"I'll update in late August," she said. lol. what a load of rubbish! sorry for the dry spell, i;ve started sixth form and it's pretty demanding! Anyways, I can;t help but feel I've written more than Fanfic is telling me… but apparently not. This story is drawing to an end, thank God! I've been working on it for about three years, I think, so I'm glad I kinda know how I'm ending it in the next two or three chapters.

We've been to the top, we've been to the bottom

We've known everything, and we've forgotten

When Emma woke in her bed, the first thing that struck her was how horrible she felt. He body ached, her throat was sore, and her nose stuffy. Then, a concession of flashes, it all came back to her. Her mother. Edward. Aidan. Deceit. Lies. All of it, all her life was based on lies.

You've kicked me around, and wrapped me in cotton

Careful not to strain any muscles and cause herself more pain that she was already in, she slowly made her way out of bed, stretching her stiff muscles, attempting to bring them to life. Walking out of her bedroom door, she noticed Aidan's door was open, and inside were some boxes containing his belongings. Without knocking, she made her way in, to see her brother in far corner of his room, folding his clothes from his walk-in wardrobe, into a large, black suitcase.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice panicked.

"Watching a movie," a sarcastic Aidan replied.

Choosing to ignore his games, she continues to scan the room, noticing her brother's chests of drawers and bedside tables had all been stripped clean and emptied into labeled into boxes. "You're leaving?!" she asked, nearing hysteria. "Seriously, we've just found dad, and you're leaving? Is she making you do this? You don't have to, you know? You're an adult; you're old enough to make decisions, you could stay behind with me. If she won't let us stay here, we can move in with dad. I'm sure he won't mind. In fact, I know he'll be glad! She can't stop us."

"Who is 'she', Emma?" her brother retorted angrily. "The cat's mother? My God, you've known this guy for all of two seconds and you're willing to turn your back on mum and I - your real family - for him? Is that really how much we mean to you, Emma? And stop calling him dad; he's not our dad. Our dad died twelve years ago. The volturi killed him because he was trying to protect you and I, Emma, or has that slipped your mind? Jeez, you're so selfish!" An angry, red-face Aidan stormed out of the room, leaving a stunned Emma in his wake.

'He's wrong,' she tried convincing herself. 'Edward is my dad, and I love him.' Sure, Mark Foster had been a great step-dad, but he was just that, a step-dad. Someone to step into the role of her father. Someone isn't there by right, but only because he'd married her mother. Well, she didn't need that; he real father was there, now, and she'd be damned if she lost him so soon after having found.

Determined to cause havoc with her mother so he could stay in England, Emma squared her shoulders and made her way down the stairs. With breath in her lungs, and her mouth open, Emma was prepared to tell her mother of her choice to stay. The sight in front of her bought her to a stand still.

On the sofa sat her mother, face ashen, cheeks dripping with blackened tears, fingers toying with her wedding bands. He mind was miles away, that much was obvious. But what really struck Emma was the mascara drying on her mother's face. The tears weren't real, they couldn't be. It was an illusion, but rarely had she seen her mother cry. Her mum was one of the strongest people she knew. Crying was one of the only signs of weaknesses she showed. This angered Emma, how dare her mother try guilt her into leaving her father? How dare she gamble on their bond, attempting to keep Emma tucked her side? 'Well,' she thought. 'If she thinks I'm falling for that, she's got another thing comin'.' Bracing her shoulders, Emma prepared for a fight.

Her voice was harsh, cold; mean. "What are you doing?" she addressed her mother. Bella didn't even bat an eyelash, her eyes remained fixed on the spot above the fireplace, where they'd been for the last hour, but Emma knew her mother heard her. "If you're trying to guilt me into leaving my dad for you, you're wasting your time; I'll never leave him for a liar like you."

Bella didn't respond; Emma got angrier.

"You know, you go around calling people all names under the sun. Like Alexis, for example, she basically called her a whore. But, as far as you know, the only person she was seeing was dad, but look at you: you're dating two people, while you claim to be a married woman; you disgust me. You're a bigger whore than she is! Jesus, you make sick! At least Alexis didn't claim to be a saint! She's openly a bitch! You, however, walk around claiming to be a 'illusionist' but you're just a glorified liar! You live the 'oh so fabulous' life, touring with Paramore while fucking Josh and Chad simultaneously!" For the first time since her rant started, Bella gave a flinch in response to Emma cruel accusations, but that did not halt her daughter. If anything, it added fuel to her fire. "You're dragging Russell and Char along for a ride. What happens when you decide you're done being Hayley? What of the day you decide being a California girl isn't fun, anymore? What if -"

We've shared joy, and we've shared pain

We've shared guilt and we've shared pain

"Are quite done?" Bella's hoarse voice asked, though she didn't wait for any answer. "Emma, it's clear that you don't think very much of me, whatever, that's not my biggest concern. You don't have to like me, but I am your mother, and you will treat me with respect -"

"I am treating with the 'respect' you deserve, you bitch!" Screaming of frustration, Emma went to grab her coat, before making her way to the door. "Don't come for me, mum. I mean it." The door slammed behind her.

Phew. Started that in my free period at school, and now I've finished it. It's not my best work, I'll admit, but I feel it's a crucial turning point in Bella's relationship with her kids, particularly Emma. She was harsh, I know, but it was necessary for the end to make sense. Song in italics 'Butterflies' by Sia :)

Review please!