DISCLAIMER: ALL THINGS TWILIGHT BELONG TO THE REMARKABLE STEPHANIE MEYER.

A/N: Thank you so much to my super awesome beta…love ya! To my beautiful sisters Justine, Alice and Kathie … your support has been amazing and I don't know what I would do without you…love you so much!

To all my readers who have stayed with me and been patient, I wish I could thank you all by name, but know that I cherish you all!

~XXXX~

Esme POV

"Rosalie, are you sure this is the best thing to do? I'm just really worried about what Bella will do"

"I'm not gonna lie to you, Esme, this is going to be hard, and there is a chance that Bella could be really angry with all of us, but what if it helps? What if this is what she needs?"

I'm still worried, but how can I say no?

When my boy called to tell me how much he loves Bella, and his thoughts for helping her, I could hear the pleading in his voice, begging me to help, to understand. I love both of my sons tremendously, and Lord knows there is no one that can make me laugh like Emmett, but Edward and I have always been close. He is my boy.

Rosalie puts her arm around my shoulder. "I really do think this could help Bella, and Doctor Garrett has had lots of success with these types of interventions."

I know Rosalie is right, but I'm still worried.

"How soon till they get here, Rose?"

"Edward just called, said they were walking out the door, so...fifteen minutes. Twenty tops."

~xx~

BPOV

"Edward, what is going on?"

I don't like this at all.

All Edward will tell me is that we are going over to his parents' house. I don't really like surprises, but it can't be bad. I mean, it's just Esme and Carlisle.

~xx~

I'm surprised by the number of cars in front of the Cullen's house when we pull into the drive. Is this a party? Should I have brought a gift?

"Edward, is this a party? I didn't bring anything."

Edward takes my hand as he helps me out of the car and pulls me to him. "It's not that kind of gathering, Bella."

"And I don't suppose I can get you to tell me what is going on." I press my lips to his neck, while I allow my hand to travel down the front of his pants, hoping to use my feminine wiles to my advantage.

Edward traps my hand against him with his own hand before I can start having fun. "Don't, Bella. People are expecting us. Let's go."

Edward pulls away from me and starts guiding me toward the front door, his arm firmly across my lower back. He doesn't pause to knock, but merely strides right in the front door. I hear murmurs coming from down the hall, from the family room. All goes quiet as Edward announces our arrival.

The silence is so loud it's almost deafening. Knots are beginning to twist themselves in my stomach. I don't like how things feel. What is going on?

"Edward?"

His lips meet my temple, and he pulls me into his body.

"Trust me, Bella."

I nod my head once and allow Edward to lead me further into the house.

We go down the hall, past the kitchen, past the dining room, and into the family room.

I stop short and press my face into Edward's side. The room is full of people.

~xx~

Turning my gaze back to the room, and the individuals surrounding me, I swallow a gulp of fear.

The eyes that look back at me are mostly filled with sympathy and concern. A few people look worried. Virtually everyone I know is sitting or standing in front of me. I turn my eyes to Edward and am surprised by what I see; he looks slightly guilty. What in the hell is going on?

Rosalie is approaching me now, followed by a tall, gangly man with kind, watery blue eyes.

"Bella, this is Doctor Garrett. He would like to speak with you."

I glare at Rose with suspicion.

Doctor Garrett pokes his long, thin hand in my direction. "Ms. Swan, I'm Doctor Garrett. I specialize in intervention mediation."

I push myself from Edward and turn to glare at him. "You knew!"

My vision blurs in my anger. How could Edward do this to me?

"Bella, please calm down."

I feel my rage building, ready to boil over. I can't control it. I want to hit Edward and scream at him. Why? Why would he do this to me!

I can feel the hot, angry tears burning in my eyes as I look to him, pushing hard against his chest. "Tell me why!"

I feel hands grabbing my arms, restraining me, pulling me back from Edward.

Emmett's voice is in my ear. "Calm down, Bella."

~xx~

I thrash and pull against Emmett and Felix, who are holding me tight.

Doctor Garrett approaches me and starts talking. "Ms. Swan, please get a hold of yourself."

Anger pulses from every pore of my being. I want to scream and rage at everyone in the room. I'm practically snarling in Doctor Garrett's face, rejecting his attempts to calm me. I pull and twist my body in Emmett and Felix's grip, but they hold me still. I'm no match for them.

To my great surprise, Doctor Garrett grabs my face between his hands and looks me right in the eye as he speaks. "Ms. Swan! Enough! Stop being so selfish. Look what you are doing to the people around you."

His words are sharp, stabbing me like a knife.

I lift my red-rimmed, anger-filled eyes and what I see before me takes my breath away.

Renee is crying softly, her face buried against Charlie's shoulder. Charlie's eyes are bloodshot. Esme's eyes are brimming with unshed tears while Carlisle's hand sits on her shoulder…comforting her. Esme's eyes aren't on me, though. I follow her gaze until my eyes land on Edward. What I see causes everything in my body to stop. I go limp in Emmett and Felix's grip.

Edward is standing right behind Doctor Garrett, agony written on every feature.

His eyes are wide, his brow furrowed; worry lines crease his forehead. One hand is tugging on the ends of his hair. I have hurt him. A new feeling is taking over the anger…sorrow…look what I have done.

"Ms. Swan, are you ready to listen to me now?"

I nod my head once. I feel weak, and my anger is spent. Doctor Garrett nods at Emmett and Felix, and they release me.

The room seems to collectively hold its breath. I take an unsteady step toward Edward, my hand reaching out to him.

His eyes are pained as he takes my hand and pulls me to the couch, sitting down next to me.

~x~

Doctor Garrett pulls a chair over to sit in front of us, his face serious as he looks at me.

"Ms. Swan, as I said, I am an intervention mediator. I'm not here to tell anybody what to do or say. I will merely be overseeing and directing flow and interceding if you can't control yourself. Do you understand?"

I nod once, unable to meet a single eye in the room.

"Every intervention is different. This is not a session to attack you, Ms. Swan. This was orchestrated so all the people in this room can express their love for you."

I raise my eyes and blink rapidly at Doctor Garrett.

All these people love me? How can this be?

I feel the tears building in my eyes.

"Felix, would you like to go first?"

Doctor Garrett moves from the chair and indicates that Felix should take the seat in front of me.

I watch as Felix settles his large frame into the chair in front of me, taking a deep breath before he starts speaking. "Bella, you know I'm not a serious person; I like to look at the lighter side of life, but this is a time for being serious. You are an excellent boss, a wonderful cook, and an amazing friend, and I love you."

I can feel the heat enter my face, and I motion for Felix to stop.

"Felix, please don't…"

"Bella it's important for you sit here and listen to what everyone has to say, without interruption."

I nod in Doctor Garrett's direction. I can't believe I have to just sit here and not respond to anyone.

Felix squeezes my hand before he gets up and crosses the room, heading to Demetri's side. Doctor Garrett now motions for Demetri to take the chair.

This is really embarrassing... I can't believe Edward knew about this intervention all along!

Demetri sits down in front of me. I focus my eyes on the floor. There is no way I will make it through all this if I look everyone in the eye.

"Bella, you know I look at you as part of my family, and I love you dearly, my sweet."

Demetri's words are so like him: quiet, simple, and classy.

I nod toward him to acknowledge his words.

~x~

Edward's hand rubs soothing patterns on my thigh as Esme takes the chair in front of me.

"Bella, I feel I have gotten to watch you grow before my eyes. When you first started at Elite, you were so shy and reserved we could hardly get through our weekly meetings. As we got to know each other better, you opened up a bit, and I could see what a lovely person you are. You are unfailingly fair and kind to our entire staff, and I count myself extremely lucky to have found such an excellent chef. I consider you my friend, Bella, but for all the wonderful things you do for the restaurant the thing that makes me love you is how happy you make my son. I've never seen Edward this happy before, and I know it's because of you."

Esme's words cause a lump to form in my throat, and my lips twitch as I try to swallow the emotions inside me. I feel Edward's lips on my temple, and I press myself to him, wanting to feel his comforting touch. I peek up at Esme and give her a small smile as she heads over to Carlisle to bury her face in his chest.

~x~

Doctor Garrett now motions Alice to take a seat across from me.

I briefly allow my gaze to move up to Alice's face and am surprised to see tears glistening in her eyes.

Alice reaches to me and takes my hand. "Bella, I love you. You are like a sister to me. You are special and beautiful. I hope someday you will see the amazing person you are."

Alice has never been one for deep sentiments, and her words hit me strongly, eliciting a flood of tears to run down my cheeks.

I don't know how I'm going to make it through this day. Is it their goal to break me?

Alice gives my hand a tiny squeeze before she leans in and pecks my cheek lightly before whispering again, "I love you, Bella."

My tears continue sliding down my face.

Edward pulls me tighter against his side, speaking words of comfort to me as his lips press to my forehead. "You're doing great, baby. It's gonna be alright."

I can feel the comfort of his words surround me and cradle me. I wish I could sink into his words and hide there and avoid all the raw emotion that is raking through me.

~x~

I turn my focus back to the room of people that surrounds me. Jasper is now turning away from a quick embrace with Alice and heading to the chair in front of me.

I am truly dreading this. What could he say to me?

Will he tell me he loves me again?

What will Alice think?

What will Edward think?

My mind is reeling with all the questions and giving me a headache.

Jasper lowers himself slowly and purposefully into the chair. I find myself watching him closely, hoping his body language will clue me into his thoughts.

"You're worried about what I'll say, aren't you?" I nod at Jasper, amazed at his ability to pick up on my feelings. "I told you before how I feel about you, and those feelings haven't changed. I still love you." My eyes dart to the ground as I feel Edward stiffen beside me. "Bella, I'm not in love with you. Alice has shown me a different kind of love, one I would give anything for. I hope you have that kind of love someday, and when it happens, I hope you allow yourself to return it."

I am stunned; I had no idea Jasper had that in him.

He is always so quiet. I just assumed he had nothing to say.

I can only manage to mouth, "Thank you" as Jasper stands and returns to Alice's side.

I watch them for a moment, and I can see it – the way they look at each other; it's like they are speaking without words.

~x~

Edward pulls me even tighter against him. His actions more comforting than any words could be.

I wish this was over. I don't know how much more I can take. The emotions are overwhelming.

I look to Doctor Garrett, hoping he will see the pleading look on my face and will allow this to stop.

"Ms. Swan, I know this must be difficult for you, but it is important that you hear how much you mean to the people in your life. Miss Hale told me a bit of your history. Don't look so worried, Ms. Swan, we aren't going to discuss it now, but everyone here cares for you, and I can promise you one thing: you can't do this alone. You can't rebuild trust and love on your own. It's okay to lean on people, to need them. We all do that. I have been doing this for a lot of years now. Consider yourself very lucky, Ms. Swan. Most people don't have nearly the amount of support you do. Utilize them."

Guilt courses through me at Doctor Garrett's words, and the realization of the magnitude of this hits me. All these people are here for me. Me.

I wish I could just sit and process all this, but I see that isn't going to happen anytime soon.

I hear the chair creak in front of me as Emmett sits down and leans toward me. "Okay, Bella, you know I don't really do the whole feelings things very well, but here goes. I love ya. I think you're awesome. I also think you're hot. Keep your hair on, Edward, I'm not hitting on your woman. Anyway…love ya!"

I feel Edward chuckle beside me, and I know that he didn't take Emmett seriously at all.

Emmett just has to be…well, Emmett, there's no way he can be serious.

I smile softly at Emmett. He's relieved a little of the emotionally charged atmosphere that is permeating the room. Emmett stands to fist bump Edward and then ruffles my hair. He is such a dork.

~x~

My tension level skyrockets watching Rose approach the chair.

I feel like I'm in for an earful now. I can only imagine what Rose will say, especially since I'm not supposed to talk back.

I can't bring myself to look her in the eye, so I stare intently at the floor.

"Bella, you must know I care for you, so much. I know I have pushed you at times, but I have done so out of love. Because I do love you, Bella. I want so many, many things for you. I want you to be happy and joyful and to live your life to the fullest. I'm not giving up on you, Bella, and I won't let you give up on yourself. Fight for happiness! You are owed that! Don't let those bastards steal more from you than they already have – fight for it!"

This is not what I expected from Rose. I thought she was going to nail me to the wall!

My tears stream unbidden down my face. Emotion literally choking me, I sputter and gasp as a small sob leaves my body.

I want to fight; I really do. I want happiness. I want trust. I just don't know how to do it.

Rose's arms are around me immediately, and I'm secured between her and Edward.

I can feel the rise and fall of Edward's chest against my cheek and feel the vibration of his voice as he speaks words of comfort to me.

I swipe my hand over my eyes, trying to brush away the tears, but to no avail. They continue to fall in a steady stream.

Rose pats my shoulder before she turns away, leaving me to cry softly into Edward's chest. His fingers move through my hair, brushing it from my face. His lips touch my forehead gently, moving down my cheek till they meet my own. I take comfort in his lips on mine, so soft and warm.

"Just a little longer, baby. You can do this. Okay?"

I nod against him, unable to speak around the lump in my throat.

~x~

I hear shuffling in front of me and turn to look into the watery eyes of Charlie.

His movements are slow as he takes a seat. His eyes shift back and forth between me and the floor.

"Bells…" Charlie's voice cracks, and I choke out a sob at his emotional tone. "I love you; you'll always be my little girl."

The dam breaks, and I'm unable to stop the flood pouring from my eyes as I launch myself off the couch.

The tears flow freely, and I make no attempt to ebb the flow. I just let them fall, soaking Charlie's shirt.

I hate to admit it, because that would make Rose right, but it feels kind of good to cry like this.

I feel another pair of arms wrap around my shoulder and I hear Renee's soft voice beside me. "Baby girl…I have loved you since your parents first brought you home."

I turn toward Renee and she crushes me to her as I cry.

Sobs are wracking my body now, the tears coming down my face in rivers.

"Shh…shhh, Bella, it's gonna be okay." I allow Renee to hold me, taking some comfort in her embrace. "Bella, you have been my heart all these years. I have worried for you, hoped for you, stood by and watched you grow, watched you hurt. You are a worthwhile young woman, and I love you so much!"

~x~

This is so much to take…to process. I feel like I will crumble to the ground.

The world begins to sway, and I feel the strength leave my body.

New arms are around me. I can feel their strength as I'm scooped off my feet, and I know that Edward is holding me.

His warm breath is on my cheek as my forehead rests against his.

"Bella." His voice is heavy with emotion and my tears continue their steady flow. His lips, soft and warm, kiss the rivers of salt water on my face. "Look at me, baby, please."

I open my eyes, feeling the air them, and what I see catches a sob in my throat: Edward's enchanting green eyes are red-rimmed and watery as tears streak down his beautiful face.

Seeing him like this is a dagger to my heart.

My fingers tremble as I bring them to his cheek and lightly trace the contour of his face. His hand is warm as it closes over mine, flattening my palm to his face. I feel the moisture from his eyes as it slides down over my skin.

"I love you, Bella Swan, so much. You awoke my heart, and you own it entirely. I know you probably aren't ready to trust me with your heart, but I will wait. As long as it takes…I will be here. I will prove to you that you can trust me."

Sobs rip from my body with an almost violent force, shaking me to my core.

Edward presses me tightly to his chest, his lips caressing mine, softly, tenderly.

"It's okay, baby. Just let it out…let it all out."

I bury my face in the crook of his neck, covering his shirt with my tears, my shoulders shaking with every sob.

I feel it all breaking; the anger, the fear, the mistrust, washing away in rivers of tears.

I feel raw and exposed, lain open for everyone to see.

I am unable to speak or move, I am drained of everything.

~x~

I am vaguely aware of a voice behind me. It sounds far off, distant.

"Ms. Swan, can you hear me?" My head feels like lead as I turn in the direction of Doctor Garrett's voice, nodding in acknowledgment of his words. "This was the first step, Ms. Swan: acceptance of love. I would like you to come into my office sometime in the next week, and we can start working on the next step of allowing yourself to love others."

I nod again at Doctor Garrett's words.

The entire room seems to come to life now.

Rosalie and Esme walk with Doctor Garrett from the room; I assume they are seeing him to the door.

Charlie, Renee, and Carlisle are sitting in the far corner of the room. Charlie is comforting Renee as she cries softly. Carlisle is speaking to them in a hushed voice.

Emmett is joking with Felix and Demetri, though all three keep throwing worried looks in my direction.

Jasper and Alice are in their own little bubble; no words are exchanged between them, only loving glances.

Edward is watching my every move, his eyes intent on me. "Come on, baby. Let's go up stairs where you can rest. You look exhausted."

Edward's strong arms lift me with little effort, and I wrap my arms around his neck.

Sympathetic eyes follow our movement from the room, but no one says a word. Edward takes me up the stairs and walks into a room as soon as we reach the top.

I peek at the room we are in; it is clearly a guest room. The green floral patterns and antique furnishings make me feel like I'm in an English bed and breakfast.

Edward lays me down on the bed and stretches out next to me.

I rest my cheek on his chest as his arm secures around my waist.

"Are you angry with me, Edward?"

I feel the pressure of his arm increase against me. "No, love. Why would you think that?"

I press myself closer to him, wanting to feel more of him. "Did you help plan all this?"

I feel Edward's hand cup my face, tilting my head so that our eyes meet. "I did. Not because I was mad, but because I love you. I want you to believe that you deserve to be loved. I called Rosalie to ask her for help and she recommended Doctor Garrett. Then we decided on my parent's house because it's neutral ground. No one wanted you to feel attacked, but you needed to know how we all feel about you."

I'm so overwhelmed. So many emotions and thoughts are going through me; I'm going to need time to process everything.

I press my lips to Edward's, allowing them to linger for a moment. "Thank you, Edward. Be patient with me please."

Edward tucks my head back against his chest, placing kisses on my hair. "Always, love, always. Sleep now. I love you."

I close my eyes, and, for the first time in years, I don't feel weighed down. I'm at peace.

~XXXX~

A/N: thank you for reading, please let me know what you think.