(Author's note: A couple of things I'd like to say. 1. I won't post another chapter until I get some reviews here. I have at least 23 good chapters written. The more reviews, the more updates. 2. Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight. 3. I am tired. Anyone have coffee? Anywho…enjoy! Leave comments! –Cat)

(Edward's point of view)

(Author's note: Swimchick 1224….you must be psychic.)

I sat in my room that night, mulling over what information Bella shared with us.

I remembered her forced smiles and false pleasantry. It cut me to my core that she had to pretend to be okay. I wanted nothing more than to gather her in my arms, and just be happy with her again. But, I knew that was an impossibility. I knew she could never forgive me for breaking her so cruelly. I feel sick…sick to my core. I lost the only thing that ever meant anything to me, and it was my own fault.

I knew today would be brutal. Surely, even having meet this other clan, did not have an effect on their impressions of us. I may not have been able to hear their thoughts, but I could tell that they weren't exactly pleased to meet my family and I. Most likely the opposite, I suppose.

So, here I sat. Until Emmett nearly dragged me from my room, that is.

"Oh, come on. You need to stop being such an emo asshole. It really scares mom when you act all suicidal." He told me in a cautious tone.

I shrugged. "Em, I'm just worried. What if she hated me for forever?" I whispered.

He rolled his eyes. "Bro, you always worry. You know, if she hates you, which I don't think she does, it's your own fault." He informed me.

I nodded. I knew it was my fault.

"I know Em…wait. What do you mean; you don't think she hates me? How could she not? I mean, I hate myself for what I did." I asked him with surprise.

He looked at me with anger and suspicion. "Don't say that you hate yourself. And I know this because I know Bella. She could never hate you. She just doesn't trust us." He said with a tiny bit of hurt at the end.

I knew why. He hated that his baby sister, in many ways she was, didn't trust him. I was grateful that he didn't blame me for his sister's mistrust, but it didn't help me feel better.

"Edward! Hurry up! We're going to be late!" Alice exclaimed excitedly to me, as I got out of the car.

I sighed, rolled my eyes, and shut the door.

She pulled me by the hand, to the front of the school.

"What are you so excited about, Alice?" I questioned her.

My annoyance was evident in my voice.

She snickered. "I want to get to class. I noticed that Allie, Swan was in my morning biology class. I wanted to talk to her. She seemed kind of shy to me." She said in her 'duh' voice.

She sighed then.

I caught her thoughts.

'She really takes after her mother. They all do.'

My face scrunched up at her thoughts. She was right. It was painful, not that she was right, but knowing that these kids lived through their mother's pain.

It was still difficult to even consider I was their father. How could I be any kind of father to these children if they were going to hate me for the rest of eternity? Not that they didn't have a reason to. I would hate my father if he abandoned my mother in her time of need.

Oh, if only I had stayed another day. Another year. Maybe Victoria would have left her alone, and Bella and I wouldn't have faced this awful heart-shattering pain.

"I'm sorry, Edward." Alice apologized in a concerned voice.

"I shouldn't have thought that." She continued.

I shook my head.

"No Alice. Don't apologize. You're right. They're a lot like Bella. Please just ignore my self-wallowing." I told her with a slight trace of humor.

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at me. She examined my expression. I picked through her thoughts to see what she saw there. Apparently, she saw exhaustion. I wondered what that meant.

"It's been a long 20 years for you, hasn't it, Edward?" She asked me softly.

I didn't want to answer. I mean, she had no idea just how long those years for me were. I turned away from her stare.

"Aren't we going to be late?" I asked her in a grave voice.

I still didn't look at her. I didn't want to know what she would see in my expression if I did. She nodded, obviously accepting my subject change. Before she turned, I saw a glimpse of her expression. She was calculating something. Her thoughts gave nothing away. I turned, and headed for my history lesson.

Around lunch, I bumped into Anthony.

He glared at me.

"Hey, Cullen." He said in a grudging tone.

"Hello, Anthony." I greeted him politely.

"So, um I noticed that we looked a lot alike…" He started. I knew he was choosing his words carefully.

I nodded.

"Well, my mom figured that we should act like we're twins. Uh…is it okay if my siblings and I…um…sit with you guys?" He asked, obviously uncomfortable.

"Um…I suppose so. If you won't mind my sister, Rosalie's glares." I said with vain humor.

He laughed a little.

"Right. Okay. I take it you have to warn them? Yeah, so I'll get my brother and sisters." And with that, he walked away.

I turned and fast-walked to the cafeteria. Alice already knew what was going on. She was bouncing in her seat. I looked at the other three, who were looking suspiciously at Alice.

"Guys. The kids from that other clan are sitting with us today." I said plainly.

They turned to stare at me like I was nuts.

"What?" Emmett asked.

"Well, Bella thought that Anthony and I looked very much alike. She thought that to remain inconspicuous, we should pretend to be twins for the remainder of our time at this school. They are sitting with us because it would be odd for twins to sit apart. He is bringing his siblings with him. Please don't…do anything. " I almost begged them, looking pointedly at Emmett and Alice.

Emmett burst out laughing.

"Oh! Bro, tough luck! Ha-ha! Man this is too good!" He laughed out.

I grimaced.

"Promise me." I commanded.

They all nodded.

"I like it." Alice said, smiling.

"Well, I don't." Rosalie grouched.

Jasper just smirked, and shook his head.

"I mean….I think it's like Bella is giving us a second chance." I said quietly.

Just then, the 4 people in question popped up beside Alice.

"Hi everyone!" Alice greeted them while smiling.

They nodded and smiled back.

"I trust you understand the reason for this forced encounter, correct?" Anthony questioned.

My siblings nodded.

"Good. I mean, it's really not that hard." He said with a small chuckle.

We all laughed a little at his comment.

When they finally sat down, they pulled out their lunches.

I saw Anthony snacking on an apple.

Jazem was picking at a salad.

Renesmee was slurping on some cereal.

Allie was downing a pear.

I noticed that she really did look exactly like her mother. I wanted to sigh.

Suddenly, Anthony reached for my apple.

"Do you mind? Apples are my favorite." He asked me hesitantly.

I nodded.

He smiled, grabbed the apple, and took a huge bite.

I felt my eyes widen.

It was odd that he would like the same fruit I did as a human.

Renesmee reached for Rosalie's bagel.

"I was thinking that it would be easier for you if we made your food disappear. The humans wouldn't ask questions." Renesmee said.

Wow, she definitely knew what to say to rub Rose's good side.

Rosalie smiled at the intuitive girl, and nodded. She grabbed the bagel.

Jazem snagged Jasper's Italian bread. "I hope you don't mind. I just really wanted your bread."

He said snickering. Jasper smirked back.

"Naw…it's cool. Help yourself." Jasper remarked.

"Um Alice? May I have your cherry yogurt? It smells heavenly." Allie asked her shyly.

Alice beamed.

"Of course, Allie. I wouldn't mind at all. Of course, I'll need something in return." Alice said happily.

Instantly, everyone was cautious. I could tell Allie's siblings were tense as well.

"I want you to tell me something about you." She said with a pleasant smile.

Her eyes were screaming with excitement.

Allie hesitantly nodded. "Okay. What do you want to know?" She asked very cautiously.

"Well, when were you and your siblings born?" Alice asked.

"Uh…November 21, 2003. Why?" She asked curiously.

Alice shrugged. "Well, I was thinking that maybe you all would like to celebrate your next birthday with us." She said, waving her hands as if to show boredom with the situation.

"No!" Allie and her siblings shouted.

They calmed a bit, and looked around to see if other people had heard their conversation. I glanced at the oblivious humans.

I really hadn't even noticed that the lunchroom was full. It didn't matter to me.

"We…don't like parties. They just…don't work out for us." Allie said in a strained voice.

I was confused by this. As were my brothers and sisters.

The only person we knew that was averse to having a party; was Bella.

Was their rejection a learned trait? Or were they just that much like their mother that they think as she does? Could Bella have persuaded her children to share in her distaste for such events?

Well, I knew she most likely didn't want to dwell on the past.

I shuddered as I remembered the nightmare that was Bella's 18th birthday.

Allie noticed my reaction, and looked at me curiously. "What's wrong? Did we offend you?" She asked in a small voice. I shook my head.

"No…it's not that. Please, tell me. Why is it that a birthday party doesn't work out for you?" I asked her suspiciously. She was rigid now.

I caught the glance she gave Anthony. I also saw him answer an unspoken question with a nod.

Wow. Is that what Alice and I look like? No wonder Emmett is so annoyed.

Allie turned to face me with a sad expression. It made me want to reach out and comfort her.

I knew that was stupid, but such a young face shouldn't be stressed with the worry she and her siblings bore on themselves.

"We've had birthday parties in the past. We even have family get-togethers every now and then. Our mother said she wanted to have parties. We noticed something…sad about her mood when we would have any kind of party. We finally figured out that it had something to do with her past. So, to prevent that sadness, we just avoided parties. She caught on quickly to what we were doing. So, we told her they just didn't appeal to us anymore…which is true…in a way." Allie said in a tone sadder than even a monster like I could handle.

Alice stood, and went over to place a hand on the little girl's shoulder.

Jasper looked down at the table in shame.

Rosalie scowled at the floor.

Even Emmett had a sad frown upon his face.

Each were thinking about the good times with Bella. It was silent at the table for a while.

Finally, Jazem stood up. "I'm sorry, but I mustn't be late for class again. I don't want a detention slip. See ya." He said. Then he waved, and turned for the doors.

His siblings took after his example.

"Yeah, so I guess it's like same thing tomorrow. Right. Bye." Anthony said after an awkward moment.

Then he turned and left.

"Well, that was fun." Rosalie scoffed sarcastically.

"Sure. I mean, they seem nice. They're just unsure of us. They don't want to welcome in anything that would hurt their mother." Alice said with a shrug.

"What? So they are overprotective too?" Emmett asked in humor.

Jasper covered up his laugh with a cough.

Alice smiled. "Not precisely like Edward. They just seek their mother's happiness. A family should be like that, Emmett." She told him.

"Shall we?" Rosalie asked impatiently.

We stood, and departed to our afternoon classes.

"Oh, come on! Please, Rose! Please!" Alice begged.

They had been bickering since we walked in the door. Alice wanted to dress everyone up for our evening trip to Bella's house.

"Ugh! If it will shut you up, then fine! But I get to pick out my shoes." Rosalie warned.

I just shook my head. Alice always wins. Stupid, stubborn little pixie.

Alice squealed. "Yes! Now let's go! I don't have much time!" She screeched.

Rose groaned. "Please, will someone come up with a medication to shut her up?!" Rose whined.

I snickered. I heard her growl.

'Push it, and I'll turn you into kibble, Edward.' She thought furiously to me.

I bit my lip. I wanted to say; 'have fun playing dress up.' But, I knew Rosalie would shred me to bits if I so much as uttered a word.

I decided I would chat with Carlisle. I walked down to his study. I paused silently in front of the door.

"Come in, Edward." He told me gently.

I slowly walked in. He closed the book he had just begun, and looked up at me.

'How are you, my son?' He asked me.

I nodded. "I am well. I was coming to share with you a pleasant idea Bella had." I told him.

He seemed surprised.'Bella spoke with you?' He questioned.

I shook my head. "No. I spoke with Anthony today." I answered him.

'What did he say?' He asked me with curiosity forefront in his mind.

"His mother suggested that since Anthony looked practically identical, we play the part of twins." I told him with a small smile.

He surprised me by laughing. 'I take it Anthony isn't too fond of the idea.' He guessed

His thoughts were now humored. I shook my head, smirking.

"He didn't appear too pleased to me." I said amused.

"Well, I think it's a brilliant idea. Obviously, she wanted to remain inconspicuous. This is the best way to do so." He nodded, thoughtful.

"Yes, well, these children can eat human food. They said that in an effort to keep our secret, they would eat our lunches. And so they did." I told him as I remembered the uncanny similarity in tastes that I shared with Anthony.

"Wow. That is generous. I suppose is serves two purposes." He said with a grateful smile.

"Two purposes?" I asked him. I was under the assumption there was only one; protecting our secret.

"Yes. I know my children. You'll bombard those poor things with questions. So, aside from remaining inconspicuous; you will get to know each other better." He said in approval.

"Esme would like that." I agreed. He nodded.

"What would I like?" Esme asked as she walked into Carlisle's study.

"Oh, well, Bella has proposed that our children and her children sit together at lunch." Carlisle said with a smile.

"Oh? But why? Does she trust us again?" Esme asked with a hopeful expression.

"Well, I suppose so. In a sense. But, it was more or less because Edward and Anthony look alike." Carlisle allowed.

Suddenly I heard a boom of laughter from downstairs. "Dude, it's still funny. Edward has an evil twin." Emmett laughed.

"No. Edward's the evil one. Anthony is the good one." Jasper chortled.

I growled. Esme looked at me with sympathy.

"Now Edward. They are just trying to annoy you. They know you're better than them, and they're jealous." Esme said with a smirk.

My brothers shut up after that. Ha-ha! I knew it was because I had mom on my side. I smirked.

"Boys! Front and center! It's time to get you all dressed!" Alice yelled from the hallway.

I sighed. Esme shook her head, and laughed lightly. Carlisle chuckled lightly. I left the room.

Emmett and Jasper scowled when they saw me.

'Cheater.' They thought to me in unison. I shrugged.

"In your rooms, now. Get changed. Hurry up! I will not be late on an account of you three." She said glaring at us.

"Yes Alice." We grumbled.

She smiled, and skipped off to Carlisle's office. What an evil little pixie. I trudged off to my room. I walked in and found a pair of artificially faded blue jeans, a black button up dress shirt, and black dress shoes. I quickly dressed, trying not to get on Alice's bad side.

She smiled happily when she saw me. "Oh! You look lovely! This color blue definitely compliments your form well." She squealed to me. I rolled my eyes.

"Alice, please, shut up." I told her sternly.

My brothers bounded down the stairs.

"Why Eddie boy? You look very pretty." Emmett teased.

Okay, I was going to kick his ass.

He smirked at me as I glared at him.

"Oh, Emmett. Edward isn't just pretty. He is pretty hot." Rose said with a smirk.

Emmett's jaw dropped.

"Babe, what did you just say?" He asked incredulously.

She smirked. "I said that it looks like Edward is going on a date tonight." She told them.

I saw her wink at me. 'I got your back. Besides, I know this isn't easy for you.' She thought to me.

"O-Kay?" Emmett said, unsure of himself.

"Thanks." I mouthed to her. It was silent for a while.

Carlisle rapped quickly on Bella's front door. Then, he stepped back. We heard muted footsteps.

"One minute, Carlisle. I'm coming." I heard a beautiful, bell-like voice say.

The front door opened. A woman with dark mahogany hair that was loosely curled, and fell to her waist; appeared behind the door. Her face was heart-shaped. Her eyes were a warm honey gold. She had a dark blue blouse that fitted her curves perfectly. The sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. She had a black dress skirt that was about 3 inches up her thigh. She had black stockings, and black leather boots that went up to her knees. She was glorious. Her golden eyes appraised our outfits, as we appraised her outfit. She grinned. I noticed that her lips were a very light shade of pink.

"What? Is it date night, Cullen?" She asked as she looked me over. Alice snorted.

"No. I just wanted to dress them." She said matter-of-factly.

The woman's perfect, mahogany eyebrows arched in humor.

"Well, Alice. Actually, I'm glad that you did. We will be having other company tonight." The beautiful woman said with a smile.

"Oh? Someone called you?" Alice asked in surprise.

'How did I not see this?' She thought to herself.

"No. Allie had a vision." The woman answered with a frown.

"She what?" Alice gasped.

"Yes. Um…if you will come inside, I will begin after our other guests arrive." The woman said with a worried frown.

We quickly complied. The rest of her family was in the living room. They, too, were dressed up in fancy attire. They nodded in our direction.

"Hi. If you forgot, I'm Annie. I'm surprised. When did you get the memo? Allie just had the vision like an hour ago. Bella has been on our tails about a nice outfit. I wasn't sure she had time to call you." Annie said with a smile.

"No. We had no memo. We had Alice. The evil pixie and shopaholic." Emmett said with a grin.

Alice pouted. They laughed.

"Yes, well you should have seen Bella. If it didn't meet her standards, she made you change until you got it right. Right, Anthony?" Chris asked in an amused voice.

Anthony turned, gave an 'I'll kill you.' Glare, and huffed.

His family laughed.

"What did you do, brother?" Renesmee asked with wicked humor.

He glared at the floor.

"I was annoying mom with some ripped jeans. End of story. Leave me alone." He snapped as he glared murderously at the floor.

"Aww…what did the floor do to you, little Tony?" Sarah teased him.

I glanced at my sister. She looked back with disgusted eyes.

I turned away.

"It looked at me, okay Aunt Sarah?" Anthony asked in biting sarcasm.

"Poor floor." Sarah said as she shook her head in amusement. Everyone in the room laughed.

Then, Bella came in.

"Okay. Allie said the Denali's arriving in about a half an hour." Bella said as she hid her smile.

"Wait. The Denali's? Our dear old friend Elezar and his family?" Carlisle asked with an excited smile.

Bella nodded. Carlisle smiled in response. "In the mean time; I assume you still have questions for me?" Bella guessed.

We nodded.

"Alright. Sit. On with it." Bella said with a sly smile.

So, the questions began again.

(Author's note: I don't think I'll understand why I wrote this like I did… I wrote these chapters a few years ago….believe me…I am trying to get with the story as much as you all are. Anywho… reviews make me get giant cheesy grins and inspiration to write more.

Ba-da-ba-ba-ba….please review it! )