Author's Note:

Hey everyone! Author's Note from me Greenaway this week...

First off warnings for this chapter: offensive language, sexual content, and substance abuse. This warning will be consistent for the entire story. Be warned.

Second, the blog hold up has been my fault. Computer programs have been driving me crazy and I am attempting to rectify the situation as this is posted. It's alright, if it doesnt co-operate I am going to go all fucking ninja on it and prove who is boss. :-)

Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews. It's all appreciated.

Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, CinnamonTwist101 and Greenaway own An Angel At My Table. Mick Jagger owns 'Just another Night', Mark Ronson owns 'Oh my God' remix, Linkin Park own 'One Step Closer' and Tom Petty owns 'Learning to Fly'.


Bella POV

I woke with fresh tears leaking from my eyes; I wiped them away with the back of my hand but more followed. I groaned and pulled the blankets over my head. How did my life get to this point? Unemployed, alone and pregnant to a man who I loved but now resides on the other side of the world and thinks I'm nothing more than a stupid mistake.

What was I going to do? I had to make a decision on whether I wanted to have this baby, whether I wanted this huge lifelong responsibility, if I wanted to be a solo parent and most importantly did I want to have a baby to a man who didn't feel the same way?

Motherhood had never been high on my list of priorities. The few times I'd actually thought about having children it was always with a man who wanted the whole package.

A knock on my bedroom door brought me from my tumultuous thoughts, "come in." I groaned.

I pulled the covers from my face when Alice walked in with a breakfast tray laden with all my favourite foods, my mouth watered as my eyes fell upon the plate of apricot Danishes the fresh fruit salad and the steaming cappuccino with both cinnamon and chocolate sprinkles.

Rose followed her into the room and eyed me sympathetically, "are you all right Bella?"

"No." I answered honestly.

"Have you thought about what you are going to do?"

"No."

"Do you want to talk about it? We can help you go through the lists of pros and cons it might make it easier to decide." I smiled at Rosalie, she was such a practical person she always weighed up the pros and cons before she made a decision.

I used to hassle her about it as a teenager, but she always said she found it easier to live with her decision if she made an informed choice.

"Yeah I guess so, I can't really put it off and it would be good to know what I want to do before I see the doctor."

Rose took a piece of paper and a pen from my computer desk in the corner of my room and came to sit on the bed with me and Alice. I grabbed Danish as Rose headed up her two columned lists with pros and cons in bold text.

"So Bella I think we should start with the cons first it's always better to get the negatives out of the way so you have the positives to look forward to." I nodded at her in agreement I couldn't fault her logic.

CONS * PROS:

No father around * Motherhood

Big financial responsibility * Unconditional love

Loss of freedom and opportunity * Joy

Limits potential in finding Mr Right * Milestones

Lifetime commitment * Pitter Patter of tiny feet

Tough times to weather on your own * Baby smell and soft skin

The Cullen's/ the devil * Designer Baby gear

"Oh shit," Rose groaned, "there's an even split between the pros and cons, god I hate it when that happens, Jesus Bella you must have really done something to piss off the gods." Rose patted my arm in sympathy.

I groaned, like she needed to state the obvious, "Yeah I know, but what did I do? Maybe I was an evil sorceress in my last life and now my karma's catching up on me."

"I doubt it very much Bells, it's all in the way you look at it. I mean it could all turn out to be a blessing in disguise."

I looked at Alice in surprise and snorted, "Do you reckon?" I couldn't see any blessings in this nightmare scenario.

"Yes," Alice said with total conviction, "everything happens for a reason."

"Bells?" Rose interrupted, "I'm going to make an appointment for you with your Doctor for later on this afternoon."

"Rose I...I can't make the decision by this afternoon."

"Yes you can Bella. There's no point in stalling, it's not going to go away or fix itself, you'll feel better and be able to move forward and make plans once your decision is made."

I knew Rose was right but it didn't make it any easier. This was going to be a life altering decision whichever way I chose to go. I studied the pros and cons list, the cons were practical but the pros were purely emotional.

I tried to imagine myself holding a tiny baby in my arms, all warm and soft skin and sweet smell and I had to admit the image did tug at my heart strings especially since it was Edward's baby, it was sure to be beautiful. Unfortunately my head wanted its two cents worth and my mind quickly brought up an image of me looking very frazzled with a crying, whinging, unsatisfied child clinging to my leg.

"Fuck…shit…what the fuck?" I moaned and tried to zone out of the internal battle raging between my head and my heart.

Though I now knew in my heart that I loved Edward with all of my being. I had also accepted the fact that we could never be together.

And just like that my decision was made. I would keep Edward's child and raise it with all the love that my heart had stored for Edward, this way I could get to keep a part of the man I could only have in my dreams.

"I'm going to keep the baby." I blurted out. I smiled though, when I heard the conviction in my voice as my words rang in my ears.

"Yay Bella; I'm so happy for you. Rose we're going to be aunties. Ooh Bells I bet the baby will be gorgeous with such hot looking parents." Alice and Rose both reached over to hug me tightly and I felt a warmth shoot through my veins.

"We'll be there for you every step of the way Bells."

"Thanks, I'm sure I'm gonna need it."

"So what are you going to tell Mum and Dad?" The warmth in my veins turned to ice as I registered Alice's words.

I sighed, what the fuck was I going to tell Charlie and Renee? I doubted that sole parent was high on their list of dreams for their daughter. Not that I had any problem with it.

"Fuck, I don't know? I'm not telling them Edward's the father that's for sure."

"Hmm...Are you sure that's wise Bella?" I could tell Rose disapproved by the way her perfectly plucked brow arched in surprise.

"Yes. I don't want anybody to know Edward's the father, the last thing I need is for Carlisle the devil to find out I'm carrying the genetic spawn of his dark Angel. He'll probably have a doctor cut the child from me the moment I'm due and then have me assassinated."

Rose and Alice both laughed, but I shook my head, I was only half joking, I had no idea what kind of extreme lengths Carlisle the control freak would go to too eliminate a perceived problem. The man was absolutely ruthless.

"I plan to raise this child alone with absolutely no interference from the Cullen family. I want you two to swear on all you hold precious that you will not tell a soul the identity of the father. Do you swear?" I looked at them pleadingly.

"Sure." Alice gave me a dazzling smile.

"Of course Bella;" Rose nodded solemnly.

"Good and thank you both, now help me think up a good cover story, one that will fool even Renee and Charlie."

"You could tell them it was a one night stand."

"Fuck off Alice, Charlie would flip; he's going to be furious enough, without him thinking that his daughter is a promiscuous slapper, irresponsible enough to get pregnant to a man she doesn't know...I don't think so."

"True... It was only a suggestion." She sighed sadly.

Rose looked up at me with a smile, "what about if we say you were dating a foreign exchange student from Sweden. You could say he was only at Victoria University for a semester and you went out a few times but now he's gone home and you have no way of contacting him?"

"You know what Rose that's not half bad. At least Charlie won't be able to use his connections on the police force to track the guy the guy down."

We spent the rest of the day refining my story and by the time we arrived at the doctor's surgery we each knew the inside out and we'd thought of convincing answers to the probing question Renee was sure to ask.

The doctor confirmed what the eighteen home pregnancy tests had already told me, that I was indeed six weeks pregnant. Alice and Rose were ecstatic. I was petrified but determined now I'd made the decision.

We headed out to my favourite Italian restaurant so Alice and Rose could celebrate and we could make a rough plan of what I should do next.

"Well Bella I think you should sell your apartment and combine the proceeds with your hush money to buy yourself a house with a yard. You don't want to raise a child in an apartment building when you have the chance to have green space."

"Yeah I've been thinking about that. I'm also going to apply for a job at the university, just to mark the exam papers. It's the perfect job, I'll be able to work it around the baby and I'll be able to work from home."

"Good idea bell's it's good to see you're thinking clearly." Rose smiled at me approvingly and I felt more confident.

"Let's ring and tell Renee and Charlie, the sooner they know the sooner they'll get over it."

"I don't know Alice. Charlie's going to have a hissy fit."

"Too late," Alice had pulled out phone and dialled as soon as she heard the first ring she handed it to me with a smile.

I prayed Charlie and Renee would be out enjoying their various pursuits and wouldn't be home, my heart sank when Renee answered after the third ring.

"Hello."

"Hi Mum its Bella."

"Bella; honey how are you?"

"Um…I'm ok…look Mum; I have something I need to tell you."

"What is it sweetheart, are you alright?" My throat constricted and my mouth went dry.

I took a deep breath and blurted out, "I'm pregnant." I closed my eyes and waited for the explosion.

"What, what did you say dear?"

"I said I'm pregnant, six weeks pregnant."

"...Who are you pregnant to Bella? I didn't think you even had a boyfriend."

"I don't have a boyfriend... Look Mum this is what happened." I quickly told her the story we had concocted and closed my eyes hoping she would believe my pack of lies.

"Are you going to tell him, are you going to find out if he wants to raise this child with you?"

"No Mum I'm not planning on telling him. I wouldn't even know where to find him."

"So what are you planning on raising this child alone as a solo parent?"

"Yes I am Mum and there's nothing wrong with that."

"Oh... are you sure you want to go it alone Bella. I have to tell you it won't be easy."

"I'm sure Mum and I'll have Rose and Alice for support."

"Well Bella...I guess if you're happy then so am I... A grandmother! I can't believe it. I'll have to start knitting at once. Winter in Wellington can be freezing and I wouldn't want my little grandchild to catch a cold."

And just like that Renee had moved on from disappointment to knitting.

"Mum could you please break the news to Dad? I know he's going to be disappointed and you are the only one who may have a chance at making him see reason."

"Of course sweetie, but Bella expect a phone call, you won't be able to avoid him... but I'll make sure he calms down before he calls you."

"Thanks heaps for understanding Mum I really appreciate it."

"That's what Mothers are for Bella. Now look after yourself and I'll talk to you soon."

"Ok Mum, I love you."

"I love you to Bells and say hi to your sisters for me."

I closed the phone and let out a relieved sigh at least Renee had taken the news well, I wasn't holding out much hope that Charlie would be so easily appeased.

Alice seemed to be thinking along the same lines, "Well I see Mum brought it I doubt you'll be so lucky with Charlie... though it was a stroke of brilliance to get Mum to tell him."

"She promised she wouldn't let him call until he'd calmed down so I'm guessing he's going to hit the roof."

"Oh well Bella don't worry about it, he'll have to accept it sooner or later there's no point crying over spilt milk. Now let's go back to your place and search the internet for the perfect house for you." Alice patted my arm soothingly.

"That sounds good Alice I need to a distraction to keep myself from stressing about Charlie." We left the restaurant hand in hand and I noticed the tight knot in my stomach had lessened slightly. I was feeling a little better now I'd made a plan and told Renee my news.

We searched the internet for properties in Wellington and after an hour I was sure I'd found the perfect one for me. The house was modest but the grounds were beautiful and so was the view of the harbour. I was ecstatic that my offer was accepted and I could move in to my house in six weeks time.

~~~~XXXX~~~~

I was grateful when Charlie and Renee flew to Wellington to help me move, Charlie who had hardly said anything since he'd arrived was impressed with my purchase but not so much with my decision to raise a baby on my own.

He waited until we were alone on the deck before he made his views known, "Bella, I have to say that I'm not very happy about you getting pregnant to a man your barely know and who you have no plan to include in your life. It was very irresponsible to get yourself into this situation. However since you have made your decision I want you to know that I'll always be here for you."

"Oh...Thanks Dad and I'm really sorry I disappointed you."

"That's ok sweetheart, I guess I'm pretty chuffed to be getting a grandchild out it." He gave me a big hug and kissed my cheek before going to retrieve another box from the car.

The weekend went by really fast and before I knew it Renee and Charlie were due to fly back to Tauranga. Renee was fuming when she learned she had booked the flights home on the day I was going for my first ultrasound. She cried and begged Charlie to rearrange their flights so she could attend.

"That's not going to be possible Renee you're scheduled to host your book club this afternoon and it's too late to back out now." Renee glowered at Charlie and looked like she was about to argue some more so I intervened.

"Mum I promise as soon as I'm home from the Doctors I'll email you the images they'll be in your inbox by the time you get home I promise. Besides you can't let the book club down, you've been raving about that Twilight vampire book since you got here."

"I know Bella, promise you will read it. I left you a copy on the kitchen table."

"Sure Mum I promise. Now hurry up before you miss your flight." I hugged them tightly and followed them out the door.

I sat nervously in the Doctors waiting room flanked by Rose and Alice, I was torn between almost palpable anticipation and crippling fear at the thought that I was about to see with my own eyes the baby growing inside me.

My heart began to beat double time when I saw my doctor emerge from her office and smile widely at me, "Isabella I will see you now."

Rose held my hand, I followed Alice and the Doctor into the room, the Doctor ushered me onto the bed and asked me to lift my top and expose my stomach.

"According to your records Bella you are twelve weeks along?"

"Yes that's right."

"You look quite a bit further along than that. Let's get started and we can take some measurements and get a more accurate picture."

I watched the television monitor as the Doctor applied the sonar gel to my stomach and positioned the scanner over my abdomen.

I don't admit to knowing the first thing about the inner workings of a woman's womb but even I knew there was something different about the picture on the screen.

"Well Bella I now know why I thought you were further along than twelve weeks. It seems you are having twins, they appear to be fraternal and they both look perfectly healthy. By the measurements you are approx twelve to thirteen weeks along."

"Twins... I'm...having twins?" I stuttered, tears pooled in my eyes and I felt sick. There was no way I was prepared for that.

"Yes that's right Bella." I looked at Alice and Rose in alarm, they both gave me reassuring looks that weren't doing anything to reassure me. My tears spilled down my cheeks and Alice hugged me tightly.

I tried to concentrate on what the Doctor was saying, Rose could obviously see the fear on my face because she squeezed my hand, "its ok Bells, Alice and I are here for you."

I never spoke once we left the Doctors office; shock and fear were overwhelming me. I was in way too deep but I knew it was too late to back out now. Thankfully Rose and Alice left me in peace; both of them knew I needed to come to terms with the fact by myself.

When we arrived back at my apartment I headed straight for the shower I hoped the hot water would might soothe me. I was distracted by Alice calling out through the bathroom door.

"Bell's do you want me to call Renee with the news or do you want to do it?"

I thought about it for a moment and I knew I wasn't going to hold it together long enough to tell Renee.

"You can do it." I continued to stand under the hot water and tried not to think how seriously fucked up my life was while Edward got off lightly again.

I flopped down on the couch and hugged a cushion to my chest, the shower hadn't soothed me and I was still agitated and scared.

Alice must have sensed my spiralling mood because she finally spoke, "are you alright Bells?"

"No not really. How the fuck am I going to raise twins... alone?"

You won't be alone; you'll have me and Rose."

"Not all the time I won't most of the time I will be doing it by myself."

"You'll be fine Bella, try to think positively so you don't get to down in the dumps."

"That's easy for you to say Alice."

~~~~XXXX~~~~~

I was out doing some gardening when Jake turned up; I smiled when I saw him walking up the path, "Hey Jake long time no see... why aren't you in class today?"

"I've finished my lectures for the day. So I thought I'd come over and see how you're doing."

"Well come in and I'll make you a coffee."

"Wow Bells I really love your place and the grounds are awesome."

"Yeah well it's going to be a great place to raise children now that I'm going to be a Mother of two."

"What do you mean a Mother of two, are you pregnant?" He looked me over his eyes widening when he reached my rapidly swelling stomach. "Far out you are pregnant."

"Yes... with twins."

"Holy fuck Bella, where's the father?"

"Not in the picture. He lives in Sweden."

"Well don't worry about a thing Bells, I'll look after you." He gave me an earnest look and a huge smile.

"You don't have to do that Jake." I said embarrassed.

"I know I don't but you're my friend and I want to," I gave him a small smile, "I'll be able to help you assemble the baby furniture and paint their rooms and I can be their uncle Jake."

My smile grew when I heard him refer to himself as their Uncle, "I'd really like that Jake."

I went to bed that night feeling way more confident I felt like I could do this with the help of Alice, Rose and Jake by my side.

My main priority now was to avoid running into any of the Cullen's and to get organised in preparation of taking on the most challenging role of my life.

I let my mind drift to thoughts of Edward and my heart throbbed painfully. I wished he was here to take this Journey with me…

Edward POV

The flight was long and uncomfortable despite being in first class. In fact, the only thing that made the flight tolerable was the abundance of alcohol the flirty stewardess kept plying me with. She was brazen in her interest and by no means unattractive, in fact she was fucking gorgeous. She was tall and shapely, with long blond hair and a killer rack. She was your cat-walk model beautiful, but I felt nothing. No attraction, no spark of electricity when our hands accidentally touched, nothing. The only one who held any attraction for me was Bella, and since the stewardess wasn't my Bella, I couldn't bring myself to fuck her in the bathroom like she suggested to me at one point. I told her I was too drunk, and she just shrugged and said maybe next time, before handing me a fresh glass of whiskey, bless her slutty little heart.

We touched down at little after ten pm, and I looked at the weather outside in disgust. I had come from beautiful, sunny New Zealand to cold, rainy France. Fucking perfect.

I spent fifteen minutes in the rain trying to find a damn taxi and then another fifteen trying to explain the address in my out of practice French to the driver. He finally understood and muttered something about foreigners under his breath before pulling away from the curb. I sank back into the seat and looked out the window, Paris was the epitome of my misery at present, and it seemed to be swallowing me whole.

We arrived half an hour later at the penthouse Cullen Industries owned in the 7th Arrondissement, residence of Paris's wealthy and elite. The district certainly threw the fact that it's occupants had money straight at you, and heaven help you if you didn't measure up to their standards. I felt ill at all the pretension around me and I wanted to turn around and go back to Wellington, where it didn't matter how much money you had. The only thing that mattered back home was if you fell into the category of good bastard or bad bastard.

The doorman rushed over to help me with my carry-on bags but I waved him away. I had no forced niceties to offer him, and I would only end up being rude and insulting, so I just walked past him to the elevator with out a second glance. I pressed the button for the penthouse once I was in the little gilded coffin that doubled as an elevator. An irritating little ding rang out before the doors opened to a small hallway with a single door across from me. I unlocked the door with the keys Carlisle had given me and I opened it, flicking on the lights and kicking my bags into the corner.

This was my new home.

The sight of the place had the alcohol I had consumed on the plane wanting to make a reappearance. The place was fucking awful.

It was decorated in lavish reds and gold and all the furniture was genuine antique. It screamed 'Carlisle Cullen' not 'Edward Cullen'.

A shoebox would have been more fucking homely I thought snidely.

I made my way into the lounge and looked out the huge windows, shaking my head in disbelief. I had a view of the Eiffel fucking tower.

Just perfect.

I pulled my cell phone out and dialled Esme's number, she had begged me to call her as soon as I arrived and I had promised her I would. Carlisle told me to make sure I got to the office early, so I could make a strong impression on the staff there. Different styles of parenting right there I supposed.

"Hello? Edward?" My mothers excited voice rang out and I smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Hey Mum, I got here." I responded with a tired sigh.

"I know, so when are you coming home? I miss you already you know."

I missed her too.

"Things are going to be pretty busy for a while Mum, I'll try to visit as often as I can but you could always come to France?" I joked, my mother, however, took me completely seriously.

"I'll get onto organising it. I doubt your father will tear himself away from work, but maybe Emmett and Jasper can take some time off and come with me, you know how I hate to travel alone." She began rambling, going through all the things she would need to organise for her trip. I tried to stifle a yawn, jet lag was getting to me.

"Come whenever you want Mum, but right now I better get some sleep before tomorrow. Love you."

"Love you too baby, call me soon ok?"

I checked out the rest of the penthouse and it was just as bad as the bits I had seen. If the furniture wasn't all original and older than I was, then I would have fucking thrown everything out and started again.

I made my way over to the bar in the corner of the lounge, because Carlisle would definitely have something in there and it would be something good. I opened the cabinet and my hands trembled when I saw the bottle sitting there.

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!

My increasing alcoholism squealed like a fan-girl.

Chivas Regal Royal Salute, fifty years old Scotch Whiskey. The stuff went for about ten thousand a bottle and this one had not even been touched, Carlisle must have brought it for a special occasion and since I knew it would not be for my mother since she hated whiskey……

I cracked it open and held it up in a toast.

"Here's to you Carlisle, and your very fine whiskey. Cheers, you overbearing ass-wipe." I took a generous mouthful and it was fucking divine, it felt like satin sliding down my throat.

I made my way to the bedroom, there was no way I was sitting on those uncomfortable fucking chairs and drinking something like this. One should be comfortable and savour.

The grown-up part of my mind reminded me that I had a meeting at eight o'clock and perhaps drinking this much, no matter the quality, was a very bad idea.

The meeting was a meet and greet of sorts with the staff at the new office and I was dreading it. I was the new boss, walking in after they had pretty much done all the hard work. I was meant to come in and put the official Cullen stamp on everything and take the glory. Since they would probably already despise me for that, I probably shouldn't turn up hung over or still drunk (It was not within the realms of impossibility.).

Three hours later, the bottle was finished and I was completely shit-faced. Several times I grabbed my phone with the intention of calling Bella and declaring my undying love for her and each time, I managed to hang up before the call connected. Thank god, even though I was smashed, I knew that talking to her in this state would not be a good idea.

Images of our night together flashed through my mind each one stronger than the last and I was fucking groaning just thinking about her soft, soft skin and that fucking smell of hers that drove me to insanity. My cock was fucking hard and without thinking about it, I undid my pants and began stroking myself, imaging it was Bella's hand in place of my own.

She became my sexual muse.

Imagination-Bella's hands gripped my length firmly, a little to firmly and I hissed, a mixture of pleasure and pain.

"Do you like that baby?" She whispered into my ear, twisting her tongue around the lobe and sucking gently. My breathing hitched as her hand sped up a little, sliding up and down me while I thrust my hips upwards towards her, urgent for more of her. She laughed, sounding so sultry and erotic that I nearly came then and there.

"You wish you could put this in my tight, hot, little pussy don't you Edward?"

Imagination-Bella's dirty little mouth began licking a line from my jaw to my collarbone, and I could smell her everywhere. It was heaven and hell all at the same time, having her here close to me like this, yet knowing it wasn't real.

"I'm as real as you need me to be baby." her mouth had moved down my body and she was tracing her tongue in gentle little circles on my chest.

I wanted her so much, I missed her so fucking much, I was miserable without her.

I loved her.

"I love you too, Edward, I love you so much that I want you to come for me. Right now Edward, come for me…" I thrust up into her hand and came with a fury, my whole body shaking violently with my release. Imagination-Bella kissed me gently on the lips, her breath feathering over my face

"Till next time my Edward." She whispered and disappeared, leaving me feeling satisfied yet so empty and alone.

I grabbed some tissues from the bedside table and cleaned myself up, tossing them neatly into the bin despite my drunken state. I sank back into the pillows and succumbed to sleep, visions of my Bella dancing behind my eyelids.

The next morning I woke with the headache to end all headaches and my stomach was turning back flips. It was hard fucking work, but I dragged myself out of bed and showered, before staggering my way out to the kitchen. I was just about to make myself some coffee when a knock came at the door. I didn't know anybody here so I was a little confused as to who the hell it could be. I went to the door and opened it, prepared to give whatever tele-marketer had found their way into the building a piece of my fucking mind. I was fuming.

I opened the door so forcefully it slammed against the wall, revealing a tall strawberry blonde who was looking at me like a piece of meat and she was a stray fucking dog. Just what I need, a hangover and being blatantly eye-fucked at seven in the morning. I just stood there glaring at her, waiting for the vacant bitch to tell me what the fuck it was she wanted.

"You must be Edward Cullen." She practically purred at me. I rolled my eyes

"Very fucking astute of you. What the hell do you want?" I retorted.

She just stood there, her eyes roving hungrily over my body and while she was certainly attractive, at the moment all I wanted to do was vomit and she was taking her sweet fucking time about answering me.

"I'm here to take you to work! I'm Tanya by the way." She said brightly, showing far too many teeth when she smiled. So this was Tanya? Fucking joy.

"So, are you ready? Your father wanted me to help you settle in as much as possible." She said, her eyes never leaving me. Fuck, I felt like I was staring into the eyes of a predator, she looked more than ready to take me down.

Bella, Bella, Bella, Bella. She's not Bella. Bella, Bella, Bella, Bella. She's not Bella.

The familiar ache that took residence in my heart whenever I thought of Bella, flared to life and suddenly the nausea I had been fighting won the battle. Tanya was still going on about Carlisle and some other mindless bullshit, so I rudely cut in.

"Excuse me for a moment." I said and leaned behind the door, throwing up tidily in a rather old and expensive looking umbrella stand.

"Oh my god, are you alright?" Tanya's high pitched voice just compounded on my misery.

"Fucking peachy." I answered while spitting the remains of the whiskey out of my mouth. I knew I was being rude, but I really didn't fucking care.

"Maybe you should call in and stay home for the day. I could take care of you!" She finished clapping her hands together in delight.

Oh, shoot me now.

"No, I'll be fine." I said and tried to stand up. Another wave hit me and I vomited again. Carlisle's ten thousand dollar bottle of Chivas was now sitting in the bottom of his antique umbrella stand and despite the fact that I had just expelled part of my stomach lining, I smiled. Twice the 'fuck you', Emmett would be proud.

"Are you sure, because you look pretty sick, you know. I'll just call Irina, it will be fine, go lay down and….."

She just didn't shut up. My fragile patience snapped.

"Shut up! God, do you ever just fucking shut up!" I yelled. I calmed a little before I spoke again "And who the fuck is Irina anyway?"

Tanya flinched back when I yelled at her, but nothing seemed to keep her down for long, as soon as I mentioned Irina, she began another drawn out spiel.

"Irina is your P.A. and my sister! Isn't that great? She's a bit dull, but really clever so I'm sure you two will get on. Because your both clever. Not dull, I wasn't calling you dull."

I pushed her out the door and followed, locking it behind me, she was driving me nuts. We went to the parking garage below the building where Tanya's car was parked. She unlocked and I climbed in, terrified about the car ride ahead. This woman was like listening to fingernails scrape on a chalk board and to top it off, her sister was my P.A. . I hoped the similarities would only be superficial, because if this 'Irina' was as vapid as her sister, I might just hang myself.

"I thought I could come around tonight and bring dinner for you, what time do you think you'll be home?" She asked looking at me while I tried not to jump across the centre console and take the fucking wheel, because she spent more time staring at me than the road.

"Uh, I'm not sure. How about we just go out somewhere? That way I can come and get you when I'm … Fuck watch the road!" I screamed as she narrowly missed another car.

She, of course, didn't seem to have noticed her close call.

"Oh, don't worry, I'm used to these roads! We could go to L'Astrance. I live one floor below you apartment 219, so you can come down once you're ready."

Tanya didn't require an answer it seemed, because she began rattling on about what she would wear that evening. I really didn't care enough to listen.

We arrived at the office alive (I'm not sure how, that woman has no business being behind the wheel of a car.) and I got out, waving off her offer to walk me in.

"I'll pick you up tonight. Thanks Tanya." I added, a little bit of the son Esme raised coming back through the hung-over haze I was in. She was just trying to be friendly after all and I was acting like a jerk.

As soon as I stepped inside I was greeted by the receptionist who told me her name was Kate. She was the spitting image of Tanya, they could've been sisters.

"Felix and Demetri are waiting for you in the conference room sir." She said politely ignoring my stare. Fuck they could be twins.

"That would be where?" I asked a little irritated. I would have thought it was quite apparent I'd need directions.

Apparently not. Maybe her and Tanya shared more similarities than just looks.

"Mr Cullen?" A pleasant voice rang out behind me. I turned to find myself looking at another Tanya doppelganger. I looked back to Kate and then turned to look back at the woman before me. She smiled in amusement at me.

"My name is Irina sir, that is my sister Kate, and I believe my eldest sister Tanya is your neighbour and chauffeur this morning?"

Ah, that made sense, I suppose. I was surrounded by Marcus Denali's daughters, literally fucking everywhere, home and the office.

"Ah, yes she mentioned that you were my new P.A. . I just didn't realise your other sister also worked for Cullen Industries."

She gave me a smirk

"Well, I suppose Kate and I could have worked for our father, but who would want to be under their father's thumb like that?"

She was teasing me for my position at Cullen Industries. It was quite refreshing, she wasn't flirting with me like Tanya and she wasn't ignoring my existence like Kate. Thank god one of the Denali women were normal.

"So how do you enjoy living in the same city as your father? Particularly a father like Marcus Denali?" I teased her right back, feeling the most normal I had in a long time.

She laughed at me and began walking, motioning with her head for me to follow.

"You're going to fit right in here Mr Cullen." She said with a quiet snort.

"Call me Edward, please." I said as we came to the end of the corridor and a room clearly labelled 'Conference Room'. Maybe I would have been able to find it on my own.

Irina opened the door to reveal two men arm wrestling on the large conference table. They both had their jackets off, thrown carelessly over the table and their shirt sleeves rolled up past their elbows. They hadn't even noticed our arrival, so involved in their game were they. Irina put a hand up on my chest to stop me, and pulled me back so we were hidden behind a large display screen. She grinned evilly. I looked at her confused and she just mouthed at me to shut up and watch.

Neither of them were slight men, but one clearly out weighed the other and looked like he was about the same build as Emmett. He had short cropped, bright red hair and a pale complexion, and was obviously the stronger of the two. The other man had an olive skin and looked almost Mediterranean. He had shoulder length black hair tied back in a ponytail. He was sweating a bit from the exertion and I had to applaud his tenacity. Irina was struggling to keep her laughs in beside me, and I looked at her confused. Who the hell were these people and why were we standing here? She just punched my arm lightly and motioned for me to keep watching.

Felix seemed to be tiring of the game and he flicked his wrist sharply, slamming the dark haired man's hand down into the table.

"Who's your daddy??" Felix demanded jumping up from his seat and fist punching the air. The dark haired man looked up at him in disgust.

"I'm not going to say it." He said

"Oh, yes you are. You agreed to the terms of the match now follow through! Or I'll tell Irina what a pussy you really are!"

I looked down at Irina who was blushing. I automatically thought of Bella, and the little normalcy I had been experiencing vanished. I missed Bella.

"Fine! You're such a prick, you know that?" The dark haired man broke me out of my thoughts.

"Just say it!" Red haired guy demanded.

"Felix, I am your bitch. Your balls are bigger than mine and your intellect surpasses my own pitiful excuse of such. You're the Daddy of the Office and I am merely your pitiful Office Bitch." Dark haired man said flatly.

Irina's giggles burst forth and Felix looked up and grinned as he saw Irina pulling us both out into view.

"You made your declaration in front of the new boss Demetri! Your place as office bitch is forever cemented!" Felix turned to me with his blinding grin and shook my hand.

"Felix, Head of Finance. Or your glorified accountant, which ever you prefer!"

I laughed, his friendliness infectious. Demetri stood up and moved forward, taking my hand after Felix and shaking it firmly.

"Demetri, Head of Marketing. And I am not the Office Bitch, Felix is just a freak of nature." Felix grinned at him and held his arm up, waggling his fingers

"Rematch, Office Bitch? That's the only way the name will go. You have to win of course…" Felix taunted while I stood there just laughing at the fools. Maybe working here wouldn't be the hell I thought it would.

Bella.

My mind taunted me, stealing that fleeting little happiness I had been feeling.

"Right, you two goons, sit down so we can get down to business." Irina took charge.

As the meeting progressed I learnt about each department and that I would be working in close proximity to Felix and Demetri hence why they were the only department heads here today. I was happy to hear it, they were good guys and had already managed to get me to agree to go to lunch with them today. It was also clear that Irina was the one that had kept this place running before I came and that she took on responsibility far above her job requirements. I would have to review her salary first thing.

I spent the rest of the morning with Irina, familiarising myself with the office protocols and procedures used in this branch. Tanya called me twice throughout the morning, to see how I was settling in, and when she called for the third time, Irina grabbed the phone and told Kate that I was busy for the rest of the day, so only emergencies should be put through. I smiled at her in gratitude.

"I love my sister Edward, but I know how Tanya can be. You just, be careful with her ok? Once she gets an idea in her head, she becomes quite determined." She said seriously.

I wasn't sure if she was warning me of her sister or to not hurt her sister. Before I could ask her to elaborate, there was a knock at the door and Felix poked his head in.

"Ready to go to lunch?" he asked looking at me. I looked at Irina

"Aren't you coming too?" I had thought the three of them to be quite close. Especially Demetri, I had noticed him casting longing looks at Irina during the meeting.

"Nope, I stay behind to man the fort, but you boys have fun." She said without looking up from the papers she was rifling through.

We ended up at a quaint little café on the corner of the street, and Felix and Demetri talked my ears off. It seems that Felix and Kate were and item, and Demetri thought Kate was a shallow snob just like Tanya. Felix punched him for calling his girlfriend 'shallow' and a 'snob', but apparently agreed on Tanya. Demetri, it was revealed from a gleeful Felix, had a crush on Irina but was too shy to do anything about it, not to mention the office policy of no inter-office relationships. I asked Felix how he and Kate had been able to get away with their relationship, feeling slightly jealous of his success. It turned out that because they were in a relationship prior to their employment, they were in no violation of their contracts. Demetri looked as shattered at this information as I felt, and I felt a strange kind of kinship with him. He knew my pain. When they asked my plans for the night and I told them I had agreed to take Tanya to dinner, they became quiet and gave me the same kind of warning Irina had. What was everyone's deal with Tanya? Ok, she was a little full on, but she wasn't that bad. I mean even her own sister seemed anxious when I had spoken of her. I felt a little sorry for Tanya.

Felix and Demetri demanded that I go out and experience the Paris nightlife with them this Friday, and I was given little choice but to agree. If I was truthful, I was looking forward to it. Maybe getting out there and living again would help me move on.

The rest of the day was easy thanks to Irina's careful planning, and I managed to get through all of my work and some of tomorrows. Irina practically only needed me as a rubber stamp, but she did nothing to project that that was what she thought. In fact she seemed quite pleased I was there, telling me that she hoped she'd find an ally in the constant war that seemed to be raging with Felix and Demetri. She blushed a little again when she said Demetri's name and I realised that she felt the same for Demetri that he felt about her. I felt protective over the two of them at that moment, I had been where they were in their story, only mine had ended in heartache.

It was five o'clock and I had just gotten off the phone from Kate, who told me a taxi would arrive in ten minutes to take me home. I would have to get Irina on to getting a car for me, on Carlisle's dime of course.

I was closing down my computer for the day when Felix walked in and handed me the financial projections for the next quarter. They would need to be checked and then faxed to each department.

"I'll get Bella onto that straight away." I said to Felix, who looked at me strangely.

"Who's Bella?" He asked confused. My chest tightened painfully as I realised my gaff. Bella wasn't my P.A. anymore, and never would be again.

Bella was gone.

"Sorry, I'll get Irina onto it." I said trying to keep my voice even. He nodded and left my office, giving me a knowing kind of smile.

I dropped the reports onto my desk once he left and went to go get my fucking taxi. All I wanted to do was go home and find out if there were any other treasures left in Carlisle's liquor cabinet.

But instead I had a dinner date with Tanya Denali, who I hadn't decided quite how I felt about yet.