Mask'charade Chapter 25, Confronting

BPOV

"Have a good day, Mrs. Devereux. I'll be in touch."

"Thank you and Happy Halloween." I say graciously, but instantly feel like an idiot, as he looks at me with a half-hearted grin.

Christ. Happy Halloween, Bella? That couldn't have sounded more stupid.

I watch as he drives away, and Alice drives up right after. She happily hops out of her car and with her arms full, briskly makes her way up to the front door.

"He's cute and looks rather wealthy. Anything you want to share with me, Bella?" She asks, waggling her brows suggestively.

"Cut it out, Alice. He's my lawyer. We were just going over the terms of the divorce." I respond in mock annoyance, as I hold the door open, plucking at the white fuzzy bunny ears on her head as she passes.

"He's still cute." She scoffs and sits the box down on the coffee table then plops down on the sofa.

"Yes, he is rather easy on the eyes. Why, are you inquiring?" I cross my arms and fix her with a curious stare.

"I'm not dead, Bella. There's no harm in recognizing a hot, red-blooded male when I see one; but no, I'm blissfully happy with the man I'm with. Actually…I was thinking more about you."

"What…me? I'm pregnant for God's sake, and I'm not exactly available, Alice." I grab a throw pillow and toss it at her.

"I know. I'm just teasing. It's good to see you smile though." She pulls orange and black streamers from the box and begins hanging them in the window. "I love Halloween. Are you sure you won't come out with Jasper and me tonight? He doesn't have to work, so he'll be able to enjoy the costume party at Masquerade. Get this, he going as the Mad Hatter and I'm going as…"

"Alice-m"

"Right! I thought it was so cute. You should come. You would make an adorable bunny."

"Again, pregnant." I point to my belly, and she rolls her eyes.

"You're not that far along that you can't still have a little fun, Bella."

"Who says I won't be having fun? I'm going to stay home, give out candy to all of the children and maybe watch a horror flick later."

"Sounds wonderful." She replies dryly and removes the bunny ears from her head to place them on mine. "At least look the part when the kiddies arrive."

I bare my teeth and wiggle my nose, giving my rendition of a cute bunny nibble.

"Perfect. Now, make sure you do that and say Happy Halloween before giving out the candy."

"Ha, ha, very funny." I grab the other end of a streamer and help her finish decorating.

After seeing Alice off, dressed adorably in her "Alice" costume, I get ready for the trick or treaters by pouring candy into a huge plastic jack-o-lantern I'd bought last year.

I get a kick out of the first group of children. They all look so cute in their costumes. One, in particular, went all out, dressed up as Johnny Depp's character from Pirates of the Caribbean. There were also many kids dressed as vampires and zombies. What can I say? Twilight and The Walking Dead really tapped into everyone's dark side, not to mention the many little girls who were inspired by the movie Frozen. It was undoubtedly the cutest thing I've ever witnessed. It got me thinking that I can't wait until my little one is born, so I could dress him or her up in their first little costume.

I smile, placing a hand on my stomach, as I sit on the windowsill and stare out at the little kids parading up and down the street with their parents.

"That's going to be us one day little one….all of us. Don't worry. I'm going to bring your daddy back. I promise."

There's a knock on the door, and I quickly make my way over to answer it with candy in hand. It's not a vampire, pirate or even Elsa who stares back at me.

"Hello, Bella. Could I please have a word?"

I step aside, wordlessly inviting her in.

"Thank you. I won't take up too much of your time."

"I take it this is about my visit with Edward."

"Yes. I thought we were in agreement that you'd keep your distance?"

I close the door, realizing this isn't going to be a pleasant or short conversation.

"I'm sorry, Liz, but….I just can't seem to do that. I need to see him. I need to know how he's doing. I haven't heard a thing from either of you since we last spoke."

"I don't mean to sound uncaring or harsh, but did you ever think that neither of us have any real reason to maintain contact with you?"

I swallow hard, as I try to contain my emotion.

"Well, you may not feel the need to maintain contact with me, but this child that I'm carrying is definitely reason enough."

"Bella, please don't use your baby as a bargaining chip, especially when you're not sure of the father's paternity."

I shake my head at her in disbelief, and she holds up her hand.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound combative, but please understand where I'm coming from. Edward is like a son to me, and I will protect him as if he were my own."

"I'm not trying to hurt him, Liz. I love him."

"I know and….I believe that you do, but the thing is, Edward doesn't share your feelings, and now you're planning to meet with him so you can what, convince him that he's in love with you?"

"That's not…."

I look away and run my hands through my hair in distress.

"Look, Bella, I know that this is difficult for you-"

"Do you?" I spin around and glare at her angrily. "Do you have any idea what it's like for the man you love and who you thought loved you to look at you like a complete stranger; like he doesn't even recognize you at all? Can you imagine what it's been like for me every day since I found out that 'Ned' is not who I originally thought he was? I mean, I'm not trying to sound like the victim here, but cut me a break, Liz. I just found out that the man I love and whose child I'm possibly carrying is actually suffering from some sort of personality disorder that causes him to morph into his dead twin brother. Put yourself in my shoes and process that for a second."

She exhales heavily and takes a seat on the sofa.

"I never thought about it that way. I apologize. Edward….he's just always been my focus since he lost his family."

I come over and sit beside her.

"When I went to see him, he was all prepared to push me out of his life. I couldn't believe it. He was so….cold, like he didn't even care…."

"He doesn't remember, Bella."

"I know, but for one moment, one fleeting moment, I thought I saw something in his eyes, like I was able to reach him. And I knew he felt something too. Liz. He was the one who suggested that we meet to talk more. I wasn't about to deny him."

"You told him about Napa."

"I did."

"How did he react?"

"Upset at first, surprised, curious."

"But receptive." She adds with a nod.

"I think maybe he is. He has every reason to be suspicious of me, but deep down he has to suspect that at least some of what I'm saying is the truth; enough that he wants to know more. I don't think I could keep him away now if I tried."

"You're right. You can't." She rubs her forehead in clear frustration. "We'll just need to withhold some information."

"Wait, I won't lie to him." I say instantly, clearly not happy with her intentions.

"Bella, I'm not telling you to lie, just keep certain things….obscure."

"Like what? He already knows about me being married and he knows that we've been intimate."

Her eyes lower as she reaches out to gently touch my stomach and faintly smiles.

"I imagine it's such a beautiful experience. My husband and I always wanted children."

I know exactly where she's leading and I don't like it one bit.

"How long before you start to show?"

"The answer is no, Liz. I can't keep the truth about the baby from him."

"You're going to have to, Bella, for your sake and for his. If you tell Edward about the baby, you will have to tell him everything. And I can honestly tell you that he's not completely receptive of your relationship."

I frown in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"I mean it's already difficult for him to accept that he's been having an affair with a married woman; the same married woman that he just so happens to be in business with her husband. Telling him about the baby in his state could bring on unrepairable damage."

"But what if it doesn't? What if it's just what he needs to bring all of his memories back?"

"Bella, I'm going to level with you, there is also the chance that this might anger Edward, especially if you tell him that the baby could be your husband's. He already thinks the two of you were working to swindle him some kind of way."

"What?"

"Think about it. Your husband wanted to be a part of his company and you got a restaurant out of the deal. It looks….suspicious as hell."

"Oh my God, I'm not trying to swindle him, Liz! I just want him back!"

She doesn't respond, as she rises from the sofa and walks to the door.

"You know, I do understand that this is difficult for you too. I can't imagine the stress you must be under, especially being pregnant and all. Please take care of yourself and the baby." She stops and turns to me.

"I will, but just so you know, I do fully intend on seeing him, Liz."

"I really didn't think that you wouldn't."

She opens the door and steps outside.

"Just so you understand, Bella, at the end of the day, the goal is to reach Ned, but only to save Edward."

Her words linger in my mind long after she leaves, giving me a lot to think about.

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.

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It's well into the evening and most of the trick or treating has pretty much died down. I finally settle on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn and soft drink, waiting on the twelve hour horror movie marathon to start.

I can't help but think about my meetings with Liz and Edward. Times like this, I wish my mom were close, so I could talk to her. I love my mother so much, but our relationship isn't what I hoped it would be when she moved to Italy, and this situation I'm dealing with is hardly fit for phone conversation. Honestly, I feel slightly embarrassed to call her and tell her about James and me, and I really want to share the news about her first grandchild, but I'm not ready. She'll have questions that I'm definitely not prepared to answer. Right now, it would be easier to talk to my father. All I would have to do is say that things were complicated, and he'd simply tell me he'll be there to listen when I'm ready to talk. I really miss them both, and I feel terrible for not keeping in touch as much lately. I plan to rectify that soon.

I snuggle into the crook of the couch as the marathon begins on television.

Great. Something that will literally scare the crap out of me.

I'm engrossed in watching Michael Meyers scare the living shit out of everyone, when my doorbell rings.

"I know that can't be more kids. It's eight p.m. on a school night." I say as I sprint to the door and open it. He stands, looking at me peculiarly and tugs on one the bunny ears.

"Cute. Which one will you be providing, the trick or the treat?"