Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine.

Pre-read by TeamAllTwilight.

This takes place during the Christmas when Charlie is hurt and Bella and Edward visit him then go to Port Angeles, home.

Being in the hospital for Bella's dad was horrible. I hadn't seen her so sad, or worried in a long time, and that was when I had been in the hospital. After she left the room, unable to listen to what had happened, it took me a second to realize I was practically alone with Bella's mom. We had managed to screw up the story of how we started dating. Since we had never thought about explaining that, it came out shabby.

"So, Edward, how come I don't know about you?"

That was my question, too. Why hadn't Bella mentioned me to her mom? They looked like they were really close.

"I have no idea. Probably you never touched the subject." I shrugged, feeling my ears going red.

"There's been a year, right? You're serious," she said.

"Yeah. I mean, yes. We are serious." I gulped, running a hand through my hair.

My phone started ringing, saving me from more uncomfortable conversation. I excused myself from the room and went down the hall.

"Hello?"

"Edward, I know I told you that you can stay with your girlfriend…" Gotta love Shaw. I rolled my eyes.

"Do I have to come back?" I might have whined.

"You know the answer to that. We have a few more tactics to discuss and then prepare for the games away…" I let him talk, leaning my head against the wall. Fuck. I'd never be able to just fucking be with Bella at this rate. He was going to kill me. "Are you even listening?" Coach shouted in my ear.

"Yeah, sure. I'll talk with Bella then come back with a phone call." I hang up, quite rudely, without letting him reply.

When I returned to Charlie's room, Bella was back, but what shocked me was that my Dad was there too. Since when does he work at Forks Hospital?

He took me for a talk after I grumbled about Emmett and visiting home. This was going to be interesting. Emmett had to make the first move. The ball was in his court so to speak. I had tried making him understand what had happened.

"Sit down, son." I plopped on the plastic chair and he sat next to me. "You know how this affected Emmett?"

"I said sorry," I told him quietly.

"This is not a situation you apologize for and it's not your fault. I don't want to take sides, but I saw you play and you are better than him," he said softly.

That made my heart swell with pride. I always liked to hear that I did well. It was probably only their fault, the ones I used to call parents so long ago.

"Thank you," I whispered, looking at my hands.

"But Edward." Here we go. "This was Emmett's dream since he first played basketball. I don't even remember how old he was. Five or six? I installed that hoop there for him and played with him whenever my schedule allowed me. So you see? I'm trying to make you see it from his point of view."

"It's not working… Bella tried the same thing," I announced to him.

"Edward, Bella doesn't have as much inside information and…I'd like to think I know my boys better than her." He raised an eyebrow at me. I nodded, getting up and starting to pace. "Think that you are Emmett for a moment," Carlisle insisted. "You had everything you wanted, you loved basketball and that was your dream. Suddenly, your parents bring home another boy."

I tensed. Was he blaming me for this? "But I didn't do anything."

"You didn't, and Emmett never showed signs of rejecting you. Though, you became friends faster with Alice. She didn't think of you as a threat-"

"Hold on!" I shouted, rising my hands. "A threat? Are you serious now?"

"He accepted you, he became your friend, he thought you how to play b-ball…"

"He laughed at me and pushed me and-"

"I thought we were over that. That's just how Emmett is. He is loud and he likes to get everyone's attention. You were made captain in high school, and continued to be one in college without even trying out."

"Coach Clapp recommended me."

"Edward," Dad sighed. "Emmett felt left out, uh, outshined by his new little brother. Do you understand that? I know it's too late to change anything now. Do you want to pursue a basketball career?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"Go home and talk to him. Please. Just talk, he's changed his opinion on this over the break, believe me. I believe your mother talked some sense into him." He chuckled.

"And you were stuck to talking some sense into me?" I joked, stopping in front of him.

"He's awake," I heard Bella whispering from behind me.

"Think about it like this, Edward," Dad reminded me before going to Bella and wrapping an arm around her. "Let's see how he feels."

I stopped her, admitting that I had to go back but I'd keep trying to convince Shaw to allow me to stay for another day.

We ended up leaving in a few hours once Bella made sure her Dad was going to be taken care of. I couldn't wait to sleep considering the next day I had to drive to Seattle and meet with Coach. Alone. It was going to be fun. I could already feel my muscles protesting. I was going to be so fucking sore. Knowing Shaw, he'd grab me from my car and allow me to leave the court only when he was satisfied I was better than before…or if I fainted. I should try that, might save me from a few laps and push ups.

Arriving home was full of surprises. First, Emmett scared the crap out of us by sneaking in the kitchen then Bella and I told him and Mom about Bob. I could see Emmett had changed his attitude toward me and he was genuinely concerned about Bob's position in the court. I'd have to kiss Shaw's ass to keep Bob on the team. Everyone knew of that rule of his with "no daddies on the court."

Once Mom left to go back to bed, we talked for a few more minutes before Emmett tried to get me to talk with him. I knew it was a huge step for him, but I didn't feel like talking. I said that I was tired and left the kitchen. After grabbing our bags, I went to my room waiting for Bella to come to bed. Hopefully, she wasn't going to the guest room.

A few minutes later, as I was slipping my bottoms on me, there was a knock on the door.

"You don't have to knock, love." I opened the door and came face to face with Emmett. I resisted the urge to close it in his face.

"Aw, I knew you loved me but you don't have to call me names," he teased, stepping inside.

I moved aside, closing the door. "What do you want?"

"Edward, I acted like an ass to you the past few months."

"You think?" I snorted.

"Yeah, so what I wanted to say… I'm really sorry, bro."

I nodded, sitting on the bed and patting the spot next to me. Emmett sat there quickly, putting his arm around me.

"Are you mad at me?"

"I thought you were mad at me for stealing your dream," I mumbled.

"Well, I mulled on it and I realized that you deserve this. I can go and try out whenever I want. But after much thinking, this isn't for me."

"Huh?"

He leaned closer. "I need your help. I want to ask Rose," he whispered.

"Ask her what?"

"Guess," he groaned, giving me a weird look.

"What?" I shrugged. "I'm not in your head to know what you want. I've told you this before."

He barked a laugh then grasped my shoulders. "I want to ask her to marry me."

"What makes you think she'll say yes?" I joked.

"Yeah, I know. She'll say no. I'm such a goof. She always told me to act my age and-"

"Whoa! You're serious!" I shouted, looking at him surprised.

"Of course, I am!"

"Well, I'm sure she'll say yes. As much as I dislike her…" I shrugged. "I can see how much she cares for you."

"Really?" he asked skeptically. "A moment ago you said she wouldn't…"

"I thought you were fucking around."

"So would you help?" Emmett insisted.

"Sure, Em. What do I have to do?"

"Come ring shopping with me."

I choked on my spit. "Now, you're joking!"

He chortled and slapped my back. "Am not. Tell me, are you serious about little Boop?"

"Bella!" I shouted, remembering she was supposed to come to my room.

He laughed. "That explains it. I heard the guest room door opening."

"We're good?" I asked, getting up.

"Yes, go to her. It's nice to see we aren't the only ones whipped."

"We?"

"Yeah, me and Jazz."

"Jazz and I," I corrected him, rolling my eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure you waited a long time to see me whipped."

"You admit it?" Emmett asked shocked.

"There's nothing to hide, or be ashamed of. I love Bella."

"You've changed a lot, little bro."

"Thanks, I guess. Now, let me go to my girl."

We bid good night and I slipped inside the guest room. Bella was wearing only her shirt and panties. After slipping under the blanket, behind her, I kissed her shoulder and hugged her tightly.

I couldn't sleep. I knew that what little I talked with Emmett wasn't enough for the months that had gone by with us not talking, but it was a start.

The morning brought with it an awkward conversation with Bella that I wished I'd never have. Unfortunately, I knew that I'd have to confront that situation one time or another. When she told me to bring Alice, I rushed to her room, happy to be away. If we were alone, I thought, I would have probably went to buy stuff for her.

After leaving Alice's room, I bumped into Mom and she wanted to talk.

"I'm really proud you're trying to talk to them," she said softly, stroking my cheek.

I didn't have to ask who she was talking about. I knew it. Them. "Yeah, but there's… I can't call them…that. You and Carlisle are my parents."

"Yes, I know that, honey. Why don't you try calling them Liz and Ed? It might be easier."

"That's a good idea. It sounded weird to call him dad." I nodded.

"You're a good person and I know that if you really want, you can start talking to them. Make them part of your life. Just a little, they'll love it," Mom explained.

"I can't forgive them."

"I know that and I will never tell you to forgive them, Edward. I know what they did. Only I know how scared you were and that you had nightmares for months."

I looked down, wishing that part of my past would disappear. "I guess…thank you. You know, for trusting them that they changed." I shrugged.

"I would have never brought them near you if I wasn't sure, Edward." She kissed my cheek. "You grew up so fast. I'm really happy I was there on time to save you."

I hugged her. "Thank you, Mom. For everything." I knew she was crying, but I was fighting my own tears.

She patted my cheek. "There, there. Why don't you go to Bella?"

I grinned and nodded, turning around to make my exit.

"Oh, and Edward?" she called after me.

"Yeah?" I looked back.

"I'm glad you have Bella. She's an amazing girl."

"That she is." I nodded and left with one last smile.

Christmas holiday turned out to be nice after all. After the whole drama with Bob and Tanya then with Bella's dad, I was happy I had stopped home for a few hours. I sort of made up with Emmett and the talk with Mom helped a lot.

I know it is short, but it is all you had to know.

I may post the next outtake Saturday along with the chapter...but I'm not sure. It's a future-take. :) It gives a lot away...so in your review, please tell me if you are interested.