Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Twilight characters or any information from the books. Stephenie Meyer owns it. I simply took the characters and some details and adapted them to my own storyline.
Mucho thanks to Lmjohn and Teena123 for proofing and offering their help and suggestions. I *heart* you both ;)
I've also got to thank VainVamp and perfectmess for adding me to their story alerts and Twilightaholic1122 for adding me as a favorite author. That means a lot just to know people are reading this little story of mine.
This chapter is brief, but necessary. I'm not apologizing for Carlisle. I personally am intrigued by this side of him ;)
On to chapter 3. Enjoy!
* * * *
Rosalie and Bella pulled into the parking lot of a local coffee shop at the same time as their brother, Jasper. At 27, Jasper was the ever protective older brother. Rosalie was 3 years behind him and Bella brought up the rear at 23. Rosalie and Jasper were both fiercely protective of Bella for a number of reasons that Bella hated thinking about. Like Rosalie, Jasper had the coppery-blonde hair of their mother Renee. They also had her blue eyes. Rosalie was tall and vivacious – a real show stopper. Jasper was medium built and his job as an EMT kept him in decent shape. Bella always felt like an ugly duckling in the presence of her siblings. She had inherited her father's plain brown hair and matching eyes. She was of average height and build and never went out of her way to stand out. However, she had learned enough from Rosalie to know how to look hot and use what she had to her advantage on a Friday or Saturday night.
"Morning, ladies," Jasper greeted them both with a hug before they headed into the coffee shop.
"Jazz, you missed it last night. Bells found a keeper," Rosalie winked at him.
"Be still my heart," Jasper grabbed his jest, "Bella? Really?"
"Jazz, no. Rose is a rotten liar. I'm not keeping him," Bella said before the siblings ordered coffee and muffins and found a table to sit at.
"She may not be keeping him, but he was exceptional," Rose giggled.
"Mind-blowing sex," Bella grinned.
"Ew! Enough!" Jasper grimaced.
"Bells, didn't you say he was well endowed?" Rose grinned evily.
"Oh yes, Rose. He was huge. I'm talking the size of…"
"Stop!" Jasper shrieked. His sisters burst into laughter. "I don't need to know details. I hate details. So, you enjoyed your activities, but he's not sticking around. Bella, why not?"
"Not having this conversation," Bella playfully put her hands over her ears, "Leave me alone. Subject change, please."
"Okay," Rosalie said. "How's your love life, Jazzi-poo?" Rose asked, using the nickname Jasper hated.
"Well, Rosalyn," he looked at her, purposefully mispronouncing her name, as many people did, " My story has not changed. Love sucks and I have no use for it. I can make do on my own."
"And we don't need those details," Bella teased. Jasper rolled his eyes. "Rose, how about an update on you?" she questioned her sister.
"My social networking status is 'single' and will remain so until men stop being intimidated by a female mechanic and stop assuming I'm some dumb, blonde bimbo."
"You know, ladies, we…" Jasper's pager interrupted him, "Seriously? I just ended an 18 hour shift," he grumbled, "I will see you guys later. Love you," he stood, hugging his sisters.
"Love ya, Jazz," both girls replied as he took his breakfast and rushed out the door.
"I wish you two would stay out of my business. You didn't have to tell him about FMH," Bella grumbled.
"FMH?"
"Fuck-Me-Hair," Bella smirked. Rosalie laughed.
"Well, I did because we both just want the best for you. We want you happy again," Rosalie said.
"I am happy. My life is good," Bella said.
"That's not what it looks like," Rosalie said. Bella simply rolled her eyes and changed the conversation.
* * * *
Edward, Emmett, and Alice entered the breakfast café to find their dad and step-mom already seated. Their father read a newspaper while their step-mom chattered to him. When she spotted them, her face lit up with a smile and she stood to hug them all.
"Good morning, Emmett, Alice," their father nodded to them as the three sat down. "Edward, I stopped by the townhouse this morning to drop off the paperwork you requested, but you weren't there. Do you know what I found?" his dad did not look up from the paper.
"Good morning to you too, dad," Edward thought, "Yes, Carlisle, I know what you found."
"Mind telling me what happened?"
"Tanya," was Edward's only reply.
"She will clean it up, I trust," Carlisle closed the newspaper and finally looked at Edward from over the top of his glasses.
"I will. She is gone. For good this time," Edward said.
"It's about time. Maybe now you will get your head on straight and figure some things out," Carlisle said. Everyone else chattered quietly, knowing not to interfere when it came to Carlisle and Edward.
"I plan on it," Edward replied before sipping the juice a waiter brought.
"Daddy, I finished my last course," Alice broke in with news about her business degree.
"Congratulations, sweetie. You're looking into buying your own shop now?"
"Yes. I've been looking at several locations."
"Good. Let me know if you need any help with bartering. I'm know Edward will help you with books and finances," Carlisle smiled at his daughter.
"Do you know when graduation is, dear?" Esme asked.
"The 23rd of next month. It's a Saturday at 1:00 pm," Alice said. Esme beamed.
"We'll be in Aruba," Carlisle said. Both Alice and Esme's faces fell.
"Carlisle, we can move the date," Esme said.
"We've been planning this trip for 6 months now," Carlisle said.
"Come on, dad," Emmett said. This put Carlisle and Emmett into a sort of stare down.
"I make no promises, but I will see what we can do," Carlisle finally said. Esme patted Alice's hand and winked at Emmett and Edward. "Emmett, I read your latest column. Very good commentary on Johnson's move to Cincinnati, but I wonder if he didn't pass up what could have been a thriving career in Denver for more money."
"I think he made an excellent choice," Emmett said, "But we did think about taking that angle."
"Perhaps you should do a focus on athletes who aren't so greedy. Put some thought into it," Carlisle said. Emmett shrugged slightly. Alice shared a look with Edward. Esme swiftly changed the conversation to her latest painting exhibit at a local museum. All three siblings relaxed a little bit.
"There will be about 20 pieces displayed and the museum is very excited. They're donating half of the proceeds to the children's home," Esme said.
"Oh, Esme, that's so exciting," Alice grinned.
"Yeah. We will definitely be there," Emmett said. Edward still sat quietly. He was very thankful for his stepmother; he often wondered what Carlisle did to deserve such a sweet and honest soul like Esme. Esme always had a way of relaxing the children and taking away, if only for a moment, the hurt of their father's actions and words. Carlisle was not a very loving and supportive father, and tried to prove he loved the kids by putting them through school and buying them their own place to stay. He owned the house that Emmett and Alice stayed in. They secretly kept a stash of money back each month sort of as "rent". They planned on giving it to him when they could move out, that way he couldn't hold it against them that he never charged them rent. On the outside, he looked like the ideal father, but they all knew that it was all a farce. Carlisle was always critical of the three of them, that's the way it had been their whole lives, but Edward received it worse than his younger siblings. Carlisle blamed him for a lot of things and held Edward under his thumb. Carlisle owned his own family medical practice and Edward was his CPA. Edward had become an accountant, as was his lifelong ambition, but Carlisle has insisted that he be Edward's main client. On top of that, Carlisle insisted Edward charge him half of what he charged his other clients. Edward went along with everything out of guilt. Carlisle had paid for Edward's schooling, all of his certifications, and had bought the townhouse for him while he was in school. Edward felt guilty about all of it, but he also felt guilty about his mother's death – which Carlisle blamed him for. So, Edward had continued to put up with Carlisle's treatment. At 27, though, Edward had enough. He was sick of being treated like crap by his own father and seeing his brother and sister being treated in the same manner. Their only saving grace had been Esme, who brought light and love into their lives 11 years ago. She helped the kids to heal from their mother's death and to deal with their father. She understood their pain, but she also loved their father. It was a tough situation for her to be in. Edward knew something finally had to change, but he didn't know how. He didn't want to hurt or disappoint anyone – especially not his father.