Family Ties

I do not own any of the characters in Twilight.

EPOV

Arriving at our new home, I was once again astounded by Esme's ability to find the perfect retreat for our family. When I say she outdid herself with this residence, that is an understatement.

Our new home was a 287-acre estate that featured a main residence, a caretaker's residence, and a garage. There was a 12-stall barn complex with haylofts, silos and utility sheds. There were pastures for horse or cattle. There were several places on the property to quietly sit or walk and take in some absolutely incredible views. There was even 1,000 feet of lake/beach access.

The main residence, a 16,000 square foot Adirondack-style home, was set atop the highest point on the property, offering unsurpassed views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Three stories, 18 rooms which included 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, an elevator, two entertainment areas with floor to ceiling windows that offered us beautiful views and each entertainment room featured a fireplace. There was 2 kitchens, one gourmet kitchen on the main floor and, a commercial-grade kitchen on the lower level for catering; of course we would never need two kitchens much less one for catering. The west facing side of the house featured 270-degree decking on the second and third stories.

The garage only had space for 3 cars so this would be the first thing we would need to expand. Based on all the property we had now, expansion would not be a problem. We were going to need to get this project underway quickly as my Aston Martin would be arriving soon and Rosalie will get in a rage if she doesn't have adequate space to work on her car.

The caretaker's residence was a 1.5 story, 7-room residence with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and its own garage.

Our estate was located about 20 miles from Burlington, VT and about an hour's drive to both Stowe and Sugarbush. So Carlisle's commute to work would be easy and being so close to the slopes would make my entire family happy during the upcoming winter season.

I know as soon as Alice and Rosalie arrive it will be crazy while they run through the house and over the estate exploring every nook and cranny. I was glad my first viewing of the property and home were prior to their arrival. It afforded me the opportunity to pick my favorite room and discover all the wonderful places to lose myself on the property.

Esme and Carlisle were just beaming with pride over the latest addition to our homesteads. Based on what Esme had found there was very little remodeling that would need to be done to our newest residence. She really did find a gold mine one that would only increase in value over many years.

After being here for one day I began to wonder how Alice and Jasper would react to living with me once again, I actually was contemplating moving into the caretaker's residence. There was more than enough room for me and it gave my family privacy from my special gift. I knew I'd have to discuss this with Carlisle and Esme before the rest of the family joined us. Although I'd made the commitment and had determined that I was going to leave the past behind, I knew I would have my mood swings and this was something we should consider.

I had found a wonderfully peaceful path on our property that lead to an overlook of the lake with plenty of overgrowth to conceal my location from anyone else. I heard Esme's thoughts before I actually heard her approaching. 'Edward, do you mind if I join you?'

"Esme, please sit. I always treasure your company, actually I was just going to return and ask to speak with you."

"Edward, I know you've reached your decision over and over again during the past year. I'm not here to discuss your choice; I'm here to discuss how I can help you live with your decision. What is it I can do for you son, to help you get past this?" Esme reached out and held my hand while gazing out at the view.

I sighed then looked at her, trying to get her to understand with my eyes that I would never get past Bella. I would move on, I would continue residing with my family playing my piano, but I would never get past loving Bella. "Esme, in all my years on this earth, I've never felt what I felt with Bella. I don't know that getting past those feelings is something that will happen. You of all people know what grief can do to a person. I'm not saying I won't try to make my existence more bearable, I just don't know how to do this. I don't know what everyone expects from me and what I should do with my time. I find myself constantly pushing thoughts of Bella to the back of mind so as not to dwell on what I cannot change."

She continued to hold my hand in one of hers and reached out to touch my face with her other. "Edward, you are right I know grief as no one else in our family should ever know. It is the most difficult, painful thing in life to lose someone you love. But you had a choice and this is the decision you felt made the most sense for both yourself and Bella. So you can either change your mind and go back to her, or make the best of your time without her. Your family is here for you Edward; we only want to help you during this time. So for now, I'll leave you with your thoughts, but please remember that we want nothing more than for you to be happy. When the family is together again, remember what I've told you today and try not to lose your patience with your brothers and sisters." She stood, brushed herself off and turned towards the view again, "perhaps attending college again would help fill some of the hours. You should consider it, there are some fine schools in Burlington that could at least occupy the time."

She began to walk away and thought, 'Don't be too long.' Carlisle would like your help in preparing the plans for the garage.'

"I'll join you momentarily. And Esme, thank you."

She smiled and began running back to the house. I really did love Esme; she was kind and gentle but firm when required. Her words spoke nothing but the truth.

I looked out on the beauty of our new surroundings and sighed. If I was going to talk to Carlisle about the caretaker's residence I should do it now.

Carlisle was in his study reviewing the plans for our new garage. I knocked gently on the door, 'Come in Edward. I was hoping you would return soon so I could discuss the plans for our expansion of the garage. We need to get this done quickly in order for everyone's car to fit. The winter here can be pretty harsh.' He waved his hand at me to join him at his desk.

"Carlisle, can that wait a moment? I'd like to discuss our living arrangements?"

He looked at me and nodded his head towards one of the chairs, 'Please tell me you're not leaving again, it would kill Esme.' "Edward…"

"No Carlisle, I'm not leaving. We just arrived and I just returned to the family. I'm determined to stick to my decision." He nodded for me to continue, the relief was apparent in his face as the words left my mouth.

Looking down at my hands in my lap, I pushed my shoulders back, looked up into his face and heard him thinking, 'Oh this can't be good'. I shook my head and smiled, "No again Carlisle, it's not that bad. I'm just not sure how you and Esme will feel about my request. I'd like to ask permission to reside in the caretaker's residence."

I saw a range of emotions in his face and then he thought, 'Would you mind if Esme joined us for this conversation? She will want to understand the reasons for your request, and not my interpretation of those reasons.'

I nodded my head in approval and we stood to go find Esme.

He called out to her to join us on the main floor. As Carlisle and I sat on the couch, she quickly came down the stairs.

"Edward has requested that he reside in the caretaker's residence and I felt this was a discussion we should have together." With that they both turned to me to hear my reasons for distancing myself from our family.

"Well, as you know being around my family is comforting, but it's a double edged sword. Everyone has a mate and I've been a fifth wheel for a long time, that is until Bella entered my life. Since we are no longer together, I find it harder to go back to being the odd man out but yet, do not want to leave the comfort of my loved ones."

"With Jasper's gift, my sorrow has made it difficult for him to be around me and Alice is torn. I know that Alice will continue to accept my decision, but I see what it has done to her. She's grieving as well. And Rosalie and Emmett, well any chance I can get away from their lewd thoughts is a welcome respite." I smiled, knowing they would understand I meant that with nothing but love.

They both smiled a sad smile before answering. I purposely blocked their thoughts so we could have this conversation as most people would.

Carlisle and Esme looked at each other, then he leaned back on the couch and turned to me. "Edward, I know you think that this would be best for you, but Esme and I do not agree." He looked at Esme and took her hand in his. She smiled at him and nodded for him to continue.

"Although I'm technically not your father and Esme is not your mother, you are a mature vampire and can make up your own mind on most matters. But when it comes to decisions that effect the family, I believe that Esme and I need to step in to assist in determining what is best for everyone."

I started getting agitated at this point and he noticed. "Edward, hear me out before you get defensive. What I have to say has your best interests at heart. If you truly want to embrace the family again, then distancing yourself, even if it is a short distance, will not help you in your healing process. I'd like to offer a compromise." He stopped and waited for my response.

Looking at him and Esme I realized they were not trying to be difficult, they were just trying to help. So I held out my hands for him to continue.

"Stay, stay in the main residence with your family, let us live together once again. Give your family the opportunity to help you and for you to help us. We are all grieving and should stay together during the healing process. If you feel after some time, a couple of months, that you need to distance yourself, or if Jasper is having difficulty with your feelings, then the caretaker's residence is yours." He looked from me to Esme waiting for my answer.

"Fine, that sounds like a fair compromise" I said while running my fingers through my hair. "But, if anyone starts giving me a hard time, I'm leaving." They knew without my saying that I was referring to Rosalie. We never discussed Rosalie's attitude towards Bella but they both knew that out of everyone in the family Rose was most apt to get smug about my choice in leaving Bella.

"Good, I'm glad you agree. I think you'll find your family will be a balm that helps you through this. We never want you to feel we are pushing you or restraining you." With that he stood and took Esme's hand and they went to his study.

I went to the window and looked out. Well, in a few short days the rest of the family would be here. I was beginning to feel anxious about seeing Alice again, I would have to speak with her to make her understand my decision and feelings on Bella. But in the meantime we have a garage to build, I walked up the stairs to join Carlisle and Esme.