i sincerely apologize for taking so long to update this. i will try to make my updates much more faster but please bear with me.

without further ado enjoy! and don't be afraid to leave your comments!

Edward's P.O.V

"How's my lovely baby?" I pressed the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I flipped a pancake in the pan.

"Growing stronger with each passing day." As I heard her soft voice I could imagine her looking at her stomach, gently rubbing it. What I wouldn't give to be there with her. I was already counting down the days until I could see her again.

"I feel like by the time you get back to me that baby will already be in your arms."

"I wish he would come that soon I don't know how I'm going to manage waiting for five more months."

"The time will go by faster than you can imagine."

"I doubt that." she sighed. "Anyways, I will let you get started on your day, don't want to hold you back now."

We quickly said our goodbyes and just for the sake of not eating in silence I turned on the small kitchen T.V.

By eleven thirty I was heading to Desiree's house.

The directions were quite simple, and she did not live too far from my house. At least twenty minutes from my house by car. Soon I was driving by a calm neighborhood and came to a stop in front of a warm looking blue house with a white roof. Two small windows peeked out from it. The white porch held a light wooden bench swing adorned with colorful cushions.

I parked in front of the house and reached for my black leather messenger bag. Quickly, I walked through the small cement path that divided the green lawn, past the two trees towering on either side of the house providing it with shade.

Once within the porch I noticed the small empty dog bed close to the swing, I knocked and stood there waiting as I inspected the door. Its frame was much too big for the single door. Instead there were two single paned windows on each side; covered by thin see through beige curtains.

I jumped slightly when a small white terrier appeared on the left window pane, ferociously barking at me. I smiled down at him and he instantly became quiet but looked at me with untrusting eyes. Moments later I heard the click of a lock and the golden handle of the door turned. I looked down at a very paint smudged face. Desiree's long dark brown hair was piled into a messy bun. Her brown shorts and blue shirt were spotted with blues, greens, and browns as were her legs, arms, cheeks and nose.

One look into her quizzical expression and I knew she'd either lost track of time or had forgotten.

"Oh hi! Shit," she awkwardly shuffled her bare feet as if trying to hide them.

"You forgot," I ascertained and her natural pink hue of her cheeks darkened.

"Sorry, here come in."

"We don't have to-"

"Come in," she said forcibly and I found myself not daring to say no she closed the door behind me and spoke, "let me go get cleaned up. You can take a look at the piano if you would like."

"Okay,"

"I won't be gone long,"

We heard a low growl and we both turned to see her dog growling menacingly at me.

"Be nice tack," she scolded and picked him up. "Be right back," she said and walked down a bright corridor.

I stood there for a while and looked at the living room. There was a certain aura about the room that made it feel homely. The soft pastel green color of the walls had a nice contrast with the beige and cream colored tones of the furniture and the immaculate rug. The room was so tidy I felt the need to remove my shoes so as not to ruin the carpet. I spotted the piano pressed against the wall and inched closer to it. There were some papers sprawled across the top I noticed they were music sheets. The notes were handwritten and there were annotations and scribbles everywhere.

I heard footsteps coming back into the room and turned to see she had changed into a new set of clean pants and a plaid flannel shirt.

"Sorry I completely lost track of time painting."

"Oh its fine, don't worry." I motioned to the papers on the piano. "You write music?"

"Oh yeah a little. I'm not that great but I enjoy it."

"I think you're being too modest."

"You've never even heard my music."

"Yes well you seem like one of those people that are good at whatever they do."

"Thanks." She bit her lip to contain her embarrassed but pleased smile. "So is it tuned?"

I turned to the piano and played a few keys. "Sounds alright to me. It's a good thing you can read music. You'll learn faster."

"Well let's get started then."

We both took a seat on the piano bench and started to do the basics.

It was easy to lose track of time with her. the fact that she was an avid reader only made it that much easier to lose track. Before we knew it we'd spent about two hours on the piano. We came to a stop and she put her arms in front of her to stretch.

"Well I will definitely be practicing this until next Saturday."

"Well you're getting the hang of it very fast."

"Thanks…play something."

"What?"

"Play something. I want to see how much talent you possess." She playfully nudged my shoulder. I smiled and looked down at the keys as I thought about what to play for her. I settled for a piece I had written myself a couple of years ago as a gift for my parents anniversary.

I could not remember when it had been the last time that I played but I felt stress I had not known existed, leave my body. I embraced that pleasant feeling surging from my fingertips to my entire body as I played. All too soon the piece came to an end and I remembered I was not alone. Desiree stared at my hands as they came to a stop and she opened her mouth for a moment then closed it.

"I wrote that" I murmured and her eyes flickered to mines. I had been right her eyes did change color with the light. As the natural light of the sun hit her face her eyes seemed to turn blue grey.

"My god you wrote that?" she said almost in a whisper.

"Was it that bad?"

"Yes it was horrible" she said with a sarcastic roll of her eyes. "Really though, that's…beautiful."

"Thank you."

"Now it only seems fair that you play something too."

"I would but neither of my instruments have any strings at the moment I was actually going to go later today to pick some up."

"Liar."

"It's the truth!"

"Okay but you owe me a demonstration."

She laughed and nodded. "All right next weekend. Do you want a sandwich?"

My stomach seemed to answer her question as it begun to growl at the sound of food. She laughed and got up from the bench.

"Do you need help?"

"Nah its fine," she walked off through a door opposite the room. I smiled and turned back to keep playing the piano. I felt a bit rusty from lack of playing in such a long time. After a while she came back.

"You're a good teacher you know." I stopped and turned to see her sit next to me on the bench and hand me a plate.

"Well it's easy to teach someone that already has music knowledge."

"Well I guess you're right."

We both ate in silence for a moment. She swallowed and spoke.

"Come on let's sit on the couch."

I followed her and plopped myself on the tan leather couch opposite of her. "You have a nice place."

"Thank you. It had been abandoned for so long when I arrived that I had to do some serious remodeling."

"So you bought it?"

She shook her head and swallowed what was in her mouth. "This was my grandparent's house they died about five years ago and they left the house to my mom. But mom likes it so much more in California that she didn't really want the house. She kept it for the sake of the memories you know."

"So you're from California?" she eagerly nodded.

"How did you end up here?"

"I like Seattle. Always loved it and I needed a fresh start; I had too many problems over there. So when I had the opportunity to come and study here I packed my bags and moved here with my best friend."

"Same one that gave you the piano?"

"The very same."

"Oh…so you like it better than California?"

"Yes…the memories are better than the ones I have of California."

"Well as long as it makes you happy. Like I said it's a nice house. You did a great job with the remodeling. How many rooms does it have?"

"Three, plus the attic. Since Declan left I turned into an office."

"And the attic?"

"That's where I paint."

We stopped in mid conversation as we heard small barks and her dog was back.

"And who's this little guy?" her dog stopped and stared at me. I offered him my hand and he began to lick it.

"That is my baby, tack." She beamed at the puppy, "don't worry he's harmless."

"I can see that." I chuckled and took the little ball of hair into my arms. He seemed content with this.

"He likes you." She looked at us in wonder.

"Does he not like people?"

"He doesn't like guys. He only tolerates Declan."

"Well you and your mommy are more alike than she might realize." I spoke to him as I ruffled his hair. "I feel quite honored to be in the presence of the both of you." I spoke to her now. "Neither of you seem to like people very much."

"We've got our reasons. He's a rescued dog. His previous owner had some…serious problems. He killed tack's mom and he and his brothers and sisters were only newborns. They were very mistreated."

I looked down at the puppy and scratched his head; he closed his eyes demonstrating his comfort in my arms.

"What's your story?" I looked up at her and she seemed taken aback for a moment. She pursed her lips and began to play with her fingers while concentrating on her lap.

"My story is…unfortunate." There was a tone of finality to her voice. I didn't push for more as I could sense it was a sensitive topic for her. Not something you would talk about to someone you hardly knew.

"What about you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Have you always lived here?"

"Yes. Since I can remember my parents never liked moving around a lot. Not to mention the family business has always been here."

"Are you the only child?"

"No, I have a brother and a younger sister."

"Are you the eldest?" she removed her brown flats and sat on the couch Indian style.

"Well my brother Emmett is older than me by two months."

"Half brother?"

"He was adopted."

"oh." Her mouth formed a little o shape; I smiled as the expression seemed childish and comical to me.

"I was about three years old when he came into the family. He's my brother regardless of our blood."

"Well he's very fortunate to have you as a brother." I smiled and noticed her dog, tack, had fallen asleep.

"I think we're fortunate to have him in the family. It would not be the same without him. So are you an only child?"

"Unfortunately." She pursed her lips and appeared to be deep in thought. Then in a swift movement she was up and picking up both of our plates. Deciding to follow her into the kitchen I slowly got up trying not to move tack too much. His eyes still opened but he did not move when I settled him back on the couch and moved away.

I quietly pushed open the door to the kitchen and I saw her quietly washing the dishes. The amount of light that filtered through the windows was just as splendid as in the living room and it made the soft pastel yellow color of the walls stand out. Her cupboards were painted sky blue. I could not help but marvel at the homeliness of her house, warmth radiated from all around.

"Want some help?" she jumped when I spoke and sharply turned her head to look at me. "Sorry."

"Oh! Uhm no it's fine."

"Are you all right? You left so suddenly."

"Yeah I'm fine, hey thanks for the lesson. I wanted to learn something new for a while."

"It was my pleasure. So would you like to continue next weekend?"

"Most definitely," she turned off the water and turned to flash me a charming white pearly smile. "Guess what?"

"Yes?" as she dried her hands on a cloth we both took a seat on a chair around the small wooden table.

"I made some calls yesterday regarding the manuscript. I think I might be able to convince them into publishing it. I mean it's nothing solid but I think you have a very good shot."

"Really?" she nodded. "Say if it was accepted, what would happen then?"

"Negotiations with the house to buy rights to the story and all those shenanigans." She rolled her eyes but kept a content smile. "Then we get to work on the editing and illustrations and all that fun stuff."

"So you'll be my editor?"

"I will if you want me to."

"Well of course I want you to. I think you're perfect for the job."

"Aw shucks, I'm blushing." As if on cue her rosy cheeks slightly darkened and she covered them upon realization. I laughed at her mannerisms she had an interesting way of moving, I could not explain it. They reminded me of the soft delicate movements of those animated female characters.

She set her hands down and laid them on the table. I sensed her looking for a topic of conversation, I was doing the same.

"What made you decide to look for a publisher?"

"Well it was mostly my sister, Alice. I mean I showed the early drafts to most of my family, but my sister kept badgering me to consider it."

"She must really believe in the stories potential."

"You could say that. I think she feels like it would make me be happier about my life."

Her eyebrows knitted together and she leaned on her crossed arms. "What do you mean?"

"This is going to take some time." I warned her with a small smile.

"I'll make some coffee." She said sliding off the chair, I chuckled. "I'm listening." She said as she turned her back and busied herself around the kitchen.

As I spoke I kept my eyes trained on her small frame as she worked expertly around the kitchen.

"Are you unhappy Edward?"

Unhappy? How could I be unhappy? I had an amazing family, a beautiful wife and I was going to become a father. I had a good job- though not my ideal job- and it would help me provide my child with everything he would ever need and more. How could I be unhappy?

"I'm not unhappy, I don't mean to sound conceited but I have a very good life. I can't complain."

"Then why would she think you are unhappy?"

"I think what she means by being unhappy, is that I'm unhappy with my job"

Alice and I were always very close, we talked about nearly everything. While I had never straight out told her I disliked my job she was quick to realize the problem.

"To me the future was always something I had looked forward to. From an early age I had my future planned out, I would become a musician. Or something of the sort, I'd considered history when I was older. My parents knew my goals but I don't think dad ever took it seriously until I got older. He would talk about my future in his company and he made it clear that that was his wish for me. He worked with me at the time to send out college applications, looked for good colleges focusing on business."

"Didn't you ever tell him what you wanted?"

"Sure I did, like I said I'd always said it. But he never took it seriously. I don't know if he ever realized he was pressuring me into following his footsteps. He always went on about how his two sons would follow in the family business; I guess I didn't want to disappoint him so I allowed him to drag me into it."

"Uh" she grunted and I saw her trying to raise herself on her tiptoes to reach the mugs. I smiled and got up, gently pushing her aside and reaching for the cups myself. "Thanks" she smiled quietly. "So now your job is making you unhappy?"

We both worked together making our own cups of coffee and talking at the same time.

"I guess you could say so. It consumes so much of my time; I probably wouldn't mind if it's something I enjoyed doing."

"They say when you do something you enjoy you never work a day in your life." she said as she took a seat on the chair again and I followed.

"And I'm a strong believer of that. I mean, I bet you love everything you do."

"Most of my jobs I do them out of pleasure not necessity. I mean could easily make a good living with just my job at the publishing house but then that leaves me with time in my hands."

"You don't like that," I assumed

"Not particularly…I don't like to have too much time to think, for personal reasons."

"You are strange you know?"

She looked down and played with the rim of her cup. "I've heard that before. But anyways this isn't about me. So how does your sister see this as better?"

"She thinks if I were to publish a book I'd be making a small part of my dreams come true. I love to write just like I love to write music. And If I could do that for a living, I think it would make me feel better."

She smiled at me, a compassionate smile, and then she reached over to rub my back. "We'll get your book published. I know it."

"You have no idea how much I appreciate that."

"But are you sure that you want to spend the rest of your life regretting not being able to do everything you dreamed of?"

This girl really did get my mind working more than I was used to.

"Ever since I began to work in the company I've stopped making plans for the future. Sure I have a good life but I guess in a way it will always be incomplete. As far as I know I'll always be working there and I suppose that I will regret it."

"I think you ought to talk to your dad. I understand you don't want to disappoint him but this is your life. I mean, it's easy for him to do and say because it's not his life that's being controlled. He's lived what he's had to live now it's your turn to do what you want."

I stared for a long while at her. Alice had told me similar things for such a long time, yet when Desiree said it, it seemed like it actually made sense, and I agreed with her words. Her passion as she spoke made me feel like this was her we were talking about and not me.

"Well I can't say I disagree, but it's more complicated than that."

"Only if you make it."

I couldn't see how I was making things complicated for myself but I was saved from giving some sort of response by her dog scratching at the door. She got up to open it and saw him sitting down as he wagged his tail and held his leash in his mouth.

"Really tack? Now?" she sighed and stared at the dog as he whined. I smiled sympathetically at him.

"Well Desiree you don't want to have a neglected dog do you?"

"I suppose…would you like to join us?"

I suppose I checked my watch out of mere habit as the truth was I was free all day. Smiling to myself I accepted the invitation. She momentarily retrieved back into her room as I gathered my stuff. Tack was running about excited as he seemed to understand we would be taking him out;

"Ready?" she'd only gone into her room to retrieve a cardigan and a couple of plastic bags. I ran to my car to put away my things then I catched up to the both of them.

"Okay tack if you behave and stay close I won't put the leash on you alright?" he seemed to get the message as he kept close to use as we walked.

"Smart dog" I commented.

"Oh yes, he makes me proud." She beamed. A beeping noise protruded from her sweater pocket and she pulled out the phone to answer.

The weather was nice for Seattle. The sun was bright yet the air was chilly. I stuck my hands in the pockets of my jacket and walked straight ahead with her. I hadn't heard from Bella since our morning call. It was rather odd; I had expected her to call more seeing as how I was free. But I suppose she must be too busy getting back in touch with her family.

"At nine?" coming back to my senses I heard her speaking into the phone. "Yeah I'll be there. I got a couple you might like I'll bring them over alright?" her expression appeared contemplative. "All right Hun take care."

"Sorry, my best friend, Declan, he's a tattoo artist and he wanted a bit of help on some designs."

"Oh if you have other things to do don't let me hold you back." I didn't want to waste her time.

"No it's fine I'm going to meet up with him tonight. I've got time trust me."

"Alright. Funny how you still got time despite all the things you do. Isn't it frustrating?"

"Sometimes. I mean I can manage my time but sometimes it feels like too much. I've been considering dropping yoga for a while now but I'm not sure. Like I said I like to follow a routine."

"Don't you get bored of it?"

"Don't you?"

I suppose my routine was rather tedious, and repetitive. It would even be boring but I had Bella. With her it did not matter how repetitive each day was, I had never even thought about it until now. As long as she was with me I was never bored of life. But Desiree, alone as she was, how could she not grow weary of such a structured routine. I don't think I could have bared it if I was to be put within her shoes.

"I suppose my routine is rather repetitive. But I think falling into routine is not something that is possible to evade."

"Exactly, the question is whether you make that routine enjoyable or boring, don't you think?"

I smiled; I liked the positivity of her character. "Yes I suppose you're right."

We'd walked for roughly an hour before we made our way back to her house. By then the daylight was fast escaping. Once back to her house I made a quick departure to my home. I could not wait to hear Bella's voice, I was rather needy.

I was glad to find that she answered my call after the first ring. "I missed you." I spoke into the receiver.

"About time you called, I was just thinking about you."

"I'm sorry love, I got caught up."

"It's fine I had a busy day too. Guess what?"

"Tell me."

"Grandma and Grandpa called, they are coming to visit us."

From the tone of her voice I was able to sense something more coming from this. "But?"

"They won't arrive until next month. They really want to see me."

"Oh…so that means."

"It means that, if you're fine with it, I would stay here for the two weeks they will be visiting."

"Why are you doing this to me?" I groaned and fell into the couch.

"Oh Edward I've missed them so much!" she begged. Like I would ever say no to her. "Maybe you can arrange something and come over to join me."

I doubted I would be able to but I didn't completely rule out the possibility. "I'll see what I can do but I won't promise anything…love I swear when you get back you will pay me back for this."

"I'll be more than happy to pay you back for all your troubles sweet man." She better, I could feel trouble stirring underneath my pants.

"All right all right, don't start anything yet or I will demand you get back on a plane tonight."

She laughed at that. "So have you thought of any baby names?"

"Isn't it a bit too soon for that? I mean we don't even know if it's going to be a boy or a girl."

"It's going to be a boy. I just know it. And it will be just as handsome as his father."

"Or it could be a beautiful baby girl with beautiful brown curls and captivating chocolate brown eyes."

"You mean mud colored eyes." she was clearly displeased, before I could have this never ending argument with her, she cut me off. "But anyways, it's never too soon to start thinking of names. And we can think for both boy and girl names."

"Okay I know you have already been thinking of some and you are dying to tell me about them."

"Really? I'm that predictable?"

"Love we grew up together, I think I know you better than your own mother. Well go ahead now."

"Well I don't know I don't want a name that is too common. I've been looking into some though, what do you think about Adriel?"

I think my silence was enough of an answer for her. "Well I'm also looking into their meaning and I liked It." she defended.

"Any others in mind?"

"Brody?"

"Ugh no, no son of mine will be named Brody. Have you thought about any girl ones? There's a lot more variety of unusual names there."

"Since you think it's going to be a girl why don't you look for those names and I'll look for boy's names yeah?"

"Okay that sounds about right. You have to start thinking of better names though. Or else I will refuse to name him."

"So you acknowledge it's a boy!"

"Let's not argue about this right now."

"Because I'm right. It's mother's intuition honey."

I laughed. This woman really was ready to become a mother and she was quite eager as well.

"And Edward better learn not to doubt a mother's intuition." Renee's voice, Bella's mother could be heard from the other side.

"Tell your mom I send lot's of love."

"She says she misses you."

"I do too…I'll see what I can do maybe I will be able to visit if at least for a weekend."

"Oh I really hope you can!" she said between a yawn.

"Go to sleep love you need all the rest you can get. I hear you will receive very little once that little creature is born."

"Hmm you're probably right."

"I love you."

"I love you too. This is going to be such a long wait."

"Ah," I groaned as I slipped into the big empty bed. "Don't remind me of that."

"I'm sorry."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight." She softly replied.

I hung up the phone and set it on the bedside table. I turned on my side as I thought of tomorrow. After having such an interesting weekend with Desiree tomorrow would be much duller than usual. I tried to push away her thoughts about the position I was in. If I was being honest with myself I envied her to a certain extent. I envied her freedom. Like I had said to her, it was too late for me to do anything about it. There was no point to it any longer. I had to be happy with what I had, and now my wife and baby were all I could possibly want.

The week went by without incident. I came to the realization that aside from Bella and my family my life did not consist of much else. I like to think I wasn't the only one in this position and that that was the way it was for all married men.

Though I hadn't heard from Desiree since Sunday we had agreed to meet at her house on Saturday.

When I knocked on her door I heard tack scratch at it and bark. I wasn't expecting it when the door burst open and Desiree threw her body onto mines hugging me and saying, "they approved it!" she repeated this and then she pulled back to look at me. I'm sure my expression must have shown utter confusion. I was unsure as to what she was saying.

"What?"

Her brilliant blue eyes seemed lively and excited, it was a whole new Desiree "you're getting published!"