Chapter Twenty-Five

~ Bella ~

So yesterday pretty much sucked.

Meeting Edward's sister all went to hell as a result of two words...

Nineteen...

… and

Stripper.

I guess I was a little shocked at her reaction, considering Edward's friends had been so nice from the start. Kate and Garrett could have easily had the same reaction as Alice, but they accepted me and accepted that Edward was happy. They were happy he was happy and that was enough for them.

But Alice...

… completely different story.

I felt horrible. I didn't like that Edward and fought with his sister over me. I knew he loves her so much, and this had to be breaking his heart. It made me feel like crap. Even though Edward told me it was going to be okay, I knew it bothered him. There was no denying that. She was his baby sister, they were close, and to have her not be on his side was tearing him up inside.

I was in the kitchen, cooking bacon on the stove for BLTs, deep in thought, when Edward came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. I sighed and leaned my body into his, inhaling his scent. He was freshly out of the shower and his clean scent and aftershave filled my lungs.

"Hey," I said, "How did you sleep?"

"Fine," he replied, holding me tighter.

"Fine? You were tossing and turning all night."

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Edward," I started, turning myself around but remaining in his hold. "You don't have to shield me from the fact that you're upset over what happened with your sister. I can handle it, so please let me in."

"I'm just surprised she reacted the way she did," he admitted. "Ali and I have always been close and always supported each other's decisions, so it was just a shock that she wasn't happy for me. She, of all people, knows how the break up with Rose wrecked me, and now that I finally found the woman I want to be with, the woman I love... it's just fucked up that she acted that way."

"She just wants what's best for you," I said, touching his cheek, feeling his freshly shaven skin.

"Then she should see that you, Bella, are what's best for me," he said and then leaned down to capture my lips with his.

Our kiss was slow and deep, our tongues playing with each other as our hands held on for dear life. I could feel Edward's love in his kiss, I could feel it since the first time he kissed me. It was all I needed. All too soon, he pulled away.

"Do you have my list?" he asked.

"Oh yeah," I said, breaking my hold on him and handing him the piece of paper that was on the counter. "Are you sure you don't mind getting everything we need?"

"Not at all," he said. "I need some fresh air. I need to think about how I'm going to handle Ali, but it will have to wait until we get back from Forks."

"Edward, it's okay if now is not the best time. I understand if you're maybe a little distracted."

"No, Bella," he said, taking a step towards me again. "We're going tomorrow morning as planned. This is a big step for you, and I won't let my issues with my sister get in the way of that. Besides, I think what Ali and I need is some time. She made a choice and she needs to get over it."

"If you're sure?" I asked.

"I am very sure," he said. "I'll be back soon."

"I'll have lunch waiting."

He placed a small kiss on my lips and then reached for his keys. I sighed as I heard the door close behind him. There was nothing I wanted more than for Edward and Alice to get past their differences. I was just saddened that their differences was me.

My mind was a mess. I was worried for Edward, and I was nervous about tomorrow. I was going to see my father for the first time in almost 15 years. I was going to knock on his door and hope to god that he was going to be happy to see me and not be ashamed of me.

I wiped a single tear from my cheek and went back to preparing lunch. As I was washing some tomatoes, I heard a knock on the door, I figured Edward had his hands filled with bags and it was just him knocking. When I opened the door, I gasped.

It wasn't Edward.

I swallowed the lump in my throat from seeing Alice on the other side of the door. I cleared my throat.

"Edward isn't here," I said to her.

"I didn't come here to see him," she replied. "I came to see you."

My heart sank. I straightened up and moved to the side, allowing her to come into the front door. She walked past me and tossed her Louis Vuitton bag on the island.

I moved past her and went back to slicing the tomatoes. The air was so thick, but I decided I was going to get through this... for Edward.

"So what can I do for you, Alice?" I asked.

"Look, Bella," she began. "I had some time to cool off and think; I was up all night. I don't like fighting with my brother..."

"He doesn't like fighting with you either," I interrupted. "He was up, too."

She nodded. "I think I may have come off too strong..."

"You think?" I asked. "Alice, I know you love your brother and you're only looking out for him. And I know my age and past profession might have been a bit of a shock for you, but I love Edward."

She took a deep breath and let it out.

"I don't think my brother has ever yelled at me the way he did last night," she said. I looked away from her, feeling guilty. "He must really love you."

My eyes snapped back at her and all I could do was nod as she continued.

"I have never seen him defend a girl's honor like that before." Alice sighed and went to sit down at the table. I followed and sat down across from her. "Edward and I have always been close. He's my big brother and he was always there for me when we were growing up, even when I was in his way, which was quite often. I'd always want to be with him, especially when he was with his friends, and especially when he was dating someone. I guess I didn't like anyone else having his attention. He always let me hang out with him for a little while before telling me to get lost. I was thirteen when he left for college, and I hated being away from him.

"I guess I get a little jealous when someone else is in Edward's life. I know it's crazy; I mean, I'm 24 years old, but he's my best friend and somewhere deep inside me is that scared little girl who thinks her big brother won't have time for her anymore. I've never seen Edward like this... so in love. Your age and what you did was just a poor excuse for me to lash out because of my own insecurities. I'm sorry, Bella, for everything I said to you; it wasn't right, and it surely wasn't deserved. I can see that you love Edward, and he loves you. I've never been good at sharing, but I know my brother deserves to be happy, so I hope that you'll forgive my actions and allow us to start over? Edward was right when he told me I was spoiled. I couldn't even imagine having to go through what you did, not having a stable family and having to make the choices you had to make. I guess I'm still spoiled and was out of line."

Alice took a deep breath and looked at me with much softer eyes than she had last night.

"I'd really like to get to know the woman who has made my brother the happiest I have ever seen him. Again, I'm sorry."

Just as I was about to open my mouth to respond to her, the front door opened and Edward was standing in the kitchen doorway, hands full of bags, and glaring at his sister.

"What are you doing here?" Edward asked her, placing all the bags on the island.

"Edward, it's okay," I said, trying to relieve the tension.

Edward looked at me, searching my eyes, and then back at Alice. Edward stepped closer to me and placed his hand gently and protectively around my waist.

"I came here to apologize to Bella," Alice said, standing to her feet. "I was wrong to say the things I said to her."

"Yes, you were," Edward replied. "You were cruel, Ali."

"I know and I'm really sorry, Edward." She sighed. "I was just shocked, and I know that's no excuse. And I was scared that you wouldn't have time for me anymore. I felt like I was eight years old again when you had your first girlfriend. I want you to be happy and settle down, but I just miss you, Edward."

Tears began to fall from Alice's eyes and then she turned around, embarrassed by her emotions. I watched as Edward's face softened and he moved across the kitchen to his sister. Once he got to her, he pulled her tiny body into his strong arms.

"I miss you too, Ali," he said. "You're my little sister, I love you, and that's never going to change no matter who you're with, no matter whom I'm with, and no matter where we live. I'll always be here for you."

"I know," she said, clutching onto him as she sobbed. "I'm so sorry, Edward."

"I know; it's okay, Ali."

Edward looked over at me and I smiled at him. I could see the hurt in his eyes dissipate while he held his sister. She then pulled back.

"I really do want you to be happy, and I'm glad you found someone to make you happy. Someone who loves you as much as you love her."

"Thank you," he replied. "Bella does make me happy; I love her, Ali."

"I know; I can see that." She looked over at me. "I'm sorry again, Bella. I hope we can start over."

"I'd like that," I said.

Alice called Jasper, to ask him to come over to Edward's, so we could spend some time with them before they left to go back to Chicago later that night.

"Is it safe to come in?" Jasper asked, walking into the condo with a bottle of sparkling cider.

"You're such a comedian," Alice said, reaching up to kiss him.

Edward walked over to me, as I was getting down some glasses, and wrapped his arms around me.

"Thank you for giving her another chance," he said, nuzzling my neck.

"Don't you know by now... I'd do anything for you, Edward?"

"I love you, so much."

"I love you too," I said.

"So, Edward, you know Mom is going to want to meet Bella," Alice said with a little sister type smirk.

"Yeah, I'm aware," he replied. "And I intend for that to happen very soon, but first Bella and I are going to go to Forks to see her father."

I looked over at Edward, who looked like he wanted to take the words back as soon as he said them, but I gave him a small smile and squeezed his hand, letting him know it was okay.

"Oh I'm sure that will be fun," Alice said. "I'm sure your father will love meeting Edward."

"Well, I'm more concerned about him meeting me," I said, lowering my head.

"What do you mean?" she asked with a concerned tone.

"I um..." I blew out a breath before I continued. "I haven't seen my father since I was five years old. My mother took me away and filled my head with lies about him not wanting me. She kept things from me, and I only found out before I moved to Seattle."

"Wow, Bella, that's awful. I'm so sorry," Alice offered.

"Thank you," I responded. "So I asked Edward if he would come with me to Forks to see my dad."

"Well, I'm sure it will work out," Jasper softly said. He kind of had this calming way about him. It was hard to explain.

"Thanks, Jasper," I said. "I just hope my father isn't ashamed of me."

"I've done some pretty stupid things," Alice said. "And my father has always forgiven me."

"Yeah, but you haven't taken your clothes off for money... among worse things for money," I choked out.

"No, I haven't," she replied, looking down at her hands, but then looked back up at me. "But a father's love is just the same. Fathers and daughters have a special bond."

"Don't I know it," Edward said. "Ali here could get away with anything when it came to our father. He could never say no to her; she could never do any wrong in his eyes."

"Oh says the Mama's boy," Alice shot back.

I watched as Alice and Edward laughed at each other, and I couldn't help but smile at their bond. It was truly special. Then I thought to myself that I could possibly have little siblings of my own. If those two children I saw with my dad that day were his, then I could be an older sister. Something I never knew.

~* yCa *~

Later that night, Edward and I were lying in bed. Alice and Jasper had gone back to their hotel and would be flying back to Chicago on the red eye. Edward made Alice promise to not let a year go by before he saw her again and then we made plans for Edward to take me to Chicago after his medical board examination.

"What's on your mind?" Edward asked.

I looked over at him and closed the dance school brochure I was reading.

"I was thinking about you and how much you love your little sister, even when she does something wrong."

"Guilty," he said, moving closer to me and wrapping his arm around me. I leaned into his chest. "She's my baby sister; I'll always forgive her, especially when she admits she's wrong."

"I was also thinking the two kids I saw with Charlie could be my little sister and brother. I could have younger siblings that I never knew about."

"Yeah, that could be possible," he said. "How do you feel about that, babe?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I don't know how to be a big sister."

"You said you didn't know how to be a girlfriend either, and I think..." he paused and then kissed me deeply, "You are an amazing girlfriend. In fact, you're the best I've ever had."

"You're smooth, Dr. Cullen," I said with a laugh.

"Just stating facts," he said, pushing me down on the bed and wrapping his arms around me. "I think if it turns out that those kids are your little brother and sister, that there are two very lucky kids in the world."

"Thank you for saying that," I said, running my fingers through his hair.

"No thanks necessary," he replied, kissing me.

"I'm scared, Edward," I gasped. "I'm so scared."

"I know you are, baby," he soothed. "But I promise you, it's going to be okay. We're going to get through this together and it's going to be all right."

"What if..."

"No, Bella, don't do that to yourself," he said, cutting me off. "Look at me..."

I looked up at him with my tear-filled eyes.

"It's going to be okay," he said softly.

"I love you, Edward."

"I love you too. Now, I need for you to rest. We have a long drive tomorrow and you need to get some sleep."

I nodded and turned to my side. Edward turned off the bedside light and gathered me in his arms from behind. I clutched onto his arm, the feel of his breath on the back of my neck relaxing me. It wasn't long before I drifted off to sleep.

Tomorrow was going to be a very big day for me. Tomorrow, I would come face to face with my father, a man I thought I had lost, a man whom I thought didn't want me. I hoped that I was wrong on both accounts. I was ready to find out, with Edward by my side, holding my hand and my heart.

A/N: Ok so Alice finally came to her damn senses and made things right. She did the right thing for her brother, so we can all forgive her now. So next update we're woking closer to Charlie. Been waiting for that moment for a long time.

The reviews to this story have been amazing. Thank you all so very much. Truly unexpected and so appreciated! I had orgianlly thought this story would not be more than 30 chapters... well you know what thought did right? It will be longer than I thought, so that's a good thing, right? Right?

Thanks again and again and 100x again to my Beta, Chandrakanta. She's the bestest!

So see you all next Tuesday for the next update. As usual my FB group is Awish's Fanfiction if you want to come by.

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XOXO