Chapter 19

BPOV

As we stood outside my grandparents' house, I slipped my hand into Edward's and gripped it tightly. I blew out a breath, trying to calm my nerves. My stomach churned from anxiety or morning sickness, but whatever the cause, it was unpleasant.

"It's going to be fine." He brought my hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. "Whatever they say, whatever we find out today, I'm right here."

"I know, it's just—what if they do know something? What if they've helped to keep my mother from me?"

"From what you've told me about them, Bella, they had a good reason if that's what they did."

I sighed, giving him a nod. "Yeah, okay. Let's get this over with, I guess." As I started forward, he pulled me back.

He touched my cheek as he leaned in, kissing me sweetly. "Don't make it sound like we're walking into the lion's den, baby. We're also telling them we're getting married and expecting. It's not all bad."

"That doesn't really make me any less nervous."

"They love you, so I know they'll be thrilled. I promise, we'll get through whatever they have to tell you. Now, let's go."

"Oh, my sweet Bella! I wasn't expecting you." My grandma wrapped her arms around me. "Beau! Get in here. Bella's come to visit, and she's brought a young man with her." Grandma pulled away from me, grinning at Edward before pulling him in for a hug.

His eyes went wide, but he politely returned her hug. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Higginbotham."

"It's just Marie to you, dear."

"Let the poor man breathe, Marie," Grandpa said as he walked into the foyer. "Nice to meet you, son. Beau Higginbotham. I'm not sure I caught your name." He reached his hand out for Edward to shake.

"Edward Masen, sir."

"Edward Masen, eh? I thought you looked familiar. I just finished reading an article about you in the New York Times. Marie, our sweet granddaughter here is dating the soon-to-be CEO of Cullen Incorporated."

"Isabella! Dating the competition?" Grandma faked a gasp.

"Oh, we're hardly competing with you, ma'am. We're just small fish in a big pond."

"Nonsense. Carlisle Cullen brought that business from the bottom up, and if he's entrusting it to you, then you must be quite the businessman. I don't doubt you'll be building actual storefronts before long." Grandpa slapped Edward on the back. "Enough business, though. I imagine my little girl here didn't drop by to talk shop."

All eyes turned toward Bella. "Oh, um, no, not exactly, you see—"

"I asked your granddaughter to marry me, and she said yes," Edward interrupted my stumbling words.

Both my grandparent's eyes widened, and Grandma threw her hand over her mouth.

"Married? When? How long have you two known each other?" Grandpa started on the questions.

"We're getting married next month, and we've known each other plenty long," Edward said, undeterred by my grandfather.

"Oh, Bella." Grandma pulled me to the side before whispering in my ear. "You're pregnant, aren't you? Bella, you don't have to get married—"

"I am pregnant, but I'm also in love with him. I want to marry him and raise a family together."

She took my face between her hands, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Then you'll marry him, and you'll be a beautiful bride. Does your father know?"

I shook my head. "I'm not sure I'm going to tell him."

"I understand. You'll do what you think is best. Now, let's go rescue your gentleman before Grandpa sends him running from the house screaming."

I giggled, glancing over at him and watching the way he tugged at his collar. I gripped her hand in mine. "He's got thick skin; he won't run."

As we walked through the front door of our home, Edward grabbed me by the hand to pull me toward the couch and sat with me on his lap. "Let's talk. We just spent all afternoon with your grandparents and you didn't ask them about your mother; why?"

I leaned my head on his shoulder, curling up against him. "I'm not ready. I thought I was, but I'm not. What if she truly didn't want me? I can't handle that, not right now."

"I won't push you, then."

"Thank you."

"But, I don't believe she hasn't contacted you because she didn't want you. I, uh, I was afraid you might not ask your grandparents, and I didn't want it weighing on you, especially now that you're expecting—"

"What have you done, Edward?" I sat up quickly, my eyes heated as I stared at him.

"Please don't be angry, I just did what I thought was best for you."

"What you thought was best for me? Well, I think it's best for you if you answer my damn question! What have you done?"

"I obtained a copy of your parents' divorce papers."

"What?" I shrieked. "Why? How?"

He reached over, opening the drawer on the end table and pulling out an envelope. "Your father might know people, but I know people, as well. Carlisle has quite a few friends within the court system from his own previous divorces."

"But what will their divorce papers have to do with my mother and me?"

"I don't know why, but I just have this feeling. I think there might have been something in the terms of the divorce."

"Have you looked at it? Do you know already?"

He shook his head. "No, it's intuition from growing up in the world that I did and knowing people are ruthless, Bella. Your father isn't exactly the kindest man, not unlike my own. Now, I still won't force you, but I think your answer might be in here."

I grabbed the envelope from him, turning it in my hands. "But what if I'm right? What's better, to know that my father really is a cold, heartless bastard, or that my mother willingly walked away from me?"

"I don't know, sweetheart, but is it better to just never know and always wonder? It's eating at you, I can tell."

I stared down at the envelope I still clutched in my hands, and I knew I had a big decision to make.

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A/N: Well, there is an hour left to my birthday, so I thought I'd treat you guys to an early update! No review teasers this week as Friday's post will be the last chapter!