I adopted this plot bunny a year or so ago. It really intrigued me. I posted a poll in my group asking which story I should work on next and this was the winner. It's definitely a WIP. I've only got a rough outline figured out and I'm going back to my roots with this … writing with a vague plan. I hope that I can do this justice.

None of this is mine … I wish it was. Sigh …

We're going back to Bella and pick up with her party. We're also going to hear how Seth came into this world along with some Seth/Bella bonding time.

Chapter Seven

Bella

I worked for most of the morning and into the early afternoon. Seth came back, soaked to the skin with sweat. He was smiling widely and I knew he had a good time. He tried to hug me, but I pushed him toward the shower because his twelve-year-old pre-teen body was smelly.

After he'd showered, I did the same and got ready for the party at the café. I put on a red polka dot dress with a full skirt and applied my makeup lightly. "You look really good, Mom. Just imagine going to a movie premier. Do you think I'll meet Iron Man? Oooh, or Thor?"

"You never know," I quipped, rolling my eyes at my son. "Do you know if things are set up downstairs?"

"They are. Aunt Rose said we can come down at any time," Seth grinned, offering me his arm. "Shall we?"

"I'll have the most handsome date ever," I said, looping my arm through his.

"I have the prettiest mom ever," he beamed, kissing my cheek. "Let's go!"

Walking down the stairs, we entered the McCoffee Café. The entire shop had been decorated with streamers, twinkle lights and there was some quiet music playing. "Oh, wow," I whispered. The décor was in the same color scheme of the cover of my novel. "This is beautiful."

"Nothing but the best for my mom," Seth breathed, hugging me tightly. "I love you, Mommy. I'm so proud of you."

The café was filled with my adopted family of Rose, Emmett and their children, Lily, Maggie and Liam. Jasper was there with our friends from the publishing house, including Jason Jenks, the in-house attorney. The remaining people were employees and patrons from the café who supported me while I wrote Long and Winding Road.

Rose glided over to me, wearing a pretty purple dress. She handed me a glass of champagne. "To Isabella Swan, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, winner of Good Reads Fiction Book of the Year and now author of the newest movie blockbuster from Summit Studios, Long and Winding Road! Congratulations, girl!" She hugged me, kissing my cheeks.

"To Bella!" Emmett cheered, holding up a bottle of beer.

"To my mom!" Seth beamed, hugging me tightly.

I blushed and held onto my son, my anchor to the world. I let everyone cheer for me, but if they only knew the true story behind that novel. It was my story, fictionalized and simplified. The main character, Charlotte, dealt with only a minute fraction of the nightmare I'd endured when Jacob kicked me out of the only home my son had known.

"Do you mind if I steal your mom, Seth?" Jasper asked.

"It's cool! Cooper and Nick are here," Seth replied, kissing my cheek. "I hope you don't mind I invited them."

"Of course not, baby," I answered. "Have fun."

Jasper, dressed in a suit without a tie, led me toward Jenks. Jason Jenks was a tall man with a blindingly white smile and rich mocha skin. He had a goatee with white hairs sprinkled through. They matched the greys in his closely-cropped hair. "Jenks, you remember Isabella Swan, yes?" Jasper asked.

"Of course, Jasper," Jason grinned, shaking my hand and giving me a brief hug. "Congratulations, Bella. I'd read your book several times and found something new each time."

"Thank you, Mr. Jenks," I murmured. "Did Jasper show you the contract?"

"I got a chance to look it over and for the most part, it's a solid contract," Jason said. "However, I think you're being short-changed in the money department for the roles you're taking as a producer and screenplay writer. I made a few notations on this copy." He reached into a bag and pulled out a manila folder. "I'm more than willing to go to bat and fight for more money for you, if that's what you want."

I opened the folder, sitting down at a nearby table. I read his comments and frowned. "Was I low-balled?"

"No, but your notoriety as an author should ensure you some more monetary reward," Jason replied, sitting across from me. "I've helped you with all your novels, Bella."

"You have been amazing, Jason," I smiled. "If you want to move forward with negotiations for the increased payment, I'm all for it."

"I did some leg work and I found out that the executive you've been working with, Laurent, has moved onto another project with no explanation as to why. A new executive has taken over and he seems like a tough nut to crack," Jason explained.

"Who is this new exec?" Jasper asked.

"His name is Paul Lahote and he's eager to work on the project, but he's not as … willing to bend to our requests," Jason said. "Laurent wanted to sashay Bella, where Paul wants her to work for it."

"Paul sounds like an asshole," Jasper grumbled under his breath.

"Well, I'm more of an asshole," Jason said with a sinister grin.

"I don't want to fight something that is not rightfully mine," I argued. "Should I be paid more?"

"In my opinion, yes. Do you want me to negotiate for more?" Jason asked. "You deserve it, Bella."

"Okay," I nodded. "Will this impact the budget of the film?" Or my budding relationship with Edward? Do I even have a relationship with Edward?

"It might, but you shouldn't be gipped of what you're owed," Jasper said, draping his arm over my shoulder.

"You just want your take," I teased, elbowing him in the ribs. Jasper just gave me a shitty grin. "Jason, I trust you and if you think that I was low-balled, then get me what I deserve."

"You've got it, Bella," Jason said. "I'll make a call down to the studio on Monday and hopefully you'll have the new contract by the end of the week. Now, I'm going to enjoy your party. It's a rare day I get to go out with my wife."

"Where is Cassandra?" I asked.

"She was flirting with Emmett," Jason deadpanned. "She was too busy ogling his muscles." He got up and leaving the folder on the table. He found his wife, a gorgeous woman with a friendly smile and the cutest pixie cut. Jasper held up his arm and flexed. "I've got muscles, too."

"Sure, Jasper," I snickered, sipping my champagne. "Have you talked to Alice?"

"No, but I don't expect to either," he answered. "It was just a fling. Yes, I am a changed man because of her, but something was holding her back." I arched a brow at him. "Look, we spoke the same language in bed, but outside of the bedroom, we were like oil and water."

"Jas," I frowned.

"It's all good, Bella. It was fun while it lasted. Besides, I've got other options on the horizon," Jasper replied, trying to smile, but it looked more like a grimace. "In fact, there's a gorgeous blonde across the café who has been giving me eyes since I walked in. Do you mind?"

"Have fun," I chuckled. "Wrap it up. No glove, no love." He got up, scratching his face with his middle finger.

I shook my head and sipped my drink as I thought about what I'd said. Jacob and I had used protection when we'd had sex, but somehow, I'd managed to get pregnant. I'd gotten pregnant the night of my father's funeral. I was desperate to feel something other than pain, sadness and anguish. So, Jacob offered himself up. It was sloppy and I'd lost my virginity to the boy who saw me as nothing more than a hole to fuck.

I'd lost my virginity and my innocence in one night. After that night, Jacob decided to take and take often. Even without my permission.

My father was gone.

I had no one, except Jacob.

Naively, I believed he'd be there for me when he reality, he threw me away.

Though, when he did that, it was a blessing in disguise.

I pressed my hand to my stomach, remembering Seth as he grew in my belly. He was the only thing that kept me grounded, even as my world shattered. He was the light in my life, my anchor and the only person who loved me unconditionally.

xx Blockbuster xx

Flashback

I was panting heavily as I felt like my body was being torn apart from the inside out. After I'd lost the house, selling all of my worldly possessions to pay for my father's failed cancer treatment, I stayed with Jacob and Billy. Well, I started with Angela and her family, but they kicked me out when I discovered I was pregnant. A single, unwed mother was not welcome in the pastor's home. So, I went to live with Jacob and Billy. I had nothing and I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, even if I was treated like a slave. I was emotional abused by Billy, who called me nothing more than a whore and blamed me for ruining Jacob's life by getting pregnant.

No, it was Jacob's fault for taking without asking. That first time, I wanted it. But, each subsequent time, Jacob felt like he was entitled to use my body as he saw fit.

Now, I was stuck in the tiny bedroom with a Quileute midwife, Sue Clearwater, trying to give birth to my child without any drugs or without any support. She'd randomly poke in my vagina to see how I was progressing, but she'd just sit and watch me with a pinched face.

Billy said that it was due to some ancient custom, but I'd heard Jacob and Billy say something about being strapped for cash. They didn't want to pay for my medical bills or the medical bills for his grandchild.

I screamed as another contraction rippled through me. I grasped my belly. "That felt so wrong," I cried.

"Oh, stop it," Sue snapped, getting up from her seat. "Women have had children without doctors for eons."

"I've been in labor for almost two days," I whimpered. "I'm so tired and the room is spinning."

Sue got up and she drew back the blankets. Her eyes widened. "Billy, come in here!"

"No, I don't want him in here," I argued weakly. "No!"

Billy, who was in a wheelchair, rolled into the bedroom and he scowled at me. "What is it?" he growled.

"I think the time for a home birth has passed," Sue said, a note of distress in her voice. "She's bleeding out."

"One less thing," Billy grumbled under his breath.

"Do you want to go to jail for murder? If you keep her here, you will be charged for denying her medical care," Sue hissed. "I'm calling 911. She needs a C-section …"

"You do it," Billy said with a casual shrug of his shoulder. "That whore brought shame to my family, to my son."

"Whore or not, she doesn't deserve this," Sue retorted, holding her phone to her ear.

"Please," I cried, feeling weaker and weaker with each passing moment. "I don't want my baby to die."

"You should have thought of that before fucking all those Quileute boys," Billy said tauntingly.

"I've only been with Jacob, and he took, never asked," I whimpered. "I'm not a whore. Why do you call me that?"

"The ambulance is on the way," Sue said, pushing Billy out of the room. "You're not helping and you can see your grandchild after he or she is born." She practically rolled him into the middle of the yard before coming back to me. She brushed back my sweat-soaked hair. I cried as another contraction tore through me. "My apologies, Bella. I should have paid more attention."

"Am I going to die? Am I going to be with my dad?" I asked. "I want to be with him. He loves me. I miss him so much!"

"I know, Bella," Sue said, putting her arms around me. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry."

I must have drifted off. When I woke up again, I was in an ambulance. Sue was by my side, explaining to the paramedics what I was dealing with. Apparently, I was having a placental abruption and I was losing blood too quickly. We arrived at Forks Community Hospital and I was transferred to a cold, sterile room. Sue was next to me, wearing a set of scrubs and surgical mask. "What's happening?" I slurred.

"They're putting you under, Bella. It's bad," she whispered.

"Save my baby," I pleaded. "Don't worry about me. You take care of the baby. Don't let Jacob or Billy touch him."

"Okay, Bella," she agreed.

The anesthesiologist covered my face with a mask and I fell asleep. The last thing I heard was alarms blaring and the doctors yelling. I didn't care. I just wanted the pain, the emptiness to fade away.

I don't know how long I slept. When I woke up, it was dark out and I was in a regular room. Sue was with me, walking with a squirming bundle in her arms. "Is the baby okay?" I asked, my voice raspy.

"Ten fingers, ten toes," Sue cooed. "He came out screaming."

"He?" I whispered. "I have a boy?"

"Nine pounds, eleven ounces and twenty-two inches of boy," Sue said, walking over to me and sitting down next to me. I went to reach for him, but my entire body screamed. "Relax, Bella. Your body went through an ordeal."

"I feel like I was run over by a truck," I gasped.

"Essentially, that's what happened. I failed you as a midwife. I was blinded by Billy's lies," Sue muttered. "He said that you'd slept around and that the baby wasn't even Jacob's. You acted out after Charlie's death."

"The only mistake I made was having sex with Jacob on the day of my father's funeral," I sniffled. "I needed to feel something other than emptiness."

"I understand that. When Harry, my husband, died, I made some questionable choices," Sue sighed. "Anyhow, Billy used his prejudices to taint my perception of you."

"I was the pale-face who screwed over his son," I spat. "When, it was his son who constantly screwed me over." I shifted again and I moaned. "What happened after we got into that room?"

"Bella, did Jacob ever …" Sue trailed off. "Did he …"

"Yes," I nodded. "But, I can't go to the Forks Police because it happened on the reservation. The peace council would say that I was lying because Billy owns the peace council."

"Shit," Sue gasped, putting the baby into the bassinet. "You can stay with me."

"You believe me?" I whispered.

"I do, Bella," Sue nodded. "I can help you. I should have helped you in the first place." She sat down and took my hand. I could barely feel it. "Okay, so after you were brought into the surgical suite, they put you out. They gave you a sedative and spinal block. That's why your grip is so weak."

"How long until I can move again?" I pressed.

"By morning," Sue answered. "Anyway, the doctor had to perform a C-section to remove your son. You had a placental abruption and he was just too big for your tiny body. The baby is obviously fine, but you're not." She squeezed my hand and looked at me with compassion. "The bleeding wouldn't stop."

"I wouldn't have cared if I'd died," I muttered. "It would have been a blessing, to be honest."

"Then, you wouldn't get to know your son," Sue argued. "They asked me if I knew your wishes. The baby was safe and I couldn't lose you. Regardless, of what Billy said, you deserved to live. So, I told them to stop the bleeding, by any means necessary." She moved her hand to my swollen belly. "I figured you'd rather be alive and without a uterus, then dead."

"I can't have any more children?" I whispered.

"Not conventionally," Sue said. "They removed your uterus, but kept your ovaries. You can still have children with some help."

"Well, it's probably for the best," I said, trying to blink away my tears. "God knows I'll fuck up my kid …"

"Bella, don't think that way," Sue chided gently.

"Can I see him?" I asked. "I know I can't hold him because my arms are like limp noodles."

Sue got up and carried my son to me. He was asleep, but I could tell his skin was darker than mine, but not the rich russet tone like Jacob and Billy. Sue removed his blue cap and revealed whisps of dark brown hair. "Do you have a name in mind?"

"Seth," I whispered. "It was my dad's middle name."

"I think your dad would be proud of that," Sue said wistfully. "Now, get some rest, Bella." She put the baby back in the bassinet.

"Did you really mean it that I can stay with you?" I asked. "I can move out of that awful house?"

"I mean it, Bella," she nodded. "Now, sleep." She brushed my hair back and stayed until I eventually fell back asleep.

When I woke up, Billy was in my room and his eyes were dark with anger. I groaned as I sat up too quickly. "Where's Sue?"

"She's gone," Billy said. "Won't be back. She's been shunned by the reservation." He glowered at me, hatred oozing out every pore. "She shouldn't have called the ambulance. You should have died yesterday, but you didn't. I'm now stuck with a bill for you and for that brat." He rolled to me. "You're being discharged today. I have a friend on the staff. You will pay off this bill."

"I just had major surgery and a baby," I sobbed.

"The baby, as far as I'm concerned, is not yours. He's mine and Jake's," Billy said with a cold smile. "Now, get ready to go. You have a shift tomorrow at Thriftway." He spun his wheelchair and left me in the hospital room. A brusque nurse removed my catheter and IV, practically shoving me into the bathroom. I didn't know what to do. I slid down to the floor, crying hysterically. My one ally was gone.

She's gone and won't be back.

Did he kill Sue?

I sat on the floor of the bathroom until a harsh knock rattled me. I heaved myself off the ground. I took a quick shower, dressing in the clothes that Billy brought me. When I walked out of the bathroom, Jacob was waiting for me. He was holding a car seat with our son inside. He gave me an impassive look, pointing to the wheelchair. I sat down and was pushed out of the room. When we got into Jake's VW Rabbit, he secured Seth's car seat in the back. "Here are the rules," Jacob said harshly. "You will take care of the brat. You will pay back my father for paying for the birth. He'll take care of my son while you're at work, but that's not for free, either."

"Got it," I said. "I'm your slave until my debts are paid off. You'll get your money back."

Jacob just huffed as he turned over his tiny car. "We also have a place for us. You, me and the baby. Dad didn't want you living under his roof. You've already shamed our family too much." He put the car into gear, tearing out of the parking lot.

I barely had time to recover. I was back at work the following day and I went through the motions of scanning groceries of the people of Forks. I continued to work for a couple of days. My boss took pity on me, letting me handle the front of the store. I was subsisting on next-to-no sleep, leaky breasts from pumping and emotional exhaustion. Heaven forbid Jacob help with the baby when I got home from work.

Though, I didn't mind that Jacob ignored Seth. He was my baby. He loved me, regardless of my mistakes.

A week later, I was doing some light stocking and I was unsteady on my feet. Angela was shopping when I fell off a step ladder, exhaustion finally catching up with me. She was hysterical, trying to wake me up, but I couldn't. My body was beyond shattered.

Again, an ambulance was called and I was admitted into Forks Community Hospital. Not even Billy's influence could get me released. I had a post-operative infection and I needed IV antibiotics. I spent a week in the hospital, racking up another hefty bill.

Billy threatened to give my child up for adoption to pay for my hospital stay. A social worker overheard his ranting and stepped in. It also put Billy's abhorrent behavior on the radar. The hospital waived my medical bills because of my financial situation for the birth of my son and subsequent hospital stay due to medical negligence.

It was after that I got a short maternity leave and help from a social worker to get Seth set up.

It was during that time I realized that the only person I could rely on is myself. I also clung to my son, who loved me unconditionally. He knew I'd protect him. I'd die for him.

Too bad I almost did die for him … on more than one occasion.

xx Blockbuster xx

"Mom, where were you?" Seth asked, sitting down across from me. "You were staring off into space."

"Sorry, baby. Just remembering something when you were a baby," I smiled, brushing back his hair. "Where are Cooper and Nick?"

"They had to go," he answered. "Besides, I shouldn't ignore my amazing mom on her special day."

"I'm not that amazing, kiddo," I snorted. "I worked hard to get us here. If anything, I'm tenacious." Seth looked at me, confused. "I'm determined."

"You are determined and that's what makes you awesome, Mom," Seth grinned. "Now, stop hiding and let's have fun at your party! They have karaoke."

"You can karaoke. I'll just watch and videotape you," I quipped, holding up my cell phone. "Blackmail for when you get married, bub. I can't wait to show your spouse how adorable you are!"

"Mom!" he huffed.

"Come on, Seth. Wow me with your singing skills," I giggled, walking with him to the small stage that had been set up. Jasper grabbed Seth's elbow and thrust a microphone into his hand. I videoed my son as he sang 'High Hopes' by Panic! At the Disco with Jasper.

The party wrapped up around midnight. I had fun despite my innate need to not be the center of attention. I even went up onto the karaoke stage, singing 'Love Shack' with Rose and Lauren. After that, Seth and I went up to our tiny apartment. He kissed me sloppily on my cheek, falling into his bedroom. I locked the door and drank some water since I'd indulged in more champagne than I should have.

After I finished my water, I went into my bedroom and took off my dress. I tossed my hair up into a ponytail, washing my face and putting on my pajamas. I slid into my bed, curling around my pillow. I idly ran the flower pendant along its chain as I tried to shake the memories of Seth's birth from my mind. I didn't know why I'd fell into that hole today after I met with Jason Jenks. My phone vibrated on the nightstand. I picked it up and saw a text from Edward.

You're probably asleep, but I just wanted to send you a quick message … I miss you and I look forward until we're in the same city again. Perhaps, I'll come to you? Sleep well, gorgeous. ~ Edward xx

He sent me a beautiful picture of him with an exquisite sunset behind him. I smiled and sent him a response, a photo of me and Seth at my party.

I just got back from a party, celebrating the movie. My son and I sang some karaoke and it was a lot of fun. Wish you were here ~ Bella xoxo

Bella, you look absolutely gorgeous! Your son also looks exactly like you, but a male version of you … Wow, that sounded weird. I swear I'm not weird. A little buzzed, yes. Weird … well, that's debatable. ~ Edward

I dialed him because I did not want to text him anymore. "Buzzed?" I teased.

"A little bit. I had dinner with my parents and sister. I had a lot of beer to deal with my sister's crazy," he snickered. "So, I ended up walking back to my place. Hence, the picture I took …"

"It was a beautiful picture. Do you see sunsets like that all the time?" I asked.

"Usually. However, it would have been perfect with you," he murmured. "God, I'm turning into such a sap."

"I kind of like you as a sap," I giggled, snuggling into my bed. "I kind of like you, period."

"Kind of?" he quipped. "I don't kind of like you. I really like you. I really want to see where this goes."

"Is that the booze talking?" I asked, a blush covering my entire body. "Or you?"

"All me, Bella," he said softly. "Perhaps, I can fly up to San Francisco and help you with the screenplay."

"You'd do that?" I asked.

"If it meant seeing you, yes," he breathed. "But, I don't want to impose."

I swallowed and I blew out a breath. "You wouldn't impose and I'd like to see you again."

"Let me do some checking to see when I can help you with the screenplay," he said. "Have you signed the contract?"

"Not yet. My attorney said that I was being low-balled," I answered. "Also, Laurent is no longer on the project. A new executive, Paul Lahote, took over the job."

"Hmmmm, let me do some research on that, Bella. Laurent is a good guy. He wouldn't abandon a movie," Edward said. "He's one of the good guys. I trust him implicitly."

"I liked him, too, but according to the contract that was sent to me, it was taken over by this Paul guy," I shrugged, yawning.

"You're exhausted, gorgeous. I'll let you go," he breathed. "Sleep well, Bella. I know I will. I'll be dreaming of you."

"Charmer," I laughed sleepily.

"I do try, gorgeous. Good night."

"Good night, Edward," I said, ending the call.

xx Blockbuster xx

The next morning, I dragged my body out of bed. I had a bit of a hangover. I wanted to make Seth breakfast, but I didn't have much in the house since I was out of town for the better part of a week. I decided to take a shower and walked into Seth's bedroom. He was snoring loudly. I sat down on his bed, scratching his back. "Wake up, baby," I said quietly.

"Mphrg," Seth grumbled. "Sleep, Mom."

"I wanted to have breakfast with my favorite son," I snickered.

"We can have breakfast at home," he yawned, pulling his pillow over his head.

"No, we can't. There's no food in the house," I laughed. "Come on, kiddo. I haven't seen you for a week. Get your butt out of bed and have breakfast with your decrepit, old mother. Then, we'll go grocery shopping. I'm certain you don't want to eat lunch at school, hmmm?"

"Ugh, no," he said, sitting up. His hair was sticking up every which direction. He had pillow lines on his face and eyes were squinted shut to avoid letting the light in. "Do I have time to shower?"

"Yes, Seth. I love you, but puberty is hitting you hard. You stink, child of mine," I chuckled. Seth rolled his eyes and slid out of bed. He picked up a pair of jeans from the dresser, along with a t-shirt. Once he was in the bathroom, I made Seth's bed and made mental note that we'd probably have to go shopping soon for new clothes. He was quickly outgrowing his clothes because he was in the middle of growth spurt.

While Seth showered, I made a grocery list. We'd go shopping after breakfast, perhaps stopping at one of the farmer's markets to get fresh fruits and vegetables. When the grocery list was done, I made a list of things I needed to finish before I began working on the screenplay for the movie.

"You ready, Mom?" Seth asked, holding his shoes in his hands.

"Yeah," I nodded, slipping on my ballet flats and picking up the keys to my truck. I would never get rid of that thing. It was, for a span of a couple years, my home and my salvation. We walked down the stairs, heading to the small alley that housed our garage. Seth got in the truck and I hopped into the driver's seat. I turned over the truck, grinning as it coughed to life.

"Mom, you know we can get a new car. This thing is a fossil," Seth snickered.

"I don't want a new car. I like my truck. And, when you turn sixteen, it'll be your truck," I smirked, putting it into gear and backing out of the garage.

"Then, you'd still need a new car. Why not skip that step and just get one now?" Seth teased while I drove to our favorite diner. "Please?"

"I'll think about it," I retorted. "Now, all I want is a stack of pancakes and a lot of bacon."

"That sounds perfect," Seth beamed.

I drove us to the diner and we walked inside, sitting in our favorite booth. Seth ordered two stacks of pancakes with a double order of bacon. He got orange juice while I ordered coffee. "So, talk to me about the basketball tryouts," I said.

"The coach is my PE teacher. He said that I was really good in class," Seth explained. "I'm tall, obviously."

"Yeah, you're taller than me," I snickered. "Your biological father was a tall man. But, I don't know about his basketball skills. I don't know much about him, really."

"I remember flashes of him," Seth frowned. "He was really mean to you. He treated you like crap, like you were dirt beneath his feet." He leaned forward, his hands threaded together and his brows pulled together. "Why did he feel that way? Why did he treat you like crap?"

"Because your biological father was an asshole," I answered honestly. "He made himself feel better, more powerful by making me feel small."

"Do you hate him?" Seth asked. "Because I do. I hate him, Mom. I hate what he did to you. I hate what he made us do when he kicked us out. I hate him."

My heart broke as I heard the abhorrence in his voice. I never wanted him to feel that. "Seth, I don't like hearing you talk like that," I chided gently.

"But, he still made our lives hell, Mom. Aren't I allowed to feel this way?" he asked. He got up and moved to sit next to me in the booth.

"You are allowed to feel any way, Seth. I don't want you to say that. I just wanted you to have a happy life," I murmured. "I did everything in my power to give you that."

"And I'm happy. With you," Seth said, moving to sit next to me and hugging me tightly. "You've given me an amazing life. I never doubted your love for me. Him? We were just a drain and I'm grateful that we left him. It doesn't change the fact that I hate him. I could never forgive him for what he did to you, did to us."

"Seth," I whispered, holding him tightly. I kissed his forehead and took his face in my hands. "I'm not going to tell you how to feel, but your father is no longer in your life, our lives."

I'd taken steps to have Jacob's parental rights removed. When I found a safe place to land in San Francisco, I reached out to a family attorney. I told them about my emotional and physical abuse from Jacob and Billy and how I was summarily thrown out of my home. I didn't tell them about my journey from Forks to San Francisco and what I had to do in order to survive. Regardless, the attorney managed to send Jacob a letter, explaining that since he hadn't provided for his child that his parental rights were being revoked. Jacob tried to fight it, but legally, he didn't have a leg to stand on.

Jacob lost his parental rights and was out of our lives. Forever.

Not like he did anything to be a father to our son. The only thing he provided was a piece of shit shed to live in, where I slept on a couch and Seth slept in a glorified closet.

As far I knew, Jacob was living with his other girlfriend. The woman he was fucking while he was with me. I hope he treated her better.

"So, he can't come back to mess with our lives?" Seth asked.

"No, Seth. Your sperm donor cannot interfere with us," I explained. At least, that's what I hoped. Jacob had his parental rights stripped away, but he was not one to give up without a fight.

I know I'd see him again. It was only a matter of time.

"Okay, good," Seth nodded. He got up, moving back to his side of the booth as the food was being delivered. We ate our breakfast. Jacob was not brought up the rest of the day and we had an amazing afternoon. However, as I was putting the groceries away, I looked at my son. I knew he witnessed some of the ugliness that Jacob gave me. That ugliness was infecting my son. On my mental to-do list, I added finding a therapist for my son. That hatred would fester and turn into something more.

"Mom?" Seth murmured, leaning against the fridge. "You know I love you, right?"

"I love you more, baby," I smiled, giving him a bottle of water.

"You and me against the world," he breathed, hugging me. "We can do anything."

"Absolutely anything," I replied, scratching his back. "I'm so lucky to have you as my son."

"No, I'm the lucky one, Mom. I have you as my mom," Seth said, kissing my cheek.

A/N: To be honest, I struggled with this chapter. I'm completely switching gears of how I'm handling this story. I have a vague idea of what I want, but getting there is the issue. Anyway, pictures from this chapter are on my blog. You can access that through a link in my profile. I'm also on FB: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, too: tufano79.

Up next will be some flirty banter with Edward and Bella, signing of the contract and some drama with Alice and Edward. When will she learn?

Leave me your thoughts!