It was hard to get through the next couple of weeks. I had refused to tell Charlie or Renee what was going on, and I'd also been avoiding the Cullen house, where all eyes looked strangely at me. Rosalie had been the worst; I could see the fires of jealousy in her eyes when she first heard the news. Edward, though, had been wonderful, of course. Well, at least he had not lacked trying. To be honest, as much as Edward's presence was now a necessary fixture in my life, it felt different. I was still eager to touch him, and to have him hold me, but the drive was gone. I still felt compelled to be with him, but every moment seemed strained. The solace I once found in his arms was gone, and the worst part was not that as awkward as I felt being near him, it was no longer a choice for me to stay away. The worst part was that I knew Edward felt it too. We both felt the inevitable magnetic pull, but it seemed that our individual poles had changed.

I awoke very early one morning, around 6:00am and found a note from Edward.

"Bella,

You were tossing and turning in your sleep last night. Enjoy the bed to yourself for a few more hours. I'm coming over in the morning, be ready by 11. I have something planned. I've talked it over with Charlie. He's gone fishing for the day, so, please, get some sleep until I come back.

I love you."

I re-read the note and sighed. Edward knew I didn't like surprises, especially ones that were particularly for me. I glanced at the clock and sighed again. I couldn't figure out what was bothering me more at the moment. What it the fact that Edward was gone and I had hours to kill until he was back, or was it that the uneasy feeling I'd been fighting all night seemed to have left with Edward, and I was finally comfortable enough to get some much needed sleep? I pondered this question as my heavy eyelids closed.

When I awoke the second time, someone else was in the room with me. "Edward!" I said out of surprise. He had been sitting at my desk, clicking softly on my computer. He spun around and smiled softly at me.

"Awake, finally?" He chuckled, standing up and hovering over the bed where I laid. He kissed my forehead and sat down next to me. "How was your night's sleep?" He asked, rubbing my back. I shrugged at him, pulling him down next to me, unable to fight my desire to touch him. He obliged and sat down next to me. We were silent for a few moments as I stared into his topaz eyes, trying to get lost in them as I once was able to do without trying. He brushed a hair out of my face and leaned his forehead against mine. I read his face as well as he could, and could see the pain that my pain was causing him.

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. "Bella," he whispered soothingly as he placed a hand against my cheek. I rested my hand on his forearm, closed my eyes and, again, tried desperately to recover what seemed to have been lost between us. But it was not to be found, at least not there, at that moment. I slowly stroked his cool smooth arm and silently wished that time could be rewound. I would not take back that night in the clearing for anything, but this feeling almost seemed unworthy of it.

I turned to him then, and cleared my throat to break the silence. "You know I hate surprises," I joked awkwardly. He smiled and looked up at me without an answer. "Well," I said softly, "what do you have planned for today?"

Edward's chuckled and he gave me a thoughtful look. "A little trip," he hinted. I gave him a perplexed look. "A trip?" I asked. He nodded. "Bella, love, I know these past couple of weeks have been hard for you." I looked down awkwardly at my stomach. He continued slowly, "And I know that whatever happens, we will get through it, together. So, I thought I'd start this journey of ours off right." He placed his hand gently on my stomach.

"With a trip," I repeated, still confused. He nodded, and kissed my fingers. "I thought you might want a weekend away. Away from your house, away from mine. Just the two of us?"

I smiled lovingly at Edward. He couldn't read my thoughts; yet, somehow, he always knew what I was feeling. I nodded exuberantly, and then paused. "Charlie…?" I questioned.

"Charlie knows we are going away together." Edward answered. "I explained to him that I had to show you the apartment for next year, and since he's already so excited about you attending Dartmouth, he happily accepted the excuse." I laughed in disbelief.

"So, so you and I are going away together?" I questioned for confirmation. He nodded. "For a whole weekend," I asked again. He nodded once more with a smile on his face. "Oh Edward," I sighed, sinking into his beautiful stone body, "thank you. This is just what I need." The tension seemed to have broken until we touched, and I soon realized that I had moved too quickly- for myself and for him.

Still, he protectively put his arm around me. "Bella," he said quietly. "I realized that you might need some time away, but only after Charlie mentioned to me yesterday that you've been rather quiet and secluded with him." I sighed, he was right. I had been embarrassed to talk to Charlie since I'd found out I was pregnant. Every sentence I said to him that didn't mention the fact that I was with child felt like a lie. Yet, I still couldn't admit, even to myself, that I was true, let alone my father. Edward continued, "I understand if you don't want to let me in, after what I've done to you," his voice grew quieter at the end. "But, I really wish you would tell me what you've been thinking. I want to be able to provide for you Bella, but I can't when I don't know what you need."

I looked into Edward's eyes. "Stop blaming yourself Edward," I said, shaking my head. "What is happening to me is a product of what both of us wanted. And, it's not that I'm trying to leave you out," I continued, trying to find the correct words to express what I was feeling. "I just don't know what to tell you. I can barely form full thoughts in my own head, let alone transcribe them to you. What is going on," I glanced down once again, "is very scary for me." Edward tightened his grip around my body, but let me continue without interruption. I didn't know what else to say though, so I joked, "I'm only human." I gave him a small smile, and he kissed my forehead.

"I understand, Bella," he said, "and whenever you are willing to open up, I'm here." I nodded, letting him know that I understood. Then, I quickly changed the subject.

"So, when are we leaving?" I asked. He smiled at my interest. "Your bags are packed; I've just been waiting on you." I looked down at the foot of my bed where he had gestured. An expensive Italian suitcase stood there, clearly packed and ready to go.

"A human moment?" I questioned. He smiled and nodded, and I quickly jumped out of bed and showered. The water was a relief, as was this moment to regain composure without feigning a smile for Edward. I massaged my strawberry shampoo into my hair more slowly that I normally would have, and I took the time to blow dry my hair out with a round brush. After I had brushed my teeth, wrapped a towel around my body and run out of bathroom rituals to complete, I re-entered my room. Edward was, of course, waiting for me where I'd left him. When he looked up and saw me half-dressed I almost expected him to routinely rip the towel off of me. Instead, he quickly looked away. I was ashamed to be relieved and swiftly went to my dresser and pulled out some pants to throw on. I turned away from him when the towel came off and I started putting my bra on. The clasp was giving me a difficult time and goose bumps quickly appeared on my arms when I felt Edward's chilling fingers graze my back and fasten it for me.

"Thank you, Edward," I breathed, turning around to face him. I quickly buttoned up the shirt I had grabbed and took his hand, leading him out of the house.

"Where are we going?" I asked, after we'd set out in his car. He re-grabbed my hand in his and squeezed it. "I already told you," he said. "We're going to check out our apartment." I laughed lightly. Part of me assumed Edward had been lying about that part, trying to hold onto the surprise for me. I shot him a hesitant look. "In New Hampshire," I stated, awaiting confirmation. He chuckled and shot me the crooked smile I had fallen in love with. It felt good to see that smile. I took this look as verification and stared at him in disbelief. "New Hampshire, here we come," I said, causing another snicker to escape from my vampire.