A/N: As always, I do not own any characters you recognize, but any you don't are all from my crazy mind. Thank you to everyone who has been reading & reviewing this story. Your feedback means the world to me!

Astonishing News

"What do you mean, who is this?" said the voice. Edward wasn't sure what to do or say at that comment. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. "You did call me, ya know". He remained stoic as he listened to the person on the other end of the foreign cellphone in his hand. "Edward, is everything alright?"

"You know what, no everything is not alright. Just tell me your goddamn name!" he spat with venom.

"Jesus, don't get your panties in a wad! It's me, Linda".

"Linda?" Edward's brow furrowed. "I…I'm sorry, but I don't remember you".

"What?!" she shouted. "How the fuck could you not remember me? I'm the mother of your son!"

The phone made a loud crash upon the desk. Edward scrambled to pick it back up.

Clearing his throat, he was finally able to speak again. "I was in a car accident a couple months ago and hit my head, among other things. I haven't regained my memories yet."

Linda pondered this for a moment. She'd never had any reason to doubt Edward. Even though they hadn't spoken in almost a year, he still hadn't ever lied to her and his child support payments always came like clockwork. She sighed heavily, giving in to the part of her that still loved Edward. "Tell me what happened, baby" she cooed.

Edward told her about everything that had been going on recently, but left out his memories of Emmett. He was still unsure what had really happened between them and was embarrassed by the prospect of what could have been going on.

Linda listened intently to his story and never judged. She was always patient with this man, even though he had gone ahead and stayed with Bella after their child was born, breaking his promise to Linda.

But she'd always been there for him, no matter what. When she'd met Edward in college, she thought they would be together forever, but that was not to be. And two years ago, he'd come back into her life when he walked into her father's restaurant, where she was working as a manager.

The affair was passionate and she had fallen in love with him all over again. Linda knew Edward was married, but she couldn't stop herself. He was her first and only love, and being with him brought all the special moments that they'd shared to the forefront of her mind.

Following his story, he took a deep breath and asked her the question he'd been afraid to in the beginning. "Linda?"

"Yes, Edward?" she answered softly.

"Could you tell me our story?" he was hopeful, yet still a bit unsure whether or not he wanted the details.

"Sure, absolutely." With that, she began to tell him about how they met, dated and eventually broke up just before graduating from their alma mater. She continued until she got to the birth of their son, also telling of the minimal contact they had had over the past year.

Edward was shocked, to say the least. Not only did he have another affair, but it was with a woman he'd loved before Bella. He didn't think that he'd ever loved anyone else. He was excited about his son, but there was also an enormous pile of guilt in the pit of his stomach. Edward was now determined to make things right, but first he had something to do.

After talking for a bit longer, they agreed to meet on the weekend so that Edward could see his son again. When they hung up, he looked to the photo once more, realizing now that he'd missed a major detail. Right there, staring Edward in the face, was a little baby boy wrapped in a blue blanket, cradled safely in his arms. He gasped and a lone tear slowly trickled down his cheek.

Edward plopped down in his chair, overcome with emotion. How could I not remember my own child? Then he thought about all he had forgotten; his marriage, his work, his friends. His adult life was a complete mystery to him.

Letting his mind wander, he closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. His therapist had instructed him in this, hoping to help him recover his memories. It had worked last week when he'd gone for a session. Edward actually recalled his college graduation ceremony. It had made him feel triumphant, but now he just felt pathetic, useless.

Just as he was about to give up and go read a book, a flash came. Edward watched, like before, while he passionately made love to the woman in the photo. Linda. Another memory shot through him like a bolt of electricity. They were at a concert and both looked much younger. This must have been while we were in college.

Another vision came, and this time it felt so real that Edward felt his chest constrict. He sat with Linda on a sofa, caressing her swollen belly. The man heard himself whisper words of love to the cocoon that held his unborn child, as well as the woman carrying him. Then the room shifted and the images were gone.

Edward made his way upstairs, took a long shower and collapsed into bed, where his subconscious was besieged by flickering portraits of the past few years.