AN: Bella is here to answer some questions and maybe get a surprise.

As always, S Meyer owns it all, I'm just borrowing the characters to play in my story. No copyright infringement intended.

How Can I Help You?

Chapter 12

House Hunting

BPOV

Telling Charlie had been a nerve wracking ordeal. I didn't tell him everything, but I had to tell him the most important things. I was not proud of myself or what I had done to my life, but I could never regret my son. My only regret is that I have caused my father to be disappointed in me. I had never wanted to disappoint my parents. I knew that returning to Forks was not going to be an easy task, there is just too much of my history here. Everyone knows everyone, and they know me, my family, Jake and his family, and of course the Cullen family.

The news of my upcoming divorce will spread like a wildfire thanks to all the gossips that have nothing better to do. If you live in a small town you need to make sure you have no skeletons in your closet because they will come out. Nothing stays a secret in Forks, well almost nothing. Surprisingly nothing ever came out about what went on between Edward and I before I left for Stanford or about our activities in Seattle when Mom was in the hospital. I knew nothing must have gotten around because if my father had gotten wind of anything I'm pretty sure I'd be in a convent and Edward would be dead. Forks must be good at keeping Cullen secrets, but the town has always known my business. They all knew when Jake and I got back together, got engaged, and now they will know we are divorcing. I really hope we can keep things about Riley quiet, at least until I get a chance to explain to Edward. Kate sent me an email letting me know that her dad would be in town this week.

Yes, I managed to keep in contact with Kate all these years. I tried for a while with Irina, but I don't think she was ever comfortable with me. The only think I didn't do when I left for Stanford was to cut all ties with the girls. Through Esme for a while I was able to send letters and cards to them. Kate would write me once a week, Irina maybe once a month.

They were hurt by my abrupt departure, without a proper goodbye, but after apologizing profusely they did manage to forgive me. I needed the contact with them, even though it brought back the pain of Edward. It took a long time and the help of my friends but the pain started to lessen. I think I owe Jacob the most for my survival of the loss of my first true love.

OoOoO

The first month of school went by in a blur. My roommate Heidi kept trying to get me to go the first one mixer then another. I either stayed in my room studying or went to the library. Then I received a letter from Jacob. He filled me in on campus life for him, his classes our friends, new people he met. He told me I was missed, but that he was proud of me for going to Stanford. He also asked if we could at least be friends again. I wanted that more than I could ever express.

So we wrote letters, sent emails, made phone calls. He was the light in my life again, something to keep me out of my dark depression. He saved me from a panic attack when during my first break home, Mom wanted to go Christmas shopping. I knew that meant a trip into SPARKLE, and there was no way I could do that. I kept putting her off, then called Jake and asked him to take me out, away from the house.

He showed up right away to get me. We drove out towards First Beach when Jake finally asked me what was going on. After dancing around that question for an hour I finally told him everything.

He's the only one that I ever told about what happened with Edward. At least he never said 'I told you so.' He was angry at how I was hurt, but he was very supportive.

Jake did tell me to return the check Edward had given me. I never cashed it, never used it. I did hold onto it as a fall back for emergencies.

I told Jake not to worry, that I intended to do just that. I had just been awarded an educational grant that would pay my tuition, books and board the rest of the semester, and provided I make the Dean's List the trust will continue to pay my expenses.

Jake asked about the trust grant and where I had applied for it. I told him my advisor had been given the packet to be filled out, and knew I was looking for financing for the rest of my tuition so he gave it to me. The Pacific Northwest Trust awarded one grant like this each year. I'm grateful I was given it.

I returned the check along with three others that had been sent to me by Esme, as well as the UW shirt that belonged to Edward. I packed them in a box and sent it from the post office in Port Angeles so that it wouldn't get back to my parents.

Jake and I spent the remaining time we were on break together. We talked about everything and nothing, just enjoying the fact that our friendship was intact.

When we returned to our respective schools we upped our communications to emails everyday and phone calls a few times a week. We were completely open with each other and we talked about everything we were doing. He told me about a few girls he had messed around with, but he told me he found one night stands weren't as satisfying as his friends led him to believe and were definitely not for him. I told him that I was not interested in pursuing anything with any of the guys at school, that after the pain of losing Jake's friendship and then losing my heart to Edward only to have it thrown back, I wasn't going to risk my heart again.

Jake made plans for us the entire summer, and I was all for it. I wanted my mind occupied at all times, and Jake did that. Dad was thrilled that I was going out and that things seemed to be going well with Jake.

Things with us were comfortable, light, fun. So much so that we spent the last few weeks of summer vacation in each other's beds. (When our fathers weren't around of course.)

I cared deeply for Jake, and thought that was all I would ever be able to give anyone. I knew he loved me, but he also knew I didn't think I would be able to love anyone that way. I did discover that regular sex could be a good thing, and Jake proved to be a very passionate and considerate lover.

Our sophomore years in college made the distance hard, but we spoke often, and Jake surprised me a few times by flying into see me. I wasn't completely surprised when he proposed on New Years Eve. He'd been hinting at it, and planned a beautiful night on the beach. Even though I was not in love with Jake, I loved him. I could see myself happy being his friend, his lover, and his wife. I saw what our life together would be, raising our children, blending our families, and if I felt a twinge of regret that I would have dark haired dark eyed children instead of the auburn haired, green eyed ones I had always pictured, I didn't let it deter me from accepting.

I think that was actually one of the reasons I wanted to have the wedding quickly. I didn't want to give myself time to think about Edward Cullen, I wanted the option of running to him and begging to be let back into his life, gone. I wanted to move forward in my life with Jake.

Mom tried to speak to me several times in the weeks leading up to the wedding. She kept saying things like, 'Marriage should never be taken lightly'. 'I hope you have given your heart time to make this commitment.'

She wanted me to slow down the wedding, insisting that waiting until we had graduated wouldn't be a bad thing. She even tried as we waited for Quil to come escort Mom to her seat before the wedding. "Bella, are you sure this is what you want? Is Jake really the one you want to pledge your life to?"

"Jake is the one for me Mom. We'll be happy, have a nice life together. He loves me, wants to build a family with me."

We were happy that day; the ceremony was lovely, on the beach in the late afternoon.

I only stumbled once when I caught a glimpse of auburn hair and green eyes, but I just smiled wider and pulled Jake closer to me. I wouldn't let Edward know he still had power over my body or my heart.

OoOoO

I shook myself from my reverie. There was much to do in the next few days, but my first priority was always my Riley. I heard his happy gurgling laugh as I got up. He was an early riser, ready to start his day with a smile and a laugh. I turned to get him out of his pack 'n play when I was met with my baby hitting another milestone. Riley was standing in the middle of his play pen and stepped towards me as I turned to him. My baby took his first steps! I squealed, scaring Riley so that he fell down, and causing Charlie to come barreling down the hall.

"Bella? What happened? Are you and Ry ok?"

I was jumping around clapping and laughing. "He WALKED, Dad. Riley walked."

I wanted to shout it to the world. My baby IS WALKING! I slumped onto the bed. I knew Jake would want to know, but would it be adding more salt to his wounds? I'll definitely tell Katie in the next email, but the one I really wanted to share this with didn't even know of Riley's existence, let alone that he should be proud of his son's accomplishment.

"He's growing so fast, Daddy. He's not going to be my baby much longer. He'll go to preschool in a couple of years, then Riley will have friends and go to elementary, then middle and then high school. He's going to meet a girl or a boy and fall in love, he won't need his mommy anymore. I don't want him to grow up and leave me."

Charlie gave me a hug and an understanding smile. "Bella, you have nothing to worry about. Riley isn't going anywhere for a very long time. He's only 10 months old, Bells, give him time to grow his teeth before saying goodbye." He laughed at me. "Sweetheart, every parent feels the same about their child. When your children are little all you think about is what kind of an adult they will grow up to be, and when they are grown, you wish they were little again."

I gave my dad a tight hug. "Thanks, Dad. I know I'm going crazy. Don't feel like you cant say that I am, just do it. You definitely know how to calm me down though."

"No problem, kid. Are you going to call Jake about Riley's steps?" I shook my head.

"Nah, I'll just hurt him more. I've got to get this little monster fed and dressed so we can meet up with Rosalie McCarty about a place to live."

"Bells, baby girl, why won't you just stay here? Save your money. It's expensive raising a child especially on your own and only working part time."

Oh my poor father, so worried that I'm going to have to struggle to support my son.

"We'll be fine Dad. I've been saving most of my salary for the last several years. It was Jake's idea, he wanted to be the sole provider, take care of his wife, his family's needs.

I have enough savings to support us for a while and my new salary will supplement it."

I picked up my sweet baby and after changing his diaper I went down to mix his rice cereal with applesauce and prepare a bottle. I managed to eat some toast and drink a cup of coffee while feeding a squirming Riley, then cleaned us both up. I dressed him in an adorable polo and baby jeans outfit complete with little Converse Chucks. He looked like such a little man. I sat him back in his playpen while I readied myself for the day.

I knew more or less what I was looking for, it was just a question if what I wanted would be available. Rosalie had compiled a list of places for me before Riley was born, really before Riley had been conceived. When I came up to help Mom and Dad, Jake and I had separated and I wanted to live close to them, so I called Rose and asked for her help.

After Mom's funeral, I had gone home simply to ship my belongings and resign from my job. I left for what was supposed to have been only two weeks, but it was a month later when my world was completely turned on its axis.

OoOoO

I had been back in Sacramento for a few days, when Jake came home from a business trip. He noticed all of the boxes and asked what was going on. "I'm leaving Jake. You knew this. I'm moving back to Forks to be near Dad." He looked shocked. "Bella, honey… I never thought you were serious, I thought you just needed your space, and now that you've had it we can move forward. We can keep trying for a baby."

He looked so hopeful, but I had a life to get back to in Forks, a new life and a new chance with Edward. "No Jake, we've both been through this over and over. Please lets go see the lawyer in the morning, get the paperwork started."

Jake was hurt but agreed. He said he only ever wanted my happiness.

That night on the phone with Edward I told him I felt a little guilty. "He's hurting, and I hate that I'm causing it, but I just want my own happiness. We've wasted too much time, don't you think?" I told him I would be leaving in a few weeks after giving my notice and waiting for some papers from the lawyer.

Edward was going to LA for a few days and would be tied up in meetings, but promised to call me by the weekend. After a few long goodbyes over the phone we hung up.

That was the last I had heard from him. He never called me back, and didn't answer my calls to him. I called Kate the next week and asked her what her dad was up to.

"Hey Bella! I'm really missing you right now. Dad is getting Shelly moved in, she's nothing like you. Why aren't you here with us, Bella? I thought Dad said you were moving back."

I didn't know what to make of what Kate had said. Who was Shelly and why was she moving in with Edward? My stomach turned so I got off the phone, not knowing anything else, and not being able to stomach the reasons behind it. After I cleaned myself up, I tried Edward's cell again, getting voicemail. I wasn't able to get through to the house again until the next evening. Irina answered that time. "Hey Rini, is your dad around? I really need to speak to him." She was quiet for a minute and I thought perhaps my cell had dropped the call. "He's not here, Bella. He took Shelly to dinner."

"Katie mentioned her, who is she?" Rini laughed, "Dad met her last week after LA and they hit it off, she's living here now. She's nice, a few years older than Dad, but she's helped him a lot. He had to go out of town and she stayed with us. I think he's finally found the one he's ready to move on from Mom with." I felt like I had been sucker punched. "Listen I need to talk to him, will you please tell him to call me when he gets in?"

"Sure, Bells. I got it. Hope you and Jake are well. Tell him I said 'Hi.' Bye, now."

I never heard from Edward, and it was a week later that I learned I was pregnant. I knew there was no way it was Jake's baby. We had stopped having sex a month before I left for Forks, and I wasn't planning to sleep with him again.

OoOoO

I still can't believe 20 months later that Edward was so callus towards me again. I thought we had talked through everything, all the lies and half truths had come out. We were supposed to start over. Instead he found someone he was ready to move on with, and it was not me. Jake had to have known there was a large chance Riley wasn't his. If he was, then I was two months past my due date when Ry was born. It makes me wonder sometimes how much he knew all along.

I drove into the town square and parked in front of McCarty Realty. I was taking a risk, as Rose's office was two doors down from SPARKLE. So far only Rose and Katie knew I was in town, but that would soon change. I just wasn't ready to run into Alice or Edward just yet. I grabbed my messenger bag that doubled as my diaper bag, and then lifted Riley from his seat. "Let's go see Miss Rose, baby. It's time to find a home for us."

I walked into the nicely furnished office and approached the receptionist. "Hi, I'm Bella Black, I have an appointment with Mrs. McCarty at 10 o'clock."

"Just one moment, Ms. Black, I'll get Rosalie for you." The woman hurried into the other office. Minutes later I heard, "Bella! God, look at you. You've grown into such a beautiful woman. Who is this handsome little guy? He's just precious." I smiled and leaned in to hug Rosalie. It was a little difficult with Riley and Rose's large baby belly getting in the way.

"Rose, you are glowing. How much longer do you have?"

Rosalie smiled and patted he stomach, "I've got a little over 8 weeks, just long enough for Emmett to drive me crazy trying to do everything for me. May I hold him, Bella?"

Riley was mesmerized by Rose, he went to her without a fuss, patting her ample chest.

"He really likes boobs. He's such a typical boy, it's scary how some things are just born in them."

"I know, I really hope this one is a girl. I can't imagine two Emmetts in my house. So you're interested in looking for houses? I have a few pulled for you to look at, will you need to show Jake, is he here with you, or should we email the info to him?"

She looked like she was searching for a specific answer, so I guess it was time to let the cat out of the bag. "Jake won't be moving here. We're getting divorced."

Rose gave me a sympathetic look, but said no more on the subject. We went over what I really wanted, verses what would be available, and in my price range. Riley sat in my lap playing with my keys as Rose and I talked.

We took my car over to a few properties that were not going to work, when she pulled one last property profile out for me to see.

"There is one more Bella that I think you will like. It's an older cobblestone cottage that has been completely renovated. It has two bedrooms plus a small room that could be an office. The neighborhood is great, young families are moving in as the older residents are leaving."

I drove to the address she gave me. The house was adorable. It resembled a Cape Cod style house, with a stone façade. Rosalie led the way into the house, and then took Riley from me so I could explore. "The steps lead up to the master suite. It takes up the entire floor. There is a door in the kitchen that leads down to a partially finished basement, and the second bedroom and office are on the main floor here."

It wasn't large, but really just perfect for me and Riley. We walked out onto the back deck off the kitchen. "Rose, this house is fabulous. Why hasn't anyone else taken it?"

"The owners just finished the remodel and had leased it out before as a short term vacation rental, but they choose to be very selective with whom they show the house.

They are an active couple; are very family oriented and always have cookouts when the weather permits. The owners of this house are your neighbors." She pointed to the house next door. "I'm sure they would be happy to have a young mother next door, as they are expecting their own child soon." She was just smiling.

"You seem to like them, Rosalie. Are you sure they wouldn't mind renting this house to a mother with a little boy that's starting to toddle around. He'll probably draw on the walls at some point."

Rose shook her head. "That's what Magic Erasers are for. Em and I would be so happy of you took the house. It'll be great having you next door." Rose was in a full belly laugh at my expression.

"Why didn't you just say that you had a house that I might be interested in?"

We were climbing back into the car and driving back to the office as I asked that question. "Honestly, Bella, I wasn't sure you'd really go through with the move this time. After getting our hopes up before that you and Edward had finally gotten your heads out of your asses… I just wanted to make certain you were doing this."

I drove back to the office and helped Rose out of the car before unlatching a sleeping Riley. "Let's get those papers signed and I'll get little man home for is lunch."

I was just signing the last section of the lease when Rosalie started in on questions I want sure I could answer.

"What happened, Bella? I know about what Ed did to make you leave for school, but Em spoke to him right after you got together in Seattle a couple of years ago. Edward was like he had been before Tanya died. Happy, optimistic, the old Edward we hadn't seen in years. We had that list of properties you wanted to look at, then you left to go back to California, told me you'd be back in a few weeks after you moved your things and quit your job, then … nothing. For weeks we heard nothing then your dad starts telling everyone you're pregnant, making him a Grandpa. Edward was a wreck. Please tell me what happened."

"What? What do you mean Edward was a wreck? He knew I was pregnant? He never returned my calls. I left lots of messages, then Kate and Irina said he had moved some woman in, and Rini said they were dating, he'd found the woman he needed to move on with. Rosalie, when I left for Sacramento after Mom's funeral, I was only going back to settle things with my job, pack my belongings and start the divorce proceedings. The last I heard from Edward was about a week after I got home. I tried to reach him several times the next week, and never got through. Kate told me Shelly was living with them, and then Irina told me Edward loved her. I thought he had changed his mind again."

Rose looked confused, "Shelly? Shelly Cope? Bella she's their housekeeper. She was hired by Esme to stay with the kids if Edward had to go out of town. She's been around since you went off to school just to clean the house and watch the girls. Shelly is at least 60, Bella. Edward doesn't love her, at least not that way. As a matter of fact I don't think he's been on more than a handful of dates since Tanya died and you left."

"No. Why didn't he call me then? Why not answer his phone or emails. I tried Rose. I had so much to tell him. If I had known I would have been back here right away. I have always wanted him, the only reason I stayed in California is because I didn't want to be alone during my pregnancy."

"It sounds like you two had a massive miscommunication. Please go see him, Bella. He's not seeing anyone. Em can't even get him drunk without hearing about how miserable Ed is without you."

Oh my God. Is it possible? He's going to truly hate me then when I tell him about Riley.

"It's my fault. If only I had… I should have driven back here to make sure, I should have moved back no matter what. We could have been a family all this time. How do I tell him now without him hating me? " Riley stirred on my shoulder, lifting his head. "Hi sweetie. You ready for lunch?" Riley wasn't paying any attention to me. He was focused at something behind me. Rose coughed and looked towards the door. "Hey."

"Emmett asked me to bring lunch over to you. I hope Weber's chicken salad is fine."

The voice that had been haunting my sleep filled my ears. I looked over my shoulder and saw his face. Edward was looking at Riley with pain filled eyes. Riley smiled and batted his eye lashes at him. "Mammamammaaa" He was excited and hitting my shoulder, not realizing the tension in the room.

"Hello Edward. How have you been?"

"Bella…what was it you needed to tell me?" Edward wasn't looking at me, he was still staring at Riley, at his great big expressive, emerald green eyes. Eyes just like his father's.

OoOoO

So… Bella has a new place to live. Rose knows she's getting divorced, Edward doesn't have a girlfriend and they seem to have had major communication issues. Edward's POV is next.

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