A/N
First of all thanks to everyone for responding so well to that last chapter; I was a little worried about how everyone would react; I based him on something that happened to a friend of mine in high school. Unfortunately for her, she didn't have the Cullen's to count on.
Also; Sorry for the delay in updating, I was planning on updating yesterday, but a storm knocked out my power as I was putting the finishing touches on the chapter, I lost everything and the chapter had to be rewritten.
Oh and since I haven't said it in a while I own none of this but a desire to know what Edward has in his brown paper bag.
Chapter 26
EPOV
We were silent on the drive home; I didn't trust my voice to speak to her yet.
I have never felt such rage before in my life and I didn't like what it was doing to me. If I could have I would have loved to have ripped Charlie apart from limb to limb.
How could someone ever say those evil words to their child. I made myself a promise in that moment; that no matter what our child ever did; no matter how disappointed we may be, that Bella and I will always support them and love them unconditionally.
I dared to a look at my Bella, I was afraid of what she would see on my face, so afraid that she would think that I was directing the fury towards her.
Her face was ash white, with tears streaming down her face, she was also shaking uncontrollably.
I swear to God, I will fucking make him pay for doing this to her, I don't know how or when yet, but he will be made to regret this.
When I finally pulled up to the door of our home, I was glad to see that Emmett and Jacob were still behind us.
I jumped out of the car and Bella made no effort to move; I had to get her inside and I needed Carlisle to take a look at her.
I walked over to her door and gently unbuckled her and pulled her into my arms so that I could carry her inside.
I threw my keys to Emmett and asked him to get her things for us; Jake caught up with us and opened the door for me.
Bella was clinging to me like her life depended on it, I couldn't fight the tears that were falling from my eyes now.
I still couldn't believe that he could talk to her the way that he did; I had always heard stories about daddy's little girls and that a girl's dad is her fiercest protector.
Mom and dad were in the living room, I assume waiting for me to come back and let them know how it went, either that or Emmett called ahead.
"Edward, Bella what happened?" Carlisle asked.
"Dad help her please" I begged, "I gave her that shot that you sent with Emmett, but look at her, I don't know what to do for her."
"Edward let go of her and lay her down on the couch, it seems that she's in shock."
"Edward, what happened?" Mom asked.
I couldn't find the words to tell her so Jacob and Emmett began filling mom and dad in.
I tried to lay her down, but she wouldn't let go of me, not that I wanted her to for one second, but I knew that she needed Carlisle right now.
"Oh God" She cried, and jumped from my arms, running to the restroom while holding her hand over her mouth.
I followed her in and held her hair back for her, while she vomited.
After she rinsed her mouth, she sat in the corner of the bathroom, wrapped her arms around her knees and began to rock back and forth.
"Edward, he's right" She wailed.
"I trapped you and I'm sorry, I promise that it wasn't intentional, but I have you trapped now."
I sat down on the floor beside her and pulled her into my lap and began caressing her hair.
"Bella, I'm not trapped love, I'm where I want to be" "Please don't listen to anything that he said, not one word of it's true."
"Bella, our baby, is not a mistake, certainly not a bastard, not an accident, a surprise yes, but none of those other things."
"I've already told you, that from the moment I met you, I knew that you were the one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, the woman that I wanted to be the mother of my kids."
"Please don't shut down on me now baby, I need you too much, I need both of you too much."
"Come on love, let me take you out there so Carlisle can take a look at you."
"I'm nothing but trouble to all of you" She wailed.
"Bella, we all love you and we take care of our family, come on love he's worried."
I helped her up and followed her into the living room; at least she's able to walk now.
I saw the looks of disgust on my parents faces and I saw them immediately try to hide them. I guess that Jacob and Emmett had finished the whole nasty story.
"Bella, are you ok now?" Mom asked, while sitting down on the couch beside Bella and wrapping her arms around her.
"I'm so sorry for all of the trouble I'm causing" She sniffled.
"Bella, I'm so sorry that Charlie made you feel this way, but honey you know us by now; Edward has never been as happy as he is now in his life; first with finding you and then the news of the baby."
"You have filled such a hole that I don't even think that he knew he had."
"Please know that Esme and I love you as much as we do any other member of our family; your ours now and you are no trouble at all." My dad explained to her.
"Welcome to your new home, we're really glad that you're here." Mom said.
"Thank you, thank you all so much, I don't know what I would do without you."
"Bella, all that you have eaten today is some toast, do you think that you could eat something love?" I ask her.
"I don't know Edward, I'm sorry, I guess that I'm not doing such a good job of taking care of the baby already."
"Baby, you're doing fine, you've had a hell of a day, would you try please?" I ask her.
"Come on sweetheart let's go find something that my grandchild wants." Esme said gently and walked her into the kitchen.
"How are you holding up Edward?" Dad asked with concern.
"Dad, I just don't understand how a parent could talk to their own child like that, I swear I wanted to rip him apart.
"I know son, and I won't pretend to understand it either; I can't find words to tell you how outraged that I am for her."
"Thanks for saying that she could come back here." I said.
"Edward, it's for the best, she's still having a hard time coming to terms with all of this, and you are doing an amazing job with her, I'm very proud of the way that you just automatically stepped up without hesitation."
"Like I wouldn't?" "Dad I love her, I can't imagine living without her."
"I know son." "and I'm pretty sure that part of you wants to move out so that you two can start your lives together on your own, but it would break your mom's heart and I think that it would be helpful if you stay here at least until after the baby is born." "We want to be here in case you need help."
"Babies don't come with instruction manuals you know." He chuckled.
"Thanks dad, we'll have to talk about it, but if it's ok with her, I'd like to stay for a while longer also."
"Oh Edward" he said while he handed me a prescription that he had written for Bella, "Take this to get filled tomorrow, it's for nausea, she should only take it when it's extreme, but I want it to be here if she needs it."
"Phenergan?" I read.
"Yes, it will keep her from vomiting, but she can not drive after she's taken it, it will probably knock her out."
"Thanks again dad, really for everything," I said before walking to the kitchen to check on Bella.
I walked into the kitchen and saw Bella in her spot at the island; apparently mom had convinced her try some soup and PB&J sandwich. I was thrilled to see her eat.
"How are you baby?" I asked sitting down next to her.
"I'm going to be ok, really it's his loss right?"
"Yes it most definitely is" I answered while kissing the top of her head.
I hate to see her hurting so badly, I knew that she was trying to put on a brave face, but I could see beneath it; I will try to talk it out some more once I get her to bed.
Carlisle was right about one thing though and I know it's so selfish; but there is a very large part of me that wants to go out tomorrow and get us our own place.
I know that Bella needs the family more than I need to have her to myself though.
"Edward, I'm going to call and make an appointment with my OB/GYN tomorrow, I'm sure that he will get her in as soon as possible."
"Wait he?" I asked, I didn't want to sound like a tool, but I want to be the only man that gets to see her.
"Yes, he; Alec is a great doctor and is with a very respectable practice." "The Volturi clinic has been in operation for a long time."
"But doesn't dad have a problem with you seeing a male doctor?"
"Don't be ridiculous Edward, no he doesn't have a problem with it, neither does Jasper, he is Alice's doctor and Rosalie's also for that matter."
"Edward, it's ok baby, Esme said that you would be allowed to be there with me the whole time." Bella tried to comfort me now.
"Isn't there a female doctor in the practice?"
"There is, her name is Victoria Hunter, but she doesn't have any patients at the moment, because she likes to hit on her patients' husbands."
"Oh hell no." Bella growled. Damn that was hot, oh not now.
"Edward, this is not about me honey, it's about the baby and I think that the baby deserves the best doctor don't you?"
"Of course love, I'm sorry." Ok so I'm a shit, and I will get over this.
"Would it help if I told you that he's gay, son?" Mom asked.
"Really?" I brightened immediately.
"He really is, he and his partner Marcus have been together nine years now." "They are even talking about finding a surrogate and having a baby."
"Wow, that's actually pretty great." I said honestly.
"You'll like him and I trust him completely, if that matters."
"It does mom and once again thanks for knowing just what to say."
"Edward, I need to do laundry if I have to live off of these clothes for a week."
"Of course love, I'll do it for you though." I offered
"No, that's ok, I don't mind and it might help get my mind off of things."
"Whatever you want baby." I told her.
I went up to our room and grabbed her things, since we were going to be doing laundry for a while, I decided that now was the time to talk about school. I will 100% respect whatever she chooses to do, but I have to admit that I would prefer it if we home schooled her. That way, the assholes that she goes to school with won't have a chance to crucify her.
"Bella, have you given much thought about how you're going to handle going back to school?" I asked.
"Well, I have to go, it's going to rough, between morning sickness and the other kids, but I don't exactly have another choice." "There's no way that I'm going to drop out to become a mom."
"What if there's another option?" I asked. "What if there is a way that you wouldn't have to go back there, but still graduate, possibly even graduate early?"
"That's something to consider but how?" She asked, well at least she was considering it.
"I want to hire a tutor and home school you." Might as well spit it out.
"How much would that cost Edward?" Oh shit not this conversation again.
"Bella, I thought that we had gotten past the money issue." I'm starting to get angry now and that's the last thing she needs.
She had just loaded her clothes into the dryer and I knew that we had a while; I had to put this money issue to rest once and for all.
"Bella, follow me please." I led her to the dining room table "Here have a seat here, please. I'll be right back."
I ran upstairs and grabbed my laptop, I guess she needs to see in black & white, just how little of an issue money is. Time for show and tell.
I joined her at the table and I could tell that she was curious; "Bella, we are going to get past this topic of conversation, I've tried to tell you that you never have to worry, but I guess that it will sink in better this way."
I opened up a window and went to one of many websites that I wanted her to see; I put in my account information and pulled up my balance.
"Edward, what is this?" She seemed floored.
"Bella, this is one of seven accounts all with very similar balances; I have investments that are doing extremely well, love can we please never bring up your fear of poverty again?" "It will never happen, I promise."
"Edward it's so…" "So what?" I asked.
"I guess overwhelming, I'm not used to a life of abundance, living with Renee, I had to stress over every cent that we spent."
"Well baby, it's not an issue that you have to worry about anymore." "So how about letting me get a tutor for you? I really don't want you to go back to that school."
"Plus if we do that we won't have to worry about your missing school, we will have the tutor come on your schedule, probably afternoons, so you can sleep in the mornings, or if your sick or have doctor's appointments."
"Plus did I mention, since your not being taught in a large class with all levels, you will actually be able to get a better education, you won't be held back to accommodate kids that are at other levels. I knew that I was just throwing things out at this point, but I really don't want her to have to deal with those assholes at school.
She seemed to think about this for a minute, well at least she wasn't saying no at any rate.
"Ok Edward" She said "I really don't know how I will deal with morning sickness and Jessica and her demented group of followers at the same time."
"Thank you sweetheart, we can find someone and have them start right after the holidays, there's no point in starting now, how about we withdraw you tomorrow and you can have a little time to yourself first?"
"Edward, I think that I can make it in school until then, I will have Ben and Angela with me." She argued.
"Is that what you want to do love?" Please say no, I wanted a little time, just so that we can get used to living together, there are so many things that I want us to do together, in nine months our lives will never be the same and I really want to make the most of this time. I am not advocating her blowing off her education by any means; education is very important to me, I'm just suggesting that she take a small break.
"I don't know Edward, part of me thinks that I should, but there is part of me that really doesn't want to; I'm afraid of getting sick in front of everyone again, I'm afraid that somehow people will have heard about what happened with Charlie, I guess that I'm just scared in general."
"It's ok Bella, you don't have to decide today, how about you skip tomorrow and think about it; It's completely up to you."
"I think that's a great idea, I'm so exhausted, I just don't know if I will be ready to face the world tomorrow."
"Bella, you have a rough past few days, I think that you have every right to take a day to just relax. Nobody could deny you that."
We still had time before her clothes were finished so I decided to approach one more thing that we need to discuss; Once we have this decided we can try to get more settled into life.
"Bella, I have one more thing that I think we need to talk about, is that ok love?"
She began to look nervous, she was biting her bottom lip, God she has no idea how sexy that is; really not now asshole.
"What is it Edward?"
"Well, I was wondering, do you want to continue to live here or do you want a place of our own?" "Whatever you want is completely fine by me."
"Edward, your family is so amazing, but I can't stand the thought of being a a burden to them, so maybe we should look for our own place."
"Bella, is that what you want or is it because you still don't believe that the family wants you here?"
Before she could answer I continued "Bella, while you and mom were in the kitchen, Carlisle approached me, and told me he would understand if we want our own place, but he and mom, really want us to stay here at least until after the baby is born."
"Are they sure Edward? It just seems like such a burden."
"Baby, they want us here, they want to be able to help us learn to take care of the baby, they want to be here for you, they want to support us emotionally and in other way that they can, and they want to be here for the baby; I think that they are excited already."
"For how long Edward?"
"I was thinking about until you graduate and then decide based on what you want to do about College."
"Edward, I'm not going to be able to go to college."
"Hell yes you are, if you want college, you will go."
"But Edward, your career is more important, I will stay home and take care of the baby, and you can have a career, you are so talented it would be cruel for you to have to stay home and play Mr. Mom." She was crying again.
"Bella, love, look at me, I compose, that's what I want to do, and I can do that from anywhere as long as I have a piano; Where we go is completely up to you; but we don't have to decide anything today."
"Ok" she said while sniffling "We'll stay here until I graduate and then we will make the decision together, we'll decide based on what's best for us, not just for me, ok?"
"Perfect love, how about we go check on your clothes now?"
Her laundry was finished and I helped her fold it and we took it all upstairs. I cleared out several drawers for her and emptied half of my closet to give her room; She was going to have to have more clothes, I knew that I could probably get back into Charlie's and get hers, but I love shopping for her and maybe she would let me pick some things for her. A guy could hope right?
After we put her things away, she and I took a hot bath together, she loves the Jacuzzi tub and it seems to help her really relax; She almost fell asleep in the tub and I got out, wrapped her in a towel and carried her to our bed.
Wow, our bed, our lives, our future, it was still hard to wrap my head around but I couldn't be more excited about it; It has been such a short time, but already I can't seem to remember my life without Bella in it.
I flipped my Ipod on and tucked her into bed, crawling in beside her; Neither of us worried about getting dressed, I love the feel of her skin against mine.
She fell asleep instantly in my arms, my poor girl, has had such a rough few days, I hope that sleep will bring her the peace that she needs.
A few hours later, Bella woke me trying to climb out of the bed and running to the bathroom; Oh no, I hate that she's going through this, I wish that there were something that I could do to make it better, suddenly I felt so helpless.
I followed her into the bathroom and tried to help her in anyway that I could, unfortunately there wasn't much that I could do; Just fulfill my supporting role and hold her hair back for her and get a cool, damp cloth for her head.
Surprisingly though, immediately after she vomited she was feeling fine.
I will never understand morning sickness.
We took a quick shower and got dressed; She was ready to eat.
Mom was in the kitchen with her coffee when we arrived downstairs. "Good morning, Bella did you sleep well dear?"
"Actually yes, I slept better than I have in a while." She admitted.
"I'm glad to hear it, I called the doctor's office and they can't work you in until the 12th but I assured them that Carlisle would be able to take care of you until then."
"Thanks Esme, I really appreciate everything you and the rest of the family are doing for me."
"Anytime sweetheart, we're just glad that you're here."Bella and I told mom about the decisions that we had made last night; The fact that we would stay here until Bella graduated, seemed to make her extremely happy.
"So kids, how about the nursery?" "Any ideas?"
"I say that we go with a neutral color since it will be a while before we know what you're having.""Mom, we have plenty of time to think about this." I told her, I didn't want Bella to stress out over this too.
"Actually Edward, it takes a while to design the perfect room, and Alice showed me a web-site that does custom built baby furniture, but it takes a couple of months to get so we really need to be thinking about it." Mom said.
"Ok mom, Bella and I will discuss it and get back to you ok?" I knew that this would appease her for a while.
After Bella ate breakfast, I wanted to get her out of the house for a little while, just to give her time to breathe and relax; My family while they have the best of intentions, can be a little overbearing.
"So love, do you feel like taking a drive?" I ask
"Yes, please."
I went upstairs and grabbed our jackets and grabbed a little something else just in case the perfect opportunity presented itself.
"Is there anywhere in particular that you want to go?" I asked her.
"No, not really, I just wanted to get out for a little while, I guess."
We drove around mindlessly for a while, listening to the radio and talking, talking about nothing in particular, no decisions to be made, nothing that was going to impact the rest of our lives; We were just being two people in love." It was a relief that both of us desperately needed.
"Edward, can we drive by Charlie's?" She asked.
"Bella, are you sure that you want to do that, I can take you home and just tell me what you want out of the house, I will go back and get it."
"I need my clothes, but I guess I just want to go by."
"Bella, don't worry about the clothes please." "I told you that I will take care of it."
"But Edward, your Julliard hoodie is there and I want it." She pouted.
"Bella, I can order one for you." I told her.
"But it's not the same, I want the one that you used to wear."
"Ok love, let's go get it." I agreed.
"Oh and maybe I can go ahead and pick up my truck and take it back to the house."
I knew that I needed to tread very carefully here, I don't want her back in that rusted heap anymore, but I know that she loves it; I fully intend to buy her a car and very soon; There is no way that I'm going to let her drive around in that thing, especially now that she was carrying my child.
To please her, I agree that we can pick it up, but she will drive my car and I will drive the truck home.
Finally we were on the street leading to her home and before we pulled up I asked her one more time; "Are you sure, baby?"
"Yes, I have to face it eventually" She told me, God she's so brave.
We pull into her driveway and we were both shocked by what we saw or better what we didn't see. Her truck is not here.
"Bella, it's ok baby, we'll find it." She's sobbing now. I take her in my arms and try to soothe her.
"Come on sweetheart, let's go in and get what you need, after that we will try to find out what happened to your truck" and I knew the best place to start, I just hope that today would be one of those days that he decided to skip school.
We used Bella's key to enter the house and saw Charlie's plasma tv completely shattered. It appeared that Charlie had more frustration to work out after we left.
We went upstairs to Bella's room, and was horrified by what we saw. All of Bella's things were scattered around, books were destroyed, it was horrible.
She began trembling now and I was afraid that she was going to have another anxiety attack.
"Come on Bella, I have another Julliard shirt that you can have, let's just get the hell out of here." I said my voice calm, hiding the rage that I was feeling. I am going to fucking kill him for this.
"Edward" She sobbed, and I picked her up and carried her downstairs and put her in my car.
I pulled out my phone and made a call praying that the person that I needed would answer. Apparently God was listening to me today, because he answered on the first ring.
"Edward, how are things going? How is Bells?" Jake asked.
I told him about what Charlie had done and asked him if he had any idea what might have happened to Bella's truck.
"Shit" Jacob yelled. "He called here last night, expecting to be able to talk trash to my dad, but I had already had a talk with my dad about the way that Charlie had treated Bella; Dad just hung up on him after he told him that if that was the way that he treated his kid, he didn't want to have anything to do with him." "I'm sorry Edward, I have no idea what he might have done with the truck, I'll look into it, and I will let you know if I find anything.""Thanks Jake" I said.
"Hey no problem, look tell Bella that me and my dad love her and that things are going to be ok."
"I will Jacob and thanks again."
"See ya, Edward, I'm going to come over in a couple of days to check on her, is it ok if I bring my dad too?"
"Absolutely, please do." I told him and then hung up.
I opened my phone and dialed the one number that I never dreamt that I would ever use; Rosalie loves to rebuild cars and knows a lot of places that junkers would be, I thought that she might know where I should start looking.
I told her what had happened, Alice and Emmett were at the Hale house last night when we came home; Nobody had an idea yet of what had gone down.
She told me about a couple of salvage yards and said that everyone was on their way back to the house, she said that they would be waiting for us.
Bella was sobbing silently, Charlie has to be made to pay for this.
I made my way to the first Salvage yard that Rose had told me about, I went inside and asked the guy working if they had the truck; He said that they didn't but said that he knew that Charlie was a friend of the guy that owned the other place, his name is Waylon and to try there.I followed the directions that he gave me and a few minutes later we pulled up to the gates of the salvage yard.
Bella and I got out of the car and were heading to the office, I knew that if it was here, that there wasn't a price I wouldn't pay to get it back for her.
Unfortunately Charlie must have told this guy to take care of it fast, we saw the car compactor and between its' massive jaws we saw it, already destroyed, nothing left but rusted red chunks of scrap metal.
