Disclaimers apply, SM story. Thank you for all the reviews. Makes me very happy to know that others are enjoying this too! Please remember, this is fiction, it happens in my mind. Things get a bit heavy in this one. You have been warned.

Chapter 10.

EPOV.

I am so useless.

Bella is still sleeping, Jasper went for a wander in the gardens, and it has been more than an hour since Sam rang. What the hell is going on!? I walk over to the window and bang my forehead on it, the cool of the glass feels nice. I just stand here for a few minutes not really thinking just enjoying the sensation.

Suddenly I hear the door open, I whip round but it's only Jasper. "Oh it's you."

"Well that's an amazingly friendly greeting! You miserable bastard, I think I won't give you my news and shall run off with my beautiful wife and her friends instead, bye now." He turns to leave and what he just said connects to my brain.

"Wife? Alice. They are here? Now? Shall we wake Bella up? When did they get here?"

"Whoa whoa, hold your horses, I can only answer one question at a time. They are here. Just now in fact. And no leave Bella sleeping. Did I get them all?" he chuckles at me.

I smile back at him and give him a friendly punch on the arm. I fidget around waiting. A few moments later I hear them outside the room. Alice is the first in and dives for Jasper and wraps her small arms around him. He sighs and kisses her head.

"Did ya bankrupt me sweethang'? "

I have noticed he drawls his Texan accent out more when speaking to Alice, mm I shall have to quiz him on that! Jake enters the room looking more like a pack horse than a body guard. I count 12 bags!

"Alice what in heavens name did you buy!?"

"Just a few bare essentials Edward, get the stick out of your ass. There are clothes for Bella and the children. Bathroom bits and a few toys. Not much really, the shopping around here is limited. But we did have a lot of fun in House of Fraser didn't we Jake."

Jake actually blushes, I think that is the first time I have seen him do that.

"You sure did Pixie pie. We are even now though aren't we? Please, I can't take another day of shopping with you. I actually wanted to eat my gun, it would have been less painful! Ed, your Mum is here. Where do you want all this stuff Mistress of the shops?"

He smiles a big face splitting smile at Alice who just grins manically at him.

"Just chuck it all on the sofa Jake. I will go through it later, I'm busy."

She returns to sucking Jaspers face, ugh! "Alice please, must you do that in front of me? It makes me feel a little sick you know."

"Oh shut up Edward!"

Jasper laughs and takes her off to the other sofa, they stay cuddled up and kissing. He is very affectionate with her. He loves her just as she deserves to be, just like Bella deserves to be too. I hope she doesn't put up too much protest with my plans for taking care of her, but I seriously doubt it.

My mind is wandering again drowning out Alice and Jaspers low chuckles and kisses when the door opens and Seth comes walking slowly in. He looks so demoralised; he looks nervously about the room, his eyes finally land on his mother asleep in my bed. He just stares at her, then bites his lip and starts full on sobbing.

Shit.

What do I do? Just then my Mum walks in, she really is a God send today, she looks haggard and pale. She goes over to him and hugs him close and talks softly to him.

"It's okay Seth, she is just sleeping, remember? Go on ahead honey its fine. I need to speak to Edward quickly. Good boy."

He wipes his nose and eyes on his jumper sleeves and climbs onto the bed and snuggles up to Bella. He looks lost in that big bed. My mother sighs and walks over to the drinks cupboard, when she turns back she downs a glass of what I can only assume is Gin.

"Edward come with me a moment please darling. We are right in here Seth okay? Jasper is just here and Alice too. We will be a few minutes."

I follow her into Jake and Sam's room. "Do you need me to leave Mrs Cullen?" Jake looks anxiously at her. She shakes her head no. We sit on the sofas in here; Jake stands up, and straightens himself up self consciously.

"Where do I begin Edward? It is all a tragic mess. That poor girl has obviously been through hell for who knows how many years and now I have to make it worse for her."

She blows her nose and rummages around in her handbag, she comes out with a stack of papers, her hand is trembling. Her eyes fill up with tears. Mum is a tough cookie, she hardly ever cries.

Shit."Mum, just tell me. Seth is here, it can't be so bad."

Her eyes meet mine and I can see the sorrow in them, she shakes her head a little and looks down again into her lap.

"I have to take the children with me. I have agreed to foster them for a six month period."

I gasp.

"What? Why? It will destroy her Mum. How could you do that to her? She hasn't done anything wrong!" I am seething. How could my own Mother who said she cared for Bella do this, take her kids away.

"I had no choice Edward. Sit down and listen. The social services already removed Leah and the woman to take Seth arrived not five minutes after you left. Your father and I are still registered foster parents. We stayed on the list after we adopted you. I thank heavens for it too. She was spouting about regulations and fostering when I remembered.

It took me an hour to convince the bloody woman and a phone call to a judge. That disgraceful inspector certainly didn't help matters either. Now, Seth is here, Leah will be brought to my house in two days time. They took her to an institution for deaf children in North London. The paper work to get her out of there is unbelievable; just as well I'm used to bureaucratic bullshit.

Now this is what has to happen, I will leave with Seth in the morning, you I assume are not staying in this hotel after all this?" I shake my head no. I don't think I can actually speak for the moment.

"Good. You will bring Bella up to the house and she will stay there with me and the children. They made no recommendations' that she was to be kept away. She has to provide a stable home and secure financials to get them back. You MUST get her up there Edward, I don't care how. There is nothing here for her any more, Jake told me about her belongings. We can help her. I will help her. I just hope she forgives me for the children. Now, you had better see if she is awake so we can explain what will happen tomorrow. I have explained to Seth. He is a wonderful child, but such an old head on young shoulders. He told me a little of their home life. It is sad and traumatic stuff Edward; I think they will all need therapy too to help deal with this.

Right, you go back in there, I have to call your father." Apparently I have been dismissed. I am sweating all over again. I gather myself together and walk back into my suite.

Jasper and Alice are now standing at the window, Jasper has his arms around her, she is so small she all but disappears in his embrace. Seth is sleeping but it looks as though Bella is starting to wake up. I go and sit next to her, her eyes are fluttering and she is tossing about.

"Bella? Wake up sweet girl. Seth is here with you. Come on honey, wake up for us."

I keep my voice soft so as not to startle her, her eyes fly open suddenly and she backs up the bed quite fast. I hold my hands up in front of me in a surrendering gesture. She looks down and around the room. As her eyes land on Seth, she calms visibly. One hand reaches down to stroke his face. She sighs and turns to look at me. All I can see is sorrow in her brown puddles of chocolate.

"What happened? Is Leah here? How long have I been out of it?"

Crap. How to tell her. This isn't going to go well, I can feel it.

"Would you come for a walk with me Bella? Just up the paths outside, then I will bring you back here for Seth. He hasn't been back long and could use the sleep I think. Jasper? Will you and Alice stay here with him please? Mum is in the other suite. We won't be long. Come on Bella, please? We have a lot to discuss. Just give me an hour that's all then we'll come right back."

She slowly gets up off the bed, she looks nervous and uncomfortable; "Um may I use your bathroom please?" She almost whispers it, I just nod my head and walk over to the door and open it for her.

"I'll just wait right here. Take your time." I give her a small smile and am rewarded with a half smile.

I quickly walk to the other suite to let Mum know where we are going and to get Jake. "We won't be too long Mum. How was Dad? Jake you up for a walk about?"

"He's fine darling. He is totally on board with it all; he will be home in two days. He said it would be great to have little ones around again. Take your time with her Edward, remember what I said."

She gets up and hugs me, I hold her tightly. She pats my back and steps away, I see watery eyes, she walks off to the bathroom. Jake gets behind me and gives me a good slap on the back, I fall forward a little, he chuckles. "So, a little walkies then? Got it. Sam is with Emily so he will check in with us later. Let's go. I will meet you at the front entrance, we are just going to the gardens again I take it?"

He is all business like now; he picks up his gun and checks it before sliding it the holster. I feel a shiver go down my spine, I hate guns, but they have become necessary over the past couple of years, they have a clip of rubber bullets and live ones.

Just in case.

He stalks out of the rooms and out of the door. Bella is waiting at the foot of my bed just staring at Seth. I clear my throat to get her attention; she looks over to me and then looks down, biting her lip and blushing up pink. I hold the door open for her again, "This way Bella. Jake will meet us downstairs. He has to come with me I'm afraid, just in case."

"I understand. Thank you". She passes ahead of me. I want to touch her, reassure her somehow, I tentatively offer my arm, she turns up one side of her mouth in a half smile and carefully takes my arm. I feel the electric pass through me.

"Sorry" she starts to move her arm away, I quickly pull it back, she gasps a little.

"It's fine Bella. It's not you; it was always like this when we touched. I remembered from preschool. I thought I was imagining it. It doesn't hurt, it feels kind of nice."

She surprises me with a chuckle, "Yes it does. I think I recall it from before, but I was so little. It makes me feel safe, this feeling with you, I can't explain it. I must sound crazy. Don't listen to me; I have no idea what I'm talking about. Here you are, the most coveted man in Hollywood, holding me and speaking to me like an equal, I'm just me, nothing really. Nothing special."

She is back to looking at the floor again. I can't have that. How can she feel like nothing?!

"That is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard Bella, and I've lived in LA. Bullshit city. You are not nothing. You are extraordinary. I can't describe the way I have been feeling. It is so odd, it's like you have always been part of my life. Not a stranger. It feels right."

The desk at reception is empty again; does anybody actually work around here? I spot Jake waiting by the entrance. He indicates to the left. We walk that way; he walks behind us a little ways so as not to be too intrusive. I take in a big breath and let it out again. How do I do this?

"Bella, my mother spoke to me a short while ago. Leah is in an institution in North London. They will release her in two days time to my mother."

I feel her sag against me, her eyes bright and pouring tears, I hold her against me a little, Jake catches my eye, I shake my head to his un- asked question. I've got her.

"Sh Bella, it's going to be okay. I promise. Just hear me out please."

I get a small nod.

"Mum has been made foster guardian to both of the children, the social services showed up to take Seth just a few minutes after I left with you. Mum is a registered foster parent so is my Dad. They kept it up after they adopted me. It took a lot of convincing them to let her have Seth and Leah. She's a barrister; I don't think they got to argue for long though.

She wants you to go with her; she wants you to stay up there with them so you can all be together. This is a six month fostering placement, but there were no stipulations against you, so as long as you can provide housing for them and secure finances you get them back.

I'm so sorry Bella, this is my entire fault. If I hadn't taken you to my room this would never have happened. Please let me help make amends, you have to come to London, it's the only way..."

She is shaking against me, rivers trailing down her face, I lead her over to a secluded bench, I push her onto it, Jake keeps his distance, I wrap my arm about her carefully so as not to alarm her, she dives into my chest and bawls. I just hold her and rock her for what seems like hours, eventually the sobs subside, she sits up, her eyes are swollen red, face stained, hair a mess, but still the most beautiful creature I have seen.

"I... I have nothing Edward. No money, no home nothing. They would be better off with your family, they can give them everything I can't Edward. I'm poison, I always have been. This is for the best I think. They will never want for anything. I am worthless... just like they all said. I can't do this Edward..."

I fall to my knees n front of her. "You are the best thing those children have Bella. You are their Mother, They love you. That is what they need most, money and other things are just that, things. Mum only did this to give you a real chance of keeping them. I don't know what has happened to you, for you to be here alone apparently, but this is the only way.

You must come with us to London. I will be leaving too, I can't stay here not after the way they treated you. I'm supposed to be house hunting, I'm moving back here.

See, I'm such a mummy's boy! My life is completely fucked up Bella. All gone to hell in a hand basket. I'm sure you have seen the papers and magazine crap. I messed up, big time. I don't think I really have a job anymore, I'm not sure I want it either. It has all become so pointless.

Mum basically ordered me here to have a break from acting and temptations that are readily available and move home. Dad is a big director and Alice is a set and clothes designer, they work together most of the time, and my Cousin Emmett, he and his wife Rosalie, they do stunts. Emmett also likes to do fitness training; he loves to kill me, regularly. They are my family Bella, maybe not my true blood family, but I love them, and they love me. I would be lost without them.

Those kids really need you. Please say you will come, I know it will be hard, but Mum has no intention of taking over, they are fostered to her in name only. You are their Mum, what you say goes."

She wipes her face on her sleeve; Jake steps up and offers her a hankie. Who knew?! She smiles shyly at him and gives it the biggest blow I think I have ever heard. She offers it back to him, he shakes his head.

"You keep it Ms Swan, I have plenty more."

"I can't believe you carry hankies, what is this 1940?"

"Shut up Ed. Just because you were raised a gentleman doesn't mean you are one! You never know when a beautiful lady may require one. I have some with my phone number on too, for special girls.

Not that you aren't special Ms Swan, I think you are stunning... um... I mean you are really lovely but um...crap. I think I will stop talking now."

He flushes bright pink as I look incredulously at him. Bella shocks me by laughing, a huge in your face belly laugh. It is amazing to hear. It sounds like bells ringing. Beautiful.

When her amusement subsides she rubs her face and looks deep in thought.

"Thank you Jake. You really are something else. I think you may need glasses though if you think I look stunning like this."

He just smiles his big goofy grin.

"No Ma'm. No glasses for me 20/20 vision. You are stunning. I think you would be lethal made up and dressed up though. I can't wait to see that. Ed here may die of a heart attack. All that booze and fags, they going to get ya!"

"Shut up Jake. Go and look busy over there, you're making me miss Garrett."

"Edward, would you tell me a little about what brought you here? I know you said your Mum ordered you, but there must be a reason? Please? I have missed you all, I know we didn't know each other very well, but as you said before, there is something, I feel safe too, like we belong."

I really don't want to go there. I don't want pity or understanding. I just want o forget it. But maybe tit for tat will work, there are some big things in Bella's past, I have a feeling they are what prompted the negative talk about herself earlier. Can you deal Ms Swan?

"Alright, I will make you a deal. I will tell you about the last two years of my fucked up life, if you will tell me a little of yours and agree to come to London to be with the children."

She goes very pale; I think she may throw up. I sit up on the bench next to her.

Very quietly I hear her "What makes you think my life is fucked up?"

"Really Bella? I wasn't born yesterday. The reactions you had to my guys and the cop's, that is not normal, ergo fucked up life somewhere. I don't want to hurt you, maybe we could help each other a little.

I have never told anyone except my therapist the whole story, she thought it would help."

"Fine... I will come to London, but you first...what happened to the golden boy of Hollywood? I won't interrupt or judge, just listen. Can you do the same for me...?"