Once again, I thank you all for your response; most were asking about Garrett and mentioning that they don't know how to take him, so all I'm going to say to that is this: I LOVE Garrett in BD and I'd never make him intentionally hurt Cooper, okay? But that's not saying that he won't… *wink*

I don't. Stephenie does.

Chapter 16
12th June 2004

Edward left the lecture with the previous couple hours' work fresh in his head. His tattered, brown messenger bag hung by his side holding nothing by a Toshiba laptop, a notebook and a variety of pens. As he spread out from the bustling college halls, relief filled him as well as the fresh air - he'd never been good around large crowds.

"Hey, Ed!" Edward turned his head to the calling of his name to see Garrett pacing across the green. The two were friends because of Tanya - Edward's closest friend; Garrett's girlfriend. If it weren't for her, the two men couldn't see themselves having a friendship.

"Oh, um, hi, Garrett." Edward stumbled out his few words.

"How was class?" Garrett slapped his large hand around his friend's hunched shoulders.

"Nnn-n-not bad. Yours?" After such a lonely experience at high school, his speech had taking a tumble.

Garrett shrugged, "it was class." Edward snorted a quiet laugh and nodded as he adjusted the thick-rimmed glasses on his face. "So, pal, I'm going to Sven's tonight for a couple beers - you game?"

Who is Sven? Edward couldn't recall hearing of him before, but he liked that Garrett was including him with something outside of Tanya.

"I've… I've never had… beer before." He stressed out, silently shouting at his inability to talk fluent sentences.

Garrett smirked and grasped his shoulder again, "so? I'm only asking if you wanted to join; you don't have to drink if you don't want to."

Phew.

"Um… okay… that'll be fun. Sh-shall I ask T-Tanya if she, um, wants to come… um, too?"

"Er… nah, probably best to leave her, Ed; she's been weird with me recently. Come to think of it, she mentioned anything to you?"

Edward thought over the question, but came up short. "No… not to me."

"Hmm… maybe class is stressing her out." They had arrived outside Edward's apartment, "I'll give you a text with Sven's address later, 'kay?"

"O-okay… see you then, Garrett."

"C'ya, man."

0-0

Edward didn't stay at Sven's for long - not only were they drinking more than just a 'couple beers', but they were happily smoking something that, from the smell, Edward knew was not any normal cigarette. He didn't feel comfortable sitting around with people he hardly knew who were getting high and drunk when he sat there sober.

The next afternoon he had the day off from classes and got started on his Animal Behaviour report. It was shortly after 3pm when a quick knocking was heard at his door and Tanya practically ran in seconds afterwards. Edward peered up from his laptop, paused the soothing music playing from the speakers and tried desperately to figure out what was wrong with his friend. Tanya's face was red, blotchy and her hair looked like a bird had chosen it for their home.

"Are you okay?"

Tanya fell onto the spare seat beside him and curled up in a ball. "Oh, my God…" She whispered, breathlessly. Her arms were wrapped tight around the baggy sweater she wore.

"What's happened?" Edward asked, now worried that she'd been in some sort of attack or something else as equally traumatic. He passed off his laptop and poured all his attention into his now-quivering friend.

"I'm in so much trouble, Edward."

"Why? Tan, you need to tell me." He urged.

She rubbed her hands over her face and stared up at him with glistening eyes - red rimmed from tears. When she spoke, her voice had dropped to barely a whisper. "Um… I'm pregnant." That loaded word made her gasp and produce a fresh round of tears.

Edward sat there and no idea what to say. Congratulations? She's clearly not happy about it.

"What am I going to do? I'm not ready to be a mom! I can't support a child and finish college at the same time!"

They both knew exactly what she could do, but neither dared say it.

"Do you know when you're due?"

"End of February - if my calculations are correct."

"When do you graduate again? May?"

"Yes. Unfortunately some of us aren't lucky enough to finish off in November…"

"Well that's only a couple months after the… baby would be born. You'll have Garrett to help, and I'm staying till next summer anyway, so I could help you too… But, Tan, if you don't feel comfortable about this then… I'll help you through an abortion."

Her eyes opened wide and her hands gently touched her flat stomach, "no… no, Edward, I couldn't do that. I couldn't do that to her, or him. Please, though, please talk to Garrett once I've told him? I have a feeling he won't take this well.

0-0

And she was right - once Garrett had been told, his phone suspiciously went unanswered and he was barely seen around campus. Determined to track him down, Edward followed the directions to Sven's apartment, in the hope that Garrett was there. He wasn't, but Sven kindly pointed Edward in the right direction.

Garrett was found at another friend's place. Edward had never met Mackie before, and was instantly intimidated. Mackie was tall - taller than Edward's 6'2 - and he looked as though he could eat Edward in one bite.

"Uh…um… I…"

Mackie rolled his eyes impatiently, "yes?"

"I-i-is… Garrett… here?"

"Who's asking?"

"Um… E-Ed… Edward."

With a loud sigh Mackie stepped back into the house and called on Garrett to come through, "there's some stuttering idiot here to see you," is what he said.

Garrett was a mess - a heavy stubble had grown along his jaw, his hair was a mess and he stank of alcohol. "How did you find me here?"

"Sven…"

"Asshole." He spat. "Well there's no guessing why you're here is there?"

"You need to talk to Tanya."

Garrett looked suspiciously behind him then stepped onto the porch by Edward - he closed the door loudly behind him. "Listen, I don't want to be a Dad, okay? You're far from stupid, Ed; you should have gathered that. I'll give her money for an abortion… whatever! I don't care, but please, don't come pestering me about some little mistake."

A feeling of sudden anger filled Edward's every being - he'd never felt like this around someone before, and he couldn't figure out why he felt so strongly for a baby that wasn't even a baby yet.

"That child is not a mistake!" His speech came out fluently, for once. "I know you're shocked, but that is your son or daughter whether you like it or not! If you don't want anything to do with him/her that's up to you! But you will regret it later; you'll regret not knowing who they've become."

Edward never waited on a response and walked back towards his car. That was the last time he spoke to Garrett Pace.

Present day.
Edward.

I knew he'd regret it - he wouldn't have travelled all this way if he didn't. He smirked darkly when we let him in the house; he hadn't changed one bit. When I introduced him to Bella, I saw the hatred written all over her beautiful face and I didn't think it was possible to love her more, but when she threatened him in protection for Coop, I found out it was. Garrett replied in a very arrogant manner, and smirked stupidly as he spoke - urgh, I can't stand him.

Cooper walked to us and tried his best to look like he meant business, but to me he just looked stinking adorable. Flash was doing his job as guard dog.

So, first impressions didn't go as planned - not only did Garrett insult Bella, but he then proceeded to insult Coop's size, but I was proud that Coop shot him down just as quickly. Flash, sensing the brooding anger, growled at a still-smirking Garrett.

"Nice dog you've got here. What's his name?" Garrett held out a hand for Flash to sniff. I secretly hoped he bit him instead.

"His names Flash and he's the best guard dog ever. He could bite your wiener off if you're mean to me."

Bella and I both held back our laughter.

"Bite my wiener off?" Garrett gasped in faux worry. "Oh, no!"

"Yes." Cooper nodded.

"Shall we take the conversation through to the living room?" Bella led the way, followed by a still-stubborn Cooper and Flash. Ellie and Marco were awake, bouncing in their loungers, gnawing on their teething rings. They weren't fussed by the stranger in the room.

"They yours, Ed?" He flashed me a grin and slapped my shoulder, "well done, dude - you've been busy."

"They're my brother and sister," once again, Coop shot in before me to answer. "That's Elizabeth (only call her Ellie if you're family) and that's Marco."

It was clear from Garrett's expression that his remarks were only to get a reaction out of Coop. Unfortunately, Bella hadn't caught onto that fact. "Funny, they don't look like you…"

"That is enough!" Bella stood forward, eyes blazing. "How dare you!"

Coop put his tiny hand out, "it's okay, Madre; I've got this." He stood up close to Garrett. "That's because I look just like my Mommy, and at least I don't look like you!"

Garrett's tough facade broke and he sat on the couch laughing his head off. "Okay, I've had enough - I was trying to see how you'd react around me. Well, Little Coop, I'm impressed with what I saw."

Cooper frowned and stepped once, twice, towards him. "So… you weren't really trying to be mean? 'Cause, y'know, it's not nice to be mean."

I felt Bella relax beside me.

"Of course I wasn't. You're only a little kid, Cooper; I'm not an evil person."

"I'm actually nine, y'know - not a little kid."

The two settled into a comfortable conversation and they learnt about the others' likes and dislikes. Coop even mentioned Garrett's son, Riley. "Have you got a picture of him?" I wasn't sure if Coop had figured out Riley was his half brother, but it wouldn't have surprised me if he had.

"Yeah, sure…" Garrett pulled out his leather wallet and found the bundle of photos he kept hidden there. One of the first was a picture of a chubby toddler with shaggy brown hair just like his dad. You couldn't see the person holding Riley, but the hands around his waist were clearly feminine, so I guessed it was his wife.

Coop giggled at Riley's large smile, "he's cute."

"He sure is - he's my little monkey, too."

Coop gasped, "my Padre calls Marco a monkey!"

"Yeah? What a coincidence."

"And I'm his little Tarzan, 'cause, y'know, our stories are kinda the same."

I settled back on the couch with Bella snuggled up at my side and our twins cuddled in our laps. Now the charade had blown away, it was surprisingly nice to watch Cooper and Garrett banter back and forth. My insecurities had practically vanished.

I watched Cooper's face change when the photo of Riley was put back in the wallet. He was no longer smiling and seemed rather sad. "Is… is that my Mom?" He lent in, took the picture and sat back very slowly, like in slow motion.

"Um… yeah, that's your Mom."

I passed Marco over to Bella because I knew Cooper needed my free arms. He's seen every photo of Tanya I had - not many, mind you, but enough - and he finds it very hard to find new pictures. He never said a word, stood from his seat and ran to me. His arms went around my neck and his head sat against my shoulder.

"Look, Padre," he whispered, "it's my Mom."

I rocked him soothly like he was a baby in my arms. "She's beautiful isn't she?" The photo was a head shot from a dance they went to at college, only a few months before she found out she was expecting Cooper. Her blonde hair was neatly curled down one side, her make-up done to perfection, and you could just make out the red satin of her strapless dress.

I, too, felt a lump in my throat looking at her. I have so much to thank Tan for; it's hard to think what she could have done with her life and how it ended so suddenly. But most importantly, I hate thinking back to a month or two before she had Coop and remembering everything she had planned for the two of them.

"I miss her, Padre."

I kissed his head. "I know you do, Bud; so do I. And it's okay to cry if you miss someone."

"Good 'cause… 'cause I'mma 'bout-a cry."

"You go ahead and cry all your want, Cooper; we'll never think anything less of you."

0-0

So far, Garrett had found out about Cooper's love for anything to do with superheroes and animals, and had been given a very brief tour to meet our mini zoo. Cooper had found out that Garrett works for a marketing company in Chicago and instantly, he's, like, the coolest person ever.

It was Garrett's go to ask a question: "So, Little Coop, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Cooper tapped his chin in thought. No doubt he was going to mutter Tom Cruise or Fantastic Uncle Jasper. "…Christian Grey."

I stand corrected.

Holy shit…

Bella chocked on her sip of water and Garrett sat there stunned. I, too, wasn't sure how to react.

Your son just admitted to wanting to become one of the biggest fictional sex symbols… how do you act to that?!

"Um, Coop, sweetheart, how do you know about him?" Bella asked, trying her best not to laugh.

Of course, Coop looked around and acted like nothing was wrong. "When we went to Forks for Thanksgiving I saw Auntie Rose reading a book and it had a cool picture of a tie on the front! So I asked what she was reading and she told me."

There. Simple.

She told him…what the book was about…

Oh shit.

He already knows about boners, is that not enough to torture me with?!

"What did Auntie Rose say?"

He shrugged, "not much. Jus' that it's 'bout this guy who's real rich and has a helicopter named after Grandpa Chief - 'cause, y'know, it's called Charlie Tango."

"And… that's all she told you?"

"Yeah…? I jus' - I jus' wanna be Christian Grey 'cause… y'know, I wanna have lots-a-lots-a money so I can buy all the pythons!"

Thank fuck for that.

0-0

It was time for Garrett to head back to his hotel. The two of us spoke privately by the front door.

"I want to thank you, Edward; you have taken such great care of him and if it wasn't for you then God knows how he would have ended up."

I nodded. "Thank you; I appreciate that. And I'm sure he'd love you to to keep in contact with us, but I'm only accepting that if you stick to your promises - if you say you're coming up for the weekend, I will not accept a cancellation two days prior - understand?"

Garrett gripped my hand in a tight shake, "you have my word, Edward."

Even though he changed his tune, Bella hadn't bought the new personality, and gave him a very brief nod when they said their 'farewell's.

Cooper gave him a hug and then they punched fists, "c'ya bro," he muttered. "Actually, if I wanna be Christian Grey I wouldn't say that."

All three of us exchanged scared looks.

"Then… what would you say?"

Cooper held up his fist and waited for Garrett to do the same. He pounded the two together and said: "Laters baby."

0-0

See, he wasn't that bad...

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and I'll see you in 2014!

Laters baby ;)