Chapter 37—The Unexpected

After speaking briefly with Christopher and Bev, Mom, Carlisle, Esme, Edward, and I headed back the motel. My emotions were all over the place, and I knew both Mom and Edward were worried about me. So, it came as no surprise when Mom asked me to come to her room for a little talk.

As soon as we were in her suite, she pulled out a purple box from her purse and handed it to me.

It was a pregnancy test. "Mom!" I exclaimed.

She sighed. "I know you and Edward have been sharing a bed. I don't care or want to know what goes on behind closed doors. Please humor me."

"Why? We've been using protection."

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "And sometimes protection fails," she said, opening her eyes to look at me. "You fainted and that was not normal for you, sweetheart."

"I know, but to suggest that I'm pregnant, that's just … crazy."

She crossed her arms. "Look, Bella, Carlisle doesn't have any explanation for why you fainted. It could have been the stress of the situation, or …" she trailed off, raising her hand.

I huffed and went into the bathroom, peeing on the stick. After placing it on a hand towel, I sat on the edge of the tub and waited. It was a long two minutes, but I couldn't go out and carry on a conversation with Mom.

What were Edward and I going to do if it was positive? I thought. We both wanted to finish our degrees. And there are many college students who successfully completed their education while raising a family. Edward and I would be no different but the thought of becoming a mother so young had me shaking.

Reaching out, I picked up the stick—a plus sign and a faint line in the other window. I swallowed. One thought ran through my mind: how was I going to tell Edward?

Mom had her back to me when I slipped silently from the bathroom. She had her phone pressed to her ear, listening to someone on the other end. I snuck out of her room, jumping when I heard the soft click of the door closing behind me. There was no going back in, but I think she would understand.

I ran down the hall to the room Edward and I shared, dodging someone in my rush. Knocking, I called out to let him know it was me. The moment he opened the door, I threw my arms around him. I still held the test in my hand, but it was forgotten.

Edward pulled me into the room and up into his arms. Once we were seated on the couch with me on his lap, he asked, "Did your mom upset you? Or is it the case that has you distressed again?"

Those were all logical questions given how I was trembling. I shook my head, bringing the test out from behind his back. Not saying a word, I held it out in front of us.

His left arm tightened around me, and he gulped. "We'll … we'll manage," he said.

I relaxed, resting my head on his shoulder. "You don't sound like you're happy."

He blew out a breath. "I am happy, just shocked. When Carlisle suggested it as a possibility, I became defensive. But then he calmly pointed out that the best birth control is abstinence. I got his message," he whispered.

"It can fail."

He nodded. "And it did." He sighed and shifted me off his lap. Standing, he went over to his suitcase, retrieving something, putting it his pocket. He sat next to me, taking my hands in his. "Life has a funny way of getting us to where we need to be," he said, squeezing my hands. "I never imagined that transferring schools would bring you into my life. Alice told me countless stories about the things you and her did together and about how you were not afraid to face any challenge head-on. I didn't want to believe what Alice told me, and then I met you and found out for myself how courageous you really are. Bella, that first day, when I opened the bathroom door, you stole my heart. I love you, and I'll never ask for it back."

Tears started falling when he slid off the couch, getting on one knee in front of me.

"Isabella, will you marry me?" he asked, producing the ring Mom had me try on days ago.

It took me a while to find my voice, and Edward remained on one knee, waiting patiently for my answer. "Yes," I finally said, throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him.

Breaking the kiss, he took my left hand and slipped the ring on my finger. "I love you," he whispered, rejoining me on the couch. He turned on television, flipping to a movie that was just starting.

~~ L.B. ~~

The room was dimly lit when I opened my eyes, and I noticed I was lying on the bed. Edward must have moved me after I'd fallen asleep so I would be comfortable. A smile spread across my face as I stretched before I sat up on my elbows. Looking around, I saw I was alone, but I could he muted voices.

"She's fine, Renee," Edward said. "She was little shaken up from whatever you two talked about."

"I went about it all wrong," Mom replied, her voice sounding strained.

"Now, Renee, don't go blaming yourself," Dad said.

Dad? When did he get here? Wait a minute, why was he here?

"I wouldn't have handled it any better," he continued. "You asked her to take it, and she did."

"But she left, Charlie. If it wasn't for Esme seeing her, I wouldn't have known where she went."

Esme? In my rush to get to Edward, I didn't see who I had passed in the hall.

Someone sighed.

"I know you're both worried about her, but you need to wait. She's asleep. When she wakes, I'll have her call you," Edward said.

I got up and moved to the door, finding the latch between the door and the jamb. Five pair of eyes turned when it opened. I didn't care. "Mom, it wasn't anything you said, but rather the results that had me running to Edward," I said, not being cryptic at all.

No one started yelling. "So, what are your plans?" Dad asked, his gaze shifting from me to Edward, humor dancing in his eyes.

I was confused. "We're getting married," I answered. "If that's all right with you?"

Edward chuckled, drawing me to his side.

"Good thing you had my blessing, Edward," Dad said in answer, a huge grin on his face.