Disclaimer: I own nothing... except a crappy computer that's easily susceptible to viruses.

Chapter 25

This was awkward, and my face felt like it was going to be stained red forever.

After Emmett persuaded me into homemade pie and Esme brownies, I left the still sleeping Edward dead in his bed, and not even three minutes after I left him, he came into the kitchen groggy and with unruly hair.

"How long were we out for?" he asked grabbing a fork and stealing my slice of pie.

"About two hours," I replied reaching for my plate.

"How did you even wake up? I thought you were dead," Emmett asked watching him with wide eyes.

"I can't sleep without Bella," he said finishing the last bite as Emmett stared at us silently.

"You've got to making some of this shit up," he deadpanned shaking his head up.

"What?"

"Never mind, come on everyone's watching the game," Emmett led us into the living room where we sat now…

Esme, Alice, and Rose kept sending me knowing glances and smirks, Carlisle would wink, and Jasper gave us sympathetic smiles, but he was probably relieved from the whole 'I married Alice without the permission' thing. Apparently that topic had been put on hold for now. And also the silence was deafening. Everyone was being quiet and the only noises were Daphne cooing and the television.

"Can I hold her?" I asked Jasper who was cradling the small pink bundle.

"Yeah," Jasper gently placed her in my arms as I rolled my eyes at his cautiousness. Daphne had definitely warmed up to me now… meaning she didn't automatically cry every time I held her. Her eyes were wide as she took me in and remained that way until she burped giggling and smiling.

"Oh! Guess who we saw at the store this morning?" I asked trying to start some conversation.

"Who?" Carlisle asked.

"Tanya!" Emmett shouted his eyes never leaving the screen.

"Oh how is she?" Esme asked. "I just saw her mother last week."

"Very pregnant," Edward mumbled cooing down at Daphne.

"Oh that's nice," Esme said sounding wistful.

"Who's Tanya?" Jasper asked confused.

"Edward's old girlfriend," Alice spoke quietly to him not wanting anymore attention.

"Yeah, and she cheated on Edward when he wouldn't sleep with her," Rose scoffed.

"Because he wasn't really in love her… yada yada yada… still hung up over Bella even though he'd never take a chance with her-" Emmett started still watching the game.

"That's not how it happened!" Edward yelled over them. "We just drifted apart, and I wasn't a very good boyfriend to her."

I blushed as Edward gave me an agitated look, and I looked back down at Daphne who somehow fell asleep during all the commotion for which I was kicking myself for starting it. We fell back into the same awkward silence as before… I knew I should have talked about the weather.

"I'll get it," Alice popped up from the couch to get the door as the door bell rang.

"Hey!" My dad greeted everyone cheerfully hugging Carlisle and Esme and shaking Edward's hand. But he wasn't a cop for nothing… noticing the thick tension in the room, he looked over Daphne and me and asked, "You're pregnant aren't you?"

"Oh I wish," Esme mumbled.

……

"They definitely knew," Edward grumbled as we entered the apartment.

"That's because your brother shouted 'Edward and Bella had sex' in front of everyone," I told him shrugging out of my clothes wanting my pajamas.

"What! When?"

"When we were asleep. Emmett told her as a distraction so he could hide. Apparently Emmett was actually at Alice and Jasper's ceremony," I told him jumping into bed under the covers. "Wow… I can't believe Alice is married," I whispered more to myself than to Edward.

"Yeah um… I kind of knew they were married," he chuckled nervously as joined me in bed.

"What?"

"Jasper told us that night when we all got together for cards and beer… he just blurted it out and Dad nearly had a heart attack, but we made a pact to not tell anyone about it and just pretend we didn't know anything about it," Edward explained as my mind went into overdrive deciding how I should react. And my mind decided to be selfish…

"I can't believe you!" I sat up in the bed with my feet struggling against the sheets.

"Whoa," he stuttered surprised by my reaction.

"You knew your sister was getting married, and you didn't go? You're the Maid of Honor; you're supposed to be there for your sister!" I stumbled toward the living room. "And you didn't even tell me!"

"I, uh, are you seriously mad about this?" he stammered following me around the room.

"Don't I sound serious?" I hissed at him instantly feeling guilty seeing the panicked expression on his face. His usual emerald eyes were watery and dim, and I felt horrible.

"Yes," he nodded his excessively as I collapsed onto the couch.

"I'm sorry. I'm the scum of the Earth; no worse than that… what does scum eat?" I asked looking up at him.

"Depends on the definition of scum… Scum can be inorganic crud which isn't living so it can't consume anything, but pond scum like algae are living organisms… Still it doesn't eat," he spouted off automatically. "Photosynthesis is – wait… what are you talking about now?"

"My mind was running wild with thoughts and theories from my earlier conversation with Rose, and I was just a horrible person to you for a pathetic reason…"

"Okay," he replied still standing in front of me with his hands on his hips.

"I wasn't mad that you knew about Alice and Jasper being married beforehand or after or that you didn't go… I actually would prefer you keep information that could cause Esme to harm me to yourself unless it's super important…" I babbled on.

"Okay."

"Rose gave me some advice and tips, and she said that all the hype about make up sex and angry sex is true and that if the opportunity ever arises that I should take advantage of it. It's usually why Rose is in such a foul mood…"

"Okay…" he said slowly.

"I didn't plan it, but I saw the moment so I purposefully tried to make you angry only you got upset, and it made me feel worse. I'm sorry," I apologized staring down at his feet afraid to look at him.

"You scared the shit out of me, Bella. I can't believe you did this. Well in a way I can… it's such a male stereotype to do something stupid for sex, and you have always worn the pants in our relationship," he ranted with anger in his voice.

"I-"

"No, I feel like your in charge all the time, and that I have to ask permission to do anything… I'm just tired of this," he said turning around swiftly and walked into the bedroom slamming the door.

I'd never seen Edward so mad, and I had no idea on how to respond, and it scared the crap out of me. What he'd said had been true, but I thought we grew out of that phase. After he moved in, it was like he was still a guest in my apartment; but it seems like it's our home now, and we're equal partners… He'd also said that he was tired of this… Does that mean we're done?

When I finally managed to move again, I tiptoed toward the bedroom door listening for anything to determine Edward's mood. I turned the knob slowly and pushed the door slightly only to be confused. Candlelight filled the room, and Edward was flipping through a magazine.

"Really? It took you that long to come in here?" he asked looking at his watch.

"What the hell?"

"When you were explaining your episode, I-"

"My episode?" I shot at him.

"Yes, well, I decided to do sort of the same thing… I pretended to be mad at you so that your efforts wouldn't be totally wasted," he told me nonchalantly as I tried to process it.

"Okay…" I mumbled before slapping his arm.

"Ow!"

"You jerk!" I tried to scold him but failed as I fell onto the bed laughing.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you and for the things I said. I didn't mean them; I had to make stuff up because the only bad thing I could think of is that you don't floss enough," he told me softly lying down next to me.

"I'm sorry I don't floss twice a day everyday, but I floss the appropriate amount of times a week," I defended myself. "Why did you light candles?"

"For the makeup sex," Edward whispered huskily into my ear gripping my leg.

……..

"Hello Honey Bee!" Emmett greeted me entering my classroom making a beeline for the bag of muffins on my desk.

"Hi," I winced at him.

"So did you have a good weekend?" he snickered biting into a muffin.

"Yep and very educational too. Did you know that all the hype about shower sex is a lie?"

"Ew images!" he closed his eyes and covered his ears.

"What's going on?" Jasper asked entering the room with Edward right behind him.

"Cover your ears," Emmett yelled to him.

"Why?" Jasper asked with his hands hovering over his ears unsure of what was going on.

"I told him that shower sex is overrated," I shrugged my shoulders trying my best not to blush.

"Well, obviously you're not doing something right," Jasper shook his head at Edward who punched in the shoulder as retaliation.

"Yeah I slipped and bruised my tailbone. It still hurts to sit down," I looked over Emmett who put his hands down.

"It hurts to sit down? What the hell did you do to her?" Emmett gasped at Edward and stole another muffin before leaving the room.

"Right…" Jasper shook his head at Emmett. "So you guys ready?"

"Yep," Edward stood behind me rubbing my shoulders trying to relax me. He knew how stressed I was having to come back and face everyone after what had happened last Friday. Luckily the bruise on my face had yellowed and greened, so not so much concealer was used this morning to cover it up. But I was still embarrassed about getting knocked out but not so much the Edward-being-my-boyfriend part. I was actually excited for that and couldn't wait to rub it in Principal Meyer's face.

"Should be pretty exciting for everyone," I mumbled.

Classes were eventful… well more than usual, and nobody had made any horrible jokes yet. First period was still a bit sleepy, but more students were paying attention. Second period stuck up for me when Lauren Mallory started to interrogate me. And third period somehow started a conversation about Edward taking my name when we got married. They were sure that it would be too confusing with all the Cullens. Mr. Swan was definitely a fitting name for Edward though; he's so graceful I get jealous sometimes.

I looked up suddenly startled by Angela who entered my room smiling and handed me that small familiar piece of paper.

Still hanging in there, Love?

You can always leave if

you need to.

Check [] yes or [] no

It was tempting to leave, but it was unnecessary and it would only worry Edward more.

[x] yes

I'm fine. I love you.

But I do have a

hankering for Chinese.

Do you want to go to

Port Angeles for dinner?

Check [] yes or [] no

I sent the note back with Angela and rolled my eyes at my fourth period class. Apparently now they were catching on with whom I was passing notes with all the time. When I looked back the doorway expecting Angela, I was very surprised to see a panting Seth leaning on the doorframe for support.

"Whoa Seth? What are you doing here?"

"I… oh… bad," he breathed stammering his words with a scared look on his face.

"Breathe Seth, is everything okay? Is Kim alright?" I asked worriedly as my students remained silent watching us intently.

"No Kim's fine… your dad-"

"My dad! Is he okay?" My heart nearly stopped beating at that moment.

"Your dad… mom's house," he panted closing his eyes and did a weird clapping motion with his hands.

"What?" I asked pulling him out of my classroom noticing that confused expressions on my students' faces.

"Your dad! And my mom!" he whispered heavily repeating the hand motions. Oh… Oh!

"Eww!" I covered my ears and closed my eyes shaking my head. I did not any kind of image of my father with Mrs. Clearwater. "Noooo."

"I knoooow!"

"How long as this been going on?"

"I don't know, but I stopped by my mom's place and there was a police cruiser in the drive way and I got worried so I hurried inside and I heard them upstairs… And then I ran," he rambled.

"How do you know it was my dad?" I asked. Maybe it wasn't him. It could have been someone else from the department…

"Because she was saying his name!" he shook his head.

"Ugh stoooop," I covered my ears again wanting to rip that piece of information out of my brain. "Why are you telling me this now?"

"I had to tell someone; and it's your fault this happened."

"How is this, my fault?"

"I don't know; it was your dad who came on to my mom!" he yelled pointing his large finger at me. And then I started to laugh… Dad being promiscuous or flirty was just an insane concept.

"Why are you laughing? This is not funny!"

"It's pretty hilarious actually," I stopped to catch my breath. "And I think it's going to be a good thing."

"Witnessing my mother having … doing that was not a good thing!" Seth stuttered.

"But Seth it's a good thing that they have each other. I'm guessing they're together together, right?"

"Yeah I guess you're right, but I'm not confronting them. I'm… never going home again. Not even for Christmas… maybe I will stay with Kim's family. Oh Kim! I gotta go Bella. Call me if something non-gross happens!" he hugged me and ran off down the hall toward the office to sign out as the bell rang. Students poured out into the hallway, and I returned back to my classroom in a daze.

"I think I just saw Seth running out to the parking lot," Edward told me as he entered my room startling me.

"What?" I jumped seeing Emmett and Jasper watching me as they ate their lunch.

"You've been sitting like that for seven minutes. You were so far gone," Jasper said amazed.

"You saw Seth?" Emmett asked Edward.

"I think it was him…"

"He was here to talk to me," I deadpanned.

"Is everything okay?" Edward asked standing next to me ready to comfort me.

"Yep, he just walked in on his mom doing it-"

"Ooooh, that's rough," Jasper shook his head as Emmett and Edward winced probably at the memory of Alice.

"With my dad…" I told them as they just stared at me incredulously.

"Are you serious?" Emmett asked holding back a laugh.

"Yep."

"Did he… like see them-" Jasper started.

"Don't ask that," Emmett snapped. "I still have muffin in my ear from this morning; I'd rather not have my ham sandwich jammed in there too, so no more images pleeeease."

"Are you okay?" Edward asked lowly in my ear.

"Yeah, I'm actually thrilled just a little shocked," I laughed humorlessly. "And a little weirded out."

"So what are you going to do about it?" Emmett asked returning to his lunch.

"Should I do something about it?" I wondered.

"I think you should tell him that you know. The Chief is probably nervous and worried how you'd feel about him with someone else besides your mom, you know? Because she's the only one you've ever pictured with him…" Emmett explained while chomping on his ham sandwich.

"It makes sense," Jasper shrugged.

"You don't have to sound so surprised about it. I'm a dad too now; I've got the paternal mindset," Emmett chewed.

"I feel really sorry for Daphne right now," Edward smirked at his brother as he pulled out his lunch.

"Oh please, I feel sorry for your kids. You were the most temperamental kid ever; I can guarantee your daughter is going to be such a bitch," Emmett scoffed. "Oh, no offense Bella..."

"Yeah none taken," I told him dryly.

…….

"Bells, what a nice surprise," Dad smiled opening the door.

"Yeah well, I figured you wouldn't mind more leftovers," I showed him the containers full of food.

"You know I can feed myself," he chuckled. "Where's Edward?"

"Home, catching up on work."

"Oh Esme Brownies!" Dad yelled noticing the container with brownies as we sat down at the kitchen table.

"Yep, they're for celebrating the good news," I smiled hoping he would figure out that this was about him.

"You are pregnant!"

"No," I choked.

"Edward finally proposed!"

"No," I sighed.

"You and Edward secretly got married like Alice," he suggested.

"No stop guessing. This is about you..."

"Oh... Did I win the lottery and not know about it?" he looked at me puzzled for a moment.

"Dad, I know about Mrs. Clearwater," I told him finally giving up.

"Oh, how'd you find out?" he coughed looking away.

"Seth told me after he stopped by his mom's house today…" I paused not wanting to elaborate.

"Oh Jesus H Christ," Dad mumbled into his hands.

"Don't be embarrassed Dad. I'm happy for you, but I wish you were the one to tell me,"

"I'm sorry Bells. I should have told you months ago,"

"Months! How long have you been dating?"

"Only six months," he blushed. Six months? Edward and I've been together for three.

"Wow…" I mumbled not sure of what to say.

"Yeah, come on you better stay for dinner," he said pulling plates out from the cabinet.

It was strange and a little awkward to talk to my father about our love lives, but if we stayed away from certain bedroom topics than we were okay. It was really good to see him so happy; I guess I was worrying for nothing these past few months.

When I got home, I found Edward splayed out on the couch watching television.

"Hey sorry I didn't make it home for dinner," I said plopping my stuff down on the table by the front door.

"It's okay; I figured you'd stay for dinner…"

"What are you watching?" I asked confused as a large tower of Legos exploded.

"What no 'I love you' or 'hey Honey I missed you so much that I've realized I can't live without you so I'm never leaving your side again'… or something like that?" he joked.

"Hey Honey, I missed you so much… but I've realized we can't ever work out," I smiled down at him leaning over the back of the couch.

"Oh? Why's that?" he asked with his eyes never leaving the screen.

"See, it's just this hair," I said running my fingers through his untidy hair. "It never stays down, and it's just a huge turn off."

"Oh shucks, I guess I'll just have to shave it off then…"

"No!" I gasped at the idea as Edward turned to smile crookedly at me.

"Come here," he grinned pulling me over the edge of the couch on top of him. "How'd it go?"

"Good and awkward, we're all going to have dinner soon. What did you do while I was gone?"

"I went to Mom and Dad's; she made leftover casserole."

"Yum…" I mumbled into his chest watching the explosions on the TV. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Edward's hand moving. Looking up I saw him trying to pat his hair down.

"No!" I sat up straddling him to pull his hands away from his hair. "Edward don't mess with your hair. I love it; it's such a turn on just looking at it, let alone knowing I get to run my fingers through it."

"Okay," he groaned loudly.

"Oh am I hurting you?" I asked letting go his hands and looking down at him to make sure I wasn't crushing him.

"No, but you better hold on tight," he said before getting up from the couch holding me as I wrapped my limbs around him.

"Why are we moving?" I pouted, my eyes glancing back at the screen wanting to watch the rest of the program.

"Because you're not allowed to be on top when we're on the couch," he kissed along my neck as closed the door behind us with his foot.

AN: Hello there so I'm thinking one more chapter and then a choppy epilogue.... if there's anything you want to see in the epilogue feel free to suggest anything. I'm throwing in random scenes so suggest away! You guys are fantastic readers and I love you!... as much as a stranger can love another. haha

THANKS FOR READING!