Sorry for taking this long to update, even longer than I wanted to. I'm a pretty impatient person so I know it's a drag having to wait for an update. But what can I say...RL can be a real pain sometimes.

Anyway, yes, Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

I own nothing, except this story and all my grammar mistakes.

Chapter 10

Time seemed to stand still whenever I was with Bella. We were in our own little bubble, not having a care in the world until I got a call from my father. Hearing his voice over the phone, saddened, bringing only bad news penetrated that bubble, making it weak and unstable.

Hearing not just the sad weak voice of my mother, attempting to make a conversation and not quite managing it without a few tears, but also knowing that my beloved son was not well made me worry. It was not the flu that worried him but the loss of his parents. As much as I understood he was no longer a cheerful happy child as he was, a loss of a just one parent would make you adjust, make you cope in only way you knew how, but now two as well? Not knowing if or when they will come back? It broke his spirit.

That's mostly what made me worry. What will become of him if the situation continues like this?

As Esme put him on the phone, I promised to talk to him everyday, several times if needed.

He seemed to cheer up a bit by that fact.

As for Bella? Well, I could see she was not resisting my companionship as she did in the beginning, and I might even hope to say that she even enjoyed having me beside her.

Along the weeks that passed, her health had gotten better, along with her appearance as well.

Looking much more different than the first time I saw her in that strip club. More natural. More...dare I say it...happy? Content? Peaceful with herself?

Her skin was coming back to its original form, flawless pale skin, with just a bit of blush evident across her soft cheeks, even a few -ever so lightly recognizable- freckles on her nose.

I stopped by on the way home to buy some more ingredients for the supper I intended to make.

After I was finally home, I saw that Bella was up, sitting in her usual spot.

I let myself in, greeting her, and putting the groceries on the kitchen table. Seconds before I was ready to prepare everything necessary, my phone rang.

BPOV

I was currently watching Edward while talking on the phone. The way his sudden change in mood shifted, almost instantly, as he was talking to his...no –our kid. It was still hard to say the word—son—let alone actually consider myself a mother. And how could I when I had nothing to compare it to, had absolutely no memories, or any kind detail of my previous life with him- no matter how small of a fraction it was or could be-and all I had seen so far, was the photo Edward showed me of him. Nothing else.

Not that I had anything against children, its just that...they all were pretty loud, annoying creatures who asked for your constant attention, and well, I always thought of myself as an independent person, one who just isn't fitted in this life to be a caretaker, or to even have maternal feelings.

As Edward talked to Tony, I could just see the kindness and love he had for that kid. I bet he even was- no- is -a very good father.

"So Champ, anything new happened today? You met a new friend in school? Well, is it a girl? No? Oh, so, is that the only reason you don't like them? Listen to me son, girls don't have cooties. No, they don't. They don't. Do not!"

Edward laughed, freely and completely, to every little thing the boy apparently said, even argued with him like this for what seemed a few minutes until the laughter stopped, and the sudden,surprised cough began.

He turned around to look at me, frowning.

Did he want something?

"Tony... See,mommy is...sick. She is still not feeling well. She needs her rest. No, she didn't lose her voice. Tony...listen to me. No, that's not what daddy is saying. Of course she wants to talk to you..."

As he kept looking my way, his forehead creased farther, the green eyes that I was very much used to looking was pleading me for help,yet at the same time apologizing.

For what?

I sighed, lifting my hand to reach for the phone, somehow knowing that if I don't intervene now, none of them will give up.

Edward sighed, half relieved, half worried. The crease on his forehead still not going away.

"Okay, buddy, you win, here is mommy. Be short though, and behave, mommy needs to rest so she can soon come home. Yes, home. I know. Say hello to grandpa and grandma for me, will you? Okay. Bye."

"Sorry." He whispered, before giving me the phone.

I cleared my throat. "Hello?"

"Mommy?" The small voice asked.

"Yes, this is she." My voice spoke, slightly shaking despite trying to sound strong.

"Daddy was right. It really is you." He spoke in wonder.

"Yes, I'm... right here."

"Are you okay? Daddy said you were very sick and that was why you can't come home."

There was that word again. Home. The way he spoke it out loud sounded very comfortable, safe, yet in a way missed as well.

"I'm...yes, very."

What could I say? I picked my words carefully. This kid, despite his age, was very insightful, somehow easily seeing right through your every word. And interested in everything. Almost nosy. Actually no, scratch that. Definitely nosy. But hearing his soft, childish, happy voice, the way he speaks, as surprising as was weird to talk to this human being -that Edward and I created- it was almost endearing, calming.Almost.

The sound of his voice made my insides started to fill me with some weird warmness I never experienced before. And need. But need for what? I didn't really know.

"I hope you will feel better so you can come home soon. Everybody misses you and daddy. Grandma and grandpa, Ally, and Rose, and Emm...everyone.

"Thanks kid."

Then he started talking about all the friends he met on his first day, and what they did in class. About his teacher, and the way he spoke so passionately yet urgently, talking so fast and animatedly, not wanting me to miss any single thing—I couldn't not smile at him.

Then I heard some fuss and voices over the phone.

"I have to go eat, Granny is making me, but she says that I can call you tomorrow. Can I? Can I?"

The kid sounded so hopeful and eager, that I just couldn't say no.

I could feel his grin over the phone, and for a moment I found myself imagining a grin that looked just like Edward's. Only smaller.

"Great. Got to go mommy, love you."

I froze for a moment at the simple words of love this kid confessed to me. To me, a person he hasn't seen for years, a person that left him,a person that even though seemed to lost her memories, was still selfish enough not to care who she left behind, only cared about herself, and her needs.

"You okay?" Edward asked, taking the phone from me.

I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I'm good." A lie.

"I hope he didn't bother you too much."

I waved my hand dismissively. "Nah. He was okay. Seems like a nice kid. He sure can talk though..."

Edward chuckled. "Yeah, tell me about it. The best thing I learned by now is to just let him let it all out. He stops ...well...eventually."

I bolted out from the bed, panting nervously.

"Bella, you okay?" Edward asked, startled by my sudden jump.

"I...it's just a nightmare. It was just a nightmare." I said this to both of us, repeating this constantly.

"Want to talk about it?"

I shook my head. "Not now. Maybe in the morning."

"Morning then," he agreed, his face inches away from mine.

This feeling of fear and terror I felt so strong in my dream for this child was not something I could just forget so easily. So quickly.

"Edward?" I called his name ever so quietly.

"Yeah?" He asked groggily, opening his sleepy eyes to look at me.

As I asked this question,I felt sudden shyness creeping up.

"Can you maybe...come closer, so I can, you know...maybe..."

Without continuing my pathetic pleading, not even knowing myself what or how I wanted to ask him this, he opened his arms, inviting me in.

I move closer to him so I could lie on his shoulder, which he in return instantly starts to wrap his arms around me, ever so gently, yet protective.

"You comfy? Good. Now try to get some sleep. We have to get up early for that doctor's appointment."

"But that's 26th."

"Which is tomorrow," he added.

I frowned, confused. Where did the time go so quickly? "It is?"

He chuckled low. "Yes. Now go to sleep," he whispered, giving me a kiss on the head before closing his eyes.

I really did try to go back to sleep, like he said -his presence felt soothing, his warmth and musky smell lulling me to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes all I could see is the boy in my dreams.

Crying, reaching his small arms toward me while something or maybe even someone, an unrecognizable shadow was pulling me to the other side, far away from him as possible.

Eventually, I did fall asleep but by the time Edward woke me up, I felt like I've been sleeping for a few minutes only.

We were currently in the waiting room, Edward reading some magazine, while me feeling so nervous that I couldn't seem to stop biting my nails. I hated doing that, a habit that took me so long to get out off, yet only to get sucked in again, biting them all off in a matter of minutes.

"Calm down Bella. Everything is going to be fine." Eward spoke calmly, taking my fingers in his, moving them away from my mouth.

"I just don't like hospitals. Never did."

An understanding look appeared on his face. "I know. We won't be long here. You'll see. Just take deep breaths."

For about a minute later, the nurse called my name. I knew I should have answered but I was once again so deeply invested in my dream from last night, that I didn't even register her.

"Bella," Edward whispered, "She's calling you."

"Mrs. Cullen?" The nurse repeated once again, calling me.

"Uh... that's me," I spoke awkwardly, walking towards her.

"Come with me please."

"Well, Mrs. Cullen, it seems you healed quite nicely. Unfortunately, the cast on your arm will have to stay for another two weeks."

"That's okay. So, do I still have to take the pills?"

"Not necessarily. Only if you still feel some slight pain that bothers you. And take only half,since they are quite strong."

"Will do Doc. One more question though."

"Shoot."

"Well,see,I was thinking...If I had the sudden strong urge to do some...exercise...soon, with..you know, someone...would that be possible, without any injuries reappearing?"

The Doc grinned, knowing what I was hinting at.

"Hmm...I would recommend to you that you take it easy for now, but I guess if you do some certain...exercise... it would be wise not to take it too far, if you get my drift."

I grinned. "Loud and clear Doc. Thanks."

"No problem. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to call."

"Will do Doc, will do."

As Edward and I were walking back from the hospital, we ran to none other than my boss, Mike.

He watched me with a surprising, shocked look, but quickly rearranged his features in to a polite smile.

"Mallory, so happy to see you. I see you are doing quite well."

"Hi Mike. Yeah, actually, I just came from the hospital with Edward."

He finally looked at Edward, a frown on his face. "Hi, I'm Mallory's boss, and you are...?"

"Bella's husband," Edward quickly spoke, his posture rigid, grabbing me tightly around my waist, possessively, protectively.

"I didn't know you have a husband."

"That makes two of us," I muttered.

"So," Mike continued,"What exactly do you do for living...Edward, is it?"

Edward's posture was still rigid. "I'm a businessman."

Mike smirked, taking a quick look at me "Well, I guess that's just another thing we have in common."

"I don't think so. See, my job doesn't really involve taking advantage of young, poor, defenseless girls who agree on using their bodies just so they wouldn't end up on street or worrying about not having something to eat."

"I don't do that..." Mike started to speak, disagreeing.

"Really?" Edward sneered, all politeness that he tried to fake, gone.

"Edward!" I whisper yelled. "Stop it!"

I pulled him by the jacket as much as I could-which was still not much, but somehow just enough so he could move few steps back, away from Mike's personal space.

After a few seconds of awkwardness, I was able to ask about the club.

"It's doing fine. Busy as always. So, Mallory, is there any chance you'll come back to work soon, as well?"

I didn't know exactly how to approach that subject, what to say, but before I even opened my mouth, Edward had the audacity to actually growl at Mike, speaking his own opinion.

"Fuck no!"

I ignored his answer, but tried to silence him with my bitch face look, before there was a chance he would say something else and embarrass me even further.

"I don't know when that will happen Mike. As you can see, I'm still not 100% healthy, and since I have to wear this cast still, for at least two weeks...that won't be quite possible."

Mike seemed disappointed in the answer he got, but quickly rearranged his facial expression from slightly disapproving to cheerful.

"Look Mike, it was seeing you but I really should go." I responded, watching Edward's impatient posture, his hands still around my lower back, holding me so close and strong, his nails so deeply digging into my skin,I was sure they already bruised me in some places.

"What the fuck was that all about?" I asked, pissed, as he closed the door behind me.

"What?" he asked nonchalant, like he didn't know what the fuck I was talking about.

"You know damn fucking well what! You humiliated me in front of Mike, not to mention acted like an asshole!Not even letting me think for myself, like I was some...some...idiot who couldn't even think without asking for your fucking permission. And then speaking for me, acting all fierce and protective like I was some goddamn damsel in distress!"

"And with every fucking right! He is disgusting! Watching you like that, like you're some piece of property...like you are his to do what he wishes just because you used to work..."

"No Edward, not used to...I still work for him," I corrected.

He sighed frustratingly, running his hand over his hair a few times before he calmly looked at me.

"Bella,look. Do you really think he hired you just because you needed a job? That he was being so generous towards you because he was feeling sorry for you? Because you had nowhere to go? He only hired you to get in your good grace, and eventually your pants, trust me."

I frowned. "Why would you fucking say that? It's not true."

He shook his head almost sadly. "You really don't see it don't you? You don't see how...how desirable you are. How they all want you, but guess what? They can't have you."

The way he said that, how his face expression turned from pissed, to desire,the way how his eyes suddenly burned with such strong wild fire surprised me. Over the weeks, I have learned quite enough about Edward as a person, his habits, and moods. What were his favorite movies, food, when he was in the mood to joke, or just brood, but never this. This raging fire that was burning so brightly, mixed with a hint of lust in his eyes that looked more like onyx, then usual light green.

I didn't even have a chance to respond before he grabbed me by the waist and kissed me.

I didn't really know where to stop, so I decided this would be a good ending.

And yeah, I totally took the name Mallory from WTTR. lol.

Thanks for reading.

As for Man down, I have written almost the entire chapter, and will post it in a few days. I promise.