Incase you forgot, Twilight and its characters are owned by Stephenie Meyer and only Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended with the posting of this story.

A/N: I love my reviewers and have a special treat for them, see more at the end of the chapter. *wink*. CC I effing love you and all your smutty glory, Kitty I love you for your fabulous tips and continuous support for TMT, DH you rock for being my advice queen, and to my readers… you guys make me smile like nothing else.

One Plus One Equals

Chapter 21

~~*~Edward~*~~

When we got down to the lobby I was surprised to find Emmett waiting for us with his suitcase in hand. With all the excitement, I'd completely forgotten he would be flying back with us but was grateful that he'd be a third wheel distraction for the next few hours.

After my discovery on the damn computer I'd had to quietly leave the room to go for a walk in order to calm myself down. I knew I couldn't tell her-- not yet anyways. There was no reason to freak her the fuck out over something that was only a possibility.

During my walk I'd made up my mind that I would have to keep my mouth shut until we saw a doctor. Once we saw a doctor we would have a better idea for what our future might bring. The bottom line was, I knew I couldn't be the one to tell her. I knew the news would devastate her. It would only bring disaster. When it did finally process that she may be pregnant with her ex's baby… she would fall harder than she had when the fucker walked out on her.

The only thing that had kept me in control was continuously reminding myself that it was all still speculation. That none of it was fact yet, and that I'd had many more opportunities than he did. Only in the most twisted fucked-up world would the baby end up being Jacob Black's. Hell, Bella could have been wrong about that date she'd given me. She'd said so herself, she was a zombie all throughout October and November.

As soon as she had woken up she insisted on talking about who we would tell and I'd insisted that we wait to spread the news until after we'd gone to a doctor to really confirm everything. She seemed unhappy with my response at first but after a few moments agreed that my idea was probably best.

I couldn't ignore how quiet she'd gotten, even though she promised me she was just still feeling really tired, and that it was nothing more than that. I knew better than to buy that excuse.

Fuck Cullen, pull your shit together. Would it change the way I felt for her? If this baby did turn out to be his? Fuck.

No. It wouldn't. Bella would still own my entire being. So why the fuck was I having such a hard time putting it away in the back of my mind? I was stressing her out regardless by being so quick to say we shouldn't tell anyone.

I squeezed her hand when we were still a few feet away from Emmett wanting to help her relax. She turned her head and looked up at me, forcing a smile below her perfect nose and exhausted looking eyes, making me wish that with one kiss I could take away all looming bullshit that seemed to be heading our way.

I gave her a wink and squeezed her hand once more, with three pulses as if saying I love you with my own hand, and felt victorious when a real smile spread across her lips.

"Hey. How's it going weirdoes?" Emmett asked greeting us. I smiled and took a deep breath just as he slapped the back of my shoulder.

"We're having a baby," I impulsively blurted out, shocked at my own words but feeling relieved as soon as I got them out. I looked down at Bella's surprised face, snickering and taking her in under my arm before I kissed the top of her forehead.

"What the fuck, Cullen?! Seriously?" Emmett bawled. "A simple hello would have been fine!"

"Edward! I thought we were going to wait," Bella squealed before letting out the sexiest giggle I'd ever heard.

"Your best friend gets to know. I figured it was only fair I'd get to tell my best friend." I grinned down at her where she beamed the truest smile I'd yet to see. Her eyes reached into my fucking soul and my dick was suddenly pissed that we didn't take those beautiful lips up on their offer for some quick oral satisfaction before we'd headed down stairs.

"Wait— so you're serious?" Emmett asked still looking like I had told him a ridiculously and inappropriately twisted joke.

"Don't look so upset. It's not like I haven't always been a father," I reminded him, trying not to laugh. He shook his head slowly and placed his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it firmly.

"It's different this time man, but its cool. If it had to happen I'm glad it's with this chick," he teased causing Bella to send a light jab to his stomach. "Damn, you two don't waste any goddamn time do you? Fuck. At this rate you'll be married by April."

"God no!" Bella exclaimed a little too loudly. I couldn't help but feel slightly gutted by her blunt reaction to the thought of being my wife.

What the hell was that about?

We lived together, might be having a baby together, for all she knows we are having a baby together. I love her, she loves me. So why would the idea of marriage be such a distasteful thought for her?

Seriously what the fuck?

"Well, I'm throwing this punk a bachelor party when the time does come Swan," Emmett continued to tease while my head tried to process her reaction.

I silently followed them outside where Emmett flagged down a taxi and threw our suitcases into the trunk of the yellow car that had pulled up in font of us.

"So, when's the little hell raiser going to make its grand entrance?" He asked turning his attention back to me after we'd all gotten into the cab.

"Um, our best guess is by the beginning of September," I mumbled avoiding Bella's eyes.

I could see him trying to do the math in his head, and it almost made me smile, "Shit, so you're more than just a few weeks along then. Cool bro, I'm happy for you guys. I mean that."

"Thanks, Em. We're keeping it quiet for now 'till we go see a doctor," I told him briskly just as Bella took my hand into hers and gave it a light caress with her fingers.

Why am I being such a pussy shit? Of course the girl would freak at the thought of marriage, we'd only known each other for two months.

So why was I so comfortable with the idea already?

Fuck.

I was not ready for this fucked up revelation. Not right now. The idea that I could possibly be becoming a father again was plenty enough for life changing moments in one month.

Shit, am I really ready to marry Bella?

"Are you ok?" She suddenly asked, breaking me from my thoughts while Emmett directed the cab driver.

"Uh, yeah. I'm ok. I should have napped with you," I lied smoothly, kissing her hand.

I couldn't fucking help it. As soon as she turned her attention back out the window my mind went straight to: What kind of ring would she like?

Did I feel that way because she was possibly carrying my child inside of her? Or maybe because she was possibly carrying his child inside of her and I felt the need to insure she would still stay?

Way to fucking go Cullen.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as a new realization swept over me.

I would have felt this way even without the baby. Stop being such a dip shit.

The thought seemed to calm me somehow. I sighed and took a firm grip of Bella's hand, again wanting to communicate to her without using words. Wanting to let her know I was ok. I'd just momentarily stumbled into male asshole-ism. She squeezed back, helping me relax even further.

I couldn't afford to lose her. Not ever. I love her so fucking much. It's absolutely insane and not at all normal.

How was it possible to want to fast forward the next few days but at the same time want to stay in this unknowing moment forever?

If I were to be entirely honest with myself, I'd been ready to spend forever with Bella a very long time ago.

However, I wasn't ready for that kind of honesty. Not yet, anyway. Even though I knew from the very moment I'd laid my eyes on her on that subway platform, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her… it was an entirely different feeling to realize that I wanted to make our forever legally binding by marriage.

What the fuck happened to the damn baby steps Cullen?!

The doorman greeted us once we got home, informing me that a package had come for a Ms. Bella Swan. I grimaced at the news, already feeling like I knew who it would be from and feeling more than pissed that the fucker had some how gotten our address.

I watched Bella's face as he handed her the square box then pushed the button to call us an elevator. She looked down at the writing and I couldn't help but release a growl from under my breath. Motherfucker was still over stepping but unfortunately things had changed and for some insane reason, a small voice in the back of my head reminded me that it would be irresponsible to take action at the moment. If I caught a cab downtown and bashed the shit head's face in, that could make for a very uncomfortable future. Especially if I ended up being his child's stepfather in less than eight months.

No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, the longer the thought sat in my head, the more livid I became.

How the fuck was I going to survive the next few days and not let on to Bella that something was wrong? What the fuck had I done to deserve the amount of bullshit we were receiving, just when things had gotten better, when we were finally moving on and the pieces were all starting to fit?

I knew I had more plays in the game; that was the only thing helping me to remain collected. That and the fact that I knew Bella felt the same way for me as I did for her.

"You're being very reserved, Edward."

"Your holding a box from your ex. What do you expect?" I snapped back, feeling like a huge dick seconds after. "I'm sorry. I'd just gotten used to the idea of him not existing after he disappeared for a few weeks."

Bella lowered her head and sighed. "I know. I did too. I'm sure it's just some things I left," she tried reassuring me but I could read the doubt on her face and knew better than to let myself get hopeful. The idiot would not pass up on the opportunity to fuck with her a little bit more, I knew that much.

When we got up to the apartment she walked over to the kitchen and got a knife out from the drawer to open the box up. I was only making things worst for myself by watching, but dammit I wanted to know what was inside.

Grow up Cullen. I pleaded with myself before somehow finding the strength to walk away, going into the bedroom to start unpacking, giving her a minute to handle it the way she wanted to. I wasn't about to be that guy who stood over her shoulder, watching her every move and snapping at any sign of what I thought was indecency.

I tossed my bag up on our bed, unzipping it to take my things out and put them away. It didn't take long to finish the task since I was basically shoving and tossing things into any drawer I came to without much thought of putting them back where they belonged, which was entirely unlike me.

The fucker was messing with my habits too and it was going to be a problem.

I took a deep breath and fell back onto the bed, moving my hands to grip my hair while I forced my eyes shut to help collect every thought. I knew she was going to find it odd that my tolerance for this prick had diminished significantly so because of that I needed to pull my shit together and fast. And though I hated having to keep things from her, I knew the secret was important to keep because she wouldn't be ok with the possibilities we were carrying.

"Edward?"

Her voice forced me to sit up swiftly and lean back on my arms against the mattress. Her beauty and heart-ache crushed me but I tried my best to act reserved.

"Yeah?" I asked nonchalantly, but noticed immediately the stress on her face which caused my heart to fall further into my gut.

"No secrets so… I want you to know what he sent and what he said," she said guardedly from the doorway. I let out a loud sigh, which sounded more like frustration than the heart-ache I was currently feeling.

"If that's what you want," I replied trying to force an understanding smile while a patted the spot beside me on the bed, feeling the need to be close to her. I eyed the box in her hand and the folded piece of paper she was grasping in her shaking fingertips. I really didn't want to read the letter word for word, as there was a very good chance that, that shit would send me over the edge, but I didn't know how to tell her that.

It was close to one 'o'clock in the morning and Phil would be expecting me in his office first thing in the morning. I also knew better than to think I would be getting much sleep tonight after all was said and done, not without grabbing a cab downtown anyways.

She sat down with the box in her lap and started to hand me the letter but I waved it away.

"Why don't you just summarize it for me? I'd feel like a douche reading it word for word," I told her semi-honestly.

"Oh, ok… um, he basically apologized for acting so roughly at the apartment that day. He said he had no idea what happened and that he didn't even remember half of it… that it was all mostly a blur to him. He told me that he hadn't been sleeping well and that he had been drinking at the studio all night and into that morning."

I shook my head, unable to form any apprehending words. Excuses. Fucking excuses.

A low, Okay, was all I could release in response.

Bella sighed lowly before repositioning herself on the bed, placing the note into the box.

"He wanted me to know how sorry he was for showing up at Alice's party… that things got out of control and he'd only gone so he could say goodbye to her, but that when he saw me all the feelings came rushing back and he lost it," she continued.

"Right," I mumbled, the words still fresh in my mind from his rant about how he knew her better than I ever would.

"Apparently, he's really seen us together."

Bella's affirmation angered me for some reason. "What do you mean?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"I don't really know. He says he can see I really am happy now, that I'm in a good place, and being taken care of. He doesn't want to cause me any more pain. He said he'd leave me alone, that this was the last time I would hear from him, and that he hoped you would continue to treat me the way I deserved to be treated because he realizes he failed. He ends it by saying that I always deserved much more than what he had given me."

"Ha. That's big of him," I mumbled sarcastically, wondering what had actually been in the box and when the fucker had seen us together besides at the party. The look on her face when she'd come into the room had told me things weren't resolved though. "So why do you look so stressed?" I asked, not wanting to put it off any longer.

She took a deep breath and reached into the cardboard box taking a small black ring box out, holding it loosely in her hands in front of her, "It's the ring. He insisted I keep it… saying it belongs to me. That I had earned it after putting up with him for so many years. He said that after seeing the look on my face the night we'd seen it together at the store window, he'd taken out his entire life savings and gone out and bought it… that I needed to keep it because he had bought it for me and no one else and the store refused to take it back but he couldn't just throw it out or sell it to a pawn shop. He told me to think of it as a… friendship ring," she stuttered.

"You have to fucking be kidding me," I yelled, anger lifting itself up from within me.

Who the fuck did he think he was, telling her to keep a goddamn engagement ring, and to call it a fucking friendship ring? The fucker was twisted beyond belief.

"What are you going to do then? Wear it around your neck?" I asked with venom in my voice.

"Edward calm down, please. You need to remember that Jake was my best friend and not always the asshole I've told you about. I'm with you, nothing is going to change that, its me and you and our baby now," she whispered taking my hands into hers after dropping the ring box back into the package and tossing it beside us. She had no idea how much those words stung me, because she had no idea the baby inside of her could not be ours at all.

"That ring is not staying in this apartment," I told her firmly, looking her in the eyes.

She nodded her head quietly, telling me she agreed one hundred percent. "I haven't even looked at it. I don't want to see it. That's why I need you to take care of it for me. Alice isn't here and Jasper is, well, he's just now starting to talk to Jake again. I don't want to put him in a tough spot. Do you know anyone who might buy it for close to cost so I can at least get him some money back? I can't help but feel incredibly guilty over it," she asked with a frown.

"You want me to find a buyer for the engagement ring your dick of an ex bought for you?"

How absolutely fucked was this? Two hours ago I had been plotting my own course of action to find her a perfect ring and now the one she had deemed a perfect ring was being forced into my hands.

"Could you? Please?"

"This is probably one of the most fucked up thing you could ask me to do Bella," I replied bluntly unable to hide just how surprised I was that she would even be requesting such a thing. It seemed more like a favor to him and that's where the problem was.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd feel so strongly about it. I thought we were past this," she whispered, her voice cracking at the end, making me feel like the prick I was acting like.

"Fuck. Sorry, I'm overreacting. Leave it on the dresser. I'll see if Phil knows anyone who might be interested," I caved, letting my body fall back onto the mattress, not wanting to see the stress in her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered softly before moving herself to settle up against me, her arms wrapping themselves around my body and her leg pulling in closer to me.

"I hope you know I love you more than I've ever loved have anyone, Edward. More than I ever loved him. It might sound insane to others, but it's true. I love you more than anything I've ever known in my entire life," she said into my chest while I wrapped my arms around her. I smiled and breathed her in, glad she knew all the right things to say to help calm me down.

Things wouldn't always be perfect. We'd have rare moments where she might say or ask me to do things that would practically drive me mad, but we would always be able to get past it because she was it for me.

There was nothing in the world that I wouldn't do for the amazing creature that was lying beside me. Nothing.

When I got to work I found a note taped on my door, asking that I go directly to Phil's office. I smirked, curious as to what it was about. I had no idea how long it'd take to get a new office, or which floor the office would be on, but I was hopeful I would get a relocation within the building sooner rather than later and that it might be on the top floor with the rest of the big wigs.

"Edward," Phil greeted loudly after I'd knocked once and entered his office. "Welcome back."

"Thanks. It was a productive trip," I replied smugly.

"Yes, that's what I hear… partner," he added with a small grin. I felt my eyes widen at the sound of my former boss's usage of words as he extended his right hand out to me. I shook it firmly and nodded my head, probably smiling like an idiot.

"Youngest head agent the company has ever taken on. Quite a feat Cullen."

"I learned from the best," I told him with a smirk, taking a seat in the large leather chair across from his desk.

"Yeah, yeah. You don't need to kiss ass anymore, you got your promotion. You're officially one of the big dogs. Your new office is four doors down and you have a few people coming in around noon to interview for an assistant position. They're all equally qualified," he informed, sorting out through some papers on his desk before continuing. "Two new potential client files are on your desk and I just heard a rumor that Victoria is going to be here next week. Your name is already making waves on Twitter. I hope that girl of yours is ready for some attention."

My smirk fell instantly, worried for what I knew was coming, before nodding my head in understanding. Victoria Rachelle was a tabloid's wet dream and a paparazzo's pay check. I'd known that before she'd even been assigned to me.

"Bella understands my job."

"I have to hand it to you, it was a smart move to bring her with you to dinner. Very smart indeed. You're going to do big things here kid. Just make sure you have your priorities where they belong," Phil reminded me with a serious expression. I nodded once again, understanding the point he was trying to get across. Work should always came first in his eyes.

"I actually need a favor, Phil. Do you know anyone who might be interested in purchasing an engagement ring?"

He looked up from the paper he'd been eyeing, his brow furrowed. "I wasn't trying to tell you to break up with the girl Cullen, Jesus."

"I didn't mean it like that, Phil. I didn't buy it, Bella's ex did. He won't leave her alone and she tried giving it back to him but he won't take it, so she wants to sell it and get him his money back."

"Well isn't that some fucked up shit. She was engaged?" Phil asked surprised while slowly leaning back in his chair.

"No, not when I met her. He gave it to her after she'd left him to be with me," I nearly growled.

"Goddamn, your life continues to fascinate me. Do you have it on you?"

I pulled the box from my pocket and tossed it to him underhand over his desk.

"Whatever you can get for it is fine. Don't kill yourself trying to get what its worth," I told him.

He agreed, inspecting it back and forth. "Nice rock. I'll see what I can do. I have a buddy who's in the jewelry business. I should have something for you soon."

I thanked him and stood up to make my way out the door, sensing my phone vibrate from my pocket as I crossed the threshold.

I hope you're free Friday morning at 8:30. We have an appointment with Dr. Young over off Broadway. -B

I stopped dead in my tracks. Shit, already.

"Everything else ok, Edward? You seem a bit bothered today. I expected you to be a little more excited, coming into your new office, having a new title and all," Phil asked after setting the ring box down.

"I'm fine. I'll feel a lot better once that ring is far away though," I said over my shoulder, not giving him the chance to question me any further.

I'll be there, baby. I'm going into my new office just now. Maybe you could come by for lunch today and help me interview for an assistant? -E

I hoped she'd say yes, because fuck did I miss her.

I opened the door to my new work space and grinned at the sight of large windows across the wall behind my new large, solid oak desk. There was a welcoming basket full of cheeses and crackers along with other nonsensical things that I was sure Phil had nothing to do with. The phone rang on my desk and I hit the call button, just as my cell phone buzzed.

Your wish is my command. When should I be there? Should I dress professional? Hmm.. Maybe I could apply for a position. -B

I quickly told Tova, the new secretary, that I wouldn't be needing anything for lunch and sent Bella a text back.

Wear whatever you like, Care Bear. And I have a few positions in mind that I'd like you to apply for in my office. -E

I smirked picturing her gorgeous face turn red.

My, my, Stalker. You're making me blush. Maybe I should bring a resume of my past favorite positions. -B

I laughed out loud just as someone knocked on my office door before it creaked open.

"Hey, Em. Like my new office?" I bragged opening my arms out in front of him in grand gesture.

"You're such an asshole," he mocked, shutting the door behind him and looking around the large space. "This is unfair. Totally fucked up."

"You can apply to be my assistant if you'd like," I laughed as I kicked my feet up on the desk obnoxiously.

"Fuck you, Cullen. You can get your own coffee. I'll be joining you up here soon enough, you'll see," he paused to give a not so menacing glare. "How's Bella feeling?" He asked changing the subject. We hadn't gotten a chance to talk about things one-on-one yet so there was no telling what was going on in his head and what he really thought about the whole baby thing.

"She's great. We have an appointment Friday morning with the doctor. She's bringing me lunch later," I smiled, thinking about how good it felt to have someone take care of me. "Any good gossip by the water cooler?"

"Things are a buzz about you and Ms. Rachelle. Rumor has it there's a dinner picture circulating on the web."

"Yeah, I heard about that. Anything I need to be concerned about?" I asked pulling at the tips of my hair.

"Nah. Most people want to know about Bella," he replied with a laugh. I grinned and nodded, that was understandable. Bella was someone that could catch anyone's eyes and make them want to know more about her instantly.

"She should get a kick out of that," I said, unable to relax completely.

"Is everything ok? You should be on cloud nine today but instead you look like your dog just died," Emmett stated, squinting his eyes as if studying me further.

"Everything's cool. I'm just a bit stressed. New job, thoughts of a new baby… and I can't leave out the part about a package waiting for Bella at our place from her fucking ex when we got home last night."

"No fucking way. I thought you made it clear to that punk to stay the hell away."

"I thought I did too. The shithead sent her the ring back with a letter promising he would leave her alone, but that he wanted her to keep the ring," I told him, clenching my fists instinctively.

"Pretty ballsy. Do you think he's really done now?" Emmett questioned with a raise of his brow.

The words were pouring out of my mouth before I could stop myself. "No, we've got a shit storm brewing and I don't know what the hell to do, Em."

"What? Why, what's happening? Do you need me to back you up? Because if you do, we can pay that asshole a visit tonight after work," he offered too willingly. Emmett had always loved confrontation; he enjoyed the adrenaline rush he got from kicking ass left and right the same way he loved getting random blow jobs after a night at the bar.

"No. I mean, yes it's him, but I need to keep my distance or I might do something stupid."

"Yeah, I guess so. That's very responsible of you. You're a bigger man than I could be, I'll give you that," he said with a shrug.

"It might be his baby Emmett," I blurted out, needing to get it off my chest once and for all. I stood up briskly to go stand by my window, trying to distract myself and not look at my best friend's expression.

"What the fuck are you talking about? Are you saying Bella cheated on you?" He shouted, reacting the only way he knew how.

"No, it's a long story. It happened when we got back, before she'd gotten a chance to really break up from him. She'd gotten drunk and he took advantage of the situation. It was only once, but once is all it takes, and I think it could have happened around the right time," I said, still focusing my eyes on the scenery below and avoiding his gaze.

I shuddered at the thought of Jacob touching her… all the while taking advantage of the fact that she wasn't completely sober or coherent. The urge to kill the motherfucker was so overwhelming I had to mentally tell myself to chill out while my finger nails dug into my palms from under my fists.

It won't change anything, Cullen. Think of Bella. Think of the baby.

"Jesus. Bella must be freaking out," Emmett replied lowly, breaking the current insanity that was going on in my head.

"She doesn't know it's a possibility yet. I haven't told her. It'll tear her apart."

"Shit, this is seriously fucked. When can you find out? You don't have to wait until the baby is born do you?"

I turned around to look at him and shrugged, not knowing the answer to his questions. I could tell he didn't know what to say next so I gave him an easy way out.

"This doesn't leave this room and were not going to talk about it again until I bring it up, alright?"

"Okay. Yeah… I have some work to do, so…You know I'm here for when you're ready to talk."

"Stop acting like a girl Em," I chuckled lightly. He laughed as he walked to the door, leaving me with my thoughts.

I checked my phone, hoping for another distraction and was pleased to see a new text message waiting.

So if it's a girl, I was thinking we should name her Edella. -B

I actually laughed out loud again and sent her back my idea for a boy name.

I've always been fond of the names Dexter and Herman for boys. -E

I turned on the computer in front of me and started looking through the first file Phil had left on my desk. I smiled, realizing it was Alice Brandon's tiny face looking back at me. I knew signing her on would be an easy contract but got to work on her own personal proposal because I wanted it to be perfect. I owed her for all the times she took care of my Bella.

Oh, Edward. You told me yourself, how much you got teased as a child with a name like yours… our son would have to have something very masculine and fierce for a name. We don't want him getting made fun of on the playground. -B

She was right, but I was having fun making her smile. I knew she was smiling.

Hey getting made fun of for a name like Edward is what forced me to become such a badass in the first place. It's a name full of character and dignity. -E

Her response was almost instant.

Is that what your mom told you? That's sweet. I can't wait to meet her… And we will NOT be naming our son Herman. See you in two hours loverboy. -B

After sending a quick text back, telling her I was counting down the hours and that we would just have to pick a name out of a hat, I got back to work and found myself engrossed in it before long.

Work was my passion before Bella had come along. It was all that mattered; I took pride in my people skills and how easy it was for me to win someone over with my charm. My mother had done a great job at raising a witty, charismatic son in a house full of women, what with her busy social calendar and my dad being away on business so often.

The phone rang beside me and I jumped being broken from my thoughts, noting that hours had passed after glancing at the clock on my wall.

"Mr. Cullen, there is a Ms. Bella Swan here to see you. And you're first interview should be here shortly," the secretary told me from over the speaker.

"Um, okay. I'll be there in a second," I grabbed my jacket and unrolled the sleeves of my dress shirt before pulling it on. Bella loved me in a suit. She'd purposely picked this one out for me this morning and I wanted to make sure I still looked presentable for her after all her hard work, rummaging through our closet. I made my way down the hallway and said hello to a few random people who congratulated me on my promotion, wishing I could enjoy all of this more than I currently was, thanks to my rain shower of bullshit.

She was wearing a loose fitting grey satin dress with a colored geometric pattern cascading down the side and heels that made my dick twitch after one glance. The hottest thing though were the old fashioned glasses she was wearing across the bridge of her nose. My girl looked like a sexy librarian and my mind practically dove into the gutter while she smirked back at me.

"Mr. Cullen," she addressed softly, tilting her head back to scan me up and down approvingly. I beamed like the love drunk idiot I was.

"Ms. Swan," I welcomed her with an inclination of my head. "I trust you've brought my lunch with you?"

"Of course. Turkey on rye with American cheese," she answered flirtatiously. I smiled and broke our little act by wrapping my arms around her and leaning in for a kiss, not caring that we had a small audience watching our exchange now. I knew everyone wanted to know who she was. Girls like Bella didn't go unnoticed. She grinned widely once our lips separated and I quietly told her to follow me down the hallway.

"Seeing you in a suit does very bad things to me, Mr. Cullen," she whispered when we reached the outside of my office.

"Those glasses and heels do very bad things to me as well, Ms. Swan," I admitted slyly, wondering what kind of panties she might be wearing underneath the tempting dress.

"So this is your new office... I like it." She looked around and made her way over to the window, looking utterly mesmerizing as she pressed her hand against the glass, looking down at the city streets below us.

"Does the door lock?" She asked so mischievously I thought my dick would explode.

Was she… suggesting what I thought she was… and in the middle of my work day? Right before I'd be interviewing for potential assistants?

"Uh, yeah it does," my voice betrayed me. "You can't see in through those windows either," I told her trying to sound more casual than I was feeling as I watched her make her way back over to the door before slowly locking it.

"I hope you're hungry Mr. Cullen, because I'm starving," she breathed smoothly, walking over to me with a threatening glare.

"Well… you should be, you're eating for two now," I reminded her with a grin, acting completely lost at her advances.

"Shhhh. I'm trying to be sexy. Stop making it so hard," she replied smiling from behind a forced pout.

"You need to stop trying so hard. You already are," I told her firmly, pulling her body up against me and moving my hands to her hips.

"How are you feeling?" I had to ask. Her wellbeing was the most important thing at the moment. It was impossible not to worry about her and the baby.

"I didn't come here to talk about how I'm feeling, but I'm fine. Thank you for asking," she replied sweetly while her hands unfastened my belt and worked the zipper of my pants. "I wore a dress without pantyhose for a reason. Hopefully I'm rewarded for battling the cold weather with naked legs."

My breath caught at her declaration, my dick hardening like a marble pole. "I think I may be able to come up with something," I muttered in her ear as I tightened my grip on her hips.

Holy shit, I'm about to christen my new office on the very first day of receiving it. Bella was un-fucking-believable.

She smirked and began walking me backwards till the back of my legs hit the chair behind the desk. She pushed gently on my chest forcing me back into the seat, then stood in front of me with her hands on her hips as she slowly got down to her knees.

"You know, I've had this planned since the very first day you told me about the possibility of this promotion and a private office with walls, a door and windows over looking my city," she admitted, slowly pulling my pants down to my ankles. I must have looked somewhat startled because she let out a tiny giggle that nearly got me off right then and there.

She didn't understand how ridiculously hot I found it, or that for a very long time it had been a fantasy of mine to have office sex, during normal working hours nonetheless.

"Baby, I fucking love your plans," I groaned after she'd taken my throbbing dick into her hand firmly, giving it three torturously slow pumps as she licked her lips. "Fuck those glasses are unbelievably sexy on you."

"I'm glad you like them. I wanted to look professional," she ended before wrapping her lips around my dick and bringing all of me into her warm mouth.

"JESUSFUCK Bella," I moaned closing my eyes, feeling my body electrify by her touch. "You spoil me." She continued teasing me with her tongue slowly as my hands found their way to her long fuckme pullme hair. I gave a light tug, just the way she liked, and she began sucking harder, her hand following her lips up and down my shaft in a way that make the most seasoned porn star blush.

I needed to stop her before my body gave in and released itself to the ecstasy only she was able to create. "Slow down, baby. I want all of you."

"Where do you want to have me Mr. Cullen?" She exhaled after removing me from her mouth, continuing to run her hand up and down my dick at a rhythmic pace. I was fighting the urge to tell her to forget it and to just keep giving me the most incredible blow job in the history of blow jobs; I was close to showing her just how amazing that mouth of hers was. I fought the feelings back and motioned for her to stand up with one swift movement of my hands.

I removed my feet from my pants that were dropped at my ankles and positioned myself behind her, leaning her down so that her chest would be pressed up against my desk. One of my hands ran up her back and grasped her shoulder blade while the other lifted her dress up around her hips to briskly remove the black and light blue panties she had worn just for me. Her heeled foot kicked them across the room and she turned her head to look me in the eye from over her shoulder as I brought my craving dick to her welcomingly moist entrance.

"Show me how you power fuck Mr. Cullen," she challenged, already panting, and I almost choked on the hot air that had filled the room. I wasn't sure how she'd learned of mine and Emmett's phrase for our skills, but it turned me the fuck on to hear it leave her lips while her bare ass and Care Bear heart stared back at me.

I slapped it impulsively and she squealed out with a sexy giggle which only made me bring myself inside her fast and hard, filling her instantly with the cock she had so successfully aroused in a matter of seconds.

I began rocking myself in and out while her hands grasped the sides of my desk in front of us. My hands greedily explored every inch of her back and hips while she assisted in bringing me further and further inside of her perfectly formed pussy.

"Oh FUCK," she moaned breathlessly. "I think I love this office almost as much as I love your magnificent dick." Her words sent a growl through my mouth and I quickly pulled myself out of her and turned her around in front of me, grabbing her hips to lift her up onto the edge of my desk before bringing her back down onto my aching cock. I wanted so much more of her. I wanted her to know she was still my girl-- that she would always be the only one my dick would cry out for.

"Harder. Please. I need it harder," she gasped between words. The hairs on the back of my head stood up at her request, my entire body shuddering at the need to consume her… the need to claim her entire being with my body.

The longing was so great that I was surprised by my own motions as I slammed in and out of her with enough force to break the desk. My hands clutched onto her hips securely, helping me gain more speed. She began moaning and whimpering so loudly that I had to cover her mouth with my own because fuck me if someone felt the need to interrupt us I would be throwing a stapler at that door.

"Surrender to me baby," I ordered with a growl against her lips, traveling one of my hands to her core where I knew I would find her clit. My finger tips traced her teasingly, returning the slow torture she'd given me. She arched her back and dug her nails into my hair, biting my bottom lip roughly as I felt her tighten. My dick pulsed at the constraint, the feel of her pulsing pussy choking me up vigorously, and that was my undoing.

"Fuccckkkk!" I screamed into her lips, trying my hardest to keep quiet as I spilled inside of her. My tongue searched for hers, the need to taste her beyond reality. I slammed into her a few more times, furiously and with a dominance only she could elicit.

Would my fever for her, for her body, ever stop?

Would the desire to devour her ever diminish?

Fuckmehard, I hope not.

The rest of the week went by far too quickly. The cab ride we were sharing to the doctor's office was unbearably quiet and I questioned whether she could feel the tension or if it was just me. It was possible, very possible, that within the next hour her entire world would be knocked off its axis. That our world would never be the same.

"Penny for your thoughts?" She asked bashfully, taking my hand and playing with it in her lap.

"I'm kind of nervous about seeing the baby for the first time," I replied, which was true. I was nervous about seeing it… seeing life growing inside of her. I remembered what it was like seeing Bree for the first time. I didn't cry but I sure as fuck wanted to. Not out of joy but out of pure fear. Back then the idea of becoming a father had scared the shit out of me. I hadn't felt ready and I guess part of me knew that Jane wasn't entirely happy in our relationship.

Things were different with Bella, though. I was ready in every way with her.

I was accustomed to always getting what I wanted; I strived in making my future what I wanted it to be ever since the day Jane walked out on me, taking Bree with her. But things were also different with Bella in that department. Everything was out of my control and the feelings of helplessness had been eating at me all week.

"I'm nervous too," she confessed. "I'm guessing it'll look like a peanut. At least that's what Alice said… that it starts out looking like an alien mutant looking lima bean thing."

I threw my head back, laughing at her doubtful expression. "Wait-- you mean to tell me you haven't done any research online?" I asked her surprised, figuring she would have looked something up. Then again, Bella didn't like facing anything head on. I had definitely realized that during the two months we had been together. I didn't consider it a flaw, only a thread in her personality, something that made me love and care for her that much more.

"No. I didn't want to get excited and start researching things to then go to the doctor and find out I'm not really pregnant," she admitted with a small frown. "I don't handle being let down very well."

"No offense baby, but if you're not pregnant we need to start you on some kind of portioned eating because you've definitely been eating for two," I teased trying to lighten her up, receiving a light jab to my shoulder while she chuckled sarcastically.

"I've for sure started a pooch," she patted her belly, and I couldn't help but laugh again.

"Nonsense," I told her with a firm kiss to the cheek.

The cab pulled up in front of the medical building and I slid out, opening the door for both Bella and I before I took her hand to help her out. It had snowed the night before and the ground was covered in ice and water. I knew Bella wasn't the most graceful thing on slippery surfaces and wanted to take every precaution.

"Eeeek. I'm starting to freak out," she squealed after we'd gotten into the elevator, joining a couple that was already there. They looked to be going to the same office we were heading to, what with the woman's rounded belly in front of her. I noticed Bella scan her up and down and saw her face tighten as she tried to hide a grimace.

I knew the idea of gaining weight was not going to be a pleasant part for her, and I had a feeling the further along she got, the more I would have to be on top of her about eating right.

"How far along are you?" Bella asked the woman.

"Twenty-three weeks," the stranger replied smiling while she rubber her stomach.

All Bella could do was stutter a low 'wow' and continue to stare at the lady's rounded torso. My girl had no idea what she was in for, because that stomach was nothing compared to a full term pregnancy and her innocence to the world we were about to enter was almost frighteningly adorable.

I took her hand back into mine when the door's opened and we ended up following the couple down the hallway to the doctors office.

"Sit down. I'll sign us in." She game me a shaken smile and nodded her head. My heart sunk as I watched her make her way across the waiting room to two empty chairs. I was petrified… scared shitless and unprepared for what could possibly happen in the next hour or so.

"Hello, I'm Edward Cullen. I'm here with my girlfriend Bella Swan," I told the receptionist in my most confident sounding tone. She was young and extremely smiley after doing a double take.

"Good morning! Yes, Isabella Swan, we have her right here. Please fill out this paper work and we will be with you momentarily," she replied, batting her lashes a bit too dramatically.

I took the clipboard from her and walked back over to Bella who looked as though she were ready to puke any given second.

"Are you alright baby?" I asked smoothing her hair back.

"Yeah… just nervous. I feel a little light headed, probably from the nerves. I had a hard time eating this morning," she mumbled.

Her affirmation wasn't a surprise. I'd been keeping an eye on her all day and had noticed her lack of interest in breakfast this morning. Without another word, I draped my arm over her shoulder to bring her in closer to me before I began filling out the paper work in front of us.

I could only imagine what she was thinking. A big part of me hoped she would do some digging online; something that might have given her an inkling of an idea that it was possible this baby could be his in order to prepare her. But she hadn't and I had no idea what I would be facing in the following hours.

Once the paper work was complete I brought it back up to the receptionist and she asked me to bring Bella by for a moment.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly while running my hands through my hair in desperation.

"First time?" The woman from the elevator suddenly asked.

"Um, no. Not for me. For her," I replied.

"She'll be fine," she assured. "It's enduring to see you so worried about her."

I exhaled and gave a light shrug, "She's my life," I admitted with a glace her way. "All this happened a little fast but I'm ready. I'm just worried she might feel she's not."

What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I talking to a stranger about this?

"I promise she'll be fine," she insisted just as Bella emerged from the back room with a nervous smile still plastered on her adorably frightened face. She looked a bit more relaxed which helped ease my tension.

"They made me pee in a cup," she told me with a low giggle.

I laughed and returned her hand to mine, wanting to feel her touch so I could try and sooth her. We looked through a pregnancy magazine together to pass the time. She snickered at an article about water birthing as I tried to count to 100 backwards to calm my own nerves.

"It's supposed to be an amazing experience, the water birthing. Very natural and holistic," the same woman next to us chimed in. Bella looked a little taken aback but smiled politely in return.

"Isabella Swan," a nurse with long black hair called from the doorway. We both let out a loud sigh and I took her hand with me as we stood up together.

"Good morning and congratulations," she told us with a big grin,

"Tha-thank you," Bella stuttered, turning back and shrugging at me. I placed my hand against her back and guided her down the hallway, following the nurse in her white scrubs and praying mentally the entire way there.

"So your last period was, November 25th?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Excellent. I have a few more questions before Dr. Young comes in and takes a look."

I listened on while she ran down a list of overly female-friendly questions consisting of how long her cycles usually lasted, if she'd experienced any spotting, how often we had sex, if we had been using protection, how her morning sickness had been, and if she'd had experienced any unusual pains anywhere else besides in her breasts. She giggled lightly at some of them and I couldn't help but smile at her inability to remain comfortable in this situation.

"Very well then. The doctor should be here in just a few minutes," the nurse finished before walking out.

"Jesus. That was intrusive," she muttered with a fabricated laugh.

I had been holding onto Bella's purse and felt it buzz in my lap, meaning either a call or a text had come in. I removed the phone from inside and got up to hand it to Bella, hoping she didn't notice the trimmer in my hand.

"It's Alice. She wants to know if we've found out anything yet. I'll wait till after the appointment to text her back," she told me, handing me the phone back and caressing my fingers in the process. I touched her cheek with the back of my hand and leaned in to kiss her softly, hoping to relax us both.

"Have you let go of Herman yet? Please say you have. Can we move on and start thinking of legitimate names?" She teased, letting me know she was feeling better.

"Aw, come on. I really like Herman. Herman Cullen. He could be a Judge or a Senator," I teased back. There was no way I would ever name my son Herman. Not in a million years, but I enjoyed seeing her squirm over the idea.

"Lord. I hope it's a girl then."

"Gertrude is really cute too," I continued, trying to keep a straight face.

She let out a sweet laugh and I immediately felt the desire to have her skin against mine. I got up from my chair once again and walked over to her, kissing both palms of her hands.

Fuck, I hoped she handled this well. I hoped I was wrong and that internet site had somehow gotten those dates incorrect.

"I love you baby," I told her, moving in to kiss her lips delicately. She moaned against my mouth and whispered a sweet I love you back just as we heard someone enter the room with a longing sigh.

"Now, now you two. That kind of stuff is what brought you here," the doctor joked shaking her head at us. Bella's hand remained on mine as she sat in front of me on the examining table. Neither of us was ready to let go yet.

"Let me tell you a little about myself since I'll be seeing so much of you Bella, I'm Dr. Emily Young. I've been a licensed OBGYN for over ten years now. New York City born and raised and yes I am a Yankees fan," the woman introduced herself.

"Ah. We can get past the Yankees thing I think," I replied shaking her hand. She laughed and took Bella's hand next before asking her how she was feeling.

"Good. More nauseous today than usual but I think that's just nerves over confirming all of this."

The doctor nodded as she began looking over the papers. "It says here you were on the pill. For how long?"

"On and off since I was fifteen. Though I'd changed the prescription in October and then I went through some, uh, stuff for a few weeks… I suppose I could have missed a dose or two."

"I see. Well even if you didn't, there is still always that small percent of lucky women who get a surprise no matter how strict they are with their pill intake. It happens," she informed with a wink. "Lay back for me Bella. Let's take a look at what's going on inside that uterus."

Bella locked eyes with me and bit her bottom lip, sending a shudder through me as I nodded and squeezed her hand. She laid back and followed the doctor's instructions to lift her shirt and loosen her pants.

Shit. Let everything turn out fine, God, please.

She giggled at the cold gel Dr. Young squirted on her still seemingly flat stomach and tightened her grip around my hand.

"You two weren't planning this, were you? How have you adjusted to the news that you're going to be parents?"

"Um… We're still adjusting," Bella replied honestly.

"That's normal. We have groups for newly pregnant couples. If you're interested ask Sue at the front desk and she can give you some information," the doctor said as she kept moving the elongated object around Bella's stomach.

"Ok, here we are. Bella, Edward, meet your baby," she said softly, stopping the large wand on Bella's stomach and pointing at the dark screen in front of us where a little bean shaped image sat inside a medium sized black circle.

I gasped, squinting my eyes at what I saw, after noticing something that nearly gave me a heart attack.

Something that knocked the wind out of me.

I looked at the doctor and found her noting the same thing, smiling widely back at me and obviously waiting to see if I'd caught on.

"Is that…? Holy shit. No way." I stuttered out of breath and suddenly feeling weak at the knees.

"What?! What's wrong?!" Bella asked panicking and making me feel guilty for overreacting. The doctor laughed, slapping her leg at our reactions before collecting herself and confirming the news.

"You're pregnant with twins, Bella."

I heard myself gasp again, louder than the last time. The words echoed in my head as everything around me quickly became unfocused.

No. Fucking. Way.

"What… what do you mean twins?" Bella asked just above a whisper.

"Well, right here is baby number one, and if you look over here," she moved the wand to the left slightly, showing another black circle with a small white bean shaped image inside of it. "This is baby number two. Congratulations. Do twins run in your family?" The doctor asked her, still grinning.

"Uh, yeah… my grandmother… she was a twin," Bella stuttered.

"Well research has shown that twin pregnancies run in families."

We both remained silent. Taking it all in and trying to wrap our heads around the idea that we weren't having one, but two babies. My heart continued beating out of my chest, my hands sweating at the realization.

"I can't… I can't believe this. I was just getting used to the idea of one baby and getting huge. Now I'm having… two? Meaning I'll be the size of two houses?" Bella asked in shock.

"You are considerably tiny aren't you? Am I going to have to keep an extra eye on you to make sure you're eating right?" Dr. Young questioned with a raised brow.

"I'll be on top of that," I chocked out, somehow finding the words after clearing my throat.

"Edward… we're having twins?" Bella asked quietly addressing me with bewilderment.

"Looks that way Care Bear," I grinned widely at her, already picturing us each holding a baby in our arms. My mind ran wild, thinking of everything I wanted to do for our future sons or daughters, of names and things that I wanted to teach them.

"So lets see then. Looking at the dates you've given me and at the size we've got our little babies at now, I would have to say your estimated conception date was between December eighth through the twelfth. Sometime during that week. Basically, there is a five day window where a woman can become pregnant after she ovulates."

I glanced at Bella looking for recognition, wondering if she'd remember those dates as well as I had.

"That long ago?" She asked, still nothing registering in her eyes.

"Yes. I know it seems odd to think of it that way but its how the body works. I suppose were looking at August babies here. Twins rarely go full term, but we will do our best to keep them inside as long as we can," the doctor affirmed.

"December eighth…" Bella whispered, looking away from me. "But.... No, that can't be. That's impossible. It couldn't have been that long ago."

"Honey, I'm a doctor. I know how these things work," Dr. Young joked with a laugh, not realizing that Bella's breathing had suddenly stopped and that her body had started to trimmer.

Fuck, this was it.

"I think I'm going to be sick," she suddenly yelped and sat up covering her mouth. The doctor quickly handed her a small bucket and I held her hair back while she vomited into the container violently.

"We can give you something to help with the nausea although you should be getting past this in the next few weeks. Crackers help a lot. Make sure she's drinking plenty of water," the doctor told us kindly still oblivious to the emotional breakdown that was currently settling in.

"Dr. Young… there has to be a mistake," Bella pleaded after she'd composed herself. She was still unable to look at me and that was killing me. I felt my heart breaking into a million pieces and wanted to pull her into my lap. I wanted to tell her I was okay, that I'd known and that I'd already prepared myself the best I could. That I wasn't going anywhere and that it didn't change anything.

"No, I'm quite certain I have the dates correct. As long as you're right about the date of your last period that's usually a very accurate way to determine these things. Like I said Bella, I've been doing this for over ten years."

"Edward, I…" she said looking at me for a unbelievably brief second before looking down at the ground.

I sighed, shaking my head, trying to remain in control of the situation. "It's ok, Bella. It doesn't change anything," I whispered, soothing her but not wanting to say too much. I feared my voice would betray me.

She let out a low cry and instantly turned to dig her face into my chest. She began sobbing uncontrollably against me, her hands holding me firmly to her. Not caring that her stomach was smeared with gel I pulled her up and sat her in my lap as my arms wrapped themselves around her waist.

Dr. Young looked confused, most likely wondering what had gotten into Bella and if she needed to worry about her having some kind of psychological disorder.

"We, uh… we had a complicated beginning. We only met two months ago. These dates that you've given us," I tried to explain to the doctor before Bella urgently interrupted.

"Oh my god, they could be his. I… I can't breathe," she started yelping in my arms as she tried to catch her breath frantically.

"Shh, baby, shh. It's okay. I had a lot more days in that window than he did. Our odds are better. Dr. Young, please tell her our odds are better?" I pleaded with the scared looking woman wearing a lab coat in front of us, not sure who needed more reassurance.

She gave me a look of pity and nodded her head slowly.

"Bella, calm down honey. You need to breath. Can you focus on something for me? Think about something happy. Close your eyes and let's think about--"

I interrupted her impulsively. "Think about Christmas. Remember our tree? Remember our first Christmas of many, baby?"

She reached into her sweater and pulled out the small key charm I had given her under our Christmas tree and grasped it tightly in her hand while she closed her eyes firmly and tried to even her breathing.

I felt shitty for not forewarning the doctor beforehand, but she seemed to be gathering herself nicely, though still looking on at us as though she had given news that one of us only had a few weeks left to live.

After a few minutes Bella had calmed down enough to take a few sips of water and was finally able to look me straight in the eyes.

"I'm so, so sorry. Why is this still haunting us? Please forgive me, Edward. I would've never wanted to put you through this," she said through hiccups. I smoothed her hair back, kissing her forehead and whispering that everything was ok.

"Bella, can I ask a few personal questions? It may give me a better idea of what we're looking at in terms of who the father could be," the doctor asked carefully. Bella nodded her head, still shaking in my arms.

"How many times did you sleep with this other potential father during that five day window?"

Bella shook her head, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply. "Can I point out that I'm not some promiscuous whore who sleeps with random people? This was all just a big mistake. A stupid mistake that's risking this whole damn thing," she stammered. "I'd been with Jacob, my ex, for years. He walked out on me and then… and then I met Edward."

"You don't need to explain, sweetie. I'm sorry if my question offended you. I can see that you two are very much in love with each other," the doctor replied softly while giving Bella a genuinely kind smile.

Bella breathed out before continuing. "I slept with him once. Edward and I… well I would have to guess the number falls between what," she stopped and looked at me, a slight smile forming on her lips. "We must have made love at least seventeen times during that window."

The doctor let out a light laugh and nodded her head approvingly. "Then I think it's fair to say that Edward does indeed have the upper hand here. The good news is that there are several tests we can do to determine who fathered the twins before they are born."

Oh thank fucking God.

"You mean we won't have to wait?" Bella asked sounding incredibly relieved. I too felt like I'd just been given a life saver. My insides were still rambling at the possibility that the babies weren't mine, but the doctor's words had helped give me hope.

"No, we don't have to wait. I will say though that there are risks with performing these tests. Although they are not high there is always the chance something could happen. Something that might result in a deformity to one of the babies or even miscarriage. Those cases are very rare but I need to be straight forward."

My heart sped up at her declaration. I felt sick thinking about the risks. I couldn't afford to put the babies' or Bella's health on the line, but the option would help us get through it much more easily. It was something we had to discuss before making our final decision, but I knew neither of us would be able to really breath until we cleared things up.

"Thank you, Dr. Young. We understand. When can we have it done if that's what Bella chooses?" I asked wanting more information.

"There is one we can do once Bella is between ten to twelve weeks. I would recommend that one because if the results are not what you are hoping for, we can still terminate the pregnancy."

Bella grabbed her stomach at the doctor's words and I saw her lip begin to quiver once more.

"That being said, that test is also the more risky of the two procedures. The second test can be done later, before you've hit your twenty first week. That's the one I recommend. It's safer for the babies, but if there's a chance you will want to terminate I would have to recommend the first test. I can assure you, I myself have never lost a baby after completing either test."

Shit.

"I think we have to talk about this. Think it over," I spoke up after a few seconds had gone by without Bella saying a word.

"Take your time. You're only at the end of your seventh week now so you have a few weeks to make up your mind. Let's make a tentative appointment for sometime mid February."

"Thank you again doctor," I replied, still holding onto Bella tightly in my arms.

"You two take care. I'll see you in a few weeks." We watched her leave the room closing the door behind her and I quickly turned Bella's face to look me in the eyes.

"This doesn't change anything, Care Bear. I'm not going anywhere. No matter what happens, no matter whose they are."

She choked back a sob, tears starting to run down her cheek once again. "I can't believe there's even a possibility."

"I know, neither could I, I've been such a wreck," I mumbled regrettably.

"What? What do you mean? You… knew about this?" She asked turning stiff in my arms and pulling away from me instantly.

Shit, shit, shit.

"I knew there was a chance, Bella. I didn't want to say anything incase I was wrong. There was no reason to stress you out about it until we knew for sure and heard it from a doctor."

The shocked expression on her face sent a stab to my chest. Her fists clenched and she shook her head in disbelief. "You knew and you didn't tell me?"

"Please don't be angry. I kept it to myself for your own good," I begged, refusing to let her stand up or move away from me.

"I'm sorry. I need a moment, Edward. Please," she whispered and wriggled free from my arms.

FUCK. I didn't know what else to do or say so I suggested that we head home and start to figure everything calmly.

"You go ahead. I need to go for a walk… I really need to be alone. Give me a few hours. Please. I have to think… I just need to be alone okay?" she asked looking out the window and away from me as tears kept traveling down her exhausted eyes.

What could I say to her? I couldn't believe she was requesting it, but the right words escaped me. All I knew was that I needed to insist she not push me away.

Was she pushing me away?

Fuck. No. This couldn't be happening.

"I'll be fine. Please," she added once I didn't move from my seat.

I breathed out and looked at her questioningly. "If that's what you need. I'll go pay the bill and make the next appointment."

"Don't worry about it, I can do that. Thank you. I'll see you at home?" She replied sounding empty and broken, still looking out the window, her eyes refusing to look my way.

I walked over to her slowly and kissed the top of her head. "I love you. We can handle this," I reminded her, wishing I could offer something more.

Wishing I could sound more positive and sure in my words.

"I love you too," she replied weakly, wiping her face briskly.

I took a deep breath and left the room, leaving her behind and letting the nurse and receptionist know she would be out in a few minutes.

On my way down to the ground floor I took my phone from my pocket and typed a quick text to Phil letting him know I would be working from home today before walking out to catch a cab.

Part of me wondered if Bella really wanted to be left alone, but I only had to think it over for a moment. She needed time. I only hoped she would come back to me the same Bella I had woken up beside earlier this morning.

That we truly could get past everything, even if the worst case scenario was in our future.

Poor Bella, poor Edward, Jebus… I need a drink.

**Okay so I love my reviewers so much that I have a treat for them with this chapter. If you kindly leave a review I will kindly send you a copy of Jacobs actual letter to Bella from this chapter, in a PM. Word for word. Lets just say Bella left a few things out.

Also my *utmost* apologies for the delay in this update. It turned out to be a fairly difficult chapter to write. The good news… the next update is more than half way finished. xkissesx