Chapter 23

BPOV

"That was some show you put on at the premiere, those pictures were all over the place. When were you planning on telling me you're pregnant, Isabella? Don't you think I have a right to know as your mother and grandmother to your baby? I was so embarrassed when Mrs. Weber congratulated me and I had no clue why!"

I'd honestly put it off telling my mom as long as possible. I was feeling more secure in myself recently, but that didn't mean I wanted to hear Renee's thoughts. It was easier to hear the opinions of reporters and bloggers than it was to stomach whatever she would have to say. "Sorry, there's just been so much going on." I wanted to add "Or maybe if you ever seemed to actually care about my life aside from what I put in my mouth I would have told you sooner." But I knew all it would fall on deaf ears, and just cause me a headache.

Mom sighed heavily in my ear. "You're at least eating right, aren't you? At your size, you can't really risk all the extra weight. You need to make sure you're not giving into all those silly cravings. The last thing you need is to be binging on junk food. It's all in your head, anyway."

"I'm eating exactly how I'm supposed to, mom. My doctor isn't concerned about it."

"It's not about your doctor, Bella. It's about being able to lose the baby weight quickly. You don't want to add even more weight than you already have. What would Edward think? And imagine all the photographs!"

It was unfortunate for her I had her on speakerphone as Edward walked into the bedroom. I wasn't sure exactly what he'd heard, but it had apparently been enough. "Hand me the phone, Bella," he nearly growled.

I didn't bother to argue as I slid my phone into his hand. I was done listening to what she had to say.

"Renee, it's Edward."

"Oh, Edward! It's so good to hear from you!" I rolled my eyes at how she nearly squealed. It was as if she had forgotten she'd known him most of his life. His stardom blinded Renee.

"Wish I could say the same. Is there a reason you're harassing my pregnant wife? Enlighten me, Renee. What exactly does it matter to you what she puts in her mouth? How does the weight she gains in order to feed and nurture our child affect you? My wife will give into all cravings she has unless her doctor says otherwise. It's not Bella's fault that your own self worth relies on a number on a scale. It's not her fault your husband is a closed-minded fuck. You won't be hearing from Bella again unless you decide to change your attitude. Have a good night," he said as he ended the call.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He cupped my face, pressing a rough kiss to my lips. "Your mom is bat shit crazy. Are you okay?"

"Honestly, I'm fine. It was what I expected from her. I know that her opinion doesn't matter. I need to listen to my body and to my doctor, and that's all. But…"

His hands dropped, running along my sides before cupping my pregnant belly. "But?"

"It was really hot watching you tell my mom off."

He grinned at me. "Oh yeah? Here, give me your phone. Who else can I tell to fuck off?"

I threw my head back, laughing. "Come on, I think we could use our time a lot more wisely…"

"Mm, what exactly did you have in mind?"

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing soft kisses to his jaw. "Well…I thought first we could…"

"Tell me what you need, Bella," he groaned in my ear, pressing his hard cock against me.

"I was thinking you should probably get started on putting the baby's crib together."

—DC—

"Would you hand me that other hex key? I can't get this fucking thing tight enough," he grumbled.

I handed him the key, watching as he tightened the bolt into place. It suddenly hit me. In just a few short weeks our son or daughter would be here, sleeping in the very crib he was putting together.

"Edward."

"What?" he snapped at me, and I immediately felt bad. I knew I didn't owe him sex. But it also hadn't been fair of me to tease him how I had.

I'd been hot and cold during this pregnancy. Some weeks I couldn't get enough of him. I constantly wanted sex and made it known. And then there were days where just the thought of him touching me made me want to kick him.

He never knew which side he was going to get on any day, and he'd been incredibly patient with me.

"I'm sorry about earlier, I shouldn't have led you on. It's not that I don't want you, I'm just…" I shrugged, glancing down at my pregnant belly.

He glanced over at me, frowning. "No, I'm sorry that I'm acting like a teenage boy going through puberty. I'm shocked I haven't tried to tell you that my dick will fall off if you don't touch it. I know you're uncomfortable."

I laughed, but my thoughts quickly turned to the more serious side of things. "I've never really thanked you for always being patient with me and for knowing that we needed help. It can't be easy being with me at times and if we hadn't found Maggie…"

"Bella, nothing meaningful in life is worth anything if it's easy. But please never thank me for that again. I love you. I'd do anything and everything for you, for both of you. For example, acting was never really my passion. I was good at it. It was fun at times, but I never really enjoyed it. But I'd do it all over again as long as it brought me to you."

I crawled into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. He put his arms around me as I leaned against him. Our little one squirmed inside of me, making him or herself known to both of us. "I think I'd like to go to bed now," I whispered.

"Are you tired?"

"Nope. I just suddenly really want in your pants." I shrieked as he jumped up, somehow still cradling me in his arms. "Oh, my God! Edward! Put me down! You'll hurt yourself,"

"Shut up, Bella," he said as he carried me down the hall to our bedroom. He gently deposited me on to the bed before kicking the door shut.