Chapter 3

I woke up as the dim light of the sun and pearly clouds came through my window.I was surprised to find that I was in my nightgown. Mother must have changed me. I remember, amidst all that crying, I fell asleep. I don't remember anything else. My door opened to reveal my mother.

She sat in the edge of my bed decently dressed. Oh my, what time is it? "How are you feeling now?" she asked. "I feel fine." I replied. Oh-uh, she's going to be so mad. Before she go any further, I spoke. "I know that it was very rude of me to run off like that. I already said a brief string of apologies to Rosalie and Alice, but still. I know you're going to be upset about it. I know that the Cullens are upset about this too. I know, and I'm sorry. I will beg for their forgiveness if you like. And I will accept full responsibilities to my consequences. So honestly, all you have to do is say what it will be." I told her. Her face was unfathomable. She seemed surprised, guilty, sad and agonized and then... sorry ? "No, no. You don't know." she patted my hand before she continued. "I am sorry." I looked at her agape. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you through that. I knew about you and instead I fed you straight to them. I'm sorry, Bella. I knew it would cause you pain, I don't know what I was thinking! No, I wasn't thinking at all!" the last part came muffled for she buried her face in her hands. I scooted to her. "Mom, mom. I don't understand." I said. She looked at me incredulously. "What about 'him'" she said. I stared blankly. "James!! Bella. What about him!!" she said. I cringed at the sound of his name. "I am sorry you had to go through that, sweetheart. I'm sorry." She then put her arms around me and sobbed tearlessly. "Aren't you mad at me for ruining your relationship with the Cullens and probably causing some scandal?" I asked her. She looked at me again. "What? Why would I be mad at you? Did you do something? Break a vase?" She asked carefully. I shook my head. "No! Last night when I run off!!" I was getting impatient and huffy. We were both misunderstanding each other. She look like she was about to laugh, but realized it would ruin the moment. "Dear heavens! No! Why would they be? Oh please! Alice and Rosalie practically wanted to sleep here. But they had no clothes and they honestly didn't want to wake you or go back to the house for it. We practically begged them them to go. They only amended because we were house owners. Otherwise, they would have camped outside you door! Oh my, what a sight! Especially Edward, oh dear gosh he was persistent! He said he would be alright sleeping in the sofa! The sofa!" she bursted into giggles. "I think he's fond of you..." she smiled knowingly. "What? I'm confused! What time is it anyway?" I asked. "Oh dear. You better change, Alice and Rosalie will be here soon for brunch."

"What?" I asked as she whipped out a dress from a bag. "This is what Alice persisted on making you wear for today. They are coming here for a brunch. And they'll be hear in less than an hour. Now, change." she said.

"And oh, Bella?"

"Yes, mother?"

" 'Persistent' is quite a mild way of saying it." I laughed.

I then changed into the pale yellow dress and called Nettie to fix my hair.

I went downstairs quickly to find the Cullens in the parlor. Alice and Rosalie jumped then hugged me fiercely. "We were so worried about you!" Rosalie exclaimed. "What have caused your escapade, my dear Isabella?" Alice asked gently. "Hold on," I said and they released me from the unbreathable stranglehold. "Are you not the slightest bit upset of how I had behaved?" I asked them incredulously. They all shook their heads with blank expressions. "Why would we be upset at you?" Alice asked. Then suddenly, the lace in the outlines of my wrist seemed interesting. "Well...I did run off, with no explanation whatsoever and you sat there dumbfounded at what just happened. And then you wanted to camp outside my door till I have woken. Yes, I was really polite last night wasn't I?" I asked sarcastically as my mother narrowed her eyes at me. "Well, I guess your little marathon was... unexpected," Rosalie interrupted then. "But we were worried about you, I mean, for such a formal, conservative lady something must quite upset you to run that dash." "You were quite fast too," Emmett put in, Rosalie just glared at him. "Well, now that its all cleared up, why not have brunch?" a few murmurs of agreement and we were seated around the dining room. Instead of being all dark, the dark chocolate drapes were pushed aside to let the dim light in, making the light blue wallpaper with the brown flower patterns paler. It looked lighter, s if the Cullens brought their brightness with them. Alice and Rosalie sat at either side of me while the boys sat across from us.

"Mother, where had papa, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen had gone?" I asked lightly. "They went outside to the porch, I'm heading there now too. We'll let you children talk amongst yourselves." she smiled as I mouthed a 'thank-you' to her. "The sun seems so much brighter with you around." I commented. "With who around?" Alice asked. "You"

"Why?"she asked again. "Well, our house is a contrast to yours. Its dark-" "But comfy" Alice interrupted. "and now it seems so much lighter. Not quite as sunny as Massachusetts, but lighter than most days in Forks." I commented. They stared at me. "You are originally from Massachusetts?" Rosalie asked and I nodded. "I thought I heard your mother saying you were born here." I nodded again. "This is my father's ancestral home. See, my parents met when my father took a trip in Massachusetts. To make the story short, they went for a visit to my fathers' parents a short while after the wedding-my mother was already pregnant at the time and gave birth to me here. A year after they went back to their home in Massachusetts.

About six years before, my grandparents died, seeing as they had only one child my father inherited it. It had gone through renovations and at last, it was finished to my mothers meticulous specifications. We moved here then." I finished.

"I thought it was rather cold there?" Jasper asked. "Well, it has a rain fairly in a year, slightly wetter in the winter. But the summers are warmer than Forks, and they occasionally have a ninety degree breakthrough.

"Then we could go to Boston, or Providence or Manchester. Here, you could only go to Seattle or cross the border. There's also Port Angeles, Olympia or Tacoma, but its not as sunny." I ended.

"Do you miss Massachusetts then?" Edward asked as he looked at me. His looks were always so sincere, his voice velvety soft when he spoke to me. "Yes," I answered. "Have you got any friends there? Any special friends that we, gentlemen should meet?" Emmett raised his eyebrow suggestively at me. I chuckled and leaned back. "No. Actually, I haven't got much friends there. You are the first ones." they stared at me wide-eyed. "You are joking, aren't you?" Rose asked disbelieving. I shook my head. "How come? I mean, you aren't that bad." Alice said. I poked at my food and shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. They just... i mean, the girls... They just don't get me I guess. My mother and I had been best friends though. And you already know her." I smiled.

"So, where are you from?" I asked happily changing the subject. "We are all from Chicago, except Jasper. He is from Texas." Edward answered. "Chicago? I heard they have a plenty of shows! Theatrics!" I exclaimed. "Have you got any interest in musical, acting or plays then?" Edward asked with a small smile. "Oh, no. But I do like watching them." "Really?" Alice asked with a wry smile. "What kind of plays?" "Romeo and Juliet." I said dreamily. Edward scoffed. " Romeo and Juliet." he sneered. I put my hand to my heart and said, "Have you got a problem then, Mr. Cullen?" "Yes. Romeo gets mistake after mistake. First he loves Rosaline and then..." he inhaled. "Its only physical attraction, you can't fall in love somebody after you just have met." he sneered his finale. "Have you been truly in love then, Mr. Cullen?" I asked. He looked away and my smile began to turn smug. "Its the story that is marvelous. Besides, I would've thought you were musical." I said this and he looked up. "How did you know?" I took a sip of my tea. "I beg your pardon?" I asked delicately. "How did you know Edward is musical?" Alice asked for him. "Well, stereotypically. Since you live in Chicago and all." "Well, you assumed right. Edward is very musical. He plays the piano, well."Alice said proudly as she patted his hand which he shook off.

"Oh really?" I chuckled. "Edward is something in your mind?" I asked. He looked at me and shook his head. "How come you are so ill at ease today?" I asked curiously. I hated seeing him upset, it made me anxious. "His upset because you beat him in the debate." Emmett chuckled while Jasper snickered. Edward glared at them. "What debate? It was only a discussion. Well, dear Mr. Cullen, I am terribly sorry that I have upset you in any way. Please take my apology." I said sincerely. He looked up at my eyes and suddenly, it became intense. I couldn't look away, I was lost for words. "Apology accepted." he grinned crookedly at me. It made my heart sputter and gallop. "Not that it was needed. I assure you Ms. Swan, you have not upset me, nor could you." he said never taking his eyes off. We were still gazing at each other when my mother came in.

"Oh Bella!" she said. I tore my eyes from Edward's dazed and confused. "What is it, mother?" I asked softly. She went quickly behind me speaking at my ear. "Well, the girls were wondering if you would like to go shopping?" I turned. "It is with but a little problem. Who is to accompany us?" I asked. "The boys will!" Alice squealed. At this all the boys had dropped their silverware. I was laughing, muffling it with my hand. I glanced at Rosalie, seeing she had done the same.

"Well, see, sweetest, wife, we have... er..." Jasper stuttered. "Things to do." Emmett finished for him.

"And what are this things?" Rosalie smirked. "Well, my dearest sisters, I have to practice my piano besides I am sure father needs me for business. To my regret, I can not accompany you shopping at this wonderful day." Edward said, but his eyes weren't sorry at all. He looked as if he was trying to hold back his smirk, with little accomplishment. "Done." Mom said. "Oh Edward, such a gentleman, but I have asked you parents, actually, they were the ones who suggested it." mom told him. Edward's smirk was long gone, his face desperate. "B-but I am positive father needs me for paperwork." My mother just shook his head at him. "Oh, no. See I'm sure your father says he is heading to the hospital today so see? Now, you won't have to regret it." my mom smiled.

"Why, Jasper, Emmett, is anything wrong with shopping?" Alice asked in a deadly voice. She shot daggers through her eyes, so did Rosalie. "No." the gentlemen said in unison and poked at their food. Alice smiled hugely and Rosalie grinned. "Alright then boys, you wouldn't want to upset you wives, now do you?" they just glared at me. "I have no wife." Edward said bluntly.

"Well, then, Edward. You will be escorting the beautiful Ms. Swan." I blushed fiercely at what Alice had said. "Alright." Edward said looking at me again. Our eyes locked and the world sounded and looked far away."

I vaguely heard Alice say "We'll go after noon. And we shall prepare after brunch." We all picked our silverware and ate. I blushed again. When I looked up, he was still looking at me, with an unfathomable expression.

(A/N: I'm sorry if you waited long for it. I had a minor writer's block. I couldn't write a thing! Anyway, hope you like it.

Disclaimer: All materials-the story- belongs to their respective owners/authors. I do not own Twilight -as much as I want to. No copyright infringement intended and no profit made blah, blah, blah.)