As always, the standard disclaimer applies. See below for author's note…

Chapter 11: In Interim

Previously:

I couldn't take it anymore. I had to step in. They shouldn't be fighting like this. I tried to call out to get them to stop but my voice was weak and couldn't be heard over the renewed yelling. There had to be a way. I opened my eyes and saw everyone squared off. No one was paying any attention to me, but I saw a food tray on the table next to me. I reached out and managed to knock against the table, which caused the cup sitting on the tray to topple over and crash to the ground along with whatever liquid had been inside it. Everyone stopped at that and turned their shocked faces to look at me. Good, I finally have the undivided attention of every person in the room.

"Stop fighting," I called out weakly. My voice was hardly louder than a whisper but it had the desired effect. Carlisle rushed to my side while the rest stayed stock still and quiet.

Carlisle POV

(In his office, waiting for his family before entering Charlie's hospital room.)

The past two weeks have been hell. There's just no other way to put it. After that lunch with my girls I called the hospital informing them that there was an emergency and I wouldn't be back in for the rest of the day and then headed straight home. Esme's car was in the drive so I knew she was around the house somewhere. I remember taking a few deep breaths before getting out of my car to inform her of our grandson.

She took the news well considering how much of a shock it all was. She cried, of course, for not knowing there was a little boy out there related to us and we never knew. She cried harder when we called Edward.

"Hey dad," Edward answered on the third ring.

"Edward. How is the seminar going?"

"It's great dad! I've been to some very interesting panels and gotten to make some awesome contacts. And New York? I love it here! It's so busy! There's always something going on around here. I'm thinking about extending my trip some and playing tourist when the seminar is over," I had to cut him off here.

"Edward, I really don't think that's a good idea," I took a deep breath and wondered how much information I could give him to make sure he came home on time, without giving it all up. "There's some important stuff going on around here and you really should come home right after the seminar ends."

"What's up? Is everyone ok?" He sounded panicked.

"Everyone is doing fine son. As we mentioned before, Charlie got hurt and he's still in a coma," he cut me off here.

"That sucks dad. How's Emmet taking it?"

"He's stressed – as expected – but doing alright. But something's come up and we just need you to come home so we can all deal with it," I tried.

"Dad… What's the deal? Not that I don't feel for Emmet, but what can I do there that I can't do over the phone? I can call and give him the support he needs without having to be there."

"That's not all of it Edward," I sighed. "Bella is here too and…"

"I really don't care about her one way or another dad, you know this. You want me to come home just because Bella is there?" he asked incredulously.

"I," Esme was mouthing 'just tell him' to me. I guess it's the only way to get him back here on time. "I really didn't want to have to tell you this over the phone…" I closed my eyes and forced myself to say the words. "Bella came back home and she's not alone," and he cut me off again.

"So she's got a boyfriend with her. I really could care less…"

"Edward! That's not it. As I said, she's not alone. Yes there is a man here with her but that's not the point. She has a little boy with her," and he cut me off. Again.

"I don't see what this has to do with me dad. So she has a boyfriend and a son, big deal…"

"Damn it Edward! I'm trying to tell you that the boy is yours!" Okay, so I lost my temper just a bit. Esme smacked my arm and I heard a gasp on the other end of the line. "Son? I'm sorry I just yelled it out like that. I wanted you to come home and tell you in person, not over the phone, and then you just wouldn't let me say it and…"

"Are you sure he's mine? What makes you say that?" he asked angrily.

"Well, from what your sisters say he looks just like you. His name is Masen Anthony and he's three years old," there wasn't much else I could tell him as I haven't spent any time around the boy myself. "Edward? Are you there? Are you okay?"

"No. I'm very far from okay. How could that bitch not tell me?" he screamed.

"I'm sure she had some reason son. Why don't you calm down a bit? There's no point in working yourself up while you're across the country. You need to come home so we can all figure out what to do."

"I'll be there," he assured me. "I'll take the first flight out after the last panel ends"

"I'm sorry Edward. I…" I didn't really know what else to say. There were no words I could think of to comfort him at this time.

"It's alright dad. I'll be home soon and we'll deal with it. Give my love to mom and I'll see you guys soon."

"Alright. I love you son," I sighed.

"You too dad. Bye."

That was not a fun conversation. Edward did make it home that weekend and we had a family meeting to discuss the issue of Bella and Masen. Rose and Alice, of course, were very vocal about getting back at Bella. Emmet was torn – he was angry at Bella for hiding Masen from all of us, but she is still his sister and he had a hard time listening to the girls badmouth and plot against her.

Esme and I were more calm and subdued. Yes, it kills us that we have a three year old grandson that we have no knowledge of, but both of us feel for Bella. There had to be a reason behind her actions and we were willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and explain it all. We still loved her like one of our own children even though, yes, we were disappointed in her actions and decisions. Esme just wanted to meet the boy and get to know him.

Edward, he was livid. He ranted and raved for over two hours about the injustice of it all. He is the one who decided to contact a lawyer and start proceedings against Bella without even talking to her. He actually had the appointment already set up before he even got home.

Esme and I went with Edward to the lawyer's office a few days after the family meeting and we met with a man by the name of Jenks. Mr. Jenks listened to Edward's description of the situation and allowed Esme and I to throw our opinions in. At the end, Edward decided to start the suit against Bella. Mr. Jenks suggested the DNA test clause, to be 100% positive the child is Edward's, and the temporary restraining order to prevent her departure in the event she wants to go back to Texas. Edward immediately agreed and Mr. Jenks got to work on all the paperwork. He assured Edward that Bella would be receiving notice of the proceeding soon through a process server, and Edward suggested she be served at the hospital since he knew she was frequently there to see Charlie. Just before we left, Mr. Jenks recommended that we have as little contact with Bella as possible for the time being. He didn't want to risk her catching wind of the suit, getting spooked and running off with Masen.

The next few days came and went with everyone tense and waiting to see what would happen. The girls were hoping Edward would try to take custody of Masen away from Bella. Esme and I were vocal about that not happening. No matter what Bella has done, the child should not be punished by losing his mother – the only parent he's ever known. Alice huffed and Rose pitched a fit when we told her that. She yelled about how much of a 'bitch' Bella is and that she has no right to keep that boy since she hid him all this time. We tried to explain that yes, what she did was wrong, but taking Masen away from her would punish him and that no matter what, Bella did not deserve to lose her child. That argument ended with Rose storming out of the house with Emmet tensely following behind her. Their relationship was seeming more strained with each passing day. I sincerely hoped they were able to put everything aside for the sake of their marriage.

Edward agreed that taking custody of Masen was not what he wanted to happen. He just wanted rights to his son. He's been pulling more and more away from the family and inside himself as the time passes. His eyes show anger, pain, confusion, and several other hard to define emotions. I think he's having a difficult time connecting Bella's deception to the girl he was once friends with.

Esme has drawn up plans and begun working on transforming one of the guest rooms in the house to a room for Masen. Without knowing what he likes and is interested in, she has just decided on plain colors and furniture for now, though she says she will add some sort of mural later on when she finds out where his interest lie. This is how she decided to deal with the stressful situation, and I cannot fault her for it. It keeps her sane and relatively happy, so I support and encourage her in her endeavor.

As for myself, I do not like the way this is turning out, but I really have little say. This is Edward's child so therefore it is his decision on how to proceed. I wish he would have tried having a talk with her first, but he wanted to go the lawyer route. I can only see this method producing more distrust and hard feelings between the families. And I hope that Charlie can wake up and help his daughter deal with all of this since it appears she has no one but the friend she brought with her on her side to support her through it all.

I glanced at my watch and noticed it was time to go. My whole family was meeting up outside Charlie's hospital room today to see Bella get served. They all wanted to be there for various reasons: Rose and Alice to get the chance to speak their minds and watch Bella's reaction; Emmet to support his wife and see his father; Edward to come face to face with Bella and see Masen; and Esme and myself to try to limit the fallout. I turned the corner to see everyone in the hallway with the man I assumed was the process server. I nodded to the man and reached out to open the door while taking a deep breath to brace myself for what was about to happen.

Here we go…

I give my most sincere apologies for the long wait for an update to this story. I have had a major block in writing this or anything else for a long time, and was finally able to get this chapter out with constant support and all good stuffs from dax. I am hoping that this will be the end of my blockage and will strive to get an update posted every 1-2 weeks.

Thank you to all the readers that are still with us even after this long break. And to any new readers happening upon this story, I hope you enjoy it. Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and we'll see you again next time :D