Disclaimer: I don't own twilight.

Bella~

It wasn't even seven in the morning when my cell phone started ringing. Lilly was brushing her teeth for school before breakfast while I made her some eggs. My dad had left. Usually the only time he had to get up at night for work is when there was an accident or a really bad fight at the bar. When I was a kid I worried on the rare occasion when he had to leave in the night. I still worried.

"Grandpas home!" Lilly screamed. It was to early for her to have so much energy. She ran, flung open the front door and bounced in place waiting for my dad to make his way into the house.

"Hello Ladies!" Dad said to us. He scooped Lilly up. She showed him her boots and headband. He made a big deal over them even though he had no idea what she was talking about when she mentioned the words, style or Latest fashion. He kissed her forehead and sat her down at the table to a wait her breakfast. We tried to eat breakfast together every morning.

"Rough night?" I asked. I put Lilly's eggs on her plate along with half a banana and a piece of wheat toast. I made the same plate for dad. He looked less pleased. He didn't like the healthy eating that started in this house after Lilly went on solid foods. I wouldn't let her eat crap but I knew when I wasn't looking dad snuck her junk.

"There was a fight at Black's last night. Some one called it in so I had go check it out." he grumbled and opened his paper.

"Everyone ok?" I asked while pouring juice for everyone.

"Jasper beat the hell out of Edward." he didn't look up from his paper. I stood mouth gaping, juice pitcher in hand.

"Grandpa said a bad word. He has to put a quarter in the jar." Lilly announced. He fished one from his pocket and laid it on the table.

"It's not nice to tattle, squirt." he told her. She shrugged and went back to eating.

"Why?" I wondered. Dad shrugged, "Don't rightly know. Edward wouldn't press charges." I poured my dad some juice and handed it to him, "I was real shocked. Usually the city folks are real quick to scream assault but not Edward. Wouldn't even let me put Jasper in the drunk tank. Drove him home himself." I sat down at the other end of the table, "Why would he do that?" I asked my dad. He turned the page of his paper, "Edward said he had it coming."

"It's not nice to hit, Right grandpa?" Lilly piped in.

"Right Baby." I chimed in.

"Unless they really deserved it." Dad said.

"Dad!" I shot him a look and looked over at Lilly. I wanted him to quickly fix this before she got the wrong idea.

"Uh what I meant was you shouldn't hit. You should use your words and Uncle Jasper was wrong." he put his paper aside and ate his breakfast. Lilly seemed satisfied with his answer and ate quietly until it was time for school.

I dropped Lilly off then headed straight to the coffee house. We opened every day by eight and closed at five. Alice thought I should hire some more staff and stay open later but I really couldn't afford it. I couldn't believe Jasper had beat up Edward. What was more disturbing then them fighting was the fact that I cared. Ever since Edward said he was staying in town I was torn between being curious as to his motives and being pissed off he was disrupting my life. I pulled to the back entrance of the coffee house. All the lights were already on and the chairs were taken down from the tables. Rose and Alice were sitting deep in a quiet conversation at the counter.

"Um morning guys. What's going on?" I said. I stuck my purse and laptop under the counter as usual.

"Bella something happened last night." Alice said in a low voice. "What's wrong? Is this about the fight last night?" I asked her. I worried she was upset about Jasper hitting Edward and making an ass of himself. Rose wasn't just working at Black's, she was trying to buy it. Billy Black had agreed to let her work off the down payment and then he would sell it to her. It had been in there family for a long time and he wanted it ran just a certain way. Rose had been busting her ass to do everything right. I hoped Jasper and Edward didn't ruin that for her. I looked between the two of them, there faces were so serious. It wasn't normal. They looked as if someone had died.

"How much did your Dad tell you?" Alice asked me. I shrugged, "Not a lot. Jasper hit him and Edward didn't fight back. I can't believe he drove him though, that's so bizarre." I shook my head in disbelief again. Why in the hell would Edward let Jasper beat him up and then drive him home. The "I had it coming" answer didn't make any sense to me. They looked at each other briefly, they were having some sort of a silent conversation. I watched them carefully while I flipped on the coffee makers and my cappuccino machine.

"Guys you're scaring me." I told them. Rose stood up offering me her hand, "Bella. Come sit with us." she said.

"No. what's going on? How bad is it?" I was going to start freaking out if one of them didn't say something soon.

"I know why Edward didn't fight back." Rose was shaking from head to toe. It looked like she was going to cry any minute.

"Rose are you okay?" it had been a long time since I'd seen her so upset

"No, I'm not. Oh god Bella I fucked up. I fucked up so bad and it's going to hurt you. I never meant too." she wiped her eyes

"Bell's, you need to sit down, please." Alice pleaded. I shook my head, "No. whatever it is I'll take the news standing." Rose stood up and came around the counter, Alice followed her.

"Bella I would never ever do anything to hurt you. Neither of us would." she said. Her voice was low, she was trying to be soothing. The longer this went on the worse it was becoming. There was only one thing that could be as bad as they were making it seem.

"Bella, Edward came in the bar last night. We argued and I said something I shouldn't of." Alice slipped her hand inside mine as Rose spoke. Sweat broke out over my forehead and the back of my neck, "Rose what did you do?" I asked her before the tears started, I already knew.

"I accidentally told Edward he's Lilly's father." she said with tears running down her face. My knees buckled. Two sets of hands went out to stop me before I hit the floor.

"How could you? Rose, he's successful and rich. He could take her from me. I could lose my baby! How could you do this to me?" I shook off there hands and grabbed my purse.

"Where are you going?" Alice yelled.

"I'm going to go get Lilly and run! He can't have her. She's mine." I took off at a run to my car. They were right behind me. I was only sure of one thing at this point, he would never take my baby from me. Alice threw her tiny body between the door and myself.

"Okay guys let's calm down. Things may not be as bad as they seem." Alice always the voice of reason.

"May not be as bad as they seem? He could take her from me Alice! I don't know him anymore. I don't know what he's capable of!" I screamed. Rose cried harder, "Bella I am so sorry. I'd never hurt you for anything. We were arguing and it just came out." I paced back and fourth, my arms wrapped tight around my rib cage. "Bella we can fix this." Alice said. She stood between Rose and I.

"How in the hell can we fix this?" Rose asked.

"Edward is reasonable. I am sure if you just explain things to him he will understand." Alice smiled, trying to make me believe her statement.

"I can't let him see her. When he leaves again it will crush her. I won't let her feel that kind of pain." I said. It was a rare moment that I let the pain of his departure seep into my being. I wouldn't let my daughter feel that.

"Bell's what if he stays?" Alice asked me. My head shot up, my eyes narrowed, "Are you out of your mind? He's never going to stay here." I scoffed at her question.

"He might. Bella you haven't seen him. Em said when they were at lunch yesterday, he said Lilly's name. Em said it was like Edward's whole being just came to life. What if he stayed for her?" Rose asked me. I shook my head, "He won't. He has no place in Lilly's life." I told them.

"I didn't have a dad. I never really minded but Bella, Lilly deserves so much better. What if Edward would stay here? What if he loves her?" Alice asked.

"He doesn't even know her!" I told them, I groaned.

"Bella I am so sorry." Rose said again, "I slapped him twice if that helps." she offered. I thought it over, "Thanks. It kind of does."

I went about my morning in the most normal way I could. I made conversation with the regulars, got the normal to go orders ready and smiled the whole time. Inside I was scared. I was scared that he would try and take her from me if I didn't let him see her. Edward's finical means were much larger than mine I was sure. Also the fact that for seven years I had a phone number and an address where at any time I could have written or called him to tell him about Lilly wasn't going to help my case either. I ignored the ring of the front door assuming it was just another customer. I kept my eyes down while loading the dishwasher.

"Hello Bella." Edward's voice sent shivers down my spine. All the little hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I turned to face him and saw his jaw first. His once perfect beautifully sculpted jaw was bruised black and blue. His lips were busted and swollen.

"Edward..." I pointed slightly to his jaw. He smiled for a moment before the pain hit his lips, "Yeah I guess we can all see Jasper's review of my book." I had to laugh a little at Edward standing before me bruised and busted but still making a joke.

"Can I get you something?" I said.

"I actually just stopped in to see you. I was wondering if we could have a drink tonight. I know it's forward but there isn't much else to do and we really need to talk." I nodded in agreement with his statement. The sooner this was done with the better. "I'm free tonight. Is seven OK?" I said. He nodded solemnly.

"Then it's settled." I said reluctantly

"What the hell? Are you just going to randomly be here now?" Jake asked from the kitchen doorway. I had asked him repeatedly to use the front door but he refused. It was really starting to get on my nerves.

"Good morning Jake. How are you?" Edward asked him nicely. Jake placed an overly protective arm around my shoulder.

"I would be a whole lot better if you weren't in here with my girlfriend." Jake replied. He trailed his finger tips down my spine. I fought the urge to squirm away.

"Edward and I were just catching up." I said. If Jake knew where I was going tonight he'd be really upset and I wouldn't get to go alone. This was something that had to happen between Edward and I.

"Yep. I was just leaving. Lots to do today. Nice way to start my morning though." he smiled at me. My cheeks instantly tinted pink and I fought the urge to bite my lip. I hadn't reacted to a simple smile this way in a long time. I remembered a second later that he could take my daughter from me. My blush faded and the dread returned.

"Have a nice day Edward." I said. He waved over his shoulder as he left.
"Would you mind explaining to me why the fuck he was in here with you?" Jake was furious.

"Watch your mouth! I have customers!" I looked around making sure no one heard him,"We were talking. It's called being polite." I pulled away from him and washed an empty cup and sat it in the rack to dry.

"I don't want him near you again. I don't like it." he put his arm around my waist. I pulled away, "Jake this isn't the place. He's moving back here and we are all just going to have to live with it. It's a small town. He's going to come in here." I took a big step back from him.

"Let's take Lilly out to dinner tonight." he said trying to change the subject. He smiled wide and brought his hands up to stroke the apples of my cheeks, "Just the three of us. We could go get a pizza in Port Angeles. She'd like that." I shook him off.

"The answer is No Jake. We've talked about this." I folded my arms across my chest.

"She won't be confused if we explain it to her. I'm your boyfriend. She can understand that."

"She's seven, you can't just explain things to her. She has feelings and they get involved." the situation was more delicate now than before and I couldn't add Jake to the mix, not now.

"I am beginning to think you aren't serious about us." Jake said. I looked around making sure no one needed anything before I pulled Jake in the kitchen.

"Now this is more like it." Jake purred. He ran his hands down over my hips. I pulled away.

"you know why you can't be around Lilly." I crossed my arms over my chest again.

"Because we aren't serious." he said.

"Yes." I said, "Among other things." I added.

"Then let's get serious. Let's start by you letting me come to the zoo with you and you're kid this weekend.. It will be fun."

"Jake the answer is no and start using the front door!" I walked back out into the dining room and kept my back to Jake while he left.

"That went well." Alice said. She took her normal seat at the far end of the counter.

"He's relentless." I grunted.

"what time are you bringing Lilly over?" She asked with a wide smile. Alice loved Lilly and oddly enough considered her one of her best friends. They had a standing date for one Friday night a month, they had a sleep over and watched movies. Usually stuff I would of never let her watch like dirty dancing or center stage. Lilly loved to dance but sadly had inherited her sense of balance from me.

"Around seven if that's ok." I grabbed a pot and headed out to do refills.

"that's perfect. Bella will you please think about what I said?" Alice asked.

"About the dad thing?" I poured refills to the deputies from the station.

"Yes."

I took a deep breath and released it, "I'll think about it." I forced a tight smile.

"That's all I ask." Alice danced back to her store. I spent the endless hours that day obsessing over what I was going to say to Edward.

Edward~

After making my plans with Bella I went back to my mothers house. I needed to start getting things in order to find a place of my own. I was going to stay in Forks permanently and I couldn't be living with my mother right now. She had not said a word to me since last night. I laid in the meadow all night just staring at the leafs and letting the rain wash over my face. It helped me clear my head and make the decisions I needed to make. First I knew I couldn't leave Forks again. That meant I would have to call my agent, Marcus and my Publisher, Aro and let them know I wouldn't be doing any more signings or book tours. I refused to do anything that would take me out of town for more then forty eight hours at a time. I wasn't sure how my new demands would be met and I was worried I might get dropped from their respective client and author rosters. If that was the case so be it, making my life here was more important. I needed to decide what I was going to say to Bella tonight. Would she believe everything my mother had told me all those years ago? Would she believe I didn't know what was goin on here and that's why I stayed away? My only option was to tell the truth. I was determined to prove to her that I wasn't going anywhere and I could be trusted. I wanted to know Lilly. I may never earn the right to call her my daughter or hear her call me Dad but I was going to try. I shut the front door softly, my mother was on the phone.

"Two this afternoon is fine. I'll bring all the documents with me. Mr. Jenks came highly recommended, I hope he can help with my situation. It's rather delicate, I hope he understands." she clicked the phone off. I heard her shuffle papers into a folder. I moved upstairs quietly to my room. Why was my mother meeting with someone this afternoon and taking her precious documents with her? I was sure it had something to do with my fathers will. She still hadn't let me see it. After finding out how close he was to Lilly I wondered if he left her something that my mother was trying to cover up. If that was true then I had to stop her so Lilly could get what was hers. I didn't care what it was, big or small, if it was supposed to go to Lilly she would have it. I paced my room thinking of a way to get the papers from my mother. Something about that will was twisting her into knots. I wanted to know what and I wanted to know fast. My fathers partner and best friend, Carlisle Cullen was still working in the offices that he and my father shared. Maybe he was the one that had witnessed the signing of my fathers will. If he was then he might know what was in it to drive my mother so crazy. I decided to wait until my mother left for her appointment, then I was going to have a nice chat with my Uncle Carlisle.

I waited in the outer office patiently for Carlisle to be done with his appointment. It was one of the few places that was exactly as I remembered it. I glanced around at the pictures on the walls. My favorite one was of my dad and Carlisle standing with there first legal secretary, Cindy Brandon. They all looked so young and happy. Alice's mom only worked for them for a little over a year and then Esme, my mothers best friend, took over. She later married Carlisle.

"Edward! My boy! How nice to see you." he greeted me. I stood and gave my favorite uncle a hug.

"It's been to long." I smiled wide. The friendlier I was the better chance I had at getting the information I was seeking.

"Indeed. Is this a social call or are you in need of legal advice?" he swept his hand out showing me to his office. He looked impossibly young. He and my father were the same age but Carlisle looked barely a day over thirty. His blond hair was still free of gray and his eyes held only the finest lines around them.

"A little of both. I need to ask you a couple of questions" I took a seat in the chair in front of his desk. He perched himself on the corner.

"Would these questions have anything to do with the reason you're still here?" he smiled playfully.

"Yes. I've been trying to get my mother to let me help her with dad's estate but she's shutting me out. She's been stressed and I'm worried. There seems to be something in there that is troublesome." Playing the concerned son was only going to help me at this point. I was concerned but it wasn't for her.

"And you think I might know why?" he said. I nodded, " I was hoping maybe he left a copy of the papers or something that would point me in the right direction." Carlisle walked around to his chair and sat down. He opened his top desk drawer and pulled out a small metal box.

"Edward, your father was my best friend for most of my life. When he gave me this to hold for you I told him I didn't want to get involved. I told him that this was best handled by your mother. He was very concerned that in the end your mother wouldn't give you this. He was adamant that you have it." he slid the metal box to me. I took it with trembling hands.

"What's in it?" I wondered.

"I'm not sure. As I said I didn't want to be involved so he didn't tell me. He just said that if you should ever come looking for it to give it to you and only you." whatever was in that box was precious to him. It meant so much to him that he went to the trouble of keeping it hidden from my mother. I tried to open the lid but it was locked.

"Is there a key?" I asked him. He smiled, "I'm afraid I don't have it. He said he hid it in the absolute last place your mother would ever look." where in the world would that be? How was I supposed to find it? I ran over the ways I could just pop it open, a kitchen knife, a letter opener. None of those things would work. The box was to sturdy. I decided it would have to wait for another time. For the rest of the afternoon I sat with my fathers best friend, drinking coffee and sharing memories of the old man.

Bella~

I wore jeans and a flowing blue peasant top Alice bought me for my birthday. I thought casual was best for what was hopefully a brief meeting. It was stupid to meet him at Blacks since Jakes family owned it and he would definitely hear I had been there without him. We would fight. I didn't really care at this point. I had bigger worries. Rose smiled sweetly at me from behind the bar. I walked over and kissed her cheek with the bar between us.

"You look beautiful. What are we drinkin?" she asked. I didn't need alcohol tonight. I needed to stay sharp.

"Just a bottled water. Is he here yet?" I didn't need to say who. I was sure she already knew from Alice who had over heard the entire conversation this morning.

"He's in the very back. Called ahead and asked me to save the table. You two gonna play nice or are we callin your dad out here again tonight?" I put my hands up playfully and smiled. Even though she wouldn't be back there with me, it was nice to know at least one friendly face was here tonight. I took my water and moved to the table. It was much quieter back here, I hoped no one would over hear us talking. I didn't like the idea of being town gossip fodder once again. Edward stood when I approached the table. He was in khakis and a green knit polo. It was beautiful against his eyes.

"I hope you don't mind. I reserved the table. I thought it was better then fighting for space." he smiled. The corner of his mouth turned up just a little. I smiled back, "No this is great. I'm sorry I didn't think of it." he pulled out my chair for me. It wasn't a gesture I was use to. No one had pulled out my chair or opened my door in years.

"You're probably wondering why I asked you here." Edward said.

"Rose already told me. What is it you want Edward?" best to get right to the point. He sighed a breath of relief.

"I want you to know Rose started it but my mother was the one that supplied ninety nine percent of the information. Rose isn't to blame for this. I can only imagine how guarded that secret must have been." I was prepared for mad or angry. I had kept Lilly a secret from him for seven years, anger was appropriate at this point. I would have been angry. Edward shocked me. His tone was soft and sweet. It was nice that he wasn't letting Rose take the blame. It reminded me of the kid he use to be.

"What is it you want Edward? You didn't bring me out here tonight just to tell me you know about Lilly." I couldn't afford to get lost in pleasantries. I had to keep this civil but let him know without a doubt he wasn't a part of Lilly's life.

"I have questions. I also wanted to explain some things if that's ok." he turned the force of those big green eyes on me. I was fighting not to melt into his hands.

"Sure, explain away." I said. He straightened up and leaned in closer.

"I need you to understand even though my dad spent time with Lilly, no one ever told me about her. Bella, I am so sorry I wrote that damn letter. I thought it was for the best but after last night I can see that was wrong."

"Why was it wrong? You did what you wanted and I got left behind. We were kids Edward. The things you say and promise at seventeen in the heat of the moment don't mean anything. It's ok." I assured him. I kept my eyes down hoping he wouldn't see how bad this subject was hurting me.

" all the things I said to you meant something to me. I wasn't just sweet talking you. I meant those things. I wanted you to move to New York with me. My mother told me it was cruel to ask you to choose between me and your dad. It's not her fault, I wrote the letter. I am willing to accept the consequences for it." I would have packed a bag and chosen Edward in a minute. Even before I knew I was pregnant.

"Why did you stay gone so long?" it was a question that had bothered me for years.

"My mother made it sound like life was just moving right along. Even after the letter I would ask about you often. She said you were fine and wished me well. She made it sound as if you'd moved on. Thinking that everyone was ok without me just made it that much easier to stay gone. I guess even though I was the one that left I felt like you guys left me behind. It was stupid. I shouldn't of listened to her." the truth was I only saw Elizabeth in passing on the street. She never came to see Lilly and I always assumed she wanted us to stay away.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"I want to know my daughter. Bella please can we arrange something where I can spend some time with her? We don't have to tell her I'm her father. We can just say a friend or something." his voice was desperate. Part of me wanted to give in and say fine but the rational part of me that wasn't won over by his eyes, smile and messy hair said it wasn't about me anymore. I had to protect Lilly.

"I don't think that's possible. She's not use to people walking in and out of her life. I won't let you break her heart when you pick up and leave town again." I folded my arms over my chest and rubbed my arms.

"I'm not leaving, I'm not going anywhere. I've made all the arrangements to stay here permanently." my heart raced in my chest. The conflicting parts of myself became even more confused. I fought the smile that was bursting to get out and went with anger instead.

"Pretty words Edward. I'm sorry the answer is still no." I stood up to leave. Edward put his hand over mine when I pushed up from the table. Something happened that hadn't happened in years, his touch was giving me tingles. I felt fire on my skin. It was a small taste of the rush that I use to feel from even the briefest contact from him.

"Please don't go. I'll do anything to see her." he was on the verge of begging. I wasn't so cruel as to let him.

"Edward I think you staying here is one of those things I'll have to see to believe. I hope you understand, I'm not trying to be a bitch, I just have to look out for my baby. She's sensitive and she's sweet. She doesn't have a lot of friends and she clings to the people that she loves the most." I pulled my hand from under his gently, I instantly missed the contact. I didn't get butterflies or tingles from Jake. I hadn't gotten that from anyone but Edward.

"Every child needs a father. She deserves two parents." he informed me. I wanted to laugh.

" Em, Rose, Jasper, Alice, and my dad are her family. She doesn't need a father. She's doing just fine without one." I pulled my keys from my purse. I maneuvered the crowded bar in record time. I could hear Edward calling my name behind me. I didn't stop, I just kept walking to the car.

"Bella wait! I didn't mean to imply anything. I just want to be apart of her life so badly." I turned on him, he towered over me in the dark parking lot.

"You don't get it! She doesn't need you. She has everyone and everything she needs." I looked up into his eyes. I had to keep breathing but when I took a breath that was too deep I could smell him. It was exactly the same. God how I'd loved his smell.

"She may not need me but I'm not going anywhere and god damn it Bella I'll prove it. I'll prove it to both of you. No matter what it takes I'm not giving up on this." he gestured with his hand between the two of us.

"No no no! I have a boyfriend. Don't even start about you and me." I yelled at him. He smiled. I was yelling and the bastard smiled.

"Does he make you feel anything like what I made you feel? We may have been kids but it's never ever been that way for me since. I've never loved anyone else." his bright green intense eyes stared down into mine. My heart raced, my palms were sweating, I could feel the adrenaline pump through my veins. I'd missed this rush.

"Pretty words Edward, that's all. Just a lot of pretty words." I told myself he hurt me once he'd do it again except this time he wouldn't be hurting me, he'd be hurting us.

"I'm gonna show you." his voice was husky. It took all my strength to take one big step back and put some distance between him and I.

"Goodbye Edward." I stepped up into my jeep and turned it on. I put as much distance as I could between Edward Masen and myself. No one had won tonight and I wasn't giving in but I knew one thing for sure, I needed to find a way to feel that rush again.

A/n- Ok guys, I love all your reviews. You amaze me. Second, I didn't know how this was going to come out until it was written. Needless to say Bella and Edward and there hormones are driving the bus at this point, it's gonna be a hoot to see where they take us next. Review Review Review.