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Legally binding

Edwards POV

I never did get to take Bella out that night, she and Alice became too engrossed in the matter of Jacob and I didn't want to interrupt.

My little sister was a legal secretary in Phoenix, which meant she had a fair bit of legal knowledge built up in that little head of hers. She ignored it most of the time, but every now and again something would prove useful. They talked for a few hours about how to go about things and Alice handed over contact details for the law firm she worked for.

"I hope that helps." She'd almost sung before spinning out of the room to look for Jasper.

"Thank you Alice" Bella had called after her before turning to face me. "I didn't even know half this stuff could be done."

"I told you to leave it with me." I walked over and kissed her gently.

We ended up spending the first part of the evening sat around the kitchen table with the rest of my family, tucking in to the huge spread of food my mother had laid out. She always got carried away when we had company. She'd out down herself this time though. Besides the baked potatoes, steak and salad, she'd also prepared various pasta dishes too.

Joshua's face was covered in spaghetti sauce from where he'd slurped his up. Sucking each string up through his lips; the ends always seemed to flick up and smear him with another saucy trail.

Bella went for the kill and had a steak and potato with salad on the side. This made my mother shine with happiness; she hated women that lived on dust.

"It's not healthy!" She'd always mumble if any of their guests didn't leave feeling full.

Afterwards we all went through to the family room and relaxed. Joshua got tired soon after and went to bed leaving just the adults sat there.

Bella was once again occupying the couch with me. I'd spread out along the full length of it and had pulled her over to the side of me, so that I was the one on the edge. One of my arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer to me and the other was propping up my head. My eyes never left her for long, only venturing away if someone was addressing my directly.

Bella's head was rested on my chest but her focus was on my face. She spent ages tracing my features with her finger tips; watching every where they went. I could feel my face pull up in contentment at her actions. When they brushed across my lips I couldn't resist kissing them. My father was sat quietly watching our exchange of affection. He'd look at my mother every few moments as if she'd spoken to him, like they were having some kind of silent conversation, not actually having to speak to know what the other was thinking or feeling.

Their relationship was very strong and had been that way as long as I could remember. They were always the united front where we were involved. There was never any chance of us playing them off against each other about stuff; if she said no then he said no. They'd always check too to make sure they weren't going against the other's wishes; leaving us being caught out any time we tried it on.

That's what I always aspired to have. To find someone that I could count on, defend and respect.

"What are you thinking about?" I'd been lost in my thoughts for a minute and she'd noticed.

"I was just thinking about you." I answered simply. I had been thinking about her; everything I'd seen in my parents I saw in her when she was with me. When I thought about my future recently, she always appeared in it.

The night went by so fast and we had to be up early in the morning for our flight back home. I'd apologised to Bella countless times when I'd forgotten to take into consideration Joshua had school. I'd never dated anyone with kids before so the thought didn't enter my head as my mind formed its plan for the weekend.

"I'm sure one day's not going to hurt." She assured me while kissing my Adam's apple. I stopped begging her to forgive me after she started with that, only because my entire mind went void of any other thought but her.

Our journey home had been pretty uneventful, Joshua still sat in awe as the airplanes took off and landed again at both Seattle and Phoenix. The car ride was filled with small talk about the up coming weeks.

"It's my birthday next week!" Joshua had said for the tenth time in the past half hour.

"Don't worry Josh; nobody's going to be able to forget with you around to remind them." Bella turned and chuckled to him.

I dropped them both off at her place, leaving her for the first time since Friday. We were now on Monday and I'd loved every minute of their company.

I could get used to this.

After so much human contact, my apartment seemed sparse and cold; empty. I walked over to the sideboard by the phone and threw my keys down. The little red light blinked at me; making me aware I had messages. I pressed play. I disappeared into the kitchen to get a drink as I listened.

'Dude where did you go? I know things were bad on Friday but come on! At least let me know you're alive! Or has Bella locked your ass in the basement for some S and M?' He laughed at himself before talking again. 'Anyway hit me back. See you at work if not before.'

I'd forgotten to tell Emmett I was going out of town. I'd call him later.

'Hi honey it's just me...I know I know you're a grown man but please let me know when you get in. Just because your twenty five doesn't mean you stop being my baby, or that I stop worrying about you! By the way, Bella's a keeper, don't screw it up!'

My head had appeared at the kitchen door to stare back at the machine as if her head had popped out of it to scold me.

'Hey Edward, it's me; but I guess you knew that already...I hate these things, I always start rambling and forget what I called for in the first place...see I'm doing it now...What did I...Oh yeah Thank you for this weekend. It was amazing and Joshua hasn't shut up telling my mom about it yet. He's still over there talking her ear off. Nobody's ever done anything like that for either of us...By the way...I love you.'

I'd walked over to the couch and sunk into it, closing my eyes as the sound of her voice filled me with the warmth that had been missing since I'd left her less than an hour ago.

'Oh and Joshua's having a birthday party on Saturday next week and his begged me to call you and let you know you're invited. My uncle Charlie and his wife have said they don't mind holding it at their place as they have a huge garden...Any way, I'm doing it again so...bye'

I smiled.

I decided to take a shower before calling my mother back.

Bella's POV

Nerves started to flood me as I sat in the very big expensive looking reception area of J Jenks and associates, Attorney of law.

Alice had arranged the meeting for me and had already greeted me as I arrived, but seen as she was working she had to dash off to deliver some case papers to her boss. We'd arranged to go to dinner when I was finished up here.

I really did like Alice; she'd be exactly like the sister I always wanted to be like. She was tiny but not to be messed with. I had a feeling she'd get along well with Rosie.

"Miss Swan, Mrs Jenks will see you know." The Beautiful woman sat behind the very minimalistic desk at the front of house spoke with a friendly tone.

Was I really going to do this? I mean I know Jake was a waste of time but this still nagged at me.

Maybe I could see what all this involved then make a decision later.

Why are you even thinking about his feelings now? It's not like he's father of the year material, just waiting to release his potential. He's never been interested in Joshua and only winds up hurting your baby boy by not showing up all the time. This way you both get peace from this...You get to protect Josh from having to go through what he did on Friday, when Jake doesn't show, and He gets to walk away, no more ties or fake pretence.

My harpy had been quiet for a while now so it shocked me that when voicing her opinion now, she made sence.

"Miss Swan, I'm Jenifer Jenks, but please...call me Jen."

"Bella." I echoed her gesture as I took her hand as an introduction.

"My secretary tells me you want to look into termination of parental rights?" She sat back in her chair and pulled out a pen and a note book from her bag.

"Um yes." I still felt nervous.

"Well why don't you fill me in on events and then I can let you know if you've got reasonable grounds for petition.

I spent the best part of an hour telling her about Jacob's involvement in my son's life, or lack of. She asked a number of her own questions to get the right information she needed too. It wasn't as much of an ordeal as I thought it might have been. But I still had one more important question of my own...

"Can we discuss fees before I leave please?" I must have come across as nervous to her about it.

"Well, seen as it's only the contract you'll be requiring...And because Alice is an amazing personal secretary...We'll call it a freebie."

"That wasn't what I meant..." Oh god I didn't want to come across as the poor relation. I just needed to know if I was going to have to raid my checking account.

"I know you didn't Bella, and I would never intend to imply such a thing. But really, Alice would be the one to print up the contract anyway, all I have to do is check it and sign it, then she'll deliver it."

Ok so when she put it like that.

Alice had assured me that she would get it done that afternoon and get it straight out to me.

Our lunch was really great. Even though she was my boyfriend's sister, she was my friend now too; which kind of separated them. We spent age's talking and getting to know each other better, but at the same time, behaving like we'd grown up together or something.

"So how are things with my big brother anyway?" She asked as she speared a piece of pasta onto her fork.

"Really good, I hope." I bit my lip as she stopped the fork at her lips.

"You don't know?"

"It's just. It's only been two and a half months. It's still early." I looked down at the table. "He's always telling me he loves me but I don't know...It's just, I've never had anyone in my life like that before. I've never had anyone other than my mother or my son, tell me that they love me."

"What you don't like it?" She continued to chip away.

"No I do! I want...I...Edward is amazing and I just feel like maybe he's being like it to just be nice..."

"If you think for one minute that my brother would date someone out of pity, you're sooo wrong!" She almost laughed. "Bella, my brother doesn't just fall for girls. He's been hurt before and he's not the kind of guy to just make do either. Edward has some high ass standards, though I will say, he's never been quite so enthusiastic about anyone like this before." Her mouth moved around as she chewed.

"What...so has he had a lot of girlfriends then?" I didn't mean to ask that. It was none of my business. Of course he was going to have a past like that, why wouldn't he. I didn't want to know

A little part of you does. Oh she was well and truly back now.

"Um well there was Emily in college who was a total bitch and then Tanya a year or so ago, who was a total hoe...I really didn't intend for that to rhyme" She giggled

"Standards huh? What does that make me; a hick with a chick in tow?"

"That's not what I meant. They were both quite intelligent and pretty, Edward is a very trusting guy. He doesn't like to look for bad things in a person. They were both nice to start with, Tanya had even moved in with him before he found out she'd been visiting his work a lot."

Oh god he'd lived with someone already. I couldn't quite keep the green eyed monster at bay but I had to.

"I don't follow, visit his work?" My eyebrows pulled together.

"Well she visited a lot while he was there...Just not visiting him...There are a lot of doctors there. He found her screwing one in a supply cupboard." Her plate was now empty and she was looking over the dessert menu, "You want to share some cheese cake?"

"You really want to share?"

"No you're right...Excuse me, can I order two portions of cheesecake please?...Thank you"

I couldn't stop thinking about Tanya; I was so jealous at a memory of a woman that used to share his life, his apartment; his bed. He'd touched her like he touched me.

Don't do this! You had another man's baby so don't start letting this bother you I think I preferred it when she was silent.