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Chapter 4 – BPOV

On the car ride to the Cullen house Edward and I came to an agreement that we weren't going to say anything to anyone about our 'trying' at least not yet anyway. We pulled into the drive and by the looks of it everyone was there. As we were walking up the sidewalk I heard Edward sigh heavily. I looked over at him and raised an eyebrow in question when he looked at me.

"It's just going to be harder than I thought. Keeping my hands to myself I mean." He shoved his hands in his jean pockets. I laughed and shook my head. We walked through the front door to find quite a scene. Rose and Emmett were going at it, while everyone else was trying to break up their fight.

"You stupid son of a…" Esme cut Rose off.

"Enough!" Everyone froze. "I don't know what happened, but enough fighting. We are here to be together as a family and if you two can't get your act together then you can leave and fight somewhere else." Esme said with authority.

"Sorry Mom." Emmett said looking ashamed.

"Yeah I'm sorry too Esme." Rose gave in. "Emmett let's step outside and talk." He looked at her apprehensively. "No fighting, just talking I swear." Rose promised. They both left the room to go out to the backyard to talk.

"What was that about?" Edward asked as he ushered me through the entryway, because that's where we had froze in shock.

"Who knows with them?" Alice shrugged as she walked over to me. "Hey Bella!"

"Hey! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." I tried to breathe while she gave me a bear hug.

"Uh that's because it has been. My brother here has been occupying your time these last few months, using you for wedding arrangements."

"Speaking of… How are the arrangements coming Edward? And where's Tanya? She couldn't make it?" Esme asked. Uh, oh. That's right. They don't know. I'm dead… right after Edward. They loved Tanya.

Edward began to fidget and look everywhere, but at his mom.

"Son, you're mother asked you a question." Carlisle stated.

"I know, dad. I'm thinking of how to answer, but I guess the truth is the best way." Hopefully not the whole truth, at least not yet.

"Yes, the truth please?" Esme asked worriedly.

Edward exhaled. "We um, we broke up, mom. I broke up with her."

"What!" Everyone shouted at once.

"Calm down. It just… it wasn't working for me anymore, and… I… aw hell I'm just going to say it. I found someone else."

Everyone gasped, except me of course. "Edward! You cheated?" Esme asked with her hand clutching her throat.

"No mom. I didn't cheat. I didn't do anything with the new girl until after I ended it with Tanya." Edward said a little frustrated. "I started falling for her while I was with Tanya."

"So who's this new slut you're banging then?" Rose asked. She and Emmett had returned just in time for the big reveal.

"Watch it Rose!" Edward glared at her. "It's none of your business and I'm not 'banging' her as you so eloquently put it."

"Son are you sure you're doing the right thing? I mean you and Tanya were together for years." Carlisle asked as he placed his hand on Edward's shoulder. Edward nodded.

"This girl of yours must be pretty special then Edward." Esme said coming out of shock.

Edward smiled warmly towards his mother. "She is."

"Well since there's not going to be anymore wedding planning… that means I get my Bella back." Alice bounced over to me, but Edward pulled me away from her.

"Who said I was giving her back Alice?"

"Edward stop it!" Alice laughed and tugged me from him. "Come on Bella let's go chew the fat in the kitchen."

"Chew the fat?" I looked at her and laughed.

"Yeah and you can tell me about Edward's new girl." She made sure to speak loud enough for Edward to hear.

"What makes you think I know anything about her?"

Alice laughed. "Bella please! You're his best friend, I'm sure you were the first person he told. Wasn't she Edward?" She stopped us in front of the kitchen and turned to look at Edward.

Edward smiled. "Of course. She's number one on my priority list. No offense parentals." They all laughed.

"See now, come with me Bella and spill your guts girl."

As I was being interrogated in the kitchen by the women, Edward got to sit there in the living room relaxed and watching football with the guys. I got all kinds of questions thrown at me, such as: "What's her name? What's she look like? Is she pretty? Have you met her? Do we know her? How did Edward meet her? Is he in love with her?"

Yeah, I know. Crazy huh? So my answers to all those questions were safe answers such as: "He didn't tell me her name (no lie, he never did say 'It's Bella'). I don't know what she looks like (okay, that's pretty much a lie). I don't know if she's pretty and no I haven't met her (half truth, half lie. I don't know if you consider me pretty and well I have met myself before). I believe you might know her, but I'm not sure (total lie). He met her quite a while ago (oh, like 17 years ago). Love? Maybe… he said she gives him butterflies." On the last answer they all awed at the same time.

Jasper entered the kitchen and put his arm around Alice. "Can I ask her now?"

Alice giggled. "Yep, go ahead."

Jasper looked at me and smiled. "So Bella, I have this friend." Uh, oh. I know where this is headed. "He's a cool guy, a real gentleman."

I decided to play along. "That's good. I'm glad you have a nice friend Jasper." All the girls laughed, they knew what was coming too.

"Yeah, his name's Ryan and he's also single… like you." He winked.

"Jasper…" I groaned.

"Come on Bella. I mean give the guy a chance. I mean you're not seeing anybody right?"

Yeah, I had to answer this question carefully, because if I say 'yes I'm seeing somebody' then I get quizzed on who the guy is. If I say 'no still alone' then I risk Edward hearing and being upset. I know he has to be listening, because it got awfully quiet in the living room before Jasper asked me.

"Fine, one date. That's it though! And no more set ups please? I can find someone on my own, thank you very much." Alice and Jasper just laughed.

"Awesome! Thanks Bella! You won't regret it; I think you're really going to like him. I'll give him your cell number and have him call you. That work?"

I nodded. "Sure." He bounded out of the kitchen after kissing Alice's cheek. "Excuse me; I'm going to hit the restroom." I avoided walking through the living room, because I didn't want to face Edward just yet. I'm sure he's anything, but happy. As I walked out of the bathroom and headed back down the long hall, I was suddenly grabbed and pulled into one of the million guest rooms.

The door was shut and I heard it lock as I was being pressed against it. "Geez Edward! You scared the shit out of me." I tried to remember how to breathe and took in his expression. Yes, he was anything, but happy that's for sure. "What's wrong?" I asked playing a little dumb.

"You know what's wrong." He waited for me to speak, but I stayed silent. "Why did you agree to it Bella?"

"The date?" He gave me one firm, angry nod. "Because he wouldn't have stopped pushing it on me until I did agree."

"He asked you though!" He nearly shouted. "He asked you if you were seeing anyone. Why didn't you say yes?"

"If I said yes Edward then your sister would've been on me about it like a mountain lion attacking its prey. You know that!"

He sighed and leaned his forehead against mine. "I know but… I don't want him touching you Bella. At all." He ran his fingers along my arms and his nose along my cheek.

I put my arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. He quickly wrapped both arms around my waist and squeezed me to him. I put my lips to his ear. "I won't let him touch me, Edward. It's just one evening, that's it, then it can be done, and over with. Okay?"

"Still don't like it." Edward mumbled like a four year old who hadn't gotten his way.

"I know." I needed to take his mind off it, if only for a few minutes. "Hey I thought you said you were going to grope me whenever you got me alone here."

He laughed and squeezed my ass. "Yeah, you're right. I almost forgot." He kissed me then and it was desperate and hard. It was obvious that he was trying to make a point to me. That he was the one I should be with, not any other man. He turned me around and started heading for the bed, but we both stopped when we heard voices.

"She said she was going to use the restroom. I don't know where Edward went though."

Edward gave me one last quick kiss and quietly unlocked the door. He then pulled it open and began talking to me loudly so they could hear. "Thanks Bells! Sorry it's still just hard sometimes, you know. I hate that I broke her heart… oh hey Alice, Rose." Edward said as they appeared in the doorway.

"Everything okay?" Rose asked.

"Yeah I just needed to talk with my best friend for a sec. I'm going to go back to the game. Thanks again Bells. Love you." He kissed me on the cheek.

"Love you too, crazy." I giggled.

"Come on Bella. Let's go serve the Neanderthals their food and eat some grub ourselves." I followed them to the kitchen. We served the boys their food in the living room. Edward seemed to still be in a better mood, until Jasper had to open his big mouth again.

"Hey Bella, I text your number to Ryan. He's pretty excited. I also sent him a picture of you too. He thinks you look sexy." Good lord, kill me now, before Edward does.

I just nodded at Jasper with a small smile and then slowly looked towards Edward. Oh yeah, not good. He was pissed, it was obvious. He gave me a pointed look that clearly said 'no way in hell is he touching you.'

I gave him a reassuring smile and patted his shoulder to try and console him as I walked back towards the kitchen. Yeah this is going to be interesting.

EPOV

Yeah, he's a dead man. Don't know him, don't care. This Ryan guy… dead. Especially, if he even thinks about touching my girl.

The next chapter I am hoping to make from EPOV. That way we can see how he felt about Bella and when he started falling for her.