Chapter 18

EPOV

In the years since my father had died—and the majority of the ones prior to it as well—I never thought I would find myself in this situation. I never thought I'd be working with the cops. I'd always been against them.

So finding myself in the back of a dimly lit restaurant sitting across from Charlie, along with the detectives—Tyler Crowley and Eric Yorkie—that had worked on both my father's case and on Rosalie's, I definitely felt out of place.

"Thank you for meeting with us, Edward."

I nodded, glancing around nervously. I typically wasn't the type to show any fear. Men like Royce and Marcos could smell fear from miles away, and that was what got you killed. But this time around, I couldn't help it. I just wanted to get in, get them their information, and be done. Even more so now with the bomb that Bella had dropped on me last week.

Things had been a little tense between us. She was worried for me, and I just needed it to be over. Ever since I'd had the realization that I could have a new, better life with her, it was all I thought about. There was also a part of me now that wished I'd never gotten myself into this mess. If I would have just realized she was worth so much more than a fucking vendetta, we'd be living an easier life.

All I wanted was for her to be safe and happy. All she asked was for me to come home in one piece, and I promised her I would. But in the back of my mind, I knew about guys who had gone in wired. Most of them didn't walk back out.

We kept to our normal routines as much as possible while we waited for the detectives to call; they had to reopen both cases, so it would take some time. While we waited, I still went to work every day. Every evening, we'd pass each other with a kiss and a promise to see the other later as she went to teach her night class. So when I walked into her apartment, finding her dressed for work but asleep on the couch, I knew something was wrong.

"Mami, despiértate." I ran my hand along her arm. She stirred, but only slightly. "Bella," I said louder. "You gotta wake up. You're late for work."

She squirmed a bit more before mumbling. "Not going. Don't feel good." I pressed my hand to her forehead, not finding any fever.

"Come on, mami. Vamos a ponerte tu pijama." As I went to lift her, she shot up, running for the bathroom. I followed after her, finding her in front of the toilet throwing up.

"Go away, Edward," she moaned, trying to kick the door shut with her foot. As I was backing out of the bathroom, I saw it; a pregnancy test on the counter.

"Bella, are you—"

She looked up at me, her eyes wide as she realized what she'd left out for me to see. She nodded, unshed tears waiting to spill from her eyes. I dropped to the floor beside her, cradling my head in my hands. "¿Cómo pasó esto?"

I watched as tears finally slid down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she whimpered.

I knew I needed to make this right, even though I was terrified.

I knew in a few weeks, I'd be walking in to face Royce, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever see this baby grow. I needed her to know it was okay, that we were okay.

"Mami, veni," I said as I pulled her toward me. "Todo va estar bien. It's going to be fine."

She stared up at me, and I knew she didn't believe me. Regardless, she nodded, leaning her head on my chest.

"Edward?" I was brought back to reality by the voice of Detective Crowley. "Look, I know you're worried, but you're safe. We'll be in a surveillance van watching and listening to every move. If it seems like things are getting too heated, or you're in any trouble, we've got a team standing by."

"What about my girl?" I looked over at Charlie before turning back to Detective Crowley. "You gonna have someone sitting on the apartments, right?"

He nodded. "Yes, Bella will be protected, as well, especially since both Royce and Marcos seem to have an interest in her. Two officers will be outside the building at all times."

"And what about the deal we spoke about?" I turned toward Detective Yorkie.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "So, with your cooperation, any charges that could be placed on how you obtained the information will be thrown out, as well as your probation being cleared."

I let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "Good. I just want to get the fuck outta Seattle after this is over."

Charlie's eyebrows rose at my admission.

I shrugged at him. "You'll have to talk to Bella about it." I knew she'd be getting an earful from him later.

Yorkie cleared his throat again, bringing my attention back to him. "You'll just have to make the call tomorrow and set up where and when to meet with Royce, and we'll take care of the rest."

I gave a sharp nod before standing and turning to leave.

"Hola, mamita," I called out, walking through the door to her apartment.

As soon as Bella heard me, she quickly closed her laptop before shoving it away. "Hey."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "You hiding something from me? ¿Estabas viendo porno?" She blushed crimson. "You were!" I barked out a laugh.

She rolled her eyes. "No! Just forget it, papi. How'd it go?"

"Not until you show me what you were looking at."

She sighed heavily, knowing I wouldn't drop it until she gave in. She picked up her laptop and handed it to me. I opened it up, and there on the screen was something I hadn't been expecting. There were multiple tabs open, each one directed to a different baby website.

"Why didn't you want me to see this?"

"It's just that with everything going on, it feels like the last thing I should be worrying about."

"It's the only thing you should be worrying about. By next week, maybe sooner, all this crap is gonna be behind us. I know I haven't said it, mami, estoy contento. I can't wait to be a papa."

As I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, I noticed how bright her eyes were from my words. It was something I hadn't seen in a while.

I hoped I could keep her looking that way, that I'd get to experience every moment of her pregnancy and raising our child with her.

I hoped and prayed that I'd come home, just like I'd been promising her I would.

Spanish:

Despiértate - wake up

Vamos a ponerte tu pijama - Lets put on your pajamas

Cómo pasó esto - How did this happen

Veni - Come here

Todo va estar bien - everything will be fine

Estabas viendo porno -were you watching porn

Estoy contento - I'm happy