Hi everyone! Thanks so much for Hadley Hemingway! She takes her time and makes this much better for you readers.

BPOV

Edward just left with his drawings, headed to Alice and Jasper's house. I'm so glad me and Alice were able to get them two together. Jasper's already having a positive effect on Edward's outlook. It's got him thinking.

Seriously thinking.

Really imagining himself doing something like Jasper does sometime in the future. So what if I'm the one to pay for it? He needs to come to that understanding on his own, I guess. I made my case. It's time to just sit back and let it settle in his mind. For now, anyway.

I used to think having people hear my music was the best thing that ever happened to me, until I fell for Edward and Emmett. Now they're the world to me. I know he's a hard worker and raised Em all on his own, but it's time he realizes he ain't alone no more. As far as I'm concerned, everything that's mine is theirs. He has me now and always will.

I let my mind wander to that "always". I can already see myself in my wedding dress and cowboy boots, walking down the aisle to my boys. You got that right, both of 'em. Emmett may not be mine by blood, but I love that boy with all my heart and whatever future Edward and I have, Em'll be there one hundred percent.

After giving Edward sufficient time to settle in with Jasper, I pick up the phone and call my partner in crime. She answers on the first ring. "I was wondering how long it'd take you to call," Alice says, laughing into the receiver.

I chuckle a little bit. "You know me, Alice. I needa be in the know. Ya gonna go see what you can make out for me?" I ask, hoping she'll be game.

"Pfft, you know I will. You wouldn't have called me in the first place, if you thought I was going to rat you out."

I breathe a sigh of relief. "Good. Now get to it, and call me back when ya find out somethin'." I hang up before she can say anything else.

I head back to my music room and giggle, imagining Alice putting on her spy gear and sneaking 'round trying to hear what Jasper and Edward are talking 'bout. The woman does have an outfit and accessories for everything after all.

Sitting down at my desk, I look around at all the songs I've written lately. About twelve different songs, in various stages of completion, cover my desk. It won't be long 'til I'm ready to get in the studio with some of 'em.

Writing songs has always come pretty easily, but since Edward and Emmett moved to Tennessee, I've been writing like mad. And wouldn't ya know, there's a lot of love in my songs? I can't help it.

I'm one blissful girl these days.

I slide the song I've been working on most recently over, and pick up my pencil. Reading through the lyrics, I can see mine and Edward's relationship seeping from the words. When I get to the chorus, I smile.

Scruffed up, Crooked smile,

Eyes that drive me wild.

Blue jeans, White tee,

Sure does make me weak.

Hard headed, Soft hearted

That's my man

Always together, Never parted

That's my man.

This is Edward through and through. I'm kinda scared to share it with him just yet. I think he'll like it, but this is the first time I've ever written a song representing so much of me and someone I love. I wanna finish it and maybe give him a private performance. I won't ever record it if he doesn't like it or asks me not to.

Just as I put pen to paper ready to start the second verse, my cell phone rings. "What ya got for me?" I question, not even giving her time to speak.

"Why, I'm offended, Miss Swan. I might start thinking you just want me for my awesome spying skills." I can hear the evil smile in her voice.

"Oh, shut up and spill, Alice," I snicker into the line.

She heaves a huge sigh. "Okay, since that's all you seem to care about."

I let myself feel guilty for one second, before I roll my eyes and prompt her to continue. "Well, get on with it."

She snorts, then her voice lowers as if she's telling a huge secret. And I guess maybe she is. "I didn't hear much, but it sounded like he really liked the drawings and gave him an assignment."

"An assignment?" I ask.

"Yeah. He wants him to draw some buildings. He was giving him some pictures when I walked in."

My heart skips a beat. "You went in! Alice, you were supposed to spy, not just walk in and interrupt. Now, they know we were snoopin'," I huff.

"Oh, honey, Jasper knows I'm nosy. Now they know you're nosy, too. Speaking of," she covers the receiver and speaks, "Bye, Edward." Then she turns back to me, giggling like a school girl.

"Alice," I say, smacking myself across the forehead.

"What?

I sigh. "Nothing. Some spy partner you are."

""Sorry," she trills. "He should almost be there. Talk to you later." She disconnects before I can say anything more.

Not even two minutes later, Edward comes in the door, calling out for me. I slide my song back to the bottom of the pile. "In here."

He walks looking like the cat that ate the canary. He knows. Damn that Alice. "Hey, baby. You show Jasper your drawins?" I ask, playing dumb.

His smirk only gets smirkier. "Why don't you tell me?" He leans down and pecks, once, twice, before grabbing my top lip with his teeth, giving it a tug. Then he soothes it with his tongue, before plunging it deep into my mouth. Greedy bitch that I am, I snake my tongue around to collide and battle with his.

My hands make their way into his hair, and with a firm tug, I have him eating outta the palm of my hand. His grunts just spur me on. When I break the kiss to stand and push him down in my chair, he comes to his senses. "Ah, ah, ah. You ain't distractin' me." He slides his hands 'round my waist and that stupid smirk is back on his stupid face.

Drats! I bat my lashes. "Whatever do you mean?" I say, in my best Scarlett O'Hara voice.

He chuckles and pecks me again. "I mean, I know ya sent your tiny sidekick in to see how things was goin'."

I throw my hand over my heart and act affronted. "I would never!"

He smiles that panty-wetting smile. "It's okay, baby." Another peck. "I like that ya care enough to try and snoop. Today was good. He liked my drawins and was impressed with my attention to detail. And I'm sure ya already know, but he also asked me to draw some buildins. He's wantin' to see how I do with scale."

I slide my hands up around his neck. "I'm so happy to see that ya might be findin' somethin' ya like."

"I definitely find it fascinatin'. What ya don't know though, is that he also gave me some plans, and he wants to see if I can look at those and visualize the end result."

My brows rise into my hairline. "What does that mean?"

He starts swaying us side to side, dancing in our spot. "It means that if I can do it, which neither of us is sure of, then he might can give me some work now."

I bounce a little on my toes. "I'm so excited for you!" I say, reaching up and laying a big fat smooch on his perfect lips.

"I guess…" he trails off.

"You guess what?"

"I guess it's something I can do while I go to school. I can still contribute, but work around my schedule."

I tighten my arms around his neck and squeeze with all my might, hugging him for all he's worth. "I'm so proud of ya, baby." I pull back and look him in the eyes. "Are ya really gonna lemme pay for your schoolin'? 'Cause it's just money, and you're worth way more to me than anythin' I have in the bank. And really, I only have as much as I do because I was born with a gift and got lucky and… "

He kisses me soundly. "Hush, girl," he says quietly. He's silent as he looks out over my head for a second, before meeting my eyes once again. I can tell by the drawn look in his eyes that it's hard for him, but with a simple nod, he answers. "I am, but I will be paying you back every single cent."

"Okay," I reluctantly agree, knowing that I'll never take his money, then I squeal in a way that could only rival Alice, before leaping into his arms. "This calls for a celebration." I grab his hand and start dragging him outta the room.

He pulls me to a stop. "Wait a minute. I gotta be able to pull it off. Neither one of us knows if I can turn those plans into a real building. 'Til then, I'm not done with the bar just yet."

"Oh, baby, I know you can do it. I've seen your drawins, they're amazin'. Just have faith in yourself and everythin' else will fall into place."

He smiles and nudges me to move. "I think ya might be right. Let's go celebrate." He wiggles his brows and turns down the hall.

Heading straight for our bedroom.

"Oh, baby, this definitely calls for a celebration. I have the perfect little thing. It's blue and see-through. Race ya!" I leave him open-mouthed as I run to the bedroom, ready to reward my man for his good decision.

SOTW

Edward drew the building from their pictures perfectly, and Jasper was really impressed with his scaling. He even put some landscaping in there, to show more difficulty. He's currently working on turning those interior plans into a picture of the exterior. He's gotten frustrated a couple times, wanting it to be perfect. I just remind him that he can do it and to take a break and come back with a fresh perspective. He does and every time gets more done than the last.

It's the following week when Alice gives me a call. I figure it's about booking some studio time, since I let her know I have a few songs I'm ready to put to music. But she surprises me.

"Hello."

"Bella, I have an interesting piece of mail for you," she says, sounding mysterious.

"Interestin', huh?"

"Yeah, this is something you're going to have to see for yourself."

"I don't have a stalker, do I?" I ask.

She chuckles. "Well, I guess that depends on how you look at it."

Well, that wasn't helpful. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just let me bring it to you. Is Edward or Emmett home?" she asks.

"Emmett's at school and Edward just left for his shift at the bar."

"Okay, I'll be right over."

I pace around, wondering what in the world Alice is on about now. That's the most covert phone call I think I've ever received. It isn't even five minutes later when she's walking in the front door, calling out my name.

I go out and meet her in the living room. "Have a seat," she says, with no preamble.

I sit down and look to her, waiting for her to continue. When I don't say anything, she finally sits beside me, holding out an envelope. I slowly reach and take it, then hold it up to see who it's from.

Edward Cullen ℅ Bella Swan.

Who would be sending Edward a letter through my manager? I allow my eyes to settle on the return address. What I see makes me gasp.

Esme & Carlisle Cullen

102 B St.

Thomaston, Ga. 30286

Oh. My. God.

His parents.

Are they out of jail? This is a street address, so they must be. I decide I need to call my daddy. Alice gives me a parting "keep me informed" and slips out the door.

"Hey, sweetie," he answers on the second ring.

"Hey, Daddy. I uh… I was just callin' to see if you were still comin' for Thanksgivin'?"

"Well, I said I was, didn't I?" He sounds offended that I asked.

"I'm sorry," I sigh. "That's not really why I called. I… I wanna know if the Cullens are out of jail."

This time, he sighs. I can picture him rubbing his eyes with his fingertips. "How did you find out?" he asks.

"They sent Edward a letter. Through me."

"Oh. So I guess you know they are. What are you going to do?"

"Give the letter to Edward. I have no choice," I say solemnly.

"Well, let me know if you need me to go rough 'em up," he chuckles.

I smile and miss my dad a bit more. "Thanks, Dad. I'll see you next month."

I hang up the phone and wonder what this is going to do to Edward. To Emmett. Anything at all? Will they even care? Will it hurt them? I have no idea, but I guess I'll be finding out and soon.

SOTW

When Edward walks into the bedroom late that night, I'm lying there awake, waiting on him. "Hey, baby. How was your night?"

He comes over and sits on my side of the bed, leaning down for a quick kiss. "It was okay. What'cha doin' still up?"

I sigh. "I was waitin' on you."

"You don't have to do that, ya know," he says.

"Yeah, I did."

"What's the matter? You look stressed. Is everythin' okay?"

I hold out the letter. "I don't know. Is it?"

He takes it and looks the envelope over, before looking up to me with a smile. "This got ya stressed?" He reaches out and brushes his hand down my hair. "These people can't hurt me or Em. Nothin' to worry over."

I feel a weight lifted. "Are ya gonna read it?" I ask.

He nods. "I am. We'll sit down with Emmett and read it as a family."

I beam.

A family.

Hmmm, looks like some things might be settling, while others are just coming into play.

I can say that this fic is winding down … for now.

More specifics coming next update!