With You

Chapter 6

"What did you learn in class today, baby?" Bella inquired, swinging her baby boy's hand as they both walked down the street toward their Central Park condo. It was a beautiful winter day, and Caleb had insisted on walking.

"I wanted to do math but Ms. Lilly taught us a new song instead. I hate singing," the boy grumbled. Bella laughed. Her boy was never the one to enjoy nursery rhyme and songs.

"I'll do math with you at home. Sounds good?" she suggested. "Now, what do you want for dinner?"

Caleb grinned, his green eyes sparkling. "Can I have pizza for dinner, please? Your pizza, mommy. I don't want delivered ones."

Smiling, Bella nodded as both of them climbed up the stairs into the lobby.

Pizza in the oven and Caleb behind the kitchen table with a math book, Bella poured a glass of wine for herself. A few minutes later, the bell rang.

"Hold on, Caleb."

She peeked at the peephole, only to see the face that she hadn't laid eyes on for the past five years.

But still as handsome.

She could feel blood drained from her face, her pulses thrumming.

"You will open the door if you know what's good for you, Isabella Swan," the man from the other side spoke softly.

She stole a look at Caleb, who was still intently counting with his little fingers to solve his math problems.

Slowly, she opened the door, her heart palpitating. His head tilted, a hand perched on the doorframe. Still as arrogant too. "Hello, Isabella," he greeted, his voice low.

"Cullen." The past five years had been good to him. The angular jaw was peppered with five o'clock stubble. His shoulders and chest broad, the cord in his arms remained as thick as they were the last time she saw him.

He was bad news to her health.

He smirked. "No hello?"

"I don't presume this is a social call. So no. No hello. What are you doing here? Aren't you violating your own NDA?" Bella questioned, keeping her door opened only a budge. She tried to keep her hands from shaking. How the hell did he manage to track her down?

Edward pursed his lips. Isabella Swan had grown some balls. Though still as lovely as ever. Even only in a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, she took his breath away. He tried to peek behind her shoulders, to look for her son, to no avail.

"If there's nothing important," she said, starting to close her door.

Edward quickly jammed the door with his shoe. "Bella," he pleaded.

"What the hell do you want, Cullen? I signed the damn papers, and I stayed away. What more do you want from me?" Bella hissed, pushing the door against him.

"Are you ever going to tell me about our son?"

"Mommy, who's at the door?"

Shocked, Bella almost jumped at the voice of Caleb. He was already standing behind her at the door, peeking at the strange man outside.

Edward's heart raced, overwhelmed. For the first time in his life he was speechless. The boy was his exact clone from when he was little, as he had remembered from the various photo books kept by Alice.

"Hi, mommy's friend. My name is Caleb. I am five years old," he said proudly, holding out a hand to shake with Edward.

Awed, Edward bent down on his knees, a hand slowly but surely grasping the small one offered to him. He resisted the urge to caress the boy's head in order not to spook him. "Hi, Caleb. I'm Edward. I am thirty five myself," he spoke softly, marveling at the beautiful boy in front of him.

Caleb's green eyes grew huge. "Wow, you're old!"

Edward laughed. "I'm only a few months older than your mother, Caleb. Do you think your mommy is old?"

"No, mommy is pretty!"

I think so too, son, Edward thought, straightening himself. He realized that the door is fully open now, with Bella standing behind them, a hand covering her mouth. Her eyes were watery. "Can I come in, Bella?" he asked softly, regretting being too harsh on her.

"Mommy says everyone is always welcome on pizza night! Are you good at math? You could help me with my math exercise!" Caleb said excitedly.

Horrified, Bella put a hand on Caleb's shoulder to tame down his excitement. "I'm sorry, baby. I only made enough for two," she explained softly, averting Edward's penetrating gaze. Having pizza with Edward Cullen was the last thing she needed.

Caleb frowned. "But mommy, aren't we supposed to share? No matter how little we have, we share. It's the thought that counts," the boy said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Edward was amazed. His little boy sounded so grownup. Bella did well raising their son. He was all in with the idea of having dinner with both Bella and their son. God knows he had plenty to catch up on. "I would love to share pizza with you, Caleb. And I'm pretty good in math."

"Excellent! Can Mr. Edward stay, mommy?"

The condo was spacious. She did well on her own, Edward reckoned. The condo overlooked the Central Park, but one thing that bothered him was the security of the building. It was so easy for him to get to their floor; just by arriving with a driver in a luxurious car was enough to ensure his entrance. He decided he had to do something about that.

He looked over the fireplace, and the photos lining the mantle. There were photos of Caleb in various stages of his childhood. One photo in particular was of Bella with newborn Caleb in her arms, her face flushed and tired, but so beautiful and happy.

Suddenly, he felt guilty for barging into their lives. The night before, he had felt immense anger at the thought of Bella keeping their son a secret. He had wanted to hurt her, and maybe threatened her with lawsuit and custody.

He could hear soft voices coming from the powder room, where Bella was helping Caleb wash up for dinner. The boy was so smart, and so polite; Edward had felt a surge of pride. He didn't think he would be the one to be called daddy, but he found himself looking forward to introduce himself properly to Caleb.

Perhaps, soon.

Dinner was… eventful. Bella had helped Caleb to cut the pizza into smaller pieces. The beef pepperoni and veggie lover pizza were delicious, they tasted just like the ones from a mom and pop restaurant. The base is crunchy but soft on the inside. The sauce was heavenly, and Bella was generous with the topping.

"Thank you for dinner, Caleb, Isabella," Edward said graciously. He had wanted to stay, but from the lack of conversation from Bella's side, he knew he had to tread the waters slowly. He was sure his sudden intrusion into their lives was not appreciated.

"Can I just talk in private with Mr. Edward for awhile, Caleb? You could go and get yourself ready for bed," Bella said.

The boy smiled and nodded happily. "Okay, mommy! See you again, Mr. Edward!"

Edward bent down to Caleb's height and offered him a handshake, which Caleb took vigorously. "See you again, Caleb. Sweet dreams, boy."

Both of them sent the boy off with their gaze, one with longing, the other with trepidation.

"We'll talk tomorrow. I'm staying at The Plaza," he began, shoving his hands deep into his pant pocket.

Bella rolled his eyes. "We don't have to do this," she replied curtly, tampering down her anger.

"I am a father, Bella. You kept me from being a father for the past five years. Be happy I'm not suing you for custody," he whispered harshly.

She narrowed her eyes, her hands in fists. "What the hell do you want from us?"

"Tomorrow. We'll talk."

P/S: Jerkward strike again! Thank you to Pay It Forward and Cheatward Spots for the mention. I am not worthy (bows down). I'm happy you guys are so involved with the story.

Now, does anybody know where I got the inspiration for the title?

Cookies to those who guess correctly :)