I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT

A/N: I'm feeling extra generous so I'm gonna leave a very short chapter in E's POV. Would you guys want to hear his side as a part of the story or as an output?

Do tell me! Hope you like this one

Chapter 9: Fire Inside

EPOV

I was sitting comfortably on Bella's couch I watch a rerun of Two and a Half Men. I love this show, and I think Ashton Kutcher is the best replacement for Charlie Sheen.

Winning!

Sayuri is very well behaved and was now, sleeping on my lap just a few minutes before her mother left.

I was having the time of my life until I received a phone call from a friend.

"What's up Aaron?" I said.

Aaron and I met when I was just starting out my own business and we've been good friends ever since. He and his wife were one of my first clients.

"Is your baby momma friends with Alice Brandon?" he asked.

"Yeah? And you're asking this because…?" I prodded.

"Nothing. You and Bella aren't together, right?"

If there's one thing I'd love to do but can't, it is to be with Bella Swan.

"Yes, we aren't. Look man, what the fuck is wrong?" I was running out of patience and the truth of not being with Bella just aggravated my mood.

"Well, I just saw Bella with Alice Brandon and two other man. She's sitting beside a tall, bulky one. Kind of… pretty close to one another. They're holding hands. Dude, why am I telling you this? Anyway, sorry to disturb you but I think you ought to now. See you around."

I wasn't able to speak anymore and hung up on Aaron. I have never been this jealous in my entire life and it wasn't the best feeling on Earth. I immediately called Kate. She's the only person whom I can talk to about Bella.

Kate and I met briefly before I met Bella and she's my best friend ever since. I've told her from the moment I made love with Bella that she's is for me. Kate knows how much I adore Bella and my daughter too.

"Cullen," she answered on the first ring.

"She's with another guy!" I said through my gritted teeth.

I was so angry that I was tugging tightly on my hair. My breathing quickened, and worse, I felt like I had been punched in the gut a hundred times and like my heart was pulled out of my chest.

"Who's the guy?" Kate asked.

"I don't fucking know! Based on how Aaron describe him, I think it's Jacob Black. Fuck, I hate Jacob Black!"

For Sayuri's sake, I put her in the crib and began pacing back and forth.

"Fuck Kate! Fuck!" those were the only coherent words I could utter.

"Ed, relax!" she chuckled.

"How the fuck could I relax, Kate? She's seeing someone! What do you expect me to do, jump in happiness and wish her all the luck?"

"Okay, since you've asked for it by being a total ass to me, here I go. First of all, she has all the right to date someone because A: she isn't committed; B: she's not with you; and C: she can date who the fuck she wants because she's not with you or any other guy. Do you understand that now?"

Kate always manages to slap me in the face all the time and help me keep things into perspective.

"Look, if you hate the idea of her being with another guy, then why hadn't you bust that ass of your for the past year? You have always loved her and yet you do nothing but sulk and stare at her pictures all the fucking time you aren't with her. I've been telling you this long before but you're too chicken to make a move. And now, someone's gotten in your way. Whose fault is it now, Cullen? Do tell me."

I sighed in defeat. "I know… but I've never thought she'd find another man…"

She continued her very candor unedited speech, "Ed, she is single and beautiful and sexy. I actually envy her for her post baby bod. Did you check out her ass, it's so nice – oh, anyway, enough about her ass. You see, Bella is different; she's not the one to sit back because of tradition or because of some absurd social perspectives that she has to abide by. Face it, you're just a freak; a coward who can't face rejection if it comes your way."

I took in everything she said and I realized that I was holding on so much to my thread of hope that maybe Bella would see me as someone whom she wants to be with. Not just as the father of her child.

Through this, I made up my mind once and for all.

"You're right at one point, I was coward. Now, I will be fighting for her."

I could almost see Kate's smile on her face as she let out a loud 'Yes!'. I, too, was smiling so much in my determination to win Bella's heart. I will do this and there's nothing nor no one is going to stop me.

"You're maning up, Cullen. I'm impressed." Kate said.