Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

AN: Thanks to my beta, toocute24

Chapter 12

BPOV

Staring out the window of my bedroom, I could see all the activity from the set up for the wedding that was to take place the next day. The tent was going up and the dance floor was being built. It was going to be an extravagant affair, even if it wasn't what I wanted. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear my door open.

"Bells?"

I turned and saw Peter standing there. "Hey," I said and then turned back to the window.

"You okay, Little Sis?"

"Sure." I shrugged.

"Uh-huh. Talk to me," Peter said and came to stand beside me.

I looked at my brother and sighed. "Am I a bitch?"

He looked at me like I was crazy. "Why would you ask me that? Has someone said something to you?"

I shook my head and walked away from the window. "I'm getting married tomorrow, Peter. To a guy that I barely know, who only seems to tolerate me. He treats me like a child, and when I call him on it, he acts like a child himself. Carlisle is no better, either. He treats me with kid gloves too." I sighed and looked at my brother. "I've become this horrible person who lashes out at everyone and I don't like it. So…am I a bitch?"

"Bella, Mom and Dad raised you to be a strong, independant woman who would never need to rely on a man for anything. Now you're finding yourself in a position where you have to marry a man to protect yourself from another. It's a sticky situation, and anyone would lash out. I think that making sure Carlisle and Edward know that you are not going to be a doormat is a good thing. You have a wonderful head on your shoulders. Having you in the family will be an asset. They will see that."

I just nodded my head. "I hope you're right, Peter."

"Everything will be fine, Bells. You'll see."

He kissed my head and then walked out of my room.

~~LWaC~~

EPOV

I watched the hustle and bustle in the backyard through the office window. I was getting married tomorrow and my fiancée hadn't said a word to me in two weeks. It was starting to piss me off. She would leave me notes, explaining things that she found when going over the books, but I hadn't heard her voice since the night she told me that she would make my life hell. She was right.

I had gotten used to having Bella around, something I didn't like…at all. I was supposed to be an independent man. Someone who didn't need anyone—let alone a woman—around for anything. With Bella, though…I enjoyed our conversations. Although she was young, Bella was able to hold an intelligent conversation and keep up with the subject matter. Nothing like the airheads I used to surround myself with.

"Edward?"

I looked away from the window and saw my mother standing in the doorway.

"Taking a break from ordering people around?" I chuckled.

"What's wrong, Son?"

I shrugged and turned back to the window. "Nothing. Just a lot on my mind. Ready to get this farce over with."

"Farce? Edward, I thought that you cared about Bella?"

I turned back to my mother and sighed. "I care, but I don't want this marriage, Mom. Neither of us do. Our choice was taken away. Dad wants me to stop being a hothead and grow up, and he wants Bella protected from the Kings. The former is not a reason for me to get married, and the latter, well…he could have picked anyone."

I watched my mother make her way over to me. She lifted her hand and placed it against my cheek. "Bella will make a fine wife and a wonderful addition to the family. You have to accept it."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I feel sorry for you, Edward." She patted my cheek harder than necessary, and then walked out of the room.

I didn't want to hang around the house anymore, so I went to the garage and got in my car. Maybe a drive would clear my head and give me some perspective. I was willing to try anything at this point, short of throwing myself at Bella's feet and begging for her to love me. How could I beg her for an emotion that I was refusing to give?