DISCLAIMER: The story doesn't belong to me; the characters are property of S. Meyer, and the plot belongs to Annalau Thank you so much for letting me share your story in English!

Gracias Laura, por darme esta oportunidad!

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Chapter 27

Jealousy

"I can tell from what you say that you are afraid of regression. It's understandable, Bells is your ex-wife, part of your past and future, I say that because of your next child. You have a lot of time left to live together."

I nodded without looking at Dr Gerandy. I kept lying on the comfortable couch in his clinical office.

I had explained to him that I feared a closeness with Bells. That my reasoning sent all flirtations to an end even though I was happy with our conversations and our shared time. However, there was something inside me that kept me from moving forward and taking another step with her, because deep down I was wary that it would all just fizzle out. And that how far we had come would end up turning into nothing. Or worse, to hurt Eric.

"Do you think it is not the right time yet?" I dared to ask.

"I cannot give that answer. I only dare to tell you that if you prefer to maintain a friendship with her for the sake of your children it is right."

I remained thoughtful. I didn't really want a friendship, I didn't feel content, not when I had so many feelings for Bells. I loved her. However, in me there was room for prudence, it was too rash to take a chance and start a romance because now we could not think only of us, but of two kids as well.

When would it be wise to approach? That doubt would remain pending.

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"Goodbye, Eric," the little boy waved goodbye to my son as he left the Taekwondo class.

My son waved his hand at his friend with obvious excitement as he continued to hop on his feet.

"This is my friend Seth, Daddy," he said, walking hand in hand with me. "He also has two houses like me, but I don't like his dad."

"Why do you say that?" I asked, glancing at the tall man who kept looking our way.

I helped my son into the car and secured the harness of his car seat.

"Because one day he said Mommy was pretty and if he could go out with her. I didn't like it, Daddy."

"Ah..." I muttered, looking more apprehensively at the guy. How could he say that to my son?

"My friend Seth also said that mommy was pretty and that his dad liked my mom. That can't be possible, Daddy, can it?"

I exhaled noisily. This was where I had to behave like a good father and hide my jealousy, especially make him understand that he didn't own his mom and that she might as well...

"Eric" I spoke to him while his chocolate eyes kept staring at me. "Mommy is beautiful, and many men have noticed it. And she's going to have to agree to go on a date with someone someday and that..." I kept silent as I saw my son frown.

"Why don't you go on a date with Mommy?"

I smiled. Well, if my son only knew that we had been putting off a movie date for a month and it wasn't for lack of interest but out of prudence.

It had worked out well that we both got busy in our respective offices. Most of all, she started having different parties in honor of our baby.

Just today Bella had to attend her baby shower organized by my mother, two weeks ago she had had another shower organized by Ang and a week ago by the office colleagues, so we were not having enough time to be able to go out. I understood her tiredness because she had entered her last month of pregnancy and I knew she was not ready to go out anymore.

"Excuse me..." I heard someone say behind me. As I turned around, the father of my son's friend was holding a huge gift box with him. "This is for Eric's mother, I thought I'd deliver it personally, but I see she didn't come. Is she okay? Oh, my name is Peter Davis."

"Yes," I exhaled reluctantly, "she won't be able to make it for a while. I will be coming every night with our son to his Taekwondo classes."

I opened the front door for the guy to bring up the gift. I wouldn't do it, no way.

"Thank you," I said in a polite way to get him to leave.

The tall, bald man smiled at me. And damn it I knew that nervous smile, he wanted to know more and not exactly about me.

"Edward Cullen," I introduced myself with a handshake, which he reciprocated.

"I'd like to talk to Bella," he said. "You are divorced, aren't you? We have been talking for some time and she is almost a friend, could you give me her cell phone number? I would like to say hello and know if she is well. I know she lives alone with her son, and she probably needs help."

I dragged my fingertips across my forehead. I did this by dragging my fingertips across my forehead from one side to the other. My jealousy was in full boil.

"Obviously for security reasons, I can't give you Bells' number, it's not my place," I commented. "Good night."

He bowed his head feeling defeated. I was sure he wouldn't give up. His interest in Bells seemed serious and that bothered me.

I rounded the car and got in.

Eric didn't talk about it anymore. I didn't want to say anything either, I just looked at the big gift box on the seat, the guy was obviously using all his gallantry and good perch to dazzle her.

.

.

.

Eric spent all day Friday and part of Saturday with me.

It was mid-afternoon when my son decided he needed to be with his mother, and I agreed because we had to bring the huge gift. Also because I wanted to see her too.

We arrived at the house, and it was strange to see a vehicle parked in the driveway.

I had brought my own key, but it was not proper to enter unannounced, so we rang the doorbell. My surprise was great to see little Seth running towards us, his father had opened the door.

Eric and I had the same reaction. We scrunched our eyebrows together.

"Eric! We came to visit you," the little boy shouted, throwing himself into my son's arms.

How convenient to visit when he knew Eric was with me, wasn't it? A pang of jealousy hit me right in the chest.

The guy feigned a friendly grimace under the sole pretext of taking the box out of my hands. Bells peeked out and her smile was wide as she saw me.

I automatically smiled.

Our son ran to her and hugged her. He rested his head on his mother's big, round, almost nine-month-old belly. Bells didn't hesitate to stroke his hair.

"I'm glad you came," she said, "come in."

The disappointment on the guy's face was evident.

"I think we'll be going," he said, carrying the large gift box into the room, of course, he didn't take three seconds to return. "Thanks for the coffee, Bella."

Bells smiled at him just out of kindness, I knew her.

"Thank you for the gift," she replied, again being nice.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Cullen," the guy smiled at me. A fake smile, of course.

He took his son in his arms and walked to his car. Eric waved his little hand goodbye to his friend.

I sighed, feeling relieved.

"Looks like he's after you," my thoughts were out loud.

"No thanks," she commented. "I'm not interested."

"You asked me out to the movies," I reminded her.

"Well, that was before," she caressed her belly with both hands, "now I couldn't sit for more than ten minutes in the movie theater without going to the bathroom."

"You mean the invitation is canceled?" I asked.

Bells nibbled on her lower lip.

"I think it's postponed until further notice," she exhaled, looking at Eric who had started running in the grass.

It was noticeable that we were both still hesitating about taking the next step. And I was just waiting for time to dictate which option was best.

Whether we would give up or give it one last try.

Their fear is understandable. They know that their two children will get hurt if something goes wrong and they are trying to protect them. What do you guys think? Do you think they are doing right?

THANK YOU FOR READING!