***I do not own the rights or privileges of Twilight.***
Exam week was difficult but thankfully over quickly. By the time Friday rolled around, Bella was absolutely exhausted and much to her disdain her beautiful prom dress has become a tighter fit. Cursing her poor diet over the past week, Bella was still able to squeeze into it without much difficulty. She was grateful for the silver ballet-style slippers she'd borrowed from Rosalie as her back was still sore from stress.
Edward was waiting in the living room as Bella put the finishing touches to her evening look. She'd spent the afternoon at the local salon getting her hair styled; her normally difficult, thick hair was carefully curled to perfection and left hanging down her back save for a few pins strategically placed to keep her face free from coverage. She had a thin layer of foundation – which Bella never really needed but the beautician had insisted upon – with rosy cheeks and dark, sultry eyes. Her lips were coated in a dark pink gloss. She added her heart shaped diamond around her neck and a few silver bangles, and admired herself in the mirror. It was obvious to her that she'd gained some weight, but she was pretty sure no one else would be able to tell.
As Bella descended the stairs, Edward, Charlie and Jasper met her at the bottom. When she looked up into their faces she had to giggle; she saw three pairs of bugged eyes and Edward's mouth hanging open in shock.
"So, what do you think?" She asked, twirling around like a princess.
Charlie cleared his throat. "You look great Bells. Really pretty, and grown up." Charlie replied, his voice wavering slightly at the end.
Bella gave her dad a big bear hug. "Thanks Dad."
"Wow Bella. You look… just, wow. There aren't words." Jasper gushed as he grinned at his big sister. When Charlie released her, Jasper stepped right in and hugged her tightly.
"Here Bella, this is for you." When Bella finished Jasper's hug, she turned to Edward who held out a beautiful fuschia and turquoise flower corsage. Bella accepted it gracefully and slipped it onto her wrist, noting with satisfaction that the blues matched her dress perfectly. She also noticed for the first time that Edward was dressed to the nines in his black tux, white dress shirt, and turquoise vest/bowtie combination which also matched her dress. Bella silently thanked Alice for her attention to detail.
Somehow Charlie had managed to procure a camera. "Okay you two, get closer together. Your mother would have my head if I didn't get a picture." Charlie ordered.
After posing for a few pictures with all the wonderful men in her life, including a few goofy shots with Jasper, Edward and Bella got into Edward's Volvo and headed to the school for the prom. Bella was not entirely looking forward to the evening, but she'd made a promise to Edward and to herself that she would be on her best behaviour. This pact included no sulking, no drama, and no beating up anyone. Bella smirked to herself as she remembered punching Mike Newton at the Halloween dance.
Bella and Edward entered the gym holding hands, and for a moment Bella had to remind herself to breathe. She couldn't believe the sight before her! Round tables covered in white linen were arranged at one side, each with a large fish bowl in the centre with red marbles in the bottom and real goldfish swimming in them. The chairs were also covered in white linen but were draped in red and gold bands of fabric across the back. Napkins folded into origami fish were red, while the cutlery shimmered under the gold pillar candles in front of each place setting. The other half of the gym was arranged as a dance floor with the DJ set up in one corner. Red and gold spotlights spun in circles from the ceiling, creating a nightclub-esque atmosphere. The walls of the gym had been completely covered with alternating bands of red and gold fabric draped from ceiling to floor. If Bella didn't know better, she could have easily mistaken her high school's gymnasium for a fancy ballroom.
Bella spotted a buffet table set up dividing the sections between the eating area and the dance floor. She immediately beelined for it as her mouth was parched. Always the gentleman, Edward served them both cups of punch from the large silver punch bowl. They stood together, enjoying their drinks, admiring the atmosphere, when Bella heard a loud shriek behind her. She nearly spilled her punch all over herself.
"Ohmigod BELLA!" Bella cringed slightly as she heard Jessica Stanley's excited but shrill voice. But she'd promised to behave, so Bella turned around to greet her friend.
"Hey Jess. You look pretty." Jessica did look nice in her cotton candy halter neck ballgown that poofed out in every direction. Jessica ran over and enveloped Bella into a bear hug.
"You look gorgeous! Edward! Mygod, aren't you adorable! Oh, and your outfits match! What a great night. I'm SO happy you came!" Jessica gushed, barely leaving time to breathe between sentences. Bella spotted Mike Newton hanging back behind Jessica looking like a lost puppy.
"Hello Mike. You look nice." Bella said, keeping her tone cold but civil.
Mike nodded in appreciation. "Thanks. You are absolutely breathtaking." He said, taking a step closer to Bella. Edward moved to stand beside Bella and wrapped one arm around her waist. Mike wisely backed off.
Bella stammered out a "thanks" before Edward steered Bella over to Angela and Ben. Angela was absolutely gorgeous in her black, form fitted ankle length black dress with glitter around the bust. Bella gave her a tight hug as they exchanged compliments over each other's ensembles.
"Alright everyone, if you could make your way to your tables, dinner will be served shortly." The DJ announced over the loud speaker. Bella and her group of friends managed to find an empty table together close to the buffet table, at Bella's request. She couldn't seem to manage her thirst tonight. She was seated between Edward and Angela. Next to Angela was Ben, followed by Tyler Crowley and Lauren Mallory, then Jessica and Mike. Everyone was animated and excited, sharing their favourite stories from the past four years of high school. Bella looked around the room; there were six other tables, each full of familiar faces laughing and chatting with their groups of friends. Though he hated to admit it, she was glad to be there.
Dinner was a simple meal of roasted chicken, baked potatoes, garden salad, and mixed greens. Dessert consisted of a platter of finger pastries, served while the principal and teachers made speeches to the graduating class. Mrs. Daae managed to cry during her toast to the seniors which made more than one person chuckle. When it was announced that dinner was over and dancing would begin, the entire room cheered wildly and got up onto the dance floor.
Bella was still hungry despite the large meal, so she and Edward remained at their table while Bella finished off the communal dessert platter. Edward had never seen Bella eat so much at one time, but he dismissed his concerns as post-exam stress. When Bella had completely consumed every last morsel, including crumbs, she sat back in her seat holding her stomach.
"Bella, what's wrong?" Edward asked, concerned.
"I think I ate too fast. I don't feel very well." Bella replied, rubbing her stomach gently. Suddenly she clamped her hands over her mouth and got to her feet. She ran to the girls' bathroom at light speed. Edward tried to follow her, but Angela stopped him at the door.
"Don't worry Edward, I'll take care of her. Wait here," Angela ordered. She went in to find Bella on her knees, emptying the contents of her stomach into the farthest toilet.
She approached slowly. "Bella, are you okay? Do you need anything?"
Bella heaved one more time, emptying the last of her stomach. "I think I'm okay now. Could you pass me some paper towel?"
Angela did as directed. Bella wiped her mouth, got up, and walked to the mirror. She was surprised to find her makeup was completely in place and her hair still curled to perfection. She washed her hands thoroughly while Angela eyes her carefully.
"Thanks for coming in here Ange. I don't know what that was about. I probably just ate too fast." Bella mumbled.
"Are you sure you're okay? You're not pregnant or anything are you," Angela joked.
Bella looked at her in the mirror as she toweled her hands. "Of course not. I'm just…" suddenly Bella blanched. No, it couldn't be possible. She and Edward were still virgins. Bella started doing the math in her head, and as the numbers didn't add up, a wave of panic hit her. "Oh God!" She moaned. Angela rushed to her side.
"What is it? Do you need me to get Edward?" She asked worriedly.
Bella swallowed thickly and shook her head. "No, it's okay. Go back and enjoy the party. I'll find Edward and get some fresh air." Bella managed an unconvincing half smile at her friend. Dubious, Angela didn't challenge Bella and instead hesitantly left her to find Ben. As soon as Bella walked out of the washroom, Edward was right there.
"Bella, what happened?" When he saw the panic etched on her face, he grabbed her around the waist. "Something's wrong. Let's go see Carlisle." Edward tried to lead her toward the door, but Bella stopped him.
"No! Edward, there's something we have to do but we can't do it here. We need to go to the pharmacy right now." Bella said in a frightened voice.
"Okay." Without questioning her, they managed to leave the prom unnoticed by their peers who were laughing and swaying to the music on the dance floor. They got into Edward's Volvo in record time. Once they were seated and on the road, Edward's curiosity got the better of him.
"If it's pepto you need, I have some at home. We could go to my place, and check in with Carlisle at the same time…" Edward trailed off, hoping Bella would change her mind.
Bella sighed and rubbed her temples. "I think I might be pregnant."
Edward slammed the brakes, pitching them both forward painfully against their seatbelts. "What?! I'm not sure I heard you correctly…"
Bella started crying. "You heard me just fine. Can we please get a pregnancy test before my brain explodes?"
Edward continued to drive in silence, thinking she must be wrong about this. It was probably a stomach bug or food poisoning. But if it was food poisoning why was she the only one with symptoms? That also didn't explain her appetite, fatigue or back pain. In fact, he realized she hadn't complained about menstrual cramps for a while. Edward's foot pressed down on the accelerator just a little harder as he raced to the local drug store.
He asked Bella to wait in the car while he made the purchase. He picked up two boxes with three tests each. No harm in making absolutely certain, right?
~{0-o-0}~
Edward paced around Bella's bedroom, willing her to hurry up. She had adamantly refused to let him in the bathroom with her despite his protesting the opposite. Finally she had to push him out and lock the door behind her. After a few seconds she told him to go wait in her bedroom when he showed no signs of leaving the hallway.
They'd both been relieved to find the house empty; Charlie was on night shift, and Jasper had driven Bella's truck somewhere. Probably to see Alice. Edward was grateful for their solitude, but filled with anxiety awaiting the results.
What if she was pregnant? What would they do? Money wouldn't be a problem; Edward and Alice had inherited a sizeable fortune when their parents died. It would be enough that Edward could live comfortably for most of his life if he chose not to work, which of course was not his plan in life. Would Bella keep the child? Would she insist upon abortion? Edward's heart felt heavy at the thought of killing a baby. He wanted to have children with Bella. Perhaps not this soon, but he couldn't fathom the idea of an abortion. Not when he had the means to care for a child. Edward realized that part of him was actually excited about the prospect of Bella being pregnant.
It seemed like hours but had really only been five minutes when Bella returned to her bedroom holding three white sticks. Her eyes were glassy as she held out the completed tests for Edward to take. He took them from her and looked; all three had two pink lines in the display window.
"Does this mean what I think it means?" He asked, trying to quell the excitement in his voice.
Bella nodded. "I'm pregnant."