Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight except for the five books I bought.
Chapter 9: A Question Of Friendship Part Two
Previously on A Question Of Friendship...
Until that point Bella had been staring intently at the menu as he spoke but now her head had snapped up to look at him.
'I know it's insane to want one with my soon to be deteriorating condition but I'm still going to ask. Would you consider giving me a child?'
~0~
Immediately Bella choked on her wine, some dripping onto the menu.
'Shit Bella.' Edward cursed moving over to pat her back gently but with some force. Finally she managed to get her breath back enough to look up at him is disbelief.
'Are you insane?' She wheezed watching him take his seat back. There was no menace in her voice just complete disbelief. How could be think something like that? It would take a good few months at least for IVF to get the ok then all the paperwork and such to go through not to mention the nine months for the child to make an appearance 'Edward you aren't thinking this through properly.'
'I have!' He protested 'It can take up to a month to conceive then nine months. I'll still be up and about...' Well he hoped he still would be anyway.
'Edward,' She spoke in a serious tone he'd only heard when she scolded him 'IVF takes longer than that plus who knows if I'm fertile and-'
'IVF? Huh I'm talking about the traditional way. You know just a male and female?' He interrupted.
'What?' She hissed loud enough for the people around to throw quizitive and annoyed looks towards the duo. Edward sent spoke a few apologises clearly embarrassed by her outburst. Luckily the server waltzed back over to them trying to make the situation better for the hot male before her.
'What can I get you?' She asked smiling whilst the other patron's returned to their food.
'Mushroom ravioli.' Bella muttered finding the first dish on there.
'Spaghetti and pancetta bolognaise.' He replied picking his favourite dish. Inwardly panic was setting in; this was just like what happened with Tanya look how THAT turned out his mind groaned for him. He was visibly shaking a little but hoped Bella wouldn't notice.
The waitress scuttled away again when no extra attention was paid to her.
'Are you really asking me to have sex with you?' Bella asked in a whisper looking him dead in the eyes. Taking a gulp he nodded.
'Yes I am.' He spoke bravely although his mind was far from 'I want a child Bells and you're the only one I trust enough to ask this of. Plus I think you'd make an amazing mother and make up for me once I'm..' He trailed off before his shakes could worsen.
She let out a shaky sigh 'Have you thought this through, truly thought this through? Because this, is a big thing to ask of anyone and a stupid one at that too.' Deep down he knew her to be right, he knew this was a stupid idea and he'd hardly see the child through their first year yet he longed for it.
'Yes I have. This is stupid, selfish and ridiculous but I want it. Something everyone else gets to experience in their long or short lives. I'd love to see a little girl with your eyes and my hair and vice versa with a little boy. Either that can carry on my traits and something of me the rest will have forever when I'm gone.' His voice became lower as he spoke and more crackled with anger and sadness of it all. Yet he kept seeing an image of a Christmas missing him but the family watching a small proportion of him living again and opening presents and such, imagining the joy attached to his family, and Bella's, faces.
Isabella became silent for a long moment twisting her hair round her fingers like she always does when nervous or thinking deeply. Edward lent back against his seat heavily just watching her dreading the answer he knew her about to give. His legs shook under the table a telltale sign of nervousness; a quality he'd received from Carlisle who'd received from his own father; thus causing a small smile to appear on his face.
Don't do this The more rational part of Bella's brain commanded This is the stupidest idea he's had since putting Jacob the dog in the washing machine when you we're 11; luckily for you too Charlie saw your plans and stopped you. Do you want to be 24, a single parent and no real job? However the less rational and usually right side argued;
You'd be well provided for by Carlisle and Esme not to mention Charlie. That baby would be the eternal piece of Edward; something you'd always see. Ok maybe you'd be a young unmarried mother but you know you can take your old book editing job back in Port Angeles! They told you so when you left London. You know how he was when Tanya up and left surely you can't have the heart to disappoint him too; not when he needs you most?
Her two minds continued to squabble for a good amount of time. Their food came and both sat in silence as they ate; he was allowing the obvious inner turmoil to way out.
'Ok,' She started the war finally subsiding when the check had been handed. He held a long breath bracing himself for the answer 'I'll do it.' A wide grin spread across his face causing him to weld himself to the seat before he started a dance of joy 'Under one condition; I get to name him or her.'
'Whatever you want Bella.' He whispered happily 'Thank you.' before paying their bill.
After receiving the car from the Valet who gave an almost dancing Edward a weird look considering the girl next to him looked like a deer in the headlights stroking the side of her face, he immediately gunned the car towards home through the now pretty empty main roads. Neither had spoken since exiting the eatery so a silence hung thick in the air. She'd dug herself a deep whole with no way out although one part of her, the bigger part, was happy enough the other reminded her what she would lose on a moral ground. She had no idea how to say it so like she always had she spoke it in her mind then very low getting louder and louder till at the right volume.
'Edward I'm a virgin.' She blurted out staring dead ahead at the black roads. This being a fact she'd never told him or anyone else for that matter.
So... smut or no smut?