The Cullens

"Bella! Over here!" Jacob called out to me when I entered class on Monday morning.

"Hey Jacob. How's Nessie doing?" I smiled, plopping down next to him.

"She's great. I just got off the phone with her a few minutes ago. She was running later for class."

"I miss her." I told him, honestly.

"Yeah, she said she can't wait to visit again." He laughed. "Mike, too. Although he said to regretfully inform you that he's dating someone now."

"Oh, great. I'm happy for him!" I told him, and I meant it.

"Yeah, he's pretty happy. I also told him about you and Edward." Jacob smirked. "Although, he sort of figured that out already."

"What?"

Jake chuckled. "He noticed how much time you spent trying not to stare at Edward that night at the Cafe'. I was oblivious of course. But Mike noticed. Apparently, Nessie did too."

I blushed. "Yeah, I know she did."

"So?" Jacob looked at me, with one eyebrow raised.

"So, what?"

"Why am I the last to know?"

"Sorry Jake. It's not my fault you're not as perceptive." I joked, "I guess it all happened so quickly."

"Yeah, I guess I know what that's like. Nessie and I sort of happened quickly, too."

I laughed, remembering the tale of how they got together. "Yeah, I bet that slap made it pretty memorable huh?"

He laughed out loud, and cleared his throat when other students in the class looked our way. "She told you that?"

"Yup, she did."

"It was one of the best nights of my life." He smiled.

"I bet." I told him, just as the lecturer walked in the class.

Class went by quickly and Jacob and I parted ways at the door. He had another class and I had a two hour break before I had class again, so I decided to walk to the Cafe' for a snack.

I loved coming into the Cafe' right before the lunch crowd. I ordered my usual iced green tea, but this time I went for a bagel with cream cheese to go along with it. The familiar scents of baked goods and coffee calmed me, surprisingly, and I was grateful that the window seat that I loved was available.

I savored the quiet.

"Hi Bella." I heard an unfamiliar voice say, before I turned around to see Tanya staring at me. Her blue eyes poured into my own.

"Uhh, hi Tanya." I told her, although it sounded like a question. She kept standing as if she was waiting on me to speak again, so I said the first thing that came to mind. "Would you like to sit?"

"Sure, thanks." I watched as she used a carefully manicured hand to pull out the chair across from me.

I felt self-conscious at once, and willed myself to not look at my polish-less nails. "So, umm are you here visiting again?"

Tanya seemed surprised by my question. "I guess you can say that."

My heart dropped.

Did she come back to see Edward?

"Oh" was the only response I could muster up.

"There's a board meeting that the school is having. My aunt is on the board, so I decided to come with her." She said, staring down at her hands this time.

"Oh, yeah. I think I heard Alice talking about that."

"Listen. Bella. I wanted to apologize to you." She said quickly.

I almost choked on my tea. "Huh?"

"I said I want to apologize," she repeated. Her eyes actually looked sincere, too. "I'm sorry about what I did back then. I was an immature teenager" She cleared her throat. "I was also really jealous. Eddie and I were really closer before he met you, but when he came back that Summer, all he could talk about was Bella this and Bella that."

I sucked in a breath. "I…"

"No, wait. Let me finish."

"The very first day Edward found you again, he told me. He literally called me as if I would be happy about it. I had forgotten about everything that happened but as soon as he mentioned your name, I knew that I needed to come and see him. I wanted to tell him what I did back then, but I don't know...I guess I knew that once he found out, he would be really upset."

"It's okay, Tanya. It was a long time ago."

"I know. But, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. When Edward confronted me about what happened, I understood why he was upset."

"He thinks highly of you Tanya" I found myself saying.

"Really?"

"Yeah, he knows you're a good person. So, no need to dwell on the past." I meant it .

She smiled and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful her face was.

Stop comparing yourself to her Bella. Edward thinks I'm beautiful.

"So, did he tell you yet?" Tanya asked, waking me from my thoughts.

"Tell me what?"

"How he feels about you."

I blushed and cleared my throat, only to hear Tanya laugh. "I guess that's a yes."

"Are you upset?" I searched her face intently.

Tanya looked surprised that I asked, but then her face softened. "No, actually. I think Eddie and I both knew that we weren't right for each other. I'm happy for him. For the both of you."

"Thanks" I told her quietly.

"You're welcome Bella."

I smiled at her and she smiled back. This time it reached her eyes.

"Anyway" she told me, "I actually have to get going. But, I'll see you tonight?" She asked me.

"Tonight?"

"Yeah? Edward's family are having a small get-together. Didn't Edward tell you?"

"Uhh, no actually. It may have slipped his mind."

Tanya looked doubtful but smiled anyway. "Yeah, maybe. I'll see you around then Bella."

"Bye" I barely got out before she was out the door. I tried my best to ignore the doubt that was rising in my mind.

It may just have slipped his mind. I thought to myself. Surely, he would want me to meet his family.

Didn't he?

"Hey Bella, I thought you were hanging out with Edward this afternoon." Alice smirked when I walked into our dorm room after leaving the Cafe'.

I smiled a small smile, but I knew it didn't reach my eyes. "I told him I wanted to rest a little."

"Are you feeling okay? I thought you two always spent an hour together before your next class."

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just had a long morning."

"Want to talk about it?"

Maybe talking to Alice would help me understand what was going on. "Sure."

"So?" Alice asked, sitting next to me on my bed. Concern filled her eyes.

"I saw Tanya this morning."

"What?" Alice's mouth dropped open. "Why is she back on campus?"

"Yeah, that was my question too, when she approached me."

"Did she say something to you Bella?"

"Yeah, she actually apologized to me."

"She did?"

"Yeah, she was really nice about it too."

"Wow."

"I know right. I couldn't believe it myself."

"That's great Bella. But why are you upset? Do you think she still has feelings for Edward?"

"Oh, no. It's not that. It's just that…" I hesitated.

"Bella would you spit it out?!"

"Do you think Edward is ashamed of me?"

"What?" Alice looked at me as though I was a crazy person.

"Before she left, Tanya told me that your family was having a get-together or something. But Edward never brought it up."

"Oh, Bella." Alice looked sympathetic.

"So, you think I'm right then?" A fresh wave of pain went coursing through my heart.

"Not at all." Alice sighed. "I told him he should have told you about it."

"Then...then why didn't he?"

"Edward has his reasons, Bella."

I sighed. "Is that all you're gonna say?"

"Bella, I think Edward should talk to you about this. Our family can be a bit complicated at times."

"But, when I met your parents, they seemed so nice."

"Oh, yes. Mom and dad are great. They'll love you. It's just that…"

A knock on the door interrupted Alice. "Who is it?" she called out, annoyance dripping from her voice.

"It's your brother."

I stiffened at the sound of Edward's voice. How can I feel so much love for this guy and frustration at the same time? I thought to myself.

"Alice, tell him that I'm sleeping." I whispered.

She ignored me.

"She's right here." Alice called out, dragging me to the door.

When I opened it, Edward's smile almost made me forget that I was upset with him.

"Hi beautiful" he said, before wrapping me in a hug. He kissed the top of my head and then my temple and I softened a bit. I couldn't help it.

"I have some more homework to finish up. I think you two should talk." Alice said before closing the door in our faces.

Edward chuckled. "What's her deal?"

"You know Alice…" I told him, trying my best to sound normal.

"Are you okay? I came to check up on you. I thought you said you needed rest?" He asked, staring at me with one eyebrow raised.

I looked away.

"Alice and I got to talking and I perked up again." I told him, walking out of the dorm building.

"Bells." I felt Edward stop when we stepped outside. "What is it?"

"It's nothing." I lied.

"I know you Bells. Please, just tell me what it is. I don't like it when you keep things from me."

"That's rich coming from you." I told him. I could hear the sarcasm in my voice and I know he did too.

"What?" He looked confused.

"I saw Tanya this morning."

"Tanya? What's she doing back here?"

I sighed. "She came to apologize."

"She did?"

"Yeah. She did."

"Okay…" He seemed like he was trying to process what I just said, "But why did her apology make you upset with me?"

"It's not her apology Edward. She...she asked me if I would be attending a get-together that your family is having tonight. Apparently, she is."

Edward's confused expression was now replaced with understanding. "Bells. There's a reason that I didn't bring it up."

"So, you did deliberately keep it from me?" I asked him, my voice dripping with hurt.

"I'm sorry, Bells. I just. I didn't want to subject you to that."

"To what Edward?!" I asked a little too loudly. "Your family?"

"Yes." He said, reaching for my hands. "It's complicated Bells."

I pulled away from him. "It's your family Edward. They are connected to you. It doesn't matter how complicated they may be. If they're your family, it would have been nice to be invited to meet them. You could have at least told me they were here." I told him, walking away now. As much as I didn't want to be, I felt hurt.

"Bells, wait. Please."

"I need to clear my head, Edward." I told him, before walking away.

I was angry when the tears rolled down my cheeks. I knew that I should be more understanding, but it made me angry that Edward kept it from me. The least he could do was tell me that his family was in town. Isn't that what people did when they were in relationships? I wanted him to tell me everything. I sat down at our bench, and I could no longer see the fountain. Tears clouded my eyes.

Dad, I wish you were here to tell me what to do.

You always knew what to do.

Am I wrong for being upset with him? I thought to myself.

I don't know how long I sat there, thinking to myself until I took a deep breath and let it out. I loved Edward and he loved me. I sighed, and wiped my tears. I knew that Edward wouldn't deliberately hurt me. If he kept it from me, then that meant that he had a good reason for it. I took another breath and made my way across campus.

I knew that he would be in class, so I waited outside the door for him. When he walked out the door behind a bunch of students, he looked relieved when he saw me.

"Bells." His voice was tender.

"Hey."

"I'm sorry. I should have told you." He said, hugging me. A couple of guys walking out the door scoffed. Edward didn't seem to notice them. He hugged me tighter. "I want you to come tonight." He said when he finally let me go.

"Edward...it's fine. I trust you. If you say things are complicated right now, I don't want to impose. When you're ready for me to meet them, I will." I assured him.

"No, Bells. You were right to be upset. I just...my grandfather is a bit difficult to deal with. I had already planned for you to meet my parents on Sunday."

"You did?"

"Of course I did." He said. His face softened. "I love you Bells. I'd never want to keep you away from my family. Besides..." he smiled. "They're excited to meet you again."

I smiled too. "I am too."

"I still want you to come tonight." He held my hands in his.

"Edward, it's okay. I can wait until Sunday."

"No, Bells. I want you to. I think it's the perfect time anyway. You'll have to meet my grandfather sooner or later. I'd rather we rip it off like a bandaid."

I flinched. "Is he really that bad? Aren't grandfathers supposed to be all nice and squishy?"

At least, that's how both my grandfathers were before they passed. I thought to myself.

Edward chuckled. "Not William Andrew Cullen."

"I'm sorry"

"No, Bells. It's okay. That's just him. We're all used to it by now. Ask Alice."

"Yeah, she sort of mentioned it to me already."

Edward leaned back against the wall. He looked lost in his thoughts, so I hugged him.

"I love you." I reminded him.

His arms wrapped around me and I knew he would kiss my hair before he did it. "I love you too. I'm glad you're coming tonight. It'll make dealing with grandfather a little less sour."

"I hope so."

"I actually have to get going." He said before he kissed me on the lips. "My grandfather insists that I meet them at the airport. I probably won't see you until tonight."

"What should I wear?" I asked him, self-consciously.

He smiled and kissed me again. "Bells. You can wear a paper bag and you'd still be the most beautiful girl in the world."

I flushed and he chuckled. "I'm sure Alice will take care of you."

His phone rang and he sighed. "That's him, I'm sure. I'll see you later Bells. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Alice?" I called out to her when I made it make to our dorm after my final class. She had clothes thrown everywhere.

"Bella? I'll be right out! Edward called me. Look on your bed. There are three different dresses for you to choose from."

The dresses on her bed looked exactly like Alice.

"Alice? I don't know...these look more like your style. I can't pull them off like you can."

"Oh Bella! Sure you can." She walked out of the bathroom this time, in a robe and with a bottle of mascara in her hand.

"No, really Alice." I looked at her. "I can't wear any of these. I'd be uncomfortable all night."

She sighed, but smiled. "Okay then. It's too late to reach Rosalie now. She went to the movies with Emmett. Do you have anything you can wear?"

I looked through my closet and groaned. "Nothing."

"Wait."

"What?"

"That navy dress right there. That can work."

I pulled the navy dress out. It was the same dress I wore on my pseudo-date with Mike. "Oh, yeah. This can work. Do you think it's dressy enough?" I asked her. I really wanted to make a good impression.

"Bella, it will be great. I can fix your hair and give you a light makeup look."

I sighed. "Thanks Alice."

"You're welcome!" She squealed. "I've been wanting to experiment on your face since we met. This will be fun!"

By the time Alice was finished with my face and hair, I gasped. She didn't go crazy with the makeup, after I constantly reminded her that I didn't particularly like it, so she settled for a light eyeshadow with some blush and lipgloss. She ended the look with some eyeliner and mascara. I hated how sticky my lips felt, but I have to admit that I looked nice. My mom would be proud.

Alice clipped up the front of my hair and allowed the back to flow freely, giving it some loose curls. My dress looked the same as before, but my hair and makeup did seem to make it look more formal. The only thing I hated were the navy ankle strap heels that Alice insisted I wear. She kept telling me that they were barely heels because they were significantly lower than the ones she wore, but they still felt uncomfortable.

I winced as we walked out front to wait on the Uber that Alice called for us. "Bella, you look beautiful."

"Thanks Alice. You do too." And she did. The pale pink dress that she wore hugged her slim frame and the pink blush on her cheeks made her look like a fairy.

"Thanks. I wish Jasper could come tonight, but he has a huge History test tomorrow."

"Sorry. At least you have me." I told her, smiling.

"Yeah right, like Edward would allow you to leave his side tonight." She rolled her eyes and laughed.

I blushed.

When we arrived at the hotel, I gasped. It was one of those hotels that my mom and I would pass and imagine what staying there would be like. Alice didn't seem phased in the least when we walked through the doors.

"We're here for the Cullen party." She told the pretty hostess.

"Right this way."

I followed Alice into the beautiful ballroom. I gasped again as I took in everything around me. It all seemed so grand.

"Bella, there's Edward." Alice whispered and pulled me forward. I winced again as I struggled in the heels she gave me. Alice must have forgotten that not only did I not like heels, but the heels she insisted I wore were one size too small for me.

We stood behind Edward and my heart beat was so intense that my chest hurt. I really hoped he liked what he saw.

When he turned around, my eyes widened. He looked so handsome. His usually disheveled hair was neatly combed in place and he wore a dress shirt with a tie.

How did I get so luckly? I thought to myself.

"Wow." I didn't realize I said it out loud until he smiled my favorite smile.

"I can say the same thing. I wish my parents weren't boring holes in my face. I would have kissed you already. You look beautiful, Bells."

I flushed. "You looked very handsome yourself." He really did.

He straightened his tie and smiled. "I try."

"If you two are done, mom and dad are calling for us to come over." Alice said dryly. I could hear that she was smiling as she said it.

Edward took my hand in his. "Are you ready to meet them?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." I told him, but I held his hand tightly. He seemed to notice as we walked over because his thumb stroked the top of my hand, soothing my tense muscles.

"You'll be fine, Bells" He whispered to me and quickly kissed my temple.

"Mom, Dad, this is Bella." I heard Alice say before I looked up. The same warm eyes that I remembered from years before looked at me. I felt comfortable at once.

"Hi Bella!" Edward's mom pulled me in for a hug. "Wow. You look the same as before. Only, much more grown up and beautiful." She hugged me almost as tightly as my Mom did.

"Thank you Mrs. Cullen" I barely got out.

"Mom, you're choking her" I heard Edward say before she let me go.

She ignored her son. "Call me Esme, Bella. And you remember my husband, Carlisle?"

I remembered him because Edward looked a lot like him. "Bella. It's nice to see you again."

I smiled up at him. "Nice to see you too."

"Edward talks a lot about you." Carlisle said, smiling at Edward. "We were all pretty shocked when he told us he found the infamous Bells again. We couldn't get him to shut up about you when he was a teenager."

I flushed again.

"Dad, please. You're embarrassing her." Edwarrd interjected.

Carlisle laughed. "Sorry Bella. It's great to have you here. Hopefully we can all get more acquainted soon."

"Yes, I hope so." I told him.

"Would you excuse me and my wife? I see the chairman making his way over here and we need a quick exit or else he'll talk our ears off about his new yacht."

Esme chuckled. "We'll see you kids later."

"I'll come with you." Alice said, holding onto her dad's shoulder. "He always finds a way to bring up his son. I am so not interested in that conversation."

Edward's dad laughed. "Good. Let's go." We watched them walk away before Edward took my hand in his.

"Well that wasn't so bad, was it?" Edward asked me. I finally let out the breath I was holding.

"I guess not. Your parents are so nice." I told him.

"Yeah, I love them alot."

"I can tell."

"So, how are you holding up?"

"Huh?" I asked, wincing as I did. My feet were killing me.

"Your shoes Bells?" He said, a hint of humor in his voice.

"Oh, yeah. Blame Alice."

"Remind me to thank her, actually." He said. "You look beautiful, but you're uncomfortable."

I sighed. "I really am."

He looked sympathetic. "I'm sorry Bells. I promise. I just have to stay for another hour or so. Just for my parents. Then, we can leave."

"It's okay. I want to stay. It'll just be good to sit for a while."

"I know just the place." He told me before he led me out the door to a garden area. It was lit up with lights and there was a small bench.

I sighed in relief when I sat down and kicked the shoes off. "That's much better."

He laughed and I stretched my toes in the cool grass. "I'm glad. I'm really happy you came tonight Bells."

I smiled at him and he wrapped his arms around me. "I am too".

"I'm sorry I didn't mention it sooner."

"It's okay" I assured him, snuggling even closer to him. He kissed my head.

"Why do you always do that?" I askd shyly.

"Do what?" He looked down at me.

"Kiss the top of my head?"

He chuckled. "I don't know. Force of habit I guess. Should I stop?"

"No!" I said a little too quickly. "I...I love it when you do that. Makes me feel safe." He kissed me again.

"Good".

We sat in silence for a little while before he spoke again. "Ready to head back in there? My parents will be looking for us, I'm sure."

"Yeah, let's do it." I told him, squeezing my feet back into the heels. "My feet can last another hour or so."

He laughed out loud. When we walked back into the room, it seemed as though the crowd doubled.

"So, is this your family's version of a get-together?"

"Just my grandfather's version."

"Isn't he coming tonight?" I asked him, before he took my hand tightly in his. I felt his body tense up.

"Edward, there you are."

A taller, older man stood in front of Edward. I studied his face and knew who he was at once. He looked like an older version of Edward's dad.

"Grandfather." Edward said and he gripped my hand tighter.

"We've been looking all over for you, son." His grandfather told him, sternly. I stood there, staring at the both of them. I didn't know what to say.

"Sorry, my girlfriend needed a breather. It was a little stuffy in here."

His grandfather seemed to notice me as soon as Edward mentioned girlfriend. His eyes bore into mine. They were a piercing hazel. Almost like Edward's, but not nearly as soft. "Girlfriend?"

Edward tensed again. "Yes, this is Bella Swann. The girl I told you about on the phone, multiple times, remember?"

"Oh. I must have forgotten." He dismissed Edward and continued to ignore me. "There's someone I want you to meet." He looked at me again, and his eyes were hard. "You, come too. I want you to meet the Blake family."

Now, I was holding Edward's hand just as tightly as he held mine. I had a feeling that both of our hands would be red when we released our death grips. He walked us over to a table. The woman was beautiful. Her jet black hair cascaded down her back in waves. The father looked a bit disinterested, as though he was ready to bolt for the door, but what made me gasp was the girl with them. I assumed she was the daughter because she looked like a younger version of the woman. She was beautiful. She almost looked like a doll. Her hair held that same rich black as her mother's and she wore a deep red dress that made her look incredibly elegant and sophisticated.

"Matthew." Edward's grandfather spoke first. "I'm glad you all made it."

Mr. Blake stood up and you can tell that he was a man who was accustomed to getting his own way. "Mr. Cullen. It's good to see you. You remember Meredith and Lindsay." He said, gesturing to his wife and daughter.

Mrs. Blake stood this time and smiled at Edward. She also smiled at me. "Nice to meet you Edward. Your grandfather here speaks very highly of you."

Edward smiled. "Thanks Mrs. Blake." He told her and smiled down at me. "This is Bella, my girl.."

"Edward" his grandfather cut him off, and I could tell that it upset Edward. He clenched his jaw.

His grandfather continued. "You remember Lindsay?"

The beautiful girl smiled at Edward and I swallowed. As soon as she looked at him I knew.

She liked Edward. I could see it all over her face. I've had that look on my own face many times before.

"Hi Edward." She spoke to him only. Her white smile beaming.

"Hey Lindsay. It's good to see you again."

"Same." She smiled. When I looked up at Edward's grandfather, I noticed that he was smiling too. He actually looked approachable when he did.

"What do you say you two have a dance." Edward's grandfather gestured to Lindsay and Edward.

I felt the color drain from my face.

"Grandfather, no that's not…"

"Edward, you don't want to be rude do you? I didn't raise you like that." His grandfather pressed. I could tell too that he was used to getting his own way.

Edward squeezed my hand again and looked down at me, as if he was asking me for persmission to go. I smiled at him, assuring him that it was okay. I didn't want him to upset his grandfather, but there was a small part of me that felt afraid. Afraid that the beautiful girl would take him away from me.

"Yeah, Edward. It'll be quick." I heard Lindsay say before she pulled Edward away. Even her walk was graceful.

"Honey, would you like to dance?" I heard Mr. Blake ask his wife and she laughed before they made their way to the dance floor.

I felt incredibly uncomfortable standing next to Edward's grandfather, who didn't seem to mind ignoring me. We both looked out at the dance floor. Edward and Lindsay were already dancing. I ignored how good they looked together. Almost like they were meant for each other.

"They look good together don't they?" I was interrupted from my thoughts.

"I'm sorry?" I asked him.

"Edward and Lindsay. They make a dashing couple."

"Uhh, yeah, Lindsay is beautiful."

He chuckled. "She is, and she'll make Edward a beautiful wife someday."

"I'm sorry?" I asked and my voice cracked. I could feel my heartbeat increasing repidly.

"I think you heard what I said."

"Yeah, but..."

"Isabella. You seem like a nice girl. I did a little bit of background check on you. You're the recipient of our Merit scholar award. Isn't that how you could afford to come to this school?"

I was silent.

"Are you aware of the sort of family Edward has come from? As much as he hates it, Edward has specific obligations and I will be sure that he meets very one of them."

My throat felt dry and my head felt light. I prayed silently that I didn't blackout in the middle of Edward's important family gathering.

"Umm…I have to go." I told him before I walked away quickly.

Right before I walked out the exit, I looked over at Edward, who was still dancing with Lindsay. She seemed keen on keeping all of his attention on her and whatever she said to him made him smile. It was a small smile, but it was still there.

My heart dropped.

Nobody else seemed to notice me standing at the exit. Alice was in deep conversation with some girl that I've never seen before, Edward's parents were laughing at something in their own little corner, I even noticed Tanya at the far end of the room, talking to a very handsome boy. The only person whose eyes were on me was Edward's grandfather. We stared at one another for a moment, and he didn't flinch one time. He just kept staring at me, as if he telling me with his eyes that I should leave.

My heart hurt and I could feel the tears staining my cheeks, but I turned around and didn't look back again