Chapter 29-Stop! Take a Deep Breath

BPOV

"Quiet," I shouted, trying to get the cheer squad's attention. "We need to finish the homecoming banners and get them hung before we can call it a night."

"Why?" Lauren whined. "The team won't even notice them. They never do."

"Because, Lauren," Edward said, coming into the room with several members of the varsity football team, effectively silencing Lauren. "It's not for the team, but for the student body." He turned to me and gathered me into a quick hugged, kissing my cheek. "We're here to help. What can we do?"

"Here, Edward," called Angela, rolling up a completed banner. "Take this one and the other rolled ones behind me. Hang them anywhere in the school—upstairs and downstairs."

"Sure thing, Angela," he replied as Ben took the proffered banner before picking up the rest. Leaning in, he whispered in my ear and slipped me his car keys, "Meet me at my car when you are done here. I'll drive you home."

I gave him a quizzical look before he turned away with a chuckle. "All right, guys. Let's get these banners up."

~~ SIB ~~

I could hear someone calling out to me—Jessica? Why would she be calling out to me? I couldn't open my eyes to see if it was her. What was happening to me?

Then suddenly Carlisle was shouting, asking for information.

"I came in to take Bella's vitals and alarms started going off."

"Bella!" Carlisle's voice came as something pressed hard against my chest.

Ow! I wanted to say but couldn't speak or move.

"Repeat a CBC, blood gas, and Chem-7. Order a CT with and without contrast. STAT on all four," he said, presumably to Jessica. "Bella!" he said again, repeating the painful action again.

Everything became quiet after that. After a while, I was moving.

"Bella," Jessica said as if I were … awake. "You're being taken for a CT scan. Once there, the techs will lift you and place you on the table."

It wasn't long before I heard a count and was lifted. I felt something very cold and hard against my back. Suddenly I was scared; no, I was terrified. I could feel moisture on my face as loud beeping filled my ears.

"Bella, you need to calm down," Jessica said, taking hold of my hand.

Calm down! I was scared but I didn't think I was panicking.

"Bella, calm down," she said, trying to sooth me.

How? Tell me how, Jessica, my mind screamed back.

"Page Doctor Cullen."

EPOV

"What!" I yelled into my phone as I rushed out of Dad's office, taking off at a full blown sprint toward x-ray.

"Bella is in a full-blown panic, and I don't think the injection I could give her would help."

"I'm on my way." Hanging up, I saw a hospital worker. "CT room?" I asked.

"You're not allowed in there," he responded.

I took a step toward him. "Where is the CT room?" I asked again, yelling.

"Edward," Dad called from down the hall.

I turned away and rushed toward Dad. He stood aside, so I could enter the CT room. Less than thirty seconds had gone by since I arrived, and I was brushing a strand of hair behind Bella's ear, panting slightly. She was beautiful despite being a sickly, ghostly white.

"Bella," I whispered, leaning close. "Relax and feel." I caressed her arms, and very slowly, the beeping became a low bleep. "I'm not going far. Dad needs a couple of scans. You'll be fine." I kissed her cheek before straightening and turning away.

"Thank you," Dad said, motioning for me to join him and Jessica in the partitioned off room as the technicians finished the preparations for the first scan. Dad leaned toward me. "Edward, I have to ask this. Did you and Bella engage in intercourse?" he asked in a low whisper.

I looked over at him before nodding. "Why do you ask?"

"For her chart and the police report, but I'll wait until Bella wakes before determining if a SAE is needed."

Swallowing, I closed my eyes and tried not to think about what he was implying might have happened.

Twenty minutes later and another panic attacked calmed, I was sitting next to Bella in an ER room, waiting again. With my head hung low, I held one of her hands and prayed that she would open her eyes again.

BPOV

Edward, I thought, instantly relaxing. I tried once again to open my eyes, but they felt like they were glued shut. I was frustrated. Why couldn't I open my eyes?

"I'm not going far. Dad needs a couple of scans. You'll be fine," he whispered, kissing my cheek.

Then he was gone. A minute or so passed before a loud rumble started, and I was again terrified but tried to remain calm for as long as could. It was so loud, and I didn't know what was going on.

"I love you," he whispered moments after the loud noise stopped. "Dad needs one more scan." He kissed my forehead as someone told me they were going to give me an injection.

No, my mind screamed out. I tried to fight, flail my arms and legs, something to prevent me from being taken. The incessant beeping started began again.

I felt someone rubbing their thumb over my hand. "It's all right, Bella," Edward whispered. "The injection is to help them determine what's wrong with you."

It wasn't long before I felt a rush of heat that spread through my arms, chest, and abdomen that made feel like I needed to relieve myself. I have to pee, I tried to say.

The loud rumbling started again. It felt like forever before I was being lifted off the hard, cold table and placed on something soft. "Let's get you back to your room," Jessica said.

Esme's POV

Something must have happened to cause Edward to rush out of the room shouting a half hour ago. I looked at Charlie and his face was ashen, and I could tell that he was barely holding it together. Every so often, his gaze shifted to the door and mine would follow. I was worried about him.

"We're all worried. There has to be a reason that Edward hasn't returned," Jasper said as sat down beside me, placing an arm around me. I leaned into him, taking the comfort he offered as Charlie look right him.

"Like what?" he asked, his voice very small and despondent.

"Possibly a problem at work. Someone would have—" Jasper said at the same time Carlisle walked in. His face fell.

"Don't look so gloomy," he said, coming farther into the room.

"Bella?" I asked.

"She had a panic attack. I called Edward. Nothing I could do would've calmed her as fast as he did."

"So, she's not—" Charlie asked not finishing.

"She's perfectly fine. The latest test results haven't come back yet, so I thought I would update everyone."

"Has she woken?" Rosalie asked.

"I'm afraid not. Edward's staying with her as well as a nurse."

"What aren't you saying?" I asked.

Carlisle leaned against his desk and ran a hand down his face. "I'm worried. The scan showed nothing, and the drugs they gave her to knock her out weren't enough to cause a coma—maybe a surgery-like sleep."

"There still something you're not saying," Alice said.

I looked at her a moment before turning back to my husband. He was looking at Charlie.

"Go ahead," Charlie said.

"There were two drugs found in her system."

"What drugs?" Emmett and Jasper asked at the same time.

"Anesthesia and GHB, a date rape drug," Carlisle answered with a heavy heart.

I gasped, burying my face into Jasper's shoulder.

"I doubt she was raped. GHB acts as a sedative and would have made it easier for them." His beeper went off before he could say more. "The test results are back."

"I'm going with you," Charlie said. "I think I need to try to go into the room and see her."

Charlie looked over at me, and I gave him a slight but encouraging smile.

CPOV

I went to the nurses' station with Charlie and logged into a computer, pulling up Bella's latest test results. The CBC results were still normal though it showed Bella was slightly anemic, not a real cause for concern. The Chem-7 results were also normal. I furrowed my brow when I read the next test result listed, I didn't recall ordering it. Bella's human chorionic gonadotropin level was two-hundred thousand milli-international units per milliliter.

I gulped. Bella was pregnant. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I closed my eyes. Dread washed over me, with all that she's been through, I wasn't sure how she was going to handle this news.

"What's wrong, Carlisle?" Charlie asked.

I shook my head.

"Carlisle, I know that look."

"Did Bella have a boyfriend she was intimate with?" My question should give him the answer I couldn't ethically give him.

"She dated a guy named Seth for about six months, but they broke up about six weeks ago—before he left on deep space mission. I'm not sure if they were intimate. Two weeks before she came here to help, she called me in tears. Seth had died in action." He fell silent. "Wait! Are you saying she could be pregnant?" The last word was a whispered breath.

"I need to speak with Bella when she wakes." I walked away and right into the room she was in. I immediately took in the scene. Edward's head was bowed, and he was holding her left hand in his, running his thumb soothingly over it. Jessica was printing out a read out. But what really drew my attention was the slight movement of Bella's right hand. I walked over taking that hand in mine gently. That was a good sign, a very good sign.

BPOV

God! My nose itched. I tried to move my left hand, but it was weighed down. A current was coursing up my arm from the center of my palm. Okay that was oddly comforting. I tried moving my right hand and was able to a little.

Someone took hold my right hand. I wanted to scream, my nose itched for crying out loud.

"Bella, I need you to squeeze my hand with your right," Carlisle instructed.

I tried and was surprised when my hand actually moved again. So when I tried to open my eyes, I was disappointed when they didn't open. "Why?" I questioned. My voice was low and husky, like it always was when I woke up from a nap.

I heard a chuckle and three relieved sighs.

"So I know you can hear me," Carlisle responded.

"My eyes? Are they glued shut?"

"No … I don't think so," was his quick response as a cool cloth was swiped over both of my eyes. "Why don't you try again?"

I was a little unsure but did as he asked. My eyes cracked slightly and I immediately shut them again when the harsh fluorescent lights hurt them.

"Jessica, turn off the lights," Charlie said.

"Charlie?" I croaked in disbelief.

"Who else, Bells," he said, coming into my line of vision. "You had me worried. And don't be sorry."

I smiled at his last statement. How could I be sorry for something that was beyond my control?

"How are you feeling?" Edward asked.

"I have to pee," I answered honestly, blushing.

"I'll help you," Jessica said with a sad smile, putting down the side rail of the hospital bed. She helped me up as Carlisle brought in a wheelchair before transferring the IV bag to the hook attached to it.

"Thank you, Jessica," I said as she wheeled me down the hall, noticing I was in the ER.

"I'm just doing my job, but I would've helped you even if it wasn't my job." I looked over my shoulder and smiled at her as we came to a stop outside of the restroom. She helped me into the room and placed the IV bag on a wall hook. "I'll be right outside."

It felt good to rid myself of the tight pressure in my lower abdomen. Having to pee was one side effect I didn't mind having with the IV in my arm. I opened the door once I was done and waited as Jessica retrieved the IV bag.

"How long was I out?" I asked, more alert now since I was up and moving.

"Since you were brought in four and a half hours ago."

Four and a half hours! Yikes! "It felt like I was out longer."

"I have the same feeling when waking from a nap."

She wheeled me back into the room. Only Carlisle was there. "Where are Dad and Edward?" I asked.

"I sent them away for a bit so we could talk," he replied, giving me a concerned look once I was settled in the bed again. "Give us ten minutes, Jessica."

"Sure thing."

He took the seat close to the left side of the bed, presumably where Edward had been sitting. "Why do I feel as if I am not going to like what you want to talk about?"

He sighed. "I wish I wasn't the doctor on your case, Bella, but there are questions I have to ask—some you'll probably be asked again."

"Go ahead."

"Do you remember what happened?"

"A little, but it's hazy."

"Tell me what you can."

"A syringe. A salty drink." I wrinkled my forehead, trying to remember more. "A conversation about someone wanting me them all to themselves." I shook my head. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You went through a traumatic experience. Memory lost is common."

"What else?"

He sighed and wouldn't meet my eye. "When was your last period?" he asked.

I had to think hard come up with an answer. It had been a few months, at least. "I don't know," I said, dread coloring my voice.

"Have you been intimate with anyone other than Edward?"

He knew about Edward and me. Heat rushed up my neck and face. "Yes, but I'm on the pill." He gave me a quizzical look complete with raised eyebrow. "Edward insisted on additional protection—the other guy, not all the time."

"The pill is no guarantee, Bella."

"I know."

"I think you know where I'm going."

"I'm pregnant," I said, tearing up. I hated Seth, really hated him.

"I'm afraid so about seven or eight weeks. You're also slight anemic. "

"Does anyone know?"

"Your dad was with me when I read all the test results. I had to ask if he knew anything. He's suspicious, but I didn't confirm anything."

"I want Esme," I sobbed, and he drew me into his arms. I was scared. I'd broken up with Seth, not because he was heading out for a dangerous deep space mission, but because he cared more about his needs than mine. He classified our moments of intimacy as an obligation as his girlfriend. It was always over in a few minutes and felt nothing like what I'd shared with Edward. Oh God, how was Edward going to take this news? I started crying harder.

"Is something wrong?" Jessica asked, coming back in.

"Go to my office and get my wife," Carlisle instructed her as he continued to hold me, rubbing my back.

Five minutes later, Esme had her arms around me. "We'll leave you two alone," Carlisle said, getting up to leave. "Edward, Charlie, come with me."

I hadn't noticed Dad and Edward had come in with Esme.

"Why is Bella crying?" Edward asked before the door was shut.

"Tell me what's wrong," Esme said in her motherly way.

I didn't know what say or how to say what I needed to tell her. "Carlie. Seth. Taken. Here. Edward," I rambled in broken sentences.

"Okay, let's start with Seth. Who is he?"

"An ex-boyfriend. We broke up six weeks ago. He died during a mission two weeks ago. Hate him so much right now."

"Why?" she asked.

I didn't want to talk about him so remained silent.

"All right. Carlie?"

"Miss her so much."

"I know you do, and with time you'll learn how to cope with missing her."

"I know, but when?"

"I can't answer that. Now, what has Edward done?"

"Nothing, nothing at all. So many emotions. I love him so much. I'm afraid of my feelings, though," I said, bowing my head.

"Isabella Marie, look at me."

Oh boy! Nothing good ever came after the using of the first and middle names. When I looked back up she went on.

"Edward loves you. When he learned you had been taken, he wanted to rush off and search for you."

"He did?"

"Yes."

I had to tell her. "I don't know how he'll take the news Carlisle just gave me."

She gave me a quizzical look, but said nothing.

"I'm pregnant, Esme, and I'm scared," I said awash with fresh tears.

"Oh, Bella!" she gasped, wrapping her arms around me again. "There is no reason to be scared."

"I-I-I don't—" I couldn't complete the sentence as sobs wracked my body.

"You don't have to worry about what Edward will think. He loves you and knows that you had a life before you came back here."

"But," I got out before she placed a finger against my lips.

"He will understand—give him a chance. Plus, I'll be with you the whole way, even if he doesn't want to be."

A knock sounded on the door a second before it opened and Vance came in. I ignored him.

"I have work obligations," I said, pulling out of Esme's embrace.

"You have no work obligations," Vance said.

"What?"

"Effective immediately you are on medical leave. The events of today, coupled with everything else, led me to this decision. It's non-negotiable."

"How long?"

"We'll talk in a couple of months."

"Months," I said shocked.

He just stared at me.

"I don't need—" I started and Esme put a restraining hand on my arm.

"I agree with him, Bella. You need time to cope with everything."

I sighed. They both were right, and I remained silent getting lost in my own thoughts. I absently ran my hand over my stomach. "I'll need longer than a couple of months."

"As long as you want, Bella—tell me how long you're thinking."

"Seven or eight months, maybe longer," I said.

"That's an awfully long time."

I looked at him, considering if I should tell him or wait. No, he needed to know. "Vance, I'm pregnant. Do you really think field work would be good for me?"

He blanched at my revelation. "Desk duty then," he suggested.

"I could live with that, but like you said, we'll talk again in a couple of months."

"Okay. Your dad would really like to come back in and so would Edward. I asked them to let me come in first."

"Where's the rest of the team?"

"They left. They'll be back later or come to the Cullens'."

I nodded, and he let both Edward and Charlie in. I couldn't even look at Edward when he took Esme's spot next to me on the bed. I bit my lip. Charlie suspected. Carlisle, Esme, and Vance knew. I decided to just come out with it; Edward would either accept it or reject me.

Nothing could make me not want, not love you, Bella, nothing.His words from last night meant everything to me, but in light of what I had to tell him … We'll see if it changes things.

"I'm two months pregnant," I blurted out, burying my face in my hands.

A/N: Okay, don't hurt me. I had to end this chapter somewhere and this seemed like a good place to end.

Any speculation on how Edward is going to react? Let me know.

The next chapter will be posted on Wednesday. 'Til next time.