Sorry for the little delay! I had an absolutely crazy couple of days at work and that coupled with some sticky parts of this chapter really had me stumped for a while.

Not sure when I'll get to update again but it should be within a week- if it turns out to be different, I'll share it on my facebook profile- which is Cynosure Fanfic. Add me if you'd like to tune in!

Enjoy the chapter- don't forget to let me know what you think!

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Edward Cullen

Not wanting to kick Violet and Bella out of their own home, I suggested to my mom that we take a cab back to my place where we could talk in private. She agreed, and that's how we found ourselves sitting in silence in a musty smelling taxi cab, both of us staring out the windows at the snow covered city outside.

By the time we reached my block, the silence was unbearable and I spoke as I helped my mother out of the car. "Are you okay, Mom?"

She smiled weakly, but have my hand a strong squeeze. "I am, Edward. I just…it's just that a lot has happened very quickly, and I'm not sure how to process all of it."

"I can imagine."

I ushered her into my apartment, and she looked impressed. I had to admit that it made me pleased, but at the same time I imagined the reaction my father would have- probably thinking it wasn't good enough. But I had bought this place with my own money, and I was proud of it.

"Did Violet do these?" She asked, touching the artwork on the wall. "They're very cute."

"She did," I confirmed. "She painted her room, too. With my help, of course."

We stood there awkwardly for a moment before I gestured to the living area. "Why don't we sit down? Here, let me take your hat and coat…and you can just leave the bag there for now."

"I don't even know where to begin," she said after we sat down in chairs across from each other. "It seems like a big blur."

"Tell me why you left," I prodded.

"I was…I was just so upset about not seeing you and Violet for Christmas," my mom began. "I love Rosalie and Emmett to death but Christmas just wasn't the same this year, without you and without her. It was your first Christmas with your daughter and it was our first Christmas knowing we were grandparents…I hated that we couldn't be there."

"I'm sorry," I said honestly. "But you know why I couldn't…"

"Yes, I know," she replied softly. "And part of me understands. But even though I can understand it on some level, it hurts. And knowing that you had good reason to keep us away hurt even more. But your father just didn't understand why I was so upset. He told me we'd send Violet presents and see her after you straightened yourself out, and for him, that was that. But it wasn't for me, and I became very upset. Your dad came home last night and was furious that I had stayed in bed all day instead of doing the housework and getting dinner on the table…don't get me wrong, Edward. I enjoy being domestic. Taking care of you kids and your father was the job I wanted in life, and I never regretted it. But I was furious, too. Furious at him for not understanding and even more furious that he had caused this whole mess in the first place.

I love you, Edward. I love you and I am so proud of you. I'm sorry for not standing up for you…when you were younger, I chalked it up to your father just expecting a lot and wanting the very best for you. And then you became a man, and I thought you could fight your own battles so I continued to stay out of it. But now you are happy and successful and grown and I just can't see what else your father wants from you."

"Thank you, mom," I whispered, feeling like part of the burden on my heart had finally been lifted. "I really needed to hear that."

"He just didn't understand," she continued. "Something in me just snapped and we fought like we haven't ever fought before. And I just couldn't stay anymore. I had to come here, I had to tell you that I'm sorry and that you don't deserve the way your father has been acting towards you. And I came here because I won't let his stubbornness keep me away from my son and granddaughter anymore."

"I understand. It was hard for me, mom. To tell you that you couldn't be in our lives until this got straightened out. But I'm glad you see why, and that you finally took a stand. Violet has asked about you, and I know she'll be happy to spend some time with you. You're more than welcome to stay here with me until things get straightened out."

She nodded, and wiped at the tears that had started to run down her cheeks. I felt my own running over, and reached for the box of tissues sitting on the coffee table. "I don't know what to do," she admitted after a moment. "I had to leave, and I stand by my decision. But what in the world am I supposed to do now?"

My heart broke for her, looking so lost and confused. It had been a long time since she had ever known any other life, and I could image how daunting that was for her now.

But she had made her choice, and know she had me to help her figure it out.

"For now, let's just get you settled and give you some time to think," I suggested. "There's no rush. Does…does Dad know you're here?"

"If he doesn't, I'm sure he'll figure it out soon. There's not many places I could have gone."

"Okay," I said, nodding. "Well…we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, I guess. What about Rosalie? Did you tell her, or talk to her at all?"

She just shook her head no.

"Don't worry about that for now. I'll show you to the bathroom so you can take a hot bath or shower," I offered. "And then you can sleep in Violet's room. Her bed is made up with fresh sheets, and I can get you some clothes to wear if you'd like to lie down for a while."

My mom agreed, and after she showered and shut the door to Violet's room, I reached for my phone.

I saw that I had a text message from Rosalie waiting, but I ignored it for the time being so that I could call Bella first and hopefully calm down a little.

"What happened, Edward?" she said in greeting.

"She finally had enough," I replied, raking my free hand through my hair. "And she didn't know where else to go."

"Wow."

"Yeah. She's a little dazed right now, I think. She doesn't know what she's going to do. I told her to take a hot shower and she's trying to get some sleep in Violet's room right now. I guess they fought most of the night, she drove from Forks to Seattle early in the morning, and then hopped on a flight."

"It's been building for a long time, but all of this action happened so fast," Bella mused. "I'm sure it's hard for her."

We talked for several more minutes, and her encouragement, support, and advice made me calm down a little more. My mother, despite her failings in recent years, had taken care of me and loved me. She might not have been there for me when it came to problems with my father, but part of me could understand why. Especially after I moved out, he was pretty much all she had. They lived in a small town without family nearby, and she didn't work. She may have liked being domestic, but I didn't think it was very healthy for her world to revolve around him, especially when he was so stubborn and pessimistic. Going against him was too much for her.

Now the problems and the stress had built and built and finally exploded, especially since she had no real outlet for it.

And here we were.

… …

Thanks so much for reading!

I know this was a shorter chapter but this was something I wanted to stand alone. More to come- hope to see you all again for the next chapter soon!