DISCLAIMER: These beautiful characters unfortunately do not belong to me. They belong to the fantastic Stephenie Meyer. I'm just playing around with them….and using them for my own pleasure.

THANKS: Huge thanks to everyone who reviewed. Also thanks to everyone who added me to their alert list and favourite story list.

A/N - I really want to apologise for not putting this chapter up when I promised. I hate making promises and then not going ahead with them. I feel bad. But anyway, I've been sick. I had a horrible migraine that really knocked me around quite a bit. But I'm all better now. I've learned my lesson though. I'm not going to make anymore promises. But I will say that the next chapter wont take as long as this one. You wont have to wait a week.

Eyes Like Yours

Chapter Seventeen - That Candy Shop Look

BPOV

When Edward came over later that night, I told him everything that had gone on with Rosalie that afternoon. Of course Edward then went on to say 'I told you so'. I glared at him. But I knew he was right.

Rosalie had actually smacked some sense in to me. I realised that I'd been acting like a fool. And the more I thought about it, the more I realised I'd only cared about my feelings. No matter how many times I'd claimed to be only thinking of others, I knew deep down I was only thinking of myself.

I truly felt like an idiot.

So Edward and I had sat down and we decided we'd be telling his family tomorrow. We couldn't put it off any longer. It would be wrong of me to keep this from everyone. Edward was starting his first shift at the hospital, but he was finishing at five, so we organized to go and see his family afterwards. Then we'd head off to see Charlie.

I didn't sleep much that night. I needed to change my attitude towards things. My attitude towards Edward. I needed to let him have free reign over his relationship with Sammy. I had to let him make his own decisions.

Things were going to be different from now on.

Alice came over for brunch the next morning. It was great having her back. I wanted to tell her everything, but I managed to keep quiet. She'd be finding out with everybody else later on today. So the wait wasn't too long anyway.

She brought over the gifts she'd bought for Sammy and I while away on her honeymoon. While we sat and ate, we looked through the hundreds of photo's she and Jasper had taken while in Paris. After we'd eaten, we mulled over the rest of the plans for Esme and Carlisle's surprise anniversary party coming up this weekend.

It was being held at Alice's home, and as far as her parents knew it was just a family dinner. They were going to get the surprise of their life when they arrived and all their friends were there aswell. It was going to be a great night.

"So did anything exciting happen while I was away?" Alice asked. "Have you fallen in love with my brother yet? Please say yes," she winked.

I laughed at her. If only she knew. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to give her just a small bone to play with.

"Well Mrs. Whitlock, Edward and I have actually hung out a few times," I told her. I watched as her eyes widened and she shot up straight. "But don't get too excited; we're just friends," I grinned.

Alice frowned a little, but then her smile reappeared. "Well, it is only early days. But it's going to happen. I just know it," she squealed as she clapped her hands excitedly.

She was right though. It is only early days.

"What else? Tell me," Alice continued to ramble on; a sparkle in her eyes. "What did you do? What do you mean by hang out?" she shot all these questions at me.

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. Alice had always been like an excited little kid in a candy shop, and it was like I'd just brought out a bright new lollypop for her to taste.

"It wasn't anything life changing Alice," I laughed at her. "So don't go getting yourself all worked up. But to answer your question, we had coffee one morning and he had pizza with me and Sammy one night for dinner," I explained.

"Well, it's a start," Alice grinned. "Shall I start designing your wedding dress," she teased.

I knew she was just messing with me, but I also knew a part of her was being deadly serious. She always got this look in her eye; she had that look right now.

"Alice, did you not here what I said before; we're just friends," I scolded.

Sometimes it was like I was talking to a brick wall.

"Ah huh," the glint in Alice's eye continued to shine brightly.

Okay, this conversation needed to end right now.

"Anyway, speaking of pizza," I trailed off. "I ran into Jacob down at the pizza place," I told her.

The light that had previously been sparkling brightly in my dear little pixies eyes was now gone completely. They'd lost all their shine, and were now dull. Alice's face had paled and all it held now was a worrisome frown.

I hadn't meant to upset or worry her, but I had to tell her about Jacob. I'd promised to always tell her everything when it came to him. Alice was the only person who knew the real reason to me ending my friendship with Jacob.

Of course there was one thing I'd never told her, but it was only because I was too embarrassed to tell her. To tell anyone really. And not to mention, I could get in a lot of trouble.

"What happened?" Alice's voice was small.

I shrugged. "Nothing really. He just came up to me and tried to talk with me. I told him to leave me alone, and that was it," I sighed.

"Was the nutcase with him?" Alice's voice was now angry.

'No, I couldn't see her around anywhere," I shook my head. "I think Jacob knows not to bring her anywhere near me".

Alice was pissed now. Talk of Leah Clearwater always raised her hackles.

"You should have gone to the cops Bebe. You should have told Charlie," Alice moved closer to me. "Its not too late you know. You still can. Please," she pleaded with me.

"I can't," I tried my hardest to sound strong and firm.

Alice could be extremely persuasive sometimes, but this was something I couldn't give in to.

"Bella, you could have gotten killed," Alice said. "A broken leg was nothing compared to what really could have happened to you," she cried at me.

"I know Alice. And I love you for caring about me, but please, I cant tell anyone. Just let me have my own way with this," I rubbed at my temples.

Great, the last thing I needed was a migraine.

"I just worry for you Bella," Alice hugged me.

Alice always gave the best hugs. They could always make my day better.

"Do you feel like going to grab some lunch?" she asked me as she pulled away. "I told Jasper I'd visit him at work and take some chicken burgers in for him. You want to come too?"

I nodded. Anything to take my mind of the craziness that was my life.

"I could eat," I laughed at her. "And maybe I could score a massage from Jasper while we're there".

Jasper had magic hands. He was a Chiropractor. But could also give the best massages. Alice had definitely scored big with that man.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind squeezing you in," Alice giggled as we grabbed our hand bags and headed off.

Excellent.

888

My heart was thumping a million miles an hour.

Edward had picked me and Sammy up on his way home from work, and we'd just pulled up into the Cullen's driveway. He'd called them and told them that he had a big announcement to make, and that he wanted them all at Esme and Carlisle's.

I got out of Edward's Volvo and opened the back door to pull my son from his car seat. When Edward had stopped in to get us, I had suggested that we take my car, as I had the car seat for Sammy. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Edward had everything sorted already and had had a car seat already fitted into his car. I didn't know when he had done. But I was impressed that he had already taken the initiative to get it done.

"Are you nervous?" Edward asked me as he led me into the house.

"Yes, I'm totally wiggin," I breathed out, trying to control my heart rate.

"Everything is going to be fine," Edward laughed at me. "This is a good thing. Believe me".

The Cullen's, including Rosalie and Jasper were surprised when they seen me walk in with Edward. Well, all of them except for Rosalie. She knew exactly what was going on. I caught her eye, and she smiled at me. I hoped this meant she had forgiven me for being a heartless bitch.

"Okay, you've got us all here. What's going on?" Emmett said to Edward and then took Sammy from my arms.

He then proceeded to throw Sammy in the air; telling him he was superman. I remember the very first time Emmett done this; Sammy puked all over him. It was hilarious. But he loved it now. His laughs were high pitched and echoed through the room. I swear that man likes to test my patience. He knows how worried I get sometimes when he does that. Of course I know he'd never intentionally hurt Sammy.

"Yeah, and not to sound rude, but why are Bella and Sammy here?" Alice looked at her brother as she came and stood by me; smiling and squeezing my arm.

"They need to be here for this too. Its important," Edward told everyone.

I heard Alice's breath hitch beside me and her grasp on my arm got tighter. I looked at her and that candy shop look from earlier had reappeared on her face. I knew what she was thinking.

"Okay son, spit it out then. We're all dying to hear your news," Carlisle clapped his hands together.

Edward and I looked at each other and he gave me a brief smile before turning to face his family who were all sitting down now. Well everyone except for Alice. She was still standing next to me; practically breathing down my neck.

Poor girl was going to be disappointed.

"Do you want to tell them, or should I?" Edward looked back at me and asked.

"You can," I answered. I'd just stumble over my words too much if it were me explaining. We'd still be sitting here at Christmas time knowing my luck.

Everyone was looking at me now. No doubt wondering why the hell this also involved me. I smiled at them and just shrugged.

"Okay, I don't want to beat around the bush with this too much, so I'm just going to breeze through it quickly," Edward started.

A few moments went by and Edward had yet to speak another word. To be honest, he was starting to look a little peaky. So he was nervous too.

"Breeze faster buddy," Jasper chuckled.

Edward cleared his throat and stood higher. This was it.

"Okay, so I'm sure you're all wondering why Bella is here, and the truth is, this is just as much her announcement than it is mine. The things is, Bella and I ……," he started but he was cut off by a ear piercing shriek of happiness.

A shriek that also happened to pierce straight through my ear. Yep, you guessed it….Alice.

I jerked away from her and rubbed at my ear. "And I'm deaf," I exclaimed.

"Oh my god, you guys are together aren't you? This is so exciting," Alice jumped around. "I knew something was going on. Bella, why didn't you just tell me this morning," she ranted on and on.

I could hear Edward groaning from beside me. "Jasper, could you please get your wife to lay off the red cordial".

Alice couldn't be stopped. She couldn't even stay standing in the one place for more than a mere second.

"Alice," Edward yelled; trying to gain her attention. Of course this didn't help.

"Guys," I tried too. But by now the rest of the family were yapping away.

Esme and Carlisle seemed pretty calm, but they were laughing at Alice's extreme joy. Jasper was trying to calm Alice down, while Emmett had a finger pointed at Edward, asking him why he hadn't listened to him when he warned him not to touch me.

And then there was Rosalie, sitting in the middle of it all, looking extremely bored and picking at her perfectly manicured nails.

"Will you all just your pie holes," Rosalie finally screeched. "They're not together".

The room went silent and Alice's face fell.

Poor child.

"What?" she cried. "Then what's going on?"

Edward growled and went on as if the last couple of minutes hadn't happened.

"Now, where was I? Oh right," he began once again. "So, it turns out that Bella and I already knew each other before we met at the wedding," he finally got out.

"Huh?"

"What are you saying?"

They were just a couple of the sentences that flew from their mouths. Alice kept silent though. Her head was down. To me, it looked as though she were thinking hard.

"We actually met in Seattle around about this time two years ago," Edward continued. "Imagine our surprise when we ran into each other again at the wedding," he laughed.

"Oh my god," Alice finally snapped her head up and looked at me. Her eyes were wide; full of surprise.

She knew. I nodded at her; confirming it.

Edward looked at me again. He didn't say anything, but I knew he wanted me to tell them.

"Edward is Sammy's father," I just came out with it. There really was no other way to say it.

Gasps were heard all around; the loudest coming from Esme.

Before anyone could say anything or tell us what they were thinking, Edward had started talking again.

"Before any of you say anything, I just want you all to know that Bella had no idea who I was, or I, her. The night we met, I actually told her my name was Anthony, and she told me that her name was Izzie," he chuckled. "Bella had no idea I was a Cullen until she saw me at the wedding".

Emmett started laughing. And it was loud. "No wonder Bella looked like she was about to hurl when she walked into the church".

Of course Emmett had to be the one who broke the ice.

"I really am your uncle now, hey kid," Emmett smiled down Sammy as he bounced my boy on his knee.

Carlisle was the first one to stand and come to us. He gave me a quick hug and shook Edward's hand. Alice was smiling again, thank god.

But I really only cared about one person.

Esme.

She hadn't moved from her spot on the couch. Our eyes met, and it was clear she was crying. It was confirmed when a loud sob erupted from her lips. I watched as she firmly stood and made her way towards the rest of us. Her eyes were trained on me.

I took Sammy from Emmett and took a step towards Esme myself; meeting her in the middle. Before I could even say anything, she had lurched herself at me and had wrapped her arms around both me and my son. She cried into my neck as she held us both.

"He's my grandson?" she finally pulled away. "All this time, and we never knew. None of us," she was smiling as she said this, so I knew she wasn't upset. And that was what I had hoped for. I'd been so scared that they would accuse me of knowing this whole time and not telling them. Once again, I had been wrong.

I let Esme take Sammy from my arms and she held him tightly; humming softly in his ear. I felt a hand on my back and turned to Find Edward standing there. I smiled at him and moved to the side. I'd let him have some time with Esme and Sammy. From the corner of my eye, I watched as he embraced them both.

"Bella, you bitch," Alice laughed as she threw herself at me. "How did you manage to keep this to yourself? I cant believe you didn't tell me this morning. You're usually such a terrible liar," she poked me in the side.

"I just wanted to tell you at the same time as everyone else," I told her. I felt another poke in my side and this time I found Rose.

"Do you forgive me?" I smiled sadly at her.

"Of course. Just don't ever do something stupid again. Next time I wont be so nice," she gave me a quick hug.

"A slap in the face is what you call 'nice'?" I giggled.

"You slapped her?" Alice looked a little horrified. "Why on earth?"

"It's a long story, but lets just say I deserved it," I giggled again.

Alice just looked confused. I'd tell her everything another time. Now, I just wanted to relax and enjoy this moment.

Today didn't turn out so bad after all.

888

EPOV

Wow. What a day.

Things had gone exactly how I knew they would. Bella had nothing to worry about. My family was ecstatic.

My mother cried for most of the night, and she didn't once let Sammy go. It was clear that she adored him. I think she adored him quite a bit before she even knew that he was her grandson. But now…well, it was different now.

I sat with Esme for a little while and we chatted over a few things, but she made me promise that we would have another big talk about it later on during the week.

After we left my parents place, we headed over to see Charlie.

Now, unlike Bella, I actually had a good reason to be scared. Her father was the police chief. He had a gun. He probably had ten guns. He could shoot me if he really wanted to.

But, like Bella, I also had nothing to worry about. Charlie seemed quite happy about the whole thing. I think he's glad that his grandson finally has his father in his life. Didn't mean I wasn't still a little worried about my safety.

At one stage, Bella had left the room and the Chief had cornered me.

I was half expecting him to whip out his gun and threaten me, but I was surprised when he just suggested that we sit down one day soon and have a chat over a couple of beers.

Of course I accepted. I wasn't going to say no to that man. Ever.

The night ended with my new nightly ritual. I went to Bella's and got my son ready for bed. Bella even allowed me to stay for a while afterwards. We just sat quietly and chatted about Sammy mainly. And this time we did actually talk about gifts for my parents wedding anniversary.

I didn't stay too long. I had an early start in the morning.

But I had a good feeling inside of me.

Things were changing. And I feel that its going to be good.

888

NEXT CHAPTER: Esme and Carlisle's wedding anniversary and strawberries. Hmm????