Chapter 2: No time for misery.

Edward

"Hey bro! Could you stop hogging the shower besides they'll be here soon and we – err I need to shower." My brother Emmett said.

I decided to cut my shower time after seeing what a mess he was and getting gist of his thoughts I saw it wasn't all about getting clean that he planned rather it was what he and Rosalie would resume doing while showering that had gotten them so "messy" when they were sparing in the 1st place. I didn't need to be privy to that. I just hope they don't wreck the bathroom...much.

I just thought that if Rosalie wasn't his sparing partner he'd actually hone his skills instead of degenerating into some amorous wrestling. As of late I haven't been sparing with him like we used to and his other sparing partner isn't here… Jasper.

Thinking of him made me think of how the present situation hit him too. When the truth came out he was devastated, after opening his heart to a 2nd chance at love after Maria. What broke him was discovering their prior liaison and the unbridled feelings Alice gave off after she began openly seeing Bella as he witnessed their love blossoming stronger and stronger.

At 1st he tried to be strong dealing with his maelstrom of emotional conflict while his relationship disintegrated as saw and felt Alice fall out of love with him and fell hard for Bella it was torture, add my anguish to the mix and it got too unbearable for him.

He decided to do what Jacob did when he received the wedding invitation and go away. When he told us his intentions we (especially Alice) tried convincing him to not make any hasty decisions.

He said that he was taking respite from what's happening and hoped to visit us when he recovered. Before departing Esme made him promise to take care of himself and not do anything he'd regret, which he agreed.

He said despite everything he's glad we came into his 2nd life and wished the best for us and especially Alice before he left.

I would've done the same after my…divorce but I wouldn't add to the pain of further fragmenting our already broken family especially for Carlisle and Esme who feared what I might do the last time I went off on my own because of Bella.

While I was here I couldn't – no, I won't wallow in my misery. After everything I've put them through I'm not going to taint their peace with my misery, they don't deserve to suffer for my failures.

Enduring to stay turned out to become some what a blessing in disguise of sorts.

The academic year started a bit earlier after my divorce finalization and Seth's been asking us to help him with his studies. His sincere unbiased acceptance, and kindness for anyone was a breath of fresh air. Him treating us like friends despite reasons to do the opposite warmed us up to him and made the situation in our family was a touch more bearable.

Helping him with studies provided a nice distraction when we saw the awe and wonder in his eyes sharing knowledge we've acquired. So we all became fond of him and just more reason to pick myself up from my pathetic pit of misery and self-pity.

Leah

We got close the dreaded vamp's lair and God it stank like hell.

The 1st time I was there the stink was diluted by the guests attending what would be a disastrous marriage. Now it stank like a wave of vamp concentrate flooded my nose threatening to drown everything.

We both found spots to turn back into human and headed to the house he said: "Ok sis I'm going in the house, you can join me if you want to but please DON'T embarrass me Leah."

"Ooh–I don't know Seth I'm not making promises I can't keep." I sardonically said.

He looked at me with that beseeching look that just triggered those older sister instincts (for those of you who've ever had to play Mary Poppins to toddler siblings or smaller kids know what I'm talking about, those instincts that make you wanna do everything in the your power to make them content and put a smile on their adorable cute faces.) knowing what he wanted I said: "Okay! Fine, I'll be on my best behavior.–"

That put him at easy but I just couldn't help teasing him "On 1 condition Seth–" then him tensed up "–before we makes our ways to the manor, we best be sure our courtesies –" I said in the most ridiculous English accent as I bent my knees and took the ends of an imaginary dress with the tips of my first fingers widened it as I bowed down "– be ladylike 'nough for 'em?"

"C'mon then, I best be seeing some your best courtesyin' before muckin' 'bout around 'em posh circles."

"Oh come on Leah." He protested.

I gestured "Go on lurv."

Seeing I was adamant he rolled his eyes and began to courtesy, looking into his eyes while keeping a straight face while my lil bro took the ends of an imaginary dress as he bowed down was mission impossible and I burst out laughing.

Which in turn had him laughing, there in the midst of us braying like donkeys I forgot about everything around us that's happening.

"You're diabolical y'know right?" He said.

Still laughing my ass off I said: "Oh pleeeassse! Fine pretend you hated doing that. If I recall when you once wore mom's yellow sundress so you could look like princess Belle."

"Well you and Emily had cupcakes you said were only for princesses." He defended himself.

"Right — keep telling yourself that, I think mom's dress would now fit you well." I said.

We both laughed out loud.

"So we good? You'll behave yourself at the Cullen's, huh?" he asked.

That dampened my mood as it brought me to the present and reminded me of what we're gonna do.

Hearing Seth unabashedly and genuinely happy reminded me of days gone by, when life was simpler and happier, miraculously he never lost that despite how everything has gone upside down he never lost his sunny outlook it remained robust as an evergreen tree in spring.

That bit of sunshine was something I'd do everything to protect so honouring my side of the deal I shelved my misgivings and put my best face forward.

We made our way to the front and Seth knocked, the door was answered was by a dimpled smile faced brunette.

"Hello Seth!–" Greeted by said brunette.

What she did next nearly had me panicked as the bloodsucker wrapped her arms around Seth just as I was about to shift Seth wrapped 1 arm around her and patted her shoulder cheerfully saying. "Good to see you too, Mrs. Cullen."

"Now, now Seth none of that formality it makes me feel old – Oh!"

They broke off the hug Seth said to Esme who noticed me: This is my sister Leah sorry I didn't tell you that she's tagging along."

"No worries–" she said "Welcome I'm Esme Cullen pleasure to meet you again." She said offering shake hands.

I politely wave and told her that it was like wise, not that I meant it just being polite.

Edward

"Edward! We've got company!" Esme called out. Coming down stairs I was greeted by Seth and the sight and smell of another wolf.

Seth gave an apologetic as his thoughts told me the reason for Leah's visit, picking up on her thoughts she wasn't boarish nor trying to be enthusiastically friendly just civil for brother's sake. I didn't need my telepathy to see Leah was uncomfortable and prepared to defend her brother at a moment's notice.

Which annoyed me when she sat there on the couch trying to think what to do incase we attacked her and Seth, I wish she'd give us some credit, if we wanted to harm Seth we'd have done that already, not that we'd dream of doing such monstrous thing to her brother.

The lessons began with me since I'm the most recent high School graduate here, I went 1st when I did my part, I deferred to Esme. Teaching lit a passion in Esme. While her true passion was teaching small young children in her 1st life and still is, while she's never hunted humans, knowing how kids can be, she wasn't willing risk attacking innocent children especially with the lose of her child haunting her, she wouldn't inflict such hell on any parent.

Seth teaching was the next best thing, Esme was having the time of her life. When Seth got to his math homework, Esme called: "Rosalie would mind helping Seth with his math?"

Even Rosalie liked Seth despite being a wolf said: "Sure!"

"Oh come on babe, they can handle this." Emmett whined as Rosalie left his side watching Top Gear. She came to where we were working with Emmett in tow holding hands looking all sickly sweet and affectionate. Rosalie looked over Seth's math homework: "This isn't that bad."

"Easy for you to say when you've got a few master's degrees in maths and physics." Emmett said.

"It's not that difficult once you practice applying yourself." Rosalie replied confidently.

Leah mind was trying to reconcile Rosalie supermodel-esque beauty with the image of her being a maths and science geek. Someone who'd be more interested in something artistic and creative than rigid like maths.

"Okay but you've got to admit mixing alphabets with maths is torture I struggle to find motivation to willingly do." Emmett said.

"Oh really– can't find the right motivation?" Rosalie flirtatiously asked.

Emmett smiled: "Maybe you could extensively help me that motivation. He said slyly.

That innuendo had everyone else a bit uncomfortable and when Leah's repulsed thoughts of Christina Ricci's on screen parents popped into my head "Could Gomez and Morticia Addams get a room?!!" I internally chuckled at how apt it described Rosalie and Emmett.

"Mmm Huhmm!" Emse cleared her throat "Perhaps we can give Seth a short break before we continue?" She said giving the couple chastising glare.

"Hey, Seth while we're cooling off –" again looking at the couple, who unsuccessfully tried looking contrite. "–you could look these up." Esme said placing a bunch of brochures.

After requesting Emmett to see what refreshments could be offered to ours guests and Rosalie check out aids for the lesson as a way to separate and distract the couple Esme said: "These are all correspondence courses you could try after your senior year."

"Wow Mrs. C isn't it a bit early to worry about what'll do after high school? I mean Senior year is 2 years away." A surprised Seth said.

"Oh nonsense it's never too early to plan for the future. If you do well you could use the results to maybe get scholarships." Esme said.

"Oh! Well I'll give them a look then." Seth answered.

Glancing at each other longingly and lovingly as they returned for their duties Emmett made sandwiches for our guests which Seth graciously accepted and Leah politely declined, Rosalie brought notes. The lesson continued with Rosalie squarely focused on teaching as the couple kept their behaviour in check but not their thoughts.

Leah trying to be unintrusively invisible watched us like a hawk. Her thoughts on Rosalie and Emmett's PDAs still somewhat repulsed were faintly tinted by an envious longing to experience those displays.