Disclaimer: It's all Stephenie's. I own nothing of Twilight only this little plotline.
~Interlude~
WTF?
Edward trudged up the drive hands deep in his pockets glancing backwards a few times to watch Jasper's taillights disappear down the road. He suddenly felt so alone missing the warmth and closeness that the two of them had just experienced. How could he live without his boy? He ached at the thought.
What would be the repercussions from his outburst? Edward's mom and dad were used to his easy acceptance of the whirlwind of changes over the past year but moving was beyond the pale. So far, the Swans were there to fill in as substitute parents during their frequent absences. If he moved he would lose his entire support system as well as Jasper. It was a nonstarter.
Edward would be eighteen in less than a year. He was determined not to move before the end of senior year even to the point of considering emancipation. After all, he'd basically been on his own for a while.
Would his parents ground him? That sounded ridiculous. In his mind he'd done nothing wrong. They were the ones who stranded him in Port Angeles not bothering to wait for his return. Shows how much they cared, Edward mused.
The front door was unlocked but the lights were out. That was curious as his folks were sticklers about keeping the door locked and it looked like no one was home. He sighed sad at the thought he'd once again come home to an empty house.
Edward thought about turning tail and heading back to the Swans for the night. Just then he heard a soft cough emanating from the darkened living room. What gives? Cautiously he approached already confident it was his parents. Once his eyes adjusted to the dim light he saw that only his mom sat there alone on the love seat.
He was frozen in place wondering whether he should approach her when she beckoned to him.
"Sit next to me, Edward."
Edward drifted forward reluctantly and sat stiffly at the edge of the sofa. He clasped his hands together in an effort to remain calm. The quiet stillness of his mother was unsettling. She reached out her hand and brushed his hair back caressed his cheek then dropped it once again back in her lap.
"Where's Dad?"
"He took a drive. I wanted to talk to you alone."
Edward immediately felt guilty. "I'm sorry if I upset you guys. It's just the thought of moving in my senior year really messed with me." Esme took his hand.
"We actually talked about it and realized how thoughtless we were to spring it on you like that. Dad especially feels bad because of how harsh he was to you. That's one reason he's not here right now. He has reason to be upset but it's not with you."
"I don't understand. Dad and I have always been close but lately it's as if he doesn't even like me anymore." All of Edward's confusion over the last year was coming to a head, emotions bubbling over. Was his mom finally going to explain why?
"Dad loves you so much but it's me that he's angry with. It's just coming out all wrong." Esme dabbed at her eyes sniffling.
"I did something terrible to both of you." Esme paused and struggled to maintain her composure. Edward's eyes opened wide. Did he want to know what her transgression was?
"You had an affair? You cheated on Dad?" Edward stood and loomed over his shattered mother. She shook her head violently.
"No, it was much worse than that." Her voice shook. Esme could barely get the words out. It was as if she'd aged ten years and her life force had been sucked out leaving a shriveled wreck behind. "I hope you don't hate me too." She took a shuddering breath.
"Please sit." Edward sat in the chair across from his mom gripping the armrests so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"What is it, just tell me!" Edward was worked up and frightened of what her words might be.
"You know, you look just like him." Esme murmured, momentarily distracted by her memories.
"Like Dad? I think I look more like you." Edward was puzzled by her choice of words starting to get annoyed at his increasing confusion. What the hell was going on?
"No Edward, you look like your father."