Finally. Edward got a backbone Enjoy everyone.

EDWARD POV

I could see in Bella's eyes as she hugged me that she thought that song was just about our friendship. And in a way, it was true. But I had been trying to convey so much more to her, and hoping maybe I wouldn't have to tell her I loved her, maybe she would realize it herself. I didn't have time to dwell on it though, because I was swept up in organizations behind stage, helping other performers get ready. I was satisfied with how my performance had gone, and I was feeling extremely relieved that it was over. I kept telling myself I would have to get used to this sort of thing, but I knew it would take a while. When the show ended, and I was finally able to leave, I sought out Bella and Renee. I found them easily, waiting by the theater doors, and as soon as Bella saw me she was hugging me again.

"You we're amazing!" She cried. I smiled halfheartedly, patting her back.

"Thanks, beautiful." I said. She had tears in her eyes.

"That song was perfect. I don't even know what to say. I mean, it was so wonderful." She blubbered. "How come I never heard it before?" She asked.

"It was a surprise." I said, and she sighed.

"Well it was fantastic. I'm so proud of you." She said, kissing my temple as she always did. I closed my eyes as she did this, and breathed in. "Come on, let's go to dinner." She suggested. I agreed, and was about to follow her to the front exit when Renee cleared her throat.

"Bella can I talk to you?" She asked. I immediately got a bad feeling and gave her a wary look. She looked away from my eyes as Bella skipped happily away to talk with her. They made their way into a different hall and I sat down in the lobby, putting my head in my hands. A couple of attractive girls my age were giggling and looking at me, whispering things about the concert and Bella's song. I ignored them, so not in the mood. Renee came back around the corner in a moment, and barely glanced at me before leaving through the glass doors, walking quickly up the street and catching a cab. Bella then came back, and I saw that her eyes were red and puffy, though she was trying to hide it.

"Bella, what's the matter? What happened?" I asked. She shook her head, looking pissed off.

"Nothing, let's just go to dinner." She said shortly.

"Bells tell me. Please." I pleaded. She sniffled, and tried to look happy.

"Come on, it isn't important, let's celebrate your performance." She said.

"It is important." I said, following her out the door and once again ignoring the giggly girls, who were now staring at us. We were halfway down the street when I grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. She was obviously holding back tears, and when she couldn't stand it anymore, fell into me. She clutched my shirt tightly, and I held her close while she cried, sobs shaking her slender form.

"She never stays." She whispered quietly, and I stroked her soft hair, mentally cursing Renee.

BELLA POV

"What is it, mom?" I asked when she had pulled me around the corner.

"I have to go, Bella." She said shortly. I was confused.

"What? Why now?" I asked her.

"I can't be with you two anymore. I've missed too much, it's like I don't know you."

"Mom just-" I started to protest. But she cut me off.

"No, I'm a pathetic excuse for a mother. You're better off without me. I'm sorry I came here tonight with you." She insisted, and I hardened. I wasn't going to take any of this 'feel bad for me' shit. No, not again.

"You know, you're right. You don't know me because you abandoned our whole family with no explanation. I've seen you once since I was seven." I said bitterly.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Didn't you want us?" I asked desperately, a question I had wanted to know since I was very little.

"Of course I did...I just-" She began.

"Just what? Couldn't handle it? Then maybe you should have thought before starting a family." I threw at her. She looked at me.

"Bella, you know I love you. You're my daughter, how can I not? And Emmett too, he's my baby boy. But I did think before starting a family. It all just sort of happened, it was never what I wanted."

"So you're saying you can love someone and not want them?" I asked, angry now.

"Well, that's not what I'm-" She started to say, looking helpless.

"Mom, maybe you're right. Maybe we are better off without you, please just go." I said quietly, and she just looked at me. She looked at me for a long time, and then turned on her heel and left. I burst out in uncontrollable tears now, and tried to stifle them this was Edward's night, not mine. I didn't want him to see me like this. I wanted to give him all my attention. And so I gathered myself, getting that horrible tight feeling when you're holding in tears, and wiped my eyes. I took a deep breath, and walked out.

"Bella, what's the matter? What happened?" Edward asked me as soon as he saw me. Of course he would notice, had I been so stupid as to think he wouldn't? There were a couple girls our age staring at me, whispering my name and Edward's. I was guessing they had heard his song for me.

"Nothing, let's just go to dinner." I said with unavoidable anger in my voice. I hated her, I hated my own mother. She always did this.

"Bells tell me. Please." He pleaded. I sniffled, and tried to look happier and convincing.

"Come on, it isn't important, let's celebrate your performance." I said, walking out the door. But of course, he insisted.

"It is important." He said. I kept walking, but halfway down the dark street felt his cool hands on my shoulders. He turned me around to face him, and I looked at him. The comforting words of his song came flowing through my brain, and I couldn't hold it in any longer. I burst out in tears and he was there to catch me, as he always was. I felt bad, but couldn't stop crying. I clutched him on instinct and he held me tightly, making me feel safe.

"She never stays." I whispered to him. He stroked down my hair over and over again, telling me it was all right.

EDWARD POV

I looked down at her sleeping form, her tear streaked face peaceful in dreams. She was clutching me tightly, dressed in an over large shirt and sweatpants. She was so warm next to me, it almost killed me. It was so familiar, so comforting, so necessary, but also unbearable. I wanted her to know I loved her. To the moon and back. When we had gotten back up to the hotel room after deciding not to go to dinner, she had suddenly become extremely tired, saying the days events had washed her out. She had apologized profusely for taking up the time that should be focused on me, the time we should have spent celebrating my success. But I honestly couldn't care less, and as we lay here before she fell asleep, I had seen the tiny, frail, innocent seven-year-old Bella from 10 years ago. The seven-year-old Bella whose mother had left her, who barely ate, who didn't like to watch movies or listen to music. The seven-year-old Bella with big empty eyes. The little Bella I had eventually coaxed out of depression, and set back on her feet.

I got out of the bed, disentangling myself from Bella, and sitting down on the chair. I watched her sleep, her even breathing and angel face. I sat there for a while, turning my new Ipod over and over in my hands, tracing the inscription on the back, and rereading her card. I was in the process of reading it for the third time when I heard her stir, I looked at the clock, it was 3 in the morning.

"Edward?" She called out quietly, getting up quickly. She turned around in a circle in the dark.

"I'm right here, beautiful." I said, reassuring her and standing up to meet her in the middle of the room. Her eyes were welling up with tears again. "I'm right here." I whispered, standing close. She looked up at me with those brown eyes, and I lost it. I don't know if it was the left over adrenaline from the show, or the urge to make her feel better, or if it was just that she was wearing my shirt, but all of my urges over came me right there, and I was helpless. I slipped a hand around her neck gently, and when she didn't pull away, brought myself closer. I took one shaky breath before doing what I had dreamt of doing for a while now. Her lips were soft on mine as I pressed mine down on them. She didn't protest, and I took that as a good sign. I pressed my body against hers, and it only intensified the moment. I placed one hand on the small of her back, around her waist, and continued, lost in my own head. It was perfect, our lips moving in precision with each other's, which wasn't surprising, since every other part of us was in sync. She smelled so amazing, like strawberries and a faint hint of freesia. I almost groaned as she moved hesitantly and placed her arms around my neck lightly. I felt her respond finally, kissing me back, and I think I might have died as she ran a gentle hand through my hair.

BELLA POV

"I'm right here, beautiful." He said, and I turned to find the voice. He was sitting in the chair, but stood up immediately, coming towards me. "I'm right here." He whispered, now standing very close. He slipped a hand around my neck, cupping it gently. He pulled himself even closer, and now I could feel his breath as he drew a shaky one in. I had no time to do anything before he pressed his lips to mine. I wasn't quite sure how to react, but ironically, the first thing that ran through my head was "Damn, he's a good kisser." And it was true. His lips were like velvet, smooth and perfect, moving as if in a dance with mine. He tasted like the sun and toothpaste, and smelled like his clean laundry and cologne. He moved an arm around my waist and pulled me that much closer. Now every part of our bodies were connected. It was so oddly familiar, yet so new. This was the same Edward I had cuddled up with countless times, the same strong chest and long arms. But this was different, as if I was seeing him in a new light. His kiss was so different than Carlos' had been, or any other guy I had ever kissed. It was so natural and easy as breathing. I still wasn't sure what was happening, but my brain had gone fuzzy, and I let myself place my arms around his neck. I returned his pressure, and he shivered as I ran a hand through his hair. I hesitated for a moment before parting my lips just slightly, and letting myself get lost in confusion and happiness.

WOW. So what happens next? I'll try to update soon! I imagined 'Secrets' by OneRepublic as the soundtrack to this chapter…just sayin.

Reviews?

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