EPOV

I stared at her house from the inside of my Volvo, contemplating whether or not I should go in. No one was home, that much I could tell by the empty driveway. But I needed to talk with her. I knew I had a lot of explaining to do. She deserved the truth. She was probably in school by now so I would be waiting here for quite a while.

I got out of my car warily, praying that no one would call the chief on me thinking that I was a burglar of some kind. I snorted loudly, what would the Chief of Police think of me breaking into his own house? I wasn't exactly sure what had possessed to me do this, but I started searching various places for a key.

A few minutes later, I found something hard and cold under the mat. Hallelujah! I silently shouted. Spare keys – I suddenly praised spare keys. I opened the door, hoping that there was no alarm system. Wow, I really was sounding like a burglar, now wasn't I?

A few hours passed, just sitting on the couch, and there was still no sign of Bella. I was pretty sure that school had ended well over an hour ago. Relax, Edward, maybe she's out shopping, my logical mind reasoned. Or maybe she knows you're here and trying to avoid you, my irrational mind concluded. I just wanted to tell it to shut the hell up.

I waited. I waited. And I waited some more. Until I heard sounds coming from outside. I was by the window in an instant watching a sobbing Bella sit on the porch, making my beating heart ache. I wanted to come out and console her, ask her what was wrong. But this wasn't how it was supposed to be done. What would she think of be coming out of her house in a moment like this? I needed to wait just a little bit longer. She needed to be inside.

About 15 minutes later, which seemed more like 15 hours, I heard the door creak open and Bella step inside. She didn't notice me right away. When I first came into the house all of the lights were off, the only light was from the sun illuminating through the unshaded windows, and I had kept it that way. I didn't want to draw attention to myself.

"Okay, Charlie. I'm gonna start dinner. I'm sorry I'm late." she said, sounding a little tired. She was on her way to the kitchen when I finally had to speak.

I took a deep breath and answered, "Charlie's not here."

BPOV

I turned around, startled at the voice. But I wasn't afraid. I already knew who was waiting for me in the shadows. I could tell that velvety voice apart from any other in the world, "Edward?" I stated in shock.

"Bella." he sighed, his voice was hopeful. He got up from the coach and stepped forward with a frown on his face.

"W... wait, what the hell are you doing in my house? How did you get in here?" I contemplated whether I should go run and hug him for being here, or throw a can of soup at him and run.

"I thought about waiting in my car for hours, but I found a key under the mat and let myself in..." he trailed off.

"Oh, so you're stalking me now?" I half-teased, half-accused.

"No!" he shouted, causing me to jump, "No, oh god, Bella, I'm sorry. I wasn't... I just really needed to speak with you."

"You need to get out. Now." I warned icily.

"Bella, please, just give me a chance to explain." he begged sadly.

"Well, Edward, explain something to me. Explain why you left me." I felt a tear escape from my eyes and I silently cursed my ability to produce tears. I didn't want to seem weak.

"Bella, please don't cry," he pleaded softly, "I didn't want to leave you. Really, I didn't." he convinced.

"Oh, what, then? Don't tell me you were dragged away by evil aliens onto a cruise against your will." I amended sarcastically.

"Well... there was an evil alien named Alice involved." he chuckled, scratching the back of his head nervously.

"What?" my brows knitted together in confusion.

"Bella, I swear to you, I would never have left here on my own accord. It was just a family vacation. Nothing more, nothing less." he admitted, he looked desperate for me to believe him.

"Why should I believe you?" I voiced my earlier thoughts.

He sighed. "You're right. You have no reason to. But you can ask Alice, you can ask Emmett. Hell, bring on the lie detector test if it's really necessary. I don't care, Bella. But I would never lie to you. I... missed you so much." his voice broke on the last word.

"What about Tanya?" I spat, jealousy clear in my voice. Why was I doing this? I thought if he ever came back to me I would jump into his arms and kiss him senseless. Instead, I was here making him feel even guiltier than before. He made you go through so much pain, he deserves it, my brain convinced. And I knew it was right.

His eyes widened. "What about Tanya?" he repeated in confusion, turning the question back on me.

"I know you two are still together, Edward. She told Charlie all about it." I admitted, and watched him sweat it out.

"When was Tanya doing anywhere near Charlie?" he inquired in shock.

"Oh, didn't ya hear? Tanya's sister is my new neighbor. Oh joy." I mused, the sarcasm clear in my voice.

"Oh, god..." he mumbled, mostly to himself, "Bella, you have to believe me. She was lying about everything. Going out with her was a mistake in the first place, I never planned on doing it again." he pleaded.

"I also heard that your first date was when she was 18, is that correct?" I asked harshly. I had so much anger, and so many questions bottled up inside of me. I needed answers and I needed them fast.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he was put on the spot yet again. "That... that is true." he admitted, closing his eyes tightly and waiting for the aftermath of his admission.

"Why?" was all I managed to choke out, more tears began to fall. The hole in my chest was getting bigger and bigger by every passing moment.

"You have to understand, Bella. This really was under different circumstances. For one, Tanya wasn't my student, and I wasn't her teacher. I was also four years younger than I am now. You could get away with a lot more when you're 26 than when you're 30, trust me." he conveyed reassuringly.

"Do you really expect that to work?" I wanted to believe him, I really did. But it all hurt so bad, and it was a constant reminder that he was the cause of all of my pain and suffering during the past week. I couldn't forgive him for that. Not yet.

"Isabella," he stated firmly, "I am a man with dignity, integrity, and pride. But if you need me to get down on my hands and knees and beg at your feet, I will do it. I will continue to beg for your forgiveness non-stop until my knees are numb and my throat is sore. As long you accept me back into your life. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, and I didn't expect forgiveness right away. But, can you, somehow, let me back into your life? I beg of you Isabella."

"I... I don't know." I choked out. I was losing. I shut my eyes tightly in fear of his reaction and another tear betrayed me, falling

"I understand." he sighed. I still couldn't look at his expression, but the pain in his voice gave it all away.

"Please, Edward. You need to leave. Charlie will be home soon." I pleaded, finally open my eyes and my heart dropped.

Edward had unshed tears in his eyes, and a forced smile. It was the same smile he gave all other students. The same smile that he gave to his staff members. But it wasn't my crooked grin. If we were being honest here, I really missed that it.

"You're right. I'm sorry, Isabella." he sighed apologetically.

"I'm so sorry, Edward." I found myself sobbing.

He looked at me with those smoldering green eyes and I thought my knees would go weak. "You have nothing to be sorry for." he stated in a firm voice, almost as if he was angry with me.

"I'm hurting everybody today. I'm just a horrible person." I cried. I was trying to be in control the whole time. I was trying to show him that I was strong and didn't need him. But I did. And now, as always, I ended up the weakling. I broke down. Why was I always the damsel in distress? Why couldn't I ever be Superwoman?

He pulled me into a hug. "You're not horrible, Isabella. Do you hear me? You are an amazing person." he encouraged, kissing my forehead.

"That's not true. I even hurt Jacob." I whimpered into his chest.

He pulled me back to look at my tear streaked face. "Who's Jacob?" he asked, his brow pulled together in confusion.

"Now's not the time to -" I started but was cut off by the sound of a car door slamming.

"Dammit, Charlie." I mumbled, trying to wipe away the evidence of my tears. "You really have to go, Edward." I warned, pushing him out the back door. I couldn't even imagine what my father would do if he found me at home alone with a 30 year old man.

"Will you please think about this?" he pleaded, and his green eyes were pained.

"Of course." I sniffed. How could I not?

He closed his eyes for a moment and bit his lip, contemplating. "Just... thank you." he said with gratitude in his voice, opening his eyes.

"For what?" I inquired, confused.

But he was already gone.

I was lost in my own world that I barely heard Charlie call for me, "Isabella Marie Swan!" he yelled, and I cringed at the use of my full name. I closed and locked the back door once again.

My eyes widened at the realization that Charlie would have to have seen Edward's Volvo in the driveway. I looked out the window very quickly and saw Edward driving away. His car looked as if it was parked on the side of the street just seconds before. Smart boy. I just hoped Charlie wouldn't put two and two together.

"Yes, Charlie?" I asked nervously, biting my lip, waiting for his outburst.

"Do you mind explaining to me why your Chevy is in the middle of the road unattended?" he questioned, and I could tell that his anger was at its peek.

I blew out a sigh of relief. Was that all? I guess I had some explaining to do.

And a lot of thinking to do.

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A/N: Is it what you expected? I didn't make Bella go all psycho on Edward for leaving, but I also didn't make her accept him fully yet. She's just in the middle right now. On a brighter note: YAY! Eddie's back! Pfft, like you didn't already know that.

Reviews are much appreciated.