Omg...what?? Who??? When??? Huh??? HOLY CRAP KEL, IS THIS A SECRETS UPDATE????

Mhmm... and in record time for us considering i just got back from a third world country!

True true! Say haiiiiiii to everyone while you're at it...we haven't seen them in a while. Much like SMeyer, who owns all that twilight shizzzzzzz

HI EVERYONE!!!!!!!! So Bellerz... do you think that maybe we should like... post more than once if we get some awesome reviews? Like.. say, more than 25?

Combined? Tots. Let's make it happen ladies (and gents) and we'll see what we can do :)

Sounds good. We've missed writing, this fic and all of you. So review and let us know you haven't forgotten about Secrets, mmk? Thanks :D

BPOV

Edward and I spent the rest of Monday and well into Tuesday locked up in the suite, running out only for meals and condoms. The bruises had started fading quickly and by Tuesday morning they were almost all yellow instead of deep purple, with exception to the large bruise on my lower abdomen. Seeing that the healing process was going along speedily, turned Edward back into being insatiable, and I wasn't complaining; it was like a honeymoon for getting engaged.

"Who knew you had a fetish for seeing me heal?" I gasped, trying to catch my breath as he helped me stand upright from where I had been wrapped around him as he fucked me against the sliding glass door that led to the balcony.

"I like it when you're healthy." He shrugged pressing his forehead firmly against my shoulder and panting.

I laughed, shaking my head and kissing his sweaty shoulder. "I don't get you sometimes." I reached for his hand as I guided us into the bathroom for a quick shower so we wouldn't stink up the sheets. So far, we'd been pretty creative in having sex everywhere except for in bed.

Of course, the quick shower turned into shower sex and by the time we were done in shower the hot water was starting to go. As we shut off the faucet, Edward reached for a towel, wrapping me up snuggly, rubbing his hands up and down my sides to warm me up before grabbing a towel for himself. "That was close, we almost had to take a cold shower."

"Like that would have stopped us?" I said, raising an eyebrow, challenging him to argue. He puffed out a laugh and shook his head kissing my hairline. "Come on it's naptime." I followed behind him towards the bed, dropping my towel and crawling under the sheets. "You know, you managed to find the perfect quick-bruise-fix remedy. Continuous sex with naps during recovery time."

He laughed, shaking his head. "It's called resting, love."

"I think the sex is the part that helps the most though." I stated knowingly. His arms wrapped around me as I scooted closer to him and threw one of my legs over both of his.

He rolled his eyes and I could see him fighting a smile. "Yeah, you would."

I laughed quietly at his response. "I can't help it if my fiancee is a sex god and my body needs you all the time, now can I?" I asked, tilting my head up to look at him.

"No, I suppose not. But I need you... just as much. You know that, right?" He asked before placing a soft kiss on the side of my mouth.

"If I didn't before, after the past 24 hours, I definitely do now." He smiled and kissed my forehead softly, rubbing the back of my neck with one hand. "Sleep for a bit then I'll go back to showing you." He murmured sleepily.

I'd just fallen asleep when I heard my phone go off loudly. I groaned and blinked my eyes a few times, getting the fog out of them. I sat up, feeling Edward stir and readjust to how I was sitting. I leaned over just barely being able to reach my phone on the nightstand.

"Hello?" I asked, my mouth thick with sleep.

"Bella sweetie, it's mom."

"Hi mom." I murmured slightly annoyed that she'd woken me up from my downtime.

"Did I wake you?"

"Kinda, I was just resting. Why, what's up?"

"Oh, I'm sorry hun. I didn't think you'd be asleep at 1 in the afternoon." So an apology without really apologizing. I sighed and yawned. "It's fine mom. What's up?"

"I was just letting you know that I took an earlier flight to JFK and I'll be there tonight instead. Did you and Edward have time to grab dinner this evening?"

I sighed again and glanced over at Edward who was still sleeping peacefully. His arms were wrapped tightly around his pillow and I gently brushed his hair from his forehead. "Yeah mom, tonight's fine. Say 8 o'clock? We can have dinner at our hotel." She agreed and I gave her the details of where we were staying.

We hung up soon after and I moved one of Edward's arms from the pillow that I was quickly becoming jealous of and laid it over my waist. He inched me closer immediately, sliding down and burying his face in my shoulder, taking a breath.

A little over an hour later I felt his lips trailing open mouth kisses across my collar bone and I smiled. "Morning sunshine." I murmured, my mouth full of cotton.

"Hello, Love. How're you feelng?"

"Better." I sighed as his lips continued their descent down the valley between my breasts. "How're you?"

He sighed, pushing his face into the side of my left boob. "Fine. But I'm hungry."

I laughed, "so grab some food."

I felt his lips turn down against my skin, pouting as he murmured against me. "You come too."

"Mmk, but nothing too heavy. We're having dinner with my mom tonight."

"We are?" He asked, looking up at me with knitted brows.

"Mhm." I began, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. "She called earlier. She's getting in today instead of tomorrow. We're meeting her downstairs at the restaurant at 8."

"Oh. Well, it's lunch time. During which we can eat lunch food. We can get sandwiches from that deli around the corner. Or I'll take you out somewhere? What would you like love?" He asked, kissing me before I could respond. I sighed as he pulled back, giving me a chance to reply.

"Let's keep it low key, since we're going out tonight. Sandwiches sound good."

"Okay. Are you coming with me?"

I nodded, kissing his frowning lips quickly. "Of course. We could both use the fresh air."

"Good. Let's go then. We could probably use some more condoms, too." He said, pulling me up and sighing against me. God I loved him; I loved how loved he made me feel. It was completely unbelievable and I'd know I'd never find anything like this ever again. I wouldn't ever want to. Edward was everything to me.

We got dressed quickly, my stomach growling at the thought of food. Apparently all the sex was working up my appitite. We made it down to the lobby in record time. His arm protectively wrapped around my shoulders and his lips pressed into my hair.

It was beautiful outside.

We walked around a bit, taking our time to get to the deli. Inside of the restaurant, was fairly empty considering it was that awkward time between being too late for lunch but too early for dinner. We ordered our sandwiches and waited off to the side for them. His arms never left my body as he stood behind me, his face pushed into the curve of my neck as he alternated between mumbling "I love you" and "I can't believe I really get you forever." I pulled him closer to me and hummed in agreement.

To anyone outside of our bubble, I'm sure we were disgusting. But who cared about anyone outside of our world? I sure as hell didn't.

"What should I wear tonight?" I asked, as we continued to wait.

He pulled back a bit, giving me the twice over and smiling before kissing my forehead. "You could probably get away with like... normal clothes. The restaurant isn't that fancy."

"Like jeans and one of your t-shirts?" I smirked, raising an eyebrow.

"If you wanted." He said noncommitally.

I laughed, and leaned back against him. "I think we should dress up a little." I suggested. "I mean... this is kind of a big deal. You meeting my parents, well one of them."

"You asked what you should wear, not what I would." He said, laughing a little and grinning.

"Well that's why I asked. I'm not going to dress up if you aren't. And I don't want to be in ratty jeans if you're going to be in a suit."

"You wanna match?" He teased, scrunching up his nose. I was waiting for him to stick out his tongue or start singing a taunting jingle about us being one of those couples.

I laughed a little, kissing him quickly. "So what if I do?"

He pulled me by my waist back against him, murming into my scalp, "We should be in a catalogue."

I laughed as they called our number and we went up to grab our sandwiches. "Can we eat in the park or something? I don't really want to go back to the hotel just yet."

"Sure thing."

"Where to?" I asked grabbing his free hand.

"We can just find a bench or something if you want."

"I kinda wanna lay in the grass. It's so nice out."

"Okay." He agreed easily, placing a kiss against my temple.

I smiled, leaning against him and slipping my arm around his waist so I could be closer. "Do you think it'll always be like this?" I asked as we made our way towards Central Park.

"I hope so." He murmured pressing his lips into my hair and pulling me across the street so we could make the light.

We walked in comfortable silence into Central Park and it took a few minutes to find a spot that wasn't taken or in the shade or near a dog's bathroom. As we sank into our grassy spot under the bright sun, I laid back agains his chest. "So when's your next shoot?"

"I don't have one." He breathed, pushing his face into my hair.

"So theoretically we could do a pre-wedding honeymoon somewhere, then get married?" I said, questioningly.

I felt him laugh against me and squeeze my waist tighter. "I suppose. What did you have in mind?"

"I don't know. Where would you want to go?"

"I don't know. I wasn't even aware that this was an option." He guffawed softly.

"Me either." I laughed with him. "But you said it was. Plus, don't you think it'd be a good idea to decompress before dealing with Alice planning our wedding?"

"Yeah. I never thought of our wedding as being stressful, though."

"All those decisions... Alice..." I laughed a little, scratching his stomach over his shirt. "I could see it being a bit overwhelming."

I felt him nod against me. "Maybe. But you don't have to have Alice."

"Yeah but she wants to. And honestly, without her I wouldn't know what to do. I've been in one wedding - Angela's. That's it... I wouldn't even know where to start."

He shrugged and loosening his grip on my waist. "But I thought we could do it together."

"You would want to?" I asked, turning to look up at him in complete shock.

"Well, yeah. I mean, unless you don't want me to or whatever."

I laughed, scooting up to kiss him. "Of course I would. I just thought you wouldn't want to deal with it."

"Why not? What do you mean?" He asked, furrowing his brows in confusion.

"Well don't most guys not want to deal with the specifics? I figured you'd want to take a stand back approach to it, that's all." I shrugged. "I guess I misread the situation, that's all."

"If you want me there, I'll be there." He confirmed, nodding and kissing me quickly.

I grinned. "See! You don't want to do it. You only want to do it if I want you to want to." I replied, grinning triumphantly.

"I know." He nodded. " But as long as I get you in the end, I don't really care about the in between. Except maybe the food."

I continued to giggle, shaking my head. "Edward if you don't want to, don't say you do just for my benefit."

"No, you don't understand. I want to do it with you. I want to be with you while we do this, unless I'll be in your way."

I rolled my eyes. How could he think he could ever be in the way. I kissed him softly. "You could never be in the way."

He nodded and I wasn't sure if he believed me or not, but he gave me a response: "Okay."

I grinned and kissed him again before sitting up and grabbing our sandwiches. "So back to the pre-honeymoon idea. I think we should still do it. It'd be fun to go on a mini vacation, don't you think? We could use some of the money I got in the bonus to do a really nice trip."

He shook his head. "I'm paying."

I groaned, and turned back to look at him as I unwrapped my sandwich. "No. I am."

"Nuh uh. You're my wife." He said, poking my side.

"Not yet." I replied, squirming against his prod. "So that means I get to pay."

"I have to prepare you for like... the spoiling of Bella that is to come. And this will be the first time."

"The spoiling? Edward I get you. That's all I want."

"Mhm. And this is one of the perks." He said nodding as if this was common knowledge and a universal truth.

"No." I replied sternly.

"Yes." He said adamantly, kissing the pout I was currently sporting.

I couldn't help the smile that broke out over my lips as his touched mine. I put my sandwich beside me as I slid over him, deepening the kiss. I lowered my upper body as he laid back down. I pulled away slightly as my face hovered over his. "No." I whispered.

His eyes were flickering with flecks of dark green around his pupils as he looked up at me. "You kiss good, but it's still a yes."

I grinned and pressed my lips against his heatedly, moaning into his mouth and moving my hands up to tug on his hair. His hands slid to my hips gripping them tightly. I pushed myself down against the growing erection I could feel underneath me and pulled my face back slowly. "No."

"Yes." He said grunting as he moved against my hips, not loosening his grip.

"Edward..." I whimpered as my lips descended along his jaw and down his neck. "Please, baby. Please..." My lips latched onto his pulse point sucking it lightly.

"What Bella? Tell me what you want?" He mumbled, beginning his own assault on my senses.

"I want..." I murmured against his skin. "I want you to let me pay for our vacation." I replied, moving my lips back to his neck.

His lips didn't stop moving over my exposed flesh as he whispered, "Not gonna happen."

"Then we're not going and I'll be sad." I argued, pulling back and looking at him, pouting.

His fingers dug into my hips and he pulled me impossibly closer. "Why not? How come I can't pay?"

"Because I can afford to, and I want to do this for us."

"But I want you to save your money, and not waste it on me." He stated softly, knitting his brows together in defiance.

"What am I saving it for?"

He shrugged aloofly. "I dunno. I want you to have it though."

"For what? My money is your money. We're a family."

He grinned broadly, as if I'd just let him win the argument. "Which means I get to pay from my half of OUR money!"

I pouted again. "Just let me do this... please?"

"It really means that much to you?" He asked, sighing.

"It does." I replied with a nod.

"Fine." He said with a heavy sigh, and a discrete eyeroll.

I ignored the later movement and beamed, kissing him quickly. "Where to then?"

"Mmm, I dunno. Maybe we could just hop down to Mexico."

"Wherever you want fiancee." I sighed, laying down flat against him, not moving my arms from around his neck.

He poked my side and I flinched. "I think you should have an opinion, since you're paying, wife."

"I just want somewhere warm and beachy where you and I can roll around naked for a week."

"You want to get sand up your ass... and mine?" He laughed, crinkling his nose and looking at me with disgust.

I laughed too, kissing the tip of his nose. "Well, you see my future husband, they have these things called blankets... you lay them under you when you're at the beach so you don't get sand in crevices."

"So we're gonna get this huge blanket and spread it over the beach all so that we can roll around naked on it."

I nodded decisively. "Yep, pretty much. And have sex on it."

"Hmm. That's a lotta blanket."

"Well we don't have to. I mean I could wear a swim suit and we could not have sex." I suggested, sitting up and shrugging as I discretely rocked my hips down against his pelvic region.

He laughed, the sound deeper than usual - as if what I had proposed was completely insane. "Yeah, because that's an option."

"I'm just saying. You didn't seem too keen on it. We could take it off the table." I smirked, pressing harder against his growing erection.

"Yeah, cause I hate anything that involves you on my cock." He joked, laughing a bit to himself.

"Knew it." I grinned sliding off him, and sitting beside him reaching for my sandwich. I felt his eyes follow my movements and I turned to him, raising a brow. "What?"

"You left me with wood." He answered in a tone that suggested I should know what I had done.

"You said you hated anything that involves me on your dick. I didn't want to continue to do something you weren't interested in doing." I replied, looking back over my shoulder at him as I took a bite of my lunch.

His eyes narrowed and he looked as if he were one comment away from a scowl. "I'm kindda mad at you right now."

I put down my sandwich and turned to face him fully. "For what?"

"Because my cock is about to launch off of my body and you left me."

My body hovered over his and my hand slid down to palm his shaft through his pants. "I'm sorry baby." I whispered planting soft kisses against his lips.

He groaned, thrusting his hips against my hand as I continued to rub him in firm strokes. "You should be. You're the one who did this to me after all." He said, his breath short as his lips pushed against mine quickly.

"Do you think you can make it back to the hotel? I really want to wrap my lips around your cock and we don't have anything to cover me with, otherwise I'd suggest doing it here." I murmured before kissing him again.

He shook his head in confirmation and took a deep breath. "Yeah, but I have to... adjust."

I nodded and sat up grabbing our sandwiches while he coughed and did what he needed to do. He stood up taking the sandwiches from me with one hand and reaching for my hand with his other. I smiled and we made our way quickly back to the hotel. As we waited for the elevator I couldn't help it... we were so close. "You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to tasting your cum." I whispered in his ear, leaving a quick kiss just below his earlobe.

He turned to look at me, his eyes dark with lust and hooded with need. He needed me. And I would give him everything.

We completely lucked out and had the elevator to ourselves. My mouth was on his in a second and he dropped our sandwiches to the ground before wrapping both arms around me tightly.

"I fucking... fuck, I love you." He muttered before pressing his lips against mine again, this time a bit roughly.

I moaned into his mouth. I just... I needed him. It had been far too long. We stumbled out of the elevator, leaving lunch inside as he cupped my ass and carried us down the hall. I leaned against the wall beside the door as he dropped one hand to try and find the keycard. Our lips didn't break away for a second, as I spun us around. It was frantic, and I had no idea where it had come from but my body was on fire. "I need to taste you." I mumbled against his swollen lips as my hand found his zipper and pulled it down, unbuttoning the single object before shoving my hand down his boxers and squeezing his velvety soft erection. It pulsed in my hand as I pumped his shaft quickly a few times.

His hand move behind him, trying to grip the wall as he panted. "Fuck."

I smiled, moving my face to his neck. "Can I? Can I suck you off right here in this hall? Please baby. Tell me I can." I panted as my hand continued to move up and down against him.

He grunted quietly, his hot breath against my skin turning me on even more, as he stuttered out, "A-are you sure."

"Mhm. I want you to fuck my mouth while I'm on my knees right here. Will you do that? Please Edward... I need you, so much." I moaned softly against his neck before sucking on it lightly.

"Fuck." He whispered, pushing himself against me.

I grinned, taking that as a yes before dropping to my knees. I didn't hesitate this time, taking his tip between my lips and sucking the precum that had collected, right from his tip's slit into my waiting mouth. He grunted and thrust his hips against my face, forcing me to take more of him in my mouth. I pumped the exposed part of his shaft in my hand in a hard fast motion while easing more and more of him into my mouth. I loved his taste. I loved the way his cock tensed in my mouth; I loved knowing I could please him. His hand shot into my hair gripping it tightly as his hips moved against me and he fucked my mouth just like I'd asked. I hummed against him and I heard his head hit the wall as he threw it back. I laughed a little and the vibrations from my giggle made him groan. He tried pushing my face further down onto him and I let out a slow steady breath through my nose as I took him all the way. I moved all the way up removing him completely. "Edward." I moaned. His eyes shot open and he looked down at me. "Wh-what are you doing?"

I smiled. "I"m going to stuff your cock all the way down my throat and then I want you to cum. But never stop looking at me, okay?" I instructed. He sucked in a breath as I took him all the way in my mouth and felt his tip brush the back of my throat. The entire time, his eyes didn't leave mine and he grunted. His hips moved against me twice more, slow but forceful before he let out a strangled cry of my name and pulled on my hair letting his release go and drip down my throat. I sucked as hard as I could, milking his dick with my mouth, pumping him as I slowly slid him out. I licked him clean before tucking him back in his boxers and jeans. "Was that okay?" I asked, my cheeks probably as flushed as his were as he continued to try steadying his breath.

His back slid down against the wall, as he stared at me as if I had two heads. "Are you kidding?"

I glanced at him sideways. "That was a legit question, yea." I laughed, lightly.

"Of course that was fucking okay." He said, running a hand through his hair and leaning in to kiss me lazily.

"Okay. Good. I wasn't sure... how you'd feel with me giving you instructions like that." I mumbled.

He kissed my left cheek, whispering "I don't fucking care." before he leaned over and kissed the other side.

I laughed. "Well I like trying new stuff... so I figure out what gets you to cum fastest." I grinned, kissing him again.

He scrunched up his face and gave me a quick peck on the nose. "It's gross, huh?"

I smirked, hovering my lips over his. "No, I love making you cum. Especially when you're fucking me and you push extra hard so I can feel you twitch and cum inside me." I sighed. "I need to get on the pill, like... yesterday."

He chuckled, kissing my forehead. "Okay."

We stood up, and I pulled the keycard from the front of my jeans as we walked inside. His arms slid around my waist easily as we clumsily made our way toward the bedroom area. "We have, about... 4 hours before we have to start getting ready. What did you want to do til then?"

"I think we'll think of something." He grinned knowingly.

I laughed, shaking my head. "I think we should test your recovery time. What do you think?" I asked, pulling him towards me by the collar of his shirt.

He pushed his hard on against me, murming gravely, "Let's go."

EPOV

I pushed Bella down on to the bed and pushed my jeans down quickly. "Bella... fuck... that top needs to come off."

She sat up a little and tossed off her shirt and bra. "Better?" She grinned.

"Yeah," I replied. I fell on top of her and kissed my way up from between her breasts to her lips. "Where'd we leave the condoms?"

"No condoms Edward... please." She begged.

I pulled away a little. "Bella..."

"Edward…" She mimicked.

"I...I don't think that's a good idea."

"Fine." She said, pushing me off of her and reaching for her shirt.

I tugged her back to me. "Wait, where're you going? I didn't say no."

"You said that wasn't a good idea. Which means more or less, no." She said harshly, throwing her shirt over her head. "I take your fucking cock down my throat with no protection, but what you don't trust us enough, or me enough to fuck me without one? So what if we get pregnant, that wouldn't be the WORST thing in the world, at least I don't think so…" She said, scooting off the bed.

Okay, what? "I don't either, but Bella do you want to risk having it not happen? Or having a miscarriage right now? Do you really want to do this now?" We hadn't talked about this at all, and it felt like this time... this moment meant we were trying.

"Thanks Edward, so what? You think that all I can do is have fake pregnacies or miscarriages? Or what, you WANT me to have a miscarriage?"

Okay... seriously what the hell is going on? "Bella, I'm just wondering if you're ready for those things right now. We could conceive a completely healthy baby, who's born and pink and chubby. Are you ready for that? Do you really want that, especially now?"

"What, why are you saying it like that? Especially now?"

"Because we're getting married, and doing a million other things."

"Whatever Edward. If you're not ready for kids then just say it." She shook her head, looking around the room. "You're a fucking asshole though. Because you could have just been honest from the beginning. After everything... you're still lying to me." She said, twisting her engagement ring around her finger.

"I'm not saying that, and what the fuck are you talking about?" She didn't know anything.

"You don't want kids with me. That's what I'm hearing. I'm hearing that you don't want them, you don't want to fuck me without a condom because you don't want them. Despite saying otherwise. Either that and you do want them, you just think I'm dirty and that's why you don't want to have sex with me without a condom."

Oh my God. Where the hell was this coming from? I shook my head and ran my hand through my hair. "What the hell are you saying? We've done it without a condom before; what about all those times?"

"Exactly! So what makes this time any different? You were perfectly--" She paused and I felt her stiffen from across the room. "Have you had sex with Tanya since we last..."

I looked at her disbelievingly. "You are not serious right now, I know you aren't. When the fuck would I have slept with Tanya, Bella? When? All the nights I spent with you the last three weeks?"

"You did go home to her. You did! UGH! EDWARD! You're a fucking asshole!" She shook her head, then winced a little, throwing a hoodie over her head. "You're probably going to fucking cheat on me too once we get married." She said, walking to the door. It fucking killed to hear the pain in her voice.

"Bella, where the hell is this all coming from?" I asked. "What's wrong?"

She spun around, her hand still on the door, and her voice trembling. "Edward, have you been with Tanya since you and I started hooking up... and, became more than just a one night thing."

I looked down at my hands. "Just once. The first time you came out here."

She blanched and her face fell. "Right after... I told you I loved you. You went home and fucked her?"

Shit. "Bella, I--"

She shook hear head, cutting me off. "No. Just stop. You were so hopelessly in love with me and knew I was with you that you ran home and fucked her. Right after." She paused for a second and I felt like an asshole. I was one. I just couldn't believe I'd let myself hurt her like this. "I'm gonna go for a walk or something. If I'm not back by the time you need to leave for dinner, just go without me and I'll meet you down there. The reservation is under Cullen." She said, sounding completely broken.

I got up and went over to her slowly. "Bella, stay. Don't go."

"And do what? Have you in one room and me in another like two kids that can't get along? I need air; I need to think."

"But it's not... it's not what you think it was, and this whole thing is getting blown out of proportion. Don't... don't go, okay?"

"It's not how I think it was?" She blinked up at me. "You came out here. I said I'm in love with you, you said it back. Then you flew back to Seattle and had sex with Tanya. What did I misinterpret?" She asked, almost looking through me.

Well, when you put it like that. "That I didn't want it. That I was thinking of you the entire time. That I regretted it, completely."

"So what... she just fell onto your hard dick while you were masturbating to images of me?" She asked coldly, sarcasm dripping from every word.

"No, Bella..." I started, but I couldn't think of anything to make this better other than to say: "I'm sorry."

"Did you push her off? Did you try to stop her? Did you in any way indicate you didn't want it?" She pressed.

"I fought in the beginning... it was just easier to let her do it. I didn't... I didn't come."

"Well Jesus Edward," She sighed, rolling her eyes. "That makes everything better." She paused, considering what to say next. "So now that we're engaged, when you cheat on me is this what you're going to tell the other woman, when you admit that you and I had sex?" She clenched her jaw, shaking her head."I can't fucking believe you." She said, turning around and walking out.

Fuck.

I slumped against the wall and banged my head on it a little bit.

What the fuck was I supposed to do now?

I got in the shower once I collected myself from the floor, and took my time. I shaved, then put on a blue button down and khakis. I checked the clock, and it was 7:58. Bella still wasn't here. She told me to go without her. I shoved my wallet into my back pocket and headed for the door. I pulled it open and smashed into something, and my arms flew out reflexively. "You okay?" I asked, looking down at Bella and checking her over.

"I'm fine." She sighed. "I'll see you down there." She replied, sounding neutral.

I let her go and she brushed past me. "Do you want me to wait?"

"No."

"Are you sure? It's not a problem."

"I still have to shower. I'll be quick, but just go down there. I don't want my mother to be alone."

I hesitated, but put my hand on the knob. "Okay. I'll see you."

"Yea, I'll be down soon."

I nodded again and headed out the door. I didn't know what to do because everything was a mess. I couldn't fix this. Any of it, and that was abundantly clear. I went down the elevator. I got out and headed to the restaurant. I went to the Maitre'd , and put in our name. I was the first one there, and I sat alone, tucked into the booth in the dark room. How fitting.

I sat for another few minutes when I felt someone walk over to me. When I looked up, I saw... only a hint of Bella. Not much of her, but enough that I knew it must be Renee. I sucked in a deep breath, and stood with a smile on my face. "Mrs. Dwyer?"

She gave me a huge smile and wrapped her arms around me. "You must be Edward!"

I put my arms around her warily and pat her back. "Good to meet you."

"You too." She pulled away just a little and looked around. "Where my daughter?"

"Oh, she's upstairs." Probably thinking up ways to kill me. "She had to finish getting ready, and she didn't want you to be down here alone."

"It's not like Bella to take forever to get ready. Hm," She paused, "No matter, she was sweet to have you come down and wait for me. So how are you liking New York?"

I sunk back into my side of the booth, and Renee on the other. "It's fun. Bella and I are having a blast. What about you? Did you get in today?"

"Yea, I arrived this afternoon. I like having a day to myself before spending the entire time in baseball mode with Phil. It's such a lively city. I'm surprised Bella never moved here. I think she'd blossom in a town like this."

I looked down at my hands. "I'm sure she would."

"So how did you and my daughter meet?"

I looked up and smiled. "At a restaurant. We were both waiting for other people, actually."

She smiled knowingly. "Was Bella waiting for James by any chance?"

I took in a deep breath and nodded. "In fact, she was."

"I get the impression that he made her wait a lot." She said nodding, but still giving me a smile. "Good thing she met you." She said with a laugh. "Now you're waiting."

Renee kept laughing, but I trained my eyes behind her. Bella. Fuck, she was gorgeous. She was wearing just a simple white dress, but she looked perfect. She always did. "Here she comes." I told Renee as I stood and waited for Bella.

Bella gave me a half smile, and put her hand in mine when she got over. She pressed her lips against my cheek and whispered, "Hey."

I squeezed my hand around her wrist and smiled a little. "Hi. Sit."

She nodded, and slid into the booth. "Hi mom. Sorry I'm late. For some reason i thought it'd be a good idea to go for a walk in the city's summer heat wearing a sweatshirt. I needed to shower so I wouldn't offend the patrons down here." She said with a laugh.

"No problem hunny. Edward was just telling me how you two met."

"Oh?" Bella asked, looking at me to explain.

I nodded. "Yeah. At the restaurant."

She let out a breath. "Oh, right. Yeah... Edward saved me from having to eat dinner all dressed up, by myself."

"Aww!" Renee cooed, turning back to me. "You didn't tell me you were her knight in shining armour that night."

I laughed uncomfortably. "I wasn't. I was just there and lucky she didn't turn to the guy on her left."

"I went to you because you were the hottest guy there." She replied, her bottom lip getting sucked into her mouth, and he blush creeping up her cheeks.

I laughed remembering the other old couples that surrounded us. "Yeah, tough crowd."

"So... now I know how you two met. Bella hunny, what's new? How's the job here going?"

"Fine... good. We wrapped early, so we're going home soon."

"Oh that's too bad. I would have loved for you to both join me at a game. I hear you're a fan, Edward."

I nodded, looking over the menu after the waiter took our drink order. "I am. My brother has season tickets for the Mariners."

There was a beat of silence before Bella filled it. "So mom, how's Phil?"

"Oh, the same as always. Busy busy with the team. We're thinking of going on vacation this winter to Switzerland to actually have a winter." She laughed, "I'm not sure how I'll do in anything below 70 since I've been so spoiled in Florida."

I nodded, taking a sip of water. "How long have you lived down there?"

"Oh about... what, 10 years Bels?"

Bella shrugged, "About that, yea."

I nodded, not really sure what to say next because it was then that I realized I knew nothing about Bella's mother. Thankfully I was saved when the waiter came around to take our order, but we were once again in silence. Think of something fast, idiot. "Did you see that the King Tut exhibit is in town? It looks pretty interesting."

"Oh, actually I haven't. I'll have to take a look. Thanks for the tip." She smiled, "So, Bella how's your brother?" Renee asked, then turned to me. "Have you met Emmett?"

I shook my head. "No, we've spoken on the phone, but that's all."

Bella's head cocked to the side as she looked at me. "You've talked to my brother? When?"

"After the fourth."

She blinked at me, nodding a little before sucking in a deep breath. "Excuse me a moment?"

Renee nodded as Bella slid out of the booth. "Sure thing sweetie."

Yeah, not gonna fly. "I'm just gonna go check on her."

Renee nodded at me, pulling out her phone. "Okay. I'll just be here. I'm going to give Phil a call and say goodnight then."

"We'll be right back." I nodded, then flew out of the restaurant. Bella was pacing in front of the door. "What's wrong?"

"How many more things are you keeping from me?" She asked pointedly.

Just one. "What're you talking about?"

"Edward don't play coy. First the whole Tanya.... whatever the fuck... and now you're talking to my brother behind my back? Is this going to be a weekly thing? A 'surprise fucking Bella with another secret from the relationship' game?"

I sighed and looked away, "No. And I'm not talking to your brother. I just spoke to him once after the baby. That was it."

"I'm going to tell my mother I'll have breakfast with her tomorrow, because I can't deal with all of this. You keep fucking lying Edward." She sighed, shaking her head as she walked past me and brushing her shoulder against mine.

I sighed and tossed my head back. That was not a lie. That was something I was asked to keep to myself. I looked at the setting sun, then just decided to walk. This was all happening anyway. There wasn't anything I could do about.

So I let it happen.

Come what may.