A/N:

Sorry for the delay folks...holiday weekend and all that jazz! Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend! Mine was spent writing (at the beach) CH11 & 12 for you! :)

So, I should warn you... I was told this chapter was a tear jerker. I didn't plan it that way, but if it evokes that kind of emotion...wowsa! So...**TISSUE WARNING** I think it's cute... :)

How's the Dr. appt gonna go? We're still in EPOV, but I think Bella's gonna take over next chap. :) Enjoy!

All the usual:

Story Blog (chap pics, character pics, song, etc) linked in my blog!

Twitter: MarieCullen07

SM owns the characters, I just play in the sandbox. This you know!

The ride to the hospital is filled with silence. It's suffocating, but I don't want to push her, so I leave it be. I park the car and scurry to her side to open her door. I offer my hand with a small smile and she takes it willingly, allowing me to help her out. We walk hand-in-hand through the glass doors and down a long corridor to the OB/GYN clinic.

"Bella Swan, to see Dr. Garner," Bella tells the receptionist. She's handed a clipboard with paperwork to complete and we take a seat in the waiting room. Once she's finished and turned it in, she takes her seat beside me and begins fidgeting. Whether it's nerves from anticipation or from me, I am not sure, but I'll do anything to try to reassure her. I drape my arm across the back of her shoulders and pull her close, placing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Don't be nervous, love," I whisper soothingly.

Minutes later, she is called back. She grips my hand and pulls me with her. We're guided down a short hallway to an exam room, where the medical assistant instructs Bella to remove her clothing from the waist down, and lie back on the exam table. She offers a drape to conceal her lower body. Bella's cheeks heat up, and it's almost laughable, seeing as though I have seen her in various states of undress on more than one occasion. Hence, the whole reason we're even here to begin with. I bite my bottom lip to suppress a smile, or possibly a groan.

Dude, SO not the time to being thinking like that.

"Would you like me to wait out front?" I offer.

She rolls her eyes. "Of course not. Nothing you haven't seen before," she says in a sassy tone.

Down, boy.

Once she's settled atop the crackling paper of the exam table, there is a light knock on the door, and in steps her doctor.

"Miss Swan, pleasure to see you again," he says jovially. He reminds me of the "Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld, and I cough into the crook of my arm to cover my laugh. He's tall and lean, with a head of thick black hair and a thick mustache. It's worse than Charlie's.

"Hello, Dr. Garner," Bella responds shyly. "This is my boyfriend, Edward Cullen."

I step forward and shake his hand as he eyes me cautiously with a nod.

Yes, I'm the asshole that knocked her up. Can we get on with it?

"So, I hear congratulations are in order?" He smiles warmly at Bella.

She flushes again, biting her bottom lip with a small smile and nods.

"Well, according to your chart your last menstrual was February twentieth. However, you've been on Nuvaring, is that correct?" He asks, his tone becoming clinical.

"Yes, that's right. I've never missed a month on it, so I am not sure…" Bella states, and then begins fidgeting again. I stand closer to the side of the table and weave my fingers together with hers. She looks to me and fear is evident in her eyes.

What is she scared of? Me?

I lean over and press my lips to her forehead hoping that it offers her some reassurance.

She sighs. "I've been very diligent about birth control, so to say that this is a surprise would be an understatement."

I'll say.

"Well, as I am sure you're aware, no birth control is one-hundred percent effective in preventing pregnancy. How have you been feeling? Have you had any nausea, vomiting, or even the opposite, lack of appetite?"

She shakes her head. "No…well, I mean, I threw up last night, but it was the first time. I've been trying to eat, but I guess I haven't had much of an appetite lately?" She finishes it off sounding like a question.

He eyes me cautiously before looking back to her. "Okay, and how's your stress level been?"

"Um…well, not so well lately either," she answers in almost a whisper. His eyes snap to mine again and he narrows them. I won't be intimidated, so I hold his gaze firmly. He scribbles in her chart before saying, "Stress this early in a pregnancy can be harmful to both you and the fetus, please keep that in mind and do what's necessary to reduce your stress levels. Understand?"

She nods.

"Let's take a look and see what we can determine, shall we?"

He moves to the head of her exam table, and pulls the drape down to the top of her hips. With both of his hands, he begins kneading and pressing on her abdomen causing her to flinch slightly. This momentarily freaks me out, since I am a complete idiot and have no control over my emotions.

"Is that really necessary?" I ask, trying not to growl.

The fucker better stop hurting her.

They both jerk their heads in my direction and Dr. Garner cocks an eyebrow at me.

"I'm simply feeling for the fundus, Mr. Cullen, before I perform the vaginal exam."

Excuse me? Vaginal exam? Oh, holy hell.

"In laymen's terms, it's the top of, or the larger end of the uterus. During pregnancy it is how we diagnostically measure the growth of the fetus."

His condescending tone of voice makes me want to punch him in his smug face, but instead, I hold tightly to Bella's hand and shut my mouth. A second later the medical assistant returns.

"Okay now, Bella, if you could please lift your feet into the stirrups and let your knees relax open."

Fuck my life.

"Um, Edward, if I ever plan to use this hand again, I need circulation," Bella says softly, twisting our hands.

"Crap. Sorry, babe," I respond and loosen my grip.

Dr. Garner stands directly between Bella's legs and I have to divert my stare. I'm not sure what I was expecting to happen at this appointment, but I am so not prepared for this. Instead, I focus on her face. She takes a deep breath, locking her eyes with mine. From my peripheral, the doctor and the assistant are moving their hands back and forth from a tray set up beside her legs. I hear the snap of his latex gloves and then Bella winces, squeezing her eyes closed. I force myself to remain focused on her face, as his hand begins the kneading on her stomach again. Her grip on my hand tightens, and helplessness washes over me as I watch her face contort in discomfort. I gently comb my fingers through her hair at the crown of her head. Though, whether it's for her comfort or mine, I'm not sure.

"Well, Bella, you're definitely pregnant," Dr. Garner states, as her face relaxes, and her eyes flutter open.

No shit, Sherlock. Bella doesn't lie.

"Let's take a look inside, all right?"

The medical assistant shifts the table, allowing Bella to stretch her legs flat and repositions the drape to cover her lower body, while the doctor moves to the opposite side and turns on, what I presume, is the ultrasound machine. He clicks a few buttons and then grasps a wand-like device and a bottle of some blue colored goop. He squirts it directly onto her abdomen and she shivers slightly, before he places the wand directly into it and spreads it around.

With extreme fascination, I focus on the small black and white screen in front of him. It's some sort of upside-down cone shaped fuzziness, not making much sense to me at all. The sound it creates is something similar to the needle of a record player as it scratches across an album, yet hollow sounding at the same time.

Suddenly, a black kidney-shaped hole is present in the cone as he continues to move the wand and click buttons on the machine. At this very moment, time stands still. It feels like all the air has been sucked out of the room, as I scrutinize the image. In the center of the black hole, a white shape takes form. It's almost alien-like, but I'm positive I'm staring directly at my child. Our child. I can slightly discern the four dot-like appendages of arms and legs, as well as a large blob that is the head and a smaller blob, which is the body. He clicks another button, and what sounds like a freight train under water, fills the air.

"There's the heartbeat," Dr. Garner says softly with a smile on his face.

Holy fuck! That's…that's our…baby.

I let out an exasperated breath of shock and wonder. My heart feels like it's swelling up to the size of Texas. Love. I can't tear my eyes away from the screen as I watch the little bean twitch and roll. He clicks a few more buttons and the image freezes, then moves again. It feels like I just grew a completely new section of my heart.

Our baby.

A warm hand feathers across my cheek. I reluctantly look down to see Bella's eyes full of tears and realize she's wiping them from my face as well. I can't restrain myself, and I crash my lips to hers. She gasps lightly and grips the back of my head. I move back a touch and begin peppering her face with kisses.

"I…" kiss on one cheek "…love…" kiss the tip of her nose "…you…" kiss her other cheek "…so much…" kiss her lips once again. I rest my forehead to hers as a small smile plays on her lips and her nails scratch softly on the back of my neck.

"God, Bella, I love you so much," I half whisper, half sniffle.

Dr. Garner clears his throat, effectively breaking the moment. "So, based on your last menstrual period, and the size of the fetus, I determine that you're between nine and ten weeks along. That puts your estimated due date anywhere from November 18th to 28th. Once you're further along, we'll be able to gauge a more accurate date. I'll have my lab tech draw some blood to make sure all your levels are where they should be. I'm also writing you a prescription for prenatal vitamins. If you find that they make you nauseous, please let me know, or you can also try taking them at night before going to bed."

Bella nods as she wipes her face with the back of her hand.

"Please remember what I said about your stress level. Also, as I am sure you're already aware, you need plenty of rest. The first trimester is the most fragile, as well as draining. So, eat right, drink plenty of fluids, and take it easy," he addresses her firmly. He scribbles again in her chart, then hands her the prescription.

"Do either of you have any questions?" he asks as he looks between us.

At the moment, I am still overwhelmed and can think of nothing past the little bean I just witnessed. We both shake our heads.

"Don't hesitate to call the clinic if you do. Congratulations to the both of you." He shakes my hand, pats her leg, and leaves the room.

The medical assistant hands Bella two small squares of paper. "Your baby's first photo," she says warmly with a smile, before she also turns and leaves the room.

xxx

"Can I take you to dinner?" I ask hopefully as we leave the parking lot.

"Um, I guess I could eat," Bella responds with a shrug, still looking intensely at the ultrasound photos.

"Is Port Angeles okay, or would you rather go to the diner?" There are not many options for eating out in Forks, and I want to buy as much time with her as I can. It's an hour to Port Angeles, so I can only hope to make the most of it. I eye her carefully as I await her response.

"Actually, The Port is fine. I'm not really in the mood for steak and cobbler," she returns. I nod and start the drive out of town.

Once again, silence fills the car. The need to say something torments me. She sighs softly beside me as she watches the passing scenery.

"Edward…"

"Bella…"

We both start at the same time.

"Please…ladies first," I offer with a warm smile, trying to swallow past the constricting sensation in my chest.

Bella is quiet for a moment as she looks down at the photos in her hands. "Why did you give Mike the Hunter case? You know you're better than he is."

Well, that's not the question I was expecting.

I take a moment to gather my thoughts. "Bella," I begin and then clear my throat. "I appreciate your faith in me, I really do." I let out a deep sigh. "The day you left…well…it rocked me to the core knowing that I was losing you. If I had a time machine, baby, I would go back and change a lot of things. I never meant to make you feel the way that you do right now. Never. Giving Mike the case didn't even faze me." I reach my hand across the center of the car and thread my fingers through hers. "I understand that it's time to get my head out of my ass, and believe me when I tell you…I am seeing things in a whole new light." I bring our joined hands to my face and kiss the inside of her wrist before dropping them to my lap.

"Am I worried that James will get off if I don't present the case? Not really. The case against him is strong enough alone, and be it myself or Mike who presents it, he'll get exactly what he deserves. What I have been failing to see all along is most of these cases are. I don't know how to explain it to you, without sounding like an egotistical ass…but I think I was so caught up in the glory that I couldn't see past my own nose. I let myself believe that if it wasn't for me, the cases would fail."

Yep, egotistical indeed. Jackass.

Neither one of us speak for a moment. "Bella, I won't make that mistake again. I believe I knew all along what I stood to lose, but you slapped me in the face with it by showing me. Whether it makes sense to say this or not, and as much as it completely ripped my heart out, you leaving was probably the best thing you could've done. I obviously wasn't hearing you, so I understand your need to do something so extreme." I pause a beat. "At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I am so very sorry."

"Edward, I really, truly, from the bottom of my heart, want to believe you. I really do. I'm just scared to." She exhales and wipes away tears from her face. "It's not just about you and me anymore," she whispers, again looking at the photos in her lap.

I softly stroke the top of her hand with my thumb, encouraging her to continue. I need her to lay it all out there for me, so I can somehow try to reassure her doubts.

"I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry that my colossal mood swings caused me to do something drastic, and completely out of my nature. I suppose I should warn you…I cry at the drop of a hat, and then laugh hysterically in the very next minute; only to become a complete raving bitch in the next. These hormones are seriously fucking with me and I pray to all that is Holy that something gives soon. Until then, I wish you the best of luck." She chuckles softly, and my heart soars at the sound of it.

There's my Bella.

She sniffles still looking at the photos. "I have never in my life known a love like ours is…or was. Do you really understand how you made me feel? Because if you don't, then there's nothing for you to fix."

And back to a more serious note…

First of all, was? Not okay with that at all.

"Tell me," I implore, gripping firmer on her hand. I'll do anything I can, even if what she is about to say shatters me more.

She sighs heavily. "When you first asked me to move with you to Carolina, I thought every last one of my dreams had somehow magically come true. The love of my life was asking me to build a life with him; how could I possibly say no to that?" She pauses for a moment. "Do you remember what it was like when we first got there?" I see her turn to me from the corner of my eye, waiting for a response.

I nod, concentrating firmly on the winding road around Crescent Lake as the guilt begins to seep into my soul. "Those first few years…they were so perfect, Edward. Even though you were just starting the firm, you were still there with me. We did things together. You still made me feel like you wanted me around. You made time for us." She stops again and looks out her window. I hear her muffle a sob.

Fucking fool. Look what you did to her.

"I guess it was right before the Carter case, or at least, that's when I began to notice it more often than not; but that's when you really began to pull away from me. You started working later and later. I'd make dinner and you sometimes didn't even call to tell me you were working late, so it'd go to waste. Or I'd set up a surprise for us to spend some time together, and you'd end up going into the office that weekend." She sobbed a little louder. "Please, don't misunderstand. I was so proud watching you work your magic in the courtroom. You can't even begin to imagine what a turn on that was for me. You're so good at what you do." I glanced at her to see the blush rising on her face.

"It was like you became immune to my advances though. Honestly, there were times when I began to question your fidelity." I gasped, immediately feeling even more like an idiot for ever giving her that sort of feeling. I continue to restrain myself from interrupting her, because I need her to finish.

"I know…I really do know…you would never do that to me, but you have to understand my line of thinking. We went from what some would call, an over-active sex life, to an almost non-existent one. You, Edward, had never been one to turn down sex, yet late last year, you went three whole weeks without even so much as hugging me. It completely ripped my heart out." Tears streak down her face at a rapid pace.

"I don't want you to feel like you have to choose between your job and me, because that is not at all what I am asking of you. I'd never do that. I just can't keep living the way that we have been, wondering when I am going to see you, have dinner with you, make love with you…I need to know that I have a place in your life, too."

God, she's so fucking broken.

She clears her throat and straightens up in the seat. "More importantly, I need to know that you can put your work aside when necessary, and be a father. Because if you can't be there for me –I just–how can I be sure that we are even enough for you?" The sobs rock through her body.

All right, I've had about enough of this shit.

I pull the car off the side of the road into a gravel lot that overlooks the lake. I slam it into park before turning to face her. I drop her hand and turn her head gently to look into her eyes. She needs to see that I am completely sincere.

"You, Isabella Marie Swan, are everything I could ever possibly want and so much more. I love how loyal, funny, passionate, intelligent, protective, beautiful, sassy and fucking sexy you are. Don't ask me to name them all, because I still wouldn't be able to completely describe you. I love you with my whole heart and soul. I love you with a love that I never knew was even remotely possible. I want to marry you. I want to have more and more babies with you. Please, don't let my stupidity and lapse in judgment make you doubt, for one second longer, my love for you," I plead, before kissing her firmly, pouring my heart into the promise.

Bella whimpers softly and I take the opportunity to further deepen the kiss. I suck her bottom lip gently between mine, softly stroking it with my tongue. Unfortunately, this causes the exact opposite reaction I was hoping for, and she gently pushes on my chest to break the kiss. Our foreheads come together as we catch our breath, while my fingers softly grip the hair at the base of her neck.

"I'm a fucking fool, that's what I am," I say breathlessly. "Nothing will ever take the place of you and our child. I need you to try to understand that. I'll give you the time and space that you are asking for, so long as you promise me that you will hear me when I say this…" I pause, leaning back to look deep into her eyes. She nods, and with every ounce of love I have for her I say, "If you give me another chance, I promise you, nothing like this will ever happen again. You have taught me a very valuable lesson and it's one mistake I am not willing to make again. Our love is once-in-a-lifetime, Bella, and I am not giving it up without a fight."

End Notes:

How freakin' cute was Edward with seeing the baby? AWWWW...I'll have his baby...oh wait...dammit. Now, before you jump me, I personally know 2 people who have gotten pregnant while using Nuvaring...one being my sister, so it fits.

Progress? Maybe so! Bella got a lot off her chest to him. And they did it, thus far, without screaming at each other. So, yeah, it's all the same stuff we've already heard, but they are FINALLY telling EACH OTHER! What's gonna happen in the Port? Hmm...

Thank you SO much for your reviews! They mean more than I can express!

Ch 10 is done...just final editing. :) See ya soon! xoxox