Sorry this chapter took so long, I barely have any time to write. I was given the week off and I went away with the sole purpose of writing.

Thanks to Cherries Cullen for her amazing beta skills. Thanks to Eternally Addicted for prereading this chapter and giving her insightful input. Thanks to ButterflyBetty for also prereading and helping me get my emotions in check. You guys rock!

Rememeber Im translating and betaing The Condemnation of Power by: Baisers Ardents

If you guys are in Tufano79's FB group I made a chat there (My Readers) to connect with you guys, come join us!

Double Deceit

Chapter 11

The Date:

Edward's POV:

The day was finally here, Bella and I were going to spend the whole day together, our first official date. The time we have spent together this week has been amazing. I'm excited because we still have a few more days to be together. Since our relationship is a secret, we haven't had much time to be alone without worries. Although, there's still that nagging thought at the back of my head, someone might see us together, we have managed to be careful so far. I hope today remains that way, I really just want to spend the day with her and be able to enjoy it, we both need it.

With Bella, I'm doing things I don't do with Leah anymore. Not because I didn't want to, but because she wouldn't let me. In the beginning Leah and I were good, happy. I wasn't looking for a girlfriend when I went to that party, but there she was, laughing and dancing without a care in the world. We dated for about a year, then I proposed, and we got married. Two years later we had Hayden and he came to complete our happiness.

When Hayden was about eighteen months everything changed, Leah started fighting with me more often, she didn't want me to touch her, not even when we were sleeping. She barely let me put my arm around her and spoon her closer to me. After that she started belittling me, her behavior and moods would change constantly. Some days I would find her crying, and only then would she let me help her, hug her, be beside her, or make love to her.

A few weeks after her last episode I found her crying holding a positive pregnancy test. All was good for the first few months, but then everything was downhill again, and we barely recovered. I spent most nights sleeping in Hayden's room or at the studio, our relationship was broken, and I was at my wits ends on how to fix it. That's why I signed the divorce papers without hesitation, it wasn't fair to keep hurting each other, and fighting in front of the kids.

I woke up before the alarm, looked down, and smiled at the sleeping form next to me. This woman, who in the short amount of time we've known each other, has given me more than my ex-wife has in five years. Honestly, the only good thing to come out of our marriage is our boys. I don't know how I was going to be able to sleep without Bella after this week. I have gotten used to her warm body wrapped around mine and didn't want to ponder on it too much.

My smile widened as I ogled her delicate form, she was snuggled to my chest, her belly, where our babies resided, nestled against my side. Her left leg was intertwined with my left leg, both of her hands were on my chest under her head. Her sweet face was partially covered by her hair. I didn't move too much as I didn't want to wake her yet, there was still forty-five minutes until we had to be up. I kissed her forehead and sighed in content, this time with Bella is the happiest I've been in a while. She shivered, so I covered her with the blanket and closed my eyes.

I woke up to the sound of both alarms going off. Looking for both phones I deactivated them once I found them, as Bella groaned snuggling closer to me.

"It's time to wake up love," I whispered, kissing her forehead.

"It's too early," she whined.

"I know, but I want to maximize our time together," I reminded her.

"Okay," she mumbled but didn't move.

"Love, I need to get up," I told her.

She whined and rolled over freeing me from the warmth of her lithe body. I went to my room, grabbed everything I would need, and headed for the bathroom. Bella was right, the room was very cold.

I showered, washed my hair, got out of the shower, and continued with my morning routine. I put some pomade in my hair and using Bella's blow dryer I started the task of drying and styling it. Before I was done, I felt a pair of arms hug me from behind.

"Shit Bella, your arms are cold!" I shivered as she giggled.

She smiled, placed a kiss between my shoulder blades, went to relieve herself, and then started unbuttoning my flannel shirt she was wearing. Giving me a coy smile, she bent to remove her socks, running her hands over her body as she did so.

I gulped as I looked at her in the mirror, "see something you like?" She teased.

"Yes, but there's no time for that now," I replied, snapping out of my Bella induced haze.

She pouted but winked at me as she entered the shower.

"Don't take too long, we have to leave in forty-five minutes," I reminded her.

"Okaaay," she whined from the shower.

I finished in the bathroom to let her shower in peace. I noticed that Bella left her underwear and dress on the bed, so I took it to the bathroom. She smiled at me as I left the things on the vanity.

I sat on the bed to put my shoes on when my cell phone pinged with a message.

It was a photo of Hayden with a voice message, "moining Daddy,"

"Good morning champ, how are you?" He quickly replied, I guess with mom or dad's help.

"ood daddy," he said.

"You're going to daycare today?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"Yesh daddy! I'm going to play wift the doctor shet tuday," he said with excitement evident in his voice.

"That's fantastic buddy, have fun!" I replied.

"I wuv you daddy," he sent me.

Responding with my own 'I love you', I smiled and set the phone aside. Bella then came out of the bathroom to grab her makeup bag.

"Was that Hayden?" She asked, I nodded.

She smiled, "can I see him?" She asked. I opened the photo gallery and showed her a picture of him.

"Oh, Edward he's precious," she cooed, scooting closer to me.

"He's blonde?" She questioned.

"Yes, I was blonde as a baby, my hair darkened a few years later," I explained.

She looked at me with concern, "What is it, love?"

"What if my babies are blonde? How will I be able to explain that, Edward?" I understood what she meant, there's a fifty percent chance that the twins will look like me.

I took her hands in mine, "I don't have an answer for that baby, I'm sorry," I said dejectedly.

"I guess we can cross that bridge when we get to it," I said.

She gasped and looked taken aback by my comment.

"Edward we can't ignore this, it's important we address it," she added sternly.

If the babies were to look too much like me our deceit would be over, Bella would have to confess the truth and her family would lose everything, shit! I really hoped they looked like her.

"We have to talk about this at some point," I nodded.

"Later baby, please," I begged again.

"Okay, fine. But we will address it later," Bella sighed, went back to the bathroom to finish getting ready.

I felt bad for dismissing her feelings like that, she was right, we had to talk about this. Even more so knowing that her husband has violent tendencies. She didn't know this but I wasn't too keen on the idea of her going back to him, I didn't want her to be scared or in danger. I needed to do something to ensure her safety. I'd thought about a solution, well it is more to give me peace of mind, but I hadn't told her yet.

She was finally done twenty minutes later. Over her long sleeve flannel dress, she put on a sweater and scarf. After helping her get her boots on, she grabbed her coat and bag, and we were ready to go.

I grabbed both of her hands in mine, "I don't want us to fight," I told her.

She closed the space between us, "me neither." She wrapped her arms around my waist and looked at me, her honey eyes gleaming in the light of the room. I gave her a small smile, I was ashamed of what I told her.

"Forgive me for earlier, I promise we will talk about this issue later," I said, kissing her lips.

"Okay," she said, hugging me.

Bella left the room first, I waited a few minutes, and then followed the same path she had taken to the lobby. There weren't too many people outside the hotel, so we took the same cab and went to the restaurant where we were going to have breakfast.

Arriving at the restaurant we gave our name to the hostess, going outside to wait. Around ten minutes later the door opened, we were led inside, and Bella and I sat down at the table. With the vast menu, we discussed the various options animatedly.

"Do you want to have your allowed cup of coffee now or later?" I asked her.

"I think I'll have it later," she said, biting her lip. "Do you know what you're eating?"

"Yes, what about you?"

Before she could answer, the waitress arrived. "Good morning, I'm Bree and I'll be your server today. Are we ready to order?"

Bella motioned for me to go first, "Yes, I'll have the continental breakfast, but instead of pancakes I want waffles, and the eggs to be scrambled please."

"And to drink?"

"I would like orange juice and a latte, please."

"And for you ma'am?" She turned to look at Bella.

"I want the avocado toast with sunny side up eggs, the vanilla Greek yogurt bowl with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries, oatmeal instead of granola, and peanuts. Along with that, I would like hot chocolate with marshmallows or whipped cream and orange juice."

The server wrote everything down and after taking our menus, she left.

"Are you sure you're going to be able to eat all of that?"

"Yes, someone wore me out last night, I need to replenish," she giggled.

I took her hand, "I don't want this week to end," I told her sincerely.

"Me neither," she replied, caressing my knuckles as my smile broadened.

"I'm glad we were able to spend all of this time together."

The waitress brought my latte and Bella's hot chocolate. "Wow, this is amazing!" Bella moaned after she had a sip of her hot drink. I couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, you showed me Hayden, can I see the twins?" Bella asked after she was halfway done with the hot chocolate.

"Uh, yeah, sure." Taking out my phone and looking for the most recent photo I had of them.

Bella took the phone and contemplated the photo in silence.

"What is it?" I asked nervously.

"They're Native American." It wasn't a question.

"Yes, like their mother."

She became quiet, not saying anything, I was getting concerned. "Bella love, you look like you've seen a ghost. Is everything okay?"

"It's just that they look like…Who's their mother again?" She asked.

"She's not important, I don't want to talk about her, not right now at least. Bella please." I pleaded.

Right on cue the waitress came with our order and we were both busy eating. I watched completely enthralled as Bella ate her breakfast, she was definitely enjoying her meal.

"Do you have any more meetings?" I asked.

"Yes, I have two tomorrow and one on Friday."

Taking another bite of her food, she swallowed, and then continued. "I also have to meet via Zoom with my team from the company as we have some things to discuss."

"Why did you want to know? Do you have something in mind?" Bella asked.

"I want us to go out to a club or something," I told her.

She smiled, "what?" I asked.

"Go back to where we met."

I smiled back at her, "alright with me," she replied.

~DD~

We chatted amicably about our plans for later in the week as we finished our breakfast, with Bella asking for another hot chocolate. We left the restaurant after she finished it after I paid and tipped the server.

The sun was high in the sky but it was still cold, "Where to?" Bella asked.

"The zoo."

I had purchased tickets, pulling my phone out to show her the electronic tickets. Bella smiled and took my hand, as we walked a bit, and together we flagged down a cab. Soon enough we were in the line for the zoo. I had downloaded the map, so we went on our way and proceeded to look at all the exhibits.

"Can you take a photo of me here?" I asked Bella, handing her my phone.

She smiled and snapped a couple of shots of me in front of the massive lion statue.

An older couple spotted us, "I can take a photo of the both of you," the woman said.

Bella looked at me, I took her hand and brought her to my side. She relaxed into my embrace as we both smiled at the camera.

"That's beautiful, now can you look at each other?" I looked down, Bella was looking at me, her honey eyes hooded. She was breathing hard.

"I love you," I whispered.

Bella's smile widened.

She didn't know how much I yearned to hear her say those words back to me. But I wasn't going to push her. I would patiently wait until she said the words herself.

I don't know if I was being a fool by falling so hard, so quickly, but I've never felt like this before, not with Leah or any other women I've been with.

"There, all done!" Exclaimed the woman as she handed Bella back my phone. We smiled at them as they passed in front of us.

Bella's joy was contagious as we walked hand in hand through the zoo. I had gotten the full experience ticket so we went and looked for the area where we were going to board the trolley that would take us on the tour. As part of the experience we were going to be able to see many of the animals up close as well as feed some of them. The trolley took us around the zoo and we saw the animals that were further back, we even saw the area where injured and sick animals were treated.

On our way back, we stopped in the grassland/Savanna area and gathered around the zookeeper in charge.

"Welcome to Savanna! Today you're going to be able to interact with these beautiful animals," she announced, motioning to the giraffes.

"You're kidding me, right?" Bella said.

"No, we're doing this,"

"I don't want to," she insisted, clinging to my side.

"You don't like animals?"

"I've actually never had a pet or been this close to an animal before, sorry."

"Are you scared?" I asked as I noticed her shaking beside me. She nodded in response.

We both looked as many of the people in front of us had their turn feeding the various giraffes that had gathered along the bridge. A few minutes later Bella finally relaxed.

"Okay Edward, it's not that bad, I'll do it."

Bella gripped my hand as we approached the zookeeper and she handed us the leaves.

I went first so that she could see it was okay. The closest giraffe came closer and took the leaves from my hand.

Bella smiled, still holding my hand she raised her hand, and the same giraffe took the leaves from her hand. Bella smiled widely.

" Okay that wasn't as bad as I thought."

We continued the tour through that part of the zoo until we reached the aviary where we again stepped off the cart and went in.

"Wow this is amazing!" Bella exclaimed as the doors to the aviary opened.

We looked up and admired the flocks of birds as they flew over our heads, the colors and sounds were mesmerizing. We followed the rest of the group as they gathered around a group of zookeepers with a few birds on display for us. They showed us a blue macaw who did a few tricks around the room, then they moved to a snowy owl that we got to touch, and we listened intently as we learned about the common black hawk.

"Now, you will get to have hands-on experience with the Lorikeets," another zookeeper said as she guided us to a different area of the aviary.

"The rainbow lorikeet is a species of parrot found in Australia. It is common along the eastern seaboard, from northern Queensland to South Australia. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas. Lorikeets often travel together in pairs and occasionally respond to calls to fly as a flock, then disperse again into pairs. Rainbow lorikeet pairs defend their feeding and nesting areas aggressively against other rainbow lorikeets and other bird species. They chase off not only smaller birds such as the noisy miner and the little wattlebird, but also larger birds, such as the Australian Magpie. Rainbow lorikeets feed mainly on fruit, pollen and nectar, and possess a tongue adapted especially for their particular diet. The end of the tongue is equipped with a papillate appendage adapted to gathering pollen and nectar from flowers. In many places, including campsites and suburban gardens, wild lorikeets are so used to humans that they can be hand-fed. Which is what you're going to be doing right now," the Zookeeper explained as she handed out small paper cups filled with nectar.

"They might jump all over you, so please don't be scared. They won't harm you, they just want the juice," she added as she opened the doors to a netted outdoor area of the aviary.

Just as she said, the lorikeets went crazy and started flying over to people in order to have the nectar. Two birds landed on Bella's extended arm. She stayed still and watched in awe as the birds drank up the nectar in her cup. When they were done, they walked on her hand, then flew to her chest and head looking for more juice. When they saw she didn't have any more, they flew to me. I felt Bella taking my phone out from my pocket then she snapped a few pictures of me with the colorful birds.

After the aviary, we finished the hour-long immersive experience. Bella and I went to a few other animal exhibits and then to the area where the monkeys were. There we saw a mother gorilla with her baby, she was shielding it from our prying eyes with her body as she fed it. We got closer to the window that separated us from the animal and quietly looked at the mother interacting with her baby. After a few minutes, the mother noticed us, and eyed us warily. I instinctively placed my hand over Bella's stomach, the move did not go unnoticed, the gorilla then looked at us more intently. Unexpectedly, the gorilla unshielded her baby and showed it to us.

"It's as if she knows I'm having a baby too," Bella commented smiling.

"Animals are very perceptive."

After a few more minutes we left the monkey area and continued with our walk. The package I bought included a ride on the carousel, so we headed there before it got too packed. We got in the line and instead of riding on a horse, Bella and I chose a bench to sit. She laid her head on my shoulder as we enjoyed the ride. This was one of the few things Bella could enjoy as a pregnant woman.

"Bella, what are we going to do if the babies are blonde?" I asked.

"I was thinking about that…"

"Care to elaborate?"

"Both my grandmothers were blonde. Sometimes these genes skip a generation, but can come out on the next one."

"What about eye color? Mine are green, but yours are honey, that's a big difference." I pointed out.

"My mother has green eyes, I look more like my father,"

"You are right about the genetics thing, my father is blonde, which is why I was blonde as a baby. I look more like my grandfather, Edward Anthony Senior though," I told her.

"We basically just have to wait and see, unfortunately," she said with resignation. I nodded.

"But, we have those other family members to refer to if needed. I've seen it in many cases with other patients,'' I added just as the carousel gave the last lap and then it stopped. I waited until it stopped completely before helping Bella stand and then we got off the carousel.

"Are you dizzy?"

"No, I'm fine." She took my hand and we went our way.

To everyone looking at us we were just another couple enjoying the day and that warmed my heart. After that we had a snack: smoothies, and shared popcorn. Then we went to see the last few animals towards the front of the zoo and spent some time in the gift shop and Zootique.

"Are you looking for something in particular?" Bella asked me.

"I always bring something back from the various cities I travel to. I want to get the boys some stuffed animals."

"Any particular animal?" She asked as we rummaged in the aisle.

"Hayden likes lions," I told her just as she spotted them.

She picked one up and giggled. "What's so funny?"

"The mane, it looks like your hair," she said smiling.

"That's what Hayden says. Lions have daddy's hair, I think that's why he likes them."

"What about the twins? Which one do you think they'll like?"

"I don't know which one exactly, but they have these wolf blankets they love," I said.

Bella grabbed two wolf stuffies and then we went to check out the rest of the store. I got Hayden a coloring book, some fun socks with lions on them, and a cup. In the book section I found one about lions that looked interesting, so I added it to my basket. I could read it to him for bedtime. For the twins I spotted a hat with a wolf on it, so I grabbed two of them. I was sure they were going to love it.

"What do you think of these?" I asked Bella, but noticed she wasn't beside me. I looked for her all over until I found her, she was looking at some baby onesies.

"Hey, I was talking to myself," I told her.

"Sorry, I got distracted by these. Aren't they cute?"

"Very, do you want them?" I asked her.

"This would be the first thing I buy for our babies," she said, caressing her belly.

We had a few bags and the cashier asked if we wanted the bags to be delivered, "you can do that?" she nodded. I gave her the hotel and room number and then we were done at the zoo.

"Where to now?" The driver asked after I got in the cab and closed the door.

"I wanted to get a head start on my Christmas shopping, is that okay?" I proposed.

"Sure, you do owe me some tights," Bella quipped with a coy smile.

"Okay, shopping it is."

"I know just where to take you," the driver said.

Twenty minutes later we arrived at Las Americas Premium Outlets. I paid, tipped the driver, taking Bella's hand, she smiled as we looked around.

"Can we go into all the stores even if we don't buy anything?" She asked me.

"Sure, we can do whatever you want."

I smiled at her excitement. Eager to hear where she wanted to go first.

"Uhh Maidenform, let's go!"

We entered the store and Bella headed straight for the maternity section.

"I need nursing bras, but I don't know which ones to buy."

"You need to wait a few more months for that, but…" I looked around the racks and spotted the brand that Leah uses, "I suggest these for when the time comes," I told her.

"I'm a 34-b but I don't know if that would be the correct cup size later on, they're getting a bit full," she said.

"I've noticed," I winked at her, she blushed.

"If they're bothering you now, you should get a bigger size,"

A store attendant came and measured Bella, after that she suggested a C sized cup instead. Bella tried on a bra in that size and she said it felt better. With that in mind, she went around the store to get some new underwear sets, and a few other things she didn't let me see. I know she bought new stuff at la Perla before coming here as that's all she's been using.

Looking around the store I found the tights and grabbed a few pairs. I found Bella at the register and stood behind her. She finished with her purchases and moved over so I could pay.

"What is promised is a debt," I commented as I placed the tights on the counter.

"Will that be all?" The cashier asked, I nodded.

"Where to now?"

~DD~

We shopped for about an hour, Bella said she was hungry so we stopped at Sbarro for some pizza. After we ate our pizza Bella wanted her coffee, so we walked to Starbucks where she got a mocha peppermint latte and a cheese Danish, while I got a creme Brule latte and a pumpkin muffin.

"I saw a toy store I want to go to, Hayden's been asking for a doctor set for weeks now. I want to see if I can find one,"

"Sure."

At the toy store I found what I was looking for, a very nice doctor set that had everything my son would need to pretend play his favorite game "doshtor ayden shullen". Bella found a doctor dress up set and a pretend first aid kit that would allow him to put everything in the case for easy travel. Hayden has expressed he wants to care for children, but he also likes playing doctor with animals, so if he wants to, he can be either a pediatrician or a vet.

We had been shopping for a few hours but I needed the restroom. When I got out, I didn't see Bella waiting for me. Looking around for her, I started to panic when I couldn't find her. I called her and she didn't reply, making my stomach drop with unease.

I stayed put and waited, if she didn't answer or return in five minutes, I was going to go to security. Two minutes later she appeared, with a small black bag, she tried to hide, as soon as she saw me.

"What's that?"

"Nothing," she said, stuffing the bag in her purse. I decided to let it go, for now.

We didn't have any bags because we managed to have everything we bought delivered to the hotel.

I took her hand and walked to the entrance of the mall. I hailed a cab and we got in.

"To the Japanese Gardens," I instructed, Bella looked at me in awe.

"What?"

"You know I love gardens?" she pointed out.

"You told me, Bella, you said you loved going to the Washington Arboretum so I'm taking you somewhere similar,"

"You're amazing!" She gave me a small kiss and snuggled to my side.

We arrived at the gardens, picked a trail, and started walking. There was something I wanted to ask Bella, I don't know if she was going to answer positively, though I hope she will.

She was amazed by all the trees, bonsai, flowers, and the many koi ponds.

"I love the cherry blossoms, they are so beautiful!" She smiled as we stood under one of the biggest trees I've ever seen.

Another couple passing by offered to take our picture. After we agreed and they took the picture, I took some candid shots of Bella as she admired and enjoyed the tree.

After that, we walked for a few more minutes, the park closing at six, it was almost time to go, and I still hadn't asked Bella what I wanted to yet. We arrived at an area with a big pond, a bridge and waterfall, it was the perfect setting for what I was going to do.

"Bella, I know our relationship has been a whirlwind, but I don't know what I would've done if I'd never met you. Now that I know you, I can't be without you. I know you can't be with me completely, but I was wondering if you, if you… Bella, would you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes, Edward, yes!" She closed the space between us and kissed me passionately.

We were at a standstill, I felt as if time had stopped and it was just she and I, two lost souls who found each other. Right now, we were safe in our little bubble, but soon enough, I knew it was going to break and we'd have to go back to reality.

A few minutes later we broke apart breathless, the kiss was very intense.

"I love you," I said when I finally cached my breath.

I saw Bella reach for something in her bag, she took out a black ring box and opened it, smiling at me.

"I was confused before Edward, but this week has put everything in perspective and made me realize my true feelings."

Her eyes bore into mine as she wrapped her arms around my waist, "Edward, I love you."

So Bella finally said I Love you...Thoughts on the chapter? Let me hear you!

Gender Guessing Time: What do you think Bella is having? Two boys, Two girls, or One of each.

Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving.