I know you guys aren't used to me taking so long! I'm trying to churn out chapters as fast as I can, but I also need to go slow enough to make sure they're good. So forgive the length between updates.

Also! Life's Little Choices is up for 2 Twilight Awards! How cool is that? The link is on my profile page. I don't know when voting opens up or anything, but I'm just excited to be nominated. Shows how much of a difference a week can make. While thinks are still rather sucky on the personal front, at least I seem to be managing to write decently! LOL! Gotta take joy in the small things! Hope you all are having a great day!

My-Bella :P

DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of Stephenie Meyer. All are human.

I smiled at Edward, loving the way he was cradling my face so tenderly. He really, truly seemed ecstatic about the baby and I knew he would be a great father. I also knew I was hungry and wanted to something to eat. I pulled away and scooted off the bed, my stomach growling lightly.

"Where do you think you're going?" Edward asked, taking hold of my hand.

I turned to see him pouting at me, looking sad that I was attempting to leave his side. I did my best not to laugh as I answered him. "To the kitchen. I'm hungry."

"Let me take you out for lunch," he offered, his crooked grin spreading across his beautiful face.

"Edward," I sighed, thinking of all the things we were going to need to spend money on in the next however many months. Lunch certainly didn't need to be added to the pile.

"Bella, you're pregnant with our baby. Please let me spoil you without a fuss. It's all I can really do for you. You have to carry the baby and give birth. You've got a hard job to do, so please let me make it easier any way that I can." He was really pleading his case well, but I was still reluctant to agree.

"And you think buying me lunch somewhere makes it easier?" I asked, my lips twitching as I fought the urge to smile.

"Alice can't kidnap you if we aren't in the house," he pointed out.

"Promise me that we can go somewhere normal and not overly fancy," I demanded, knowing he had won no matter if he promised or not.

"I promise you we will go wherever you say, love."

"Alright, then," I sighed, letting him pull me closer. "Lunch with just you and me together sounds excellent."

"Thank you," he replied, brushing his lips over mine. It was such a tender and loving gesture and I felt myself wanting to cry again.

"You really do like to spoil me, don't you?" I asked, blinking back my stupid tears.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you spoil me every single day just by loving me the way you do. Taking you places you've never been and buying you gifts…Those things make me feel a little bit more like I deserve you."

"You have that backward. It's me who doesn't deserve you."

"You're right…You deserve much, much more for being the angel you are."

"If we don't stop this conversation soon, we'll argue this one point for the rest of the day and I'll never get my lunch."

"Then allow me to end it," he chuckled. He pressed his lips to mine, giving me a long, sweet kiss.

When I could remember how to make my brain work, I opened my eyes and looked right into his beautiful, green ones. "That was a good ending, Edward."

"That was only partly an ending, love. It ended that particular conversation, but it was also the beginning of what I have planned for you later."

"We should definitely get lunch out of the way then, because I really want to know more about these plans of yours."

"I thought you might," he laughed, as he stood up. "Stay close and keep a tight hold on my hand."

"I feel like we're sneaking out," I giggled.

"That's because we are," he whispered. "Keep close and quiet." He opened the bedroom door slowly and appeared to be listening for sounds. He smiled at me and then led me down the stairs and out of the house.

I started laughing as soon as we were close to the Volvo. "That was fun! Very exhilarating. We should sneak out more often."

"We'll probably have to do that a few times before Alice goes home," he chuckled, helping me into the Volvo.

As we drove through Seattle, I sat completely still in the passenger seat, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my entire life had changed in just a few hours, on what should have been a typical Monday morning. Edward had been great so far—he'd handled my insane line of questioning with humor and calmness. I was so lucky to have him as my husband, and our baby would be very blessed to have him as a father. The words "our baby" echoed through my mind and I couldn't stop the squeal that jumped out of my throat.

Edward looked over at me; I'm not sure what the expression on my face was, but it must have been priceless because he started laughing very hard.

"Cut that out and watch the road, Mister," I warned him, trying not to join in on his laughter.

"Bella, your face right now," he chuckled, turning his attention back to the road. "What are you thinking about?"

"About how you're going to be a daddy," I said, watching his face closely.

His lips pulled up so far and wide—it should have been impossible for him to smile so big. Those beautiful, emerald eyes of his were sparkling and bright as he ran his hand through his untidy bronze hair, taking a quick glance at me. He was probably just as nerve-wracked as I was. "It's a bit surreal, isn't it?" he said softly.

"Very," I agreed, nodding my head.

"So where would my beautiful, gorgeous, pregnant wife like to eat?"

"Can we go to Panera Bread? I'm in the mood for a good sandwich."

"We can go wherever your heart desires. I'm spoiling you, remember?"

"I doubt you'll let me forget it," I laughed.

"How about a compromise, my love? As long as you don't fuss, I won't remind you."

"I can live with that." I took his hand in mine and kissed his palm. "I love you, Edward."

"I love you, Bella." He took his hand out of mine and put it on my stomach. "And baby, too."

"Aw! You are so sweet," I sniffled.

"Please don't cry right now," Edward cooed, rubbing his hand against my cheek. He gave me a little smile, his green eyes dancing with playfulness. "I'll have to pull over to comfort you and you'll never get your lunch. I don't think our baby would be too happy with either of us if we don't get you fed."

I laughed at his joke, feeling happier and more loved than ever before. I was a little concerned for Edward, though. If I was this jumpy with my emotions now, what was I going to be like later on? I hoped I wouldn't be too horrible of a pregnant woman. I'd seen a few that were down right hysterical from the pregnancy hormones. Hopefully, this was all just a result of the shock of finding out about the baby and I would be calmer tomorrow.

Rose had softened up a little during her pregnancy, letting Emmett get away with a lot of things he normally would have been in trouble for, but she was too happy to be pregnant to bother. I couldn't stand the idea of upsetting Edward with crazy, irrational, hormone-driven fits. It was enough that he put up with my stubbornness and sense of humor everyday.

"You're scowling. What are you thinking about now?" he asked, turning my face towards his.

"Edward, you need to watch the road," I chided.

"From the parking lot?" he chuckled, pointing out the window.

I hadn't even realized he'd stopped the car. "No, I guess not," I laughed.

When I didn't say anything else, Edward asked his question again. "What are you thinking about, Bella?"

"I was wondering how you're going to put up with me if I'm this emotional now since I'm bound to get worse later on."

"Bella, I won't be putting up with you. I'll be loving you and supporting you in every way that I can. The last thing you need to be worried about is me. You've got to do all the work, remember?"

I smiled happily and leaned forward. Edward knew what I wanted and he closed the distance, giving me a wonderful kiss.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a tight hug. "I really, really love you."

"That's good to know," he chuckled. "Because I love you even more."

"We definitely don't have time for that argument," I laughed, letting him go.

"You stay put," Edward ordered. "As part of your spoiling, I will be opening and closing all doors."

"Right!" I said, with as much sarcasm as I could muster. "Because you weren't doing that before you found out I was pregnant."

"Yes, but before, you still complained. Now, you can't." He got out of the car and closed his door before I could give my rebuttal. He opened my door, smiling down at me with my favorite crooked grin.

All I could do was smile back, lightly shaking my head at him. He took my hand in his, quickly kissing my wedding band, and led me into the café.

"Do you know what you want, love?" he asked, his hand once again resting on my stomach.

"Sierra Turkey Sandwich," I said, pointing it out on the menu board for him.

"Do you want all of those things on it?"

"Um…not the onions. Oh! And I want a lemonade."

"Okay. Go find us a table while I order."

"Edward, I can stand here with you."

"Bella, it is lunchtime for the people still working before the holidays. Just go find us a table and sit."

"Edward," I sighed, wanting to just stay by his side right now.

"Don't make me pull out the spoiling card again."

"Holy cow! You actually made a threat I'll listen to!" I laughed.

He glared at me and I lifted my hands in surrender.

"I'm going. Jeez!" I started walking towards the seating area when my eyes caught sight of the bakery section. Sitting there, on a little crystal serving tray, was the most delicious looking dessert I'd seen in a long time. I had to have it. I walked back over to Edward and tugged at the corner of his shirt.

"You really are stubborn, you know that?" he chuckled. He wrapped me in his arms and kissed the top of my head.

"I'm not trying to be. I saw something I want."

He moved me away slightly, so he could see my face. "Say that sentence again." His smile was ridiculously large.

My hands immediately flew to my hips as my stubborn side set in. "What sentence?"

"You know the one," he goaded, with a big, cheesy grin on his perfect face.

There was no way I could stay mad with the way he was smiling at me. I wanted to laugh too much. My shoulders sagged and I mumbled the sentence to him. "I saw something I want."

"And what do you want, my love?"

"There's a brownie over there with caramel all over it."

Edward chuckled as he kissed my cheek. "Your torture is over. Go find us a table. I will be sure to get you a brownie."

I headed back over to the seating area and found us a nice, comfy booth. As I sat there, I let my mind wander over random things. I wondered how long I'd be able to keep teaching before the baby—by baby, I meant Edward—would force me to stop. My wonderful husband could be exceedingly overprotective of me at times; even more so than Emmett ever was.

When I'd the flu last month, I'd seen a very different side of Edward—one that I hoped never to see again. When I had first gotten sick, it had started out seeming like a regular cold, with the coughing and sneezing. I had decided to stay home alone, having called in sick to work. Edward had wanted to stay with me, but I'd made him go to work since I figured I would be in bed all day sleeping. Esme had gone to some social function for one of the charities she worked with, and Carlisle was at the hospital. I'd been fine for most of the day, sleeping on and off, but then the fever had come.

I hadn't been able to cool myself off with liquids and I didn't have the strength to get in the shower. Edward had come home that afternoon to find me shivering, but I kept refusing the blanket. He took my temperature and I swear he almost passed out. He wouldn't tell me how high it was; he just kept saying everything would be okay. He'd wrapped me up in a blanket, ignoring my protests of being too hot. He'd carried me down the three flights of stairs and out to the car. I didn't remember the ride, but I remembered him carrying me into the doctor's office later on.

When I'd woken up again a few hours later, I saw that I was hooked to an IV for fluids. Edward was pacing back and forth across the small room, unaware that I was awake. I watched him run his hands through his hair, again and again, as he stared at the tiles. I wondered if he was counting them. I had called out to him at that point, and the relief that had washed over his face at the sound of my voice, was unbelievable. That was the second time I'd seen him scared of something happening to me. The first time had been the night I moved into his parents' home. I still had no idea of what he had been thinking about, but he had suddenly told me he'd be lost without me, and the look of fear in his eyes had kept me from making any of the smart-aleck comments I usually would have made.

The clattering of the tray on the table pulled me from my thoughts, making me jump a little.

"Sorry, love. Didn't mean to startle you," Edward said, as he slid into his side of the booth.

"No problem."

"What were you thinking about so hard?"

"A little of this and that," I shrugged.

Edward took his sandwich and slid the tray toward me. "Care to elaborate?" he asked.

"Care to hand over that pickle," I challenged.

He chuckled as he dropped the pickle into my basket. "Now, what were you thinking about?"

I took a bite of pickle, using the time to arrange my thoughts and decide how best to phrase them. "I was just wondering how long you were going to allow me to continue teaching before you put your foot down and order me to stay home."

"Bella, you know I would only do something like that if it was necessary."

"I do know, Edward. Like I said, I was just wondering."

"Well, I guess it all depends on how far along you are. If you're right about the night, which I'm sure you are, then that would mean you are five or six weeks along. You should be able to safely teach next semester since the baby wouldn't be due until sometime in late July or early August."

"That doesn't sound bad at all."

"But just know it depends on whether or not you can keep your stress level down. Remember, I'm a professor, too, and I know what the workload is like."

"Darn! I knew I should have been an editor! I'm missing out on all that red ink!"

Edward shook his head at me, smiling. "Eat, Bella."

I took a bite of my sandwich, smiling happily the entire time. I'd never been one for change. I'd shied away from it, fearing all the ways life could get worse. All of those fears had nearly pushed Edward away in the beginning. But he'd stuck by me, showing me that change could be a good thing, and that it could make your life better. Edward had helped me to face all of my fears and he'd driven my nightmares away. There wasn't a man on the planet that could compare to my husband. I had a lot of fears about being pregnant and being a parent, but they were all dampened by the knowledge that I would never be alone in any of this. Edward would be right next to me, helping me in everyway.

After lunch was over, Edward took me to a park. We walked around slowly, enjoying the contrast between the warmth of the sun and the chill of the December wind.

"Guess we won't be snowball fighting this year," I chuckled.

"Yes, because you fought so well last year," he teased.

"Hey! It wasn't my fault I got confused about who was on my team. You guys should not have switched sides halfway through the fight."

"Bella, no matter what side I'm on, I'm your husband. You really shouldn't pelt me with snow," Edward said, pretending to be serious.

"Yes, because you honored me as your wife by not hitting me with snowballs," I shot back.

"It's only because I love you so, Mrs. Cullen," he chuckled, kissing my temple.

"Right back at you, Tutor-boy!"

"Please don't teach our baby to call me that," Edward groaned.

"Are you kidding me?" I cried. "That's so going to be our baby's first word!"

Edward stopped walking and pulled me into a gentle embrace. "You are a cruel, cruel woman, Isabella Cullen. But I love you more than anything."

"You better! I am carrying your child after all."

"Yes, you are." His smile was beautiful and breathtaking as he stared down at me. There was no way to doubt the sincere happiness shining in his loving, green eyes.

"I'm so glad you're happy about this, Edward."

"Did you actually worry for a single second that I wouldn't be?"

I shrugged, not really knowing what I had thought his reaction would be.

"Bella, I know this wasn't something we'd talked about or planned for yet, but I had always assumed we would have our own little family one day. That day has come sooner than we expected, but it's a wonderful surprise."

"It really, truly is, Edward." I put my head on his chest, resting against him.

Edward put his hand against my cheek. "Let's get you home, love. You're cold."

"And you'll tell me about that plan you mentioned earlier?" I asked, smiling up at him.

"I'll do even better," he murmured, brushing his lips over mine. "I'll show you."

Had anyone said to me this morning that today would be the most amazing day of my life so far, I would have laughed at them. But right now, in this very second, I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. My life had already been perfect before, having Edward as my husband and best friend. Now, we were going to have a baby together…Today was absolutely the most wonderful, unexpected, scary, exciting day I had ever had. And I had a feeling that it was only going to get better.

When we got home, everyone was in the living room, watching a movie. Edward led me right past them and up the stairs. I was amazed Alice hadn't attacked yet, as I kept expecting her to suddenly pop up in front of me, demanding a trip to the store for baby items. But if I was perfectly honest, I was a teeny bit excited to go to a baby store and look around. Not that I would agree to buy anything until we knew what we were having.

"Edward, do you want to know the sex of the baby or do you want to wait?" I asked, as he led me into our room.

He chuckled as he pulled me toward the bathroom. "If you don't mind, I would like to know. And it will be safer with Alice around. If we don't find out, she'll end up buying two of everything, and I know you won't like that." He leaned into the tub and started running water into it.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I am fixing you a hot bath to warm you up from the cold air outside. Why don't you get ready to step in?"

He went into our room and came back, carrying something behind his back. I tilted my head, trying to figure out what he was up to.

"You're supposed to be getting undressed," he said, faking a scowl.

"Edward."

He chuckled at me and pulled his hand from behind his back. He was holding the book I'd been reading lately. "I thought you might enjoy reading while you soaked."

"You are so amazingly wonderful," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He pulled my arms away and gave me a stern look. "Get in that tub, read your book, and don't get out until you are completely relaxed."

"Yes, sir," I laughed, giving him a playful salute.

He handed me my book and left the room. I smiled happily, thinking of all the little things he'd done today to show me he loved me, and to spoil me.

I turned the water off and put my book on the side of the tub. I grabbed a towel and set it near the tub for afterward. I slipped out of my clothing and into the deliciously hot water. I sunk low into the water, dunking my head for a brief moment. It was exquisite! I grabbed my towel, dried my hands and arms, picked up my book, and started enjoying my bath.

I had no idea how much time had passed. I only knew that the water had lost most of its heat and I had read two and a half chapters of my book. I climbed out of the tub and dried myself off. I stepped into our room to grab some clothes and saw that Edward had already laid out some clothes for me on the bed. He'd pulled out my blue flannel pajamas—my favorite set. I smiled wide, noticing how my cheeks were actually starting to hurt from all of the smiling I had been doing all day. I slipped on my clothes and headed off in search of my wonderful husband. I needed to thank him.

I made my way down the stairs, surprised that the living room was dark, except for a single lamp. I stopped walking and listened closely. It didn't seem like anyone was home. But then I picked up the sound of a pot clattering. I headed for the kitchen, wondering what was going on and where everyone had gone off to. I pushed open the swinging door and stopped in my tracks.

Edward was at the stove, stirring something. The noise I'd heard had been him dropping the top onto the counter. I could see it was still slightly moving from the vibrations caused when it was dropped. I looked over to my right and saw that the small kitchen table was draped in a white tablecloth and there were candles and roses on top of it.

I started blubbering like an idiot, my hands clutching each side of the door frame, holding me up. Edward spun around, and the spoon he was holding dripped some sort of red sauce onto the floor. I started crying harder, feeling bad for causing him to make a mess. He dropped the spoon back into the pot and ran over to me, pulling me into the comfort of his arms.

"What's wrong, love? What happened?" he asked, rubbing my back.

I shook my head, unable to calm down enough to explain it to him. Edward led me over to the table and got me to sit down in one of the chairs. He grabbed the bottom of the apron he was wearing and dried my tears. I sniffled a few more times, watching him watch me.

"What upset you so much?" he asked.

"I came in and I saw the table and I was so happy and touched by it that I started crying and then you turned, and the sauce was dripping, and I felt guilty that I was causing you to make a mess."

Edward laughed softly as he kissed the backs of my hands. "It's going to be a very interesting pregnancy, love. But please, don't feel guilty. I want you to be happy. I sent everyone out to dinner so that you and I could have a private celebration of our wonderful news. Now, there will be no tears during this candlelight dinner, my love. Only smiles. Okay?"

I nodded my head and whatever expression I had on my face caused Edward to laugh again. He cleaned up the floor, turned off the burners, and prepared our plates before bringing them over to the table. I took a deep breath, reveling in the heavenly smell of the spaghetti sauce. I could easily pick out the basil and oregano he'd put in.

When he came back to the table, he was carrying two wine glasses, both filled with milk. I lifted an eyebrow at him, wondering what he thought he was doing.

"It's important for you to drink lots of milk and to stay away from caffeine. If you have to give up certain things for our baby, then I'm going to give them up with you," he explained, as he put a glass in front of me.

I started tearing up again, but I blinked them back and choked down the sob. I had worried him enough for one day. "Thank you, Edward." I was pleased that I had managed to speak without my voice cracking.

"Anything for you, my beautiful wife." He leaned over and gave me a chaste kiss.

He had said that phrase to me many times in our life together, but something about the way he'd said it just now caught my attention. He meant every single word and he was prepared to prove it again and again. No matter how many times I broke down in happy tears over his spoiling, it wouldn't deter him in the least. Edward was committed to taking full advantage of his freedom to spoil me. I didn't know if I should be happy or scared by that knowledge. For now, I decided it was best to sit back and enjoy the wonderful meal my perfect husband had made for me. This was definitely an interesting start to the spoiling.

Okay. Let's see a show of virtual hands...Who wants to be spoiled by Edward? LOL!!