okay, you guys are getting this super early because of the mess-up the other day!

thank you to lovelywendy for prereading!

*I don't own Twilight*

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Bella Swan

Edward waited in our bedroom while I went to use the bathroom and change, tossing on one of Edward's t-shirts (ironically, the one I borrowed from him the day I told him about Audrey) and a pair of bright pink sleep shorts. I was nervous about talking to him.

When I saw him in the parking lot, I almost panicked. Even though I intended to go to him after the appointment, my first thoughts when I saw him was that he was there to take Audrey from me and my fight or flight instinct wanted to give in and pick flight. But I knew I couldn't keep Audrey from her father forever and I honestly missed him so much it made my chest hurt.

Seeing Edward and being within five feet of him made everything feel good again.

I knew I'd made the right choice when I saw the smile on his face when Dr. Morgan told us about the pregnancy.

I'd suspected it. My boobs were sore, breastfeeding Audrey hurt, and the smell of my shampoo made me feel nauseous. I had even bought a pregnancy test on a diaper run but I had only bought a pack with one in it, the digital kind and it was defective, just saying ERROR on the screen. But when I'd tried to tell Edward in the waiting room, they called my name and I couldn't get the words out.

But that smile, my God. That particular one doesn't come out very often. I think I first saw it when I said yes to his proposal then again only when we found out Audrey was a girl and when she was born. Now, I could add when we found out about this baby, together.

I love that he was there for it even if it was my fault for almost ruining it. I kept lamenting over the fact that if I had waited to drive to the house after the appointment, he would have missed it. I'm glad he got the call and found out when my appointment was.

And the flowers: they were gorgeous. I'd never seen anything prettier and while they weren't exactly what I'd pictured in my mind for the wedding – the green was a little different and there wasn't enough brown… they were gorgeous. And if Edward could remember where he'd gotten them, I wanted to use the same florist for the wedding.

It made me slightly sad for a second, though. It was the first time he'd given me flowers. We'd skipped over a big part of dating. I was pregnant through all of it and we were trying to force ourselves together. We had gone out on a few dates but then we immediately changed to sleepovers during the weekend and seeing each other and sometimes hanging out after work, if I wasn't so tired since he'd coached basketball after school at that point. But we didn't go on dates.

Then he moved in and we were together all the time that it kind of felt like there was no point to one-on-one dates. It made me long to get that time back and not erase it or change it a lot but just edit it slightly.

Taking a deep breath, I walked back into the bedroom where Edward was sitting on the bed, now just in basketball shorts. He was messing around on his phone, a look of concentration on his face.

I climbed onto the bed, sitting Indian style at the foot and cleared my throat. He looked up and grinned sheepishly, holding up his phone.

"There are apps that track pregnancy and… shit. Tell you what to expect."

I laughed, "We've been through this before, I know what to expect."

The excited look on Edward's face dropped a bit, "I wasn't around for the whole thing with Audrey."

"It's great that you're so excited and you want to me so involved and you don't hate me for getting pregnant," I scooted a little closer to him but not within arms reach.

"Hate you… how could I hate you? We made another baby together. It's a little bit of you and a little bit of me again. We agreed to let whatever happened, happen and I think this is the best outcome," Edward smiled at me and I moved the tiniest bit closer. His abs looked amazing and I wondered if he'd been working out in the time I was gone.

"We have a lot to talk about," I said, my eyes still on his abs.

"Hey, eyes up here," Edward laughed and pointed to his eyes. I could feel my face heat up and pretended to glare. "It's alright, if you had no shirt on…. I'd have trouble, too."

"We could make this even," I joked, pretending to lift the hem of the baggy t-shirt. Edward motioned for me to come closer and I dropped the shirt, sliding slightly closer but still keeping my distance.

"I don't want this to be about sex," Edward murmured, "as much as I miss that part of our relationship, we need to focus on other things. We need to make decisions and talk things out. And I think the most important question is… are we still getting married at the end of September?"

"Do you want to?" I asked meekly. I wanted to be married before we had anymore children but I wanted to be married before I started showing.

"I do but only if we can work out our differences. Alice and Rose have still been setting up everything. They said you told them, in detail, everything that you want so they felt confident… you'll have to talk to them, though. All I know is there's a binder on the dining room table, outlining everything," Edward spoke softly and my eyes widened in surprise. Edward sounded so… mature and together, something that made me wanna jump his bones.

It was a good thing he was taking charge of this because if I had, we'd be naked and orgasming by now.

"Edward… do you really think I make them feel bad by buying their kids those clothes?" I asked, furrowing my brows. I'd been so embarrassed; I hadn't spoken to either of them. I had never thought that it would be like throwing my money in their faces.

"No. That was a shitty thing of me to say and I talked to them. Alice let me have it for even suggesting it. They said they appreciate everything you do and it just shows how generous you are. Rose also informed me about the charities you donate to. I had no idea," Edward said, looking embarrassed himself.

"I guess I just never thought to mention it. I'm sorry I hid how much money I have. I know we're writing the pre-nup but I want to add your name to all of the accounts and you to have full access to all the money."

"It's never been about the money, B. It doesn't matter how filthy stinking rich you are and it's none of my business how you spend it," Edward said but I shook my head.

"What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine," I informed him seriously. He chuckled softly but nodded and we agreed that once we were married and my name was changed that we'd combine our primary checking and savings accounts to joint accounts so we did have access.

"It was stupid how I flipped out about the nursery," I said then shrugged, "Alice and I just spent so much time and it was how I always dreamt my baby's first room would be."

"I was just trying to make it more efficient. But I should have asked and not done it on my own. Honestly, there are gonna be times were I do stupid things like that but don't lose your shit on me because if it's that important to you, I'll either know because from now on you'll tell me or I'll fix it after you calmly inform me of my fuck-up."

Edward's voice was so soothing after not hearing it for so long; I could fall asleep listening to him talk. I giggled a tiny bit but nodded in agreement.

"I'll never, ever say you tricked me into Audrey again. I was just being an asshole and holding it over your head when we fought. If anything, I'm thankful. If it weren't for her, I think you would have kicked me to the curb a long time ago," he chuckled softly.

"No, I knew you were it after that first night," I murmured.

"Hmm?"

"I knew that you were the one I was going to marry," I said, clearing my throat before I spoke again. My cheeks turned a little pink as I admitted, "the day I ran out of your apartment, I kept having these fantasies about you… you were so handsome and charming."

"Oh, I was, was I? I'm not anymore?" Edward smirked.

"You know what I meant!"

"I do… so you knew then, huh?"

"I did… or I fantasized that I did, I don't know," my cheeks reddened further as I thought of our first night together and when he found me at school the following Monday, "I was so embarrassed because I never have one night stands and I had that… thing scheduled."

"Ah, yes. The thing," Edward shook his head and I frowned.

"You're not still upset about that, are you?"

"No, it couldn't be any clearer that Audrey is my baby. Not that I thought she wasn't since that day," Edward quickly amended. "I just don't get why you didn't tell me," he finished seriously.

"Um… maybe because I was totally embarrassed! And I had already cancelled the appointment and didn't go through with it so it was… moot."

"It wasn't though," Edward argued and I sighed loudly.

"Maybe you're right. I hadn't told anyone. I haven't mentioned it to anyone and I won't, ever," I said firmly.

"That's your decision, baby. I just think we shouldn't have any secrets."

"All right, Mr. Law Firm without Bella Knowing."

"B, I was gonna talk to you about it. I just wanted to have anything straight and set up and I was going to present it kind of as an investment opportunity."

"You want me to invest in your firm?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

Edward nodded.

"Well… I guess you and Felix will have to present it. And you better impress me," I said as I got close enough to Edward that our knees were touching. He raised an eyebrow at me, "Oh, yeah?"

I nodded, reaching over and running my hand through his short hair. He moaned softly and I smiled at him.

"See, working stuff out… not so hard," Edward said.

"Mmm, we have to learn to compromise," I agreed and kept running my hand through his hair.

"Yes… compromise and talk."

"And keep this baby a secret for now," I said quickly. That snapped out of his haze and he blinked at me.

"Why?"

"I don't want people to think the baby is why I came back," I said with certainty in my voice. I was convinced his parents would think that.

"Bella…"

"Please, Edward… please don't tell anyone. What if something happens? Then we have to tell people what happened and I'd like not to have to do that."

"Do you think something's going to happen?" Edward frowned, reaching forward and rubbing my flat stomach. I shook my head.

"No. I'm only twenty-eight, I've always been healthy. The pregnancy with Audrey was perfect; I loved it even though I complained a lot. I wanted kids close together… not this close but they'll always have each other," I smiled at him and put my left hand over his, my ring sparkling from the light coming through the windows in the bedroom.

Edward leaned in and kissed me softly.

"Alright, we'll keep it a secret. For how long?"

"Until we know if it's a boy or girl cause then we'll know everything will be fine."

"Uh, isn't that in like… five months? You started showing with Audrey right away."

"Alright, that's unrealistic," I agreed and he nodded, "so how about after the wedding?"

"That's a good compromise," Edward nodded and pulled me fully into his lap. I was surprised to feel his erection against my ass. I looked at him over my shoulder, my eyes wide. He looked sheepish but didn't try to stop me from feeling it.

"This has been a huge fight," Edward said, holding my hips and grinding his cock against my ass. I moaned softly.

"And…"

Edward slid his hands up my shirt and ran them over my stomach, making me shiver. His hands were so warm and it was chilly in the house.

"You know what happens after big fights?"

He continued, slowly moving his hands all over my stomach and sides and even around to my back.

"No, what happens?" I pushed my ass against him and he groaned.

"Make up sex," he whispered his breath hot in my ear.

I leaned forward for a second, away from him and looked back at him, "I have one more thing," I told him nervously.

"Thing… what's that thing?" Edward asked, raising his brows at me.

My cheeks turned bright red in embarrassment, "Couples counseling."

"Really… couples counseling…" Edward said a weird look on his face. I nodded, toying with the ends of his hair, "Are you sure, B?"

"Yes. I've had friends who it's worked very well for and I would really like to try it, Edward… even if it's just a few sessions. What do you think?"

"I think it couldn't hurt to try. And if we hate it after two sessions, we can stop. Maybe we should go separately and then together," Edward said quickly. I gave him a good but he held his hand up and continued quickly, "We've both had shit happen. You have issues when it comes to your parents and family and I have issues with other shit like trust, anger, acting before I speak."

I was so happy that he had agreed that I learned my head back onto his shoulder, trying to kiss him. He leaned in and rewarded me with a slow, opened mouth kiss. Edward slid his hands to the sides of my breasts, making me break the kiss.

"No, don't touch them," I whispered.

"Why not, you loved it when I touched them when you were pregnant before… remember when I made you cum just from playing with your nipples?" Edward asked a frown on his face. He tried again, running his fingers along the underside of my breasts.

I whimpered softly and shook my head, "They're too sensitive, Edward. Between the pregnancy and breastfeeding… I just don't want them touched."

"Alright, whatever is best for you," he reached for the hem of my shirt, pulling it up over my head. I lifted my arms in compliance and moved off his lap, lying next to him. He grinned and lay out next to me, placing opened mouthed kisses on my neck and collarbone. I whimpered, pulling him on top of me. Edward held himself up on his elbows, careful not to touch my breasts at all as he continued his attack on my neck.

I moaned his name and wrapped my legs around his slim hips and adjusted mine until his hardened dick was pressed right where I wanted it on my swollen clit. I thrust against him.

"Oh… mmm, Edward… ugh, you feel so good," I moaned incoherently.

Edward pulled away and I almost screamed in frustration, it had been a long time and my hormones were crazy.

"What do you want, B?"

"What do you think, E? You, I want you," I whined. "Why'd you move?"

He smirked and kissed me before moving down and pulling my pink shorts down.

"No panties, love?"

"Well," Edward pushed my legs apart, sliding a finger up my moistened slit and I moaned his name before continuing, "I figured we'd end up doing this."

"You're so wet," Edward murmured. He brought his fingers to his mouth and sucked on them with a moan, "and you taste so sweet."

I tried to close my legs, feeling a little embarrassed at being spread out like this but Edward pushed them back apart, repeating the motion, dipping his fingers in me but instead of his mouth, he placed them against my parted lips. I blushed as I let him slide his fingers into his mouth, moaning as I sucked on them and tasted myself.

He groaned before sliding down, placing kisses and nips along the sensitive inside of my thighs. I tossed my head back as he finally pointed his tongue and slowly drug it along the length of my pussy until he reached my clit, which he sucked into his mouth. I cried out his name, my eyes squeezed shut as I concentrated on not cumming right away.

Edward pulled away and I whined loudly. He grinned at me and stroked the insides of my thighs, "Relax, B."

"Please, Edward, pleeeease," I begged.

"What do you need?"

"I need to cum… please, oh!" I gasped as he took his clit into my mouth again suddenly at the same time as he pushed two fingers into me. Just seconds later, I screamed as I went over the edge.

The next thing I knew, Edward was hovering on top of me again.

"You alright, B?"

"Mmm, amazing," I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down for a hot kiss on the lips. I reached down to push down his shorts and was surprised to see they were already gone. "Anxious, are we?"

"Very… B, I gotta warn you. I'm gonna last like two seconds. I haven't jerked off or anything for eleven days," the tips of his ears turned red and I giggled and shrugged my shoulders, "even if I just feel you for two seconds, it'll be amazing."

I took control for once and reached down, wrapping my hand around his dick. For a second, I marveled at the fact that my hand barely fit around how thick he was. Edward groaned as I rubbed the head of his dick against my clit, biting my lip. I continued to do this, getting caught up in the moment and moaning along with Edward until he took charge, wrapping his hand around mine and sliding his cock to my entrance.

I let go and cried out as he thrust hard into me. I closed my eyes and bit my lip, wanting to concentrate on the feelings and the noises he was making but he grunted out, "Open your eyes… no biting your lip… God, look at me when I make love to do, B."

Finally, I did what I was told and looking into his deep green eyes made it feel even more intense. I hiked leg over his hip, making him go deeper with his thrusts.

"Faster," I whimpered.

"Baby… trying to make it last," Edward ground out and I shook my head.

"We have the rest of our lives, remember?" I reminded him then leaned up, capturing his lips with mine.

Edward's hands were all over me, except for my breasts. He angled his hips so he hit my g-spot, making me scream his name over and over as I came violently. Seconds later, my name was spilling out of his mouth as he followed me over the edge.

"Bella, Bella, Bella…" Edward murmured.

"Hmm?"

"I love you, B. And I promise, I will love you every moment of forever.

Edward and I had talked and joked in quiet voices and hushed laughs for a little while before I started yawning. It had been an emotional day and I'd been the sole caretaker of Audrey lately. It turned out, Audrey seemed to be able to sense if she was home or not and cried a lot more when we were away. Plus, our bed felt so good and it smelled like Edward.

He'd kissed me and let me hang onto him for dear life as I drifted to sleep.

When I woke up, my breasts were aching and my stomach rumbling. I heard voices from downstairs and squinted, seeing it was around dinner time. I snuck over to the door and heard Esme's laugh and gasped. I knew I had suggested that we invite them earlier but I hadn't really meant it. I figured we'd do it tomorrow or the next day.

I quickly hopped in the shower and cleaned myself up. I pumped because I figured Edward must have bottle fed the baby. I did my hair and put my contacts in before getting dressed in a pale yellow sundress. I put a tiny bit of make up on and slid on my sandals before taking a deep breath and walking downstairs. I followed the sound of their voices and the television to the living room. I was quiet, wanting a chance to find out what they were talking about.

"…for ten days, son." Carlisle was saying.

"But she's back for good. Look, we both made bad decisions," Edward insisted.

"It's not good for Audrey. And what about the wedding?" Esme asked quietly.

"Still in September. It was only a week! I missed them but I think this was the wake up call we both needed."

As much as I appreciated him defending me, I knew I needed to explain to them as well.

"It's just something to take into consideration," Carlisle said and I wondered what they'd offered him.

"She's pregnant," Edward blurted. I covered my face with my hands; I knew he was going to break.

"She's pregnant? Edward!"

"But… Audrey is only six weeks old. You shouldn't be having… relations before that point, anyway," Carlisle admonished.

"Well, we did. And no, she didn't trick me. We decided that whatever happened would happen. It's great, I'm happier than I've ever been. Hell, I think I'm happier than she is," I could hear the smile in my finance's voice, causing me to smile, too.

"Women are especially fertile right after giving birth, even when breastfeeding. It's risky, Edward. You should have waited at least a year," Carlisle had his doctor voice on.

"Carlisle," Esme soothed, "Perhaps it will be a boy… someone to carry on the Cullen name!"

I decided this was my cue to walk in. I poked my head around the corner and acted surprised, "Esme, Carlisle?"

Edward's head snapped up when he heard me and I could tell he was trying to judge if I'd heard him spill the beans. I gave a tiny nod but smiled softly to let him know I wasn't upset.

Esme was holding Audrey, feeding her from a bottle, "Oh, Bella! Edward said you were napping and we didn't want to wake you."

"Oh, it's fine. I wanted to talk to both of you anyway and apologize for my actions over the past week. I should never have kept Audrey away from you, let alone Edward. It was immature and I hope that one day, you could forgive me," I said earnestly.

"Well, dear, it will be just fine. Edward was just telling us you'll still be having the wedding in September. Have you booked a venue? We'll have a lot of work to do! Oh, but will you be up for it?"

"No… no venue. Of course I'll be up for it," I smiled at Esme, assuming I was supposed to pretend that I didn't know that she knew about the pregnancy.

There was an awkward silence in the room and I watched Audrey gurgle happy while she downed half the bottle.

"How about my parents' house?" Edward spoke up and I looked at him in surprise. It was actually something I'd thought about but hadn't wanted to ask.

"Edward, you should ask before offering up our house for such an event," Carlisle seemed at ends with his son tonight and I felt bad. At the same time, my heart fell because I was sure Carlisle wouldn't want it to happen, especially after what I'd done.

"But it would be so lovely! Of course, honey. If you'd like, Bella, that is."

I nodded enthusiastically. Once Esme had handed the baby to Carlisle to burp, I jumped out of my seat and went over, leaning down to hug her tightly and whispering, "Thank you. For everything, Esme, you've been so good to me."

"Oh, sweetie, just know you can come to me for anything. Just because I'm technically Edward's mother doesn't mean I don't love you as a daughter."

I nodded, wiping the tears from my eyes. I knew she was telling me I could come to her and I appreciated her even more for it.

I went and sat next to Edward and he immediately grabbed my hand.

"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Esme asked, she took Audrey back from Carlisle to finish feeding her the bottle and I smiled.

They don't know you know they're pregnant, Bella.

"Great… better now that I'm back where I belong," I said as I toyed with Edward's hands.

"And do you intend on repeating the same actions? Disappearing for days on end each time you and Edward have a tiff?" Carlisle asked suddenly and I was surprised. He was normally so polite.

"Dad, stop it," Edward said in a hushed voice.

"It wasn't just a tiff," I spoke up.

"What was it then?" Carlisle asked and I bit my lip, looking up at Edward and hoping he wouldn't be too mad at me. I had a feeling he hadn't mentioned this.

"Um, Edward… accidently… put his hands on me," I whispered and Edward groaned softly.

"Put his hands on you? Accidently? His hands are on you right now and… oh!" Esme's hand flew to her chest.

"Son… is this true?" Carlisle asked with a frown on his face.

I kept whispering that I was sorry but it was so quiet, I wasn't sure if he could hear me. Edward took a deep breath and nodded.

"He just grabbed my arms and, um, pushed me onto the couch but they were bruised and if we hadn't been standing by the couch…" I looked at Edward to see him wince as he ran a hand through his hair, "I'm sorry."

Edward shook his head, "No, I am. That's one thing we haven't talked about."

I looked back up at Carlisle, who looked so much like Edward and shared the same green eyes as my daughter, "I got scared. I got scared and it was fight or flight and I chose flight. I, um, I know that Edward would never really hurt me. He just lost his temper but I'd never seen that side of him and the look in his eyes… I should have come to you two but I didn't want… Esme, you've been through… I, um, didn't want to remind you of that period of your life."

"Edward left that part out in his re-telling of the story," Carlisle cleared his throat, shaking his head, "Edward, son… we raised you better than that."

"I thought she was going to hit me," Edward said, weakly defending himself.

"I was going to try to calm you down and your hair was in your eyes, I wanted to move it," I said quietly.

"I'm so sorry, B," Edward whispered back and I nodded because I knew.

Esme finished feeding Audrey and handed her to me. She yawned widely and I held her against my shoulder and rubbed her back until she burped then settled her in my lap. She was perfectly content, cooing and grabbing my dress with her little fist. Edward stroked her chubby little arm.

Carlisle cleared his voice, causing us to both look up.

"I'm sorry for what I said, Bella. Maybe we should be making you the offer that we just made Edward," Carlisle said, glancing at his wife who shook her head so slightly that if I hadn't been watching closely, I'd never have noticed it.

"I'm sorry, what offer is that?"

"Would you like to stay with us until things calm down? Esme and I think you've never had enough time to date, get to know each other. We think it would be a good idea to be apart while you did that. Make sure this is what you want. Now that we know that you're still getting married… it's probably an even better idea. We have a room for Audrey, we'd be able to get anything you need," my future-father-in-law offered.

My jaw dropped. Live apart? Until the wedding… date him… still see him… both of us would be able to see Audrey… I shifted in my seat. Edward had obviously said no but… was it a horrible idea?

hmm, so what do you think? do you think they should live apart until the wedding?