Title - A Walk on the Wild Side

Author Aliciaw68

Beta -– Ladyletters

Banner – Rita01tx

Rating M

This is my entry for the Babies at the Border Compilation. Thank you so much to everyone who donated I think we raisedover $ 13000 for the babies so thank you to everyone wo donated.

A Walk on the Wild Side

In "That Night", set two years before this story, Edward and Bella found matrimonial harmony that allowed them both to indulge their kinks in a safe environment. Now some unexpected surprises threaten to derail their relationship.

"Edward," Emmett shouted across the corridor between our offices, "we have to go to Europe to finalise this deal."

"Why the hell do we need to go to Europe?" I yelled back. "Have they not heard of Skype or video conferencing?" The last thing I needed was to be out of the country for any length of time, never mind out of the office. I got up from my desk and walked across the corridor and into his office slumping down on his huge black leather couch. The same one Emmett had slept on most nights in the early days of establishing our architectural practice.

"This is an amazing opportunity Edward," he didn't look up from his laptop, "the building will be known worldwide and the client is a household name. They are looking for fresh talent."

"But London?" I didn't bother trying to hide the annoyance in my voice. "It's cold, noisy, wet and full of people who don't speak to one another. When Bella and I did Europe on our honeymoon that was my least favourite place."

"It can be wet and cold," acknowledged Emmett, looking up from his laptop with a knowing smile. "London is a great place once you give it a chance. He changed the subject, sensing my frustration. They want a face to face meeting," he began, pre-empting my question, "the owner is old school, and he likes to do business with people he knows. His PA just told me that we won't even get to sit down and talk business if he isn't comfortable with us as people."

"For how long?" I was already wondering what I needed to talk to Bella about cancelling.

"I'm not sure," he frowned, "but I'm thinking we had better clear the decks for a month just in case. If I didn't think we could do this, or it wasn't worth it, I wouldn't suggest it" I could see the glint of excitement in his eyes. "This could be huge for us. It could lift the business up to another level."

I understood what he was saying. Bella's investment from the sales of her books had enabled us to open two more offices across the country but in the eyes of our peers we were still a small time architectural practice.. We had developed a niche working on the rooftops of established buildings. The club had been my first rooftop design however off the back of that we had also picked up several commissions for BDSM clubs around the country. Riley Biers and his partner Garret were our college friends and owners of several upmarket Fetish and BDSM clubs. They were happy to recommend us and we continued to work on every new club they opened. Business was good but to work on the new European Headquarters for a worldwide corporation was a big deal.

"Will Mistress Rosalie let you out of her sight for a whole month?" Whilst I knew all the details of his relationship with Rosalie we never actually spoke about it outside of the club. It was hard to believe this hulk of a man was a submissive but then again my own sexual appetite and preferences would be considered more than confusing to most people.

"I was just thinking about that" he scrolled through the diary on his phone, "Rosalie is needed here for at least the next four months so unless she can get away for the odd weekend she is going to have to just cope with it. What about Bella?"

"She's in the middle of her next book. I think this is the second of a trilogy so she has plenty going on." I couldn't help but smile as I thought about the several different visits we had already made to different adult stores in the surrounding states. She had made a point to make sure we visited everything from a seedy back street store right up to something that resembled a medium sized supermarket.

"I know that look you got lucky I take it?" Emmett was trying unsuccessfully to hold in his laughter

"I got more than lucky, I got sucked and well and truly fucked but that's another matter." I was okay going into detail at the club but not here in our work place. My private life was just that.

"Oh nasty! You didn't let some random dude suck you off through some glory hole?" he shuddered and I knew he was trying not to picture it.

"Shut the fuck up," I snarled. He had well and truly stepped over the line now. "You know I don't do anything like that outside of the club, it's just Bella and me."

"Horny I'm home." I shouted my standard greeting as I stepped through the front door of our home. Even after all these years it still brought a smile to my face. I threw my suit jacket on the chair, kicked my shoes off and dropped my case on the floor.

"In here!" The response came from somewhere in Bella's office, so I made my way to the ever open door. The sight still took my breath away, even after several years of seeing her naked it still made me realise what a lucky bastard I was to have her in my life. She was sat working at her laptop out on the back deck completely naked. When we had made the renovations to our house to enclose the rear of the property completely and installed all the extra restraint points we had added a set of double doors to her office so she could have access to the porch area all year round. The heaters out there meant it was comfortable in the winter but in the summer, on days like this, it was glorious in the late afternoon early evening.

She was sat at the large dining table we had out there for when we had friends over. Her lap top was in front of her and she had a smaller electronic notebook to one side, the rest of the table top was covered with drinks, empty snack wrappers, tissues, and sun tan lotion, sunglasses, reading glasses, bottles of water and several different pens and paper notebooks. My wife was nothing if not dedicated and prepared.

"Hi honey, good day?" She turned to look at me. Her smile was off, something wasn't right. I knew she would tell me when she was ready, one thing we did well was talk.

"Yes and no, but that can wait till later, first I need a proper hello from my gorgeous husband." I walked across and she stood up to meet me. She moved further down the table and sat on it, opening her legs so I could walk into her complete embrace.

"Have you been writing naughty sex scenes all day by any chance?" She started to kiss my neck and unbutton my dress shirt.

"Actually no, I just really missed you today and I need a cuddle but first I need to feel your skin against mine." She pulled my shirt out of the waist band of my dress pants and opened it completely before pushing it back over my shoulders. Her grip was tight and there was almost a feeling of desperation as she wrapped her legs tighter around my thighs and pulled me harder against her body. My first thought was she was struggling with something in her book and she needed to take her mind off it.

"What's the problem baby? Tell me and I may be able to help." I tried to look in her eyes but she was already unzipping my pants and pushing them down.

"Bella sweetheart," I pulled back for a moment, trying to catch her eye. "I'm all for a welcome home fuck but if it's to distract me before you give me some bad news…"

"Edward I don't want to talk or think, I just want you to fuck me please." This was so unlike Bella, something was off and everything inside of me was telling me to make her talk but I just couldn't right now. She needed me, she needed this.

She lay back on the table, her hair splayed across the surface. The sun illuminated her. Whether it was a trick of the light or the way she was laying her breasts looked fuller and ripe, her nipples already hard and huge. I couldn't help myself, I knew we needed to talk but I love my wife and to see her laid out in front of me like this was something I couldn't ignore. It was hard and fast, Bella setting the pace as she begged for harder and faster, she came twice but something was off, neither orgasm seemed to placate her.

"Are you ready to talk now?" She had to be sore from the friction of the table but she wasn't moving yet.

"No I need you to let me have some me time, do you mind?" I shook my head so she knew I had no problem with it. She smiled, almost with relief before pointing to the corner of the porch. "Can you get everything together for me while I clean myself up?" I slipped my boxers back on and went to the lockable chest we kept on the porch that held all our outside play equipment. Over the past few years we had experimented with different gags, restraints and added and taken away different pieces. I loved the fact she confident enough to tell me exactly what she wanted now, all shyness and embarrassment long since gone.

"What do you want, sweetheart?" She strolled back outside still completely naked.

"Everything, I need to clear my head." She gave me a strained smile and walked outside. We still had the original sculpture in the middle of the garden. Our vanilla friends thought it was a lovely piece of art but our 'other' friends knew it was a fixed restraint point for Bella.

As she got herself comfortable against the steel, warm from the afternoon sun, I started to restrain her. First her favourite mask, a complete leather hood that covered her eyes, ears and nose. Then I put her ear buds in, fastening the hood and making sure the nostril holes were in the correct place. Next the cuffs that tightened round each wrist before connecting to the sculpture above her head. I could see her body visibly relax and she started to slip into the space she needed to be in. I snapped on the ankle cuffs and she positioned her legs knowing exactly where they needed to be to be locked them into position. She was in her own way spread eagle now, wrapped around the steel structure. The only thing left from the original set up was her gag and I knew if she wanted everything that meant the gag with the replica of my cock attached to it. She was already licking her lips as I took it out of its case. I put the tip on her lips and let her work it in and out of her mouth, pushing slightly every so often to help her as she didn't have her hands free. As it started to go in further and further I could feel my cock harden, I loved to see her like this because I knew just how much she was getting from it.

"Is that okay, are you comfortable at that?" I asked as the base of the cock rested against her lips. I could see the slight bulge in her throat where the tip was firmly seated. She nodded and clicked her finger and thumb, a signal we had to let me know she was okay. I fastened the gag in place round the back of her head and then fastened the strap across her forehead to the restraint. She was totally immobile now and when I switched the music on her main senses would all be gone. As she relaxed against the steel I could see her sinking into her happy place, I walked back to the chest and got a couple more items out that she had requested to try in the past and had added to the set up. The first were some nipple clamps, nothing heavy duty, just something she could feel. She said they grounded her sometimes, gave her something to focus on when she needed to. I thought it was a contradiction of what she wanted but she was experimenting all the time and I was here to support her. The other thing she loved was her U shaped vibrator. I knew she would be wet from our recent activity but whether I would be able to insert anything in her ass was another matter. Her legs were restrained open so I had easy access to her pussy, I walked over and rubbed the front part through her pussy lips getting it wet and then pressed it into her. The back half of the shape would just have to press against her puckered hole. When it was inside her pussy I turned it on low and stepped back. I put the squeaky toy we used as an alarm in her hand and asked her if she was okay. One squeak meant yes so as soon as she did that I turned the music on. She was now in her own little world, cut off from all outside interference as such.

She looked incredible in the sunshine, her body being warmed by the sun and the sculpture. I turned the remote control up a fraction on the vibrator and watched as her body acknowledged it. Restrained as she was I couldn't see or hear her reactions, so I loved it when she groaned or whined when I hit a certain spot or repeatedly missed it on purpose. This though, this was for her and I had to remember that, she needed this herself, just like sometimes I needed to feel a thick cock in my mouth or ass.

I left her in position for twenty minutes before I removed the vibrator from her and waited to see how she reacted. Her hips flexed and I knew she was looking for more. I had a choice I could kneel down and use my tongue or I could take the strain on my thighs and slide my now semi erect cock into her. I dropped to my knees and rubbed the tip of my nose against her clit, her legs were splayed enough that her outer lips were already invitingly open and she was so turned on they were puffy and swollen. Her clitoris was hard and engorged with blood, pushing itself out from under its protective hood. Her hips flexed as she realised where I was and I realised I hadn't fastened her waist restraint in place. It was too late now, so I gently scraped my teeth over the throbbing little button. Her hips started to move against my face and I set to work giving her the orgasm she needed. It didn't take long, a few hard strokes from as far back as I could reach right round to her clit and she was soon shaking and trying to buck against my face. As I slid two, then three fingers inside her I could feel how relaxed and wet she was, tonight three wasn't going to be enough so I carefully curled my thumb into the palm of my hand and added a fourth finger. I could feel her tense up as realised just how full she was. It was her choice now, she could relax into me and help me get everything in or she could fuck herself on my fingers. She started to move as much as she could and I let her take the lead as she tried to take me in as much as she could.

The vision in front of me was incredible; I was down on my knees, my eyes level with my wife's beautiful stretched full pussy, her juices coating everything in my eye line. My tongue kept flicking out and fluttering over her clit but as I moved my hand I realised she was fighting me, I couldn't quite work out what she was trying to achieve so I just followed her lead. Just as I was going to start easing my thumb inside her she suddenly froze and started squeaking the toy in her hand. For a split second I wasn't sure what was going on, she hadn't stopped a playtime at home before. In the early days of experimenting in the club she'd stopped things a few times but not for the best part of two years. I sprang into action pulling my hand out and straightening up to release the gag. As the dildo left her throat she started to cough, that was normal and after the first few times I knew to get on and finish undoing the restraints while she worked her throat. I quickly ripped off the forehead restraint and the hood, pulling out her ear buds at the same time. It took her a few seconds to acclimatise her eyes and ears, by which time I'd unclipped her hands. As she lowered them back down I knelt down and unclipped her legs. All we needed to do now was take the nipple clips off and the cuffs that still sat on her wrists and ankles.

I picked her up and carried her indoors, settling her on our bed before carefully removing the clips and removing the last bits of leather. She hadn't said a word, but the good thing was she wasn't crying either.

"Bella sweetheart are you okay?"

She looked up at me and burst into tears. "Edward I'm pregnant." I watched as she fell backwards onto our bed and curled into a ball. Her sobs got louder as she turned her face away from me and cried into her pillow.

It took me a few minutes to react. I wanted to sweep her into my arms but her whole demeanour screamed, don't touch me. Why this was such a bad thing? We'd talked about having kids. She lay sobbing on our bed, a place we kept free from drama. I felt helpless and lost as thoughts raced through my brain. Didn't she want it? Was she worried it wasn't mine?

The life style we led meant that was always a possibility. Bella very rarely knew who fucked her in the club, it was part of the whole deal for her, being used and unable to stop anything. We had talked on several occasions about whether we would have a DNA test to see if the child was biologically mine but had both decided it wouldn't matter. The thought of the club finally brought a dark deep fear rushing to the surface, something that I instantly knew Bella had already thought about. How would this affect us? Would she want to stop going to the club now and how could we go after the baby was born? I know it was selfish, after several years of us doing as we pleased we were used to just picking up and going where we pleased.

Bella was inconsolable and within an hour had cried herself to sleep. I held her close trying to comfort her. Her skin was cold even though she was curled up in my arms and under the duvet. I slipped on her pyjamas gently. It was like dressing a child as she stayed sound asleep.

Over the years we had learned how to communicate on a level most couples would never even get close to. With what we did on our weekends we needed to trust one another implicitly and communicate or we risked everything we had. We religiously had Wednesday night hot tub night, no matter what the weather and what meetings were scheduled for either of us; Wednesday night was our night to talk about us. We were open and spoke without shame, embarrassment or judgement. Tomorrow was Wednesday. I was sure that we would sort everything out tomorrow.

Breakfast was a silent and lonely affair. Bella avoided me by pretending to still be asleep. I could hear her sniffling as I went for my morning shower but when I tried to ask her if she was feeling better she turned away from me and snuggled further under the duvet. It was as though everything we had learned as a couple had gone out of the window. I left for work as normal, never having mentioned my impending trip or discussed the fact she was pregnant. All night I'd wondered if the baby was mine. Bella had the contraceptive shot religiously so someone had super sperm to get her pregnant, something that I hadn't done in all the years we'd been together. I'd slept badly, unable to get the image of her pregnant with someone else's child out of my head.

Emmett was full of himself when I finally reached the office. I could tell he was bursting to tell me some good news as he waited for me to take my jacket off and put my case down. "We leave for Germany at the weekend!"

"Germany?" I was surprised, "I thought we were going to London." I sat down behind my desk. Emmett bounced on the balls of his feet like a five year old, a huge grin on his face.

"With all the Brexit shit going on they have decided to relocate their European headquarters."

"I've never been to Germany, have you?" My coffee was ready for me and Shelley had already sorted the post leaving the important stuff ready for my attention.

"Yes, I did a year in Europe as parts of my Masters. I split my time between Germany and London looking at the pre/post war divide." He shoved his phone under my nose, flicking through dozens of photos of different buildings. Some were definitely post war and awful but there were some rare beauties that had survived the many bombing raids.

"When do we leave?" I was hoping for at least a week so I could talk to Bella and get us in to see her doctor.

"We fly out of Seattle into O'Hare on Saturday and pick up the connection to Berlin." His grin got even wider. "You're going to love Berlin. I suggest you do some research on the lifestyle out there and talk to your pretty wife on whether you can indulge or not." I slammed down my coffee cup down on the desk, the dark brown liquid spilling all over the pile of post and the latest copy of Architect monthly.

"What do you mean the lifestyle and why the fuck do we have to leave so soon?" Emmett, however, was already gone. I sighed. He knew that we only played together at the club so whatever delights Berlin offered, Emmett would have to experience them himself.

Bella was sitting on the couch staring at the wall when I walked through the door. It was so sad to see her like that. She was usually so full of life and glowing with happiness.

"We need to talk," were the first words out of her mouth.

"Do you want to get in to the hot tub, it's Wednesday?" I thought keeping some of our routine going would help her relax. I was sure once she was in warm water she would calm down.

"No I'd rather not," she said, a little piously, "I don't know if the hot tub will affect the baby."

"Wow things are changing already."I could have kicked myself. The words had just come out. I'd been thinking about it all day how being pregnant would change things, change us. I tried not to but it was there front and centre. I waited for her to react. I knew her well enough to know that she was fighting with her emotions. Her face was a mirror of the confusion inside her head. I could see the telltale streaks of dried tears that had run down her cheeks on several different occasions.

"I knew it," when she finally responded it was as if some deep rooted rage had boiled over, "I fucking knew you would react badly." Her voice was already hoarse. "I know this will cramp your style but we have to grow up and be normal adults at some point. Have you not had your fill of cock yet? Or am I going to have to sit here for the next eighteen years changing shitty diapers and looking after our child while you go out and pick up random men." She shot past me, upstairs. I heard the lock on our bedroom door close firmly.

I was still standing in the hallway holding my work case. What the fuck had just happened? Where had all that resentment come from? I followed her upstairs but she wouldn't let me in the bedroom, no matter how much I pleaded. I could have broken the lock but if she needed her privacy I would give it to her. I spent the rest of the night watching sports and then slept in the guest room. Thursday was no different as I spent my work day getting ready to leave, and my evening watching television alone before retiring to the guest room.

Friday was when everything went to shit. Emmett got a call from the police first thing informing him that Rosalie's club had been broken into. She had disturbed whoever had been in there and they had beaten her up prettily badly and done thousands of dollars worth of damage to the inside of the club. He grabbed his coat and rushed off to meet her at the ER. The doctor that called had stressed that she wasn't badly injured but they were sending her for a CT scan as a precaution. I asked Shelley to reschedule the Berlin trip but after half an hour and several phone calls it was clear that the deadlines could not be moved. I would have to go to Berlin alone or we wouldn't get an opportunity to design this building.

"Have you seen her?" I asked, finding Emmett pacing in the corridor of the hospital. His face was ashen and had a green tinge.

"Yes they've made a real mess of her. I'm just waiting to find out the results of her CT scan." He was ready to break down and I could see the tears in his eyes as he fought to keep control.

I had no words, what could I say? I pulled him in for a hug and held him as he let go and cried. Finally an hour later the doctor came out and told him she was going to be okay. She would be in hospital for several days, but that she hadn't sustained any brain damage from the blows to her head. He collapsed into the chair and held his head in his hands. "Thank god."

It put my problems into perspective. Bella and I just needed to talk and we could do that once I got home from Berlin. In fact a little time apart may actually put things into perspective for us. When I got home the house was quiet so I set about packing for what could be a month away. By the time I'd finished it looked like I'd left home, my closet almost empty.

I tried Bella's mobile but it went to her answer phone. I tried again and again. Eventually I realised she didn't want to talk to me so I did what I could and left her a message. I explained that something had come up at work that was too big for me to get out of and that I had to go to Germany for a while. I told her I could be gone for a few weeks and begged her to speak to me. I emailed her details about Rosalie and the hospital she was in as well as contact details for my hotel in Berlin.

"I haven't been able to tell her I'm going abroad tomorrow on business," I moaned over the phone to Alice, Bella's best friend. "I hate leaving without seeing her, without talking. It's ridiculous that she's just shut me out completely." I stood in the family room of our home. The light was fading and for once looking out at the sculpture in the garden did nothing for me. I saw it for what it was: a gnarled piece of stainless steel with holes in.

"She just needs to come to terms with a few things," Alice replied, gently. I slumped down on the couch, my hand reaching for a handful of my hair, a nervous habit I thought I'd grown out of years ago.

"What about me?" I could hear my voice wobbling, unable to hide the sorrow. "I have no idea what's going on how far along she is." My emotions finally fought their way to the surface. I needed to hold my wife. I shouldn't be explaining this to Alice.

"I shouldn't be telling you this Edward," she said, in a low voice, "but she has a scan booked for Tuesday. Hopefully when she knows the details you two can start talking."

Did the low voice mean that Bella was staying with her? Part of me wanted to drive over there and have it out with her but it was obvious now she needed to be sure that the baby was mine before she made any decisions. It was only then I realised she would be seeing our baby for the first time on Tuesday without me. If it was mine I would miss out on that and even if it wasn't Bella shouldn't have to go through that on her own.

"Oh Edward thank you," said Alice, much louder now. I suspected that Bella had entered the room. "I'll get her to call you." She cut the call off.

I sat in our family room, darkness invading the room as I waited for the call. By midnight it was clear the call wasn't coming.

Germany

I was met at the airport by a black, top of the range, chauffeur driven Mercedes. I shouldn't have been surprised I was in Germany after all. The flight had been smooth and without delay and due to my lack of sleep on Friday night I'd slept most of the way. The hotel was huge, a large corporate worldwide brand that looked architecturally very similar to the same branded hotel in Chicago. I was a little disappointed that I wasn't going to be in a small family run place where I could at least get to see the same faces if I was going to be here a while. I checked in and had a long hot shower before crashing out for a couple of hours. I didn't want to sleep long because I needed to get my body clock in line as quickly as possible.

I woke, groggy and disorientated, to the sound of the room phone ringing. I snatched it up hoping it was Bella but it turned out to be Hans's PA inviting me to meet for dinner. I agreed and jumped back into the shower to wake myself up. Before leaving the room I tried to ring Bella again. It went to answer phone, I'd already figured out she wasn't ready to speak to me until she had a better idea of when she had conceived. If that was how she wanted it all I could do was wait for her to contact me, I left her a message telling her I'd arrived safely and reminding her of the hotel details and where the number was if she couldn't raise me on my cell phone. I told her I loved her and that I was waiting to hear from her. I couldn't do any more. She had thrown all our rules out of the window by not talking to me, not sharing what she was going through and not taking into account how this affected me.

I was ready early so I went downstairs and sat at the bar. The barman was chatty, his English excellent and as clientele were thin on the ground he stood with me to keep me company. He topped up my scotch at least three times. I was finally relaxed, the alcohol having the desired effect and taking the edge off my stress.

I checked my watch, wondering if Hans Meyer was going to be late. At that exact moment a tall, incredibly handsome blonde man walked into the hotel and straight up to the bartender. He was immaculately dressed in a pair of navy blue jeans and a white button down dress shirt with a tweed sports jacket slung on top. My old science teacher had worn a jacket like that with suede patches on the elbows and we had teased him mercilessly, yet on this man and teamed with trendy lace up boots it looked just right. His features were sharp, slightly angular but smooth at the same time, clear fresh shaven skin framed by hair that he wore on the longer side. I couldn't help but give him a longer second look as the alcohol surged through my veins. Everything about him screamed confidence and poise.

It surprised me that I had to discreetly rearrange myself. If I'd have been in another environment in a different country I could quite easily have been on my knees before the night was out. I could imagine his smooth long cock as it passed between my lips. I closed my eyes and turned my lower body away from him cursing the last large scotch I'd consumed. I heard my name mentioned so I looked across as the bartender gestured over to me.

"Mr Cullen?" the guy asked as he turned towards me.

"Edward," I said, slipping off the bar stool, instinctively pulling myself to my full height as I held my hand out, "you must be Hans." His grip was firm, slight calluses on his hands hinting at manly pursuits and for a split second I wondered how it would feel wrapped around my cock. I felt my face flush as I tried to hide the thought and I hoped he couldn't read minds or body language. He was half a head taller than me and my beige chinos, dress shirt and shoes suddenly felt very boring and conspicuous. It seems that Europeans are a lot more stylish than their American counterparts.

"Are you ready for dinner or would you like to have a drink in a bar nearby?" He looked around the quiet, bland hotel bar with slight disdain.

"Drink first I think," I replied. The barman had my bill ready and I quickly signed my room number, leaving him a generous tip. Hans smiled, I think that he must have approved.

"Great," replied Hans, leading me out of the lobby and into the street. I caught myself checking out his ass as he walked in front of me. The snug fit of his dark jeans emphasised his ass and highlighted it perfectly. I had an urge to grab an ass cheek and just squeeze. What the fuck was wrong with me? I never checked out guys and I certainly never got involved with anyone outside of the club. "I was surprised that you chose to stay in this area," said Hans as I fell into step beside him, "however I'm pleased that you have." I nodded, smiling, not quite sure what he meant.

We chatted as we walked along the sidewalk through the neighbourhood. It was a warm evening, the weather was good and I instantly loved the cafe culture that was everywhere. Every street had a couple of local bars and cafes and every few streets there was a full block of restaurants, cafes and clubs. It was still fairly quiet and I remembered somebody telling me that Europeans started their nights out a lot later than Americans. We walked for about ten minutes before stopping in front of a bar.

"This is one of my favourite bars in this district but I should warn you it's a gay bar," he looked into my face, searching for any hint of discomfort.

"That's fine by me," I told him honestly and gestured for him to walk in. I don't know what I was expecting perhaps a dark seedy place with lots of men in leather waistcoats and caps with chains but it was nothing like that. The bar was stylish, fitted out in chrome and leather with comfortable couches, high shiny tables and lots of art work. We walked to the bar. Hans recommended a brand of local beer that was on tap. It had a bigger head than I was used to but Hans didn't bat an eyelid so I assumed that was normal. We moved to sit at one of the high tables. The beer was cold, very different from the stash I kept in the fridge a home, it was strong and the taste much earthier than I was used to. I once again looked at my surroundings. The artwork was a mixture of erotica, landscapes and prints. It was weird to see the image of two men entwined on a bed naked next to a hard urban landscape but somehow it all blended together. As my eyes roamed around the walls and the customers I couldn't help but wonder how a place like this would go down at home. I knew there were gentlemen's clubs but they were discreet and usually very high end. This was just an everyday bar on the street.

"This district is the gay quarter of the city," he explained, "everything we need is here within several blocks. We have the basic, food shops, pharmacies, cafes and bars but this area also contains many gay clubs, specialist shops, specialist clubs and a cinema as well as book shops, artists, furniture specialists. In fact everything you could desire is probably catered for here."

His eyes never left mine as he spoke. He wasn't embarrassed about what he was saying or who he was. He maintained eye contact and I knew he was watching for the slightest hint to help him decide how I was feeling or maybe going to react. I wrapped my hands around my glass and broke his gaze. I hadn't missed his use of the word 'we' and I realised he was putting his sexuality out there straight away. Was he expecting me to announce mine? I'm a straight man that loves cock now again, does that make me bisexual? More than likely but is it any of his business? No not at all.

"Does this lifestyle offend you Edward," he said carefully. "I can see from the look on your face that you are having an internal struggle with your thoughts, please tell me what you are thinking?" Hans was forthright and straight to the point. I liked that, it made a refreshing change and decided he deserved my honesty.

"No it doesn't offend me at all. My wife and I lead an alternative lifestyle than most people wouldn't understand." that was all I was prepared to tell him so I tried to change the subject. "When does the business begin? When do I get to see a plan of the site you have and hear your thoughts on what you need and want?" I took a long slug of my beer and felt the buzz in my head as the alcohol seeped into my system. I needed something to eat and soon.

"No, no it doesn't work like that," he shook his head, "we have to spend some time together getting to know one another and only when I'm happy I know you do we start to talk business."

We moved onto safer subjects and chatted until the long beers were finished, then moved onto the restaurant he'd suggested. Singularly attractive waiters dressed in tiny scraps of leather carried the food high in the air on large oval trays. As they moved between the tables it was obvious their bodies were as much of an attraction as the food. I looked around at the diners, they were mostly men but there were a few women. The atmosphere was buoyant and loud. The windowless room in the basement was full and there was laughter coming from every area as people ate and drank together.

The menu was basic, the selection limited. I ordered sausage and sauerkraut or a variation of that dish. My alcohol soaked juvenile side sniggered as I thought about having a German sausage but the food was incredible when it arrived. There was no mistaking the quality of the meat or the love with which it had been prepared. It quickly acted as a sponge in my stomach soaking up the alcohol and allowing my brain to function and my cock to stand down. I suddenly realised what Emmett had been trying to tell me and I couldn't wait to describe this restaurant to him. I pictured his face as I explained naked men, some very much aroused, serving the food. An experience I would never forget.

"Edward, you said earlier you and your wife live an alternative lifestyle. What does that entail, an open marriage perhaps?" The smirk on his face pissed me off because I knew he was expecting some pseudo minor kink in his eyes. I spoke before I really thought about what I was going to say.

"We are members of a sex and fetish club at home. My wife and I are very active members." I knew from the look on his face he already knew this and I wondered where this conversation was going. "I actually designed the remodel for the club."

"Your role in those clubs is what brought you to our attention," he said, fixing me with sharp blue eyes. "We are looking for someone who can think outside of the normal office block, even though that is what you will be designing." He sat back and took a long sip of his dark ale, leaving me to digest his meaning.

A waiter came over to clear the table. His skin was smooth and shiny, very obviously oiled up for the evening and I couldn't help but wondered if that hindered him as he handled the crockery. His hair free muscular body was very much on display.

"Hans, long time no see," he greeted my companion, shooting me a curious glance. Again, I felt my chinos distinctly out of place and resolved to go shopping as soon as possible. "Where have you been hiding?" His hand rested lightly on Hans shoulder as he spoke.

"Peter, I have a business client with me from the states," he flashed me a smile. It seemed to be some sort of code as Peter cleared the table quickly and left.

Hans went straight back to his questions. "I want to know about you Edward, not just the architect or the husband, but you, who you are deep down inside. Once I know that I will know if I can work with you and if you will be able to interpret the ideas we have and why we have them." His intense gaze was back as he looked directly at me. He wasn't looking around the room or off to one side, his gaze was centred on me. It was unusual and I had to admit sexually charged. I felt a little on the defensive.

"My wife and I have a very happy healthy relationship," I told him, stiffly, "when we go to the club we both have particular kinks that we indulge in, sometimes together and sometimes separately."

"Now I'm intrigued Edward," he said, leaning over the table so that I caught the scent of his citrus cologne, "what do you do separately?"

"Hans I have known you for a few hours and I'm well on my way to being drunk," I tried to bat away the question. "That is my personal business so can we drop this conversation please?" I pushed my glass away.

"I'm sorry if I have offended you Edward," he smiled and I couldn't help but think that he wasn't sorry at all. "I sometimes forget not all nationalities are as open as we are." He summoned the waiter and I knew he was going to order more alcohol.

"No more Hans, I'm tired could we please call it a night?" I could see the disappointment in his eyes but I really needed to sleep.

The next morning I woke with a banging head and a dry mouth. I showered, took some headache tablets and lay on top of the bed in my jeans and T-shirt until reception called to say my driver was here. I grabbed my phone and wallet went downstairs where the same chauffer driven car that had picked me up from the airport was waiting for me. The driver's English was excellent and he knew a hangover when he saw one. We stopped to eat a hearty breakfast in a little cafe he knew and then armed with fresh pastries and a very strong coffee he took me on a tour.

Berlin is without doubt beautiful. Its facade was almost industrial as the rebuild after the war had been functional but with a twist of some of the old features that would have been obliterated and forgotten. The streets were clean and litter free and the graffiti minimal unless it was in an area where it was encouraged. I saw the remnants of the Wall and the pictures of 'The Hoff' as he sang on it. Next was The Brandenburg Gate, Check point Charlie and The Reichstag. The city was a beautiful mixture of modern, old and rebuilt. It was like I was back in my history class as I gazed at all the places we studied and talked about.

Lunch was a currywurst. Karl my driver insisted that I try it. It was a German sausage sliced into pieces with a spicy sauce sprinkled with curry powder. It was served with fries and a cold drink. We sat on the banks of the River Spree and watched the tourists board the river boats.

After lunch we went into the shopping quarter so I could see how the buildings had been planned and built. There was for once an abundance of space so the planners had had chance to take many different factors into consideration. The Underground for example was planned so you could get on the different lines in multiple places in the city. There was a whole level of shops and amenities underground that made the most of all the space. I was enchanted as we walked or drove round areas I definitely wouldn't have seen on a tour bus.

The main store in the square was the German equivalent of Macy's. I browsed through the male fashions and bought a couple of pairs of skinny jeans, something I wouldn't have dreamed of at home, and a pair of soft suede desert boots. In the back of the car on the way back to the hotel I tried Bella a couple more times, not really minding that it went straight to answer phone, I just left her a message explaining where I was and what I could see. Hans messaged me, asking to meet again later.

I was waiting for Hans at the allotted time dressed in my new black skinny Jeans and boots. I felt relaxed and comfortable. I may have been on a business trip but I was also learning about the country. After another nap my hangover was completely gone and I was fully hydrated. I also didn't make the same mistake of starting early on the alcohol. We walked through the neighbourhood but in a different direction. This time the shops were just coming to life as the evening light faded.

"This is the fetish block. I wondered if this would be of interest to you." Hans stopped outside a shop that sold Rubber and Leather clothing for the fetish scene. He pointed out across the road a shop that specialised in sex swings and another that actually measured and made tailored leather clothes of any description. The window display caught my eye, a beautiful pair of chocolate brown leather pants. My heart beat a little faster; they were the exact shade of Bella's eyes and those flaps in the front and back would be very useful.

"Ahh I see something has caught your eye," his eyes glinted in the fading light, the amusement in his voice not hidden, "well these shops are usually open until 2AM so we can look on the way back, if that suits you?" I nodded and we walked on down the street, the window displays becoming slightly more extreme and diverse but in a strange way incredibly freeing. I had no idea if we had shops like this at home I suppose there must be somewhere but it would never be accepted next to the local grocery store and liquor store. It was an incredibly freeing to know that anyone would be accepted here no matter what their sexuality, gender or kink. Bella and I had done so much research for her new book that I knew every normal sex shop with a fifty mile radius of home. They were tame compared to what was on display here.

I felt for my phone as I thought about my beautiful wife. Still no call or message and it was her scan tomorrow. I pushed my phone back into my pocket and walked to the next window display. It was a fetish shop that catered for human animals. Tails attached to butt plugs and masks of every description adorned the display. This country had a really healthy attitude to sex and I was fast falling a little in love with it.

"I am both happy and relieved to see that none of this makes you uncomfortable or awkward," said Hans, the translation making the phase a little clunky albeit grammatically correct, "but I suppose working with Mr Briers you are used to the diversity of life."

"You know Riley?" I was stunned. Then again Riley seemed to know everyone so why should the divide of a continent make any difference.

"I travel a lot in the US and I have a membership to his clubs," explained Hans, "it was he who gave me your name. He does not know that I have contacted you and I would ask that it stays between us please?"

"Of course," I nodded, but my mind was racing. "But are you talking to me because you have seen me at one of the clubs or because my firm is an excellent choice for the project?" This conversation had suddenly got weird, had he seen me and Bella at a club?

"I can assure you Edward," he said, with a belly laugh, "I have never come across you in any of my visits to the States. I have an excellent memory for faces and believe me I would know if you and I had crossed paths before. Riley did introduce me to your architectural style and that is my main motivation for inviting you here."

By the time we got to the restaurant I was a little happier. He didn't know the exact nature of my kinks but it was my work that he enjoyed. With a beer in hand I started to relax. The restaurant this time was almost like an old school joint with cosy round velvet booths lit by individual lamps graduated around a central stage. The talented piano player finished as our drinks arrived and a drag act began. The floor show was funny as they sniped at each other. I didn't have to understand German to get the jokes. The food was incredible, more nouvea cuisine than the hearty fayre we had enjoyed last night but inventive and well presented.

I felt easier in his company now that I was sure of his motivation. He too seemed surer of me and some of his reserve seemed to leave him. As he relaxed his mannerisms also changed. His hands gestured as he spoke and he repeatedly touched my forearm or hand as he spoke to me or tried to get my attention. While his touch didn't have the same effect as Bella's it was still a thrilling tingling. Every time someone came to speak to Hans, which happened surprisingly often, he introduced me as his friend and more times than not I was engulfed in a huge bear hug. The smile on my face was genuine as I entered into the spirit of the evening and became the butt of several jokes as the only American in the place. I was falling in love with Berlin and the German people, perhaps even a little bit with handsome Hans. I knew that I would love to bring Bella here in future.

Wednesday morning I tried Bella again and still no answer. Having spent Tuesday on foot exploring the city and a third consecutive late night out with Hans I was a little lost on the time change. I knew she had to have had her scan by now. I left her yet another message telling her I loved her and to call me when she was ready.

Hans was not busy today and had volunteered to join me on a tour of Museum Island. It is a small part of the city full of amazing architecture and world class exhibits. The skyline is dominated by several large museums tracing everything as far back as possible to do with the German heritage and way of life.

As we walked around the huge exhibits I could feel myself absorbing the culture. For the first time in years I had the urge to just sit and sketch. Hans and I made our way outside and sat side by side on a bench by the river. I could feel his eyes on my hand as I quickly sketched the buildings in front of us. I lost myself in my surroundings as the paper before me quickly filled with landscape. I turned the page and started to roughly sketch a design that would fit in amongst the beautiful buildings. On another page I designed a facade that looked modern on one level but was sympathetic to its surroundings.

"Edward slow down, have a break." Hans was stood in front of me with two coffees and a brown paper bag. As he sat next to me he pulled out two huge seeded bread rolls filled with salad, hardboiled egg and a spicy mayonnaise. His fingers stroked the back of my hand as he passed my coffee. I gave him the benefit of the doubt but as he passed me my sandwich there was no mistaking the fact he let his fingers linger on my skin. I should have pulled away. I should have stopped him there and then. I should have told him again I wasn't interested in him but it was nice to feel desired. Hans was making his play but as soon as the sandwich was finished my attention returned to the sketchbook. My forgotten coffee going cold on the bench beside me.

Dinner that night took a subtle turn. Hans took me to a spa, not one like Bella and the girls frequented, this was a male only one. There were no towels, or bathing trunks and everyone was completely free and easy with that. I made my way into the sauna and then into the shower before lying down on the cool marble slab to have my massage which Hans had warned me was Turkish style. I wasn't entirely sure what that meant but the masseuse was brutal. I was contorted into positions I didn't know if I would ever recover from and then soaped down. Finally I was hit with some sort of birch twig and rinsed off with cold water. It wasn't until I escaped and sat in the warm communal bath did I start to feel the incredible relaxing and calming effect on my body and mind.

"Incredible isn't it?" Hans slipped into the bath at the side of me.

"Mmmm, "I murmured, my body seemed to be as light as air. Everything slipped away and I let the warmth of the water envelop me. It reminded me of being in the hot tub at home and I wondered how Bella was. I sighed as the warmth penetrated my bones. My body was also very aware of Hans's proximity. We sat side by side without actually speaking but each of us hyper aware of the other. I felt his hand brush along the top of my thigh. It was a gentle touch, probably just his fingertips but the warm water seemed to amplify it. I felt my cock twitch and start to respond. His second touch was down my arm from my shoulder to my wrist and there was no mistaking that it was accidental. My brain was yelling at me to get out of the water but my cock was demanding we stay put and see what would develop. My brain won and I shook my head rousing myself from the comfort of the water. I started to get up but realised I needed a minute or two for things to subside.

On Thursday I spent the day looking at castles and palaces. Many had been rebuilt after the Second World War and the care and attention that had gone into that fascinated me. I spent most of my day trying to see which parts had been rebuilt and which parts were authentic. My driver was then able to take me to see places where some of the buildings had survived and I was able to photograph and sketch some more incredible architecture. This really was a beautiful city and they had done a remarkable job over the years rebuilding everything to look authentic but were in fact only a few decades old.

Thursday night saw us back at the fetish shop so I could be measured up for a pair of leather trousers. The quality and array of colours available was incredible. The leather on my coveted chocolate brown trousers was soft and smooth, almost cool against my skin as it was draped and pinned into place. I could feel my cock swelling as the tailor took my measurements pulling the leather tight across my thighs but allowing room for the flaps in the back and front. I should have been embarrassed but I wasn't. We discussed without any difficulty what adjustments I wanted in the design and I explained to the tailor as I stood surrounded with garments that were several levels above my kink level. It wasn't until I was getting back into my own clothes I remembered Hans had been present as I talked about needing the design changing in my trousers.

As soon as we sat in the bar next door I could see he was dying to ask me. He had respected my wishes all week and never once had he pushed me to do anything I didn't want to do. "Go on ask," I smiled, "I know you are dying to."

"I take it you are a switch, but I'm not sure how your wife fits into the equation?" As direct as ever Hans asked what he wanted to know.

"It's complicated," I took a large mouthful of Scotch to fortify myself. "Bella and I have an open relationship in some ways, but not in the sense you'd imagine. When we go about our daily lives we are a normal married couple who are monogamous and faithful and I can assure I would never cheat on my wife, but when we enter the safe environment of the club we have another set of rules. Her kink is very precise and I very rarely participate in it." He raised his eyebrows, interested rather than judgemental. "I on the other hand have several different kinks that I indulge in within the club walls. So long as we are honest and open with each other we can participate in anything that is happening on the night we are there."

"I'm intrigued Edward," he sat back, looked into his own drink as he swirled the liquid hypnotically around the bottom of the wide glass, "we have spent all this time together and you still are unable to actually say what you are into." I knew he wouldn't give in until I talked. I looked around at my surroundings and fully understood what Emmett had been trying to tell before I left. Everything you could dream of and many things you could never even imagine were on offer here without any judgement or guilt. I looked across at Hans. He was in casual clothes tonight, jeans and a short sleeved shirt that emphasised his upper body physique. He was a very handsome man and his confidence amplified his charisma. I wanted to touch the fine hairs on his forearm but I knew that would not end well.

"Hans all we do is talk about me, you have never once answered a question about you." It was a lame attempt at deflecting but I needed to take the spotlight off me.

"You divert the conversation again Mr Cullen. I will admit I have very extreme tastes that very few people would struggle to understand or accept." He looked down at the table for a second before bringing his eyes up to meet mine. He obviously recognised the confusion as he placed his hand on my forearm.

"Don't look so alarmed Edward. It's nothing illegal and we are all consenting over age males, it's just not something that most people would understand. I have a feeling you will, I know it's not something you would ever try but I'm sure you are the sort of man who has come to realise that this life should be lived each to his own, no judgements so long as everything is consensual."

He blew out a huge breath as he finished his speech as though he was finally glad he'd admitted something. He hadn't actually told me what his kink was but then I hadn't been specific either. Perhaps the time was now to start opening up to him. He was probably the only other person outside of my very small close knit circle of friends who would understand my needs. I played with the cold half full lager bottle in front of me. My fingers traced the condensation as it raced to the bottom of the bottle. My decision made I did something I hoped I wouldn't live to regret.

"I am bisexual," I told him quickly, "something that I do not share with anyone but my friends at the club. My family have no idea. My wife has helped me explore that side of my sexuality and even encouraged me to embrace it." Just talking about her made me miss her so much. I could feel the ache deep in my stomach as I wondered how she was. What was she doing? Was she coping on her own? I took a long swallow of my beer to cover the emotions I knew must have been plain to see. As I sat the bottle down I thought about what I'd just admitted. "Wow that was incredibly liberating to say that sentence aloud." I sat back and exhaled,

"You are incredibly lucky to have found a woman you love who will let you explore your sexuality," he said. It might have been the light and the beer but he seemed a little wistful. "It is a rare gift and you should do everything you can to cherish her and keep her safe."

With that he threw me back into the turmoil I'd been running from for the last week. I hadn't called Bella today I hadn't even checked recently if she had finally called me. I excused myself to check and there was finally a text message asking me to call her when I could.

My body reacted badly to the message. My brain was telling me to go back to table and carry on my night but my legs refused to move. I kept staring at the screen reading the words over and over. I tried to work out the time difference but even that task seemed to be beyond me.

"Edward, I was beginning to think you had got lost, you've been gone ages. " I could feel the warmth of his palm as he pressed his hand into the small of my back and gently rubbed up and down. There was no sexual tension, this was a friend worried about another friend.

"I have a problem I left behind at home to come here and I'm beginning to think I should have stayed home whether I was wanted or not." I could feel my eyes moisten as I thought of Bella being alone at home.

"Come sit with me and tell me what is ailing you my friend, perhaps I can give you another view of the problem."

We made our way back into the bar but this time Hans guided me to the back wall where we sat across from each other in a high sided booth. The warm soft leather, low lighting and the bottle of scotch and two glasses that appeared in front of me all aided in my resolve crumbling. Once I started talking I couldn't stop. I told him all about how Bella had seduced me to get the information she knew I was holding back. How I'd arranged for her night with Riley and Garrett. I explained my original kink and how it had grown once I'd admit to it and unleashed it and the problems that had caused with my marriage. Finally I explained about the pregnancy and the dilemma about whether the baby was mine or not. Hans was quiet for several minutes as he digested everything I'd told him. I didn't rush him. I poured us both another three fingers of scotch and picked my glass up. I sipped it as I waited for his response.

"There are really only two questions you need to ask yourself Edward," he took a sip of the scotch before looking me straight in the eye.

"Will you continue to love your wife no matter what the outcome of any tests you have on the baby?" I nodded without hesitation, knowing my love for Bella could never be in doubt.

"Secondly, will you love your baby no matter what the circumstances of his or her conception were?"

I thought carefully about what he had asked. The first question was easy to answer but this took a little more thinking about. As I tried to sort through the myriad of emotions an email from Bella flashed onto my phone. I opened it without looking to be greeted by what could only be described as a picture of white noise. I looked further down the screen to see a message I'd been waiting for.

Edward.

Here is the first picture of our baby.

I miss you.

Please come home.

Bella. Xx

I passed the phone over to Hans so he could see the ultra sound photo.

"My friend you do not need to answer the second question the look on your face says it all."He laughed and leaned across the table to give me an awkward but much needed hug.

"Come on we have to go and meet my husband Otto he is waiting for us at a club nearby." Hans was already swallowing the scotch he had left in his glass and signalling the barman for the bill.

"A club really, I think I'd just rather turn in." I wanted to talk to Bella in the privacy of my room. We really needed to talk.

"You are going home tomorrow my friend," I opened my mouth to protest but he stopped with his palm. "I'm happy I have all I need to know so tonight we celebrate in one of my favourite places."

His favourite place turned out to be a club across from my hotel. I hadn't even noticed it before as the discreet brass plate on the wall was the only clue there was anything there.

"Where are you taking me?" I followed him down a set of stairs. I could feel the pulse of the music and the heat.

"Relax Edward. Enjoy the sights and sounds." His grin was huge as he signed us both in and asked the receptionist something in his native tongue.

"Otto is already here so we need to go through and find him. I know I don't need to warn you about what's behind these doors just remember please that all judgement and opinions are left at the door."

I laughed and nodded but I couldn't calm the slight fear or the tightness in my stomach as I wondered what the hell I was going to encounter.

As the inner door opened the smell was the first thing that struck me. The heady sent of male sex, sweat, testosterone and the unmistakeable aroma of poppers. I considered myself to have seen most things over the last few years at the club back home but this a whole new scale.

The place was set up with a very 80's vibe. I wasn't sure if that was intentional or it hadn't been updated for a long while. The large circular sunken dance floor was awash with half naked bodies as they danced to European pop music I'd never heard of. There were booths around the dance floor and a large bar running the length of the far wall. My architect's eye liked that, you had to walk around the dance floor to get a drink but once you had your drink you were trapped with the dance floor between you and the exit.

I turned to look at Hans but he was busy scanning the club for Otto. I watched as he spotted him on the dance floor and waved frantically. A small dark haired guy returned his wave and made his way over to us. It dawned on me I was going to meet Hans's husband for the first time and he was completely naked. I kept my eyes on his face, not wanting to be seen checking him out but as he broke through the dancers realised I wasn't really that interested anyway.

"Edward this is Otto my husband." The love and pride with which he introduced him resonated deep inside me it was exactly as I felt about Bella.

We shook hands and then he engulfed Hans in a complete body hug. I smiled, another hugger, no wonder Hans was so good at it.

"We need to get undressed Edward." Hans laughed at the obvious look of confusion on my face.

"Have you not noticed this is a male only club and clothes are optional?" It was then I realised I was only one of a very few men fully dressed.

I laughed and shook my head, I didn't need to be naked to have a good time and I knew I would never cheat on Bella no matter what temptation was put in front of me. Hans explained he needed to use the cloakroom and went off to get undressed. It was more than a little awkward as I stood trying to have a conversation with Otto while his cock was at half mast in front of me.

Finally Hans returned, I wasn't ready for the visual as he walked towards me naked. I'd seen him at the Spa but that was a different atmosphere. He was tall and slim but muscular, a figure of function and strength rather than vanity.

He offered me a bottle of beer and I accepted it willingly, happy to have something to hold on to.

Otto was talking to Hans. I did the only thing a single guy at a club could do. I walked to the edge of the dance floor and leant on the Perspex wall to survey the scene in front of me. It was wall to wall sex around me, people fucking on the dance floor, in the booths around the room and against the walls. I could see a daisy chain across the floor that had at least seven joined with the possibility of it growing even longer. No matter where I looked I could see cocks of all shapes and sizes in all states of arousal but what struck me was all I could think about was Bella. I needed to talk to my wife. I needed to hold my wife and I needed to see our baby. Hans and Otto had joined the throng on the dancefloor.

I made my way back to the cloakroom and texted Hans telling him I'd speak to him tomorrow. An email from his assistant confirmed my newly arranged flight. I made my way back to the hotel. As soon as I plugged my phone in I dialled our home number hoping she was home.

"Hello?" Her voice was small and still asleep, she must have been in our bed and I ached to be there with her.

"Hey sweetheart I'm sorry I woke you but I really needed to hear your voice,"

"Oh Edward I'm sorry baby," she sounded like she was coming to, "I don't know where my head has been this last week." She paused and I tried to think of something to say. "I'm sorry please forgive me," she continued in a rush. I could hear the emotion in her voice, she was on the verge of crying and I didn't think I could handle that with me being so far away.

"You have nothing to be sorry about. Now tell me did everything go okay at the scan?" I was dying to know. "Can you tell the sex yet?"

She laughed, a pure Bella noise and I felt my spirits soar.

"Edward it's about as big as a peanut at the moment, it doesn't have a sex yet." She sighed and I just knew she was rubbing her stomach as she said that. I wanted to do that, I wanted to kiss all over her stomach, kiss my child and start to talk to it.

"The scan Bella, was everything okay, do you know how far along you are, are you okay, have you had a check up, are you taking those special vitamins pregnant ladies have to take..?" I was waffling but desperately needed to know all the answers.

"Edward I'm fine. I've started to take the vitamins, the baby is fine and I'm about eleven weeks along so one more week and we can relax, we can tell people then," her voice dipped, trembling a little, "if you want to."

"I can't wait to tell everyone darling, is there any reason why we shouldn't?"

"I miss you," she replied after a short pause, "when are you coming home?"

"Tomorrow sweetheart, I can't wait to come home."

Authors Note

I hope you enjoyed a little update on our couple. I love writing about them every opportunity I get.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the lovely ladies who organised this compilation. It takes a huge amount of courage to stand up and say I don't agree and I'm going to do something about it. If we ever stop doing that this world could become a very different place.

A huge thank you to Ladyletters for being my beta yet again and Rita for the fab banner. I couldn't do this without you ladies xxx