Disclaimer: We own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns the characters in this story. We are just bending them to our will and having some fun with them.

A/N…So here are the reviewer recommendations:

1st Reviewer: RoseArcadia recommends The Good Looking Looney Stalker Guy by jajo

50th Reviewer: culleniwish recommends A Little Less than Before by Burberry Bugsy

100th Reviewer: crikeywhathappened recommends by GuardianAgent by archer24

Chapter 23

EPOV

October 29, 2008

The next morning I woke up feeling warm and fuzzy throughout my whole body. I was lying on my side with Bella's back held tightly to my chest. I was spooning her as if my life depended on it and it felt amazing. I had not let her out of my arms all night long. But that is how it should be. She is my life.

My life.

My wife.

I wonder how soon it will be until Bella can become Mrs. Cullen?

"Divorce papers have to be signed and assets have to be split. The bitch and bastard will fight us tooth and nail. I would not expect any less from them. Depending on their temper tantrums and how good of a lawyer we can get, I would say a year maybe…if we're lucky. But if we are blessed with a miracle…maybe I could become Mrs. Cullen in about six months? Why are you anxious baby?" Bella murmured into her pillow.

I guess I was voicing my thoughts out loud again instead of in my head.

"Yes. I am anxious to take my rightful place…as your husband, love," I whispered into her hair. I pulled Bella closer to me, placing my hands over her flat stomach.

"Mmmm…sounds wonderful. I can't wait," my love sighed. "Although, I already see you as my husband. You're my soul mate, lover, best friend…don't let Alice hear about that last one." Bella turned in my arms, wrapping her slender limbs around me, encasing me in a warm delicious Bella cocoon. "I love you, Edward."

I tightened my arms around her, crushing her to me. I buried my face in her sweet smelling hair and said two words, "Thank you."

"What?" Bella chuckled against my chest.

"Thank you…for being my lover, best friend, mother of my child, and my wife. With or without a damn piece of paper that has been your title since day one. Thank you for completing me." I kept my face buried in her hair, inhaling her scent. I loved how she smelled. I was trying to imprint her scent throughout my whole body. I wanted her smell with me forever. It was strawberries, freesias, and everything delicious.

We lay like that for awhile, just enjoying being in each other's arms. My thoughts drifted to the meeting we had set up with the Clearwaters this morning. Seth seemed highly personable and friendly on the phone. He instantly relaxed me. Between our chat yesterday and everything Alice said about him, I had nothing but confidence in his abilities. Leah, his sister, on the other hand was a different story.

I had not spoken with her yet, but she would be coming with Seth today. Alice said that Leah seemed a bit off whenever she has dealt with her. She was using that freaky pixie future seeing sixth sense thing she has going on in her brain. I learned a long time ago to trust Alice's "feelings" and to never bet against her. The last time I ignored her 'mad pixie skills', as she likes to call them, I made the biggest mistake of my life and married the blonde bitch from hell.

That is not a mistake I will be making again anytime soon.

With a sigh, Bella playfully swatted my ass and got up from the warmth of our bed.

"Get your yummy, delectable ass up and out of this bed," she said seductively. "We've got a meeting in an hour." I watched her hips sway from side to side as she walked into the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on and then the sound of Bella's beautiful voice humming some nameless tune.

I quickly followed her into the shower, pulling back the curtain and jumping in beside her. She had her hand on the shampoo bottle but I quickly pulled it from her grasp.

"That's my job, love," I growled. I squeezed a bit of the strawberry shampoo into my hand before lathering it up and washing her hair. I was rewarded with a low moan emitting from my beauty as I massaged her scalp.

"Rinse," I nearly groaned as Bella leaned back from me, rinsing the suds in her hair. Bella's body was just inches from mine, with her back arched into the spray of the water…her hair cascading under the water…it was a beautiful sight.

Little rivulets of water made me jealous as they ran down her creamy skin, down her collarbone and over her pert breasts before swirling around the dusky rose hard peaks and continuing on to her flat stomach. The water made its way across the beautiful stomach currently housing my child. The drops chased each other across her hips before coming together and getting lost in the apex of my favorite place, Bella's thighs.

I growled, my cock was now at full attention as I pulled Bella towards me, crashing our lips together. Bella met my need, as we fought for dominance with our tongues.

"Fuck baby," she moaned as I nipped at her neck, right above her pulse. "Weeee…have…that mee…meeting in an hour," Bella gasped out as she ran her fingers through my soaking hair.

"Mmmhmmm," I moaned. I dragged my mouth along the trails left by those damn drops of water till I reached her taut nipples. One, two, three licks later and Bella was grabbing my cock and guiding me to her entrance.

I pushed myself into her fiercely and we both screamed each other's names at the sensation. It felt so good to be inside of her this way. As I pressed my cock in and out of her roughly…I was amazed at how well we always fit together. She was literally made for me…as I was for her. I would never tire of being inside of my goddess.

"Oh god Bella!" I moaned. I was probably louder than I should have been. Usually Bella was the loud one. Don't get me wrong…she was not being quiet this morning by any means. The noises and moans coming from her were making my cock feel like it was on fire. But I just could not keep my mouth closed. I just felt so happy and free. I wanted everyone to know how much I enjoyed being with this woman.

We were not slow. We were not gentle. We were rough and fast and everything perfect about a good morning quickie in the shower. I loved that Bella and I could do this. We could do the slow and tender lovemaking or we could do the fast and hard fucking…which is what this had turned into this morning. The sounds of our wet skin slapping together as I pounded into her…along with the moans and noises we were both making…pushed us over the edge very quickly.

I don't know if it was good or bad that I had Bella coming within a few short minutes…and that I was right behind her.

"Fuck," I said as my forehead met hers and I stared into her eyes with my arms wrapped tight around her wet body.

"Exactly," she said brightly.

BPOV

October 29, 2008

After our shower escapades, we quickly dried off and dressed before rushing downstairs. Seth and Leah would be here any minute now. The family was waiting for us in the living room. Bella and I walked in to take our place on the couch just as the doorbell rang.

"Just in time," Alice mumbled as she went for the door. As she ushered the brother and sister in, she glared at us and said, "I need to soundproof that bathroom…hell really that bedroom as well." The man, I'm assuming to be Seth, gave us funny looks as everyone started laughing. His sister had a perpetual scowl on what would have been an otherwise pretty face.

There was one word I would use to describe both Seth and Leah Clearwater…tall. Both were over six feet. Their russet skin and jet-black hair complimented their almond shaped eyes and full lips. You could easily tell they were related.

"I'm Seth Clearwater, this is my sister Leah," Seth offered his hand to Edward and me. Then he turned to pick up Alice in gentle bear hug. "Look at you, all pregnant and glowing," Seth's deep voice raised several octaves as he rubbed a hand over Alice's stomach.

Leah smacked her brother in the arm. "He always has a soft spot for the fuc…freaking pregnant ladies."

Alice's feelings were definitely dead on with this one. Already, I was wary of her and she seemed so familiar. I swear I had seen her before.

Now Seth, he was immediately liked by everyone. He was so carefree and happy. I could see him like a little brother…all happy and chill, just going with the flow. I couldn't see him as a private detective.

"Leelee, chill out," Seth scowled at his sister playfully before turning to Edward and me. "So," and that's when his demeanor changed and he became the detective we needed. "What's been going on?"

We all sat down as Edward and I told our story from beginning to end. Tanya, Kate, and their treachery; Mike and his abuse, everything was laid bare for them to hear. I noticed that Leah seemed to be fighting a smirk whenever Mike's name was mentioned. This did not sit well with me. I still could not place where I had seen her before and it was driving me crazy.

Once we were finished Seth let out a low whistle.

"I got a forty-five untraceable if you'd like. I know a guy who is really good about hiding things too," Seth offered. His carefree attitude was replaced with a shaking rage, especially when he learned I was pregnant. Seth was a force to be reckoned with and it scared the living shit out of me, to be honest.

Edward looked as if he was going to accept Seth's offer but then thought against doing so. I would love to just 'take Mike out' but I knew that wouldn't solve anything for us…not really. What would my baby do if its parents were in jail?

"No matter how much I'd love to take you up on that offer, it won't be needed. I do not want him to have any case whatsoever to get his hands on our child in the event that…well...." Edward trailed off, his large hand rubbing circles on my stomach beneath my shirt.

"No problem. You photographed the bruises; you have witnesses to the damage he caused, and you still have the threatening messages. He has already incriminated himself pretty well. But I would feel better if we had something that no judge could dispute. Are you sure no one saw him abuse you?"

I shook my head. "No. Emmett saw the bruising that one night. Alice and Rosalie saw it the time at the boutique and again when they came over that morning and photographed everything. But no one saw him lay a finger on me." I heard Leah snort. Seth shot his sister a deathly glare.

"Sorry, but a witness would seal your case. Judges in California are wary about denying fathers their rights anymore. Even with that evidence you do not have any police reports, there are no witnesses to the actual abuse and also, you and your 'lover'," Leah used air quotes as she referred to Edward, "were committing adultery on your respective spouses during the time. With the right judge, he could be sympathetic to a distraught husband and wife over the crumbling of their marriages. You have some big shit working against you, princess."

"Don't listen to her," Seth glared at Leah. His stare cold and menacing. "It doesn't matter. He abused you and you have proof of psychological and emotional abuse even before you moved here and started your 'affair'," Seth used the same air quotes his sister did, spinning the word with a whiny bite to his voice. "Pssh, any judge willing to be sympathetic to those two idiots should be hung with his robes and beaten with his own gavel. I still want more proof though…just to patch up those holes Leah mentioned." There was no warmth in his voice as he said his sister's name.

"Thank you," I sighed. But something kept nagging at me. I could not for the life of me figure out where I had seen Leah's face before…but I was certain now that I knew her from somewhere.

I was brought out of my musings by the doorbell.

"I got it," I motioned to Alice for her to sit down as I ran to the door.

"Delivery for Bella Newton," a voice said from behind a large bouquet of flowers.

Gerber daises.

I hate Gerber daises.

I liked lilies.

Mike had given me Gerber daises for every fucking occasion in our relationship. He insisted on Gerber Daises for the wedding, our anniversaries, birthdays, everything.

And since he's the only fucker who would send me flowers under the name of 'Newton', something tells me the damned bush sitting before me was from him as well.

"I don't want them," I said to the disembodied voice.

"They're already paid for miss," the kid replied.

"I'll take those," Seth grabbed the bouquet from the delivery kid and shut the door. Marching into the living room, he set the flowers on the coffee table and grabbed the note. With a quick glance at me asking for permission…which I gave with a nod…Seth ripped the envelope open and read the accompanying note allowed.

Bella,

I'm so sorry things have not worked out between us. Tanya came over last night. She was a wreck. She told me something very disturbing Bella. She told me that you and Cullen are together. This was a complete shock to me…I thought we were happy. But I see now that I was so very wrong. I am very sorry for the way I treated you the last time we were together. I hope that one day you will forgive me for the way that I hurt you. I hope he will make you happy. I am going to set you free baby. I hope that one day we can be friends. I am leaving our house…at least for a while. I need some time away…to think about the wrongs I have done. I will contact you sometime in the near future so that we may proceed with our inevitable divorce. You will always have a piece of my heart Isabella.

Yours always,

Mike

All was silent…until Rose opened her mouth.

"Too fucking easy. No fucker like that is giving up that easily!" Rosalie stated coldly. "Do not trust his sorry ass."

Emmett wrapped an arm around Rose as she stared at the flowers with obvious disdain. Her voice was one filled with a chilling truth.

Too. Fucking. Easy.

"He all but confessed to hurting you," Seth muttered as he reread the note, "we can use that. However, it could be the emotional shit. But still, we can use this," Seth looked at Jasper, "You got a copier around here? I want Bella and Edward to keep the original and I'll make several copies. We can use this." Jasper showed Seth the office. Once Seth was finished and had made a declaration of imminent victory in a cheesy broadcaster voice, the Clearwaters left.

I still had not placed how I knew Leah. I was not going to worry about it at the moment. I needed to put it in the back of my mind for now.

With the letter, I decided it was time to go get some of my more personal possessions and leave that damn house behind for good.

EPOV

October 29, 2008

I was in good spirits as Seth and Leah left. I felt confident that Bella and I were going to get our miracle and we would hopefully be married earlier than we thought.

Bella was staring off into space looking contemplative. "Love, what is it?"

She shook her head. "It's nothing. Did Leah look familiar to you at all?"

"No, why?"

"Nothing…maybe I am crazy. Edward…I want to go and get my important things from the house since Mike isn't there."

"No problem…but you are not going alone."

"I didn't think I was," she said with a sexy grin. She grabbed my hand and I grabbed my keys.

"We'll be back guys. We're going to get some of Bella's things," I told everyone as we headed out the door.

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The ride to her soon-to-be-former house was quiet at first. We had the radio on and Bella was lightly humming along to the music as she gently rubbed her stomach.

I pulled her hand into my lap. "Izzy B?"

"Yeah Eddie?"

"What are we going to name our baby?"

"Are you seriously asking me that Edward? Do you not remember that we picked out our children's names when we were sixteen years old?"

"Yes, I remember. I just didn't know if you still wanted them."

"Of course! If it's a boy, he will be either Brian Anthony or Alexander Emmett. For a girl it will be Grace Alice-Rose. End of story."

I nodded. "I remember the names Bella. I was there you know?" I said playfully.

As we pulled up to the house…Bella gasped. "Oh my god!"

I could not believe my eyes. Bella's car was in the driveway…well what was left of Bella's car. It had been beaten to a pulp. All of the windows were shattered. It was dented in all over as if someone had just taken a baseball bat or something and hit it with all their might.

I pulled in behind her car and we got out of the Volvo. Bella was in tears. I knew she wasn't necessarily distraught over the car but more so, the fact that she was a victim of such an act of vandalism.

And I knew exactly who did this to her. My suspicions were confirmed when we walked to the front of the car and saw CHEATING WHORE spray painted across the hood. The seats were all ripped to shreds and WHORE and SLUT were spray-painted all over them.

This had Tanya and Kate written all over it. I knew how those two were.

I pulled Bella into my arms. I noticed Victoria was out for her morning run. She saw us and came jogging over. "Hey you guys." She turned to Bella. "I am so sorry Bella. One of the neighbors called the cops when they saw your car. The cops showed up but they couldn't get a hold of you or Mike. They just took statements from everyone and left. I can't imagine who would do something so terrible."

"I can," I mumbled.

"It's okay Victoria. Thanks for letting me know the cops were here."

"No problem. So…is it true? Are you guys like a couple now?" She asked.

"How did you know?" I asked her.

"Word travels fast around this neighborhood," she said as she shrugged her shoulders.

I nodded. "Yes, it's true. We couldn't be happier about it either," I said grinning from ear to ear.

"Awesome…well congratulations then. I've got to finish my run."

"Alright will do Vic, tell James we said hi!" Bella called to her as she ran down the driveway.

Victoria just waved her hand in the air and soon she was out of sight. Bella looked up at me. She was a little calmer now. "Well…I am afraid to see the inside of the house now."

"Why is that? Do you think Tanya and Kate got into your house?"

"What? You think Tanya and Kate did this?" She asked in shock.

"Without a doubt! Wait…did you think Mike did this?"

She nodded. I wrapped my arm around her and said, "Let's go check out the inside of your house and then we will go to mine. I want to get some of my stuff too and have a word with the crazy bitch…if she's even there."

We walked into Bella's house and nothing was damaged. I knew now that Tanya was responsible for her car.

Bella went upstairs and filled up a duffle bag with her most valued possessions. We intended on completely starting over together but there were a few things at both of our homes that were not replaceable and that we wanted with us.

I went into the kitchen to get a bottle of water and I noticed a sink full of dirty dishes and a dirty glass sitting on the counter.

We would need something to test for DNA. This was perfect. Bella came into the kitchen just as I was carefully placing the glass in a plastic storage bag.

"Umm…what are you doing with Mike's dirty dishes?"

"We need something for the DNA test. Remember what the doctor said?"

"Oh yeah…you're brilliant baby…just brilliant I tell ya."

We had gotten doctor approval to have a special DNA test done on the baby. It's called Chorionic Villus Sampling and it can be done as early as ten weeks. As soon as we saw, the doctor that would be Bella's OB-GYN and found out exactly how far along she was, we would be scheduling the DNA test.

I picked up her duffle bag and we dropped it off in the Volvo before heading over to my house. When we opened the door, Bella shrieked and I let out a string of profanities. My house was fucking destroyed.

From what I could see of the bottom floor from the doorway…almost everything was gone and whatever remained…was destroyed all to hell.

The walls were spray painted like Bella's car. Different slurs were plastered all over my walls. Things like, CHEATING BASTARD, COCK SUCKING PRICK, HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY WITH YOUR WHORE…you know, lovely terms of endearment.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Do you want me to go check upstairs for you?"

I looked at Bella incredulously. Could she be any more selfless? This had to be just as upsetting for her and she was willing to go assess the damage upstairs for me so I would not have to see what they had done.

I kissed her forehead. "Nope, I'll do it. You can come with me if you want. I don't care Bella. There is only one thing in this entire fucking house that means anything to me. Okay well…two things."

"And those are?"

"My mom's ring and the photo album I have with all of our pictures inside."

She wrapped her arms around my neck and brought her lips gently to mine. "Let's go see what Looney tunes did up there."

We were walking up the stairs…Bella was in front of me…and she turned to me suddenly, "What if they come back?"

"I will give her a piece of my mind!"

She giggled and started back up the stairs. Then she stopped and turned to me again, "Oh and we should be careful about touching stuff. We're going to need to call the police aren't we?"

"After I assess the damage up here…the first person I am calling is Seth."

She nodded and started back up the stairs…again. Then again…she stopped in front of me and turned. She was smiling the beautiful smile that I loved. It was full of hope, love, and adoration…just for me.

"Yes, Bella?" I asked her sweetly.

"Can I just say…I know that things are pretty fucked up and we should be pissed to no end and not having any fun at all…but…I really love you!"

I gave her a quick peck on the lips, picked her up, and threw her gently over my shoulder. "I love you too, Mrs. Cullen. But the sooner you stop distracting me the faster we will get upstairs!" I said as I playfully patted her fine ass and ran up the stairs with her. I was laughing and she was giggling the whole way.

The upstairs was in the same condition as the downstairs. And thankfully, when I checked the hidden safe in the wall…my two prized possessions were there. Esme's ring and my photo album. Tanya never even knew the safe was there…until now. The painting that I used to hide it behind was gone.

I am sure Tanya tried to get into it but there was no way she would have figured out my code. She is too much of an idiot.

"I noticed that Tanya wasn't wearing Esme's ring. I thought she must not have given it to you."

"Nope. My heart would never let me give it to Tanya. Esme gave it to me the day I left for college and told me that my heart would find its way back to you and yours was the only finger it was to go on."

Bella was crying fresh tears as I pulled her into my chest. "Hey…none of that angel. I love you Bella."

"I love you too Edward. Can we call Seth and the police and get out of here? It's giving me the creeps to be in this house."

"You got it love," I told her.

It didn't take long for both Seth and police to come. I noticed that Leah was not with Seth. He said that she had a hot date or something.

I let Bella go out to the Volvo and get some sleep. It had been a long and trying day for her and the stress was getting to her body. I did not want anything to harm her or my baby. Since the beds were either taken out of the house or destroyed…along with everything else in the blasphemous place…the Volvo was the most comfortable place for her to sleep.

The police took my statement and Seth was pleased with what Tanya did. He said it was going to make my divorce a piece of cake because she was clearly insane. He asked me if there were any instances of her insanity throughout any other time in our marriage. I told him I could write a book about how crazy that bitch is. I would start my list tomorrow.

When we got back to Alice and Jasper's I carried Bella up to our bed in the guest room. She was out like a light. I watched her sleep for a few moments. She was so beautiful. I kissed her forehead. "I love you Bella. Sweet dreams."

Then I lifted up her shirt and placed several small and gentle kisses on her belly. "I love you too baby." I placed my hand there and felt her warm skin. As I placed one more kiss, I told my baby, "I just know that you are mine. I can feel it."

I left the room to head back downstairs and tell Alice and Jasper about all of the new developments. It was just one thing after another. There wasn't really anything else to do but laugh about how ridiculous this all was.

But I knew…none of it mattered. None of the shit we are going through right now mattered…because we are together. And as long as we are together, side by side, we can handle anything.

James POV

October 29, 2008

I was currently out on a date with the worst companion ever. Leah Clearwater was such a waste of a perfectly fine female specimen. She had a nice body…an okay face when she wasn't scowling…great skin and hair…but her personality and her mouth…they fucking sucked…and not in the good way!

But I would do anything so that my Mikey and I could get what we wanted. She was telling me exactly what happened with the Cullen's today. When she told me what her brother said about the letter Mikey sent…I panicked.

"Leah, sweetie…I've…got to…go to the men's room. I'll be right back okay?"

"Okay sugar," she said in what I am sure she thought was a seductive voice. It really just made me want to gag.

I got into the hallway by the bathrooms and had to call Mikey. He answered right away. "Baby! I was dying to hear your voice. I hate it that you are out with her again! Have you fucked her yet? Hurry up and fuck her so we can meet."

"Mikey…babe…listen to me. The letter you wrote…Leah's fucking brother says it's incriminating because you admitted to hurting the bitch!"

"FUCK! I didn't think about that. Shit, what do we do?"

"We are just going to hang tight for the moment. You have to lay low until we can get the DNA test done. Can you do that for me babe?"

"I guess…that means we aren't going to be able to see each other though doesn't it?"

"Yeah unfortunately…we don't want freaking super sleuth to figure anything out."

"Alright…I guess…it's what has to be done…to get what we want."

"That's right Mikey…keep your eye on the prize. It is in that bitch's womb. We just need to get to it."

We had to quickly get off the phone so I could go and finish my date with Leah…which unfortunately would include…sex. I mean yeah it was nice to get a release but she could never make me feel like my hot hunk of a man does.

I was going to miss my Mikey terribly while we had to stay away from each other. I just had to tell myself that it would pay off in the end. No matter what…we would be getting our baby.

Whether that baby is Mikey's or not…he will damn sure think that it is his. I am getting my baby from that bitch.

A/N…Review, review, review! piratehannelore and I gave you an extra long thirteen page chapter this week to make up for the shortness of last week's chapter. If you review I have a snippet to send to you!

Thanks to keepingupwiththekids and her mad editing skills! You know how good you are!