A/N: I honestly thought this summer I'd have more time to write Beauty and the Edward chapters, but then a lot happened! I'm in the process of publishing my first novel and I'm moving to New York next week. Life has been really hectic! This chapter is a bit short but I will try to write another one in 2 weeks. By then I should be settled into my new place and have some time to write. Please check my profile for the links to my novel's Facebook Page and Beauty and the Edward's Facebook Page. I love chatting to all of you about this fic!


The two lovers were sleeping peacefully in bed together. The brilliant Italian sun poked through the curtains in the Dolce Vita Suite. Edward's arm was tightly wrapped around his wife's small waist. She felt safe knowing she was in his arms - where she belonged. Bella was the first to wake up. Yawing slightly,she snuggled up to Edward and sighed contently. This time they needed to make things work. They weren't teenagers who could afford to be on and off all the time without consequences. It was all or nothing.

Bella's new I-Phone beeped. She hastily picked it up, checked the screen and hoped the noise hadn't disturbed Edward. The text was from an unknown number. Bella opened the text.

Maybe Edward can't have a baby with you because he's more pro choice than pro life, if you know what I mean. Ask him about the baby he almost had with Ashley. Go ahead.

Bella's brown eyes opened wide. Was she reading it correctly? She knew that Ashley had loved Edward, but could it really be true that she had an abortion? Did he make her do that? Bella suddenly felt sick to her stomach. For all she knew it was Edwin messing with her — again but she needed to know what really happened. She looked at her sleeping husband. He looked so content, did she really want to bother him with more drama? He moved his arm away from her waist and rolled over to the other side. Was he awake? But when she looked she saw that he was still in a deep sleep. Bella threw the covers off her and headed to the shower. She had a lot of thinking to do.

Edward was sitting outside on the terrace with a cup of espresso in his hand. He was feeling content. Bella was finally with him again and it seemed like the on and off nature of their relationship might be in the past. The bay in front of him glittered under the Italian sun, it made him want to buy a house in Italy. A place where they could spend their summers far away from the craziness of their lives.

Bella walked onto the terrace, she was wearing a white silk robe that came to her knees. She placed her iPhone in front of him and took a seat next to him. He gave his wife a curious look before he picked up the iPhone. A lump formed in his throat when he read the text.

"I'm not judging you for anything you did in your past Edward, but I just wanted you to know what was sent to me."

He avoided looking into her big brown eyes. It seemed like an eternity had passed before he spoke. "It's true. I didn't want to tell you because I was ashamed of what I made her do."

Bella didn't say anything. She was staring out at the bay. Her beautiful face looked pained. He hated it when his past was dredged up and she had to see the beast. His hand tightened around the espresso cup.

"Why did you do that?"

He pushed the cup away and crossed his arms. "Because I was a beast. I don't have sufficient answers for you. Not any that someone as kind as you would understand. I wasn't ready to be a father and I thought it was the best thing to do at the time. She wasn't ready either. I regret it now, but I know I wouldn't make a good father"

Bella didn't know what to say. She couldn't understand his decision but she didn't want to be angry with him. Edward had come a long way and she didn't want to push him into the darkness again. She pushed her chair back and walked over to him. She draped her arms around him from behind. "I love you and I know that you've changed. I don't agree with your decision, but I'm not judging you. And you're wrong Edward. You would be an amazing father."

He stiffened a little. She bit her lip because she could feel how tense he was.

"I won't make a good father, Bella. It's not something I'm willing to risk. You know how I grew up and I won't repeat the mistakes of the past."

Bella removed herself from him and took a step back. "You never want children? You'd deny that to me?"

He stared at her with confused looking eyes. He pushed his chair back and closed the space between them. He placed his hand on her shoulder. "I-I don't know right now. Do you really want children? Just think about it."

Tears formed in Bella's big brown eyes. "I don't understand you. I've always wanted children. So if I was pregnant right now, you'd make me have an abortion too? To avoid the "risk" that you'll end up like your father? I know when I was shot I was out of it, but I swear you said that you saw us having a little girl in the future."

Edward remembered what he told her. He wanted to hold onto a dream when he saw Bella laying lifeless in his arms. It wasn't like he never imagined having children with Bella. He was terrified that he'd fail at being a father.

"Isabella, I would never make you do that. We would have the child. I know what I said to you.I'm not saying it's never going to happen. I've upset you. For that I apologize. " He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

She allowed him to kiss her. He only called her Isabella when he was very angry or wanted her to listen to what he was saying and take it seriously.

"I'm tired of fighting with you. We can talk about the children thing later, but I want you to know that one day I do want have a baby."

"Yeah later on, not now or I'll have two kids to take care of." He teased.

She rolled her eyes. "That makes you sound so creepy. I'm a woman not a kid, so treat me like one Edward."

He laughed and leaned in to kiss her again. "Whatever you say boss," he said teasingly as he moved her hair away from her neck and kissed her softly.

Edward needed to make sure that Marie wasn't pregnant with his child. After his conversation with Bella, he realized that needed to be more responsible. Of course he wanted a child with Bella, but if Marie was pregnant, he couldn't just turn a blind eye. He'd have to be part of the child's life. It was the right thing to do.

"It's not yours, Edward," Marie said casually.

He held the phone to his ear and looked out at the bay. "How can we be 100% sure? I need to know the truth."

"Because I just know it. Why do you even care? Your wife paid me off."

Edward's hand gripped tightly onto the railing. "Get a test done? Hmm I know she did, but you were behaving like a nuisance."

"She sent me away without even thinking that this child could be yours. She's selfish like you. I don't need to get a test done because we never slept together. Be careful Edward, people are out to get you."

Edward hung up. He had recorded their conversation so he'd have proof that Marie was lying if she ever came back. He wished Bella didn't pay her off and let him deal with it but it was too late for that. All he knew was that he and Bella needed to leave Italy. They needed to be home where he could make sure that Bella was safe. People were after them and he needed to protect Bella. He would not let her get hurt again.

Bella finally returned to her apartment after spending the day with Edward. They still hadn't decided how it would all work out. Would she stay in Italy? Would she go back? She didn't know yet. She felt like she had made a mess out of everything. It seemed like the right choice at the time but Bella didn't know what was right anymore. Italy was great but if Edward was halfway across the world how great could it be? What was the point of being in a perfect place without the one you love?

There was a loud knock on the door. Bella walked to the door and peered at the peephole, she saw Edward standing outside with a serious expression on his face. She hurriedly opened the door and he pushed past her.

"What's wrong?"

"We should get out of here. It's not safe."

Fear gripped Bella. "I-Is James here?"

Edward placed his hands on her shoulders and shook his head. "No but I just talked to Marie and I've concluded that we're not safe here. I can't leave you here Bella. Write your novel at home."

Bella looked into his stormy green eyes. He seemed to be very worried. She worried her lower lip with her teeth. "Okay, I'll go home with you. I guess I just came here because I wanted to prove I can do something by myself."

Edward looked into her eyes kindly and moved his hands down to her hips. "Being with me doesn't mean you can't do things on your own. You have time to do whatever you want. Isabella, I love you. We're either all in or not. Are you brave enough to be with me?"

Bella gazed into his amazing emerald eyes. She never believed that he could ever love her and now here he was professing his love for her. She could not longer act like an indecisive little girl. He was right. There could be no in between.

"I'm brave enough. I love you and I'm so sorry that I ran away. I'll write my book at home and we'll be together. I can't live without you, I was stupid to even try."

A smile appeared on his handsome face. He leaned in and kissed her hard against her plump lips. Bella wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him hungrily. She was a fool to think she could survive without him. He was her favorite addiction and she wasn't planning on giving it up for anything.