Chapter 35 - Does He or Doesn't He?

A/N: Sorry for the long delay. My life and that of my betas have been hectic, but 'tis the season. I finally made a decision to publish this chapter without the comments of the beta I was waiting on. So, enjoy!

BPOV

The next few days flew by quickly. Edward and I spent hours in each antique store near Lost Mountain Lodge. I even found a pendant—delicate and intricate comprised of moonstones, sapphires, and diamonds—that I just fell in love with, and no matter what I said, Edward insisted on purchasing it for me. It did take him some time to find a sterling silver necklace the right length, but it now hung around my neck just above the swell of my breast. We didn't buy anything else in the antique, though there were a few pieces of furniture that Edward asked one shop to hold—he told me later he wanted to get Esme's opinion before he made the purchases for a new restaurant he was hoping to open soon.

We were now driving back to Forks, and for some reason, the normally comfortable silence was driving me insane. I didn't know why, other than my mind was going a mile a minute. I had so much on my mind and didn't want to fall back into the habit of internalizing everything again. There were a few things I knew: one, I wanted to voice what was going through my mind, and two, Edward might be able to help with one thing that was troubling me.

"Edward," I said.

"Yes," he answered, not taking his eyes off the road.

"I know there will be a trial some time down the road …" I stopped when he stiffened slightly; although, he attempted to hide his reaction.

I allowed myself to wonder, Does he know something I don't?

After my brief hesitation, I decided if it was important he would have told me and went on. "And with my being one of the victims …" I paused again when he shoulders slumped forward.

He does know something, but what?

"I think I need a lawyer," I finished, looking at him, trying to gauge his reaction.

He turned slightly, so he was glancing at me before he answered. "You already have one," he replied, turning his eyes back to the road.

"I do?" I was confused.

How do I already have one when I just realized I needed one?

"Yes. Dad called me, after talking with Charlie, asking if I knew any lawyers. They were thinking the same thing you are now," he answered.

"And what exactly do you think I am thinking?" I asked.

He sighed before answering. "That you need someone to represent and protect you from being slandered and to make sure you don't have to face those who took you and would've turned you over to him."

I was thinking some of that. "It hadn't crossed my mind about facing my abductors."

He didn't say anything.

"So, who is my lawyer, and what can you tell me about him?"

"His name is Jason Jenks, and he's a client of mine. He throws quarterly dinner parties and has my restaurant cater. He is foremost a lawyer with great integrity and represents his clients with zeal."

"Has he ever handled a matter such as this?" I asked.

"Not exactly. There was a murder trial a few years back, and he represented the victim's family. The attorney for the attacker couldn't prove that his client was innocent." He shrugged. "Jenks will represent and protect you very well."

"When can I meet him?"

"I'll arrange a meeting sometime next week, after you're settled."

I didn't know what to say other than, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, placing his hand on top of mine where is rested in my lap.

Now my mind was at ease about one thing. I felt better knowing that those I loved had my back.

"Anything else on your mind?" he asked, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

What wasn't on my mind right now? The next thing on my mental list was moving in with him. "I know I agreed to move in with you, but I have—" he raised his hand.

"You can redecorate any room you don't like."

"I love the décor. I just have a request."

"Anything."

"I would like to create a nursery," I said, ending on a whisper.

"Excuse me, I didn't hear you. What do you want to create?"

I didn't want to repeat it. "Forget it."

EPOV

I'd heard her, and it made me happy to hear her ask for a room she could make into a nursery, and it told me she was thinking about the future, one that included me. "If there is something, anything you want, just tell me," I said in hopes that she would repeat her request.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw her bite her lip. She was hesitant and I knew it. "I said forget it."

"Bella," I said pleadingly. "Please tell me, and if it is in my power, I will get it for you."

"A nursery," she said.

"Done," I said with a smile.

After a moment or two, I could feel her staring at me.

"What?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the road.

"You would let me change a room in your home into a nursery?" she asked, disbelieving.

"I already said you could redecorate any room, and I meant it. I was hoping you would want to redecorate one for the twins," I said as we came to a stop at a light in Port Angeles. I turned to face her with a smile still on my face and reached a hand out to brush a lock of hair behind her ear. "I want you to feel like my home is your home." I added silently to myself "and I still want to marry you."I didn't want to scare her with what I saw in my—our—future.

"I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," I replied as a honk from behind sounded. I turned back and proceeded through the light. "Have you begun thinking of names?"

I heard Bella swallow, so she hadn't been thinking of names yet. Heck, I was new at this baby thing and didn't know when couples discussed potential names.

"I have a little," she replied, surprising me on the fact that I was wrong. "I'm slightly partial to Esmeralda."

My smile widened. "Mom would be thrilled."

"You can't say anything to her yet. I need to find out the sexes first," she said. "Though, I do have an idea on how to tell everyone their sexes. I'm just not sure if it will be received well here."

"She won't her from me. So, what's this idea?" I asked interested.

"Cake," she responded not elaborating further.

"Cake?" I was confused. How could cake tell the potential sex of a baby?

"Yes. I would be given two sealed envelopes. One for the bakery and one to confirm. A cake would be made using either blue or pink batter or both. When it is cut, the gender is revealed."

"I've never heard of that being done."

"It's a new trend. The parents-to-be have a reveal party."

"Interesting," I commented. "Do the parents know?"

"That's the appeal. Everyone finds out at once, parents included," she remarked.

"So, when can gender be determined?"

"Around twenty weeks. So, I can go in about twelve weeks and have another ultrasound done."

I felt as if I was trending water, waiting to be rescued. "Are any other names coming to mind?" I asked, hoping she would throw me a line.

"Have any suggestions?"

"You want my input," I said astonished, glancing at her. She didn't exactly rescue me in the way I wanted. The metaphoric water had been pulling me under and fast, but the feelings that filled me now pushed me up out of the water. Her question made me fall even more in love with her.

"Of course I do."

"I'm honored you want my input, but no names are coming to mind right now."

She didn't saying anything, but when I glanced back at her, she had a smile on her face. I wanted to know what was behind her smile. My cell rang, stopping me from asking. A sense of foreboding washed over me when I saw the caller was Charlie. He rarely called me, and if he was calling me now it couldn't be good.

"Hello?" I said after accepting the call and placing my cell to my ear. I wish I had my blue tooth with me.

"Edward, are you and Bella okay?" Charlie asked.

"Yes … why?"

"Where are you?" he demanded.

"West of downtown Port Angeles."

"How long outside?"

"About ten minutes." I answered.

"Turn around and go back toward downtown," he said.

"For what reason?" I asked.

"Edward," he yelled, "turn your damn car around and go back into the downtown area. Emmett and the others are in Port Angeles and know what's going on."

"Then fill me in," I pleaded as I turned around in the parking lot of Granny's Café.

"Edward?" Bella said questioningly.

I looked over at her, hating that I was about to lie to her again, but I didn't know why Charlie called to tell me to turn around. "Mom wants me to pick something up for her," I said.

"Emmett or Jasper will fill you in. They are waiting for you at Starbucks on Laurel and Third."

"Can you give me any hints?"

"Keep Bella safe," he replied before hanging up.

What the hell was going on in Forks?

"What does she need us to pick up?" Bella asked.

"Coffee," I replied. "There's a blend Starbucks sells she and Dad like. The only place to get it is at the coffeehouse."

She wisely didn't comment on my carefully contained temper. Charlie had told me what I needed to know though not why.

"Wait a minute," she said. "Coffee? I've seen the blend of Starbucks coffee they prefer at the pharmacy."

Crap! I was hoping she didn't know the blend they preferred since she drank tea.

"Plus, the one-side of the conversation I could hear didn't indicate you were talking to your mother."

Double crap! Given the profiler in her, I should have known better than to think I would be able to get away with those lies like I had with the other.

"Who were you talking too?" she asked.

"Your dad," I said in a deflated way.

"And I take it he told you to go back to Port Angeles."

"He did."

"Why?"

"I honestly don't know. We're to meet your friends at Starbucks."

"Something is definitely wrong," she said as she started gnawing on her lip.

The way she sounded had me pulling over. Putting on the flashers and the car in park, I pulled her into my arms, well as much as the center console would allow. "I'll get answers from someone, Bella." I saw a police car pull behind us and flip on their lights. The officer got out and walked toward us.

Reluctantly, I released Bella and rolled door the window. "Having car trouble?"

"No, Officer. I had a phone call I needed to take and pulled over. The caller delivered some bad news to my girlfriend."

He smiled at me. "Glad to hear you pulled over to take it, and I hope your girlfriend will be okay. However," he said, giving me a piercing look, "you need to get moving along."

"I'm fine now, Edward," Bella whispered.

"We are. Thanks for stopping and checking if we needed assistance." He nodded to the both of us and step back as I pulled back out onto the highway.