All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, no copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 21

Edward walked out of the door without saying another word. Panic struck me as I looked over at Emmett for help, reassurance...Anything!

"It'll be ok, Bella, just tell him what you told me," Emmett said. I could tell he was just saying that for my benefit, but the reassuring smile on his face didn't match the worried look in his eyes. "You'd better go and face him before he comes back looking for you."

I nodded my head and wordlessly made my way out of Emmett's office and over to Edward's. My mind was numb and my body shaking. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.

Shaking even more, I slowly pushed open the office door to find Edward leaning back against his desk with a frown, his arms crossed defensively in front of him.

He looked up at me as I entered. His face was set to stone, giving nothing away.

"What's going on?" he demanded, with an unspoken fury beneath the words.

All I could think about was how much damage I had caused. I had let Edward down, I had let myself down, but most importantly, I had let Josh down. He was the innocent party in all of this and by keeping the truth away from Edward, I may have taken the chance of having his father in his life away from him altogether.

I looked down at my feet unable to look Edward in the face. I felt shame and so afraid. My friends had tried to warn me and I hadn't listened. Now I was about to rip the rug from under Edward's feet and change his whole life without any warning.

"Bella, I asked you a question! What's going on?" he repeated, exasperated by my silence.

"We shouldn't do this here where everyone can hear us, Edward. Please just come for dinner tonight and I'll explain everything." My nerves were starting to get the better of me, and I could feel my eyes welling up with tears. I blinked them away determined that I wouldn't let them fall.

"I want to know NOW, Bella! I heard what you said in Emmett's office. You've been lying to me this whole time, and I want to know what about and why." He pushed himself away from the desk and started pacing up and down his office his hands tugging at his hair in frustration.

"Edward, please, it's not like that."

"Then what is it like? You better tell me what the hell is going on before I leave this office and get it directly from Emmett, because he's obviously in the know." His voice was getting more and more irate with each word.

I took a deep breath, my nerves were shot and my legs were wobbling like jello.

"Can I sit down please?" I asked. I didn't wait for a reply, I just did it. If I didn't sit down now I would fall down.

"I think you should sit down too," I told him softly, just above a whisper.

"I'm fine where I am, Bella. Just get on with it, and explain to me what's so important that you've felt the need to lie to me." His voice was no longer irate, he sounded desperate, pleading almost.

I looked up at him as he towered above me, his jaw clenched tightly. I briefly saw something flash in his eyes. Hurt and uncertainty... I was doing this to him!

"I didn't intentionally lie to you, Edward," I began quietly. "I just withheld the truth for a while. There's a difference."

"Bella, I heard you say it with my own ears. Now for God's sake, tell me what you've been lying about." He was starting to get mad. I could tell by the way that his hands had dropped to his sides, with his fists clenching and unclenching in an attempt to calm himself down.

"For God's sake, Bella, will you just tell me? I'm going out of my mind here." He resumed his pacing back and forth.

How could I have done this to him? He doesn't deserve any of this and it's my entire fault. Should I just blurt it out or tell him the whole story? Would he listen?

He walked over and crouched down in front me taking my hands in his,

"Baby, just put me out of my misery!" he pleaded. I could see tears forming in his eyes, and my chest hurt with self loathing of how much I was about to shatter this beautiful man's world as he knew it. Instinctively, I reached up and gently wiped the pad of my thumb underneath his eye pushing away the water that had begun to seep down.

"I'm so sorry, Edward, I never set out to hurt you," I choked out as my own tears betrayed me.

"Is it someone else, Bella, have you met someone?"

I gasped at the thought, and moved my hands into his hair pulling his head towards mine our foreheads touching.

"Never, Edward," was all I could whisper as tears rolled down both our cheeks.

He breathed what I can only assume to be a sigh of relief. "Then what is it?" he asked as he stood and leaned back against his desk trying to compose himself.

I looked down to my lap; unconsciously wringing my hands together. I closed my eyes and took another deep breath, "It's about Josh."

"Josh?" he sounded confused. "What about him?"

"He's...he's yours, Edward! He's your son!"

Edward's body visibly stiffened, his hands grabbed the edge of the desk so tightly that I thought it might snap, and the knot in his jaw popped in and out as he clenched it repeatedly as the realization of my words sunk in.

"Edward, say something please," I begged as tears slid down my face.

"I don't believe you... you're lying!" he spat as he pushed himself away from the desk and started towards the door.

"Edward, wait! Please..." I grabbed his arm tightly in an attempt to stop him leaving.

"Don't! Don't touch me, Bella," he said, shrugging his arm away from my touch. "I can't..." My heart shattered into pieces as he walked out of the door quickly without looking back.

"Edward, please come back," I cried, springing to my feet and following him. "Let me explain! Please."

He disappeared into the elevator as I stood and watched the doors close behind him, and tears flowed down my face as the realization of what had just happened hit me like a thunderbolt.

He had left. Just like that. He had walked away from me and out of our lives...What had I done? The father of my son and the man I loved had just turned his back on us.

I sobbed uncontrollably, stood frozen there in the foyer. "Come back," I whispered to the closed elevator doors.

Warm arms engulfed me and I was suddenly wrapped in the arms of Esme. "Let's get you out of here," she whispered as she pulled me towards Carlisle's office. I looked up through my tears to see everyone watching my public meltdown, Irena, Victoria, Emmett and Carlisle all stood gaping at me, obviously not quite sure as to what to say or do.

"Get her a coffee, lots of sugar," I heard Carlisle say to someone as Esme led me into his office and sat me down on the sofa.

I sat and cried in Esme's arms as she gently rocked me back and forth for what seemed like ages, my tears leaving her shoulder damp as she stroked my hair and whispered soothing words into my ear. How could she be so caring when she knew what I had done?

"I'm so sorry," I choked, as Carlisle handed me a tissue.

A knock came to the door, "Here's the coffee, and is there anything else I can get you?" I heard Victoria ask in a quiet voice as Esme carried on cradling me like a small child.

"Yes," I heard Carlisle mutter, "Leave your desk and take over Bella's for now. Cancel any appointments that Edward has for today and take all calls. If it's important, direct it through to Irena and we'll deal with it."

"Certainly," she said, just before the door closed.

"Bella, dear, here, drink this," Esme pushed my shoulders back a little so that I was sitting more upright. She handed me a mug of steaming hot coffee and encouraged me to take a sip. It was sweet, too sweet, and I grimaced at the taste. I wiped my tears again and blew my nose.

"He's gone," I said, almost unable to get the words out.

"He just needs time," she said kindly.

"I'm so sorry. I've hurt everyone," tears welled up once again but didn't spill over.

"Shhh," Esme said soothingly, pushing the coffee back towards my lips.

"You've known all this time?" I said looking at her and wiping at my unshed tears with the tissue.

"I had my suspicions," she confirmed.

"So it's true then?" Carlisle asked as he took a seat on the edge of the coffee table in front of me.

I nodded, "I never meant to hurt anyone. I just needed time."

"Time for what?" Carlisle asked curiously. He didn't sound mad, just very confused over the whole sorry story.

I took another drink from my overly hot, overly sweet coffee.

Twenty minutes later and I had relayed the whole sorry tale to Esme and Carlisle.

"I never thought that he would just walk away, turn his back on us," I cried.

"It's come as a huge shock to him. He just needs time himself... just like you did," Esme tried to reassure me.

"It's come as a huge shock to us all," Carlisle said as he tried to wrap his head around the whole thing. "I'm a grandpa!" he suddenly declared as if he'd just realized.

Esme giggled, "Yes, and I'm a grandma... Can you believe that?" She said excitedly. "Little Josh, who would have thought it?"

"Obviously not Edward," I whispered sadly.

"Honey, I think you need to give him some time. You needed time to adjust, and now Edward does too. There's no way he'll abandon little Josh. I've seen how he is with him, he dotes on the child," Esme told me confidently.

"See, Carlisle, I knew that play area was a good idea!"

I shook my head and took a sip of my now cold coffee as Esme and Carlisle got used to the idea of being grandparents for the first time.

"Can I come in?" Emmett asked as he popped his head around the door.

He sat down on the sofa beside me and pulled me into his arms. "It'll be ok, Bella, he'll come around."

"Have you spoken to him?" I raised my head from his shoulder and looking at him expectantly.

He shook his head. "He's not answering his phone."

Carlisle furrowed his brow, "That's not like him. Have you tried his home phone?"

"I've tried everywhere, he's probably sitting in a bar drowning his sorrows."

I felt so guilty; it wasn't supposed to have happened like this. I wanted to tell Edward gently, on our own without any interference, not being forced into a confessional due to an overheard conversation. He must be so confused. Everyone seemed convinced that he'd do the right thing where Josh was concerned, but what about us? Where did this leave our relationship?

Carlisle told me to go home and take the rest of the day off as I was in no state to continue. Esme drove me, saying that I was too upset to take a cab, although I had a sneaky suspicion that she just wanted to spend some time with her new found grandson.

Leah was giving Josh some fruit and milk when we entered the apartment. She looked shocked to see us, and even more shocked when she saw my red puffy eyes.

"Is everything alright, Bella?" she asked concerned.

"I'll explain everything later," I told her, attempting a small smile.

"Okay," she nodded looking totally confused.

"Why don't you take the rest of the day off, full pay of course," I said, trying to sound as if things were fine and failing miserably.

"Um, yeah, sure," she said, obviously not understanding what was happening. "Will you need me tomorrow?"

"Yeah, that will be great. Usual time, if that's ok?"

"No problem," she bent down and tickled Josh's tummy. "See you tomorrow, Josh," she said waving to him. He waved back by moving his arm up and down and opening and closing his little fingers.

"See you tomorrow," she said sounding a little worried as she grabbed her things and made her way to the door.

"Thanks, Leah, I'll see you tomorrow," I called after her.

Esme was onto Josh right away. Scooping him up into her arms and holding him tightly to her. I heard a small sniffle and realized that she was actually crying.

I handed her a tissue and pulled one out for myself at the same time before guiding us over to the sofa.

"I shouldn't have kept it from you all. I'm so sorry, Esme, please forgive me," I watched Esme as she clung onto Josh.

"What's done is done, Bella, it's no good dwelling on should have, would have, could have's. We need to move on and give this little one all the family that he deserves," she smiled at Josh as he played with the necklace that she wore.

I nodded in agreement. "Do you think that he'll be okay?"

"Edward? Yes, eventually. He's a brooder. He'll be hurt, but he has his family and he'll get through it," she said thoughtfully.

"Do you think he'll forgive me?"

"I can't answer that, Bella. That's for Edward to decide once he's calmed down. Once he's heard and understood why you did it, things will sort themselves out."

"Why didn't you mention your suspicions to Edward?" I ask her curiously as she planted kisses on the top of Josh's head.

"Because that's all they were, suspicions... I'd noticed a strong resemblance several times, but that's all it was. Then when I found out about you and Edward in Vegas, it was a shock but it made perfect sense at the same time. It was at Josh's party when I saw Edward and Josh together and realized that they really were two peas in a pod. I worked the dates out as a rough guide, and they matched. I didn't know until today that Emmett had also done the same thing. I was waiting to see if you said anything. I would have confronted you over it eventually, but I wanted Edward to find out from you rather than from me."

"He found out from me alright," I said with mock amusement.

"Don't beat yourself up over it, Bella, he'll come around eventually," she said patting my knee.

Esme ended up staying for several hours only letting Josh out of her sight when she popped out for lunch. I only had a tiny bite of the sandwich that she fetched me, but I just couldn't think of eating anything right then and there. My only thoughts were of Edward.

Rose phoned later in the afternoon and offered to come around and sit with me for a while, which I declined. Emmett had evidently informed her of what had happened, and I briefly filled her in. She made me promise to phone her if I needed her, and the same thing happened with Alice only 30 minutes later, who had obviously spoken to Rose.

By the time Esme left, I had pulled myself together slightly. I still had Josh to look after and right now he needed feeding. I pulled a meal out of the freezer and popped it in the microwave. I left it to cool whilst buttering him some bread and cutting it into bite-sized pieces. I gave him one spoon to 'feed' himself and helped him along the way with another, all the while checking my phone which I had on the table beside me just waiting for Edward to call.

I performed the usual bedtime routine on auto pilot and by 8 pm, Josh was tucked up fast asleep. Edward never called. I checked my phone repeatedly every couple of minutes, but there was nothing. By 10 pm, I was tearing my hair out with guilt, worry, shame, and a thousand and one different emotions as I pulled my knees up to my chest on the sofa and wrapped my arms around them, slowly rocking myself backwards and forwards.

By 10:15, I couldn't take it anymore, I needed to know that he was alright. I picked up my phone and hovered my finger over his number several times before finally finding the courage to press the dial button. I lifted it to my ear and after a few short moments it connected and started to ring... and ring... and ring. Eventually, it switched to answering machine and I hung up without leaving a message.

I tried several more times that night but to no avail. It was apparent that Edward had no intentions of speaking to me. My chest felt tight with pent up emotion and finally at 1 am, I dragged my weary body to bed to try and get some rest. I might not have Edward anymore, but I still had Josh and I needed to remain strong for him.

I made it into work the next day looking like a walking zombie. I received pitiful stares from almost everyone, and I had absolutely no doubt that I was now the subject of the latest office gossip. By the time I reached my office, I was ready to turn around and go back home again. I had tried calling Edward several times but he still wasn't answering his phone. It was 9 am, and if things had gone according to plan, he would now be at Sea-Tac boarding the company jet to Chicago.

Five hours later and Carlisle came knocking on the office door.

"I've just come to let you know that I've spoken to Edward," he said calmly as he took a seat.

"How is he?" I asked. "He's still not answering my calls."

He shook he head, "He wouldn't talk about it. He just rang to say that they had landed safely, arrived at the hotel, and heading down for the first conference."

My stomach clenched. "He didn't mention us at all?"

"I'm sorry, no, although Emmett says that he looks like hell."

"What have I done to him, Carlisle? I never wanted any of this to happen."

"I know, I understand that," Carlisle said gently. "But Edward is in shock right now. Once he gets his head around it all, he'll come around. Just try not to worry too much and give him a little time to think, Bella. He's not a bad person."

I looked at Carlisle, he seemed to have aged slightly overnight, and I'm sure that I was the reason why. "I'm so sorry for what I've put you all through," I told him in all honesty. "I never meant for all this to happen."

"Bella, Esme and I understand why you did what you did. You needed time and we accept that. You just took much longer than you should have. You're not a bad person either. You and Josh are now part of the family, and we look out for family. It will all be alright in the end."

I smiled for the first time in what felt like ages, "Thank you, I appreciate that."

"You do realize what you've done though, don't you?" Carlisle chuckled. "You've created a monster!"

I looked at him curiously, not understanding his meaning.

"Let's just say that Esme is out there right now shopping!"

I groaned in understanding,

"Yep, my sentiments exactly," he said as he rose from his chair and patted my shoulder in a fatherly way before bending down slightly and whispering in my ear,

"20 dollars says she buys an 'I love my grandma' t-shirt."

I laughed, really laughed.

"20 dollars says it's a 'my grandma loves me' one instead."

It was Carlisle's turn to laugh this time as we shook hands to seal the deal.

Later that night after I had put Josh to bed, I curled up on the sofa feeling sorry for myself. Edward still wasn't taking my calls and my stomach was still in knots. I decided to do some paperwork that I had brought home from the office to keep me busy and take my mind off things when I heard a key in the door. I groaned inwardly as it could only mean one thing.

"Don't you ever knock?" I asked Alice as she strolled through the door closely followed by Rose.

"Well, excuse us for caring!" she answered as she placed two bottles of wine onto the coffee table before throwing herself down on the sofa beside me. "That's from Rose," she said pointing at the obviously cheap wine and pulling a face.

Rose went straight into the kitchen and came back with three glasses. "It's 'Get Bella Drunk Time'," she said as she opened the first bottle.

"Screw top... Classy," I muttered sarcastically as she handed me a glass.

"Be grateful, bitch," she grinned as she handed Alice a glass. "Besides, this is the only thing I had on hand. It was a birthday gift from Aunt Mable. You know how tight she is with her money, she probably made it herself," Rose sniggered.

"Have you heard from him?" Alice asked, straight to the point as ever.

"Nope, he's not taking my calls," I told her taking a sip of the vinegar that had been relabeled as wine.

We all made faces as we drank but carried on regardless.

"The boys aren't mad with you both for not telling them, are they?" I asked concerned. The last thing I wanted was for my friends to be dragged into all of this.

"Jasper's fine. He understands that it wasn't my story to tell. He's really excited that he has a nephew," Alice smiled.

"Same with Emmett," Rose grimaced as she took another sip of the vinegar.

"Have you spoken to Emmett?" I asked, fishing for information.

"He phoned a couple of hours ago. He says that Edward is refusing to talk about it, but he's planning on taking him for a drink tonight, so hopefully, he can get him to open up."

"I'll never forgive myself for hurting him," I told them both.

"It's not as though you set out to do that, Bella," Alice said as she rested her head on my shoulder.

"No, it's not, but I've done it anyway!" Tears welled in my eyes but I refused to let them fall as I threw back my head and finished the glass of God-awful wine.

"What are you going to say to him when he comes back?" Rose asked as she played with Josh's toy piano. My chest clenched at the memory of Edward's face as he gave it to Josh only a few days ago.

"I just want him to know the truth. He never gave me a chance to explain, he... just walked away," I choked.

"Hey, no tears!" Alice instructed as she poured me another glass of vinegar.

It was 11 pm by the time they left. They came to cheer me up and get me drunk; they had failed miserably on the first part of their mission, but succeeded on the second part. Not only would I have a bad headache in the morning, but I would also have shocking indigestion too.

Walking through the doors of Cullen International the next morning was not something that I enjoyed. Tanya gave me a disgusted glare and a smirk at the same time, something that only she could pull off. Several glances and whispers in the elevator did nothing for my self-confidence, and I was glad to reach the 17th floor where I could hide away in my office. I had a banging headache, but surprisingly, no indigestion.

"Heard anything yet?" Esme asked cheerfully as she strolled into the office an hour later.

I shook my head. "No, he's still not answering my calls," I told her sadly.

"It has only been a couple of days" she said concerned. "But it's time for him to grow up and take responsibility for his son. Just wait until he get's home, I'll give him a piece of my mind!"

The idea of Esme giving Edward a roasting as though he was a ten year old boy made my lips curl. She was enough to put the fear of God into any man.

"To be fair, Esme, it's a huge shock to him," I told her in an attempt to calm her down.

She looked at me and laughed, "Only you, Bella, only you!"

"What?" I asked confused.

"Only you could have the father of your child walk out after telling him and still be there to defend him."

"Yes, well, if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have walked out."

"Don't be so hard on yourself; you did what you thought was right at the time," she said sympathetically. "Anyway, look at what I've got for Josh, you're going to love it," she said excitedly to cheer me up.

I looked into the bag that she handed me and smiled as I put my hand in and pulled out a beautiful pair of stone coloured baby chinos and a cable knit sweater in a slightly darker color. "Oh, Esme, they're beautiful. Thank you," I examined the detail in the sweater. "He'll look so grown up in these," I smiled.

"I know. That's what I thought the moment I saw them... check out the rest of the bag," she said with a beaming smile.

I put my hand in and pulled out a fishing hat... "That's for when he spends time with his Grandpas," she told me laughing.

I shook my head in amusement and pulled the last item out of the bag.

Damn, I owe Carlisle $20!

A/N,

So, the cat is well and truly out of the bag!

Thank you for all your reviews and kind comments, I'm trying to reply to you all as quick as possible, the response to MOI has been so amazing and I am truly overwhelmed so thanks again.

The next update will be on Sunday.