A/N: Thanks so much for hanging in there with me. I notice all of the reviews and fav's and follow's and I am so appreciative! Realistically, I'm trying to update once a week on Monday or Tuesday. I appreciate your patience. Without further ado:

BPOV

As expected, the bar experience with Alice and Rose was far different than what I was used to. Gone were the days of standing there and waiting in line in barely there mini dresses (sometimes in the cold). Upon arrival, Emmett handed the keys to the valet and made sure to help each one of us out of the SUV. I was extremely grateful for the assistance. I just knew that without it, I may have fallen or twisted an ankle in the borrowed high heels. I expected the bouncer at the door to ask for ID for at least one of us, but Rose simply flashed him a dazzling smile and we were in. The smile looked familiar. It didn't quite reach her eyes and it said that she was not to be trifled with. It reminded me of Edward.

I had a lot to learn about the way that Rose and Alice partied. Instead of clamoring for seats at the bar, Emmett lead us toward the back of the bar, a portion that seemed to be watched over by yet another bouncer. Emmett seemed friendly with the gatekeeper here. We watched as the two of them did that weird manly handshake hug thing. Rose seemed less than thrilled to see him, or perhaps didn't know him that well. She seemed to discreetly nod her head as our group moved through the roped off area. There seemed to be at least three buckets of champagne and tons of snacks.

"Oooh guys! I was right! Here before the kitchen has closed. Who wants Mac N' Cheese?"

I couldn't help but smile at Alice's excitement. She seemed to be a boundless ball of energy.

"Alice, you know I want more than that. Get that buffalo cauliflower and those mozzarella thingy's. And the sauce! Don't forget the sauce."

Without much warning, the cork on a champagne bottle popped and and Rose was pouring glasses.

"Bella, relax. Nobody is getting by Emmett. We'll have some food and drinks, eat a little bit, play some vintage arcade games. All of the excitement of a night out without the anxiety giving crowd."

I nodded slightly. Rose and Alice had been nice and more than fair, but they were Edward's family. I wasn't going to allow myself to let my guard down completely.

As if on cue, a man dressed in a well tailored suit appeared with a pad of paper.

"Marcus! How wonderful to see you again!"

"We always love to have the Cullen's here when we can! Special occasion Mrs. McCarty? Ms. Cullen?"

Suddenly registering my presence, the man named Marcus took a step back.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude!"

"Marcus, this is a friend of the family. Ms. Swan. This is her first time at headquarters, so why don't we go ahead and pull out all of the stops?"

He stuck his hand out to shake and nodded. He seemed friendly.

"Ms. Swan. My name is Marcus and I'm the manager here at HQ. I'll be waiting on you personally."

"Thank you Marcus. Everything looks fun. I think Alice mentioned something about buffalo cauliflower and mac n' cheese?"

"No can do Ms. Cullen. We've revamped the menu, but I'm happy to let you taste all that we have to offer. The drinks are mainly the same."

I watched as Marcus offered Alice a small and sad smile. Anyone else would have missed it, but I did see her deflate slightly before perking up again.

"Well, at least I can still get a 'Blue Kids on the Block'. Ooh! And can we have Peanut Butter and Jelly shots, Peachy Keen's, and that chicken pizza thingy?"

"I'll be sure to bring all of the food we have to offer. If you need anything, Emmett knows where the button is."

As suddenly as he appeared, he was gone again. I couldn't help my overflowing curiosity.

"The button?"

"It's excessive, and we didn't ask for it, but there's a call button next to Emmett so we won't be accidentally photographed waiting at the bar. After a few tabloids got pics of us flirting with some of the bartenders, Alice, or brawling with the guys that were way too handsy for their own good, Me, I think Edward might have put some pressure on one of the owners. Now, the only time they can get us, is to and from the bathroom, entering or exiting the club, or the random stray brave enough to try and come back here. Even for trips to the bathroom, we all go together and my hubby over there chaperones."

"They?"

"Paps. They don't care about anything other than getting the story of the photo and the story is almost never correct."

"And the photos?"

I watched Rose sip her champagne and give into a light giggle.

"I photograph well. I'm not the one who complains about those."

Alice turned red and downed her glass of champagne before turning to me.

"Before we give up the goods on our dear brother, it's only right that we learn more about you too."

I could feel my own face heat in response.

"What would you like to know? I'm twenty, a college student, lived on the south side most of my life. There isn't too much to tell."

"How'd you and Ant meet?"

"Coffee shop. Will you at least explain the nickname Alice?"

"Rose is better at it than I am."

"It's stupid really. Mom had us pretty much back to back. Edward was first, then me, then Alice. What do they call them? Oh yeah. Irish twins? Except we were Irish triplets. Anyway, in addition to Edward being obsessed with ants and how strong they were, it was the easiest way for Alice and I to say his name, especially given the fact that he absolutely hates to be called anything other than that or Edward. Emmett will occasionally call him Ed or Eddie to mess with him, but no other variations are allowed. Brother dear can be a bit... inflexible at times."

I smiled slightly. Edward did appear to be the type who liked to be master of his domain. If everyone called you lots of different things all the time, you could probably hardly maintain control.

Downing her own glass, Rose reached for a small basket of fries and what looked like cheese dip, presumably to wait on some of the other menu offerings. Offering me the fries and dip, I took some of my own. If their fries and cheese dip were this good, I couldn't wait for the pizza.

"So. Edward tells us you're a student?"

Alice was apparently much more talkative than even I was prepared for.

"Yes. College. Third year. I'm actually an engineering major myself."

It was impossible to miss the look Alice and Rose shared then.

"Has our dear brother mentioned anything about a company internship?"

I shook my head then.

"I don't think I could possibly ask for that. He's given me so much already."

I blushed then.

I watched as Rose gave an almost wry smile.

"You're underestimating how truly boring these events can be."

"Will you guys be going?"

"Unfortunately. It's a good fund raiser for the company. Plus our mom is throwing it. She'll absolutely love you."

"Me? I seriously doubt that."

"I'm not sure who took a crap on your self-esteem Bella, but she will. Edward never brings suitable people to these things."

"And I'm suitable?"

"Well. in comparison to the other four, yes. You already know about Mallory. I'm still waiting to get my hands around her neck. But the other three, let's see. First there was Annie."

"Her name may as well have been Annabelle."

I had to interject here.

"Like the movie? And the doll?"

"The very same. Broad was evil. Super nasty to anyone she felt was beneath her and spent Ant's money like it was her own. When he cut up her American Express and made her ask for cash every time she went to spend something, I thought her head might spin around like in a bad horror movie. As rude and greedy as she was, that isn't even the reason he gave her the boot."

I guzzled my champagne then. I didn't think I was ready for the reason.

"Different to your arrangement, him and Annie were sleeping together. Why'd he kick her to the curb? She tried to sneak her finger up his butt."

I was glad I had swallowed my drink. It was bad enough I could feel myself quickly turning the color of a tomato.

"Like.. She did that without asking him?"

"I found out way more than what I needed to know about my brother's sex life that day. She also had this weird penchant for trying to get him to do it everywhere but his house. I caught them in the bathroom at me and Emmett's house once."

I was glad for the sudden appearance of Marcus. There was a drink that appeared to be a blueish red that Alice handed me.

"'Blue Kids on the Block'. Not crazy about the allspice rim, but the redbull ice cubes and the Stoli make it incredible."

Taking a sip, I saw what she meant. She was right about the overall flavor, but the allspice was a deterrent. I made a mental note to try and drink from the same spot on my glass to avoid it.

Rose and Alice drank as well.

"Next up was Theresa. I have to admit. She was really beautiful. Had this whole Naomi Campbell vibe going on, but my goodness the girl was dumb."

"More than a bag of hammers. More than a box of rocks."

"She thought that when Edward mentioned 'Audi' he was incorrectly referring to belly buttons."

"I forget. Where he did he find her?"

"Dad's to blame for that one actually."

"Dad, or Anthony?"

I'm sure the look of confusion on my face was comical.

"Alice, we should slow down a little and explain. I think we've left Bella in the dust a little."

"I'm sorry. I don't want you guys to stop telling the stories, I just need a little clarification on the players."

"Sure thing. I think we forget that everyone hasn't been here the whole time. Anthony Masen is our collective sperm donor."

"You guys actually know your donor? That feels really... progressive."

I couldn't tell what I had said that was so funny.

"Technically speaking him and our mother were married when we were conceived. He's our bio dad, but the man is one step above scum, so we usually don't speak of him in kind."

I nodded then. I knew all about crappy father figures.

"So if Anthony Masen is your dad, how'd you get the name Cullen?"

"Shortly after she divorced him, Mom met physician extraordinaire Dr. Carlisle Cullen. For a tidy sum, Mom was able to convince him to give up his parental rights and Carlisle adopted us. He's Dad. Doesn't always get it right, but he tries his best, and we probably couldn't ask for a better father. Anyway, Theresa. Dad hooked them up, which isn't surprising. Him and Mom used to do it in all kinds of inappropriate places at one point."

Hoping to save face, I reached for a slice of the pizza Marcus had brought out. It was absolutely delicious.

"So let's see. We've covered crazy girl, inappropriate girl, and cheater girl. Social climber girl was probably my favorite. She at least provided mental stimulation."

"Social climber girl?"

"Lola. She played nice at first. Stuck to her spending limits, was seemingly super nice. Made it all the way to the company internship, but she liked to schmooze too much. Turns out she didn't want Ant's money, but his name and connections. Girl wanted to be an actress. Could've been successful. She was almost good enough to avoid getting caught."

"Almost?"

"That mental stimulation I mentioned earlier? The girl was pretty, but she wasn't particularly smart or memorable."

"Why was that important?"

"I couldn't figure out why or how we'd go somewhere and the next time we were around the same group of people, they'd want to catch up with her like they were old friends. In addition to the oxy she was 'gifting' them, I caught her slipping headshots and audition tapes to talent managers. She gave the performance of a lifetime the day she pocketed a check that was supposed to go to Cullen Engineering and put it in an envelope in her bag labeled boob job. She was sloppy. Crafty, but sloppy. She was out on her ass before she could even say 'Academy Award'."

I continued to eat and drink while I mulled over Rose's words. Sure, Edward and I didn't know each other that well, but I not only appreciated the glimpse into his personality, but also the knowledge of what came before me.

"Rose, one last question about Edward, and then we can get to partying."

"Shoot."

"These women, Lola, Lauren, Theresa, and Annabelle, in addition to the financial relationship he had with them, they were dating weren't they, not just sleeping together?"

"Yes."