DISCLAIMER: All recognizable characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer. Any other copyrighted or trademarked items mentioned herein belong to their respective owners, all other content belongs to me. No copyright or infringement is intended. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization.

Chapter 3

"Bella, just hang in there." Carmen sighed as I finished putting her hair into a side, flipped pony-tail.

"I will...hopefully my assignment won't be a big hairspray junkie." I gave her an optimistic smile and she chuckled.

I then thought about how I'd be assigned to one singer. Each contestant had their own stylist. The better of the contestants, meaning the top ten, had the best stylists. Carmen, apparently, assigned her favorite to me. It was an odd number this year – otherwise I wouldn't have a contestant at all. Originally, I was strictly working for the judge panel.

I really didn't mind the extra hours though. I was making a lot of money, but I knew that I was pregnant and that if I kept the baby that babies were expensive. Not to mention exhausting. I'd be lucky if I did hair ever again after the next year. That was quite the bummer to think about. Because God knows, I loved my job.

I sighed, straightening my black dress again. For the first night of Hollywood week, I decided to dress nicely. I was wearing a black dress, that fell just above my knees. My feet were clad in black heals. I'd pulled my hair into a half pony-tail, curled the ends, and then accented it with a black bow. It was a very pretty, and put-together look. A lot more than how I felt inside.

She walked on out, while I paced in my dressing room. We decided that it would be easier if my client just came to my room. It was the most convenient, and a little easier one me. It gave me less running around to do. I had been excessively exhausted since I found out I was pregnant. What was once an everyday activity for me, became quite the workout. I hated it.

I looked up at the sound of soft knocking on my door. Quickly, I walked over and pulled the door open. Once it was open, I sucked in a deep breath, and looked up at the man who had been chosen. I couldn't have been more surprised, for the millionth time that week.

Edward stood in front of me, his face purely surprised. Slowly, a grin began to take over his lips and he chuckled. I was even more shocked when he yanked me up and into his arms. It caused a heavy amount of dizziness on my part, so I couldn't properly react. He cheered my name after sitting me down, but I was still trying to figure out if all of my body was...together. I looked slowly up to see his eyes watching me. Their green pure, and concerned.

"Sorry...just felt a little dizzy." I murmured.

"Not a problem!" He grinned and I smiled at him, tucking some stray hairs behind my ears. "Can I come in?"

"Wha-...yes. Absolutely! Come, have a seat." I told him as he followed me into the room.

"How have you been Bella? I didn't know you worked here! I would have tried to get ahold of you much sooner. I mean, I've dropped by your house nearly every week. I really wanted to see you...," his brows furrowed together and I felt another smile take over my face. I was about to tell him that he was a sweetheart, but he kept talking. "But you're here! I should have known better."

"I'm definitely here," I sighed and shook my head. "I missed you. I really wanted to talk to you. But I forgot to get your information before sending you off to audition for this show."

"I know. I'm happy you're here now. I have all of your information," he winked playfully and I roughly turned him to face the mirror in his salon chair.

"Now, Mr. Cullen," I gave him a cheeky grin as I began running my fingers through his messy hair. "What should I do with this mane of yours?"

"Anything you think will look good. I trust your judgment, Bella." He smiled softly and I grinned at him through the mirror.

Slowly, I began silently running my fingers through his messy hair. I liked his natural look, but I couldn't figure out if that would have been enough for the performance. I didn't want him to look bad, I just simply wasn't sure what to do about it. It was so beautiful. I felt panic in my chest as I hadn't been able to come up to anything. I didn't want to tell him how hopeless it was, but I didn't want to leave him hanging.

I felt suddenly insecure of just being around Edward. I began to wonder if he could tell what was wrong with me. Or maybe he just thought I was some nut. I wasn't particularly happy with either one. Just that thought brought on a fresh round of insecurities. I was ripped harshly from my flighty thoughts by the feeling of Edward's warmer hands on mine. They were still entangled in his hair, so I'm sure he felt just as awkward as I did.

Only not the same.

"Bella, your hands are shaking," his voice was stern and I pursed my lips.

"I'm sorry, Edward."

"Don't apologize. I just realized that you'd been in one spot awful long...and you were really quiet. Are you alright? You're getting paler...Bella, honey, feel free to answer me." He rambled, his voice getting worried as he spoke. I shook my head at him, lacking the right words. "It can be natural...just put a little hair spray in it to keep this strand out of my eyes. Really, Bella, it's not a bi-..."

"I can't do this, Edward!" I felt my composure spontaneously combust. Only, it had been long since coming. "I can't do this anymore!"

"I don't understand, what's wrong?" He laughed nervously, turning to face me.

"I'm pregnant, Edward!" I hissed and he looked gobsmacked.

"What?" He whispered and I nodded.

"It's yours...I haven't done it with anyone else. I...oh, God, I swear I'm not trying to tie you down. You can stay, or you can leave. I guess I could quit, that way you could finish your dream. I won't be able-...," I began rambling, but his index finger found it's way to my lips, silencing me.

"Shh. We'll talk soon...I have to go preform though." His voice was shaky, and his eyes were all over the room. I knew he didn't know what to think. I didn't know what to think. So, I nodded, and backed up from him.

"Your hair is fine the way it is." I closed my eyes.

"Thanks Bella...," his voice was quiet. I heard the door close a couple seconds later, indicating that he'd left to go preform.

When I opened my eyes, I was freaking out all over again. I quickly cleaned up my things, and found myself running off and up some stairs. I knew where I was going – I was going to the top of the building. I liked going up there when I needed quiet. I'd only done it once, but it was comfortable. And I could look at the pool. I never swam, but it was pretty. I sighed as I pushed passed the final door and found myself on the edge of the pool.

I sat down, and steadied myself. Carefully, I rolled my pants up, took my shoes and socks off, and slowly lowered my legs into the water. It was warm, after sitting in the Hollywood sun all day. I liked it though – it comforted me.

I let out a loud sigh. It was garbled, no thanks to my stress. I felt awful for just spitting the news out at Edward like that. He didn't deserve that kind of stress right before he preformed. I knew that if he didn't make it past tonight, that I'd blame myself. Because Edward was so talented. Just thinking more about it made me groan.

I swung my hands up and pressed them over my eyes. Just as I did this, I accidentally knocked my socks off, and into the pool. I made another loud noise, and attempted to reach for my socks. I hoped that I could have grabbed them before they got soaked, and sank. They floated away, and I accidentally threw my balance off in attempt to grab them. Without really even knowing it, I'd slid off of the side and into the water.

Once I broke the surface, I realized two things. The first was that the water was a lot colder underneath where the sun touched it. I also realized that it was a lot deeper than it looked. I was so startled, that I forgot to grab onto the edge before I got in too deep. I'd never seriously learned how to swim, and found myself attempting to breathe in panic.

The water filled my lungs faster, and faster as I sank into the dark pit.

When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in the water anymore. There was a crowd around me, and someone pounding on my chest. I felt an involuntary cough arise, and I began spitting up a lot of water. No wonder I'd felt significantly heavy. I slowly came to terms with the fact that it had been Carmen hitting me, and she backed up a bit, looking over me.

"You're okay?" She asked and I sputtered out some more water.

"God...ow...," I groaned, each breath caused an ache to pound in my chest.

"She's talking, that's one thing." Jane muttered somewhere in the background.

"Shut up," a familiar velvety voice hissed. I turned, finding Edward leaning just next to Carmen. I wasn't sure how I'd missed him seconds ago, but I could see him now. I reached my hand up, and he took it dutifully. A slight grin took over his face. "You're okay, Bella. God, you scared the hell out of all of us."

"I...my socks fell in...I can't swim...I'm not even sure," I began rambling, trying to remember what went wrong, and when.

"Don't worry about it. Just make sure you're alright." Edward pressed his hand to my head, where my hair was wet, and matted to my face. "When I heard that one of the main cosmetologists had drowned...I couldn't get here fast enough. I was so afraid it was you." He whispered the last part. "I nearly had a heart-attack."

"I'm sorry," I repeated, attempting to shake my head. It ached though.

"Everyone, back away!" A male voice called, and I looked up to see the very-late paramedics. Everyone moved but Edward. The paramedics barked at him to back up again, and I let out a cry. It both hurt my head, and my feelings. I needed Edward.

"Edward, stay." I coughed and he ignored the paramedics completely. He moved so that he was out of their way, but to a spot where I could see him, and hold his hand.

"What happened here, miss?" The man asked me, as he looked me over.

"I fell into the water...I was up here thinking."

"What hurts?" The female asked me and I hiccuped. "My lungs...but I sucked up a lot of water. My head hurts too."

"That's not all to uncommon," the woman assured me as she looked me over.

"Is she going to be okay?" Edward asked right before he leaned down, and pressed his warm lips to my forehead.

"I believe so. I'd like to take her to a doctor though, just to make sure. Her ribs look pretty bruised – I want to have her x-rayed." The lady said, and I nodded, agreeing. I knew that it really didn't matter to me. Hospital, no hospital – I just wanted to talk to Edward.

"We have to go continue filming, Bella." Carmen sighed as the paramedics walked away. The EMTs were rounding the crowd back inside. Even Jane went with them. Not that I was too offended – she had work to do.

"I'm sorry for interrupting," I wheezed. "Did Edward preform?"

"Yes! And I promise he's going through. Don't worry about a thing," she whispered and I thanked her.

"I'll go with you too the hospital. I want to talk to you, and make sure you're okay." Edward murmured and I nodded at him.

"Thanks." I yawned as they lifted me onto a gurney, and then tucked a wool blanket around me. I knew it didn't do much good with how sopping wet I was, but I ignored it. Edward kept his hand securely in mine, and he followed us all downstairs, and into the ambulance.

"Alright, Miss Swan, are you allergic to any medications?" The woman asked me as she filled out a clipboard on the way.

"Um, I think I'm allergic to Ibuprofen. It doesn't matter though – I'm pregnant." I told her and she froze, went back to the top, and marked something else on the board. Should have asked, lady.

"Okay," she murmured, her face tight.

"Do you think my baby will be alright?"

"I'm not technically sure what could have affected it. You should ask your doctor when you arrive," she gave me a sad look, and I knew she felt bad for lacking an answer. I merely nodded my head, and let my eyes slip closed. I had already been exhausted before everything.

When we got there, I was quickly lifted out of the ambulance, and brought into a throng of doctors. They cleared out once they came to terms with the fact that I was indeed okay, and conscious. Once they were gone, and I'd been moved to a cot, there was only two doctors standing over me. One was a blond man, and the other was a woman with reddish-brown hair.

And green eyes.

She looked just like Edward, who was also with me.

"Are you two...?" I began but was cut off by their nods, and smiles.

"Edward, what brings you here?" The man asked, his voice soft as he proceeded to do a check up on me.

"I was the one who found Bella. She's my stylist for the show, actually." He ran his hand through his hair. I sighed, nodding.

"I see," the woman murmured as she looked over my chart.

"I'm Carlisle Cullen, and this is Esme, my wife." Carlisle, the blond guy murmured, looking over at Esme shortly. "We're Edward's parents, actually."

"Is my baby okay?" I asked Esme, feeling only slightly rude for interrupting Carlisle. She had been reading the chart, and making even more interesting faces. Slowly, she looked up, and pursed her lips.

"I'd like to do an ultrasound, because your oxygen was cut off for so long." She explained and I nodded. Edward's hand somehow intertwined itself with mine, telling me that he wasn't ready to tell them, but that he was here for us. The baby and I. She sighed, cocking her head to the side, "I think we'd have noticed if something had gone wrong though."

"I hope it's okay," I whispered, my voice still slightly wheezy.

"I'd also like to get her into something dry," Esme eyed me carefully. "Her lips are too blue for my liking."

"Absolutely, Edward, go on into the lounge and get Esme's extra scrubs." Carlisle told Edward, and he nodded, quickly going off in some other direction. I watched him go, until he was out of sight, before looking at the couple in front of me.

"So, you think it's okay?" I asked again, seriously worrying about it.

"The odds are with it," Esme smiled softly.

"Esme is an obstetrician, she works in pediatrics too. If someone is reliable for your questions, it's her, Bella. Don't worry. Stress isn't good for the baby, either." Carlisle told me and I nodded. "If you are pregnant, I think we should avoid x-rays. Your ribs just look bruised. They should feel better in a matter of time."

"Thank you, doctor, both of you." I nodded my head towards both of them. "I don't even know what happened. I fell into the water, and it was deeper...and colder. I panicked, and then tried to breathe. God, I shouldn't have been up there alone. My parents are going to have a fit if they find out." I laughed sourly.

"You're right, you shouldn't have been up there alone," Esme gave me a pointed look as they set the cot up so that they could move it. "We're moving you somewhere private. So you can change, and I can get a look at the baby."

"Sounds like a plan," I yawned.

That's when Edward caught up with us. He had some pink material in his hands, and I recognized them as the extra scrubs.

"Just as a heads up, the incident is all over the media," Edward told me as we got into the more private room.

"Fantastic," I sighed and sat up. Esme helped me out of the bed and too the bathroom. She waited outside the door, while the others waited by the table, while I changed. Once I was dry, I pulled my hair into a bun and walked back in. Edward was the one to help me back up and onto the table.

That's when my phone's ring-tone went off. I frowned, looking around, and wondering where it was.

"I grabbed it while we were on the roof. Lucky it didn't fall in," Edward chuckled, pulling it from his pocket and handing it to me. I answered quickly.

"Hello?"

"Isabella Marie! Are you okay?" My mom's voice sounded panicked through the line.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Just a little shaken. I sucked up some water, but the CPR got it out of me in time." I murmured, wondering if it was in time though. It doesn't truly count unless my baby's still 'breathing'.

"I turned on the TV, and saw a video of you...they were putting you in an ambulance. It scared the hell out of me."

"I know mom – I'll call you back and talk later. I'm getting x-rays on my ribs done," I lied. "I promise to call you in a while. Call dad for me – tell him I'm fine."

"Okay...right. Fine." She sighed.

"I love you."

"I love you too baby – stay warm."

I hanged up and looked at the others. Edward smiled sheepishly.

"Your mom doesn't know about the baby?" Esme asked me and I blushed immediately.

"I only just found out." I told her and she nodded. "Can we figure out how far along I am? It would help. I mean, at three months I'll probably go ahead and tell her. I want to know how long until then." I asked and she nodded, smiling as she finished setting it up. Carlisle asked me if I needed to call the father. I sighed, "no. He's not really in the picture."

"I see," Esme murmured.

I hated lying to them, they were already so nice.

"Alright, let's get things checked out,"

I watched as Esme fiddled around with some buttons. She quickly had it on, and then had my shirt rolled up, and the gel on my belly. I had only become slightly bloated, so you couldn't even tell there was a kid inside of me. I was slightly nervous about whether there still was, or wasn't, on that note. She sighed with relief when she landed on a blob on the screen.

"Listen," she grinned and flipped a switch.

Suddenly, the room was full of a loud, swooshing noise. I hadn't caught on super-quick, but slowly, my mind wrapped around the fact that I was hearing my child. The baby's heartbeat. I immediately knew that I was keeping it – that it was my baby, and that it was perfect where it was. Even it's fast, little heartbeat was perfect. I felt my eyes prick with tears at the sound. I felt Edward's hand squeeze mine.

I felt bad that he wasn't allowed to show any emotion for the baby right now. He had to pretend like it wasn't his baby that he was hearing for the first time. I was pleased though, because the look on his face was full of excitement, and pride. He wanted the baby as much as I did then. Edward understood it all.

Esme grinned, nodding her head at me.

"That's your baby. Strong as ever. Looks like you're about ten weeks along. So, your second trimester should start in two weeks." She smiled. "You should start planning another appointment around then, see when they want you in. That way you can get all of the technicalities out of the way. If you'd like, we can arrange for me to do all of that. It's all up to you though."

"Thank you so much Dr. Cullen...both of you...all three of you." I smiled.

"Not a problem, Miss Swan," Carlisle smiled as he wiped me off. "Would you like to call someone for a ride?"

"I actually offered to take her home dad," Edward cut in softly, and I smiled at him.

"Thanks for that, by the way."

"No problem – you make me look as good as I do. It's the least I can do." He winked as he helped me out of the bed.

"Be good, Edward." Esme gave him a pointed look and he chuckled.

"Will do, mother. See you guys next weekend."

"Next weekend?" I asked, not realizing how nosy I sounded.

"Come on, Bella. The banquet. The whole crew and cast is going." Edward chuckled and I nodded, slowly remembering that I was supposed to attend that. I hadn't been looking forward to it. I hated parties.

"Right...,"

"You're going, aren't you?" He asked as we made our way to the doors.

"Probably," I mumbled, knowing Carmen would insist.

"Good. I can't wait." He smiled as we climbed into the car. We'd been walking a lot faster than I'd thought.

After the car door was shut, Edward turned to look at me.

"Even though I think the obvious has been covered...we need to talk, Bella." He gave me an impish look and I nodded.

Tonight had been long already – it looked like it was going to be longer.

A/N: Sorry about the writer's block! I'm finally getting through it! Review for encouragement!