Disclaimer: Don't own. So sad.

Previously on Peyton Place... err, I mean Take One for the Team...

He reared back, in obvious shock. "Well, if that's the case... you refuse to follow my rules? Then you're no longer allowed to live here," he said in a tone of finality.

Bella's head shot back like she'd been slapped, and my jaw dropped open. Neither of us had ever seen Charlie so furious. I was still standing there like an idiot with the pillow pressed against me, trying to blend into the wall.

Charlie's wrath dissipated as suddenly as it had come on. I watched as he turned and left the room, his shoulders hunched like an old man.

Bella had tears streaming down her face as she stood frozen. I walked up behind her and found my pants, putting them on quickly. I stood and wrapped my arms around her from behind, trying to warm her and break her out of her shock.

"It'll be okay, honey. I promise." I whispered.

BPOV

I sniffled repeatedly, trying to hold back the tears watering up my eyes as I packed my bag. I didn't want to move out; it felt as if I was being deserted by my family.

Edward sat beside my suitcase on the bed, watching me with wary and concerned eyes. I couldn't look at him because I was afraid if I did, I would lose the tenuous grip I had on my control. I just carried on shoving things into the huge bag, hoping that Charlie would come back and tell me I could stay here.

No such visit came, and sooner than I could have thought possible, I had my things packed and ready to go. I wasn't taking everything, but my bedroom still looked incredibly bare and depressing as I stood in the middle of it like a lost child.

Edward took my things out to his car, leaving me alone. My eyes wandered around the room, recalling all the memories Edward and I had made in this room over the course of our relationship. I felt the tears slide silently down my face as I gave in to my heartbreak.

Edward slipped into the room quietly, wrapping me up in his strong, steady presence. He tucked my head under his chin and rested his head on top of mine while he stroked my hair comfortingly. I let the tears flow, washing down my cheeks and soaking into his shirt.

"It'll be okay, Bella. I promise," he whispered into my ear.

"I c..c...can't believe he kicked me out!" I cried, my voice shaking with my tears.

"I know, honey. But it'll all work out, you'll see. Now come on, I called my parents and asked if you could stay with us for a while and they said it would be okay," he said quietly.

"What did you tell them?" I asked, surprised. I very much doubted Edward would tell them I got kicked out for having sex with him, but I never knew. Edward was very close to Carlisle and Esme, after all.

"I told them I would explain in the morning," he replied, his hands coming to rest on my cheeks as he lifted my head so he could look me in the eye. "I love you, so much. Do you know that?" he said sincerely.

"I love you too," I said weakly. He just nodded and brushed a kiss meant for comfort along my lips, squeezing my cheek gently.

I stepped back and picked up my purse, nodding to him that I was ready to go. It was late and I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I wasn't sure what the next day would bring, but I sincerely hoped that it would be a thousand times better than tonight.

Edward led me outside to his car that was chock full of my stuff. I climbed in and he ran around the other side. I was relieved and disappointed that Charlie had left while I packed; his rejection of me made my heart break all over again.

The drive to Edward's house felt entirely too short as I fidgeted in my seat, worrying about the reception I could expect from his parents. I'd always loved Carlisle and Esme, but this wasn't exactly a fantastic situation and I definitely didn't want them to feel disappointed in me once they found out the whole story.

Edward laid a comforting hand over mine as we walked into the house. I looked around quickly, realizing that most of the lights were off and nobody was waiting for us. Edward looked at me and shrugged, and we walked up the stairs to the bedrooms.

I wanted so desperately to sleep in Edward's bed with him, but I knew that would probably be beyond the Cullens' hospitality, so I trudged down the hallway to the guest bedroom. It was decorated tastefully in soothing seafoam greens and sky blue. I saw a pile of clean towels folded neatly on the bed with a small note on top. Curious, I crossed to the bed and picked up the note.

Bella,

We're so glad to have you here. No matter what has happened, please know that you will always be welcome here.

Love, Esme

I felt the tears return as I stared down at the simple and heartfelt note. I couldn't imagine such unquestioning kindness, but here it was staring me in the face. I could hear Edward down the hall in the bathroom, getting ready for bed.

I set the note down and grabbed a towel, walking down to peek my head into the bathroom. I smiled slightly as I watched him brush his teeth; foam was coating his lips as he diligently scrubbed away with his toothbrush. He winked at me in the mirror, obviously trying to cheer me up.

"Do you need a toothbrush?" he asked after he spit into the sink. I shook my head no and set my towel down, walking up behind him so I could wrap my arms around his waist from behind. I laid my head down in the middle of his back and inhaled deeply, taking in his comforting scent.

"I need to take a shower," I said quietly into his back.

"Do you want to be alone?" he asked. I nodded and he turned around to give me a hug. He kissed the top of my head and I lifted myself up on my tip toes to give him a real kiss.

"Thank you," I said simply. He smiled gently, his eyes sad as he walked out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him. I turned the water on in the shower and stripped down before climbing in.

My shoulders were as hard as rocks, and my head ached fiercely. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep for a week, but I knew I would have to face the music come the morning.

I was definitely sure that my father had already called my mother to tell her about the incident, and she would expect to hear my side before she made a decision about her feelings on the matter. I could only hope she was on my side, because right now I felt like an old piece of dirty chewing gum stuck to the bottom of my father's shoe.

I washed my hair with Edward's soap, smiling at the scent of sandalwood and mint filling my senses. I'd definitely sleep better tonight thanks to my hair and skin smelling like him, that was for sure.

The black cloud hovering over me lifted slightly a that positive thought, and I realized that perhaps I should try and see more silver linings around that cloud.

So my life was shitty right now as far as my family and living situation went, but at least I had a place to stay while I figured it out. I still had Edward and my friends, and they were all wonderful. I couldn't imagine a better way for things to end up in this situation, because having Edward meant I still had everything my heart was set on.

I finished showering and toweled off before wrapping the lush purple guest towel around myself, tucking the ends between my breasts. I quickly brushed my teeth and hair before stepping out of the bathroom.

Edward was leaning against the wall outside, waiting for me. He was in flannel pajama bottoms and nothing else, and he looked absolutely wonderful. I went to him and promptly buried my head in his chest, soaking him in.

"Is there anything I can do for you before we go to bed?" he pleaded solicitously.

I pulled back and looked up at him, nodding. "I need help putting my moisturizer on," I said with a serious face.

Edward smirked when he realized I wasn't asking for something serious, and he took my hand to lead me back down to the guest bedroom. He pulled my peaches and cream lotion from my overnight bag and plopped down on the bed, patting the space next to him. "Come here," he said. I padded over to the bed and hopped up. Edward pulled my feet onto his lap and began to massage the lotion into them with strong, firm hand motions.

I groaned with the release of the tension held in my foot muscles. Edward had truly magic hands, and I wasn't one to turn him away when he was in the mood to dole out massages.

He told me to lay back on the bed and I did. Edward climbed up and straddled my lower back as he dug his hands into the muscles that were made rock-hard by all the stress of the evening. I sighed and groaned in complete bliss as he administered an amazing full body massage over the next hour or so.

I heard Edward whispering something to me as he tucked the blankets around me. I sniffled and turned my head into the pillow, too sleepy to bother with conversation. He snapped off the bedroom light and I heard him leave quietly, shutting the door gently behind him.

The next morning was going to be a real bitch, or so I thought.

A/N: Sorry this is such a short chapter, but I'm super fuckin' tired. It's like 3 am and I'm on four hours of sleep! I'm insane!

Anyway, you've all been so wonderful with your reviews and your support, so I hope this chapter was worth the wait I forced upon you.

Okay, quick to bed for me because I am no longer making any sense to myself!-HIE