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Isabella Swan

"You sure you don't want me to go over there with you?" Dad asked as we stared at mom. She was just being released from the hospital and since she had no one else, beside's Dad and I, in Arizona I offered to drive her to the airport.

Of course my dad didn't want us to be alone and had invited himself along, not that I minded. I wasn't quite sure what kind of mood my mother would be in and it was better to be safe than sorry.

"I'm sure, Dad," I unbuckled my seatbelt. "I just want to say a few things to her."

"Be civil."

I snorted, "You're telling that to the wrong person."

He shook his head with a small smile, "I guess I am."

I slid out of my car and tucked my hands into my jacket pockets as I made my way over to my mom. She eyed me warily as she light up a cigarette.

"Hi," I said, quietly.

"Hello,"

"How are you feeling?" I wondered

"I've had better days," she muttered, sighing. "Thanks for coming to pick me up."

"You're welcome,"

"I'm assuming your father's with you," she stared over my shoulder, at my car.

"Yeah."

"He doesn't trust me," it wasn't a question.

"Can you blame him?"

"Does he think I'll…hurt you if you came alone?" she asked, ignoring my statement.

"I don't know," I shrugged. "Probably."

She sighed, "I'd never thought I'd see the day."

"Huh?" I questioned, frowning.

"The day where my own husband…Er, ex-husband has to protect my children from me." she clarified.

I sighed, "No one would ever think that."

"No, I guess not," she agreed, bringing her cigarette back to her lips.

"So, you started smoking, I see." She nodded. "And drinking…and doing drugs,"

"They take the pain away." She whispered. "At least the drugs and alcohol do."

"What happened to the woman who told me those things were bad?"

She shrugged, "Who knows? People change."

"Clearly," I said, looking down. "How long has this been going on?"

"I started smoking a few months ago, drinking…well, I always use to drink. Not enough to get me wasted like last night but I still drank and the drugs…" she sighed. "I started not even three week ago."

Was it bad that part of me had hoped that the drugs were the reason for her irrational decisions, meaning I hoped it was the drugs that had made her talk to James?

"Who got you into it?" I inquired.

She looked down, ashamed. "I don't want to say."

I sighed, "Fine." Though I really did want to know, I knew that she wouldn't give it up.

"How…have you been doing?" she asked, suddenly. "You look good, happy." She commented

"I am," I whispered. "I'm doing great."

"And How's…Masen? Is he adjusting well here?" she asked, cautiously.

"He loves it here," I said. "We both do. Arizona is the place we were meant to be."

She studied my face for a few minutes before sighing and looking away, "That's good."

"Mhm,"

"And how's that…boyfriend of yours? Edwin?" again, she was cautious as if she thought I would tell her to fuck off. And part of me wanted to tell her that she didn't deserve to know what I was up to since she had put me through so much in these last few months.

But another part of me did want her to know

Was that wrong?

"Edward," I corrected "Is good."

"He hasn't run off screaming yet?"

My eyes narrowed, "Why would he?"

"I'm not…I wasn't trying to say that he would…I hope that he doesn't, I just…guys like him…"

"What do you mean like him? You don't even know him," I said, aggravated.

"I wasn't…I'm sorry," she hung her head. "I just...I wasn't trying to make it seem like he'd run because he couldn't handle a girl with a baby or anything but…with the drama that I brought to the table…I thought it might've been too much."

"Oh," I was surprised that she was acknowledge that it was her fault for the James situation. I kind of expected her to pass it off as someone else's fault, like she always has. "No, he hasn't got fed up with the drama that's been dropped upon us. He loves me, He loves Masen and that's all that matters to him."

"That's good," she gave me a soft smile. "I'm glad that you're happy, Bella. Truly, I am."

"I wish I could believe that."

She nodded, sadly. "I've fucked things up big time."

"That's…an understatement." I said. "I could handle you calling me a shitty mother, hell I could handle anything you called me, but the James thing…I…I was so hurt by that."

"I knew you would be."

"It didn't hurt me exactly," I rephrased. "Rather it hurt Masen. That's why it hurt me as well. James isn't a good father, he shouldn't be allowed around Masen. But thanks to you, he was forced upon Masen. If you truly cared about Masen, how could you do that?"

She was silent for the longest time before she finally looked up at me, tears were trailing down her cheeks. "You really are a good mother, Bella. A hell of a lot better than I was, am."

"I know that." I said. "Even when you were telling me different, I knew that you were wrong."

She nodded and remained silent.

"I suppose we should get you to the airport now. Hopefully, they'll have a flight back to Washington leaving sometime tonight, or this afternoon."

"I'm not going back to Washington."

I frowned, "Why?"

"I need somewhere new, a fresh start if you will," she said. "I was thinking about going to Hawaii. It's a peaceful place, beautiful. There's no better place than that,"

"And Grandma's out there, right?"

"Yeah," Mom smiled. "She'll whip my ass into shape real quick." I laughed, knowing she was right. My grandmother from my mom's side was a tough woman who didn't take any bullshit, if anyone could help my mom it was definitely her. "And that's what I need."

This wasn't as weird as I had originally thought it would be. I was expecting to see the same woman from last night, the one who was drunk, high, and suicidal.

I guess being strapped down to a bed for 24 hours did her some good. For the first time in a long time, she seemed to be thinking rationally.

She sighed, "I'm sorry for ruining your Christmas."

"You didn't," I said. "Okay, well you ruined my morning but thanks to Edward and the rest of the Cullen's, I had a great night."

Last night after I left Superstition mall, we went back to Esme's house to celebrate Christmas. I thought I would have to plaster a smile on my face all night just to get by but I was surprised when I found myself having a good time.

My mom's actions were all but forgot by the end of the night. Of course, they were at the front of my mind when I woke up this morning.

But last night was good, great even.

"That's good," she said, putting out her cigarette. "We should get going."

"Yeah," I agreed

We walked back to my car, silently. My dad had all but pressed his nose up against the window and was staring at us with a frown. I guess he was surprised that no punches were thrown.

"Hi, Charlie,"

"Renee," Dad nodded, politely.

"Thanks for the ride,"

"It was Bella's idea," he said, gruffly.

"Oh," she said, surprised.

"I was going to let you walk, or call a cab." And now things were somewhat awkward. My parents still hadn't gotten to talk about my mother's behavior from last night and from the look in my dad's eye, I knew he wanted to. "Why, Renee?"

"I don't know." she sighed

"You don't know why you got drunk, high, and decided to come torture our daughter some more?" he asked, angrily.

"No…I don't."

"What made you get on a plane in the first place?" He demanded, angrily.

"Uh…Dad?" His gaze snapped back to me. "How about I go home and you drive mom to the airport?" I suggested. They need some time, alone, to talk about things.

I'm sure the last time they talked was the night he decided to stay behind in Arizona. There were many pent up questions that needed to be asked, answered.

"Bella, you don't have to…I'll stop,"

"No, Dad, it's fine." I said. "You need to talk to her, alone."

He sighed, nodding. He knew that I was right.

I made a quick turn and headed back to my house. I should have been worried about her seeing my new address but since she figured out where I lived last night, how I'm not sure, there was no point.

"How did you find out my new address?" I questioned, suddenly.

"Uh…I…followed you home from the store."

"When?" I asked, trying to conceal my glare.

"Friday Morning," she said, quietly. I huffed, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have but…I was so…angry…I couldn't…"

"Whatever."

It was unsettling to know that for two whole days she had been in Arizona without me knowing it. She could've broken in and kidnapped Masen if she had wanted to!

"Bella…"

"What's done is done," I mumbled pulling onto my street. As I drew closer to my house, I saw Masen and Edward out front. Masen was kneeling beside Edward, playing in some mud, while Edward was trying to plant a tree.

My mom gasped from the backseat as I pulled to a stop in front of my driveway.

"Don't get out of the car," I said, seriously. Just because she had apologized, sort of, back at the hospital that didn't mean I wanted her around Masen.

"I won't…" she promised. "He's…beautiful, Bella. He's so big and he's moving around. Oh," Masen's little giggles could be heard in the car as he picked up some soil and squished it between his fingers. "He looks so happy." She sounded surprised

"Of course he is," I said. "I care about that little boy more than my own life. I would never make him unhappy."

I really couldn't believe she would think he would be unhappy with me. It stung a bit but I quickly brushed it off. I really didn't care about what she thought anymore.

"He loves Edward," she observed

"Edward loves him too," Edward finally noticed us and turned, smiling at me. "I should go,"

"Edward loves you too," she said, surprised.

"Yeah, he does." I unbuckled myself and climbed out of the car. My dad did the same and quickly got in the drivers side. I was happy that my mom obeyed my rule and stayed in the car.

That was a first.

"Mama!" Masen cheered, squirming in Edward's hold.

"I'll have the car back soon, Bells."

"Okay, Dad." I nodded. "Be careful…and civil," I added quickly.

He chuckled, humorlessly, "I'll…try."

"Okay." I laughed, pulling Masen into my arms. My dad threw the car in drive and quickly sped off.

"Where's he going?" Edward wondered.

"To drop my mom off at the airport,"

"She was…in there?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah," I sighed. "I didn't realize you two would be outside when I decided to give them some time alone to talk."

"What did she say?" he asked, wrapping his arms around Masen and I.

"She was…nice," I said. "She told me I was a good mother, better than her."

"You are," Edward said, kissing my forehead.

"She also saw how happy Masen was and she was very surprised," I said.

Edward snorted, "Of course she was. In her eyes, only she can make him happy."

"She may think differently now," I said, shrugging. "Who knows? I can never tell with her, not anymore at least."

"Does that mean things are…good between you?"

I laughed, humorlessly, "No, not even close."

"Good…crap, I didn't mean that like that…"

"I know." I laughed

"I just meant that…I don't want her messing with my family. I don't want her around us…I don't mean to sound controlling, I just feel that way."

I grinned, loving the way he said his family.

"She's not coming around anytime soon," I promised. "I can't trust her so she's sadly mistaken if she thinks that a simple apology will allow her to jump back into my life."

"Making her work for it?"

"No, I don't know if she can work for it," I said. "I don't trust easily and once you have my trust and you break it…it's nearly impossible to get it back."

And I meant that.

I loved my mom, I always would, but that didn't mean that we would become a perfectly happy family again. What she did is unforgiveable. I would never trust her again, not with my life or my son's life.

"Mama!" Masen demanded, impatiently.

"What?" I asked, smiling. He started wiggling in my grip so I set him down and he ran toward the mud that he had been playing with.

"He's 'helping' me plant a tree," Edward laughed as we followed him.

"I see that." Masen closed his fist around a wad of dirt before running it back to me and offering it to me. "Is this for me?" I held my hands out and he placed the dirt in them. "Thank you."

He smiled and rushed back to the pile.

"I'm going to do some housecleaning," I said as I dropped the mud.

Edward nodded, "I'll just finish planting this tree and we'll be inside."

"Okay." I headed toward the house.

I had left over dishes from last night so I unloaded the dishwasher before filling it up again with the dirty dishes.

I had just finished wiping down the counter when the house phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Bells," Angela said, cheerfully. "How's your morning going?"

"Eh, it's okay." I said, shrugging.

"Did you take Renee to the airport?"

"My dad is," I explained. "I went with to pick her up but ended up having my dad drop me off so he could have alone time with her."

"Uh oh."

I laughed, "My dad looked pretty pissed when he left. I can only imagine what he's going to say."

"He'll be…honest." Angela said. "But I think your mom needs a good dose of reality."

"I think so too," I agreed, sighing.

"Anyway, I called to see if you, Edward, and Masen would like to come with Mike, Sophia, Conner, and I to the aquarium?"

"Yeah, sure," I said. "That's sound nice."

"Great, we're leaving in about twenty minutes," She said. "So, how about we meet you there?"

"Sounds good," I said

"Cool, we'll see you then,"

"See you then," I said, hanging up. I headed out front first to find out if Edward wanted to go or not. "Hey, do you have any plans for today?"

"Uh…no,"

"Would you like to go to the aquarium with Mike and Angela?" I asked

"Yeah, sure," Edward said, wiping his hands on his pants. "When?"

"They're leaving in about twenty minutes," I said. "So, we should probably leave around then too."

"Sounds good," He said, scooping Masen into his arms. "I just need to change my pants and we can go."

"Okay," I held out my arms for Masen and Edward passed him to me. I took him to the kitchen and washed the mud off his hands before I went to his room to pack up his diaper bag.

"Dada, Dada, Dada," Masen called as he ran up and down the hall.

"You're going to fall," I warned him as I pulled his stroller out of the closet.

"Dada, Dada,"

"Masen," Edward called back chuckling.

"Dada!" Masen squealed as he ran from Edward. Edward followed him with a smile.

"Slow down, Mas."

Edward carried Masen's things to the car while I followed Masen around. Thank God, I was close behind him when he made a dash out the door because he trip and would've hit his head on the cement if I didn't quickly grab him.

"It looks like you inherited mommy's grace," I said, sighing. "I'm sorry for that,"

He grinned at me

"You'll find out that's not a good thing," I laughed as I carried him to the car.

"No, No," He whined as I placed him in his car seat.

"Yes, Masen," I said as I buckled him. "Don't you want to see the fishies?"

"Fff…" he frowned. "Fis-sh."

"Yes! Fish," I said, kissing his cheeks. "Good job,"

He giggled, "Mama."

"I love you, baby,"

"Ready?" Edward asked from behind me.

"Yep," I shut Masen's door and walked around to the passenger's side of the Volvo.

Going to the aquarium with Edward & Mas- B. I sent a quick text to my dad so that he would know I didn't need my car right away.

I didn't take us long to get to the aquarium because there wasn't much traffic. By the time we got there, Mike and Angela were already there, waiting right outside the doors.

After we got Masen in his stroller, we met them at the door.

"Aunt Bella!" Sophia said, excitedly. "Finally! We can see the fishies now!"

"I know," I laughed.

"Come on, Daddy!" She said, tugging on Mike's hand. "Let's go!"

Mike and Edward pushed the strollers as the followed Sophia. Angela and I stayed a little ways back, arm in arm.

"We have the hottest baby daddies ever," Angela giggled.

"I agree," I said, laughing. I had noticed several women ogle our men on the way in. Angela just laughed as I tried my best to contain my glare.

"Just think of it this way, we get to go home with them," she said as the guys paid for our admittance.

"I'll try." I grumbled when I saw a blonde licking her lips as she ogled my boyfriend.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked

"Nothing," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. The blonde's eyes narrowed and I bit back a smirk.

Yeah, he's mine.

Edward smirked at me, "Yes, I am."

Oh, crap I said that out, didn't I?

I blushed, "You heard me, didn't you?"

Edward nodded, "Yes, I did. You have nothing to worry about. I'm yours just as you are mine,"

I smiled, leaning up to kiss him, "I love you."

"I love you too, Bella,"

Finally, it was our turn to enter the aquarium. Sophia rushed in first and all but pressed her nose up against the first fish tank. Mike and Edward took the babies out of the stroller and allowed them to walk around to see the fish with Sophia.

Angela and I pushed the strollers as we watched them move from tank to tank.

"So, how was your mother this morning? I'm assuming you talked to her, Right?"

"Yeah, we talked," I sighed. "She was…sober, apologetic."

"Did she apologize for the last few months or just last night?"

"A little of both," I said.

"And do you forgive her?"

"Not really, No," I sighed. "She's either telling me what I want to hear or telling the truth. It's hard to tell the difference these days,"

"Did she explain why she made James do her dirty work?"

I sighed, "No, but she did call me a good mother though,"

"You are a good mother, a great one."

I smiled, "I know but she's finally realized it." I explained. "She told me before we got to my house but when my dad dropped me off at my house and she saw Masen, she was shocked that he was so happy."

Angela snorted, "Does she think that she's the only one that can make him happy?"

"Yeah, pretty much,"

She shook her head, "She needs help."

"I agree," I said. "I hope she does get that help."

"If she does, will you let her come back?"

"No," I said. "She's gone for a long time, if not for good. Even if she did get help, could I really trust her? She could fake it and take Masen and skip town."

"True," Angela nodded. "There could be a time in the future, when you do have to make this decision just do what feels right."

"I will," I promised, smiling.

"Mommy, I touched the starfish!" Sophia yelled. "It feels so weird."

"I bet it does," Angela laughed.

I looked for Edward and saw him dipping Masen's hand in the touch tank so that he could touch one of the animals.

Masen squealed happily, jerking his hand out of the water.

I smiled and snapped of few pictures of him. Between Edward and I, Masen would have one of the biggest baby books in the world. That wasn't a joke either. I finally understood all the hype around taking pictures of your kids.

I use to hate when my parents took pictures of me but I understood why they did it, at least I did now. They wanted to capture every moment and though that was nearly impossible, they tried.

"How are things between you and Edward?" Angela asked as we wandered into the next room.

"Great," I said, smiling. "Really great,"

"I'm glad to see you happy, both of you," Angela said. "Edward was always so…moody with Tanya. When you came around it's like you lit a fire and brought out his warm side."

"I can see why he wouldn't' have one with Tanya."

"Yeah, we all could," Angela sighed. "We had been hoping for years that he would realize what a piece of trash she was and then you come around and he saw the light!"

I laughed, "I'm glad I could help."

"Me too," she said. "Now, I don't have to worry about having Tanya as an honorary sister in law." She wrapped her arm around my shoulder. "I have you now."

I grinned, "I love ya too."

It took us three hours to get through the aquarium.

Now that Masen was old enough to enjoy it, he seemed to be having the time of his life. He would go up to ever tank and peer in with the utmost interest shining in his bright blue eyes.

Going through the tunnel tank was the best part. He stood in front of one of the glass walls with his face pressed against it and his hands reaching for the fish whenever they swam by.

He even loved when they fed the sharks right above us.

After the tunnel, there were a few more small tanks to look at it. After that was a large room with a jungle gym. Sophia ran to play while Ang and I sat down and watched.

Masen and Conner decided they'd attempt to climb in and so Mike and Edward followed them.

It was a good day

After the aquarium, we stopped for dinner. Dinner was filled with talking and playing around in the McDonalds jungle gym. Yes, Sophia had coaxed me into going down the slide with her and so I did. It was fun but I was still a tiny bit worried about how things went between my parents.

I hadn't heard from him yet so hopefully he made it to the airport safely and back. Last thing I wanted was for my dad to have an aneurysm at the wheel because my mom was pissing him off.

Trust me, sober or not, she was capable of that.

When we got home, I gave Masen a quick bath and then put him to bed. He was warn out and was asleep before I set him down.

While Edward took his turn in the shower, I decided to call my dad to see if everything was okay.

"Hey, Bells," He yawned. "Sorry, I came home after I dropped Renee off and must've passed out."

"Oh, that's okay," I said. "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."

"Yeah, everything's…good."

"How'd your talk go?" I wondered, curiously.

"It went…okay," he said. "She was more rational then I have ever known her to be."

I laughed, "Well that's good"

"Yeah," he chuckled. "She also signed the divorce papers and gave them to me. As soon as I give these to Sandra, she's no longer my wife…"

I nodded, "That's…good."

"It is," he said.

"Now you can start dating again," I laughed.

He groaned, "Who's going to want someone as old as me?"

"Every girl wants a sugar daddy," I snorted.

"I don't have infinite amounts of money to dish out so I doubt I'll attract that type of girl." He laughed.

"There are plenty of women out there, Dad," I said. "And I'm sure you'll find one that suits your tastes."

"What tastes?" Dad asked.

"Oh, you know. Bat shit crazy women,"

"That's sound like me alright," he laughed. "I'm sorry to cut this so short but I have to be to work in an hour. I have to get ready,"

"It's fine," I said.

"I'll drop your car off in the morning, okay?"

"Sounds good," I said, yawning.

"Night, Bells."

"Night, Dad," I said. "Love you."

"Love you too, Kiddo,"

I hung up the phone and trudged back to my bedroom. I could hear the shower still going so I decided to join Edward. I stripped out of my clothes, tossing them in the hamper, before heading into the bathroom.

"May I join you?"

"You may," Edward grinned, opening the door. I climbed in with him and wrapped my arms around him. "How's your dad?"

"Good," I laughed. "Do you really want to talk about my dad while I'm in the shower with you, naked?"

"No, not really," he chuckled. "But I've got to calm down or I'll be taking you against this wall like a savage."

"Who says I don't want that?" I asked

Edward growled, "Do you want it, my love?"

"Yes," I purred

Edward pushed me against the tile wall with another growl. Our mouths met and moved against each other roughly. This wasn't going to be slow. It was going to be rough.

Just the thought alone made me moan.

Edward lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his. Without any hesitation, he slid into me with a grunt. He didn't hesitated pulling out and then shoving himself back inside me roughly.

"Oh, god," I moaned.

"You feel so good, baby," He grunted in my ear.

"Ugh," I threw my head back against the wall. I should've been worried about the conscious I probably just gave myself but I couldn't. I was more focused on the pleasure that Edward was giving me.

"Shit…you're so fucking tight," he growled, driving into me with more force.

I whimpered as he leaned his head down and sucked one of my nipples into his mouth.

When he made eye contact with me and bit down, I was a goner.

I bit my lip to stifle my scream of pleasure as I rode out wave after wave of my intense orgasm.

"Fuck," I mumbled

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Edward smirked. He held me for a few moments before slowly lowering me down onto my own feet. I wobbled a bit and that caused Edward's smile to widen.

I rolled my eyes and turned so that I could wet my hair. Edward grabbed my shampoo but instead of handing it to me, he poured it in his hands and then told me to turn around.

He washed my hair for me, and then conditioned it. Then I made him kneel in front of me so that I could do the same for him.

This was easily the best shower that I had ever had.

Once we had finished washing each other, we wrapped ourselves in our large white towels and got ready for bed. I had just finished toweling myself off when I noticed something different about Edward. It wasn't something big just two small things that I hadn't noticed until today.

On Edward's back, on his left shoulder to be exact, was Masen's name in black ink. On Edward's chest, right over his heart, was my name.

"You got a tattoo," I gasped, leaning up to touch Masen's name

"I've been waiting for you to notice it," Edward chuckled, nervously.

"You got our names," I whispered, tears filling my eyes.

"Yeah, I did," Edward pulled me to his chest. "Is that okay?"

"Edward…it's more than okay…it's…wow,"

"I've been wanting to get a few tattoos for a while now, I just never knew what to get." He looked at me. "Of course that was until I met you and Masen."

I smiled, tracing my name, "When did you get this done?"

"About a week ago," he said. "It was one of my Christmas presents to you and Masen."

"I love it," I said. "Thank you."

"No, thank you," he smiled, leaning down to brush his lips across mine.

I smiled, tangling my hands in his still damp hair. "I love you."

"I love you too,"

Edward's got some ink, nice! :D We also got some sexy shower sex. So, yeah. Tell me what you think, Leave me some reviews! :D