Edward sat silently on the couch in Carlisle's office. There were too many thoughts, too many emotions, going through his head to speak at that moment. He did not want to say anything he would regret, yet he did. He wanted to say so many things, but nothing was coming to him. The numbness was scary.
He went back over what he had been told in his head once again. The man Bella had seen in the park was someone from Carlisle and Esme's past. Someone with a connection to him. He wasn't a patient, or anyone that had crossed Edward's path before. He was someone to fear, someone to stay away from. He was someone that could very easily cause harm to his young family now.
"Edward, I…" Carlisle attempted once again. His son's hand coming up in the same, slow motion as it had several times over the past few minutes silenced him once again.
"So let me get this straight," Edward finally began, his voice quivering out of hurt and anger. Mostly hurt, though he would welcome anger to take over at any moment. "I was supposed to go to Asa. My Mother, Elizabeth, the woman you claimed was your patient…" he trailed off again as another wave of emotions hit him.
"Elizabeth had been a servant of Asa and his family, Edward. She had been manipulated by the family. He was a horrible person. Claiming to live as we do, yet that wasn't true. He wanted a son to raise and condition just as he wanted. He wanted to turn you once you were old enough."
"And you didn't think this was important enough for me to know?" Edward shouted. "So what? He's found you? Is that why we've moved around my whole life? Were you running?"
"You know why we moved, Edward," Carlisle said calmly. "Elizabeth was a patient of mine; she knew what Asa and his family planned to do. She wanted better for you. Esme and I wanted you so desperately. It worked out best for you, for us."
Edward refused to believe he had been lied to his entire life. He refused to believe that his entire family had kept such a secret. "Why?"
"Edward, we didn't see any need to tell you about this. We told you what you needed to know. To know all of that would have been such a burden on you, son." Carlisle needed him to understand. Without their choices, Edward would be a monster now.
"Mom?" Edward asked. "Obviously she knows. Alice, she has to know. Who else knows about this?"
"Your Mother and Alice. The others believe the same as you. Which is the truth, Edward. We took you from Elizabeth because she asked us to. She wanted a better life for you. Asa was going to take you, teach you, and when you were old enough turn you to behave as he does. Don't you see why we did this?"
"I see why. I do not understand your reasons for keeping it from me. What does he want now, Dad? You say he's dangerous, powerful, and it obviously worried you enough to tell me now after all this time," Edward said loudly. "What does he want?"
"I don't know," Carlisle answered honestly. "You would be of little use to him now, Edward. It is more than likely about settling the score with me."
"And what do I do with my family, huh?" Edward could feel himself getting more and more angry. He had asked for none of this. He hadn't asked for the best family he could ever want, nor had he asked for what he was being told now. The mix of emotions was overwhelming. "I have two small, helpless children, Dad. I have Bella. I have another child on the way. What do I do about them? How am I going to protect them from whatever old score you have with this man?"
Carlisle looked at his son once again. The pain and anger Edward was feeling was justified. Every choice he had made was for him. Every choice he and Esme had made together was about Edward. Now here Edward stood, unable to make choices for his own family. Everything Carlisle had felt as a Father was rushing back to him as he watched his son stand there helplessly.
"We will make sure you, Bella, and the children are safe, Edward."
"I promised her, Dad," Edward said, tears threatening to spill over. "I promised her when we agreed to have Ali that she wouldn't have to live in fear. She was scared, Dad. She was scared to bring children into the world because of our life." He couldn't think about telling her everything. He couldn't bear to see the look in her eyes upon finding out her worst fears were coming true.
"She could handle it," Edward continued. "She could handle the life we live and she was fine with it always being the two of us. I am the one who convinced her we could have children and everything would be fine."
"Everything will be fine…"
"No, it won't!" Edward shouted. "How is it fine? I have to go home and tell my pregnant wife that our entire family is in danger because of something between you and some unknown, powerful vampire. I have to go home, look at my two children, and know that there is nothing I can do to keep them safe. How am I supposed to do that?"
"We will figure it out," Carlisle promised. He didn't know if Edward would be able to forgive them, nor did he know how he would explain what happened to Esme, but he knew they would be ok. Everything had to be ok. "Edward, we won't let anything happen to you, Bella, or the children. If Asa were going to do anything, he would have done it that day in the park. I believe he just wants me to know he is here."
"And that is supposed to comfort me in some way? Look, I have to go," Edward said. "I know my shift isn't over, but I have to get them from Charlie's and get home. I cannot deal with anything else this morning. My shift ends in a couple hours anyway."
"Edward," Carlisle pleaded. He watched as Edward made a quick exit from his office. For the first time in Edward's life, he had no idea if his son trusted him or not. In all the years he had walked the earth, he had never felt a pain as great as the one he felt in that moment.
___
Edward felt a slight drizzle as he stepped out of his SUV in front of Charlie's home. It was just after 5:00 in the morning, and he knew his father-in-law would be awake and getting ready to start his day.
As he rounded the side of the house, he saw the soft glow from a light in the kitchen. He had no idea how to walk into that house, and face a man he had promised years ago that he would always protect his daughter. He knew in his heart how he would feel if he were in Charlie's place. If someone promised to take care of Ali and then failed at it, he wouldn't be responsible for what he would do.
"Edward?" Charlie asked quietly as he heard the door open.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm off early."
"Come on in, I was just having some coffee. Care for any?"
"No," Edward said quietly. "Thank you." He was shocked to see Charlie already dressed in his police uniform with his lunch packed on the kitchen counter. "You off to work early?"
"Yeah," Charlie replied. "Have some work I need to catch up on, so I thought I better get an early start. How was the hospital?"
Edward knew he had to keep the small talk going, but he wanted nothing more than to grab his family up and get them home. "It was a little hectic last night, but was calm this morning. How are they? Did they sleep well?"
Charlie chuckled lightly. "You'll have to see for yourself."
Edward followed Charlie into the living room where he immediately saw his family. Masen was stretched out on the couch, covered by his favorite blanket, and holding on tightly to his stuffed dog. Bella and Ali were sleeping in the recliner chair next to the couch. It was clear by the sight in front of him that it had not been a restful night. Knowing he was about to wake them only added to his guilt.
"We were up most of the night," Charlie explained. "I got a few hours in before Bella came to my room asking for some help. They just didn't want to sleep, so Masen and I ended up on the couch and the girls in the chair."
Edward knew Bella had to be desperate for sleep to wake Charlie up. She wasn't one to admit she needed help, ever. "I won't be working anymore nights, so we won't have to go through this again. They just don't sleep well anywhere else. They do the same at my parents house."
Charlie nodded. "Yep, they do favor their routine. Are you going to get them home now or do you want to stay here a few hours? Either is fine."
"It'd probably be best to get them on home. They might sleep longer if everyone is in their own bed," Edward replied. The truth was he just wanted to get them home so he could calm down and know they were all safe and sound. He would worry about telling Bella everything later. He would worry about finding out what his family planned to do later. "Is everything together?"
"Yes," Charlie replied. "I'll go ahead and take their bags out to your car."
"Thank you."
Edward waited for Charlie to exit the room before he knelt down next to Bella. He gently brushed a strand of her long, brown hair behind her ear and simply watched her for a few quiet moments. He hated more than anything what he would have to tell her. He knew that what had occurred and what could occur was not his fault, but he couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Bells," he whispered softly. "Bella," he repeated. He could see her eyes start to flutter open and he waited while she adjusted to her surroundings.
"Hey you," she said sleepily. "What time is it?"
"A little after 5:00, I got finished early so I wanted to come and get everyone home. I heard you didn't sleep well."
Bella smiled slightly as she motioned toward the couch. "Your son decided that none of us needed sleep. Ali was asleep and I had just dozed off when he decided jumping on the bed would be a good idea."
"My son, huh?" Edward laughed.
"Yes, your son," Bella smiled. "If you can pick him up, I'll get her and we can go home."
Edward shook his head. "Your Dad is on his way back inside. He can carry one and I'll carry the other. You shouldn't lift them if you don't have to."
Overprotective as usual, Bella thought. "Fine," she agreed. She managed to maneuver out of the chair without waking Ali up and quickly slipped her shoes on. "Are you ok?" Something about her husband seemed off, but he had just finished a hectic shift at the hospital.
"I'm fine," he lied. "Did the baby settle down?"
"She did," Bella replied. "I think she is the only one getting any rest." She watched as Edward gently lifted Ali from the chair and cradled her tiny body in his arms. He placed a kiss on her little cheek as he held her tightly to him. Watching moments like that completely melted her heart.
"Is he ready?" Charlie asked as he entered the living room once again.
"Yeah, just be careful not to wake him. He's like a bear if you wake him before he's ready," Bella explained.
Charlie carefully lifted Masen from the couch without waking him and followed behind his daughter as they made their way outside. "Which side of the car does he go on?"
"He goes behind Edward," Bella said, yawning slightly. "Make sure you cover him with his blanket after you buckle him in." She quickly got in the passenger side of the SUV and turned the ignition on to get the heat going.
Charlie sighed as he struggled with the car seat buckle. He watched Edward snap Ali in with ease and tried to mimic his movements. "Is this one different? It isn't working like that one."
"Just snap it in down there," Bella instructed from the passenger seat. "Or wait and Edward will walk around to your side. If you wake him up…"
"I won't wake him…" Charlie froze as he saw Masen start to stir. He silently prayed the little boy would stay asleep, but it was quickly becoming a lost cause when he saw his grandson's eyes looking back at him. "Go back to sleep, Masen. Papa is just getting you fastened in your car seat." Reasoning with an almost 2-year-old wasn't one of his finer choices, but he'd take it in that moment.
"Nooooo," Masen whined, beginning to cry and try to get out of his seat.
Charlie imagined Edward wouldn't have had this problem, but it had been many years since he had been any good at toddlers and car seats. "Shhh," he said as Masen cried louder.
Charlie stepped out of the way, as Edward came to his side and quickly removed Masen from his seat. The small boy laid his head on Edward's shoulder as Edward covered him with a blanket and gently rubbed his tiny back. "Shhh, it's ok, buddy. We're just going to ride home, ok? You, Mommy, Ali, and me are going home. It's ok."
"Mommy," Masen continued to whimper.
"I'm right here, Masen," Bella said. Long gone were the days when she and Edward could get anywhere in Forks quickly.
"Mommy," he repeated, reaching toward Bella.
Bella sighed. She knew they'd never get home if she didn't give in and crawl in the backseat to sit between the children. She quickly got out of the passenger seat and made her way to the back door where Edward stood. "We really need a van, Edward," she said as she managed to move past Masen's car seat and take her seat in the middle. "I have to do this far too often, and I am not getting any smaller."
Edward laughed as he finally buckled a satisfied Masen in his car seat. "We are so not getting a van, Bella."
____
Edward tried to work up the courage to say what he needed to say. He sat next to Bella on the living room couch as she busied herself with folding laundry. It was such a simple life, and what he had to say would surely change everything. She deserved to know, though. She had to know.
Bella had always understood. There had never been a time he could remember where she didn't go into anything he told her without an open mind. He prayed this time would be no different. "So there is something I need to discuss with you."
"Um ok," Bella laughed, grabbing the remote to turn the TV volume down. "What is it?"
"Just please try to stay calm, ok?" Edward asked. If she was upset and caused harm to herself or the baby, he'd never forgive himself. "You know the man you spoke to at the park? The one that said he was a patient of mine?"
"Yes…"
"He is actually someone from my parents past," Edward explained. "He is someone my Dad knew even back before I was born. That is actually the issue. This man, Asa, well he is a vampire. He claimed to live like my family does, but that wasn't true."
Bella looked uneasy. "What does this have to do with you?"
"Elizabeth, my Mother, she was a servant for Asa and his family. She was taken in after becoming pregnant with me. She was supposed to have me and then Asa was going to kill her," Edward continued to explain. "He and his partner were going to raise me and then turn me when I was old enough. Basically he and his wife wanted me for all the wrong reasons, yet they claimed to want me for the same reasons Carlisle and Esme did."
"What?!" Bella asked in disbelief. How was it that this was the first time she had heard about such a thing. "Edward, that is crazy. Did you know that?"
"Of course I didn't know that, Bella! I was as shocked as you are! Dad only told me after he learned Asa was in town and had made contact with you. We don't know what he wants, but Dad assumes he is back to get even with him and Mom."
Bella couldn't believe a word of what she was hearing. Life as a Cullen had always been complicated, but this added a whole new spin on it. This man had spoken to her; he had made contact with her child. "Edward, if he is here to get even with Carlisle and Esme, then he could very well hurt one of us." She didn't even understand all of what she had been told, but just the basics of it terrified her. "And they just didn't tell you?! All this time, Edward!"
"I know," he agreed. "That is another issue for another day. Right now, I just need to make sure you and the children are safe. I have no idea where he is or what he wants. None of us do, but Dad is working on it."
"What else haven't they told you? They all knew?"
Edward could see the hurt in her eyes. He could see the betrayal she felt and he prayed none of it was directed at him. "They thought they were doing the best thing for me. Mom and Dad made Alice promise not to say anything. Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie don't even know."
"We have to tell Charlie," Bella insisted. "He has the tools to keep up with this man's location. We have to tell him, Edward."
"We cannot tell Charlie. Asa is a vampire, Bella. What do you think Charlie or any of his co-workers could do?"
"Well what are you going to do, Edward?!" Bella shouted. She knew enough to know that this monster could sneak around and harm someone in her family before anyone could stop him. She wasn't so human that she couldn't face reality. "In case you haven't thought about it, we have children. How are we going to make sure nothing happens to them? Tell me that!"
"Nothing is going to happen to Ali or Masen, Bella. My family would never allow that to happen."
"Your family has done enough," she spat. "I love you. You know that I do. You know that I would do anything for you and I always have. But I will never ever let anything happen to my children, understand? If you want to protect your family, fine. I'll worry about our children."
"Don't talk to me like I don't have them first in mind, Bella." Edward was shocked at the tone he had just used with her. They had never had an argument like this. Bella had always followed him without question, she had always trusted without question. "Why do you think I have been so upset about this, huh? Why do you think I left work early to get you home? Don't act like I don't have them first. Just because I don't want to involve Charlie in this means nothing. I am trying to do the best that I can. Going along with whatever plan my family has is the best way."
Bella looked at her husband with tears streaming down her face. They had not once, in the years they had been together, ever been at a point like the one they were standing at now. The pace in which it happened scared her. "The fact is, Edward, that you are worried about your family more than us. You are worried about their feelings. They can protect themselves, we can't! I have never ever questioned you once. But when it comes to our two, innocent babies upstairs, I will not back down and go along with you. Not to mention the fact that I am due to give birth in just a few months."
"Bella…"
"No, Edward. I have never once questioned you, have I? But this isn't about us anymore. This is about them and the fact that they are totally dependent on us for everything. So you worry about your family and how to keep things smooth with them, and I'll worry about our children."
Edward watched as she made her way up the stairs and away from him. Had he spoken in that moment, it would have come out a broken sob that would have told her exactly how brave he was in all of this. Instead, he stood silently in the middle of their living room. Unable to think, feel, or do anything he needed to do in that moment.
He had absolutely put them first. It was the reason why he was waiting on his family to figure things out. In the past, he would have reacted without thinking. Now, he was trying to be as rational as possible because he had other people to consider. The fact that she couldn't see that killed him.
In his heart, he knew she was just upset. She had a way of reacting and then becoming calm after she had thought things through. Only this time, he couldn't promise himself she would see his side of things. He knew his reasons were legitimate, but he also knew she was fiercely protective of their children. A trait that made him fall in love with her even more if that were possible.
Somehow, they would get through this. Somehow, she would see that he did have them first. Somehow, this wouldn't change anything he had promised her. Somehow……