AN: Y'all, I know its been 3 years since I've updated, but its been an eventful 3 years. Some good some bad, and a whole lot of writer's block. I actually had this chapter typed up already but I was then struck with the most wonderful of muses so I deleted everything and here we are.

Emmett's POV

Telling Bella about my son was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. How do you tell the girl of your dreams that you have a baby boy out there with your old fuck buddy.

But my girl is a trooper I'll tell you that.

"What happens now is that I'm a father. So I definitely want to be there and help out in any way I can, but I want you by my side with me. This doesn't change anything between us." I told her passionately.

She stayed quiet for a moment, contemplating, then turned to me with resolution in her eyes, "Okay, I'll stay by your side. I definitely don't want to give up what we have any time soon. But know this, I'm not ready to be a mother okay, so don't ask me to become one, but I can help anyway I can."

She paused then, "Wait Em, how are you going to do this? You live here in Houston, and the baby is in Gatlinburg. I know you're not leaving school right?"

"Well this is actually the interesting part, Rose is coming to live with her Nana that lives here because her parents were obviously not happy with the whole 'un-wed mother' part, they're ridiculously concerned with how they look to everybody else in town. So they've sent her to live here with our son, his name is Braden by the way."

I then took out my phone and showed her a picture I took of me an my son together.

"Oh Em! He's a cutie pie for sure. Look he's got your eyes, and your dimples!"

I really looked at her then, she was so enamored with the picture, and I felt a twinge of sadness for us. In this moment I wished she was the one to have my first son. I then remembered the whole reason why I wanted to spend time with my family this thanksgiving, the box in my duffle bag like a ringing in my ears that would never stop.

I had imagined my life with her already. We would have gotten married after she graduated, waited a few years, or at least tried to, and have kids, I know I would have wanted them early on in our marriage. I know she would be a great mother for our children. Now things would be different.

I know I didn't cheat on her, but it feels like I cheated on my hopes for out life together. Things will be different, but I'll fight to make sure at least one part of my dream be fulfilled.

*~O~*~O~*

Bella POV

It's been a few months since Em dropped that bomb on me and things have been...alright.

Our apartment has become overrun by baby things since Em was able to convince Rose to be able to keep little Braden with us every other weekend. Now I don't mind having that gorgeous baby with us, but Em becomes completely zoned in on him and won't pick up after all the mess they leave behind. I can only trip over so many things at night trying to go to the restroom.

Then during the week, he is working his paid internship that he got after Christmas at this architecture firm, which I'm very proud of him for getting, but he is always away and focused on his work when at home. All good things mind you but I've become overwhelmed in the baby stuff.

And don't get me started on Rose. She's made it her personal mission to make me feel like I'm the one who's ruining her perfect family picture. Any time we're alone in the room together, she glares daggers at me, and then she always asks me uncomfortable questions like, "Why are you even here, this is family business only." or "Honestly Bella, I don't know how you can even stand Emmett knowing he's never going to be only yours and has a whole family without you." Making it seem like I'm the other woman.

She's a sneaky one too. Always makes sure that Em is nowhere near earshot so I can never say anything to him because when he's around us, she's so nice to me. "Oh Bella, I just love that little organization nook you made for Braden's toys."

Today Emmett texted me to let me know that Rose is going to be dropping Braden off for the week since we are off for Spring Break. Sadly though, Em is going to be stuck at a meeting until late and is not going to be here when she comes.

Knock Knock

I go to open the door, taking a calming breath before facing Rose on my own.

"Hey Braden! Rose, please come in and drop the stuff off." I say to her while reaching for Braden, no matter how much I abhor his mother, I can't take it out on this precious boy.

She just yanks him away from my reach and steps in looking around. "Where's Emmett? I told him he had to be here." She looks at me suspiciously.

"He's not here yet, he had a meeting thats running longer than he thought." I replied exasperated. She just squinted her eyes at me.

"Fine, but tell Emmett that next time I would prefer he would be here and not the other woman." She told me haughtily.

I can't believe the nerve of this chick. If anything she's the other woman.

"What's your problem with me? I haven't done anything to you, I've tried being so nice to you for the sake of Em and that beautiful boy that I honestly don't even know how someone as vile as you could have popped out."

"Look here, Emmett was supposed to be mine, he was always supposed to be mine, we've known each other forever and we're meant to be. I thought that our off/on thing was just a phase while he finished his schooling." She then looked at me with pity, "Honestly, its probably a matter of time until he gives up this charade of being 'in love' with you, and he'll come to the family we should've been all along."

She then handed me Braden and slammed the door in her haste to leave.

I was left there dumbstruck. What if Emmett really was just wasting his time with me, he's always told me he wanted to have a family at some point, I just figured that he wanted to wait awhile before getting to that.

But what if he's ready now? I'm definitely not, and he has a pre-made family now, he doesn't need to wait for me to be ready anymore.

Let's not mention the fact that I was totally into his best friend before we even met, or the fact that I let him kiss me and did not push him away immediately.

I just turned to look at Braden, who was looking up at me with wonder in his big blue eyes. I pulled him into me closer and tucked him into my neck and kissed his head.

"He's gonna leave me for your mother isn't he?" I whispered to the small baby.

AN: So that's where my muse took me. I know there wasn't any Jasper in this one but I've got plans for this story now. Just needed to establish some things. Finally took all my English teacher's lessons and made an outline. Crazy right, how did I not have one before.

Anyway, let me know what y'all thought, I love good constructive criticism.

Love Y'all Bunches,

Odie