Bella's seat was in the recline position, keeping her foot elevated in the studio's private viewing room for the screening, the crutches leaning on the empty seat to her left. She and Alice giggled in anticipation, Bella commenting how she wasn't sure if she wanted to watch. Jasper sat on the other side of Alice and leaned forward.

"It's going to be fine," Jasper said.

The director, the other producers, and the experts were already comparing notes and in private discussion up in the top row.

Emmett entered the small theater next, winked, then took the seat in the row behind her, followed by Rosalie a minute later and then Edward. His eyes scanned the open seating, and she wondered if Edward would come sit by her…and maybe he would if these darn walking sticks weren't taking up space beside her. Even so, why would he? Why should he? As far as the show was concerned, they needed to keep their interactions in check…at least for now. Still that hadn't kept Bella from hitting up Alice for her perspective.

"Did they divorce?!" Bella had asked her at the end of Decision Day.

"Yep." Alice had said it with such conviction that Bella didn't know if she'd had that confirmed or not. At least they'd been able to freely communicate on their phones and return to their lives. "Just wait," Alice warned, "He's not going to be any less interested."

Edward had been like a big yummy secret she'd had to keep to herself. She couldn't ignore that his eyes found hers first as he strolled past them, finally taking the seat on the other side of Rosalie in the row behind them.

"So what should I do?" Bella asked, "Do you think it's okay to go talk to him?"

Alice gestured to the top row of suited executives they'd not seen before. "I wouldn't. Not yet. You're still being watched here. And remember that for the next six weeks, America's going to know all about your business, Bella. Just for now, please stay away from him. Please trust me. "

Bella felt Edward's eyes on her from behind. She even glanced at him and smiled.

An intern brought in a tray filled with bowls of popcorn and another intern held a tray of drinks.

"Yes! Thank you!" Emmett roared from behind her, and the clicking sounds of glasses and bowls set down on the swivel trays before them prompted comments and thanks from the group. "And keep it coming."

"I think we're going to need it," Rosalie said.

Silently, Bella agreed, eyeing her box of M&M's and glass of red wine being placed down in front of her alongside the bowl of popcorn.

She peeked over her shoulder at Edward, unable to keep her gaze from darting in his direction. Their eyes met, and Rosalie elbowed Edward as the intern stood over him, leaning over to set a bowl down onto his tray.

Today, they were to view the opening of the show and the trailer, followed by their introductions and the meetings that took place prior to the weddings, which wouldn't air until the following week. They were free to watch on their own, which she preferred because though there were no cameras filming them now, she still didn't care for the idea of being watched.

The producer walked in just then, clipboard in hand, and the group gave a big round of applause as she took her place at the front of the room. This had been quite an experience, and if they were being fair, the show had delivered on their promise. But, what looked good on paper didn't always work out in real life.

"Welcome, everyone! I'm so happy to see you back! What a journey this has been! Now, just a warning: our audience will be ruthless, so stay away from the socials unless you have a really thick skin. And please, please remember your contracts: no discussion with outsiders about your relationships or outcomes, and no public appearances. Please and thank you. Now, I hope you all enjoy, and I wish you all the best of luck in your future."

This wasn't the last they would see of her. They still had the after show where they were to be interviewed by the show's host in front of a live studio audience.

The lights dimmed to black, and voices hushed as the show's traditional jingle filled the room. All focus was directed at the large screen before them as the trailer began and Bella cringed as she saw her face—the first to appear. Had she always looked so plain? A whistle rang out from Emmett just then as Bella talked about communication and commitment being important to making a relationship work, and then it cut to Alice, saying how she'd known she was going to find her soulmate here, and then Rosalie, at which another whistle burst out from behind her. Bella glanced back at Emmett, who didn't seem to care. He was enjoying himself, and what could anybody do now?

It followed with sound bytes from Emmett stating the importance of his spouse being accepting of his schedule. Then it cut to a clip where Jasper expressed his desire for someone who was innocent, and then to Edward revealing he wanted someone who knew who they were, at which Alice squeezed Bella's hand. The scene jumped to the expression on Bella's face that showed her reaction to Emmett as she met his eyes, looking up at him, and her jaw dropped open. Oh Lord, it was so obvious she hadn't been attracted to him. Then the sneer from Rosalie when Edward finished saying his vow, but she masked it quickly with a smile.

"Oh God!" Rosalie shrieked. "Do we have to watch this?"

The trailer continued with the adoration in Jasper's eyes as he watched Alice, arm in arm with her mother, striding down the aisle. But, the clip hadn't shown her face. So, this was typical —teasing the audience with the reactions. The trailer continued with Bella and Emmett, headphones over their ears in the helicopter, flying over the Vegas strip, Edward and Rosalie taking their balcony seats at a show, Alice and Jasper as they strolled hand in hand in Savannah. To her horror, the screen lit up with Emmett storming out of his apartment and flipping off the camera, Alice crying as she spilled her feelings to Pastor Ray, and Rosalie kissing Edward. Bella stiffened when she saw this, and it was the quietest it had been in the room. Every emotion stacked one on top of the other were in a compelling sequence, there in that 3 minute trailer—6 weeks condensed into laughter, angst, and tears with the dramatic accompaniment of instrumental music. Unwittingly, these six had given them what they wanted.

When it was over, Bella considered Edward's words —what he'd been looking for. Despite her looks, had she been what he was looking for? She didn't have Rosalie's beauty or talent, nor did she have the self-assurance going into this, but Bella always had the sense of who she was… and who she wasn't. Now, she was compelled to see exactly what had transpired between the two with more than a curious investment in what had gone on in their story.

When the credits rolled, the six were invited to a buffet hosted by the show, and they shook hands with the producer, the director, and the experts, who wished them all well.

Bella chatted with Pastor Ray and reached for some carrot sticks off the veggie platter when she felt a bump against her shoulder blades. Before she'd seen him, she recognized that scent—yum and earth, so distinctly Edward, and hadn't had time to process the masculine velvet apology that followed, and nearly dropped her plate.

"I'm so sorry," he said again.

Bella turned and saw that he'd been speaking with Dr. Muncher, unaware of Bella's presence behind him.

"It's okay."

Dr. Muncher drew the attention of Pastor Ray, and they excused themselves from Bella and Edward's company.

"How are you?" Edward asked. Those hazel eyes burrowed into her.

"I'm managing," Bella said, trying to keep her composure. He was here. And she was here. And now they were officially unattached. That magnetism hadn't faded, not one bit. Her crutches stayed tucked under her arms. With the plate on the table in front of her, she had no idea how she'd hold onto the crutches and the plate without dropping something.

"Let me help you with that," he offered.

Always the gentleman. She smiled and filled the rest of the plate with finger foods off the warming trays. She was better off with fewer utensils…less to drop. The last thing she wanted was to be more clumsy in front of him.

"Where are you sitting?"

She gestured towards one of the tables where her large black purse sat, but Alice and Jasper hadn't been seated yet, as their attention was with Dr. Saltz.

In fact, none of them were seated. Edward hadn't even made a plate for himself yet. He placed her plate down on the table for her, pulled out a chair, and said he'd return after a moment. A smile tugged at Bella's lips, and her heart sped up as she anticipated sitting across from him, free to gaze into the warmth of his eyes.

Before leaving her presence, he set a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so glad to have the chance to speak to you again, Bella. I've been looking forward to it." He remained for a moment, their eyes locked. Neither said a word, and Edward left to grab a plate.

Yes! She thought finally. He was free. She was free. And even she could see he was still interested. Now, nobody could say anything, could they? But before he returned, she spied Rosalie kissing Edward on the cheek, and then he was approached by the producer.

"Well, that wasn't too bad," Alice said, plopping her plate down beside Bella's with Jasper taking a seat across from them.

"Speak for yourself," Bella said, her heart sinking. There went the opportunity to talk to him alone. Not that she didn't want to hang out with her bestie and her hubby, but she was now able to do that anytime.

Jasper spoke then, "What? You gals were amazing. Beautiful." He turned to Alice, "Especially you." He winked and left towards the bar.

"He's sweet," Bella observed. She looked around for Edward, but he was still in conversation.

"Jasper's the best."

"So… Alice…I hoped to talk to you know who."

"Yeah. Not a good idea. Like I said."

This was torturous. Edward ended up taking a seat by Rosalie and Emmett at another round table which was a good buffer, she thought for Emmett not to be so obvious with his flirtation. Though, she wondered if Edward was feeling as much of a third wheel as she was.

Chatter ensued among the group, and the producer broke in as they ate, asking if they intended to meet on Zoom to watch the following episodes together. It was just a curiosity and would not be filmed, but she was willing to facilitate if they were willing to take part.

"Not me, thanks," Rosalie said.

Jasper raised his hand. "I'm good."

The others grumbled their replies. Turns out they had their own insecurities, and maybe it felt as cringeworthy to them as it had been for Bella. That was perfectly fine, even better. Though, she did miss the excuse not to see Edward.

Just before Bella finished the last of her meal, Rosalie made her way to their table.

"I just wanted to say goodbye and that we'll see you again on the after show."

"You're leaving already?" Alice asked.

"Yeah, I've got some car parts to round up before filming my next video. It was great seeing you all."

Bella rose to say goodbye to Rosalie because she had been so nice. And she marveled at how much her opinion of the blonde had shifted. She imagined this new perspective of Rosalie would change a lot of viewer's minds. Rosalie leaned in to Bella and placed her arms gently around her shoulders. The floral scent hung in the air between them as she waved goodbye to Alice and Jasper.

But, when Rosalie headed towards the door, Bella noticed that Emmett was still talking to the producer. He hadn't followed her. Now, when her gaze returned back, she found Edward standing before them.

"Looks like we'll see you all in a few weeks," he said, his gaze darting to each one of them.

No! She smiled instead, holding back the words: wait! I thought we were going to talk! She wanted to rise and run after him as he left the room. But he took his perfection with him.

The experts and the executive producers and officials had trickled out as well behind him.

Damn. She cursed these crutches. And the fact that it was just the four of them there left in the room apart from servers clearing up dishes from the tables. Wasn't she free to pursue him? If Alice and Jasper hadn't been around, no doubt Edward would've insisted on helping her to the car.

Alice looked at her, no doubt reading the disappointment on her friend's face. "It's okay, Bella."

"What's okay, Alice? What about my happy ending? You got yours."

"Yours is just beginning," she said with a sneaky smile on her face.

Bella crumpled her napkin and dropped it onto the plate. "What are you talking about?"

Alice slipped a card across the table to her as Jasper came around and grabbed Bella's crutches.

When her eyes met the card, she quickly spotted Edward's name and a phone number below it. And in perfect cursive were the words, "Hope to hear from you soon."

A/N: We are getting there, folks! Stay wth me. Thanks to you all for reading, following and reviewing. I appreciate you!