Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Wow this site is pissing me off tonight! This is the third time I have had to write this and forth time posting so I hope it works!

I was blown away by your response to the last chapter! Over 65 reviews! You guys, ZooeyD, IssyBell91, zuni-yesi, jerseyhalliwell, makki, summergirlforever, solarstar17, devliza, darkwildrose, sober alcoholic, Lizzie, freereader321, mom2my3kids, Twilight-ObsessedDiva, chewycui, Flora73, TrinityIsis, Samii, !, vampgirl138, winternow, Ethyl The Pirates Daughter, CharmLightLove, Night Orchid, Aurore Ambler, C4BrassKnuckles, queenyus, D-l0v3 oF uR Lif3, TexasTwilight77, kayla paige, Cathryn, Chubbypoo, flock6, Gabriels-girl5035, girlfrakes, MyCrazyTwistedMind, raven1212, elliemay101287, twilightlover1710, kathryncompton, nekabie, klcivinski, beans and cornbread, tinker03, Troyis, Ahkasha, p, Vivian123, TearsInTheDust, Lori Duchess, MidnightSun03, farmgirl14, electrickisses111, Cece86, gabzCoatz, hooker81, PureTwilightFan14, frankfart101, Bee, tbonemom0512, barbmeg, cademan24, BonesnBooth4ever, krazzy hopeless romantic, cullengirl08, OnyxTwilight
and dbmncgreen are awesome!

cademan24, elecrickisses111, !, ZooeyD and MidnightSun03 guess the correct answer to my question, well done!

Just to make it clear, because I was asked in a few reviews, Tanya and Edward have not slept together, so NO Tanya will not get pregnant.

Hope you enjoy!


Forever Bound

Chapter Fourteen – Back To Black

Bella could understand why Edward was in love with Tanya. She was stunning. He strawberry blonde hair was tied in a tight bun at the back of her head, though a few strands had fallen loose and framed her face beautifully. She wore a dress that Bella would never dream about wearing, yet looked spectacular in it all the same.

"Good afternoon Mrs Cullen, I'm Tanya Denali" Tanya smiled at her. Bella had never been a violent person, but at that moment she wanted nothing more than to slap the smile off Tanya's face. Why was she at the house? Was she really going to ask Edward's wife where he was?

"I am here to relay an invitation from my parents. They have invited you, Lord and Lady Cullen and Edward to dinner in two days, the evening before Christmas Eve. They have some news they wish to announce, and desire the company of their closest friends. Will you be able to attend?" Tanya asked Bella.

Instead of informing Tanya that she would have to ask the rest of the Cullens if they were available, Bella decided to make the decision herself. "Unfortunately not Miss Denali. The Yule holidays are a time to spend with family. I am sure we can rearrange it for some time after the New Year. Am I correct?" Tanya seemed not to have an answer. "Is that all you required?"

Tanya simply nodded her head. "Then good day Miss Denali," Bella stated as she closed the door, before Tanya had a chance to reply.

Grinning, Bella made her way back to Alice and Rose. She knew she had been terribly impolite, but at the moment, she just could not muster up the energy to care.

-o-

When evening fell, Bella had had the chance to think, and was quite upset at Tanya's visit. Of course she had been perfectly polite towards Bella, she was not aware Bella knew the situation the three of them were in. However, she was sure that Tanya wished for Edward to have been the one to open the door, and the invitation to dinner had been a minor excuse, used purely as a chance to see him.

By the time Edward had arrived home, Bella was thoroughly upset, and had begun to knit baby shoes to comfort herself. Thinking about her child was always able to cheer her up.

"Good evening Bella," Edward had entered the room.

"Good evening Edward," Bella replied in a flat voice.

"Did you have an enjoyable day with Alice and Rose?"

"Very enjoyable thank you. I am to be Alice's Maid of Honour." Bella informed her husband.

"I am to be Jasper's best man. He asked me today," Edward was obviously attempting to start a conversation.

Bella simply nodded, continuing with her work.

Edward gave up and finally asked, "Bella what is wrong? You were happy this morning, what has changed?" Bella did not answer, "Tell me Bella." Edward ordered.

"Perhaps the fact that Tanya came to visit the house earlier this afternoon has upset me a little," Bella replied, with no emotion in her voice.

"Tanya was here?"Edward sounded shocked "How long was she here for? What did she want?" Edward pressed her for details.

"She did not stay long, she only wished to deliver a message," Bella stated coolly, not facing her husband.

"What was the message she left?" Edward sounded a little too excited for Bella's liking.

"Her parents invited the family to dinner on the evening prior to Christmas Eve," Bella relayed to her husband.

"And you assured her that we would attend I presume?"

"No. In fact I told her the opposite." Bella told Edward calmly.

"What?" Edward sounded shocked.

"I told her that we would not be able to attend. That the Yule holidays are a time for family."

"How could you do that? How dare you do that without even consulting me first! I thought you agreed that I would be able to continue my relationship with Tanya!" Edward yelled at Bella.

"Once the child is born! I said that it was not my right to take you away from love, but I told you that I would not accept it! I do not accept that you expect me to spend an evening in the presence of the woman who is going to take my husband away from me and my child!" Bella yelled right back at him.

"Take me away? No one will take me away from my child!" Edward cried.

"Yes she will. You may not think it now, but I know she will. You will get fed up of waking every other hour during the night, annoyed with the crying, annoyed with the soiled nappies soon enough and you will resort to spending the night with her and leave me to care for our child!" Bella shouted at him.

"How dare you assume that! I wish to care for our child as much as my father did for me; my relationship with Tanya will not prevent that. I am going to write to the Denali family immediately and accept their invitation." Edward stated to a now angered Bella.

"If you do that, do not expect me to attend with you."

"You will attend with the rest of the family," Edward informed Bella, losing his patience.

"I WILL NOT!" Bella screamed.

"I SAY YOU WILL! YOU ARE MY WIFE AND I AM ORDERING YOU TO ATTEND THAT DINNER. Do I make myself clear?" Edward yelled once more.

Bella gave him the filthiest look and rose to leave the room. Edward grabbed her arm, "I said, do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." Bella hissed before snatching her arm back and stalking out the room.

Bella made her way into her chamber and slammed the door shut before collapsing on her bed in tears.

-o-

The next two days passed with hostility between the wedded couple. Luckily for Bella, Alice required her time for most of the day, meaning she had to spend little time with Edward. While Alice and Bella had been spending every moment they could preparing for the wedding, Rosalie was spending every moment she could with Emmett. She would arrive at the Cullen household with Alice each morning, but not five minutes after her arrival, she and Emmett would be off walking together somewhere in the gardens. She was always sure to arrive back home at five hours past midday, just as Alice was preparing to take her leave.

Bella was thrilled for her brother. Never before had she seen him this infatuated with a woman; never before had she seen him so happy. He walked around the house with a permanent smile etched on his face and was even pleasant to Edward. Bella did not want to burden him with her troubles.

Unfortunately, Jacob had left the previous evening. Leah had summoned him home, demanding his attention. Although Bella would miss him greatly, she would not and could not keep him away from his wife. As much as it pained her to see him leave, she knew Leah needed him more than she did. However, this left her with no one to unburden herself to. She did not wish to tell Alice what her cousin was planning after the birth of his child. She knew Alice would never forgive him, and she did not want to cause a rift between the cousins who were so close.

On the evening of the meal at the Denali house, Bella made sure that Edward saw her less than an hour before the event; completely unready. She wanted to wow him, showing him that she could look nice too, even though she knew she would never be able to compare to Tanya.

An hour after she began to get ready, there was a knock at her door. Checking herself over once more and deeming herself presentable, Bella opened the door and came face to face with Edward. Her self esteem rocketed when she noticed Edward's mouth open slightly, although she walked passed him and descended the stairs herself.

Bella had allowed Edward to help her enter and exit the carriage; she knew how clumsy she was and did not wish to fall in her current condition.

As they made their way towards the mansion, which was too large for Bella's taste, Bella put her arm through Edward's; wanting to show Tanya that although Edward would ultimately be hers, Bella was his at the moment.

Before Edward could raise his hand to knock, the Denali's butler opened the door. "Good evening Mr Cullen, Mrs Cullen. The Denali's are waiting for you in the living room. Mr Cullen, your parents have arrived not half an hour before you." The butler informed the couple before leading them towards the living room.

"Mr and Mrs Cullen Sir, Madams," the butler introduced them before bowing slightly and taking his leave.

"Thank you Jarvis," Mrs Denali called after him before she moved forward to embrace Edward, "Edward darling," she kissed him on both cheeks, "It has been too long. It was such a shame we were away for your wedding!" she turned and noticed Bella for the first time, "You must introduce me to your lovely wife!"

"Of course. Carmen, this is Isabella, Bella this is Carmen and Eleazar Denali."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs Denali," Bella spoke quietly.

"You too my dear. Allow me to introduce you to my daughter Tanya, although I believe you have already met," Of course they had, but Bella allowed herself to be pulled away from Edward anyhow. "And this," Carmen began, leading Bella to stand in front of a tall blonde man, "is James Hunter; Tanya's fiancé."

A grin lit up Bella's face as James smiled right back at her.

-o-

The couples were led to and seated in the dining room not half an hour later. Bella has been placed in between Esme and James, while Edward sat opposite her. She could not help but notice that Edward had had a scowl etched on his face ever since Tanya's engagement had been announced.

"So Bella, you seem to be thinking extremely hard in a situation that needs little intellect," James joked, causing Bella to fall into a fit of giggles.

"Have you and Edward been married long?" James asked her, trying to produce a flowing conversation.

"Almost three months," Bella replied, turning to face him.

"Is it not wonderful being a newlywed?" James asked. Bella could not blame him, for he was soon to be married himself.

Bella decided to lie a little for him, not wanting to put him off marriage, "It is wonderful, you are right. Especially since we have found out that I am expecting." Bella smiled largely, as she always did when her child was mentioned.

"Really? Oh yes, there is a small bump there," James smiled at her as he glanced at her midriff.

Bella's grin remained on her face. She had noticed it this morning as she was getting dressed for the day and was fascinated by it.

"May I?" James asked, motioning towards her stomach. It took Bella a moment to realise what he was requesting.

"Of course." James reached out and touched Bella's stomach. As his hand connected with her stomach, Bella felt a feeling of guilt flash through her. Edward should be the one touching the child in her womb, not James. The feeling disappeared as soon as it had appeared however; James had noticed Bella's bump yet Edward had not. Surely that showed that he did not care as much as he claimed he did.

-o-

After the plates had been cleared up, Esme, Carlisle and Tanya's parents retreated to the conservatory. To talk about Bella did not know what, but she was relieved she did not have to join; she was having too much of an enjoyable time with James.

James was funny and kind, everything Edward was not.

As she rose from the table, Bella noticed Edward glancing at Tanya, looking at her wistfully. "Probably sad he cannot sneak off with her right now," Bella thought dejectedly.

At that moment, James appeared at her elbow. "Would you like to go for a walk outside? It is a beautiful night and the lake just looks just beautiful at this time." He suggested.

Bella smiled at him and agreed instantly. As James led her towards the door, Bella turned to glance back at Edward, who had his back turned to her. "This is how a husband should treat his wife. Why does Tanya get everything I can only dream of?" Bella thought sadly, trying to keep the tears at bay. She did not want to ruin the enjoyable evening she had been experiencing with such thoughts.

"This way," James motioned to Bella, pointing towards the back of the garden. He offered her his arm and she took it right away. In such a thin dress she needed all the warmth that was on offer.

Taking her closer towards the trees, Bella began to get an odd feeling in her stomach. She pushed it away; it was probably something to do with the pregnancy anyway.

As James began to lead her into the trees, Bella decided to voice her question, "James, how much further is the lake? There is quite chill out tonight and I cannot get sick."

James turned to face her. "Getting sick will be the least of your worries."

The feeling in Bella's stomach started to rise and she began to recognise it as fear. Before she could voice her fear, James pushed her up against a tree and violently pressed his lips to hers.

She tried to push him away, "James, what on earth are you doing?"

James moved down to kiss her neck, "What does it look like I'm doing?" he asked sarcastically.

Bella tried to push him away once more, panicking, "James, no. Stop! I'm married!"

"Do you think I care?" James muttered, claiming her lips once more.

He was too strong for her and she could not push him away. When he began to kiss down her collar bone, Bella felt a fear she had never felt before.

"James, please stop. Please! I am pregnant! This could hurt my child, please stop!" Bella begged, tears streaming down her face.

"Do you think I care about your damn child?" James yelled. To prove his point, he kneed her hard in the stomach.

Bella bent over, breathless. Her stomach was already in agony and Bella worried desperately for the child seeking safety in her womb. She wanted to double over but James held her firm up against the tree.

Bella looked around for someone, anyone. Even Tanya would have been a blessing at this point. There was no one. They were not visible from the house, as the view Bella had of the mansion was obscured by the numerous trees.

As James' hands began to wander, Bella knew she had to do something. She could not kick him as his knees were pressed against hers; she could not hit him as her hands were pinned to her side.

She only had one option. "EDWARD!" she screamed, as one of James' hands began to pull the dress down her shoulder, and the other began to raise it up her leg.

---

Whats going to happen?

What did you think? Like it?

If anyone guesses James' past I'll send them asneak peek at chapter 15.

Btw, this is going to be translated into French by Seba nefer so thanks :D

Until next time. :)