AN: I'm so glad everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving and Emmett and Edward's drinking abilities (or lack there of). I was trying my best to make it funny because I think everyone needs some laughter in their lives...including Bella.

This chapter should be a popular one, I hope y'all like it.

Thank you for all the reviews last chapter, I got quite a few and it was fantastic. I think I replied to everyone but if I missed you, I apologize. And, this story was added to the Pregnant Bella and Dad-ward Community so thank you to Dolphingirl0206 for adding me.

Also, I know I've picked up some new readers so I just want to reiderate that I'm not a writer, my grammar and spelling isn't great and I don't have a Beta so if you see a mistake, I'm sorry. Please feel free to tell me and I'm happy to correct it.

Thanks and happy reading.

Chapter 12

Bella

Looking back on the months that followed James death I can only say that I really learned who my real friends were.

Rose and Emmett were there every step of the way. Emmett made sure I had all my questions answered about James's benefits and such and really stayed with me through the entire process. Without Emmett there I think I would have broken down and just thrown my hands up.

Rose was also a trooper too, even with being sick as a dog on a daily basis she called to check on me and helped me get things together and get the house on the market. There wasn't a lot to be done but we did have to 'redecorate' a bit to make the rooms 'easier on the eye and more flowing' whatever that means. Anyway, when all was said and done I got the house listed an even had an offer before I left to head to Forks for Christmas. With the market the way it was, I accepted the offer and was set to close after New Year's Eve.

Edward was great too. He kept me sane at work and was always there to provide comic relief when I needed it. I'd finally broken down the weekend after Thanksgiving when I was having a really rough day. I had been cleaning out one of the closets and came across a box of 'dating' pictures and ticket stubs and stuff and couldn't stop crying. At one point I was crying so hard that I could hardly catch my breath and that's when I decided I needed a friend. Granted, looking back that exact moment may not have been the best time to call Edward.

I picked up the phone to dial Edward's number and then listened to it ring while still crying. When I heard the phone being picked up I held my breath so I wouldn't sob into the phone.

"Hello?" Edward said and I was silent. A few moments later he said again, "Hello, is anyone there?"

"Ed….Edward." I heard his quick intake of breath.

"Bella, what's wrong? Are you crying? Just relax sweetheart, take a deep breath." It took me a few moments but I finally was able to get control of myself.

"Can you come over here, I'm having a rough day and I think I need someone." I asked.

"Sure. What's going on?"

"I found a box of stuff from when James and I were dating and I'm just having a hard time because I started looking through it and I can't stop myself but I also can stop cry….crying." I finally let go and sobbed the last part out.

"Ok, give me 20 minutes and I'll be over there. But Bella, while I'm on my way over you have really got to try to take some deep breaths and get control of yourself, ok?"

I nodded but then remember that he couldn't actually see me. "Ok."

I hung up the phone after that and just laid my head down on the floor. At some point I must've dozed off because I was jostled awake when Edward picked me up to put me on the bed.

"Edward, put me down…you'll break your back."

"Please, you couldn't break my back if you were nine months pregnant and soaking wet. I watched your stomach for a good five minute before picking you up. That little guy has got sports in his future, I could tell he was being very active."

"Yeah, just as I'm about to doze off he usually really gets going. I guess he just got upset when I was upset." Finally Edward set me down on the edge of the bed and looked at me.

"Bella, are you feeling better?"

I nodded.

"Ok, you know what I'm going to say. You can't be letting yourself get so upset, it's not good for either of you. Getting worked up raises your blood pressure and that's something you should be mindful of."

"I know, I just forgot the box was in the closet and I was cleaning it out and came across it. It just brought back a lot of memories."

Edward turned around and found the box on the floor and grabbed it. "Why don't we go through it together and you can tell me all about what's in here. Would that be ok?"

"Definitely." I answered with a smile.

Edward and I sat on the bed for three hours while I went through everything in the box and told him about all the things James and I did. Most people would've gotten bored with listening to me ramble on about baseball games we went to, movies we saw and different things we did while in that 'honeymoon phase' I mentioned to James about Edward, but not Edward. He was a trooper and after he left I slept more soundly than I had in weeks. It was like I had purged all my sad feelings finally.

After that night I realized that Edward wasn't just there out of obligation, he was there because he was my friend and I was lucky to have him. We would try to ride to work together and meet up every few days, he especially enjoyed it when I would have Rose and Emmett over for dinner as the evenings usually ended with Edward and Emmett buzzed and Rose and me laughing at the stupid comments the guys made. Needless to say, our weekly dinners were becoming my favorite thing to look forward to but unfortunately it'd be a few weeks before we had any more of those because today I was on my way to Forks for Christmas.

To say I was looking forward to heading home for Christmas would be a lie, I was thrilled to be going home and get a little TLC from my dad and the Cullen's. And I couldn't wait to see Alice. Unfortunately, Edward wasn't going with me on this trip as his mom was coming to Nashville for Christmas. I gave Edward a hug at the airport and told him to tell Lauren I said hello although I hadn't heard him say much about her since Thanksgiving.

Christmas was a busy time for us in Forks. I was going to be there for two weeks and although I didn't have a lot of people to see, I did have an Alice that insisted that we had to go all the way to Seattle to do Christmas shopping. So we spent two nights in Seattle before Christmas to get our shopping done and then she wanted to look at nursery furniture to which I told her that I wasn't buying anything until I got the house sold. She just scoffed and told me I needed to have a positive attitude about it.

"So, when it sells where are you going to look for an apartment?"

"I don't really know but I know I'd like to be closer to the hospital. There are some great daycare facilities in the area and that would make it really easy for me when I have to work. Edward mentioned that there were some apartments available in his building and there are other buildings around there that I'd like to check out."

Alice gave me a thoughtful look. "It'd be great if you were near Edward, he could be so helpful."

"Yeah, because he's not already."

"You know what I mean. Plus, I wouldn't worry and neither would the rest of the family…or your dad."

I laughed because I knew she was right. My dad worries a ton about me and anything to set him at ease will be helpful. "Yeah, I'll look at Edward's building but I'm worried it's a little pricey for my liking."

Alice just laughed. "Yeah, well he is a surgeon and all. You know, making the big bucks." She looked at me and winked.

After our trip to Seattle the Christmas break seemed to fly by. The Cullen's had their annual Christmas Eve party and dad and I attended although I definitely reverted to being the wallflower everyone remembered I was. I guess my big belly was a good conversation starter because that's all anyone wanted to talk about. After the party I went home and had a missed call from Edward so I called him back. We talked for about 15 minutes and I told him all about my new conversation starter and he told me he was looking forward to seeing how big I'd gotten when I got home. Then he realized what he said and started stuttering and backtracking but I wasn't offended, I just laughed.

Before I knew it Christmas was over, I was packed and ready to get back to Nashville and there was a box of stuff being shipped to my house with all my new goodies….most of which were maternity clothes or baby things. I guess the "me" years are over from here on out.

Dad pulled up to the airport drop off and I slowly got out. While I'd been home for Christmas I did finally start getting a bit uncomfortable and the waddle had officially set in. So I waddled to the back of the car, got my bag and gave my father a tear-filled goodbye. As always he told me to be careful and make sure Edward watched out for me. I just smiled.

About two hours later I was settled into my seat on the plane and was ready to get back to my home and my friends. I love Alice, Jasper, Esme and Carlisle and of course I love my dad but I really missed my friends and couldn't wait to see them.

Edward

So I may have told Bella a bit of a white lie in regards to Christmas because I didn't want her to feel bad for me. My mom did come to Nashville but only for the weekend before Christmas because I had volunteered to take over some shifts in case I needed some time off down the road.

Mom and I had a great time. She let me know everything I was missing in Seattle and I let her know how "cool" I'd become here and if I had gone home when people saw me they'd still think I was a dork. Which may not be too far off but now I was able to control my dorkiness now more than before. We talked more about Bella and the baby, I told her all about Rose and Emmett and how glad I was to be getting to know them. Mom did ask me about my "love life" and I told her I wasn't seeing anyone which would be true about 48 hours from the time she asked me. I know I should've told her about Lauren and my relationship with her but honestly I couldn't because I knew it wouldn't last much longer.

I really thought long and hard about ending things with Lauren. I wasn't so much concerned with wondering if it was the right thing, I was more concerned with wondering if I was an asshole for breaking things off right before the holidays. The more I thought about it, the more I figured that one, I didn't really think Lauren would be that surprised and two, it was better to go ahead and get it done rather than leading her on even more. So, I got mom off to the airport, gave her a hug and kiss and promised to come see her and then set out to meet Lauren near her place in Brentwood.

This may make me a pussy but as I pulled up I did get a bit anxious about seeing her. Lauren was a sweet girl…not your regular "meet in a bar" type of girl and I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

I made my way into the Starbucks, ordered and got a table. A few minutes later I saw Lauren walk in. She looked great, better than great. She is a beautiful girl and I kept telling myself that the right thing to do was to end things so she could find someone that treats her the way she deserves.

"Hey, Edward," she said as she waved over at me. "I'm just going to order real fast and I'll be right there."

I nodded and looked back at my cup of coffee. I looked up just as Lauren was on her way over and I stood to pull out her chair. She shocked me by pulling me in for a hug and giving me a big smile.

"How was your visit with your mom?"

"Oh, uh…it was great. Mom is doing well. I actually think she's dating someone and I'm really happy for that. The last thing I want her to do is be lonely out there…but she won't tell me if she is dating anyone. I think she thinks it's going to upset me."

Lauren laughed. "Isn't it funny? It's almost like you are the adult and she is the child."

Lauren was right, I hadn't thought about it that way. "Ha, that's a good point. Anyway, how is your holiday going? Are you working this week?"

"No, I'm off until the 28th. I've just been busy running around and doing my Christmas shopping. I love buying gifts for others but I absolutely hate wrapping them. That's weird, right? Anyway, I haven't been up to much. Besides your mom visiting what else have you been up to?"

"Just working. Bella left for Forks about a week ago and our other friends, Emmett and Rose, went to Colorado for the holidays. I'm trying to pick up shifts at the hospital in case I need to call in some favors down the road. Plus, other people want to spend the holidays with their families and I'm young and single so I don't mind it."

Lauren sat that and gave me a knowing look. There was some awkward quietness before she spoke again.

"Edward, I'm going to help you out here because I think you are a really nice guy and you would never want to hurt anyone's feelings." I looked at her like she'd grown two heads but nodded. "I'm so glad that we met and have been out, I really have had a great time. But, I think we both know this isn't going any further than friendship and I'm ok with that. If friendship is what we'll have, then I'm happy."

At this point I'm sure my mouth dropped open, I didn't know how to respond so she kept talking.

"I know a lot has happened in your life over the past couple of months and I also know your heart belongs somewhere else, so I think right now it's best if we just chalk it up to bad timing and go on our ways. Who knows, maybe we'll bump into each other at another bar sometime." As Lauren was talking I really looked hard at her and what I saw there put me at ease. Lauren was being truly genuine in telling me that we should end things. She wasn't being hurtful or snide.

"Lauren, I don't want you to think I didn't enjoy being with you or going out, I really did. It's just that you are such a nice girl, a real catch, and I know I can't be what you deserve so I want you to have that chance and find someone that will be good to you. You've been great through all the shit I've gone through with James's death and Bella and I really appreciate it, I just know that right now a friendship is all I can give you."

"Edward, don't worry. I figured this was coming back when we met for coffee right after James died. Priorities change when tragedy strikes, we see things differently and I'll never fault you for that. I just hope you can find happiness when you so obviously deserve it. I meant what I said, if you need a friend- I'm here. And I still mean what I said about Bella, if she needs anything at all I'm happy to help."

I smiled and nodded, "thanks Lauren. And I don't want you to think I'm seeing someone else and that's why I'm ending things. Really, I just have a lot going on and don't have the time you deserve."

Laurent was quiet for a moment and then gave me a sly grin. "Edward, I believe that you believe that….but I also think you gave your heart away a while back." I looked at her and started shaking my head, she just smiled. "I don't think you know it yet but you'll figure it out. Anyway, did Bella find out what she's having?"

I'm sure my face lit up to which Lauren just laughed. "Yeah, she's having a boy. And let me tell you, James was a wild man and Bella is going to have her hands full. She told me that I have to help teach him how to pee standing up and how to be a nice guy with the ladies."

"Well, you certainly will be able to help out there with both those areas." We both laughed.

After talking for another hour and telling stories about past holidays, Lauren told me that she had to be going in order to start wrapping all those presents she bought. We hugged and both walked towards our cars. I wished Lauren a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and she responded by saying the same and for me to tell Bella Happy New Year when she returned home. I promised I would.

I got in the car and headed towards home thinking that the conversation/break-up went better than I imagined although I somehow gave her the impression that there was someone else out there which wasn't the case at all. As I pulled into my parking garage I took a quick look at the time and realized that I had enough time to give Bella a quick ring and then head to bed before I started another 36-hour shift tomorrow morning. Although it's been a sad couple of months, I felt like the New Year was going to bring a lot of happiness for everyone in my life and I was really looking forward to that.