Disclaimer: Don't own anything Twilight. It's all yours, Stephenie.

a/n- katiemcullen here…Why is it that my updates are ALWAYS late? I just suck at life, I suppose! I'll make it easy on you, just blame me. Onward…

"Goodbye, my almost lover,
Goodbye, my hopeless dream,
I'm trying not to think about you,
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance,
My back is turned on you,
Should've known you'd bring me heartache,
Almost lovers always do."

-"Almost Lover"

A Fine Frenzy

Edward P.O.V.

It was the day after Christmas, and it had felt like forever since I had seen Bella. I was hoping she went through with her promise.

We were all here and getting ready for our "mid-afternoon dinner" as Alice and Esme were calling it.

I was in charge of the bruschetta and bread…or whatever the hell this stale, bread/cracker thing was. I tried some, it wasn't half bad, it just couldn't make up its mind.

Before that, I had slaved all day preparing the turkey. From the nasty stuffing of it with vegetables, to the incessant basting, I had seen enough of this damn turkey for a while. I was surprised that Alice allowed me to do it this year, because that is normally her territory, actually everything was her territory. Rosalie would help here and there, but she normally kept Emmett company. Jasper attempted to help Alice where he could, and Esme oversaw the production, making sure her designer kitchen wasn't going up in flames.

"Jasper, you officially suck at cutting the cheese!" Alice chirped as she flitted through the kitchen.

Jasper busted out laughing, and gripped his side in his fit of laughter.

"Do you realize what you just said, Al?" Jasper chuckled.

Alice smirked and wound the towel into a whip and whacked Jasper across the ass. She was wearing her apron, which she made me wear a matching one. They had our names embroidered on them, Esme had given them to us when we were younger, trying to entice us to help her in the kitchen so we could wear them. Emmett had one too, but he rarely used it. He was more of the consumer than the chef.

"Shut up, Jasper! You know I'm right. There isn't a single good slice here. Look—" she argued her point by picking up a completely butchered piece of cheese. "You're like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, except with cheese."

"Well, I am from Texas," he retorted.

My sister playfully smacked his head before giving Jasper a kiss.

Alice took the reigns on the rest of the hors d'oeuvres, considering we couldn't even do it properly…or to Alice's OCD standards. I only hoped that the turkey would be okay.

"So, Edward, are you excited about Bella coming?" she asked me quizzically.

I smiled as my sister mentioned Bella's name. "I suppose I am," I said wholeheartedly.

I was very excited to finally have Bella back. She can see our home, and where we lived just before going to school in La Jolla.

We heard the doorbell ring and Alice jumped, threw off her apron and immediately rushed into the foyer. I was right behind her, apron already on the floor.

"Bella!" Alice squealed, as I watched my sister pull a smiling Bella into a death-grip embrace.

"I missed you too, Alice," Bella gasped.

Her cheeks were flushed from the cold weather. Her hair was pulled back away from her face. She looked beautiful. She had quite a few bags spilling from her grip.

"Merry Christmas, Bella," I said to her quietly.

She smiled. "Merry Christmas, Edward." she returned.

I gave her a small peck on the cheek.

I grabbed some of the presents from her hands and went to put them under the tree.

"Iz!" Emmett called from the stairs.

"Em!" she giggled. "It's so nice to see you!"

Emmett bounded down the steps, like a loud thunder roaring through the air. He squeezed Bella tightly, and lifted her off the ground. He took her coat and went back upstairs.

"I missed ya, womb-mate!" Emmett chuckled upon his swift return, draping his arm over Bella's shoulder.

"Bella, it's wonderful to see you again," Esme said kindly, as she entered the foyer.

"Oh, Esme, I love the decorations!" Bella exclaimed, as she walked over to my side. Her eyes were darting around the room, probably trying to take in the holiday decor. I placed my arm around her waist, and hugged her to my side. Her form stiffened beside me. Maybe she hasn't broken the news to Jacob yet. I wasn't about to pressure her. She was probably just waiting until after Christmas. There was no use in raising hell during the holidays.

"Alice was a little upset that she couldn't plan it this year," my mother smiled.

Carlisle started down the steps, a smile on his face. He always enjoyed the holiday season.

"Dad! It's so on! Guitar Hero battle, right now!" Emmett yelled as he rushed past us and into the family room, the home of his video games.

My father appeared, he had been busy doing some extra paperwork in his study so he could take a few days off.

"I'll be right with you, Emmett," he added, "Ah, Bella. How are you? Edward has told me that your first semester went smoothly," Carlisle noted.

"Yes, it went very well, thank you. I'm just glad that I have some time off now."

She quietly shifted beside me as Alice bounded through the doorway.

"Bella, we have some hors d'oeuvres in the dining room when you're ready," Alice announced.

Rosalie walked in. "Carlisle, Emmett is waiting for you, he's getting impatient," she chuckled.

Whatever stick was up her ass magically disappeared during the holidays. It was almost as if she was a different person.

"Hey Bella, I must say, Alice made her bruschetta the other day. It was fabulous. Try some," Rosalie added.

And she was decent to Bella. Who was this person?

"Some things never change, especially Emmett's impatience." Carlisle said to Rosalie before they left the room.

We made our way into the dining room, and Bella grabbed herself a plate. I watched as Alice promptly dropped her cheese and crackers on the floor. Her lips were slightly parted, and it looked like Alice was about to vomit.

"Bella, what is that ring on the fourth finger of your left hand?" Alice interrogated, her eyes widening.

"Um…I…well…you see—" Bella fumbled for words.

"You're engaged?!" Alice screeched, promptly dropping her cheese and cracker on the floor before tackling Bella.

Holy fuck.

I swear the room tilted. To the right…to the left…

The diamond on her finger taunted me. It practically laughed at me. I couldn't even look at it.

I gripped onto the table for stability as Alice and Bella chatted. My vision blurred multiple times. I was never a fainter, Alice was pelting her with questions more detailed than I even wanted to know. What was that called, the four C's of purchasing a ring?

Had I heard this engagement announcement clearly?

What rhymes with engagement?

She always could've said she put Jacob in a cage in the basement. That seems to work.
"Well, I mean. Jake proposed last night…" Bella started.

Unfortunately, I had heard that perfectly. Jacob was roaming wild. My eyes darted to the ring once again, as Alice held Bella's hand in hers, giving the ring a proper inspection.

Bella was engaged. To Jacob.

When the fuck did this happen? Wait, I knew that last night or so she claimed. I talked to her last night, on the phone. When she was at the Clearwaters' or whatever…

Before I knew it, the room was flooded with everyone. Conversation was buzzing around me about Bella and her recent engagement.

"And then I said 'yes'…" she explained for the fourth time to Esme, Alice and Rosalie all gushed over the damn ring.

"I think I'll go get some more cheese," I said, flustered.

Was it hot in here?
I rushed out the kitchen door that led to the patio. The freezing afternoon air seemed to take my mind off of the matter at hand. Or the matter on Bella's hand.

There was a heavy planter that rested on the edge of the wooden railing.

I threw all my force into it as I watched the planter tumble off the deck. It hit the cold ground with a deafening crack.

I dug my fingers into the wooden balcony.

I wasn't going to cry. I wanted to fucking scream.
I forced the heels of my hands into my eye sockets, hoping to relieve some stress, or at least wake myself up from this sick nightmare.

But it was no nightmare.
It was my life.

Her words haunted my mind.

"I chose you, Edward, I want to be with you."

Fucking lie.

Was everything a lie? Did she play me? Edward Cullen was never the loser in a game. Oh, no. I never got the short end of the stick…until now.

I heard the door open and close behind me.

"Edward…" Esme's voice softly floated behind me.

"Mom, I'm alright."

"Where did that planter go?" my mother questioned. She peered over the railing and gasped. "You have to learn to control your temper."

"I'm sorry, I'll replace it. I was just so angry…she chose me, mom! That ring…on her finger is supposed to be from me!" I cried, my arms flailing animatedly to prove my point.

"I'm sorry, but I don't recall you buying a ring, son."

"That's not what I meant, I just thought that maybe one day…"
"Edward, we can talk about this later. I'm sure we all have something to say about this surprise. Until then, you have to man up and congratulate Bella. She looked at you for some sort of approval, Edward, and all you did was chicken out to get cheese!"

"I'm sorry, mom…"

"Don't tell me you're sorry, there is a lovely woman waiting in there to hear you congratulate her on her engagement. While I am more than positive you are crushed right now, she is buzzing with excitement. The least you could do is say congratulations, and smile. Everyone else has," she explained. "Put on a brave face for her, Edward, for your Bella."

I really didn't need to know that Bella was buzzing with excitement, that was the last thing I wanted to hear right now. How about tortured, guilty, sick to her stomach from lying to me? Clearly those emotions were not showing.

Sometimes, mother knows best. Her words may have stung a little, but they are what I needed to hear. Then again, the only person who I would allow to talk to me like that would be my mother.

"Alright, Edward?"

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too, Edward."

We walked back inside and as Esme went downstairs, I headed for the dining room to talk to Bella. I wasn't going to talk, per se, I was going to congratulate, and mask my pain.

I took one look at Bella and I wanted to automatically make a beeline for the door again.

She was sitting at the table, conversing with Rosalie about wedding plans and their various likes and dislikes. I was the only one in here besides Rose and Bella, making it that much annoying when they didn't see me.

"Well, I think roses would be fitting for when you get married, Rosalie," Bella informed her.

"I know, they would be so perfect!" Rosalie replied.

Bella's gaze caught mine, and I realized at that very moment, that I was the person who's approval she needed. This was getting beyond sick.

"I'm going to go see if they need help in the kitchen…" Rosalie excused, making a quick exit.

I could definitely tell that everyone was hovered on the opposite side of the door, listening to every movement we made, every word we would exchange. Carlisle probably had his stethoscope.

"Well, congratulations, Bella," I said rather nicely, despite my sour mood.

She smiled—it resembled a grimace to my eyes.

She nodded her head slowly. "Thank you, Edward."

And that was that. No apologies, no "we'll work this out" speech. Absolutely positively nothing on the fact that she chose me. And now she's engaged. Perfect.

"Coming through!" Alice chimed as she swiftly busted through the swinging door between the kitchen and the dining room. She had the roasted turkey in her hands, it was nearly the size of her, and she daintily bounced to the table.

"Smells delicious, Alice," Bella complimented.

"Oh, don't compliment me, Bella. It was all Edward's doing…" she noted. "And if it smells as good as it will taste, then we're in for a real treat."

Go Alice!

Alice gently smiled at me, I realized she was asking me if I was okay. I guess it was a part of our twin thing. We could just shoot each other a simple glance—no words necessary—and know exactly what the other means. Esme smiled, she knew us so well. When we were younger, Alice and I used to even have our own language. I'm sure one of our conversations are stowed away on home video somewhere.

I went to sit down as far away from Bella as possible.

"Edward, there are place cards, please sit in your seat," Emmett chided me, smacking me on the head. "By the way, you're soiling my spot."

"Alright, Emmett, calm down," Carlisle added as he came into the room. He had the salad in his hands.
Between everyone else who was in the kitchen, spying on Bella's and my conversation, I had been preoccupied with exactly how hungry I was. Most people eat their internal organs to fat when they're upset, but me, I'm more of a starver. Being upset nauseates me, and I can't even breathe, or think or even act normally. It's never a great experience.

I searched for my place at the table, which ended up being next to Bella. How great.

We were all served our food. I wasn't the least bit hungry, but everyone else seemed to be. I just pushed my food around on my plate. I took a couple of bites after many worried glances from Esme, and a few from Carlisle. I had to admit, my turkey was very good. It was perfectly seasoned with the intense blend of spices I used, and it was cooked to perfection. The entire meal was wonderful, but I really had no appetite to eat.

"Edward, this turkey is absolutely perfect!" Esme exclaimed.

"It's ike a awgahum im my mouf!" Emmett cried, his mouth stuffed with the contents of his plate.

"What did he say?" Bella wondered curiously.

"Who knows…" Rosalie chimed in.

"Edward, you were right about the turkey. You did have it under control," Alice noted with an impressed look on her face.

I felt like everyone was staring at me, like I should say something. They were staring at me, just waiting for me to scream, go get cheese, or make a scene over this engagement thing. Except I was intending to do the exact opposite. I was going to be okay. Or at least pretend I am okay, whichever comes first.

"Thank you," I barely said. "I must say, I worked hard on it."

"Well, it tastes wonderful, dear," Esme complimented as she passed the basket full of bread to Carlisle.

There was an elephant in the room. And everyone was doing their best to ignore it.

This meal has been terribly painful so far. I actually believe that I have a headache from all of this, my head has a pulse. I can't even glance over at Bella. She was laughing to Alice about some old Christmas memories.

My ears perked when I heard my name mentioned.
"And then I bought Edward his penguin slippers!" Alice exclaimed before sipping her iced tea. "I was perusing the aisles of Target and I saw them, and nearly collapsed. I knew he would like them."

"Clearly he did," Bella said softly.

"Well, if it weren't for those penguin slippers, you certainly would've sliced your feet open," I noted.
"What?" the entire table questioned in unison as they focused their gazes on me.

"Explain. Pronto," Alice demanded, her eyes searching mine and Bella's face for a clue.

"What happened was—" Bella began just before I cut her off.

Hasn't she done enough damage just talking? I gazed at those very lips that had uttered the word that sealed her fate not even a day ago.

"It was more like, those two—" I explained, nodding to Alice and Bella "were up at three in the morning—"

"Excuse me, Edward. We were going shopping!" Alice interjected. "On Black Friday!"

"Alright, whatever. Point is, I broke a mug because of Edward. So he had a right to come and save me with his penguin slippers. He was obligated to," Bella said nastily, pretty much crushing any traces of our relationship.

Breathe, Cullen. You should never hit a lady, no matter what the hell she does to you. Even if she embarrasses you in front of your whole family, completely forgetting your relationship.

I clenched my fists under the table, and dug my fingers into my palms.

I slowly breathed in and out, trying to control my temper. My emotions were now fully clawing at my insides like a demon being exorcised.

Carlisle flicked his eyes at me, which was a major sign to just breathe and calm down.

I looked around the table, and everyone was basically finished with their meals. There were still remnants of food on my plate, but it wasn't too excessive.

Cleanup came and went, and we were all seated beside the tree exchanging gifts.

Bella started the gift giving process.

"This is for Carlisle and Esme," Bella announced while sliding a rather large, flat box wrapped in silver paper across the carpet.

I love how she is trying so hard to be the good girl right now, when the damage was already done. It's like she believes that sucking up to my family with gifts is going to smooth over this engagement. She is dead wrong.

Esme picked it up and brought it over to her and Carlisle. She lifted the wrapping paper and it revealed a frame. It was a frame with three pictures.
Esme held it up for everyone to see.

The picture in the middle was the largest, and it was of the five of us on Thanksgiving. We were all sitting in the main room of our dorm, and were smiling. It was our tradition to take pictures on holidays of our family. That picture was black and white.

There were two other photographs that really caught my eye. One was of Emmett, Carlisle and me when I was probably four years old. We had gone fishing that day at the pond by our house. All I really recall from that experience was how ungodly hot it was. Also, I remember catching our fish and holding them up as the picture was taken. The third picture was of Alice and Esme, during the same trip. They were lounging in chairs under the umbrella. Alice was smiling wide, wearing a bikini and sunglasses. Esme was holding her in her lap and softly smiling.
I hadn't seen these pictures in forever.

"I had a little help from Alice," Bella admitted.

By the time most of the gifts were open Bella had received a closet organizer and a Pandora bracelet from Alice and Jasper. Rosalie and Emmett decided to give Bella a German dictionary and Rosalie picked out a pair of Ugg Moccasins for her. In return Bella gave everyone their presents. I inhaled deeply as I found that my gift was the last one she'd be giving. I had to give her mine.

"Edward," Bella started to say. "I left your present at school, because I really wanted to give it to you in private."

"Same," I blurted out even before her words sunk in. She could've told me that my present was a lethal injection, it didn't matter. I was just going to stay on somewhat decent terms until we could sort this out privately.

"Alright, well I hate to leave, but I better get back before the roads ice over again," Bella said softly.

"Iz, I could always give you a ride!" Emmett offered loudly. We all knew his big Jeep can handle anything that got in its way.

Rosalie shot him a don't-get-into-it glare.

Bella smiled. "Thank you, Emmett, really. I just better get home now."

Yeah, she really should, before I have an aneurysm.

Bella said her goodbyes to everyone, and like usual, I was the last one.

"Goodbye, Bella," I said brokenly as I encircled her petite frame with my arms. I breathed in her scent, and relished in every aspect that made her unique. I softly stroked her dark hair with my fingers, feeling it against my fingertips brought back such vivid memories. Those memories were gone now, they would never happen again, and I would have to deal with that.

"Goodbye, Edward," Bella whispered into my shoulder.

I had a feeling that she was saying that in more ways than one.

a/n- Well there you have it…Edward's crushed. This will be interesting now, won't it?

Reviews help kick my motivationally challenged ass into gear!

Anyone wanna guess what Emmett said when his mouth was full? Anyone?