AN: I apologize for the long update delay. Work took a lot of my mental strength the past week working up to the holidays and only off on the day had me drained completely. Hopefully, I can get around the finishing this story by the end of this month.

Chapter 14

Bella stared at Wes. She was dumbfounded. Completely dumbfounded. Wesley. Her ex-fiancé was in her apartment, wanting her back after a year apart. Her now married ex, wanted her back. Was he crazy? Bella had to shake her head. Flashes of previous dates, hot kisses under the sun with Wesley flooded her memory. Gone was those handsome shady blonde hair and cute goatee. The way he held her on her red carpet of her book release. He was such a handsome man. But it was then Bella realized she might have appeared happy with Wesley beside her in those pictures, and maybe she was happy to a certain degree, but nothing compared to the love and happiness she felt and feels even now after just 2 months with Edward. Edward. His handsome face flashed through her mind. That sexy smirk, his vibrant green eyes filled with love and devotion. His smile is burnt into her soul. Bella looked into Wes's pleading eyes. He must have taken her gasp as an invitation, because Wes leaned forward and closed his eyes as he moved to kiss Bella. Bella frowned. And then her confusion, her frown, turned into a fiery glare. Wesley had lost his blonde hair, not with a buzzed haircut, and a much longer beard.

"Seriously Wes!" Bella shoved Wes away. He stumbled backward.

"Bella, come with me quickly," Angela said quickly taking Bella's arm and pulling her out of the apartment. Bella was able to grab her purse on the way out the door and give Wesley a final glare before the door closed. Bella pressed the elevator button harder than she wanted a couple of times. A few seconds later, the doors opened.

"What the fuck Angela?"

"I don't know what the hell he was doing back there with confessing his love for you and going in for a kiss," Angela said pushing the button to lobby. "But he did leave Ellie."

"What?" Bella asked.

"Or she kicked him out, not too sure, I'm still getting all the details. Ellie hasn't been to work since..."

"What? Since what?"

"Uh…their break-up I guess."

"Fine, but why is he here?"

"He had no place to go Bella. He was sleeping on streets outside the apartment on a rainy night, begging to see you. I told him you were gone, but he didn't believe me," Angela said.

"Ok, but why is he still here?" They exited the building.

"I felt sorry for him Bella, you didn't see him that night. He was lost and, very pitiful, so I told him he could stay the night. That was over a week ago. And then you sent me the book and now you're back so fast…"

"He has plenty of money, why not send him to stay at a hotel? Not our spare room!"

"I know, I'm sorry. At first it was a couple of days, now it's been over a week. But I told him to be gone once you got back today. I guess, he didn't listen to me."

"He never does! Does he know about Edward?"

"No! Never. I haven't said anything about Edward or why you went to Robinson Island."

"Good, don't."

"So, besides that… How are you?" Angela asked.

"What?"

"You girl! It's been almost 3 months since I have seen you!"

"We talked like every other day on FaceTime!"

"Not the same! Talk to me! You look good. Looks like I did some good sending you away." Bella smiled.

"Oh, being away was exactly what I needed. Thank you."


Just before dinnertime, Edward called Bella. Bella realized she totally forgot to call when she arrived to her apartment, having been spooked by seeing Wesley being in her place. Angela distracted Bella with shopping for her work suit and pumps she was going to wear to impress the publishers for tomorrow's meeting.

"I miss you already, but I don't think you miss me," Edward said. "You totally forgot about me that fast Beautiful."

"What?! Are you kidding me, I miss you so much."

"Yet you forgot to call."

"Yes I know. And I am so, so sorry. Something happened, shocking me as soon as I walked through the door. My brain has been in a fog ever since."

"Oh, what happened?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know."

"Of course I do."

"It's just…"

"Tell me Beautiful. Is it something to do with your book? Did your publisher reject it before the meeting?"

Bella didn't want to talk about Wes or the fact that he was here, but of course secrets always have a way of coming out. Wesley calls out Bella's name and comes into her room. Edward could see through Bella's phone a man behind her inside her bedroom.

"Who is he?" Edward asked.

"Wha...Wes!"

"Angela wanted to know if you wanted to go out for dinner or stay in.."

"Wesley, get out!"

"Wesley?! Who is...oh..." Edward realized the guy behind Bella was her ex.

"I don't care, please go! I am on the phone!"

"Who are you talking to?"

"Wes go now!"

"Bella…."

"Bella.." Wes repeated.

"Leave!" Wes walked out.


"Why is your fiancé in your bedroom?"

"Ex-fiancé, and trust me, it was a totally surprise to me to find him staying here as well."

"He's staying with you?"

"NO!" Bella exclaimed. "He's staying in the spare bedroom. Angela felt sorry for him and well…"

"Why didn't you tell me you were going back to your fiancé?"

"Let me repeat, ex-fiancé, Edward. I didn't even know he was here!"

"Is that why you didn't call me when you arrived?"

"What? NO! Well yes, he is the reason for the foggy brain. But Edward, please, I can explain…"

"You don't call me when you land, it's hours later and I call you only to find your fiancé in your bedroom."

"Ex-fiancé!"

"You keep saying ex yet he is there in your place."

"Edward, seriously, you think I came back for him?"

"I don't know what to think," Edward said. "You didn't call me. I knew something was wrong, and when I asked, you didn't even tell me your fiancé was staying with you.

"Ex-fiancé. Let me stress the ex part! Please, don't think I came back for anything other than my book. I should have told you about Wesley here, but honestly I thought he would be gone by the time I got back. Of course, with my luck, he isn't."


After Bella calmed down Edward and explained the Wes situation as far as she knew it, Edward was a bit more understanding. He could sense Bella really was just confused, and distracted by the sudden reappearance of her ex. It was a honest mistake she forgot to call after she sent him off a text she landed. Bella hated herself and would probably be kicking herself later that she left out Wes's confession of love, but she promised to call Edward immediately after her meeting with her publisher tomorrow. Bella plugged her phone and went to find Wes. She was pissed off and he was about to face her fiery. Bella came out her bedroom and immediately found him.

"Hey, look I'm sorry…"

"Listen up dude. You are to knock before entering my bedroom, you hear me."

"Sorry, I didn't know you were on the phone? Who was he?"

"HE, is none of your concern."

"Angela told me you were gone a few months, some island. Is he the reason you stayed so long? Have you moved on?"

"Why does it matter to you? You are married!"

"She's pregnant Bella."

"What?"

"Ellie, she's pregnant and it's not my baby." Bella looked at him.

"What?"

Wes broke down in tears, which had Angela and Bella pulling him over to the couch. Bella couldn't remember anytime she has seen Wesley cry over the years. Maybe when his grandfather died he shed a few private tears, but never like this. Wes had broke down. He was a broken man before her. Bella could only comfort her ex. Wes held Bella's hands, while sobbing next to her. Angela got up to make some tea after handing out tissue. Bella helped clear the tear stained cheeks of Wes.

"It's my fault?"

"What? Why?"

"I guess it's karma," Wesley said after he calmed down.

"Karma?"
"I cheated on you. I cheated on you with Ellie. And then, I wasn't faithful with Ellie until after we got married. Of course, she would cheated on me and get pregnant."

"How? She was so in love with you?"

"Even though it was before the wedding, she was hurt to find out I slept with her cousin."

"You slept with her cousin! How doggy are you, Wes! Seriously!"

"I know, I know! I told you it was karma!"

"So before you two were married, you were cheating on her?"

"I tried Bella! I tried to be good! But I didn't really think I would marry anyone so soon after we broke up. You were the only woman I ever wanted to marry. And Ellie wasn't you. You didn't need to be married to me. But Ellie had to be married. So I gave in after a few months and went along with it."

"How do you know the baby is not yours?"

"We have been fighting for months. Ever since she found out about her cousin, she hasn't let me...we haven't had sex since June."

"And she's pregnant now?"

"6 weeks. Ellie knows it's not mine. I know it's not fucking mine. She's probably going to file for divorce. If she wasn't pregnant, maybe...but now, she just wants it to be over, so she can be with him." Angela brought over a tray of tea.

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know! I am mad! She wants a divorce! I know I should just accept it, since I cheated first. But since we got married, I have been good. I didn't deserve this." Angela and Bella rolled their eyes. Of course he feels slighted. He cheats, but God forbid the woman does the same. "That didn't sounds right. I have not right to be mad at her. Elle and I just were never right for each other," Wes said looking at Bella. "I see that now clearer than I ever did before. You are the one Bella. The one I want to marry. The one I still love."


Alice was out for dinner with Jasper when she got a weird feeling. She looked up after a weird vision.

"Darling, are you ok?" Jasper asked grabbing her hand.

"No way."

"What?"

"Wes. I see Wes and Bella, together."

"Who is Wes?"

"Bella's ex… Ex-fiancé."

"When you say together? Do you mean like together?"

"He was in her arms...Bella was smiling, he was holding her hand. No way. Where is Edward?"


Edward had already decided to fly to New York after getting off the phone with Bella Monday evening. He made sure nothing important was on his calendar before he found a flight out the next evening. Edward left for the mainland Tuesday afternoon after Bella called, so excited about her new book getting published . Edward couldn't be prouder. Bella told Edward she could call him once they got the book contract signed and of course he would be sent the very first copy. Jasper got a text message from Edward as soon as Edward was heading to the mainland. Jasper wasn't surprised. He was happy his friend was going after the woman he loves. Jasper knows he would do the same for Alice. Edward knew it was silly and he trusted Bella, but knowing her ex-fiancé was there set off a lot of insecurities in him. And jealousy got the best of Edward, even though in his heart there were no signs she would stray to her ex. When Bella flew back home, Edward knew she loves him, but what if time apart and seeing Wes changes that. They have only known each other for 3 months.

Edward carried his huge yellow duffle bag and smaller red duffle bag with him as he walked out of the airport. As he was about to get in a cab, Edward realize he didn't have Bella's New York address. Edward got a text from Alice. It had the address to the apartment. Edward smiled and fired off a 'thank you' reply to Alice. Angela was shocked when the doorman said Edward was waiting downstairs Wednesday morning.

"You're here!"

"Where is Bella?"

"She left for coffee before her meeting with a book illustrator."

"I thought you usually work on the cover art for Bella's stories?"

"I usually do, but for this story, since it's so different from any other novel, a fresh artist would be a nice change. If Bella doesn't like anything they come up with today, then she and I will work on the art together. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to surprise her," Edward said. "She was so happy yesterday."

"She sure is going to be surprised to see you. I am so happy you are here," Angela said. "Let me show you around."


The ladies' apartment is an one-of-a-kind duplex penthouse located in the Dietz Lantern Building in Tribeca, New York City. The luxury 4 bedroom 3 and a half bathroom apartment occupies the building's entire top two floors. Spectacular views and light flood the apartment from fifty windows facing east, west, north, and south of lower Manhattan. But it's the terrace with its lap swimming pool that really makes this penthouse so unique. This four bedroom, three and half bathroom duplex loft penthouse has the focal point of this home with the dramatic double height living room graced with a glass enclosed viewing garden open to the sky, separating the master suite from the living area. This property flows seamlessly on two levels with approximately 3,500 square feet of interior space and 2,200 square feet of outdoor space covering private terraces, all landscaped. Edward knew Bella loved the large terrace for her writing, with a large a complete kitchen, an outdoor "living room" defined and shaded by a pergola, with open and clear views of Tribeca.

Angela took Edward around the apartment before suggesting they go get coffee at a bakery down the street. Edward and Angela walked into the bakery to find Wes and Bella sitting at a small table, staring at each other. 2 coffee cups between them. Wes was holding Bella's hand with a smile on his face. Bella smiled when Wes kissed her hand. Bella looked passed Wesley and saw Edward standing there. She gasped. The smile dropping from her face in an instant. She quickly pulled her hand away.

"Edward?" Bella stood up. Edward shook his head and walked out. "Edward!"

Bella ran after Edward, who was halfway down the street, not stopping.

"Edward would you please stop!" Bella grabbed his arm and turned him around to face her.

"Why? Why should I?"

"Because it's not what you think!"

"Right, Bella quit lying. Quit lying to me, and quit lying to yourself! You love Wes, you do. You two were together for years. Of course, you two are going to get back together."

"That is not true."

"Stop! If you want to be with him, it's fine! We were just fooling around. It's not like we truly knew each other." Bella gasped, taking a step back.

"Just fooling around?"

"Of course, it's only been a few months. It was fun."

"You really think we were just fooling around?" Bella asked.

"Of course. I'm just glad we didn't let it go longer."

"No! Edward listen to me! Wes and I were saying goodbye."

"Saying goodbye? That did not looking goodbye Bella. Yeah right. Please, you don't have to sugar coat it to me. If you want him, it's fine…"

"I don't want Wes."

"Sure doesn't look like it."
"I'm sorry," Bella said. "Look, Wes did come here and wanted to get back together…"

"You didn't tell me that yesterday," Edward said.

"Because it meant nothing."

"It obviously meant something or you wouldn't have lied about it."

"I didn't lie."

"You didn't tell me. It's the same thing."

"No, it's not. I didn't say anything because I knew it wouldn't change us."

"But it has Bella. It has." Edward walked away.


Bella stormed into her apartment, tossing her purse to the couch. They had been riding all around NYC trying to find Edward. Angela watched Bella pacing back and forth. She couldn't even finish the meeting with the book illustrator after Edward walked away from her. Bella's state of mind was just so hurt that Edward could just walk away after a silly fight. He just needed to listen and understand Wes was her past, but he was Bella's future. Angela was lucky the guy wanted to see Bella later in the week once her book contract was finalized.

"Where is he?"

"I'm so sorry girl."

"He still hasn't answer his phone Angela! It's been hours!"

"He's probably just walking around," Angela said.

"What if he went back to the island?"

"He left his bags here Bella."

"He was so hurt."

"I was shocked too. What were you doing with Wes?" Angela asked. "I thought you guys talked last night."

"We did. And I told him all about Edward and the island, and how I couldn't wait to get back."

"Then why were you with him?"

"He's leaving Angela. He's heading to Florida once the divorce is final. He wants to start over in another state and loves the idea of Miami. I wanted to get coffee before my meeting and he was there."

"You two looked awfully cosy."

"He was trying to convince me to come with him one last time," Bella said with a smile. "Even after last night, after I told him all about Edward, he wanted to give one more try. But then, when I showed him pictures of Edward and I, together on the island, all those wonderful times together, Wes realized he didn't stand a chance. He said he never saw me this happy before. When he took my hand, and gave it a kiss, it was his final goodbye."

"I have to ask, if Edward wasn't in the picture...would you have…"

"Taken Wes back?" Bella asked herself.

"Yeah."

"I don't know, honestly I can't answer that because Edward is in the picture. He is something I never knew I needed until I got to have him. I can't imagine my life without him. I don't want to imagine my life without him. I love him Angela. I love him so much."

"I love you too." Bella gasped and turned around to find Edward coming from the terrace balcony.

"You're here?" Bella looked at a smiling Angela.

"Roger, at the front desk called me to say a young man was waiting outside for you. When I figured out it was Edward not Wesley, I told him to let him up into our place to wait while we were gone."

"You knew he was here all this time and you had us searching around NYC!"

"I only got here like 20 minutes ago. I'm so sorry Bella. I shouldn't have walked away like that.. I saw you two together and it made me feel like what we had, our short few months, couldn't compare to the years you two had. I guess I was jealous."

"Edward, you have nothing to be jealous about. I never loved Wes, not the way I love you." "Really?"

"Yes! You're came back and that's all that matters." Bella crossed the room and hugged Edward.

"I love you Bella," Edward said. She smiled.

"I love you too."