Sorry for taking a long time to update. Life is crazy right now. After reading the new Harry Potter book I decided it was time to update. I will try and update by the end of the week but don't count on it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of its characters.

It's Been a While

Edward and I stared at each other with great intensity. I knew he recognized me, if not by appearance, then definitely by scent. As I stared into his onyx eyes I wondered if he was trying to fight instinct with sense. We stayed in this setting for an eternity until I finally snapped; I needed to leave before he did something he'd regret.

"I'm sorry young man. Please excuse me, I wasn't really paying attention," I said while trying to back out of his arms slowly. As I was pulling away I felt his grip tighten around me. His eyes seemed to get darker and he started to lean in closer. He was losing the battle and instinct was about to take over. I knew if I didn't knock sense into him soon things were going to turn ugly. In the tiniest whisper I could muster I said, "Edward, please let go. It's me Bella."

His stare seemed to intensify as if trying to see a lie hidden in my words. I saw pain, sorrow, and love flourish through his eyes, and yet he still looked lost. Still looking into his eyes I tired once again to back out of his grip, but was met with resistance once more. His eyes were as dark as night and I had no idea what was running through his head, but I knew it wasn't good. I was about to attempt to talk him down again when suddenly my Alice spoke up. " Mom, are you okay?"

Her voice seemed to knock Edward back to reality, because his grip instantly loosened and I pulled myself free. "Yes Alice this young man was just helping me steady myself," I answered smiling at my daughter. I turned to the audience of Cullens standing behind their brother with horror and shock plastered on their beautiful faces. It seemed they heard my whispered plea to Edward, and were still trying to comprehend it. I turned back to Edward, and noticed his eyes were still onyx, but the tension in his features was gone. He just stared at me like I was a dream and any movement would cause me to disappear. In fact the longer I stared at him the more I felt rooted to the spot. It seemed even after all those years he still could put me under his spell. It wasn't until my Alice brushed my arm that I popped back to reality and addressed Edward.

"Thank you very much. Please excuse my clumsiness, " I said smiling at him. I turned to my daughter and gave her a warm smile. "Let's go Alice. Please lead the way this time. I may not make it in one piece if I continue." She nodded in agreement and continued through the office door.

I nodded at the group one more time while moving to follow Alice, but stopped before leaving the room. I turned over my shoulder, and whispered, " Thank you Edward. It's nice to see you all again." I hesitated at the door for a second longer not really sure why I was waiting, but when it never came I continued after Alice.

The school was very large. It consisted of three building, and several portables placed near the gym and fields. The building that contained the office was the main building and held the English, History and Foreign Language departments. To the right of the main building there was the Science, Mathematics and Computer buildings. To the left of the main building the Musical and Extracurricular classes were located there. The sports department used the portable buildings for storage or class sessions.

When Alice and I came to the stairs we looked at her map to locate my classroom. I was apparently going to be on the second floor at the end of a hidden hallway. Alice looked at me with humor in her eyes as we started up the stairs. "Alice, what are you trying not to laugh at?" I asked. She stared at me a little longer before responding.

" I was just thinking that Daddy may end up seeing you at his work on a daily basis with all these stairs you'll encounter to your room," she answered.

"Hey, I resent that. I haven't had to go to the hospital in a long time young lady," I retorted.

"And what would you call Friday night mom? A trip to the Spa," she laughed.

"Okay, so Friday was the difference, but you know its been a long time since I've ended up in the emergency room. I'll just have to be extra careful again." I countered.

She just stood there shaking her head as she continued ascending the stairs. I followed carefully behind to make sure Alice's theory didn't come true. We reached the second landing after climbing two flights of stairs, and I looked at Alice's map one more time to make sure we were going in the right direction to my room. It seemed we would need to take a left, but if we weren't careful we would miss the cut off to the hidden hallway. We headed in that direction and continued to chat about my renewed clumsiness. We finally came to the end of the hidden hallway where my room was the last on the right. I unlocked the classroom with the keys Mr. Harris gave me, and entered my new room.

My classroom was very spacious, and bright. The brightness was probably due to the yellow painted walls. Alice and I entered the room and just stood their in awe for a moment. In no time Alice was headed toward a large desk at the back of the class. The large desk placed at the back of the class, which I assumed was mine, had a very chic look to it. Alice had already made herself nice and comfortable twirling in my office chair, and looking through the drawers. There were a total of sixteen desks separated evenly into four columns. The desk faced two chalkboards. Behind my desk were two large bookshelves that contained a lot of novels. I wondered if those novels are what I'm expected to teach. I walked to my desk and placed my purse and briefcase down. I walked up to the bookshelves to see what novels were, and I wasn't disappointed. I found plenty of classics, but most of these novels were continuously taught, and really wouldn't keep the students occupied. No, this would not do. I was definitely going to introduce more modern material.

I turned back to find that there was a mini fridge by my desk. Alice spotted it at the same time I did and immediately went to investigate. Inside the fridge were several bottles of water, a couple cans of Coke, and some bottles of Gatorade. Alice grabbed one of the Gatorade and opened it without a second thought.

"Alice what are you doing? Those might not even belong to me young lady," I informed her admonitory. She seemed to contemplate this new piece of information for about a minute before shrugging her shoulders and taking another sip. "Alice Rose Carson…" I yelled, but was interrupted by someone clearing his or her throat. Alice and I both turned to the front of the class to see my past staring back at us.

They all had a nice smile on their face and light humor showed in their eyes. I looked at them and couldn't help, but feel uneasy seeing them again. "Is there something I can help you with students?" I asked.

They seemed to just stand there for a while in silence as if waiting for me to say more. Finally the silence was broken by, to my surprise, Rosalie. "Oh no its just that you dropped this and my siblings and I thought you should get it back." As she said these words I saw her hold out a parcel that I knew immediately wasn't mine. I paused for a moment longer than expected, and suddenly uncertainty crept into her eyes. With every second that I held back the room seemed to fill with a little more discomfort. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to know what was in that parcel, but before I could make up my mind Alice stood up from behind my desk and walked over to retrieve the parcel.

Shock immediately crossed Rosalie's face, and she hesitated before passing the parcel to my daughter. "Thank you," she said then walked back to me placing the parcel in my hands. She then resumed her spot behind my desk one more time and waited to see what else would take place. "Well, thank you very much for returning this to me Miss… um … I'm sorry I don't believe I caught your name," I said.

"Oh, excuse me I'm sorry, my name is Rosalie Hale, and these are my siblings Emmett Cullen, Jasper Hale, Alice Cullen, and Edward Cullen, " she answered.

"Well, thank you Rosalie. I very much appreciate what you've done. Also thank you Edward for the office incident." When I said Edwards name he looked up into my eyes and stared at me with such intensity that I felt heat rise in my cheeks, and knew immediately I was blushing.

Before my face turned as red as tomato Alice spoke up, " Oh you're the Cullens. We met your father and mother at dinner Friday night. They're very nice people. I'm Alice Rose Carson by the way."

I immediately turned to face them realizing that if Carlisle kept his promise this is when it would show. Each face was eclipsed with shock and confusion, as they tried to comprehend exactly what Alice said. I knew instantly Carlisle held his tongue. Edward looked livid. Alice was confused. Rosalie looked disgusted. Emmett looked hurt, and Jasper seemed to be suffering everyone wrath.

My Alice had no idea what she said to warrant this reaction, but she knew it wasn't good. I quickly jumped to ease all of them, and hopefully take some of the blame away from Carlisle. " Yes, your father seems like a very good man. We had a heart to heart, and I found him to be very trustworthy.

"He's the kind of person that if you asked a favor of him, he'd most likely comply unless it brings harm to someone else. Yes, he can keep a secret."

They all looked at me trying to understand exactly what I said, and when it dawned on them I was the one their anger, hurt and confusion was focused towards. I simply raised my eyebrows daring them to say anything against me. I specifically looked at Edward knowing he was having the most trouble holding his tongue. My Alice just sat there starring at me like I was from another planet. She thought my little speech was uncalled for. We stood in this atmosphere for a few seconds longer until my daughter once again broke the silence. "So, do you all have any hobbies you enjoy?"

I nearly laughed at the question Alice asked. She was showing her fathers personality at the moment trying to ease the situation. The Cullens looked thrown off by her question. Finally Emmett snapped to the question and responded, " Um we all are good at different things. I am good muscle wise. Jasper is very smart and good with history. He's also pretty good at detecting the moods your in. Rose likes to work on cars. She also loves to go shopping. Alice is obsessed with shopping. She also has a knack for knowing what's to come in the future. Edward's love is the piano. He is a genius when it comes to composing and playing in general, and he usually knows what's on your mind."

"Really" Alice exclaimed looking at Edward. "You like the piano, so do I."

Edward looked at her with a smirk plastered to his face. He seemed to see humor in that simple statement. "Are you any good with the piano?" he asked Alice.

"Well, I think I'm mediocre, but if you want some competition my moms an expert."

That comment wiped the smirk right off his face. In fact all the Cullens looked at me in awe. I blushed slightly then said, " Alice is pulling your leg. She has a lot more talent then I do." Edward looked at me, and it was as if he was looking at me for the first time in years. We stared at each other until Rosalie asked a very important question. "Um…so what does your father do?"

Edward quickly turned toward Alice waiting for her answer. In fact all of them were waiting to see what my Alice would answer, but before she could say anything I took control of the conversation. " My husband is a doctor at the hospital. He works in the emergency room along side your father. I believe that's how they met." Every one of them turned towards me and I saw the emotions run across they faces. I finally found the one face I needed to see and saw Edward's eyes held sadness, grief almost, but he tired to hide it with a small smile.

Suddenly my daughter gasped and turned towards me. "Mom gotta run the bells going to ring. I'll met you here after school." With that she gave me a kiss and ran out of the classroom.

I turned to the Cullens ready to take on any confrontation now that my daughter was gone, but just as Edward was about to speak the bell rang for school to begin. Students started walking through the halls and towards their homeroom when I met the Cullens and said, "Go on Cullens your going to be late for class. Well continue this at another time."

I turned my back on them and headed to my desk to await my first class. Emmett and Rosalie took their sits right beside each other while the rest of their family filed out of my room. The last one to leave was Edward and he gave me a longing glance before he was gone from the doorway.

Well, I survived not only my first encounter with my past, but I made it through the morning without falling to pieces too. I made it while standing in the same room and staring deep into his eyes, but if I end up in his arms once more my world may never let me breath again.

Hope you liked the chapter. The next chapter is going to be Edward's POV. I hope I can have it to you soon.

--simplyme88