Here is chapter ten. Told you I would update quicker than last time, this chapter is also longer and more happens so I hope it makes up for it. Enjoy.

Chapter Ten
Happy Birthday

It had been three days since I had found out about Jacob and Leah and not a lot had changed.

Jacob had woken up when Charlie arrived home and he gave me a kiss on the cheek, which I reluctantly allowed him to do, after he had looked at another text he had received and said Billy wanted him home. Liar.

I made Charlie dinner then went up to bed and texted Edward throughout the night. I told him that I hadn't told Jake about us and explained my reasoning. He understood.

In fact, he was fuming at Jacob for cheating on me despite our own relationship behind Jake's back.

"That fucking asshole," Edward had growled down the phone after he rang me – he seemed to feel that a text wouldn't convey his anger so opted for calling instead. "I'll fucking kill him the little fucker."

"Edward, calm down, it's fine." I told him, "I'm really not bothered about it."

I could hear the frown in his voice, "Bella, how the hell can you be fine with this? He fucked some other girl while he's meant to be with you."

"I don't feel anything for Jacob, that's probably why I couldn't care less. I mean, I guess the whole lying thing pissed me off a little, but aside from that," I shrugged. "Besides, what we're doing isn't exactly innocent."

I heard him sigh on the other end but he chuckled when I said in a playful warning, "Now you on the other hand, you cheat on me and you'll never have kids. That's a promise."

"What about a shirt or something?" Rose asked as we walked around the shops in Port Angeles on Thursday after school. I'd told Charlie I was staying at school late because I needed to use the library for the project which needed to be handed in tomorrow.

It was Edward's birthday on Saturday which was how I found myself with Rose trying to figure out what to get him. He had told me he didn't want anything but I wasn't about to just completely ignore his birthday. I wanted to get him something special, something that was really thoughtful and meant something to him. After all the wonderful things he had done for me I thought he deserved at least that much.

"No, too boring." I murmured, glancing in shop windows as we passed.

"Maybe a watch or something like that?"

I grimaced, "Too expensive. Well, a nice watch would be too expensive, anyway." I wanted to get him something special but I wasn't exactly made of money.

"Does he like movies?"

"I suppose. He's more of a book person."

"So get him a book."

I shook my head, "No, that's too simple. It doesn't say that I've thought about it."

Rosalie groaned, throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation, "Bella, you're being impossible. Why did you bring me along to help you if you're not going to listen to me?"

I shrugged, "Because my truck won't be ready for me until tomorrow and I didn't want to come to Port Angeles by myself." I smirked at her glare, "I'm not trying to be difficult I just…I'll know his gift when I see it."

She sighed, "Again, why did you bring me along?"

I laughed, "I thought I just told you."

She shoved me playfully and due to my clumsiness I almost crashed into the door of a music shop. I gasped, of course. "Let's go in here." I grabbed Rosalie's hand and dragged her inside.

I wandered around while Rose headed straight to the CDs.

I loved it when Edward played his piano, especially when he wrote his own compositions. He always played the one he wrote for me and he also played ones he had written for Katie and Esme. There was another he had written, it was a melancholy tune and it was so heart breaking and full of longing it made me cry.

"Who inspired that one?" I had asked him softly, taking in his slightly pained expression though he tried to hide it. His eyes had lost some of their light.

"Someone I never met." He had whispered quietly before shaking himself out of his thoughts and played Chopsticks for my amusement.

The light returned to his eyes but he seemed a little subdued the rest of the day and I agonised over his answer wondering what on earth he could mean.

As I browsed around the shop I came across some A4 sized large books. I picked up a beautiful leather bound one and flicked it open to find blank sheets of music and plain pages beside them for lyrics.

A man who worked in the shop came over to me, "Do you need any help?" He asked.

"Yes, how much is this?"

"That would be twenty dollars. For twenty-five we can engrave your name on the front in gold."

This was it. I'd told Rose when I saw it I'd know it. "How long would that take?"

"We could do it now and you could come back and collect it in an hour."

I nodded, "Please."

I had him engrave Music By Edward Anthony Cullen on the front of the book. Rosalie came over to where I was by the counter, paying for it when my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket and smiled when I saw Bad Boy light up the screen.

I'll have you know I'm writing up our project. I'm only doing it because you'd probably keel over if you failed. Xx

I giggled shaking my head, he was doing it for me. I sent a quick reply and was about to slip my phone back into my pocket when my screensaver caught my eye and another idea hit me.

I left my name with the guy at the counter and pulled Rose out of the shop, dialling Edward's home number and thanking god it was his mother who picked up and not him.

"Esme, I need your help."

It was Friday evening. The last night of my punishment and I was ecstatic. This meant that I could see Edward tomorrow for his birthday and Charlie could do nothing about it. Not that I would tell him I was going to see Edward, of course, but he couldn't stop me if I said I was going to see friends. Edward was a friend…sort of. His sister thought of me as her friend anyway. Edward loved how she called me "her best friend Bewwa"!

And not only was it the last night of my grounding but I also had my truck back which meant I didn't have to rely on others for lifts meaning it would be much easier to go and see Edward without him having to come and pick my up just to drive back home again.

Charlie and I had just finished eating dinner when the phone rang. "I'll get it." I told Charlie. As if he'd move away from the television when there was a game on, anyway.

"Hello?" I greeted.

A throat cleared on the other end of the line and the voice that reached my ears shocked me beyond belief. "Bella? This is Carlisle Cullen, Edward's father."

"Oh…um, hi…what can I do for you?" I stuttered.

"Bella I would like to invite you over to our house tomorrow morning for Edward's birthday." Wow. Well, this was a complete one eighty. The last time he had spoken to me he was warning me to stay away from his son and now he was inviting me over to spend more time with him.

"But…Edward told me that birthday mornings are a family thing?" This was true. Edward asked to see me later on in the day and had said that the mornings of birthdays were spent with family. It was a tradition.

"Well…you're practically family now aren't you?" At my stunned silence he said, "I'm sure it would make Edward happy."

"I, well, of course. Yes, I'll come over."

"Good. Thank you. I shall see you tomorrow. Good evening, Bella."

I was hardly able to utter a goodbye before he hung up. Now if that wasn't the weirdest phone conversation of my life then I didn't know what was.

Seeing as Carlisle was the one to call me and not Edward himself I assumed I was meant to be a surprise, so during our nightly text messaging conversations – which always turned into late night phone calls – I didn't mention to Edward that I would be round his house that very morning. Not even when he said he couldn't wait to see me, though I did blush and my heart did soar at his words.

I fell asleep that night with a happy smile on my face, a frequent occurrence due to Edward's presence in my life.

Saturday morning I skipped out the door with Edward's present in my hand calling over my shoulder to Charlie that I was going to Alice's. He didn't question it only improving my good mood despite the early hour.

Instead of knocking on Edward's front door I read a note that was placed by the doorbell that said Bella, door's open. I smiled and tiptoed inside. I heard voices coming from the kitchen so headed in that direction.

Edward had his back to the door, sitting on one of stools at the breakfast bar while he laughed and watched as Katie tried to convince Esme to let her have a slice of early birthday cake. Carlisle was no where to be seen. I laughed as she tried to use her puppy dog eyes and pout that Edward had taught her and he spun round on the stool to see me stood in the doorway.

A smile brightened up his face as he stood to greet me, his arms wrapping around me as he spun me round, his forehead pressed to mine.

"Happy birthday," I giggled, kissing him softly.

I felt him smile into the kiss, "Thank you baby." He set me down on my feet and took my face gently in his hands, brushing his nose sweetly against mine. "This is a nice surprise."

I shrugged and watched him closely as I murmured, "Your dad invited me."

Edward's eyes widened, "He did?"

I nodded with a smile, hoping that this was Carlisle's way of trying to fix whatever was wrong with his and Edward's relationship. I hoped he would continue to do so until it was repaired because I hated the look that Edward got in his eye when his dad was around. It was so pained and hurt though he tried to hide it as best he could and it quickly disappeared when he quickly threw up his walls in defence. The walls became harder and stronger when he watched Carlisle interact with Katie. I knew Edward would never begrudge his little sister anything but I could see the hurt in his eyes when this would happen and he would retreat to his piano.

"Bewwa!" A little voice cried and Katie came rushing over to me, shoving Edward out of the way as best she could and wrapped her arms around my legs.

"Hey there, pretty girl," I laughed, lifting her into my arms. "Managed to get a piece of that birthday cake yet?"

She huffed, "No."

Edward chuckled and ruffled her hair, pulling her out of my arms and throwing her playfully in the air.

"Eddie!" She squealed, "What dat for?"

Edward laughed, "Bella's my friend and it's my birthday meaning I want to play with her and you can't hog her today." He put her down and wrapped his arms around me again as she stuck her tongue out of him.

Esme rolled her eyes at her children though a grin lit up her face, "Alright, that's enough. I'm sure Bella would like a break from the pair of you fighting to win her attention. Would you like anything to drink, Bella, dear?" She asked as Edward pulled me gently by my hand to sit down next to him and pulled my stool closer to his.

I laughed at his actions, "Hmm, a cup of coffee would be much appreciated, I wasn't planning on getting up so early." It was a Saturday after all and I had thought I'd be seeing Edward a lot later than this before I received Carlisle's call.

Edward kissed my cheek, "Wasn't it worth getting up early to see me on my birthday? The best day of the year, the anniversary of my birth." He grinned cockily.

"Haha, maybe I should answer that once I've drunk my coffee." I patted his cheek and Esme laughed.

We all sat for a while just talking and laughing at Edward's expense. Esme was telling us some very amusing stories of Edward and his younger years when she stood, "I'm going to see where your father's got to and we can open some presents."

She left the room as Katie squealed, "Presents! I open dem, too?"

Edward laughed, "You want to open my birthday presents?"

"Uh-huh." She nodded, seeing nothing wrong with her idea.

I pressed a kiss to Edward's cheek, "I'm just going to the bathroom."

I passed the study as I made my way to the bathroom and couldn't help but hear the raised voices and notice the suitcase by the door as I approached. I was about to rush to the bathroom, not wanting to be rude but what was being said had caught my attention and I couldn't help myself.

"-Carlisle, it's his birthday," Esme was saying.

Carlisle sighed, "Esme, there's nothing I can d-"

"Nothing you can do?" She interrupted, "I'll give you something to do. Just for once, could you put your son first? Your relationship with Edward is strained enough as it is. You're never there for him, Carlisle." There was a pause before she snapped, "Don't look at me like that, you know it's the truth. I really thought this year was going to be different, I really thought you were making an effort to improve your relationship with your son. But no, I thought wrong, once again. Because every time I think you're moving forward you go running back to your job."

There was another pause and I heard some movement before she continued, her voice rising and becoming angrier with every word, "If anything I should be the one angry with Edward, but I never was, Carlisle. Not for a second. It was you who blamed him for the accident and ever since then you've hardly even looked at him."

Carlisle went to say something but again Esme stopped him, "Don't try to defend yourself Carlisle and don't you dare try to deny it. You don't look at him, you hardly talk to him and when you do it's to criticise or complain." I could hear the tears in her voice, "The only ever time he becomes himself again, in this house, is when he's with Katie. But you take that away from him. You pull her out of his arms and away from him as though he's going to hurt her. And he sees it, Carlisle, he knows you're trying to protect her from him. The look in his eyes when he sees you playing with her and talking to her-"

She broke off and took a deep breath as though trying to regain her composure. When she spoke again it was softer and calmer but there was fury underlying her words that was directed at Carlisle and she sounded almost deadly.

"You know, one of these days you're going to come to your senses and it's going to be too late because Edward won't want to know. He won't want anything to do with you after everything you've put him through. And to be brutally honest, Carlisle, I wouldn't blame him."

I heard footsteps and I rushed into the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind me so I wouldn't get caught.

I was in shock. Complete and total shock. I knew Edward's relationship with his dad wasn't perfect but I had thought it was the typical teenager vs. parents thing and was due to Edward's rebellious behaviour. I hadn't thought that Carlisle might have been the reason for Edward's hard and cold, let-no-one-in exterior.

It seemed that this accident, whatever it was, and Carlisle's blaming Edward for it was the reason Esme had been missing her son all this time.

I sighed, shaking my head. I would think about all this later. Right now was more important as was Edward's sure to be disappointment at Carlisle leaving on his birthday. He was sure to be disappointed, especially after having thought Carlisle had done such a nice thing for him as to invite me over on what was meant to be the traditional family time. Though it sounded as though that tradition hadn't been kept up for a while – for Edward's birthday at least. Then I had a sinking suspicion, due to Esme's words, that I could have been right. That Carlisle was there for birthdays, for Esme's and Katie's, just not for Edward's.

I made my way back downstairs to find Edward and Katie in the living room waiting for the rest of us. Katie was sprawled out on the couch, giggling at something Edward had said from his position in the armchair.

He smiled happily at me as I stood by the doorway and I tried to smile back. It was very weak and probably came off more as a grimace than a smile. But I just felt sick to my stomach at what I knew was to come.

Esme and Carlisle followed me in, Esme stood behind the couch glaring at her husband who had his hands buried in his pockets and was looking at the floor.

"Edward," Esme said, "Your father has something he wants to say to you."

Edward looked to his dad and his smile turned to a look of confusion, "Dad?" The word sounded strange coming from Edward's mouth, much like the first time he had apologised to me.

"I, err," Carlisle cleared his throat, "Dr. Langbridge paged me."

I watched as Edward's eyes travelled to the suitcase that Carlisle had placed down by his own feet then back up to his father. His face suddenly cleared off all emotion, I watched as the walls came up around him and he didn't even look disappointed. He was calm. I didn't like that at all.

"You've got to go to Seattle." It wasn't a question, just a statement. His voice was smooth and portrayed not even a hint of anger.

Carlisle nodded, "I'm sorry." He said gruffly but there was no sincerity at all. It was almost forced, like Esme had told him to say it.

"Don't be," Edward muttered, "I can't say I'm surprised."

I gasped, Edward was disappointed, I could just about make out the pain in his eyes but his face was smooth and calm and patient. He wasn't angry though because he had expected it, and that was a thousand times worse.

Edward glanced over at me when I gasped and understanding washed over his features and the first hint of anger shone through his calmness but he reigned it in. "That's why you invited Bella, wasn't it? To soften me up."

It was Esme's turn to gasp as she stared at her husband in shock. Carlisle said nothing and Edward turned his attention to the television that Katie had turned on in the background but her eyes were on Edward and she had a small, sad frown on her face, like she didn't know what was going on but knew for whatever reason that her big brother was upset.

Carlisle looked at his watch as though this conversation was boring him. I silently cursed him. "I have to go," he said picking up his suitcase, "I'll be back in a couple of days." He said to Esme, she ignored him, before he turned to Edward again and he said shortly, "Have a, err, nice birthday." Then he was gone.

Edward sighed heavily, his attention still fixed on the television, when Katie hopped off the sofa and moved to climb onto Edward's lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek before snuggling into his chest. Looked like she could see through her brother's shield as well as I could.

Esme kissed the top of Edward's head, caressing his face as she passed into the kitchen.

I slowly made my way over to the siblings to sit on the arm of the chair. I squeezed his shoulder, brushing my finger along his jaw line and he looked up at me with a small smile. I kissed him tenderly and he pulled me tighter to him with the one arm he had wrapped around my waist. I rested my forehead against his.

"You okay?" I whispered.

He nodded, his eyes shut, just relishing in our closeness.

"Eww," Katie giggled, pulling us apart, "Stop be all kissy."

We couldn't help but grin and I was pleased to see some light return to Edward's dull eyes but there was something behind them that just didn't return.

"Can we open presents now?" Katie asked bashing her eyelids. She was going to be a little heartbreaker that was for sure.

Edward nodded and she skipped off singing, "Momma, we would wike the presents now!"

Edward pulled me into his lap and buried his face in my neck, "Can we go to the meadow later?" He breathed.

I nodded, pulling him closer and holding him tight, "Yeah, we haven't been there in a while."

He looked up, giving me a kiss when Esme and Katie came back in, carrying a pile of presents and cards.

Edward opened them all with the help of Katie, of course, and she demanded where my one was.

Esme scolded her but I shook my head with a smile, "It's in my truck."

"Can you get it pwease?"

Esme said, "Bella's going to give it to Edward later." Then she distracted her completely, "How about we have some lunch and then we can have some cake?"

Katie jumped up with a squeal, clapping her hands.

After dinner and of course, after the cake, we wouldn't have heard the end of it from Katie if we didn't, Edward and I went to the meadow.

He was quiet the entire way there and held my hand in his free one as he drove. He was subdued until we reached the meadow.

"Do you want your present?" I asked, biting my lip. I was nervous, not sure if he would like it.

He nodded with a smile as he pulled me down onto the blanket we had brought with us. I pulled on his hoodie, I had stole after he had lent it to me at the theme park, it was getting a little chilly.

Okay, so I was stalling, I was just really nervous.

I handed it over to him and he took it with a smile, tearing at the wrapping paper to find the leather bound book with his name engraved on the front. "Open it." I murmured. He did as I asked and gasped. On the opposite side of the cover of the book I had made a collage of pictures. They included the ones of us when we went to the theme park, some of him with his parents at a much younger age – whatever had gone on between him and Carlisle must not have happened yet because they were both beaming at the camera, happily. There were many photos of Edward with Katie, beautiful sweet ones that took my breath away.

"Esme helped me." I muttered nervously when he didn't say anything.

He was running his hand over the note I had written on the first blank page of the book.

Edward,

Happy Birthday!

I hope you like this, I just wanted you to have a place to keep your most beautiful pieces of music. I love to hear you play and sing and thought you should write down your cherished pieces and songs that I love so much.

All my love,

Forever Yours

Bella

Yeah, I had indirectly basically told him I loved him and that I was his forever if he wanted me. I swallowed thickly as he traced the words silently, an intense expression on his face.

"If you don't like it I can take it back," I shook my head of course I couldn't, not only did it have his name engraved on it but it had photos stuck in the front and a message from me, "Well, I can't take it back but you don't have to keep it. It's a stupid present, you don't have to write your songs and stuff in it if you don't want to I mean-"

He captured my lips in a kiss that was tender and full of fierce desperation. Desperation for what I didn't know but when he reluctantly pulled back I could see how vulnerable he was and I didn't know why.

"Silly girl," he murmured with a small smile, "I love it. Thank you. It's the best gift I've ever been given."

I frowned, "Then what's the matter?"

"Bella," he whispered, his eyes pained, with his frowning brow and mouth. He shook his head, tracing over the words again.

"I do," I breathed watching his hand, he looked up in question and I murmured, "I do lo-"

He shook his head furiously, "No Bella, you don't, you can't."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and blinked away the traitorous tears, I looked away.

"Oh god, Bella, no, I didn't mean…I lo-I feel the same way about you but," he shook his head pulling at his hair, "You shouldn't…feel that for me, Bella. I'm not good for you. You don't know what I'm capable of." He continued to shake his head, biting his lip and I became angry.

His words reminded me of Carlisle's warning and I hated that Edward thought this of himself too. It felt like he was letting Carlisle win and I wouldn't let him do that after I had fought for him.

"No Edward." I said furiously, the anger evident in my voice, Edward tensed, "I'm not going to let you do this I'm not going to let you put up those fucking walls again so you can shut me out. I'm not going to let you do it."

"There are things you don't know about me, Bella. Bad things. I'm not a good person." He whispered into his knees.

I moved so I was sat between his legs and pulled his hands away from his face, holding them tight in one hand and caressed his face with the other. I was shocked to find his cheek wet and when he looked up his eyes were full of such agony my chest hurt.

"Edward," I gasped leaning forward so my forehead was pressed to his, trying to comfort him in any way I could. I knew this was it, I was about to find out why he let nobody in. "Talk to me," I breathed.

He bit his lip closing his eyes tight as though praying this wasn't happening. When he opened them they were truly open, I'd never seen them in such a way before. He was letting me in, opening himself up to me, making himself completely vulnerable. He looked scared.

"I don't want to lose you." His hand gripped mine tightly, his eyes desperate and terrified.

"You won't lose me, please," I shook my head, "Please Edward, let me help you. Tell me."

He shook his head, "Don't make promises you can't keep. When I tell you, you won't want anything to do with me and I can't blame you. I hate myself too. But I'm selfish, I can't stand the thought of losing you even if letting you go is the right thing to do."

His eyes closed again. "Edward?"

He took a deep breath before looking up at me with a gaze that shattered my heart. This could not be good.

"Bella," he whispered. "I killed my little brother."

Dun dun duuuuun! :D I know, talk about a cliffhanger, right?

Now who saw that coming?

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