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 fabulous ladies for their unending support and encouragement.

There was a fair split after the last chapter – some of you thought Bella was being a complete bitch and some of you understood her reasons for being so guarded. Bella's not assuming that Edward will be exactly like Mike … her fears go beyond that and begin with herself so don't be too hard on her. ;)

When You Least Expect It

Chapter Ten

Talking

I made myself a cup of tea before letting Edward lead me into the comfortable living room just off of the kitchen. I toed off my shoes before stepping onto the plush rug and joining Edward on the couch. Thankfully, the couch was a large L-shaped sectional and Edward sat down at one end while I went to the other and sat with my feet tucked under me. If he wanted to talk, he could at least appreciate the fact that I wanted to be comfortable.

I sat curled up with my fingers wrapped around my mug of tea waiting for Edward to tell me what he wanted to talk to me about. It didn't take him long.

"Bella," he began quietly. "I'm sorry about what Eric said yesterday. I meant it when I said I didn't put him up to it. I've never even really talked to him about you. He's going on assumptions and that wasn't fair to you or me."

I nodded.

"That doesn't mean that there wasn't any truth to what he said. I do want to be your friend, Bella. I want to get to know you. If I have to do that on your terms, I'm good with that but please, don't shut me out completely."

I listened carefully to everything he was saying and tears burned my eyes as they threatened once again to overflow. Every word he uttered seemed so sincere and the hopeful look on his handsome face had me wishing that it was easier for me to believe him. I wanted to but I wasn't there yet.

"Edward, I appreciate that you want to be my friend and I'd like that very much. I also hope that you understand that I have some trust issues. I can trust you as my employer but right now, I can't give you more than that."

Edward nodded.

"Can you … can you at least tell me what made you so distrustful of people, Bella?"

I gasped and held tightly to the mug in my shaking hands.

Of all the things Edward could have asked, he had to choose the one question that hurt the most. This time I couldn't keep the tears from falling. I made a half-assed attempt at wiping them away before beginning to speak.

"Usually when someone means what they are telling you – if there is any weight to their words, they'll look you in the eye. It's a sign of sincerity and honesty. My husband looked me in the eye and told me that he loved me and our son – that he'd do anything for us. We walked him to the car that morning and he promised that he'd see us the next weekend for Easter.

Edward, I haven't seen or heard from my husband since he left for work that morning. I can promise you it's not for lack of trying. Kaden has even left him messages which have gone unreturned. It's been ten months. How do you tell someone you love them and then walk away as if you never existed?"

I sat my mug down on the table next to me and pulled my knees up against my chest, wrapping my arms around them. I gently laid my forehead on my knees and let the tears fall. It was oddly freeing in a way – laying my heartache out for Edward like that. I may have been letting him inside the walls I'd so carefully built since Mike left, but I hoped that maybe it would help him understand why I was so guarded. It was also freeing because it was the first time that I'd cried over Mike since he left.

I'd come to terms with the fact that I was no longer in love with him but he was my husband, my first love, and the father of my child – for that I mourned the loss of him.

"Jesus, Bella," Edward muttered, rubbing his hands over his face. "I … I can't even imagine. I could never … ever do that to someone that I loved."

"I didn't think that Mike would ever do something like that either, but he did. What kills me is that the person who is hurt the most by it – is my innocent little boy. He doesn't deserve any of it. Kaden's the one good thing that Mike gave me – the one thing from our relationship that I could never regret."

"I'm sorry that happened to you, Bella. I'm sorry it's continuing to happen to Kaden. I wish there was something I could do for you …."

"Edward … I don't want your pity. My marriage was over long before Mike ever left. I guess we went through the motions because we felt obligated to after being together for so long. But for him to leave Kaden like that? It's wrong – you can't suddenly stop being a father."

My heart was completely aching and broken for my son in that moment. I'd given it more thought than I had since Mike left.

"No, you can't," Edward agreed. "Forgive me for being crude, Bella, but any jackass with a dick can be a father. It takes a real man to be a dad. My oldest sister, Rosalie …"

I nodded, interrupting Edward.

"Your mom told me about Rosalie. She told me all about your dad too. She's very lucky to have found someone like your dad, Edward. Guys like him are one in a million."

"Yes," Edward nodded. "And I am every bit my father's son, Bella."

I felt the cushion dip next to me and then I felt gentle fingers begin to peel my arms away from my knees. I'd been sitting in the same position for so long, I wasn't sure I'd be able to unfold myself but Edward ever so sweetly pulled me into his arms, draping my legs across his lap as he wrapped me up in his embrace.

"What are you doing, Edward?" I asked brokenly, my sobs still wracking my body.

"I'm comforting my friend, Bella. She's hurting and a little broken right now and if hugging her and holding her together is the only and best thing I can offer then I'm willing to do it."

"I'm sorry, Edward. I've been avoiding talking about this subject for this very reason."

"Why?" He asked as he wiped my tears. "Because you knew it would be painful or because you knew it would make you cry?"

"Both," I sniffled. "And because it's really embarrassing to admit that I failed and even more so that I'm snot sobbing about it in front of someone I barely know and you're my boss to boot!"

I sobbed a little harder as Edward attempted to draw soothing circles on my back and cupped my face in the other, wiping my tears away with his thumb.

"Bella … I'm trying to change that. My boss hat is off today. Right now I'm your friend and it's killing me that you somehow think your situation occurred because you failed. You did not fail, Bella. Mike failed you. He took your love and trust and threw them away as if they were nothing. I promise that I'll never be so careless if you would just let me in, Bella."

I don't know how long we sat there like that, with me practically sitting in Edward's lap, my head against his chest and sobbing into his shirt. I do know he softly whispered to me that everything would be okay – much like he did when Kaden was in the hospital. He was sweet and gentle with me as he tried to alleviate my tears.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because I woke up on the couch with a blanket tucked around me and there was a note on the coffee table next to a bottle of water.

Sweet Bella,

I didn't have the heart to wake you and I figured you could use the rest. I hope you're feeling a little better. If you need me, I'm not far.

Yours,

Edward

I sat up slowly, hoping that I wouldn't have a dizzy spell as a result of my crying jag and subsequent nap. I looked at my watch and realized that it was after three p.m.

Had I really been asleep that long?

I quickly folded up the blanket and left it draped over the back of the sofa where it had come from. I grabbed the bottle of water and my note, slipped on my shoes and headed for the kitchen.

Edward was seated at the breakfast bar typing away on his laptop and I couldn't help but giggle aloud because it was something that Eric usually did. Edward quickly turned and smiled crookedly as he saw me approaching.

"Hey, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?" Edward asked his voice full of concern.

"I'm all right," I murmured. "How long was I asleep for?"

"Ehh … a couple hours, I guess. It took a while to get you calmed down. I'm just glad that you got some rest once you did. I think you were more emotionally wiped out than either of us expected you to be."

"Edward … I'm sorry for breaking down on you like that. It's just … I've never talked about how it felt before. Alice, she knows everything of course but that's because she was with me when Mike and I first met. In fact, Alice is the one that encouraged him to introduce himself. But what I told you today – I've never told anyone else."

Edward stood and closed the distance between us, pulling me into his warm embrace once again.

"Thank you, Bella," Edward whispered against my skin before kissing the top of my head softly.

I nodded before pulling out of his embrace.

No matter how much I would have liked to have stayed there and lost myself in Edward, I knew I couldn't. I needed to do my job and eventually get home to my son.

I went to the sink and washed my hands before going to the fridge to pull out some vegetables. As I pulled open the door, I recognized some familiar colorful drawings. I gasped, one hand flying to my mouth as if it could hold in my whimpers and the other going to Kaden's drawing – reverently tracing over the images with my fingers.

"I hope you don't mind, Bella. I thought we could use a little color in here." Edward said shyly.

I looked at Edward once again with tear filled eyes.

"I don't mind," I whispered. "Kaden will be so happy to know they're here."

"Good," Edward smiled. "Bella, I don't want you to worry about dinner tonight. I'd like to order in if you don't mind. I think you've had all you can handle today."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes. But … I'd like you to stay for a while if you can. Have dinner with me. We can relax and watch a movie or something. Just be Bella for a little while – don't worry about running home to be Kaden's mom."

Edward's invitation sounded so good. It had been too long since I'd actually done anything by myself that wasn't work related. I hadn't even taken the time to book my spa day that Edward had given me for Christmas. I wasn't sure though that dad could handle getting Kaden bathed and into bed on his own.

"Let me call and check in with my dad. He's never had to put Kaden to bed on his own before."

I grabbed my phone from the counter and it immediately buzzed in my hand with an incoming call.

"Hello?"

"Isabella Newton? This is Officer Jenks from the LAPD. I'm calling in hopes of getting your statement regarding the accident you witnessed this morning?"

I greeted Officer Jenks and told him I'd be happy to give a statement and answer any questions he might have. I took a seat at the bar as I talked with him and fifteen minutes later, I ended the call. I was thankful that the incident was fairly black and white.

I called my Dad to check in and he insisted that they would be fine no matter what time I got home. I asked him to kiss Kaden for me and to be sure to read him a story before tucking him in.

"I know it's been a while since I've had a child of my own to tuck in, Bells, but I've got this. I can handle giving him a bath and reading him a story. We'll be fine, I promise."

"Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it."

"Yup. See you when you get home." Dad replied.

Edward was standing in the doorway with a small smile on his lips.

"Everything okay with your dad and Kaden?" He asked.

"Yeah, they're fine. I don't know why I worry about them so much … I just do I guess." I admitted.

"I think that's what happens when you become a parent, Bella. I'm sure that even though you just called and checked in with your dad – some part of him is still worried about you even if you are a grown woman."

"I guess you're right." I nodded.

"So … the million dollar question. What do we order for dinner?" Edward asked with a wry smile. "I've never had to order dinner for a professional chef before."

I giggled.

"What are you hungry for?" I asked.

"Bella …" Edward breathed. "That's a loaded question. Besides, I asked what you wanted to order for dinner."

I thought about it for a few minutes and then decided on a great little Thai place I knew of.

"Do you have your laptop handy? We can pull up the menu online," I suggested.

Edward pulled out his laptop and let me do my magic with the menu. I wrote out our order for him and he called and placed it, giving them his credit card number and instructing them to call Emmett's cell phone when they arrived at the gate.

"Do you want to pick a movie to watch?" Edward asked softly.

"Actually, I'd like to pour a glass of wine and then pick a movie if that's okay?"

Edward chuckled.

"That's more than okay, Bella. I think a drink sounds good actually."

Edward followed me into the kitchen and went straight to the fridge to pull out a beer while I went to the wine fridge and pulled out a Pinot Gris that I'd bought some time ago along with a wide selection of other wines just in case Edward ever had the need to entertain guests.

"Here," Edward said, reaching for the wine bottle in my hand. "Let me open that for you."

I handed him the bottle while I got a glass down out of the cabinet. Once he popped the cork, he filled my glass and raised his beer bottle in a toast.

"To friends," he offered.

"To friends." I nodded.

Edward followed me silently into the living room and told me where I'd find his vast movie collection. He had so many that I'd never seen before but wanted to watch. I chose one from the shelf and handed it to Edward.

"Really?" Edward asked, raising his brow. "I had you pegged as a romantic comedy kind of girl."

I laughed.

"I guess I am for the most part … everyone wants a happy ending right? I just don't think I could handle any more snot-sobbing. I think I've done enough of that in one day to last me a lifetime."

I curled up in the same corner of the couch that I had earlier, tucking my feet under me.

"We should wait to watch the movie when our food comes." I suggested.

"You want to channel surf until it arrives?" Edward asked.

"Sure."

Edward tossed me the remote and I started flipping through the channel guide and I stopped when I came across The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh on the Disney Channel.

"Ooh! I love this movie!" I smiled.

Edward took a seat not too far away from me on the couch and he shook his head as he watched me become completely absorbed in the animation I was watching.

"Let me guess," he chuckled. "Tigger is your favorite."

"Nope," I said, popping the 'P'.

"Eeyore?" He guessed again.

"Uh Uhh." I grinned.

"You surprise me, Bella. Who is your favorite then? Pooh would be too predictable for you."

"Christopher Robin."

"Really? Why?"

"Because he's where it all started. Without Christopher Robin, there wouldn't be Winnie the Pooh. Don't get me wrong, I love Pooh bear, but there is something about that adorable little animated boy."

We were quiet for a while, the only sounds between us was our occasional soft laughter.

"I almost named Kaden, Christopher Robin." I said softly, picking at the hem of my shirt. "Then I decided that Christopher Robin Newton sounded too stuffy and changed my mind."

"So you ended up with Kaden?" Edward asked quietly.

"Yeah, Kaden Andrew. But it fits him."

Edward nodded.

A few moments later, Emmett came in announcing that our food had arrived. Edward offered his hand and helped me off the couch. He got our plates while I unloaded the bag and opened the containers. We filled our dishes and Edward suggested going back to the living room to eat while we watched our movie.

I sat and watched the movie completely enraptured by what was going on in the film. It was so moving, I found myself in tears even though that's what I was trying to avoid.

"Hey," Edward said, moving toward me and offering me a tissue. "It's okay, Bella."

Edward pulled me into his side and tried to comfort me as I dabbed at my tears.

"I know," I sniffled. "I guess I'm just emotional today."

I looked down at my watch and saw that it was after eight.

"I better get going, it's getting late."

"It's only a little after eight, Bella." Edward argued.

I let Edward talk me into another glass of wine and a movie of his choosing. I fell asleep about half way through the movie and woke to Edward shaking me gently.

"Come on, beautiful. Let's get you home."

I yawned and tried to shake the cobwebs of sleep from my brain as I slipped on my shoes and gathered my things.

"I'll drive you home, Bella." Edward offered.

"How will you get home if you drive me home?" I asked.

"Emmett will follow us. I only want to make sure you get home safely."

I gave in because I was too tired to argue. I handed Edward the keys to my SUV and climbed into the passenger seat. When we arrived at my house, I told Edward to park next to my dad's truck in the driveway. Like the gentleman he was, Edward came around and opened my door and helped me out. He walked me to the front door and I turned to face him.

"Thanks for a great evening, Edward."

"Thank you for the company, Bella."

"Sorry, I fell asleep on you. Not once, but twice today." I apologized.

"It's okay. You had a bit of a rough day."

"Yeah," I laughed humorlessly, "You could say that."

Edward gently skimmed his fingers down the side of my face.

"Get some sleep, Bella. I'll see you tomorrow."

I nodded.

"Thanks again, Edward."

I opened the door and went inside. As I crawled into bed a few minutes later, I went over and over the conversations of the day in my head. I couldn't believe that I'd revealed so much to Edward in one afternoon. I felt embarrassed that I'd been so emotional, but it didn't seem to bother Edward whatsoever. I don't know if it's the conversation he was expecting, but he asked the question and I gave him an honest answer. I could only guess how the atmosphere would be for the next week at work.

A/N: Thank you once again for all the lovely reviews. I read and cherish each and every one. I apologize for not replying to more of them but I've got 4 other stories I'm working on at the moment and I'm in a time crunch to get 2 of them finished for compilations.

I hope y'all aren't hating on Bella too bad after this chapter. Her footing is a little shaky but she'll find it eventually.

Leave me a review, I'd love to know what you thought!