SM owns everything Twilight related, you guys know that.

I need to thank as usual to my awesome friend Mari. You rock big big time!

Please read A/N at the end.

Chapter 12: The Thing About Secrets

"While we are free to choose our actions,

we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions."

Stephen R. Covey. ~

"Tell me about your parents." I ask Edward while he drives us towards his childhood house. He is not as nervous as before but I can tell he's still a bit anxious. Me, on the other hand…let's just say "a bit" is not the word I'd use. But I can't let him know that. So instead I try to get him to relax. One of us needs to be the calm one.

He looks at me out of the corner of his eye, before speaking.

"Well, Carlisle and Esme adopted me when I was just months old and— "

"Wait…What? You're adopted?" I interrupt. I can't contain my surprise. I know Edward and I don't exactly talk, but I never gave much thought about how little we actually know about each other. With him knowing about my family and my marriage, I suppose he knows more about me than I know about him.

It makes me sad. It's not like I don't want to know him. It's just that with all the stuff I have to deal with who would… There I go making excuses for myself. I sigh.

"Yes, I am." Edward's voice brings me out of my thoughts.

"But you're so…normal. Aren't adopted kids supposed to be, you know…all messed up?" At least that's how I see it. However, Edward doesn't act like that. Maybe he had a tough childhood. I am curious as ever.

He chuckles a bit before answering. "Yeah, well I guess I'm just not one of those kids. They told me when I was thirteen and I remember feeling eternally grateful for their kindness and love. Who knows where I'd be right now if it weren't for them." He speaks full of adoration. His eyes shimmering in the not so bright sunlight.

I gape at him. "Thirteen? They decided to tell you when you were starting your teenaged years? What are they, like crazy or something?" I can't help but ask. What were they thinking? That age is difficult enough without any added problem.

Edward lets a full out laugh at that. I'm not sure if I am offended, or relieved that I got him to laugh at least.

"Why are you laughing?" I ask him when he doesn't stop. I honestly find nothing funny about this. He looks at me, his eyes bright and full with sentiment.

"You." He tells me.

"What about me?"

"You're just so cute." He says before leaning in to kiss my forehead. I roll my eyes to mask the strong desire to sigh like a movie actress from a cheesy romantic movie. He grimaces a bit, and I instantly regret doing it. I know he hates it. Every time I do it he cringes, or purses his lip, or looks away. He thinks he can hide some things from me but he can't. Edward is an open book. He wears his heart on a sleeve. I honestly don't understand how he's a lawyer.

"Anyway, I guess you're right. Thirteen is not exactly a good age to drop that information, but I've always been the mature one. Emmett didn't take it so well." He smiles at memories I won't be able to completely understand even if he shared them. "He came to terms with it later. I suppose the fact that I didn't join him on his rebelliousness made him see some reason."

Of course the bear of a man that is Emmett wouldn't react well. But I understand more of his reaction than I understand Edward's. I contemplate this in silence while we stop at a red light.

"What is it?" Edward asks taking my hand in his. I shake my head.

"I just don't…understand. Why didn't you rebel too?"

"It seemed pointless. I wasn't mad, I had no reason to act like a petulant brat. Carlisle and Esme were all I ever knew, they were and still are my parents. The fact that we were adopted didn't change that, not in my mind or my heart."

"And you figured all of this out, at thirteen?" I can't get past this.

"Yeah…like I said, I've always been very mature. I did start to feel a bit unworthy and maybe like an outsider at some point, but those feelings passed quickly. Carlisle and Esme loved and respected me, they cared for me, they were always proud of me. They gave me freedom to make my own choices, and supported me through everything. They are my parents and I love them." He finishes.

I am in awe of him right now. If I ever doubted if Edward was perfect before, I am completely sure of it now. I am also completely sure I don't deserve him. He is too much. I could never be that grateful and understanding. Before I let my destructive thoughts get the best of me, I ask again about his parents.

"So, what are they like?"

"Carlisle is a doctor, a neurosurgeon. He is very opinionated and extremely smart. My mom, Esme, is an event planner…she is kind-hearted, graceful and funny."

"I guess you are a combination of the two then…" I say without thinking. He smiles.

We arrive to a beautiful grand house painted in light colors. The entryway is long and it reminds me of a palace. A man in a black uniform let us in. It surprised me a bit. I didn't know Edward came from such a wealthy family. Although, I'm not sure why I'm surprised. He drives an expensive car, wears expensive clothes, knows about wine and he's a lawyer… I just never really thought about it.

Edward parks at the end of the long path. We will have to walk back a little to the front of the house. After he turns the engine off, he gets out of the car and goes to open my door. I get out wordlessly and he takes my hand to walk the short path towards the entrance. His other hand is messing with his hair. Again.

When we get to the front, he opens the door with no key. I am met by a grand white colored space. The walls are full of paintings and there's a big lamp hanging from the ceiling. The living room, a few steps ahead, has several white sofas with different colored cushions. The whole décor is a perfect combination of soft light colors and white. It definitely shows this is an event planner's house.

"Mom? Dad?" Edward yells before stepping down from the receiving area. He drags me down by the hand. I'm about to tell Edward to let me go when a beautiful middle aged woman comes walking down the carpeted stairs. She is wearing a peach colored dress. She may not be Edward's mom but she could fool anyone. Her face is like that of an old movie star and her hair looks soft and healthy.

"No need to yell Edward. I'm right here." She says when she comes close. She hugs him for a long time before he kisses her cheek adoringly.

"Hi mom…I'd like you to meet Isabella…my…girlfriend." Edward gets out between some nervous intakes of breath. He places me in front of him and grasps my shoulders from behind. His mom, smiles genuinely at me before fake kissing my cheek.

"It's really nice to meet you Isabella. I'm so happy Edward brought you." She says clasping her hands at the end of her sentence. "I just don't understand why he's been keeping you a secret for so long." She adds, giving Edward a pointed look.

"Mom, we've talked about this." He says sighing. I am momentarily taken aback. What does he mean they've talked about this? When did they talk? What did he tell her? I recover myself quickly when I realize I haven't responded to Esme's greeting.

"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Cullen. Your house is sublime." I say with a picture perfect smile in place. She returns my smile and invites us to the living room while we wait for lunch to be ready. Edward lets her get ahead of us before whispering in my ear. "Relax, I didn't tell her everything." He says rubbing one of his hands down my back.

I talk to him without turning to face him. "What exactly did you tell her? When did you tell her?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"I called her yesterday after you left, to let her know you'd be coming. Of course I had to tell her I've been seeing you for a while…she just doesn't know about…your…um…our…situation." He tells me in an inconspicuous voice. "Yet." He adds at the same time his mom asks us why we haven't join her.

I take a deep breath willing myself to relax. This is going to fun.

We walk hand in hand towards the living room. Edward and I sit on the biggest couch while Esme sits on an enormous chair across from us. We drink a glass of wine, while she asks me the standards questions. Where am I from? What do I do for a living? Where did I go to school? Thankfully my studies abroad and my professional status distract her enough not to ask about my parents. When the conversation dwells and I fear she will ask me the dreaded questions, Edward speaks.

"Where's dad?"

"You've been here for a while and now is when you decide to ask for me…" A masculine voice answers him from the entrance. Carlisle has arrived, it seems. A tall, impeccably dressed man enters the living room. He exudes confidence and elegance. Esme smiles and gets up to greet her husband with a peck on the lips. They share some words in hushed voices but they are clearly sweet. I find this scene intriguing. My parents never acted like that. Carlisle turns to regards us then and Edward gets up to hug his dad before introducing me.

"Ah, the secret treasure my son has been keeping. Thanks for coming Isabella." Carlisle greets me with a firm but polite handshake.

"Thank you for having me Mr. Cullen." I reply, not commenting on the first part of his sentence. He watches me with a strange expression on his face and I find myself craving something stronger than wine to get through this.

Lunch is served after that and although so far nothing's happened, there's some tension in the air. They know I'm the reason Edward and Emmett are fighting, they are just graceful enough not to ask right ahead about this matter. Mr. and Mrs. Cullen are the living example of a socially perfect couple. They are educated, polite, refined and simply charming. They behave as royalty. Esme is a bit absorbed in a shallow world, because of the profession she does and the people she mingles with. I understand her perfectly. I could say the same thing about myself. The work we do influence our behavior and interests in a great manner. Appearances are everything in our respective line of work and most of the time it translates to every aspect of our lives.

Edward was right about Carlisle, he is strongly opinionated. He has a no bullshit kind of attitude and so far there hasn't been a subject we've talked which he wasn't well acquainted with. I think he is the only person I've met that is smarter than Edward.

"So…Edward…why haven't we heard anything from Isabella before?" Carlisle asks finally while we are eating our desserts. Edward drops his spoon to tug hard at his hair. He is silent for a moment, before he looks up to me, then his father.

"Um…we were waiting." He answers tentatively, delaying the real answer. My chest is starting to constrict. I take large intakes of breath but the air doesn't seem to reach my lungs.

"Waiting for what dear?" Esme asks looking confused and concerned at the same time.

"We were waiting for Bella to be done with some…legal matters." Edward answers his mother. I wish we were seating next to each other so I could hold his hand. If I am not in contact with his skin soon enough, I think I'll combust on the spot.

"What legal matters?" Carlisle asks firmly. He already knows something's going on. I feel his eyes changing from polite to untrusting when he looks at me.

"Bella's been going through a divorce." Edward says his voice wavering. Oh my God, he's losing it. I look at him and his face is flustered. He is as nervous as I have ever seen him. He is doing this for me. He is doing this for us. What have I done?

This was a bad idea. This was a bad idea. This was a bad idea. I chant again and again in my head.

"For how long exactly?" His father inquires. He wants us to be done with this. He already knows what's going on. I can tell he knows. Edward doesn't answer.

"It's been a couple of months now. The other party involved has been…uncooperative." I say. I decide it's time to step it up. I am condemned anyway. I know I may never be deserving enough of Edward, but I can try. I've already come this far. I've already come to terms with the fact that Edward makes me feel in a way no one has. I've already left my husband, and even thought he is not the only reason for that, he might as well be.

"That must be awful." Esme says politely. She is the perfect society woman. She is expected to be courteous all the time. I can't figure out the realness of her words right about now. I'm too busy fighting a panic attack, and trying to remain collected enough. I feel myself nod slightly at her.

"And how long have you and Edward been seeing each other?" Carlisle asks me. I fight to keep down my snarky remark. This man! He already figured it out, but he wants to torture me. I literally bite my tongue to not answer him. "Edward?" he prods when I stay silent.

"It's been a year now dad." Edward says with courage. I watch his posture change from nervous and afraid, to determine and defiant. I think he's getting ready for a fight. I don't want that. I'm sure that I can take any heated words they throw my way, even if I bury myself in my pillow to cry myself to sleep for a week. However Edward, my sweet innocent Edward, I'm not sure he's strong enough to handle a big fight with his parents. His out of place attitude this morning is one proof of that. The hurt look on his face yesterday when his brother left, is another.

"I see." Carlisle replies softly. He looks calm and unaffected. I wonder if this is all an act. I can't read him. I don't like it.

"What are you saying Edward? What does this mean?" Esme inquires with a strong voice. She's already on board on the let's-hate-Bella-cruise. I could welcome her with open arms, for I'm the freaking captain of the boat.

"It means that Isabella cheated on her husband with our son. Am I wrong?" Carlisle brings me out of my not so cheerful thoughts. He looks at me with cold piercing eyes. I feel like a teenager again. I remember the icy stares people would give me at school while whispering. I remember the hateful words about being a drug addict's daughter. I remember feeling ashamed for my mother's actions. I remember the constant struggle to remain numb, to force myself not to care, to keep a straight face.

In the swirling mix of bad memories, I am rewarded with my moments with Edward. All those times when I went to his apartment feeling empty inside and left full of life come back to me. The look of pure bliss he always wears when I arrive to his door is present on my mind. The indescribable feeling that is having him as a part of my own body, assaults me with the strongest force. I am pushed by these memories to do right by Edward. Because he deserves it. Because I need to stop being a coward. Because I know that Edward is the only good thing I've ever had and I don't want to lose him. I've taken him for granted for so long because I thought it'd be easy to pretend he wasn't important. I thought that if I kept him at arm's length, I wouldn't develop feelings for him and that would keep me from getting hurt.

Right now, I don't want to be at arm's length. I wish to bury myself, body and soul, under his skin and never leave his side. I don't care if I get hurt in the end. I just don't care.

"No, Mr. Cullen." I answer Mr. Cullen's question. He is not wrong. I cheated on my husband with Edward, but it's never been about cheating. Edward's always been so much more than a dirty affair.

Esme stays put in her seat. She doesn't seem to be breathing. Her face wears an unchanging look of shock. Carlisle stands and asks Edward to have a word with him in his study.

Crap.

Crap.

Crap.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

I need to be by Edward's side or I don't know if it'd make it. I need to be calmed by the green of his eyes. I stand in a zombie like state ready to follow Edward, who is wearing his ready to fight posture.

"No…Isabella…you stay." Esme's voice stops me. She has composed herself. Edward gives me a sad look and hesitates a bit, before walking behind his father.

I sit back down on my chair and face his mother. At some point, the maid of the family came to retrieve our plates and now the table is deserted. Esme regards me quietly. There's no coldness in her stare but there's no sweetness either. I grab the edge of the tablecloth; I squirm a bit on my seat. Several long minutes pass before she speaks.

"Edward never got in trouble when he was at school. He was a very well behaved boy." She begins. I have no trouble believing her. I imagine he was. I am not sure if I'm supposed to say anything, so I just smile timidly. I don't think she noticed. "He and Emmett never fought. They had disagreements like all brothers do, but it was never serious." She continues. This is just great. She wants me to feel guilty. As if I need any help from her. As if I don't do that very well on my own, thank you. Once again I remain silent.

"Imagine my surprise when I receive a call from my older son, telling me that he and Edward had a fight. By the sound of Emmett's voice, I knew it was a big one. My question was why…why were they fighting? And now I know…" She says.

"Mrs. Cullen I," I start, but she holds her hand up to stop me.

"Do you realize what all of this could do to him? What he could lose? His career? He is a lawyer. People put their trust in him. He could lose all of his clients. This could ruin his whole reputation." She says fiercely. Her voice is slightly raised. She's trying not to lose control.

"I…understand," I begin again but she cuts me off.

"He's in love with you. He's completely smitten by you." She tells me, softening her voice. I stiffen. "I know my son…I don't, however, know you. What about you Isabella? Are you in love with Edward?" She asks.

I am sweating. I can't breathe. I need a drink…or something…anything.

Why would she ask me that?

Crap.

What do I answer? What do I answer?

Seconds before I pass out from the lack of air and the inquisitive eyes of Mrs. Cullen, Edward comes back into the dining room with both of our coats in hand. I start calming down almost instantly.

"Bella, let's go." He commands, grabbing my hand and standing me up.

"Is everything okay?" I whisper worried when I'm standing in front of him.

"It will be." He whispers back, nodding. He goes to his mom and kisses her forehead saying some things I can't make out. Edward walks back to me and wraps my coat around my shoulders before placing a protective arm around my waist.

He is the only thing I could ever need. I am cool and collected since he walked back into the room. He's my constant piece of perfection. The owner of my true happiness; my everything.

Before Edward drags me towards the grand door, I turn around, making sure to look Esme straight in the eyes before speaking.

"Regarding to your question, Mrs. Cullen…the answer's yes."

I say before walking away next to my real existing prince charming.

Thank you so much for reading! It means a lot. I hope you enjoyed this.

I must say this will be the BPOV. Let me know what you think.

As usual, if you have any questions, I'm here.

I also want to thank to the people who are reading my other story Friendzoned, because the response has been amazing!

Anyway, next chapter Edward will be back and we'll get things going for the future of this two.

PS: If you want to read my random semi bipolar rambles, follow me on twitter LisbethTejada.

Till next time, xo.