AN: I DON'T OWN TWILIGHT (I DO OWN SOME SWEETHEARTS WITH EDWARD ON IT THOUGH..)
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED!! YOU GUYS MAKE ME SOOOO VERY HAPPY!
THANK YOU TO MY FRIEND IKINZ WHO EVEN THOUGH WE ARE ON A DIET AND LOVE TO LOOK AT THE MENU.. JUST CANT HELP BUT WANT A NIBBLE NOW AND THEN!!
Bella's POV
Edward and Lauren had broken their engagement.
He came to my apartment that night, hurt and confused. It just all overwhelmed me so we agreed to give each other space and work on this slowly knowing the connection between us was unbreakable. Why had I agreed that we needed to build our friendship and trust first before we continued on with a romantic relationship? I was so afraid he still loved her deep down somewhere. We held each other most of the night on the couch before we both fell asleep. He left before EJ woke up so that we wouldn't confuse him.
It was Tuesday so I knew I would see him later when he picked up EJ for his lessons.
Later that day I was working in the back when Angela called me saying there was a customer asking for me. I thought maybe it was Edward arriving to pick up EJ but when I walked out into the store it was to face Lauren and an older woman who from her similar features I guessed was Lauren's mother.
"Oh Bella, I knew you could help me!" she said with tears on her face.
"Umm, how can I help you Lauren?" I looked from her to her mother. The older woman's face a look of disdain as she raked me up and down with her cold blue eyes.
I straightened my shoulders and glared right back.
"I am looking for some books on pregnancy? 'What To Expect When You Are Expecting" and maybe some baby name books?" she did that little half sob thing that annoying women do.
Her mother spoke with a prim voice "Forgive her dear; you know how emotional pregnant women can be?"
Of course Edward chose that time to walk into the store to grab EJ. He looked from me to them back to me before looking down at his feet.
A little flare of anger and feeling sorry for myself hit me, unfair though it may be I was a little mad at Edward right then.
"Of course Lauren, I know exactly what you need" I started to head in the direction of the 'how to' books thinking I could get her one on acting on a stage but decided to head toward the health books instead.
I heard Mama Bitch speak up "Edward, are you coming too? I mean this is YOUR child."
I didn't break my stride but inside I cringed. I didn't even turn around to see if they followed. I quickly went to where the books were she mentioned and waited for her to follow my heart squeezing in my chest.
I didn't see Edward as Lauren rounded the stacks, dabbing at her eyes with tissues.
He must have stayed to talk to Mama Bitch.
I heard EJ's excited voice yell "You're here!"
I could hear Edwards tone but couldn't make out what he was saying.
I pointed out the books on maternity and then turned on my heel to walk away. I felt Lauren's hand on my wrist stopping me causing me to turn on her in anger.
Her eyes filled up with tears "I thought if anyone would understand it would be you Bella! You had to raise your child alone. I just don't want to do this by myself!" she wailed loud enough that it echoed in the store.
Edward came down the aisle looking from me to Lauren, before pulling her into his arms. He looked at me over the top of her head with a look that pleaded for understanding.
I couldn't stop the feelings of hurt and betrayal that came over me at that moment.
It was obvious that she still wanted him. I tried not to resent him falling for her stupid games but what could I do? I turned and walked back the other way down the aisle.
When he dropped EJ off after piano lessons, the look on his face broke my heart... I walked him to his car, pulling him into a hug as I whispered in his ear "I love you Edward, don't doubt that, never doubt that." I heard his sharp intake of breath.
I knew he didn't mean for this to happen but it did. "B, I wish I could make it all better, that I could have found you last year before Lauren and I had gotten together. I know we agreed to take things slow until all this gets ironed out, its just so hard leaving you knowing that I love you and you love me" he punctuated this with kisses up and down the side of my face.
I pulled back and looked into his eyes, "I better go, EJ will start to worry. It will work out right?" I asked waiting for reassurance.
"Yes, you and EJ are my life now" his eyes burned with love for us "Give me three months Bella? Three months to make this ok?" he pleaded.
I nodded as a tear slipped down my cheek. "I'm in for as long as it takes Edward."
"MOM! I need you to help me get the TV to work!" EJ called from the door.
"Good night" I whispered as I turned a part of me craving his touch, his smell, his taste.
I wanted to throw myself into his arms all consequences be darned.
"Good night love" he called after me as I headed back to the door where EJ stood waiting.
It had been almost two months since that day. I wanted to pretend that everything was ok, I mean doesn't loving someone make it all ok? Shouldn't we just be together? Why wasn't it just that easy?
There were times when he would drop EJ off and I could see the longing in his eyes and it took every thing in me to remember that we had to work on things first. We had taken EJ on a few outings together, to the park, the zoo and of course every soccer game he and his family had been there. There was always a gentle touch here, a loving word there and lots of phone conversations but it just wasn't enough anymore.
Lauren had become a huge priority in Edward's life. She hadn't taken Edward breaking the engagement well, her personal physician ending up putting her on bed rest for a few weeks due to the toll the emotional stress was putting on her body. His guilt drove him to be at her beck and call. Edward confided that she called him at odd hours asking him to bring her ice cream and things that she craved.
Edward changed to picking EJ up every morning so that we could spend a few minutes each morning in my kitchen over coffee while EJ finished getting ready to go. He started showing up earlier and earlier so that we could spend that much more time together.
Today I was packing for the Thanksgiving weekend with my Dad and Edward's family.
Edward and I agreed that my Dad, EJ and I would join the Cullen's for Thanksgiving with EJ and I flying up with Edward in the morning.
Despite Lauren's constant interference I planned to enjoy spending time with Edward and our families.
As I worked I smiled to myself thinking that Lauren's little ploys hadn't always worked out the way that she wanted. I remembered the last fiasco that Lauren had pulled. I wasn't in the least bit sorry for her either.
She had overheard Edward and EJ discussing Halloween costumes a few weeks before Halloween on one of Edward's weekends. They had decided to go as Harry Potter and Dumbledore from the book they were reading together. Right before Halloween, EJ and I had watched a show called "The Littlest Vampire" and EJ had fallen in love with vampires begging me to buy him fake teeth out of the bubblegum machine at the store. He and Edward decided to go as the characters in the movie. Since Halloween fell on a Sunday on Edward's weekend we had agreed that he would take him trick or treating.
FLASHBACK
I had stopped by to snap some pictures of my two hot vampires running around Edward's apartment pretending to bite each others necks. The doorbell rang and I agreed to get it as Edward had EJ down on the floor pretending to suck his blood. When I opened the door there stood Lauren, complete with bucked teeth, frizzy hair and a Hogwarts cape and gown. She was holding up a wand until she saw my face. "Bella, what are you doing here?" she squawked. Edward and EJ came up behind me and I heard Edwards gasp. EJ started to giggle and asked "are you supposed to be Hermione?"
Her eyes narrowed at him and then snapped from me to Edward. "I thought you were going as characters from Harry Potter?" she whined.
Edward's rubbed his neck and shrugged his shoulders "we changed our minds last week; we decided to go as vampires. Um, I didn't realize you were coming over?"
"Well I thought that maybe I could go trick or treating with you and EJ, I didn't realize that Bella was going. I am sorry" her face falling and she looked at her feet.
I vacillated between wanting to slap her or hand her an Oscar as her acting was brilliant. Could Edward not see what a phony this biscuit was?
I looked at his face and knew that he had fallen for it. He looked so awkward before turning to me with an 'I don't know what to do' look.
"Oh Lauren, I was just leaving. I have to pass out bookmarks at the store with Angela and Ben tonight." I turned to EJ and kissed his nose. "You stay with your Dad ok? Do not eat anything until he has looked it over. Don't cross the street without holding someone's hand and I will pick up from school tomorrow. Oh, One last thing!" I turned back as I passed Lauren in the hall. "I love you" I called looking from EJ directly into Edward's eyes.
The panty dropping smile that lit up his face made my heart race.
I barely made it to the car before collapsing into the seat in giggles. She had looked so ridiculous. Her face when she saw Edward as a vampire was priceless.
END OF FLASHBACK
I looked at the clock and realized that EJ and Edward would be back anytime from his piano lessons. I hurried in to fix my hair and make up in the mirror making sure I was presentable a little thrill at seeing him. I was going to insist this time that he stay and go to dinner with me and EJ.
I finished packing EJ's things before heading into my room. I started packing my bag taking my time to decide what to wear each day, laying the outfits out on the bed as I worked.
I had some brown kid boots that would look great with the green corduroy slacks and tan cardigan set with pearl buttons. I figured I could wear my college graduation pearl earrings that Charlie had given me. I was nose deep in the back of my closet with my rear end in the air when I heard someone clear their voice. I looked back over my shoulder to see Edward standing in the doorway with a smile on his face.
"No, don't stop I was enjoying the view?" he smirked.
I gave him a one fingered salute before smiling at him my face pinking up.
I blew my hair out of my eyes. "I can't find my boots, how was the lesson?" I tried redirecting him.
"My son is a prodigy" he announced coming into the room and shutting the door before leaning against it. He held his arms out to me and I flew to him kissing him hard on the mouth as his arms pulled me close.
"We only have a minute, EJ is using the restroom" he whispered as he kissed my neck.
"Mom!" I heard EJ call from the living room.
"Shoot, ok your staying and we are going out to dinner understand?" I didn't give him a chance to say no before stepping around him to open the door. "Coming" I called back.
"I love you B" he whispered making me want to pull back into the room.
"Back at ya Cullen" I whispered before heading out to get EJ ready to go out to dinner.
Thirty minutes later we were sitting in a little booth at a little hole in the wall place that had fantastic food. I was surprised when Edward ordered the meatloaf, with mashed potatoes and gravy. I didn't even want to think about how much money he was worth, yet here he was with our son instead of insisting on a five star restaurant.
He held my hand under the table like teenagers do making it hard for me to keep the smile off my face. He keep grinning back and I giggled when he refused to let go of my hand so that he had to cut his meatloaf and ended up using his fork.
EJ chatted happily about his friends, school and the piece he was learning for his recital.
The excitement in his eyes at being the center of Edward's attention made me warm inside. This is what we were missing all these years, sure I was a fantastic single mom but having his father there listening to him with rapt attention, nodding and smiling in all the right places was so important to our son. I realized we had drug dinner out as long as possible when I could see EJ starting to get a little sleepy. Edward insisted on paying the check and we walked out sky to a chilly fall night. Since we had to park the car a few blocks away Edward asked EJ if he wanted a piggy back ride which of course EJ took him up on immediately. We made it to the end of the block when EJ realized that he had left his 'Johnny Test' action figure on the table back at the restaurant.
I told Edward to hang at the corner for a moment while I ran back to get it.
EPOV
I was standing on the corner waiting for Bella to come back smiling to myself as my son lay his head on my shoulder his warm little body pressed up against my back for a piggy back ride to the car. I heard my name being called and turned to see one of my junior executives Eric Yorkie who was also my European liason.
"Hey! Mr. Cullen fancy meeting you here!" he was a little out of breath from his jog to catch me.
"Hey Eric, I didn't realize you were in town" I saw him looking at EJ and back to me.
"Yeah, on vacation visiting the family, I didn't realize you had a son?" he asked before his face looked shocked. Clearly he hadn't meant to comment.
"Yes, this is my son Edward Jr. EJ this is Mr. Yorkie he works for our company" EJ made me proud by pulling his hand from around my neck and extending it to Eric.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Yorkie" his voice was low and tired.
Eric shook his hand and smiled.
"Oh I forgot to tell you congratulations on your engagement to Ms. Mallory. I heard a few months ago and meant to call and tell you then but got so busy I forgot" he was smiling and suddenly realized from the look on my face that it wasn't a good subject.
Bella arrived back with EJ's toy her face flushed with the cold right as he said it making it even more awkward.
"Thanks Eric but Ms. Mallory and I have decided to end our engagement" I ground out between my teeth. I knew it was irrational to feel anger at him for an innocent mention of it but I could tell from the look on Bella's face when it dropped that she was upset.
"OH! I am so very sorry. I didn't know, I am sorry Mr. Cullen" he started to stammer as he looked from Bella to me back to Bella.
"Its ok Eric, I understand" I cut him off turning to Bella.
"Bella this is Eric Yorkie , Eric this is Bella Swan" I watched as he shook himself as if from a daze before stepping forward to grab her hand. Bella switched the toy to her other hand before shaking his.
"Momma, can I have it please?" EJ asked reaching for the toy. I saw Eric's head snap up as he looked between the three of us putting it all together.
His face turned beet red before he stammered "Oh, well it was so nice meeting you I really should be going I have to meet my um sister and so I should go. It was nice seeing you again Mr. Cullen." He barely acknowledged my "See you" before he was gone eager to get away from his faux pas.
"What did he mean? You're not marrying Lauren?" EJ asked over my shoulder.
"No, son I am not marrying Lauren" I squeezed his foot as we started walking to the car.
"What about the baby?" he whispered his voice clearly worried.
"It's complicated EJ but you don't have to worry about the baby, they will still be your little brother or sister ok?" I felt like crap.
"Mom?" EJ's voice sounded a little off.
"Does this mean that you guys can get married now since you love each other so much?" EJ blurted.
Bella and I both stopped in our tracks. I looked over at her standing there her mouth opening and closing like a fish on dry land.
"Momma are you ok?" he asked quietly.
Bella looked to me panic showing all over her face. I smiled to reassure her.
Yes we were taking it slow but there was no doubt in my mind where this was going. Why were we hiding this anyway? So I reached over and grabbed her hand, laughing out loud at the truth our son was so sure of.
"You know what buddy, sometimes grown ups can be really complicated and confusing but your right I love your mom and she loves me. Let's just wait and see what happens with the rest of it ok?" I looked into Bella's eyes as she stood in front of me her mouth finally closed before she squeezed my hand. A brilliant smile lit her face before she leaned in and kissed me right on the mouth, right there on the sidewalk.
EJ's war whoop echoed down the quiet street and Bella and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay Tiger, settle down. Let's get you home." I jostled him up and down making him grab around my neck tightly while his giggles rang out.
I knew how he felt, my joy bounced around inside of me too.
When we got back to Bella's place and after we read for an hour it took longer than usual to get him to sleep.
I met Bella in the front room for a hot and heavy make out session before I had to get home to get some sleep before we met up in the morning to catch the plane together.
'Together' I thought 'As a family' and I just couldn't stop smiling as I drove home, until my cell phone rang and I looked at the caller id.
This was seriously getting out of control.
"Hello Lauren" I tried to keep the irritation from my voice.
"Hello baby, I miss you" she purred.
"What do you need?" I cut to the point ignoring her endearments.
"I just wanted to remind you dinner at my parents starts tomorrow at five and I was wondering what time you were picking me up?" her voice still seductive.
"Lauren, what are you talking about? I am going to my parents for Thanksgiving. We broke up remember? I don't want to hurt you but you need to realize that what we had is over" I huffed in exasperation.
I heard her sniffles and rolled my eyes, I didn't want to put anymore stress on the baby but I was not giving up my weekend with Bella and EJ. I still felt horrible.
"Lauren, I am sorry sweetheart, I told you I will be there for you if you need me, I just can't be with you in a relationship. I want to be friends with you for our child's sake." I waited a few minutes.
"I need you Edward" she sobbed.
I felt like a jerk.
"Lauren, you are a strong, independent woman, honey you don't need anyone. I will support my child. I will support you if you need it, I should have been honest with you from the beginning but I can't change that now. I can't love you like that Lauren."
"You can Edward, you do, I know you do" she pleaded.
"Lauren, we had this conversation. I am really tired and I need some sleep and so do you. We can talk more when I get back ok?" I just wanted to hang up but the guilt kept me on the phone.
"You promise? Can you come over for dinner?" her voice hesitant.
"Sure" at this point I just wanted off the phone.
"Oh and Edward, we are still on for Doernbecher's Ball right. As both or our companies are contributing, and we were going originally together, I had hoped we could still go and the doctor said that as long as I take it easy he will clear me…" she trailed off.
I had forgotten about that charity event a few weeks away.
"I don't know Lauren, I need to check my schedule" which in my mind translates to 'I need to talk to Bella first.'
"Ok we can talk about it on Monday, I will call you with the time ok?" she pushed.
"Ok Lauren, talk to you later" I hung up before listening to her response.
My head was pounding and I just wanted to get home and get some aspirin.
If I told the truth I just wanted some aspirin and then to go to sleep with Bella in my arms but that time would come. I promised myself that it would come sooner rather than later.
OK THERE YA ARE!!! LEAVE ME SOME REVIEW LOVE. I AM WORKING ON FOURTEEN I FIGURE WE HAVE THREE TO FOUR MORE CHAPTERS MY FAN FICTION COMPADRES.