I do not own anything. I don't even own my soul since I signed that to AP English.
However I do own all the grammar mistakes!

"My parents don't just fall out of love like that," he whispered. I barely heard him say that. I took my free hand and stroked Edward's hair.

He didn't talk for a few minutes so I assumed that finished his explanation. I wasn't expecting something like a divorce, in fact I didn't even know what to expect.
"Why are they separated?" I asked him.

He mumbled and then said, "My dad loves his job and his pride. He came from a really wealthy family in England, but they disowned him when they found out he turned down a spot in Cambridge. He basically broke a big family tradition because apparently all the Cullen men went to Cambridge."

"Why?" I asked but I felt like I knew just maybe why. It just seemed right that he would move for Esme.

"He met my mom. She was backpacking through Europe looking at the art and met him in England. He went with her to France and Switzerland and then came back with her to Ohio. They lived with barely anything. I remember my mom telling me this story."

"I like this story so far."

He gave a small grin. "I do too and I'm glad your enjoying it," and then continued talking, "They had nothing. My dad couldn't apply to a college yet because it was too late so he kept trying to get a job. I think he got one illegally though. He applied for medical school and paid with loads of loans and mom got financial aid. They lived in a cramped one-bedroom apartment with no furniture but a bed, a table, and a nightstand. They lived in that, and I quote from my dad, "shithole" for years. They graduated and went to graduate school together. The night after they graduated from undergrad my dad proposed to her with a ten-dollar sterling silver band. They were engaged for years because they didn't have enough money to pay for a wedding, or at least the wedding of my mother's dreams. Dad still needed to pay off his loans too. They finished graduate school and they both started working. Dad eventually paid off his loans and finally bought mom a proper ring."

"Do you think all that was worth it?" I asked him.

He nodded against the dirty wood of the dock. "Call me a hopeless romantic but I think so. I grew up with them and I saw them love and adore each other."

"Do you know what happened to your…biological parents?"

"They told me that I was adopted when I was really little, like maybe two or three. They died in a fire at home."

"Does it make you sad?"

He didn't answer right away but told me that he was sad, but not as much as he thought he would be. "It would have been nice to know them but I have no real connection with them. I don't have any real memories of them acting as my parents. I don't really mourn them like how I would mourn Esme and Carlisle because they're the ones that actually raised me. You know what I'm saying?"

I nodded and realized he never answered my original question. "Why are they separated though? I don't mean to sound prying…"

"My mom was tired of the city. She didn't like the hustle and bustle of it or the materialistic aspect of people. Dad on the other hand was so proud. I guess it was a real ego bruiser on him when he and mom were living in that crappy apartment and he couldn't buy her a real engagement ring, let alone a decent place to live. Mom was happy though but he was raised in a wealthy family. Dad just didn't want to leave because he sees money as stability or something. Mom tried to convince him they were set for life with what they had made as an architect and doctor, but he couldn't let go of it. It was too soon for him. He worked from nothing to the top and he won't let go of that."

"Not even for your mom? He moved from England to be with her though."

"He tried to compromise that. He said that he would try to take more hours off but it never worked out. They separated after Christmas, I remember. Christmas was always really busy at the hospital and even worse during New Years with all the drunken people and accidents. I woke up a few days after New Years and mom was gone. Dad told me I'd see her in the summer. I've been seeing mom during the summer since then. Sometimes I'd come here for winter break because she said that I needed family during Christmas not an empty house because my dad was too busy working."

I checked my cell phone briefly and realized how long we had been here.
"Edward, I'm really, really sorry but we need to go soon to pick up Cynthia."

"Can you just lay next to me for a minute?" he asked me.

I did as he told and I felt his hand leave mine. He shifted onto his side and lifted his arm to splay onto my stomach. He looked at me with all seriousness. I stared back feeling slightly uncomfortable by his boring eyes.

"You're pretty," he told me gently and touched my cheek with the same softness as his voice. "Thank you."

I told him that it was not a big deal and then apologized for how I was being such an ass to him.

"I deserved it. I was just pushing you away. I don't know what to do about the divorce. There's just so much going on."

I just wanted to help him. I wanted Rosalie and Emmett to reconcile. I want Esme and Carlisle to live under the same roof. I wanted Edward to feel a proper smile on his face.

--

"What are you going to do?" I asked him in the car.

"I don't know. I just know that my dad is coming next week with his lawyer so he and mom can deal with divorce proceedings. As for Emmett and Rosalie, I really do not know."

"Why did Rosalie come this year if she and Emmett were broken up?"

"Mom invited her. She told Rosalie that she was still welcomed here. I think Rosalie came here for Emmett though. I see her watching him sometimes."
"It must be hard to be living under the same roof as your love."

"I hear her crying sometimes."

I parked the car and got out to begin searching for Cynthia. "Grab the bear, will you?" I told Edward.

"Bella!" I heard a little girl shout. And then I saw Cynthia running towards me in her tutu and duffel bag flying behind her. "Bella!" she yelled again, "I'm right here!" even though I saw her clearly.

She ran into my full force and I felt Edward react. I managed to get my footing and felt his hand on the small of my back as if he was about to catch me.

Cynthia let go of me and started talking, "Ballet was fun today! Mrs. Flowers taught us how to jeté! She said we'll practice more but she said I was really, really good!" I didn't know what a 'jeté' is but I smiled and nodded.

Edward cleared his throat and I realized his hand was still on my back. "Edward brought you your bear, Cynthia; say thank you."

She took her bear, said a quick thank you, and then asked about ice cream. "I want to see Jasper! I want him to tell me about ponies again!"

All three of us got into the car. "Edward has to meet Jasper too. You and Jasper would be best friends just like me and Bella!"

Edward smiled as Cynthia continued talking about Jasper.

"And Jasper likes, likes Bella!" she all but screamed. The car slightly swerved and Edward looked at me in alarm. I wasn't sure it was because I swerved or because of what Cynthia had just shouted.

It was a short drive and we got out of the car. Cynthia ran out of the car into the ice cream shoppe, while ignoring my warning that she shouldn't run. I could see Jasper through the windows of the store working the cash register. They were a bunch of girls and when Cynthia entered, she pushed her way through them and waved wildly to him. I watched him return her gesture and pull her over the counter.

"Is that Jasper?" Edward nudged me.

"Yeah, the one at the register. Why?"

He shrugged but said it all when he put his arm around my shoulder like it belonged there. It was comforting to feel his hand gently and intimately there.

"What are you doing?" I asked him even though it was clear he was basically pissing on me. Marking his territory, if you will.

We entered the building when the group of girls came out and were giggling loudly. It was very shrilly. We walked in and from behind the counter Cynthia was hopping up and down and Jasper not in sight.

"Hi Bella! Hi Edward!" she yelled, "Jasper hired me! I get to stand behind the counter!"

"Well, how about you scoop me some strawberry ice cream?" I asked her.

She stopped bouncing and pulled her hands to the back. "I don't know how," she admitted sadly.

"I want a banana split," Edward demanded childishly in my ear.

"Shush," I berated him.

Jasper came from the back with an apron. "All right little lady, I found you an apron and now you can get working," then stopped when he saw us and I saw his eyes zero onto Edward's hand on my waist, "I see we got some customers." He tied the oversized apron on Cynthia and handed her a spoon.

"What would you two like?" he asked us.

"Banana split please," I told him when I felt Edward's finger dig gently into my side. Jasper nodded and I paid.

"Alright Cynthia, lets teach you how to scoop properly," and then he turned to Edward and I, "we'll bring your order to you. You don't mind waiting a bit, right?" he looked straight at Edward.

I patted the hand that was on my waist. "Nope."

"I don't like him," Edward said as we sat down.

"Why not? He's very…forward," I said in a lame attempt to compliment Jasper.

"He like, likes you," he echoed Cynthia's words earlier.

"So?"

"It makes me uncomfortable."

"Why does it matter to you who like, likes me?"

"Because he looks and acts like a tool."

"You don't even know him. Now drop this conversation."

He didn't say anything. I thought about our conversation earlier today at the docks. Edward mentioned that Carlisle was coming next week to finish the divorce. "So the divorce is really going down, isn't it?"

Edward nodded. "Yeah. The same thing is just going to happen. I'm going to go back and forth during the year."

"If it's the same then why are you so sad?"

"Because the divorce is like them giving up on each other."

I was going to continue but then a banana split slid between us. It looked a little lopsided but it was a banana split nonetheless. Jasper slid to sit next to me and Cynthia next to Edward.

"I'm Jasper," and he stuck his hand out to Edward.

He looked at the gesture and returned it half-heartedly. "Edward," was his gruff introduction. Edward was being an ass. He didn't try to make conversation or be a part of it but instead just took his scoops of ice cream and banana.

"Pony! Pony! Pony!" Cynthia was chanting. I kind of didn't blame Edward for not partaking in that conversation but I wasn't talking to anyone.

He and I remained quiet except for when Jasper tried to include us—mostly me—into the conversations. I didn't know what had happened except there was just a pissing match going on between Edward and Jasper even though they had only spoke barely five words to one another.

I will never understand boys.

--

We had stayed until closing time and I realized I needed to get Cynthia home for her dinner and bath. And I wanted to talk to Edward more. I was trying for the remainder of the afternoon but Jasper was not leaving me any holes for escape. Edward was fiddling around with the empty bowl with a spoon. Cynthia managed to keep talking bout ponies and Jasper kept entertaining her. I hardly spoke to Edward except for the few people that came into the shoppe for ice cream. Right on cue, Jasper and Cynthia would hop off the booth to go and accommodate their customers.

"Bye Jasper!" Cynthia gave a tired but happy wave. We all waved to him and then began out the door. Edward was carrying Cynthia who looked like she was going to fall asleep any moment.

"Bella, wait!" Jasper called to me. He jogged up to me and I knew what was going to happen. I clumsily threw the keys to Edward who had barely caught it with Cynthia wrapped up on him.

"You didn't call me last night. Don't be shy, you don't have to wait three days or whatever to call."

I wanted to smack myself. He was so self-assured.

"Sorry," I lied, "I was a little occupied with Cynthia."

"Yeah, when is she going back?" he asked me ever so casually.

I was cornered. I would have loved to tell him that she was never going back but he knew that it was impossible. "Tomorrow after ballet," I admitted.

"Alright, I'll just go and drop her off with you after ice cream." He smiled and I just could not bear to reject him. Even if I did I knew he would corner me into agreeing with him.

I smiled at him and then patted his shoulder before walking away. It seemed like a pretty neutral answer until he grabbed my wrist thus forcing me to look at him. I did what he wanted and then he pushed himself on me into an awkward hug.

--

I had finally convinced Cynthia to take a shower when she was protesting to go to bed. I told her she needed to eat before she went to sleep so she went off into the bathroom while I prepared dinner. My mom was still not home but I made her some tacos as well and set them in the fridge. The whole time Edward watched me and we did not talk. I think he was still silently fuming over what had happened with Jasper and I. He didn't say anything the drive home.

Cynthia came down the stairs in her pajamas looking a little less tired but she still ate through her tacos and then went to sleep without much of a fuss. As Edward and I were cleaning up my mom had come home and surprised him and I in the kitchen.

"That's not Jasper," she said from the doorway.

After my erratic heartbeat had stopped and Edward introduced himself I asked told her I made dinner.

"Is that your boyfriend? What happened to Jasper? He was so nice. Why are there so many boys in this house? Isabella, there something you're not telling me? Does Edward know about Jasper? Are you a virgin? Did you lie to me about Cynthia being your kid?"

Mom had been prattling off more questions like a bullet but when I managed to explain everything to her she seemed not so relieved. She seemed very wary especially when she asked me whether it was Edward or Jasper that was Cynthia's father.

"Mom," I whined for the umpteenth time, "I've told you a million times. Edward and Jasper are just my friends. Actually Jasper is barely my friend. Jasper won't stop asking me out." I ignored Edward's fist bunching up.

She polished off the rest of her food and then looked at me sternly. "You're not to have anyone who is not female in this house without my permission. You have to call me whenever you're going out and with whom you're going to be with. Your curfew is ten."

"Mom!" I protested, "It's summer vacation!"

Edward looked out the window as if nothing was happening and something out there caught his attention.

"Fine; Jasper can come over."

"And Edward?"

"No."

"That's bias."

"My house, my rules."

I got up and took Edward hand and led us towards the door.
"I didn't excuse you Isabella," my mother reprimanded sternly.

But I didn't listen to her and just slammed the door. Edward and I didn't go anywhere though but just sat in his car outside of my house.

"I guess I'm not the only one with family problems," he said with his hands on the steering wheel.

"I only have problems when she's around."

"Why?"

"She can't choose when to be a mom and when not to."

"What do you mean?"

"She can't just choose to leave and then pick up and then leave. She'll be gone by next week probably."

"So she just comes and goes?"

"Yeah. She's suppose to be on this road trip or whatever with the housekeepers but she came back."

"Why?"

"I never asked."

And that was the end of our conversation on my mother.

I looked back at the house and saw that the light was still on. She was probably waiting for me to come back so she could "mother" me even more.

It was dark on the street except the spare light posts that gave light to the road. Edward had rolled down some of the windows and the humid air made way into the vehicle.

Edward remembered that he had not finished his story about his parent's pending divorce so he finished.

"There really isn't much left to the story," he warned me.

"I don't care. I want to hear the end of it at least; and it'll kill time so hopefully my mom will be in bed."

"Well I told you that my dad will be coming next week and the divorce will be settled here and then my mom will stay here and dad will be in Chicago and that's it."

"You don't think you can stop them?"

He fiddled around with the steering wheel. "I can't force them to do something they don't want."

--

We talked more of our parents and I told him how my mom tried cooking a few times and how it ended with a fire extinguisher.

"I think she loves you, she just doesn't know how," Edward deduced as I finished my story of how she left me in the Grand Canyon when she saw some jewelry made by Native Americans.

"I don't want her love. She can't choose when to love me and when not to. It's all or nothing, not half-assed."

"So you don't let her love you basically."
"Leave my mommy problems alone. You're not the first to attempt to fix them."

"Alright," and then he got quiet. "So…that was Jasper?"

I knew where this was going and I didn't want to go there. "Yes."

"Are you two dating?" he asked me ever so casually.

"No."

"Okay."

What?

Well this seemed like a lovely place to stop.

Who's still reading?

So now we have:

1. Mommy problems

2. Divorces

3. Jasper

This is not one of my favorite chapters. And I can't be bothered to put in page breaks.

And on not TIOT related notes, I have started a new story but it's not posted. Oh yes indeed. I like thinking of plots and writing them. It will involve a cat named Jacob, just so you know.