Sorry this took so long, I've broken my hand and it's hard to think on pain pills and type in a cast!

Thank you AydenMorgen and izzzysprinkles for working their magic on this. ILY both.

Happy Holidays to you all. See A/N below.

I don't own Twilight.

ENJOY!

Every Sunday was spent with my family. I drove out of the city and met them all at my parents house. It was a tradition that I had once enjoyed, but now it became more torturous as the years went by.

"I have to go see my family today. Would you like to come?" I asked her as we sipped our morning coffee.

Bella looked at me quizzically for a moment, took a bite of her bagel, and then nodded. "I'd love to, but don't you think they may start asking questions?"

She had a point. Carlisle had met her once, but he wasn't who I was concerned about. Jasper, on the other hand, could be a problem. He knew what I was up to, although I couldn't be sure if he knew it was Bella I was going to see. I knew he would never do anything in front of the others, but I could be sure that he would call me out in private.

"I'm sure they won't. They stopped asking questions about me a long time ago."

She smiled at that and nodded her head before she excused herself to get dressed. I finished off the last of the coffee and then wandered into my office. Sitting down behind my desk, I eyed the envelope in front of me that contained my official rise to Chief of Surgery.

I wanted the promotion, I always had. However, I couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in the back of my mind that something was wrong. Carlisle loved his work, and there was no good reason for him to give it up. I'd never pictured him as the kind of man to accept early retirement. If he wouldn't let me in on his secrets, I knew my mother would.

I sifted through my mail, realizing that I hadn't taken the time to take care of any of my own business. In just over four days, the stack of mail had grown quite large. Having Bella here was more of distraction that I had realized. I opened bill after bill, writing checks and returning them to the sender.

I had gotten to almost the bottom of the pile when an envelope caught my eye. It wasn't addressed to me. I stood quickly and made my way out of my office and to Bella's room.

"You have mail," I said as she opened the door.

"I do?" she asked as she took the envelope.

She turned her back to me and walked to her bed. Sitting down on the edge, she ripped the envelope open.

My mind was panicked with what could be inside. Had someone found us out? Did I piss someone off enough that they were going to get to me through her? I hadn't realized until this very second what trouble having her here could cause for me.

"It's from James, reminding me about Wednesday night. That's all."

I rushed towards her, eager to get my hands on the letter and see for myself. Low and behold, in his scratchy handwriting, was a date and time. Breathing a sigh of combined relief and dread, I gave her back the letter.

"I'm going to get ready to go. We should leave in about an hour."

Turning on my heel, I walked out the door.

~~/~~

Two hours later we were walking up the front steps to my parents' house.

"I'm a little nervous," Bella whispered as I rang the bell.

"Don't be. They will love you."

I couldn't ignore the nervousness that drifted through me at the thought of bringing a woman to meet my family, but I shook it off quickly and told myself it meant nothing. It was time, even if she was only going to be with me for a little while.

The door opened and my mother, Esme, greeted us both with a smile. After introducing Bella, they embraced in a hug that made my heart ache. Flashes of the past paralyzed me as I struggled to maintain my composure.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

"Edward, you look good. It's wonderful to see you," Esme said as she ushered us inside.

"Bella, I hope you don't mind, but the whole family is dying to meet you. It's been a long time since Edward has brought anyone to the house so his brothers are chomping at the bits to harass him."

I sucked in a short breath while Bella laughed and took off her sweater. "I don't mind that at all, Mrs. Cullen. I just hope they can take as much as they dish out."

"Please, call me Esme. And I'm sure they can't. It should be amusing to see!"

I followed as my mother led the way into the living room, where the rest of the family sat. Carlisle stood immediately and greeted Bella. She was amazing, so calm and gracious with my parents, while I was sitting in the background, silently panicking.

I walked up behind Bella as Emmett made his way across the room. "I guess you're the Bella my father has been talking so much about," Emmett said, grinning.

"I am, although I'm not sure who you are since Edward has denied having any siblings worth speaking about."

Emmett stared at Bella as he tried to decide whether she was being serious or not then let out a boisterous laugh and shook his head. "My brother sure does know how to pick 'em!"

I rolled my eyes as Bella giggled, making her way into the room and sitting on the couch. I sat down next to her and debated on whether or not to acknowledge Jasper, who was practically hiding in the back of the room.

As if he knew what I was thinking, he got up off the windowsill and walked towards us. His sleek demeanor and sour face put a knot down in the pit of my stomach. This may not go well.

"Hello, Bella. I'm Jasper, the other brother I'm sure you know nothing about." He reached his hand out to her as he smiled lightly, but there was no friendliness in his eyes. Instead, all I could see was judgment.

"Nice to meet you, Jasper," Bella said in the sweetest tone as she shook his hand gently. Only I noticed the hint of hesitation in her voice.

"I've made a full lunch since we have a couple guests today," Esme chimed in.

"A couple?" I asked. "I'm not considered a guest at this point, am I?"

"No, Edward, you are not. I mean Bella, and also Emmett's girlfriend, Leah."

"Oh, I hadn't realized she was coming."

"Yeah, she had to come. It's so hard to get a hold of you these days that we had to change her plans just so she could meet you," Emmett said coolly.

It was becoming more and more obvious that the only person on this couch my family was happy to see was Bella. Had I really angered them so much? I could admit that I hadn't been the best brother or son lately, but it wasn't without reason. They all knew that.

"Excuse me while I go make a phone call," I said abruptly, rising from my seat and storming from the room.

I was beyond annoyed at Jasper's obvious bad attitude towards me, but that he could take it out on Bella was too much. It was my choice, to find her and go to her, and if he planned on punishing her because of it he had another thing coming.

"A phone call?" Jasper asked from behind me in the kitchen.

I turned on my feet quickly and stormed towards him.

"What right do you have? It was my choice to see her! Mine! For you to even think about treating her badly is bullshit!"

"Bullshit? She is a hooker, Edward! How could you bring her into our home, especially after what I have told you about her place of work. Do you know what kind of risk you have put me in having her here?"

"This has nothing to do with you! Just forget that she does what she does! As far as I'm concerned, that is over anyways. I'll give her anything she needs, just so she won't ever have to go to Midnight Sun again."

"The damage is done, Edward. She has been photographed and put on record as a hooker. Is that what you want? For me to lose my job because you can't keep your dick in your pants? For you to lose your job?"

"Give me a fucking break," I muttered, running my hands through my hair.

"No, you give me a fucking break. Just because you lost Jess doesn't mean-"

"Don't even say her fucking name!" I shouted, grabbing my brother by the lapel of his shirt.

"Edward!"

"No! Don't fucking do it! This has nothing to do with her! Spare me your guilt trip; I don't want to hear it. Stay the fuck away from Bella, and from me, if you can't act like a civil human being!"

"You have no idea what you are doing! This has everything to do with her! You haven't spoken of Jessica since she left and look what it has done to you! You are dating a hooker!"

I reached my arm back to swing at Jasper just as I heard Bella shout behind me.

"No!"

My hand dropped and I looked over my shoulder to see Bella standing in the doorway, her eyes filled with fear.

"What is all the yelling going on in here?" Carlisle asked as he walked in from the living room.

"Nothing," I spat.

"Yeah, it sure sounded like nothing to me. Would you boys like to come have a chat in my office?"

There was no question in Carlisle's tone; I didn't have a choice. I turned to look at Bella who was standing behind me with my mother's arm on her shoulder.

"I'll be right back. You'll be okay on your own?"

She nodded silently, looking at me with confusion and hurt in her eyes. I wanted to take her and run; hide from everyone that could hurt her and make it so she never had that look on her face again.

Instead, I followed my brother and father as they walked into the office.

"Now, who wants to tell me what's going on?" Carlisle said as he closed the door behind us.

Neither Jasper nor I responded, instead just glaring at each other from opposite sides of the room.

"Am I wrong in assuming that this has something to do with that beautiful girl out there?"

Jasper snorted and rolled his eyes, forcing me to bite back a strand of profanities that rested heavily on the tip of my tongue.

"It's nothing, really," I said.

"Right. The bickering I could hear you both doing was your way of saying hello. Now seriously, tell me what's going on."

Jasper and I looked at each other once again, knowing that there was no way we were going to get out of this.

"I just don't think that she is the right kind of girl for Edward," Jasper said quietly.

"That's bullshit. You have no idea what kind of girl she is," I spat.

"Oh, I think I do."

"You don't! Don't act like your pictures and videos show her in any sort of light. All you see is actions; that's not the real her."

"Edward, she is a hooker. She may be the most wonderful person alive but she still gets paid for sex."

"Wait a minute here," Carlisle interjected. "Can you two slow down and explain exactly what is going on here. Who is a hooker?"

"Bella, Dad. The girl sitting in the living room with Mom right now. She is a hooker," Jasper said.

I swore under my breath and quickly considered just leaving the house, and my family, behind. Today, of all days, when I finally bring someone to this house, to take a step in the direction they have all been pulling me in, this happens. My brother ruins everything and I am again forced to deal with their badgering questions.

"Is this true, Edward?"

I looked from my father, to Jasper, and back again, feeling the anger boil in my blood at the whole situation.

"What she does is none of your or anybody else's business. What matters is that I brought her here, after all your pleading and begging that I move on and get on with my life. Now I do, and you do this. I didn't realize that there was a list of family requirements I had to adhere to." I glared at Jasper as I spoke, seeing the hold in his body waiver as I spoke of my past. I hated to do it; to even think about it, but this was getting out of control.

"I'll take that as a yes," Carlisle said quietly. "What are you thinking, son?"

"What am I thinking? What am I thinking, Dad? I'm thinking that she is the most amazing person I've met in a long time. I'm thinking that since Jessica, she is the first person who has made me feel like myself again. I'm thinking that I don't give a shit about what she does, I'm more concerned about how she makes me feel."

"That's all great, Edward, but it doesn't fix the fact that she is what she is. It puts this family in a terrible position. You'd rather have her than have your family safe?" Jasper asked.

"If I have anything to do with it, she'll never step foot back in that place. She's supposed to go back this week, but I'm trying to find a way to see that it doesn't happen. She deserves better than that."

"It doesn't make up for the fact that she's already been identified as an employee. She'll go down with the rest of them when this all goes through. There will be nothing I can do!"

"You'll figure something out, I'm sure. Have a good afternoon, gentlemen," I said as I stormed out the door.

I walked down the hall and into the living room, only to find it empty. Making my way through the kitchen, I stopped by the window when I saw Bella and my mother walking in the backyard. Esme was pointing to what I knew were her favorite flowers, no doubt telling Bella all about how long it took her to get them to grow.

I watched quietly for a few minutes; watched Bella as she laughed and smiled with my mother. Warmth crept through my veins from seeing the two of them together. It had been so long since I had felt anything in my heart. I was convinced it was closed off to the world forever. Now, watching the two women that meant the most to me laugh and walk together gave me hope.

"She really is beautiful," my father said from behind me.

I continued to look out the window as Bella and Esme sat down at a table, sipping their drinks and chatting cozily.

"Are you going to tell me the real reason you're retiring? Because I know someone like you isn't really the kind of person to retire early."

"Jasper left," he informed me.

I chuckled, amused by his ability to ignore questions and replace them with things that he knew would distract me.

"Did he tell you more about what his problem is?"

"Yes, he did. I've decided that I'm not getting involved, but I do hope that you realize what you are getting yourself into. This could get very messy for you both."

"I do know. I think about it all the time. This isn't just something I can walk away from. She is different, and I know that's cliché, but it's the truth. Like I said before, the way she makes me feel...it's like nothing I've felt in a long time."

We stood in silence until Bella and Esme came back inside. I looked for any sign of hesitance in Bella's face, but it seemed like the argument between me and my brother had been forgotten.

The rest of the day went well. Emmett and Leah were the perfect couple to distract everyone from the tension that loomed in the air. For every joke Emmett made, Leah had the perfect rebuttal. If I didn't know the pair, I'd swear they had been together since grade school.

Bella had fun, or at least from what I could tell. She and Esme had really hit it off, but I wasn't really sure how I felt about that. I couldn't forget the feeling in the pit of my stomach; the one that told me to run and hide and never feel anything again. It had kept me locked up for a long time, and was screaming for me to return.

But I couldn't.

I'm going to try to put myself on a schedule, to see if that can't help motivate me to write faster. We'll see how it goes. Next update should be on next Wednesday!

Please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!