Stephenie Meyer owns the copyright to Twilight and all its characters

The original characters, plots, and storyline contained within this derivative work are the property of Brits23 and Lazykate

(Translation: if you steal it, we will send Bitey after your ass…and not in a good way)

Just a reminder, Lazykate writes the girls and Brits23 writes the boys!

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

CPOV

I returned home from my office a little after ten p.m. on Wednesday evening, running through another torrential downpour that was typical for this time of year.

But now it only made me think of Bella…

Sticky, smooth skin, gliding against mine.

Her little mewls of pleasure that did nothing but heighten every sensation inside my body.

Her eyes clenched, begging…her tongue wrapping around my name as she whimpered for more.

I was a well-rounded man. I'd evolved tremendously since my days of bedding the first random woman to bat her lashes at me. Bella's heart was pure and good; her smile bright and her mind hungry. These qualities were the foundation of my attraction to her. But learning how to play her body in the heat of passion, to know her intimately and to watch her writhe, to feel her come undone around me because of my ministrations…it made my heart soar further than I ever thought possible.

I hadn't talked to her since Monday afternoon and apart from a few suggestive emails that were mainly concerning the website, our contact had remained null.

But now, with the rain pouring down against the windows of my home and the darkness amongst the walls weighing heavily around me, I couldn't help but need her with a strength I couldn't begin to comprehend.

I tossed my keys onto the counter and loosened my tie, walking into the bedroom and discarding my clothing into the hamper. I laid across the bed in my boxer briefs, sighing deeply and relaxing for the first moment of the day. There was so much to be done in order to be ready for business by Monday morning. While the stress was surmounting, I was still beyond excited to begin this new chapter of my life.

The grand opening party was scheduled for Friday evening-just two days away-and thankfully my receptionist Gladys had offered to take the reins on the gathering. Trying to fit the planning into my already jam-packed schedule would have been next to impossible.

Realistically I should have taken my first few moments of respite and gotten a much needed night's sleep. But as the storm raged on around me, thoughts of her pounded over me like rain against the pavement.

I needed more.

The clock on my cell display read ten thirty-two. I knew Bella was leaving the following day for a long weekend with her mother in Jacksonville, and it would be rude of me to call this late. No doubt she was already fast asleep, her eyes fluttering as she pulled her knees up against her body…her little feet tangled together as she slumbered.

At least that's how I remembered her. Bare and curled and snug against my chest…

Maybe I wasn't as evolved as I thought.

The phone rang four times as my stomach twisted in guilt. But when her sweet voice called out a gentle hello, a touch of huskiness laced within her melodic tone, I knew I had made the right decision.

"Hey, Bella," I murmured, my smile not easily contained as I turned to lay on my stomach. "Did I wake you?"

"Nope. I was actually packing for the weekend. I know, I'm a procrastinator," she chuckled.

"I'd say," I teased. "What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"I was thinking late morning, after rush hour probably."

I nodded as a slightly loaded silence fell between us.

"Did you just get home?" she whispered.

"Yeah, just a bit ago." I couldn't stifle my yawn as she giggled on the other end of the line.

"You should get some sleep."

"I should," I agreed. "But my mind won't shut off."

"No?"

"No," I breathed.

Silence again.

"Well I'm sure you've got a lot to think about, what with the opening just days away."

I smiled softly. "That's not what keeps me up at night, sweetheart."

She exhaled noisily on the other end of the line, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up on end as I continued. "I can't smell you on my sheets anymore. It's disconcerting, to say the least."

"Carlisle-"

"What, Bella?" I murmured huskily, rising up on my elbows and hungry for the next words to leave her mouth.

"I'm afraid if I tell you what I'm thinking, you'll read too much into it. Just…tell me you know where I stand," she practically begged me.

It always came back to her not wanting to commit yet, a fact that I understood and was completely fine with. Did I want more? Of course I did. But that didn't mean I would move faster than she wanted to. When would she realize that?

"This is what I know. We met under unconventional circumstances. We clicked. We laughed. We meshed. And last weekend we gave into the attraction that was too prominent to fight. We're both adults here, and I know you want to take it slow. I want us to take as much time as you'd like. Expressing the way you feel isn't going to make me start picking out china patterns, Bella."

She laughed softly and sighed as she sorted through her thoughts. "I know. I just…sometimes I feel like I'm leading you on or something."

"The only way you'd be leading me on is if you truly didn't enjoy my company. Bella if you don't want to get to know me, romantically or otherwise, we can stop this at any time. Everything we are is entirely on your terms."

She groaned, sending tingling pulses straight toward the center of my body. "You're so understanding…how are you so damn good?"

I chuckled. "Depends on what the word 'good' is referring to, sweetheart."

I could almost hear her eyes roll. "It's refreshing to know that you have some typical male tendencies," she teased.

"Yeah, you like a barbarian?" I asked deeply.

"Sometimes," she breathed.

The silence thickened even further between us.

"So now that you know I won't be sending out our wedding announcements, why don't we start over? I believe I said, 'I can't smell you on my sheets anymore.' Now tell me what you wanted to say."

She hesitated a moment before her sweet voice rang out slightly lower than normal. "I wanted to tell you that I missed the way your sheets felt against my skin…and your lips, your eyes, your hands, your…"

I swallowed thickly, a bright flash of lightning illuminating the dark room as I sat up on my bed, my eyes closing involuntarily. "Bella," I breathed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Let me come to you."

She moaned in the back of her throat. "I can't."

"You don't want me to?"

"God, that's not it at all," she whispered.

"Tell me."

Her voice was rough as she spoke. "This is so hard, Carlisle. I never expected this kind of thing to happen and I'm so confused. I don't want to hurt anybody."

"Hey," I murmured gently. "Don't you think I know how good you are, sweetheart?"

"It depends on what the word 'good' is referring to," she giggled softly, repeating my earlier words back to me and lightening the mood infinitesimally.

I smiled widely. "There's my girl. Now I'd like you to tell me what's got you conflicted, but nothing you say is going to hurt me, Bella. I just want to help you."

I listened to her elevated breathing for a long moment, waiting to find out what had her in such turmoil. I had a hunch about what it dealt with, which made my stomach sink.

Finally she spoke.

"You know I'm not ready to commit so soon after everything that happened with Jacob."

"I know," I whispered.

"I like you so much, Carlisle. But I need you to know that you aren't the only man I'm seeing right now."

"Okay," I murmured, my palm pressing against my suddenly constricted chest.

She chuckled humorlessly. "Look, it's not like I've got a of revolving door in my bedroom, okay? It's just…I don't want to discuss the other party involved; it wouldn't be fair to either one of you. Just like it wouldn't be fair if I were to meet with you tonight."

A million questions gathered on the tip of my tongue, but I pushed them all down. "I'm not even allowed to kiss you goodbye?"

She sighed. "Neither one of us would stop there, Carlisle. I've focused on everyone but myself for far too long and I just need to do what feels right. We need to keep it light until I can figure out what I truly want in my life. It's a lot to ask…from both of us. But I'm hoping we can try, because I don't want to lose you as a friend or whatever else we could potentially be in the future."

It was I who took my moment of silence this time, replaying her words in my mind and suppressing the questions that truly weren't my business. When she used the term 'other party,' it told me there was only one other man in her life, which was a bit of a relief.

But what about last weekend?

"This must be a relatively new development."

"Yeah, very," she whispered.

I breathed slowly through my nose, focusing on the facts. We had not known each other long, and even though my feelings for her were strong from the get-go, there was no harm in taking our time. If she needed to weigh her options, then I would stand by until she figured out what she wanted. I'd show her how a real man behaved by respecting her privacy in that aspect of her life and only focusing on what we were together.

She was worth that.

"Thank you for telling me the truth," I breathed, running my hand over my face. "Obviously this…sucks for me. But that doesn't mean I don't understand your situation, Bella. I'm here, okay? I'll be here…as your friend, your lover, or however you need me, sweetheart."

She let out a shuddering sigh. "You are so amazing."

"I know, aren't I?" I deadpanned, lying on my back and staring up at the ceiling. "I still want to kiss you goodbye."

"Maybe you can kiss me hello when I get back…in a heavily populated area so we can keep our hormones in check," she smiled.

"Hmm…you over-estimate my restraint, Bella. You really think a crowd of people would stop me?"

She giggled. "My, you are a barbarian."

"Mostly I just like to take my sweet time." I ran my tongue along my bottom lip, reminiscing on how heavenly she tasted.

"I remember," she breathed.

I switched gears before we brought ourselves back to the very precarious ledge we were balancing upon.

"See, there are some perks to dating a more mature man."

Her laughter swelled my heart. "Oh come on, you can't have that many years on me, Doctor Cullen. What, ten? Twelve?"

Shit. I thought back, realizing my exact age had never been brought up. Would this be an issue for her?

"A few more than that," I said quickly.

"Hmmm, do you qualify for AARP? Do you get the senior discount at the supermarket? Do you…ride a Rascal?" she gasped.

Her happy tone was infectious and I chuckled hard enough to make my stomach muscles ache. "Not quite, sweetheart. Don't book the nursing home just yet."

"Well then, tell me."

I hesitated a moment before finally acquiescing. "Forty-five," I muttered.

"For real?"

I winced. "For real…is that a problem?"

She hummed in contemplation for a minute-the longest minute of my life, until she started laughing lightly. "Of course it's not a problem. So you're older than me…we still have plenty of things in common, and everything seems to be in uh, working order."

I smiled widely. "Oh I can assure you, everything is fully functional…for repetitive usage if you so desire."

"Yeah?" she breathed.

"Absolutely."

She hummed softly, a few errant giggles fighting their way through. "You don't look forty-five," she whispered.

"No?"

"Not at all. You're so…"

I chuckled. "So what?"

I could just picture her sweet face blushing bright red. "You're so hot."

I laughed obnoxiously, rolling onto my stomach quickly.

"Shut up!" she growled, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.

"Don't worry, I already know that you think I'm hot. The first time we met will forever be ingrained in my mind."

"Ugh, I hate you," she grumbled.

"No you don't," I smiled.

"No," she said seriously, trailing off. "I don't."

I lowered my voice significantly as I spoke. "I should let you finish packing so you can get some sleep."

"I guess," she murmured. "I'll probably just finish up tomorrow morning."

This time our silence was filled with a soft yearning that neither one of us could give into. I groaned quietly as she spoke. "What will you do?"

My eyes widened. "What will I do when I get off the phone with you?"

"Yeah."

"Probably try to sleep." I laid my head against the pillow. "And definitely think about you."

"What about me?" she whispered sinfully.

"Parasailing," I grinned.

She laughed. "Is that all?"

"No," I growled.

"Tell me."

God, this woman had the power to make me so incredibly, painfully hard.

"A little curiosity never hurt anyone," I grinned.

"Not true, it killed a cat."

I smiled warmly, deciding to give in. "The way your entire body feels pressed against mine. Smooth skin, deep breaths…your long, soft hair falling against my cheek."

"Carlisle?"

"Hmm?"

"When I said you were 'so damn good'- I meant it in so many different ways," she breathed. "So many…"

I chuckled almost nervously. "Do you have any idea what you do to me, Bella? Any idea at all?"

I could practically see her coy little grin as she hummed into the receiver. "Maybe when we get off the phone, we could think about everything…together."

Does she mean what I think she means?

I swallowed thickly, pulling the comforter up over my body and closing my eyes. "You wanna do this?" I breathed heavily, cradling the phone closer to my mouth.

She released a shuddering sigh. "Mmhmm…I do."

"I want to see you as soon as you get back," I murmured deeply, resting my hand over my stomach and aching for some relief a bit further down.

"Okay, but we can't…"

"I know we can't, sweetheart. I just need to see you. I've missed you quite a bit this week. We can do whatever you'd like, all right?"

She laughed. "Ah, we most certainly cannot do whatever I'd like."

My heart warmed immediately. "When we get off the phone we can."

"And we will," she murmured seductively.

My face contorted for a moment, suddenly becoming overwhelmed by the woman on the other end of the line. "It's all for you, Bella. Everything," I whispered so gently.

She sighed deeply. "I know, Carlisle. I'll call you when I get back. See you when we get off the phone?" she questioned playfully, making my cock twitch viciously inside my boxer briefs.

"You can count on it," I breathed, finally letting my hand slip down to apply pressure against my aching erection.

She forced a playful yawn. "Well I'm downright exhausted…I've got to get to bed straight away."

I hummed appreciatively. "I already am."

Her groan elicited my own. "I'm going to hang up now, Carlisle," she said breathlessly. "Have a good night."

My smile was crooked and somewhat arrogant as I heard the bed shift beneath her. "Sweet dreams, Bella."

A moment later we disconnected our call, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I closed my eyes and imagined what she was doing at that exact moment.

The air was suddenly stifling in my room, the central air doing nothing for my overheated skin. One conversation, one suggestion of distant intimacy with that woman and I was a trembling mass of need.

Just like that.

I slowly lowered my boxers and tossed them beside the bed, throwing the covers off of me and letting the air hit my naked body.

Bella.

Bella, Bella, Bella.

She was every thought, every throb of my body. She was my fingers drifting down to wrap around my cock. She was the groan from my lips and the clench of my eyes.

She was everything.

I ignored the pull of disappointment at the situation she revealed to me tonight, only focusing on the fact that at that very moment, she was writhing amongst her sheets, thinking about me as she pleasured herself.

I pushed my fist tightly up my shaft, squeezing the head between my thumb and forefinger as I groaned, thinking about how exactly she was making herself come for me.

Her fingers deep inside her.

A vibrator, moving slowly in and out of her wet body.

God, it was too much…the memories of our one steamy night together mixed with thoughts of her hand between her legs nearly sent me directly over the edge.

I swirled my thumb over the head of my cock as I worked myself faster, spreading the wetness from my tip down along my throbbing skin. I moaned as I envisioned her riding me, soft and hot and trembling, taking my cock inside of her and squeezing me with her wet heat.

I could taste that very heat, the way her tender skin pulsed against my tongue and begged for more, her very essence wetting my mouth as I scrambled to take everything from the beautiful girl I couldn't get enough of.

So good…so unbelievably good…

Was she coming yet?

Were her eyes clenched tightly as she whimpered for me, shaking in the need for my touch between her thighs? How hard were her pink nipples…how badly were they aching for my mouth?

It was stifling in my bedroom, the sweat gathering on my brow as I arched against the mattress, stroking my cock fervently like I longed for Bella to do. She elicited so much inside of me. She stimulated my mind, my heart, my body…she fulfilled me in every single way imaginable, and it was just so goddamn good.

I whispered her name heavily into the air surrounding me as my head thrashed from side to side, my grip tightening around my cock as my fingers flew up and down my engorged flesh. I was so close to exploding in my hand, to the thoughts of everything we were together as we brought ourselves to release, and everything we could be for one another once she realized that it was me.

It wasn't him.

I shook my head to relieve myself of those unpleasant thoughts, my entire body twitching at the feel of my balls tightening and my stomach heaving as I brought myself so desperately close to the edge.

Her body…

Her dark eyes…

Her soft thighs…

Her pink, aching flesh…

Round, supple breasts…

My name on her tongue…

I came desperately hard, a deep grunt escaping my lips as I climaxed in the name of the girl who satisfied me so entirely.

And I prayed that she came with me, wished like hell that at the moment I erupted with pure unadulterated pleasure, she would feel it too.

If only she felt it too.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

The following days passed in a blur of obligations and legalities, the hours spent at the practice far surpassing the time spent at home. Every drop of my blood, sweat and tears would be worth the freedom and nobility of owning my own practice. While I knew it would take awhile for things to settle, I had no qualms with giving all of myself to my career.

Well, almost no qualms…

I certainly wanted to make time for Bella, especially now that I knew I had some sort of competition.

But everything felt so right between us…how could there ever be any doubt?

I truly didn't want to know the answer to that question.

Before I knew it I found myself standing in the doorway of my facility, dressed to the nines and greeting co-workers, friends and family alike as they piled through my door. This was a big night for me, and it felt great to be able to share this moment with the people in my life.

The champagne flowed freely as I made my rounds, talking shop with my old associates from Mercy, discussing the Marlins with my friends and kissing my mother on the cheek. I checked my watch and realized a few key people from the evening were missing. My kid, for example.

"Where's my grandson?" My dad questioned behind me, resting his hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head, smiling back at him. "Beats me, Dad."

"Huh, probably caught up with some girl," he huffed.

I chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds about right."

My mother came up one the other side of me, linking her arm with mine. "I'm so proud of you, honey," she said tearfully, patting my hand.

I truly couldn't have asked for better parents. When I was a teenager and Esme had literally left me in shambles, there was only one true reason I survived: the love of my parents. So many years later when we found out about Edward's existence, there was no judgment or ill will over the fact that I fathered a child so young. Only pure joy that he was in our lives, and sadness that we had missed out on so much.

And since they didn't get to pamper Edward while he was growing up, he was treated like a five-year-old at twenty-seven by his compassionate, doting grandparents.

He completely ate it up.

"No date tonight, son?" my father asked, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

I shrugged my shoulders, smiling crookedly. "Not tonight."

I desperately wanted to tell everyone in my life about the woman who had turned my world upside down, but there were so many reasons why I couldn't. For one, there was the age difference. While it wasn't an issue for us, I couldn't fathom what Edward would say about my dating someone younger than him. There was a large chance that he would pat me on the back and say 'Way to go, old man!'

There was also a chance that he would fly off the handle and be completely freaked out by it. My parents probably wouldn't have much to say on the matter, so that wasn't as big of a concern, but the main reason I kept her to myself was because of her desire to keep things casual between us. It wouldn't exactly resemble casual dating if I shouted from the roof tops that I was completely and utterly consumed by Isabella Swan. So for now I would keep my mouth shut and enjoy the secret that was only mine to have.

"There he is!" my mother gasped, her face lighting up brightly as Edward's bronze mop of hair showed up amongst the throngs of people. I wondered if he knew how much joy he brought his grandparents.

My five-foot-nothing, round little mother fought her way through the crowd, grabbing Edward's arm and yanking him down to leave maroon colored kisses all over his cheek. My heart clenched and he smiled warmly down at his grandmother. It had been so many years since Edward showed up at my door, but sometimes it overwhelmed me to know that I had a son, and just how blessed I was by his presence.

"Grammy!" he beamed, hugging her as she dragged him back toward us.

My dad met them half way and pulled Edward in for a hug, slipping him what looked like a five dollar bill as he clapped his back.

I shook my head. Edward had more money than all of us combined. Times ten.

I smiled at my boy as he slipped the five back in his grandpa's jacket pocket when he wasn't looking. He was a good kid.

"Hey pop," he smiled, reaching out to bump my knuckles. "Where's your sweetheart? I've been so anxious to meet her."

I thought back to Edward's phone call earlier in the week, overhearing me call Bella 'sweetheart' as I got off the phone with her. He must have inherited his eavesdropping skills from his grandmother. "I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered, looking over his head.

"Yeah, whatever," he smiled wryly.

I rolled my eyes. "Where's your date?"

He pointed over his shoulder. "Eh, she saw someone she knew outside, so they're chatting it up."

"Are Emmett and Jasper coming?" I questioned.

Edward clenched his eyes and threw his head back. "Son of a bitch," he murmured.

"What?"

"Emmett and Rosalie are coming later, I think, but I completely forgot to invite Jazz. He's been so busy with his new girlfriend lately that I barely get to see him anymore."

"Well, time to settle down then, huh kid? All of your friends seem to be taking the plunge," I winked, punching his arm playfully and waiting for the onset of profanity.

His response floored me. "Yeah, maybe it is," he shrugged.

Something was definitely going on with him, but I left it alone for the time being. When he'd opened up to me earlier in the week about a girl he was actually interested in, I knew I had to tread lightly when approaching the subject. "How did your date go, by the way?" I asked nonchalantly.

His top lip curled upward as he observed his shoes, his hand resting on the back of his neck. "Pretty fucking good, pop," he murmured quietly.

"I'm glad to hear it, Edward," I smiled proudly.

Just then, he turned his head towards the door. "Speaking of dates…" he drifted off, smiling my own crooked grin.

I turned toward the door and saw the woman he escorted to my grand opening, my eyes widening as I took in her familiar face. I was beyond shocked.

EPOV

I ran my hands through my hair a few times, checking my reflection once more in the bathroom mirror. I looked pretty fucking dapper, to be sure. My hair was disarrayed but stylishly so, my jaw was covered with a day's worth of stubble and my tie was straight as an arrow.

Eat your heart out, ladies.

Bella.

Bella, Bella, Bella.

Even though I couldn't get that girl out of my head, my whorish mindset was hard to break away from. Inside I was ready to rub up on the first woman with orange skin and fake tits, but immediately I was reminded of how unsatisfied that would make me feel.

Not that there would be leggy Oompa Loompas at my pop's grand opening anyway, but like I said…old habits die hard.

It had been three days since my date with Bella. What a fucking grab bag of fuckery I had been, and yet somehow I still managed to get her warm tongue into my mouth at the end of the night. Truth be told, I wanted it on a lot more places than that, but she laid down the cockblock at her front door.

And to my utter astonishment, I wasn't disheartened because I wasn't going to be getting my rocks off with a fuck-hot, gorgeous girl. Nah, I was sorry for myself because I didn't get to touch her skin and watch her face scrunch up as she came and give her the pleasure that somehow now trumped my own beloved orgasms.

The girl had thrown me for a loop.

Our date wasn't perfect. Far from, in fact. I was a complete basket case when she walked into her living room to greet me, my conscious mind taking an untimely leave of absence along with my verbal filter. I started talking to Bella like a lovesick idiot, but once I got it out of my system and confessed a lot more than I ever fucking meant to, things took on a much more normal rhythm.

Which meant that it was only a matter of time before my douche-baggery began to show. I started chiding her, telling her to admit that she was having more fun with me than the other twit she was dating. I could literally feel myself changing over to my suave alter-ego as I widened my smile and batted my lashes lazily at her. One moment I was conversing with her like a half-way decent human being, the next I felt like I should be wearing a thick gold chain and doing the finger-gun point at her while winking obnoxiously. Was this really how I operated in the past?

It was a damn good thing I was pretty, because these chicks were out of their minds to fall for my game if that was the case.

But the fact that I could now recognize my descent into asshole-ism meant that I was finally seeing the error of my ways, which I took as progress.

I was still kinda miffed that Bella was dating that other guy, but it was just another matter I was torn on. On one hand, I wanted Bella all to myself, plain and fucking simple. On the other, I knew I would freak the fuck out if she asked me to be monogamous. I know, right? Such a contradictory bastard.

I finally decided that it was probably a good thing Bella wanted to keep it casual, at least while I took the time to figure my shit out. And if things progressed the way I thought they would between us, that other dude would be out on his ass once Bella and I got on the same page.

I was confident we would.

In the meantime, the fact remained that Bella was actively seeing another man…which meant my ass wasn't going to be sitting on the couch eating bonbons, waiting for the phone to ring.

Not by a long shot. Not when I was moments away from picking up the most loveliest of ladies to ever grace me with her presence.

I whistled for Taylor and opened her door as she jumped off the couch, running into her Puppy Palace. "I'll be back later, Tay Tay…be good."

I turned on the radio for my homegirl and switched on the kitchen light before scooping my keys off the counter. I eyeballed the bouquet of flowers I had bought earlier in the day, smiling as I thought about who I'd be giving them to.

After our date on Tuesday, I immediately wanted to ask Bella to accompany me to the grand opening of Carlisle's private practice, but remembered that she was going out of town to visit her mother that weekend. It was probably just as well. Knowing how sappy my ass was turning, I'd probably make googly eyes at her and officially freak the fuck out of my pop.

It would have been entertaining at least.

But even though it would have been amazing to have Bella on my arm the entire night, I realized it was probably for the best. Neither one of us was in a place where we wanted to be pressured, and I figured she probably needed her space to mull over shit just as much as I did.

I still thought about her almost every waking minute, but as I tucked the flowers beneath my arm and walked towards my front door, I was thoroughly content with the woman who would be accompanying me to the grand opening.

After locking the front door behind me I whistled a tune on my way toward the elevator, cursing loudly once I realized what exactly I was whistling.

Fucking Justin Bieber taking over every fucking radio station in the fucking country...

"Such a tool," I murmured, rolling my eyes as the elevator dinged.

"Eddie, going stag again?"

I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder and shrugged out of it, giving my sleaze-ball neighbor James a dismissive look as he approached me from behind. "I guess."

He chuckled heartily. "Huh, you know come to think of it, your apartment hasn't been seeing as much action as it used to. Ever since that dark-haired girl with the smoking little body snuck out a few weeks ago."

Boiling rage overtook me, and before I knew what I was doing, James was pinned against the wall next to the elevator. "What the fuck is your problem, man? Do you spy on me out your fucking peephole or something? I suggest you mind your own business from here on out, you feel me?"

He smiled widely. "I seem to have struck a nerve. You certainly like to play unsung hero to the girls who walk out my door. Maybe I'll have to rescue your little doe-eyed treat. What do you think, Eddie? She can't be that hard to find."

I nearly growled, my fists clenching around the lapels of his jacket as I pushed him harder against the wall. I didn't take well to being toyed with, especially when it came to the first girl I ever truly had feelings for. I wanted to punch him in his botoxed fucking face, but realized it wouldn't exactly be cool for me to pull my dad away from his own party so he could bail his dumbass son out of jail.

I let go of his jacket, breathing deeply in and out to steady my nerves. I wanted to threaten his miserable existence if he even thought about Bella again, but I knew that would tempt him even further. "My life is none of your concern," I growled through gritted teeth, backing away from him slowly. "Just stay on your end of the hall and I'll stay on mine. It works out a hell of a lot better that way."

His amused, icy gaze didn't go unnoticed by me, but before I could act on my initial urge to pulverize him, two blonde girls who couldn't have been more than nineteen sauntered out of the elevator, walking to either side of James.

I stepped swiftly into the lift and pressed the button to the main floor, feeling sickened with how young those girls were, and just how clueless they had to have been about the man they were giving their bodies to.

The perverseness of the exchange going on floors above me made me long for Bella something fierce, and even though I resolved to let her be this weekend, I needed to connect with her so badly in that moment. Maybe it was because of the vague threats James had made toward her, or maybe I just missed her more than I realized. No matter what the reason, it had me texting a message to my girl as fast as my fingers would allow me.

I was kinda just thinking that you're pretty amazing, and the respect you have for yourself is just as sexy as your mind and that gorgeous smile of yours. Miss me yet? ;)

She wrote back about ten minutes later as I was pulling out of my parking garage.

Maybe. :) That was a sweet but unusual compliment, Edward. Everything okay?

I let out a long exhale, pondering her question intently. Finally I wrote back.

Things are decent. I just encountered a real Class A sleaze and I'm praying I've never stooped to a level such as his. I'm headed to a party, baby. Enjoy that quiet time for me.

My phone signaled her reply a moment later.

There's not much quiet while my mother is in the vicinity, but I'm managing to clear my head. Apparently I needed it. Well, have fun. :)

I hesitated for a moment and wrote out a simple message.

I want to see you again. Could we maybe have another date when you get back?

It seemed like an eternity before she replied.

Hmmm…I suppose that can be arranged. :)

I laughed, typing, Thank fucking god.

My phone beeped back with her sweet words.

Wow, such a charmer. *swoon*

Goddamn, she was funny.

I knew you missed me.

Her reply made my whole body warm from the inside out.

Have fun at your party…but be safe. And I always miss you, Edward, when you aren't being a cocky asshole, that is. ;)

I closed my phone with a wide smile spread across my face as I ran my fingers through my hair. I turned the radio up and checked my watch, making sure I would be on time for the date that wasn't Bella, but still pretty spectacular in her own right.

"Baby, baby, baby, ohhh like baby, baby, baby, noooo…damnit!"

Fucking Justin Bieber.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

I arrived in my date's driveway promptly at seven-thirty, grinning brazenly as I retrieved the bouquet of flowers and walked swiftly to the front door. I rang the bell and straightened my tie, hearing a female voice on the other side of the door.

The happiness in her tone made me feel all heart-warmed and shit.

A moment later the door swung open, and I was met with a positively giddy woman, her purse clutched tightly in her hands as she giggled shamelessly at me. I was oozing charm, and couldn't help but chuckle at what Bella would think of me resorting back to my old habits. Given the situation, I didn't think she'd mind.

I took in my date's burgundy dress, her white pearls glistening around her neck and the bright rouge coloring her cheeks. She was quite frankly adorable, and if I couldn't have Bella on my arm tonight, there was certainly no one else I'd rather be with.

I bowed and took her hand, kissing it gallantly as I looked up at her beneath my lashes. "Gladys, you are an absolute vision," I murmured deeply, kissing her hand once more for good measure.

She giggled so violently that a rather unladylike snort rang out loudly before she cupped her hand over her mouth and turned a bright shade of red.

Yeah, so I was taking my pop's married, sixty-something receptionist to his grand opening…big fucking deal. Gladys was the shit, and I knew she always had a cougar crush on my fine ass. I could talk shit and say that I'd date around if Bella was…but the fact of the matter was, I just didn't want to.

Which was admittedly fucked up but with each passing day, it became less and less terrifying.

Gladys's husband came up behind her and winked wryly. "What kind of a noise was that? You sounded like a dying pig with all your guffawing out here."

Gladys rolled her eyes playfully and stepped out the door. "You look handsome tonight, sweet pea. Not that you don't always, mind you," she smiled, patting my cheek.

I shook her husband's hand and winked. "I'll have her back at a decent hour, sir, no worries."

"Well you can keep her if you want," he teased, leaning against the doorframe with a wide smile on his face.

"Hmm, I just might," I murmured, tucking her hand beneath my arm.

I began walking Gladys to my car before her husband called out to us. We both turned and he pointed a finger at me. "You be respectable, young man. That's my wife you're escorting around."

I nodded and Gladys lit up like the Fourth of July. "See, my old man isn't all that bad," she sighed. "Just a little rough around the edges, is all."

On our drive to my dad's practice, Gladys went on and on about the party that she had arranged: who was coming, who wasn't coming, the h'ordeuvres being served, the decorations, the lighting and so on and so forth.

So I did what any other diligent date would do; I smiled happily and nodded where appropriate.

We arrived at the party a little later than planned thanks to shitty traffic, and I walked through the doors alone as Gladys found some old biddy to gossip with outside the office.

I smiled as I saw my little Grammy billowing through the crowd to get to me. My grandparents were the sweetest fucking people I knew, and they treated me like a golden child, which I totally loved, by the way.

After my gramps tried to slip me a fiver and I snuck it back into his pocket, I met up with my pop, making casual talk as our eyes perused the crowded room. I harassed him about the chick he was talking to on the phone earlier in the week and he in turn asked about my date.

I thought his eyeballs were gonna pop out and land on the fucking floor when I told him that it went pretty fucking amazingly well.

Once Bella and I figured out what the hell we wanted, I would have no problem informing my pop just how taken I was with a member of the opposite sex. But there was no point in getting his hopes all up about me settling down if Bella ditched me for that other douche bag, or I bailed when I realized I couldn't deal with the monogomies. I severely doubted that either one of those things would come to pass, but it was better safe than sorry. So for now I'd shut my hole and wait until she was at least my fucking girlfriend before I presented us to the outside world.

Plus keeping us a secret made it feel kind of dirty, which made it infinitely hotter.

Gladys joined us moments later, my dad looking at me like I had three heads when he realized that little old Gladys was my date to his grand opening. I simply shrugged and smiled crookedly at him. "What can I say, pop? I've got a thing for older women."

"Huh…that's ironic," he muttered beneath his breath, turning towards some dude with a mustache as he began his spiel about the practice.

I walked around aimlessly as Gladys, my father, and my grandparents busied themselves with socializing around the room. The champagne was tasting really fucking stellar as I slammed one after another back, my cheeks feeling warm and flushed as I spotted Emmett and Rosalie walking through the front door.

I expertly manhandled three champagne glasses and distributed them to my friend and the girl who had his dick in some sort of vagina-shaped death trap; seriously, this chick had his balls in a jar on her fucking shelf next to her Barbies and porcelain dolls, but who the hell am I to judge?

She didn't like me all that much because of my salacious ways; the only thing I could figure was that she was afraid Em would see my life of pussy and freedom and drop her ass like a hot coal. Well, if the goddamn shoe fit…

Nah, I guess Rosalie wasn't that bad, even though she looked at me like a bug that needed to be crushed. Well, maybe she was that bad.

"Hey man, what's shakin'?" Emmett question, smiling widely as he slammed back the contents of his glass and placed it on a nearby tray, swiping another drink.

"Nada," I sighed, looking around absently. "Just a lot of rich old people."

"We just stopped by for awhile. We have tickets to the ballet for nine p.m.," Rosalie abruptly informed me.

"Okay, simmer down," I said defensively.

She rolled her eyes and sipped daintily at her drink.

"So where's Jazzabel?" Emmett questioned.

I groaned, feeling like shit that I didn't even invite my best friend. "Somehow I forgot to tell him to come. I mean, I guess I've been talking about Carlisle's new practice a lot, but I never really told him when and where the festivities were taking place. He's always with Alice, so I don't fucking know," I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.

Emmett shrugged. "He'll get over it. If nothing else, tell him you sent him an invitation but he's been so neglectful of your friendship because of Alice that he didn't even notice. That will make him go all emo-geek and he'll be begging for your forgiveness."

I chuckled shortly. "Wow, man, that's a pretty cold thing to do."

Emmett pushed my shoulder. "Shit, I was just playing around. So did you bring Bella?"

"What?" I asked sharply.

"That's the name of Alice's roommate isn't it? The one you laid down the pipe with?"

Rosalie smacked Emmett hard in the gut, which actually made me like her a bit more.

"How do you know her name?" I asked suspiciously.

"Hmm, probably because Jazzy accidentally spilled the beans about your little date. So you finally came down with your monogomies, bro. I hope you picked up your prescription drugs, man, that shit can make it burn when you pee," he chuckled.

I was going to fucking kill Jasper Milton Whitlock the Third.

"Yeah well whatever, just keep your mouth shut about her," I snapped, throwing back another glass of champagne.

"Wow, you must have it bad," Rosalie smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Okay, I was back to a very strong dislike of the blonde demon spawn.

"Damn guys, look at the time! You better get going if you're gonna beat the traffic. You can't leave those men in tights waiting too long, can you Emmett?"

He stared at me sheepishly.

I smirked like the asshole I was and, after they congratulated my pop, walked them toward Emmett's Jeep. "Thanks for coming, guys," I said sincerely.

Rosalie climbed in and Emmett bumped my knuckles. "It's all good, Edward. And don't sweat it about Bella, I was just giving you shit. We all get swept up by a female sooner or later."

I nodded appreciatively before punching his shoulder. "Maybe, but we all don't turn into giant pussies and go to the fucking ballet every other weekend, Emmy."

He tried to gut check me but I backed up out of his way. He attempted to nab me a few more times but I side stepped him, mostly because I was lithe as hell and he was a big mass of clumsy muscle. "Whatever, you're still an asshole," he smirked.

I nodded, signaling for him to get in the Jeep. "Yeah, I'm sure I am. I hope you're wearing the pearls that match your skirt, Emmy. They judge you on that shit in fancy places like that."

He scowled and called me an asshole once more before driving away, leaving me in the dust as my phone started ringing. I shook my head as I watched Emmett drive out of sight, chuckling to myself before looking at the display of my phone, hoping like hell it was Bella.

My smile instantly fell. It so fucking wasn't Bella. At all.

The words "Mommy Dearest" were displayed on my screen, and believe me when I say the name in which I had her stored in my phone was no fucking coincidence.

I hadn't talked to her in months, nor did I have a real desire to.

My throat burned as I swallowed thickly, a wave of abandonment washing through me as I quickly suppressed the glaringly obvious knowledge that the hole this woman left in my life was still an open wound.

But if I didn't pick up, she'd never fucking stop trying until she reached me.

I begrudgingly answered my call, preparing myself for the repressed hurt that soared through my body every time I heard her fake laugh, her joyous accounts of her travels, and the luxurious life she always led without me.

Without her own flesh and fucking blood.

"Hello," I murmured, my eyes widening when I was met with something completely unexpected on the other end of the line.

CPOV

As the crowd thinned and random people came up to me, wishing me luck and thanking me for the lovely party, I knew this night had been a success. I could only hope that my private practice would follow suit.

Eventually only Gladys and two of her receptionist friends were left as they commingled around the front desk, all of their cheeks brightly colored as they slurred their words and chugged their drinks. I chuckled to myself and loosened my tie, observing the mess left in the wake of the party and thankful I could hire people to clean up the aftermath, especially when I had so much to do between then and Monday.

I began wandering my building, certain that Edward had to be around somewhere considering Gladys was still there and he hadn't said goodbye.

I searched outside but didn't see him anywhere, finally looking from room to room until I found him in one of the examination rooms, sitting atop the paper-covered table with a bottle of champagne pressed to his lips.

Immediately I knew something was wrong.

But as it always was with Edward, I had to tread lightly.

I climbed up and sat next to him on the table, turning on the small lamp attached to the wall and bringing some illumination to the otherwise pitch dark room. I pulled the bottle from his hand and took a long sip before giving it back to him. "What happened, Edward?" I questioned hesitantly, observing him very closely.

His eyes were red and his jaw was clenched, pain etched in every feature that could only be caused by one person. The person who had ruined me as well.

"She's coming here," he mumbled around the mouth of the bottle, casting me a side glance before closing his eyes and chugging heartily.

My heart clenched viciously, and I was suddenly angry with myself for still reacting to her after all these years. "Why?"

He shrugged. "She was crying."

"Why?" I questioned again.

"I guess all the shit she put us through is finally catching up with her," he slurred indolently into his champagne.

I cursed beneath my breath, angry at the blood racing through my veins and my stomach that twisted in some unidentifiable emotion. But more than that, I was overtaken with rage…because she was fucking with my son all over again.

"Let her come, Edward. If she leaves again, then you'll know. If she takes the time and effort to repent for what she's done, then maybe we can all heal. Either way, you know you'll always have one parent that will give you the love you deserve. I'd never miss out on a single second of your life, and I'd never feel anything less than pride when I look at you, Edward."

I looked down at my trembling hands as the forceful words left my lips, anger coursing through me in violent currents.

After all this time, she still did this to me…

Edward's hand was heavy on my shoulder. "Come on, pop. Don't let her fuck with you anymore just because she still has the power to fuck with me."

I huffed in frustration. "If she fucks with you, Edward, she fucks with me."

He chuckled absently. "Damn, Carlisle, you must be fired up as hell if you're dropping the 'F' bombs."

I shook my head. "I just don't know why she keeps doing this. She either needs to leave you be or try to get you back, but when she toys with you like this…I can't stand it."

"I'm twenty-seven, pop. I should be able to handle my selfishly clueless mother by now," he sighed.

"Edward, it doesn't matter how old you are…the levels of your pain run deep, and understandably so."

"Whatever," he mumbled, seemingly frustrated with himself, much how I was now that I was letting Esme Platt under my skin once again.

We sat there in a heavy silence, passing the bottle back and forth between us until the contents ran dry.

Eventually Gladys found us, sullen and somewhat liquored as she took in our empty expressions. She'd been around us long enough to know what had us in such a state. Silently she walked forward and wrapped us in her arms, her quiet sob sounding out between us.

"Oh, my poor boys," she whispered, patting our cheeks. "She'd better hope she never steps foot anywhere near me, sweet peas, or there's going to be a heap of trouble coming her way."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the menacing threats from the sweet woman who would undoubtedly keep my practice afloat. She slowly pulled back and kissed both of our foreheads before smiling warmly at us. "Harold is on his way to get me, but I'm going to call a cab for you two; you don't need to be driving like this."

With one more squeeze she walked out of the room, reminding me to lock up before shutting the door behind her.

I was confident that tomorrow we would be much more capable of coping with the news of Edward's mother gracing us with her presence. But with emotions running high for both of us-what with our newfound love interests, my new endeavor career-wise and the plentiful flow of expensive champagne-we were letting her looming presence effect us on a more personal level than either one of us would have liked to admit.

I could only hope that if she was truly upset about the way she had neglected our son all these years, that she would be sincere about it, and realize just how grandly she had screwed up.

But no matter the reason for her visit, I'd protect Edward the best I could from the damage she could potentially create.

Because that's what a good father did for his son.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

A/N:

*Brits sings* You know you love me, I know you care, Just shout whenever, and I'll be there…GAWD DAMNIT! Playboyward keeps walking around my house naked, singing Justin Bieber and now it's stuck in my head too! He's right, it's a DAMN good thing he's pretty. *Grumbles*

Kate: I never thought I'd be saying this about the visual of a naked Playboyward walking around the house, but that's pretty messed up. He's been Bieber-ized!

Brits: No worries, Twin. I will be more than happy to POUND IT right out of our beloved Playboyward until he's in his right mind again.

Kate: Thanks for taking one for the team, hon. In the meantime I'm gonna ask Dr. McYummy to reenact the Wank-lisle scene...again...

*Brits licks lips* Hey, that was a very um, hard scene to write! Dr. FuckMeNow and I worked on it together, over and over...and over...and over again... *Brits' eyes glaze over*

Kate: Hmm, well now that Bella is enforcing the cockblock smackdown, our poor boys may just have to get used to taking care of themselves for a while. Maybe we should make sure they understand they can cum, err, come to us for help anytime?

Brits: I think that would be the most responsible thing to do as, you know, authors and whatnot. But seriously, twin, do you really think Bella can keep her resolve when she's got those two hot pieces fawning all over her?

Kate: I don't think any woman in her right mind would be able to. Especially since you know they'll both be trying to get her to change her mind. And speaking of minds, do you think Bella's gotten her head on straight up in Jacksonville? Got some words of wisdom from Renee?

Brits: Well I don't know how much wisdom Renee will be capable of providing, but speaking of Mothers...what's the deal with Esme? Oh wait, we know the answer to that already. But they don't! *Brits points out to the sea of readers*

*Kate rolls up sleeves and prepares to choke a bitch Wayne-Brady-style*

Brits: Easy there, killer. Why don't we just let our beloved story unravel before we commit manslaughter, cool?

Kate: Okay okay, I'll wait...for now. Well, to get my mind off HER, how about we remind people of a few things? The Twilighted thread being one of them...

Brits: Oh right! Twilighted thread linkage: www(dot)twilighted(dot)net/forum/viewtopic(dot)php?f=44&t=8305.

We have P0rn Fridays over there, and have even recently thrown in some decadent treats on Hump Day (aka Wednesday) so be sure to check it out...especially if you wanna see a pic of PFach that looks like he's starring in his own personal sextape, but I digress.

Kate: And Masterperv Theatre, which has been updated with a sinfully-delicious one-shot from my lovely twin here: www(DOT)fanfiction(DOT)net/s/5952744/2/Masterperv_Theatre

And last but not least, we're both still on Twitter, all pervy, all the time, as brits23 and lazykatevamp

Brits: Yep! So add us, visit us on the thread, and please check out Masterperv Theatre? We sure do appreciate it. In the meantime, why don't you drop us a line and tell us what you thought of this chapter. Any thoughts on Esme's impending presence? What will it mean for our favorite love triangle? REVIEW and let us know!

Kate: Yes please! See you lovelies again soon!