Nothing belongs to me, well the plot does and the OCs, but everything else belongs to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer and I am not her and I am making NO money with this story.

Chapter 20

EPOV

We knew the gender of our baby and he had a name, therefore our next project was the nursery, and Bella wanted us to do it on our own. Without any help.

While I helped with Jasper and Emmett at a football program for kids, Bella ordered the furniture we'd chosen and bought everything else we would need. An absolute necessity was the rocking chair which we bought first. And like everything else it was white. The furniture we bought were made out of massive wood and painted in an off-white. It was really surprising how much you needed for one baby. We got a changing table, a wardrobe, a dresser, a small shelf and the most important item. The crib. The style of the furniture was classic without too much flourish for which I was more than thankful. I hated all that kitsch and was lucky that Bella felt the same. The walls of Henry's room were painted in a light blue and there was a tree in a darker shade of blue were the crib stood. I had to say that the room looked simply amazing.

At first I'd thought that it was a little too early to get the nursery ready but Bella reasoned that she wanted everything ready so that we wouldn't need to worry about anything later in the pregnancy. And she didn't want there to be any exhalation of the paint or the furniture left when our baby first slept in his room. I saw her point and agreed to set everything up.

And it had nothing to do with the fact that I was afraid of her moods. No! And I would deny it till my dying day.

But aside from Bella's mood swings these last few weeks had been perfect. I was 28 and I'd reached my dream and would be a father before the next season would start. Bella's and mine relationship was still going strong and my parents would arrive in Chicago in two days. Life was good.

At the moment I was sitting in my living room reading a book while Bella was sitting at the table and writing her book. She refused to let me read what she was writing but I knew it was a romance novel but not one of these sugary ones. Angela and Jess were the only ones who'd been allowed to have a peak. And if their reaction was anything to go by, the book would be amazing.

From what Angela had told me it had been Bella's dream to write and publish a book. She had shown talent during her studies and her boss, who'd read some of her essays, was encouraging her. And now Bella was typing on her story when she didn't need to work. To my immense displeasure she'd returned to the book store. I thought it was too much for her but no one was listening to me.

But that was nothing new.

"Bella, we need to go the grocery store. We've got nothing to drink here and you wanted to buy something for tomorrow's dinner."

She looked up from her laptop and nodded, "True. And we need some beef. I've used the last yesterday. You ready to hit the store?"

"If I must," I sighed. "And we need to get these shirts you ordered."

Bella looked surprised. "Oh, I've totally forgotten about them. Let's get them before we go to the grocery store," she suggested which was fine with my.

And so we drove through town to get everything done. Bella thought it would be a nice gesture if we got my parents some shirts. They looked like football jerseys and on the front was printed Team Baby Cullen. I knew my parents would love them. After the shirts were payed for we made our way to the grocery store.

The store was packed and so we decided to split up so that we'd be done faster. Bella went to the butcher while I got the drinks. Bella planned a fancy dinner for my parents and because of that we needed to buy more and different things than usual. I was lucky Bella wrote me a list or I would have already forgotten what I'd to get. As I turned around the shelf I saw one person I didn't want to meet. Ever again.

Jacob Black was standing in front of the beer shelf. I tried to get away before he noticed me but luck wasn't with me today. As he saw me his face darkened and he made his way over to me.

I just wanted to buy some drinks. Why me?

"Cullen," Black snapped. Well someone didn't remember his manners.

I didn't want to get into an argument, which was the reason why I decided to be polite. Which he didn't deserve. "Good day, Mr Black."

My response seemed to make him even more angry than he appeared to be.

"Cut the crap, Cullen. I don't know what you've told Bella to get her into a relationship but let me tell you one thing. She hates jocks and all this superficial behaviour. You two have nothing in common," Black sneered. I had no idea what his problem was.

"Bella's and mine relationship is none of your business. Bella told me about your feelings for her and I can more than understand them. As I have similar ones. But your behaviour is unacceptable. You don't know me and I haven't done anything to deserve this kind of treatment."

Black growled, "Oh I know all about you and the women. You're always seen with a different bird. Even after you started dating Bella. I didn't think that Bella would accept something like that. It's disgusting!"

Okay, I was getting pissed now. Who the fuck did he think he was?

"Just because some women throw themselves at me to get their five minutes of fame, doesn't mean that I'm not committed to Bella and our child. I know that you are close to Charlie. Do you honestly think that he would let me even near her if he thought I wouldn't treat his only daughter right? And what gives you the right to judge?" I needed to calm down. I was getting irritated and louder than I wanted and I didn't want a scene. But my response seemed to unsettle him as he needed to a moment to gather his wits.

"I know what kind of man you are, Cullen, she told me everything about you. And you don't deserve Bella," Black screamed and by now our argument had gathered quiet a crowd.

Fuck! I didn't need the media getting involved and this would happen if I didn't get out of here. And fast.

"Edward? What's going on here?" God, what was Bella doing here now? "Jacob, what are you doing?" Bella sounded worried and upset.

Jacob didn't seem to notice as he continued to rave. "I'm telling this bastard here that he doesn't deserve you! I would treat you so much better and I know everything about you. I would treat you like a queen and not like some fucking.."

Whatever he wanted to say next was cut off by Bella's enraged shout. "Jacob Black, you will stop this instant! You've no right to meddle with my relationship. Get it through your thick skull that I don't have any romantic feelings for you. And now get OUT OFF MY WAY!"

Damn, she was feisty! Bella elbowed her way free, grabbed my arm and started to walk away. I turned my head and yelled "Stay away from us or I'll get my lawyer involved."

This last sentence was a mistake as it managed to snap what little control Black had left. He nearly jumped me and spun me around so he could punch me. I was dimly aware that Bella and some other customers were screaming at us to stop while I tried to fend him off but it didn't work and his fist landed in my face. The force of his punch made me stumble backwards where I collided with another person. A startled shout made me turn around and before I could finish the movement the sound of breaking glass reached my ears.

And then everything stopped. I couldn't comprehend the picture in front of me.

No, please no!

On the ground in front of me lay Bella in a pile of broken glass bottles. Her arms were wrapped protectively around her belly where our child was staying. Only the sight of blood broke me out of my numbness.

"Bella!" I yelled as I dropped next to her and lifted her off the shards. "Gorgeous, where are you hurt? Are you in pain?"

Tears were running down her face and she was shaking badly. "My arms," she gasped. "I think I hurt my arms. I t-tried to p-p-protect our baby." Her shaking was getting worse and I thought she was starting to hyperventilate. I needed to get her to the hospital. A scream brought me out of my thoughts. "My stomach hurts, Eward. Please, my little Henry. H-h-h-help."

Fuck! I took her in my arms and carried her towards the exit. Somehow I was aware that Black was following us but I had more important things in mind than him. One of the sales girls was saying that they were calling an ambulance but that would take too much time and I told her to call the hospital so that they were prepared for our arrival. She promised that she would do so immediately and took off. As soon as Bella and I were in the car I raced to the hospital. The drive was tense and I tried to calm Bella as much as possible. But I was so panicked that my attempts weren't doing any good.

At the hospital the staff was already waiting for us and bombarded me with questions. Some of them I didn't know the answers to. And then they were gone and I was left alone in the waiting area. My whole body was shaking and I desperately tried to keep my breathing slow and even. Which was way harder than it sounded because I was worrying my self sick.

Please, let Bella be okay. And our little Henry. He's too young to survive on the outside. Please, please. I would do anything for Bella and Henry. Don't let anything happen to them.

I don't know how long I sat there and prayed until the doctor came and told me what was wrong with Bella and our Henry. Bella had suffered some cuts. Three of them needed stitched. And she had lost some blood but that wasn't so bad. The worst part was that the fall and Bella's stress had caused premature contractions. Henry was, all things considered, doing rather well. He was a little stressed and his heart rate had been higher than was good for him. I heard what he said but I couldn't comprehend it. The doc told me that I could see Bella now but I needed one moment to calm myself. I shouldn't stress Bella as it could be bad for her and our crumb.

But I needed someone where I could rave and rage and worry. I needed my parents. I had trouble handling my phone because my hands were shaking to much but somehow I managed.

My mom answered after the third ring, "Cullen?"

"M-Mom."

"Edward?" Mom asked in a worried voice. She must have heard that something wasn't right. "What's wrong?"

"It's B-bella, mom. She's in the h-hospital."

"WHAT? What happened to her? Oh, don't worry. I'll call your father and we'll be with you before tomorrow afternoon. But how is she?" Mom asked.

"She fell. She has a few cuts and ...mom, she had c-contractions." I still couldn't believe what was happening but talking to my mom was really helping me to calm down.

"Shit. We'll be with you as soon as possible," mom promised and after a few comforting words we ended the call.

I wished they were already here.

TBM

Bella's room was small and quiet. Next to her bed was a machine which monitored her and the baby's heartbeat. Bella looked pale and exhausted. Her arms were wrapped in bandages and in her left hand stuck a needle for her medication which stopped the contractions.

It was a horrible sight.

"Edward," Bella mumbled as she saw me and tried to give me a smile. But it looked more like a grimace.

I sat down in the chair next to her bed and took her hand. "Hey, gorgeous. How are you feeling?" I asked in near whisper.

"Horrible. But better than before. The doc said I have to take it easy until the birth of little Henry," Bella said grimacing. Oh yes, the doctor mentioned that and I knew that Bella would hate the restrictions. But it was for the best and Bella knew that too.

Bella and I talked for a little while before she fell asleep mid-sentence. I gave her a kiss and left the room. Bella asked me to go home and get her things. And than I should return to get some sleep. At first I refused to do so but the stupid doctor and Bella, the traitor, assured me that Bella was really tired and needed to sleep, therefore she wouldn't even notice my absence. But what made me agree was Bella's comment that I looked like I could collapse every moment and that worried her.

I knew I had no chance and so I brought her the things she needed and tried to sleep.

I drifted off as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The ringing of my cellphone woke me the next morning and I considered to murder whoever dared to wake me...

BELLA! Oh my God, it could be the hospital!

Slightly panicked I grabbed my phone and answered my call.

"Yes?"

"Edward, what the hell is happening?" Jasper asked. He sounded worried and a little hurt. "Your parents just called and informed us that Bella is in hospital. We would have come immediately, if we had known you needed us." Oh, yeah.

I sighed, "I know, Jasper. Everything was so crazy yesterday and I'd just managed to call my parents. I guess mom wants you to come over?" I knew my parents pretty well and I was sure that they thought I could use the support of my friends. And she was right.

"Right you are. And don't worry we were just shocked to hear that something happened to Bella. Should we meet you at your house or.."

"No, at the hospital. I'm going to shower and then I'll be on my way," I said and gave Jasper the ward and Bella's room-number. "Okay, I'll see you there. Bye."

"Bye," Jasper said and we ended the call. I rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom to get ready. I needed not even half an hour to hit the road. On the way to the hospital I bought Bella some flowers to cheer her up. The parking lot was pretty empty when I arrived which shouldn't be really surprising as it was before ten o'clock. The maternity ward seemed to be one the more active parts of the hospital. Well, babys didn't really care about what time it was. They came when they were ready and those who were already born wanted to be fed, changed or god knows what.

Quietly I opened the door so I wouldn't disturb Bella should she still be sleeping. But she was already awake.

"Edward!" Bella exclaimed as soon as she noticed me. "You're early. I didn't think you'd be here before ten. Did you get some rest?"

I chuckled at her worried expression. "Yes, I did rest and you'll get more visitors soon. The gang should be here, with breakfast, in about ..oh 20 minutes. And I called our parents. They should arrive before two p.m. But let's not talk about them. How are you feeling?"

Bella sighed dramatically before she answered. "They want me to stay for two days to make sure that everything is fine. And after I'm home I'm not allowed to do anything strenuous. That means I have to talk to Tiana. URGH!"

"Bella!" Really, she was just unbelievable.

"Sorry. The doc was already here and said that everything looks good so far. I had a few very light contactions during the night but they were weaker than before. Henry is fine though," Bella reassured me and grabbed my hand. I exhaled in relief.

Thank you, Jesus!

"Good. I don't think that I've ever been that afraid. I could kill the bastard!"

"Oh, Jacob. I've nearly forgotten about him. What was he doing there? I know he's here because of his work but in the city and not in Lake Forest. And what were you two arguing about?" Bella asked and she looked quiet confused.

I scowled as I remembered the fight. "He thought that I wasn't good enough for you and that I treated you badly because I was going out without you. And because I was seen with some women."

"That's stupid. You treat me very well and the only reason you aren't spoiling me more is because I won't let you," Bella said with a slight smile.

"Too true." There was no point in denying her statement because we both knew that it was correct. I would love to spoil her and our little Henry Alexander rotten but Bella would never let that happen.

But there had been something strange about the fight with Jacob. OH! "Bella, Jacob said something strange during out confrontation. He said that she told him everything about me. Which she?" I asked her.

Bella frowned and stared at the ceiling while she thought about my words. "You can call me crazy but I think that the bitch is back. I've waited to hear something from her to be honest."

"Tanya?" I asked. Well, it was a possibility. A very good one now that I thought about it. "You could be right. It is strange we haven't heard from her since the Bears won the Super Bowl. I guess we need to keep our eyes and ears open and I'll call J. Do y.." A knock interrupted my question and the gang entered the room.

"Bella!"

"What are you doing?"

"Hello Bella, how are you feeling?"

"We brought coffee, hot chocolate, sandwiches and muffins!"

Well, I guess food and our friends were more important for now.

TBM

Our parents arrived at noon. Well everyone except René. She said that Bella's condition didn't seem to be too bad anymore and she couldn't do anything anyway. Again I was surprised that she was Bella's mother and such a bitch. Mom, Charlie, Sue and Bree (her sister was more important than school) were nearly smothering Bella with their worries and attention while dad talked to the doctor and read Bella's file. I was glad he did that. It made me feel better knowing that my father agreed with the doctor's evaluation. But he did stress that Bella would need to be very careful for the rest of the pregnancy. Much rest and no stress of any kind.. He also told us that Bella would need to see Dr Anna more often than planned. We were lucky that we'd already gotten the nursery ready or we would have a huge problem.

Two hours after they'd first entered the room my parents had to leave to get the house ready that they'd bought. Both Bella and I were happy my parents would be staying near us for some time. As much as Bella trusted Dr Anna she trusted dad more and he would be just a few streets way now.

"I was so worried, Bells," Charlie said and he did indeed look quiet upset. "Don't do that again. Your old man can't deal with it."

Bree laughed "True, I thought he was having a heart attack after we've gotten the call from Esme." She was sitting at he end of Bella's bed giving her a foot-rub.

"As if you hadn't panicked, young lady," Sue chided and Bree flushed bright red.

"Awww," Bela cooed. "You're so sweet Bree. And don't worry, dad. I plan for a few very boring months." Bella looked really happy to have her family here and support her. The Swans would stay with us until they flew back in four days. I'd called Carmen and explained everything to er. She promised that I didn't need to worry about anything. Alice and Rosalie had promised to take Bree shopping while she was here. And Emmett, Jasper and I would give her a signed Bears' jersey. Than she had something to impress the boys with at home.

I spent the most part of the next two days in Bella's hospital room. During that time we got a chance to see our son again as the doctor wanted to do another ultrasound. It was really amazing how much our little crumb had crown in such a short time.

Another thing that was quiet amazing was Charlie calling Black. The memory still brought a smile to my face. He had been at my home when he called Black because he hadn't wanted Bella to hear it. Charlie had been afraid that it would stress her too much.

And it would have because he'd screamed and threatened until he was nearly purple in the face.

"Jacob Black, would you care to explain to me why my daughter is in hospital?" Charlie growled into the phone. The answer didn't satisfy Charlie because his face changed colour rather dramatically.

"You didn't meant to! And how in the name of all that's holy is it Edward's fault?" Charlie looked like he would love nothing more than to drag Black through the phone.

I thought that Charlie had calmed down but the following yell proved me wrong. "WHAT? Are you calling me a bad father?" Oh boy, someone was walking on thin ice here. "My daughter is a strong, intelligent and independent woman. And I'm proud of her. Bella trusts Edward and believes that he will be a good partner and father. And I trust her to make her own decisions."

It was good to see and hear that Charlie had that much faith in Bella. Now I understood why Charlie had accepted me easier than I had expected. It was because of Bella.

"You'll listen to me, Jacob," Charlie whispered in a cold and threatening voice that made me want to hide. "If you come near Bella or Edward agin, I'll make sure that you'll regret the day you first met me and Bella."

Jacob's answer seemed to please him but not enough to let him go without some fatherly words. "You should be ashamed of yourself, boy. I know your parents raised you better than that. And your mother would be sad if she were stil alive," Charlie said and ended the call without giving Jacob the chance to reply.

Oh my fucking god, please let me never make Charlie that angry.

Yes, Charlie Swan was a truly terrifying father.

TBM

Being home again was strange for Bella. She wasn't allowed to do much and that was really frustrating for her. The fact that we were nearly always jumping to her aid, left her rather short tempered. Even cooking was something she wasn't allowed to do as much anymore because she shouldn't stand for long periods of time. And Bella needed to do something else beside reading and writing on her book or she would go crazy.

Needless to say that she wasn't the most cheerful person at the moment and would most likely blow up sooner rather than later But because it was for our baby's health she did it without too much complaining. It was mom's idea that Bella should start knitting and maybe make something for Henry. Not that they knew that our baby was a boy or that we'd already named him. I knew that mom tried to get some information that way but Bella was smarter. Knitting turned out to be something Bella liked very much. She ordered books about it and wool. Lots of wool. But that was okay. As long as Bella was happy so was I.

It was ten days later that found Bella and me again sitting in the living room. While I was watching some movie, Bella was working on a blanket for Henry. It was her second try. The first blanket didn't turn out like Bella wanted and she wanted the perfect blanket for our son.

I heard that Bella was putting her knitting needles away. I looked at her and saw Bella getting up. "Bella, what do you want?" I asked.

Bella rolled her eyes at my question. "I want an apple and some juice."

"I'll get it. You can sit down again," I offered.

"NO!" Bella growled and pushed me back into my seat. She looked pissed now. "I can get my damn apple and juice alone. I'm not an invalid."

Someone was overreacting here. "Bella, the doctor said that you should take it easy," I tried to calm her.

It was surprising that I wasn't burning already because she was glaring at me with such an intensity. "Yes, that's what he and Carlisle said BUT I don't need to stay in bed. And if you don't stop treating me like I'm a porcelain doll, you won't be able to get an erection for a very very long time. And I'm going to the bathroom now. Do you to carry me there and wipe me clean when I'm done?" Bella asked and the tone of her voice made it clear that she was dead serious. My silence was answer enough it seemed because she stalked out of the room and slammed the door shut.

Fuck, I really hoped that the last months of her pregnancy would be over fast.

Surprise! A new chapter and one week early. The reason for that is simple

My muse was very nice to me

I have some ideas for a new stories and need to get this baby done before I can start on the next.

Sooo how do you liked the chapter. I know I'm evil but I enjoy it too much.

Please leave a comment. I'll give you something naughty. ;)

Love, Nini