Chapter 26.

Edward POV.

Wow. I couldn't believe how my first night back in Forks had gone. I came back for Bella, and gained a son! Although it was a part of my life I didn't like, I was glad it happened. I was so happy right now. I would be even happier if I knew how Bella would feel about it. I would need to ask Alice if she could see the outcome when they arrived, which wouldn't be long now. In fact, they would be here any minute. I was starting to get a bit nervous. I hoped they would react well to my news, but then again, Alice probably would have seen, and maybe they already know.

I had just finished getting the house into order when I heard their cars arriving on the drive. They would be here in around thirty seconds, and I swear if I could, I would be sweating buckets. I walked out onto the porch to await their arrival. It had been a few months since I had seen them last, as I left to be alone with my sorrow, after leaving Bella. I didn't know how they would react to that, never mind what else I had to tell them. I knew Esme was upset that I wouldn't stay with them, but she had respected my wishes at the time. Now there would be more to forgive me for.

Rosalie and Emmett were the first to arrive, and she wasn't the first person I wished to see. She would be all mouth about how I had left, and then she would probably have a go at me for coming back for a human. She didn't know there was now another reason for me to be here, but she soon would, and that would probably end in a screaming match with her. I wasn't looking forward to it.

"Hey, bro!" Emmett boomed as soon as he got out of the car. "It's great to see ya!" he said, as he swept me into a bear hug.

"Hey, Emmett," I said, as he knocked the wind from me. "It's good to see you too."

"You're looking better since the last time I saw you. I take it things are back on with Bella?" he asked, putting me down.

"I am better, thanks. And there are a few things that I need to tell you, but we will wait until everyone has settled a little. Hi, Rosalie," I said, as she strode past me into the house.

"Edward." One word answer. That showed me that she was not glad that I had returned to Forks, but that was just tough. This would be where I would remain. She didn't have to stay here, if she didn't want to.

"Sorry, bro. you know how she feels about you and Bella," Emmett said, trying to justify her mood.

"Don't apologise for me," she called from inside. I rolled my eyes at Em.

"Don't worry about it, Emmett. She will need to get used to it, because I am not leaving her again."

He slapped my shoulder with a small smile, and went after his wife. Carlisle and Esme were next to arrive. Esme got out of the car, and ran straight for me, with a huge grin on her face. I felt ashamed of how I had hurt her by leaving, but it would have been worse for her to see me the way I was. She grabbed me into a hug, kissing both of my cheeks and then my forehead. I chuckled slightly.

"I missed you too, mom."

"Oh Edward. How are you? How have you been? I was so worried about you. I am so happy you have decided to return. You have no idea," she said hugging me again.

"I think I get the idea," I chuckled. "I'm good, now. It was a difficult time for me, that's why I didn't stay. I knew it would be upsetting for you, and I didn't want to hurt you any more than necessary," I said, finally managing to pull away from her embrace.

"Well, don't ever do that to me again," she scolded. "I needed to know you were okay, but you wouldn't talk to any of us."

"I'm sorry, mom," I mumbled.

"Let him be, Esme. He's back now. That's all that matters," Carlisle said, pulling me into a hug.

"Hey, dad."

"Hello, son. It's good to see you looking so well," he said releasing me. "I take it you have some news for us, when you have asked us to come back?"

"Didn't Alice mention anything to you? I thought she would have seen …" I began.

"She didn't have to. When we knew you were back in Forks, we knew you were back for Bella," he said.

My brow furrowed slightly, wondering why Alice hadn't mentioned my other news. Maybe she decided it was my place to say, but she could have warned them that I had other news.

Last, but not least, my favourite sister arrived with Jasper. She squealed like a kid when she got out of the car, and bounded into my arms. I had missed her so much. The little prancing pixie, and her enthusiasm for life, love, family and friends. Yeah, she could be annoying at times, but I wouldn't have her any other way.

"Hey, Alice. How are you?" I asked, placing her back on her feet.

"I am so happy you finally came to your senses. I knew you should never have left Bella."

"Hey, bro!" Jasper said, as he slapped my back on the way into the house. "Good to see you alive," he snickered.

"Funny," I replied. "Good to see you looked after my sister."

"She don't need no looking after, Edward. You should know that by now," he snickered.

Alice punched his arm on the way past, with a pout on her lips. "Ow, darlin'," Jasper said, rubbing at his arm.

"Don't be cute, and get the bags," she ordered him. She never changed, and either did he, as he complied with her order.

"Thanks for not mentioning my other news to them," I whispered to her.

"What other news?" she asked. Her eyes unfocused as she searched for an answer. "I don't see any other news. You disappear a little, but when you come back, you seem fine," she said.

She couldn't see Hunter? My brow furrowed in confusion. What did that mean? That would be something we could discuss later. Now wasn't the time. There was a lot to discuss for the time being.

"Edward? What is it?" she asked, starting to look worried.

"I'll tell you all together, once we are in and settled a little. It's nothing to worry about, Alice. Really."

"Okay," she said, but the worry never left her eyes.

We went inside, and I asked everyone to sit at the dining table. Our usual place for family discussions. They all sat at their usual positions, but I remained standing.

"Aren't you going to sit, dear?" Esme asked.

"Um, no. I prefer to stand for the moment, mom," I said, as I started pacing.

I didn't know how to start, but I knew I had to apologise first and foremost.

"First of all, I would like to say how sorry I am. For everything I put you all through."

"Edward, it's okay. We knew it was best for you," Esme began, but I cut her off.

"Mom, please. I know I did wrong, and I need to let you know that I am sorry. I thought leaving Bella was the right thing to do, but I really didn't need to ask you all to leave, too. However, my best intentions turned out to be my worst, when I couldn't manage to stay away from her. I thought I could, knowing that she would be safer, but I was wrong. Laurent came after her, and -"

"What?" Alice roared. "I never saw that. Why didn't I see that?" she asked, while Emmett and Jasper growled lowly in their chest at this information.

"I think I know the reason for that, Alice. But I need to continue before I come to that part," I said, trying to get back to the subject.

"Anyway, I was wrong about her being safer without me, and I came back because I could no longer stand the pain of being away from her. I spoke to her and begged her to take me back, and thankfully, she forgave me for leaving. It was difficult at first, but she eventually understood my reasons for leaving. I have vowed never to leave her side again."

"Does that mean you are going to change her?" Alice asked, excitedly.

"No, Alice. And besides, my next bit of news I have to tell, I haven't told Bella about yet. She may not want me around after she knows," I said, starting to pace again, and hanging my head.

"It can't be that bad, Edward," Carlisle said.

"I don't think it's bad at all, but the circumstances surrounding it is, and the fact that I have lied to you all for so long."

I looked around at all of their eyes, taking in their confused looks. I ran my hands through my hair, took a deep breath, and began to tell them of my son.