AN: Happy Hump Day ppl! I should have done this earlier, but let´s face it...that damn Honey Boo-Boo owns my a$$ in Wednesday nights! I Red-neck-o-mend her to all! Haha! Let´s see what Esme and Bella are up to, shall we?

Remember: Bella´s 16 and Edward is 26...

DreamTeam is back in full-force! You Chicas RAWK!

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NUTHIN, EXCEPT MY LUNCHBOX!

That´s What Little Girls Are Made Of...

Chapter Forty-Eight

BPOV

Esme handed me the keys to the car while she settled the check, and waited for the waitress to box up our leftovers.

Clearly, lunch was over!

I´d never been so humiliated in my entire life!

Sulking, I stared out the window, barely registering the passing scenery as we headed back to Forks.

Halfway through the trip, Esme spoke, breaking the awkward silence that we'd been riding in. "Are you going to forgive me, or are you going to continue to sit there and pout?" Esme asked hesitantly.

Releasing a ragged breath, Esme continued speaking when I didn´t respond. "I'm so sorry, Sweetheart; I didn't mean to upset you. You're just growing up so fast, and...and, I just want you feel like you can come to me with things like this. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I´m fumbling my way through this. Cut me some slack," She pleaded smiling softly. "Please?"

I sighed.

I really was acting like a petulant child.

In my heart, I knew that Me-me was only being a concerned mother.

And, truthfully, I was fumbling more than she was.

Charlie, God rest his soul, wasn´t a very affectionate man. Well, not outwardly so, at least. And I had absolutely no recollection of Renee, it hurt too much for Dad to talk about her, so, we never did.

And though she practically raised Edward from a boy, girls were different.

Reaching over the console to give her free hand a squeeze, I chuckled nervously. "I'm not mad at you Me-me," I confessed, shaking my head, "embarrassed as hell maybe, but definitely not mad." I wanted to lighten the mood, because things were taking on a sour note. "Besides, isn´t there some unspoken rule that says parents are supposed to embarrass their kids at some point in their lives?" I gave her a sheepish grin in hopes that she would know that I was joking.

Esme was only trying help, and here I was acting like an ungrateful brat.

I really didn't deserve the Cullen's.

Feelings of remorse washed over me. Suddenly, I was consumed by the need to express my gratitude. "I really appreciate all that you and Carlisle have done for me; I don't know where I'd be if you guys hadn´t taken me in."

"Nonsense, Sweetheart," Esme sniffled as quiet tears slipped down her cheeks. I hadn´t even noticed that we had pulled over into a rest stop. Looking me in the eye, Esme cupped my cheek. "Bella, you and Edward could no more be my children than if you both had come from my womb." Leaning in, I relished in her motherly touch. "I will always love you, my beautiful Isabella, no matter what."

After a tight hug that nearly popped my stuffing, Esme and I got back on the road.

A big warm Welcome to all my new readers! I´m shocked when I see a review telling me that someone has rec´d my story on FB and other areas! Thanks guys! Keep the love coming, and there won´t be an end in sight soon! And for those of you who are anxious, just a little more patience. We have a few more loose ends to tie up before these two can jump each other´s bones!

You betta Red-neck-a-nize!

Hasta Mañana!

Krazi

xoxo