A/N- Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, any location, person or product in this story, no copyright infringement intended.
Thank you guys for being so patient and supportive. You still have til Aug 30th to vote at "a picture is worth a thousand words" so I hope you will take the opportunity to go share the love. I know it says its postponed but I'm pretty sure its allowing the votes. My Beta DaisyBell2 and I have submitted stories I'm excited but the competition is rough, they have some amazing stories so check them out below is the link. I had to delete and reload one of the stories so I'm sorry if I lost your review. It was a headache but the glitch was finally resolved. Anyhow here is the next chapter as always please let me know what you think, it gives me the encouragement I need to continue. As always I hope you enjoy and if you have any suggestions send them my way, you never know if they don't end up in this story they may in another.!
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BPOV
Three weeks. That's how long it has been since I actually had a conversation with Edward. We continued our everyday lives separately. I usually just left notes for him with Charlie or Sue. If he needed something he would do the same. We only spoke to each other out of necessity if we were forced to, nothing more. I continued to see Jake while Tanya stayed at the inn. She was as smug as ever and while she was under a strict stipulation from Edward to stay away from me she was as always finding ways making my life miserable all the same. I was thankful when I was told last week she was leaving today to go to New York for a dress fitting and other wedding preparations. I wasn't going to miss her. I did however miss something.
"Ok, what is so freaking important that you had to call me out of my interview with my advisor?" Alice yelled as she slammed the door to my bedroom throwing her purse on my bed. She was still angry with me over the party although I had apologized.
"This had better be important." She grumbled but immediately stopped when she found me sitting on the floor in my bathroom, tears streaming down my face. I handed her the small stick with two pink lines staring back at me. She took one look and slid against the tiled wall onto the floor across from me in shock.
"What am I going to do?" I cried my voice choking in a sob wiping my eyes with my palms.
"I, I don't know." She stuttered quietly causing me cry even harder. Alice always had the answers.
We stayed silent for a long time although I continued to sob. Alice just kept staring at the pregnancy test. Finally she spoke.
"Are you sure you're pregnant? I mean it could be a false, I've heard of that happening." She tried to sound hopeful but failed miserably.
"That's the third one I've taken." I whispered trying to pull myself together. "I'm definitely pregnant." I placed my head on my knees.
"But I thought you were on birth control?" she questioned.
"I had to reschedule my appointment because of something, I never went back to get it again refilled, it made me sick." I cried even though I probably wouldn't have gone back to get it again anyway.
"Are you going to keep the baby?" Alice said softly, almost with fear of what my answer might be.
I nodded my head. "I don't know how I'm going to manage running an inn and raising a baby," I laughed uncertain. "But I mean my mom wasn't the greatest mom but at least she had me."
"We'll figure it out." Alice suddenly turned excited. "Jasper and I we'll help and Charlie will too after he gets over the shock, and Jake had better because…"
"No" was all I simply said.
"No, what do you mean No, he did this he should be at least responsible for…"
"No, Alice." I stood up and placed my back toward her looking in the mirror. My hair was in it's usual ponytail or at least it was pulled back; I had strands falling out everywhere. My face looked sunken and I was pale. I had been sick for a week; it was what alerted me to the fact in the first place.
It must have been the tone I had used or perhaps the haggard look on my face that alerted Alice that something wasn't right, as she thought about it she gasped.
"Oh my God, the baby isn't Jakes" she covered her mouth with her small hands in shock. I saw the next question before she even asked it and I wasn't looking forward to answering it.
"If it's not Jake's, whose is it?"
As if an answer to her question, the door to my room banged loudly. I jumped.
"I'm taking Tanya to the Airport. I need the keys to the truck." Edward barked. His Volvo was still at the mechanics. It seems the parts they had to replace were on backorder.
Alice eyes got as large as saucers, her mouth fell open.
My eyes pleaded with her to understand.
"You didn't?"She accused in a hissed whisper; we just stared silently at each other for awhile.
"I'm waiting Princess." Edwards's angry voice echoed through the door. "Do I have to come in and get them?"
The thought of Edward seeing me like this was unbearable. He would immediately know something was wrong and start asking questions. I dug hurriedly in my purse until I found the keys and threw them at Alice.
"Get rid of him." I cried.
I went to the bathroom and shut the door and prayed Alice wouldn't say anything. I heard her uncomfortably laughing with Edward over something and than his large footsteps on the stairs. When he was gone I went to lie on my bed. Alice was waiting to attack.
"Ok, why am I just now finding out about this Bella, I'm your best friend? When did this happen?"She asked her voice sounding a little hurt.
"The weekend at the cabin." I started and the whole story spilled out before her all the way up to what really happened at the party.
"Wow and all this time I thought you guys were at each other's throats because of your unresolved chemistry and it was really because you already acted on it. The problem is your both still trying to deny it" She smirked.
"Thank you Dr. Phil" I laid on the sarcasm. "But I've got bigger things to worry about right now. I mean I am pregnant with a baby of a man who can't stand me at the moment, who if you haven't forgotten is engaged to someone else and is leaving in a few weeks. I have a father who will have another heart attack when I tell him that there is another mouth to feed, and a boyfriend who I have to try to explain why I'm knocked up with someone else's baby. A person whom I might add he hates." I snapped. My teeth making a small clack.
"Calm down, Bella, can I ask what makes you so positive this baby isn't Jake's?" Alice scolded me.
"Look Alice it's unlikely, Jake is …"
"Safe" she interrupted.
"Yes" I sighed in relief, the less I had to tell Alice the better.
"Are you going to tell Edward?" she asked.
"I don't know. First thing I need to do is see a doctor and find out for sure what's going on, I'll deal with everything else as it comes. I have an appointment set up for Monday in Port Angeles do you think you can drive me?"I asked. If anyone saw the truck at the Forks OB/GYN office they would be suspicious and I wanted to try to keep the information private for as long as I could. This was a small town and word spread fast.
"Look Bella, I know this is a lot to deal with but I promise everything will work out." She smiled.
"That's easy for you to say." I muttered. "You're not the one in this mess."
"She's so cute!" Alice said still staring at the small grainy black and white photo of a jellybean as we walked to her car. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Alice the doctor said it would be awhile before we know what sex the baby is; you can't start calling it a she." I teased.
"Oh, it's a girl, I just know" she smirked. "And she will be spoiled! I can't wait to start shopping!"
I was glad she was so happy; it was nice having the support of someone. I was nervous when I went into the office but things we're looking well, I made sure to ask the doctor about the drinking and the taking the hits from the football game but he seemed to think that there was no harm since it was so early in the pregnancy. He gave me some pre-natal vitamins and lots of papers to read. I heard the heartbeat and was already enamored with my baby. I had also decided it wouldn't be fair to Edward not to tell him about the baby. I just wasn't sure how I was going to do it.
Two days later, I was in the kitchen still debating the best way to start a conversation with Edward while at the same time wondering how to explain to Jacob who thankfully was at a college disciplinary hearing. Sue and Charlie had gone out to a restaurant and I was cooking dinner for the guests. It was suppose to be hamburgers but for some reason the smell was nauseating, it was almost as bad as Tanya's perfume. I tried to fight it off, but I ended up at the trashcan mid-way through browning.
I felt someone holding my hair and I looked up to find Edward looking down at me with concern.
"Are you alright?" he asked. It wasn't hateful but it wasn't gentle either but he was speaking to me and that was all that mattered.
"Fine" I lied and then heaved my head back in the can when the smell overtook me again.
"You don't seem fine" he chuckled.
"I must have eaten something that didn't agree with my stomach." I managed to say, taking the wet cloth he handed me. I wasn't quite ready to reveal the reason behind my sickness yet. I didn't think he would take the news very well with my head in a trashcan.
"You should go to bed and rest." He urged but I just shook my head.
"I need to finish up here first." Not really sure how I was going to do that but I couldn't let the guests go hungry that wouldn't be very professional.
"I'll finish up here, you go rest." He ordered, helping me off the ground.
"You're going to finish dinner?" I eye-balled him skeptically.
"Its hamburgers, Bella, I think I can manage. I may not be able to do laundry but I'm not totally helpless in the kitchen." He winked.
I normally would have fought him but to be honest I had been on my feet all day and I was exhausted. I slowly climbed the stairs to my room and took a quick shower, carefully brushing my teeth so I wouldn't get sick again and changed into my sweats. I pulled my hair back and climbed into bed flipping on the TV.
It was dark now and most of the guests were probably getting ready for bed. I heard a knock at my door and I found Edward with a soup bowl and crackers. I felt tears coming to my eyes even though I'm sure it was the hormones I read about as Edward laid the food on the table.
"I'm sorry." I blurted out, tears included. "I didn't mean to ruin the Volvo."
"But not about Tanya?" he questioned in a hard tone.
I bit my lip. "I'm sorry I lost control of my temper." I admitted shyly. It was the only thing I would give him. I wasn't going to say that I was sorry for what I did. She deserved it.
He sighed pinching his fingers between the bridge of his nose. "Ok" he said firmly. "I don't understand but I don't expect I'll get a better offer, I'm sorry for what I said as well."
"Thank you," I sighed softly picking up the spoon. "And for the soup."
"Don't thank me, thank Campbell's" he laughed.
I grinned; I really did miss his sense of humor.
"So what are you doing since Tanya's been gone?" I asked making room on the bed for him. He took the invitation and sat next to me, stretching out and crossing his ankles on the bed.
"Truthfully, I'm just enjoying the alone time I'm actually kind of a homebody." He chuckled. "She comes back Friday, and after that it's nothing but parties, showers and school."
"When is the wedding?" I looked down at my soup and stirred it.
"November" he said solemnly.
I felt the tears start to rise in my eyes and I knew that I had to ask the question.
Edward, can I ask you something?" I frowned again, chewing on my lip. He leaned over and placed his thumb tugging gently for me to release it.
"I hate when you do that." He said softly.
I lifted my eyes and stared into his for a moment. He must have felt the electricity too because he let go and walked over toward the doorway leaning his back on the frame.
"When do you have to go?" I asked nervously.
"The Volvo will be ready Saturday but Tanya's mom lives in Seattle and she was planning some type of party for us so I would say we'll stay for another week."
My heart broke, only a week to figure out a way to tell him. I nodded my head in disappointment. He was already out the door when he turned; his next question caught me off-guard.
"Do you want to go see a movie or something before I leave?" he asked scratching hithe back of his head.
I wasn't sure where it came from but I was eager to spend more time with him. "Yeah that sounds like fun." I smiled.
We stood outside the ticket booth trying to decide what to watch when I saw it. Forks Theater had a whopping three movies. Two new releases and one old one. It just so happened that this evening they were showing one of my favorites.
"The Princess Bride" I yelled in excitement.
"The what?" Edward raised an eyebrow.
"Please tell me you've seen "The Princess Bride"?" I eyed him sternly.
"Nope, afraid I must have missed that one, although I can shamefully admit I can quote "The Notebook" and "Grease" word for word." He smirked.
"Please, can we watch it?" I begged not really wanting to see "Face Punch" or "Love is Love spelled Backwards".
"Two for The Princess Bride" Edward sighed at the usher and pulled out his wallet.
"You'll love it!" I promised excitedly taking out my wallet as well.
"What do you think you're doing?" he looked at me like I'd lost my mind.
"I'm paying for my ticket." I said confused.
"No. I asked you out tonight remember, this is on me." He smiled.
"I can't let you do that, at least let me get the snacks?" I offered. He seemed perplexed at the concept of me wanting to pay for my half although I couldn't imagine why. "Maybe next time, but for tonight will you please let me take you out?" he looked at me with those big bright eyes and I melted.
"Alright, but I don't like it, next time…" I stopped myself. There wouldn't be a next time and we both knew it. He opened the door for me as we entered the theater and went to the snack counter.
"What's your poison?" He chuckled.
"I'll just have a sprite." I smiled.
"No popcorn or candy?" he eyed me skeptically like he didn't believe me.
"The popcorn is so big and I'm not big on candy." I shrugged my shoulders.
"What if we split a popcorn?" He asked casually. It did sound really good.
"Extra butter?" I asked nervously.
"One large popcorn with extra butter coming up, why don't you go ahead and grab us some seats?" he smiled.
I waited for Edward to come in with the popcorn, being it was a Thursday evening and an old movie no one else was there; we had the whole theater to ourselves. I sat in the very back seat and when Edward finally found me he laughed.
"I'm glad you aren't a front seater." He shook his head. I was appalled.
"You never sit anywhere closer than the middle." I said seriously.
"I take it you go to a lot of movies?" he teased.
"No, I mean I used to all the time." I shrugged my shoulders. "It just seems like it's always something else that needs done now."
"I know what you mean." He said sadly placing the popcorn in between us.
When the movie theater grew dark, I felt a surge of electricity go through my body and I tried very hard to keep my mind on the previews instead of Edward. I sneaked a glance at him and his hands were clenched against his coke. I was thankful when the movie started. We sometimes would chuckle or say something quietly and he seemed to be enjoying himself.
It was around the time that the Westly and Buttercup were having a conversation that our hands touched while getting popcorn. The electricity jolted us both back as we stared at one another just in time to hear Westly say "This is true love- you think this happens every day?"
We watched the remainder of the film, keeping our eyes glued to the screen, in silence.
We were walking from the car before either of us really spoke again.
"So what did you think of the movie?" I asked unsure of his thoughts.
"Surprisingly I liked it. For a chick flick it wasn't too bad." He grinned as we stood outside the inn.
"I'm glad." I smiled softly. This would be the perfect moment to tell him.
"Edward, I have something I need to talk to you about." I bit my lip trying to figure out if I should ease into it or go in for the kill.
His thumb gently pulled my lip again. "I told you that I don't like it when you do that" he reminded me and without warning his lips were on mine.
It wasn't like before, this kiss wasn't heated or wanting. It was slow, passionate and caring. His hand caressed my face as he pulled away, my eyes still closed in response.
"I wish this is how things could be between us" He said sadly running his hand across my cheek.
I was still trying to catch my breath when I heard a car door slam.
"You SOB. I come back early to surprise you but apparently I was the one who got the shock." Tanya cried. "This is it Edward. The last straw it's over the wedding is off." She cried storming away.
"Shit" Edward ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "What am I going to do?" He looked frantic.
"Let her go." I pleaded.
"I can't do that!" he screamed at me.
"You'd rather have her than me?" I questioned tears falling from my face. The reality finally hit.
"You're making my life a living hell Bella." He barked.
"Fine, if you don't want me I know someone who does." I said sadly as I turned away but he grabbed my arm.
"You didn't let me finish. Do you think I wanted this? That I want to feel this way about you? I can't stand seeing you with Jacob, I can't stand watching him touch you, the way he kisses you and I can't stand the fact that I can't have you. Do you know how agonizing it is not to be the one to touch you like he does? Yes Damn it I want you!" He reach for me pulling my face into his as his lips attached themselves to mine.
I pushed him away, tears streaming from my face. You can't keep playing this game with me Edward, you have a choice but you can't have us both. You either have to pick the girl loved enough to put a ring on her finger or me." I wanted to add the mother of your child but I couldn't find the strength.
"I don't love her, I'm stuck with her" he yelled pulling his hair, than he stopped immediately as if admitting something he shouldn't turned to walk away.
"Wait…What are talking about?" I cried. "What do you mean you're stuck with her?"
"It's nothing." he griped. "Forget I said anything." He was headed towards the gazebo but I stopped him, refusing to let him pass.
"You're not going anywhere until you tell me what is going on." I screamed. "I deserve to know the truth."
"Get out of my way, Bella, I have to find her." He barked.
"Don't you do this to me" I screamed louder smacking him in the chest. "Don't you tell me you want me and then walk away to her. The truth. I want the truth NOW!"
He let out a string of obscenities.
"You want the truth, here it is but don't say I didn't warn you" he growled.
"You remember me telling you about my brother Emmett, right? Well he had a problem, He loves sports. I'm talking obsessed with everything from baseball to soccer. His favorite is football."
"And that's a problem" I asked confused.
"It is when you bet on the outcomes." he barked.
"Oh" my teary eyes widened in understanding.
"Yeah" he continued. "Well anyway about two years ago Em got in over his head to a high end bookie named Denali
"As in Tanya" I frowned.
"Exactly, well Em owed him huge, he tried to clear himself but he was just in too deep. He couldn't go to mom or dad; they'd already bailed him out more than once and told him if it happened again he was on his own. He was desperate; Denali had sent his goons after him"
"Well what did he do?" I asked desperately.
"What could he do, he came to me, Anthony Mason grandson. He cursed before continuing.
I have a trust fund, even though I can't get the full value until I turn twenty-five but I also have a large annuity every year. Anyway, I took what little I had to Denali hoping I could work out some sort of deal for the rest, he wasn't interested but his daughter was; she wanted me. There is only one thing Denali loves more than his money and that's his daughter. Needless to say he pulled a Godfather."
"A Godfather?"
"Yep, you know" he laughed making a very poor imitation of Marlon Brando. "Make him me an offer he can't refuse".
I groaned.
"As long as I dated his daughter, Emmett could take his time paying him back, everything was going fine, I didn't feel trapped, I liked her well enough I mean Tanya is good-looking and great in bed…"
I looked down.
"I'm sorry Bella I wasn't thinking."
"Go on" I mumbled wanting to hear the rest of the story even though I knew I wasn't going to like it.
He closed his eyes in frustration. "Anyway, that was until last year…that's when Emmett married Rosalie, it gave Tanya the idea to start planning our wedding, one that I never intended on having, I never even proposed. I went to Denali told him I wanted out but he refused, said I had two options. He could call in the loan immediately which I knew was a death sentence for Emmett or he could erase it entirely."
"If you married Tanya." I nodded in understanding.
"You see Bella," he stared into my eyes, it's not that I don't WANT you, its I CAN'T have you."
"So you're going to marry her even though you don't love her?" I asked.
"I don't have a choice, like I said I don't have an objection to her."
"But does she make you happy?"
" No" he answered simply.
"Isn't there any other way?" I asked looking into his green eyes for some type of assurance.
He just shook his head. "Not unless you have 250,000 lying around that I don't know about." He darkly chuckled.
The air from my body whooshed away. That was more money than I could wrap my head around.
"You can't borrow the money from a bank or something?"
"Bella, whose gonna give a kid a 250,000 dollar loan? That doesn't even include his interest. Even with the money I have they would still need a backer, believe me Emmett and I have been through every possible option."
"What does your family think about this?"
"Well Carlisle and Esme, don't know, Emmett and Rosalie are grateful although he feels horrible about the whole thing. I've tried to assure him I'm fine with it, that I love Tanya but I think he suspects the truth and Tanya she doesn't care how she got me just as long as she's got me"
"And she does have her claws in you" I muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing Edward, I'm sorry you're in this situation."
"It's ok Bella, really, I'm just sorry you had to get involved in all this, you just have to know it isn't you personally. I don't mean to act like a jackass, I am attracted to you more than I have the right to be, but I have too much at stake."
"I understand but that doesn't mean you can string me along." I huffed.
"I never intented to string you along Bella, I care for you really. Can we still be friends?"
I wanted to tell him no that I couldn't see myself as his friend, that I wanted more but I didn't. A friend was not my first choice but if it was my only choice I would make it work. We had a baby to raise.
"Yes but don't expect me to be hers." I slammed the door as I entered the house.
It was one o'clock Monday morning and I couldn't sleep. I had too many things on my mind. I wasn't sure how Edward had managed it but he had gotten Tanya to forgive him. I had went to see Jake shortly after the argument and ended up telling him the truth, he was upset and now I had more on my plate to deal with than I expected. My biggest concern was that I still hadn't figured out to tell Edward and I was running out of time. My thoughts and sorrows were being drowned in Ben & Jerry's tonight. At least the baby had good taste.
"What are you doing up?" Edward surprised me; jumping on the counter beside me.
I put my spoon in the ice cream and sighed.
"Jake and I had a fight."
I thought I saw him smile but it was gone so quickly I must have imagined it.
"Why aren't you in bed?" I asked handing him a spoon from the drawer below me.
"Tanya snores" he smirked as he dug the spoon in the carton.
I laughed out loud, shaking my head "Figures"
He smiled. "I wouldn't laugh if I were you; you talk in your sleep." he raised his eyeboow.
"I do not" I yelled shoving his arm.
"Yes, you do" he chuckled, licking the back of the spoon. "So what was the fight about?" he asked not meeting my eyes but the floor.
"You" I frowned.
"Me?" his head snapped up, shock on his face.
"Um" I mumbled as I scooped out more ice cream from the carton.
"What about ME?" he asked offended.
"Jacob thinks you're going to steal me from him." I smiled uncomfortably.
"Why would he think that?" He looked nervous as he quickly shoved another spoonful in his mouth.
I shrugged, I knew this is when I should tell him about the baby but I chickened out again.
"He's just jealous, afraid he'll lose me, so afraid, as a matter of fact he proposed."
I heard a strange noise come from beside me; it was Edward choking on his ice cream.
He obviously had not taken the news well, the color was drained from his face, his eyes glazed over and he looked as if any minute he would vomit.
"Are you alright?" I yelled, beating him on the back. It took him a minute to respond.
"What did you tell him?" he demanded.
"I told him I'd think about it." I sighed.
"NO" he shook his head jumping off the counter "NO you can't marry him Bella." He growled.
"Why, Edward?" I stared in his eyes wishing he could read my mind, to know how much I wanted to hear the three words that would keep me from saying yes.
"I WON'T LET YOU" he barked running his hands through his hair again, turning in different directions and than pacing across the kitchen, finally returning to stand with his back toward me.
"Then give me a reason Edward" I begged, hugging him from behind "Give me a reason to tell him no"
He turned and helped me off the counter. Taking me in his arms. He looked helpless and lost. "I CAN'T" he agonized pulling me closer, my face in his hands. "YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND" he argued.
"Please Edward." I cried "Please, just say it, if you just tell me this one time, I'll call Jacob right now, this moment, and tell him no." I pleaded as the tears spilled from my eyes.
He kissed my forehead, "I'm so sorry Bella." His voice cracked in pain. "I never meant to hurt you."
"I know" I hugged him tighter; more tears fell to my cheeks there was no point in begging anymore. This was his chance to have me if he wanted me. If he didn't want me now he never would. I would not trap him with a baby. He would never know.
I pulled away quickly, as my heart was breaking and walked silently back to my room.
I was still crying when I heard my door open. I looked up to find Tanya standing in the shadows.
"What do you want?" I snorted.
"We need to talk." She said without a trace of friendliness, shutting the door behind her. She leaned toward me and started her speech.
"I was wrong about Eddie. He seems more taken with you than I imagined, although I'm not sure why?" she smirked.
I was trying my best to ignore her.
"So I'm here to negotiate with you." She firmly stated.
"I'm not interested, thanks." I clicked on the lamp beside of the bed.
"I want Eddie and I do not intend to let him slip through my fingers." She hissed.
"But he doesn't love you, do you even love him? I challenged.
She shrugged her shoulders. "What's not to love he's young, gorgeous, and rich. and I'll do whatever it takes to keep him and his money. Do you understand me?"
I wished I could have slapped her. "Yes, unfortunately I do." I glared.
"Good. You need to make sure that you send Eddie packing. I don't care how you do it but I'm prepared to make sure you're little inn is set for life." She smiled.
I thought about that for a minute. I would never have to worry about anything again. My baby would be taken care of as well and hopefully never feel trapped as I did; but even with that promise it wasn't worth it.
"I won't do that to Edward." I snapped. "If he wants you fine, but I won't push him out of my life."
Her eyes narrowed. "I tried to be nice. You want to play hard ball here it is, if you care about Edward you will make sure he stays with me or the blood of his brother is on your hands. I will call in that loan so fast that by the time the news gets to him, they will already be identifying the body. Do I make myself clear?" she hissed.
"You would actually do that to him." I asked in sheer disbelief.
"In a heartbeat." She promised.
" What if I'm willing to make another proposition." I offered.
"I 'd be delighted to hear it." She seemed bored.
"If I can guarantee that Edward leaves me will your father agree to disregard the IOU?"
"Daddy will do anything I tell him too." She smiled the sugar coated smirk I hated.
"I want proof from Edward that Emmett's clear and that you won't bother him again and I'll make sure you never have to worry about Edward wanting me." I promised.
She chuckled, smiling at me with a glint in her eye. "I knew you would come around eventually, Edward is out of your league and you know it. You have until Saturday."
"Done, now get out of my room." I ordered. When she left I fell into my bed trying not to think of what I was about to do.
The next morning I met Jake for breakfast at the café and accepted his proposal.