PRM ch 33

A/n: First off, sorry for the delay, but as the holidays and Minime's birthday are quickly approaching, I'm short on time;(

I had hoped to post a chapter or two a day but honestly, that's not going to happen this week as I've used up all my pre-written chapters. So, bear with me as I continue to write, edit and post as I have time.

This is one of my fav ch's so far...how about some Cullen Family time?

BPOV

I pulled up to the Cullen estate and it still overwhelmed me that this was Edward's childhood home. I could not ever imagine the life within which he grew up.

We weren't poor but we didn't have an abundance of money, either. The Swan's were simple people and we always had what we needed, when we needed it.

My mother didn't appreciate that and simply chose to divorce Charlie and go out to find her pot of gold.

Little did she know that choice would cost her her life when she married the legendary baseball player, Phil Dwyer.

I waited in the car a few minutes to steady my nerves. I had a lot of information to go over with the Cullen family and I was rather anxious to see Edward again.

I checked myself in the mirror and pinched my cheeks to add a little color to my pale skin before I got out of the car and walked up the steps to the massive front door.

I barely had a chance to knock before the door opened and Esme's warm smile welcomed me into their home.

"How are you today, sweet girl?" She asked as we pulled out of a hug.

"I'm good, thanks. How is he?" I asked quietly as I looked around for any sign of Edward.

Esme sighed and wrapped her arm around mine as she led me down a hallway, "He's having a bit of a hard time today. I know all of this is a big adjustment for him and he's never handled change well. But, he's a survivor and I can't wait to have my beautiful boy back, so I'll keep showing him my love and be patient." She talked with a whistful hope in her voice and I knew that there would be tears in her beautiful green eyes.

We reached a huge kitchen and the smells overwhelmed my senses. "It smells delicious in here."

"Well, I've cooked a few of Edward's favorites." Esme said as she started to putter around the kitchen.

I looked around as I noticed we were the only ones in the kitchen. "Where is everyone?" I had thought with Edward finally coming home that everyone would be here to welcome him.

A loud sigh and a heavy sag to Esme's shoulders let me know that things weren't joyous with this turn of events. She turned to me with wet eyes.

"Edward didn't want a big to-do about being discharged from the hospital. So, Carlisle is finishing his rounds and Alice should be here any minute." She handed me a glass of tea and sat opposite from me at the large bar that circled the end of the counter space.

"Where's Edward?" I asked before taking a sip from my glass.

"He said he needed to lie down and spend some time alone. Honestly, I'm worried about him Bella. He's been very aggressive and defensive about everything today. Edward seems to think we are treating him like a child by trying to help him with every day tasks." I reached over to take her hand in mine.

"Esme, I know that he is appreciative for all that you are doing for him. But, he's been so closed off for so long that it might take a while for him to adjust. Please don't try and take it personally." I squeezed her hand as she gave me a half-smile and squeezed back.

"I'm so happy to have you here. And, I'm thankful to you for bringing my son back to me." She said just as we heard Alice arrive home and call out for Esme.

"We're in the kitchen, sweety." Esme replied.

Alice walked in and the weight of exhaustion showed on her usually sprite facade. "Hi Mom, Bella." She said as she trudged to the bar and took a seat next to me.

"Alice, honey, you look exhausted." Esme said as she placed a glass of tea in front of her.

"I am, mom. I've spent the past forty-eight hours crashing for my mid-terms. I got so far behind and my professors agreed to let me make up the work but it hasn't been easy." Her tired voice spoke before she yawned.

"I'm sorry to have inconvenienced everyone." Edward's voice came from behind me as I turned to see him standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and looked more casual than I had ever seen him. He also looked very angry.

"Hi Edward." I said and smiled at him.

He waved and walked into the room only to sit at the far end of the bar, away from the rest of us.

"Hi brother. You look well today." Alice said, hopeful to soften the mood in the room.

Edward sighed, "Thank you, Alice. Again, I am sorry for all the trouble I've caused you with your school work."

Alice waved her hand around as she shook her head, "Edward, please don't apologize. It wasn't your fault and I'll be fine after I get some sleep."

She got up and walked towards where he sat so she could wrap an arm around his shoulder in a half hug, "It's just nice to have you home, finally."

We heard a door open followed by Carlisle's voice announcing that he was also home for the day.

He walked into the room moments later with a smile on his face, "Hello Family, this is quite the picture to come home too."

The elation of having all his children in his home evident in his expression as he made his way to kiss and greet his wife.

"How are both of my children today?" He asked as Alice gave him a hug then stood with her arms around her father as they looked at Edward and then at me.

"I'm fine." Edward answered and studied the marble counter top.

Carlisle looked up at me and smiled, "And how is our newest family addition?"

My eyes widened as I heard what he'd called me and I had to fight the emotions that were building up inside of me at the realization of what it meant.

"I'm well, Carlisle. Thank you for asking." I quietly responded as I saw Edward's eyes flick over to me then back to the spot he was staring at before.

"Good to hear. Now, what has my lovely wife prepared for us tonight?" Carlisle was the epitome of a happy family man; in love with his wife, devoted to his job and adored his children.

I sat and listened to the conversations that flowed around me as I watched Edward, intently. I willed him to look up at me and when he finally did there was a deep sadness in his jaded eyes.

"Show me around?" I asked softly to which he nodded slightly.

"I'm going to show Bella around the grounds." Edward said as everyone stopped talking and looked back and forth between he and I.

"Sounds good, son. Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes or so." Esme said and then turned back to her task.

I followed Edward out a door onto a patio.

"Thank you, Bella." He said as he closed the door behind us.

"For what, Edward?" I asked, unsure of what he meant."

"For getting me out of that room. It was getting a little overwhelming to be around all of them when they are in such high spirits." His voice was soft and he offered me his arm so we could walk through the spectacular gardens on the grounds.

We walked along silently for a few minutes before he finally spoke, "I'm not sure where all this anger is coming from. It's not like me to be so rude."

I let his words hang there for a few minutes as we walked along. I spotted a bench and pointed to it.

"Edward, all of this is very overwhelming to you, I'm sure. So, don't beat yourself up about all these emotions that you are experiencing. Your anger is completely normal, I assure you." I said as I watched him look anywhere but at me.

He ran a hand through his disasterous hair and finally looked at me.

"Bella, how do you know so much about all of this? I mean, outside of just doing your job. You seem to have some experience on a personal level." He said as he looked at me and it almost took my breath away how vulnerable he seemed.

"It's because I do have personal history with abuse and the aftermath of it. Maybe it's time I told you my story." I said as he minutely nodded at me.

I took a deep breath and worked to prepare myself for what I was about to say.

If my story could help him in someway, then I had to do it. I would do anything to help Edward.

Anything.

A/n: It's time Bella told her whole story...I hope you all see that it isn't going to be a quick fix in this fic. There's still a lot of story to be told...so thank you for your continued patience on this journey.

Til later (hopefully Thursday),

Kyla