AN:I posted a review stating about learning new information that now informs me of Edward's birth date, which was puzzling me, and his father's profession. I'm sorry if I was confusing anyone, making Edward seem semi-middle class/kind of poor. I'm glad I started out with Edward at a younger age, because that allows me to fix my mistakes. If you'd like a full explanation...please check out the review I posted. I also realized I've been spelling Carlisle's name wrong. I actually pronounce Carlisle's name differently than it's actual pronunciation. I pronounce it like Charles...and then lee. I've always known I didn't pronounce it correctly, but never knew I didn't spell it right. I have been spelling his name Carslie. I've realized I've been making more mistakes than good...and it makes me feel quite foolish when I go back and say...shoot! I didn't know Edward's last name, I'm making him seem poor, and I spell Carlisle's name wrong! Ahhh! Again I'd like to apologize to anyone who I may have confused...I should have done my research ahead of time! Also...I'd like to apologize if the content so far has been boring, I'm going to try to get to the main part of the story in this chapter. Thank you.

Spoilers: There may be small spoilers from all of the books.

Disclaimer-I do not own Twilight...that honor belongs to Stephine Myer.

Chapter 4

Edward had thought a Cullen/Hale shopping trip would be a very good idea to help both of us get over the amount of shock we now felt after finding out that Edward never really had much, and now had nothing. So he invited everyone else in the family to come along with us, as a form of a distraction. However, it didn't really help. While Alice and Rosalie would be trying to get me to look at a cute skirt, or a pair of shoes, all I could think about was poor young Edward, rushing to his mother, covered in ashes, smelling of smoke, simply being so thankful he was alive.

I think Alice bought me something...but I couldn't tell you if it was a t-shirt or a purse...I was in too much of a daze...and even though Edward didn't want to admit it, I could sense he was as well.

On the drive home, neither Edward nor I, said much at all. As we pulled up the driveway, leading to the extravagant Cullen Mansion, Edward made a comment under his breath about the Volvo not sounding quite right.

"What's wrong with the Volvo?" I asked him.

He sighed. "Something sounds wrong with the engine, I noticed it yesterday, but didn't think much of it. I'm going to look at it once we get in the garage."

The rein of silence continued afterwords. Without saying a word, I opened the car door and stepped out into the garage, grabbing the shopping bag containing my mystery item. I walked inside, figuring my absence was unnoticed by Edward.

I walked into his now dark room, and found myself yawning. Even though I was quite tired, I didn't want to sleep. I wanted to look into Edward's journals further, and look for something that finally proved that Edward had a happy human life. More than anything, I wanted to find something Edward remembered.

I looked inside my shopping bag to discover my mystery item was a pair of designer jeans. Much to my surprise, I actually remembered trying them on...but I also remembered making a comment about them being a little too tight through the legs. Apparently Alice didn't catch that in her shopping rampage.

I threw the bag into the corner of Edward's room and pulled back the covers on his bed, crawling inside as I turned on the lamp that was displayed on the nearest bedside table. I grabbed the journal with the pictures first, and much to my satisfaction, heard Edward and his siblings taking turns presenting their theories on what to do with the Volvo.

I knew that when I skipped ahead to the picture of Edward's demolished home, that I had skipped a few pages between it and the picture of his mother. I noticed there were only three pages between the two pictures I had already seen. The first picture wasn't even a picture...it was a homemade Valentine's Day card that Edward's mother had made for him. The second picture was one of Edward's father...who he was named after. Edward described that the picture of his father was taken sometime in March, when the newspaper visited his workplace. The other picture, dated just a few days before their house burned to the ground, was yet another of Edward's dog Violet. This was the first picture I had seen that hadn't been clipped out of a newspaper. This was a real photograph, which Edward described had been taken by his cousin Karen.

I skipped over the page containing the picture that had haunted my mind all day, and turned to the next page, which held two pictures...that once more, were not out of a newspaper. The pictures were of Edward's cousin Karen, and his other cousin Carol, and her husband.

I paused for a moment, because I didn't hear any of the Cullens conversing in the garage any longer, which made me think Edward was heading back upstairs. For some reason, I didn't want him to know I was looking at the secrets to his previous life, without him being here.

I closed the journal, and set it right back where Edward had left it when we had taken off earlier in order to clear our minds. I sat in silence for what seemed like ages, but what was less than a minute, when I heard the sound of a car starting, and then saw the Volvo pulling down the driveway, at a much slower speed than normal.

I suddenly became aware that I wasn't the only person in the room. Well...actually...I knew I was the only person in the room. I rolled over, and about screamed out of the surprise of seeing Alice standing beside me.

"Bella." She said softly. I could tell she was worried she had woken me up.

"Yes Alice?" I asked, trying to return my breathing back to normal, so I didn't worry her.

"Edward and Rose are taking the Volvo for a little drive to see what's wrong...he told me to tell you he'll be back in a little while."

"Alright...thank you Alice. And next time, please warn me before you enter the room when I'm not expecting you."

"Sorry Bella." She said, shooting me a polite smile, before dancing out of the room and closing the door gently behind her.

I reached over and grabbed the other journal this time, hoping for a much better entry.

June 20th-Age 15

Today not only is my birthday...but possibly the greatest day of my entire life.

My father, when I was first born, held a position as a successful lawyer. We had a fairly large house, and a lot of nice things. That all changed, when we had to move out of Chicago for 2 years to take care of his sick father, my grandfather. Once my grandfather died, we moved back here, and bought the little house we had lived in, until it burnt down last month. Father tried to find new positions, but none were ever available. He still has a good reputation for the work he did before, and shortly after I was born.So he had to go around, finding work where he could. We still managed to get along, of course, but our house was small, and we had very little, especially after the fire.

Today, my father told my mother and I that he had some very important news. His old boss, who had hired him before, had lost an employee, because he was moving out of state. He remembered my father, and the work he had done, and asked him if he would like to take the position. My father of course said yes.

He says now, sometime this summer, we will find a new house, and live the amazing life of riches we once had. I don't even remember what it's like to be wealthy...what it's like to be a lawyer's son. But I am so happy, and so overjoyed that this opportunity has arrived. Things finally seem to be turning around for us here.

It didn't take me long to realize I was crying...but this time I knew it was out of happiness, instead of the overwhelming feeling of sadness I had felt only moments earlier. It made me feel so much better to know that the last two years before Edward's life changed forever, were full of happiness and joy.

I looked around me, making sure Edward hadn't unexpectedly showed up again. When I didn't see any sign suggesting he may be present sometime soon, I read on to the next page.

July 1-Age 15

Already my father is very successful at his work. People remembered him, from back when he used to be a lawyer. His boss says if he keeps this up, he may just have to give him an early promotion. But that isn't the greatest of news. Yesterday, we finally moved out of my Aunt Sara's house, and into a new house of our own. The house we bought, was actually owned by the gentlemen who's position my father filled. The house is only a few houses down the street from where our old house used to be. I walked by there yesterday with Violet, and it still pains me to look at the rubble that once was our happy home. But our new house is very extravagant, and mother is very pleased with it. It has a large front porch, something mother had wanted, but hadn't had since I was young. The house has two stories, a large kitchen, a sitting room, and three large bedrooms. It's very beautiful to look at from the outside. The yard is large, and fenced it. Mother is so happy about that, because now she has plenty of room to plant the flowers she loves so much. She's already talking about hosting a house warming party, and having various other gatherings of the rich and beautiful. Father says that she got like this for a short while when they were first married. I just think she's so overjoyed to finally have a large dose of happiness in her life once again.

Finally...for the first time since we had discovered the two journals...I had a smile on my face. I hoped...out of all things..that Edward would remember something about this. However..I knew that I would have to wait to share my wonderful discovery with him. I let out a small yawn, realizing I was a lot more tired than I thought...but I wasn't about to allow myself to fall asleep...not now. I carefully turned the next page...so afraid that if I wasn't careful...I may rip off a piece of Edward's past.

July 17-Age 15

Today my mother hosted a house warming party. She was busy worrying about it all day. She bought a new dress for herself...and a brand new suit for me. She's inviting the wives of many other lawyers in the area that my father is acquainted with. My Aunt Sara was invited as well. My mother spent hours in our brand new kitchen..working on the food that she was planning on serving at the party. My father continues to have great success at his job.

My mother informed me that besides Karen...there would be a few other "young adults". She said many of the women were planning on bringing their daughters...or younger children. I much rather would have stayed hidden in the house all day, but mother insisted that I participate in the party and have a decent social life. I wasn't quite sure who I would talk to, but I guessed if all else failed that I could talk to Karen.

Women and their children had been arriving at our house for quite some time. Mother had introduced me to many of them...and they always told her how handsome I looked...and how polite I was. I was standing in the backyard, near my mother's flower garden...when I noticed someone I recognized. I knew her as Mrs. Lark...the wife of Gregory Lark...who worked with my father. I knew that she had a son, but also remembered that he was much older than I was. Mrs. Lark had a young lady with her that I didn't recognize. I noticed my mother approach them, and then motion towards me. I walked forward...and came to stand beside my mother.

I looked up and about screamed when I saw Edward standing at the foot of the bed. He was smiling...looking like he was almost pleased that he had scared me out of my mind.

"When did you get here?"

"Just a few seconds ago." He said...coming over to his side of the bed, and gently laying down beside me.

"Please...give me a warning next time...you scared me half to death."

He simply smiled again.

"Here." I said handing him the two journals...as I pointed out the portions I had taken a look at while he had been investagating the mysterious nosies that were deep inside the Volvo's engine.

When he was finished...he set the journal with the pictures on the table beside him...and started to read aloud from the exact place I had left off in the other journal.

Jill...my mother had said. "I think you remember my son Edward. Edward...this is Mrs. Lark."

I shook her hand and nodded. "Nice to see you again Mrs. Lark." I had said.

Mrs. Lark made some sort of comment on how much of a gentleman I was. I truthfully was not paying much attention to her. Instead...I couldn't take my eyes off of the beautiful young girl standing beside her.

"I don't believe you have ever met my daughter." Mrs Lark had directed towards me.

Edward glanced over at me. I don't know if he almost felt guiltily...that here he was reading about how he was attracted to some girl, as he was laying beside his fiance...or if he was simply checking to see if I had fallen asleep.

I didn't want to tell him that as he read...I was finding myself becoming slightly jealous. But still...I didn't want him to quit reading now..not quite yet.

"Go on Edward...I'm awake."

He gently ran his hand through my hair, and kissed my forehead...before resting his arm around me.

"I don't believe I have." I had told her...never taking my eyes off of the shy-acting girl.

She introduced us to each other...telling me that her daughter's name was...

Edward paused...starring almost wide-mouthed at the page...as if he was in shock.

His expression confused me...and I starred at him waiting for an explanation. Better yet...I was waiting for me to tell him what the name of this girl just so happened to be...and why it was so shocking.

"What?" I asked. "What was her name Edward."

He never took his eyes off of the page as he shook his head. I thought I heard him mutter something about how he couldn't believe it.

"What?" I repeated...louder this time...trying to bring my finance out of his trance-like state.

He glanced at me...before moving his eyes back to the page...and back to me once again.

When he finally did speak...his voice was barely a whisper.

"Isabella."

Thanks to everyone who has sent in reviews..I again apologize for not completing my research before I typed. This story is turning out to be even more of a challenge to write than I thought! Please feel free to include any comments, concerns, constructive criticism, or ideas in your reviews. They have turned out to be very helpful...maybe you guys should write the story? Lol.

Thanks again so much for reading!

Hazl