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Thanks so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following. Things are about to get very real for our couple.

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August 4

Two weeks later

Edward laid in bed staring up at the ceiling fan. The lights from the city played across the bedroom walls, and he counted each swipe of the shadows that swirled overhead. For the third time, he tried to close his eyes and get some rest.

Tomorrow morning he has an appointment with the banker to apply for a business loan. Since leaving his existence back in Indy, he had to reinvent himself. Why not open his own law practice and cater to people in need of his legal advice. While this change from being a prosecutor to a defense attorney was staggering, it wasn't what made sleep difficult.

A month ago he'd come to Fort Wayne and confronted Bella. He'd learned three things since then.

One, he was about to become a father to not one but two babies. Even now, he shook his head at the prospect. Life sure had a funny way of deciding one's destiny. No matter what he'd done or how hard he'd worked this was happening and there was no stopping it.

Did he want to stop it? Not exactly, but it led him to the next lesson life had taught him. Because of his inconsistent behavior, his second lesson was that the mother of his children didn't trust him. That's why he currently found himself sitting in a new city, laying in an empty bed, and unsure where the fuck he stood in her life.

Rolling to his stomach, he propped his head on his folded arms and stared blankly at the headboard. He'd practically begged for her to let him prove himself.

It'd been a couple of weeks now since they'd gone to the festival and played in the fountain like a couple of children. He smiled faintly at the memory of her laughing when he'd stepped into the fountain and cold water had shot up his leg. Since then, they'd gone on two lunch dates, declaring a new friendship in an effort to establish the trust that had been fractured by them both.

Rubbing his eyes, he blinked at the shadows playing across the bed, he found a flaw in his plan. His third lesson was that he didn't want to be friends. His brows lifted as the epiphany hit him like a ton of bricks. Edward swiftly sat up in bed as the truth smacked him across the face.

Throwing the coverlet back, his feet slipped to the carpeted floor as he looked at the alarm clock next to the bed. It was nearly midnight, and Bella had probably gone to bed long ago, yet the truth refused to be ignored.

Hurriedly, Edward collected his duffel bag and packed three different outfits, some pajama pants, and a suit before heading to the bathroom. Edward grabbed his toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and body wash before retracing his steps to his bag. He tossed the contents inside before searching for his car keys.

He was in such a hurry he nearly overlooked his state of undress. "Shit," he mumbled, nearly tripping as he pulled his jeans up to his naked legs, almost zipping his cock up in the process. "Oh fuck!"

Edward gritted his teeth as he hopped in place swearing as the pain faded. Finally, he was able to remember what the hell he was doing in the first place. Yeah, he was about to make a life-changing declaration and see where it took him.

Fuck being friends.

Hefting his bag over his shoulder, he stepped into his shoes and slipped into the elevator. Before he could rethink his actions, Edward hopped into his car and pointed it east until he pulled into Bella's driveway.

Knowing the household was asleep or pretty close to it, he gnawed the inside of his cheek. Jake would probably be his best bet on getting in at this hour, but currently Jake wasn't his biggest fan in the world.

What the hell, he shrugged, taking his bag from the trunk and heading to the back door. Since Jake's bedroom was in the basement, Edward rapped hard on the window, waiting patiently. There was nothing patient in the rampant feelings he was experiencing.

This was gonna go one of two ways. Bella would tell him to get the hell out, or … or she would do the other thing. He fucking hoped it would be the other thing because he was about to lay it all out on the line, and with no apologies.

He was about to lift his hand to knock again when the curtain was pulled back and Edward stared back at Neal. While he didn't know Jake's boyfriend all that well, the man seemed to hate him a lot less than Jake. Edward waved as the door creaked open. "Hey, I need to see Bella."

"Does she know you are here? She went to bed at eight tonight and didn't say anything about you stopping by." Neal took in Edward's disheveled state. He looked like he hadn't had a good night's sleep in a few days. "Man, no offense, but you look like shit."

Edward grunted, he nodded. "Yeah, well, how would you look if you found out you were about to have twins with a woman who is questioning her whole relationship with you."

Neal laughed in response as he created enough space for Edward to slip through, shutting the door as Edward came to stand in the kitchen. "First, I would have to rethink my whole sexuality, and then, I would want to know this miracle the woman held over me. And then probably have a damn heart attack at the prospect of two little monsters dictating the rest of my life."

"You are halfway to what I am feeling then," Edward murmured, heading to the fridge he collected a bottle of water. "Every day I wake up and I'm not sure if I am coming or going. I never imagined having a family, but now, I can't really think of anything else. There is a problem however, now my 'family' isn't sure if they want me."

Neal shook his head as he processed Edward's statement. "It might take a little work but never doubt how much that woman wants you. She didn't shut up for months, and while Jake I support her a hundred percent, you've kinda got the raw deal. While the whole household might be biased to where Bella is concerned, I do see your side of this. If you ever need to talk or want to chill, feel free to give me a call."

Edward watched Neal with skepticism. "I don't think I've chilled in years. It's an interesting suggestion though."

Edward's grip tightened on the strap on his shoulder as he turned to the darkened house. Throwing a grateful look over his shoulder, he said, "Thanks, Neal. If she doesn't kick my ass out, I will see you in the morning."

"Night, man. Good luck."

The entire way through the house, Edward thought over what he would say. Now, he stood before Bella's closed door and hoped he could manage not to scare the shit out of her when he slipped into her room. Shifting nervously before her room, he muttered what an idiot he was. He should've waited until morning for this.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly turned the knob and went inside as quietly as possible. Setting his bag next to her dresser, he simply stood there for a long minute. She looked beautiful in the faint glow of the street lights, and Edward committed the picture to memory.

Bella was completely relaxed, her hair cascading over the pillows, and his fingers itched to bury them in the silk. His mouth went dry as he crept closer to the bed, and he was just about to sit on the edge when a hiss warned him away.

He locked eyes with the orange demon curled on the pillow next to Bella's head. "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't even know her, you little monster."

Shercon didn't seem to give a shit, growling low in his throat at Edward. The sound must've penetrated Bella's subconscious because she snorted and her hand left the cocoon of her covers to land on the cat near her head. "Shhhh."

Edward saw his chance to awaken her. "Bella," he whispered, brushing the hair from her cheek as she nuzzled the pillow. "Babe, wake up for a minute."

"Mmmm," she mumbled, leaning into the warmth of Edward's fingers. "Shhh. I'm having a really good dream."

"What's it about, baby?" Edward wanted to know, he leaned down to nuzzle her cheek. The tip of his nose skimmed the soft skin, moaning wantonly as her lips gravitated to his.

Bella came slowly awake as Edward's mouth grazed hers. She'd been having an amazing dream of very inappropriate dealings with the father of her babies. Sleepily, she pulled away from his kiss, her fingers combing through his hair. "What are you doing here, Edward?"

He stared deep into her eyes, his fingers trailing her jaw. "I lied."

Bella's brow furrowed. "You lied? What about?"

Edward swallowed the hesitation of his next statement. Here it goes, the irreversible move that would change his life for better or worse. "I don't want to be your friend."

Please review... Looks like Edward had an epiphany ... Love you all, thanks for reading.