"Love is not a force between a mind and a body, but a force between two hearts. Your mind and eyes will never tell you when you feel true love, for only your heart can receive the true love that another heart sends directly to it."

-Anonymous-

Chapter 12

"The Cullen's"

"Mommy, my tummy really hurts," Hannah whined from the car seat. I looked over at Edward with a panicked expression. I was silently praying she wouldn't puke in his car.

"Edward, I think you should pull over," I suggested looking back at Hannah who was looking very pale.

"We're almost there," he said squeezing my hand. I just shook my head and pointed at the gas station we were passing.

"If you don't want her to puke all over your lovely leather interior, I recommend pulling over," I said more sternly, as I reached back to rub Hannah's knee. She started crying as Edward parked in the gas station. I jumped out of the car, and hurried to get Hannah out of her car seat.

But it was in vain, because as soon as I lifted her up, I heard the unmistakable sound of retching. I tried not to breathe through my nose in fear of smelling it on me and then getting sick myself.

Hannah started sobbing harder and I forced myself not to cuddle her, remembering that I was covered. Edward was wiping Hannah's face off before he took her from me. He handed me my bag and I pulled out the first shirt I found. I went to the restroom in the gas station to change my shirt. I was thankful I grabbed a plain white shirt. Fortunately, I had my hair pulled back into a ponytail so I didn't have to worry about it in my hair.

I walked back to the car and saw Edward had wrapped a blanket around Hannah while cuddling her close to him. He jumped up once he saw me and raced over to me.

"Are you okay?" He asked soundly anxious.

"I'm fine; this is not the first time. How's Hannah?" I questioned as I brushed her forehead to clear her bangs from her eyes. She had fallen back asleep. Edward does make a good pillow.

"She's better now that she's calm again," he said putting his hand on the small of my back, leading me to the car. He silently put Hannah gently in her car seat, while I got into the passenger side.

"Thank you," he mumbled grabbing my hand. I gave him a confused look and he laughed. "For saving my, how did you put it? Oh, my 'lovely leather interior.' I'm sorry it was you instead, though."

I laughed, and then took a deep breath. "Edward, do really think it's just the flu?" I asked seriously.

He was quiet for a minute before he squeezed my hand. "I honestly don't know. But she has all the symptoms that point to the flu. I'll talk to my Dad as soon as we get there. He would know better than me."

"I really hope it's just the flu," I said looking over my shoulder at Hannah. She looked so innocent and it killed me that she was sick. It hurt even more that I had to worry that Mike did something to her. Her own father could have done this to her.

"Me too," Edward agreed softly.

The rest of the drive was silent, and I understood why Edward said he would know if someone followed us. The house was set in the woods requiring the use of the turn off that was easy to miss. This calmed my nerves slightly.

"Wow," I muttered under my breath as Edward parked in front of a beautiful house.

"My parents love to take time off and spend it here. It's a very relaxing place, and more importantly, it's quiet. No teenage kids pulling pranks, no noise from the traffic," he said before getting out of the car. I waited in front of the car as he got Hannah out.

I smiled watching Edward handle Hannah. Being a father just fit him. If this is how he is with Hannah, I can only imagine how even more wonderful he would be with a child of his own.

I looked up once I heard the door open to see Dr. Cullen and obviously his wife standing there to greet us. Edward smiled softly at me before walking up the porch.

"It's nice to see you again, Bella," Dr. Cullen greeted me with a smile.

"I just wish it was under different circumstances, Dr. Cullen," I replied with a sad smile.

"If I'm allowed to call you Bella, then you must call me Carlisle," he said with a laugh.

"And this is my mother, Esme," Edward interrupted. She surprised me by pulling me into a tight hug.

"Thank you," she whispered before pulling away. She gave me the 'we'll talk later' look, so I didn't question her.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs.-"

"I know what you are going to say, but it's just Esme, dear. Mrs. Cullen makes me sound so old," she laughed. "Well, let's not stand on the porch anymore, especially with a sick child."

I followed behind admiring the openness of the house as we walked toward the living room. I sat next to Edward on the love seat. He adjusted Hannah so she would be more comfortable. I think he knew I didn't feel at ease not being close to Hannah. He put his free hand on my knee and I wrapped my arm under his, relaxing into his body.

"Alice and Jasper are coming also. They're going to be here later because they are stopping to make sure Emmett and Rosalie don't get lost," Esme said as she and Carlisle sat down on the couch across from us.

"Emmett and Rose are coming?" I asked.

"Yes, I called them this morning. I thought it would be better if we were all here together. You never know what Mike could do. And before you get too worried, Charlie knows how to handle himself, he has a gun," Edward said with a knowing smile.

"Eddie," Hannah mumbled reaching for the front of his shirt.

"Yes, baby," he answered softly.

"I don't feel good," she said as she tried to wrap her arms around his neck. He lifted her up more so she could. She rested her head in the crook of his neck and he stroked her hair. I heard Esme sniffle slightly, and when I looked up she was staring at her son. Her eyes held the upmost pride for her son.

"I know, baby. Does your tummy hurt again?" He asked kissing the top of her head.

She just shook her head.

"Bella, dear, can you help me in the kitchen for a minute?" Esme asked politely, already standing up. I nodded my head and went to follow behind her.

Once we were in the kitchen, she grabbed two cups and poured coffee for both of us.

"So, I'm guessing you didn't really need help in the kitchen," I joked as she handed me the coffee.

"No, I wanted to talk to you," she said sitting down at the island. She patted the seat next to her, and I sat next to her, nervous of what she was going to say.

"I don't really know where to start. Well, I have a feeling Edward hasn't told you this, but I feel like you need to know. He'll probably be upset that I told you," she paused to take a sip.

"Edward has never truly been happy since his real parents died in a car accident when he was 10. Carlisle and I were close friends to the Masen's, and in their Will they wanted Edward to live with us. A few years later, Carlisle and I talked to Edward about adopting him. He was hesitant at first because he believed he would be betraying his parents. After a few weeks of letting him think it through, which is just the way Edward is, he came into the kitchen one morning and said, 'Good morning, Mom.' That was the first time he called me mom, and later that day he was talking to Carlisle, agreeing to become a Cullen," she said with a proud smile.

"But no matter how many therapy sessions we took him to, he was still the introverted person he is today. Before his parents passed away, he was always a happy kid, talking to anything that moved, whether or not it talked back was beside the point," she paused again taking a deep breath.

"And then I see him walking up to us holding Hannah, and the light in his eyes is back. I can see he adores both of you more than anything in the world. You being a mother yourself can relate to this, nothing could ever make me happier than seeing my baby like this. I'm so thankful he found you," she said as her tears shed silently. I pulled her into a tight hug, my own tears running down my face.

"Does this mean you aren't upset that I'm still married?" I asked wiping the tears away from my face.

"Well, I'm not exactly happy, but from what I've been told, you and your husband's relationship was almost over anyway, now more than ever. Sure it's not the best time to figure out your feelings toward Edward, but I'm glad it's sooner than later," she responded wiping away her own tears.

"It just clicked when I saw how Edward is around Hannah. Mike, my…whatever you want to call him, was never like that with Hannah. She was always a burden to him, something that was just holding him back in life. But with Edward, it was never like that for him. He has always treated her like she was his own. Hannah is my life, and I need to be with someone who can understand that. Edward gets it," I said looking into Esme's light brown eyes.

"I'm glad, and Bella, don't give him too hard of a time for not telling you. It's hard for him," she said nicely.

"Well, I think we have left them long enough to discuss that medical jargon we don't understand," Esme chuckled slightly. We walked out of the kitchen together, stopping at the archway leading to the living room. Carlisle was now holding a suddenly very talkative Hannah as Edward sat on the loveseat smiling widely.

I looked over at Esme and got the feeling she was about to explode from amount of joy.

"That's my Mommy," Hannah announced happily while pointing at me. She still sounded congested and pale, but at least she was awake now.

"The Motrin is working, which suggests it is in fact the flu," Carlisle said putting Hannah down. She pouted for a minute before walking toward me. She put her arms out for me to lift her up.

"Are you Esme?" She asked quietly.

"Yes, sweetheart, I am."

"Are you really Edward's Mommy?" She questioned in disbelief.

"Yes," Esme answered smiling widely.

"Then why doesn't he call you Mommy?"

"Well, you will have to ask him," Esme said. Hannah reached over to Esme, and she took her without a second thought.

"Edward, why don't you call Esme Mommy?"

Edward looked at me with slightly panicked eyes, before smiling at Hannah again. "Because, if I call her Mommy then everyone would get confused and think I was talking to your Mommy."

"Well, Mommy can I call you Bella?"

"No, sweetie, you can't," I replied.

"Why not?"

"I like when you call me Mommy," I said walking to sit next to Edward. Hannah continued to talk to Esme. Carlisle sat across from Edward and me.

"Bella, I really think it's the flu, but tomorrow we should take her to the hospital so I can run some tests just to make sure," Carlisle said reassuringly.

"Mom! Dad! I'm home, with guests," I heard a perky voice announce walking into the living room. She was short, I mean really short, with black hair that was perfectly styled. Her eyes were so dark, they were almost black and she was extremely pale, but she made it look good.

I followed Carlisle and Edward's lead as they stood up.

"Well you must be Bella, I'm Alice, Edward's sister," she said almost skipping toward me. She got on her tip toes to kiss my cheek. "And that's my husband, Jasper."

Jasper was tall, very tall standing next to Alice, and he was very easy on the eyes. With his shaggy blonde hair, blue-gray eyes, and toned body, I bet he had lots of women lusting over him.

"Mommy," Hannah said as she squirmed out of Esme's grip. She raced over and hid behind my legs. Edward bent down to pick her up. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Hay-Bay, what's wrong?" I asked.

"He's really pretty," she whispered back. But she doesn't really understand the concept of whispering yet, so everyone in the room heard her. There was quite a few snorts trying not to laugh. I looked at Edward's amused expression and I couldn't help but laugh.

Jasper smoothly walked toward us. Hannah looked up with wide eyes before squealing and burying her head back into Edward's shoulder. Jasper smiled wider and gently tapped her shoulder. She slowly looked up.

"Hi there, darlin'. I think you're really pretty, too," Jasper said with a wink, slipping into a southern drawl. Hannah blushed and offered a small smile.

"Well, where's my hug Hannah Banana?" Emmett asked from the opposite end of the living room. Hannah squirmed out of Edward's arms and ran into Emmett's waiting arms.

"It's nice to meet you, Bella," Jasper said grabbing my hand to shake.

"You too, and I believe my daughter is totally smitten by you," I said with a smile.

"Yeah, Ali, I would say you have some competition," Edward laughed pulling Alice into a one armed hug.

"I know, I need to watch out for her. Oh, guess what big brother?"

"Scientists have figured out how to bottle your energy to make the perfect energy drink?" Edward teased. She punched him in the arm, and he winced theatrically.

"No, we're moving to Seattle next month, so I expect you to help me move," she said before slipping out of his arm to go talk to her parents.

I looked over where Emmett and Rose were talking to Hannah. Emmett started to lift Hannah up, and I knew what he was going to do.

"Emmett, you don't want to do th-"

Everyone wrinkled their noses as Hannah got sick once again. Emmett just stood there holding Hannah up in the air. I walked over and grabbed Hannah out of his arms, as she started crying again.

"Let's get you cleaned up, baby," Edward whispered to Hannah grabbing my hand, leading me to the bathroom.

Edward and I walked back into the living room hand in hand, he was holding Hannah. She was still crying and continued to ask if we were mad at her.

"Hannah, no one is mad at you, baby girl," I said soothingly trying to stop her tears. She just hugged Edward tighter.

"Well, I need to make a stop at the grocery store, would anyone like to join me?" Esme asked once Edward and I were back in the living room.

All the girls agreed to go along, while the boys stayed home with Hannah, who thankfully had stopped crying.

"So Rosalie, do you want to start a family?" Esme asked politely as we all strolled down the aisle.

Rose stiffened and tears welled in her eyes. "Well, we've been trying, but I just can't."

"Oh, dear, let's go for a little walk," Esme said, ushering Rose quickly ahead, leaving me and Alice behind.

"So what do you do?" I asked.

"Fashion designer and Jasper is a History Professor. He just got a job at the University Of Seattle, and it means we get to be closer to my family this time," she replied happily.

"Where are you now?"

"Houston, close to his family," she said. "What about you Bella?"

"Right now, just a stay at home Mom."

"The best job ever. I have been trying to convince Jasper we should start a family. We've been married for three years, and it's just time," she said confidently.

"Girls, we have everything we need, let's head back," Esme said from behind us. Both Alice and I jumped, making us laugh.

Rose and Alice went to put the groceries away, while Esme and I went to go look for the boys and Hannah. They were all sitting around the TV watching some game show. Hannah looked quite comfortable in Jasper's arms, and I couldn't stop a wide grin spread across my face.

"Hello, Beautiful," Edward whispered from behind me. He turned me around and lightly kissed my lips. "Did you have fun, love?"

"I did and I really like Esme and Alice. They're extremely sweet," I said kissing his lips again.

"That's until Alice feels like she won't scare you away anymore," he said with a laugh.

"I heard that," Alice said hitting the back of his head. Edward kissed me one more time before joining the boys again.

"Bella, I have to thank you," Alice said hugging my waist.

"For what?"

"Look at Jasper," she pointed towards him. He looked down at Hannah and smiled widely. He cradled her closer to him and smiled bigger when she rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. "That just totally swayed him to my side. He so wants to be a Dad now."

So, tell me what you think. I personally loved the Jasper part. He never gets enough lovin'.

Thank you to everyone that reviewed. It means a lot to me!!

Special thank you to my beta Kakabel because without you I would have some pretty stupid mistakes. Thank you!!

Also it's almost time for the moment everyone has been waiting for...Mike confrontation. I can't tell you if it will happen in the next chapter or the chapter after that, but all I have to say is you guys better love it. I've been dreaming about it. Weird I know.

~Scarlet :)