Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot of the Twilight Saga are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. The storyline of Tangled Hearts is all mine.

WARNING: This story is M+ rated so if you are not over the age of 18+ please do not read any further.

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Tangled Hearts – Chapter 6

Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.

June 2010

Alice POV

I watched Edward walk out of house, and he looked defeated. I could not believe that someone so young could have so much happen to him. I have known Edward since high school, and I was there when his parents passed away. Edward took it harder than Alec. Alec was able to work through it by talking to Carlisle, but Edward? He suffered in silence. I have a feeling that is when he decided that relationships were not for him.

That is when he closed his heart off to the women in the world. He turned into a serial dater, and when he could not get what he needed from that, he turned into a playboy. Edward really does fit the description of what that word means. Rich, bachelor from Manhattan, good looking and knows it, and he can back it up with being a sought after heart surgeon. He loved to attend certain soirees when he's not working, and he picks up every hussy in New York. Don't be fooled. Even though people have money, does not mean they have class. Take a look at Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan – defiantly no class there, and yes, they are the sort of girls my dear cousin picks up.

"Honey, what are you thinking about?" Jasper asks as he wraps his arms around me.

"I have a bad feeling about this, Jazz. I think Edward is going to run from this responsibility. I have a feeling he is going to pass those two beautiful children off to Rose and Emmett or us. I could see it in his eyes before he left; he looked frightened."

"He would not do that to Alec. He knows how much those children meant to his brother."

"That does not mean he won't walk away from this if he knows one of us will take them. He is too set in his ways. He loves the single life and does not want that to change. But on top of that he never had the kids longer than a night. He is going to find a way to get out of this," I told Jasper as I turned around in his arms and looked into his eyes. "Jazz, he is hurting and not thinking straight. You and Emmett know Edward, and when he is faced with fear, he runs. Look what happened after his parents' death. Looked what happened before he started his residency. He runs all the time. You know I am right!"

"I know you are, but I am hoping that he will change this time and step up and look after his brother's children," Jazz said hugging me closer to him.

After some silence, Jasper spoke again. "Alice, we can't let him walk out of these kids. He is all they have left. We have to make sure he understands this, and between all of us, we will. You hear me, darling? We will make sure of it. He will look after those two precious children. I know it. He wouldn't let his brother down like that. After everything they have been through, there is no way."

"I hope you are right, Jasper Cullen. I hope you prove me wrong this time," I said looking up into Jasper's gentle eyes and squeezing him back.

~~~***~~~T H~~~***~~~

EPOV

I had been walking around Central Park for over two hours, and I needed to get back to Uncle Carlisle's and pick up Mia and Ben. I had to take them back to my place and get them settled. Tomorrow I would head over to Alec's and Jane's house and collect some clothing and a few other items. I really did not want to do that, but Mia and Ben needed to feel safe and secure for now. It seemed that everyone that lived at the house – my parents and then Alec and Jane – died, and I could almost think that it was jinxed. No way in hell I was next! No way could I live around all their memories; it is just too much. My heart is too tormented and broken.

I am going to have to talk to everyone; I am not the right person to look after these two. There has to be someone better than me. How can I give up everything that I have built, everything that I have sacrificed over the last fifteen years? I have come too far to give up on it all now.

Ben and Tia need stability! They need to feel loved! Yes, I have spent time with them, know them a bit, but really… why did they choose me? Alice and Jasper would have been a better choice than me. Heck, even Rose and Emmett would have ticked more boxes than me. What the hell was my brother thinking when he made this decision?

I will have to make sure he was not drunk when he signed the will.

'Pull your head out of your ass, Edward. All you have to do is get through the next couple of days. Once that is done, we can give the kids to Alice or Rose," the Devil that was my self-conscious was telling me.

Yes, that is all I need to do – make it a few days, then I can get back to work, and life will return to normal.

'You really think this is wise? You brother trusted you; he had the faith in you to raise his kids and be a mentor to them. Help them realize their hopes and dreams, the Angel of my self-conscious rebutted.

Hopes and dreams get crushed and ripped away from you – take a look my life, almost everyone that I have ever loved is no longer around.

'That's the way. Strong hard facts will help you win the argument with yourself. Take that, pretty boy Angel,' the Devil said.

'Really? You are going to stoop that low and call me a pretty boy? Take it home to your mamma; there are more important things to talk about here, like Benjamin and Tia.'

Okay, it's time to turn off the inner monologue; it sure isn't helping. I'm going to have to sit down and really talk with my family and see if my aunt or cousins can take the kids. They will be better off, and at least with one of them, they'll have full and happy life. Their lives would only turn out like shit if they stayed with me.

I walked back to Esme and Carlisle's house. Digging deep into my psyche, I had to get myself ready to take Ben and Mia home to my place. I am not sure what I am getting myself into, but I will give myself a week to adjust. If I can't do it, I will have to come up with a solution. But I doubt that my brother and Jane have chosen the right person for these two kids.

"I'm back," I yelled once I opened the door.

"How was your walk, dear? Do you feel better?" Esme asked.

"Yes and no. I have more questions than answers. How am I going to cope with two kids and work? I am not sure that Jane and Alec thought this through properly. I am not father material, Mom."

"Edward, dear, you know why your brother picked you? Because they are your blood, they are your brother's kids. They are your family! They only have you to rely on, and you need to step up and look after them. You know you can do this, Edward. You know these kids need you."

"Okay, I am going to get them organized and get them home, bathed and fed. It's getting late, and they need some normality, just like I do. Where are they?"

"I will go and get some food for you for tonight. The kids are upstairs in the movie room watching a show with the rest of the kids," Esme said as she walked off.

I went upstairs to the movie room, stood at the door, and watched all the kids sitting there quietly. I did't want to disturb them; I just wanted to leave them here and take off. But I had an obligation to look after these kids now, and at least–to try.

"Ben, Tia, it's time to go! Say goodbye to everyone. Give them all hugs and kisses, and then we will go and see Grandma and Grandpa Cullen and say goodbye to them," I said.

As I watched them all hug and kiss, I started to feel lost.

I walked them downstairs into the kitchen. They were in the kitchen getting everything together for me to take home for our dinner.

"Edward, dear, I have put food in here for when you all get hungry. I have put some eggs, bacon, tomatoes, and bread in here for breakfast. Tomorrow I will come around and help get some dinners organized, and we can do your shopping as well."

Carlisle came up and stood in front of me. "If you need anything at all, you just call us, and we shall be there in no time at all. We are here for you. I understand that this is not going to be easy, but give it some time. You will fall into a routine, and you will see it will get easier. They need you now; you are their only family left," he said hugging me.

"Thanks, dad. I appreciate it. I'll call if I need anything. Will I see you tomorrow?" I questioned.

"I will be there with Esme. We can child-proof the house together," he said patting my shoulder.

"Okay you two, time to get these two precious ones home and settled," Esme said.

"I don't want to go home to my house! I want to stay with Uncle Eddie," Tia said.

I knelt down in front of her. "We are going to my house. Tomorrow grandma and grandpa are going to come over, and from there, we will sort everything out, okay?"

Tia and Ben nodded. I grabbed both of their hands and walked to the front door. They hugged and kissed Esme and Carlisle goodbye, and I got them into the town car that Carlisle had organized for us, and we headed back to my place.

I did not have the heart to fight them on anything. They did not want to eat when we got home, they did not want to shower; all they wanted was go to bed.

I took them into the spare rooms. I did not want any arguing so I had them pick which room they wanted. They both decided that they did not want either room for the night. They wanted to sleep in my bed, with me.

I was lucky that Esme had packed a small bag of cloths for them, so I scouted through it and found PJ's for them both. I got them changed; their teeth brushed and put them into my bed. I put on a movie for them that was also in the bag and went to have a shower. I needed to wash the day off me.

Once I had gotten out, I put on a pair of cotton sleep pants and walked back into my room. Both of them were passed out, so I turned off the overhead light and left the bathroom light on for them. I left the movie going just in case they woke up and went out into the kitchen.

I went straight for the hard liquor–fifteen-year-old Dalmore Gran Reserva scotch whiskey. I didn't pull it out often, but tonight it was needed. I poured myself a glass and took it up to my piano. I needed a release. The anger, sadness, frustration and worry swarming around my mind, body and soul needed an outlet, and this is the only way I knew how.

I took a gulp of the whiskey, put my hands onto the keys, and started to play Puccini's 'O Mio Babbino Caro'. I let all the emotion I was feeling dispense from my heart into my fingers; the pain of being the only one left behind on this earth, the suffering I had felt over the years for the loss of my parents, and now the loss of my only brother and my only sister as well. Added to that was the pain and suffering for the two children downstairs sleeping and the loss they have encountered and did not understand completely. I had not realized I was crying until the tears hit my hands on the keys below.

As the song morphed from Puccini into Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, I let my body go. My shoulders were shaking, the sobs that were leaving my mouth were no longer silent. It got to the point I had to stop playing I was missing notes, and all I wanted to do was overturn my beloved piano, and smash my glass of whisky against the wall. I had surpassed upset and sorrow, now I was at anger.

Anger over losing my family, my best friend and the only person that still linked me to my parents.

I realized I was really alone now! I could only depend on myself. I had nothing left. Everything has been taken from me…

The only thought now left running through my head was WHY GOD? HAVE I NOT SUFFERED ENOUGH?

~~~***~~~T H~~~***~~~

I was jolted awake by a scream. I jumped out of bed and ran into the kid's room. They had decided to sleep in the same bed. Ben was hugging Tia trying to calm her down. I walked over and sat down on the bed beside her. I started running my hand though her hair, hoping to God it would calm her down.

I looked at Ben. "Was it a bad dream?"

He just nodded and went back to whispering into his sister's ear.

I felt useless.

How was I supposed to help these kids?

What the hell was I supposed to do?

I got up from the bed and went back to my room. I started pacing the floor trying to think of anything that might calm Tia down. The only answer I could come up with was to call Esme, so that is what I did.

I kept pacing with the phone to my ear, listening to it ring.

"Hello"

"Esme, I need some help. Tia had a bad dream and I don't know what to do to settle her?"

"Edward, where are Ben and Tia now?" Esme said.

"I left them in the spare room to call you. What do I do?" I asked getting agitated.

"Edward, what would your mother do when you were upset or frightened?"

"She would sit with me, rub my back and sing to me till I calmed down. If that didn't work, she would get me milk and cookies."

"Well, don't you think that would help Ben and Tia sweetie? I am sure if you thought about things before you called me at... two in the morning, you would know what to do. If that does not work, then move them into bed with you, put on a movie, and they will be a sleep in no time, trust me on that," Esme said sweetly.

"Thanks, Mom, I really appreciate you talking me off the ledge."

"That's what I am here for, now go and see how they are doing, and we shall see you again in the morning." With her final words, she hung up on me.

I walked down the hall again, to where Tia and Ben were resting. As I walked into the room, both of them were crying. I had no idea if this would work, but I was going for Esme's last option first. I went to the side of the bed and climbed up onto it and pulled both of them into a hug.

"I have an idea. How would you to like to come into my bed like you did the first night and watch a movie with me? I know my place is still not familiar to you, and you only have been here a couple of times, but I am sure if we are all together it will be a little less scary for you both. What do you say?" I look down at them.

They both nodded their heads at me, so I was going to bet that was a 'yes.'

"How about you pick out a movie that you both like, and we can head to my room."

They both scrambled off the bed and went to their bags. As they pulled out different movies, they had a silent conversation with each other, and Tia's movie won, from the looks of it.

"You have both decided on that one?" I pointed at Tia's movie.

They both whispered 'yes' and nodded their heads that the same time as answering me.

"Okay let's go and watch it." I said as I lead them out the door back to my room.

They clung to my side as we walked down the corridor as if the bogie man was going to jump out and get them at any moment. As we walked into my room, I lifted them up onto the bed, one at a time. They got situated up against the headboard. Tia looked at me with her big glassy eyes and held her hand out with the DVD in it.

I took it from her and walked over to the DVD player I had set up in my room and put in the movie and started it for us. I walked back to my bed and climbed in.

"Why don't you guys make yourself comfortable? Lie down and I will tuck you in." They did as I asked and I pull the comforter over them. I lay back on my side of the bed just as the movie started.

I was not really paying any attention to the movie or what the kids were doing. I was thinking about if I could really help these two or not. I kept asking myself the same questions. Kept repeating everything that I was thinking about today and I was getting nowhere at all.

I came to a conclusion. I would give myself the full week and see how it went. If by the end of the week I still felt lost, I would have to come up with an alternative living arrangement for these two. I was not going to fuck up their lives like mine had been. Don't get me wrong, up to the point my parents had passed away, I had a wonderful life and family. Once they passed, everything went downhill.

I am a workaholic and I love what I do. My life revolves around me, and that is the way I like it. No one can get hurt, no one to disappoint, no one to lose, no one but me! I enjoyed living by myself; I enjoyed doing what I want when I wanted, with no one to tell me what to do. I don't know if I can do it all, though. Can I give this life up? Do I want to give this life up? These were the questions I kept asking myself and every time I answered them, I got a different answer.

I snapped out of my train of thoughts when I heard the credits playing. I looked over to the other side of the bed, and both of them were passed out. I turned off everything including the light and tried to get back to sleep.

Tomorrow was another day!

~~~***~~~T H~~~***~~~

It had been a week and a half since I brought the kids home with me. I was failing at every turn.

I had no idea how to read them; I could not understand what they wanted or when they wanted it, and I was tired.

Tired of trying to please everyone but me!

Tired of second guessing myself!

Tired in general from work and looking after Ben and Tia.

Every night, one of them would have a nightmare. Then I would move them into my bed, and they became like fucking worms, wriggling everywhere. I think my balls are bruised from the amount of times they have been kicked. I am sure I have bruises all over my body from being kicked or punched in my sleep from one or both of them.

I was not cut out to be a parent, let alone the two parents these two were missing. I swear to God they hated me with a passion. If I asked them to do something, they would first ignore me. When I asked them a second time they would look at me as if I was stupid and spoke another language. I got to the point of walking away and just doing it myself! Then when I would not give in and I asked them to do it a third time, they would yell at me "You are not my mother or father!" and storm off into their room.

I knew they needed time to adjust, but fuck, I was going nuts. I was ripping my hair out, and if I kept this up any longer, I would be bald by my next birthday.

So today I came to the conclusion that I was taking them to Alice's for a few hours while I spoke with Mom and Dad. I was done, and I was handing these kids over to someone else!

I had already dropped them off, and I was walking to Esme and Carlisle's. We were going to have a nice lunch together and talk about the last week and a half.

I know they are going to be disappointed in me, but my main argument is that I was not the best person to look after them. They need love, security, and a home, and I had none of that to offer. That was my argument, and I was sticking to it.

I rang the doorbell, and I knew that Mom and Dad were going to challenge me this afternoon; I was failing them, but I knew what these kids needed, and it wasn't me. I was starting to get nervous about what laid ahead of me.

Esme opened the door with a huge smile on her face.

"Edward! Your early. Come on in, darling. We can talk in the kitchen until lunch is ready."

I walked in and gave Mom a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

"How are you and Dad going?"

"We are doing fine, dear. How are you doing with Tia and Ben? Making any progress at all with them?"

"No, they fight me on everything, but I guess that is what it's like these days."

"You have to give them time, Edward. They just lost their parents. Remember what you were like when you lost yours."

"I am trying to keep that in mind, Mom, but... anyway, enough about that for now. I need to talk to you and Dad about something today," I said as I walked behind her into the kitchen. "Where is Fad anyway?"

"He is in his study and will be down in a few minutes. He is just finishing up a conversation with Emmett. Did you know he is taking Rose and the girls to Europe for Christmas this year? He wants to take them to Prague, Paris, Rome, and Venice and is getting hotel names from your father."

"It's only June; why not wait until closer to the date?"

"You know what Emmett is like; he has to be prepared for everything."

"Edward, my boy, how are you feeling?" Carlisle walked in and clapped his hand on my shoulder.

"I am doing okay, Dad, how are you?" I turned and give him a manly hug.

"I am doing wonderful. The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping. What is there to complain about?"

I could think of a lot to complain about, but I did not tell them that.

"So you told me on the phone you wanted to talk to Mom and me, so are we going to do this now or after lunch?"

"We should wait until after lunch. Lets have a nice time first."

I help Mom set the table, and we sat and ate, keeping the conversation light. It was like they knew what I was there to talk to them about. It was like they were already forming their argument against what I had to say, but then again, I could just be paranoid.

I helped Mom clear the table and put the left over's away. We did the dishes together while Dad put the coffee on for us to have while we sat around the table and talked.

I took my seat, watching Mom and Dad work around the kitchen in unison. I knew I was not ready for marriage, but watching them work like this made me envious of what they had. I wondered if one day I would ever find anyone that would work with me like that. As fast as the thought crossed my mind, it was gone again. No one would want to live with a workaholic, A-type person like me!

"So, dear, let's get this talk you wanted with us started. I have a feeling what this is about, but I am not going to form any judgment on you, Edward, so please be open and honest with your father and me," Esme said, as she leaned across the table and patted my hand.

She was letting me know that I was loved just like her sons were, that they were there for me no matter what I needed, just like they were for Emmett and Jasper, and this made me calm down a little. I took a deep breath and jumped off the cliff.

"I can't be the one to bring Tia and Ben up. Now before you go off at me and tell me you are disappointed, I need to tell you the reasons." I looked at both of them in the eye.

"This past nine days have opened my eyes to what children really need to feel loved and secure in this world. I have to tell you that I am not that person. I work long hours and can't give them what they need. They hate me, and please don't tell me that it is just them adjusting. I know that they only lost their parents just over a week ago, I get it. I was an ass after Mom and Dad died. It took me awhile to trust you and let you both in to take their place." I softened my look and pleaded with them to understand.

"Tia and Ben need two parents, not a bachelor who loves his job and is set in his ways of working. They have been through enough, and I am not going to fuck up their lives like I did my own. Who is going to love someone that can't be there for them? Who is going to listen to me when I can't even communicate with them? They look at me as if I am stupid, like, like... fuck, like I am a moron. They know I have no idea what I am doing; they know I am winging it. They don't even want to talk to me most of the time. They sit there having their silent conversations, forming plans of how to fuck with Edward next. I have no power or authority over them. When I ask them to clean up their toys, they ignore me. When I ask them to take a bath, they ignore me. Every question, request or demand I make, they ignore me. Every question, request, or demand I make they ignore me. So I have come to the conclusion that they do not want me to look after them!" I sat back on my chair and stared at my adopted mom and dad.

"Son, I know this is going to be hard to start off with, you have only had the kids for a little bit. Give it a month so you can get into a routine. It is going to take awhile. They are hurting like you did after you lost your parents. They are only three; they do not understand why their mommy and daddy are not coming home, or back to them. We can explain it a hundred different ways, Edward, but they are too young to truly understand! You are going to have to use the same patience you use when you are in surgery," Carlisle pleaded.

"Sweetie, if you were in the middle of surgery with a person's chest open, would you give up if you could not fix it? The answer to that is no. You would use every bit of knowledge you had and fight to come up with and answer–even if you stood there for hours on end. So why are you giving up so easily now?" Esme asked.

"Like I told you, I am not the right person to look after them. I am giving them up but only to family. I will still be there for the important things. I am going to see if Alice or Rose wants to be their guardians. My life at the moment does not allow me to look after them. I have no time for even me at the moment. All I want to do is work and drown my sorrows," I said as I put my head on the table.

There was silence, no one spoke. Carlisle and Esme were exchanging looks at I lifted my head.

"For heaven's sake, you are doing it, too! Talking without actually talking! This is what I'm talking about; this is what the twins do. If you have something to say, say it. That's why I'm here. I am here to tell you what I'm thinking. I expected you to do the same."

"Edward, calm down," Carlisle said. "We are worried about you; that's all. Maybe you should go and see someone to help you through the anger you are holding in. I know that you are angry at the world for not only taking your parents but now your brother and Jane. It has to be tough being the only one left, and as much as Esme and I try and take their place, it is not the same. We understood that from the beginning, and we understand it now. It's time, Edward, to let go of that anger and live your life. Find love. Be happy. You deserve nothing less than to find your other half."

The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. "I don't deserve happiness!"

"Why, Edward? Why do you believe you don't deserve everything your heart desires?" I could see the tears forming in Esme's eyes as she asked me this question.

"Why? I don't know why, I have been asking myself why for the last, I don't know, how many years! Why did I lose my parents? Why did they have to leave us behind? Why, why, why... that is all I fucking ask myself. I am tired of the whys when there are no answers! I am tired, Mom, of trying to fight through the guilt, and now I have more. Why did he have to take Alec and Jane? I would gladly take their place. I have no one and they had Ben and Tia." By this stage, I could not stop the tears streaming down my face. "If only I would have been a better brother or son, they would all still be here. If only I was a better person in general, they would all still be alive. If only..." I had run out of steam, I could not form another sentence or irrational thought. I was done and dusted; it should have been me instead of them, and that was the bottom line.

"Oh Edward!" I felt Esme's arms wrap around me as if trying to hold me together. I had been holding this in since Alec and Jane had died, and it was time to get it out. This would not change my mind in any way. I was adamant that Ben and Tia were better off with someone else. But I would take the comfort I was getting now.

"Hush, Edward. It is going to be okay. We'll figure this entire situation out. Hush now ... come on, you need to calm down ... that's it, take deep breaths ... slow your breathing," Esme cooed into my ear.

"I am sorry; I shouldn't have lost it like that."

"It is understandable, son. We all have our moments. I can honestly say that I was the same last week, and I am sure that Mom breaks down every now and then, don't you, dear?" The love in Carlisle's eyes was shining through Esme's. "We understand totally. Now back to the subject at hand. Are you one hundred percent sure of this, Edward? You really want to give those two beautiful children up to your cousins?"

"I am and am not sure, if that make sense. If I had a partner or I was married, then I would not have a problem, but I am alone, and they need more than I can give them. I can't be both parents. I have tried this past week and a half, and I have failed. What else can I do?"

"Okay, well then, the only thing left to do is talk to Emmett, Jasper, Rose and Alice. See which one will be willing to take them in." Esme said.

I watched both Mom and Dad nod as they looked at each other.

"I will go and get Ben and Tia, and we can talk about this tomorrow night at dinner when everyone is here," I said.

I got up and stretched. We had been sitting there for a few hours, and I was stiff. I hugged both of them and went to the door.

"Thank you for listening to me; I hope this all works out for the best."

Esme came and kissed my cheek again, "So do we dear."

~~~***~~~T H~~~***~~~

Carlisle POV

I walked back to my office after Edward had left. I couldn't believe that he had given up so easily. I understood that he was hurting, but there was no way any of us were going to let him give up those children without realizing what he was actually trying to give up.

Jasper had come to me after the reading of the wills and expressed his and Alice's worries. I knew that it was valid at the time and watching Edward with Ben and Tia though the week, I thought he would be wrong. I guess that they knew more than I did. I really thought that Edward would stand up and take his place as a man and father. But I see that he is still a child when things don't go his way.

Esme and I had talked about this. If this situation ever arose, we had a contingency plan. It was now time to call everyone over for an emergency meeting, and hopefully, everyone will stand his or her ground against Edward. Better make the calls and get everyone over here.

An hour later, everyone showed up, and we had the kids settled in the movie room. We were now all sitting in the lounge room with coffee; everyone's demeanor was different. Esme looked like she was in mother mode, Rosalie looked disappointed, Alice looked worried, Jasper looked sad and Emmett looked like he was about ready to go and rip Edward's head off, he was beyond angry.

"Firstly, thank you for coming on such short notice and for allowing me to disrupt your night. We all know why we are here; Edward came to your mom and me, telling us that he wants to give up his guardianship of Ben and Tia. He wants both of the kids to stay in the family and is looking at asking one of you two. We asked him why and the answers ranged from him being a mom and dad, the kids did not like him, he was not good enough to be there for them, and the list went on." There were notable gasps from Rose and Alice.

"Are you serious, he thinks he is not good for them, why would he think this?" Alice asked me.

I explained everything Edward had told me, that he was questioning himself to the point that he had talked himself out of ever being the man that anyone would love. By the time I had finished, all the ladies had tears running down their faces, and Jasper and Emmett looked like they were not far off.

"I don't want to sound like an ass, Mom and Dad, but Edward really needs to start learning his self-worth. For heaven's sake, he is given offers for better jobs every day. He has the ladies throwing themselves at him, even though some of them are not what you call mother material, I am sure one of them would be able to make an honest man out of him. If he would just opened his heart and try a true relationship," Emmett stated.

"I understand this, Emmett, but I have a feeling he's closed himself off to ever being hurt again, the way he did after his parents died. He had no one when they passed. Alec had just met Jane so she was able to help him through it. You all had each other. If you think about it, Edward really had no one. I see why he did it as well; he never wants to feel that pain again, and now with what has happened to Alec and Jane–I have a bad feeling that he will even close himself off to us, if we let him," Carlisle stated.

Everyone nodded in agreement with me. I am sure that they could see this coming.

"My plan is that all you agree not to take the kids. We all have to stand strong on this! I believe that if we force him to really think about what he has to do, he will do it. I doubt he will try and find someone outside the family to take the kids. If he does, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. What are your thoughts?" I asked, because I was curious what everyone had to say.

Rose was the first to speak. "I really do hope that we are going to do the right thing here. I think Edward will act like a caged lion with its back up against the wall. I know he is going to be angry and pissed at us all, but I am sure if we all help him get through this, he will love those children like his own."

"I agree with my Rosie, but I think I'm going to say that he will look outside the family to find someone. He is lost and struggling, and he will do anything to get himself out of this position. I also feel there is more behind this that he is not telling us. My gut is telling me that he's not able to look at those two kids without seeing his whole family. One he doesn't have anymore, and that kills him more than having to look after them."

I had never thought of what Emmett had just said. He would see his brother and father everyday he looked at Ben, his face was a splitting image of them. This would be killing him on a whole other level that I am sure he had not even realized it himself.

"Jasper what are your thoughts?" I asked.

"I'm going to go out the box here. I agree with Emmett, but I also feel that he will without hesitation find someone to adopt or foster those kids. I also have a feeling that he will end up finding true love from this. I told Alice the day Edward left here with the kids that this is all happened for a reason. Edward is supposed to take this road, and we are only going along for the ride with him. We have to understand we can't manipulate this too much. This is Edward's path, and we have to watch him take it and realize that there is happiness for him at the end. It happened to all of us, now it is Edward's turn to find his path. We have to make sure that he is opened to it."

"Very philosophical of you there, professor," Emmett said laughing.

"Emmett, we listened to your opinion, and now you will do the same with Jasper's. What he said is true. We all had to find our road and walk down it; Edward is still trying to find the right one... it is taking him a little longer than the rest of us," Esme said.

"I just don't want the children to suffer in all of this madness of Edward's, I understand where all of you are coming from, but I'm not sure I can sit aside and watch Edward hurt these children any more than they are already hurting. That is just selfish on our behalf, when it would just be easier to take them in."

"Alice honey, we can't do that. Edward has to grow up and take responsibility for this. He has to look after Tia and Ben. They are HIS responsibility; you don't think I know that we would do a better job at raising them? You don't think I know that Emmett and Rosalie would be better as well? But we can't. Edward needs to finish something more than just his studies and finding the perfect job. He has been dead for too long, and he needs to wake up and live again. These kids will do that for him. He will realize that he loves them and is able to allow them into his heart. He needs to break the walls down, darling, and I hate to say it, but Ben and Tia will do that, as long as we all stick to our guns." Jasper said as he looked into Alice's eyes and pleaded with her to understand.

"I don't like this, Jasper Cullen, but I will stand by my family. So help me God – if he ruins those kids, I will hold you responsible."

"I will let you kick my ass from here all the way to Mexico and back again, baby." Jasper pulled Alice into a strong hug.

"So we are all on the same page then. We'll try to get Edward to realize that he needs to keep the kids, and if that fails, we come up with a contingency plan."

I looked around the room, and everyone nodded. I was glad that we had this discussion without Edward. What the rest of the family didn't know was that I was already working on the 'contingency plan.' I really hope I don't have to use it.

Authors Notes:

Well there you go, a little more into the mind of Edward Cullen and his family. I am sorry this is a little late. I would like to apologise to you all for this lateness. I know that real life enters our lives but I have to say that when it involves a family member and getting them help… well lets just say, when you are the only one that can deal with him and the rest of your family are either out of the country or don't want to deal with it, it can be very tiring.

I thought I had him, but let just say it took a little longer than I thought. But yesterday, I was happy that he took the help he needed and I can breath a sigh of relief. So I thank you for your patients.

I hope you like this chapter. Let me know what you think, next chapter in two and a half weeks.

Fiorella