Well...here it is. FINALLY! I am sorry that this chapter took so long to get up. Between real life kicking my butt (nothing like going to a party at Mr. Man's house and having "The Ex" randomly show up, stand next to him like she's his bodyguard, and glare at you for an hour to put you in a sour mood for a few days *insert epic eye roll here*), a writing contest I entered and other assorted issues I had to deal with, the writing, well...it just wasn't happening there for a while.

But now, it's up, and I sincerely do hope this was worth the wait.

I'd like to thank everyone who's reading this. You really do encourage me. Maybe my writing's not as bad as I think it is LOL

Anyway, let's get down to business so you can get down to the business of reading this chapter.

Twilight, its characters and its situations, do not belong to me. They are the property of Stephenie Meyer, who, unlike me, probably doesn't get glared at by a bottle blonde with a chip on her shoulder while she's chewing on some tasty crusty bread from Brooklyn.

Please enjoy~

Chapter 28: Indian Giver

"So, when Billy called, I realized that it'd been a while since we'd all been together and it would be nice if he and Jake came by and had dinner with us tonight and then we all could watch the game together," Charlie explained calmly.

"Didn't you stop to think, oh, I don't know…that, maybe, say…you should have let me know? Dammit, Charlie! I plan our meals in advance. You know this! You know Tuesday is leftovers from Monday," Bella slammed the refrigerator door closed, and yanked the freezer door open angrily. "And all your frigging fish is frozen frigging solid." She pulled a zip lock bag stuffed with stiff white filets out and banged it on the counter for full visual effect.

"I said I'd order pizza's, Bells. No biggie," Charlie's tone was apologetic. "And I'll make sure to get a plain cheese just for you."

"And exactly how many of your cavemen friends are going to be here," her voice was angry now. "Billy? Harry? You know none of them ever comes over alone. Is Jake going to be coming with a cooler filled with his 'firewater'?"

Charlie shuffled his feet and looked up at the ceiling, thinking as he did, that he really needed to repaint the kitchen soon.

"I bet they'll all drive down here in that hideous mini van from the eighties that Sam Uley owns. The purple one that looks like a giant deformed grape," she spat.

Bella tossed the slab of rock hard fish back into the freezer and slammed the door shut. She leaned against the counter and hid her face in her hands, taking deep breaths.

Charlie stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down at the worn kitchen linoleum, feeling bad. He waited for his daughter as she fought to regain her composure, and noted absently as he did that the kitchen floor really could use replacing. In fact, the whole kitchen was could stand to be replaced. Everything in it, himself included, was old. He didn't even think they still made avocado green refrigerators any more. Maybe he would let Bella spearhead a whole kitchen renovation during the summer. Top to bottom. Everything shiny and new. Everything just the way she wanted it.

Bella finally pulled her hands away from her face, but kept her eyes lowered as she looked somberly at the floor, not seeing what her father had seen as he'd stared at it.

"It's not Billy or the pizza…is it," Charlie finally broke the silence, unable to take it anymore.

She didn't look up at him as she shook her head.

Charlie sighed, moving slowly over to her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. Bella buried her face in his uniform shirt. It smelled like Old Spice and Charlie and it comforted her.

"I know it's trite, but, Bells, if it's meant to be, it'll be," his voice was soft.

She sniffled and looked up at him, eyes red. "I know, but…"

"But it's Christmas and there's a party and presents and happiness to be had," he smiled sadly. "And you're missing one vital piece of your happy puzzle, right?"

"I know you understand what I'm going through," she sighed, making no move to leave the comfort of her father's embrace.

"I do," he sighed. "I don't know if anyone ever told you, but your mom left me two days before Christmas. She took you with her," he slid his hands from her back to her shoulders, rubbing them gently. "And she left all of the gifts that I had gotten for you behind," his brow furrowed at the unpleasant memory. "I don't know how long I let those presents sit under that tree before I realized she wasn't coming back for them," he sighed. "I do remember, however, that the tree was nothing but brown needles when I finally took it down. Naturally, it was bare by the time I got it out the door. And there were buds on the trees outside."

"I'm so sorry," she whispered.

He smiled at her. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You were only a year old, Bells."

"I know. But I'm sorry you had to go through that, Dad."

Charlie's eyes widened. "Did you just call me Dad?"

She nodded, smiling sadly. "Yeah, I did."

The ends of his moustache twitched up. "To what do I owe this Christmas miracle?"

"Well," she looked up at him, smiling slightly at his joke. "You're my dad. I should call you Dad, shouldn't I?"

"You used to say I had to 'earn' the title of Dad."

"I think that you have more than earned that coveted title these last few weeks, Dad," she stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. "But don't let it get around. I don't want to lose my reputation as a hard ass."

Charlie couldn't contain his joyful grin. "It'll be our little secret."

"I love you, Charlie Swan, and that's no secret," she wrapped her arms around her father's waist and squeezed him tightly. "You're the best dad ever."

XxXxXxXxXx

Esme fussed with the table setting. Everything just had to be perfect. She wouldn't accept anything less.

"Madam, please allow me," Jenks stepped behind her, offering his assistance.

"Oh, Jenks, please," she smiled, waving her hand at him casually. "I set the table myself all the time at home. There's no need to bother you or to add more work for yourself."

"It's no bother, Mrs. Cullen," his eyes were soft as he looked at her.

"Still, it's something I can do myself," she shifted the large bowl filled with roses slightly to the left. "There. Now it's centered!"

"I'm so relieved, madam," a wry smile adorned Jenk's lips.

Esme glared at him. "No one likes a smart ass, Jenks," she smirked. "I tell that to my kids all the time."

"And they are words to live by," Edward snickered as he came down the stairs into the kitchen, looking around. "Where's Mrs. Jenks?"

"Oh, Tanya ran out to the store. I realized we didn't have any of those little apple juice boxes that you said Alec seems to like so much," Esme glided over to her son, planting a quick kiss on his stubbly cheek. "We're expecting company," she reached up, rubbing her hand along his face. "Can't you at least shave?"

"Mom," he rolled his eyes. "This is me. I'm not out to impress anyone."

"I know that it's you, darling, but, honestly, you look like a hobo," she shook her head. "At least try to tame that wild mane of yours, ok?"

Edward sighed, and headed back up the stairs, grumbling under his breath.

Esme stood in the middle of the kitchen, hands clasped together in front of chest.

"Madam?"

"Oh, Jenks," she sighed. "I'm just…I'm so nervous."

"Mrs. Cullen, there is absolutely no reason for you to be nervous," the old butler smiled kindly at her.

"I know…but...," she looked up at him with watery eyes. "What if he doesn't like me?"

Jenks eyes glinted at her. "A child not fall in love with Esme Cullen? Why, my dear, that is simply impossible."

She let out a breath. "You honestly think?"

The back door swung open, letting in a whoosh of winter chill and Tanya Jenks, along with a flurry of snow. Esme and Jenks turned with a start.

"Mother of all things holy, it's freezing out there," she dropped the bags she was holding onto the island in the middle of the room and shook the snowflakes off her long puffy down coat.

"It's December in Chicago, my pet. What more did you expect," Jenks helped his wife remove her coat.

"Next time you're going to the store," Tanya glared at her husband.

Esme pulled the juice boxes from the bags and walked over to the refrigerator.

"There's quite a lot of juice here," she giggled. "I hope Alec is thirsty."

Tanya smiled. "They are for Alec and Edward. The reason we were out of juice boxes is because Edward drank the last one yesterday."

"Ah, like father, like son," Esme smiled. Then, suddenly, she stiffened as she stood in front of the open refrigerator, cold air escaping into the warm cocoon of the kitchen. Her face clouded over and tears started to slip down her perfect pink cheeks.

"Mrs. Cullen? Mrs. Cullen, what's wrong?" Jenks was at her side quickly, closing the refrigerator door.

"Esme," Tanya took Esme's hands in hers and led her over to the table, sitting her down gently into one of the cushioned chairs around the cozy table. "It's ok, dear. Everything is ok," she exchanged a cautious look with her husband.

"My baby is a father," Esme whispered as she stared straight ahead. "My Edward, my precious Edward."

Jenks pulled another chair next to the one Esme sat in and Tanya dropped down into it quietly as she continued to hold Esme's hands.

"It's ok, dear," she soothed the upset mother. "Everything will be ok, Esme."

Esme looked at Tanya, fear and uncertainty in her eyes. "But…how do you know? My Edward's just a baby himself."

"You'll see," Tanya soothed. "When you see them together, you will realize that all of your fears will be for nothing."

"I'm scared, Tanya," Esme whispered. "In a little while, this is going to be absolutely real."

"Of course you are scared, dear," the older woman smiled sadly. "You wouldn't be human if you weren't."

"How…how did Edward cope with this? When he found out?"

"He was terrified, to say the least. But, I think that, when he looks back at this, he will realize that Alec was one of the best things that ever happened to him."

"Do you really think that?"

Tanya nodded. "I do. I can see the changes in him already. He's taking his responsibility seriously. And he really does adore that little one," she smiled.

"I…I want so much for Edward to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted from life for him," Esme's brow furrowed. "Did he tell you that he broke up with a girl he loved terribly when all of this happened?"

"Bella?"

"Yes, Bella. She's so lovely, Tanya. She's everything he needs. She made him happy," Esme sniffled slightly, and Jenks offered a box of Kleenex. She pulled a couple of tissues from the box, nodding up at Jenks to thank him before rubbing at her nose gently.

"If it's meant to be, my dear, it will be," Tanya's voice was gentle. "Your Edward has changed a lot over the last couple of weeks. He's matured quite a bit."

"I can see that he has," Esme dabbed at her tear filled eyes, careful not to upset her mascara. "I just want him to be happy, Tanya," she sighed.

"And he will be. He just has to work it out in his own time and in his own way."

XxXxXxXxXx

The flat screen tv flashed white and blue into the darkened living room as a loud groan floated into the kitchen over the sound of a siren.

"Sounds like the Rangers scored again," Jacob Black laughed as he dried the dish Bella handed him.

"The state of Washington has no NHL team, Jake. How the hell did they get so invested in the, ahem, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim," Bella rinsed another dish before holding it out to Jacob to dry.

"First off, it's just the Anaheim Ducks now. Disney gave them that stupid name after that equally stupid movie when they owned the team. They sold the Ducks in two-thousand-five, and the new owners dropped the lame "mighty" from the name," he grinned at her, swung his long, glossy black pony tail over his shoulder, obviously proud of his knowledge of the team.

"Oh wow. My life's complete now that I know this," Bella deadpanned as she scowled.

"I guess you're not a hockey fan, huh?"

Jake flipped the dishtowel over his massive shoulder and leaned back against the counter. Bella noticed how tall he'd gotten since the last time she had seen him in the Thriftway. He also seemed to have gotten more muscular. His shoulders were broader and she had noticed the muscles in his arms flexing as he dried the dishes. Since he was wearing a tshirt, she really couldn't help but notice the new bulges under his tan skin.

"So," she changed the subject. "You still getting into the firewater these days?"

Jacob let out a loud laugh. "Hell no! I stopped that a while back. I'm into healthy living now," he flexed his arms, proudly displaying his biceps.

"Cool," she smiled, trying not to give away how proud of him she was or how impressed and distracted she was by his physique.

"How about you? Still seeing that weird Cullen guy?"

The question threw her, but she gave no indication of it to him. Outwardly, her face was a mask, a poker face even Lady GaGa would be proud of. Internally, however, there was turmoil.

"Edward's not weird, Jake," she murmured.

"I haven't seen him at the Thriftway in a while."

"Going there looking for him, are you," she raised an eyebrow as she glanced at him sideways. "Have a little guy crush on my man?"

"No," he quickly snapped. "It's just that he was always there. Like, always there. But he hasn't been there the last few times I went."

"He's taken a leave." It wasn't a lie. Edward had taken a leave of absence when he'd left for Chicago. "He's in Chicago to take care of some pretty urgent family stuff."

"Then why aren't the rest of the Cullen's there?"

"Because it's not the Cullen's family. It's Edward's biological family. He's adopted."

"Oh…wow. I'm sorry…I didn't know," Jacob's voice was low and sincere.

"It's ok. He had some sort of open adoption thing where his birth family stayed in contact," she sighed and once more recounted the story that Alice had so carefully crafted.

"So…are you and him on some sort of break or something," Jacob pressed on.

"I guess you could say that, since he's not, you know, here," she couldn't hide her annoyance at his persistence.

"I'm sorry, Bella," Jacob apologized. "I didn't mean to pry."

She shook her head as she sprayed Orange Glo into the sink and began to scrub it. "It's ok. It's just that when he left, we sort of didn't leave things in a good way."

"Bummer."

"Total bummer."

"So, what-cha getting me for Christmas," a broad smile crossed his face, his obsidian eyes glinting in the florescent lighting of the kitchen.

"Coal. A giant lump of it."

"Cool. We can heat the house all winter then."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Why would I tell you what I'm getting you, Jake? Seriously, you're as bad as Charlie." She made a quick mental note to log onto Hot Topic's website as soon as Jacob left that night to order him a gift.

"I'll tell you what I'm getting you."

She turned and faced him, holding out a hand. "Stop right there. I don't want to know and I don't want you to tell me."

"Jeez, Bella. Don't be so touchy. I wasn't going to tell you anyway," Jacob Black chuckled.

"Good," she rinsed out the sink, but stopped dead in her tracks as a brilliant idea occurred to her. "Hey…are you doing anything Friday night?"

"I never do anything on Friday nights anymore," he ran a huge hand down his long, silken black ponytail. "Unless you count going over to Sam's to lift weights something to do," he smiled sheepishly at her.

Bella's grin widened. "Want to go to a Christmas party with me then?"

XxXxXxXxXx

The conversation was loud and friendly. Esme spoke animatedly, moving her hands about as Alec sat on her lap, popping Cheerio's into his tiny heart shaped mouth one by one.

"So, it's a lost cause is what you're telling me," Kate laughed as she sat back in her chair, relaxed and enjoying herself.

Esme pointed at Edward, who sat hunched over the table as he nibbled on a chocolate chip cookie, wide green eyes on his mother.

"Well, look at him. What do you think?"

Edward chewed quietly as he looked from his mother to Kate.

"I guess it's genetic," Kate laughed.

"You know," Edward huffed when he swallowed his mouthful. "I am actually sitting here while you talk about me. Not to mention that I work hard to get this careless look, Mom." He grabbed his glass, gulping down his milk quickly.

"Oh, darling, we all know your hair looks like that no matter what you do," Esme reached across the table and ruffled his mess of bronze hair, despite his efforts to duck from her.

"Ok, we don't have to take this," he huffed, standing up. "I'm going to go check Alec's diaper," he mumbled as he lifted the giggling toddler from his mother's lap.

"Call if you need help, dear," his mother called after him.

"Mom," he turned toward her, Alec on his hip. "I think I can handle changing a diaper."

"Whatever you say, Edward," Esme winked at him before she and Kate both dissolved into a fit of giggles.

"Women," he mumbled as he ambled out of the kitchen, leaving the two grandmothers alone at the table.

"So, are the rest of the kids happy with these…developments," Kate asked when she knew Edward was out of ear shot.

"Oh yes," Esme sipped her tea. "Alice is just over the moon. Can't wait to come spend Christmas here so she can finally see him and spoil him in person."

"Oh, sweet Alice," Kate sighed. "Is she still a fireball?"

"Always," Esme nodded. "Well, she's slowed down a bit. The kids had a bad car accident on Halloween and she broke her ankle, but she does her therapy religiously and while she's slowed a bit, she only limps when she's tired now."

"Oh no," Kate's hand went up to her mouth. "Neither Carlisle or Edward mentioned that. Were the others hurt as well?"

"Jasper's shoulder is still somewhat messed up. That will take more time and therapy before it's back to normal."

"Were Rosalie and Emmett in the car with them?"

Esme felt a knot tighten in her stomach as a stiff smile stretched across her pink lips.

"Yes, they were. Emmett just had superficial wounds. Rosalie's injuries were more severe."

"Esme," Kate reached a hand out, grasping Esme's hand. "What aren't you telling me?"

Esme sighed and wiped her mouth with her napkin, tossing it onto the table in front of her. "Well, there was a…a…confrontation."

"Confrontation?"

"Yes," she nodded. "On Thanksgiving. You know how Rosalie was always trying to find some way to get Edward into trouble."

"Oh, how could I forget? She was the one who told us the kids had run off to Whistler. And she was just so overjoyed to do it."

Esme looked around the kitchen quickly. "Shh, Kate. Edward doesn't know about that."

"You kept it from him," Kate's voice was surprised.

"You kept his son from him," Esme's tone was matter of fact.

"Point taken," Kate sighed. "So, what did she do on Thanksgiving? Or did he just have enough of her nonsense?"

"Oh, it was horrible, Kate. So horrible," she shook her head. "We were having dinner. Edward's girlfriend Bella and her father were over. Charlie, Bella's father, is the chief of police. And it started out pleasantly enough. Then all of a sudden, Rosalie just dropped this bomb right onto the table, asking Edward if he was going to tell Bella that he had a child."

Kate gasped in shock. "Oh! No! How did she…how could she?"

"I have no idea," Esme shook her head, her blue eyes clouded over with sadness. "Jasper seems to think she found out on FaceSpace or MyBook or one of those internet things."

"Facebook," Kate let out a resigned sigh. "Victoria is all over that thing constantly. She has a ton of photos of Alec up on it," she shook her head. "I mean, her friends here don't know Edward, so they don't realize he's Alec's father. But Rosalie…," she shook her head again. "Rosalie would have known it the second she saw the pictures."

"So, that…set him off," Kate pressed on.

"Mmm hmm," Esme sipped her tea again. Her throat had gone amazingly dry. "It was horrible Kate. He just ran at her, screaming. He called her a liar…among other things," she furrowed her brow and smirked at the memory.

"I can imagine how angry he would be. And rightfully so," Kate sipped her coffee, which had long ago gone cold, but it didn't matter at this point.

"Anyway, Carlisle and Charlie were able to restrain him and, as much as it killed him to do it, poor Carlisle had to sedate him. Once that was done, Carlisle did something I never thought I would live to see if I lived to be a hundred."

"What was that?"

"He kicked Rosalie and Emmett out of the house," she wiped at the tears that threatened to fall at the memory.

"Carlisle did that," surprise shook Kate's voice.

"Carlisle," Esme nodded. "My sweet, gentle husband."

"Where did they go?"

"He set them up at some inn on the outskirts of town. Got them a room and a rental car. Wires a monthly allowance to a bank account for them. They are good until graduation. Then the support stops the day after."

"Well," Kate sat back in her chair, having not even realized she had been leaning forward during most of Esme's tale. "You can't say she didn't deserve it. She's just lucky Carlisle is as compassionate as he is, and that she wasn't flat out on her ass, like she deserved to be."

"No, you can't, but at the same time, it wasn't a lie. And Carlisle and I did know."

"No," Kate shook her head. "You didn't know. You thought Victoria had terminated that pregnancy. You didn't know she'd actually gone through with it and had the baby."

"Yes, but we should have followed through and followed up with you. It's just that things were so…weird? Is that even the right word? Edward had gone into a very dark place. Rose was up to her old tricks, with Emmett, Alice and Jasper just following along. My family was just so messed up."

"I can understand that. And Esme, don't forget that we moved right after you did, so you wouldn't have been able to follow up, even if you'd had the presence of mind to try."

"I suppose you're right, Kate," Esme looked down into her half filled cup of tea.

"We all made mistakes, Esme. It's no one's fault," Kate's voice was gentle and understanding.

"But now it's all out in the open. Edward seems over his initial anger toward his father and I," Esme took a deep breath and closed her eyes, shaking her head.

"He was angry?"

"Well, we told him the truth about everything. He was so angry, Kate. He was angry at Carlisle and I. He was angry at the world. And then he broke up with Bella out of that anger. Oh, it was a horrible few days."

"I can imagine. The girl…she couldn't handle it?"

"No, that's not it at all. It was Edward who couldn't handle it. Bella loves him. Unconditionally. She supports him completely. Even now. And Edward loves her. Loves her still I'm quite certain. But I suspect he felt maybe a little…" her voice trailed off as she thought of the right word. "Unworthy. Maybe he felt he didn't deserve her."

"Has he…" Kate stopped abruptly as Edward clamored back into the room wearing a new tshirt. Alec sat on his hip, smiling as usual.

"Edward, did you change," Esme eyed him suspiciously.

He flopped back down into his chair, sitting Alec on his lap so that the tiny cherub was facing him. Frowning, he looked at his mother. "He got me, ok?"

He felt his face go red as the two mothers laughed loudly at his misfortune.

XxXxXxXxXx

"We should have taken my car," Jacob grumbled from the back seat of the shiny silver Volvo as Alice sped through the wet streets of Forks.

"Why? At least my car was built this century," Alice snorted. "And Bella, don't you even dare say we should have taken that thing you call a vehicle."

"I wasn't, Alice. We can't all fit in my truck, which, according the Department of Motor Vehicles in the state of Washington, is, indeed, a vehicle."

"Jesus, Alice, watch where the hell you're driving," Jasper exclaimed as Alice bumped the car up onto the curb and popped off of it with a loud thud and a scraping sound. "Edward is going to hurt you good if his car gets scratched, Alice. And all I can say is that I'll hold you down for him!"

"You know, you can all get out and walk the rest of the way if my driving is so offensive to you," Alice snarled.

"I didn't complain," Bella protested. She shared the roomy backseat with Jacob, and was actually enjoying the creature comforts the plush Volvo had that her old truck didn't, like leather upholstery and the handy seat warmers, which she had turned up all the way.

"Maybe you weren't, but the boys were."

"Awww Alice," Jasper's voice was all sweetness. "You know I always tease you when you drive, darlin'."

"Save it," she spit.

"Jake, you have to admit this is a nice car," Bella smoothed her hand over the cool leather of the back seat.

"I never said it wasn't. My problem isn't with the car," he leaned forward and poked his

head around the headrest of the drivers seat. "It's with the driver I have issues with."

"As if you can drive any better, dog," Alice sniffed.

"I can, you little—"

"Jacob!" Bella cut him off.

"Sorry," he sat back in his seat and sulked.

"Now," Bella huffed. "All of you. We are going to a damn holiday party. It's a fucking happy event, and we're going to be fucking happy if it kills us, damn it."

"Well, I'm happy," Jasper grumbled.

"Can it, Hale," Alice huffed at him.

"Jeez," Jasper shifted in his seat and turned his head toward the passenger door window, avoiding Alice's glare. He was still wearing his special arm sling and the angle he was sitting at was uncomfortable, but not nearly as uncomfortable as the looks Alice was leveling at him.

"This was your idea," Jacob reminded Bella, pointing a beefy finger in her face.

"I thought it would be nice for us all to hang out," she sighed as she slapped it away. "How could I know you wouldn't get along with my friends? And don't point your finger in my face again unless you want to lose it, you jerk."

"Oh, what now? I'm not your friend too," Jacob looked hurt.

"I never said that," she shook her head.

"Well, ok then," he crossed his arms over his chest. "Because, if it's a pissing war you want, well, then I knew you first."

"But I know her best," Alice shot back as she came to a stop in front of the Stanley house. It was all lit up with bright, twinkling lights in every color haphazardly strewn all over the front of the house, as well as along every plant in front of it.

"Holy crap. Look at that mess," Jasper whistled. "I bet you can see the glow from three streets over!"

Judging by the number of cars parked up and down the street, most of Forks High had followed the glow and was already inside partying. "Fudge. Where am I supposed to park," Alice whined.

"Not our problem," Jacob shot back as he opened the door and darted out of the idling car, dragging Bella with him.

He had dragged Bella halfway up the curving front path, lined with glowing white luminary bags, before Alice noticed they were out of the car.

"Jake! That was so rude," Bella hissed, yanking her arm from his grip as they climbed the steps onto Jessica Stanley's porch. Several people were standing around on the porch, smoking cigarettes and chatting, not paying any mind to the young couple arguing as they stood on the doormat.

"What." He shrugged his shoulders. "It's only Alice Cullen."

Bella rang the doorbell. "Still. She's my friend and she drove us here. And I invited you to come with us, so your behavior is a reflection on me. The least you can do is be polite," she chastised him.

"Thanks, Mom. I'll try to remember that next time I'm in a car with the freak," Jake leaned against the side of the house. "You know, for someone who looks so cool, you really have a giant stick up your ass, don't you?"

The door flew open and Jessica Stanley stood smiling a toothy grin, wearing a flared red felt skirt with puffy white fake fur trim, topped with a too tight red snowflake sweater. Bits of silver garland twisted in and out of her hair. She was just in time to hear Bella shout "Fuck you!" at Jacob Black.

XxXxXxXxXx

"Are you sure this party is in that neighborhood," Edward furrowed his brow. Kate had dropped both Victoria and Alec off at Edward's house earlier in the evening, where they had all enjoyed a take out dinner of deep dish Chicago pizza before Edward and Victoria left for the party, with Esme over the moon at having her new grandson all to herself for an evening.

Despite what his mother thought would be good for him, Edward knew he would rather be spending the night at home with his mother and son. He had no desire to spend time with Victoria when Alec wasn't involved in it, and he particularly had absolutely no interest in going to a party where he knew no one except Victoria.

Jenks answered for Victoria, who was busy staring into a mirror, checking her makeup as she reclined in the back seat of the Mercedes next to Edward. "This is the address Miss Victoria gave to me, Master Edward," Jenks was in formal butler mode.

"Why would a kid who lives here go to public high school," Edward mused to no on in particular as he looked out the window. The house that the party was being held at was in a very upscale neighborhood. They weren't exactly houses as much as they were mini estates. "Shouldn't he be going to some fancy private academy or something?"

"A lot of kids who live here go to Northbrook," she fiddled with her newly cut hair, pushing one side behind her ear, then pulling it forward, trying to determine how she liked it best, never taking her eyes off of herself in her mirror. "You know, it's so cool that you have this old dude at your beck and call all the time, Eddie."

"His name is Mr. Jenks," Edward reminded her.

"Oh, yeah, speaking of names," she finally put down her mirror and turned to look at him. "You have to remember to call me Tori tonight, ok? Everyone here knows me as Tori. That's kind of like, my thing. And I don't want Demitri getting jealous or suspicious or anything, ok?"

"Believe me, Demitri has nothing to be suspicious or jealous about, Tori," Edward stared straight ahead, wishing he could see the expression on Jenks face.

"You'll really like Demitri. He watches baseball too, so you'll have something to talk to him about. Of course, I hope you don't mind when we go off to, you know, be alone later on tonight," she paused to apply more red lip gloss. "At houses like this, you can usually use one of the bedrooms upstairs."

"For what?"

"For…you know," she smirked into the dark.

"Oh Jesus," he rolled his eyes. "Just so you know, you're boyfriend can drive you home. I'm only staying for a little while to make my mother happy. Then I'm calling Mr. Jenks and I'm getting the hell out of there."

"That's fine, Eddie."

"Edward."

They sat in silence as Jenks drove through the frigid Chicago night. Edward could feel his stomach clenching with anxiety. After the stunt that Victoria had pulled in the café that first day, he still wasn't sure he could trust her. And he didn't trust her. Or that girl Bree that she hung out with. There was just something about her pale face, with that long, straight black hair and big black eyes that gave Edward the creeps. He shuddered involuntarily at the very thought of her.

"Are you cold, Master Edward?"

"No, sir. I'm fine," he mumbled.

Victoria finally put her mirror back into her purse and turned toward Edward.

"So, you didn't say how much you liked my outfit."

He glanced in her directly and shrugged. What was there to say, really? She was wearing a short, full red plaid mini skirt with a tight white cardigan sweater that had some sort of ruffles up and down the front. The minute they were in the car, she'd unbuttoned the top three buttons so that the lace on her red bra was visible. He was pretty sure that this had been what she'd bought the day they went to the mall together, when she had that important shopping to do. Of course she would have spent that time and his goodwill to shop for herself. She had come back with a bag from Hollister and wouldn't tell him what she'd bought when he'd asked. So typical. She had no sense of style herself. She was cut from the same cookie cutter the rest of the mall rats were cut from. Why wouldn't her clothes be the same ones everyone else wore? There was one thing he knew for sure, and that was that Victoria, no matter what he had thought of her back in Seattle, was no Bella.

Jenks pulled up in front of a big brick house set back from the road by a large snow covered lawn. While the entire front of the house was illuminated, there were no Christmas lights to be seen.

"This would be the house, sir."

Edward let out a sigh of resignation. "Thanks. Please don't get out to open the doors, Jenks. It's freezing out there," he opened the door to let himself out.

"Thank you, sir."

"I'll call you in a little while."

"Yes, sir," Jenks leaned toward Edward's open door. "Have a good time, Master Edward."

Edward snorted in response.

Victoria sat in the backseat. "Thanks for spoiling the whole chauffer driven limo thing for me, prick," she scowled. "Are you at least going to come open the door for me?"

"Nope," Edward slammed his door shut, shoving his black leather gloved hands into the pockets of the gray pea coat his mother had insisted on getting for him to wear to the party. A fucking gray pea coat. No one would talk to him if they saw him walk in wearing this thing. Hell, he wouldn't talk to himself if he saw him wearing it.

"Thanks a lot, you shit," Victoria slammed her door shut before clattering over to Edward in a pair of too high stiletto heals, making it quite obvious that she had no idea how to walk in them. He scoffed to himself. Bella could so kick the shit out of Victoria in heels even higher than those.

If the amount of time he had been spending thinking about Bella and comparing her to Victoria that night had been significant or disturbed him on some level, he hadn't realized it himself…yet.

Victoria laced her arm into the crook of Edward's passive elbow. "The least you can do is let me hold on to you before I break my neck on this icy path."

"It's not the path that's going to make you break your neck. It's the stupid shoes you can't walk in," he smirked as he watched Jenks drive away.

"Fuck you, Eddie. I invite you to a nice party to get you out and all you do is insult me."

"Edward."

They moved slowly up the front path before reaching the massive double doors, which opened before they even pushed the doorbell.

"TORI!" Naturally Bree had been on the look out for her friend. "And Eddie decided to come too! Cool!"

"Edward," he corrected as he pushed past the two giddy girls and into the warm entrance hall where two fairly large boys around his age stood next to Bree.

"Edward, this is my boyfriend Demitri," Victoria wrapped herself around the larger of the two, who looked Edward up and down, then immediately bent forward to plant an openmouthed wet kiss on Victoria. Demitri had wavy dark hair and dark eyes. Other than his size, there was nothing extraordinary about him, Edward thought.

"I'm Felix," the other boy was raised right and offered his hand to Edward.

"Edward."

"Nice to meet you," Felix glanced at Demitri and Victoria who were in a full on make out session against the wall. Felix rolled his eyes. "Let's go get you a drink."

Edward looked around at the house as he followed Demitri into what he assumed to be the living room. It was a vast room, furnished all in white. A large mantle held fake evergreen garlands lit with little white lights and a fire roared in the fireplace. A giant tree stood in one corner, where two drunk or stoned boys were systematically plucking the green pine needles from a branch and tossing them into the air like confetti. The two white sofas were covered with teenagers in various states of inebriation. The tribal beat of the music thumped loudly, causing the conversations to thrum into the background like white noise. Felix moved through the room and into the kitchen, where the bar was set up.

"What's your poison?"

"Uh…I really don't drink," Edward had unbuttoned his pea coat but dug his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

"You're kidding, right," Felix looked at him in disbelief. "You used to date Tori and you don't drink? Fuck. I don't date her and I can't stand to be in the same room with her for five minutes without a drink!"

Edward chuckled. "Yeah, well, things were different back then."

"I'm sure," Felix dipped his hand into a bucket of ice and pulled out a bottle of imported beer, opening it up. "Here, you deserve this just for riding in the car with that banshee," he handed the bottle of Stella to Edward.

"Thanks, man," Edward took the bottle, holding it up and nodding to Felix before bringing the bottle to his lips and taking a short pull from it.

"Holy Fuck!"

The loud curse caused both Edward and Felix to jump and turn toward the far wall of the kitchen, where a tall blonde boy with tousled hair stood. He was long and lean, made to look even longer by the tight, dark skinny jeans that wrapped around his slender legs. A loose white linen shirt dangled from his shoulders, untucked. Two more boys who were dressed in a similar fashion stood on either side of him, looking like the rich kids from a bad teen movie.

He moved swiftly until he stood directly in front of a startled and confused Edward.

"Is it you," he whispered as his piercing aqua eyes squinted at Edward.

"Excuse me," Edward's eyes widened.

"Eddie Masen? Is that you?"

Edward felt his heart beat faster. No one had called him Eddie Masen since he was seven, since before he became a Cullen. This boy obviously knew him, but Edward had no clue who he was, or how he knew him.

"I…I'm sorry…I don't…do I…um…" he stammered and sucked in a breath. "Do I know you," he tried to act casual as he brought the bottle of beer back up to his lips.

"Eddie," the blonde boy smiled broadly. "It's me. Marcus Green."

Edward choked, spitting the beer out.

XxXxXxXxXx

Well, there it is. I truly hope this one was worth the wait. I will try to do better with the next chapter, because, well, things are going to be happening in that chapter...um...yeah...that's all I can tell you :P

Once again, thank you to each and every one of you who are reading this hot mess. I truly do appreciate it.

And, as always, if you like what you're reading, kindly press the 'review' button and drop me a line. I love to hear from everyone.

Oh, and if you really like it, then why not share the link with your friends? :D

Thank you again for your continued readership :)