N/A:

X Hi, and welcome to my new story! It's related but not following the events of You Came Too Early as it is more of alternate storytelling of what would've happened had Bella followed Edward to L.A. It will make no sense if you have not read that story first, for obvious reasons (or at least, all those "then" moments from chapter 1 to 7).

X This little ficlet was born from a re-read of You Came Too Early, working from home, and insomnia. The response to the announcement of such a fic blew my mind, you guys! Thank you. Also, my plea for pre-readers has been heard and I would like to thank scienceteacher, Twifictions, and susanreader.

X I wish this was an easy, fluffy read, but... no. There is gonna be angst, imperfect characters and unstable relationships. (No cheating, though!)

I hope you enjoy.
—Kat

Disclaimers: Twilight © Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
Special thanks to cejsmom and Miss Wendy Malfoy for helping me –again– with this story.

Song: Don't Give Up On Me, by Andy Grammer.

I Would Have Come with You

Chapter 1- "Why can't you just be happy for me?"
"Because you're about to turn my life upside down," she said. –YCTE, chapter 7

BPOV

Bella glanced around with a look of uncertainty and unease on her delicate features. She shifted baby Juliet a little higher on her hip and walked towards what she guessed was a bedroom. The carpet was old and dirty, and the ceiling lamp had no lightbulb in it. She dreaded to see the state of the second bedroom – not to mention the bathroom. The kitchen was already a letdown – only a row of cabinets, with a counter and sink – and the corridor that led to the living room was dark and narrow.

"Well, this is not too bad," exclaimed Edward, overly optimistic, for it was the only two-bedroom apartment they'd visited that actually fit their budget. He looked over the cramped balcony, towards the view of the city that mostly showed the loud highway, and then down at his five-year-old daughter in his arms. "What do you think, princess?" he asked the girl.

"It stinks, Daddy."

Edward's smile fell as he turned to look over at Bella, who had just exited the bedroom. Their eyes met.

"Well, it is certainly different than the hotel we've been staying at, the first few days," she commented noncommittally.

"Mh."

Edward frowned a bit. They'd had this conversation already. Now that he had officially signed his contract with Volturi Studios, the wooing of him was pretty much over. No more grand hotels on the producer's credit card, no more parties, nor organized viewing of the city. Their move in Los Angeles was going to be entirely paid by Aro, along with any plane tickets they would need to purchase in order to ease their move and rearrange their lives, but the actual mortgage payments of their future home were going to be all theirs to absorb, and thus, it needed to be calculated within the budget Edward's income allowed.

And L.A. was expensive.

"We should go back," said Bella softly. "The girls are tired, and they'll get cranky soon."

Edward nodded, defeated. "Do you really not—"

"No, Edward," Bella interrupted him. "I really don't."

This apartment was filthy and there was no way Bella was going to move her two young daughters into such a decrepit home. She'd had to make a lot of concessions already, but this, nuh-uh. No way.

Edward sighed, but followed. The real estate agent was waiting for them outside, on the phone. He raised his eyes when they exited, and Edward only shook his head 'no'. The man then threw an exasperated glance Bella's way, knowing it was, once again, her doing. Bella ignored him, making sure Juliet was secured in her arms and twisting to get to Emma behind her. Taking her eldest daughter's hand firmly in hers, she exited the building, looking around with disdain at the unsafe neighbourhood.

"It wasn't up to madam's taste, I take it?" She heard the real estate agent ask Edward with a bit of condescension in his tone.

"It wasn't up to anyone's taste," commented Edward before the glass door closed on him, cutting the conversation he was having with the man from Bella.

Bella fought a smile; at least, Edward and she were on the same side when it came to this specific apartment.

Walking to the rental car, she installed both girls in their respective car seats while Edward said goodbye to their agent, probably asking him to organize more visits for next weekend.

Emma had a simple booster seat and she handled her belt like a champion – with Bella's praise –, but Juliet needed to be locked in properly. By the time Bella was done, Edward had arrived at her side. She gave both girls a pouch of berry applesauce, hoping that it would keep them busy and fed until supper, closed the car's door, and looked up at Edward.

"I know," he said before she could say anything. "It wasn't that great." Bella pinched her lips together in order to prevent herself from stating the obvious, but her husband noticed it and got annoyed. He passed an agitated hand in his hair. "Look, Bella, I'm trying here."

"And you think I'm not?" Bella burst out. "We visited six apartments today, Edward. And all six of them were shit! We've been living out of our luggage for days! I'm not even 25 years old yet, and I already have chronic back pain from sleeping on your sister's sofa-bed. I gave up my job, my lovely apartment, my friends and family for this! And it sucks! You're never here; you're always over at the studio. Your father is mad – understandably so – and he's not about to help us with money anytime soon; and my parents just cannot give me the same amount of money yours used to. I need to find a job for us to live comfortably again and be able to rent an apartment that is proper, but I can't as long as the girls aren't in some sort of daycare, which we cannot find as long as we do not have a home. We're going circles, and it is utter crap!"

She ended her outburst on a sob, and her husband took her into his arms, one hand on her head, holding her to his chest. "I know. I know."

Bella took a deep breath, inhaling her husband's scent, calming herself. She wasn't crying per se, she was just tired, and emotional, anxious and a bit scared. She gave up a lot to follow Edward's dream, and there hadn't been a day since April where she hadn't wondered if this was truly the right decision. They used to have a nice enough life before, comfortable; but now, this was chaos.

It had started great, she supposed. Aro Volturi's personal assistant called Edward in the middle of the night, offering him a shot. Edward had been over the moon; Bella… not so much. She had been confused and hurt – oh, how they fought that night. Bella still had shivers run down her back each time she thought about how this could've all turned out if she hadn't apologized the very next morning. That stupid ultimatum wasn't even a real one, and Edward's relief had spoken volumes; he wouldn't have chosen her. They had been this close to making the biggest mistake of their lives. Before Edward left on that plane, though, he had assured her that he would be back, and that they would talk things through and try to find a way to make it work, because she was "so important to him."

Bella guessed it was as good as it could get.

Edward had barely stayed three whole days in L.A., but he came back home with stars in his eyes and a joie de vivre that Bella hadn't known he possessed. Bella, who until then hadn't even known anything about his dream of working in the music industry, took all of his excitement in stride, even starting to share the elation Edward was feeling.

Alice was already in L.A., so this was just "perfect"! And there were many publishing houses in the city, too, so Bella still could work in her field and that wouldn't be too much of a sacrifice for her. Emma would start kindergarten this coming September, which meant the dread for this change was diminished as the transition from daycare to school would've needed to happen in Seattle as well. And Juliet, who was about to turn one at the start of May, wouldn't really notice anything, anyway. In theory, it wasn't a bad plan. They had discussed it, as any husband and wife should before taking such a life-changing decision, and they'd decided it was worth a try; Edward's happiness was worth this.

In practice though, they hadn't counted on Carlisle's disapproval and vehement displeasure. To him, it was inconceivable that Edward would just drop out of Law School. Not so close to the end, not without taking his Bar exam first, were he to change his mind. It was irresponsible, delusional and childish! His son should know better; a real family man would have known better!

The row between father and son had been so raw, so unexpected, that both Bella and Esme hadn't known how to react. When Edward had just taken his daughters with him, urging Bella to follow, yelling that "they were leaving", she could do nothing else but numbly follow. Then Carlisle's voice followed them, saying that if they were to go through with that foolish plan, then he had but no choice to stop helping them with money, neither Bella nor Edward – nor Esme for that matter – truly believed him.

But, Carlisle Cullen kept his word. After all, he had sworn to his son that, if he were to marry the mother of his child, he would financially help them with lodging and schooling. That was the deal, and now that neither of them was in school anymore, and they obviously had no need for the apartment he and Esme had acquired for them five years ago, he saw no reason to continue the financial support of his son and family. Besides, wasn't Edward going to be successful? A star in Hollywood, yes?

No, Carlisle Cullen truly didn't see why he should keep helping his son while he had his head so high up in the clouds. "Welcome to the grown-up world," said Carlisle in a heated outburst.

Neither Bella nor Edward had seen that one coming.

Bella's employer's lack of consideration for her came as a shock and a huge letdown as well. Zafrina, so far, had always been impressed with Bella's work, her aptitudes, and her attitude as well as her dedication. Bella really thought the woman would try to ease her transfer into another publishing house, but Zafrina let her down spectacularly. "We do request transfers for our top employees, but Bella, you've been here what—a year? With only your internship as guarantee and considering the fact that you went on maternity leave for months, we don't really know enough about you to endorse you blindly. But good luck, honey."

The disbelieving glances her co-workers sent her way when she'd told them of their plan were really disturbing, too, now that Bella was thinking about it. It was like they were all wondering if she'd lost her mind. Doubts and concerns would infiltrate her conscience and her heart, but then she would come home to Edward and the girls, and once more his cheerfulness and his delight would bring her back to his side. Besides, he was so grateful that she'd decided to follow him, he would show it to her in the most desirable and sensual ways.

One night, after some heavy lovemaking, Edward turned his head towards her and looked at her in a way he never had before.

"What?" Bella asked, feeling self-conscious a bit. "Do I have something on me that shouldn't be there?" She giggled, amused, for she was as naked as the day she was born.

Edward moved closer to her and caressed her face with his palm and thumb. "Thank you, for doing this with me."

"Oh—" Bella breathed, stunned under his gaze, but feeling a bit like she was lying by omission, for she didn't dare share with him everything that still troubled her.

"I know that what I'm asking from you is a lot, and that it is frightening," continued Edward, kissing her lips with a soft touch. "I have no word to express how grateful I am that you didn't give up on me."

A look of outrage passed over her features; she would never!

Edward smirked at it. "I love y—I love what you're doing for me. I won't forget it."

Bella smiled softly, all her worries forgotten for a few blissful moments. "Of course."

But then, the day after, she'd met with Sue and her dad who didn't hold back in letting her know their opinion.

Everyone seemed to have an opinion!

Esme. "It's so risky."

Angela. "What are you doing, Bella?"

Seth. "You are completely out of your mind! You and Edward both!"

Charlie. "I don't get it, Bells. Why not stay here and let him go alone? He'll see that this plan of his doesn't make sense, and when he returns, at least you won't have uprooted your whole life chasing a foolish dream."

Bella decided to look at all of their different options, then. Perhaps it would've been more sensible for her to keep her job here, in Seattle, and let the girls stay in the only home they'd ever known, making certain Edward and she had a plan B if his dreams were to fail. But when she'd talked to Edward about it, he'd looked destroyed that she didn't fully believe in him – "That's not what this is, Edward. I'm trying to look at all our alternatives." – and then he'd pleaded that he didn't want to be away from the girls, and from her.

Bella could hardly argue with that. It would be the worst kind of torture for all of them.

"Come with me, next week," he'd pleaded, his voice soft, charming, his fingers laced through Bella's soft curls.

He was going to be making another trip to L.A., to meet Aro's team and visit the city. He would also be missing his finals as well as his Bar exam; there would be no going back after this. "Let your brother babysit the girls for a few days and come with me."

Bella liked to think she was a rational woman with a strong head on her shoulders. She didn't want to be swayed by large promises, but Aro and his team were really set on wooing them! Hotels and restaurants and shows and night clubs and tours of the city. It turned out to be one of the most amazing weeks of Bella's young life. The people were charming, the city was alive, and Edward—

Oh, my! Edward? He was living the dream! It was what convinced her heart.

But more than all that, what truly persuaded Bella's more rational side to give this crazy dream a shot was how Aro and Demitri would talk about Edward's raw talent. To them, there wasn't a doubt that this man could make it.

And so, Edward and Bella took the leap.

The only one who was truly on their side was her mom, Renée, who has never been the most down-to-earth woman around.

"I think it's beautiful proof of your love for him, honey. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Bella had been glad her mom was on the phone, for she couldn't have witnessed her awkward blush. "I talked to your dad," continued Renée, "he agreed to help you and give you a bit of money each month. So will Phil and I. It's nothing close to what the Cullens could do for you, but hopefully it will help during those critical first months."

"Mom, I cannot possibly—"

"Put it in a trust fund for the girls for all I care, Bella. But this money is yours, whether you want it or not," Renée had insisted.

Bella had thanked her mom fondly, so grateful and a bit ashamed. Those conflicted emotions were quickly swapped for disbelief and annoyance when she had come home that night, only to see that Edward had bought a new keyboard and headphones.

"Don't you worry, Bella. We have plenty of money."

Was he not realizing the precariousness of their new situation? Perhaps Carlisle was right; Edward was living with his head up in the clouds.

EPOV

Edward took a deep breath, trying to calm down his annoyance and trying to see things Bella's way. Her outburst was very much warranted, he guessed, but her mood these past few days – since the girls had joined them early May, actually – was giving him whiplash. He couldn't understand how she could be on his side, defend him, his dream, and his decision so thoroughly to others, but to him, when they were alone, all she showed was doubts and uncertainties and a bit of sadness, too. The giddy mood she'd had at first, when they'd travelled to L.A. together for the first time, was long gone and if some part of him understood her reservations, he wished she would show a bit more optimism.

He caressed her arms, which laid at her sides, and kissed her forehand.

"Let's go home," he said, and Bella's startled expression, in which a glow of hope was present, irked Edward. "To Alice's, I mean."

"Right," Bella breathed. "Good idea." She said it like it was his idea, but she'd been the first to suggest they be done for the day. They took their places in the rental car and Edward drove them all the way to Culver City, where Alice and Jasper currently resided in their two-bedroom little house.

Bella's smile came back when they drove into his sister's neighbourhood, with all the old little houses, the huge palm trees and the kids playing around in the street. Jasper and Alice were home, outside in their small backyard. Jasper was doing a little BBQ and Alice was gathering the ripe avocados from the small tree behind the house. Emma went to her as soon as she was unlocked from the car, getting to the backyard by the ajar door of the metallic fence. Bella went to take Juliet out of the car, but Edward joined her and took the baby from her arms. His wife thanked him with a smile and took the diaper bag.

"Hey, you two!" Alice welcomed them with a grin. "Have you found anything?"

"Nothing yet," said Bella. "But we are not giving up." She smiled at Edward who just rolled his eyes at her antics. His wife's forced cheerfulness was more for her own benefit than his. He stole a clean diaper from the bag Bella was still carrying, along with a pack of baby wipes, and escaped into the house with the baby.

"Dada," mumbled Juliet, her index finger in her mouth, drool on her chin, as Edward lay her down on the sofa-bed that was permanently open in Alice and Jasper's living room, to accommodate Edward and Bella's presence. Both girls were sleeping in Jasper's office, where a toy couch with fairies on it opened to transform into a tiny bed for Emma, and a travel cot was put together for the baby.

Edward looked into his daughter's eyes. So big, so gorgeous; so similar to her mother's.

"Today was a long day, wasn't it, Jules?"

"Dadadada," sang the little lady. Edward chuckled and blew a raspberry on her now exposed belly, which made Juliet's laugh fill the room; her little legs kicked in the air. Soon, very soon, his baby was going to be able to walk, and Edward cherished these last moments of her still being a baby and not yet a toddler. She had turned one a few weeks ago, but Edward refused to accept the fact that she was getting so big, so fast.

"You stay little, you hear me, Juliet Esme. You stay little and you stay mine," he sing-sang to her, raising her in his arms once he was done changing her diaper, and kissing her chubby little cheeks, and making her giggle.

"Dada," agreed Juliet with the cutest grin.

Edward chuckled and turned around to see his wife in the doorframe, looking at them with a small smile on her lips.

"Hi," he said, a bit self-conscious about his silliness with his daughter. "Are you done pretending to be the ever-optimistic wife with my sister and husband? You came in here to hide and brood." Bella instantly lost her smile, and Edward felt awful. "I'm sorry," he added right away.

"S'okay," said Bella, shaking her head. "I deserved that. I've been cranky today. It's just that… everything is just so—"

"Shitty?" proposed Edward, using her own words. "Crap?" Bella made a face. Edward smirked. "Well, here's some more."

He then gave her the baby's dirty diaper, which Bella took with a startled expression before she giggled. "Nice," she said, going through the kitchen and walking outside through the front door to put the diaper in the garbage bin outside. That just proved her point, Bella thought; had they been at home, they would just use a diaper pail, but living in Alice's house, in their luggage, was becoming tiresome. But Edward didn't notice all those irritating details and all the efforts Bella made to try and be positive and cheerful and encouraging.

No, only his music truly mattered to him, she thought bitterly.

-:-:-

The evening went great and Bella's mood truly improved while being with their sister and brother-in-law. Both Alice and Jasper were pretty amazing to host them and accommodate them – a family of four! – into their comfortable but still cramped home. Neither of them gave Edward and Bella an expiration date on their hospitality and they never complained. Yet, Edward knew Bella was looking forwards to them having their own place.

They were in bed, now – if the uncomfortable sofa-bed could be called that. Both girls were sleeping in Jasper's office; he and Alice had long since retired to their own bedroom.

In the darkness, Edward turned towards his wife. "Are you asleep?" He asked her.

Bella's only answer was to turn her head towards him, her eyes wide open. The neighbour's outside lamp reflecting into her dark orbs.

Edward moved closer to her petite body. "Do you regret coming here with me?" He asked, whispering, as if he didn't really want to hear the answer to that question.

Bella's features softened. "Not the 'coming with you' part," she admitted with a small, sad smile.

Edward nodded, swallowing. "But you regret having had to come here."

Bella only sighed deeply. "I don't know. It's just different than what I thought it would be."

"It will get better," assured Edward. "I'll ask Jane to help."

"Jane?"

"Aro's assistant. She had offered help, but you and Alice had already found this real estate agent guy, so I said no. Perhaps she has more connections and can help us find a place."

Bella smiled and nodded. They were not completely without resources and, after all, Aro and his team had expressed their wish to help Edward – their new prodigy; they might as well let Aro's team help.

"That'd be great," acquiesced Bella with a smile. Edward grinned back. He was having such a blast at the studio, learning and improving each day; being part of a team, of a complex project, of a shared vision. He felt bad that Bella wasn't satisfied with the way their lives had changed. But seeing her smile, now, filled with belief and trust and happiness for him was all it took to reassure him that they were going to be alright.

Without hesitation, he scooted closer to her, caressed her cheek and kissed her. Bella responded immediately, just as she usually did, always so ready to reciprocate his affection. Her hands went to his shoulders as Edward rolled on top of her, deepening the kiss.

They were brought back to reality by the sound of their sofa-bed creaking loudly.

Bella giggled. "We should stop."

Edward moaned. "Please, Bella; it's been ages." He kissed her neck, right at the place where she loved it the most.

"Yes, it's been ages because we're on a creaky sofa-bed in your sister's living room," responded Bella with a chuckle. Edward's only reply was to kiss her lips once more.

"I want you," he whispered. His fingers got to work then and unbuttoned her nightshirt. Soon, his lips followed his fingers into her cleavage. He also pressed his erection between her thighs. Bella panted and put both hands into his wild hair. "We'll be quiet," he assured her, moving his hips to elicit more friction between their bodies.

"Ahh—okay," whimpered Bella, giving in. He was right; it had been a while.

Edward grinned and brought his hungry mouth to her nipples while Bella attempted to remove her panties by moving her hips and pushing them down with a free hand. Once she succeeded, she attacked Edward's boxers in the same fashion.

"Yes," panted Edward once they were both naked, with Bella's nightshirt opened on each side of her. He moved his hips with a purpose and dove right in.

They both moaned blissfully.

"Huuuuush," giggled Bella while Edward's throaty laugh echoed in his chest.

He started to move in and out, slowly, but the raucous creaking of the sofa-bed let little to the imagination as to their activity. Each time Edward increased his movements, Bella reminded him to slow down – in order to diminish the sounds of the bed – by strengthening her hold on his shoulders.

"Ugh," cried Edward, frustrated. In the end, he slowed his thrusts and contented himself with just some heavy rubbing of his pelvis against Bella's, staying buried inside. It was awkward, but what choice did they have? He only hoped the sensation would be enough for both of them.

It clearly was for Bella, as these movements stimulated her clit tremendously, and – to Edward's astonishment – she came real fast, real hard. "Fuck!" She squealed despite herself, and Edward laughed, confining any other sounds that could've escaped her mouth into his own by kissing her deeply. He didn't stop his movements, though, chasing his own release, and by the time he found it, Bella was panting beneath him.

"Yeah?" he asked her.

His wife only giggled. "You don't need to look so smug," she falsely whined, a bit embarrassed.

Edward laughed some more. "What did you just tell me, anyway? That you don't regret cumming with me?"

At that, Bella laughed for real. "Yeah—Yeah, that's exactly the reason I followed you here, you cocky asshole!"

"The key word being 'cock-y'," added Edward. Bella chuckled, truly amused. The ego of that man!

Still trembling with the aftermath of her orgasm, Bella buttoned her nightshirt back up and grabbed her underwear before she escaped as silently as possible toward the only bathroom – which was very close to Alice and Jasper's bedroom.

Edward smiled wistfully to himself. Sometimes – and not without guilt – he would surprise himself thinking that, had he come to Los Angeles all alone, some things would've been easier; less problematic. He could totally have stayed at Alice for a number of unlimited weeks, or gotten an apartment that wasn't that great, for example. Having moved his whole family here with him sure was a complication that needed to be addressed.

And yet, during moments like this evening, lighter and filled with laughter with both his wife and daughters, all the complications seemed worth it! For what would he even become without his family?

BPOV

For the next few days, starting with the following morning – during which Alice had given them both knowing looks – things had started to improve a bit. Bella's mood had improved a lot – and yes, Edward totally associated it with his incredible love-making skills – and Jane thankfully agreed to help them locate an apartment.

"We have some condos in Burbank," she'd proposed, "for members of Aro's team who travel to L.A. on occasion. Let me check to see if one of them is available."

She had also provided them with recommendations for daycares and elementary schools nearby, as well as a musical expert with whom Edward could take private classes during the evenings. Bella had not been too happy about that, but Edward had explained to her that, since he was a self-taught composer, he unfortunately had some gaps he needed to work on, and he needed these classes. He had talent and skills, he just needed to increase his knowledge.

The big move into their new place happened in early June. The small house, on Rosemary Lane in Burbank, California, was one in a set of townhouses, and had no real backyard and close neighbours. That wasn't so different from the apartment they had had before, in Seattle. Being situated farther away from the coastline, the vegetation consisted more of broadleaf trees than palm trees. The accommodations were a bit old, but totally functional and acceptable. There were hardwood floors, the A/C worked well, and the bathroom had been recently renovated. The rooms were small, but, according to Edward, it was only a matter of time before they could afford a real house – perhaps even in Beverly Hills.

Bella thought he was projecting his inaccessible goals on their future reality a bit too much. But she wasn't about to pop his bubble of delusions of grandeur, and rather humored him.

Seth and Jacob had driven clear from Seattle to help them move, and they brought some of Bella and Edward's furniture. Esme had arranged storage in Seattle and paid for it, despite Carlisle's objections.

It had been a joy to see Emma and Juliet discover their small room with their own beds and bedding – pink owls for Juliet and blue-green deer and rabbits for Emma. Their dresser and toy boxes had also arrived, which was a relief; after having had to restrain the girls from playing with Jasper's belongings in his office, with all of his delicate books and coursepacks, for weeks, it was a blessing to finally have this room that was all for them, and safe.

The living room was crowded, what with the couch, the rocking chair, the TV, and both of Edward's keyboards, not to mention his guitar, his audio mixer and computer. It also didn't take long before both girls spread their toys all over the house. Juliet's Fisher-Price Walk n' Ride pony was taking a lot of space.

"Hey, you. Watch out," cried Jake when Juliet rear-ended him in the legs. The little girl – wearing the cutest onesie – just giggled and ran the other way, straight onto Seth.

"Ugh, NO! I've been hit," said Seth before collapsing to the floor. Emma and Juliet's giggles filled the small kitchen.

"Aw, girls," scolded Bella, still amused by her brother's antics. "Why don't you go and play in your room?" Of course, Juliet just ignored her mom's request and kept on running into the walls with her pony. Emma went to Jake, who took her into his arms. "Sorry," said Bella. "It was Edward's idea to buy her that toy."

Jake and Seth exchanged an amused glance; both were totally fond of the little darling and neither of them minded her running into them with her little horse.

"Uncle Jake, wanna play with me?" Asked Emma while Seth rose from the floor and looked at his sister.

"So, where is your husband, today?" He asked. They had just finished getting everything unpacked into the townhouse the day before and, now that the weekend was over, Edward left for the studio at six. Seth and Jacob, having had to get a hotel room nearby, for there was no room to accommodate guests in this house, arrived at nine. Bella was currently making pancakes for all of them.

"He's at work," Bella said, and then, changing the subject, "I saw a park and playground for the kids on the street just behind this one. Would you like to come with the girls and me this afternoon?"

Seth and Jacob spent the whole day with Bella and the kids, both surprised and unimpressed at Edward's absence when it stretched way past 9 PM. Bella, as usual, defended her husband.

"I don't know why you put up with this, Bells," Seth said before he left. "Edward isn't even here with you. You deserve better than this. Your children deserve better than this. You should have stayed in Seattle—with us."

Bella frowned. "My children deserve to be with their father. They are pretty much the whole reason we're doing this."

"For you maybe, but not for Edward who is acting all kinds of selfish right now, imposing his choices on everyone else."

"They deserve a father who is happy," insisted Bella, trying to not let Seth sway her.

But at what price, she couldn't help but ask herself at night, for she was feeling very discontented right about now. If this was a fraction of how Edward had felt when they were living in Seattle, it was no wonder he jumped on the first opportunity to change his circumstances. He used to be miserable, he'd said, but now she was.

Seth was right, in a way. She had given up a lot for a husband that was pretty much… missing in action at the moment. She had no job, no family – except for Alice and Jasper, both very busy with their own lives – no friends, no support system. She felt like a single mom, surrounded all day by no one except her two young daughters – who she loved like crazy, but who were kind of making her crazy, too.

Bella was lonely.

She'd really believed, like Edward, that things would start to look better – to be better – once they settled in their new home. Their life wasn't such chaos anymore, which was good, but it was unequitable, unequal. Edward was living the dream, coming home at night with bright eyes and a willingness to go back to work that Bella had never known him to possess.

But with all that hard work, he did miss his family.

Bella, on the other hand, could enjoy her daughters day in, day out! But she had been the one who used to enjoy her work and thrive at it; it was quite a setback to be stuck on the sidelines, trying to find a new job to stimulate her mind without the benefit of a reference from her former employer. She had to deal with all stuff 'kids-related', in a home—a neighbourhood—a city— that wasn't hers. "You'll get used to it," Edward had encouraged one night, before he'd brushed off her worries with kisses and caresses.

Granted, she didn't openly share, but he never asked either. Bella often cried herself to sleep at night.

Edward and Emma's joint birthdays came and went. Half the cake Bella made ended up in the trash can as Edward had been gone all day at work, "having had celebrated it there with the team, sorry, hun."

The first glance at Edward's glamorous new life came to her with an invite on a yacht for July 4th. That turned out to be destabilizing, to say the least. Alice babysat the girls, being a bit put out at not being invited too, and Edward promised that he would try to get her an invite for next year, but that for now, he was still just the 'new guy', and he didn't dare ask too much. Bella was stunned speechless at the extravagance these people were showing. She felt like she was living on a different planet! But everyone was very polite and delighted to meet her.

"Ah, young Bella. I'm please to meet you again. We always hear a lot about you," said Aro Volturi while kissing her hand. Bella looked at Edward and she noticed him blushing a bit, which was kind of a novelty.

Aro's wife – Sulpicia – pretty much entertained Bella all night, giving her bits of gossip on all of the guests. Bella giggled at her strong, raw descriptions more than once.

"Now I'm afraid to know what you'll tell others about me when I'm not here."

"Oh, no. You, darling girl, are quite special," assured Sulpicia.

Bella and Edward came home high with glee and delight. The whole soirée had been over the top, and to think it was now part of their lives felt so absurd and preposterous.

At that point, Bella was very grateful that Edward wanted to share that part of his life with her. She was the one to initiate sex that night, feeling as far away from miserable as a girl could get. She felt glorious.

And yet, Bella honestly wondered if the highs were really worth all the troubles. For Edward, they surely were…

The loneliness came back like a blow in the face. Now that Juliet was registered into a nice little daycare, one that surprisingly accepted Emma for the summer before school – for reasons Bella strongly suspected had to do with her connection to a certain producer named Aro Volturi – Bella used the free time to start applying more seriously to various job offers in publishing houses, and even got some interviews. So far, she hadn't been lucky though; all of the interviewers thought she lacked experience and without her last boss' endorsement of her, they weren't quite ready to take a chance.

August had started earlier that week. Unlike Forks and Seattle, there were no signs of the end of summer in L.A. The days were still hot and quite uncomfortable. Bella never thought she would miss the breezes and rain of Washington State.

It was getting late, and Bella was getting more depressed by the hour. Her little girl had walked, today. Her baby – her last baby – had taken her first steps and there was no one here to witness it but her. Emma had still been napping – a rarity lately! – and Juliet wanted to reach something on the couch, but her little pony got stuck by the low coffee table and her dad's keyboard, and she'd dumped it to take one-two-three steps until she reached the couch.

Bella had been ecstatic! Her first instinct had been to call Edward, but he, of course, wasn't home. He never was, really, even on weekends. She still remembered his reaction to Emma's first step; the man had almost cried. They'd called Seth and Angela, who had come over to celebrate. Carlisle and Esme were the ever-proud grandparents and Sue had wanted photos and videos.

Today, though, only Angie exclaimed her joy over the phone. Seth hadn't picked up. Charlie had just reminded her how much he missed her. Unsure about the relationship Edward currently had with his parents, Bella didn't even call the Cullens.

It was so late when Edward came home that Bella was already in bed. Thinking she was asleep, he didn't wake her up, and so Bella just continued to stare at the wall in front of her while Edward settled behind her.

The next morning, while Edward was in the shower, Bella got up and waited for him in the kitchen.

"Hey, love," Edward greeted. "You're up early." He kissed her forehead.

Bella nodded. "We need to talk."

Edward's perplexed green eyes met hers. "What about?"

His wife took a deep breath. "Well, Juliet, for starters." He nodded for her to go on. "She walked yesterday."

"For real?"

"Yeah."

"Oh. Wow." Edward looked torn between elation and melancholy. It was a weird look on his handsome face. "I'm so sorry I missed it," he said after a moment.

Bella shrugged. She had nothing to say to that.

Edward finally seemed to pick up on her mood. Apprehensive, he asked, "What else?"

Bella only looked at the coffee mug between her fingers. In their daughters' room, they could hear the kids stir and wake up.

"I went to a job interview," she said casually, her face closed off.

"And?"

She shrugged. "Nothing."

"Oh. I'm sorry," Edward said again, awkwardly. He then looked at his watch to check the time. "Look, love—"

"I'm unhappy, Edward."

His eyes met hers, once more. Somehow, he knew she wasn't talking about that failed interview. He stayed silent, not apologizing this time.

"Okay," he said, after a while.

Bella raised an eyebrow. "That's it? Okay."

"Mama!" Came Juliet's cry, then.

Edward passed a hand in his bronze-ish hair, which stayed up in the air for a few moments before they fell back down. "I'm not sure what you want me to say," he admitted softly.

"I don't expect you to say anything," clarified Bella with a shrug.

"Then I'm not sure what you want me to do," he restated, a bit annoyed now. If she were that unhappy, then she should do something about it. "I don't know what it is you want."

"Well, I don't know either," Bella admitted with a broken voice. Edward held his breath for a moment; she looked so hurt, so lost. How come he hadn't noticed sooner? Bella bit her lips and finally looked away. Her nightshirt – one of his – was pale and crumpled. Her long brown hair was tangled, as if she'd turned around in bed more than once, and she had a sadness in her eyes he hadn't detected before. She opened her mouth again. "What if—"

At the same moment, Edward looked at his watch again. He should've been sensible enough not to, but he knew he was starting to run late and just had to know how much time they still had.

"Edward!" Bella shrieked, annoyed. "Am I bothering you?"

"No, don't be ridiculous," he snapped back. "I just—Look, love, I've gotta go."

"I don't even know why I'm here," Bella declared suddenly, her voice high with unconcealed emotion.

Edward green eyes widened at her outburst. Her confession coming at him a bit like a slap in the face. She had come here for him, hadn't she? And now here she was, not yet four months later, telling him she didn't remember why; that hurt.

There was a silence during which the couple looked at each other, ignoring their baby's cries and their eldest's little steps which took her into the bathroom – thankfully.

"I really don't know what to say to that," Edward admitted, sounding a bit angry; it was only to conceal how wounded he really was by her words.

Bella scoffed. Of course, he didn't care, she thought. "And what would you say if I were to tell you I want to go home?"

Edward blinked at the blow. Was she leaving him?

His voice was filled with disbelief and oh, so much hurt, when he answered her. "If that's truly what you want, no one is holding you back!"

That's right, Bella thought bitterly, having misunderstood his hurt for annoyance. Not even my own husband is.

To be continued…