Author's Note: Okay, everyone...just warning you ahead of time…the story takes a 360-spin in this chapter. So, hold on to your seats!

Oh, and as always…thank you for your reviews!

CHAPTER 41: Blurry Vision

It's been a week now since we returned to Los Angeles and Alice has me assisting her—my first official day.

The paparazzi, of course, tried to track us after we left Renesmee's and walking through those woods was no picnic. I had blisters for days and sore thighs and legs after walking through the creek, the hike over the hill, jumping over logs, walking in mud, and almost jumping into Edward's arms after hearing a rustling in the bushes…which only turned out to be a squirrel.

Jacob will never let me live it down.

Alice had the hardest time with the trek than any one of us. We had to stop multiple times because her designer shoes kept sinking into the fresh dirt. She's also not used to walking in that kind of terrain. The Hobbit already has a hard time being motivated enough to walk to her mailbox. Although it was a long journey, Edward and Jacob tried their best to be patient with us since we're so inexperienced being outdoors.

And after that experience, Alice and I swore we won't be going near the woods again for a while.

As I was cooking Edward dinner one night, I turned on the television and faintly heard the news about a bunch of paparazzi needing to be rescued in a forest. I inwardly smiled to myself wondering what area they were referring to. Serves them right!

The lengths the media will go through just to get a snapshot or some kind of fabricated story still boggles my mind. Since we arrived back in California, they haven't bothered us too much. Edward and I have mostly stayed indoors at his place whenever we got the chance to spend time together alone.

"Bella, can you hand me that?" Alice is pointing with her chin at the measuring tape on the counter. I snap out of my reverie and scramble to hand it to her.

She's measuring a new fabric she wants to use on one of her clients. I saw a preview sketch of the dress she was thinking of creating and it looks amazing with the sequence pattern she's going to add. I wish I was as talented as her.

The only talent I have is making one mean double espresso latte with extra foam…if that's even a talent.

So far today I haven't done much expect hand Alice whatever she needs or tell her what's next on her agenda. I'm tied to her via BlackBerry that has her schedule, appointments, and itinerary so I can look things up with a click of a button, especially if she wants to know when she can spare five minutes to breathe.

I don't know how she does it.

In between my assistant duties, Edward and I text each other every chance we get. He's been reading new scripts and doing photo shoots for Aro's movie. The press junket and endless interview appearances will happen closer to the film's actual release. I'm very proud of Edward and all he's accomplished. He's worked hard to get to where he is, not just based on his good looks, but his talent as well.

After replying to Edward's last text, another client walks into Alice's warehouse studio where she stores most of her clothes and receives her appointments. The woman is tall with auburn hair and probably a size 2. Right off the bat, I can tell she's a model. I've known Alice to have all kinds of clients that request her to create a one of a kind outfit for them.

The tall model smiles brightly at my friend and jogs leisurely to her, her shiny hair bouncing in her wake, when Alice sees her. Alice smiles and instead of hugging each other, they give air kisses on both cheeks.

"I'm so glad you're back!" the young woman says, squeezing Alice's hands. "I'm in desperate need of a new wardrobe. I'll be travelling next month to Africa for a photo shoot."

"I have some ideas I can run by you. I've been experimenting with new patterns."

"Perfect!"

"Oh, by the way," Alice turns to me, "this is my new assistant—Bella Swan. Bella, this is Candice Monroe."

Candice gives me a small smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Hey…" she says politely with a lazy wave. Of course I don't expect her to greet me as warmly as Alice, but I get the feeling this person is judging me.

"Hi," I sound as equally awkward and uncomfortable by the introduction.

"So…you're Edward's new girlfriend." She sounds almost unconvinced.

I try to stand a little taller and push out as much confidence as I can. "Yes, I am." I even have the nerve of discreetly judging her up and down so she knows she doesn't intimidate me. Whoever she thinks she is, I can already tell she's not very fond me; probably because of my association with Edward.

Almost every female I encounter since we've been together, I receive the same look. I can't really say I blame them because I'm still trying to figure out what Edward sees in me even though he's told me several times. It's something I'm still processing and trying to comprehend.

She gives me a smug grin.

Sensing the tension in the air, Alice moves her client over to her workspace to show the new designs she's been working on. Candice's attitude quickly changes and is back to her light and carefree self. I inwardly roll my eyes and release a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

For the remainder of her stay, I make myself scares by keeping myself busy with other things. Alice has other assistants who help her with the sewing, organizing her racks and shoes, and acquiring textiles she wants, so I spend my time in their section of the large rented space.

"Who is she?" I quietly ask Dell while he sorts through the pile of clothes he's organizing by style and color.

Dell is African-American and has short platinum blonde hair and a ring on almost every finger. He has a lean, muscular physique and usually dresses in black. He says black is his boyfriend's favorite color so it's become his favorite, too.

"Don't waste your energy on getting to know Candice Monroe," Dell rolls his eyes. "She treats everyone like they're below her unless you're some sort of use to her. Alice only tolerates her because she's one of her top clients. She's in here at least once a month."

"That probably explains her charming personality towards me," I reply sardonically.

"Honey…" he leans in closer, "you should probably also know that she's one of Tanya Denali's friends—hence, the friendly welcome."

My mouth drops open. One of Alice's top clients is friends with Tanya? I'm speechless.

I glance briefly in Alice and Candice's direction and Candice still has that smug look on her face. Alice is oblivious to our exchange because she's too focused on explaining her designs. Is Tanya rallying everyone she knows against me? I suppose models stick together. Makes me wonder what kind of vicious lies Tanya's spread about me this time.

"Just breathe," Dell interrupts my train of thought. "No matter what they say or think just remember this…Edward is yours." He nods at me in a matter-of-factly way.

He's right. I shouldn't care about what others think because they don't know what Edward and I have between us. If Edward wanted to be with someone else he would be. It's not like I forced him into liking me.

While Candice is still here, I try to think of happier thoughts until she leaves. She's trying to get under my skin and I refuse to give her that satisfaction. Dell and I strike up other, more light-hearted subjects that we can laugh about, putting me in a better mood.

"Thanks again, Alice. You're the best. I'll be sure to tell the rest of my famous friends about you," Candice beams with her fake smile, giving Alice a hug this time.

"Thanks Candice, I'll see you after you get back from Africa," she replies with a friendly grin.

"I'm meeting up with Tanya later. I know she'll die after I tell her the wonderful new outfits I'll be wearing! She's supposed to go with the rest of us to Africa…but you know…travelling in her condition right now isn't good for her."

My ears perk up, quietly listening in as I pretend to look busy on my side of the warehouse.

"What do you mean?" asks Alice. She sounds as stumped as I do.

I can see Candice glancing at me from my peripheral view. I look down at my clipboard as if I'm checking something off so I don't give myself away too easily.

"I'm surprised you haven't heard from Edward…" she whispers loud enough so I can still hear. A part of me thinks she's doing it on purpose.

What does Edward know about Tanya that he hasn't told me?

"Heard what from Edward?" the Hobbit still seems confused.

"That Tanya's pregnant. Morning sickness does not become her."

"What?" I blurt out.

Pregnant? Who…what…when?

Candice casually shrugs as if I should have known about it. Alice looks pale. "Talk to your boyfriend about it," she says to me and walks off without another word.

Dell picks up the clipboard I absentmindedly dropped. "Remember…breathe, Bella."

I stare wide-eye at Alice. She frantically shakes her head. "I swear on my career that I had no idea Bella! How could have I known? You and I have practically been together since we left Milan."

I think I'm going to faint. Dell slowly helps me to sit on the floor. "I'll get you some water," he scurries off.

"Tanya's pregnant?" I whisper in disbelief. It doesn't even register as my own voice.

Alice sits down beside me, holding my hands. "So what if she's pregnant? It's probably some random guy she barely knows. We all know how she can be a loose cannon."

The thought that the child growing in her could belong to Edward makes me sick. I dare not think about that fact. Edward would never do such a thing. Not to us. Not to me.

"Here you go, honey," Dell hands me a cup of water. I take a sip without really paying attention to what I'm doing.

"Bella, don't freak out about this. Candice is just as manipulative as Tanya. She probably knew Candice had an appointment with me so she's using one of the tricks up her sleeve to mess with your head," Alice tries to reason. "And I know my brother. He'd never let something like this happen. If it did…he would have told you about it."

"I trust Edward—I really do…and I don't want to assume it's his. It can't be his. But he's the only one Tanya's spent time with since she's been back in L.A."

I keep telling myself no way could it be Edward's? No way! But why is my subconscious betraying me, telling me there's a big possibility it could be? He's told me he hasn't spoken to her since we left for Forks and I know for sure he's been ignoring her calls.

The last time either of us have really heard from Tanya is when she and I had our little phone fight when she called me an immature little girl because I wouldn't give Edward the phone, which prompt our trip to Forks, Washington.

The room is suddenly spinning and the thought of Tanya still having a hold on Edward makes me want to throw up my lunch.

"Bella, you don't look so good. Put you head between your legs. You're looking paler than usual." Alice rubs my back in attempts to comfort me. "Look—you won't really know the truth until you talk to Edward."

"You're right," I nod with my head resting on my knees. "I need to find out the truth."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No," I look up. "This is between us." Mustering the courage, I stand up, but a little wobbly.

Alice still looks concerned. "I know the sooner the better, but maybe you should try to soak this information in first—before you face him."

"I can't," I protest. "If I don't find out now, it's just going to drive me crazy." And I am already halfway there.

"Well, at least let me drive you over," Alice insists. "Dell can drive your car there so you're not stuck after you've talked."

Yes, my car. The Volvo C70 coupe convertible Edward bought me so I can get around town easily. Thinking about the car, even attempting to sit in it right now, makes my skin crawl.

Alice ushers me toward the door after scooping up both our purses. "C'mon, let's go."

I I I

I had Alice text Edward that she was taking me back to his place because I wasn't feel well. And it was true. I was feeling extremely sick to my stomach. But it wasn't any type of illness that could be cured with simple medicine.

She says he sounds concerned and would meet us there. He just wrapped up a meeting and will probably get home before we do.

My heart is suddenly pounding in my ears and my hands are clamming up. How do I even address the issue? Most importantly, why hasn't Edward said anything? The different emotions running through me are overwhelming. I roll down the window and stick my head outside like a dog to keep from hyperventilating.

"Just try to stay calm, Bella," Alice rubs my knee.

About fifteen minutes later, we're stopped at Edward's roundabout. His place looks quiet and foreign to me as if I've never been here before. Dell opens my door and slowly helps me out. I give him a weak smile, taking my car keys as he slips in the passenger seat next to Alice.

"Don't hesitate to call me, okay? Whenever you need me, even if it's in the middle of night—I'm there," Alice smiles sympathetically.

"Thanks," I force a smile. Dell gives my hand a gentle squeeze before they leave.

Taking a deep breath, I unlock the front door with my personal key to Edward's home and almost collide into him. He catches me in his arms as I stumble forward. "Bella!"

"You're home?" I blink at him.

"I rushed over as soon as I got the text from Alice," he says. "Are you okay?" He's feeling my forehead with the back of his hand. "Do you want to sit down?"

The only thing I can do is nod. He leads me to the living room and sits next me on the couch.

"Would you like water? Tea? Are you hungry?" His sweet gesture is making this conversation even harder to start. "Bella…talk to me. What's wrong?"

I look down at my fingers, holding back my frazzled nerves. "I heard about Tanya…" My words send a shocked expression across Edward's face. The revelation of him knowing cuts at me like a knife. "Why didn't you tell me?" I barely manage to get out.

"Bella…I…" Edward runs his hands through his hair, clearly lost for words.

I can't take this. I thought I was able to handle whatever outcome what going to transpire from this, but I can't. I can't do it. I have to leave. Alice was right. I need to be in a better mind frame for this. I stand up, ready to bolt.

"No, Bella," he quickly grabs my arm, standing up as well.

"Don't touch me," I say between gritted teeth. Tears are starting to pool in the corner of my eyes.

He looks torn and distraught, mirroring how I feel.

"I only found out about this today!" he says with frustrated features.

"So, it is true?" I ask, hurt dripping from my voice. "It is yours?" My fists are clenched at this point from the anger starting to bubble to the surface.

"No!" he exclaims. "God, I don't know…" he slumps back down, burying his face in his hands.

"What the hell do you mean you don't know?" I scoff, throwing my hands in the air as if this is some cruel joke. "You either slept with her while you were seeing me or you weren't!"

Edward stands again, his gaze intense. I want to look away but I'm captivated by his penetrating green eyes. "You should know me better by now Bella."

He sounds hurt but determined to prove his loyalty to me.

"Then tell me how you're involved in all of this," I furrow my eyebrows at him.

"Can you please sit down first?" he asks quietly. I feel more comfortable standing in case I need to make a quick getaway. "Please, Bella…" he adds, his voice pleading with me.

I finally sit opposite him in the recliner.

He takes a deep breath and begins.

"Tanya tried to tell me she found out she was pregnant the day she called me and you answered my phone…just before we made the trip to Forks."

Oh, yes…that day when I finally gave her a piece of my mind.

"I finally listened to my messages from her today and because I didn't bother bringing my phone with me on that trip, and Emmett and Rosalie refused to her where I was, I had a dozen missed calls and voicemails from her. I normally wouldn't have called her back but she sounded worried and frantic. She was even crying at one point."

"And when you talked to her, what did she say? That you were the father?" I raise an eyebrow.

"She's assuming I'm the father," Edward corrects.

The pain in my chest returns.

"So…you did sleep with her." I try to hold back the tears again.

"No, Bella…" he reaches out for me, but I stop him. I can't bear to have him near me at the moment. He slowly retracts himself, feeling rejected. "She says we slept together at the release party a few weeks ago, but as I told you…I don't remember much of that night. She could be pinning me to be the father, when I'm not. And I know for a fact we never did anything."

I remember him saying that Emmett told him he crashed in one of the rooms after Tanya went off to flirt with James Nomad and whoever else the other actor was with.

"But if you barely remember that night how do you really know you didn't do anything with her?" I ask, challenging him.

"Because I'd never do something that stupid Bella. Not to you. I know it may seem hard to believe but you have to trust me. I would never jeopardize our relationship because of Tanya or anyone else."

"Have you asked her about James?"

"Of course I have. How do I know she didn't go off with him into another room and he's the real father of her child? She says she only flirted with him but that was it…because she and I had gotten together."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I really don't know what to believe."

Because Edward doesn't recollect much of that evening, there's still a possibility he could be the father. Or James Nomad could be the father. Or some other random guy the father. Even Big Bird could be the father for all I knew. It's all so frustrating!

This time Edward gets on his knees in front of me holding my hands firmly in his. "Look at me Bella," he softly demands.

I hesitantly do as I'm told.

"You always come first. I still don't have a reason to lie to you. The day I do is the day I end my career."

There's so much conviction in his voice and I can't stop my bottom lip from quivering, trying so hard to hold back my tears.

"But what if the baby is really yours?" I whisper almost inaudibly.

It's a question I don't want to ask or hear the answer to, but I have to know. The chances that Edward is the father of Tanya's child can ultimately shatter the life we're slowly starting to build. The thought breaks my heart even more.

The look in Edward's eyes is devastating. "I don't want to lose you Bella," he says, his voice dripping with pain.

His words open the flood gates and I cannot stop the tears from falling. "I already feel like I'm losing you."

"No, baby. Never," he pulls me onto his lap and embraces me tightly. "I'm so sorry for what this is doing to you—to us."

I wipe my nose with the back of my hand in a very unladylike way and peek up at him. "You still haven't answered my question."

"I swear to you nothing happened between us. But…if it truly did and I blocked it out along with half the night then…" his hold tightens on me, "I have to take responsibility for it and how it will change things between you and I."

Tanya being a beautiful model with a long career ahead of her, surely she's considered what having a child will do to her own future. "And she's decided to keep the baby?"

"Yes, she has," he answers quietly. "And I cannot condone taking the life of someone so innocent. It's not its fault. My father being a doctor, I've heard enough stories of mothers being careless during their pregnancy and fathers not taking responsibility for the life they've created."

"You already sound like the baby is yours," I sniffle.

"What would you have me do Bella?" he sounds more frustrated than before. "Leave Tanya to take care of this baby that she's claiming is mine? Knowing Tanya, the press would eat me alive—not that I really care what they say about me. But I have to do what's right."

"But she has no real proof it's yours." I push away from him so we're sitting facing each other on the floor.

"And she has no real proof that it's not. Not until the paternity test I'm going to demand."

Is he saying what I think he's saying? "So you're going to play along with this for the next nine months?" I scoff in disbelief. I stand up and he's quickly on his feet next to me. "Why doesn't she just move in with you so you can look after her? Pamper her, rub her feet, run to the store to get whatever she's craving—the whole nine!"

The thought of Tanya winning Edward back is upsetting. The boiling water in the pot is overflowing and I cannot contain my emotions any longer. What does Edward expect me to do? Share my boyfriend with his ex-girlfriend who he supposedly is having a baby with but isn't sure if it's really his?

Oh, yes. I can picture the three of us living happily ever after in one big drama filled house. Or four, I should say, once he or she is born.

I feel like I've stepped into a nightmare I cannot wake up from. I really wish this was an episode of Punk'd. But I know it's not.

"You're not being fair Bella," Edward frowns at my outburst. "I know you're upset, but right now there's nothing I can do until I can prove the child isn't mine."

I laugh like a lunatic. "And what if it is yours Edward? Then what?"

"Then I would be there for my child," he answers with his jaw clenched.

Throwing my hands in the air again, I attempt to stomp out of the room but he's quickly on me, blocking my path, holding me tightly in his arms as I try to squirm away. "Let me go, Edward!" I cry uncontrollably.

I can see through my blurry tear-stained vision that he's trying to hold back his own tears. "If the child is mine—yes—I will be there for him or her. But it doesn't mean I'm going to be with Tanya. You're the only one I want Bella. You are my everything!"

"Don't do this Edward. Not right now," I sob. "I can't handle this. Please. Please…let me go," I beg.

With much hesitation, he finally lets me go and backs slowly away from me. "I'm so sorry Bella," he murmurs. Again, I can hear the pain in his voice.

At this point neither one of us can look at each other. I think he's said something else but I'm not sure. I'm too focused on running out the door and finding shelter somewhere far away from here.

I drive for as long as I can, not caring where I end up. When I finally pull over on the side of the road near some beach, the sun is beginning to set over the horizon. It's such a beautiful view that it eats at my heart and I cannot help but continue to cry uncontrollably.

Author's Note: Pretty intense chapter, yes? Before you take out your pitch forks and want to burn somebody at the stake (hopefully not me), just wait and find out what happens in the upcoming chapters.

There's only a few chapters left until this story wraps and I promise, everything will tie in together. Don't lose hope!

And please, don't forget to review. :)