Disclaimer: Stephenie owns it all.

Chapter 13 – Quality Time

Masen was quiet on the way home from Scoops, the local ice cream shop we visited. He didn't say anything as we walked up the front steps, or when Bella greeted him at the door. He silently hung up his jacket, removed his shoes and trudged up to his room, slamming the door behind him.

"I told him I was leaving. I just wanted to be honest with him," I sighed sadly, leaning against the front door. Bella looked angry for a split second, but took a deep breath to steady herself, hopefully thinking I'd had enough people being pissed off at me today.

"It's okay," she reassured me, squeezing my arm. "You did the right thing… he'll be fine. I'll have him call you later, alright?"

I nodded and bid her goodbye, then got in the Volvo and went back to Port Angeles, distraught but inspired. I had seriously been slacking on my recent project and I had a huge presentation coming up when I returned to work. At first it had seemed like an impossible job, a single man designing a children's wing of a hospital. I supposed the past week or so had put things into perspective for me.

When I got back to the hotel I pored over my plans, making changes and additions to things that were lacking. I sketched the outside of the building and expanded common rooms for kids, making everything accessible for little ones rather than adults. I worked for hours, hunched over the tiny table in my room until the buzzing of my phone interrupted me.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hi." Masen's voice came through the speaker.

"Hey buddy," I smiled.

"I'm sorry I was angry," he said softly.

"It's okay to be angry," I reassured him.

"I just don't want you to go," was his reply. I rubbed my face with the heel of my hand in an effort to calm myself. This was going to be hard.

"I know, Mase. I don't want to go either," I told him.

"Then why are you?"

"It's complicated. I have responsibilities," I explained.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that grown-ups have jobs and houses and things to take care of. I wish I could stay but there are a lot of things in Australia that I have to do," I said, my heart breaking.

"Well… If you get rid of all that stuff you can come back. You can live with me and Mama," he said quite matter-of-factly, and I had to laugh.

"I don't think James would like it if I lived with you and your Mama," I chuckled, and he laughed, too.

"So? He's not the boss!" he cried.

"Very true," I agreed. It seemed as if he'd forgiven me for the time being, and we talked for a good twenty minutes. He told me about a girl at school who chased him, a new book Bella had bought him, and a movie Emmett promised to take him to.

"Time for bed!" I heard Bella's voice, then a small thud and muffled footsteps. I was quiet for a moment, listening until I heard giggling and the phone picked up again. "Say goodnight, Masen," I heard Bella's voice again.

"Goodnight, Masen," my son parroted, and laughed loudly into the phone. I heard Bella groan and I grinned.

"Goodnight, Edward," Bella said.

"Goodnight," I laughed and ended our call.

After I hung up I thought about calling my mother or sister, but decided to wait until it was a reasonable hour, as neither one of them were what you call 'morning people'. Instead I settled for calling my project manager to discuss the changes I was making. He listened quietly while I explained my visions for the wing and gave enough feedback for me to know he approved, but refused to approve anything until he actually saw the plans. It was after eleven o'clock in Port Angeles when I got off the phone, six o'clock in Sydney, and I decided that it was a fine enough time to call my sister. To my surprise, she answered on the first ring.

"Alice Cullen," her voice chirped.

"Morning sunshine," I smiled as I settled against the pillows of my hotel room bed.

"Well, well," my sister sniffed indignantly. "It's so nice of you to call," she said, her voice was laced with sarcasm, but I knew better.

"I'm sorry, Brain," I said softly and I could nearly picture her rolling her eyes at me.

"Fine," she sighed and I smiled again knowing I was forgiven. She was quiet for a moment as I awaited the onslaught of questions I knew where roaming around her brain. "Tell me everything," she breathed. I chuckled lightly before reliving all the things that had happened in the last few days. I mainly talked about Masen, thinking that hearing about Bella would make her angry or sad. I was, however, quite wrong.

"He sounds wonderful, Edward." I could hear the grin in her voice as she spoke. I could also hear banging around in the background and vaguely wondered what the hell she was doing. "How… how is she?" my sister asked softly.

"Good," I stated simply. "She's good."

"I'm going to need a bit more than that, Pinky," she laughed softly.

"She's great, actually." I ran my hand through my hair and glanced at the clock. It was after midnight for me and nine in the morning in Paris. I was exhausted, but excited to speak with my sister. Our conversations over the past five years had come so few and far between and that was something I took full responsibility for. I knew how hard it was for me to leave Bella and when I'd asked my family not to contact the Swan family I didn't think to take my sister's feelings into consideration. It was something that pained me every time we spoke and she talked about her "friends" because I knew, deep down, that Alice would never have a friend like Bella.

"She's um… she's engaged," I forced myself to say. The words stung as they came out, as I made myself say them out loud and finally believe them. It was if I was admitting to myself that this really wasn't about Bella and me, and that this was simply about our son and my relationship with him.

"I'm sorry," my sister mumbled, clearly, and astonishingly out of character for her, at a loss for words.

"It's okay. I'm okay. I mean, I would really have no right to be upset so… I'm not," I said in a lame attempt to explain myself.

Alice chuckled softly. "No, I guess you're right," she replied. There was a short uncomfortable silence and I took a deep breath before filling it with something I should have said so many years before.

"I'm sorry, Ali," I said softly.

"For what, Edward?" she questioned, confused.

"For… everything I guess." I rolled to my stomach and tucked a pillow under myself, preparing for a long conversation.

"I don't… understand," Alice said, and I buried my face in the pillow to muffle a groan. She was really going to make me say it. Fuck, I deserved it.

"I'm sorry that I made you stop talking to Bella. I shouldn't have asked that from you. You two were like family and I – I fucked that up for you. I know it doesn't make any difference now… but I'm sorry. For everything," I nearly whispered, hoping it would suffice.

"I know you are," she said after a quiet moment. "It was hard but… you're my brother, Edward. I'd do anything for you."

"That's the point, Ali, I shouldn't have asked you to do that. Any of you. I was selfish and stupid and -"

"And it's over, Edward!" Alice cried. "It happened, it was awful. Edward, you can't apologize for something that we can't change. There is so much to focus on right now… I spent years being angry at you anyways. I don't want to relive that," she finished with a soft sigh.

"Years?" I asked quietly.

"Yes, Pinky. Years."

"Why didn't you tell me, Alice?" I tugged at my hair and rested my chin on the pillow. "I would have tried to fix it."

"Because… because you were hurting, too." Her small voice made my heart ache for an easier time. A time when I was seventeen and my biggest worry was getting Bella home before curfew or choosing what movie Emmett and I were going to see. But times had changed and Alice was right: there were far more important things to worry about. We were quiet for a while until Alice daintily cleared her throat.

"Big brother, I would love to sit here and listen to you breathe, but I have a brunch meeting to get to," she said and I chuckled softly.

"I'm sorry. It's been a long day," I sighed.

"Get some rest. I love you, big brother," she said, a smile in her voice.

"I love you," I told her thinking that, though I was over a year older than her, she should have been the older sibling. "Oh!" I said, suddenly remembering something.

"Yes?"

"What in the hell were you banging at?" I asked.

"Fucking spider…" she sniffed.

"Goodbye, Alice," I laughed softly.

"Call me soon," was her reply. We hung up and I finally crawled into bed, exhausted.

~*~

The next day dawned too quickly for my liking. It was cloudy and cold, as per usual for Washington. I spent most of the morning drinking the instant coffee from my hotel room accommodations and putting some final touches on my building sketches. Bella texted me around lunch time informing me she had a meeting after school and asked if I wanted to pick Masen up for her. I obliged of course and found myself once again under the scrutiny of the town women.

I could feel their eyes on me as I stood outside Masen's preschool waiting for him to come out. After several minutes of the stares and whispers I finally plucked up the courage to go over to them.

"Afternoon, ladies," I smiled at them. There were three of them, no older than I was. In fact, we had probably gone to high school together.

"Hello," one of them, a small brunette, smiled shyly at me while the others simply gaped.

"I'm Edward Cullen," I said as I held out my hand to them. They each shook it, looking slightly less stunned and introduced themselves. "I'm Masen's father."

"Well, that's quite obvious," the lanky blond smiled. "You two look just alike."

"Of course, we haven't seen you around…" the first one said and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Uh, yeah… I live in Australia actually." I shuffled my feet.

"Really? And you just let Bella raise your son all alone?" the third one, a pudgy redhead asked.

"Long story, I guess. I moved away before she knew she was pregnant," I shrugged, knowing that these women didn't really care what I said or what the truth was. They were the town gossips and my words would be twisted to make the story better. I smiled at the thought and wondered what I could do to help them out.

"So you just left? It was that easy?" the blonde asked.

"Oh no," I said softly, playing it up. I glanced to the school and saw that kids were starting to pile out. Masen's copper hair stood out amongst the rest of the children so I took a chance and said what I needed to say. "I mean… it just wasn't fair to stay with Bella anymore. I was too in love with Emmett," I finished and watched their mouths drop open, then turned back to the school just in time for Masen to wrap his arms around my legs. I picked him up and carried him to the car. I could still feel the eyes of the ladies following me and smiled to myself. I bet that would keep the town busy for a while.

Masen and I spent some time at a small park around the corner from Bella's house. I sat on one of the swings while watching Masen, bundled in his jacket and scarf, play on the different equipment. My mind wandered as I sat there watching him, different scenes playing in my mind, over and over.

I imagined what it would have been like holding him moments after he was born, kissing Bella and telling her how happy she made me. I saw him taking his first steps, saying his first word, and watching him open presents on birthdays and Christmas. The absolute joy that would light his face every time he saw me tugged at my heart and made it hard to breathe. Before I knew it he was standing in front of me, a worried look on his face. His small hands reached up and touched my cheek and I realized I had been crying. Fucking crying… again. I really had to stop acting like such a woman.

Thankfully, my phone buzzed in my pocket before I had to explain to my son why I was crying like a little bitch. Bella called asking us to return home so she could figure out what was for dinner. I picked Masen up and placed him on my shoulders, and he laughed and wrapped his arms around my head as we made our way back to the car. We were at the house in less than five minutes.

"Hey guys," she greeted us at the door, favoring us with a warm smile. Masen deposited his backpack on the floor and ran to his room. "Masen Charles!" she called after him. Masen appeared on the bottom step a few seconds later. Bella gave him a pointed look and sighed; he picked his bag up off the floor, then drug it up the stairs. She rolled her eyes and turned to me.

I smiled. "Really? Just a look and he does what you want?" I asked and she raised an eyebrow and giggled softly.

"Just like you," she said quietly before turning away from me. I followed her into the kitchen where she was opening and closing cabinets with a frown. She opened the refrigerator and stood in front of it, staring intently. I watched, fascinated because I had seen her do this so many times before. I knew exactly what was coming next.

"You want to go out?" we said simultaneously.

She stared, shocked, then laughed softly. "Want some greasy diner food?" Bella leaned against the counter beside the fridge and I shrugged.

"Where's James… if you don't mind me asking?" I said cautiously, not wanting to step on her toes.

"He teaches a class in Port Angeles on Tuesdays… won't be back until at least 10," she looked at her hands, picking at her nails.

"And Emmett?"

"He's with Rose," she said and rolled her eyes, annoyed at my questions. "Edward, we can go to dinner together without it meaning anything or anyone caring," she said and I nodded. Masen came into the kitchen at that moment and wrapped his arms around Bella's waist, burying his face in her stomach. I couldn't help but stare as I watched them together, awed once again by their interaction and the devotion you could see in the small amount of contact they made. They way Masen looked at his mother was overwhelming. It was impossible not to see the adoration in his eyes.

"I'm hungry," he said pointedly, and looked at his mother and me.

I sighed, knowing I was outvoted. "Greasy diner food it is," I gave in, throwing my hands up, and they both clapped.

We climbed into Bella's Touareg and drove to Forks' Diner. The diner was small with Formica table tops and red leather seats that had been the same since at least the late 70s. We took our seats at a booth in the corner and gave the waitress our drink order. She was surprisingly unfamiliar to me and didn't seem to recognize me either. Not that I was being cocky, I just really wasn't in the mood for any more gossip mongers. Masen perused the kids' menu expertly and I glanced at Bella, confused.

"Can he read?" I asked quietly. She looked over at Masen and snorted then pulled the menu out of his hands. He glared at her until she put in back in his grasp, only this time it was actually right side up.

"The kids' menu has pictures," she said and he smiled up at her. "But to answer your question, yes, he can actually read some basic words and knows all of his letter sounds. He's fairly advanced and definitely ready for kindergarten in the fall, despite his late birthday," she explained as the waitress brought our drinks and took our order. It was obvious that he was intelligent, anyone could tell just by having a conversation with him. Though his articulation was sometimes off, his vocabulary was quite advanced, which was no doubt a response to have an English teacher for a mother.

We talked mostly about Masen throughout dinner; different things he liked and disliked and how Emmett's influence was sometimes a blessing and a curse. Masen listened intently as we spoke about him, sometimes throwing in his own ideas or attempting to tell us jokes and make us laugh, a trait he no doubt picked up from his Uncle Emmett. More than two hours had passed since we'd entered the diner, our plates cleaned and cups emptied. Masen's head rested against Bella's arm, his eyes drooping sleepily. I paid the waitress before Bella could argue with me and then pulled Masen off the bench seat and into my arms.

The drive back was quiet. I carried Masen upstairs and watched as Bella expertly changed him into his pajamas while he dozed in and out of sleep. She tucked him in again, kissing his head and whispering her love to him. Once again I couldn't help the tug on my heart that I felt watching them together. There was the overwhelming hope that one day my son and I would have the same sort of relationship, and of course jealousy that she had it and I didn't. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice her standing in front of me. I could just make out a frown on her face in the light from the hall and it took me a minute before I realized that her face mirrored my own. She reached up and smoothed the lines on my forehead, her touch causing my entire body to relax.

"It will be fine," she said softly, as if she could read my mind.

"I don't want him to hate me," I responded.

"I won't let that happen, I promise," she said, her voice quiet but fierce. I nodded, trying my damndest to believe her.

"I should get going." I ran a hand through her hair, letting it rest on the back of her neck. I pulled her to me gently and kissed her forehead before heading down the stairs without a backwards glance.

~*~

Wednesday appeared the same as Tuesday, too quickly, cold and gray. I worked during the morning and picked Masen up from school again, this time spending our afternoon at Charlie and Sue's home instead of outside. Watching Masen with Charlie was almost as moving as seeing him with Bella. Charlie had always been a second father to me, kind and caring despite his rough demeanor, so it was no surprise that Masen practically worshipped his grandfather, or his 'Pop', as he called him.

The funny thing was the effect Masen had on Charlie; he was putty in his grandson's capable hands. I watched that afternoon as they read books and played several games of Go Fish, Charlie helping him with words he didn't know or letting him win consecutive card games. It was the same with Sue and Seth-- their attitudes towards my son were amazing and I was grateful that he had such amazing people to love and surround him.

It wasn't until Bella and Emmett arrived at the house did I realize that we were having a full on family dinner. I was suddenly very nervous.

"Is Rosalie coming?" Sue asked Emmett as she and Bella busied themselves in the kitchen.

"Yes, ma'am," he answered as he pulled three beers out of the refrigerator and handed one to me and Charlie, passing by a disappointed-looking Seth.

"Nana," Masen tugged on the side of Sue's apron. She gave him a smile as she gazed down at him.

"Yes, baby?" she asked.

"Where's my surprise?" he asked. She set the pot she was carrying down in the sink and glanced out the window.

"Well, sugarbean, I do believe it's in the front yard," she said, ruffling his hair, and he ran to the front door, swinging it open. I heard a car door slam and Masen's loud giggling, then the front door close a moment later. Masen entered the kitchen dragging a young girl – or rather, woman – behind him. I recognized Leah Clearwater immediately; she hadn't changed very much in the five years since I'd seen her. Her hair was shorter than I remembered, cropped to her chin with short bangs framing her fierce black eyes.

"This is my Aunt LeeLee," Masen smiled brightly as he dragged her in front of me.

"We've met, Mase," Leah ruffled his hair and smiled at me. "How's it going, Ed?" she asked casually. I shrugged in a noncommittal way and she nodded. Most people thought Leah was bitchy. But in reality she was intelligent and soft spoken, choosing to express her thoughts on her own time and to those she deemed worthy. Leah was an excellent judge of character, she read people better than someone her age (when I was around her more) should be able to. She was a talented photographer, choosing it as her area of study at Washington State. I was, nevertheless, surprised to see her in front of me.

"Mom told me you were in town. I figured I needed to see if for myself," she smiled, stealing Emmett's beer and kissing Charlie's cheek before slipping on an apron and sidling up to Bella, who was standing at the sink. Bella wrapped a soapy arm around her stepsister and the two were immediately lost in conversation, oblivious to the rest of us.

It was amazing how natural the atmosphere in the Swan-Clearwater home felt. The love that they felt for each other was apparent and contagious. We talked and laughed, somehow skirting around the fact that I would be gone in less than twenty-four hours, and simply enjoyed each other's company.

Until Rosalie arrived, of course.

She was exactly what I expected for Emmett, stunningly beautiful with long blonde hair and ice blue eyes. She glared at me from the moment she walked in the door, refusing to speak to me. In fact, Rosalie spoke to everyone except me. Several times. Not while we were setting the dining table, not when I asked her to pass the mashed potatoes, and most certainly not while we were clearing the dishes.

"I don't like you," she finally said to me as I scraped a plate into the garbage can and placed it in the sink. I kept my face calm as I turned to her.

"You don't even know me," I said softly and she snorted. It sounded weird coming from someone as unnaturally beautiful as her. From what I'd heard Bella and the family say about her, I knew that Rosalie was a prosecuting attorney. Supposedly the best in town, which meant she was vicious. She could probably tear me apart in less than ten seconds, verbally and physically.

"I know enough." She turned on the sink and started scrubbing the dishes that were soaking. A strange noise came from the back of my throat, something between a scoff and a growl. I had no idea what she knew of me, nor did I care. It wasn't her I was trying to win over. She eyed me disdainfully and turned back to her dishes. I didn't have time to make a retort (nor could I think of one) because Emmett and Seth entered the kitchen and sat at the table, Masen not far behind them.

"What are we playing for, cash?" Seth asked as Masen climbed into his lap with a deck of cards.

"Candy, duh," Masen rolled his eyes and his uncles laughed. Rosalie smiled in their direction then glared at me before drying her hands and leaving us alone again. I sat down at the table with the guys, Masen grinned at me.

"What are we playing?" I asked.

~*~

I left the intense game of Go Fish to find where Bella had snuck off to. As I walked through the living room Sue jerked her head toward the door and I smiled in thanks. Bella was sitting across the hanging wooden swing, her legs wrapped up in a flannel blanket, a cup of hot tea warming her hands. She gave me a small smile when she saw me and I tugged on one of the chains holding the swing.

"It's fairly sturdy… but Charlie did put it together," she grinned as she sipped her tea.

"I think I'll chance it." I returned her grin and lifted her feet so I could sit down. I placed her feet on the other side of my legs, one hand resting on her ankles, the other on the back of the swing. She didn't protest our position; instead, she set down her mug and took my hand from its resting place. Her fingers lightly traced the creases in my hands, and her skin was warm against mine, but a shiver ran through me anyways.

"Was it hard? With the people in town?" I asked softly. It had been bothering me since I had come in contact with so many different people I'd known growing up and the knowing look they all gave me. It was like they'd always expected me to turn up.

"No…" she said, lacing her fingers through mine. "I stayed busy with school. I heard the whispers but… I guess I just didn't care, you know? Besides, mostly they were talking about you," she said, a smile playing on her beautiful mouth.

"Me?" I asked, confused.

"Oh yeah," she laughed softly, "'How could he leave her pregnant?' 'Maybe it's not his and he got mad!' 'He's too smart for that anyways!'" She recounted what people had said and I frowned.

"That's not funny," I said and she nodded, her smile disappearing.

"I know." Her voice was small. She let go of my hand and ran her fingers through her thick brown locks. "It was okay, though. You were where you were supposed to be."

"Bella, I should have been here." I took her hand back in mine and squeezed it tightly. She turned her gaze to the kitchen where Sue and Masen had just entered. Sue poured him a glass of milk and scooped him up and kissed him before handing him his glass and leading him out. "I'm sorry. I know it doesn't make any difference now, but I am."

"Edward…" She shook her head and met my gaze. "Please don't."

"I need to!" I cried, my grip on her ankle tightening. She winced and I let go quickly, resting my hand on her knees. As I watched her face turn thoughtful I decided not to force her to accept my apology. She would forgive me when she was ready. Me, on the other hand… "I'm not angry with you," I said and watched her eyes widen.

"What?" she said, in barely a whisper.

"I can't be. I wish to God I could, but I see him and I just… don't care," I shrugged and felt a smile cross my face, like it always did when I thought of Masen. She sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her head on them and facing me. Her face was inches from mine and I fought the sudden urge to take it in my hands and kiss her until I couldn't breathe.

"For what it's worth… I am sorry. I shouldn't have waited so long. I just – wanted you to succeed. I didn't want anything to hold you back," she explained.

"I know," I told her, brushing a hand through her hair until it came to a rest at the small of her back and the small sliver of skin exposed between her sweater and jeans. Her body reacted with a shiver, just as I'd expected it would, and I fought a grin that threatened my lips. Her eyes met mine again with a dangerous expression I hadn't seen in five years and to be honest, it scared the living fuck out of me.

"Mama?" The front door opened and Masen stepped outside, a cell phone in his hand.

"Hey, baby." Bella tore her eyes from mine and rested her gaze on our son.

"James is on the phone," he informed us, glancing from me to his mother, and held out the phone without another word. Bella turned her body so she her thigh was flush against mine and her feet were on the ground. She turned to me, her eyebrows furrowed and a small frown on her face. Swiftly, she put a hand on the back of my head, tugging my face to hers. She kissed me softly on the temple and released me, leaving the flannel blanket and taking the phone from Masen's hand. Masen watched her shut the door then turned to me, confused. I beckoned for him to join me and wrapped the blanket tightly around us when he did.

"Girls are weird," he said, resting his head against my chest.

"Yeah, they are," I chuckled in agreement, wrapping my arms tightly around him, enjoying the few hours I had left with him.

A/N: Thanks, as always, to Becca Graymoor for being my beta. Keep warm out there, bb. I miss you.

Sorry it took so long. Holidays = FAIL.

It is officially Christmas Day in the Sunshine State so,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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