Author's Note:

Okay, y'all, this chapter was a rollercoaster of emotions for me.

I hope I projected the emotions well, because it was a lot. Poor Bella deserves a break. Will she get it soon? We'll see.

Anyways, Enjoy.

I sat there staring blankly out the window while Marcus reassured me that it would be alright.

Almost immediately after I hung up with my dad, I lost it.

I could no longer hold back my tears. I was too tired, too overwhelmed to do so.

I allowed my tears to fall down my face. Sobbing so hard I thought I would break.

Marcus held me as Aro rushed out of the room to check on Charlotte, then brought me some tea to calm me down.

But I couldn't.

Everytime I tried to stop, I remembered everything that was happening and I would start crying all over again.

I'm not sure how much time had passed when I was finally able to calm down.

When I finally did, I walked wordlessly to the bathroom, to wash my face. Once I did, I stared at myself in the mirror.

The words of my grandma Helen suddenly come to mind. "All is for good."

With that in mind, I slowly exited the bathroom and made my way to the living room.

"Hey, are you feeling better?" Marcus asked as he saw me.

I sighed and nodded, "Uh. Yeah. I — I do." I softly replied, as I moved a piece of stray hair behind my ear.

Aro quickly pulled me into a hug, and kissed my cheek before pulling back, his hands still on my upper arms. "You're so strong, my dear. Don't let the actions of other people change who you are." He told me.

I swallowed thickly, before nodding. "Thank you. Both of you. I don't know what I would have done without either of your help." I told them, thickly.

"Bella, we care a lot about you and Charlotte, my dear. We would have helped you regardless." Marcus told me.

I nodded, "Thank you." I whispered.

They left to buy some groceries, and other items for me for the next two weeks. When they got back, I made us some lunch before they drove back to the city.

My dad visited me the following week to check on us, and to explain the situation to me.

As it turns out after I had left that day, he confronted Renee about a few things he had recently discovered.

Renee coddling Rose wasn't the only thing she had done these last few years.

Apparently, Rose wasn't my dad's biological daughter. She was the daughter of a man named Keith Hale. But the man refused to acknowledge Rose's existence because he was already married.

Renee then told my father that she met him shortly before she met my dad, which explains the coddling. She only had me to keep my dad with her.

Which explains why she was more lax with me, borderline negligent.

That wasn't all she had been doing, she recently met a man named Phil. She had been visiting me a lot more often before the situation with Rose and Edward started. As it turns out, my dad followed her to see me one night and discovered Phil lived in the same apartment complex as I did.

She would go see him and then she'd see me and Charlotte.

To say I was shocked would be putting it lightly.

My dad said that she told him that she was tired of this life, and she wanted to move on. So, the best thing they could do was apply for a speedy divorce.

She only asked that she get to keep her car but everything else didn't matter.

"So, that's it?" I asked, in disbelief.

He nodded as he took a sip of his beer. "That's it, baby girl. She said she's done. Don't feel too bad for me though, honestly, it's quite liberating." He told me.

I scoffed a laugh as Charlotte looked up from the coffee table, eyes full of curiosity. "I bet." I replied, reaching over and squeezing her cheek lightly, causing her to bat my hand away. " 'Top it, momma." She mumbled as she began coloring again.

"Leave her alone, Bella." He told me, amused.

I laughed as he gave me another look, "Alright. Geez." I mumbled, as I took a sip out of the can of Sprite.m, shaking my head.

"What about Rosalie?" I finally asked, trying to change the subject.

He sighed, and shook his head, "She has begun to seek professional help… She told me it didn't matter that I wasn't biologically her dad, that she would always see me as her father." He finally told me. "She says she misses ya, you know." He added.

I shook my head, "She unleashed Pandora's box on all of us… Charlotte and I are keeping our distance…" I mumbled as Edward sent me a message, making my eyes widen in shock. "Oh …shi… uh… crud." I said.

My dad frowned as he sat up from the armchair he claimed as his. "What? What's wrong?" He asked.

"Edward and Emmett had a fight over the situation that happened with Rosalie. He said that the situation escalated, and that Emmett quit the band." I told him.

He frowned, "What happened?" He asked.

I sighed, "Apparently, Edward thinks that I am right about keeping Rosalie away… and Emmett said that we should work out differences… words were said, insults and punches were exchanged, and Emmett walked out. Now, they're facing a possible lawsuit, and they need to look for a new vocalist slash guitar or bass player. Not sure he just said that they need to replace him." I told him.

My dad shook his head, "Have you told Edward what Rose did?" He asked me, tilting his head.

"Every word. He agrees with me. Charlotte is a priority here, not Rosalie." I replied.

He nodded, "I hope they still think that when they are in court." He mumbled.

"That's on them. Not me." I replied.

"You should talk to both of them. Maybe Emmett doesn't know what happened." He told me.

I sighed, "Dad, he's — he's Rosalie's fiance not mine. If she didn't tell him, that's her problem, not mine." I finally said.

He shook his head at me, "Bella, lies aren't going to help anyone here. Talk to him." He told me.

I spent a few seconds debating whether or not I should call both of them, and realized if I didn't, this would snowball.

"Damn you for being right." I groaned as I pulled out my phone.

I quietly walked out and made my way into the kitchen.

I hesitantly scrolled through my contacts, before pressing my thumb to the call symbol.

I bit my lip, and sighed, "I hope this doesn't bite me in the ass." I mumbled.

"Hello?"

"Emmett, it's Bella." I said.

"Oh. What do you need, Bella?" He asked, slightly off-putting.

"Did— Did Rosalie tell you what happened?" I asked him.

"No, she only told me that you two had a fight, and that her parents are now getting a divorce." He replied.

I sighed. Of course, she did. "Alright, look. I know that you love Rosalie but I need you to understand the situation before you do something stupid." I replied.

"Oh? And what is that?" He asked, piqued.

I took a deep breath before I explained the situation to him.

The entire time he was quiet, so I wasn't sure if this was good or bad.

When. I heard him sigh, I knew the answer.

"You've given me a lot of things to think about. Thank you for telling me what really happened, Bella. I appreciate it. Despite the fact that Rose is only your half sister, you are looking out for her, even if she doesn't see it…yet." He told me.

I hummed in response.

"Listen I'm on my way back to the hotel so, we'll talk some other time alright?" He told me.

"Okay. Bye." I whispered before hanging up.

I set the phone down on the counter before turning to stare out the kitchen window.

I briefly wondered if life would get better or if my life was going to always be this hectic and worry filled.

Maybe if Charlotte and I left here, we could start over somewhere new… Wait… Maybe all this shit followed us. What if I never got any peace ever again? Fuck…

The ringing of my cellphone interrupted my thoughts from going down that dark road as I felt myself begin to get worked up.

"Hello?"

"What did you do?" Edward asked with a sigh.

"Me?" I replied, confused.

"Did you call Emmett?" He asked in clarification.

I sighed, "Yes. I did." I admitted.

"Why would you do that?" He asked surprised.

I stared down at the counter blankly. Why had I called him? Oh right. Because this could cause the problems we already had to worsen.

"Well, I figured I should help you out since you've helped us out so much for Charlotte and me… not to mention the possibility of this somehow inadvertently affecting Charlotte, so it was selfish reasoning as well." I replied, quietly.

He sighed, "Right. Well, remind me to thank you for this, the next time I see you." He told me.

I tapped my fingers on the counter as I hummed. "Nah. You don't need to do that." I replied.

"Oh, I totally do." He replied in a mocking tone.

I laughed in response, "What for?" I asked, as my brow furrowed.

"Well, the lawsuit was dropped, and now we don't have to look for a replacement." He informed me.

"Well, that's good. Right?" I asked him.

He sighed, though I could hear the smile in his voice, "It's not just good. It's fucking fantastic, and I swear I'm going to find a way to thank you." He promised.

"Don't— don't do that." I laughed, nervously.

"Oh, I definitely am going to do something. And if you kick my ass for it, so be it." He told me, nonchalantly.

"Oh, I will. Especially if it's extravagant… No surprises, I hate them." I reminded him.

"Oh, I remember. I still have the scar you gave me when I tried to surprise you that one time." He mumbled.

I snickered, "That wouldn't have happened if I had at least heard you. I have no control on how I react when I'm surprised." I told him.

"I'll remember." He told me, exasperated.

I was smiling until I realized one thing. I'd never seen his band play besides that one time. And I had been distracted so I didn't pay attention... Suddenly I knew exactly what I wanted.

"I know how you can thank me." I finally told him.

"How?" He asked hesitantly.

"I want to hear the songs you've wrote about me… The ones Emmett told us about." I told him.

He sighed, "Are you sure?" He asked. "Can't I buy you something? Or get Charlotte the big teddy bear she asked for?" He asked me, sounding embarrassed.

I smiled, "No, well, I mean you can get that for her but I want to hear those songs." I told him.

He sighed, "Fine I'll record them and take them to you next week when I visi—" He began before I interrupted him.

"Oh-ho-oh no, buddy boy. I want to hear you perform them." I told him.

"What? Bella, that means the band has to go too." He told me.

I smirked, "That's fine. Judge Romero finally agreed to take away the supervision on your visits…" I informed him.

"Seriously?!" He asked, in surprised excitement.

I laughed, "Yeah, I got the news earlier today... It's not 50/50 custody though, since Charlotte does with me fully. I have sole physical custody. But you were granted visitation rights." I informed him. "And you do have to pay child support." I added.

"It's fine, I don't mind doing that after missing so much… But that's— that's awesome! Oh, I can't wait to see her again." He sighed.

"She misses you. She was sort of sad that you couldn't stay long the other day." I told him.

"I know. I miss her too." He sighed.

"Just a few more days and I'll be there." He promised.

"What about your family?" I asked.

He remained quiet for a second, "Well, they want to come but they had an upcoming event they forgot about so they won't be coming until Thanksgiving. Is that alright?" He asked me.

"That's perfectly fine. I mean it's only a few more days give or take." I replied, unbothered.

"Great." He told me.

Despite their other tour ending in the middle of October, and them asking for a few days off, their agent booked them to play in Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. For a mini tour of sorts.

So, Edward only got to see Charlotte twice before he left again.

They'd be back sometime next week, just in time for the holidays. But it was sort of hard on both of them.

Even though Jacob, Leah, and Embry came to visit us. Along with Sam, Emily, their newborn daughter, Raynee Rae, and Brady, a few days after we moved.

She was happy while they were here but as soon as they left, she became quiet and sort of sad.

That's when she asked me if I was ever going to give her a baby brother or sister, and when I sputtered a half assed no. She grumbled and stomped her way up the stairs to her room.

We didn't touch the subject again. Thankfully.

"So, I've been meaning to ask you..when is Charlotte's birthday?" He asked me.

"Hm?" I asked, blinking back into the present. "Oh, it's December 8th." I replied.

"Really?" He asked.

"Yeah, she was supposed to be born on. New Year's Day, but something happened and I went into early labor." I told him.

"Really? What happened?" He asked me, concerned.

I swallowed thickly, "It's- that's not important…" I whispered.

"You sure…?" He asked, concerned.

I blinked, lost in thought, "Hm?" I mumbled, "Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah." I whispered.

"Alright, well, we're about to go on so, I'll call you later or when I get another chance." He told me.

"Yeah, okay." I whispered, before hanging up.

I knew that he was going to be pissed when I told him how Charlotte ended up here earlier than usual.

It wasn't a conversation for the phone, he would lose his shit when he found out, and I didn't want him doing anything rash so, obviously I was going to have to get my dad to come down as well.

I dreaded the call I had to make next, in fact, I had been hoping I could avoid it for the rest of my existence. Unfortunately here I was knowing that it had to be done.

This call would either make or break me, but this was probably the only way I would get peace of mind.

"Hello?"

"Hello, mother." I whispered.

I had the nagging suspicion that I had forgotten to do something important. But the suspicion was overwhelmed by something else that altogether, and once it was confirmed there was no turning back.

I knew things were never going to be the same. That I was not going to be that forgiving girl anymore.

I did enough. I am enough. I can finally let go.

I knew this was also the end of the relationship with my egg donor. I couldn't call her mother any more because she no longer felt like that to me.

I even told my dad about what had happened, and he reacted about as angry as I was.

I hated that I looked more like my mother than my father. The revulsion I felt towards myself was enough to make me buy dark brown hair dye, and dye the blonde tresses.

I realized then that I looked more like my father like this, and it helped calm the hatred I felt… but only just.

Edward raised a brow the moment he saw me.

"Mr. Edwawd!" Charlotte cheered as she rushed towards him.

The moment he saw her he bent down to catch her as she leapt up to hug him.

He smiled as he picked her up."Hey, Miss. Lottie, how've you been?" He asked her.

She smiled, "Good. Mostly bowed." She told him.

"Hm. Well, we have to think of a way to fix that… how about we watch a movie?" He suggested.

"Otay." She mumbled as she hugged him.

"What movie would you like to watch?" He asked her as he turned to give me a questioning look.

"Cindewella." She told him before I could say anything.

"Alright, let's go watch a movie then." He told her.

"Edwawd, awe you my momma's pwince chawming?" She asked him.

I gaped, and looked away, trying to hide my laughter as his surprised look.

He sputtered for a second, "Uh. No, but I would like to be… one day." He told her quietly, when he thought I wasn't listening, which caused her to laugh.

They watched a few princess movies while I took a few calls from work.

When Edward tucked her in that night, and sang Don't Be Cruel by Elvis Presley to her, I couldn't help the smile that pulled on my face as she giggled at his silly Elvis accent.

Once she fell asleep, we kissed her, and quietly walked out, closing the door slightly before heading down to the kitchen.

I busied myself washing the dishes while he sat on a stool by the counter.

"What is eating at you now?… I can feel you boring a hole into my back." I mumbled.

He sighed, "I think you know…" He mumbled.

I frowned, but continued to wash the dishes until I was done, before finally drying my hands and turning to look at me.

The air froze in my lungs as I turned to find his eyes still staring at me.

We stared at each other for a second before I sighed.

"Alright… what is bothering you, Edward?" I finally repeated.

He sighed, shaking his head as he stared down at his hands. "I don't want you to get mad at me…" He finally whispered.

I frowned, "Why would I get angry?" I asked.

"Because, I want to apologize for all the shit I did. For the way I acted. For being an asshole. For what I said... all those years ago." He finally said.

I sighed, "You don't need to do that…" I whispered looking at the ground.

"No. I do. Because I fucking regret it the moment I did it. You have no idea how bad I felt when it was all said and done... I didn't look for you because I thought you went through with it. Because I knew that you were going to hate me, no matter what happened." He said.

"I was angry. At first. But I realized my daughter needed to be loved. She needed to experience what it's like to feel loved and protected, cared for. I was hell bent on hating you until I saw her for the first time... Then all I cared about was her." I told him.

He exhales slowly. "I don't blame you for hating me. You had every right to keep her away from me, but you didn't. That night when I saw you. The night you told me I knew I had to make it right. That I had to make it up to you. Beg if I had to. Which is why I was glad that this judge decided on this arrangement." He replied.

I ran my tongue on the inside of my cheek, as I nodded. "Look, I'm not mad. You've made it up to her. You've surpassed everything I thought you'd be. So… can we please drop it?" I asked, as I felt us going in to dangerous zones.

"No. I still have a lot of shit to make up for. It's fine to keep asking for more. Always ask for more." He told me.

I sighed. "Edward, I know what you want to talk about so either man up and stop pussyfooting around the subject or drop it." I told him, forcefully.

"Fuck. I forgot how observative you can be." He mumbled.

"Look, you were… you meant a lot to me when we first met… and that scared me…" He began.

"Don't." I snapped, cutting him off before turning away.

"I mean it. We met… and then everything happened so fast… I got scared when you started talking about traveling and living together. I panicked." He whispered.

I kept my back to him, blinking hard as I glued my gaze to the window. The lights of the city reflected as I did.

"I know." I finally said as I looked out the window.

"I'm really sorry for what I said." He finally whispered.

I shook my head, exhaling slowly through my nose to not let my emotions show, "I've always knew that it was too good to be true. It didn't hurt. It was just more disappointing than I thought it would be." I responded, honestly.

"Bella, you are so much more than anything that money can buy. You have to believe that." He said.

I shook my head and turned to see him, anger bubbling in my chest as I did. Hot, angry tears filling my eyes, and falling before I could stop them. "No. See, I can believe a lot of things. But after spending my entire life trying to gain the nonexistent approval of my so-called mother. I lost hope of ever being worth anything to anyone. Although you know what really sucks about falling for a guy you know you're not right for? You fall anyway because you think he might turn out to be different, and when he's not, it hurts more than you thought possible." I told him.

"Bella, I am different." He whispered.

"No. You just think you are because you have love, money and your family on your side… but that doesn't erase your past actions, Edward. It doesn't erase the pain or hurt that I felt. So, let's just pretend that this conversation ever happened, and do what we've been doing. For Charlotte's sake." I finally said, wiping away my face, and walking to the other side of the kitchen to give us some room.

He stared at me, glassy eyed, as he nodded. "For Charlotte." He repeated.

I allowed him to stay with us until Thanksgiving. Though things were a bit tense, at first.

His family, along with my dad, and my dad's new girlfriend, Sue, came down.

Aro and Marcus couldn't make it but promised to come to Charlotte's birthday, along with Jacob and his direct and extended family.

It was nice, despite the slight tension Edward and I still had between us.

Two weeks later everyone arrives as I finished setting up the decorations around the house for Charlotte's birthday.

My friend Angela and her little family drove up and she and I had set up all the decorations while Charlotte and her son Riley played in the ball pit we had set up.

To say Charlotte was ecstatic would be putting it lightly. She was bouncing off the walls. Especially after I dressed her up as Cinderella.

The little smile that lit up her entire face made my heart melt.

Especially after Edward arrived, as promised with his band mates.

Jasper, Garret, and Jasper's son, Peter arrived. He was a year older than Charlotte, and they got along immediately.

The band had rented a black cargo van to transport all the instruments, to avoid being spotted easily, and arrived in amazing time.

As the night progressed, everyone seemed to be having a blast, especially the kids.

Alice, and Kate had even called me shortly after the move, and they apologized for how they acted and handled the situation. Though our friendship is slightly strained, I finally allowed them to come over, with a few conditions.

We were all getting ready to cut the cake when Emmett finally arrived.

He hesitated to walk in by the door way, but when he walked in I knew why.

"Hey Em, what took you so— oh." Jasper said as he stared wide-eyed.

The smile fell from my face as I saw her standing slightly behind Emmett's tall looming form.

"Marcus, get Charlotte and take her out of the room please." I calmly told him.

He and Aro grabbed Charlotte and walked out without another word.

I waited for them to be completely out of earshot before I swiftly made my way towards her and pulled my hand back.

A loud smack resounded throughout the room.

"You've got some nerve showing your face here after everything you've caused." I snarled at her.

"Bella, I'm only here—" She tried to say but I cut her off.

"I could care less why you're here… In fact, I know that you are probably here to make yourself feel better. To fuck things up, yet again. But I'm not going to allow you to do this again to my daughter. You're not welcome here. So, please get out." I sharply told her.

"I'm only— I was only here to—" She stuttered.

I shook my head, "I don't want to hear it, Rosalie. Whether your intentions are good or bad, I no longer care. The last fuck I gave you destoryed by doing what you did. We don't want you here. You need to leave before you ruin Charlotte's birthday." I told her.

"Please, Bella. Look, I got help. I'm still getting it...I'm only here to — ask, no, beg, for your forgiveness… I— I realize how selfish I've been but please don't — don't make me leave. You, Lottie, Em, and dad are the last people I have." She begged, tearfully.

I shook my head at her, "You lost all your chances with me and my daughter when you fucking did what you did. Because yes, I know. Renee told me, everything. You not only hoped to fucking make me lose my baby. You wanted me to lose my ability to have children at all! Our entire life you behaved this way so… this wasn't a resent or new thing. I can't — I can't let you near her knowing you could do this again in the future. Now, please kindly get the fuck out of my house and my life… before I call the cops on you." I told her.

"Bella, she is trying to apologize. At least hear her out." Emmett told me, softly.

I turned to look at him, "I'm sorry, Emmett. But, no. I'm done listening to bullshit excuses that only serve to hurt Charlotte and me in the long run. I can't do it anymore. I won't. So, please leave. Both of you." I told both of them.

Rosalie began to cry as Emmett sighed and pulled her out of the house without another word.

As I stared at them, I felt my eyes well, and tears spilled over, but I couldn't back down. She hurt my daughter. That wasn't going to be easy to forgive or forget.

Forgiveness has a point and limit and I have reached mine.

Edward was suddenly at my side, pulling me into a fierce hug. "It'll be okay." He whispered.

I tensed at the sudden contact before feeling myself relax into the hug. "When?" I whispered.

"I don't know." He whispered.

There was underlying anger in his voice, and I knew why but I didn't have the strength to argue at the moment.

Once the tension had ebbed away, we put the candles in the cake and brought it out to the dining room to sing happy birthday to Charlotte.

It was official.

Our baby was now a four year old, and what a wild ride it's been.