A/N: Brace yourselves, it's gonna be rough...Both POVs for this one.
All my defenses were down. All my big decisions, forgotten. How I could even think I could walk away from him was beyond me. A look from him, a word from him and I all but melted. We clicked in so many ways, he was the answer to all my questions about love.
I was not naïve and knew that Prince Charming didn't exist. If he did, all the obstacles and tragedies life could send you would disappear and everything would be easy and miraculous. I may have believed that when I was a young girl but I wasn't anymore and everyday life had a way to teach you to stop believing in useless illusions. Edward wasn't a miracle, he was just the man I had always wanted without knowing I did. Our situation was far from ideal but if I wanted a chance at happiness, I needed to believe that our story could work.
I really, really tried to cling to those happy thoughts while staring in panic at the cold face of Esme Cullen. The usually beautiful and calm expression of her face was replaced by an angry scowl, tinted with incredulity. Her lips were slightly open and I closed my eyes when the faintest whimper escaped them.
"Wh…What's going on here?" Esme asked in a rushed murmur, her stare now solely focused on me. Probably mentally throttling me.
"Mum, let me explain…" I heard his voice through the ringing in my ears. It would be the end for us, she'd make sure of it. Who could blame her?
"There's nothing to explain, apparently. Miss Swan, expect a visit from the police during the afternoon. Your father's going to be proud."
She was practically seething and her breathing was harsh and irregular betraying her emotions under the icy surface. She started dragging away but to my astonishment, he offered resistance. I never would have thought he'd defy her like this.
"No, I don't want to go…Mom, stop that!" He shouted. His pale face was twisted with frustration and anger.
"What are you doing Edward? Are you crazy, do you want to give these people a show?" Esme retorted.
"I don't care about other people..." He sighed, while I could see little groups of students forming and staring at us curiously.
"Well I do, so let's go home and leave that woman here. You need to be away from her, as fast as possible." I shivered at the coldness and disdain in her voice.
"She's not a woman, she's Bella. We love each other and…I…I'm not asking you to understand but at least respect that. Don't create any problems, Mom."
"I'm creating problems?" She shrieked. "Edward, she took advantage of you, she used you and now you're under her influence. Follow me please, because trust me, I won't hesitate to cause a scene, right here and your…teacher will take the brunt for it."
His eyes drifted from her to me and he looked so lost I wanted to curl myself up in his arms and take us to a place we'd never have to face judgement anymore.
"Bella…"
"Go." I managed though it tore me apart to do it. "It will be worse if you stay."
Esme Cullen leashed another hateful glare on me and practically pushed her son to the car. I swallowed my tears again.
Mom slammed the door after we both went it and broke the cold silence between us.
"So, that's what where you were, sleeping with that horrible woman and lying to me, all this time!"
"You knew where I was, Mom, I never lied about that." I tried to sound calm, knowing more anger was to come.
"How dare you, Edward? You know how hard the last few months have been for me, don't you? Why did you do this?"
"I didn't do anything wrong, Mom." I could see tears of rage threatening to fall and braced myself for the onslaught.
"You're right. You're not responsible for all this. That teacher of yours is going to pay for her crimes, let me tell you."
"That's not what I meant at all!" I cried, alarmed by the determination in her voice. "She didn't force herself on me. We both fell for each other."
"Edward, you're impressionable honey. You're so young and you have no idea what lo…" Her face was twisted in a desperate scowl. She was trying so hard to convince me of my errors. It only helped fueling my frustration.
"So, what? What are you saying? Now that Dad is dead, nobody in this house can be happy again? Mom, sorry to burst your bubble but I found happiness two months ago and I won't let it escape me. No matter what you do or say."
"What do you mean? Your father and I always provided you with love and everything you could ever want. You were perfectly happy before you met that horrible woman!"
"Oh, yes!" I exclaimed with a bitter laugh. "It was great! Dad had just died, you were in a catatonic state and Emmett and I had to deal with our own pain and shock."
Her face crumbled, all the anger leaving it and giving way to an immense sadness. I sighed.
"Look, Mom. It's not your fault. You were shocked and sad and lost. I get it. Emmett was devastated as well."
"What about you?" She asked, her voice tiny.
"I was sad of course."
"You don't sound very sad to me."
"Mom, I loved Dad. The truth is, I don't know…We had a distant relationship. You must have known that. We never really clicked, about anything. He loved Emmett more than me and I've made my peace with that."
"That's not true, no Edward. You're wrong!"
"Am I?" We had sat on the couch, both of us too drained to stand anymore.
"Your father loved you, sweetie. As much as he loved Emmett and as much as I love you."
"I have no doubts about your love for me."
She shook her head, resigning herself to my doubts.
"So, is that the reason for all this?"
"What do you mean?"
"You don't feel loved and fall under the spell of a teacher. It makes perfect sense."
Clearly, it would be hard to explain.
"Bella isn't my mother, or a replacement for Dad. We're in love, Mom."
"I can't believe this! She clearly has done quite a number of you. The police are going to hear about that, trust me."
"No, Mom…"
Our sterile conversation came abruptly to an end when someone knocked on the door. Mom went to open it, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Mrs. Cullen, I'd like to talk to you. I'm Charlie Swan."
Only a few chapters left, dear readers :). Leave me your reviews, I want them!
