A/N: Extra helpings of gratitude to Ms Kathy for her beta prowess for this chapter – she saved me from stepping in my own fail in several places. I wish you lived closer so we could order pizza, watch movies and eat popcorn tonight. I owe thanks to feathersmmmm for sending me so many lovely readers this week – thank you, bb!

Two sides of Shalloward's life collide in this chapter … how will he fare?

~~ - ~~

June

It was Sunday evening, and Edward trudged down the stairs to his father's office in the basement. Time for his least favorite task of the week.

He stood silently in the doorway while his father typed on the computer. "Come in, Edward," Carlisle said without turning around. Edward shuffled in and flung himself down in the chair. His father winced but made no comment. When he'd saved the document he was working on, Carlisle swung around to face his oldest son.

"Shall we?" Carlisle said, pulling out a notebook. Edward dropped an envelope of money on to the table without a word. Carlisle counted it out loud, glancing up at Edward when he was done. His son nodded curtly to indicate he had calculated the same amount. Carlisle wrote the dollar figure in the ledger, removing the amount from the running total of Edward's debt. His son was out of his chair and halfway through the door when Carlisle spoke.

"Edward, is business good at Poppy's?" Surprised by the question, Edward stopped and considered.

"It's okay. A lot of people are starting to go away on vacation and to camp 'n stuff, so we're not getting the weekend business we did before. But it's still all right." He narrowed his eyes. "How come? You think I'm not paying you off fast enough?"

"No," replied Carlisle evenly. "In fact, your income has been increasing slowly for the last few months, and you're paying it off faster than I'd hoped. Either Poppy's is getting busier, you got a raise you haven't told us about, or your tips are going up. I'm guessing it's the latter." His father's face softened. "I'm glad you're doing well, son."

Edward was silent, unsure of what to say. He knew why his tips were up. Between Bella's increased presence at the restaurant and her timely advice, he had somehow become a better waiter. It was, as she called it, "honest money", and for once in his young adult life, he had nothing to hide from his father.

But his friendship with Bella and Frankie was private, a secret that he hadn't shared with anyone outside the restaurant. Even his coworkers weren't fully aware of how special their connection was. Are we friends? Or are we still waiter and customer? Suddenly Edward realized his father was speaking again, and he struggled to catch up.

"Hiring? Well, I mean, yeah, we're always looking for kitchen staff and busboys," said Edward hastily when he figured out what his father was asking. "No wait staff right now though." He stopped, feeling uneasy. "Why? You looking to change jobs?"

"No, thank you," Carlisle chuckled. "The real estate market is finally getting some traction again, so I'm staying right where I am. But your brother says he'd like to get a summer job, and I'm thinking he could do worse than working with you at Poppy's."

Edward's jaw dropped. "Emmett?" he asked disbelievingly. "You want Emmett to work with me?" Edward felt an embarrassing flush making its way up his neck to his cheeks. How was he supposed to argue this without telling his father why? "Dad … it's so not cool for me to have to work with my little brother."

To his credit, Carlisle didn't crack a smile. "I can appreciate that," he said. "But it would make your mom and I feel a lot better knowing Emmett was with you, especially if he's working late shifts."

"I know … but … I … Dad …" He blew out a gust of air, sending his hair flying up on his forehead. Carlisle was unable to stifle a laugh. Edward groaned and dropped his head back against the doorframe.

I am so fucked.

~~ - ~~

Which is how Edward ended up spending the first week of June watching his brother being trained as a busboy at Poppy's. Emmett didn't look much like Edward, which at least meant he didn't have to put up with customers instantly recognizing them as brothers and marveling about how they much looked alike. As for how he would handle the situation with Bella … well, he didn't want to think about that. So he didn't. Edward was very good at avoidance.

The first weekend, he dodged the bullet when Bella came in with Frankie; the restaurant was busy, and anytime Emmett came near his section to warm up customers' coffees, Edward found a way to distract him. The next weekend, Bella came in on her own on Sunday afternoon, as she usually did, and Emmett wasn't around.

Edward's luck ran out the next Saturday.

He had just served a table of four and was looking to see if the rest of his tables were taken care of when Jasper sang out "Incoming!" Edward turned just in time to catch Frankie, who had run the length of the restaurant to jump into his arms. Jasper's shout made everyone look up, so every eye in the place was on him and Frankie.

"Hi, Mr. Edward!" Frankie cried, giving him a sticky kiss on the cheek. Edward carried her back to Bella, who was leaning against the hostess stand, chatting with Jessica. She plucked Frankie out of his grasp and greeted him with a casual, "Thanks, sweetie." He got them seated, settled Frankie with crayons and a coloring sheet, and made sure Bella had a hot black coffee before turning his attention back to the rest of the restaurant. He caught Emmett's backside vanishing into the kitchen. Oh please God, let him have missed the entire thing.

No such luck.

Ten minutes later, as he collected Bella and Frankie's orders from the kitchen, Edward saw Emmett listening intently to Jessica. The next time he saw his younger brother, he was catching an earful from one of the busboys. Shortly thereafter, Edward entered his section to find Emmett warming up Bella's coffee and teasing Frankie. Edward was at his brother's side in a flash.

"Back the fuck off, Emmett. This is my table and they're my customers. I can look after them myself," he murmured into his little brother's ear so Bella couldn't hear him. Emmett looked back over his shoulder with a huge grin as he hustled away with the coffee pot.

"So I hear, big brother. So I hear." Edward cursed very quietly and turned back to Bella, who was looking at him over her cup. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"My brother is an idiot," he blurted out. Bella's other eyebrow flew up to meet the first.

"That's your brother? Really?" She looked at Emmett's retreating form, then back at Edward. "So which one of you is adopted?"

"I wish," he said sourly. He desperately wanted to change the subject, but Bella seemed stuck on it.

"But I've seen him before," she said, puzzled. "More than once. Hasn't he been working here for a few weeks now?"

"Yes," said Edward tensely. Please just drop it. Please.

"Huh," she said. "Okay then." Bella seemed preoccupied for the rest of her visit; even Frankie noticed that her mother was withdrawn, climbing into her lap to pat her face and ask for a cuddle. Edward didn't know what had caused this change in demeanor and didn't know how to ask. His attempts at conversation went nowhere.

He brought the bill at last, realizing he was wasting everyone's time, including his own. Bella startled him by producing a credit card and dropping it into the tray. It was the first she had paid with anything other than cash. He ran his finger over her name: Bella DiPalma. He wondered if she would change it now that she was divorced.

Bella gave him a stilted smile as she departed. Frankie blew kisses at him through the window. He waved, then picked up the tray. His eyes widened. The tip was $25 this time. It was accompanied by a tiny note on the receipt.

I'm sorry. Me, not you. There was a little heart drawn beside it.

~~ - ~~

Edward and Emmett drove home together after their shift was over. Emmett didn't bring up Bella, but Edward knew better than to hope it was forgotten. His brother was just biding his time until the opportunity was perfect. That arose after the salad had been passed, and his parents were talking about plans for the Fourth of July weekend.

"Do you want to bring your girlfriend, Edward?" asked his mother as they discussed whether they wanted to brave the crowds at Taste of Chicago that year.

"Which one?" asked Emmett triumphantly. There was an awkward silence as Edward felt his face go scarlet.

"I was thinking of Tanya, from the diner," said Esme carefully. She was well aware of the transient nature of her oldest son's relationships. "Are you not dating her anymore?"

"Yes, I am," said Edward firmly. And equally as firmly, Emmett said, "But she's got competition. A COUGAR!" Edward stood up so fast that the chair beneath him fell backward. Alice let out a startled yip.

"Shut it," Edward said as calmly as he could, willing himself to stay in control. He pressed his fists against his body to keep from punching his brother in the face. "Bella is a good customer at Poppy's, and a nice friend to me. Don't make her sound like some kind of slut because she's not." There was silence around the table as Edward glared at his brother.

"I was just joking," said Emmett defensively, looking to his parents for support. There was none forthcoming. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.

Edward picked up his chair and set it upright, finishing his dinner in silence. Carlisle and Esme exchanged a glance, but said nothing.

~~ - ~~

Three days later, Edward came in for a late afternoon/evening shift. Poppy was heading out. She was, he noticed, a bit distant with him. As he cleaned off the front counter, he found out why - one of Carlisle's business cards was propped against a set of salt and pepper shakers.

Edward knew what he had been in asking about. He wasn't surprised, then, when his father told him the following week that he would be dropping by for breakfast on Saturday.

~~ - ~~

It wasn't just his father who walked into Poppy's that Saturday. His mother and Alice were with him as well.

I've got this, he told himself.

Several times that week, he had come close to writing to Bella and asking her not to come in that day. Somewhere along the way, Edward and Bella had become friends on Facebook. In contrast to his own profile, Bella's page was devoid of personal details. She went under "Just Bella," with a picture of an anonymous tropical setting as her profile picture. There were pictures of Frankie, but nowhere was her daughter's name mentioned.

They exchanged the occasional message. Bella made a point of letting him know in advance if she wouldn't be in for a few weeks. Edward had no idea where she went when she travelled, only that she went away regularly and it had something to do with her work – whatever that was.

In the end, Edward decided not to warn her off of Poppy's that weekend. He was doing nothing wrong with Bella. They were friends, and for the first time in the last three or four years, he had nothing to be ashamed of. He had faith that Bella could hold her own with his family.

His parents were seated and enjoying coffee, with Alice drinking a Diet Coke (like she needed the caffeine). Emmett was talking with them when Edward saw Bella and Frankie walk in. He had only a brief moment to pray that he hadn't made a huge mistake, and then Frankie was around his knees.

"Good morning, kiddo," said Bella as he greeted her with a light hug and a smile. He felt intensely nervous knowing that his family had to be watching them. "What?" she asked, looking at his face. He kept his back to his parents.

"My family is here," he said. "Emmett told them about you and Frankie, and I think they want to make sure that …" She put a hand on his arm.

"I think understand," she said. "Do you want me to go?"

"No," Edward replied. "You're my friend, and I have nothing to hide." Bella looked at him for a long moment, then smiled. Edward felt the surge of their strange connection, and the rest of the world faded into the background. Distantly, he felt a tugging on his jeans.

"I'm HUNGRY!" announced Frankie, worming her way between Bella and Edward. They both chuckled at the intrusion, and the moment was broken.

"Let me help with this," murmured Bella, taking Frankie by the hand. "Where are they?" Edward half turned and gestured toward the table where his parents and sister sat, Emmett standing behind them. Without hesitation, Bella walked over to the table with a smile. She headed straight for Emmett.

"Good morning, young Mr. Cullen," she said, tapping him on the shoulder with her newspaper. "I hear the whole family is here today, and I wanted to meet everyone. I'm Bella DiPalma, and this is my daughter, Francesca."

Startled by this head-on approach, Carlisle rose to shake Bella's hand. "It's very nice to meet you, Bella. I'm Carlisle Cullen. My wife, Esme. And our daughter, Alice." Bella shook hands all around as Frankie peeped shyly from behind her legs. Edward stood back, watching for a signal from Bella as to what he should do or say. Mostly he was amazed at how smoothly she was handling the entire awkward situation.

"It's so nice to meet you at last," she said. "Edward has told me so much about you. Your son is an absolute pleasure. He's been so kind to me and my daughter, making us feel so welcome. You must be very proud of him." Without missing a beat, she turned to Edward with a smile. "I don't want to take time away from your family get-together. Why don't you get someone else to take our table today?"

"Uh … sure," said Edward. "Whose section would you like?"

"Oh, how about Rose? Or Jasper?" Like magic, Jasper appeared at their side.

"I gotcha, Ms. Bella," he said, chucking Frankie under the chin. "Who's my best girl?" Jasper asked, leading them off to table in an adjoining section. "I bet you want a smoothie today, don't you?" Edward watched them go, then turned back to his family. Everyone was sitting at the table looking a bit stunned.

"Ready to order?" he asked brightly.

~~ - ~~

The Cullen family spent a couple of hours enjoying Poppy's cooking and chatting with their two sons as they worked. Poppy herself dropped by to greet them and sing Edward and Emmett's praises.

In the midst of the brunch chaos, Bella and Frankie made a quiet exit from the restaurant, pausing only to bid the Cullens a polite farewell. A few minutes later, Jasper sidled up to Edward and handed him a folded bill.

"Sweet deal," he said in a low voice. "I do all the work and you get the same tip I do. Remind me to convince her to mentor me one of these days."

"Find your own," Edward retorted. Jasper laughed and headed back to the counter.

About 10 minutes later, Edward dropped by his family's table and smiled at his parents. "Are you all done here? Can I get you anything else, Mom, Dad …" Edward trailed off, looking at the empty seat. "Where's Alice?"

"I don't know," said Esme, a small frown creasing her forehead. "She said she was going to the washroom, but she should have been back by now." Carlisle looked around, then stood up. A moment later, he spotted his daughter's inky black head at the counter.

"She's over there," he said. "She seems to be … uh … talking to … hmmm." His face got a bit darker. "Talking to your … ahem … colleague, Edward. Please let your sister know we're leaving. Now."

Edward strode over to the counter and put his arm protectively around Alice. "You're leaving now," he said in a voice that brooked no argument. He shot Jasper a death glare.

"Bye, Jasper!" sang Alice, sliding off the stool and scampering back to her parents.

"Dude, what the fuck are you doing?" Edward hissed at his friend. "She just turned 15, for God's sake. What are you, some kind of pervert?" Jasper shook his head wildly, looking confused.

"It's not my fault! I was just doing my own thing and she came over and started talking to me!" Jasper ran his hands through his blond hair in agitation. "Man, you need to lock that girl up. The things she said to me … you would not believe."

"Uh huh," said Edward darkly. "I know what I don't believe. You. Don't go near her again until she's at least 25. Maybe 30."

~~ - ~~

It wasn't until the end of his shift that Edward finally began to relax. Between his parents, Jasper's fuckery with Alice, and Bella's visit to the diner, he felt like a mass of snarled knots from his head to the base of his spine. All he wanted now was to go to Tanya's, smoke up a bit, maybe have a few shots of whiskey, fool around … and relax.

Wearily, he cashed out, and suddenly remembered Jasper had given him a cash tip from Bella. Where is it? He went through his cash carefully, flipping over each bill looking for a note. There!

Tip #14: Have fun while you're young – it's the best time for it.

Oh fuck yeah. You read my mind again, Bella. Then he saw a little arrow pointing to the back of the bill. He turned it over.

Just promise me nothing harder than weed. I don't want to lose you.

His heart jumped a bit inside his chest. He knew what she meant, but it gave him pause anyway.

~~ - ~~

A/N: Debt's getting paid off, Shalloward is growing up a bit, but Bella remains a mystery.

Because this story is written entirely from Edward's perspective, we see only what he sees here. That means that Carlisle's conversation with Poppy can't appear in the main story. However, I think I'll be writing that as an outtake since I think it was a pretty interesting chat. Watch for that later on.