Disclaimer: I still don't own Twilight.

A/N: I know this took forever to post, but I lost my steam halfway through the chapter. Sorry for the long wait. I hope it was worth it. You get a little bit of an angry Edward in this chapter though. So, enjoy!

Thanks again to all my fans.

EPOV

I was weaving in and out of afternoon traffic, in the company of the woman I love, as I made my way back to my apartment for a change of clothes. I showered at Bella's but a black suit was not exactly proper attire for lunch at the diner.

I looked over at the beautiful woman sitting next to me, who was currently looking out the window, watching the passersby mull around on the streets of Seattle. She nervously pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and began gnawing at it, her fingers fidgeting restlessly in her lap.

Placing a calming hand on hers, I said, "Bella, they're going to love you. Please don't be nervous." I hoped my words were reassuring, but I couldn't tell.

She looked up at me and gave me a halfhearted smile. "I'm sorry, I've just never had to meet a boyfriend's parents before. My ex and I grew up together, so I already knew his parents." She winced as she brought up her ex-husband, obviously worried that it would bother me. I didn't want her to feel like she had to walk around on egg shells around me. Her prior marriage didn't bother me, and I needed her to know that.

"It's alright, love. You don't have to tip toe around the subject. Being a divorcee is not a crime." I smiled. "Besides, your mine now, and that's all that matters." I cemented my words with a kiss on the back of her hand.

She smiled and continued speaking, not skipping a beat. "It's just that, I've never had to try to impress parents before. I hope they like me."

"Trust me, they're going to be enraptured by you." I looked pointedly at her, raising an eyebrow, and teased, "You don't realize the kind of power you have over people, do you?"

She rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the window. "I think you're biased, Edward," she said.

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean it's any less true."

"Whatever you say," she said, as I pulled into my parking garage.

We walked through the lobby, passing some of my neighbors who I had yet to become acquainted with, and rode the elevator to my floor. As I stopped in front of the door to my apartment, I realized that my place was still a mess. Having spent all my time with Bella for the past week, I had completely neglected unpacking. I couldn't believe that the first time I bring her to my apartment it looks like it does.

Way to impress her, Edward, I thought sarcastically.

I turned to her with an impish grin. "Umm…...Bella? My place isn't exactly in order," I said sheepishly.

"Edward, I don't care what your apartment looks like," she said.

"You may change your mind once you see it," I said, letting go of her hand to unlock the door.

I slid the key into the lock and as I turned it I said, "I haven't exactly been unpacking since I moved here." And with that I opened my door to a disaster area. There were boxes piled everywhere, paintings and picture frames scattered all over the floor against the walls, and empty bookshelves and tables, waiting to be filled.

Her eyes were wide as she walked slowly into my apartment.

"Edward, there are dozens of boxes here. How do you live like this? Why haven't you unpacked yet?"

I strode up next to her with my hands in my pockets, feeling like a three year-old being reprimanded by his teacher. "I haven't gotten around to it just yet."

"Why not?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I've been with you," I said simply.

She turned to me, raising her eyebrows. "That's not a good excuse, Edward." But she smiled up at me regardless. "But seeing as how I'm partly the reason for this mess, I guess I'll just have to help you with it."

I raised an eyebrow at her questioningly.

She slid her arms around my back and leaned into me, drawing circles on my back with her finger. I shivered in response to her touch, and wound my arms around her, pulling her closer. Even through the fabric of my shirt, her touch still sent my body into overdrive. "After we see your parents, we're spending the day organizing and unpacking," she said, looking up at me through her lashes.

"But that won't be any fun. It'll be a waste of a perfectly good day," I pouted.

She leaned up and kissed the tip of my nose. "You really need to get this done, and I won't let you put it off any longer," she said firmly.

I sighed heavily. "But we could be spending this rare sunny day outside, enjoying the warm weather," I reasoned, drawing her attention to the window.

She glanced briefly at the window and turned back to me, shaking her head. She clearly wasn't budging on the matter. She pulled me down to her level by the collar of my shirt and whispered in my ear, "I promise I'll make it fun." Her voice was sultry and so damn unbelievably sexy, that there was no way I could refuse an offer like that. I guess we were staying in today.

I growled and pulled her to me roughly, claiming her lips with mine. "You shouldn't keep making promises like that. You remember what happened this morning. If you keep up, we'll never be leaving the apartment."

She smiled as she pulled away from me, her delicate skin now flushed and overheated. "I like the sound of that," she breathed. "But before we seclude ourselves to this apartment, why don't you get changed. We need to get going."

I leaned in and began kissing her neck, blazing a trail from the spot below her ear to the base of her neck. I slowly slid her cardigan off her shoulder, revealing her creamy skin to my eyes. I began inching the offending strap of her tank top away from her shoulder as I kissed and nipped my way along. "No," I mumbled into her skin. "We're not going anywhere."

She brought her hands up to my hair and began massaging my scalp. "Edward," she panted, "We really need to be going." Her voice was low and rough, and she barely able to get her words out. "You're parents are waiting for us."

Well, that was a mood killer. Did she have to mention my parents?

"Fine," I heaved, pulling away from my new favorite spot on her body. "But we're picking this up again later."

We were parked outside our destination and Bella's anxiety had only grown the closer we got to the diner. After reassuring her that everything would be fine, she reluctantly removed herself from the car.

I held her hand tightly in mine, as we walked through the parking lot. I once again marveled at her beauty. She looked lovely today. Her hair was down and flowing over her shoulders, the sun from the day was bouncing off her locks, reflecting bits of red off the rich, chocolate brown. She was wearing a red tank top, with a white cardigan, and dark blue jeans. The outfit was so simple, but she looked extravagant. Her porcelain skin glowed against the vibrant color of her shirt. Her beauty was heart stopping, and I felt a sudden surge of pride at the thought that this Goddess of a woman was mine; that she loved me.

Like a gentleman, I opened the door for her as she stepped into the crowded diner. I saw my mother waving her hand at me excitedly and I led Bella through the hoards of people to the corner of the restaurant. As we approached the table I noticed a rather stunned Alice sitting near the window. She was openly gaping at Bella like a fish out of water. What was she doing here, and why was she staring at Bella like that?

I turned to my mother and gave her a quick hug. "I didn't know Alice was going to be here," I said.

"Oh, well, she called and we invited her along. You know your sister. She couldn't wait to meet Bella either," she said.

She turned to the woman in question, not waiting for introductions. "You must be Bella. It's so nice to finally meet you," she beamed, pulling Bella into a warm, motherly hug.

Bella seemed a bit shell shocked at first, but returned the gesture. "It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Cullen."

My mother waved a hand around airily and said, "Please, call me Esme, dear."

"All right, Esme," she said softly. She was trying to hold in her smile, already immediately taken with my mother. She did have that kind of affect on people.

I gestured toward Carlisle. "This is my step-father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen."

She took his outstretched hand without hesitation. "It's a pleasure. Edward has told me so much about you."

He smiled broadly at her, shaking her hand gently. "All good I hope."

"Yes, all good, I assure you," she laughed.

"Well, Bella," he said, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. We've been trying to get Edward to tell us anything about you, anything at all, but he refuses. Afraid he'll jinx it or something," he said teasingly, throwing me a quick wink. "Though, I see why he would want to keep you all to himself."

Bella blushed furiously, and I rolled my eyes and groaned. My mother laughed lightly, swatting Carlisle playfully on the arm. "Quit flirting," my mother teased. "Why would she want an old man like you, anyway?"

He pulled my mother against his chest and gazed into her eyes. "I'm not old," he countered, with a sly smile, "I'm aged to perfection." He then kissed her sweetly on the lips, lingering a bit longer than deemed socially appropriate.

Bella laughed lightly at their display of affection and leaned into me, grabbing my hand lovingly. I too couldn't help smiling at the affection they still had for each other. Even after all these years, they were still madly in love, though sometimes, their blatant displays of said love made my siblings and I want to vomit.

I cleared my throat obnoxiously at them. "Alright you two, save it for the bedroom. I would prefer not to have to gauge out my eyes later, if you don't mind."

They laughed at my discomfort and stole a few more kisses before taking their seats, where they continued to act like teenagers at a high school prom.

I then turned to my sister, who was still uncharacteristically quiet. "And this is my sister, Alice. Apparently, she has forgotten how to speak."

Bella held out her hand. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Alice."

Alice shook her head, as if ridding herself of a thought, and hastily got up from her chair. She grabbed Bella's extended hand and shook it, her face still shocked. "Likewise."

I found it quite strange that my sister didn't immediately throw herself into Bella's arms, demanding that they go shopping as soon as humanly possible. I thought briefly that perhaps she did not like Bella for some reason. I don't know how she could not, though. She only just met her today.

I pulled Bella's chair out for her as she sat down – my mother smiling proudly as I did so - and took my seat beside her, settling my arm comfortably on her shoulder.

"So, Alice, I didn't realize you would be here, where is Jas-" But before I could finish my sentence she rudely cut me off.

"He couldn't make it today," she said quickly, while watching Bella intently out of the corner of her eye. "He had a test to study for."

What the hell was her problem? Why was she acting so strangely today?

"Oh, how is he handling medical school, sweetie?" my mother asked. "It must be tough balancing a job, med school and a new wife. Poor Jas-" But again, Alice cut my mother off before she could finish speaking.

"Yes, it's very difficult for him. But he's handling it well," she said. But this time, she wouldn't even look at Bella. It was as if she were avoiding her gaze.

I had never seen Alice like this before. What was going on?

Bella seemed a little confused by my sister's behavior, and I couldn't blame her. I was confused myself. I remembered telling Bella that she was a very hyper person, but this was a whole new side of Alice; one that I never expected. She was being evasive and distant. She was not the bubbly pixie that I was used to. Her demeanor was very stiff and cold, which was very unlike her.

"That's right, you're recently married," Bella said, trying to start some light conversation. "Congratulations! Edward mentioned it, but we never discussed it any further. How long have you been with your husband?"

Hesitantly, Alice answered her question. "We've only been married for a few months, but we've known each other a lot longer."

"How did you meet?" Bella inquired further. Her eyes sparkled with her interest. Even though Bella was a woman scorned, she seemed to enjoy a good love story.

"At work."

"That's right, I think Edward mentioned that. You're a teacher, correct?" Bella tried desperately to get my sister to open up, but for some reason Alice was proving quite difficult today. You never had to work this hard to get Alice to talk, especially about her and Jasper.

Alice gave a small smile. "Yes."

I noticed Bella's face fall at my sister's reluctance to answer in more than a few words.

"So, you're husband's a teacher as well, then?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

I was growing increasingly annoyed at my sister. What the hell was her problem with Bella? Why was she being so difficult? Bella was just trying to be friendly. Couldn't she at least try - for me?

I should have told Bella more about my sister, but our relationship hasn't been what it used to be since she married Jasper. I told Bella a few things about Alice, but I grazed over her marriage and how she met her husband. I was ashamed of the way the two of them got together, and especially after learning about Bella's divorce, I couldn't bring myself to tell her about the way my sister met Jasper. Jasper. His name echoed in my head, and suddenly, everything fell into place.

Ho-ly shit!

I felt my body stiffen at my sudden epiphany. This can't be happening. I don't know why I never made the connection before. I should have realized last night, but I didn't. My main concern was comforting Bella when she was telling me about her past. And I was so focused on making the evening as romantic as possible that I never made the connection when she said her ex-husband's name - Jasper.

She said her husband's name was Jasper, and that he had left her for another woman…..my sister. Fuck me. I felt the rage bubbling within me at the understanding that my sister was the cause of Bella's heartache. That Jasper had hurt Bella so deeply. How could they do that to her?

I ground my teeth together furiously and narrowed my eyes. Carlisle looked at me from across the table with concern and gave me an inquiring look. I gave him a curt nod, letting him know I was okay, and then turned to my sister.

"So, Alice, what is your new last name, or have you decided to keep your maiden name?" Bella asked.

It was a perfectly reasonable and innocent question, but the answer could be devastating to Bella and our newfound relationship. I was unsure as to how she would react to such news. Would she hate me because my sister was the reason for her failed marriage? Would she never want to see me again? My heart ached at that sudden thought. She was such a huge part of my life already, that I didn't know what I would do if she ever left me. When I thought about a life without Bella, I couldn't even breathe. It was a future too painful to imagine.

"Ummm……" my sister said. But before she would be forced to answer, I interrupted.

"Alice, may I speak to you for a moment, please? There is something in my car that I wanted to get your opinion on, and I'm afraid that if we don't do it now, I will forget." I said, casually.

She let out a sigh and nodded, relieved. "Of course, Edward."

"Right now?" my mother asked.

I nodded at my mother. "We'll only be a minute." I kissed Bella's hand, apologizing with my eyes for leaving her alone with my parents after only just meeting them. "We'll be right back. I promise." She gave me a small smile in return, and nodded.

Alice and I walked swiftly out to my car, and upon reaching it Alice turned to me and said, "So what did you need to show me?"

She stepped back at the murderous scowl on my face, not expecting such sudden anger to erupt in me. "Edward, what's wrong?" she asked concerned.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? I don't know, Alice, you tell me? What could possibly be wrong with the current situation that we have found ourselves in?" I asked angrily, my voice rising to a dangerous level.

It took a moment for her to register what I was saying. "How did you know?" she asked in a whisper, the shock clearly written on her face.

I began pacing back and forth in front of her, my head low and my hands balled into fists. "I just figured it out, Alice," I seethed. "Last night Bella told me about her ex-husband, Jasper." I said his name with such malice she recoiled from the sound. "At first I didn't make the connection, because I was more concerned with her; making sure she was okay. Comforting her in her time of need and vulnerability." I turned to her then, stopping my frantic movements. "She was so upset she could barely talk about it, Alice. Do you know what you two did to her?" Without waiting for an answer, I continued. "But today everything just clicked." I laughed without humor, everything finally catching up with me. I felt like I was going insane. My whole world was crashing down on me, and I was slowly losing it.

"You kept skirting around Jasper's name, obviously not wanting Bella to realize who you were. You could barely speak to her, not even able to look her in the eye," I fumed.

I could see the tears begin to well in her eyes. I felt a twinge of guilt for yelling at her, but I couldn't help the sudden anger that flared within me. My first and only priority at the moment was Bella. My Bella.

"I'm so sorry, Edward."

I glared at her, my rage not subsiding in the least. Her apology only fueled the fire burning within me.

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to!" I yelled. She flinched at my tone, as the first tear fell from her eye. I was only vaguely aware of the elderly couple walking past us, but I paid them no mind as they got into their car and left. They could give me all the dirty looks they wanted. I was positive that if they knew the reason I was yelling at my sister, they would approve of my behavior; maybe even throw her the disapproving glares.

"Do you have any idea how much you two hurt her? Any idea?" I bellowed. "It's bad enough that I knew you were seeing a married man; I'd told you repeatedly how I felt about it. But now, I find out that the marriage you destroyed was Bella's. The woman you hurt was the woman that I love." My voice caught with my last statement, as my heart clenched in pain at the realization that I could possibly lose Bella over this. "How could you?" I whispered to her, finally losing steam.

She looked at me shocked. "You love her?" she asked in awe.

"That is not the point, Alice," I snapped. Why couldn't she stay on track?

She walked up to me slowly, placing a gentle hand on my arm. "You love her? But you've only known her for a week."

I turned to her, my face warm with my fury. "Are you seriously judging my relationship? Of all people, you're judging me?" I said, my jaw taut with my anger.

She pulled her hand back, as if my words had burned her. "I wasn't judging," she said, as she turned away from me. "I'm happy for you, Edward. I'm just surprised it happened so fast. You've never been like this over a woman before."

I sighed, but my anger had not vanished. "I'm sorry I snapped at you, Alice, but you have to understand where I'm coming from," I said. "This is going to destroy Bella." I ran my hands through my hair, pulling at my locks.

"I really am sorry," she whispered. I knew she was. I didn't doubt the sincerity of her words, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her right now. I was disgusted that my own sister was the reason for Bella's heartache.

"I want you to leave," I said softly, looking towards the diner, imagining Bella talking animatedly with my parents at this very moment, her lips turned up into that radiant smile of hers.

"What," Alice choked out.

I turned to her, looking at her, but not quite meeting her eyes. "I want you to go back into the diner, make an excuse, and leave. I will talk to you about this another time." I tried my best to remain as calm as possible, but I was very near to exploding. I would need to calm myself down before I went back in there.

She nodded resignedly, and began her sullen trek back to the diner.

"Alice," I said. She turned to look at me, her eyes still glistening with her tears. "I will be wanting to talk to Jasper as well," I said menacingly.

Once we got back to our table, Alice informed my parents and Bella that she forgot about some papers that needed to be graded, and that she wouldn't be joining us for lunch after all. She voiced her regrets to Bella about not being able to stay and get to know her, but that she hoped they would be able to become friends in the future. I glared at my sister as she said this. Did she honestly think that everything would be alright? How could she possibly think that they could be friends?

Once my sister was gone, I sunk into my chair and quickly pulled Bella to my side. She caught my gaze and instantly recognized that something was wrong.

"Edward, is everything okay," she asked concerned.

All I could do was plaster on a fake smile, and nod, fearing that if I spoke I would finally lose it. I let my eyes linger on her face, afraid that if I looked away she would disappear. Because deep down, something told me that I was going to lose her. So I did the only thing that I could think of in that moment. I kissed her.

Let me know what you think of this chapter. I posted Bella's tank on my profile, so go take a look.

I promise a full blown argument between Edward and Jasper in the next couple of chapters. I can't wait to write it. Don't forget to review. Thanks for reading.