BPOV

"What are you doing today?" Edward asked over the phone. It was only the second day of spring break and I was beginning to regret that 'I'm just going to stay home for spring break' plan.

Since I'd left Phoenix, I had gained the capacity to be alone and sit still, but my tolerance remained fairly low for either. Today was just one of those days that I couldn't really bring myself to be alone with my thoughts and recollections.

"Umm... grocery shopping and then I think I'm going to watch a movie or something, you can come over to watch with me if you want," I offered.

"What would you say if I told you I was in front of your house already?"

I walked to the door, ridiculously eager to see him again. "I'd say, you're insane, Edward. But also that I'm really glad that you're here?"

I flung the door open and there he was, looking perfect like always. I opened the door all the way to let him in and before he passed me, his arms found my waist. He gently pulled me in a kissed me in a way that left me breathless. "I missed you."

I laughed quietly, knowing how ridiculous we sounded missing each other when we'd spent the day together yesterday followed by several hours on the phone last night. "I missed you too."

"Now, grocery shopping?"

I shrugged and waved him off. "It's okay, I'll go a different day."

"Why? I'll go with you. You shouldn't be carrying things anyway."

I smiled and nodded, feeling particularly grateful for Edward today. "Alright, let's go."

The entire way there we laughed about the dumbest things imaginable. We teased each other, joked about other people, about Forks. It was so easy with Edward. Life was less intense, less brooding now. I found that I liked the brightness and color that Edward brought out in the world. The more time I spent in Forks the more I found myself changing. I wasn't aimlessly wading through life anymore, waiting for the next thrill. I was less cautious, calculating. My hours weren't dictated by escapism anymore. With each passing day, I found myself turning into a person I actually liked.

As we walked into the grocery store, I grabbed a cart and pushed with Edward walking beside me. I allowed myself to pretend that we were an actual couple. That we were grocery shopping for our home, that the baby I was carrying was his, that there was a future that saw the two of us together. I shook the dark thoughts out of my head and tried to remain present with Edward.

Besides, there was really no doubt that Edward and I were together, even though he'd never made anything official. I almost laughed at the thought- how could he ask me to be his girlfriend when I was pregnant with another guy's baby? It's not like I was one for labels either- I'd never been interested in anyone before him. Edward was the first and only person I'd ever even remotely showed any interest in.

We started in produce.

Aisle-by-aisle we laughed and joked around. It was honestly more fun than I'd ever had grocery shopping. Edward laughed as he hopped on the back of the cart and glided down the aisle. I'd noticed the occasional disapproving look or shocked stare, but I was too busy enjoying Edward's company to even really pay attention to them.

We took an extended amount of time in the snack and candy aisle, picking out craving after craving to stock the cupboards. "This is the most fun I've ever had grocery shopping."

I raised an eyebrow and took my eyes off the candy. "When was the last time you went grocery shopping?"

"Actually, last weekend," he announced proudly. "I make it a point to go with my mom weekly."

"That's actually really sweet of you."

He shrugged and looked at the candy. "It's the least I can do to make up for everything I did, you know?"

"I thought you didn't regret that night?"

He shook his head. "I don't. But I know I put them through hell. My mom especially. She was right there beside me the entire time."

I nodded in understanding. I couldn't help but think about my mom. Would she walk with me through this? Had I thought too little of her, judged her too harshly? I shook my head and tried to remain in the present with Edward.

With a last stop in the ice cream section, we walked over to the cashier. Edward carefully loaded all of the groceries onto the conveyor belt, not even letting me load the small things, then announced he had to use the bathroom. I laughed and nodded. I didn't bother making conversation with the cashier, she wasn't much older than I was and looked completely miserable. With no particularly urgency or enthusiasm, she scanned then bagged the groceries.

She wasn't even halfway done when I noticed the lady behind me look at me with reproach. I'd just about had it with the staring. As the cashier handed me my change, I noticed the lady behind me giving me another disapproving look. "Can I help you?"

Her eyes narrowed like she expected me to just stand here and take her judgement. "That's what's wrong with your generation- no shame, should think twice before flaunting your mistake."

"Well maybe you should stop being a judgmental bitch," I retorted. The cashier looked amused that someone had made her day much more entertaining.

"What's going on?" Edward asked having finally returned from the bathroom, his eyes flickering back and forth between the lady and myself.

I shook my head and started to push the cart away. "Don't worry about it."

His eyes narrowed at the lady, but made no move to say anything else. With the fun atmosphere having effectively died, we walked to the car in silence. Edward refused to let me load the groceries into my truck too, so I sat in there and pushed away all of the negative emotions coursing through me. I'd never cared what people thought about me, I wasn't going to start now. Of course that was easier said than done- especially with all of these fucking hormones flooding my body.

It was a quick and silent trip back to my house. And once again Edward refused any assistance from me. Which he made trips in and out of the house, I put everything away. It all went a lot more quickly than if I had done it alone. Once we were done I made some popcorn and set out all kinds of junk food in preparation for our movie marathon.

It took us almost an hour to pick a movie to watch.

EPOV

Almost as soon as we settled in to watch the movie, Bella fell asleep. With Bella's legs draped over mine, I couldn't really move to make her more comfortable so I lowered the volume and turned on the subtitles so I didn't wake her up. I tried to keep my eyes of the movie, but my eyes kept floating back to Bella sleeping with her mouth slightly open. A grin spread across my face because she was just so freaking adorable. I didn't care if I was being corny, but there was nothing I'd rather do than be here with her. I carefully and intently watched her, memorizing every single detail. The scar in the arch of her eyebrow. The one in the corner of her lip. I was sure they came from him. So fucking sure.

"Edward." I froze for a second thinking I'd somehow woke her up. But no, she was just talking in her sleep again.

"Edward, I love you."

"I love you too," I whispered, even though I knew she couldn't hear me. Was I being a creep right now? Probably by any standard of the definition. When I was pretty sure that she was done talking, I tried to keep my eyes on the screen.

I was 75% done with the movie when Bella jolted awake. "Did I fall asleep?"

"You did," I smiled, not particularly bothered that she fell asleep.

"I'm sorry, I didn't even realize I was that tired," she yawned and I suppressed the laugh bubbling in my throat. Bella was always tired. We were always together so this wasn't the first time she'd fallen asleep on me.

"Don't worry about it, it's-" I stopped when Bella sucked in a large breath. "What? What's wrong?"

My eyes frantically looked over her as I tried to figure out what was wrong. She took my hand and maneuvered it over her bump. I felt the smallest little thumping coming from inside her. It was a little freaky. "That's the first time that's ever happened," she whispered.

"That's the first time the baby's kicked?"

She nodded, my hand still on her bump. It felt oddly... intimate touching her bump and feeling the baby kick for the first time.

"Do you want to go out with me tomorrow?" I blurted out. I'd meant to be smoother, less abrupt. But in the few months that I knew Bella, being smooth seemed more and more like an impossible feat.

She licked her lips and lightly chewed on her bottom lip. "Like a date?"

I smiled and nodded like a little kid. "Exactly like a date."

The smile grew on her face, then dropped. "Why don't we just stay here? It might not be a good idea to go out."

"Why?"

She shook her head, slightly scrunching her nose. "It's embarrassing."

I stuck out my lower lip and gave her my best puppy eyes. "Please, tell me?"

"It's nothing," she rolled her eyes. I waited there with the same silly expression on my face until she caved. "I wasn't kidding when I said nothing fit me anymore, Edward. "

"How's that embarrassing?"

"I look fat," she huffed and crossed her arms.

"You're pregnant, not fat. And as gorgeous as ever," I added for good measure.

"You only say that because I do this..." And she leaned in and started kissing me. My hand found her waist and I pulled her even closer to me. Only pulling apart when we heard Charlie open the door. I took that as my cue to leave shortly after that.

As I drove home, I thought about the date we had for tomorrow night. At least I hoped I convince her to go out instead of staying in. I wanted tomorrow to be special. If only so I could ask Bella to make 'us' and actual 'us'. Maybe it was cheesy, but my mom raised me to be a gentlemen. From what I knew Bella had never had anyone treat her as well as she deserved. She'd never had a boyfriend. I'd never had a girlfriend. In a strange way, I was glad I'd be able to show her how she deserved to be treated.

By the time I made it home, my mom was sitting in the living room waiting up for me- and most likely Emmett.

"Mom, do you know of anywhere nice to go out?" I asked, still slightly embarrassed that I had to come and ask my mom for help.

"Are you taking Bella out?" She asked with a small smile on her face.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Hmm...there's that little Italian restaurant in Port Angeles?"

"Oh, yeah. That place was pretty good. That'll work. Now, I have to convince Bella to go out."

"She doesn't want to?"

"She's feeling a little...insecure about herself. Well, you remember when Alice asked about the maternity clothes," I casually explained. It was always a little uncomfortable to talk to my mother about my pregnant er... I didn't really have a title for Bella yet, but my mom knew the basics of the situation, which made it a little easier.

She nodded and took a second to think. "You know, I think I have a solution."

She turned on her heels without another word. I sighed and followed her. I wasn't sure if that's what I was supposed to do, but I did. We went downstairs to the creepy basement that we hardly ever went into. She flicked on the lights and started scanning the boxes that we had down there. For a basement it was surprisingly tidy down here. "Ah, here it is."

"Here what is?"

"My old maternity clothes," she replied as she carefully opened the box. She lifted up an old dress. "I think Bella would get a lot of use out of them."

"Mom, you don't have to do that."

"I've been meaning to get rid of it anyone. This way I know it'll be put to good use."

"You really think she'd accept?"

She shrugged. "It's not getting any use around here. I'm not having anymore children. And Alice- well, not any time soon."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Of course, honey."

She walked up stairs and I hauled the box upstairs. Leaving the box in the living room, I made my way to Alice's room, figuring she would be able to give me some more advice about tomorrow. Things had been a little strained with us lately, and I'd been meaning fix it. To be honest, I wasn't even really sure what had happened, but lately Alice seemed more cautious, more reserved around me. Alice joked that we had twin-telepathy and we could sense when something was wrong with the other twin, and as much as I hated fueling Alice's strange theories, I'd definitely felt like something was off.

I lightly tapped on her door and waited until she gave me the okay to come inside.

"What's up?" She asked from her vanity as I sat on the edge of her bed.

"Nothing, I was just wondering if everything was okay?"

She shrugged, still only watching me through the her mirror. "Why wouldn't it be?"

It was my turn to shrug. "Things have been kind of...off with you and I wasn't sure if I did anything or if something was wrong? I dunno, I guess just checking up."

"Well, to be honest, I thought you were upset with me."

My head tilted to the side in confusion. I couldn't remember Alice doing anything that would piss me off. "Wait, why I be mad at you?"

"Well, you were pretty upset when I told you about those rumors about Bella. I thought maybe you were mad that I told you," she explained. "Bella's probably pissed that I told you."

"She's not really like that. If she had a problem with you she'd tell you. You should have seen what happened with Rose the other day," I chuckled, remembering how Bella stood up to Rose and how glad I was that I wouldn't have to put up with Rose and Bella constantly at odds.

"And you're not mad at me?"

"I was never mad at you," I shook my head. "Don't get me wrong, I was pretty pissed in the moment, but I'm glad you told me. I needed to find out eventually, better you than someone at school."

"I just keep saying the wrong things to you. And to Bella! I don't believe that she's not even a little mad at me for saying something!"

"I'm telling you, that's not really Bella. She's pretty awesome, Alice. I really think you two could be friends."

"Yeah?"

I nodded. "For sure. In fact, I'm taking her out tomorrow-"

"Like a date?" Alice squealed.

I rolled my eyes but continued, "Mom gave me some of her old pregnancy clothes and I'm going to take them to her if you want to come with. You could help her get ready if you want. Maybe get to know her a little?"

Alice finally spun around in her chair, with a smile on her face she nodded. "I'd like that. Thanks."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow."

I went to bed feeling like a kid the night before Christmas, fucking giddy with anticipation.

Hello, friends!

I hate going more than seven days without updating but chronic pain, you know? My schedule is not always my own. (It's why I don't update until I have most, if not all, of my story prewritten.)

Anyway, things are going pretty well for Edward and Bella *cue suspenseful music*. There's some fluff to satisfy the romantics in all of us, but her past is not just going to go away. It was really important to me that all of her past didn't just get brushed underneath the rug because she's with Edward.

Please let me know what you guys are thinking and what your predictions are!

See you very soon!