A wee warning comes with this chapter: some sensitive subjects are included (which I'll mention at the end), but unfortunately, for the story to go the way I had it planned, it needs to happen.

I don't. Stephenie does.

Chapter 9.
Bella.

Edward suspiciously closed the lid of his laptop the moment I stepped into his office - he was hiding something from me, which I could tell by the way his eyes looked sheepishly around the room. I pretended like I hadn't noticed and happily parked myself on his lap; my arm hooped around his shoulders and he kissed the side of my head.

"Did they finally nod off?" He asked of the twins, who I had just settled into their cribs.

"Marco was still awake when I left, but he'd stopped whimpering, so he's probably asleep now."

I couldn't believe our little babies were already three months old; they had grown up so much and it won't be long before they speak their first word or take their first step. Edward and I had had that very same conversation just the night before. He told me what Cooper was like at that age, and how scary it was to see him grow up so fast.

I made myself more comfortable against him and could have easily fallen asleep with my head on his shoulder. We don't often get this special time with one another, what with the Twins needing our constant attention and either one of us being at work during the day. But Edward had decided to work from home for the day, and with Coop at school and the babies asleep, we didn't want to miss the opportunity.

"So," I broke the relaxed silence, "are you going to tell me what you're hiding?" I grinned.

"Um... just boring work stuff; y'know - the usual."

Yeah, don't try and fool me, Buddy.

"Edward, I know you well enough to know when you're hiding something from me. So, what is it?"

He sighed and tightened his arms around my waist. "Damn, my cover has been blown. I wanted to organize a trip somewhere in the summer - like a first family vacation - and I wanted it to be a surprise, but you're too clever for me, woman."

My heart did a funny flip thing in my chest. Aww, he's so cute... sometimes.

Edward continued to talk, "I won't tell you where (because I don't know either) but please keep this a secret from Coop; we've never really been on a vacation somewhere before and I'd love to see his face when we say we're going the next morning."

I kissed his stubbled jaw, "you're such a wonderful father, y'know. And don't worry - your secret is safe with me."

Again we welcomed the silence, until the baby monitor came alive with the sound of Elizabeth waking up.

"One last thing," I said, standing up from his lap, "did you notice anything strange about Cooper this morning?"

Edward's brows crossed in thought, "not that I recall... How come?"

"I don't know, he didn't seem as chirpy when you left to take him to school, but maybe that's because it's a Monday and the start of another long week."

"Yeah, maybe... I'll keep that in mind, though, and see if I spot anything."

"Okay. I'm going to check on the Twins and then head off to collect him, so I'll see you when I get back." I leant down to kiss him goodbye, "love you."

"Love you."

0-0

With the conversation we'd just had still fresh in my mind, I played close attention to the little nine-year-old when he left the school gates and made his way to the car. The first thing I noticed was that he wasn't wearing his sweater-vest anymore, but he'd had Gym earlier on, so it could have been that he didn't put it back on afterwards. He held tight to the straps of his backpack and walked with almost a hunch and head down.

"Hey, Sweetheart." I tried to sound as happy as I could.

"Hi." He mumbled, throwing his backpack into the car and climbing in after it.

"How was school?"

"Fine."

There was something definitely wrong there; usually he'd blow up into conversation - explaining everything he did and learnt. But this time, nothing - barely a syllable. I watched him for a second, before deciding to keep quiet and start the engine.

Almost half way home and still not a word had been muttered, so I went against my recent thought, and asked him if anything was wrong.

"I've got a headache." Was all he said in reply.

The number of times I've used that excuse on my parents; I'm not buying it.

"I'll get you a drink and a heat pack when we get inside. And maybe the Twins will be awake when we get there; I think they've missed their big brother today."

I turned into our street and then the drive away, all without the lightest giggle from beside me.

0-0

"Something is definitely wrong."

Edward let go of the spoon he was stirring the dinner with and looked down at me and Marco. "What did he say?"

I took the empty milk bottle from our son's mouth and patted his back softly. "Nothing. He told me he had a headache but I don't buy it, Edward. Even when he's taken over with a cold, he's still bubbly and excited, so I can't see how a headache would keep him this quiet."

"Yeah, that doesn't make much sense to me either. Don't let it worry you, love; after dinner I'll talk to him privately and see if he opens up; it might be a guy thing."

"A guy thing? Edward, he's nine, not thirteen!"

"Bella, we don't know! He's learning about what happens when we grow up and maybe he's worried about it - I remember going through the same thing and being too embarrassed to talk to anyone apart from my Dad."

He had a point. "Okay, fine, but you'll tell me what he says, right?"

"Of course."

As he put the finishing touches to our dinner, I fed Elizabeth and when that was done and she was settled in the rocker next to Marco, the dinner was ready and a grumpy Cooper had reluctantly joined us at the table.

You could have broken the atmosphere with a knife.

It was dreadful.

"Anything fun happen at school today, Coop?" My heart dropped when he sighed angrily and shoved some broccoli into his mouth.

Was I the reason he's acting so strange? Maybe he thinks we love Elizabeth and Marco more than him? Surely he knows differently, right?

"Bella asked you a question, Cooper." Edward had his semi-stern voice on. There's no 'Coop' or 'Buddy' pet-names when he's being stern.

"I know that."

"Then why don't you answer her?"

"Because I don't want to, okay!" He threw his cutlery down on the plate with force.

"Cooper." Edward warned, with a hint of confusion.

"What?"

"What is wrong with you today?"

"Nothing!"

As much as I wanted to kneel before Cooper and beg him to let me help, I had to stay on Edward's side and act like the parent, not the best friend. So, when our awkward meal was over, I simply asked him to bring his plate to the sink - again, he refused, so I tried Edward's tactic.

"Cooper, I want you to bring your plate to the sink, please."

"You can't tell me what to do. You're not my Mom, so stop trying to be!"

It was as if someone had smacked me 'round the head with a frying pan - it was so sudden, forceful and harsh that it took me a couple seconds to take in what he'd actually said. I mean, I know I'm not his mom and I'd never take that place, but I was the closest thing he had to one and he's called me 'Madre' (Italian for 'mother') more times than I could count. I hadn't ever imagined him saying something like that.

"Apologize. Right now." Edward was fuming.

"No!"

Elizabeth and Marco were crying and Flash began to bark.

"Then get up stairs."

"No!"

Edward was turning red in anger. Never had I seen him act like this. I won't lie; it scared me. "I am your father and you will do as I say!"

"No you're not! Garrett is my father; you're just Edward!"

If there was one way to shatter this man, Cooper knew how.

Edward quickly took his leave, but not before taking the upset Twins with him.

I didn't know what to do - Cooper was clearly in a vulnerable position and he was about to crack, but so was Edward, and no doubt he was belittling himself and needed me to talk him out of it. But who was I to choose?

Cooper decided for me - he shot a fleeting glance in the direction that Edward went, huffed, and stormed up the stairs.

0-0

"What just happened, Bella?"

"I don't know."

I held Marco, Edward held Elizabeth and together we sat side-by-side on the sofa. Our children were smiling freely, but our smiles were fake. We didn't know what had triggered Cooper to say something like that, or how to deal with it.

"Should we try talking to him again?" I asked.

"You can, but I'm scared to say anything that I'll live to regret."

A short while later, we were still in the same position. "Edward, you don't believe what he said, do you?"

"Believe what? That Garrett is his dad and I'm just 'Edward'? It's the truth, isn't it?"

"No, it's not the truth. You are his 'Padre'; you are the reason he is who he is. I know this is a tough subject for you, but how many times have I told you that? Cooper is quite obviously angry at something but there is no-way he meant what he just said. The first day I met him, at that tiny swimming pool in Forks, you were the only thing he spoke about - my Dad does this; my Dad does that; my Dad taught me about this, that and the next thing. He wasn't talking about Garrett, he was talking about you."

It frustrated me slightly, how often I'd had to repeat myself. I felt like a freaking parrot!

"I just don't understand what would have caused something like this." He stroked a mindless finger through the red curls forming on Elizabeth's head.

"Neither do I, but we will find out, and we'll help him get over it. And until that time comes, we need to stick together; don't hideaway from me, because that'll only make the fire grow."

Our hands locked together, "I really do love you, sometimes." He grinned and pressed a gentle kiss just above my eye.

"Funny that, because I really do love you, sometimes, too."

That dark cloud drew brighter and lifted the weight on our shoulders. The Twins laughed and smiled at the silly faces we made and for a second it almost seemed as though nothing had happened.

... Almost.

0-0

Cooper

0-0

I'm not very happy right now.

Theses people at school are being mean to me and then I had an argument with Edward, (I can't call him Padre, 'cause he's not my Dad).

They've been mean to me all last week, and then today it got worse.

They pushed me over, said I was a stupid baby, still wear diapers and wear stupid clothes. But I don't wear diapers anymore, I'm nine! My Auntie Rose said that if someone you don't like does something you don't like you should always stick up for yourself (or punch them in the nuts), so I did and I said that Edward would go and beat their ass... but that just made it worse.

They said Edward wouldn't do that, 'cause he's not my real Dad and only real Dads do things like that.

It made me real sad, 'cause they were right; I don't have a real family - my Mom died and my Dad didn't want me no-more. I just have Bella and Edward, and they have their own children to look after.

So when Bella picked me up after school I was sad 'cause I wanted it to be my Mom and we'd go home to my Dad.

I have Flash; he'll always be my real dog and my best friend and we won't ever get into arguments ('cause, y'know, he can't talk).

I want a drink, so I leave my bedroom to get one, and when I go downstairs I hear Bella and Edward laughing with Ellie and Marco.

They are being a real family.

I want one of those.

0-0

*Wipes tears* Holy Mother of God, that was hard.

I hope that hasn't affected you in some way, and if you are being bullied (in any way, shape, or form) please talk to someone. I know from experience the emotional scaring it can cause, and the best thing I ever did was telling my teacher, who gradually put a stop to it.

I am more than happy to listen and help if you feel more confident telling someone who you don't know personally.

Thank you for reading, please pass on your thoughts, and I'll see you all next time! X