Thanks go out to all my readers, with an extra special thanks going out to my reviewers. Your continued interest means a lot.

Story notes: Just a little reminder that Edward cannot read minds in this story.

CHAPTER 3

HOME

The drive from the airport was spent mostly in silence, the air heavy with awkward trepidation.

As they drew near to his driveway, Carlisle couldn't help but wonder how the next few minutes would unfold. It seemed inescapable; their reunion with Edward was bound to be uncomfortable, not just for Carlisle but for all three of them.

Seated to his right, Bella hadn't spoken since they had left the airport. But when the house finally came into view, she threw a brief glance his way, her mouth curved in a tiny, worried smile.

Looking to the road again, Carlisle steeled himself for what would come next. Best get this over with.

When they pulled in front of the house, Edward was waiting for them on the front steps, his expression hard to decipher as he tucked his hands into his pant pockets.

As Carlisle fetched their luggage from the trunk, no words were exchanged. Only when Bella approached the house did Edward speak.

"Hey, Bella." His softening features were subdued, his smile holding a definite hint of sadness.

"Edward," Bella replied as she went to him.

When the couple hugged, Carlisle found he didn't quite know where to look. On the one hand, he was glad to see them together. And yet, as much as he hated to admit it, the sight caused an unexpected pang in his chest.

The discovery shamed him. Bella was his brother's fiancé. He shouldn't feel… whatever it was he was feeling.

"Carlisle," Edward greeted once he had released Bella from his arms.

The brothers exchanged a nod just then, and Carlisle perceived the conflict in Edward's gaze. Owing to the situation, a restrained type of gratitude showed on his features, yet something else lurked behind his eyes. Envy or resentment, he couldn't tell.

Could he blame him, though?

No, Carlisle thought to himself. He couldn't blame him one bit.

There was tension in the house; Bella could sense it. Jasper, Alice, and Emmett bore welcoming smiles, but as they stood at the top of the stairs, there was an awkwardness to them. Rosalie, on the other hand, wore a cool expression—but when it came to Bella, that wasn't exactly new.

Of course, they'd all known of Edward's plan. In a house where everyone had super hearing, it was kind of hard to hide conversations. That, and the fact that Alice often had visions.

Still, sensing their unease made Bella want to melt into the floor.

"Welcome home, Bella." Alice was the first one to break the ice. "Carlisle," she greeted with a nod. Though her smile remained, her slightly worried gaze flickered between Bella, Edward, and Carlisle.

"Thanks, Alice." The front door closed behind Bella, the sound echoing throughout the entryway.

"I'll take those," she heard Edward say with a slight clip to his voice.

Turning, she saw that he was relieving Carlisle of her luggage, his eyes set in an odd staring match.

Fuck.

For his part, Carlisle diffused some of the tension by quietly excusing himself. As he retreated toward his study, the others decided to disperse as well, leaving Bella with Edward.

"How was your flight?" her fiancé asked, hand rising to rub the back of his neck.

"It was alright."

"Good. That's um… good."

For a mercy, he didn't ask how the rest of her trip was. It would have been too painful for him, and embarrassing for them both.

Night had fallen, and all was calm in the Cullen household. Having fetched a glass of water, Bella padded barefoot into her moonlit room. Everyone was gone tonight. Carlisle was at the hospital while Edward and the others were out on a hunt.

Not knowing how to feel, she set her glass on the nightstand, then plopped down on the edge of her bed.

This was complicated. This whole thing. She'd felt it throughout the day, with Edward's brooding silences, and the general discomfiture that had settled over everyone in the house.

Was it worth it? she wondered and sighed.

Having showered for the second time today, her hair was still damp, her skin rising in gooseflesh when a gust of wind swirled through the open window. Rising to close it, Bella retraced her steps, then climbed into bed once more.

To think, last night at this hour, she had been in the arms of another. Carlisle.

A blush rose, unbidden, to her cheeks, memories of last night rolling in like a wave. She still remembered Carlisle's scent, the way his body had felt against her own. But mostly, she remembered his eyes, the way they had looked last night, then again when they'd arrived home.

Poor Carlisle. He had stepped up as a favor to both her and Edward, and now he was paying the price. Bella had noticed it as soon as they'd exited the car, the quiet resentment Edward now felt toward his brother. It was restrained but it was there.

Bella blew out a breath. What a mess. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so selfish.

She closed her eyes.

But it was Edward's idea.

But then… Oh, who am I kidding?

Bella could rationalize all she wanted. It didn't change anything.

In hindsight, I should have known.

They'd been in denial. All three of them. And now, they had to live with the consequences. Hopefully, they'll be temporary.

An hour passed. Bella couldn't sleep. She had just fluffed her pillow when a sound netted her attention. The muffled notes of piano keys.

Edward was home.

Unsure if the others were with him, Bella rose and grabbed a robe. As Claude Debussy's Clair de Lune drifted throughout the house, she quietly made her way to the living-room.

The lamp was on, and Edward was sitting in profile. As his fingers danced upon the keys, she noted that his hair was more messy than usual. That, and there was visible tension in his shoulders.

Debating whether or not to approach, Bella lingered at the threshold for a moment. Then, opting to risk it, she went to him.

"Are the others back?"

Edward shook his head and kept on playing.

Standing by his right shoulder, Bella voiced a quiet question. "Should I go?"

The song came to a sudden end, then he whispered, "No."

With that, Edward turned in his seat, his arms banding around her waist.

Hands sinking into his hair, Bella watched him with a downturned gaze. "I'm sorry this is difficult for you."

His mouth curved a little, but the smile failed to reach his eyes. "It was my idea, remember?"

"Still."

He tightened his hold on her, his voice low when he said, "I love you, Bella. More than anything."

"I know. I love you, too."

"About the wedding…"

Now, she tensed, fear rising in her chest. Was he going to call the whole thing off?

"I was thinking… how about we set a date? A real one this time."

"Really?" Hope flared in her being. They had postponed so many times. "When were you thinking?"

Edward angled his head to the side. "That we could tie the knot in three months, give or take. Alice wants to plan the whole thing. I figure that would give her enough time."

"So then, we'd marry in August."

Edward gave a nod.

Bella blew out a breath, her mind already made up. "Alice is going to kill us. Three months is cutting it kind of close."

"Yeah, but she can handle it. What do you say?" His smile was warm now.

"I say…" Her face split into a grin. "Let's do it."

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