*Edward and Bella*

The silence that filled the hallway went on for what seemed like minutes. It was as if all of them were strangers meeting for the first time…

It was Edward who broke it.

"Bella."

The spell that Bella seemed to be under was immediately broken, and she stood there, motionless, waiting for someone else to speak. It seemed inappropriate in this moment for her to say another word…or maybe she couldn't find any words to say.

"Why don't we go sit?" Charlie suggested nervously, offering a gesture toward the living room.

The reaction he received wasn't quite what he had expected.

"Where have you been?" Renee almost choked the words, and Bella heard the tears in her voice.

"Renee—." Charlie broke in, but she held up her hand.

"It's been over five years…" there was a hint of anger in her voice now. "…and every time I try to speak to your father about you, he has nothing to say…"

"Mom…" Bella began. "You have every right to be angry…"

"Angry?" Renee threw up her hands. "Angry doesn't even come close to the way I feel! You can't even begin to imagine the things I've felt the last few years! I've been worried sick about you…wondering where you are, what you're doing…"

"If you'll just let me explain…" Bella tried again.

"Explain what?" Renee let a few tears fall. "That as soon as you married him…" she pointed an accusing finger at Edward. "…you're not allowed to see your family anymore?"

This was going to be more difficult than he or Bella had realized, Edward thought.

"It wasn't like that…" Bella protested.

Renee's eyes widened.

"Now, wait just a minute, here…" Charlie raised his voice. "Everyone just calm down."

"I wanted to see you!" Bella exclaimed. "But since I married Edward…things are a little more complicated…and I wasn't sure if you would understand…"

"What do you mean, you weren't sure if I would understand…?" The hurt was visible on Renee's face. "I'm your mother…."

"I know that." Bella said shortly. "That's exactly why I couldn't tell you…"

"You never came to visit…not once in almost six years…" Renee's voice trailed. "What was I supposed to believe?"

"I wanted to see you." Bella lowered her head. "And I wanted to contact you more than I have…but something always came up."

She hated lying to her mother…

"Bella." Edward almost growled with caution in his eyes. "We don't have to do this here…"

She turned to her young husband. "I want to tell her everything, Edward…" she whispered.

His eyes were pleading. "Please, Bella…not here." He whispered, low enough so that only she could hear him.

"Now, Renee…" Charlie broke in. "There's a perfectly good explanation for why Bella hasn't contacted you…"

Edward's face tightened.

"I've grown up." Bella finished for him. "Being married has been a huge change for both of us….and we're very busy."

Edward let out a sigh of relief.

"You were always more grown up than others your age." Renee replied. "What makes you think that you've changed so much…that I wouldn't know you anymore? Being married changes everyone…but that's no excuse to hide from your mother for so long." Her expression had softened, and Bella felt the tension lessen in the room. "Were you…ashamed? I mean…I realize that you're a woman now…"

If it were possible for Bella to feel embarrassment at this moment, she was beyond it. "Mom…" she became slightly uncomfortable.

Edward glanced at Charlie. He, too, was squirming in his seat. Though he knew the truth, the thought of discussing Bella's sex life would indeed make a father less than comfortable.

"I just want you to be honest with me." Renee sighed and crossed her legs nervously. "Were you afraid I would see you differently…because you're not my little Bella anymore?"

Bella slowly nodded, though it was far from the truth. "Yes." She said softly. "It was different with Dad…because I didn't spend as much time with him growing up. It was easier to be around him, I guess…knowing that I wasn't the same old Bella that I used to be…"

"You've never had to impress me…" Renee sighed. "You should have known that I wouldn't judge you…and I would never judge you, no matter how much you change."

"You're still the same, Bells…" Charlie put in. "Well…almost."

Bella was impressed. Her father was doing an excellent job playing along…and she hoped he continued.

"Well, Edward." Renee shifted on the couch. "You've been quiet throughout this whole conversation…anything to say?"

Edward shrugged. "We really have been busy, Renee…but that's no excuse." He reached for Bella's hand. We shouldn't have let it come down to this…and I apologize…again for Bella, and for myself. It's not that we didn't want to see you…"

She nodded, surprisingly accepting what he had to say. "It's been a really long time." Her face was soft. "I've missed you, Bella…so much."

Bella lurched forward off the couch, then, and into her mother's arms. They hugged for what seemed like hours, and Renee sobbed like a child. When Bella had been human, she would have shed the same tears…but now that she was immortal, she could no longer cry. Renee didn't seem to notice.