(Thank you all for your kind words, I made a full recovery, went back to work, and got hit with it again. I think I need to re-think my profession…)

.34.

Edward

I didn't want to wake Bella up by calling her name, I've always thought that was a bit rude, so instead, I brushed down her bare arm with the back of my nails softly, placed innocent kisses upon her brow and cheek, and would pat her back; so lightly that my hand could have been mistaken for a feather. Soon enough, she started to come around. Her head twisted back and forth, to get her bearings right and sat up rubbing her eyes. Her long lashes began to flutter, and when her eyes opened she wasn't even looking in my direction, but I must have been caught in her peripheral because she startled around to look at me, gasped and almost fell into me, sobbing her little heart out.

My arms concealed her tiny, shaking body, and my head bent down to rest upon hers. I kissed her hair occasionally and began to rock us both in a soothing motion. My neck thumped in pain from the odd angle it was in, but I didn't care – I could take a baseball bat to the head and still remain in this position; as long as Bella was better, that's all that mattered to me.

"What-what are you doing here?" That seems to be our first question whenever we see each other.

My voice was no louder than a whisper. "I came to see that you were okay."

That brought on another round of tears. "I…I was so scared, Edward. I thought…I thought…"

"Me too, I was going insane being so far away from you, almost to the stage of pulling my hair out. But you don't have to be scared anymore, Sweetheart, because I'm here now, and I won't let anything harm either Flicker or yourself."

"Thank you for being here, Edward. You don't understand how much this means to me."

Kissing her head sweetly, I wrapped my arms around her and held us close. "I wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't be anywhere else. I died a thousand deaths that week, not knowing if either of you were okay or would make it out…alive. And when Alice phoned me that evening, telling me that Flicker was 'okay', I…hell, Bella, I can't remember feeling that relieved. It took me a good week to finish up everything in New York and then Chicago, but trust me; I got here as quickly as I could. I don't know what I would do if I lost you both."

Admitting my hidden feelings the way I did played on me more then I cared to admit. Only once had I shared these deep, powerful emotions and they were thrown back into my face without the slither of care. So, undoubtedly, I would be scared to feel them again. But when you're hit with said feeling, how do you turn your back on it? How do you ignore something as life changing and scary as love? Because no matter what I think, or how often I try to convince myself otherwise, I love her, and it'll take a lot for that to change.

"You were on my mind," Bella broke me from my intense, interior monologue. "I read your text – the one asking if I was okay -, but by that time, I didn't have any signal to reply. I was so scared, and all alone, my only thoughts were on keeping Flicker safe and how desperately I wanted you to know that I was okay. But as the storm grew worse, and my house seemed the focal point of the tornado, I didn't want you to know that I was 'okay', I wanted you there, next to me, telling me we'd all make it out alive…because I didn't think I would.

I was certain I was going to die. The door to my cupboard was ripped away, leaving me vulnerable and with a blanket as the only form of protection. Even then, I kept thinking of you. I'm not sure what happened, but I clearly remember Flicker not making any movement, or any kicks and punches. I hated myself, for failing my duty as a mother, and failing…you, as the protector of your child."

Her shoulders shook and she sniffled in a way that was obvious to me that she was crying. I didn't know whether to say something, or just continue to hold her as she cried. Before I had made up my mind, Bella spoke again. Her voice broke, heavy with tears. "I-I'm sorry, Edward…I should have tried harder, maybe then…"

I wasn't taking that crap. "Now you listen here, if you hadn't been as amazing as you were, we would have been discussing a different story. You were incredibly brave and I couldn't be more proud of you and so there is no way I'm allowing you to look at yourself in such a derogatory light, okay?"

I felt her head nod under my chin. Bella adjusted the way she sat so that she could look up at me. The expression in her eyes alone made me bend down to press my lips against hers. The act was so simple, yet it held everything and more.

We were quiet for a short while; I traced patterns on Bella's stomach absentmindedly. Until I was called out on it of course. "I wonder if Flicker is a boy or a girl…" I voiced my thoughts.

"Hmm…I've been wondering that too. You know, there are supposedly ways to tell the gender, just by the shape and size of the bump, and my dietary targets. I don't know if they work though."

"Yeah, I heard that too. I heard that my choice of underwear can affect it. I don't believe it though, like, how can your preference between tighty-whities or boxers decide whether your chromosomes are XX or XY?"

Bella shrugged. "Either way, I don't want to know until Flicker is born; I like surprises."

"Me too. It's scary to think that Flicker will be here before too long."

Bella haltered, "Oh, my goodness, you're right. What am I going to do, Edward? I can't depend on Jasper like this."

I know exactly what you can do.

And this is where my plan comes into action.

But first, I need to act nonchalant.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sweetheart."

"Nothing to worry about?" She looked at me in disbelief, "What do you mean I have nothing to worry about? I have hardly any money, my house isn't safe for me to even walk in, and…"

"Listen to me, Bella." I interrupted her rambles. "Everything is going to be okay."

"How are you so certain?"

"Because I…" The speech I had been planning in my head vanished. So, whilst mumbling, I spoke the first thing that entered my head. "If I asked you to do something, would you do it?"

"Um, that all depends on what you want from me."

Deep breath. "The past couple of weeks have been a real eye-opener for me. It has showed me that, no matter if I get told you both are okay, I won't feel convinced unless I see it myself. And so, with that, I'm asking you to come and live with me, in Chicago or wherever you'd feel comfortable. Forget about your worries and fears, because I'd be there and I won't let anything hurt you. So, what do you say? Will you move in with me?"

0-0

What should she say? Yay or nay? Also, FLICKER ARRIVES IN THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS!

I'm going to make some tea, who wants a cup?