AN: Jeez – ya'll are a feisty crew! We wouldn't be surprised if you weren't lining up with boxing gloves and mouth guards waiting for Bella v Carlisle in Vegas!!

But enough with the teasing – we'll let you get to reading…we know you are curious.

As usual, not ours, although we bemoan that way too often.

Chapter 11: We're Not Worthy

Like Butt-ah - B

The balance of Saturday was spent doing damage control. Edward was on and off the phone all day. He worked with the PR people at CI to wrap up a formal statement. He exchanged messages with his brother. He lined up Demetri to help us get out to his parent's house in Southampton. Originally, the plan was to go to their house in the city, but it turned out that a few of the vultures that called themselves photographers had taken up roost there as well.

I exchanged text messages with Alice, who was out of town for the weekend. She knew what was going on and was prepared. I'd also had a very awkward conversation with my father. I never thought I would say it, but telling him that I was pregnant would have been easier than explaining the situation I found myself in. My dad was incredibly protective of me normally, but where relationships were concerned, he was the original poppa bear – even three thousand miles away. He told me to warn Edward that he had better not do anything that could hurt me.

I didn't pass that on. I wasn't ready to dig into my paternal relationship with Edward when we had to deal with his tomorrow. We'd save that one for another day.

After talking to my dad, I placed calls to a few of my co-workers and authors, as well as my boss. It was awkward and embarrassing to admit what was going on, but they were all enthusiastic and wished me well. One of my newer authors, an affected, Truman Capote wannabe with a heart of gold told me 'it's about damned time you find someone. And leave it to you to not do it half assed.' All that was missing in his statement was an 'mm-mm girlfriend' and a little head waggle.

I didn't call my mother. There was no point; she would do whatever the hell she wanted to do, regardless of what I asked her. Plus, I had no idea where to find her.

Saturday night we made dinner and hung out on the couch. Conveniently, Wayne's World was on TV, and we ended up in a quote war. I kicked Edward's ass. He reciprocated by pelting me with popcorn.

"Stop! Uncle!" I shouted, ducking another barrage.

"Nope!" He grabbed another handful of popcorn and started towards me. I dodged around the back of the couch in an effort to stay out of his reach.

"Put the popcorn down, Cullen." I darted back to the bowl to grab my own handful. "I will retaliate!"

"Let's see you try. You throw like a girl!" He taunted as he circled the couch.

"I am a girl. I'm magically babelicious too. Ya know, Cullen, if there is a concern, I can always give that editorial assistant a call who wanted to 'change your orientation…'"

He threw the handful of popcorn at me and launched over the couch to catch me around the waist.

"Gotcha!"

We both landed with a thud half on, half off the couch, laughing. I took advantage of the position to shove the now crushed handful of popcorn I held down his back.

"Pay back is a bitch!" I giggled. I made no attempt to get away. What was the point? This was exactly where I wanted to be.

"You do know, Bella, that I have butter all over my back now. I am going to need to take a shower." He grinned at me. "And I don't know if I can reach that spot."

"Transparent." I sing songed as I rubbed my hand up and down his back, grinding it further in.

"So are you." Edward teased before kissing me. "And you taste like butt-ah."

"Spoken like a true New Yawkah!" I chided him.

My cell phone chirped, interrupting us. As much as we both would have liked to ignore it, we weren't going to get burned like last night.

I reached over to grab my phone as Edward wiped his hand across the exposed sliver of skin where my shirt had ridden up. Now we both had butter and salt all over our backs. Gross.

"Hey," I greeted Jasper.

"Welcome to our world, grasshopper. My phone line has been burning up all day thanks to you."

I groaned. "Is it okay if I put you on speaker? I think Edward should hear this too."

I activated hands free mode and lay my cell phone on the table. "Okay, spill it."

"Hey Edward. Leave to you to cause some excitement in my weekend." Jasper acknowledged before launching in. "So I have been getting phone calls like crazy today. Page Six, Liz Smith, Cindy Adams. The usual crew. They all want to know three things; Who Bella is, how serious you are, and what Carlisle thinks. I have been letting all the calls go to voice mail, but they aren't letting up."

Edward sighed and stood up, shaking his shirt to get rid of the popcorn that was stuck to his back.

"Can't say that I am surprised. Has anyone else called you?"

"Just Tanya getting the same questions. We circled the wagons with the old gang pretty quickly. Everything is buttoned up."

He paused for a second before continuing. "You okay, Dizzy Izzy? This is a lot to take in…"

Good old Jasper; always worried about everyone else.

"Yeah, I am okay, but I am fifteen floors above it all right now, so my perspective may be a bit off." I tugged on the front of Edward's shirt, releasing another shower of popcorn chunks.

"Hey JW, can I ask you an etiquette question?"

"Sure thing Diz."

"What is the proper attire when meeting your boyfriend's parents for the first time? Somehow, I don't think Emily Post has a section on family introductions after you've been splashed all over the tabloids."

Edward laughed and shook his head. His hand went up to trace that telltale path along my cheek.

Preparation - E

We were still laughing. She brought levity to every situation. It wasn't that she didn't take it seriously. I knew that it was a defense mechanism, but it was so much better than the alternative.

The joke about what to wear was the first she'd brought up meeting my family all day. Given how fearless Bella was, it was easy to forget that this was taxing her. And even if she was the most put together woman I knew, meeting my parents wasn't anyone's idea of the perfect way to spend a Sunday.

I leaned in close as she was wrapping up her conversation with Jasper. "Did you bring that suit of yours with Beastie Boys t-shirt?"

She shook her head lightly and waved me off. She finished what she was saying to Jasper, and disconnected the call.

"I didn't think you noticed that outfit."

"I notice everything about you. Like this freckle on your shoulder," I pulled at her shirt, to try to take off enough to reveal the freckle, but she giggled and swatted my hand. "I also know about a scar on your right knee. Shall we take off your pants to check it out?"

"Perv! Anyway, I'm not sure the attitude suit is the best thing, but my options for tomorrow are very limited. You told me to dress warm, so basically, I have jeans, jeans, and oh yeah, I could wear your shirt. Everything I brought is completely casual. "

"I can call Barney's or Saks and have something sent over."

"Oh sure, I can hear that conversation, 'Yes, my girlfriend is stuck in my apartment. I know you're closed, but can you bring me over a Zac Posen suit and a pair of Stuart Weitzman's by 9 tomorrow?'"

"Bella, I can actually do that."

"Oh. Really?"

"I know some people."

"That comes in handy doesn't it?"

"Especially for all the occasions when it absolutely sucks, like being stuck in your boyfriend's apartment surrounded by paparazzi. It's all a double edged sword I suppose."

"Well, no thank you to Saks. It's a bit much, you know?"

"Fair enough. It would be hard to keep that one quiet anyway. I could have my assistant get something from your apartment though. You tell her what and where it is, and she could do it. I can call her in the morning. We don't have to leave until noon so there's plenty of time."

"How would she get in?"

"Demetri would come here for a key first."

"Do these people not have lives on the weekend?"

"Don't you ever work overtime?"

"Let me think about it, okay. Can I decide in the morning?"

"Of course, and for the record, I think you're perfect in whatever you wear." I gave her my sly smile and turned the corner of my mouth up, "And when you don't wear anything at all. Weren't you about to take a shower?"

"You're incorrigible Cullen."

But that was as strong a protest as she could muster.

Despite the chaos I knew we faced in the morning, sleep came easily and soundly. The only explanation I had was that Bella made everything easier. Even facing my father in the morning seemed less daunting than it had just a week ago. Either she gave me strength, or her fearlessness was rubbing off on me.

The Lions Den - B

"Are you sure about this?" I tugged at the bottom of my t-shirt. Somehow, the attitude vibe just wasn't kicking in today.

"Yes, you look perfect." Edward smiled; his eyes on the road. "Plus, pardon the pun, it suits your personality."

"Yeah, which might not be the best introduction to your parents. Bella Swan synonymous with the guys who sing Brass Monkey." I looked out the window, watching the trees fly by. "I still can't believe you have people at your beck and call like that. It was really nice of Jane to go get my stuff."

"She's paid well for it."

We were quiet for a while. I continued to watch out of the window. Edward focused on driving, periodically checking the rear view mirror. Thanks to Demetri, we had managed to sneak out of Edward's building and the city undetected. That man is a miracle worker. He currently had the press chasing him and the Mercedes around lower Manhattan.

"I wish I brought my Queen CD. We could have killed time singing Bohemian Rhapsody." I joked, hoping to bring back the lightness from last night.

"Sorry. Can't hit the high notes." Edward retorted.

"But I bet you would look cute head banging." He shot me a dubious look before breaking into my smile. That's better.

We turned off onto a long, winding road, lined with trees. No houses were visible, but every so often, impressive gated drives would fly by.

"Hey, you okay?" Edward squeezed my knee, drawing my attention back.

"Honestly? I am a nervous wreck."

He laughed at me. "Why are you nervous?"

"Hmmm, let's see. You and your dad are antagonistic to start. Their first impression of me is probably not a stellar one, given that it was via the newspaper, and according to Page Six, I am just a cop's kid."

As bad as the photos were yesterday, seeing my full name and quick bio run down in the paper this morning had been terrifying. The world now knew my short and albeit, rather vanilla life complete with anecdotes on my 'being rather reserved' but having a "quirky, offbeat personality and quick wit" from a girl I had marginally known in college. This must be what Edward meant by people milking a situation for anything they can get, which apparently included a few minutes of fame.

Hello fish bowl.

"Bella, it doesn't matter. If they don't like you, it's their loss, not yours."

"But they are your parents, Edward. It's important that your family like me."

"Actually, I think they should be more concerned about you liking them, but I do tend to look at things differently."

He had slowed the car to turn into a set of massive wrought iron gates. The lane was lined with colossal oak trees.

"Jeez Edward, you said your parents house…" I broke off as we pulled up front of building the size of my high school. Only my high school didn't have cut glass front doors and a crushed stone drive.

"It is just a house, Bella." He paused, staring up at it for a second. "Out of all the places I lived growing up, this was always home. But now, it's just a house."

It was a sad statement. I could hear the wistfulness in his voice, but thought better of questioning him. With what we were potentially heading into, the last thing he needed was to get mired down in bad memories.

We climbed out of the car. Edward slipped his hand in mine, and led me up the limestone steps to the front door. It flew open before he could reach for the handle.

"Edward!" A beautiful woman, who appeared to be in her mid fifties, threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "I missed you!"

Edward hugged her with one arm, and then pulled me forward. "Mom, this is Bella. Bella, this is my mom, Esme."

I immediately felt like I was back in high school, being eyed up and down by one of the cool girls. Esme took in everything about my appearance. I wanted to check to see if there was something stuck in my teeth.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Cullen." I held out my hand, a bit unsure as to how best to proceed.

She hesitated for a moment before taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"It's nice to meet you too, Bella. Please come inside, we were just getting ready to have drinks."

She turned, and it was clear she expected me to follow her in.

It wasn't lost on me that she hadn't asked me to call her Esme.

First Impressions - E

My eyes narrowed when my mom turned to enter the house. My mom was playing it cool. She was always one to survey the situation before weighing in. I'd wager she was dying to ask Bella more questions and dig into our relationship, but she was being cautious. I squeezed Bella's hand to offer reassurance.

I had never seen Bella self conscious. Thinking back to the months I watched her, there may have been days she seemed more distracted or upset by something, but I'd never seen self doubt. I could understand being nervous, but I hoped she could trust herself. I wanted my parents to see Bella for exactly who she was; then maybe they could see why I loved her so much.

Knowing my father, though, it might take an act of god to get us out of this lion's den unscathed.

I clearly underestimated the impact the estate would have on Bella's confidence. I helped her out of her coat and handed it to James, my family's butler. She turned to face me, and her eyes were wide. I hadn't done enough to prepare her for this. I honestly believed that given how long I'd been out of the spotlight, we'd have more time to develop our relationship before facing all of the scrutiny and the chaos. And given how tough Bella had always seemed to me, I figured we could just handle things as they came. But it appeared I was wrong, and now I wanted to turn around and leave because I'd failed so badly to protect her.

There was no doubt there would be more bumps as we navigated this afternoon. It was as if Bella and I had formed our own culture outside of either of our worlds. This was the first time either one of us had truly had to interact outside our bubble.

I would have given anything to trade places with her. I put my hands on her shoulders and slid them down her arms until I took her hands in mine. I leaned in and whispered "you and me against the world."

She took a deep breath and we stepped into the foyer. It was more of a grand entrance really, with a spiral staircase hugging the wall on either side. An archway to the right led to the music room which housed a grand piano as well as my mother's string instruments: a violin, viola, and cello. There was a chaise on the opposite wall of the piano for listeners to sit and enjoy.

I couldn't help but smile when I saw that room. It was undoubtedly my favorite in the house, and the one where I felt most comfortable. I excelled there. My father had no choice but to praise me in that room. Emmett never fit in that room. It was mine and my mother's.

"We're in here, darling," my mother announced, and we both looked to the right. The formal living room, a parlor if you will. It was a stark contrast to the music room. The colors were gray and muted. None of the adjectives used to describe living room furniture applied here. Nothing was "easy" or "overstuffed." Stiff was more like it. There was an antique settee, about the size of a modern loveseat where my mom and dad sat, both straight as a line. They were holding hands, as they typically did when they were in the same vicinity. My dad always sought out ways to touch my mom. Many were so subtle, people often missed it.

Two wood chairs sat opposite the settee, not touching. Divide and conquer.

I led Bella into the room. I moved the two chairs so they were nearly touching. Us against them. We sat down, and I took her hand again. She faced my father and I, my mother. He didn't rise to greet us, and he'd yet to introduce himself. In any culture, that was rude.

"Bella, you met my mother outside, but I'd like to introduce you to my father, Carlisle."

When she answered, I could hear the strain to keep her normal energy. "It really is a pleasure to meet you, sir."

He nodded, "Likewise."

I noticed James standing silently in the doorway. My mother saw him as well. "What can we offer you to drink?"

It was a test, and I knew it. There really wasn't any way to pass it. If you asked for alcohol, you were a lush, and if you didn't, you were too stiff and lacked manners.

"James, do you have any coffee brewed?" I asked.

He nodded. I looked at Bella, and she smiled. "We'll both have coffee please."

I already knew James would deliver scotch, neat for my father and a glass of merlot for my mother. I wasn't opposed to a glass of wine, but I worried it would weaken my defenses, and I needed to be sharp. It was never more apparent than when my dad started the afternoon off with, "So, Edward, where did you find this one?"

Stand Your Ground - B

I should have been mentally prepared for the visual impact of Edward's father, having seen photos of the rest of the family. He was striking in a 1950's screen star sort of way. His and Edward's features were very similar; incredibly chiseled, almost European. He was fair like Edward, but with pale blonde hair and ice blue eyes.

I let the eyes unnerve me. It felt like he could look straight through me; see every insecurity, every flaw.

But the minute he addressed us, my nerves morphed into anger. The way that he spoke to Edward was so dismissive, so cold; I couldn't help but react.

It didn't matter that it was an assessment of me.

"He met 'This One' in a coffee shop, Mr. Cullen, where he was kind enough to offer up a section of his newspaper. We happen to follow the same route to work, and struck up a conversation."

I felt Edward squeeze my hand. It was all the strength I needed.

"I apologize for having to meet under these circumstances. I can't imagine being in your place and having to great someone that my child was involved with after seeing them splashed all over the papers."

Esme raised one cultivated eye brow, a bemused look on her face. Carlisle looked slightly entertained for a flash of a moment before his mask slipped back into place.

"So Bella, what do you do?" Esme queried, trying to bridge the gap in the quiet.

Edward fielded the question for me. "She's an editor at Little, Brown, Mom..."

Esme's eyes lit up. Maybe books were a chink in her armor.

"Do you have any famous authors? Anyone that we know?"

I bit back a smile. If only you knew…

"I have a number of authors that I work with; most of them are early in their careers. The most famous is Jack Hale. We started out together, and have put out five books."

The look on her face was priceless. "Jack Hale? I've never heard of him."

Edward squeezed my hand again. The whole conversation was so ridiculous it was beyond surreal.

"Where are you from, Bella?" Carlisle cut in. Any amusement that he might have shown before was gone.

"Washington, sir."

"Really? Georgetown?"

You have to be kidding me.

"State, Dad." Edward's tone was much colder, almost disgusted. He was trying to protect me from the slight.

"How did you ever end up in Manhattan?"

That was an easy answer, which I had always been proud of. But here, in this room, I suddenly felt like a poor relation.

"I was accepted to Fordham on a full academic scholarship. I graduated with a double major in English Literature and American History, and signed on with Little, Brown right after graduation."

You would have thought I wiped my nose on my hand and offered to shake. It was so abundantly clear where this was going, but their pretension, their attitude was almost comical. How the hell had these two Stepfords produced this brilliant, funny, sweet man sitting next to me? I kept waiting for someone to jump out and shout "HA! You've just be punked!"

"Mom, do we have a bit of time before lunch? I'd like to show Bella the music room and the library."

It seemed to diffuse the mood. Esme gave him a brilliant smile. It was a smile that I would know anywhere…the same one that Edward gave me. I almost forgave her for her behavior because of the way that she looked at her son.

"Absolutely, dear. You should make sure to show Bella the first edition Bronte your father just acquired. I am sure she would love that."

And in that moment, I couldn't decide if she was being nice or trying to intimidate me.

Room with a View - E

My mom was posturing. Interesting. I couldn't tell if she liked Bella, but she certainly viewed her as an adversary. That wasn't entirely a bad thing. I hadn't seen this side of her since Emmett brought Rosalie home.

"Library?"

"You know it."

I knew if Bella had been impressed by my office, the Southampton Cullen library would mean sheer awe. It was the largest room in the house. Two entire walls were floor to ceiling bookshelves, but it was deceiving because they were moveable. Almost like a closet, you could open a shelf, and there was another row directly behind it.

Several shoulder high, double sided stacks lined the floor space diagonally forcing your eye to the pièce de résistance of the room, a wall of windows with an amazing beach view. There were two small, unassuming desks tucked along the entry wall, and large leather chairs facing the windows.

"Wow, you Cullens really like your books and your views don't you?"

"I can't deny it." I walked over to the section I knew would house the Bronte my mother mentioned. "My father's collection is far superior to my own, of course."

"Does he read them all? Do you?"

"Not all, no. Some things are about acquisition, the chase itself. It is a collection, after all. One of the guys I went to prep school with collects rare documents. As a career. It's not all that uncommon. It is something the idle rich do to pass time and spend money."

"And for you?"

"It's a hobby, not a career. My father was adamant that we would be more than idle. I just happen to like books, one of the few things my dad and I have in common."

"I've never been much of a collector. I can't imagine having enough space to keep things that you can't really use." I don't think she realized what all was implied in that statement, but she'd moved before we let it become anything tense.

"This view is amazing. I didn't think it could get much better than your apartment."

"I love the view of the Park, but this one is one of my favorites." I wasn't sure whether to continue. This was all giving her more insight on a side of me she didn't know very well. I enjoyed many of the privileges that came with my family heritage. I wasn't ashamed of having money. I was ashamed of the way people treated each other.

"You know, so much of this," I said while slowly turning around the room, "is pure pretense. I find most of it disturbing really. Living in a fishbowl and having your intimate relationships displayed for the whole world, for example." I paused and turned toward the window. "But always having a room with a view. That is a perk I can live with. The highest form of art, in my opinion. It is an escape, of sorts. "

I stopped talking, and we stared out the window for a while. My mother interrupted our meditation.

"Edward, lunch will be ready in twenty minutes. Have you shown Bella the music room yet?"

"Not yet. We'll go there now." Bella handed me back the Bronte, and I returned it to its home. "We can revisit this room after lunch if you like."

"Be careful what you wish for, Cullen. Letting me loose in a library like this could have serious consequences...books might actually be read." I picked up a book and pretended to throw it at her, which got her laughing.

I knew the music room wouldn't be as impressive to Bella, but because it was my mother's room, her sanctuary, she wanted me to show it off. Tit for tat with Carlisle's library.

"Who plays the instruments?"

"My mother could have been a concert cellist had she not chosen the life of a socialite. She dabbles in the other strings."

"And the piano?"

"I play, but the piano was here long before I was. Houses like this require a grand piano to make a grand statement."

"You play? Would you play something for me?"

"It's been a long time, Bella. I'm very rusty."

"I don't mind. Might be fun to see you struggle with something for once. Besides, what was that you said to me, 'For you I always will.'"

"Stupid grand gestures," and we both laughed at that, but I sat down and played. It was a simple Bach concerto that I knew well. When I finished, I turned to see Bella on the settee leaning forward, slightly mesmerized. But she wasn't the one who spoke.

"It was lovely to hear you play, Edward. It's been far too long. It appears you have a positive effect on him Bella. I've been begging him to play again for ages." There was a bite to her tone. "Lunch is ready."

Divide and Conquer - B

If the introduction in the sitting room was surreal, then lunch was straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Carlisle was cool. He baited both of us, throwing snide comments at Edward, and asking me questions deliberately phrased to trip me up. I didn't let him rattle me; I knew exactly what he was doing.

Esme was a different story. One minute she would reach out, be inviting, engaging. The next minute she was distant and reserved. I'd rather deal with Carlisle's frontal assaults than her passive aggressive games.

Lunch was cool at best. We limped through without ever directly addressing the issue at hand, the photos that had come out yesterday as well as the ensuing press coverage today.

The longer we went without addressing it, the tenser the atmosphere became.

Once the dishes were cleared away, Carlisle stood.

"If you'll excuse me, I have some things I need to deal with." He looked me over, as if debating what to say. "Bella, it's been…interesting meeting you, especially given the circumstances."

He turned to Edward. "You know where I am if you need me."

I quickly glanced toward Edward. He had been incredibly quiet through lunch. I knew he was angry; the question was, at what?

He stood, dropping his napkin on the table. He placed a quick kiss in my head.

"I need to talk with my father. Will you be okay?"

There was nothing I could do but nod. I didn't want to be left alone with his mother, but I didn't really have a choice. I knew that he wouldn't leave me here alone if he had any concerns. He had never said anything but truly good, loving things about his mother, and I trusted in that as I watched him walk out, willing all of my strength along with him.

Esme's voice pulled me back to the room. She sat back in her chair, fiddling with the stem of her wine glass.

"I have to admit, Bella, you have thrown me for a loop. I knew that Edward was involved with someone, but I didn't have any details. I can't say anything today has been quite what I expected."

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Mrs. Cullen."

She took a sip of wine and looked toward the door that Edward and his father had both walked out of.

"You remind me a lot of him, you know,"

"I'm sorry?"

"Carlisle. You remind me a lot of him. More impetuous, but the wit, the strength, the fearlessness, they are all very similar traits."

The day had worn me down, and I wasn't up for playing her cat and mouse much longer.

"With all due respect, from what little I have seen and heard, I don't think I find that very complimentary."

She studied me for a second, then pushed back from the table and walked to the side board where she refilled her wine glass. She poured another and brought both glasses back to the table.

"I hope you don't mind Merlot." She slid the glass across the table to me before taking a long sip of hers. "Bella, I won't beat around the bush. Neither of us is happy about the press coverage this weekend."

"Neither am I. I am a private person, Mrs. Cullen. I don't enjoy this."

"If you are serious about my son, you will need to learn to deal with it. The media has always loved him, even before he ran off to LA. Wherever he goes, there will be a camera. If you can't deal with that, then you might want to cut your losses now."

"What if I don't want to 'cut my losses' as you so put it?"

She studied me, as if waiting for me to continue. When she realized that I would say no more, she continued her assessment.

"You are completely different from any girl that I've ever seen Edward with. Even dear, sweet Tanya." She hesitated to see if I would react to the mention of Tanya. "But you aren't of our world, Bella. It won't be easy for you to adjust into Edward's environment."

I was lost. Was she trying to scare me off, or to be legitimately helpful? I couldn't understand her angle, and I wasn't sure if she was going to tell me.

"Mrs. Cullen, the only thing that matters to me is that Edward is happy. I have already told him as much. If that means that there is a place for me in his world, wonderful. If that means I have to learn to live with the media and the scrutiny, I will. This is not some frivolous or throw away thing for either of us, although I am sure that most will think that."

She sat back in her chair and took another sip of wine.

I followed her lead and picked up the glass of wine.

"Hemlock?" I asked, more for my sanity than for hers.

She gave me my first legitimate smile of the day. "I haven't been surprised like this in a long time, Bella. I think you may end up being interesting to have around."

Strike, Not a Spare - E

It was not an invitation to a pleasant chat. I knew why he thought I was on my way to his library right now. He was preparing to give the "What a disappointment you continue to be, Edward," speech.

Classic as it was, I didn't feel like hearing it today. The lunch they served Bella wasn't even lukewarm. I expected his anger toward me, but how could they be so cold to Bella? She'd done nothing wrong.

I could deal with my mother later, but this was my one chance with my father.

He stood with his glass of scotch, leaning against one of the shorter bookcases.

"Edward, what is the . . ." he started, but I didn't let him continue.

"No, dad. Not today. I'm not interested in hearing all of the mistakes I've made and how they impact you. Somehow you always leave out the mistakes you make."

"Edward, there is no need to raise your voice or to speak to me that way." Carlisle Cullen never showed weakness by getting worked up.

"The hell there isn't! You don't seem to be listening to anything else, and you need to pay attention. I care about Bella more than anyone I've ever been with. We didn't toy with the press. It's not a game. The pictures were a complete accident. We don't deserve this kind of animosity—not her especially."

"She won't be able to fit in, Edward. You'll tire of her before she has a chance to acclimate anyway." He took a long slow drink from his glass.

"So, you're making these assessments without giving anyone a chance? You have no idea what that woman is capable of. Sometimes, I'm not sure why she'd even want to fit in." I was hoping to get a rise now.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You can turn your nose up at her and everything she is, but the higher your head goes, the more we just see what kind of crap is up there. I'm finding it unappealing."

"Watch your step, Edward. I still employ you." He didn't yell, but I heard the warning bell. He was close to losing it. He knew it wasn't much of a threat. I didn't need CI. I didn't need any job for that matter. I almost laughed but I was too irate to find it funny.

"Lovely priorities, Dad. Some might be more concerned about losing a son than an employee. But I guess you already have your heir, don't you? And I think I've already proven finding employment isn't a problem." I was doing my best to keep up with him. I knew the dig on LA would get him.

"Edward, I don't . . ."

"Save it. We have another hour before we're set up with Demetri for decoy. I would like to bring Bella back into the library. I'd appreciate it if you weren't here."

I was angry, but I hadn't been this satisfied walking away from my father in a very long time.

EN: Well well well. That didn't go like anyone expected, did it? What surprised you the most?

Pop on over to twi…we've got pics of what the estate looks like, and there is all kinds of fun and speculation!