EPOV

Last night wasn't easy for me or Hadley. She practically begged to sleep in my bed last night so I changed my Bella-scented sheets while Hadley got ready for bed.

The last time she slept in here was after Rose introduced her to Royce. When we have these setbacks I contemplate having her talk to someone.

She clung to me all night making it hard for me to get any sleep. We hadn't had a night like this in a very long time.

My alarm goes off and I cringe.

"Daddy," Hadley mumbles against my shoulder.

"Shhhh, you can still sleep, baby," I murmur, kissing her head.

I gently shift her off me and onto my pillow. I get up and grab my clothes so I can shower and get ready in my bathroom.

In the shower, I go over the many ways my conversation with Rose could go. She's been acting more erratic than usual since she and Royce have gotten more serious. Her behavior reminds me a lot of how she's acted in the past when she used.

I didn't want to accuse her without any evidence of substance.

The feeling I got only got stronger.

Rose wasn't a horrible mother but as of late she'd been using Hadley for her games and letting her down. I couldn't let this continue, I wanted my kid to be happy and quite frankly be a kid.

The only time she couldn't be trusted with Hadley's well-being was when Hadley was a baby, she has proved to me that she has had her best interest at the forefront. That is until recently.

Something was off.

I needed to figure out what was going on and if I needed to keep Hadley with me permanently for the unforeseeable future.

I heave out a sigh shutting off the water before drying off and getting dressed.

Hadley is still asleep when I approach my bed. I gently rouse her from her sleep, her eyes still looking red and puffy from her crying last night.

I war with myself about keeping her home from school today but I knew my talk with her mother needed to happen today.

Once fully awake she starts clinging to me again.

I rub her back like I had when she was a baby.

"You need to get ready for school," I remind her gently.

She pulls away reluctantly to reach for her glasses on the nightstand.

"What do you want me to make you for breakfast?"

"Anything I want?"

"Anything," I confirm with a nod.

"French toast?" she asks hopefully.

"You got it," I tell her before pressing a kiss to her head.

While she gets ready I quickly make her breakfast, even making some for myself. I scarf my food down and she walks into the kitchen with her hair ties and brush just as I'm finishing up.

"What's the style today?" I ask her, quickly washing my hands.

"A braid crown?"

"Good choice," I tell her.

It's one of the most complicated ones but if she wants a braid crown I'll give her a braid crown. She eats as I brush and braid her curls.

"How's that French toast?" I ask giving her hair a playful tug.

She giggles around a mouthful of her food. "Good," she says after she's done chewing.

I finish up on her hair and tell her to gather her stuff so we can head out.

I grab my coat and messenger bag while Hadley gets her shoes on. I glance at my watch seeing we are still making great time so I don't rush her.

She gets her jacket off the hook of the coat hanger.

I help her get it on and her backpack.

She takes my hand in hers and we are out the door.

I spot Irina easily when we get to the bus stop.

I wasn't going to say anything to her while the kids were around so I wait until I'm crouched in front of Hadley saying goodbye to her. She gets on the bus and I turn toward the small group.

"Irina, a word please?" I ask politely.

She plays up a grin for her audience saying, "Sure."

We step away from the group but I make sure they can hear me. "I just wanted to speak with you about your recent phone call to Rosalie," I tell her.

Her face pales.

"I want to make this very clear. Bella is my girlfriend, not Hadley's live-in nanny. She doesn't live with us. So I'd appreciate it if you would please stop trying to spread misinformation to Hadley's mother."

"I…I—"

"Thank you for understanding," is all I say before I leave a stuttering Irina to deal with her humiliation in front of her friends.

I walk away from the hushed whispers knowing Alice will probably have a lot to tell me when she picks Hadley up.

I didn't want Bella to be overwhelmed by us so I hadn't asked her to watch Hadley after school this week. I feel like I'm punishing myself with that decision since I became spoiled last week by having her in the house after I got home from work.

I told my team over email last night that I might be a little late this morning. I had to expect the unexpected when Rose was involved.

It doesn't take long to catch the train over to her place though the train car is filled and I have to stand holding onto the bar the whole ride over.

Again when I enter the building, part of me wants to stop by and see my sister. To tell her the hell the past forty-eight hours have been but I don't want to put her in the middle.

Once I'm off the elevator I make my way to Rose's door and knock gently.

No one answers at first and I'm pissed that she's wasting my time when I told her I'd be over this morning.

I knock again this time a little louder and with some impatience.

The door swings open to reveal Rose in a ripped Johnny Cash t-shirt and black panties, but the sight of her that has my blood boiling is the white powder under her nose.

Her eyes widen once they realize it was me at the door or maybe her reaction is the after-effects of the cocaine.

I also notice the bruising around her eye.

I almost want to drag her up to her uncle's to show them that something bigger than us has taken Rose yet again but it isn't my business. What is my business is where Hadley spends her time. I can control Hadley's surroundings for now.

"I'm adjusting the custody agreement," I tell her.

Her grip tightening on my arm is instant.

"You can't do that," she yells, eyes wild.

Because she has neighbors and I'm out in the hall I gently push her back into her apartment so they won't call the cops on us.

"You've left me no choice, Rose," I hiss.

"No, you've been planning this," she accuses while she starts to pace. "You've been keeping your relationship with Bella a secret for over a month. You let her buy our daughter gifts and allow sleepovers—"

"Bella and I only started dating last week. She didn't even know who Hadley was when she bought her that book. Bella is kind, she gets Hadley on a level that we don't. For the past two months, you've been behaving manically and now I know why," I spit gesturing to her nose.

She starts fisting her hair.

"Don't take her away from me," she grits out.

"I have to, you are not only using again, but putting her at risk with Royce being here."

"He'd never lay a hand on her," she insists.

"Like he'd never lay a hand on you?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "She locked herself in her room, she obviously knows what he is capable of."

"Edward—"

"She wouldn't leave my side last night, you keep breaking her heart," I yell, hitting my fist into my palm. "I need to put a stop to this for Hadley's sake. She needs stability and to frankly be a kid."

"You're being dramatic."

"You are high, I don't think you get to assess how bad this is," I tell her bluntly. "If you want to see Hadley you need to get yourself back into a treatment program."

"I'm sick of your threats, Edward. Royce knows people who can help me get full custody, your Mr. All-American persona is not going to let you win," she rages digging her finger into my chest.

"You are a junkie, Rosalie and I have a pretty good idea where the coke came from. So you keep on listening to Royce until you have nothing left," I taunt.

She banshee screams.

"I will win," she says through her pants.

"How so?"

"You are dating a child, Edward. You have a habit of preying on younger girls. You have a thing for bare pussies that fit like a glo—"

I have her against the wall, not forcibly but I am in her face.

Disgust present for this vile creature in front of me.

"Go ahead and try to paint your delusional little picture, Rose. We both know a judge won't buy it. The amount of interviews that our friends and families will need to sit through will be worth it. So keep it up, accuse me all you want but we both know the truth," I tell her while my eyes search her face.

Her palm is quick and the sting I feel against my cheek makes all this worth it.

I weigh all this because Rose is gone at the moment. As always she'll get the help that she needs, but we've both crossed lines today where we might need a third party to be present for future bouts of communication.

"I wanted to come here to talk about last night and the way you disrespected Bella on Saturday morning. You came into my home and my bedroom throwing around accusations when you had no right. Hadley wasn't present, she was with you and for you to come in to treat Bella like a common whore you crossed so many lines. I refuse to let you ruin a future between us—"

"A future," she scoffs. "You just met the kid. She's fresh out of college, like she'd want to be saddled down with some single father and his kid. Give me a break, Edward. Bella isn't your future because you eventually show your true colors. Don't forget I remember you before you started this reformed manwhore bit."

"Believe what you want, Rose, but I'm telling you this isn't something casual," I say seriously.

Because Bella feels like something more, whether she knows it now or not.

"You'll be hearing from Senna," I tell her before turning on my heel.

I don't leave the building but do listen to my gut and go to see my sister.

Esme's face falls when she sees me in her doorway. He hand cups what I imagine is now my very red cheek.

I tell her everything and she steps into action.

She orders me to take the day off since I handed in the grant proposal last week, which I do call in.

She calls Carlisle who went to an investor meeting this morning, she leaves a message telling him to call her back.

She sits with me while I call Senna to discuss the custody arrangement. Senna puts in a request for a blood test and then files a Petition for Expedited Relief.

I dread having to explain to Hadley why she can no longer see Rose but this is for the best. If Rose wants to be in her life she'll do what she needs to, in order to make that happen.

When I leave Esme's I don't even think about where I'm going next, I just move. I take the train back to Brooklyn finding myself in front of Bella's building pushing the buzzer to her apartment.

"Hello?" she asks, confused after a few minutes.

"It's me, can I come up?" I ask roughly.

She gives me a tentative 'yup' before she buzzes me up.

When she opens the door she looks sleepy rubbing her eyes, I look down at her hoping she doesn't walk around like this when her roommate is home.

She has a cropped black t-shirt on with black boy shorts, my hands move to wrap around her.

"Why do women roam around their homes without pants on?"

"Who else is greeting you without pants on?"

"Rose."

"Excuse me?" she asks, holding my face. "Wait, what happened here?"

She brushes her thumb along my cheek.

"Rose slapped me," I mumble.

Bella looks horrified and still slightly asleep.

She tugs me toward her room.

I see her infamous chair pile.

Her bedframe is busted, clearly, the legs have been sawed off. Her bedding is just a pile of thin blankets.

Her drawers are an antique set with chipped wood in places.

She takes my coat off and tells me to get into bed. I want to laugh. It's almost mid-day and this girl hasn't even started her day yet.

I take my button-down and slacks off leaving me in only my boxer briefs, she's hunkered down into her bed already looking like she's ready to doze right off.

I curl myself around her in this shitty little bed. The draft in her room creates a slight chill, how can she sleep in here?

Her scent hits me.

She turns in my arms looking more alert.

"Why did she assault you?"

"She was high and I told her she can no longer be around Hadley," I say flatly.

Bella sits up quickly. "Wait, what? Did this happen last night when you picked Hadley up?" she asks, concerned.

I knew I needed to tell Bella more about Rose, about the situation at hand.

I tug her down so we are laying face to face.

"Hadley has to wear glasses because Rose was using coke early on in her pregnancy. I wasn't aware that she had a problem with it until after we slept together. The doctor spotted the problem on an ultrasound which had Rose confessing," I explain.

"Is Hadley okay?"

"She's perfect," I say more than a little defensive.

Bella places her good hand over my chest and rubs. "That's not what I meant," she murmurs.

"Other than her eyes she has had no lasting effects from Rose's mistakes. Rose quit only to start using again once she was done breastfeeding. I made sure that she couldn't be around her as long as she was using, which she usually has taken very seriously," I mumble.

Bella moves closer to me and I make sure to keep her close.

"What changed?"

"You remember that dick in the suit that gave you problems at the restaurant a few weeks ago?" I ask softly remembering how flustered Royce made Bella.

She nods slowly.

"That's Rose's better half," I tell her dryly. "I went to get Hadley last night and I heard all this yelling from the hall. Rose was a sobbing mess and Hadley was locked in her room—"

Bella gasps and I see the anger flash in her eyes.

I know at this moment that Bella would love Hadley as much as I do.

"When I got her home she was very upset and she ended up sleeping in my bed which isn't something she's done in a very long time," I explain.

"So you went back this morning to Rose's?"

"I wanted to discuss what I walked in on last night and the way she disrespected you—"

I'm cut off by a kiss.

"Thank you," she murmurs after she pulls back.

"I told you I would talk to her," I remind her gently.

"I know but a lot of guys say they are going to do things and never do so. I appreciate you doing what you promised."

"I'm a man of my word, Bell."

She nods with tears welling in her eyes.

I brush the tears that fall.

"Don't cry," I murmur.

"But Hadley—"

"She will be fine, Bell," I assure her.

I hold her to me kissing her head.

"You didn't go to work today?" she asks, peeking up at me.

"Esme let me play hooky," I tease, capturing her mouth with mine.

Her leg curls around my hip, and I grind a little into her.

I pull her shirt up over her head.

"How are you not freezing in here?" I ask nipping at her neck.

She arches her back causing her breasts to brush my chest.

"Hot sleeper," she mumbles while I palm her breast.

"You sleep naked in here, Bell?" I ask, placing a kiss on top of the same breast I have a hold on.

"Maybe," she teases.

"Do you?" I growl.

She lets a laugh escape, taking my hands in hers.

"Take my panties off," she breathes in my ear.

I snap the waistband. "These?"

She nods, tugging my briefs down.

"You want me to fuck you, Bell?"

"No, I want you naked and extremely horny in my bed," she drolls while rolling her eyes.

I pull her boy shorts down her legs.

"If you want to be mean—"

She pushes me onto my back before she straddles me.

I watch her grab a condom from her nightstand. I try to hide my grin when I see that they're the same size and brand that I use.

"You swipe those from me?" I ask with a laugh.

Her face gets a little pink.

"I wanted to be prepared," she huffs.

"When did you swipe them?" I ask amused.

It couldn't have been the other morning she was too pissed.

She looks down at the foil packet then to me.

"After, you know the other night," she mumbles.

"Like a thief in the night," I tease, grabbing hold of her hips.

"No sex for you," she says with a frown like she's going to put the condom back.

"I'm sorry, Bell," I tell her while my thumbs stroke her hip bones. "I'll play nice."

I can feel how wet she is from her place on my stomach.

I bring my fingers down to her folds.

She squirms.

"C'mon, Bell," I coax.

She's stubborn but also smart, because she doesn't cave until after she comes on my fingers.

I brought my knees up so she could rest against them, the sheen of sweat glowing her skin makes her even more beautiful.

She lazily sits up a bit and I put my legs back down.

She clumsily tears the foil and scoots down to roll the condom on. I only watch because if I say anything else to deter her I know I'm going to be pissed at myself.

She lines up with me as she slowly sinks down on me.

We groan together.

I take hold of her hips again to set the pace.

She leans forward bouncing over me, her breasts in my face.

I take a nipple between my teeth making her cry out.

The seed of doubt Rosalie planted about her age seeps in as she squeezes me within her. She is tight but I won't let that fuck with me.

I squeeze her hips tighter as I buck up into her further.

I'm first to come with Bella following.

She slumps over me, her forehead resting against mine while we both catch our breaths.

Her hand touches my face. "Where did you go?"

"Huh?" I ask brushing her hair behind her shoulder.

"You were in your head before, you know," she blushes.

I wasn't going to repeat Rose's vile words to her.

I shake my head.

"You felt so damn good, I got caught up," I tell her, not completely lying.

Because the physical connection we had was strong.

I lift her off me and help her settle into my side.

We're quiet for a bit, she gets up to use the bathroom.

I take the condom off, throw it away and get up to grab my phone out of my coat pocket.

I see a few texts from Esme and a voicemail from Senna.

Carlisle went down there and you were right. – Es

He called a treatment center, they are trying to get her in. – Es

I'd wager that he's trying to get her into a spa-like treatment center.

"Hey Ed, we were successful in getting the petition granted. Esme called to let me know about the treatment program…" I zone out the rest of Senna's voicemail when Bella enters her room, sliding my shirt off and onto her floor.

"What?" she asks while climbing back into bed with me.

"They're getting her into a treatment facility," I tell her.

"What does that mean for Hadley?"

"She's old enough to understand what is going on," I say carefully.

"I'm sorry for the questions but I'm just trying to understand," she says quietly looking unsure.

"No, I'm fine with questions," I tell her, rubbing her back.

"How long has she been sober?"

"The past four years."

"Um, did something trigger her?"

"I have a feeling this has been going on for a while now," I say honestly. "Like Royce is involved."

Maybe I ignored the signs when I shouldn't have. Her erratic behavior should have been my first clue. She'd been scattered and almost volatile to deal with as of late.

"When will you talk to Hadley?"

"Probably after school," I sigh.

Bella's hand rubs my chest. I almost want to have her with me when I talk with Hadley, but I don't want to force her into this mess.

"When do you have to go home?" she asks.

It's a little after noon, if I could I would spend all day in this shitty bed with her. I stretch a little.

"You hate my bed," she sings.

"It's your bed, so as long as I have you naked in it I'll manage," I tell her honestly.

"Corny," she says dryly. "But I've thought about breaking in and have Em help me steal your bed."

"Should I be worried about these klepto tendencies?"

She huffs and I'm rolling to hover over her.

My eyes search her face.

"Would you want to come back to the house with me?" I ask her.

"But Hadley—"

"I would rather have some support," I say vulnerably.

Her face softens.

"I told her about us last night," I confess. "She said I'm your Mr. Darcy."

Bella playfully palms my face but doesn't comment about what I just told her.

When she removes her hand I say, "She's enthusiastic."

Her face falls.

"I don't want to disappoint her," she sighs.

"There are no expectations here, Bell."

She lays her head on my shoulder cuddling close to me.

"I'll go back with you," she says.

It feels like a weight has been lifted when she agrees.

A/N: Since about half of you read the last chapter, I'm going to remind you to make sure you opt-in to the email notifications. That seems to be a thing everyone is complaining about. If that isn't the case then I'm assuming my Edward is chasing you all away.