N/A:

X I'm so very sorry for the wait. The chapter has been ready for more than a month now, but somehow, I seem to have lost my betas. I hope you ladies are alright.

This chapter is heavily unbeta'd and full of mistakes made by a non-English native speaker, I'm sorry. I hate to show my work like this to you, but I also feel like you've waited long enough…

I'll edit it as soon as I can.

Disclaimers: Twilight © Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
Huge thanks to my pre-readers; scienceteacher, Twifictions and Miss Wendy Malfoy.

Song: Lost Stars, by Adam Levine.

I Would Have Come with You

Chapter 2- I was done letting myself be influenced by the opinions of others who clearly didn't know all the facts. It was what we wanted, what we thought was best for our kids and family that needed to count now. –YCTE, chapter 26

BPOV

Bella was laying in her old bed, familiar purple beddings around her, and her gaze fixed on the ceiling. She still could not believe just how rash she'd acted. And Edward; she still could hear the anguish in his voice over the phone when, after he'd come home that night, he'd found their house empty.

"Isabella, where are you? What are you doing? Please, come back; let's just talk about it."

But Bella had already arrived at Seattle-Tacoma airport and was looking at Charlie who was putting both her bags and Juliet's stroller into his Police cruiser. Lucky for her, her dad had thought about the kids' seats and Juliet was already locked in while Emma was 'helping' her granddad.

"Look, I'm going to Forks for the weekend. I just—I just needed to think," Bella said over the phone, walking away from her dad who was giving her worried glances.

There was a silence on Edward's end of the phone, and Bella imagined him passing a hand on his face or in his hair. She could tell that her mention of Forks had worried him even more. "But you'll be back, right? I—I mean—you're not leaving me, are you?" He ended his question on a restrained sob, but Bella heard it.

"Yes. I mean, NO!" Bella closed her eyes, feeling very clumsy. "I'll be back. I just needed to… think."

"Yeah." His voice was very weak, full of sorrow and apprehension. "You said that already."

There was a silence then, and when Bella realized both girls were in the car and that her dad was ready to go, she forced herself to say something in order to end the conversation.

"Look, Edward—"

"Bella, I—"

They both had begun talking at the same time and they both interrupted each other. "Yes?" Bella dared.

"I—" Edward cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for this morning," he finally admitted. "I was a jerk, what with you trying to tell me something important and me checking the time. I didn't mean to be rude. I just—I apologize."

"S'okay," said Bella in a small voice; that really wasn't what had upset her the most.

"When are you coming back?" Edward asked with a pang.

"I'm not sure, yet."

"Soon?"

"Perhaps…" She was at lost for words. "Um, Charlie's waiting. I'll talk to you soon," Bella assured him while walking closer to her dad and his car.

"Wait!" Came Edward's voice, distressing.

"Yeah?"

"Bella, I—I—Shit. Take care, okay? Will you kiss the kids for me?" It seemed like this was not what he'd meant to say, but Bella didn't push.

"Sure. Bye, Edward."

"Bye."

She hanged up and looked at her dad who frowned at her, clearly dissenting with her. But then he opened his arms, not criticizing her immature decision, and Bella went immediately into his offered hug.

"I missed you, Dad."

"I missed you too, Bells." He passed a fatherly hand on her head.

Without saying much more else, for both were more comfortable with the silent, they got into the car and drove all the way to Forks. By the time they'd arrived, all three girls had been asleep; it had been a very long, emotional day.

-:-:-

The bursts of laughter coming from downstairs brought Bella back to the present and she blinked. Both girls sounded excited, and Emma's high-pitched delight could be heard through the floor. There was a commotion, people talking, a door closing, more cries of delight – coming from outside, this time –, a car's doors slamming, and then the silence came back as Bella realised someone had just left with her daughters.

She smiled. It was part of the reason she'd come so far to 'think'; she needed a break, and both her family and the girls were happy to spend time together. It was the last few moments her family could see the girls before Emma started kindergarten. After that, they would be stuck following the school schedules for at least the next twenty years or so.

It was absurd how quick they had rearranged their whole life around Edward's new job. She'd told him that she was thinking about coming home, but now that she was here, Bella realised how it wasn't quite home, anymore. She didn't have more of a job here than she did in L.A.; her apartment in Seattle was already rented by someone else; and Emma was already enrolled into Roosevelt Elementary School, which was barely a ten-minute walk from their home in Burbank.

Home.

That word again. It seemed to Bella that her heart just couldn't make up its mind. Groaning, she buried herself under the covers.

There were sudden knocks on the door.

"Yep," she called out.

The door opened and Charlie walked in, a tentative smile behind his moustache. "Hey, Bells. I brought you some coffee."

He placed the mug on her nightstand and Bella smiled.

"Thanks; this is better than a hotel," she said, but then her mind went back to the first few days she'd spent with Edward in some of the most prestigious hotel of Hollywood. Her smile faded. Those were nice souvenirs, but right now they hurt.

"So, are you going to stay in here and brood all day?" Charlie asked, looking around at the darkened room with its blinds still down.

His daughter frowned. "I'm not—oh, and so what if I am?" Charlie didn't comment. Charlie never commented much. He walked over to the window and let the greyish sunlight of Forks comes in. His daughter blinked and sat more straight up in her bed, taking a few sips of her coffee. "Was that Seth I heard?"

Charlie glanced her way. He didn't come very often in this room, now that Bella had left the house, and he hadn't noticed before how the windows were in need of some new silicone.

"Sam. He and Leah are taking the girls down to La Push."

Bella smiled some more. She'd loved La Push and its beach when she was young, and she knew for a fact it was a favorite place of her daughters as well – Emma, especially, enjoyed it very much. Juliet just wanted to put the rocks in her mouth, really…

It was one of the best allure California and Los Angeles offered; its warm, yellow sand beaches! It was a pity, really, that ever since she and Edward had moved to L.A., she had gone to the pier only twice and that both times, she and the girls were alone; Edward was always too busy to go anywhere with them.

Bella was convinced that she could come to like L.A., given the chance, but for now, the only thing the city had managed to do was to take her husband away from her. She missed her life in Seattle. It wasn't perfect, far from it, but it was simpler.

"You know, I should've listened to you," Bella said to her dad, "and keep my job in Seattle."

Charlie, who was now inspecting the outside of the window, having had opened it completely and passed his head outside to verify the state of the clapboard, straightened up and looked at her.

"Yeah?"

"Yes. You were right. It would have been sensible and less complicated."

"Hm," Charlie said, vaguely.

Bella frowned. Her dad acted like he wasn't convinced, yet it was his idea. "What?" She snapped, annoyed.

"Nothing," said the man, closing the window, making a mental note to go by the hardware store in his free time. "If that's what you want."

Bella frowned. At that point, she didn't know what she wanted.

Charlie walked closer and sat beside Bella on the bed. He looked at the floor rather than at his daughter, for he always preferred to avoid eye-contact during delicate conversation. Plus, Bella's deep brown eyes, so much like his, had always destabilized him.

"But Bella, tell me this; do you love Edward?"

Bella almost dropped her coffee mug, astonished by the candid question. Of all the people who might have had asked her this question, Charlie was the last one she would've guessed.

And yet, it was easier to answer truthfully to her dad, for she knew he wasn't going to pass any judgement on her.

"Yes," she answered. And then she bit her lips, realizing that it was the first time she admitted such sentiments out loud.

"And you want to be with him, yes?"

Bella frowned, thinking about what it was Charlie was really asking her. She had told Edward she didn't know what it was she wanted, but now, asked this way, things were clearer.

Of course she wanted to be with Edward.

Charlie grunted. "Yeah. Thought as much." The young woman looked at her dad with bewildered eyes, but Charlie Swan didn't comment on it and asked, next, "Tell me this, do you honestly believe that he has any chance to make it work – his music career, I mean?"

Now that it wasn't so much about her deepest emotions, Bella relaxed and dared a small smile where the pride she had for her husband showed a bit. "Yes. He's really good, Dad. I truly believe he can make it."

Charlie nodded thoughtfully and looked at his daughter. Raising both eyebrows, his moustache twitching a bit, he then asked, "Then why on earth would you have kept your job in Seattle?"

"But—" Bella staggered. "It's what you told me to do."

Charlie nodded. "Doesn't mean it was the right thing to do." The young woman rolled her eyes and Charlie snickered a bit but went back at being serious again. "You know, ever since you and Edward married – you were so young – we all felt like we had a say in your relationship; that we had a right to share our opinions. But we didn't—we don't. You love Edward; you wanna be with him; you believe in his musician skills or whatever it is that he does; and you want to give some stability to your daughters. Those were your arguments, and they were solid, Bells. I'm sorry all of us put doubts into your mind. Your mother – gosh, I hate to admit this – but your mother was right."

Bella was looking at her dad with astonished eyes and her mouth agape.

Charlie just nodded. "So, just like your mom advised, you go to him and, together, you build a life that make you both happy and you don't give a damn about anyone else opinion, yeah?"

Still a bit under shock, it took a moment for Bella to respond, but when she did, she did it with cheerfulness and humour. "Wow, marital advice from Renée Dwyer and Charlie Swan."

"Hey, we're not too bad at it the second time around. We're pretty happy folks now; better listen to us before it's too late."

-:-:-

As surprising as her conversation with Charlie had been, Bella was even more startled to see that most of her entourage's thoughts went in the same direction as his, as in they now kind of supported her and her decision to follow Edward.

As the days passed, her confused feelings about her situation with her husband was becoming a bit clearer. And she was not going to rectify her situation by staying here and discussing it with her father or brother or best friend. Yet she couldn't help herself; valid input or not, she was just glad to have her support system back.

"You miss him, don't you?" Seth asked a pensive Bella on Saturday while he was pushing Juliet's swing. They were in the park near her old apartment in Seattle – and not too far away from his – where Bella used to bring the girls. Jake was running and climbing the playground with little Emma, under the glances of several amused moms.

The brunette looked at her brother. "Yes. But I also miss my old life and would love nothing more than to have it back," she sighed, glazing around the greenery before she added, "which is unfair because then, Edward was unhappy."

Those were such mixed feelings; wanting her old life back while knowing the man she loved –and deliberately chose – had been miserable in it.

Seth made a sour face, as if her words were an attack on him.

"He wasn't unhappy because of you, though," Seth assured her unnecessarily (she knew that). "Plus, you didn't know about his state of mind. You have a right to mourn your old life, Bells."

That was true; she didn't know Edward had felt that way. Just like Edward hadn't know how deep her unhappiness was when she'd confronted him two days ago. Her reaction now seemed disproportionate, and perhaps a tad bit childish. She had done the same thing she was reproaching him, keeping it all inside, not sharing her feelings, hope and dreams.

Seth opened his mouth to say more, but when he noticed that Bella was deep in her thoughts once more, he restrained himself. Bella noticed but didn't pry. She had a lot on her plate as it was.

-:-:-

Bella also saw Angela the very next day. They met at Bella's favorite coffee shop near her old workplace downtown, while Seth and Jacob kept on babysitting the girls.

"I acted so petulantly," admitted Bella with a bit of self-depreciation. "Childishly."

Angela shook her head. "It's not petty to admit how you feel, Bella. I mean, Edward needed to know," Angela said, but the brunette only gave her an unconvinced look.

"I left." They didn't even fight. They didn't discussed anything really; it was more of a silent heartbreak on both parts. And yet she went and left him without a word.

"So you needed a vacation, big deal," Angela conceded. "What Edward asked you to do for him was way too much, too fast. And as much as your husband is grateful that you followed him, and that he knows just how lucky he is being —or at least, one would hope so!—, at the end of the day, he didn't really take into consideration how you felt, did he?"

Bella thought about it. "I think he knew, somehow, that I was overwhelmed and unhappy. I tried very hard to be supportive, but it was fake, and he wasn't fooled. And as much as it frustrated him, I think he truly believed – hoped – that things would get better once we finally found a place to live and that things settled down."

"But it didn't," guessed Angela.

"No. And trust me, it surprised us both," explained Bella with a sadness in her eyes. She'd wanted to feel better. "But Edward, he—he had other stuff to take care of, at work."

Angela rolled her eyes, clearly exasperated with her best friend's husband, but when she opened her mouth, her words were kind. "Give yourself some time, Bella. Be sure you know what's important for you."

"I know what's important," admitted Bella. "My family. Their happiness. Both the kids and Edward's."

"Then that's got to pass by your own happiness, girl," Angela pointed out. "Relationships take work and devotion. You're choosing your family; Edward chose his music. That's not fair."

Bella only shrugged. It wasn't fair, that was true, but it had never been fair. Edward had chosen his family over and over in the past, putting his dreams aside on more than one occasion while she'd had no idea about his inner turmoil. Alice had told her how he had rejected each opportunity before this one. He had stayed by her side through both unplanned pregnancies.

How could she ask more of him?

"You know what you have to do? Ask Edward to make you one of his priorities. You are his wife; tell him he needs to be your husband and start acting like it."

Bella nodded. Angela's solution made a lot of sense. If she were to fight for love, for Edward's happiness, she would expect her husband to meet her halfway.

But they had never been an ordinary married couple, now, have they? They had been roommates, coparents, and occasional lovers for so long. They weren't exactly known for their communication skills nor for their husband-and-wife devotion to each other. That would have to change. She just couldn't deal with the breadcrumbs Edward was giving her lately; it was no longer enough.

"Bella Cullen? Is that you?"

Startled out of her reverie, Bella turned her stool around at the voice, only to come face to face with a tall, beautiful dark-skinned woman; her old boss, Zafrina.

"Hi," smiled Bella.

The older woman smiled at her. "Are you back?" She sounded somewhat eager.

"Uh—no. Just visiting friends." Bella pointed to Angela behind her. Zafrina's dark eyes went to the girl before they focused back on her former employee.

"You're still in Los Angeles, then?"

"Yeah," confirmed Bella.

"Oh." She now sounded disappointed. Bella smiled, a bit of pride coming to her.

"Have you found a job, yet?"

Bella lost her smile. "Ah—no."

Zafrina looked at her deliberately, taking the time to sip at her coffee. She then raised a finger up, as if asking for one more minute of her time as she rummaged through her leopard printed handbag and got a card out – a business card – and gave it to Bella.

"Use my name," she stated with a wink. "Ask for Senna."

-:-:-

It was with a bit of glee but also trepidation that Bella was planning her trip back to L.A. for the very next day, knowing she would need to have one hell of a conversation with her husband sooner rather than later, and being readier and readier for it, when suddenly, her phone rang.

Esme and Carlisle Cullen had gotten word that she was in Seattle.

"When are you leaving?" her mother-in-law asked through the phone.

"Probably tomorrow. I still have to purchase the tickets." Thanks, Aro, for paying! A three-day trip to Seattle would have been unthinkable on her budget, but it was expenses Edward's new boss had assured them they were allowed to do.

"Come by the house, tonight," Esme requested gently, a tone of uncertainty in her voice. "We would love to see you and the girls. You could spend the night and we would drive you to the airport tomorrow."

"Oh," Bella smiled on the phone, pleased by Esme's invite and her use of the 'we' pronoun; was Carlisle starting to come around? "Of course," accepted Bella, "that would be lovely."

As soon as Bella arrived at the Cullens, having had her brother drive her and the girls, Emma jumped out of the car and ran all the way to the porch and into her grand-father's open arms.

"Oh, my darling!" said Carlisle with emotion, holding the small girl into a strong embrace. They hadn't seen each other for more than three months, which was a lot for them as they were used to see each other every weekend or so. "Oh, I've missed you."

Bella's smile was both tense and sad as she looked at the scene, but she turned away to take Juliet out of the car. Seth proceeded to take his sister and nieces' luggage out of the car while Bella walked closer to her in-laws.

"Hi," she said, somehow awkwardly, but Edward's mother cleared any tension there could have had by hugging her and Juliet both with motherly affection.

"Bella. Thank you for coming," Esme said with a smile, before she clapped her hands and held them out to baby Juliet. Bella gave her the child at once. "Oof! She's getting so big! She's heavy."

Bella chuckled. "Yeah. She walks now, though."

"She—No!" Esme looked at her sharply, half-elated by the news, half-heartbroken. "Does she really? Carlisle, did you hear that?"

Edward's father just silently smiled to his wife. He kissed Bella's forehead in one of his usual paternal welcome before he went to help Seth with the luggage.

"Hey, Doc, do you need Chief Swan's car seats?" Seth asked him jovially.

"No, we have our own," answered Carlisle, which reminded Bella of how both their families had adjusted quickly and helpingly to her and Edward having kids.

Carlisle's demeanor seemed a bit off to Bella, though. She frowned questioningly and looked at Esme.

Edward's mother let out a sigh. "He feels a bit guilty for the gap that was created between Edward and him, as it means we barely have news of you and the girls anymore, either."

Bella nodded. "It's a weird situation; no one's happy with it. I know for a fact Edward isn't."

"Neither is Carlisle," Esme confirmed. "Come, come inside." She reached out to grasp at Bella's arm softly.

Bella smiled and followed, not without taking Emma's hand and pulling her small daughter inside with them.

"So, tell me, Emma, do you like your new city?" asked Esme with her special smile she kept for her grandchildren.

"It's okay," Emma shrugged, her pigtails coming undone a bit.

"Are you excited to start school? Kindergarten; that's a big step."

Emma shrugged again. "I don't know."

Esme's eyes went to Bella, silently asking her if her daughter's non-committal answers were the new normal. "And um—how do you like the plane? Isn't it exciting to fly?"

Emma blinked her big green eyes and made the cutest grimace. "It hurts my ears."

"Aww," cooed Esme with a smile. "I'm sorry to hear that." She looked at Juliet in her arms then, noticing how the little girl was nibbling on her finger. "Are you two girls hungry?"

Emma finally grinned at that, her white baby teeth showing beautifully for the first time since she'd arrived. "YES!"

Pleased at getting an enthusiastic answer out of her grandchild, Esme put herself into work and prepared a collation of milk and cookies for both girls.

"I still have those goblet cups somewhere," she said to herself as she looked in her kitchen cabinets.

Bella let her deal with the girls and went to say goodbye to her brother.

"Thank you for having us," she told him while he bear-hugged her.

"Always a pleasure, Belly-Boo." She kicked his stomach at the atrocious nickname. "Now, tell me you'll have a discussion with that husband of yours upon your return."

Bella nodded. "Of course. That can't be avoided."

"But that's the thing; you and Edward are so good at avoiding talking about important stuff." Bella frowned at the critic but could hardly argue. Seth smirked, but then his dark eyes softened. "Will you, uh—will you tell him that I miss him...?" Bella's frown softened. "I mean, I barely got to see him last time, and now you're visiting, which is great, but once more you're on your own."

Bella pinched her lips and looked at her left, to where Carlisle was listening to their conversation, keeping silent on her decision to visit alone. She was starting to realise that she wasn't the only one who missed her husband. She suddenly understood better the anger Seth had shown at the start of June when he'd come to help them move in into their house; he'd called Edward selfish back then, for his friend had seemed to care more about his job and music than his family. Seth's outrage wasn't only for her benefit; he considered himself his family too, and yet Edward hadn't made time for him.

Edward had not yet reconciliated with his parents, not because of his hurt feelings – though there was that – but because he hadn't taken the time for that either.

Her husband needed to rethink his priorities. Or he was going to lose a lot in order to pursue his dream; not just his wife, but his whole family.

"I'll tell him," Bella told her brother. Seth clearly missed him, and that was what he had wanted to tell her yesterday at the parc but hadn't dared. "I'm sorry I failed at being a good sister lately. There is just—there is just a lot going on in my life these past few months."

Seth grinned. "Please. There has been a lot going on in your life for the past six years!" And as if to give meaning to his words, he suddenly looked behind her and grinned at his nieces. "Alright, munchkins, Uncle Seth is leaving, come and give me a hug!"

Emma giggled and raced his way, and Juliet also stretched her little arms up towards the big Quileute man, as if she'd understood what he'd told her. Seth just hugged and kissed them both.

"Carlisle, Esme. Always a pleasure," he added with a respectful but amusing bow, before he walked out, not without kissing Bella's head one last time. "Good luck."

Bella smiled gratefully at her brother, a new realisation settling in. Seth's opinion about her relationship with Edward was biased. He was very hurt about his lost friendship and – even without meaning to, for Seth was not a vindicative man – he had judged Edward's actions towards her harsher than they ought to.

He was yet another person whose opinion Bella could no longer rely upon to give her a neutral advice when it came to her relationship with her husband. Though they now validated her sentiments, Bella started to see what it was that her father had tried to warn her about; it was risky and somewhat unhealthy to still abide by her friends and family's opinions, for everyone who wanted to help also had their own issues. How many times others' opinion had clouded her judgment before, affecting her view of herself and her relationship? Bella remembered bitterly how her classmates used to think Edward was too good for her and how she'd believed it for so long. If she had trusted herself, trusted Edward, trusted their relationship, perhaps she would be more assured of its solidity now.

"Alice told us you guys had found a nice house," Esme suddenly spoke up.

Bella blinked and turned to smile at her mother-in-law.

"We did. I mean—" She walked closer to Edward's parents and took place on the couch in front of Esme and Carlisle respective armchairs, "it's no castle, but it's cozy."

"Where is it?" Asked Carlisle, offering her a glass of white wine before he sat.

"Burbank."

"Oh. Good. That's—it's a great area," mumbled Carlisle.

"Yes," smiled Esme encouragingly.

Bella nodded and smiled softly to the Cullens; at least they were trying. "It's close to Aro's studio, so…" Realising she'd sounded bitter, she forced some positivism, "And the school district is great!"

There was an awkward silence then during which they could hear the girls playing in the other room. There was a piano there and Emma tried a few notes before she slammed her full palms on it. Juliet was holding herself up with a grip on the bench, trying to reach for the sound-making white thingy – aka the "piano keys".

"Don't, Jules," Emma's cute but annoyed voice carried over. Bella cleared her throat.

"Thank you for inviting us over—"

"How's Edward—?" Both women spoke at the same, but when Esme realised what Bella had just said, she turned contrite. "But of course, Darling."

Edward's parent shared a glance and Bella shrugged uncomfortably between them.

"I, uh—I didn't know if you would want to see us," Bella said, feeling like she owned them an explanation for not calling them sooner, especially since she'd been in Washington for the last couple of days.

"Nonsense, Bella," Esme said gently. "Whatever the bad blood between my son and husband, we will always be there for you and the girls. We're family."

Bella nodded softly. Of course, they were family. How could she ever think that that would change?

Ignoring her pain, Bella smiled at her mother-in-law and finally answered her question. "Edward is good," she revealed with a faint grimace. "He, uh—he works hard but he's good." Knowing her statement was vague, she added with a small shrug, "I don't think he regrets his decision."

Esme smiled thankfully at Bella before she turned to look at her husband as if to tell him 'see, nothing to worry about!'

Carlisle scowled.

"Oh, I have no doubt that he doesn't regret his decision. That boy is as headstrong as his mother—" Esme slapped him. "—I'd just expected him to be more responsible about it, you know."

Bella nodded. She knew. Carlisle would have preferred for Edward to finish his studies first, pass his Bar exam, become a lawyer, and then he could have gone and get himself a hobby. That wasn't what Edward had wanted. It wasn't what Edward had needed.

"But that's just it," explained Bella wistfully, "he has been responsible before. For five years, he kept on studying law, even though he knew this wasn't what he wanted to do. He felt like he had no right to stop and change career because he had a family to take care of at the end of it. He'd refused, more than once, great opportunities. He didn't show it, but he was unhappy with they way things were. And this, I agree it happened at the wrong time, but Carlisle, they came for him. Aro Volturi is one of the best renowned producers in Hollywood. Like, this is one in a lifetime opportunity. And I know it looks like a big, foolish mistake, but you know Edward; you raised him. He wouldn't have gone chasing clouds, they came and asked for him. They saw something in him. Of course, he was going to try. He wouldn't have stayed for no one, so… I didn't ask it of him, and you shouldn't have, either."

While speaking the words, Bella realised just how true they were. Had she asked Edward to stay, she could have been the one in the Cullens' shoes; estranged from her husband, unable to communicate with him. Their present situation wasn't ideal, they still have a lot to talk about and clear the air between them, but oh, how much worse it could have turned out!

The ultimatum she'd given Edward that awful night came back to her mind. Oh, how she wished she could believe Edward would have chosen her… She was just glad she wouldn't have to ever find out.

"I still think it's quite unfair," commented Carlisle. "To you, to the girls and to both your families."

Bella shrugged. "But it wasn't your decision to make."

"I helped with the money," argued Carlisle.

"And we can't thank you enough for it. It made a huge difference in our lives and we're forever grateful to you, but… we're okay now."

If anything, both Edward and Bella were relieved to not depend upon the Cullens' money anymore. Their budget was tight, but they felt freer.

Carlisle opened his mouth to add more, then seemed to change his mind, pressing his lips together tightly. Not quite agreeing just yet but definitely trying to understand what it was Bella was telling him.

Esme patted his thigh with her hand and gave him a warm smile. Suddenly, Bella phone rang. Startled, the young woman looked at it.

"It's Edward." She rose and, placing her untouched glass of wine on the low table, she walked away into the kitchen, disappearing outside on the patio. "Hey," she answered the phone in a breath, suddenly nervous. Edward had listened to her and had given her space over the weekend, but somehow, she was glad he was calling.

"Hello, love. Is this a wrong time?"

"Not at all," smiled Bella into the phone. "How are you?"

"I—I'm surviving," said Edward with a self-depreciating chuckle. His voice sounded raspy, as if he hadn't used it in days.

"I'm sure you are," Bella said, forcing a chuckle at the end as if trying to keep the conversation light. Either way, silence followed the statement.

"I miss you," Edward said after a moment. "I can't stop thinking about you."

Despite the anguish in his voice, Bella couldn't help but smile. Those were words Edward had never say to her before. Leaning her elbows on the banister, Bella looked at the Cullens' neighbourhood, not really seeing it. "I'm coming home tomorrow," she told him in a gentle voice.

"You are?"

"Mh-hm."

A loud, relieved sigh could be heard over the phone. "Oh, thank God!" Bella giggled. "What time? I'll come get you at the airport!"

Bella frowned. It was going to be Monday tomorrow. Edward would have to be at work.

"You sure? There's really no need—"

"What time, Bella?" He insisted.

Bella smiled some more. "I'll let you know. I still must purchase the tickets. Your mom is supposed to help."

"My mom?"

"Uh-uh."

"You're at my parents'?"

"Yes."

"Huh!" There was a stunned silence on Edward's end while Bella bit down on her thumbnail, wondering if she had done something wrong.

"Are you upset?" She risked.

"What? No. I'm sure they're have tons of judgment to share with you but, I'm not upset." Bella didn't comment. "Are they suggesting you drop my sorry ass just yet?"

Bella closed her eyes, realizing what it was Edward was telling her. He thought people were going to turn her against him. If only he knew…

"Not your parents," Bella simply stated. "They are rather rooting for us."

"Ah!" Edward's outburst of laughter sounded sharp and pained. "Right. That's good to know."

"Edward—" Bella started.

"So, if not my parents, let me guess… everybody else did, huh?"

"Hm," Bella answered noncommittally, not denying nor confirming his suspicions. She realised that Edward's fear was this; that she would, once again, be influenced by her dear ones' opinion before he could rest his case. It had happened before. But this time, Bella was resolute that the final decision was going to be hers. Theirs, really, for a lot depended on how Edward would react to what she had to tell him.

EPOV

Jane Moretti walked into the studio very early on Monday morning, surprised to hear soft music coming from the music studio. Being convinced she was alone in here this early, she walked closer only to see Edward Cullen, Aro's new protégé, in front of the computer. She wasn't 100% sure of it, but it seemed to her that he was still in the same clothes he had been wearing when he'd come back on Friday night. There was trash in the corner bin – emptied coffee cups, a greasy but empty box of pizza, and a bag of In-N-Out Burger – which made Jane wonder if Cullen had spent the whole weekend in here.

His beard was unkept and getting longer than she'd ever seen him; he had dark circles under his eyes; his jaw was tense. He looked like he had had no sleep over the weekend, though his vest was crumbled on the floor, as if it has been used as a pillow.

Any other man would've look awful, but not Edward Cullen. He just looked like he needed a hug.

Knocking on the doorframe, Jane dared to speak up. "Mr. Cullen?"

The young man, clearly not expecting anyone for another hour or so, startled and spilled some coffee on his jeans and shirt.

"OW, shit!" He cried out, quickly wiping the mess on the mixer's border before he turned and looked at the blond girl. "Oh, Jane, hi! Hum—sorry. What time is it?"

Jane Moretti smiled to herself. There was a reason food and beverage were prohibited in the studio. "It's not quite 7 AM, yet."

"Right," Edward smiled at her before he frowned. "Shit!" He stood up and started to grab his things; his vest, coffee and garbage. "I need to go home and shower before I show up at the airport," he mumbled for himself in a hurry. He looked back at Jane then. "Can I ask you something?"

The young assistant nodded. "Sure."

He pointed to the computer behind him. "This isn't saved in its integrality. Can you make sure no one touch it until I'm back?"

Jane looked at the computer where multiple tracks of audio files were placed on a timeline. The audio mixer was on and had probably tons of recorded melodies in its digital memory. More rustically, music sheets were everywhere on the desk and floor, filled with Edward's handwriting, having had forgo the software that could write music notes on the staves by itself; the boy was a bit old-schooled, but it added to his charm.

"Yeah, okay," said Jane, recognizing recording work when she saw one.

"Thank you, you're a life's savior," Edward told her before he walked pass her and into the corridor.

Jane looked at his back for a few seconds and as soon as Cullen walked out the door, Jane walked closer to the computer and pressed "play" on the track, listening to the melody that filled the cozy, soundproofed room.

"Oh, my…"

Slowly, she got her cellphone out of her purse and dialed Aro's personal number.

"Good morning, Janey!"

"Mr. Volturi, I need you to listen to this," she simply said, before she pushed the speaker button on on her cell.

To be continued…