Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, no I do not.

AN: This is the end you guys. I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Every journey starts with a single step. That was how Edward Cullen saw the situation that he was facing. He had three options he could choose and each would leave a lasting mark on everyone involved. The first option being that he could drop everything and head to Forks to surmise just how much damage had been done. He trusted Bella's judgment, but he did not trust Jacob. He didn't even know Jacob. Who was to say that he would try to talk Bella into letting Camden live with him? The second option was to sit back and let things fall where they may. He didn't like that option, so he quickly dismissed it after thinking of it. The third option would be to bow out gracefully because he would never be able to give Bella what she truly wanted.

Bella thrived on being a mother; it was like she was born to be a mother. They had tried for eight years to have a child naturally before finding out that it wasn't possible. Emmett had stepped in and offered to be their sperm donor since he and Rosalie had had no trouble having children. Emmett had blessed Rosalie with three strapping boys and four girls, five of them being quintuplets. Edward had been receptive to the idea but Bella had turned him down. She didn't want to carry a child fathered by her brother in law, no matter how badly Edward wanted a child to carry on his last name.

Camden was a good kid, but like his mom he was susceptible to being easily swayed and then being stubborn about changing his mind once it was made up. Edward didn't like the idea of walking out on his family but he felt like his life with them was a sham. Bella was his wife, but he wouldn't be able to raise Camden now that Camden had met his real father. He had fought an inner battle the whole time Bella was pregnant, one day he would be fine with the situation, the next he would fight the urge to demand that she give the baby up for adoption. It had taken one look at Camden for him to know that the little boy had him wrapped around his finger.

They lived a quiet life together. He did feel guilty for keeping Bella away from her dad and for asking her to move even farther west after he had finished law school. Their life in California was like living the American dream. Two small town kids who had met in high school and stayed together through college then married and finally made a better life for themselves without the help of their families. They had both sacrificed a lot to have what they had. He sometimes wondered if Bella resented the fact that he had asked her to stop working after Camden was born. She had done what he had asked, but he could tell that the independent streak that she had had burned out and she was just floating listlessly through life except when it came to Camden.

Edward sat on their bed taking in the room. Pictures of them were placed all over the room and in those pictures they looked like a happy family, but he knew the truth. Camden was such a reserved child and Edward tended to worry about him too much. Bella was more lenient when it came to giving Camden his space while Edward wanted to know everything about the boy's life. Letting go wouldn't be easy, but it was what he had to do. He picked up a picture of the three of them from off his nightstand and placed it in the open bag on the bed. He zipped up the bag before reaching for his phone. It was still early and he knew that Bella kept her phone on silent while she slept so he had a little while before she would get it. He would have just enough time to get his things together and be on the road before she called to ask him what was going on.

"You've got Bella. Leave a message at the beep," her voice mail kicked in after the second ring.

"It's me. I was just calling to tell you that I've made the decision to leave. I can't keep you and Camden from having what you both want. You deserve the chance to have more kids and Camden needs a normal life and a chance to know his dad and his family. I've held the two of you back for too long. I'm sorry."

He dug his palms into his eyes to keep himself from crying before picking up the first of many boxes. He told himself that they would eventually pick themselves up and carry on without him. They would have a chance at the happiness that they deserved. He was still young; he would eventually find someone else to share his life with.

XXXX

Bella spent most of the day in her room. She couldn't believe that Edward had walked out of her life. What was she supposed to do now? Her dad had tried to help her see the bright side of things. She was young; she could bounce back from this. She could make a life for herself and Camden. She didn't need a man to make her feel strong. She had tried calling Edward several times but he had turned his phone off. She didn't understand what was going on.

Charlie had called the Cullen's to see if any of them had heard from Edward but if they had they weren't saying anything. They were just as surprised as he was that Edward had left Bella. Sue had taken Camden to his Leah and Sam's to keep him out of Bella's hair. Billy came by that night to watch a baseball game and Charlie mentioned what had happened. Bella came down as Billy was leaving and he could tell that she was taking it hard. He had seen the same look on Jacob when he had come home from Oregon.

Leah dropped the boys and Sam off at Jacob's so that Jacob could spend some time with Camden before Bella left the next day. Sam had heard Billy telling Quil Sr. what had happened and was torn about if he should tell Jacob or not. If the situation were reversed he would want to know. The boys played in the front yard while Jacob and Sam sat on the steps.

"Your dad came into the store this morning," Sam broached.

"He can go to the store if he wants, he's a big boy," Jacob chided teasingly.

"I overheard him talking to Quil Sr., Bella's husband packed up and left."

"What?" Jacob asked quickly.

"Apparently he couldn't handle the fact that you were back in the picture."

"Idiot," Jacob said under his breath with a shake of his head.

"You know that I am the last person who will ever interfere in your life but I know that you still have feelings for her. What do you plan on doing about them?"

"Can you watch them?" Jacob asked as he stood.

"Sure."

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised.

"Take all the time you need."

Jacob strode through the yard with determination and purpose. He was going to talk to Bella and he was not going to take no for an answer. He would do whatever it took to make her see that he could make her happy and take care of their son. He was outside Charlie's house less than five minutes later. The driveway was empty except for Charlie's pick up. Bella's car was where it had been since she had arrived in Forks.

He walked into the house without knocking and took the stairs two at a time. He looked into every room, not sure where he was going. Bella's room was kitty cornered with the bathroom at the end of the hall. Her door was open but she was facing away from him.

"Bella?" he called quietly.

He stepped into the room when she didn't answer him. He crossed the room slowly not wanting to startle her. He crouched next to the bed behind her and put a hand on her back. He could feel her breathing deeply in sleep before standing up. He would bide his time until she woke up.

XXXX

The room was nearly dark and the house was silent when Bella woke up. She stretched with a groan before reaching for her phone. Edward still hadn't called which was making her frantic with worry. The desk chair scraped across the floor making her rollover onto her back to check to see who else was in the room. Jacob was straddling the chair, watching her in concern.

"Where's Cam?" she asked hoarsely.

"He's with Leah's husband. Did you get a chance to meet Sam?"

"I vaguely remember meeting him. Their youngest son looks like him, doesn't he?"

"Grayson does look like Sam," Jacob said with a nod.

"Why are you here?"

"I thought that you could use a friend."

"You don't have ulterior motives?" she questioned.

"No," he said with a light chuckle.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do," she said with a heavy sigh.

"You're gonna pick yourself up and move on with your life. People get divorced all the time. My friend Embry is going through it; luckily he doesn't have any kids."

"Yeah, lucky him," she agreed.

"It may not seem like it now but things will get better," he reasoned.

"You are a nice guy, aren't you?" she said with a dry chuckle.

"What?" he asked; confused.

"My family plus your dad gave me the hard sell about you my first night here."

"What all did they say?"

"Pretty much that you could be nominated for sainthood but your hot temper keeps you from being perfect."

"Did they happen to mention that it takes a lot to make me mad?"

"Yes, they did."

"So tell me about you. We never got around to talking about you when we met."

"I graduated from UDub with a double major in Art and Literature. I dreamed of opening an art gallery/bookstore when I was younger."

"Why didn't you make it happen?"

"Edward wanted me to stop working after Camden was born. I gave in because I wanted to make him happy."

"It can still happen," he said optimistically.

"I don't know. Maybe if I were younger it would be ideal. Camden is going to need me now more than ever and starting a business in California can be expensive."

"Then move back here. You can get a loan from the bank, and I'm sure that Charlie and Sue would let you and Camden stay with them until you got on your feet."

"Camden would be able to see you whenever he wanted," she said thoughtfully.

"That is something that could work in my favor," he said with a nod.

"I have missed my dad and I want to get to know Sue, Leah, and Seth," she agreed.

"So what's the verdict?"

"It looks like Forks' population is going up," she said with a smile.

"Just know; that since I am a gentleman I am going to give you…six months. And when those six months are up there will no stopping me from making you mine. So take the time you need and get your bearings. But let this be a taste of what waits for you," he said, rising from the chair.

He was across the room in two strides and sitting in front of her before she knew what was happening. He placed his arms on either side of her before leaning down. His eyes didn't leave hers as their lips met. What started out as a gentle kiss turned into a mind blowing, earth shattering, toe curling kiss that left her wanting more. His tongue swept into her mouth like it belonged there. Her fingers tangled into his hair, wanting to keep him there. She had no idea that kissing someone could be like this. Edward was more meticulous, more careful and she always felt that he was holding back. Jacob was the complete opposite of that. He pulled away, giving her a coy smile.

He stood and walked back to the chair to get his jacket. He put it on then crossed the room to come to a stop at the door. He looked over his shoulder, giving her a once over. She was staring at him with a look that was a cross between shock and want.

"I'll see you around Bella," he said before walking out of the room.

Bella let out a short, nervous laugh before raking a hand through her hair. She was in for a world of trouble, but it was a kind of trouble that she could handle. She would take some time to regroup and get Camden settled into life in Forks but it helped to know that she wouldn't be alone. She had lived life by someone else's terms for too long and it was time for her to make a life for herself.

AN2: This story was visualized and written in less than five days. I have been working like a maniac to finish this but I have loved every minute of it. Okay here's where you all tell me what you think. Do you like it as much as I do or did you hate it? I want you to be honest if you think that there is something that I need to work on. No writer can grow without constructive criticism or feedback.