Previously…

"Bella, love he wasn't mad at you. He forgave you a long time ago, he just didn't tell you because he is just as stubborn as you are."

She looked back.

"How do you know that?"

He smiled, "I'm a father that's how. He forgave you Bella. He loved you. Don't hang on to that memory. You had differences, but in the end the only thing that mattered is you loved each other."

He stroked her wet hair lovingly as she cried hard into his chest.

"He's not coming back Edward." She said in a broken sentence. He kissed her head and rocked her gently.

"No my love, he's not. I'm sorry."

There was nothing left to say. He let her cry, and cry she did. He let her because he knew she needed to and he was going to hold her until she made him let go. This was what marriage was about, it was not always going to be perfect and now they were finding out just how hard the bumps in the road could be.

On the flight to Forks she sat curled up looking out the window. Esme turned from where she was getting a drink to speak to Edward quietly where he stood beside her.

"How is she?"

He sighed looking at Bella. She hadn't eaten, she wouldn't drink. She was wearing a dark blue shirt that he usually loved on her, but today made her look paler than normal and pasty. He didn't really know how to answer that question, she was grieving and bad. She had a right to be she had lost her father and Edward had no idea how to make up for such a loss. The only thing he knew to do was support her and give her time. He felt Esme's hand on his shoulder as she squeezed it softly.

"She'll get better son."

He turned to see her face. It was always comforting to have his mom close, his father as well. He didn't know how he would react if something happened to them so he could imagine how Bella was feeling. He took a drink of his water as he checked to see that Timmy and Lily were still sleeping.

"How is Renee?" He asked softly.

She turned leaning beside him.

"Hurting, she's such a strong woman. She'll get through this. You know even though we lived in LA we still talked once a week. I kept up with Fork's gossip."

Edward thought about her words a moment then stopped swallowing hard and taking her arm.

"Come with me." He led her to the bedroom of the private plane and shut the door.

He ran his hands through his hair irritated.

"I'm just a little confused here, you never told me you kept in contact with Renee." He looked at her surprised. She shrugged.

"I just assumed you knew after all we were friends."

He stiffened turning away and shaking his head. She touched his shoulder.

"Edward, what's wrong?"

"You knew!" He turned to face her. "All along, you knew Bella had a baby and you never told me."

She shook her head in defense and raised her hands, her face full of pity.

"Edward, I knew but I had no idea he was your son. Renee never told me who the father was. She did however tell me Bella wanted it kept quiet, I respected her wishes."

Edward shook his head.

"That's just stupid, I'm you son." He sat on the bed resting his face in his hands.

Esme sat beside him placing her arm around him and gently rubbing his back.

"Sweetheart, I had no reason to suspect he was yours. I knew you two liked each other but why would I think anything more? I'm sorry. It wasn't my story to tell it was Bella's."

He inhaled deeply.

"I'm sorry mom. I'm just stressed right now and you kind of caught me off guard."

She brushed a stray, dark lock back from his face and smiled resting her head against his.

"Edward, this will all work out. Bella will be back to normal in time."

He smiled kissing her cheek and standing.

"I better check on my kids, Lily will be getting hungry soon." Esme watched as he walked out. He was a good father, she always knew one day he would be and she was proud of the man he had become. Arriving in the cabin he found Jasper was feeding Lily, he smiled at him then turned to Bella. She was still looking out the window still appearing lost to the world. He hated seeing her like this. He wished he could take her pain away.

He knelt in front of her resting his hands on her knees.

"Bella, how about some juice or something?"

She looked at him but it was as if she looked through him. Her eyes were empty, he sighed stroking her cheek and glanced up seeing his father standing behind her.

"Bella." He began again. "You haven't eaten and our babies need you. I need you."

"I'm not really hungry." She said softly.

He bit his lip.

Carlisle leaned next to them and touched her arm.

"Bella, you are pale and you don't look well so let me tell you what's going to happen from my point of view. If you don't eat I'm going to stick a needle in your arm and give you fluids, because you need your strength right now. You aren't doing anyone any good if you pass out and Edward certainly has enough on his hands trying to take care of your children without coaxing you to eat. "

Edward flashed him a glare. Carlisle nodded at him knowingly and Bella looked up at Edward.

"I could try some juice, maybe some fruit." She said then lowering her eyes again.

Edward smiled at his dad standing to get what she requested. He had forgotten just how persuasive Carlisle could be when he wanted to. He wasn't really trying to be mean to Bella, just force her hand so she would eat and take care of herself. He knew it he pointed out Edward was stressed she would take notice.

She finished the fruit and the juice and Edward took the empty containers and sat beside her. Lily lay in his lap looking around this new place with wonder. Bella couldn't help but smile she was so beautiful. Edward watched the look on her face and smiled reaching out to stroke her cheek. She looked up meeting his eyes.

"Want to hold her love?"

He lifted her and laid her into Bella's waiting arms.

"Dad can we watch a movie on the big screen?"

Edward smiled.

"Sure." He patted her leg and slipped out of his seat to accommodate his young son. She stood walking to the back and laying down on the large bed with Lily relaxing with her and just watching her kick her precious little legs in the air. It took her mind off of the flight and what was to come. It wasn't long before Lily was drifting off.

She loved watching her sleep, watching babies sleep had to be the most adorable thing. She heard the doors lock and turned as Edward walked in. He smiled moving Lily to a nearby crib then laid beside her pulling her close and running his hand down her back.

"Are you tired?" He questioned.

Bella shook her head no. He stroked her hair back and kissed her lips softly.

"We have a while we could take a nap. Everyone is watching the movie so I figure we have time if you'd like."

She rested her head on his chest enjoying the sound of his strong, steady heartbeat. It was the most beautiful sound in the world. She loved the fact that she could make it speed up and listen to it slow down. It was fascinating to her. The human body is an amazing thing.

He caressed her back in a soft, sweeping motion and kissed her head. He was hoping this would be the calm before the storm because he knew once the hit Forks she would be a mess. Feeling her eyes on him he looked down.

"Everything ok?" He asked as he met her deep penetrating eyes. He wasn't sure what was going on in her head, he couldn't quite read the look there. Usually he was pretty good about reading what was going on, but recently since this had happened she had been confusing and he couldn't figure her out.

She leaned forward her lips making contact with his. He was still at first uncertain if he should react to such a sudden bold movement from her, but when her hands moved to his hair he moaned gripping her back tightly and his body reacted. He could never resist her, the temptation was too great. He always desired her.

He kept his hands firmly on her back and waist. He made sure to be extra careful not to hurt her in any way. It was then he felt her roll him over onto her small frame and braced himself on the bed beside her. He made sure his weight was on his knees and not her. He loved moments like this between them, it's hard to explain the connection you feel when you are in love with someone from just the simplest touch, or a kiss but something like this is a whole different level of intimacy.

Her warm hands slid up his strong biceps to tangle in his hair again and he leaned back catching his breath before this got too far.

"Bella, you are so desirable." He managed in a breathy tone.

She smiled softly stroking his stubbly cheek. There was nothing she liked more than when he didn't shave for a day or so and had a little stubble. It gave him a slightly rugged appearance and on him it was quite nice.

"Then why are you stopping?" She questioned raising an eyebrow.

He looked confused and shook his head cupping her face between his hands.

"Bella, we can't do this. You aren't ready yet and even if you were I certainly wouldn't fancy having you on an airplane with my family in the next room."

She shrugged.

"I wouldn't mind."

He sighed sitting up.

"You're just trying to forget, I get that but I won't hurt you to help you. You'll have to find another way. It's not fair to me Bella." He stood walking to the crib and looking down at Lily as she slept.

He felt her hands envelope his waist and her face on his back.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

He rested his larger hand on hers and sighed.

"I know you are hurting. I can't make it go away but I am here to help you deal with it. I'll do whatever it takes to make that as easy as possible."

"I know." She answered softly. They stayed like that for a while and he didn't push the issue. She held him and he allowed her to as long as she wanted.

"I'm sorry for earlier, I don't mean to avoid you or the children baby I just..." She felt him turn and lift her chin.

"Bella, it's ok to take a time. I'll look after the babies, take some time for you and heal your heart a little ok?"

He pulled her close and she burried her face in his warm chest.

A few hours later they finally landed and arrived at Renee's. They all visited and talked about old times like time had not passed. Edward and Bella had agreed to stay with Renee while they were there since they knew she could use the company.

The rest of the family stayed at their house that they still owned and had not decided what to do with yet. It was late and Bella was looking at an old photo album. She felt someone set beside her and looked up. Renee smiled.

"You were so young then."

Bella looked at the picture of her with pigtails and smiled. She flipped the page to one of her and Charlie in his police car. Renee set her mug down.

"You know I remember when Charlie and I met in high school. I always thought he was the most handsome guy there. He was my Edward you know."

Bella smiled and Renee laughed.

"He was, he was smooth and don't let him fool you he knew how to cut a rug or two."

She flipped another paged and looked at the picture of her and Edward when they were young. Renee sighed then pointed to the picture.

"I knew the day I took that picture that you and Edward would end up together. You just had this special connection when you were around each other. It's something that isn't easy to come by. "

Bella flipped a few more pages and finally they came to the teenage years. Renee didn't say anything until the pregnancy pictures showed up. She picked up her mug and took a sip of the warm liquid.

"I knew you loved him and I knew you wouldn't just have some casual fling. You were too responsible. So, when you told me you were pregnant I knew it was Edward's. I just couldn't figure out why you wouldn't tell him. It took me a while to realize you wanted him to have his dream life. You loved him so much you gave your life up to give him his."

Bella bit her lip looking down at the last pictures of her and Edward.

"I tried to get him to tell you how he felt but he was too proud, Charlie was proud you were strong enough to have Timmy and support yourself like you did. You didn't give up. He admired that even thought he wouldn't tell you."

Bella felt the tears well up but refused to let them fall. Renee smiled and looked down before continuing.

"He didn't understand about Edward. He couldn't figure out why you two didn't just get married, but then you did. It's not that he didn't approve. He just felt out of the loop first because I never told him who Timmy's father was and then with Lily. He felt betrayed by us all. He was angry at me for a long time too. It was not aimed at you honey and he got over it. He just didn't know how to tell you. You two are so alike in that way. You never want to say how you feel." She touched Bella's hand.

"Do you understand? He loved you Bella, so much and he tried to tell you but sometimes he didn't tell you the right way. He did love you. He wasn't the best at showing it, but he did. He kept pictures of you and your family to show your kids off in his wallet to everyone. You see, he was a proud grandpa."

Bella felt her tears began to fall and Renee pulled her close.

"I love you my girl and your father did too. I don't want you to forget that no matter what."

"I won't mom." She wiped her face. Renee stood heading to her room.

"I'm off to bed, who knows when Lily will have me up tonight." She winked and disappeared.

"Coast clear?" Bella heard from behind and giggled.

"Yes."

Rosalie was quickly jumping on the couch beside her. She put her arm around her.

Bella smiled.

"Yeah, I knew you missed me."

"You know I did." Bella replied with a grin.

Rose rested her head on Bella's shoulder.

"I miss you girly. I hate not having you here." She pouted and Bella chuckled and poked her lip.

"I was thinking about staying in LA. It feels like home."

Rose's mouth fell open.

"Bella you can't. My wedding! What about my kid's births and all that stuff!" She looked absolutely petrified. Bella turned crossing her legs.

"Well I had this idea, maybe you might convince Emmett to move there."

Rose raised an eyebrow.

"Emmett in LA?" She laughed.

Bella shrugged.

"Well….they do have a private school nearby…I hear it pays." She whispered in her ear and Rose's mouth dropped.

"Really?"

Bella nodded, "So I've been told. They also need a teacher with Emmett's education but if he's not interested…."

Rose shook her head, "I'll talk to him. He might be interested. The thing is no house, no…"

Bella cut her off.

"I have a huge house you can stay in until you find a house. You can sell the one you have here. It's the same school Timmy will be attending….Did I mention maybe we could open a flower shop there?"

Rose smiled.

"I will definitely think on it."

Bella smiled leaning back on the couch. Rose watched her and sighed.

"So how is my Bella really?" She knew Bella was hiding somewhere inside this front she was putting on.

Bella ran her hands over her face.

"I don't know. I feel like I'm numb almost. I feel so many emotions I don't know where they start or end. I'm almost scared to let them out because I'm afraid if I do then I won't stop."

Rose took her hand.

"I'm here to help you. I promise you'll stop." Rose's eyes were sincere as she said it. Bella looked off.

"I can't."

Rose shrugged, "Why not Bella? What are you hiding from? There's no time like the present for reality to crash in. Face it now, with me."

"Rose, I'm not strong enough."

Rose squeezed her hand.

"Yes you are. You're the strongest person I know. You can do this."

Bella looked down.

"No."

"Ok so we're playing this game….I hate when you do this Bella, you always make me do this." Rose groaned with a sigh then thought a minute as if thinking of the next words to say.

"Bella, just remember I'm here and I love you."

Bella shot her a glare.

"Just do it already." She shot back. She knew what Rose was going to do, Rose had dealt with her for years and this is what it took to make her deal with reality sometimes. Life is tough, living is harder.

"I'm going straight to the hardcore Bella you have to deal with this. Your father is gone and you need to understand that. Do you hear me Bella?"

Bella didn't answer and Rose leaned closer.

"Bella, he's gone. He loved you but he had to go. It was his time so you need to let him go, you need to understand no more phone calls, no more picnic's, no more of those dreaded beef burger's he used to make. Do you remember those things? They were nasty. "

Bella began to cry and Rose sighed resting her hand on her shoulder.

"No more late night ball games to suffer through, no more yelling at you when you did something wrong. Which, by the way, was most of the time according to him. "

Edward walked through the hallway door and saw what was going on but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and Emmett shook his head.

"She needs this." Emmett said softly.

"Can you hear me Bella? Are you still listening?" Rose asked watching her reaction.

Bella stood to look out the window and Rose grabbed her arm.

"You're not paying attention Bella. You have to let go and to let go you have to deal with this not lock it away. You know this, we've been through this remember? No more monopoly games, no more classic reruns of Andy Griffith we hated that remember?"

"Stop." Bella pleaded putting her hands on her ears.

Edward tried to move forward and Emmett stopped him.

"Do you want your wife back or not?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Rose reached up pulling her hands down and looking into her eyes.

"Let go Bella, I promise I won't let you fall. I'll lead you back." Rose's words were strong and Bella sank to the floor crying loudly. Rose knelt pulling her into her arms. Emmett smiled slipping his arm around Edward's shoulder.

"Best friends can do some pretty awesome things."

He wanted to comfort her but he knew she needed Rose at this moment and he wasn't going to interfere with what she needed. He hated to see her so broken it hurt him inside. He felt a gaze and looked up to see Rose's eyes on his, she waved him over.

Emmett released him and he slowly walked closer. She smiled reaching for his hand and pulling him down.

"Your wife needs you." She whispered pulling him to where she was and moving so he could take her place. She kissed his cheek.

"I'll be over in the morning you should carry her to bed."

Edward didn't know what to say. Bella cried harder pulling him closer he looked down as she wrapped around him, when he looked up they were already gone. He lifted her gently and carried them to the bedroom and laid her on the bed crawling in beside her. She held onto him tightly, he was surprised at her strength. She definitely didn't want him to move.

He brushed her long hair back and kissed her head.

"I'm not going anywhere angel." He lost track of how long she cried that hard but it seemed like a very long time, in fact so long that he figure she cried herself to sleep. He was glad Renee had volunteered to keep Lily that night because Bella didn't let him go. He awoke in the same position as he fell asleep in. He didn't try to untangle himself from her for fear of waking her.

She could tell he was awake from his breathing change and smiled.

"Edward?"

He stroked her hair.

"Yes?"

"Thank you." She whispered looking up to meet his eyes.

He looked down running a finger over her puffy eyes. He was glad to see she seemed to feel better but he wasn't sure if she actually did or not.

"Anytime."

"I'm sorry I was such a mess last night." She added resting her head back down on his chest. He smiled as he continued stroking her hair.

"You weren't a mess, you were releasing pent up energy. It's fine. I'm glad you were able to do so." He was being honest he was and he was also glad he was able to help. He had felt helpless watching her with Rose and not knowing what to do.

"I'm bad about hiding and Rose always makes me face it. It's a promise we made to each other a long time ago. I do the same for her." She said as she drew little circles on his chest. He chuckled.

"Well if it works..."

"It does." She countered.

He kissed her head.

"I hate to ruin this moment but I really need to use the restroom."

She giggled and rolled off of him, when he walked out she was putting her hair up. He smiled.

"Ready to face the day?"

"After a cup of coffee, throw it at me." She teased back. She was smiling, it was good to see her smile and it was natural. He kissed her stroking her cheek.

"I love you Bella."

"I love you too Edward, now scoot... I need to pee pee." She moved around him and walked into the bathroom he scoffed.

"Have you heard the term too much information?"

"Yes, but it doesn't apply to you." She said back.

He smirked and grabbed some clothes deciding since she was in a good mood he wasn't going to mess this one up. He'd simply agree.