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EPOV

Kate sat in a chair in the corner of the room. Her leg jumped, she checked her phone often, and her eyes followed me. I could feel them on me, even when I wasn't looking.

Did she seriously think I would take her back? And what about the baby?

"Edward," my father's voice called out quietly.

When I looked at him, he handed me a box of candles with small plates and matches. "Let's set these up around the room."

I placed candles around the room, avoiding the area by Kate. The room had a soft glow, but the smell was a little much; vanilla and musk.

A knock on the door.

Footsteps in the entryway.

Whispering voices.

Tanya and Alice must be here.

Kate stood but didn't move from her spot in the corner.

I couldn't believe she would show up here after everything that happened; after everything that she did; and now, she has a baby.

A baby.

I had been mourning our child and our relationship for the past year, and she had gotten knocked up doing God knows what, with God knows who. I wonder if she knows who the father is, and if so, has she even told him? Does that man know he has a son in this world? Does he care?

I walked into the kitchen and looked out of the bay window. The wind and rain were still going strong and the backyard was starting to flood. I'm glad my grandfather is here and not in the guest house; although, it would have been a nice way to escape this mess for a few minutes.

I felt small arms wrap around me, and I turned into her embrace.

She pulled me close, her arms tight around my middle.

This day started off so great. Making love to Bella had to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. She holds nothing back; her eyes...my God, they are chocolate depths that open up to her soul. I could see the love that she already holds for me. Yes, love. I know what I saw, because I'm pretty sure she saw the same emotion in my eyes. The way I feel for her is different from the way I felt for Kate.

The feelings I have for Bella...well, let's just say that if she ever left me the way Kate did - I would never recover. My heart and soul would be forever lost, because she owns them, me, completely.

"How are you holding up?"

I smile. "You're worried about me? I'm worried about you. This must be so uncomfortable for you. The damn storm...if it had just waited a few hours we could be enjoying a nice candlelit dinner." Her lips are so soft. "Dancing to soft music," another kiss.

She tilted her head and looked at me with a soft smile. "I am fine. I am the person on the outside here, I don't know any of the players, except for you; and you showed me how you feel. What do I have to worry about?"

I bend slightly to kiss her again. "I took a chance...I wasn't sure it would work. You mentioned that my grandfather shows you things that way."

I swallowed and hesitated.

"What is it?" She asked, squeezing my hip.

"Will this end badly?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen anything. Earlier today, I knew that Kate would come here." She frowned, "I'd hoped she wouldn't, when your mother asked if we'd come here for dinner, and the clouds started moving in..." she trailed off, shaking her head. "Well, then I just knew. I think your grandfather knew something was up also. He had wanted to talk to me when we were at the Estate."

"But my mother and I interrupted."

She nodded. "It's a difficult thing...always wondering if I should say something, do something. Will I make it worse or better? Will I hurt someone else by changing something in the 'now'? I've never had a close connection with someone outside of my family that I've had to really share my gift with. I never felt like I was betraying anyone. But today, with this," she waved her hand around the room, "it was difficult not to tell you."

"Things have to happen the way they are supposed to." I took her face in my hands and looked into her eyes. "I don't expect or want you to tell me anything, Bella. This gift is yours. You've lived with it all of your life, and you have found a way to cope and survive. Please don't change that for me. If you want to talk to me, I'll listen. If you need me to do something, I'll do it. But don't change who you are; not for me, not for anyone."

Her eyes watered and I couldn't help but to kiss her. I could understand her words completely. It's like the attorney-client privilege I have to abide by. I know things that can hurt others, and more than once I've left a meeting with a client feeling disgusted with myself. But I am bound, just like Bella, and I can only imagine the things she's seen. I wrapped my arms tightly around her, hoping to give her a little of the comfort and understanding she needs.

A knock on the wall caught my attention. My mother was watching us with tears in her eyes.

"Everyone is in the living room, will you two join us?"

I took Bella's hand and as we approached my mother, she placed one hand on my face and one hand on Bella's.

The emotion in my mother's eyes startled me, but she was smiling, and Bella was smiling, so I dismissed it for now; I will ask her about it later.

When we entered the living room, Bella froze. Her hand tightened around mine and her wide eyes were darting around everywhere. I looked around trying to see what had affected her.

It looked a little creepy, to be honest. Everyone was sitting on sofas and chairs facing one another in a loose circle. There was a large candle on the coffee table that was placed in the middle of the circle, and candles were placed all over the rest of the room; the vanilla and musk scent was much stronger now.

"Are you okay?"

She seemed to snap out of it and took a shaky breath before nodding.

We sat in between my grandfather and my parents. Bella had immediately taken my grandfather's hand when she took her seat next to him. I know they have a strong connection and I'm glad she can lean on him now.

"Tanya, Alice," I spoke quietly. "It's good to see you." I tightened my hand around Bella's and turned my head slightly toward her. "This is my girlfriend, Isabelle."

"Edward, Isabelle," Alice stood and walked over to us. "I want to apologize for what happened in the restaurant a few weeks ago. I'm embarrassed of my behavior and I hope you can forgive me."

"You were caught off guard, Alice. I don't hold any grudges against you."

She then turned to Bella and it looked like they were having a silent conversation. Bella's head tilted slightly and her eyes narrowed. After a few moments, both women nodded and smiled.

Strange.

Once Alice was seated, it was quiet for a few moments. I looked around again and frowned. "Where is the baby?"

"He's sleeping on a pile of blankets and pillows in the guest room."

Kate huffed in annoyance and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Kate, now that you have an audience, why don't you tell us all why you are here."

Kate gave me a dirty look, before looking over at her sisters. Alice looked angry; I wonder if she now knows what is going on. Tanya just rolled her eyes.

"Edward, why are you being so difficult, are you not happy to see your fiance and your son? Or did you forget about them when you left New York?" Her eyes narrowed and she gave a pointed look at Bella.

My mother made a move to stand, but my father held her shoulders and whispered in her ear.

"Kate?" She didn't answer and wouldn't look at me. "Unbelievable."

"Ed-," I cut Tanya off.

"Tanya, let me give you my edited version. Please just listen, okay?"

Tanya gave me a hard look; she looked at Kate, Alice, and finally at Isabelle before nodding.

"A year and a half ago, Kate miscarried our child." Kate's eyes closed and she looked as though she was in pain. Tanya took her hand and covered it with both of her own. "All of you came to New York; you saw how distraught we were with what happened. After everyone returned home, Kate stayed in bed for weeks. She was depressed and angry; always picking a fight with me or crying and apologizing. I tried to get her into therapy, but she refused. She stopped working, stopped going out...she completely shut down.

Drinking became an everyday thing for her. Every night, I was out looking for her; finding her in bars around the neighborhood we lived in. Every morning, I was taking care of her hangovers. This went on for months. Months," I said again, trying to emphasize the severity. "It had become routine for me to take the subway home from the office, stop inside one of the many bars she frequented, and help her home."

I sat back and rolled my neck. Bella's hand squeezed mine and I squeezed back, acknowledging her; thanking her.

"One night, I stopped into a bar and found Kate buying and using drugs." I didn't feel the need to mention the blow job. It was so embarrassing and it still makes me sick just thinking about it. "I saw her, and the man she was with, and I walked out. I didn't see her again that night and when I got home the next day, her clothes, jewelry and the cash in the safe were gone. She left without a word. I stayed in New York for a year hoping to hear from her, but she never once contacted me. My grandfather came to New York, told me enough was enough and it was time to come home, so I did. I have not seen or heard from Kate in more than a year."

"But the baby..." Tanya said, her eyes wide.

"He isn't mine, Tanya."

"Kate? Is this true? This can't be true. There has to be an explanation. Kate?" Tanya's voice was rising with each word. "Why aren't you defending yourself?"

"Tanya," Alice said quietly.

"No. No! What the hell is going on here, Kate? Is what Edward's saying true? You left him? And you're a what? You're a drug addict?"

Kate would not make eye contact with anyone and Tanya finally yelled out KATE! and it bounced off of the walls.

"I've been using since high school." Kate's voice was quiet and calm.

I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. Since high school? How is...how could I not have known this? I heard someone say 'oh my God' but I couldn't say for certain who it was.

"Edward had already been accepted to all of his top schools and I didn't want him to leave me. I took a little so I could study, stay alert. It woke me up inside, I felt like I could do anything. I had been using, in moderation, I had it under control. Until I didn't."

I couldn't speak. I couldn't believe she was doing this and I had no idea.

"So after the miscarriage, you just...? I don't understand," I asked.

"I was depressed, Edward, and I felt guilty. I felt guilty!" She yelled. "I had been using and then I found out I was pregnant, and before I could get my head around it - the baby was gone!"

I fell back into my chair. Bella's hand was still gripping mine.

"I knew it was my fault. Our baby was gone because of me. That's when I started drinking and...I didn't want to use the money in our bank account - I didn't want you to find out what a terrible person I was...I am. That's how you found me that night. That asshole, he knew I had money but he knew I'd do more to get what I needed. I had already fallen apart by then."

"Jesus..." my grandfather whispered.

"Edward, I'm sorry," she was crying, but her voice was strong somehow. She walked over and kneeled on the floor in front of me. "I'm sorry. I have cleaned myself up and I brought the baby and I know we can start over. We can still be a family. I promise I'll do anything to make it up to you. I love you. I've always loved you, Edward. Please...just..." she dropped her head on my knees and I felt like I was crawling out of my skin.

I looked up to see Alice staring at me with a sad smile. She walked over and pulled Kate away from me.

She whispered in her sister's ear and led her back to the couch.

Bella was looking a little dazed, her eyes unfocused.

"Bella," I leaned into her, but she didn't hear me. "Isabelle?"

I looked at my grandfather, whose face was pale, his eyes wide.

"No,no,no...Edward..." Bella was mumbling. "No,no!"

Her eyes were wild and her grip was like a vice.

"Edward," she sobbed.

Rosalie walked over to us and took Bella's hands. She whispered in Bella's ear, and then pulled her up and wrapped an arm around her, leading her toward the guest room.

I leaned forward, resting my head in my hands. What the hell is happening? Why today?

"Edward," Kate's voice rang throughout the room.

I didn't move, I didn't acknowledge her. I had to wrap my head around everything she'd said. She had been using drugs the whole time we were together. She had been using while she was pregnant with our child. I felt my mother's hand on my back.

"Honey," she said quietly.

"Kate," I said, in a tired voice. I opened my mouth to speak but shook my head. "I left you in New York. The woman I loved is not the same woman sitting in front of me now. The woman in front of me has done things that I won't ever be able to forget. You want forgiveness? You have it, it's yours. But my love belongs to someone else. We, I, cannot go back."

I took a deep breath. "If you had come back to me a year ago, hell, six months ago, I probably would have tried to work things out, but now? Now it's too late. It's too late," I whispered.

I could hear Kate crying. Tanya looked shell-shocked, and Alice was trying to be supportive.

Unable to look at the women across from me, I stood and went in search of Bella and Rosalie.

I could hear Bella crying.

"Honey, just tell me how I can help you. What's wrong?" Rosalie's voice was soft, quiet.

I walked into the room. Bella was sitting on the bed and Rosalie was sitting next to her.

"She hasn't said anything, Edward. She won't stop crying."

I picked Bella up and sat her in my lap. Her arms wrapped tightly around my neck and her crying grew panicked.

"Something bad is going to happen, Edward and I don't know how to stop it. I don't know how to stop it..." her voice cut off and heavy sobs tore through her chest.

I'm not sure how long we sat there before her body relaxed and her breathing slowed. I laid her on the bed and stared at her. Thoughts were rushing through my head and I should probably feel bad that I'd left my family to deal with Kate, Tanya and Alice, but I couldn't find it in me to care.

I gave in to the exhaustion as Bella curled into me, her hands clinging to my shirt; and I let myself fall asleep in her warmth.

a/n: Happy weekend everyone! I hope you like it. Sorry for sending the teaser out so late...but FFN was not my friend this week. The site would freeze and then give me certificate errors. It was annoying - but I think I finally got to everyone.

I was completely blown away by the reviews last chapter! I had over 60 - you guys are effing amazing. The story now has over 500 reviews. Thanks so much, you guys.

I have a few stories bookmarked, but haven't had a chance to read them...Deviant by planetblue and Lose The One You Love by Discordia81 updated this week. The Rob Attack FicSix Picx was pretty awesome this week...and oh! Thanks to those of you who voted for me on The Lemonade Stand! So awesome! They also have a lot of good recs. Go check it out.

Have a great week and see you next weekend!