~Chapter 2~

Knowing

I met my family in the lobby after the show.

Esme and Carlisle said they were tired and were going back to their hotel and they knew that Emmett and Alice wanted to go out.

We said our goodbyes and Esme reminded us of breakfast at 7:00 am sharp.

We all nodded , knowing it was going to be a long night.

I hailed a cab and told him where to take us.

Alice was freaking out when we pulled up to the trendiest club in NYC.

"How are we suppose to get in here Edward?" Alice snapped.

"Baby sister, it's all in who you know. I teacher the owners children at school, were great friends, I have an open invitation and VIP access." I smirked at her.

"Wow! Glad Rosa isn't here, look at all these HOT women!" Emmett growled.

"Down Boy!" Alice and I chided together.

We walked in and I saw my friend, introduced him to my brother and sister and he escorted us to the VIP section., letting us know whatever we wanted, was on the house.

I thanked him and he already had a bottle of Dom waiting for us, with a card.

'Edward, thanks so much for making my daughters the musical wonders they are today. Always grateful!'

"WOW! I guess it was a good thing that you left Forks when you did, you've got it made here Edward." Alice purred.

"Yeah and all these HOT women, where's your woman?" Emmett asked curiously.

"Um, Em, I'm single, have been for quite a while." I replied.

"What? With all this hot ass here and you're single? What are you gay?" he laughed.

"No, I just haven't found anyone yet." I snapped.

"He hasn't found another Bella, that's his problem!" Alice giggled.

I rolled my eyes at both of them and sat there sipping my champagne, they went to dance.

Great, now Emmett knows that I'm pining away for Bella, that's real helpful!

They came back to get me and dragged me to the dance floor, we danced until 4 am and then I decided we needed to get back and get sober before we met Esme and Carlisle for breakfast.

I told Emmett to shower first, I had to talk to Alice, it was driving me nuts.

As soon as we heard him singing, I knew it was safe.

"O.K. Alice, what's the scoop?" I asked

"Well, when you left, Bella was sad for a really long time. She didn't date or even go out much, she barely came over to our house. If she did it was to the kitchen or my bedroom, that was it.

Then, she went off to college, we met up every Spring Break and some holidays and after she graduated, top of her class, none the less she started writing, she's posted several articles in the New Yorker." Alice was saying, I looked at her and grinned, I knew about those, I had came across it by accident while at the dentist one day. Alice just smiled back at me and continued.

"Well, Bella changed when she was at college, after she graduated, she came back to Forks and was actually smiling more and dating. She's been dating the same guy for 3 years now. He proposed to her and she turned him down. But, he didn't give up, she was actually here in the city a month ago, kinda of their anniversary, he proposed yet again, but she turned him down." Alice sighed.

"Edward I think she still carries a flame for you. She won't say anything, but I think that's why she says no.

I mean I know she likes Jacob and … SHIT!" Alice exclaimed.

My face was bright red.

"What? She's with Jacob Black? How in the Hell???" I was yelling.

Emmett came out in a towel at that time and gave Alice a dirty look.

"Nice, Alice, really nice, he'll be brooding the rest of the day, thanks!" Emmett stormed into my room to change.

"Edward, I'm sorry, you just had to know. Call her, she'll talk to you, I know." Alice said.

"How do you know Alice, I haven't spoke to her in over 8 years and you're her best friend and she won't even talk to you about me!" I growled.

I stormed off into my bathroom to shower.

I stood in there way to long, Emmett came pounding on the door.

"Come on man, half hour until we have to meet mom and dad, get a move on."

I stopped the shower and dried off, trying to figure out what I was going to do.

I thought that was her, from across the street, but she looked different, of course, 8 years does do a little, but she looked good, happy, sexy, healthy.

Just to see her smile, I'd been thinking of her ever since.

I pulled out my boxers and out fell an old picture I'd forgotten about.

It was from one of the photo boxes, where you get four pictures. I got 2 and she got 2.

Mine were of me and here making silly faces and then of me in her in a passionate embrace.

Just thinking about that day, gave me goose bumps, oh how I'd love to kiss her again.

"15 minutes man come on, what are you doing, jacking off!' Emmett screamed.

I could here Alice gagging when he said that.

I threw on a pair of khaki pants, white button up shirt and a sweater and walked out.

I punched Emmett in the arm. "That's for the gross comment man, esp. in front of Alice". I smirked.

After breakfast, I asked Carlisle if we could go for a walk and talk.

"Sure my son, what's bothering you?" he said with a reassuring hand,

"Well, I'm not feeling satisfied lately. I love my children and teaching, but other areas are very much lacking!" I was frustrated.

"Edward, you need to do what makes you happy and I'm guessing this has to do with Bella?" my dad just knew, damn it!

"Yeah" I looked at my feet like a 5 year old.

"Well, I know she's dating Jake and they've been together for a while, I don't know how happy she is, Charlie and I have dinner once a week and he said she's seemed stressed lately. It could be her job, but I'm not sure. I told him to let her know I can help if she's feeling depressed or just needs to talk." my dad finished.

"Well, I saw there was an opening at Forks High for a Band Teacher, I've been keeping tabs on any types of openings closer to home. I miss seeing you guys all the time and being close, I hate that we see each other maybe twice a year." I pleaded with my eyes for an answer.

"Well, my son. If you come back, don't expect her to come running to you, I think she still holds a lot of hostility towards you for leaving her and never keeping in touch. Come back for the right reasons and everything else will fall in place." he put his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"Thanks dad, and can we keep this between us, I mean I know you'll want to tell mom, but not Alice or Emmett, I want it to be a surprise if I do it. O.k.?" I asked.

"That's fine son, you've got my word." he smiled as we walked up to their hotel.

As I hugged them all good bye, I felt relieved and clear headed as to what I must do.

I went straight home and got on the phone with Forks High School.

I talked to the Principal, who was friends with my father and let him know I was interested in the Band teacher position. He informed me that it didn't pay even close to what I made at Juilliard and I reassured him that was no problem, money wasn't a factor when you were a Cullen.

I also asked him to not tell anyone that I was coming, I wanted to keep it a secret until school started in the fall.

The next day I called my parents and informed them as to what had occurred and asked if they could find me a house, something small and cozy, but something I could grow into, if needed,

They understood and were glad to help, all on the down low as well.

I thanked them and for the first time in years, I felt a since of peacefulness and a chance at happiness once again.

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A/N: I hope you're enjoying this story as well.

Sorry if some of it runs on, but I'm on some pretty good pain meds for my migraine and it makes me kind of loopy. Any suggestions, please send them my way… I love hearing from you!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own this, this belongs to Stephanie, thanks for getting my brain working again!!!

Love Ya!