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Chapter 36: Scars may heal but they're always there…

EPOV

My mother looked like she was about to shove a breadstick down Victoria's throat. I hate to say it, I felt the same way. Bella may have thought that the Vicki didn't know about Charlie's death but I had mentioned in passing as one of the reasons why we had broken up. I decided to save my mother the trouble and looked Vicki in the eye.

"Vicki that was uncalled for," I told her coldly.

"It was an account how was I supposed to know," she started then stopped when she realized I wasn't playing I dead serious.

"We'll talk later without an audience," I said so only she could hear, "I'm going to check on Bella."

BPOV

I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror wondering what had ever possessed me to agree to dinner with the Cullens. Making up my mind, I decided I would leave when I got back to the table. I was too old for this shit. Opening the door, I was surprised to see Edward standing by the door. For a moment I was transported back to my 17th birthday.

"Hullo," he said, running a hand through his hair, the familiar gesture a little too halting.

"Uh – hi," I replied, "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to apologize for what Vicki said," Edward told me.

"You don't have to do that. She had no clue about my dad and I'm guessing you glossed over the details of our relationship," I replied.

Edward chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "Bella – to be honest, I have wanted to talk to you since I saw you at Rain," he said me, "I didn't think I would be able to unless I caught you out of the loo."

"You're right," I replied, chuckling little myself, "Edward, you don't have to apologize for anything. It was a long time ago. I got over it a long time ago. You don't owe me anything."

"Thanks," he said taking a deep breath, looking light, "For the record, I'm sorry for everything I did to you before and after we dated. You're amazing person."

"Thanks – but please – I don't want a Hallmark moment okay," I said, putting my hand on his arm feeling the chemistry we always had, "let's just say we're okay and move on."

"Any chance of maybe having a lunch date where we can really clear the air," he asked earnestly.

"I don't know," I told him and then reminded him, "Let's face it Edward, except for a really short amount of time we really didn't like each other."

"Bella – believe it or not I always liked you. I was just an arse on how I showed it. Take my card," Edward said handing me a little white card, "Your choice – call or email me if you decide you want to meet up." For once, in the entire I had known him, he seemed sincere.

"Ok – thank you," I said, putting it in my pocket, taking a brief look.

Edward A. Cullen, ESQ

Cullen Corporation

30 St. Mary Axe

26th floor

I looked him – the Gherkin. That building had just been opened and was regarded as one of the design wonders of the 21st century. Personally the phallus like shape of it reminded me of a penis or a bullet. Too pretentious for my test.

"Impressive," I said as we walked back. They had to be doing really well to afford rent in that district.

Edward just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "We're just moved there last spring." He obviously didn't think it was anything special.

The table was fairly quiet when I got back and Vicki looked chasten. "So Edward – I'm guessing you ended up in law school," I said trying to change the subject.

"You guess correctly," he said smiling warmly at me, "I graduated from Oxford."

"What he's not saying is that he graduated a year early," Esme gushed with pride for her son.

"Wow that is an accomplishment," I said back, "How about you Alice – Kingston?"

"You got me," she said, "I got recruited by the museum out university."

"You were going to open your own gallery. Now you're working a museum. That's so cool," I said, remembering our 1st day as roommates.

Alice chuckled a little, "I'm still planning to open one – remember you still owe me an art show."

"Right," I said, laughing, "Once you get your lease. I'm sorry Vicky, James – what do you both do?"

"I just started working at Edward and Carlisle's company, " James said smirking a little, "I was working at gym before then."

"As a manager," I asked.

"Personal trainer," he replied, as Alice cuddled into him. That smirk of his was rubbing me the wrong way. I had to wonder how being a personal trainer translated into worldwide import business. Charlie's voice echoed in my head with two of his favorites, never trust a guy who gets ahead by using a girl and Bells – mind your own business – gossip is a sin.

Vicki looked at me dispassionately. "I'm a model," she answered finally.

"Oh," I said, thinking someone this gorgeous has a graced a million magazines. "What have I seen you in?"

"I'm in the process of getting my headshots done," she said, "Look I'm going out a cigarette Edward, come with me."

"Ok," he said, looking like would rather not. Esme frowned – she was obviously upset that her son was going. It occurred to me that we were sitting in the non-smoking section of the restaurant. The Cullens weren't being too accommodating to their future daughter-in-law. Vicki left her seat like her ass was on fire. Edward definitely had his hands full.

Dinner had been extremely awkward to say the least. It reminded me of my junior high graduation right after Renee had married Phil and Charlie was struggling to be civil. Ah – the joys of being a child of divorce.

Vicki and Edward were arguing outside while she was smoking. It had gotten to the point that we had off ordering several times before Alice went to get them. The couple finally decided to just go home. When we had a private moment, Alice confided to me that Esme had reprimanded Vicki for what she had said and Edward hadn't stuck for her.

"Why would she do that – Vicki couldn't have any idea that my dad had died," I said frowning.

"It's the not the point – Mum was upset that Vicki would even ask you where you got the money from," Alice replied. She apparently didn't like what Vicki did either.

"Ok," I conceded, as we stood outside , "I'll admit that was a little rude, but she was upset that her fiancé's ex was invited to dinner. I can understand that."

Alice looked at me and smiled a little. "Bella – you really haven't changed since Trent have you," she said hugging me.

"Neither have you – you still have abnormal strength," I replied rubbing my arms, thinking that she couldn't be more wrong. There wasn't a lot of that girl left in me.

Alice just laughed and said she would ring me during the week. Esme said she would do the same. It was starting to unnerve me a little how excited Esme was to see me again. For a moment I got the impression she wanted me to break up her son's engagement.

The tube took me home and I ended up walking into my apartment around 10 pm. Looking at my clock, I realized it was 2 in the afternoon back home. Grabbing my phone, I decided to call Angie.

"Hello," she answered.

"Hi Angie – its Bella," I said.

"Bella – hi – I wasn't expecting your call until tomorrow," she squealed.

"Have you heard from Jasper at all," I asked, guessing she hadn't. If she had she would have all over this like white on rice.

"No – his flight got delayed – I was going to call him tomorrow morning," she said. I had guessed correctly.

"Well guess who we ran into his last night here," I asked.

"Who the queen," she snickered.

"Go buy me a lotto ticket," I responded.

"What," she asked confused.

After I convinced Angela, that I was not punking her and Ashton Kutcher was not about to come into her kitchen, I explained how I had seen the Cullens at three different times. We spent the next hour dissecting this latest turn of events. I felt ridiculously like a teenager, thinking back on the conversation.

"Well – that was unexpected," Angela said, "So how was it? Hey you aren't calling me from a police station? Oh God do you need me to help get you of the country so you don't face any murder charges?"

"Hah – no – the whole thing was just very awkward," I replied, "I just got back from dinner with them. The fiancée really hates me."

"Well you did date her man," Angela pointed out.

"C'mon Angela – you're making this into a Jerry Springer episode – before they hired the tighten security," I replied putting in my leftovers to the fridge.

"Bella – think about it – you were his first love and it ended badly. If he has been truthful to her at all she knows there are unresolved feelings there," Angela said, the guidance counselor in her making an appearance.

"Angela – I made sure my feelings were well expressed," I reminded her, thinking about those last months at Trent. The pain I felt and how I had lashed out at Edward every chance I got. To be honest, with age and maturity, I perversely enjoyed it when he pissed me off. I really enjoyed hurting him at the time.

"Yeah but he didn't – remember you wouldn't give him the time of day," Angela said, "He didn't break up with you – you dumped him. That has to be scaring her.

"Edward is engaged – he can't be that hung up on me. Besides if the rumors I heard are right he didn't waste much time during his freshman year getting over me," I said, remembering the rumors of him bedding anything in a skirt at that point.

"Bella – be careful," Angela said. "you might have had the last say on the subject and he might be over you but you were so focused on school and your business that you never grieved over that relationship."

We spoke for a few more minutes and she said she call me in the morning.

I looked at the clock – it was nearly midnight. You think I would have been exhausted given the physical and emotional exertion of the day, but it was the opposite. I was too jazzed to go to sleep . For the first in nearly 10 years I felt the uncontrollable urge to paint. Going to my supply cabinet I grabbed a watercolor sheet and some paint.

AN: If I had been Bella – I would have thought I was being punked.. Any of you ever run into an ex's family ? That's not awkward at all…If you're wondering what the Gherkin is – you can see it in Harry Potter and the Half Blooded Prince. Yes – I'm a big fan of that series too.

At least, Bella is getting her groove with her painting. If you're wondering why she dropped it – well depression is a powerful thing.

Next week – we going to get a little more insight of why Esme hates Vicki. Thanks to everyone who has review/read/favorite/followed this story this week. This story has almost a 100 reviews. Thanks for sticking with me.