MamaTwi- So yeah, I'll be on vacation for a month and a half still. : )

Okay, no more suspense!

Onward.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. I do own Humble Bella.

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I was sitting in my room, staring blankly at the wall, feeling quite humbled and ridiculously stupid.

My father had left, yes. Edward's father was dead.

I couldn't help but wince with that thought. How blatantly insensitive I had been. I mean, when has Alice ever been wrong? She wouldn't say he had problems if he didn't.

But still. His dad was… gone. And he had to live with that. And so did his mother.

Fuck, I feel like a bag of ass.

If I were him I would've bitch slapped myself across the face.

I mean, I was somewhat lucky at least. It was still early enough for a fresh start.

If he wanted to give me one.

How had he gotten the upper hand like this?

I internally rolled my eyes at myself.

Because he actually has reason to be an ass, but he's reasonable. And now that you've pushed him too far he may never want to even look at you again.

And suddenly that seemed like a very bad thing.

I took advantage of his patience, treating him like a piece of shit for nothing but my own insecurities. And he was the one with the reason.

It sucked, to say the least.

I was lost in my own thoughts for most of the rest of the morning, just wondering how I could, and if I even wanted to, fix this.

Wasn't this what I wanted? For him to leave me alone? That's why I was being such a bitch to him?

No, this isn't what I wanted.

Around 2:00 I finally got up the nerve to try to talk to him.

I knocked softly on his door.

"Edward?" I knocked a little harder.

The door swung open, mid-knock.

His eyes were hardened in annoyance, his jaw set tensely.

"What, Bella? Come to criticize my dead father now?" He spat.

I flinched at his tone, and his words. So bitter.

"No," I said meekly. I had no idea what to say to him now.

"Can I come in?"

"No." he said.

I looked around nervously, rubbing my arm.

"What? No witty comebacks now? No insults to throw at me? I think I've been extremely patient with your unjustified prejudices. And I'm quite sure I'm done now. I think you should just leave me alone."

He tried to slam the door in my face, but I stopped him. I could only think of one thing to say.

"Edward, I'm sorry." I put as much sincerity as I could in that one apology.

His voice got a bit softer, but it became impossibly more final.

"It's a bit late for that, Isabella."

And he closed the door in my face.

***

At dinner he ate quietly, not looking at me or anyone, not speaking. Rose, Emmett, and Alice knew something had happened, but they didn't pry. After dinner Emmett and Rose went to do dishes while I cleaned the table.

Edward disappeared quickly and somber piano music could be heard floating down the stairs.

Alice sat in her chair, sipping her wine and staring at me while I wiped down the table.

"Bella, I thought you were trying to fix things. They're obviously not fixed."

I nodded quickly and glued my eyes to the table as I cleaned.

"Bella," she sighed. "How can you possibly stir up all of this trouble in the first god damn week you've been here?"

I laughed harshly, humorlessly.

"The same way I always manage to fuck something up."

Alice's expression softened. "That's not what I meant."

"No, even if it's not what you meant, it's true. My dad left because of me. Jacob fucked my best friend because of me, obviously, and I royally shat on Edward, by being a complete cunt to him without any reason!"

My voice was getting progressively louder and Emmett and Rose emerged from the kitchen warily.

I was crying now, tears streaming down my face.

"Alice, you said he had problems. Why didn't you tell me? Do you even know how- how ruthless I was to him?"

I felt strong arms hug me and realized it was Emmett. I hugged him back like he was a teddy bear and he rubbed my back in soothing circles.

After a while, I had had enough of the self pity.

I pushed Emmett away, and he looked confused.

I shook my head and dried my tears.

"No. No, I don't need your sympathy. I may be fucked up," I chuckled harshly, "But, everyone has problems.

I walked upstairs to my room, finally understanding it.

Everyone has problems.

***

I decided to leave Edward alone.

I gave him time to maybe forget what a bitch I was.

Maybe.

My studio was almost set up, Alice was a miracle worker, and it was looking beautiful.

The painting and carpeting was finished and I was ready to start hanging up some of my pieces. I felt somewhat guilty that I had been neglecting my painting and sculpting, but I had an idea for a new piece.

The grand opening was due for November 26, a little over a month away.

It had been three weeks since I'd said anything to Edward Cullen. We politely stayed out of each other's way, and it was the best thing I could do for him. I couldn't take back his first impression of me.

No matter how much I wanted to.

I had taken to listening by my door to his piano playing. It was beautiful, and it helped me decipher his mood, so in a way I was still keeping in touch with him.

Today, three weeks since he had even looked at me, his piano playing was sad.

Alice had the day off, and we sat down to lunch around one.

Rose and Emmett were at another doctor's appointment. Rosalie easily darted around my questions when I asked her what she had to do in Orange County so frequently.

Edward came down when we had almost finished and walked into the kitchen, to get food, I guessed. Alice watched him with sad eyes and he walked back to his room without even glancing up at us.

I was watching Alice warily as I ate my salad.

Finally, I gave into my curiosity and asked her.

"What's wrong with him?"

She smiled sadly.

"His mom called him this morning. It always gets him down. He hasn't been himself these past weeks anyway."

She looked at me pointedly and I cleared my throat.

I hadn't been myself either. I wasn't being a flaming twat.

Alice cleared her throat and grinned widely. "I'm bringing someone to dinner tomorrow night."

I raise my eyebrow and smiled.

"Anyone special?"

She shifted her eyes to the side playfully. "He has romantic possibilities…."

We squealed as much as appropriate, and it felt good to just be being girly with Alice.

I planned to cook something extra special for dinner tomorrow, and I told Alice so.

"Oh, I don't think he'll care what we eat Bella. He's not like that. He's very bare essentials. I should know. I designed his room."

"Alice!" I scolded playfully. "Aren't there rules about client fraternization?"

"Oh Bella," she said, smiling slyly. "I'm not worried about fraternization. It's fornication I'm after."

I smacked her playfully and made to clean up the table.

Suddenly, the front door burst open and a very excited Emmett strolled in.

"WE'VE GOT A BUN IN THE OVEN, AND I'M MAKING AN HONEST WOMAN OUT OF MY ROSIE!"

Alice and I stood in shock while Emmett grinned at us. Rosalie ran in after him, looking absolutely glowing, smiling even as she scolded him.

"Em, we said we were going to break the news gently. Gently, Emmett."

But she had a twinkle in her eyes that showed what she really felt. Alice ran forward and hugged Rosalie as gently as possible, as if she were a china doll.

I did the same.

"Oh, Rose, I'm so happy for you." And I was.

Everyone knew how much Rosalie really wanted children, she would be an amazing mother.

"So all the doctors appointments?" Alice asked.

"Fertilization experts."

Emmett frowned. "Not that I can't fertilize just fine. We just need a little bit of help."

I giggled and made a face.

"TMI, Em. TMI."

"So, I guess tomorrow night will be a celebration/introduction dinner?"

Alice nodded and proceeded to tell Rosalie about her mystery man.

I hadn't even thought to ask what his name was.

"Alice?" she looked up.

"Hmm?"

"What's his name?"

"Jasper." she smiled. "Jasper Whitlock."

A surprised laugh bubbled from my lips.

Alice gave me an inquisitive look.

"What?"

"Nothing", I said, shaking my head. "Nothing."

Small, small world.

Alice shrugged while her and Rose discussed the baby plans, and engagement plans, and planny plans.

I stood there, nodding and smiling occasionally, but my mind was somewhere else. It was unfair, that while everyone else was down here celebrating, Edward was upstairs alone.

I had already made my decision even before I made my way upstairs.

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He he. I love cliffies.

: )

Reviewww and I'll be inspired.

Love you!

-g