Last Chapter:
"And one last thing."
He halted his steps and faced me. "What, Bella?"
"Please don't ever beg again. It doesn't suit you."
Then I closed the door.
"And when her lips met mine, I knew that I could live to be a hundred and visit every country in the world, but nothing would ever compare to that single moment when I first kissed the girl of my dreams and knew that my love would last forever."
- Nicholas Sparks, Dear John
Bella P.O.V.
It's been five days since we arrived back in Phoenix and Edward would be flying in today.
Rose has been the one making all of the arrangements with him while I have been spending time with my son. I had been very busy with work lately, not to mention the emotional turmoil that I've had upon seeing Edward and everything else, has caused me to neglect Dan.
The day after we left Seattle, Edward wanted to follow immediately but I told Rose to hold him off until the next weekend because Dan would be in school during the day anyway.
Now, it's Friday. Father and son will be meeting for the first time.
"I just got a call from him and they're on the way to the hotel."
My eyes snapped to Rose and I let out a sigh. No more holding off. "Okay. And Dan?"
"Should be out from school in a few minutes."
Rose looked at me with concern as I took my glasses off and rubbed my temple. "Bella, it's okay if you changed your mind. Edward might be fussy about it, but Dan is still under your custody. If you're not ready to co-parent with him, we'll find a way."
I gave her a small smile. "I know, Rose. But it's not about me being ready. Dan deserves to know his father. And his chance to do that is here. I can't take that away from him."
Rosalie sat across me and held my right hand. "You're a wonderful mother, B. Please don't ever forget that."
Finally, a genuine smile. "Thanks, Rose. I'm really just doing my best here. It's good to hear that confirmation from time to time."
The blond threw me a sly grin. "Besides, if Dan ends up hating him, our little man can still have a chance at a father."
Confused, I asked. "What do you mean?"
Her grin widened. "Go. On. A. Date. Jesus, B. When was the last time you even went out and got laid?"
Rolling my eyes, I laughed a little. "A long time." Turning more serious, I looked at my best friend. "I have no time to date though. My hands are full with Dan and work. He also doesn't need to be attached to someone and if things don't work out, lose someone important to him. You know what I mean?"
Rose sighed. "Jeez, Bella. We're only talking about dating here. No one's asking you to get married or anything."
I shrugged. "Yeah, but what's the point of dating if it doesn't end up in marriage, right? Everything I do now will have some sort of effect on Dan so the choices I make have to always be in my son's best interest."
She sighed again. "I suppose. Girl, mom of the year award should be handed to you."
Before I could respond, my cellphone rang. It's Antonio, my driver. "Ms. Swan, I called to let you know that I have already picked up Sir Daniel and we are on the way to you. Should I park or wait by the entrance?"
"No need to park. I'll wait for you in the lobby. Thanks, Antonio."
The violet-eyed beauty in front of me asked. "Let's go?"
"Yeah."
"Are you ready to face him again?"
"No, but I have to."
Smiling at me with encouragement, Rose pulled out her phone. "I'll call Assward and inform him that we'll be there in his hotel at around twenty minutes."
Edward P.O.V.
Ten minutes after I entered my hotel room, my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"We'll be over in twenty minutes." Rosalie's sharp voice came through the speaker.
"Okay, I'll be ready then."
"Bye."
After talking to Bella in Forks, I went home to find my family all disappointed in me. Who wouldn't be? I had told them about everything from my past - about all the women I had involved myself with, about toying with feelings and knowingly hurt the people around me, and about Bella Swan. I told them all about our relationship and everything I did to hurt her. Including how I paid her to get an abortion.
Emmett and Carlisle were quiet most of the time and shook their heads at me to show their disappointment. Alice yelled at me for a good thirty minutes, letting her anger and frustrations about the situation out. But Esme, my poor mother's reaction was the worst. She could only keep crying and asked me over and over again how I could do such a despicable thing to another human being. Rarely have I seen my mother's disapproval of me and seeing it now reminded me again of how alike I was to my father and how disgusting that realization is.
I kept on apologizing to them and assured them that I am a completely different person now. I promised to do everything I can to make up for the sins I've made to Bella and our son.
Things at home are still very tense, but we're all trying to work our way around it. I still don't how to act around my family because of the shame I feel for my past actions.
But the remorse and guilt I feel towards Bella cannot be compared. Seeing her again and seeing our son, it just keeps on reminding me of what a monster I had been. Nobody deserves to be treated the way I had treated both of them. What I did was completely unforgivable and yet, Bella somehow found it in her heart to let me be part of my son's life again.
It just shows how big her heart is. And I had been the biggest fool to play with it.
I don't even know how I can begin my retribution, but I can start by showing them how sincere I am about how much I've changed and that I am here to stay in their lives.
We haven't really talk about how we will arrange our meetings, but I'm pretty sure I'll be the one flying down to Arizona. Bella doesn't really have any reason to go to Seattle or Forks, unless she's visiting her dad or for business.
But really, that's fine by me too. I'm just glad that I have this opportunity to spend time with my son.
Glancing at my watch, I see that I have been lost in my thoughts for about ten minutes already. Quickly brushing my teeth and changing into a black t-shirt and denim jeans, I grabbed my phone and headed down the lobby of the hotel. Five minutes later, a black car pulled up and followed by a message from Rosalie that informed me they're here.
Nervously, I ran a hand through my hair before heading outside.
Upon opening the door, I could see that insider the car were Rosalie, Bella and Dan.
It still amazes me how alike we look. From the hair, to they eyes and even to his facial expressions. There is absolutely no question that the little boy in front of me is my son.
Despite that though, Bella's facial softness and rosy cheeks could also be clearly seen.
The little boy had been talking animatedly and when I opened the door, he quieted down and shifted his gaze on me. A confused look appeared on his chubby face as he stared at me from head to toe.
"Mommy, why does your friend look like me?"
Hi. Hehe. Do I still have my old readers around? (: