Title: An Unkind Fate

Rating: PG (T)

Pairings: Ultimately Bella & Edward

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the Twilight series. They are the property of Stephenie Meyer and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Set: Alternative universe to New Moon. Edward doesn't think Bella died. Edward doesn't go to the Volturi nor does he come back to Bella. They meet again when Bella goes off to college.

A/N: Thanks for all the new followers and thank you to everyone that took the time to post a review on the last chapter.

Chapter 26 – What Did I Miss

EPOV:

The family was waiting for me when I got home. They tried to look like they weren't but I knew them too well to not see through their overly casual poses. Emmett and Jasper were in front of the TV playing a video game as usual but I could tell the game had just started. Esme looked like she was going over architectural drawings but I could see the drawings were of a project she had completed ten years ago. Alice was the worst. She was practically vibrating like a chihuahua.

"Well?"

"I think it went well."

Emmett threw down his controller. "Well? It went well? A board meeting goes well. A colonoscopy goes well. Your date should have been hot. Do we need to have "the talk" again?"

I rolled my eyes at his antics.

I told them about the evening.

"So why are you home so early? Shouldn't you be showing her what a great time you had?"

"Don't be crass, Emmett. I respect her."

"I keep telling you, Dude. That girl wants less respect and more Little Edward." Rose slapped Emmett up side the back of his head. "Babe!"

Rosalie rolled her eyes at Emmett but said, 'I hate to agree with the idiot but I don't think he is totally wrong.'

"I appreciate the feedback but I need to hunt."

"Do you want some company?" Kate asked. Kate and Callum had come over before I left for my date with Bella. Callum had wanted to talk to Esme about some design programs he was thinking of looking into and Kate had decided to help Alice torment me as I counted down the moments until I could pick up Bella. Tanya had been missing the whole day.

"No, thanks. I think I want some time to myself."

I headed into the mountains. I filled up on deer for lack of better game. Where was a mountain lion when you needed one?

I ran back to the house after I gave up on finding something more satisfying. The truth was nothing was really going to satisfy me until I was with Bella again. Tanya stopped me outside just as I was entering the main house. I was so concentrated on going over the evening in my mind I didn't hear Tanya until it was too late.

'The human distracts you yet again. Your lucky it was me and not someone that meant you harm.'

"What do you want Tanya?"

"You know what I want." She stepped in front of me and placed her hand on my chest.

"It's not going to happen," I said as stepped back so her hand would drop.

"It almost happened." She stepped forward again.

"That was a mistake." I dodged away from her but she was persistent.

"I'm better for you than she could ever be. I can be your equal."

"Tanya, please don't make me say it again. I don't want to hurt you."

This time she grabbed me upper arm. "But you would be with me if she hadn't showed up here."

I shrugged away her hand. "Tanya, even if she had never come back, I still wouldn't have been with you."

"That's not true. I've been there for you the last few years. You've enjoyed my company. You kissed me. You touched me. You were finally seeing what it could be like if we were together."

"Tanya, it was one kiss and it was a mistake." I was embarrassed at that moment of weakness and had been making excuses for Tanya and her actions with Bella since because of it.

"What was a mistake was you stopping. Always the gentleman. I'm centuries older than you yet I don't understand your hang up with Victorian morals. If you had given me more time I could have shown you just how good I could have made it for you. You could never have that with your breakable human."

She made another step toward me. I was tired of this dance. I held my hand out and signaled for her to stop.

"I made a mistake. I'm sorry if I gave you a mixed message but Tanya. I'm in love with Bella. Maybe we need some time apart. Some time to remember our friendship."

"You still don't get it. I don't want your insipid friendship. I want you as my mate."

"Bella is my mate. I've never had those feelings for you."

"No! Edward, if she were your mate you would have changed her rather than risk losing her." She paused for a moment as if to collect herself. Then she said somewhat menacingly, "After all, you know how fragile a human life is. It would be a shame if something happened to her."

Edward snarled at her. "Enough! That sounds awfully close to a threat. I've had enough of you. I tried to overlook your insinuations to Bella because of my poor past actions. Yes, she told me what you said and if she hadn't given me a second chance I would have never forgiven you for the trouble you have caused. I have put up with your aggressive pursuit for years. I have been polite for the sake of our families but enough is enough. I think you need to leave."

Esme gasped. I realized we had an audience. Carlisle, Esme, Kate and the rest of the family had come out to see what all the yelling was about.

Tanya snarled oblivious to our audience, "Your right. Maybe I should leave." Then she said slyly, "Maybe it is time to visit Eleazer and Carmen in Volterra. Wouldn't it be a shame if Aro were to ask to touch my hand while I was there? All sorts of secrets might come out."

"Are you trying to blackmail me? Do you think your threat of exposing us to the Volturi will make me want you or want to be with you? Right now I find you repulsive."

"Tanya!" Kate exclaimed in anger. "What the hell?"

Tanya finally saw what I had and realized they had overhead what she said. She growled and stormed away.

"Edward, I'm so sorry. Let me talk to her. You know we would never tell your secrets. Tanya is just hurt. She isn't used to a man turning her down. She has to learn that she can't have everything she wants. Unfortunately, this has been a long time coming."

Carlisle stepped up. "Please take care of it Kate. You know the consequences of her going to the Volturi could be dire for all of us."

Kate nodded and she and Callum followed in Tanya's wake.

'Are you alright?' Carlisle silently asked me. I nodded. 'Let Kate talk to Tanya. Then we will all sit down together and work this out.' I nodded again and Carlisle and the rest of the family started to go back in the house.

"Alice, wait."

Alice held back.

"Can you help me with something?"

"Of course."

"I need to find something by morning."

Alice thought for a moment and then smiled.

"How do you feel about a little B&E?"

XXXXX

BPOV

"Bella! Get your butt out of bed! You just received a delivery from your sparkly friend I suspect."

I walked out of my room wiping the sleep from my eyes, "What are you yelling about?"

"It seems someone had a nice time last night." Leah pointed to the bouquet of freesias and peonies in a beautiful cut crystal vase. I smelled the flowers. They were lovely. Beside the bouquet was a beautifully wrapped package.

"I'll give him credit. He certainly has good taste."

I had to agree.

"What's in the box?"

"I don't know." I ripped into the wrapping paper and then opened the lid off a red box. I gave a laugh and pulled out a plush purple stuffed hippo.

Leah looked at the stuffed animal dubiously, "Got to say, I was expecting jewelry."

I squeezed the plush hippo to my chest. "This is much better than jewelry."

"You are an odd duck, Swan."

I just giggled and then saw there was a note in the box. I recognized Edwards elegant penmanship. I read aloud, "I hope this hippo will be as pleasant a reminder as the last one of a wonderful trip to the zoo with someone that loves you. To new beginnings, Edward."

"He took you to the zoo? What? Did he want to catch a snack?"

I laughed and then explained about the fund raiser and the auction.

"He named a hippo after you? Nothing says romance like buying the naming rights to a hippo. So you had a good time?"

"I did. I really did."

"So, what is next?"

"I don't know."

"But you are going to give him a second chance?"

I hugged the hippo again. "I think I am."

Leah sighed.

"What did you end up doing last night? I noticed you weren't home when I came in."

"Well, after you left a certain a certain gentleman caller came-a-knocking."

"Would that be Luke?"

"Why, I do believe it was."

"For less than a year in Florida, you picked up quite the southern drawl."

Leah laughed and batted her eyes like a southern belle. "Luke invited me to a frat party. When the party wound down we were having such a nice time together he suggested we get a bite to eat. Pancakes taste so much better at 2:00 am. We found an all-night diner near campus. It was a riot. A couple of the sororities and fraternities had their pledges show up in their jammies, bed head and no makeup to haze them and make them sing their fraternity and sorority songs."

"So you like him?"

"I do."

"And you're going to give him a chance?"

She smiled at the similar wording, "Yes, I think I am." We both looked at each other and laughed. "Well this should be interesting."

xxxx

Monday morning Leah and I walked to campus and stopped for some coffee before class.

"So, what did your Mom have to say this morning?"

"Everything is going well. She had a check up on Friday and the doctor said everything looked fine but she should still take it easy since she was considered a geriatric pregnancy."

"Wow. That's harsh."

Before we could finish the conversation Alice bounced up to us and sang. "Bella, I believe your Birthday is coming up this Thursday."

Speaking of geriatric. Stupid vampire memory. Another year older. What really bothered me was the widening age gap between Edward and I.

"We have to plan something wonderful to commemorate it," Alice said with some excitement.

"Really? How did that work out last time?" Leah said with some sarcasm. "After that debacle do you really think you should plan anything for Bella's Birthday?"

Alice looked a bit abashed.

"Granted the last time was not my finest hour but I really think I can plan something that won't end in murder, misunderstanding or mayhem."

Leah looked skeptical.

I tried to diffuse the situation. "Look guys, I really don't want a fuss."

As usual, Alice ignored me. "Bella, it's your 21st. That is a milestone. You can let it pass by without some kind of celebration."

"Tell you what. Why don't you let me take a pass at planning something," Leah said. At first I felt relieved. Surely, Leah could keep Alice under control. Alice didn't look happy. Leah tried to reassure her. "I promise I'll come up with something good to commemorate Bella's 21st."

Alice gave Leah the sad eyes and I knew no good would come from this.

"Look, how about we work together."

Where the hell was the fierce wolf? The petite vampire gave her one pouty face and Leah had folded like a deck of cards. .

Alice's expression brightened and she started to bounce in excitement, "Yeah. I have lots of ideas on themes!"

"Themes!?" I exclaimed with trepidation.

"Bella, leave it to us. This is going to be epic!" Alice said as she pulled Leah away. Leah looked backed at me and shrugged and then let herself be dragged off to strategize with the little manipulator.

"But I don't want epic," I whined to Alice's and Leah's backs as they walked away. Alice didn't even bother to turn around. She just raised her hand in a waive that either indicated goodbye or a dismissal of my protests.

I shook my head. "This is not going to end well for me."

Xxxx

Edward was waiting for me outside my classroom when Professor Johnson finally let us out of Imaginative Writing: Fiction. I was lost in thought on the writing assignment he assigned when Edward walked up to me, kissed my cheek and took my book bag from me to carry.

"Thank you."

Some girls in my class saw Edward, looked at me and I thought I heard the tall blond say to her companion, "Lucky, bitch." I knew I was blushing.

"How was class?" Edward asked as he walked beside me.

We spoke Sunday night but this was the first time I had seen him since our date. I called the morning after to thank him for the flowers and the hippo. We spoke for hours on the phone. It was nice and normal. He seemed to want to do some of the customary dating things that we had skipped the first time around.

"Good. We have to write three pieces of fiction that will be critiqued by the class."

"What is the first subject?"

"Loss."

Edward was silent for a moment.

"I didn't know you were interested in writing."

"I've always liked to read so I thought I would take a pass at the other side." I didn't want to tell him that I started to write after he left. It began with emails to Alice. At first, they were real emails to Alice pleading with her to contact me. When those bounced back, they became therapy. I continued to write to her email address to tell her about my loneliness and unhappiness. Eventually, I wrote to her about Jacob. I told her how at first he helped me through the darkness, then became a friend and then made a place for himself in my heart. I wrote about Charlie' relationship with Sue. Finally, I told her about Jacob's betrayal. I found that writing down my feelings helped mute the nightmares. The more I wrote them down the less strength they had in my dreams. I hadn't written anything since I was in the hospital after Victoria. I hadn't had the words to commit to paper. The pain and the loss were too deep.

"I would love to read what you write when you finish."

I shuffled along. I didn't know if that was a good idea. The topic of this paper might be too painful to share with him. "We'll see. Let me write it first and if it's not too terrible maybe I'll let you read it.."

We walked companionably for a few minutes. I needed to go to the library to research a project that was due next week.

"So, your Birthday is Thursday."

Not him too.

"Yes. I think Leah and Alice are working together on finding a way to celebrate it."

"That should be interesting." He sounded as doubtful as I felt. "Could you and I do something alone, Wednesday?"

"Sure."

Edward smiled in relief. "Great."

Edward left for his next class and I walked into the library excited to see what Wednesday would bring.

Xxxx

"So what does Mr. Sparkles have in store for you?" Leah said as she watched me get ready.

Alice had dropped off a wrapped box Tuesday night with a note. It read, Happy Birthday a little early. As Karl Lagerfeld said, "One is never over-dressed or under-dressed with a Little Black Dress." Enjoy tonight with my very lucky brother.

The box contained a beautiful black dress with a squared off neckline and a hemline that flared out from the waist and stopped just above the knee. The box included some designer jewelry and pumps that had Leah calling dibs for her next date.

"He didn't say. I wasn't sure what to wear until Alice left this. Based on the note, I still have no idea what we're doing but evidently I should be comfortable in this."

"She does take the guess work out of what to wear. You look amazing, by the way."

"Thanks. You don't think it's too short?" I asked as I looked at the dress in the mirror and tugged on the hem.

"No, I think it's just short enough."

Maybe I should wear tights with this, I thought. The phone rang and Leah answered it.

"Alice said don't even think of wearing tights with that dress. She said put on the shoes and walk towards the door. Edward will knock in 5, 4, 3, 2.."

There was a knock at the front door.

I opened the door and Edward stood there holding a wrapped package.

I invited him in and he said, "Wow. You look incredible."

"You look pretty spectacular yourself."

He did. The black dress pants and tailored white shirt made him look like he stepped out of the pages of GQ.

"I know it won't be your birthday until midnight but I wanted to give this to you before we left. Happy Birthday, Bella."

I took the wrapped package. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"I wanted to. I hope you like it."

I carefully unwrapped the gift and gasped. Inside was the Jane Austen first edition from the auction at the zoo.

"Oh, Edward. You shouldn't have." I caressed the leather bound cover of the books. "This is too much."

"Bella, it's not nearly enough. Please take it. It should be enjoyed by someone that will really appreciate it."

I knew my refusal to accept gifts from him graciously had been a problem in the past. His gifts came from a place of love and I didn't want to make that mistake again. I gave the book one last caress and put it on my bookshelf. I walked up to Edward and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Thank you. I will cherish it."

Edward smiled. "You always surprise me. I thought you were going to make that a lot more difficult for me."

"Well, like I said. I've grown up a bit."

Edward nodded with a sad smile. I hadn't meant to remind him of our time apart. I just wanted him to know that I had grown more mature.

"Shall we go?"

"Lead on."

xxxxxx

I was surprised when Edward pulled up to a cream colored building with a dreary 70's architecture that took up a corner of a city block in what I knew was the Pearl District. Edward found street parking and quickly ran around the car to open my door. I looked around wondering what was our destination. I didn't see any signs for a restaurant that fit the dress code we were both sporting. I looked up at the cream building again. The sign read "Powell's Books".

I gave him a questioning look and he just grinned sheepishly. "With your love of books, I thought you might find this place interesting. I asked Leah if you had been here and she said you never mentioned it."

I was intrigued. "What is this place?"

"Come on. You have to see it to believe it." He took my hand and I shivered at his cold grip. Not because I was chilled but because I felt that little electric spark every time he touched me. He smiled at the obvious effect he had on me and held open the door to the store.

A young girl greeted us as we walked in, "Welcome to Powell's. Is this your first time here?"

Edward smiled politely at the young woman and she looked dazed for a moment. I wanted to say to her, 'I know!'

"Yes, it is."

She stared at Edward until I cleared my throat and she finally recovered her composure. "Oh, well. Right. Here. This... this is a map of the store.

I looked a the map and then around what I could see of the store. "How big is this place?"

"We have over an acre of retail space here so it is easy to get lost. Use the map to navigate around. You'll see some meeting spots on the map that you can agree to find each other in case you get separated. Also, if you get thirsty or hungry there is a coffee shop over here." She said as she pointed to various spots on the map.

"Maybe you need to give me a sticker that says where to return me if lost."

"Oh, I'm not letting you out of my sight." He took my hand and led me further into the store as I gazed in awe at the number of books. "This place has nine rooms and takes up a complete city block. I thought you would like to see it because it has one of the largest selections of used and new books. They also carry rare books. In fact, your Jane Austin book came from this store."

"Wow."

I felt a bit over dressed at first but then I caught sight of a wide variety of patrons dressed from college grunge, to business casual and a few dressed up couples like Edward and I.

"Would you like to look around?"

I nodded intrigued by the selection of books, gifts and snacks the store had to offer per the map. I hoped I could make it through the place with the shoes that Alice insisted matched the dress.

We wandered through the various rooms. The place looked more stark and industrial than a traditional book store. One of the employees that we met along the way mentioned that the building actually started out as a used car dealership. The unadorned style continued until we reached the Rare Book Room. Then it could have been any quaint rare book store with dark wood shelving, throw rugs and antique furniture. They had autographed first editions and other collectibles that I drooled over. Edward finally had to drag me away with the excuse that it was time to "feed the human".

"Don't worry. I'm sure we'll come back soon so you can see the rooms we couldn't get to tonight. I just thought you might like to see a hidden gem that your new home has to offer."

"Thanks. I loved it. I would love to go back in some jeans and sneakers and really dig into all the rooms we missed. Did you see that they had a Hardy first edition!"

He smiled at my enthusiasm and walked to the car. We drove to a quaint Italian restaurant with a beautiful view of the river. The hostess sat us near the window and Edward ordered a bottle of wine.

"What if they card me? I'm not legal yet."

"Believe me, Bella. At these prices, they won't card us. Besides, in a few hours you will be legal."

That saddened me for a moment. I would be four years older than Edward was when he was turned. The gap would only widen. At some point we would look like older sister and younger brother, maybe mother and son and ultimately grandmother and grandson.

"Bella, stop. I know what you are thinking. Age doesn't mean anything."

"Edward, don't be ridiculous. Of course it does."

Before I could continue, the waiter came to take our orders. I asked for the veal picatta and Edward ordered some mushroom ravioli. I looked up from the menu in surprise. He just smirked and said, "You might like to try something else." It was a nod to our first quasi rescue/date in Port Angeles.

"You know that restaurant closed?"

"It did?"

I nodded a bit sad. "I used to pass it when I worked at a coffee shop in Port Angeles. It shut down about a year after you left Forks."

"You stopped working at Newtons?"

"I was sort of ... let go after you left."

"Why?"

"I had a hard time after you left. I lost interest in school, friends and work. I think Lauren referred to it as my Bella-zombie period. It didn't make for a good employee. The Newtons suggested I take a break until I felt better."

"Bella, I'm so sorry."

"I know. I understand you thought you were doing what was best for me but I wish you would have asked me what I wanted."

Again, we were interrupted by the waiter who came to pour the wine Edward had ordered. He asked me to taste the wine. It was delicious. I nodded to the waiter and poured the full glass for both of us. Once we were alone again, Edward picked up his glass.

"Bella, I'm sorry for the way I left. I'm sorry that my actions let me miss out on your last two birthdays. I'm so thankful that you are letting me spend this birthday with you." He held his glass up and said, "To you Bella, too many more birthdays together."

I nodded my head not really sure what he really meant by that but I clinked my glass against his. To my surprise he actually took a sip of the wine. He grimaced, but he swallowed it down.

"Tell me you are not going to carry this charade through to eating the raviolis?"

"I think I'll let you cover for me and just have you pick some from my plate." He grew serious again. "How long before things got better?"

"A while," I said slowly. "But I was lucky. Some friends helped me forget my sadness for bits of time here and bits of time there until eventually I could get through a day without crying."

Edward looked upset so I asked him, "Are you sure you wouldn't like to talk about something else?"

"No, I have to understand what I put you through if I have any hope to gain your forgiveness."

"Edward, I already forgive you."

"You are too easy on me, Bella. I deserve your anger."

"I guess I'm tired of being angry and hurt. They are destructive emotions."

He brushed my hair gently behind my ears and then said, "That small scar on your forehead, that is new. What happened?"

I shook my head ruefully. "Ah, that came from my epic fail at learning to ride a motorcycle."

"What?! Charlie, let you on a motorcycle?"

"Not exactly. Let's just say I went through an extreme sports phase after you left."

"But why, Bella?"

"You'll think I'm crazy."

"Tell me."

"Because I knew you would disapprove."

"But motorcycles?"

"Yes. Charlie was at his wits end and he was threatening to send me to my Mother's in Jacksonville. I didn't want to leave Forks in case you came back." Edward looked guilty at those words.

"I knew I had to make more of an effort to act normal if I wanted to stay with Charlie." I continued. "At first I faked it. I tried to act like a normal girl and told Charlie I was going shopping with Jessica or to the movies with the gang from school. But being around them and trying to act normal was unbearable. Then one day I was driving home from school and saw Angela's brother putting two motorcycles out for garbage pickup. He said they didn't run anymore and his father wanted them out of the garage taking up space. So, I asked if I could take them. I convinced one of the guys at the reservation that was into cars to help rebuild them in exchange for one of the bikes."

"You helped rebuild two motorcycles?"

"Well, the division of labor actually turned into me being in charge of ordering the pizza and passing tools to Jacob while trying not to get in the way."

"Was that how you got close to Jacob Black?"

"Yes."

"Is that when you started to date him?"

Ah, we were going to talk about that. I took a sip of my wine to give myself time to think of how much I really wanted to say at this time.