Ok, sorry this chapter took so long, but it got away from me. I ended up breaking the chapter into two because it would have been monstrously long.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight related; I am just borrowing her characters for my story. No copyright infringement intended.

How Can I Help You?

Chapter 8

The first week of February breezed in bringing reinforcements of the Cullen variety. I was able to handle school, taking care of Kate and Irina, cooking and cleaning up with no real problems. It was what I had done when I babysat over weekends before, just doing it seven days a week now.

The girls were seeing a child psychologist once a week to help them deal with their grief. Understandably they were sad, they missed their mom, they missed their father, but routine was helping them cope.

Esme and Carlisle visited every weekend for the first couple of months. They took the girls out and give me time to spend with Jake and my friends. Jake had come over to the house for dinner a few times. Kate and Irina loved him, especially because he would allow them to rope him into playing games. Edward would eat with us, saying nothing, and then go back to his studio.

The first weekend in February, Carlisle and Esme arrived with another couple in tow.

"Bella, how are you sweetheart?" Esme gave me a hug then dropped to the ground as the girls rushed her.

"Fine, Esme. The girls seem to be processing everything well. Maggie is helping them so much. Kate and Irina are playing with their friends, laughing again. No real change with Edward though. The only thing new is he's eating with us for breakfast and dinner."

Esme looked towards the house saying, "We've brought a couple of friends to help. My son needs to open up and talk to someone. Siobhan and Liam are here to help." Carlisle had gone into the house, into Edward's room. I couldn't hear what was being said, but I definitely could hear the raised voices.

"Bella go enjoy your day. I'm taking the girls to the zoo while Carlisle stays behind with Liam and Siobhan." Esme was already gathering coats for Kate and Irina. I told them goodbye then quickly and quietly I edged to Edward's room telling both Edward and Carlisle I was leaving, but would be back late in the afternoon.

After spending quality time with my mother baking enough cookies to fill Dad's office, I headed back to the Cullen house. I was shocked by what met me entering the house. It looked as if a tornado had gone through the lower level of the house.

"Edward?" I called out. Things had been smashed, ripped and destroyed. Furniture was turned over, papers strewn everywhere.

"Edward, Carlisle?"

I walked into the kitchen, which thankfully had been spared the destruction. "Edward where are you?"

I looked outside and saw Carlisle with his arms wrapped around Edward, speaking to him. Liam and Siobhan were speaking as well. I figured whatever had happened, that Edward must have been responsible for the destruction in the two rooms. I put my things down, grabbed the broom and a box of trash bags, planning to start the cleanup.

"Don't," Edward said, "I made the mess, and I'll clean it up." He was a mess himself, his hair was all over the place, his shirt and jeans both ripped, his hands were bruised and swollen.

"What happened in here?" I asked gesturing to the debris that lay everywhere. Edward chuckled, "I think it's safe to say I got angry today. I really hoped I would have this cleaned up before any of you came back. I didn't want this to scare you."

"It's too late for me, but let me help and we'll get it straightened out before Kate and Irina get back."

The broken glass was the first to be dealt with. I swept up what I could then passed the vacuum to make sure there weren't any small shards to get caught in little feet. What pictures that could be salvaged were in a stack needing to be reframed. Edward righted the furniture returning it all to their proper places. All of the trash was collected and Edward took it to the garage.

Carlisle approached me while I was starting dinner. "I think the therapy is really going to help him. He finally exploded. All of his pent up sorrow and aggression came out."

I just gave him and incredulous look. "And you let him destroy his house. He lost things today that he'll never be able to get back, pieces of his life with Tanya."

"He needed it. Today was his first step in moving forward. Bella, you've been so great helping with the girls, but you graduate in a few months and will be leaving for college at the end of summer. Edward has to start coping with his loss, or Esme and I will have no choice but to take guardianship of our granddaughters. That would be what finishes him off. I want my son back, but in order for him to heal today had to happen."

The sound of a throat clearing had us both turning towards the doorway. "I'm going to make the effort to be present in my life now, Dad. I know you and Mom are worried, but I will take care of Katie and Rini. Tanya would want them to always come first, and if she were here now, she'd kick my ass for checking out on them as well as life in general."

That night a feeling of peacefulness settled over the Cullen household. Esme returned with the girls just as dinner was ready. After eating, Edward took the girls up for baths and bedtime stories. Esme and Carlisle took glasses of wine and sat by the fire, talking about the events of the day, and I took a bottle of water, the book I was reading and went up to my room. Kate and Irina ran up to say good night and to tell me that their daddy was tucking them in.

I was deep into Stephen King's The Skeleton Crew, when a knock on the door had me jumping out of my skin.

"Bella, may I come in?" Edward asked. I quickly made sure I was decent before telling him to come in.

"Hey, are the girls ok?" He moved into my room and sat on the far edge of the bed. "They've been out for a couple of hours now. I was just heading into the studio when I saw your light was still on." He shifted into a more comfortable position on the bed . "I really just wanted to thank you for stepping up and taking care of Rini and Kate, when I really couldn't. I know that we've always been able to count on you, but this has been above and beyond. You just don't know how much it means to me, how much it would've meant to T-Tanya." His voice cracking on her name broke my heart.

"There is no way I could have not done it, Edward. You needed the girls here and I was used to staying with them. Besides, Kate and Irina mean the world to me and I wanted to help however I could. I miss her so much sometimes, but I know if I'm feeling that much sadness it's a million times more so for you and the girls."

I got up to put my book away and then I walked around the bed to Edward. "I'll help you for as long as I can, Edward. You and your girls will be alright eventually and until then you have to remember you have your family and friends to lean on." I wrapped my arms around him, just giving him a hug. He stood and returned the hug before saying, "I'm going to practice for a while before going to bed. Goodnight, Bella, pleasant dreams."

OoOoOoO

Each day that passed was a little lighter for the girls as well as their father. Jake was excited because I had more free time to spend with him, though I found myself wanting to spend that time not with Jake, but with the Cullens.

Alice visited for a few days during her Spring Break. She dragged both Angela and I to the spa in Port Angeles for some girl time. Prom was coming up the last week in April, and everyone was insisting I go, that 'It's an important right of passage'. Jake wanted to take me to the prom as the Res school wasn't holding one.

We spent hours after the spa shopping for dresses, shoes, accessories. I finally found a pretty silver sheath dress that fell to the floor. I loved it. I had caved, I was attending my prom. I was looking at it as our last big hoorah with our friends before graduation.

The day of the prom, I spent at the salon getting my hair, makeup and nails done before going back to the house to get dressed. Kate and Irina were sprawled across my bed while I was putting my dress on. They were bouncing around laughing and having fun, reminding me a lot of their Aunt Alice. There was a brief knock on my door before it slowly opened. "Is everyone dressed in there?" "Yes," the girls giggled.

Edward poked his head in. "Good you haven't put your jewelry on yet. I've got something for you." Edward said as he walked in the room, handing me a box. "I know Alice already found something for you to wear, but I am hoping you wear this instead."

I opened the box to find a simple but beautiful heart shaped diamond pendant on a white gold chain.

"It belonged to my grandmother."

"Edward, I can't take this. It's too precious to you." He shook his head and took the necklace opening the clasp. "A pretty necklace deserves to be worn by a beautiful girl, not locked away gathering dust." He motioned for me to move my hair and fastened it around my neck. "Thank you," I said touching the pendant. "I promise to take good care of it." I slipped the earrings into my ears then gave a pageant twirl asking, "So how do I look?"

Kate and Irina told me I was as pretty as Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Edward looked at me then simply said, "Lovely."

Jake was picking me up before driving us to my parents' house for pictures. Prom night seemed endless, from pictures with Mom and Dad, to dinner at The Lodge, then more pictures outside the gymnasium before we could even enter the prom.

I have to admit, once we were in the dance surrounded by friends I did have some fun. Jake was a perfect date as usual, I was never thirsty. He kept the punch flowing in between dances. I was feeling lighter and freer as the night progressed. I was starting to get sleepy and stumble the later it got. I remember Angela telling Jake he had better take me home, but not much after that.

When I woke up there were a few things I noticed right away. First, I had a massive headache and my mouth felt like I had swallowed a cotton ball. Second, I wasn't in my bed, either of them. Lastly I realized I wasn't alone in bed. I turned my head to see Jacob lying beside me, naked. I bolted up, not caring that I was equally naked, and ran towards the bathroom.

'Oh no. no. no. no'

My retching must have disturbed Jake and he sleepily called out "You ok, Bells?"

"Uh huh" I managed.

I couldn't believe it. This is not how I imagined losing my virginity to be. I really wanted to remember it. What on Earth had been in that punch? I was rinsing out my mouth when I finally looked in the mirror.

It was obvious we had done something last night. My lips were swollen, my hair was like a haystack, and there were faint bruises dotting my body from my neck down. Hickeys?

I was also very sore, and not just from the hangover. I found a towel and gingerly climbed into the shower to wash away the blood that was there on my legs. I tried so hard not to cry. 'This wasn't how it was supposed to be!'

I turned off the water and wrapped myself in the towel. "Jake, Jake wake up. I have to get home. Wake up." I pulled on my clothes from the night before, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and gathered the rest of my things. "Jake!" He rolled over, but didn't wake. That's when I saw the necklace Edward had loaned me. The chain was broken, but thankfully the pendant was still on it. I picked it up and placed it in my clutch before grabbing my cell phone. The display noted the time as just before 5 AM. Who could I call? I left the room with Jake still sleeping. I leaned against the wall in the hallway debating who to call. I was scared to call my dad. He'd know immediately what had happened; calling mom would be the same as calling my dad. Esme was at the house staying the weekend, so gathering my courage I dialed the only person I wanted to come get me.

Two rings of the cell phone later, "Hello?" his sleepy voice asked.

"Ed- Edward," I cried, "Can you come and get me?" I looked around, realizing I didn't know where I was. I followed the signs towards the lobby.

"Bella, honey what's wrong?"

"I'm not sure where I am. Jake won't wake up, my head hurts and I just want to go home." I cried out the last words.

"Tell me where you are and I will be right there." I walked into the lobby. "The Days Inn, in Port Angeles, please hurry." I just wanted away from the motel and back to the safety and security of the Cullen house. "I'm on my way, Bella. Stay in the lobby, I'll be there as soon as I can."

I knew it would take him close to an hour to get here, so I found a chair close to the door. I was going to have to find a jeweler to hopefully repair the chain or buy a replacement. I don't know how it got broken. I kept trying to remember what happened after the prom, but there is nothing. I do remember Angela asking me about the necklace as we all took a break at a table. I remember saying something about it being Edward's grandmother's.

I hope someone can tell me what was in the punch because I didn't taste anything off about it. I was waiting for Edward to pick me up when Jake, dressed only in his suit pants walked over to me. "What's going on Bella? Why are you out here?" He moved closer to me, so I got up and backed away. "I'm waiting for my ride. I didn't know where I was and I have to get home."

Jake looked confused. "Bella, baby, you were with me when we checked in."

"Jake I don't remember much of anything about last night. I freaked out this morning. I don't want what happened to be true. I wanted to be able to remember my first time, instead I have a headache, my entire body is sore, and I can't remember any of it." Tears were spilling down my face. Jake shifted towards me, only to back up, asking, "What is he doing here?"

I looked over towards the lobby door. Edward was walking quickly towards us. "I called him, Jake."

"Running off to your precious Edward, huh? Typical." I was about to ask what he meant by that when Edward took me in his arms. "Are you ok?" I nodded my head against his shoulder. "Can you please take me home?"

"Bells…" Jake started. "Later Jake, we'll talk later."

Edward glared at Jacob before leading me out to his car. The silence of the dive was only broken once we had left Port Angeles. "What happened, Bella? Did he hurt you? Should I take you to the ER?"

I broke down telling him what I remembered. "We were at the prom and having fun, and then I woke up with a headache and a dry mouth not really remembering anything."

Edward's jaw tightened. "Did he...did he force himself on you?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so. I'm pretty sure someone spiked the punch and maybe we both had too much. I just can't remember." I cried all the way back to the house.

Thankfully the girls were still asleep, so I went upstairs and changed into one of my Dad's t-shirts before climbing into bed. Edward checked on me often, during the day. Jake called my cell phone constantly until I turned it off. Esme brought me a late lunch and spent time talking to me about what happened, what I remember, what I was feeling. I knew in my heart Jake didn't force me to sleep with him, but I could help being mad at the whole situation.

Later that night, I was having a horrible nightmare. I knew I was just dreaming, but I couldn't seem to wake myself up. I was suddenly surrounded by warmth, and I knew I was safe. "Shhh, Bella, shhhh. It's just a dream." I heard Edward speaking to me and knew I was safe in his embrace. I turned in his arms and hugged him back, kissing his chest right above his heart before drifting off to sleep again.

When I woke the following morning I felt better, happier in my own skin. I called my parents and let them know I was fine and did have fun at the dance. I left out everything that happened after. There was no need for Charlie to have to arrest himself for murdering Jake.

I got dressed and went downstairs to greet the girls. Katie was her normal bubbly self, but Irina was quiet and barely gave me a "morning". Esme and Carlisle were getting ready to leave when Irina ran to her grandmother begging, "Grandma can I go home with you?"

Esme smiled at her, but shook her head. "I would love for you to visit, angel, but you have school. Maybe Daddy will bring you when school is out for the summer."

Irina wrapped her arms around Esme's leg wailing, "NOOO. Take me, please! I don't want to be here anymore." I was trying to get her to calm down and let go, but she only got louder when I was near her so I went to find Edward and Carlisle. Edward had to pry Irina's arms from his mother's leg. Rini was kicking and screaming at her father. I had never seen either of the girls pitch such a fit.

She screamed that her daddy didn't love her anymore and that she wanted her Grandma and Grandpa. Carlisle took her from Edward and she immediately calmed down. He walked her to the sofa and sat down with her. "Rini, tell Grandpa what's wrong. Why would you say that your Daddy doesn't love you anymore?"

I was shocked and Edward looked as if a breeze would blow him over. Kate was hugging my waist just staring at her sister. "I saw Daddy in Bella's room this morning. I gots up early and wanted Bella to play a game with me," I thought back remembering my dream; I guess I wasn't dreaming that Edward was there.

"Daddy was getting up so I ran back to my room. I don't want Bella to be my new mommy, I want MY mommy." Carlisle and Esme looked at the two of us. Edward walked over and knelt down on the carpet in front of Irina.

"Rini, baby, you aren't getting a new mommy. Bella had a really bad dream last night and was crying. That's why I was there. I was just trying to soothe her, like I do for you and Katie if you have bad dreams. I just fell asleep, that's all baby. Bella is just a friend; no one could ever replace your mommy."

"Rini," I called to her. "I'm not going to be your mommy. I'm your Bella and I never want to hurt you. Your daddy really wants you here, so please don't leave him. If it will make you feel better, I can go home." Kate cried at this point, "No, please Bella, stay. Don't leave me too."

I wasn't sure what to do. I did hug Kate closer to me. Carlisle and Esme excused themselves from the conversation as Irina had calmed down and was speaking to Edward.

I sat with Kate on the sofa opposite Edward and Irina. I looked to him for direction on this problem.

"Ok let's start at the beginning girls." Edward began, "You now how much Bella means to you both, right? Well Bella is my friend, too. She needed help yesterday and asked me to help her. Last night, while I was playing the piano in the studio I heard Bella having a very bad dream." He looked at his hands as if trying to organize his thoughts. "I tried to wake her up, but she didn't, so I gave her a hug and spoke to her until she calmed down. I haven't been sleeping much since your mommy passed, and I fell asleep. That is all. As much as I love Bella as a friend, she's not going to be your mommy. It's just us, you know, the three musketeers. Now Irina, I want you to apologize to Bella for screaming at her this morning, then I want us to all get ready, we are going out for breakfast."

I felt like I had been on a roller coaster of emotions, like I was in some crazy world created by Tim Burton. I kept waiting for my "normal life" to return, but knew that wasn't likely to happen.

Breakfast was strained. Rini wouldn't look at me and Edward was being extremely civil, but cold towards me. This was a side of Edward I had never been a witness to, even when he was out of his mind with grief, I had never felt like he was detached. That was how it was, at least with me. When we were back at the house he was happy and open around the girls, but closed off with me. That was the way things were around the Cullen house for two weeks. I understood Edward was trying to reassure Irina, but between her coolness and Edward's detached politeness I was really only able to take care of Katie.

The next week would be my last finals of my senior year. I was unable to concentrate enough to study for the exams, which is why I was standing outside Edward's studio door late Sunday afternoon. I knocked then waited for him to acknowledge me.

He opened the door, looking pensive. "May I speak to you for a moment?" Edward walked back into the room nodding to a chair, "Sure. What's going on?"

I looked at him, keeping eye contact while I started. "That's what I want to know, actually. Since the day after prom, the only person that seems happy I am here is Kate. Irina acts like I'm not here half the time and I feel like a stranger around you. I have finals this week, and cannot concentrate here. I would like to have the rest of the week off so I can study."

Edward actually squirmed in his chair. "I'm sorry Bella. Irina has been so concerned about Tanya being replaced, that she's glued herself to me whenever you are around. I spoke to Maggie about it, but all she tells me is to reassure Irina of my love for her, that I'm not trying to replace her mother. Katie loves you so freely, Irina feels guilty about her love, and she does love you, but she feels like if she depends on you it's like forgetting her mom."

I nodded to Edward, understanding where he was coming from, but still it hurt to hear. "Perhaps my going home is a good thing after all."

Edward looked up at me then saying, "You have helped bring us back. You've kept my girls happy and healthy until I could do it again. Take the week, concentrate on school, we'll be fine. Go, pass your exams so that you can graduate."

"Why, Edward? Why did you suddenly start treating me like a stranger? From the first day it always felt like family with you and Tanya, especially after Prom, you were there when I needed you. Then Irina had her outburst and it felt like you put a 50 foot wall between us." He stood and started to pace the room.

"I don't know, Bella. It's always felt like you belonged in our family. You are family to me, but I crossed a line. I never should have fallen asleep in your bed. I shouldn't have been in there to begin with. You were screaming, so horribly, and no matter how I tried I couldn't wake you, so I crawled behind you and held you until you settled. It wasn't right of me to be there. You are such a light in this house, Bella, and it reminds me of happier times. You have no idea how much you mean to me, how your presence in the house soothes the girls. After Rini had her blow up all I wanted was to make her understand that my love for her and for Kate won't ever lessen, that they will always be my number one priority. I thought putting some distance between us would help. I'm so sorry if I hurt you, but it wasn't my intent." He walked over to me then. "May I?" he asked with his arms opened wide. I stood and walked into his embrace. "Thank you. Now go study and pass those exams, we'll see what happens when you get back."

I just nodded and went to collect my backpack. I stopped in the playroom on my way downstairs. "Girls, I need to talk to you for a minute." Katie ran over while Irina looked at me but stayed by her dollhouse. "I've got a couple of really big tests this week, so I'm going to be home until Friday morning. Ok?"

Katie pulled me down to her level and she whispered in my ear, "What about us? Who is going to take us to school and cook dinner?" I smiled and hugged her. "Your daddy will be here, silly. He'll take care of you, and you can call me anytime you feel like it."

Irina piped up, "You're leaving us?" She looked so worried and scared. "No sweetheart, I'm just going home for a few days. You'll have fun with Daddy and I will be back Friday to take you to school." Both girls hugged me before I left.

My parents were so happy to have me home. Dad was beside himself at the prospect of time with just me and a ballgame. My mother said a silent prayer of thanks and took a book to her room. "So sweetheart, how is everything?" I hugged him close, settling in for the Mariners game. "It's good Daddy. I've got to study for English and Calculus finals this week, so we are using it as a kind of trial run for Edward and the girls to see how they manage together. Edward may have to start interviewing nannies if they still need help at the end of the summer." I enjoyed spending the evening with dad, and climbed into my own bed to study around 9 o'clock when my phone rang. I was praying it wasn't Jake. I had not spoke to him since the morning after prom, and still wasn't ready. The phone rang again as I answered it, "Hello?"

"Bella!" I heard a faint echo as Katie and Irina laughed as they spoke. "Hey girls, are you on the speaker phone?"

"Yes, we wanted to tell you goodnight, so Daddy said we could call. He took us to eat dinner at the diner, then we got to play Twister, we had a bubble bath and now we have to go to bed." They sounded happy, and I was so glad for that.

"I'm happy you had such a good day. Goodnight, girls, I love you both."

"Night Bella," Irina said, "we miss you." "Love you." Kate said.

After ending the call I studied for my English exam. I wasn't too worried about it, but wanted to make sure all the material was fresh in my mind. I was just turning off the bedside lamp when the phone rang again. It was Edward, a call so close to midnight, I worried something was wrong.

"Edward? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, oh I'm sorry Bella, I didn't realize it was so late. I didn't wake you did I?"

"No, I just finished studying and was going to bed. What's up?"

I heard him shifting around; I guess he was in bed as well. "Nothing really, I just wanted to wish you luck on your exams and to let you know the girls missed you today, I missed you too. It seems so quiet in the house right now. We had such a good day today. I really think we are going to be fine once you head off to UW, as long as I take a few cooking lessons." I laughed at him. "I think between your mom and I we can teach you some serious skills in the kitchen. What would you think about a cooking lesson Friday while the girls are in school and then next week I'm free from school, so we'll get you working with breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week?"

"Sounds good, I'll let you get some sleep. Goodnight Bella, pleasant dreams."

"Night, Edward." I closed the phone and then my eyes as I drifted off to sleep.

Thankfully I had no bad dreams and was able to sleep well, get up quickly and get to school on time. I had my English final today, P.E. Wednesday, and Calculus on Thursday. I breezed through my exam and spent the remaining time at school in study hall talking to Angela. I had told her about my disastrous night after prom, and she was able to fill in some blanks for me, such as Jake had had a couple of drinks but was no where near as messed up as I was, most of the night was still a blank for me.

After school I headed back to my house. I had just driven into the driveway when I noticed Jake's motorcycle. Obviously he knew I was home, and decided now was the time for us to talk. He was at my door before I turned the truck off. "Hey." Three weeks and that's what he starts with.

"Hi," I replied.

"Bells you have to talk to me. I don't know what I did to drive you away. You haven't answered my calls, returned my messages or even answered my emails." I walked into the house, dropping my books on the table, before heading out the back door into the woods behind the house.

"Jake…prom…I didn't want to lose my virginity that way. I wanted it to be special, not something done in a drunken stupor."

Jake tried to pull me to him, I just walked further away. "Bella, it was special. It was everything I could ever have asked for. Yeah we were both tipsy, but you acted like you were ready. You were the one to suggest a room. Bella, I just wanted to make you happy."

"What happened to the necklace, Jake? According to the jeweler I took it to, it was pulled off my neck and that is why it was broken. The links were shredded, pulled until they snapped. I wouldn't have done that Jake. I had to replace the chain and explain what happed when I returned it to Edward." Jake looked confused. "Why did you return the gift?"

"It wasn't a gift Jake. Edward loaned it to me to wear to the prom and you still haven't explained how it was ripped off my neck."

Jake started pacing. "I saw it while we were… and I got so angry. I ripped it off you. I know you have feelings for him, Bella. He's too old for you and has too much baggage. It's easy with us Bella, you're happy with me and I didn't want anything of his being a part of such a special time for me, for us."

I sighed then and said, "How many times are we going to go through this Jacob? Edward is a friend, family, he's also my boss. I take care of his daughters; there is nothing between us Jake, nothing."

"Bella, you love him. I see it, I know you, don't forget that. I know you care for me, love me, but you are in love with Cullen." I didn't know what to say to that. Jake had his mind made up. "Let's go back to the house, ok? I'll make us lunch and we can talk some more."

Over lunch I kept trying to tell Jake I wasn't in love with Edward, but Jake didn't want to hear it. What he wanted to know was if I was in love with him as well.

"I love you Jake, I do. I don't know what really being in love feels like, so maybe I am."

I didn't want to hurt his feelings by telling him the truth. Maybe I should have.

There was no studying that night for P.E. I was going to have to suffer through a tennis match to pass that one. I spent the evening returning emails and going over Calculus for Thursday until it was time for bed.

I had already said goodnight to Kate and Irina. They asked me again when I would be back; they wanted to see me before Friday. I laughed at them, telling them to take it easy on their daddy. It was nice to know they missed me.

It was 10 o'clock and I had just finished chatting on Facebook with Angie and Jessica about Newton's graduation party, when my phone rang. Edward was displayed on the screen.

"Hey," I said.

"Hi, how was your test?"

"It was ok, I finished quickly and that's usually a good thing. I have P.E. tomorrow and the dreaded Calc final Thursday. So how was your day?"

He laughed, "It was good. I managed not to burn the kitchen down today making pizzas for the girls."

"Pizza huh, how did you manage that?"

"Well," he began, "you see there is this wonderful aisle in the grocery store. There are all kinds of fabulous food items that are frozen and you just need to heat them in your microwave or oven." I was giggling by the time he finished.

"I see we have another item to add list for your cooking lessons. What did you do while the girls were in school?"

"I worked on a couple of new pieces and my agent called to let me know a production company was interested in using me to score one of their films." I had never realized how in demand Edward's compositions were. We ended up speaking for another hour before I started yawning. "Alright, sweet girl, you need to get to sleep. Sweet dreams, Bella. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Edward."

OoOoO

My P.E. exam was torture. I hit Mike Newton with a tennis ball, right between his legs- sending him home for the day, and cutting my exam short. Angie and I laughed about it later. I spoke with the girls and Edward early in the even because Calculus had never been my friend, and I was trying to cram as much into my brain as possible.

I survived the exam, but my head felt fuzzy. Mr. Green didn't make the seniors stay on campus after we finished our exams. The only condition for our release was to be quiet as the rest of the campus was preparing for their finals the next week.

I didn't even think about going to my parents, I drove in a brain daze to the Cullen house and let myself in. I wanted to surprise the girls with a cake and an actual home cooked meal. I ended up getting my own surprise as well as an eye full of a towel wrapped Edward coming out of the kitchen with a sandwich.

"Whoops! Sorry," I stammered out, turning around.

"Just a minute, Bella, don't move." Edward ran to his room and was back quickly in basketball shorts and a t-shirt.

"Sorry I wasn't expecting anyone, so I was grabbing a sandwich before getting ready."

I knew I was still beet red, "I'm sorry I should have called you to let you know I was coming over. I just wanted to surprise the girls with a cake and dinner."

Edward shook his head, "It's ok. The girls are going to be happy you're home."

I felt a little awkward, but since Edward didn't seem bothered, I relaxed and filled him in on the killer Calc final. "I really don't care if I got an A, I just wanted to pass it. I hate math and am grateful I won't have to take too many math courses at UW.

I spent the early afternoon baking a cake for dessert and then letting it cool before I frosted it. Edward left to pick up the girls telling me he would take them to the park, giving me the extra time needed to finish the cake and be ready to surprise them.

Just after 3:30, I heard the car drive up. The girls came running into the house carrying a big box, which they dropped when they say me.

"Bella! Bella!" They ran over to me nearly tackling me with hugs.

"Hey, sweet girls, how was school?"

"Good." They hugged me tight once more before handing me the box they brought in.

"What's this?"

"Bellllaaa, it's your gradation present, silly." Irina sang out.

"My graduation present? You didn't have to get me anything." Edward was just coming in the door with another box in his hand.

"Really, Edward, this is unnecessary." He just smiled.

"Katie and Rini picked out that present for you. They worked hard on it."

I sat on the sofa and opened the box, it was a pretty scrapbook.

"Grandma Esme helped us make pretty pages for you Bella. We have lots of pictures left if you want them."

I flipped through the pages, the first page was a picture of me, Angela, Tanya and paint covered Alice. It was the day we had been hired at Sparkle, I remember Mrs. Weber taking the picture before we left that day. The girls had added little drawings and stickers to the page.

The others had pictures of me with the girls, with Esme and Carlisle, some of my parents. The last page prepared had three photographs. The first was one of me with Tanya taken at work. The second picture was taken at Thanksgiving; it was one of me with Tanya and Edward. The last picture, I didn't know who could have taken it. It was a picture of Edward and I sitting at his piano, I was in my pajamas and he was playing the piano.

"Edward, who?"

"Tanya took it. You were staying with us when Renee was in the hospital. T came up , heard me playing and went to get her camera."

I looked at the picture and saw what Jake had been talking about. You could see the love in my eyes as I looked at Edward. Oh God, did Tanya know? I never would have done anything, but you'd have to be blind not to see it.

As if he could read my mind, Edward said, "She teased me for weeks about it, you know. She wasn't mad about your crush, she thought it was sweet, she also trusted us enough to know it would not go beyond that."

I was scarlet I was so embarrassed. "Please don't, Bella. It was flattering. You are such a sweet soul. Please don't be embarrassed about it. Crushes are a part of growing up. If I were a few years younger…Anyway, here is your other present." He handed me a small box that contained a silver charm bracelet. There were a few charms already on it. There was a 'B', a cupcake, a slide and a silver heart. Edward took the bracelet and fastened it on my wrist as he explained the charms.

"The 'B' is for you, Katie picked the cupcake, Rini chose the slide, and the heart is so you know how much we love you and will miss you while you are away at school."

I was tearing up from the explanations. Edward got the girls' attentions, so I could wipe my eyes. "So who's in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs for dinner? I know I am. So is Bella going to make it for us?"

I laughed at their silliness, "Come on, let's go start dinner. Don't you girls think it's time Daddy learned to cook?"

That night started our cooking lessons and after one pot of lumped together noodles, Edward started to get the hang of it. There was a lot of laughter that night and after settling the girls in bed I took my book and curled up on the sofa by the fire.

"May I join you?" Edward gestured to the sofa. I moved my feet and pat the cushion beside me.

"Please do."

He sat, turning towards me. "I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable earlier, Bella. I really wasn't making fun of you about the crush."

"I know you weren't Edward. I just feel horrible that Tanya even knew. I never would have done anything to betray her, I hope she knew that."

"She did, like I said, she trusted the both of us. I hope you understand that I care for you Bella; you have become such a vital part of our lives. You will be missed around here. I know you and Jake are having a rough time right now, but I am here if you ever need to talk."

He put his arm around my shoulders pulling me into his side and then he kissed the top of my head.

"I'll always be here if you ever need me, Bella. Always."

OoOoO

Due to the breaking of this chapter into two, we will be back to the present with Charlie in chapter 10.

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