Disclaimer: I own nothing of Twilight just this little plot. I hope you're enjoying this little interlude. …Sigh…

Interlude

~Knock Down Drag Out Part II~

Edward braided his fingers together and clasped them over his head. In a way he was trying to contain his frustration. Regardless, he walked rapidly to the restaurant door holding it open for both of his parents.

He'd been taught his manners well.

Edward followed Carlisle and Esme in hearing Aro's effusive greeting to his parents. He was a little taken aback by Aro's sycophantic behavior acting as if he were greeting royalty. His parents of course ate it up.

"Ah there you are Edward!" Aro slapped him on the shoulder and guided the three of them back to one of his best tables, one that provided a panoramic view of the harbor. Edward sat next to the window overlooking the harbor so he could have a distraction in case the conversation lagged.

Carlisle and Esme sat across from him. As usual his mother was vibrant and talkative while his father merely watched his son. If Edward thought about it he couldn't recall the last time the he and his father had a heart to heart talk. Up until the last year or so his dad had been his best friend. They filled the weekends with father/son activities. Then he became a stranger.

Why had he not paid attention? Something clearly was going on with his parents. School and sports dominated his life. Charlie and Renee were effectively his substitute parents while his folks traveled and he was very happy hanging out with the Swans especially now that Jasper was around.

Edward missed his folks but wasn't crushed by their absence, merely resentful. What changed? When did he become so inconsequential to their lives?

"Edward are you listening to me?" Esme chirped at him. "This is the third time I've asked you the same question!" She said slightly irritated.

He looked at his mother flushing at being caught out. "I'm sorry mom, what did you say?" Despite everything he was unfailingly polite.

"I just said, tell me about your friend Jasper." She said exasperated.

"Oh, he's pretty cool, plays football and basketball. He was some kind of star athlete at his old school so I'm sure Coach is going to be all over him. Um, I told him I could give him a ride to summer school. He doesn't have a car." That's all he could bring himself to say about Jasper. Edward didn't want to give himself away to his parents.

"Well he must not be so smart if he has to go to summer school, all brawn and no brains eh?" For some reason Edward's temper flared at his dad's negative comment.

"Jasper is a straight A student, Dad. He left his school before the end of term and just needs to test out of his finals." He didn't understand the hostility.

"Well then why did he leave his old school before finals? Sounds sketchy to me…"

Edward changed the subject.

"Are we celebrating something? I mean, why are we eating at Aro's instead of at home?"

"Ah, ha ha, we are celebrating aren't we now Carlisle?" Edward could hardly miss the brittle tone of his mom's voice. Something was up.

"Yes," harrumphed Carlisle as he cleared his throat." As it happens I've received a fellowship from the University of Seattle to conduct research in subatomic particle acceleration. No more lectures for me, I'll be knee deep in it."

"Isn't that wonderful Edward? No more traveling all over the globe for your dad."

"Um I guess that's cool. Maybe you can get to some of my games this year." Edward honestly missed seeing his dad and mom sitting in the stands at his games.

"Well about that. We'll be moving to Seattle in a couple of weeks, closer to the university and I arranged a meeting with the coach of North Seattle High. When he heard about your stats he…"

"What are you talking about Dad? Why are we moving? Did anyone think to ask me, do I matter?"

"Hush! What did I tell you about making a scene!" Carlisle hissed through gritted teeth.

"Oh my God, we are moving!" Edward frantically ran his hands through his riotous hair staring unbelievingly at his parents.

"No way, no way are we leaving in my senior year." Edward spat out. As far as he was concerned Carlisle and Esme, his ostensible parents were essentially strangers.

"Where have you guys been this last year? I mean you basically abandoned me because your "precious" work was so important. Chief Swan and Renee are basically raising me." Edward sneered causing them both to retreat into themselves.

"Why do I need to move now, hang out with fucking strangers just so everything can be convenient for you? What the fuck is up?" Edward was standing at the table and despite the secluded location his voice carried drawing attention something they both hated.

"Sit down Edward!" Carlisle growled at him. Edward stared at him. This was not the man who raised him, who nurtured his interest in science, who came to every one of his games. He was close to tears, confused and angry.

"Sorry I embarrassed you, Dad. I'm outa here!" With that, Edward left them sitting guilt-ridden at the posh table full of uneaten food.

Sorry for the long delay, year-end business. For those of you still interested, thanks for hanging in there!