Previously…

"Bella, no one is more beautiful than you, maybe it's just in my eyes but it is how I see you." He assured her.

"Yeah but you've moved to LA and you're surrounded by…" He effectively cut her off with a finger on her lips.

"It doesn't matter, you are everything. You always were."

Tears stung her eyes and she looked down, "Please don't say that."

"Say what that you are everything to me?" He purposely repeated. She sighed, "Yes, just don't." He continued washing the fruit but he knew deep down something was different about Bella. She wouldn't allow him inside and that scared him more than she could ever know.

They ate in silence for a bit. She flicked him a nervous glance. "You know, I was thinking maybe you could show me my room when we finish, I need a shower if that's ok."

"That's fine love, whatever you need." He felt awkward all of a sudden, something had changed, and he was unsure when it happened and what it was. Her cell phone rang, and she took it out looking at it and glancing at him, "I have to take this."

"No problem."

She slipped out of the chair and answered the phone as she walked out the back door.

"Hey mommy."

"Hi sweetheart, how are you?"

"I miss you mommy. Me and uncle Emmett went to the movies, it had dogs in it. He got me a big box of popcorn."

"Wow that sounds like fun baby." She glanced back at the door, and when she was sure she was alone she sat down. "I will be home before you know it. I miss you so much."

"Aunt Rose wants to talk to you."

"Ok sweetie."

Rose got on the phone and chuckled, "So tell me is he as handsome as ever?" Bella sighed, "Is that all you think about? Yes he is gorgeous, beyond gorgeous. Keep in mind he was always the most handsome man I have ever seen. He still is."

"So are things going ok? Did you tell him yet?" Bella knew this line of questioning would start sooner or later. She was hoping for later.

"Things are fine and no I didn't. Rose its not that easy." She argued. Rosalie huffed, "Yes it is, Bella you are finally alone with him face to face, you know the drill. He deserves to know this."

"Please Rose, I'll tell him when I get ready." She replied feeling a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up quickly. He smiled handing her a drink. She took it and smiled, "Rose, Edward is here I have to go."

"Ok, I'll pass your love to Timmy." She said in understanding. It was great to have such a wonderful friend. She could have been in this alone, but Rose and Emmett supported her unconditionally. Although Rose said several times she should tell him.

"Thanks, night Rose."

She pushed the end button, and sat her phone down. "It's nice out here. I like the pool."

"I am glad, we can take a swim whenever you want. It's heated so it stays comfortable all year round." He said watching her curious, he had heard her say she would tell him when she got ready. He assumed it was something to do with him. This must be what she was hiding.

"Can you show me where I will be staying?"

"Sure, come on." He led her to the guest room. He stopped her at the door grabbing her arm.

"Bella, please don't ever be afraid of telling me anything love. You know I am always here for you."

"I know." She looked down. "Edward I'm not ready yet."

He lifted her chin, "Baby, tell me what could be so bad it has you this frightened to tell me?" Her small form shook in his arms as the warm tears stung her eyes. He pulled her into his strong arms.

"I love you." He whispered kissing her head, "Nothing can change that, it can't be that bad." She shook her head, "It's unforgivable."

"Nothing is unforgivable, especially when you love someone." He said seriously. He lifted her face, "I know you Bella, and I know your heart you would never do anything unless you had a reason. You aren't a bad person."

"You have no idea." She replied wiping her face. He sighed releasing her, "You are right, I don't because you don't trust me enough to tell me." He was irritated now. She hesitated, "I should shower, I'll be down in a few minutes."

He knew this was her way of avoiding the subject again. He sighed, "I'll be waiting." He kissed her head and walked out shutting the door. She fell onto the bed closing her eyes. This was going to be extremely stressful. Why had she agreed to this? Oh yeah he would come, and make her then she would have really been in trouble. He was going to be so angry with her.

She took her time taking a shower and relaxing a few minutes. She slipped on shorts, and a t-shirt and headed downstairs. He was on the phone. "James I'll take a paternity test no problem. I have nothing to hide. I don't have any kids period. I think I would be aware if I did. Fix it." He slammed the phone down and turned, "Hey baby, you feel better?"

"Yes, and you?" She asked running her hand across his cheek. He smiled reaching up and holding it there. "I feel much better now that you are here. You relieve my stress. I feel a lot better with you here, I'm not so alone."

"You were never alone Edward." She insisted. He sighed pulling her to the couch, "I felt like I was. Sometimes talking to you on the phone isn't enough." She felt her heart sink at his words, but smiled sadly. He took her hand in his, "What do you think of LA so far?" He figured letting the serious subject die for now would be best.

"It seems ok. As long as the press are gone."

He laughed, "I know what you mean unfortunately they are a necessary evil." She moved her legs to rest under her. "I am proud of you, I don't know if I told you that. You have done really well for yourself."

"So have you, think of what we could do together." He hinted. She shook her head, "Edward this life is not for me. In all seriousness you thrive in the spotlight, me well…it would be suffocating to me. I don't want to be on every magazine cover or on the television. That was your dream."

"Yes but I thought you would come along with me after you finished school."

"I wanted to, the timing was off." She couldn't tell him it was because she had a child, his child and she knew what the press would say about that. He shrugged, "So it was then, what's your excuse now? I know it's not the shop. You can run a flower shop anywhere."

"You're right it's not the shop. My life is there, this isn't my life it is yours." She said in a low voice.

He sighed, "My life includes you love, it always has. You know that."

"I know but it's as a friend in Forks not here in your house."

He thought a minute, "What if I gave it all up?" She looked at him shocked, "What?" He moved closer to her, "Bella, I see you in my dreams. The memories haunt me. It gets so lonely without you. No one can fill your space. I would gladly give this up for a chance to be with you."

"Edward, this is your life."

"No it is a lie, it is a person I invented when I became a star. The illusion I created for all of the women to fantasize about but you know the real me. No smoke and mirrors." He was being honest and she knew it but it didn't change the fact that they could never be together, not like he was thinking. She had to think about Timmy, and if he knew he would not only be irate, but she wasn't sure if he would ever talk to her again.

"Will you think about it?" He asked pleadingly. She looked at him a long moment before speaking, "I will."

He grinned, "That is all I can ask. Perhaps this time with me will help you make your decision."

"You never know." She agreed so he would change the subject. He stood, "So I know you want to relax tonight, what about a movie? I have a nice collection. I rarely get to watch them, I don't like to watch them alone."

"Jasper and Alice don't come over a lot?"

He laughed, "Too much, darn pesky sprite. She is always bugging me. I am sure she will be by to see you tomorrow, I kind of banned her from tonight."

"You are such a mean brother." She replied coming beside him to see the movies he had. He turned pulling her close, "Well I didn't know what to expect, and I wanted time alone with you. It's been so long and I rarely get it."

"I didn't argue." She said giggling. He dropped his head to he neck. "You smell so good."

"Glad you like it, it's new."

"What's new? Perfume?" He asked inhaling deeply.

"Yes, it's called Light Blue." She gasped as his lips slid across her jaw. "Well it smells wonderful."

"Yes." She exhaled softly. "Edward."

"If you are going to try and pull away I can't hear you." He teased.

She smiled, "You are terrible Edward Cullen."

"I thought we had established that years ago?" His lips touched hers with a feather light caress. She found her arms slipping around his neck. The passion was undeniable. The sexual tension could be cut with a knife. He groaned deeply and pulled back, "Drawing line now. Movie?" He fanned walking to the cabinet, "Drink?"

She grinned, "Coke?"

"Sounds wonderful." He poured them both a coke then sat them on the table. "Find something?"

"Well yeah I love this movie but I don't know if you will."

"What is it?" He looked over her shoulder, "Oh, 50 first dates. I do like this movie actually. We'll what I've seen of it. I've never seen the entire thing, again with the alone thing."

"You're not alone this time so?"

"So I say let me slip it in." He said with a lopsided smile as he took it from her. Her face flushed, "That sounded bad."

"Only if you are thinking that way." He smirked.

"Well it's kind of hard not to be with you in the room." She admitted. He put the movie in and smiled at her, "Really, I make you think naughty thoughts do I?"

"You know the answer to that, come sit by me so we can watch this movie." She sat down patting for him. He followed sitting beside her. It wasn't long before her head was in his lap as he caressed it softly. She loved her hair being played with, he had always done that and it relaxed her.

She soon found herself falling asleep. She would have gotten up but her body protested, and she finally gave in. She awoke to the blank blue screen on the television and a warm hand around her waist. She yawned and stretched slipping out of his arms. He was still sleeping soundly.

He looked like an angel, perfect and so innocent. She flipped the television off, and walked to the kitchen finding the glasses and making some juice. She felt like she was being watched and turned, "James?"

"Yes, hello darling you look beautiful as always." He gave her the once over, and even though she was dressed she suddenly felt naked.

"Edward is asleep I can get him." She said heading out but he grabbed her arm, "Actually, I wanted to speak with you."

"Ok, about what?"

He smiled wickedly, "Oh a little of this, a little of that. I did a little checking on you Miss Swan. After all it's safer to know what Edward is getting himself entangled with so I can cover later."

"He's known me all his life." She replied dryly. She didn't appreciate anyone digging up information on her.

"I know, tell me does he know about Timmy?" he questioned raising a curious eyebrow.

"That is none of your business." She felt her breath hitch and gripped the counter. He chuckled, "I can see he doesn't."

She wasn't sure how much he knew exactly so she didn't volunteer any information. "Bella, I don't know what game you're playing but I assure you Edward is in no way ready to raise some mans child." She realized he had no idea that Edward was Timmy's father.

"I would never ask him to, it's why I can't stay." She said softly. He watched her a moment then leaned on the counter next to her, "I actually think you are telling me the truth. Bella, I don' t mean to come across in a negative way. My job is to protect him. If the press finds out they will be all over this. You and your son will no longer be able to cross the street without a photographer on your tail."

"I have no intention of that happening."

"Me either, so I think we need to work together here." He met her eyes, "I won't tell Edward, and I do think you should make this visit your last for his sake. He is at the top of his game right now and this would really send his career for a loop. He's young, single, and one of the hottest men in show business. So be friendly, sleep with him, I don't care but you must not keep this relationship going."

"I will always be his friend!" She shot back. He nodded, "I understand that, I didn't ask you not to. You see Edward is in love with you, and he needs to realize there is no chance of more ever happening. You can remain friends. You just have to make it clear to him that is all you are."

"Don't tell me how to run my life." She snapped. He shrugged, "Ok have it your way, I just tell him about Timmy, and how you've lied to him all these years and…"

"No, wait please." She begged. He raised an eyebrow, "You make it clear Bella or I will make Timmy known. Something tells me his innocent view of you will be shattered. He thinks you were only with him, what would he think?"

She looked down, "I'll handle him."

"Good, it is best for all involved. I don't think you are cut out for this life."

"You're right, I'm not." She agreed. He lifted her chin, "Don't get me wrong you are quite striking but Edward has a reputation to uphold and unless you are on the A list you aren't included. I don't mean to be crass."

"Yes you do." They heard from behind them and turned. Edward looked extremely angry. "How can you tell her such a thing James!"

"It is the truth." He remarked. Edward lifted her chin to meet her sad eyes and looked to James, "She means more to me than anything get that clear. I won't have you insulting her. If you can't control yourself then I will find someone who can."

"Edward really, that's not necessary. Bella understands don't you Bella?"

She nodded, "Really Edward, it's ok. He is right you know."

"Not you too!" He spoke a little louder than he meant to. He pointed, "Out James, now." His voice was low and laced with authority. James winked at her and walked out. He turned to face her, "How can you agree with that pompous ass!"

"He is..." He glared at her stopping her mid sentence. "No he is not and you know better, you know me better than that. At least I thought you did. I'm beginning to wonder." Her eyes fell, "He's just doing his job and protecting you. Isn't that what you pay him for?"

"Usually, when I want to get rid of some clingy female but in this case I don' want him anywhere near you. I have no intention of getting rid of you at all. He will just have to adjust."

"Edward, we'll always be friends. You know that."

He frowned, "I know but I want more, and I think you do too."

"It's not that simple."

"Yes, it is." He corrected her. "Can you deny what we feel? What burns deep inside you when we are close." He stepped closer placing his hand on her stomach, "The tightness you feel here when we kiss. Do you really think you will feel that for anyone else?"

"Edward."

"No, answer me. Do you think the ache inside will go away? Can you possible think anyone else will fill the void?"

"It doesn't matter! I am not…" She sighed turning away, "I can't live this life, and you won't be content living mine.

"How do you know? You never gave me much choice."

"It wasn't a choice you had to make, this was your life. I wanted you to have it and you do."

"Great, as you can see I am so happy here all alone." He said throwing his hands up. "I love being here like this, it makes me crazy Bella!" He turned smashing her glass against the stone floor. She gasped. He fell to the floor sobbing, "I feel like I am having a breakdown, like I am suffocating."

She knelt, "Edward it will be ok. I promise."

"Does that mean you will stay?" He asked meeting her eyes, "Bella I need you so much." She closed her eyes, "You said you would give me time."

"It won't change your answer." He said knowingly. She took his hands in hers. "Let's get this glass cleaned up."

"Bella?" He asked standing.

She turned, "Yes?"

"Do you love me?" He waited with the saddest look she had ever seen. Timmy had the same face when he couldn't get his way. She giggled, "I do Edward. I do."

"Would you say that in front of a minister?" He teased. She slapped his stomach lightly, "Back off cupid."

"Just a thought."

"Where's the broom?" She asked shaking her head at him.