Disclaimer: Stephenie owns the names. I make them do stupid things.

Chapter 18 – The Prodigal Returns (for real this time)

EPOV

The days after my meeting with Mr. Morgan passed excruciatingly slowly. Morgan & Morgan did have a branch office in Seattle, but I wasn't moving to Seattle. Mr. Morgan trusted me to start up an annex firm that would be stationed in Port Angeles. It was flattering that he had so much faith in me but exceedingly nerve-wracking in the same instance. Even more than that, though, I was excited. I would get to do what I loved and be with my son at the same time.

The rest of February was a blur. At work I was busy telling my replacement of last minute adjustments and preparing for the ground-breaking of the new building. In my free time (what little there was) Mr. Morgan was trying to get me ready for running the new office. Everything was going smoothly at work; home, however, was a different story. It was as if I'd never known all of the shit I'd accumulated in the five years I'd lived in my apartment. Every closet was full of just… stuff.

I started packing and shipping things I would need in Forks, like clothes and appliances, then I started a pile of things to donate. The less I had to ship meant the less money I had to spend, so I decided to leave my furniture. The house in Forks was fully furnished and none of my things were irreplaceable anyways.

Since I would need someone to be in Forks and open up the house for the movers, I made an uncomfortable phone call and got things straightened out.

My fingers shook as I dialed the number. I tried to steady my breathing as it began to ring.

"Chief Swan," the voice on the other end of the line answered quietly.

"Emmett? It's Edward," I said.

"Edward? Hey man, listen I can't talk right now -" he started but I cut him off.

"I'm moving back," I stated quickly.

"What the fuck did you just say?" His voice was a loud whisper.

"I'm moving back," I repeated, feeling the smile on my face. "I need someone to be at the house sometime this week when some of my things arrive. I was kind of hoping you would do it, I mean, if you don't mind?"

"Sure man, no problem… Did you tell Bella?" Emmett asked.

"Uh, well… I was actually hoping you wouldn't say anything just yet," I mumbled.

"You're kidding, right?"

"About which part?" I asked, confused.

"You want me to keep this from my sister?"

"Please, Emmett? Just for a week or so. I just want to get there first," I pleaded with my best friend, hoping he would comply. I wasn't trying to keep things from Bella and Masen; I just wanted to actually be there before I said anything. I didn't want either one of them to doubt that I was coming.

Emmett was silent for a long moment before he sighed softly.

"Fine," he mumbled.

"Thank you," I said fervently, hoping he knew how grateful I was.

"Well… I'm not doing it for you," he answered before ending the call.

After I spoke with Emmett I continued with my preparations for the move. I'd sold my Land Rover to some guy in marketing; he was expecting his fourth child, and I wasn't going to pay to have it shipped overseas, so it was win-win.

In the midst of all the packing, working and daily phone calls to the realtor, airport, and Masen, I also had the joy of taking EJ to the vet. In order for him to leave the country he needed to be up-to-date with all his vaccines. It would have been easier to swim back to Washington. I don't think I'd ever seen a person more relieved to watch someone leave as the vet did when EJ and I finally walked out.

It didn't surprise me that it had taken less than a month for me to decide to move back. And once I'd made the decision, I didn't think twice. There were no "maybes" about it. There was a part of me, a very small part, that couldn't believe I was giving up my dream job and going back to the shitty town I'd lived in all my life. But that part didn't matter. Because, in all honesty, living this "dream" meant shit if I didn't have someone to share it with.

Then I couldn't help but wonder… what would this mean for Bella and I? And, fuck, what did I even want it to mean? She didn't want to be with me… but she did kiss me. Maybe it didn't mean anything. Who the fuck was I kidding, when did a kiss between us not mean anything?

I talked to Masen every day, but the calls were short and sometimes rushed because of the time difference. I knew it would be different when I was in Forks with him and Bella.

God, I missed him.

I was nervous about how we would set up custody, visitation, and all that mess. I was fairly certain Bella would not be as happy to see me as Masen would be. She would be angry. And I would deserve it.

BPOV

I watched Masen chatter on the phone with Edward for what felt like the millionth night in a row. He had been gone for less than a month, yet the difference in my son's demeanor had changed drastically. It was scary.

They hadn't even spent that much time together, but being apart from his father made Masen very quiet and subdued most of the time. It was an off chance that spending time with my brothers excited him, but other than that…he was always very quiet. Not normal.

"Mama is making dinner for everyone," I heard Masen tell Edward. "I don't know, she says we are celebrating. What? Um… she has a pretty new ring," he mumbled and shrugged.

I dropped the glass I'd been putting in the cabinet. It shattered against the tile.

Masen turned to me, startled, his eyes wide.

"Mama?" He put the phone on the table and stood up.

"Stay there!" I saw his bare feet and held my hand up to him. He sat back down at the table and picked up the phone. A million things ran through my mind as I cleaned up the glass. Edward knew that James had asked me to marry him and now… now he would know it was really happening. I wondered if he would care or if it would even bother him at all.

"Yeah… Uncle Seth said he will help me build a fort in my room," I vaguely heard my son's voice as I emptied the glass shards into the trash can. I turned back to Masen only to find him staring at me, his eyes green slits full of accusations.

"You didn't tell me you made forts!" he cried. I could hear Edward laughing through the receiver and I could almost picture his face. Shining green eyes, crooked little smile… he same as Masen's when they felt they'd told a big secret. I had, of course, not told my son about my amazing fort building abilities. Mainly because I didn't want my entire living room being ripped apart and covered in sheets.

"Say goodbye to your dad," I said as I ruffled his already messy hair.

"Bye, Dad," Masen said.

I knew his voice, but the words sounded so foreign as they fell from his lips. I turned quickly, my hand flying to my heart. For the second time that night I imagined the look on Edward's face matching my son's perfectly. Green eyes wide with shock, though a smile was tugging at his perfect lips.

He looked just as stunned as I felt at hearing himself say it for the first time.

Dad.

It was so quiet in the kitchen I could hear the seconds ticking away on my watch.

Masen finally spoke and I could feel my bones thaw.

"Will you call me tomorrow?" he asked, and then waited. His winning smile was proof that Edward had agreed, as Masen knew he would. Just like everyone who came before, Edward was wrapped around Masen's little finger. "Okay, bye." He hung up and handed the phone to me, ear-to-ear grin on his perfect face, then skipped off into the living room. I stared at the phone in my hand, wanting to call Edward back myself, just to hear his voice.

What if I did? What if we just talked about our day; would that be so bad? Hell, we had a child together. It would strictly be because of that… right? No. It wouldn't be, and I knew it.

The front door slammed loudly, shocking me, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Hey," James set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter and wrapped his arms around me. I let my head rest on his shoulder and sighed. This is how things should be, I thought as I hugged him back.

I poured us each a glass of wine and we started to prepare dinner for my family. I boiled shells while James mixed up the cheeses and spices. We worked, stuffing shells and talking quietly about our day. It was natural to be in this setting with him while Masen played in the other room. My thoughts of Edward took a backseat to the present, as they did on most days. Always there, just quietly lingering in the back of my mind.

Everything was going as planned until James moved to put the pan of shells in the oven to bake. Masen wandered into the kitchen, his eyes trained on the Leapster in his hands (Emmett insisted buying him a video game and I wouldn't let him get any but that) and they collided. James stumbled with the pan; Masen's game went flying across the floor, collided with the refrigerator. James composed himself and placed the pan in the oven then turned to Masen with a frown on his face.

"I'm sorry," Masen whispered, his bottom lip quivering. James' expression turned soft in a matter of seconds. He placed a hand on the top of Masen's head and smiled.

"Just be careful, buddy," James said as he started buttering slices of Italian bread, too engrossed to hear Masen's sharp intake of breath and see his green eyes pooled with tears. I stepped away from the cheesecake I was mixing and quickly lifted my son into my arms and took him out of the kitchen.

He buried his face in my neck as I sat on the couch and held him tightly, not needing an explanation for the sudden onslaught of tears. It didn't matter if people had called him buddy every day of his life. The past month had made the words special to him. That was what his dad called him. Hearing the words from someone else's mouth, especially James', was sure to upset him.

"You okay?" I asked as he pulled back from me. His cheeks were dry but his long, dark eyelashes were wet. He nodded and played absently with a button on my blouse.

"Mama?" he asked softly. I smoothed his hair back and pulled his face up to mine. "Can we go to Australia?" He was so serious that I forced myself not to laugh. In truth, however absurd the idea seemed coming from his mouth, I sometimes thought the same thing.

"We'll see, baby." I kissed his forehead and he hugged me tightly once more before climbing out of my lap and running upstairs to his room.

"Everything alright?" James asked when I returned to the kitchen.

"Fine." I gently kissed his cheek and we resumed our dinner preparations.

James and Masen set the table just as everyone started to arrive. Rosalie joined me in the kitchen and helped me scoop fresh strawberries onto the cheesecake I'd made from scratch.

"This is weird," she said as she licked strawberry juice from a perfectly manicured nail.

"What is?" I asked stupidly. Or at least, I pretended.

"This whole… cozy little family… thing you guys have going on," she said as she watched James with Masen.

"Rose," I sighed and she turned to me. "Just be happy for me. Please?"

"Bella," she said softly, her face hurt. "I am. It's just… not what I pictured, that's all," she explained and then picked at an invisible spot on her crisp, white button-down.

"Me either," I murmured as l leaned against the counter, popping a strawberry into my mouth and chewing slowly.

"Does it make you sad?" she asked, her voice quiet. I stretched out my left hand and gazed at my ring before answering.

"No," I shook my head, hoping she believed me. "It's not what I pictured either. But it's happening, right?"

"Right," she agreed. "Now as your maid-of-honor I -"

"Who says you are my maid-of-honor?" I interrupted her and the glare she gave me could have killed thousands. "Never mind," I muttered and she laughed lightly.

"Of course I am." She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and we made our way into the dining room where the family was already seated. "It's only natural, you know." I had to agree. Rose was my best friend; there was no other choice.

I couldn't help but think, as I watched dishes being passed around and food being served, that were I marrying Edward, Alice would be my first choice. Alice, who had been my best friend since birth, who'd abandoned me when her brother did.

"Mama," Masen's voice broke me from my trance. "Mama, can you help me?"

"Sorry baby," I smiled and ruffled his hair before filling his plate.

"I talked to my dad today," Masen announced to the whole table once everyone was served. My fork dropped to my plate, clanging loudly. I rushed to pick it up and recover myself. As I glanced up, all eyes were on me. "He told me a really cool way to make a fort. He said that him and Mama use to make them all the time when they were kids, right Mama?" He turned his angelic face to me and I tried to smile.

"Right," I nodded and turned my attention back to pushing the food around my plate, my appetite lost. I could feel my cheeks burning and James' gaze on me. I knew this new detail of Masen and Edward's relationship would hurt him.

"Did you help them, Uncle Emmett?" Masen turned his questioning eyes to my brother, who had just shoved a large amount of food in his mouth. He nodded and tried to smile, which of course made Masen laugh.

"I did. I was the best though," he declared, and pointed a finger at his chest. "I taught your dad everything he knows." He winked at Masen. Oh my God, just call him by his fucking name, I pleaded silently.

"Yeah… my dad said you'd say that." Masen took a bite from his garlic bread and chewed thoughtfully. I watched my brother's expression turn from joking to uncomfortable and frowned. He had been acting strange for a week or so after he got a phone call one night at dinner.

Emmett's phone vibrated loudly from its spot on the table. I gave him the stink-eye and he shrugged apologetically at breaking my 'no phones at the table' rule. He glanced at the screen, then at me with a worried expression on his face. My glare went from angry to questioning, but Emmett only shook his head as he stood up from the table.

"I have to get this, excuse me," he mumbled and left the table. I heard the front door slam and assumed it was work calling.

Emmett returned a few moments later, looking agitated.

"Everything alright?" Rosalie set a hand on his shaking knee and he calmed.

"For now," he muttered, and she raised an eyebrow at him. When he finally met her gaze he smiled. "It's fine. I promise," he placated her and she nodded. She didn't push the issue so I felt as though I shouldn't either.

Emmett never said anything about the phone call and never told any of us who it was. But he had been very secretive lately. I didn't like it.

He and Masen were still having their conversation about Edward and the things they did as kids. Masen had heard all of these stories before, of course, only Edward's part had always been omitted. I think Emmett was ecstatic to finally get to tell his nephew the truth. As uncomfortable as it made me… I knew they were enjoying themselves. Dad and Seth would occasionally chime in with side notes that Em had forgotten. James stayed silent, simply watching the exchange, his expression unreadable.

When I felt that I couldn't take Masen's uttering of 'dad' one more time, I excused myself and nearly ran up the stairs then slammed the bathroom door behind me. Leaning against the door, I exhaled loudly and rubbed my temples. It was too much. James, Masen, my family… Edward. He wasn't even here and he was making me crazy. Masen's newfound love of the word 'dad' was going to cause me to drink… more than usual.

It was so very difficult. Trying to encourage a father/son relationship with James and Masen while my son's affection clearly lay somewhere else.

I splashed cold water on my face and took a deep breath before exiting the bathroom. A worried looking James met me in the hallway.

"You okay?" he asked, brushing a stray hair off my face. I nodded and watched him carefully. His face was concerned, not angry at all.

"I just… it's so much," I whispered and rested my head on his chest. He gently smoothed my hair and kissed the top of my head.

"I don't want you to -" I started but he silenced me with his lips. "What was that for?"

"Don't worry about me," he smiled and silently agreed. "Can we have dessert? I'm dying for a piece of that cheesecake," he asked and I laughed.

"Of course," I took his hand and led him back downstairs where we served dessert.

My parents and Seth left after we cleaned up; Masen had fallen asleep before Seth could teach him any of his 'amazing fort building skills'. Emmett and Rose left, my brother kissing my head but avoiding my gaze and Rose promising to call the next day. James slipped on his jacket and moved to kiss me goodbye, but I moved away. I laughed when he looked surprised.

"Stay."

EPOV

Mother of God. He called me Dad. Dad. Holy fucking shit. I was his Dad. I mean… obviously I was his dad, but he used the word. And not just in random conversation. He used it in place of my name. Like, my name would never be Edward again to him. I'd be Dad from now on. Not just 'his dad' but… Dad with a capital 'D'.

It had almost made me forget the part about Bella's 'pretty new ring'. I heard something breaking on the other end of the line and assumed that Bella didn't think he would mention it to me. Even I knew that he couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it.

I wasn't sure how I felt about it yet. I knew they were engaged already, but this… this changed things. It meant I'd have to fight harder, if I fought at all. I didn't know if that was something I wanted. I was a fucking walking contradiction. I could say it over and over that it wasn't about Bella and I anymore but fuck… I wanted to raise my son with her. The right way.

For the first time since meeting Masen and making my decision I doubted my motives. Was I going to Washington to be with my son? Or was this all about the proverbial pissing contest I wanted to have with James? I had no idea anymore. There was one thing I did know for sure -

I was fucked.

BPOV Three days. That bastard hadn't called my son for three days. If I ever saw him again I would castrate him and make sure he only had one child to call. I would superglue the fucking phone to his hand to make sure he never forgot to call the only child he'd ever know.

It was Friday afternoon and things had changed drastically since Masen and I returned home from school. Emmett, who was supposed to spend the afternoon with Masen, came storming in the house to change out of his uniform. He uttered a hasty apology before slamming out the door, leaving both Masen and I staring after him. Masen trudged silently to the living room, turned on Nickelodeon, and curled up on the couch. I called James and told him to cancel our dinner plans.

I fixed Masen a snack and joined him in the living room. He sat in front of the coffee table, engrossed in SpongeBob and crunching on apples. When he finished he crawled back on the couch and rested his head against my thigh. He didn't say anything. In fact, he hadn't said much since I'd picked him up for school, but his small sighs told me he was sad and I wished I could do something to fix it. Like invent a time machine to go back to the day I walked away from Edward in that forest. I'd even go back a few weeks before and beg him not to get on the plane. But I couldn't do that. So instead, I smoothed my baby's hair and let him veg out on mindless cartoons for a couple of hours.

Emmett didn't return for dinner.

EPOV

Fucking finally! I thought when the small plane touched down in Port Angeles.

I tapped the man who had fallen asleep on my shoulder, eager to have him move. Seriously, it was a short flight; no nap was really needed. He blinked and looked around, then stretched and walked off without a word. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my carryon, the nerves that had been buried for the past two days finally making an appearance. My hands shook as I threw the duffle bag over my shoulder then made my way to get to rest of my luggage and pick up EJ. The majority of my things had already been shipped and my landlord had agreed to have the leftovers sent when I got settled.

The dull afternoon Washington sky made my heart warm with familiarity. I quickly threw my bags into the small SUV I was loaned and readied myself for the drive home. EJ was unusually quiet in the large carrier, no doubt in shock from the flight. But he was breathing, at least, and probably plotting his revenge in terrifying detail. The drive took longer than usual, as I expected it would. It was almost like being a kid on Christmas Eve, only multiplied by a thousand. Or million. My insides were twisted into knots as I maneuvered the familiar driveway, knowing what was waiting for me when I finally arrived.

The Jeep was parked directly in front of the house. My best friend stood against it, tossing something up into the air and swiping at it with his hand repeatedly. When I exited my car Emmett tossed what was in his hand my way. I grabbed it out of the air as it narrowly missed my face. My house keys.

"Thanks," I smiled and he shrugged, not meeting my gaze.

"Don't ask me to keep a secret from my sister again," he stated flatly as he opened his door and climbed into the driver seat. I just nodded. He didn't say anything else as the door slammed and the engine started. I found myself staring at the key instead of his retreating vehicle.

When I'd worked up the courage to move, I nearly ran to the front door. I unlocked it swiftly and swung the door open. It wasn't much different than when I'd lived there so many years ago: tall ceilings, pale walls and furniture.

Only the boxes were new.

Fucking boxes everywhere.

I brought in my luggage and EJ's carrier, opening it for him and trying to coax him out. He hissed at me and retreated back so I decided against grabbing him. Instead I set out his food bowl in front of him and figured he would mosey out on his own. Exhausted, I wandered the house. It was silent with the exception of the floorboards groaning quietly under my feet. The first floor was composed of the kitchen, dining room, and family room. I ran my hand over the thin layer of dust coating the piano that stood off from the family room. I hadn't played in so long.

The second floor held the master bedroom and two smaller rooms that my parents had used as their separate offices. I figured it would make the most sense to take the master bedroom for myself and forced the thought of my parents sharing it once out of my mind. I was still shuddering when I reached the third floor. There were three rooms there: my old one, Alice's, and a guest room that housed everyone who ever needed a place to stay. I leaned against the doorway of my old room. The walls had been painted a pale yellow with a matching bedspread, my Mariners poster long gone as well as the one of that chick from Buffy.

Alice had mentioned she wanted to come help me get settled, but that she would wait a week or so before showing up. I had a sneaking suspicion that wasn't true. Especially since a voicemail from my mother, telling me to "kiss Alice for her", was waiting for me when I finally got off the plane.

It didn't surprise me that Alice was possibly on her way to Forks. I was glad for it. She had been gone for too long. I fucked things up a lot and now I had the chance to make it right… for everyone. I finished checking out the house and deliberated on whether I just wanted to just fucking sleep or actually start unpacking. I sat down on the sofa and sleep decided for me.

BPOV

I shifted uncomfortably under Masen's weight and groaned inwardly. He had moved from laying his head in my lap to wrapping his arms around my neck and clinging to me. Then he fell asleep. After a couple of hours I finally heard the front door slam.

"Thank God," I muttered then immediately felt bad for thinking that about my son. But fuck, I had to pee.

"Hey," Emmett muttered as he stepped into the living room, his eyes on his shoes.

"Could you take him? Please?" I practically begged my brother. Emmett took Masen from my arms and I dashed upstairs to the bathroom. When I returned I had expected that Emmett would have put Masen in bed, but instead he was still standing in the exact position he was when I'd left.

"I need to tell you something," he whispered. My heart turned to stone in my chest as I braced myself for the worst.

"What?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly.

"I just… please don't be mad," my brother said softly. I could feel my eyes widen at his words. He didn't want me to be mad? Was he afraid? What in the ever-loving fuck did he do?

"I won't," I assured him.

"Izzy, I mean it. Promise me you won't be mad," he pleaded.

"I promise, Em," I said, worried again.

"I should have told you…" he mumbled and held Masen more tightly to him.

"Told me what?" I asked. I wasn't worried anymore. Now I was suspicious.

"He's back, Iz." I felt my extremities go numb as I stared at Emmett. Suddenly his choice to hold on to Masen made perfect sense.

I knew perfectly well what he's back meant without Emmett trying to explain it to me.

And he knew. He fucking knew Edward was back in town and didn't tell me. Now he was using my son as a shield? I'd murder him later. I had other assholes to harm first.

"You sonofabitch," I spat, turning on my heels and heading for the door. I shoved my feet in my shoes and grabbed my jacket, the door slamming behind me. I knew where he was. Emmett didn't even have to tell me.

Of course he would go back home.

I arrived at the end of the driveway of the grand white house in an unbelievably short amount of time. The house looked the same as it always had with the exception of an unfamiliar SUV sitting in the gravel drive. I took a deep breath and steadied myself before raising my fist to the red door and pounding it loudly.

EPOV

I was going to fucking kill whoever was knocking on the door.

"I'm fucking coming!" I called as I stumbled through the boxes and followed the noise to the front door. EJ skittered back into his crate at the incessant pounding and I managed to roll my eyes before I got to the door. It swung open faster than I opened and I realized why a few seconds after it slammed again.

Bella stood, her back pressed against the door, eyes closed, cheeks a delicious shade of pink.

Fuck me… she was beautiful. Oh, and pissed. She was fucking pissed.

"You… asshole!" she yelled as she started towards me, her eyes livid. I tried to back up but my calves hit a box and I nearly fell over.

"How dare you do this to my son!" Her hands were balled into fists and I felt extremely worried for myself and quite possibly my favorite appendage.

"Bella, please lis -" I held up my hands in an attempt to calm her but it didn't work.

Her hand came from out of nowhere. It struck my face with such force that I think she surprised herself. I was sure as fuck surprised. The sound of the slap seemed to echo off the walls as she stared at me wide-eyed. My cheek stung like a motherfucker but I made no attempt to soothe my pain. I clenched my jaw and took it. I fucking deserved it.

Bella's eyes fell to her hand that she brought to cover her mouth, still obviously in shock. She gave a strangled sob as her eyes met mine once again. They were dark, the brown almost black with emotion, and slowly filling with tears.

"Oh!" she cried and threw her arms around my neck. I stood for a long moment with my arms dangling uselessly at my side until she hugged herself closer to me. My arms worked of their own accord as they slipped around her slim figure, one around her waist and the other in her hair, holding her face to my chest. A silent sob shook her body and I held her closer, breathing in the sweet smell of vanilla that came from her.

I could have held her for eternity but she pulled away much too quickly and wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, knowing it would never be enough. Her soft expression had gone, replaced by the angry mask again. She nodded curtly as if to answer my inner accusation.

"He'll be glad you're here. He's missed you."

"I've missed him, too," I said and she avoided my gaze by staring at the pile of boxes.

"He's playing t-ball. There's a game tomorrow afternoon. You should probably show up," she told my box of kitchen supplies.

"Thank you," I breathed. Her eyes met mine again, but they were different. Cold, even.

"It's not for you, Edward," she whispered.

"I know," I replied. She gave the cluttered room one last glance before turning away from me and heading for the door.

"Don't do this to him again." She didn't turn around as she spoke. She opened the door and walked out with a backward glance, not even bothering to close it behind her.

Exhausted, I sank to the floor and leaned against a stack of boxes. I scrubbed my face with my hand and sighed.

It was hard, but I tried to ignore the little ray of light that was managing to shine through the clouds that surrounded the situation. I feared that if I did let that little bit of light in it would only hurt worse when everything came crashing down. It was faint, a small glimmer of hope threatening to make me something I hadn't been in a long, long time.

I almost felt… happy.

A/N: Sorry for the long ass wait guys. Real life and all that jazz. Thanks for your reviews last chapter, I tried to reply to all of you.

Welcome new readers! I'm glad you're here. Don't forget to stop and say 'hi' ;)

Thanks to killerlashes and messynachos for beta-ing and always prereading for me. I luff you.