AN: Hello all! Thank you to everyone who is reading this story, I'm so happy you are all along for the ride.

I got a great response to the last chapter, I think we all needed some happiness...and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter also.

As always, thank you to everyone who takes the time to review!

Chapter 11

Bella

November flew by. I had good days and terrible ones, usually I bypassed bad and went straight to terrible. Alice's visit was a wonderful step outside reality for me as after we found out that I was having a boy we spent the rest of the day buying little blue stuff. Alice boxed it up and put it all in the guest room closet so it wouldn't be in the way when the house was being shown.

That was another thing November brought, the house going on the market. Putting our home on the market was bittersweet for me. I knew it was something that needed to be done but in the back of my mind I heard a little voice saying, "you are selling part of your life with James" which is completely absurd but our mind isn't always reasonable. I met with the realtor again after Alice left and the house was put on the market a week later. So far one couple has come to look at it but my realtor said not to worry because the holidays were so close that we probably wouldn't get a lot of action on it. Realtor speak is so funny to me.

Work kept going well and I finally got back into the hang of things at full speed. No more Seth sightings which was very good but from time to time I did find myself missing him because he had such a positive outlook on things and it's good to have a dose of that every now and then. My schedule hasn't been too bad but I did offer to pick up the Thanksgiving Day shift and make a little extra money. Edward was working also so if things were slow I knew I could go bother him. As we were talking he and I decided to do our own Thanksgiving since neither of our families could come in town and we couldn't leave. We decided that since Rose and Emmett were getting home early on Sunday that we'd invite them over and have a big feast on Sunday evening.

Around 4pm Sunday afternoon the doorbell rang so I made my way to the front door and to open it.

"Hey!" I said to Emmett and Rose who were each holding a casserole dish. "How was Atlanta?"

"Great, busy but great. We are so glad to be home and happy to see you. How was work?"

"It was good, quiet. Holidays are usually low key and that's nice. Plus Edward was working." Rose gave me a smile and then gave me the once over.

"Oh my God, you totally blew up while we were gone. Wow, you really look pregnant."

"I know. I feel like it happened over night. I worked Thursday and no one said anything but then when I went in yesterday everyone was all over me. And let me tell you, whether you know the person or not they just stick their hands all over my belly."

Rose and Emmett both giggled. "Yeah, that's what I hear." Rose said. "Here, let's get into the kitchen and get these casseroles warming up. When is Edward going to be here?"

"I think in about…" and I was interrupted by a knock at the door. "I think right now. I'll let him in. Emmett, go find some football on and get your testosterone going."

Emmett scoffed. "I have a sensitive side." I just rolled my eyes. "But, I don't need to be told twice. Tell Edward to head my way."

I made my way to the front door and opened it to reveal Edward's grinning face.

"Hey you. I see Rose and Emmett beat me here…sorry."

"No problem. Come on in, do you want me to take that." I looked at the platter in his arms and the 12-pack of Miller Lite he was barely hanging onto. "Edward, did you bring me beer? So kind of you, I know that will quench my thirst."

"Ha, ha. Beer for men, food for women."

"You sound like a caveman. Emmett just got through telling me how sensitive he was so why don't you grab a couple of those and take one into him. Light beer is for sissies anyway."

Edward scoffed at me but gave me a mischievous grin telling me that he knew I was kidding.

"Belly-boo, I can hear you."

"That's what I was hoping for."

I made my way to the kitchen with Edward's additions to our Thanksgiving meal and Edward headed to the den. Once I got everything onto the counter I made my way to Rose's side and started helping. We made small talk before she dropped the bomb.

"So, I need to tell you something."

I gave her a look that said, 'why are you being shady'. "Ok, what's up?"

Rose took a deep breath, turned to me and said, "I'm pregnant. It's still early so we aren't telling people but I wanted to tell you."

"Oh Rose, that's wonderful. How exciting. When are you due?"

"June 18th. We can't wait. Emmett is beside himself."

"I can only imagine. That's so wonderful. Our little ones will get to play with one another until y'all get reassigned. Oh, maybe you'll have a girl and then one day we'll really be able to be family."

"Wow, you are not afraid to jump right on that bus, are you?"

"Mother's dream to setup her child and all. You know how it is."

"I do. Well, I will." We both quietly worked for a few more minutes before Rose broke the silence. "Bella, how are you…really."

I took a deep breath before answering. "I'm ok. I have good days and terrible days. Friday was a bad one because I didn't have anyone around and all I do is sit here and think about all the 'what if's', you know. I almost picked up the phone and called Edward to come hang out with me but didn't."

"Bella, you should've called him. I know I don't know the guy well but I can tell you right now that I think he'd do just about anything for you and when that baby gets here, he's going to be putty."

I grinned at Rose because I knew she was right about the putty part. "Yeah, I should've called him but you know he's seeing Lauren and I don't want to be a burden if he has other plans. I don't know, sometimes it's nice to just be able to let the tears fall with no one around. Maybe next time I'll call him."

"Call who?" My eyes widened as I heard Edward ask that question. I didn't want him to think we were talking about him.

"You." Rose answered, big mouth. "Bella had a rough day Friday and I told her she could call you to come entertain her. I'm sure you could tell her some stories from when you were a, what did you call yourself? Oh, a social moron. Those stories always make people feel better."

Edward immediately went to the refrigerator for another beer. "No talking about the dark years, but I can tell you some stories about James if you ever want a good laugh." Edward opened it, took a sip and then suddenly looked at me. "Shit Bella, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring down the mood."

"You didn't." And it was the truth, it was fun to hear about the times before I knew James. "It's getting much easier for me to talk about him. I want to hear all the stories I can so I can edit them and then retell them to this little one when he's older." I patted my stomach as I said the last part.

"Good. Ok, I was the beer bitch this round so gotta take my date his drink. Catch you ladies later."

Edward walked out of the room and Rose and I looked at each other and then cracked up.

"Holy shit, did you know he was so funny?"

"No, I've never really seen him like that. I can only hope that we get a little table fun tonight with those two. Bets on how many beers they'll have downed before dinner?"

"How about which one of us they'll ask to go pick up another 12-pack. Luckily there is a gas station right down the road so it'll be a quick trip." I giggled after I finished thinking of drunken Edward. Now that is something I'd love to see. With that though I turned back to the counter and continued getting all the food together. This could be one of the funniest Thanksgivings in history with those two guys.

Edward

Who knew the big oaf was so funny, this guy was a riot. I figured this Thanksgiving would be low-key and uneventful but with the addition of bear, this could be a very lively Thanksgiving. Bella wasn't drinking and now that I think about it I didn't see Rose with a drink either so I guess it was guys make an ass of themselves night.

"Here's your beer man, next time it's all you though. The kitchen is becoming a hen house and I don't want to get pecked."

"Ha, and with two hormonal pregnant girls that's exactly what would happen."

I looked at Emmett with my jaw hanging on by a thread…waiting for him to confirm what I just heard because I'm pretty sure he just told me Rose was pregnant.

"Oh…yeah. So, Rose is pregnant. She's not too far along but wanted to tell Bella so they could scream and dance and do whatever else it is that chicks do."

"Wow, man. Congrats. You must be excited." I said to him while motioning to cheers our beers.

"Yeah, we are pretty thrilled. When Rose found out Bella was having a boy she immediately started hoping for a girl so that she and Bella may actually have a chance to be related by marriage. I think she's already got the wedding planned."

"Ha. That sounds like women. Regardless, that's great and I'm happy for you. I hope Rose has an easy pregnancy and goes easy on you. And if she every has any medical questions, although I'm not an OB, I'm always willing to try to answer." I said.

"Thanks. Ok, enough of this girl talk and time for another beer." Emmett got up and I yelled, "Just bring the rest of the pack, no need to keep running." So I sat there and waiting for him to come back.

An hour later, and a few more beers, Emmett and I were yelling at the television in good old Thanksgiving fashion. Although it was Sunday we acted like it was Thursday. Before I knew it dinner was on the table and Bella came in to get us.

"Ok you two, lets get you to the table. Everyone got a drink?"

Emmett answered for me. "We are doing just fine Bella-bean. Hey, I told Eduardo our big news."

I gave Emmett a shocked look before answering, "Yes he did. Rose, congratulations, I know you must be thrilled. I hope you're feeling ok."

"Thanks, Eduardo." Cue the dirty look to Emmett. "We are pretty excited. And if it's a girl that she'll have a little boyfriend waiting on her!"

I looked over to Bella with a goofy grin on my face and she just rolled her eyes. We all took a seat at the dinner table and started to dig in. The table was quiet while everyone served up the food and it gave me time to think about the people I was sitting around the table with.

Emmett, the huge guy with an obvious heart of gold was going to be a dad. And, if he did have a girl…well, she'd probably be thirty before she was allowed to date. And Rose, who I could see could be a bit standoffish, had completely embraced me as part of Bella's family. And Bella, this girl who'd had her spirit broken by the death of her husband didn't let it keep her down. She missed him and wanted him here with her but she was obviously looking to the brighter side of things and the blessing he'd left her.

"So Bella, thought of any names yet?" I asked.

"Please, Alice kept me so busy this week that there was no time. If I wasn't shopping or having water shoved down my throat then I was in the bathroom because of the effect all the water was having on me. You got any ideas?"

This was obviously the invitation Emmett was waiting for because he answered her question. "You know, I've been doing some thinking and I think James would've loved the name Herman, don't you?"

"Emmy-bean", Bella began with a roll of her eyes. "I really don't think a name that was popular in the early 20th century is really what I'm going for. But I appreciate the thought." Then we all laughed.

The table got quiet for a moment as everyone reflected but I thought I'd lighten the mood. "So last week I was thinking of a funny story involving James from college, you want to hear? We can chalk it up to one of those stories we'll edit for little Herman there."

"Edward!" Bella yelled. "Don't start that, it'll stick."

"Hmmmm…I think it already has."

Emmett then let us know that he did want to hear the story and so did Bella and Rose. So I went on to tell them all about James's grand idea to take swimming class our freshman year in order to meet chicks and how that turned into a total debacle. By the end of the story Emmett and I had a new beer in our hands and Rose and Bella were laughing so hard that I thought they were going to wet their pants. Finally Bella took off for the bathroom.

While Bella was gone Rose decided to have a chat with me.

"Edward, you are a good guy. Thanks for making us all laugh, I think we needed it."

Because at this point I had a nice buzz going on I decided to give her the best panty-dropping smile I could and it usually worked…but not with this one.

"Don't give me that smile, it won't work on me." Rose said and Emmett cracked up, obviously Rose was a mind-reader. I'm sure I had a shocked look on my face. "You can try to be all cool and stuff but come one, once a dork you'll always have a little dork in you. Anyway, you are funny and when you drink, you are hysterical. I hope you stick around for all our sake. Emmett and I are always looking for someone to add to the group and Bella needs and wants you in her life. Don't go ditching her."

"Come on Rose, surely in the little time you've gotten to know me you know I wouldn't do that. She means the world to me and so does that little one. Someone has got to teach that boy about women and how to pee standing up." Emmett almost spit out his sip of beer with that statement.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure it's all because the little one needs to be taught how to do things by a man. Please. You and I both know you aren't into Lauren and it's just a matter of time before one of you realizes it." Then she stopped, gave me the "you better listen to my next statement look" and then continued, "You are good for her Edward, like I said before. And she needs you but I think you need her just as much. I know James was just killed and we are all still trying to get things settled but stick by that one, I think she may bring new light to your life."

All I could do was look at Rose, stunned. This girl had some balls but she was way off base here. "I don't know what you are talking about, we're friends."

"I know you are and no one is knocking that. I just want you to stick with that friendship because I think it's going to make you a very happy man." Then she turned to Emmett and said, "and you, for all that's holy why did you let this guy…"the responsible doctor".. talk you into drinking so much? Now you aren't getting any and if you start crying like normal then I'm locking you out of the room. I'm too hormonal to deal with your emotions."

Now it was my turn to spit the beer out of my mouth. I turned to look at Emmett but his face was so red that I just looked down at my plate. At that moment Bella walked back in and unknowingly saved the day, "ok, who wants desert."

Emmett and I both yelled, "I DO!"