All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer; I just like to play with her characters.

No copyright infringement is intended.

HUGE thanks to darcysmom and twimom817 for beta'ing and Edwardsmyobsession1971 for pre-reading. HUGE love for these fantastic ladies.

Ugh y'all ... starting tonight at Midnight the rest of forever begins. The finale to our beloved Saga is here and in honor of that, I've decided to post a second chapter this week. If you're sitting in line today (like me) - I thought you'd appreciate a 'lil something to read.

I've spent the last week at Tent City and had the privledge of hanging out with some pretty awesome people. I got to stand on the black carpet and meet pretty much the ENTIRE cast of our beloved Saga. Stephenie, Rob and Kristen being the big three and because of that, I have not been replying to reviews like I normally would but that doesn't mean that I don't read and cherish each and every one of them. So many of you have fallen in love with this story just as I have fallen in love with the characters writing it - so THANK YOU. Also ... When You Least Expect It was one of the Fics of the Week at the Lemonade Stand so thanks to everyone who voted. Y'all are THE BEST! Now ... on to see how Kaden's doing.

When You Least Expect It

Chapter Eight

Glad Tidings

Monday morning, Kaden was feeling much better. I had to take him to a follow up appointment with Dr. B. that afternoon, but he seemed to be back to his usual three year old self.

I hadn't heard from Edward since his last text on Friday night. That may have been a good thing. My dreams that night were filled with visions of him and I chastised myself the next morning because I shouldn't be thinking that way about anyone let alone my boss. Besides, Edward had issues of his own to work through.

On my way to Edward's that morning, I worried that things would be awkward between us because of the embrace we'd shared.

When I walked into the house, I could hear Eric talking in the kitchen. I smiled and waved at him as I set my things on the far end of the counter. He was on the phone as usual and I didn't want to interrupt him. I emptied the shopping bags that I'd brought with me. I figured it had been a few days since I'd last been there and no one had been shopping in my absence.

I pulled out some potatoes and onions and set about making a frittata when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"How's Kaden this morning?" Edward asked.

I turned to look at him and he looked awful. There were dark circles under his eyes, and it looked like he hadn't shaved in a few days. His usually sparkling green eyes were dull and blood-shot.

"He's good. Doing much better, thank you. How are you?" I asked concerned.

"I'm all right. Glad to see that you're back."

I gave him a small smile and went back to my task.

"Bella?" Edward asked.

"Hmm?"

"Will you make that pizza again? You know the one you made when I first came home?"

"Of course, Edward," I giggled.

The next few weeks went by in much the same way. There was never any of the awkwardness that I feared when I returned from Kaden's hospital visit. Conversation between Edward and I was light and easy. Both of us respecting the others boundaries.

The holidays were in full swing – everywhere except Edward's home. The only thing that even remotely resembled the holidays in Edward's home was the aromas that wafted from the kitchen. Granted, it didn't make sense for a single man to decorate his house but there wasn't anything that hinted a holiday was only days away.

One particularly chilly morning, I was taking cinnamon rolls out of the oven when I heard Edward's voice. He was talking on the phone and it sounded like he was talking to Esme.

"Yes, Mom, I'll tell her. I will, don't worry about it."

He put his hand over his stomach and winced as he saw me put the warm rolls on the counter in front of him. They were gooey and smelled so good. Edward set his phone down on the counter and took a seat on one of the barstools.

"I think you're trying to kill me, Bella. Those look and smell amazing."

"I'm not trying to kill you," I giggled. "It's chilly outside today and it's supposed to rain this afternoon. I thought comfort food sounded good."

"Mmm …" He hummed. "It does sound good. What's for dinner tonight?"

"You have your choice. Chicken Noodle soup or Chili."

"Are the noodles homemade?" Edward asked.

"Is the Pope Catholic?" I grinned.

"Then I want the chicken soup," Edward grinned back. "Umm … I wanted to talk to you about something, Bella."

"Sure, what's up?"

"I'm going to be leaving for a few weeks. I'm going to spend the holidays with my parents and my sisters. I'm leaving in a few days and I won't be back until sometime in January."

"Okay …."

"I just don't want you to worry. You're still going to be paid while I'm gone it's in your contract."

I nodded not knowing what else to say.

"I'll be home for a couple weeks in January before leaving to film my next project. I leave at the end of January and I won't be back until mid-March."

I nodded again.

"Bella … if you need anything – anything at all while I'm gone, I want you to call Eric, okay? I'd tell you to call me, but I won't have my phone on me while I'm filming. Promise me that if you need anything you'll call."

"I promise," I whispered.

Thanks to my job working for Edward, I was able to give my son a fairly good Christmas. My dad was never one for doing anything big for the holidays since my mom passed, but I loved them. Our house was always decorated – a big, beautiful tree in the front room decorated with glistening ornaments; an ornate nativity spread across the top of our piano while my collection of beloved snowmen decorated every other available surface.

When we moved from Tacoma, I went through all my Christmas decorations and only brought things that I couldn't live without; my snowmen, nativity and my Hallmark Ornaments. Kaden had a blast helping me decorate my dad's house and for the first time in what seemed like years, my dad was truly happy.

It was a few days before Christmas and I was officially off until Edward returned from his parent's house. He was leaving that evening and I'd already given him a huge tin of treats to take home to his family. I wanted to get him something but there wasn't anything in the world that he couldn't get for himself if he wanted it, so I thought a tin of his favorite goodies would suffice. However, getting the list of his favorites out of him was like pulling teeth.

"What are your favorite kinds of cookies?" I asked.

"Are you making cookies?" Edward asked his face lighting up.

"Maybe … if you tell me what kinds of cookies are your favorites?"

"Bella … I'm sure I'll love anything you make."

"But I specifically asked you what kinds of cookies YOU like, Edward. I could make all my favorite kinds of cookies and you could hate them. That wouldn't be very enjoyable for you."

"Bella … unless you make mushroom cookies, I think whatever you make will be just fine."

I huffed as I pulled out the flour and sugar. Then I went to the pantry and pulled out vinegar and anything else I could find that sounded like a vile ingredient for a cookie.

"What are you doing with those?" Edward asked, raising his brow at me.

"You did say you'd eat anything that I make …." I trailed off, heading to the fridge.

"Ugh … are you serious? You'd ruin a batch of cookies just to see if I'd eat it?"

I pulled out the mixer and began to mix together several ingredients – one of which was vinegar.

"What are you making with that?" Edward asked almost offended.

"Vinegar pie. My gran used to make it for my grandpa. It was his favorite."

"That … sounds disgusting." Edward chuckled, shaking his head.

"Why is it that you don't have a problem telling me what you don't like, but when I ask what you do like you're indifferent?" I asked with a wry smile.

I watched Edward as he took a deep breath and sharply exhaled.

"White chocolate macadamia nut, iced sugar cookies and snicker doodles – those are my favorite kinds of cookies." Edward admitted.

"That wasn't so hard was it?" I asked, but I could see the unhappy expression on his face.

"Uhh … Lauren was the last person to make my favorite cookies. She liked to cook when she had the time."

I felt like a bitch for pushing him. I should have known there was a reason he was so hesitant to tell me.

"I'm sorry, Edward."

"No … don't be sorry, Bella. That's my issue to deal with. It's just that the last time she made something for me was the day before all those pictures came out. It was like she was trying to soften the blow. She made cookies for fuck's sake."

I could see all the anger lying just under the surface and it seemed as if it would come spilling out of Edward at any moment.

"Edward …" I whispered. "It's just that you've done so much for me – especially when Kaden was sick. I wanted to make something that you could take with you to your parents. There isn't anything I could buy you that you can't buy for yourself so I thought I'd make you something. Christmas is my favorite holiday next to Fourth of July and it's the only time of year that I go a little crazy baking," I rambled.

"Bella …" Edward said softly, "It's okay. I love the fact that you want to make cookies for me. Even more that you want to make them for me as a gift. You don't need to give me a gift, Bella. You give me everything just by being here and cooking for me every day."

"Edward …" I giggled, "You pay me to be here."

"True, but I don't pay you to talk to me or be nice to me. On more than one occasion you've come to my rescue and saved me from myself when you didn't have to – but for some reason you did it anyway."

"I'm not unfeeling, Edward. You were hurting – you still are to some extent. I completely understand the compulsion to stay numb."

"Bella, my offer still stands. If you ever want to talk … I'll be there to listen when you're ready. I know the holidays won't be easy."

"Thank you, Edward, I appreciate that. I may take you up on that someday."

I turned my back and went about my day. I stayed late that afternoon, carefully packing up all the cookies that I'd made so that Edward could take some home to his family and so that Doug and Eric could take some as well.

As I made dinner that night for Kaden and my dad, I watched from the kitchen as Dad sat in his recliner reading Kaden a story. Koda was lying on the floor beside them. I was taking a roast out of the oven when I heard the doorbell and Koda began to bark.

"I'll get it, Dad. Stay where you are," I said, wiping my hands on my apron.

"Koda, sit!" I commanded.

I opened the door to find Edward standing on my doorstep. His hat and jacket were wet from the rain.

"Edward …"

"Umm … hi, Bella. I'm sorry to bother you but I forgot to give you your Christmas gifts earlier. I didn't want you to have to wait until next month to get them so I thought I'd drop them off on my way to the airport."

"Gifts? Edward, you didn't have to …."

"I know I didn't have to, Bella. I wanted to. These are for you and Kaden."

Edward handed me two envelopes; one was thick and addressed to me and the other one was thin and addressed to Kaden.

"No peeking before Christmas." Edward grinned in warning as he turned to walk away.

"Edward! Thank you! Have a safe trip, okay?"

"I will, Bella. Merry Christmas." Edward smiled as he ran back toward his waiting car.

"Who was that, Bella?" Dad asked from the living room.

"That was my boss. He came by to drop off Christmas presents for Kaden and me."

"Well, that was awful nice of him." Dad grumbled.

"Dad … he didn't want us to have to wait until January that's all."

"Like I said, that was awful nice of him."

I handed the envelopes to Kaden and asked him to put them under the Christmas tree.

A few days later, after we'd finished opening the gifts that were wrapped; Kaden pulled the envelopes out from under the tree.

"Mommy … we still has deez to open."

I took the one with my name on it from him and told him to open his. Inside it was a voucher for an annual pass to Disneyland.

"Look, Mommy! Mickey!" Kaden cried.

"I see that, Little Bear. That was really nice of Mr. Edward. You'll have to draw him a picture to thank him, okay?"

"Will he put it on the fridgidator?" Kaden asked.

"I don't know, Little Bear, maybe."

I opened my envelope expecting the same thing and I wasn't disappointed. What I wasn't expecting was the gift certificate for a full day for myself and a friend at an upscale day spa. There was also a card tucked into the envelope and it read:

Bella –

I hope you and Kaden have a wonderful holiday together. Please accept these gifts as a token of my appreciation. It is my sincere hope that you use the day spa certificate to relax. You do so much for everyone else that you deserve some time to yourself to be pampered. I hope that you will use the companion certificate and take your friend, Alice.

Merry Christmas,

Edward

I looked up from the card to see Kaden running over to Dad to show him what was in the envelopes.

"Wow … annual passes to Disney. That was nice of your boss," Dad said gruffly.

"Yeah, it was really nice of him." I mused.

Later that night, after dinner, I decided to send a text off to Edward to thank him. Not two minutes later I received a reply from him.

Merry Christmas, Bella. You and Kaden are so very welcome. I wanted to give you something that you could enjoy together. – E

Kaden's never been to Disneyland so I'm sure he'll enjoy it. Thank you again. I hope you're having a nice holiday. – B

I sent off my text thinking it would be the last but Edward had other ideas. We texted back and forth for another hour before I was too tired to keep my eyes open any longer.

Edward … it's late and I'm exhausted. It's been a big day. Can we talk again soon? – B

Absolutely. Get some sleep, Bella. Merry Christmas. –E

I didn't hear from Edward again until New Year's Eve. I had left Kaden with my dad and gone over to Alice's loft for her annual New Year's Eve party. Of course, she only wanted me to come so I could cook. It did give me time to ask her to come with me for a spa day.

"He gave you a day at the spa?" Alice asked, shocked.

"Yeah. It was a gift certificate for two. He didn't want me to go alone but he wants me to take a day to pamper myself, I guess."

"Ugh … he is so sweet, Bella! How could anyone willingly let this man go?"

"Alice! That's none of our business!" I snapped.

"Bella … I think he really likes you. If he didn't, he wouldn't have done that for you."

"Alice! Just stop! Stop, okay? I can't think about how Edward does or doesn't feel. On the off chance that he does care for me – I'm not in a position to accept his affection."

"Bella … have you told Edward about Mike?" Alice asked sadly.

"No. He's my boss. It's not like it comes up in everyday conversation."

"You don't trust him," Alice observed.

"I think I've earned that right, don't you? After everything that Mike has put me and Kaden through – I've more than earned the right to be careful and choose who I trust. I'm just not there with Edward yet. He's a nice guy, don't get me wrong but in the business that he's in anything can happen. I have Kaden to think about too."

"Bella, honey, I know it's scary to think about putting yourself out there, but sooner or later you're going to have to. Why not take a chance on a nice guy?"

"Alice …" I groaned. "We don't even know if he likes me. Geez … why do I feel like a teenager? Besides, I took a chance on Mike and look where that landed me."

"Bella … Mike wasn't bad in the beginning. You had no idea then that things would turn out the way they did. Besides … you got Kaden out of the deal, so Mike wasn't all bad."

"That's true," I admitted.

I spent the rest of the evening chatting with a few of Alice's co-workers who I knew from the short time I'd worked with them. Alice's boyfriend, Jasper and I spent a lot of time catching up too. It had been a while since I'd seen him and we'd been friends for several years. Just after ten p.m., I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and I pulled it out to see that I'd gotten a text from Edward.

Happy New Year, beautiful Bella. – E

If his goal was to make me smile, he achieved it.

It's not midnight here yet and I'm not sure where you are but Happy New Year to you too. – E

I'm on the right coast and its 1 here =P – E

Did you have a good time tonight? – B

I had a GREAT time! I'm a lil drunk right now =P – E

I couldn't help but giggle at how adorable he was being.

Glad you had fun. Be safe, okay? – B

Always. I miss you, Bella. – E

I didn't know what to say to his last text. I couldn't tell if that's how he really felt or if it was the alcohol talking.

"Texting Edward?" Alice asked over the thumping music.

"Yeah." I nodded showing her the conversation.

Alice sighed and hugged me tightly.

"Come on, honey, let's dance."

A/N: I think I like a drunk texting Edward ;) I hope this gives you a tiny bit more insight as to what is going on in Bella's head. She's struggling a little bit. She likes the idea of Edward's affection but she doesn't quite know what to do with it; how to handle it. She's thinking she's still married and that thought bothers her a little bit - even if Mike was the one to walk out on her, she feels that by accepting Edward's affection - she's cheating. Now if we could get her to explain that to Edward ...

Since I gave ya a little something something extra this week - I'd love to know what you think!