BPOV

I can't believe Emmett told him my past. It's too soon and no one wants to be with an ex-drug addict. I don't even try to date anyone because of that reason. I'll be a loser when rejected. Why did Edward have to walk into my life? Even before we met I saw him in these visions or whatever they are. I was okay with being alone. Maybe what I see is a very delayed reaction to the drug use.

My bed started to shift. Why is he doing this? He isn't saying anything, which maybe he'll take the hint I don't want to see him… I don't want him to hurt me…break my heart.

I closed my eyes tightly only to feel him brush my tears away.

"I was engaged last year." He whispered kissing both sides of my cheeks. Huh? I slowly open my eyes and look right into his gorgeous green eyes. He was kneeling in front of me and had his head laying on my pillow. I could fell his sweet breath on my face.

"Edward, you don't…" I tried telling him. He didn't need to tell me anything to make me feel better.

"Please, let me tell you this. I want you to know everything about me." He said firmly yet with a tinge of gentleness to his voice.

Fine I can't say no to him. "What happened?"

"Two hours before the wedding I was at the church with my mother making sure the wedding planner had everything perfect… we heard noises coming from the confessional. I opened the door, Tanya and my Uncle Aro fell out."

"I'm sorry." I whispered running my fingers through his hair.

"I'm not. Tanya was a social climber…" he paused like he wanted to add more to that sentence. "I met her while in med school. My parents wanted me to marry someone else back then, but she got engaged. I think Rosalie felt bad so she introduced me to Tanya…" he sighed slightly lifting his head from the pillow. He stared at me contemplating something. Then surprised me by placing a soft kiss on my lips. "In order for me to tell you about Tanya I must explain Rosalie a bit. I've known Rosalie since she was born. We grew up together and absolutely despised each other. She was like the Paris Hilton of Chicago?"

"Paris Hilton?" I giggled.

"That's the best way to describe her. Though Rose has a little more class and tact… " He mused.

"Okay."

"During our college years she met Tanya. Tanya grew up in the slums of Chicago, but ran with the same people Rosalie did… They liked coke lines and pills." He whispered. He was waiting for my reaction.

"Oh." I breathed.

"I though was quiet and loved science. I was beat up in high school, and no one bothered me in college. I came home for winter break my second year of med school and met Tanya. She was loud and opinionated. Her temper was unbelievable; I didn't realize it till the end. She said after a year of dating she was over the drugs… "the childish shit". That's when I thought she was ready so I proposed. Everything was perfect in our lives until the wedding." He said in a monotone voice. "Apparently Rosalie found out my uncle was giving her money for her habit. Tanya just wanted the title Dr. Edward Cullen and my money." He finished, laying there just looking at me stroking my hair.

I lifted my hand and rubbed his stubble face. "What led you to Seattle?"

"I was humiliated and needed to leave Chicago. It was all over the papers. I didn't want that for my career. So my father pulled some strings with his old roommate from Berkley and made it possible for me to start my fellowship here."

"What happened to Tanya?" I asked quietly looking down.

"Last I heard was Aro got rid of her after my father threw him off the board of the Cullen Foundation."

I didn't know what to say. He had experience with drug addicts and liars. This only made me feel worse. How can he not have doubts about me? I closed my eyes I couldn't look at him.

"Bella I didn't tell you this to hurt you. I told you this so you can trust me."

"Why would you want to be with another addict?" I grumbled feeling my tears,

"You're not an addict." He sighed brushing my tears away. Again this unbelievable man was comforting me. With so much love?... in his eyes.

"I was…it was bad really bad and I wish I can tell you why, but I can't." I whispered nuzzling my nose against his. He made me feel safe.

"You don't have to tell me it all now. I just want your trust." He smiled sincerely and kissed my lips.

"Where did you come from?" I said in awe.

"Chicago." He grinned.

"Ah, so it seems I'm not the only smart ass."

"I've been known to have my moments." He chuckled winking at me.

"Hence why you were beaten up in high school." I pointed out.

"That and I was a massive nerd."

"How? You're gorgeous." I said incredulously. There was no way he didn't have girls falling at his feet.

"Thank you, but in high school a lanky and brooding… intellectual." He was choosing his words. Note to self I need to see pictures of him from high school.

"Just because you say intellectual doesn't mean you weren't a nerd." I giggled sticking my tongue out at him.

"Scoot over." He said standing up and slid under the covers with me. "You intimidate me." He said seriously.

"Me? Why?" I squeaked out in surprise.

"Look at you. You're brilliant and beautiful, Bella." He smiled pulling me closer to him.

"Edward, I'm very flawed." I sighed quietly.

"Let me be the judge of that. You really don't see yourself clearly." He said determined to show me what he meant. I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks.

"Do you have work today?" I asked taking the attention away from me. I leaned in and started to kiss his neck.

"Hmm…No-not until in the morning." He stammered.

"Stay until you need to go?" I pleaded sucking on his earlobe.

"Another sleepover?" he breathed, running his up the back of my shirt.

"Yes please."

"I don't think I'll ever be able to deny that face." He chuckled kissing me deeply.

"Now I know your weakness." I giggled breathlessly.

"You'll always be my weakness, Bella." He whispered looking intensely into my eyes.

I couldn't stop crying. My parents were gone and now I was alone. The rain poured down on me and all I could do was love the numbing feeling of the cold. I felt his arms around me.

"Iz. go home with me." He pleaded brushing the wet strands out of my face.

"They're gone." I sniffled leaning into him.

"I know." He sighed kissing the side of my head.

"I will never see them again, Edward." I whispered looking up into his green eyes. Those eyes have made me feel safe since we were children.

"Mother wants you to come home, Iz."

"Home?" I asked. I didn't have a home. My parents were dead and I was orphaned.

"We want you with us…" He said softly.

"You are my home now?" I said with hope.

"Always." He smiled that familiar crooked grin.

"Forever." I stated reaching up kissing his cheek.

And at age fourteen I fell in love with Edward Masen.