... so a month, I think that's what I said, you know, like in terms of when I'd next update. Well, yep, that happened, let's move on shall we. As I've said a number of times, I will not be abandoning this story. I'll just be like 30 by the time I finish it. It's fine, totally fine.

Reminder of last chapter, cause you probably need it. (If you're even still following this story)

"To be honest, it's lucky he has my hair and eyes, or I would have had a hard time believing he was min –"

My brow rose, and he cut off, raising his hands up in surrender. He looked sheepish, but not regretful. This Edward was beginning to resemble the one I'd met at the bar more. Not so cautious, and shy. Though I didn't blame him for being cautious, given the circumstances. And this, at least, was something I'd planned for, and really, despite the look I was giving him, I wasn't even mad.

"Hey, don't give me that look. You told me enough about your life in that one night for me to know that you're not naïve. So don't make me feel guilty for feeling something that's completely rational," He said softly as he spoke his truths.

None of this is rational.

Chapter thirteen

I dropped my head, staring down at soft tufts of red and brown hair.

"You're right, I'm sorry," I said, still looking at Jackson's hair, "I expected you to go straight to that, as soon as you saw me. But you didn't, so . . . I can't fault you now. I was just, I don't . . . even though I expected it I still feel a little defensive, I guess."

He nodded, "That's understandable."

I breathed in deep, and steeled my nerve, looking up at him, "Look, if you want to get a . . . paternity test, I wouldn't blame you and I wouldn't – couldn't keep that right from you, so . . ."

I hugged Jackson tighter to me, wanting to protect him from anything and everything, even if it wasn't a threat.

"No."

I exhaled, "No?"

Edward nodded, "I don't need one, not yet. Why don't you stay here for a while? We can get to know each other, and I can get to know Jackson. And then, if there's still doubt in my mind, or even in yours, we'll do the paternity test."

I bit down on my bottom lip and thought.

Stay here?

Oh good. Stay here for a while he says. Ha. I put my money on us never leaving.

"Are you . . . are you sure, because I want you to be sure." I said. I wanted him to be so sure, so bad, because that meant that maybe we had a chance.

I mean, not 'we' as in him and me, but 'we' as in, Jackson and stuff.

Edward stared for a moment, like he was trying to figure some huge question out, you know like that one; why are we here, on this green earth? Only, I guess I kinda know that's it's not that question exactly. More like, "why is she here? And do I want her to stay."

Then he nodded, as if answering that silent rambling inside my head.

"I'm sure."

This was all probably going to end really badly, I mean, if I were an optimist I'd say that this was the beginning of some new future for Jackson and I . . . and Edward. But I'd always been a bit of a pessimist, so for right here, right now, I feel like I'm about to walk into a pit full of bad situations and awkward, uncomfortable, angst ridden times, all the while totting a baby.

This felt like I was making bad, horrible decisions and at the same time, striving for something that maybe, might hopefully end well. You know, if I cross my toes and fingers and hope for the best. My Mother always said that I was a "pathetic little girl that was setting her life up for failure", but I hope, as I watch Edward nod and accept the fact that I'm mostly likely not a gold digging whore, and as I hear him proclaim his certainty of what he's decided, I hope that my Mother was wrong. I hope that I can give Jackson something my Mother never gave me, a family who loved, no matter what.

So you know . . .

"Okay then, we'll stay; as long as we need to."

Thanks for reading, sorry for the wait, again, come back next time. (whenever I next decide to update)