A/N: Just some notes - Last chap Edward jumped out of the van. He woke up in a hospital (chap 42), which he escaped from (chap 43). He's free again - ish (chap 44). We'll see where he ends up in a few chaps. I dumbly used two Alices in this story: Alice as Bella's college roommate with a Berkin bag, and Alice as Edward's sister. Two diff people, but I figured it's fine, since life has multiple Alices. :-) You'll also see the differences.

Thank you sooo much for the reactions. I love you. It just gets better. Enjoy the ride.

Chapter 50 - A favor

BPOV continues...

The door is locked, the windows, too. It's early. Super early. But Bella has been watching a very guilty Jen sit outside on that swing for a while now. Her shoulders hunched over. She's making this show. Making it obvious. She regrets her slip, or Lauren's, and she's out there trying to get Bella to talk to her.

Bella rolls her eyes. She knows she's just curious to know more details on all the 'whys,' and 'hows,' and 'whens.' And maybe 'what the fucks' for not sharing.

Bella pushes open the window.

"It's not working, all right? Might as well go home."

Jen doesn't move but for her shoulders, which hunch over more.

"And that's my swing!" Bella taunts. She covers her mouth with her shoulder to smother the snort. Being as her arms are occupied with a very smelly, very cute Elliot who needs a bath. These are the moments Bella savors. His eyes bright as she lets him sit in a little puddle of warm, sweet water. Legs curled, arms up and to the sides. Tense, like he'll float away. Don't let go. Is what he seems to say.

It makes her chuckle low, because that was how Edward looked when they floated in the lake together. Same terrified look in his eyes. She thinks—no—she knows he also meant, don't let go.

She sighs. "Never, baby boy."

She's got everything ready, just his onesie and diaper to untie.

She looks up at Jen. "Welp, if you're not going to leave, then I guess you'll have to help me with Elliot's bath. It's a very dirty job. Lots of labor. Your punishment. He won't take no for an answer."

Her head turns. Who could resist a moment like this?

"Key is under the same spot. Come in, you loud-mouth." Bella smiles when she sees her come running.

Jen hugs her shoulders from the back, her mouth snug to her friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm a dumb bitch."

"I mean, we all try, but fail at times," Bella says. Understatement, she thinks silently. She sighs, holding up Elliot to the early light. Not a failure by any stretch, but a perfect achievement, this one. She's in love. Her heart aches every time she looks at him. "Really, you did me a favor. Like a Band-Aid," she adds.

Elliot blinks slowly in a wrinkled ball as he looks around. His tongue poking out a little. His diaper sagging at his small bare belly.

"Gah. He's so cute!" Jen coos. She grabs him from her and is the official baby holder while Bella does the work. Neck kisses between waiting is a requirement.

After a while, when the bum is clean, and so are his feet, hands, and under layers of chins, Bella is serious and honest.

"I let you in because I love you, but also because I need a favor," she says, watching Jen struggle with the snaps around Elliot's freshly diapered butt. One needs a Nobel prize for such tasks—tedious and puzzling.

Jen grunts. "What? Yes. Anything. What the hell is wrong with this thing?" She finishes saying, frustrated.

Bella slaps her fingers away and pulls on the bottom flap to show her the onesie is definitely inside out.

"Oh my god. I'm sweating already!" She exclaims as she realizes she's got to start over. "How do people do this multiple times a day?"

"And night," Bella points. Her dread in her voice. Sues teachings have gone far and beyond, being as Bella is a complete juvenile in all this. But she's learning. More so from forced experience. Hold his head. Always hold his head. Feed him reclined. Burp him every few ounces. Don't touch his hands a lot, he sucks on them. No mouth kisses. No pillows in the crib or bassinet. And for the love of all things, hold his head.

Sue is on speed dial most of the day. The texts are endless.

Elliot begins to keen. That hole in his belly gaping and aching after a warm bath. "Better hurry, he's ravenous now. He's gonna nap so hard after eating. Whooey." Bella taunts Jen.

Jen mumbles worries and profanities. Her hands trembling. "Okay, buddy. Don't murder me."

Edward always was so hungry. His drive to survive was food. Bella sighs. Her heart breaking momentarily. This is the cycle: one move or look, is one reminder. She's flooded with memories.

"Bella, why didn't you ever tell me?" Jen asks softly. She picks up Elliot, and he's now full-on crying. Jen is fumbling. Bella grabs him and pops in the bottle, ready for him.

"What, like you telling me how in love you are with Ryan and how you both cheated on Lauren?"

Jen perks, suddenly skeptical. "How the hell do you know?"

Bella narrows her eyes. "Know what?"

Jen looks elsewhere. "Never mind."

"I guess I'll plead 'never mind,' too." Bella scoffs.

Jen presses her eyes together. "Fine. He came back, and we fucked. Like five times."

Bella lets her jaw sag, and then her shoulders bob with the laugh. Elliot bounces, too.

She tells her the details of his return, and now they're giggling like loons.

Bella sobers from laughing. "Well, it was too much of a secret to share mine. It would've revealed where he lived," she says about Edward. "I would've lost him. Well, I did, anyway."

Jen watches a pensive mother over her baby. How … sad.

"Whatever you do, Jen, don't let Ryan go. Life's too short." Bella says. She shrugs. "At least he wants you."

Jen is sheepish. "What will you do?"

Bella quirks her lips. "You're looking at it. I'll go back to school when I can. Get a job sooner than that."

"And … wait?" Jen offers.

Bella is quiet. The moment she laid eyes on Elliot, Jameson's words came rushing. His daily badgerings came loud and clear. She'll move on. Live through the aching hurt. What else is there? A baby needs her now.

"No. I won't," she answers, but maybe it isn't completely honest. "He's not coming back. And why would he? He doesn't know. He's doing what he knows best. Being alone. I can't fault him."

Jen smiles softly. "What's he like? I pictured him a crazy old man."

Bella frowns. "He's wondrous. And he's gorgeous. Really gorgeous inside." They quietly watch the boy who looks a lot like him.

Jen says, thoughtlessly. "Of course, you'd keep it to yourself."

Bella is quiet. Tears have pretty much run dry at this point. What is the point?

"You still work at the agency?" Bella asks. "You still do research and find property owners in the area, right?" Jen nods, confused. "Like I said, I need a favor."

Jen would do anything to be in Bella's good graces, and to be out of her state of boredom.

…