Chapter 10

A/N: Funny Story time! So yesterday, I was babysitting, and one of the boys I watch said something about bullying and bad words. Then the other boy I watch said yea, like the b-i-t-c-h word! Y'all, that is some freaky stuff! Silent Sweetheart is becoming real life! Lol- on with the story!

PS- I did tell him to never ever say that word!

BPOV:

"Baby, I'm serious. From the time I woke up this morning until the moment a dropped her off at Mom's house. She never stopped talking. I know I was so excited to hear her talk yesterday, I still am, but she never even took a breath." Edward said as he took a bite of his po-boy.

I laughed. "Well, maybe three years of silence can give her a lot to say." I explained and giggled again.

Edward sighed. "I think she may have ADD or ADHD or some crap like that. Bella, she never stays on one subject for more than tens seconds. She's like Alice times twenty."

That made me laugh even more. "Would you li-like me to to put her un-under si-psychiatric evaluation?" I managed to ask through the fits of giggles I was having.

Edward rolled her eyes. "Just wait. You'll see. Whenever you next see her, she will talk your hear off. Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited that she's talking."

I looked at him with a smile. "I know you are Edward. I know what you mean. It's been nearly three years of silence and suddenly she's nonstop talking, but most kids her age are nonstop talkers. Watch out, Daddy, she's finally doing what I told you happen that first night we met up again. She's growing up." I told him.

Edward groaned. "Please don't tell me that."

I laughed. "Get used to it! What did I tell you again? College guy at prom," Edward stopped me.

"In a Dodge. I know, I know. I won't let that happen though." Edward said and huffed.

"Edward, all joking aside, Laney talking this much is a huge break through. Do you realize how worried I was that her talking was just one time thing or something she would rarely do? I mean, there are a such thing as choice mutes."

"I know, and feel the same way you do, Bella. I know that Laney talking this much is more like a blessing than anything else. I guess I'm being kind of hypocritical, huh?" Edward asked.

I shrugged. "Not really when you consider the situation. You're single father Edward," Edward started to correct me. I rolled my eyes and stopped him before he could interrupt me. "You know what I mean. Like I was saying, you're a single dad who was raising an amazing little girl who refused to talk. Now, to go from never talking to never ending talking- yeah, that's a big transition for you. Especially because it's mostly you whose with her all of the time."

"Are you saying that to make me feel better?" He asked.

"No, I'm saying it because it is true. You're a great dad, Edward. Laney adores you." I shrugged and smiled at him. "There's really nothing more to say."

Edward took my hand a placed a kiss on the back of it. "You're incredible."

"I try." I answered back.

Once we were done and I was back at my office, I started filing some paper work. Most people had their secretary do that sort of thing, but I didn't want Jessica to. She seemed like the type of person liked gossip, and I didn't want my patients' lives out in the open like that. Jessica was great, I just didn't want her filing.

"Dr. Isabella, there's someone here to see you." Jessica said through the intercom. "It's a Ms. Cullen."

"Send them in, Jess." I called from my spot by the cabinet. I figured it was probably Alice dropping in on a visit for her lunch break. Her office was only a few blocks away, so imagine my surprise when in walked Rosalie.

"Oh, hey, Rose, what's up?" I asked and gave her a hug. "Have a seat," I said and sat across from her.

Rosalie looked at me long and hard for a moment and then hung her head. "Bella, is your brother dating anyone?"

Oh Lord. What the hell did he do now? "No, Rose, why?"

"Because I saw him last night with some girl. They seemed pretty close." She sighed. "I don't even know why this is bothering so much. I just like him so much and I thought that maybe he liked me to. And then I saw him with that girl and I just saw red. I don't know why I saw red, we're not even together. Like we didn't even go on a date. Bella, you have to help me." She said quickly.

I smiled softly. "Rosalie, let me tell you something about my brother. He is what I like to call, oh I don't know, a typical man. He's too proud to admit that he really likes you, which he does. He asked me for your number and I told him no by the way. He should have had the balls to ask you himself. Anyway, he does what he thinks he should be doing instead of what he wants to do. And let me just be honest here, he wants to do you." I finished.

Rosalie looked relieved.

"Did he see you?" I asked her.

Rosalie shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I only saw him for a few minutes before I had to get out. I felt like I was going claw that chick's eyes out."

"Well, Rose, the only advice I can give you is this. And if you listen, I promise you and Emmett will make it last longer than anyone may ever think possible. Stay strict, but still be clingy." I told her. "Keep him in line, but still show him that he's in charge of the relationship when really in truth you are. Emmett doesn't like the power, he's just likes feeling needed. He's a big ole teddy bear really." I promised her.

Rosalie nodded. "So are you gonna give him my num-," Rosalie couldn't finish her sentence because at that moment, Emmett busted through the door.

"Bella, I did something that was not smart." Emmett said and grabbed a guitar and sat on the floor with his back to Rosalie and me.

Jessica came running in. "I'm so sorry, Bella. I told him you were in a meeting." Jessica said and glared at Emmett.

Emmett turned from the wall and his eyes went wide. I rolled my eyes.

"Can you two excuse my brother and I for a moment?" I asked Rosalie and Jessica. They both nodded.

I walked over to Emmett and grabbed him by his ear. He stood up and followed me, complaining about how I was hurting his ear the entire time. We got outside my office and I slapped Emmett on his arm, hard.

"Ah yi yi, Bella. Jesus, was that necessary?"

I looked at him incredulously. "Are you shitting me right now, Emmett?"

He shrugged.

I pointed a finger at him. "You, my big lug of a brother, owe me so much right now. You wanna know why? I'll tell you why. Because you're an idiot and last night you went out with some hoe and guess who saw you with her! I know you know or else you wouldn't even be here right now if you didn't. I just spent the last ten minutes talking you up to Rosalie. So, yes, you owe me big time. I got you another chance with her, don't screw it up, you loser!" I told him.

"But Bella-,"

"Don't but Bella me. But Bella nothin. Do you want to date Rosalie or not?"

"I do." Emmett answered.

"Well then, don't screw it up!" I said and turned back towards my office. I walked in with a smile and pushed Emmett into the room. "Jessica, could you come with me for a minute?" I asked. "These two need to talk." I said.

Jessica nodded and hurriedly exited the room.

I stood by the door, trying to hear the conversation, but after two minutes, I realized standing by the door was completely unnecessary.

RPOV:

Get him out of your head, Rosalie. Just don't worry about it. He isn't worth it anyway. He didn't want you, he was just a common player. But how could Bella be so nice and her brother be so... Ugh! Calm down, calm down. Don't blow up, don't blow up.

I kept telling myself that thinking about him was bad. It was bad, it was practically deadly. He was just a player, nothing else. He was nothing. He didn't deserve me.

That was what I kept telling myself. And that reason exactly was why I had found myself at Bella's office faster than I could say 'Bless his heart'.

Bella had explained how Emmett was, but I was still skeptical. I didn't know if I could fully trust him. I was scared to, but something told me that I had over though the entire thing. I was over reacting.

But that night before, when I had seen Emmett with that little red headed witch, the only I thought about was trying to kill her.

I knew that Bella was telling the truth with everything she was telling me though. I mean, how could something that cute be a player? With his crystal blue eyes, black hair, and dimples. He was every girl's dream. And don't even get me started on his muscles... Jesus.

Bella had spent about ten minutes telling how Emmett was, and I believed her. I knew what she was saying was true. Either that or she was saying exactly what I wanted to hear. I wanted to think it was both. It had to be both.

And then he walked in. He just stormed in. From the moment I had met him, I knew he was different. That was why I found myself here now, fighting with Emmett like we were some kind of old married couple.

"If you would have had the guts to just as my freaking number, we wouldn't even be here right now!" I told him, just a bit louder than an inside voice.

"Who said that I was supposed to ask for your number? You could've just given it to me." Emmett said back, much calmer than I was at the moment.

"Now where's the class in that?" I asked him.

"I don't know. How was supposed to know your old fashioned?" He asked.

"WHAT?" I shrieked.

Okay, so did I want him to make the first move? Yes, but that wasn't because I was old fashioned. That was because I wanted respect. I was not old fashioned.

"Oh please! Really? What does it matter who asks who out? They stopped caring about that in the '90s." Emmett said.

I glared at him. "You don't know what you're talking about. You think girls want to be the one to ask guys out? Hell no, we just do it because men these days don't have the balls God gave a cat drownin' in the river!"

Emmett rolled his eyes. "Oh please."

I stalked towards him, glaring. I was going to surprise the hell out of him. Hell, I was surprising myself, but my body was completely out of my control.

BPOV:

It had gotten quiet, and I was beyond worried that Rosalie may have killed my brother. I opened the door quietly only to see Rosalie and Emmett making out on my floor.

"Hey now!" I yelled.

They both jumped.

"Oh, hey Bell." Emmett said and ran a hand through his curly hair.

Rosalie sat up, blushing. "Sorry."

"Oh no, don't worry about me. By all means, do whatever, but could you please do whatever outside of my office?" I asked sweetly.

Emmett smiled and got up, giving me a hug. "Bye, sis." He said and pulled Rosalie out. She waved at me and followed behind him willingly.

I laughed and shook my head. Those two were definitely made for each other.

I sat down at my desk and went through my emails, clearing my inbox because I had no life and I was bored as heck.

I closed out my email and leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes for a moment. I opened them and went to the window, looking out at the city.

When I moved Louisiana freshman year, I didn't expect to stay. I was just going come here, get my degrees and go to bigger and better things. But something about this place made me stay. Call it fate or divine intervention or just plain luck, whatever, I knew I was meant to be in Louisiana.

Now, I know that I'm no country girl or ragin' Cajun or whatever, but I'm as close as a northern girl can get. And I've got pretty damn awesome bayou boy who is a typical man with southern boy charms.

I grew up where the biggest festival was the school carnival every year on Halloween. Louisiana had so much more to offer than that. Mardi Gras alone was like hundred school carnivals. And I freaking loved Mardi Gras.

I loved the way that the people here didn't even know you, but they treated you like family. It was that Southern Hospitatilty that you hear about, but you don't really believe in. It's real, and it does exist.

But most of all, I had something here that I had never really truly had. I had a family. Yeah, Charlie and Emmett were great growing up, but living with two men and being a girl can be a bit much. I didn't have a mother figure to look up to like other girls did.

People say that where you live can never truly be a home until you invest your whole heart and soul into it. I didn't get that until I moved here. Home isn't a big house on the hill with white columns, wrap around porch, and green shutters. It's where you can be yourself and know without a doubt that there is an entire support system who loves you unconditionally.

My office phone rang, pulling me from my inner musings. I walked over to my desk and answered it.

"Isabella Swan." I answered and leaned onto my desk.

"Bella. This is Alec."

"Oh, hey Alec. What kind I do for you, sir?" I asked him. I assumed he needed me for a case he was working on.

"Well, I actually have some interesting dirt on the not-so-wonderful ex-wife." He told me.

Then why was he calling me? "Okay, but why are you calling me about this?"

"Well, I can't get in touch with Edward, and he told me to contact you if I couldn't get him." Alec said.

Edward told him to contact me? That was a surprise. I mean, I barely knew anything except that Edward was fighting for full custody. When did Edward tell Alec to contact me?

"Is everything okay, Bella?" Alec asked.

"Yea, I just... When did Edward tell you to contact me?"

"Last night, when I asked him who I should call in an event like now where I can't get in touch with him."

I smiled. I couldn't believe Edward trusted me like that. "Well, Alec, what's the gossip?" I asked with some new found enthusiasm as I got out a pen and paper.

"It seems that the princess is a convict as wells a nuisance." Alec told me.

I leaned back on my deal again, sitting on the edge. "What did she do?" I asked.

"Let's just say that she was a distributer of illegal goods and services.

"What do you mean exactly, Alec?" I asked him.

"Isabella, I think you know exactly what I mean."

EPOV:

I was changing the spark plugs in an old Buick when Bella walked in. I looked at the clock on the wall saw that it was only two. She didn't get off until four-thirty usually.

I stood up to my full height and leaned against the car. "Miss me already, beautiful?" I asked her cockily.

"You, Mr. Cullen, are a very hard man to find." She said with a knowing smile.

That was freaking scary. What the hell did she know that I didn't?

"What are you up to?" I asked her.

"Who? Me? I'm not up to anything. I just know something that may help you just a tiny bit."

"And what might that be exactly, Babe?"

She looked at me with an evil smile. Oh crap. That shit was scary. "It seems as though your ex-wife is very involved with her... Business."

What was she talking about. I only looked at her with raised eyebrows. Bella giggled and started to walk away. I ran after her and wrapped my arms around her from behind.

"What are you talking about?"

"It appears as though Tanya got in a little trouble in New York when she went last year. Guess why!"

"I don't know, street walking?" I joked.

Bella just looked at me with a bright smile.

"Oh shit! Seriously?"

Bella nodded. "And she flunked her drug test at her job last month. She got fired faster than you could say 'gold-digger'."

"How is she still able to fight for custody?" I asked.

Bella shrugged. "Sleeping with whoever she has to probably. I don't know, but what I do know is that you may not even have to go to court."

"Why is that?"

"Because I know how to make her pull out of this entire case."

"Okay, and how will you do that?" I asked her.

"You just have to hit her where it hurts the most."

"What are you saying, Bay?" Bella was confusing the hell out of me. But if that got me Laney, then I was willing to do whatever it took.

***~SILENCEisKEY~***

Bella hung around the garage for the rest of the day, making phone calls and sending emails. I don't know what this girl was up to, but damn did she have connections. I could tell when she was negotiating. She would get this determined look on her face, and it was hot as hell, too.

At around three, the guys came back from their late lunch that they had gone to at one-thirty.

"Whose the chick?" One of the guys, Seth, asked. He was a good kid, about twenty-one. He had son named Will who was about four. He and his girlfriend had had him in high school. Seth had started working here about that time, all the while trying to raise a son and make grade good enough for college. He was graduated for Nicholl's in the spring.

"Girlfriend." I said, putting the tire I was changing into place.

"Nice. She know you got Charlsie, right?"

I nodded. "Since the first day we met."

Seth has been calling Laney Charlsie ever since she was born. He had said that he couldn't come up with a good nickname for Laney so he had to do one for Charlotte. I didn't mind, and neither did Laney. Seth was one of her favorite guys here. Seth had even got Will to call Laney Charlsie when he had to come with Seth to work and Laney happened to be here.

"Nice. Using the lil one to pick up chicks na. I got ya, bro. I got it."

I rolled my eyes. "Get outta here do your damn job, will ya? What do I frigging pay you for, man?"

Seth laughed and left to go work on a car that needed an oil change.

Bella walked up to me, still typing away on her phone.

"How's the evil plan coming, beautiful?"

She shrugged. "By that do you mean is everyone doing what I want them to do or do you mean will it work?"

"Both?"

"Well then, it's going absolutely phenomenal." She said happily.

I turned and looked at her. "I can't tell if your being sarcastic or not." I admitted.

"Oh, honey, I'm being anything but sarcastic. She's going to be ruined for the rest of eternity."

"Woman, you are dangerous." I told her.

She only smiled. "I protective when it comes to kids, no matter who they are. But even more so when it's people I care about. And Tanya messed with the wrong people. She has what she's coming for; call it fate or karma or whatever, but she won't get away with what she did to you and Lane." Bella said softly as she looked at me.

I gave her a kiss and was about to pull away and tell her something when loud whistles and claps sounded from behind us. I pulled away from Bella and saw my brother and Seth standing there cheering. I flipped them both the finger before turning back to Bella and rolling my eyes.

"Sorry about the children." I apologized.

Bella laughed. "It's fine." She answered and leaned back against the car I was working on.

"So, when are you going to tell me what your master plan is?" I asked.

Bella just smiled. "You'll know when it's in effect. That's all I'm going to say." She looked at her watch. "I have to go." She said and gave me a hug. "I will see you tonight." She gave me a kiss.

"Okay, Baby." I said and gave her another kiss. "Be careful goin' home."

"Yes, sir." Bella answered, sounding bored.

I winked at her and went back to work once I saw her get into her car.

When I finished work that night, I went pick up Laney from my mom and dad's house. She was asleep on the bay window just like most days. I walked inside and went find my mom.

"Hey, my love. How was your day?"

"Good, did Laney talk non-stop?" I asked.

Mom just gave me a look. I chuckled.

"That much, huh?" I asked.

My mom nodded. "It took a little bit of adjusting, but after a while I got used to it. She certainly does have a lot to say."

I nodded. "Well, I'm gonna be getting outta here. See you later, Ma." I said and gave her a hug.

"Okay, dear, I'll see you tomorrow." She said and went back to reading her book.

I picked Laney up from the window seat and put her in my truck seat. She was still sleeping when we got home, so I put her on the sofa and went into the kitchen to start dinner. Laney woke up about five minutes later and tapped my leg.

"Whatcha need, Lane Darlin'?" I asked her.

"I can't weach the chair." She said softly, rubbing her eyes.

I picked her up and put her on one of the bar stools and then went back to dinner. She was being oddly quiet, so I turned and saw her drawing. The silence was familiar, but at the same time almost bitter sweet. I liked the nonstop talking... I realized that then. I didn't like her silence then and I really didn't like out.

"Daddy?" Much better.

"Hmm?"

"How to spell Chawitte (Charlotte)?" Laney asked.

I spelt her middle name for her, stopping after every letter until she told me to go to the next one.

About ten minutes passed and there was a knock on the door. I turned the stove on low and then went get the door.

Bella stood there in much more comfortable looking clothes than earlier. I let her in and gave her a kiss.

"Hey, you."

"Hey." She answered back as she walked towards the kitchen, her hand in mine.

I went to the fridge to pull out the chicken I was ground meat I was going to make hamburgers with. I looked into the living room where Laney had moved and saw Bella combing her fingers through Laney's hair and looking over her shoulder at what she was drawing. I could see Laney talking to Bella, but couldn't tell what she was saying. I only saw Bella nodding and laughing.

Laney walked in a few minutes later.

"I can't wike dat, Daddy." She said as Bella sat her own the counter next to me.

"What are you talking about, Lane Darlin? It's a hamburger, you always eat these when I make them."

"Don't wike 'em." She said and gave a single nod to add effect.

I sighed. "Then what do you want... Dear?" I asked.

Bella giggled.

"Egg and wice!" She cheered.

"Baby doll, if you eat anymore eggs or chicken, you're going to cluck."

"Egg and wice!"

"Okay, okay. Calm down, little one."

Laney smiled. "Daddy, guess what?"

"Hmm?"

"Bewwa said she's goin tuh take me shoppin'."

I had to listen good. She was only three and already had an accent worse than mine. Combine that with the constant mispronunciation of Rs and Ls and you've got a communication disaster.

"Sounds fun." I said and smiled at Bella. "I'm sure you two will have fun."

"You comin'." Laney said.

"What?"

"She said that you're coming to shop with us, love. Whtt do you think she meant?" Bella asked me.

"I'm going?"

Bella and Laney both nodded.

"Well okay then." I answered and turned off the stove. I knew it was no use arguing with those two. "Okay, dinners done you two."

Bella helped Laney down from the counter and followed her into the dining room before coming back to help me serve the food.

"You're cute, you know that?" Bella asked me.

"I'm cute?" I asked her.

"Adorably so." She answered and gave me a quick peck on the lips before bringing the picky little eater her eggs and rice. I still couldn't believe that she didn't like me hamburgers. I thought she loved them. This talking thing is going to make her even more spoiled before, and that's a lot of spoiling.

I walked into the dining room with mine and Bella's plates in my hands. Unlike the usual, it wasn't quiet. I liked that. Bella talked and laughed with Laney and it made me love her all the more. I was finally coming to terms with it. I was in love with Bella, and I was willing to admit it.

"Daddy, can we do a fire?" Laney asked.

"Tonight?"

She nodded.

"Well, I guess so. Wait in the living room, I'll be out in a minute."

Laney smiled and hopped out of her seat and into the living room. Bella and I rinsed the dishes and put them on the drying rack before going outside to the fire pit.

"Wow. I never noticed that ya'll's house was shaped like a you." Bella admitted as she looked around the mini courtyard we had made in-between the two sides of the house. "This is beautiful." She said.

"Thanks. It was my Mom's idea." I said and guided her to the fire pit. "Back up, Lane Darlin." I leaned down and whispered in Bella's ear. "Watch her, she's a pyro and gonna be an arsonist when she grows up."

Bella giggled and slapped me in the stomach.

I lit the leaves and sat down next to Bella. Laney was laying down in front of us, looking at the fire.

"You should get her a puppy." Bella said.

I groaned. "She tell you that, too?"

"Did she ask you?" Bella asked.

I nodded. "Yea, she said she wanted one for her birthday, but I know Laney. She's gonna want a big puppy. And I don't know if Laney is old enough for a big puppy." I explained.

"Aw, but the big puppies are little angels."

I snorted. "Yeah, tell that to someone who hasn't had three pairs of shoes and sofa ruined from a dog."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Get an Irish Wolfhound."

"How did you know I was going to get her one?"

"Because, Edward, look at her." Bella said and pointed to Laney, still looking at the fire. "How can you say no to such a sweet face?"

"Exactly how big are these dogs?" I asked her.

"Not that big... Compared to others... Possibly." She said and smiled innocently.

Truthfully, I knew exactly how big a dog like that got. Those suckers were freaking huge. I didn't know if I wanted Laney around a dog that big when she was still so young.

I raised and eyebrow. "Does Laney want an Irish Wolfhound or does Bella?" I asked.

"Both of us do. And that's exactly why you won't say no."

I sighed.

"Sigh of defeat?" Bella asked.

I nodded. "Unfortunately."

I could see Laney's breathing become pretty even, and I was positive that she was asleep. I stood up and helped Bella up and then picked up Laney, bringing her to her room. I led Bella to my room and out towards the balcony I barely ever used. I sat down on one of the loungers, and Bella came to sit in between my legs.

"It's so nice out here at night." She commented. "So peaceful, and I can actually see the stars."

"No stars in Baton Rouge, Babe?"

She shook her head. "No not really. I can't see them anyway." Bella answered as she continued to look up at the sky.

There was a rustle in the trees and Bella tensed a little. I chuckled. "What, scared of the rougarou (roo-ga-roo)?" I asked her.

"The what?" Bella asked.

"You've been living in Louisiana for how long, and you still don't know who the rougarou is?" I asked her.

She shook her head.

"Don't worry, Bay. It's only the Cajun form of the boogie man. He doesn't exist."

Bella relaxed. "Still, though. I want to know."

"Well, I've never seen him personally, but he's supposed to be some kind of werewolf-vampire-human combination."

"How so?" Bella asked.

"Wolf head, human body, drinks blood. Nothing true about any of it. Please don't worry your pretty little mind over something so stupid. I was just joking." I told her.

"Yea, well too late. I'm easily spooked." She told me.

"Would it make you feel better spending the night?" I asked.

Bella looked up at me. "Are you sure? I mean, last time was a complete accident. Laney's here and I don't know if that's the best idea." She admitted.

I kissed her neck softly. "Yes, I'm sure. Hell, I'll even sleep on the floor, but it is late. And I can tell that you're freaked out right now. Bella, just stay." I told her.

She nodded and gave me a kiss.

"I'm guessing that sleeping out here is out of the question." I said and laughed.

Bella nodded and hopped up out of the chair, pulling me into the room. I looked at the clock and saw that it was only seven-thirty. Bella looked around my bedroom, and I realized then that this was her first time in my room. It wasn't really anything special. The walls were some brown shade. Then there was my bed and that was pretty much it besides my bedside tables and a wardrobe.

Bella walked over to the bed and sat down. I went over and sat down next to her.

"Need me to lock the door right there?" I asked.

"Yes." She said loudly and quickly.

I laughed and walked over to the door, locking it. The doors downstairs were always locked immediately after being closed. Ever since Laney was born, I hated even chancing it no matter if I was home or not. I walked over back the bed and lay down. Bella leaned over and put her left arm on my chest, resting her head in her hand. Her right hand tangled in my hair.

"What is it with you and Laney and my hair?" I asked her.

"What are you talking about?"

"Laney always is playing with my hair. When she's in here, either her hand or feet or in my hair. And you always play with it, too. I just want to know what is up with everyone's obsession."

Bella laughed. "You just have very nice hair." She said and rubbed her nails in my scalp.

I closed my eyes and just thought for a while as Bella played with my hair. The both of us stayed in that position for what seemed like an immeasurable amount of time.

"Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I tell you something that is completely insane?" Bella asked.

"You're a psychologist, so you have to understand why that scares me a bit." I said with a smirk.

Bella pulled my hair. "I'm serious."

I opened my eyes. "So am I."

"Fine, then I won't tell you that my brother is with your sister. Who cares anyway? Keeping it in the family isn't all that important anyway-," I cut Bella off.

"Whoa, whoa, wait. Your brother and my sister are together? As in a couple together?" I asked her.

"Well, technically, it isn't really official, but the way I see it, they're made for each other."

"Is that why you and Rosalie gave each other that weird look yesterday when my mom asked Rosalie about a boyfriend?" I asked her.

"Precisely." She answered with an affirmative nod of her head. Bella laid down on her stomach next to me, her head turned towards mine, only inches away. I turned my head back towards her. "Edward?"

"Yes, Bella?"

"Can I ask you something that may make you just a tiny bit angry?"

What could she possibly ask that would make me angry with her? "Okay."

"Why did you marry Tanya?" She asked and tensed a little.

I laughed, loudly. "Baby, that doesn't make me angry at all. It makes me wonder if I was drunk for the entire first half of my twenties." I answered.

"Seriously, Edward." She said, more relaxed now.

"Well, I wanted to make my mom happy. I wanted to settle down and have a family. I wanted what my parents had. I was never in love with her so say. I may never truly know what the hell was wrong with me for seeing anything in her in the first place, but I am grateful for her. She gave me Laney, and Laney's one of the best things that has ever happened to me." I finished.

"One of the best?" Bella hedged. "What other things are the best that could have happened to you?"

"The garage opening, Hymel's having all you can eat fish on Thursday's- that was definitely a blessing," I said and Bella laughed. "But you know there is one more thing that makes me incredibly happy. Someone that brings a smile to my face every time it think about them."

Bella looked at me straight in the eyes. "And who is that?"

I considered playing with her for a moment and saying that she didn't know her, but that would ruin the moment. So instead, for once, I skipped the joke. I was going to be serious for once in my life. I had finally found someone whom I loved, someone I could consider being with for the rest of my life. And that person was Bella.

I looked back at Bella and smiled before whispering, "You, love, you."

Bella smiled and looked down, then back up to me, tears in her eyes. "What are you saying, Cullen?"

"I think you know what I'm saying."

"Prove it. Tell me. Straight up. Just tell me the truth." Bella said.

"I love you, Bella. More than I can ever imagine loving someone after only two months of knowing them. I love you."

"I love you, too, Edward. So much, so, so much." Bella said and kissed me.

We broke away from each other, both of us breathing a bit heavily.

"Technically, we've only been dating a month." Bella corrected.

"We've known each other two."

"Yea, but-," I cut her off.

"Bella?"

"What?"

"Can you please just shut up?" I asked.

"One condition." She said.

"What's that?" I asked her.

"Admit that I'm right." She said in a sing-song voice.

"You're ridiculous woman." I said and looked up at the ceiling.

Bella stuck her head in front of mine. "But you love me."

I nodded. "Yes. I do love you."

A/N: A promise is a promise. So let's try this again and see how it works… 10+ reviews get a chapter on Friday.

So many of you may be wondering… Laney is talking, the big L word came out and the custody case is almost over so the story must be over to. WRONG! You haven't even met Charlie yet, you silly gooses! I will have at least twenty chapters to my story. Most likely more. I have a lot planned for my little family. And I am considering a sequel. So tell me how you feel about that.

REVIEWS GET YOU A CHAPTER IN TWO DAYS! REMEMBER THAT! DID I BRAKE MY PROMISE FROM MONDAY? I THINK NOT! SO GET TO REVIEWING MY DARLINGS!