Author's note: Thank you for coming back for Chapter 12. My work schedule is crazy so there's really no uploading schedule.

Also, SUPER DISCLAIMER, I am not trying to be the next Stephanie Meyers, Anna Todd or EL James. No I am not super editing or professionally editing the story but I will fix mistakes if anyone kindly points them out. To the ones who don't mind or rudely point it out, I love you the mostest.

Enjoy!

…

"If you would come back home

We could start all over

If you would come back home

I swear it would be better"

If You Would Come Back Home - William Fitzsimmons

…

Six Years Ago

"I can't believe this is ours!" Bella jiggles our keys to our new apartment in front of my face. She smiles excitedly. "This is going to be so amazing!"

"You're amazing," I tell her, looking into her brown eyes that are lined with eyeliner and mascara. I love that she doesn't wear much makeup, I would still love it if she did, but she seems so pure without it. The way her freckles from the California sun come out, the way her face turns red when she's embarrassed, and the way her skin brightens when she smiles. And when she does wear makeup it's for special occasions, like our wedding day, she looks just as beautiful.

I can't believe that happened only yesterday. Our wedding.

She was stunning in her cream-white floor length gown. It was simple with little detail but the heart shaped neckline insinuated her bust, the straps sat on her toned shoulders, and the lace of the hemline was thin enough that you could see her goddess legs. Her hair was in perfectly loose curls that fell around her face. She chose not to wear a veil and I approved because the world needed to see her shine beautifully like she did.

When she said I do, I couldn't help but to grin so hard. It was only us, Leah and my father at the small park. We knew this was sudden and a lot of people did not approve, even my dad, but we wanted to be comfortable with people we somewhat trusted. I would have chosen Jasper but when he and Bella got into an argument, I thought Edward Sr would be less tense.

"I can't wait until the furniture gets in," she says, spinning in what will be our living room.

It's a nice sized condo that fits perfectly for us. It sits on the outskirts of the tiny piece of downtown Forks that they are trying to renovate. There's newly built apartments with small bars, clubs and restaurants surrounding it. When you go on the balcony you can see all of the buildings and freeways to get here. It's just loud enough that it feels comfortable and we love to listen to the train. It's also fifteen minutes from Charlie which I know she likes.

I saved up enough money to not only have a wedding but to be able to quickly get this place for the price. It's on the top floor with minimal neighbors. There's a gym, a pool and a rooftop area. The floor plans are perfect for my wife to decorate. Thankfully my winnings were also able to fund her inner interior designer.

She didn't want to go anywhere for a honeymoon. She just wanted to get settled into our new place and anything she wanted to do, I did too. So for the rest of the week we would be decorating and making this place our home.

…

Present

Fuck.

If I had known Tanya would have been on her shit tonight, I wouldn't have brought Bella.

Tanya was always the jealous one, but I didn't think she would go after Bella… at an event… at her job.

I should fucking fire her. I would, but she knows too much and could take this shop down with me inside of it.

Bella pushed past me and left two minutes ago and I am still standing dumbfounded at what just happened. I finally come to and I am pissed the fuck off.

"You're done for the night." I point my finger in Tanya's face. "Get the fuck out. Make sure she doesn't work the rest of tonight." I say to one of my other artists, Garrett.

He only nods and Tanya says nothing as she slams her equipment down and gets up, grabbing her belongings before walking into the back.

I turn around and try not to push past the crowd as it would be rude as the owner. I smile and pretend like I am happy everyone is here even though I am fuming inside.

I can only imagine what Bella must be thinking right now. Where did she even go? She knows the area but it hasn't become less dangerous since she last lived here.

Once I reach the entrance, I make a right out of habit because that's where my apartment is. The chances of her being there are fifty fifty but I am hopeful.

I ignore the couple of horns that beep at me when I walk into the street, but I finally spot her.

I'm out of breath when I reach her and it seems like she is too. It has started to rain and I want to pull her inside so she doesn't get cold.

"Bella."

"Edward." She doesn't look at me, sitting on the bench for the bus stop but the busses stopped running an hour ago.

She looks up in front of her, staring at the sight in front of her like it's her first time seeing the building.

People pass by us, seeming concerned when they have to move because we are like statues in the rain.

I feel an energy build up and I pull her to the side of the street. I grab her waist to bring her closer, she pushes me away and wipes her face harshly.

"Bella," I say again, looking deep into her eyes. They are red but she doesn't look like she's been crying. "Are you high?" Before I realize, I am kneeling in front of her and my hands are on her cheeks. She leans into me as I stare into her now obvious glassed over eyes. I feel like I am searching for answers that I can't find because she won't let me in.

"So what if I am?" How did she even find someone to give her something that fast? "I smoked a joint but that's not the point Edward! How could you bring me here knowing that she would be here?"

You would think Bella had some kind of vendetta on Tanya. I knew Bella wasn't stupid and that she would probably catch on. I didn't think it would be a big deal with the way she hugged the guy from the bar. But I didn't think the fallout would be this bad and that is majorly Tanya's fault.

I had sex with her earlier and brought her to where a person who I somewhat have a past with and allow to work for as well as with me. I already know that Bella is putting together possibilities in her head like an equation but I really hope she can come up with at least one good outcome of this shit situation.

Fuck.

I think before I speak. Being both pissed off and speaking without much thought wouldn't be good plus I'm not mad at her. I'm mad at myself for the choices I've made and the fact that they are still hurting Bella. I'm also pissed I wasn't there to stop her from smoking from random strangers either.

"I'm an idiot." That's all I can say to her for my mistakes. My mistakes that have hurt her and will probably continue to hurt her because she really has no idea what she is stepping back into, if she even wants to stop into anything after tonight.

There's still shit going on that she doesn't need to worry about and I am struggling between telling her everything to give her a chance to leave or keep it to myself so she doesn't.

"Please, can we talk?" I ask her.

This is a conversation I wasn't expecting to happen and while I don't really want to talk about it, I don't want her to leave either. I wanted this night to go so much differently and I feel like the only way I can make it up to her is by being honest with her.

"Please." The rain is falling harder now even the small glass we have over top of us can't keep us from the cool rain drops. "Come inside and we can talk about anything you want."

She sighs heavily, looking between me and the apartment entrance.

She's going to say no and I am going to lose her again. I silently beg whatever above me that she doesn't. I don't deserve it but I need to talk to her and let her know I am serious about learning to be her friend first despite my mishap earlier.

She takes my hand and stands up. I follow after her and watch as she scans the street for oncoming cars before she pulls us, running like we aren't soaked already.

Even though we were just in an intense conversation, I can't help but laugh now. She looks back at me but quickly looks forward again before I can see her smile. I hear her giggle and it's probably stupid, but I have some kind of hope that this night will end on a better note.

We quickly run through the entrance and to the elevators. The ride is quiet as we don't say anything but our fingers stay intertwined the entire time until the elevator stops on the fourth floor. I feel my own body continuing to crave her touch and I know she feels it too as she clasps her hands together.

"Shall we?" She says, almost dancing forward. I can see the anxiety etched on her face but I don't know how to make it stop.

We don't run this time, but we don't take our time to get to the unit we once called home.

I fumble to find my key and she bounces on her toes impatiently. Once I find the key, I unlock the door and open it so she can walk in.

I can see her hesitation for a second but she moves forward first. I step in with her and I lock the door behind us. I give myself a pep talk that I can be a man and talk to Bella about everything that has happened since we parted and hopefully all of the other shit that led up to it.

I stay quiet as I watch her eyes look around the apartment that really has not changed since she left it. Her movements and her silence make me miss her and our quiet nights in. Our apartment is not as cozy without her but there's something in me that doesn't want to let it go. That something is this moment, us back in our home.

The dark green L-shaped couch sits in the middle of the living room. The walls are decorated with abstract black and white art to match the black accent furniture. I never changed the sunflower decorated kitchen surrounded by light yellow walls. The bedroom is a mess as it has always been but I didn't change anything in there either. I'm pretty sure the toiletries she left in the bathroom are still there and untouched.

"I can't believe you never moved." She's quiet as she walks slowly through the living room, touching the dusty frames on the wall.

They're our wedding pictures. I never took them down because like I said, I never changed anything. And frankly, the memory keeps me going most days.

"It's close to work." It isn't a lie, but it isn't why I stayed. I don't have the heart to let it go. I kept signing the lease each year since she left, hoping she would come back. Now that she's here, I immediately want to break the lease and move somewhere else so we can start fresh.

"Hmm." That's all she says and continues to walk quietly through the apartment. She doesn't say much but smiles every now and then at the distant memories we had here.

"Sorry it's messy," I say as I follow her into our bedroom. There's clothes, empty cups and beer bottles everywhere. My tv is still on. If I had known we'd come here, I would have cleaned it.

She shrugs, sitting on the edge of the bed. She begins taking her shoes off, tossing them to the side and stretching her legs out in front of her. She moves her body to the middle of the bed and spreads her arms and legs.

"I haven't slept on a California king bed in years," she sighs with her eyes closed. "My bed at Charlie's is still fit for a preteen and Rose has a daybed in her guest room right now."

"And the one in California?" I don't know why I ask, I guess to continue the conversation. She didn't talk much about the place she has been since she left here. She never liked living in California and I never understood why.

Sure, Renee was a bitch to her but the scenery, the landmarks, the beaches… I only wished I could experience that with her.

"I slept in my car a lot actually." Her voice is quiet. I can see she has opened her eyes but she doesn't move her focus from the ceiling. "And a lot of time couch hopping." She chuckles but it isn't a happy one.

I can feel myself developing chills. This is it. This is what I want to be here for. If she really felt how she felt about California then sleeping in her car felt safer than anything else. I need to understand, not only for me but for her. I have to understand so I can put the pieces that I left broken back together.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I'm a fucking idiot. Did I just sound like a dick? Of course she wants to talk about it and I could have chosen anything else to say.

She lifts her head up, smirking. "You're asking?"

It takes me a minute, but I shrug. I know that I am supposed to be talking about me but if she isn't comfortable talking to me right now then I can wait until she is.

She pushes herself back up to sit, crossing her legs. I can see her brain working as she ties her hair up into a messy bun and takes her jacket off. She runs her down her face then the sides of her neck until she settles them on the back.

"What do you want to know Edward?" She looks at me frustratedly. "I slept in cars and at friends' houses because sometimes I was too high or drunk to get back home. Sometimes I was high for multiple days and didn't eat. Now I am here and the bed is really fucking comfortable." I can sense her irritation growing with each word as her earlier high wears off. But I know she's more annoyed with her past choices than she is with me.

She always had a temper and I can't say it never turned me on how much of a firecracker she could be. But she was also sweet and sensitive, fragile at times. She fought off her own demons and in her head, but there were demons on the outside too. I was one of them.

I step forward, moving for the first time since I asked her if she wants to talk about it. But I honestly asked because I don't want to pry. I don't want to make her talk about something she doesn't want to. I would love for her to open up to me, but I want her to do it on her own time.

I decide to be honest with her. "I don't want to pry. I want you to open up to me but I want you to be comfortable about it and I want to open up to you too."

She looks down at her hands again, moving her thumbs around each other. Her long hair hides her face so I can't see it. It's moments before she moves over to the left of the bed, patting the space next to her.

"Well," she says, confidence thick in her voice. "You should probably sit for this.

…

Author's note: Time to talk about what they've been up to. Leave a review!