A/N

Disclaimer: Twilight and the characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer.

I only own the plot of this story.

Chapter 8 Edward A. Masen

Characters: Emmett, Bella, Edward, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, and Aro Volturi

Emmett POV

"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I'll get to the point so that we both don't waste our time. I'm afraid I cannot ask your Café to cater for my wife's event. Due to my status everyone checks up on everything I do. For security purpose, I had to run a background check on all of you and I'm sure you know what I want to say, I ran into some problems with Mr. Green, or shall I say Mr. Masen?" Aro Volturi said to me.

"Who?" I asked Aro. I didn't understand who the hell he was talking about.

"Mr. Edward Green. I understand you had to falsify some documents to bring him to the United States. Well I think the person you hired to take care of said documents was sloppy and my connections were able to quickly figure out Mr. Green didn't exist until just recently. Due to that reason we had to dig deeper and found out that your Mr. Edward Green is Edward Anthony Masen from Chicago, Illinois. The information we found are all in this envelope. Once we found out who he was and was no longer a security risk, so we stopped digging. I'm sure it will be easy to find out more information now that there is a copy of his latest driver's license in the envelope. Thank you for your time." Aro Volturi got up,shook our hands, and left with his bodyguards.

Rosalie, Bella, Jasper and I just sat there in silence too shocked from what was just revealed to us. I don't know how long we all just sat in my office. Bella was the first one to break the silence.

"Em, I think you should go home with Edward after work and tell him what happened at his place. I don't think it's a good idea to tell him here. We have no idea how he will react to the information. He may fall apart. Who knows you know." Bella said and looked at me with concern in her eyes.

"I agree with Bella. I'm sure it's going to be hard for us to concentrate today but for Edward's sake you should tell him at his place." Jasper said to me.

I looked at Rosalie and she nodded in agreement with Jasper and Bella.

The day went by really slow and finally while we cleaned up I asked Edward if I could drop by his place and grab a box I left in the closet. I really didn't need it but I needed a reason to go to his place. He told me it was fine with him and we grabbed some dinner before we got to his place.

After I entered his place I told him to sit down with me on the couch. He looked confused but settled on the couch beside me. "I'm sure you know that we had a meeting with Aro Volturi this morning and you've probably heard that he no longer needed us to cater his wife's dinner party."

"Yeah. I heard. I'm so sorry to hear that. Bella really looked forward to it."

"Well there's more to the story than that. I need to tell you something that Aro Volturi found out. He ran a background check and found out what we did to get you over to the States."

"Oh god. Was I the reason why he no longer wanted us to cater his wife's dinner?" Edward gasped.

"Nah, that's not what I want to tell you and it's not your fault. I received this envelope from Aro Volturi. He didn't go into details to us but he told us that your name is Edward Anthony Masen from Chicago, Illinois. He said there was a copy of your latest driver's license in the envelope amongst other information. I did not open the envelope so I don't know what else is in there. Do whatever you want to do with it. You can stay as Edward Green or you can go back to being Edward Masen. This is your choice. Take your time. If you need a few days off, that's okay too. Just give me a call later okay? We're here for you." I said to Edward and he nodded. Edward just stared at the envelope and didn't attempt to open it. I said goodbye but he didn't seem to hear me.

I ran into Bella a block away from Edward's place. "How was he? How did he take it?"

"He was in shock. I just gave him the envelope. I told him to take his time and take a few days off if he needed to. He didn't even hear me leave."

"What? You just left him alone like that? Damn you Em, how stupid can you be? Give me the set of keys you have for the place. I'm going to go and check on him." Bella screamed at me fuming.

Bella POV

I was so angry at Emmett when I found out he left Edward alone after he gave him the envelope. I was so worried. I banged on the door several times but heard no answer so I used the key I grabbed from Em and entered.

"Edward? Edward?" I called out to him as I walked into his place. I finally found him on the floor beside the couch. He was rocking back and forth with his knees to his chest and his head on his knees. I ran to him and held him close to me. "Edward, are you all right? Talk to me." I said to him but there was no response.

I ran to the bathroom and moistened a washcloth so that I could wipe his tear stricken face. When I squatted in front of him and reached out towards his face he grabbed the towel out of my hand and glared at me.

"Bella, get out. Leave. Leave me alone," he yelled. He got up, dashed into his bedroom, and banged the door shut.

I really didn't know what to do. I know he told me to leave but what would happen if I left? Would he disappear from all of us? I decided to stay until he kicked me out. I grabbed a few cushions and lay down on the couch.

When I woke up it was still dark outside. I realized that there was a blanket on me. Edward must have come back into the living room and noticed that I stayed. When I looked at my watch it was past 5 a.m. so I got up and called Emmett. I was sure he was up and probably about to head to the Café.

"Hey Em. I'm sorry for yelling at you last night. I want to take the day off today if that's okay with you. Edward was upset at me last night. Told me to leave but I stayed. I'm really worried about him. I'm scared that he might leave and disappear from all of us."

"Of course. Go ahead and take the day off but do you think it's a good idea to stay? Maybe he needs time on his own? I guess if he really wants you gone, he'd kick you out. I'll drop by later. Thanks for doing this Belly." Emmett said to me.

A few hours passed after I spoke to Emmett. I hadn't thought anything through when I came here last night. I had no change of clothes so I decided to call Alice.

"Alice, I need your help. I'm not sure how much you know. I'm at Edward's. Do you think you can go to my place and bring me some clean underwear, clothes, and toiletries?"

"What? Oh my gosh, you slept with him? Are you asking me to bring you clothes so that you don't have to do the walk of shame?"

I realized since all of what went down happened late last night, Alice didn't know anything. "Alice, I wish it was. I would gladly do the walk of shame if that was the case. Aro Volturi came to us yesterday to turn down our service. At the same time he gave us information on Edward. We know his name now. Aro gave Emmett an envelope containing Edward's latest driver's license and other information about him. Emmett gave Edward the envelope and left him alone. I came to check up on him and found Edward in shock so I stayed overnight." I explained to Alice.

"Does Emmett know what was in the envelope?"

"He doesn't know. He gave it to Edward without opening it."

"Has Edward opened it?"

"I have no idea. He hasn't spoken a word since I got here last night. He was really upset and yelled at me to leave. "

"All right. I'll swing by your place and get some of your stuff and stop somewhere and pick up food for you guys. Hang in there Bella. I'll come by in a few hours."

I fell asleep again. I wasn't sure what it was but I felt warm and safe. When I opened my eyes I was taken by surprise. Edward was on the couch with me curled up to my side asleep with his arms wrapped around me.

"Edward. Let me help you. I really care about you. We all care about you. If you're in pain, let me share that pain with you. Lean on me Edward. Lean on all of us. Was the information too much? Was it not what you expected? You can go back to the way things were as if nothing happened you know. I'll be here to support you. We all will. You're not alone anymore. You don't have to deal with all of this alone." I said to Edward knowing full well that he was asleep and didn't hear a word I said. I just needed to let it out.

I ran my fingers through his hair. It was something my mom did when I was a child to make me feel better when I was sick in bed. I didn't know what else I could do to help him feel better. This was all I could think of to comfort him. When I looked at his face I noticed that the expression on his face had softened. Maybe what I did soothed him a little. With his arms so tightly wrapped around me, there was no way I could go anywhere so I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes.

Edward POV

When I woke up, I felt like crap. I took my frustration out on Bella last night and yelled at her to get out of my place. I needed a drink of water so I got up and walked out of my bedroom. I froze when I heard a sound from the living room. I concentrated on listening to the sound coming from the living room. What? Was that a snore? Then I heard a creak from the couch. I realized someone was asleep on the couch. I turned the lamp on and gasped when I saw Bella asleep on the couch. I assumed she had left after I yelled at her but she had stayed. She was curled into a ball on the couch. She must have been cold. She was asleep with nothing covering her. I dashed to my bedroom and gathered some blankets and carefully covered her with them so that I wouldn't wake her up. Now I felt worse than I had originally. Bella not only suffered from my yelling but she sacrificed herself in the cold on the couch without any blankets. She could have gone home and slept comfortably in her own bed but she stayed here for me. I didn't want to risk waking her up so I grabbed a bottle of water and headed back to my bedroom.

I got back on the bed and stared at the envelope that Emmett had given me. I still hadn't opened it yet. I was afraid to know what was inside. I also felt defeated. I had this notion that when I found out my real name it would trigger my memory and help remember my past but I didn't. I thought I would be thrilled and excited but instead I was scared. What if I don't like who I used to be? What if Bella, Emmett, and the others would no longer want to associate with me once they find out who I really was? Right now all I had on my mind was to make things right with Bella.

I went back to the living room and this time instead of the cute little snores I heard earlier I heard sniffles. Bella was crying in her sleep. I felt like my heart had stopped beating. I made her cry. I dashed to the couch and held her tight in my arms. I wiped the tears that rolled down her cheek. I felt like I needed to get away from here. Get away from her. I wasn't good for her. She was hurt because of me. She would have never shed these tears if I hadn't walked into her life. I felt horrible. Maybe if I disappeared life will go back to the way things were for Bella and the Cullens. They didn't need the crap I brought with me. Maybe there was information on people I could contact in the envelope who knew me. Instead of getting up and packing to leave, the words that came out of Bella's mouth changed my life forever.

"Please don't go, Edward. Please don't leave me. I need you." Bella said in her sleep with more tears running down her cheeks.

I was an incomplete man. I had nothing to live for until now. Bella was now my raison d'être. Bella said she wanted me to stay, and that she needed me. I would do exactly what she wanted. I wanted to be there for her, I needed her too. I held her tighter and brushed the tears off her face. I tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ear.

"I will never leave you unless you ask me to. I need you too." I whispered into her ear. I rested my head on hers and closed my eyes and inhaled her scent. She smelled so warm and comforting. I could never let her go. I realized how important she was in my life. I felt stupid I never realized this until now. My ignorant self absorbed being never noticed how much people cared and sacrificed for me. It was my turn to give back. To become the best I could be for myself and the people around me. I needed to accept that I may never remember who I used to be. By accepting that fact I could feel whole again. Bella deserved someone whole and I would be that for her. This feeling of acceptance relaxed me and felt myself drift off.

I woke up to the sound of knocking on my door. I opened my eyes and saw that Bella was still asleep. When I opened the door Alice looked shocked to see me.

"Come in. You need to be quiet though. Bella's asleep." I said to Alice and led her to the kitchen.

"How are you?" Alice asked with worry in her eyes.

"I've been better. I have a lot of groveling to do. I hurt Bella and inconvenienced all of you."

"Edward. Don't. We all love you and nothing you do will ever stop us from loving you. Bella is not upset. She's just worried about you just like the rest of us."

"Thank you. You've all been so good to me. I don't know what I've done to deserve you all."

"Be happy. Make Bella happy. Be happy together with her. That's all we want. I see something different in your eyes today. Like a cloud has been lifted."

"I found the errors of my way."

"Maybe I'm too nosey, but did you see what's in the envelope?"

"Not yet. I'm hoping to open it when Bella wakes up so she could see it with me."

"I think she'd really like that. I should probably get going. I'll go to the Café and let everyone know you're okay. Heat the food up. It's chicken and waffles and ham and cheese stuffed french toast. The chicken and waffles is one of Bella's comfort food so don't eat that one. Here's the bag of her clothes and toiletries." Alice said and smiled. I raised my brow since I couldn't understand the bag of clothes.

"Bella called to ask for them. She came straight over here from the Café. She needed clean clothes and there are plenty of clean clothes in the bag for her to stay here for a few days." Alice said and winked. I felt myself blush at her words and she bumped her shoulder into me teasingly.

"Bye, Alice." I said and teased. Alice laughed and headed out.

I took the food Alice brought and placed it on the coffee table in front of the couch where Bella slept. I sat on the couch and touched her cheek. Bella stirred and opened her eyes. She gave me the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.

"I'm really sorry I took my frustration out on you. Thank you for staying with me."

Bella reached out and hugged me. "You don't need to thank me. I stayed because I wanted to. I really care about you." Bella said and blushed.

"And I you." I said and kissed her on her forehead. "Alice dropped by earlier. She brought food." I pointed to the food on the table.

"Oooooh she brought chicken and waffles. She always knows what I need." Bella smiled.

"Chicken and waffles? Isn't that an odd combination?" I chuckled.

"Best food ever! You've missed out if you've never had them. I'll give you a bite. But just a bite. The rest is for me." Bella giggled.

"Fair enough. After what I did to you last night, I should be thankful you are in a sharing mood."

Bella grabbed my hand and frowned. "Edward, stop it. I'm not upset with you. I understand that you were overwhelmed. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I shouldn't have barged in here without being invited. I even went against your wish and stayed."

"I'm thankful that you stayed. I'm sorry you slept without blankets. I hope you're feeling okay. Please take a nice relaxing bath after you eat. I don't want you to come down with a cold."

"I will take you up on your offer. I feel really icky from not showering."

"After we both shower and feel better, I need your help." Bella looked confused. "I haven't looked inside the envelope. I'd like it if you'd look at what's inside together with me."

"Oh Edward, you don't need to ask. I'll be here as long as you need me. I'm not planning to leave. You can't get rid of me that easily."

Bella POV

I was thrilled that Edward asked me to stay with him and see what's inside the envelope together. I was so relieved that Edward looked so much better today. I was worried that he may still be in shock today. Something about Edward was different today. He looked hopeful. His eyes looked full of life now.

We both sat back down on the couch and Edward opened the envelope and shook the things inside out onto the coffee table. Out came a copy of his driver's license, a stapled document, 3 pictures, and copy of a newspaper article.

He held the document in one hand and wrapped one of his arms around me and pulled me closer to him so that I could also see what was written on the document.

The document started with his name, Edward Anthony Masen. It then said that his parents were deceased due to a fatal car accident involving Edward Sr., Elizabeth, and son Edward. I gasped when I realized that Edward was also in the fatal accident that took the lives of his parents away. Edward must have sensed that I was shocked to read that his parents were deceased. He softly squeezed my arm.

After that it mentioned that he finished his bachelor's and master's degree from Rhode Island School of Design in Jewelry and Glass. He was a custom jewelry designer. I wasn't surprised at that. I had witnessed how artistic he was from the menu chalkboard at the Café.

The document mentioned that Edward had disappeared 6 years ago after he notified his family lawyer he was going to travel the world for a few years. His last known location was London. It also mentioned that there was a family home in Evanston, a condo in One Magnificent Mile, and several other properties being rented. Edward Sr. was in real estate. At the bottom of the document was the contact information of his family lawyer.

The newspaper article was from the accident. The three of them were on their way home after a night of watching the Opera, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. They were hit by a drunk driver. I heard a sniffle from Edward.

I looked towards him and saw tears run down his cheeks. I wrapped my arm around his waist and reached out and brushed the tears off his face. I felt so sorry for him. It must be overwhelming enough to find out about his past and on top of that he discovered that his parents had passed away. I was thankful that it wasn't Edward behind the wheel. His mother was the driver. If it had been Edward, the information would have broken him.

His family home and his condo would probably have pictures and other things that would help him find out more about his past. He could also contact the lawyer.

"Would you like to go to Chicago for Thanksgiving? I would be more than happy to accompany you there." I said and smiled at Edward.

He looked deep in thought. "Thank you for the offer but I think I'd like to sleep on it for a while. I'm not sure if I'm ready to find out more about myself just yet. The information on the document alone is a lot to process."

"I understand. I just wanted to offer. If you ever decide to want to go to Chicago, count me in." I smiled at him.

A/N

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'm sorry I didn't update last week. I was sort of stuck and couldn't write. It took me a while to think of Edward's bio. I wanted something unique. I don't think I've read him being a jewelry designer in any of the stories here on fanfiction. Also since his last location where he injured his head because of the Tsunami was Sri Lanka (a country world famous for gems such as Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald, and tea) I thought custom jewelry designer would be perfect. Please leave a review! Thank you!