Disclaimer: Not mine…how I wish I was that creative…

A/N: Okay…I wrote most of this chapter while watching "National Treasure 2", "Bolt", a couple of episodes of "Gilmore Girls" & "Supernatural" (Jared Padalecki = YUMMY), two games of the Seattle Mariners vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, and had an idea hit me while I was watching "Transformers 2". None of that really affected my writing (I think) but wow…I had a clearly productive past couple of days. :-P

And unrelated, but I can't believe Michael Jackson died! That made me a sad panda. :- (

Anyways, I hope this chapter is to your liking. It's a freaking monster in terms of length and information. I just couldn't cut it up. Valuable information getting thrown around here.

xXiStillLoveHimXx: Welcome aboard! Your review made me do a little happy dance and I feel very undeserving of your flattery. I hope this is to your liking! Thank you!

And ajenc, I'm so relieved to have you back! Thank you for your always wonderful input. I swear, you're pretty much my beta for this thing. I hope Edward seems a little more of a man for you. :- )

Everyone else, I hope you're still with me, and thank you just for reading. It makes me smile. :- ) Okie dokie…game on! (Wayne's World anyone? :-P)

The broken clock is a comfort

It helps me sleep tonight

Maybe it can't stop tomorrow

From stealing all my time

And I am here still waiting

Well I still have my doubts

I am damaged at best

Like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart

I'm barely breathing

With a broken heart

That's still beating

In the pain

There is healing

And at night

I found meaning

I'm holding on…

I'm barely holding on to you…

-Lifehouse, "Broken"

Chapter 9: Broken

Sunlight completely blinded me when I tried to open my eyes. Good lord why didn't I close the window shades like I normally did? What the hell was I doing yest-

My head throbbed and my chest felt like it was hit with a freight train. Words came rushing back to me in an instant:

"You're my daddy aren't you?"

"Mommy! Was this daddy's surprise?"

"Edward…"

"Yes Edward…he's yours."

"DADDY PLEASE! I'M SORRY!"

"DADDY!"

"No…" I choked out. I could feel the tears streaming down my face suddenly. It was all true. Yesterday I had seen Bella…I had seen Bella and found out that I had a son. I had a son. A son. I yelled out again as I slammed my first into the wall next to my bed. I had a son that Bella had kept from me.

She thought she was doing what was best for me by leaving. I sat there mulling over and over again the facts. Especially the fact that Bella thought that I wouldn't want them. I have always wanted Bella and now, knowing that she gave birth to our son and has been raising him alone all this time…I wanted more than anything to be with them. But could I forgive her? I thought she knew me…that I could never NOT want them. Especially her, the love of my life, and my own son. I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to the past.

Flashback

"Bella!" I hissed, "Sit still woman!"

Her beautiful laugh filled the air. I was a little less than amused. Not even an hour of not being virgins and she had turned into some sort of…vixen. We sat in the tub, soaking in the rather heavenly warm water. After much harassment from me, Bella admitted that she was a little sore and that a warm bath might be a good idea. The smug high I was feeling after getting her to agree was quickly shot down when she slapped me in the chest.

And she wasn't done with getting back at me yet it seems. We sat in the tub, her between my stretched out legs, her full backside pressed into me. I had to keep from groaning constantly. I was getting hard again and all her shifting of her body as she tried to "get comfortable" was making my problem a billion times worse.

"Relax Edward," Bella said, "it stings and I'm a little uncomfortable."

I would've felt bad…except I heard that tone of hers. That teasing one when she's trying to play innocent with me.

"I'm sorry love," I said apologetically, knowing she couldn't resist my sad face.

"Edward please…there's nothing to be sorry for. That's how nature works," her tone no longer teasing.

Oh how quickly I could turn things around my little vixen in training. Two can very much play at this game.

"I'm sorry that you're the only one who felt any pain from all of this. It's not fair."

Bella sighed, "You're so silly sometimes Edward. I'll be fine and the pain really wasn't that bad. Giving birth on the other hand, that would be terrible…"

And how quickly a conversation could do a 180 and go in a whole new direction. Anyone listening to our conversation would've been immediately able to tell that Bella's voice was full of apprehension just from the way she awkwardly trailed off after mentioning having a baby. It was definitely one of those awkward moments. I wasn't quite sure what to say. We had already talked about marriage, and we agreed that we would be married when we were both 20. For some reason that seemed like a good age to the both of us. I guess I was silent for too long because I heard a soft sniffle.

"Edward, please say something. What are you thinking about?"

My hands had been resting softly on her outstretched legs. I let my right hand start small slow circles as I dragged my hand higher towards her belly. I let my hand circle around the soft skin around her navel. I heard Bella sigh and also let out a mix of a moan and a whimper. I let my nose nuzzle the back of her head before dragging it forward so that I could whisper directly in her ear. I was nervous to hear her response after what she just said, but I couldn't deny my thoughts.

"I was thinking," I whispered, nipping at her earlobe, earning myself another quiet moan, "that someday I can't wait to see your belly swollen with our children."

I heard Bella's breathing hitch as I let my head rest against hers. I only hoped that she wasn't put off by what I just said. She remained silent for a few more seconds, her breathing completely stopped and her body frozen.

"Breath love," I whispered again.

"Do you mean it Edward?" she said so softly I almost missed it.

"Do I mean what love?" I whispered back. Bella shifted her body and I leaned back assuming that she was turning to face me. Her small hand gently cupped my cheek as she spoke.

"That you want to have a baby with me. Do you mean it?"

I turned my lips into her palm and placed a kiss there. "Bella my love, in two months time I'll be able to see. It will open up a whole new world for me. New experiences, new possibilities…it's endless. But Bella, this I know, I know that I can't wait to spend the rest of my life waking up and seeing you sleeping in my arms, our child growing inside you, your beautiful face absolutely glowing."

Bella sniffled and I felt her lips softly press against mine before she leaned forward and pressed her forehead to mine.

"I want that too Edward," she said softly.

"I want so much Bella," I started off honestly, "I want to see you, wake up to you every day. I want to see you walking down the aisle towards me in a gorgeous white dress. I want to see your belly swollen with our child. I want to run around in the backyard with our kids and the dog while you watch from the porch. I want it all Bella, and I want it all with you by my side."

"Oh Edward," Bella sniffled, "I want all that too. More than you know. I just…I just feel like…like this is all too good to be true. I feel like something is going to go wrong and…and take you away from me."

I slid my hands up her arms and to her cheeks, "Bella love, my dad has checked over this procedure thousands of times. He knows the doctor very well and is very confident in this. There's an 87 % success rate Bella. Nothing is going to happen to me."

She sniffled again, her hands curling into my hair, "How can you be so sure Edward?"

I smiled and pulled her face slowly to mine so she would know what I wanted. I pressed my lips firmly to hers, hopefully conveying all the love I felt for her.

"I'm sure Bella, because I love you. You said it yourself, 'we belong together'."

"I love you Edward."

"I love you my Bella."

End flashback

I still hadn't moved off my bed and when I glanced back at the clock it now said 12:37pm. I've been sitting here for over two hours. Before that memory meant much less to me than it did now. Yesterday I had met my son. I've missed out on five years of his life. Five years of watching him grow up. This memory just added more to my confusion and uncertainty. Bella had known I dreamed of having a child with her. Why would she think leaving me and going through this without me was the best decision? I shook my head, which was stupid considering the headache my thoughts were giving me. I groaned and decided to sit up.

I made my way over to my bathroom and decided to shower and not completely abandon all forms of hygiene like I had two weeks ago. As I showered a thought occurred to me. Bella and I only slept together three times: our first time after prom, once on my birthday, and again on July 4th before the surgery. She had told me she was on the pill…she wouldn't lie about that. So when did it happen? I'm going to guess either Prom or my birthday. I shook my head. There was so much to take in and think about now and it was giving me a serious headache. As I let the warm spray of the shower hit my naked body, I couldn't help but be drawn back into the "dark times" that had followed me back from Forks.

Two weeks. My cell phone, house phone, and email boxes were flooded with messages. Two weeks I ignored the world. Two weeks I let my parents panic over whether or not I was dead in my apartment. Two weeks I let Alice bang on my door. Two weeks of not answering any communication device. Two weeks I slept all day and night. Two weeks I barely ate a thing or drank anything. Two weeks I didn't shave or bathe. Two weeks I let my world fall apart. For two weeks, I killed myself repeatedly with one thought: All this time, Bella was right here in New York City.

The pain in my chest increased now as I thought of what I had learned in addition to knowing that Bella lived here in the city. I had seen Bella. She was the woman from the party. She was Izzie McCarty. I had a son. A son that Bella kept from me. The pain in my head throbbed and I didn't know what to feel or think. I was mad, I was shocked, I was in pain, but underneath it all, I was still so in love with Bella Swan. I let out an animalistic scream as I let my fist pound on the tile wall. What the hell was I supposed to do now?

APOV

So maybe I shouldn't have kept Edward's key to his apartment, but I would be damned if I let him go all Grizzly Adams again and abandon hygiene like it was the plague. Nor would I let him not eat like he had an eating disorder. Bella sure did a number on him. I was having a hard time even trying to understand what Edward was feeling or what Bella was even thinking when she left him all those years ago. Any time last night that I even tried to put myself in one of their places, I ended up giving myself a major headache. Jasper didn't say much, but I know he knew what I was thinking about. I know he was planning work for his class with a Halloween theme, but I also know he was thinking the same thoughts as me. What the hell was going to happen now?

I figured Edward wasn't coming into the store. You didn't have to be a psychic to know that going into the store was the furthest thing from his mind right now. I was more than positive our clientele would survive if we were closed for a week or two. As I walked down the hallway to his apartment, I wondered if E.J. was in class today and how he was taking things. I'd ask Jasper later, but knowing my Jazzy, he would try to make sure that E.J. was more than feeling okay. After growing up watching my parents fight and cheat on each other for so many years, one would think I had little faith in marriage and relationships. Truth be told, it actually made me a stronger believer in relationships. My parents weren't meant to be together. It was out of convenience because their families thought it was a good match. I am more than a little sure that my parents didn't even like each other before they were married. I shook my head at their families' dated ideals. I truly believed that my dad had found his soul mate in Charlotte. She was a sweet woman. Same with my mother. Benjamin was a good man. While I didn't really speak to either of my parents anymore, I at least knew they were happy. While they didn't belong together, they were with the one they belonged with now. I am a strong believer in the fact that everyone has that one person they are meant to be with. I could only hope E.J. might take things as positively as I did. Of course, I was twice his age at the time.

I sighed as I placed the bags full or groceries I bought for Edward on the floor so I could fish out the keys. I knocked once, wanting to be polite, but knowing he wouldn't answer. We never even talked about the state in which I found him in a couple of days ago. Good lord, was it really only a couple of days ago? I sighed, and then took a deep breath, praying that in the time between when I left last night and now, Edward hadn't decided to hang himself or completely destroy every possession he owned.

When I pushed open the door, everything in the living room was exactly where it had been. Nothing was thrown around and his apartment was in it's "Alice approved" neat organization. I let out the breath I was holding and called out his name once. I got no answer but I could faintly hear the shower running.

"Thank the lord." I muttered to myself as I brought in all the groceries. I don't think I could take it again if he didn't shower or shave for two weeks. I had taken to getting Edward a bunch of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as some other necessities. Last night when I looked, all the man had in his damn fridge was butter and some bottled water. Even the shelves in his pantry bore a solitary box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Last night I had groaned. What kind of life has Edward Cullen been living all this time? I doubted the lack of sustenance in his kitchen was THAT much of a recent occurrence.

Just as I was getting ready to put away the casserole and spaghetti & meatballs I made for Edward last night, I heard his rather confused voice from down the hall.

"Alice?"

I went and popped my head around the wall so I could see him, slapping on the most convincing smile I could at the moment.

"Edward! How are you feeling? Are you hungry?"

His frame was drowning in the t-shirt and basketball pants he had on. He blushed a little and looked sheepish as he walked slowly into the kitchen running his hands through his hair.

"Fine. I guess I'm sort of hungry."

"Well good!" I chirped. Edward Cullen was not the only one capable of putting on a "happy face" for others.

"I've made and bought you enough food to last you at least a week. You do know there was nothing in your fridge except butter and some bottles of water?"

I watched as Edward blushed even more and looked at the floor, kicking his foot against the ground. He slowly started walking forward and I froze when he wrapped his arms around me in a hug. Edward NEVER initiated physical contact between himself and anyone. It took me a split second to respond and throw my arms around his waist.

"Thank you Alice," he whispered.

"You're very welcome Edward," I whispered back, holding back the tears I felt at the moment. I knew showing this physical appreciation was a very big step for him. I pulled away and smiled before returning to sorting through all of the food. I saw him frozen in the spot that I left him. I was just about to open my mouth when he spoke.

"Alice, this isn't all for me is it?" His voice was full of disbelief and he had at least cracked a small smile when he said it.

I smiled and glared at him, "Edward Cullen, you've gotten so skinny that my clothes aren't fitting you right anymore! You need to bulk back up so my designs look how they're supposed to!"

At least we were almost back to our comfortable joking banter. I watched as he rolled his eyes and leaned heavily against the island table in his kitchen. I put the casserole in the fridge but when I turned back around Edward had a frown on his face and he looked to be deep in thought.

"Did I really lose that much weight?" He whispered, "I'm so sorry Alice. Thank you…thank you for doing all this…everything…"

He trailed off and kept his face looking down. It broke my heart to see Edward return to being his sullen self. Just when I thought we were making progress we took steps back.

I put down the fruit I was picking through and placed my tiny hand on his forearm, "Edward, other than Jazzy, you are my best friend. I care about you a lot. I'm just worried about…everything."

I said the last part barely above a whisper. I wanted to talk about Bella but I just couldn't bring myself to ask him. I plated up some of the spaghetti & meatballs and stuck it in the microwave for him. As I was looking for some of the bread I bought, I heard him speak softly.

"What should I do now Alice?"

I froze. I knew there was a chance that this question was going to come and despite trying to prepare myself for it last night, I couldn't offer any insight. I had no idea what he should do. This was heavy stuff to deal with. I had no problems telling people what they should wear or what accessories went with what, but I couldn't possibly tell Edward what to do in this situation. I watched as his hands clenched his hair tightly, the sure sign he was getting anxious.

"Edward I-"

"God, what do I do?!" I jumped as he grabbed the glass bowl on the table and threw it against the wall, shattering into pieces.

"WHY?! WHY NOW?!" He screamed as he stormed out of the kitchen, punching the walls as he went. I was frozen for a second as I watched him disappear around the corner. I heard the door to his office slam against the wall as he threw it open. I quickly ran after him. I would not let him do this again. As I ran down the hallway I noticed the deep gouged out holes in the wall. Great Edward…

I ran into his office and saw him throwing things all over the place again. I watched as he whirled around the room, destroying all the cleaning and organizing I had done only days ago. He froze looking for his next object and I took this opportunity to get him. I moved faster than I ever thought possible in a pair of Christian Louboutins and jumped on his back, latching onto his shoulders and waist.

"Gotcha!" I yelled. He jumped from the shock but didn't try to fight me off.

"Not again Edward. Please!" I begged. I hung on for dear life. I realize it was perhaps not the smartest thing to throw myself in the way of a man twice my size in a full on rage. I could feel his heavy breaths as I hung on. He made no move to throw me off or even well, move anywhere. After some immeasurable amount of time he finally spoke, though his voice was so dead and devoid of any emotion that it didn't even sound like Edward Cullen anymore.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

Edward walked over to the couch that was in his office and let me hop off his back before settling into the soft black leather. I breathed a sigh of relief that I was at least able to calm and stop Hurricane Edward this time. I curled my feet up under me. Edward was looking down but looked deep in thought so I remained silent. I still had no answer about what he should do. The only thing that I could come up with was "think about E.J."

"I…I feel so…so betrayed. How could she do this to me?"

I took a deep breath. In the end, there was honestly only one question that needed to be answered here, "Edward, can I ask you something? I know it might be difficult to answer but-"

He cut me off, "Can I forgive her?"

He looked up at me and his face was hard and showed no emotion. This Edward was quite intimidating. I nodded, not trusting my voice to show no sign of fear. Edward looked back down at his hands and we were silent again for a moment before he whispered softly.

"I still love her…I'll never stop loving her. She is my…my life. Even just memories of her are what have kept me alive all these years."

I didn't want to put too much hope into this being his answer. Edward solely believed that Bella Swan was it for him. I didn't know their whole story, but from what I understood (as told to me by a very drunken freshly turned 24 year old Edward), Bella was indeed his everything. She had been there for him in every way, ever since they were children. I really didn't want to point it out, but he had to be reminded that it wasn't just about he and Bella anymore.

"And what about E.J.?" I asked him softly.

I saw Edward grip his hair and I tensed. That was he tell tale sign of panic and I was scared that we had made our progress and were now going our steps back. His answer however, completely surprised me.

"I loved him before I even knew he existed."

Edward's admission broke the dam and I couldn't hold back the tears that slipped over my cheek. Through my blurred vision I saw a lone tear slip down Edward's cheek.

"What should I do Alice? I won't lose her again. I can't lose them."

I was more than a little certain that my answer was the right one, and I knew that he wouldn't like it, but it truly had to be done.

"I think you need to talk to Bella."

"WHAT? I can't…n-n-no, I don't know what to say! After the way I left I-"

"EDWARD ANTHONY MASEN CULLEN!" I yelled, effectively cutting off the rant that was coming. Edward was frozen in shock staring at me.

"Edward, I realize that this has been a ridiculous ordeal for you, and I can't even begin to imagine what it has really been like for you, but do you want Bella and E.J. in your life?"

He nodded silently.

"Well then, you need to talk to her Edward. It's the only way."

"I'll…I'll think about it Alice."

"Edward…" I warned.

"I just…I need to sort through my thoughts and feelings. I'm just so damn confused about what I should be feeling right now. I need to figure things out about myself before I face Bella."

I nodded. That made sense. I don't think anyone wanted a repeat of the screaming match from yesterday.

"And you have to promise me one more thing Edward?"

He looked at me, brows furrowed in confusion.

"No repeats of the past two weeks. Please don't hide away Edward. I want to help you. Jasper too. We'll all find a way to make this work."

Edward's lips twitched as he nodded. He didn't say anything else on the matter as we returned to the kitchen. At least this time around, I felt like learning about E.J. was going to actually be better in taming Hurricane Edward. It was like learning he had a son changed his whole demeanor. I had no idea what Edward thought about kids, but he usually hated it when they came into the store. His words echoed in my mind: "I loved him before I even knew he existed." I only hope he could tell Bella that and she would believe him.

Edward and I munched on some of the spaghetti & meatballs before we cleaned his apartment. He insisted that he could do it all himself, but I refused to leave me alone after his near breakdown. He repeatedly told me throughout the day that I was too good to him, and I responded with the same answer each time: he deserved kindness and happiness and I was hell bent on him getting both. At least he sort of smiled at that.

I left around five, making him promise to eat, bathe, and not tear his apartment apart. He nodded and even teased, asking if I wanted him to call me before he went to sleep so I would know he was still alive. I told him yes. I wasn't joking.

Jasper was already home when I got to the door. I could hear Sports Center through the door. I bet he was still fuming over the fact that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies were in the World Series. I guess 2008 was not a stellar season for Major League Baseball in general. I opened the door and was all set to open my mouth to announce my arrival when I froze in the doorway. There frozen in our kitchen doorway, beer in hand was Emmett McCarty. Jasper quickly appeared behind him.

"Darlin'! I, uh, wasn't sure when you'd be back…"

I completely ignored Jasper.

"What are you doing here?"

"Let me guess, you just came back from comforting HIM right?" I did not like the tone Emmett's voice had at all. That was all it took for momma bear to snap and come out swinging. I threw my purse on the table near the door and marched straight towards Emmett.

"You listen to me Emmett McCarty and you listen to me good!" I shouted as I poked my finger into his chest. I noticed my French Manicure was chipped and that just added to my fury even more. For once Emmett actually shut up and he looked a little scared. A look I usually only saw when Rosalie was threatening him.

"How DARE you come over here acting all righteous with that damn tone in your voice! In a little over TWO WEEKS Edward's entire world has been thrown upside down! Put yourself in his shoes for ONE second Emmett!!"

Emmett stared at me silently before running his hand across his face. Now that I took in his appearance better I realized he truly looked like crap. He had dark rings under his eyes and his clothes were completely disheveled. Jasper cleared his throat from behind Emmett.

"Perhaps we could all sit at the dinning room table and have a civilized conversation about this…situation. It is affecting us all."

Jasper's southern drawl calmed the fire in Emmett's eyes and I found momma bear going back into hibernation. The three of us moved quietly to the table. I stopped to grab a beer for myself before I sat. It was seriously one of those days and I needed the golden comfort of Stella.

"Darlin'," Jasper started calmly once we were all seated, "Emmett has some things that he would like to tell us."

Emmett took a long swig from his beer and then let out a heavy sigh. "I spent the ENTIRE night calming down E.J. AND Bella."

Jasper said nothing and I felt any anger I had towards Emmett McCarty slowly slipping away. He had told us that he was the only family that Bella had left. He didn't really explain what had happened to his parents. Simply that Bella was his only cousin and she came to live with him after she left Forks. I nodded for Emmett to continue.

"E.J. thinks he ruined his Daddy's surprise. I stayed up with him until 12am trying to convince him that he didn't and that Edward was coming back. Plus I had to try to convince him that Bella was fine. He's so much like Edward already it is ridiculous. E.J. is blaming himself for the whole situation and he doesn't even know the whole situation."

"Emmett, I'm sorry," I whispered, "I'm sorry for being mad at you. This whole situation isn't your fault."

Traces of Emmett's boyish grin appeared on his face, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's okay small one…I've dealt with this situation for years now…it is overwhelming isn't it?"

I could tell Emmett was trying to play it off and use his humor but I could tell he didn't find anything humorous about this at all. Never had. I wanted to hear the whole story from him though if he was willing to tell it.

"Em…you don't have to if you don't want to…but-"

"You want to know everything huh?"

"Em, we have to fix this!" I shouted, making my poor calm Jazzy jump in his chair at my sudden display. I smiled sheepishly and apologetically at him before continuing, "now that E.J. is involved and he knows who Edward is…I just don't want to hurt that poor boy when I know that we can save this future."

Emmett sighed and nodded, "Well, at least I will have you guys on board now."

We all took long swigs from our beers before Emmett started with his story.

"Well, I guess I should start from the beginning. You know I grew up in a small town in Montana. Just mom, my dad and me. My mom was Bella's dad's only sister. We had no other family. My dad was an only child. When I was 21, I was one year away from completing my business degree at the local community college. That summer was when I started researching the options about possibly opening up my own business or gym. My mom had cancer so I stayed home to be close. Anyway, one day in July, I come home and I hear my mom screaming at someone on the phone. After a little bit I could tell she was yelling at my Uncle Charlie, Bella's dad."

I nodded, taking in all this new information about Emmett.

"'How can you do this to her Charlie?!' 'This will destroy her!' 'She will not go anywhere else!' I couldn't understand what was going on. All I knew was my mom was furious and it had something to do with Bella. 'I'll take her Charlie!' 'NO! You've ruined her life enough!' I couldn't believe it. At the time I thought Bella really must've done something stupid. I never would've thought Uncle Charlie would really send her away just for being pregnant."

I shook my head. I could sort of understand. I mean, had it been me, I'm sure my father would've done the same, but then again, he would've had to care enough about me in the first place. I waited silently as Emmett took another sip of his beer.

"When Bella arrived, I barely recognized her. My mother quickly rushed her upstairs and I was completely confused. My dad just shook his head as he sat in the living room. I could tell that my mother was absolutely livid from the moment she hung up on my uncle until the moment Bella got there.

It took a couple of days before I was able to talk to Bella. My mom and dad had to go into town for the day to get some supplies and told me to watch Bella. She hadn't left the room we gave her for days. My mom stressed the fact that Bella had to eat and that I make sure she did. I shrugged just assuming Bella might not eat because she was mad. I was not at all prepared for what happened in her room. Bella threw herself into my arms sobbing. She must've cried for half an hour at least. When she finally calmed down she said it softly, 'I'm pregnant Em.' Then the poor girl starting pouring out the whole story about Edward and how Uncle Charlie thought he was a freak because he was blind and that the child would probably be a freak too and Bella was selfish to think she could stay and burden Edward with that. Especially since he had some surgery that regained his eyesight. I think there was more to it than that, but Bella never said anything else."

I was fuming. I hated to think it, but Charlie Swan was lucky he was dead, otherwise he would be dead as soon as I flew out to Forks and hunted him down. He forced all those thoughts into Bella's head.

"It wasn't Bella at all? Charlie tricked her into leaving Edward?" Jasper said.

"Well," Emmett said, "I guess you could say that. I can't say what Bella was thinking before Charlie found out she was pregnant. I'm guessing at the time she thought she could trust him and that's why she told him initially. After that first talk, Bella and I became very close. She leaned on me when she needed me and I helped her through all the Lamaze classes and read the books and everything. I was even her birthing coach in the delivery room. At that point my mom was too weak to help. She passed away about a month after E.J. was born."

"I'm so sorry Emmett," I whispered.

"It's okay Ali. Losing Dad that summer was worse, but Bella and I got through it. We had to see Charlie at the funerals of course, but Bella refused to see him, and he even had the nerve to ask to see his grandchild…BOTH funerals." Emmett shook his head and I was again thinking it was fortunate I couldn't get my hands on Charlie Swan.

"Bella never let E.J. meet Charlie, and while she might not regret it now, I think she might some day."

I nodded. I might not speak to my parents unless they need something from me, but I know I would regret it if they weren't at my wedding or didn't meet my children.

"Bella wrote a lot when she was pregnant. That was when she wrote Love Story. I thought it was great but she of course didn't. I sent it away to a publisher in New York and they as you know, loved it. That was how Izzie McCarty was born. Charlie pulled a lot of strings as Police Chief and he changed Bella's name so Edward couldn't find her."

"But she changed it to Isabella Cullen?"

"Charlie said she could pick the name. She told me Edward would never search for an 'Isabella Cullen' if he truly believed that she left him. It would hurt him too much to even think about. Apparently they had planned to get married once they were both 20."

I gasped. I never knew that. Edward never mentioned anything about ever wanting to marry Bella. This was deeper than I thought.

"Anyways, I enjoyed every minute of helping raise E.J. I graduated from my community college the semester he was born. After my mom and dad passed away, Bella's book got picked up and they signed her for three more. Bella and I decided to sell the house in Montana and move up to New York City. She always wanted to and I didn't want to see her give up on anymore of her dreams. At that time, she also said she was giving up on Edward. She explained to me about leaving him the pictures and she hoped he would somehow be able to find her."

"Oh Em," I sighed, "Edward never saw the pictures. He was so mad when Bella left, he just burned them without even looking at them."

"Oh lordy…" Emmett moaned as he rubbed his face again, "I don't know that I've ever met two more stubborn people in my life."

I nodded and saw Jasper do the same out of the corner of my eye, "So you guys came to the city and you've had the gym open for three years now…when did you find out Edward was Bella's Edward?"

Emmett sighed and looked down, "the week after I met him with you and Jasper."

"WHAT?! That was like, two years ago!" I shouted.

"I know! I know! I feel shitty about it all already okay?"

I blushed and apologized quickly, letting Emmett continue.

"Anyways, I had invited Edward to come in that week to work out. I had invited Bella too. Edward came in early before going to meet you at the store. He was running on a treadmill with his iPod on when Bella came in. That's why he didn't hear the commotion she caused. It was only the three of us in there and Bella flipped out. She told me that was Edward and he was E.J.'s father. I told her she needed to talk to him and he had the right to know about E.J. but she insisted she wasn't ready. I thought she was ridiculous, but she made me promise I couldn't say anything to him. She said I had to promise since we were the only family each other had. Rosalie too eventually. Bella roped Rosalie into promising by giving her the 'think about E.J.' speech. You know how Rosie's got a soft spot for kids. I've told Bella repeatedly that she had to face Edward until one day she blew up at me and screamed that he had moved on and he was happy."

Jasper made his first noise of the evening as he groaned and rubbed his temples. Edward and Bella really were the two most stubborn people I've ever heard of.

I too groaned, "Em, she saw Edward and I walking arm in arm to the store one day. She thought Edward and I were dating."

"Gross!"

"That's what I said! Like Edward and I would've ever matched!"

"Seriously, that's just wrong! I tried to tell her Edward was single! I'll have to ask just what she was thinking."

"I know right? Gross!"

"Children!" Jasper shouted in his teacher voice. He immediately had me and Emmett's attention. "Can we please stay on task and maybe discuss at some other time why Bella thought my fiancé was dating Edward?"

"Sorry." Emmett and I both said in unison. We all sat in silence as we finished up our beers. It was a little while before Emmett spoke again.

"Look, I want to apologize for keeping this from you guys too. You have no idea how hard it's been to keep this not only from you guys but also from Edward. Rosie and I have definitely gotten into our battles about this. I just couldn't betray Bella. She made me promise not to say a word. We're the only family each other have. I hope you guys can forgive me. Rosie too."

I had never seen Emmett look so vulnerable and sad before. He was always our happy go lucky big brother. I had never known just how much he's been hiding all this time and what a toll it had been taking on him. I looked at Jasper and he nodded his head as we both got up and wrapped Emmett up in a hug. He laughed as he patted our arms.

"Emmett, what are we going to do?"

"Honestly you guys, I'm not sure. Edward and Bella need to talk though. She was sobbing last night, repeatedly telling Rosie how much she still loves him, how she's never loved anyone else."

"Geez…she's just like Edward," I muttered.

"Tell me about it," Emmett rolled his eyes.

Suddenly my mind got bombarded with perhaps one of the most genius plans I have ever come up with. I must've gotten that blank look on my face that I get when struck by my usual fashionista genius because Jazzy totally called me on it.

"What are you planning Darlin'?"

I pulled away and smiled brightly at Jazzy and Emmett. This plan was going to work. I had already spoken my mind to Edward. All that was left was for me to speak to Bella and then my plan could really spring into motion.

"I need to talk to Bella." Jazzy stared at me wide eyed, apparently not expecting that as a part of my plan.

"What are you planning small one?" Emmett's grin getting a little bigger.

"I want to talk to Bella. I'm gonna need you, Rosalie, and Angela's help to get me in there and to take care of E.J. Well, if Rosalie can manage. I know she's pretty swamped with work."

"Geez…are you telling me. I think she drank the entire pot of coffee this morning plus a Red Bull when she went out the door. She's going to be bitchy tonight."

"Emmett!" Jazzy and I shouted at the same time.

"What? You don't deal with her rage once a month."

"Touché," Jazzy nodded.

"So, tell me again, what's the plan Ali?"

"Well," I said smiling, the wheels turning in my head, "tomorrow you get me in to see Bella."

Well? Yes? No? I should congratulate you for just staying with me through that monster of a chapter and arriving here at my note.

A lot to take in right? Well, there is definitely more to the reason why Bella left Forks and yes, it has a WHOLE lot to do with Charlie Swan. I hope Edward was a little manlier for you all in this chapter. Okay, so I didn't dive into his "dark times" too much, but I don't do well with the angst, and I've got surprises I need to get to in this story already. :-P

I really do like Alice and Emmett in this chapter. After Edward, they are my favorite Cullens. I hope they were to your liking too. What do you think the little pixie really has planned?

So…next chapter, we get a POV I think you've all been wondering about and Rosalie is going to make her thoughts known.

Thanks for sticking with me through that monster of a chapter and for reading the story. Just seeing that people are reading makes me smile. :- ) Review if you can. Pretty please?