AN: Interesting. Some of you are upset with what Edward said, but never stopped to think if maybe there WAS more to it. Keep reading my friends…

I'm a review whore so please review. I'm really happy that I have almost 40 reviews already for my story, but I want more. I'm greedy like that. :o)

On a sad note, I want to send my prayers to the Jackson Family. I grew up listening to Michael and I felt like a little part of me died today. I remembered the day that Thriller made its debut. I was 5, but I wasn't scared. I felt so proud of myself. He was a legend and an icon. I will miss him.

Usual blah blah: I do not own Twilight…

Chapter 7 - Babyface

EPOV

Thanksgiving. This was the second Thanksgiving without Bella. I didn't even bother going to my parents last year. It would have been too much seeing everyone so happy with their significant others while I wallowed in my misery.

This year was different though, well, not by much. Alice and Rosalie went to Philadelphia to visit Bella. It was their tradition to always spend Thanksgiving together; a tradition that began because of me. Of course, when we were together some of those were spent at my parents' home.

I wanted to follow Alice, stowaway in one of her many bags. As much as she packs I didn't think she would have noticed the change in weight. I knew that was a stupid idea. I could have just bought a ticket with all the money I have, but then again I hadn't exactly been thinking straight these last couple of years. Oh, and I was a coward. That's why Bella was in Philadelphia instead of by my side as my wife.

I did ask Alice one favor though and that was to bring me back some of Bella's famous pumpkin pie. I always looked forward to Thanksgiving just for her pie. I figured that if Alice asked, Bella would give it to her willingly, as long it wasn't mentioned that it was for me. I have a feeling it won't be that easy though.

As I sat with my family, which was really just my parents, Emmett and Jasper, I thought back to my first fuckup. Ironically, it happened during Thanksgiving.

1994 – Senior Year of HS

We had been going out for a few weeks. I was extremely happy; I couldn't have had a better woman by my side. She was my constant and I was falling hard for Bella. I was having dreams of us getting married and having children. Yes, that's right. Edward Cullen, player extraordinaire, was thinking about marriage. Crazy, huh?

I also didn't want her only for sex. Don't get me wrong, I was horny and I wanted her, badly, but she was also a virgin. If she wanted to give me that gift I would gladly accept it, but at her pace. She was special. She wasn't like other girls that threw themselves at me and I wouldn't treat her as such. I knew she wasn't ready for me and I never pushed her for more than a make out session. Of course, those left me hot and bothered and I almost always ended up in my shower spanking one out. It was for a good cause.

I had been picking up Bella and dropping her off at home everyday once we started going out. The day before Thanksgiving was no exception.

I was excited for the upcoming holiday. Bella had agreed to spend it with my family. I was looking forward to spending the extra time with her.

Bella's last class of the day was gym, a class she despised. She was usually one of the last students to come out from the lockers rooms. I waited by my car for her, waited for her beautiful smile.

Instead, I had Jessica standing in front of me blocking my view.

I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose, obviously annoyed at the twit. "What do you want, Jessica? I'm waiting for Bella." I peeked around her to see if Bella had exited yet.

"Oh. She'll come around eventually. You know how clumsy she is. She's probably tripping over every bench in there," she giggled stepping closer to me.

I rolled my eyes. "I would appreciate it if you didn't talk about my girlfriend like that and I would appreciate it even more if you left me alone right now. " I crossed my arms in front of me in a defensive stance.

"Eddie," she said trying to sound sexy, but only sounding like a pain in the ass. "You know you want me." She started touching me, running her finger up my arm. I froze just staring at her. This bitch was crazy.

I fought the urge to punch her. A man just doesn't hit a woman, no matter how nutty the woman was.

"Go away, now," I demanded through clenched teeth. Apparently, she didn't take the hint.

"Come on, Eddie," she whined. "You know she does nothing for you. When was the last time she ever gave you pleasure?"

"You don't need to worry about that and please stop calling me Eddie. You know I hate that name." I was getting angrier by the second with her and the audacity of her insinuations. She knew nothing of my relationship with Bella!

The next thing I knew her hands were playing with the hair at the back of my neck. It was the way Bella played with my hair. No one knew about this, which meant Jessica was paying way too much attention to us than I thought. Unfortunately, my cock didn't know the difference between Bella's and Jessica's hands because it decided to make an unwelcomed appearance.

"I do need to worry because from the look and feel of things, she hasn't in a while." Her eyes darted down. "It seems I'm the only girl who can handle your problems."

I had enough of the charade and of this whore insulting my Bella. I leaned in close until I was at her ear. "You're right, Jessica, she isn't the girl for me…"

Before I could finish my sentence I heard a loud gasp from my right. Shit! I could see the tears forming in Bella's eyes. I had to fix this now!

"Bella, it's not what you think," I insisted.

"Is this why you ran out of the locker room, Jessica? So you can come and steal my boyfriend? Well you can have him," she screamed at Jessica.

I couldn't believe my ears. She thought I could be stolen that easy? That was so far from the truth.

"Bella…" I pleaded, reaching out to her. Instead she turned and ran from me before I could explain anything to her.

This couldn't be happening. Not now, not to me. This was all Jessica's fault.

"Fuck Jessica! What the fuck is wrong with you?" I yelled. "Get the hell away from me and stay away from Bella. If I even see you looking in our direction, I'll cut your eyes out!"

She jumped back afraid of me. Good. Let her be scared. Hopefully she would leave us alone now. "I'm sorry…"

"Save it and get the fuck out of here!" I roared, pointing away from us. She quickly scurried off to her car and sped out of the parking lot.

Alice and Jasper approached me.

"Edward?" she asked cautiously. I looked at her. "What happened? I saw Bella running off and you were yelling at Jessica. Is everything okay?"

"No, everything is not okay," I spat out. "What the fuck kind of question is that?" Alice flinched and I realized I was taking my anger out on the one person who didn't deserve it. "I'm sorry, Alice. It's just…" I breathed out.

"It's okay. Tell me what happened. We'll figure it out together." I told her about Bella seeing Jessica feel me up and what she heard.

"She totally has the wrong idea. I'm disgusted with Jessica and myself for not doing something sooner. What's worse is that she thinks she's not good enough for me, that I can easily be taken by any girl. She's the best thing to ever happen to me. She's made me a better man and I had to go and fuck it up. I don't know what to do. She probably thinks I don't want her either," I groaned.

"Why would she think that?"

"Probably because I fucked half the school's female population and I'm taking my time with her. I think I'm falling for her…"

Alice squealed at my admission. "That's great news!"

"Yes, but I don't want to ruin it with sex. She's so fragile, but perfect. I couldn't do that to her."

"So you guys haven't…" Jasper whistled and pumped his fist.

I rolled my eyes at his vulgarity. "No, we haven't."

"Do you want to?" Alice asked.

"Hell yeah I do. I would love nothing more, but it isn't about that with her," I said sounding exasperated.

"Hmm…" I could see the wheels working in Alice's head. "Don't worry Edward, it'll work out. Give me some time with her."

~*~

Sunday morning rolled around and I was wide awake. I barely slept all weekend. Thanksgiving was a disaster with my parents questioning me on why Bella didn't come for dinner. I couldn't take it and went up to my room, hardly touching a thing on my plate. I stayed in my room all weekend brooding.

There was a knock at my door and Alice peeked her head in.

"Edward, are you awake?"

"Yeah, I'm up," I replied. She came in and sat down next to me on the bed.

"So, ummm…I think you should go see Bella today," she suggested.

"She hates me," I stated covering my eyes with my arm.

"No she doesn't, but she is confused and you need to clear things up with her if you're going to continue in this relationship with her. If she's worth it, you'll go over there."

I looked at my sister. "Do you really think she'll forgive me?"

"Of course she will. Now, get up, and get dressed." I sat up, drawing Alice in for a hug.

"Thanks, pixie."

"Thank me later with a shopping trip," she grinned.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, fine." She gave me another quick hug and left the room.

~*~

An hour later I found myself standing in front of Bella's house. I didn't see the police cruiser so I knew she was alone.

I hesitated before I knocked on the door. I waited. There was no answer. I figured she was still sleeping. It was only eleven. She could have had a late night. I turned to head back to my car when the door opened.

"Edward?"

I turned back to face her, running my hand through my hair. "Hey."

"What are you doing here?"

"I…ummm…I…" I stuttered.

"Spit it out, Edward. I don't have all day," she ordered. She was cute when she was feisty. Ugh. Focus Cullen.

"I came to apologize. I was a total ass and you didn't deserve any of that. I'm sorry about what I said and what you saw. I miss you and I don't want to be without you another moment longer. Please let me in and let me explain. I desperately want to work things out with you," I finally spouted all in one breath.

"You've been hanging around Alice too much," she chuckled softly. She opened the door wider and invited me into the house. "Do you want anything to drink?" she asked walking to the kitchen.

"Sure, water," I answered. She handed me a glass of water and gestured for me to take a seat.

"So…tell me why I shouldn't crack your skull?"

I chuckled. "Now you sound like you've been hanging out with Rose too much."

She shrugged. "I guess, but really I do want to. You hurt me, Edward. I can't believe what you did to me. I'm going to be the laughing stock at school tomorrow."

"No, you won't be. That'll be Jessica."

She furrowed her brows in confusion. "What do you mean? I don't understand. She was all over you and you responded."

"Look, Bella. It wasn't what it appeared. You showed up mid-conversation. I was telling Jessica to leave me alone…"

"Yeah, but you weren't pushing her away and some part of you was enjoying it."

"I know. I didn't want to touch her. I knew if I did, I would end up hurting her. In retrospect, I should have just punched her like I really wanted and we would be fine now. The only way I could control that urge though was by not laying a finger on her. Trust me when I say that she disgusts me." I reached out for her hand and luckily she didn't pull away.

"That doesn't explain the obvious hard-on you had though."

"It doesn't," I agreed. "This is probably the worst excuse in the book, but please believe me. When she started playing with my hair, it was the same way you do it and when you do it, it always feels good. It made me think of you. Unfortunately, this," I motioned to my pelvic area, "didn't quite register that it wasn't you doing it and decided to have a mind of its own."

"That is pretty lame," she stated flatly, "and I don't know if I should scream or laugh." She shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Bella. It was a bad situation to be caught in."

She nodded. "I'll say. There's just one thing that is nagging me."

"What's that?"

"You don't want me anyway, so why are you here apologizing?"

I pursed my lips. She couldn't really think that. This woman was everything to me. I swallowed back the anger that was threatening to come up.

"You have no idea what you're talking about. That is the furthest thing from the truth," I started.

"Really? So why did you tell Jessica that I wasn't the girl for you?" I took a few deep breaths before answering.

"That's because you're not." I tightened my grip on her hand before she could move away. "You're not the girl for me because I consider you more than just a girl. You are an amazing woman. No girl compares to you, especially not that skank, Jessica. You are my woman. I don't want a girl. You're much better than that. You complete me in ways I never thought imaginable. You make me a better person, a better man even. I wouldn't settle for less. Please know this."

Her eyes were pooling with unshed tears. "Do you really mean that?"

"Wholeheartedly."

She came over to me and straddled my legs. "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions."

I gave her a chaste kiss. "You did nothing wrong, love. You have no reason to apologize."

She kissed me again. I was expecting another sweet kiss, but she came at me with full force. Her tongue found its way into my mouth before I could protest. I felt her hips rock back and forth, grinding into me. I gripped her hips to steady her. I didn't want any more surprise guests.

She wasn't having it though. She grabbed my hands and placed them on her breasts, squeezing them roughly. Oh. Fuck... She started grinding again, her hips moving seductively over my growing bulge.

"Fuck, Bella…" It was feeling too good, but this wasn't the time. I tried gently pushing her away.

"No, Edward don't stop," she moaned into my mouth.

"Bella…stop…this isn't right," I said sternly, grabbing her shoulders and finally leaning her away.

"What's wrong? I thought this is what you wanted," she said angrily.

"What would make you think this is what I wanted from you?"

"Rose and Alice figured it'll help to keep you interested if I seduced you," she explained.

"Fuck what Rose and Alice think. They aren't a part of our relationship. They have their own men to worry about and if that's what they do to keep them satisfied then that's great. But this isn't what I want from you."

"So you really don't want me," she seethed. She started to get up, but I held her.

"You stubborn woman, didn't you hear what I said before? You're different. You're special."

"But you've slept with half the school," she protested. I laid my head on her shoulder.

"Bella, please understand that I'm not proud of being a manwhore. Besides, those girls threw themselves at me expecting me to fuck them." She winced at my harsh words. "You are not them and don't try to be like them. That is why I like you. It is why I'm here apologizing to you. Trust me, I want you." I pushed up against her so she could feel my hardness. "You see? That is what you do to me, but when it becomes that time, I want it to be special for both of us. I want it to be special for you. You deserve to be worshipped. I don't want to be rushed and I know you're not ready. I will never push you."

"I want to make you feel good though," she pouted. It was the cutest thing. I kissed her bottom lip.

"In time, love. We have time for all of that. We'll take it slow." She nodded.

I hugged her close and we sat for what seemed like hours in each other's arms.

2005 - Present

"Earth to Edward, come in."

I snapped out of my memories by Emmett who stood over me like a big gorilla.

"Come on, the turkey's done. Mom's waiting for us in the dining room." I stood up and followed Emmett. He stopped and put a hand on my chest. "Oh, and no sulking at the dinner table." I nodded.

"Fine." I plastered a fake smile on my face.

Dinner conversation consisted of Emmett talking about Rosalie being pregnant and how happy he was becoming a father. My mother, of course, was beside herself with the news of being a grandmother. I just thought this gave Rosalie another excuse to be a bitch.

Carlisle spoke about changes in the hospital rubbing in the fact that I was denied the Chief of Staff position. Jasper mentioned the new historical renovation he was working on in the city. Everyone seemed to be throwing in my face that I had nothing and they had everything I wanted.

Lucky for me, no one turned to me for conversation fodder. I stayed quiet most of the dinner. Afterwards, Emmett and I finished watching the football game and I drove back home.

My Friday was spent at the hospital, keeping myself busy with overeaters from the day before complaining of indigestion, severe diarrhea and food poisoning. Same shit, different year.

Saturday, I had an early shift so I could pick up Alice and Rosalie from the airport. I didn't bother going inside, choosing to wait in the car curbside. I didn't have to wait long as they appeared shortly after I arrived.

I got out of the Volvo and helped them put the bags in the trunks. I noticed then that Alice was carrying something else in her hand. It was covered in aluminum foil. It looked like pie. My stomach did a little happy dance. Get it together, Cullen, don't get your hopes up.

"Is that what I think it is?" Alice looked down at the object in her hands.

"Yes, it's pumpkin pie." She pulled back the foil and, sure enough, there was a whole uneaten pie.

I was confused. "Didn't you guys eat any?"

"Oh yeah, we did. She made this one extra for you after I asked her if I could take some home."

"For me? You told her I wanted?" I asked incredulously. I love my sister, but keeping a secret sometimes was not her forte.

"I'm sorry. She coaxed it out of me. She knew that I don't like pumpkin pie enough to bring it home. She basically figured it out on her own."

"But she made it just for me. She doesn't hate me." I was happy for the first time in over a year. There was still hope for us. Rose noticed my elation and quickly burst my bubble.

"Don't get too excited, Casanova. She was bored and had extra ingredients. She's happy there and she's been dating. She's gotten over you. She was just being nice."

I saw red. Bella was dating? She really did move on. All I had left of her was the pie I was holding in my hand.

AN: See, Edward isn't such a bad guy…

So I know you guys are going to have a couple of questions so here are the pre-emptive answers. First: Yes, Bella made him a pie. I didn't include it in the last chapter because well, I didn't feel like it, but what Rose said is true. She did have extra ingredients and was trying to be nice. I've done that before, it's not a big deal. Second: Rose obviously lied. Bella is not dating…yet and she most definitely has not gotten over Edward. But, Rose being Rose likes to see Eddie dearest squirm. I love her. lol

P.S. As I typed this and edited, George Michael's Careless Whisper played. How fitting.