a/n: Hello, all =)

This chapter was the hardest i had to write so far. I was drafting and re-drafting. It's a bit rushed and probably confusing but I just wanted to post something up for you guys. I hope you enjoy it anyway.

EC!0x

There was no denying that this child was his, maybe this was pointless but then again Bella was full of surprises.

Edward took Reneesme to the café in the hospital as he awaited the blood test results. He'd gone first as an example to Reneesme that the injection wouldn't hurt; he'd bought her a giant lollipop for her bravery as well. Which she now licked happily as Edward purchased her a kiddie's meal and a bottle of juice.

She hadn't said anything to him yet, she'd let Bella put her in his car and she'd sat quietly on the way to the hospital. She'd given him a scared look when the nurse had brought out the needle and gave him thank you smile for the lollipop and that was it.

Her uneasiness made Edward nervous, which was strange because very few things made Edward nervous. Having children suddenly seemed like a lot of work. How had Bella managed all those years?

''Where, have you been?''

The velvety voice made Edward look up. She didn't ask the question, more like demanded it. She had her face set in that stubborn expression Bella wore many times.

''What do you mean?'' Edward asked back as softly as he could even though he knew exactly what she meant

''Why were you not here before? Why were you not my daddy before?''

Edward shifted slightly in his chair. He looked down momentarily at their food on the table, not sure how much Bella had told her. 'Your mother is a slut' didn't seem like an appropriate answer.

"Your mother and I had separated when you were born.'' Edward did not realize how strange the words sounded until he'd said them aloud. It was strange for him to refer to him and Bella as ''your mother and I''.

She was looking down at the table, when he looked up.

"You mean,'' she said, ''you didn't know I was born?'' Her face was a mask of perplexity.

The buzzing of his phone had her lifting her head to stare at him. He fished the Blackberry phone out of his trouser pocket and looked at the caller id. It was his younger sister-in-law, Alice.

''Hello?''

'Hey, Edward. What are you up too?'' Alice asked with just a bit too much excitement in her voice.

''Alice, I'm in the middle of something.'' He said, trying not to lose his temper in front of the girl.

'I know, I know, but I couldn't help myself Edward…I've always wanted a niece. ''

Alice was the first person Edward had told about the girl. He and Alice had been friends before she married his brother Jasper.

She was very petite at 4'10" and extremely thin. She had small pixie like features, large eyes and long, delicate eyebrows. She wore her deep black hair in a short and spiky fashion. Her beauty could be as inhuman.

Edward trusted Alice more than any of his other family members. He loved her optimistic, kind and caring way of life. Which reminded him very much of Esme.

Edward suddenly realized what time she was calling him at. ''Aren't you supposed to be on a diverse time zone?''

''Me and Jasper, decided to fly over a few days before.'' Edward made a mental note to arrange a flight to New York for their fathers' 40th birthday.

Alice and Jasper lived in France and helped Emmett, who lived in Italy where the headquarter of the company was, to run the business in Europe whilst Edward and Carlisle took care of business here in the States.

''I guess, I'll see the illegitimate child soon enough.''

''Can you not call her that?'' Edward asked aggravated.

''That's what she is Edward, like it or not. Well, unless you and Bella decide to make it legal.''

''No.'' Edward said decisiveness.

''Edward, think about it. We run a family business and you know involvement playboy ways attracts bad media. Starting a family with Bella could be a good thing.''

''Alice, please.''

''This is not the end of it Edward.'' And he knew she meant it.

''Whatever, I'll see you on Friday.''

A distressed Edward hung up then put his phone away into his pocket.

***

Bella paced the small office.

She glanced at the clock. It had been one hour and forty-five minutes, and he still hadn't brought her daughter back. How long did ''getting to know her'' take?

She glanced at the clock again. One hour and forty-seven minutes.

"Bella you've been walking up and down this office for the past fifty minutes,'' Jessica said.

She paused for a moment to look at her friend, who was sitting at her desk watching her. ''Where is he?'' she asked in a frustrated tone before resuming her pacing.

"I still don't understand why you let him take her.''

"If I refused him, he would have taken her with force.''

''Are you going to let him have custody?'' Jessica asked, studying her friend.

Bella stopped her pacing. She was on the edge of a breakdown. What the hell did Edward want? Custody? Full rights over Ness? The thought of losing her daughter was unbearable.

Jessica saw the heartbreaking expression on Bella's face and got up and to put her hands around her.

''I can't lose my daughter,'' Bella whispered to Jessica's shoulder.

''There's no reason you should.'' It wasn't Jessica's soft feminine voice that answered her. No, it was a velvety and muscular voice.

Bella spun around in time to see Ness leave Edward's side and dart towards her.

***

"Mummy, please.''

Bella looked from Reneesme to Edward.

"No.'' she said. ''I don't think it's a good idea.''

It was Wednesday afternoon and Bella had come to pick up Reneesme from yet another meeting with Edward. This was the third one. Instead of handing her back wordlessly like he had before, he'd ask if she and Ness could attend Carlisle's birthday party in New York.

"But mommy,'' Reneesme persisted. "I want to see my grandpa and grandma.''

Bella was taken by surprised. Only a week ago Ness didn't know anything about Edward Cullen, and now she wanted to meet his parents?

"Bella, don't let your personal feelings for me and my family restrain Reneesme from meeting my family.''

Things between Bella and Edward had become very uncomfortable now that they had to be in close proximity of each other due to Reneesme. Reneesme was growing fond of Edward everyday but that didn't change the fact that Bella thought he was a bastard.

***

For a split second the noise in the room faded. Edward couldn't take his eyes off Bella. Goose-bumps broke out on his skin. She was utterly captivating. And so was the little person standing next to her. The wore matching black evening gown's although Bella's exposed more skin and clung to her body more showing her every curve.

He approached her slowly. He was going to ask her now.

Bella looked around the crowd of people, not knowing what she was searching for. Maybe it was the jet-lag. It had been a long flight from Seattle to New York. Holding Reneesme's hand more tightly she walked down the small number of stairs to the foyer where they were having Carlisle's party and noticed Edward heading towards her.

''Bella can we talk? ''

Out of nowhere Alice appeared and asked to take Reneesme.

"Sure."

"What's wrong?" she asked as he led her away from the huge crowd. He walked slightly in front of her. He's whole body was rigid and tight unlike the confidante we he usually held his body when he walked.

He stopped and turned around to look at her. He's eyes held hers, searching. She wondered what he was looking for and what he found.

His face was invisible of the disgust and hatred he'd wore around Bella since he'd come back. She was beginning to feel a little exasperated.

''Bella, hear me out.'' His voice sounded pleading.

"What do you want, Edward?'' she asked trying to be reasonable, patient.

"What I want is…" he paused. "I want you to be my wife."