AN: I still don't own Twilight DAMN IT

To my beta SENDMEONMYWAY You are the cottage cheese to my barbque chips...I heart you!!!

To my review friends..you make me soooooooooo very happy!!!

OK I got too sleepy to wait till we hit 50 reviews so I am posting this at 12:10 AM and then I am going to be damn it! JUST REMEMBER HOW MUCH I LOVE YA!


BPOV- PORTLAND OREGON PRESENT DAY

Angela offered to pick EJ up from school for me. After spending the day in the store she was ready for a breath of fresh air. After Edward left we had a little pow wow. She was very happy with the way Edward and I had worked out, deciding to do everything we could for EJ. When I told her that his wife turned out to be his sister Alice she laughed and then cried with me.

She always saw right through my bullshit though, because when I told her Edward was engaged and that I was ok with that and he and I being just friends, she wouldn't let it go. "Bella, who are you trying to fool here? You are still butt faced in love with that man. Let me tell you from the way he looked at you, his eyes going soft and gooey I know for a fact that the flame hasn't gone out for him either. Engaged or single, he is not married yet, Mark my words that man still wants you," she said with a little hip shake.

I rolled my eyes, "Angela, it was one weekend six years ago. He is a guy, those kinds of things don't mean anything to them. Now we just happen to have a son together, so we can be mature adults about this and be friends because that is what is best for our son." I said with a dip of my chin.

"It's not best for your hoohah!" she giggled out. "Damn when I turned around and saw him standing there in all his glory," she said fanning herself. " If EJ looks like him when he gets older you better get the broom out now because you are gonna have to knock the girls off him. I'm married and I couldn't breathe," she giggled.

I couldn't help but join her. "I know" I admitted and fanned myself too. " It was everything I could do not to jump him when he hugged me goodbye. He smelled so good, like musk and soap and oh just male goodness," I finished with a sigh.

Just then a customer came in and our conversation was put on a back burner as she grabbed her jacket and sunglasses and left to go get EJ from school.

When she returned with him a little bit later I admitted to myself I was nervous to tell him about his father. The butterflies in my stomach became gigantic hawks circling. She went back to filling some internet orders for me, smiling at EJ when he ran to me hopping up and down.

"Mom guess what?" He said and I smiled. "What ?"

"At recess Tyler got in a fight with Michael!" he blurted.

"Oh no! What happened?" I asked knowing he was dying to tell me.

"At recess Michael wanted to play baseball with us. We didn't want him to play cause he cheats so Tyler told him no. Michael got really mad and hit Tyler so Tyler hit him back and the next thing I knew they were rolling around on the ground! Then the yard duty got mad and pulled them apart. She didn't care that Tyler didn't do anything wrong, that Michael had started it. She said there is no excuse for hitting and that Tyler should have came to her first, but mom everyone knows if you tell, all the other boys will call you tattletale so he couldn't go tell her first!" he broke off and waited for me to make a comment acknowledging the injustice done to Tyler.

"Honey, that must have been hard for Tyler to know what to do. Did hitting Michael solve the problem for Tyler though?" I asked.

"Nope, the Principal had to call Tyler and Michael's mom and they had to come to the school. I felt so bad for Tyler. Michael is a big kid and he could have really killed him" EJ said so solemnly.

"Oh honey, as soon as Jess gets here to take over we will go call Tyler's mom and make sure he's okay, alright?" I reassured, giving him a big hug.

He smiled and hugged me back.

Jessica walked in and hung up her jacket. She scooped EJ up in a hug and gave him a big kiss on the top of his head. "Hey buddy, how is my little handsome man today?" she asked.

When she sat him back onto his feet he rubbed his head where she had kissed him and blushed. "J- E- S- S- I- C- A!" he exclaimed, shaking his head. "Don't do that! YUCK!" He walked off pulling his back pack behind him towards the counter.

"Someday you are gonna like it when girls do that!" she called after him with a laugh.

"Yeah, yeah. You always say that., It's still gross," he said not looking back.

I laughed and told her we would be right back. I followed behind him past the counter and waited as he put his backpack on the small desk I had set up in the corner. We went in to the store room and used the phone there to call Tyler's mom, Jennifer. I chatted with Jennifer for a moment making a play date for the boys for Sunday. I figured EJ might need to vent a little to a friend and I could use the free time to myself since it was her turn to host. I let EJ talk to Tyler a few minutes before reminding him of his school work and chores.

When he hung up the phone he said, "Tyler said he has a black eye! How cool is that!"

I just rolled my eyes and pointed toward his desk but couldn't help but chuckle. As soon as I went over what he was supposed to do and made sure he had everything he needed I walked over to the counter and started working on updating the website. I had found some rare editions at an estate sale and wanted to get them priced and up for sale. This was a part of our daily routine, I would work on the computer and he would work on his homework.

After awhile EJ asked if he could take a break and get a snack. He went into the small break room and got a snack and brought it over to the counter climbing up next to me on a stool. He chatted away about his day, what he learned in math and how Mr. Reese had called on McKenzie to answer a question, when she didn't know the answer she cried.

When he laughed and did that half smile, it always made me think of his father. I couldn't help but think about Edward. Before, I would always picture him somewhere with his family, and wonder did his son or daughter have that smile too? Now a little stab of guilt hit me as I realized that what I was blessed with every afternoon, he had never had.

I felt so sad in that moment. EJ was my life, he lit every part of it up with his love and his precious spirit. I knew I couldn't fix the past, but I was so glad Edward would get to experience how wonderful his son is.

Even though I knew he hated it I couldn't stop myself from kissing him on his forehead. "I love you, ya know?" I asked smiling.

He rolled his eyes and said in his best Eeyore imitation, "I know. I love you too," and he slipped off the stool, walking back over to the desk to finish his school work.

Once I had the website finished, I worked with Jessica shelving books and helping customers as they came in while Angela ran and got herself some dinner.

Once EJ was finished, he asked to play a video game. After I checked over his work, I agreed and he went in the break room where Angela and I had set up his own little area with a recliner, a TV and Wii.

'Uncle Ben' loved to visit once in a while and play video games with EJ. Angela and I would laugh when we would be out working in the store and hear EJ and Ben shouting and laughing, egging each other on.

'The only difference between men and boys,' we would say.

Before we knew it five o'clock came and I started to clean up around the area I was working on.

Tuesdays and Thursdays were Piano lessons and Ben normally would take EJ for me and walk him back, but tonight Ben had a meeting for work and couldn't take him.

After the Edward situation this morning, Angela offered to stay later, so that I could take him. The next couple of days were going to be tough and we agreed he needed as much normalcy as I could give him.

I collected EJ and we went upstairs to make a quick dinner before heading out. Once we had eaten the beef stir fry and rice that I had thrown together. I started to clean up the kitchen while he started to gather up what he needed for his lesson. I reminded him to grab his sheet music off the piano for the new piece he was working on.

Once we were ready and had our jackets on, and back pack we headed downstairs and through the store where he hugged Angela and Jessica good bye. They would close up the store for me at seven.

As we walked along to, "Ms Wetzel," the piano teacher's house, I decide to start the conversation about Edward. I had decided to ease him into it.

"EJ, you know that nobody is perfect and people make mistakes, even adults right?" I verified.

"Yeah, remember when Jessica was helping you on the computer and she accidentally hit the wrong button and erased a bunch of stuff?" he said with a serious look on his face.

"Exactly, here is the thing about mistakes, every mistake we make we learn something from it and can use it to grow and be a better person." I said hoping he understood what I was saying. He nodded but I wasn't sure.

He surprised me when he asked. "Did you make a mistake Mom?" and I could tell he was holding his breath.

"Yes EJ, I made a big mistake. I have a friend and I thought he had done something really bad. I was hurt and angry at him because I misunderstood something that happened. I stopped being his friend and kept a secret from him. I found out today that he had never done any of the things I thought he had done. You see on his own he found out about my secret. At first he was very angry at me because this secret was pretty big and kept some people from finding out about a loved one. But this friend is a very good man, very kind and very caring. Once he thought about what I had misunderstood, he forgave me for the mistake I made. He didn't have to but he did and for that Mommy is very grateful." I finished watching his face.

"Kind of like how you forgave Jessica?" he asked.

"Yes, but my mistake was very big." I said quietly

.

"Oh," he said and I decided that maybe I was getting serious for him.

"Anyway, this old friend of mine wants to be friends with me again." I trailed off.

"Mom are you trying to tell me that you have a boyfriend? Max's mom and dad got a divorce and his dad got a girlfriend. Max said the girlfriend's always super nice when his dad is there but not so nice when his dad isn't," he said and I could tell he was getting worried.

"No, EJ I do not have a boyfriend." I smiled and squeezed his hand.

"In fact my friend is getting married soon. We have decided to be just friends. Look I don't want you to worry about this in fact I think that when you meet my friend it will be a very good thing for you ok?" I said as we walked up Ms. Wetzel's porch steps.

My cell phone rang and I looked at the display. It was my dad. I flipped open the phone and asked my dad to hold on a second. I walked EJ into Ms. Wetzel's and let her know I would be on the porch on the phone if she needed me.

My dad was calling to ask me about a fishing trip in a few weeks with EJ. We chatted for a little bit and then he got a call over his radio and had to go. I sat on the front porch step and thought about that weekend.

I knew that EJ was looking forward to it and I was looking forward to hanging out with some of my friends from the reservation. Thinking about my friends from Forks reminded me of Rose and Jasper. I decided to call Edward and ask him to give Rose my number. Maybe Rose and I could get together that weekend while EJ and Dad were out hanging on the lake.

I pulled up Edward's number that he had recently added to my phone and pushed send. My heart beat a little faster at the anticipation of hearing his voice. I mentally smacked myself and shook my head, what was I in high school?

He answered the phone sounding a little panicked. "Bella, is everything okay?"

"Yes, I am so sorry I didn't mean to worry you, everything is fine. I was just wondering if once you talked with your family you would mind giving Rose my phone number? I kinda miss her and was hoping that she and I could get together when EJ goes to my dad's for a fishing trip in a few weeks." I said and heard his sigh of relief.

"Of course, not a problem." he assured me. "So have you told him yet?" he asked.

"Not yet. I have started laying the ground work but I couldn't just blurt it out,." I admitted quietly.

"Of course not I understand" he said. The sounds of EJ's playing drifted out to where I sat.

I heard Edward take a deep breath. "Is that him playing?" he asked the wonder clear in his voice.

"Yes, he is past the 'twinkle-twinkle little star stage' huh?" I said and laughed.

"Bella, would it be okay.."he trailed off.

"Yes?" I asked, encouraging him to finish.

"Could you just let me listen on the phone for awhile? He doesn't need to know that I am on the phone, I just," his voice broke, "I just want to hear him." he finished.

I felt myself tear up. I would never be able to make it up to him, he deserved so much more. "Of course, I am going to go back in and just set the phone down like no one is on it so I won't be able to hear you okay?" I whispered as I opened the door.

"Okay. And Bella? Thank you," he whispered back.

I walked in, setting the phone on the top of the piano as I walked past. EJ continued to practice and was working through a song that was a little challenging for him.

When he was done Ms. Wetzel reminded him to continue practicing at least an hour every day. He laughed and told her he was earning a new wii game if he did. I walked over and palmed the phone and walked to the entryway, pretending that I was putting on my jacket.

I snuck the phone up to my ear. "Are you still there?" I whispered.

"Yes" he said. "I am here at my family's home to tell them about EJ," I heard him say in a quiet voice.

"Bella, I am a patient man but waiting till Saturday is going to be very hard. How about I come for dinner on Friday night? I don't want to push you, it's just that I have missed out on so much and waiting until Friday will be hard enough."

What was one night really. This again was the least I could do. "Of course, how about we do dinner?"

"Perfect" he said, sounding so happy.

"Can you be there at four? I liked to have dinner at six I don't want to change too much of his schedule," I told him.

"Of course…. and Bella, again thank you. Good night."

"Goodnight Edward," I whispered hanging up just as EJ barreled around the corner and grabbed his jacket.

EPOV

When I left Bella's I drove to my office to check in and to catch up on some things. I had a smile plastered on my face as I walked through the lobby and into the elevator.

One of the interns joined me in the elevator and I tried to remember her name but could only remember it was a flower name. Iris? Rose? Violet? Lily! that's right Lily, I cleared my throat and smiled at her when she looked up with a shocked look on her face. "Good Afternoon Lily. How are you today?" I asked, and she continued to stare at me for a second before squeaking out, "Very well, thank you, Mr. Cullen." then her face turned a bright red.

It reminded me of Bella and I couldn't help but laugh to myself. "Are you enjoying your internship here?" I asked wondering what was so interesting about her shoes because suddenly her stare was fixed on them.

"Yes, Mr. Cullen" she said quietly. Just then the elevator door opened and she was gone in a flash like a scared little rabbit.

I just shook my head and smiled.

When the elevator opened into my suite of offices I walked quickly to mine, passing my personal assistant calling over my shoulder. "Ilene, can you bring me my messages and some coffee in about ten minutes please?"

As I sat in my chair I swiveled around and looked at the bookcase on the opposite wall. It held pictures of my family and I smiled when I looked at them. There was one of Carlisle, Esme, Alice and myself on a ski trip when I was in high school. A larger one of Alice's family that I had in my wallet, and one of Emmett, Rose and I at their wedding. I had a smaller frame of me with Jackson and Samantha, Emmett's daughter from last Christmas.

I pulled out a clean note pad and a pen and started making some notes of things I wanted to accomplish, including setting up financial arrangements for EJ and making adjustments to my will and other paperwork that would insure he was named as my son. I felt a little thrill at that thought. I have a son. Saturday couldn't come soon enough.

I heard a knock at the door and Ilene slipped in and brought me a stack of messages, mail and files along with a mug of coffee. She started updating me on what I had missed for the last day and a half. Once we had gone over everything, I was ready to jump back in. I thanked her and with a last second thought as she was leaving called out, "Ilene, one moment please."

She turned around and said, "Yes."

"Could you do me a huge favor? I know it's not your job but would you mind running a quick errand for me?" I asked, smiling when I saw the surprise on her face. I rarely asked for these kinds of things as I didn't want her to feel like I was taking advantage of her position.

"Sure," she said the curiosity showing.

I pulled out my wallet and handed her some cash, would you mind going and getting me a picture frame. I need a very nice 8x7 frame preferably silver," I said with a smile.

"Okay," she accepted with a wink. "But you owe me a extra vacation day. William and I are planning a trip to the Bahamas and I could use it since I work for such a demanding boss!" she called out with a laugh as she walked out.

I shook my head and chuckled.

Before I could get started I called Esme, better to get this over with so I could concentrate. I dialed her number and heard her pick up. "Hello, Cullen Residence."

"Hi Esme."

"Edward! How are you?"

"Good, listen, I have some good news but I would like to tell everyone all at once tonight, I was thinking I could fly up and we could all meet for dinner around 7:30?"

"Sure, do you want to go out or would you rather have dinner at the house?"

"At the house if that's okay?"

"Sure sweetie, but now you have me curious? Does this news involve Lauren?"

"No, but it is good news though."

"Can you give me a hint?"

"It's bigger than a bread box," I teased.

She giggled, "You're a rat, you know? Do you want me to call everyone for you?"

"That would help cut down on the questions and get me out of this office sooner."

"Consider it done, and Edward?"

"Yes?"

"You deserve happy news whatever it is. You work too hard. I love you."

"I love you too. See you at 7:30."

"Bye!" she said before the line clicked dead.

My next call was to the airport. I made arrangements for the company jet to be fueled and ready, and asked them to register flight plans for a trip to Seattle. With that being done I picked up the pile of messages and sorted through them categorizing them by urgency. I worked for a few hours until Ilene buzzed that she was back and had the frame.

She brought it in and I could see the curiosity was killing her. "New picture huh?" she asked.

"Yes, it's a picture of my son." I said with a smile.

Her face was shocked, we had worked together for seven years now, with her moving with me from the Seattle office. "I didn't know you had a son" she said confused.

"Neither did I till yesterday" I said and slid the pictures of EJ out of the envelope that Bella had given me.

I heard her gasp as she asked "May I?" and after I nodded she picked a few up then a big smile lit her face.

"Congratulations, Dad., The resemblance is remarkable," she said handing them back.

I smiled every bit the proud papa. "Yes, yes it is."

"Wow, this is a story you will have to tell me some time later. You will need to hurry if you are going to catch your plane, the pilot called right before I came in," she said and headed for the door.

"Thank you!" I called after her retreating form.

I pulled out the 8x10 of EJ's latest school picture and put it in the frame., I walked over to the bookshelf to decide where I wanted to put it and then changed my mind, walking back to the desk, setting it on the corner. I walked back around and looked at it for a moment. I reached out and readjusted it so it was the right angle for me to look at while I worked.

I put the rest of the pictures back into the envelope and slid them into my briefcase with a few other things I could work on during the plane trip. I smiled at the picture and headed for the door flipping the light off on my way out.

The flight was uneventful. I worked on some of the things I had brought with me and before I knew it we were taxing into the Cullen hanger. I kept one of my cars there due to my frequent visits to the Seattle office.

I had just started the car and pulled out of the hanger when my phone rang. I looked at the display and my stomach knotted. It was Bella, my first thought was that EJ might be hurt.

Bella, is everything okay?" I asked worried.

"Yes, I am so sorry I didn't mean to worry you. Everything is fine." My relief was instant.

" I was just wondering if once you talked with your family you would mind giving Rose my phone number. I kinda miss her and was hoping that she and I could get together when EJ goes to my dad's for a fishing trip in a few weeks." she said and I could tell she was worried I would say no.

"Of course, not a problem. So have you told him yet?" he asked.

"Not yet. I have started laying the ground work but I couldn't just blurt it out," she admitted quietly.

"Of course not I understand," I said even though I was a little disappointed.

Suddenly I realized I could hear piano music in the background.

"Is that him playing?" I asked in wonder. I wouldn't have thought it was a child in kindergarten, more like Junior high.

"Yes, he is past the 'twinkletwinkle little star stage,' huh?" she said and as her laughter floated over the phone. I realized I wanted to hear more of his playing. I wanted to share in this.

"Bella, would it be okay.." I suddenly choked up.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Could you just let me listen on the phone for awhile? He doesn't need to know that I am on the phone, I just," my voice broke, "I just want to hear him." I felt uncomfortable asking, but I knew that she would understand.

. "Of course. I am going to go back in and just set the phone down like no one is on it so I won't be able to hear you okay?" she whispered and deep down I sighed in relief.

"Okay and Bella? Thank you," I said as I heard the music get louder.

I arrived at my parents house and pulled around the circular driveway. I parked, turned off the engine and just sat in my car listening to him go over the same part over and over a few times till he would master it. I could hear him grunt when he got frustrated, every once in a while I could hear the teacher's encouragement or suggestions and his laughter and excitement when he finally got it right.

I was so wrapped up in listening that I jumped when Emmett knocked on the passenger window. I motioned to him that I was on the phone and did the universal sign for wait a minute. He shook his head and headed into the house.

I don't know how long I sat there. I could have listened to him all night. I heard his teacher tell him that time was up and encouraged him to continue with his practice.

Then he laughed. His voice sounded so little and he was so happy. So he was earning a new wii game? I wondered which one that he wanted. Suddenly, I heard Bella over the phone "Are you still there?" she whispered.

"Yes," I said. "I just arrived to tell my family about EJ." I sounded a little sad even to my own ears, before I knew it I blurted out, "Bella, I am a patient man but waiting till Saturday is going to be very hard. How about I come for dinner on Friday night? I don't want to push you, it's just that I have missed out on so much and waiting until Friday will be hard enough."

"Of course. How about we do dinner?"

"Perfect," I agreed, doing a fist pump in the air before feeling like a dork.

"Can you come at four? We can do dinner at six, I don't want to change too much of his schedule" she said.

I reeled my self in and said calmly, "Sounds good, … and Bella.,,again thank you., Good night."

"Goodnight Edward," she whispered.

I sat there with a huge smile on my face for a few minutes, then got out of the car and walked up to the door. I walked right in to share my good news.


OK SO TELL ME WHAT YOU LIKED OR DIDN"TYOUR REVIEWS MAKE ME ALMOST AS HAPPY AS MY DREAM OF A NAKED EDWARD IN MY SHOWEROH DID I WRITE THAT OUTLOUD???SORRY

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HIT THAT LITTLE BUTTON AND LEAVE ME SOME REVIEW LOVE!!!!