"On your back with your racks as he stacks your load

In the back with the racks and he stacks your load

In the back with the racks and you're unstacking your load."

-Bon Iver-

"Hello?" her sweet voice questions again.

I take a deep breath, willing the words to work their way out of my mouth. I don't know why I find it so hard to talk to her. Maybe it's because it's been so incredibly long. We used to share everything with each other. We went from that, to being total strangers.

"Um… Bella. It's me-"

"Edward?" She answers for me.

"Hey," I say lamely, too enthralled by the sound of her voice.

"How… how are you?" she stutters out.

She sounds hesitant, uncomfortable, but she doesn't sound cold. In fact, her voice sounds warm, like always. I close my eyes and imagine she's here with me. I imagine that things were as they once were. God, you never know what you have until it's gone, and now that she's gone she's all I think about-all I dream about. She completely consumes me, even when she's so far away.

"I'm fine," I lie. I'm so used to lying at this point, it comes out sounding like the truth.

I've said "I'm fine" so many times now that I'm starting to believe it. I say it like if I say it enough, one day it might be true. Of course, I've been feeling somewhat better. My life feels like it's more on track now that I've settled down into my new job-new home. However, I'm not sure if I'm "fine". I'm not sure if I'm even close to that.

"How are you?" I add after a long moment, realizing she's yet to say anything.

"I'm fine, too," she responds without hesitation. However, I hear the lie in her voice. I've always been able to read Bella like an open book. What her pretty face doesn't give away, her voice does. "Why are you calling me, Edward?" she asks.

There's no hostility in her voice. Her question sounds genuinely curious. She must know that I want to see my son. She must've known this time would come eventually. She couldn't keep him from me forever. Not that she would, of course, even though she hates me, I know she's not that vindictive. She could never stay mad at me for long. I guess I got used to that. I suppose I thought she would forgive me for my affair, because even when I was sleeping with Kate, I never imagined a life without Bella in it. I'm such a fucking asshole. She had faith in me and I fucking ruined her.

"I found work in town," I begin awkwardly, wondering what her response will be to that statement. "I was wondering… well, I was wondering if I could see Charlie? I really want to meet him, Bella."

She pauses for a moment, before she finally asks, "You moved to Washington?"

"Yes," I reply uncomfortably.

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to see you," she mumbles out, almost apologetically. "But, I care more about Charlie than I care about my own discomfort."

This is far better than the response I was expecting from her. I hadn't expected her to want to see me, and honestly, part of me thought that she'd say that she needed more time. I would've given it to her, too. Despite how terribly I want to see Charlie, I would've given it to her. Hell, I have been giving it to her. I've been giving her ample time because I know I'm the last face she'd ever want to see. Although, now I'm wondering if I was truly being selfless. Maybe, I really kept my distance because I was being cowardly. Maybe I was afraid to face her, the woman I love more than anything, after all the horrible things I did to her. How can you look someone in the eye after you did everything to destroy them? Maybe I just couldn't stomach it.

"So…" I stumble awkwardly, feeling so incredibly vulnerable as I talk to her, "When can I see him?"

"When do you have time to?" she asks quietly. "I'm sure you're the one with the busy schedule. I work from home so I can take care of the baby."

I frown. I can't believe she's taken care of our son all by herself. I can't believe how much of his life I've missed already. Because of my meaningless affair, I missed out on his birth, his first word, and many other things I'm sure. It breaks my fucking heart. Of course, I deserve it. I know I do. I made my bed, and now I have to lie in it.

"Well," I begin, thinking of my schedule. "I'm off work this Saturday… would that work for you?"

She's quiet for a long moment, and I wonder if she's rethinking seeing me so soon. Relief washes over me in waves when she finally says, "Saturday is fine, Edward."

The way she says my name makes me cringe. There's no warmth in her voice. When she used to call me by my name, her voice would be filled with such love, and now, it's filled with nothing. It's like she's talking to a complete stranger, and not a man who had been her best friend for so many years.

"Thank you, Bella," I manage to get out.

"So, does Saturday at noon work for you?"

Saturday at noon. I can't believe how soon that is-only two days away. I'll see my son in two days. I'll finally get to meet him. Tears well in my eyes but I manage to keep them at bay. Bella doesn't need to hear me cry over the phone. I'll wait until our conversation is over. It's just that I've never looked forward to something so much in my entire life. I'll finally get to meet the son I already love so much.

"That's perfect. Thank you, Bella." I can't stop saying her name.

"You're welcome." She sounds uncomfortable, but I'm too happy to pay it any mind.

I'll be meeting Charlie in two days and my entire life will become significantly better. I'm sure he'll be a ray of fucking sunshine, lighting up the darkness I've been allowing myself to live in since Bella left. Perhaps this will be a new beginning-a second chance. Or perhaps I'm just being far too hopeful.

A/N: Next chapter will be what I'm sure you guys have been waiting for. Bella and Edward will finally get to meet for the first time since their divorce. Seriously, thanks to anyone that's reading this! Your reviews mean so much to me. Hope to update soon! Until next time…