Super special thanks to my beta babe, Fran. And to my prereaders Michele, Lissa and Judyblue you rock! Extra special thanks to vampiregirl93 for catching a big boo boo ;)


Man, that was a long 6 days …

BPOV

My mouth gapes open.

How dare he? I elbow him in the ribs and step away, allowing his arm to drop to his side. There's an evil smirk curling his lips and that tells me all I need to know. Edward is trying to rile Alec up.

Asshole.

Nevertheless, even though he's acting like an ass, it's a question I'd like to have answered. I mean, I'm positive it's true, but having a medical opinion to back my reasoning will make it seem less crazy in my head.

Alec is still standing there looking as if Edward has sprouted two heads. I'm sure this is a lot for him to take in at one time. We hadn't shared the news with him prior to now and then to have Edward here so unexpectedly, and under different circumstances than he thought, is probably shocking.

I approach him and reach out to touch his arm. "Alec? While Edward is an idiot for springing it on you like this, his question does have some merit. I'd like an answer, too."

"But … but …" he sputters, before trying again. "You can't be serious!" His voice is high, almost hysterical.

I cross my arms, getting defensive at his immediate rebuttal. "Why not?"

His eyes go wide and his jaw drops. "Bella, you've only just met this guy. You can't possibly be considering having a baby with him. That's crazy!"

I start tapping my foot. He's beginning to irritate me now. "While I appreciate your concern, Alec, that's frankly none of your business. Now could you answer Edward's question."

He runs his fingers through his hair and gathers himself together. "Well, as a physician, I should warn that creating a life just to heal another isn't always an ideal situation, but it has been done in the past. And the answer is yes. Yes, a biological sibling, even a half-sibling, would have a better chance of matching." He moves closer to me, leaning down to look into my eyes. "As your friend, I ask that you please think this through first. Jake's so much better, we have time to find that match."

I huff. "This coming from the same man that suggested I should do whatever it takes? Remember that, Alec? You're the one who was pushing me to seek out his father, even though I didn't want to impede on his life."

Edward's standing there, his head volleying back and forth as if he's watching the most engrossing game of tennis ever. That sly smirk still firmly planted on his lips.

Alec sighs and speaks, but this time he's much more resigned. "I never thought you'd attempt at creating another life with him though," he says lowly, turning to head toward Jake again, giving up the fight.

I follow him over, much more calm now that he isn't trying to dictate my decisions. "It's just an idea that we've discussed. Nothing's written in stone. It is nice to have all of the facts, though."

He looks to me once more, his eyes pleading. "Just please think long and hard before making a decision. This is one you won't be able to walk away from if you decide to follow through." He glances at Edward. "Either of you."

Edward, not one to stay quiet for long, steps closer and looks directly at Alec. "I've already made my decision. It's completely up to Bella how we proceed from here. But know this"―he leans closer, making sure Alec is looking into his eyes―"I would never walk away from any child of mine."

Alec acknowledges him with a curt nod before turning his beseeching eyes to mine. "Just don't make any rash decisions, please," he says for the third time. Then he turns and retrieves Jake's chart, snapping back into doctor mode almost instantly.

The rest of the visit is spent with him going over Jacob's latest test results and what that means for us. Basically, he tells me that Jake can go home the day after tomorrow if today's round of blood work comes back with positive results.

Toward the end of our discussion, Jake finally opens his eyes. They immediately zero in on Edward. "Hey, you here again?"

The smile that lights Edward's face is breathtaking. He approaches Jake's bed and sits on the edge. "I sure am, dude. I have a feeling I'll be seeing a lot of you."

Jake sits up and shrugs. "Well, I goin' home soon."

Edward leans closer as if to tell him a secret. "That's okay, I'll still come visit you there." He leans back up. "Guess what?"

"What?" Jake mimics.

"I have a little boy that's your same age. How would you like it if he came to visit you, too?" Edward asks.

From the corner of my eye, I catch Alec's expression. His lips are pursed as if he just sucked a lemon, disapproval on his features. Deciding his reaction isn't what matters, I move to the other side of Jake and take a seat.

Jake smiles at me, but turns to answer Edward. "You gotta boy like me?" He points to himself.

Edward reaches over and tousles Jake's hair. "I do. Would you like to meet him?"

Jake smiles and nods enthusiastically. "What his name?"

"Seth," Edward answers.

At that Jake turns to me. "Mama, I gots a new friend named Seth."

I give Edward a smile of thanks. "You sure do, baby."

Alec comes over and breaks up our morning conversation not soon after, checking Jake over and chatting with him. He's almost acting as though Edward stole his new toy. He's never tried so hard to be buddy-buddy with Jake as he is today.

That's something I'll have to ponder another time.

Right now I'm focused on the fact that in just a few hours, I'm going to meet my biological son. I'm almost giddy with anticipation. These last few days have been both some of the worst and best all wrapped in one. Edward definitely hasn't made things easy, but I think our talk helped and we've come to an understanding. Now, with Seth coming to Seattle and the hope that Jake will get to go home, I feel like I'm flying on some kind of high.

A high that I hope lasts forever―even though I know it won't.

Once Alec has retreated from the room, I sit in my usual chair and allow Edward time with Jake. I think he's earned it. His smile never wavers as they become fast, easy friends. I find myself wondering if it will be as simple for Seth and me.

After Jake's had breakfast and talked himself out with Edward, I suggest we take a stroll down the hall. Jake's been in the bed so much that Carlisle's started encouraging me to get him out of the room on occasion. We take our usual route through the halls, only this time Edward's beside us every step of the way.

When we return to Jake's room, his lunch has already been delivered, along with an extra for me. I help him back to bed and settle his tray in front of him. "Here you go, sweetie."

"Thank you, Mama. You eatin' too?" he asks.

"Sure am. I have a tray right over there." I point to the extra plate.

"What about Edward? He got somethin' to eat?"

I'm taken aback that Jake even cares whether Edward eats or not. "I don't know. I don't think they brought him a tray." I look over to Edward. He has his cell up to his ear and is walking around talking into it with a soft voice.

"He can eat wif me," Jake says as if that solves everything.

I reach over and caress his cheek. "You're such a sweet little man, but I think Edward will be okay. You need to eat and get strong so you can go home soon."

He fist pumps, Edward completely forgotten. "Yeah! I goin' home!"

I chuckle at him. "Soon, baby. Now eat."

Jake and I sit on his bed; him at the top and me at the foot with the hospital tray between us. We sit, eat and chat and when he's done, I turn on Nickelodeon for him to watch.

When Edward gets off the phone, he takes the seat beside Jake's bed. "That was Jay, my brother. His and Seth's flight boards in ten minutes."

I smile and brush a random curl behind my ear, my hand shaking uncontrollably. "I can't wait," I say softly.

He reaches over and clasps my hands. "Hey, calm down. It's okay. You have nothing to be nervous about. Seth is going to love you and you him."

I take a deep breath and try to allow his words to soothe me. "I hope you're right."

"Trust me, I am." He gives me a gentle smile and I start to believe that maybe he is.

"So, um, how do you want to do this?" I ask unsure what his exact plans are.

He sighs. "Their flight is scheduled to arrive at six thirty. I thought that you might have someone else sit with Jake and maybe meet us at my hotel room a little later?" He rubs the back of his neck and looks away.

I think it over and decide he's right. I should meet Seth first in a private setting, allowing him time to get used to me as much as he can before he's thrust into our lives so suddenly. I can only hope he'll be as accepting of me as Jake was of Edward.

"Okay, I think that will work out for the best. It won't be a problem to have someone sit with Jake. What hotel and time?" I ask.

He uses a sticky pad on the side table and jots down the information, along with his cell number. I giggle and reach for my purse. When I have it, I dig through and bring out my phone. Looking at the note, I punch in Edward's number.

At the ring from his pocket, he realizes what I'm doing and smirks. "Just what I was hoping for." With a wink, he starts saving my number. When he's finished, he looks to me again. "I'll text you when we leave the airport. In the morning, we'll come visit with Jake. Jay intends to get tested while he's here, and it's something I haven't done yet so we'll both go then."

"Sounds perfect." I give him a contented smile.

When I look back to Jacob, I realize that he's already fallen asleep. I get up, move the tray from between us, and turn off the overhead light.

"He really is special, Bella," Edward says reverently. I don't know why, but those very same chills from our first meeting reverberate over my skin at his use of my name.

I can do nothing but nod in agreement, my lips won't allow me to speak and my eyes avoid even a glance in his direction. I busy myself with tucking Jake's blanket closer to his body and leaning the head of his bed down farther. With that done, I find myself looking for anything else to occupy myself.

"Bella." His voice is low, seductive. "Please, sit down. I don't bite." I allow my eyes to find his and what I see there is a contradiction of his words. He does bite and I'd be a fool to let it slip my mind.

I take a deep breath and remind myself that I can do this. I can handle Edward Masen. But can I really? It was easy when he was acting like an arrogant asshole, but the soft, caring man in front of me …

I'm not so sure.

On shaky legs, I make my way to my chair and busy myself pulling it back into a sitting position, still trying to avoid looking at him. When I've done all I can to prolong the minutes before I face him, I finally take my seat.

With the lighting low and no Jake as a barrier, I feel vulnerable. For some reason, last night was so much different than today. He was making a case, begging to set things right. Now that we've settled so many obstacles and the big decision lies with me, I can't help but think he'll pull every trick in the book to make that decision veer in his direction.

He pulls his chair closer, impossibly close. His knee brushes mine and I shiver involuntarily, still avoiding his eyes. His hand comes into my periphery, making its way to mine. Beginning with his middle finger, he traces the veins up my arm. When he reaches my shirt sleeve, his hand leaves, but only to land on my jaw. His fingers encase my chin and turn my face toward him. Then they all pull back but one knuckle, it's left to make its way up my cheek and then his fingers slide into my hairline.

He leans his head beside my own and begins speaking in a low, raspy voice. "You know I'm going to fight dirty, right? I'm going to touch and tease as much as you'll allow. The decision is completely yours and I'll honor whatever you choose, but I'll also do my very best to sway you to my thinking. I won't make it easy."

I sit very still, pretending that he has no effect on me. I school my features and my body to show no response, even though on the inside I'm melting into a puddle. When I'm sure my voice and reactions are under control, I lean back and look him in the eye.

Then I smirk. "Good luck, Edward."

My delivery is perfect. Ice queen cold and unaffected, his name leaves my lips with no inflection whatsoever.

He chuckles darkly. "Well played, Bella. Well played." He leans back and relaxes against his own chair, leaving my space free of his presence.

I can finally breathe normally again and the mood lightens. The distance between us bringing about a normalcy I was once again desperate to feel. The minutes tick by with small talk and the occasional assurance from Edward when he notices my anxiety peeping through over the upcoming meeting.

After a while, he stands. His hand going to the back of his neck. "Well, uh, I need to get going."

"Oh, okay. Not much longer now then?" I ask.

"Yeah, a few more hours. I need to get back to the hotel and get a shower, though. I wasn't exactly planning on staying this long when I showed up here last night." He takes his keys from his pocket and twirls them on his fingers, acting nonchalant, when he's really anything but.

"Of course." I stand. I'm not sure why, it just feels appropriate in this situation.

We both know the conversation that took place last night was a new starting point for us all. We made considerable headway in deciding the path we intend to follow with our boys. We realize that we're connected for life and we will give them the best outcome possible.

He steps up to me and links his fingers with mine. "You're going to do fine, Bella. Trust me."

Trust is such a funny thing.

So easy to ask for.

So easy to promise.

So easy to break.

Yet so hard to earn.

Edward hasn't earned it yet; but I find myself believing him anyway. He knows his … my … son better than anyone and if he thinks he'll accept me into his life, then I have no choice but to grab onto that feeling and carry it with me until I know for myself.

I swallow and his eyes flick to my neck, they caress my skin. "I'd rather trust you on this than to think otherwise." His eyes jump back to mine. "Please, don't steer me wrong, Edward."

He steps even closer still and brings his hand up, cupping the back of my neck. I try to avoid such close eye contact, but he guides me so I have no choice. The sheer determination I see there takes away my breath.

"Bella, Seth is an amazing little guy just as Jake is. He's happy and well-rounded. After he gets to know you, he'll realize what a nurturing person you are." He chuckles lightly and rolls his eyes. "He'll probably dump me after he meets you."

Even though he was kidding, my mind can't help but worry about those very things. We will have to tell these boys the truth. They might not understand it right away, but they do and will understand what Dad and Mom means. And that's really what we are; I'm their Mom and Edward's their Dad. With that information, will I become any less to Jake or Edward to Seth? Just another one of the future obstacles we'll have to overcome if it ever arises.

I raise my hand and rest it on his chest. "Don't joke like that. I don't even want to think about it."

"Hey, hey." He cups my cheeks in his hands. "We're both their parents from this point on, no matter what happens. You never have to worry about losing a son, you're gaining another. That's all, I swear."

I nod, I don't trust myself to speak right now. This man, this situation, is tearing me to pieces. I feel as if one strong gust and I'll scatter in the wind. How can he be so amazing and so infuriating at the same time?

"We'll need to tell them at some point, you know? I'd prefer as soon as possible, but again I'm willing to defer to you. It's all you, Bella. You're in the driver's seat," he assures, and that small admission is enough to lift the weight of this moment.

I smile. "Thank you, Edward. I don't have all of the answers, but I'll try to make the best choices for our boys."

He leans up and slowly presses his lips to my forehead, then steps back. The space between us now feels empty somehow. "I know you will, Bella. You've already shown loyalty, fierceness and a willingness to forgive. Our boys are in good hands." He winks. "But that doesn't mean I won't try my very best to persuade you on other decisions." His smirk says exactly what those other decisions are.

I giggle―yes, like a schoolgirl―and swat at his chest. "Whatever, Masen. Go get our boy, I'm dying to meet him."

He mock salutes me and turns to leave the room.

As soon as he's out the door, I reach for my cell.

I need to contact the clinic as soon as possible.

There's no way I'm giving in to Edward without all of the facts, and he's already made it clear, he won't be making it easy for me.


Thanks to all of you who checked out my recs!

Seth arrives next chapter.

See you Monday!