A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Yes this is my first time posting in 2011...sorry for the long delay. I got a new laptop and I started having trouble with word...but its all fixed now! Happy days :D But the little break has got me fresh and ready to write! I think this is a really good chapter...and so the story has a little change in direction! :) So let me know what you think of it! Oh...and a little personaly news (if you read my other story Wanting the Impossible, you might already know) I've been offered a full scholarship of Missouri State! Woo...so there is a likely chance I will be moving to the states in August! Woop! Anyway...on with the chapter ;)

Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight...I just play around with the character (y)

BPOV

"YOU KISSED!" Alice screeched in my ear.

"Christ sake Alice! Calm down, it was only a kiss."

Alice looked at me incredulously.

"Yeah I know that! Bella how long have you and Edward had a 'thing' going on? I wasn't even expecting you to come home last night! Why do you think that I offered to look after the kids?"

"Alice! You need to slow down! I know you are excited about me and Edward, but I'm just not ready to take huge leaps. My life is a cluster fuck as it is right now; I don't need any more complications!"

Alice suddenly looked as if someone had kicked her puppy, before nodding and looking down into her coffee cup. Sighing, I got up from the table, grabbed my bag and walked out into the hallway.

"Come on kids, we're off to school."

Mason and Lizzie came barrelling down the stairs with their school things, running out the door in front of me. I turned back to face the direction of the kitchen.

"I'll call you later Alice."

Shutting the door behind me, I got into the car, not before checking to see if Lizzie was in securely and headed towards the primary school. The kids jumped out as soon as I pulled up, waving goodbye and running off to be with their friends.

I walked into my classroom, finding Angela already waiting for me.

"Hey Ange."

"Morning Bells, how you doing this morning?" She asked rubbing my rounding belly.

"We're good, just taking it day by day."

"Good, so update, we have a new kid coming in today. Single mother, just moved here with her little sprite. "

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. She really did love kids and couldn't wait for her and her fiancé to have children of their own. I started to set things up on my desk for the kids to come in. The bell rang 5 minutes later and a my class poured into the room.

"Okay kids, take out you projects from the other days, get into your groups and get them finished."

They all ran around, getting themselves settled. No long after everyone was working, Rosalie popped her head through the door.

"Bella, can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Sure. Ange, can you watch them."

Angela nodded from where she was sat next to a group of kids, helping them with their project. I stepped out into the hallway and shut the door behind me.

"Sorry for pulling you out Bella. I assume that Ange told you about the new student but I just wanted you to meet the child's mother and introduce you to the student away from the rest of the kids"

"Sure that's no problem."

"So, how was your date with Edward?"

"We are not talking about this right now Rosie."

She cracked up laughing before opening the door to her office.

"Miss Hunter, I would like you to meet your son's teacher."

My heart stopped beating as I looked at the familiar wild red hair, pale skin and bright blue eyes that were staring back at me in shock. Victoria. Shit! My heart suddenly shot up into my throat, making me feel like I was going to choke. Things started to go dizzy. What James here? Was this a plan to get me back?

I was pulled from my musings when I heard a high pitched squeal.

"Aunty Bella!"

A small pair of arms suddenly wrapped around my legs. Looking down, I saw the beaming smile of my 5 year old niece; Riley. She look just like her mother, with pale skin, bright shining blue eyes with freckles across her nose but her hair was a couple of shades darker than Victoria's. I bent down and pulled her into my arms. Riley was such a sweetheart; it made me wonder how such evil people like Victoria and Laurent could create some thing as pure as her. But I hardly got to see her and that was a disappointment.

"Hey sweetie." I said holding her tight. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too auntie Bella."

I pulled her up and placed her on my hip, careful of my swelling belly. I looked over at Rosie and Victoria who was stood staring at me in shock; Victoria had tears in her eyes.

"Victoria." I greeted her curtly, putting a brave face on in front of the little one.

"Bella?" She whispered in disbelief. "Is that really you?"

"Of course."

Next thing I knew, Victoria had flung herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and burst out into tears. I was too shocked to move, but the look on Rosie's face told me that I had some explaining to do. I patted Victoria on the back, trying to calm her down, while holding onto Riley. After a few moments, she pulled away looking me straight in the eye.

"James told us you were dead."

My blood ran cold.

"What?"

"He told us that you had gone mad and killed the kids and then killed yourself, not before setting the house on fire. We had a funeral and everything!"

"Why the hell would he tell you that? And why would you care? You hated me Victoria!"

"Of course I hated you Bella! You were constantly cheating on my brother; your husband!"

"Is that what he told you? Victoria, James is a manipulative man, he can make anyone believe anything. I never even looked at another man; James would have killed me before that happened."

"I don't understand! Why would he lie about you?"

"I thing you and I have a lot to talk about, but not right now." I said realising that Riley and Rose was still in the room and that I had a class full of kids to get back to.

"When you come back to pick Riley up, follow me home and we can chat then."

Victoria nodded before kissing Riley on the forehead goodbye. Just as she was at the door ,I turned to her.

"He's not here is he?"

She shook her head."No and your right. We do have a lot to talk about."

I could see the truth in her eyes. He wasn't here.

But that doesn't mean she won't tell him where you are.

Once she left, I dropped Riley back onto the floor and took her hand in mine.

"Right missy, are you ready to meet you new class?"

Riley nodded her head up and down in excitement, her eyes wide and bright. We turned to head back to the class when I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder.

"Bella, are you going to be alright to teach?"

"I'll be fine Rosie."

She didn't look convinced.

"Well, remember I'm always here if you need someone to talk to."

"Thanks Rose, I really appreciate it."

Leading Riley back to class, she babbled on about how she had stated dancing and how much she loved it and that she was going to be a dancer when she was all grown up. I laughed along, realising how much I did miss her. But she suddenly went all quite as we reached my classroom door.

"What's up Riley?"

"What if no one likes me?" She asked in a soft voice.

"Sweetie, they are going to love you! Just like I do! And when it comes to playtime, you will get to see Mason and Lizzie again!"

She brightened up as the mention of her cousins. Leading her into the class and up to the front, I noticed that everyone was still busy with their projects; good.

"Alright kids, listen up! We have a new girl joining our class today; her name is Riley Hunter and I hope you all make her feel welcome here."

The class chorused ' Hello Riley' before I pointed to a free chair in the middle table for her to join. I instructed the class to continue to work on their projects for a few more minutes before they would be presenting them to the class. Riley was added to the group she was sat with and within no time she was babbling away to the other girls and boys on the table.

After their time was up, one by one each group came up and gave their presentation on their chosen animals. Once everyone had finished, it was playtime. I called Riley and a little girl called Amber, who seemed to get along well with Riley.

"Amber, can you do something for me and look after Riley outside?"

"Yes Miss Bella."

"Thank you. Okay now, off you go to play."

The two girls ran from the class, hand in hand, not before Riley stopped and shouted "bye Auntie Bella" on her way out the class.

The rest of the day passed with ease, apart from Angela getting on my back about Riley and my date with Edward. But the easy feeling soon vanished as the final bell rang for home time.

"Well done on your presentations today. I will have a treat tomorrow for everyone."

With cheers from the class, the poured out into the hallway with the other children. I took my time clearing up the classroom before I went to meet Mason and Lizzie. My stomach clenched in knots with I saw Victoria stood with them, a sudden urge to take them away from her flooded my body. But as soon as Mason and Lizzie spotted me, they ran to my side, clinging frighten, to my legs.

Victoria looked surprised at first, but then it turned to curiosity. I gave her the 'I'll explain later' look. She nodded in understanding before we parted to go to our cars so she could follow me home.

Once I pulled into the driveway, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the oncoming conversation. I pulled Lizzie out of her seat and led them inside, leaving the door open for Victoria and Riley.

"Kids, why don't you go and play in the playroom while I get us some snacks."

The kids ran into the room Alice built for them, next to the living room as I heard the door shut. I popped my head out of the kitchen, smiling down at Riley as she bounced down the hall.

"Riley, sweetie, Mason and Lizzie are in the playroom. Why don't you go join them while me and your mom make some snacks?"

Riley nodded, bright smile still in place as she ran into the room that I was pointing to. It was slightly awkward, standing in the hallway with Victoria, but I quickly composed myself; I needed to be the bigger person right now. I could fall apart later.

"We can talk in here while I make some snacks."

I walked back into the kitchen, pulling some things out to make some sandwiches and vegetable snacks. I heard the legs of a chair scrap across the floor, indicating Victoria had sat down.

"Coffee?"

"Um, sure." She replied. Her voice was small and weak, completely opposite than I remember. I flipped the coffee pot on and made the snacks in silence. I plated everything up and poured the coffee, placing the cups on the table, before bringing the snacks into the kids.

I sat down next to Victoria, picking up coffee and taking a big relaxing gulp. I would be the one to start everything.

"So why are you here Victoria?"

"I left Laurent."

I waited for her to continue.

"After we had your, fake, funeral, James went weird. He would disappear for days, then turn up looking like a complete addict. I didn't think anything of it at first; thinking he was just grieving you know. But then it went on and he started to become violent towards everyone. He started slapping me around every time I tried to ask what was going on."

She took a deep breath and a gulp of her coffee before continuing.

"Laurent began keeping an eye on him, going out when he went out. Staying away for days and then coming back just like James would. Then strange men would appear at the house, coming and going as they pleased. I started to get really worried, so I went to the police. I thought that all your 'lovers' were threatening James and Laurent. The police came over and asked the boys a few questions. They said everything was fine. But as soon as they left, James beat me while Laurent looked on. He just stood there and did nothing; the father of my little girl and he just stood there. Once James was done, he told me to keep out of their business or I would pay.

I knew I had to leave. For me and Riley. I packed my things and left in the night, taking Riley. I had a friend down here in Forks so that was the only place I knew to go. My parents was out of the question, James was always the favourite. I had no other option. But I swear Bella, that I had no idea that you were alive, let alone here!"

There was a minutes silence, so I could absorb everything she had told me.

"What the hell happened Bella?"

Finally, it was my turn.

"Victoria, for years, almost as long as I have been married to James, he's abused me. Raped me, hit me, beat me to an inch of my life. He was controlling, manipulative, and delusional. He would come home from the office, reeking for drink and accuse me of cheating on him. Things calmed down a little when I had Mason and Elizabeth but it never really stopped. He rape me days before I left; and that how I ended up with this little bundle of joy."

I motioned to my belly, patting it slightly.

"I left one evening after he hit Mason. He came home particularly late one evening, starting his rampage about how I was 'sleeping around'. He threw a glass at my face when I tried to defend myself; Mason saw. He went ballistic, shout at James. In the end James got fed up and grabbed him by the hair and chucked him on the floor. He hit his head and passed out. James took off after that. I took the kids and left. My dad, Charlie lives here. I hadn't spoken to him in years; James never let me stay in contact with him but it was the only place I could go."

I reached across the table and took Victoria's hand in mine.

"Victoria, I think the reason James said I was dead and then started disappearing for a long time, is because he's looking for me and when he does, he will kill me. I just know it and I am constantly on edge about him finding me. I don't want to lose my kids."

My voice cracked and tears spilled down my face. Victoria's face matched my own. We both began sobbing hard; Victoria stood from the table and pulled me into her arms; together we sank to the floor holding onto each other. Time passed and we continued to take comfort in each others arms. Suddenly I heard the door open and a familiar voice call my name.

"Bella?"

Shit; Edward.

Victoria lifted her hair from my shoulder.

"Who's that?"

"Uh, he's a friend but its complicated."

Victoria smirked a little; it looked funny through her red puffy eyes and blotchy face.

"More than friends?"

"We went on a date last night."

The very strange of events came to a stop as Edward wondered into the kitchen. His face suddenly looked panicked as he saw my tear streaked face and huddled on the floor with to him, someone who would have been a stranger.

"Bella, what's wrong are you alright?"

He grabbed my arm gently, pushing my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. I place a hand on his wrist and pulled it away from my face.

"Edward I'm fine." I said, mustering as much calm in my voice as I could.

He looked at me, his gaze penetrating deep into my eyes; checking to see if I was telling the truth.

"Okay."

He took my hand and pulled me from the floor. I turned back around and helped Victoria up. I guess I need to make introductions.

"Edward, this is Victoria; Victoria, Edward."

They exchange pleasantries and shook hands.

"How do you know each other?"

Shit! Edward, please don't ask that!

"I'm Bella's sister-in-law."

Fuck!

Edward's face suddenly took a pasty white colour before turning a bright purple.

"Edward are you okay?" I asked hesitantly. This did not look good for me.

He turned and looked straight at me, anger burning bright in his eyes. He looked away from me in disgust and glared at Victoria, looking her up and down with distaste. He looked back at me, shaking his head before turning and storming back out of the kitchen. I ran after him.

"Edward, wait."

The kids heard the commotion and came out of the playroom.

"Edward!" Lizzie squealed with a bright smile on her face. Edward just brushed pasted her, as if her wasn't even there.

"Edward! Let me explain."

He didn't listen. He stormed out of the door, slamming it behind him. The band echoed around the house. I stood staring at the door, until I felt a small hand slip into my own. I looked down to find Lizzie looking up at me, her round eyes filled with tears.

"What did I do momma?"

A small sobbed escaped my chest. I bent down and scooped her up into my arms, burring my face in her hair.

"Nothing baby, you did nothing."

I felt Victoria step up behind me and place her hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Bella."

I placed my hand on top of hers. I didn't blame her one bit. We both had problems. We had found a mutual connection. I wasn't about to cast her aside. I wouldn't stoop to the level she once treated me. I would fix this with Edward. I just needed to listen.

A/N: Soooo? What did you think? Let me just say...the coversation between Edward and Bella in the next chapter is going to be good! Lots of angst! Yay! :P

So yeah, please review and tell me what you thought :)

lzielkalollypop!