Hey everyone! First off, I want to say that I'm not trying to make anyone feel any empathy for Edward by showing scenes from the past. This is just to develop characters. I want to show that Edward and Bella were absolutely in love with each other and he was a good man. Things definitely changed somewhere, as everyone can see. I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other. I hope you enjoy this chapter! See you at the bottom.
Bella POV
I woke up the next morning, light already streaming in through the window. I could hear Nessie and Jake talking to each other downstairs. I smiled listening to them talking; Jake was definitely somebody that she could use right now through all of the crap with Edward. After a few minutes, I heard another female voice join in. Seconds later, Nessie screamed "Auntie Alice!"
I hopped out of bed and threw my hair up into a bun before I went down the stairs. When I got to the bottom, I found Alice small frame holding my daughter. "Sweetie, get down before Alice pulls something. You're too old for her to carry."
Nessie hopped down and stuck her tongue out at me, playfully. Jacob took Nessie outside to play so I could talk to Alice, and I gave him a hug before they left. I turned around and found watching the exchange with a raised eyebrow. "Just say it, Alice."
Alice walked over and sat on the couch, patting the spot next to her. I sat down with her before she started talking. "I'm just worried about you, Bella. I know the doctors said you're fine, but I wanted to come over to help you out. I just didn't expect to find Jacob living with you now."
I sighed, "Ali. He's my friend. He is just helping out right now while I need someone."
"I could've stayed here with you. Why Jacob? Of all people?"
I stared at Alice, anger bubbling inside of me. "Because I trust him. That's why. I wasn't going to take you away from Jasper to stay here with me. Jacob insisted. Nessie loves him, and it's good for her to have someone like that right now."
"I wasn't trying to make you angry, Bella. I'm sorry. I guess I was just shocked to find Jacob actually living with you. I didn't know it was like that between the two of you."
"It isn't, Ali. He's my friend. That's all it is. He's helping me out right now. He's fun and thoughtful and great with Nessie. That's what I need right now. Something to get my mind off of all the bullshit going on five houses down."
Alice leaned over and pulled me into a hug before I even realized I was crying. "Oh, Bella. Honey, don't cry. Don't cry over him anymore."
I wiped the tears and sat back. "I kissed him last night, Alice," I whispered quietly.
Alice's face lost all color as she watched me. "You kissed who? Edward?"
"Alice! No! Jacob." I couldn't believe she thought I meant Edward. The only physical contact I want to have with him right now is something involving my fist and his perfect face.
"How was it?" Alice asked, sitting up a little straighter on the couch. "I want to know what happened."
I laughed, retelling the previous night to Alice. I just want someone to tell me how to feel.
Edward POV
From my backyard, I can see the old home if I angle myself just so and look closely. There are some trees in the way, but I can get glimpses of the backyard. I do this whenever Victoria is busying with the shit that she insists on every day; the primping and polishing to make her fake appearance a daily look. This morning was one of those times. I stood in the perfect little spot and watched, fully expecting to not see anything so early.
The anger was immediate when I saw who my little girl was playing with in the backyard. What the hell was Jacob doing at the house this damn early? Nessie was running and laughing and having fun with him. I felt my face turning red from anger and I clenched my fists at my sides. It shouldn't be that fucking asshole playing with my daughter.
My anger increased further when I felt two perfectly manicured hands sliding up my back and around my waist. "What are you doing out here, Eddie."
I stepped away from her and walked back inside. "Don't call me that, Victoria. Just leave me alone."
Bella POV
Alice and I talked for the next few hours. Jacob took Nessie out to breakfast, and I promised her that we would do whatever she wanted to this afternoon. Alice didn't judge me for letting Jacob stay here after I told her that the doctor wanted me to be around someone all the time in case I fainted again.
Alice looked up to me, smiling, and took my hand. "So, there's a reason I came over here today. Obviously I wanted to check on you, but I also wanted to give you some news. I'm pregnant, Bella."
I squealed as I pulled Alice into a hug, "Oh, Ali! That's wonderful!"
Alice laughed and hugged me back, "I went to the doctor yesterday and saw the ultrasound. He's so teeny tiny, Bella. Not that I know it's a boy anyway; I'm just thinking that it might be."
I smiled and noticed the glow she had. I laid my hand on my stomach and sighed, "Our babies can grow up together, Ali."
She smiled, a little sadly, "It's all going to be okay, Bella."
Alice left soon after, and I called Jake to tell him that he could bring Nessie back. He told me they were in the park right now but would be back before too long. I knew that would give me enough time to take a shower and relax a little before they got back. I went upstairs and stripped down, watching myself in the mirror. My baby bump was definitely growing. I placed my hand on it and smiled to myself; this baby would be loved no matter what the situation was with Edward and I. I stepped into the shower and leaned my head back, warm water flowing down my face.
I took my time in the shower and then put on some fresh clothes, throwing my hair back up into a bun. I walked downstairs and knew I still had a little time until Nessie and Jake would be back. I went outside and collapsed into one of the lawn chairs so I could soak up a little sun. I closed my eyes and smiled, the sun warm on my skin. I must have dozed off because I soon heard the slam of a door and Nessie yelling through the house for me. A few moments later, Nessie jumped on the chair that I had been lounging in.
"Hello, mommy! Jakey and I have had so much fun this morning."
I smiled, pulling my daughter in for a hug. "That's great, baby. Did you decide what you wanted us to do this afternoon?"
Nessie pulled back, a huge smile spread across her face. "We can do anything I want?"
I nodded at the excitement, "Anything, sweetheart. Within reason, of course."
"I want me and you to spend the day with daddy." And my heart dropped.
XxXxX
Nessie held my hand, pulling me along, as we walked through the park to meet Edward. I had promised her anything that was within my power, and this definitely was, no matter how difficult it might be. Jake had a fit when I agreed to this, but I couldn't handle the look on Nessie's face when she told me the only thing she wanted to do today. This is hard on her, too. So I agreed and watched Nessie as she ran down the street to tell her dad about our afternoon plans.
I sat on the bench with her while we waited for Edward to pull up. Nessie sat down side me and looked up at me with the biggest smile, "Thank you, mommy. I miss daddy so much sometimes. I don't understand why we can't keep being a family."
I wrapped my arm around my little girl as my heart tore a little at her words, "I know this is hard, my sweet girl. It isn't ever easy to understand. Just know that we both love you so much. And you can always go see your father any time that you want to and he says it's okay."
Nessie nodded before she hopped up off the bench yelling, "Daddy!"
I looked up as Nessie ran toward Edward and felt the tug on my heart and he beamed back at her. "Nessie!" He picked her up, spinning her in a big circle before setting her back down.
Edward held our daughter's hand, listening to every word she said, while they walked back over to me. I nodded in a hello as they reached the bench. Edward gave me a smile which I only returned when Nessie looked to see my reaction.
"So, Nessie. What do you want to do?"
"Hide and seek!" She yelled, taking off.
I looked to Edward, immediately falling into our usual routine with our daughter's favorite game. Edward has always kept an eye first while she hid so that we always knew where she was while I took the role of counting first. He already has his eyes trained on her, so I turned to count.
I could feel him beside me still and clenched my eyes tighter. "Bella, can we talk?"
"This is just for Reneesme, Edward. Go hide."
He sighed but walked off. "One…" I just couldn't do this right now. "Two…" I love Nessie and want to do everything I can for her, "Three…" but I just can't talk to him. "Four…" I don't even know what there is to talk about. "Five…" He's the one that left for that whore. "Six…Seven…Eight…Nine…Ten!"
I opened my eyes and turned around to look for my lovely daughter and her asshole father. I immediately spotted Nessie, and went after her. She squealed with happiness when I caught her and agreed to help me catch her father.
Nessie pointed over to a large tree and told me that she saw him run behind it right before I called out ten. We went over there and Nessie went around one side while I walked to the other. She yelled out and jumped around to scare her father, and he acted shocked that she had found him so quickly.
Edward decided to count next, and once again, Nessie took off running. I turned to watch her, but Edward grabbed my arm. I kept my eyes trained on my daughter as I let him say what he wanted to me.
"Bella, please. Agree to meet me one morning. Coffee. That's it. Let me say my piece and then I swear, that's it. I'll leave you alone. Just listen to what I have to say right now."
I turned to him quickly and snarled in his face, "Just what the hell makes you think you have any right to ask anything of me, Edward? You lost that when you couldn't keep your dick out of that whore."
Edward winced at my words, but took over watching where our daughter ran to. "I know, Bella. That's why I'm begging you. One morning. Ten minutes. That's all I'm begging for."
I hardened my gaze, trying to figure out what he might be playing at. "Ten minutes. Five if you piss me off. Then you fuck off and leave me alone."
Edward nodded and turned around to count as I left to go hide. This day for my daughter would not be ruined because of my problems with her father.
Review please! I love hearing from all of you. And please don't ever worry about asking questions. I'm more than happy to answer if I'm able to.
