10
Edward didn't bother going back to his office. He walked out the door vowing to never look back. He was tempted to call his mother and tell her what a bastard she was married to, but he couldn't stand to hurt her like that. He expected Jasper to call right away, but he didn't.
The next afternoon there was a replay of the former hosts show. Bella obviously didn't want to do it alone and they were looking for a co-host. Edward decided to get out of Seattle and called his agent and told him to look around the country for an opening.
Bella decided it was time to leave the radio station. She would consider another book or go back to private practice. Carlisle begged her to stay, but she couldn't live with the guilt any longer. She had tried to be mature about the situation, but she admitted it was beyond her capabilities.
She decided to go home for a few days and visit with her father. He had always been her rock and she needed his strength right now. When she walked through the back door her father looked up from the table where he sat cleaning his gun.
"Bella, I didn't know you were coming home," he said and stood to hug her. She meant to give him a quick hug and then explain but when his arms came around her she fell apart. Charlie tightened his arms and rocked her as she sobbed. He knew better than to interrupt the tears until they were all cried out.
Bella felt like the wound of losing Mike was fresh, but it wasn't Mike, it was Edward causing her heart to hurt this time. She didn't know him very well, but it was the first man she wanted to get to know and it was impossible because of a stupid mistake one night a year ago.
Charlie patted her back and she finally pulled out of his arms and grabbed some tissue off the counter. "I'm sorry, Dad."
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.
"I wouldn't know where to start," she admitted, and he led her to the couch.
"Why don't you start at the beginning," he said, and held her hand softly.
Bella nodded and took a deep breath before beginning. "When Mike died I cleaned out his office. I didn't take on his patients because there were too many and we had very different counseling philosophies. I came across a jump drive in the back of his drawer. I assumed it was financial information, but it was a video of Mike and a patient having sex."
"Oh God," Charlie said, and rubbed his mustache.
"The woman was my boss's wife," Bella added with an uncomfortable chuckle. "I was so stupid dad; I was angry and wanted revenge. I made an appointment with Mr. Cullen and when he came over I did everything I could to seduce him. When nothing worked I showed him the file. I manipulated him into sleeping with me just so I could hurt another woman. He confronted his wife and she was so grateful he found out. Mike never wanted a relationship with her. He slowly, over time, weakened her and then threatened her into sex. He did horrible things to her, dad. He used her past to victimize her instead of helping her."
"You didn't know," Charlie said, but Bella shook her head.
"I've been counseling them as they try to repair their marriage, but I've fallen for their son and I can't explain anything to him. He knows I had sex with his father, but I can't tell him why. Carlisle is willing to let Edward hate him so he won't think badly of his mother."
"Bella, you have to get everything out in the open. Nothing good comes from being secretive. Healing can't start until you're totally honest."
Bella leaned her head on her father's chest and let him hold her to gain strength. She couldn't break the patient confidentiality, but she could encourage them to talk to Edward with her and explain everything. She knew Esme would be willing, but Carlisle would want to protect his wife.
Edward spent three days sulking in his apartment when his manager had a bite on a job in Chicago. He felt torn between getting far from his father and Bella, and the possibility of never seeing her again. He tried to believe it was only a crush, but he had never felt like this over a woman before. He considered calling his father and begging for the job back, but he would have to talk to Bella first.
He drank one beer too many and picked up his phone to tell Bella he was going to Chicago; if she begged him to stay he would consider it. It rang once and he quickly hung up. His head dropped onto the back of the couch and he stared at the ceiling as he waged a battle in his head. A knock sounded and Jasper walked through the door.
"About time you show up, asswipe." Edward said without moving off the couch.
"Yeah, well, the city is screaming for your return. So I'm here to find out what it's going to take."
"I was fired."
"Bullshit, you had a fight with the boss. You're both calm now so let's work it out," Jasper demanded. He was worried about his own employment if both Edward and Bella left. Alice had been so hysterical she wasn't even sleeping over. Jasper was desperate to put everything back together.
"This can't be worked out. Why isn't Bella on the air?" Edward asked.
"She walked out too. Alice said she went to Forks."
Edward didn't know what to think of the news. He didn't know if Bella walked out because he did, or if she was embarrassed that her relationship with Carlisle was exposed. "Have you talked to my dad?"
"Just about filler for this week; I hope you're both back in place by next week."
Edward was holding his phone in his hand when it rang. He looked down to see it was Bella calling. He wasn't sure he had the nerve to talk to her right now, but Jasper was standing there so he answered the phone and planned on using his buddy as an excuse.
"Yeah," he said.
"Did you call me?" she asked with a soft voice. He thought it sounded a bit hopeful, but maybe it was him that was hopeful.
"Sorry, Jasper walked in so I hung up," he lied.
"Oh, you can call me after he leaves, I'll be up late," she said, and he knew for sure he heard a hopeful tone.
"Um…just a minute." He placed his hand over the phone and looked up at Jasper. "I need to take this; can I talk to you tomorrow?"
"Come by the studio so we can talk," he said, and Edward stood without answering and headed down the hall to his bedroom.
He waited until he heard the door shut before coming back to the phone. "Okay, he's gone," Edward said. He wasn't sure how to start the conversation or what he even wanted to say so he remained quiet.
"Why did you call?" She asked.
"I'm not sure," he said and laid back onto the bed and closed his eyes. The line was silent until he finally said, "You're in Forks?"
"Yeah, I came to talk to my father, get some perspective. I'm sorry I threw the clipboard at you."
Edward chuckled, "You needed your father for that?"
"He's a cop, I needed to know if I could be arrested," she laughed.
"I can't press charges and let people know I got beat up by a girl," he teased and she laughed louder. The sound of her laughter made his chest tighten and he wished he could ask her to come home and come to his bed, but the issue was still lingering between them. For a moment he wondered if he could talk her into going to Chicago with him, but they were nowhere near something like that.
"Edward, I want you to know it was me who pushed your father into doing something he didn't want to do," she admitted trying to spare Carlisle from Edward's hate and blame.
"I find that hard to believe," he said adamantly.
"I found a video of Mike having sex with a woman in his office. He was cheating on me and I wanted to feel….well, it was stupid and I hurt your father in the process."
"He didn't look hurt as he waited for you to come home. I stopped by and found my dad there," he said and his anger began to build.
"I told you he's a patient I am counseling."
"Don't you think it is a conflict of interest?" Edward yelled.
"It is a matter of trust; he has a reason not to trust another counselor. I can't tell you anymore."
"Bella, I think you can tell I have feelings for you, but I can't get past the fact you had my dad in your bed. Maybe I'm being immature, but it weirds me out to think of him kissing you, and loving you."
"Oh God, Edward, there wasn't any love. It was anger and revenge. We used each other to feel better about being betrayed," she said and then instantly realized what she inferred. "I mean I was using him to feel better and I was so aggressive he responded angrily."
"Jesus, I don't want to hear about your night," Edward yelled.
"It wasn't a night, are you listening to me? It was moments, angry, hate filled moments. Your father cried afterward, Edward. We didn't have an affair or any feelings for each other. My world crashed in around me and he got pulled into my nightmare. He's not at fault, I am."
"Why did you leave the show?" He asked.
"Because I couldn't take the way you were looking at me. I feel badly enough, I didn't need you piling on," she said and Edward felt ashamed of his behavior. He was lashing out at her because he was jealous over his father.
"Look, we had a good thing with the show. Obviously nothing can work between us, so let's take this week to regroup and get back on track, okay?" The words hurt as he said them, but he suddenly didn't want to be clear in Chicago. He would put his feelings aside and date girls his own age without the emotional baggage Bella had.
Bella felt her hope plummet. Maybe he understood, but he wasn't willing to forgive and forget. It was most likely for the best since a relationship with the Cullens son would be too awkward for them all. "Okay, let's stay away from hot button issues, like dating or cheating."
"There is also the issue of my being fired," he said. "But Jasper said the feedback coming in is that we're missed."
"Really?" Bella asked in shock.
"You can't fake tension like we have, shit like that doesn't just happen," he laughed and she found herself smiling at the sound of it.
"I'll head back to Seattle tomorrow," she announced. "We need to meet with Jasper and Alice and work out how we are going to explain the absence."
"I have a meeting with Jasper tomorrow, hopefully I can be rehired. Hey, um…I put out feelers and got a bite in Chicago. If my father refuses to hire me back I'll most likely take the job."
There was another awkward silence on the line and she exhaled loudly. She finally put on her counselor cap and asked, "Are you running, Edward?"
Hell yeah, he was running. He wanted far from the pain of finding a woman he wanted to be in a relationship with but couldn't because of his father's infidelity. "Isn't that why you're in Forks?"
"I came for perspective, I'm not staying here." She knew that wasn't totally true. She needed to be around someone who loved her for who she was and would forgive her for anything. She fessed up and said, "My father doesn't judge me. I needed his support."
"You're lucky to be close to your father, mine was never around," he said sadly.
She wanted to tell him his father had an overbearing father that never gave his approval or acceptance. That Carlisle's drive was because he always felt like a failure, but she couldn't share those details they discussed in sessions. "Edward, talk to your father. You don't know the man at all."
"Luckily I have a mother who's a saint," he said and Bella closed her eyes and remained quiet.
She worked very hard not to blame Esme, but Mike found something about the woman intriguing enough to break his oath as a therapist and force her into a sexual relationship. Bella learned about Esme's past abuse and knew it made her an easy target, but she still saw the beautiful woman that her fiancé wanted.
Carlisle was desperate to save their relationship but had a really hard time forgiving himself. He found it easy to forgive his wife, but his conscience ate away at him and he needed Bella's constant assurance that he had not been a happy participant who pursued her. Having Edward find out added extra stress to the already fragile man.
"Call me after you meet with Jasper and we'll get together later tomorrow," Bella offered after the silence.
"Okay," Edward said softly. "Goodnight."
He continued to lie on his bed until he eventually fell asleep. His dreams were of a pair of brown eyes that stared at him from afar. Bella received another call that night from Jake. They made plans for that weekend and Bella packed her things to leave for Seattle first thing in the morning.
11
Edward was nervous to walk into the station. He felt he had proven to all his doubters they were right, he was a spoiled kid and got his break because he was the owner's son. He made his way to Jasper's office and found him there with Alice.
"Hi," Edward said sheepishly.
"If I say hi back are you going to make fun of my sex life?" Alice said, and crossed her arms to appear threatening.
"If I do, are you going to assault me?" he shot back.
"You deserved it," Alice huffed and walked out of the room.
Jasper and Edward laughed together. He would expect Alice to defend her friend and coworker, but he wasn't too sure Jasper would do the same. Jasper made radio his career choice from the first time Carlisle gave him a tour of the studio. He was fascinated with the control booth and would shadow the producers on weekends. This was his dream job and Edward was messing it up for him
"Does my father know you talked to me?" Edward asked as the conversation turned serious.
Jasper looked at him for a moment and finally nodded. "He's not sure he wants you back. I had to really push and appeal to his business sense."
"I'm sure that took all of two minutes," Edward mumbled like a shunned child.
"Look, I don't know what's going on, but your father is feeling guilty about something. He looks like shit and like he hasn't slept in a week."
Edward would have thought he had been out with Bella if she wasn't four hours away. Maybe he was missing her and couldn't sleep. He decided to be a man and talk to his father himself. He was ready to hear whatever Carlisle chose to share with him. He stood and took a deep breath.
"I'll be in my father's office," he said and walked out the door. The trek to his father's office seemed long and tedious although it was only up several floors by elevator. He smiled at the woman sitting in the waiting area and headed down the hallway to the large oak door.
He knocked for formality and waited for Carlisle to call him in. He opened the door to find his father sitting behind his large desk with a surprised look on his face. "Edward?" he said with shock.
"Dad, we need to have a talk."
"Sure, son, have a seat, what's on your mind?"
"I know about that night," Edward said and couldn't hold his father's stare so he looked above his head.
"Can you be more specific," Carlisle said with a strained voice.
"The night with Bella, she's taking all the blame by the way." Edward shook his head lightly and felt like he was suffocating in the large office.
Carlisle sat his pen down and leaned back in his chair. "She told you about it?"
"No, I suspected something and really pushed her into telling me. I don't understand why she is counseling you."
The room was quiet and the ticking of the clock sounded thunderous in the silence. The two men waited to see who would talk first. Carlisle finally cleared his throat and said with a soft voice, "I love your mother. I can't tell you why it happened; I never thought I had it in me to do something so deplorable."
"Yet you're still seeing her," Edward noted.
"Son, I want to understand my motivations. I can't change something I don't understand. Bella is a good therapist, and she has really helped me and your mother."
"Does mom know who Bella is?"
Carlisle bit his lip for a moment and finally nodded slightly. It sickened Edward to know his mother had to sit in the room with the woman who seduced his father. He didn't know how his father could make her do something so despicable.
The loud silence returned and Edward stood before saying, "I want my job back. I've talked to Bella and we are going to be professional and concentrate on the show."
"Okay, I'll give you a months probation, we'll talk then about making it permanent. I don't want you hijacking the show again, understand?"
Edward nodded and walked to the door. Carlisle called out to him and added, "I don't want you mentioning this to your mother."
"Of course not, Father. I would never humiliate her," Edward said accusingly and left the room. He pulled out his phone as he headed to his office and dialed Bella. She answered but the connection was bad. "I'm in my office," Edward said before he lost the call.
It was just after noon when Bella walked into his office. She was carrying a pizza and Edward laughed loudly. "It's a peace offering," she admitted.
"I'll take it," he said and pulled a piece out and took a big bite. "Sho goo," he said with a full mouth.
"I have an idea," she said. "I went to Forks for a family emergency. You had some prior commitments to take care of and now we're back. What do you think?"
"It sounds believable," he said, "Just so you know, I'm on probation."
Bella's eyes grew wide and she sat the pizza slice down before asking, "You were arrested?"
Edward laughed loudly and shook his head, "For the show, I'm on a one month trial. Do you really think so little of me?"
"Well, you do wear your pants halfway off your ass, maybe you're a gangster or something," she teased.
He loved her wit and how fun it was to talk with her. She seemed so genuine all the time and never self conscious or fake. Bella watched him take another bite and moved her eyes away from his long fingers and lips as he chewed.
They were both determined to make it work and leave any thoughts of a relationship behind them. Jasper and Alice joined them for some pizza and they mapped out the following weeks show. It felt fresh and exactly like the show they had planned.
Bella got a call on her cell and jumped up to take it in the hallway. Edward heard her say, "Hi Jake." His body froze as he stared at her retreating form. He covered quickly and when she returned he looked at her warily.
"Sorry, it was a friend," Bella said uncomfortably.
"Why didn't you tell me you won the bet," Edward asked.
"The bet was who had the better date, you won."
"Well, I'm not calling her again and if you're seeing Jake you obviously had the better date. Do you want my clothes back?"
"Oh God no," Bella laughed and Alice joined in. "Please keep three decent outfits."
Edward stood defiantly and nodded to the door with his head, "Come on, then."
"What?" Bella asked in confusion.
"I'm buying you something to wear on your date. Stop being a dick and come on," he said and walked down the hallway. Bella quickly followed telling him it wasn't necessary but he wouldn't listen. He walked to his car and held it open for her to climb in.
"Edward, this is crazy, women's clothes are expensive."
His head spun around to look at her. "You let me win because I'm cheaper?"
"I didn't let you win, your date lasted longer," she pointed out.
"Get in," he said with a toss of his head. Bella sighed and climbed in the car. Edward walked around to his side with a big grin on his face. He had a plan and couldn't wait to see the look on Bella's face. He drove out of the city toward a small town and pulled into a Wal-mart parking lot.
She laughed until he turned off the engine. "Edward, what are you doing?"
"I'm buying you an outfit, come on," he said and got out of the car.
Bella turned and looked at the large box store with trepidation. She wasn't a snob, but she wasn't going to the symphony in anything from Wal-mart. She climbed from the car and tried to stop Edward's enthusiasm.
"Okay, funny guy, I get it," she said and he grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.
"This is going to be a dose of reality," he laughed and she couldn't help but smile and lighten up. He was so much fun after the all the men who tried to impress her with their deep thinking. She didn't want someone who trying to work her cerebral synapses, she wanted someone down to earth and fun.
When she realized she was thinking of Edward as a possible love interest she immediately changed her thought processes and began thinking of him as a little brother. He pulled her to the clothing department and said, "Okay, find a dress, and then we'll buy a hammer, a pet collar, and shop for groceries."
"You're insane," Bella laughed and he nodded in agreement.
"I like that flowered one," he said and pointed at a garish dress in a size 4X.
"Are you trying to tell me I need to go camping, or that my ass is bigger than I thought?" she asked and he stepped behind her to look. She quickly put her hands over her backside and turned to face him. "You're really close to losing a testicle, so you better watch your step," she threatened.
"Get shopping," he said and snapped his fingers at her. She hesitantly walked to the right section and began looking at some clothing. Edward leaned against a rack and watched her as she studied the choices. Her legs and arms were long and she looked a little out of balance, like a new foal learning to use its legs. He could see why she didn't like outdoors things; she was still learning how to move in a body that was very alluring with a mind that saw her as everything but that.
His chin rested on his arms and he leaned to watch her intently. She finally glanced up and saw him staring so she smiled. His heart raced at a mere glance from her and he tried to block the thoughts he was having. He pushed his father from the images and tried to place himself there instead. He imagined pulling her onto his bed, kissing her body as he removed her clothing, hearing the sounds of pleasure she would make.
"Edward," she laughed and he tensed and looked at her face. "Aren't you listening?"
"Sorry, what did you say?" he asked and felt his face blush.
"I said, I can't wear any of these to the symphony," she repeated.
"Symphony, who's taking you there?" he asked with shock and she looked away and didn't answer. He realized her date with Jake was going to be at the symphony so he shook his head back and forth. "No, that won't do, you're not the symphony type," Edward insisted. "There is a jazz festival at the Needle and you would enjoy it a lot more."
"You don't know what I like," Bella said to put him in his place, but she was also a little stunned he was so on point with what she would prefer.
"You're almost thirty, not sixty," he said adamantly."The guys trying to impress you without taking your personality into consideration, is he that clueless?"
"Well, he asked me out, so I can't complain," she said, and wanted to add the fact her date with Edward started out perfectly and ended in disaster.
Edward didn't respond and felt the urge to ask if she went out with anyone who asked, but he didn't want to fight with her in the middle of a Wal-mart department store. He grabbed a shirt from the rack and held it up. "This is you," he said.
Bella looked at the sheer black georgette blouse and reached for it. Edward pulled it from her grasp and widened his eyes. He was only joking and she acted as if she was actually considering the blouse.
"I like that," she said, "With a black tank underneath."
"What's a tank?" he asked and handed her the blouse.
Once he handed her the blouse she smiled and said, "Maybe just a black bra would be hot," and headed to the lingerie department.
"Wait," he yelled after her. "You can't wear a see through top to the symphony."
"No silly, I'm going to wear it to the jazz festival. It is more me, anyway."
Edward was flabbergasted. He had just made Jake's night so much better by trying to ruin it for him. He wasn't sure how to get things back on track and when Bella picked up a black bra with sparkles on it he finally groaned.
"I'm not buying you a hot outfit for another guy," he complained.
"You suggested it," she pointed out.
"Get a tank, if a tank covers more, but don't just wear a bra underneath," he demanded.
"You're not my father," she teased and they both froze. He suddenly pictured her in the black bra with his father and she knew exactly what he was picturing. She set the blouse on the rack and said, "Let's go."
They walked back to the car and Edward was so angry their fun day had been ruined. He drove back to the city and they both tried to talk about the show, but it was awkward and uncomfortable. When they arrived at the studio they went to their own offices. Bella worked until late in the evening and didn't even stop for dinner. When she finally walked to her car she found a bag hanging from her windshield wiper. She opened it to find the black shirt and bra with a note that read. You'll look stunning.
She looked around the parking lot and didn't see Edward's car. The drive home wasn't far, but she smiled the entire way.
12
They didn't see each other again until Saturday. Edward received a call from his mother and she wanted to meet him for dinner. She chose a small out of the way Italian restaurant and he was shocked to see she was alone. He thought his father would come along to make sure Edward didn't bring up Bella to his mother.
He sat across from her and tried to act as normal as possible, but his heart was aching for his saintly mother. Esme seemed nervous and kept taking sips of her wine as she tried to decide on something to eat. Edward finally reached over and took her hand and kissed it softly. "I love you, mom," he said and tears formed in her eyes.
She opened her mouth to speak but the waitress interrupted her. They both ordered and Esme asked for another glass of wine. Edward glanced around the small establishment just as Bella and Jake walked in to be seated. "Ah shit," Edward said under his breath and Esme turned to see them.
Bella was holding Jake's arm and dressed in the black shirt with a little jacket over it. She came to a stop when she saw Edward and Esme. Her face turned pale and she glanced around like she was looking for the nearest exit. Edward stood and extended his hand. "Hello Rosalie," he said.
"Oh he knows," Bella explained. "Edward this is Jake."
The two men shook hands and Jake turned to face Esme and extended his hand to her also. "This is my mother, Esme Cullen," Edward said.
"Good evening, Esme," Bella said with a shaky voice.
"Hello, Dr. Swan," she replied.
Bella turned to the waitress and asked, "May we be seated on the terrace?" Edward remained standing as they walked off in the opposite direction. He finally sat and looked over at his nervous mother.
"I'm sorry," Edward offered.
"Don't be, I want to talk to you about it anyway," Esme said and Edward shook his head adamantly. He was not going to listen to his mother make excuses for his father. Bella already tried to take the blame and he wasn't going to let his mother do it, too.
"I don't think it's a good idea," Edward said. "Dad and I have made peace and Bella and I have come to a workable agreement."
"Son, you can't be angry at them," she said and he raised his hand to stop her.
"Don't mom."
Esme sat back and took another sip of her wine. She smiled as the waitress set the salad in front of them and picked up her fork before speaking. "Edward, did you know I was married before I met your father?"
His head snapped up from his own dish and his mouth fell open. Esme looked terrified and he had the urge to beg her to stop speaking. His world was unraveling and he wasn't sure he wanted to hear anymore.
"I got married right out of high school to a man who was so awful. He beat me often and I never said a word. I would lie to the doctors and to the police."
"Why?" Edward asked softly.
"Because he told me I deserved it," she said truthfully. "Your father has never hurt me, Edward, never," she repeated.
His eyes glanced at the patio and he looked back at his mom. "If you think you deserve what dad did, you're wrong," he said through clenched teeth.
"No, son, you're wrong. I did deserve it, but the funny thing is, it almost destroyed your father."
Edward's mind was reeling and he couldn't focus on just one thought. Pieces of the puzzle were falling into place and he tried to scramble them again to stop the realization from coming through. Esme reached for his shaky hand and added more.
"Son, I was seeing a therapist named Dr. Mike Newton. He suggested hypnotism to help with repressed memories. He made me believe awful things about my father, things that were not true. He broke me down step by step until I would do anything he suggested for help."
"He was dropping you off when the deer ran out?" Edward asked.
"No, it was another patient, but Bella doesn't know that. There is no need to hurt her further," Esme said, still trying to be the kind woman she was.
"Are you the woman on the video?" Edward asked with a lump in his throat.
"Yes," she answered and he inhaled deeply and knocked back his entire glass of wine. The waitress brought their food and he had to concentrate so he wouldn't throw the plates across the room. His heart was racing and he felt the sweat beading on his forehead.
"Excuse me," he said and practically ran to the front of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk. He was taking deep gasping breaths of air and leaning his hands on his knees when Bella walked out the door. He turned his head sideways and she gave him a slight smile.
"I assume she just told you," Bella said.
"Shit," he mumbled and took a couple of steps. "Shit," he screamed into the air and then spun around to point at Bella. "You're lucky the fucker is dead, because I would kill him."
"I'm not lucky," Bella said, "The fucker's lucky, because I wanted to kill him, too."
Edward dropped his arm and chuckled as Bella took a step toward him. He closed the gap and wrapped his arms around her tightly. She rubbed his back in a motherly way and he whispered, "I'm sorry, Bella."
"Well, you just put me on the clock so come sit down," she said and led him to a small bench in front of the restaurant. "What are you feeling?"
"I feel stupid, and mad as hell. I want someone to pay and I want to be the one to beat it out of them," he said and shook his head.
"Those are normal feelings. This is a messed up situation and we can work to make it better or let it pull us all down. We piled more wrongs on top of an already wrong situation, so make sure you don't do the same. Do you understand how your mother was used?"
Edward nodded his head.
"Do you understand how your father was used?"
Again, he nodded.
"They are taking the power back and doing remarkably well, but it is a lengthy process. There are times when it becomes overwhelming, but they talk it out and grow stronger. Don't keep your feelings bottled up, Edward, or it comes out in passive aggressive ways."
"Like on the radio?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes," Bella smiled back. "And then I have to throw things at you."
"How can you counsel them?" Edward asked and tried to imagine Esme talking about Mike with Bella.
"Your mother was victimized, and I added to it," Bella tried to explain and Edward knew it was her guilt that made her attempt to fix his parents. He wasn't sure how ethical it was, but he knew it would help Bella heal if she could fix the Cullens herself. He also knew there was more to Mike's story and Bella was still in the dark.
"So what should I do?" Edward asked her and felt calmed by just speaking to her.
"Talk to your parents, Edward. It will do wonders if they know you forgive them."
Edward shut his eyes for a moment and finally nodded. Bella set his hand on his own thigh and patted it sympathetically. "Now go eat," she said with a smile.
"The jacket is a nice touch," he said and then stood.
"Well, I can't show him my bra until the fourth date," she teased and they walked back into the restaurant with smiles on their faces.
Edward walked back to his mother's table and gave her a wide smile. She relaxed immediately and let out a long breath. He felt awful for making her worry when she had been through so much. He ate a little of his food, but most of it was cold. When they finished eating he wiped his mouth and then brought up the difficult subject.
"I think I need to sit down and talk with you and dad, at least it is what Bella feels needs to happen."
"I'm so sorry son, I never meant to hurt my family," Esme said as her tears fell. He looked across the table into his mother's beautiful face and felt a surge of anger that Mike would treat her so badly. Mike had an amazing woman of his own and acted as a deviant to take from his patients. Edward also realized at that moment Bella had been victimized by him, too. He used her as a cover for his perversions.
"Mom, I'm a stupid kid, but I know one thing for sure, dad loves you so much," Edward said and Esme placed her hand on her heart and smiled.
"You're not stupid, Edward. You're father loves you very much, too."
"I don't know my father very well," Edward admitted and felt his own eyes begin to tear.
"It's not too late. I would hate to see you lose a relationship with your father like he did. Your grandfather was a very cold man. I'm afraid we weren't emotionally healthy people to parent you, Edward. We did the best we could."
"God, mom, I'm not complaining. I had a great childhood and you were the best mother I could imagine. I just never connected with dad."
"I hope working at the station gives you a chance to know him better," Esme said and Edward smiled. Now he understood her motivation to have Carlisle hire Edward. It was her way to heal the entire family. She didn't want Edward as a reminder to keep his father faithful, she wanted him there to remind Carlisle she loved him and wanted to keep her family intact.
They walked to the front of the restaurant and found Bella waiting for Jake to bring the car around. Bella smiled and the tension was evident so Esme walked up to her and gave her a hug. Edward was amazed at the grace and generosity his mother was capable of. Jake pulled up and Bella got into the car without looking at Edward once. He felt empty as he watched her drive away.
Esme watched her son's reaction and knew he felt more for Bella than he let on. They walked to their own cars and Edward called over to her. "I'll follow you home." Esme nodded and got into her car and drove away.
The drive home seemed longer this time and Edward was nervous about talking with his father. He wished he could be close to him like he was with his mother, but they were strangers to each other.
Carlisle was sitting in his study when Esme and Edward walked in. He looked up in shock and closed his laptop. "Hello, it's nice to see you here, Edward."
"I've talked to mom about, well, about everything. I can't pretend to understand it all, but I know why you …you know." Edward dropped his head and Esme gave him and hug and asked him to sit down.
"I've betrayed my family," Carlisle said with a shaky voice.
"No, dear," Esme said and walked over to sit on his lap. "You didn't. Edward, Bella showing your father the video saved me. Dr. Newton died and I would have been left with all the damage he had done to me. Bella has done so much for me as a woman and as a wife. I'm healthier than I've ever been. Your father is the one having a hard time now."
"Why don't we go away as a family," Edward suggested. "Go to Isle Esme and spend some time together."
"I think that is a great idea," Carlisle said. "We could spend Thanksgiving on the island."
"I'll talk to Bella about pre-taping some shows," Edward said.
"We see Bella on Monday evening, we'll talk to her about it," Esme said.
Edward got the impression his mother wanted to put a little distance between him and Bella. He couldn't blame her, it would awkward for his mother to see the woman who slept with her husband interact with her son.
He looked forward to the warm sun of Brazil and the opportunity to bond with his father. For the first time in weeks he felt the family could survive the sense of betrayal they all felt, he just wasn't sure about his crush on Dr. Swan. He tried his best to deny it, but seeing his parents work through something so difficult gave him the hope he could, too.