-16 weeks-

All I wanted was a green tea frappuccino.

I wake up this Sunday morning with cramped legs and itchy skin. I apply a disturbing amount of lotion all over, and as I put it back in the nightstand drawer I see I have a text from Edward. I shake my head as I read his standard Entertain me, I'm bored. That steamy night at the club didn't affect our relationship in the slightest. He still treats me like a buddy and I still secretly squeal every time I see him. Hiding my lust for him has turned into some sort of game to me. He'll say something or touch me innocently and in my head I make dirty comments to myself. I know that this is my way of deflecting the situation, but I would rather laugh than curl into a ball and weep over my pathetic crush.

I go downstairs into the kitchen, surprised when no one is there. I love Alice and Jasper, but I miss having my own space. Saying that to myself has me worried. I actually liked the fact that Jacob was never home, how am I going to feel when there's a kid attached to my hip eighteen hours a day?

I sigh and look in one of the lower cabinets to see if Alice has any tea. The angle creates a sharp pain in my lower back and I say fuck it, for the first time in months I'm going to have a nice relaxing day to myself. Fifteen minutes later I'm in Starbucks. The line is massive and if it weren't for the frappuccinos I would have given in and called Edward.

There's a woman yapping on her cell phone in front of me, and tugging on her hand is what I assume to be her attention deprived daughter. The little girl is probably around three, with curly blonde hair and big blue doe eyes; her face scrunches up when her mom shakes her hand off and I just want to squeeze her. She huffs dramatically and taps her foot with her tiny fists on her hips, and I can't help but laugh. She looks over at me and smiles, obviously pleased that someone notices her.

That's when I freak out. I've never really interacted with children before and I feel like this my first test for motherhood. I stand there and try to think of something funny to say, but when her face falls a little I puff up my cheeks and cross my eyes, praying to god that this kid doesn't think I'm lunatic.

She starts to giggle and I mentally pat myself on the back. The woman snaps her phone shut and looks at her giggling daughter with love in her eyes, and I feel like a major wench for judging her.

"They may be adorable, but they're pain in the ass," the woman says to me.

I laugh. "I just hope that mine's as cute as yours."

She smiles warmly at me, as if to say "hello fellow mother," and I feel like the new member of some sort of club.

"How old is yours"

I pat my stomach, "I guess technically 16 weeks."

She looks surprised. "Four months, I don't believe you."

I nod.

"When I was four months I was already wearing maternity pants."

"I guess I'm just blessed," I say, immediately regretting saying that. Her smiles turns into a scowl, like I'm some unfit mother because she was fat and I'm still a happy size four. Then I frantically start going over what I've been eating and how much exercising I do a day and that's exactly what I need right now, some bitch making me think I'm starving my baby. I leave Starbucks and get in my car, muttering to myself that I didn't want to be in her stupid mommy club anyways.

Fifteen minutes later I'm on the phone with Dr. Aro. He says he can see me after lunch.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

I'm watching a movie when I hear the front door open, taken aback (and admittedly a little excited) to see Edward walk in.

"What the hell are you doing in my house?"

"Well hello to you too sunshine. And this isn't your house you freeloader."

"Shut up, I'm pregnant." God, I'm going to miss saying that.

He rolls his eyes and plops onto the couch next to me.

"No seriously, how'd you get in here?"

"Alice gave me a key in case of emergencies."

"What's the emergency?"

He scowls. "Apparently you are. Alice missed your call at the movies, and she called me when you wouldn't answer your phone."

"Yeah well she deserves it. She bitches about going with me to my next appointment and here I am having to leave in half an hour and her ass is at the movies!"

"You're in a pleasant mood today kitten," He laughs and pats his legs, "Tell Dr. Edward all about it."

So I do. I rest my head in his lap and tell him about that stupid lady that has me all worried. He says he's sure everything is fine, and I think about what my cheek would be pressing against if I just moved my head back a little. I am a sick, sick person.

"And Dr. Aro is mean to me and I don't want to go by myself."

He starts to run his hands through my hair and I bite my lip.

"I'll go with you."

"What?"

"Yeah, I mean it's not like I have anything better to do. Plus it's been a while since I've conversed with another doctor."

"Well look at you all Dr. Hoighty-toighty."

He pulls my hair. I have to restrain myself from making some sexual innuendo out loud.

"Alright you can come, but I swear to god if he has to shove that thing up my cooch again you're sitting in the waiting room."

His voice cracks slightly when he says "sure."

My day suddenly seems a little bit better.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

The first thing Dr. Aro does once he steps into the room is glance at Edward with a raised eyebrow. He looks at me and I swear to God he smirks a little… what an asshole. He knows I'm married because I introduced him to Jacob at Esme and Carlisle's anniversary, and it's never a good thing when you gyno thinks you're a slut. After awkwardly explaining that Edward is a friend and also a doctor, he smiles and his whole demeanor changes. Typical doctor, they all treat you like shit unless you also have a Ph.D.

I explain to him that I'm worried about my weight, and he tells me that I have indeed gained a couple pounds, a statement that I've never thought I'd be happy to hear. He asks if I want to just do my second ultrasound now instead of waiting for four more weeks. I of course say yes.

Edward gets up to leave, but Dr. Aro laughs and tells him we're doing transabdominal and Doppler ultrasounds today. I'm relieved, but as Edward sits backs down he still looks uncomfortable. I'm about to say he can go if he wants but I'm distracted when the cold gel hits my stomach. Dr. Aro places the device at the bottom of my belly and he frowns. He then moves my underwear down a little to find a better spot and I thank the baby Jesus that I shaved today. Edward loudly exhales and I blush but play it off.

All of a sudden I hear a fast whoosh whoosh sound. I don't know if it's loud or if I'm completely tuned to it but it's the only sound I hear. It's perfect and my heart squeezes at every little beat. I don't even realize I'm holding onto Edward until I feel his thumb tap along with the rhythm on my hand.

"160 bpm…perfect." I hear Dr. Aro say. I sulk when he turn it off and starts to set up the monitor, I want to hear more. He then puts on the transducer and moves it around my stomach and I practically purr at the messaging sensation.

I look at Edward and his expression seems a little off. I tell myself that I can give the poor guy a break and not cry when I look at the screen. I heard the heartbeat, I know for a fact there is a baby still in there. No big deal.

But then I look at the screen and I just can't help it. There's a head and tummy and legs and hands and feet and it's the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

I try really hard to pay attention to what Dr. Aro is telling me, but I get sidetracked and try to count the toes. I think about whether I should get a 3D ultrasound, but then I decide it's like peeking at your Christmas presents. I like the fact that all I can see right now is this ominous tiny baby, it makes it more exciting.

Dr. Aro tells me that the baby is five ounces, a normal weight. I sigh in relief and squeeze Edward's hand. He's looking at the screen in wonder, and it's the first time I've ever seen him as a doctor instead of my goofy sexy friend.

"Can you tell the sex?" I ask.

Dr. Aro opens his mouth but then I say, "No wait, don't tell me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes…no…I don't know?"

He is clearly not amused. "Okay, I think I know but would it help if I told you that my estimation won't be as accurate this early?"

"Yes." I'm a planner, and when I'm giving birth I really don't want to be disappointed if I have to take back all the gender colored clothes.

We talk some more and he asks Edward where he studied. He says that he has read about his father, and that once his practice opens up to let him know. I'm entranced when Edward talks about his work. He may joke about it, but you can see that he truly loves being a doctor. We leave the hospital and I notice that Edward has gone quiet. Once we get in my car I turn to him and apologize.

"What are you sorry for?"

"I'm sorry if that whole thing was uncomfortable for you. I really did try to keep my emotions in check, I swear"

"Don't be. I admit I was having a guy moment back there, but seeing your baby on screen was pretty…fascinating."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Do I get one of those pictures?"

"Why would I give you one?"

"Because I'm the godfather."

"No you're not, Jasper is."

"No way, I'm your best friend."

"No you're not, Alice is."

He pouts, so I give him one of the ultrasound pics.

"Edward?"

"What?"

"I'm glad you were there."

"Me too."

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

I'm actually not dreading the day when I walk into work the next morning. I spent last night showing everyone the ultrasound tape, and the euphoric feeling I still have cancels out the Monday blues. I even called Jacob, and our conversation was mildly enjoyable. I'm humming to myself when Garrett, our most obnoxiously talented staff writer, walks up to my desk. I immediately remember why I hate my job.

"How's it going, Isabella?"

I tell him repeatedly that I prefer Bella, and he always replies that Isabella sounds much more sophisticated and mature. So ostentatious.

"Well it was going quite well, thanks for asking."

He wipes dust off of my picture of Charlie and I want to bit his finger off.

"So, funny story. I was looking at the new Audi's at your man's dealership when I saw him flirting with a pretty girl with black hair. They looked pretty…close."

"You're right Garrett, that's hilarious." Play it cool. "That's just Jake… always friendly with his employees." My laugh comes out nervous and shaky.

He obviously doesn't buy it. "Well I think he's a fool for letting you slip away. How about we talk about it over dinner?" He says that last part loudly, obviously wanting the rest of the office to see me swoon. Well, it was good while it lasted. Now the gossip mongrels in HR will be passing around the word by lunch that not only am I knocked up, but my husband is seeing someone else. I give Garrett my best dirty look and wonder if he even got the "Bella's expecting" memo. I gag a little.

"Thanks, but my schedules pretty full for a while."

He leans back and dramatically sighs. "Yeah me too, Newton's sending me over to D.C. to do a piece on the healthcare reform."

I know that was his way of saving face, but as he walks away I can't help but admit he struck a nerve. We're almost the same age and yet he's traveling the world while I'm answering phones. I wonder where all my drive went. I worked hard to get my degree, and when I got this job I expected it to be temporary. I would somehow prove that I could be a good writer or editor and eventually they would see my talent. Somehow along the way I stopped trying, happy enough to have this mediocre job as just something to do with my day. I can't even remember the last time I wrote.

Five months. Things with Jacob are calm so now I need to spend my time working on my career. During lunch I buy a moleskine. It's a small step, but I feel proud once my pen hits the paper.

It's a short but necessary filler, my apologies. I promise that things will start to heat up soon.
Oh, and I know that ultrasounds are performed by technicians. But the medical stuff is painful enough to write, and I figure it's Aro... he can do whatever the hell he wants.