BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! hi everyone. first things first. i want to say sorry to the people who left...un good comments on the last story. i reread the rules for posting a story and realized i have no right to get upset. you guys are just trying to help and i should be happy about that. i have to remember not everyone sees things the same way i do. (it would make things easier if they did, but hey. what are you gonna do right?)
ok, enough of that...who's ready for the sequel? well ready or no, here it is. i was going to wait a little longer but my beta told you guys have waited longer enough. (i know, w00t, she finally got a beta; blah blah blah.) anyways. there will be some flashbacks because the whole is suppose to the fall out (that's why it's called aftermath, get it.) just a heads up. also, i don't know how great this one would be. like i said, the story is not really flowing like i want it to. but my beta and i are working on it. hopefully some of the things are surprising and not predictable. (fingers crossed.) my beta already kinda guessed one of them, hopefully you guys don't.
anything else...no?
ok, no ownish of twilight.
so here it is, APL sequel; Aftermath
1. He's Back
Five years, three months, two weeks ago was the day my life was turned upside down. Five years three months and two weeks ago Edward was taken away from me.
Where did he go? Believe me; he didn't get there by himself. He was taken away to prison. And why was that? It was because of me.
One would think that I would have gotten over it a little after finding out what Lauren did to us or how he was always telling not to blame myself. Every visiting day it was the same thing. 'Stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault. You taking the blame isn't going to me out any faster.' Same old, same old.
But I couldn't help it. No matter how bad I wanted to act like it wasn't all my fault I couldn't think the way that he did.
The fact that my classmates kept reminding me didn't help either. Even though it was four years ago and I was out of high school now, the thought of it still rang in my head like a bell that I couldn't stop.
Whoever said your senior year of high school was supposed to be the best never got the entire school's favorite teacher sent away because they did something stupid.
My senior year was hell. I know I have always complained about school, but my senior year took the cake.
When Lauren and I were back, rumors about the fight spread like wild fire. It didn't take long for them to find out the real reason it happened. You can guess how the word of me and Edward got around the school.
No matter where I went in that damn school I got dirty looks from every single girl. I don't even want to think about the ones that I got from the guys.
Have you ever gotten that feeling when you walk into the room that everyone had just been talking about you? When they just go silent and just give you this look as if they're disgusted with you. Well try having that happen every damn day for over a hundred days. It sucks like hell.
When I walked down the halls I heard nothing but whispers. The girls looked at me with so much hatred. I believe the reason for that was just because they didn't get the chance to kiss him like Lauren and I did. It still didn't make this shit hurt any less.
Even when we got a new teacher to permanently replace Edward the torcher didn't stop. He was kind of cute, I guess. Of course I didn't see him like that, but that didn't stop the other girls from seeing him the same way they saw Edward.
One girl came to me one day and told me that he was better than Edward and I better not ruin it for the rest of them. I simply told her to get the hell over herself and walked away.
The guys were just as bad. I did my best to be my usual bitchy self, but they weren't buying it. One day, for example, a guy came up to me and was just talking all this bull shit about how he wanted me. I screamed at him to leave me the hell alone. When I was done, he just smiled and said "Oh yeah. I forgot you only fuck teachers because the guys your age don't have anything to offer you. I'm sorry; I'll remember next time."
When he said that, the whole hall roared in laughter. I don't think I've ever been so embarrassed in my whole life. Whoever thought I, kickass, ball busting Bella Swan, would be crying in the bathroom? I hated myself for letting me get sucked into that shit like that.
Then I realized my tears weren't for them. I would be damned if they were. I realized they were because they were right. Not that I only fucked teachers. That's crazy. I wouldn't touch any of those guys with a yard long stick; even if I wasn't already with the only guy that I would ever love. I wouldn't fuck any of them even if someone paid me to.
The tears were there because he was gone. He was gone because of me.
What is worse is that I knew all of that. They didn't have to make me feel worse than I already did. I mean let's be honest: they would only miss him for a few months. Once they walked out the doors of Forks High School for good, they would forget about him. I would have to deal with him being gone for another four years.
I had Alice and Jacob and sometimes Leah- Yeah, she and I actually became kind of close. Kind of…– but, I still felt the pain just the same.
I was counting the days until we were back in each other's arms. And even though we were both taking it one day at a time, this damn day couldn't come fast enough.
Thinking about the fact that the day is finally here, I began to smile. I remembered the day he told me perfectly- mainly because it was a few days ago.
Flashback
I was sitting across from Edward in the waiting room like always. It was a normal visiting day, well as normal as visiting someone in prison can be.
I was doing better with visiting him. I remember every day when he was first in here I would end up crying in my hands, but now I wasn't. I was actually laughing. He and I both were. He had made a joke about my school.
I did most of the talking. He said there wasn't much difference between the days in prison, so he just listens, which I liked. I like telling him about college. I like see his face when he hears how much I actually enjoy it.
"Honestly Bella, I don't see how you get any work done." He chuckled.
"Why not?" I smiled back.
"Because it seem like you're always here." He teased.
I gave a fake gasp. "And I thought you actually liked having me here." I told him. "But if you want me to leave…" I trailed off as I started to get up. I wasn't really going anywhere. I just wanted to tease him.
"Sit down." He said playfully as he pulled on my hand that he was still holding. "I love you here, but I just love you getting your studies done more." He said. Ah, still such a teacher.
"Same ol' Edward." I said as I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, but of course. Someone has to keep you in line or you'll be out of all hours of the night." He said in a playful demeanor.
I laughed. "And what? Live a normal college life? Besides, I have Jasper and Emmett to do that." I reminded him.
He laughed. "Oh yeah, a bartender and a jackass. You're not really helping yourself with those two." He said, shaking his head.
"Hey, Emmett's gotten better since he married your sister." I defended him. I was right. I remember when I first met him and he was, what Edward said, a jackass. But since him and Rosa got married he was a little better. Too bad the key word was 'little'. He was still a damn tool.
He chuckled and gave a shrug. "Yeah, maybe. I'll believe that when I see it." Fair enough. "Besides, why do you care about having a normal college life? Last time I check, you're not normal." He teased.
I gave another fake gasp. "I'm pretty normal." I said.
He shook his head. "Not as much as you want to think." I gave him a look. "But that's why I love you." He said.
I smiled at that. I still love hearing it. He leaned over the table and kissed me on the lips, but before I could get into it I pushed him away.
He gave a light groan. "What's wrong with you?" He asked.
"You're scratchy." I complained. "I thought you were going to shave that damn thing." I said then licked my bottom lip were his beard scratched me. It wasn't a thick one, but it still hurts when we kiss.
He chuckled at my reaction as he settled back in his chair. "I thought you liked it." He teased as he rubbed his light beard.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "It's not that I don't like it…"I stopped to think about it. I did like it in a way. His hair also grew out a little too. It was almost as long as Jasper's, but Jasper still wins. His muscles were a little bit bigger too. I had to say, I think he looked better than when he went in. I just shrugged. "I guess I have to get used to it."
He shrugged. "Maybe." He leaned in to give me another kiss. I groaned. I would definitely have to get use to that.
"So besides getting a haircut." I tugged on his hair trying to change the subject.
"Haircut? You don't like the hair either? Damn, do you like anything about my new look?" he questioned with a smirk.
"We already have someone with long ass hair." I told him a smirk of my own thinking of Jasper. We both laughed. "Well, besides getting a haircut and a shave, what else are you looking forward to when you get out?"
He tilted his head to the side as if he was in deep thought. "Mmm, a nice shower, my own bed, decent food." He listed. I was waiting for him to say the most important thing. "What else?" he said. I cleared my throat. He looked at me. "You got something else?" he asked me.
I hit his hand. "Yeah, me you idiot." I told him.
He laughed at me. "And of course, you."
I smiled. "Good answer." This time I leaned in to kiss him.
"But, seriously. I wanted to talk to you about that." He said his smile slipping of his face as my face slipped into a frown.
"What?" I said. It's been about five years – even though it seemed much longer – so he should be on his way out by now. I hoped they weren't going to keep him for the seven years. From what he's been telling me, he's been good.
"Babe, I don't know how to tell you this…" he looked at our intertwined hands.
"What, Edward, what?" I shook his hands.
He looked at me and smiled. Why the hell was he smiling? "I'm getting out." He finally told me.
"W-what?" I shuttered. I wasn't sure I heard him correctly. Did he just say what I think he did?
"I said: 'I'm getting out'." He repeated.
"What you mean like…" I trailed off hoping that he would continue with the words that I wanted to hear.
His smiled widened. "Like I don't have to be here anymore. I'm free." He clarified. I gave a yelp. I got up and ran to his chair. I landed on his lap and the chair almost tipped over, but he caught us before it did. I placed my hands on his face and crushed my lips to his. I didn't care about the scratchiness; I just wanted to kiss him. I was so happy for us.
I pulled away from him when I heard a tap on the glass. I looked at the door to see a police officer there. He was telling us that my time was up. I sighed and held up ten fingers hinting for ten more minutes. He rolled his eyes and mouthed the word 'five'.
I nodded then turned back to Edward. I hit him on the chest. "Don't do that. You scared the hell of me. I thought you were going to say you'd have to stay here longer." I scowled him.
He chuckled. "Sorry."
I pushed my hair out of my face. "So when do you get out?" I asked him.
"Thursday." He said.
I frowned. "That's a whole other week." I reminded him.
"Only five days." He said with a shrug. I kept my sad face. He kissed me on the cheek. "What's another few days?"
End of Flashback
Yeah, the thought brought a smile to my face. Could you blame me though? Five years, five long ass years, and finally we could be together again. I couldn't be happier.
I would be happier than happy if he would hurry up and come out.
I was outside the prison leaning against the car as I waited for him. About three years ago I got into a small accident and my Rabbit was destroyed. I usually ride my motorcycle, but since this damn town is so rainy I couldn't use it as much as I wanted to. So, I've been driving his Volvo for the last two years or so while Jacob is trying to fix my rabbit. I use a lot of Edward's things. I figured it was there and it would be a waste if no one used them.
The reason I didn't take the bike to pick Edward up was because I was sure he didn't want to go home on the back on his girlfriend's bike. Besides, he didn't know I drove it as much as I did. He didn't know a lot of things that happened while he was gone and some things he just didn't need to know. He has a way of worrying.
I looked at my watch. I was getting impatient.
How long does it take them to release a person? Damn, it didn't take them this long to put him in. I fucking hate police men. You would think I would respect them more since my dad was the chief, but I don't. I feel they are so bored and just looking for something big to happen in this tiny ass town. What, do they think life has to be a damn drama show or something?
I was at the middle door. I looked down one side and then down the other. I really didn't know what door to wait at. No one had told me how this worked. I knew how people got put in prison, but I didn't know what happened when they were in or when they got out. This thing with Edward and I was something else. I hope I never have to go through it again.
I looked back to the main door still waiting. As I waited, I started thinking about us. What will happen once we get home? Will everything be the same as before? I mean, like I said, there's a hell lot of things he does not know. I was thinking I should tell him about it, but some of things I wish would just die. Some things I didn't want him to know for obvious reasons. Obvious to me if not to anyone else.
And would we still be in love like before? I would hope so. What a waste it would be if we weren't in love like before. I hate to think like that, but sometimes it happens. You want something so bad and when you get it you realized you hyped the situation up so much that it no longer meets your standards. Will that happen to us?
I shook my head to shake the thought away. I needed to stop thinking like that. Something is going great and I over-think it. That's what happened last time.
All of that was put out of my mind when I looked down by the main door again. I saw nothing but bronze hair. The person was not close enough for me to see who it was, but I had a pretty good guess.
I pushed off the side of the car and squinted to get a better look. I didn't want to run to someone who wasn't who I was looking for.
I saw him getting closer. Then I heard what sounded like a mumble. The guy came closer, but I could still barely see who it was.
"Bella!" he said louder. Did he just call my name? I think he did. "Bella!" I heard him yell again.
"Edward?" I mumbled to myself. He put his bag on the ground to wave both of his hands in the air, and then he stepped into sight. I could see him perfectly now. Yep, that was my guy.
I started walking towards him. I felt that it wasn't fast enough so I pick up speed. I kept doing that until I was running. Thank goodness my clumsiness kind of deceased or this would have been a bad idea. I think my shoes came off at one point, but I didn't care.
I ran to him until he had me in his arms. He caught me by my waist and picked me up. He held me tightly to his body. I hugged him tighter as he spun us around in a happy circle.
When he was done I wrapped my legs around his waist and my lips around his. I kissed him hungrily and let my hand get lost in his now somewhat long hair. I hope he cuts it. It reminded me too much of Jasper and I wanted Edward, not Jasper.
But right now I didn't care about that. I didn't care about anything. I was just happy he was responding in the same way. We didn't come up for air. Both of us were breathing hard now, but I honestly couldn't care less.
We didn't pull apart until we heard a throat clear. It was probably a good thing because we might have done something if we didn't stop soon. The way I was feeling I probably would've let it happen.
"Shouldn't you wait until you get home to do that?" a guy said in our ears. I turned to him and he was smiling. It was not like a smug smirk Emmett has when he's making fun of us. No, it was more of a caring smile.
The guy wasn't old, but I could tell he was older than Edward. Maybe in his mid-forties. One thing I did noticed right away was that he was in a police uniform. Ugh. I might never have the police back on my good side.
Edward chuckled. "Sorry you had to see that, Jim." He said as he put me on the ground.
Jim, I guess that's what his name was, just chuckled back. "No need. You're happy to see each other; I get it." He said with a nod. I was glad he understood that. "So can I safely assume this is your girl?" He said with a warm smile in my direction. I wrapped my arms around Edward's body and laid my head on his chest like a scared little girl. Or maybe it was more like saying they weren't going to take him away again.
Edward chuckled at me and hugged me back before kissed the top of my head. "Yes, you would be assuming correct. This is the one I told you about. She helped me through all of this." Jim kept smiling at me. I looked at Edward. "He kind of helped inside when you weren't there." Edward explained. I nodded and turn my head back to Jim.
"Hi." I said softly.
"Hello dear. You are prettier than Masen said. Much prettier than the picture I saw in his cell." He commented.
I felt my cheeks getting warm. Damn it. I thought I out grew this damn blushing. Maybe it was because the only person who could do that to me was gone.
"Thanks." I said just a softly.
Edward kissed the top of my head again. "Yep, she's a keeper." He agreed. "So what's up? Is something wrong?" Edward asked him.
"Oh." He said like he just remembered why he interrupted us. "No. I just thought you might want this." He said as he pulled a folded piece of paper out of his back pocket and held it out for Edward to take.
"What?" Edward questioned. He let me go. "I could've sworn I grabbed that." He mumbled as he patted his pants looking something that obviously wasn't there. "Guess I didn't." he continued when he was done. "Thanks." He said as he grabbed the paper and put it in his own back pocket.
"And thanks for being with him." I chimed in to Jim. I was glad he did have someone to stop him from banging his head against the wall. It was good we both had someone with us because I swear that we were both one step away from hoping aboard the crazy train.
He nodded to me. "Happy to do it. He's a good kid." He said as he looked back at Edward. "And you two are a great looking couple. So take care of each other." He told us with a serious face. Edward and I both nodded. He smiled at us. "Okay, well I should get back in there. I hope I don't see you again, Masen." He turned around and walked back into the building. He didn't have to worry about seeing Edward again. I will make sure that didn't happen.
When Jim was gone, I looked back at Edward and smiled. "So, you're finally free. You did it." I said.
He shook his head which made my smile drop. "No." he started. What did he mean by that? "I couldn't have made it without you. So, we're free. We did it." He corrected me. When he said that, it brought a small tear to my eye. He was right. We had each other and it was the only way we did this. We were finally free. No more sneaking around or lying to people. No more hiding from people who didn't understand. We were free.
I nodded. "You're right. We are free." When I felt tear drop, I quickly wiped it away. No tears today. It was a happy day.
"And thank you for keeping your promise." He said. I was confused. What did he mean? He just chuckled. "Don't tell me you forgot. You said you would be there every step of the way and you were. And that you would be here when I got out and you are." He smiled at me.
I chuckled at myself. How could I forget such an important promise? "I told you I would be." I said.
"And that's why I love you." He said.
I smiled at him. "I love you too." I gave him another kiss on the lips. But this one was much quicker and simpler than the last one. "Now, let's get you home."
"Please." He said as he picked up the bag from the ground. I took it from him and took his hand. We walked to his Volvo as close as we could get.
XXX
I drove us home in his Volvo. He wanted to drive insisting his 'need for speed' was back. I refused it. It was his first hour out and he was not about to get a ticket just because he wanted to be a speed demon. No. He was going to sit in the passenger's seat like a good little boy and enjoy the normal speed I chose to drive in.
Besides, I could tell he was tired. I didn't want him to drive when I could see how tired he was and I was right. As soon as the car started he was out. I looked over to him a few times. Each time I did, I smiled. I was so happy he was back with me. I wouldn't let him leave again.
It was about a twenty to thirty minute ride back to Forks, so I let him sleep.
Finally, I was parked outside his house. He was still sleep. I turned my body to him and watch him as he lightly snored and then I realized I wasn't close enough.
So I climbed over to the passenger's seat and straddled him so I could face him. It's been a long time since I last watched him sleep.
About three minutes later his eyes slowly open. When he saw me so close to him he jumped slightly.
I chuckled at his reaction. "Hey there sleepy." I greeted him.
He smiled. "It's been a while since I woke to your face. I mean your actually one and not a picture." He said before touching his lips with mine.
"I was just thinking the same thing." I pulled away from him. "What did he give you?" I asked. I was thinking about the piece of paper he received when we was outside.
"Jim?" he asked. I nodded. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out the piece of paper handing it to me. I looked at the paper. It looked worn, like it had been in a wallet too long. "Just open it." He said when he saw me looking at it with a confused face.
I did what he said and gave a light gasp. The picture I gave him.
"The picture. You kept it." I concluded.
"Of course I did." he said. "It was one of the only things that helped me." I smiled. It did its job if it did that.
"Why does it look so worn?" I asked looking back at him.
"Because it wasn't always on the wall like it should've been. I had a habit of keeping it in my bed" He said. I gave him a weird look. Why was it in his bed? I wondered. He shook his head at my face. "It wasn't because of that. I just felt I would be closer to you if I had it under my pillow instead of on the wall." He explained.
I smiled at him. "Well, I'm glad it helped you. But I'm gladder you're back."
"Me too." He smiled before putting our lips together again.
I wrapped my arms around him and deepened the kiss before realizing his lips stopped moving with mine. "What's wrong?" I asked as I pushed hair out of my face.
"Why is my brother's car here?" he asked as he pointed out of the window. I turned my head to see what he meant. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Man, your brother can be an idiot." I said as I turned back to him.
"Why? I wasn't supposed to see it?" he asked.
I shook my head. "It was supposed to be a surprised." I told him.
"Who else is in there?" he asked.
"Just Emmett, I think." I said. He looked at me with a confused face. "I wasn't the only one who missed you, Edward." I said with a serious face.
He nodded. "I've missed everyone too. Let's not keep them waiting much longer." He said as he was about to open the door.
I placed my hand over his to stop him. "Not so fast." I said to him. He looked at me. I just smiled. "They missed you, but I think I did a little bit more. So before we go in there I want you all to myself for a second."
He smiled back and wrapped his arms around my waist to lock me against his body. "I like the way you think." He pressed his lips to mine and finished our little make-out session we had started twice before.
When I felt I had him to myself long enough and it was time for him to see everyone else I broke away. And by 'everyone else' I didn't just mean his brother and his friend.
I opened the door to get out. When I did, I grabbed his hands and pulled him out as well. He started to walk to the trunk to get his bag, but I pulled him to the door. "We can get it in the morning." I told him as we walked to his front door.
"You're not going home?" he asked.
I stopped and turned to him. Did he really think I would just drop him off and go home? "That wasn't a serious question." I more told him than asked him. It couldn't have been. He had to be kidding.
He looked at me with a serious face. "I thought you had school tomorrow." He said giving me the reason for saying it.
I hugged him around the waist. "Edward, I don't care if the world is ending tomorrow, I wouldn't leave you on your first night home. Okay?" I said to him with a smile.
He smiled back. It seemed like we've been doing nothing but sharing smiles since I saw him come out the door. That was good. He leaned down and kissed me. Another thing we seem to be sharing a lot of, which is very good.
"I couldn't think of another way to spend my first night home."
I nodded. "Come on. Your family's going to have my head if I don't get you in there soon." I said as we started for the door again.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we walked. "Have I told you how happy I am that you guys are cool again?"
About two years after he was sent away, Jasper knew everything: my age, why he was in jail, about Lauren, everything. We decided to keep Emmett and Rosalie in the dark. Mainly because she was already stressed about postponing her wedding and her brother not being there to give her away with Jasper. We just thought it was best she didn't know.
Until I was talking to Jasper one day and they overheard us.
I could still hear her screams ring in my ear sometimes.
Flashback
"Jasper, I'm not going to tell them." I told him for the sixth time today. We were at Jasper's apartment, getting ready to go to Rosa and Emmett's wedding party.
Instead of making a table for the gifts at the actually wedding they decided to have a party for it. They called it 'their last party as single people.' Whatever it was I still didn't get it.
All I knew was that Jasper was getting on my nerves. He wanted me to tell everyone, their parents included, about my age. I didn't care about Carlisle and Esme since they knew years ago.
"Why?" he asked me.
"Why should I?" I countered as I put my stuff in my purse.
"It might give you peace of mind." He suggested.
I snapped around to face him glaring. "How the hell would that give me peace of mind, Jasper?" I asked him.
"Bella, I'm just saying…"
I stormed over to him. I was giving him a deadly look. "What the fuck do I look like, an idiot? What the hell am I supposed to say? 'Oh Em and Rosa, happy wedding. By the way the reason your brother and friend aren't here is because of me.' I don't think so." I told him.
"Okay, not saying to use those exact words." He said shaking his head at me.
"Then what you suggest? Please tell me because I would love to hear it." I said with a lot of sarcasm in my voice. I really didn't care what he had to say for I already knew I really didn't want to tell anyone. Hell, he wasn't supposed to know. In fact, I didn't tell him. He fucking guessed.
He shrugged. I crossed my arms across my chest. "You don't have an idea then, do you?" I asked him, already knowing the answer. He shook his head. I nodded mine. "Didn't think so. So can you just leave it alone?"
"You never know, they may not react the way you think they will." He tried to convince me.
"Jasper, you know as well as I do your sister is crazy. If she finds outs the reason Edward's in prison she will kill me. I don't want evil stares or for her to go back to her bitchy ways. I think she might actually kill me." I said to him.
"Now who's overreacting?" he said rolling his eyes.
"Shut the hell up, Jasper. The point is we're not telling them and that's it. It's my choice and I said I'm not going to do it. End of conversion."
"I just don't like hiding something like this from them." He said shaking his head.
"You don't like hiding what from us?" I heard her voice. I turned to see her and Emmett standing in the doorway ready to go.
"Nothing. Are we ready?" I said before Jasper could say something.
Rosa nodded. "I just need to put on my earrings."
"So whose car are we taking?" Emmett asked as he fixed his tie.
"We can take mine." I suggested.
Emmett laughed. "You sure your little Rabbit can make it?" he joked. He's been making jokes like that for a while now. It's not my fault my car is on its last foot.
"Shut it, Em. I told you to leave my baby alone. Besides you know I'm driving Edward's Volvo." I said.
"Oh yeah, how is he?" Emmett asked.
I shrugged. "He's good. I saw him yesterday."
"You are a dedicated girlfriend." He said as he put on his coat. I gave a small shrug. What else can I be?
"Maybe she feels guilty about something." I heard Jasper mumble. I shot him a glare telling him to shut up.
"I wish he could be here." Rosalie said as she put on her coat too.
"I do too." I said.
"Bella, why don't you tell Rosa and Em the real reason Edward's not here." Jasper said. I glared to him. I was going to kill him when I get the chance. They didn't know the reason he was gone. I don't know what they thought, but I didn't want them to know. I didn't want anyone to know. I feel bad enough about that the small amount of people who did know.
"Shut up." I hissed at him.
"They deserve to know." He hissed back.
"No they don't." I practically yelled.
"Yes they do. They're his family." He said in an equally aggressive tone.
"So damn what." I continued to glare at him.
"Let us in on the secret guys." Emmett said to us.
I shook my head. "It's nothing. Let's go."
"No, it's not. Bella has something to tell you guys." Jasper said.
I turned to him. 'What the hell are you doing?' I mouthed.
'I'm tired of keeping this from them.' He mouthed back. He was tired? Really? What the fuck was he tired of? It wasn't like it was his secret to fucking tell in the first place. They both looked at me. My eyes darted from one of them to the other.
"If you don't, I will. They do deserve to know." He said to me.
I sighed. "Fine, only so you can shut up about it." Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time to let them out of the dark. Plus, I figured I do it to get him off my back. I turned to them. "Edward's not here because he's in prison."
"They know that." Jasper said.
"Shut up." I snapped at him. I will tell the damn story at my own fucking pace. If he didn't like that then he could jump of the cliff with his damn opinion. I was sick of him. I sighed again. "He's not here because of me." I said looking at the floor.
"What?" I heard Rosalie say. Then I heard her heels tap until I was looking at them on the floor. "What do you mean because of you?" I could easily hear the anger in her voice.
I gulped. I was going to miss my life. Thanks a lot Jasper, you jackass. "When we started dating I was seventeen." I explained.
"What?" I heard the shock in Emmett's voice.
I gulped again. "And this girl who was jealous of me… well, she found out and called the police on him. That's why he's not with you today." I explained more. I heard nothing but silence. It was scary.
I looked up and they were all staring at me. I felt tears come down my face.
"Say something please." I said softly, but they just stared at me. "Guys, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen."
"But it still happened!" Rosalie yelled at me.
I jumped at her words. "I know and I'm so sorry." I cried.
"Sorry won't fucking bring my brother back, will it?" she shouted louder. I cried harder and shook my head. She was right. I could say I was sorry and that I didn't mean for it to happen all I wanted and he would still be gone.
"I knew there was something about you. There's always something wrong with every girl they bring home, but everyone kept saying, 'No Rosa. She makes him happy. Give her a chance.' So I did. I damn neared treated you like my own fucking blood. But because of your stupid and out of control hormones, my brother isn't even here for my wedding day! I know next time to trust my own damn instincts." she said. I could hear her voice shaking with anger and a little bit of sadness.
"I'm still your sister." I said as I looked at her through tears.
She shook her head. "No. Now you're just the bitch who got my brother thrown in prison." She walked over to Emmett.
"Does everyone else know?" Emmett asked. He still in shock. I nodded. "Carlisle and Esme?"
"They were the first." I said with tears in my voice.
"Jasper?" he asked. I assumed Jasper nodded. "Damn it, so we were the only ones who didn't?" now he sounded angry. I nodded again. I heard him sigh hard. "Damn it!" he said louder. "You guys know I hate being the last to know shit. When were you guys planning on telling us?"
"Never." I said softly.
"What the hell?" they said in unison. I looked at them with tears burning my eyes.
"No one was supposed to know." I said.
"Bella, just get out please." Emmett said as calmly as possible.
"Please. Listen to me. I'm still the same person." I tried to explain.
"GET OUT!" Rosalie screamed.
I nodded as I turned around to walk out, but before I did I stopped at Jasper. I just gave him a look. "I told you." I said before I ran out of the apartment. I felt someone grab my wrist as I reached the stairs. I was just about to hit whoever it was.
"Bella, I'm sorry. I didn't know they would react like that." Jasper said.
I turned to him. "How could you not know, Jazz?" I cried at him. "They have every right to be pissed. They hate me like I said they would. I would hate me too if I was them." I said as I cried some more.
"Bella, they're just upset right now. They don't hate you."
"Shut up, Jasper." I said as I pushed him off. I didn't want to listen to him anymore. I walked to the car trying to wipe the tears that fell down my cheek as fast as a speeding bullet.
When I was in the car I knew where to drive to.
When I got there I begged the police to let me in. Even though it was way after visiting hours they still let me in. Probably because I was crying and looked like hell.
When Edward came out I did nothing but sit on his lap cry into his shoulder. When I came back for visiting hours the next day I told him what happened. I don't know what he told them, but whatever it was it wasn't enough because we didn't speak for another year.
End of the Flashback
I remember that night. It was the night when I tore my dress running down the stairs to the car. I sped to the prison. I had to see him, not talk but see.
I was brought back to present by his voice. "Bella?" I looked at him. "You okay?" he asked.
I nodded. "I'm glad we're cool again too." Even though during the year we weren't talking I have to admit that I did miss them, even Rosalie. I know it sounds weird after everything between us, but we had actually gotten close. She was like a second Alice to me, but when she found out the truth about me and Edward she started treat badly again. Scratch that, way worse than before.
In fact, the guys told me they missed me and wanted to make up before the time we did, but Rosalie kept them away. I understood where she was coming from, but it still hurt not to have them.
"You and Rosa still having problems?" he asked. I nodded. "She'll come around. She did the first time." I shrugged. I guess, but I don't know how I would connect with her again. "By the way," he brought me back from my thoughts. I looked at him to continue. "You never told me how you guys made up." He said.
"I didn't? You sure?" I said as I looked up at him. I was acting confused. I knew very well that I hadn't told him. That was one of those things that I didn't want him to know. He shook his head answering my question. "I'll tell you later." I said as we got to the door. I unlocked it with a key I had made. I noticed him giving me a confused look from the corner of my eye. I looked at him and smiled. "I made a copy." I simply told him before opening the door.
"Surprise! Welcome home, Edward!" a small crowd of people yelled when they saw him.
Even though I knew the people were going to be there I jumped just like he did. It was only a few people there: his friends, his parents, some family, and some of my friends from college. Maybe fifteen people, but it still was a lot of noise.
Edward looked at me with a surprised face. "What is this?" he asked me
I laughed at him. "What does it look like? It's a welcome home party." I told him with a smile.
"I thought you say just Jasper and Emmett were here." He said.
"I did. I just didn't mention the fifteen other people here." I chuckled.
"But why?" he asked me.
I shrugged. "Like I said, I wasn't the only one who missed you." That was somewhat of a lie. Most of the people were my friends from college but, they were also my friends from high school and had at least one class with him. They did miss him too in a way, but they were mainly here for moral support.
The reason so many of my friends were here was because I really didn't know who to invite. I didn't know who knew him besides his family and Emmett.
I wasn't even going to have a party. I'd much rather have him to myself, but I wanted to make it special and didn't know how. Jasper gave me an idea, for which I hit him for. I mean it wasn't a bad idea, but it was an embarrassing one. It should have gone without saying.
And Alice suggested the party, which kind of sucks.
"You could have at least warned me." he said in my ear.
I laughed again. "And miss seeing your face? Now where's the fun in that?" I teased him.
He looked around the room. "Now I see why you hate surprises." He mumbled. I chuckled. Okay, that's one way to look at this. He sighed. "Well, since everyone is here, we might as well have a party." He said to the people. Everyone cheered and clapped, as well as me.
As soon as the music was turned on and the party was going someone broke through the crowd. I knew who it was by the voice.
"Edward!" she shirked. He looked in the direction from which the voice had come. She crashed into him, hugging him.
He stumbled back before catching himself. "Hi Esme." He chuckled as he hugged her back.
"Oh sweetie, we missed you." She said then kissed his cheek.
"I've missed you guys too." He said.
As they hugged Carlisle came through the crowd. I figured he was following Esme, but just not fast enough.
He walked over to me and hugged me. "How are you, Bella?" he asked me.
"I'm fine." I said hugging him back.
He pulled away and looked at me in the eyes. "How are you feeling?" he asked in a low tone so no one else could hear him.
I nodded. "I'm better." I told him.
He gave a smile. "Good."
"Excuse me, you've seen her." Edward said. We both turn to him and smiled. Was he going to do that? Was he going to become a selfish and whiny little girl? Man I hope not.
Carlisle chuckled. "I'm sorry, son." He walked over to him and held out his hand. Edward met his hand with a loud slap. "Good to have you back, son." He said with a shake.
Edward smiled at his dad and then pulled him in a hug. "Good to be back." he said. After a second Edward looked at me. "I'll try not to." He said to his dad as they pull away.
"Well, we'll see you two later. Both of you enjoy your party." Esme said.
"You're not staying?" Edward said. I wasn't surprised. They already told me they couldn't stay. The best that they could do was to come and welcome him home.
They both shook their heads. "We have plans." Carlisle said.
"Plus we don't want to 'burst your style'." Esme said as she made quotation marks with her fingers. I laughed at her.
Edward looked at me with a confused face as if to ask what the hell she just said. I laughed again.
"She means cramp our style." I told him. She wasn't too good with slang, but she tried to learn it. All I can say is Emmett and I was having a hard time not laughing when she gets it wrong. "And you guys won't." I said as I walked over to them.
"Yeah, you should stay." Edward said turning back to them.
Carlisle shook his head. "Sorry, but we really have to go. You two have fun and we'll see you guys later."
"Bye sweets." Esme said as they walk out the door.
Once Edward closed the door everyone else rushed to greet him. I didn't want to be an afterthought, so I went to go sit on the couch.
I let him talk to the people he hadn't seen in a while.
how was that? sorry if the beginning will be kinda slow. i'm trying to build up to the drama. ...i really don't know how that would work out, but we'll see. i have nothing else so i'll see you guys in a few days. R & R
(btw: 3 months, 3 weeks, 4 days)
Luv & Rockets