Disclaimer: Twilight nor its affiliates are of my own creation. The characters of this work belong entirely to Stephanie Meyer.

Summary: Isabella Swan had a notion of what her life was to be. In pursuit of happiness and joy, a tragic price was paid. Forced to return to her childhood home of Forks, Washington - Bella is compelled to keep her past from interfering with her future. All human.

Author's Note:

Chapter 10: Agonizing Announcements

For a moment – the earth was still.

Esme excused herself to give myself and Charlie time to talk and process. Of course, that meant Charlie let me "process" by retreating to my room.

Nestled near the west bedroom window, I peered below at the dew-covered lawn before me. Twilight was emerging from the once depths of darkness. I am not certain how long I had been in this position – cradled between my worn rocking chair and the edge of the bay window. Judging by the degree of numbness in my right foot – it had been several hours.

Several hours of mind-numbing contemplation and self-loathing soliloquy.

Anger.

Hate.

Guilt.

Sorrow.

Slowly, I turned my attention to my desk.

As I grew, Charlie had made slight modifications to my room. A toy chest was replaced with a scuffed, cherry varnished desk. Situated to its left, a former dining room chair became my makeshift desk chair. The desk also held a secondhand computer, with a phone line for the modem stapled along the floor to the nearest phone jack. This was a strict stipulation from Rene. Internet for communication was essential. Charlie had, in true Charlie fashion, provided a way to make this space tolerable.

I swallowed hard. I didn't deserve such kindness.

The desktop screen was dark. No doubt hiding the shameful contents I had prepared earlier in the night.

I was a coward.

An absolute fucking coward.

I couldn't even compose a damn email.

In anger, I launched myself toward the desk. Forgetting that my foot was numb from lack of circulation, I toppled toward the corner of the desk. I managed to catch myself before complete disaster occurred. Thankfully the only casualty was my pride as I landed on my ass.

"Oof." I grunted.

Charlie would be awake soon. If he had slept through the deafening sound of my clumsiness, that is.

I sat on the floor to collect myself. Leaning back against my desk, I caressed my calf and throbbing foot generous. I didn't dare make attempts to move until all sensations returned.

Sighing, I lifted myself into the chair and moved the cursor. I had opted for the safe method of communication – email. At least then, I wouldn't be able to hear my mother's immediate disappointment and pity. At least I could temporarily avoid the sound of her voice breaking my already fragile state.

Logging in, I clicked over my draft folder tab.

I could feel a fresh wave of emotion washing over me.

I stared blankly at the ultrasound photo beside me.

I didn't know how to begin.

How could my life change so drastically in the course of ten weeks? I had a notion for what I wanted my life to be. I wanted a life of relevance. After all, I had dreams – aspirations. But now? Enduring….. Surviving…. That was my only desire.

"Mom," I typed.

"I cannot bring myself to regret the decision to leave home. But I miss you. I miss Phil. I miss the sunshine – I miss my erratic, loving, hairbrained best friend and mother. Now, more than ever…. I thought that coming here would mean that I can start over. Nothing to remind me of what happened…

But it keeps following me. Haunting me…

Please do not act rashly to what I am going to say. I am safe. I am just having a hard time processing the situation…

I'm pregnant."

Before I lost all nerve, I hit SEND.

I gripped the edge of the desk as I tried to calm. My chest throbbed. I felt nauseous. Was it just my ragging and panic driven nerves? I tried to force back the wave of pressure rising in my throat. It seemed to only make matters worse - I dove for my trash bin in haste

The bile burned as I forced myself face down into the trash can – heaving what remained of my stomach contents. Grasping the can, I walked to the edge of the bed and sat. My head was spinning. 'Maybe if I just lay down' I thought to myself. Maybe I could close my eyes and it would disappear. Laying down, I pulled my blanket over my torso and fell into a dreamless sleep.

-Loud knocking-

I jumped. The sound had startled me. The clock read: 2:57. What?! I had slept the entire day. I rubbed my head as I pulled myself into a sitting position.

The knocking had stopped.

Why hadn't Charlie woken me up? What about school? I had slept the entire day. 'Oh god.' What about Rene? What about my email? Hadn't she tried to call me? Digging around the bed I found my phone. 'Oh.' In my distracted state – I forgot to put it on the charger. She was probably dying right now. I knew it was a stupid decision.

I heard footsteps coming up on the landing. I listened intently. It sounded like Charlie. But why would he be home? His shift didn't end for another two hours.

Curiously, I opened my bedroom door.

"Bella." Charlie sighed relieved.

"Dad?" I asked softly. My voice still quite somber from sleep.

"I told her not to do this…but when you didn't answer her calls she didn't believe me…." Charlie began.

"BELLA! Oh, thank God!" a blinding ball of brown hair buzzed past Charlie right for me. I hissed as it snaked its petite slender arms around my frame. Flinching, the intruder relinquished me.

"Mom?" I asked confused.