CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Since I had spent so much time apart from Bella after receiving the diagnosis, it hadn't set in that she left until a few days after. I played our greatest hits through my mind. I remember the first time I saw her and how it took my breath away. I remember how her eyes would narrow at me as she would rebuke me over and over in our first conversation. I remember kissing her on the washing machine and when we first made love…baby and all. My hand placed on her stomach as I assumed the role of protector and father. The moment I had decided that my love for Bella was far more important than the rightful heir to Caldonia. And now it was all gone because I went back on my promises.

I laid in my squishy bed forcing myself to think of it as my bed because she was no longer here. I look over to the pillow and imagine that she is lying beside me, the light playing with the color in her eyes causing the browns to sparkle as a smile plays on her lips. I reach over to place a stray hair back behind her ear and my hand drops down and runs along her side until it rests on her stately bump. But it wasn't real, and my hand has nowhere to go.

I need her back. No matter the cost. I needed Bella.

I begin to rack my brain for any ideas that would cause her to want to be with me after how poorly I treated her. I didn't think there was anything I could ever do to make up for my actions. I wonder if now is the time to seek outside help.

I find my way to my parent's room and cautiously knock upon the solid oak door. I haven't seen either of them and I was sure that they were probably just as mad as Bella at this point. I hadn't fully abandoned my duties for the Founder's Ball, but I hadn't gone with my father to work since I found out. I'm sure he would be disappointed in my lack of regard for my future government position.

The door opens and my mother's servant steps back to allow me entrance. I can see my mother's face a little shocked at my appearance and then it turns to a look of consternation. I look around for signs of my father and I don't find any.

"You may leave us, Irina." My mother dismissed her lady's maid, so we may speak in private.

"Edward," My mother says my name as if she is allowing me the chance for a proper explanation.

"I…" I began but my voice trails away as I wonder what I will say. "I need help, mother. Bella left. I don't know what to do…"

She sighed and then goes and sits down on her gold and white armchair.

"I think…you should have come to me sooner," She replied.

"I needed time. I was having a hard time…"

"You were having a hard time?" She asked incredulously. "I had no idea. I know Isabella was having a hard time. Every single day I would stop in and see her…fighting to hold back tears. Believing that if she showed weakness, it would be outside our expectations for her. I tried my best to explain that the son I knew and raised would never abandon the women he claimed to love. Imagine my disappointment to find out how wrong I was."

I allowed each and every attack she made. I wanted to hear it. I needed to hear it. I would take it for the rest of my mother's life if it meant she would help me figure this out.

"What happened, Edward? We failed you. As parents, your father and I failed you. To turn out to be the kind of man who would walk away from his family so easily."

"Easily? I haven't walked away. I needed time. I…I thought you and father would want me to talk Isabella out of having this baby. You really want the next painting of the royal family to include a child with…this baby?" I could no longer say the words, but she knew what I meant.

My mother looked around and her lips became thin as she mashed them together.

"I would have hoped that the next painting to line the walls of our palace would include a man I would have been proud to call my son and the wife who has shown far more faith, allegiance and compassion than he deserves with their child, no matter what his or her chromosomal count may be. Your actions are the proof of the poor job your father and I did raising you. I hope that if you should be lucky enough to have a child in the future, you will learn from our obvious mistakes and teach them love and respect for humanity."

I feel myself take short breaths as I try and swallow the anguish I feel inside. I briefly wonder if my mom would have the same beliefs if she knew that this child was not biologically mine, but I shake those thoughts from my head because that was one promise I would not break. When I decided to take responsibility for the ruse, I would never out Bella for something I had chosen and talked her into. As much as I stood behind the lie of needing time to process this diagnosis, I could not continue to lie to the ones I loved. Now I would need to come clean and hope my mother would take mercy on me.

"I failed, mother. It was my job and my promise when I asked Bella to marry me…I promised to always respect, love and give everything of myself to her and our family. To be a man she could be proud of and now I failed. I went back on every word I ever said to her. I don't know how to fix this. I don't know how to make her see that I love her and…I will do anything for her even if that means raising this baby. I would do that for her."

My mother softened and breathed out a small sigh.

"Edward, that is very sweet, but you can't see this as something that you're going to do for her. It may cause you to resent her and she doesn't want to raise a child with a man who is just doing it for her. You have to figure out how you can do this for you as well. You going to have to look at that baby and see her every single day of her life and if there is anything less than love in your eyes…then if you love Isabella, as you say you do, you will let her go and find someone will look at her daughter with more than pity or disgust. To find a man who will give her what you cannot."

She was right. Bella deserved far more than I was offering.

"How do I get there?" I asked sitting down across from her.

"First you have to open your heart…and allow this child to be a part of it. You are a good man. Even though you have handled this situation poorly, you are a good man. I have faith in you and so does Isabella. If she didn't, she would have left the country."

"You really think she can ever forgive me? I failed her over and over," I said.

My mother stood up and walked over to her side table. She pulled open the drawer and moved some papers around until she found what she was looking for. She came back over to me and sat down beside me on the couch.

"Not long after you returned from the United States, we received this," She smiled and handed me the paper. I opened it up and saw that it was my grade report for the classes I took at Western Washington University.

I had never received a less than perfect grade before and now there were three "B's" and the literature course I had taken with Bella was the only course that resulted in a different letter. A "D." I felt a tad embarrassed.

"I'm going to make an assumption that this was the class you took with Isabella," My mother said pointing to the "D."

I felt my face flame up as I nodded.

"A "D" Edward, did you even attempt the coursework?" She teased." You have had many great accomplishments, but I believe that finding a woman like Isabella may just be your greatest accomplishment. Your greatest accomplishment came from a failure. I think if anything it shows you can come back from this. Besides, Isabella was never the kind of woman to walk away from a challenge. If she was, she would not have been with you."

I crinkle my forehead at her disparagement but knew better than to say anything.

"You are so wise…do you have any idea what I can do to get her back?" I asked.

My mother smirked and rolled her eyes, "Flattery will get you nowhere with me. But I believe that if you are ready to truly do whatever it will take, you will find help in a place you will hate to have to go. Rosalie's council is who you should seek."

I could already feel my body crawl in disgust at her suggestion.

"I mean it, Edward. Swallow your pride and go find Rosalie. She will know what to do."

I sighed and then stood up from the couch. I looked back to my mother and proceeded to hand her back my grade report.

"Oh, no. Please keep that. Do you think I want to hold onto that dismal report? Damn you millennials and your loosey-goosey ways!"

My mouth dropped in shock. I remembered the day when Bella had met my mother for the first time and teased that my mother would ever think those exact words.

"How…" I sputtered.

"You haven't spoken to Isabella in weeks! Who do you think picked up the slack while you were drowning your sorrows elsewhere?"

I turned around and headed for the door, shaking my head as I went. If the situation were funny, I would have taken far more humor in my mother's words. I can't believe Bella told my mother about that conversation. I played my mother's silly words over in my head and for a second, I thought about rushing back to the room to share with Bella my mom's momentary lapse in decorum, but it took only a second for me to remember that she was no longer here.

I paused before I reached out for the handle. "How…upset is father that I haven't gone back to work with him?"

My mother sighed.

"Your father understands that what you and Isabella are going through…is more important than work. He is not upset with you for that. However, when you do finally have the courage to speak with him, you will find him most upset with how you have treated your fiancé. You brought a woman into this home that we never thought could meet our expectations. Isabella is someone who far exceeded our expectations and we love her dearly…your father is taken with her. That is what you should worry about."

I left my parents room feeling the weight of their disappointment. One more thing I would have to fix. I felt my body go rigid at the thought of what I planned to do next. I took a calming breath before heading off in the direction of the East Wing. I only hoped that when I found Rosalie, Emmett would not be near her for my own safety.

I attempted to put my ear on the door in hopes of hearing Emmett's voice. If he was inside, I would come back later. Not that he would magically disappear within the next few hours, but I had hoped to see Rosalie without getting my face pummeled by Emmett.

I couldn't hear anything within, so I held my breath and knocked softly upon the door. I waited as my heart began to race. If Emmett did answer the door and knock my lights out, then at least I wouldn't have to deal with Rosalie quite yet.

Rosalie opened the door and look taken aback. Then her interest waned as she folded her arms over her chest.

"Your Highness," She mocked.

"Can I come in?" I asked softly hoping she would understand that I wasn't there to pick a fight.

Rosalie looked around and seemed to contemplate my question.

"Please Rosalie." It took everything in me to say those words. Begging Rosalie was never something I imagined I would have to do.

She sighed and opened the door to allow me entrance. I walked in and saw that her room was impeccably kept. She walked towards her sitting room and I followed along after. I went through the door and she came into the lounge on one of the settees.

I let out a slow breath and looked around while I contemplated what I was going to say.

"You must be desperate to come and see me of all people," Rosalie began.

"I need your h…" I couldn't even finish the word. I sighed and began once more. "Bella left…as I'm sure you are aware. I know that deserve it and I also know that I have no right to come to you….to ask you for…"

"God, you can't even say it. Say the word. You are so pathetic. You're going to have to do better than this when you finally grow a pair and go off to grovel at Bella's feet. She may be nicer than I am, but it will take a lot more than half-sentences and muttering under your breath to get her to come around," she said.

"I need your help!" I said with vigor.

"Was that so hard?" She asked rhetorically.

I shook my head looking around in disbelief.

Rosalie sat up a little straighter and began to play with her fingers before running them through her long golden locks.

"Can you help me or not?" I asked softly.

"Can or will?" Rosalie asked. "I can help you…I will try to help you, but you always think I'm so horrible. Why would you trust to take my advice?"

I looked her in the eye and sat a little straighter myself.

"I have no choice. I am prepared to do anything I can to get Bella back. Even if it means…swallowing my pride and begging you for help and hoping that you will be honorable and genuine."

Rosalie pressed her lips together and looked up towards the ceiling before giving a slow audible sigh.

"What do you think you will have to do to get her back?" She asked.

I began to think about it. Even though it was something that ran through my mind over and over, I had just imagined finding the right combination of words would do the trick.

"I imagine that I would need to ask for forgiveness and tell her how much I love her and…."

"That is so not going to be good enough anymore. Maybe if you had done that within days of finding out but you went…weeks without talking to her. You really think that giving her a bunch of apologies and promises is going to do it? You've apologized. Your promises are worth anything anymore. You broke all your promises so what makes you think that she will ever believe you again?"

God! She was so right. There were absolutely no words that would fix this.

"So, what do I do?" I implored. "Just tell me what to do."

Rosalie shook her head slightly.

"Actions speak louder than words."

I ran my hand through my hair as I processed her words. What the hell was I going to do to prove to Bella that I was able to do what she needed me to.

"First, you need to come to terms with this baby." Rosalie began seeing me struggle so much with finding the right path to take.

"You think Bella was over the moon when she heard Down Syndrome? Did you believe that she left the doctor and skipped down the hall, happier for the news? She struggled. She cried. She grieved and felt the loss of what she thought her life would be. And she had no choice but to do that all by herself because you were off…where? But then…Bella got up and forced herself into research and she didn't go to Google and type Down Syndrome into a web search. She went and found support groups and talked to people. She created a Facebook account and joined Down Syndrome groups and asked questions. They celebrated with her and told her that everything would be alright. They gave her comfort and shared with her that this baby was a blessing. Maybe…if you had been there, you might have found comfort instead of outdated clinical articles. Instead of abortion, you might have been open to more progressive ideas. Doctor Molina is an asshole. Well…he did what most doctors do. Did you know that most women who are given the news by their doctors are also given the option right then and there for abortion? Do you even realize how behind the times the medical community is?"

"How do you know all of this?" I asked perplexed.

"Well I didn't use Google for starters," Rosalie said rolling her eyes.

Okay, join a support group. It was what Bella had said I should do when we had our big blow up. She hoped that it would open my eyes.

"What else should I do?" I asked.

Rosalie's lips tightened.

"Why don't we start with that and see where that gets us."

"Why don't you just tell me what else I have to do!" I snapped. "I don't have time for all this crap! I have the Founder's Ball in less than a week."

"Oh…so you're only doing this so that Bella will agree to be your date. Can't have people asking questions on the future queen consort's whereabouts when her supposed fiancé is hosting the damn thing."

I let out a loud groan of frustration.

"This is more than a silly ball. I need her back. I need this to happen as soon as possible," I said slowly attempting to control my anger.

"Then I suggest you stop wasting time and go and do what I told you to do," She instructed.

I stood up from the couch unable to look at her. I felt my anger subsiding as I walked toward the exit.

"And in the future, I suggest you keep your cool with me. If you piss me off, where will you be then? I know I must be your last resort so perhaps you should treat me with more respect!" Rosalie spit.

I paused but didn't turn around to face her. I knew she was correct. Rosalie was definitely my last resort. However, if her suggestions worked, I would be forever in debt to her.

I left Rosalie and headed toward my study. If she wanted me to join a bunch of Down Syndrome groups to see the big picture, then that was what I was going to do if it meant that she would give me the next step on my road to having Bella back in my life.

I tapped away at my computer. First, she said that Facebook had a few groups I could look into. I would need to create a fake profile which took a lot longer than I was wanting to spend but as I began to navigate my way around the site and figure out just how to use it, I found myself impatient at how long the process was taking. Maybe there was someone on staff who knew how to make this work. I didn't know the first place to look. There were so many icons and pictures, but it wasn't like there was a button for Down Syndrome.

Like God had answered my unsaid prayers, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Jasper walked through. I could feel myself want to ask him a million questions.

"How's Bella?" Was my first.

Jasper sat down in the chair across from my computer and sighed.

"Managing."

"What the hell does that mean?" I snapped.

Jasper pushed back a little and held up his hands.

"Careful Edward or this attitude will cause you to lose a lot more than just Bella," He warned.

I focused my eyes on the engravings along the polished cherry wood of my desktop and took a calming breath.

"My apologies," I managed with a hard swallow.

"I came by to see if you needed anything. I know you must be about as wreaked as Bella is, but she has Alice and Rosalie. And Emmett….and your mother and…well she actually takes the help that is offered to her," Jasper said.

"I need help," I replied softly. "So desperate for it that I even asked Rosalie for it, but she told me to join a Facebook support group and I can't even figure out where to find one on this blasted computer," I barked slamming my fist down on my keyboard.

"Would you like me to show you?" Jasper asked.

I nodded solemnly, and he got up from his chair and came around to my screen. He began to explain the various icons and suggested that I attach a photo to my profile. Even a fake photo would do the trick. I obviously couldn't upload an actual photo of myself, so I picked an image of Mozart. Jasper seemed to be confused on the joke but didn't ask.

Then he showed me the search bar to find the groups I needed. He typed Down Syndrome and thirty or so groups popped up. Everything ranging from support for families. For mothers specifically and one for fathers. There was something called a Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. Thousands of people belonged to each of these groups.

I told Jasper to click on one and it loaded with pictures of babies and children and even adults who had Down Syndrome. Most people posted pictures to brag about their child's accomplishments. Some did so to ask a question. Questions ranging from milestones to programs for government assistance. I sat there scrolling through and Jasper walked back around and sat back down opposite from me.

"Listen to this," I said as I began to recite a posting I was reading. "Hello, I am new to the group and was given a positive on the Harmony test. My husband is having a hard time with it. Mostly because he doesn't want to bury a child and then he also believes that this baby will not have the same opportunities as her sister. Has anyone experienced a scared hubby? Were they ever able to work it out? Any advice I can tell him, so he won't be scared or sad? Thank you."

"So, I guess you see that you're not the only one who has these feelings," Jasper replied. "What advice did they give?"

I scrolled through and skimmed the comments. Most gave the same advice and stated that this woman's husband would come around. That women bond with their baby from the beginning and men bond with the baby after it arrived.

"A couple of people told her to see if her husband was comfortable with joining the group for fathers. Seemed like it really helped them out. Mostly, that husbands usually came around. No one said anything horrible though. Didn't advise her on dumping the husband. I guess Bella was right. Everyone has to process this in their own way."

"I don't think Bella is upset that you are processing this information. I think she is upset that you wouldn't talk or work this out with her. You unilaterally decided something and just expected her to get on board," Jasper replied.

I nodded my head slowly and kept reading on.

"Do you think you can give me some time….alone? I want to focus on this," I said to Jasper.

He stood up and began to walk towards the door.

"If you need anything…all you have to do is ask," Jasper said.

"Thank you," I replied sincerely.

I turned back to the computer and began to add various groups to my selection. A few of them asked questions before allowing me to be approved. They asked who I knew with Down Syndrome. I stared at the question and took a deep breath before tying, My fiancé is pregnant with our first child. It's a girl. My daughter has Down Syndrome.

AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Story is mine. Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.