Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I had the baby three weeks ago. Her name is Lauren Elise and she was a pretty big baby weighing 8 pounds 10ounces. She beautiful and I love her to pieces! Thank you all for your congratulations and well wishes. Hopefully I can get back to writing now that I'm a little less tired than when I was pregnant.
I hope you enjoy the chapter. :)
Bella Pov
In a rush Edward packed our bags and hopped in the car the second I pulled up to the condo, tossing our bags inside without a word. I silently hoped he packed everything I needed because there was no telling how long we'd be gone, but I couldn't speak because of all the thoughts whirling around in my head.
I didn't mention how I was able to leave work early today, and he didn't ask, yet somehow I felt he was doing that for my benefit. It was as if he knew I'd made a mistake and was evading the conversation. One disaster at a time, I tell myself.
Hours later we were pushing open the doors to her room to find that Phil still was not there. I'd asked Edward to call him while we waited to be ushered into my mom's room and he quickly jumped to his feet to make his way down the hall.
"Miss Swan, you can go back now." The woman behind the counter says to me with a warm smile. I return her smile and stand to approach her.
"Can you tell my boyfriend when he gets back?"
She nods and points me down the hall. "Take a right at the end of the hall."
I nod and make my way down the hall to see my mom. When I reach her room I see that she is smiling down at her bundle of joy and I take a moment to catalog the moment in my memory. Its such a beautiful sight to see her so happy.
She looks up with tear-filled eyes and greets me with a smile.
"Babygirl, meet your brother, Beaufort."
I stop beside her bed and peer down at my little brother blinking back tears.
"Isn't he just..." She takes a deep breath and let's it out as her smile widens. She's speechless and so am I.
"Do you want to hold him?" She asks, and I nod wordlessly, reaching out for him.
She places him in my arms and adjusts the hat atop his head. "Mom, he's perfect."
"He is. He really is." She wipes a tear from her cheek.
"What do we have?" I hear Edward ask as he approaches from behind me, looking over my shoulder and down at Beau. "A boy."
I nod twice and look over my shoulder at him, eyebrows drawn together in question. "Where's Phil?"
Edward sighs. "That motherfucker-" He catches himself and glances over at my mom. Of course she heard, she hears everything.
"It's okay Edward." She sighs, and plucks at the white sheet covering her body. "I already know about his affair." My mom says, shocking the hell out of me. My head whips back in her direction and I gape at her.
"He's cheating on you?" I ask, and she nods, then she shrugs which pisses me off. "You're... okay with that?"
She shrugs again, and pretends the sheet resting over her body needs adjusting.
"Mom?" I call, hoping my shaky voice gains her full attention at this moment.
"What am I to do, Bella?"
I shake my head trying to think of what to say and the only thing that comes to mind is that she's too good for him. So I tell her. "You deserve better than that."
"Well-" She clears her throat and looks up at me with a sad smile. "It doesn't matter now because I left him. We are separated and-" she shrugs, taking a breath. "I couldn't be happier."
I give her a skeptical look because she was so obviously in love with Phil. I feel Edward squeeze my shoulders which stops me from saying exactly whats on my mind.
"We're here for you, Renee. Whatever you need from us-" Edward begins but I cut him off.
"You moved to Florida for him. Are you staying here?"
"I haven't given it much thought, but I would love to be closer to you."
"Charlie doesn't live in the house in Forks anymore. I'm sure you can move in with no problem."
She pats my hand softly and smiles with blinking eyes. "We'll talk about it."
I nod. "I want you closer, because-" I look back at a nodding Edward for his permission and I see that we are already on the same page. "Mom, I'm pregnant."
Katie Pov
Five years! That's how long I have put up with this asshole. Now finally after all these years he's decided to hire an intern to share my burden with. I should have known he would hire someone he's screwing, and that she would be a pain in my ass.
I wonder if she knows about his boyfriend? I know I was devastated when I found out.
"Katie?!" I hear my name being yelled through the speakerphone and it snaps me out of my inner thoughts.
"Yes sir." I stand to my feet, expecting him to order me to do something.
"What time is the meeting today with Caroline Desoto?"
"In an hour sir." I reply quickly, gathering my papers together because I already know what he's going to ask.
"And who has the hardcopy of our contract?" He prompts, irritation in his usually monotone voice.
"I do sir. I will have them ready within the hour."
"Of course. Also, I need both interns sitting in on this meeting to take notes."
I nod like an idiot, as if he could see me. "I will prep them."
"Good."
I release the speaker button and fall back into my seat, taking a much needed deep breath as I relax. I close my eyes for the briefest second and roll my shoulders, trying to relieve the tension that builds every time I talk to him. God, why is it still so hard to talk to him?
It's because you're in love with him, and he doesn't think of you that way.
Apparently its not because he strictly likes men seeing that he's screwing Jenna's brains out every chance he gets.
I take another deep breath and release it, shaking my head as I open my eyes, and I am startled to see Jenna sitting on the edge of my desk with her legs crossed.
"Rough day." Jenna's sarcastic voice hits me like a slap in the face. I. hate. her.
I roll my eyes and shove her legs. "Get off my desk right now."
She raises her hands in surrender with a smirk on her face and swiftly hops down, moving around to the front of my desk.
"You're tense Katina. I just came here to tell you something interesting about our Bella."
I sigh, remembering how pale Bella looked this morning. I chalked it up to her being nervous, but I hope she's not sick because she may want to go home which would mean she forfeits the internship and I'll be stuck with this megabitch.
Bella has tried her damnest to hide the fact that she's pregnant, but I'm a woman, a very observant woman, and I notice things. God, I hope she doesn't want to go home for the day.
If I don't entertain her words, hopefully the problem will go away. I have enough on my plate.
"Do you ever do any work? Do you even know how to work the phones?"
"It can't possibly be that hard." She holds her hands together in front of her and shrugs. "You do it." She smirks again like the ridiculous bitch that she is. "I'm sure a monkey can do it."
"Then we don't need you." I tell her, not backing down where she is concerned. She has had this entitled air about her since day 1 and it's because she thinks the fact that she's screwing the boss means she's special. She is sadly mistaken.
She lets out a humorless laugh and looks down licking her lips. "I like you."
Pretending to appear busy, I shuffle through the papers on my desk, re-reading proposals that I have edited obsessively for weeks.
"I can't say that I feel the same way about you."
"Hmm..."
I look up in time to see her tilt her head to the side. "Do I have to hover over you all day and assign work for you?"
She laughs and the sound grates on my nerves. "You know Katie- you're going to have to get used to having me around."
"I assure you that your extracurricular activities with the boss will not sway his decision. From my understanding I get a say in who is chosen. You should know that I will not be chosing you."
"You have no choice."
"Excuse me?"
"Bella's out. She told me herself. She couldn't handle the pressure so she left."
I can't afford to believe what she's saying. "I highly doubt anything you're saying is the truth."
"Fine. Don't believe me."Jenna says as she backs away from me towards the intern desk across from mine.
She sits in her chair and stares at me with a smug smile until I finally roll my eyes and look away from her. I hope like hell that she's lying.
Bella Pov
After visiting with my mom for a few hours she forced us to leave to sleep at her house for the night. She wants us to leave as early as possible in order for me to make it back in time for my internship in the morning.
When I explained to her and Edward how I left they were worried that I wouldn't have an internship to go back to.
On the drive from the airport my cell rings and the number that I see causes my heart to drop.
"Fuck!"
Edward grabs my hand and squeezes. "Baby, are you okay?"
I show him the screen of my phone. "Its my boss."
I see the worry flash in his eyes , but he quickly masks it. "You have to answer it."
"I know." I sigh in resignation and answer before it stops ringing. "Hello."
"Bella, where the hell are you?" Before I can respond, Katie continues. "Doesn't matter. Are you in route, or have you really given up on me?"
"No, I haven't given up, Katie- what are you talking about?"
"You left yesterday without telling me. By the way, I covered your ass. You owe me big time."
"You covered for me?" I'm flattered that she would do that for me. Especially since she specifically said that was something she wouldn't do.
"I had to. I can not let that bitch get the internship." She says in a hostile tone, and her words remind me of the matter at hand.
"Jenna said she would cover for me." I point out eventhough its a moot point.
"Jenna ratted you out. You could have told me you were overwhelmed. I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, I just really want you to get the internship."
"It's not too much pressure. That's not why I left. Is that what Jenna told you?"
"Of course that's what she told me, and Steven as well. I had to come up with something."
I can't even say that I'm surprised by Jenna's actions. I know not to trust her, yet I had a little too much faith in humanity.
I start to curse Jenna, when I realize what Katie said. "Oh no! What did you tell him?"
"That you went out and personally picked up Maya Sinclairs manuscript because she was not able to make it into the office. I told him that you took initiative. He was quite proud."
"But- I don't have the manuscript."
"I do. Come straight to my desk when you get in."
I didn't realize during the entire conversation that I was squeezing the life out of Edwards hand until I felt him bring my hand to his lips for a kiss.
I close my eyes and relax into my seat. "Katie, you're a lifesaver. Thank you."
"Just remember. You owe me."
Edward Pov
Once Bella was dropped off this morning, I immediately called Renee to tell her what I had been thinking about the entire ride home.
Bella has been through so much in such a short amount of time and she has dealt with everything without breaking down. She is such a strong woman, and I feel like I don't do enough for her.
Her mom is thrilled to know what I plan to do, and she thinks Bella will love being surprised.
I was thinking of using my families personal Island and fly all of our family and friends there to surprise her. By that point I'm hoping she'll be ready to tell everyone that she's pregnant. By then we should even know the sex of the baby and it can be a big reveal for those who already know that she's pregnant.
Sadly we haven't been able to schedule a doctor's appointment yet because Bella can't take off from her intership. However, after her experience yesterday I think Bella is the exception to that no time off rule.
While speaking to Renee, Emmett walks into my condo like he owns the place.
"Okay, Renee. Thanks alot. I'll keep you posted." I end the call and turn my attention to Emmett.
"Do you knock?" I ask, following him into my kitchen where he grabs the orange juice and finishes off the carton in one long swig.
With my arms folded across my chest, I watch him as he processes something while staring into the carton of orange juice.
"Bro, I'm having a hard time."
"Did the orange juice help?" I make a joke and quickly stop laughing when I realize he's not in the mood.
"Vodka would have been better but-" He looks into the refrigerator again. "I see you're out."
"Yeah, we don't drink much."
In a way that only Emmett can master, he smirks in true asshole form and walks off towards the living room.
"You've changed, dude." He shakes his head and falls onto the couch. "I mean really; is her pussy magic or something?
I'm really not in the mood for Emmetts bullshit so I quickly shut him down. "What do you want, Em?"
"I can't just visit my little brother? You never visit us anymore. You never party with us-"
"Yet you're the only one bothered by it."
"I'm not bothered, I just- is it a crime to miss my brother? It's been me and you for years. I'm sorry that I'm not adjusting as well as you are."
We stand awkwardly across the room from each other, both a little uncomfortable bringing up our feelings. We've never had to do it before.
"You needed to talk." I point out his reason for showing up uninvited. "What about? What's going on with you?"
He exhales, and throws himself back on the couch and instantly sits up putting his head in his hands.
"It's Rose."
Of course. "When isn't it?" I walk over to sit next to him.
"Yeah, well, I'm allowed to lose my head over a woman. You lost yours months ago."
"Don't kid yourself, Em. You lost it almost two years ago when you met Rose."
"That didn't happen, okay. I refuse to lose myself in a woman bro. That's the difference between me and you. I can still be myself."
"If that were true, you would have Rose."
He smirks. "I could have Rose if I wanted her."
Now this I find funny, so I laugh. "Then what's the problem?"
"The problem is... I don't want to change, but she makes me think-"
"Makes you think..." I know what he's going to say, but I want to hear him say it.
"She makes me think that I can change."
I roll my eyes at him. "Again, what's the problem?"
"I don't deserve her, bro. You know it, I know it, she knows it, everyone knows it."
I'm in disbelief that that is the best excuse he can come up with. "That's just an excuse for you to continue to be an asshole."
"Ouch, bro! The fuck did I ever do to you?"
"I'm not going to spare your feelings. Rose isn't going to buy that excuse."
"How would you know?"
"Because I've been through this already."
We sit in silence again while he thinks over what I'd said.
"Fuck!" He stands and places both hands on his head, walking away towards the bar. "I don't know what the fuck is wrong with me?"
I move to my feet and walk over to him. I should really feel like shit for laughing at his discomfort, but it's about time he get his head out of his ass.
"You don't want to lose your shit over Rose, but you don't even realize that you've already lost it."
He turns to face me and the look on his face can only be described as distraught.
"No. No! I'm not going to be you! I will never ever be you!"
I pat him on the shoulder supportively. "We'll see."
Bella Pov
Today is Garrett's birthday, and all he wants to do is party as if he hadn't just got out of the hospital two weeks ago.
Being that Edward is his best friend and can throw one hell of a party, he of course is hosting it at our condo.
Being that the party was put together in a rush, I completely forgot about it and freaked out when I arrived home late from work.
I stood outside by Edwards car and gawked at the amount of people standing outside and around my front door.
Strobe lights flash through the windows changing colors with the beat of the music.
"Where you not invited?" I hear a voice from beside me and look to see Jenna staring down at me. "How are you not invited to a party at your own house?"
I turn to face her and because I am beyond irritated already I snap at her. "Why are you here?"
"How easy you forget that I live right next door."
I don't know why I let her get under my skin, but everything she says pisses me off. I guess its true that when you dislike someone, everything they do is annoying.
It doesn't help that after the day I have had, I don't want to deal with this party or Jenna. I want to take a long hot bath, and then fall into bed in Edward's arms. Too bad that's not going to happen and Jenna's presence is a reminder of that.
"How could I forget?" I mumble to myself before quickly turning away from her and walking into what I can only describe as chaos.
All of Edward's expensive decorations have been moved thankfully, but in the mostly bare room people are everywhere. I want to tell everyone to get out because I'm so irritated but I know that's not fair.
I wish I didn't work late tonight, then maybe I would be in the mood for all of this. I told Edward that my bosses last meeting for the day was a business dinner in Port Angeles and to not expect me home until after ten because of the drive back to town.
When we talked he didn't even bother reminding me about the party, and I know that it's completely irrational to be upset about this but I am. Until I see Garrett.
"Bells!" I'm attacked not even seconds after my name is spoken, by a bear hug.
I hug Garrett back and my sour mood is partially lifted. "Garrett!" I haven't seen him since he left the hospital and I really miss him. "Happy Birthday!"
Then a sloppy kiss is placed on my cheek and I look over to see Jane with lazy eyes and a smile on her face that tells me she has been smoking.
I release Garrett and pull her into a hug. "This party is insane!"
"This is what Garrett wanted, so..." Jane looks around with widening eyes, probably just now realizing the magnitude of this party. For something put together in such short notice, Edward did a fantastic job.
I shrug at the thought of Garrett getting whatever he wants. "Whatever Garrett wants-"
"Garrett gets." He finishes, moving around me to snake his arms around Jane. He places a kiss on her neck and she rolls her eyes as if she doesn't like the attention but I know better.
"Talking about yourself in third person is sad." I tell him, and make a face which he laughs at.
I look away for a second and catch a flash of blonde hair. I look again and recognize Kate's face instantly.
"What is she doing here?" I shout over a particularly loud song. Jane follows my line of sight and sighs when she sees who I'm staring at.
"I invited her."
There's no way that I heard her correctly.
Blinking reflexively as I unsuccessfully try to gather my thoughts before speaking. "I'm sorry. It almost sounded like you said you invited her."
I know what's coming because Garrett looks unbelievably uncomfortable, but still I wait patiently for an explanation... any explanation.
"Bella..." He sighs exasperatedly and I glare almost instinctively. It can't be helped. I'm... pissed!
Are they really going to let her into our lives again?
"We almost lost you Garrett! Because of her!"
Garrett shrugs nonchalantly, making me feel like maybe just maybe I'm overreacting a bit.
"It was my decision to go after her. You have to accept that."
With all of the pent up anger that should be aimed at Kate, I stand up to Garrett. "But I don't have to accept her!"
Jane places her hand on my arm, trying to gain my attention. "Bella, it's time we all forgive her, don't you think? I mean, it's over, right? She apologized."
"It's time we all be adults about this, Bells." Garrett says, and I can't for the life of me figure out who I'm talking to right now. Am I crazy or did everyone just forget what Kate and Tanya have put us through?
"Wow, thats rich. Especially coming from you!"
With eyebrows furrowed in confusion Garrett speaks, finally showing a bit of the agitation I know was rising inside of him.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
I shake my head, dumbfounded before speaking, "Nothing!" Without another word I stump off in search of my boyfriend.
Hmm... Is Bella overreacting?
