I know, I know, it's been a while. Lots of stuff- IYKYK.

Thanks as always to Team Harpy.

Chapter 27- Begin Again

Bella

I have a seat in the area attached to Alec's new office. It seems they spared no expense with the new set and its accompanying spaces. I notice my leg swaying back and forth, and I steady it. Showing my anxiety would only satisfy him. I look impatiently at my watch, knowing he's keeping me waiting on purpose. If Edward had just told me whether my character was in the script, this wouldn't be an issue, but I know that like me, he signed an NDA.

"He'll see you now," Alec's nondescript blonde secretary informs me. I get up gracefully and cross the room, entering his office with a quirk of my eyebrow.

"Opulent, I know." He grins. I almost return it, but he's kept me in the dark for months.

"I'd expect nothing less," I murmur.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I asked you here today."

I cut him a look that tells him to knock it off.

"Okay, I'll cut to the chase. Last season was a clusterfuck. You outright lied to me about your involvement with Edward, and then had your indiscretions displayed all over the internet and network news. You put out a joint statement after I explicitly asked you not to, and now, you're living together while he goes through a high-profile divorce."

"I didn't technically lie about anything. You knew we had dated in high school." He shoots me a look, but I continue on. "By the time I knew I was in too deep, we had already been exposed."

"Now you're just splitting hairs," he says. "I was broadsided by both of you."

"And yet, he still has a job," I point out.

"And so do you."

I let out the breath I've been holding. "Thank–"

"Thank the network. You're their media darling, and they want to keep you on. Apparently, the last poll shows only thirty-one percent of viewers see you as a homewrecker, which is down from the initial seventy-four percent. There may have also been some details spilled on how those photos came to me. A lawsuit is pending against Lauren, and possibly Jessica, for selling photos that were the property of the network."

"Jessica is going to love that," I mutter.

"That is not my problem. That is your problem. And Edward's problem."

"I know you don't approve of us, and I understand, but–"

"I never said I didn't approve, Bella." He softens his tone. "I would have preferred it didn't happen like it did, but I'm happy you're happy. I'd just like to put all this behind us and have a great season."

"What about Edward?"

"You know I'm not at liberty to discuss other employees with you."

I want to smack the smugness off his face, but I'm grateful to still have a job, so I refrain.

He sighs. "He will remain on as our medical advisor. He was written off in the finale, which you know. It will remain that way for now. We will see what happens from there." I nod, knowing we prepared for that outcome. "Be on set Monday, seven AM.

I get up, knowing I've been excused.

We spend the weekend running a few errands. We've been going out lately, little by little, just to test the waters. Other than a few tabloid pics here and there, it's been nothing too harrowing. Everything is also pretty quiet on the Jessica front. Edward is waiting on a court date, but apparently, the courts are pretty backed up.

I'm up at dawn Monday, working out for a few minutes on my treadmill before eating a quick breakfast. Edward comes down, freshly showered and looking yummy in his dark gray suit. He sneaks a piece of toast from my plate and starts gathering his things.

"You're leaving already? It's only six-thirty. I thought we could ride in together," I protested.

"Alec called an early morning meeting. I'm sorry; I thought I told you. Tomorrow morning definitely." He kisses me on the cheek, and with a breezy "love you," he's out the door. I shake my head, then finish getting ready.

I'm on the freeway before I know it, listening to Ryan Seacrest on KIIS FM. Normally, he annoys me, but I'm in a good mood. I go through all the first-day security rigamarole at the guard gate, then I pull into my assigned parking space. Angela meets me at my car, her little baby bump on display in her shirt.

I give her a hug. "How're you feeling, mama?"

"Tired and bloated, but I've stopped vomiting so that's good." She hands me a folder. "Here's your keycard, printed out directions to everywhere, and other essentials. Your new trailer is over there." She points toward a row of trailers.

"New?"

"Yup, they sold the ones in Seattle so they didn't have to lug them back here, so new replacements."

I follow her to the one I've been assigned. "It's bigger than the other one," I remark.

"Yes, by twenty-five feet or so," she says as she opens the door. "I went to war for that, by the way. Limited space in the parking lot so most of the other cast members have a separated trailer. One trailer made into a duplex of sorts. Only Jake, Alice, and you have these."

"That ought to go over well."

Angela shrugs. "They should have better advocates. They're all luxurious, so they'll get over it."

"I already have a target on my back. I really didn't need to make it larger."

"The fridge and coffee bar are stocked with all your favorites," Angela continues. "Bedding is from Pottery Barn. Your bathroom has all your requested soaps, shampoos, tampons, so on and so forth. Couch is one of those cloud ones I saw on TikTok. Very comfy." She gestures to each talking point then pauses. "You are not a diva. You've just had a hard year, and I wanted to make you a place where you can truly relax. And it's big enough for when you have company." She grins, then sits on the couch with a sigh of relief. "My feet hurt."

I look at her in amazement, then laugh before crashing next to her. "I'm really gonna miss you."

"I'll only be gone for three months. Besides, that area over there that's empty is for the baby so I can work. So, essentially, you will be sharing your trailer with two other people, which is the selling point I used to get this thing. It's hard to say no to a pregnant lady."

"Wonder what the others used as their excuses?" I muse.

"Jake went all equal rights, and Alice reminded them she was nominated for an Emmy last year."

"That doesn't sound like Jake to use that as a reason."

"He really wanted that trailer."

"Can't really blame him. It's great. What's on the agenda for the rest of the day since the table read is tomorrow?"

"Going over your schedule for the next six weeks. It's hefty. You have four print interviews, two daytime talk show appearances, and two late night talk show appearances. We have one month to prepare for them. I decided to bring in Rachel again."

"Not that I'm complaining, but why? Alec said my approval rating was up."

"Potentially, there are going to be many uncomfortable questions asked during these interviews. We can hold off a few, but Rachel's thought is why would they even want to interview you then? Yes, you have a new season coming up after a bombshell of a season finale, but it pales in comparison to your real life. So, we just need to know what your hard limit is."

I think for a minute. "They can ask me whatever they want. The only thing I legally can't answer is a question about the divorce proceedings. Edward's lawyer says he can't talk about the case, which means I can't."

She makes a note. "Anything else?"

"No, I own what I did. Besides, it will all be over soon."

"I can't wait for that to happen for you two. You have a meeting in twenty minutes."

"With who?"

"Edward. I'll show you where his office is."

I'm gonna have to draw a map because we take so many turns I'm all discombobulated when we finally make it to our destination. Ang waves at Edward and leaves us to it.

"We have a meeting?"

"More like lunch," he says as he kisses me, then gestures to his little eating area. A spread of cold salads and sandwiches covers the table. "Well, isn't this nice?" I take a seat and help myself. It feels like months since breakfast even though it's only been a few hours. "How was your meeting this morning?"

"Enlightening. We made a few changes. It's gonna be a great season opener."

"Oh, is it now?" I lean over and nibble at his earlobe.

"Yes, and no, you may not have a peek."

I sigh and settle back in my seat. "You didn't used to be this much of a buzzkill back in high school."

"Yes, I was. Remember I wouldn't let you look at my math test?"

"That was one time I tried to cheat. One time. I really wanted to pass that test."

"Oh, I know." He winks, and I throw a wrapped sandwich at him. He catches it, unwraps it, and takes a bite. "You brought out all your feminine wiles for that."

"Wasn't much at that time. I think they are a lot stronger now, wouldn't you say?"

"For sure, but the answer is still no."

"Okay, okay. What do you have left to do today?"

"Um, I have a couple more meetings but should be done in two hours or so if you want to wait around. We can go home together and leave one of the cars here since we have to be here at the same time tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan."

His phone rings before he leaves, and he mouths "Austin" to me before he answers.

"Hey, man, any news?"

He listens intently as I motion for him to put it on speaker. He puts up a finger, signaling me to wait a minute before he says, "Okay, I appreciate it. I'll call you back once I speak to Bella."

I impatiently wait for him to speak.

"We have a court date, well, more like an arbitration meeting. September 10th."

"That's a lot quicker than I thought. Wait, what's arbitration?"

"Austin explained that it's an informal meeting with Jessica and me and our lawyers to see if we want to settle out of court. I'll talk to Alec, but we'll probably head out that Friday so we can spend some time with my parents, then head back here the day after."

"We?"

"I figured you'd want to come with me. Not to the meeting, but we can have lunch after."

"What if she wants to go to trial?"

"Then that's what we'll do." He shrugs. "I'm not going to let this ruin our life, Bella. Whatever happens, happens. As long as I'm with you, let her do her worst." He leans down and kisses me. "I'll see you in a couple hours."

He makes his way to the door, then retraces his steps, reaching over me to grab his folder that he had left sitting next to me. He laughs at my pout. "Can't have you reading the script until tomorrow." He winks and leaves the room.

I'm still laughing long after he's gone. Let Jessica do her worst. After all, l already have the best thing out of that situation. Him.

'And for the first time
What's past is past' - Begin Again, Taylor Swift

See you soon, I promise.