Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The author of this story is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Chapter 13

I am very apprehensive as I open the car door for Bella and help her out. I don't know what possessed my mother to invite Emmett and Rosalie. After all the talk about making Bella feel comfortable, she goes and does this. Well, actually, it probably makes me more uncomfortable. Rosalie is a very squeaky wheel, and a nosy bitch to boot.

For some odd reason, my father tolerates Rosalie. Maybe he does it because he knows she makes Emmett so happy, although my father being concerned about anybody's happiness sounds preposterous. More likely, Rosalie reminds him of a female version of himself … though Rosalie is a bit more 'righteous' in her ways. She tore Jasper apart when she found out about how Alice came to be. I wouldn't put it past her to tear in to me if she suspected the same thing, which I'm sure she could.

We are nearing the front door when I get the sudden urge to escort Bella back to the car and just leave when suddenly the front door is thrown open and there stands my mother.

"Edward, dear, I'm so happy to see you," she says as she steps forward to kiss me on my cheek.

"And this lovely lady must be Bella," she states as she moves to Bella and embraces her in a quick hug.

Bella looks taken aback but reciprocates none the less.

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Cullen," my girl politely says.

"Nonsense child, call me Elizabeth," mother lovingly chides her.

"Well, let's not stand out here all night. Come in, come in. I would like to introduce Bella to everyone before we sit down to dinner."

She takes Bella's hand and leads her into the living room where the others are seated. I follow behind like a little puppy.

Mother leads Bella over to where father is sitting and he quickly stands to greet them. "Bella, this is my husband and Edward's father, Edward Sr."

"N…nice to m…meet you, Sir," Bella stutters out nervously as she extends her hand.

Father looks over at me with a half disgusted look at Bella's greeting. He ignores her hand, nods once, and sits back down.

You can always count on my father to make things uncomfortable.

Before either of us have a chance to react to my father's rudeness, Bella is quickly turned around and embraced in a big bear hug from Emmett.

I can hear her breathing becoming rapid and see her body stiffen like a board.

"Emmett! Where are your manners? You're scaring the poor girl," my mother scolds him.

Emmett steps back and a look of horror covers his face as he notices Bella shaking.

"I'm so sorry. I was just so happy to meet you." He quickly apologizes.

In an unexpected move, Rosalie's hands gently touch Bella's shoulders. "It's alright sweetheart; he really didn't mean to scare you. He tends to get a little overexcited when he meets people."

Sweetheart? She called her sweetheart?

Fuck! She knows. I don't know how, but she fucking knows. She has to or else she wouldn't be being so nice to her.

"My name's Rosalie but please call me Rose," she says as Bella seems to visibly relax … somewhat.

What the fuck? She doesn't even let me call her Rose. Bitch!

"Bella. My name's Bella. It's nice to meet you." Bella still sounds nervous, but at least she doesn't stutter this time.

"Really Bella, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Emmett and it's a pleasure to meet you." Emmett tentatively holds out his hand seeming nervous of her reaction.

"It's ok, Emmett. You just startled me." Bella extends her hand and they softly shake hands.

"Now that the introductions are out of the way, why don't we all have dinner now?" Mother leads the way into the dining room and the rest of us obediently follow her.

Just as we sit down, water and a salad is placed in front of each of us by the servants. Bella glances over at me and then at Rosalie nervously.

Rosalie smiles and picks up her salad fork and begins to take a bite. Bella copies her, and with that we all begin our first course.

After our main course, our plates are cleared and we await our dessert. Mother begins her small inquest.

"So, Bella, are you going to school or working?" She asks.

Shit. We didn't discuss this. What the fuck do I say?

"I'm taking time off before going back to school. I'm not currently working. I'm just trying to figure everything out right now." She answers smoothly, surprising me.

"Well, you're still young, you've got time," my mother replies.

"How old are you Bella?" Rosalie asks with her eyebrow raised.

Here we go.

"Um, nineteen." Bella stumbles on her answer and of course Rosalie picks up immediately.

"Nineteen, really? Wow, you look so much younger. Doesn't she Edward?" She asks as she moves her suspicions toward me.

Emmett is looking back and forth between me and Rosalie. He's a lot more intuitive than people like to give him credit for. He seems to be catching on. His eyes narrow at me as he too waits on my answer.

My mother saves me from answering.

"The gift to look younger is something you'll treasure in your later years Bella." Bella also seems grateful to my mother. Of course, I know she is afraid she'll be punished. To be honest, I really didn't plan on punishing her … unless of course, she was totally out of control. With Bella, fear seems to be a deep motivator.

My father has been quiet as usual throughout the whole affair. I don't really care for the sneer I see when he looks at Bella. I don't understand that. He seems almost offended by her presence, and he is the reason that she is here in the first place. Did he expect me to leave her chained in my basement? Even I am not the cruel.

"Bella … Elizabeth, Alice, and I are planning a day at the spa this Tuesday. Would you like to join us? Since you're not working and all?" As Rosalie asks that last question she looks at me pointedly just daring me to find a way out of this.

"I … I … I can't. I'm …" She can't seem to find the words to finish her sentence.

"We already have plans that day." I answer looking straight into Rosalie's piercing blue eyes.

"No problem. We'll just change it to another day," Rosalie retorts.

"That just won't work. We plan on spending all week together. Sorry." Of course, I'm not sorry at all and just like Rosalie, I won't back down.

"How about ..." Before Rosalie finishes her sentence my father interrupts.

"Enough Rosalie!" He yells. He tones his voice down a little and continues. "He said they were busy. They have a new relationship. We should give them some time."

My father abruptly throws his napkin down on the table and leaves the room.

I can tell Bella is starting to slightly shake. I try to calm her by gently rubbing her knee and that only seems to stiffen her up.

Great! She thinks I'm mad. It's not her fault Rosalie is such a fucking bitch.

Before anything can progress without the presence of my father, I figure we better not press our luck and should leave.

"Mother, dinner was great, but I think Bella and I should head home now," I say as I stand up and take Bella's hand and pull her up beside me.

"But, Edward, what about dessert?" my mother asks as the servants make their way out of the kitchen with dessert.

"I'm full from dinner. How about you?" I ask Bella as I turn to her for her expected answer.

"I'm full as well, Mrs. Cul … I mean Elizabeth." Bella politely says.

My mother looks a little crestfallen. "Well, alright, but next time I would like a longer visit."

"Yes, Mother, next time … I promise," I tell her as I walk up to her and kiss her cheek.

As we begin to leave. Rosalie pipes up. "I'll walk you both out."

"That's not necessary," I answer coldly.

"It's my pleasure," Rosalie says as she sidles up to Bella and takes her other arm.

I look over to my mother and Emmett to see what expressions they may be wearing. Emmett is looking over at me menacingly. Neither one of them have their eyes on Rosalie or Bella. They are both looking at me. Emmett looks like an angry grizzly bear and my mother looks totally baffled. Great, now she knows something is up. I just hope that Emmett and Rosalie don't plan on sharing with her.

As we walk out the door, Rosalie begins speaking to Bella. "Bella, I want you to know that you are welcome at my house anytime. Emmett and I would love to have you. You don't have to be anywhere you don't want to be."

"Rosalie," I say in warning.

"Edward, slavery was abolished a long time ago." She notices my look and narrows her eyes.

"I know exactly how Bella came into your life. She is a person not an object. Don't you think I learned the signs after Jasper got Alice? Don't think for one minute that you are going to get away with this."

"This is none of your business Rosalie. If you know what's good for you, you will stay out of my business." I warn her.

"Don't you dare tell me to stay out of this Edward Cullen. I know that your sick father gave you Bella as a gift. I know that you are treating her like an object. I know that she doesn't want to be with you, and I know that she is younger than nineteen. I know what a sick individual you are."

"You know nothing. Nothing! You better keep your nose out of my business, and you better stay the hell away from Bella." I grab Bella roughly and throw her into the front seat of the car.

"Don't you hurt her Edward!" Rosalie yells out.

"You just worry about yourself." I stalk off to my side of the car and throw the door open. In less than five seconds we are speeding out of the driveway.

I should have never come to dinner. I should learn how to tell my mother 'no'.

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I know a lot of you thought Rosalie would be ugly to Bella, but I thought it would be better for her to be ugly to the one who truly deserves it … Edward. He's got a lot to think about, but he is a stubborn fool. Let me know what you think. Thanks!