A/N: As per usual we would like to start off by saying thank you to those of you who took the time to review. Greenaway and I are so happy how strongly you already feel about the characters in this story and how spirited your reviews are. Please keep your feedback coming it truly is the highlight of our week....I know you're all desperate to have Bella and Edward back in the same country just a couple more chapters to go before that happy occasion so just hang in there a little bit longer :)

Disclaimer: S Meyer owns twilight. Cinnamontwist101 & Greenaway own an angel at my table, the Herbs own sensitive to a smile,


CHAPTER 6: Friends and Family

Bella POV

I was excited not only to be seeing Charlie and Renee again but by the prospect of meeting Jake's beloved grandmother Tui and spending some time on the Marae. Jake could barely contain his excitement as we ferried down the runway. He spent the first half an hour of the trip telling me all about the various members of his extended family.

I spent the next half an hour telling him about the slightly eccentric Renee and the firm but fair Charlie and I was pleased to realise we were already making our descent into Tauranga airport.

Renee squealed when she saw me and pulled me into his arms, "Oh Bella you look absolutely beautiful, you're positively glowing."

"Um…I'm not sure about glowing mum. I think it's the sweat that's making my skin look shiny and I'm as big as a whale though I guess whales are beautiful."

"Bella you are so absurd." Renee released me from her hug so Charlie could take his turn.

"How are you my little Belly Bear?" Charlie laughed as I rolled my eyes at his use of my childhood nickname.

"I'm good Dad; I'm still hanging in there."

"So still no contact with the father then?" I sighed deeply and tried to keep my anger at bay, Charlie had asked me the same question every time he had spoken to me.

"No Dad and I'm not planning to either. You need to let it go and accept my decision for both of our sakes."

"Sorry Bella, it just really annoys me, a father should take responsibility for their children."

"Dad we've been over this a billion and one times already, he doesn't even know he's going to be a father. Any way Charlie, Renee this is my good mate Jake."

Jake stepped forward to shake Charlie's hand, "It's nice to meet you Charlie."

"Nice to meet you to Jake and thanks for taking care of Bella for us it's nice to know she has a man around the house." I groaned and shook my head. Jake laughed at my response.

Renee stepped forward and took Jakes hand, "let it go Charlie... Jake it's so lovely to meet you and I must say you are a good looking young man."

"Oh…um…Thanks Renee you're pretty hot yourself." Jake blushed giving his coffee coloured skin a pinkish hue.

"Oh Jake… you're such a charmer. I can see why Bella likes you so much," Renee giggled girlishly. I shook my head and shot Jake an apologetic look and a smile.

"Ok Renee, settle down." Charlie grabbed her hand and led her from the terminal Jake grabbed our luggage and followed me out the door.

~~~~XXXX~~~~

Charlie insisted we drive Jake out to the Marae where his family was gathering for the festivities.

Jake introduced us to his various cousins, but we stopped for quite a long chat to his two favourite cousins Quil and Embry, who were really good looking it seemed to run in Jakes family , before moving on to his Aunts and Uncles then taking us into the meeting house where we met his grandmother Tui and his dad Billy.

Charlie and Billy hit it off straight away and by the time we were leaving they were chatting like old friends and Billy was inviting them to Tui's party and Charlie was inviting him and Jake for dinner at our place tonight.

"We'll see you and Jacob around seven o'clock Billy, the All Blacks are playing France tonight, I hope you'll stay and watch the game." My heart clenched painfully when Charlie mentioned France.

"Wouldn't miss it for anything, I love it when New Zealand beats France at rugby."

"Yeah well it would be nice to beat them when it counts for once." I laughed at Charlie's scowling face, I knew he was thinking back to the last rugby world cup when France shockingly knocked New Zealand out in the quarter finals.

"You said it." Charlie nodded his head in agreement.

"Ok people it's time to let it go it happened in two thousand and seven for god sake let's leave it in the past." I couldn't help but laugh at Renee when she sighed in frustration, she'd spent the last two years listening to Charlie's rugby world cup laments and rants it had worn her down.

It was a quiet ride back to Renee and Charlie's apartment and I suddenly felt exhausted and was desperate to have a lie down before dinner.

I asked Renee to wake me just before Jake was due and retreated to their spare room.

Dinner was a happy affair Charlie and Billy talked nonstop and found they had many more things in common than a hatred for the French rugby team, while Renee asked Jake endless questions about his studies.

I felt a bit sorry for Jake who I had to say was holding up well under Renee's constant barrage of questions and as soon as she paused for a breath I quickly jumped in.

"Should we go for walk on the beach Renee? Jake and I want to get our fill of the clean salty air before we have to head back to the city." Jake grinned at me and I gave him a covert wink as Renee went to get her jacket from the closet.

I'd only just made it down the lift and across the road and I was totally out of breath and needed to sit down. I headed for the first picnic table off the boardwalk and sat down with a sigh.

Jake headed straight for my side giving me a concerned look as he sat down, "Are you alright Bells, can I get you anything, would you rather just sit here and watch the ocean instead of walking? Or we could just head back up to the apartment."

"It's cool Jake I think I'll just sit here for a few minutes then I'll be good to walk."

"If you're sure Bells?" Jake was looking at me concern was clear on his features.

I couldn't help but laugh at him, "Jacob Tuihana Black would you stop fussing, I'm fine truly."

Jake laughed to, "I am aren't I sorry about that."

"You don't need to apologise and you don't need to worry about me so much."

"Don't be silly Bells, course I gotta worry about you, you're my Bud."

I noticed Renee was watching Jake closely as he fussed over me, she stayed silent but I knew it was only a matter of time before she let her views be known.

~~~~XXXX~~~~

After I'd said good night to Billy and Jake I headed for the deck to watch the moon rise over the dark ocean, I called out goodnight to Charlie and waited for Renee to join me outside.

"It's a lovely night Bella." She said as she took a seat next to me on the love seat and grabbed hold of my hand.

"It is Mum, you're lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country. I love the pure smell of the salt air. Though Wellington has it to its nowhere near as consentrated there as it was here." I stroked my hands over my swollen stomach and immediately stopped when I got a healthy kick in the stomach, "Jesus, one of those kids has got a kick on it." I grumbled as I got another boot.

Renee chuckled, "You used to do the same to me, I spent months moaning to Charlie I swore you going to be a boy with the kick you had...Bella you do realise Jacob's in love with you don't you?" I looked at Renee in shock this is obviously the conclusion she'd drawn from watching us earlier.

"No he's not Mum, Jakes just my mate."

"He might just be your mate Bella, but he's a mate who's in love with you and I think you are in love with him... and two are a very good match."

"Mum Jakes eighteen years old and just starting out in life, I'm twenty eight and about to become the sole parent of twins. Regardless of whether Jake is a good match for me I'm damaged goods and he's just a kid with the whole world at his feet. And while I do love Jacob I'm not in love with him."

"You are not damaged goods sweetie and Does he know that you're not in love with him?"

"Yes he does." I said a little sharply, I didn't want to talk about being with Jake when my heart still yearned for the father of my babies. I stroked my stomach again this time ignoring the kick and just enjoying the feeling of Edward and my children alive inside me.

"Ok Bells it's your life sweetie. Just be careful with Jake he's a nice guy who could get badly hurt."

"I'm well aware of that Mum. That's why I'm keeping it strictly platonic."

~~~~XXXX~~~~

I woke early after a restless sleep, not only was it nearly impossible to get comfortable but I also had a disturbing dream about Jacob and Edward who were about to go into a battle to the death over me.

Though I was happy to see that Edward actually wanted to fight for me for a change I wanted him to fight his Father not my best friend and tower of strength.

The thought of Edward fighting with Jake sent a violent shiver through me. Jake was my best friend, he had been there for me pretty much every step of the way he balanced out the grey days I'd had since Edward left just nicely.

Then I realised I was being silly again there was no way Edward would fight for a girl he labelled a mistake.

I rolled out of bed and waddled onto the deck to watch the breaking dawn. There was nothing more beautiful than to watch the sunrise over the water, the way the sky turned from inky blue to grey then streaked with pink and gold as the huge fiery ball appeared on the horizon.

I spent the day with Renee and Charlie on the deck; I wanted to stay off my swollen feet so that I could enjoy the festivities with Jake and his family later in the day.

Charlie seemed to be thinking along the same lines because he put down his paper and looked at Renee, "I think I'll forego my walk today Renee from what Billy says his family enjoy a late night when they're gathered together. It sounds like it's going to be a good night. I really like Billy and Jacob they're good dependable people who value family. You're lucky Bella to have a guy like Jake he's a nice young man who seems very mature for his age."

"I know I'm lucky to have a friend like Jake and he is very mature for his age but you need to stop right there Dad. Like I told Mum last night Jacob deserves to have a partner that isn't pregnant with another man's children. I've made my decision Dad and I'm happy to raise my children alone."

"It's not right Bella," I could tell Charlie was trying hard not to glower at me or raise his voice. Unfortunately due to my lack of sleep my patience was worn out.

"Maybe not in your day Dad and I understand where you're coming from honestly I do but this the twenty first century. There are plenty of women who choose to go it alone and I admire them for that and there are plenty of variations of what constitutes a family these days."

"Humph…I can see nothing I say is going to make the slightest difference." Charlie grumbled.

"It's not Dad, I'm glad we've finally cleared that up, now could you please be a sweetie and fill the foot spa for me I need to try and reduce the size of my ankles or kankles would be a better description of them."

His scowl turned to a smile and he chortled, "Fine would you like some peppermint oil in the water?"

"Yes thanks Dad that would be great." Renee giggled as she watched Charlie retreat through the door.

"Good on you Bella, I'm proud of you for sticking to your guns and don't worry about Charlie he'll get over it."

"I hope so Mum because he's driving me mad." Renee's tinkling laugh swirled around on the breeze carrying into the house.

"What's so funny Renee?" Charlie appeared with the foot spa and placed it at my feet.

"Oh nothing Charlie, Bella was just being silly."

~~~~XXXX~~~~

We arrived at the Maketu Marae just after seven and the party was in full swing, Charlie made a bee line for Billy as Renee and I joined Jacob, Quil, Embry and Tui by the bonfire. Embrey was strumming on a guitar while Jake and Quil serenaded her.

Tui smiled warmly when she saw me, "Kia Ora Bella, Renee thank you so much for joining me this evening." I studied her weathered features. She had a deeply line face that told of a life lived. Her lips were tattooed black and the Moko that travelled from bottom lip to her chin told its own story.

"Thank you for inviting us Tui we feel extremely honoured to be here this evening." Renee smiled at the wizened woman as Tui took hold of her hand.

"Hey Bells they're about to bring up the Hangi do you want to go and watch?" Jakes teeth gleamed in the fire light as he flashed me a brilliant smile. Quil punched him on the arm for no apparent reason and Embry mussed his hair, "bugger off you two," Jake hissed not loud enough for Tui to hear.

Quil and Embry laughed and I thought I'd save Jakes butt, "Sure Jake, lead the way." He grabbed my hand, giving me an appreciative smile and led me into the gathering darkness. I loved twilight as much as the sun set behind the hills. Quil and Embry followed laughing and joking and fighting with each other.

I watched in awe as Jake and his relatives dug the baskets of steaming food from the earth. I followed them into the kitchen and was surprised to find Renee was in there with gloves on and a carving knife at the ready.

My mouth was suddenly watering and my stomach growled as I watched Jake cutting the cheese cloth from the steaming pork, mutton and chicken, Renee helped serve the piles of pumpkin, kumara and potatoes.

The food had the most delicious smoky aroma that I knew would be present in the taste of the food. Jake and I quickly loaded up our plates full of the food and headed for the dining room; we quickly spotted Billy and Charlie and made our way over.

"Hi Bella you're just in time, Billy was about to me a little about his ancestors connection to the lands and sea and also about the terrible land wars fought by the between the Maori and the British settlers.

I barely noticed when Jake refilled our plates with food I was as engrossed in Billy's stories as Charlie was. When Billy was finished entertaining us we made our way out to the bonfire where the blue green flames leapt higher into the air and a crowd had gathered all listening to Tui's stories of growing up in New Zealand.

Jake and I sat next to Tui while she recounted some of the more important events she remembered over nearly a century of being alive.

I could tell Jake was close to Tui by the way he kept a firm grasp on her hand and listened attentively to stories he'd probably heard a hundred thousand times already and the way she looked at him with obvious pride on her face.

I was completely enchanted with the Marae and Jakes family and I was reluctant to leave when Charlie came to find me to tell me it was time to go.

"You need to go home and get some sleep Bells we're flying home tomorrow." Jake leaned over and kissed my cheek.

"Yeah I suppose. Thanks for tonight Jake it was such a magical night."

"You're welcome Bells."

~~~~XXXX~~~~

Though it was nice to see Charlie and Renee I was glad to be home, Jake set about weeding the gardens and mowing the lawn while I soaked my kankles and listened to my IPod.

I had managed to avoid another face to face meeting with Emm and Jazz in the airport when Jacob's need for chewing gum had us changing direction before either of them saw me.

Jake followed me into the house and headed for the shower before cooking me dinner and massaging my swollen feet. I groaned in relief as he kneaded my foot with his knuckles.

"Hang in there Bells you'll be having those Babies tomorrow."

"I doubt it Jake the doctor says they won't arrive until at least next week."

"Bells I'll guarantee you'll have them tomorrow." Jake spoke with such conviction in his voice I found it hard to doubt him.

"Well if that's the case I better get to bed and get some rest."

"I've put your hospital bag by the front door, the car's full of petrol and my cell phone is fully charged so there's nothing to worry about Bells every things organised.

Tears welled up in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat, I was truly blessed to have Jake in my life…

Edwards POV.......

Tanya and I sat across from each other at the best table in the restaurant. She was sipping delicately at her white wine while I was busy chugging back my god knows how many drink of the night. I didn't need to bother ordering anymore, the wait staff kept an eye on my drink and always had a replacement ready for me.

I could tell Tanya had something on her mind, and Tanya being Tanya, I probably wouldn't like it. Well, I wasn't going to provoke the conversation so if she wanted to talk she could start.

I didn't have to wait long.

"Edward what are your goals in life? What do you want for your future?" She asked

Bella. She's what I want, she's everything, all my goals and dreams rolled into one.

But of course I couldn't say that. So I ridiculed Tanya instead.

"What the fuck kind of question is that Tanya? You're asking me what my goals are? That is fucking hilarious right there." I said laughing into my glass.

"I have goals Edward." She replied a little insulted I think.

"Oh really? What's Daddy's little Princess's big bold dreams then?" I laughed a little too loudly.

"You know Edward, you come from a wealthy family yourself, in fact the Denali fortune is nothing to the Cullen fortune." She threw back at me, and it pissed me off because I knew she was right. If she was a spoilt princess, I was her male counterpart.

"Enlighten me then, what is the point of your ridiculous question? Because you are cutting into my drinking time here." I looked down at said drink and frowned. It was empty. I scanned the room for the waitress and saw her talking to what looked like her supervisor. They both caught my eye and what I assumed was the supervisor walked over.

"Sir, I must ask you to keep your voice down you're disturbing the other patrons." The cocky supervisor said.

I didn't respond, Peter, the owner, had just walked out and caught my eye. We played golf together on occasion and generally got on well. He saw me and smiled then frowned when he saw the supervisor standing beside our table.

"Edward!" He said coming over. The supervisor jumped in surprise and turned to Peter.

"Peter." I said standing and shaking his hand. The supervisor looked between us nervously, and Peter frowned at him

"Tell me that you haven't been harassing Mr Cullen and Miss Denali."

The supervisors eyes widened in recognition at my name and he looked utterly terrified. I put my hand up and stopped Peter.

"No, it was my fault Pete, I was being to loud. My apologies." I said to the supervisor who nodded and looked at Peter for permission to leave. Peter motioned for him to leave and looked at me

"Sorry about that Edward, good staff is hard to find these days... Why is your glass empty? I'll get someone on that, and hey, see you at golf this Sunday?"

I smiled "Sure thing Pete. I'll call you Sunday."

He nodded his goodbyes to Tanya and myself and I sat back down. Instantly there was another drink on the table for me and I picked it up downing half in the first go.

"Edward, this is important. I need to know we are on the same page as far as this relationship is concerned. If we don't want the same things we are just wasting our time."

I studied her face. She was playing a game, that I could tell, I was just in the dark as to what the stakes were. She was definately up to something.

"So you're saying that would be it? We'd be over?" I called her bluff. There was no way in hell she'd walk away from me, not the Tanya I knew.

"That's what I'm saying." She said confidently, but the fear was still in her eyes. Maybe there was another Tanya I didn't know.

"Well what is it then?" I snapped getting impatient, and finishing the rest of my drink.

The staff must have had a rocket put up there assess because the drinks were flying fast towards me.

"I want a family one day, a family of my own. I want the husband and the children and if that's not something you would want then I need to know now."

I had just taken a mouthful of whiskey and I choked on it. Tanya wanted a family? Tanya Denali? What the hell?

"You, you want a f-family?" I stuttered, coughing from the whiskey. She looked at me and I thought I saw a look of triumph cross her face for a moment.

"Yes and I need to know if that's what you want." She said almost gleefully. I didn't understand her reasons behind it, my mind was going through a million scenarios all at once.

Yes, I wanted a family but I wanted one with Bella.

But you can't have Bella, and from what Emmett said, it sounds like Bella wants to cut ALL the Cullens from her life.

So I was left with two possible options.

One, I could continue drinking and medicating myself to an early death, thereby causing my mother and brothers hurt and pain. I didn't care if it would hurt my father or not.

Speaking of my father, he was acting very strange lately, always asking about Tanya and commenting on what a good family the Denali's were. I was suspicious of him, but had nothing concrete to go on.

What's the second option? I think Tanya's kind of waiting for you to say something. Even the voice in my head was slurring.

My second option was to settle for second best and move on without Bella. I knew she would never be gone completely. There was no way I could live without her in my life somehow, even if it was only in my head.

I could move forward and fill my home with the family I built it in mind of, I could avoid hurting my mother and brothers, the family I did have.

I could survive.

I knew that was the best I could hope for now, learning ways to cope without Bella in my life.

I took a deep staggering breath and made my decision.

"I've always wanted a family too." I said quietly. I didn't look up so I missed Tanya's satisfied smirk, I was lost in turmoil.

I'm so sorry Bella, please forgive me for moving on. I love you and I always will, you own my heart, no matter where you are it is in your care.

But if I don't try to move forward I will ending up rotting and I can't leave my family like that. Please forgive me and even if it's only in my memories, please don't leave me.

Tanya moved in and Felix and Demetri declared they wanted to have me committed. Even Irina raised her eyebrows and asked me if I was sure. I was, I had made my decision to move on and I was doing my best to honour it.

I cut back on the drinking, which meant I was still drinking far more than everybody else, but it was a huge reduction for me. I stopped going to the Opium Lounge and Felix and Demetri started to call Tanya 'Yoko'. I cut out pretty much all drugs other than good old straight weed and a few lines every now and then. Maybe the occasional ecstasy, but they were few and far between.

I really was putting all my effort in to moving on with my life, which is why when Tanya had suggested we move in together, I hadn't told her no.

My family were coming to visit soon and I was thrilled about seeing them again. Tanya just wanted to make sure they weren't going to want the penthouse while they were here. It took all I had to bite back the scathing remark on the tip of my tongue but I did.

I was trying not to lose my temper at Tanya so much, and I was sure my blood pressure was through the roof. When Tanya got too much, I would go out to the balcony and close my eyes, and think of my Bella. She always calmed me down, but she was a doubled edged sword, the memories hurt as much as they pleased me.

Yes, Bella still lived with me in my thoughts and all I could do was hope the ache that accompanied her would dissipate with time.

Imagination-Bella was still my sexual muse and the only way I could get aroused where Tanya was concerned.

Which is where I found myself tonight, Imagination-Bella had me spiralling towards an earth shattering orgasm, as she whispered the most incredibly fucking dirty things I had ever heard, in my ear. My balls tightened as I came with a violent shudder.

"Oh, fuck yes Bella!" I yelled

Tanya stilled under me immediately

"Who's Bella?" She hissed.

Oh shit. Oh fuck. Oh shit, oh fuck, oh shit, oh fuck! Bella? Really?

I was screwed. So fucking screwed. Screaming another chicks name while fucking her? Bad form, real fucking bad.

Tanya was looking at me with narrowed eyes, and the longer I took to respond the angrier she got.

"Edward? Who the fuck is Bella?"

"Bella? What the fuck are you talking about Tanya?" Tread carefully, I knew I had to tread very fucking carefully to pull this off.

"I'm talking about you screaming another woman's name while you have your dick inside me! That's what I'm fucking talking about Edward!" She was nearing hysterical, it was time to act my ass off

"Bella? I said Hell Ahhhhh." I looked at her like she was crazy. I was the crazy one. It was a lame excuse, but I was going to fucking stick to it like a drowning man.

"It sounded like Bella." She looked at me suspiciously.

"It was Hell Ahhh."

"Are you sure? It really sounded like Bella." She was falling for it. Thank fuck.

"Uh, yeah, I'm pretty sure I know what I said. I don't even know a fucking Bella" I felt sick denying Bella like that, and I wanted to tell Tanya, that yes, I knew a Bella.

I loved a Bella, I imagined that she was Bella while I fucked her, that's why I insisted on the lights out. That's why I made her wear that cinnamon perfume and that's the only reason I could manage to fucking come when I was with her. It was all Bella, it always had been and always would be. I would spend the rest of my life with Tanya taking every opportunity I could to fantasise that it was Bella I was with.

I realised this was completely unhealthy and utterly fucked up, but it was the only way I was going to be able to have some semblance of a normal life.

"Oh. Well come back down here then, lets see if we can go for seconds." she purred revoltingly in my ear. I had to suppress a disgusted shudder.

"I'm actually pretty tired Tanya, and I have to go into the office early so I should really get some sleep. Uh, I probably will be home late too, I wouldn't bother waiting up."

There was no way I was going to be able get through round two with Tanya, my imagination was exhausted.

I rolled off her and turned to my side so my back was facing her. I knew I was being a prick and she really didn't deserve to spend the rest of her life with a man who didn't love her, but I was selfish. I wanted to move on from Bella, the way she would have moved on from me, I wanted the family and the stupid fucking dog and car seats and nappy bags, I wanted a fucking life.

I was going to ask Tanya to marry me.

I wanted it to be Bella.

Tanya was going to carry my children.

I wanted it to be Bella who carried my children and only Bella. I wanted little bronze haired, brown eyed babies and brown haired, green eyed babies.

Tanya was a substitute and a poor one at that, but I had to move forward. I couldn't spend my life pining for someone I couldn't have and who probably wouldn't want me anyway.

I was settling for Tanya. I had brought the ring and when my family came to visit I would propose to her. I knew Emmett and Jasper wouldn't approve and I doubted my mother would either, but at least Carlisle would be pleased.

I hadn't changed at all, I was still under his thumb.

I felt sick.