Disclaimer: la la la…not mine…la la la…

A/N: I'm in quite the good mood. No particular reason actually. I'm totally enjoying the laid-back surroundings of my hometown before I have to venture back to the mainland. Ah paradise, you make me chuckle. Especially when I remember a certain British man and his best friend's reactions when I told them where I was from. Those British boys are just so damn cute and sexy…though I am blaming booze for the majority of their reactions…

I realize that I'm in such a good mood as I write that this chapter might not have come out as intended. Hopefully my happy vibe didn't disrupt it. This is a rather…complicated chapter.

Thank you to Homebody, xXiStillLoveHimXx, and ravengoddes (welcome aboard!). Your reviews made me smile. Sorry for keeping you in suspense and trusting me. :-P

And ajenc, I feel a little weird posting this without your feedback, but I hope life isn't getting too crazy for you!

Anyone else who is just reading, thank you just for that! Seeing that people are reading make me smile. Thanks for giving my little story a chance. :-)

I have a feeling you will probably like this chapter (in my opinion, it's cute) but will be HELLA mad at me by the end...I warned you...and I apologize in advance.

P.S. Woo-hoo! "Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince" at midnight tonight! I'm excited! :-) Too bad there will be no Rob...

Lost 'till you're found

Swim 'till you drown

Know that we all fall down

Love 'till you hate

Strong 'till you break

Know that we all fall down

If ever your world starts crashing down

Whenever your world starts crashing down

If ever your world starts crashing down

That's where you'll find, find me

-OneRepublic, "All Fall Down"

Chapter 12: All Fall Down

As I leaned against the wall outside of Jasper's classroom, I ignored the stares from the moms who were waiting also. They were like your stereotypical rich housewives, waiting for their children at this preppy private school. Most of them were being less than subtle in their flirting with me. One even had the audacity to tell me her husband was out of town and she could easily find a sitter to watch our kids while we quote, "got to know each other." She had that suggestive tone and her breath told me that she had enjoyed one too many martinis or something before showing up here. Good lord I hope she didn't drive. When I didn't respond and flinched away from her touch she got the hint. When I looked around the hallway I noticed the other mothers divert their gazes and also that I was the only dad. Great. It needed to be 2:30 right now.

I couldn't say that I was particularly happy to be in my current situation as it was. And I wasn't only thinking about these crazy moms in the hallway. Bella and I had talked. My heart rejoiced at the fact that she still cared about me and wanted me in E.J.'s life, but when she told me the truth behind why she left, and everything Charlie was involved in, I couldn't help the anger that I felt, and truth be told, I was a little angry at her.

She told me she was a coward and too scared to come back, afraid that I wouldn't want her, afraid I wouldn't want E.J. As much as I hated to think it, those excuses of hers were getting real old real quick. I didn't know what else I could do now to make her believe that I wanted both she and E.J. in my life. We did at least part on civil terms. Bella begged me to think things over now that I knew everything. I couldn't deny that I was a little upset with her, and seeing the pain in her eyes and knowing I caused it was excruciating.

I told her, "I'll think about things, but nothing will change me wanting to be a part of E.J.'s life." I left her completely out and I could see the hope in her eyes almost disappear and become replaced with hurt. I tried to apologize and make her understand that I just needed more time to digest everything I learned about her, but she quickly cut me off.

"It's okay Edward," she said, "you don't have to explain anything else. Take your time. I'll figure out something. Maybe you can spend some time with E.J. this week?"

I simply nodded, numb from the hurt that I caused to be present in her eyes. I knew in my heart that I never wanted to cause that look in her eyes again, but there was still so much to sort out when it came to Bella and I.

So despite agreeing that I would spend some time with E.J. this week, I was still surprised when Bella called me last night asking if I would pick E.J. up from school today. Today was a Friday and she told Jasper that I would be picking him up and I was being added to E.J.'s approved list for pick-up after school. Bella said she wasn't telling E.J. and she wanted to surprise him. I was admittedly a little nervous. Did he even want to see me? The last time we were in this very room I walked out the door and left him sobbing on the floor.

In addition to my anxiety over E.J.'s reaction to me picking him up, Bella asked that I entertain him until 7pm before bringing him home for a dinner that HE had asked her to put together. E.J. had asked Bella if he could hang out with his Mommy, Daddy, Aunty Rosie, Uncle Emmett, Miss Alice, and Mr. Whitlock. Apparently, he had something to show us all. Bella told me Jasper was hesitant about it because E.J. was his student, but Alice assured Bella that they would be there. I could just see the Alice Brandon puppy dog pout working in overdrive last night convincing Jasper it was okay.

When Bella called I also brought up the letters from E.J's "Daddy" in Paris. I had never been to France, hell, I hadn't even been out of the country yet. When I asked her what I should say in case he started asking questions, she told me to be honest about me being an artist. She said that would satisfy his curiosity enough. As for the whole me being in Paris thing…she said we'd work that out later. This whole letter charade was doing nothing for my anxiety. I didn't want to slip up and have E.J. realize that all this time his "Daddy" wasn't real. Well…I'm real, but not the Daddy that was supposedly in Paris all this time. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. Though Bella and I had finally talked and were possibly on the path to reconciliation, there was still so much shit that had to get worked out. And not going to lie, this whole lying to E.J. business did not sit well with me.

The bell rang and I jumped. Doors in the hallway sprang open and children of all ages began to excitedly flow out. I kept myself smashed against the wall as children screamed and squealed in that way that only elementary school age children do. Thank goodness all the mothers were leaving. It took a while, but the traffic in the hallways died down, and that's when I realized that E.J. was nowhere to be seen. I panicked. Did I just lose my own son?! I quickly ran into Jasper's open door and found him kneeling down and thankfully helping my son get his little grey coat on. It was probably somewhere around 62 degrees outside when I left to come pick him up. It was at least a little sunny outside. My thick black jacket, long sleeve white shirt, and jeans kept me warm enough. I only hoped E.J. would be warm enough.

"Is my mommy coming today Mr. Whitlock? Or is Ms. Angela coming?" E.J.'s voice sounded disappointed when he asked if Angela was going to pick him up. His lower lip stuck out in a slight pout as he looked at the floor.

"Oh I think someone better is coming today E.J." Jasper chuckled as he took notice of me standing in the doorway.

I couldn't help but smile as I saw E.J. look up at Jasper and his little forehead furrow in confusion. Good lord he really did look like a miniature version of me. Well, in comparison to pictures my mother had shown me of when I wa-

OH. CRAP. My parents. I had let them known I was alive and not dead in a brief text message, but I had yet to tell them they were grandparents. I slapped my hand to my face and dragged it across. Great, just one more thing I had to think about.

I heard Jasper clear his throat and I looked just in time to see E.J. whip his head around and lock eyes with mine.

"DADDY!" he squealed and I had all of two seconds to prepare myself before my son catapulted himself, quite impressively, into my arms that barely caught him. He quickly pulled himself up, with my help as I tried to get a better grip on him, and wrapped his arms around my neck.

"DADDY! DADDY! DADDY! I missed you!" my son shouted pretty much directly into my ear.

"I missed you too son," I whispered as I hugged him.

E.J. turned in my arms back towards Jasper, "Mr. Whitlock, Daddy is picking me up!"

Jasper smiled and I felt myself smile too. E.J.'s excited and overjoyed emotions were too strong to not affect either Jasper or myself.

"Are you ready to go E.J.?" I asked, as I looked and made sure he had his backpack with him. A Superman backpack. Very nice Bella.

"Yes Daddy!" E.J. squealed again. Just then Jasper's cell phone rang and I chuckled. Justin Timberlake's "My Love" played and that could only mean it was one person.

"Darlin'!" Jasper answered quickly. E.J. giggled and I couldn't help but laugh along with him.

"Yes, I said we'll go…oh…sure, Edward is right here."

Jasper held the phone out to me and I took it as E.J. yelled, "Hi Miss Alice!"

I heard Alice's bell like laughter as I put the phone to my ear.

"What can I do for you Miss Alice?" I asked, smiling as my son laughed.

"Edward, what are you doing now before we all head over to Bella's?"

"Oh," I paused, "I uh…was going to ask E.J. if he wanted to get a snack and then take him to Central Park. Maybe the library or something before we headed home."

"Can we get bagels Daddy?" E.J. asked excitedly, gripping my neck tighter. I smiled and nodded as Alice laughed.

"Do you mind if I meet up with you guys for a bit? Jasper has some work to finish up at school and then was going to head home. We can grab him before we head over to Bella's?"

"Sure Alice that sounds fine. You want to meet in Central Park at the Alice in Wonderland statue? I do know that's your favorite."

Alice laughed again, "Well, only because the name is so great."

I rolled my eyes…Alice, of course.

"Okay, let me say bye to Jazzy and I'll see you guys in a few."

"Sure Alice, bye."

I handed the phone back to Jasper and E.J. had my full attention again.

"Can we go to H&H Bagels Daddy? That's where Mommy takes me. That's my favorite."

I nodded. I knew that place well. It was actually one of my favorites also. We would need a taxi to get there, but the walk to the Alice in Wonderland statue was a short one by New Yorker standards. We waited a few more seconds as Jasper finished up with Alice. We told him we'd see him tonight at dinner and he nodded, telling us to have fun and not let Alice get into too much trouble.

I put E.J. down as we walked out to the curb to find a taxi. Once his feet were on the ground his little hand found mine and latched on, not letting go once. It was surprising to me at first and truth be told, I was shocked that he was taking to me being here so well. He didn't even say anything about the last time I saw him. I prayed it wouldn't come up. I don't think I could live with myself if I saw that hurt and pain in his little eyes again.

After picking up an onion bagel and cream cheese, I couldn't help but watch in fascination as my little son devoured his half of the bagel. I picked at mine but didn't even eat a third of it. I really needed to get my appetite back. While I had gained back some of the apparent weight I had lost, I still wasn't back up to where I had been. I continued to watch as E.J. happily munched on his bagel. Everything he did I was transfixed by and was committing to memory. We hadn't said much in the taxi and he hummed a little tune to himself in the car as we rode over. He still clutched my hand tightly.

When he was done he announced that it was time to go meet Miss Alice. I had almost forgotten. I was so immersed in taking in every little detail about my son, I had forgotten about meeting Alice in Central Park. I held E.J.'s hand tightly all the way into the park. Though it was a nice day it wasn't very crowded. It was a Friday and I assumed people had other plans for their weekends. I let E.J.'s hand go as he skipped a few feet in front of me, picking up random leaves and sticks to examine, but never straying far away from me. I briefly wondered what his childhood was like for him. Watching him was like living a childhood I never had when I was blind. I watched as he picked up a leaf and looked closely at the different oranges and reds and how they mixed together on the one surface. He was making little noises and he skipped along with a stick and was talking quietly to himself in his own game or imaginary world. I never had that experience as a child, and I was beyond grateful that he had been born healthy.

The Alice in Wonderland statue came into view and I was surprised there were no other children playing on it. Every time I had come by it was always filled with children climbing all over and playing their games. Today however, the only space occupied was the pixie sitting on a mushroom cap.

"MISS ALICE!" E.J. shouted as he ran excitedly to her. I was a little surprised. By my understanding, E.J. had only met Alice once. I guess she sure made an impression on him, as she does with everyone. I chuckled as Alice stood and met E.J.'s hug full on. Their height difference wasn't very big and I was positive the pixie knew what I was laughing at when she stuck her tongue out at me.

Though the weather was cooling down and it was getting darker, E.J. insisted on playing on the statue for a while. Alice and I talked. We did go to our lunch the day after Bella and I talked. I was annoyed with Alice for tricking Bella into coming to my apartment, but then the pixie asked if I would've ever contacted Bella to talk to her. She had me there. In all honesty, I probably would've waited for Bella to make the first move and contact me and save me from the darkness that was my life without her.

It was ironic to me in these past six years that I had a surgery to fix my eyesight and when I regained it, I felt like I was living in darkness without Bella by my side. I wasn't sure what Bella would think about my "dark times". We had yet to talk about what I had been doing in the past six years.

I sat on top of a mushroom near the Mad Hatter's face as E.J. was running around on the ground, playing some sort of game of tag with Alice. I watched as the last rays of light were disappearing behind the buildings surrounding Central Park. As disappointed as E.J. might be to leave, I wanted to get out of the park before it was dark. To my surprise he didn't complain and when I jumped off one last little mushroom, E.J. quickly ran to my side and latched his tiny hand in mine. I couldn't help but smile at the feeling.

"Wow E.J." Alice said as she bounced along on my other side, "you're a fast little guy! I had a hard time catching you!"

I laughed and smiled as I looked down at my son. Perhaps Alice's hyperactivity had finally met its match in my 5 year old son.

E.J. bit his bottom lip before he spoke, "I wanted to be just like Daddy. Daddy said one of his favorite things to do is go running. You run around your neighborhood in Paris right Daddy?"

I quickly looked at Alice, wide eyed. Thank the lord I had told her about the whole letter situation. I was even more thankful that she already heard when she had talked to Bella. Between Bella and I, we had warned all our friends about the letters and anything E.J. might say about me being in Paris all this time. Rosalie and Jasper took it the roughest. Apparently Rosalie was against the whole letter idea from the beginning and Jasper, well, he felt all sorts of conflicting emotions both as my friend and E.J.'s teacher. They both agreed though, for the sake of E.J., that they wouldn't say anything.

"I do love running E.J." I said as I turned back to him and smiled, "next time, I promise to play with you and Miss Alice."

"YAY!" E.J. shouted. He began to skip along and Alice gladly joined him. He let go of my hand and the two ran off a little further ahead, laughing and shouting at each other. I held his Superman backpack on my shoulder as I strolled after them. Alice was my best friend here in the city, and she never gave up on me. Not even when I was at my lowest point. As she said, she was hell bent on getting me the happiness that I deserved. In the end, I really couldn't be all that mad at her for tricking Bella into coming to my apartment. It had gotten the ball rolling to at least where we are today. And that was definitely better than where I was a week ago.

E.J. had turned around and was running back towards me when I saw his shoe catch on some uneven patch of the concrete and he tumbled forward. My heart lurched in my chest and I immediately sprinted forward without thinking. I was met with a loud cry of "DADDY!" and I scooped him up right away. Alice raced up not two seconds later. She took E.J.'s backpack from my shoulder as I sat on a nearby bench to assess the damage. Alice had a huge purse with her and she quickly began rummaging through it. What women carried in these giant bags, I'll never know, but thank goodness this pixie carried a mini first aid kit.

Fat tears were rolling down E.J.'s cheeks as he sniffled and bit his lower lip. I couldn't help but think that while he might look exactly like me, there was so much of Bella inside of him. The way he bit his lower lip was exactly like Bella, and though I had never witnessed it with my own eyes, I knew Bella was very clumsy.

I hugged E.J. to my chest with one arm as I tried to coax him to let me see his hands with the other.

"Hey buddy," I whispered as I rubbed his shoulder, "Let me see your hands."

His whole body tensed, "No! Blood makes me sick! Just like Mommy!"

I couldn't help but chuckle. In 11th grade I remember sitting down in Spanish class the period before lunch and hearing Ben come rushing in out of breath before Senora Mendoza started. He said Angela caught him in the hall and said she had to take Bella to the nurse because Bella fainted in Biology class during blood typing. Apparently Bella is slightly hemophobic. A trait that apparently has been passed on to our son.

"Okay E.J. Close your eyes tightly. No peeking okay?" E.J. nodded and squeezed his eyes shut.

"Here Edward," Alice said as she held out some antibacterial wipes and those big rectangle band aids. I had no idea why she had those in her purse, but I certainly wasn't complaining now.

"Thank you Alice," I whispered as she crouched down next to E.J.

"Okay E.J. Open up you hands and let Daddy see."

E.J. sniffled and slowly uncurled his little hands, his eyes still squeezed shut. His palms had skidded across the pavement and he had little scratches up his palms and wrists. Thankfully none of them were deep or bleeding that badly. I slowly cleaned the dirt out of his cuts, and was extremely thankful Alice had the antibacterial wipes that didn't sting. I quickly covered his cuts with the large band aids before telling him he could open his eyes.

"There we go son, all better."

E.J. was sniffling and wiped away his remaining tears before he pouted softly, "You have to kiss it better like Mommy does Daddy."

I couldn't help but smile and I'm sure Alice was holding in a very loud "Awwwwww" in her head. I gently kissed the spots covered by the bandages and E.J. instantly smiled.

"Now I'm all better Daddy."

I couldn't help but smile now too, "all better E.J."

We were running a bit late so I stood up with E.J. and held me hand out to him.

"I can't hold your hand Daddy," E.J. sniffled, "it hurts."

Tears looked like they were going to spill over his little cheeks again and I don't think my heart could stand it if I saw tears in his eyes again. My poor heart almost had a heart attack when I saw him trip. I don't know how parents survived this. I wanted nothing more than for my son to be safe and healthy. I groaned…parents…I still had to tell mine that they were now grandparents.

"How about I carry you E.J.? We are running a little late to go meet Mr. Whitlock."

"Piggy back me Daddy!" E.J. shouted, his tears and hurting hands forgotten. I quickly scooped him up and he laughed and held on tightly. Alice took his little Superman backpack and swung it on her back. The straps fit her perfectly and I snorted when I saw.

"Daddy snorted Miss Alice!" E.J. giggled.

I blushed as Alice laughed, "I heard! That's so rude Edward! No doubt you were making fun of my new little backpack? I'll have you know, Superman is my favorite hero."

"Mine too Miss Alice! Mine too!" E.J. shouted, his little legs kicking in my arms.

I laughed again. I wanted to tell our son, "Yes son, he's her favorite, but not for the same reason as you." Alice loves that show "Smallville" and apparently she and Jasper have a list of 5 celebrities that they can each drool over and the other can't get mad about it. Tom Welling is her #2. All I know is her #1 is some guy she used to drool over when he was a "movie surfer" or whatever she called him on the Disney channel and now was in some big vampire movie or something. Why that guy? I have no idea.

By the time we caught a taxi back to Alice & Jasper's building, it was around 6:15. Alice went to go change quickly as Jasper, E.J., and I watched Sports Center. Jasper was a very talented baseball player in high school and college, but a knee injury in his junior year of college ended his hopes of playing professionally. They were talking a little bit about the end of the Major League season. Jasper was still irritated that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were in the World Series. Jasper was a big Texas Rangers fan and that's how he and I bonded. Our love for the teams from the crappy American League West division. New York City might be home now, but he and I would never be fans of the pinstripes. I was still a die hard Seattle Mariners fan.

"So what do you think Edward? You think Griffey Jr. is gonna go back to Seattle?"

"I hope so," I sighed as E.J. doodled on a piece of paper, "He might not be what he used to, but they could use the moral boost I'm sure."

Jasper chuckled and we were both surprised when E.J. said, "Ichiro Suzuki is my favorite. Mommy says he's going to be in the Hall of Fame."

"Well what do you know Edward? Like father like son," Jasper chuckled.

"I want to be just like Daddy when I grow up Mr. Whitlock," E.J. said proudly, making my own heart swell, "but sorry Daddy. I don't think I want to be an artist and live in another country. That's too far from you and Mommy. Can I be a baseball player instead?"

I couldn't help but laugh, and I heard Jasper and the tinkling laughter of Alice returning to the living room. My son was just too fricking cute for his own good. Every second I was in his presence I loved him more and more.

"You can be whatever you want son," I said as I scooped him up and swung him around in circles. He laughed and squealed "Daddy!" as Alice screamed at me to not break anything. I couldn't remember the last time I felt so genuinely happy.

As we all walked to Bella's apartment, E.J. walked with Jasper, asking him all sorts of questions about playing baseball. I overheard him telling Jasper that he had yet to attend an actual game and I immediately committed that to memory for next season. I'd have to look and see when the Seattle Mariners would be coming to play either the Mets or the Yankees in 2009.

"Edward?" Alice said to me softly as we walked. I looked over at her, unable to keep the smile off my face.

Alice smiled back brightly, no doubt enjoying my change in mood as well. "Edward, do you know why E.J. had Bella put together this dinner? It's not his birthday."

"No idea," I shrugged, but inside I frowned. I didn't even know when E.J.'s birthday was. I had so much to learn about my own son while I tried to sort out my situation with Bella. Plus I had the whole issue of explaining everything to my parents. The doorman at Bella's building recognized E.J. immediately.

"Mr. Cameron! This is my Daddy!" E.J. exclaimed loudly. Mr. Cameron, or rather, Cameron was an older man, maybe in his 40's. He was a tall man with grey hairs slowly filling in his head of dark brown. For an older man, he was definitely in good shape. I guess you had to be sometimes to be a doorman. He stretched out his hand,

"Cameron Jones. Nice to finally meet you…"

"Edward," I said, taking his hand, "Edward Cullen."

"Well, Mr. Cullen, I'm glad to finally meet you. Will you be staying long?"

"Oh…um, just for dinner."

Cameron laughed, "No sir! Will you be staying here long before returning to Paris?"

My eyes bugged out of my head. How was I supposed to answer that in front of E.J.?

Thank the lord above because Bella came out of the elevator at that moment and E.J.'s excited scream for his Mommy left Cameron's question unanswered and forgotten. I briefly overheard Jasper and Alice exchanging pleasantries with Cameron, but I was too lost in my daze to really be hearing them. I was too focused on Bella.

Every time I have seen her, she has left me absolutely speechless. Even though she was bending down and fussing over the bandages on E.J.'s hands, she was so beautiful. Tonight she was still in jeans and shirt, but all the cuts and fits were tighter and showing off the luscious curves that were reeking havoc on my dreams. Her jeans were black, but they looked practically painted on her impossibly long looking legs. The blue shirt she wore was simple and long sleeved, but it clung to her body in all the right places. I shifted myself uncomfortably. Now was not the time for any "problems" to be popping up.

"Edward," Bella called me softly, and I snapped out of my daze. She was looking at me with a small smile on her face. I didn't even realize that Alice and Jasper were standing behind Bella and E.J., trying in vain to hide the smirks on their faces as Cameron chuckled behind me.

"I guess it's been a while since you've seen your gorgeous wife huh Mr. Cullen?"

If I thought I was blushing before, that was nothing compared to how red I was now as I nodded, and the deep crimson color of Bella's face as she quickly turned and pressed the button for the elevator.

The ride up to her top floor penthouse was awkward. Bella was still red and looking down and I could tell my cheeks were still hot. E.J. was telling Bella all about the bagel from H&H when Alice snorted. We all looked at her for a second before she burst out in laughter.

"Come on you guys!" she barely got out between laughs, "That was so cute!"

Jasper chuckled and E.J. giggled simply because Alice and Jasper were. Bella and I looked at each other sheepishly, timid smiles on both our faces. If E.J. only knew how awkward downstairs had really just been.

Bella led us into her impressive two story penthouse. She told us that the top floor included the master bedroom, bathroom, and an outdoor terrace with a patio set and hot tub. Downstairs were E.J.'s room, a guest room, bathroom, Bella's office, her mini gym/laundry room, kitchen, dining room, and living room. It was simply amazing. I guess this is what being a best selling author got you in New York City's Upper East Side.

Emmett and Rosalie stood up in the living room. E.J. immediately ran over and was scooped up in Emmett's large arms.

"Uncle Emmie! Aunty Rosie!" E.J. was telling them all about our afternoon together.

"Can I take your jacket?" Bella asked me softly from behind.

I carefully slipped the jacket off and turned, smiling, "Thank you Bella. Dinner smells delicious by the way."

My senses were immediately assaulted when the front door had opened. I think I knew what she had prepared but I wasn't quite sure.

"It's beef stroganoff and for dessert there's berry cobbler. Your favorite," Bella whispered softly.

My throat closed up a little bit as she whispered. That was the first meal she ever cooked for me. She had prepared it for us on our two year anniversary when we were 15 years old. She told me she went through numerous batches before she settled on the recipes she liked the best and tweaked them to perfection. It was the same meal that I tried to duplicate in the past six years when I would wallow in my misery around any date that specifically reminded me of Bella.

"Thank you Bella…" I whispered, but my voice cracked anyway. I looked down and my cheek tingled as Bella's small hand cupped my cheek. I slowly brought my head up to look into her eyes. Her beautiful brown eyes looked back at me and I noticed the tears that were gathering there. I also glanced around and noticed we were now alone in the living room. I could hear Alice, Jasper, and Emmett in the kitchen, and Rosalie and E.J. in his bedroom putting his stuff away.

My heart was swelling in my chest with so many emotions. The meal she prepared meant so much to me, and it was so special to Bella and I. She still cared for me even after all of our time apart from each other. She trusted me enough to let me back into my son's life and spend the day with him today. And even after I told her I needed to think about "us", she was still here, being the strong one in the relationship and putting on her own "happy face" for our son. She was still the selfless, loving, caring Bella that she had always been. She opened her mouth to say something but she was cut off by Emmett.

"Hey Bells! I'm starving! Let's eat!"

Bella pulled her hand away and I immediately missed the heat. She rolled her eyes and yelled at Emmett, "Five more minutes won't kill you!"

"By the way, you're very welcome Edward," Bella whispered before she headed off to the kitchen. Just then E.J. came tearing back into the living room.

"DADDY! Piggy back please!" I quickly scooped up E.J. and threw him on my back as Rosalie came up behind him. She softly placed a hand on my arm.

"Edward," she whispered, "for what it is worth, I'm so sorry. More than you'll ever know."

I nodded, silently acknowledging that she was forgiven. It had taken me weeks to understand it, but Emmett is her husband and I know she'll do anything for him. Bella and Emmett are the only family each other has left, so I can also now understand why Emmett never told me either. When you love someone and care for them deeply, you'll do anything to protect them and make them happy. I was friends with Rose and Emmett, but in the end, I couldn't be too offended that they chose Bella over me. They were family. It was hard for me to accept, but Alice helped me see it during our lunch the other day.

"Fatherhood suits you," Rosalie whispered again, this time smiling. True, Rosalie was incredibly…tenacious, some people might mistake it as bitchy, but she was a softie at heart. Exactly like Emmett. That was perhaps maybe why they matched with each other so well.

"Thank you Rosalie," I said, smiling and truthfully meaning it. She had been fighting on my side when I didn't even know it. We came into the dinning room and Bella had set up quite the feast. The beef stroganoff was accompanied by a large salad and garlic bread (apparently E.J.'s request) and Jasper was pouring the adults wine while Bella got E.J. his milk. I let E.J. down off my back and he skipped over to his chair where Bella was standing. Bella's large round oak table was surrounded by eight chairs. I was to be seated between Alice and E.J.

Emmett stopped me on the way to my chair, "Edward can I have a brief word."

I nodded and followed Emmett into the kitchen. After my epiphany about family and doing anything for them, I found myself very ready to make up with Emmett and Rosalie.

Emmett rubbed the back of his neck and he looked nervous. I knew what was coming.

"Edward, man…look, I'm sorry. I know it means little but I-"

"Emmett," I said, holding up my hand and cutting him off, "It may have taken me a while, but I can see now why you did it. Family comes first and I admire that loyalty. There's nothing to forgive. Let's just…look towards the future."

Emmett's face lit up with that boyish grin of his and he clapped a hand on my shoulder. I couldn't help but wince a little.

"I've missed you Ed!"

I couldn't help but chuckle, "I've missed you guys too Em. I really have."

Dinner was a pleasant affair. E.J. captured all of our attention, even Jasper's, as he told of his week at school. We all laughed when E.J. mentioned his friend getting in trouble with Mr. Whitlock. It was one of the few times I've ever seen Jasper look uncomfortable. He's always the calm and collected one. After all the berry cobbler was eaten and we were all rather stuffed, Alice finally asked the question we were all curious about.

"So E.J., why did you want your Mommy to plan this dinner for us all?"

I glanced down at my son sitting to my right, very curious to the answer of this question. Bella was also looking down at him expectantly.

"Come on Champ," Emmett urged, "Was it so you can tell us all you think Mr. Whitlock is the worst teacher ever?"

"Emmett!" Rosalie shouted and quickly smacked him over the back of the head. I glanced at Alice to my left and saw the momma bear face coming out. Jasper was just shaking his head.

"I'm just joking guys! Geez…" Emmett muttered. We all chuckled and rolled our eyes. Had we been laughing any louder, we all would've completely missed what E.J. said.

"I don't want to lie anymore…"

We all were silent immediately and I'm pretty sure everyone was feeling the same exact thing: confused.

"What are you talking about baby?" Bella asked, pulling him to her side. She looked up at me, asking with her eyes if I knew what he was talking about but all I could do was shrug my shoulders.

"Mr. Whitlock says its not good to lie and I don't want to lie anymore."

Everyone turned to look at Mr. Whitlock, now all of us expecting Jasper to have the answers to what the hell was going on. Jasper cleared his throat before speaking.

"I did say that E.J. Why don't you um, tell us what you don't want to lie about anymore?"

Leave it to Jasper to slip in and out of teacher mode so easily. How he handled a classroom of crazy little kindergarteners was beyond me. He did have this calming affect on everyone it seemed.

"I know about the letters," E.J. said in a small voice, "The ones from Daddy. Mommy writes them."

I saw Bella pull back and gasp loudly, "What did you say E.J.?"

"I know you write them and send them to me Mommy."

I was stunned. How long has he known that it wasn't really his "Daddy" writing him letters? How did he know it was Bella? Emmett a hand slapped against his forehead, his eyes shut tightly. Alice was looking down at the table, a hand clasped over her mouth. Jasper also looked completely stunned. Rosalie on the other hand, seemed to have an almost knowing smirk on her face. Bella was set to bite her bottom lip off.

"How did you find out?" Bella asked softly. There was no point in trying to lie to him. Eventually this would have become an issue.

"Well…" E.J. said softly, and sniffled, tears starting to run down his cheeks.

"E.J., son, don't be scared," I said, wrapping an arm around him, "you can tell us. No one is going to be mad."

He nodded as he sniffled some more, "It…well…it's just that Mommy always looked so happy when I would read my new letter for her every week. I didn't want Mommy to look sad anymore. When the letters started coming last year, she was also so happy. I thought that you were really there Daddy."

That hit me hard and I felt guilty. Bella started to cry, "I…I thought I hid it so well. I never thought he could tell when I was sad."

"You looked sad all the time Mommy. Especially at the end of January and June. I wanted to keep pretending with the letters so you wouldn't be sad anymore Mommy. But then Mr. Whitlock told us in school this week that it was never okay to lie so I had to tell you the truth."

That only made Bella cry harder and I was still stunned. January was when our anniversary was and June was my birthday. E.J. was so much smarter than any of us probably ever thought he was.

"How long have you known that the letters weren't really from me?" I asked softly.

E.J. looked up at me, teary eyed, and it was breaking my heart just to see him crying.

"Since the beginning of August. Mommy was writing something in the kitchen on an envelope. She stuck it in her purse and ran back to get something from her room before she and I were going to get ice cream. I saw the letter sticking out had my name on it. I looked at it and noticed it was from you Daddy. I thought Mommy was going to surprise me with it at the ice cream shop, but then Mommy dropped it into the mailbox thingy that takes the mail away. I didn't understand. Especially when I got the same letter two days later."

Oh sweet lord, our son is a genius.

"That weekend, Mommy said she had to work and had a deadline, so I spent the night with Aunty Rosie and Uncle Em. We met Mr. Whitlock the week before when I visited the kindergarten room. Aunty Rosie took me to get ice cream before going home to Mommy on Sunday. When we were walking back towards home, I saw Mr. Whitlock waiting at a taxi. I wanted to yell hello but then Daddy walked out of the building and to the taxi with Mr. Whitlock. I pointed them out to Aunty Rosie and she gasped and almost dropped her ice cream cone. I thought about the letter from Mommy's purse. Daddy had wrote he was traveling to Italy at the end of the month, but that was wrong because I just saw Daddy in the city with Mr. Whitlock. That was when I knew Mommy was sending them."

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Emmett said, directing his gaze to Rosalie.

She smirked, "I always told you two that this letter thing was a bad idea. Especially with Edward being right here in the city. You all know E.J. is a smart kid and he has a PICTURE of Edward. Of course he knows what his Daddy looks like. And New York City might not seem like it, but it is a small place."

Bella finally broke her silence and at the same time her tears spilled over her cheeks. "Oh E.J., baby, I'm so sorry! I-I-I should have never done this!"

I watched as E.J. hugged Bella back tightly, not saying anything as Bella sobbed. I didn't know what to do. E.J. had known for three months now that his Daddy in Paris wasn't real, and that his real Daddy was right here in the city. The thought made me sick to my stomach. What was he thinking? Did he think we were really trying to deceive him? Oh God, did he think that I didn't truly want him all this time?

"I um…I think we better get going," Emmett started, "I think the three of you have a lot to talk about."

Bella looked up and nodded, still crying as E.J. now clung to her, sobbing. Emmett and Rosalie said their quick goodbyes to Bella and E.J. and then myself. Alice and Jasper said quick goodbyes to Bella and E.J. before I walked them to the door.

"Edward," Alice said, "You call me when you leave here. Remember we're here to help you. I just want to make sure you're okay when all is said and done."

"I'll call you when I get home Alice," I said rather wearily. This was a heavy bomb of information that E.J. just dropped on us. I wasn't sure what to think at all.

APOV

I felt uneasy about leaving Edward with Bella and E.J., but Emmett was right and they did have an awful lot to talk about. Jasper and I got ready for bed but instead of lying in bed we snuggled up together on the couch. Based on what happened tonight would either negate the need for the next step of my plan or it would make the next step of my little plan very crucial.

"So what did you think about E.J.'s story?" Jasper finally asked me.

I shook my head. That was some heavy information he dropped on all of us. Poor Bella. She looked so defeated. I could tell she was being like Edward, trying to put on a "happy face" and show everyone that she was okay, but she really wasn't. And then to be hit with E.J.'s news that he found out Bella was writing the letters from his "Daddy"? Bella looked absolutely crushed while Edward seemed stunned into near silence.

"I don't know Jazzy. This is just such a complicated web of stories. I just hope everything can get sorted out. Do you think they'll tell E.J. the truth about everything?"

Jasper was quiet for a second before he nodded, "Yes Darlin' I think they will. Well, I'm sure some things will get sugar coated, but overall, I'm sure the truth is going to come out."

"What about Bella and Edward? What do you think is going to happen with them?"

Jasper sighed, "Honestly Darlin', I don't know. This is some big news. I don't think Edward will be mad at Bella for this. You told me she explained everything to you."

Just then my phone rang and I launched myself off the couch and over to my purse.

"Edward!" I cried, "Is everything okay?"

Jasper was at my side in an instant. Edward's words caused my knees to give out.

"Edward! No! You promised me Edward! It's not ov-"

But I never got to finish my sentence. He hung up on me. I felt so helpless and frustrated for the first time during this whole ordeal. One huge step forward, then several huge steps back.

"Darlin'! What is it? What did he say? Is he okay?"

I couldn't help it as tears started to pour over my cheeks for the first time in a very long time. I had a plan that I was so certain would work, but now it just seemed like it would just lead to this round about game of progressing forward and then getting knocked back on the ass.

"They got into a fight," I sniffled, "he said it's over."

Yes? No? DON'T HATE ME PLEASE! I know I know…Edward and Bella were so close…but then E.J. dropped that whole bomb on them. Don't worry, I'll go over what happened in the next chapter. I can honestly say I really like the beginning of this chapter. And I apologize for the cliffy. Trust me, I have this all planned out and am about half done with the next one.

Did you see E.J. knowing about the letters coming? I'm not sure how I feel about E.J.'s story. It's been a pretty long time since I was in kindergarten, but little kids are hella smart and as ajenc has pointed out to me, they are also HELLA resilient. I will not delve deeply into E.J.'s psyche and though he's a huge part of this ExB story, I won't be focusing on E.J. all THAT much. What did you think though? Did I write him okay?

And I hadn't planned to end with Alice originally, but she demanded some time. Seeing her crumble here at the end is big to me. I always felt like she must be under so much pressure in the books from the Cullen family relying so heavily on her ability and everything. Hence, our little pixie shows a tiny bit of distress at the end here.

Well…next chapter, we'll find out what went down between Edward, Bella, and E.J. as well as some other surprises. I think you all will be pleased.

Thank you for sticking with me and reading! Every author does a happy dance when they get reviews and I am no exception. Review if you can. Pretty please? :- )