Chapter 52 - Skypeward & Karmic Rewards

On the way back home from Mercer Island, Rosalie fell asleep in the car. Emmett smiled when he glanced at her.

“Crazy day huh Sissy?” He asked quietly. “At least now I understand why Rose has been so tired for the past week.”

Rose has been tired?

I was hit with another wave of guilt for not spending more time with my best friend, and silently promised myself to amend that situation starting tomorrow.

“I’m really happy for you and Rose.” I told him.

His smile grew wider.

As soon as I arrived home, I headed for my laptop, and connected to skype. It was almost six o’clock in the morning in England, and my fiancé was lying there waiting for me, fast asleep.

Chapter 53 - Iron Man & Safely Home

I stood, still riveted to the screen, even though the news report had ended moments before. It was true, I despised Geri Chance, but I also had secretly clung to the hope that some day she would see the light, and feel remorse for the terrible things she’d done.

One glance at Rose, and I knew she was still having difficulty processing the news.

Emmett saw our faces and frowned. “Ladies, you should both be smiling over this. That bitch got what was coming to her.”

Chapter 54 - Quiet Comfort & Perfect Words

I was frozen in place as I watched him get closer.

He’s here. He made it back in time.

My heart was filled to capacity with love for this man. I didn’t know how he did it, but he found his way to me. Today. When I needed him most.

As soon as his eyes met mine, he smiled broadly and quickened his pace. I was finally able to force my legs to move, and made my way over to him. When I was close enough, I threw myself into his arms. Edward encircled me in his warm, protective embrace.

The tears were falling again, and I was unable to speak for a few minutes. He just held me and rubbed my back, not uttering a word. When I finally got my breathing under control, I looked up at his face with bleary eyes and spoke, “Oh Edward.”

Chapter 55 - Joy Rides & Clown Masks

The next day, Emmett and Rose arrived early. I rushed to greet them as Edward brushed past me to help Emmett carry four garment bags inside.

Rose saw my curious expression as I watched Edward and Emmett carry them upstairs. "So, since it's my birthday on Monday, I decided that I just wanted a small dinner tonight to celebrate." She spoke quickly. "We're meeting Alice, Jazz and Christopher at Michael's Restaurant in Port Angeles at 6pm."

"Oh?"

Chapter 56 - Hallelujah & Zombie Dances

When I finally tore myself away from my little bubble of friends and family, I realized that we were still standing in the Forks High School parking lot. Also, I realized that we weren't alone.

From a distance I watched as my father and what looked to be about half of the police force of Forks, stood in front of the group of paps that had followed us from the restaurant.

"Sorry folks, unless you have permission to be on school property, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Charlie announced.

I heard a collective groan go up from the camera-wielding pains in the ass.

Chapter 57 - Making Plans & False Allegations

If I hadn't known it already, today would have convinced me that Edward was too good to be true. He didn't even flinch when Dr. Miller asked him to step into her office. Quite the opposite, he actually seemed to welcome the opportunity to speak with her.

He grasped my hand, and never released it during the entire visit.

Of course Kim never mentioned the things we'd talked about during my sessions, her main focus while speaking with us seemed to be how we planned to handle the stress of being in the public eye, especially after our marriage.

Chapter 58 - Family Photos & Mama's Squeeze Box

I didn't cry for long. After a few minutes, Rose came in search of me. "Bella what happened?" She exclaimed as she knelt down and covered my hand with hers.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks. "He pushed me away Rose."

She frowned.

"I get that he's upset, but I was only trying to help. I wanted to reassure him." I sniffled. "I'm not naïve, I know things like this are going to happen. It's inevitable that once in a while some crazy person is going to accuse Edward of something, merely to get attention. I also know that this particular accusation is easy to disprove." I took a shuddering breath. "But Edward's reaction was so unexpected. It doesn't bode well for our future if, at the first sign of difficulty, he pushes me away."

Chapter 59 - Dream Jobs & Photo Shoots

Here I sat having lunch with my future mother-in-law once again. This time Esme brought the wedding planner, Gloria, with her. They chatted on and on about the preparations for my wedding while I barely paid attention.

I had no right or reason to feel sad, but I did. It was ten days until graduation, and two weeks until I was unemployed. Actually, I was thrilled to be graduating, not so thrilled to be 'unemployed'. Add to that the fact that Edward had been called back to California early this morning, a whole day and a half earlier than expected. Something about needing him early because weather predictions caused changes to the dates of the reshoots for The Harvest of Avarice.

Chapter 60 - Wrap Parties & Shattered Glass

Lou and I were on our way to the wrap party before I heard from Edward. His response came in the form of a text message.

.

You know what they say about paybacks my love


I'll meet you in the lobby
.

Upon entering the lobby of The Standard, I felt out of place in my t-shirt and jeans even after I saw Edward dressed similarly. That man would look good in anything.

Or nothing

Chapter 61 - Boot Heels & Body Bags

Can you hear my heart beating like a hammer?

Beating like a hammer?

Help, I'm alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer
Hard to be soft
Tough to be tender


Come take my pulse, the pace is on a runaway train
Help, I'm alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer