This was my entry for the Caveat Emptor: Maybe an HEA? Contest, which unfortunately didn't win anything. It is very angsty and heartbreaking, so please read the summary to make sure you wanna give it a go! As usual, much thanks to maxandmo for editing, and to tanglingshadows and allihavetodoisdream for pre-reading. Their support is everything to me.

Ready? Let's go!

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all its characters. I own two beautiful pups and this plot.

1

"So, tell me again, Bella, why are we buying turquoise clothing for the baby?" I ask my wife for what's probably the millionth time during her pregnancy.

We're currently at the Port Angeles Baby Store, standing side by side in front of a display as we pick out some items. Since it's a Thursday, we just got out of work and we're taking advantage of shopping during the week, avoiding the crowds on the weekend. I might be a little tired, too, so my whiny attitude is understandable.

Bella just chuckles, grinning at me. "Because it's a gender-neutral color, making it perfect since we don't know Riley's sex yet."

Riley: our future son or daughter, whose name is also androgynous given that we're waiting until Bella's delivery to know his or her gender. Well, add the baby's nursery to the list of things that would be perfect for either a boy or girl. Since we rent an apartment, we used light-aquamarine removable wallpaper to decorate the room and bought all of the furniture in white. We're on a budget, so most of the décor was made by Bella in yellow and white tones.

All of this was Bella's idea, although I did agree with her just to keep her happy. A happy, pregnant wife is a good thing. Trust me. At thirty-two weeks of pregnancy, we've dealt with morning sickness—which is a total misnomer because Bella suffered it all times of the day—cravings, and, of course, mood swings at the drop of a hat. But when she's happy? Oh, man, everything is perfect. Not that I'm complaining, though, because I've been lucky with my wife. I mean, sure, we have our disagreements—who doesn't—but we never have full-on arguments.

The baby's sex is one of the few issues which I've had trouble agreeing to, yet I only bring it up on occasions like these when we're shopping. So, taking my one jab, I say, "And when will we know?"

Bella slumps her shoulders and groans. "Ed, we've talked about this before."

"I know," I sigh, "but I can't help being curious."

My wife looks at me intently as if she were deciphering a complicated math equation before she speaks. "Okay, fine, you win. We only have a month to go, but we'll ask Dr. Gerandy to tell us the sex of the baby during our appointment next week."

"Really?" I ask, beaming.

"Yes," Bella chuckles, "but that doesn't mean that anything's changing. The baby's name, nursery and wardrobe are staying the same."

"That seems like a fair compromise," I tell her. "I can do that."

A huge grin spreads across Bella's face as she says, "Okay, so we're done picking pajama-onesies, is there anything else you want to check out while we're here?"

"No, I think we're all set."

"Alrighty then, let's head out to get some dinner because I'm starving."

"You're always hungry," I tease.

"Hey," Bella says, sounding offended. "I'm carrying your child around in my tummy. I need to be strong for that, alright?"

"I know, I know," I chuckle. "I was just messing with you."

Smirking mischievously, Bella winks at me. "I know. So was I."

I step forward and wrap my arms around Bella, her swollen belly between us. She raises her arms and wraps them around my neck as she sighs, closing her eyes.

"I love you," I say before giving her a small kiss.

"I love you," Bella echoes, smiling against my lips.

"Forever?"

Bella nods. "Forever."

When I hear someone clear their throat, I chuckle and pull away from my wife. "We should get going," I tell her.

"Yeah, I'm starving," she says with a grin. "Let's go pay for this and head over to the Chinese place next door."

"You're in the mood for Teriyaki chicken?"

"Yes! I even brought extra TUMS with me."

"Good call," I tell her. "Why don't you go ahead and order so you can sit while you wait for me? You must be exhausted."

"I am," she exhales. "The office was super busy today."

"Okay, I'll see you in a bit."

I then head to the checkout while Bella makes her way next door. Five minutes later, when I enter the Chinese restaurant, I spot Bella at one of the tables by the food counter. She smiles at me as soon as I come into view, patting the spot beside her for me to sit.

"I hope you don't mind," Bella begins, "but I ordered our food to go."

"Not at all," I assure her. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah." She shrugs. "I just realized that I'm more tired than I thought. Plus, my back is kinda hurting and my feet are swollen as fuck, so I'm more than eager to get home and sit on the couch with my feet propped up on your lap as I stuff my face with steamed rice and veggies."

"And don't forget the Teriyaki chicken," I tease.

Bella playfully gasps. "Never!"

"Mrs. Cullen, your food's ready," the cashier informs us.

I get up to retrieve our food and also to help Bella stand. Once we've got our order, we head to our car and drive home.

As soon as we enter, Bella takes off her shoes and goes to our bedroom to put on her maternity yoga-pants while I unpack our food on the coffee table.

"Feeling better?" I ask when she returns.

"Yeah." She nods. "But my back is still hurting a bit."

"Were you on your feet today?"

"Of course, but only for a little bit. You know how protective Rosalie is."

"Oh, I do, and I definitely wouldn't want to get on her bad side."

"Yeah," Bella chuckles as she takes her seat. "It's scary."

"So," I begin as I join Bella on the couch. "What are our plans for this weekend?"

"We're going over to your parents' house for the barbecue that your dad owes mine."

"I can't believe they're still betting," I grumble. "How many times has your dad beat mine?"

"I lost count," she teases before taking a bite of her food and then moaning. "Oh, God, this is delicious."

I smirk. "I remember the last time you said that. You got pregnant afterward."

Bella rolls her eyes, yet laughs. "Okay, onto important things; remind me tomorrow to bring the files from the Cheneys' house-renovation loan. I need to do some paperwork for the appraisal."

"Babe, what's the point of maternity leave if you're going to keep working from home?"

"It's just paperwork," she whines. "Plus, I can't let a temp handle that kind of stuff. She'd get it all wrong."

"Rosalie is lucky to have you as her assistant," I tell her.

"I'm lucky to have Rosalie as a friend," she says longingly.

"We both are," I agree.

"And that's why I have to help her. Now, let's hurry up because it's getting late and I want to take a shower before bed."

Nodding, I agree. "Whatever you say, love."