Chapter 10

A/N: Hey, guys. I must say, I'm quite surprised about some of your guys' opinion on Edward. It's about 50/50 on people who agree or disagree with his ultimatum. So, this chapter and the next is going to be in Edward's perspective. I don't like changing perspectives very often but if you'd like more of it, let me know.

I watched her sleeping form in amazement. It seemed like every day I could see the subtleties of her ever-growing belly. A belly that contained my child. It's an astonishing feeling, watching the woman that you love help grow your child that you love just as much, if not more.

The vibrating of my cell phone pulled me out of my thoughts. It's a text from my dad asking ifI could come over. I replied with a quick "I'll head over soon" before getting up and getting ready to go. I had a feeling he'd want to talk to me sometime soon after what happened between me and Bella last week.

I left her a quick note on the counter, letting her know where I had gone.

After the ultimatum, she had grown more distant, which wasn't that big of a surprise to me. I couldn't not be frustrated over how everything had happened. I'm as much of a parent as she is, even if she is the one helping her grow and develop. But when our daughter is born, I get to help, too.

I had hoped that she'd come around sooner rather than later, but it didn't seem to be going my way. I couldn't imagine a life without Bella as my significant other, but I felt like I didn't have a choice. She was constantly leaving me out of the loop when it's important I be there for her.

I pulled into my parent's driveway, slightly grateful that Emmett and Rosalie had left to go back to college. As helpful as they had been with everything, they were also a little overbearing. It seemed like Rose took up so much of Bella's free time that we didn't get much time alone.

I walked the couple of steps up the porch and went straight to my dad's office. If he wanted to have an important talk with someone, it was usually there.

I knocked on the door a couple of times before I heard my dad tell me to come in. I took a deep breath and opened the door, not at all surprised by the disappointed look on his face. I took my usual seat in front of his desk and waited for him to begin.

He took off his glasses and rubbed where the nose pieces left little indents. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, staring at me until I started shifting around uncomfortably. I had so much respect for my father that it never felt good to be under his scrutinizing glare.

"As I'm sure you already know, Bella told Esme about your ultimatum. And I must say that I'm deeply disappointed in you, Edward," he began.

I wanted to hang my head in shame, but I knew I had to be strong and stand my ground. Try to make him see my point of view.

"Dad, before you begin to lecture me, let me tell you how things have been for me," I replied and waited until he waved for me to continue. I cleared my throat and attempted to get comfortable.

"I love Bella and I have ever since I laid eyes on her. I knew that she would be the girl I wanted to marry and have kids with eventually. Well, life had different plans as you know and now she's having my child sooner rather than later.

"I've done everything I can to be by her side. I've gone to every doctor appointment, I've been paying for her vitamins, I've even gone to the grocery store at two in the morning because she's been craving pickles. But none of it seems to be enough for her. All I wanted in return was to be able to call her my wife but she doesn't want to be Mrs. Cullen. She'd rather raise this baby and leave me out of all of the important decisions," I explained breathlessly.

I didn't realize how much anger I had still been holding until the words started pouring out. I thought I had more or less forgiven her for the hospital incident, but apparently not.

Carlisle thought about what I had said for a moment before sitting straight again and intertwining his fingers on his desk.

"I see your point son, I do. But we need to talk about this man to man. You're not a little boy anymore, in four short months you're going to be a father so it's time to start acting like one. I understand that you're upset with Bella about not telling you about her going to the hospital until it was said and done. I agree that she was wrong in not telling you immediately, but she made a mistake.

"Bella is having to grow up very quickly as well and you're only seeing your side of things. It wouldn't surprise if Bella isn't ready to get married simply because of what happened between her parents. Her mother has been remarried twice and her father not at all. You've heard how he talks about his disdain for marriage. And she grew up hearing that.

"She's trying, Edward. She really is. And you're not being fair by forcing her to choose to marry you or be single. Do you think that's what's going to make you happy? Seeing the mother of your child raising this child without you by her side? I know you told her you'd still live there to help but, in reality, that wouldn't last very long. You two would fight to the point that one of you would move out.

"So where would that leave you? You'd move back in with Esme and I while Bella raises my grandchild as a single mother. And that would make me angrier than you could imagine. Do you know why, Edward?" he asked angrily.

I gulped the lump in my throat that had started forming about halfway through his lecture. I didn't like where this conversation was going, but I shook my head anyway.

"I would be angry because you chose to be a crybaby instead of being there for your child. I would be angry because, instead of trying to work things out with Bella, you chose to leave because your pride was hurt. Get the fuck over it, Edward. I know Bella will be ready to marry you one day but you're just going to have to accept the fact that she's not ready. She's not ready to be a mother so it's no surprise she's not ready to be a wife either.

"Now, since you think it's perfectly okay to give the person you love an ultimatum, I'm going to give you one of my own. Either you get your shit together and open your eyes to how things will end if you push this or your mother and I will revoke any financial help we offered for your schooling," he said with finality.

I'm sure I looked like a fish out of water with how I was opening and closing my mouth, but I couldn't help it. I had no idea what to say. I didn't expect this conversation to go in such a drastic direction.

But I could also see what my father was trying to say. I had grown up in a loving household with my two siblings and parents who are still crazy for each other while Bella grew up with only her dad. Not to say it wasn't a loving home, but it's definitely different from mine. I couldn't believe that I didn't see it before.

Carlisle must have been able to tell when the lightbulb went off in my head because a grin slowly spread on his face.

"I love you, Edward. But sometimes a parent should use tough love as you'll learn soon enough. Now get your ass home and make things right with your woman," he commanded.

I got up from my chair so quickly I tipped it backwards. After righting it, I went to the grocery store to get some flowers for Bella. I had screwed up royally and needed to fix things. I raced home with flowers and chocolates, and burst the door open.

"Bella, I'm home!" I hollered with no response.

"Bella?"

I walked further into the apartment and laid the gifts on the table. I recognized Bella's handwriting under my own on the note I had left her.

Edward,

I thought long and hard about your ultimatum. There's no way I can marry someone that wants to force me into a commitment I'm not ready for. I'll figure out how to do this on my own. Don't bother looking for me, I'll be long gone by the time you get home.

Bella

I dropped to my knees, clutching the letter, reading it over and over again. No, this couldn't be right. She was just playing a cruel trick on me.

I ran into the bedroom and opened the dresser drawers to find them empty. The same can be said for Bella's half of our closer. The note wasn't a joke; she had left me.