Thanks to SusanQ, Nicffwhisperer, VampiresHaveLaws, Kikki7, Julie, KittyVuitton, Stephanie, Jaime, Nolebucgrl, and Sydney Alice for all of their help pre-reading/betaing/supporting me. I'm always tinkering until right before posting and any mistakes are mine.

Confirmations

"What the hell are you doing here?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat as Edward moved to stand behind my chair, his hands resting on my shoulders. Carlisle hesitated to answer, and I wasn't sure what to do. If I told Edward his father came here to throw accusations at me, he would blow up and probably extinguish any progress I had made in attempting to mend their relationship.

Even though I was still mad at Carlisle, I truly did want him and Edward to find some common ground. I mean, he was the grandfather to the child inside me. Family was the most important thing in the world.

And because of that, I had to find a way to get them to really talk.

Yes, I knew they were the ones who would have to come to terms themselves, but sometimes stupid male ego and pride needed a logical go-between just to get them started on the right path.

I—in all my superior female wisdom—had deemed myself the one to play mediator.

"He came by to say hello, to see how I'm adjusting to married life," I said, watching a flicker of surprise cross Carlisle's face.

I gave him a stern you-better-agree-with-me-or-else face and he nodded.

"Yes. I was in the city and thought I'd drop by and check on you two. Your mother harps on me constantly that we don't get to see you enough."

The tension eased in Edward's grip before he moved to take the chair next to me.

"Well, that's nice of you...I guess." Edward sounded astonished as well as a little suspicious.

I reached under the table to hold his hand. There was an awkward silence. I almost kicked Carlisle to get him to say something more, but fortunately didn't have to go to those lengths when he spoke up himself.

"So everything at CWI running well? I read your deal with HBO was successful."

Edward's mouth fell open as he stared at his father, evidently shocked by the hint of pride in Carlisle's voice and the fact he'd taken any interest in his business at all.

"Yeah. Everything's great."

I held back a sigh, wishing Edward would give a little more. But realistically, the small talk that ensued over the next fifteen or so minutes was probably the best I could expect.

At least there were no more glares or angry words thrown around. It was a step in the right direction.

Carlisle didn't stay much longer, but he did give me a smile and nod as we walked him out. I hoped that meant he believed what I'd told him and would mend his relationship with his son.

Hannah served dinner soon after, delaying Edward's interrogation until we were getting ready for bed. I was completely exhausted from the day and could barely keep my eyes open as I undressed.

"Are you feeling okay?" Edward asked, brushing his teeth in the sink next to mine.

"I'm just really tired."

Concern flashed in his eyes, but I didn't have the energy to calm him. I rinsed my mouth and trudged to the bed, wearing only one of Edward's t-shirts, sighing with relief when my head hit the pillow. I barely acknowledged Edward when he scooted over and held me against him.

His hand slipped under the t-shirt, rubbing my stomach. It felt nice, comforting, and I snuggled back into him further.

"Are you excited about tomorrow?" he asked softly.

I smiled against my pillow. "Yes. As excited as I can be for a doctor's appointment. It'll be nice to make sure everything's okay."

He buried his face in my hair and deeply inhaled. "That was odd...my father showing up like that."

It made me uneasy to keep information from him, but I wasn't sure how he would react to knowing how much I'd told Carlisle.

"Bella?"

"Hmmm?"

"What did you and my father talk about before I showed up?"

I turned over so I was facing him, putting my arm around his waist. "Well, I'm pretty sure Kate is the one behind sending me that anonymous letter."

His hand on my back clenched into a fist and his nostrils flared in anger. It would have been sexy if we weren't discussing his bitchy ex.

"Why do you think that?"

I brought my hand up to smooth the lines on his forehead. "Calm down. Before I say anything more, I want you to know that I think this might have worked out for the best in the end."

He looked even more confused, and I quickly continued on.

"He came over because Kate told him I was trying to use you. That I married you for money."

The tension rolled off of him as he took a couple deep breaths. "Did he accuse you? Did he come here to confront you?" His voice came out almost like a snarl.

Yikes. He was really mad.

He tried to sit up, but I held on, hoping to settle him back down.

"Please calm down. Yes, it started that way, but I think I got through to him. I think I got him to realize who the bad guy really was here."

Edward swallowed a couple times. "What did you tell him?"

"I told him I loved you and you loved me and nothing Kate ever said or did would change that. I told him she was not only wrong, but she was also lying to him on purpose." I paused and bit my lip. "I told him what she did to you. He knows the truth."

"What? Why did you do that?" He pulled away from me, turning over to lie on his back.

I didn't let him get far, pulling myself up so I could see his face.

"It was time, Edward. This feud between the two of you needs to end. He's your father, and I know he cares about you. You are both just too stubborn and pig-headed to give an inch on your own." I huffed when he wouldn't look at me and climbed on top of him, straddling him so he couldn't ignore me. "I'm pregnant with your baby."

That made him open his eyes.

"And I want our child to have as much family around as possible. Don't you think he or she will deserve a grandfather? If there's anything I've learned in my life, it's how important family is. Can you please try for me? For your baby?"

His expression softened for a moment, but then he frowned again. "He was only cordial tonight because he felt sorry for me."

I sighed and shook my head. Why were men so frustrating?

"He was cordial because he's your father. He knows he was wrong for assuming things about you without knowing the facts. I believe he's sorry."

He snorted. "I think you are giving him way too much credit. He's never been happy with my choices and always believed the worst. I don't see that magically changing, even if he does believe what you told him about Kate."

I leaned down and kissed him. "Why do you think he was never happy with your choices?"

"Because he wasn't. He wanted me to go to Harvard. He wanted me to go to medical school. Follow in his footsteps. Build hospitals and then maybe run for office. He hated the path I took. He thinks the entertainment business is shallow and I cater to the lowest denominator."

I didn't know what else to say. It was obvious Edward wasn't ready to accept the possibility his father had anything but bad intentions. I was simply going to have to be patient with the two of them and see if I could prod them both enough to eventually meet in the middle.

I was also too tired to fight anymore.

"Are you mad at me?"

His hands slid up my thighs. "I'm not mad. But I wish you wouldn't tell people things that I say to you in confidence."

My stomach twisted and tears sprung to my eyes. He felt I was betraying him. It was like a switch was flipped. I felt awful, throwing myself down on top of him, hugging him tightly and crying into his neck.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know what else to say." I couldn't stop sobbing.

He rubbed my back. "Shh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Yes, I did," I cried. "I shouldn't have told him your private business. I just want you and your dad to get along."

I was a blubbering mess.

"Baby, calm down." His fingers brushed through my hair. "It's okay. I promise."

He kept repeating how much he loved me and how sorry he was for upsetting me as I sniffled against his skin. I wasn't sure why I had gotten so upset, but my exhaustion eventually won out and I fell asleep right there on top of him.

~~~*~~~NOP~~~*~~~

I was a little nervous on the car ride to the doctor the next morning, holding Edward's hand tightly as we sat together in the back of the car. We'd chosen an OB with a private practice, but who had privileges to deliver at Lenox Hill hospital. Edward assured me she was highly sought after, but used his every influence to make sure she'd take me as a patient, even though technically she wasn't accepting any new patients at this time.

It was amazing what money could get you if you really wanted something enough.

"I've been thinking about something you said last night," Edward said, breaking into my thoughts. "Obviously Kate went to my father with accusations, but I'm wondering if she really knew about the contract, or if she was just taking a stab in the dark?"

I understood where he was going as I'd had the same question floating in my mind.

"If she does know about the contract, how did she find out?"

He shook his head. "The only people who knew were me, you, Alice, and Jenks. Not even Alec or Hannah knew all of it."

"And you're sure you didn't leave any trace of it at work?"

"No. I checked again and made sure. I brought everything back home with me after my initial meeting with Jenks and then he brought the paperwork to the house himself."

"I still don't trust Tanya."

He squeezed my hand. "I don't either. I've kept a close watch on her and I have Alec going through her phone records at work and on her private cell right now. I don't know how she might know something, but it's possible she does."

After the mysterious letter had shown up addressed to me, and Tanya had rudely dismissed me again over the phone, Edward had wanted to fire her immediately. But then after thinking about it, he told me he was going to keep her around only long enough to figure out what she was up to.

Even though I hated her, it was a good idea for him to keep tabs on her.

"I know for certain Alice wouldn't tell anyone."

"What about Jasper?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No. She hasn't said anything to Jasper. She would have told me if she slipped and mentioned something."

When I'd told Edward about Alice and Jasper, he hadn't been upset at all. In fact, he said it was pretty obvious there was something going on between the two of them.

"Then I have to deal with the fact that Jenks might be involved in some way."

I rubbed his arm as he cursed under his breath, trying to comfort him any way I could. He hated betrayal above anything else. It was hard to think his lawyer would spill information, but that was the only logical explanation.

"But the contract is moot anyway, right? You destroyed our copies and told Jenks to do the same. That we no longer wanted it?"

"Yes. It should be wiped out completely. I just don't trust that he doesn't have a copy or hasn't said something to someone else."

I felt anxious and nauseous, and the combination wasn't conducive for riding in the backseat of a car, moving in constant stop-and-go traffic. Fortunately it didn't get bad enough to force Felix to pull over so I could hurl out on the street.

Edward helped me out of the car when we reached the doctor's office and hugged me to him before we went inside. "Hey, please don't worry about Kate or my father or Jenks or anything. I want you to concentrate on the baby. I will take care of the rest."

I squeezed him back and tried to give him a smile. While that sounded good in theory, it wasn't in my nature not to worry about everything.

But I didn't tell him that.

We walked in and I immediately felt comfortable, liking the modern and soothing decor. I took the paperwork from the receptionist, and Edward and I sat down to fill it out. We were the only ones in the waiting area, having taken an early slot that normally wouldn't be available.

Almost as soon as I finished filling out the forms, we were called back. A technician went through weighing me, taking my vitals, taking blood and urine samples, and handing me a gown to put on in preparation for the doctor. It was actually a pretty pink color and really soft. Much better than the rough paper gown I was expecting.

Fancy schmancy.

"Do you want me to stay?" Edward asked after she left.

I nodded. "Yeah, if you don't mind. Just sit here next to me and hold my hand."

I didn't know how invasive my pelvic exam would be, but it still made me uncomfortable. I wanted Edward there with me.

Dr. Emily Nash walked in with a smile about ten minutes later, holding her hand out to shake both my and Edward's hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen."

"Please call me Bella."

"And you can call me Emily."

She seemed nice, and I tried to relax as much as possible.

"First, I want to say congratulations. We ran a quick blood test and you are definitely pregnant." She moved to stand by the bed, looking over my chart. "Your last period was almost two months ago?"

I bit my lip and nodded. "Yes, but I've never been regular."

She just smiled. "That's okay. We'll do an ultrasound and see if we can pinpoint the age of the fetus today. I'm going to do a quick pelvic exam."

She asked me to talk about my symptoms as she poked and prodded down there.

I gripped Edward's hand even though she was being gentle. "I've been really tired, but I haven't had much morning sickness. It's really only been in the last few days that I felt nauseous at all."

"That's good news. Don't be surprised if you do experience it more at some point, although typically the nausea recedes once you are into your second trimester."

Edward leaned over and whispered something in my ear, but I didn't understand what he was saying.

"What?"

"Tell her about the mood swings," he said quietly.

I frowned. "What mood swings?"

His eyes widened and he gulped. "You...I mean...well...you know."

"No, I don't think I do know. Can you tell me more please?" I didn't even hide the anger in my sarcasm.

"I didn't mean it in a bad way." He thought he was going to weasel his way out of this with one of his smiles.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Shut up."

Emily chuckled and stood back up. "All finished. I think I'll save your husband before any violence breaks out. Everything looks good, and I think you are far enough along for me to do a transabdominal ultrasound." She started tinkering with some machine. "I'm going to give you a few minutes. You can put your pants back on before we do the ultrasound. And don't be too hard on him. Mood swings are very common." She winked before walking out the door.

I continued glaring at Edward while he helped me off the table and handed me my pants and underwear.

Mood swings.

I'd show him some mood swings.

He smartly kept his mouth shut as I got dressed again and climbed back up on the examination bed. I crossed my arms over my chest when he tried to reach for my hand.

Emily came back in after knocking lightly, walking over to stand beside me. She lifted my gown to expose my stomach. "This will be cold." She squirted some gel and started moving a paddle-like device around.

I gasped and grabbed Edward's hand when she started pointing out our baby on the screen. I forgot I was mad at him.

"Here's your baby. I'm going to take some measurements, but I'd say you're about nine weeks along. I'll give you a due date before you leave."

I glanced over at Edward, smiling at his rapt expression. He eyes were fixed on the screen, watching our little grape-sized baby like it was the most wonderful thing he'd ever seen.

Maybe it was.

"You're going to give us pictures, right?" he asked.

Emily chuckled. "Yes. I'll give you pictures and a copy of this video." She turned toward us. "I love first time parents."

I gripped Edward's hand tighter, hoping her words didn't hurt him. He didn't seem fazed though, he just continued grinning stupidly at the screen.

She left us again, giving me time to put my shirt back on, then coming back in to tell us our due date was April 9 and giving me a ton of pamphlets and prenatal vitamins to get started. "Yours is not considered a high-risk pregnancy, so I'd like to see you once a month. We probably won't be able to distinguish the gender at your next visit, but in two months we may. Do you want to know the sex of the baby early or be surprised?"

I glanced at Edward and he nodded to me enthusiastically, making me laugh. I knew what he wanted. "Yeah, I think we want to know the sex as soon as possible."

"Okay, I'll note that in your chart. You can schedule your next visit with Susan before you leave. Do either of you have any other questions?"

"Um...I guess I was wondering about..." He broke off, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Sex during pregnancy?" Emily finished for him and he nodded. "Common question from fathers-to-be."

I shook my head and blushed. Of course he'd want to know about sex.

Damn pervert.

"It's perfectly normal. In fact, most women will experience higher than normal desire for intercourse as the pregnancy moves along."

I blushed even more when Edward's eyes lit up at that information.

"However, if you experience any pain or abnormal discharge, please contact me so we can make sure everything is still okay," she added, looking directly at me.

I nodded.

Eventually we were on our way, loaded down with pictures and pamphlets and pills. Edward wore a mile-wide smile as we got back into the car and Felix tipped his head to me when I got in.

We stopped at a bookstore on our way home, Edward practically buying out the place, getting every single book on pregnancy, parenting, and what-to-expect-when-you're-expecting on the shelves. I let him have his fun while I picked up a few romance novels and magazines for myself.

By the time we got home, I was ready to go right back to bed. I took a shower to rinse the ickiness from the doctor's visit away and convinced Edward to snuggle with me for a couple hours.

The baby may still have been very small, but it was already draining the energy right out of me.

~~~*~~~NOP~~~*~~~

I woke up to Edward's roaming hands and soft kisses.

"I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up. You've been out for three hours," he said, his fingers slipping inside my panties.

Mmm. That felt good.

"Are you sore at all from the doctor?"

I shook my head and opened my eyes. "No. Keep doing that."

My t-shirt and panties came off pretty quickly at this point, Edward's kisses slowly making their way south. I smiled when he paid special attention to my tummy.

I brushed my fingers through his hair, urging his mouth to come back to mine.

"The doctor said we should have sex," he murmured.

I broke out into laughter as he smirked against my neck. "She said we could. Could have sex. Not should."

"I heard should."

Of course he did.

It was nice being with him this way, in the middle of the afternoon, the sunlight streaming in through all the windows. He was so damn beautiful. Inside and out.

"Thank you for taking the day off to be with me."

He propped himself up, staring down at me. I loved those bright green eyes and hoped our baby ended up with the same color.

"I wish it could be like this every day."

"Nah. You'd get bored after awhile. You are too much of a workaholic."

It surprised me when he gave a small shrug.

"Maybe I'm changing. I'm not sure pouring everything into my company is what I want anymore. I have you now." He placed his hand on my stomach. "I have you both now. My priorities are different."

"What are you saying?"

He leaned in and kissed me until my toes curled. "I've been thinking that I might step back a little when the baby's born. I have nothing left to prove, nothing more to accomplish really. I have more money than twenty of our great-grandchildren could spend in ten lifetimes. Maybe I want to concentrate on family more than work now."

His words melted my heart. He really was going to be the best daddy in the world.

And in my opinion, there was nothing sexier. Nothing that turned me on more than the thought of him flipping his world upside-down because he wanted to focus attention on his family, his children, more than anything else.

I wrapped my legs around him, urging him closer. Wanting him inside me.

I couldn't get him close enough.

We both moaned when he filled me. He moved slowly, carefully, as if he would break me. It was almost agonizingly good and bad.

I loved when he took his time. Made love to me gently.

But sometimes I just wanted him to pound me.

Was that wrong?

I stopped his kisses. "Lift up."

He furrowed his brow in confusion, and I pushed up on his chest until he lifted himself off me. I flipped myself over onto my stomach and smiled when his body pressed down on mine again. This time he was straddling me.

He knew what I wanted.

His hot breath hit my ear when he chuckled, and I shivered in response. "You want me to fuck you, Bella?"

I moaned a yes. This position was the best. He always hit a spot inside that made me go crazy.

He grabbed my hips, lifting my ass a little, before pushing back inside me.

"Damn." I breathed out when he filled me completely and stilled.

"What was that?" His lips were back at my ear, tickling, teasing me. He thrusted slowly a few times before stilling again. His hands slid down my arms, positioning them above my head until my fingers touched the headboard. "Tell me what you want."

My skin flushed. He knew it was difficult for me to talk dirty like he did, but he loved when I did it for him anyway.

"You know what I want." I was already a panting, aching mess.

His chest pressed down on my back, keeping me pinned to the mattress. Pulling out. Pushing in. Slow. Too damn slow. He moved my hair to the side, sucking on a spot under my ear until I was writhing and bucking beneath him.

I tried to bring my arms down so I could grab onto him somehow. Make him move faster.

He was having none of that.

"Keep your hands where they are," he growled, locking both my wrists in one of his hands.

My heart raced from his forceful words. I had to admit it was hot when he got all controlling in bed.

He knew exactly what he was doing to me. Drawing it out. In and out. Slow. Making me beg. Making me want. He was torturing me.

But it was such sweet torture.

Our bodies were covered in a sheen of sweat, sliding smoothly together on top of the sheets. The scent of his skin and breath intoxicated me.

I was so close.

"Tell me." His lips were back on mine, his tongue moving at the same languid pace as the rest of him.

I couldn't take it any longer.

"Fuck me."

"How?"

"Hard." I panted and groaned. "Fast."

The weight of his chest on my back was gone immediately as he let go of his hold on my wrists. One of his hands held his body up while his other gripped my side at my waist. His thumb pressed down on the small of my back, sending more tingles through me.

So close.

He didn't disappoint. He never did. Each time he drove inside me, he hit that magic spot. I wasn't sure whether I was screaming or crying, but it felt so good I couldn't stop.

He pounded me fast. Hard. Just how I liked it. He knew me. He knew my body better than anybody. Sometimes I thought he knew it even better than me. He knew the exact moment when I came apart.

The pleasure was so intense—coming in wave after wave—I could only lay there and take it.

I was coming down from my blissful high when his body pressed down on mine again, his movement slowing back to his previous pace. He covered my arms with his, tangling our fingers, whispering filthy things in my ear as he drove me into the the mattress with each deep stroke.

I was locked there in place as he finished—taking his time as he prolonged his own enjoyment—his teeth coming down on the skin of my neck when he finally released. I wondered if he would leave a mark, but didn't really care much if he did.

I loved it. It was primal. Erotic. Practically savage.

It almost made me come again.

He didn't pull out immediately. We stayed melded together, kissing as we both calmed.

Eventually he did move, and I missed his weight as soon as he did. I tried not to pout as he moved to my side and pulled me to rest on top of him.

"That was amazing."

I lifted my head and smiled at him. "Yeah, it was."

His satisfied smile made me grin and I rested my head back on his shoulder. There was only silence, and the feel of his heartbeat as I lay on his chest. After a few minutes, I thought maybe he'd fallen asleep. But his voice made me glance up at his face again.

"Are you ready for your birthday tomorrow?"

I chuckled and played with his chest hair. "I suppose. Just dinner right?"

"Well, dinner and presents. Unless there's something else you'd rather do."

I flashed a grin. "I wouldn't mind doing that again."

He laughed and hugged me tighter.

"That can definitely be arranged."

AN: Did you like how Edward handled Bella's explanation of Carlisle's visit? Excited about the baby?

Thanks again for all the responses to the last chapter. I loved seeing all your guesses to the questions.

Find me on facebook at Twilover Seven-six

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