I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT!

CHAPTER 51

(Bella)

That night was longer than the previous. Edward and I were both up and down with Andrew debating on whether to take him to the ER or not. Edward called dad around 2am and asked his advice. He recommended he go into the walk in clinic and be seen so we could get him treated faster.

At 3am his fever spiked to 102.6 degrees. Edward ran water in the bathtub and helped him in. It was awful to watch my son so sick. I grabbed wet cloths and put them on his forehead and then gave him some Motrin. "I don't feel good dad," He whimpered looking up at his dad.

"I know buddy, we're trying to get you feeling better," Edward said.

Andrew's eyes started to close, Edward gently lifted him out of the tub and I wrapped a towel around him. "I'm going to get him dressed," He said softly.

I watched as Edward got a sleeping Andrew into pajamas. Edward covered him up and laid down next to him. "Where's mom?" Andrew whispered weakly.

"She's right over there," Edward replied.

I walked over and sat next to my men, rubbing Andrew's back softly. "I'm right here, sleep Andrew," I whispered.

I sat there as long as I could with them, before my back started hurting. I got up and went back to my room. I hated to sleep alone, but Andrew needed Edward and it was hard enough to get three people in our bed.

"Bella wake up," I heard Edward say. I tried to pull the covers over my head to go back to sleep. "Sweetheart, it's 6:15am, wake up."

"I'm up," I groaned sitting up.

"Mom called she'll be here at 7 to help you get Andrew ready."

I rubbed my eyes, I was exhausted I hadn't had a good night sleep in two nights. "Where is Andrew?" I asked.

"Still asleep, but he was starting to move around a bit," He replied.

"Ok. What time are u leaving?" I asked.

"I need to be out the door at 10 til 7," He said.

"Mom, I don't feel..." Andrew was cut off as he began vomiting all over himself and the floor.

"Come on buddy," I said getting up.

"Bella, just rest I've got this," Edward said stripping his clothes off and leading him into the bathroom.

I walked over and picked up his dirty clothes off the floor and took them into the laundry room. Then I grabbed a bucket of water and a rag and headed back to the bedroom to clean up the floor.

"Honey, I'll get that. You don't need to be on your hands and knees scrubbing the floor," Edward said taking the bucket from me.

"Dammit Edward, stop telling me what I can and can't do!" I exclaimed.

"Bella, I know you are exhausted I'm just trying to help!" He snapped back.

"Well stop it! I'm pregnant not helpless and I can do things!" I sat the bucket down and stormed out of the room.

I grabbed a banana off the counter, tears of exhaustion and frustration slid down my cheeks. "I know you aren't helpless, I never meant to imply that you were," Edward said from behind me.

"Just leave me alone," I was trying to hide the fact that I was crying, but when my voice wavered, I knew he caught it.

"Oh Bella," He sighed gently turning me towards him. "What's the matter?"

"So far everything I have tried to help with, you have told me to go rest and you could handle it," I cried.

"For one, I know how exhausted you are. Two, I have to work today and wont be home until supper time. You will have to do it all until I get home. I was trying to take the stress off of you somewhat."

"Did you stop to think for a minute that maybe I wanted to help. I know I can't lift him like you do, but I can clean up the floor and do some other things for him!" I yelled.

"Stop yelling at me!" He said firmly.

The firmness in his voice, caused me to burst into tears. "Bella," He chuckled shaking his head. "Please calm down."

"I guess you forgot that when I was pregnant with Evan, I was sick all day and night at times and had to take care of Andrew while you were off..." I stopped, shocked at what I had just said.

I saw a mixture of emotions cross his face, his shoulders sagged in defeat. "You're right, I was a horrible person and you probably shouldn't have forgiven me," He turned and walked out of the room.

"Edward, please stop," I begged following him.

"I don't have anything to say, you said it all," I could hear his voice shake.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said it," I said.

"Bella stop, I have to get to work," He said. "I don't have time to do this."

He started to open the door, but I slammed it shut. "Edward..."

"Why are you fighting?" Andrew asked hoarsely.

"We're not buddy, we were having a discussion," Edward said.

"Are you leaving again?" He asked beginning to cry.

"No buddy, I just have to get to work," Edward said walking over and hugging him.

"Then why do you and mom look sad?" He asked.

"We're just tired," I said softly. "Go lay back down."

"Promise you guys are ok?" He asked.

"We promise," We said in unison.

Andrew turned and went back to his bedroom. "Get on the porch now!" Edward snapped.

He followed me outside. "Listen Edward, I'm..."

"No Bella, you listen to me and you listen right now!" He growled. I took a step back, the anger was so strong in his face that I was almost scared. "My affair had absolutely nothing to do with what happened this morning and you know that."

I dropped my head, I couldn't even stop my tears. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

"It's not good enough Bella! I've tried to earn your trust, I've called you at random times or when I was going to be late, but anytime you get mad at me, you throw it in my face."

"Sometimes I just say the first thing that comes to my head," I admitted.

"I know that Bella, but it really hurts," He said sadly. "I love you Bella and I'm sorry for what I did, but it kills me when you throw it back in my face like you do."

I wrapped my arms around my body trying to control my shaking. "Edward," I stopped unsure of where to go from there. I didn't know why I kept doing it, other than there were times I was still angry with him.

Edward tilted my chin up so he could look at me. "You're still angry," He said, he wasn't judging me, he was just being honest.

"When I was pregnant with Evan, I did everything for Andrew and I was alone," I cried. "It hurt that you weren't there."

"I know that Bella, I know you were sick and I guess now I'm trying to be there more so you can rest more." He wrapped his arms around me. "Bella, you will never know how sorry I am."

"I'm sorry to, I shouldn't keep bringing it up," I cried.

He tightened his grip on me. "It has to stop Bella, its not good for us and it's not good for Andrew to hear us fighting like this."

I hugged him tightly back. "I feel like I'm going crazy!" I sobbed.

"Your hormones are working over time with your exhaustion, that's why I'm doing my best to do what I can when I'm here so you can rest."

"You really do love me," I sobbed.

He chuckled sadly. "Yes Bella, always and forever."

"Are we ok?" I asked.

"Yes Bella, we're ok," He said kissing me softly. "I love you and all of your craziness."

"I'm glad you do." I sighed.

He kissed away the tears that had fallen. "Now, I need to go check on our son so he knows that we are ok."

Mom showed up not long after Edward left. Andrew was resting on the couch eating a popsicle and watching cartoons. "What time do we need to leave?" Mom asked.

"730 at the latest. The walk in clinic is first come first serve and I really want him seen quickly," I yawned.

"Do you want to stay here and sleep? I'll take him," She offered.

"No!" I snapped. Her eyes widened. I never snapped at mom. "Sorry, it's just Edward hasn't let me do much." I explained.

"He's too much like his father," She said laughing.

"That he is," I sighed.

We got to the doctors office just as the walk in clinic opened and I signed him in, while mom went and sat down with him. I went over and sat down next to him. "They will make you feel better," I told him as he leaned over and rested his head on my shoulder. I leaned my head against the wall and yawned.

"Bella, as soon as we are done here, I am getting you two home and putting you both to bed. You can not afford to get sick," Mom said reaching over and rubbing my stomach.

"I know," I sighed.

"She's really gotten active," Mom said.

"This is her active time, well, early evening when Edward comes home, she's pretty active," I said.

"Andrew Cullen," The nurse called.

We all got up and followed her back. I stood back against the wall as she weighed him and took his temperature, then she took us into a smaller room.

"What's going on today?" She asked.

"My throat hurts," Andrew said weakly.

The nurse turned to me. "It started Saturday morning. He started complaining of a sore throat and by that afternoon had a low grade fever. Then this morning he started vomiting," I explained.

"How has his appetite been?" She asked.

"It hurts to eat," He whispered.

"He's been eating popcicles and drinking sprite and gatorade," I told her.

"Ok, I'm going to have you hop up here and I'm going to do a throat swab to check for strep throat," The nurse told him.

"I might throw up," He said.

The nurse handed mom the basin, while I held Andrew's hands. The minute she pulled the stick out of his mouth, he began vomiting. "I'm sorry," He cried.

"Oh Andrew, it's ok," I said rubbing his back.

Once he was finished the nurse took the basin out of the room and mom got some cool damp paper towels and washed his face. Andrew leaned back against the examination table and closed his eyes. I looked up at mom shaking my head. I hated seeing my son so sick. "He'll be ok," She said patting my back.

About 30 minutes later, Dr. White came in. "How are you doing this morning?" He asked looking from Andrew to me.

"I've been better," I yawned. Then I quickly went over his list of symptoms.

"Well, his strep test is negative," Dr. White said helping Andrew sit up on the table.

I watched as he did a full work up on him. "He does have Tonsillitis and double ear infection," Dr. White told us. "I will get him on some antibiotics and see if we can knock this stuff out of him."

"Do you need to see him again?" I asked.

"Yes, I'd like to see him back in 10 days," We thanked Dr. White and left.

"An hour of sitting for 5 minutes in there with him," I said to mom as she pulled out of the parking lot.

"I know, it's always like that," She said.

"Edward and I got into a fight this morning," I said quietly.

"I figured something wasn't right when you snapped at me earlier."

"Sorry about that," I said softly.

"Care about telling me what happened?" She asked.

"I just said threw his affair back in his face, because I didn't have any help when I was pregnant with Evan and now he wont let me do anything."

"Bella, pregnancy hormones are horrible as it is, but add no sleep to that and it's even worse," Mom said shaking her head. "Are you two ok now?"

"Yah," I said softly."

(Edward)

It was 7pm when I finally got home that night. Bella had called me and told me about the trip to the doctor. She also said that mom was staying there to help. I hated hearing Bella sound so tired, but knew better than to say anything, we'd already had one fight, I didn't want to have another one.

I walked into the kitchen and found mom putting stuff away. "Welcome home," She said smiling.

"Thank you for staying with them," I said hugging her.

"Your welcome," She replied.

"Where are they?" I asked looking around.

"They went into Andrew's room around 5 and I haven't seen or heard Bella since," She explained.

"How was Andrew?" I asked.

"A little better, still pretty sick though," She replied.

The two of us went into Andrew's room and saw them both asleep. Andrew had his hand resting on Bella's stomach. "That is just the sweetest thing," Mom said softly.

I nodded not trusting my voice. Andrew wasn't one to really want to feel the baby kick. We guessed it was his age, but in that moment, it was the most amazing sight. I quickly grabbed my camera and took a picture of them.

I followed mom back to the kitchen. "Now that you are home, I'm going home myself. Now, your dad and I are going out of town tomorrow, so I have spent a majority of time today cooking. As of right now, you have 3 days worth of food in your freezer."

"Thank you for everything mom," I said.

"Son, you are more than welcome."

"When did Bella eat last?" I asked her.

"She didn't eat much supper she couldn't keep her eyes open," Mom replied.

Once mom was gone, I heated the left over food in the microwave and ate it. I was hungrier than I thought I was. Mom and Bella were about the best cooks in the world. We all told them to open a restaurant, but they laughed us off.

I washed my plate and glass in the sink, then walked into Andrew's room. He was now resting with his head on her stomach. My heart swelled at the sight. I carefully climbed into bed next to Bella, there wasn't a lot of room, but I didn't care. I wanted to cuddle with my family. Bella sighed unconsciously moving closer to me. I put my hand on Andrew's shoulder and fell asleep.

Over the next few days, Bella and I watched Andrew get worse instead of better. The antibiotics didn't help at all. I knew that it could take up to 48 hours to kick in, but it had been 5 days, his fever still stayed around 100degrees and his throat was still swollen. It was a helpless feeling to see your child so sick and not have the answers. Bella was doing all she could while I was at work, then at night, I would take over. Neither of us were sleeping and I was beginning to worry about her stress level.

I walked down the hospital corridor to my dad's office and knocked. "Come in," Dad called.

I walked into his office and shut the door. "Well Edward, what brings you by today?" Dad asked.

I sat down at his desk. "It's been 5 days, and Andrew is no better."

Dad sat forward and put elbows on his desk, chin on his fists. "Still running a fever?"

"We can't get it below 100, no matter what we do," I answered.

"Is he eating?" Dad asked.

"Soup is all he can keep down. Anything else hurts too bad and he throws up."

"You and Bella, together, need to get him into the doctor tomorrow. If they don't do something, bring him to me and I'll have a look at him," Dad said.

I nodded. "Thank you."

"How is Bella?" Dad asked.

"She's trying to hang in there, but I see how tired she is. She doesn't sleep much at night and during the days, she spends her time helping him in and out of the tub and trying to keep him comfortable. I don't see she's taking care of herself," I said. "The other night I kept noticing how she was rubbing her back, she said it was from helping him, but I don't know."

"That needs to change, she is pregnant and needs to take care of that baby to. I understand it's hard for her to worry about the child she can't really see, when her other child is lying on the couch sick, but she has to be able to do both."

"I know dad. I'm doing what I can at night. I've been trying to get home about 5 and I take over for her. 3 nights a week I cook, every night I clean, on top of that, I'm doing everything to help Andrew. Then I'm fighting with her to sit down and put her feet up."

"She is a stubborn thing," Dad laughed. "It's kept her alive for all of those years."

When I got home, I found Bella cooking supper. "Welcome home," She said kissing me. I pressed my lips firmly to hers, wrapping my arms around her. "Wow!" She exclaimed.

"I've missed you that's all," I said grinning. "Where's Andrew?"

"Watching tv and resting," She sighed.

"Has he been any better today?" I asked, hoping for a different answer than I knew I would be getting.

"He was a little better this morning, but after lunch his temp went back up to 101degrees. I've given him a bath and medicines to lower it, but nothing seems to be working."

"I talked to dad before I left the hospital. He recommends taking him back to the doctor in the morning and making them do something for him."

"I think I agree with dad, I'll call the office in the morning," She said.

That evening we all piled onto the couch watching movies. Bella started yawning and went to bed around 9pm. I knew she was exhausted.

I got Andrew into bed around 10 and went and laid down next to my wife. I wrapped my arms around her, resting my hand on her stomach and going to sleep.

(Bella)

At 8:30 Edward, Andrew and I were sitting in the exam room while Dr. White examined him. I held Edward's hand tightly, hoping he would see that he wasn't any better.

Dr. White sat down with us and Andrew climbed up in Edward's lap. "I've gone over his charts and see that when he was younger he had a lot of problems with his tonsils. Now, his ears are better, but his tonsils are still quite enlarged. I'm going to prescribe a stronger antibiotic for him, but at this point I really feel it's best if he has his tonsils removed."

"Dad, do I have to have surgery?" Andrew asked.

"Looks that way buddy," Edward said. "It will make you feel better."

"Will it hurt?" Andrew asked.

"We will give you something to help you sleep," Dr. White explained.

"When can you get him in?" I asked.

He looked at his schedule. "I can get him in Monday at 9am."

Edward and I nodded in agreement. Andrew looked terrified. As a mom I was scared to put my son through surgery, but it was frustrating to see him so sick when there was nothing that I could do to make him feel better.

That Friday morning, I took Andrew to his Pre-op appointment, where we would meet with the anesthesiologist and talk about his surgery. Edward had to work, so it was just the two of us.

The antibiotics they had given him that time had seemed to help, but we were still going through with the surgery.

"Can we see papa when we are done here?" Andrew asked.

"We can see, but he might be busy," I replied.

"Does she kick a lot?" He asked looking at my stomach.

"Sometimes," I replied. He put his hand on my stomach. "When I was pregnant with you, you would kick all night long, keeping me up. I would sneak into your dad's room and wake him up. He would rub my stomach and talk to you to get you to calm down."

"Why did you have to sneak into his room?" Andrew asked.

"Because nana and papa didn't want us sleeping together since we were young and not married," I replied.

"But you were pregnant," He said.

"It was just their rules and we did follow them mostly," I replied.

"Were you scared when you were pregnant with me?" He asked.

"Very. I was only 16 and didn't know what to expect," I told him.

"Andrew Cullen," The nurse called.

We followed her to a small room. She took his temperature and checked his blood pressure. Next, she went for the needles. "No please," He begged. He was as scared of needles as I was.

"I'm sorry Andrew, but since you are having surgery we need a blood sample," She said softly.

I reached over and handed him my hand. "If you want to hold my hand I wont tell if you wont," I said. He gratefully took my hand and squeezed it tightly, closing his eyes as they drew his blood.

Once that was done, the nurse left telling us that Dr. Ramirez would be right in. Andrew put his hand on my stomach again. "I can't believe Aunt Ali is having twins," He laughed. "She is going to be huge! Way bigger than you!"

"Thanks Andrew, but for the sake of the family, keep that comment to yourself. I would hate for the hormonal wrath of Alice."

"Ew, that's not fun," He laughed.

Hannah chose that moment to kick his hand. "She kicked me!" He exclaimed.

"She can get away with it now, but soon I will have to ground her for it," I joked.

"When you have a baby, do you have to have surgery?" He asked.

"Not always. When Evan was born, I had a c-section, they cut open my stomach to get him out. With you, I just went through several very long hours of labor and then what seemed like an eternity of pushing and you came out."

"Did it hurt?" He asked.

"Yes, but it's worth it in the end," I explained.

The door opened and Dr. Ramirez stepped in. "You must be Andrew," He said shaking his hand. "And you must be his mom."

"I'm Bella," I said shaking his hand.

"So I see that your surgery is set up for Monday at 9am. I'm going to need you to be here at 7am. Now the night before you come in, you can't have anything to eat or drink past midnight."

Andrew looked up at me. "You'll be just fine," I reassured him.

"Do you have any questions for me?" Dr. Ramirez asked.

"How long will the surgery take?" Andrew asked.

"From start to finish an hour. Then you will be moved into the recovery room and be there for probably close to two hours," He explained.

"Will it hurt?" Andrew asked.

"Afterwords yes, for a few days you will want to eat popsicles and ice cream and it will hurt to talk, but after a few days you will start feeling better."

We talked for awhile longer and then left. I sent a text to dad asking if he was busy. He replied right away saying he would be heading to lunch shortly. Andrew was excited to get to see him. I knew he would ask dad more questions, and it would probably help him.

As we walked towards dad's office, I called Edward and told him everything we had found out today. He wanted to meet us for lunch with dad, but was stuck in Labor and Delivery. He said it would be the only time other women came before me.

Andrew knocked on dad's door. He opened it immediately and scooped Andrew up. "Hey buddy. How are you?"

"I'm really scared about my surgery," He said.

"I know you are, but after a few days you will feel so much better," Dad turned and winked at me. "And just think after your surgery, I will bring you all the ice cream you could ever want."

"That doesn't sound half bad," Andrew told him as he put him down.

Dad hugged me and then put his hand on my stomach. "How's my other princess?"

"She's very active," I replied.

We walked down to the cafeteria. I grabbed a chicken salad, while Andrew and dad grabbed the cheeseburgers and french fries. Dad took care of the food and we went to sit down.

"Papa will you go in with me when I have surgery?" Andrew asked.

"Since I'm your grandpa, they wont let me, but, they will let me be there when you get into the recovery room when you wake up."

"Really?" Andrew asked.

"Yep, already been arranged, but while you are in surgery, I will be doing my part to keep everyone calm," He said glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. I glared at him and took a bite of my salad.

Once we were finished with lunch, we walked back to dad's office. "Andrew go on in and sit down, I want to talk to your mom for a minute," Dad said.

I sighed, I knew he would lecture me. "What is it?" I asked.

"You look exhausted," He said. "How much sleep are you getting?"

"Um, a few hours a night and a couple hours during the day," I said.

"Bella, Edward's really worried about you. He thinks you are doing too much and not resting enough."

"I have to be there to take care of Andrew while Edward works," I said.

"I understand that, but this baby needs to be cared for as well," He said looking at my stomach.

"Are you telling me I'm a bad mom," I cried.

"No Bella, I'm telling you that you need more rest. You are a great mom, your just worn out."

"I'm doing the best I can," I cried.

"Call your mom or Rose and have one of them come over this afternoon to help out and go to bed."

I sighed in defeat knowing that if I didn't make a call, dad would do it for me. "Fine, I'll call mom."

"Good girl honey, get some sleep."

By the time we got home mom was already there waiting for us. "What's nana doing here?" Andrew asked.

"She's going to keep an eye on you so I can rest," I said.

"Are you sick?" He asked.

"No, I'm pregnant and apparently not resting enough."

"Is that why you've been so grouchy with dad lately?" He asked.

My hormones went into overdrive and I had to count to 10 before I answered him. "Your dad worries too much," I said as nicely as I could.

We walked into the house together. Mom came over and hugged Andrew and me. "Bella, go..."

"I'm going, I'm going," I said rolling my eyes.

"I love you to Bella, " She laughed.

I walked into my room and didn't even have the energy to undress. I climbed into bed and fell asleep immediately.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS STORY AND THE REVIEWS! UP NEXT IS ANDREW'S SURGERY!