The morning after the night before.

Alex let him escort her and didn't bother holding her tongue, voice broken, "I...I need to leave. It's my fault that your family is separating. I'm sorry Edward...I...I can't stay..." Pulling away from him, she took the stairs by herself and went to the room she had woken up in, still in her ruined dress from the fundraiser. Her chest was tight as she tried desperately to leave and go back to her grandmother, knowing she would take her away again.

Emmett received the reactions he expected. However, he did not understand them. Why could his family not see that he was doing this for the better of them. He was doing this to protect them.

"Alex, don't be silly. You and Edward need each other. You are not going back to your grandmother. It is better for me to leave."

With that he brushed past his angry brother and shocked sister and went to tell the love of his life the hardest thing he had ever done.

Esme felt terrible about everything. She went after Alex immediately knowing Carlisle would go after Emmett and caught up with her in her and Carlisle's bedroom. She sat Alex down on the bed and took her hands in hers.

"Alex, Emmett gets emotional about things sometimes without realising, people don't expect it from him, please stay? Edward wants you too" Esme thought about what she said and realised one person wanting her around wasn't going to be enough. Alex needed to feel accepted.

"We'd all like you to stay. I'd feel awful if you went back to that house alone, let us take care of you" Esme was being genuinely sincere, and the look on Alex's face told Esme that she believed her. Esme could only hope Alex accepted her offer for everyone's sanity, especially Edwards.

Alex did believe Esme, she had to otherwise why would she have still been there. She let her hold her hands as she bit her bottom lip, lowering her head. Taking a deep breath, she spoke in a broken voice, "But...I'm tearing your family apart...even if it's what Edward wants....I can't let him lose his brother and sister because of me...It's...not fair...to anyone...I'm just a human anyways...I don't belong..."

Esme shook her head to shush Alex. She knew Alex wouldn't have been the only reason Emmett wanted to get away, all of her children were spontaneous and would do whatever they wanted anyway.

"You will stay in here, the guest room, I'd imagine your grandmother will call when she is back from France. It's just temporary, I'd like to know you're being looked after. My husband will want to keep an eye on you" Esme realised that Edward hadn't even introduced anyone to Alex, she knew he was tied up in his emotions and that he wasn't being rude. Esme smiled at Alex.

"I'm Esme, welcome to my home" Alex smiled back at Esme, she felt a little welcomed, it was worth staying at the Cullen's for a few days and seeing how things went, it certainly beat being at home on her own.

She nodded slowly and lowered her head again, "I just feel like I'm being a burden...I don't want to trouble anyone..." Glancing at her clothes, she frowned, "Is it possible that I can take a shower? I feel disgusting with all this dried blood and Edward mentioned rechecking my hand...I apparently cut it worse that I thought..."

Esme nodded at Alex's requests. She pointed to where the bathroom was and where she could find the towels.

"Let us know when you've showered, Carlisle will come and check your hand, he's a rather talented doctor" she smiled, thinking about her husbands career" Esme rose to her feet and left the room to allow Alex to freshen up. She reached the lounge to meet Carlisle's gaze and told him Alexandria was feeling much better and would be down to see them shortly.

Edward stood where he was left on the stairs and listened to the voices and thoughts around him. he felt immensely guilty and suddenly on edge. he ran his hands through his hair before he moved to head to his room, making it a point to not look at anyone. he shut his bedroom door and leaned against it, sighing a little in relief. he didnt like the thought that a girl could simply come into his well ordered life and upset things so easily, but he had no idea how to fix it. he felt useless and helpless.

Alex finished her shower a half hour later, putting on the clothes that had been left for her: a pair of low-rise pink sweats with lavender stripes and a white spaghetti strap shirt. Towel drying her hair, she let it dry on its own after running a brush through it. She took the wet bandages off her hand and threw it in the trash before leaving the bathroom and padding barefoot through the house. When she was sure she had found Edward's room, she knocked quietly before going in and shutting it behind her. She kept her head down as she spoke quietly, "Um...Esme...wants me to stay...and considering what's been going on since my arrival...I...I don't think it's such a good idea. I don't want to be a burden to anyone and I don't want to tear apart your family....I'm not worth it...you don't need to lose your family over me..."

Edward was in his room reading a large hardbound black book when she came in. the spin identified it as the complete stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe. he looked up at her when she began top speak, then slowly set his book aside, not bothering to mark the page. Perfect recall. his face grew strangely calm as he listened to her, but there was a tenseness to him. when she finished he took a deep breath before replying. "I want you to stay....you dont have to worry about my family. We all go off on our own from time to time. We're not really breaking apart...*he got up slowly, sighing and walked to his stereo. he put on a blend of soft, soothing classical piano music. he stayed facing the stereo as he spoke again. "Please...stay. The thought....of you leaving.....it's just....it's...*he sighed heavily, sounding frustrated and turned to face her. his eyes seemed more fierce now and there was a hard set to his jaw* I can't stand it. I want you close to me....always...8he frowned some then and looked uncomfortable, as if he was afraid of what she would think, or say, and he looked down towards the floor.

She was a bit tense as she listened to him, afraid that if she looked in his eyes she would completely break down. Keeping her head down, she nodded as he finished and spoke quietly, "I...I'll stay....but when Grams comes home....then I'll be back home....I don't have a choice when she's in town..." Her hair was falling around her face and hiding it as well as her eyes, making her appear shy, which she was at that point in time.

He seemed unconcerned about that fact on the outside, but inside his blood boiled. the very thought of her being away from him for even an instant right now was almost too much for him to take. he swallowed his strong emotions down however, showing only calm. he knew she would not be alone at her grandmothers house. he would be there every moment he could.