Previously...
"I will miss you, we'll talk soon. "
"Promise?" She questioned unsure of his mental state.
"Yes, I told you this isn't over, not by a long shot." He grinned wickedly.
She giggled, "I look forward to the game then Mr. Cullen." She was glad he was at least smiling again. Who knows what was going on in his mind.
"I hope so, because I play to win." He grabbed her face kissing her deeply. She couldn't breathe but she didn't want to pull away. He moaned releasing her, "You better go before I find a place to park, and pull you into the back seat."
She brushed her hand across his cheek, and quickly got out pushing his already unlocked trunk up, and grabbing her bag. He waved watching her disappear inside then grabbed his phone, "Yes, hello again beautiful, listen I need another flight. No, not for Bella, I need one for me. I'm going to Forks." He smiled to himself. Game on Bella.
Bella got off the plane searching for them. She knew they wouldn't be far, and she couldn't wait to see her precious son again. She spotted his green eyes, and smiled holding her arms open. He ran to her as fast as he could.
"Mommy!"
She laughed lifting him in her arms, "I missed you baby." He leaned back to put his small hands on her face, "I missed you too mommy. Uncle Emmett said, I grew an inch while you were gone."
"You did? Wow, you know I think you did. I'll be shorter than you before too long." She sat him down hugging Rosalie. She looked away from her sad eyes and hugged Emmett.
"How are you sis?" He asked slipping his arm around her waist, as they headed for baggage claim. She smiled, "I've been better. It's good to be home."
"Bella." He stopped walking. "Was this a good idea, hurting yourself like this again? You know I love you, but I worry about Timmy. He needs his father. He needs Edward, and you won't admit it, but you do too."
"Emmett, I'm on overload right now. I am trying not to break in front of my son. Can we not do this now?"
He kissed her head, "I'm sorry. Come on let's get your stuff." Rose met his eyes when they walked up, and he nodded to her. She sighed softly. They found her bag and headed home. Timmy was on cloud nine to have his mommy home. He had to sit beside her in the car, and insisted on holding her hand.
"Mommy, Uncle Emmett is taking me to the big hunting store tomorrow. He said they have big bears there."
"He did? You better be careful with those bears. I want my Timmy home safe and sound." He laughed as she tickled him, "Mommy, they won't eat me. I'm too big, I will scare them off."
"You are right, you will. Uncle Emmett will have to hide you, and take pictures so you can see them. After all they might be too afraid to come out of hiding with you there." He laid his head on her arm, "I'm tired."
"You rest sweetie, I'll be here when you wake up."
"No more going away on the planes?"
She smiled, "No love, no more. I am home for good." He relaxed and fell asleep. Emmett carried him inside to his room while Rosalie and Bella talked. She opened the refrigerator, and grabbed some water.
"You want a drink?"
"No thanks. Bella, are you ok?" Rose asked brushing her hair from her shoulder. She set the water down, as her face fell and the tears started. Rose pulled her close, "Oh Bella, I'm so sorry."
Emmett walked in and stopped when he met Rose's eyes. She leaned back, "What happened?" Bella wiped her face. "I don't know. It was like old times, I tried to tell him. I wanted to, but it was like something always came up. He is so wonderful. I just can't live in a fish bowl. He asked me, he told me it wasn't over." She began to cry again.
Rose rubbed her arms, "Hey, it will work out. Things have a way of falling into place."
"Not for me, well at least not in the love department. I knew I loved him when I went." She said with a sniff.
Rose looked at her oddly, "You don't love him now?"
"It changed, or maybe it was always there, and I never knew what it was. I do love him, but it's so much more. I am in love with him."
"Bella, you can't let him go. You have to tell him." She said as she handed her a tissue. Emmett leaned beside her, "Listen Bella, you don't find that kind of love every day. You do what you can to make it work. I know Cullen, and I know how he thinks. He would do anything to make it work, would you?"
"You spoke to him?"
"I always speak to him Bella." He replied with a shrug. She shook her head, "No, I mean about me." He sighed, "Not really. I mean he mentions you, but I think it bothers him so he keeps it inside. Guys don't gossip like girls Bella."
"I know that."
"Did you see Alice and Jasper?" Rose asked as her eyes brightened.
"No, unfortunately the day after I got there Jasper had some business meeting out of town and Alice went with him. I don't think it was a choice, I mean she had to go. I did talk to her on the phone though." She took a sip of water feeling her phone vibrate. She slid it out of her pocket.
"Hello."
"Hey baby, did you make it back ok?" His voice was calm and relaxed which kind of surprised her. "Yes. I was just visiting with Rose and Emmett. How are you?"
"Wonderful, actually you remember when you said you look forward to the game?"
She paused uncertain, "Yes." His laughter made her thoughts swirl. Why was he suddenly so happy? Was he that glad to have this over and done with? He sighed, "Ah my Bella, are you ready to play?"
"What?"
"Game starts tomorrow love." He purred.
"Wait, what does that mean?" She asked alarmed.
"I'll be in touch, I love you." Was the only answer she got, and then he was gone. She looked at the phone oddly, "Well that was weird."
Rosalie's head tilted, "Edward?" She nodded, "Yeah, he's just in an odd mood, and I don't know what he is up to." Emmett laughed, "Sister if he is up to something you better get ready for the ride, because you are in trouble."
"Great, thanks for the vote of confidence." She punched his arm, "I'm off to bed. See you guys tomorrow, what time are you picking him up?"
"I think around eight. You can go to work, and I'll just take him with me. Day care is not where he needs to be with Uncle Em around." She nodded too tired to argue and headed to bed. The alarm went off way too early the next morning, and she yawned dressing for work.
"Timmy, breakfast." She called as she sat his plate on the table. He ran in dressed in his camo outfit. It was a birthday gift from his wonderful uncle of course. She chuckled, "Ready for those bears?"
"I am ready. I even wore my special outfit." He answered as he began to eat his toast. Hearing the doorbell she yelled, "Come in Em."
"Do I hear a bear hunter in here?" He teased walking in a low crouch. Timmy laughed jumping up and down excited. "I am the bear hunter Uncle Emmett."
"You are? Well good cause I am afraid of those big bears." He pretended to shake. Timmy patted his arm, "It's ok I will protect you."
"I am so glad." He ruffed his hair and grabbed some coffee, "How are you Bells?"
"Ok, you are so good with him you know."
He smiled, "I know, he's my little squirt." She raised an eyebrow, "You should make a squirt of your own." He choked on his coffee. She laughed, "Wow, I didn't expect that reaction."
"Sorry, you have a towel?"
She handed him one. He wiped his shirt, "I want one in the future. We're not quite ready yet. I was thinking maybe a year or two. I have to do the wedding thing first, as you know that is coming soon." He winked.
"Chicken." She popped him with the towel. He feigned a broken leg to Timmy's delight. She glanced at her watch, "I have to go." She leaned over the chair kissing Timmy, "You protect him today ok?"
"I will mommy."
"What no love?" He teased. She looked up, "Come here you big stud." He dramatically leaned her back and blew a raspberry on her neck. She giggled, "Ok, enough seriously I have to go. Rose will kill me."
"Later Bells."
"Ready squirt?" He asked stealing bacon. Timmy nodded. "I need my boots."
"Get your boots and we'll head out. The wilderness awaits my young friend." He helped him with his shoes, and they were out the door. After a few hours they headed back stopping at a local deli. They sat at a booth, but the restaurant was loud and when Rose called he couldn't hear her.
"Stay right here squirt, I'll be right there outside that door. Can you see where I am going?"
"Yes."
"Ok, I'll be right back."
He toyed with his fork then his straw, which flew behind him. He turned standing to look over the seat.
"Did you loose something?" The dark haired man in sunglasses said speaking softly. Timmy nodded and pointed to his straw that lay on the seat beside the stranger.
"I see, here you go."
He took it turning for a moment then looking back over the seat. "My name is Timmy." He said curiously. The man turned slightly extending his hand, "Nice to meet you Timmy. I'm Edward."
"You have cool hair."
He chuckled, "Well thank you, so do you." Timmy bit his lip. Edward watched the small boy with interest. He was cute, he looked somewhat familiar, but he knew he couldn't possible know him. His eyes were almost the exact color of his. He found that very interesting, not many people had bright green eyes like his.
"So, Timmy where are your parents?"
"Mommy is at work."
He smiled, "Work is such a bad word. I don't like that word do you?"
"I don't know. Do you work?" He asked with wide eyes.
"I do, not that I like it much any more."
"Why don't you like work?" Kids are always so inquisitive. Usually he found questions annoying, but this kid had him interested in answering for some reason.
"It got lonely." He said honestly. Timmy nodded, "You should be with your mommy. That is what I do when I am lonely."
He laughed, "You do? I probably should too. Mommy's are fun." Timmy smiled, "My mommy makes me cookies. She even puts faces on them for me."
"She does? Well it sound's like you have a very special mommy." He liked this kid.
"Timmy, are you bugging someone with your exploits?" Emmett asked as he approached. Edward turned and smirked slipping his shades down.
"Cullen?" He said shocked. Edward stood and hugged him briefly, "How are you?" He asked gesturing for Emmett to sit. He sat waving Timmy over.
"I am great, what are you doing in Forks man?" He turned helping Timmy up without missing a beat. Edward watched them curiously. "I have some business to take care of."
"Really? Does that business include a certain brunette?" Emmett asked knowingly.
"Perhaps. Who's kid? He's cute."
Emmett looked back and forth, but said nothing. Timmy leaned over the table, "You have green eyes like mine."
"Yes I do."
Emmett pulled him back, "Sit down squirt."
"My mommy says my daddy has green eyes." Edward raised an eyebrow, "He does, what color is your mommy's eyes?" What he said made him wonder if the child knew his father. He couldn't imagine growing up like that.
"Brown." He answered with a smile. Edward was brought back to the present with his answer. He was going to question him further when their food arrived. The waitress looked confused. Emmett chuckled, "We moved, sorry."
She smiled and handed them their food. "Are you sure you don't want to order?" She asked Edward.
"How about coffee, do you have coffee here?"
"Yes. Do you want a particular flavor or…"
"No, just plain coffee thanks." She nodded walking off.
He glanced at Emmett who was toying with his phone. "How is Rose?" He asked while Timmy ate, Emmett was more or less playing with his food.
"She's so perfect Edward, I think I am going to have to marry her."
"You just now figuring that out?" He teased. Emmett chuckled, "I always knew it. I guess I have been thinking about kids and moving forward. Timmy is such a good kid, I would really like a son."
"Just like me." Timmy said with a smile. Emmett laugh, "Yes squirt, just like you."
Edward watched their interaction with a smile then leaned closer, "How old are you Timmy?"
"Five." He smiled, "My mommy says I am handsome like my father, do you think he is handsome too?"
"I don't know, but I bet he is if your mommy says so." He wondered why this boy was with Emmett, it was apparent they were close. He didn't know many people Emmett spoke about being close to, but one person in particular. It couldn't be, could it?
He could tell Emmett was increasingly uncomfortable, and he had not answered his question. He knew he was avoiding it. Timmy looked at Emmett funny, "You aren't hungry Uncle Emmett?"
"Not really, you eat."
Now Edward was really curious. The kid had just called him uncle, he knew now there was something more to this story. Why hadn't Emmett mentioned this boy to him? It wasn't like they didn't talk often.
"Timmy, I like your name is it short for something?"
"It's my middle name, my name is Edward Anthony." His eyes grew bigger, and he continued with his questions.
"Timmy what is your mommy's name?" This got Emmett's attention, and he looked up frightened.
"Isabella, but everyone calls her Bella. I just call her mommy."
Edward felt his heart sink into his stomach. Oh my god.
You know I had to have a cliffie :)