A/N: I do not own Twilight, SM does. I am just having fun with these characters, especially Edward. Thanks to my lovely, generous Beta Gooseonline. Mistakes are my own 'cos I like to reread and tinker and my English is Australian English.

Well, our lovers ran into their first little hitch last chapter, let's see how they have reacted.

Chapter 13 - cup cake

"Thanks Angela," I said, politely dismissing her. "Keep me posted." I kept my comments vague because I honestly wasn't sure what project she'd been talking about.

I think she knew I wasn't really listening. She's smart that one. "Certainly, Mr Cullen," she answered quietly.

Yes, the staff have all been calling me Mr Cullen this week, news of my foul mood had permeated every layer of Cullen & Masen. Staff went to great lengths to avoid being too close to me for any length of time for fear of incurring my wrath. They jumped to escape from the elevator when I'd get in and all the staff review meetings I had scheduled for this week suddenly disappeared from my calendar. I suspect Jess had a hand in that one trying to protect her colleagues from paying the price for my all-consuming rage.

Poor Jess, she couldn't avoid me the way the rest of the staff could. I'd given her hell since Monday. I'd yelled about the coffee in the kitchen on our floor being bitter, I'd complained that she was typing too loudly, that she was tip-toeing around the office, that the lifts were too slow, that my office gets too much sun and that my office is too dark when it rains.

Yeah I know. I was being unreasonable.

After catching Emmett eating one of Bella's pastries in a meeting, I banned all food and coffee in meetings held in my office or the board room. I actually put that in the staff e-newsletter which Jess sends out each week.

Not my finest hour but fuck it. I don't want any reminders of her and it is my company damn it.

I was trying to get myself under control.

Lauren helped me try to work out and run my anger away to no avail. I went for long walks whenever I felt like I was going to explode, that just made it worse because I kept finding excuses to head in the direction of Bella's Bakery.

I knew I had to stop but I just couldn't stop myself. I was just so angry, I have always had trouble with my temper. And I have serious issues with trusting people.

Logically, I knew I should've waited to find out who that was with her and why they were so intimate with each other. I shouldn't have run, I know that.

Emotionally, I've just been hurt too many times before. With Irina and Kate I stayed long after I should've and been hurt more than I needed to be. As soon as I realised they weren't truthful with me I should've left but I didn't. I wanted to learn from the past. I wanted to protect my heart.

I'd been hurt so much in the past. It was hard for me to put myself out there. I wanted to trust Bella but the thought of her with someone else made me physically ill.

Bella had texted me, called me, she'd even tried to see me but Jess knew if she wanted to keep her job she'd better make sure Bella didn't get any where near me. I was frightened to hear what Bella had to say and I was frightened what I might say. I had to get myself back under control before I could speak with her.

Finally after I'd yelled because Jess had given me the wrong coffee mug, she'd had enough. She sent me home, banning me from the office until, and to quote her words, 'I got my head out of my arse and fixed things with Bella'.

I'd gone home and although it was only around lunch time I stripped off and fell into bed. I hadn't slept more than a couple of hours all week and I was exhausted.

After laying there for an hour staring at the ceiling I knew I had to find out what had really happened so I picked up my phone and I sent her a two-word text:

'Why Bella?… E'

She tried to call me but I rejected the call I couldn't stand to hear her beautiful voice it would kill me. When I didn't answer her call she sent me a text. I had deleted all her previous texts but I had started this conversation so I read her message:

'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I miss you… B'

A loud sob burst from me as I read her message but I didn't understand it.

Was she apologising for her 'wrongs'? Was she telling me to be patient? Fuck, I just didn't understand. She said that she missed me.

I read the message over and over again.

My phone rang again interrupting my confused thoughts, it was Emmett's ring tone so I answered it. "Brother," I said curtly.

"I hear Jess banned you from the office."

"Was there a purpose for this call other than to annoy me, brother?" I sighed, I was exhausted.

"Yeah, I want you to meet me at the decorative fountain in Freeway Park at three o'clock. We'll talk about whatever the hell happened between you and Bella."

"No fucking way Emmett. I don't want to talk to you or anyone else. She's not who I thought she was and that is that. I can't have it all, Em." I almost lost it as I said those words. I took a deep breath to regain control. "I'm going to lie here until I stop being angry and then I'll just get on with life as before."

"Great attitude dick head. Whatever has happened I am sure it is a misunderstanding. I know you've had your heart stomped on repeatedly in the past Edward but Isabella is different. You know this."

"Emmett, she was with someone else."

I could hear Emmett sigh on the other end of the phone. He spoke softly then, "You don't know that Edward. You have to trust if you are going to find love."

Was that what she was saying with her message that I needed to trust her? She has so many secrets how can I trust her.

"Emmett," was all I could say, I'm not even sure what I wanted to say to him.

He spoke more firmly this time, "Be at the fountain at three o'clock or I will come to your apartment with a baseball bat to beat some sense into you. I mean it Edward."

He did mean it, not the bit about the baseball bat but that he would come around here and I didn't want that either. So I gave in.

"Fine Emmett. But not because you threatened me. I'll be there." I sighed. I was just too tired to argue with him.

"Whatever dick head. See you at the fountain at three." He hung up.

Fucker.

There was no point in staring at the ceiling any longer I was never going to sleep. I jumped in the shower and ran steaming hot water over myself. I scrubbed myself from head to toe and then just stood there under the running water for longer.

What did her message mean? I ran through the words again and again. I knew the passage, it was from the Bible, Corinthians something or other. Anyone who's been to a wedding in their lifetime had heard this passage. It was so familiar to me. But why did Bella send it to me. What was she trying to tell me?

I knew Emmett was right I don't trust anyone. I knew Bella was different from Kate so why was I assuming that she was cheating on me? Maybe because she was coming downstairs from her apartment with him, he was touching her and she was blushing at him.

Fuck.

I shook my head and got out of the shower. When I was dry and dressed, I made myself a sandwich and sat down to eat. I decided to check all the messages I had ignored for the past few days on my phone.

I had deleted all of Bella's earlier texts without reading them. The only one remaining was the one she sent me today which just confused the shit out of me. I scrolled back to the beginning of my unread messages.

'Ed. I had dinner with Rosalie tonight. She's a winner! She said you were acting weird this afternoon at the bakery. You okay? … Em'

'Edward, you missed our work out this morning? Everything okay? …. Lauren'

'Marcus will arrive on Saturday … Uncle Aro'

'Happy to redo your work out schedule Edward. Exercise is a great way to exorcise your demons … whatever they are... Lauren'

'Edward, what is going on? Are you okay dumpling? I had a meeting with Bella today and she looked liked someone had stolen her puppy… are you two fighting? … Mom'

'Edward, you missed family dinner, are you okay? I haven't heard from you in two days. I've left messages. Call me … Alley'

'Edward, stop yelling at everyone at work or I'll have to kick your arse… Em'

'Son, call your mother, she's worried about you…. Dad'

'Hope you feel better, sorry I banned you from the office :) …. Jess'

'Hey shit for brains - mind explaining to me why my best friend and boss is a zombie this week and can't work in her own kitchen. When Bella starts burning shit I know things are serious, what did you do? Strike that, I don't want to know, just fix it Mister…. Rosalie'

How the fuck did Rosalie get my phone number and why is she hassling me. I'm not the cheater.

Bella is burning things in the kitchen. She's upset and can't work properly. Well… neither can I. Okay not a mature response. Dammit.

I shot a quick text back to everyone except Emmett as I was going to see him this afternoon.

'I'm okay Esme, just need some space. sorry I missed dinner … E'

'I'll call tonight Alley…. E'

'Sorry Dad been a shitty week… E'

'Thanks Uncle Aro. Let's get together Saturday or Sunday night for dinner once Marcus recovers from jet lag… Edward'

"I am sorry Jess. I am an arse. Thanks for covering for me this week. Might be time for a raise?…. E'

I held the phone in my hand and stared at Bella's message and read the words out loud ~

Love is patient - I can be patient sometimes

Love is kind - sure I can be kind

It does not envy - I don't envy okay well I do get jealous

It does not boast - no I don't boast

It is not proud - no that's okay

It is not rude - well I've been rude all week to everyone

It is not self-seeking - not really sure what this one even means

It is not easily angered - yeah, I am easily angered, I've been easily angered all week well for a bit longer than that really

It keeps no record of wrongs - isn't that what I am doing with Irina, Kate and Tanya and now Bella is paying the price

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth - truth but what is the truth, who was that guy? I suppose if I had waited to ask I would've found out… Idiot.

It always protects - I want to protect her

Love always trusts - I should've trusted her

Love always hopes - is she hoping I'll catch a clue and act my age, not my shoe size?

Love always perseveres - is she holding fast to us?

I miss you… B'

Fuck. I - am - an - idiot!

I picked up my phone and replied to Bella's text. I thought for a while of what I wanted to say to her to convey how hard it was for me to trust so she might understand my reaction and who better to explain heartbreak than Patsy Cline:

'"(You're keepin') too many secrets from me

But, baby, now I'm wise to you

You'll fool me like the others

And I know what you'll do

You'll find yourself a new love

And keep me a secret, too"

I told you I've been hurt before and have serious trust issues but I want to believe that love can always trust …. E'

I pressed send and hoped she'd understand the fear and the hope in my message. I sat staring at the phone and waited. After what felt like forever my phone vibrated and the familiar ping of a message came through. It was from Bella.

'Love is patient…. I can be patient …. B'

I smiled for the first time since Monday. A tear rolled down my cheek. She would be patient and I would try. I googled the lyrics for Nelly Furtado's 'Try' and found the words I needed. I typed out the text:

"Then I see you standing there

Wanting more from me

And all I can do is try

Then I see you standing there

Wanting more from me

And all I can do is try"

I want to try. I miss my sweet one… E'

I pressed send. Her reply came seconds later:

'Please. I want to talk to you explain what you saw. Please trust me. I promise I will tell you anything you want to know. Please baby don't run from me. Let me see you…. B'

She called me baby.

'Let's try again love. I promise I won't run this time. I promise. I have to see Emmett but can I come over to you after that say at five o'clock? …. E'

'Yes baby. Five would be perfect. Stay for dinner, I want to cook for you. I want to kiss you but most of all I want to talk to you. You've made me happy…. B'

'I am so sorry I ran… I won't do it again. I want you so much sweet one. See you at five… E'

I took a deep breath which felt like the first time I had breathed properly since Monday afternoon. She promised to explain and I promised not to run. We could do this.

I sighed and headed out to see Emmett. This wasn't going to be pretty, he was going to kick my arse and I deserved it.

I'd given Tyler the rest of the day off so I drove myself down to Freeway Park. When I arrived at the fountain I was reminded of what a beautiful Park this was. My mother used to bring me here when I was young and we'd meet my Dad for a picnic lunch.

He would walk here from his office, wearing his ever-present navy suit. Mom would bring a blanket and a picnic basket. I remember my mother and father would sit on a blanket snuggling and kissing while I explored the fountain and the beautiful gardens. They were always kissing. Funny I hadn't thought about that memory in a very long time.

I looked at my watch and realised that it was five after three and that my bossy bear of a brother was late. Fuck, this meeting was his idea. He forced me to come here and now he's late. I want to get to Bella's place. I can't wait to have her in my arms and beg her forgiveness for being such an immature asshole.

I was standing near the fountain thinking about how much I would enjoy bringing Bella here and walking through the park. That would be a nice third date, we could talk, hold hands, talk some more, maybe even have a picnic. I lowered my head and thanked the powers that be that I would get a second chance with my beautiful Bella.

I still had so many questions and at the top of my list was who the fuck was that guy with the ponytail? My hands were in my hair tugging it by the roots. She said she'd explain. I have to trust her and believe in us.

Then I heard her voice. Bella was here. I turned on my heel trying to locate her. I could hear her but not see her.

She was calling out and laughing, "Lil Bit, wait for me baby".

"No momma, Lil Bit walking I self," a tiny voice laughed back.

I looked to where the voices were coming from and I was completely confused by what I saw.

It was Bella. She was wearing skinny jeans, chucks and a deep blue long-sleeved blouse which made her skin look creamy and delicious. Her gorgeous mahogany-coloured hair was loose and flowing around her shoulders. She looked pale and tired but she was wearing this incredible, beautiful smile which just made me smile. She was reaching down to a little girl… a very little girl.

"No momma. No," the girl squealed while Bella growled and had her fingers curled into claws threatening to tickle, just as my mother always had done to me when I was little.

They were beautiful. They were laughing and smiling so naturally. The little girl was in all the colours of the rainbow with a sunshine yellow cap on her head, a bright red woollen jacket over a blue dress with pom poms dangling off it, green tights and multicoloured boot things.

So fucking cute.

I smiled. Wanting to be part of this happy scene I started to walk over when I stopped suddenly as reality sank in.

Wait… Momma? Did she say Momma? Bella had a child? But she told me she was a virgin? And this little girl must be at least three years old and Bella is only nineteen. That would mean she had this child when she was still a child herself fifteen or sixteen.

What the fuck?

I peered through the fountain and around the trees as they were playing and running. I tried to get closer without being seen so I could get a better look at the little girl.

She had Bella's beautiful rich brown locks which fell into curls all down her back, she had Bella's cute heart shaped face, she had her creamy skin. She was a mini Bella but with bright blue sparkling eyes.

I leaned back against the fountain and tried to catch my breath.

Bella lied. Had she lied to me about everything… about being a virgin, about no boyfriends.

We had been on two dates and there was no mention of a child or being a teenage single mother!

I tugged my hair at the roots. Was that man I saw her with the father or was this another man?

I took out my phone and was about to call Emmett. He'd set me up he wanted me to see this. But why? He would never intentionally hurt me. Emmett is my wing-man.

Damn it. I want to run. I looked down at my phone and instead of calling Em I pulled up Bella's text again … Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres… it should fucking say Love always hurts. Fuck.

Love? Was I in love with Bella?

I put my phone back in my pocket and took another long look at the happy scene as Bella and her child walked hand in hand along the path.

Yes, I was. I was in love with Isabella. I would not run. I would wait and she will explain this all to me. I would trust my beautiful sweet one with my heart.

My heart was racing and I was overwhelmed with the realisation that I was in love. For the first time in my life I was going to give my whole heart over completely. I couldn't stay away from her any longer. I couldn't pretend that I could live without this.

I would go to her place at five as agreed and she could tell me her stories and I would tell her mine. I could do that. I could be patient.

I turned to walk away when I heard Bella's voice again. This time though she wasn't laughing and I could hear the small child crying.

"Leave us alone, please. Here, take my bag, just don't hurt us okay."

Was she in trouble? I couldn't see them anywhere so I walked towards the last spot I had seen them.

I could hear a gruff gravelly voice "Oh come on sweetheart, we just want a little kiss. Give us a little kiss and we won't hurt the baby".

What the hell?

Bella pleaded letting out a little shriek, "No, please don't take my baby from me." The sound of a small child screaming pierced my heart and I stormed in the direction of the voices. I still couldn't see them for all the bushes and trees.

What the fuck was going on?

"Bella," I called out. "Where are you, love?"

"Please just take my bag. Give me my baby. No, please don't hurt me," she was sobbing.

"Bella, I'm coming sweet one".

I started running but they weren't on the path and there were so many different places they could be. I stopped and listened trying to isolate where the voices were coming from but the child's screaming made it impossible.

"Leave her, she's not worth the trouble and this kid is screaming," another voice shouted.

"Fucking bitch, too good for us, hey?" The other voice shouted menacingly and the then came a sound that sickened me.

A hard thump and the sound of something smashing against a tree.

"Bella!" I screamed.

"Oh Christ, why'd do you do that? You might've killed her, let's get out of here," the second man sounded panicked.

"Shit, she's not moving. Someone's coming. Forget the purse, drop the kid. Let's go." The first man sounded like he was already running.

Oh God, Bella!

"Bella, baby please where are you?" I begged.

Suddenly I caught sight of a flash of red, the child's coat. "Bella, baby is that you sweet one?" I called as I ran towards them.

Hidden behind some trees and lying on the ground was Bella, unconscious. There was blood on the back of her head where she'd obviously been thrown against the tree and a deep dark mark the shape of a large hand was already forming on her face. Her lip and nose were bleeding. Oh my god. The little girl was sitting next to Bella sobbing hysterically.

I sat down next to Bella afraid to move her. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and dialled 911. I gave them the best instructions I could as to our location given we were off the path near the fountain. It was hard to talk as the baby was sobbing uncontrollably.

I then called Carlisle.

"Carlisle, are you at the hospital?" I all but screamed down the line at him not even waiting for him to say hello.

"Edward what is wrong, son? Are you hurt?"

"No, it is Bella," I half sobbed. "She was mugged and they hit her. She's unconscious. An ambulance is on its way. I need you to look after her Dad, please. I don't know what to do."

Carlisle gasped but then slipped straight into Emergency Room doctor mode.

"It's okay son, I'll be here when the ambulance arrives," he assured me. "Edward? Is that a child crying?" he sounded confused.

"Yes," was all I could manage. I hung up the phone and looked down to Bella. She looked so small, so pale and so beautiful. My sweet one.

I sat down next to her and took the screaming child in my arms. "Shush, shush… Lil Bit." That's what I had overheard Bella call her, "Shush little love, your Momma will be alright. Edward will look after you." I was rocking her gently, "Shush now Lil Bit".

The baby girl sobbed and put her face in my neck as she held on to my neck for dear life.

"Momma okay?" she sobbed.

I pulled back as best as I could so I could look into her little face. She was so adorable, so much like my Bella.

"Yes Lil Bit," I said quietly and as calmly as I could manage. "Edward called for help for your Momma. She'll be fine." As I told her this I prayed that it was true.

A/N: Oh my. So how y'all doing? I got a bit teary along the way. Did you? Poor Edward his past experience guided his reactions but he caught a clue eventually. and what about Bella's Lil Bit? Okay. well I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Song credits:

'Too Many Secrets' by Patsy Cline Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

'Try' as written by Julio Reyes, Nelly Kim Furtado, Gerald John David Eaton, Brian West. Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Bible reference:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 New International Version (NIV)