[Disclaimer] Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer

[A/N] Welcome to another chapter. Thanks for your great response. I cherish your interest in my writing.

**29**

There was light inside of her neighbor's house when Bella and Alice returned home from the cinema. She killed the engine and sighed deeply.

"Your parents are back. That's going to make things complicated."

Alice reached for Bella's hand and lifted it to her lips. "Don't y-y-you want me anymore now?"

Bella stepped out of the car and cleared her throat. "I will always want you. It's just. I don't really know how to break the news to them. Your father is not the nicest person when he gets agitated."

Alice's mood was getting worse with every step they took towards her father's house. Hadn't he told her he would be gone for at least three weeks? She didn't want her sleepovers at Bella's place to stop. Why did they have to return so soon, just to ruin everything?

She was just about to pull out her keys, when the door was pulled open. Her stepmother looked pale, almost sickish.

"Hi there, where have the two of you been? Isn't anyone answering cells anymore?"

"We," Bella started hesitantly. "We went to see a movie."

"Oh I see. That's nice. Which movie did you watch?"

"Some corny thing," Alice said. "Bella picked it up."

"She likes watching that kind of stuff. Alice, if you are hungry, just order something. I don't feel like cooking tonight."

"I can feed myself." The girl snarled. "I'm in my room in case you need me."

Alice exchanged a quick look with Bella before she rushed up the stairs.

Wiping a bit of sweat from her forehead, Esme walked back inside the house.

"I told you the girl hates me. At least you are getting along with her. That's good."

Bella followed her friend into the spotless kitchen and sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. It felt strange to her being here. Like she should instantly confess her relationship with Alice. Not tonight, she thought. I'm just not ready for that conversation.

"Do you want some wine? I bought some excellent one in Paris."

"Sure," Bella said.

Esme's hands were quivering. She looked awful. Was she sick?

"Sweetie, are you well?"

"Yes. I'm just tired from the flight."

She poured Bella a glass of wine and leaned back against the kitchen counter.

"Aren't you going to have some yourself?" Bella asked, taking a second sip from her drink.

Esme pulled a box filled with breadsticks out and placed it on the table in front of Bella. "Try those. They are delicious."

She sat down next to Bella and started nibbling on one of the crunchy breadsticks. "To die for. Was the movie a good one?"

"It was okay. We ran into James and his new girlfriend at the theatre. That was awkward."

"Just ignore him. You know that you deserve way better."

Bella nodded her head. Her happiness had always been important to Esme. Still she felt way too chicken to tell her that she had started dating Alice. The age difference bugged her. It made everything more complicated.

"How does she look like?"

"Who?"

"The slut, who else? Is she skinny and blonde?"

"Ginger, her hair looks like fire, but the worst thing is that she's pregnant."

"Oh my god, sweetie, that's just horrible." Esme said, placing her hand gently on Bella's. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. Something like that was to happen. James is moving on and so should I. It was just so…painful to see him with this pregnant chick. You know how everything that has to do with babies makes me uncomfortable."

Esme nodded her head. Then she poured a bit more wine into Bella's glass. Her own one was still completely untouched.

"Where is Carlisle? Didn't he come back with you?"

"He's still in Paris. I wasn't feeling well that's why I flew home earlier. At least you don't need to babysit Alice anymore now."

"She's not a child anymore. Maybe it would be better if you started treating her like an adult."

"The girl just hates me. She's mad because I'm back again. I saw it in the way she looked at me."

With a groan she stood up from her chair and barely managed to make it over to the sink before her stomach erupted in several weaves of bitter acid.

Bella jumped from her seat and pulled Esme's hair back. "You are sick. Maybe you got some nasty stomach flu."

"It's not stomach flu." Esme croaked. She rinsed her mouth and wiped her face with a towel. "It's…god, this is probably not a good moment to tell you about this."

"Tell me about what?" Bella asked while she guided Esme into the living room. There she wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm pregnant."

Pregnant, the word echoed inside of Bella's head. She could feel herself beginning to hyperventilate and barely managed to calm down.

"I'm sorry. Bella, I'm really sorry."

"You're the only person in your situation that would apologize for it. I am happy for you. You're my friend."

"Thank you." Esme mumbled, leaning over to hug Bella. "We've been trying to get pregnant forever."

"I know. Maybe you should take a nice hot bath now. There is a bit of vomit in your hair that you need to wash out."

"Yes, I'll do that." she stated, slowly standing up again. When Bella heard the water running in the bathroom a few minutes later she made her way up the stairs.

"Hey," she greeted Alice, kneeling down next to her on her bed. "What are you doing?"

"Reading."

Bella cupped Alice's face in her hand and pulled her closer to kiss her mouth. She wanted to ask her to come with her. The thought of sleeping alone in her bed tonight was frightening for Bella.

"Where's Esme?"

"Bathroom. She's not feeling very well. You need to be a bit considerate."

"I'd liked it better if she had stayed in Paris with my father. Now, we won't see each other as often as we want to."