Disclaimer: Do I really have to? (Looks at lawyer with puppy dog eyes; lawyer nods; I sighed sadly) I - I do not own the Twilight saga and its characters, sadly. It all belongs to the magnificent Stephenie Meyer.

A Cullen or A Swan? Bonding Time

A/N: I did some changes with A Cullen or Swan like the rating. Just in case…

Bella's point of view

I opened my eyes and found myself in the confines of my room. I squirmed uncomfortably and tried to go back to sleep but I can't so I lay on one side and just simply stared. After a few moments, I recalled the events of last night. I remembered faintly the feeling of tiredness from the shopping trip, the nervousness when those men approached Rosalie, Alice and me, relief when my brother, Emmett and Jasper saved us from further exchanges and confusion when I saw Edward containing his anger while driving.

I got up and finally had the chance to scan my room. Just a few feet from my bed were the shopping bags from the trip last night. I realized I was still in my shirt and jeans which explained my uneasiness a while ago. I headed to the shower with, I decided, some clothes from the shopping trip and still half asleep.

After I finished my morning rituals, I went back to my bedroom. For the first time, I saw my bedside table.

I kept most of my personal items there and I also displayed three photos. On the first photo on the right was the gang with me and Edward. It was the latest addition of my most precious possessions. On the left was our family. Mom wanted to have one that was done professionally and so we went to Port Angeles to have it. All four of us have a copy and a bigger one was even found hanging at the living room. What made me stop in my tracks was the picture in the middle; my most loved picture. It was turned so the picture was facing the floor and the stand stood upright.

I quickly rushed to its side and arranged it to its normal position. In this picture were Edward and me. We were just a few meters from the house though it looked like we were in the middle of the woods since we have a secretive house. We were playing tag and laughing merrily. I was eight at that time and Edward was ten. We both didn't notice our mother taking a stolen shot until we got home and she gave the both of us a copy. It was in the middle because of some unknown feeling. I loved my brother so maybe we really just have a deep connection.

But the confusion as to why it was in that position was still in my mind. I realized it wasn't that big of a deal and I left my room to go to the kitchen. I arrived in the kitchen to find Mom cooking bacon and plates already in line on the counter with eggs.

"Yum, bacon and eggs. Morning, Mom" I gave her a kiss on the cheek and sat on one of the chairs.

"Good morning, sweetheart." She gave me a loving smile before continuing, "I have to go to the grocery later, Bella. Do you have any plans today?"

"Hmm… I actually don't have to do anything this Saturday but tomorrow Mom; I have to go to Angela Weber's place. We are currently working on a science experiment," I nodded to myself as I put a hand under my chin, leaning on it. Then I remembered something. "Mom, you have a blueprint due today, right?"

She sighed. "Yes, I have. I'm almost done with it. I'm just stuck with some of the parts but I'll get to it later." She shrugged and turned back to her cooking.

"In that case, I'll take care of the groceries while you focus on your work. You should have told me," I accused.

She set the bacon on the plate and gave me one. She sat on a chair opposite me and said, "Yes, it was my mistake. Now, why is Edward disappointed last night? And he also should be up at this time of the morning," She said, her voice coated with concern.

That brought back my feeling of confusion and I also wondered, why? "I don't know, Mom. Wait, I had an idea. Why don't I give him his breakfast upstairs? That way, he can eat and share why he was feeling disappointed and angry."

Mom smiled. "I love how close you two are. I'm glad that my son and daughter aren't like other siblings out there who rather fight than take care for each other."

I just smiled and after finishing my own breakfast, I grabbed another plate and headed upstairs. Both Edward and I have our rooms at the second floor. I knocked on his door but not a sound came out. I opened it, only to find his room empty. I closed it and a thought entered my mind. Whenever he's sad or angry, he would float at the third floor in his piano room to play.

I made my way at the third floor and stopped when I reached the door of his piano room. I planned to knock but I hesitated. I always loved it whenever he plays, so if he does right now, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

I slowly entered and I was right. He was indeed playing. He was dressed for the day already and his back was facing me so he didn't notice me. This room was soundproof (his own request) that is why we have a hard time sometimes knowing if he was in here or not. I sat on one of the chairs he had in this spacious room. I set the plate with bacon and eggs on one of the chairs as well and listened to him play.

When he finished playing, I stood up and clapped like we were really in a music hall. His head snapped in my direction and his eyes were like emeralds. What happened to him?

"Edward, what's wrong? You're worrying me and Mom," I asked in a concerned tone.

"Do not worry about me, Bella. I'll be fine." I didn't miss the way he said I'll be. I furrowed my eyebrows and walked to where he sat. I put a hand over his shoulder and he seemed to relax a bit.

"What is bothering you? You know you can always tell me." I said in a calm tone. He was quiet for a moment before shaking his head. I felt my heart shattered. This was the first time he didn't let me in to his problem. I didn't realize that I was crying until a sob escaped down my throat.

He finally looked up, shocked to see the state I was in. "Bella, don't cry. Please." He pleaded. But I can't. What happened last night that made my beloved brother act like this and now me? I felt his hands pulling me down so that I was sitting beside him. He wrapped his arms around me and tucked me under his chin. My hands immediately snaked around him. I'm the one who was supposed to help him yet I was the one being comforted?

"Tell me, Edward. What made you act so… different last night?" I was finally able to control my sudden outburst. He sighed deeply and finally admitted, "I broke my promise, Bella. To Mom, to you and to myself."

"What? I don't understand?" I was confused.

"Remember when you were ten and I was twelve, someone in school was being miserable to you and how suddenly he stopped being bad and I came home bruised?" Now that he mentioned it I do remembered.

"Oh yeah, that one. And then you came to my room and promised me that no one will hurt me again. Yes, I remember."

"Well I broke it yesterday. I saw your terrified look when those men were stalking you. I know that you felt unable to protect yourself at that moment. I also broke my promise to Mom. Because I let you out of my sight, you almost got in trouble. I am so sorry, Bella." I saw regret burning in his eyes. If I weren't his sister, I wouldn't be touched by his words. If I didn't love him, I would have thought he was being melodramatic but no. We were together all of our life. He knew my strengths and weaknesses and I also knew his. I knew that he didn't want his loved ones to get hurt and that is one of the traits I love in my brother. He had the capacity to love grandly. I instantly felt jealous to whoever it was who'll have his heart but quickly shook it off.

"Edward, it's alright. I wasn't hurt or anything and you know Rosalie, I'm sure she can take care of those boys," or not, I mentally added, "So don't be a worrywart and have this." I pulled away from his embrace and gave him the plate with bacon and eggs. "Here you go, sir," I was trying to lighten the mood.

He gave me crooked grin. A smile that I loved seeing on his face and unknowingly loved it personally too. As he was eating, I asked, "What is the new composition you're playing a while ago. I haven't heard that one yet."

"I actually plan to name it as Bella's Lullaby." He said as he forked a bacon.

"Really? You're naming it after me."

"Of course. It's your own lullaby. I made it for you." My brother that I loved is back.

"You're the best." I leaned to kiss his cheek. He seemed surprise by the affection but smiled anyways.

"Oh! I almost forgot. I'm going to get the groceries, do you want to come?" I stood up and glanced at my watch that said nine forty.

"Sure. Come on." He covered his piano and together we went downstairs.

As Edward washed his plate, I looked for Mom and saw her in her and Dad's room. "Mom, I'm going out now with Edward."

She looked up from her work and gave me a kind smile. "I never doubted that you can do it. Be safe, honey."

"Will do," I walked to the door where Edward was waiting with his car keys.

"Come on," He led the way to the garage and within minutes, we're already speeding towards the Thriftway.

….Bella….Edward….Forever…..

"I think that's everything." I said as we made our way to the counter. We spent only half an hour shopping which is really good.

Edward was the one who pushed the cart while I was getting the things needed in my mental list. We were at a counter when we encountered someone unwanted.

"Hey Edward! I never knew you do the groceries. How are you?" Jessica Stanley's voice rang from the counter beside us. She was pretending I wasn't even there.

"I'm fine, thank you." My brother said politely. Was it just me or was Jessica always appearing wherever my brother is? Luckily, we're almost done while she's not.

"Are you going to my house tonight? You know the party Lauren told you before." She asked. It was clear that it was a closed invitation based on her tone.

"My answer is still no, Jessica. That's all." He answered, irate. Thank the heavens, we're finished! I grabbed a bag but Edward beat my hand and carried all of it with both hands.

"Why won't you like me?" She asked, her voice rising. Edward didn't answer but I did.

"Maybe if you stop stalking him, he'll probably think you're not creepy anymore. Bye!" I quickly hooked my arm with Edward and pulled both of us out of the store leaving a thunderstruck Jessica while some of the male population surrounding seemed to fall a step back away from her.

I was suppressing laughter the whole way and when we reached the Volvo, I couldn't take it anymore. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. I never did something like that before and I never knew how giddy it felt. While I was laughing, Edward was putting the groceries at the trunk. When he closed it with a metallic thud, he was looking at me. His eyes were clearly amused.

I went to his side and said, "Well, do you think that'll get her off you?" He stared at me for a moment before his own laughter rang out.

"I never knew you could pull off something like that. Come on, let's go home." He was still chortling as he opened my door.

In the car, I lightly asked, "So why didn't you like her. Really, not my excuse." I chuckled again.

"Well technically she wasn't my type." He said in a matter-of-factly tone.

"What was your type then?" I asked, intrigued.

"Sorry sis, but it's the one thing I won't tell you." He avoided my eyes.

I was about to ask why but we're already at our beautiful home. We got the bags out of the car and entered the house. We saw Mom sitting in the living room, in front of her work. When she saw us she asked, "How's my perfect gentleman and charming young lady?"

"Perfect," Edward answered with that crooked grin.

"Charmed," I answered with a smirk. They both laughed. "Just put them there on the counter, I'm almost done here." Mom said.

"Oh I have to go to Angela's tomorrow." I muttered as I put the bag down. Edward heard me. "You want I'll drop you there and pick you up as well." He offered.

"Sure, my very loving brother." I hugged him. I felt him hugging me back and was happy that I had a brother like him.

A/N: … Don't look at me. Well, it was more on fluff but I wanted you to see that they're so close and thought that it was only because they're siblings. Hmm… drama is near, I promise. Please review, they are very much appreciated.