue room earlier this morning. I write down that we need to put numbers or letters on each door like a hotel would have. Calling the rooms by the color of the walls seems tacky. I walk through each of the six rooms and write down what is missing from each one. Three rooms are missing linens on the beds and one room has not been staged yet. Alice promised to have them all done by Saturday. The last private room I enter is probably my favorite. The walls are covered in black and purple fabric and a sex swing is anchored in the ceiling in the middle of the room. A poster hangs on the wall by the door illustrating the different uses for the swing. I want to try all of these positions with Edward. I write down on my pad "test the equipment in black and purple room" with a smiley face after it. The lounge area looks mostly complete. There are sofas, tables, and a flat screen television set up. I turn it on to make sure the cable is hooked up. It is so I move on.

The second floor has a few people milling around. An electrician is hooking up the lights over the dance floor and a painter is working on the M-booths. Idly I wonder if they have any idea what those rooms will be used for. Probably not. The theater doors are open and I'm amazed by how good they look. The curtains are hung and the props are also laid out ready for use. The theaters are larger than I'm used to with many more seats. A large bed is on the stage covered in just a fitted sheet. A wedge pillow is sitting in the middle.

I am so excited to see the new performers here Saturday night. Edward hired them for the grand opening to ensure the members are greeted with a strong first performance. I haven't met the couple yet, but Edward said they are experienced friends he knows from his time at the dungeon where he trained. As much as I want to perform in here Saturday night, I'm glad Edward and I won't be going first. If we do decide to do a scene it will be later in the evening after the professionals. A part of me is sad that it won't be Edward and me who christen the stage on Saturday. But as excited as I am becoming for the club to officially open, I'm still a little worried I'll chicken out. Edward was wise to line up some reliable entertainment.

Backstage I find a vacuum and take it upon myself to run it through both theaters and in the dressing rooms. Boxes of supplies have been delivered and left backstage so I busy myself stocking each dressing room with the fresh towels, robes, and an assortment of lotions and other personal care products that I find in the boxes. I fold up the empty cardboard boxes and carry them down the grand staircase to the main floor and out into the back alley where the dumpsters are located.

As I reenter the back entrance to the building I'm caught off guard when a set of strong arms grab me from behind and swing me around. I know immediately that Emmett has snagged me but I gasp and try to fight him off just to play along. He laughs and tickles my sides before finally letting me go.

"Emmett!" I exclaim as I turn around to see his big brown eyes shining at me. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" He guffaws loudly, obviously pleased with himself.

"No, Ma'am. Just couldn't help myself."

I brush off my pants and straighten my blouse while shaking my head in mock annoyance. "You're such a child," I scold. "And I miss you like crazy. Are you here to pick up Rosalie?"

"Yeah. Do you know where she is?"

I check the time on my phone. Edward and Rose have been working upstairs for over an hour. "Fourth floor with Edward; going over business stuff. They'll probably be a few more minutes. Have you met the new security team yet?"

He shakes his head. "All I've been told is that they are coming out to Port Angeles Friday night to shadow Felix and me. Then I'll be here with them working the floor Saturday night."

"That's right. So do you want to meet the guys? They're in the security office getting trained," I say.

"Sure," he shrugs. "Lead the way."

We walk over to the security office door and I open it without knocking. Technically, being engaged to the manager gives me no authority over these employees but I still want to appear like I do. Felix is sitting behind the desk looking over the security cameras with the three new guards.

"Sorry to interrupt. I wanted Emmett to meet the team. Em, this is Shane, Tyler, and David. Guys, this is Emmett. He's head of security at Coming Attractions."

"Hello."

"Hey, man."

"Hey," Emmett replies.

I walk over to see what Felix is watching on the screens. He backs away as I approach, looking a little guilty. One camera is on the electrician on the second floor. Another is of the main entrance to the building. The third screen shows the kitchen where the waitresses are being trained by Bianca. Now I understand Felix's embarrassment. The three new waitresses are being trained in uniform, meaning they're wearing red and white striped pleated miniskirts with red shelf bras.

"Felix," I chide. "I hope you're showing Shane, Tyler, and David how to use all this equipment, and not just the zoom function."

The new guys laugh quietly and Felix's face turns red. Good. I realize that part of Edward's job is going to be overseeing all these employees, making sure people are doing their jobs. The idea of him reprimanding Felix for being unprofessional is really hot. I can practically hear him shouting and pacing around his office, loosening his necktie is frustration. Ugh. Focus, Bella!

"You're ogling these poor girls' tits on a tiny little black and white screen? What are you, twelve? Please make sure you're training these guys properly, Felix. You understand how important it is that this building be secure and safe for all of our members and the staff too," I say firmly.

Felix stares at me blankly. None of the other men respond in any way. I'm obviously not getting through to them. Inspiration strikes and I quickly throw off my blouse. I puff out my chest a little, the black lace bra I wear staring Felix and the new hires in the face. Their eyes all pop.

"You do realize Saturday night this place will be filled with naked women, right? Shane, Tyler, and David, you're going to need to learn quickly how to keep focused on your responsibilities. No one is saying you can't look. The men and women who take their clothes off in this building are doing so because they want someone watching them. We won't have a problem as long as you're also doing your job. That means when I'm talking to you, I expect your attention to be on my eyes."

All four men lift their gaze from my breasts to my face simultaneously. That's better.

"Yes, Bella. You're right. I'm sorry," Felix apologizes.

"Sorry, ma'am," Shane adds. David and Tyler nod.

"All right," I reply. I'm about to ask Emmett to pick my blouse up off the floor when the security room door opens.

"What's going on in here?" Edward demands.

"Did we interrupt an orgy," Rose teases. She is standing behind him wide eyed.

"Just a little training session," I reply. Edward bends down swiftly and retrieves my shirt from the floor. He places it into my waiting hand and I turn to walk out of the office, slipping it over my head as I go.

"What was that about?" Edward asks following me over to the bar where I left my purse.

"Nothing. Just teaching them a lesson," I reply. He doesn't look appeased. "Calm down Edward. Felix has seen us fuck dozens of times and the other guys will be seeing it soon enough."

"I realize that. And our future activities in the theater don't bother me. I'm more so wondering why you were getting naked in there a moment ago."

I can't resist rolling my eyes. "They were checking out the new wait staff on the security cameras. It's not a big deal. I was just teaching them a lesson in being professional. I wasn't going to take anything more off. I swear."

Edward looks at me oddly and then sighs in concession. "Fine. I have some good news to share with you," he says changing the subject.

"What is it?" I ask eagerly, hoping he's going to tell me what I think he is.

"Marcy just called. We got the house. In Queen Anne, we got it."

Yep, that's what I was hoping. My face breaks into a huge smile, but I don't cheer loudly like I want to because Edward's holding his index finger over his lips signaling he wants to keep our news private.

"Let's not tell anyone until we sign all the paperwork," he says.

"Okay. I'm so excited, Edward!" I say quietly.

He smiles and leans forward to kiss the tip of my nose. "Me too. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes. Are you? Did you and Rose get everything straightened out?"

"Almost." He lifts a brown leather briefcase off the bar. "But she gave me work to bring home tonight."

"You carry a briefcase now?" I breathe.

He nods.

"Edward," I nearly pant. "You in a dress shirt, carrying a briefcase, is a very sexy sight."

"Oh, really?" he replies, his face lighting up a little more.

"Fuck, yeah," I whisper reaching forward to grab him by the tie. It reminds me of a time not so long ago when he used to wear suits every day. Our open mouths meet and I take the opportunity to suck his tongue into my mouth. He tastes like coffee and mint. Edward groans as I hold his body close against mine by his tie, licking and kissing him wildly. "Take me home, Mr. Cullen. I want to practice for Saturday."

"Saturday?" he questions.

"I'm thinking I really need you to dominate me here Saturday night. I'm ready."

A/N: Please leave a review!