No infringement intended and all that jazz.

I had a good night last night and finished off the last chapter and half the epilogue so I'm giving into popular demand and updating more frequently. I'm still going to stick to a chapter a day because I like to carefully proof read each chapter one more time before posting.

Only one of you correctly guessed the story behind Bella's new baby. The rest of you will find out momentarily. So, I'll leave you to it.

Chapter 21

July 2012

The next day I was totally kicking ass at an episode of Jeopardy, in between the random blood pressure and temperature checks by the quiet and withdrawn nurse assigned to me today. With the exception of Alex Trebek, my visitor list for the day had been a bit lacking so the knock on my door caught me off guard.

Before I could respond, the door opened and a large floral arrangement entered the room, concealing the identity of the deliverer. I certainly wasn't expecting anyone and assumed it was just an orderly or nurse dropping them off and returned my attention to the screen.

"Who is Ernest Hemingway," the faceless flower bearer replied to the TV, beating me to it.

"I knew that!" I insisted with a laugh as my mystery guest lowered the flowers.

"I'm sure you did," he replied, flashing the same crooked smile I used to live for over almost a decade ago.

I stared at him in stunned silence as I grappled with the blankets. He saw my distress and turned away, busying himself with setting the flowers on the counter, giving me a moment to compose myself and I quickly pulled the blankets up around myself, trying to conceal my flabby, floppy, postpartum body in this hideous, thin hospital gown.

"What are you doing here?" I gasped.

"Isn't it customary to shower a new mother with flowers and congratulations?"

"If you say so," I replied tartly. "Doesn't really explain why you're here, though I think I'd rather know how you know that I'm here?" He dropped his eyes and I had my answer. "Fucking Alice! She promised me."

"In her defense, she was pretty shaken up yesterday and I may have coaxed it out of her."

"Yeah whatever," I grumbled and his face fell even further, making me feel bad. "I'm sorry," I added. "I'm being a bitch. Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."

They truly were, a gorgeous vase filled with yellow tulips, lilies and what appeared to be white freesia. I didn't know if it was just a coincidence or if he somehow still remembered my favorite flower after all this time. I shook that thought off. I couldn't think like that. I couldn't read too much into the situation when it was much more likely that he'd just picked an arrangement out of a glass case.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have barged in here uninvited. I just felt like an asshole for running out so abruptly on you last week. It was just the shock of seeing you and then the belly took me by surprise and your family showing up and I just, I just…I didn't know how to process it and I guess I wanted to prove both to you and to myself that I could be more grown up than that."

I didn't know how to reply to that and so I didn't. The two of us fell into a strained silence. I could see Edward debating whether to stay or go as I tried to figure out which I wanted.

"So, where is everyone?" he asked after a minute, glancing around my empty room.

"What do you mean?"

"I just expected you to be swarmed with visitors. Isn't that what people do? Crowd around to congratulate the parents and coo at the new baby? Where is everyone? Your friends? Family? Where's the baby? I thought they keep mom and baby together nowadays." His face suddenly became quite stricken with worry. "Is everything ok? Alice said you went into labor but that was all she'd say. Did something happen? Oh God, I'm so sorry!"

"Edward, will you just calm down?" Despite our history, I couldn't stand watching him worry and squirm, thinking he'd hurt or offended me some way. "Everything is fine. I gave birth to a little boy last night. He was a healthy eight pounds and six ounces and he's perfectly fine. His name is Henry and he's just down the hall. With his mother."

Edward processed what I said, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Wait, what?"

"I gave birth to Henry, but I am not his mother," I said slowly. "Rose is."

"Rose? Your Rose? Rosalie Hale?"

"Yeah, though technically it's Rosalie McCarty now but that's semantics."

He took a seat in the empty chair next to my bed and continued to stare at me. "I'm confused," he stated and I laughed loudly because that much was plainly clear.

"I was a surrogate or gestational carrier, whatever you want to call it. Emmett prefers 'rental baby oven' but that's just the way he is. Emmett is Rose's husband," I added, trying to not to add to his confusion.

"Why?"

"Well, Rose had a health scare a few years back. She's fine now, thank God, she just can't carry a child herself anymore. I had a perfectly good womb that I wasn't using, so I offered it up. But Henry is one hundred percent their baby. She froze a few eggs before treatment and they mixed them up with Emmett's boys and made a baby. I just incubated the kid."

"Wow, Bella, that's amazing."

"Not really, it's just what friends do. She's always been there for me. This was the least I could do."

"And your husband didn't mind?"

"What?" Now it was my turn to be confused.

"He didn't care about you carrying another couple's child? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a beautifully selfless thing you did and it wouldn't bother me," his rambling was adorable but I wasn't about to help him out. "But I can see some men having an issue with their wife growing another man's child in her belly."

"Ah," I laughed. "Well, it's not like I had to sleep with Emmett or anything. The whole thing is very clinical. But to answer your question. No, there was no problem, because there is no husband to have a problem."

"Oh, but last week…"

"Last week, Jake was brought our daughter over to say good-bye before they left to go on vacation with Jake's new wife, Vanessa. We've been divorced for a while now.

"Oh," he said slowly, letting that information sink in and it became clear that Alice hadn't spilled as many beans as I'd originally thought.

Before either of us could say anything else, my doctor appeared in the doorway for a checkup and Edward leapt out of the chair. "I guess that's my cue to leave," he stated, burying his hands into the pockets of his pants. "It really was great to see you again, Bella. When are they letting you out of here?"

Dr. Gerandy looked up from my chart and smiled. "Tomorrow morning, it looks like," he said, answering the question for me.

Edward nodded and gave me a small smile and a wave before walking out the door. No matter how many times I watched him go, the sight of him walking away never stopped hurting and I hated myself for it.

"Good looking fella," Dr. Gerandy commented. "Boyfriend?"

"Nope," I replied. "Not anymore."

True to his word, Dr. Gerandy gave me the green light to go home the next morning. Henry was released at the same time so Rose and Emmett dropped me off at home before taking their new baby home for the first time. Emmett insisted on physically carrying me up the stairs to my apartment, all the way to my couch and even fetched a bottle of water, a blanket and the TV remote for me before heading back down to grab my stuff from the car. It would have been irritating if it wasn't so sweet.

Before he left, he pulled me into his massive arms and gave me a tight hug. "I know I've said thank you already, Bella, but seriously, thank you so much. Not just for my son but for giving my Rosie everything she's ever wanted. I'll owe you forever, little B."

"Are you crying, Em?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood before I became a blubbering mess. With my hormones out of whack, it didn't take much. I'd already cried once this morning when I realized Edward wasn't coming back to visit again. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, he didn't say he would, only inquired about the length of my stay. I shouldn't have even wanted him to come back but when it came to him, what my head wanted and what my heart felt never seemed to be on the same page.

"Hey," Emmett cried, pulling me out of my thoughts, "it takes a real man to cry. Besides, men are allowed to cry over the birth of their child, the wreckage of their car and the major wins or losses of their sports teams. It's in the manual."

"What manual? How to be a man by Emmett McCarty?"

"Hell yeah," he cheered. "You know I'd be the one to write that shit!"

"I have no doubt." I laughed. "Now, go take your wife and son home."

"Sure thing, little B. You give us a call if you need anything, ok?" I nodded in agreement as he placed a kiss on my forehead and then headed out the door.

A few hours later I was wrapped in my favorite blanket, cupping a mug of tea and catching up with my long neglected DVR, trying not to dwell on the sheer emptiness of my home and my womb. I missed my daughter terribly. I missed her noisy toys, her singing to herself, even her whining. It was just too quiet. What really surprised me, was how much I missed little Henry. It felt strange to go through an entire pregnancy and come home all alone. I didn't like it.

I was about ready to just give in to my depression and sleep as long as I could when there was a knock at the door. Assuming it was Angela coming up to check on me, I tried to shake off my funk and called out for her to come in. The door opened very slowly before a mass of unruly bronze hair became visible.

Edward poked his head through the barely opened door and glanced around until he found my huddled mass on the couch across the room.

"Hey," he said with a hesitant smile. "Is it ok if I come in? My mom sent food." He pushed the door open a little further and held up several bags as evidence."

I found myself conflicted. I wanted to tell him where he could shove his food. I wanted to tell him that a few nice words and some kind gestures couldn't erase the years of pain he'd caused. That he couldn't just waltz back into my life as if nothing had happened, as if we were just old friends. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw things.

But once again, my battered heart overruled my head and I nodded. "Sure, come on in."

Every brain cell I possessed screamed at me, warning me that I was setting myself up for yet another round of pain and misery. I was so wrapped up in my own internal debate, that I didn't hear when he spoke again.

"What?"

"I just asked if it was ok for me to put this stuff in the fridge for you," he called from the kitchen.

"Oh, of course. Do you need help?" I asked, setting my mug on the coffee table in front of me.

He popped his head into the room and gave me a pointed look. "Don't you dare get off that couch. I can handle this. Are you hungry? I can heat something up while I'm in here. Mom sent some of her lasagna."

"Sure, but only if you stay and eat with me." What the fuck? Where did had that come from? The words had been out of my mouth before I had even a hope of stopping them.

"Uh, yeah, I'd love to." His voice was strangled as though I'd caught him off guard.

"You don't have to. I mean if you have somewhere else to go, I understand. I'm not even sure where that came from. I guess I'm lonelier than I realized." Fuck. I was rambling, digging myself a bigger hold. Today just keeps getting better.

"Bella," he said, standing in the archway between the kitchen and living room. "I meant it. I would love to stay. Let me just pop this in the microwave and I'll bring it out to you. I mean, unless you prefer to eat at the table. I just figured the couch is probably more comfortable for you." Now he was rambling and I had to admit, it made me feel a little better.

"In here is fine. Do you want to grab us something to drink too? I know there's water in the fridge and maybe some juice. I'm sorry I don't have anything stronger to offer but, well, you know."

He laughed as he brought me a bottle of water. "Don't worry about it. Water is fine. You probably shouldn't be mixing alcohol with your pain meds anyway, right?"

I didn't tell him that mixing alcohol with his presence would be much more dangerous than mixing with my meds. Instead, I thanked him quietly and watched as he walked back to the kitchen, returning with two plates of Esme Cullen's legendary lasagna. It smelled amazing and even reheated, it still tasted like heaven.

"Good Lord, I forgot how good this stuff is," I moaned. "I love your mother."

"And she still loves you. Your fridge is now stocked with enough meals to last you at least a week."

"Please tell her I said thank you."

"I will."

We finished eating quietly as the local news played quietly in the background. When we both finished eating, he took the dishes and carried them to the kitchen despite my many protestations. It wasn't until he rejoined me in the living room that something struck me as odd.

"Wait a sec, how did you know where I live?"

He dropped his gaze, looking a little guilty. "Ah, I was wondering when you'd ask that."

"Alice?" I assumed.

"Sort of. I got my mom to ask her for your address so she could send the food. She just didn't tell Alice that I would be the one delivering it."

I was surprised that his mother would go along with this scheme but then I realized that she likely had no idea of the history between us and would assume we were on good terms. Esme always assumed the best.

"So, other than the food, which I do appreciate, why are you here?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were taken care of. The Bella I remember takes care of everyone else first. It's obvious that nothing has changed based on what you did for Rose. I just wanted to make sure you were being taken care of."

"Why? Why do you care now?" I asked, willing myself not to cry.

"I've always cared," he said so quietly it was almost a whisper.

"You have really funny ways of showing it."

"Bella, I know we have a lot to talk about and I hope you'll give me the chance to explain. I'd really like it if we can be friends again someday."

I wasn't ready to have that conversation with him. Not while I was a postpartum hormonal mess.

"Edward, I spent the last nine months growing a teeny tiny human, feeling him kick, roll over, and hiccup. Today, I came home alone. I know he's not mine and he never was. I have no claim to him but I miss him and I also miss my daughter something awful. I'm just in a really weird place emotionally. So, can we just not get into all that tonight?"

"Do you want me to go?"

"No!" I cried out, a little too aggressively, surprising both Edward and myself. "I mean, it's just too fucking quiet here." I added, trying to recover from my inadvertent slipup. "I'd like the company. Maybe we can pretend, for tonight at least, that we don't have the history we do and just keep it simple."

"Alright, how about you tell me about the bakery? Can I assume you're more than just a regular employee since you live above it?"

That topic of conversation seemed safe enough and smiled proudly. "You're right. I own it."

"That's amazing, Bella. How'd you get into baking?"

"Well, after the divorce I was really struggling, living with my parents and trying to decide what to do with my life. I thought about teaching, maybe English or something like that, but I wasn't sold on it and I didn't want to commit to something I wasn't a hundred percent on. Know what I mean?"

He nodded, letting me know he was still with me as I continued.

"Anyways, Charlie, that's my daughter, she had a birthday coming up and she wanted this big fancy princess cake. She loved watching all those cake shows on Food Network with me and she wanted a cake like that. Do you know how much those cakes cost?" I added. "It's a ridiculous amount of money.

"So, I decided I'd just make her a cake and do my best. It actually turned out rather nice. Charlie was thrilled and I discovered that I really loved doing it. That's when my dad pointed out how much time I actually spent in the kitchen and I realized he was right. Baking was like my therapy. When I was mad I made bread because punching and kneading dough is excellent stress relief. When I was happy I'd make cupcakes and have Charlie help me decorate. When I was sad, I made cookies because nothing cheers you up like cookie dough.

"It was actually my dad who suggested culinary school. The thought had never even crossed my mind before. He even came with me to tour some schools and when I walked into those big fancy kitchens, I just got so excited and energized and that was that."

"So, why a bakery. Why not get a job in some big fancy restaurant or hotel?"

"Ugh," I said with a shudder. "Restaurants are busy and stressful, so are hotels and I just didn't want to work in that type of environment. I didn't plan on opening my own place at first. I really just wanted a nice low-key job somewhere small, maybe making cakes on the side, but then my dad had another heart attack."

Tears welled up in my eyes and I cursed myself for thinking this was would be a less emotional topic of conversation. Edward gave me a concerned smile. "It's ok, you don't have to…"

"No, I'm fine. His heart was already so weak; it was really a matter of time. They tried surgery again but he just wasn't strong enough." My voice cracked as I wiped my eyes on the sleeve of my shirt. "I think he knew he wouldn't make it. When I talked to him before he went in, he told me loved me and to dream big. He told me not to settle for anything. After he died, I found out he'd left me a decent amount of money, some big insurance policy I didn't even know he had. I tried to give it to my mom but she refused. I guess she was in on it too. But, what could I do after that? Dad had convinced me to go to culinary school; he told me to dream big and he left me the money to make it possible. I knew I had to do it. I came up with the business plan as part of my final project, finished school and using my dad's money as a down payment I was able to get a small business loan and opened the bakery. We've been open almost a year and a half."

"I think he'd be very proud of you."

"I hope so. He was always on my side, even when I screwed up." I dabbed at my eyes and shook my head, trying to compose myself. "Ok, change of subject." I declared.

My eyes flitted to his left hand which I noticed did not contain a wedding ring. It didn't necessarily mean anything. Neither Jake nor I had worn a ring the entire time we'd been married. I wanted desperately to ask him about it but didn't want to do it outright and I wasn't sure I was ready to hear the answer and so I settled on a more innocent question.

"What made you move here? Besides your folks?"

Edward jumped right into his own story, sensing my need to think about something other than my dad. He told me he'd finished up his MBA and had been working at a big company in New Hampshire until he came to visit his parents last Christmas. Esme had just finished renovating their home and had done an incredible job. "Seriously, Bella, you should see it, she out did herself there."

"We spent the week trying to convince her to go into business but she kept blowing us off. I think she still just thinks of herself as a doctor's wife and a stay at home mom even though Alice and I are both grown. I wasn't really happy in New Hampshire, so I offered to move back and help her. That did it."

"You know she only agreed to get her son back, right?" I joked though I knew I'd probably do the same if it was Charlie living across the country.

"I know, but now that the ball is rolling, I see her getting so excited about it and it's totally worth it."

"I guess some of us just need a little push," I stated quietly.

Our conversation tapered off after that, having exhausted our only 'safe' topic but Edward didn't make a move to leave and as weird and awkward as it was having him sitting in my living room, I wasn't ready for him to leave either. We fell into a comfortable silence, both of us turning our attention to the show that had been playing quietly in the background.

It wasn't until I felt myself being lifted from the couch, that I even realized I'd been tired enough to fall asleep. I tried to protest but Edward just shushed me and carried my exhausted body, still wrapped in the blanket from the couch out of the room.

"End of the hall," I whispered, giving him directions to my room before letting my head rest against his shoulder. I couldn't stop myself from closing my eyes and inhaling his scent. After all these years, it was still the same and brought with it a torrent of memories, reminding me just how dangerous a game I was playing.

He found my bedroom and placed me on the bed, gently pushing a lock of hair off of my face as I laid my head on the pillow. His hand lingered against my cheek as his eyes found mine. It was too much for me to bear.

"Edward, don't." I croaked. "I'm sorry. I can't do this. You just waltzed right back into my life and I haven't had a second to adjust. I know you'd like to hash out all our old issues and try to be friends but I don't know if I can. I just need some time to process and decide if that's even what I want. There's so much history between us, I don't know if I can be your friend anymore."

His face fell but he nodded. "I understand. I shouldn't have assumed you would be ok with me just foisting my company on you."

"No you shouldn't have, but I am grateful you came. I was heading into a dark place before you came and it was nice to not be alone, but that's just it. I am a hormonal mess and I just need a little time and distance to get my head clear first. Is that ok?"

"Of course, get some sleep, Bella."

He nodded and offered a small smile before turning and walking out of the room. I waited until I heard the front door close before giving into the emotions bubbling under the surface. I turned my head into my pillow and cried myself to sleep.

Well he's back and he didn't stay away long this time. Are we making progress or is Bella setting herself up for more heartbreak? And, did he marry that other woman? Is he still married? Divorced? Separated? What do you think? I'd love to hear your theories.