A/N: Jekyll and Hyde's 'Once Upon a Dream'. Oh and by the way, Edward's not happy L Just a thought, the song is more Edward than Bella…
Once upon a dream,
I was lost in love's embrace.
There I found a perfect place,
Once upon a dream.
Once there was a time,
Like no other time before,
Hope was still an open door,
Once upon a dream.
And I was unafraid,
The dream was so exciting!
But now I see it fade...
And I am here alone!
Once upon a dream,
You were heaven-sent to me,
Was it never meant to be?
Was it just a dream?
Could we begin again!...
Once upon a dream.
Edward was waiting outside my home. The scowl was an inch deep and there were waves of anger permeating the air.
"Walk with me." He ordered.
I shook my head. "No Edward, I'm tired and I have nothing more to say to you."
A cold hand closed around my wrist. "I said walk."
He dragged me round the back of the house and to the wooded area.
He stopped suddenly, his eyes ablaze.
"Bella, my family and I are leaving and we won't be back. We've done everything we could for you, but it's not enough."
My temper frayed. "I've never asked for it. I never wanted it!"
He pinched the top of his nose and I wanted to slap that patronising, hard-done by expression off his face. "You're not the girl I thought you were. The day I saw you, I knew you were it for me…"
I sneered. "You couldn't stand to be near me!"
"You've defiled yourself Bella. The woman I loved was pure and honest." The shouted words brushed over my skin. I'd never hated someone as much in my whole life.
"The woman you loved? She belongs in your mind. Despite it all, I'm human, Edward. I'll make mistakes and crave wild nights out. It's all part of growing up. Something you need to do!"
"Excuse me? I will not debase myself with a stranger. Nor will I dishonour my family by associating with a…"
Now he paused?
"Say it Edward."
He took a needless sigh.
"With a whore."
I took a deep of breath. "Well, thank-you for making your point clear. Say good-bye to your family for me."
"My family no longer wish to hear from you."
"Then you better take back all the gifts and give them to a worthy cause."
"I will."
He turned away, never to see her again.
XxX
Work proved a welcome distraction and I made a significant effort to reconnect with the gang at Forks High.
Nights out were off the menu for the moment. I didn't blame them. I could give the excuse that I'd just come out of a relationship and I wanted to go a little crazy.
But I was honest enough to accept that I was tired of being safe and that I was lonely.
Charlie had set up a standing dinner arrangement for Fridays, something I found I looked forward to. The diner was the main choice but every so often, we'd order in a pizza or even Chinese.
He'd always be an aloof, taciturn man but slowly, the barrier was melting and I could finally get to know him.
XxX
Charlie appreciated the time with his daughter but even he could tell she wasn't happy. Not really. He didn't know what happened between the Cullen brat and his daughter and whilst the bond was still so tentative, he hoped that one day, she would trust him.
The first day back at school was hard as the fresh onslaught of memories struck.
The last few days had been fraught and it was all she could do to see herself through the day. Her sense of smell was heightened and the smallest action took more strength than thought possible.
"Maybe you're pregnant?"
I was honestly bewildered by Hannah's question. After everything we had done to ensure I was ok and now this?
To prove her wrong, I booked an appointment at a Clinic in Portland. Molly offered to come with me but I refused.
Those few days I couldn't focus in class, trying to listen to the teachers drone on about finals.
Would I still be at school then? Charlie would want me to finish school. Maybe I should be looking at taking online classes?
Charlie would be pissed that I got knocked up. Even more so when he realised Edward wasn't the father.
Oh God, Edward as a father? Please, just no.
Would the father step up? Would I even want him to? That is, if I could remember his name…
My thoughts turned to the new addition at work. He seemed to be a decent and normal enough guy. Molly told me just the other day he was asking after me.
Would he still want me if I had a baby?
C'mon Bella, don't even go there!
I sure as hell didn't need those fantasies in my collection. I'm probably not even pregnant. So why am I wasting all this time?
Jack, no Joe, no, whatever, was probably being polite. I think.
XxX
My nerves were shot to pieces as I pulled up at the clinic.
I had to race to the bathroom before I threw up all over everyone. That would just be gross.
The nurse was very kind as we went through the standard questions.
Did you use protection?
How long have you been feeling sick?
Are you always such a whore?
That cleared my head completely.
"Miss River, are you ok?"
It didn't take long for the results to show that I wasn't pregnant. They were worried about my current weight and took a few blood samples.
They'd let me know in a few days.
I hadn't wanted anyone with me at the clinic, so Molly and Hannah met me at the local diner.
When the clinic called back, they told me I had low iron levels, which caused the tiredness and recommended a meatier diet. They asked me to come back in three months.
As soon as I got home, the tears came. It wasn't as though I wanted to be a mother. What kind would I make anyway? I wasn't any good in relationships. No doubt I'd mess the kid up.
No, if anything, I was better off alone.
