A/N: Thanks to all of my continued readers and to those of you who take the extra time to review! A huge Thank You to Edwardrocksmysocks for making sure all my chapters are pretty!

SM owns Twilight. Darius Rucker owns the song title.

Longer note at bottom.

Chapter 7

Don't Think I Don't Think About It

"Mom," I choked.
My feet felt planted in the carpet.

"Edward!" Renee cheered as she jumped to her feet.

She nearly knocked me down as she bulldozed her way toward him. Her arms circled him tightly and the look he shot me over his shoulder was beyond comical.

I glanced away from Edward's undeserved shock and caught Esme rolling her eyes with an indulgent smile. Renee had always adored Edward. She was his number one fan. As far as Renee was concerned he was the only man that should matter in my life.

When Edward left me she was there for me anytime I needed her, but she never lost faith in her notion that Edward and I were meant to be together. She told me we were still young and this was just a detour from our path, not the end of it.

She was delusional in her extreme optimism.

"Esme, I have to say he gets better looking every time I see him," she said with a grin.

"Where's Dad?" I asked trying to change the subject quickly.

I swear I heard Edward gulp behind me.

"He and Carlisle are up in his study," Esme answered for my mother.

They always seemed to speak in a circle. I was used to this. Growing up we usually referred to them as 'Team Mom'. Well, Team Mom consisted of Renee, Esme, and-

I turned quickly to Edward, trying to keep a calm façade.

"You said all of them. Where's Alaina?"

"On my way," Alaina's loud voice rang through the house.

She sauntered in carrying a tray of some pink drinks that were probably highly flammable.

"How have you been doll?" Alaina questioned as she made her way to the couch, her blonde hair coiffed perfectly making it no secret where Rosalie's beauty came from.

Alaina had left Forks as soon as Rose left for college. I think it was too painful for her to be alone in the home her and her husband had built together.

"I've been good," I said as I timidly sat down in the shark tank right next to Alaina.

The drinks were handed out quickly and I knew this would be a long night.

"Ladies, I think if I have another one of these I may end up dancing on this coffee table," Renee laughed.

Edward shot me a smirk as he tried to contain his laughter. I blushed.

Esme tried to speak to my mother but I realized I didn't know what the heck was going on around here.

I turned to face my mother and gave her a scrutinizing glance.

"I thought you weren't sure if you were going to be able to make it? When did you find out you were coming?"

What I really wanted to know is why I was just now finding out about it.

"You know I couldn't miss Rose and Emmett's wedding. I called Esme this morning and let her know that your dad was able to get time off after all and I booked a flight last night. She said she tried to tell you this morning but you had other plans," she spoke as though it was a statement but I knew there was a nosy question tucked in there.

"I might have peeked through the window and saw that fine piece of man that dropped you off a while ago. Something going on there?" Alaina asked with a grin.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Edward watching me. I weighed my options carefully. I could hint at something going on between Jacob and myself to irritate him but then I would have to face twenty questions with my mother.

"No, nothing is going on. Jacob is just a friend," I said truthfully.

My mother's shoulders relaxed while Alaina scoffed.

"Probably for the best; we'd hate for you to find another man who's cute but not too bright."

It was no secret who her comment was directed towards. I almost felt bad for him. Almost. I shot Edward a little smirk letting him know that I was the new favorite.

If I thought I felt like a child here before, it was nothing compared to how I felt now with all the mothers in the room.

"Alaina you leave him alone. God made some men handsome enough that they don't have to worry about being smart," my own mother defended with a laugh.

Edward gave me a snotty smirk back until he realized that might have been a back handed compliment.

"Yes and God gave some women a size nine foot so they can-"

"Where is everyone else?" Edward interrupted Alaina before she could finish her thinly veiled threat.

"It was the strangest thing, once Renee mentioned fixing us some drinks they all decided they were tired and ran off to bed," Esme said before pouring the rest of her cocktail down her throat.

"Right, well I'm feeling a bit worn out myself," Edward said while stretching his arms high above his head.

"I think I'm going to call it a night too."

I forced a yawn as I stood quickly, eager to escape the loud party that was sure to ensue. Apparently regression in age is common through both generations when our families get together.

"Oh about that dear..." Renee said while giving Esme a wink that she probably thought was subtle.

"Well you know how much work is left to be done with the wedding, and Esme is going to need all the help she can find…" she began.

"Yes," I said nervously.

"You know the Forks Inn is just a disaster and Seattle is such a drive to make every day, so Esme insisted that Alaina, and your father and I stay here while we're visiting."

"Oh great!" I exclaimed with a fake smile.

I loved my mother dearly but I knew she would push Edward and me together at every turn.

"Which means…" Esme continued for her, "your parents will be staying in Edward's room, while Alaina takes the guest room."

The look on her face told me the sleeping arrangements were my mother's idea but I knew she had probably been an eager and cooperative participant in the plan.

"So that would mean I'm sleeping, where?" I asked nervously.

"You and Edward will be down here. The couch pulls out into a bed if you'd like, plus there is the love seat," Esme smiled.

I looked to Alaina who simply rolled her eyes. Clearly she wasn't able to sway them and she was not happy with their decision.

"Fine," I mumbled.

"So if you ladies would be so kind, could you allow Bella and I to get some rest?" Edward said in his smoothest voice, no doubt trying to get back in Alaina's good graces.

Suck up.

"Oh, sorry honey, we are just getting started here. Why don't you go and fix Bella and yourself a drink then come join us so we can all catch up," Renee said with glee.

Edward gave a defeated nod then headed toward the dining room. I followed quickly behind him.

"Rum or whiskey?" Edward questioned when he saw me.

"Don't care as long as it's a double," I said.

I sat down at the bar stool and rested my head on my arms.

"Stupid, stupid, Jake," I mumbled to myself.

"What?" Edward asked as he slid me a glass.

"He said things couldn't get worse."

I gestured toward the living room and the growing laughter with an angry swat of my hand. Edward scoffed lightly and took another drink.

"Tell me about it. Alaina wants to castrate me. I can feel it," He sighed.

"You deserve it," I mumbled quietly.

Having heard what I said Edward looked up at me but didn't comment.

"So are you ready to go and rejoin the hen party?" Edward reluctantly asked.

"I think I'm going to go say hello to my dad. Care to join?" I teased.

I'm not sure why I was enjoying watching him squirm but it felt empowering.

"I'll pass for now," he said with a humorless laugh.

"You'll have to face him eventually."

"I know," He sighed.

I took my drink and left Edward as I headed upstairs to Carlisle's study.

I opened the door without knocking and found Carlisle and my dad leaning out the opened window. Both looked at me panicked while keeping their hands outside the window.

"You know mom will have a fit if she smells it on you," I laughed as both men relaxed when they realized it was me and not their wives.

"What your mom doesn't know won't hurt her, kid," Charlie laughed giving me a hug as he kept his cigar in his hand.

"Yeah, yeah, crazy woman not wanting you to get lung cancer. I don't understand how she could be so demanding," I teased nudging him with her elbow.

"A good Cuban every once in a while won't kill the man Bella. Trust me I'm a doctor," Carlise said before taking a puff.

"So, is it safe to go down yet?" Charlie asked.

"Nope, that's why I'm up here," I replied as I took a large sip of my drink.

"Smart kid," Charlie remarked.

"I suppose I'll have to go down eventually and have a talk with Edward."

Charlie's chest puffed out as he spoke and despite his age I did have a bit of fear for Edward.

"Dad, just let it go. I'm an adult; it's my problem."

"I told him when he was twelve what would happen if he ever hurt you. I am a man of my word Bella."

I could see he was serious about this though I doubted he would really kill him and hide the body on his deer lease like he had threatened when Edward was young.

Carlisle laughed quietly leaning back out the window.

"A little help, Carlisle?" I begged.

Carlisle raised a perfect eyebrow at me.

"Hey I love my son Bella. I do. I am, however, also the father of a daughter and I can't blame your father for his frustration. Edward had it coming. I'm actually tempted to help him," He chuckled.

Charlie gave me a look that said 'see'.

oOo

EPOV

I had been sitting in the living with the moms for about an hour when I heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs.

I turned in my seat to see Charlie walking down the steps keeping his eyes trained on me. Bella followed closely behind him looking scared.

"Please don't do this dad," Bella pleaded.

"Bella, this isn't up to you. It's time I had a talk with the boy."

Charlie's eyes still remained locked with mine.

"Please daddy?"

Oh she was pulling out the big guns now; using the word daddy. I would have smiled at her trying to defend me had the situation not sucked so badly.

Charlie sighed heavily and turned to face Bella as he took the final stair.

"Calm down. I'm just going to have a talk with the boy," he said sounding a little defeated.

Bella relaxed the smallest bit and moved to sit next to her mother. She gave me a look I couldn't decide as Charlie called my name in a no nonsense tone.

"Yes sir," I responded with as much strength as I could.

I was pretty sure the airport wouldn't allow him to travel with a firearm but I wasn't sure if his badge could bend that particular rule. I didn't think so, but the thought crossed my mind.

"Let's take a walk," he said.

He turned away from me and went out the back patio doors.

I looked at my mom who looked a tad nervous but wasn't going to save me. Renee looked irritated and Alaina was actually laughing out loud.

I decided it was best not to keep him waiting so I excused myself and went to pay a part of my debt.

The door made more noise than I remembered from when I used it earlier. My shoes were loud as I stepped into the dark night.

"Sit down, Edward," Charlie called into the crisp air.

I was thankful I had made it upstairs to grab a shirt while Bella was with our fathers.

I sat down at the table and waited for him to begin. Charlie remained standing as he paced back and forth.

"Edward," he said my name with disappointment.

He really didn't need to say it any particular way. The fact that he said my name at all made me feel shame enough. Charlie had always called me son. He rarely ever used my real name since I first met him he referred to me as son and treated me as such.

"Yes sir," I mumbled.

"I know that my daughter is…an adult, and so are you. I don't want to get into your business but I'm going to. How could you hurt her like that? How could you just leave her without any explanation?"

I didn't know how to answer his question.

"Damn it Edward. You come to me and ask me for my daughter's hand and then a week later you decide she's not worth it?" Charlie spoke angrily.

"It wasn't about her," I defended quickly.

I realized quickly I had better continue when that vein in Charlie's forehead began to throb.

"I panicked Chief. I realized what it would mean to lose her and I panicked," I said feeling pathetic.

Charlie sat quietly for a few minutes. I was getting antsy.

"Can we get this over with now?" I asked. I wasn't sure if I would defend myself or not.

He gave me a strange look and then rolled his eyes.

"If you think I'm going to do anything to have both Bella and my wife that angry with me then you must think I'm as stupid as you are." He laughed to himself.

I didn't laugh.

It was quiet again before Charlie cleared his throat.

"When you came and asked for my blessing to marry my daughter I gave it proudly. Despite my attitude toward anyone dating Bella I had always hoped that you would be my son one day. When I told you if you ever hurt her I'd kill you, I only said it because that is what a father is supposed to say. I never actually expected it to be necessary. You're not the man I thought you were Edward."

He gave me one last look as he walked back inside the house.

I sat there at the table alone going over what was said. Charlie, like always, was direct and to the point. To Emmett or Jasper it probably would seem like I had gotten off easy but Charlie wasn't a stupid man. What he had said left more of an impact than any punch he could have thrown.

I'm not sure how long I sat alone before Bella stepped outside wrapped in a blanket.

"They've finally went to bed," she said as she sat down next to me.

"Thanks." I mumbled not meeting her gaze.

"I'm sorry about Dad," she said meekly.

"He needs to realize we're adults and it's not his place to fight my battles for me."

"If we had a daughter I would do much worse to someone who hurt her like I did you," I said honestly.

"Wh..what?" Bella stuttered.

I looked at her confused.

"I said if we had a-" I froze realizing what I had said.

"Shit, I didn't mean…"

"It's funny how things don't work out," Bella sighed as she stared up at the stars.

"Yeah," I mumbled feeling even worse than I had before.

"Let's go inside. I call the bed."

She forced a smile as we walked inside. The couch had already been converted and Bella climbed under the covers while I hopped on the loveseat. Out of habit I turned on the radio and turned the volume low knowing Bella always preferred to sleep with music on.

"You don't have to do that," Bella said into the pillow.

"It's not a problem. I know you sleep better this way," I said as I fidgeted on the too small sofa.

"Edward this would be a lot easier if you would stop pretending like you care," she said with exhaustion.

Before I knew what I was doing I was off the loveseat kneeling on the thin mattress of Bella's make-shift bed. I turned her chin so her eyes met mine.

"Please, please don't think I didn't or don't care. I may have been a complete jackass but there has never been a time since I met you that I didn't care," I begged her to understand.

She didn't.

She huffed and rolled back over so her back was facing me. I sighed heavily and decided to give up for the night and go to bed.

I moved back to the tiny loveseat, which was about half the length of my body. Getting comfortable wasn't going to happen tonight.

I stared into the darkness as my mind ran away from me.

I was happy in New York. I can't lie to myself and say that I didn't enjoy living what Tanya called a playboy life style. I had been with several hot women and avoided any real relationship and it was…fun.

I think the fresh air was screwing with my head. From the moment I had arrived back here I started to feel like something was missing. Did I really want what my brother and sister had?

I remembered a younger more naïve version of myself that had wanted all of that and more. Maybe it wasn't so naïve. My parents have been happy with each other for a long time. Then again I didn't have to wonder about what would happen to my Dad if Mom ever decided she didn't want to be with him anymore. It would destroy him. Was love really so great that it was worth that risk?

I glanced over at Bella's sleeping form and the question wasn't as easy to answer as it had been three days ago. God she was amazing. She was so different than the women I had in New York. She had class, intelligence, a sense of humor, the ability to destroy me.

I tried to shut off my brain and get off of this dangerous path. I tossed and turned angrily trying to find a place to put my legs that would allow sleep to find me.

"Oh for God's sakes will you just quit flopping around and get over here," Bella demanded in a sleepy tone.

Despite my wishes my voice came out as a squeak.

"What?"

"You're rustling around is going to keep me up all night. We're both adults. Just come over here and don't touch me."

Every red flag and warning buzzer went off in my head at once.

This was a bad idea. As much as I hated to admit it my resolve was already starting to crumble. There was no way I could be that close to her without losing what little I had left.

I couldn't be that close. I'd be able to smell her hair, feel her warmth, listen to her breathe.

My feet moved quickly as I hopped off the loveseat and slid under the blankets next to her.

Bella was asleep before I was even completely settled. It was about thirty minutes later when she started to mumble incoherent sounds.

Her mumblings got a little louder as I strained my ears to hear what she was saying.

"Edward."

My whole world seemed to light up.

She still dreamt about me.

God, I wanted her.

"Edward," she mumbled again.

I scooted just a tiny bit closer, careful not to break her touching rule. My heart soared as she mumbled my name again. I knew now that I had to make things right.

Maybe all we would ever be was friends. Maybe that was all I could ask but the fact that she was saying my name gave me some hope that maybe I could fix what I had single handedly destroyed.

She said my name one more time and my optimism grew. Maybe she could forgive me.

Then her leg snapped back and her foot slammed into my balls. Hard.

"Maybe not," I choked out quietly as I struggled to catch my breath.

It was going to be hard as hell, but tomorrow I would work on getting Bella to forgive me.

A/N: I know this chapter was a little short, but the next will be a lot longer. This chapter was for all of you who have been aching to see Edward begin to pay for his mistakes. Happy Now? lol.

Who saw "Remember Me" this weekend? Thoughts? I won't spoil. It was a LOT different than I thought it would be but I loved it. Enough Rpatz grins to hold me over for a little bit longer.

Reviewers get teasers!