Previously…

He pulled her close, "I can think of many reasons, but by far the most important is I love you, and I want to take care of you. I took you from your home, from your friends and your job. It's the least I can do. Please accept this."

"Edward, it's too much."

He gave her a devastating smile and kissed her thoroughly. She fought for air when he released her. She was confused and kind of dizzy. He laughed and kissed her head, "Have fun love."

She shopped all day with Alice. Surprisingly, she didn't push her if she said she didn't want to go somewhere. Alice had already figured out this was all new to her, and she would have to ease her into it. She did buy a few things just to appease Alice, and because she knew Edward would be upset if she didn't let him think he was taking care of her. This would save his ego a little bruising.

Arriving home she frowned seeing the large truck. Alice leaned down to see her from the driver's seat, "I'm going to head back. Jasper will be home soon."

"Ok, thanks."

"Anytime, I'll call soon." She waved backing out and was gone. Bella walked by the truck and stopped. The man unloading smiled. "Afternoon." He said politely.

"What is all of this?" She was confused. What someone would be delivering this late in the afternoon?

"Kid's stuff I think."

She smiled, "Could you please just wait here?" She was trying maintain being polite, it wasn't like it was his fault, but she was not happy with Edward if this is what she thought it was. Surely he didn't buy him all of this.

"Yes, ma'am."

She walked inside throwing her things on the table.

"Edward?"

"Mommy, mommy I got a playstation, and daddy bought me a whole bunch of things. A truckful."

"Where is daddy?"

"He's playing a game with me." She took his hand and followed him to the living room where they were playing. He looked up smiling, "Did you have fun love? You should try this game it is really…"

She cut him off, "Can I speak to you for a minute?"

"Sure." He stood following her. She walked him out back and shut the door. "Please tell me that the stuff on that truck is not for Tim."

"Why would I tell you that? It is for him, we had so much fun. I never realized there were so many toys out there. They can all do so many amazing things." He was excited and missed the hurt in her face.

"He can't have all of that."

"Course he can, he's my son." He defended as his smile faded. He reached out to touch her face, and she slapped his hand down.

"He is my son too." The anger was evident in her tone. Her face was flushed and she felt tense. He shook his head, "I am afraid I don't understand love, what's wrong? I told you I was taking him shopping."

"Yes, and I expected a few things." She replied raising her hands, "I did not expect a truck load of stuff."

"It's really no big deal Bella, honest I can afford it. You don't have to worry." He tried to touch her again and she stepped back.

"Did you ever stop to think that maybe this is about more than what you can afford?" His emerald eyes watched her face curiously, "I don't understand."

"Don't you get it?"

"No, I am afraid I don't." They heard the door and turned. The man smiled, "Do you want us to continue?"

"Yes." Edward replied.

"No." Bella said at the same time. Edward turned to see her face again. She pushed past him, "Take it all back, he doesn't need all of this. I am sure Edward can compensate for any inconvenience."

"Take it all back?" He looked stunned. Bella shrugged, "Take it to an orphanage and give it to someone who doesn't get nice things. I do that yearly, you can do it now for me."

She felt his hand on her upper arm, "Bella, why are you doing this?" She snatched her arm away, "If you don't understand then, I wonder if I made the right choice. I thought you knew me."

She stomped upstairs. He was stunned. He couldn't believe she was acting this way. What had brought this on? He turned back to the awaiting man. "Do what she wants. I'll find a foundation and let you know tomorrow where to take it."

"Yes sir."

Timmy walked in watching the man leave. "Is mommy mad?" Edward sighed kneeling, "Not at you son, at me. Why don't we get you ready for a bath, and I can talk to mommy ok?"

"Ok."

She was curled up in a chair on his balcony when he finally made an appearance. He pulled a chair beside her. He didn't touch her. He could see her shaking and knew she was probably crying. He wanted nothing more than to pull her in his strong arms and promise her whatever it was he would make it better.

"Bella, please I don't know what I did wrong."

"You will spoil him Edward. You can't buy him all of those things. He needs to learn the world isn't that easy. Just because you happen to be a star doesn't mean he will get every thing his heart desires. He earns what he wants with chores and helping me, so that he understands it takes a lot of strength and character to grow up."

"I can give him things with him still learning to value them. It is simply a matter of teaching him." He replied running his hand through his messy hair.

"No you can't, not like that. You don't buy him a truckload of toys. How can he learn the value of money or hard work if you give him everything?"

"I'm confused. I thought we wanted him to have nice things." He shrugged, "I went into acting because I loved it, but it was wonderful to get nice things as well. I don't have to struggle anymore."

"You never did."

"I guess you are right, my parent's provided well for their kids."

"I would think so. You got a Volvo for your 16th birthday." She said in an angry voice. He sighed, "Why are you so angry with me? It's not my fault my parent's got me the things they did. I still have values, they taught me to have a level head on my shoulders and you know it."

"I didn't imply you didn't." She went to stand, but he stopped her by placing his hands on her knees.

"Please Bella, look at me." He lifted her chin to see her face. She looked so sad, so upset and he honestly had no idea what he had done wrong. It wasn't for lack of trying to figure it out. He loved her. He genuinely wanted to know why she was so angry.

"Please tell me why you are so upset. I will try to fix whatever it is. I just need to know what."

She sighed, "I don't want Tim to look down on me." She said in almost a whisper. He leaned closer taking her hands in his. "Sweetheart, he loves you. He would never look down on you." He kissed her forehead gently and cupped her cheek, "Why would you even say that?"

"I can't afford the things you get him. I have to work and save to get him the things he wants."

He realized that by trying to do what he did, he had actually humiliated her. He pulled her close, "Baby, I am so sorry. I didn't think…I just wanted to make up for lost time I suppose. I didn't mean to hurt you. I would never try to make you feel that way. I never want to cause you pain."

She allowed him to wipe her face. "I know you didn't do it on purpose. I just saw how happy he was, and I know I can't afford those things."

"Yes, you can. You are with me now."

"I don't want you to support me, that is not how this works."

He leaned back in his chair, "I don't know what you want. I am trying to figure it out but you are confusing the hell out of me." She frowned and leaned back to glare at him. He took a deep breath, "You came here to give this a shot. If it works what do you really think will happen? I don't care if you want your own flower shop. It's fine, but what about me having money? I do want to support you and when we get married it will be my job in a way. I am supposed to provide for you, and I want to."

"This is not the fifties."

"I was raised old school. I don't care when it is, Carlisle raised me to care for my family. I am fine with not getting him too many things. I am fine with teaching his values your way. I am not fine however, with you acting like I am an alien because I have money."

"I don't act like that." She responded with a huff.

"Yes love, you do. You act almost as if you look down on me because of it."

"I don't look down on you. You just slipped so easily into this life. It's hard for me to waste money on a shirt just because is has some popular designer name on it."

"I doubt you will. A perk of being a star is they give you clothes, tons of them actually. It's funny, now I have the money to buy them and I usually don't have to." He stood walking to the railing and leaning on it. "I dreamed of being at the place I am. I dreamed of being here and having you in my arms. I couldn't imagine anyone else in your place."

"I wanted to be with you too." She stood moving to lean beside him. "I love you Edward, I do. I know this is a lot on you, having a son after all of this time. I understand you have to learn how to play catch up and to be a parent practically over night. I am sorry I got so upset. I forget sometimes what I took from you."

"Bella, stop." He pulled her into his arms, "We're done with that remember?" She nodded, "I am sorry I got upset. I think I am just a little stressed."

"Understandable. I want you to feel all of the things you do. It makes you who you are, and that is the woman I fell in love with so long ago."

"I know." He trailed a now shaky hand down the soft waves of her hair that cascaded down her back. "You see me, I mean really see me. I don't want to lose that. If I get out of line, just tell me. Please don't torture me by hoping I can figure it out."

"I didn't mean to." She leaned back to see the pale moonlight lighting up his face. The shadows cast an almost unnatural glow. He smiled sadly leaning into her, "I want to spend eternity with you love, every second, every minute, of every day."

"I feel the same way."

"Why were we arguing again? He teased. She giggled, "I think, it was because I love you so much."

"You do huh? I think I love you as well." She rested her face on his hard chest and sighed. He was so warm, so inviting. He was really hers, no more dreaming or hoping. This was her reality. He kissed her neck, "Our son is in bed, want to watch a movie or something?"

"Or something." She felt his lips on hers with a gentle sweep of his tongue she opened her mouth to him. Her mouth was so warm, he wanted to kiss her forever. He felt her shiver and pulled her closer to him, his large hands resting on her hips. She slipped her hands into his hair and gripped it lightly, knowing this drove him crazy. Anytime she had massaged his scalp or played with his hair it usually made him turn into jell-o.

He moaned releasing her lips. "How about we start a fire and relax?"

"I think that sounds wonderful." She grabbed his pockets as he snaked past and followed him down. She curled up on the couch and watched him start a fire and close the screen.

"Drink?"

"Sure."

He grinned, "What's your poison?" She was up in a flash and looking at his fully stocked bar. "There are so many things. I have no idea what half of these are." He pulled her back flush against him. "Mostly you mix them for something else. I actually have a drink book. Want to look at it?"

"What is the black bottle?"

"Which one?"

"The one on the right with the green eyes." She questioned watching him grab the bottle. He chuckled, "Lucid? You don't want this love."

"What's it taste like?"

He smirked leaning on the cabinet, "Like black licorice. Do you remember the story's in the 1800's about Absinthe, the artist would drink it and make masterpieces? It would supposedly make them creative. It was banned in the US basically because cheep things were soon mixed in it and people had seizures. Long story short, it was illegal for something like 95 years and this is the first available here."

"Wow, does it make you creative?"

He laughed sitting it back in it's designated spot. "It gets you drunk, quite quickly I am afraid. It's a different drunk though you don't feel heavy and sloppy. I don't know how to describe it, but two glasses and you're gone."

"No to that then, I want to relax not crash." She continued looking. He watched her appreciating the look of concentration on her face. She was always so cute when she was thinking.

"Do you drink all of this stuff?"

"Not really, occasionally I have dinner parties and hire a bartender to come in. It makes life a little easier. If I am being totally honest I rarely drink, it's nice occasionally to have one to relax."

"I rarely drink either. Wine coolers are my drink. I am too lazy to learn how to mix it."

"You my love are never lazy. You have a son and a full time job. I would say you were just too busy." He took her hand and kissed it. She smiled, "Can you make a chocolate martini?"

"I can make whatever you wish. In fact, I think I'll have one as well."

She sat on a barstool and watched fascinated as he mixed their drinks. His forearm flexing as he shook the mixture. She loved the way he wore his button up, with the wrists unbuttoned and pushed up to his elbow. She didn't know why but it seemed so erotic and sexy. There was something about a man's well muscled arm that did her in.

In his case it was his arm, his chest, his face, not to mention his other assets. He was perfect. He didn't look up but he smirked, "Quit staring or we will be forgetting the drinks."

"Sorry."

"What are you thinking?" He asked finally meeting her dark eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean when you look at me that way, what are you thinking?" He asked again. She smiled, "Probably not what you are thinking, I was just admiring how sexy you are. It's so natural. I guess it stands to reason, you always were."

"So were you."

"Not really."

He set her glass in front of her and moved to the stool beside her. "You never see yourself clearly. You never have. You used to come to school in those perfect fitting jeans. Never too tight or loose, they always fit just right. You would wear a sweater or something that curved in all the right places, your beautiful hair framing your face, sometimes when it would get unruly you would put it in a ponytail."

He smiled taking her hair in his hand and playing with it. "You always looked so sexy. It wasn't like you tried to be, all of the rest put on too much make-up and wore things to try and achieve what you did so naturally, your shyness, your intelligence. There are so many things about you."

He released her hair leaning closer, "I loved it when you wore those little black glasses."

"Really? I thought they made me look like a nerd."

He chuckled, "No, in fact you were the object of many of my fantasies. Librarian, school teacher, lawyer, just to name a few." She raised an eyebrow at him. He blushed, "I was naughty ok. I was so attracted to you, not to mention I was a hormonal teenager."

"I was attracted to you too. Don't think I dreamed of you being a teacher or anything." She thought about it, "No, no I didn't. I was never that creative."

"Yeah right, Miss could have been a writer. You should have been too. Your creative writing skills baffled me, not to mention Mrs. Gray." They both laughed. He shrugged, "She would have to fan herself, I found it most amusing."

She stopped laughing and took his hand, "I really am sorry I got so upset earlier."

"I'm sorry I put you in that position. I can't promise I won't make a mistake and do something you don't approve of, but I will try. You just have to push me in the right direction." He kissed her tenderly and stood still holding her hand. "Let's snuggle on the couch."

"Sounds wonderful."

He had just sat down when he heard the doorbell. He groaned, "One minute love." He set his drink down and headed to the door. Opening it his face fell in shock, "Evangeline."

Thanks everyone for your WONDERFUL replies. Lots of kisses and huggs. They are all appreciated so much!