Finding Ethan Chapter 9: Edward Comes Home Part 3, a twilight fanfic

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Chapter 9: Edward Comes home Part 3

Edwards POV

"I am the mother to your child...My name is Bella." I heard the woman before me speak. Her words shocked me for some reason. I could not believe that this woman who I had no idea who she was...was stating something so unbelievable. This beautiful brown haired, brown eyed woman. Her hair was currently pulled back and was a bit of a mess to be honest, and she looked a bit tired as well...but she had such a refreshing vibe about her. I could not tell what it was...my mind was foggy and I was rather...unsure... to me this could be a dream...

There was no way that this was reality I was going to wake up and be back in Aro's peoples dungeon. I did not even know exactly why he insisted on keeping me for as long as he did. I just think he enjoyed torturing me. He could of killed me a long time ago. That man had been such an evil man and I could not understand exactly why that was. However perhaps if I were really free... and I could truly continue my life... perhaps I would find out what those reasons were.

Back to my current reality I could remember waking up and seeing this woman before...and a little boy...but...the fact was I still believe it all to be a dream, waking and sleeping in my dreams well it wasn't that far removed from reality. Realizing I still hadn't spoke I spoke the first things that came to my mind...the woman and my son...even though realistically I knew this was not Victoria.

"A-Aaron? Vicky?"

The woman's face contorted a bit. It seemed almost as if in anger...but I could not really place the emotion that was coming across her face. I could not place it. Then I heard her soft voice explain the thing that I had been questioning. "Yeah…he was Victoria's son. His name is not Aaron though, his name is Ethan and he just turned six yesterday."

Huh...that was not what I was expecting to come out of her mouth. I opened my mouth to respond but I could not really get the words out of my mouth. Nothing came out and I did not know why...Then she spoke once again. "I should get your doctor..." Then she stood and took a step away. Realizing I did not want her to go my hand reacted before I could actually articulate the thought. Then finally I said, "No...Stay." I know my voice was not particularly strong but hopefully she understood that I was not really ready for her to move away from me, that we still had to talk.

After a moment she moved to sit back down and I released a small relieved breath at her movement. "Alright..." She said after a moment, her deep chocolate brown eyes meeting mine. Finally I found the words I had been trying to find. "How...you...he died..." I'm sure I looked rather confused as I tried to explain what I had believed for so long.

"You knew about him? Did you think he died?"

Nodding after a moment, I finally responded. "Vic...toria...called...said he died...doctor...um...James? Said it too..." I'm sure the way I was talking made me sound stupid of unsure, when in reality I remembered that day like it was yesterday...however I could not get my thoughts out in a way that I was happy about. It frustrated me beyond belief that I could not say what I wanted to say.

The look on her...Bella's face changed back to that look of anger and a bit of sadness...yes that was the other emotion that had been showing on her face when I mentioned Victoria earlier. She then spoke, her voice rushing through with what she wanted to get out. It was hard for her to keep up but I defiantly got the gist of it."James….he is..damn it he is a bastard, he and Victoria were married. Three years ago I met your son and Victoria..she had slapped him and he had an obviously broken arm. I took him and called the cops. She was arrested but James is still on the run. They both hurt him allot" It took be a few moments to finally comprehend everything that she had said. Basically...Victoria lied to me about Aaron...Ethan...that he hadn't died and that he had survived. James wasn't really a doctor he was simply her husband and he told me they had died so I would believe him...then proceeded to abuse my babyboy for almost three years before this beautiful angel of a woman saved him. Looking at her I finally spoke, finding my voice quickly. "Bastards..." After another minute I spoke again.

"Can...I...see him?" I asked knowing I probably sounded nervous or still a bit upset, but I did want to see him and really realize this wasn't a dream...I still was not sure. It seemed so unbelievable to me that she would be here and this was a reality.

"He is not here right now. He is sleeping over his friend's house tonight…I was going to up there to stay with him as well. Unless you want me to stay here? He will be brought here tomorrow…" Was her response. I felt a bit disappointing that he was not here but I figured being in a hospital everyday all day...wait why was I assuming SHE was here everyday all day. A small smile came to my lips as I felt her finger moving along my hand, so with the knowledge my son would be here tomorrow I spoke what I wished.

"Stay

The next few minutes were a bit of a blur, between Bella calling my mom and dad, which was rather hard for me to handle.

"M-Mon..." I said quietly when the phone was brought to my ear for me. A small smile coming to my lips. My mothers response was everything I expected it to be and if I had been holding the phone I would have pulled it away from my ear. Her scream caused me to wince slightly. Nothing had changed it seemed. It seems my dad realized why my mom had screamed because his response to her voice was. "Esme! I'm sure he does not want to hear your screaming." A smiled a little at that. Even though he said that I could tell he was feeling just as much as she was...just not screaming to express it. "Hey son...good to have you back." Dad said. I responded with a simple. "Hi dad."

After a few more minutes Bella hung up promising they were on there way. Yawning softly I could feel sleep coming to me again...and I was not ready to succumb to that. I just couldn't. Not yet. As the doctor walked into the room I sighed putting my head back.

As the door to my hospital room opened I looked over. I really had not taken my eyes off of Bella the whole time I was awake. Like she was my link to this reality. "Well...Good to see you awake. It has been awhile." He mused I simply looked at him for a moment. What did he mean by that? "I'll explain a bit after I look you over...Miss Swan?" Huh...so her name was Bella Swan? I wonder if Bella was short for something..."Would you give us a few moments?" My mouth moved before my brain could. "No...I...I want her here." I needed somebody with me.

The doctor sighed softly but nodded in agreement. Then the questions began.

"What's your full name?"

"Edward...Anthony...Cullen." The words took me longer to find then they really should have.

"Good. How old are you Edward and do you know how long you were away?" The doctor made it sound like some kind of vacation I had been away on.

"Twenty-six...or twenty-seven...HE" I spat the last word with a bit of anger. "Said I would be home by my twenty-seventh birthday...so...six years..."

"Today is your birthday...so you're twenty-seven today...very good..." After that he lowered the bed once more, so I was laying flat staring at the white ceiling. "Are you in any pain?"

Shaking my head slightly I responded. "No...I...I feel kind of numb...actually" I murmured softly. Thinking about it everything felt very...heavy and I did not enjoy that feeling at all. Looking to my right I noticed for the first time the cast on my arm...which probably meant my legs were in the same condition I supposed.

"You're on some heavy duty pain medication so it is pretty normal." He responded calmly. Looking back at the ceiling he poked my right foot, I could barely feel it. "Can you feel this?" He asked. I nodded in response. "Where am I touching Edward." Sighing I responded. Eyes to the ceiling. "Foot...right." He proceeded to do this with every other limb. Great-fully I could feel all of them. However my right foot was by far the weakest response. Compared to him he poked my left foot, which was almost painful my right foot barely felt like a tickle. However it was something I supposed. He then started explaining that I had been in a coma for a couple of months now while my body started healing and recovering from the trauma.

Before he could get into too much detail my mom burst into the room running full speed to me. "Edward!" Her voice was full of relief and just plain happiness. I had that I worried them as much as I had. I barely heard the doctor tell everyone that I needed rest, which suddenly I felt even more exhausted then I had been before. I felt my bed move up just enough so my mom could hug me and I smiled softly to Bella who had been the cause. My hand still grasping hers.

As my dad walked in my eyes met his and I felt even worse for worrying my family...what had the last six years been like for them. Dad walked over patting me on the shoulder. Not much was said but as Bella pulled her hand away I squeezed harder. Soon enough my mom and dad were heading home. I knew I had not been good conversation right now. I was simply too exuasted and my head was full of new information. I did however whisper a quick goodbye and I love you to my parents. When they were gone Bella turned out the lights, laid down my bed and as I lay there looking into her eyes I felt darkness consume me once again.

Bella's POV"

I had moved his bed earlier into a slightly seated position so he could at least look at me better and drink his water. Doctors had said it would be fine to do so. As looked at me with a slightly confused expression as if trying to decide exactly what he had been told. When I opened my mother to explain myself knowing it was not the best way to introduce myself, he started speaking.

"A-Aaron? Vicky?" Was what he responded with.

I frowned hearing Victoria's name. So maybe he did know he had a son, I nodded. "Yeah…he was Victoria's son. His name is not Aaron though, his name is Ethan and he just turned six yesterday."

He frowned as he opened and shut his mouth a few times obviously unsure of what he was being told. "I should get your doctor." I said quietly before standing slowly.

His fingers gripped my hand which was still on his. I was surprised when he did this."No…stay."

Well at least his left hand moved. I sat down slowly before looking into his eyes. "Alright…"

"How…you…he died." He said and I frowned a bit trying to figure out the meaning.

"You knew about him? Did you think he died?"

He nodded his head slowly. "Vick…toria… called ...said he died…doctor, James…said it too." His speech was slow and unsure, clearly trying to articulate his thoughts in such a way I could understand them.

"James….he is..damn it he is a bastard, he and Vitoria were married. Three years ago I met your son and Victoria..she had slapped him and he had an obviously broken arm. I took him and called the cops. She was arrested but James is still on the run. They both hurt him allot" I said in a rush not sure if he caught it all, or if it was something he wanted to know. Again I knew I should of found a doctor or at least called Carlisle and ask if it was okay that I told him this so soon.

A scowl came to his face as he looked at me, ""Bastards." His voice was a bit stronger when he said that word. "Can…I…see him?" He asked softly, his voice still rough.

"Stay…" I nodded again with a small smile.

"I am going to call your parents alright? I have to buzz a doctor as well. They told me if you woke up again to call them, your parents and your doctor." I said in the same gentle voice. He nodded again. I could tell he was exhausted, his eyes were drooping. He was fighting it. I picked up the hospital phone and called Carlisle and Esme.

"Hello?" Esme said into the phone, her mood a little better since she had seen her sons' eyes this morning.

"Hi Esme…are you guys on your way back yet?" I asked her.

"Yeah around four minutes away, why?"

"Oh well…Edward woke up. I wanted to tell you," I said to her as I leaned against the chair. "He is awake!" She said loudly. I could almost see her jumping in her seat. "Here…"

I held the phone against Edward's ear. "Your mom, say hi." I told him and he nodded slightly.

"M-Mom." His voice was rough, quiet, but very emotional.

I could almost hear her scream through the phone, and I saw Edward wince at the loudness.

A few moments later. "Hi, Dad." He said quietly as well.

I soon talked to them and then hung up before pushing the buzzer for a nurse and told her to send a doctor in.

Not too long later, Edward's doctor walked into the room, smiling, when he seen him awake. "Well good to see you awake, it's been awhile."

Edward looked at him confused.

"I'll explain after I look you over. "Miss Swan? Would you give us a few moments?" Edward spoke before I had a chance. "No...I w-want her here." He said sternly.

The doctor sighed but nodded before looking down at Edward. "Are you in any pain?"

"What's your full name?"

"Edward...Anthony...Cullen."

"Good. How old are you Edward and do you know how long you were away?" The doctor simply seemed to be going through a list of questions. As if checking how much he knew or remembered about his time away. My eyes however did not leave his as he continued looking at the ceiling answering the questions in an almost monotone voice except when he found some emotion in what he said.

"Twenty-six...or twenty-seven...HE" He had spoken that word with such anger before continuing with what he was saying. "Said I would be home by my twenty-seventh birthday...so...six years..."

"Today is your birthday...so you're twenty-seven today...very good..." After that he lowered the bed once more, so Edward was laying flat."Are you in any pain?"

Shaking his head slightly seemingly unsure of how he was responding. As if he was unsure of exactly how he had been feeling. "No...I...I feel kind of numb...actually" His voice quiet as he spoke.

"You're on some heavy duty pain medications...so that is normal." The doctor responded after a moment to his statement. I watched as the doctor took out some almost needle like thing and proceeded to poke Edward's foot before asking. "Can you feel this?" He asked. Edward nodded in response. "Where am I touching Edward." Sighing he finally responded. Eyes to the ceiling. That went on with the other foot and then his right arm. He then began explaining what had happened and how he had been in a coma and such. All information I had heard before so I watched his face as he took in the information. Before much was said Esme burst into the room. "Edward." She ran over and kissed his cheek.

"A few minutes then Edward will need to sleep." The doctor commanded before leaving the room.

I nodded. Carlisle walked in as well, tears in his eyes as he walked to his son as well. I felt like I was intruding on an intimate family moment but Edward still had his fingers wrapped around mine, as if trying to keep me here. My suspicions were proven when I tried to remove my hand, whenever I tried he grasped mine tighter.

After the tears dried, I told Esme and Carlisle they should head home, that I would stay here tonight with him. They reluctantly agreed knowing he would be there the next day. He did not say anything else. Edward just watched me until he fell asleep. I smiled slightly and soon enough I fell asleep as well.

I only awoke when Esme rested her hand on my shoulder the next morning. "Wake up Bella…you should head home and get changed and showered and get Ethan ready." I yawned quietly looking at him again. "Aright…call me if he wakes up…okay?"

Esme nodded with a small smile. "Of course hunny," I smiled again before standing slowly and stretching.

I really did not need to leave, but I knew I should go check on Ethan. I hugged Esme and Carlisle before making sure they were alright, and then I went home, showered and changed into some fresh clothes. I then went to Angela's house. "How was he last night?" I asked after saying hello.

"He woke up twice…but Sarah seemed to calm him down before he got too bad." He was doing better then. I walked into the kitchen and grinned when Ethan ran to me.

"Mommy!" He said as excited as always.

"Hi baby, you sleep okay last night?" He nodded and held onto my leg. I bent down and picked him up, kissing his head.

"Your daddy woke up…he wants to see you. Want to go and see him?" Of course he nodded excitedly, but then he looked a little shy. "Um…did he really want to see me?" I nodded. "Yeah..I told him I would bring you this morning…he woke up last night. You going to bring him the gift you made for his birthday today?"

Ethan thought a moment then nodded slowly. "But what if he doesn't like it?" I smiled and ran my fingers through his hair. "He will love it, now go finish your breakfast okay? Grandma Esme will call when your daddy wakes up."

Ethan nodded and ran to the table to finish.

"Hey Angela…how are the puppies and Bella doing?" It sounded so strange calling a dog by my name!

Oh…after Bella and Edward's little play time a couple months ago she had given birth to six healthy puppies. Ethan and Sarah's wish had come true, they got their dogs to fall in love and have babies.

"There good, still haven't opened their eyes, well a few of them have, and a couple are starting to try and walk." She said nodding a bit before rolling her eyes. "When all this cools down you get the puppies!" She teased me. I shook my head. "No way! I'll give one to Edward when he gets out though."

She rolled her eyes again before going back into the kitchen. I just laughed quietly before going to sit next to Ethan and watched him eat. I had eaten a bagel before coming over. Around ten minutes later my phone vibrated and I answered it. "Hello?"

"Bella? Its me Esme…Edward woke up and is wondering where you were…said something about it not wanting it to be a hallucination or something like that…" I let out a small, somewhat nervous giggle. Glad that he was asking for me...us...and also just the fact he used the word hallucination for some reason. I should of expected that honestly. He had woken up last night and all this was laid on him in a matter of an hour. Not much time at all. "Alright…I am coming. Ethan is done eating. "

"Alright, take your time, they took him for a test, should be back within the hour."

Oh okay, that would give me a little bit to get Ethan ready and into a proper jacket, instead of what I was going to do. I was going to just throw him in the car and run off to the hospital. I shook my head at the thought.

"Alright Esme…I will be there soon."

"Okay hun."

I hung up after a few more moments and sighed gently. After I had gotten home, when I was all alone, I finally thought of what I had felt when Edward had woken up. I felt some type of electrical shock when he grabbed my hand. Not the physical kind that involves static shock, the emotional kind that made me all tingly inside.

Sighing mentally, I shook my head and turned back to my son as he ate the last bite of breakfast. "Want to head home and get cleaned up before going to see your daddy? We can go get your present for him as well," I said before ruffling my sons hair gently. I just hoped Edward would not be disappointed when he seen his son. Yes, I knew this was a horrible way to think about the man, but I could not help but let my mind wander to everything that could possibly go wrong when the two of them met for the first time.

Of course Ethan nodded enthusiastically and went to say good bye to his girlfriend before running back to me, wanting me to pick him up. Of course I did. I could tell he was excited, he had been waiting months, but he was also very nervous and scared. His excitement would not last us through the time between getting ready and getting to the hospital. I was sure of it. He was going to start thinking about it and then he was going to start getting scared. He was definitely better about many of his struggles but this was one I knew would be hard. Meeting new people...especially men...always had an effect on him. I was confident once he got in there and relaxed he would quickly warm up to his father.

"Bye Angela! Sorry for the trouble last night! I'll see you on Monday when I drop Ethan off at the day care," I informed her, and she nodded before waving. Yeah I did not work in the summers, but Ethan's therapist said it was good for him to go during the summer and socialize with other children. So I brought him for half days so he could play with his friends and Sarah.

"Okay, see you Monday Ethan."

Ethan waved to Angela before snuggling into my shoulder. He was still somewhat small for his age, so it was not difficult to carry him for short periods of time. I decided I would relish in that small fact for now. It would not be long before he was too big for me to carry. His father was tall and Victoria was as well so I was sure he would hit a growth spurt any day now. For now he was still my little boy.

I headed home, I did not saying anything I was just holding him and rubbing his back gently. Once we were home I brought Ethan to the bathroom and washed him gently. I did not give him a bath; I just washed his face and hands, which he could do himself but I felt right now he needed just someone there, offering silent comfort to the boy.

"Go get your gift bud; I am going to go talk to Uncle Emmett." The small boy nodded and went to his room.

"EMMETT," I called, hoping to hear a response. I had not seen him when I came in before. He had been upset recently.

"In the kitchen Bella!"

As I walked down the stairs toward the kitchen, I let my mind wander to the different things that had happened in the past day and a half. I could only come to the conclusion Ethan would probably need a therapy session soon. He had been doing so good lately, especially with seeing his father who was in critical condition.

After getting into the kitchen I knew my brother was upset. So I asked what I had known would be bothering him, Rosalie.

"How is Rosalie Emmett?"

"She retreated into herself again, being bitter…she was okay yesterday…Well not completely but she was better then she has been. I am worried about her Bella, I do not know what to say. I can not tell her it will be okay when I do not even know."

I slowly climbed into my monster of a brothers lap and wrapped my arms around him when he put his head on my shoulder.

"I know Emmett. It will take time, but she will be okay eventually. You'll be okay too" I said gently as I rubbed his back. I really did not know what to say. Around a week or two after we found out about Edward, Rosalie fell down the steps and into a table and lost the baby. She refused any treatment after the paramedics arrived and told her she was likely suffering from a miscarriage. She locked herself in her room for three days before Emmett broke the door down and went inside. He needed to make sure she was really okay, even if he himself wasn't.

"It's just…The baby wasn't planned but was already so loved…" Emmett said softly. I nodded and kissed his cheek. I truly worried about the two. Rosalie still had not been checked by an actual doctor, which she had to be checked soon to make sure she was, in a physical aspect at least, okay. "I know Emmett…I know. You should go upstairs and check on her. I have to go see Edward. He woke up last night and wanted to see Ethan. Go spend some time with Rose…watch some movies…or something. I will be back soon." I hugged him tightly after he agreed. The first time I had ever seen Emmett cry,(as an adult that is, when he was a child he was some what of a cry baby) was when he found out about the baby. He broke down and cried. All I could do was hold him, and tell him I was there for him.

After watching Emmett climb the stairs, I headed into the living room and toward the front door where I could see Ethan standing by the door, holding the bag the contained the two small gifts he had made him.

He was still very quiet so I knew something was wrong. It was not the normal quiet I was used to. Normally if I asked him a question he would snap out of his little mood, but when I spoke to him today he still had the same look as he answered.

I knelt down in front of him, kissing his head gently. "You ready to go Ethan?" He nodded his head. I could tell however it was more of a hesitant nod instead of his more enthusiastic one when he first found out. He had clearly been thinking too much about this. Which I had expected.

"Do you want to go?" Again he nodded but not immediately, only after a few moments.

"Okay, answer me with your words Ethan. Whats wrong and do you want to go see your daddy?" I knew once I got him talking he would let out what he was feeling. If he could simply not talk then he did not have to tell me what he was really feeling. After awhile I came up with the system of getting him to talk instead of simply nodding.

He nodded but then remembered what I had said. Slowly but surely he started talking. "Y-Yeah…I want to see him but…what, what if he does not like me? What if he wants me to go away? And what if he yells like daddy James? What if he does not like what I have for him? I, I am scared mommy. " By the end of his statement his eyes were starting to tear. I wrapped my arms around him and spoke to him in a gentle voice.

"Shh, its alright baby, he will like you, and he won't yell, and he will like what you made him, and he will be nice okay? He wants to see you. He asked about you last night and even this morning Grandma Esme called because he wanted to see you. Is there anything that will make you feel better?" Ethan nodded again, slowly.

"Words," I reminded him.

"I want Sarah, can Sarah come mommy?"

I sighed quietly and thought about it. I knew he should not rely on Sarah all the time, and there have been many a time I told him no, but this time...I understood. "Let me call Miss Angela and ask her okay?" Ethan nodded his head and rubbed his eyes.

After a relatively short phone call, Angela agreed to allow Angela to come. She had gone with Ethan that first day he had seen Edward, and she had seen Angela's brother in the hospital before he died, plus Edward did not look that bad by the time I brought Ethan to see him.

"She said Sarah can come, alright?"

Finally I got a smile from my boy. "Yes Mommy!"

I rolled my eyes and got him strapped into his booster seat before climbing into the driver's seat. First I drove to Angela's house to pick up Sarah. It did not take long since they only live like a minute and a half away by car. "Angela? I can have Sarah sleep over tonight so you and Ben can have some alone time for once. Since Ethan is always over there, I figure I can take Sarah for the night."

Angela gave me a grateful look. "Oh that would be lovely! Thank you Bella, I have a bag packed for when she goes on sleep overs, let me just grab it for you okay?" I nodded and a few minutes later I was off, two chattering kids in the back seat. I could still see the nervousness in Ethan's eyes but at least he was smiling again.

It took only about fifteen minutes to get to the hospital, and when we arrived at the hospital Ethan once again looked petrified.

I helped both of them out of the vehicle and onto the concrete parking lot. I took one of their small hands into mine and headed toward the large glass doors of the hospital. As we headed to Edward's Ethan started moving slower, more cautiously. I decided to let him have a little break before going inside. So when we got to the hospital room I could see Edward in the bed, surprisingly sitting up more then he had been and awake.

"Sarah? Ethan? I am going to have you wait in the hallway with Grandma Esme and Grandpa Carlisle while I talk to Ethan's daddy for a few minutes okay?" Ethan seemed grateful he did not have to go in right away and Sarah just nodded.

I sat them in the chairs outside the room before opening the door slightly. "Carlisle? Esme? Do you mind sitting out here with Ethan and Sarah for a few minutes?" I know he needed to relax and as much as he liked having me around I felt like he needed a few moments alone. It had to be on his terms when he came in. His grandparents would understand this and simply keep an eye on them while Ethan talked to Sarah and prepared himself for what was happening.

They nodded slowly, hugging Edward before going into the hall. "Thank you, Ethan is very nervous. I just want him to calm down a bit." Of course they both nodded in understanding and headed into the hall without another question.

Edward watched me with a curious expression, curious and confused.. "Your back…" He said softly, his voice no longer as rough but I knew it was quiet because of similar reasons.

"I told you I would be. Ethan is in the hall way. He is scared. Oh don't be surprised when he brings in a girl with him. She is his, hmm…girlfriend. She helps him."

"okay."

"How are you feeling?"

"Okay."

"Jeez! I see were Ethan gets it! Rosalie was right." I shook my head. Like father like son. One worded answers or no answer at all when they were nervous or lying. He looked at me, confused once again. "Your son, Ethan, was quiet and nervous all morning. When he is nervous, scared, or lying he will not speak or answer in one word, like you just did."

"Oh."

"There you go again." I groaned running my fingers through my hair. I reached my hand out and ran it against his cheek gently. "You look a bit better. Are you in any pain?" I asked quietly, I got a shake of the head but thankfully he answered as well. "Not really. They said they are slowly taking me off of the pain medication so they can get me on lower doses. They also want to feed me some type of food today…apple sauce or something. I don't know." He said quietly.

I nodded slowly. I was surprised they were already lowering his doses. I thought they would wait a bit longer. Though they had told me it was extremely powerful and they did not want him on it too long. The food thing Carlisle told me about. They want to slowly give him some non-solid foods and get his body used to it. It seems he was extremely malnourished. He had gained some weight while he was asleep, and his body was looking a bit better but he did need real food to survive I guess.

"That's good. How were your tests?"

He shrugged. "Good…I guess…they said they are going to take the casts off soon. Also they want me to start…physical therapy in a week or two." Though it was something he should be excited about he did not seem very happy about it. It was very overwhelming I was sure but I understood why he was feeling the way he was. This was allot of things happening at once.

"That's great. You will be able to move around more freely. So why do you seem, I don't know nervous about it?"

He looked at me, confused. I instantly knew why. "Your son acts the same way. The look in your eyes, everything is the same."

"I see…I don't want to know what I can't do." He nearly growled. He was upset about what limitations he might have. "There is nothing you can't do without a little work, so you just have to do what you have to do to get your life back. Sure you might not be a soldier but you can live your life, you have a son and you have a future now. Got it?" Even if he ended up unable to walk he would still be here and alive. He would adapt and learn to live with the situation he had been handed but he would definitely live with it.

Edward let out a small laugh and then he said teasingly. "Yes Miss Bella!" I groaned again. "What?" I glared a moment. "Your son called me that for months before he started calling me mommy." I said quietly then he nodded in understanding.

"I have to ask but are you going to take him when you're better? I will let you know right now if you try to take him from me I will fight tooth and nail because he is my son. I know he is yours too, do not get me wrong but I will fight to have that boy in my life. I legally adopted him, but your back now and could take him if you wanted." I frowned slightly.

"I could never. He does not even know me. He is nervous at just the idea of meeting me! Plus I am in no condition to raise a child right now. I do wish to be in his life like any father would be though. I have not stopped thinking of how old he would be if he survived. The man…he would tell me on my every birthday how old I was. I would automatically think of him."

I slowly moved forward and wrapped my arms around him. I was grateful. That had been my one worry with Edward coming home. That he would want to take him away from me. I stilled worried that at some point the other would change his mind. I just hopped it would not happen. I was also glad that he wanted to be apart of his life. Be his father, the man he could look up to and admire. He seemed shocked as wrapped my arms around him as gently as I could. However he relaxed a bit in my grasp as well.

Then I spoke again, I asked something I had no idea of why I asked such a thing but I did, "When you get out of here, do you want to stay with me, my brother and Ethan, oh and Rosalie too? " I gasped softly at what I said. It simply was out of no where I took a small breath before quickly adding. "I mean your parents live a bit further from the hospital, and it might be easier and um… you could be closer to Ethan.. if you wanted." He let out a small laugh before nodding slowly. "I'll…think about it. I do not want to be a burden…"

"You wouldn't be." I insisted with a small smile. It was true, he wouldn't be. "A-as much as I want you there so it will be easier on everyone...I also want you there for Ethan. He always spoke of you and wanted you to be around. I know it will be an adjustment but...I feel like it will be good for everyone involved." Again Edward nodded. "Alright," Was all he said. Though I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was happy with the decision he had made.

"I have to warn you of something first. He might not come running to you and hugging you. He might not even touch you. Because of what he went through he does not trust men easily and took my brother Emmett awhile to be able to touch him and even longer for Ethan to be truly comfortable with it. It was even longer with your dad and mine because we did not see them every day." I explained this carefully to him because I did not want him to feel hurt by any reaction Ethan might have. Again all I got was a nod but he seemed to understand most of it.

. I looked at the clock. It had been about fifteen minutes. Ethan should be okay by now. Well as good as he could be. "You ready to meet your son?"

His face blanched and looked worried. "I will tell you what I told him. He will like you so stop worrying. Do you want anything first?" Edward nodded and pointed to the water. I brought it over. "Can you hold it?" I asked and he nodded reaching out with his good hand and took the cup. His hand shook slightly but he seemed okay with holding it.

When Edward finished it he nodded his head. I knew immediately what he was saying so I looked toward the door. "Esme? Can you send the kids in when he is ready?" I called loud enough for her to hear. A few moments later the door opened and Sarah walked in almost dragging Ethan behind her.

I was sitting in the chair next to Edward so when I spoke to Ethan he ran right toward me. "Come on over Ethan." I held my arms out to him. He immediately launched himself onto my lap, putting his face in my chest. I sighed softly knowing this would be his reaction, but it was alright.

To my surprise Sarah walked over to the bed and carefully climbed up on the side I sat. I helped her the best I could and told her to be careful, of course she was.

"Hi Mister Edward! I am Sarah…Ethan's girlfriend. We are going to get married and have eight babies. So that makes you my future husband's daddy! So I like you." Edward stared at her incredulously before grinning a bit. "It is nice to meet you Miss Sarah but where is this boyfriend of yours? I have not seen him yet." I smiled a bit. He seemed to be good with children. At least at the moment he seemed perfect with Sarah.

"Ethan is scared. He thinks you will be mean like his daddy James and Momma Victoria." She nodded her head in the most determined way. I know Ethan confided in her about his bio mom and James and I was sure he did not tell her everything but enough so she understood. "You're not mean like them right? Your nice right?" Of course Edward nodded. "I think I am nice, I would never hurt Ethan or anyone else."

"Good! ETHAN! He says he is nice so say hi to your daddy."

Sarah said as she leaned over tugging on his arm. Slowly but surely he poked his head through my hair and looked at Edward. "Go ahead Ethan. Sarah likes him, so he is a nice person okay?" It was a roundabout way of things but he nodded and turned him my lap a bit more and moved his hand to wave. Edward waved back

This was how their conversation went, starting with Edward.

"Hi."

"You're Ethan."

"You're daddy."

"Yeah,"

I groaned quietly. They were identical in more than just looks! I was going to speak up but Sarah did instead.

"Ethan! Give you daddy the present you made him." She smiled at Ethan, then she patted the spot next to her on the bed. She was kneeling on the edge of the bed, so she was not hurting Edward.

He nodded but did not go on the bed; instead he set the bag down onto the bed, looking down playing with his fingers. Edward looked at me, then at the gift on the bed. I gave an approving nod before speaking. "He made it for you in class with the other first graders. He made one for me too, and he wanted me to help him when we got home to make one for you too. Oh and then there is something else in there he made after you were brought to the hospital. Right buddy?"

Ethan nodded his head again but did not speak.

Edward smiled slightly and nodded his head. "Thank you Ethan." He said quietly. Every time he said his sons name his eyes flashed regret but he quickly covered it up.

Edward opened the bag and pulled out the first thing Ethan had made. It was a photograph frame with a picture of Ethan inside. The frame was made of popsicle sticks with different colored macaroni around on the sticks. He had used Edward's favorite colors; I should know he made me ask Esme. In the photo Ethan was sitting on a big red cushion with a black background. A huge smile on his little lips and because Ethan had insisted, when the picture was taken, I had my arms wrapped around his waist, my head on his shoulder smiling as well. Ethan had insisted on this photo, and the main reason was because he wanted his daddy to have a picture of his mommy because they would get married one day. Yeah, logic of a small child with the help of his girlfriend who insisted the same thing along with the fact she was going to marry Ethan and have lots of babies. They had names and everything picked out! I never knew children could be so detailed.

Edward set it down in his lap running his fingers over the picture of Ethan's face and then mine. His eyes were tearing up as he looked over at Ethan. I motioned for him to flip it over. He did. On the back in child chicken scratch was Ethan's hand writing. It read 'daddy come home soon, love you." I had helped him spell the words but he had written it.

Again the large man looked speechless. "Ethan, I think your daddy likes the picture."

"Really?" He asked quietly.

"Yup,"

Slowly Ethan looked up at him again. "Do you, like it?" His voice was nervous, but he was a little surer of himself.

"I love it Ethan, thank you." He smiled a crooked smile and that was when I realized this was the first true smile he had given all day. I should of known from the photos that those other smiles were forced and strained. Heck with just common sense I should of known it would be hard for him to smile.

I smiled gently as I looked down at Ethan who smiled as well. "Can you tell him what else you made for him Ethan?"

"Unkie Emmy...Uncle Emmett helped me make a CD." He said quietly. I continued for him. "He learned to play the piano soon after he started living with me. I heard it was good for children who had been hurt to have some type of outlet and I choose music since he seemed to like looking at the pianos and what not. Then I come to find out his father played when he was a little older. He is rather good at it too." I teased softly as I ruffled the small boy's hair. Edward had a small but proud smile on his lips. It did not take a genius to realize this is something he would have wanted to pass on to his child.

"Can you put it on for me?" Edward asked holding it out to me. I nodded and went to get the CD player I had brought guessing he would want to hear it.

I sat Ethan down on the chair by himself before putting the CD inside the player and pushed the play button. I could tell Ethan wanted to get out of the chair and hide but he stayed put because Sarah climbed down into the chair next to him.

After a few moments of silence there was Emmett's booming voice.

"Here is Ethan plating Clair de lune written by Debussy."

"Not written Unkie Emmy! COMPOSED!"
"Sorry Ethan, here is Ethan Cullen playing Clair de lune COMPOSED by Debussy."

I rolled by eyes. Emmett could have edited that out.

Then I heard the soft and gentle melody of my sons playing. According to Emmett he played three times before he was satisfied. He had missed a note or two and he thought it was horrible. Ethan was a perfectionist.

Edward's eyes were closed but his head was nodding to the sound. It was probably the first music he had heard in six years. I walked over to Ethan slowly and knelt down next to him.

"Ethan? I think your daddy would like it if you gave him a hug. He has not had allot of hugs, I promise he won't hurt you. I am right here."

Ethan nibbled on his bottom lip slightly. "Will I….Will I hurt HIM. It hurt when I had broken arm. I don't want to hurt him." He said looking at me with wide, frightened eyes.

"No you will not hurt it, he is getting the casts off soon. Though he will need a little while before he can walk or be completely better, but the casts are coming off and you will not hurt him. Would you be okay with giving him a hug?"

He nodded a little. "He is good daddy. Not mean daddy James. He not hurt me. Mommy promise, and Sarah promise, grandma and grandpa promise, so he okay, you stay, kay?"

I nodded. "Of course buddy," I said, so with his agreement I gently lifted the boy onto the bed and sat him next to Edward. He felt the weight of the bed and opened his eyes slightly. I motioned for him to not move. He understood and let his eyes close again.

Very carefully Ethan leaned against Edward's chest and put one arm around him gently. "Daddy," He said quietly. His eyes were closed and he visibly shook. He still feared men no matter who they were. I was actually surprised he had agreed to give him a hug.

Edward opened his eyes and silently asked me a question which I nodded to. His good arm came up and wrapped around my the small boy. They sat like that for a while but Sarah started getting jealous and climbed onto the bed as well and slipped into Edward's arms as well. Smiling softly I pulled out my phone to snap a few pictures. The first couple were with just Edward and Ethan and then a couple of Sarah inserting herself into the photo.

This was the moment I knew my son would have a father, a real one. What I didn't know was what might happen in the future.

I was worried about so many things but now one of those worries were off the table. I would no longer worry if my son would be hurt by a man who he did not know. I do not mean hurt physically but mentally. This could of gone horribly if he had been someone like James or simply was not prepared to have a child.

There were still my worries of James and where he was in the world.

But the worry on my mind at the moment was what would happen if Edward agreed to come and stay with us. Life just got much more complicated but I could not be any happier at the moment.

Okay there you go, chapter nine

Took me a bit longer then I wanted but hopefully it is okay!

Please review!