A/N:

Hey guys. So, I realized that most of the time, even if I do read every chapter multiple times, after posting, I always find a grammar mistake or two, or well...hundred,lol, and as much as that annoys me like hell, English is, after all, my second language, so unfortunately, that will keep happening, so anybody who is willing enough to read my story-or stories-and won't be bothered with occasional mistakes, I would be really thankful. But for those who do have a problem with it, I suggest you skip them all together. Thanks. :)

Now, without further ado...

(Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.)

Chapter 11

When Bella left, I stayed in my bed, napping a bit more. After finally getting up half an hour later, I decided for a shower, hoping I will feel a bit better. During the shower, every small intentional move of my body ached, and moments later, I knew there is only one thing that will help me make this pain go away, or if nothing else, hopefully make it numb.

After finding my secret stash of pot, rolling it up, and taking a smoke or two, I heard a knock.

"Who is it?"

"Your father."

Oh shit! What is he doing home so early?

I quickly tried to put it out in the ashtray, covering it with a notebook, and opening my window as wide as it would go, taking the first deodorant I could grab, spraying it over the room, in hopes he wouldn't notice it.

Yeah, right. Even he isn't that clueless.

"Coming!" I yelled, before opening the door as quickly as I could, groaning in pain at every step I took.

"Hey,"I spoke, trying to sound nonchalant, but was everything but. "What's up?"

"Can I come in? I need to talk to you."

"Ummmm...sure. Yeah, whatever. Come in."

He gave me a confused look before getting in and taking a few suspicious sniffs.

Shit! Don't say a thing Edward, act cool. He doesn't know shit.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, right next to me, he took a good look at my face before commenting. "You got beat up pretty good yesterday, didn't you?"

"I'm fine, don't worry."

Dad smiled humorlessly. "Always trying to act strong, aren't you?"

Was that supposed to be a rhetorical question?

"It's a good thing Bella was there to take care of you. She did a good job, I see." He gently took my face in his hands. Observing. I tried not to flinch too much.

"The reason I came here is mostly because your Mother made me, and second, because I wanted to try to at least find out what happened yesterday, but I knew the second I saw you that that won't be quite possible. Am I right?"

I said nothing.

He nodded to himself. "That's what I thought. Edward, I won't pretend to know what's happening in your mind, or if this is just another way of showing just how much you're angry at the world, but none of this is doing any good for us, your mother, me, or yourself."

"How would you know what I'm going through, old man? You're never here." My voice sounded intrusive and judgmental.

"You're right, but I'm at least trying to be at home more, doesn't that count for something?"

"It's still not enough."

"I didn't say it was, but at least give me some credit. I'm worried about you son. If you don't stop with the drinking then..."

"Then what? What could you possibly do to me that could make this life any worse than it already is!? Ha?!" Instantly getting up, my posture went from uncomfortable and rigid to pure fury, fists shaking, ready to hit anything that would stand in my way.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that! No matter how much you think low of me, you forget that I'm your father and that you're not the only person in this house who lost a person they loved."

"Then why didn't you save her?! You're a doctor, for fuck sake, you could have done something! Anything!"

"You don't think I didn't ask myself that question every single day? I had all this money, all equipment possible, and yet I couldn't save her Edward. Nobody could. Not even you. It...it was too late."

My eyes watered, threatening to fall down my bruised face. Turning my back from him, I tried to hide the pain away, but Carlisle wouldn't have that.

"Son," he whispered, trying to comfort me, but I shook him off momentarily. "Don't touch me."

Going to the bathroom, I splashed my face with cold water a few times, being careful of my splotchy, swollen face.

Moments later, I came back to the room, suspecting to be left alone, only to realize I couldn't have been more wrong.

Unfortunately, Carlisle was still there, sitting in the same spot again, not looking at me, instead his eyes entirely observing a certain part of the room,probably trapped in his own little world.

I sat next to him, just...waiting. I didn't know what for, but I was certain that I would recognize the moment, if I just waited long enough.

Carlisle finally looked at me, and what I saw was a shell of a person I used to know. There were thousand of emotions that could be found by taking just one real look at him, but I realized there were only two that I could really recognize. Pain and regret. And others; others I couldn't start or even try to recognize. All I know is that I would have to live a lot more, experience a lot more in this lifetime to even begin to understand what he's going through. Still. So, yeah, okay, I admit, I may have pegged my father as a heartless bastard ever since she died, but this moment, this right now tells me I was just fooling myself. Yet now, right now, was I finally able to let him show me this vulnerable part of himself he seemed to have hidden for so long.

"Dad," I whispered, "can I ask you something? But I want you to tell me the truth."

"Go ahead," he spoke calmly.

"Why did you bring Bella here? Was it because she...because she reminded you of ...A...Alice?" I barely whispered the word. It was hard, but I pushed myself to say it. Finally.

"You noticed that too, didn't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

Carlisle sighed tiredly.

"To be completely honest, I'm not even sure why anymore. Yes, it might had to do with the fact that she looked like Alice, but just the moment I saw her there, helpless and fragile, acting confident and strong, thinking she can take care of herself completely, but knowing she has no one who can help her, no one to lift the massive burden off her shoulders made me talk her into coming home with us. It wasn't an easy task but...I did it."

"That you did, but...how? She is one stubborn person when she wants to be."

"I guess I just have a knack for persuading people. It's what I do, and over the years, I've gotten a lot of practice."

"Then why don't I believe you? You said you're going to tell me the truth, so why lie? Unless...I don't know... you offered her some quick cash to stay here or something, but that would be completely fucking insane, right? I mean, you can fucking stop me any time you want since I'm fucking talking nonsense anyway... "

He stayed silent. "Dad?"

Still nothing.

The fact that I was actually right renders me speechless. "Fuck, I'm actually right aren't I? I can't believe you fucking did that! That's just fucking sick!I mean for you to...and she...And here I thought...Shit."

"What other choice did I have?"

"Ummm, I don't know, how about not bringing her home in the first place?"

"Bullshit! You're glad she's here! I may be ignorant at times Edward, but I can see the way you look at her. The way you never looked at any of the girls you've been with. The way...the way I look at Esme."

"The fuck you're talking about? I don't love Bella."

Carlisle shrugged. "Okay, maybe not, but you sure are...hmmmm, how I should I put this so you can understand what I'm talking about? You're whipped, and there's nothing you can do about it boy."

"I'm not whipped! I don't even like her, and at times we do see each other, we only seem to bicker."

"Fine, don't listen to your old man, but one of these days..."

He didn't continue, just let it slide. I hated that shit.

Getting up, he took a short walk to the door before turning around, calling my name.

"Edward?"

"Yes?"

"Just two more things. Actually, three. If you two do end up doing, you know...the deed...please be safe and use a condom at all times, okay?"

"Dad," I groaned, trying to cover my face in embarrassment. "Mom already had this talk with me, and trust me, I still can't get those words out of my head."

He showed a tiny smile."Well, then, I assume you're not the only one who's getting the embarrassing talk as we speak."

I frowned. "Wait...is mom talking to...?"

"Yep. Son, it was nice talking to you, but, unfortunately, I have some work chores to do."

As he was about to close the door, seconds later, he suddenly let himself in again, saying. "Oh, I almost forgot...you're grounded for a month, and I don't want to hear it. What you did was inexcusable. Also...it would be nice if you could try to lay off the pot, at least while your mom is at home. You don't want to give her a heart attack do you?"

Fuck, I knew he'd notice.

And with a smirk, he closes the door silently.

For once, mom and dad actually weren't paged to work, so they decided to take an offer from the Whitlock's and go to their barbecue.

So that left Bella and me alone in the house. Fucking great.

I was still fucking pissed at both of them, and couldn't believe that Bella would actually do something like that. And here I thought I knew her. Apparently, that couldn't be farther from the truth.

"Hey, " Bella spoke, walking into the living room with a light smile and sitting right next to me.

I said nothing, my eyes focusing completely on the TV. Of course, as usual, there was nothing interesting on it, so I kept changing the channels, anything to avoid her. Shit, what's the fuckin' use of having so many fucking channels if you can't even find something to watch?

"So...what's the verdict?"

Still no word from me.

"Are you mad at me or something? Did someone shit on your day? Is little Eddie angry that I took the last piece of pie?"

Her tone was teasing, but soon realized this had nothing to do with food.

"Okay, spit it out."

"I don't know what you mean," I spoke mockingly.

"Of course you do, now spit it the fuck out, whatever it is."

You asked for it.

"Pops and I had a little chat today and he's told me everything about you. Everything."

Her posture conveyed confidence but eyes showed actual fear.

"What did he tell you?"

"Everything. I can't believe he's actually paying you to stay here. "

Wait, did she just sigh in relief? Was there more?

"So what? Your father made a proposal, and I took it. End of. And if you think I'm going to apologize for the decision I've made, then you're sorely mistaken."

"Oh, I'm not waiting for anything, because guess what? I've learned today that all those things I thought I knew about you were wrong. Turns out, I don't know shit about you, and as of now I intend for it to stay that way. I just want to know how much he's paying you?"

"That's none of your business asshole."

"Come on, lay it on me. Is it 10 000? 20 000? No? Hm...is it fifty? Oh...am I getting closer? No? How about 100 grand? No? Of course not. You deserve more, after all, since you're doing such a great acting job. Oh! Oh! Wait, I got it...a million? It is, isn't it? Well...nice job, you really deserved it. Bravo," I said, clapping for emphasis.

"Fuck you!"

And with a slap in my face, she quickly walked away, slamming the door so loudly I could hear it all the way to the living room.

Knock on the door.

"Go away! "

Another few knocks.

"I said, go the fuck away!"

But the knocks didn't go away, no. For that matter, they were just getting louder and louder.

I sighed frustratingly, opening the door. And there she was, the Queen Bitch in the flesh.

"Yes," I asked annoyingly.

"I don't usually do this, justifying myself about my life decisions, good or bad, but for some sick, twisted reason, I actually care what you think about me. Both your mother and father know all about me, and for some weird fucked up reason, they decided to accept me for who I was, but you? You come here with your...your...prejudice, and your words and then...I..." she shuts up, flustered beyond belief.

"Just think about this...you live on the streets, having nowhere to sleep but under the bridges, your tummy constantly growling daily for food you don't have because the lack of the money, so you keep worrying and hoping that someday, a day will come when you'll get a chance for a better life, and when you do, you take that chance, and you are thankful there is actually one person on this planet that is kind enough to help you get off the street, no matter how weird of creepy it might seem. I'm grateful that for some weird circumstance your father noticed me that night on the street and was able to offer me a chance at getting my life back together. You should be grateful you have them, because you don't always get to choose who your parents are, trust me. If I could, I wouldn't be here right now. Think about that really good Assward, that's all."

Shit, how did she do that? Making me actually feel guilty for something she was to blame?

I thought about her words so much that made me sick with guilt. I didn't want to feel this. Any of this. But I do. Looking at the clock, I growl at it for no apparent reason, knowing it's already 4 a.m. but still not being able to go to sleep.

Getting up, I decided to get some warm milk from the kitchen.

Walking inside, I see my mom opening the fridge, and after a moment, closing it with a sigh.

"Can't sleep either?" I asked.

She turned around with a sleepy smile. "Nope. I was thinking of getting a snack, but there's nothing."

I opened the fridge, taking milk, and grabbing some glasses.

"You want some?"

"Sure."

After the microwave gave a sign that the milk is done and pre-heated, I carefully took them one by one and put on the table.

We sat in silence for a few moments until my mother quietly cleared her throat, ready to break it completely.

"Something bothering you son?"

I sighed. "It's kind of a long story."

She smiled before yawning deeply.

"I've got time. I always have time for you."

Bella's words repeated once again in my mind.

"I've... done something really bad today."

She squeezed my hand. "Whatever you did, I'm sure it couldn't be worse than yesterday."

She tried to make a joke out of it, but I knew she was just masking her concern.

"Dad told me about Bella...about money he offered her to stay with us, and..."

"And..."

"And...when I mentioned it to Bella, I told her some ugly words, hurtful words. She didn't need to explain her reasons, yet, she did, and it made me realize that..."

"That what?" she asked impatiently.

" You...You knew. About all of this, didn't you?"

"Yes,"she nodded. "I understand your reactions Edward; your anger and disappointment. I thought that I knew your father very well, until one day I this girl who was just standing in my house, looking at me with a mix of hope and shyness and I found myrself feeling sorry for her, this fragile, unknown girl that looked so much like my daughter..."

Taking a sip of milk, she spoke once again. "I was feeling all those things that you are right now, Edward, but in that moment, no matter how crazy all of this was, I decided to listen to my heart and not reason. I'm not gonna tell you what to do, whatever you're conflicted about, since I know even under all of that facade of indifference you try to show, you still have a good, kind heart and are capable of being reasonable, no matter how much you want to deny it. So, my advice to you is to hink about it and decide for yourself. And Edward, whatever you do, I'll support you, okay?"

Hearing her made my chest flutter with warmth and pride, my eyes instantly filling with moisture. Goddamn it, since when did I become such a pussy?

"Okay. Thanks for listening to me."

Wiping away a tear from my face, she said, "You're welcome son."

Getting up from the desk, she suddenly hugged me around my shoulders, giving me a soft kiss on the neck. "I love you," she whispered.

I swallowed thickly. "Yeah...love you too mom."

After drinking the milk that was by now cold, I got up, hoping to finally get some sleep.

I didn't get as a direct advice from Esme as I hoped, but she listened to my every word carefully, and weirdly enough, that seemed to help. In the end, as my eyes closed, inviting me to sleep, I realized Carlisle really was right. I was whipped. Crap.

Thanks for reading guys. A new chapter of Man down will be posted soon, promise. :)