This is part 3 of our story "Summer" and I am strongly considering continuing it. A lot of people want to know where the name Summer came from, and I want to try my best to explain/write it the way Roxie would want it written. It will be awhile before I can write for it though. I would really like to finish up my other stories first so please be patient.

Thanks to Donna and Nancy you all will not be subjected to my terrible grammar. They made the story a thousand times better. Thank you both.

Disclaimer: These characters belong to Stephanie Meyers.

Part 3

Flashback

Caution.

Noun.

Care taken to avoid danger. Warning.

Something I have sorely taken for granted over the past few months. I'm a careful person by nature, but when it comes to Edward all caution is thrown out the window.

I become a stronger version of myself. The tough woman's skin thickens with a man at her side and all. I forget that he's not my man. I forget that the strength is borrowed, and I have to give it back. I forget that I'm strong without him and will continue to be that way even when we're not together.

I don't want to forget anymore.

I am capable of so many great things...yet here I am devoting three days out of my week to make sure that Senator Cullen's campaign is on the right track.

Charlie is supposed to be my priority. I am supposed to watch out for anything that may harm this election. I am supposed to ensure him a win by making way for any known threats to be crushed without notice. That's what I was able to do the first year he ran for President. This year, I am finding it difficult. It's all because of Edward. Everything is because of Edward.

"You're deep in thought." I hear the voice, smell his bare cologne and raw male scent. I know who he is before I even look into his eyes, before he even touches me.

He twirls a lock of my hair around his finger and I glance up just as he is inspecting it.

With furrowed brows he speaks in a voice of disbelief. "You cut your hair."

I tuck my hair behind my ear and glare up at him, huffing in annoyance.

"The future President of the United States should not care that I cut my hair or not," I finish with the roll of my eyes. Then I sigh. "You're supposed to be in Ohio. Why are you here?"

"I heard you were having lunch with my wife in my home and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to-"

"To what?" Bitterness. That's all I feel when I look at this man. It's borderline hatred, but I can't go there. I can never go there...I love him too much.

Bella

Edward sighs but doesn't release me from his grasp. "I obviously didn't mean a goddamn word that I said Summer; now shut up and let me kiss you." And with that he does kiss me, taking away every possible protest in my fuzzy brain.

"Mmm..." he moans. "So sweet. Always so sweet."

He pulls away to look at me and I watch his smile fade as he takes in my expression.

"What?" He's angry. It's impossible for him to hide...even if I didn't know him so well.

"You have fallen behind in the polls." I whisper, my eyes downcast uncharacteristically shy.

"So what?" He lifts my chin.

"You're not taking this seriously."

"And you worry too much Summer. Forget about all of that for one second and just... be with me."

Taking a deep relaxing breath, I feel my body unclench from all of it's daily pressure and I just breathe. For once in almost three months I breathe easy, and it feels good.

Edward watches as my body relaxes and he leans towards me, his eyes locked on my lips.

Just as his lips ghost across mine I hear the distinct click of the front door.

Both of our heads swing in the direction of the door and we freeze.

Flashback

He looks confused by my spitfire attitude. I'm never that way with him. Even when he pisses me off I still obey him, I still cater to his needs first because it's how we are.

How we were.

"I thought that maybe I could see you before I head off to my lunch meeting." He finishes, masking his displeasure and steadying me with a glance that clearly states he is better at this game than I am. He will get whatever it is that he came here for. The look in his eyes tells me that he came here strictly for me to wet his dick.

"Well now that you see me, you can leave." I wave a hand dismissively hoping he takes the hint. I can't be around him right now. I just can't.

He laughs lowly, without an ounce of actual humor. He's getting upset and it shows.

Without much notice he grabs my arm, pulling me up to meet his gaze head on.

"You know what I want Summer. Let's not make this difficult."

"You speak as if I owe you this. I owe you nothing. I am my own person Senator Cullen. I have a right to say no."He's moving me close to tears as I struggle to cling to my sanity.

His brows knit deeper and his chest visibly puffs out. "Is that what you want?"

Without hesitation I exclaim, "Yes. You said all you had to say last week and now it's time to move on."

He releases me, and runs a hand down his face, then runs it through his hair pulling the ends as his nostril flare. He eyes me contritely.

I intake a shuttering breath trying to control myself. He knows what that look does to me. He knows I can't stay angry at him forever and he's taking full advantage of my weakness.

"Don't!" I tell him, breathing calmer, but my chest visibly rises and falls heavier as I attempt to keep my tears at bay.

"I didn't mean it." He says, grabbing onto my arms. He lightly shakes me trying to make me see the error of his ways. "I was angry. I am angry." He says with remorse deep in his green eyes.

"Don't be. We had fun right? Isn't that what you told me? Fun!" I punctuate the word as I attempt to hurt him as he's hurt me. "but it's all over now right? Because I'm not First Lady material."

Edward growls and whips away from me, then he pivots and looks at me with blazing eyes of pure self- loathing.

"I fucked up Bella! What do you want from me?"

Bella

We are only left in suspense for mere seconds because in walks Edward's campaign manager flanked by...my father.

I gasp and I hear Edward curse under his breath.

"And here's your proof Mr. President." James says, holding a hand out toward us, a satisfied grin on his face.

I pull the covers up to hide my bare chest and also to hide from my father's disapproving glance.

"Now as we spoke about, get her out of here and out of Senator Cullen's life or the next headline you see will read, "Presidents daughter turned homewrecker."

"That's a terrible attempt at a headline. They would never post such a thing." I mumble from beneath the covers.

"Bella, let's go." Charlie's voice is sharp and no non sense. However he has forgotten that I am an adult and can do as I please.

"I'll meet you at home dad."

"No,no, no, no you won't. You see this man here-" James points at Edward. I glance over to see Edward putting on his shirt. "Is due on a flight in an hour. One that he refuses to get on because he's here fucking your brains out."

"Enough James! Get out, or your fired." Edward intervenes. James has the audacity to laugh.

"You don't have the authority nor the balls to fire me Senator Cullen. Now, you have twenty minutes to get up and plaster on the fake smile we all know and love."

Edwards hops out of bed in only a t-shirt and his boxers and faces off with James. "Get out while you still have the use of your limbs. You're fired."

I walk up to him and look up, staring into his eyes gripping on to a small amount of anger. I push down my sadness and face him-my problem- head on.

Flashback

"Nothing. I want nothing from you."I turn to walk away but he grabs my arm.

"You are First Lady material Summer."

"Don't call me that!" I snap, and pause to take a breath. He visibly back tracks as my tone is a slap across the face. "You address me in a professional manner. I am Miss Swan, or Isabella."

Edward drops his gaze to the ground and places his hands on his hips, shaking his head. "Listen, I didn't mean what I said. You just don't know what it's like-the expectations. I don't know which way is up anymore."

I roll my eyes, and turn to walk away again, but he tugs my arm. "Wait."

"Why? So you can further explain to me how pressure made you say such awful things to me? Take some of the responsibility Edward. You meant every word."

"Fine. Fine. I take responsibility and I'm sorry. Summer; I don't know how to make this better."

"Good thing you're clueless...because there's nothing to make it better between us."

He releases my arm as my words are like shards of glass cutting him deeper than he ever could have cut me.

I know what I have become to him. An obsession. A drug. An unshakeable fixture in his life; and I'm pushing him away.

This time it's not out of anger...this time it's out of love. He has to see that this can never go anywhere. We can never go anywhere. We were doomed from the start.

"I can't just let you-"

"You can and you will." I take a step away from him and he follows after me grabbing my upper arms.

"Bella, I am telling you the god honest truth. I can't." He begins to squeeze my arms, letting his hands trail up toward my shoulders squeezing as they move. "Please, Summer. Please." He squeezes my shoulders and the look within his eyes causes tears to prick the back of my eyes. I stifle a sob, even as it bubbles up in my chest.

Edward's hands cup around my neck and move to cup my face. I watch the depth of his emotion splay across his face and it's overwhelming. It reflects the conflict stirring in me.

He moves in for a kiss and even as I see it coming I don't pull away, I don't attempt to stop him. I stand perfectly still and focus my energy on breathing and staying upright.

Just as his lips are about to brush mine, a throat clears alerting us to another presence.

Bella

Charlie completely ignores the catastrophe going on beside him and shouts, "Bella, get out of that bed this instant."

"Charlie, I'm not leaving. I am an adult-"

"You're not acting like one. Isabella, this is very irresponsible of you. I expected more out of you, not just as my employee, but as my daughter. You have broken my heart." With that he walks out without another word or glance. I begin to cry hot liquid tears, feeling utterly defeated.

"Shut your whore up will ya!" James shouts and just as I am about to defend myself, Edward decks him right in the face. He stumbles back staring at Edward with wide eyes full of disbelief. "You're making one hell of a mistake. Do you know who that woman is? What she can and will do to protect herself, and her father? Senator Cullen if we don't strike now, her father will spin this in his favor. Now if you would just get on the plane, I can get my team on this and we can have it handled by morning. If the President leaks this information before you do he has power over the media. He controls how this thing plays out, and in the end he wins. Is that what you want?"

Without much thought Edward breathes a confident, "Yes."

Flashback

"Ahem! Am I interrupting?" A female voice rings loud and clear and I am struck by the fear that all is lost. This is it! This is the pivotal point in our relationship. It's really over now.

Edward doesn't release me and I'm too shocked to move. He drops his forehead to mine and closes his eyes taking a long breath before standing up right.

"Rose-" Edward begins, but a hand from Mrs. Cullen stops him in his tracks.

"Save it Edward. I heard every word and saw enough to get the gist of what is going on here." She folds her arms across her chest and glances at me. "Now, you're a crisis manager Isabella. This has just become a crisis. Fix it!" She snaps.

I glance at Edward in confusion and then I look back at her. "I don't understand."

Her eyebrows lift into her hair line. "If anyone else walked in here and heard what was being said, Edward here would lose it all. Every bit of hard work blood sweat and tears. Every bit of money my father so generously put into making this pathetic little boy look like a man."

I take a step in her direction ready to pounce, but Edward grabs my arm. "No Edward. Release your little pet. I want to hear what she has to say. What is it kitten?" She blinks her eyes at me but her tone is beyond patronizing.

I look over at Edward and nod. "You were right. She is a bitch!"

Bella

"Let him ruin me, but she is left out of this. I will drop out if I have to. Whatever I need to do to protect her." Then Edward turns to me. "I will protect you, Summer."

"Edward you can't. Even if you drop out; my father feels disrespected and he already hates you...just give me a day to think of something. Don't step down."

"Yeah, listen to your girlfriend, drop out. There's a way we can spin this. You don't have time to worry about her, or anyone else's feelings. We have already devised a kill list, and we can have it implemented the second you step foot on the plane."

"Kill list?"Edward asks, but I already know the answer.

James confirms my suspicion when he points at me. "We have no other choice. We have nothing on the President; however we can make you look like the victim in this."

"Have you not listened to a single word that I have said?"

"I hear you loud and clear... but honestly, there's no other way. Rosalie has written a novel, outing your behavior. She threatens to release that book if you do not destroy this woman." He points at me. "Now, I have read pieces of the book your wife wrote sir, and it's not good for either of you."

Edward nods and begins to pace. "I'll get on the plane." Edward agrees. "But she comes with me. We report what I say, and nothing more, am I clear?"

"Crystal." James says with a smile, but he sets me with a steely glance. "Crystal clear."

Flashback

Mrs. Cullen snickers. "Oh you can do better than that Edward. All of those big words in that head of yours thanks to my many years spent prepping you to become the President of the United States."

With pursed lips and narrowed eyes in utter dismay, I voice my inner thoughts. "Who the hell do you think you are speaking to him like that?"

"Bella, ignore Rosalie; I do." He tugs me toward him, but I shrug him off. He sighs, and glances heavenward.

I face Mrs. Cullen the way that I do everything else in my life, head on and without fear. "You've got a lot of nerve."

"Me?" She grins mockingly, her eyebrows raising again. "Was I the one confessing my love to your husband only minutes ago?"

"Don't pretend to give a shit about your marriage!"

"It's sort of hard to do." She sucks in air through her teeth, and then bites the corner of her lips in an unsettling way. "He is my husband." Resentment etched in every syllable and her grin clings to arrogance. She has what I want and she knows it.

I take a slow threatening step in her direction and grit out through tight lips and angrily chattering teeth. "Only on paper."

Bella

The next morning I rush home to pack a bag in order to meet Edward in New York. He left the hotel and immediately boarded the flight, however he wanted me to be more relaxed and more prepared so he left me here to pack and told me to meet him in the morning.

It was nearly nine in the morning when I reached my front door, my suitcases in hand and a smile on my face. I opened the door and a scream rushed from my lips at the sight before me. The entire stretch of green grass is full of reporters, paparazzi, and plenty of bystanders attempting to get a headstart on the scoop.

Seconds later the door is slammed shut and a hand is clamped over my mouth. I hadn't even realized that I was still screaming.

I am escorted to the couch where I attempt to sit but can't. I begin to pace, tapping my forehead for a conclusion. There is a solid possibility that this has nothing to do with my relationship with Senator Cullen.

"Bella..." My dad begins, sitting across from me. "Why did you do it?"

I stop my pacing and face him head on. "Because I love him, dad!"

Flashback

She grins wickedly and still manages to look patronizing as she tilts her head to the side. "On paper or not. I'm the one with the ring, the one with the title, forever Mrs. Cullen." She walks towards Edward and places her left hand on his chest, moving it up and into his hair. "Senator Cullen will escort you out of our home now. You enjoy the rest of your day Isabella."

And with that she walks down the hall and out of sight.

"What a bitch!" I mumble, shocked that she can seem so pleasant on television and actually be the Dragon lady off camera.

I feel Edward behind me, one hand slowly inches along my waist, then he tugs pulling me against him. He leans down and into my ear, whispering soft words of seduction as if he'd quickly forgotten all that had transpired only seconds ago.

"Now. Where were we?"

Bella

"Bella..." Charlie tries to find the words to say as my boss, but honestly all I want right now is my dad. I need my dad, not the President of the United States.

"No, dad, listen to me. I'm sorry for disappointing you-hurting you. I didn't want to hurt you. We didn't even mean for it to get this far. It just happened."

Charlie sighs and takes a deep breath glancing toward the window. "It just happened, and now we are dealing with a media circus. Where is he Bella? Because from the looks of it, he left you to deal with this alone and that doesn't sit well with me."

I begin to pace again trying to force my brain to function but I'm failing miserably. I'm too emotional. "What are they saying?"

Charlie rubs the back of his neck staring up at me with tired eyes. "That you are Senator Cullen's mistress and The First Lady is sticking beside him for support."

"WHAT?" I raise my voice. Edward wouldn't do this. This wreaks of James' handy work. Son of a bitch played us, and I bet Mrs. Cullen is in on it as well.

I quickly take out my phone and dial Edward's number. "Dad, he didn't do this. His campaign manager did."

Charlie walks up to me and takes my hand in his pulling me toward the living room, "I have to call him. I have to-"

Flashback

"You were escorting me out of a place I didn't even want to be in. My parents pressured me to come here today; to play nice.

Edward kisses my shoulder squeezing my waist. "Don't take it personally. She's like that with everyone."

"It is personal Edward." I turn in his arms. "I'm screwing her husband. How long has she known?"

Edward sighs and glances heavenward. "Since last week. I came home late and I was drunk. It was right after you and I had left the hotel...after our fight. I was drunk and pissed off. I said your name in the midst of an argument with her."

I drop my forehead to his chest and take a deep breath. "That's why she invited me here today." I observe. "To what? To warn me off?"

"She wants to see where your head is at. See if you are an asset, or a liability. Everything is calculated with that woman. She was just going to pick your brain."He rubs my back soothingly.

"She's insane." I mumble against his chest, clutching him close.

"She's a visionary and her goal is to become First Lady by any means necessary."

Bella

The words die on my lips as Edward's face comes into view on Good Morning America. That's not what causes me to pause, it's the fact that his wife is sitting next to him clutching his hand. She places her left hand on his shoulder and gently pats his chest in support.

I listen to every word spoken, but my mind is going a million miles a minute. "He played you Bella. It was a ploy to get to me."

I swipe away unwelcomed tears and straighten my back to compose myself. I feel my dad's comforting touch on my shoulder steadying me. "It's time you do your job Sweetheart. You know how to spin this."

I watch Edward turn to his wife and peck her lips softly causing my blood to boil. "I know exactly how to spin this." I shrug off my dad's arm and turn away to walk towards my home office. "I'm going to crush him."