SECRETS KEPT
The Cullen house was quiet and dark when I pulled into the drive. I knew they didn't need lights and I didn't tell them if I was coming back home or not. I sighed as I turned off the ignition and made my way up to the front door.
It was too quiet as I made my way towards mine and Edward's bedroom. I was exhausted and couldn't wait to fall into our big bed. I quickly showered and dressed in my pajamas, and cuddled under the covers and fell asleep.
The next morning was bright and sunny. I woke to the warm sun blaring through the large glass wall that looks out into the forest.
"Good morning, my love. How did you sleep, Mrs. Cullen?" I heard Edward whisper from next to me.
I groan in delight as I stretch my muscles. Today I was going to the clinic to schedule a consultation for later in the week. I was a tad bit excited.
"Good morning, my husband," I replied groggily.
"I wanted to tell you in person that I'm needed in South America for a couple of weeks. I promise I won't be long, my love. I'll be back as soon as I complete whatever task is needed of me," he said turning to look outside. His skin glistened like a million diamonds in the rising sun.
"Okay, my husband. Do hurry back to me so I don't miss you too much," I replied, kissing him sensually, yet gentle.
I sat and watched as he packed a small bag. My mind wondering about a mile a minute. This was the perfect opportunity to set everything into motion. If I did everything correctly, I could be pregnant by the time he arrived back home. I had to hold in my squeal of excitement.
I walked Edward and Esme to the sedan out front. I gave Esme a hug and wished her safe travels. Edward leaned over and gave me a quick sultry kiss before promising to return to me as soon as possible.
"I shall be joining you two shortly thereafter," Carlisle spoke from the doorway.
We both waved them off till I could no longer see the car. I went to have a seat with my favorite book on the living room sofa. About five minutes or so in, I could feel multiple pairs of eyes on me. I looked up and nearly jumped out of my skin. Everyone was gathered in front of me. Each wearing a peculiar expression. I look at Alice, wearing a large grin and beaming at me.
"Alice," I said.
"I called the clinic for you and scheduled your consultation for the morning. No worries Bella, you'll definitely be pregnant before Edward comes home. He won't be back for a month, so you're clear," she replied in her sing song voice.
"What about his reaction," I asked nervously.
"As long as you're happy, he'll be happy," she replied without hesitation. Everyone smiled in agreement.
"Right. So, tomorrow then," I said sheepishly. "I guess you guys won't mind if I head over to La Push now to spend the night," I asked.
"Of course not Bella," Carlisle spoke calmly.
"Don't miss us too much Belly Bean," Emmett snickered as he crushed me into a bear hug.
"Can't... breathe... Em," I gasped.
He chuckled before releasing me. "Pretty soon I won't get to hug you so much Belly," he faux pouted. I rolled my eyes.
"It's okay Em. Just gentle hugs from now on okay," I smiled brightly at him.
I gave everyone else a hug and said goodbye before heading out to my vehicle. The drive to La Push was quicker than usual, not that I'm complaining of course. Pulling up to Jake's drive, I caught sight of Embry and Paul walking in the opposite direction, away from the house.
"Back so soon loca," Jake called from his porch.
"Edward is heading to South America as we speak. So I'm free for the whole month," I smiled at him.
"You can stay here if you want. Or at my old mans, he's got a spare room. Especially since Rebecca and Rachel aren't returning anytime soon after they packed up their stuff," he said.
Jacobs two older sisters had returned home to gather their things and say goodbye, in a sort of permanent way. I felt so awful for Billy. His heart being broken by his own daughters. Then deciding to move into the house right next to the counsel building for better access. It was quaint and cozy, with two bedrooms and a spacious bathroom. It was repaired especially for Billy to have enough space for his wheelchair to get around. He was getting better at standing but that was about it, his diabetes was still a risk. Kelly and Jake made sure he always had healthy food and no junk, though I suspected he had a stash.
"Yeah, I can do that. I'll have to ask him and go get a bag or ask Alice to deliver it to the treaty line. She scheduled my consultation for tomorrow morning so it'll save me the hassle of going back and forth," I replied.
"Well c'mon in we just started on lunch," he smiled his sunny smile.
"Where's Kelly," I wondered out loud when I didn't see her anywhere.
"She's sleeping. She's been having some complications with the pregnancy. Doctor says it's any day now," he replied as he gathered stuff to make sandwiches.
"Is everything okay with the baby," I asked concerned.
"As far as the doctor knows. But we're all hoping the baby will come within the next day or so," he placed a sandwich in front of me, with a bag of chips and a soda.
"I would love to be there for you guys Jake," I smiled as I began to eat.
"You know you're like family and you're welcome anytime loca," he smiled taking a seat with several sandwiches of his own.
After eating, we sat and started to discuss plans for the future. Jacob wanted me to be prepared incase nothing went my way. A back up plan. He promised to set up his guest room just in case. I rolled my eyes, he worries too much. I assured him that if worse came to shove that I could buy a house in Forks, or rent my father's house since he and Sue were happily married now.
When it started to get late Jake called Embry to escort me to the treaty line for my suitcase. I had texted Alice while Jake was on the phone with Embry.
"So are you staying with Jake tonight," he asked as I drove slowly to our destination.
"Actually, Jake is asking Billy right now as we speak," I blushed.
"You can stay at my place Bella," he whispered.
Sometimes I questioned if he wanted something more than friendship. I remember the mess I was in when Jake imprinted. It was months before Edward came back. I had no one to turn to for comfort and Embry just happened to be right there. He became my rock for a while and the lines of friendship became blurred just for a moment.
"You know why that'd be a bad idea Emb," I whispered.
"I know," he replied, his head hanging low.
I wanted to reassure him that no matter what, he was still important to me. After all he was the first man that saw me in my most vulnerable state. If I knew he'd never imprint someday I probably would have chosen him. But I didn't want to risk anything. He was the only one without an imprint and soon he was going to travel with Jake and Sam to other reservations to introduce Jake as the new chief of the Quileute tribe. He was sure to find an imprint by then.
I sighed as I parked at the treaty line. I got my bag from Alice and a call from Billy confirming that I was indeed welcome. The drive back was in a comfortable silence, saying bye to Embry was always so awkward. He wasn't the only wolf that had these types of feelings either. When I walked into Billy's I was surprised to find Paul sitting on the couch watching TV.
"Paul," I deadpanned, dragging my suitcase toward the guest room.
"Swan," he replied with that devilish smirk.
I wanted to pity him but he took life in stride. He had imprinted on Rachel Black during her visit to gather her belongings without so much as a backwards glance. She was married already to her college sweetheart with a child on the way. I know Paul was a mess when he found out, but as far as I know they kept in contact to ease the pull. He was happy to be friends and nothing more, and so he continued his way of life.
That night Paul invited himself to dinner and crashed on the couch after Billy and I turned in for the night.
Little did Bella know that the wolf was not sleeping at all. He was there when she revealed her desire for a child, hiding in the trees undetected. He knew her secrets simply by snooping in her old room and reading her diary. He followed her everywhere without the knowledge of her and his brothers. He had wanted her ever since that day. The day they met, she had a fire in her eyes that she showed only when he was near. He had to have her.
She was going to be his, if it was the last thing he did.
