It amazes me that my story team continues to edit my chapters without wanting to throttle me. So thanks DivineInspiration, Mizzdee, Vampire Extraordinaire, and dinx for your unwavering patience and help.

Chapter 10

Hush Little Baby

~.~.~.~

Hush, little baby, don't say a word
Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird
If that mockingbird don't sing
Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring

If that diamond ring turns brass
Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass
If that looking glass gets broke
Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat

If that billy goat don't pull
Mama's gonna buy you a cart and mule
If that cart and mule turn over
Mama's gonna buy you a dog named Rover

If that dog named Rover won't bark
Mama's gonna buy you a horse and cart
If that horse and cart fall down
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town

~.~.~.~

Bella

Being Edward's girlfriend hadn't been easy. The first day I rode with Edward and Tanya, we'd been met with the stares and glares of the resident whores of Forks. The looks obviously questioned why he had brought me to school. I chalked it up to jealousy, because I'd learned from Tanya that Edward had never bothered to offer one of his past fucks a ride to school.

As the days progressed, the looks turned from jealous to incredulous. It seemed they couldn't believe someone like me could keep someone like Edward. The goal, I was sure, was to make me feel inferior to them, but it had the opposite effect. I wasn't the girl who thought she was ugly or plain, clueless as to why someone as good-looking as Edward found me attractive. I knew I was attractive in my own way. Their silent judgment didn't penetrate my self-esteem.

The only time I ever reacted to the rumors, hurtful words, and gossip was in the girl's bathroom. It was during lunch; I happened to be in one of the stalls, and I'd heard someone come in as I was getting ready to exit. I could hear a shrill voice whining about Edward, so I decided to wait and see what she would say.

"I don't understand what he sees in her. It's not like she's pretty or anything."

"I know. What the hell is wrong with Edward?" I heard Jessica complain.

"She must be blackmailing him or something, because everyone knows he wants me. He's just not ready to admit it to himself." Lauren continued to fuel my anger.

"Uh, yeah. Sure." Jessica's voice sounded flat, letting me know she might not agree with Lauren's assessment.

I had two options. I could hide and let them talk shit about me, or I could go out there and inform Lauren and Jessica they were delusional fucktards. I chose option two, flinging the stall door opened with a bang. I'd never been one to allow that shit to fly, and I wasn't going to start then.

Both girls jumped at the sound, wide-eyed when they noticed I was the one walking out. If I wasn't so pissed, I'd have laughed at their gaping fish mouths. Stupid bitches had no idea who the fuck they were messing with, but I was more than happy to educate them.

"Look…I get it." I walked over to the sinks, calm and cool. "You bitches are freaking out, because if you haven't already had the chance to fuck Edward, you just lost it. I'd be kind of pissy, too, if it had happened to me. But, the next time I hear you moaning and groaning about how much prettier you are than me, I'm going to make sure everyone knows you're not."

Turning on the water, I washed my hands and turned to pull out a paper towel from the dispenser. I dried them and glared at the two girls. They were silent, either shocked by my words or too stupid to figure out a comeback. Both scenarios worked for me, because it meant they'd shut up.

"Good talk," I said, tossing the paper into the wastebasket. "I'll see you around."

After that incident, things calmed down. I'd like to have thought it was because Jessica and Lauren told people what a raging bitch I was, but it didn't matter.

The hours after school were a different story. Edward became increasingly irritated because Tanya was always around. I'd felt bad, but then again, I couldn't just kick her out. I had promised she could stay with me, and I wasn't going to go back on my word. I'd been painted into a corner with no means of escape.

So, to even out the sex we weren't having in my bedroom, we settled for fucking any other chance we could get. Most times, we'd skip lunch and get it on in the janitor's closet or leave school grounds and fuck in Edward's car. Both were cliché and uncomfortable as hell, but without any other choice, though, it had to do.

"Fuck, Bella," Edward panted in my ear, thrusting harder.

"Mmm, Edward. Ah…Jesus! Hold on a minute."

He stilled, and I adjusted myself, trying to move so the steering wheel wasn't digging into my back. I whipped my head to the side to move the hair out of my face. We'd, once again, taken a drive during lunch because Edward wanted some alone time with me. So, we were engaged in some very awkward car sex. I was straddling Edward's lap, with his cock deep inside of me, while he sat in the driver's seat. Even letting his seat back had not helped with the cramped position.

"Come on, Bella. We're going to be late if you don't hurry up. And if I don't get to come before we have to leave, I'm going to be pissed."

"And I won't? You're such a selfish bastard, Edward. We need to find another place to do this."

"You didn't complain on Friday when I ate your pussy in the backseat."

I circled my hips. "Shut. Up. And. Fuck. Me."

He threw his head back against the seat with a thud and gripped my hips hard, tugging me toward him. "Fuck. Just like that, baby."

I got lost in the motions, using Edward's shoulders for support as I bounced up and down. He leaned forward to take one of my nipples between his teeth, biting down hard and pushing my unbuttoned shirt to the side with his head. A few minutes later, I was screaming as I reached my peak. Edward began thrusting up harder, trying to find his own release. The wild look in his eyes told me he was close, and I knew it wouldn't be long. Being the wonderful girlfriend I was, I leaned down and sucked on his neck, hard, helping him out and marking my territory.

"Goddamnmotherfuckingshit!" Edward gritted out as he bit his lip, his hands digging into my thighs through his orgasm. Breathing heavy, he rested his head against my chest. I released the skin with a pop and smiled down at him.

A quick glance at the clock on the dashboard let us know we had ten minutes to return to school. We cleaned up quickly and redressed, and Edward threw the used condom out the window. He rolled his eyes at me when I told him that was gross, asking me if I'd rather put it in my backpack.

Asshole.

We passed by Tanya after we'd entered the building, and she glared at us. I gave her a weak wave, knowing she was pissed we'd disappeared again. Edward pulled me closer to him as he walked me to my next class, and I let my mind wander.

I wasn't sure how to fix the problem. I couldn't please Tanya and Edward at the same time, and I felt like I was the rope in a game of tug of war. I adored my friend, but I wanted time with Edward, too. Yet, I didn't want to be the girl who tossed her friend aside for a guy, even if that guy was my friend's brother. Fuck. There really was no perfect solution or magic cure. I was going to lose no matter what I did.

~.~.~.~

Edward

I'd like to say, once Bella and I got together, everything was all rainbows, unicorns, and shit…but no. I still couldn't catch a goddamn break, and I went from not fucking Bella to, well, not fucking Bella very much. The whole reason I started going out with her was so I wouldn't have blue balls over this girl anymore—well, that was until she'd gotten under my skin. After that, I had two reasons I wanted her. My sister had other ideas, though.

She'd claimed first dibs and wasn't relenting in the slightest. It didn't help the fact that, not only was I second string to Tanya, Bella was also hanging out with new fucking people. James and Victoria were all buddy-buddy with my girl, so that meant even less time I had for fucking…or whatever else we could have done.

I knew why she'd formed the friendship; I wasn't a fucking idiot. James was her dealer, supplying her with weed any time she needed it. When I'd offered to get it for her through Newton, she'd told me no; she had it covered. I wasn't sure whether I liked her choice of habits anymore, because it seemed the drugs were more important than me. And since I was a jealous motherfucker, I was not happy to have another thing come between us.

I kept my mouth shut and let it go. Things were still new, and I figured we would eventually find some kind of middle ground. I'd given up hanging out with most of my old acquaintances—not that it was a big deal—but it seemed like I was the one giving all the concessions. That did not sit well with me.

We had decided to hang out at Bella's place with Tanya that afternoon. Because little Miss Pouty didn't want to go home, I had to settle for sharing my girlfriend with my sister. Again.

This shit is starting to get old.

I sat on the couch next to Bella as they watched some stupid girly movie, trying to be the good, attentive boyfriend. Well, I was at least pretending to watch the movie—something a good, attentive boyfriend would do. Only, it was boring as hell, and I was trying to keep from falling asleep.

After I jerked awake for the third time, I decided I'd had enough. I nuzzled into the side of Bella's neck and pulled her onto my lap. My erection grew as she wriggled, attempting to find a comfortable position.

I tugged on her ear with my teeth. "Come on, Bella. Let's go up stairs."

"You know we can't. I feel weird with Tanya here," she said in a low voice.

I banged my head against the back of the couch, irritated I was being cockblocked yet a-fucking-gain. Bella looked down at me with remorse, so I thought begging might work. "Please, baby. I need you." I put on my best pathetic face.

"Oh, can it, Edward. Your dick isn't going to fall off if you don't get to screw her right this second. I can fucking hear you, so knock it off. I don't want to have to remove the memory of your dirty talking by sticking something sharp in my ear," Tanya said, staring at the television.

Family or no, bitch is about to get tossed out the door.

"Damn it, Tanya. Maybe you should go find someone for yourself, and then you might not be so worried about what I want to do to my girl." I leaned around Bella and glared.

"O-kay." Bella shook her head. "You guys should cool it. We're not going upstairs, Edward."

Motherfucking bullshit. I wanted to throw myself on the floor and pitch a fit like a three year old; I was so mad. I didn't, because I was positive Bella wouldn't have appreciated it. I'd have done it in a heartbeat if it'd changed her mind, though.

"You know what? Fine. I'm out of here."I nudge Bella, making her scoot off of me. Standing up, I stomped toward the door. Bella followed behind me and called out.

I didn't stop until I reached the door, spinning around to face her. "What? I'm obviously not wanted here, so I'm going to go."

"Don't be like that, Edward."

"Like what?" I crossed my arms, waiting.

"Like this. Like…you're pissed because I won't run upstairs with you. Your sister is here, Edward. You really want her to hear us have sex?"

"Wouldn't be the first time," I muttered, looking behind her. By the way her face contorted, I realized my off-handed remark may not have been as quiet as I'd thought.

"You know what? Fuck you. Leave if that's what you're going to do." Bella began to walk off, but I grabbed her and pulled her back against me.

I closed my eyes, releasing a breath. When I looked at her again, I tried to keep my voice calm. "I'm sorry, okay? It's just…I don't know. Is it so bad that I want you so much? Is it really all that horrible?"

She sighed and melted into me. "No, it's not. But…you don't understand. I can't just kick her out, Edward. I'm not going to be that friend; the one who ignores her girlfriend because she has someone. It's rude."

I understood where she was coming from, but it didn't mean I liked it. "I'm trying here."

"I know. I really do. Maybe you shouldn't be such a jerk to your sister, though? You guys aren't making this easy on me."

"Okay, I'll try to be better."

The smile that spread across her face let me know it had been the right thing to say. I tilted her chin up and kissed her deeply, igniting my desire for her all over again. We were a panting mess by the time she pulled away from me. I'd like to say I was sorry I ended up coaxing her outside in the backseat of my car for a blow job…but I wasn't. The fact that she'd ignored me the entire night hanging out with Tanya, as well as running to the bathroom to swallow whatever pills she'd decided to take, made me feel like it was the least she could do.

I did finger her until she came, before I had gotten mine, though. I'm not a total bastard.

~.~.~.~

Thanksgiving passed with my parents being too busy to bother spending it with their kids, of course. The excuse they gave was they needed a little more time to themselves. Apparently, the months Mom and Dad had been gone weren't enough, so they continued to be the selfish pricks they where, leaving their children to fend for themselves, like always.

Bella ended up having Tanya and I over for dinner with her father. Since it was just them celebrating, she said two more people would be welcome. Her father must not have felt the same way, because he spent the entire meal watching my every move. I'd been introduced as her boyfriend earlier in the day, and he'd spent the rest of the evening making me feel like a bug he couldn't wait to squash.

Fun times for everyone.

It was ironic. All of those times I'd gotten caught by the Chief doing something I shouldn't have been, and my smug attitude when he couldn't charge me with a crime, had come back to bite me in the ass. If I'd have known then I'd be dating his daughter, I would have been more careful. Then again, I might have laughed it off if someone had told me I'd have a girlfriend, at all.

Christmas time was better…and worse. Better because Charlie had to work the holiday since he'd taken Thanksgiving off. Better, and worse, because the folks finally decided to grace us with their presence, meaning Tanya's excuse for practically living at the Swan household had vanished. And worse because our parents also decided they should pretend to give a shit, becoming more interested in what Tanya and I did.

"Tanya. Edward. Come sit down," Dad had said one morning as Tanya and I were coming downstairs; almost a week after they'd been back. We'd glanced at each other and then humored our father, sitting down across from him and our mother, who was seated next to him.

"I know both of you are used to doing whatever you want, but now that we're home, things are going to change." He leaned back, staring at us.

"What do you mean by 'things are going to change'?" I asked slowly, wanting to see where he was going with his speech.

"What your father means is—it's not good for either of you to be running around all hours of the night. You need structure and rules, so we're going to start by giving you a curfew. And, Tanya, dear, I think that you should start staying at home overnight. You're going to wear out your welcome with your new friend. They don't need you over there all the time."

I looked over at my sister, and she had a shocked expression on her face. Turning back to my parents, I decided that their new rules and structure bullshit wasn't going to work. "Are you for fucking real? You disappear for months, leaving us to fend for ourselves, and you want to start playing mommy and daddy now?"

"Watch your tone, smartass," Dad said, glaring.

Mom placed a hand on his forearm. "Ed, calm down." She turned her head toward me. "Edward, honey, I know you think we were wrong to leave you two, but it was for the best. Your father and I were able to work out some things, and we're going to be home from now on."

"Right, Mother." I crossed my arms. "You'll be here until he," I pointed my finger at my father, "decides he's bored, or whatever, and sticks his dick in the next young thing that crosses his path. And then you'll have to go 'fix' your relationship again. He's a horrible excuse for a man. You should just leave him already."

"Listen here, you little son of a bitch!" Dad stood up and leaned over the table, right in front of me. "I don't really care what you think about your mother's and my relationship. It's ours, and it has nothing to do with you. From what I have heard, you're no saint yourself. So, clean up your own messes before you start judging me."

I pushed away from the table and stormed out of the room. I could hear my father yelling as I went upstairs, but I ignored him. Slamming my bedroom door behind me, I tried to not let his words get to me. It was hard, though, because he was right. Even though I'd stayed away from relationships in the past—because of how bad he'd fucked his own up—I knew, since he was my blood, there was a chance I'd be just like him. I'd be damned if I was going to let that happen.

I was going to do my best to be better than him, starting by being faithful to Bella. The thought of cheating on her had never crossed my mind, and it was the one thing I had that he didn't. Yes, I'd fucked with girls, but I'd never committed to them and then went to someone else behind their backs; nor had I ever messed with a girl who had a boyfriend.

I lay down and looked up at the ceiling, wishing I was with Bella. Getting lost in her would help take away all of the turmoil raging inside of me. A grin spread across my face as I realized I could leave to go see her. Bella had said her father worked nights, and since my parents had told Tanya she had to stay home, there was nothing to stop me.

I had to wait for my parents to go to bed before I could execute my plan. I had no intention of following their new rules, but I wasn't going to risk getting caught, either. There was no way I was going to test how far their new interest in what my sister and I did went.

Besides, regardless of what they'd said, I was positive Mom and Dad wouldn't be around for long, going by their usual patterns. That meant Tanya would be back to staying with Bella, so I had to take advantage of things before she would be fucking things up again.

~.~.~.~

"What time does your dad come home?" I asked, panting and throwing my arm over my face.

I'd come over after parking down the street, hiding in a bush by her house while waiting for her father to leave, and we'd fucked until we couldn't move. I was finally getting what I wanted, and I couldn't have been happier.

"Um, I'm not sure," Bella said, curling her body around me. I pulled her into my side with my other arm. "Maybe eight in the morning?"

"I'm staying tonight."

Bella snorted, wrapping her arm around me. "I figured you would."

Uncovering my face, I turned my head toward her, pouting. She giggled, slapping me on the chest. "Ow, woman!"

"Oh, hush, you big baby. I just meant that it doesn't surprise me. I'm happy you're staying."

"Yeah?"

"Of course. I know you think I don't want to spend time with you, but I do. I miss you when you're not here."

Her words did funny things to me—things I didn't want to think about. I let them hang, content to lie there beside her, enjoying the time we did have together. My fingers ran up and down her back in a lazy motion. She sighed, molding her body closer to mine and leaving no space in between us.

Her breathing evened out, and I could tell she'd fallen asleep. I lay there, thinking about how different things were. As long as I was able to be with her, I was content. Bella wasn't the problem. It was the other stuff that seemed to get in the way that pissed me off. I wished we could just runaway, maybe even fast forward to graduation so we could get the fuck out of there. I closed my eyes, deciding to save that train of thought for another time. We'd figure it out, somehow. We had to.

See you guys next week!