Thanks to the lovely TwiDi for the beta job. All mistakes part of the 2020 rewrite.

Chapter 4

September 1st

Emmett has taken to sleeping on Charlie's sofa and I haven't seen a Cullen since Edward dropped me off a few days ago. Tomorrow Aunt Esme was marrying Dr. Carlisle Cullen, who is set to start working at Forks General in October. The happy couple were only spending a few days in Seattle for their honeymoon since the school year was starting in five days; plus, they had this whole "family bonding" thing planned.

"Are you dressed yet, Bells?" Charlie asked from my bedroom's door. He has been great about Em and I staying here—even enjoying it, I would say.

"Yeah." I opened the door slowly, a little embarrassed by the soft sage green knee length silky creation Esme got for me to wear to her rehearsal dinner. It wasn't something I would actually buy for myself; it was way too girlie and low cut for my taste—not that it showed much but my collarbones, but I still felt exposed.

"Bella, you look so grown up and beautiful," Charlie whispered and completely blew my mind when he pulled me into a one-armed hug and kissed the top of my head.

"Thanks, Dad," I mumbled back and we began walking down the stairs. I was thankful for the ballet flats in a lighter shade of matching green. Heels and me? Deadly combo.

"Bellabear, you look like a girl," Emmett told me with a huge grin on his face, and spun me in a circle.

"Christ, Em, you're going to break her back!" Rose snapped at him, slapping his ass hard.

"Thanks, I think." I got out with my last gust of available breath.

"Bella, you look truly superb tonight." Jasper bowed, grinning devilishly at me. He was my escort for the evening, mainly because Emmett knew he'd never get touchy-feely with me or look at me with lustful eyes. I figure I might finally get a real boyfriend when I'm eighty; and Emmett would no longer try to kill any guy that looks at me because he would be to busy flirting with the nurses in the nursing home to pay attention to me.

"Thank you, Mr. Hale, you look mighty spippy tonight as well," I said, gigging as Em set me down to snuggle into Rose and grope her ass through her tight violet dress. And I thought mine was low cut! Jeesh, is she even wearing a bra?

"Spippy?" Jasper asked, grinning slightly.

"You know… spiffy only spippy," I said and Rose rolled her eyes, it was a new 'Bella word'. Every so often, I'd come out with them and make it part of my vocabulary.

"You look beautiful, Bella." Rose pulled me into a small hug.

"And you look plain hot, Rose." I shook my head as I told her this. "You're going to give the waiters a heart attack."

"That's the plan." She grinned evilly. I know she loves Emmett more than anything in the world, but the girl loved to toy with men by looking uber sexy and flashing those baby blues at them. It's funny though how Emmett only reacts when a guy gets touchy with Rose; but let a girl look at Em, and Rose is gonna bust a cap in that girl's ass.

"Car is here, kids," Charlie told us, looking slightly stiff in his black suit and tie. Poor Dad, he hated dressing up as much as I did. Emmett's grumbling about the damn limo was funny. He really wanted to drive up to the country club's main dining hall in his jeep. The "small" rehearsal dinner was being held at the smaller room in the club; and the reception tomorrow was going to be in the main larger hall with a total of three hundred guests. The Cullens' guests were all from out of town, so the local hotel was packed.

We had given up the plan to break up the wedding, because mainly we feared we'd be busted and make Edward and Alice look even more saint-like. The other reason, Aunt Esme just fucking glowed with love for Carlisle; and he seemed to be the same way. How can you tell the sweetest woman in the world you don't want her to be happy and in love because you feel abandoned? I couldn't and neither could Em, so we gave up the plan. Grabbing my tiny clutch purse, I followed the gang and Dad to the car taking a deep soothing breath as I slipped into my seat.

When we landed at the church where the ceremony was to take place, I thought Jasper's eyes were going to pop out of his head when he took in little Alice Cullen. All five feet nothing of her. She was so damned pretty; I couldn't blame him… I mean, didn't I stare at her brother just as lustfully? Alice's dress was a beautiful cobalt blue showing almost as much skin as Rose was, her shoes screamed designer as did that dress. Hell, the dress probably cost more than my whole wardrobe at home. Speaking of Alice, she seemed to be staring back at Jasper taking in all 6'2 inches of his muscular frame. We didn't call him Ken doll for nothing; Jaz was hot, though not as hot as Edward.

Edward was talking to his father wearing a grey suit with white shirt and grey and red stripped tie. He looked dashing and handsome. His gaze flicked to where we entered and the only acknowledgement was a lift of his perfect eyebrow as he took in Rosalie. Other than that, he looked bored and disinterested in everything going on around him.

"Bella, Emmett!" Esme ran to hug us, then turned to hug the rest of our party. She looked so beautiful in a soft peach dress in almost the same style as mine. However, she was wearing heels that I could never pull off without falling flat on my face. Pulling us over; she introduced Charlie, Rose and Jasper to the Cullens.

"Bella, you look beautiful," Carlisle told me with a warm smile. He looked like he wanted to hug me but was unsure as to whether it would be accepted or not. It wouldn't be, so I just smiled back politely and thanked him.

"You really do, Bella," Alice said, not taking her eyes from Jasper.

"And you look stunning, Alice," I told her sincerely. However, I hooked my arm through Jasper's and leaned my head on his shoulder. He looked down and smirked at me, knowing what I was doing and gently kissed the top of my head. I looked at Alice and saw her eyes glaze over and look… well, just plain sad.

"Shall we get this thing started so we can go eat?" Emmett whined. I turned to look at him and giggled. He winked then nodded to Jasper and rolled his eyes. He knew what I did and thought it was hilarious.

"Yes, I'm ready to begin." Pastor Weber said and I waved to his daughter Angela who was sitting on the front pew. Angela was a sweetheart and a friend. She was so cute wearing a pretty pink dress. She waved back, giving my outfit a thumbs up, to which I just rolled my eyes. I swear! Throw on a dress; and everyone has to comment about it!

When we started going through the motions of the ceremony, I was a little freaked out to learn I would be partnered with Edward when the wedding party walked back down the aisle. Also, apparently, it was traditional that he and I dance during the main dance at the reception. It put me on edge and, to be honest, it made me slightly horny… all that touching.

Charlie was giving Esme away and it was too cute. He kept looking uncomfortable at the attention. And I swear he pulled on that tie like it was a noose around his neck.

~0~

The rehearsal dinner wasn't going well. Well, for me at least. I was trying to eat the delicious pork tenderloin meal set before me, but it was hard with Edward sitting right across from me. He had been polite to me saying a brief 'hello' with a small smile that didn't look as forced as it could have, before turning to Angela beside him to talk. They were rambling on about the upcoming school year. Jasper was talking to Alice on his other side, Emmett and Rose were in their own world and the adults were at a different table. It was odd to be sitting at a table full of people and not one person talks to you. I felt a bit like an interloper who was unwanted therefore ignored. To be honest it plain sucked and I had no way out of here to go home. I excused myself to go to the ladies' room, just needing a moment to pull back the tears that were threatening. I had never felt so alone amongst my family before.

How pathetic was I? Sitting in a bathroom stall during my Aunt's rehearsal dinner all because I felt left out? Or more aptly I felt abandoned and unloved. And possibly a little jealous of Angela receiving Edward's undivided attention. Damn my little lustful crush on Edward. Clearly, he was so far out of my league it wasn't even funny.

Washing my hands, I took a look in the mirror and plastered on a smile that was quickly ripped off as I went to walk through the door way back in, luckily no one looked at me and I pulled myself back behind the door. The table I had left, where everyone was paired off talking, was now looking more like a gang of old friends talking. Jasper had been bumping fist with Edward, Angela, Rose and Alice had been laughing and talking like old friends, Emmett had even been joking around with them all. It was like the straw that broke the camel's back. I snuck out the back door and began walking back to my Dad's house. It was only a twenty-minute walk, so I wasn't too worried. However, five minutes down the road, a car pulled over and a voice called my name in shock.

"Bella?"

"Mike?" I looked back at the blonde-haired-Romeo-wanna-be of Forks. Mike wasn't so bad; his bark was a lot worse than his bite.

"Need a ride?" He asked gently. He must have seen the tears on my face.

"Could you take me to my Dad's?"

"Hop in." He smiled and I did as he asked. He never said a word, just turned the music down gave a wink and took off to Chief Swan's house. He pulled up in the drive way and I thanked him softly before running to unlock the door and up the stairs to throw myself on my bed and cry my eyes out.

For the first time in forever I wondered what it was about me that made me so easy to leave. Renee had no problem leaving me, Charlie seemed happy that I lived with my Aunt and Uncle and now my friends and cousin ignored me. Clearly no one cared. I had gone to the bathroom almost an hour ago and was no longer in the building and no one had called my cell looking for me. I was forgettable and easy to ignore. I wondered briefly whether anyone would notice if I didn't show up for the wedding tomorrow. Alice could step in as maid of honor and Rose as the bride's maid. Or even Angela could step in. Who really gives a shit if I'm there? Of course, that thought only made me cry harder.

~0~

The bright sun streaming through the window into my eyes was enough to wake me up. Exhaustion must have taken over while I was crying last night because I couldn't remember falling asleep.

Ugh! I had slept in my dress.

Looking at my clock I realized it was only seven in the morning. So, I walked to my dresser to get a T-shirt and sweatpants out with some fresh undies and headed to the shower. Standing under the hot spray it hit me; no one came looking for me at all. My phone would have woken me if they had called, so I guess they never realized I left, or didn't care.

Dressing and heading down the stairs for some coffee and cereal, I—at once—realized that Em wasn't on the sofa. And Charlie's cruiser was in the driveway, so he must be home. Of course, he had today off for the wedding. Reaching into the fridge to grab the milk for the corn flakes, I swear I heard a soft curse behind me. Swinging around only to breathe in relief at Charlie standing there looking pretty hung over. Dad rarely gets drunk, so it must have been some party last night.

"Bells, how'd you sleep?" He asked me gently as if anything louder might make his head explode.

"Ok, Dad. You?" I replied softly.

"Like a log." I made him a cup of coffee and pulled out the Advil and handed him two. He looked like I handed him a million bucks. He was so happy about it.

"Hungry?"

"No, if I tried to eat…" He trembled a little in revulsion, and it took all I had not to laugh out loud at that.

Charlie buried his head in his hands and just looked like he was in pain, so I kissed his head gently and took my coffee and cereal into the living room to watch the Scooby Doo marathon playing on Cartoon Network. Scooby is the man, dog whatever. I was singing along with the theme song and trying to immerse myself into mindless childhood entertainment; and I wondered whether this would be considered as being in denial or it was avoidance? Probably a little of both. You'd think Charlie would have at least asked why I left last night. Guess he didn't notice. Clearly no one else noticed me gone.

"Bells, Esme wants you to get ready at her house. She expects you around eleven," Charlie grumbled from the kitchen doorway.

"K." I had to smile; Charlie almost fell over. I know where I got my balance problems from, and they pay that man to handle a gun.

"I'm going to shower; I have to run by the station so I'll drop you off."

"Thanks, Dad." Wooohooo! I didn't have to walk the five blocks today.

"Yep." His cheeks blushed a little at the thanks, and he headed up the stairs. Not even eight thirty yet, plenty of time to go back to the Scooby gang and block out the real world a little longer.

~0~

The knock on the door at ten startled me out of my Scooby daze. I was a little pissed. I mean, it was a good episode with Jerry Reed singing "When You're Hot". What shocked me more was the handsome face of Carlisle at my Dad's front door.

"Bella, I thought I would drive you to Esme's this morning. That way we can talk some." I knew it wasn't a question. So, I nodded and ran upstairs to tell Charlie and grab my stuff.

My pretty baby blue dress and shoes were taken from my hands as I came back downstairs. Carlisle smiled gently at me and led me to his car. With a wave and a 'goodbye' to Charlie, I began to feel slightly apprehensive about this upcoming chat. He didn't say anything while we got settled in the car, or even when he pulled out heading towards town rather than my Aunt's house. I'll be honest that scared me a little.

"Carlisle, we're going the wrong way." I said softly and he sighed like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

"Bella, we have been going the wrong way for a while I think." He pulled over in the Safeway parking lot and looked at me. His green eyes not as bright as his son's but just as pretty. They were far more gentle and caring than Edward's as well. "Please, I need to say a few things to you before the wedding, things we probably should have said a while ago. Though, I never knew till last night how much I've upset your world." He placed his strong hand on my knee in a very paternal way.

"Carlisle, you're getting married in four hours this might not be the best time." I was scared. I mean, what if he told me I had to go away? What if they all decided to find Renee and send me to live with her?

"Bella, please just listen." I nodded. "I look at you and I see a gentle soul who loves fiercely and loyally. You also do not adapt to change well. We rushed everything along for our own happiness. All of our children sacrificing so much for Esme and me—to finally have the love we were denied for so long. You perhaps have given up the most. I never knew about your mother until your Aunt broke down in tears last night when we realized you were gone. Esme fears you think she is abandoning you as well. That maybe you feel like my family is stealing your place in her life, in her heart." Tears were streaming down my face. They noticed but no one looked. "Bella, we both very much want you to be part of our lives. Our new home will be yours as much as the rest of ours. I'm so sorry that you were pushed out of your room. I should have made Alice share, it's just that she has been through so much lately and looking into her face, I couldn't make her do something she doesn't want to. Bella, your family loves you, and I include myself in that because I knew the first time I saw you that you would become a daughter to me. You are so much like Esme in personality; it would be hard pressed of me not to love you." He gently used his handkerchief on my falling tears.

"I… I… they don't… anymore" I got out half of what I wanted to say, and he pulled me into his arms to cry.

"Bella, they love you so much. Last night when you disappeared, Emmett threatened every person with death if they had harmed one hair on your head. Luckily your friend Mike had the forethought to call Emmett and tell him you were home—safe and sound. He also explained how depressed and sad you looked. Emmett and Esme wanted to rush right to your side, but we thought it might be best to give you some space. However, before they would go home, they both had to check in on you."

"Really?" I wanted it to be true; needed it to be true.

"Really. Esme wanted to change your clothes, but we didn't want you to be freaked out if you woke up during it. Bella, even if you never talk to me or my children again, you will still have a place in both our home and hearts. We are a family now. I do hope though you will try and give us a chance. Let us in, Bella, even if it is one step at a time and a slow process; we will be here for you." I launched myself across the car back into his warm embrace. It was weird, but this strange man whom I wanted to hate for taking my family away—for taking my Uncle's place—was the one who helped me. And he really seemed to sincerely want me to be part of their lives.

"I'll try," I whispered against his chest.

"That's all I ask, Bella. I will be there whenever you need me." He kissed the top of my head and sat me straight with a grin. "Now, let's get you to Esme before she goes all mama-bear on me and rips me apart limb from limb for being late." We both laughed. It was true if I was baby bear, Em was big bear then Esme was our mama bear.

"Yeah." I nodded and we drove in a companionable silence to my Aunt's home.

~0~

As I walked into the house, I was intercepted by Emmett's warm arms and quickly Esme was there too. Both of them cooing and cuddling me. No harsh words were said. Only 'I love you's. I felt myself warm from the inside out.

No one said a word about my disappearing act last night—just busied themselves with getting ready. Carlisle took the boys to the church so the girls could get ready in peace. Alice even semi-smiled at me. I gave a tentative one back. They fixed my face so you couldn't tell I had been crying and made me look almost pretty. Not that I compared to Rose, Alice or Aunt Esme. Quite frankly they looked like supermodels.

After finishing, we rushed downstairs. Close to being late, we rushed once more for the limo. My Aunt kept cutting an eye at me, like she wanted to say something. She held off until we entered the church, then pulled me back and looked at me with her all-knowing eyes. "Don't you ever put me through that again," she whispered and hugged me tight. I nodded into her and tried not to cry again.

As I walked down the aisle towards Carlisle, Edward and Emmett on one side and little Alice on the other I felt weird. This was it and I needed to make a choice do… I let them in? Or do I just deal with it until I graduate from high school and run away to college? Taking a deep breath, I glanced briefly at the god-like Edward that made me want to run out the door. Could that boy look any better? Then to Em who smiled at me in encouragement, then to little Alice who was bouncing up and down gently like she was reigning in her excitement and finally to Carlisle. There I saw love and understanding and what looked to be hope. I knew this man was special and kind. My Aunt deserves to be happy; I know this. I didn't want her torn between them and me. So, I looked Carlisle dead in the eyes and gave a big warm smile. He returned it with a wink. When I made it all the way up to the alter, he pulled me into a warm hug and whispered into my ear. "Thank you. I'll never let you regret this."

I smiled again and stepped into my spot next to Alice who kept bouncing. I looked down at her, her heels making us the same height and giggled softly. For twins Alice and Edward were nothing alike outside the blazing green eyes. She was so small, he was so tall. She was so dark, he was so bright. She was full of life and he stood there with the same composure of his father. Like a grown man rather than seventeen year old boy. I wanted to know his every thought, I wanted to touch his face, run my hands into that sex-hair. Mostly, I wanted him to look at me and smile. I'd love to be the recipient of one of his real smiles. Because as my Aunt walked down the aisle, he gave her one and I felt my knees go weak, my pulse race and a small ache in my lower body I'd never felt before. I was slowly becoming obsessed with Edward Cullen. And by letting his family into my life, I would gain more access to either fuel or extinguish this obsession.

~0~

The reception was a lot better than the night before. I laughed with friends and even danced with Mike Newton as a 'thank you' for being my hero last night. Carlisle and Aunt Esme planned for us all to dance on the floor together as a family. It was so funny to watch Emmett and Alice try to slow dance and I tried to keep myself composed and pulled far back from Edward. My Aunt and newly-acquired Uncle were dancing pressed together, his chin on her head holding her as if she was made of glass. It was beautiful and so filled with love, I almost cried for them.

"If you were any further away, you'd be in Canada." Edward said sarcastically and cocked his perfect brow at me. "People are going to wonder if I didn't shower or suffer from halitosis." I giggled and relaxed a little. However, when he pulled me four inches closer to where I could feel his body heat, I stiffened. "So, sweet little cousin, wanna tell me why you ran away from us last night?"

"No. And I'm not your cousin," I told him firmly. He wasn't my cousin. That would just be weird since I was getting way too damp in my panties standing so close to him.

"You're right, I guess. But I just liked to watch you squirm." He laughed gently and I swear we moved closer together. His smell sent shock waves through my body. He smelled like heaven and hell put together. His smell was both sin and redemption. I never wanted to be without his smell again. It filled my senses and made me feel alive. Slowly, I lifted my face, my brown eyes clashing with his green ones. They were on fire—intense and full of emotion. I felt him lean towards me. All I could think was, he was going to kiss me. "Sweet, sweet Bella," he whispered into my hair as he lowered his face.

"Can I cut in?" I jumped as Emmett pulled me into his arms to whirl me around the dance floor. Catching a glimpse, I saw Edward laugh and start to spin Alice around. Had he just been trying to mess with Emmett? Why else would he laugh after our almost kiss was over. Would he try to kiss me again? Was he even trying to kiss me this time? Ohhh, God! Boys were confusing.

"Bella, don't let him get too close. I've heard things about his reputation in Chicago, baby bear," Emmett said softly me in my ear.

"What?" I asked. I needed to fuel this obsession called Edward.

"Let's just say that from the number of girls' names in his cell phone address book, Cullen is what they call a 'player'."

"Emmett, seriously he doesn't seem the type. Where is his bling and sports car?" I laughed.

"Bella, we had a guys' night last night. Edward, Jasper and I. We asked him his number and it was double Jasper's. He may have been trying to act cool, but he seemed serious." My jaw dropped. Jasper was our school heart-throb, always with a new girl and someone had upped him? My beautiful Edward didn't want me. He probably had an itch and I was convenient to scratch it.

"Damn. Em, you know I wouldn't do something like that, right?"

"Of course, Bella Bear. But, if he tries it, I will kill him." He growled. I looked over and found Edward dancing with one of FHS's resident queen bees—Lauren Mallory. Lauren was pretty, blond and spoiled. She and I tolerated each other. She had a clique with Jessica Stanley and Liz Downing. It could have been worse… it could have been Tanya Dennis or one of her crowd, Kate Sparks or Irena Tellers. Those three were almost as hot as Rose; and Tanya was a bitch. I'll never forget when she dated Jasper. My skin crawled remembering how horrible she was always putting me down and trying to push me out of Jaz's life. Lauren at least was scared of Rose, so she'd never try anything on me. I watched as my obsession and Lauren began to discreetly leave the room and my heart sank.

I wanted to scream "He's mine!" and claw her eyes out, but I couldn't—because he wasn't. Looking ahead to the coming school year, I was filled with dread. I'd have to see him with other girls; I'd have to live in the knowledge that I was no longer needed since so many other girls were available to scratch his itch. I'd be living in the same house with him and see his dates and maybe even a make-out session in the living room. Damn, I was going to have a fucked-up year if I didn't get over this obsession and fast.

AN2: Be prepared, when blending families, you have good days and bad days. But we do get a HEA in this fic I promise.

FYI no cheating in this fic...just remember things aren't always as they seem