Disclaimer: I don't own them...

Thanks to SunflowerFran3759 for being super awesome and editing this for me.

Edward:

I can't believe I told Isabelle, Bella, about Kate. I mean...shit - I told her about Kate. And not just our story, I told her everything.

When Isabelle's parents got here about an hour ago, there were polite introductions, and I swiftly excused myself. I don't know their story, but it seems that the man we saw in that store earlier is related to Isabelle somehow. The name on his uniform read Swan; I did notice that much. But I was more concerned with Isabelle. She seemed really shaken up and it took quite a bit to calm her down. She seemed a little better once we got to the house, but I could tell she was still uneasy.

Emmett truly cares about her. I thought there may have been more between the two of them, but seeing the way they interact and their lack of filter with one another, it's clear that they are simply friends; actually, more like siblings.

He was able to distract her with teasing and then by asking her to make dinner. It was quite amusing until she asked me if I could cook. The melancholy immediately wrapped around me and I couldn't hide it from her. She was gentle when she spoke to me; it's like she understood that I needed to let it out, but she would never push. She simply said, I'm a good listener, and left it in my hands. She gave me the choice.

And the entire story just unfolded; I didn't hold anything back. She knows more than my family will ever know. And I know I can trust her. I hardly know this woman but I just have this gut feeling that she's a good person.

I can't deny that I feel a pull toward her. I feel like something is guiding me toward her, and honestly, I don't feel the need to fight it; not anymore.

Kate owned the last eight years of my life, I can't deny that. My world started and ended with her; and regardless of what was happening in our lives, I would never have turned my back on her. I would never have even considered betraying her or our relationship. But the past two years have shown me that sometimes those decisions are out of our hands. Life deals us cards and the outcome of the game depends on the hand we play.

My talk with Isabelle opened my eyes to a few things. I tolerated a lot of things because I loved Kate. She drank excessively when we went out, I'd helped her nurse many hangovers during our time together. She was a selfish person; she was always worried about her image. What would people think if she did this or that, she hardly ever asked my opinion – even if it would directly affect me. It was as if, she was the sun and I rotated around her. She was never quite 'cool' enough for me to get too close.

Was that what my grandmother had seen? Is that why she knew I'd get my heart broken?

After one to many late nights taking care of Kate, I'd gone to a counselor and asked what I could do for her; how could I help ease her pain? The counselor told me there was nothing I could do, except urge Kate to seek counseling; which she refused. The year after the miscarriage I just accepted that I had to be the one to care for her; to be whatever she needed me to be. I had always assumed that she would snap out of it, and then we would be okay; not perfect, but okay.

And then the bar happened. Katie, he'd called her. Why didn't I see that she had a problem? How could I not have known what was going on?

And then she just disappeared.

Of course I was worried about her; where was she, she being safe, was she eating, where was she sleeping?

But I was also relieved.

I was relieved that I didn't have to pick her up from some seedy bar. That I didn't have to take care of her the next morning, or wait up for her, wondering if she'd make it home.

But I had never let the anger I felt toward her come to the surface.

Not until tonight.

My anger with Kate, for Kate, and at Kate...it all stemmed from her complete disregard of our relationship, of me. I hated that she was doing disgusting, unforgivable things that put her in danger; that put me in danger. I hated that I was so blind that I didn't see what was happening to her. I hated that she blocked herself off from me. I hate that I still feel like I should protect her, that I can't confide in my family because I don't want them to see her in a negative light.

I want to hate her. I want to, but I don't. I feel...disappointed, and sorry for what's happening to her, even if it is by her own doing. We could have had a great life together. We could have had beautiful children. We could have been happy.

I looked out at the darkness beyond the window, and I let go of the guilt. I let go of the sadness and anger that had been inside of me for far too long. And after taking a long, deep breath; I let her go.

I felt my whole body deflate. The tightness in my shoulders loosened, and the ache in my chest eased. A small smile broke out on my face.

I let her go.

Leaning forward, I rested my elbows on my knees and ran my fingers through my hair.

A soft knock on the door startled me.

I looked up as dim, yellow light filtered into the room.

"Edward," the voice said softly.

I stood and flipped on the lamp on the end table.

"Isabelle."

"Hi," she said, with a soft smile. "I just wanted to thank you for today."

Her eyes were red-rimmed and her face was a little puffy, but she still looked beautiful.

"You know," she continued, "for everything. The past few months have been really..." she frowned and shook her head. "They've been really rough and I'm pretty sure seeing...him today would have pushed me over the edge, if you hadn't been there."

I moved closer to her and took her hand in mine. She stared at our hands for a long moment before swallowing loudly and meeting my eyes.

"I don't know what it is about you, Edward, but you make me feel safe," her voice was a whisper, and tears welled in her eyes, and I had the urge to kiss her.

My hands were shaking but my fingers traveled slowly up her arms, until I was cradling her face in my hands. Her eyes moved quickly back and forth between mine as I tilted her face upward. "Bella," I whispered, as I leaned toward her.

Her eyes closed and she wet her lips.

I kissed the corner of her mouth softly, making her smile and open her eyes.

I was so close to her that I could feel her breath against my lips. I looked at her as I kissed her again; just a whisper against her mouth.

And then she kissed me more firmly, my top lip between hers and the warmth that ran through my body was like nothing I'd ever felt before.

Her hands gripped my waist as I wrapped an arm almost completely around her to bring her closer to me. The kiss was gentle, but firm. The sound of our lips touching and separating echoed throughout the room and it was perfect.

When we pulled apart, I rested my forehead against hers.

"Have dinner with me," I said, unable to be more of a gentleman and ask correctly. I didn't want to give her the option to say no. I didn't want her to say no.

Her skin was flushed, her lips swollen and her eyes were bright, bringing out the greens and golds that are normally hidden away.

"Yes," she whispered, and I couldn't hold back my smile.

"Tomorrow night?"

She nodded and then let out a shaky breath, before laughing and wrapping me in a hug. I hugged her back and swayed with her.

"Thank you." It was all I could say. She had no idea what she had done for me tonight, just by lending me her ear.

She squeezed me tightly before pulling away.

"Good night, Edward," she said, with a bright smile.

"Good night, Bella," I answered, and kissed her cheek.

She walked out of the room and quietly closed the door behind her.

Of all the ways tonight could have ended, this was the best way imaginable.

"So what were you and Emmett doing in town yesterday? How did you find me in that store?" Isabelle asked as we made breakfast for her family.

"Emmett and I met up to go over the landscaping plans. I'd gotten into town later than I'd planned and then the storm hit. We were walking out of the pub when we caught a glimpse of you on the sidewalk."

Isabelle nodded, and then flashed a quick smile at me.

"Can you grab the sausage links and bacon from the refrigerator?"

I nodded and walked away from her when the doorbell rang. "Do you want me to watch that while you answer the door?"

"Thanks," she walked out of the kitchen quickly. I flipped the pancakes and turned on the burners to get the bacon and sausage started. It's like she's feeding an army with all of this food. I chuckle thinking about Emmett's stomach folding in on itself.

Isabelle came into the kitchen with an arm wrapped around a blond man, who was about my height. My stomach dropped at the sight of them. His arms were wrapped tightly around her and he kissed the top of her head before making his way over to me.

"Jasper Whitlock," he said, holding out his hand.

"Edward Cullen," I answered, taking his hand in mine. His grip was firm, but he had an easy smile.

Isabelle pushed me aside and took the pancakes off of the griddle and spread another ladle of batter.

"So, brother of mine, I wasn't expecting you."

Brother? He's her brother, Jasper Whitlock. My head fell back and I rolled my neck trying to mask the relief I felt at realizing that he's her brother.

"You all right there, Edward?" He asked, smirking at me.

I smiled and nodded. "Just great, and how was your flight? Is the weather still bad?"

The three of us fell into an easy conversation while Isabelle and I finished breakfast.

I turned to grab a platter and paper towels for the bacon but stopped short at the sight of Jasper sitting on the island watching me. His eyes were...calculating? Not menacing, not hard, but like he was trying to piece things together.

I cleared my throat and grabbed what I needed. He was making me nervous, and I think he knew it.

"Hey man, when did you get here?" Emmett said, as he walked into the kitchen.

Jasper jumped off of the island and they gave each other some kind of handshake, man-hug type of thing.

"You guys are not in middle school anymore. Why do you keep doing that?" Isabelle said.

"Don't be jealous, Bells. I can make up a secret handshake for you if you want," Emmett laughed, walking up and kissing the top of her head. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, grabbed a piece of bacon and a coffee cup.

"Ugh, no thanks."

Isabelle's parents walked into the room and said hello to everyone before serving themselves coffee and sitting at the table.

It was nice sitting with everyone; talking and laughing, and getting to know the people who raised Isabelle. Her adoration for her family was visible in the way she spoke and touched everyone. A hand on her dad's arm, holding her mother's hand, gripping Jasper's forearm as she laughed at something he said.

These were good people and I felt glad to know them.

"What do you do for a living Edward? We didn't really get a chance to talk last night."

"No ma'am, we didn't. I'm an attorney. I've been in New York for the past couple of years and just moved back home to work at my father's firm."

"Really, here in Charleston?"

"No ma'am, my family is in North Carolina. Our family home is in Chapel Hill."

"That's far from here isn't it?" Mrs. Whitlock asked, looking over at Isabelle and Emmett.

"Yes, I was meeting Emmett yesterday to go over landscaping plans for The Masen Estate. Then the storm hit and we ran into Isabelle," I finished quietly.

"The Masen Estate," Mr. Whitlock said, brightening up. "I didn't realize...are you Edward Masen?"

I laughed, "Yes, sir, Edward Masen Cullen. However, my grandfather is the Edward Masen you've all been in contact with."

"Ah, yes. I didn't think you sounded quite like him," he chuckled. "So, how's it looking?"

We talked about the plans for the house and then Isabelle and Emmett jumped in discussing contractors and supplies. Isabelle had her iPad on the table and showed her father the pictures and notes she'd been taking.

I watched the way they interacted, and it was very obvious that she is a daddy's girl. She smiles brightly at his approval and eagerly notes his suggestions. It's very...cute, for lack of a better word.

"Did I hear you call Bella, Isabelle?" Mrs. Whitlock asked.

I felt my face heat, and smiled before glancing around the table. "Yes, ma'am, ah," I laughed, feeling embarrassed that I was still calling her Isabelle when I knew she preferred Bella. "My grandfather introduced her to my sister and me as Isabelle and it stuck."

"It's true," Emmett said, laughing. "Everyone in North Carolina knows her as Isabelle."

"I didn't mean to embarrass you, Edward," Mrs. Whitlock said, with a bright, mischievous smile. "I was just curious. I thought maybe it was a pet name or something."

"Oh my God, Mom, please just stop talking!" Isabelle jumped up and started removing dishes from the table. Her face was flushed pink, but she smiled as she walked past me.

Emmett and Jasper were laughing, Mr. Whitlock was looking at me with narrowed eyes, and Mrs. Whitlock winked at me before gathering the rest of the dishes and walking over to Isabelle.

I chanced a look at the men still sitting at the table, and let out an uneasy laugh.

Well, this should be fun.

a/n: Hi everyone! Happy weekend :). I hope you guys like this one. Thanks so much to all of you for the reviews last chapter. I love hearing from you guys.

So I have just a little thing to say - I don't know how long you have been part of this fandom but the first story I read on this site was called Edward Wallbanger by feathersmmmm. I was completely sucked in and waited eagerly for updates. Well, when I went on my mini vacation this past week, I was scrolling through iBooks looking for something easy to read while flying and guess what I found? A book called Wallbanger by Alice Clayton. It is the exact same story with obvious name changes, and it is awesome. It is really amazing to find authors I've read on this site get published. So I thought I would share that with you guys.

Ok, take care and see you next week!