DISCLAIMER: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight not me. I just love playing around with the characters we all know and love. :-)

Authors Notes:

***EPOV. Boy is Edward pissed this chapter. LOL (Not really a spoiler. ;-))

***This chapter will take place a little before Bella calls Edward. I know everyone probably wants to know what's going through his head. I had originally debated who I would tell it from, then decided I wanted both. So enjoy...

***I do the best I can to be accurate in my stories but I have to take some 'creative liberties' at times and I hope everyone still loves the story anyway. :-) It is fiction after all. i have received such a huge following for this story and get messaged more than my other two combined so I know that most of you appreciate this story for what it is. THANK-YOU ALL and you make all the effort worth it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

***I'm thankful for my family, friends, job, and all my readers. :-)

***I wanted to post a chapter for the holiday but it will probably be a little while longer than usual for me to post again as I have lots going on right now.

***This is my favorite chapter so far and I had so much fun writing it. I hope you all love it. Leave comments. :-)

***This is also the longest chapter so far so show some love in the comments. :-)

CHAPTER #7: Peaceful Surrender

EPOV

"What's the matter with you?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" I was getting a little tired of telling everyone over and over again that I was fine.

"Because you're acting so off lately."

"I told you I'm stressed, as usual, about Tanya."

He howls in laughter. "That woman causes you more trouble now then when you were married to her."

"Aren't you supposed to be making me feel better?" I frowned at the phone as I spoke to my not-so-shockingly UN-supportive brother.

"I don't know what to tell you 'OH WISE LAWYER'." He continued to laugh at my expense. I was currently dealing with Tanya's most recent annoyance involving Lizzie's school break and of course the parent-teacher night. I had purposely requested an evening meeting so Tanya could make it and as usual she wanted me to handle it and keep her informed.

"I'm not her FUCKING secretary." He laughed louder as I continued to bitch about my ex wife.

"Maybe you should be talking to your lawyer." I glared at the phone. "And... YES, I know you are one, but talk to your divorce attorney or family attorney... someone." I didn't want to go through all this again. It's been non-stop for the last 2 years. I didn't want Lizzie to see us fighting or god forbid in court against each-other again.

"Mr. Cullen?" I glanced up from my coffee and Carmen was standing there. We had come to the meeting together as she often acted as my note-taker. Since I was CLO I had a lot of people discussing things with me and Carmen was a genius at keeping all the relevant information together for me. Our firm was handling a couple of high profile cases involving another large firm, therefore there was a lot of information to cover. The whole thing was about real estate which was unfortunately one of my specialties, so I had to be present at every single meeting. This particular meeting was being held closer to their office than ours, putting us in Canada. Real estate and law were complicated enough, then when you add in a second countries laws and regulations, you had a royal head-ache. Carmen had luckily agreed to come as she was one of the few people I could trust to handle a lot of this with me.

"Emmett, I have to go." He was still laughing and I hung up without waiting for a reply. Why did I ever try to confide in him? Oh yeah because if I went to my mother she would change the subject to any NEW women in my life, my father would ask why I hadn't gone into medical... for the millionth time, and my sister would just laugh and say 'I told you Tanya was trouble but you married her anyway.' Apparently she doesn't realize that 'I told you so's are NOT helpful. Honestly Alice was just a teenager when I got with Tanya, why would I have taken her advice seriously?

"What is it, Carmen?" She looked sympathetic before mentioning that everyone was meeting back from our first break. I was already drained from the whole thing and I've only been here for 2 hours. The problem was that Carmen and I had driven here at 3am to ensure we were on time. I was definitely going to need to give her a bonus or something after this venture was over. This devotion was above and beyond, even for her. I groaned before heading back in with her.

…...

I tried for the third time to get a hold of Tanya, but with no luck. I had literally counted down to the minute that Lizzie would be out of class, so I could talk to her. I should have just called the school a little early and spoke to her before class ended. I really wanted to talk to Lizzie as I wouldn't be seeing her until tomorrow afternoon, due to being stuck here for an overnight stay. I had wanted to head back tonight but with the late hour and traffic it just didn't make sense. Instead Carmen and I had decided we would just stay here and head back in the morning. I was very upset about losing even one minute of my vacation time with Lizzie. I was taking a vacation next week, so I could spend some time with Lizzie for her break and I was eager to see her. I still felt awful about the art class and part of me was desperate to make it up to her in any way I could.

I glared at my phone and dropped it, a little rougher then I should, onto the table between Carmen and myself. We were at lunch at the very nice hotel our meeting was being held at, and I was being terrible company. "Tanya being her usual self?" Carmen batted her eyes mockingly and I had to laugh. I honestly didn't know who in my life had disliked Tanya most from the start; my mother, Alice, or Carmen. Sadly I hadn't listened to any of them, then again I got Lizzie out of it so at least it was all for the best.

"I just wanted to talk to Lizzie." I sounded defeated. I NEVER sounded defeated. I swear my ex-wife was slowly crushing my soul.

"Have you thought about getting her a cell phone?" I shrugged. It was a little odd to get a 5 year old a cell phone but at the same time I couldn't deny that I liked the idea of being able to reach her when she wasn't with me. "They have ones that can only dial certain numbers. You can teach her that it's only to call you." I was liking the idea more and more as the minutes clicked by and I wasn't getting a return call from Tanya. Carmen was able to distract me easily enough from my emotional maelstrom with jokes. She was actually a very fun woman to be around and was probably my best friend in the whole world, despite being my employee. She'd been my assistant for almost 10 years now and was irreplaceable in my life. She had a knack for really 'getting' people and excelled at dealing with them after I'd long lost my patience.

My phone buzzed at the table, since I had it on silent and Carmen laughed. "Better late then never." I rolled my eyes with a smirk while grabbing the phone, expecting to see Tanya's name flashing. As soon as my eyes found the screen I froze... It was Bella's name instead. Carmen frowned as she looked at the phone before I pressed talk and lifted it to my ear.

"Bella?" It slipped out as I softly spoke her name for the first time in days. Ever since I'd stupidly uttered Ms. Swan after our dinner together. On top of realizing the mistake as soon as the name was out of my mouth, I'd unfortunately been forced to keep doing it as she called me Mr. Cullen after the screw-up. GOD how I hated it.

"Hi... Edward." I would have smiled at her saying my name... but she sounded upset... Lizzie?

"Is everything alright? Did Tanya pick up Lizzie okay?" A part of me wanted to ask if 'SHE' was okay but things were confusing enough between us right now.

"Ummm, no." I felt the wind leave me as she said that. Was Lizzie okay? Was she hurt? Where was she? "Lizzie's wonderful. Her and I are drawing right now." Just as quickly as my heart sank I felt okay again. Far from perfect, but at least okay. Bella always seemed to know what to say to help me breathe again.

"Is everything okay?" Carmen spoke quietly and my eyes went to hers. I held the phone to my shirt as I glanced at the time on my watch. It was almost an hour after the school released. Why the Hell was Lizzie still at school?!

"FUCK!" I couldn't help my anger though I was thankful to keep my voice in check. She hadn't picked up Lizzie... again. "I'm stuck in FUCKING CANADA and my daughter is stranded at school." I whisper yelled to Carmen who's eyes widened. Not at my tone, but at the situation. She knew my temper well. She immediately pulled out her tablet and I knew she was looking for someone who could pick up my daughter. My sister maybe?

I took a deep breath... or three and returned to Bella, trying with everything in me to keep my calm. "Tanya didn't show up." I had no idea why I said that as that was an obvious observation but some part of me needed clarification. Clarification that Tanya had yet again disappointed me and our child. Proof that once again Tanya had proven that she was never going to be the mother my Lizzie deserved.

"No, and I left messages under every number I have for her. I'm sorry to have to..." It killed me that Bella felt so bad for me. This certainly wasn't her fault... not in the least. "I'm sorry." God why was she so kind all the time? So perfect? Why did she care so much? There was no falseness in her sorrow, she was genuine. Then again she always was.

I pulled the phone back to my shirt as I spoke to Carmen. "Alice?" She knew what I was asking. She had just gotten off the phone with someone, probably Alice. I only had family listed to pick up Lizzie and she was the only one who I wasn't sure of her schedule at the moment.

"She's stuck at a medical event of some kind." Carmen looked really sorry as she gave me the bad news. My sister was following in our fathers footsteps to become a doctor and was in her first year of med school. I knew she would not be readily available as a result of her major but I had to try.

"FUCK!" My voice was getting a little louder as I was hanging on by a GOD DAMN thread at this point. My little girl was stranded and I had NO WAY of getting to her. I pulled the phone back to my ear and tried so hard not to scream.

"I'm not close by right now. We had a conference a few hours away with another firm." No need to elaborate that I was an entire country away. "I'm leaving now but with traffic it will be... awhile." Carmen shot up from her seat and ran off. I knew she was handling making sure I could leave early. Of course COULD was the wrong terminology. No one was going to stop me getting to Lizzie, but I was sure Carmen could smooth it over, since lord knows I was in no position to do it. I kept taking deep breaths, not knowing how to handle everything I was feeling right now. Angry, worried, sad, powerless... there was to much. I tried to tell myself that panicking was only going to make things worse but God I just wanted to scream at the top of my lungs right now. My daughter had NO ONE she could depend on right now. The thought made my heart hurt, and my stomach sick.

"Did you want me to call her grandparents?" She still had an understanding tone and I knew she was trying her best to help. If only there was something ANYONE could do...

"They are out of state... it's their anniversary. I would call my brother but he and his wife are on a long weekend getaway." I sounded dead, but it was this or shouting, and I refused to take this out on Bella. She had received enough Bullshit thanks to Tanya as it was. The woman was my mistake alone and therefore my responsibility.

"Ummm,... If...if... you wanted me to... I could take Lizzie to my apartment."

"What?" Did she really just say that?

"Well I live really close and she could hang out with me for awhile." Her voice was shaky and hesitant. I imagined she was also blushing, since she usually was. "My room-mate..."

"Angela?" I remembered her talking about living with her best-friend, who was a nurse.

"Yeah, Angela... She works late tonight so it would be just Lizzie and me." I had to smirk slightly at Bella rambling. She was always so nervous and it was so enchanting.

"Bella, you shouldn't have to do that." She was so sweet, especially when it came to Lizzie, and that little fact had not gone unnoticed. She went out of her way for my daughter at every turn and it was becoming harder to ignore how much that meant to me. I knew for a fact that school policy would demand that Bella hand this situation over to the office, meaning authorities and child services. The idea of my 5 year old daughter in the custody of strangers for any period of time made me sick. She would be terrified and confused, not knowing what was going on. It seemed Bella was willing to do anything to prevent something like that, just like I would.

"I don't mind. I love being with Lizzie." If only her own mother felt that way. I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath. What options did I have? Tanya had left me and Lizzie with absolutely none and I had to get her safe. With Bella I KNEW that she would be safe, happy, and taken care of. "Did you want to speak with her?"

I smiled as I said yes. Put Bella down as one of only two people that could always make me feel better. "Hi Daddy."

"Hi baby. How was school today?" I needed something normal and asking her about her day was something I did everyday. As she spoke I found Carmen and she let me know that she would handle my room and everything so I could just leave. I felt bad about leaving her here so I left her my credit card to get back to the states in the morning. She probably would have argued with me but didn't want to hold me up. Lizzie told me about a book Bella had given her and how she wanted me to model for her so she could paint my eyes. I laughed at how silly my little girl was. She had always loved my eyes despite the fact that she had the same ones. I told her to be good for Bella and that I would get there as soon as I could. She promised she would before telling me she loved me which I said back immediately. I certainly loved my baby girl with every fiber of my being.

Bella got back on the phone and I felt so much gratitude toward this incredible woman. Yet again she had gone above and beyond for Lizzie and me. "Bella you have no idea how much this means to me. I'm so sorry for this, and I can assure you, it WILL NOT happen again." I meant every word. I WOULD be dealing with this, and with Tanya.

"Of course. Anytime... Edward." Christ this awkwardness was back... I hate how she sounds when saying my name now. She was always shy about it but this was different. I couldn't help but want to kick my own ass over it. The whole situation with us was entirely my fault and I so badly wanted to fix it.

"Thank-you Bella. Could you text me your address? I'll put it into my navigation, and I'll call when I'm close by." She was silent for a short moment.

"Sure. It's really easy to spot, right off the main street." The one sentence sounded cheery but the silence after it was ominous. It was strange how I could feel the emotions between us somehow, even-though it was just a phone call. Was that possible, to feel someone else like that? "What should I do with the office involving Tanya not showing up?" Oh that was a matter I would certainly be handling, but I needed to think first. Acting irrationally would only cause problems. I needed to be level headed, which meant I needed to wait till I was calm. One thing I knew about family law was that things got emotionally heated fast and the calmer party typically got their way.

"I will take care of it. You've done more then enough. Thanks again Bella." I hope she knew how much I meant my words. I wanted her to know how much doing this meant not just to Lizzie, but to me as well. It meant the world to me.

"You're welcome Edward." She was so sweet, and I felt like an ass for how everything went with us since that night. She didn't deserve how I'd been. I know I wasn't rude and I didn't ignore her... exactly, but I wasn't exactly right with her either.

"Hey, Edward?" Her voice was even softer now, comforting.

"Yes?"

"Lizzie's in good hands. I promise she'll have lots of fun and I'll fill her up with so much sugar she'll be a bundle of smiles when you get here." She was actually trying to make me feel better. She was already going far beyond anything she should have to do as Lizzie's teacher and she was now trying to make me feel better, just because. I couldn't help but laugh at her remark as I got into my car and started pulling out of the hotel. I put Seattle into my GPS as I didn't have her address yet.

"Thanks again Bella... for everything. I'll see you both soon." We both hung up and I actually felt a small smile as I thought about the fact that I would get to see them both in a few short hours.

…...

Bella had texted me her address as soon as we hung up and after I put it into my GPS, I'd been lost in my own thoughts. I had a lot to deal with right now. As I drove I was on the phone non-stop with just about everyone I knew in the entire fucking world. Alice had called me in tears, telling me she would go get Lizzie, and it took a lot of convincing to tell her Lizzie was fine. I would not let Tanya ruin my baby sister's career. It was the first semester of her dream and if she left, it would certainly make her look bad. Alice LOVED my little Lizzie and spent a lot of time with her, far more then her own mother did it seemed. My whole family was very close and the idea of our youngest member being... abandoned... I flinched at the word... didn't sit well with any of us.

Practically the instant I was off the phone with a still sobbing Alice, my mother called me. The moment I saw THAT name flashing on my phone I knew all Hell was going to break lose. I knew Bella hadn't called her as I'd already told her my parents were out of town. It was doubtful Carmen would as she also knew but the how wasn't important. "FUCK, SHIT, GOD DAMMIT." My mother was not one to be trifled with when it came to her babies... meaning Lizzie. Imagine every Irish temper stereotype you can think of... well they all represented my mother flawlessly. She was a force to be reckoned with, and NO ONE crossed her, EVER.

"Hi, mom. How's your trip?" I flinched at how overly friendly I sounded when I answered the phone after my brief panic attack.

"Hi, Edward. It's your dad." I breathed deeply and my dad chuckled softly at my obvious relief. My father was as Irish as my mother but he had never had the infamous temper that my mother... and admittedly I... were known for. Emmett was just like him, friendly and happy all the time. Alice was in the middle somewhere. 99% of the time she was sunshine and rainbows but if you DID manage to get her pissed, her temper was almost as bad as our mom's. "Don't sound to relieved. I've got your mother calm... sort of... but she wants to know what's going on with Elizabeth."

"She's safe dad." I was amazed at how positive I sounded. Not because Bella wasn't trustworthy, but simply due to the fact that I only ever trusted my family with Lizzie... not even fully Tanya, if I was being honest. The silence told me he wanted more information. "A friend of mine has Lizzie. She's very trustworthy and Lizzie absolutely loves her."

"A friend? She?" Fucking Christ, seriously? My family and their constant match making attempts was never less appreciated then right now.

"Yes she. Her name is Bella Swan. She's actually Lizzie's teacher."

"I thought she was a friend?"

"She can be more then one thing." Did I sound a little to defensive?

"I'm sure she can." What the hell did that mean? Thankfully I didn't have to dwell on any potential passive aggression my father may or may not be displaying because he was never one to push unnecessarily. He told me he would let my mother know everything was fine and I was relieved to be able to escape dealing with her rage... for now. I loved my mother but I was angry enough on my own right now. I needed calm minds, not fuel to the fire. That was probably why my father called me, he knew that all to well.

After dealing with my family I had to deal with reality. I had left Tanya a message on every number I had for her, just as Bella had, and despite wanting desperately to yell I kept it simple. I stated that 'I' had picked up Lizzie from school as she hadn't shown up and no one knew where she was. I was not dumb enough to say something on a recording that could be used against me in court. I called both of my secretaries and they were handling emails and Tanya's office. I WOULD not have her claim I kidnapped my daughter. I didn't think she would resort that low but I wasn't putting any faith in the woman. Not anymore anyway.

From now on I would make sure there was a paper trail for absolutely everything. I was many things, but an idiot wasn't among them. I had told Bella I would handle this and I would. Speaking of which I needed to protect Bella as well as myself and Lizzie. I had my secretary, Tia, place a change on Lizzie's emergency contact list, using my electronic signature. I had her add Bella's name as I absolutely would not allow Bella to pay the price for her kindness. I didn't know what trouble she COULD get into for helping Lizzie and me but I would do everything in my power to make sure it was none.

"Hello?" Bella sounded happy, like she'd just been laughing. I felt myself smile at her tone.

"Hi, Bella. I'm about 20 minutes away right now." There was a long pause as soon as the words were out.

"Oh...okay. We'll see you when you get here." Why did she sound upset?

"Is everything alright?"

"Of course." She paused again for a moment. "Lizzie and I were just making dinner is all." I laughed at that. She was upset she had to give Lizzie up. Of course she was. "Lizzie..." I heard Bella call to her. "...your dad is almost here." I heard Lizzie shout happily and Bella laugh. I smiled, always loving that she was my biggest fan.

"I'll be there soon. Thank-you again Bella." I didn't wait for her response as I hung up. I looked at the clock for the millionth time since leaving that hotel. It was almost 5 now because of traffic. I should have been here much sooner.

I eventually got to her apartment complex and parked the closest I could to the building Bella had sent me the name of. I parked down a bit as obviously most spots were taken by the tenants in for the night. I looked at my watch out of habit. It would take Lizzie and I at least 45minutes to get home from here in 5 o'clock traffic.

The apartment building was right off the street as she said it would be. I got out of my car and stared up at the 6 story apartment building. It actually was pretty nice but there was a lot of noise and little view outside traffic congestion. The address she sent me was the fifth floor so I went to the elevator and headed up. Another thing I didn't miss about apartment/condo living... going up stairs and elevators all the time. Overall there was a lot of convenience to this lifestyle, such as no maintenance but I hated not having my own space. I reached the door and knocked twice.

KNOCK, KNOCK

"Who's there?" I smiled at Lizzie giggling through the door.

"Cow's go." I couldn't resist playing with her through the door. Lizzie loved Knock Knock jokes, and as a result I knew a lot of them.

She giggled some more and I was certain I heard Bella laughing as well.

"Cow's go who?" They both asked and I had to chuckle at their synced voices.

"No silly girls. Cows go Moo." Lizzie started laughing hard and Bella opened the door through her own soft laugh. Lizzie jumped onto my legs before the door was even fully open so I bent down to pick her up. She was somehow still laughing at my horrible joke but hey I did the best I could on the spot. I kissed her little face repeatedly and she held me tight around the neck, though not as tight as I held her. Bella held the door open for me and I walked in while still holding my little girl tightly with all I had.

"I missed you baby girl." I really hated being away from her and it never seemed to get any easier. Bella closed the door just as I put Lizzie down and she scurried off... somewhere. I looked up to Bella and she was smiling softly. I couldn't resist smiling right back at her and for the first time in a week she blushed for me. All I could think about was how beautiful she was when she did that. How was it even possible that I could have missed that so much?

"Cows go Moo. That's the best you got?" She was trying to not look at me as her blush intensified. I was actually glad she was looking away as I couldn't stop starring at her, and I was being quite obvious in my ogling. She was wearing... big surprise... a dress. It was black and white polka-dots. Seriously who even owned something like that? Of course she looked perfect in it, and it just aided in my inability to look away. She was so beyond beautiful and cute that it was completely unbelievable.

"Can you do better?" I raised an eyebrow in challenge as she looked back at me. She bit her lip as she starred back at me. After a short moment she tensed her shoulders in determination and raised her head in a playfully defiant way.

"Knock Knock." I narrowed my eyes at her accepting my challenge, but smiled before answering.

"Who's there?

"Bella." I smirked widely having no clue where she was going with this but loving the chance to say her name to her face.

"Bella who?" She grew a little pink. Maybe I was bringing back some of my flirtatious ways with the way I spoke her name softly. I couldn't help it though, she's so damn perfect.

"Bella who? You forgot me already?" She looked indignant as she placed her hands on her hips and I laughed at her stance. I took a step towards her and the pink in her face instantly turned red. I leaned down and whispered softly in her ear.

"I could never forget you Bella." I gave her a light stroke on the cheek with my finger and she smiled kindly in return.

…...

Without much pleading, the girls convinced me to stay for dinner. Honestly what fight could I put up when both looked at me with so much hope. Bella was teaching Lizzie to make spaghetti and garlic bread with a salad. Lizzie hated salad but apparently was more then happy to make one if Bella was there. I had offered my services but Lizzie had shot me a dirty look and told me SHE wanted to make the food with Bella and I wasn't invited. I raised my hands in surrender of my little girls surprising amount of outrage and territoriality. Well, e-x-c-u-s-e me...

It was probably just as well since I was still warding off phone calls from my entire world, though now it was really just work calls. Carmen called shortly after I was banished from the kitchen to the living room. She asked if Lizzie was okay and I told her everything was great. She relayed everything I'd missed from the meeting as I watched the girls in the kitchen. Bella had pulled up a chair to the counter so Lizzie could reach the stove. I wasn't exactly comfortable with her so close to the heat source but Bella was watching closely

Lizzie was stirring the sauce while Bella buttered the bread. I heard her strictly refuse Lizzie's request to help with that, stating she couldn't have knives until she was bigger. I smiled at Bella's maternal tone when she refused Lizzie's famous pout. After the bread was put in the oven, Lizzie came to the living room with me and started drawing at the coffee table. Bella was cleaning up in the kitchen and I felt bad she was doing it alone. I really wanted to help but I couldn't seem to stop the onslaught of calls.

"Daddy look." I was on the phone with more co-workers about the Canada issue when Lizzie showed me a drawing of her, Bella, and me. I told them to hold, not caring if they were annoyed or not. I put the phone down and held the drawing. She drew all of us at a table with a, slightly to large to scale, bowl of spaghetti between us. She even drew Bella's polka-dot dress and my suit and tie. She was getting so good at drawing. We all had big smiles on our faces and I could tell she'd been working on the drawing for awhile, probably with Bella's help. She was after-all, ALWAYS helping Lizzie.

"I love it baby." I really did, and in fact I could barely stop staring at it. I grabbed it from her as I took in all the detail, unable to figure out exactly what it was about the drawing that gave me such a... was it blissful?... feeling. I wasn't sure how long I starred at it but as I was starting to hand it back to Lizzie I got that feeling you get when you know you're being watched. I glanced up and sure enough Bella was watching me closely. It was clear she'd been starring at me awhile but as soon as she saw me she looked away, not fast enough to hide her blush though. I gave Lizzie a quick kiss then I grabbed the phone back, quickly dismissing the caller. After I hung up I put my phone on silent. I didn't want to deal with anymore work tonight... Not tonight.

…...

Dinner was nice, really nice, even-though Bella and I hardly spoke. Things were still so awkward between us but I didn't want it to be. I didn't want to toy with Bella in any way, of course I didn't, and I also didn't want to confuse myself. That left me with the obvious question of, what did I want? As I watched Bella in that kitchen with Lizzie and thought about that drawing I couldn't seem to take my eyes off of, what I wanted became quite clear, even if it was also ridiculous... Was it though?

I learned that the two girls had a very busy afternoon together while I'd been stuck in traffic. Lizzie showed me a painting she'd done with Bella and I felt a twinge of guilt. She had never painted until that first art class and she had talked about it non-stop afterword... until she was pulled out of the class that is. After getting pulled Lizzie never talked about painting again. I saw Bella watch me, closer then she had throughout the night, as Lizzie showed me the painting. She looked confused when I smiled and praised the work. That seemed like an odd reaction. Why was she confused? I always praised Lizzie's art.

"Daddy can we get ice cream?" I really wanted to say no, it had been a LONG day, but she looked so hopeful, how could I refuse?

"Of course baby." She jumped up and hugged me tightly in thanks. Everything got awkward fast when Lizzie immediately invited Bella to join us. I should have seen that coming but somehow I didn't. I froze and I was pretty sure Bella did too though she recovered faster then me. Bella didn't even look at me as she leaned down and told Lizzie that she couldn't but that Lizzie should get a double scoop in her honor. Lizzie agreed easily and ran to... what I figured was Bella's room, to grab her stuff. Bella glanced at me before silently grabbing some dishes and heading around the corner to the kitchen. I grabbed the last few things and followed just as quietly. I HATED this, the awkwardness. I especially hated it knowing it was all my fault. I just wanted the old us back, if you can call a couple amazing, albeit short, interactions 'old'.

The kitchen was very small, so I knew Bella could tell I was in there, though she said nothing as she started washing the dishes. I placed the ones I'd grabbed next to her and her movements stopped momentarily before she resumed. My eyes darted around the small space. Like the rest of the apartment, everything was small, but tidy and comfortable. As my gaze went to the fridge I felt a large smile take over my face when I saw that playground picture Lizzie had drawn Bella on the first day of school, the one Lizzie gave Bella to cheer her up. Bella still had it, in her apartment, on her fridge. I grabbed it and starred at it, unable to believe that Bella kept such a thing.

She was still busy washing the dishes so I took the moment to stare at her... to really see her. I realized with a a shocking amount of clarity something as I watched her. I missed her, as stupid as that sounded, it was the complete truth. I truly and simply missed her. I miss seeing her, talking with her, flirting with her, I miss it all. "Bella, are you sure you don't want to come with us?" I already knew the answer, but I also knew it was because of me. I had to try something. I wanted to fix... whatever this was.

"It's probably best that I don't." She almost sounded... was that mad?

"Bella?" I stepped a bit closer and she turned to face me, a look of determination on her face. Her eyes went to the drawing I was still holding before she took a deep breath. I put the drawing back, keeping my eyes on her as I did. Her eyes followed my movement before meeting my eyes.

"Edward... Mr. Cullen." Okay not going to lie, that hurt but I deserved it. "I don't understand what you want." I tried to speak but she obviously wasn't done as she continued quickly. "You seemed so excited about Lizzie going to my art class and then without even telling me you pulled her out, after only one session." I was caught off guard by the edge in her voice. She was actually angry at me. I almost didn't recognize the sound coming from her soft voice, but it was there alright, anger. "Lizzie loves art so much and you just pulled her out. I don't understand why you would do that. You always seem so supportive of her creativity. In class you always praise her projects and... even tonight when she showed you everything she did..." Bella was really upset and it blew me away, watching her fight like this for Lizzie.

I was usually good at handling tension and unexpected situations but I was at a complete loss for words or how to feel right now. This wasn't something I was used to. I was always Lizzie's champion. I had been fighting for her since day one, against her neglectfully selfish mother and every other threat that popped up. I realized in this moment, as I listened to Bella battle for her, that I've stopped doing that. I've focused more on keeping the peace between Tanya and me then doing what's best for Lizzie. And now, here's Bella, someone who has only known Lizzie for a short while and yet she was fighting for Lizzie over a simple art class. That used to me, I used to be the one fighting for everything Lizzie could ever want or need. I would argue with Tanya over every little thing if it was important to Lizzie. A class, a family event that conflicted with our custody agreement, clothes, hell beauty events (Tanya wanted them and Lizzie did not). Somewhere along the line I stopped fighting so hard. Yes, I wanted to keep things as cordial as possible with Tanya but at what cost? If she pulled this stunt now, what about the next art class Lizzie wanted, or science class, or any number of things. Tanya's job was only getting more demanding, not less. If I didn't take a stand now, Tanya's selfishness was only going to get worse.

Bella was fighting me, even-though she had absolutely NO SAY in what happened. She wasn't Lizzie's father or mother but she was fighting as only a parent would. She was fighting ME, because she cared, because it was right.

"I know things got... off... with... but I don't understand." I frowned as Bella continued to speak and ramble. "Lizzie loves art. Why would you pull her from something she loves?" I felt frozen as Bella said that. I knew what Tanya had done but hearing it worded like that, something that Lizzie loves taken from her, really hit me hard. How the hell HAD I allowed this? Why? No-one, not even Bella, knew how much Lizzie loved art more then I did. She's been drawing since she was old enough to hold a crayon. What was wrong with me? "Lizzie loves my class, my art class..."

"You?" I spoke for the first time since she started defending Lizzie. Bella looked up at me sadly and I stepped closer. I wanted so badly to touch her but I didn't know how she would take something like that right now. "Lizzie loves you Bella." I knew how much Lizzie cared for Bella, that was a big reason for why she loved the class so much. Ever since the first day of school she spoke of Bella non-stop. I was beginning to fully understand that the bond went both ways. Bella really loved Lizzie, she didn't even have to say it, because it was obvious.

"I love Lizzie too." She was so small again, huddled into herself, no longer fighting me. I couldn't resist any longer as I watched sadness wash over her small frame. I reached forward and pulled her into a hug. I held her head against my chest and she let me, even wrapping her arms around me loosely.

She sniffed quietly as I held her, trying my best to make her feel better. After a few moments I decided to speak. "I didn't pull Lizzie from your class Bella." She pulled back to look up at me and I gave her a small sad smile. "Tanya did, and I didn't have the choice to stop her. Technically the class infringes on her time with Lizzie and per our custody agreement she has the right to refuse any extra-curricular activities." Bella looked surprised before hanging her head again. I pulled her face up to look at me. "I wouldn't have pulled her away from you Bella, never." I had meant to say 'from your class' but it came out as 'from you.'

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have assumed..." She looked embarrassed and despite the sadness of the moment I couldn't deny that she was still beautiful, even when sad.

I shushed her before she could finish. "Bella, you're not wrong though. I let Tanya do this." She looked confused and I took a deep breath. "By not fighting Tanya on this, I virtually abandoned Lizzie." Bella went to interrupt but I just rubbed her arms as I continued. I felt like I needed to get this out and off my chest. "I've always fought Tanya for Lizzie, practically since the day she was born. Tanya can be such a selfish woman and she doesn't even see what it costs our child."

"That's not your fault." I smiled at Bella as she tried to defend ME now. She was without a doubt the kindest person I'd ever met. I realized I was still touching her arms and holding her close, but I was in no hurry to let her go and she didn't seem to mind our closeness either.

"Perhaps not, but allowing this... is. That's solely on me." I glanced at the picture on Bella's fridge before looking back at her. "I will get her back into your class Bella." I would, I was done catering to Tanya. "I promise you that."

"I don't want to cause problems." I didn't laugh, I just watched her kind face for a moment, before making the bold move to stroke her face with the back of my hand.

"You aren't. I should fight for Lizzie, always." I felt so much gratitude for Bella, and for a lot more then being there for Lizzie today when I had no one else. "Thank-you for reminding me of that." Just thinking of everything Tanya had done, hell today alone, showed I needed to fight her. Bella smiled and it was the first real one she'd given me since my stupid joke when I arrived. My hands moved up and down her arms a little and surprisingly she didn't tense in anyway, she just watched me. "I will make everything right again Bella, you have my word." Custody changes, lawyers, court again, it was going to be ugly, but I was going to do it anyway. For Lizzie, for Bella, Hell for myself.

"Everything?" I took a deep breath knowing that we suddenly weren't talking about Lizzie anymore. Her eyes looked so confused and I wondered if mine looked the same. There is a FIFTEEN year age difference between me and the woman currently in my arms. 15 years... I knew the math, the numbers... She's only 20 years old, I'm 5 years away from 40. It's ridiculous but God when I look at her, see into her eyes, all I can think is how much I want her... How perfect she is...

I brought my hand up and just held her face for a moment, starring at her. She's so kind, beautiful, sweet, innocent, giving, devoted, smart, creative. Why was I fighting this? I didn't want to fight this.

"Everything." She smiled at my confirmation and I smiled right back. Where one fight in my life was just starting, I was done fighting this.

END NOTES:

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-Edward certainly doesn't want to fight his attraction to Bella anymore, so he wont.

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