Disclaimer: Any and all characters, songs, etc belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Salix caprea is my miracle worker. She pre-reads and makes the story easier to read! Thank you!

Couldn't leave my beautiful lovely readers hanging!

Chapter Playlist:

Apologize by OneRepublic

Everything Changes by Staind

*XO*XO*XO*

Bella groaned groggily, letting her eyes open slowly; she sucked in a sharp breath and swung her body forward. Her eyes darted to her side and saw Edward's glowing green eyes staring at her.

It was morning and the sun was leaking through the closed blinds, she could tell it was raining. The drops fell and slapped like musicians fingers against the window.

She cried out and covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes meeting his with remorse, her face was still covered in the black greasy smudged makeup.

She let her hand drop and reached for him with both hands, her chin quivering.

"Oh my God, Edward," she cried. "Are you okay?"

He still didn't say anything as her hands just ghosted over his painfully bruised body.

When he didn't say anything Bella lifted her eyes back to his with frantic features filling her face.

He closed his eyes and took a really painful deep breath. Then he slowly slid them open and gripped her hands in his.

"Bella, what the hell were you thinking?" he seethed and sat up wincing not allowing her touch him. He leaned back against his headboard.

She shook her head and let her tears fall. "I don't know, I wasn't …I wasn't thinking."

Edward bit down, making his jaw flex as he narrowed his eyes at her.

"You lied to me Bella," he accused with obvious distaste dripping from his tongue.

She kept shaking her head and glanced away from his much betrayed gaze.

"I'm sorry," she breathed dropping her head in shame.

He still held her hands in his.

"Why?" he whispered angrily after a few moments of silence.

Then she lifted her eyes and the tears slowed, her eyes were furious.

She yanked her hands away from his, and stood from the bed.

"Do you think I like hearing the shit they say and do to you?" she fumed and reached up to grip her hair. "Then I had to see it with my eyes…Oh my God, Edward."

She paced gathering her thoughts as Edward just watched, his face was twisted in rage.

"This …last night just shows me that we need to leave Forks, Edward," she blurted, but didn't look at him. "I can't…I can't ever see that again, and it will happen every time you step outside that goddamn door. Its disgusting Edward, these people. You don't deserve it, and I won't allow it anymore. I refuse to let you live like this."

This time she stopped at the foot of the bed as his bedroom door was opened slowly with Emmett poking his head in.

Edward paid no attention, and neither did Bella.

In his fury Edward placed his feet on the ground in an obvious painful effort and stood.

"Don't think for one second I will leave my goddamn family for you, Bella!"

Bella shook her head, her face turning red. She stomped her foot and her whole body shook in her disbelief.

"I left my parents, Edward; I left them in Phoenix because I moved forward. I had to leave because I need to live!" she screamed, causing the rest of the occupants to come to the door.

"That's not the same thing, Bella!" Edward hollered back defiantly. His fists curled to his sides, and his head ached.

Bella contorted her face and jutted out her chin, her eyes black with rage. How dare he!

"Why is that, huh? Because I was a senior in high school? Or is it because I didn't let it consume me?"

Edward swayed back as if she just dealt him a blow.

Bella continued letting all her emotions erupt through her words.

"Don't you see it, Edward? I can be your family! Me!" Bella choked out and emphasized this by placing her open palms on her heaving chest. "You are what I have now… you…beautiful you. I am breathing, I am here today, and I will be here tomorrow and everyday after that. I am right here. You can't do this to yourself, its killing me, Edward."

Her eyes beseeched him, he needed to understand.

"I am moving out of this town when graduation comes in under a month. I want Ace and Rose to come with me because they don't deserve this place either," Bella swiped at her face as tears started falling, thinking of what the people she has fallen in love with have had to endure in this town. "But most of all I want you to come with me… live a life with me. I want to give you the world if you would just let me, but I can't make you want that with me out there Edward."

Edward's shoulders hunched forward. Then he let his eyes fall to the ground in front of him.

"Get out," he whispered.

Bella sucked in a sharp breath and nodded walking out, slamming the door behind her.

She stomped out of the front door and began her trek by foot to Esme's.

*XO*XO*XO*

Emmett stood in front of the door as he shifted from foot to foot.

He timidly knocked, wanting to check on Edward.

When he heard no response he slipped his fingers around the knob and pushed the door open.

His head peeked in as his eyes swept over Edward's defeated form.

Jasper stood behind Emmett wanting to finally meet The Edward Masen.

Emmett and Jasper McCarty knew exactly who he was.

They heard the tales and rumors all the way over in Port Angeles.

They didn't believe a single one.

Ace and Rose filled them in the blanks about last night, and they gained more insight into the mysterious young man.

Emmett stepped in and cleared his throat to grab Edward's attention.

Edward's pained eyes lifted and widened at the strange man standing in his home, and then his eyes darted over to the blonde standing behind him.

His eyes widened panicked as he braced himself for whatever bullshit was coming his way.

Emmett gave him a warm smile and held out his massive hand.

"Hello, I'm Emmett McCarty, and this is my little brother Jasper. Please don't be alarmed, Alice called for our help last night. Q was adopted from the shelter we work at," Emmett explained gently dropping his hand.

Edward hesitated before Ace stepped around the brothers her eyes shimmering with remorse.

Edward's face flashed with anger.

"They fixed you and Q up Edward, it's okay," she let her eyes fall as tears started to stream down her cheeks. "It was entirely my fault, Edward. I made the decision to do what we did last night, it was all my idea. I told Bella and Rose not to tell you. I am so sorry."

He shook his head. "You lied to me Ace. I know exactly where you stand with me, I always have. We have used each other because we're both pathetic, but I thought we could at least trust each other," Edward spat.

His emotions were surging like a tidal wave. Every goddamn part of himself exploding with overwhelming sensations, he couldn't control them at all.

Ace nodded in agreement that she was pathetic and wiped at her face.

"I want you to leave," he said forcefully.

Ace let her shoulders slump as she ambled away, quietly crying.

Jasper ran his hand along her back as she passed whispering his comfort. Her swollen eyes met his and he saw her gratitude before she walked out the front door too. Rose followed silently as she held Q.

Then Edward's weary eyes gazed at the two brothers still standing in his doorway.

Jasper strolled forward and held out his hand. Edward just looked at him. His faith in other people obviously diminished.

Jasper accepted it as it was, but was fascinated to learn about the real Edward Masen.

"I think we should report those kids," Jasper said nodding towards Edward's bruised and battered body. He was black, blue and swollen.

Edward snorted and glared at Jasper.

"Yeah call them up Jasper, be my guest. Here, let me get them on the phone for you. Let them know the Beast of Forks was pummeled by a group of intoxicated high school students for no reason," Edward spat sarcastically. "Do it and I will get arrested and end up with a broken wrist and dislocated shoulder."

Emmett swallowed harshly, knowing that Edward was being completely truthful. That was exactly what would happen, Edward has obviously been through it before.

"Holy shit," Jasper breathed, knowing Edward wasn't joking at all.

"Can I have a look at your ribs and head?" Emmett asked soothingly.

Edward shook his head, his glare still in full effect.

"I have had far worse, I don't want your sympathy," Edward said tersely, keeping his stance tense.

Emmett conceded and nodded slightly.

"Can we help with anything?" Jasper asked, finding nothing but compassion for this obviously ill-treated man.

Edward stared at him for awhile with confusion and anger. He didn't want these people to pity him and treat him like a charity case.

Why the hell were these men talking to him like this?

They were also looking Edward in the eye…What the hell?

"Look, Edward we have the weekend off and we would like to get to know you, so can we hang here? I know the girls left, but they were worried sick all night. Once everything settles down some we should take you to see Bella. I don't fully understand what's going on, but I would like to make sure you're okay…" Emmett trailed of when he saw Edward visibly seething.

"Get the fuck out of my house!" Edward bellowed as he swiped his hands across his dresser angrily knocking various papers and trinkets off.

Emmett nodded and raised his hands in a surrender move. "Alright, when you need us we'll be right outside," Emmett gestured to the front door as he started walking towards it.

Jasper gave a small wave to Edward and followed his brother.

Edward glowered at the retreating pair and when the front door closed behind them, he let himself fall apart.

*XO*XO*XO*

Bella was bawling openly as she walked down the road back to Esme's. She was soaked by the downpour as she wrapped her arms across her chest.

She heard the distinct sound of Ace's truck pull up beside her and park.

Bella stopped and stood there. Her nose was stuffed and she felt like her chest couldn't get enough air.

Turning on her heel Bella opened the truck's door and hopped in.

No one said anything as they drove towards Esme's.

Ace parked the truck and turned it off.

They all just sat and stared.

Q nuzzled against Rose as he fell asleep.

After what seemed like hours Bella reached over for the door handle and pushed the door open with her shoulder.

She climbed down and left the door open as she stepped to the front door and strolled inside.

She ran upstairs and started the shower.

Yanking the clothes off, she heard some seams tear in her hurry.

She stepped inside the shower and just stood there letting the extra hot water burn off the guilt, frustration, and hurt.

Then with a scream she started pounding her curled fists along the tiled walls of the shower.

She hated herself.

She loathed herself.

Her bathroom door tore open as Rose yanked back the shower curtain.

She turned off the scalding water and watched as Bella lost herself, she was punishing herself.

Rose carefully wrapped her arms around Bella as her knuckles started bleeding.

"Shhhh, its okay Bella," Rose whispered and pulled Bella to her.

Rose reached quickly for the dark green towel on the towel rack next to them.

She wrapped it around Bella and pulled them both to the ground.

"He's going to forgive you," Rose promised knowing Edward loved Bella unequivocally. He could never live without her. Just the way Edward's entire being glowed whenever she was around it was obvious to even the most untrained eye.

"I can't forgive me," Bella whispered brokenly.

Rose shook her head. "Yes you can, and you will. He's okay Bella, and he will come around. Just give it time."

Bella just sniffled as Rose moved away for gauze and antiseptic. Rose cleaned Bella's knuckles as Bella sat in silence.

"Do you think he will let me take him away from here?" Bella asked softly as Rose finished up. Rose could hear the hope in Bella's voice.

Rose stood and helped Bella up.

Bella walked to her bedroom and dug around for clothes to wear in one of her unpacked boxes.

Rose grabbed her clothes and grabbed a towel, getting ready to shower herself.

"I want to be his family, Rose; I want to give him everything…" Bella trailed off as she dressed.

"Do you think he hasn't received any reconstructive surgery because he just… wanted to live like this the rest of his life? Is he a masochist? Do you think he would want surgery so he can have a semi normal life on the outside?" Bella rambled quietly.

Rose just stood in the doorway, her face patient as she let Bella release her rampant emotions.

When Bella lifted her questioning gaze to Rose, she answered.

"I think Edward would follow you anywhere. I also think Edward hasn't had anyone like you to support a life outside of what he built for himself. This is his world Bella, it's all he knows…and it's terrible, but true. Have some faith, it's kept him alive all these years," Rose answered honestly, still not understanding how Edward went through what he had and still have a gentle soul.

Bella closed her eyes and took a deep shaky breath.

Rose went to take a shower as Bella sorted through her thoughts.

It was around noon as the girls sat freshly showered, eating in the living room in quiet.

The T.V. was on with no one watching.

Bella was rubbing Q's belly as he let his tongue hang out lazily.

She laughed at him for looking so silly.

Then the sound of a grumbling engine cut through the living room making all three tense.

Bella stood quickly, as Q became alert. She jogged over to the large window that overlooked the driveway and saw Emmett's truck.

Her hope swelled in her chest because she saw Edward climbing out with his ever present hat pulled low.

She ran to the door and yanked it open.

Edward's head shot up and his eyes locked with hers.

It's been a few hours since she saw him, and she was miserable.

Her lungs felt full now.

She could breathe.

Emmett and Jasper stepped out, but hung back in silence.

Ace and Rose still stood at the window.

Edward staggered to Bella with his unique gait as she stepped out onto the porch.

"Bella," Edward whispered reverently and stepped up to her.

He shook his head, his eyes wide and cautious.

"I am so sorry," he apologized, and anxiously held out his arms so he could pull her to him.

Bella furrowed her brow and stepped forward quickly to embrace him.

"Never apologize to me again," she said honestly with an edge to her voice, pulling off his cap and dropping it. She wanted to feel his hair. Her hands ran through the hair on the back of his neck.

He grinned and wrapped his arms around her as he closed his eyes.

They stood there swaying slightly from side to side, forgiving themselves and each other.

Edward pulled away finally and reached up, the backs of his fingers swept Bella's hair back as he cupped her face and kissed her lips.

Bella sighed in contentment and wrapped her arms around his back pulling him flush to her.

When their lips parted their eyes opened and they pulled back.

Her brown eyes melted into his verdant stare.

"I want to live my life with you Bella, I just don't know how…" he trailed off his eyes pleading with her.

"Then let me show you," Bella spoke softly.

He squeezed his eyes shut and let all his thoughts drift away to a dull buzz.

When he opened them, his resolve was a little clearer, he could make no promises that he was ready to move away from his family, but he would try for Bella.

"I'll try, Bella," he promised.

Besides he has waited all these years for her, he couldn't let her get away that easily.

*XO*XO*XO*

Alright so what do you think about their emotional blowout! These two have some tempers!

Sorry it wasn't very angsty!