Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own twilight nor do I own the characters. All characters, except the famous Donovan Ricks, belongs to Stephanie Meyer. So if any of you lawyers spending you're time suing people, you can't sue me.

Progress.

Though Edward had many slips, he's been doing well. In over two weeks time, he's had gotten close to Emmett and Jasper. His next level, which looks to me, is Alice and Rosalie. He knows what he had done to Alice; he doesn't know how to approach her. And Rose, well Rose is hard to befriend when you've been an asshole to her.

I keep reminding him over and over again. Alice is a loving and forgiving person. She will be willing to move from the past.

"Bella!" I heard Edward yell loudly from next door.

I jumped up from my desk and hurried over to his office. Behind me, everyone had run out of their offices and went over to Edward's office as well.

"Y-yes?" I stammered.

"Bella!" Edward said, spinning his chair around to face us. He had to biggest smile on his face and I heard Alice and Rosalie give a sigh of relief.

Edward ran over to me and gave me a hug. I froze then hugged him back as well. I don't know why, but when I was in his arms at that moment, I felt safe and secure. It was as if his arms were made to put around me.

"Bella!" he yelled again, pulling away too soon.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Look!" he yelled. "The rates!"

He flipped the paper over and showed us a chart.

"No way!" we all said.

"We got 67% higher rates!" Edward yelled.

We all cheered.

"37% higher stocks and look at these reviews!" Rosalie said after she took the paper out of Edward's hands.

"Edward!" Alice yelled. "This is awesome!"

Edward smiled bigger, "You think!?" he cheered.

"One of the best issues of Sparkle," Alice read. "From NY Times."

"And!" Rosalie exclaimed. "Very well written articles from Bag Heads!"

"Bag Heads on bag on people," Emmett said.

"Bella! This is because of you!" Jasper said.

"No," I insisted. "Not all of it." I waved my hand.

They all laughed.

"Know what guys?" Edward said. "I want you guys to take the day off."

"Really?" Jacob asked.

Edward nodded. "Really," he said.

"Thanks, Edward!" Emmett said, giving Edward a punch on the shoulder. He raced off to his office, dragging Rosalie along with him.

Alice and Jasper took off as well and Jacob raced home after grabbing his stuff.

"Bella," Edward said. "Stay."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why?" I asked.

"I'm gonna need you to come with me," he said.

"Okay," I said.

Edward drove silently and I was getting more anxious as to where we were going. Ten minutes, and then thirty. We drove out of the busy streets of New York and to a more secluded place. My jaw dropped as we passed the sign that says 'Cemetery'.

"A cemetery?" I asked. "Why are we here?"

"Another life story I think you should know about me," Edward said.

I nodded and watched as Edward parked in the sidewalk. He went around the car and opened the door for me. He was silent and his head was dropped as he walked. He must have known where he was going because he didn't look up once.

When we got there, there was a big white headstone. There was a carving of a dove carrying an olive branch and below it was a name in bold letters.

"Donovan Ricks"

"Hi," Edward said to the headstone. He ran his hand in the side and then used his finger to trace the dove. "Sorry I haven't been here. But it looks like your secret admirer has been here recently."

I stayed silent as Edward talked to this Donovan. Edward bent down and pushed aside the bouquet of fresh roses.

"This is my friend, her name is Bella," Edward said. He turned to me with wet eyes. I reached over and gave him a pat. Why was he crying? "Bella, this is my dad."

I gasped. Edward smiled sadly at me and pulled me down with him. He sat across from me and kept his eyes down as he spoke.

"Edward Senior isn't my real dad." Edward said. "Donovan Ricks is."

"How?" I asked.

"My mother...she was...she was widowed...Donovan died." Edward said. I reached over and wiped a tear that fell out of his eye. "He was...he got killed in a car accident. She was pregnant then with his child, me. When I was born, she met Edward Senior."

I took his hand and sandwiched it between both of mine.

"James' mom divorced Edward. James was three years old when my mom and Edward got married." Edward said. "He became my dad, or so I thought."

"I always envied James because...well because dad always saw him as the favorite son. He was his real son and I'm not," Edward said, closing his eyes.

"Edward," I said softly.

He opened his eyes and looked at me through tears. "See, I only found out that I wasn't his real son when I was fifteen. And he doesn't know I know." Edward said. "Not even my mom. They kept it a secret and they still are."

"How did you find out?" I asked, curios.

He rubbed his eye with one hand while gripping mines with the other. "I was doing a family research when I was a freshman in high school. I scoped around the house trying to look for birth certificates and I found mines. But my father wasn't Edward Senior. Instead, it was Donovan Ricks," Edward said, looking at the headstone. "I researched for a Donovan Ricks and tracked him down. I was devastated to find out that he had died."

"Oh, Edward." I said.

Edward smiled sadly at me. "Donovan was driving home one night like any other night," Edward said. "But then, there with drunk guy driving a huge truck. He ran a red light just as Donovan was driving straight ahead. Donovan's car was dragged 350 feet before the truck driver stopped. And it was too late."

"I...I didn't even get a chance to know him. How did his voice sound like? What were his hobbies? Why my mom fell in love with him. How he looked like" Edward said, more tears falling out of his eyes.

I blinked away the tears that had formed in my eye. Edward reached forward and wiped them away with his thumb.

"Bella," Edward said. "You're the very first person I've ever brought here. I...I don't know why, but I always feel so content when I'm around you. You understand me, you listen to me. And I like it."

"Edward," I said. "I'll always be here. As you friend."

"Dad," Edward said to the headstone. "You hear that? I have a friend now."

I smiled. "Edward, I think your Donovan would have been proud of you." I said.

Edward turned his head to look at and his eyes had formed tears again. "You don't know how nice that sounds." Edward said.

"And it's true. You're a great person inside." I said.

"Thanks, Bella." Edward said.

"But, Edward," I said. "I think it's time you let your mom and Senior Masen know about this. They might have kept it a secret for a reason."

"And what reason would that have been?" Edward asked softly, his breath blew on my face and I realized just how close we were.

I sat back slightly and said, "To protect you from the horrible truth. To keep you from knowing what happened to your real father."

"But...don't they know that it would hurt way more if I find out myself. And I did. It really hurt me. All for the first fifteen years of my life, I thought that my family was perfect. When I found out, I started seeing the difference in the way my dad treats me and James."

"And is that why you started doing the things James did?" I asked.

Edward nodded, ashamed.

"Edward," I said. "If you really want to prove to your dad that you are better, you shouldn't follow James' path." I brought my hand up and placed it on his heart. "You should follow what's in here. You should always."

"You're right," Edward said.

"I always am," I smirked.

He laughed and I smiled at the sound of it.

"Dad," Edward said. "Did you know Bella raised the ratings and stocks for this month's issue?" he asked the headstone.

I smirked. "You should be more like this Edward. Happy, smiling.," I said. "And what's that?" I said. "You're dad agrees with me."

He smiled. "Come on," Edward said. "Let's go to dinner."

"Okay," I said, standing up.

"Dad," Edward said. "I promise to come back soon. And I hope Bella would like to come as well. I love you dad, I always will."

Edward Masen

"Mom?" I called.

"Edward?" she called back. "Is that you, honey?"

"Yeah," I said.

She came out of the kitchen and walked towards me. She gave me a hug and kissed my cheek. "What's wrong?" she asked.

I sighed. "Can we talk?" I asked.

"Sure," she said. "Let's go in the kitchen. I'm cooking dinner for your dad."

I grimaced. My dad.

"What is it?" my mom asked as she stirred something in the pot.

"What are you cooking?" I asked, beating around the bush.

"You're father asked me if I could cook him his favorite soup," she said. "I-"

I cut her off. I don't want to go slowly. I want answers right here, right now. I slammed the birth certificate on the table and she jumped slightly.

"Edward!" she yelped.

"Mom, why didn't you tell me Edward isn't my dad," I said.

She froze. "What makes you think that?" she asked.

I frowned. "Did you honestly think you could have kept it a secret from me? I found out when I was a freshmen in high school, mom." I said.

She didn't say anything.

"Donovan Ricks, isn't he my real dad?" I asked.

She looked up with the most shameful expression I had ever seen.

"My birth certificate says so," I said pushing the paper towards her slightly. "And didn't he die in a car accident?" I asked.

I heard her give a small whimper. I went around island and hugged her. "Mom, why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"I'm sorry," she said. "But...it would have been an awful thing to tell you."

"Bella was right," I said.

"Bella?" she asked. "She knows too?"

"Bella's the only reason I'm asking you this, mom," I said. "Did you how felt when I found out that Edward wasn't my dad? And how much it hurt more as I counted the days you would look me in the eye and not tell the truth?"

She took my face in between her hands. "I'm sorry, Edward." she said. "I wanted you to have a normal life. A boy who has a mother and father. Not those kids who have parents that is divorced. Not those kids with step moms or step dads."

"Mom," I said. "I would have been okay if you told me yourself. Bella's parents are divorced and she has a step dad. She turned out to be a good person. Do you know how much I want to be just like her? Her parents told her the truth. Mine didn't."

"It would have hurt you," she said,

"And didn't you think it would hurt more if I found out myself?" I asked.

"I didn't know," she said, looking down.

I sat down.

"Why didn't you tell me you found out?" she asked.

"Because I was waiting for you to tell me yourself," I said.

"And I didn't. I never did," she said.

I looked up and saw her eye filling with tears. I wrapped my arms around my mother's waist and she rested her chin on top my head.

"I'm sorry, Edward." she cried.

After a moment of silence, I asked. "Who was Donovan Ricks?" I asked.

I spent hours with my mom, listening to her tell me everything about Donovan Ricks. They had met in college and they got married three years later. He likes to go fishing, read books, play the piano, and has an obsession with music. I always wondered who I got my music talent from. No one in my family liked to play any instruments. Now, I know that I inherited that gene from Donovan Ricks.

She told her sad and funny stories. Like the time Donovan was taking her for a walk in the beach and he had slipped on the sand and fell on his butt. She told me the time when Donovan's mom died and he was devastated for weeks.

She also told me his dream of having a son. That he would spoil his son to death. That he would teach his son the proper manners of treating a lady. That he would work hard just to put me through college. No matter what, his dream was for me to get an education.

Within that time, I had learned to basic things about my real father. The man who had swept my mother off her feet. I learned things about him and it felt like some kind of pressure was taken off my shoulders.

Bella was right. And like she said, she always is. And she's right about that too. I don't know what I would do without Bella. It was as if she was my savior. The one my father had sent me from heaven. Donovan sent her to straight things out in my life and I can't thank him and God enough for that.

"Come with me," my mother said.

"Wouldn't dad want you to finish cooking first?" I asked. "He could come home anytime soon."

She shook her head. "This will only take a minute," she said.

She grabbed my hand and led me up stairs. She went inside her room and dug through her closet. She came out with a leather jewelry box in her hand.

"This," she said, opening the box and digging through out until she pulled out a ring, "is the ring you're father had given me. I think he would have wanted you to have it." She handed it to me. [AN: This is the ring Edward gave to Bella in the book.] "It was his mother's and his mother said to give it to the woman he loves. Now, I am giving it to you and I want this ring on the finger of the woman you love."

"Isn't it kind of early?" I asked, smiling, twirling the ring in my finger.

"Yes," she said. "But this is a perfect time to give it to you now that you know the truth. Plus, I want to have grandkids."

"Now?" I asked, feigning horror.

She laughed and kissed my cheek. "Not now, but in the future." she said.

I chuckled.

"Now," she said. "Go home and get some rest. Take care of this ring, you hear?"

"I will," I said. "I'll see you soon, mom."

"Oh, and Edward," she said. She went over to the desk drawer and pulled out a picture. "I think you should have this."

I flipped the picture over and gasped audibly. It was Donovan Ricks.

"Mom?" I asked. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I have many more. But this...this is his favorite picture of himself. He said it made him look tough." she laughed. "Have it."

"I love you, mom." I said.

"I love you too, baby," she said.

Bella Swan

Edward's strong arms were wrapped around me yet again. He was standing in the front door and he was giving me words of thanks.

"Bella," Edward said, his mouth next to my ear. "Thank you."

"Thank you for what?" I asked, blinking.

"I did as you said," he said, his grip tightening around me. "My mother now knows I know the truth. And...I would have never told her unless you persuaded me."

I wrapped my arm around his torso and inhaled his scent. And then I stopped what I was doing. What am I doing? He's my boss for Pete's sake! But I don't want to stop. I breathed in his husky scent again. He smelled wonderful.

I pulled away too soon and he smiled at me.

"Bella," he said. "This is my father." he took out a picture.

"Oh my," I said. "You have his nose." I said looking at it. "And that crooked smile," I said, making his smile crookedly. "Both you parents have bronze hair, but his is lighter." I said. "You have the shape of his eyes, but the color of your mothers."

He smiled at me as I made the comparisons.

"Oh, come in, Edward," I said, realizing he was still standing.

He laughed and went in my house as if he had been here before. I followed him as I watched him flop down on my couch.

"Feel at home?" I joked.

He laughed.

"I always wondered who James got his hair and eyes from," I said.

"Go for it," Edward said.

"I'm guessing he got his blue eyes from his mother and the hair from Senior Masen." I said. "You were always more handsome than them."

"I am?" he smirked.

"Donovan Ricks is handsome. I can see why your mother fell for him," I said.

"Bella," he said. "Do you mind doing a favor for me?"

"Another one?" I smirked.

He smiled. "Well, it's kind of important." he said. "I have been invited to another bash in California. It's just like the party. And then, as the new boss, their doing like an interview to get to know me and stuff."

"And what can I do?" I asked.

"It makes me...anxious to be away from you," Edward said honestly. I was deeply touched by that. "I want you to come with me."

"Oh, come on, Edward," I said. "I don't think the trip would be that long."

"Would you understand what I meant if I said I was only human?" he asked. "Please come with me. It's this Saturday. And we'll be back by Wednesday."

[BTW: It's a Thursday for them.]

"I'll think about," I said.

"Plus," Edward said. "You have no out." he smirked.

"And why not?" I asked, trying not to smile.

"Because," Edward said. "I can always make you. And because Alice said you'll go." I glared at him playfully. I don't know how or when, but someday, Alice was going to pay for this.

So two days later, I was stuffing a small suitcase in Edward's Volvo.

"Stupid, shiny Volvo owner," I mumbled.

"I heard that," Edward said, coming around the car and helping me close the back.

"Bella!" someone called.

I turned around and saw Alice coming out of her car.

"Alice?" I asked.

She ran over to me with a box in her hand. "Trust me, you'll need this." she said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Look at it when you get at the airport," she said.

Jasper came up and said, "Never bet-" her said.

"-against Alice. Yeah, yeah," I said.

Jasper wrapped his arm around her waist and said, "Have fun," he said.

"Oh, trust me," Alice said. "She will."

"What?" I asked.

"Bella," Edward said. "We have to go."

Alice smiled as Edward took a hold of my hand and opened my door for me. She and Jasper were talking, but I couldn't hear them.

"Do you have any idea what Alice meant?" Edward asked when he drove away.

I looked back and saw Alice and Jasper waving. I shrugged. "None." I said.

Edward laughed and sped faster. I shrieked.

"What!?" Edward asked, frantic. "Did you forget something?" he asked.

"You're going 80 miles an hour on a side street!" I yelled.

He sighed. "This is actually slow," he said.

"And again," I said. "Stupid, shiny Volvo owner!"

Edward Masen

I watched Bella from the corner of my eye as she sat beside me in the first class section of the plane. I took the window side only because Bella said it made her nauseous when she looks outside the window.

Bella was fast asleep now and I turned my torso around to get a good look at her. Even in her sleep she was beautiful- wait! What am I thinking? I am her boss for God's sake! I can't...think about her that way. But...I can't stop. She's beautiful.

I leaned forward and inhaled her scent. Strawberries. I am not a fan of the fruit, but on Bella, it was a nice scent. I resisted the urge to touch her hair. I felt it only once when I hugged her in the doorway. It was soft as silk.

"Sir," a woman said. "Is there anything I can get you?"

I growled a little bit. I don't like it when women try to flirt. It's just...wrong. Plus, this woman is a blond. I prefer brunettes. I looked over at Bella, shaking my head at the woman. She stomped off and I smirked a little bit.

"Edward?" Bella said.

"Yes?" I asked, leaning in a little bit more.

But her eyes were closed. She was snoring lightly, which I found incredibly adorable. Her mouth was opened slightly. Oh, how I loved her lips. Her lips were nice and pink. I wonder how it would feel. She smiled in her sleep.

"Don't...go. Stay," she said.

I chuckled. She talked in her sleep.

"Better get her before someone else does," I heard someone say. I turned my head a little to the side and found man a sitting behind me watching me. I leaned up and looked at him. He was your typical old person. White hair, wrinkling skin.

"What?" I asked.

"I said, she's a beautiful young lady. I wouldn't be surprised to see men getting in line for her. I suggest you take her now before someone else does." he said.

"But...I'm just her friend," I said.

"Doesn't seem like it to me," he said. "Look, I've been around for quiet some time. I've seen men who look at women and I've seen men who look at women the way you do. See, there's a difference. The way men look at women nowadays, they think of sex. They think, 'I wonder how her boobs look like' or 'I'd get in her bed'. But then, there are men who look at women the way we oldsters used to. We look at them because their beautiful, not 'hot'. Or whatever you kids call it these days."

I chuckled.

"Do you know which category you fall into?" he asked.

I shook my head. Did I look like the horny type or something?

"You, young man, fall in the gentleman category," he said. "When I saw you looking at that beautiful woman beside you, I see myself. You look at her face, not her body. You listen to her not tell her what to do."

"How do you know when you've fallen for someone? When...when it's the real thing, not just some one-night stand," I said.

"I... Love at first sight happened to me," he said. "My wife passed away a year ago. But she was the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"I'm sorry about your wife," I said.

"Don't be," he said. "She's happy where she is. And that's in heaven. Why would I be sorry when she's in a place where she's happy? And why would be sorry when...I know that I would join sometime soon."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"My boy," he said. "I have cancer. And I'm not doing anything about it. Because where ever my wife is, that's where I want to be. What is love? It's when you are willing to sacrifices yourself for that one person. It when...when you close your eyes, you see that one person all the time. It's when you hear her laughter, her voice, feel her touch. That's what love is to me, my boy. Ask yourself this question: Would you die for her?"

"There you are, grandpa!" a man said. "Your seat is over there."

"Think about it," the old man said.

"I'm sorry if he bothered you," the man said.

"Oh, no," I said. "Not at all."

I don't know about you guys, but that old man made me cry. AND I WROTE IT! lol.

Donovan Ricks is just a made-up character I made for this story. So, don't hate me for it. It was part of the story and that's why Edward was a snob. He didn't think he was loved because he was just a step-son. And did you notice, I put was not is.Edward is changing!!!!! And, I put the whole wedding ring in this chapter as well. I was trying to stick to the twilight story.

Anyways, did any of you catch some 'Twilight' quotes. I used a few and tell me if caught it.

REVIEW! REVIEW!

I would love to thank those who reviewed in the previews chapter. And like I said, the more, the faster I get these up.

Is this chapter short or just okay?

REVIEW! REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!