Disclaimer: Characters not mine they all belong to SM
BPOV
Waking up the next morning I felt the coldness of being alone in bed, I could hear the coffee maker so I knew where he was.
"Hey." He smiled brightly at me from the doorway.
"Hello," I said looking down.
He placed the two cups of coffee onto the nightstand, jumping into bed beside me.
"Now Isabella, why are you hiding that beautiful face from me?" He chuckled, lifting my chin.
"I'm not."
"Oh, but you are." He chided lightly, kissing the tip of my nose.
"Edward," I whined, smacking at him.
"Bella," He mocked right back.
"When did you become such a comedian?" I huffed. "Because last time I was home you were very serious."
"I'm happy," He shrugged, playfully pulling on a strand of my hair. "My best friend is home."
"I am home." I murmured, hugging him tighter.
He stared at me with a look I couldn't quite pin point. He looked good… real good. I liked to believe, as we get older that we grow a little more into our looks. Edward definitely proved that theory right. His bronze hair was cropped a little shorter then I remember it ever being, and he must have been working out with Emmett because he was now very sculpted.
The Edward I saw three years ago disappeared. He had always been shy and sometimes brooding, but now he had an air of confidence about him. I like seeing him like this.
"I have really missed you, Swan." He whispered.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you, Edward." I meant that sincerely because I did miss him.
"So mom hasn't driven you crazy yet?"
"I don't think she ever could," I smiled thinking of Esme's generosity to let me stay with them instead of Charlie. "I do need to find an actual apartment."
"You could stay with me." He offered, hope shining in his brilliant green eyes.
"Wouldn't that ruin your bachelor lifestyle?" I sighed sneaking a curious look at him.
"Trust me, there is no lifestyle being lived." He murmured.
And I believed him.
Edward married Tanya Denali when I was sixteen. Esme and Carlisle felt like it was a bit rushed and that Tanya was forcing Edward into marriage. He was my age when he was married and I knew I could never get married this young. Tanya was a beautiful girl, though her personality seemed to mirror Edward's. She was as quiet and awkward as he was at that time.
Six years ago
I looked at the red silk dress that clung to my new curves. A couple months ago this dress hung awkwardly on me, but now puberty definitely hit. Tanya at first objected that I be in the wedding because of my age. Alice on the other hand had a difference of opinion saying she wanted nothing to do with the wedding unless I was a part of the ceremony. I even agreed with Tanya just so I could get out of wearing this revealing dress.
"It won't last." Alice's melodic voice broke the silence of my staring in the mirror.
"Hmm?"
"Their marriage." She sighed.
"Alice," I grumbled not wanting to hear her latest 'let's give Bella some hope speech'.
"I see these things and he has a change of heart during the ceremony."
"He still marries her," I stated, giving her a warning glare. "Edward is not one to leave a bride at the altar."
She stared at me with a small smile on her pixie face. My mother and Esme found it weird that Tanya had her wedding party get ready separately from her, but it was only Alice and I who agreed to be bridesmaids. Even though little Alice was five months pregnant she took her maid of honor role seriously. Even though she plotted against the bride.
"Go check on the boys, God only knows the mess Emmett has made of himself." She giggled, knowing her twin was always a mess.
I nodded because she was right Emmett was probably having difficulty with his formal attire. I walked across the hall to where Emmett, Jasper and Edward should be.
"You fuckers better be decent!" I yelled pounding on the door.
In that moment the door flew open and the hulk swept me up.
"I'm telling the chief!" Emmett taunted.
"He knows who has taught me such colorful language, asshat." I shrieked trying to wiggle out of his arms.
He raised an eyebrow. "Smart move little Swan."
I looked down and noticed Emmett wasn't even dressed yet. All he was donning was a beater and boxers. He was looking at the deep v of my dress where I have filled it out rather nicely.
"Those new?" He smirked nodding towards the twins.
"You're a perv, old man." I breathed out embarrassed, knowing I was blushing.
"Em, leave her alone," The soft Texan accent ripped through my eardrums. "Alice will kill you if she refuses to walk down that aisle."
"Why wouldn't I walk, Whitlock?" I huffed crossing my arms over my chest.
"You're awfully red darlin' and you keep tuggin' an awful lot at that dress," He smiled, watching me fidget. "You look beautiful by the way."
"She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," Emmett sang. "Jealous she's my date?"
"Somewhat, seeing as though my beautiful wife is my date." He challenged.
"Why don't you guys just put us on a soap box!" I grumbled, throwing my hands up.
"Are you sure your only sixteen?" The velvet voice I've loved my whole life questioned in what sounded like awe.
"That's what my driver license says." I quipped, taking him in.
He sat on the couch looking a little distraught, his messy hair going in five million different directions. I could imagine that was from running his hand through his hair. I was at a loss to go over and just hug him. Edward has always been there watching over me up until a few years ago when he went to college. When I was younger I always thought him to be my prince charming saving me from the harsh world.
"Come here." He whispered, holding his hand out to me.
"Oh hell no, Eddie's going to get all mushy." Emmett whined.
"Can you guys go over to Alice?" Edward asked quietly pulling me down on his lap.
"I don't think it's wise to leave the beautiful jailbait looking like that in here with you…on your wedding day." Emmett said giving him a pointed look.
"He looks like he's going to kill you, lets just go see Alice." Jasper awkwardly chuckled. All their eyes were having a silent conversation.
"Fine," Emmett sighed, kissing the top of my hand. "Until later, my lady."
"Until later, doucher." I giggled at his booming laugh.
Emmett and Jasper left the room clothing in tow. I now was left sitting on Edward's lap. I reached my hand up to smooth the frown lines of his forehead. He stared at me taking my hand, bringing it to his lips.
"Isn't your wedding day supposed to be happy?" I questioned, nudging him.
"We had an argument this morning." He said sadly.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"I'm not," he sighed, running his hand through his hair. Typical Edward. "She is trying to push me into a career field I don't want to be in."
"How?" I asked confused. "You haven't even started med school."
"She thinks I should be a surgeon instead of a pediatrician."
"You're great with kids, though."
"That's not the complete argument… She's trying to control me." He explained to the curls of my hair.
"You should talk to her." I urged gently.
"A bit late for that." He mumbled, letting us drift off into a few moment of silence.
"I have to get out there," I smiled, then wagged my eyebrows. "Emmett might think we're fooling around."
"You really do look gorgeous, Isabella." He smiled kissing my shoulder, which sent a chill through me.
"Thank you, Edward." I breathed.
There was a light tap on the door, breaking us from our bubble.
"You ready?" Carlisle asked peeking his head in. As soon as he saw us he had a sad smile on his face.
"As I'll ever be." Edward sighed, grabbing my hips to stand me up. Once we were up he took my hand.
"Edward?" Carlisle asked grinning.
"Huh?"
"As much as I would love to see Bella standing up there with you…you're going to have to let her go." He nodded at our laced fingers.
"Oh." He smiled sheepishly, hesitantly letting me go.
"I have to get back to Alice," I sighed. "I'll send the boys over."
Before I could escape Carlisle pulled me in for a hug.
"Charlie's going to shoot me once you step foot out there." He whispered in my ear.
"Dr. Cullen, afraid of the Chief of Police?" I teased.
"This is my son's wedding he'll hold me responsible for the dress." He chuckled, draping his arm over my shoulder leading us back across the hall.
"You didn't pick it out Tanya did, so he'll have to shoot her." I rationalized.
"Edward might have a problem with that." He quipped. I wasn't in the mood to joke anymore.
"Will he?" I snapped, killing our light moment.
"Bella…"
"No Carlisle, I'm just a kid," I mumbled throwing my hands up in surrender. "I can't believe you are just going to stand there and watch him make the biggest mistake of his life."
He looked a bit taken back by me. I felt bad for taking my anger out on him when he didn't deserve it. Edward was an adult that made his own decisions whether or not they were horrible was his own fault. Everyone knew I loved Edward, everyone except him.
"Your day will come." He whispered kissing my head. Why the hell must all the Cullens be so cryptic?
Like a flash the wedding of Edward Anthony Cullen and Tanya Elizabeth Denali happened. And that was the day I fell out of love with him.
"So, you'll stay with me?" He asked eagerly, breaking me away from my memories.
"The guest room is mine." I sighed in defeat.
"It's yours." He said almost disappointed.
"Then its settled roomie!" I said giving him my best girly squeal. He just rolled his eyes.
After a few minutes of silence he asked the question I've been trying to avoid since last night. "Are we still avoiding the subject matter of Charlie's wedding?"
"The subject matter is this… I'm going; I'll drag Emmett's ass. He can protect me and even my mom will be there."
"Emmett will be your date?" He asked hurt.
"Well yeah, considering you weren't invited. I would take you if I could." God knows I would take you, Edward.
"Charlie called me last week and asked if I would escort you." He mumbled shyly.
"But Jacob…" I trailed off shocked.
"He said he wouldn't bother us."
"That's why Renee is coming?" I said in realization.
"She wants to keep a close eye." He nodded slowly.
"I…I don't want to do this." I groaned, pushing my face in his pillow.
"Nothing will happen, I promise." He assured, rubbing my back.
"They'll be there, though." I argued or at least attempted to, but his hands on my back were easing my tension.
"Bella, Sue and Charlie promised me, Leah and Jacob will leave us alone."
"I don't want her in the same family as me."
"You know this is really hurting Charlie?" And hello, rational Edward.
"When did you start caring about Charlie? He sure as hell didn't care about you when he threw you in a fucking cell for protecting me!" I spat.
"We've talked about it since you were away a school." He soothed, trying ease me on my worries.
"I'm sorry." I said remembering what Edward had gone through for me, because of me.
"You did what you needed to do make no apology for that, you're back now that's what matters."
"I left everyone behind… I left you." I added quietly.
"Like I said, .Here." He said this time with finality. "I even have you in my bed."
"You need to stop hanging around that older brother of yours."
"I do see him more then I should," He mused. "Speaking of family I need to pick J.J. up for our daily lunch."
"My favorite six year old?" I grinned, thinking of Alice and Jasper's son.
"That would be the one." He chuckled, getting up to stretch.
He was absolutely perfect. His toned back and stomach made me just want to reach out and touch him. Definitely working out with Emmett. He shot me a curious look.
"What are you staring at?" I asked curiously back.
He smiled his crooked smile. "A gorgeous woman." He said shrugging and left the room.
That was the moment my broken heart from age sixteen started to mend.
E/N: Again please review guys let me know what you think about this story.