A/N: Hi all. Writers block is gone. Real life is not. We're in the process of finishing off our basement ourselves and it's taking everything out of my husband and I to get it done, and all our free time as well. I'm going to try to continue updating on a weekly basis, but it might take an extra day here and there to get chapters out. I will not abandon this story, no worries there.

THANK YOU for all the reviews. I appreciate every single one. And welcome new readers! Glad to have you with us in this crazy little world I have created.

Disclaimer: SM owns all things Twilight. I own tons of sheet rock.

Chapter 14: The Long Night

BPOV

"You ready to get back to Chicago, kid?" Charlie wrapped his arms around me one last time before Emmett and I had to go. We were standing in the drop off area at the airport trying to get our last goodbye in.

Charlie was a softie at heart. He may come across a little rough, holding a gun and shooting at anything that walks by him, animals that is, but he was my dad and I loved him.

I was also his little girl, and if Edward thought Emmett and Jasper were protective, he hadn't seen anything yet.

"I think so. It's time to go and make things right." I kissed Charlie's cheek and pulled back knowing that I couldn't stay locked safely in my father's arms forever. He gave me a reassuring smile; his eyes shining with unshed tears.

"We'll see you soon then, and I guess if you must, bring Edmond home with you too." Charlie winked at me, a small smile forming underneath his terrible mustache that he'd had since I was a little girl. I always wanted to shave that thing off in his sleep, but never had the balls to do it. Some day, I would. Some day.

"It's Edward, but thanks, and if he's not scared off by Emmett and Jasper yet, I think I'll take you up on your offer."

"Good. He can have the couch." Of course Charlie would get that out in the open before Edward or I had a choice in the sleeping arrangements. I may have been 26 years old, but to Charlie, I was still his little girl.

I rolled my eyes, chuckling to myself at his fatherly tone. Charlie gave me one last smile as Emmett nudged me in the arm to get a move on it.

I returned the gesture, to his balls.

Apparently there was some asshat behind us that was in a hurry or something and we were blocking off a good amount of the drop-off area.

I apologized to Emmett for hitting him in the nads, but he didn't talk to me for the remainder of the time we spent in the airport waiting for our flight. I guess I hit him a little harder than I thought and he was in some pain. Rose would be the one to bitch about it later. She was a sexaholic and would be jumping on his shit as soon as we got through the door. I on the other hand, would be in my room, with the door shut, my stereo turned on max volume and earplugs on.

The flight back to Chicago was spent catching up on some needed sleep I'd missed over the past few days. They'd been so mentally draining that I needed just a few hours to get my head back in the game before I had to face reality again. Reality in my case was facing Edward and the way I had left things.

As if I hadn't faced enough reality over the past few days, I needed to make things right with the people, or person I should say, that was still in my life, hopefully waiting for my ass to figure things out. I should've never left the way I did, but honestly, I wanted to enjoy that night, the night before I went home and faced my past. I wanted to not think about the flight home, or what I was going to do when I got there. I wanted to laugh, joke with my friends, drink myself into oblivion and forget my troubles. And we did just that. Our little group was slowly forming into a little family, and I hoped that we had many more nights just like that one.

Tonight was the cancer fundraiser Edward wanted me to go with him to. Alice and Edward e-mailed me the details, and apparently Alice was picking out a dress for me to wear. I hadn't been to it in a few years, and knew I'd be seeing the rest of the Cullen's. It was a big night for me to say the least. Not only was I seeing Edward again for the first time in a week, I was also going to tell him what I went home for and I was going to see Esme and Carlisle again. I hadn't seen either of them in years and was excited to catch up, but even more nervous going as Edward's girlfriend. Esme and Carlisle were two of the nicest and most sincere people I'd ever met, but Edward and I were obviously going to be on rocky terms and this wasn't the way I wanted to be introduced to his parents. I felt my anxiety increase by the minute as the plane started to descend. I tucked my knees into my chest and wrapped my arms around them, trying to hold myself together for as long as I could.

Emmett wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. He'd told me all week that I should've come clean with Edward before we left, and of course, I should've listened to him, but I didn't, and now I had to deal with the consequences of my actions. Emmett had always tried to shield me from things in life, it was his duty he said, as my older brother, but dealing with me having a boyfriend, a boyfriend who was amazing, wasn't something he specialized in. So, when I had to face up to my actions with said boyfriend, he didn't have too many encouraging words to spout.

It'd been a long 6 days that I was home in Arizona. It was great to see Charlie and Emmett's parents, but that was about it. There weren't too many other happy times I wish to relive from the trip. Time and time again, I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind, not wanting to relive most of it.

Not telling Edward where I was going ahead of time was a bad decision; I knew this before we even left. I lay awake in my bed for hours contemplating talking with him, but going home without talking to him out won the practical part of my brain.

Throwing my keys on the counter, I rolled my suitcase back to my room, turned up the volume on my stereo, put in the earplugs and fell onto my bed. Emmett and Rose were locked up in their bedroom, and Jasper apparently was getting fitted for a tux for tonight.

If he was wearing one, then I would assume Edward would be too.

The thought of seeing him all dressed up made me smile. He was a very attractive man, and I was fortunate to call him mine. I pretty much told him I loved him on Wednesday night. I don't know what came over me, but I needed to let him know what he meant to me after the shoddy move that I made. With butterflies in my stomach, I thought about my Edward, picturing what he would look like in a tux, how he'd smell, the way his hair would look like he ran his hands through it over and over again. I was nervous to see him, but at the same time, I knew I'd feel a hell of a lot better when he was here, his arms around me holding me close. Edward was slowly becoming my life and I needed him like I needed oxygen.

I drifted off to thoughts of Edward, falling into a light sleep that I desperately needed.

I found that I wasn't left alone for long when Alice came barging in my room making me practically jump off the bed. I could see her eyes going wild at what she saw, knowing that the last time she was in here, she was three sheets to the wind and she was more interested in finding the tiniest pair of shorts she could borrow from me. Unfortunately for her and probably Jazz, I was a bit taller than her, so even my short shorts looked modest on her tiny frame. I knew what she was looking at, but I needed to talk to Edward first. I couldn't do that to him, talk to Alice before him.

"Shower, shave, and then you're mine Swan." Alice practically yelled at me as she threw the garment bag that housed my dress onto the bed and put her hands on her hips. "You've got some explaining to do, and I can't say that I'm all too happy with you right now, so get your scrawny ass up and get moving!" This wasn't the typical Alice that I was used too. She wasn't kidding, the stern look across her tiny thin lips told me that she knew the way I'd left and she wasn't pleased in the state that I left her brother. She was downright pissed; I could practically see the daggers her eyes were throwing my way.

"Allie I-" She was quick to cut me off, her beady eyes glaring at me.

"I don't even want to hear about it Bella. I'm here because I love you and you're my friend, but that doesn't mean that I have to like you right now. I don't know what happened to you, and that's fine, it's your past to tell, no matter how much I tried to get it out of Jasper. But you gotta remember that the guy you left behind was heart broken all damn week freaking the fuck out about you. So, you either set things straight with him, or you cut ties with me. That's that." Alice turned to go back out in the living room, leaving me to head to the shower to start cleaning up.

I'd never seen Alice react like that. She was always so easy going, fun loving. She was playing mama bear to her cub big time. I'd fucked up majorly and according to Alice, either I figured things out or I was out a friend and a boyfriend.

I stepped in the shower and let the hot water wash away the pain of the past few days.

Alice had no idea what I'd gone through, she didn't realize how shitty I felt leaving the way I did. She had no clue. I couldn't blame her for trying to protect her brother, but it didn't mean that it didn't kill me to know that I had offended her so much. I had to stop thinking of only myself. I hurt Alice, I hurt Edward and it didn't matter what I'd gone through, they didn't deserve that from me.

"BB? You ok in there?" Jasper's concerned voice broke me out of the pity party I was having for myself. I could tell he was still on the other side of the door, and was grateful that he didn't just barge in like he usually did.

"I'm fine Jazzy. Thanks!" I wouldn't feel bad for myself. Not now. They didn't need this. Every year, Jasper, Emmett and Rose had to see me go through withdrawal, and I was bound and determined not to let that happen this time.

I needed to be a big girl and suck it up. I could do that. For my friends at least.

I spent another 20 minutes in the shower making sure to cover each and every area of my body, wanting to be prepared for Edward tonight. It probably wasn't the appropriate time to be thinking about this, but I needed something to take my mind off of everything that was going on in my life. I hadn't had sex in a week, and I needed to feel close to him once again. To feel his comfort, his love.

Alice met me in my room, she was staring at several of my pictures and when I entered, she jumped, looking scared like I was going to be mad that she was in there.

"I'm sorry Alice. Please know that I am." I couldn't control the tears that were coming.

I'd have thought that Alice would have wrapped me in one of her tiny little pixie hugs, but instead, she said nothing, held up my dress trying to change the subject.

That gesture alone, hurt more than it probably should have.

"Edward asked that it be blue and strapless, so I thought he would like this." A small smile played across her lips, and I knew that I was nowhere near forgiven for my actions, but she seemed to be coming around a little. Either that or she knew that Edward would like the dress, and was smiling because he'd smile when he saw it.

We didn't talk much as she dried my hair and did my make up perfectly. I noticed that hers was already done, and her normally spiky hair was in soft curls, pinned to the sides of her head like a rolling 20's pin up girl. She had on dark red lipstick and her eyes were done in soft golds.

My hair was curled then pulled into a loose bun on the nape of my neck, a few loose curls hanging near my ears. My eyes were smoky, dark and seductive, matched with pink cheeks and lips.

Alice left me to change, and went into Jasper's room to put her own dress on. The tension was high between us, but I tried to shrug it off knowing that she was just looking out for her brother and that I would make things right between us all.

My phone beeped signaling a new text message.

I miss you, love. I can't wait to see you. I'll be there in 30 minutes. –E

Emotional as ever, a few tears escaped my eye, but I was quick to clean them up before Alice chewed me out for ruining my makeup.

I disrobed and stood naked in front of my vanity. I put on a new pair of panties from La Perla that I'd found with my dress. They were a dark blue and matched the color of the dress. I lotioned my arms and legs and bent down to grab my dress when I jumped at Alice's voice.

"You really do have a nice ass, Bella. I don't mean to go all taco on you or anything, but you do." I turned around to find Alice standing in the door jam wearing a white satin dress that went to the floor. It was a thin material that hugged her like a second skin. The dress was held together with two thin gold spaghetti straps, and she looked absolutely amazing. As I stared at the dress, I forgot that I was standing there almost completely nude, and made quick to grab my robe off the floor to try and cover myself up. "You're so lucky in the boob department too. I got nothing up here, and you got it all. Wanna trade?" Alice shelved her small chest as she smiled at me. Her complimenting my boobs was a start. A weird start, but a start indeed.

"Thanks for the compliments, even though they freaked the fuck out of me." I smiled at her as I went for my dress and started to slip it on. Alice seemed to be letting up on me a little and I was happy to know that all was not lost with her.

"This little family we've formed here freaks the fuck out of me, so I figured, it you can't beat 'em, why not join 'em, right?" I nodded in agreement as I started to pull the dress over my hips, jumping up and down to get it to move to where it needed to go.

Alice watched me struggle for a few minutes before helping me get the dress where it needed to go; the top was tight fitting to say the least. I looked at the tags on the way up and noticed that it was a size 2 when I clearly was at least a 4.

Looking in the mirror, I gasped at what I saw. The dress was a chiffon lace over satin, strapless and deep midnight blue, tight on the bust, and flowing about an inch longer than my feet, dragging a bit on the ground. I suppose with the heels that Alice brought, that would quickly change. It had a sweetheart neckline, dipping low between my breasts, where a cluster of rhinestones sat. The dress was absolutely breath taking and I'm sure very expensive. Alice allowed me to hug her in a thank you, but it wasn't a typical hug, it was too soft for what we usually did.

We broke apart at the loud knock on the front door.

"I'm still mad at you, you know, it's gonna take some time for me to be nice again, but I'll do my best." Alice looked pissed again, and I was starting to think that she was a bit bipolar.

"I'm sorry Allie. I had something that I needed to take care of, and before I talk with you anymore, I really need to talk with Edward first. I know you're upset with me, hell, I'm upset with me for the way I ended things, but you gotta know that I had some shit to deal with and I will make things right, ok?" Alice opened and shut her mouth several times during my little rant, but I wasn't stopping, knowing that I needed to get out what I had to say.

"Whatever." Alice sneered at me, then walked out.

This was going to be a long night if this was the way she was going to treat me. She had her reasons, yes, but I wasn't a bad person, and it sucked major ass that she was doing this, especially tonight.

After taking a few calming breaths, I checked my makeup one last time in the mirror, grabbed my clutch that Alice had brought with the dress and prayed to the high heavens or anyone that was watching over me that the stilettos that were currently like death traps on my feet would keep me upright for the next few hours.

"Here goes nothing." I mumbled to myself, as I walked into the living room then into the kitchen where I stopped dead in my tracks at the sight in front of me.

Edward was standing there in a full black tuxedo, bow time and all, a midnight blue vest matching my dress underneath his jacket. His hair was gelled heavily but still in its messy disarray just how I liked it. When he noticed I had entered the room, his piercing green eyes met mine, and the crooked smile I loved most appeared across his perfect lips.

I was mesmerized by how handsome he looked, I mean, he was probably the most handsome man that I'd ever met, but seriously, he was totally boneable in that moment. My filter was slowly diminishing by the second and I had to remind myself that I didn't want to make a fool in front of his business associates, Carlisle and Esme tonight.

"Bella," Edward literally moaned my name and I had fight back a smile. When his eyes met mine, I could no longer control the blush that crept along my cheeks. He walked towards me, never taking his eyes off of my body as he came to stand in front of me. Edward's hand sat on my hip as he leaned in and kissed my cheek. "You look absolutely stunning."

My hand rested over his chest as I returned the kiss. "You don't look too bad yourself, handsome." Edward smiled rolling his eyes at me. I was surprised to find that he didn't appear to be upset or troubled. I really thought he was going to chew me out, or break up with me or something absurd for the way I just left; but instead, he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in for a tight hug holding him closely to him. My body melted against his, and I truly felt like I was home for the first time in years.

"I missed you, love." He whispered in my ear, I shivered as his cool breath hit my skin. He called me love again, and as curious as I was to ask what he meant by it, I figured I'd been ballsy enough by what I wrote in the e-mail that I wasn't going to ask. Not now anyways.

"And I you." Shyness wasn't something I typically felt, but for the first time since I met Edward, I didn't know what to say, how to act or what to do in front of him.

"Alright, if you two are done kanoodling over there, lets get this show on the road. I'm supposed to be meeting Daddy C tonight, and if we don't go now, I'm gonna lose my shit and I look too pretty to end up on the floor of a dirty bathroom." Jasper was a bit nervous to be meeting Carlisle as Alice's boyfriend. I on the other hand was excited, nervous for other reasons, but I knew what kind of man Daddy C was so I wasn't worried about him or Esme judging me.

"Jasper, you look like your gonna puke, are you? I'll get a bucket and a camera so we can watch this shit later, over and over again!" Emmett was sitting up on the counter in Simpson boxers with Rose leaning against his chest. He tried to jump down to probably get the camera, but Rose stopped him with an evil glare that silently told him he wasn't going to play house with her tonight if he moved from his spot.

"Be nice. Remember the first time you met Rose's grandma?" Rose's parents had died when she was young; she lived with her grandma up until she moved for school. So, instead of meeting an overbearing father, Emmett got to meet an overbearing grandma that was very protective of her little Rosie Posey. Lets just say there was a shot gun involved and an 80 year old lady two feet shorter than Emmett that made it known that she knew darn well how to shoot that gun. And it was funny if I do say so myself. We were all there to witness the first interaction that they had, and give him shit all the time for the pansy way he reacted. The look on Emmett's face said that he remembered exactly what I was talking about. "That's what I thought fucktard, now leave Jazzy alone so we can get going."

Edward's arm remained around me as we stood bull shitting with the rest of the group for a few more minutes. Alice and Jasper left, Alice still going back and forth from giving me the stink eye, and being my friend. I decided to ignore it for the time being, and threw back a few shots to loosen myself up. Edward showed no sign of if he was upset or disgusted with me for the way I left things, and I tried to not think about the talk that I knew was to come.

"Now you two kids play nice. I guess there's no reason to tell you to behave, as I'm sure you won't listen anyways, but have fun." Emmett scratched the sausage as Rose rolled her eyes and smacked him in the stomach.

Edward didn't say anything to Emmett's little annoying comment, nor did he roll his eyes like he usually did. Either he was just trying to play really nice or something was up. I actually liked when Edward played back a little, it showed that he was coming into the dark side with the freaks I call my family.

We left a few minutes later, Edward's hand on the small of my back, leading me to his car. He drove the Aston Martin; I should have expected it. In the back of my mind, I thought he would've brought his motorcycle, my dress flying up as we drove down the busy streets.

I chuckled to myself at the images going through my head as Edward opened the passenger side door for me.

"What's so funny?" His face looked puzzled and confused, but the crooked grin I loved was in place trying to figure me out.

I shook my head and got in as he shut the door for me. Moments later he was in the drivers side, the car was started, but he made no move to pull out into traffic. Instead, he turned towards me and grabbed both of my hands in his.

"I was so worried about you." His voice was low, more of a mumble than anything and very serious. His long fingers traced circles over the palms of my hands soothingly, comforting. I didn't say anything at first as I was on the verge of tears already and I knew that if I did, I would cry, and I didn't want to cry. Bella Swan doesn't cry, and for someone who doesn't cry, I did more than my fair share of that this week. "Did you have a nice time with your father? How is he?"

That wasn't the question I thought he would've asked and it took me a minute to respond, trying to find my words. I was prepared to just spill everything, tear stains running down my face, ruining my makeup and all, but he surprised me like he always did.

"He's doing fine actually. You're invited to Thanksgiving, to sleep on the couch, if you're interested."

Edward chuckled under his breath as he took my hand and kissed it softly, turning his body towards me.

"Glad to hear that, and yes, if you'd like, I would love to go home with you for Thanksgiving. Not too sure how I feel about sleeping on the couch, I think we're old enough to be able to share a bed, but we can talk about that later. I must say I'm a little surprised to hear that your father was kind enough to invite me. Emmett and Jasper make him sound like a warden or something." Edward shivered, probably thinking his own image up of what my father was like.

"Well, he is chief of Police, you know. And he didn't invite you per say, he invited Edmond, but if you see him, let him know." Edward moved to pull a lock of hair behind my ear then cupped my cheek in his warm hand.

"I'll let Edmond know, if I see him, that is." Edward chuckled to himself as we sat there in silence.

"Edward, I'm sor-" He cut me off before I could get out what I really wanted to say.

"Don't. We've got some things to talk about, but I'd rather enjoy this night with you first." His hand that was cupping my cheek moved down to my shoulder, sliding down my arm sending tingles through my entire body. "And this dress, too. Definitely enjoying the dress later." His hungry gaze moved from my eyes to my chest, more precisely my cleavage.

"You're not mad at me? About what I did?" Edward's gaze went from sensual back to normal. His lips pursed, as he seemed to be deep in thought.

"I'm not mad at you, baby. I wish you would've told me that you needed to leave for a few days, but I understand that there were things you needed to take care of, and you didn't feel comfortable telling me about them. This relationship is new, I need to remind myself of that from time to time." He gave me a weak smile that made my heart sink once again.

"It's not that. I just…. I needed some time is all." I grabbed his hand and squeezed it lightly.

Edward nodded in agreement, leaning forward to kiss me softly on the lips. It was not a rushed kiss, or one of heated passion, rather one that told me he was here, waiting for me when I was ready.

We drove in comfortable silence to the hotel. Pulling up, I realized that the fundraiser was being held at Trump International Tower, my excitement overtook me and I couldn't wait to get there and look around. It was a high-end hotel that I'd always wanted to stay at, but never had a reason or money to before.

We pulled up to have the valet park the car, and I heard Edward mumble something to the 16-year-old kid that grabbed the keys from him with wide eyes. The kid mumbled something back about the car being ostentaneous or something along those lines. It was a nice car and all, but since being in it several times, it was just a car. Now, if I had expressed my feelings to any one of the guys, I would have been put in my place pretty quickly.

My door opened and another valet held out his hand for me to take, but Edward was quick to shoo him away and held out his own hand for me to take.

"I'll take it from here." The valet looked at him like he was annoyed but Edward shrugged it off, not taking his eyes off me for a second.

As soon as I was standing, Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and held me close.

"Jealous much?" I asked with a playful tone.

Edward ran one hand through his hair as he shook his head, grinning from ear to ear.

"I saw the way he looked at you, like he wanted to eat you." He held my body closer to his as he leaned in and whispered in my ear. "I'm the only one that gets to look at you like that." He placed a soft kiss under my ear, sending shivers and electricity across my entire body.

Edward was jealous, of a 16-year-old valet. Cute. I wasn't sure if he really thought that I'd go for a teenager, but it was kind of a turn on for him to get all hot and bothered by another man, well kid in this case giving me a little attention.

Looking up at the hotel, I was in awe. It was one of the nicest hotels in Chicago and I was in love. I couldn't wait to get inside and check the rest of the place out. I wish I had my camera; I could take so many pictures for my collection.

"We'll come back, I promise." I looked at Edward in confusion. "You're thinking of all the photos you could take, am I right?" I nodded in agreement, laughing a little at how well he knew me. "Then we'll come back when we have more time to really look around."

"Thank you. You really are a mind reader, aren't you?" Edward shrugged his shoulders as we made our way to the front door.

"Ready to go in, love?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

This was going to be a long night.

A/N: Yup, I stopped it there. Gosh I'm such an ass. Next chapter will be the fundraiser dinner, meeting his parents, and why Bella went home.

I know you all might be wondering why Edward is handling things so coolly, but I've seen so many Edward's just go off the hinges and hurting Bella in the long run, that I thought for once, I'd have my Edward think more about why Bella did what she did and give her a chance to tell him what happened before he went all crazy on her. Not to say I don't love mad aggressive Edward, because I do, but I thought I'd change things up a little.

Thanks to all of you that are still with me. Last chapter took me a little over two weeks to get out, and even though many authors don't update weekly, I usually do, and apparently that made several people stop reviewing, reading, etc. Real life gets in the way, and writers block happens, I can't do much about either one. At least I do update on a regular basis. Some stories it takes a month to get an update. This is just my little rant seeing that reviews were way down.

These few chapters are a bit heavy but you had to assume that there was going to be some kind of plot, right? Funnies will come back, all in due time.

Since I've already told you that reviews are down, you can pretty much figure out that I would appreciate a few more on this chapter. Push the green button, say hello, tell me how excited you are for 'Remember Me', or just review the chapter. Any of the above is fine with me. Oh, and the 'Eclipse' trailer too. What do you think they are going to show? I personally am looking for the bedroom scene, but I bet we won't get that lucky right off the bat.

See you soon!