Chapter 7: A Difference

We all sat on the couch and chairs in Carlisle's suite and talked for a few hours when Jasper said he was hungry. Carlisle called down to room service and ordered enough food for everyone in the room to eat twice which occurred to me must be expensive. Not only that by the way they dressed themselves was all designer labels and their hotel rooms were top-notch. The rest of the family was also not waiting for them to come home and were all flying out here to Seattle which told me that either money wasn't an issue or they had connections. My guess was that it was both.

Another few hours passed and there was a call from downstairs and Alice who had answered the phone said, "Send them up!" very excitedly. I guessed that the rest of them were there. A few minutes later there was a jumble of voices outside the room and a card was swiped through the lock. Edward stood up and walked around the couch to see them come in.

A woman with caramel brown hair and a heart-shaped face walked in with a huge smile on her face at the sight of Edward. She stood at the door just watching him when a blonde woman who looked like she belonged in a photo spread of Vogue Magazine came to stand beside her. She was also smiling but my attention went to Edward.

A muscular, brown-haired guy that looked intimidating stood affront the closed door and Edward cleared the room quickly to give his brother a hug. "Emmett! I missed you, big guy!" Edward said enthusiastically as he hugged the bear-sized man.

A rumbling laughter came from Emmett. "Dude, how the hell did you get up here? If you're going to travel across the country at least hide somewhere warmer," he guffawed. He was young like Edward and I but a bit older, I could tell. His smile was genuine and I could see why Edward remembered him first. His joking personality jumped out at me along with his appearance. There was no way that anyone who had seen Emmett Cullen could forget him.

Edward stepped back and Emmett slapped him playfully on the back. Edward's attention turned to the blonde and he stepped towards her. "Rosalie, right?" he asked still a bit unsure of the super model Barbie that stood before him. She flashed an Oscar winning smile and nodded. He embraced her quickly before moving towards the caramel haired woman.

This had to be Esme Cullen due to her obvious maternal air about her. She looked to be on the brink on tear and it looked like she would cry at any second. Her cheeks glowed with the love she felt for her children.

"Es-," Edward started but stopped. Esme started nodding as if to encourage him to go on. Edward let out a breath and met her eyes. "Mom." The force of that word made the budding tears in Esme's eyes fall as she embraced Edward. She kissed his face and let out a sob. I turned back to Emmett and Rosalie to gauge their reactions and saw Rosalie almost glaring at me. I decided to look the other way and saw Alice crying and holding onto Jasper who kissed her hair.

Carlisle came over to Esme and she let go of her death grip on Edward's sweatshirt. Rosalie took this opportune moment to butt in. "Who's she?" she asked while her eyes continued to size me up. I stood and walked around to lean on the back of the couch.

"This is Isabella, Edward's friend," Alice answered before I could. All eyes in the room were now on me. I shrank back a little and blushed. I never did like being the center of attention.

"Then why is she here," Rosalie asked in a slightly menacing way. Obviously to her, I wasn't welcomed here. I turned to look at the clock and it read 10:41 PM in the green numbers.

"Actually Edward and I were shopping and he recognized Alice so he called her over and now we're here. I actually have to be getting home before it gets too late. Renee's probably worried about when I'll be home," I said to try to get out of there.

Edward was in my path before I got two steps closer to the door. "Are you sure you can't stay?" he asked in a tone that hinted desperation. 'Great, he doesn't want me to leave either,' I thought.

"Yeah, umm, I don't want to impose on your family time. You need to catch up with them and stuff. I probably won't be of as much use here anyways and I need to get going if I'm going to get to Forks before midnight. You know how Renee worries when we're – when I'm out late," I stumbled with my words.

Edward was about to say something else when I stopped him. "Plus if you want to you guys could probably stop by tomorrow or something. You know the house number so you can call if you need anything, alright?" I asked. I brushed a piece of his bronze hair out of his eye and smiled up at him.

"Sure, Love. Could you call me when you get in so I know you're okay?" he asked.

Alice flitted over and handed me a piece of paper that said 'Alice's cell phone #' with her phone number underneath. "Just call my phone when you get there and I'll let you talk to Edward," she explained with a smile.

Alice hugged me with such energy and gusto and I hugged her tiny pixie frame back until she released me and I started towards the door with Edward at my side. "I'll walk you downstairs," he said loud enough for Emmett and Esme who were close by to hear. As we left, Edward stood on my left and hooked his thumb in my right belt loop like he did often now.

I wrapped my arm around his waist as well and leaned my head on his shoulder. Edward walked slower than normal and I pressed the button at the elevator to go down. We waited to board the elevator before he spoke.

"I'm sorry about Rosalie, you really don't have to go," he insisted.

"I do though. You need time with them and I'm sure they miss you. You've been gone for two months and... Edward, they need you." I let out a breath I was unconsciously holding in.

"Well what about what I need?" he asked in a low voice. I watched his face change emotions. "What if I need you like they need me?" he asked.

"Edward, you don't need me. I'm just Bella. I think you just want me around," I replied.

"Then what's wrong with that? What about what I want?" his voice was starting to plead. 'You have to let him go, Bella,' the voice in my head whispered gracefully. I reminded myself to stay strong on the defence.

"You need to understand, Edward, that I'm not your identity. You don't need me to be Edward and join your family. You're allowed to want me because I'm your friend but underneath it all you are Edward Cullen because of yourself."

"Don't call me that, please. It sounds weird. It just," he sighed, "it doesn't hold meaning to me anymore. My family does, don't get me wrong but the name Cullen doesn't sound right," Edward attempted to explain.

I smiled, "It'll make sense eventually; I'm sure. I remember when Charlie and Renee adopted me and hey changed my name to Isabella Swan. It was so weird. It sounded graceful and petite like a ballerina but I liked to roll in the grass and always tripped so it didn't fit. I remember asking Renee to change it back to Masen for me and she understood." I reminisced for a moment before squeezing Edward side a little more in a hugging gesture.

The elevator dinged and the brass doors opened to reveal the couture and polished lobby. We stepped out and walked to the doors.

"So do you get to return to school now?" Edward asked before we reached the doors.

"I guess so. The school might give me my scholarship back but I might have to take some testing first. I only have another eight weeks I think before exams. I am only going back for another semester next year so I might have to take summer school. I'm not sure yet," I answered.

Edward pushed the door open and held it for me. The valet came forward and I gave him my information for him to go get my car. "Drive safely Bella. If you get tired pull over and call Alice. One of us can come and get you. Don't let anything happen to yourself and I'll come to see you tomorrow, okay?" he asked as his eyes searched mine with intensity.

I nodded and hugged him tight. I felt him kiss my hair and forehead. I pulled away and smiled despite the few tears that leaked out. I closed my eyes and wiped away the offending tears. Edward smiled at my antics and bent his head down. He brushed his lips against mine for a brief kiss and he smiled when he pulled away. The valet stood beside my car and handed me the keys.

"I'll call you when I get in, Edward. See you tomorrow," I called to Edward as I walked around to the driver's side. Edward was glowing now like a jack-o-lantern, minus the scary part. His grin was wide as a result of his first time kissing me. Wow.

I watched him in the rear-view mirror as he watched my car drive away. He went back inside and I sighed. I remembered to call Renee back and pulled out my cell phone as rain started to hit my windshield. The ringing seemed to last forever and Renee finally picked up.

"Bella, is that you?" she answered the phone.

"Yeah mom, it's me. Edward is staying to catch up with his family. He said he'd be around tomorrow to see me," I felt the tear running down my face for the third time this evening.

"What's wrong honey?"

Of course, my mom could tell when I was crying when she couldn't even see me. "It was hard for me to convince him that he didn't need me there, that's all," I said.

"What do you mean?" Renee inquired.

I sighed. "I mean that he didn't want me to go and he was pulling up every excuse to get me to stay," I admitted.

"You didn't fight, did you?" she asked.

"No, mom, of course not. You know we don't argue. It was so hard telling him I couldn't stay though. I'm still mentally slapping myself for not realizing this before."

"Realize what, Bella?"

"I guess for not realizing I would get attached to him and vice versa."

"I never thought of that either so don't be too hard on yourself. You'll see him tomorrow so don't worry. I have to go but wake me when you get in, alright honey?" Renee said with a yawn.

"Alright, see you later, bye."


Okay so I read everyone's reviews and talked to my friend and...

I. Am.A. Human. Being. - You will find out Edward's story later but he has to figure out what happened first

twilightgirl143 - Edward calls her "Love" like a nickname or pet name to show his endearment towards her. It signifies that they have a close relationship. Sorry if it annoys you.

Mickey - no prob and I am going to attempt an Edward POV later in the story

everyone else - THANK YOU so much for reviewing. I like to know what's going on in your heads and what you think. Any review or criticism is welcome as long as the criticism is constructive. I will update when I have time and inspiration and don't kill me if it's not for a few weeks.

You know you Love me,

but if you don't then...

Love to Hate me,

-Lexi xoxo