Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

EPOV

"I think we should get a house."

"I'm sorry, what?" I sputtered as I turned to face her as she continued to stare at the monitor.

"We should buy a house. We can use that money from your mom," she said simply, as if she had some claim on it.

"I was thinking of using it for something else," I stated, swallowing back the anger that burned the back of my throat.

"What?"

"I'm not sure. Just something else," I explained not bothering to hide my defensive tone.

"But a house..."

"I understand," I said as I watched her finally look over at me.

"I'm sorry, I just thought maybe.." she began only to trail off to silence.

"It's no big deal," I said as I shook my head as if I was trying to shake off my irritation.

"I'm just…" I began with the plan of explaining away my frustration as nothing, only to have her stop me.

"Edward, it's ok. It's your money and your plan," she shrugged before going back to whatever dream house she was looking at. Her words left me feeling like shit as I closed my eyes.

"it's just my mom made me promise…" I began only to be silenced as she waved her hand.

"It's fine, Edward," she chuckled as if it were nothing, but I knew better.

Fine was never actually fine.

"How was your appointment with Aro?"

"What?" I choked over my sip of soda, spitting it everywhere before catching myself. I wiped off my face as I tried to act normal, but failed immediately.

"Esme told me," she explained simply as if it were nothing.

"Esme told you?" I questioned as I felt my throat close around each word.

"Yeah," she shrugged as of it were nothing, but that gave me no idea of what exactly Esme told her.

"I think seeing a therapist is incredibly healthy. I'm surprised that you kept this from me," she went on with a disappointed frown.

"She told me it was something that Carlisle suggested during a down time for you after high school," she explained as I stared at her in what could only be horror no matter how much I tried to school my features.

"Yeah, Carlisle is an incredibly progressive and caring parent," I lied as I struggled to breathe once more.

"Huge mental health supporter," I said tasting the bitterness of my words as she smiled happily at me.

"Are there any other secrets I should know I about?" she teased as I smiled nervously and shook my head no.

The lies would keep coming.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The heat from the afternoon sun peaking through the trees burned my skin in the most pleasant way as I stood there with her hand in mine.

"You sure?" she asked in a soft tone as I looked at her.

I wasn't sure about anything, except her.

"Yes."

I felt her squeeze my hand as we stepped out of the somewhat shade and made our way to the castle looking building before us.

I woke up with a gasp and found myself in the darkness of my bedroom. I could hear my fiancé's deep breathing, soft and soothing fill the air as I struggled to find some sense of calm. Carefully I slipped out of bed and escaped to the living room. The stillness of the room helped me regain my senses as I sat in the dark alone.

I reached for my phone and squinted against the brightness in the dark as I noticed a waiting a message.

Emmett.

You're avoiding my calls again. What is going on?

My always astute brother.

Even from miles away he kept tabs on me and knew when to step in.

Nothing is going on. Everything is fine. I will call you in the morning.

I knew my response would not completely avoid a call from him, but I knew it would at least get him off my back for the moment.

I was escorted in the small family room. The walls were a sickly beige and filled with shabby waiting room furniture that were more to fill a space than be comfortable.

The click of the lock on the door was loud and telling as I stood there, uncertain if I should sit down or not. Before I could decide I found myself in a tight warm hug from my brother.

"I swear I did not do it," I whispered as I felt his hulking body shake with silent sobs as he squeezed me tighter.

"I buried Mom. I will not bury you too. You do not get to do this to me. Do you understand me?" he said in a gruff tone that was muted with tears as he spoke to me through his tight embrace.

His words hit me hard as I nodded in agreement.

One more promise.

Slowly, he let go of me enough for him to look at me. I grimaced under his stare, but allowed it as he needed some sort of confirmation that I was ok.

"Emmett, I would never..." I began as he waved me off without calling me liar.

He knew me too well.

We sat down in the silence. His hand held mine like when we were children and something bad had happened.

"What is going on?" I demanded in a low tone, knowing from his unusual silence he had more to say.

"I've called Uncle Jenks," he stated after a long moment of looking at me. His eyes were dark and full of emotion.

Uncle Jenks was our 'in case of an emergency call' that mom set up prior to her death.

"We need to get you out of here now," he said in a hushed, calm tone that did little to hide urgency of his words.

AN:

Thanks for reading!

Things are getting pretty crazy here in Iowa so let me remind all of you to stay healthy & safe wherever you might be!

XOXO

Mamasutra

Aka Lori

AN:

Thanks for reading!

Stay safe & healthy, my friends.

XOXO

Mamasutra