Author's Note:

Thanks for the warm welcome back to this world! I am so glad you guys are enjoying the story. I am thankful for the comments and adds. It means a lot to me.

I'm trying to stick to a once a week update, however that will be up to my arm and wrist. I'll try my best but please be patient with me.

I would love to know what you all think of the next chapter!

Thanks again for reading!

Lisa


Chapter Two

"Daddy's been working so hard and too many long nights and weekends. He misses us like we miss him. We're going to visit daddy at work," Bella smiled as she told her three-month-old infant son, Seth as she buckled him into her black Volvo SUV. She didn't care that she looked like a soccer mom driving around in it. She and Edward both had wanted top notch safety when it came to toting around their new child. She closed the back door and jumped into the front. She looked down and saw that she had remembered her purse and the baby's diaper bag. Bella put her seatbelt on and began to drive the sort distance to their local grocery store and then to Edward's office. She had called ahead and placed an order for lunch. She was going to pick it up and then drive the short distance to Edward's office. She smiled as she imagined the surprise look on his face.

Bella had met Edward when she was six and had moved from Arizona with her father, Charlie and her older brother Jasper. They had moved next door to the Cullens'. When the Cullen family had introduced themselves to the Swan's, relationships were formed. Although they had a new step mother, Esme Cullen had immediately adopted Jasper and Bella. Jasper became really good friends with her oldest son Emmett, who was his same age while Bella and her younger son Edward got along.

The younger siblings became the closest of friends and experienced many of life's firsts together. There was the death of the Cullen's cat that was run over by a car when the children were in second grade. When Bella was teased by Lauren Malloy in the cafeteria during fifth grade for not having a "real" mom, Edward threw milk on her and grabbed Bella's hand and told her to leave with him. Then there was the junior high dance in sixth grade where they danced their first slow song together. At the end of the song Edward leaned over to kiss Bella. It was another first, their first kiss. Two days later Edward asked Bella to be his girlfriend.

When the time to go to college rolled around, they were both devastated. Edward had received a full scholarship to Dartmouth in New Hampshire while Bella wanted to stay local and went to the University of Washington. They decided even though they loved each other that when it was time to leave for school, they would take a break. They both thought that it was hard enough to maintain a relationship when you are young and that being across the country and only seeing each other a few days every few months wasn't enough. During winter break when Edward had returned home they both admitted to each other that they attempted to date but it got nowhere. Edward was the one to tell Bella he missed her. They never broke up again.

The following fall semester, Edward transferred to the University of Washington. He and Bella moved into a tiny apartment just outside of Seattle together. It was their home until they graduated. After graduation they moved into a bigger apartment in the city. Bella found a full-time job writing for a local magazine while Edward continued his studies and worked towards law school. During the winter break that year, Edward asked Bella to marry him. She said yes, and they began planning the wedding after his graduation from law school.

Three years later, Edward graduated from school and found a job working for his aunt and uncle's law firm in Seattle with his cousin Alice. Alice's father, Marcus Brandon, had promised that when he retired he would leave the company to both Alice and Edward. Edward was shocked and thankful. Edward always felt he had to prove he was good enough to take over for his aunt and uncle. It was pressure only Edward put onto himself. He was good in his occupation and it showed. He won the majority of his cases.

The wedding was three months later and it was an event. Both Edward's parents as well as Charlie and Sue, Bella's father and step mother, had invited more people than Edward and Bella knew. They both agreed that even though it was elegant and beautiful, it was way more than they ever needed or wanted. They couldn't remember their wedding reception because they talked to so many people that evening.

After their honeymoon in Italy, Edward had his first big case. Marcus had insisted on hiring him an assistant. He hired Jessica Stanley, who went to high school with Bella and Edward. Both were not thrilled with this decision. It wasn't that Bella didn't trust her husband, because she did whole heartily. It was just the thought of her husband working late into the evening in his office with Jessica ready at his beck and call irritated her.

Almost seven months after their wedding, Bella walked into the office and knocked quietly on her husband's door.

"Come in," she heard him from the other side of the door as he sighed sounding annoyed.

Bella walked into the room and closed the door. Edward didn't look up from his desk as he spoke. "Jessica, I told you I am fine for lunch. I'm not hungry. I'm working on the," he stopped when he looked up and saw Bella. A smile formed on his lips. He got up and walked towards his wife. His arms held her tightly against his body. "Hey babe. I wasn't expecting you. How is your afternoon?"

Bella leaned up to kiss Edward and smiled. "Good, very good actually. Do you have a minute? I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Of course, come sit down. Do you want anything? Coffee? Water? I can have Jess go get you something."

Bella shook her head as she smiled. "No, I'm fine really."

"I'm curious, why are you so, giddy?"

"Well, if you must know I went to the doctors today because I was feeling gross again this morning."

Before she could continue, Edward interrupted her. "Finally! I'm so happy you listened to me. I've been telling you to go for over a week. What did she say?"

A smile couldn't help but escape Bella's face. "She said that I am healthy." Bella paused and grabbed Edward's hand. "She also said in seven months we'd have a baby!"

The feeling of shock ran through his body. They had talked about becoming parents for a long time and were trying, but now all of the talk was turning into reality. "Really? A baby? Us? Oh my god!" Edward said as he attacked his wife with kisses. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again. "This is the best news I have ever heard. We're going to be parents!" Edward shouted happily.

Their bliss was short lived. Three weeks after Bella's news she noticed one morning she was spotting. She had miscarried their child. She had three more miscarriages within that year. They saw two specialists who reassured them that sometimes this happened to perfectly healthy women and sometimes there were no explanations to why it happened. Bella of course blamed herself and thought she wasn't meant to be a parent. She began to bury herself into work and was barely home. She told Edward she didn't feel whole.

Edward felt terrible that there was nothing he could do to make his wife feel adequate. She was depressed and just plain old unhappy. Out of the blue he whisked her away to St. Lucia for two weeks. Almost three months after their return, Bella discovered that she was pregnant again.

After much soul searching, Bella decided to quit her job. Her full-time job became taking care of herself and her unborn child. She became more serious about the healthy food she put into her body. She enjoyed her time off but missed Edward. He was assigned a few high-profile cases and worked a lot. Her hormones made her even more paranoid about Jessica. She was beautiful, and Bella felt, although she had a life growing inside her, she was fat and awkward. Edward reassured her everyday about her being beautiful and the only person he'd ever want to be with.

While they laid in bed on evening, Edward stroked her bulging belly, Bella brought up Jessica.

"Are you sure there is nothing between the two of you? Please be truthful with me," Bella begged shutting her eyes.

Edward looked into his wife's eyes. He moved his hands to her face and cupped it. "You know, I have been in love with you since you were six years old and had pigtails. I knew even though I was a kid too that even at six you were something special. We tried the break up, but I came back to you. It has always been only you for me Isabella. I love you with everything I am. Jessica is, well, Jessica. Sure, she looks decent and is pleasant enough, most of the time, but she isn't you. There is no way I would want to be with her ever, and especially not when you are here with me. We created a baby Bells. We're going to be parents and there is no one else who has ever walked the face of the planet that I would want to do this with. You are it for me. So, to answer your question, no, no there is nothing going on between us. I really wish my uncle would just let her go."

Bella sighed with relief and kissed him. Those were the words she needed to hear at that particular time.

After an easy delivery of only six hours, baby Seth Anthony was born with no complications. He weighed in at a healthy five pounds even and was fifteen inches long. He was their perfect addition. Edward stood by Bella's side for the first three months of Seth's life. He took time off from work to be there for his wife and son. He was in awe how quickly Seth grew.

Going back to work was hard on Edward, especially since he was thrown into another huge case. He had to work weekends and missed out on a lot of time with his growing son. Bella saw how tired her husband was once he returned home after a long day's work. He often fell asleep with Seth in his arms in the nursery. It broke Bella's heart to see Edward like this. She longed for the time they would spend as a family. They waited what felt like forever to have a child and Edward couldn't enjoy most of the time.

Bella pulled herself out of her thoughts and turned into the office parking lot. She grabbed the stroller from the back of the car and placed a sleeping Seth and his car seat on it. She picked up the bagged lunch and threw it underneath. She locked her doors and began walking towards the door.

"Bells! Wait up!" The male voice said behind Bella.

She turned to see her brother in law Emmett jogging after her. "Hey Em, how is it going?"

"You know, it goes," Emmett smiled. He was a doctor, just like his father. "How about you and the little guy, how are you guys doing?"

"We are perfect. Did you have a meeting with Edward? I cleared this time with Jessica to make sure Edward wasn't busy."

Emmett walked in front of her to hold the door open for her. "No, he actually just called a few minutes ago and asked me to stop by. We were talking flipping that house outside of the city. I think there is a big profit to be made. I don't think he's into it. We were texting about it but he decided it was easier to just talk about in person. I'm sorry I'll be intruding on your family time."

"Oh Em, no worries. You could even join us, I bought way too much food anyway. You just have to promise me something."

"What's that?"

Playfully, Bella laughed and hit his shoulder. "You and Rose have to come over for dinner. You guys have been married for almost six months and I believe that I promised you a nice dinner. I miss our monthly dinners. I miss you my cousin and I miss you."

One of the reasons Charlie Swan moved to the little town of Forks all those years ago was to be closer to his baby sister Mary and her family. Mary was Rose's mother. Rose was like a sister to Bella. Like Bella and Jasper, she had spent much of her childhood with the Cullens'. Her friendship with Emmett had grown into love. They had been together almost as long as Bella and Edward. Smiling, Emmett looked at Bella. "I promise. I'll talk to Rosie and see what I can do."

"You know, I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?" Emmett asked.

Bella laughed. "Get away with calling her Rosie. She's kill anyone else!" Bella laughed. It was true. Rosalie was as beautiful and fit as any super model gracing the cover of any magazine on the newsstands, but she was also tough as nails. She had to be. She was an auto mechanic. She felt like she had to prove herself more than any man. Men tried to treat her like she was dumb or short change her because she was a woman but that didn't matter. She stuck to her guns. She was so popular as a mechanic that she had to open another shop outside of Seattle.

Emmett held the door open for Bella as they entered the building.

"Oh Bella! I didn't know you were stopping by," Jane said to her as she walked over to hug her. Jane looked in the baby carriage and smiled. "He's getting so big!"

Bella smiled. "I'm here to visit Edward for lunch. I called Jessica yesterday so I could surprise Edward. She said he had some time. He apparently called Emmett as well so we are both here to see him."

"That's great darling. He'll be so happy to see you. I want you to know as soon as he walked in her this morning he marched into my office and said he was leaving at seven. I could not stay a minute past seven. He had to be a husband and a father. Then he walked right out of the room!'"

Beaming, Bella looked at the older woman in front of her. "He did? I get him tonight? I'm very excited!"

"It's the least we can do Bella. I know this case has him working his ass off. In my thirty years of law I've never been up against someone so deceitful and conniving. It's stressed us all out, except Alice who is getting stuck with all the easy cases. Anyway, he's in his office I won't keep you any longer. Come back more often. I love seeing that baby! Emmett it was good seeing you too honey," Jane said as she placed a kiss on his cheek and walked away.

They walked past Jessica's desk which was empty. Bella sighed with relief. She wouldn't have to face her. She and Emmett made conversation as they walked to Edward's door. The hushed, harsh tones should have been a giveaway that something wasn't right. Emmett knocked but he didn't replay. Emmett and Bella shrugged their shoulders as he opened the door. He was in complete shock was he watched Jessica unbutton her shirt. She sat in her bra on Edward's desk with her legs open. Emmett tried to shield Bella from the scene, but it was too late.

"Oh my god," Bella chocked. She just stood in the office watching her husband. Tears quickly fell from her eyes.

"Bella!" Edward yelled. "This isn't what it looks like. I know it looks bad baby but really. I was actually just firing Jessica." He stood up and pushed Jessica off his desk. His face was red and he radiated anger. "I told you to get the fuck out of here. Get your fucking shirt and your personal belongings because Jessica you are fired. Get the fuck out of here!" He roared as he threw her shirt at her. Jessica stood up behind Edward and smiled. He walked over to Bella and reached for her. "Bella?"

"Don't you touch me!" Bella yelled as she shook her head. "I don't know who you are. I-I-I-I've got to get out of here."

"No Bella, I swear to god this isn't what it looked like," Edward began to beg. "Bella please believe me. You know I would never do this to you honey."

"All of those late nights and Jessica needing rides? I'm a fool. I'm an idiot." As Bella looked from Edward she saw Jessica who was still standing in her spot. Nodding at everything Bella was saying. Bella started to breath heavy. "I'm leaving. I can't look at you right now," Bella said as she cried and began to push the carriage out of the door.

"Bella!" Edward yelled as he began to follow her.

Emmett placed his hand on Edward's wrist, stopped him and looked at his brother. Edward was one of his favorite people but now he could barely stand to look at him. He knew Edward worked late and he also knew that Bella didn't like Jessica. It was known. "I can't believe you would do something like that! I'm so disappointed in you bro. I'm going to go after her. I'm not losing a sister over you. You do whatever you need to do. Finish up, take a cold shower whatever."

"Fuck you Emmett. I didn't do anything."

"Whatever. I don't care about you right now. I care about that woman who is like a sister to me who is heartbroken. I'm going after her. She is in no condition to drive and she has your son with her. Someone needs to check on her and you seem to have your arms full," Emmett said taking off from his brother. As he exited the office, he heard Jessica say something to Edward but he shut off his mind.

Emmett ran as fast as he could to catch up to Bella. She was sitting on the bench in front of the practice. She couldn't stop crying. Emmett wrapped his arms around her and let her cry. She tucked her head into his shoulder and let lose. Tears wear freely rushing from her eyes down her check. When she was calm he looked at her. "Do you want a ride some place?"

Bella shook her head. "How could he do this Emmett? I've never felt so much pain in my entire life. I feel like I can't breathe."

Rubbing her back, Emmett didn't say anything at first. "I'm sorry Bells. I never in a million years thought that he would do something like this."

"Me neither. He knew how insecure I was about her. He knew I hated her. That's been no secret since we were in high school." Bella stood up and she looked as Seth slept peacefully. He had no idea that his mother's world was crashing down. She looked back at Emmett. "Would you mind taking him? I just want-I need to be alone right now. I have to figure out a few things."

"Of course. Let's go get the base for his seat and I'll drive him over to mom's," Emmett offered.

"Well, could we just switch cars? It is kind of a pain to take that thing out and put it back in. Plus your car is only a two seater."

"Yes, that is fine. Come on," Emmett said as he led Bella to his car across the street.

They walked to Emmett's little Porsche. It always surprised Bella how such a massive man could fit into such a tiny car. Emmett spent time explain how to operate his car to Bella. She took all of it in. She bent down to kiss her baby and then put a hand on Emmett's cheek. "Thank you again Em. I really couldn't imagine seeing that alone." She looked up and saw Edward standing near her car. She knew it would only be a few seconds before he found them. "Emmett, promise me that you won't let Seth go with Edward. No matter what. Just bring him to mom's like you said? Like I said I need to figure a few things out."

Emmett promised. "I will get him there as soon as you leave." He paused, and he noticed for the first time she was shaking. He had second thoughts about letting her go off alone. She looked scared and emotional. He was thinking maybe it wasn't a good idea to let her drive off by herself. "Bells, are you sure you're all right to go? I can drive you to wherever you need to go and then split with Seth."

Smiling weakly, Bella nodded. "I'll be fine. I just have to get my thoughts straight. Tell mom I'll be there in about an hour, okay? Don't tell her anything about what happened. Just tell her that I had an appointment, okay? I don't want to say anything about what we saw. I just need to think about it."

"I promise," Emmett said as he watched Bella get into the car.

Bella nodded as she started the car. She took off and merged into traffic. She only got to the next block when she pulled the car over. Tears and emotion over whelmed her. She took deep breaths. Her phone hadn't stopped ringing and beeping with text messages since she left Edward's office. She threw it out the window and rested her head on the steering wheel. She took a deep breath and formulated a plan in her head. She would pack her belongings and Seth's for a few days and take off to her parents' house in Forks. She had to think and be away from everything.

Her mind began to roam. Why would Edward cheat, she thought? Her heart said that she needed to wake up and realize that Edward would never cheat on her. They had been together too long and he had so many chances with others in the past whether it was in a club or out to dinner. Women found their way of hitting on Edward. Beautiful women at that but he always refused their advances-as far as she knew.

Then she thought about her appearance and how she appeared to him. She came to the conclusion he strayed because she hadn't regained her once slim figure. She wasn't fat but she had another ten to fifteen pounds to lose to be at her pre pregnancy weight. It was a lot of work to take care of a baby and maybe he was just sick of it. Bella looked in the mirror and saw that she didn't look like the young woman she once was. She looked tired. Plus, she was insecure which she had admitted to Edward.

Her mind then drifted to Jessica. Fake or not, Jessica was so perfect looking. Her body wasn't recovering from pregnancy and she wasn't feeding or pumping her milk several times a day. Why wouldn't Edward take advantage of the situation? Then a thought worse than seeing Jessica in her bra on Edward's desk. Her brain determined that everything was a lie. She knew Edward lied to her. All those late nights and weekends he spent working, he wasn't working at all. He was with her. A new batch of tears escaped from her eyes. She happened to look out the window and saw Edward running on the opposite side of the street. He was trying to get her attention and was running in the direction of the car. Not wanting to see him, she wiped her eyes, took a few deep breaths and hurried back in to traffic.

Bella's only goal was to get as far away from Edward as she could. She floored it to get back into the traffic flow. She hadn't looked before getting back in to traffic and the brown UPS truck didn't have time to stop. Without notice, the car spun out of control. It had spun and completed two three sixty's across four lanes of traffic. Bella was thrown through the windshield of the car and laid on the busy street. The UPS drive quickly exited the car and called nine one-one.

"Hi, I was just hit by a sports car. I'm fine but the driver of the other car went through the windshield is laying in front of the car. She is beat up really badly," the driver told the dispatcher.

"Miss, can you hear me?" The drive asked as Edward crossed the street. He had seen the whole incident happen before his eyes. He ran over to her motionless body.

"Bella! Jesus Christ!" He yelled looking at the blood that surrounded her. "Oh my god! Bella! Jesus Bella say something!" Edward yelled again as he stood over to her still body. Tears left his eyes as he bent down and kissed her.

"Do you know her?" The truck driver asked.

With tears streaming down his face, Edward nodded. "She's my wife." Being the son of a doctor, Edward knew to look for a pulse. He couldn't find one. He started chest compressions through his tears.

The truck driver told the dispatcher. She encouraged Edward to keep it up until the paramedics arrived.

When the ambulance got to the scene the first responders took over. They quickly took her to the back of the vehicle. Edward accompanied them to the hospital. He shook as he looked down at his blood-stained clothes. He realized that the situation didn't look good for Bella.