A/N: I hope the folks who read the first installment enjoyed it! I'm kind of slow on the uptake, but I promise I'll get a good rhythm established soon!

I forgot this in the first chapter: Twilight themes and the characters from Twilight all belong to the amazing imagination of Stephenie Meyer.

Please enjoy chapter 2: Mama's Boy

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Chapter 2: Mama's Boy

Edward navigated the winding, narrow gravel driveway slowly. He had no idea what had driven Carlisle and Esme to build their dream home this far from civilization, but they had. Perhaps it was to keep their quirky family from the ever prying eyes of small town life in Forks, Washington.

If that were the case, well, it had worked in quite the opposite manner. People whispered about the whole family, not just about him, the 'weird' Cullen. Whispers about Emmett and Rosalie, Jasper and Alice. The "kissing cousins" as some called them. Adopted siblings who everyone knew were romantic couples. People wanted to know how Esme and Carlisle, a respected doctor of all things, could stand for such a thing under their own roof.

He rolled to a stop in front of the beautiful white mansion, letting the other Cullen's out before heading down the remainder of the long drive to the garage around the back of the house. His usual routine. By the time he would have finished a much needed smoke and made his way into the house, the others would all be off on their own merry ways and he could get an undisturbed snack in the kitchen.

Today was no different. He entered the quiet house and headed right into the kitchen. He looked in the refrigerator, moving things around for a quick bite to eat. All this crap and nothing to eat, he thought, opening the freezer, hoping to find a Hot Pocket at the very least.

"Can I make you something?"

His back straightened. Esme.

"No, it's ok, thanks. I can have an apple." Nervously, he looked toward the kitchen door as he slammed the freezer shut, grabbing an apple from a basket on the black granite counter. He didn't look at her. She must have been in the butler's pantry when he went into the kitchen.

"Please, Edward. It's no trouble." She moved closer to him, smiling sadly at her son.

"Esm-Mom," he caught himself. "Honestly, it's ok."

"Edward, please let me do this for you. It's nothing really."

He looked at her face, at the way she was looking at him. Like a mother filled with sadness at her child's disappointment. He hated disappointing her, making her sad. Slowly, he placed the untouched apple back in the basket.

"Ok," he conceded.

Her face lit up immediately. "Sit down at the counter," she trilled as she peered into the refrigerator, opening drawers and shuffling items around. "A nice ham sandwich? That's your favorite! And I have that crispy chiabatta bread that I know you like!"

"Sounds good, Mom," his lips twitched into a half smile. There were days when all he wanted was to fall into Esme's loving arms like he used to, so many years ago. Today was one of those days. He knew he wouldn't, of course, but that didn't block the desire.

Esme bustled at the counter, making him a huge sandwich with lettuce and tomato slices~just the way she used to. He watched her, feeling a pang of remorse that things had changed so much, and not for the better.

She turned around and placed the plate with the sandwich on it in front of him, face lit up with happiness.

"I have some chips. Let me get them," she opened a cabinet and pulled out a bag, shaking a pile of potato chips into the dish next to the sandwich.

"Thank you, Mom." Edward couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was radiant. He couldn't remember the last time she'd looked this beautiful.

She reached into the refrigerator again and pulled out a can of Coke, placing it in front of him, along with a napkin, before hopping up on the stool next to him with a contented sigh. She sat watching him eat, a warm smile playing on her lips. He took a big bite, avoiding her stare.

"I miss this," she sighed to him. Absently, she reached over and brushed a few of the stray strands of bronze hair that fell over his forehead and into his eyes, allowing her soft, warm hand to lightly brush over his smooth, pale forehead.

Edward closed his eyes and swallowed hard.

"You need a haircut," she murmured. "I can call the salon and make an appointment for you, if you like."

"I'm ok, Mom. I don't really have time right now, between work and school." He took another big bite of his sandwich so he wouldn't have to talk.

"Just get it cut soon, ok?" She continued to lightly caress his hair. It wasn't so long ago that this was their nightly ritual. Esme would tuck him into bed, her loving touch soothing him as he drifted off to sleep. No, it wasn't all that long ago, but it might as well have been a lifetime ago. And though he fought it, he couldn't help but close his eyes and inhale deeply, allowing her gentle touch to sooth his jagged nerves.

"Awww, what a tender moment between mother and son." Rosalie's voice was laced with sarcasm.

Esme jumped, pulling her hand back from Edward.

"I see we're still playing favorites, eh, Mom?" Rosalie flipped her long blonde hair as she opened the refrigerator, taking out two cans of Coke. "You'll never learn, will you?"

Edward swallowed down the lump that had formed in his throat as he looked at Esme's red face and sad eyes.

"Get out of here, Rose," he glared. "It's not your business."

"Don't worry, Mama's Boy. I won't interrupt your Mommy & Me time. I was just getting Emmett and I something to drink. We don't get after school snacks waiting for us like you do." She turned on her heel and was gone in a flash of blonde hair.

Edward looked at his mother, her face still red as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Don't let her bother you, Mom. She's a bitch to everyone."

"Don't speak of your sister like that, Edward." Her voice was small and filled with emotion.

"She's not my sister," he shook his head. "Not by blood, anyway, and I thank God for that every day."

"She's going to tell Carlisle," Esme looked down at her hands folded in her lap.

"Oh, who the fuck cares. Let her tell him. What's he going to do? Ground you for making me a sandwich?" Edward leaned over the counter with his elbows resting on it as he absently crushed a potato chip between his fingers.

"You know how it is, Edward."

"Mom, I have to ask you. Does he…does he hit you?" He looked straight ahead as he whispered this.

"Edward!" Esme's head whipped around.

"You just seem so afraid of him sometimes, that's all." He felt the color rise in his pale cheeks.

"Your father is a good man. A fair man."

"I know! I know! I hear this all the time. I'm a spoiled, ungrateful son of a bitch who doesn't deserve the clothes on his back! I know!" He rubbed his fingers together, watching what was left of the pulverized chip flutter into the dish.

"This has made you so bitter," a tear ran down Esme's cheek. "I'm so sorry, Edward."

"He took you from me," he said quietly. "He stole what we had because he was jealous."

"No, he was right, Edward," she touched his arm lightly.

"And then he tried to buy me. The jacket. The piano. The car. All it did was make the rest of them hate me even more."

"Edward, stop," she tried to soothe him. "You're only going to make yourself angry."

"Like I'm not angry already? That's what everyone keeps telling me. How angry I seem. I am angry! I'm the angry Cullen!" He folded his arms over his chest, breathing heavily.

"It's not Carlisle's fault."

"No, it's not his fault. He was just he messenger." He shook his head, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Lord knows we don't ever kill the messenger."

"Edward, I don't want to do this with you," her voice was gentle.

He leaned over and lightly kissed her cheek. "You are right, Mom. Thank you for the sandwich. I really do appreciate it. I have some homework to do before I go to work, so I'm going up to my room." He stood up from the stool.

"Stay away from them, Edward," she cautioned.

"I will."

"Promise me," she grabbed his hand, holding it gently.

He squeezed her hand tightly. "I promise," and he stalked out of the room.

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He lay on his bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling, trig book open beside him. What was the point? Why even bother? He would never win. They got Carlisle to take his everything away from him, appealed to Carlisle's sense of fairness, and they still hated him. Were jealous of him. And why did he give them so much power over him? Why did he let it bother him so much.

"Because they took away the only thing you ever loved that loved you back, asshole," he answered himself.

He sat up, rubbing his already red eyes, and let out a sigh. There was a timid knock on the door.

"Who is it?" He could only imagine.

"It's me, Edward." Alice's delicate voice was muted by the heavy, closed door.

"Come in," he sighed.

She opened the door just wide enough to slip through and closed it quietly behind her. Her small, delicate form inched into the room cautiously.

"Unless they are watching the stairs now, no one saw you, Alice." Edward's bedroom was the only room on the third floor, aside from Carlisle and Esme's. He was away from the others. His own private space, a special place. The bedroom that started World War 3, Cullen style.

Her face was almost apologetic as she approached his bed with her hands behind her back, tucked into the back pockets of her jeans. "Hey, I'm really sorry for what Rose said. She had no right."

"Don't think you have to apologize for her," he fussed with his school books, closing them up and stuffing them into his backpack one by one.

"I know I don't have to, but I want to. Edward, this whole thing has gone on for far too long. You are letting the actions of a few dictate everything."

"I'm letting that happen? I don't think so, Alice." His voice was annoyed.

"You're angry all the time, Edward. You don't speak to anyone. You don't even sit at the dinner table with us anymore." She sat down gingerly on the edge of his bed.

"Why? So I can have insults hurled at me? So Esme can feel bad? So Rose and Emmett can make snide remarks? So Jasper~and I'm really sorry I'm saying this, because you know I love you~but so Jasper can snicker and make faces? No thanks, Alice." He turned his head to look out the large casement windows that comprised most of the outside wall of his bedroom. On clear nights, he liked to crank them all open, allowing the soothing fresh air into the room, the gentle breeze caressing his face as he slept.

"I didn't mean to upset you," she looked down at the floor.

"I know," he reached over and took her hand without looking at her. "But, what they did? What they did to me? And to Esme? What Carlisle did? That's unforgivable." He shook his head, still unable to believe.

"You know I'll never disagree with you about that. I don't agree with what went down any more than you do. But, maybe if you tried to let go of some of that anger things could be a little more comfortable?" She looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"Yes, I'll let go of the anger so they can continue to malign me and make Mom's life a living hell. That'll work just dandy, Sis! Why didn't I think of that?" His voice was sarcastic. His eyes narrowed. "No. If I give in, even an inch, if I start acting like we're one big happy family again, they win, Alice."

"But Edward," she looked at him, her big, brown eyes watery. "Don't you see? They win either way. Why keep fighting?"

"Because I only have to fight for about a year and a half. Then I can leave." He got up off the bed. "I have to go to work."

She looked up at him as he stood in front of the bed, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"What?" He shrugged his shoulders at her. "What now?"

"I'll never see you again, will I?" Her small voice was but a whisper.

"I-I don't know," his voice was just as quiet as hers as his hand automatically ran through his hair nervously, mussing it even more than it had been. "I really don't know, Alice."

"I miss you already, Edward."

"I'm going to be late if I don't leave now. I'm sorry Alice." He grabbed the leather jacket and threw it over his shoulder as he grabbed his keys off his dresser and moved to the door, pausing for a moment to look back at her as she sat on the edge of his bed, weeping silently. "Oh, Alice," he sighed.

She looked up at him and before he knew it, she had her arms around his waist, head buried in his worn black tshirt. Tiny sobs shook her body.

"It's ok, Alice, really," he patted her short, black hair, trying to soothe her.

"No, it's not. It will never be ok again. I can feel it, Edward," she sniffled. "And I'll lose you. I will lose you forever."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her tightly to himself. Of all the Cullen's, this was one of the two that mattered. When he thought about leaving, he knew that, while it would crush both himself and Esme, she would be better off without him there. But, when he thought of Alice, he knew there was no bright side of the equation for her. She would be losing her other self.

She pulled back from him, swiping her hand under her nose as she sniffled. "You better go, before you're late again."

"You ok?" His voice was soft as his hand touched her face lightly.

She nodded. "I'll be fine. Just need a couple of minutes to get myself together."

"I'll be home late," he sighed and turned to leave.

"Edward," she reached out and grabbed his arm.

He turned to look at her.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"You know I'd do anything for you, Alice." He smiled slightly.

"I want you to sit with us at lunch tomorrow." Her eyes were hopeful.

"Except that."

"Please! Oh, Edward, it's just an hour. It will show an effort on your part!" She clasped her hands together and held them under her chin, as if to beg. Her big, brown eyes pleaded with him.

He stared blankly at her, trying to understand her mindset. "I'll think about it. I can't promise anything, though. I really have to go now, ok?" He turned and left quickly, before she could ask for any more promises.

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He spent most of his time at the Thriftway that night brooding about his afternoon. Brooding over what Rose had said, and what Alice had asked of him. He took out his anger and frustration on the canned goods he was stocking onto the shelves. He would use the box cutter to savagely slice open the boxes, viciously attacking the innocent cardboard, pretending in his mind that it was Rosalie's face he was cutting into. Then he would pound the price stickers onto each can with little dispenser, imagining him pounding Emmett's burly frame. Then he would gently stack the cans onto the shelves, making certain that each label faced out correctly. Once he finished with one box, he would start the entire process again with a new box.

As he was turning to get another box off the heavily stacked cart, he spotted her. Bella Swan, in her ripped tights and combat boots was pushing a cart down the aisle toward him. He couldn't help but smile at how out of place she looked.

"Hey there, lab partner," he called out to her as she smiled at him.

"Edward! You work here?"

"No, I just like to hang out here and stock the shelves for them," he snickered.

She scowled at him. "You know what I mean, moron."

"Yeah, it gives me something to do," he shrugged. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Um...shopping?" She looked at him with raised eyebrows. "What else would I do pushing a shopping cart with bread and eggs in it?" She shook her head.

"I guess you're the lady of the house now at Chief Swan's, huh?"

"Pretty much. Charlie, you know, my Dad, well, he really isn't much of a cook. Or a maid," she smirked. "He never eats healthy. Not at all."

"He eats meat, I take it?" Edward grinned.

"Meat's the least of it. He eats anything. As long as it's not healthy!" She smiled at the thought. "I guess that's one of his more endearing qualities."

"He's a cop. They are supposed to eat junk. You know, donuts and big, giant subs from the convenience store," Edward was mesmerized by the way the little silver hoop pierced through the corner of her lower lip glistened was she talked.

"I suppose you could look at it that way," she mused. "I think it's because he's been a bachelor for so long." She leaned on the handle of the cart, seemingly relaxed with Edward.

"Your parents split up a while ago?"

"Yeah, I was just a baby when my mom left."

"And went to Arizona?"

"Does everyone know my whole freakin' life story here?" She looked at him sharply.

Edward held his hands out in front of him. "Hey, I'm just repeating what I heard. This is a small town. Everyone is up in everyone else's business. There's nothing else to do here but gossip in between ducking raindrops, girl." He smiled. "And, what with you being the daughter of the Chief of Police, well, that makes you doubly intriguing."

"Pfft! They need lives," she shook her head.

"Yeah, most of them do," he smiled warmly, and found himself wondering how many piercings she had in each ear...and anywhere else.

"Can I ask you something?" She looked around conspiratorially.

"Sure." This could be good, he thought.

"What do you think of that Mike Newton?" The corners of her mouth twisted up gently.

Edward's head snapped back. Mike Newton? Why did she want to know about Newton?

"What do I think of him? You sure you want to know that?"

"Yeah, I do. You seem so, I don't know, just, well, different from everyone else that I've met here." She nodded her head at him.

"I'll take that as a compliment," he grinned so big he could feel the corners of his eyes crinkling up.

"That's what it was meant to be," she laughed. Her laugh was deep and throaty and intriguing. He swallowed hard.

"What do I think of Mike Newton?" He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Well," he looked around and then bent forward a little bit, bringing his face down to hers. "I think," he whispered, "that Mike Newton is a fucking tool."

Bella loud laugh cut through the silence of the grocery store. With her head thrown back the way it was, Edward could see that she had at least 5 earrings in her right ear. He stood there smiling, nervously fidgeting as she laughed. Was she laughing at what he said? Or at him?

"See," she said when she finally caught her breath. "This is why I asked you. I knew you'd be honest and I knew you'd think the same thing I thought. I mean, he's a freakin' tool and everyone acts like he's the coolest thing they ever saw! What the hell?"

"I guess Forks is a little behind the times," he chuckled. He was really beginning to like this Bella Swan, even if she did look like she could frighten you in a dark alleyway.

She shook her head. "Well, I better get going. Char~Dad will be wanting something to eat when he gets home, I'm sure," she shrugged. "Don't work too hard, now."

"I won't," he smiled a crooked smile at her. "See you in Bio tomorrow."

"Yeah! See you tomorrow," she gave him a great big smile, the florescent lights glinting off her silver lip ring. She waved slightly at him as she pushed her cart past him to finish her shopping.

Edward went back to his canned goods. He had forgotten all about his siblings and instead spent the rest of the night thinking about Bella Swan.

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A/N: Ok, there's chapter 2! I appreciate any and all feedback, so please review and let me know what you think!!