Previously…
She grabbed her purse and headed to the door. He grabbed her waist, "Don't do this."
"Don't do what?"
"Don't shut me out. You are already closing yourself off. I never said this was the end Bella, I just need time. I can't say what will happen right now. My emotions are all over the place, and I can't pin one down."
"But you don't trust me. You always said a relationship is nothing without trust."
"Time, Bella." He repeated stroking her cheek. "Give me time."
She cast her eyes downward. "I love you Edward." He opened the door, "I'll call you tomorrow Bella." She missed him calling her love, she missed his touch. She felt the coolness in the air when he didn't say he loved her back. She deserved his anger, what did she think would happen when he found out? Now she had to live with the consequences.
He picked Alice up the next morning. She was sitting draped across the oversized chair in his hotel room. She looked so small compared to its massive size. She tossed her Prada heels off and turned, "So, tell me about my nephew." The air was tense, and she could feel his uneasiness.
"Edward, sit down and talk to me."
He sat on the couch closest to her and shrugged, "I don't know much. It seems she got pregnant right before I left. She didn't tell me because she didn't want me to lose my career."
"I have to say, I was surprised when you called and told me this. I knew you two were like peanut butter and jelly, but I really had no idea you went all the way. I usually know these things."
"You were tied up with Jazz. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable so I didn't say anything to you. I figured if she wanted you to know she would tell you." He ran his hand through his hair fidgeting. She smirked, "How many times?"
"Alice, come on."
"Seriously, how many times? It factors in to things trust me." She waited for him to answer, he cleared his throat nervously. "It was just once."
"One time you had sex or it only happened once?"
"Alice, this is uncomfortable not to mention you are confusing me." He responded. She frowned, "Hey buddy, you got yourself into this so answer my question. You know what I mean. He shook his head. "It was one day, but we had sex more than once ok."
"Did you use something?" She asked raising an eyebrow. He nodded, "Yes, well the first time. The second wasn't exactly planned." She smiled, "Let me guess you looked into her eyes and suddenly you didn't have control anymore."
"This isn't a romance novel." He growled anxious. She giggled at his response, "It could be dear brother, but from your reaction the answer is yes and that tells me a lot."
"How can that tell you a lot?"
She sighed shaking her head, "You really have no idea do you? If you just wanted to have sex or experiment you would have stopped. You would have gotten what you wanted and skedaddled out of there. You took the time to talk after I am betting, and I am usually right. You made sure she was ok, and you found yourself kissing her again. It was no longer physical although I am sure it felt great. It was more."
"I hate when you are right." He stood pacing. She smiled, "How do you feel about her?"
"I am pissed."
"I didn't mean like that, I mean emotionally."
"I just told you." He shot back. Her legs came around the chair as she sat up, "You're avoiding me that's for sure. It tells me how you feel without you actually telling me. You're in love with her. I knew you loved her, you have for a long time, but I didn't realize how much."
"I'm a private person Alice, that's why I never talked to you about it. I don't like people in my personal life, especially when it comes to Bella."
"Yeah, yeah, but I am not a reporter. I'm your sister you know you can trust me. You are going to have some serious issues if you don't start opening up to someone. You act like you are all alone, but you aren't."
"I know I have you and my family. It's just…"
"Not what you need." She finished for him. He didn't answer he sat down again with his face in his hands.
"You have to make this work. I know you are angry, but you can't just let her go. She means too much to you, and now you have a huge obligation."
"It takes two, and I am not sure she can handle the spotlight. I would walk away gladly, but I know they will follow."
"Don't let it stop you, don't let it take away your chance at happiness."
"Alice, can we change the subject now." He replied as he stood again pouring himself a coke. She watched him and shrugged, "For now, you know your nervousness is making me crazy."
"Remind you of someone?" He teased.
She ignored him, "Jazz is really worried about you. He said he will come if I need him, but he had to finish his meeting first."
He heard a light knock and turned, "I'm not expecting anyone." Setting his coke down, he opened the door. Bella was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with no make-up. He always liked her casual like this she was a natural beauty, and she didn't need all of the make-up most women wore.
Holding her hand was Timmy with a dinosaur in his free hand. Edward couldn't help but smile.
"Come in. I wasn't expecting this, but it is a pleasant surprise."
Alice stood immediately, "Oh my god!" She exclaimed looking at Timmy, "He looks…" They both shot her a look, and she stopped what she was saying with a smile.
"Bella." She crossed the room quickly and hugged her. "I missed you so much. You look great."
"Thanks, so do you."
"Wow, I can't even tell you had a baby except you have more curves in all the right places." She winked. "I am sure someone already told you that though."
Edward cleared his throat, "Do you want to sit down?"
"Sure." She sat down, but Timmy remained standing and looking at him curious.
"I saw you at the store with Uncle Emmett."
Edward sat beside Bella and smiled, "Yes, you did. It was at lunch yesterday."
"Timmy, do you remember his name? It's Edward, and this is Alice." She gestured to them both, and he slowly moved to Alice and shook her hand, "Nice to meet you." She giggled, "Oh my, already the charmer."
"Uncle Emmett taught me to always be nice."
"Uncle Emmett is right." She said leaning closer. "You are a handsome little boy, what do you have there?"
He looked down, "It's my dinosaur his name is Ronald."
"Hmmm, well Ronald looks scary."
"He's not, he's a nice dinosaur. He's my friend." She nodded looking to Edward who was watching him with amazement. He was a friendly child. He didn't seem to be shy or nervous in this new environment. He moved in front of Edward and smiled, "I have a race car too."
"You do? Is it fast?" He asked.
"It is so fast my mommy says it's the fastest racecar ever." He didn't miss a beat crawling immediately into Edwards lap. Edward was so shocked, he didn't move unsure of what to do. He could see Alice's smile from across the room. He wasn't sure if he should put his hand anywhere or pull him closer. He only knew he didn't want to scare him off so he remained still.
"My mommy said she is taking me to the park today, are you coming to the park?"
"If you want me to."
"Will you help me on the slide? They have a big slide and it goes round and round, but it scares me and mommy won't slide down it with me."
Edward chuckled, "She always was scared of slides. I will help you. We can wave at mommy from the top."
Bella stood, "Can I use your bathroom?" He nodded catching the look in her eyes and stood setting Timmy down, "Follow me."
She turned to Timmy, "I'll be right baby. You visit with Alice ok?"
"Ok mommy."
He led her to the private bathroom and followed her inside shutting the door.
"Bella."
She didn't turn, "I just need to be alone for a minute." He sighed grabbing her hips and pulling her close.
"Bella, it's ok."
She turned burying her face in his chest. He rubbed her back gently, "Bella did you sleep last night? You look tired." He was still angry, but it didn't change the fact that he naturally worried about her. He could not deny the way she fit perfectly against him, or how wonderfully soft and warm she felt in his arms.
"Not really."
He lifted her chin wiping the tears. "What's done is over. We will move forward from here."
"How do you want to handle this with Timmy?" She asked returning to his chest.
"I don't know, we'll give it time. I don't think telling him I am his dad right now is a good idea. He needs to get to know me first."
"He likes you. He is always friendly, but he never just sits in someone's lap." She leaned back to see his face, "I am so sorry Edward, that I took this away from you."
"Bella, relax. I'll figure it out." She couldn't help but notice he didn't say we, he said he. She pulled out of his arms. "I am cutting into your time with your son. We should go back out there." He felt a sudden panic and he didn't know why he felt like he was losing her.
She slid past him, but he turned quickly holding the door closed.
"Look at me." He wasn't sure why he stopped her, but he had to. Something in him urged him on.
She turned leaning on the door and watching his handsome face. She couldn't read the expression it held. He looked tired. The thin skin under his eyes was slightly purple, and he had stubble across his jaw. She thought he looked good with it. It gave him a rugged look, not one she was used to on him.
He leaned forward, pressing his large hands against the door on both sides of her face. She could feel his warm breath cascading down her delicate features. She looked up to meet his gaze. He was perfectly still taking her in for a moment and then his eyes fell to her lips.
"Edward, I…"
"Shhh." He said effectively cutting her off.
"But, I…"
"Bella." He warned.
She bit her lip as he leaned closer, his mouth gently brushing against hers for a moment before he leaned back looking into her eyes. It was the only warning she had before his lips tenderly fell against hers again. The kiss was so delicate she wondered if it were really happening. His movement was slow and deliberate. He traced her lower lip with his tongue coaxing her mouth open.
She gladly obliged, and felt him move his hands to her waist pushing himself into her and the door. She didn't want to fight him. She loved the way his body felt against hers, so hard and unyielding. He whispered her name against her lips and rested his forehead against hers.
"We should probably get out there." He said with a shaky voice. She agreed with a nod and turned opening the door. As they walked back into the living room, Alice cast a knowing look at their swollen lips and smiled.
"You ready to go Timmy?" Edward asked grabbing his keys. He nodded reaching up to take his hand. Edward felt so many emotions right then, the most important one was happy, he felt complete and happy. Alice grabbed the remote, "You guys have fun."
Bella and Edward both turned stunned, "You aren't coming?"
"No, you two need alone time." She winked. Bella laughed softly as he opened the door and they headed to the park. Timmy got out of the car and grabbed Edward's hand pulling him, "It's over here, the big slide." He followed him looking up with a grin, "Wow. That looks awful big. Are you sure you want to try it?"
"I want to." He pouted. Edward raised an eyebrow, "Well he certainly got that from his mother."
"Hey!" She said with her hands on her hips. He leaned close to her, "You look beautiful when you are irritated." She didn't have time to respond, because Timmy was pulling him away. She was glad he was more relaxed with her now. She knew he wasn't over it yet, but at least he was trying.
She was also glad no one bothered them. It was nice to be somewhere and not worry about being seen or photographed every minute. She was certain by his smile that he was glad too. She grinned widely when Edward slid down the slide with him in his lap. He was such a big kid at heart.
She felt her phone and looked down seeing the text from Rose asking how it was going. Replying to her she slipped it back into her pocket and turned her attention back to the present. She allowed Edward to accompany him on all the toys and relaxed. It would be better this way, give them a chance to bond.
It was two hours later before they came back. Timmy hopped up beside her, "I am hungry mommy."
"What do you want to eat?"
"Pizza." He said with excitement evident in his voice. She looked to Edward who shrugged and smiled, "I think it is a great idea." Edward opened the door for Timmy and reminded him to buckle his seat belt. He smiled at her as he shut the door and pulled her close, "Thank you for this."
"You shouldn't thank me. I don't deserve it, this is your right."
"Bella it's in the past remember?"
"Yes."
"So leave it there." He kissed her forehead and opened her door.
They had pizza for lunch and Edward questioned Timmy some more. He got to know his likes and dislikes, his preference in food and drinks, and everything else in between. Getting back into the car Edward turned to her, "Can I take you home?"
"My car is at the hotel."
"You can pick it up tomorrow. I'd like to see his room." She nodded and instructed him where to go. They weren't in the door good before Timmy yanked him off to play with his toys. Bella chuckled and relaxed on the couch.
"I think I wore him out." Edward said later walking in the living room.
"Why?"
"He fell asleep watching a movie."
She grinned, "Well I am sure it was exciting for him." He sat beside her, "Bella, now that I know this, does it change anything?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean about LA. I want to see my son Bella, and not every now and then." She shook her head, "I can't live like that. It's not right, and Timmy won't understand why everyone wants a picture of daddy and him." Her voice was melodious even when he was hearing things he didn't want to.
"Why can't we try? How will we know unless we give it a shot? I have two movie obligations coming up, but I haven't signed anything after. They probably won't require but a few months. It's not like you can't be on location with me."
"That is exactly what I mean. It's not a normal life. He needs a routine, at least as much of one as we can give him. What about my flower shop? I happen to enjoy that, and I need something in my life that resembles normal too."
"Bella, just for a few months, surely Rose can hire someone to help her. I can finish the films and we'll go from there. He doesn't know who I am. Do you really think a couple of months will hurt?"
She looked away in thought. He took her hand in his, "Please, I am begging you. Don't you want to work this out? See what happens between us?"
"Yes, I do. It's not that."
"Are you scared?"
She met his eyes, "I've never been scared of you." He nodded, "Let me finish the films, and we can figure it out. My family would love to see him too. This would mean the world to me."
"I don't want to deny you, not after all I have done."
"It's not a guilt trip Bella, I am not punishing you. It's a chance to see where this leads us, a chance to have a family, and not be alone inside aching to be with the other person. I am tired of being lonely all the time. I don't feel that way around you. I came here to beg you to come back to me, to tell you how I felt. I didn't expect what happened, but I don't regret it either."
He moved closer kissing her head, "This is about the future, about us and what we can be. Do you know what I want? It's suddenly so clear to me. It never really was before."
"What?"
His expression was serious, his eyes set on hers. He ran his finger down her cheek finally cupping her jaw in his hand. "I want you Bella, you and my son. I want something else though." She didn't speak waiting for him to tell her. His eyes flickered between her eyes and her beckoning lips.
"You did such a beautiful job with my son, I wonder if at some point you would consider giving me another?"
She gasped not expecting him to say that. He kissed the left corner of her mouth, "I want to see you carrying my child. I can only imagine how beautiful you would be."
She trembled, her heart pounding. Her head was spinning in confusion and something else, excitement. He then kissed the right corner of her lips just as lovingly as the left. "I want to trust you again, to give my heart to you without fear of losing you love. I think we are the real thing destined to be together by fate. What I need to know is…" He kissed her full on the lips pressing his head against hers, "What do you want?"