EPOV

"Well you're fucked," Emmett said bluntly as I sat across from him at the diner where he asked me to meet him.

Carlisle sighed slipping in next to me. "You mean there's nothing that can be done?"

"This contract is so iron clad that it could've stopped the Titanic from sinking if it were made from it," he said as his brown eyes skimmed his menu.

"There has to be something," Carlisle argued.

My noble brother wanted me out of this life. The truth of the matter was that this life was never going to leave me. I would have to live as a failure and let my happiness have a good life without me.

"Forget I even asked," I growled snatching my paperwork away from Emmett.

"The only options he has are letting his looks go and a STD," Emmett snorted furthering my annoyance with him. "We all know he barely puts effort into the looks and some STD's are curable so he can whore when healed."

"We can work with that." Did Saint Carlisle just say what I think he did?

I can imagine my face was horrified reeling at the shock of what they were suggesting. Emmett's expression turned devious and I instantly saw the cogs turning in his brain.

"Hot damn I never thought I'd live to see Jesus plot."

"Carlisle," I started.

"Edward, think of this as a temporary opportunity, this will at least give us sometime to find you a way out," he pleaded.

"Eddie I know a lawyer that can get us the paperwork we would need just a few lies on some medical documents."

"You're an honest lawyer so why would you stoop so low for me?"

"I'm doing this for the family and Bella," he shrugged and I raised an eyebrow. "What? I like the kid."

I glanced at my watch. "Go to her," Carlisle smiled and I caught Emmett rolling his eyes.

Our date was in a few days but I still visited The Ugly Duckling daily. I don't know what is was but I could feel something more than friendship, she was exquisite. Even though I hadn't had sex in nearly a month, I felt wretched when she looked at me. I wanted to take her in my arms and hold her. If I could hold her without guilt I would be happy.

I walked into the shop noticing Alice talking to someone in the Café. Then I heard a voice I hated more than my own. I shied further back in the store watching them through the stacks.

"You are so much more then this hole in the wall Brandon," Jane Mocelli, Aro's oldest daughter chimed.

Jane's blonde hair was pinned into a French twist. At twenty-five years old, the girl was a curator for Frye Art Museum. To this day, I swore Aro was the reason for her job, but who was I to prove anything. Aro gave his children their mother's maiden name so no connections were made to him. His children would rule the industries of Seattle but the authorities would be none the wiser.

"It's Swan now and Jane, you already know my answer."

"Someone with your credentials should be working somewhere that is worthy."

"I sort of co-own this place," Alice sighed gesturing with her hand.

"With a child," Jane scoffed tapping her foot.

"Bella isn't a child anymore and she owns this place."

"Since you are being difficult I'll leave you alone, but remember the offer," she smiled and to some it would seemed as sweet as her appearance, but to me I knew Jane for the tyrant she could be.

Jane gracefully left and Alice propped her arm on the counter heaving a large sigh. I disappeared behind a small nook and sat down. I noticed Bella had to have been over here because the book she was reading yesterday was next to me. I let my fingers brush the cover remembering how carefully she held her books. Then Rylan came to mind and how she held him as he napped yesterday.

"What was that about?"

"I'm sorry?" Play oblivious.

"You totally did a duck and dive when you came in," Alice said knowingly.

"I thought I knew her."

"Is she one of your people," Alice said waggling her eyebrows. "Don't look shocked your sister warned me after your club shenanigans."

"And you still let me in here?" I asked incredulously. I was going to hurt Bella in the end and she was allowing it?

"Carlisle also spoke with me, I feel that if you were honest with Bella now then it might not be as bad."

"I'm a whore," I said frankly.

"Have you slept with anyone since the club?" I shook my head.

"Then I see you as a reformed whore."

"This is serious."

"I know, but can't you see it?"

"See what?"

"You are both shattered people. Before you, Bella only stayed in with Rylan. She was afraid that she would curse others because of what happened with Jacob. She was friends with all of his friends and when they found out about the baby, they hated her. They blamed her for the misery Jake carried his last three months. His best friend Sam really laid into Bella, accusing her of being a whore and stringing Jake along. Him and his fiancée Emily tried convincing Billy, Jake's dad, that he should have full custody of Rylan."

"Bella is an amazing mother," I argued.

"Exactly and that was what Billy said too. Billy told her that Jake told him what happened and he regretted hurting her and using her love of their friendship."

"Does he see him?"

"Billy and Bella's dad are best friends they love being grandpas," she answered.

"What am I going to do?" I groaned tugging at my hair.

"Tell her something, just don't lie."

"Where is she?"

"She has a cold so I made her stay home."

"I want to see her."

"Here is our address," she smiled writing it down. "Jazz is home so he might be a little…abrasive."

"Does he know?"

"No, but he did run a background check on you and it was rather colorful."

"I…"

"Stop by, he's not quick to judge," she assured giving me a hug.

I sighed pulling away and left. Alice could hate me and try to make me stay away from Bella, but she didn't, she encouraged our relationship. I navigated my way along the streets of Seattle and found myself in a wealthy neighborhood on the city's edge. I pulled up to the address given and the house was maybe the size of Carlisle's if that.

I walked up the driveway nervously, this was the first time I had seen her out of the store. I knocked on the door waiting for someone to answer. The huge door slowly creaked open and Bella shuffled in front of me. She was a sniffling and sneezing mess, but she was still beautiful.

She had on a baggy white t-shirt and little blue shorts making it hard to stay away from her.

"Edward?" she squinted without her glasses and then let out a high. "chewww…chew…chew…"

She was adorable. I took her hand in mine feeling the warmth meaning she had a small fever.

"Where's your brother?" I frowned.

"He had to leave…work."

"Ward!" Rylan exclaimed as we entered the room and his toys surrounded him.

"Hey buddy," I grinned picking him up.

He was holding his blanket in his hand and held it up to me. I went to take it and he shook his head giggling. "Mine."

"Oh, so you want to tell Edward your new favorite word," Bella sniffled lying back on the couch in her pile of blankets.

As if he knew what she was talking about, he hid his little face in my neck like he had been found out.

"He's been saying that a lot?"

"That and N-O," she shrugged.

I wanted to go to her, but wasn't sure if that was a good idea because Rylan could get sick. I wasn't sure what the protocol for a sick Mommy was.

"Can we sit with you?" I asked hesitantly.

"It's my allergies so I'm not contagious," she explained still squinting.

"Your eyes are gorgeous," I blurted out.

"I can barely see," she confessed scooting so her back was against the couch while we sat at her middle.

"Mama," Rylan said sweetly sticking out his blanket again and she went for it. "Mine."

His smile was bright and it caused her to smile back, after a moment though it disappeared.

"What?" I asked brushing her hair out of her face.

"It's a Jacob thing," she whispered.

"You can tell me," And I meant it.

"Really?"

"It's a part of him," I nodded towards Rylan.

"Just his new game he's playing with the blanket and his smile…It's Jacob."

I looked at him as he shifted so he was between his mother and me. He didn't look like her maybe in the eyes, but that's where it ended. His black hair and russet skin set him apart from her general paleness. I could only gather Jacob to be a kind and playful kid because of Rylan's demeanor.

"Ward…sippy pease," he said pointing at the table where his cup sat. I obliged giving it to him. "Ma, juiccccce," he sung.

"Ward might be another climbing word."

"He says it a lot too?"

"He loves his Ward," she smiled giving me my answer.

"I think he's pretty great too," I chuckled ruffling his hair.

"You're here," she sighed.

"Alice said you were sick."

"And you wanted to be exposed?"

"No, I didn't like the idea of you being sick alone I guess," I shrugged.

"I like you…CHEW…Edward."

"I think I'm past like?" I whispered kissing her head.

"Ward kiss!" Rylan demanded tugging at my arm.

I felt the change and understood Alice's warning. I needed to tell her something I couldn't afford to tell her all of it because she would be disgusted with me. I was disgusted with me. I had this amazing and gorgeous girl in front of me; I couldn't let her go even if it were possible.

She owned my heart, her son as well. I gave her Rylan to hold as I shifted her so I could slide in behind her. She placed Rylan between us where he fit perfectly. Her eyes shut and she looked peaceful.

"Bella,"

"Hmmm?"

"I don't want to be friends anymore," I murmured.

Her eyes snapped opened and she looked distressed. "What?"

Suddenly I didn't care that she was snotty and sneezy I leaned down, capturing her lips with mine. I felt her let out a breath as she threw herself into the kiss. I pulled back leaning my head against hers.

"Definitely not friends," I said shaking my head.

"Okay," she sniffled again placing her warm hand on my cheek.

My heart was hammering in my chest, the feeling scaring me to the point that I had no idea what to do. I knew I couldn't hurt her because she didn't deserve it. Bella deserved the world and I was going to fight like hell to give it to her.

I had come to the decision that I would call Emmett and listen to whatever plan he had. I needed out of Volturi, I needed Bella and wanted to change my life for her, to become a better man.

I wanted Rylan to have someone to look up to. He needed someone that could teach him things, such as sports and girls. I would teach him things that Carlisle tried to show me from the beginning but I didn't quite while he was teaching.

I, Edward Anthony Cullen, for the first time in my life wasn't thinking about myself. I wanted to be there for Bella and Rylan. I knew the changes that I needed to make and I was determined to do so.

A/N: Well this is getting dicey… I wrote the sick thing because I was sick. Difference is Bella had a guy that wanted to take care of her and mine just asked when I got sick because he drank after me the night before and was concerned I was contagious. Guys…

Dolphin62958 beta'd this and she's always a huge help. Next chapter is done just needs edited I lost a lot of you last chapter. Do tell me what you think I try to respond. Follow me on twitter: twitter(dot)com/DazzlinSparkle0