disclaimer in description

EPOV

I stared after Bella as she started to run home. What did she mean by that? How was my life going to change? God, I was so confused. I figured that there would be no point in trying to get her to explain because she would when she was ready. That didn't make waiting any easier, though. With a huff of irritation, I went back inside to wait for dinner.

All the people who worked in the cafeteria stared at me. I ignored them seeing as their staring was reasonable; I never ate dinner in the cafeteria, always in my room. For some reason the other kids seemed to think that my being there meant I would want company. Each time someone approached my empty table, I held them off with a cold glare. Figuring they'd all gotten the hint by now, I looked down to my tray and began to eat. Apparently I chose the wrong moment because someone plopped down across from me. Slowly, I raised my head to find a girl, about fourteen with curly blonde hair, smiling at me. I knew that smile. I'd seen it a million times. I was not arrogant but I knew she had sat down for the simple fact that I was good looking.

"What are you doing," I asked with a bored tone and a blank stare. Apparently my apathy did not phase her because she went into some long winded explanation about how her name was Ashley and she was fourteen (told ya) and all this other crap that I tuned out. Finally, she paused for a breath and I interrupted her before she could speak. "Look, kid. I'm seventeen. I'm not interested in you. And besides, I have a girlfriend. Oh, and please don't mention 'friends.' I'm not really looking for any here." Of course, she looked upset at my words and slightly embarrassed as I had guessed her intentions correctly. I felt slightly bad at hurting her feelings but I wasn't going to take back what I said. She blushed slightly before whispering "oh..um, okay. I'm sorry. I guess I'll..go now." With that she got up and went to sit with some kids who, I assumed, were her friends.

Dinner ended uneventfully and I went upstairs to my room. I briefly noted that the clock was blinking nine at me. Sitting down on my bed, I stared at the pictures of Bella and I. Once again, I began to wonder about what she meant earlier, about my whole world changing. Before I gave my eyes permission, they drooped closed and brought me into a peaceful sleep, filled with dreams of my girl.

BPOV (two hours earlier)

After rushing home I quickly put together a dish of chicken enchiladas, Charlie's favorite, to put him in a good mood. I knew I'd have to explain everything to Charlie if there was even a remote chance that all my plans would happen. I desperately hoped that Charlie would understand the whole situation and would be willing to help me when I talked to Carlisle and Esme.

As I put the dish in the oven I heard a groan from upstairs. I quickly dashed up the staircase, smiling at my lack of 'trippage.' I quickly walked down the hallway and saw a huge lump moving around under his blanket. Looking at my brother, I sighed. He'd been sick for a few days and was really missing Rose. "Hey, Em? Do you need anything," I quietly asked him. He groaned out a no before burrowing further into his blankets. I figured it was best to leave him be for the night so I went back down to the kitchen.

While I waited for Charlie to get home and the food to cook, I thought about everything Edward had told me. So many things about him made sense now. I had always wondered why he didn't have a cell phone or drive a car. Of course, the orphanage wouldn't provide that stuff. And no wonder he never wanted me to meet his parents when he'd met my dad. God, I never even paid attention to how he never wanted to go home, always doing his homework and having dinner her. Plus, he was always so closed off to everyone…I guess he was afraid of losing someone again. Really, he wasn't that tough kid that everyone perceived. He was just a lonely and scared boy trying to make it on his own. I would bet my entire life on the fact that everyone would adore him if the knew how he really was. He never actually was that 'I don't give a shit about anything' guy that everyone saw. I'd been so stupid. There were so many signs about his real life.

I jumped as the slam of the front door interrupted my musings. "Bells, I'm home. Dinner smells great. Is Emmett doing any better," Charlie asked from the front hall. Before he even got to the kitchen I had both our plates on the table. I nodded and told Charlie that Em had said his fever was gone that morning. He smiled in response as he sat down and took a bite, releasing a groan of satisfaction. I smiled; knowing he was in good spirits would make my task slightly easier.

I knew he like Edward. He had made that fact clear, to me, from the beginning. I just worried about how he would react to the truth about Edward. I was kind of scared he would try to help in some irrational way, so I had to lay out my plans very clearly. When Charlie shoved another biter in his mouth I decided that it was now or never. "So… um Ch-dad. I have something I need to talk to you about. It's about Edward." He looked at me and I could tell he was about to go into 'worried and protective mode."

"What's wrong with him? Is he okay? Is that boy in any kind of trouble," he shot at me rapidly. I knew Charlie would not calm down until I had told him everything so I took a deep breath and launched into the story.

"So today I found out something about that explains a lot of his behavior and personality. Edward doesn't have parents. He lives in the orphanage." I paused to see if Charlie wanted to add any sort of comment, but he seemed too shocked to speak. I decided to just continue forward. "His parents were doctors and when he was ten they went to Dubai without him. He stayed with his grandma. They wrote letters. He just told them how angry he was that they left him. In his last one, he said he hated them. Dad, the were killed after that." I had to pause because I could feel tears building up. "After that, his grandma died a few weeks after his eleventh birthday. He got sent to the orphanage. When any family came for him he was a brat. Now he's basically miserable…Oh, and he's in love with me," I finished with a deep breath to calm my shaking.

Charlie was quiet before he smiled a little. "So.. he's in love with you. That's good, I guess. He's around enough that I can't say I'm surprised," he paused and his face became serious. "with the 'orphan' thing, you're right about that explaining things. What, exactly, can I do to help? I'm assuming he'll be stubborn if he knew I was doing anything, so, please, do explain your plans." I looked at him completely shocked. He saw my face and said "eh. You're an open book, Bells. Pretty easy to see you were planning something."

I spent the next ten minutes explaining all about thinking Carlisle and Esme would be the perfect family for Edward. I also thought that Edward would feel safer and loved in their home than in the orphanage. Charlie seemed to think about the idea for a few moments before he heartily agreed. I let out an embarrassingly girly squeal. "Oh, Dad! Thank you, so much1 I'm so glad you agree. I'll really need your help for this."

He chuckled quietly and said "anything for you, Bells." I looked around the kitchen and caught sight of the clock. It was almost nine and I had yet to finish the essay that I had to upload before ten. I quickly said goodnight to both Charlie and Emmett before heading to my room.

I finished my work in a daze before lying down and drifting into dreams of a happy Edward, living a new life.

CHPOV (one hour earlier)

I watched Bella go upstairs before heading to my recliner in the living room. Sitting down, I didn't even bother to turn on the television. I rubbed my palms over my face vigorously and just thought about that poor kid. Sure, I acted tough around him; I didn't need any boy thinking I was soft in him, better to keep him nervous when it came to my baby girl. I just couldn't see, though, what his life had to turn out the way it did. He was a respectful and kind kid. He didn't deserve any of this shit he had to live with. With that, my resolve to go through with Bella's plan fell completely into place.

I reached over and grabbed the portable phone off the end table. I thought for a moment before dialing the Cullens' phone number. The phone rang twice before Esme picked up. "Hello," she said in a questioning tone.

I cleared my throat and spoke. "Hi, Esme. It's Charlie. Listen; I have something I'd like to discuss with you. Are you and Carlisle still thinking of adopting?" She was silent for a moment then began in excitement.

"Yes! Of course we are! Why? Do you know of anyone?"

"How do you feel about teenagers," I asked.

"Charlie, are you talking about me adopting one? Because I don't know if I can handle a kid with an attitude," she sighed.

I figured as much, so I rushed to explain. "His name is Edward. He's seventeen. He's actually Bella's boyfriend. We just found out about the orphan situation today. Bella and I both think you guys would be perfect for him. Honestly, he's very respectful. I've never had any trouble with him. Bella's said he keeps his grades up too. He really is a good kid."

"I trust your judgment, Charlie. I'll talk to Carlisle and we'll get back to you. If we do decide yes, we'll need to meet him."

"I figured as much. Listen; if you do want to meet him, we have to set up a dinner or something. He can't know about the adoption. Apparently when he was younger, he was nasty to prospective families to keep them away. Didn't feel he deserved them," I sighed. She made a small noise of agreement.

"That makes perfect sense. I'd probably do the same in his situation. We'll let him know afterwards, if we're interested, that is."

"Thank you, Esme. I swear you won't regret this." I heard a noise come from her end of the phone.

"Charlie, I've got to go. Carlisle just got home from the hospital. I have to go talk to him about Edward."

"Bye, Esme." As I heard the phone click, I leaned back into the chair, completely satisfied with myself. Hopefully, we could fix that kid's life. I just hoped we were right about Carlisle and Esme. God, I hoped we were right.