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Pre-readers:ttharman, sscana and meg23287

Chapter Twelve

Bella

"This is amazing," I sighed happily as I stood in front of the mirror above the dresser and locked eyes with Edward. "I love it." The cottage was absolutely perfect. As much as I loved my new family, I was glad that Edward and I now had a place of our own.

Edward stood behind me and fastened a gold necklace around my neck.

"Happy Birthday, my love," he whispered and kissed my ear.

I turned and wrapped my arms around him. I'm sure he expected that I would complain about him spending money on me, but I was slowly getting used to his generosity. I knew he wouldn't let my birthday pass without giving me a gift. "Thank you, Edward. I love you."

"I love you, my beautiful girl," he replied sweetly.

I sighed and relaxed against his chest. "Your family is so supportive of us. First the house on the island and now this… I mean, look at the work they put into that adorable bridge. They're so happy about the baby. We're really lucky to have them."

"We are very lucky," he agreed.

I started thinking about seeing my dad and how different from the Cullens I expected his reaction would be to our news. Plus, he was already mad at me about delaying starting college. I hadn't seen Charlie in over a month and I was looking forward to it, yet I also dreaded seeing him. This was just another example of my crazy mood swings.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Edward asked, worried.

I sighed heavily and blew out a long breath. "I'm really nervous about seeing my dad. I hate that he's upset with me."

Edward squeezed me tighter, but he didn't say anything.

"And I feel like he's going to take one look at me and know I'm pregnant. Then he'll have even more reasons to be mad at me," I said as the tears began to fall.

"Oh, love, that's not going to happen," he said. "You're not showing yet, and you won't for a while. He's not going to know until you're ready to tell him."

"Maybe we should just tell him today," I whispered. I realized there was no way I could see Charlie and not tell him. While I didn't look any different yet, I knew the fact that I had a secret would be written all over my face. "I think I want to get it over with."

"Whatever you want," Edward said. "And it'll be fine. We're hopelessly in love, we're married, we're financially stable, so what can he say? I really think he's going to happy for us."

I hoped he was right, but I doubted it. There was no way my dad would be happy about my pregnancy. At least not right away. I didn't want to stress myself out anymore than I already was so I stepped away from Edward and looked in the mirror again.

"These stones are really pretty," I said, reaching down to touch my new necklace. "What made you choose emeralds?"

"Emerald is May's birthstone," Edward stated, smiling crookedly at me.

"Okay…" I replied, confused.

"Our little one…" he paused to lovingly rub my belly, "…is due in May; May 6th, if I've counted correctly. The doctor will probably give you a different date though. Most people don't know exactly when they conceived so they calculate it a bit differently."

I giggled. "We don't exactly know when either. It could have been the first night, or the next morning or…" I trailed off.

A glorious smile lit up Edward's gorgeous face. "Ah yes, you're quite right, my love. We were very, um, active…every day, several times a day," he said, grinning smugly as he sat at the edge of our lovely new bed.

"Proud of yourself?" I asked, turning around and smirking at my unbelievably sexy husband. It was easy to forget that only a month ago, he'd still been scared that he'd hurt me.

"Immensely," he answered with a wink. "So, how would you feel about christening our new bedroom?"

I squealed happily and jumped on him.

.

.

Charlie had suggested that we meet at the Lodge for dinner since it was the nicest place in Forks. Edward thought that we should go to a fancy restaurant in Port Angeles since we were supposed to be celebrating. I disagreed with the two most important men in my life and insisted that we have a casual meal at the diner. I had no desire to make a big deal of my birthday. Plus, I wanted to meet Charlie on his turf. He was already upset with me so I was more than willing to go out of my way to make him feel comfortable. Plus, I selfishly wanted to break the news to him in public in hopes that he wouldn't freak out as much.

Edward held my hand as we drove to the diner. To say that I was nervous would be a vast understatement. Telling my dad that I was getting married at the tender age of eighteen had been nerve-wracking. Telling him that he was going to be a grandfather only one month into my marriage was absolutely terrifying.

Before I'd moved to Forks, I'd never been very close with Charlie. For most of my life, I only saw him two weeks a year, either when I'd visit him or when we'd meet up for a vacation. We'd also speak on the phone regularly, but neither of us ever had much to say.

Our relationship was so different now. Second only to Edward, my father was the most important person in my life. When I made the decision to move in with my dad, I did so reluctantly. At the time, I never imagined he'd become so very special to me.

Charlie probably didn't realize that I was aware, because I had been so out of it, but I knew each time he comforted me when I cried and screamed in my sleep after Edward had left me. The first three months were a blur to me even now, yet I had always been cognizant of my father's presence. He'd come into my room and soothe me back to sleep when I'd wake up screaming.

After I came out of the trance that I'd essentially been in, things were different. Of course we never talked about it, but Charlie and I had seemed to come to an understanding after that. I always knew he loved me and I hope he knew that I loved him. Still, until then, I don't think we ever felt all that connected. But after what we'd gone through together, we finally were truly a family.

I always knew he cared about me, but living with him, seeing every day how much he loved and worried about me, changed everything. He became not only my father, but also my friend. I wanted him to accept my choices. More than that, I wanted him to be proud of me. I wanted him to be there to see me start my family, especially since I wasn't sure how long it would be before it was unsafe for me to stay in his life.

Regardless, I knew that getting married and starting a family at such a young age wasn't what he had in mind for me. Hell, not so long ago, marriage and motherhood were the last things I thought I'd be happy to experience at the age of nineteen. Of course, Charlie had no idea of the true reality of what my future held — and he couldn't know. It was a long shot, but I hoped that I could make my dad see that I was doing what was right for me without giving too much away.

I knew it wouldn't be an easy task, but I still held out hope. He had become such a good dad and I had no doubt that he'd be a fantastic grandfather. I could close my eyes and picture my child sitting in Charlie's lap in his favorite chair, watching baseball. I didn't know if that would ever be possible, but I couldn't help but want it.

"You okay, baby?" Edward asked warily, breaking me from my thoughts. I should have known that he'd hear my heart rate accelerate the closer we got to the diner.

I nodded and squeezed his hand.

We pulled into the parking lot and I was relieved to see that we'd arrived before my dad. It wasn't very crowded, and I was glad for that. I didn't want too big an audience. We settled in to a booth and waited.

A few minutes later, Edward whispered to me that my dad was about to arrive. My heart began to race. Edward put his arm around me and whispered reassurances into my ear.

It helped. A little.

Charlie approached our booth and I stood up to hug him. He seemed taken aback, but he hugged me nonetheless. I held onto him longer and tighter than necessary and I could tell that it made him feel uneasy.

"Sorry, Dad," I said, embarrassed. "I guess I just missed you."

Charlie blushed, patted me on the back and said, "I missed you, too, kid."

I sat next to Edward as Charlie slid into the booth across from us.

"Hello, Chief Swan," Edward greeted him in a welcoming manner.

"Edward," Charlie nodded at him, his tone not nearly as friendly.

We sat there quietly, none of us saying anything. The silence was extremely awkward.

Finally, Charlie reached into his jacket pocket and slid an envelope across the table to me. "Happy Birthday, Bells." He blushed and looked down.

I peeked in the envelope and found a birthday card containing three crisp one hundred dollar bills.

"That was supposed to help you pay for your first semester books," he explained, sounding slightly perturbed. "I guess maybe it can pay for a fancy meal in Paris or wherever instead." He cleared his throat awkwardly.

Edward took a deep breath, but thankfully didn't say anything. He was still miffed about how Charlie had spoken to me on the phone that day.

"Dad…" I began.

"It's okay," he interrupted. "Bella, I'm not mad anymore. I admit though, I was upset at first."

I nodded at him to go on.

"But I realized, you're young and since you now have the resources to do this," he paused and glanced at Edward, "I'm glad you have the opportunity to travel and see places I never even dreamed of seeing."

"You talked to Renee," I said matter of factly, no trace of a question in my voice.

He flushed and nodded sheepishly. "I hope you meant what you said and you'll still go to college though."

"I will. I swear," I promised.

"Good," my dad stated in a way that I knew the subject was now closed.

We ordered our drinks — my dad looked at me funny when I ordered milk instead of Coke — and dinners and then settled into small talk, interlaced with long periods of awkward silence.

We ate quietly and I noticed how skilled Edward was at hiding his food to make it look like he was eating. Someday, I'd have to ask him how he did it.

"So, where is the first destination on your travel schedule?" Charlie asked as he clumsily ripped his napkin into little pieces.

"Um, well, you see, we haven't really made any solid plans yet," I stammered. My hands were shaking as I picked up my glass of milk and took a sip.

Charlie raised his eyebrows at me looking perplexed.

"Um, we'll, err, have to talk about that soon," I mumbled stupidly and looked at Edward for reassurance. We hadn't discussed it since it was really just a cover story.

"We will," Edward said, squeezing my shoulder.

I was acting like a nervous, stuttering fool and my dad definitely noticed. He kept looking at me like he was about to ask me why I was acting so strange, but he stopped himself each time. And every time I was about to break the news, I chickened out.

"So, um, you look real good, Bells," he said. "There's something different about you… Did you get some sun on the island?"

No, but I created my son on the island. Just the idea of saying that out loud made me inhale sharply. And of course I started coughing and spluttering like an idiot.

Edward rubbed my back and frantically asked if I was okay.

"I'm fine," I said when I was finally able to speak.

"Okay, Bella, what the hell is wrong with you?" my dad asked brusquely. "Why are you acting so nuts?"

Edward glared at my father. I put my hand on his knee and hoped he realized that gesture meant, "Keep your mouth shut."

Edward nodded at me, covered my hand with his and squeezed it gently.

I took a deep breath.

Then I took another deep breath.

Then another.

My hands were shaking and I was tapping my foot anxiously. I didn't even realize I was doing it until Edward wrapped his ankle around mine to stop me.

"Jesus, Bella, what the hell is going on?" Charlie asked worriedly. "You're starting to scare me here."

"There's nothing to be sc-sc-scared about," I stuttered. "Ev-ev-everything is okay. Better than okay, actually." I tried to smile to reassure him, but I probably just looked like I was in pain.

"Doesn't seem like it," my dad snickered. "Just tell me."

Here goes nothing…

"We're having a baby," I whispered very softly, looking down at my lap. Despite my extreme nerves, I knew that this time I was definitely smiling. Since I'd found out that I was pregnant, every time I even thought about our baby, I couldn't help but smile.

"What was that?" Charlie asked. I looked up at him and his face was blank. I wasn't sure if he didn't hear me or if he was going into shock.

"I'm pregnant," I said, only slightly louder than my original confession. This time, I knew he heard me.

Charlie's face quickly went from pink to red; then from red to a very unhealthy looking purple. I realized that he was holding his breath.

"Dad!" I exclaimed, jumping up and sliding into the booth next to him. "Breathe!" I knew that the three other patrons in the diner were looking at us, but I couldn't find it within me to care.

Finally, I heard him suck in a deep breath. He took a few moments to calm himself before he said anything. "I cannot believe you lied to me, Isabella."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

"When you told me you were getting married," he said the word "married" with disgust and paused to glower at Edward. "I asked you point blank and you told me that you were not…pregnant. You lied right to my damn face."

My eyes welled up with tears and I started to shake. Edward extended his hand and pulled me back to his side of the booth. He put his arm around me and whispered in my ear that everything would be okay and reminded me that my being stressed out wasn't good for the baby.

"We most certainly did not lie to you, sir," Edward said to Charlie through clenched teeth. I knew that he was using all of his restraint not to lose his temper.

"I wasn't talking to you," Charlie hissed angrily. "This is between me and my daughter."

"I realize that, but your daughter is my wife," Edward replied tersely. "And I would appreciate it if you treated her with respect."

Charlie's face returned to that unhealthy purple color.

"Stop," I pleaded. "Edward, it's okay. I can handle this."

He nodded reluctantly, but I could tell he was having a hard time staying calm.

"Dad," I looked pointedly at Charlie. "I didn't lie to you. I promise."

He scoffed.

"We just found out last week," I said softly. "It's very early still and the baby isn't due until May. Do the math, if you must. Until my wedding night, I was a vir-"

"I don't want to hear about it!" Charlie shouted in a panic as he childishly covered his ears.

If things between us weren't so tense, I would have laughed. He looked completely ridiculous.

We were quiet; just sitting there staring at each other. It was beyond awkward.

"I thought your mother explained to you about…birth control,"my father finally said. "And I thought you two were responsible adults. How could you let this happen?" My father glared at my husband again.

"Does this mean I'm allowed to speak now, Chief?" Edward sneered. I knew that it was killing him to be scolded like a child, when in reality he was much, much older than my father could even imagine.

"You better watch your tone with me, boy," Charlie snapped.

"Stop it!" I cried out in frustration. "Please, don't fight." I knew that Edward wouldn't really do anything, but my arm automatically reached across his chest to hold him back.

I heard him take a few calming breaths. "Upsetting Bella isn't good for the baby," Edward said evenly. "If we can't talk about this rationally and calmly, then I'm afraid Bella and I are going to have to leave."

Charlie cleared his throat and looked down guiltily.

"Sir, I know you want what's best for your child…" Edward began, sounding much more relaxed than he had just moments before. Charlie looked up at him and when it appeared that he was going to cut him off, Edward said, "…but I also want what's best for mine." He leaned over, pressed his forehead to mine and rubbed my stomach lovingly.

Without thinking about it, I angled my face up and kissed him chastely on his perfect lips. His defending me and our child was so sweet. His over-protectiveness, in this case, was incredibly endearing.

"Oh, God," Charlie gasped. I looked over at him and he was blinking back tears. "My baby is having a baby," he whispered softly.

I could tell in that moment, it finally became real to him. "Dad," I said apprehensively as I reached across the table to try to take his hand.

"I can't do this right now," he said abruptly. He jumped up out of the booth, threw some money down on the table and walked briskly out the door.

I burst into tears. "He hates me!" I cried. I knew everyone was looking at us, but I was too upset to care.

"Shhhh, love," Edward soothed. "He doesn't hate you. He just needs a minute to compose himself. He's waiting outside."

I shook my head. "He's disappointed in me. He thinks we were irresponsible," I sobbed. "He'll probably be even more upset if he finds out it was planned."

"Sweetheart, please calm down," Edward begged as he patted my stomach, gently reminding me of the precious cargo I was carrying.

I took a few steadying breaths and it helped to get my emotions under control. "I'm okay. I'm okay," I said, trying to convince myself as well as Edward.

"Is he still out there?" I asked.

Edward nodded. "His breathing has evened out so I think he's calmed down."

"What is he thinking?" I whispered. I knew that Edward couldn't really hear my dad's thoughts, but he'd once said that he could usually get a feel for what he was thinking.

"Honestly, I think he's really overwhelmed, but I can't get a good read on him at all," Edward confessed wistfully. "As usual, the Swan's minds confound me." He winked charmingly and I knew that he was trying to make me smile, but I was just too overwhelmed myself.

"Do you think he wants to talk to me?" I asked, wiping the tears from my eyes. "Or does he want me to leave him alone?"

"Why don't you go out there and talk with him," he suggested. "I think you two need some time alone."

I nodded. "I need a few minutes," I confessed. Edward put his arms around me and tucked my head under his chin as he gently stroked my hair. Instantly, I felt more relaxed.

"Okay, I think I'm ready," I finally said hesitantly after about five minutes of stalling.

Edward kissed my cheek and nodded toward the door, encouraging me. "I'll be listening and I'll know if you need me."

I kissed him quickly, stood up carefully and walked out, ignoring the gaping-mouthed stares of the nosy residents of this little town that had become my home.

Charlie was sitting, with his head in his hands, on the picnic table just at the edge of the parking lot. When he heard my approach, he looked up at me. He still had tears in his eyes and it just about broke my heart.

I stood a few feet away from him, nervously kicking at the rocks on the ground.

"Knock that off, Bells," he said quietly, not meeting my eyes. "You're liable to trip and break your ankle. Can't have you getting hurt right now…" He scrubbed his hands roughly over his eyes and harshly blew out a long breath.

I froze in my place, not knowing what to do or say.

"Come here," he finally said and reached out his hand. I sat next to him on the bench and he put his arm around me, gently pulling me to his side.

"You're happy about…this…" my dad said shakily.

"Yes, I really am," I reluctantly admitted, speaking very softly.

"And Edward is happy…" he said grudgingly, though I could tell by his inflection that he was stating, not asking.

"Very," I said more resolutely. Happy was a gigantic understatement.

He took a few deep breaths and then squeezed my shoulder. "I don't know what to say, Bella."

"I don't either," I said sadly. "But I hate that you're mad at me." I started crying again.

"Aw, Bells, please don't cry," Charlie begged as he pulled me in for a hug. "Seriously, no more tears, I can't handle it."

I choked back the sob that was threatening to erupt from my throat and nodded furiously against his chest. "I've been crying a lot lately," I finally said as I pulled back to wipe the tears away. "Happy tears though…until now." I hadn't meant for it to sound like a guilt trip, but somehow that is exactly what it sounded like.

Charlie chuckled humorlessly. "Way to make your old man feel like a jerk." He ran his hands through his hair nervously. "I'm sorry for how I reacted."

"I knew you weren't going to be thrilled, Dad," I stated. "Why do you think I've been so tense and jumpy? I actually expected you to pull your gun on Edward, if you want to know the truth."

"Night's not over yet," he muttered.

"Dad," I chastised as I bumped him with my shoulder. "Be nice."

He grinned sheepishly at me. "So, you lure me to a public place, on my night off, knowing my gun is in the car… pretty smart, kid."

I smiled warmly at him. "I take after my dad."

He blew out another deep breath. "You're nineteen…"

"Yep," I said glumly. "Happy Birthday to me."

Charlie sighed and palmed his face. "I was nineteen when you were born," he began, starting to get choked up again. He stood up and began pacing in front of the picnic table. He cleared his throat several times.

I felt myself on the verge of another crying jag. He's worried that Edward and I are going to end up like he and Renee. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to keep the tears at bay. I didn't open my eyes again until I could no longer hear the scuffling of his feet against the gravel.

"And you were the best thing that ever happened to me," he finally continued, reaching out to take both of my hands in his. "It wasn't easy… Lord knows it wasn't easy, but I wouldn't change a thing because I have the most amazing daughter."

He cleared his throat again. "So, what's done is done," he said with a hesitant smile on his face. "Guess I'm gonna be a Grampa."

This time, there was no holding back the tears. "I love you, Daddy," I cried.

"I love you, too, Bella. More than you can even begin to understand," he replied pensively. He looked down toward my stomach and nodded at me. "Soon, though…soon, you'll get it. You'll never love anyone more than you love your child."

"I already do," I said timidly. "Since the moment I found out…when it became real to me, I knew I'd do anything for my little one." I rubbed my stomach and smiled shyly at my dad.

Charlie sighed. "You already sound like a mom. Can't believe my little Bells is going to be a mother…"

I nodded bashfully, unsure of what to say.

"Are you feeling okay? Have you been to the doctor yet?" he asked, concerned.

"I feel okay. Tired, a little sick in the mornings, but otherwise, I feel good," I responded. "I called Dr. Snow and he said I didn't need to come in for an appointment until I was about eight weeks and I'm only four at the most…"

Charlie looked at me skeptically.

"I really wish you'd believe me," I mumbled, looking down at the ground.

"I do," he said quickly. "But, please, let's never speak of this again." I looked up and his eyes were pleading.

"No problem," I replied, relieved. Talking with Charlie about my sex life was something I'd never intended to do and I still couldn't believe I blurted out about losing my virginity on my wedding night in the middle of the diner.

We sat there quietly for a few moments.

"Um, Sue made you a birthday cake," Charlie said softly. "Want to go back to the house and have a piece? It's chocolate."

Chocolate cake suddenly sounded like the best thing in the entire world.

I nodded happily and hugged my dad again. "I'll go get Edward and we'll meet you there."

"All right," Charlie agreed. "See you in a few."

I headed back toward the diner and Edward was waiting at the door for me. He smiled and pulled me into his arms. I melted into him, the weight of the evening finally hitting me with full force.

"That went much better than I thought it would, considering how he reacted at first," Edward said carefully. "Are you okay?"

I thought about how lucky I was to have a wonderful family in the Cullens, the love and support of my father and the most amazing husband I couldn't have even dreamed big enough to know to ask for.

I sighed contentedly, safe and happy in the arms of my only love. "I am now."

"I'm glad," Edward said sweetly, kissing the top of my head.

"There's just one thing missing, one thing I absolutely must have," I said, grinning.

"Oh, what's that?" he asked, gently unwrapping himself from me and taking my hand.

I looked up at him, knowing he probably had something else in mind based on that hungry look in his eyes. I smiled smugly and said, "Chocolate cake, of course."

Edward laughed heartily and led me toward the car. "Your wish, my command."

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Thanks for reading!

Phoenix Fan1

May 16, 2011