Peanut Butter

Teeny Tiny Twilight

I watched the ceiling, on the very edge of the bed to escape Edward's grasping arms.

Hot flashes.

I'm going to be getting these again in thirty years or so. Women are so biologically screwed. Wasn't morning sickness enough? I'd been living off saltines for the last four months, envious of Edward who cheerfully ate eggs and bacon in the morning. I think he was teasing me a little.

Still…

I moved my hands onto my large stomach. It was such an odd shape, so bulbous—almost alien looking—compared to the rest of my thin, toned body. I loved to watch it, to look at how absolutely…freakish I looked. It always made me smile.

A kick landed square on my palm. I grinned, covering my mouth with my other hand as I tried to stifle my laughter. I moved my hand to the side of my stomach, and was promptly met with another kick.

The game was on.

I played with my little girl, moving my hands and being constantly met with her quick kicks. This—this absolute miracle—was worth all the sickness, all the insomnia and hot flashes. She would be worth the pain of child birth.

My stomach twisted in fear, and I readied myself to run for the bathroom.

Morning sickness was such a misleading name. It was definitely termed by a man. I got morning sickness all day. If good for nothing else, it was hilarious to watch the unwilling sympathy on my opponents face when I had to quickly march out the emergence exit and throw my cookies—er, saltines.

My little Renesmee, bored with my distraction, placed a swift kick in my ribs. I gasped loudly in pain.

Definitely Edward's impatient child.

To my right, I heard a soft sigh and then Edward's arms were around me again. "Hey," he rasped, sleep thick in his voice. My heart warmed at his voice, and I wiggled closer to him.

"Hey."

Edward covered a yawn, and then settled against me again. "Can't sleep?" He wondered softly, his hand moving over my stomach. Renesmee kicked his hand.

"Well I was, but then your kid started bullying me." My stomach grumbled loudly then. I sighed. I had woken up chewing on my pillow. And then the hot flash hit with a vengeance.

"Quit picking on my wife." He grumbled into my shoulder before kissing the skin there.

"Go back to sleep, Edward." I whispered more quietly.

Edward made a sound that sounded like agreement, and I felt the thrill of victory. Every time I suffered from my pregnancy induced insomnia, Edward stayed awake with me until I fell asleep again, kissing my head before passing out. Then he'd be up early the next morning offering me breakfast.

I had always tried to push him to sleep each time he stayed up. I had sung to him for goodness sake! Bella Marie Cullen did not sing. Not well, at least.

I grinned brightly, until Edward jerked back awake behind me. "No. Not until you do."

I groaned. "Edward, don't be stupid."

"Now who's the bully?"

I turned in his arms, cuddling against him. "Edward, Please. My body just can't decide what it wants. I've already torn the kitchen apart and I haven't—"

"You got out of bed and I didn't wake up?" Edward gasped incredulously, a breath or horror to how he said it. It's the same way someone would ask 'He hit you?' like this was comparable to abuse.

I threw an exasperated groan at him. "You know what, forget it. I'm fine."

"Oh no no my Bella. I am going to the grocery store to get you what you want."

I stared at him. His heavy lidded eyes, bright with defiance. He was so beautiful, so perfect. I wonder what I ever did to deserve him. Nothing, there was nothing I could ever have done to deserve this wonderful, perfect, annoying creature.

"Edward," I spoke slowly for him, so he might comprehend this. "I am hungry for one thing in particular. Just one thing, nothing else. Now here's my problem. I don't know what I want." I would have gone to the twenty-four hour grocery store by myself if I had known. I had before, and every time I snuck back into bed, Edward was always sitting up, awake and furious.

There's something about angry sex that you just never get tired of.

Edward shoved the heels of his hands into his eyes, trying to wake up. "Then come with me."

I cocked my head to the side, "Wouldn't it make more sense if I just went alone?"

"For the love of all that is holy"—we were preparing ourselves for a child. No potty mouths.—"If you don't get out of bed right now I swear I'll throw you over my shoulder and take you out."

"You wouldn't." He wouldn't.

Edward raised his eye brows at me.

He wouldn't. He would be too worried about hurting me when my body was carrying our miracle child. If Edward had been watchful before, worrying my comfort and safety down to the mattress we shared, it was just ridiculous now.

Oh no, Bella, let me get that dish for you. It's heavy.

Here let me get that box.

Bella. Step away from the microwave.

Edward and I stared at each other for a long time. Finally Edward smirked. "Fine, I won't."

Why didn't that make me feel any better?

"Oh?" I wondered wearily.

Edward smiled angelically. "Mhmm. I'm actually kind of hungry myself. For some good, hot chicken wings. In bed."

My stomach rolled with bile, and I just barely managed to suppress a gag.

It didn't matter where we were, what mood I was in or if the Kernel were to show up in the flesh, I could not eat chicken. If I smelt chicken, of any kind, I was instantly sick.

I calmed my expression.

He wouldn't.

Edward got out of bed, pulled on some jeans, and left the room humming to himself.

He would.

"Okay, okay!" I cried, pulling on my cloths and stumbling after him.

**__**

We pulled up to the store, and it could have been three in the afternoon for all my body was concerned.

Edward and I were some of those rare people that could be woken up at two A.M. and be awake and cheerful ten minutes later. That was probably the only thing that had kept us from killing each other when I had these insomnia trips.

The only things that gave away the real time were the dark sky, the empty roads, and the low keyed radio announcers that quietly said the time and the road conditions. I sighed, feeling the familiar guilt that came with these wakeful nights.

I loved his company, it was the only thing tolerable about the whole situation. I just never felt it was fair that he had to be up as well. I hated feeling so high maintenance, it made me uncomfortable. I was perfectly capable of getting up and making myself food, or putting some more hours onto the cases I worked on without him there beside me, loosing sleep and making ridiculous puns that had me choking back laughter.

I had tried to make Edward understand, but he always stared at me confused. "But that's our baby." He would always say with that same perplexed expression, "And if we both get to reap the benefits, then why should only you have to carry the burdens? That's not fair. Besides," and then he'd kiss my cheek and the same giddy blush he always enticed rushed up to meet his lips, "I love having more hours in a day."

We walked into the grocery store together and simultaneously paused.

Maybe it was just because it was empty but for a man mopping an isle, but this place was suddenly huge.

Edward pulled in a deep breath, and then slowly let it out. I wanted to go home. This was ridiculous, did he expect me to drag him through this whole store until I found that one something that was going to satisfy my ridiculously unnamed craving that had woken me to find myself chewing my pillow?

Yes. Yes he did.

Edward took my hand firmly in his, and then grinned down at me. "Well start in breads and produce and work our way down to frozen treats?" he proposed like this was the most rational thing to do.

I stared at him, "Edward, my god, I'm pregnant. The smartest plan of attack starts at the sugar and works down from there."

Edward threw his head back and laughed, the sounding bouncing around the empty store. "Bella, I know you far too well. You have only craved fresh fruit since month three. You're movie snack of choice is raw cucumber and broccoli. Trust me when I say"—and then he leaned down to whisper in my ear, hands resting on my rounding waist—"I know this body. Inside and out."

That he did.

He lead me over to the clear boxes of fresh bread and lifted the lid, instantly, the slightly sour smell of baking soda, and the sweetness of yeast washed over me. It smelled so good...but it wasn't what I wanted.

Edward grinned, and I knew he knew what I was thinking.

Month five.

All my senses had become heightened, especially my sense of smell. Edward was convinced that my nose was my new super power. I could smell a ripe cantaloupe from a mile away.

My sense of touch had been affected as well, all the way from month three when my emotions got out of control. I craved touch like some people craved mushy movies. Even so far that when Edward had gone to pick up some eggs and milk after work, coming home ten minutes late, I had started crying for no reason I could see, and climbed into his lap.

Edward loved it.

He would pass by me, brushing his arm purposely against my side, or my back, and I would latch onto him. The stubbornly independent piece of me was throwing fits every time it happened, but I couldn't help it.

I needed Edward.

We were walking down canned soups when Edward, apparently, decided I hadn't completely humiliated myself tonight. He slyly dragged just the tips of his fingers down my arm, around my elbow, and along the sensitive skin of my inner arm, stopping, for just a moment, to lightly tug on my fingers before letting go.

The way I had taught him to drive me crazy our first 'date'.

My hormones snapped, changing every atom of my being until I was the most negative thing in the world, and Edward was suddenly the most positive.

I jumped on him.

My arms where wrapped around his neck, my legs around his waist, and my head rested comfortably on his shoulder. He chuckled and the sound vibrated through my chest. My stomach was starting to get big, to the point where I would be able to keep doing this for much longer. Independent Bella worried about how much longer I would be able to efficiently do anything by myself anymore. Stupidly in love Bella didn't care, knowing Edward would be close at hand.

Whether Edward's laugh had resonated into my womb, or if the baby had felt my temporary atomic shift, she kicked.

Edward's chuckled stopped short. Slowly, I felt his arms—holding as tightly as he dared—around me. I knew Edward's body far too well. I didn't need to see his face to know it was that awed wondering look, that there was a little piece of him and me wrapped together in flesh and blood. I could feel it through him, like some cheesy psychics claimed to be able to read your energies.

If I someday snap under pressure, Edward should know to look for me in a cloth tent at the carnival.

I raised my head to tell him, but his expression stopped me. The depth of the emotion twisted his features, pulling his mouth straight and changing the shape of his eyes, making him look severe. Serious. Beautiful.

He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, and then closed it, swallowing thickly. His eyes looked a little shinny in this light. One of his hands moved into my hair, the other still holding my body so he could fell Renesmee move through the medium of me. "I love you, Bella." He croaked, voice rough and still the most beautiful voice in the world. "More than the earth, and the stars, and—"

I kissed him. His hand fisted in my hair, keeping our mouths crushed together, opening my mouth with his. Exploring familiar territory.

"Ugh, get a room."

I lost track of time while we made out in isle five, so when we heard the voice, we pulled away gasping and guilty. The thrill of being caught, I suppose, though I couldn't imagine what the consequence would be. A shot gun wedding was out since we were already married...and due in three and a half months.

After the initial shock, Edward scowled at the kid who had to be about sixteen. "Isn't it past your curfew?"

The kid scowled back, "Man, I'm twenty three. Bite me."

Shocked, the first place I looked was, instinctively, Edward.

I know they say that when your pregnant, it presses down on your bladder and all that, but when I looked and saw how absolutely shocked Edward looked, the fact that I almost peed myself laughing had nothing to do with the boxer in my uterus. I buried my head into the crook of his neck to try and muffle my laughter as the scrawny twenty three year old stalked down the isle, and made a sharp left.

Edward breathed into my hair, laughing quietly himself before letting me down, his expression regretful. I knew how he felt.

Of course it really wouldn't have mattered whether we started in the ice cream section or the produce section. We were passing through the isle in the absolute centre of the store when I stopped. My mouth started watering.

"Edward?" I managed.

He came up behind me and we both stared at the container soberly.

"Peanut butter."

Edward shook his head at the tragedy of it all. "I'll go get some spoons."

I met Edward at the checkout counter, him with a small bag of white plastic spoons, and me with the peanut butter at three forty-five in the morning. As the woman was checking out the items without even a second glance at us after seeing the bulbous form of my stomach under my—Edward's—t-shirt, Edward turned around and swiped a Hershey's bar off the guilt rack, tossing it onto the checkout counter.

I looked up to see Edward watching me out of the corner of his eye, his lips twitching up at the corners.

We climbed into the back seat after rather than drive home. I was calling in sick tomorrow, and it was Edward's only day off this week, so we could sleep in the car if we so pleased.

I used one of the spoons to eat the peanut butter straight out of the container while Edward dipped his Hershey's bar into it, and we somehow got onto the discussion of Mrs. X.

"Do you remember when you were over at my dorm, and we were discussing how many women I'd slept with?" He asked quietly.

I nodded, my mouth stuck shut. I held up seven fingers though, to let him know I remembered.

"I lied." He murmured, tracing a pattern on my leg.

I stopped with the spoon halfway up to my mouth. "Oh." I considered that. "Why?"

He was still tracing patterns on my legs, letters, it looked like now. "Bella, you were the most intimidating person in my life then. All I wanted to do was make you happy, and then sex and notches on my head board came up...I fudged a little on the number."

I put down my spoon angrily. "What do you mean I was the most intimidating person in your life?" I asked severely.

Edward's eyes widened, his lips twitching infinitesimally. "Are. You are the most intimidating person in my life."

I nodded, satisfied, and went back to eating peanut butter. "So what was the real number?" I wondered out of morbid curiosity. It really didn't matter now, I'd married the school's man-whore, and was happy. There was nothing I could do now about what happened. He'd changed, I'd changed, God, Millie had probably even changed by now.

Now, if he went off and slept with someone tomorrow, then he'd have my swollen foot up his ass.

"First off, I love you. Just wanted to put that out there."

I watched him out of the corner out of my eye wearily. "Duly noted. Continue."

"And you make me smile. Like, all the time. Especially now that your hormone flux has made you needy and horny. I swear, that is the perfect combination—"

"Edward," I said, cutting him off. He was starting to scare me. Was the number really that high? Higher than twenty? Thirty? He was so good looking, it could easily be forty girls that knew his touch like I did. "Please. I'm dangerously close to a fit. I love you, and I'm not going to leave you because you got around in high school."

Edward took a deep breath. "About seven...teen. I'm sorry. I mean, I'd had about four-ish girlfriends by then, and I guess most were the girls that went into the bedrooms with you at parties, so it's not like I really tricked them or anything."

He looked at me, judging my expression. I was trying to look at ease. Unbothered.

Jealousy was the main emotion I struggled with. I'd been with Edward to parties like the ones he described. It didn't matter that girls saw me come in with him, once he was there with the excuse of alcohol, he was fair game. Edward, thank god, happened to be one of those honest drunks, and apparently girls that didn't play football with him just weren't that attractive anymore.

Once, when a girl had come over to sit in his lap, he had looked at her stupidly, and said, "You know, you'd be a lot prettier if you pulled your shirt up. I can kind of see your nipples."

I'd applauded him.

Edward touched my hand with his finger tips, and suddenly my head was magnetized. My head snapped down to his shoulder. "Bella? Love, are you angry?"

"I...answer me one thing first, and then I'll tell you."

Edward sighed unwillingly, his shoulders making my head bob. "Why do you always do that to me? Fine, shoot."

"Why did you tell me?"

"Because you amaze me. Because I am the only man that has ever been inside your body. Because you had the patience to wait for me when I didn't wait for you. That despite that, I got something so beautiful and perfect when I never deserved it. And I figured now was the best time to tell you now that you've got my kid in you. I mean, lets face, you can't run all that fast anymore."

Hahahaha, Edward is so hilarious. So what, I've startled kind of waddling, and my runs have turned more into speed walks. Even if I wasn't weighed down with our child, he'd probably still catch me if I tried to escape. Those damn long legs of his.

But I had to admit, this was probably the safest option. I would have slapped him, or stormed out if he had told me when I was just getting to know him. Trying to find the best of Edward through the worst that he presented me with.

"You're turn." Edward said, his arm snaking around my waist.

I hesitated, and then put a spoonful of peanut butter in his mouth to occupy it while I talked, making sure he wouldn't be able to interrupt me.

"A little. I mean, I know you weren't a perfect angel, so don't try it." Edward widened his eyes innocently, unable to defend his spotty past. "But I knew all that about you, and when I gave you the choice between me, and all the other girls, you chose me, and you've been more than I deserve every since. So please know that I'm not angry at you, I'm just...jealous. I'm not saying I wish I could have been your one night stand, but I just wish....I don't know, that I was a bigger part of your past."

Edward was still smacking his tongue off the roof of his mouth, trying to get off the last of the peanut butter.

"I just wonder sometimes how things would have changed if I had been your first. If you would have come back for me some day after you'd had your fun. Maybe I was just lucky number eighteen, and I happened to be the last girl on your list." I hesitated, and then, more quietly, "I know you were the only one on mine."

Edward had finally sucked the last of the peanut butter off, probably taking a bit of enamel off his teeth with the effort. The first thing he did was lift my head so I could see his face. His eyes flicked over my face, and I wondered if he was trying to gauge how serious I was. How much it troubled me to imagine the difference it would make if I was actually that special one, or if I was just damn lucky.

Finally, Edward sighed. "Bella," he started, his forehead resting on mine, eyes deadly serious.

"If you had been the first, there never would have been another."

A/N: Thanks to so many people, especially I like my privacy and others who shamelessly stroked my ego and continue to send me reviews even when I never seem to update. Thank you. Next, I'm thinking might either be one of them in high school, or when she gives birth. Again, any ideas are appreciated.

Oh, and before I forget (again)

fanfiction-challenges. blogspot. Com

Want to see the newest contests? fanfiction-challenges. blogspot. com/

Want to help advertise people in the fandom? fanfiction-challenges. blogspot. com/

Want to make me and Le Crepuscule happy (I get eternal gratitude for this XD)? fanfiction-challenges. blogspot. com/

Anyways, *cough* go to fanfiction-challenges. blogspot. com/ *cough* have a great day.