I'm so sorry for the delay! Work has been crazy and I've been having computer issues. :/

Thank you to everyone who reads, reviews, and put this story on their favorites list. It really means a lot! (And if I missed a review, please forgive me! I do try to respond to every review.)

Thanks to Fran for all of her help! I really appreciate you! (Any mistakes you see are my own.)

Also, shout out to Mr G and Me! If you haven't read her stories, please look her up!

Happy early Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. :)

SM owns everything Twilight.

Chapter 2-

"And he just asked you out in front of his daughter?" Leah asks, her mixing paused as she holds the plastic bowl against her hip. Her mouth is open in shock, her features horrified.

"Yep," I reply with a nod. "Jane said he asked about me too. About why I looked beat up."

I'm still shocked at that bit of news; when Jane told me about Edward inquiring about my safety, I was touched that he would be concerned for a stranger. A warmth spread through my chest and I found myself grinning goofily until confusion kicked in.

Why did he care? Was he a cop? A doctor?

I didn't understand why he wanted to know how I was hurt. Since the accident, no one at work had asked me what happened except for Jane. Everyone else studiously ignored the bruises and looked at anything else except the marks on my skin, though I'd catch them staring when they thought I wasn't looking.

Dark eyebrows meet in the middle of glowing tanned skin, her lips pursed in confused thought. "Hmm. Well, that shows he's not that much of an asshole. He was concerned."

"Yeah, but why? He doesn't know me."

"Not everyone is a prick, Bells. If I didn't know you and didn't know what happened, you can bet your ass I'd be asking if you were okay."

I let her words sink in and realize she's right; Leah cares about other people and would go out of her way to help someone else if she thought they needed it. She's just that nice and generous. I suppose it isn't fair to assume she's the only person who would be kind like that.

"Okay, fine. But why he would ask me out in front of his daughter? That's weird to me," I say, my nose wrinkling at the awkwardness of it all, even after a day had passed.

Leah hums, tilting her head from left to right as she ponders. "True, it's weird. But maybe he's not married to her mother, did you ever think of that? You said he wasn't wearing a ring."

"Not all married guys wear rings, Leah."

"Not all guys are married to their baby mommas," she counters with a raise of an eyebrow.

Once more, she's right.

Just look at my parents; my parents were engaged but separated two months before my birth. My father stayed in Forks and my mother moved to Phoenix. I don't know the full story of what happened between them and after I asked my mother when I was thirteen and saw the look of pain and devastation on her face, I never asked again.

I briefly entertained the idea of asking my father, but he could never spare me a glance, so I never bothered asking him.

"Fine, but—"

"Son of a bitch!" I hear a loud, angry voice explode from the living room. I jump at the suddenness of it, wincing as my body erupts in pain. "You piece of shit, mother—"

"Jacob Black don't you dare finish that sentence!" Leah screeches, slamming her mixing bowl down on the counter before stomping off into the living room.

My head starts to throb in time with my racing heart, and I close my eyes, focusing on my breathing and remembering the calming mantras my doctor advised me to try.

"What?" Jacob retorts. "Bailey isn't even here!"

"And you still need to watch your mouth! I don't want her to hear cursing. Or do you want to get called down to the school again?"

Jacob grumbles too low for me to hear and whatever his response is, Leah huffs at him.

"Whatever. Just watch your language or I'm putting in a swear jar and for you, it'll be steep, got it?"

"Why only for me?" Jacob asks, his tone softening.

"Because she's heard most of the curse words coming from you."

"Yeah, yeah. It won't happen again. It's just this stupid thing—"

I tune out the rest of their conversation, twisting around with a hiss through clenched teeth as I reach inside of my purse for the tan prescription bottle buried inside. I normally wait until it's near bedtime to take anything, but there's too much radiating throughout my body and too much tension in my muscles; I need something to help take the edge off, otherwise I'll never survive my shift at the diner.

"Oh, you'll live, you big baby. You're not even bleeding!" Leah laughs, coming into the room. Her amusement fades as she takes one look at me. She rushes to my side, kneeling on the floor. "Oh, hun, you okay?"

I hope the smile I give her doesn't look like a grimace, but from worry lines deepening on her forehead, I'd say I'm doing a piss-poor job.

"I'm okay. Just … jumpy. And sore."

A sound of sympathy leaves her as she gingerly hugs me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Hey, you don't have anywhere to be, do you? Why don't you help me decorate Bailey's cupcakes and I'll make dinner. We can pig out in front of the T.V. while we eat. Whatcha say?"

"Who's pigging out?" Jacob asks, walking into the room, shaking his right hand. The skin between his index finger and thumb is bright pink, the center of it pinched white.

"I have to go to the diner for the lunch shift and then I'm closing at the toy store. I have to make a pit stop too, before I get to the store," I remind her.

Jacob and Leah both frown, a look of irritation and anger passing between them. I know their ire isn't directed at me, but with my weird mess of emotions, I can't help but feel upset by it. My eyes burn and my vision turns glassy as I fumble with my purse, trying to push myself up with my good hand.

"Sorry," I mumble.

"Hun, we're not mad at you," Leah assures me, stepping in front of me easily and blocking my path.

"We're not, Bells. You know we're not," Jacob chimes in agreement.

"But—"

Leah holds a hand up, stopping me from saying anything more. "No. The fault lies with that bitch sitting in Charlie's house like she's the queen. She should be out there, working and helping, not you."

"She's your mother," I reply, trying to sound stern, but with the cracking and shakiness in my tone, it doesn't sound very reprimanding.

Leah snorts. "So? That doesn't mean I have to like her. You know how I feel—"

"I'm gonna be late," I interrupt, not wanting to have this conversation again. I had heard it several times when I was laid up in a hospital bed, unable to hobble away, and during the car ride to Leah's house when I was released.

Leah sighs but doesn't say anything more. "Okay." Once more, she pulls me into a soft hug. "If you need anything, you call me, okay? Jake, you're her driver."

I start to protest, but Jacob merely smirks, twirling the keys around his index finger. "Yes, mistress."

Leah waves him dismissively away, trying to look disgusted, but I can see the amusement shining in her eyes. "Ugh. Get out."

"Come on, gimpy," Jacob says, his eyes never wavering from me as I limp toward his beat-up mini-van, his arms outstretched toward me, as if he's prepared to catch me should I fall.

"Put your hands down, Jake. I won't fall."

"You fell yesterday afternoon, yesterday morning, this morning—"

"Oh, be quiet," I grumble, tossing my purse onto the console and tentatively sitting in the passenger seat, using the handle above my head for assistance. My body screams in protest and I can't help the sharp gasp that leaves my lips as I lift my casted leg into the car.

Jacob mutters a curse, standing by me helplessly.

"No cursing," I scold through labored breaths.

Jacob rolls his eyes. "Shut it; I'm allowed to curse when there's nothing I can do to help my injured sister-in-law."

I give him a barely there smile, my eyes burning with tears for a different reason now. I'm glad I have a few people in my corner; it makes me feel a little less alone.

Once I'm securely in, Jacob closes the door and comes over to the driver's side. We drive in silence for a few minutes, which is all it takes to get to the diner at the edge of town.

"Thanks," I say he pulls into the parking lot. As I reach for the handle, the locks engage and he smirks. I smirk back, pressing the button on my side to unlock the door, but nothing happens.

"I wanna talk to you for a minute," he tells me. "You know you don't have to do this, right? Work, I mean."

"I do—"

"You got out of the hospital almost three weeks ago, Bella! How are you even able to walk around right now?"

"I do what I have to."

A noise of frustration leaves him and he allows his head to fall back. "You should call your mother—"

"I'm not telling her I need money and neither are you," I firmly reply, my lips pressed together tightly and my eyes narrowed in a glare.

Jacob sighs, frustrated, and shakes his head. "She would want to know you're struggling."

"It's not her problem, Jacob. It's mine."

"You're her daughter—"

"Stop," I interrupt, nearly begging. "Please."

"Does she even know about this? Any of it? The bills you shouldn't be paying? What happened?"

Affronted, I rear back, my mouth dropping open in shock. I can't believe he would think I would keep something this important from my mother. I may be an idiot at times, but I would never keep this from my mother and he knows this.

I know he does.

Leah had been the one to call my mother, but unfortunately, she was in Europe on her birthday trip her husband surprised her with. As soon as I was awake and able to comprehend what was happening, she was blowing up Leah's phone, asking to speak with me.

She was beside herself that she was so far away and was trying to book a flight back to the States, but wasn't having much luck. I had assured her I was fine and let her talk to my doctor and my nurses, swearing she didn't need to leave early because I was fine.

Placated, she made me promise we'd talk over the phone every week, and exchange emails every day, and she made Leah promise to watch over me.

Leah had taken the task very seriously and cleared out the small guest room in her home for me to stay in … after she heard her mother screaming and cursing at me for ruining their lives.

"She knows, and you know that, Jacob. Don't be ignorant."

Scrubbing a hand down his hand, he allows his head to fall forward, his chin touching his chest. "Sorry. I just … I worry about you, Bells. So does Leah. We want you to be okay."

"And I will. But I'm not going to let my responsibilities slide or live in your house rent-free. I'm going to contribute something. You work yourself to death and Leah doesn't make that much … and you two have Bailey. You don't need me mooching off you when I can work."

Jacob scowls, muttering something under his breath too low for me to hear.

"I need to go now," I murmur, looking up to see my boss, Jessica, standing in front of the diner, her eyebrows wrinkled together in concern.

With the press of a button, he unlocks the door and quickly opens his door, rushing around to my side to help me out.

"I'm just worried," he lowly tells me.

I smile, squeezing the arm I'm using for support. "I know. Thank you."

He nods once, watching me walk to the entrance. "I'll pick you up at three!"

I wave in acknowledgment, smiling at Jessica.

"Hi. Sorry, I'm late."

She shrugs, holding the door open for me. "You're not late and it's slow anyway. It'll be a folding silverware, making sure the tables are stocked kind of day, I think."

Inside, I glance around and notice she's right; there are only two tables occupied in the small diner, the patrons sitting on opposite ends, eating their food and minding their business. They've been coming here since I started, and probably even before.

Jessica inherited this place from her grandfather, who bought it in the fifty-five. You can tell it's from that era too, with the black and white checkered floors, bright blue walls, and red barstools and booths.

When Jessica took ownership of it, she cleaned it up and added a few neon signs, as well as purchasing a new jukebox when the original one broke, due to water damage from a broken pipe.

As soon as you step inside, it feels as if you've been transported back in time.

Jessica even has a retro night every week where everyone dresses up in fifties attire and a strict "no technology" rule is put in place. If you're caught disobeying this rule, then you have to answer trivia questions from the era and if you lose, then you get sent home with a finger-wagging and no dessert.

After stowing my things away in the back, I murmur a hello to Jared, our cook, and settle at the bar, where Jessica has placed out a tub of silverware and a stack of napkins. She stands behind the bar, a line of condiment bottles as well as salt and pepper shakers lined up.

"Take a seat. Do you want something to drink?"

I follow her direction, grateful for the reprieve. My leg is extremely sore today, so I'll take any chance to take it easy, especially since there won't be any chance to sit down tonight.

"Sure. Something with caffeine."

Jessica winks, pouring me a glass of soda, knowing I'm not a big coffee drinker. Once I swallow a cold gulp, I start in on my folding, humming along with the jukebox softly crooning.

When I'm done folding the silverware, I move on to helping Jessica refill everything. By the time my shift is over and I see Jacob's minivan pull into the parking lot, everything has been refilled and wiped down.

Like Jessica predicted it was a slow day, slow enough for Jessica to handle to small trickling of people that wandered in.

Jessica shoves a brown bag into my hands as I leave, stating it's some goodies for later tonight; the aroma wafting from the bag tells me it's Jared's cobbler. My stomach growls in appreciation and my mouth waters in anticipation, knowing this won't make it to our next destination.

I try to pay her for it, but waves me off, busying herself with the table of customers that calls for her attention.

Not wanting to take advantage of my boss, I slip a ten underneath Jessica's coffee cup, catching Jared's disapproving eye through the small window that looks into the kitchen.

"Shh," I whisper, pressing a finger to my lips. "I'll see you later."

Jared shakes his head, the corner of his lip twitching. "Have a good one."

"Bye."

Hobbling out to the car, I hand Jacob the brown bag and ease myself into the passenger seat, feeling Jacob's presence behind me the entire time.

"Please tell me that's Jared's cobbler," Jacob pleads, handing me the bag once I'm settled in.

"Yup," I reply, seeing four Styrofoam containers nestled inside.

Once more, my eyes burn at the thoughtfulness of the people around me.

Grabbing one of the containers, I dig into it, my eyes rolling back into my head at the rich flavor of apple, vanilla, and cinnamon exploding on my tongue. It's one of the few things I can still taste, thanks to all this medicine I'm taking.

"Enjoying that, Bells?"

"Oh yeah," I mumble through a mouthful. "It's good. There's enough for you and Leah, too."

Jacob nods. "I'll tell him thanks the next time I stop in."

"I'm making one more stop before the store," I murmur, busying myself with folding the top of the paper bag perfectly.

There's a heavy, tense silence that follows my proclamation. From the corner of my eye, I see Jacob frown, his features twisting as he attempts to hold back his tears. My own eyes burn behind my eyelids, my chin quivering as I breathe deeply, trying not to lose it.

"You don't have to do this, Bella. Leah and I went earlier—"

"He's my brother. I won't stop going to see him just because his mother hates me."

"Bella—"

"I'm going," I interrupt, my tone firm.

"You shouldn't be alone."

"I won't be. Seth is there."

Pity transforms into sadness and I immediately turn my gaze to the window, biting the inside of my cheek. I know his thoughts on this subject, just like I know Leah's. I'm not going to let their viewpoints taint what I feel in my heart.

I can't.

I won't.

Jacob pulls in front of the medium white building, and as fast as I'm able, I get out of the car, taking the extra container with me. I hear Jacob calling after me, but I ignore him, hobbling inside past the patients in wheelchairs and on crutches.

Several eyes turn to stare as I limp inside, but their interest in me fades just as quickly as it came. I head up to the desk, where an older woman with bright red hair stands to greet me, her eyes crinkling around the corners, her smile forced.

"Hiya, hun. How are you today?"

"I'm okay, Shelly," I murmur, opening the logbook.

Immediately, I spot Leah and Jake's names and my stepmother's. My breathing halts in my chest and I cough to dislodge it, hoping she doesn't notice the tremor in my hand.

"Is there anyone with him?" I ask, even though I see the time my stepmother had left.

Still, I need to be sure.

"No. Your sister and her husband were the last to see him earlier this afternoon."

I nod, probably too enthusiastic to be natural, but I don't care. I'm seconds away from losing it and I don't want to do it in the lobby of this facility.

"Great, I'll go back and see him. I brought a little dessert for him, I hope that's okay."

Shelly stares, the expression eerily similar to the one Jacob was giving me in the car. Well, if everyone else can fake it, then so can I.

Plastering on a smile, I take a step back and wave.

"I'll see you later."

"Sure," she murmurs, before calling me back. "Oh, I almost forgot, your mother said you would be handling the bills from now on?"

The last part of her statement is a question, filled with bewilderment and curiosity.

Stretching my grin farther, I nod and force a chuckle through my lips. "Oh. Right. I forgot." I dig through my purse, placing the money order on the counter. "That's all I can afford at the moment. I-I'll get the rest soon."

Shelly's lips press together, so thin that only a trace of her blush pink lipstick can be seen. "It's fine. Don't you worry, hun."

I jerk my head some resemblance of a nod and start down the hall, coming to a stop outside the door. It's silent and still, except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor. I had requested they leave the television on, just for some background noise for him, but I guess no one wants to hear what I have to say.

Taking a deep breath, I round the corner and freeze, feeling my chest tighten and my eyes burn with unshed tears. Plastering a smile on my face, I step further into the room and do what I always do … pretend everything is okay.

"Hi, Seth. How are you today?"

He doesn't answer, of course. But I'm hopeful one day he might.

EPOV-

"You are a dead man!" Kate hisses into the phone, her voice filled with irritation and frustration.

"I'm sorry!"

"Sorry?! You idiot! Why did you let our daughter watch Gremlins?"

I ran a hand through my hair and shrug, remembering she couldn't exactly see me. "She saw the box and thought it looked cute! I didn't see the harm. It's not that scary anyway."

Kate huffs. "She always thinks grizzly bears are cute too but I'm not going to let her play with one!"

Leaning against the headboard I let my head fall back, hitting the wall a few times. Maybe it'll help knock some sense into me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think it was that scary. I covered her eyes for the more—" I pause, catching my fuck-up.

"The what now?" Kate asks, her tone bordering on gloating.

"All right, fine. You win! It was too scary for our four-year-old."

Kate mutters a string of profanities under her breath, but I don't have to hear what she's saying to know I'm in deep shit the next time I see her.

A glance at the clock tells me I have twelve hours to say my goodbyes to my family and friends because come this afternoon at four, I'm a dead man.

"Is she okay?"

Once more, Kate sighs. "Yeah, we finally got her back to sleep after she woke us up screaming. It scared me to death."

"I'm sorry! I screwed up!"

Kate hums and the sound of plastic crinkling can be heard moments later, followed by something crunchy being chewed on.

"In more ways than one," she agrees. "You let her watch that movie and tried to bribe her! Did you think she wouldn't have nightmares?"

I throw the blankets off me and swing my legs over, hissing as my feet touch the cold hardwood. "I thought we established I wasn't thinking?"

There's a long silence, with nothing filling the line except my breathing and whatever Kate is eating. It makes me wonder if she's okay; she's never been the person to eat early in the morning. When we were together, she didn't eat until ten or eleven … until she was pregnant with Hazel.

I shake my head at the line of thinking; I shouldn't jump to conclusions. If Kate is pregnant, she'll tell me when she's ready.

"Are you okay?" she asks several minutes later, concern laced in her words.

"Yeah, I just … I wish I were there to help her through it."

Kate snorts. "I wish you were too. I could have used more sleep. Next time, I'll just come bang on your door and drop her off. I don't trust you not to answer the phone."

Despite my pity party, I smile at her teasing. That sounds like something she would do … or make Garrett do.

"I am sorry, Kate."

"I accept your apology. She's not scared or traumatized. And she did tell us you explained about real and make-believe, so she knows those demented creatures aren't real."

Huffing a laugh, I flop back on my bed. "Ah. I forgot you hate that movie."

"I don't hate it. I think it's stupid; how hard is it to follow directions? You don't give them anything after midnight!"

For the first time since this nerve-wracking phone call, I laugh, the sound bouncing off my walls.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. Just wait. I'll get you back somehow."

"I have no doubt," I murmur, feeling my chest tighten as I hear Hazel's sweet voice murmuring through the phone. I sit up, pressing the phone tighter to my ear. "I hear Hazel. Is she okay?"

For a short moment, all I can hear is Kate's soft breathing. "Yeah, she's okay. It was from the monitor; she's sleeping. It sounds like she's dreaming about ponies," she says with a low chuckle.

I laugh with her, though the sound is hollow, even to my ears. My chest aches and my vision clouds with tears. I don't bother to wipe them away; I'm not ashamed to admit I miss my baby girl. I wish more than anything I was there with her, comforting her from her nightmare, but we both knew co-parenting would be hard when we decided it wasn't fair for us to remain together because of Hazel.

We both knew one of us would always be missing something when she was with the other. It's a shit side effect to a breakup when there's a child involved.

"Edward, don't," Kate whispers, knowing where my thoughts have drifted.

At one point during our relationship, I thought that meant we were supposed to be together. How else could she know what I was thinking?

But no … it's because I'm not as closed off and mysterious as I like to think I am. According to Kate and my mother, I'm an open book without a cover and see-through pages.

Whatever the hell that means.

"We knew that co-parenting would be difficult for both of us. It's always going to be one of us away from her," Kate says, sympathy laced in her tone.

"I know," I reply, my tone thick and broken. "But at least we get along. At least we live close to one another. At least we're still friends."

"Exactly," Kate murmurs in reply, reaffirming the mantra that's surprisingly helped us get through these tough moments. "A lot of kids don't have that luxury of their separated parents getting along."

Even though she can't see me, I nod.

"Get some sleep, okay? I would say I'm sorry for waking you, but I'm not. It's part of your punishment. If I had to be awake for your stupid decisions, then so do you. Hazel and I will see you in a few hours."

"I understand. Wait—part of my punishment? What else do you have planned?"

Instead of replying, Kate simply laughs and hangs up.

A heaviness settles in my stomach as dread slithers up my spine. I can't help but wonder what she has in store for me; knowing her, it can't be good.

Twelve hours after my early wake-up call, I finally get my answer.

There's a light pounding on my door that can only belong to little hands. If that wasn't enough the small cry of Daddy, would surely clue me in.

I'm a little perplexed at her enthusiasm but pleased she seems so eager to see me.

Upon opening the door, she flies into my legs, the head of her baby doll hitting me in the crotch. I bite my tongue to keep the slew of curses inside of my mouth, not wanting Hazel to pick up any more colorful words from me.

"Hi, baby," I grind out through clenched teeth.

Hazel beams up at me, her smile as bright as her eyes. "Hi, Daddy! I can't wait to told you everything I dids today! I colored pictures wif Ms. Maggie, and I played outside, and I took a nap with no bad dreams … but I did dream my baby was losted so I had to find her. My teacher telled us a new song! Do you wanna hear it? I think I knows all the words. And then—"

My gaze shoots up to Kate, wondering why the hell my baby is rambling away like she just had a pound of sugar.

Kate's smile is wicked filled with amusement and glee. As I look between Hazel and Kate, the pieces suddenly come together.

"No," I breathe, internally pleading that Kate hasn't done what I think she did.

Kate merely cackles in response as Hazel confirms one of my worst fears.

"And Mommy gaves me ice cream!" Hazel squeals before running inside my townhome, climbing onto the couch and jumping.

I groan, my head falling forward so my chin touches my chest.

"You gave her ice cream?" I mumble, wincing as Hazel's screams of delighted fun grow louder with each bounce.

"Oh yeah," Kate affirms with a snicker. "Payback. Besides, I thought she deserved it after last night. Have fun."

"I can't believe—"

I shut myself at her raised eyebrow, knowing I deserve this for my idiotic choices.

"Yeah, okay."

Once more Kate laughs, pressing a kiss to my cheek before stepping into the doorway. "Bye, baby! Have fun and be good for Daddy, okay? I'll see you tonight."

"Bye, Mommy!" Hazel huffs out between jumps.

"Oh, don't think about calling your parents for help," Kate whispers. "They know all about this and they agree with me."

I groan, knowing the next time I see them, I'll get read the riot act.

Fabulous.

"Great."

Kate wriggles her fingers in a wave goodbye, her laughter trailing behind her. Closing the door, I lean against it and pray for help to get me through the next few hours with my sugar-filled daughter.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! See you next time. :)