Chapter 7

July 31, 2010

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
William Shakespeare

BPOV

The walk back to the tent was the longest walk I have ever had to take. It really wasn't far at all, but the only thing going through my mind was all of the different reactions that Edward could have once I told him, finally, that I in fact had a son.

What I most thought about was the reason why I held it off for so long. It wouldn't change the end results. He would either be okay with it, or he wouldn't. Waiting just added fuel to the fire. I was just scared. I never claimed to be the bravest person.

As I approached the tent, I could hear laughing coming from across the campsite and I saw Esme, Rosalie, and Olivia all getting stuff ready for breakfast. The Cullens were very experienced campers with their little grills and fold out kitchen. I just knew I would have never thought of that. I really wanted to join them, because I really loved Esme and Rosalie didn't seem so bad; I wanted to get to know them all better. I just didn't know if it would be possible.

It all depended on Edward's reaction.

When I opened the tent that Edward and I shared, I noticed that he was already gone. That seemed strange to me, but I was gone for nearly ten minutes, so he of course had time to leave. But where did he go? I didn't see him…

"Bella? Are you looking for Edward?" I looked behind me and saw Esme standing there with a relaxed smile on her face.

"Uh…yeah I am. Have you seen him?" I hoped my nervousness didn't show in my voice. If it did, she made no notice of it.

"Yeah, he went with Carlisle, Emmett, and Jared to get some wood for the fires of the day. Is there anything I can help you with?"

It was pretty shitty that he wasn't there in the tent. I was really going to tell him. I was determined to, and now I would have to wait. But not only that, I as well didn't know how to get him alone to tell him at this point. This was just great.

"Oh no, I'm fine. Just wondering where he went, that's all."

I did a better job on making myself sound normal, thankfully. I wouldn't be able to tell him right now. I wouldn't interrupt his time with his family.

She smiled and hooked her arms around mine. "Oh well he will be back soon, dear, don't you worry. Why don't you come cook with me and the girls?"

She led me away from the tent and closer to where Rosalie and Olivia were. Rosalie was standing behind her daughter with her hands over hers on the whisk to beat the eggs. Olivia was giggling the whole time and it was really cute.

Olivia looked up and smiled. "Good morning, Bella."

"Good morning." I replied.

Esme handed me a bowl and a bag of cherries. I sort of got the idea of what she wanted me to do so I poured the cherries in the bag. Wasn't that hard. "Need me to do anything else?"

"Not right now. But hang tight!" I chuckled and watched as she started flipping the bacon on the pan she had in front of her.

"Esme, don't you think you should make a little bit more bacon?" Rosalie asked.

Esme shook her head. "Oh no, dear. This should be enough. Edward and Bella don't like bacon anyway."

I heard two consecutive gasps come from both mother and daughter. I couldn't help but laugh because that was a common reaction to someone being told that someone didn't like bacon. I'd learned it was something that was generally acceptable in society, but I just could never bring myself to like it and apparently, neither had Edward.

"How is it even possible for you not to like bacon?" Rosalie asked in astonishment.

I chuckled. "I don't know. I just don't like it I guess."

She shook her head in disbelief. "I guess you and Edward really are meant for each other considering you two are the only two people in the world who don't like bacon."

I gasped hearing her say such a thing. Is that how people saw Edward and I? Two people who were meant for each other?

I couldn't say I didn't like the sound of it, but I didn't know it was possible especially since I kept something from him and I wasn't even sure if he wanted children. I didn't know. It was all just so complicated.

"Now Rosalie, Edward and Bella are just friends. They've been friends for a while." Esme said.

Rosalie rolled her eyes and shook her head. She clearly didn't believe that. Great.

"I mean, I always did think you and Edward would get married one day." Esme commented offhandedly.

"Er…" I felt pretty freaking awkward if I was being completely honest. "I don't know."

Esme gave me a knowing smile which turned into a small laugh. "Don't get uncomfortable, dear. I am just a worried mother. He's been alone for so long. You don't have to marry him of course. Just you being around makes him smile, so I'm okay with that."

Just thinking that Edward smiled any less when I wasn't around made my heart hurt. He was just so sweet and kind and funny…I still wondered why he was alone in the first place.

"He seems happy though." I wasn't lying either. Edward never came off to me as unhappy since I'd been back. He seemed to embrace life.

Esme shrugged. "He is in his own little Edward way, but honey, you will see once you have children; you realize things that others don't. A mother knows when her children are even a little off."

"That is very true." Rosalie chimed in.

Yeah. I knew it was true as well. I just didn't know what to say to that. I was keeping something from people, something that I should be proud of. I was proud of it. I was proud of my son because he was a really good boy. I kept this fact from the one person who would have probably not have judged me on it, and now I was technically lying to his whole beautiful family.

I needed to tell Edward.

"Edward! Edward, come on!"

All of us looked over to where the commotion was coming from and I saw Edward stalking over to the campsite with an angry look on his face. He looked tired and he was holding an armful of wood and an angry expression on his face. Emmett was right behind him and looked just as angry and frustrated. Cooper was right behind them and Carlisle behind Cooper with a hand on his shoulder so he could lead the way for him.

"Leave me alone, Emmett." Edward snapped at his brother.

"Edward, I'm not trying to be an asshole. I just don't see why you have to leave…"

Leave? What the hell was going on…

Edward dropped the wood near one of the trees close to the fire. Edward turned back to Emmett and Emmett took a step back.

"You don't understand because you don't have a real job."

Oh Edward…that wasn't like the Edward I knew. He would regret saying that later on, I just knew it. I heard a gasp come from Esme and she had her hands over her mouth in shock and hurt. She even looked like she might have started crying. This was all just a big mess.

I looked back over and Emmett and I could tell he looked slightly hurt, but sadder than anything.

"Edward, this isn't about my job. This is about you not prioritizing correctly. You're killing yourself."

"Oh don't you think that's a bit melodramatic?"

"It's the truth, Edward!" Emmett snapped back.

Edward waved his hand in dismissal at Emmett and started walking away. "I don't need to deal with this shit. I have to go."

"Edward!" Esme finally called out…well more like cried out.

Her voice caused Edward to stop in his tracks and his hands that were balled up in fists by his sides began to loosen. He looked upset, and I wondered what could have happened at his work to get him so riled up like this. Edward had told me that he liked camping with his family especially since he hadn't seen them in so long, so it was curious to me that he would leave just for work. I suspected it must have been something big.

Edward turned towards Esme with a hurt look on his face. "I have to go, Mom. Something came up at work that I need to take care of."

"But it's the weekend! You aren't even open on the weekends, are you?" She asked almost desperately.

I could tell she just wanted him around. I couldn't really blame her. I knew what it felt like to spend every moment you could with your child, and some of that time was being taken away from her. I didn't know how she did it, really. I dreaded the day Bradley would move out and I wouldn't be able to see him every day.

Edward sighed. "No Mom, but I am on call all the time. It's a part of my job description."

Esme just looked back down at the bacon and shook her head. Edward noticed of course, I could tell by his face, but there was obviously nothing that would stop him from going back to Boston and getting whatever it was taken care of that he needed to take care of.

"Are there any more questions or comments before I go pack my stuff?"

"Yeah." Carlisle called out, he had his head in the direction of where Esme was standing. "When is the food going to be ready?"

She cracked a smile, and then a little laugh emerged from her mouth, and Carlisle's smile revealed his secret plan. His comment made everyone else laugh, but Edward was already stalking away and Cooper wasn't too far behind him.

"This is no time to be joking, Mr. Cullen." Esme said to her husband, not sounding angry at all.

Carlisle felt around for a chair, and when he found one, he sat down and relaxed into it. He looked up in Esme's direction, his sunglasses in place, and said, "Well, my dear, it is never the time to argue with Edward. You know if the boy has his mind set on something, there is no talking him down."

"But that's not the point, Dad. He is wrong." Emmett said.

I looked over to him and he had Olivia in his arms and her head was on his shoulder. I was sure she didn't like seeing her father upset, so his sudden calmness in tone made sense to me.

"So what if he is, Emmett? He's a big boy. He will realize his mistakes. We all realize our mistakes eventually, but it is done on our own. Any negative attention to this matter will only make him pull away more." Carlisle's tone wasn't as confident as the words he spoke. I could tell it also affected him to see how Edward handled things when it came to separating work and family.

Emmett just shook his head and walked away with Olivia. Edward came back out with his bag in his hand. He walked over to Esme and dropped his bag on the floor. He looked a little less angry and even a bit nervous. He was rubbing his hands together in front of him as he and Esme had a staring contest. She looked disapproving, and Edward looked apologetic, yet confident in his decision.

"I'm sorry, Mom. You know if there was any way that I could stay here, I would."

She crossed her arms in front of her. "Do I know that, though?"

He sighed in frustration. "I promise."

He opened his arms and waited for her to give in. He knew she would. Hell, I knew for a fact that she would. It takes a damn lot to refuse a hug from your child. As I predicted, she opened her arms and gave Edward a big hug. Edward hugged her back just as tight and told her he loved her. She said it right back and that is when I decided it was best to look away. I felt like I was intruding. That was the Edward I knew. The Edward who hated seeing anyone upset in any kind of way. It was always something that I admired about Edward.

After saying goodbye to Esme, he gave Carlisle a pat on the shoulder and a kiss on the top of his head. He gave Jared a high-five, Marco a handshake, and a nod to Cooper. Those two were an interesting pair. They seemed to speak without speaking. He made his way back over to where I was standing with Esme and an angry looking Rosalie. Edward approached her anyway and told her goodbye and made sure she gave Olivia a kiss for him and to tell Emmett he's sorry.

Then it was my time for a goodbye. I really, really didn't want him to go. I would give anything for him to just stay. It wasn't because I would be uncomfortable staying while he wasn't there, I would love to spend the day with the wonderful people that were his family. It would just be better if he was there to enjoy it with me. Everything seemed just a little better if I thought about Edward being there with me.

I knew I needed to have a talk with him too. I was so confident and ready to tell him…well as much as I could be anyway.

Edward picked up his bag and walked over to me. He looked completely stressed out now that he was in front of me and I could look into his eyes. He was clearly a bit hungover and completely stressed out. I wished I could take it all away from him. I knew he knew deep down that he was wrong and maybe his priorities were a bit off, but he wouldn't admit it to himself.

"Do you want to walk me to my car?" Edward asked nervously.

I couldn't help but notice how he didn't look me in the eye. Did he think I would disapprove? Or was he ashamed? I couldn't quite figure it out.

"Of course."

He gave me a small smile and walked past me to where his car was. I followed after him and I could hear the big sigh he let out on our way there. I knew he really didn't want to leave. Something big must have happened. On the outside, it seemed like Edward maybe cared more about his job than he did his family, but that was completely false. I may have just started getting to know Edward again, but he had always worshipped his family. He really liked them all together as well…that much was apparent from the conversations we had when we were younger. He always took his parents' separation pretty hard.

Edward opened the back door of his car and threw his bags in there before slamming the door closed and turned toward me. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands and then his glossy green eyes were looking straight into mine.

"I'm sorry." He said simply.

"About what?"

"For leaving you here." He sighed and lifted his hands towards me.

He stopped abruptly however and put his hands in his pockets. Two things struck me from that action. First, I wanted him to reach for me. I wanted to be there for him if he needed me. Second, I had made him wary of moving forward with me. He must know I was keeping something from him or at least not giving him my whole self. But if he did, why did he even deal with me? Before I could ponder more and potentially cry, he interrupted me.

"Cooper said he would bring you home tomorrow, but if you really want to go home right now, I don't mind bringing you. I just figured you might want to stay…well I don't know why I thought that." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked nervous.

"No, you're right. I do want to stay." I didn't really know how I felt about Cooper bringing me home. I felt like that may end badly, but it was better than going home alone and missing Bradley and worrying about Edward. I thought staying would be the best.

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I know I invited you and now I'm leaving, but I really have to go. You do understand that I would stay if it were possible, right?"

"Yes. But Edward, what happened?"

He ran his hand through his hair. "Some kids snuck into our building and vandalized it. I need to get it cleaned before everyone gets back to work and I need to figure out what I'm going to do about the guards who were supposed to prevent that shit from happening."

"Shit…I'm sorry, Edward. Why didn't you tell them that? I'm sure they would have been more understanding…."

He shook his head before I could even finish. "I don't need them to pity me, Bella. They do enough worrying about me."

He was starting to get agitated and I knew I was keeping him from going where he wanted to be. He looked down at his hands as he rubbed them together.

I couldn't help the words that I let slip. "They are going to worry about your regardless, Edward. They love you. It's what people do when they care about each other."

He looked back up at me. "Do you worry about me?"

His question struck me so hard I swear my heart stopped. Was he asking me if I loved him? Of course that was not possible. Why would he ask that? Did he…no. It was impossible.

He shook his head and his face turned red. I didn't know if he was embarrassed or disappointed or hurt…probably a combination of all three.

"Forget it. I have to go." He leaned forward and kissed my forehead and got into his car. He drove away without looking at me and that hurt. That hurt a lot.

I stood there for a second trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.

He probably didn't even mean it like that. He probably didn't want to know if I loved him or not. I didn't know if I could answer it. Everything was just all jumbled up and all I could do was worry about whether or not I just screwed up one of the greatest opportunities of my life; being able to be Edward's.

It was then that I knew. I took out my phone quickly and sent out a text message that would either make or break everything.

August 2, 2010

EPOV

When the hell did my company turn into a set for the newest soap opera?

I could hear Tanya, the Human Resources director, speak to me, but all I heard was blah, blah, blah…drama, drama, drama.

It was really getting old since I had been dealing with it since Saturday and it was already Monday afternoon. My past three days consisted of dealing with an in-office romance that led to my building being vandalized by a bunch of hooligans, not hearing from Bella except one text message that had me embarrassed, scared, and a whole bunch of other shit, and also, my best friend had called me every hour on the hour to remind me that I had to meet him for lunch at one.

Happy fucking Monday, Edward. Happy fucking Monday.

"…they went against company policies, Edward, and it caused damage. I think they should be fired…" She kept saying that. She threw the word around like it was nothing.

Oh let me just fire my two security guards because they were too busy canoodling with each other that they didn't realize the fifteen year olds trying to vandalize my building. I admit it was tempting, but I couldn't do that to the both of them.

"It's not going to happen." I said, again.

I'd said it a lot, but I was beginning to think Tanya liked the idea of people getting fired. What she didn't understand was that I was already put in the position to lay off some people, and I wasn't going to lay off my security guards. Sure they made a mistake, but they were good people and I knew they would learn from their mistake.

"This will be their first strike, Tanya. They'll be suspended for two days with no pay and their shifts will change. I have way more shit to do here than fire two employees who slipped up for the first time since the six years they've been working here."

"Edward! They cost the company thousands of dollars to get everything cleaned up!"

I knew she didn't agree with my decision. I was sure many others thought I was insane, but I was sticking to it.

"That's true, but they've learned their lesson, and I'm confident that they won't let it happen again. Now, if I do fire them, I will need to hire someone new who doesn't know the job very well, and if those kids are going to make it a habit, they may not respond correctly and more money will have to be spent." My cell phone started lighting up and sure enough, it was Cooper. I picked it up and threw it in my desk drawer. "Are we done here?" She really got on my nerves sometimes.

She shook her head in disbelief. "Corporate will not like this."

"Corporate doesn't like anything I do, but yet, I'm the one bringing them the most money. Funny little thing, huh?" I pressed the call button for Faith. "Faith, tell Stacey and Damon I will see them now." She responded with a yes, and I turned back to Tanya. "I have some people coming in. I will see you later."

She glared at me and shook her head. "You will regret this. What do you think everyone else will think about this? They will think they can get away with shit around here."

"Tanya. They are not getting away with anything. They are being punished, but I am not about to be so cold to just fire them on the spot when they've just made one mistake. If my employees see that I fire people with no real reason, they will feel uncomfortable working here. People make mistakes. You've made mistakes. As an employee, does it not comfort you to know that if you made a human error, I wouldn't fire you on the spot?" She looked furious because she knew I was right. I knew what I was doing. It may not be conventional, but I knew what I was doing was right. "Exactly. Now, I will see you later in our three o'clock meeting. Have a good day, Tanya."

She shook her head at me and left the room. Not everyone had to be happy with me. It really didn't bother me as much as it probably should have, but I was doing what I thought was right and what I would want from my own boss. If my employees didn't like it, there were no chains keeping them here. I took my phone out and texted Cooper telling him to keep his pink panties on because I would be there. I had a weakness for hospital cafeteria food, what can I say?

Stacey and Damon—my security guards with a love problem—came into my office. I made no indication that I was happy with what had happened. They looked nervous as hell. They obviously thought they were getting fired.

I told them their punishment and Stacey started crying in relief and Damon shook my hand and couldn't stop saying thank you. That sort of made it all worth it. People could say what they wanted to say about me as a boss, but those two weren't bad at their jobs, they just made a mistake. It would take more than a mistake for me to fire two people who were parents and needed money to support themselves and their family. I wasn't that heartless.

Once they left and I heard the words 'thank you' about a million times, I got my shit together so I could meet Cooper for lunch. I had a meeting at three that I needed to prepare for, but I would never live down meeting him for lunch. Once I got in my car, I checked my phone and Cooper texted me back threatening me and shit. Whatever. Like I usually did when I checked my text messages since Saturday, I looked at the last thing Bella sent me about five minutes after I drove away from her at the campsite.

I do worry about you.

Yeah, what a brain-fuck, right? I didn't know what Bella's feelings were toward me, really. I mean I knew she liked me and all that, but I didn't know what her intentions were. One second she's cuddling with me in the tent and acting like she likes it, and the next, she's pulling away from me. I was starting to think she didn't know what she wanted, but I did know what I wanted.

I wanted her. I couldn't even count how many times I've wanted to just grab her beautiful face and kiss the shit out of her. She was just amazing. The only word that came to mind when I thought about my feelings for Bella was love. It just felt so natural. I'd wanted to tell her I loved her since she agreed to go camping with me, but of course I hadn't.

But then she brings up this thing about people who love each other, worry about each other. And then me, being the curious and sort of stupid person asks her if she worries about me; insinuating if she loves me. I could tell I scared the shit out of her with that, so I knew there was no way she did. I drove away feeling completely stupid and scared, really. I was afraid she would pull away even more.

But then five minutes later, she sends me that text and my brain has been in a jumble since then. Does she mean she loves me? Or wants to? I didn't even know. She hadn't contacted me since then…yet I hadn't either. I missed her. I knew my plan to wait for her to approach me would eventually crumble.

Once I got to the hospital, I went in through the emergency room. That place seriously scared me. I had no idea how Cooper and Bella could work there. There were so many germs everywhere and people coughing and bodily fluids flying around. It was like a war zone and I wasn't equipped for that shit. Cooper was lucky I loved the cafeteria food…

I went up to the front desk. "Hey, Kate." I said to the receptionist.

She smiled when she looked at me and bit her lip. It was no secret that she had some sort of crush on me even though I was over ten years older than her, but hey, whatever. Couldn't really control attraction…unless I grew a beard and never shower. Maybe I should look into that (I'm kidding of course…I like my showers)

"Hey, Edward. Here for Dr. Kobza?"

"Yup. We have a hot date." People tended to think since I hang out with a gay guy, that meant I was also gay. I liked to play around with people and the whole scenario just made for some great one-liners and secret (fake) rendezvous'.

Kate rolled her eyes. She knew better, but others didn't, so that's why it was so funny. "I'll let him know you're here."

"Thanks." I turned back to the waiting room where people were being all sick and stuff all over the place. It was pretty full…the only safe spot seemed to be in the corner where another kid was sitting. He didn't look that sick. He actually looked just as afraid as I felt being in the infested-zone.

I went and sat just one seat away from him. He seemed healthy and looked like a healthy fourteen or fifteen year old kid.

I picked a good spot. I took my phone out to see if I got an email or whatever just to pass the time. Depending on if Cooper was with a patient, I would be waiting a while. I looked up when I heard a baby start crying loudly. Poor thing looked really sick with snots running out of her little nose. See, that's one of things I didn't think I'd do well with if I ever had kids. I didn't do well with mucus and feces. It grossed me the hell out.

Then I looked over at a woman who started hurling into a Walgreens bag. Oh yeah, and I didn't like vomit either. I saw the kid shift in his chair and by the pallor of his face, he didn't look like he was enjoying sitting there either.

"I know how you feel, kid." I said. He looked over to me, shocked sort of, but he relaxed for a second.

"Yeah, it's pretty disgusting." He finally said.

He started to look back at the woman vomiting in the bag, and I didn't need this kid throwing up as well. We were supposed to be together with this, so I started talking to him to distract him (and myself) from looking and potentially having a vomiting contest with each other.

"Do you come here often?" I asked.

He chuckled. "No. I'm here to see my mother."

"Oh. Nice." It was nice to see a teenage boy meet with his mother for what I expected was lunch.

I wish I did more things like that with my mother when I was that age, but I was kind of in a bad place when I was that age.

"Yeah. And do you usually come hang out in emergency rooms?" He asked right back.

I laughed. "Uh, duh…emergency rooms are the best place to make friends." I said sarcastically. I hoped it went over well and he knew I was kidding. It got a nice laugh out of him so that was good. I hated when a joke flopped.

"You got a point there."

I chuckled. "Nah, but really I'm here to meet my friend for lunch."

"Oh. Cool. Where are you guys going?"

"The cafeteria. It has the best food in town."

He laughed. "That's what I was telling my mom! That's where we are going too."

"You know, kid…I'd give you a high five right now but human contact doesn't seem right in a place like this." And with that, we both started laughing. Jeez. Who would have known you could have a serious conversation with a teenager. I was convinced they were all bat-shit crazy and only thought about sex, drugs, and Justin Bieber.

"I agree." He said with a smile.

I saw the door open to the back, and Cooper was standing there waving me over. I nodded my head and got up from the chair. "Well, kid, that's my friend. Maybe we will meet again. My name's Edward."

He nodded in acknowledgement. "Bradley." He answered back.

"Well Bradley, stay strong. You will be saved from the room of doom in no time."

He laughed. "I will. Maybe I'll see you in the cafeteria and you will know I've survived."

"I'll keep an eye out." I said before I met Cooper at the doors and we walked out of the emergency room. He looked exhausted so I patted his ass to get attention. "What's up, Coop."

He swatted at my arm and glared at me. "Don't touch my ass, you perv."

"Oh but I can't contain myself. It's just so hittable."

His uptight look faded and he laughed. "I hate you."

I sighed. "Yeah, I know. So how's work been? Have you been pissed on yet?"

He rolled his eyes and put his hand on my shoulder. "Yup. Right on my left hand. I haven't washed it yet." That fucker.

I swatted his left hand off my shoulder. I knew there was probably a 99% chance he was fucking with me, but I could never assume shit like that. I didn't want urine remnants sticking to my jacket. That would be fucking disgusting and I would probably have to throw the jacket away.

"You're disgusting."

We made it to the cafeteria that time and the smell around me made me realize I was where I was supposed to be. It was like the heaven for food. Fuck all that expensive shit. I could get the same shit at those places for half the price and I didn't need to wait for it because it was like a buffet…plus I knew a doctor so he gets certain discounts.

Once we were inside, we both separated to go get our food. Cooper went for the salads and I went for the burgers. In the end, I got two burgers, fries, chicken-noodle soup, a fucking sugar cookie, and a nice big cup of coffee milk. Sounded good to me. I met Cooper at the cash register and he rolled his eyes at the contents on my tray. I just shrugged because he knew I could eat a lot. Plus, I didn't eat dinner last night or breakfast this morning, so I was sort of starving.

We went to sit down at the table we usually sat at in the corner after he paid for everything. He never let me give him money back. We usually alternated on who paid anyway so it wasn't that big of a deal.

"So how's work?" Cooper asked right away while pouring some dressing on his salad.

I stuffed some fries in my mouth and shrugged. "Fine. I almost have that situation dealt with and then I can move on. It will be a busy week."

"When isn't it a busy week?" He asked.

"Good point." I took a bite of my burger and Cooper looked at me like I was disgusting.

I could only chuckle at him because he was just so prissy sometimes. He chuckled and we kept on eating in silence. Sometimes we didn't really have to talk that much I guess. We knew each other so well that we sometimes ran out of things to talk about and that was okay. There was something specifically on my mind though.

"Have you talked to Bella today?"

"Not in a casual manner since I dropped her off at home on Sunday."

My shoulders slumped. I wondered if she thought I was being immature or that I was ignoring her or something. I really wasn't trying to do that. I just had a hard time juggling my personal and professional life for the simple fact that I hadn't really tried to juggle them because my personal life was sort of non-existent for a while.

"I need to call her."

"Why do you have to call her? Let her call you for once."

I looked up at him and tried to figure out what the hell got into him. He sounded…mad. Why would he be mad at Bella? She didn't do anything to him…

"Uh…well she was the last one to make an effort."

"Whatever."

"What the hell…" I looked over to my side so I could contain myself from flipping out on him. It was either a very good idea or a very bad one, because I saw something that confused the hell out of me.

I saw the kid. You know, the kid I was sitting with in the emergency room. Yeah. I saw him at the cash register with a tray of food waiting for someone. Then, before I could even comprehend anything, someone approached him with a beautiful and glowing smile holding her own tray. She put the tray down near the cashier and the kid put his next to hers. I couldn't…no. She laughed at something he said and ruffled his hair.

Bella.

Cooper must have noticed I was distracted because he looked in that same direction and he sighed. He said something under his breath, but I couldn't hear it. I couldn't comprehend anything really. Who did that kid say he was meeting? His mother…his mother…it definitely wasn't sister. No. That woman was his mother. The similarities were uncanny…his skin was just a shade darker.

Holy shit…

"Edward. Edward!" Cooper said and shook my arm to catch my attention. I looked away from the son and mother walking to find a table and looked at Cooper. He looked surprising unaffected. "Stop staring or things can get real awkward real quick."

"You knew about this?" I asked him in disbelief.

What the fucking hell was going on? How couldn't I have known this? Why didn't she tell me? Did I even ask if she had kids? It had been so long of course there was a possibility of this…but I didn't even ask her.

He nodded his head. "Just since this weekend."

"And…what no one thought it would be a good idea to tell me about this?" This was a big fucking deal. Or was it? I didn't fucking know. All I knew was that Bella had a kid. Bella was a mother…Bella was a mother and I had no idea about it.

I was planning on trying to be with her. I wanted to wait for her because I could see us together. Now, I wasn't so sure about that. She has a kid…a fucking kid. She didn't tell me. Fuck off.

"Don't you dare go blaming me. I have no idea what was going on in her head to keep this from you, but she did. She told me she would tell you herself."

I ran my hands through my hair and caught sight of my food. It didn't look so appetizing anymore. I felt like I could throw up.

"What the fuck, dude? She didn't think I deserved to know this shit?"

He held his hands up in surrender. "There is something about that girl that I don't understand. You will have to talk to her about it, if you are still interested."

"What the hell? Of course I'm still interested."

He sighed. "So you mean, if for some reason, she wants to be with you, you will be able to take care of that kid? Would you even want that?"

"I want to be with her." Of that I was certain.

"But does she want that too? From what I've observed, she's playing you."

"No! No of course she's not."

Cooper sighed again, obviously frustrated with me. "I think you two should just talk."

I nodded and looked into the direction of where they were sitting. I could see her sitting with her son. Her back was too me and her kid was talking to her animatedly. I wished I could see her face. I wished I could understand her better. The only thing I really understood was that I wanted to be with her. Maybe I did a terrible job of making that clear to her. Maybe this whole "friends" thing wasn't the right thing to do. As much as I wanted to be with her, why wouldn't she tell me she had a child?

The only answer I could come up with was that she didn't think it would matter. She probably wasn't ever planning on telling me because it wouldn't have mattered. She probably knew I would never be with her like I wanted to. We would never be able to hold hands in public. I could never steal kisses from her. I couldn't find out about her. I couldn't live with her. I couldn't call her mine.

What else is new?

I was stupid for even thinking that our relationship could have gotten to that point no matter how bad I wanted it. After I left abruptly from camping, she probably realized I could never be the right person for her and her son. Did I even want to be that for a woman and her child? If it were for Bella, I would do anything.

But I guessed that didn't really matter at this point.

Hey! I hope you all liked this chapter and yeah…things will get interesting for sure! Haha

Thanks to Alexa for being completely awesome and pre-reading like a boss!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans and happy days to all my fellow non-Americans. Haha.

Again, I'm sorry for the gap between updates. School is kicking my booty.

Thanks for reading!

Review please!