Back again! Thanks to those that commented and favourited… its nice to know I've still got followers =D

Here's the final part to Chapter 20.

Enjoy!

Chapter 20: Part 3.

"Well everything appears to be fine Miss Manfield" assured the young 30 something female doctor, as Lizzy lay propped up on the lounger; Edward and her mother at her side.

"That's fantastic!" Anna responded, having warmed to the idea of being a grandmother with ease. Edward meanwhile stood beside, experiencing a whirlwind of emotions that he kept tucked up inside. Relief being the most prominent one though; he was glad the baby was fine, even if he wasn't totally content with the idea of being a father just yet.

Finally staring at the image on the ultrasound, it was all suddenly so real though. He'd spent days on end telling himself it might be a mistake, that they could go on with their lives as normal because she probably wasn't really pregnant, but now, even though on the screen it was nothing more than peanut size, resembling nothing of a baby's formation whatsoever, it was still plain for him to see. It was happening, whether he liked it or not.

That didn't explain the lack of connection Edward felt though. He'd always thought the first time he'd lay eyes on his growing baby he'd feel some kind of bond or rejoice upon seeing it, but instead he felt very little.

"You're about a month and a half gone, maybe just over 6 weeks, so I'd expect your due date will be around February next year" presumed the doctor.

"Wow, that long huh" said Lizzy, as she glanced across to her mother and Edward for reassurance, and they nodded in accordance.

"Well it'll come around a lot faster than you think" the doctor added warmly, and a smile of happiness spread across Lizzy's face; a tinge of fear and uncertainty lingered in her eyes however. And Edward was silently pleased he wasn't the only one feeling the strain.

"Right, well we're all done here. I'll print you a copy of this off and I'll see you again in a few weeks time". The doctor sent them on their way, and a strange kind of tension crackled the air between them.

"Well, that was certainly good news" Anna spoke up on the retreat back to the car, whilst the two teenagers were left feeling rather speechless. "Just think, this time next year there'll be another addition to the family" she added. And something deep inside twisted in Edwards stomach. Dread maybe?

Making an excuse that he'd promised his parents he'd promptly return for dinner, Anna drove him home. But before he could escape, Anna threw the ultra sound photo into his hands, telling him he should keep it. It could remind him of what wonderful life he'd created. Like he really needed a reminder of that.

He offered a feeble smile in response before jumping out of the car. They left as Edward made his way up the Cullen driveway. And on entering the house he was brought face to face with both of his parents. Neither one was particularly delighted at the baby news, but they took the photo anyway, a glimmer of delight even spreading across his mothers face as she looked at it, but Edward simply ignored it, walking past them and up into his room.

Ordinarily Edward would've gone straight to the penthouse, sit at the grand piano and start playing, but lately he hadn't felt in the mood. He silently worried he was losing his passion for it. He'd been so swamped with the baby news of late, everything else in his life had sadly been put on hold.

Now, lying on his bed he closed his eyes, hoping for some kind of escapism, but as predicted, the first and only thing he could see was the baby; the image of it now permanently stitched in his mind…

Sadly, there was no escaping this…

…

Rising early the following morning, Edward had a sudden surge of energy. Well, call it energy or motivation, but he was feeling determined. Determined to solve the puzzle. He'd put it briefly on hold yesterday having been thrown off by the ultra sound, but today he felt different. Refreshed almost, but also in search of something. Of course in order to search for something, there had to be something to search for. But he was almost certain there was.

There had to be a reason he was feeling so disconnected from it all. Answers were all he needed, but Lizzy wasn't about to give him some. So he went to the only other person he knew he had a chance with.

Arriving at the front door after having parked in the street, Edward knocked, waiting and hoping for a response.

The door opened a second later, and a look of confusion spread across Matt's face at Edward standing there unexpectedly.

"Edward?" Matt's brow puckered in confusion; it had been weeks since Edward had even acknowledged him, so it was a surprise to find his ex best friend had actively seeked him out. "What are you doing here?"

Taking a deep breath Edward looked him straight in the eye. "I need to ask you something".

"Ok" Matt's voice dripped with scepticism. "Go for it".

Edward took a glance to his left, just to ensure no one was around, before he looked back at him. "I need to know, how long you've been seeing Lizzy. How long you've been sleeping with her". He really didn't want to know the gory details involved in their illicit affair, but nothing would get solved if Edward just sat idly by and accepted it.

"Erm… why?"

"It doesn't matter why" Edward felt his irritation gradually building; still unable to forgive his best friends betrayal. "I just need to know".

"Well, I don't know. Maybe, a month and a half ago" Matt finally answered. "It wasn't a regular thing you know. It only happened a couple of times…" he went on, as if to excuse his own behaviour.

"Whatever" an impatient Edward cut in. "So, say, like 6 weeks ago?"

"Yeah, I guess it would've been about that… why?"

Edward nodded thoughtfully, lost in a trance as he remembered back to the words the doctor had spoken.

He'd had a hunch ever since he'd heard Lizzy mention 'the lie' to her mother. It seemed so obvious to Edward now though. Especially considering he hadn't had sex with Lizzy at all over the last two months, they'd slept in the same bed a number of times, but in a strictly clothes-on kind of way… clearly she'd forgotten that part.

"Thanks" muttered Edward, his face fixed with concentration as he walked away.

"Edward? Is something wrong? Is it Lizzy?" Matt called back to him. But Edward simply ignored him and kept on; determined to sort this out, once and for all.

…

(Later that day – The Manfield's house)

"Can I make you a drink or something?" Edward didn't smile as he asked. And Lizzy immediately sensed his tension. He was acting very un-Edward-like.

"Yeah" Lizzy managed a smile, "juice is fine" she added, before her face frowned as he stood up. "Edward, are you ok? You seem a little, on edge" she called out to him from where she sat on the living room couch.

"Yeah, I'm fine" he raised his voice back to her, as he walked away from her, through the passageway and into the kitchen. "I'm just tired. Haven't really been sleeping much!"

"Yeah, I know the feeling!" he heard her yell back to him. On entering the kitchen he grabbed two glasses, filling the bottoms with orange squash before adding water.

"So what have you done today?" he asked as he poured the liquid to the top.

"Oh, I went shopping with mom earlier, baby shopping that is… I bought a really cute cot, I mean I know it's a little soon, but I want to be prepared…" but his attention wandered elsewhere. To a letter which sat on the kitchens surface near the phone. It was stashed away amongst a pile of other documents, but it sat on the top, peeking out of the envelope teasingly.

It had the words 'Credit Report' in bold red letters.

With intrigue getting the better of him, Edward placed the cups down onto the table, and ensuring no one was around, he removed the letter from where it hid behind the phone. Slipping it out of the envelope he took a brief read, it was all very formal, with technical words that weren't in his vocabulary, but he understood the gist of it. Flipping it over Edward skimmed the back page; this side was a little more interesting. In fact the 'Cullen's' name was printed in black as a reference, and the section entitled 'Debtor, paid by – C&M Productions' caught his attention some more. C&M Productions? Edward had never even heard of it. But before he read anymore he folded it shut, stuffing it back into the envelope as the risk of getting caught seemed inevitable.

"How's that drink coming along?" her voice grew closer, and he dropped the letter on the counter, spinning on his heel he faced her.

"Are you alright?" Lizzy asked cautiously, while his heart thumped in his chest at how close he'd become to getting sprung.

"Yeah, sorry" Edward angled himself to grab the drinks, noticing how shaky his hands now were, but he tried to focus as he handed her the one, and ushered her out of the kitchen a moment later.

On entering the living room once again, his eyes casting the space around him, Edward then noticed something peculiar. The Manfield's state-of-the-art stereo which usually sat on the table in the far corner was gone, as were various other expensive items, such as the odd ornament, which had up until now been a fixture of the fireplace, but now, was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's your stereo gone?" he asked, hoping to sound casual as they retook their seats on the couch.

"Oh, moms taken it to get re-wired" she answered, not at all fazed by his question.

Edward nodded back. But silently wondered if Lizzy was even aware of the extent of her parents little money problems. If she was, she'd kept it hidden remarkably well.

A vibration in his pocket then alerted him of a phone call. Pulling his cell phone out of his pocket Edward stared at the name, a fire which had previously sizzled inside of him then threatened to rage.

"Who is it?" asked Lizzy, as she observed the noticeable creases down Edwards forehead. And turning his head to respond, he looked her directly in the eye.

"…Matt" he said simply, watching her intently.

"Oh …" she pulled back, seemingly affected by it. "Wh..why's matt ringing you?" she stuttered a little, her voice noticeably awkward.

"Don't know" Edward shrugged as he glanced at the phone that continued to vibrate, before shutting it off and looking her straight in the eye. "You tell me?" he questioned her, and she faltered under his gaze, her head dipping a fraction to avoid his stare.

Sensing the moment had come, an impatient Edward went on to probe her. "You know…" he began with interest, "I've been wondering what it'll be like. The baby I mean, when it's born." Stated Edward, and Lizzy's previously pale face gradually lit up. Each day, beyond all that fear, was also a growing excitement and anticipation for her becoming a mother. The fact that she was already baby shopping proved she was now handling this rather well.

"I mean, I wonder if it'll have blonde hair and blue eyes, like yours" he surmised, his eyes intense as the emotion within him soured through his veins. And she blushed at the thought of the baby looking just like her. "Or maybe it won't" his face turned deadpan; expressionlessly straight. "Maybe it'll have dark hair, like … jet black" he added, emphasising his words, and Edward watched for her reaction, knowing full well that Matt's hair had always been jet black; his most distinct feature of all. And as predicted, Lizzy froze.

"Wh…why would it have black hair?" she smiled sheepishly.

He shrugged. "You tell me?" he challenged her once again.

She turned away, her face frowning, her eyes flashed with a sense of trepidation. She shifted in her seat as she chanced a look back into his eyes. "Edward…" she began hesitantly, and it was obvious to the both of them that he knew her dark secret.

But Edward was already on the verge of fuming. "Don't even go there Lizzy!" His voice cut her down, and he rose from his seat ready to leave.

"Wait!" she called for him, "Edward! Please!" And at his name he spun back around to see her standing right before him.

"Why? So you can keep lying to me! So we can go on pretending were this happy little family and everything's perfect. It's not perfect! It's not even mine Lizzy! How could you do this to me? To Matt? To yourself!"

"It wasn't my idea" she sobbed, quickly crumbling under his anger. "I didn't want to lie to you anymore".

"Then why did you!"

She swallowed hard, trying to keep a hold on her emotions. "She said it was for the best, that in the long run it would work out for everyone" she cried, her hand wiping at her snivelling nose.

"Who! Your mother?"

She nodded sadly.

"Your mother is only interested in one thing Lizzy! And I'm sorry to say it's not you or the baby... It's ME" he implored, and in saying the words he felt an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion and helplessness. His voice softened as he continued to speak. "It's because I'm the only chance she has left now. I'm her link into getting her out of this mess".

"What mess?"

He sighed, and at her state of oblivion, he stormed his way into the kitchen, grabbing the letter and shoving it into her face. "Read that. Read that and then you'll know what your mothers really capable of…"

…

(An hour later)

"Get out of my house!" The two ladies, Anna and Esme', rose from their seats in alarm, leaving their paperwork which was scattered across the table. Clearly they were in some kind of business meeting as Edward had roared his way into the Cullen's family home like a thunderous cloud.

"Edward!" Esme' scolded her sons' behaviour.

"I said get out!" he looked Anna Manfield in the eye as he spoke, and she stepped back, startled by his unusually harsh tone.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

"Oh don't play innocent Anna, even you can't be pathetic enough to do that!" he scoffed at her, and realisation flashed across her face. He knew.

"Look, Edward" Anna began, whilst she plastered on her best smile, "whatever she's told you, whatever you've heard. It's not true. We can work around it".

"No one had to tell me anything; I figured it out for myself! I'm smart like that" he mocked her.

"Well then, I'm sorry, but you're obviously mistaken. Why don't we talk about this in private" she attempted to steer him away from Esme', but Edward was having none of it, particularly when his eyes fell onto the documents on the table, the one entitled 'C&M Productions'.

"What's this?" he picked the letter up with a frown, turning to his mother for an explanation.

"It's our new business venture; C&M Productions, we thought it had quite a nice ring to it, don't you think?" spoke Esme', as she offered a timid but hopeful smile Edwards way.

"C and M" muttered Edward beneath his breath. "Cullen and Manfield" he rolled his eyes at that.

"We thought with everything going on, with the baby and whatnot, it'd be a chance to join forces and expand our horizons ... we thought it might help you both out. We were going to label you and Lizzy as officials to the company".

"What!" incredulity poured over Edwards face at his mothers unknowing words. "You think this is about the baby? This has nothing to do with Lizzy's baby, mom!"

"Edward, it's your baby too. I know it's hard for you to realise right now" Esme' told him calmly, he meanwhile shook his head in disbelief. "Please, wont you just calm down" his mother urged him, never having seen Edward quite so enraged.

"It's not mine mom!"

"What?"

"The baby, it's not even mine!"

Esme's eyes flashed with shock and confusion, until her face visibly dropped. It seemed the idea of becoming a grandmother meant more to her than Edward had realised. He immediately felt bad at having yelled it at her.

"I'm sorry. But there's no point in lying to you" his voice softened, as did his expression, and it wasn't until Anna piped up, that his previous temper quickly re-surfaced.

"This is nonsense. There's a very good possibility Edwards still the father you know" Anna spoke after several quiet seconds.

"Oh don't give me that, I know for a fact its not mine!" he snapped back at her, Esme' meanwhile took a step back, her head shaking as she tried her hardest to get her head around it.

"Just don't listen Esme', they've probably had a fight or something," Anna told Esme', as she placed a gentle hand to Esme's arm.

A gobsmacked laugh spluttered from Edwards lips. "Yeah, actually we did have a fight. Right after I came to my senses" he told her gladly. "Did you honestly think you could get away with it?" he blared at Anna Manfield; bewildered that she could carry on lying, even after he'd called her out on it.

"Edward, what are you talking about? What's going on?" an unknowing Esme' pleaded for answers.

"She's in debt mom" he finally revealed, and Anna's face cowered under his glare. "She's overdrawn … almost a million dollars overdrawn. And she was going to use this" he grabbed the C&M document to show her. "As a way to get her out of it".

"Anna?" a wary Esme' turned to the accused.

"It's nonsense" Anna meanwhile brushed it off.

"Nonsense? Really! Is that nonsense?" Edward pulled out the letter he'd discovered at the Manfield's house from where he'd stuffed it into his pocket, handing it to Esme'. She read it with eyes of distress.

A moment later an agitated Anna butt in. "I know how it looks, but it's not as bad as it seems" Anna rambled, as Esme's face fell in horror, she muttered "oh god" under her breath as she acknowledged the extent of the mess Anna was in. "So I'm slightly overdrawn; who isn't these days? I'm telling you, it's all under control," she insisted, Anna's face still smiling.

"Well it certainly doesn't look like it". Esme's head shook slowly as she stared at the paper in her hand, before her head rose to look her potential business partner in the eye. "You were going to make me join forces with you. You talked me round. I was about to sign over half of my business to you, my family business," announced a disbelieving Esme', and Edward realised he'd gotten there just in time. If his mother had've signed the paperwork, it would have made it official. The debt would've been shared, the Cullen's family name would've been tainted, and the business and everything they'd stood for would have gone down with it. Not to mention they would have been bound to the Manfield's for god knows how long.

"How could you do this?" There was sheer hurt in the words that Esme' spoke. She'd always known Anna had been jealous of her, always running in second place, never able to catch up to the Cullen's standards. But the bottom line of it was, she'd been her best and longest friend for years; through School and through life as a working woman, they'd been side by side. Never had Esme' anticipated Anna would try to bring her down this badly.

"Esme', seriously, it's not how it sounds. Edwards just confused. Let's sit down and work this out".

"Actually, I think you should leave" said Esme,' harbouring that same controlled voice her son often used in times of stress.

"Esme' pleeease!"

"Get out".

And with that, Anna was forced to walk away. She grabbed her bag and keys as she left, and not long after, the front door slammed shut behind her, leaving Edward and his mother standing in the dining room dumbstruck.

Taking a look at the document once again Edward frowned, he'd never appreciated his mother's lifestyle, but never would he have forgiven himself if he had gotten there too late, and she'd signed over the business to the Manfield's.

Though his emotions were still all over the place, very much like a bouncy ball, Edward tried to seek solace in the knowledge that he had made it there in time, that he'd stopped his mother from making the biggest mistake she could ever make. And because of him, the business was still intact.

Standing in front of his mother then, he offered her a small hopeful smile, expecting her to welcome him with open arms, possibly even thank him for figuring it out? But what surprised him most of all was, she didn't, far from it in fact, instead, a very business-like-Esme' simply turned on her heel and walked away…

…

I think if I ever met Esme' Cullen, I would find it incredibly hard to like her. In fact, on reaching the end of the story, I was torn between who I disliked the most.

Perhaps 'dislike' was the wrong term. I disliked Anna very much. I felt sorry for Lizzy, surprisingly, considering I'd spent the last hour hating her, but most of all, I was disappointed in Esme's behaviour. Beyond disappointed actually, I was almost heartbroken. I felt that if this was what mother figures were like, I was glad I didn't have one. And that said a lot, given how much I'd longed for one myself. Of course deep down I knew that was completely insane and untrue, in fact I'd spent many a day at Alice's house, with her mother constantly fussing over us. She was the kind of mother that Alice could never do without. But unfortunately, Esme' hadn't been like that, and like I said, that left me utterly disappointed.

Of course I didn't voice my opinions to Rosalie, I simply let her slide right passed it. I knew deep down she felt the same as I did. But I couldn't imagine how hard that must be for her, to have a mother like that, to love her no matter what, but fail to understand her methods of motherhood.

In a way I was shocked that Rose had turned out the way she had done, especially with a role model such as Esme' Cullen. But it seemed Rose and Esme' couldn't have been more dissimilar, and I was extremely thankful for that.

It was then that I realised why Edward was so close to his sister. Because Rose wasn't just a sister to him; in fact the term 'sister' was almost too restrictive in this instance. She was also his best friend, his confident, and his caregiver...

"In the end, Edward was just the catalyst" Rose went on, as I drifted back into the conversation. "It was Anna's grievance with my mom that was the problem. She was over her head in debt, and raged with jealousy and bitterness. She wanted nothing more than to be successful, to be the name on everyone's lips; she'd just gone the wrong way about it. Unfortunately, Edward was the answer for it, and Elizabeth and the baby had been the perfect excuse … it's just a good job Edward had found out in time. Because we certainly wouldn't be here right now if he hadn't".

I nodded back, swamped with thoughts. Edward had lost so much. His girl friend, his best friend, his life basically. Even his relationship with his mother had become rocky and disconnected. I understood why Edward had to leave that life behind. It just grieved me even more knowing it was all still tucked up inside of him, and as of yet, he was unable to let it go. Fearful of relationships and plagued by trust-issues, it couldn't be healthy for him.

I hoped that now that I knew, I could help in some way. Make him see that relationships could work. And not everyone was as deceitful, manipulative and as cold hearted as he'd been brought up to believe.

…

"Twice in one day huh" Matt once again opened the front door to find Edward stood before him.

Edward rolled his eyes, suddenly just standing in front of Matt was becoming excruciating. "I'm here because Lizzy's too much of a coward to say anything… and even though I don't owe you anything, I know it's the right thing to do" Edward then handed him the ultra sound photo.

Matt frowned, confused by what he held. "What's this?"

"It's yours" Edward simply spoke; figuring it was fairly self explanatory.

"She's … she's pregnant?"

Edward nodded in return. "I suggest you get down there as soon as you've got your head around it. Elizabeth's going to need you".

And with that, Edward then turned and walked away.

"Edward!" Matt ran up to him, taking a glance at the photo before looking at him. Edward paused on the spot in waiting, sensing another apology was coming his way. "Thanks … and I'm, sorry, for everything" The look on Matt's face told Edward he truly meant it. And for once, Edwards hardened exterior began to soften.

"Don't be… in a way, I'm grateful, its opened my eyes, taught me a lesson" Edward told him.

"What lessons that?"

Edward didn't answer the question after that. He simply gave him a nod and said…

"Goodbye Matt. And good luck … you're going to need it".