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

No copyright infringement is intended.

HUGE thanks to my betas darcysmom and twimom817 as well as my pre-reader EdwardsMyObsession1971. Without them, this wouldn't be worth reading.

When You Least Expect It

Chapter Twenty-Five

Better

EPOV

"Are you sure, Ed?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Bella asked me to stay. I think today was kind of rough on her and she needs me to stay with her."

"All right. If you change your mind, just give me a call and I'll be back to get you."

"Thanks, Emmett."

I ended the call and turned my attention back to the gorgeous brunette in my arms.

"Come on beautiful, let's get you to bed."

Bella pulled from my embrace and walked to the patio door to let Koda out one last time while I checked the locks on the front door and turned out the lights.

I followed Bella into her bedroom and took the opportunity to use the bathroom while she gathered her pajamas. When I came out, Bella slipped into the bathroom and I sat down on her bed, reflecting on the day.

I was surprised when Bella asked me to stay. It had been quite a day for her and I thought that she might need a couple days to decompress, but when I pulled her into my arms, I knew that she needed me.

I was sure that she spent a good part of our trip to Disneyland on edge - waiting for the moment when someone recognized me. Mercifully that never happened, and we were able to have an amazing day together. When Bella's lawyer called to say that the judge had signed off on her divorce and the custody agreement, Bella was thrown for a loop. She knew it was coming but the finality of it hit her all at once.

I hadn't been to Disneyland in years and seeing it through Kaden's eyes was incredible. I thought he'd be shy with me and cling to Bella, but he was quite the opposite. Every chance he could get, he'd jump into my arms. Kaden's silly giggles and full belly laughs were music to my ears – and Bella's I was sure.

To everyone around us, I'm sure we looked like a family enjoying our day together. I asked Emmett if he would mind snapping a few pictures of us and I took a few of Bella and Kaden myself. I selfishly wanted them to take with me to Morocco when I left in a couple weeks. Time was dwindling down on us and I was dreading it. I was also worried about pushing Bella too far. What if my staying was too much for her even though she asked me to stay?

When Bella stepped out of the bathroom, she looked at me with a frown. Stepping in between my legs, she cupped my face in her hands and I asked her if she was sure she was comfortable with me staying.

"Edward, I wouldn't have asked you to stay if I wasn't comfortable. Besides … it was an invitation to stay with me – not an invitation for anything else."

An invitation for anything else wasn't even on my mind at the moment. I was tired and she was exhausted. I'd have to be a fool not to want her – which I did, but it the timing wasn't right. Especially not with Kaden sound asleep across the hall.

I exhaled sharply and looked up into her tired eyes.

"What?" She asked.

I explained that I wanted to do things right with her and that I didn't want to rush. Bella promised me that we wouldn't and clarified that she just wanted to sleep but she didn't want to be alone. She went on to say that we didn't have much time to ourselves over the course of the afternoon and while it wouldn't count because we'd be sleeping – she at least wanted to hold my hand.

"I think I can do better than that, Bella."

Bella crawled into bed and pulled the blankets down on the other side for me. I kicked out of my jeans and shrugged out of my shirt, folding them and laying them on the chair. I didn't usually sleep in a t-shirt but I didn't want to cross a line with Bella that I couldn't see. She pulled her hair out of the elastic band she usually kept it up in and her long mahogany locks tumbled down around her shoulders and down her back. I loved it down and I reached out to touch it in appreciation.

Bella settled down on her pillow, her hair splayed around her like a halo. I curled up behind her, pulling her soft, warm body to me and searching out her hand to tangle her fingers with mine.

"Is this okay?" I asked, hoping my anxiety wouldn't shine through.

"It's perfect," Bella whispered with a sigh.

Seemingly content, Bella relaxed in my arms and thanked me again for such a wonderful day. We spoke softly back and forth for a few minutes until the both of us drifted off to sleep.

What seemed like minutes later, I was jolted awake by the screaming of a very upset little boy.

"MOMMY!" Kaden screamed in the darkness.

I was lost in a haze somewhere between sleep and consciousness. I didn't feel Bella moving beside me but I knew she was still there because I could feel her in my arms. Koda began to whimper from beside the bed. My eyes flew open as I heard the scream again, and I sighed not knowing how mother or son would deal with the situation. Bella sat up beside me, and I reached over to turn on the light. She looked back at me – her face apologetic as she rose from the bed and went to Kaden's room. I could see the light come on in his room and I could hear Bella speaking softly to him even if I couldn't make out what she was saying. When the light in the hall got brighter, I realized that the bathroom light was on.

"I wanna sweep in your bed, Mama," I heard Kaden say a few minutes later.

Bracing myself for what was to come, I tried to wipe the sleep from my eyes as Kaden came bounding into the bedroom.

"Mister Ewward!"

I held my arms out for him and he immediately crawled into them. The way he nuzzled to my chest, I thought he'd had a bad dream so I asked him about it.

"Uh uhh. Had to go potty and da wight was out."

I nodded, chuckling slightly and held him a little tighter.

"You want to sleep in here with me and Mommy?" I asked.

He replied with a big smile and I scooted us down in the bed, waiting for Bella to join us. She was standing at the side of the bed with an unsure look on her face and I wondered for a moment if she thought I'd want to leave because Kaden wanted to sleep with us. She finally crawled back into bed and situated herself – giving Kaden some room. When we were all comfortable, I reached over and turned off the light. After reassuring me that everything was okay, we all drifted off again.

The next morning, I was woken by the sound of sweet little whispers.

"Mister Ewward?"

"Hey, buddy …" I said sleepily. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Shhh … Mister Ewward … Mommy's sweepin and I gotta go potty again."

I chuckled and realized that I could stand to use the bathroom myself. I rose from the bed and helped Kaden down, telling him to go to the hallway bathroom so we didn't wake up Mommy. After I helped him in the bathroom, I walked with Kaden into the living room and turned on the TV for him to watch while I did my thing. When I came out, I checked on Bella and saw that she was still soundly sleeping. For a moment I envied her, but then I realized that it was probably rare for her to sleep in. I decided to let her sleep as long as I could and I made my way into the kitchen to make coffee.

"Mister Ewward … I'm hungry …." Kaden whined.

He was so adorable – his hair sticking up every which way and he was still trying to rub the sleep from his little eyes. He reminded me so much of myself in the morning.

"Well then, let's get you some breakfast, Buddy."

He asked for some Cheerios and showed me where I could find everything to make him a bowl of cereal. I sat it down on the table and he climbed up eagerly – ready to eat. By the time he finished eating, my coffee was ready and I poured myself a cup.

"Mommy wuvs coffee. Her favowite cup is on da shelf."

I opened the fridge to find Bella's creamer and I wasn't disappointed. She'd told me of her morning coffee addiction over email when I was in Australia. I made a point to remember how much creamer she liked in her coffee so if the opportunity ever arose to make her a cup of coffee, I could do it without having to ask her how she liked it.

I poured Bella a cup of coffee and quietly carried it into her bedroom. I set it carefully on her bedside table. I wondered if she'd worry when she found the bed empty beside her and I decided to write her a short note. I found a few sheets of paper and a pen on the little desk she had in the corner of her room and wrote her a little note telling her that Kaden and I were watching TV. I set the note next to her coffee cup and leaned down to gently kiss her temple. Bella whimpered a bit and settled back into her pillow.

About twenty minutes later, I heard Bella's shower and I smiled hoping that she was enjoying a quiet morning. I hadn't realized that she'd entered the room several minutes later as Kaden and I were wrestling on the floor.

"Mommy!"

"Good morning, Little Bear," Bella smiled.

"Good morning, Edward."

"Good morning," I smiled back.

She asked Kaden if he was hungry, and he told her no that I had made him cereal.

"He did?" Bella asked in surprise.

I nodded and told her I hoped it was okay – quickly explaining that I didn't want to wake her because he was hungry. I figured that I was an adult and could handle making a bowl of cereal on my own.

Bella giggled, waving away my explanation before reprimanding Kaden because he wasn't allowed to watch cartoons in the morning before school. She asked him to apologize to me because he didn't correct me and I didn't know. Kaden apologized quickly and Bella turned to walk into the kitchen. I was immediately on my feet and following her. Again, I hoped that I hadn't stepped on her toes by getting up with Kaden. I thought it was better than him waking up Bella or not getting up with him at all. Maybe deep down on some level, I thought it might have been a test and I hoped to God that I passed with flying colors.

After taking Kaden to school, Bella pulled up my driveway to drop me off, but I wasn't ready to say goodbye to her yet.

"Do you have a few minutes?"

I hoped she had some time. Maybe enough for me to quickly shower and dress so I could take her to breakfast.

"I have all morning," She grinned.

"Can I take you to breakfast?"

"Sure."

Chateau Marmont was one of my favorite places. They were one of the few establishments in L.A. which offered a true British tea. My nana was from London and she encouraged my love for it.

Over breakfast, we discussed the evening before. Bella was in fact, a little nervous about Kaden and his reaction to me sleeping in her bed.

"It didn't even faze him. But I'm sure when he gets home from school he'll have a hundred questions."

"Bella, that's got to be normal right? If he didn't have questions you'd think that was wrong too, yeah?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right, Edward. I shouldn't be so worried about it but I don't know what to tell him."

"What do you want to tell him?"

"That's just it, Edward … I don't know. These last few weeks with you have been incredible. I enjoy being with you and if yesterday was any indication, Kaden adores you."

"Bella … thank you for letting me get to know him. He's an amazing little boy …."

"Thank you. I'm glad that you want to get to know him. I don't think there are many men that want to take on a woman with a toddler. That's a lot of baggage for a young Hollywood actor to take on."

I sighed.

"Bella, that title is only what I do – not who I am. I need – more than anything for you to believe that."

That was the truth. The characters I portrayed in my films were so far from whom I really was – maybe I needed a little more time to show Bella that before she believed it, but time wasn't something I had. I would be leaving in a few days' time for Morocco and I really didn't want a repeat of my return from Australia.

"I'm trying, Edward. It's hard for me to separate the sweet, caring man I've come to know from the Hollywood type I envisioned you being. It may sound funny or maybe that I've put you up on some kind of pedestal by imagining what you should be like. You're so different from how I thought you'd be. That's not a bad thing – in fact it's very good because … you're so … you're so much … better."

I was better than she expected me to be. Touche, Bella because you certainly weren't what I expected you to be either. She was so much … better. I couldn't contain my grin.

"Thanks, I think."

"You're welcome. Edward … how did you feel after spending the day with Kaden yesterday?"

"I felt normal. It was nice actually. I have to say I was quite surprised that he took to me so quickly but it didn't bother me in the least."

"Like I said, he adores you. After you put his drawings up on your fridge – he was a goner. When you came back from Australia and I was having a hard time pulling my head out of my ass – he asked about you. He missed you, and I did too."

Bella's beautiful face fell at her last words and I knew that she was regretting her actions but I didn't want her to dwell on it.

"Bella, it's okay – that's in the past. I want to enjoy the few days that I have left to spend with you and Kaden before I leave for Morocco."

Enjoy our time together we did. A few days later, I picked up Bella and Kaden and took them to the Huntington Gardens. Bella said that she wanted to go back and I couldn't deny her – it was so rare that she asked for anything. She packed us a picnic lunch and we sat and watched as Kaden explored a bit on his own.

"I hate that I'm not going to be able to see you and Little Man for eight weeks."

I hadn't even left yet and already my chest was aching at the mere thought of leaving them. Bella's eyes never left Kaden as she watched him inspect a grasshopper.

"Please don't remind me," Bella murmured.

"You'll have Alice around more to keep you company."

"If she doesn't drive me completely crazy. I don't remember being like that when I was pregnant with Kaden."

My thoughts went into overdrive. I immediately pictured Bella, her belly round and swollen from the precious life growing inside her. She was beautiful and glowing as she caressed her stomach lovingly. I wished that I could have seen her – experienced it with her. Before I could stop the words from tumbling out of my mouth, I asked her what she was like when she was pregnant with Kaden.

I wanted to know – needed to know what I had missed out on.

"Fat."

"Aww, Bella. You couldn't have been. I bet you were beautiful."

I smiled, still picturing her in my head.

"What are you thinking about?' She asked.

Her brows were furrowed and she began to pick at the grass at the side of the blanket.

"You and what you looked like when you were pregnant. Did you have a hard pregnancy with him because of the fertility issues?"

Once I started, I was on a roll apparently. It was like I couldn't get enough but I hoped that my question wasn't too personal or inappropriate. Again – I didn't want to cross a line I couldn't see.

"Actually, it was wonderful. I wasn't sick at all. There were certain foods I had to stay away from because even the thought of them would turn my stomach but for the most part it was a great experience."

"Do you want more kids?"

I had to know because the more time I spent with her and Kaden – the more I wanted them but I found myself wanting to experience everything with them- including adding another child into the mix someday.

"I always wanted more …" She smiled. "I don't think I want Kaden to be an only child. Siblings would be good for him … so yeah, I guess. I'd probably have to go through the fertility stuff all over again but that doesn't matter because it's worth it."

I wasn't sure exactly what Bella had to go through but I could agree with her – Kaden was worth it.

"He's amazing, Bella. He's healthy and happy – there's not much more you could ask for. He's also crazy about his mom."

"He's my world …." Bella smiled.

"Let me be a part of your world too, Bella," I whispered into her sweet, soft skin.

I hoped my plea hadn't fallen on deaf ears. There was nothing more I wanted in the world at that moment than to be a part of hers and Kaden's life. If I had to beg a little to get her to let me in – I would.

Bella cupped my face in her hand and kissed me softly before touching her forehead to mine.

"I'm trying, Edward."

For the next few days, Bella would come to work in the morning and she'd pick Kaden up to bring him back to my house in the afternoons. Kaden and I spent the afternoons playing while Bella did her thing in the kitchen. We'd eat dinner together in the evening and usually sat down to watch a movie afterward. Not only was it relaxing, but it was nice – I got a chance to get to know Kaden and spend time with him without Bella's influence.

One afternoon, I had taken Kaden up to my music room. I thought he might like to tinker on my piano with me and I wasn't wrong. He loved it and was anxious for me to show him simple melodies. He was young but he caught on quickly. When he tired of the piano, we sat down on the cool leather couch with a book. Kaden crawled into my lap and settled his head on my chest. The next thing I knew, soft, warm lips were pressing against my temple and gentle fingers ran through my hair just above my ear.

I looked over at Bella sleepily and she had the sweetest smile on her face.

"If you two aren't the cutest things I've ever seen …" She giggled.

I looked down at the little boy sleeping in my arms. Kaden was out cold – and Bella was right, he was one of the cutest things I'd ever seen. His blonde hair was matted against his head and it was hanging down in his eyes. It had gotten quite long and he was in need of a haircut. I gently pushed his hair away from his angelic little face and kissed his forehead.

"I think I wore him out," I chuckled.

"I'd say so …." Bella grinned.

"I need to take him to Alice so she can cut his hair. He's way overdue."

"Speaking of Alice … I've asked her and Jasper over for dinner tonight. I hope that's okay. I meant to tell you earlier and I got so wrapped up in Kaden that it slipped my mind until now."

"I guess it's a good thing Alice told me then isn't it?" Bella giggled.

I wished that I could have bottled up her giggles and Kaden's belly laughs so that I could take them with me. Unfortunately, I'd have to commit them to memory and think of them often while I was away. I only had two more days with them.

"What's on the menu for tonight?"

"I'm making a big pot of spaghetti and some cheesy garlic bread."

"That sounds so good."

"I'm glad you think so because it's too late to change the menu now."

We decided that it would be best if I carried Kaden downstairs and laid him down on the couch in the living room. I offered to lay him down in either my bedroom or the guest room but Bella thought it would be better to put him close to where she was and in a familiar place. The last thing we wanted was a frightened little boy.

Alice and Jasper arrived just before six with bottles of wine in hand. Alice waddled in adorably and gave Bella a hug.

Jasper and I stood in the doorway between the living room and kitchen watching both the exchange between Bella and Alice and the little toddler who was happily playing with some trucks on the floor in the living room.

"You owe Alice and I huge, man." Jasper grinned.

"Why?"

I was completely confused as to why I'd owe him and Alice a favor.

"Because Alice is telling Bella that we are taking Kaden for the night so the two of you can have a little time together before you leave. She's decided that the two of you need some time without Kaden underfoot."

Thank goodness for the little pixie – if I could have kissed her for offering I certainly would have. I would have loved some alone time with Bella but I knew that Kaden had to be looked after and the last thing that I wanted to do was ask Bella to shirk her responsibilities so I could be greedy with her time.

"I appreciate that, Jazz. I'd never ask Bella to do something like that just so we could spend time together. The last few days I've spent with them have been some of the best days for me, but you're right – I need some alone time with Bella."

"I know, and Bella knows it too. She talked to Alice about it apparently. Since we're leaving in a couple days, Alice thought it might be nice if we took our Godson since we haven't seen him much lately and we also want to explain to him about the new baby."

"I'm sure he'll be excited about that."

Jasper chuckled.

"I'm sure he will – and even better it's a boy so he'll have someone to play with when the baby gets a little bigger."

A little while later, Bella called us all to dinner and Jasper and I carried the wine to the table as Bella fixed a plate for Kaden.

Bella stepped back into the kitchen to get the garlic bread and I followed her quietly.

"Hey," She smiled.

"Hi," I grinned back at her.

"Jazz and Ali are taking Kaden home tonight."

"So I heard. Are you okay with that?" I asked, searching her face for any signs that she was uncomfortable with the arrangement.

"Yeah … he loves staying with Jazz and Ali. It's nice to get a little time to myself once in a while."

"Oh … I was hoping maybe you'd stay and keep me company for a while."

Bella looked over at me with a shy smile. She reached up on her toes and gently kissed my cheek.

"I'd love to," she whispered.

Knowing that I'd have Bella all to myself for a few hours in the evening made my heart thrum in all the right ways, and I wanted dinner to be over with as soon as possible.

A few hours later, I watched as Bella pulled out of the driveway with Jasper and Alice following closely behind her. She was going home to pack up some things for Kaden to take with him on his sleepover before coming back over to my house. I had pushed her out the door promising that I would take care of the dishes in her absence so that when she came back we could settle in on the couch with a movie.

Maybe it was a little generic, but Bella promised me she didn't care.

"I'd rather be at home than out anyway. I'm such a homebody."

That suited me just fine.

A/N: So Edward is leaving soon and Bella's letting in him in! They're a little closer to becoming the little family they should be!

Thanks again for all your lovely reviews! They make me smile more and more with each one I read! =D

Next week's update is a little longer than usual, but I'm sure you won't mind that right? See you then!