A/N:

To make sure I don't forget this time, I'm uploading this chapter earlier in the evening :-P

Some of you guessed right in your reviews even though you hoped it wasn't so xD

Title: Love is Strange

Author: MarieCarro

Beta: Alice's White Rabbit

Pre-reader: LunaEclipse

Genre: Friendship/Romance/Drama

Rating: NC-17

Summary: Bella Swan and Edward Cullen live in the small town of Ligonier in Pennsylvania. They've been best friends since they were six years old, and not much can keep them apart. Bella wants to leave small-town life behind, while Edward is fine with whatever, but that's not the only complication in their relationship. What happens when they fall in love … with each other?

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

CHAPTER 28

CHRISTMAS REUNIONS

"Bella? Is that you?"

She vaguely recognized the voice, and when she turned toward it, it took her a moment to identify the man as he'd changed considerably since she last saw him. She was also a bit confused as to why he'd asked for her attention as they'd never been able to claim themselves as friends.

"Riley Biers?" she said in a tone that was the complete opposite of surprised or excited.

"I'll be damned," he exclaimed and grinned. "Bella Swan, it's really you."

He walked up to her, but she still didn't know how to react. After his rejection at her sweet sixteen, which had led her to discover who was truly the only man for her, they'd had nothing to do with each other except for the occasional passing in the school halls.

His presence there was another reason for her confusion. Why was he at Esme's and Carlisle's Christmas party?

"It's been a long time," she said, her mind blanking out for what else she could say.

"That's an understatement," he said, now standing in front of her. "I haven't seen you around here since high school graduation."

"I've been busy." She tried to make her tone uninviting to show him she wasn't interested in going down a road of nostalgia with him, but he didn't get the hint.

"What are you up to nowadays?"

"I'm a photographer in New York."

He nodded as his eyes widened, clearly impressed, and then an awkward silence ensued when she didn't reciprocate the question. Still, he didn't even attempt an excuse to leave her alone, and she internally sighed.

"So are you close to Carlisle and Esme?" she finally asked, hoping it would appease him.

He chuckled. "Not very. I'm doing my residency under Dr. Cullen's supervision, and he invited me."

"You're a doctor?" Bella was genuinely surprised with the revelation. Riley had never struck her as someone with an interest in medicine, although, admittedly, she never really knew him in high school.

"In training, yeah," he confirmed.

"Bella?" Edward came up behind her, and she could almost feel in the air how they all reverted back to their teenage years the second his eyes met Riley's. "Riley," he greeted, his tone very hostile.

Riley's smile fell, and even though his words remained friendly; his eyes revealed his true feelings of animosity. "Edward. Long time no see."

"Indeed."

"So you two are still going strong then?" Riley looked between them, his upper lip curling back in displeasure.

"We are," Edward replied as Bella found herself increasingly fascinated with everyone's shoes. She didn't like feeling as if she were a possession, but she actually welcomed Edward's dismissal of Riley since she hadn't been able to shake him on her own.

"Married?"

"Not yet."

Edward gritted his teeth, and while Bella wondered if there could be something else causing the tension between the two men as the anger Edward displayed felt too intense to be a simple reaction to a teenager disagreement, her mind also startled toward the statement.

Both of them knew that if they got their relationship to work this time, marriage was inevitable, but hearing his conviction after just three weeks was still a shock to her. But then, she quickly pulled her thoughts away from that. It was very much possible she was reading too much into a statement said in anger and annoyance.

"Hm." Riley hummed contemplatively, and then inhaled deeply. "You really are the perfect couple, aren't you?" The disdain and bitterness in his voice was so obvious, it rendered both Edward and Bella into a pregnant silence.

Luckily, Charlie, who had entered the house with Edward but didn't linger, noticed the strange standoff and approached the trio. "Is everything okay here?"

Bella thanked her lucky stars and cleared her throat. "Yes, Dad, everything's okay. Edward, let's get something to drink," she said and entwined her fingers with his, but even as she led him away from Riley, neither took their eyes off the other, although, Edward's gaze was questioning while Riley's was resentful.

"I never liked that guy," Edward mumbled.

"I know." Bella laughed. "You always made that abundantly clear."

"What did he want anyway?" He poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her.

"I don't know. Stroll down memory lane?"

Edward looked skeptical. "What memory lane? The only memories you share with him are when he's being an asshole."

She shrugged, unbothered by the entire thing, and changed the subject. "I need to talk with your parents. It doesn't feel good being here and knowing they might be angry with me."

"Angry with you?" Edward's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Why would they be angry with you?"

"I have a lot to apologize for," she said and fidgeted with the glass in her hand.

He took a drink and grimaced. "That's ridiculous," he said. "You have nothing to apologize for."

"I don't?" she challenged. "How about breaking your heart and leaving them to pick up the pieces? How about using them as mediators when we were apart? Or how I completely stopped talking to Esme when the subject of you became too much for me to handle after I found out about your engagement?" She wrapped her free arm around herself in a soothing attempt. "As I said, I have a lot to apologize for."

Edward took her glass away and put it down with his own before placing his hands on her upper arms. "Most of those things were and are between you and me, and we've already talked through all of that," he insisted. "Mom and Dad didn't have to involve themselves in our relationship, but they did, and I'll tell you, they championed you all the way."

"What?" she asked as it was a very strange notion to her that they would take her side over their own son's. "How? Why?"

He sighed and raised one of his hands to stroke her cheek. "They didn't agree with how either of us handled our breakup, but they admired you for going after your dream without letting anything stand in your way. Not even me."

"So they're not holding a grudge against me?"

"Absolutely not," he assured and traced his hand down until they could entwine their fingers. "And to prove it, I'm taking you to them right now." Using the hold on her hand, he led her over to where Carlisle remained close to the front door. "Dad?"

Carlisle turned and immediately smiled widely at Bella. "Bella, it's been a long time. How are you?"

She was astonished with his kindness even though she didn't believe Carlisle Cullen had a single impolite bone in his body. "I'm well," she said and smiled timidly. "How are you?"

"Oh, you know, as long as I can get out of bed in the morning without too much pain and my head remains on my shoulders, I can't complain about a few more gray hairs and wrinkles," he said with the same humorous gleam in his eye as his son had. It instantly made her feel more comfortable and she could joke back.

"Are you implying you're getting old?" she asked and he laughed heartily before opening up his arms and tilted his head to the side questioningly. She barely had to think twice about accepting the embrace.

"I've missed having you around, Bella," he said. "The portrait isn't complete without you in it." They parted and Carlisle looked between her and his son. "I am beyond happy you two found your way back to each other."

"As am I."

They turned to see Esme walking up to them, looking the picture of grace and elegance in dress pants, a fitted blouse, and her gray-streaked caramel hair pulled up on her head. She didn't hesitate when she leaned forward and kissed Bella on the cheek.

"I always hoped for it," she said with a smile, but Bella could still detect the smallest hint of sadness in her eyes.

Bella knew she had to talk to her alone because, no matter what Edward said, Esme was feeling hurt over something, and she wanted to make it right in whatever way she could.

"Esme, could I talk to you in private?" she asked, and after a short contemplation, the older woman nodded, and Bella released Edward's hand so the two of them could walk off on their own. Once they were out of earshot of any curious listeners, Bella immediately apologized. "Esme, I am so sorry for any hurt I've caused you or your family these past few years. I wish I could make it up to you, but I don't know how."

Esme blinked, her expression perplexed. "Make it up to me? Sweetie, what are you talking about?"

It was Bella's turn to feel confused. "Well, aren't you hurt after what I did to you? To Edward?"

"Whatever did you do to me?"

"We stopped talking. I never called you after—"

"Oh, Bella," Esme said as understanding dawned on her. "I don't blame you for wanting to leave the past behind as you built your new life. It wasn't fair of me to keep giving you updates about Edward when I knew how much discomfort it caused you." She shook her head in disappointment of herself. "It was a stupid thing done by a sentimental woman who should have known better than to put pressure like that on someone so young."

"But then why are you sad?"

Welling tears caused Esme's eyes to go blank. "As I said, I'm sentimental. I'm sad because you lost so many years together. I'm sad because I interfered when I shouldn't have." She reached out and cupped Bella's cheek. "My motivations were purely selfish. After your mother passed, you became a daughter to me, and I was afraid of losing you. Instead, I pushed you away."

A single tear escaped Esme's eye, and Bella immediately put her arms around the woman who had been there for her when her own mother couldn't be.

"Please, don't tell me you think it's your fault," she said with her chin resting on Esme's shoulder.

"Well, I don't think I helped much either." They let go of each other, and Bella searched out some tissues for Esme to wipe her eyes and nose. "I really am truly happy to see you with my son again. It feels as if my family is complete now."

They hugged again, and it was one of the most cathartic moments of Bella's life, coming in second just behind when she apologized to Edward. Like Esme had said, the family felt complete now.

They took a few moments to compose themselves before they went back to Carlisle and Edward. Father and son were so in sync as they both focused on their woman it was almost comedic how similar they were.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked Bella softly.

She nodded. "I'm fine. Your mother got a little upset, but we've talked it all out now." Her eyes caught sight of Alice standing a short distance away behind Edward's back, her eyes scrutinizing and her jaw set. It caused Bella to exhale sharply in frustration.

Edward immediately knew something else was wrong. Not just an upsetting conversation between his girlfriend and his mother. "What is it?"

Bella met his eyes but wasn't certain she wanted to share Alice's reservations about their relationship. She didn't want to cause a rift between siblings, but at the same time, she didn't want to keep secrets from Edward either. In the end, her need to always be truthful with Edward won. "Your parents might not hold a grudge against me, but your sister certainly does."

His expression showed annoyance but not surprise, so she assumed he already knew how Alice felt about their rekindled relationship. "Alice can have her opinions, but our relationship isn't her business, and she knows it."

While Bella agreed, she was the one Alice glared at. "Yeah, still, I don't enjoy her looks," she said and shifted uncomfortably, but when that didn't help, she decided to remove herself from the situation. "I'm gonna go outside for some air." Edward took a step with her, but she stopped him. "You should stay. And I'll be just outside."

She went out the backdoor and started slowly pacing the length of the covered up pool, hunching against the cold, and tried to shake off Alice's ire. It pained her a great deal that someone who used to be a good friend couldn't forgive and move on. Bella would never ask Alice to forget, but she had hoped for at least a second chance.

"Trouble in paradise?"

She whirled around and her eyes found Riley's just as he closed the door behind him. His expression was one of concern, but after his reaction toward Edward, Bella couldn't bring herself to believe he was genuine.

Why was he searching her out again? What was he after? What did he want?

"No," she said and turned away from him again.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I guess it's not my business."

She laughed humorlessly. "You're right. It really isn't."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"What do you want, Riley?" she exclaimed in frustration. The discomfort she felt over the situation with Alice and the building annoyance over Riley's relentlessness caused her to lash out, but she didn't feel guilty for it either. She didn't ask for his concern. "Why do you want to talk to me? We were never friends, so what do you want?"

Riley rolled his eyes, losing the mask of pretended worry. "What I want is to know what makes you so fucking special?"

Bella blanched as that was the last thing she'd ever expected him to say. "What?"

"Why are you special? Why did all your dreams come true? Why did Edward's? Why are you so disgustingly perfect? Why do you continue to get everything you want when there are so many out there who would kill for the chances you've had in life?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" she asked, her mouth agape.

He pointed an accusing finger at her. "Ever since your fucking sweet sixteen, my life's been going to hell. Every time I've thought things are about to change for the better, they get worse. Why is my life in ruins while you live your perfect life with the perfect boyfriend in the perfect city and your perfect job?"

She shook her head at him, convinced he had gotten everything twisted and was perhaps too drunk to know what he was saying. "I have no idea why you think my life is perfect, but it's not my fault you've struggled." She made the move to walk back inside, but he stopped her by grabbing her arm hard.

"Why do you live while my Brianna's rotting in the ground?" he hissed in her face, and Bella's heart started thundering as she actually started to feel afraid of Riley.

"Let go of me," she demanded in the best authoritarian tone she could muster.

He glared at her with somewhat crazy eyes, and then narrowed them into gleaming slits. "Why are you so fucking special?"

Bella used all of her strength to pry his hand away from her, and then she hurried inside to the warmth and jolliness of the party. Edward had apparently not noticed Riley following her because he was standing with Alice, clearly having a tense conversation.

Instead of joining him in her tense state, Bella searched out Carlisle. As the host of the party and Riley's mentor, she was certain he was the only one who could put the man straight. She didn't want to cause drama at the Christmas party so she thought it best to deal with the situation immediately.

Fortunately, she found him rather quickly by the assorted buffet he and Esme had provided for their guests, talking with someone who appeared to be a colleague.

"Carlisle," she said softly, and when he turned to her, she gestured for him to lean closer so she could whisper. She didn't want his colleague to hear and accidentally spread false rumors. "I think Riley's a little unstable. He said some disturbing things to me outside, and I don't feel comfortable with him here."

Carlisle straightened up and gave her a concerned look. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she reassured. "But I think someone who knows him should talk to him."

Once Carlisle went to search out Riley, Bella walked back to where she'd seen Edward with Alice, but Alice was the only one still standing there. When she saw Bella, she squared her shoulders and approached her. Bella tensed in anticipation, but she was surprised to see Alice looking contrite.

"I've been unfair to you," she said. "But I won't apologize for being protective of my brother."

Bella nodded. She could understand that even though she'd never had siblings of her own and couldn't truly relate to having that kind of bond with another person.

"I'm grateful you encouraged my relationship with Jasper by giving me his number," she continued. "And I'm sorry for my childish behavior. Edward's a grown man. He can make his own decisions and he doesn't need me to protect him." Alice momentarily looked away from Bella, clearly uncomfortable with having to admit her wrongdoings. "I'd like to try being friends again, if you want."

Bella thought about it for a moment. She didn't like how Alice had treated her like the villain, but she also didn't want to copy her by being malignant and inadvertently place herself between Edward and Alice. She never wanted to be a reason for tension in the family.

"I'd like that," she said, and Alice nodded before awkwardly making her exit.

Warm, familiar hands slipped around her waist from behind and she contentedly leaned back against Edward's chest. There were still so many things she had to deal with back in New York, but it was relieving to make peace with her past.

All Bella could hope for was that the rest of the obstacles standing in the way of her happiness would be as easy to deal with.

A/N:

Talk about clearing the air!

Thoughts?

Esme clearly never thought badly of Bella. Now they can start concentrating on rebuilding their former "mother/daughter" relationship instead of worrying!

Why do you think Riley blames Bella? Who do you think Brianna was?

Alice remains hesitant toward Bella, but she has made the decision to let Edward handle it. After all, she's not his bodyguard.

Until next week,

Stay Awesome!