Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters. I am just living vicariously through them.

A/N: Thanks to Charmie77 and acireamos, who did a helluva job beta'ing this puppy. And props to mylittlesecret84 who read and reviewed and gave me con/crit too. - smooches!

Trust, Loyalty, Commitment

"In the face of the unexpected, you never know what's going to happen tomorrow." – "Jericho's Fall, by Stephen Carter

"Bottom line is, even if you see them coming, you're not ready for the big moments. No one asks for their life to change, not really. But it does. So, what are we, helpless? Puppets? Nah. The big moments are gonna come, you can't help that. It's what you do afterwards that count. That's when you find out who you are."

-- Joss Whedon

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

--Matthew 6:34

­­­­­­­­­Chapter 7 – TLC: In The Face Of The Unexpected

BPOV

Bella had just stepped out of the shower on Sunday morning when her cellphone shimmied off her nightstand onto her foot. She picked it up. It was Angela.

"Hey Bellaboo." Angela used the nickname that she only tolerated from Angela.

"Ange! Good morning." Bella plopped down in the chair in front of her dresser, her towel tumbling loose and falling haphazardly around her midsection in the chair.

"It's 2:30 in the afternoon here, Bella." Angela teased.

"Well, it's 8:30 a.m. in Tallahassee and I'm getting ready to go to church to see the new man in my life lead worship this morning." Bella grinned, looking like the cat that'd eaten the canary, and began applying moisturizer to her face.

"Damn, that was fast. Ben and I must have gone through a wormhole on that Trans-Atlantic flight. How did things change so dramatically in twenty-four hours? Spill, girl." Angela smiled too, sounding anxious.

"Hey, you remember me telling you about James, that guy from Atlanta? You know the son of a friend of my Dad's?" She hoped Angela remembered, because she really didn't have time to go into a whole lot of detail.

"That ponytail-wearing, martial arts loving, hottie you had a crush on?" Angela sounded uncertain.

"Yeah, except he's ditched the ponytail and is even hotter than ever," Bella grabbed a brush off her dresser and began whipping her hair out of the bun she'd hastily done while in the shower. "Anyway, they came to Tallahassee to interview with this Church here, and there was a party at Alice's last night. He told me that he'd always wanted to be with me, but he had gone through a really dark time back then and wasn't prepared to be in a relationship. Now that he's made his peace with God, he wants to be with me," Bella gushed.

"Wow. I don't know if I should leave you to your own devices ever again," Angela chided gently. Then sounding concerned she asked, "Are you sure this isn't moving just a little too fast? What about Edward?"

"What about him?" Bella's heart sank. Angela knew her just a little too well, she feared. Her feelings for Edward Cullen were still unresolved, despite her spur of the moment decision to allow James to pursue her romantically.

"I know Edward was initially apprehensive about being in a relationship, but I saw you two at Café Cabernet and you looked perfect together. I guess I just thought since you guys work together everyday, something would eventually work itself out."

"Angela, Edward is with Tanya. They were at the party together last night and he's made it very clear that he doesn't want to be with me. He doesn't seem to have any intention of dumping her for me. And James is a good man. We share the same spiritual beliefs, he's someone I can trust to honor my commitment to chastity. He is honest to a fault and I know he would never do anything to hurt me." Bella set her brush down on the dresser with a thud.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I should be more supportive if this is what you want. I only wish for your happiness." Angela said apologetically.

"I'm happy." Bella smiled mischievously. "And Ange, James may be a Christian man, but he sure doesn't kiss like one!."

"Oh. My. God. Really?"

"Uh…yeah." Bella blushed in spite of herself.

"Good for you. I'm glad you've got a little spice in your life again. You were working a serious dry spell, girl."

"I know, right." Bella walked into her closet and started sifting through her wardrobe to select something to wear. "Hey, how are things going with Ben and your Dad?"

"Oh, you know my Dad. He's trying all sorts of devious little things, but my Ben is taking him in stride." Angela's pride was evident.

"Good. See, aren't you glad you told him about your Dad, now?" Bella eyed a retro 70's navy polka dot summer sun dress with a fitted bodice, tiny lace trim, and a flirtatious skirt. She had saved it from Renee's Goodwill pile and was thrilled to finally be able to wear it. If she paired it with her white shrug it would even be modest and nice enough for church.

"Yes, I am." Angela sounded relieved.

"Hey Ange, I gotta finish getting ready. Say hello to your family for me, kay?" Bella located her white strappy sandals and exited the closet.

"OK, talk to you later in the week. Love you, Bellaboo," Angela said brightly.

"Love you too, Ange." Bella smiled.

~888~

EPOV

Edward woke up with a hangover, despite Emmett's valiant effort to get some much needed water into his body. However, the alcohol to water ratio must have been too great. The last time he'd had a hangover of this caliber had been when he was in the Marines, right after his best friend in the Corps died. He and Paul had bonded in basic and both wound up in Afghanistan.

They had been ambushed by Taliban forces in the desert south of Kandahar on their way back to Camp Rhino from a reconnaissance mission. Paul was hit by a round of mortar that severed him in two. Paul's final act of bravery was when he had pushed Edward out of harm's way. Edward himself had sustained injuries, but they rallied to win that skirmish.

With his ears still ringing and a piece of shrapnel in his lower back, lodged perilously close to his spleen, Edward had taken out more than a dozen Taliban soldiers with his M40A3 bolt-action sniper rifle. What was left of Paul was shipped home to his folks in Connecticut, and Edward was shipped to MEDCOM in Landstuhl, Germany to recuperate.

He cut his stay at Landstuhl short and flew out of Ramstein AFB to Connecticut to pay his respects to Paul's family. That was one of the hardest things Edward had ever done. When "Taps" was played and the folded flag was placed in Paul's Mom's waiting arms, he'd wept inconsolably. At that moment he had been thinking he needed to get the hell out of the Marines. He wouldn't wish that type of homecoming on his mother, no matter how screwed up her religious dogma was.

Thinking about Paul and the ultimate sacrifice he'd made for him, Edward was still unable able to wrap his head around the finality of it. Edward was here because Paul had made a choice that led to his death. Paul used to paraphrase a Scripture that Edward had heard a lot growing up, "greater love has no man than this, that he lay his life down for his friends." That had not just been a quote for Paul; he had lived it, and then died exercising that belief.

When Edward thought about Bella, he could almost understand what Paul had done for him. He would take a bullet for her, and die a gruesome agonizing death for her. And on his way to whatever destiny awaited him in the afterlife, he would do everything within his power to take any misguided soul who tried to hurt her along with him.

Edward rolled out of bed. He had managed to strip down to his boxers after Emmett left last night. His clothes were in a heap next to his bed. He stepped over them and went into the bathroom. After relieving his aching bladder, he found some extra strength Tylenol in his medicine cabinet and took four with a large glass of water.

In the light of a new day, despite the fact that he had a ferocious hangover, Edward was sobered by the decision he'd made the night before. He would finally do what his therapist in Terre Haute had suggested. He would find a psychologist in Tallahassee and finally deal with his abandonment and commitment issues, even if it meant confronting the two people who had given him life, but had been physically and emotionally distant from him for the better part of that life.

His phone rang, just as he was polishing off a couple of pieces of wheat toast and a cup of black coffee. It was Jasper.

"Hey, Edward." Jasper had to be one of the happiest people alive. No, he wasn't just happy, he seemed to be optimistic all the time. He had a quiet joy that was a nice counterbalance to Alice's energetic joy.

"Hey, Jazz." Edward smiled sheepishly.

"We were about to head out to church this morning, but my beautiful bride is worried about her favorite cousin, so I wanted to put her mind at ease." Jasper's diplomatic way of asking, How the hell are you?

"Man, I'm sorry I got trashed at your party last night. That was so not…right."

Edward hoped Jasper understood that he had not been himself last night. He had been so taken by surprise seeing Bella there with that James character, who was obviously making fast moves on her, he hadn't been able to see straight. He'd tried to look like he was all cool with it, but the more he looked at them sitting in that big ass chair together, James with his arm thrown possessively around her shoulders, he hadn't been able to take it. Then when she told him she was moving on, he had been undone. He hadn't been able to get enough scotch into him.

"Hey, we all do things that are out of character from time to time," Jasper said. "No harm, no foul."

"Please apologize to Alice for me," Edward implored.

"Sure thing," Jasper replied without hesitation. "You know you're welcome to go with us this morning, right?"

"Yeah, thanks for the offer, but, uh...I'm going out to Crawfordville this morning." His refusal was practically rote now.

"Some other time, then?" Jasper just wouldn't give up.

"Maybe...Hey, I'm really glad you called, Jasper. I was gonna' call you later." Edward decided that now was as good a time as any to make good on his promise. "Um…Can I get the name and number of that psychologist friend of yours you were telling me about a few months ago?"

~888~

At 11:30 Edward found himself headed to Crawfordville to his mother's home. She would be at church, so he would have the baby grand all to himself. Playing the piano was one of the most therapeutic things he could do, and today he was in need of some major therapy of the ivory tinkling kind.

He was on the street leading to his mother's home when he noticed a black car in his rearview mirror. Something about the way they drove, reminded Edward of Feds in surveillance mode. He slowed his pace significantly. They passed him and he waited until they were around the bend before he pulled quickly into the private drive.

Edward came to a stop at the end of winding driveway of what had been his childhood home from the age of ten until he was fifteen. He thought he saw the black car pass the house again, from his rearview mirror. He frowned, and decided to pull his car around back, where he entered through the kitchen. He went directly to the parlor where the piano was.

Edward began his solitary piano recital by playing Debussy's 2 Arabesques, both Arabesque No. 1 and No. 2. He followed these pieces with Reverieand then the entire Suite bergamasque to include Prelude, Menuet, Claire de lune and Passepied.

He was playing Valse Romantique when he heard his mother and a couple of other voices coming into the house. He had to get out of there. He did notwant to talk to any acolytes of the Church of the Greater Son this morning. He abruptly stopped playing. When he heard them go through to the kitchen, he grabbed his keys off the top of the piano and was getting ready to bolt out the front door, but ran smack into his Uncle Carlisle.

"Edward," Carlisle was genuinely happy to see him. "I thought I heard you playing back here."

"Uncle Carlisle," Edward said relieved. "It's good to see you. Is Aunt Esme with you?"

"Yes, she and Elizabeth are heating up a fabulous lunch your mother prepared for us before she met us at St. John's this morning."

Edward was taken aback, "My mother went to St. John's with you and Aunt Esme?"

"Why yes, she's visited with us a couple of times in the last month." Then Carlisle leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "Just between you and me and the fencepost, I believe she's becoming quite disenchanted with the Church of the Greater Son."

Edward's jaw would have dropped even further if it were possible. "If I were a believer in miracles, this would definitely be considered one."

"I'd like to think it's the result of the power of prayer," Carlisle said humbly. "Esme and I, as well as Alice and Jasper, have kept your mother, my brother, and you in our hearts and prayers for years."

"That's great, Uncle Carlisle," Edward said uncomfortably. "Uh…Thanks."

"You should join us for lunch," Carlisle offered graciously. "I'm sure Elizabeth prepared more than enough."

"I hope my son knows he's always welcome home for any meal," Elizabeth said. Edward peered over Carlisle's shoulder to see his mom smiling. Her red hair was pulled up into its usual Sunday up-do with tendrils escaping strategically and framing her lovely face. Her green eyes, just a shade lighter than her son's, shone brightly.

Carlisle turned and stepped aside, as Elizabeth closed the distance between herself and Edward. Their embrace, albeit brief and decidedly awkward, was a definite departure from the usual. Edward recalled the last time his mother had hugged him. He had been ten and crying because his Dad had left them.

"You will stay, won't you, Edward?" She looked hopeful.

"Um, yeah....Sure." He said running his hand through his hair, then promptly shoving his hands into his pockets.

~888~

BPOV

Bella sat next to Laura and Dan Hall and watched their son lead the church in a time of worship that was awe-inspiring. He began with a simple prayer and then lead them in four songs; "You Are Everything" by Matthew West, "In Better Hands" by Natalie Grant, "Love Is Here" by Tenth Avenue North, and "Praise You In The Storm" by Casting Crowns. Bella was extremely pleased with his song choices.

Intermittently, between songs, James shared bits of his personal testimony and scriptures that helped him during his darkest hours. He spoke clearly and without shame of his addiction and the subsequent healing that he categorized as other worldly, his humility and sincerity touching many in the congregation. Bella saw tears in many eyes, including his parents, and she was hearing some details she had not heard before.

Back at her parents' for lunch, they shared a meal of Cobb Salad and Tomato Bisque soup. The Halls were encouraged by the response they received from the congregants at Reformed Baptist, and were waiting for a call in the afternoon with a decision.

The call came when they were lounging in the sitting room having an after dinner drink, while James had a diet coke. Reformed Baptist formally invited Dr. Hall to be their Pastor and James as their Contemporary Music Pastor. There were hugs and congratulations all around.

Then Dan Hall came over to share a final bit of information with James. "Son, they want you here next Sunday, because their Traditional Music Pastor will be out with his wife, they're having their first baby. Your Mom and I have three weeks to pack up, list the house and get over here."

"Wow, that's fast." James said.

"Looking forward to working with you, son." Rev. Hall shook James' hand. His eyes were shiny with tears and he struggled to keep them at bay. James gave his Dad a hug and patted him loudly on the back. Rev. Hall then ambled back over to the sofa to join his wife and the Swans.

James looked at Bella, the happiness evident despite his current dilemma.

Bella smiled, "He is so proud of you."

James was reflective. "I'm just happy that I have finally given him something to be proud of."

"Most of the time, just being who we are makes our parents proud. That was just magnified when you allowed God to restore you to the man you were meant to be."

"Yeah, don't I know it?" He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm gonna' have to get back prior to Sunday to try and find a place to live. Any suggestions, Bella?"

Bella smiled. "I can get some info together for you and email it tonight."

Within the next hour, the Halls had packed up, loaded the SUV and were preparing to journey back to Atlanta and begin their packing to move swiftly. Bella and James said their goodbyes in the sitting room while the parents were otherwise occupied. She was not drawing any attention to them as a couple, just yet. James was nice enough to humor her.

However, when she walked him out to the SUV and her parents were saying goodbye to his, he stole another kiss. Renee looked up and saw them as they were parting and Bella blushed profusely.

"I couldn't help myself," he said. "Bella, you are just too beautiful for your own good."

"You need to behave. I think our parents have had enough excitement for one weekend. My mom saw us, so I'm sure I'll be grilled when you guys leave." Bella lowered her gaze and James captured her in a hug before pulling back quickly.

"Maybe we should just let them know right now that we're going to be dating."

"No!" Bella's response was immediate and abrupt. "Let's just have them discover it in the natural course of things. I can't take being put on the spot right now."

"OK," he agreed amicably. "Just so you know, I'll probably be back on Thursday. But let me just take care of a little something while we have a minute." He took his cell phone and snapped a picture of her.

"No fair," Bella complained. "I wasn't ready for that."

He looked at his phone screen. "No worries. See, it's perfect."

Bella looked at herself smiling happily, her hair a bit fuzzy from the humidity.

"I'll see what I can do to get you a better photo sometime." She teased.

"Let's hit the road." Rev. Hall said from the front passenger seat loud enough for his son to hear.

"I'll text you from the road, when I get a driving break." James said to Bella, smiling. He touched her cheek briefly and then hopped into the car.

~888~

EPOV

Edward had forgotten what a good cook his mother was. It had been quite a long time since they had shared a meal together. Carlisle and Esme kept the conversation flowing, otherwise lunch with his mother might have been a rather dismal affair.

His mother did manage to ask him how work was going, so he told her about his new job as liaison at the Center.

"That sounds like a fascinating ministry," Elizabeth said. "I hoped you would be working at a place like that either here at home or overseas, but as a minister. You have many wonderful gifts to offer the world, son."

"I believe the gift I'm giving them now is one of safety. That is important, too, right?"

"Well, if you put it that way, yes, I believe that is a wonderful gift." Elizabeth smiled.

Edward couldn't believe his ears. His mother had not gone out of her way to prove him wrong about something he'd said.

"Alice also volunteers at City of Hope, Elizabeth." Esme offered. "She loves the children there and the Director, Bella, Pastor Swan's daughter, and Alice have become great friends."

Edward listened intently as they talked about Bella, really singing her praises. He had no idea that his Aunt and Uncle knew her so well. He could recall every detail of Bella's beautiful face and body in his mind at will and he was going over her features in his mind, when he was shocked out of his reverie.

Carlisle asked him a question. "What does Bella have planned for the end of the school year, Edward? Esme and I have some charitable funds available, and we'd like them to go to an organization that we trust."

"We discussed having a Debussy concert in a few weeks, and I understand from the residents that there's a big end of the year school festival they will be having on the grounds on Memorial Day weekend."

"Great," Carlisle said with enthusiasm. "I'll call Charlie Swan tomorrow and work out the details for donating."

"Does that mean you'll be playing, Edward?" Esme asked.

"Yeah, Bella thought it would be good for the kids to hear a live performance of the music she's been sharing with them," Edward answered dutifully.

"That's wonderful," his mother said smiling.

"You know this means we will have to come, of course." Esme said with a conspiratorial grin.

Edward took a big gulp of water from his glass. "L-let me just clear that with Bella first," he said nervously. He wanted to talk to Bella, apologize for his behavior at the party and smooth things over with her before he started inviting people to come out to the concert.

~888~

When Carlisle and Esme were leaving, Edward was inclined to leave with them, but then thought better of it, and lingered in the living room until his mother saw them out. Now would be the perfect time to tell her that he was going to have to talk to her while he was going through therapy. Looking around the room, he realized there wasn't much that had changed about the house since he'd moved away years ago. His mother still had her French Provincial antique furniture displayed there. The drapes and some of the fixtures were new, but her style remained largely unchanged.

He looked up as she called his name when she came back through the door. "Edward," she said breathlessly. "I'm so glad you stayed. I don't see you near as often as I'd like."

Who was this woman? What fucking former evil Disney genius had replaced his mother with this Stepford Wife?

Edward eying her warily, defended his visit frequency. "I come by and play every couple of weeks."

"The baby grand sees you, I don't." Elizabeth smiled and perched on the settee.

Edward ran his hand nervously through his hair. He didn't know whether to sit or stand. It depended on how fucked up or not this conversation was going to turn out. Shoving his hands deep into his pockets he smiled crookedly at her.

"I guess I was always afraid I was going to have to hear another Church of the Greater Son sermon if I hung around too long." He chose to be honest, because what the hell. He didn't have a damn thing to lose.

"I'm sure I deserve that and much more from you, son. I have done some real soul-searching as of late. Carlisle, Esme and I have been meeting weekly for a family Bible Study and they have shown me some things that I have been blind to for a very long time."

"Such as?" Edward was dubious.

"Sit down, son. This might take a while." Elizabeth gestured to a Louis XV chair for him to sit in adjacent to her.

Edward sat and listened as his mother explained to him how she had been drawn into Church of the Greater Son, believing that it was a legitimate church. She had been so hurt by his father that she was drawn to them because they offered her unconditional love, or so she thought. Bishop Aro Volturi's brother, Caius had recruited her in Indianapolis. But is was Aro who made her one of their inner circle and encouraged her to move to Florida where he and his brother Marcus had a larger following. Through the years, she had followed them blindly and had married Aro's brother, Marcus at his behest, not figuring out until after his death that he was doing so only to take control of her money.

When Elizabeth had finally gotten up the courage to mention her fears to Carlisle, he had put her in touch with the FBI. An investigation was launched and they had uncovered evidence that pointed to various illegal activities. Then Carlisle and Esme had begun to minister to Elizabeth by deprogramming her of all the half-truths and false doctrine they had taught her at Church of the Greater Son. They'd had months of Bible Study and prayer together. However, Elizabeth had to continue to go to Church of the Greater Son so Aro wouldn't become suspicious of her.

Fortuitously, Marcus had passed away a couple of years ago, before Edward had returned home when she was sick, so he had not been able to pilfer away as much of the Masen fortune as Aro desired. When Marcus died, Elizabeth had taken control of the finances again and their Accountant revealed everything that Marcus had been up to before his demise. As it turned out, he was using their accounts not only to fund some illegal activities, but also to launder some funds that were procured illegally as well.

Since that time, Aro had been doing everything he could to gain access to her money. Although he was married, he had been desperate enough to try to convince her to be his mistress, which she'd shunned. However, as recent as a couple of weeks ago he had still been posturing to get close enough to her to continue the swindling his brother had begun. Elizabeth had finally seen the ugly face of the Church of the Greater Son that revealed them as the cult they were.

Edward was becoming increasingly angry as he heard the story. "I am going to kick Aro's ass," he said through clenched teeth.

"Now, Edward," Elizabeth said. "There's no need for violence. And watch your language, please. I have been talking to a gentleman with the FBI and together with the ATF they feel like they have enough evidence against Church of the Greater Son to make a case."

"Mom," Edward said softly. "I'm glad you're cooperating with the authorities on this. Have they provided protection for you?"

"Yes, they have a couple of agents watching the house twenty-four hours a day. They should be able to make some arrests in a couple of weeks."

"I think I saw their car when I was coming in today. I'll hang around a couple of days until that happens," Edward decided. "Mom, why didn't you tell me about this before now?"

"I guess I just didn't want to hear 'I told you so' from my son," Elizabeth said embarassedly. Then she was sad. "Marcus was unbelievably cruel to you, Edward, and I stood aside and watched and did nothing about it. I have asked God's forgiveness for that, and now I'm asking for yours."

Edward was reeling with everything his mother had just shared with him, then to top it all off she wanted him to forgive her of the cruelty he'd suffered at the hands of her dead husband. He was not there yet.

"Ask me again in a few weeks," he said stiffly. When he looked back into his mothers eyes, she was crying.

"Aw hell," he muttered. He joined her on the settee. It felt awkward, but he pulled her in for a hug to comfort her. "Mom, I've got a lot of sh- stuff to work out, before I can even know how to forgive what happened between us, with Marcus, and even with Dad. I'm gonna' need to talk through some things with you. They may not be easy things to talk through, but I need this. You understand what I'm saying?"

She pulled away and looked at him. "Yes. Are you going to a therapist, then?"

"I will be as soon as they'll take me," he answered truthfully.

"Carlisle says I should go to one, too. I will after all this business with Fellowship of The Son is over."

Miracle number three. Elizabeth Masen Cullen Volturi was ready to talk about her problems to someone other than her god, the one created by Joseph Walker Volturi, Aro's great grandfather?

Edward stood up again. "I'm glad you're willing to get some help, Mom. We'll both be better off for it."

Elizabeth asked hesitantly, "Will you be back for dinner?"

"Yeah, I'm just gonna' go back to Tallahassee to pick up some things. I'll be back around six. That good?

"Yes," Elizabeth smiled. Edward saw his mother look happy for the first time in a very long time.

~888~

A/N: Landstuhl (German pronunciation: [ˈlantʃtuːl]) is a municipality of over 9,000 people in southwestern Germany. It is part of the district of Kaiserslautern, in the Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the north-western edge of the Palatinate forest, approx. 10 km west of Kaiserslautern. It is perhaps best known in the United States of America because of the U.S. Army's medical installation. The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a U.S. Army Medical Command(MEDCOM) post, is often the first stop for American casualties leaving the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ramstein Air Base is also located nearby.

John 15:13 (New International Version)

13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Navy Polka Dot Dress: See my profile for this.

James' Worship Songs:

"You Are Everything" by Matthew West: wwwdotyoutubedotcom/watch?v-X43XXpItGk0

"In Better Hands" by Natalie Grant: wwwdotyoutubedotcom/watch?v-yK1Q6zoqDE

"Praise You Through The Storm," by Casting Crowns: wwwdotyoutubedotcom/watch?v-xGPS8sa-bRQ

"Love Is Here" by Tenth Avenue North: wwwdotyoutubedotcom/watch?v=rYrKEtsc_CQ

The Stepford Wives is a 2004 black comedy/science fiction film. The film is a remake of the 1975 film of the same name; both films are based on the Ira Levin novel The Stepford Wives. While the original film and book had tremendous cultural impact, the remake was marked by behind-the-scenes infighting and was dismissed by critics. The film was directed by Frank Oz with a screenplay by Paul Rudnick and stars Nicole Kidman, Glenn Close, Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, Roger Bart, Faith Hill, Bette Midler and Jon Lovitz.