Chapter 6 was the 1stwk in Dec Bella was 24 weeks this information is mostly for me :)
Hope you enjoy
Chapter 7
"Hello?"
"Bella, it is Edward"
"Hello" She is taken back. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, it is fine; I was calling to find out about your plans for Christmas"
"Oh, I'm, I'm just" She stops. "It will just be me and the baby"
Edward listens to her breathing. "Where are you now, home?"
"Yes"
"May I come over and see you?"
"Why?" She wonders softly.
Edward clears his throat; he hasn't seen or spoken to her in over a week. He will see her December 29th for her 28 week check up and from January ever week until she delivers.
"Why?"
"I want to talk to you about something in person, may I come over?"
"Okay"
Bella debates going down to meet him out front of the building or just waiting in her apartment. Nibbling her lip she wiggles her hands together.
On the drive to her apartment he thinks over what he is going to say. Nothing comes to him, he will just wing it.
"Hello?" She answers the buzzer.
"It's Edward"
"Come up" She buzzes him up. In less than 2 minutes he is knocking on her door. Unlocking it carefully she opens it. Stepping back she waits for him to speak.
"Hello Bella"
"Dr. Cullen"
"Don't" He whispers staring at her.
"I'm sorry, what can I do for you?" She is trying, he makes her feel different, strange, so she is trying to keep it the same.
He stares at her for a moment before speaking. Her hair is a richer colour; he knows it is from her daughter, she is actually glowing. "I'm inviting you to join my family and myself for Christmas dinner." He and Jane have decided since he went to Thanksgiving with her family this holiday should be spent in Seattle. She was fine with it. She normally spends holidays away from her family, whereas he does not.
"I couldn't" Bella shakes her head. In reality Mrs. Platt has been hinting around it for a few days now at the center.
"My mother would love to have you join us; Dr. Whitlock…Jasper, his wife, Alice will be there as well"
Bella shakes her head. Alice was great, very kind, sweet, excitable, and having a girl as well. She is due mid-January with her daughter.
"Bella" He says her name.
"I just, it is such a family holiday, I don't have a family, this" She touches her stomach. "Is my family, and that is your family"
He moves and reaches out holding her upper arms. "Bella" He says softly staring down at her, she can't see him but sometimes it feels like she can. He drops his head. "I don't want you alone"
"I won't be" She smiles. "Not for the next 20 odd weeks"
Edward laughs. "You know what I mean, haven't we moved on from this?"
Sighing she pulls away, she knows her way around her apartment, she doesn't need her cane. Taking exactly 5 steps she touches the kitchen counter. "I'm bringing a dish"
He smiles at the back of her head. "Pie?"
"Probably"
"Sounds wonderful, I'll tell Esme" He watches her nod her head. "So I'll pick you up Christmas Day at 2, sound good?"
"Okay" She doesn't like this, it feels too personal. "You are still my doctor"
"I'm still your doctor in the office, and your friend outside" He confirms firmly.
She nods.
"How come you never mentioned her?" Jane questions taking off her earrings. She is staying at his place more and more, she likes it. Smiling she watches as he pulls his shirt off. His body is not huge and overpowering; it is lean yet very strong looking.
"Bella?"
"Yes" Jane turns to look at him.
"I don't know, should I have?"
"Yeah, you are having her for Christmas dinner after all; this is our first Christmas together"
Edward looks at her.
"So it's a bit odd a patient is coming"
"She is more than that"
Jane arches her eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
"She is blind, and having a baby"
"What?" Jane laughs. "You have got to be kidding me, poor girl, no wonder you are inviting her"
"It's not like that Jane" He grumbles. He is not inviting her out of pity, it is not some poor puppy routine.
"You pick up strays Edward, you don't have to be ashamed" She rests her hands on his naked chest. "It's in your nature anyone can see that…besides her of course" She smiles at her own joke.
"I think we should call it a night"
"You're right, I'm pooped"
"I mean" He grabs her bag from the chair nearby. "I think you should head home"
"Oh Edward come on"
He is seeing red right now but keeping his cool. "Jane I'm serious"
"All this over this patient, God, it was a joke. I was just saying it's a good thing, you have a great personality, are we really fighting over this woman?"
"No, I'm just asking you to leave so we don't start fighting"
"Fine" She cuts her eyes at him and grabs her bag.
He hears the door slam and sinks on his bed, his head hangs in his hands.
Esme rushes around getting everything in order. Her son is no help; her husband is even less help. Alice can't help she is ready to burst. And she side eyes Jane looking at her nails. They are bright red.
"You okay mom?" Edward comes into the kitchen and grabs a carrot off the refreshments dish. "Go get Bella please" She slaps his hand away.
He smiles. He text her a few times and she responded, seemingly excited and nervous.
"I'm coming" Jane perks up. She catches his look. She hasn't said anything about that night, and nor has her. "I will keep quiet"
"Jane I think" He is cut off by his mother. Her eyes are pleading. "Let's go" He mutters.
"Look I'm sorry" Jane speaks. "I love you Edward, and don't want to have this tension between us" She reaches over and takes his hand.
Edward glances at her and smiles. Lifting their joined hands he kisses her. "I appreciate the apology"
Jane watches as he pulls up to the side of the road. "You have been here before?" She glances at him.
"Yes" He answers yet doesn't feel the guilt he knows he should.
"Where was I?"
"Working" Jane shakes her head and lets out a little laugh. "Are you having an affair?"
"No" He answers looking at her. "No"
"Right, just one of the emotional kind"
"Jane, Bella and I are not having an affair"
"It was be just perfect, Dr. Cullen in love with the blind single mother"
"Look you need to stop now"
"I'm done" She answers looking forward.
"I'll be right back" He feels like this is not a Christmas he would normally have, it feels wrong right now. He is about to buzz her apartment when the door open. "Hey"
"Merry Christmas Edward" Bella speaks. She is bundled up. He smiles.
"Merry Christmas Bella, ready?"
"I have the pie upstairs still" She confesses.
"Give me your keys, I'll run and get it"
"Okay" She hands him the key ring with the right key out front.
"Let's get you in the car" He speaks. "Let me take your hand" He says gently, he doesn't give her time to protest, his hand engulfs hers. She feels warm. "How is the baby?"
"She is good" Bella answers taking carful yet assured steps. She knows he won't lead her astray.
"My girlfriend Jane is in the car"
"Oh" She stops her step for a second.
"It's alright" He makes the introductions. "I need to get the pie Bella made; Jane is this Bella Swan, Bella, Jane Volturi"
"Hello"
"Hello" Jane answers looking at the woman, clearly pregnant, long dark hair, slightly mismatched clothing, but it works. She wrinkles her nose at Edward holding her hand.
Edward helps Bella in with a smile and shuts the door; he watches her reach for the seat belt. "Here" He passes it to her, leaning in over her body to buckle her in. "Okay?"
She nods, her breath hitched, he smells so clean and fresh, kind. He smells kind. "Thank you"
"You're welcome Bella" He responds gently.
Jane clears her throat feeling like a third wheel in the passenger's seat.
"I'll be right back" He says more to Bella than anyone. Jogging to the door, he takes the stairs two at a time.
