Hey, people! I have to say that I'm a little disappointed that you guys didn't beat the review count (29), although it was kinda close (26). And sadly Edward doesn't get to do the disclaimer for this chapter, but he did reply to everyone reviewed. He actually had some fun with that too.

A few anouncements

ilovemclife and Marchen Awakens Romance are my top reviewers. ilovemclife usually has the longest reviews and MAR has the best threats to get me to update sooner and she's also my bff and she's kept going through my recently hard times...

musica115 made my day with the compliments on my writing skills and my story, 'feels like reading a book' is what she said. Thanks for that review!

waiting4haykin had the longest review I've EVER gotten for any chapter of this story. It was about three long paragraphs long! And I want to dedicate this chapter to her because she was upset that she just missed being my 200th reviewer by a few minutes and she reviewed twice! And in answer to your question about the pancakes, Esme had already made them. she just put them in the oven to keep them from getting cold while she made the rest of the breakfast. My brother does that when he makes them.

Dev, HELO i'm lyndzy lohan DEMANDED more. That review made me laugh so hard I had a few tears.

Jane Austen Fan had the second longest review for this chapter.

Thank you all! I love you all! You guys make my heart swell with joy! As always my beta, BellaTonks rules!

Enough of my rambling, now read on!

Disclaimer:"Read on, guys! Reader4Lyfe owns nothing. She tries very hard to get ownership, though. I ALWAYS prevail! hehehe" S.M.

Chapter 14

BPOV

"That was delicious. Esme, I might have to steal your recipes," I said.

Everyone chuckled. The food was unbelievable. I really liked the mac 'n 'cheese and the candied yams.

Emmett told stupid jokes that sometimes earned him a slap on the back of the head or a glare from someone at the table. Esme told some cute baby stories about Edward and he actually blushed a few times. I couldn't help but laugh at those stories.

Edward held my hand under the table because I was a little nervous, at first, to be around them. Even though I'd already met them, I was still nervous because I was in their house, eating their food and dating their youngest son. Who wouldn't be nervous!

The guys cleaned up the table when we all finished eating.

"Bella, would you like a tour of the house?" Esme asked.

"I thought Edward was going to do that."

Esme smiled at me.

"He thought it'd be a better idea if I did it."

It didn't sound bad.

"Sure, why not." I said as she helped me up. Alice and Rose were in their own little world, looking at some fashion magazine I couldn't see the name of.

Esme took my arm in hers and led me out of the dining room to the living room. I put most of my weight on her since I didn't get my crutch. I was in a little pain, but I didn't want to say anything because it wasn't excruciating. And I didn't want to ruin the moment.

I saw the off white couches and love seats surrounding a glass table in the living room. There was a flat screen T.V. mounted on a wall in front the couches. The carpet was the same off white and the walls were white. It looked so bright and homey and spacious. It was so open.

To our left there was a winding staircase that led up to one floor. Opposite that was a regular staircase that led up to other floors.

"Wow. I've never been in a house like this," I breathed.

Esme chuckled next to me. "I decorated it myself. It took a while, but I got it done."

"You did all of this?" I looked at her, eyebrows raised.

"Yes. It was fun." She chuckled, remembering something. "Carlisle stays away from me when I get into a decorating frenzy. He thinks that it unleashes a monster. It reminds him of how Alice gets when she's shopping." I had to laugh at that.

We continued walking through the house.

Just past the living room was the den. It had a beautiful white piano. It was surrounded by floor to ceiling windows that let the moonlight in. It reflected off the piano and paraded around the room.

"This is beautiful," I said.

"It's Edward's."

I turned to look at her.

"Edward can play the piano?"

"Oh, yes. He's wonderful. Maybe we can get him to play for you, later on," she whispered. I smiled at her.

She led me up the winding staircase to a room that was filled with books. It was their personal library.

"Carlisle, Edward and I use this room. We all like to read and this is easier than going to a library. They stocked it themselves."

"I think I might have to move in with you guys." Esme laughed again. It reminded me of Edward's laugh, just more feminine.

We made our way to the other staircase. On the second floor she pointed out Alice's room and Emmett's room. There was a guest room further down the hall that she pointed out, and it had its own bathroom. There were two other bathrooms on that level too.

On the third floor she pointed out hers and Carlisle's room and his study and then Edward's room at the end of the hall. Their bathroom was in their room. Edward's bathroom was across from his room.

The walls were wooden, like Maplewood. It looked soft and smooth.

"I really like your house. It's really beautiful."

"Thank you."

I ran my fingers along the walls. It really was as soft and smooth as it looked.

"He really likes you, you know," Esme said. I turned to look at her and leaned against the wall so I wouldn't put so much weight on my ankle.

"You think so?"

"Of course, you should've seen the way he was looking at you during dinner. He was practically glowing."

I blushed and looked down at the floor. Esme placed a finger under my chin and lifted it so my eyes could meet hers.

"He really likes you. He may even love you. More than you know." I looked into her eyes and it was like she could see right through me, like she could see everything that happened to me. I knew she didn't know about my past, but I couldn't help but think she knew something.

It was unnerving at first, but then with the way she eyed me; with such compassion and love that I was momentarily stunned.

"L -love me?" I choked out. I didn't think he could. I didn't think it possible.

"Yes, but that's just what I see of him when he looks at you. That's something you'll have to figure out on your own; that is if you truly want to believe it. All I can say right now is to just trust him and everything will be okay."

"Thank you, Esme," I managed to get out. I was on the verge of tears. I tried to hold them back, but they didn't want to stay back.

Esme pulled me in for a hug and rubbed circles on my back. She held me for a minute while I cried on her shoulder.

"It's okay, sweetie," she said soothingly.

"Making my girlfriend cry, Mom, how could you?" Edward said in mock horror from behind us. Hearing him say that I was his girlfriend made my heart flutter. I smiled and pulled away from Esme.

She gave me a light squeeze before I got too far away from her. "Just remember, Bella, we're here for you and we love you," she whispered in my ear. Then she turned to Edward.

She smiled as she looked at him. "Oh, shush, Edward," she said. She kissed him on the cheek and patted his shoulder as she made her way to the stairs.

He didn't ask about what happened between his mother and I and I was grateful. He just smiled.

"Would you like to see my room?" Edward asked as he walked towards me.

"Sure." I smiled at him. I wiped what was left of the tears from my face. Edward gave me a look, but brushed it off so quickly, that I thought I'd imagined it.

He walked past me and opened a door that was behind me. I walked in and my breath caught for what felt like the millionth time tonight.

The walls were covered in golden cloth and the comforter on his huge bed was the same. There was a leather couch off to the side of it. The wall to left of me was covered in CD's. Geez, how much music can one guy have, I thought. A different stereo was placed in the middle of it than the one back at school.

The back wall had a huge window in the middle of it with black curtains on either side. They swayed all the way down to the floor. The gold and black ensemble gave the room a nice ambience.

"Do you like it?" Edward asked from the door way.

"Very much so," I said in awe.

He beamed.

I wobbled over to the leather couch and sat down. I gazed out the huge window, looking at the grass and the trees outside. They swayed slightly in the unfelt and unseen breeze. They seemed more gray than green in the light of moon.

I thought about telling Esme and Carlisle. The way Esme looked at me; it was as if she could see right through me. Like she could see pass all my flaws, my bad parents and the life I had; but I knew she couldn't.

They all made me feel like I was part of the family. I felt like I was where I belonged. Or at least that's what my mind was telling me.

Edward pulled me into his lap as he sat down.

"What are you thinking about?" He whispered around my neck.

A spark of electricity ran down my spine. It radiated through my arms and my chest. I took a ragged breath before answering him.

"Your family," I admitted.

"My family, what about them?" His arms snaked around my waist. I leaned into him, reveling in his warmth.

"I saw the way they enjoyed each other's company. They didn't fight. I watched you guys at the table. You were laughing and talking and having fun. I've never had that. I was feeling so insignificant and out of place at first, but then as I was included in your conversations I felt . . . loved."

"You should've. You deserve to be loved."

I sighed, not really believing him. The feeling was overwhelming, but I understood it ... barely. My mother gave whatever love, which Charlie didn't destroy, to me. After all those years she still put up with him because of me.

It was hard to think of her while I was here and she was there. I didn't like leaving her alone, but Charlie would've surely done something if I resisted leaving. I wanted my having to leave to be as pain free for her as I did for myself.

"I'm not sure I do," I sighed again.

"No!" He sounded angry. But I didn't have time to dwell on that because I was suddenly on my back on the couch. Edward was looming over me. His green eyes piercing mine to no end.

"Don't think like that, Bella. Don't talk like that. You deserve to be loved more than anyone I know. After everything you've been through and after everything you've put up with, you couldn't deserve anything less."

I shook my head. I couldn't believe him. I tried to, with everything I had, but it wouldn't work. Charlie destroyed me. He destroyed my resolve and ability to love anyone.

Of course I loved my mother, but I didn't think I was capable of a love outside of that. Charlie broke me, scarred me, hurt me.

How can someone as wonderfully beautiful, smart, and talented and caring as Edward, want someone as broken, mangled, and destroyed as me?

It made no sense to me.

Edward's emerald eyes stared down at me. They were scorching like fire. I couldn't help but be stunned and frozen by it.

As I stared back into his eyes, I managed to pick the emotions that were running past them and his face at the same time.

Compassion, care, happiness and … love?

Yes.

It was love.

Love.

One word … one simple word.

As I stared at him, I could feel my skin burning. Not the way it burned when I blushed, but burning as if it were on fire from the electric current that I felt flowing through me. And all that just from staring into his eyes!

But then I thought.

What if…?

What if he did love me? What if he loved me, not in the way that my mother did, but in a way that he could never, ever hurt me? What if I could love him back? What if he was with me for the love and not the pity I was so used to getting from people that saw my bruises and scars and broken bones.

I felt like I could trust him. My mind told me to trust him, that he could never, would never betray me and break what was left of my heart. But I was still unsure. I was unsure about a lot of things lately. Maybe if I take Esme's advice…

"Tell me, Edward," I whispered.

"Tell you what?" His bronze brows furrowed the tiniest bit, confusion written on his face.

"Tell me why I should be loved. Tell me why you should care so much for someone so broken and destroyed. Tell me-"

He stopped me with his lips. It wasn't a kiss he'd given before. It was like he was trying to tell me something, like he was putting a message into the kiss that only I could decipher.

He pulled back slowly…oh so slowly. His eyes were smoldering probably matching mine.

"Because you put up with that bastard," he kissed me again. "Because even after everything he put you through, you're still standing." Kiss. "Because you have people here for you," Kiss. "With you," Kiss. "And you have me." He kissed me longer this time.

My arms went up around his neck. I ignored the pain in my elbow.

I have him.

I have him.

Him.

It wouldn't register for a long minute … a long, long minute.

Edward.

"And I love you," he said, his soft lips dancing against mine.

Me.

Me?

Love me.

Loves me?

He loves me.

He loves me?

Edward.

He kissed me again, but I pulled back reluctantly.

"Y-you love me?" I gasped.

"From the moment I saw you I knew there was something about you. Something drew me to you. I know it's been a short time; only two months, but I couldn't help it. Your blush, your smile, big brown eyes, soft brown hair; I love it all. I want it all."

I felt like I was going to explode with glee. There was something out there for me, but it wasn't out there anymore. It was here, right in front of me.

"Isabella," Edward said as he ran the back of fingers down my face.

I felt my face become really hot and Edward chuckled. He leaned in to kiss me, but then he jumped at the sound of giggles from the doorway.

"You guys should've closed the door," Alice giggled again.

We looked up and everyone was there including his parents. My face was on fire. Edward leaned up into a sitting position pulling me on his lap again.

"Whatever, Alice," Edward said.

"They're such a cute couple! Someone go get my camera!" Esme squealed.

Carlisle smiled a knowing smile and shook his head. Emmett laughed and Jasper rolled his eyes. Rosalie clapped her hands.

"Finally, I was beginning to think I would have to step in and do something," Alice said, smiling.

She seemed to be hiding something but ignored it and turned so I could bury my face in Edward's chest. His arms stayed around my waist.

"Emmett is never going to let us live this down," I whispered to Edward.

His chest vibrated as he laughed. "Don't worry, love. I'll get him for you." He kissed my ear. I shivered.

"Well, Edward, Bella, we're leaving. It's late and we have school," Alice said.

"Alright, we'll see you guys, later." Edward said.

I turned to wave at them and smile. Just as I did that there was a snap and a bright light.

"I got it! This is going in the family photo album as soon as possible," Esme squealed again.

Oh no, I thought. I hate pictures. Edward laughed again, as did everyone else. My blushing just kept on going.

I hid my face in his chest again. I heard some shuffling and some murmurs.

"Bella, love, would you like to stay here or go back?"

"Stay here?" I looked at him.

"Yes, where else?" He chuckled.

"What about-"

"Don't worry about it, Bella. We're happy to have you here. You can stay if you like," Esme said from the door.

"But I wouldn't want to intrude. This-"

"Really, it's no problem. We enjoy your company," Carlisle said with a warm smile.

"Thank you."

Edward's arms tightened around my waist some. I saw Esme and Carlisle begin to leave, but Esme stopped.

"Oh and Bella," she said

"Yes?"

"Alice left you some things in her room. I can get them for you if you'd like."

"Its fine, Esme, I'll do it."

"Okay. Good night." She left.

"I'll walk you to her room," Edward said helping me up.

Alice had left me some clothes to wear. I knew they were hers. The designer labels had said enough. I saw the nightgown she put out and my eyes bulged. It was black and lacey and it looked like it stopped mid-thigh.

I am NOT wearing that. I'm going to kill Alice when I see her.

There was something else here too. I looked under the faded jeans and saw the black bag. She brought it here! Why would she bring that to her parents' house? How did she even get it if it was in Edward's room? She probably had a key or something.

This is what she was hiding. That Pixie is DEAD!

Great, now I have to tell him.

Edward got some bandages and ointment from Carlisle to put on my scratches. He gave me one of his button-down shirts and a pair of shorts to wear when I told him about the 'piece of cloth' that Alice had put out for me.

When I walked into his room his eyes were smoldering when he caught sight of me.

"You look…sexy with my clothes on." I blushed crimson and fiddled with the edge of his shirt.

With the way he was looking at me I'd never be able to show him what I needed to show him. I pulled the bag from behind me.

I closed the door and made my way over to him. I sat down next to him on the bed, but I didn't meet his eyes. I held the bag in my lap. I was clutching it so hard that my knuckles turned white and my hands started to hurt.

"Bella, what's wrong?" Edward's voice was laced with concern.

I stared down at the golden bed comforter, which suddenly became extremely interesting. I was planning on telling him tomorrow. It gave me enough to actually prepare for what I was I going to say.

"Bella, you're shaking."

"I- I want to show you something. I was hoping to do it tomorrow, but Alice brought it. I'm going to have to kill your sister tomorrow, too."

"Bella, what is it?"

I finally brought my gaze up to meet his. His green eyes bore into mine. They were filled with worry and concern. The desire that was there when I first walked in was still there, but only faintly and I saw the love he felt for me.

"Do you remember that bag I brought into my room the night I had my panic attack?"

"The first night I stayed." He smiled a little.

"Yes."

"What about it?"

"Well, I'm going to show it to you. It's not something I would normally carry around or would even have at all for that matter, but it seems that she felt the need to give to me."

"What are you talking about, Bella?"

I sighed and opened the bag slowly. I felt Edward's eye linger on my face and then move down to look in the bag.

His breath caught and he moved back.

I knew it.

He's going to leave me.

I'm going to be alone once again.

Thanks for reading, guys! I would really appreciate it if you guys could beat the review count, which is 29. I might update earlier, say tuesday instead of wednesday/thursday.

Reader4Lyfe, peace!

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