just-my-baby-daddy-pdf

Just my Baby Daddy
By: Lolo84
Summary: "So, you have a kid?" He asks. "And you live with your best friend? Who
happens to be a dude?" I nod, and answer, "That would be correct." "Isn't that
weird?" I smirk. Wait for it! "No weirder than the fact he's also my son's father."
Needless to say, my date comes to a screeching halt. BPOV. Family/Humor.
Drabble
This was written as a special thanks, to my Beta AJasper ForMe, and my bevy
of pre-readers (new and old) Shades Of Purple, Twiddler83, Vancouver-
Canuck-Girl, and KimberlyAnn T.
-x- 1 -x-
Looking around at the swanky restaurant, I sigh, knowing my night's about to come
to an end. It's my third date with this guy, and though he knew some of what I just
told him already, it's clear he's just now putting it all together. Being that it is the third
date, it's clear he must have assumed he was going to get an invitation inside
tonight—prompting him to ask about my exact living arrangements.
"So, you have a kid?"
"Yup!"

"And you live with your best friend? Who happens to be a dude?"
I nod, resisting the urge to roll my eyes and scream: 'You already know this!' "That
would be correct."
"Isn't that weird?"
I smirk, because here it is, the part he doesn't know. "No weirder than the fact he's
also my son's father."
And it's gonna click in 3, 2 . . .
His eyes widen.
He chokes on a bit of air.
And like clockwork his mouth opens and closes like a fish.
I swear it's like that movie Groundhog Day. Reliving the same day over and over
again, only this is the same date and same reaction with just a different participant.
I know he's going to bolt, they all do. But regardless, I try and play it cool and
reassure him. "It's no big deal really," I explain, with a nonchalant shrug. "Edward
and I grew up together. One night things just ... happened."
"One night?" he—my date Sam—repeats, incredulous. "You expect me to believe
this guy you grew up with, that you live and have a kid with, you only slept with
once? And there's nothing else going on with you two?"
"Believe it!"
-x- 2 -x-
Needless to say, my night comes to a screeching halt and the waitress comes back
with our check in record time. When we get to my building, Sam barely slows down
before wishing me a good night. I'm sure if he could get away with it, he would've
shoved me out of the car.
Dickhead!
I walk up into my apartment, shoulders a little slumped.
"Bad date?"

I snort and look up to see Edward—yes, the previously mentioned father of my
son—lying on the couch with our baby sleeping on his chest. A smile automatically
creeps up on my face. My dating life sucks but coming home to this, my two boys,
makes it worth it.
"How long has he been out?" I whisper, walking on the tips of my toes closer to
them.
"Yeah, right." Edward snorts, and pokes our son in the side, eliciting a small, sleepy
giggle.
"Shoulda known it was too good to be true."
"He did sleep earlier though."
"That's good," I lie. He's not one for naps, so his sleeping earlier in the day means
he's going to be up all night. And his father sleeps like the dead so I'm gonna be the
one who's kept up.
"So, how was the date?" Edward asks, sitting up to make room for me.
I chuckle. It's actually a sincere one 'cause I can't help but find the humor in this
situation. "Well, Sam couldn't get out of there fast enough. Didn't bother with an 'I'll
call you later' either."
"Sucks."
"Tell me about it." I flop on the couch. When I look over and see him smiling, I
almost elbow him in the gut. "Don't look so damn smug."
"Hey, I don't want you hurt, but I did warn you the guy was a jackass."
"That you did. I just wanted you to be wrong."
"Noooo . . . you wanted to be right, there's a difference."
"Whatever," I grumble. Maybe I did want to be right; so what. "Come on EJ, let's go
night night in Mommy's room," I coo, reaching for him in attempt to one, actually get
him to bed, and two, put an end to this conversation.
"Hey—" Edward grabs my wrist as I stand up "—you'll find someone who doesn't
give a shit about our situation. I promise."

-x- 3 -x-
"I think today's a good beach day!" Edward proclaims, the next weekend, and I look
over at him.
Blank stare.
Eyebrows raised.
Deadpan voice.
"We live in Florida, it's always a beach day."
"Not true. What about when it rains?"
"It rains for like five minutes."
"Not during hurricane season," he argues. Here we go.
"Even then, we still see moron's at the beach when we drive by."
"An idiot's beach day isn't the same as a normal person's beach day. And today is a
good day to go to the beach."
"Alright, have fun then."
He purses his lips. "That was my way of saying we should go to the beach. Me, you,
and EJ." I scrunch up my nose, not too sure about this plan. It might not make sense
to some, but it's almost too hot to go to the beach. I've been known to get burned
just hanging out on our balcony.
With the indecision clear on my face, Edward steps it up a notch. "Come on." It
comes out like a big ass baby's whine. "Look at him—" he points to our boy "—he
looks so bored."
I look over and can't help but to bust out laughing. Somehow, he's positioned himself
on his little toddler sofa chair, kind of upside down, legs spread awkwardly and with
a complete blank expression on his face.
My laugh makes him look up.
"Ma!"
"Hey, baby boy." I reach my arms out for him to walk over to me.

He tries to untangle himself and a look crosses on Edward's face as he walks over,
picks up EJ and whispers something in his ears.
"Bish."
My laughing stops and I look up at Edward. "Did he just call me a bitch?"
Now he's laughing. 'Cause clearly getting our toddler to cuss is funny. "No." He's still
laughing.
"Bish!" EJ squeals it out again, making his dad laugh harder. This continues on a
couple more times, as I try and force myself not to join in.
I cross my arms. "EJ, no," I tell him. "Bad word."
"Beach, Bella." Edward finally speaks up. "I told him to say beach."
Oh!
-x- 4 -x-
"Alright, I think I have everything," I announce loud enough for Edward to hear. I'm in
my room, and he's in EJ's getting him ready. I think.
"Ya positive? I'm sure you forgot something."
Turning around, I see him standing in my bedroom doorway, a look of disbelief on
his face.
"Was that sarcasm?"
"Not at all." He smirks. "I fully believe we need all of this." He fans his hands out,
gesturing to everything I've packed.
"I just wanna be sure, that's all," I tell him defensively and look around at everything.
Sunscreen, beach chairs, an umbrella, a few towels, sunscreen, extra Swimmers,
food, water.
What else? What else?
"Toys! Grab the little buckets and shovels."
"Why?"

"So EJ can play with them." Duh!
"He needs to actually swim this time."
"That's on you," I tell him, sternly. "I'd like to keep my hair. And I'd also like to not
flash the beach goers, thank you very much."
Getting EJ to actually swim—in the ocean—is yet to happen. In the pool, he's like a
little mermaid. Bring him in front of a vast body of water, though? Shrieking and
wailing, that's all we get. Oh, and him holding onto my hair for dear life, or pulling
down my bikini top.
Laughter. That's what I get in response. No sympathy. Grr!
"Anyway," I interrupt him, pointing at everything. "Let's get this show on the road. I'll
get EJ. You get the stuff. Chop chop!" I clap. And I hightail it out of my room before
he can complain.
"Oh my God, how cute are you!" I squeal, when I walk into EJ's room. It's actually
kind of embarrassing—the octave I was just able to reach— but my boy . . . gah,
baby model material, I tell ya. And no I'm not just saying that 'cause I'm his mom.
xXx
Reddish brown hair, green eyes, dimples for days—yup that describes EJ to a T. He
looks exactly like his father in an almost creepy way, though. And coupled with the
little blue and green swim trunks Edward put him in with a matching hat . . .
"Mamamama! Up!" He's reaching out of his crib to get to me, but that has to wait. I
need a camera.
A few snaps with the digital, then some on my phone, which are promptly emailed
and texted to everyone I know, and we're ready. By the time I get him out of his crib,
EJ is thoroughly annoyed with me and reaches for his dad as soon as we're in the
living room.
"Want me to carry you, buddy?"
Nice try! "No, you still need to carry those things. He's going in his stroller."
"You're mean."
"It's like a two minute walk. You'll live."

"Says the woman who thinks we need all this shit when we're only gonna be two
minutes away from home."
I give him a look but don't call him out on his choice of words. "Do you wanna run
back and forth? Or just take everything we need at once?" Silence. "That's what I
thought."
"If we do end up needing anything, I could always just send Emmett."
"Why would you send Emmett?" See, I'm not always slow but in this moment I am.
"Uh . . . because I invited everyone to come?"
I gulp. "Including Rose and Alice?"
"Of course."
"Shit!"
"Sit!"
I face palm. Of course EJ repeats it when I say it.
My phone's been acting up.
I shake my head, that won't work.
It's disconnected.
-x- 5 -x-
Even lamer. They know Edward would never let that happen.
EJ threw it in the toilet!
I look down at him happily gabbing to himself in his stroller. Can I really pawn off the
reason I've been ignoring my sisters on my 22 month old son?
Why yes, yes I can.
"It won't work," Edward says.
"What won't?"

"Whatever excuse you're thinking of for ignoring Rose and Alice. It won't work."
"How'd you . . . never mind." I look over at him with a scowl but inside I'm smiling a
little.
The boy knows me like nobody's business. I don't question him when he does things
like that and seems to know what I'm thinking before I even do. Though I have a
special relationship with my sisters—one that has me a little scared how they'll react
with me ignoring them all week—he's easily my best friend.
"Not sure if this is one of your weird 'sister' things, but why are you avoiding them
anyway?"
I sigh. "They don't know me and Sam . . ." broke up? No that's not the words. "Didn't
work out."
"Okay?"
"And once they do find out, they'll want to set me up with someone else. Rose is the
one who introduced me to Sam in the first place. I'm sure Alice has someone waiting
in the wings."
"I hope not."
"What?"
"What, what?"
"You said 'I hope not'. Why?"
He hesitates. "I mean . . . I hope not 'cause it's clear they don't have the best taste in
men."
"I'll be sure to tell Jasper and Emmett that," I tease.
"You know what I mean. Sam isn't the first lame ass they tried hooking you up with. I
just wish—for your sake of course—that they'd stop."
I don't buy it, but I let it go as we make our way to the beach.
-x- 6 -x-

"This spot's good." I point. The beach isn't overly crowded today—I'm telling you it's
just too hot—so we're able to easily find a space big enough to accommodate
everyone.
As Edward's getting things set up, meaning the chairs and massive umbrella, and
I'm readjusting EJ's hat, my phone starts ringing. I stare at it wide-eyed, not wanting
to answer. It's my sister's tone. Which one, I'm not sure because they have the same
one.
If my sister's in trouble,
I will always help her out.
If my sister's in trouble,
I will turn the world around.
I will fight for her right
No matter where the trouble seems to lie
If my sister's in trouble so am I.
"I know you hear your phone ringing. I'm glad to see it still works."
The hairs on the back of my neck rise. Her voice is just so chilling when she's mad.
"Rosie!" I turn around with a big smile. "How are you?"
Big blue eyes glare back at my brown ones. "I'm fine, actually. And you would know
that had you not been avoiding us all week."
"Avoiding you?" My hands fly to my chest, and yes, I even gasp a little. "Now why
would I do that? That's just—"
With a raised hand and a slow shake of her head, she stops me. "Please stop that.
I'm getting a headache from your horrible acting."
"Don't mind me," Emmett McCarty, her fiancé of a million years walks up. "I'm just
carrying Emma and all the crap you felt we needed to bring. Look, see, I told you
they would already bring an umbrella. Hey, Bella."
"I think it's a Swan woman thing," Edward jumps in, taking my six month old niece
from him and helping him with their things. "I swear they don't feel content unless
they pack up the whole house."
As the men continue to discuss us as if we're not standing right here, Rose and I
look over at both of them, eyes rolled and not impressed. "Anyyywaaay," she says.
"I know, right!"

"Listen, I was trying to call you because—"
"You wanted to be a jerk and show me you know my phone is on?"
"That—" she nods, "—and also 'cause I didn't see you until I heard the ringtone. I
wanted to warn you. Alice is coming with—"
She's cut off by the high-pitched and shrill greeting of the person I know she was
trying to warn me against. Composing myself, I turn to greet her, then stop short.
"Mom, really? A flask?"
Our beach outing is ... interesting.
-x- 7 -x-
My mom's going through—what the girls and I like to call—her second mid-life crisis.
The first one happened about six years ago when our sister Alice got pregnant with
her first child. I was a senior in high school, and she had just started her first year in
college, when her and her perpetual on again off again boyfriend Jasper Whitlock
made the announcement.
At the ripe—old to her—age of 43, and now becoming a grandmother, my mom was
more concerned about preserving her youth than she was at reaming Alice a new
one about being barely out of high school and getting ready to have a baby.
Now, we suspect this second round of panic is stemming from her nearing her 50th
birthday, but we can't be sure. And although she looks amazing for her age, and is
often taken for the 4th sister, she's clearly panicked and in constant need of
reassurance. Lately, she's like the geriatric version of 'Girls Gone Wild'. It's pretty
damn unsettling if you ask me.
"Mom, sit down," Alice snaps at her. "You're bikini top, if that's what you want to call
it, is on just fine. You don't need to keep readjusting it. Dad, can you please . . ."
"You look great, honey," he tells her, not looking up from his laptop. I frown. Not
giving your attention hungry wife . . . well, attention, is never a good combination.
"Uh, Carlisle." Edward clears his throat, giving my dad a pointed look when he pries
his eyes away from his lap. They have some sort of silent communication for a
minute or so before my dad reaches out to pull my mom to sit on his lap. It's a
simple gesture, but it has my mother grinning from ear-to-ear.

With her feeling sated, and not making a spectacle of herself, we go back to
focusing on the kids.
My nephew, Alistair, Alice and Jasper's five year old, is playing nicely with EJ—
building small sand castles and letting him knock them down. While Emma's
bouncing on Rosalie's legs and Ray, Alice's three year old—whose real name is
Rathbone, but I refuse to call him that— is . . .
"Where's Ray?"
She points to him standing near the shoreline, Jasper standing next to him. I nod,
letting her know I see them. With the sight of them near the water, Edward
remembers his plan and decides it's time to experiment with EJ and the ocean.
With a quick 'good luck' from me, he whisks him away and I watch as my poor baby
screeches like he's being brought to his death.
-x- 8 -x-
"Say goodnight to dada," I try and coax EJ later that night, but he's not having it.
With a little scowl in Edward's direction—and the look of devastation mixed with
betrayal laced on his face— he burrows his head in my neck. It's clear he's not over
the beach incident.
"You would have thought he was born somewhere else," Edward grumbles and I
laugh, popping a quick kiss on his chin—'cause that's all I can reach. He's a tall one.
"He'll get over it! At least he likes the pool," I remind him, knowing how important it is
for him that EJ takes well to swimming.
With the day he had, it takes mere minutes before EJ is out like a light. After settling
him to sleep, I make my way back to the living room. I find Edward sitting on the
couch, with the TV off and his head thrown back against the back. He looks up when
he hears me coming in, offering a small smile.
"Did you have a good time today?" I ask softly, not wanting to further disturb him.
He nods. "I did. It's always a good time having everyone together." I smile at that.
Edward values time with my family almost more than I do. It's the difference between
having to deal with them by choice versus obligation.
"It would have been better if my mom wasn't . . . ya know, her."

"Esme means no harm," he tells me reassuringly. "According to your dad, Charlie's
new girlfriend has her feeling a little insecure."
"My uncle Charlie?"
"Do you know more than one?"
"No, I mean. I'm just shocked you said he has a girlfriend is all." My uncle Charlie—
who's also my godfather—is a trip. Where my dad has the classic blond hair, blue
eyes, and handsome 'boy next door' look—Rosalie looks just like him in case you're
wondering—my uncle Charlie, his younger brother, has the whole 'tall, dark, and
handsome' thing down pat. I take after that side of the family.
With that knowledge of his good looks, he's been a perpetual bachelor and has
shown no interest of ever settling down. So this girlfriend thing comes as a pleasant
surprise; at least to me.
"Yeah. Her name's Renee, I think. And I guess she's kind of young and—" he lifts up
his hands, as if holding something and lets them hover over his chest.
"Young and has big boobs?"
"Yup! And guess who commented on them."
I smack my forehead. "Please say it wasn't my father."
"Oh, but it was." He laughs. "I don't think he meant any harm by it, and I'm sure he
wasn't trying to flirt with her. He was probably just appreciating the craftsmanship."
I punch his shoulder. "Don't be a pig."
"What? I'm just saying. Your dad's a plastic surgeon. He was probably legit just
commenting on them."
"Okay, that's enough out of you." I don't like thinking of all the breasts my dad sees
or him commenting on them. However, I am intrigued. I need to meet this Renee.
"Alright, let's call this meeting to order."
-x- 9 -x-
We all look up, giving Edward our full attention. It's that quarterly time of year, and
being that he handles the books for our company, he's in his zone. And we all listen

on intently, as he highlights the up and downs of our last quarter. When he's done
letting us know about our numbers, he nods to me and I let everyone know about
the new merchandise I've considered ordering and how it will affect the budget
Edward just discussed. Alice and Rosalie inform us of some staffing issues we need
to discuss by the next regular staff meeting and then we call it a day.
As soon as everyone's out of the boardroom, I rip my heels off and put my feet up on
the chair. I only have to dress up for these meetings and I hate it. Regular work days
at the store don't call for the hoopla.
"I'm gonna go get EJ from your mom's and then head home. You girls have some
things you need to discuss, right?"
"Yeah." I nod. I need to find out more about this 'staffing' thing.
Popping a quick kiss on my forehead, Edward bids the girls a goodnight, and tells
me he's in the mood for Chinese, so to expect that for dinner when I get home.
"Okay." I look to the girls once he's gone. "What's this about needing to hire new
girls?" We just went through a hiring phase.
"The girls she brought in last month—" Alice points to Rose "—are lazy asses."
I look over at Rose for confirmation or denial. Alice is known to have really high
standards, so before I react, I need to know for sure. Rose nods sadly. "Their
resumes were good. I had no reason to think I needed to be micromanaging anyone
still."
"And when I stepped in and tried to redirect one, Iana, I think her name was. She
was a total bitch," Alice says, reinserting herself into the conversation. "Wanna know
what she said?"
Not really. "Sure."
"She said I have no right to tell her what to do. As far as she was concerned, I was
playing boss but had no more say than she did 'cause I didn't earn my job. It's my
granddaddy's company after all."
"Irina said that to you?" Rose asks in disbelief. "Damn she was always so nice
whenever I was around."
"That's 'cause you hired her. She knew what clout you had. She just assumed I was
your sister and pulling rank when I had no right to. Sure changed her mind when I
fired her ass."

Even though as the Business Manager of 'Beautiful Swan Boutiques', I should have
been the one to do the hiring and firing, I often had Alice and Rosalie take the lead
in that regard. I handled the back end stuff, but they were on the floor with these
girls. They needed to get along with them.
Had I been there when this Irina chick said that to Alice though, things would have
gone a whole other way. In not so many words, I would have lost my shit. Nothing
grates on my nerves more than people who think we haven't worked hard to get
anything we have.
Yes, she was on the right track—our grandfather did start this company and in that
time it's expanded into several chains—but that's not how we got our jobs. We all
had to start from the beginning. We were check out girls first and foremost while in
high school, then worked our way up. I realized right away that I hated the retail side
of things and dealing with people. This is why I went the Business Administration
route in school and wanted to run a company; while Rosalie and Alice still like
putting the elbow grease in getting things done.
"Alright," I sigh, rubbing at my temples. "I'll put in a call to a temp agency for now.
We'll do it that way for a little bit and that'll relieve us of the hiring and firing process.
Then if you guys like a specific girl, you can always let me know and we can bring
her on full-time. Sound good?"
"Sounds good," they agree.
"Great! Now is there anything else we need to discuss?"
They share a look.
Uh oh!
Rosalie clears her throat.
-x- 10 -x-
"So you know mom's birthday is coming up—"
"In about four months."
"Right. So you know how mom's birthday is coming up soon?" she repeats, and I
nod apologetically for interrupting her. "Well … I spoke to dad, and I guess she's
been hinting at wanting to have a party."

"Okay. What's so bad about that?"
"A Botox party."
I laugh. They don't. "Oh. You're cereal?"
"As corn flakes."
"You guys are lame," Alice snickers.
"I beg to differ." I point my nose up, haughtily. "Saying serious as a heart attack and
all that just makes it sound too morbid. In any case," I add. "That's months away. EJ
is turning 2 in like two months and I still don't know what I'm doing."
Alice waves her hand, dismissively. "You'll pull something together, I'm not worried.
Now—" she claps her hand once "— since we're done talking about mom, there's
something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Which is?" I ask, but I already know.
"I have someone I want you to meet." But for the first time, she's looking a little
apprehensive.
xXXx
"Who is it this time?" Edward asks when I tell him about the newest set-up.
"Some guy that works with Jasper." I tread lightly, taking some things Alice said into
consideration. "Apparently, he saw a picture of me or something and has been
asking about me."
"Okay, so it's obviously not Emmett."
I snort. "Obviously."
"Then who? He works with like six guys, two of which I know are married. There can
only be so many choices." I can see him scanning his thoughts and I know the exact
moment it clicks. I expect a reaction in 3, 2 … "Absolutely not."
I sigh.
xXXx
"Alice, I just can't." I pout into the phone. "Tell him . . . I don't know, just give him an
excuse."

"Lemme guess. Edward had a fit about it?"
"Maybe."
I cringe at hearing her disappointed sigh over the phone. The truth is I'm not that
opposed to their setting me up—well not really. I don't get out enough to meet
people on my own, after all. I just wish they would find better guys.
Sam is the only one that made it through the entire first date, without me having to
fake an emergency—let alone to the third—and we all know how that ended up.
Though, if I'm being honest, it's not his inability to look past my living situation that
bothered me so much, as it was his ability to drop my ass like a bad habit.
"Bella, sweetie," she sighs again, and this time I roll my eyes.
"I get it, Al. You're disappointed."
"It's not that . . . well kinda, but more importantly . . ."
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna say this in the nicest possible way. With Edward constantly shooting
down these guys you're trying to date and him knowing how much his approval
means to you, have you ever taken into consideration maybe he's hoping your
relationships fail? Like maybe he just wants you to himself?"
-x- 11-x-
Of course I had taken that into consideration before. Not in the sense Edward is
hoping for us to actually be together, but because I know firsthand we've both
always been very selfish and protective of our relationship with each other.
Does he want me to be lonely and unhappy? Of course not. But do we both know
that the other getting into a serious relationship—with high demands—can stand to
jeopardize the strange bubble we've created? Yes!
It's been that way since we were younger. From the first time a girl broke his heart
and I promptly kicked her ass. To when he returned the favor at my Sweet 16
birthday party and my boyfriend broke up with me, causing Edward to give him a
black eye. From that moment on, it's been pretty imperative we approve of the
other's relationships, and whoever we're with respect our friendship. That's been a
little difficult since having EJ and our loyalty and protection of each other has only
grown. Is it a little dysfunctional? You bet your ass, but it works for us.

I try to explain this to Alice, Rose, and my mother a week later at lunch, but my
mother of all people calls bullshit. Literally.
"Mom!" We all scold her, looking at the children in our presence.
"Oh, please. Their fathers cuss like sailors. I'm sure they've picked up more than I
can taint them with in one lunch."
"True."
"My point is," my mother continues, and all traces of humor are gone. She's using
her motherly tone—which is rare. "There's more to your relationship than that.
Obviously something's there or was there at one point, or you guys wouldn't have
had the opportunity to have EJ. If you guys truly want the other to be happy, I think
it's time."
"Time for what exactly?"
"To explore a relationship with each other. . ." She pauses, face solemn, and I know
there's about to be more said. More that I don't want to hear.
"Or?" I prod.
"Or to go your separate ways and see what life is like outside of your bubble."
"Do you want my advice?" Rosalie asks.
-x- 12 -x-
Not really. "Is this a scenario where you ask me if I want your advice and I actually
have a choice? Or am I gonna be subjected to it no matter what?"
She purses her lips in thought. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm going to offer it no matter
what. It's just a matter of when."
"Let's hear it then." I sigh, wanting to get it over with.
"Personally, I think you and Edward should date," she says bluntly, and I stare at
her.
"That's it? That's the profound advice?" I'm not impressed. I thought I was going to
hear something new. Something I hadn't heard and hadn't actually tried before. Yet
again, I find myself reminding my sisters, and mother, of things they should know.

"You dated for like 2 weeks in 9th grade," Alice reminds me with a snort—jumping
on the bandwagon. "That hardly counts. And while I find the idea of you and Edward
dating pretty fucking weird, 'cause I see him as like a brother to us …" She grimaces
and even shudders a little. "I can see where Rose and mom are coming from. Piss
or get off the pot, man."
My sister the philosopher!
With not much left to discuss on the regards of Edward and me, Alice moves on to
complaining about the latest thing Jasper did wrong. Causing them to currently be
'off again.'
I zone out mid-complaint and in a rush to get home.
With all this new found advice swarming around in my ears, I'm anxious to see
Edward and EJ. I'm suddenly in desperate need of some reassurance what we're
doing is going to continue working.
But as soon as I arrive home my hopes for assurance are dashed.
"You look . . . cleaned up," I tell Edward, noticing him standing in front of the hallway
mirror assessing his outfit. His dark blue button down shirt and gray slacks, outfit.
"Thanks." He smiles. "I got a date."
-x- 13 -x-
"Dad," I all but bark into the phone. This is the 3rd time he's called in an hour. It's
just a regular Sunday barbeque, so I'm not sure what he's so hopped up about.
"We'll be there as soon as I get your grandson dressed."
"No that's okay." He pauses. "So, I heard Edward's dating a new girl."
"Wow, good news travel fast around here," I reply dryly, as I try to reach under my
bed for EJ's shoe. I have no idea how he's managed to wedge it under there. "And
that wasn't completely random by the way. Not at all."
Ignoring my snarky comment, he presses on with the inquisition. "Are they dating?
Or did they just go out on one date? There's a big difference."
Seeing as how the date was literally 2 days ago, I have no idea how to answer him.
So I go with, "Never pegged you as one for gossip. That's more up mom's alley."

"Who do you think has me trying to pry the info out of you?"
I sigh, straining as my fingers come close, so close to grab the strap of his
sandal. Almost. Almost. I angle my wrist a little … but my hand ends up pushing the
shoe out of my grasp. "God dammit!"
"Oh! I didn't know you'd feel so strongly about this."
"Huh? Oh … no, sorry I definitely wasn't listening. I was trying to reach for
something. What did you say?"
"Just that I've actually met Kate; she's . . . exuberant."
I can tell he's being sarcastic but I'm confused. "Who's Kate?"
-x- 14 -x-
Kate ends up being Edward's new . . . something. We haven't decided what to call
her actually, 'cause he vehemently denies she's his actual girlfriend.
This is something I've called complete bullshit on, though, 'cause though they've
only been dating for about a month—wow time sure flies around here—my parents
have already met her. This is a big deal as Carlisle and Esme are Edward's pseudo
parents, and I happen to know he doesn't just bring anyone around them.
Or me.
Which is probably why I haven't met her yet. That's about to change though 'cause
it's another barbeque day and time to really talk to the family. We need to settle on
what we're doing for EJ's birthday.
And we'll get to meet Kate, as well as Renee.
What do the two have in common you wonder? Let me take you back to the
conversation Edward and I had a month or so ago.
Remember when he said Charlie's new girlfriend was young and had big boobs? Or
more importantly mimed to me the fact she had big boobs? This tid bit is only
important—or rather comical—once you find out Renee is actually a swimsuit model.
Kate is her manager. So yeah, maybe that's the only reason my parents met her—
by default through meeting Renee—but inside I've been whining; and a little on the
outside too.

There may have even been a little foot stomp when I informed Edward, in a high
pitched voice, how unfair it was he hadn't introduced us. I will neither confirm nor
deny bringing out the pout or the fact he would have lost his shit by now if he hadn't
met someone I was seeing for this long. The fact no one's made it to the month mark
for me, is neither here nor there.
Regardless, it worked and he's bringing her. I'm actually excited about this 'cause
I'm really curious as to this woman who's been able to capture his attention. My
baby daddy is a little used to the female species appreciation of him but rarely does
he engage.
I wanna know why this one's different
-x- 15 -x-
My mouth gapes, gapes I tell ya, when I catch sight of Renee Higgenbottom. She's
tall, has light brown hair and light eyes—that I can't even decipher the color of.
Bright smile, and a genuine looking 'I'm just a nice person' face. It almost makes you
forget about the size of her knockers.
Edward wasn't exaggerating when he said they were big. And I almost understand
why my mom was feeling a little self-conscious about her. I even catch myself
looking down at my chest a couple times, then back at hers in awe—I almost wanna
reach out and touch them. In a purely platonic way of course.
But most importantly is the look of sheer adoration on Charlie's face that has her
winning all of us over in seconds. He normally dates pretty vapid chicks, and I'm
glad Renee doesn't seem to be one as well.
"I like her," Alice says quietly when Renee and Charlie walk away to check on what
my dad has put on the grill. We—me and Rose—nod in agreement, as Jasper and
Emmett seem to be to scared to voice their thoughts on her. I roll my eyes; they
should know they have more secure women than that.
"I hope Edward's girlfriend is nice like that," I say and I'm met with awkward silence.
"What?" I look over at them.
"He says she's not his girl," Emmett answers. While Jasper simultaneously says,
"I'm not too keen on meeting her, if I'm being honest."
This shocks me. "And why is that?"
"The girlfriend part or Jasper not wanting to meet her?" Emmett asks.

I jut my chin in Jasper's direction. "Him not wanting to meet her."
As long as I've known Edward, I've known Jasper. Give or take a few months but
still. When we were growing up and Edward had problems at home—which was
often—he would either spend his time at mine or Jasper's house. It was rare not to
see all five of us together actually and for a split second, I realize where Alice is
coming from. Seeing her and Jasper is often a weird sight to see. Emmett came
later, so his relationship with Rose isn't weird at all; except for the fact they've been
engaged longer than the time they dated.
Anyway, moving on. Jasper informs us he's just not interested in investing time in
getting to know this girl if Edward isn't serious about her and he has no desire to
watch him waste his own time. He has bigger things to try and work out he says. I
also don't miss the glance he sends in my direction when he says this.
A few minutes later, and without warning, Jasper gets up and says he's about to go
and check on all the kids, who are swimming with Mama Esme—grandma just
doesn't cut it. Before I can say 'what the hell was that about,' Edward sidles up to us
with someone who does not have an 'I'm a nice person' look.
"Guys," Edward greets us, an awkward smile on his face. "This is Kate."
There's a loll in response as we all try and process her disinterested look, but I snap
out of it first.
Standing up I reach my hands out to her and smile. "Kate, it's nice to meet you,
I'm—"
"It's Katelyn, actually," she interrupts, almost with disdain. "Only my close friends
and family really ever call me Kate." With a softened expression she looks at
Edward. "Oh and Edward, of course."
It's almost comical how quickly all of our eyebrows almost disappear into our
hairlines. I look over at Edward with my best 'is she serious' face and by the way
he's looking at me, I can tell she is.
Oh, boy!
Gritting my teeth, I continue on with the introductions. Kind of. "Well, Katelyn. My
name's Isabella, this is my sister, Rosalie." Yup, I'm doing the whole first name thing
as well. "And this is my other sister—"
"Alexandria."

And my eyebrows return back to their previous position of trying to recede into my
hairline. Alexandria is Alice's real name but no one, and I mean no one, ever calls
her that. Not even my mother when she's really mad. In fact I'm pretty sure Alice got
it changed after feeling exhausted with the nickname Alexa. Alex didn't bother her
much 'cause it's so close to Alice, but … introducing herself as Alexandria? She
might as well had just spit in Katelyn's eye.
When Edward and I look back at each other, his face tells me everything. Something
serious just happened.
With four—not so simple—introductions, lines have been drawn. His new girlfriend
and I are not going to be friends.
And things just got complicated.
"Well, she's a bitch."
-x- 16 -x-
"Really, Alexandria?" Rosalie smirks. "And here I thought you two were about to
become best friends."
Little Miss Katelyn lasted about 15 minutes before she complained to Edward she
was hot and wasn't up to a cookout after all. After almost stomping away and saying
she would wait for him in his car, he proceeded to spend about 20 minutes playing
with EJ before he said he would take her home and come right back.
That was about an hour ago.
Just as I'm about to text him and check that everything's okay, he beats me to it.
I'm just gonna head home. Not really in the mood to hear it—E.
Before I can ask him what 'it' means, my phone chimes again.
And BTW I swear Kate's not normally like that—E.
I'm sorry, don't you mean 'Katelyn'? :- ) –B.
When he doesn't answer back, I simultaneously smirk and frown. He doesn't need
my smart-ass-ness, he's about to get a shit ton of it from Rose and Alice already.
Low blow?—B.

Kinda—E.
Okay, sorry. I'll just wrap things up here and bring back some food.—B.
Thanks—E.
"Guys, I'm gonna head home," I announce. "I think Edward's bummed the intros
were a bust."
"He's not mad at us, is he?" Alice asks, a little worried.
I shrug. I have no idea.
-x- 17 -x-
Thankfully Edward's irritation wasn't misplaced. Though he understandably wasn't
thrilled with us for stooping to the same level, he was more embarrassed with
Katelyn's rude behavior.
Not embarrassed enough to get rid of her, but enough to apologize to us and pretty
much keep us all away from her for the next couple of weeks.
It had gotten to the point I almost forgot she existed. Until . . .
"So." Edward clears his throat as I try and shove some gooey cereal into EJ's
mouth. I'm all about him feeding himself, but we don't have time for the messy
process this morning. We have some shopping to do for his birthday next week.
"Katelyn asked to meet EJ."
The spoon stills mid air. "Oh?"
"Yeah," he answers a little flatly.
I quickly come to a conclusion."Take it you're not on board with this idea?"
"I don't know." He shrugs. "Meeting the kid is kind of a big deal. I didn't think we
were there yet."
I don't think my eyebrows have gotten so much exercise in their lifetime than they
have the past few weeks. When they aren't tying to pull a Houdini—and vanish—
they've been in a constant state of furrowed or creased into my forehead. Kind of
like they're doing now—as they try and assess Edward's behavior. I'm not
understanding his somewhat dilemma. This isn't the time to compromise!

Time to choose my words wisely because 'That bitch ain't meeting my kid' just
doesn't seem quite right.
"Well, then you need to be honest with her. If you're not ready for that step, don't
take it. And uh . . ." choose wisely,I remind myself, and then take a deep breath.
"Not to try and pull rank here, but I don't want her being around EJ unless you're
sure about your relationship. We pinky swore on that shit."
He smirks a little. "Yes, I remember."
When Edward and I decided to stay in the same apartment—we had been living
together long before we conceived EJ—and do the family thing as best as possible,
there weren't many ground rules set in place. Well many is a bit much. In truth there
was only one. We weren't going to bring just anyone around our baby. Up until that
moment, we had both been freely dating who we wanted but that all came to an end.
Edward's mom had a revolving door in their house and he knew first hand how that
messed with kids' heads. He didn't want that example set for his son.
We had that same discussion about three months ago or so, when we started dating
again. That doesn't seem like that long ago. So I'm not really jumping for joy at
Katelyn trying to insert herself, and him seemingly about to let her if he isn't sure
about what the hell's going on.
Without thinking about it, I find myself getting pretty annoyed and angry at him.
"On second thought." That's never a good way to start a conversation by the way.
"I'm thinking I'm not okay with it at all."
"Not okay with?"
My nose scrunches up, as I answer, "With Katelyn meeting my son."
"Excuse me?" Whoa, harsh tone alert.
-x- 18 -x-
"Do you think the coast is clear?" I whisper to EJ. "Daddy's not really my friend right
now, and I don't want to fight this weekend. Do you know what this weekend is?
What tomorrow is?" I smile. "It's your birthday."
I get a toothy and drooly grin in response, as well as some baby talk. "Birfway."
"Close." I chuckle, then sigh.

The week had—sucked. Badly. I don't know what Katelyn ever did to me . . . other
than being an uber bitch when we met, but the thought of her meeting EJ had my
crazy and protective level at an all time high. Without being able to stop myself, the
word vomit flowed, and flowed, and before I knew it, I was repeating my mom's
words from almost two months ago. You know, the oh-so-stellar advice about seeing
how life exists for us outside of our bubble. That was sarcasm in case you're still not
sure how I roll.
Edward looked like I had gutted him.
"Did you just say you've been thinking about moving out?"
I actually hadn't said that but . . . "Maybe."
"Why? Why would you do that?"
I wouldn't. Probably ever. "I'm just saying, Edward. He's getting older. We're trying to
get back into the dating scene. And it's pretty unrealistic for us to ever think people
are going to be okay with our living arrangement."
His eyes narrowed, his lips formed into a tight line, and I'm pretty sure some steam
came out of his ears like they do in the cartoons. "EJ stays."
"I'm sorry?"
"If you wanna live outside the bubble," he mocked me. "Do whatever the fuck you
want. But EJ stays."
"You think I would move and leave my son behind?"
He chuckled darkly. "I love how you keep calling him your son."
"He is!"
"He's mine, too!"
"I know that."
"Do you?"
"Of course."
"Then why are you trying to take him away?"

Yeah, the argument spiraled out of control from that point on. I had no intention of
moving out, but in 15 minutes flat, I had Edward believing I was and also taking EJ
away from him.
I was, thankfully, able to calm him down—angry Edward is a scary Edward—but
some sort of damage had already been done. He barely looked at me all week; only
coming into my room to get EJ, or being in any room with me for that matter, only if
EJ was there. I had expected him to come knocking on the door and get him any
minute. I was shocked he hadn't.
"Maybe daddy's not home?"
"Ome."
I smile and ruffle his hair. "You're going to be two. That means we can cut your hair
now." In response, he puts his hand on his head and frowns a little. "No? No
haircut?" He shakes his head. "Aww, you're cute. You think you have a choice," I
coo. This time he grins, and I'm not sure if this is him trying to butter me up with his
dad's signature smirk or if he isn't sure what I'm saying.
"How about we discuss this when Daddy's feeling better?" The last thing we needed
to argue about was haircuts.
xXx
"Let's start our day, handsome," I say to EJ after giving him a quick bath. "But first
we need to locate your fath—"
I don't get to finish the word father because as soon as I walk out into the living
room, I see him. Sitting on the couch; with Katelyn. She had never been here before,
at least not that I know of. And by the state of their dress, and the blanket and pillow
near the couch, it's clear she spent the night.
I give him a look as EJ stops squealing and reaching for him. Looking down at my
baby, he has an expression on his face only an Edward Masen Junior can dish out.
My face is the same way.
Blank.
We are not amused.
And we are not impressed.

"Oh my, God. He's so cute." I cringe at the pitch of Kate's voice and even EJ
flinches. She makes a move to walk across the room, to what I assume is reach out
for EJ—over my dead body—when she stops short.
"Bella? What are you doing here?"
Really? "It's Isabella," I remind her. "And I live here."
Her eyes slowly widen.
She chokes on a bit of air.
And like clockwork, her mouth opens and closes like a fish.
The classic reaction of someone who doesn't know about our living situation.
We both look over at Edward—eyebrows disappearing into our hairlines.
"Explain."
-x- 19 -x-
"Explain," Katelyn repeats. While I just look at him—amused and annoyed.
To my surprise, he gives her a somewhat challenging look. "Explain what exactly?
That Bella lives here? It's pretty self-explanatory."
I agree. It's kind of a dumb demand. Explain! I scoff to myself. But at the same time,
I commend her for not immediately losing her shit at the news. What a way to find
out, huh? And Edward being so cold? I don't like it. Even if I don't like her. This isn't
him, she doesn't deserve his attitude.
Against my better judgment, I jump in and try to explain.
"We lived together before EJ. We didn't see a need to change that up since we plan
on raising him together." I realize too late, that's not the best choice of wording. "Uh .
. . but nothing's happening between us though. So, yeah, nothing to worry about."
She continues to stare at me; clearly unconvinced. And I don't break eye contact.
Wordlessly, she looks back at Edward then walks out of the living room. Seconds
later, I hear his room door slam.
I snort. "Mature."

Setting EJ down, I look up and realize Edward has yet to move a muscle. I glance at
him, then the direction of his room, and then back at him. "Aren't you going to go
after her?"
He huffs, and without saying a word, stomps off. When EJ looks up at me confused,
I shrug.
"I don't get it either, baby."
-x- 20 -x-
"Who's ready for the scavenger hunt?" My mom sings, and a sea of little hands fly in
the air chanting, 'Me! Me!'.
I smile at her. You would think with all her complexes about getting old, she wouldn't
be involved with the kids very much, but quite the contrary. She's easily the coolest
grandma on the block. Shit, my bad ... I mean 'Mama Esme'.
Since EJ's birthday ends up falling on Easter Sunday this year, we planned to
incorporate not just the egg hunt, but scavenger hunt to include birthday related
themes and other things he likes. He doesn't understand a damn thing, I'm sure, but
since everyone around him is having fun, he seems to be enjoying himself as well.
And by everyone, I mean all our relatives and just about every child any of us have
ever been in contact with. We take the birthdays very seriously in this family.
I take the time to go inside and enjoy a few minutes of air conditioning while EJ is
distracted. Sitting on one of the kitchen stools, I sigh and rest my head on the
counter.
"Hiding out?"
I jump up at the voice. When I look up and see the person standing there—muscles,
blond hair, blue eyes— my lips unwittingly curl up into a smile.
"James, hey."
-x- 21 -x-

"I'm not gonna lie," he whispers, a small boyish smile on his face, but I'm not fooled
by it. "I was really looking forward to taking you out on that date a while back. I was
bummed when Alice said it was a no go."
I smile somewhat apologetically. "I know. She told me. Things are just . . .
complicated for me right now."
"Right now?" He chuckles. "Things are always gonna be complicated for you," he
teases, fully aware of my situation. "Edward's never gonna like me. Or anyone you
date for that matter," he adds with a wink.
James, though sweet as hell—to me—lives up to every negative thing Edward
slammed him on when Alice tried to set us up. At first I thought Edward was
exaggerating about his so-called 'player' ways, but James actually has no shame in
the fact, so I dodged a bullet there.
But in the few times I've ran into him in the past month,mostly at whatever
construction site he's at with Jasper, I'll admit he's grown on me. Not in the way
someone grows on you and you develop feelings or a crush for them, but not in a
bad toe fungus way either.
Mainly because . . .
"Daddy?" His five-year-old daughter, Charlotte, calls out to him from the opening of
the sliding glass door—tears brimming at the edge of her big blue eyes. Her bright
red hair, pulled back in pigtails. "I falled and dirtied my dress."
James is out of his seat in a flash, picking up his little princess and shushing her.
Asking her where her boo boo's are, and telling her he's sorry he wasn't there when
she fell and hurt herself.
That's why I'm able to tolerate him with such ease. He has a crass personality and
the filthiest mouth I'd ever heard, but that little girl reduces him to a pile of goo in an
instant.
After calming her down to hiccups—not realizing his overreacting is probably what
sent her into hysterics—he turns back to look at me.
"How 'bout a play date?"
I roll my eyes. "You're relentless."
"Man's gotta try." He shrugs. "But, Bella, you and Edward are really lucky to have
each other. Many of us don't understand how you two work . . . but we sure do envy
it."

I frown a little, not used to hearing the pain in his voice. It's no secret he has a
horrible relationship with Charlotte's mother, Victoria, and often has to fight to the
near death just to see her. I can't imagine ever being in that type of situation with
Edward.
With a kiss on my cheek from him, and a now giggling Charlotte attached to his hips,
James slips back outside. I smile and stand up to follow suit, but my smile falls when
I see Edward scowling at me through the sliding glass window.
-x- 22 -x-
It takes me a few seconds to realize the scowl is really a just a deep frown.
Not giving two shits about our current state of disagreement, I rush to slide the door
open, pulling him through it by his hand. "What's wrong?"
"Can we be done fighting?"
"Oh God, yes," I groan, throwing my arms around his waist. His arms immediately
come around my shoulders. And I try and stifle a giggle when it puts me in a weird
position and has my face almost under his armpit.
Edward and I are good at many things—if I do say so myself. Living together, being
friends, working together, and especially parenting EJ. But fighting or staying mad at
each other long isn't one of them.
"I've missed you," I whisper to his chest, 'cause that's what my face is squished
against. I feel it move underneath my cheek as he laughs.
"You have no idea."
"Finally!" We hear Alice's voice, followed by her walking in and sliding the door
closed. "We were worried we were gonna have to take drastic measures to make
you two speak today. Now move," she demands, pushing us to the side. "I gotta
pee."
We chuckle and shuffle our feet to give her room, but stand with our arms linked
around each other.
It feels good to be back in the bubble, but it's immediately burst by a shrill, "I fucking
knew it!"

My arms immediately fall to my side and I try to step out of his embrace, but Edward
holds firm. With a groan, he drops his forehead to my shoulder. "What do you want,
Kate?"
"I want you to take me home. You clearly don't want me here, so the least you can
do is give me a ride."
His head snaps up so quick, I resist the urge to reach up and massage his neck. I
just know he gave himself a little whiplash there.
"You do realize this is my son's birthday party, right? And you've been a bitch all
day. Of course I don't want you here if you're just gonna be rude to everyone," he
snaps at her, with his arms still around me.
Awkward! "So . . . I'm just gonna, yeah!" I nod, ducking under his arms and walking
outside.
The last thing I hear, before shutting the door, is her giving him what sounds like an
ultimatum.
I grimace and smile at the same time. Silly bitch just booked herself a one way ticket
out of here.
-x- 23 -x-
"She did not say that!" I hear Emmett's voice boom from outside. I look up, and
through the kitchen window at the same time Edward does. He rolls his eyes, as do
I, at Emmett's volume. Thank God all the kids are gone, I'm not sure I could handle
the mixture of his voice and all of theirs anymore.
"Ready?" I mouth to him, and he nods, holding up a finger to ask for one more
minute. I for one am more than ready to head home after the long day of babies,
toddlers, games, and tantrums. I'm worn out actually and I can hear my bed calling
me from the other side of town.
As I'm packing up some of the cake and cursing my sisters 'cause they've
miraculously disappeared, I hear a sigh behind me. It's unfamiliarity makes me whip
around. When I turn around, I'm greeted by Renee who has a hard look on her face.
"Ya know," she starts. "Technically, I really should not like you."
I frown. "Why not?"

"Just got off phone with Kate." I cock my head to the side, letting her know I'm
listening, but also because I realize I hadn't noticed her slight accent before. Russian
maybe? "She and Ed broke up."
I had a feeling that's what happened when she stormed out of here, but I don't say
as much. I keep my face neutral trying to assess Renee's position on things.
After a few seconds, I see her cheek twitching before her face cracks into a smile.
Shrugging she continues. "I should care. I don't."
"Why not?" I ask again. "I thought you were friends. But wait, why shouldn't you
like me?"
Glancing over her shoulder, at who I assume is Edward, and then back to me, she
smirks. "Kate's is a bitch," she says, this time her accent clear. "I hook her up with
Edward thinking . . . maybe time with man will calm her down. He give her no time,
she still a bitch." She shrugs. "She say's it your fault."
-x- 24 -x-
I know Renee meant no harm by it, and it shouldn't bother me Kate said I'm the
reason she and Edward broke up—if that's what they did—but it does trouble me a
little. I can't deny it.
Later that night after putting EJ to bed, Edward and I go through his gifts again and
of course spend some time reminiscing on the pasttwo years of his life. We also
catch up on things we've missed this past week. Which isn't much.
"God that was torture," he groans. "Let's not do that again."
"Do what?"
"Barely speak for a week."
I reach my hand out for him to shake. "Deal."
He holds on to my hands a little longer than necessary before clearing his throat and
running his hands through his hair.
"So, I saw you talking to James earlier."
"Yup!"

"He's been around a bit lately, huh?"
"Uh huh." I smile, knowing he's trying to pry for information and failing miserably.
After a moment of quiet, I heave a sigh and roll my eyes. "Just ask what you want to
ask me."
"Fine. Anything going on there?"
"Nope."
"Good."
"Good?" I challenge.
"Well . . ."
"Edward, relax. I have no intention of dating James. I wouldn't date someone you
blatantly don't like. It's just too much potential drama."
He grimaces a little. "I don't think I'll like anyone for you." Laughing, I explain how
James said something along those lines to me earlier.
"He's not that bad," I tell him. "As long as you're not trying to date him—which you
are clearly not." He smirks, but then it falls and his forehead creases. I have a
feeling both of our thoughts just went to the same place. Liked her or not, he had her
around for a reason and now she's out of the picture. I can't help but wonder why.
So, I quietly ask, "Are you gonna tell me why you and Kate broke up?"
"Other than her attitude?"
"You put up with it for over a month. So, yeah other than that."
He pauses for a few moments; so long in fact, I'm sure he's not going to say
anything. Until ever so softly he answers with, "She isn't you."
-x- 25 -x-
I pride myself in not being horribly dense. Okay, that's not something I actually
ever pride myself in, but the fact remains—I'm not a dense person. At least I don't
think so.

So, when Edward tells me Kate just couldn't hack it 'cause she isn't me, I don't fool
myself into denying the possibility there's some underlying double meaning to the
statement.
However, I'm also not a vain person. So that other part of me refuses to allow the
words to sink in further than face value. Kate isn't me, he's right. She's not the
mother to his first child, or his best friend of almost 12 years. Of course!
I'm not sure —at first—which route to take the words, never mind which I want them
to mean, so I do what any girl in my position would do. No, I don't brush things under
the rug. I go the overanalyzing-the-shit-out-of-everything-he-says-and-does route.
As well as trying to rile him up every chance I get to see how he reacts to me.
Actions speak louder than words, after all.
I do it simply though, not one for theatrics. You know, like wearing less clothes when
applicable; giving him lingering touches that could be deemed innocent or torturous,
depending on how he's feeling. Adding lollipops and popsicles to the grocery list and
other things like that.
Or my favorite; waking up earlier than him and making sure I'm dressed—in one of
his shirts—and bent down in front of the stove, just in time for . . .
"Shit!"
Yup, just in time for him to get a nice view of my thong clad ass and for him to mutter
profanities under his breath. With a smile on my face, I stand straight. "Morning,
Edward."
"Morning."
"I made cinnamon buns. Wanna taste the icing?" I swipe my finger over one of the
buns, collecting some icing, and pointing it at him. He gulps a little, but then his eyes
narrow.
Sauntering over to me, he shocks me by placing his hands on my hips and lightly
pushing me back against the counter. My chest heaves up and down, but I
somehow find the strength to lift up my hand.
Parting his lips, I watch as the tip of his tongue comes out to wet his bottom lips
before he takes my finger into his mouth, swirling his tongue around it and moaning.
With a smirk on his face, he releases my finger, then leans in to whisper into my ear.
"I know what you're doing."

"Miss Bella?"
-x- 26 -x-
I look down and smile at the little blue eyes and crazy red hair looking up at me—
you can tell her father did it for her this morning. "Yes, Miss Charlotte? How can I
help you?"
With a giggle she asks, "Can I pwease have a new cookie?"
"You want another cookie?" I correct her, while casting a side glance at James for
permission. He dips his head and shrugs his shoulder. Looking back at her, I say,
"Sure, sweetheart."
"Me, Auntie Bella? Can I have a cookie too?"
With panicked eyes I look up at Jasper, hoping he'll answer Alistair. I don't want to
be the bad guy here, but Alistair can go from zero to 60 with just a cup of juice. Two
cookies was pushing it, and now a third would be asking for trouble.
When I see he's not going to jump in with the 'yay' or 'nay', I cave and quickly plop a
chocolate chip cookie on my nephew's plate. "Don't tell your mother."
Quietly laughing, he and Charlotte make their way back to the little picnic table a few
feet away.
Smiling, I dig back into my potato salad—attempting to get lost in my thoughts—but
not even a minute later, little feet pad back over to us.
"All done!" They both cheer and I chuckle at the cuteness of chocolate smeared on
their faces. I just wanna pinch their cheeks, or take a picture; which I do.
"Good job," I praise them, wiping down Alistair's face, while James does the same to
Charlotte. "You can go play now."
And they're off, back to running around like maniacs, but not before James asks
Charlotte for a kiss. I grin. "How are things with Baby Momma?" I ask him, once the
kids are out of ear shot of course.
His eyes light up. "Better lately. When I called and asked her if I could pick up
Charlotte from school yesterday, she didn't even ask questions or give me shit. She
seemed happy actually. Even asked how I was doing." A slow smile creeps up on
my face as I listen to him chatter on animatedly. "So, essentially I get her all

weekend. Unless you count tonight, but Victoria's totally cool with her staying at
Alice's."
"That's really good!"
With a loll in the conversation, Jasper speaks back up, saying something to James
and reminds me he's here, hiding in the shade with us while the others are braving
the sun and entertaining the kids, a.k.a trying their best to tire them out. Tonight
we're all going out for my mom's birthday and thought we'd do the babysitter a favor
by making sure all the kids were too exhausted to give her any issues.
"How 'bout you?" James asks, once he and Jasper are done discussing . . .
whatever it is they were discussing. I tuned it out once I heard the word 'work'. "How
are things with you and Baby Daddy?"
I sigh and look over at him pushing EJ on the swing.
Before I answer, I think back to the cinnamon bun icing incident when Edward swore
he 'knew what I was doing'. He didn't elaborate, and after kissing the side of my ear,
he had sauntered off a little smugly. I wish he had, though—elaborate that is—
because over the next few weeks it was clear I, myself, had absolutely no clue what
I was doing.
The flirting—if that's what you wanna call it—was excessive. And not just on my
side, but his as well. His more so, if I'm being honest. It was 'baby' this and 'beautiful'
that. And his face had a permanent smirk and wink in place for me.
Also, my amateur-hour-bending-in-front-of-the-stove in the morning's stunt had
nothing on his walking around the house shirtless, in just a towel, or on one
occasion naked as the day he was born—claiming he didn't know I was home. I saw
the glint in his eyes, though.
Being naturally flirty and playful people had me wondering if I was just imagining it
all. Wishful thinking perhaps? I'm not sure.
As if sensing my gaze fixated on him, Edward looks up. We lock eyes for a second
before he winks and offers a small wave.
Wiggling my fingers at him, I look back at James, as well as Jasper, who seems to
be interested in my answer as well. All I come up with though, is, "Good question."
-x- 27 -x-

"Beautiful, do you think I'll be overdressed if I wear a suit jacket?"
I look over and blink—arms still raised, curling iron in my hair. Then, I blink again.
"Umm . . ." I'm too distracted by the water still glistening on his chest, and wet hair—
from his shower— to concentrate on answering him right now. "A suit jacket?" I
squeak out.
"Yeah, for Esme's party."
At that I snort. My mother's 'party' is really just all of us going to a club. She didn't
want a formal party 'cause she wanted to party like 'us kids' do. And to be honest, I
think Rose, Alice, and I were too excited aboutnot having to plan an actual party to
realize the horrendous idea of going to a night club with our mother, who's dead set
on proving she's still hip. Her words, not ours.
Now we're not bad daughters, we love our mother and would have been fine
planning something special for her. However, the opportunity to not fight about
venue, menus, and guest lists? Well that's a 'get outta jail free card' if you ask me!
"So . . . no to the suit?"
My eyes snap up from his chest and the smirky face is back. I clear my throat and
look everywhere but his eyes and chest. "No to the suit," I finally tell him. "You're
hot. I mean, you'll probably get hot. You know, inside the club and all."
"True. Thanks, sweetheart." He winks, adjusting the towel around his waist, causing
it to dip a little lower, and . . .
"Ow! Son of a mother bitch!" I throw the curling iron to the ground as if it just burnt
me. Oh wait, it just did. "Fuck!" My hand flies to my forehead, then I scowl at
Edward. The bastard distracted me, and I lost my grip on the damn curling iron.
"That's going to blister for sure."
With his hands still securing his towel in place, he steps over the scalding hot beauty
appliance and comes to stand right in front of me. "Lemme see," he says softly,
placing his finger underneath my chin with his free hand. With a huff, I drop my
hands and look up at him and see him grimace.
"How bad does it look?"
"Not as bad as you think, I'm sure." He ghosts his fingers over the area I can feel
burning, and I flinch a little, pinching my eyes closed a bit. "Hurts?"
"A little."

"How about now?"
My eyes snap open when I feel him press a kiss to my forehead. He's done this
millions of times, but this time he lingers—leaving kiss after kiss to the area.
My mouth falls open. The look in his eyes, I've seen it before, several times. But the
time that sticks in my head the most is the weekend things lead to . . .
"Ma!"
"Hey, baby boy." I smile down, stepping away from Edward and quickly picking him
up before the curling iron can inflict third degree burns on him. "I was just thinking
about you."
-x- 28 –x-
"I really like that shade of purple on you," Edward tells me, and I have to literally lean
against the counter as déjà vu hits me and memories assault my brain.
"Happy Birthday!" I squealed, launching myself at Edward, causing him to chuckle.
"Bella, are you drunk? You've told me 'happy birthday' like three times already
tonight."
"Oh! Well, congratulations!" I shouted.
This time I'm rewarded with a smirk, a wink, and a quiet, "Thanks, sweetheart. You
too."
I gasped and my heart fluttered a little, but I pushed it down, not sure why. "We
graduated! Can you believe it?" I danced a little in place, grabbing his arm and
spinning myself around under it. "I'm almost gonna miss Professor Justice's droning
on and on," I tried to say seriously, but we both cracked up. "Okay, that's clearly a
lie."
"Hey, she's not too bad. She did work at getting you that internship." At that we both
frowned. "Bella, I think you should take it. I mean I'll miss you, we'll all miss you, of
course, but—"
I had to interrupt him. The thought of being away from my family—from him—for a
year, immediately bringing tears to my eyes. "Let's talk about something else.
Please."

He nodded slowly in understanding, then with an almost teasing smile said, "Did I
ever tell you how I really like that shade of purple on you?"
I rolled my eyes. "You were there when I bought this damn dress. Yes, you told me."
The air shifted a little as I watched his eyes rake over the length of my body. "Yeah
well, you're gorgeous in it. Bet I didn't tell you that did I?"
"No—" I gulped "—you didn't."
"Bella? You okay?"
I look up and see a concerned look on Edward's face, his hands on my shoulder.
"Huh?"
"I said are you okay? You gasped and then leaned over. Are you hurt?"
"Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. Um . . . thank you," I tell him in response to his earlier
compliment. And the look of concern is gone, smirk back in place.
"No problem. Ready to go?"
I nod, mumbling, "As ready as I'll ever be." As I watch him bend down and pick up
EJ, the sight of his ass in those pants, making me bite my lip. Yeah, I need to stay
away from the juice tonight. Horniness, mixed with fantasies of our first time
together, mixed with alcohol. Yeah, this could only end badly.
"Let's get this partaaayyy started!"
-x- 29 -x-
"Oh lord," I groan. "Who gave the crazy lady shots?" I whisper to Alice, nodding in
my mother's direction.
Without a word, she points to Rosalie. "Really?" I quirk an eyebrow and cross my
arms at her.
"What? It's her birthday, guys. Let her have this one."
Sighing, I drop my arms. "She's right," I say to Alice. "But can we please simmer her
down until we get to the actual club?" I ask Rose.

She nods. "That I can agree to."
We're all gathered in Alice's kitchen, waiting for the limo to pick us up because no
one wanted to be DD tonight. All the children are downstairs in her basement, which
is hooked up to resemble a gaming and kids play room Chucky Cheese would jizz at
the sight of.
"So," Alice starts. "I see you're not drinking. Got something to tell me?"
"Like what?" I look over at her wide-eyed.
"Dunno." She shrugs. "The only time I've ever seen you not drinking on a night out,
you ended up telling us you were pregnant."
"Well, I'm not. You have to have sex to get pregnant. And I haven't had sex since …"
I stop speaking too late.
"Since Edward?" She smirks, knowingly. "You must be feeling like a crackhead
going through withdrawals right about now, huh?"
"Shut up," I laugh, pushing against her shoulder playfully. "Anyway, I'll be right back.
I'm gonna go freshen my make-up before the car gets here."
"Freshen up your make-up—" she winks. "—surrreee. I had to 'freshen my make-up'
this morning too."
"Eww! Alice! Come on." I roll my eyes, walking away from her, as she laughs. I
swear she's the adopted sister.
When I come out of the bathroom, after truthfully just making sure my eye shadow is
still set and my nose isn't shiny, I find Alice, Rose, and Edward huddled in the
kitchen. My guard's immediately up.
Growing up with those three—it's never hard for me to notice when they're up to
something.
-x- 30 -x-
"Who wants to dance?" Edward asks with a smile, walking up to where Rose, Alice,
and I are standing by the bar. All of the sudden the two of them have every ailment
known to man, inhibiting them from moving a muscle.

I roll my eyes and scowl at them. I haven't figured out what's going on yet, but the
two of them have been acting weird—weirder than normal that is.
But my scowl, oh yeah it goes bye-bye when Edward turns to me and says, "Guess
it's me and you, sweetheart."
"Lead the way," I tell him with a wide smile, clasping my fingers onto his
outstretched hand.
When we get to the dance floor, we're met with cheers from my parents, Charlie and
Renee and my aunt Kimberly, who's actually not my aunt at all, but grew up with my
mom, so you know how that goes.
Hands in the air, hips swaying, and alcohol flowing—the night is going great.
Until . . .
"May I cut in?"
My blood runs a little cold at the voice. No, that's a lie. It boils over with anger and
something else I'm not used to feeling. I can't place it.
"Kate," I sneer, but she gives me a small smile in return. I'm not sure if it's
patronizing or not.
"Bella," she greets me politely. "Is it okay I speak with Edward for a moment?"
No! "Whatever," I mutter, very maturely. "Come get me when you're done," I say to
Edward and walk off. I stalk off to the bathroom, very pissed at her for interrupting
my dance with Edward.
When I look into the mirror, I swear I don't recognize my own reflection. Nostril
flaring, eyes wide— I look a little possessed to be honest.
"Bella?" I look up and see Edward's head peeking into the door of the women's
bathroom.
"Yes?"
"Uhh . . . Kate wants to talk to you?"
"What! Why?"
"She said she wants to apologize to you about something."

Well, this should be interesting.
Something compels me to nod in agreement, and with a small smile and a mouthed,
'Thank you', he moves out of the doorway allowing Kate to walk in.
Arms crossed and legs wide—my defensive stance is set in place, I tell her, "Don't
think I'm above fighting you at my mother's party."
"I don't want to fight," she rushes out. "I honestly just want to apologize to you, and
well, to your family." I'm not sold, but I nod for her to continue. Blowing out a breath,
she begins. "I'm totally not the bitch I came off as before."
I give her no response.
"Okay, so that's not completely true. I can be a bitch, we all can but that's only
'cause I felt threatened."
"Threatened?"
She nods. "I hated you before I met you."
"Gee thanks," I mutter dryly.
"It's just that . . . I used to model, right. And now I manage models. I'm used to
having guys eating out of the palm of my hand. And Edward . . . well, he couldn't be
less impressed with the fact if he tried."
I take in an annoyed breath. This doesn't sound like an apology to me.
"I am sorry." Oh, I guess I said that part out loud. "I'm just saying, I was jealous of
you since the first time I heard your name—on our first date. You, your sisters, and
EJ, that's all he talked about. It was actually pretty obnoxious to be honest, but
endearing at the same time."
"Kate, why are you telling me this?" I finally ask. "Why do you care, now, what I think
about you?"
She sighs. "Renee might not realize it, but she's one of my only friends. Granted,
she doesn't always have the nicest things to say about me, but that's how we work.
And the way I treated you all, she made it clear how disappointed she was and
would have no problem replacing me—as a friend and manager—if I couldn't get
along with her new family."
The corner of my mouth lifts up at the assessment Renee gave us, but it falls. "So
either you're only apologizing 'cause Renee's making you, or you're trying to butter

me up in hopes I'll put in a good word for you with Edward." She wouldn't be the first
female to do that. "I can tell you the latter is a complete waste of your time. Either
way makes this the most calculated and fake apology I've ever heard. So, sorry but I
can't accept."
-x- 31 -x-
"Wait!" Kate grabs my arm as I try and exit the bathroom. "I'm not going to lie and
say what Renee said to me doesn't have something to do with me wanting to
apologize, but no one can make me do something I don't want to. Her being
appalled by my behavior was more of a wake-up call. And as for Edward . . . you're
wrong. If I was trying to get back with him, doing it through you would be the way,
but that's not the case. We were never even together in the first place."
My forehead creases. "I don't get it."
"We only hung out a few times." She shrugs. "It may seem like more. But . . ."
"You only hung out a few times, yet you were pushing him to meet his kid? Throwing
out ultimatums?"
"It was like a challenge to me," she argues. "I needed to prove to myself I could be
as important to him as I am to every other guy I date. I even tried to play the 'too
drunk to go home' game, but . . . yeah, I ended up in his room . . . alone. After
getting rejected by him the night before, and learning you two actually live together
the next morning . . . I realized I never stood a chance." I huff, not seeing what any
of this has to do with me. "Okay, this is clearly coming out all wrong."
Another huff.
"Edward adores you," she says after a brief moment of silence. "And because of
that, I was a bitch to you. I feel bad about that and this is me trying to make it right.
Not for him, but for me. I'm not trying to be your friend, and you'll probably never see
me again, but for what it's worth, I am sorry."
Sighing, I release the tension in my shoulders. "Thanks." I still don't believe her
sincerity, but still . . . "It's a nice gesture, and you're right, we'll never be friends, but I
appreciate the effort."
With a nod and somewhat appreciative smile, she makes to leave, but something
dawns on her. "You know what Edward said to me the day I was at your house?"
Obviously not. "Umm . . . no."

"After I stormed off and he came after me, it gave me a glimmer of home but he said
he would never disrespect the home you share by having sex with someone while
you're in the other room. That's when I realized without a shadow of a doubt, your
'friendship' stems deeper than the two of you claim."
For some reason I get defensive. "Not that I owe it to you, but Edward and I—"
"Are just friends." She chuckles. "I know. But when the rest of us look at you, we see
differently."
Kate's comment does nothing but puts a creepy smile on my face. Noticing this, she
smiles back and I can tell—even if nothing else she said before is—that it's sincere.
"And ya know," she adds. "If the two of you took a moment to notice the way you
look at each other, you'd probably see the same thing we all do."
"Which is?"
"Two people who'd be lost as hell without the other." With a parting squeeze to my
hand and a quiet 'good luck,' Kate leaves the bathroom.
As soon as I exit, Edward descends—immediately cupping my face and imploring
me to tell him what happened. Worry is etched all over his face, but I take a moment
to look—and I mean really look—into his eyes and the result is rewarding.
Looking up, I smile at him; it's the secretive smile, though. Because I know
something he doesn't know. Or at least hasn't admitted yet.
-x- 32 -x-
The next weekend I'm a giggling, nervous mess as I get ready for a night out. With a
new sense of purpose, the rest of the night at my Mother's birthday was probably the
most fun I've had in a long time. It's absolutely a crazy and freeing experience once
you realize you want something you never thought you would, and it's more than
likely within arm’s reach.
The only problem was keeping it to myself all week.
Twirling around, in front my mirror, and even throwing some singing in, I smile wide
when I hear EJ clapping and giggling.
Turning to face him, I bend at the waist with a dramatic bow. "Can I have this dance,
sir?"

With a laugh and a squeal he pulls himself up and reaches out to me. I take that as
a yes. Tossing him in the air—eliciting one of my favorite sounds—I continue on with
my foolishness, barely stopping when I hear a throat clear.
"Hey!" I smile at Edward.
"Hello, you two." He grins. "How come I wasn't invited to the party?"
"Daddy wants to dance," I tell EJ cheerfully, lifting him above my head and
airplaning him into Edward's arms.
"What's got you so . . . cheery? And clean!"
"I might have a date," I squeal causing his face to fall a little, before he composes
himself. The split reaction has me giggling even more. This is perfect.
"Oh—" he clears his throat "—anyone I know?"
"Yes," I laugh. "You know him well actually."
With pursed lips and a terse nod, he says. "Well I guess that's good."
I'm buzzing inside. I literally want to scream what I have planned—not one to be
good at keeping secrets—but it's so much better this way.
"So I talked to my mom and she wants EJ for the night. Got any plans?"
"Nope," he answers a little stiffly. "So EJ can stay here. I'll be home."
"No!" I shout. "I mean, she already has plans for him, I think the other kids will be
there too. So, yeah it's cool take the night off. Wanna see grandma, sweetheart?" I
focus my attention back on EJ knowing if I look at Edward any longer I'll break.
Ten minutes later and with a stiff 'Good night' from Edward, and a giggly 'Don't wait
up' from me, I'm speeding to my parent's house. Making it there in record time, I'm
honking like a maniac before I even make it to the driveway.
My mother—and co-conspirator—meets me outside before I even get EJ out of the
car.
"You look great, sweetie. But you better hurry. Rose just called and asked if I could
watch Emma 'cause Edward called and asked if they wanted to do something
tonight."
"Shit! Okay, stall."

"Got it! Good luck."
"Thanks, Mom. Love you!" I call out, jumping into the car and tearing out of her
driveway.
With shaky legs, and suddenly fearing how my plan will be perceived, I walk back
into my building and knock on the door.
And wait.
And knock again.
After about a minute, the fidgeting starts, and just at I'm about to use my key—I
decide to knock one more time. With the side of my fist like I'm the police.
"Jesus fucking Christ! I'm coming!" I hear Edward yell from the other side of the
door, and suddenly I'm giggly again. "What?" he snaps, yanking the door open, but
his eyes soften when he sees me standing there. Mines widen a little though, he's in
a towel again, and boy has he been working out. That, or it's all the EJ lifting.
"Bella?"
"Yes?"
" What's wrong, what are doing and . . . where's your key?"
Oh right! "Well—" I clear my throat, trying to put on as serious of a voice as I could
"—I'm here to pick up my date."
-x- 33 -x-
"Your date," he repeats flatly; still not getting it. "Really?"
"Yes." I nod. "Are you Edward Masen? A friend of mine . . . a mutual friend of ours
actually thought it would be a good idea for us to have dinner together. So, I know
this is last minute, but if you're free I'd be honored if you'd accompany me out
tonight."
Realization of what I'm doing—or trying to do—seems to dawn on him. With a smile
and a chuckle, he begins to open the door wider. "I normally don't do this Miss—"
"Swan. Bella Swan. Nice place by the way," I comment looking around. "Whoever
decorated did a great job." He lets out a loud laugh and I smile in response. Yes I

just gave myself a compliment, in third person. "These are for you." I thrust a
bouquet of flowers in his face.
Playing along he brings them to his nose and takes a whiff.
"They smell great." He bat's his eyelashes. "And my favorite, how did you know?"
I'm barely holding in my own laughter at our absurdity as I answer him. "Gut feeling."
Silence envelopes us and I begin to get nervous realizing he hasn't actually
answered me yet. Shit! "So as I was saying . . ."
"Yes, the date." He smiles. "I'd love to." Thank God. "What should I wear?"
"Umm . . . We're going to Dale's. Ever been?"
He smirks. "A time or two."
"Great! So, whatever you'd normally where there."
"I'll just go put these in water." He lifts up the flowers. "Have a seat."
As soon as he's in his room I head into the kitchen and suck down some water. My
throat is dry and I'm feeling flushed due to nerves. I'm pretty sure I'm even breaking
out in hives.
"I love a woman who makes herself right at home." I jump and drop the glass of
water in my hand. Either he got dressed really quickly, or my ass spaced out longer
than I thought. "Sorry."
"It's okay," I tell him, grabbing a rag off the counter and bending down to wipe the
floor at the same time he grabs a dustpan to gather up some of the shards of glass.
"I didn't mean to sneak up on you."
"No really, you're fine. I'm just nervous."
"Why?" I look up and our faces are barely inches apart. "It's just me. No reason to
be nervous."
"You're shaking. Are you cold?"
"No." I moved my head from side-to-side, slowly. "Just a little nervous, I guess."
"Why?" He asked, settling himself between my parted thighs. "It's just you and me."

"Yeah, but . . . that's the thing. It's you and me, and we're . . ." I waved my hands at
our naked bodies.
"Do you want to stop?"
"Of course not. I just . . . I'm scared this is going to change everything between us."
"It doesn't have to." He shrugged. "Not if we don't want it to. If any two people can . .
. ya know, and bounce back it would be us."
"I think it's okay now."
"Huh?"
"The floor." He chuckles, nodding to where my hand is moving in a persistent circle
over the now dry area.
"Oh, right."
Laughing, he stands up, pulling me with him. "So, I'm ready whenever you are."
"I'm ready," I rush out. "I got a nice evening planned."
"Well don't get any ideas, miss missy. I don't put out on the first date."
-x- 34 -x-
"So, tell me about yourself," I start and Edward barks out a massive laugh. We were
pretty quiet on the short drive to Dale's, his favorite restaurant, but now we're seated
at a table, I felt it was time to begin proper first date etiquette.
"I'm turning twenty-five in a couple of weeks," he says pointedly and I chuckle. I
already have his gift. "I graduated college about three years ago. I have a two-year
old son."
I fight the urge to reply with a cheesy 'so do I!' instead, I just nod. "What's his mom
like?"
He snorts. "She's kinda crazy to be honest."
I can't help but laugh. This whole thing is a little crazy.

When our meals come—we didn't even have to order 'cause the staff knows what
we get, yes we're here that often—we fall into a heavy awkward silence.
"What's your favorite color?"
"Where'd you go to school?"
We both speak at the same time, followed by nervous chuckles. Finally Edward
sighs. "Okay, Bella this is weird."
"Oh." My entire body pretty much slumps and if you listen closely you could probably
hear my heart shatter. "That's okay . . . it was worth a shot you know. This date I
mean, but if you're not feeling it . . . that's cool—"
"No," he stops me. "I mean this conversation. We're not strangers on a typical date
who know nothing about each other. You've been my best friend since I was
thirteen. We know everything about each other, well just about."
"Just about?"
"Yeah, I'm more than curious about what brought this on . . ." he trails off. "But first,
tell me about your day. What did you do today?"
I laugh. I had spent most of the day claiming to have errand after errand to run. In
truth I had really spent the time doing everything in my power to avoid him. I knew I
would burst if I was in his vicinity for too long. I tell him as much and he teases me
about my uncanny ability to spill my guts so easily.
But to answer his first question, as honestly as possible. I tell him, "I can't give her
all the credit but if I'm being honest, Kate kind of brought this on."
What reaction do I get you wonder?
Wide eyes, choking on nothing, and mouth gaping.
"Really?" I say wryly.
"I'm sorry—" he beats on his chest a little. "—but Kate? Yeah, I didn't expect that
answer."
I reiterate our conversation to him—all of it—while he nods, and hums, and even
throws in a playful 'no she didn't' here and there when I mention her looking at him
as a challenge. Even though he tells me she did admit the same thing to him. More
importantly is when I explain her last comments.

"Obviously I've heard it before. About me and you, ya know. But I guess for the first
time I'm actually ready to hear it. So I took her advice. For the rest of the night, I
focused on how you looked at me. And that gave me the motivation to admit how I
feel."
He leans over giving me his full attention. "Yeah? How do you look at you exactly,
and exactly how do you feel?"
Crooking my finger at him for him to lean closer, I pop a quick kiss on his lips and
answer, "Looks like I can keep a secret after all. 'Cause that's for me to know and
you to find out."
-x- 35 -x-
"My turn to ask a serious question," I cheer as we're walking hand-in-hand to get
desert at a little bakery near the restaurant. Again, it's pretty much a 'date' we've had
plenty of times before, but this time it's official.
"What was my serious question?"
"You asked what brought this date on."
"And that's serious to you?"
"Yup." I nod. "Now quit trying to stall. I get to ask my question"
"By all means." He gestures with his free hand.
"Okay, umm . . . why did you date Kate?" I ask seriously, then snicker. I rhymed.
Stopping, and pulling his hands from mine he blows out a breath and runs his hand
down the side of his face. "I wouldn't call what we did dating."
"Yeah." I wave my hands in the air. "You guys were just hanging out, I get it. But
still."
"I guess . . . I guess I just needed a friend."
"That—" I pause "—doesn't hurt at all." I frown. "What do you mean you needed a
friend?"
"Not like that," he says quickly, bopping my nose with his finger. "I have
friends, obviously. I guess I mean I just wanted a different kind of friend."

My whole face contorts, but then I remember . . . "Well, you guys didn't have sex, so
you don't mean a friend with benefits."
"No we didn't, but-hey! How'd you know that?"
"I have my ways," I tease, remembering what she said as well as putting together
Renee's comment about him not giving her 'time'.
"Okay, answer me this," he says, lacing our fingers together and continuing our
walk. "Why'd you keep agreeing to go out with Rose and Alice's set-ups? I mean,
you complained about Sam after the first date, yet he still got a second and a third.
Why?"
"Other than the free meals," I try and joke, but it falls flat. I clear my throat and go for
honesty. "I liked the attention I guess. I liked having a break from my everyday
routine. Having someone to talk to about everyday shit who isn't attached to
everything in my life. I love my family obviously, but sometimes I just wanna bitch
about them you know.
"Like, how frustrating are Alice and Jasper? Did you know they're off again? Really,
how many times can two people break up over the same thing? Ugh, and I know it's
'cause she keeps turning down his marriage proposal," I start venting. "What kind of
idiot turns down their boyfriend's marriage proposal over and over?"
Hearing Edward chuckling, brings me out of my rant. "Sorry," I say sheepishly,
realizing how catty I must sound to him. "I've been holding onto that one for a while.
I guess yeah, it was good to have someone I could dump that stuff on."
Squeezing my hand, he winks—a look of pure understanding on his face. "Exactly."
xXx
"So, this is me," Edward says as we approach our door. I chuckle kind of forgetting
the pretense of a 'blind date' from earlier in the night.
Strangely enough, I find myself getting nervous as if t it's a true first date. I guess in
a sense it is. "So, Edward," I say a little saucily, biting down on my lip. "Are you the
type of guy who kisses on the first date?"
-x- 36 -x-
"I sure am, Miss Swan." He smiles, leaning down and softly pressing his lips against
mine. Moving my mouth with his, I slowly snake my hands up his arms, letting them

est on his shoulders. It's a slow kiss—our lips softly moving against each other's—
almost torturous though because as nice as the night was, we sure as hell didn't
discuss a damn thing about feelings. So I have to damp down my urge to just force
my tongue down his throat and molest him against the door.
"Wanna come inside," he whispers, and I smile against his mouth.
"Why what kind of girl do you take me for?"
"The kind who has the key," he deadpans. "I left mine."
Chuckling, and shaking my head—kind of trying to clear it—I unlock the door. In the
entryway, I silently take of my shoes while he pulls his shirt out of his pants, and
undoes the buttons on the cuffs of his shirt, pushing them up his forearm.
"I had a great time tonight." He pulls me to him, wrapping his right arm around my
waist, bringing the left up to cup my face in his hand. "I think it was successful
enough to assume a second date? This time I plan it?" I nod quickly, gulping a little
when I see his mouth descending toward mine again.
The whore inside of me wins out and this time our kiss is hungry. I fist his hair,
forcing his head closer to mine, almost as if I could swallow his face. While he grips
my waist tighter, pulling me impossibly closer.
Without warning he pulls away, keeping a firm grip on my waist to keep me away. "I
think that's enough for now."
Whine. Whimper. Frown. I do all three. No, no, no! That's barely enough.
"I think—" he swallows "—we should talk before anything else."
Dag nabbit! I hate it when he's right.
-x- 37 -x-
That night I lie in bed, flat on my back, staring at the ceiling.
I close my eyes in an attempt to sleep but it's futile. I open my right eye, close it.
Open my left eye, close it. Open both eyes then close them. It's a viscous cycle.
Feeling too hot, I grumble and toss my blankets off—only for the AC to kick in a
minute later and my room to turn into a meat freezer. Now with pure frustration, I
whip the blankets back on the bed, only to start sweating within minutes.

I lie on my stomach, my side, my back again. I dangle my feet off the side of the
bed, and try with my head at the foot of the bed instead of against the headboard.
Sleep mocks me. I'm wide awake.
"This is ridiculous," I snap. To who? No one.
Edward suggested we have our talk in the morning, or within a few days after we've
had time to think about things. I've had all week to think so I know where I stand, but
knowing I'm springing things on him, I agreed and reluctantly detached myself from
his body and bid him a good night.
I look over at the clock and see it's after midnight. Aha! It's tomorrow. I jump off the
bed but stop myself. What am I going to do? Just wake up and say 'let's talk now'?
Not ideal, but the idea of banging around in the kitchen in hopes he'll come out and
see if I'm okay sounds good.
With my new found plan I yank open my bedroom door only to be met with Edward's
fist raised in the air.
We both scream.
"What the . . . Edward, what the hell are you doing standing there?"
"I waaasss about to knock on your door before you decided to scare the shit out of
me. Fuck!"
"Scare you? You're the one creeping outside my door."
"Yeah, well I couldn't sleep."
"So you stand outside my door?" I ask a little hysterically, still trying to calm my rapid
beating heart. But once I catch my breath, I realize—It's after midnight, Edward's
standing outside my door, in just his boxers and I'm questions things? I shake my
head at myself."Well . . . come in."
And I smile as I watch him shuffle into my room and sit right in the middle of my bed,
leaning back on his palms.
-x- 38 -x-
After gingerly closing the door behind me, I lean against it and just look at him.
We're staring at each other, small smiles on our faces and eyes dancing.

"Did I tell you what Emmett did the other day?" he asks; a look of aggravation yet
glee on his face.
I can practically hear my eyebrows sigh as they make yet another retreat up my
forehead. "Umm . . . no, you didn't."
With a chuckle, he launches into some story about something or other. I only get
snippets of it. Him going to one of their job sites to bring the guys something,
followed by Emmett trying to pull some prank, causing him to dirty his suit and being
late to a meeting. The story is meaningless, I realize. Edward doesn't care about
this. He's used to it, and had he not been late to a meeting, he would have found a
prank to pull right back—that's how they work.
But like I did earlier, with the Alice and Jasper situation, he's venting. He's showing
me, in his way, he's here. He's always been here. In any capacity I need him to be.
It's silly, it shouldn't affect me, but without registering any command from my brain to
the rest of my body, I find myself on the bed with him, my thighs straddling his. My
hands in his hair and my mouth on his, moving roughly.
"Damn," he mumbles against my lips. "I should have told you this story a while ago."
"Shut up." I laugh, silencing him by sliding my tongue into his mouth and leaning him
back on the bed. With my foot bent in an awkward position, I'm forced to sit up off of
him a bit, but he sits up quickly, flipping us over. I giggle but still tease him. "I figured
you'd want me on top."
"Edward," I whimpered, pushing the heels of my feet against his back. "Oh my . . .
this feels—"
"I know. God, I know." He bucked harder and harder, making me cry out. Then, I felt
him slowly sliding out of me.
"What's wrong? Don't stop."
"I'm not." He shook his head.
"Then—"
"If I never get this again, if this is the only time I get to feel you like this, I want it
every way you can give it me."
"I don't understand."
"I want you on top. Ride me."

"Who says we're there yet?" He smirks, sitting back on his heels and reaching under
my thighs, curling his fingers around my shorts and pulling them down. "This is the
most beautiful part of your body, you know," he says, trailing one finger down my slit.
"You're fucking gorgeous, but this—" he cups me "—gave me my son. Gave me my
reason to live. My life. You guys ... you and EJ ... you are my life."
Edward's words are so sweet, sincere and just . . . gah! Tears spring to my eyes and
I don't even have the wherewithal to allow a sarcastic comment about how not
beautiful it looked during the 'giving him his son process'.
With a smile, he bends down fluttering kisses all over my stomach, lingering a little
on the spot right above my right hip. The area I wasn't fortunate enough to escape
stretch mark territory.
Slowly, ever so slowly, he trails kisses over my stomach, then lower to my upper
thigh, to my inner thigh. My lower lips. Then I feel it, the soft warm, tender
movements against my clit.
I hiss. My head falls back and my hands fist the sheets as I try to anchor myself in
place and prevent my hips from losing control like they want to. The movements of
his tongue are slow, calculated, savoring. It's not needy, not rushed, but my body's
flushing with anticipation, with need.
Releasing my hold on the sheets, I move my hands to his hair, yanking his head up
a bit. I laugh quietly at the scowl on his face. He almost looks pissed I interrupted his
feasting. I yank a little harder, bringing his face to mine and sliding my tongue into
his mouth to silence him yet again. I lean back and bring him with me, almost
moaning when I feel his uninhibited weight on top of me.
Our lips stay attached, barely parting to let him remove his boxers and my shirt
before settling between my legs. With his erection at my entrance and my legs
hitched over his hip—there's no rushing, and no questions asked. He
doesn't need to ask. We've been here before, done this dance. One look in my eyes
says it all. I want him. I need him. And though I'm not sure when it started, I love
him.
-x- 39 -x-
They start out as whimpers, but my sounds of pleasure turn into a loud cry as
Edward's hips—flush against mine—swivel and start rubbing against my clit with
every pass. "Fuck!" I open my legs wider for him, pushing my hips up in an attempt
to bring him closer to me than possible. "Fuck!"

With a grunt in response, he grabs the back of my thighs bringing my knees to
almost touch my chest—burying him deeper. "Oh my . . ." my response gets caught
in my throat when he throws my ankles over his shoulder, the angle causing him to
hit the exact spot I need him to with every thrust. I tightly squeeze my eyes shut
'cause I know I'd probably look at him a little cross-eyed right now. Unable to control
the ugly sounds emanating from my mouth now, I bite down on my lip so hard tears
spring to my eyes within seconds but I'm pretty sure it has more to do with the
overwhelming sense of pleasure.
"Look at me."
Opening my watery eyes, I stare back at Edward and offer him a smile. His forehead
creases a little. Kissing the side of my ankle, he drops my legs and lays back down
over me, snaking his arms underneath me with his hands clasped around my
shoulders.
"Tell me it feels good," he pants, forehead resting on mine. "Tell me those tears are
'cause it feels good."
"Too good." I reassure him, grabbing the back of his head to bring my mouth to his.
"I love you," I say right before our mouths touch, causing him to jerk his head back
and his body to still.
"Yeah?" He smiles wide. "Like love me, love me? Or 'you've been my best friend
forever and also fathered my child' love me?"
I roll my eyes. "All of the above." I wiggle my hips. "Less talking, more . . ." I wiggle
them again. He smiles, slowly pulling out of me. I almost scream. "What the—"
"Shush." He puts his fingers against my lips, flipping us over. "I believe you said
something about riding me?"
Sinking down on him, my mouth silently falls open—there are no words to describe
the full feeling of being on top. I watch, pretty damn smug, as his face contorts in
pleasure.
I bounce up and down on his cock, feet planted firmly against the bed and leaned
back with my hands on his thighs anchoring me. Head thrown back, I let myself go
with a string of unintelligible words flowing freely from my mouth.
"Bella," I hear him breathe out, his hands gripping at my waist to still me. "Shit, Bella,
wait." I readjust myself to face him, now sitting up to look into his eyes. "I love you,
too."

I giggle, the movement of my laughter causing my pussy to clench a little and him to
groan. "Sorry." I stop moving. "But, I know. That's the look I saw in your eyes."
Bringing my legs to wrap around his back, we sit with me cradling him between my
thighs as I slowly begin to move against him.
We rock slowly, his hand gripping my ass as he controls my movements, moving my
hips in tandem with his. Our lips stay attached but unmoving as our breaths mingle
together, barely muffling our moans and grunts.
"Almost."
I drop my head on his shoulder, nodding to let him know I heard him. I can feel the
tingles spreading throughout my body, the almost loss of feeling in my legs, as all
sensation seems to be rushing to the pit of my stomach. "Me too."
"Together." I feel his hands as they snake around, his fingers brushing, wiggling to
find space between us. I crane my head back, grabbing a fistful of his hair that's
damp with his sweat, heaving my chest up to his mouth.
His cock hardening inside of me, his hands rubbing at the spot we're connected, and
the feeling of his warm tongue on my hard nipple . . . "Oh my God, Oh my God," I
chant, feeling my walls clenching and opening. "I'm . . ." My shoulders hunch over
and the rest of my body follows suit jerking uncontrollably.
His name falls from my lips over and over as I feel him moving with force inside of
me, his breathing ragged before his body freezes, followed seconds later by his own
jerky movements and almost violent shudders.
We both collapse, chests rapidly moving up in down in a futile attempt to catch our
breaths quickly. I smile when I feel his hands reaching out blindly against the sheets.
Grabbing hold of it, I lace our fingers together.
"We're doing that again, right?" He squeezes my hands and I laugh.
"Definitely."
-x- 40-x-
It's later in the night—or earlier in the morning depending on how you want to look at
it—and after another couple of rounds, I finally conk out.

In a somewhat fuzzy haze, I feel Edward crawling out of bed. When he doesn't
return a couple minutes later, I almost start worrying.
Not bothering to put on clothes, I immediately go in search for him, howling with
laughter when I find him leaning against the counter—naked—and stuffing some of
the cheesecake we got earlier down his face.
"Hey," he mumbles with a smile around the spoon. "Want some?"
"No." I shake my head, taking the opportunity to go in the fridge and get some water.
"Want?" I return the favor, lifting up the gallon. He nods, and I pour a large amount
in a cup for us to just share.
It's silent, a comfortable silence, as we stand stark naked in the kitchen, him with his
dessert as I chug water and pass the cup back and forth with him.
"So—" he clears his throat, his voice teasing "—how long have you realized you're
madly in love with me?"
"Madly in love?" I smirk. "I don't know about all that, now."
He snorts. "Please ... the way you keep attacking me?"
"Excuse me? I vividly recall minding my own business in the shower when you
snuck up on me."
"Yes, but as I was calmly trying to tell you a story earlier, you interrupted me by
sticking your tongue in my mouth. Rude."
I snicker. "Fine. When did you realize you couldn't live without me?" I fire back, grin
in place.
"I've always known that much." He shrugs, and my mouth gapes.
"What?!"
"The not being able to live without you part—that's always been something I've
known. The depth of it has changed is all. The being in love . . . that's recent."
Rolling my wrist, and gesturing a little wildly, I urge him to continue. "I can't give you
an exact date. It's not like I wrote it down. I guess when we started trying to date
again and all that?" It comes out like a question as if I have the answer. "You sure
you don't want any?" He lifts a spoon full of dessert in my direction.
I shake my head, curling my fingers tighter around the cup in an attempt to not reach
out and shake him, screaming 'Get on with it' at the tops of my lungs.

"Edward."
"What do you want me to say, Bella?" He sighs, then rubs a hand over his face,
setting the food down on the counter. "When you would come home complaining
about your dates, I would be relieved. I was being a pretty shitty friend to you and
you didn't even realize it. I knew it then. If I think back, I could probably pinpoint a
time much earlier than that, but I'd rather fucking not."
I frown. "Why are you getting mad?"
Not answering, he turns around grabbing the plate and placing it in the sink. "I don't
like the idea we wasted all this time. Ours and other people's."
I move and wrap my arms around him, dropping a kiss on his back. "So what you're
saying . . ." my lips curl into a smile, ". . . is you haven't been in love with me since
we were kids?"
His shoulders shake with a chuckle. "Umm, no. There's no way I would've been able
to keep that shit a secret that long."
"Me neither. So, you see, we don't have to worry about wasted time and
opportunities lost. Maybe we didn't move at the pace some people would, but since
when did we do things the way other people would?"
Knock! Knock!
"Bella?"
-x- 41 -x-
I groan and look around confused as the knocking gets louder.
"Bella! Edward! I have your child. You might wanna open up!"
I chuckle at Alice's voice, but then, "Fuck, Edward." I try to move but I'm set firmly in
place under him. "Edward." I wiggle in an attempt to free myself.
"Not now, baby," he mumbles sleepily, tightening his hold around my waist.
I smack at this arm when I see he's already falling back asleep. "No. Get up. Get up!
Alice is here."

He couldn't care less, but I do. I can't answer the door. The minute I do, the minute I
see her, I'll shout it from the rooftops what Edward and I did. It's kind of hard not to
do that when you're blissfully happy. Unfortunately, she'll also have a million
questions for which I won't have answers. The past twenty-four hours—though
great—have happened so quickly, there was obviously no time to discuss in full
detail the who's, why's, and what now's and all that.
Once the knock turns into banging, followed by the sound of my cell phone ringing, I
manage to escape Edward's clutches. I quickly throw on his shirt and boxers, only to
realize that's as good as having an 'I just had sex with Edward' sign on my forehead.
I go in search of a robe, and then stop, reminding myself I wear Edward's clothes all
the time. Trying to cover that up is more telling.
Rushing to the door, I yank it open, huffing with annoyance until I see a sleepy EJ on
her hip, his head resting on her shoulder.
"Bella!" Alice looks relieved. "Sorry if I woke you. Mom had been trying to call you.
She had an emergency so I ended up picking up EJ for you. I would have taken him
to my house but—"
"No, that's okay," I interrupt her. At hearing my voice, EJ's little head pops up and he
immediately reaches out to me. I pull him into my arms, kissing his forehead before
he snuggles into my neck. "Is something wrong with Mom?" I look back at Alice.
"No that I know of."
"Mama owie?"
I look over at EJ, pulling him away from me to quickly examine him. He doesn't look
like he's hurt. "What it is, baby? You have a boo boo?"
He looks almost frustrated at me for trying to look him over. Repeating, "Mama
owie," almost in panic.
Looking back at Alice, I'm about to ask her if she knows if he fell or something but
I'm met with wide eyes and a questioning smile. "Something you wanna share?
Mom said you had a date. Must have been a good night."
"I don't get it."
"Well—" she smiles, pointing to my neck "—your 'owie' shows evidence of some fun
times."
With an annoyed expression, I move into the kitchen to catch sight of myself on any
possible shiny surface I can find when I see my owie, or better yet 'owies'.

Three massive hickeys.
-x- 42 -x-
Thankfully, my sister is in too much of a rush to inquire more about my 'date' and
after a smug 'we'll talk later' she rushes out of the house. Thank the fucking Lord,
because not even two minutes later, Edward exits my room—in search for me—and
the first thing EJ says is, 'Daddy owie', while staring at the equally large bite marks
on Edward's chest.
xXx
"Okay, so what's the plan?" I ask him later. We've showered, ate, and played with
EJ—who is currently in his own world on the floor with his blocks, not even
acknowledging our existence—it's time to talk. Kind of.
"The plan for what?"
"What to tell our family."
He gives me a bored look. "I know you're not worried about Elizabeth," he says in
reference to his very absentee mother. "She never believed we weren't dating in the
first place, so . . ."
"Is that what we're doing? Dating?" I challenge.
His face flashes with panic. "Well . . . I mean, I assumed, yeah. After last night . . .
but, I mean I get it. There's things to consider . . . of course.
I place my finger over his lips. "Shush. That's not what I meant."
"It isn't?"
I laugh, feeling his mouth moving under my finger. "No. I guess 'dating' for us just
sounds so . . . so . . ." I struggle to find the words. "So 'not enough'?" I go with.
"Does that make sense?"
"Not really. All I'm hearing right now is you don't want us to be dating."
I frown. "Nooo . . . what you're hearing is me trying to find a way to explain that
whatever we're going to try and do here is so much more than just dating."

"You need to work on your speech skills then 'cause I tell ya, you almost gave me a
heart attack there."
"You're too young to have a heart attack."
"Says who?"
"Says . . . someone," I quip. "You're a healthy man in his early to mid twenties."
In our usual banter, we go back and forth before he finally says. "We fight like a
married couple."
"Whoa!" My face takes on that of mock horror and panic. "We just started dating let's
not move too quickly."
He tries to look less than amused, but seeing his mouth twitching, I can't help but
crack first and start laughing, and he soon follows suit. And because we're laughing,
we soon hear EJ's little giggles joining us. I look over at him and smile at the same
time he winks.
In that moment it's clear, our dynamic is the same. Nothing's changed, but at the
same time everything has.
-x- 43 -x-
"I'm not looking to have a discussion about where we stand, babe," I explain to him,
making sure any possible fears are immediately squashed. "I mean, unless you feel
we need to. But being with you, us being together—let's be real ... easy as
breathing." He smiles wide, nodding in agreement and reaches out to lace our
fingers together. "I guess I'm just wondering what we should tell everyone. Mainly
the Swan women, as inshould we tell them yet."
"Like keeping it a secret or something?"
"Kinda." I grimace, hoping he doesn't take offense to the idea.
Instead he smirks. "Bella, you can't keep a secret to save your life."
"We can't tell my family. Not yet."
"Yeah, right." He rolled his eyes.

Being a little bit of an emotional wreck, I get defensive. "What's that supposed to
mean?"
"It means, Bella, I'm not the one you have to worry about. You are the one who can't
keep a secret to save your damn life."
"Hey! I'm not a blabbermouth. I don't go around telling people's secrets." Hormonal
tears sprung to my eyes as I pushed him away from trying to comfort me.
"Yeah, about someone else, but where you're concerned? Jesus Christ. I know
more about you than I honestly need or want to know."
More traitorous tears. "You don't like knowing things about me?"
"Let's just go inside." He huffed. "This is one of many battles I'd rather avoid with
you."
Shuffling into Alice's house, feet already hurting from heels I wear on a daily basis, I
go straight for a bottle of water.
"No shots?"
I whip around at Rose's voice.
"Oh, umm no . . . I'm taking it slow tonight."
"Why?"
The words start coming out of my mouth before I can stop them. "I'm pre—"
"She's pretty sure she's coming down with something," Edward jumps in, staring at
me with wide, amused eyes.
"That so not . . . something I'm going to deny right now." It's true. Now if someone
tells me something in the strictest of confidence, they know it'll go with me to the
grave. As far as me though, especially a good secret, yeah, I would telegraph that
shit if I could. Then something dawns on me and real panic seizes me. "Do you think
this is a good thing? I mean to everyone else?"
He snorts. "Definitely."
"You seem sure of yourself."
"Let's just say, unlike you, your sisters can keep a secret."

"And what would that secret be?"
Popping a quick kiss on my lips and mimicking my words on our date, he says,
"Well, I guess that's something for me to know and you to wrack your brain trying to
figure out."
-x- 44 -x-
I keep my head down, eyes focused on the food in front of me, knowing scrutinizing
eyes are waiting for me once I look up.
I chance it, and damn it. Sure enough I'm met with two pairs of questioning eyes,
one dancing with delight and another—small one—wondering why I'm keeping his
food hostage.
"Here you go." I rip some more pieces of my chicken off the bone, placing them on
EJ's plate and doing my best to ignore Alice and Rosalie's looks, as well as my
mother, who looks likes she's about to burst at the seams.
"So," Rosalie starts. "Didn't know you had a thing for vampires."
"Huh?"
She nods at my neck. "Looks like someone was feeding on you, dude."
"Funny," I mutter dryly. That's all I have as a comeback because 'Edward did it!' is
right at the tip of my tongue.
"It looks worse than it did yesterday," Alice remarks. That's because it is. I smirk,
thinking about last night and Edward taking his time, purposefully sucking on my
flesh in hopes to leave an even bigger mark on me.
"Oh my, God." Alice exclaims all of the sudden. "He was there wasn't he? Whoever
did that—" she points "—he was there when I dropped EJ off. That's why you were
acting so weird!"
I stare at her, nodding a little vigorously, willing her to put two and two together.
You see, Edward and I made a little bet—that I can't make it through the family
barbeque without spilling my guts—and I wanna win. The rules do not include me
confirming someone's correct guess though.

-x- 45 -x-
"Bella, hey can I talk to you for a second?" Edward comes out of nowhere, yanking
me up by my hand before I can even answer him, quickly dragging me into the
bathroom.
"What—" His lips are on mine and I'm against the doorway legs hitched over his hip.
Well, okay then.
After a few minutes, he pulls away—both of us gasping for air.
"I just really felt like doing that." He smiles, trying to set me down on my feet, but I
tighten the grip of my legs.
"Oh, hell no. You don't get to attack me like that and expect me to not want more."
"We can't do more here."
"Wanna bet?"
"Speaking of bets, that reminds me. Were you about to admit to Rose and Alice
about us?"
"Confirm a guess." I correct him. "If they guessed it was you, then I would have been
forced to tell the truth."
He smirks. "You are soooo going down."
"Funny you choose those words," I purr, sliding down the door and immediately
falling to my knees.
"Bella—"
"Don't even think about saying some dumb shit like 'I don't have to' or ask me what
I'm doing."
He gulps. "As you were."
Keeping eye contact with him, I run my hands up his thighs, laughing a little to
myself as he struggles to figure out what to do with his arms. I bring my mouth to the
seam of his jeans, letting out a hard gust of breath, quickly undoing his button and
zipper and sliding his pants down over his hips.

I lick my lips, wrapping my hands around the base of his dick and bring the tip to my
mouth. Working him quickly, it doesn't take long before I hear and feel the telltale
signs of his climax approaching.
"Fuck that." I hear him growl before he yanks me up from the floor.
"Heyyy—"
"Shorts off."
I smile and nod, pulling them down hastily, kicking them off and sitting on the edge
of the sink.
Unable to position ourselves comfortably, I turn around ass in the air, wiggling it a
little when I hear him groan. I hiss when he slides into me, not taking into
consideration how sore I am from the morning-slash-night before. My screams are
hardly contained, even after he reaches around clasping a hand over my mouth.
I buck back eagerly, trying to convey for him to let go. We don't have time for me
right now, we've already been gone a while and with being this sore, a quickie just
won't do.
"Bella?" His voice is strained. I can hear the pleading undertone and I nod behind
his hand. With his grip on my hip bone, he plunges deeper, harder and releases my
mouth. There's no use now, I'm sure—if not the slapping of our skin—the sounds of
our whimpers, panting, and moaning can be heard. With a final thrust, I feel him lose
some control of his weight, almost pinning me against the sink. "Damn," he sighs,
pulling out of me, causing another hiss to escape. "You okay?"
"Fine," I mutter wryly, leaning down to gather up my shorts. "Tamp down the
smugness, please."
He laughs, reaching over and pulling my chin up to look at him. "Never." I chuckle.
"So . . . ready to face the music? Since someone couldn't keep it down, I'm sure our
cover is blown."
I shrug. Better for me. This way everyone knows and I don't lose the bet.
-x- 46-x-
When we exit the bathroom, I realize with the way it's positioned in the house and
with the help of the sliding glass door, no one would have heard us unless they
came inside mid-sexing.

I go to the kitchen, pouring some ice tea in a pitcher, ignoring Edward's snort and
sarcastic, "Yeah, that'll throw them."
I compose myself then step outside, glancing around at everyone. I smile watching
Alice sitting at the table, trying to coax Ray into eating some veggies. Looking over, I
see Jasper throwing a ball with Alistair and Emmett chasing EJ around as he runs
on his chubby legs in an attempt to escape the giant monster—or whatever
Emmett's pretending to be. To my left, my dad and Edward are at the grill discussing
God knows what. As usual, realizing I'm looking at him, he looks up and winks at
me. My face splits into a large smile, then I chuckle and shake my head.
'What?' he mouths.
'I'll tell you later.'
"It's surreal sometimes, isn't it?" I look to my right at my mother's voice, grinning at
Emma on her hip.
"What is?"
"Realizing the significance of the smallest everyday things." I furrow my brows.
"That's not new you know." She nods in Edward's direction and smiles, realizing she
just noticed the same thing I did. "For a while now, anytime you two have been
within a few feet of each other, one seeks the other out."
"Could've said something, Mom." I bump her hip with mine.
"Yeah, but it was so much more fun watching as you two figured it out. Oh look, your
dad made margaritas."
Before I can inform her how random she is, and a lush, I see Rosalie's shadow as
she walks up on my other side. "Hey." She smiles, reaching around to grab Emma.
"You were gone for a while, everything okay?"
"Oh," my mom jumps in. "Her and Edward were fixing something for me. In the
bathroom." And with that, she winks and walks away.
The rest of the day Edward and I share little glances, and every now and then, I
catch my mother looking at us with a wide smile on her face and once even with
watery eyes. But they might have just been glossy from the amount of margaritas
she consumed.
xXx

After my third yawn and about fifteen minutes of whining from EJ, Edward and I
decide to call it a day. It's still pretty early, but it seems we're all three tired.
As Edward gathers up EJ and his things, I give my sisters hugs and kisses, telling
them I'll call them later.
"You know," Rosalie says, with a grin and bright eyes, "even though you're not ready
to tell us who the mystery guy is, I can tell you're happy. So Congrats."
"Thanks." It comes out sheepish and guilty and when I look over and see Alice
smiling as well . . . "It's Edward!"
"What's Edward?"
"The date, the hickeys ... it's Edward. And we totally had sex in the bathroom
earlier." I'm grinning from ear to ear, cheeks flushed and almost bouncing on the tips
of my toes—not feeling an ounce of remorse for blabbing—when I feel a hand tap
me on the shoulder, I look over and come face to face with a cocky Edward, palms
up curling his fingers at me.
"Pay up."
"Can I just ask a question?" Jasper asks quietly. I nod. "Now was this just a one date
and sex thing? Or more?"
"More," Edward answers, bringing his arms around me. I melt into his side.
"Definitely more."
With a nod and a smile, Jasper walks over to Emmett, palms up curling his fingers. I
see Alice and Rose sharing a look as well, a silent communication passing between
them and I realize then everyone had some side bet going on.
Too amused by this, and ready to go home with my boys, I decide to badger them
about this later. If the stakes were high enough, I think Edward and I deserve some
of the pot.
"I guess I had no reason to worry about their reactions or any objections," I say to
Edward later that night as we're curled up on the couch—EJ between us.
"Sweetheart—" he leans over, giving me a quick kiss on the lips. "When it comes to
us, we never had anything to worry about."
-x- EPI -x-

6 months later . . .
I frown, realizing I slept alone last night. This is the first time in a while I've had to do
this and I blame my sisters for planting stupid ideas into my baby daddy's head.
Now, I have no idea where the hell he is.
"Wake up!" I hear Alice's voice almost snap at me. "I can't take your moping."
"Go to hell," I snap back from under the pillow.
"Have some damn sympathy, Alice," I hear Rose's voice.
Grrr! "Get out of my room."
"Alright, I know what'll help her feel better."
Jesus Christ, now my mom's in here.
"There is nothing I want to do more than punch all of you in the face right now."
A few minutes later, I feel small hands on my face and my mom coaching. "Say rise
and shine porcupine."
"Right and shy porpine."
I let out a belly laugh. EJ's speech has gotten much better but it's still cute as hell to
hear his version of words. I sit up, pulling him onto my lap, peppering his face with
kisses. Without realizing it, my eyes fill up with water. I'm an emotional mess today.
"Oh, Lord," I hear one of the evil sisters groan then sigh, followed by dialing on a
phone. I don't her a 'hello', instead some arguing. "Listen, it's your damn fault she's
all emotional right now. Fix it." Then a phone is thrust in my face. "It's Edward."
I almost yank Rosalie's arm off. "Hello? Hello!"
"Hey."
"Where are you?"
He sighs, sadly. "I can't tell you. We agreed to the time apart."
"But—"

"I'll see you later. After my date."
I chuckle tiredly and hang up the phone. After all, I have a date to get ready for as
well.
A couple hours later, I'm dressed and ready, staring at my reflection with a little bit of
contempt. "Why did you agree to this?" I glare at myself, trying to smooth the
wrinkles in the middle of my dress. You would think with the current protrusion it
wouldn't be an issue.
"Wow." I whip around at the sound of my dad's voice. "You like amazing."
"Thanks, Dad." Even though I feel far from amazing. I feel nauseous more than
anything.
"So." He clears his throat. "There's a guy waiting for you outside. I think you'll
approve."
Taking his arm, I let him lead me downstairs then outside. And with Rosalie and
Alice by my side, I smile, locking eyes with my past, present and future. Suddenly,
having to spend the night apart doesn't seem so bad.
"Ready, kiddo?"
I look over at my dad, giving his hand a squeeze. "You're the one giving me away, I
should be asking you."
3 years after that . . .
With tears streaming down my face and a smile in place, I stared down at not one,
not two, but three tests. It was official, I was pregnant. This was definitely
unexpected, and I had no idea how Edward would react, but I was ready—if need
be—to do it alone.
We weren't teenagers but our lives were just starting. Barely graduated from college,
we had a lot of plans and jumping into parenthood—with each other—was definitely
not part of it.
By the time he got back to our apartment, he found me on my bedroom floor a crying
mess.
"Bella, Bella, what's wrong?"

"I'm pregnant," I wailed. "And, and we're not even a couple. Oh my, God! I'll have to
tell my baby he or she was conceived on a drunken night with my best friend after
our graduation party. It'll have a complex for life."
"You were drunk?"
"No. Well, earlier in the night yeah, but by the time we had sex . . . Oh my God, we
had sex!"
"Yeah, I remember."
"And now I'm pregnant!"
"And I'm not going anywhere. We can do this. As a couple or not, whatever you
want."
"Hi," I greet the receptionist. "I have an appointment at three." Smiling, she tells me
to sign-in and have a seat. I look around at all the swollen bellies, looking down at
mine in comparison and frowning. I'm a whale.
"Hi," a young girl sits next to me with a nervous smile, her long blonde hair fanning
around her face, a large blue and green jersey with the word 'Vancouver' on the
front, swallowing her body.
"Hello." I look over and see an older woman with similar features sit down next to
her. I sigh sadly at being here by myself.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Edward asked, running a nervous hand through
his hair. "That's something I should do, right? Go to your appointments."
"Only if you want to."
"Yeah, yeah I should."
"I'm so nervous," the girl tells me. "My husband, he's overseas and I'm hoping I can
phone him with good news." She launches into a long, yet beautiful story about the
baby's possible conception and I almost start sobbing. Damn, I don't have a nice
story to tell this one either.
"Bella!"
I look up shocked at being called so quickly.
"Nice to meet you, Sherri," I tell the girl. "And good luck."

After getting weighed and all that, I sit on the chair waiting for the doctor or nurse to
come in. I look down at my phone. No text from Edward.
Where are you?—B
My phone rings not two seconds later.
"Really, Edward?"
"I know, I know. But you know I had this date."
"Yes, as you knew I had an appointment today."
"Bella, she had an accident and took it very badly. I had to calm her down."
When I hear a knock on the door, I let him go, knowing I can't argue with him about
this. I've long since accepted I'm not the most important woman in his life anymore.
"Come in," I say.
"Really thought I wasn't going to make it?"
My face breaks into a smile as Edward pokes his head through the door. He opens
the door as Nurse Niko and another miniature person walk through the door.
"Mommy!"
"Hey, baby." I reach out to pull our two-year-old daughter Carlie into my arms. I
scowl at the big ass chocolate stain on her dress.
"I told you. She had an accident and freaked the hell out."
I look back at her, staring into eyes the color of her father's and smoothing down her
dark hair. "Did you have fun on your ice cream date with Daddy?" She nods
vigorously.
"Where's EJ?"
"Tux fitting with Rose. Remember?"
"Pregnancy brain." I'm so glad I can use that 'cause now that Rose and Emmett are
finally getting married, after the longest engagement known to man, I pretend to
forget agreeing to help them any chance I get.

"So, we ready?" Nurse Niko asks, and I smile at her as she ushers in an unfamiliar
doctor.
"You can call me Bridgette," she introduces herself. "And who are these two?" She
smiles.
"This is my Baby Daddy, Edward." I snicker at his scowl. "And our daughter, Carlie."
"Glad to see you guys have a good relationship."
"Don't listen to her." He glares at me. "I'm also her husband. Of three years now
actually, yet she gets a rise out of referring to me as anything but."
I wave my hands in a dismissive motion. "Yeah, yeah, sorry. This is my husband,
Edward."
"Hey, Bridge," Nurse Niko chuckles, and I see our doctor cringe at the nickname.
"You should ask them about their situation before they got married."
She looks over at us intrigued and Edward and I look at each other with grins on our
faces. We give her the condensed version and she looks at us skeptically.
"Let me get this straight. Before you guys were married, you were just friends. Yet
you lived together, and had a son? Wasn't that a little weird?"
I smirk. "No weirder than the fact we actually tried to date other people. Yeah, not
our brightest moment."
"Well, you two got together in the end, so I guess it wasn't such a bad idea after all.
At least you know without a doubt, there's no one else out there better suitable for
you."
"True."
"Now." She claps her hand, bringing out the bottle of gel to rub on my stomach.
Passing Carlie over to Edward, I jump a little when she squirts it on me. I guess they
didn't warm this one up. "Alright, Mrs. Masen. Ready to see what we're adding to
your brood?"
My heart flutters, it's surreal how I'm still not used to being called that.
Edward's been a lot of things in my life ... my best friend, my boyfriend, and now my
husband. With one thing clear: he's no longer just my baby daddy. Not sure if her
ever was.

Lacing our fingers together, he leans over to answer her. "We're ready."
The end.