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Thanks to Subtlynice, who does an amazing job at beta'ing this story. ღ

¤ You Came Too Early ¤

Chapter 3- Edward's side

Now
EPOV

I was really annoyed when I hung up the phone. Seriously, this woman truly had a talent to bring the worse or the best out of me. Right now it was the worse. She got me so exasperated... what was she not understanding in the words "it was an accident"?

Isabella and I always had a weird relationship. It wasn't without love or respect, but it was a relationship imposed on us at a young age; it was meant to crumble one day or another. We got further than what most people thought we were going to. And it goes without saying few people thought we were going to have a second child.

We have been divorced for the last 5 years, and even though I missed my family like crazy, I was proud to say that I had made something out of my life.

"Daddy," Emma's voice pulled me out of my bubble of thought. I smiled at her and she ran into my arms, burying her face in my shirt, her small arms around my waist. I played with her long dark red hair.

"Hey, kiddo." She looked upset.

"Daddy, are you mad at me?"

What? Girls, sometimes... I could never understand what was going on in their mind. I honestly believed that it was God's true jape to have me surrounded by them. "Why would I be mad at you, sweetheart?"

She raised her chin and looked at me. "Because I told Mom about Tanya?"

Now at that, I had to sigh. It was true; I wished I had told Bella myself about my not-so-new girlfriend. I had meant to tell her for months now, but it never seemed like the right moment. At first, I didn't even knew if what Tanya and I had was serious, so I saw no need to tell the mother of my children, right? Then, as the months passed and summer got around the corner, I knew I had to tell her, but I could never find the right words. It shouldn't have been hard. Bella and I were over, why should it matter to her if I had a girlfriend or not?

Yet, the result was the same. Bella didn't know, Juliet got hurt on Tanya's watch – and yes I know, I wasn't even supposed to work, so it was half my fault too, what an irresponsible parent I was – and now Bella was flying here at first light tomorrow.

What a mess, seriously!

I looked down at my girl and had to force a smile. Her big green eyes – eyes so much like mine – were looking at me with worry and shame. I took her by the shoulder and bent down to be the same height as her.

"No, baby. I'm not mad at you." I kissed her nose. "You did nothing wrong."

"But you're upset," she said.

"Not at you. It's... grown-up stuff."

I urged her then to go put her pajamas on, telling her that I was going to join her for a bedtime story. At that she genuinely smiled. Emma just celebrated her 10th birthday last week, and though she was growing up so fast, part of our routine never truly changed. It just that now, she was the one reading the bedtime story for me. She loved that, and I had to say I enjoyed it just as much as her. It was fun to hear her change her voice for the different characters. Right now, we were in the middle of The Chamber of Secrets. Emma always enjoyed to read, in that way she was so much like her mom.

I was leaving my office, where I had gone to speak with Bella, when the phone rang again. So sure it was my irritating ex-wife again, I answered curtly.

"What is it, this time?"

"Wouhhaa! Dude," boomed the voice on the other end of the phone. "Is that a way to say hello to your best friend? What a jerk!"

Emmett McCarty. Loud, exuberant, kid at heart, Emmett was the best thing that happened to me after my divorce.

I spent the next 10 minutes relating my day to him. How I had to leave the girls to go to the studio, because Aro wasn't satisfied with how the opening song faded at the end and we had to re-do the whole recording, with the orchestra and all. I told him about my precious Juliet, how she fell and broke her wrist in two places. How Tanya was feeling totally responsible and scared. How we had wasted hours waiting at the hospital. And finally, my phone call with Bella.

"She wouldn't get it was just an accident. I mean, Tanya isn't stupid, she knows how to care for the girls, but Jules just fell. It could have happen to anybody."

"Seriously, dude," Emmett said, "if the situation were reversed and I was you and something like that would have happened to Henry, Rosalie would have had my balls! I'm not even kidding."

I had to laugh. Because no matter how exaggerating and over-dramatic Emmett sounded right now, I knew he was right!

Rosalie Hale was one of Hollywood's hit-list actresses. The girl was gorgeous, talented and fierce. I honestly didn't know how a girl like that could have ended with a goof like Emmett. But the two of them were so much in love it was disgusting.

Rose and I didn't get along that great, but we were both linked by our love for Emmett. She never told me, but I was ninety-nine percent sure she didn't approve of my decision to divorce the mother of my girls and choose to live far away from them. Despite everything, Rosalie Hale was a family girl through and through.

Henry was their eighteen-month-old son. The perfect clone of Emmett, with big blue eyes and dark curls. Rosalie's pride and joy. Since his birth, Rose gave me some slack, like she was now understanding what being a parent really meant and realised that giving up on my girls had probably been the most difficult decision I had had to make, ever.

To this day, I still didn't know if it was the best thing to do, neither if my reasons for doing it were the right ones.

That night, before going to bed, after Emma's bedtime story, I went to check on my baby girl. Juliet had turned six last May; she was growing so fast, it made my heart ache. I was around for Emma's early years, but I moved away to L.A. when Juliet was barely one year old. I sometimes felt like I didn't know her.

Spread on the bed, the cover half way to the floor, her pajamas rolled up all around her small body, she had the same sleeping technique as me. It made me smile.

I repositioned her on the center of the bed, being careful with her fragile arm in cast. It was pink colored, and on it, I could see the drawing Tanya and Emma made for her. Some flowers, hearts, and Emma's awkward 'xoxo'.

I kissed her forehead gently, whispering "I'm so sorry, baby girl. I love you." That barely covered how I felt.

Then
BPOV

And here I was thinking telling 'his' parents was going to be the easiest of the two.

Edward's last hope vanished when I exited the doctor clinic and looked at him. He knew then, just by looking at me, that I was one hundred percent sure pregnant.

He hadn't come with me to the appointment. It felt too personal and all, and we weren't right at that point into our 'relationship', if it was what we had. But he waited outside for me, smoking half a pack of cigarettes. I remember frowning. That was a bad habit he was going to have to lose.

Freaking out, it took him two other weeks to come talk to me again. At least he apologized for that. He also asked me if I wanted to come and meet his parents at Thanksgiving.

Now, that was scary! I also had no idea what Edward had told them. Did they already know about me and my situation? Was that the reason they wanted to meet me?

Since I was going to miss Thanksgiving with my own family, I told them that I was going to Vancouver with Angela. My roommate was cool about it and played along. I wished that version was the reality, though. Instead, here I was, looking out the window as the Seattle area landscapes defiled outside. The weather was gray, and the car ride was silent.

"My mom is probably going to cry," Edward suddenly said to me.

Surprised, I looked at him. "Does she know? Does your dad?"

Edward frowned. "No."

"Didn't your dad ask questions when you went to him for an Ob/Gyn around Seattle?" I couldn't help but ask. This must had been an awkward conversation, yet I was glad Edward went through the trouble for me. I loved the Ob/Gyn he found me. She was great, reassuring and non-judgmental.

Edward cringed. "I told him it was for my friend's fiancée."

There was a silence. "What did you tell them about me coming?"

"Nothing," he said. "I just asked if I could bring a friend."

Oh, wow. This was going to be awkward. "Why is your mother going to cry?"

Edward sighed. "My dad was an internship at Chicago hospital when he met my mom for the first time. She just had had a miscarriage and her first marriage was falling apart. They met by chance two years later; and three month after that, they were married. My mom always dreamed of having a big family, but after four years of trying, it turned out her miscarriage probably left her barren." That was just so sad. "They finally took the decision to adopt. They were finalizing the whole process when they figured out they were expecting me. I'm like their 'miracle baby' or something. I was two months old when my sister Alice finally completed our family. She was four." Edward glanced at me. "So you see, for us to... conceive so easily... I don't know how they'll react, but I'm pretty sure my mom's going to cry."

Well, that was understandable. "Is your sister going to be there as well?" I asked.

"No," Edward said. "She's staying in Los Angeles. She's studying Fashion Design and Marketing there."

Thirty minutes later, we passed through what looked like a principal street of one of Seattle's suburbs. Edward turned left, then right and right again, until he finally turned into one driveway. The house was huge, with a double-door garage. Trees lined the yard, with red leaves. The neighbours were close, but the houses were all big and beautiful. This was a rich suburb.

Edward took both my bag and his, and I just followed him to the door, which opened before we could ring the bell or knock on it.

"Edward!" The woman was beautiful, maybe in her early fifties. She had long chestnut hair and hazel eyes that had some wrinkles, but you could tell it was from laugher.

"Hey, Mom." Edward smiled softly as the woman kissed his cheeks. We entered the house and Edward dropped off the luggages. "Mom, this is my friend Isabella. Isabella, this is my mother, Esme."

"Hello Isabella." Esme smiled pleasantly at me, giving me her hand.

"Nice to meet you," I shook her hand. "Please, call me Bella."

It came out by habit, and I saw Edward glancing at me, frowning. He had the question on his lips when his dad arrived and took him in a half hug, shaking his hand.

"Good to have you home, son," his dad said. He was good looking for his age. Blond hair going on gray, pale green eyes and a beard from a day or two. You could see where Edward got his good looks.

"It's good to be home," Edward replied with a smile. You could tell he was close to his father. "Dad, this is... Isabella?" It came out as a question, and I blushed.

"Bella," I confirmed, shaking Dr. Cullen's hand.

"Well, Bella, welcome to our modest house. I'm Carlisle." He put an arm around his wife's waist. "We're glad to have you among us."

Edward's parents looked so nice it brought tears to my eyes. But that probably was just the hormones. If either one of them was surprised by Edward bringing a girl home, none of them showed it. Esme gently smiled at me.

"I bet you're both hungry. Edward, why don't you show Bella her room, so you can both clean up before supper." Then she looked at me. "I made lasagne for tonight, I hope it's okay with you, sweetie."

The thought alone was mouth-watering. Okay, that was also the hormones speaking.

"It's perfect, Mrs. Cullen. Thank you."

"Yeah, thanks Mom." I felt Edward's hand on the small of my back as he led me to the stairs. He had both bags with him. On the second floor, he opened the first door and let his own bag drop, so I concluded that this was his room. I had barely the time to take a look inside – the room had two white walls, two marine blue, the cover on the bed was dark greyish blue – when he pushed me further. "Yours is this way."

The guess bedroom was really clean and simple. Cream colored walls, wood floor. The bed looked big and comfortable with all its cushions.

"Hope it's alright," he said.

"It's perfect." I turned and looked at him. He had a scowl on his gorgeous features. "Edw—"

"You go by Bella?" I could only bite my lips and nod. He looked frustrated. "Then why didn't you tell me? I mean, Seth calls you by that name all the time, but I thought it was just another nickname or something."

"It is a nickname," I clarified. "I'm just used to it. Everybody call me that. I prefer it now."

"Everybody but me," he said. "Why do you let me be the only one calling you by your full name?"

Why, indeed? I never gave it much thought. I just liked the way he said it, I supposed.

"Why are you so mad? Why does it matter to you?"

He fidgeted angrily. "Because, Isabella, I feel like I don't know you!" He calmed. "It's like... you don't want me to know you."

I was so shocked I couldn't find a reply. Sighing, Edward gave me my bag and quickly showed me where the bathroom was before he left. Trying to control my emotions, I entered the bedroom and put my bag on the bed, looking around. I took a deep breath, hands on my flat stomach, and closed my eyes. When I was finally calmer, I went to the bathroom and washed both my face and my hands.

I went downstairs, walking slowly. Edward and both his parents were in the kitchen, and I could see them act together without their knowledge. Edward was cute. He had an arm around his mother's shoulder, trying to taste the lasagne she was still cutting into equal pieces, but she was having none of it, hitting his fingers with her spatula.

Dr. Cullen was opening a bottle of red wine at the end of the counter, laughing at their antics. He was the first one to spot me. "Hey, Bella." He smiled.

"Hey," I entered the kitchen. "Can I help?"

Both parents refused my offer, saying that I was a guest. Edward got the table ready, so I went to help him. In the dining room, I noticed a big, old wooden cross.

"It's my dad's," he explained. "His great grand-father was a clergyman back in England, in 1870."

"Wow." I didn't know Edward's family was from England.

After a moment, Esme and Carlisle joined us, bringing the lasagne, a decanter full of wine and some bread with butter.

"I'm sorry it's not a full Thanksgiving meal, but I thought we would like it simple for tonight," Esme explained.

"It's perfect, honey," said Carlisle, kissing her cheek.

Truth was, it was delicious. I said as much.

"Thank you, sweetie," smiled Esme.

"So, Bella," went on Carlisle, "where are you from?"

And here it goes. I spent the next minutes answering questions. Where I was from, what I was studying, what my hobbies were, how I knew Edward. Sometimes Edward would intervene, but not much. It was okay. I never felt pressure, just sincere curiosity. Both Carlisle and Esme were gentle, loveable people.

It all went down with one small, simple question; "Would you like some wine?" Carlisle asked. I was going to answer politely when Edward interrupted.

"She can't."

Both parents looked surprised. I tried to fix the situation by a small "No thanks. I'm good," but already Dr. Cullen was looking suspiciously at his son while Esme rather looked at me.

"Really, why?" Esme gently asked. "Would you like something else?"

I already had water. "No, I'm fine, really," I said as Carlisle said, "Edward, son, are you all right? You barely spoke all evening."

"You look pale, dear," Esme added.

Edward did look pale. He also had sweat on his forehead. His father must have seen the same thing as me, as he was trying to touch his son's face. Edward's backed away. "I'm fine," he snapped. Then he returned to his food, looking only at his plate.

I did the same, but the ambiance was broken. I was starting to feel as nervous as Edward. Maybe even nauseous. I could no longer eat. Softly, I lay down my fork on my plate and put a hand on my mouth.

I was starting to get where Edward was coming from. His parents were so awesome and nice, it felt awful to deceive them, and I didn't even know them. Edward must be feeling all shapes of miserable right now.

"Bella, sweetie, you okay?" I barely heard Esme's voice. I was feeling hot and dizzy. The room was starting to spin, the sound seemed muffled. I really wasn't feeling right. The last thing I saw was two worried green eyes before the room faded to black.

-:-:-

I could feel the soft couch under my body, the cold wet towel on my forehead. Soft hands were touching my face, my hair. A motherly touch. Esme.

Further away, I could hear voices.

"How far along is she?"

"I don't know... 10 weeks, maybe." The voice sounded weak.

"Does she faint often?"

"No. It was the first time."

"Does she eat enough?"

"I guess."

"You guess?"

"I don't know!"

"Does she sleep enough? Does she overwork? Does she take all her vitamins and calcium and supplements?"

"I don't KNOW, Dad! Okay? I don't know!"

"Well, you should know! It's your baby as much as hers. You should know those sorts of things. You should— Edward! Come back here!"

Dr. Cullen never finished his sentence. Instead, I could heard the front door opening and closing with a loud CLACK! It made me jump.

"Carlisle," said Esme beside me. "I think she's waking up." Softer she added, "Bella, dear, can you hear me?"

Softly, I opened my eyes. Both Edward's parents were by my side, Esme looking worried, and Carlisle looking very much like a doctor right now.

"I'm fine."

"No you're not," smiled Dr. Cullen. "You just fainted on us."

"It was just nervousness." I tried. Then I realized I let Edward alone to tell his parents about my – ours – situation and felt bad. "I'm sorry."

Carlisle smile reassuringly. "No need to be sorry, Bella. Can you sit up?"

With both Esme and Carlisle's help, I sat up, placing my feet on the ground. I kept the towel on my forehead; it helped. Edward's dad wanted to take my blood pressure so I let him. He also asked a few questions about the pregnancy, but he stayed very professional, never putting me ill-at-ease. Esme stayed at my side, holding my hand. Her eyes were teary.

I wondered where Edward had gone.

"I'm going to go look for him," Esme said when I asked. She patted my hand and left.

Carlisle removed the cuff from my arm. He told me my blood pressure was a little low, but I was going to be okay. Slowly, with his help, I stood up. I was feeling really tired and just wanted to go to bed. After I assured Carlisle several times that I was going to be okay to climb the stairs and go to bed, he finally let me go on my own.

As I was passing the entry's door, I could look outside by the tall windows each side of the door. Edward was sat on the top of the stair of the balcony, his mom at his side. He had both arms around her, and she was caressing his back, rocking him, as he was sobbing into her neck.

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