DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
A Moment of Calm
Edward's POV
I spent a good portion of my night just watching over Bella. She'd fallen asleep right after our love making and she'd hardly moved since. The way the moonlight was casting shadows on her face and hair made it seem like she had a little glow to her. Or maybe it was just the peaceful smile on her lips as she slept.
I was relieved to finally have her understanding about James, but I couldn't stand that it had hurt her so much. Bella had obviously felt some sort of connection with James and had tried to befriend him, not wanting him to be lonely. He'd taken advantage of that, trying to turn it into more than it was—I was extremely relieved to know it had only been one-sided. And now that Bella knew, it wasn't as though she could just put some space between them to deal with this mess since James was her student and in her classroom three days a week. No, we'd have to sit down with him together and figure out how to handle this.
Alice's grand plan to let James out himself had never even had to be put into play since he'd just gone and made his sudden confession to Bella. I had the feeling there was more to their talk than she was telling, but I could also see that she wasn't ready to discuss it. Knowing her, it was probably some silly attempt to protect me and my feelings.
With one last kiss to her soft cheek, I laid down and closed my eyes. There was a light fluttering sensation against the hand I had resting on her stomach and I smiled. "It's time for you to sleep, too, Little Man," I whispered. I closed my eyes and for the first time in weeks, I was able to fall asleep immediately.
The sound of a guitar slowly drew me back into a waking state. I opened my eyes, finding Bella sitting cross-legged at the edge of the bed with her guitar in her lap and her feet hidden somewhere inside my flannel pajama pants. I figured she'd put my pants on so she could go down and get her guitar and I wondered how long she'd been up.
"What are you doing?" I asked, smiling at her.
She gave me a big smile. "Hello, sleepyhead."
I turned and looked at the clock, surprised to see that it was nine-thirty. "I can't believe Alice didn't barge in at first light," I chuckled, looking back at my beautiful wife.
"She tried," Bella shrugged, her eyes focused on her fingers strumming the guitar strings.
"What song are you plucking? It doesn't sound familiar."
"That's because it's the vile country," Bella chuckled. "It's been sung by a few people, but I like Alison Krauss' version best."
"Do you have it on your iPod so I can hear it?"
Bella lifted her head just a little, looking at me through her thick lashes, as she put her hand over the strings to stop the vibrations. "Actually, I thought I might sing it for you."
"You're feeling that good?" I asked, moving so that I was sitting up against our pillows.
"Yes. Would you like to hear it?"
"You know how much I love your voice."
She smiled as she started to play again. Her eyes went back to her hands and she pulled in a deep breathe before her soft voice filled our room.
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
Her fingers continued to stroke the strings as she pulled in a few deep breaths, readying herself to continue the song.
All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
She looked so beautiful as she focused on her hands, making sure she plucked each note correctly. She suddenly lifted her head to look at me, freezing me completely with her loving, brown eyes.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
She lifted her hands, letting the last note trail off onto the air. I opened my arms to her and she smiled, immediately putting her guitar aside and crawling across the bed. I wrapped her up as tightly as I dared and kissed every part of her face that I could reach.
"You liked it then?" she giggled, trying to kiss me back.
"I loved it."
She took my face into her hands, those brown eyes of hers wandering all across my face. "I'm sorry. I know that's not nearly enough, but I hope you'll let me make it up to you and earn your forgiveness. I know I don't deserve it, but I need you so much, Edward. I need you to always be with me, making sure I don't fall from being a klutz or being oblivious."
"You still don't understand," I mused, brushing her sleep-tangled hair away from her beautiful face. "I was never upset with you, not really. I was aggravated I couldn't get you to believe me, but this was never about keeping you from James. It was always about making you aware of his feelings so you wouldn't have to end a friendship and feel impossibly guilty, just like you're doing right now."
"I took you for granted and I'm so sorry for that, Edward. I never wanted to do that to you. I've always felt so lucky to have you, and I know you give me this amazing life that few people ever experience…It's just…Well, things changed so much so fast between us once we found out I was pregnant. I just couldn't seem to get comfortable with the way you were constantly trying to do things for me instead of letting me do them myself. I've always been independent and more so after my parents died. And believe me, I know how stupid and silly it all sounds now…But at the time…" She shook her head, at a loss for words for once. "It was just easier to believe you were jealous than that James cared for me as more than a friend. Maybe easier isn't the word," she mumbled, shaking her head again.
"You had someone making you feel like you were still independent and capable, unlike your family who's been watching your diet, and your weight, and your blood pressure."
"Yeah," she sighed, tracing the lines of my palm with her fingers. "Seems stupid now, especially since I know those things have to be watched to make sure our baby is healthy. It was still nice to pretend I was perfectly fine, though, even just for a few hours a day."
"What if we designate a certain amount of time a day to handle all of the medical stuff and the things you find annoying about your pregnancy? That way, you're free to pretend for the rest of the day that there's nothing irregular about you."
"Shouldn't you be telling me to just grow up and deal with it since there is something irregular about me?"
"No. If you spend every minute of your pregnancy thinking about things that could go wrong, you'll turn into me. I don't think we can handle more than one worry-wart."
Bella smiled and put our hands on her stomach. "And what if our little man takes after his daddy?"
"Then we'll just teach him to be more like his mommy. Be a planner and not a worrier."
Alice decided to burst into our room at that moment. "Time to get out of bed, lazy people. We have so much to do today!"
"We'll be down in just a little bit, Alice," Bella told her.
Alice went to reach for the corner of our blanket, but I quickly stopped her. "I wouldn't suggest doing that," I told her, pushing her hand away.
"Gross!" Alice cried, her little nose wrinkling up in disgust.
Bella started giggling as she gripped the blanket in her hand. "Better run, Pixie. I'm getting out of bed on your orders and that requires me to toss back this blanket that's strategically covering your brother."
"Try to be ready in an hour," Alice said as she rushed out of our room, closing the door behind her.
Bella smiled up at me, her brown eyes bright and full of love and happiness. "Wish we'd figured out that was all it took years ago."
There was a knock on the door followed by my father's voice. "May I come in?"
"Please," I replied. Our room was quickly turning into a revolving door for family members.
My father walked in and smiled at Bella. "Good morning, Sweetheart. How are you feeling?"
Bella shrugged. "Okay, I guess."
"I was hoping you wouldn't mind me checking your blood pressure so early," he said, coming into the room with his medical bag. "I know Alice plans to have you out of the house for most of the day."
"No, that's probably a good idea," Bella agreed.
My father sat beside her on the bed while she rolled up the sleeve of her shirt. He pulled out the familiar black cuff and placed it on Bella's upper arm. He also held her wrist in his fingers, counting out her pulse as he pressed down on the ball and pressurized the cuff. I anxiously waited for the results, hoping last night's emotional rollercoaster hadn't affected her health too much.
Eventually, my father smiled, letting go of her wrist and pulling the cuff away. "Everything seems fine, Bella. Your pulse and blood pressure are both within normal ranges this morning."
"Thank you, Carlisle," Bella replied, leaning forward and kissing my father's cheek.
My father smiled at her and patted her leg. "It's my pleasure, Bella."
"Thanks, Dad," I told him as he got up to leave. He nodded his head and then left, closing the door behind him.
"Time to dress for our very long day," Bella sighed, tossing her legs over the side of the bed and slowly getting to her feet.
She disappeared inside of our closet and I followed after. I figured I might as well get dressed for my day, too—hanging out with the guys and Lily. Emmett had offered for the three of us to keep an eye on her so that Rose and the girls could have a baby-free shopping experience.
I tossed on blue jeans and a black t-shirt while Bella dressed herself in a white t-shirt, a pair of purple corduroy overalls, and a white sweater. She put her short hair up in a ponytail and proudly announced that she was done. "What do you think, Tutor-boy?"
I smiled and dropped down to my knees, pressing my lips to her protruding belly. "I think you look like the sexiest mother-to-be in the whole world."
"Very cute, Edward Anthony," she chuckled, pushing me away. She turned back toward the mirror, checking over her outfit again.
"I'm pretty sure you're the cute one, Bella Cullen," I said, standing up and wrapping my arms around her.
"I like these," she said, swaying in my arms and running her hands over her clothes. "It makes me look so much bigger and rounder."
"And yet you were so afraid of your growing belly in the beginning," I teased, kissing her neck.
"I'm going to miss you today."
"I'll miss you, too. Call me as much as you want, okay?"
She turned in my arms and smiled up at me. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Loving me."
"Bella, it has honestly been my pleasure from the moment I fell for you." I carefully spun her around and faced her toward the bathroom door. "I'll be more than happy to continue this when you get home, but for now, we need to get some breakfast in you and get you on the road."
"I'm not feeling all that hungry," she said as we walked down the stairs.
"How about some toast and juice?"
"Toast sounds good, with strawberry jelly. But I'd prefer warm milk."
"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked, suppressing the urge to feel her forehead.
"I'm physically fine. I just need a little emotional comfort and warm milk always reminds me of sitting around the table with my mom. She used to drink it that way late at night during the winter."
"You understand that I'm not upset with you, right?"
"Yes. But you have to understand that I'm upset with myself and it's going to take me some time to deal with that."
"I'm here for you, Bella. Just tell me what you need," I told her, squeezing her hand lightly.
"Look out! Hot momma comin' through," Emmett bellowed as we came down the last of the stairs and entered the living room.
Jasper stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled at Bella, while Rose and Alice clapped for her.
"Stop it, you guys," Bella said, trying not to laugh at their antics as her cheeks turned a bright red.
"See Alice, you are rubbing off on her," Rose chuckled. "She never would have put together such a stunning ensemble when we first met her."
"Why did I want to go shopping with you again?" Bella asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"That's right, Momma! Stick that baby belly out," Emmett joked, grinning at Bella.
Bella sighed and rolled her eyes. "Can we please have breakfast before my insane brother comes up with anymore pregnancy related taunts?"
"Those of us who aren't lazy, already had our breakfast," Alice chirped.
"I'm pregnant. Deal with it," Bella said, poking her tongue at my sister as she passed her on the way to the kitchen.
"Bella woke up feisty," Rose chuckled.
I laughed as I went to follow after Bella, but Emmett grabbed my arm. "Is she really okay or is she still upset from yesterday?" he asked.
"I think it's a bit of both, actually," I replied.
"Oh, Edward, you're up. Is Bella awake too?" my mother asked, walking down the stairs.
"She's in the kitchen, Mom," I told her.
"Does she want something cooked? I don't mind," my mother offered.
"No. Just warm milk and toast this morning," I answered.
"Poor dear," my mother sighed. "Her stomach's probably as torn as her heart. It's such a shame."
"What the hell is wrong with this guy? Why'd he have to get all goofy over my sister instead of just being her friend?" Emmett asked.
"Bella has said he was painfully shy and didn't get to spend much time with his sister. Maybe the idea of having an instant family with Bella appealed to him," Jasper offered. "And you can bet that Bella was the first person in a long time to even make the attempt to be this guy's friend. He simply mistook her compassion for attraction."
"There's nothing simple about how awful Bella is feeling right now," Alice pouted. "What can we do to cheer her up?"
"Nothing, unfortunately," I said. "She just needs time to process this and deal with the guilt she's feeling."
"What are you going to do about James?" Rose asked.
"I don't know yet. We're definitely going to have to sit down with him and talk this out. He needs to understand he misread her intentions, and I'd like to ensure he won't do anything to try and get her fired. On the opposite end of that, I'd hate to see him drop the class. It's too late in the semester for it to be excused, so he'd have to take an 'F', and Bella would feel even worse if that happened."
"You might want to call Jack and give him a heads-up, Edward," my father suggested, having walked in our conversation. "Just in case James files a complaint against Bella."
"That's probably a smart idea," I agreed. "I'll talk to Bella about it."
"About what?" Bella asked, looking at me over the top of her mug. I chuckled at the milk mustache above her upper lip. She realized right away why I was laughing and scowled at me. "Bite me, Cullen."
"Now that's pure Bella," Emmett said through his laughter. "It's nice to have you back, Squirt. I was beginning to worry you were passing all of your sarcasm and fight onto your baby."
Bella stepped forward and punched Emmett in the shoulder. "Shut up, Em."
"Ooh, I'm so scared of the little pregnant woman," he said, waving his hands in front of his face.
"You should be more afraid of her very scary husband," I said, stepping in front of her and crossing my arms over my chest. "He's sort of out of patience for people annoying his wife."
"Alright, Edward. That was ballsy and I respect that," Emmett replied, nodding his head. "Sorry, Squirt. I forget when to stop teasing sometimes. I didn't mean anything by it."
Bella wrapped her arms around me, tucking herself against my side and I smiled down at her.
"I know we make fun of you for it a lot, Edward, but you're kind of hot when you get all angry and scary," Rose joked, winking at Bella.
"Ew!" Alice cried, hiding behind her hands. "Don't say things like that when I'm in the room."
"I thought you could push that aside," Bella teased, grinning at my sister.
"Well I can't today, so please don't do that again," Alice huffed. "Besides, you two are supposed to be eating so we can leave."
"Come on, Love," I chuckled, leading Bella back toward the kitchen. "Let's have our breakfast before Alice decides to leave without you."
"So what were you guys talking about?" Bella asked as she refilled her cup with milk.
"My dad suggested we talk to Dean Wilson about our situation with James just in case he decides to file a complaint against you."
Bella frowned, putting her cup into the microwave. "I really hope he won't do something mean like that. I do feel awful that he misunderstood, but I spent most of my morning thinking about everything that happened and I really don't see where I did anything to give him the impression I wanted more than friendship."
"He's hurt," I shrugged. "People sometimes do things they wouldn't if they took the time to rationally think them out."
"Can we talk about this later?" she asked as the microwave dinged. "I really don't want to discuss him right before I leave."
"That's fine, Love," I said, taking her bread from the toaster. "Do you want just a little jelly or a lot today?"
"Just a little."
I fixed her toast and then brought it over to her at the table. "I'm going to fix myself some scrambled eggs if you change your mind."
"Thanks, but I really don't want more than this," she said, frowning into her mug.
"You know you don't have to go shopping if you don't feel up to it," I mentioned.
"I actually want to go. I want to see what Alice picks out for herself. And I was reading that if I get one of those snuggly pillows, it'll help me to sleep on my side easier."
"A snuggly pillow?"
"Yeah," she replied, munching on a corner of her toast slice. "It's this 'u' shaped pillow and it bends to curve around your belly. They make them in all different sizes so you can get one that just cradles your stomach or one that goes all around you to make you feel snug. Hence, the snuggly pillow."
"Ah," I replied, trying not to laugh.
Bella just shrugged her shoulders at me, continuing to eat her toast.
"You aren't done yet?" Alice asked, standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips and big smile on her face.
"Nope," Bella chuckled. "Going to have to wait a little longer."
"You're being so slow on purpose, aren't you?" Alice pouted.
"That's such a brilliant deduction, Watson," Bella laughed.
"You are feisty this morning. What's up with that?" Alice asked, sitting across from Bella. "I smell scrambled eggs."
"That was completely random," Bella chuckled.
"My nose suddenly knows everything," Alice replied.
"Welcome to pregnancy," Bella snorted. "Just wait until you try to go back to the salon and your stomach does this weird rip, roll thing like if you were on a twisting coaster."
"Easily solved," Alice chirped. "Nose plugs."
Bella and I glanced at each other before laughing at my sister—she was truly one of a kind.
I sat down next to Bella with my plate, looking forward to my breakfast. The fork never even got close to my mouth. One pout from my sister and my plate and its contents were in front of her.
"Guess you're making more," Bella chuckled, kissing my cheek.
"Your niece or nephew thanks you," Alice said, holding her hand in front of her egg-filled mouth.
"Oh, Edward! Can you imagine the horror if it's a girl?" Bella asked as I headed back toward the stove. "Mini-Alice!"
"Stop trying to act like you don't love me and my abilities," Alice said.
"Of course I love you, Pixie. You're my best friend," Bella replied.
"I love you, too, Bells," Alice sniffled.
"Come on," Bella chuckled as a chair scooted across the floor. I looked over to find her walking toward me with her empty plate and mug. "Let's get on the road before you scare the guys with your crying like I used to do."
"Okay," Alice chirped.
"Shouldn't you finish the eggs you stole?" I asked, turning toward my sister.
"What eggs?" she replied, giving me a wicked smile as she showed off her empty plate.
"Did you inhale them?" I asked, completely shocked that she'd managed to eat all of those eggs already.
"Nope," she chuckled, leaning up and kissing my cheek. "Thanks for my second breakfast, little brother."
"No problem," I said, smiling at her. "Be nice to my wife today."
"I'm nice every day," Alice assured me. "Bella just doesn't always agree with my version of nice."
"Need a hug and a kiss, Cullen. Otherwise, I can't leave this house and the Pixie will have a fit," Bella said, smiling at me.
"And if I want to keep you here?" I challenged, giving her the smile she loved best.
"Please?" she replied, poking out her bottom lip just a little.
I chuckled as I crossed the short distance between us and took her into my arms. I leaned down and kissed her belly, and then stood up to kiss her lips. "I love you and our baby. I'll miss you both."
"We love you, too," she whispered, holding my face in her hands. "I won't let her keep me gone the whole day."
"Good," I chuckled, pressing my lips to her forehead and hugging her tightly. "I love you, Bella."
"I love you, too," she sighed.
"Love you, love you, miss you, miss you. Are we done?" Alice asked, tapping her little foot on the tile floor.
"Are you really sure you want to shop with her?" I asked Bella while smirking at my sister.
"Bye, Edward," Alice sang, taking hold of Bella's arm and walking out of the kitchen with her.
I chuckled and turned toward the stove, making a second attempt at having breakfast. Hopefully, Bella would have a great day with the girls and it would put her in better spirits. I knew this was only a moment of calm in the storm we'd gotten caught in. Whether we wanted to or not, we would have to sit down with James and sort this all out. Tomorrow was Monday and as much as I didn't like it, there was no way to avoid him.
Tomorrow's chapter will be the big sit down with James. And next weekend looks like it will be some family time with Edward, Bella, and Lily, and then Emmett's POV of his "talk" with James.
And for any who care ... Rob has cut off his hair! LOL! I hope he's not in trouble with anyone for it. Pics can be found on robertpattinson dot org