(A.N. Great reviews! Nothing really to relay to you this chapter. I'm a older series that is new to me. I found it in my grandfathers bookshelf [aka my own B&N.] The series is called The Sign of the Zodiac and so far so good. It's decently entertaining.

Anyways, for those who don't know I got married back in November of '09 but that was a small, tiny family/courthouse thing and we are having a large, decorated, big white dress kind of wedding on August 06. It's coming up and may very well take some time away from my writing. Bare with me. I think I have been doing much better on posting on this story and I will continue to try.

Alright. Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW.)

Disclaimer: Not my characters.

Bella's POV:

Emmett's booming voice scared the hell out of me. His very presence in my work scared me. Why? I'm not sure. But the thought of who might accompany him, or what kind of news he might be bringing, or even the very thought of having to discuss Edward's utter lack of sense with him made me shake in my overpriced, yet incredibly flattering, pumps.

I stared around awkwardly for who was with him, thinking that it was an alternate reality, and Edward would be there. Sad, and slightly desperate but true. I searched and searched and didn't think to look right there in Jasper's arms for Emmett's actual companion.

Emmett shouldn't be here. Certainly not with the company he had in tow. Edward asked me to stay out of his life, and I wanted to respect his wishes. Staying out of his life meant staying out of Isadora's life. It meant staying out of his whole families life. Even if he was fine with it, my heart couldn't take it. At least not this soon.

But seeing Isadora nearly brought me to tears, I was so happy.

Just the soft smell of her brought a rush of memories back to me, nearly knocking me over. Her sweet giggle washed over me, and it broke my heart when she said she missed me. I lost so much more then just Edward in this break up. I lost a chance at a wonderful family.

Yes, I know I very well could have a family of my own someday. One that I will love with every fiber of my being. Someday I will probably meet a wonderful man, and have wonderful children, but damn it I thought I had already found the man. I thought I had already found a child. One I didn't have to go through nine months of pregnancy for, sure, but I still viewed Isadora with loving, motherly eyes. I would do anything for that child. I would love her without pause or prejudice.

Damn, Edward, for taking that chance away.

"Daddy misses you too." Her voice was sweet and soft as she uttered the words, but it felt like a punch to the gut.

She didn't understand, and I couldn't explain it to her. She was young, and had no place in Edward and my problems. She didn't deserve to be brought into our issues.

"He's sad." She continued, not noticing how I flinched at her words. "His face is scratchy and he's got dark smudges under his eyes." She leaned back so she could look in my eyes, tracing her small fingers under my eyes to illustrate her point further. "You can come over now, though. He told me that he asked you to stay away, but he want's you to come over now. He was just grumpy before."

Her bright green eyes were wide with hope and I hated to crush that. I hated to hurt her. I hated that Edward's idiotic actions made this happen. She deserved a lot more then what she had been dealt in her short life. Edward was a great father, but damn if I didn't want to yell at him for how sad he was making his daughter.

"I have missed you so much." I said back, looking her straight in the eyes. "I miss your daddy, too, but he asked me to stay away and I have to respect that. But, maybe we can eventually talk him into letting me see you every now and then."

Her face fell and her smile slowly descended into a frown. Her lip quivered and her eyes turned glassy. "But…but he misses you too." She said shakily.

"It's hard to explain." I said swallowing back the lump in my throat. "We shouldn't worry about it now. Lets have lunch." I turned suddenly and looked at Emmett. "Can we have lunch? The four of us. Would that be okay?"

"I'm starving." He said with a somewhat forced smile and a jolly pat to his belly. "Izzy, you want to get some lunch?"

She nodded solemnly and cuddled in closer to me. I kissed her forehead. "We'll figure it out, sweetie. I promise I'll figure something out."

Isadora stayed clenching my neck as we all walked towards the restaurant. My arms and legs were screaming halfway there after caring the extra weight of the small girl, but I didn't put her down or hand her off. Jasper was trying to coax her to let him hold her, but she wasn't going for it. She wanted me to hold her, and made me grit through the burning in my arms and legs. Apparently, no matter how attractive a pair of four inch heels may be, or how comfortable(for heels) they just weren't practical when caring a child for more the a block.

Jasper and Emmett worked to get smiles out of Isadora, and I helped though I was finding it hard to smile myself. I had only seen Isadora cry a handful of times but seeing her crying and looking to me for comfort made it all the harder to take. She was so quiet. I only noticed when I felt the first trace of moisture leak from her eyes onto my neck. She only let out one sniffle. She was brave, and her crying was making me feel considerably less brave.

The boys did work a smile out of her though, and eventually Jasper talked her into letting him hold her after offering up a quick game of airplane and the possibility of a hug. Isadora certainly had a crush on Jasper. She loved that twang of his. I didn't quite understand the appeal, but her crush was cute and Jasper loved it.

Jasper lifted her high in the air and ran her down the sidewalk while she spread her arms out wide. Jasper made noises we assumed were meant to be an airplane. A low "BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR." It was cute, and she giggled furiously.

It also left me alone with Emmet.

"How's it going Bella?" He asked with a soft smile. It was a simple question but obviously had an undertone of meaning that went far beyond the actual question.

I shrugged and hefted my purse higher onto my shoulder. "I'm alright." I said unconvincingly, even if it was true, kind of. He didn't look convinced. "I mean, I'm still bummed, Emmett. I miss him and I've missed Isadora and the rest of you more then I ever thought but there isn't anything to be done about it. He asked, no, told me that we were over. He wanted me to stay away and that's that."

"He's an idiot and he's feeling the repercussions of his decisions, Bella." He patted my shoulder. "Your taking this break up well, but it's a front. A better front then Edward is putting on, but a front none the less. It's killing you just like it's killing him. If you would both just admit that this is stupid you could work it out and be a family."

"I know it's stupid." I said hotly. "I understand how ridiculous this whole thing is, but Emmett he implied I was to blame for Isadora being sick. I was the reason he didn't notice her illness sooner. It was my fault, and he had the nerve to break it off after I got him into see his daughter. He had the never not only to break it off when I was helping him, but when I was scared to death about what was going on with Isadora. And to make matters worse he told me he loved me for the first time while he was dumping me." I shook my head, anger flushing my face. "It's his prerogative if he wants to end it, but I can ask for the respect of him doing it in a better environment and circumstance then he did. I can ask that if he is going to end it to not tell me he loves me for the first time in the middle of it."

"I didn't know about all that." He said in a hushed tone, looking at the sidewalk. He rubbed a hand down his face, similar to what I have seen Edward do and a pang ran through my heart. He stopped and I stopped with him, starring up at him. He was much smarter then I originally gave him credit for. Much more perceptive. "He's a jerk. I know that and I am not excusing his actions but can't you forgive him or at least talk to him? Can't you work it out?"Jasper and Isadora were ahead of us, waiting at the entrance to the restaurant. Jasper still had Isadora hoisted above his head but was staring at us, waiting.

"I don't know if I can, Emmett." I said and walked the rest of the distance to the restaurant.

Rose's POV:

Emmett was being shady and I knew why. He was going to see the lawyer. Isabella Swan was handed a raw deal when Edward dumped her, but it was his business. It was Edward's choice to include her in Isadora's life. Emmett, myself, and the rest of the family could bitch and moan all we wanted. We could tell him how stupid he was being, but it wasn't our place to go against Edward's wishes with his daughter. That wasn't our place.

Edward's choice had not only torn up himself but also messed with Isadora's emotions, something I very clearly warned him about not doing when him and the lawyer started dating. Isadora obviously hit it off automatically. I mean, she was steps away from calling Isabella Swan 'mommy.' She got way too attached for Edward to just cut her out of Isadora's life that suddenly, but again Edward had the right to do that both in his relationship and for his daughter. He thought he was doing what was right for Isadora by leaving Bella. Neither myself, or anyone else who knew about it agreed with that decision but it simply wasn't our choice.

Emmet was crossing a line that really shouldn't be crossed. And, to make it worse, he was lying to me about it too. It was an odd situation to be stuck in. I mean, honestly, Emmett was a crappy liar. I knew instantly where he planned on taking Isadora today within minutes of talking to him but he never said it flat out.

I hated lying, and right now I had to choose. Lie to help out my sweetie, even if he was crossing some serious lines, or tell Edward the truth. I had no real time to think about it. Edward had called me at work and was, right then, asking if I had any idea where Emmett was taking Isadora today.

"Ummmm…" I said, biding time hoping he would drop. Of course it backfired, because stupid me made myself sound like I was hiding something. I suppose I was. I was a horrible liar. I hated lying. Usually I was proud of that fact but right this minute I wished I was better at it. "I haven't talked to him since this morning." I said finally, which was true. I hadn't talked to Emmett since this morning, but Edward hadn't really asked when the last time I talked to him, now did he?

"And when you talked to him," He paused as if trying to form his sentence carefully so I couldn't skirt around the answer. "Did he say, or imply, or give you any kind of impression on what him and my daughter might be doing today."

Damn. I wasn't quite sure how to get around that question without flat out lying. "He never told me exactly what he was doing." I said, biting my lip and wondering if just hanging up might look too suspicious. I didn't want Emmett on Edward's shit list but I didn't want myself on it either, especially for something I didn't agree with. And I really didn't want to flat out lie. Choices, choices.

"So you have no idea where they might be." He had me. He even sounded sort of triumphant like he knew I was lying without lying and that he had me stuck between a rock and a hard place. "Rose?"

I sighed, admitting defeat, and let my head drop to my desk. "I might have an idea."

Emmett's POV

I sat between Jasper and Isadora. Isadora had to sit next to Bella, and, because of her crush, was too embarrassed to ask to sit next to Jasper, so by default she chose me. It was little hurtful, but who can fight Jasper's twang. I wished I would have had that when I was single. It drives the ladies bonkers.

Rose had called, complaining about where she knew I was. I hadn't told her, but I hadn't lied to her either. Regardless I felt sort of bad about it. She figured it out obviously, but I knew she didn't agree with me bring Izzy to see Bella. I understood that, I got why she didn't want me to, but I just don't care.

Edward, Bella, and Isadora would have made the perfect little family. Izzy loves Bella, Edward loves Bella, the whole damn family loves Bella and she loves everybody right back. It was a perfect fit. Izzy was already fiendishly attached to the women when Edward decided to cut her from both of their lives. I couldn't let Isadora go through that. She shouldn't have to quit someone who was obviously her potential mom, cold turkey. It just wasn't fair.

Edward screwed up, and he was feeling it now. Bella not calling was making it even harder on him. I think he assumed she would call. That she would see if he cooled down and try to place herself back into his life. Bella was stronger then that though. She was classy, smart, and had enough pride not to go crawling back to the guy that hurt and humiliated her at the worst possible moment. I love Edward. He's like a brother to me but the man seriously screwed up, and from my talk with Bella earlier, I wasn't sure if it was reparable.

Bella was hurt. I could see it in her eyes, and the way she held herself. It was barely there but it was noticeable. She missed Edward. She stiffened whenever his name was mentioned, and flinched when Isadora said Edward missed her. The poor women got put through the ringer with Edward. I hadn't known the full story until today. I hadn't realized Edward let the L bomb slip while he was breaking it off with her. I hadn't known he made it seem like it was Bella's fault.

I knew Edward didn't mean to hurt her. He didn't mean to make it sound that way cause he didn't believe it was her fault. He blamed himself, fully. He made that achingly clear.

Isadora was chatting up Bella, pointing at the small kids menu in front of her as she held a red crayon in her little fist. Bella listened on with rapt attention, feigning absolute interest in everything Izzy said. Jasper watched on with fondness. He very obviously cared about Bella. He was protective of her in a brotherly way. There wasn't even a hint of romance between the two, and I respected him for that. He liked Izzy too. A lot. He was good with her and I knew Izzy liked him.

Bella and Jasper were good company and I would have really enjoyed having them in our lives. Edward really screwed the pooch with this one. He took something away from everyone with his rash actions. That really sucked.

I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket again and sighed. I had to pick up. He had already called three times and I had his daughter. I didn't want him to worry. It just seemed a little odd that he would call the exact moment I was with Izzy, Jasper, and Bella. Rose must have broke. She had no apt for lying.

"Hey bro." I answered, while Jasper stared up at me with hard eyes. Yeah, he hated Edward now. Bella's eyes flickered over at me, but she didn't noticeably turn. "How's it going?"

"Where are you guys, Emmett." Uh, oh. Between the tone, and the fact that he used my name meant he was pissed. Rose definitely broke under Edward's interrogation. I didn't blame her. Edward was difficult not to tell the full truth to. I mean, he had to work around my evasions of the truth throughout our childhood. He got good at asking exactly what he had to, to get the honest answer.

"You say it like you know." I said, excusing myself from the table.

"Uncle Emmett! Where are you going?" Isadora asked loud enough for Edward to here.

"I assume you have company you trust enough to leave my daughter alone with if you leaving the table without her." Edward said unhappily through the phone.

"Don't worry Izzy." I said patting her head. "I'll be right back."

She nodded happily and returned to explain something else to Bella. Bella's attention wasn't quite so focused on Isadora anymore though. She had her gaze fully trained on me. I smiled reassuringly at her and headed away from the table.

"Emmett, answer my question." Edward said after a moment of silence, sounding even more pissed then before.

"I'm having lunch with friends." I said, omitting that small fact that my friends were his ex and her best friend. "How about you Edward? Get yourself anything tasty for lunch?"

"Don't play with me." Edward sighed sounding more frustrated now then really mad. It was the tempest before the storm, though. "What friends are you with?"

"What's with the third degree?"

"Emmett?" I turned to find Bella staring up at me with doe eyes that could almost rival Izzy's. Almost. She looked from the phone to me and set her jaw. "Is that Edward on the phone?"

Edward breathed out quickly, his breath catching as he breathed out, "Bella," into the receiver. He hadn't meant to but I caught it. He still had it bad for the girl.

"Sure is." I said to her. She nodded, looked down, then back up with more resolve.

"Is everything alright?" She asked. She must have noticed that I was getting agitated from the table. She was a lawyer. Weren't they paid to notice these kinds of things?

"He's a little upset." I said apologetically.

She pursed her lips and gave one tight nod. "Because you brought Isadora to see me?" She asked. I nodded and she held her hand out. "May I?"

I clamped my mouth shut and looked from her hand back to her face. "You sure?" I asked. She nodded and I handed it over. "I didn't want to talk to him anyway."

Edward's POV

Emmett had some real nerve taking my daughter to see Bella when I distinctly asked everyone to leave her alone. It's not that I didn't trust Bella, obviously. I still cared deeply for Bella but I made a decision when I broke it off with Bella, and seeing the hurt it caused her. I would leave her alone, keep her out of all faucets of my life so we could both get over our separation.

It killed me not to see her and talk to her. I hated the empty feeling it left inside me, but I had made the decision. Emmett was not only disrupting Bella's life but also Isadora's. My daughter missed Bella almost as much as I did. She was slowly getting better about not seeing or talking to Bella on a regular basis, and now we would have to start that over. Now Isadora would expect to see Bella regularly again, and that just wasn't going to happen.

Emmett could be immature, and do things without thinking, but this seemed ridiculous even for him.

I was about to really let him have it until I heard her voice. All the pain that had dulled to a small ache over the last three weeks returned ten fold. I thought having Isadora interrogate me over when she got to see Bella again was painful but hearing the voice of the women I loved made my heart sore, then come crashing down when reality hit. I didn't get to hear that voice anymore.

I could hear Emmett talking to her but I barely listened to the words. Just the soft tone of her voice let me know that she was sad. Sad, and angry. Angry at me, I assumed. She had every right to be upset. But I hated that she was.

I envied Emmett's proximity to Bella. I could almost smell the sweetness of her hair mixed with the floral smell of her skin. I could picture her standing, looking so sweet, so kind while still holding that hint of anger, easily seen in the way she pursed her lips. And her eyes. Those lovely brown doe eyes that made me crumble just thinking about them.

"I didn't want to talk to him anyway." Emmett's voice rang out suddenly and my blood ran cold. Their conversation hadn't registered for me until that moment. Just that soft hum of Bella speaking fogged my mind.

"Edward?" It hit me harder hearing her speaking directly to me. Saying my name, even if it held that edge of hurt. My throat closed painfully and I swallowed in a weak attempt to talk. She sighed into the receiver. "Fine. I'll talk." She paused as if waiting for me to protest, but I kept my mouth shut because if I spoke it would be to tell her I was sorry and that I made a mistake. I didn't want to grovel. "I didn't ask Emmett to bring Isadora to see me, and I'm sorry if that upsets you but your being a real, well, your being a real jerk about it.

"You can ignore me, and not talk to me directly, but understand that you're not being fair to me or Isadora. We formed a bond, damn it." Her voice broke off, her voice sounding choked at the end of her angry rant. "You can't just tear people away from each other like its nothing…"

"I'm sorry, Bella." I said finally finding my voice, cutting her off. She went silent. I low sigh sounding through the phone again. "I'm sorry about all of it. I don't mind you seeing Isadora. I know how much she's missed you."

"I'm just don't understand you Edward." She said sadly.

"I don't either sometimes." I admitted. "I know Isadora has missed you so much, just like I have."

"Don't Edward." She said, stopping me. "Don't talk to me like we're together and just had a fight. We broke up. You left me."

"I'm not sure why anymore." I said quietly. "Can we have dinner to talk about this? Sometime this week or next?"

The phone was silent for a few heartbeats but it felt like an eternity. "There's nothing to talk about." And she handed the phone back to Emmett.

I was too late.

(Review people….Please)