CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

BELLA

"Isabella?" Bossman called from his office, "can you come here a second?"

Bossman was in a bad mood, I was in a bad mood and Lily, too, was in a bad mood. No wonder Siobhan eagerly accepted the evening off; I wouldn't stay in this house any longer either if I didn't have to. Even Angus had found refuge underneath the bed and only emerged for his dinner, the fat little shit.

I knocked briefly on the door to Edward's office before peering my head around the wood. Bossman wasn't happy to hear that I felt unwell and therefore had to postpone our date night, hence why he was now giving everyone the cold shoulder. What pissed me off the most was the fact that it was Edward's idea! He saw that I had lost the color in my cheeks and the sparkle in my eye had vanished and chose to put a rain check on our romantic meal, but now I'm the one to blame and he's acting like it was all my fault. What gives, man? No need for that bullshit.

Edward frowned at the screen of his iMac, he scrolled up and down the screen using two fingers on the track pad that sat to the right of the keyboard. "Have you heard from Mr. Sharpe recently?" he asked all of a sudden.

"Brody? Weren't you the last one to talk to him?"

"Ignore that." Edward glanced over at me, I caught sight of the droop in his eyes from his lack of sleep. He hadn't had a full nights sleep since Eric first scared Lily with his strange phone call, and that was over a week ago. "When did you last speak to him?"

"It's been months, Boss... In fact, I don't think I've spoken to him since we flew off to Seattle to rescue Lily. Why? What is this all about?" What the hell is going on inside that man's brain?

"Something doesn't add up, and I'm trying to work it out." Watching him stress out over the computer made my anger disappear and a new feeling of guilt washed over me. He had been dealing with so much shit recently that we were desperate for a night where we could be ourselves and forget about all the drama of the real world, but then I fell "sick" and so no wonder Edward was annoyed. "I think he's hiding something from us," he mumbled mostly to himself.

"You need to take a rest, Boss." I curled one arm around his shoulders and placed a soft kiss on the side of his head.

"This problem isn't going to solve itself, Bella - someone needs to put the effort in."

"Yes, but if you keep going the way you are going you won't have any energy to put in that effort. And what do we do then? Step away from that computer and don't touch it again until tomorrow morning," I used all my strength to try and pull his seat back, but Edward weighed a fucking tonne, so I quickly gave up on that idea. "I'll order a pizza and we can chill, yeah?"

After much deliberation Edward finally accepted what I was saying and agreed to a pizza party. I even allowed him to choose the movie that we watched with said pizza, and usually I take full control over that one. Don't say I'm not good to ya, Boss. We signed into Netflix in order to find a movie because, honestly, who can be bothered thinking of a movie to watch and then trying to find said DVD before turning on the television and waiting for the DVD to load... ain't nobody got time for that!

"Oh," I spoke up as Edward scrolled down the website, "Angela recommended something on here... fuck, what was it called?"

Edward glanced at me with a smirk, "nice try, Love; we're not watching Orange is The New Black."

Dammit. I thought I was going to get away with it then.

We chose to watch The Wolf of Wall Street; neither of us had seen it, and it looked like the kind of film that Edward would enjoy, so I didn't want to piss on his parade and say he couldn't. We ordered some pizza and called Lily down to join us, but it seemed as though her sour mood was harder to shake than ours - half an hour after the pizza had arrived she finally came down the stairs but she didn't watch the movie or act social at all. Lily acted like your typical teenager and slumped in her seat staring at nothing but her phone.

"Thanks," she mumbled once she had had enough food and chose to leave the room.

"Lily," Edward paused the film and turned slightly in his seat, he had confusion written all over his face. She'd never once acted like this. "What's going on with you?"

I adjusted the way I sat too, so I could see what he was seeing. Lily slipped her phone into the back pocket of her jeans and crossed her arms in front of her, "nothing. Thanks for dinner."

"Yeah, I don't think so Princess. Take a seat." There was a laugh in his voice, but it held nothing but sarcasm. Despite her mood, Lily did as her father had said and retook the seat she had recently vacated. "What is going on? Has something happened? Is there anything that I can do to help?"

She glanced over at me but thankfully didn't say the real reason she was in such a mood. The fact that I could have been carrying her brother or sister. "I'm sorry, Dad - It's been a long day and I'm really tired. Everything is fine, honest."

I doubt Edward believed her - he senses bullshit like a shark senses blood - but he didn't say anything and allowed Lily to leave the room. On her way out she passed me a look which said 'I'm not lying to him anymore. Take that damn test'.

0-0

"How are you feeling?" Edward stroked my arm softly as he asked the caring question, we were still watching the movie but all the pizza had been demolished so we were lying on the couch like two fat slugs. We had about thirty chins between us. Attractive, right? I know.

"I'm fine, Boss - Alice and Angela were making a mountain out of a mole hill; there was nothing wrong with me."

"Right... so you didn't nearly faint after lunch? Angela was only saying that, was she?"

"How..." that sly little fucker... "did you ask Angela for a run down on me?"

Edward looked at me like I had asked the most ridiculous question possible, "of course I did; I knew something was wrong and you wouldn't give me jack shit, so I had to find a more reliable source."

"The main thing is that I'm fine now, and we can put this whole fiasco to bed." Until I take that test, that is...

Thankfully Edward couldn't say any more on the matter because Lily decided to grace us with her presence once again. She had changed out of her jeans-and-smart-blouse combo into a pair of leggings and an oversized sweater. Her fiery hair had been pulled up into a messy pony tail and she was wearing her glasses which meant she had probably been doing her homework.

"I've been thinking over something, and I'd like to know your opinion on it..." Bossman and I shared concerned looks but none of us said anything until the movie had been paused and we could give Lily our full attention. It took a long minute for Lily to blurt out what she came to say - the hesitation was clear on her face, but then suddenly she said... "I want to change my surname."

Bossman's hand squeezed tight with my own, I turned to see the most adorable expression on that man's face. Edward is not the sorta guy to show his feelings and likes to hide behind the wall he built for himself, but when it comes down to his daughter, that shit is a different matter. He was seconds away from sobbing like a baby, and the biggest smile was plastered over his face.

God-fucking-dammit. That face.

If I'm not pregnant already, I'd probably make him change that. That is if my ovaries are still in working order.

I was so busy thinking about my exploding ovaries that I didn't notice Edward standing up from the sofa in order to pull Lily in for a tight hug. I was wiping tears from my cheeks, she had tears running down hers, and Edward was seconds from losing his shit too. We are a family of criers.

"I'd love nothing more, Sweetheart. Lillian Kelsey Cullen? I like the sound of that."

"The only problem," Lily and Edward retook their seats to continue the conversation, "is that I will need Mom's permission in order to do so... and I don't think she's going to like that too much."

I'll pull out her weave and pop her fake fucking tits. Just gimme a pin. I'll kick her ass too, and pop her butt implants as I do so.

Don't look like Kim Kardashian anymore, do ya bitch?

"Let your father and I handle your mother, Lily." Obviously Edward would do all the legal stuff, I'd just be there to fight dirty.

"No, I have a plan! After the amount of stuff that she has done to me it's quite surprising that I haven't gone to the cops yet, but tracking me down and practically stalking me is the final straw. I could threaten Mom with phoning the police, unless she agrees to me changing my name. If she allows me to do this, I'll forget the whole thing happened."

"I don't know, Lil'. It all sounds a bit... "

"No!" She broke Edward off from talking, "I know Mom better than anybody. Including that damn Eric. She lives under a false pretense - everything appears perfect with her life, and nothing could ever go wrong. The last thing she would want is for the police to turn up and for her friends to witness what life is truly like. That news would spread around their clique like wild fire, and they wouldn't want anything to do with her. 'Criminals are never justified'."

"I could get in contact with Waylon..." I thought allowed. Why had I not thought of this before now?

"Who's Waylon?" Father and daughter both asked at the same time.

"Waylon Forge; he was best friends with my Dad since high school and they worked together since before I was born. Even now, since Dad passed away, he still sends me little emails to see how I am. If you ever need police assistance you go to Waylon. Forks is a few hours away from Seattle, but I'm certain he'll know someone who could help you."

It was clear that Lily was all for the idea, but Edward still seemed slightly unsure. "I think we could find another way around this. She could easily turn it back on us, and that is the last thing we want. But mark my words, Lil' - you will become a Cullen."

0-0

So the time had arrived.

The time for me to squat over the toilet and piss on a piece of plastic.

I didn't know how to feel. Was I ready for this? Am I really mother material? I mean, I can do a much better job than a certain person I know, but that doesn't mean that I'll be a good parent. Yes I see Lily like a daughter, but Kid will soon be an adult herself. She doesn't need assistance with anything. Chances are my instincts would kick in when the kid was born, but what about now? Am I ready right this second?

And what about Edward? I see everyday how amazing he is with Lily, and I have no doubt that he would be incredible with any child, but what if he is settled with just the one child? What if he doesn't want this baby and I'm left alone with just Angus to offer me comfort? I couldn't deal with that.

Then again what if I'm not pregnant and I have dodged the baby bullet? Do I tell Edward? Yes, he'd need to know... I couldn't keep this type of thing from him.

Oh God, the test is brewing. I have a few minutes before everything changes. Whether it comes out positive or negative, I'll be having a big conversation with Bossman tonight. This could change everything.

Fuck, I'm going to be sick. I'm so nervous. I don't know what to do.

The test is ready. Fuck fuck, shit fuck. I'm not ready to look yet.

But I need to look... I need to find out the answer.

Okay... breathe in... breathe out... one, two, three... go.

Oh, my God. That little pink plus sign is so unholy. That ain't no etch-a-sketch; this is one doodle that can't be un-did, home skillet.

I've watched Juno far too often.

0-0

I found Edward at his desk once again. He had promised to come up to bed, but his research had clearly sucked him in too much. "I'm sorry, Love. I'll be five minutes, I promise."

I softly closed the office door behind me. My stomach was in knots and I felt as though I was going to throw up any second. I had the test hidden in the pocket of my hoodie, just incase Bossman needed evidence that I was in fact knocked up with his child.

Holy shit. I'm having a Baby Bossman.

What if he reacts badly? Do I collect Angus and leave? Do I stay here in hope that we can work something out and find a mutual agreement? I don't know what to do. I don't know where to start.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?"

No I'm not okay! I have just pissed on a plastic stick and found out that you've knocked me up with your mutant sperm! I missed two pills yet your swimmers still managed to reach their target! This all your fault!

"Um... I'm not sure... Er, there is a reason why I felt sick today and, um... fuck."

Without a seconds delay Edward rolled back his chair and had me sit down on his lap, his arms went around my stomach and I instantly started to freak out again. Normally I love it when he gets all cute and cuddly, but not when his arms are around my stomach. My pregnant stomach. Christ. Tears started to pool in my eyes. I know your emotions and hormones go completely off scale when you are in my position, but does it happen that quickly? I had been up and down like a damn yo-yo.

"What's up? Is it something serious?" He pressed a kiss to my temple and I had the urge to just cry, and cry, and cry some more.

"Yeah... it's pretty serious. But not in the way you're thinking...?" I was in the middle of thinking what to say next, whether to just blurt it out or keep him guessing, when I felt his hands adjust their hold on me and one hand landed right over the pocket that held the damn test. I couldn't look at his face as he slipped a hand in and slowly pulled it out.

Um... surprise?

"Bella?" I ducked my head under his chin; too scared to see his reaction whether it was good or bad. "What is this?"

It's a candy bar. What the hell do you think it is? Funnily enough it's the same thing that Lauren would have taken sixteen years ago to find out she was expecting your daughter. But not the same one, 'cause that's just fucking gross. Ew.

"Bella, please, look at me."

I waited a few minutes until I had found the balls to curl away from his body in order to see his expression. It maddened me that I couldn't tell how he felt, so I automatically assumed he was angry at me. "I'm sorry. I missed two days and... I didn't realize until this morning that it would have made any sort of difference... but clearly it has made a difference and, um... I don't know. I'm really sorry."

Edward stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. "Why are you sorry? This isn't completely your fault."

"But it is my fault! I should have told you that I'd missed them and then you could have wrapped it for a night and we wouldn't be in this mess! But it was around the time you had your fights so I was really stressed and scared and taking a goddamn pill was the last thing on my mind. Please, please don't be angry at me... We'll sort this out, I promise."

"Sweetheart you're over exaggerating. You're right - we will sort this out." I dropped my gaze to my lap and prayed he wouldn't chuck me out of the house just yet. "We'll sort this out together... and make sure you get the best medical care possible."

"What?" Hold the fucking phone. What are you saying Bossman? "So... you're not angry?"

Edward threw his head back into the leather of his seat and laughed loudly, "of course I'm not angry! Bella... I love you. Sure we hadn't discussed children, and we hadn't planned to do anything this serious, but if life has dealt us this hand of cards then I am more than happy to accept it."

Could I please stop crying for two minutes? Bossman's confession had me bawl like a damn baby in his arms. "I really needed to hear that," I sniffed against his shoulder and then rose my chin in order to kiss his stubbled jaw, "and if this is a night of confessions, then I must say that I kinda love you too. Like, a helluva lot."

And award for Cheesiest Moment goes too...

"So what do we do?" I asked a short while later.

"Well I'm going to make sure you don't work as much. You need rest."

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculous idea, "I mean now, not in seven months time."

"So do I. I will be making sure Alice doesn't take you on any long haul trips across the country or have you spend an entire day running errands and tiring yourself out. But first there's somebody we need to share the news with."

Telling Kid wasn't what we had expected. I had admitted to Edward that she knew about me buying the test and her weird mood earlier on was all because of me, but we thought that would have blown over, but apparently not. Lily admitted to being scared - she was scared she would be left out and 'forgotten about' if we had a tiny baby to care for. I simply laughed, called her out on her bullshit and then joked that of course we wouldn't forget about her - we needed somebody to babysit on date night.

"What Bella is trying to say, Lil', is that we could never leave you out; that would be impossible. We are a family now and that doesn't change just because the family grows."

0-0

Of course I had to let Angela know. She screamed and demanded that she got to be the baby's Godmother. I simply shook my head and tried to focus on something else. "Momma Swan," Angela announced, "I have an important question to ask you."

"Jesus Christ," I mumbled down the phone. I literally found out I was pregnant like, two hours ago and already Angela was calling me Momma Swan. "Okay fine, what is your important question?"

"I need to know what underwear Bossman wears. Boxers? Boxer briefs? Tighty whities?

"Oh definitely tighty whities. In actual fact if you strip him down he looks like Walter White's identical twin brother. Man boobs and everything."

"Har-har! I'm being serious here, Bella."

"How do you know I wasn't?" I could practically feel Angela's eye roll through the phone, "alright fine! Bossman loves a pair of boxer briefs... or commando. It depends on what he has planned for that day." But if he is going commando then I have to, too - it's the rule of the house.

"Oh damn. Kleins? Abercrombie?"

"Even better...Fruit of the Loom. They are so goddamn soft!" Ang didn't respond to my joke; she'd clearly had had enough of my shit. "Sorry. He doesn't have a 'go to' brand, just as long as they cover his junk. But can I ask why you are questioning me on my boyfriend's underwear choice?"

"Because I heard somewhere that a man's underwear choice can determine the sex of a baby! Something to do with a lower or a higher sperm count... I dunno."

"Really, Angela?" I love this girl dearly, but she's got a fucking screw loose somewhere, I'm tellin' ya. "Do you honestly believe that crap?"

"I saw it on Google."

"Oh, so it must be true! Ang, you do realize that nothing can determine the sex of a baby, right? Unless it was made in a test tube."

"I don't care - I still think you are having a boy. Now, we need to think about names..."

It was going to be a very long nine months.

0-0

I know one of you didn't want her to be pregnant, but I can't please everyone; I'm only doing what I had planned from the beginning. For those of you who wanted the test to be positive, how do you feel now?

And Lily wants to become a Cullen!? So cute.

Thanks for reading, let me know what you thought .X.