Chapter Twenty Nine

The next month was going smoothly for Carlisle, Bella and even for little Rosalie. Both Carlisle and Bella had returned to work. Bella worked only part time. On the days when they both worked, Jacob watched Rose. Bella would miss him when he left at the end of August for his semester abroad. She also knew Rose would miss him too.

Rose would be turning five in the beginning of August. She was very excited. She also looked forward to going to kindergarten in the weeks following her birthday. As expected, Bella, with Alice's help was planning a big surprise party for the child.

The most important event had begun in the middle of July. Rosalie began to see Jasper in Seattle. Carlisle, Bella and Rose made the trips to Seattle a family affair. They left Sunday night and went out for dinner before checking into the hotel. The following morning they would order room service for breakfast. They walked from the hotel to Jasper's office. Carlisle and Bella would wait in the waiting room as Rose went to her appointment.

At first they weren't sure if Japer was the right fit for Rose. However, after much thought they decided he was the right therapist because Rose all ready had established a relationship with him and she felt comfortable around him. Jasper was kind and caring. It was totally the right fit.

After her appointment, Jasper and Alice would join them for lunch before they headed back home. Alice was excited to show Bella her new space for her store. Her business was beyond successful from the beginning. She had to move to a space that was three times the size of her original store. She also began selling children's clothes as well as household items. Bella thought the store looked like a local Anthropologie.

Things between Carlisle and Bella couldn't have been better. Bella seemed more mellow and relaxed after her decision not to have the abortion. She seemed genuinely happy. Although Carlisle didn't voice his concern as often, he still wished Bella would consider talking with someone. She didn't lash out and scream at him, she just asked him not to bring up the subject.

Carlisle was thrilled when she began touching her stomach and loving the baby growing inside her. She often spoke to the baby, who she had called "Pea." As she gained more weight in the course of a few short weeks, Bella could have sworn that the baby was more active and moved around constantly.

Once she toned down her running schedule, began to eat properly and taking her vitamins, Bella quickly put on some pregnancy weight. She could not but show that she was with child. She even broke down and bought maternity clothes. To her surprise, she was beaming.

She loved their nightly routine. Both Bella and Carlisle would read to Rosalie and kiss her goodnight. They would return to their bedroom where she sat with her back against the headboard. She was usually reading a new book or a magazine while Carlisle rested his head on her belly and would read to the baby. Some nights he would put headphone on her belly for the baby to listen to music. Pea was being exposed to everything from classical music to classic rock to pop. When story time was over, Carlisle always kissed the bump and told the baby that he loved her. He then would look at Bella and kissed her too. He would always tell her, "I love you too hot mama," which always made Bella laugh.

They were talking as they got ready for bed the night before Rose's birthday. "You know, I have been thinking." Bella said.

Carlisle walked away from his dresser. He grabbed a blue t shirt and put it on as turned to her. "That's scary," he joked.

"Ha, ha, ha. You know you're so not funny, right?" Bella said as she began to pull down the quilt on their bed. Carlisle walked over and began to help her by doing the same to the other side.

"Okay fine then. What are you thinking about?" Carlisle asked as he helped her into the bed.

She smiled at him as she snuggled close to him. She sat against his chest and leaned back into him. Both of their hands rubbed her stomach. "You said a few months ago that you wanted me to adopt Rose. I was just thinking I would like to get the paper work, so it'll be official before this little one comes along."

Carlisle kissed Bella's head. "Really? Are you sure?" He watched as Bella smiled and nodded yes. "Thank you. You are so amazing. You never cease to amaze me. Tomorrow we will talk to Rose about it."

The next morning Bella found herself in the kitchen cooking the only thing she truly good at making, pancakes. These weren't just any pancakes. These were Rose's favorite chocolate chip blueberry pancakes. She was stacking them on a plate when she heard footprints coming down the stairs. She turned to see a huge grin on Rose's face as she had her hands wrapped around her father's neck and rested on his back.

"Happy birthday Rose!" Bella told the child as she lifted her off of her father. She kissed the child before placing her on the floor.

"Thank you Belly. I'm so excited today. I'm one full hand today," she said as she held up five fingers. "I've never been one full hand before!" She said as she hugged Bella.

The trio settled down and began to eat their breakfast. Carlisle couldn't help but smile as he looked from Bella to Rose. They were a happy family. He wasn't sure if he should bring up the conversation of Rose's adoption on her birthday or wait. He made a decision. Putting down his fork he looked at his daughter as she beamed with a smile.

"Rose honey, Bella and I were talking last night about how special you are. We know that you have been through some scary things and we both want you to know that none of it has been your fault. Sometimes people do things and no one else knows why. Like your mom. I don't know what she was thinking when she left you. I don't know when or if she'll be back.

"Do you know what though?" Carlisle paused and watched Rose shake her head no. "Bella and I talked about something special last night. You are so luck, you know why?" Again, the child shook her head no. "Because we both have this lady right here in both of our lives. She loves both of us so, so much."

Rosalie smiled and looked at Bella. "Belly is very nice, I love her too. She's lovable, like me."

Carlisle smiled. "You both are pretty lovable, aren't you?" He looked over and saw Rose nodding big still beaming with a smile that extended from ear to ear. "We want-wait-no, Bella would like you to be her daughter."

"What? No thank you, I have a mommy." Rose said politely as the smile escaped her face.

"You are right, you do have a mommy, but honey I don't know where she is." Carlisle said in a sad voice. "Or when she is coming back."

"She's gone because of me!" Rose yelled. "I told you! It's because I tolded."

Bella looked at a crying child and a stressed out father. She could tell this conversation wasn't what Carlisle had in mind. She decided to intervene.

"Rose, sweetie, your mommy didn't leave because of you. I don't know why she's gone, but it has nothing at all to do with you. For whatever reason she thought she had to leave you. She will always be your mother. No matter where she is or where you are. Nothing will ever change this fact.

"I would love the chance to be your mommy too. In some ways I feel like I all ready am. I love you so, so much. I want you to know that even if she came back tomorrow I would never leave you. I'll be here no matter what. I love you Rosalie." Bella finished as she pulled the child into her arms for a hug.

Bella backed up and returned to her chair. Everyone was silent. Rose finally looked at Bella. She began to speak very softly. "If you became my mommy could I call you something else? I all ready have a mommy."

Smiling, Bella looked at the child. "Of course. You could call me whatever you wanted."

Carlisle beamed. After a little reassurance Rose seemed to like the idea. "Did you have something in mind honey?"

"Well," Rose began. "I've heard daddy call you "hot mama." With that being said, both Carlisle and Bella's faces turned red as Rose continued.

"Rose, you cannot call me 'hot mama." Bella laughed.

Rose laughed back as her blond hair bounced up and down. "You're so silly Belly! Could I call you mama?"

Bella slid off of her chair and walked over to the child. She placed her arms around her and kissed her check. "Of course you can call me mama!"

Carlisle chuckled as he joined his two girls. The happiness that he felt was overwhelming. He couldn't imagine anything bringing him down from his high.

Rose's party at the end of the week went off without a hitch. Carlisle took her to the park while Alice and Jasper snuck over to the house to begin to set up. They set up balloons, a bouncy house and other various decorations. Alice thought a princess theme was appropriate. The house and yard were dawned with pinks and purples. While she was out, other guests began to show up. Charlie, Emmett and Jacob all arrived as well as some of Rose's friends from her preschool. When Rose had arrived home, she was overjoyed with her surprise. She immediately went out to the back to play in the purple castle shaped bouncy house with her friends.

Alice was walking around to see if any of the food or beverages needed to be refreshed when she heard a group of mothers begin talking.

"I wonder where Victoria is," mother number one mentioned.

"Didn't you hear? She split. She left town. She kind of just took off," the second one said.

The first mother was a little taken back. "Really? No, I hadn't heard about that."

Now a third mother had begun to speak. "It's true. She was living in my mother-in-law's neighborhood. I was helping mom out around the yard one day when I saw her leave with Rosalie. I didn't think too much of it when she came back. About an hour later she came out of the house with two suitcases, waved to me and took off. The next week when I went back to Mom's there was a cleaning crew at Victoria's house. The next day there was a for sale sign. A week later it was sold and a young couple moved in."

The first mother, who seemed like a bimbo, tossed her long blond hair and said, "That's so strange. What happened to her?"

The cocky third mother spoke up very confidently. "No one knows. She hasn't been heard from or seen since."

Mother number two chimed in, "oh, poor Rose."

The conversation began to pick up as mother number one spoke up. "I know. She has no mother. Every little girl needs a mom. I wonder how her dad is dealing with it."

Mother number three chuckled. "Who? Carlisle? Please, did you see that pretty young thing around here with the baby in belly?" I'm sure he's fine. That little dear shows how fine he really is."

Alice was about to speak up as mother number three continued. "It doesn't matter anyway. Victoria and Carlisle were never together anyway."

In unison, both mothers one and two said, "I had no idea."

Mother number three continued to talk after taking a sip of her Diet Coke. "It's true. It seems Dr. Hottie over there has an eye for the ladies, especially the young ones. Exhibit A: Victoria. She is barely thirty. Exhibit B: Mary Homemaker with the bun in the oven. She's what, maybe twenty five? Maybe even a few years younger."

Mother one spoke up. "I had no idea. He always seemed like such a nice man."

"Looks can be deceiving." Mother two spoke simply.

The second mother shook her head. "Wait, do you think that's why Victoria left? Do you think she couldn't handle playing second fiddle?"

"I don't know. Victoria is strange, but was always sweet. Maybe 'Mary' threatened her and made her leave."

Alice was about to say something again when the caddy women continued. Mother one attempted to make a joke. "Well, if any good comes out of this is at least Rose will have a child to play with, and I'm not talking about the one on its way."

Alice was infuriated. She took a deep breath, looked at the giggling women and walked over to them.

Mother number three saw Alice and smiled. "Oh, hello. Whose mother are you? I thought we knew all of the moms here."

Alice smiled. "My name is Alice. I couldn't help overhear you talking a minute ago about the Cullens."

"Guilty as charged. They are so dysfunctional." Mother two spoke up as she smiled.

Alice nodded. She wasn't a tough person, but she wanted to punch all of them square in the face. "Well, I thought I'd straighten a few things up about the information you were dishing. Victoria indeed did abandon her daughter. She never even said good bye to her. She just left. Dr. Cullen has been doing whatever he can to make the girl happen. She has been through so much, even before Victoria left."

"Really? What kind of stuff?" Mother three asked.

"I'm not here to gossip, I'm here to let you know the facts. Plus, I don't think it is any of your business, but the child has been through so much. Carlisle maybe older, but he is madly in love with Bella over there. You might not know her by just Bella. I believe you were calling her 'Mary Homemaker.' She isn't a dumb girl by the way. She is a doctor. Anyway, you might recognize her from television. She was kidnapped and missing for a month when she went to visit my brother in Boston. It was all over the national news."

"That's her?" Mother three asked surprised.

"Yes it is. By the way, the baby she carrying isn't Carlisle's. I think you can figure out who fathered it." Alice paused as the women all gasped. The light bulbs in their heads went off. "Right. Carlisle is going to raise the baby as if it were his with Bella. He all ready loves that baby a lot. By the way, Bella is twenty eight. She'll be twenty nine next month."

Mother number three shook her head. "I'm sorry; I didn't realize you were really close with the Cullens. How do you now all of these? Whose mother are you?"

Alice smiled. "I'm nobody's mother, but I am 'Dr. Hottie's' daughter." Alice saw all of the women's go from white to red. They were embarrassed. She continued to lay into them. "Oh, and Bella, or 'Mary Homemaker' as you put it, is like a sister to me. Before you say another word, I want you to know she has been through more hell than any of you desperate housewives could even fathom. You know what; my father has been there with her for all of it. He is a good man and isn't some man whore like you are making him out to be. You all are probably just so used to your business oriented husbands extramarital activities with their secretaries. My father isn't like that. Maybe you are all just trying to relate because your husbands cheat on all of you. I understand. He and Bella never did nor will they ever cheat.

"I know the likes of all of you. You are nothing more than gossiping housewives. Its okay, I get it. We live in a small town and there isn't much to keep you busy. Seriously, good shopping is over an hour away. That sucks. I would however, appreciate it if you didn't speak about the people I love, my family with the wrong facts. You are a guest in my father's house and I'd appreciate it if all of you just kept to yourselves in regards to my family. Gossip on your own time, not at a five year olds birthday party!" Alice paused and looked at all of them. She was livid. She looked at the pitcher she had in her hand and smiled. "Lemonade?" She asked as all of the women said no with their mouths wide open.

As Alice was getting acquainted with the moms, Charlie and Bella were chit chatting.

Bella twisted the end of her hair as she looked at her father. "I wanted to tell you something." Charlie looked at Bella and waited to her to answer. "Well, I'm adopting Rose. We are going to see Uncle Felix about it Monday afternoon."

Charlie nodded. "That's great Bells, but don't you think it's a little too soon for that?"

"Yad, you know my relationship with Carlisle has been anything but conventional. Why should we wait?" Bella stared at Rosalie as she chased her friends around the yard. A smile formed on her face. "She needs a mother. I'm sharing my life and living with her father and her now. We have formed out own little family now. It just seems to make the most sense."

Charlie nodded as he kicked a pebble under his foot. He stared at his feet as he asked, "Are you going to marry him?"

"What?" Bella shrieked.

"Well, Bella you are the one who just used the word 'family.' It just seems that marriage would fit into the equation somehow."

"I've never wanted to get married. You know that dad."

"Right but you also never wanted children and look at you now. You have one little girl who worships you who you are adopting. Plus you have one on the way." Charlie said pointing to her belly.

Bella shook her head. "We have never talked about it before. I don't know."

"I wasn't trying to give you any ideas, it was only a question Bells."

Bella laughed as she leaned into her father and hugged him. She felt as if she was sixteen years old and ready to go on a date. "Thanks for your concern."

"Is this a private party or may I join you two?" Carlisle asked.

Bella laughed. "I don't know, do you have an invitation?"

Carlisle shook his head. "Are you attempting to make a joke? You know you are the worse joke teller."

Charlie laughed as he sipped his soda. "He's got you there Bells. You couldn't tell a joke to save your life."

"Yah, yah, yah. You two are so funny." She smiled.

As she was about to say something, Carlisle looked up at the woman who had just arrived. "Charlie, if it's all right I'd like to steal Bella for a few moments. There is someone I'd like her to meet."

Charlie nodded his head as Carlisle took Bella's hand and walked him over to a friend of his. Bella could feel the nerves the Carlisle that he contained. As they got closer to the woman, she could feel why he was nervous.

"Tanya," Carlisle called tapping her shoulder. He let go of Bella's hand to share a brief embrace with the woman who saved his life over and over again during the past several years. "I want you to meet my Isabella. I know I've talked a lot about her a lot with you over the course of almost a year. Now I'd like you to meet her."

Tanya walked over to Bella and extended her hand for her to shake. She sincerely smiled. "Bella, it is so good to finally meet you after all this time. I have heard so much about you, so trust me when I say I feel like I all ready know you."

Bella politely returned the smile. "I know the feeling. I have heard a lot about you too. I'm glad we are finally getting a chance to meet."

Carlisle excused himself. He was going to grab drinks for him and the two women. Both women watched him as he walked away and towards the coolers.

"Carlisle told me he told you about our relationship. Is that correct?" Tanya inquired.

"Yes he did. Thank you for being there for him for all those years."

Tanya began to chuckle. "Bella, with the way that things are going with you two I might not be needed any more. You are certainly handling him and helping him."

"Tanya no, he'll always need you."

She nodded but then a faint smile came to her face. "I know. He um, told me about the bar in the restaurant you two went to when you were trying to find Victoria."

"I wanted him to call you right then and there."

"I know, he told me that too. You did almost exactly what I would have done."

Bella was confused. "Almost? What did I do wrong?"

"I wouldn't have paid the bartender fifty bucks." She paused as she shared a laugh with Bella before continuing. "I want you to know that you can talk to me too. I don't know exactly what the formal rules are with AA when it comes to this, but I want you to know that if you are faced with that situation again call me. You don't have to go through all of this alone."

Bella watched Carlisle walking closer as she smiled yet again. "Thank you. I truly appreciate that."

Tanya squeezed Bella's hand. "I know you do."

"Hey, did I miss anything?" Carlisle asked as he handed a bottle of water to both Tanya and Bella.

"No. We were just getting to know each other." Bella told him.

"I'm glad it wasn't anything too important because Alice wanted me to let you both know that she is rounding up Rose to open her gifts. I don't know who's more anxious about that, Alice or Rose." Carlisle commented as he draped his arm around Bella's shoulders.

Rose followed Alice towards the giant pile of gifts. Carlisle thought it was rude to have Rose open the gifts at the party, but Alice assured him it was fine. Rose was thrilled with the gifts she received from her friends and made sure she thanked them after she opened their package.

Slowly, the children began to leave one by one. Finally, Alice and Emmett helped to finish cleaning outside as Bella finished putting the gifts on the dining room table. There was no way she was carrying them all up stairs on that same evening. Carlisle and Charlie were putting together Rose's new bike. Once everyone was done, Alice threw Rose's new bedding she had bought in the washer machine. Everyone sat down and relaxed as they watched Rose play with some of her new toys.

After an hour everyone began to empty out of the house. Alice and Japer were the least to leave after she put the bedding into the dryer.

"Alice thank you so much. I know we wouldn't have been able to pull this all off alone. Rose had such a great day," Carlisle told his daughter as he kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for putting Rose's bedding in the washer and dryer. Who would have known a five year old would love bedding so much?" Bella laughed. Rose had been admiring the bed set for a few weeks. Alice had nearly sold out of all of them. She bought the last one she had in the store.

"It was fun today. I had fun planning and setting up and helping out." Alice smiled. "We're going to get going. We'll see you on Monday."

Rose threw her arms around her sister and thanked her over and over. Alice kissed her sister's head, hugged Bella and left with Jasper.

"Today was so much fun! Thank you," Rose said as she hugged Carlisle and then hugged Bella.

"I had fun today too. You have so many new things." Bella told her.

"I know. I don't know what I should play with now." Rose replied.

"Before you go and play, I'd like to give you something." Bella smiled.

"You gave me something. You gave me the bike with daddy."

"Yea, you gave her the bike with daddy," Carlisle repeated. He didn't know what Bella was up to and it kind of confused him.

Bella flashed both of them a smile before she went into the hall closet and pulled out a pink gift bag with yellow flowers on it. "This was a special gift from me. Here you go, open it."

Rose dug into the package and carefully took out the tissue paper. She lifted a wooden jewelry box. It was white and decorated in pinks and purples. She lifted the lid and heard, "Beauty and the Beast," from the movie.

"It's really pretty, thank you." Rose smiled.

"Your welcome. Look inside it." Bella smiled.

Rose took a peek inside and gasped. She saw a silver chain with a silver rose on it. In the middle of the rose was one pink stone.

"This is a white gold necklace and rose. The little stone inside is a pink sapphire. The little sparkly ones are diamonds."

"Real diamonds?" Rose asked with her mouth hanging open.

"Real diamonds?" Carlisle repeated also with his mouth wide open.

Bella still smiled. "Yes. Do you know why I picked a rose?"

"Because it's my name?" The child asked as she held the necklace between her fingers.

Bella knelt beside the child on the floor. She locked eyes with Rose. "I chose the rose not only because it is your name, but for another reason. Do you remember when you first welcomed me here, after we went shopping?" She waited for the child to nod as she continued. "Do you remember what we did?"

Rose lit up and smiled. "We went shopping and out for lunch. You helped me buy my Christmas dress. We came back here to play, daddy made dinner and then we watched Beauty and the Beast. Is this Belle's rose?"

Bella nodded happily. "I wanted this gift to be something very special, just like you. I wanted it to remind you of when we started to become family."

Rose nodded. "You do love me, don't you?"

Bella laughed. "Of course I do!"

Rose gave a half smile and then asked, "Will you still love me when the baby comes?"

"Rose come here please," Bella told her as she sat on the floor and opened her arms for the child to come and sit with her on the floor. "Rose, I love you so much. Of course I will love you when the baby comes. I could never, ever stop loving you." Bella explained as she held the child in a backwards hug.

"I love you too and I don't want you to go anywhere mama." Rose said as she turned and to give Bella a kiss on her check before wrapping her hands around her neck.

Bella looked at Carlisle who looked speechless. He didn't look happy but he didn't look angry either. Rose broke from their embraced still holding her necklace. "Could you put this on for me?" She asked.

"Of course, I would love to," Bella smiled as she clasped the necklace.

"Thank you," Rose smiled as she went running over to her father. "Daddy, what do you think?"

"I think it's beautiful sweetie. Why don't you get ready for bed? We'll be up in a few minutes." Carlisle watched Rose go up the stairs. He then looked at Bella who was having a tough time getting up. He walked over and helped her to the couch. "Really? Diamonds?"

As she reached on the couch, she looked at him as if she was dismissing him by shooing her hand. "Please Carlisle, its fine. They are only diamond chips. It isn't as if I gave her a five karat ring."

"A bike. We agreed on a bike. What the hell was up with the necklace?" He asked angrily.

"Calm down. It was something I saw and I wanted to get her. It's not a big deal."

"Calm down? She is five fucking years old walking around with gold, diamonds and sapphires? What are you thinking?" Carlisle barked back.

"Don't you ever swear at me again! Don't take an angry tone with me Carlisle! I just kind of found it and thought she'd like it. I didn't see any harm in buying it."

"Isabella, it is gold and has diamonds. She is going to lose it or ruin it. That's not a gift for a five year old!"

Bella shook her head. "I can't believe we are arguing over this. This is stupid. She's special to me and we're going through a lot of changes. I wanted to give her something special that made her feel special. Again, they are diamond chips and the sapphire is really small. It's durable because it is made for a child. It's not like I went and bought out Tiffany's." She paused and stared at Carlisle's angry face. She shook her head. She put her hands on her hips. "Really? Are we done now? She's waiting to be tucked in."

Carlisle shook his head. "This isn't over. We will talk about this again. Let's go and tuck her into bed."

"I don't think the necklace is why you're angry. There is something else. I'm not going to bed angry. We will conclude this after Rose goes to bed and you will tell me what is bothering you." Bella said as she began to walk towards the steps. She was really tired and hurting as she climbed the stair case. Carlisle followed closely behind.

They both read to the child and tucked her in. She was wearing her necklace and kissed both Bella and Carlisle good night and thanked them for a great birthday. Carlisle held onto Bella's hand as they walked to their room.

As soon as they stood on the outside of their room, Bella let go of his hand and walked over to the bed and sat down. "Talk. Now."

Carlisle sighed. "I'm sorry I flew off the handle."

"Flew off the handle?"

"You know what I mean Isabella. I'm sorry. She doesn't have any jewelry like that and I am her father, I thought I would be the one to buy her, her first nice piece of jewelry. I just wished you would have talked to me first about it. I was just surprised." Carlisle explained as he sat across form Bella.

She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I will consult you before I buy her anything from now on."

"Bella, don't act like that."

"Jesus Carlisle! I can't read you. You tell me you want me to adopt her and treat her like my daughter. I do feel like her mother you know. I have so much fun with her and love her so much. Pea is going to have a lot to compare to.

"I do what you say to do when it comes to her. I didn't think it was a big deal to buy a necklace that has underlying meaning to the both of us. I kind of looked at things to buy Pea too when I was in the store. I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I promise."

Carlisle sighed. Now they were both upset. If truth be told he wasn't angry about the necklace. Ever since the phone call earlier in the day he's head was kind of all over the place.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that you had put that much thought into the meaning of the necklace. I guess it makes sense. My mind is kind of all over the place. There's a lot going on in there," he said pointing to his head. "I guess I leashed out for no reason with you. Again, I am sorry."

Bella nodded. "All right. Now that's over, do you want to take a bath with me? We'll soak and talk, or say nothing and just relax?"

"I think that sounds like a perfect way to end the night. I'll meet you in there in a minute." He said as Bella walked into the bathroom.

A few moments late he walked into the bathroom to find the tub filled with salts and bubbles. Bella had her hair tied in a bun as she leaned back against the porcelain. Carlisle quickly undressed and leaned against her. She wrapped her arms around his chest as she softly kissed his neck.

"Dr. Cullen, why are you in such a distant mood?" She asked as she continued to kiss his back before massaging his shoulders. When he said nothing, she stopped and maneuvered her body so she was facing him and sitting in front of him. "No seriously Carlisle, what is going on? We don't argue ever. You aren't talking to me. You are scaring me."

He shook his head and kissed Bella's cheek as he held her. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so far away. Just a lot on my mind."

"Yes, I know. We kind of established that. Would you like to tell me what is in your mind?"

"Well, um. Okay. You know how I left you and Tanya to get drinks this afternoon?" Bella nodded as he continued as he rubbed her belly. "Well, when I came into the house the phone rang. It was a detective from Seattle."

"Seattle? What do you have anything to do with Seattle?"

"Well, it seems that the detective go my number as a contact for Victoria."

"You've heard from Victoria and you didn't tell me?" So much for a relaxing bath, Bella thought to herself. "You've kept this from me all fucking day?" She asked as she sat up. She was angry.

"Bella-"

"No, no no. You aren't doing that. Why didn't you tell me you know where Victoria is?" Bella asked seeing red. She leaned against the other side of the tub.

"Bella, it isn't like that."

"Then please tell me what it is like."

"I have to drive to Seattle tomorrow."

"Are you picking her up? Is she in jail?"

Carlisle shook his head without much emotion. "No. I have to identify a body."