Chapter 1

The Prodigal Son Comes Home

Edward

I awoke early, my bleary eyes greeting the incipient dawn; this was my first day back at the family homestead in Napa. I looked out the French doors of my bedroom; I preferred to keep the filmy curtains open so I gaze out at the black velvet of night those times I had difficulty sleeping but then also as I was now doing having awoken early, see the first stirrings of life. I was greeted by rolling fog caressing the vines, row after row just beginning to explode now that the weather was to their liking; warm days followed by cool nights. The moody hills shrouded by fog as well served as an apt background. The misty April half-light accentuated the green leaves of the flourishing vines, soon to flower and hopefully produce a bountiful harvest.

I arose groping for my sleep pants to cover my nakedness and loped to the bathroom to relieve myself. After I brushed my teeth and had a quick shave but before I dressed for the day, I took the opportunity to open the French doors off my room and exited directly onto a large veranda overlooking the green expanse of the vineyard. I walked out onto the veranda; it was still cool and the air was moist with fog. I could feel the moisture descend on my unclothed chest, caressing me. I breathed deeply, my bare feet feeling the concrete beneath and wishing I had thought to put on shoes as my toes froze. The moisture hanging in the air was invigorating. I decided to go for a run.

I changed into black running shorts and a grey t-shirt; I briefly tried to get my hair under control, failing miserably, and then searched around until I located my shoes and I-Pod. I paused glancing around my bedroom grateful for the comfort that I found upon returning home very late the evening before. Not much had changed; it was still the room of a musician but I was hardly that anymore, I thought, cynically. It was a large room with its own bath which should not have been surprising given the opulence of my parents' home. They enjoyed living well and had excellent taste in furnishing the beautiful manor house.

I had significant input in the décor for my room; I liked the contrast of the dark mahogany floor against silver grey area rug that graced the floor; my bed was covered with a comforter of the same color. My bed was still unmade and so not wanting to leave it in such a state I set my shoes and I-Pod on my desk chair and quickly smoothed the sheets and comforter and set the pillows neatly back in place. My dresser and desk, to the left of my bed were set near the bedroom door and were of the same dark wood as the floor as was the entertainment center which was located to the right of the graceful French doors that led out to the veranda. A large leather chair was to the left of said doors and I would often sit there rather than at my desk to study. The entertainment center was dominated by a large flat screen TV and sat directly across from my bed. There were countless CDs lining the shelves and expensive stereo equipment was apparent next to the TV. To the right of the entertainment center sat an upright piano and guitar which rested in its stand. Like I said, it's a large room and I spent a great deal of time here in my youth so I was grateful for the creature comforts. The empty walk-in closet was packed with the boxes I had shipped here months before when I thought I'd be traveling straight home rather than taking a three-month detour. I was going to have to tackle unpacking very soon.

I would often lie in bed watching TV late at night or lightly strumming my guitar when I still lived here. Late at night the moonlight would filter in through the French doors illuminating my room in a ghostly light. In the summer I would often leave the doors open letting the night breeze waft through the filmy curtains offering a natural air conditioning.

I spent hours in my room at the piano, playing and composing. There was a time I had considered music as a career; I had even been accepted to Julliard, however, I had a need to show my parents, my father especially that I could be as successful as they were in their realm and somehow I felt compelled that I couldn't do it through music alone although they never pushed me in any direction and always praised my musical abilities.

My dad, Carlisle, was the head of Cullen Vineyards, or CV as we affectionately called it, which he founded and worked tirelessly to make a huge success. He had been a practicing physician but always longed to fulfill his passion for viniculture and since money was not an object for him made the change in careers at a rather young age. My mom Esme, a highly regarded and sought after interior designer, was largely responsible for the beautiful design of and furnishings in our home. It was ready for Sunset Magazine but still felt comfortable.

I decided after I was accepted by a number of the best schools in the country that I would attend Columbia University in New York as a pre-law major hoping to be accepted to law school. Music took a back seat; I still played occasionally, but not with the fervor I'd once had. As fate would have it and through years of hard work I succeeded beyond my wildest expectations, made it through law school and was, until recently, an associate with the well respected law firm, Royce King and partners. I had been there a year and a half having joined them shortly after graduation and swiftly passed the bar exam. I knew I was well regarded and expected that eventually I would make partner. But all that changed with a suddenness that still made my head spin.

I sighed deeply, remembering the reason I abruptly turned my life upside down and left everything behind in New York last January; my apartment my friends my job and my….girl. I shook my head, I just didn't want to go there right now, my feelings were so raw, I knew I needed to face what happened and how I'd reacted and I would need to seriously think about how I was going to explain my sudden change of plans to my parents.

I shook my head to break my reverie; sitting at the edge of my bed I briefly debated exiting via the back staircase off the veranda and down directly to the large outdoor patio below. I could escape across the wide expanse of green lawn to the vineyards that surrounded our home and finish my run before facing my parents who I knew would be in the kitchen by now. I sighed and conceded defeat. They would spy me anyway through the kitchen window which overlooked the patio and wonder why I was avoiding them. I took a deep breath opened my bedroom door and padded down the stairs following the scent of bacon and fresh Danish rolls. Did I mention my mom is a fabulous cook?

I crossed through the family room towards the kitchen feeling the stirrings of hunger now that I could smell the delicious food and was somewhat surprised to see that my older brother Emmett had parked himself on the large comfy couch; his feet propped up on the coffee table. He was facing the flat screen TV flipping absently through channels and hadn't spied me yet.

"Hey, is that my big brother?" I said smiling widely, I suddenly felt much better. He startled, surprised to hear my voice but turned and grinned at me dropping the remote.

"Baby E!" He shouted springing up from the couch rounding it to grab me in a big hug. He planted a big wet one on my cheek as he threw one arm around me.

"It's so good to see you; I got my ass up early to get over here." My brother was very affectionate. There was a time people thought we were overly close, but screw them.

Emmett looked at me as he stretched his arms out towards me.

"Come here Baby E, you need a hug." Completely despondent I moved towards his embrace as he clutched me towards his chest.

"If you were a woman I would marry you" I mumbled into his chest grateful for his generosity of spirit and the way he was able to comfort me.

"That would still be incest and bigamy" Emmett replied.

"True…" I responded listlessly and laughed despite my situation. Emmett always found a way to get a smile out of me despite the circumstances

"I'm shocked that Rosalie let you out her grasp without a list of to do's" I said and laughed as he rolled his eyes.

My brother's wife Rosalie is a piece of work. She and I are like oil and water but somehow she and Emmett have managed to make a happy life together. Rosalie is not a girlie girl; she's into cars, and is an excellent mechanic. I find this in stark contrast to her utter beauty, long blond hair and icy blue eyes with a body to die for, but she's nobody's fool; she graduated from Stanford with a degree in aeronautical engineering although she never put it to use as if it had been merely an intellectual exercise. She is fierce but she will defend her own to the bitter end. I guess I should love her for that, if I could love her. We can hardly stand to be in the same room for very long without sniping at each other.

Rosalie is chief mechanic for Cullen Vineyards and oversees the maintenance of the company fleet. Rosalie also has her own business restoring vintage automobiles and is sought after by collectors acknowledged as one of the few with expertise to keep their wildly overpriced machinery in good working condition. Our personalities grate on one another so we tend to keep a respectful distance. It's hard because I so love my brother and expected that I would be close to his chosen mate as well, but it was not to be.

Rosalie's toughness is such a contrast to Emmett's nurturing tendencies odd for a masculine man like him; six foot five, athletic with amazing abs that I could never hope to replicate. He's always been that way, even as kids he was my protector and confidant, the only soul in the world who knows me inside and out. He knew the whole story and would never betray my confidence. Without him I think I might have gone insane.

A hand to my shoulder brought me back to Emmet as he leaned in and spoke quietly, glancing towards the kitchen.

"Rosalie's been under the weather lately," He paused averting his eyes momentarily and this gave me pause. Emmett was always right there, straightforward never hiding anything about his life. He would only act this way if he thought it would affect me. He would still be honest but cautious to avoid hurting me. That was my lovely big brother.

"Em, what's up and please just be honest with me." I said, wondering why he was so hesitant.

"I need to tell you this quickly as I know Mom and Dad can hear us out here and I'm sure they're a little pissed you haven't graced them with your presence yet." He smirked.

Emmett paused and looked directly at me,

"Rosalie is pregnant." He stated as he regarded me pensively.

"Don't tell them yet as she's having a rough time and I'm not sure whether the baby will make it" he continued, his face a sea of emotion.

Ah, sweet Emmett; so concerned about his beloved. I would not divulge a thing until he gave me the OK.

"How are you feeling?" He asked anxiously, his concern for me was evident.

"I'm so very happy for you, big brother." I hugged him, a slight ache emanating from my chest.

"Will you be Godfather to our little one Baby E? I discussed it with Rosalie and she agrees it should be you."

"Rosalie approves of me? Really Emmett that's more shocking than the fact she is pregnant!" I mockingly intoned but was very touched.

Emmett laughed.

"She may give you a hard time but she knows the stuff you're made of Baby E and she knows how close we are. If God forbid something were ever to happen to us, I know she and I would be certain that our child would be in good hands with you."

I was so overcome with emotion just then that I grabbed Emmett and held him close. I was so fortunate to have him as a sibling and it was clear to me, as it always had been that he felt the same for me.

"Let's get something to eat" He said, "The parents are getting anxious".

"I'm not going to eat before I run. I might just grab some juice." I said, still clutching my shoes and I-Pod "But let's go join them before they freak out." I laughed, walking arm in arm with my brother towards the kitchen.

We entered the kitchen together noticing that our parents were engrossed in conversation, barely acknowledging our entrance. Emmett and I met eyes; he crooked one eyebrow questioning their attitude. They both separated abruptly as they sensed our entry. "Edward!" My mom crooned as she stretched her arms out towards me. I had arrived so late last night that this is the first time we were seeing each other. I dropped my shoes, set my I-Pod down on the sideboard and walked towards my parents.

"My sweet boy it's so good to see you, it's been too long, welcome home." I was so happy to see her smiling face, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. I couldn't believe how I'd managed to stay away from home so long, but I knew why I had. Mom kept caressing my face and kissing my cheeks as I hugged her. Finally overcome with emotion I put my forehead on her shoulder and gulped deeply to keep my tears at bay. It was a struggle. My parent's unquestioning love and devotion was overwhelming. "It'll be okay baby" She crooned as she stroked my hair, sensing the war I was waging to keep my emotions under control. I was deeply comforted by her embrace.

I raised my head from her shoulder and looked towards Dad. He had a slight smile but his eyes were serious. I released her and he put his arm around me for a quick but firm one-shouldered embrace. "Good to see you son, now let's get some breakfast." He turned towards Emmett and Mom who started placing eggs and bacon and all sorts of other breakfast goodies on the table. Emmett sat and immediately began to dig in as did Dad. Mom sat and motioned for me to join them as I was still standing.

"Do you mind if I just have some juice right now and eat later? I want to go for a run"

Mom's face fell. "I was hoping we could talk Edward..." Emmett gave a light cough and quirked an eyebrow at me. I nodded slightly.

"Ma, give him a few hours" He whined before returning to his breakfast.

I sighed not wanting to get into it right now. "We will mom, today after I get settled, if that's okay. Maybe we can talk after dinner tonight."

With that she relented.

I needed this run badly to try and clear my thoughts and to think through my plans for work. In actuality I really only had this next week to get myself organized before starting at CV so I turned towards the sideboard to gather my I-Pod and grab the shoes I'd set down on the floor nearby earlier. I moved towards the foyer and exited out the front door, sat on the porch step and put my running shoes on and as I did I admired the vista before me. The air was still cool but beyond the cobbled walkway leading from the front of the house a glorious vision of bursting fields lay before me. The day was now in full bloom; the sun warming the earth and the vines stirring such that it seemed you could watch then grow. The fields before me glowed with life sucked from the rich Napa soil. A light wind tickled the vines; the fields looked alive with anticipation of the day to come. I rose from the stoop, turned and walked towards the edge of the vineyard; across the garden from the house and above the vineyard was a narrow trail. I stretched for a few minutes then jogged off. The vineyard opened before me as I ran along the narrow path that bordered and overlooked it. At its full extent, I could probably run five miles circumnavigating the property. I set off on my run; my lungs expanded and drank in the cool air as I ran. My legs pounded the soil; my I-Pod sending random songs to my empty soul.

The path I took led me up a gentle rise that when I crested the hill revealed a scene of such natural beauty that I was humbled and grateful to be home. Acres of grapevines rolled across the soft sloping hills, dewy with the morning mist. Dappled sunlight twinkled through the branches of a stand of eucalyptus trees that were probably 50 feet tall and which acted as a protective windscreen; rose bushes were planted intermittently at the borders of the path I ran on adding a pink blush of color that contrasted nicely against the deep green of the vines. I had missed so much living away from the place and the people I cared for all those years in New York. I felt a tightening in my abdomen and immediately banished thoughts of New York from my mind; I could not deal with it yet.

I let myself drift, hypnotized by the music running through my ear buds and the relentless beat of my feet against the soil knowing that I was very wounded. I was increasingly concerned by my parents fretting over my emotional state; my Dad's quiet but intense need to be try to help me and I not comfortable enough to share with him all of the sordid details of my three month journey to find solace and peace. My Mom would question me gently probing for some truth to allow her to sooth me. I realized that my situation was causing them great pain and anguish and I did not want the fact that I'd become such an empty shell to affect their health and happiness. I had to get better.

For years I had been their successful capable son albeit distant and within a few months I was reduced to a useless unemployed wretch. While I didn't travel often to Napa, my parents made a point of visiting me in New York at least twice a year so we maintained a solid familial connection. What they saw on those trips left them satisfied that the life I had chosen was working well for me. They seemed to approve of Tanya although they never became particularly close to her, unlike the closeness that was evident in the relationship they had with Rosalie. Tanya could be standoffish and cold.

Despite everything, my parents had supported me in every way when I was at my worst; staying in touch and urging me to return home. I would do my best to live up to their expectations as I assumed the helm at Cullen Vineyards; I owed them no less than to fulfill their trust in me.

I continued on, running down then uphill over the sloping terrain when it occurred to me that I was less than a mile away from the CV winery and offices so I decided to stop in for a quick visit. I wanted a quiet moment to check out the place where I would be working at a time when I could be essentially unobserved by the staff. I'm sure next week I would be the shiny new toy. On the weekends other than during harvest time, just the guard shack and store were open and only a handful of employees were needed to conduct tours and wine tasting, along of course, with the field workers who were always there tending the vines. Occasionally my parents would stop in and greet the patrons. Emmett was usually to be found here at various times on the weekend to check in with the workers. Emmett and Rosalie lived nearby the winery on a parcel our parents had gifted to them.

The winery was located on the east side of our property while my parent's home was to the west end situated about two miles apart. Not all of our land was used for wine making; we leased a large parcel to a small local dairy and cheese factory that primarily used it as grazing land for their dairy cows and goats as well as a portion containing the actual dairy and cheese-making facility. The dairy and grazing land bisected across the vineyard surrounding our home and the far larger one at the winery. I crossed into the grazing land running near the stolid black and white cows, some lazing in the grass; I noted that the hills, dotted with California scrub oak, were still green from the April rains but it wouldn't too much longer when they would turn the familiar golden brown. I continued on a half mile further entering the winery property once again and spotted the rusty red colored tiles of the top of the main winery building.

I paused to catch my breath, hands on knees, sweating like a pig, my t-shirt clinging to my wet skin. The day had turned warm although it was still fairly early in the day. Maybe showing up here looking like a hot mess wasn't the brightest idea. I approached the guard shack and saw that it was a familiar face, one I hadn't seen in years. When I did come back on the occasional visit to see my family I rarely stopped by the winery, and then only briefly, in the ten years since I'd left.

"Hey, Waylon," I called out smiling giving him a small wave wondering if he would remember me after all this time. He looked up warily before his eyes brightened in recognition. A wide grin cut across his grizzled face.

"Baby E…uh, sorry, Emmett has been talking non-stop about you…" He leaped up opened the door and ushered me in to the guard shack laughing at his faux pas.

"Edward, it's great to see you again, you look good although a little winded" he continued clapping me on the shoulder. Waylon was small and wiry man. His head reached just barely above my shoulder, yet he was security for CV and had been since the start. He looked just the same to me and this brought back warm memories.

"I can't believe it's been ten years although to look at you you've turned into a fine young man." I scoffed internally, thinking the dark smudges under my eyes and my recent debauchery belied that description. He went on for a while recalling the days when Emmett and I roamed the winery grounds from dawn to dusk during the summer months. We spent quite a bit of time with Waylon accompanying him on his rounds and generally wreaking the havoc that only young boys can do. We made his job interesting and as it turned out we ended being his main security issue for the most part.

"Good to see you too Waylon, I was wondering if I could look around a bit, get my bearings before I start next week. I don't have ID on me…" I smirked at him.

"I don't think that'll be a problem now Edward, I'd recognize that wild bronze hair a mile away" He winked reached over and gave me a badge that would let me into the building.

"Hey you probably want to clean up a bit from your run. You can use the shower in the exercise room. There are towels and I think your Dad has some sweats or some such thing you can borrow.

Let me escort you in just in case there's anyone in the office, we don't want to take anyone by surprise. Our marketing director tends to come in on the weekends. I didn't see her car though, but I haven't been out for a couple of hours. If she's here I'll give you a quick introduction. You're probably in the clear."

"Ah, the infamous Isabella Swan I've been hearing so much about but had yet to meet". I mused. I didn't want to meet her under these circumstances so it was good to know that I was unlikely to encounter her. I really didn't feel like chatting anyone up today. The thought of a shower was nice though; I felt sticky with sweat and grime.

I followed Waylon from the guard shack to the front entrance testing my badge to ensure it worked so I could come and go freely. The door clicked and I pulled it open. It was cool and quiet inside; Waylon's boots clicked on the wood floor of the reception area echoing off the walls as we passed through to the main offices.

Waylon led me through the familiar cube farm back to where my office would be. It was easy to spot as the name plate was already affixed to the door. This made me smile knowing that either Dad or Emmett had taken the initiative to ensure I felt welcomed. Next door to me on the left was Dad's office as well as Emmett's next to his and on the right was Alice and then Isabella Swan's office. I'd heard a lot about Isabella, or Bella as they commonly referred to her, from Dad. Apparently she'd become quite central to the business operations and as the new guy I certainly wasn't going to rock the boat at least not until I became familiar with CV business practices. Marketing wasn't my forte.

"Here you go Eddie boy" he said as he unlocked my office door and handed me one of the keys from his full key ring. "You can keep it, I have a duplicate." I didn't have a pocket to put the key in so I placed in on the desk. Seeing this, Waylon pulled out a lanyard from his pocket and handed it to me. "You can use this until you get home. Speaking of which, I can give you a lift back to your place when you're through here."

"Thanks Waylon, I'd like that." I clicked the key into the end of the lanyard and put it around my neck. Now about that shower…

Waylon said goodbye as he went off to make his rounds and I headed back out of my office down the hallway towards the exercise room. This was a nice convenience; I remembered I was still in high school when Dad had it built. Emmett and I used it a lot during football and baseball seasons for conditioning. I was very familiar with this room; recalling a certain incident with Jessica, a classmate, who temped one summer. Yes, this was where I lost my virtue.

I sighed and grabbed a couple of towels from the cupboard. Rooting around I came across an old pair of basketball shorts and t-shirt emblazoned with the Napa High logo. Hopefully they fit well enough to make it home. I left the clean clothes on the exercise bench and entered the shower area stripping down, tossing my dirty sweaty outfit back out through the door. I removed the lanyard from around my neck and hooked it around the doorknob. Leaving the door open, I turned on the shower and waited for the water to heat. I leaned forward, naked against the shower door and briefly pondered how I came to be here at this time in my life. I allowed myself to wallow just a little.

Tanya. Oh, I didn't want to think about her betrayal. I gave up everything I had worked so hard for and walked away from that life; from a life with her, focused on her, succeeding for her. I left because in that excruciating instant when she confessed, I realized my life was a pile of ash blowing every which way in the wind, no substance, no me. I had stayed faithfully in New York for her, I'd distanced myself from my family to stay by her side; she was uninterested in my family. In the end, I lost myself. No one would ever bring me to my knees like that again.

Shaking off these thoughts, I entered the shower now that the water was sufficiently heated. I spied a familiar brand of soap and shampoo, ones my Dad favored. I quickly lathered up as it was not my intention to spend that much time bathing. I washed the sweat and grime from my body and it felt as though I was cleansing my soul as well. I washed my hair quickly and turned off the water, grabbing a towel as I exited the shower.

I toweled my hair to remove the excess moisture and then moved to wipe the wet from my body. My face was covered when I heard a gasp followed by rapidly receding footsteps, a click of a door opening and closing. Curious, I looked up and saw nothing. I finished drying myself and thought I heard the sound of a car start and accelerate out of the lot. Oddly for some reason I thought it must have been Waylon.

I dressed quickly in the shorts and t-shirt I'd found, foregoing my sweaty boxers and going commando; I pulled on my shoes on sans socks. I grabbed the lanyard walked to my office and secured the door. I piled my sweaty dirty clothes into a bag I'd found in the exercise room and walked out of the building to the guard shack. I leaned back against the wall not expecting to see Waylon for a while, but up he popped as soon as he heard me.

"Edward! So you didn't get a ride with Bella?"

"A what, who?" I said inelegantly, mightily confused.

"Isabella Swan. Turns out she did come in a bit ago. I mentioned that you were here and that I was going to drop you at your folks. She said not to bother as she was on her way over there and she could take you and would track you down. I guess you must have missed each other." Waylon grabbed his keys and pushed out of the guard shack.

"So is that what you were coming to tell me when I was in the shower?"

"Me? I haven't been back to the office since I left you there."

I cringed, realizing who might have made that gasp.

"No, no, no this can't be happening," I thought. "Please tell me Isabella Swan, marketing genius for Cullen Vineyards didn't just see my dick swinging freely in all its glory. God is cruel if true".

"Waylon, it looks like I still need that ride." I was praying that Isabella Swan was not at this moment in my parent's home. We took the pitted back road back to my parent's home, making for a bouncy ride. Note to self: get your own place ASAP.

God is cruel…

I saw an unfamiliar truck parked haphazardly along the drive as we approached and asked Waylon to drop me at the back of the house. This was the cleanest approach I had to the back staircase leading up to my veranda.

"I need a word with your Dad. Do you want me to say I've dropped you off?"

"I'd prefer you not mentioning my visit quite yet, if you don't mind."

"No problem Eddie." I winced at the appellation not fond of the abbreviated version of my name.

"Thanks Waylon, I'll see you soon." I exited his little security truck angling for the most inconspicuous manner to make a fast retreat to the back staircase leading to my room.

I thought I had successfully navigated my family until I entered my room. There, perched in the middle of my bed was my sister Alice.

"Bella thinks she saw your dick today."

It wasn't quite 11:00 am in the morning. Plenty of day left for me to screw up even further.

"She didn't exactly put it that way, Edward; she just implied that she caught you in an unguarded moment. I did the translation. She's a little traumatized." Alice hopped off my bed and wrapped her arms around me.

"I missed you so much" she said as she clung to me.

"Don't worry about Bella, she'll be okay. But you, we need to talk." Alice looked deep into my eyes trying to understand my pain.

"I need a moment to myself, Geez! I'm dressed in my high school shorts I need to change and to tell you the truth, I'm starving." I was afraid to go downstairs if Bella was still here.

"Yes, she's still here" my little mind reader trilled.

"Don't worry," she continued, I'll make you a sandwich. She kissed my cheek and released me, skipping out of my room and down the stairs.

I glanced round my room and noticed my laptop was on and my e-mail open. I looked at the messages and gasped. There was one from her! I deleted it without opening the message so I had not a clue as to what she wanted. My heart was pounding and my breath sped as I was overcome by emotion. I can't think about her!

I took a moment to gather myself and calm my rough gasps of pain and stop the tears. I needed to talk to my parents soon; I didn't want them to see me like this until I could explain…some, but not all, of why I had decided to return home. I knew they were deeply concerned and worried about my uncharacteristic behavior over the course of the last three months. I had delayed my return because I was in no condition to face them. Mom and Dad had reached out numerous times seeking to help me and try to understand what I was going through. I was not in a place to explain and they were mystified. I had received one visit from my Dad that had hastened my return; at the time I told him that I did not want to discuss what happened quite yet, hence the delay in my return. What he came to tell me cut my self-indulgent wallow in self-pity short. They were grateful when I called and told them I was ready to come home, they wanted me in their clutches, I knew, to try and help their baby son. I smiled slightly as I thought of their love and concern.

I heard my door open glanced up surprised to see Alice's concerned face. I wasn't expecting her back this quickly so my unguarded face must have been a study in pain. I pleaded with my eyes for her to let me be for now and to not insist on talking to me at this moment. Surprisingly enough she complied with my unspoken request placing a food laden tray on my desk. She blew me a kiss and whispered, "Later" as she withdrew closing my door.

I huffed rifling my hands through my hair trying to gather myself back together.

"No one, I repeat No one," I thought grimly, "will ever bring me to my knees like this again. No. One."

Hope you enjoyed it. This story has been sitting for months as I chew it to death. I'm three long chapters into it and decided to post and get some feedback. It's going to be a love triangle featuring Bella and Jasper.