I can't keep up with review replies - I'm so sorry. Thank you for each and every one and I'm sorry I can't write back. But I read them and I love them. Even the ones that tell me I'm evil.

Thank you to Iris, MidnightCougar, Ifyouweremine and SparklyMeg as always.

Chapter 21

His words hang heavily in the air between us. He spoke so softly that I almost didn't hear him, but the words seem to echo amongst the trees.

"It's over?" I ask quietly.

"Yes."

"With Tanya?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

Silence falls between us as I try to process what this could mean for us.

Us. The word sends my pulse racing.

The only sounds that can be heard are our breathing and the old chair creaking as I rock back and forth. Unable to look at Edward, my attention's focused on a loose thread from the blanket. I pull and pull at it until a small hole forms, and I curse quietly.

My lack of response seems to frustrate Edward, who huffs beside me.

"Christ, Bella. You're killing me here."

I glance up and meet his intense gaze. "I don't know what to say."

He reaches for my hand, smiling when I don't pull away. His touch sends chills down my spine, and I know it was stupid to try and fight it.

"Tell me what you're thinking. Right now."

"I'm… I'm glad you're here," I admit quietly.

"And?"

I sigh. "And I'm glad you've broken up with Tanya."

"Me, too," he murmurs, and his admission sends the butterflies in my stomach into overdrive.

"I do have some questions." I want to know everything. There's so much we need to talk about before we can even think about starting anything together.

He nods, squeezing my hand. "And I have the answers. I promise. Do you want to talk now? I wasn't sure if I was interrupting something when you came home."

"Just dinner. And luckily for you, there's enough for four."

ooOoo

Dinner's awkward and definitely not the way I imagined my parents meeting Edward. I can tell Edward feels uncomfortable by the way he fidgets in his chair next to me. His leg bounces constantly, and I nudge him a few times to stop him. It's only on the last time, when I rest my hand on his knee and keep it there, that he seems to relax, and I love that I have that effect on him.

My mom and dad are polite enough, including him in the conversation without asking any awkward questions. His wedding and break-up are the elephants in the room everyone avoids.

A few times, I find myself watching him intently. Having him here, next to me, and in my home, casually chatting with my parents, do things to me. They make me feel things I never thought I would with him. It's something I've wanted since I met him and something I'd recently convinced myself I couldn't have. He's sitting so close to me that I can feel the heat from his leg searing against mine, and I can't focus on anything else. All I want to do is take him away and get answers to everything.

Why did he split up with Tanya?

Why did it take him so long?

Why is he here?

What about his Mom? And his job?

By the time dinner's finished, I'm practically vibrating with the need to get him outside. I want the answers he told me he has, and I want them now.

When everyone's finished and there's a lull in conversation, I push back from the table and collect the empty plates. Edward helps and follows me into the kitchen, staying close to my side as I begin loading the dishwasher.

There are gentle touches and soft smiles as we work together in silence, anticipation bubbling between us. Edward's fingers linger on mine as he passes me items, and I love his nervous chuckle when I raise my eyebrow in question.

"Can we talk tonight?" he asks.

I nod. "Yeah. We'll take a drive."

"You just want to get me alone," he jokes with a wink.

I close the distance between us and step up onto my tiptoes so my lips are right at his ear. "Damn right I do."

ooOoo

We throw Edwards bags in the back seat and drive out to First Beach, which is practically empty due to the cold weather. The air's clear but crisp, and we can see the stars now that we're away from the town's lights. I miss the truck I had to sell before moving to Chicago; it would've been perfect for sitting in or to be in the back with a thick blanket wrapped around me — or us.

"You wanna go for a walk or stay in?"

"It's been so long since I've been to a beach," he murmurs quietly, looking out his window. He looks so lost but has a small smile on his face.

Decision made.

"You better zip up your jacket, then. It's freezing but beautiful outside."

He smiles but doesn't say anything. I grab my jacket and the blanket, and we head onto the beach. We walk for a few minutes before Edward speaks.

"Bella, before I tell you anything, I want you to know how sorry I am."

"Edward, I—"

"Please." He holds up his hands. "I need to get this out. You can ask me to leave, stay, whatever. Just please let me finish first."

I nod, letting him continue.

"I've been, well, awful to you since the beginning. You and Tanya." He sighs. "She didn't need a fiancé who no longer loved her, and you didn't need an engaged man chasing you."

We come to a fallen tree, and I climb on and take a seat, wrapping the blanket around me. As thick as it is, I still shiver against the breeze.

He sits next to me, pulling his jacket tight around him and blowing on his hands. "Christ. It feels colder than Chicago."

I shrug. "It's the sea breeze. We can go back to the car, if you want."

He shakes his head. "I'm good."

He turns to face the water and then looks back to me. "I never meant to hurt you or Tanya, you know. And I think in doing that, I've hurt you both."

"How did she take it?"

He flinches. "Not good. Apparently, nobody splits up with Tanya Turner." He picks up a pebble and throws it toward the water. "You know, she didn't even seem that bothered about me actually splitting up with her − just how was she going to explain this to everyone, how it was going to look. I wouldn't be surprised if there's something in the magazines about her dumping me."

"I'm sorry."

He shrugs. "I shouldn't have let it go on for so long."

He stands and begins pacing in front of me. Every so often, he picks up some pebbles and throws them into the water. After a while, he sits back down, right next to me, and takes one of my hands in his.

He angles his body to face mine, our gazes locking. "I want you to know I split up with her for you."

I look down at our hands, unable to fight the smile that forms on my lips. "You did?"

He squeezes my hand and laughs softly. "Yes. I haven't been able to get you out of my head since I caught your eye in the mirror behind the bar in O'Neills."

I smile, thinking back to when we first met.

We fall silent, both lost in our own thoughts. My eyes are focused on his hand on mine as I try to process the last few hours. Edward turning up at my house to tell me he's split with Tanya and wants to be with me is pretty much all I've thought about since I found out he was the groom. And as much as I want to let him sweep me into his arms, there are still some answers I need.

"Why did you?" I wonder softly.

"Why did I what?"

I slowly pull my hand from his. It was easy to get swept up in Edward's romantic ideas, but nothing is ever that easy. I still feel — and will probably feel for a little while, at least — he chose Tanya over me.

"Why did you let it go on so long? You said yourself you didn't love her anymore." My voice is quiet but clear, and I wonder if he can hear the hurt I'm trying to hide.

"Bella, you know there were other—"

"Don't! I know there were other things going on, but don't you dare blame this on your job or your mom." He reaches for my hand, but I snatch it back. "If you wanted to be with me as much as you say you do, then that wouldn't have mattered. We would've found a way, because that's what people in relationships do; they figure things out together." I'm more angry than upset, and I hate that the last word comes out as a sob. I push off the fallen tree and walk back toward the car, knowing he's following me.

The wind's picked up, almost as if sensing my mood, and I struggle to walk into it. The spray from the sea is blown onto my face, mixing with the tears I know are falling.

"Bella! Wait! You can't walk away from me like that." He follows close behind me. When I show no sign of stopping, he pulls my arm and spins me so I face him. I roughly wipe my face, hoping he doesn't see my traitorous tears.

"I want to explain things to you. Is there somewhere we can go?"

"Edward—"

"Please," he begs. "You said you'd listen."

I look to the car and back to Edward again. He looks so hopeful, and I do want to hear his reasoning.

"Okay," I agree. "Let's go."

ooOoo

Thank you for reading - see you next Sunday! If you haven't already come find me on facebook where we chat about the story, post fic rec's and the piece of Rob p0rn. If you search Twilightladies Fanfiction you should be able to find me.

Fic Rec: Rise by Rochelle Allison - Bella is a bad boy's girl, living a life she no longer wants. She's trapped, until one of the things that keeps her confined - her bodyguard - becomes the very thing that could set her free.

I've been going through some old fav's and this is pretty much at the top of my list. If you haven't read it then go. Now.