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

Near Miss

Bella's POV

I was behaving today, watching my students exit my class from the comfort of my chair. Alright, so the chair wasn't the most comfortable in the world, but I was behaving and that was the point. When Edward arrived any second now, he would see I was listening and it would give him something to smile about. We'd had a great weekend together and I wanted to keep that feeling of happiness between us going any way that I could.

James was the last in the class once again. Poor guy didn't seem to have any friends in the classroom; he was always the first one here and the last to leave. I really hoped he had friends outside of class. I hated to think of him being in this huge school and feeling lonely.

James made his way down the steps, pushing his thick glasses further up on his nose and giving me a shy smile. Poor guy. "Aren't you leaving, Professor Cullen?" he asked.

"As soon as Edward arrives."

"I can wait with you, if you want."

"Don't you have some friends to meet up with, James?"

"Not today," he shrugged, causing his glasses to slide down his nose again. It was a shame he hadn't picked a frame that flattered his face better. Or at least one that didn't hide his eyes so much. I'd always been taught to look a person in the eye when speaking, but it was hard to do that with glasses as thick as those James wore.

"Thank you for the company," I told him. "Did you enjoy the class discussion on Thoreau?"

James smiled just a little, looking more nervous than anything. Maybe he was too shy to make friends. "I think we should all have our own version of Walden Pond."

"Maybe for a day or two. After that, I would have to get back to my family," I said.

"Because you're married?"

"No," I chuckled. "Edward would be with me, of course. No, we would have to come back because I'd miss my family too much to continue enjoying myself. What about you? Could you spend months secluded out in the wilderness?"

James smiled wistfully and moved to sit in one of the desks on the front row. "I had a place I used to go after school when I lived in Portland." With that one sentence, some sort of door opened in James. It was the most I'd ever heard him speak, and it was easy to see he was passionate about the subject…If only he could put that into his writing.

"Well," James sighed, glancing at his watch. "You've probably heard enough out of me. And shouldn't he be here by now, Professor Cullen?"

I looked down at my own watch, surprised to see that fifteen minutes had already passed. "Yes, he should. I guess he got held up again." I stood and made sure everything was in my bag. "I'll just start heading that way and meet up with him." It wasn't that far of a walk and Edward would probably get here before I even made it out of my building.

"I'll walk with you," James offered.

"You really don't have to, James. I've walked the route a thousand times."

He shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on heels, looking completely nervous. "Well, I was hoping to hear if you ever had your own spot." He reminded me so much of Edward when I'd first met him that I found it hard to refuse.

"Alright," I chuckled, waving my hand toward the doorway. "It's going to be a really short conversation, though. I never had a spot."

"None at all?" he asked as we walked down the quiet hallway.

"I have one, but that wasn't until very recently. And it's a shared spot. Edward and I have a spot in his parent's backyard that's just for us. It's at the top of a hill and looks out over the trees. It's gorgeous on nights when the moon is full."

James opened the door and a blast of chilly wind hit me in the face. I shivered a little as I pulled my coat tighter around me and wrapped my scarf around my neck better.

"I'll be so happy to see spring and summer," I said as we walked down the steps.

"What's your favorite season of all?"

"Summer. I love the feel of the sun on my skin and the smell of the beach. What about yours?"

"Fall, I guess. Something about the year winding down and all."

"Edward likes spring, but I think it's because his mom is a gardener. She always had him, and his sister, help with the new plantings. She even has a garden—" The rest of my sentence died in my throat as my shoe hit an icy spot and my foot started to slide out from underneath me.

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind: Could I stop my fall? What was Edward going to say? Why hadn't I just stayed in class like he'd asked? He'd warned me about the ice. Would the baby get hurt if I broke my butt? Was I going to be lucky enough to just hit my butt? Just how cold and unforgiving was the sidewalk going to be to me today? What was Em going to do when he found out?

I hated falling. I hated that it took so long and you could see every little detail on your way down—like Edward's terrified face. I hadn't noticed him before, but there he was on the sidewalk, maybe twenty feet away. He was saying something and I had a pretty good idea he was shouting my name. But I couldn't really hear over the sound of my brain and all the thoughts flashing back and forth across it.

And then my fall stopped as abruptly as it had started. I blinked a few times, trying to figure out what had happened. If I'd hit the ground, it hadn't hurt nearly as much as I'd expected. Maybe I was numb. Could the ground be cold enough for that?

Worried green eyes were suddenly all I could see. Edward's arms helped me to stand straight and then wrapped around my waist. I could see his lips moving, but I still couldn't hear him. I shook my head and blinked again, hoping I hadn't broken myself.

My hearing returned in a rush, making me feel light-headed as I struggled to reply to Edward. "Bella? Bella, can you hear me?" he asked, sounding frantic. I wondered how many times he'd already asked me that.

"Give me a second. I feel light-headed," I told him.

"You're sitting down," Edward commanded. He led me over to a bench where he sat down and held me in his lap. "Are you hurt? Should I call Carlisle?"

"I don't know. I just feel faint and I couldn't hear for a second," I answered, closing my eyes and resting against his warm chest.

"Maybe it's the adrenaline rush from almost falling," James suggested. James? Oh, right! We'd been walking and talking together.

"Thank you for catching her," Edward said. His normally velvet voice was rough and I knew it was because I'd scared him. It was going to be a long night in the Cullen household. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Emmett, Alice, and the rest of our family showed up for my reprimand. And I deserved it. I should've listened and stayed indoors.

"Oh, it's no problem at all. I'm just glad I was there," James replied. "I made sure to grab her under her arms and not around the stomach. I read it's bad to put pressure on a pregnant woman's stomach."

"What are you doing reading about pregnancy?" Edward asked.

"Well…my sister is…sort of making me read her baby book with her," James stuttered.

"I have a bossy sister of my own," Edward chuckled. "If she'd been the first to get pregnant, I'm sure she would've made us all read along with her."

That light-headed feeling wasn't getting any better and since I'd already been stupid once today, I wasn't about to repeat it. "Edward, I think I need a doctor."

"It's okay, Bella," Edward cooed, kissing my temple. "Let's get you in the car and I'll call Dr. Johnson on the way to his office."

"Want me to walk with you guys?" James asked as Edward helped me to my feet.

"No, I've got her. And once again, thank you for helping," Edward said, shaking James's hand.

"I'll see you in class on Wednesday, Professor Cullen," James told me.

I just smiled, too tired to do more than that. I had a feeling the light-headedness changing to tiredness meant something was wrong with my stupid blood pressure.

Nearly two hours later, I was finally in my warm bed at home, under strict orders to relax and not to get out of it until tomorrow morning. The relaxation rule was from my doctor. The bed rest was from Edward.

"What would you like to eat?" Edward asked, checking my pulse once again. I didn't even bother saying anything; my blood pressure had scared us both this time. Dr. Johnson assured us it was from the sudden shock of nearly falling and that I would be perfectly fine, but it was still scary.

"Something warm," I sighed, snuggling further against the pillows. "Some stew maybe?"

"If Carlisle didn't take it for lunch, there should be some beef stew left."

"That sounds perfect."

"And to drink?"

"Ginger ale?"

"Alright. I'll be right back." Edward placed a kiss on my forehead and then left the room.

He'd barely been gone a minute before his phone started to ring; he'd left it on the nightstand. I reached out and picked up the phone, looking at the caller ID. It was Emmett—and like the coward I was, I hit the silence button and put that phone right back where it had been.

Edward had called Doctor Johnson as soon as he'd gotten me into the car. My doctor happened to already be at the hospital because of a delivery, so he'd had Edward drive me there. And since Carlisle was working at the hospital, Edward called him too. He met us in the parking lot and stayed with us through the whole thing. I think he'd been hoping to calm Edward, but it really didn't work.

Once my blood pressure had returned to normal, they'd let Edward take me home. And now I was resting and pretending I hadn't heard the message tone beep from the phone.

"Bella, are you sleeping?" Edward asked from close by.

I opened my eyes and turned my head toward the door. "No, just resting."

He smiled and came over to the bed, stretching out next to me. "My mother is picking up something for all of us since my dad finished off the stew."

"What's she getting us?"

Edward brushed some of my hair away from my face and neck, looking completely distracted. He must have been because he didn't answer my question.

I put my hand on his cheek, getting him to look at me. "Edward, I asked you what she was getting."

"Sorry," he said, giving me a small smile. "She's going to pick up chili and cornbread from a little shop she knows."

"What's wrong?"

"Besides you nearly falling and your blood pressure being through the roof?"

"Yes. Because I was just as scared by those things but I don't look like the world just ended."

"I'm fine, just tired."

"Liar," I snorted, pulling his face up so I could see those green eyes of his. They were dark and serious…brooding. "Talk to me, Edward. Don't shut down."

He pulled his head away from my hand, laying it right above the bump of my stomach, and wrapped his arms around my back. "I don't know what to say."

I ran my hand through his red-bronze hair, hoping to soothe him at least a little. "Just tell me what you're thinking and feeling."

He didn't say anything; he just continued to hold me. I let him lay there for awhile before pressing again. Edward had only had one serious girlfriend before me and she'd hurt him so badly that he'd closed himself off from everyone, including his own family. It had taken a long time to get him to open up to everyone the way he did with me. I wasn't going to let anything make him feel like he had to close up to protect himself again, especially not my own stupid behavior.

"Edward, what are you feeling?" I whispered, tracing his jaw down to his chin and back up to his ear.

He sighed deeply, but finally mumbled out a reply. "I'm feeling a lot of things. I'm mad at myself, for one."

"Why are you mad at your own self?" I asked, completely confused. I couldn't think of a single reason why Edward should be upset with himself. Plenty for me, but none for him.

"I should have been there. I should've been on time."

"I'm sure whatever reason you have for being late is a good one. And honestly, if I'd had a little bit more patience—"

"That's never been your strong-suit, Isabella," he sighed. He moved his hand under my shirt and gently rubbed his hand against my skin. "I made the mistake of believing the 'it'll just take a second' line."

"Victoria again?"

"Yes," he growled. "She doesn't seem to understand the concept of assigned discussion time."

"Sounds like she's got a crush on you, Professor Cullen."

"You think?" he snorted. "Subtlety didn't work with her so I'm going to have to be rude about it. I hate being rude."

"Honey, what you consider to be rudeness is just complete and total honesty to the rest of us. And if you would prefer, I'd be more than happy to stop by your class and mark you as mine," I teased, tugging on his earlobe a little. "But after the ice and snow are gone," I quickly added.

Edward sat up and took my hands into his. "I know you hate to feel like we're all telling you what to do, and I know you're a grown woman capable of taking care of herself, but for right now, can we come to some sort of compromise?"

"Like?"

"Like there's a big difference between puttering around the house on your own and walking across a college campus. You're clumsiness has been back for a couple of weeks now and it's only going to get worse as the baby gets bigger."

"Maybe we should have had Doctor Johnson check my ears. Maybe it's some sort of inner ear thing."

"You have been checked, and Carlisle declared you 'born clumsy', remember?" Edward asked, giving me his crooked smile. I was glad to see it, knowing it meant he was really calming down. "Besides, you were controlling it the past year or so because you'd slowed down. You always do better when you take your time, but lately, you've been trying to run everywhere."

"There's just so much to do and I don't have as much time anymore with the naps and everything."

"So stop trying to do all of those things. Write a list of what needs to be done every day of the week. Anything I can't do myself, I'll get my mom or Alice to help me with."

"Edward, that's—"

He put his finger against my lip, stopping my complaint. "It's what we're all willing and able to do for you and the baby."

"Edward, Bella?" Esme called out. "I'm home."

"Dinner time," Edward said, moving to stand up.

I held tightly to his hand, keeping him sitting. "Edward, I'm really sorry. I didn't think the sidewalks could possibly have ice with it being late afternoon."

"I know. And I'm sure I've been driving you crazy from the start with my need to protect you."

"A little," I agreed.

"Then after dinner, let's talk and find a middle ground, okay?"

"I'd like that a lot."

He leaned forward and kissed me, letting me feel his love for me without it being too passionate. We'd challenged my heart rate enough for one day. He pulled away, gave me my favorite smile, and then lifted my shirt, kissing the bump. "I'll be right back," he said as he stood.

"I'll be right here," I assured him.

His phone started ringing again and he picked it up, answering it as he walked out of the room. "Hello, Emmett. How would you prefer me to answer the phone? No, I didn't hear the phone ring earlier. If I had I would have…" his voice faded as he headed downstairs and I could only imagine the lecture Edward was getting from Emmett because of me. I was really going to have to make sure Edward's Bella-Free Sunday was a great one for him.

On the plus side, I'd gotten out of car shopping for one more day. But I'd also turned it into a family event—Tuesdays were family dinner night and since everyone would be here for that, I was pretty sure they were going to want to come with us, especially Rosalie since she was so into cars.

"Bella, dear?" Esme called, looking down at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't hear you come in," I chuckled. "Sit down," I offered, patting the spot next to me.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired and silly…and really stupid. But really lucky, too. If James hadn't been able to catch me, I'd have ended up on the sidewalk."

"James?"

"One of my students."

"Well, when you see him again, you tell him 'thank you' for Carlisle and me."

"I will. Thanks for getting supper."

"It was on the way," she shrugged. "Edward should be up any minute with dinner for both of you. Are you hungry?"

"Starving," I admitted.

"Well, I'm sure you'll like this meal. It's from a little southern themed café and the owners are originally from Alabama. They always have a mild and spicy version of their foods. Maybe if you like it, you can try the spicy after the baby's born."

Edward came into the room, carrying a tray full of things. "Mom, I love you dearly, but get out."

"I'm going," she chuckled at him. She turned to me and patted my hand. "He's worried I'm going to excite you with talk of my fundraiser today."

"How did it go?" I asked.

"Wonderful! We raised over thirty-thousand dollars for the children's hospital. They've already asked me to plan next year's event as well."

"And you can tell her all about it. Tomorrow," Edward ordered. "Thank you again for providing dinner, we both love you, and we'll chat with you tomorrow."

"Edward, don't be rude to your mother," I fussed.

"He's not, Dear," Esme chuckled, patting my hand again. "He's just a little worked up and this is his way of letting it out." She stood and kissed Edward's cheek. "You're lucky I'm such an understanding mother, Edward."

"I know," he chuckled, smiling for her. "It's one of the many reasons why I love you."

Esme kissed his cheek once more and then left our room, closing the door behind her. Edward moved the last few steps to the bed and set the tray down over my legs.

"You know, I agree today was a bad day, but that doesn't give you the right, or a reason, to be so rude to your mother. She does a lot for us, Edward Anthony," I fussed.

Edward smirked at me as he carefully got onto the bed. "So ready to defend everyone all the time."

"Well if my husband wasn't acting like such an overbearing, overprotective dictator, I wouldn't have felt the need. Esme talking to me about her fundraiser isn't a danger to me."

"And there was the proof that you're Emmett's little sister," he chuckled. He must have finally noticed he wasn't as amusing as he thought he was because that smirk left his face. "Bella, you know I'd never purposefully be rude to my mother. When we spoke downstairs, I jokingly told her that if she was still in here when I came up, I'd throw her out. She said she'd like to see me try. I was challenged. What could I do?"

I snorted and shook my head at him. "And there's the proof that you're friends with Emmett."

"Forgiven?" he asked, making his green eyes look as sad as any puppy ever could.

"Yes," I sighed, trying not to laugh. "So what's all this?" I asked, pointing at the tray in front of me.

Edward scooted closer to me and pulled a couple things from the tray. "This is my dinner. That's your dinner."

"You have more chili than me and no vegetables," I said, looking between our plates. "And you definitely have a bigger piece of cornbread."

"Love, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't have to watch my blood pressure."

"I thought you were giving up things I had to give up."

"You don't have to give this up, you just can't eat as much of it. We never stipulated on portion control for me."

Between the smirk on his face and his know-it-all attitude, I couldn't help but laugh. "You're awful, Edward Cullen."

"And you're beautiful, Bella Cullen," he chuckled, kissing my cheek. "Want to watch a movie while we eat?"

"I'd rather talk."

"What shall we talk about?"

"Ideas for you for Sunday."

Edward shrugged his shoulders.

"Isn't there anything you'd like to do?" I asked.

"Coffee," he replied, smiling wide. "I haven't had a coffee in months."

"I miss coffee," I sighed. I sighed again at Edward's frown. "I didn't say it for you to feel bad. If anything, I should feel bad for you giving it up just for me. So what else do you want to do?"

"Can't I just stay home with you?"

"I won't be home. Alice, Esme, and Rosalie are taking me for a day of pampering. Esme and Rose are going to share their mommy secrets with me away from prying male ears."

"Is that right?" he laughed, his green eyes sparkling with his happiness.

"Absolutely," I agreed, smiling back at him. "You know, maybe you should pamper yourself a little. You could rent a car for the day. Spend your time behind the wheel of some absurdly expensive car."

His entire mood perked up at the sound of my idea. "How much money am I allowed to spend?"

"I don't know…I guess anything you want so long as you don't dip into the house fund."

"I can arrange that," he replied, grinning like a small child on Christmas morning.

"So what are you going to rent?" I asked, trying not to laugh at him.

"I've always wanted to drive an Aston Martin. My dad had one when I twelve. It was a beautiful car. A ride so smooth, and the turns!"

"What happened to it?"

"Alice needed braces and a new wardrobe," he chuckled. "Dad took one for the team and sold it."

"Wow. I mean, I know your dad loves you guys and all."

"The sad part was, three months later, he got the first of many promotions and would've been able to keep his car."

"Oh, that's just wrong," I chuckled, unable to keep a straight face. "You know, if our baby ever needs braces, I promise not to make you sell the Volvo."

Edward snorted, almost spitting his chili all over himself. "God, I hope our baby is as silly as you are."

"And I hope he's as sweet as you are."

Edward and I looked at each other for a second before bursting into laughter. It was good that we could enjoy this time right now because we'd be having our serious discussion a little later on. But Edward's mood right now gave me hope that we could reach a compromise without too much of a battle. He really was trying hard to find balance with his overprotective nature, so it was time for me to try as hard to not be as silly as I usually managed.

But if he thought for one second today's events were going to make me a pushover with the car thing, he was going to be very sadly mistaken. Bella Cullen was no pushover—not even for her Greek god husband.

Okay! This was a chapter full of events and included the addition of a new character, James. There's a pic on my website of how I imagine this James looks. He is Geeky James in all his glory. The link to my website is on my profile page.

I know I said last weekend that I would get you guys three chapters, but I'll be shocked if I get two. Real life came along and smacked me upside the head, giving me a nasty little case of writer's block. I'm trying to get rid of it as quickly as possible, but I can make no guarantees. When your mind literally stops giving you any and all ideas, it's nearly as wrenching as whatever caused it. So! I'm giving it my best, but we may not have more until next weekend and I don't know how much we'll have. If my block goes away, I'll get things posted during the week and get us back on schedule.