The silence was comfortable between Edward and I as we drove back to Forks. Due to my head injury, he was driving and had not failed to show his disdain for the ancient vehicle that couldn't go over fifty-five miles per hour. There was a strange electricity between the two of us. It just felt right to be with him, like a piece of me that had been missing was finally found. I couldn't be sure of his intentions, other than knowing he did care for me. I'm not sure what possessed me to agree to go home with them. When Edward asked, I just couldn't refuse.
Dr. Cullen and I had a long discussion that day. He had made some arrangements in Forks that convinced me it truly was the best decision to return with them. Using his connections, he and Esme had adopted me officially. I would have my own place to stay and a normal part-time, after-school job. The conditions were that I would return to school and attend therapy. I wasn't sure what I'd done to deserve friends like the Cullen family, but they truly had my best interests at heart. It was hard to accept their charity, but when you have no one else, sometimes it's nice to feel loved. I would be able to finish high school and go to college without working myself to the bone while living in deplorable conditions, concerned for my safety. They were all appalled to find out how I'd been living and had I not agreed to return, I was pretty sure Alice herself would have kidnapped me and taken me back to Forks on her own.
"I told you to call us if you needed anything. Obviously you needed help and you didn't call!" I could still picture her tiny form with hands on her hips and eyes blazing in fury. She was inches shorter than me, but you'd have to be insane to go against Alice. She was a force to be reckoned with.
Dr. Cullen and Edward were similar in their persuasion. Gently coaxing me into submission, though I didn't put up much of a fight. Sean was so supportive, urging me to take them up on their offer. As much as he cared and enjoyed our time together, he wanted more for me.
"You deserve better, Bella. You could have a good, comfortable life with people who love you instead of being lonely on the streets or holed up in rat-infested motels."
I would miss Sean. He was truly a great guy and I wished him the best. It was hard to leave, not knowing what could have been between us, but I was thankful for what little time I did have with him. Marie was sad to see me go, but it wouldn't keep her down for long. She had plenty of friends and we hadn't been that close anyway. I thought Dan was going to break out in the Hallelujah chorus when I told him I was quitting. He had given me a chance when no one else would, and I would always be grateful to him for that, but I knew it had been hard for him not to fire me the first, third, or seventh time I dropped a tray full of drinks in the middle of the restaurant. I didn't get to say goodbye in person to Mrs. Brady at the library since she was on vacation. I left her a voice mail, which was just too impersonal. When she returned, I vowed to call her back then so we could speak.
"So, what happened with your mother?" Edward's voice broke the silence abruptly with his question. I merely told Carlisle that I did find her and things didn't work out. I really didn't want to talk about it, but it seemed Edward was determined to pull it out of me. This was the fourth time he'd asked me since I'd left the hospital. The previous three times, I was able to deflect, but since I was trapped in the cab of my truck with him, I knew I'd have to answer.
Just thinking about my mother's words, made the tears well up in my eyes. Even though she hadn't been a part of my life for several years, being told your own mother doesn't want you is a pretty hard pill to swallow. Edward, sensing my distress, reached over and grasped my arm reassuringly, his thumb rubbing small circles on my forearm.
"She didn't want me."
"What do you mean?" He pressed. His brow furrowed as he watched me out of the corner of his eye.
"I showed up at their house and Renee answered. I told her who I was, and Phil came to the door to see who it was. She denied she ever had me and Phil threatened me with the police if I didn't leave. Three days later she came to my hotel room to explain herself. When she left my father, she had nothing. She gave me all kinds of excuses why she couldn't take me with her. When she met Phil, he took care of her, but never wanted children. So she told him she couldn't have children and failed to mention she already had a daughter. When he wanted to marry her, she went to my father with divorce papers. He wouldn't agree unless she gave up her rights to me, so she did. As far as she is concerned, I never existed. She wants nothing to do with me."
"I'm so sorry, Bella."
"Don't be. I sent Phil copies of all the paperwork. He will know the truth." I smirked. What I wouldn't have given to be a fly on the wall when he opened that envelope and realized everything his precious wife told him was a lie.
He barked out a laugh. "You what?"
"I sent him copies of her marriage certificate, my birth certificate, and the divorce papers that detail how she gave up rights to me in order to marry him."
Edward shook his head in disbelief. "I didn't know you had it in you."
"Yeah, well when you have nothing to lose..." I trailed off.
His lips turned down into a grimace. "You have us." He finally whispered. Our stories were similar. Both of us were orphans. Edward lost his parents in a car accident and the Cullens adopted him. Now this philanthropist doctor and his family had taken me under their wing as well. It was something I would have to get used to. At one point I had wished for a family like the Cullens, and it seemed like someone decided to grant me my wish for once in my life.
I nodded absently as I watched the sunset through the window.
The rumbling of the truck must have lulled me to sleep, because the next thing I knew, the sky was dark and we were in Forks. Edward carried me in his arms as he walked towards the Cullens' house. I never thought I would see that place again. Somehow he had managed to drive all the way back without stopping. I thought for sure we would have stayed in a hotel for the night. It was a long drive and he didn't even look tired. The purple bruises beneath his amber eyes were no darker than I remembered.
"Edward, I can walk." I looked up at his face, illuminated by the moonlight. His beauty never failed to stun me. Half of his mouth lifted in a lopsided grin.
"I know." Edward replied simply, making no move to let me down out of his arms, if anything, he tightened his hold. He took me upstairs to his room and set me down on the golden duvet that covered his bed. "Before you protest, you are going to sleep in here tonight." I opened my mouth to speak, but he pressed his fingers to my lips in a move to hush me. "No arguments."
There was a knock at the open door and then Alice and Esme quickly entered the room. Esme pulled me into an embrace, and I melted into her motherly arms, soaking in the affection I'd been so starved of.
"I'm so glad you're back, Bella." She murmured in my ear. Pulling back she studied my face for a few moments. "You need lots of rest and good food, my dear. We'll take care of you." I gave her the warmest smile I could manage and hugged her tight once more in thanks.
Alice was quick to interrupt, as usual. "I brought you some pajamas, and there are toiletries in Edward's bathroom for you." The bright smile had not left her face since she bounded into my hospital room.
"Thanks, Alice."
"No problem. If you need anything, just let me know!" She turned to leave the room, and Esme went with her.
Edward was leaning against the door frame. "Have a good night, Bella. Sleep well." The intensity in his gaze made me blush. "I'm glad you're back, too." He added, almost as an afterthought. After another awkward moment of staring at each other, he shook his head and closed the door behind him, leaving me alone in his room. I had to admit the idea thrilled me. His bed looked so comfortable, and I couldn't wait to curl up under the covers.
When I entered his bathroom, I was pleasantly surprised. It was immaculate with a huge tub, big enough for two. Marble counters and pewter fixtures gave it an elegant, yet masculine look. I jumped into the glass shower stall instead of indulging in a bath. I was so tired that I'd probably end up falling asleep in the tub and drowning knowing my luck. It didn't take long for the water to heat up, unlike the bathroom in my motel room that took a good fifteen minutes to get warm. I savored the feel of the water running over my tired body, making my flesh bright pink as I turned it as hot as I could stand. The bathroom had quickly filled with steam, but the tiles still felt cool as I rested my forehead against them. I was so comfortable.
A loud knock startled me and I realized I had dozed off while standing in the shower.
"Is everything ok in there, Bella?" Alice's muffled voice shouted through the door.
If I hadn't already been flushed from the heat, my face would have been as red as a tomato from embarrassment. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just getting out now."
"Ok, just wanted to make sure you didn't fall asleep in there. The bed is much more comfortable."
I let out a nervous chuckle. "Thanks, Alice."
I grabbed one of the huge fluffy towels from the shelf and dried off. It was one of those bath sheets and wrapped around me at least twice. Who needs a robe when you have towels like these? Once I was dressed for bed, I finally crawled in between the cool, crisp sheets and found myself surrounded by Edward's comforting scent. It didn't take me long to fall asleep.
Unfortunately, it also didn't take me long to wake up screaming from my latest nightmare that now included the explosion on top of everything else. Light flooded the bedroom from the hallway and before I registered anyone even entering the room, I felt Edward's cool embrace. He began to hum to me as he stroked my hair and I slipped back to sleep quickly.
When I finally emerged from Edward's room in the morning, I found Esme flitting around the kitchen putting together breakfast for me. She slid a plate of pancakes and sausage in front of me, followed by a glass of orange juice. Carlisle joined us and he laid down two pills by my glass, giving me a wink as he went to greet his wife.
"Did you sleep well, Bella?" He asked me, his arms still wrapped around Esme.
I grunted noncommittally and bobbed my head in a slight nod. I did sleep well after Edward joined me. I'd missed him.
"I've got a new supply of vitamins for you since your others were destroyed. I'd also like to do another check up as soon as you are settled. Maybe when we take out those stitches?"
"Sure."
"We also need to discuss finding you a therapist. I have a list of colleagues I would recommend, and you can decide who you might feel more comfortable with."
I couldn't stop the grimace that crossed my face. The idea of therapy did not appeal to me at all. I didn't need to talk to a professional about anything. I was fine. Apparently Dr. Cullen didn't agree, and it was part of our arrangement.
"Eat up, Bella! We're going to see your new place today." Alice chirped as she came in the sliding glass doors at the back of the room. Edward and Jasper were with her. After we all greeted each other, everyone wandered off to their own pursuits, and Edward and I were left alone at the table.
"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked him.
He shook his head. "I already ate. I'm an early riser." It was slightly unnerving to eat as he watched me. I was afraid I would embarrass myself and drip syrup down my chin or something. Everyone else must have gotten up much earlier and eaten breakfast. It made me uncomfortable thinking that Esme whipped up a fresh batch of pancakes just for me, even though I knew she didn't mind. Esme seemed to really enjoy doting on me, especially when it came to food.
When I finished, Edward grabbed my plate before I could make a move to do so on my own. "Why don't you go get your bag? We're going to head over to your apartment as soon as you're ready."
"Ok." I went back upstairs to brush my teeth and gather everything I had brought in. Part of me was excited to see this apartment, which would be my very own. The other part of me felt like a charity case, knowing the Cullens were paying for all of this. Dr. Cullen assured me that I actually had a bit of an inheritance, which made me feel slightly better about everything. I didn't like being a burden on these kind people who weren't family, but they genuinely seemed like they wanted to do this for me. I was afraid I would offend them if I refused.
Alice and Esme were clearly excited. Alice rode in my truck on the way over and couldn't stop gushing over the details. Apparently, Esme was into interior design, and of course Alice had a penchant for shopping. There was no doubt in my mind that my apartment was fully furnished and impeccably decorated. They expertly avoided my questions, being quite vague about how they managed to put together an entire apartment in a matter of days. I just assumed that with their wealth, anything was possible, and I didn't want to even think about how much they had spent to pull this off.
Carlisle and Esme took the Mercedes, and Edward drove over in his Volvo. My truck certainly felt out of place in the lineup and I was embarrassed that they all had to drive slowly so I could keep up. It was no secret that the Cullens enjoyed fast cars and speeding.
We pulled up to a modest apartment building near the center of town. It was close enough to the high school, that I could certainly walk – at least on the days when it wasn't raining. There were only four units in the building and mine was on the top right. That meant I wouldn't have to hear people walking over my ceiling at all hours. I couldn't have been happier when Esme opened the door and I saw how modest the place was. If I was being honest, I was a little worried it would be on the more ostentatious side, but it appeared that they kept my tastes in mind. That meant a lot to me. I'd never had anyone concerned with my comfort before.
The door opened into the living room on the right side, and on the left side was a decent sized kitchen and dining area. The living room had several bookshelves already stocked with books and music. There was a small stereo and a normal sized television with DVD player. The couch and chair were both chocolate brown and were built for comfort. The simple round table and four chairs in the dining area was perfect as well. The kitchen cabinets had been stocked with anything and everything I would ever need. There was a very short hallway with a linen closet at the end, fully stocked of course. On the right side of the hall was the bathroom, and the bedroom was on the left side. The bathroom was a generic apartment bathroom, but Esme and Alice had taken measures to try to spice it up a bit. The plush bathmats on the floor were great, and of course they had stocked the cabinets with first aid supplies along with over the counter medicines I might need and my supplements.
My bedroom was my favorite room. The oak four-poster bed was queen size, which was bigger than any bed I'd had before. The bedding was purple, and there were more pillows than I knew what to do with piled on it. Breezy sheers hung from the canopy and tied to each corner. It looked like a bed fit for a princess and I was excited to try it out. I could only imagine how comfortable the mattress would be to sink into and the sheets were probably ridiculously soft. The rest of the furniture matched. There was a dresser, two nightstands, and a desk. On top of the desk was a wrapped package and my face instantly felt hot when I noticed it. After everything else this family had done for me, they had bought me a present as well. It was too much. I turned to the four Cullens crowding the doorway and started to tell them I couldn't accept it, but of course Alice cut me off.
"Don't say it, Bella!" She held her hand up for me to stop. "Just open it."
I growled at her, which earned me a few chuckles, but I quickly tore the paper from the package and saw they had gotten me a laptop. I turned once more, and this time Carlisle cut me off.
"No arguments. You need it for school. Edward will get it all set up for you. You have internet, and there is a printer and other accessories to go with it."
I huffed, but managed to thank them sincerely for the computer. It was true that I could use it for school, even though I'd never had one before and had managed just fine.
Alice made a beeline for the closet then and threw open the door ceremoniously. Of course she had filled it with clothes, and I knew my dresser would be fully stocked as well.
"Thank you, Alice." I choked out. It was all just so overwhelming, that I found myself sitting on my bed with tears running down my face. It was too much. I couldn't let them do this. Alice and Edward left the room, while Carlisle and Esme sat on either side of me.
"I know this is hard for you to accept, Bella. You've lived such a modest life, often going without things you needed. We've really tried not to go overboard here, but at the same time we wanted you to be comfortable and not want for anything. We care for you and we want to do this for you, so please do not feel like you are imposing. We consider you family." Esme smiled warmly and hugged me gently.
Carlisle handed me an envelope with lots of paperwork inside, along with a checkbook and debit card. "You received a small inheritance from your father and a bank account has been set up in your name. Newton's Outfitters has offered you a part time job three days a week. There is no need for you to work more than that." He gave me a stern look and I nodded in acceptance. "We will also be giving you a monthly allowance that should cover any groceries, household goods, or gas that you will need. Rent and utilities are taken care of. Your job is to go to school and to be a teenager."
"Thank you both so much. I don't know what I've done to deserve your kindness. If there is any way that I can ever repay you, please let me know." These amazing people were more like family to me than my own family had ever been.
Esme stroked my hair lovingly. "You can repay us by following your dreams. Do your best in school and go on to college. We want you to excel and we will always be here to support you in any way we can. We've done the same for you as we've done for each of our children. Please consider us your family, Bella. I know you don't have anyone else."
"We've already gone over the other stipulations, so I believe that is all. We'd like to you to come by the house at least once a week, and I'll be in touch concerning appointments and therapy of course." Carlisle stood up and Esme joined him. They both pulled me into a hug and then I followed them from the room.
Edward handed something to Carlisle and he turned back to me. "This is your cell phone." He handed me a small, silver phone. "It has everyone's numbers programmed into it already and unlimited minutes, so don't worry about using it. You can text too. The bill is taken care of. Please carry it with you always. You have a land line as well, but we usually communicate by cell phone. Your phone numbers are in the binder on the kitchen counter along with a bunch of other pertinent information."
Edward held up a couple wires. "A charger for your truck, and one for the house."
Carlisle looked around quickly and seemed satisfied that everything had been covered. "Alright then. I think that is all. We'll leave you to get settled in. You'll go back to school on Monday, so you have a few days before you have to deal with that."
"Sounds good. Again, thank you all for everything. You'll never know how much I appreciate it." I dug my toe in the carpet, thoroughly humbled by their generosity.
"It was our pleasure, Bella." Esme hugged me again and then left with Carlisle.
After they left, Edward moved closer and tipped my chin up with his finger. I couldn't avoid his gaze. His topaz eyes always sucked me right in. "Are you sure you'll be ok by yourself?" He asked.
"She'll be fine, Edward." Alice interrupted. He shot her a glare and turned back to me.
"Are you sure?" He asked me again. "I could stay if you want me to."
Alice sighed. "I'm heading out. Edward, have Bella bring you home tomorrow."
I looked at Alice, confused about what just happened.
She gave me a mischievous smile. "He's going to try to convince you to let him stay. You really do want him to stay, even though you won't say it. So, I'm going to save us all some time and just go ahead and leave him here." She gave me a quick squeeze, and then she and Edward had some kind of silent conversation which he didn't seem to happy about.
Once we were alone, things were a little awkward between us. I was mortified to think that I had been so obvious about my attraction to Edward that his sister picked up on it, but at the same time secretly thrilled that he actually wanted to stay here with me. Edward seemed upset at his sister's assessment, even though he did seem pleased about staying. I wasn't sure what this was exactly between us, but the chemistry was undeniable. We were enamored with each other even though we had never talked about our relationship or tried to label it. It should have felt all kinds of wrong to sleep in his arms and trust him so implicitly with my safety and chastity, but instead it felt completely right.
My stomach growled and Edward whipped his head around to tease me. "Hungry?" He asked, one eyebrow raised and a half-smile on his face.
"I guess so." I grumbled and headed to the kitchen. "Would you like something?"
"No, I'm not hungry." He replied, before heading over to peruse my bookshelves. Of course he wasn't hungry, I'd never seen him eat a thing. He must be on some kind of special diet, but I certainly didn't want to embarrass him by bringing it up. I knew all too well what it was like to be ridiculed for things like that.
I hummed as I looked through the refrigerator and cabinets, trying to decide what to make for lunch. A sandwich sounded good and was easy enough to put together, so I gathered the ingredients. I was surprised at how thoroughly my kitchen was stocked, and the fact that I wouldn't have to go grocery shopping for a little while pleased me immensely. After I had assembled my sandwich and put everything away, I turned to find him watching me intently.
"What?" I questioned him, wondering what I had done to capture his attention. I ducked my head and went to sit at the table.
He smiled softly at me. "You were singing, and you just seemed so happy."
"Oh." I shrugged. I wasn't aware that my humming had progressed to singing. I must have been much more preoccupied than I realized. He turned back to the stereo and put in the CD he had selected from the bookshelf. Most guys would have gone for the television, but I'd learned quickly that Edward was not like most guys. We suited one another. He knew I'd prefer the music to the television, as did he. Regardless of the short amount of time we'd actually spent together, we just understood each other.
The soft strains of cello music started playing and he sat on the couch with his eyes closed as he listened. I quickly finished my sandwich and washed my plate.
"You know, you have a dishwasher now." He was smirking, though his eyes were still closed.
"Just habit I guess." I finished drying the plate and joined him in the living room, folding my legs underneath me in the over-sized chair. I laid my head back on the chair and let the music relax me.
We sat like that through at least three pieces, before Edward spoke. "Do you like it here?"
"Here as in Forks, or here as in this apartment?"
"Both, I guess."
"Forks is ok. I like the people here. I wouldn't mind more sun, but I like the milder temperatures. Mississippi was sweltering hot and miserable."
"And your apartment?" He prompted.
"It's wonderful. Truly, Edward, I could never thank your family enough."
"We just want you to be happy." I opened my eyes to find him looking at me again.
"I think for the first time in my life, that might actually be possible."
"Me too." He murmured. Sitting forward on the couch, he rested his elbows on his knees and looked like he was warring with himself over whether to say something or not. His mouth opened and closed twice before he finally continued. "Bella, I don't like being away from you." Though his forehead rested on his fisted hands, his face was turned towards me and the intense look on his face took my breath away. It was as if the idea of being away from me actually pained him. The emotions he invoked were overwhelming and my heart thundered in my chest.
"So don't." I whispered, afraid that if I spoke any louder the moment would be shattered as if it were a dream.
"Bella...I..." He looked so conflicted that I just want to comfort him. "I'm not good for you."
"What do you mean? Because we obviously have different definitions of good, if you think you aren't good for me. How many times have you stepped in and helped me out of a bad situation now? When have you ever hurt me? Why on earth would you think you weren't good for me?"
"If you really knew me, you would understand."
"So tell me what makes you not good."
"I can't."
Now I was exasperated. I stared at him incredulously for a moment before getting up and turning off the music. I grabbed the remote and threw myself back into the chair, flipping through the channels. I wasn't really paying any attention to what was on the television, it was merely a distraction so that I could think. After everything I had confided in him, he didn't trust me enough to tell me something big enough to make him think badly of himself. I hit the mute button.
"Will you tell me eventually?"
He sighed. "I'll have to at some point, unless you figure it out first."
I could live with that, right? I'd spent enough time with him and his family to know it can't be anything to horrible. They're all good people. I'd never seen a hint of anything bad about Edward. He's always been there to help when I've needed it and despite his initial standoffish attitude, I'd never felt like I could trust someone more than him.
"I trust you."
"You shouldn't."
"Edward, if you're going to keep giving me these cryptic, self-depreciating replies, then you're going to have to explain what exactly it is about you that makes you such a bad guy. Otherwise, let me make my own decisions. When no one else in my life has been there for me, not even my own mother or father, you have." My words came out more vehemently than I intended and Edward looked properly chastised.
"Alright." He conceded after a long minute.
"So, are we ok now?" I asked tentatively.
He flashed me a lopsided grin. "Yeah, we're good." I could tell there was still a battle waging within him, but there was nothing I could do until he decided to tell me whatever his big secret was. For some reason, Edward thought he was unworthy of my attentions, though it seemed to be something he truly desired. I knew he was different, but there was nothing that made me feel like being around him was unsafe or wrong. I don't think I'd ever heard him even raise his voice, let alone seen him angry about something. There may have been a hint of fire burning beneath the surface, but even I had a temper sometimes. No, I couldn't believe that there was something so horrible about Edward that would cause me to end our friendship. If anything, he was too good for me, but I didn't subscribe to such comparisons. We were simply two people who cared for each other, regardless of how different we may be.
I spent the afternoon watching television while Edward set up my computer and internet access. When it was time for dinner, I wondered if he would eat with me.
"Is there anything in particular you would like for dinner?" I asked him.
"Oh...um...I'm not hungry." He replied sheepishly.
"Ok, Edward. I know you're on some kind of special diet because I never see you eat anything. I haven't said anything before now because I didn't want to pry, but surely you must eat sometime. I'll be happy to fix whatever it is you need, if you'll just tell me."
He blanched and then shook his head. "I'm really not hungry, Bella. I'll eat something later if I do get hungry though. I promise."
I still wasn't satisfied with his answer and he knew it, but I was willing to let it slide for now. I didn't want to push him away. I was just worried about him. "Ok. You'll be staying the night?"
"If you'd like me to."
I grinned. "Of course I want you to." He returned the grin and I found myself caught up in staring at him again. I'd forgotten what I was doing.
Dinner. That's right.
We talked more about my time in Santa Cruz while I cooked some pasta. Edward took it upon himself to wash the dishes while I ate, even though I protested. I told him all about Marie and Dan and Mrs. Brady. When I talked about Sean, his whole body stiffened, so I moved on to other topics. He and Alice had talked with Marie and Sean while they were in the waiting room. Edward surprised me when he told me he thought Sean was a good guy who truly cared about me. So I told him about my first date with Sean at the boardwalk, and if I didn't know better, I would say Edward was jealous. His jaw would clench and at one point I even thought I saw him pout for a second.
After that I encouraged him to tell me about what happened in Forks while I was gone. He told me about his family's camping trips and classes. His table in Biology was still empty and he looked forward to having me back as a partner. Apparently, Angela and Ben were still dating, and Mike and Jessica were together. Nothing else had changed much, and I got the impression that nothing ever really did change in small towns like these. No doubt I would still be the center of attention when I returned on Monday. I wondered about what rumors were going around about me, and Edward assured me that he and Alice had worked to dispel as many as possible. Of course they didn't spread the truth either, which was probably worse than anything their imaginations had come up with. The story was that I'd gone to visit family. There would be lots of questions about my reappearance, and I expected some hostility over the fact that I had been adopted by the Cullens. It was obvious the family had been ostracized by the rest of the student body. It was also quite clear that there was a certain amount of jealousy floating around because of the family's wealth and beauty. I knew my close association with the family, especially Edward, would make me a target as well. Only, since I was clearly the charity case, I expected I would be subject to much ridicule. No female at Forks High had ever managed to capture Edward Cullen's interest before. I could only wonder what they would make of our relationship, whether it was friends or more.
I still couldn't believe this amazing boy was sitting here in my new apartment and willingly staying the night. He knew about my nightmares, and after the explosion, they had gotten worse. I hated that I disrupted his sleep with my problems, but he assured me that he wanted to be there for me. When I started yawning, we moved to my bedroom and he sat on my bed while we continued to talk until my eyelids became too heavy to keep open. He started humming and I was asleep within minutes. Tonight, my dreams were about Edward.