A/N: This chapter is pretty long. I figured I owed it to you guys since I hadn't updated in a few days. Blame the move. There's only eight days till I fly out of Vegas back to Toronto, but I am really trying to have this story done by then. My overall plans keep changing; I'm so indecisive these days.
Anyways, thanks to all the lovely readers and reviewers for their constant support. I've noticed a lot of new story alerts and author alerts, so I thank each and every one of you.
kaiserin1792 – Welcome to the story. Thanks for all the awesome reviews!
I don't own twilight, but I do have a newfound appreciation for sleep.
BPOV
After tonight, this jealousy shit was getting really tired. What else did I need to do to prove to him that I wasn't interested in anyone else and that I wanted only him? I thought we had worked through this shit in Europe, and I was certain the matching tattoos were a big fucking giveaway, but apparently not to Edward.
As we walked up the stairs to my apartment, I heard Edward walking slowly behind me, as though he was heading to slaughter and the thought to me was completely laughable. "Get comfy," I said as we stepped into my apartment and he sat down on the couch, looking nervous as hell. I had spent most of the night with Rosalie, trying to wrap my head around everything, which was a big help considering she had more insight into him since she had known him for years.
"You need to realize that relationships and love are completely foreign to Edward. Emmett was very similar to him when we started dating, I think it's just the way their parents brought them up," she explained wisely at around two in the morning, just before Emmett interrupted us to go to bed. I fixed myself a cup of tea as Edward sat still on the couch, not even looking up to see me. I had him scared, and I felt horrible for that.
"Do you want something to drink baby?" I asked, trying to sound as sweet as possible. He simply shook his head and waited patiently for me. When I sat down on the couch, Edward took my free hand in his and immediately began to apologize, until I stopped him. "You need to relax Edward."
"It's a little hard when your girlfriend says 'she needs to talk'" he replied anxiously as I noticed him fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.
"I need you to understand something, and you better be listening to me because I don't want to have to repeat it. I am in love with you, no one else. I don't even think of Jacob like that. He was apologizing to me for how he treated me back in Forks, and a few weeks ago when he came to my apartment," I explained as Edward opened his mouth, only to be met by my fingers closing it on him. "I'm talking remember? You need to stop being jealous of every single guy that talks to me. If anything, they are jealous of you because you have me."
I let out a deep breath I didn't know I was holding and looked over at him as he began to speak. "I'm sorry I over reacted. Let's just say that Jacob brings out the worst in me. I will do my best to think before I act in the future, alright?" I nodded my head in agreement as he continued, but I wasn't ready to let him off the hook so easily.
"I tend to believe that you don't trust me, or my love for you, when you react the way you do. We were just talking." I explained, though Edward didn't look placated by my words.
"Yeah, well the moment he asked to see your tattoo just amplified my reactions. Yes, I was being a possessive asshole, but I don't know what you two shared back in Forks. I just know that I don't want you to leave me again." Edward sounded downright depressed as he spoke these words, reminding me yet again of the heartache he suffered while we were apart.
"I would never have shown it to him. In my opinion, it's something special for just you and I, and I want to keep it that way," I remarked forcefully as I rubbed my sore hip again, hoping to ease a bit of the pain. "We weren't anything other than friends back in Forks. Like he explained tonight, my mother was the one making everything worse by telling him I was interested. She and I need to have a nice long chat, or screaming match, take your pick."
"My reaction though was also a response to him raising his fists at me. If you hadn't moved, he would have hit you Bella, and I know you don't think that's an excuse, but I don't think I could handle it if something happened to you."
"Okay, I can understand that, but can we just be a little more honest and open with one another, so that this doesn't happen again?" I asked anxiously as he smiled.
"Well then don't go off and talk to Rosalie for four hours. We could have straightened this out last night and I wouldn't be well on my way to an ulcer," he said with a laugh as he kissed me gently. "I promise to trust you Bella."
"Good, cause I trust you with everything Edward. Now, when are you leaving for Boston?" I asked curiously as he frowned again and started to explain how he didn't want to go home for the inevitable confrontation with his parents. "Think positive, maybe they'll get it over the moment you walk in the door and you can come straight back to New York on the next train?" We ended up talking for the next half hour about how much he dreaded heading home, even though he had the support of Emmett and Alice before I glanced at the clock and realized I had a shit load of work to do. Thankfully Rosalie came home minutes later and Edward decided to leave, promising to call me later in the evening. We shared a quick kiss and I watched as he walked from my room and down the hallway.
"Everything go well?" asked Rosalie curiously as I nodded my head.
"I guess time will tell if he can manage to reign in his jealousy right?" I explained as she smiled at me. "So, let's go see Garrett and make plans for next weekend. I was thinking we could drink ourselves silly and force Jasper to join us?"
"I'm game, let's go."
EPOV
The train ride to Boston was excruciating. I read one of my books for class while Emmett bitched and moaned about missing the party Garrett, Rosalie and Jasper were having with Bella. He seemed to think it was going to be some crazy all campus bash, but from what Bella had told me, they were planning to sit around and drink themselves stupid while playing card games and possibly dressing Jasper in drag if he passed out. That I would like to see.
"So, did you lock Bella in her room this weekend so that nothing funny happens?" joked Emmett as I threw my empty soda can at him.
"No. I'm trying to work on my trust issues jackass. Anyways, she's hanging out with Rosie all weekend, how much trouble can she really get into?" I asked as Emmett laughed heavily for a few minutes.
"Good luck with the trust thing. It's hard when your girlfriend is as hot as ours are, trust me dude, I've been there," explained Emmett with a smile as he reached for his iPod in his backpack. "Oh, and just so you know, every single thing that ever got me into trouble in school was because of Rosalie, so you're up shit creek if you think they are going to behave themselves." As I half listened to Emmett babble on about breaking into someone's backyard to go skinny dipping in their pool, I decided not to let Rosalie's troublesome nature bother me. Bella was going to be fine, wasn't she?
When we finally arrived at the train station, we had a driver waiting to pick us up, which both Emmett and I frowned at. We both had issues about our parents never being around, and they couldn't even be bothered to come and get us at the train station, when they had practically forced us to come home for the weekend. This trip was definitely not off to a good start. I sat in the back of the town car and drowned out my thoughts with the music from my iPod as we drove towards the house. I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep until Emmett punched me, a little too hard I might add, as we pulled up the driveway.
"Get up dude," he said to me after the punch, which left me rubbing my shoulder to ease the pain. The house was eerily quiet as we walked in, until we heard Alice yelling about something upstairs. We followed the sound of the noise, only to find her sitting cross legged on her bed, talking to someone on the phone.
"Seriously, I have to reschedule to next weekend. Armando always has an opening for me, so make it happen," she yelled to whomever she was talking to. Emmett and I stuck our heads in her open doorway and she waved eagerly at us. "Sorry Pierre, I got to go. Noon next Saturday." She promptly hung up the phone, not even waiting for him to say goodbye and ensconced us into a huge hug.
"Looking good baby sister," said Emmett as he mussed up her hair, which just pissed her off.
"So, I hear I have you to thank for this upcoming disaster," laughed Alice as she looked directly at me and scowled.
"Whatever Alice. This was inevitable. Wouldn't you prefer they found out how shitty they were now instead of on their deathbeds?" I asked with a grim laugh as Alice continued to glare me. As we wandered out into the hallway, I noticed Mom and Dad walking through the front door looking frustrated and talking quietly to one another. All three of us went down to the main floor and into the kitchen to find something to eat, but were ushered into the dining room by my mother instead.
"We're all going to eat together, as a family, "she emphasized the word 'family' and it made me laugh, which resulted in an angry glare from her. As Esme and Carlisle took their seats the end of our oversized table, Emmett, Alice and I all decided to sit beside each other. It wouldn't be fair for one of us to sit on the far side of the table by themselves, plus this way we all looked like we were in agreement with one another, even if we might not be. I knew Emmett and I were on the same page regarding our parent's lackluster parenting skills, but I wasn't sure about Alice.
"How was the train ride?" asked Carlisle tensely as he glanced between Emmett and I.
"It was fine. We studied," I lied casually as Emmett grinned at me and nodded his head. Vita, our housekeeper came out from the kitchen moments later with garden salads for all of us, and I could tell everyone was relieved to have something to occupy our time, other than the awkward conversation. As I had just taken a quick bite of my salad, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and looked down at a text message from Bella.
If I go to jail, you will bail me out right? –B
I laughed out of utter confusion for a moment and showed the message to Emmett who laughed right along with me. He mouthed the word 'Rosalie' to me, causing more laughter and a scowl from my parents. I typed back a quick yes and shoved the phone back in my pocket.
"Do you think we can manage one dinner without our cell phones?" asked my father as I nodded my head and went back to my salad, worried and confused about both Bella and Rosalie.
BPOV
When I finished class on Friday afternoon, I wandered into my apartment and found Rosalie already dressed and ready for a night out. "Where the hell are we going?" I inquired as I glanced at Rosalie in a tight red halter top and miniscule jean shorts.
"We're going to Garrett's, but who knows what will happen after that, you do have bail money right?" she laughed as I immediately tensed up. Of course I didn't have bail money, I thought to myself. I barely had enough for lunch some days.
"Are we going to get arrested for suspicion of prostitution, cause that's the only thing I think of when I see your outfit," I replied sarcastically as I giggled and she glared at me. "I promised Edward no funny business. I think anything necessitating bail money is something I should steer clear of."
"You're no fun Bella Swan," Rosalie chuckled as she reached into the fridge for a beer, which Emmett had generously stocked for us before he left for Boston. "Jasper said he'd be here at six after his last class. So we need to order up some Thai for dinner and you need to get dressed into something party appropriate." I nodded my head in acknowledgement and grabbed a menu from the fridge, tossing it in Rosalie's direction.
"You call for dinner; I'm going to get dressed." I instructed as I marched into my room with my laptop and book bag, tossing them both onto my desk, before I started to rummage through my closet for something to wear. Unfortunately, even though it was late September, we were suffering through a fricking heat wave, so I grabbed my white skirt I had picked up in Amsterdam and tossed on a blue tank top. I looked good enough, but nothing flashy like Rosalie.
Just past six o'clock, Jasper knocked on our door clutching the bags from the Thai restaurant. "I found him in the lobby all confused, so I paid for dinner and here I am," he said with a big smile as we welcomed him in and Rosalie went to get Garrett to join us for dinner. The conversation seemed effortless and I was pleased to have made such great friends, which was something I hadn't really expected when I came to college.
"So, what should we do tonight?" asked Jasper anxiously as he took a bite of some spicy noodles I had refused to try.
"I want to go dancing," Rosalie blurted out, which Jasper frowned at. "What?"
"I promised Emmett and Edward to keep an eye on you two. They, and I actually mean Emmett, thinks that Rosalie here will be starting some sort of ruckus, so I had to agree to watch out for you two," Jasper admitted nervously as Rosalie and I both glared at him.
"So, our boyfriends have suckered you into babysitting duty?" I asked incredulously as he nodded his head. "Did they pay you anything? I mean, babysitters must make like ten bucks an hour right?" Jasper suddenly looked very apologetic. He was getting something out of this deal.
"They promised to stop being so hard on me about Alice and I," he claimed. Damn, he was such a sucker for that girl and I knew it bothered him to no end that they didn't like the fact that he was dating their baby sister, but I didn't think he would do this in order to win their approval.
"Fine. Rosalie and I will be on our best behavior. I think we should see if there are any parties going on around the building," I suggested as Rosalie winked at me.
"I have a suggestion, which is both safe and fun," laughed Garrett as he took a drink of his Appletini and smiled at all of us. "There is this awesome gay club down on Fulton called 'The Lab'. I know the bouncer, so we can totally get in, and then Jasper doesn't have to worry about you two getting picked up by men, since they won't give two shits if you are there." Rosalie and I looked at each other and nodded happily because it sounded like the perfect solution.
"So the only one who should have trouble is Jasper, who will probably be beating them off with a stick, pun intended Jaz," laughed Rosalie heavily as he started to tense up. He didn't want to go, but now that I knew he was technically babysitting Rosalie and me, I didn't care, he was coming.
"Then it's settled" said Garrett enthusiastically." We'll leave around ten, so don't get too drunk before then. Sven, the bouncer, won't let you in if you're completely wasted. Oh and Rosalie, behave yourself, they have exotic dancers there, and you can't bounce quarters off their abs."
After dinner was finished, Jasper, Rosalie and I got comfortable on the couch, casually drinking the beer Emmett left for us and watching 'Pineapple Express', which apparently made Jasper homesick for weed. We talked about our plan for the evening and agreed to pretend that all three of us were a couple in order to keep away any and all suitors, which Jasper actually found pretty funny.
"Bella, do you have your bail money yet?" Rosalie asked with a wink as I grabbed my cell phone and immediately sent Edward a cryptic text.
If I go to jail, you will bail me out right? –B
It was only a few minutes later that he texted back, yes, and Rosalie laughed at me happily.
"That's good. I don't intend for us to get into trouble, but it seems to follow me around like Emmett with a hard on sometimes." Definite TMI.
EPOV
I never had much of a chance to think about the text message from Bella once our salad plates were removed. The awkward silence came immediately after Vita left the room, only to be filled by my father and his nonsensical conversation skills.
"So, Edward told us some stuff last weekend, and your mother and I were concerned… about everything," he started to say as Emmett interrupted him, being his usual blunt overbearing self.
"Edward told you guys that you sucked, and you didn't believe him right?" My mother nodded her head slightly as Emmett continued, much to my enjoyment. "As far as I am concerned, and I don't speak for Alice but I do know Edward and I are on the same page, yeah, you guys have been utter failures as parents. Sure, you gave us a roof over our heads and your money provided us with everything we ever could have wanted…" he explained as he was interrupted.
"Did you ever think that maybe we would give it all up to spend time with you?" shouted Alice in frustration as she grabbed my hand for support. I was glad to see she was on the same page as us. My father looked at Alice almost as shocked as I did.
"I'm sorry to hear this from all of you. Your mother and I did the best that we could," said my father, his head hung low, his chin practically pressed against his chest. I felt bad for him for a moment, because I knew neither him nor my mother had the best examples for proper parenting when they grew up, but I had thought that would have been incentive to do something different with their own children. "What do you want us to do?"
"First of all, you should want to change, not make the changes because your children are forcing you," said Emmett forcefully as he stared at our father, not quite certain that his intentions were good. I don't think Em believed there would be a change, but he had lived with this a few years longer than I had, so I could easily see his reluctance to believe them.
"Your father and I have discussed nothing but this since our lunch with Edward and Bella last weekend. We are making the change both because we feel we have let you down, and because we want to be loving parents to you," explained Esme sweetly as she took a large gulp of her wine.
"You can't change what has already happened, but you can make changes for the future," I suggested calmly as I felt Alice squeeze my hand. "Maybe you should stop taking so many trips to foreign countries, and be around for the holidays. You could even call Emmett and me to make sure we haven't sold each other to mobsters for drug money." Apparently they didn't find that funny because my mother's eyes practically bugged out from her face. They probably would have if she hadn't had her eyes done a few years ago by the guy who also did her face lift.
"I can't always be around because of my work Edward," retorted my father angrily.
"Fine then, leave mom home then. She doesn't always have to go to Romania or Brazil with you every time you leave," screamed Alice heatedly. I looked over at my mom and she was now actually looking sweetly at Alice. Perhaps my mother hadn't realized how much her leaving had affected her only daughter.
"Alice, I'm sorry I wasn't here for you," said Esme quietly as Alice looked at her dumbstruck that she was finally getting an apology after seventeen years. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for any of you."
"It's not like we wanted you guys to drag us camping, fishing or to Disneyworld or anything like that, we just wanted you home," sighed Emmett as dad looked over at both of us with regret.
"I can't promise an overnight change, but we will try. I will book off Thanksgiving and Christmas from work so we can spend them together as a family," explained Carlisle as I immediately grew frustrated.
"I'm going home with Bella for Thanksgiving," I mentioned casually, reminding them of our conversation last weekend at the Waldorf. My parents both nodded their head in acknowledgment and apparent acceptance.
"That's fine. You'll miss the charades and Pictionary marathon your mother and I have planned," added Carlisle light heartedly. I think I even caught a small smile on his face, which was a rare occurrence.
"You're not serious are you? I wanted you around, not killing me with stupid games," stammered Alice as we all laughed at her response. "No, really. I don't do charades."
"Alice, relax. Your father and I haven't made any plans yet, and I doubt they would involve whatever the hell Pictionary is, so don't worry. I'm more a shopping and manicure kind of woman," giggled Esme as Alice gave her a wide smile.
"I've missed out on you buying me clothes and getting me manicures? Son of a bitch," exclaimed Alice as my father glared at her.
"Watch your mouth young lady," admonished Carlisle as Emmett and I both laughed, but Alice looked angry.
"Maybe we should start slowly. We've been cursing for years, so it might be hard to stop it right away," laughed Emmett as he glanced between my parents for confirmation, and they actually nodded in agreement. "Consider our swearing like your parenting. They both suck, but they will take a while to change." The conversation actually continued calmly for the rest of the meal. Vita brought out Roast Beef, which Emmett devoured quickly and requested seconds of, while Alice and Esme discussed the over abundance of purple in the fall fashion trends.
I was surprised when my father actually pulled me into a conversation about school and seemed interested. "So, do you get to play piano a lot or is it more theory and history right now?" I explained to him in detail about the different aspects of my course and how even though I didn't get to play as much as I would have liked, it was a great program nonetheless. Carlisle actually seemed proud of me, which was something I never once thought would happen. After dinner, he pulled me aside into his study for a moment and did something I never thought would happen.
"I'm sorry I didn't encourage you more Edward. All the staff have actually told me how wonderful of a piano player you were, and I honestly didn't believe them, having never really paid attention before. I'm also sorry I let your grandpa try to bully you into attending Yale." I nodded my head in acknowledgement of his words, not quite sure what to say to him. "I'm glad you are forging your own path." He patted me on the shoulder briefly before Emmett joined us in the room and sensed the tension between us.
"Thanks dad," I replied curtly as he pulled Emmett aside to talk to him and I simply wandered into the hallway a little awestruck. As I wandered into my bedroom and lay down on my lonely bed, I grabbed my phone to see if there were any messages from Bella. Success, I thought to myself as I read the newest text.
I'm heading to a gay club with my girlfriend. Hope you are having a great weekend –B
I looked at the timestamp on the message and it was 10:05pm, which was only a few minutes ago, so I wrote her back a quick message.
What club and what girlfriend? –E
I was shocked to see a picture message on my phone a few minutes later, and sure enough, there was a photo of my hot girlfriend kissing Rosalie in the back of a cab, or it looked like a cab. The message was short and sweet.
The Lab. –B
I burst from my room and found Emmett in his, dragging him down the hallway to our father's office. "Would you be really mad if there was an emergency and Emmett and I headed back to New York tonight?" I asked nervously of my father as I showed Emmett the text message and photo from Bella.
"Oh no. They could be in real trouble," lied Emmett, feigning concern, as I noticed him shifting slightly from the obvious erection the photo had just caused.
"Well, I would be disappointed, especially after we made such progress tonight, but I understand that if you are needed elsewhere, that is important too," explained Carlisle, his brow furrowed in frustration.
"How about we will go if we promise to come back in two weeks for Columbus Day weekend?" Emmett suggested, as I patted him on the shoulder for such a smart move. Carlisle just nodded his head and agreed to the request.
"If this is urgent, I can always have the jet ready in about half an hour. Do you boys think it is urgent enough to need to use the company jet?" asked Carlisle as Emmett and I stared at each other impatiently.
"Fuck yes," we both yelled in agreement as we ran back to our rooms to grab our bags and hop into my father's Maybach, after he offered to drive us to the airport to spend a little more time with us. As we sat in the plane, anxiously awaiting take off, Emmett and I practically stared each other down, both of us thinking the same thing.
"I get Bella at our place, you can take Rosalie to her apartment," I said with an evil grin, imagining all the things I would be doing to her in a few hours for teasing me.
"Deal little brother."