Hello everyone,

So this chapter was challenging to write, and for a month, I have stewed over writing it. I have always had this plan for cutie, and I am sure many won't be happy.

As I said previously, Cutie has some rocking months ahead of us. I hope you all enjoy it, even if you get a little pissed.

Thanks for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following.

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Edward paced on the front porch. His fleeting glance kept jogging to the door, but he had yet to ring the bell. On his way to Fort Wayne, he'd attempted to call half a dozen times, and each time she'd left his calls unanswered.

Two weeks ago, he'd made the decision of a lifetime. To the wind, he'd thrown his career, and packed up his apartment, and with a few calls, managed to buy a condo in downtown Fort Wayne. Edward would've told Bella had she answered, hell, he might have confided in Alice, yet his sister had totally ignored his calls as well.

No one in this house was going to be happy to see him, and while he didn't give a shit what any of them thought, Edward still was hesitant to knock. Of course, there was a chance no one was here. Being the Fourth of July, they could've all decided to go up to the lake or whatever.

Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he shifted impatiently on his feet before biting the bullet. Every muscle in his body was taut as he lifted his hand and rapped on the solid oak. Gnawing the inside of his cheek, his attention danced between cars as they passed on the busy street.

When no answer came, he glanced toward the windows, debating whether to look inside. Instead, he tried again, only to find the same result. "Well fuck."

What was he supposed to do now? How could he make things right if Bella refused to answer his calls? How was he supposed to know what was going on with his baby? Over the last couple of weeks, Edward had thought of little else besides the life growing inside Bella.

Was there still a life growing inside her? What if she'd chosen to have an abortion? Shit. Had she decided to have an abortion? Maybe that's why she hadn't answered his calls. If she had, then what?

Then he'd just thrown his whole life away for nothing. He clenched his jaw as he studied the oak structure in front of him. He tried one last time, knocking as he waited, and when no one came, Edward turned to the stairs. He was about to return to his car when a thought occurred to him.

Perhaps Bella was resting, or maybe Jake was downstairs and hadn't heard him. With this thought, he pivoted on his heel and retraced his steps. Edward tested the doorknob to find it unlocked, and as quietly as he could manage, he slipped into the house.

There was soft music playing, and as Edward eased further into the house, he deciphered where it came from. He followed the sound until he stood with at the open back door. A quick assessment of the yard left him staring at the woman he'd been trying to reach for the last month.

She stood near a picnic in a simple yellow sundress. Her braid blew on a breeze, and as she turned toward the house, Edward's gaze wandered down her length. The evidence of her pregnancy—their pregnancy—could be seen ever so slightly with the gentle swell of her belly. Honestly, Edward had never thought to find a pregnant woman attractive but here and now, he determined, he'd never seen a more beautiful sight.

Her hand came up to caress her abdomen, and Edward wondered what she was currently feeling. His fingers curled against his thigh at the thought of touching her, touching them.

Oblivious to his presence, Bella turned away as a car pulled into the alley and slid into a parking space. Edward stiffened when his sister and Jake climbed from the vehicle. He'd been hoping for this confrontation to be a private one, yet that wasn't how it was about to go down. "Damn."

Hopefully, all of Bella's roomies would understand that this was a private matter and mind their own business. Cautiously, he pushed the screen door open and stepped outside, blanching as three heads swiveled around to face him.

The expression on Bella's face held him suspended. He couldn't find mobility if someone else held the strings to his arms and legs. It was like the entire universe stopped at that moment, the birds around them went silent, and all life waited to see what would transpire between them.

Even though no one spoke, Edward could feel the daggers shooting from Jake and Alice's gaze. If they were knives, he would be a dead man. "Bella, can we—."

His question was cut off mid-sentence when the screen door squeaked behind him, and a deep voice cut through his concentration. "Excuse me."

Edward turned around to find some guy he'd never seen before. His gaze narrowed on the unexpected presence of a man he'd never met. When the guy didn't spare him another glance and jogged down the steps, Edward felt murderous as he went to stand next to Bella.

He didn't miss the guilt that flashed in her eyes. Her entire body went still as if she were having a hard time catching her breath. At least he wasn't the only one shell shocked, he thought, his gaze dropping into a glare and his nostrils flaring.

Nervously, she licked her lips as her hand landed on the guy's forearm. Watching intently, Edward noticed her caress his arm, saying, "James, can you get the hamburger from Alice. I need to talk to Edward."

"The father?" James wanted to know, his flashing gaze dancing between Bella and the new arrival. Judging by 'Edward's homicidal glare, his assumption was correct. His jaw tightened as he studied Edward without flinching. "Are you sure you will be okay? Do you even want to talk to him?"

"I've put it off long enough," Bella whispered, swallowing the emotion gathering in her throat. She'd intended on having a relaxing holiday, one without Edward Cullen, the very first since last Christmas. Well, she guessed she had this coming and couldn't avoid it anymore."

A growl emanated from Edward's throat when James's hand came up to land on Bella's protruding belly. Not only was this guy touching his woman, but his child as well. He was about to go straight to jail.

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