A/N: Welcome back to another chapter of "You've Got Babies".
It's time to get a peak into the mind of our mind reader for this crazy project.
You've Got Babies
Chapter Two: The Project
Edward
The whole gym was abuzz when Carlisle uttered the words that we'd be watching the "Miracle of Childbirth" and many people were shifting in their seats uncomfortably. I could easily tell that Rosalie up in the front was seething in her seat with her behemoth husband shifting slightly as he was not happy with our adoptive father and coven leader presenting this topic today. I knew for a fact that all of my siblings were displeased that he failed to warn us about this Sex Education Assembly in the first place, not to mention this segment regarding pregnancies.
None of this truly bothered Alice, at least currently this subject didn't; she wasn't happy that much of today's events left her in the dark of what to expect so she was rolling blind when getting visions between the faculty in charge of giving the Senior class lectures about practicing safe sex and ensuring there's no teen pregnancies coming out once we graduate, to the fact she had no idea that Carlisle would be here and presenting said subject. I knew if I had known about this, I would've forewarned Rosalie - even if we still don't get along particularly well just because I was with Bella, I knew how she felt about this subject matter. She desperately wanted a child when she was a human because she wanted that desired happiness of motherhood and loving a tiny creature that you created with your significant other - and she was heartbroken when she was brought into the immortal world only to find out that female vampires were unable to produce children. Sure she had her happiness with Emmett, but there would always be a void to fill that could never be fulfilled. Alice wasn't one for wanting children since she was content with Jasper.
As for Bella... well honestly I didn't know how she felt about this subject. I glanced down at her to see her focused on the home movie of a young woman who was in the early stages of pregnancy - roughly first trimester. She was gnawing on that pouty bottom lip of hers while the Seniors listened to the woman complaining to her cameraperson (it was a husband filming his wife) about the relentless bouts of morning sickness. I squeezed her shoulder lightly, and she looked up at me out of the corner of her deep brown eyes with a slightly startled expression. I shrugged my shoulders and gave her a sheepish grin to which Bella smirked at before focusing back on the home movie. I knew that I was a selfish creature right now in that I knew what she ultimately wanted - eternity with me. Why, I don't possibly know or can even begin to wrap my head around it. After the hell that I put her through for those months that my family and I were gone, she should hate me and want absolutely nothing to do with me. I broke her heart, I crushed her soul and she was left in a catatonic state that drove her parents to the brink of insanity while her old human friends were left dazed in trying to figure out what they could do to help her. I was a horrible monster for what I had done. But Bella always surprised me every turn - she rescued me from Volterra, sacrificed her humanity to the coven that wanted to kill her before me and now she had a deadline to meet to be turned into one of us or face the ultimate consequence. She is more than willing to turn her back on humanity all for me.
I didn't deserve this sweet angel. She was too pure, too caring and kind to be eternally damned with me for the rest of time. I tried to convince her otherwise, desperately wanting to save her soul from me tainting it - but she argued that she didn't want to constantly be on the run from the Volturi. And she was adamant in that she didn't want to live in a world without me; she'd rather face death itself than be separated from me ever again, or worse forced to die due to living as a human while I live on - to which I'd follow her in the afterlife. We were butting heads when we had returned to Forks, and of course my family all but backed me into a corner due to Bella deciding she wanted to put it to a vote to decide her fate. They wanted her to become immortal, and Bella was over the moon. But she had a stipulation to which she begged me to be the one to change her. I could give her everything that she would want to stay a human - but she refused everything if it didn't involve forever with me.
So I tried to compromise with her; marriage for me transforming her.
Bella didn't exactly jump for joy at this.
It had only been a week since we returned 'officially' to Forks and only a week since I had sprung up my proposal to her. She never gave me an answer, but anytime it had been mentioned she'd visibly grimace before trying to hide it. I won't lie that it did hurt me just slightly each time - but I loved her still all the same and wouldn't be going anywhere if she rejected me; even if it would take another century of me asking before she would accept, it would be worth it and I would do it. Part of her trepidation that she had confided in me, was due to the failed example of her parent's relationship - they had married young before it imploded in on itself to which now Charlie is alone while Renee is remarried due to her flighty nature. I would never divorce Bella and I had hopes she wouldn't either - but still something held her back from accepting. I had laughed at her joking when she offered an alternative of us just living in 'sin' and I knew she had to see some of the irony behind that statement. But I wanted to do things right by her - I wanted her to be my wife for everyone to see that she was mine, and she deserved the proper gentleman that I was. I could just imagine as well the wedding in tidbits here and there, between how we'd be dressed, how she'll trip in her shoes and above all else be blushing the entire time. She didn't know just how much it really meant to me to be thinking of her in that way - but I wouldn't ever pressure her to marry me if she wasn't to wholeheartedly accept.
So I was taking each day as it came, and held onto hope that someday, she'll be wearing my mother's ring on her finger. I had that ring still sitting around in my closet after I had inherited my parents' belongings through the wills ages ago. I had done what I could to restore it to what it once was since it had aged over time - but I knew that it was vintage and simple, everything that Bella liked.
Have patience Edward, she'll accept. I looked over at Alice when I heard her voice in my head, to see her winking at me with a small smile. Of course she likely had a vision due to my decision of wanting Bella to have my mother's ring for our eventual engagement - and she was trying to help me keep my confidence up that Bella would accept at some point. I gave her a half smile to acknowledge that I had heard her, before once again squeezing Bella briefly. The home movie was going by quickly with each scene depicting the woman gradually progressing through her pregnancy and all of its hurtles; the gaining of weight, the increase in emotional outbursts due to the changing of a woman's hormones, the cravings, the aches and all other little annoyances, all to try and show these teens just what they'd be getting into if they were to have an accidental pregnancy come in and ruin any potential future plans they may have. I could hear their nervous thoughts while they watched the pros and cons pregnancies would bring; the women were terrified at all they were witnessing, some more vain than others in their worries. They feared they'd lose their appeal to their partners or any future men they'd meet, or feared the medical downsides that came with giving birth - tearing, C-Sections, postpartum depression and more frighteningly, psychosis. The men were just more than anything fearing they'd be tied down too early with someone they had made a mistake with when they wouldn't be able to live wild and crazy lives.
Shallow minded monkeys. I thought to myself briefly. I once again stole a glance to Bella who still continued to stare transfixed at the home movie. What I wouldn't give to hear her thoughts on this. I know briefly when I had told her the fact that female vampires were infertile, she didn't seem to bat an eye at the notion. She had told me before that she was willing to give up everything about her human life so she could spend immortality with me in pure bliss. But was she really willing to sacrifice it all? I feared deep within my gut that she would come to hate me forever in taking away her ability to have children should she change her mind later. I knew there was the feeble option of adopting a human child but I knew from Rosalie's side of the matter at least to her that wasn't enough - and I don't know if that'd be enough for Bella if she wanted that. I didn't think to bring that back up with Bella once she had told me as much, deciding to leave it alone and put it out of my mind for the time being. But I knew that it would be coming back at some point for her to face - that was part of the reason why Rosalie held some resentment... or rather, jealousy towards Bella. It was why for so long she was so hostile to my angel.
She resented Bella for the fact that she was human, and she was wanting to become a vampire - when in her eyes she felt the human that fell in love with me was choosing wrong. She was jealous and wished she could switch places with my love so she had a shot at having a baby for herself. I think overtime though, Rosalie realized that Bella loved me for me and after the dark era of our lives, she saw firsthand just how lost we were without each other. I knew in her mind that if she were to leave Emmett like I had left Bella, Rosalie thought that she would've been as depressed as I had been. So she was regretting ever truly hating Bella in that she saw how happy my sweet human love made me and that Bella was more vibrant and lively with me around - not only me, but the rest of my family.
We needed Bella just as much as she wanted and needed us.
Edward your emotions are all over the place. I sighed slightly when Jasper chimed into my thoughts. He wasn't happy that he was getting an onslaught of emotions between the Senior student body, the upset from Rosalie, and of course how I keep flipping between my own range of feelings while I sit here brooding. I looked over at him to see him eying me with a frown and I nodded ever so slightly to him in apology. He nodded briefly back to me and tried to send calming waves to our raging sister in the front.
God damnit, I don't want Jasper's powers right now. Edward, tell him to fuck off. I grimaced when Rosalie all but shrieked into my head once she realized what Jasper was attempting to due. Jasper felt the sudden spike of rage and cringed, before he pulled it away from her with a frown. Alice had reached out then to clasp his hand in hers and rubbed his arm in attempts to soothe him.
Edward, I know you and the others are upset with me in not telling you about this assembly or this segment today. I all but gave Carlisle an exasperated eye roll when his thoughts came to me just as the home movie switched to the climax - the birthing scene. He frowned over at me, his eyes flickering between my siblings with regret. I just knew that if any of you had been notified, there was sure to be chaos - and that Rosalie would've never come to this. We have to keep up the façade that you're all human - and if Rosalie had left, she would've gotten in trouble academically. Carlisle continued, sighing minutely to himself but it went unnoticed by the accompanying teacher next to him.
I knew that if Rosalie did indeed hear about this beforehand - she would've been prepared but more than likely she would not have attended at all. And if this counted for a good portion of our ending grade before graduation, there would've been more trouble on our hands versus if we all had been compliant. Still, I knew my siblings and I were hurt in being left in the dark about this.
I winced when a majority of the teens in the room all but jumped and shuddered away when the home movie devolved into madness as the woman was going through the pushing phase with her baby - the cameraperson did not hold anything back and was right there behind the doctor the whole time to which everyone in the room received graphic images to be singed into their memories. Bella cringed and ducked her head into my chest, not comfortable in hearing the screaming and the sight of a woman's lower half being decimated by the newborn being birthed. I rubbed her arm in hopes that she could seek some solace into me. Only just a bit longer before it would be over.
Finally, the home movie ended with a shot of a wrinkly newborn being passed to the exhausted mother that was sweaty, bloodied and sobbing at the sight of her new child - and the screen went dark. The lights came back on full blast while the students around us shifted in their seats and waited silently as Carlisle came back to stand in front of all of us. Rosalie was glaring him down, ignoring Emmett's attempts to calm her down. Carlisle cleared his throat unnecessarily before speaking. "As you all had seen, pregnancy is not as glamourous as some movies or TV shows may put it out to be. There are many different outcomes at all stages that women may undergo during a pregnancy. In all my years of being a doctor, I've seen pretty much most of it all - some women may be blessed with an easy pregnancy and an easy birth. Some face the tragedy of reality - miscarriages, still-births, damage to their bodies or worse... death. Childbirth is a traumatizing real event to a young mother and it's unpredictable to what a woman may face. It is a serious decision that should be carefully thought over between two consenting people if they wish to bring a child into the world because both will be facing the struggles each new parents undergoes." Carlisle began, looking out to the scared faces of each teen.
"What also does not help many young teens and adults is the misconceptions out there regarding all things in practicing safe sex, and pregnancies. The lies that are spread prove to be counterproductive and may lead to accidental pregnancies. It is important that you all realize that while there were laughs in the first half regarding the condom competition - as well as the awkwardness when discussing sex - this is a reality you all may face or have faced. You do not need to be embarrassed by it and please don't be afraid to reach out to professionals to seek guidance on what to do if you ever find yourself in a troubling position. I know that the faculty here want you all to succeed when you leave this school. And that is where this will lead into your project." Carlisle continued, looking over at Mr. Randall then. I caught brief snippets of the project in Mr. Randall's mind, and frowned. This will be an interesting project...
"Thank you Dr. Cullen - the insight of pregnancy and the speeches you have given are most appreciated. I hope that each teen in this room will realize the weight behind your words and the lesson you wished to teach and take it to heart." Mr. Randall said, applauding him. This led to the Seniors clapping in return, some more scared than others. Carlisle bowed his head and then went to sit down back at his previous spot. Mr. Randall then stood before us, hands clasped behind his back and looked out to the crowd. "Now, as mentioned at the start of this assembly - there is a project that you all must be apart of. This is an important project and it will affect your overall GPA to which it could tip your chances of walking and getting that diploma should you not take it seriously. This is a heavy project that I will be needing each of you to bring a permission slip to your parent or guardian, in tomorrow when we had another assembly. But first, let us have just a bit of fun here in this first step. I will give you all a few minutes to find a partner - it is to be kept to only couples and for this sake, it must be one boy and one girl each. No fighting and fussing over one another. And... begin finding your partners now!" Mr. Randall announced, waving to us.
The Gym erupted into a humming buzz of chatter and squeaking chairs as Seniors scrambled to find a partner. Alice had plopped herself into Jasper's lap and was beaming at him. I could see up front that Emmett had thrown an arm over Rosalie's shoulders and was kissing her cheek to stake his claim. Bella was blushing at the sudden activity, and let out a tiny squeak when I picked her up to put her in my lap. Her skirt fanned out precariously when I moved her and she hastily held it down while gazing up at me with shock. I shrugged to her slightly but my crooked grin was in place. I could already hear across the way that Mike, Erik and Tyler were hurrying to get up and rush over to Bella as they all wanted her to be their partners - and I was going to make sure they'd see that she was mine. I leaned in and nuzzled her enticing neck with my nose, breathing in her aromatic scent that caused my vampire senses to go into overdrive. She was so alluring without even trying. Bella's blush went from the top of her head, down her face and her neck, disappearing past her collarbone and into her sweater. The monster was growling low in its depths when I caught sight of this, desperately rattling at its chains since it wanted so much more of her - it wanted to guzzle her sweet blood all for itself, and wanted to give into the carnal feelings that were alight within me.
I was playing a dangerous game with my sweet Bella ever since we had returned. When I was under the impression that she was gone, I realized that now her scent didn't lead me to wanting to kill her - I wanted her scent so I could live. It was an addiction, my own heroin as I had once called it, that I flirted with temptations for so long with it. No, now her scent is what I would be searching for every day to seek solace, find my way back home. It grounded me as much as her heartbeat did. But not only did her scent have this affect on me, her body was testing my will. I became lenient on my old boundaries when we'd have our alone time together - nothing too drastic that would be classified as... possibly second or third base? I knew I'd lose my mind if we were to even to get to that point. I knew that's what she wanted - she wanted more and more of me that I couldn't give without fearing I'd break her, kill her. Bella may have a grasp on just how animalistic vampires were when they were with their romantic partners, but she never had firsthand experience due to my restraint. Nowadays though I knew that we were playing a risky game during our sessions. I became more bold overtime in pushing my boundaries and just how far I could go before it would become too much for me to handle it and then I'd have to wretch myself away from her. Bella would try her best to lure me back and to keep going but I'd dazzle her into submission which worked thankfully each time - and she would come back down to Earth as well to see reason that I couldn't be pushed yet to that point, no matter how she desperately wanted to.
I was a male and would have those feelings for her - I told her as much before. But I cared more about her safety than letting the beast win.
Damn it, Cullen got her.
Shit, of course Edward would pick her.
I knew it was a wasted attempt to try and get Bella as my partner; the two of them are fucking dating and with them next to each other, he would've been easily able to get her first.
The dejected thoughts of Bella's puppies entered my mind then. I glanced over to see the three of them sulking before they turned and shuffled back to their seats. Bella paid no mind to their sad faces as she was still sitting in my lap with a shy expression when I had nuzzled her skin. I turned back to see that she was smiling shyly now at me and leaned down to quickly nuzzle her cute button nose with mine, before pecking my lips. I could feel and hear the small rumble within my chest when she had innocently grazed my lips, and smiled up at her.
God the lust from you two is suffocating. I heard Jasper think towards me and I looked over at him to see him scowling at me. I wanted to feel bad for him, but honestly this is what I had to deal with on a daily basis in the past before I found Bella - he may feel the emotions of everyone around him, but I had to listen to what everyone was thinking about too. Besides I could see that he was right at least that both Bella and I were not helping his case; Bella's heart was thumping loudly in her chest while she sat on my lap, and I could get a faint wafting special scent from her that was not doing anything to calm the urges that I wanted to give into.
"Sorry Jasper." I told him, not really feeling apologetic while grinning at him. He rolled his eyes at me in response. Alice giggled while Bella looked between the two of us with confusion her face.
"Why are you saying sorry to Jasper?"
"Edward's got some frustration going on with you there, and you're no better Bella." Alice teased quietly, causing Bella once again redden. I sighed heavily at my sister's teasing.
Coach Clapp brought order back to the Gym by blowing his whistle and Mr. Randall thanked him. The Seniors settled into their seats, to which I returned Bella to her seat next to me; but not without at least sliding her chair closer to mine. Bella smirked up at me before she returned her focus back to the teacher. "Now that you all have your partners I am happy to announce that this is now your spouse for this project. Congratulations - meet your new wife or husband. And you're now stuck with them for this whole project. If you fail to keep yourself loyal to your partner, that will affect the outcome to your grade in the end." Mr. Randall explained; most of the teens in the room gasped and were shocked to hear this. The Gym was once again buzzing with gossiping and murmuring. I could hear that my siblings were amused to hear this - they were already wedded to their partners so this would be no different for them. But this was a pleasant piece of information to hear myself.
I noticed Bella pursed her lips when she heard the words. She quickly looked up at me to see me sitting there content and bit her bottom lip. "Bella I know you're not happy to hear the words we're married." I murmured to her and she grimaced.
"No it's not that -"
"Says the woman that has an aversion to the term marriage." I teased, even if truthfully my ego was wounded when I was reminded of her light rejection to my proposal.
"Edward," she breathed with a frown. "Look I... I need time still before I can accept your proposal. I want forever with you and it's not a no that I won't marry you. But... I'm trying to grasp my feelings on everything that comes with it, and the fears I have behind it." she continued, trying to explain her finally to me as to why she didn't accept it in the first place.
"You're welcome to tell me these fears, my love. I don't want you facing it alone." I whispered to her, looking down at her carefully to see she was still looking deep in thought. Bella glanced up at me and gave me a sad smile.
"I want to and I know I will at some point - but I need to try and organize it on my own." she tried to reason with me and I smiled down at her reassuringly.
"Don't worry, I'm here and I don't mind waiting. Take the time you need to get everything together my dear." I told her quietly, kissing the top of her head.
"Alright Seniors, lets refocus." Mr. Randall called us to order again after he let the students talk to one another briefly over the matter. Everyone looked back up to him. "Now, yes. I mean it - you are to remain loyal to your partner in this project; no 'cheating'. Failure to follow this step will affect the outcome of your grade on this project so please take it seriously. The point of remaining with your partner and not giving into 'temptation' - loosely using the word here - in wanting to be with someone else, is that young teens who fall into the percentage of marrying young often divorce early. Be it the fact if they dove headfirst as soon as you were out of the school, or if accidental pregnancy happens - the numbers do not lie. This is to teach you the realities that marriage is a partnership with someone, and you rely on one another to communicate healthily to work out your problems together. If you can work together on your problems with your partner, then you've succeeded this part of the project." Mr. Randall explained then the first step to this major project. He looked out to the group to gauge everyone's reactions to this, to which the teens accepted the terms with what they needed to remain loyal to their partner.
"As a last note for this first part, tomorrow when you come by to drop off your permission slips, I will be giving you simple 'gold wedding bands' to just be a physical reminder to you all about this promise." he added; once again the teens accepted this note even if some were a bit more hesitant now that a wedding band is added into the mix. All that did was cause me to be even more elated with the idea. Jasper snickered at me for my emotions, before Mr. Randall cleared his throat to continue. "With that out of the way, this leads me now into the bigger part of the project. Starting now as well with your partners, you are now 'pregnant' - congratulations ladies as you are now going to be facing the hurtles of being pregnant!" Mr. Randall announced once more. The Seniors gasped at this and now the gossiping was louder than ever.
WHAT? Rosalie was shocked by this; more so, she was even more upset than before. I could see Carlisle grimacing as he knew that she had to be pissed at hearing this.
"Oh this is going to be messy." Jasper muttered under his breath to me, where he and Alice were frowning.
"Why? What's wrong?" Bella asked quietly, confused as to why we were looking even more unsure than before.
"Rosalie isn't exactly happy to hear this." I whispered to her, gently reminding her how Rosalie was upset when we had to sit through the birthing video. Bella frowned when I had told her again.
"I thought she would be happy to at least... pretend." Bella all but whispered; I knew she desperately wished to be as quiet as possible because she didn't want Rosalie to hear. Unfortunately for her, our vampire ears could catch every word. Rosalie whipped her head to look over her shoulder and glare in our direction. I scowled back at her, annoyed that she was now directing her anger at Bella. After the small progress she had made to at least try and be somewhat polite to her, she was squandering it just by throwing a fit over a project. Bella noticed she was being glared at and shrank in her seat, trying to hide into my side.
"Rosalie knock it off." I growled to her lowly in our vampire hushed tones, knowing she could hear me. Emmett frowned at the sight of his wife being enraged and leaned in to whisper comforting words and reassuring her that Bella didn't mean any ill will when she said the words. Rosalie relented and turned back to the front finally while I rubbed Bella's back.
"Alright everyone settled down once more." Mr. Randall called out to the Gym after a few minutes of whispering had happened. The students quieted down and focused back on the front. "I know, this is a lot to take in already. But yes, ladies for this project you are pregnant. Now why is it that you're pregnant, you may be asking? Well this is part of the project so you all can work and build on understanding just the real nature of being young and pregnant with your partner. We have earned a generous donation from a special company to which we have received empathy bellies - what is an Empathy Belly you may ask?" Mr. Randall continued while Carlisle disappeared off to a side room. He soon came back out and in his hands was a vest like contraption that had pouches - two on the top of half for a woman's chest, and one large one centered around the stomach. "This students is an Empathy Belly. Ladies this is what you'll be wearing for the project. It is to simulate for you gals at least the physical changes that you will undergo whenever you actually become pregnant later on in your life." he explained to the seniors, having Carlisle turn it this way and that for the students to see it.
"To simulate the changes, there will be weighted pads that will be inserted into their pouches - small ones for the chest area, and a large one for the stomach. Physically ladies, obviously your stomach will grow in size over the course of nine months while you are carrying a baby - three trimester periods to show the growth. First trimester for most women, you won't see much change in your body. Second trimester is usually when the baby can be seen more and more. Finally, the third trimester is when you will be at your largest before the baby is born. With the physical weight, you will notice as well the other changes to your body: you will have craving for certain foods or food combinations, you will feel like you need to go to the bathroom more, you will experience tenderness and soreness, and you will experience mood swings as your hormones are all over the place." Mr. Randall explained then after Carlisle took the Empathy Belly back to the room he got it from. "We cannot help you in simulating any of those changes to your body during this project, but what we can do is add weight to your breasts because during pregnancy, they will become larger just like your stomach will. The point of the weights is that they will get gradually more and more uncomfortable." he added. He paused once more as he took in the faces of the Seniors who sat in silence.
"So, how will this project work then in the case of the Belly step? I'll tell you - you are to not take off the bellies at all. The only exception is if you are going to be going swimming or if you are going to bathe. But any other time, you are to keep them on at all times. These Bellies have a special system setup to which you can press it to alert me that you took it off for so and so time. And trust me, don't think about abusing this rule students. The button is only for times you'd be near water because these bellies can't get wet. And you have to wear the bellies at all time - within the permission slips is part of an agreement with parents that they will be acting as my second eyes to which I wish for them to log about your progress in this project. If I find out you are shirking out on not wearing the bellies, it will affect the results of your grade in the end. Beyond that, it's a trust and honor pact that I can hope you will keep to your word in wearing the belly all the time." Mr. Randall then explained the point of wearing the bellies for the ladies. "If you also forget to press the buttons, please do tell me about it so I won't dock your grade." he hastily added.
"And finally, the last part of this project - is the baby itself!" he announced, smirking while Carlisle disappeared once more to the room they were holding everything inside, and he returned holding now a baby doll. It was made of plastic with glass eyes that rattled around inside its head, and it was dressed up in a small onesie with a little beanie cap on top of its head. Carlisle stopped next to Mr. Randall and held the doll up for the Seniors to look at, who were once again gossiping amongst themselves. "This is a high tech baby doll that has technology inside that can pick up on many things - it can pick up on when it is being abused or neglected, and it can pick up on tones to which it will decipher it as stress. It will react accordingly then and it will alert me specifically if it is undergoing anything like that. But, it also has different cries to which it will indicate that it is hungry, that it wants attention and love, and if it needs its diaper changed. You respond appropriately to any of these moments, and you will get a good note to which I know you are taking care of the child well. If you fail to do any of that properly, again I will be alerted and it will be affecting your grade." he explained. Then he took the baby from Carlisle and smirked to the crowd.
"For example, this is what will happen if you shake the baby." Mr. Randall stated, and then demonstrated; he took the baby doll in his arms and proceeded to shake it violently. As soon as the shakes became forceful, a shrill robotic cry came from the doll. The students grimaced at the grating sound while Carlisle took the doll back and then rocked it. Once he rocked it for a minute, the doll quieted. "You are to not get violent or irritated with the baby doll - even if it is not a real baby, you are to treat it as one because in real life no matter if you get frustrated or stressed in raising a real child, you cannot harm a real baby or shake it like I just did with this doll." he explained to the students. Carlisle took the doll back to the room while Randall clapped his hands.
"So, how is this project going to work? I'll explain. Firstly, we are in the middle of March currently. So I am going to be giving you permission slips today, you will go home tonight and discuss this project with your parents or guardians to which I want you all to return back here bright and early tomorrow morning with the slips - and once you give me the slip, we will be doing this process: you are to tell me who is your partner, you will be receiving bands and bellies, and thus you ladies will start your pregnancy. Secondly with the bellies, you gals will be experiencing 'pregnancy' in three weeks rather than nine months; so for one week you will all be in the first trimester, then second week is the second trimester, before finally the third week will be third trimester. Once you have finished the third week, the following week we will be trading the bellies for the baby dolls. As a bonus surprise, I will be drawing random numbers for some students - because with real life pregnancies, it's sometimes unexpected how many children you'll birth." he paused when the students gasped at this extra bit of news. I could hear in their thoughts the panic of thinking they'd have to raise more than one baby doll and they were completely lost on what they'd have to do.
"I know, it's a frightening addition but it's a real fact of life. Some adults struggle to conceive, and others can do so easily - and most of the time it is usually found out early on in one of the trimesters the gender and how many babies that you ladies will be having. It's usually one baby as the average amount, but sometimes there are twins, triplets - the number can easily escalate. We will make it easy on you all at least, so whenever it comes to the random drawing of who gets what, the max number that will be given out is three." he quickly tried to soothe their nerves but I could still hear the fear in their thoughts. "Anyways, once we come to that point and you receive your baby doll, for the last two weeks before we come into May, you will be raising that baby doll as if it was your own. When we come onto May, we will evaluate each of you on how you handled the project as a whole before giving your final overall grade. I cannot stress this enough - this is a huge project for you all, take it seriously." he continued to explain just as Coach Clapp and Carlisle stood up once more to start handing out the permission slips.
"As a last little note, I have included in the slips that as partners and 'married' at that, you and your partner should be able to sleep under the same roof. So we have a sleep over section that parents can choose whether or not they'd like to allow sleepovers with your project partner - if they do not wish to grant this or would like to talk about this more in depth, they can contact me to which I will make note of who is allowed for these sleepovers and who isn't." Mr. Randall said to the students during the chaos of papers being passed out to us. I could hear once again some thoughts start to go down the gutters when they heard this bit of information; Bella surely blushed beside me when she heard this. "But with that, that is the project that you all will be facing for the next six weeks up until May. If you have any concerns or further questions regarding this whole project, do not hesitate to stop by my office and we can talk privately." Mr. Randall concluded his explanation of the project. I took the slips from Carlisle with a small smirk when he got to our row in the back, and his returning smirk was a bit sheepish or something more akin to a grimace. He was still apologizing to me and to my siblings in tandem through his mind for still not forewarning us today about the assembly and the project as a whole.
"You all are dismissed now. Remember, be back here bright and early tomorrow to drop off the slips and get this Project going!" Coach Clapp barked to the seniors after he and Carlisle finished passing out the papers. The bell just rang then once he finished his words and the teens around us scrambled to get up and out of their chairs, booking it from the room. Emmett and Rosalie were standing near the front and made a beeline to go talk to Carlisle - no doubt she was going to tear a new one into our father about this mess. Jasper and Alice waited for us to get up where I helped Bella stand since she was staring down at the permission slip with wide eyes, heart thrumming and looking down right mortified at what she was reading.
"Bella it's not going to be that bad." Alice tried in calming her nerves with a giggle. Bella looked up at her and frowned.
"Easy for you to say when you guys have Carlisle and Esme. I have Charlie and I just know he's not going to be happy in hearing about this... or worse I'm afraid he's going to have a heart attack." Bella grumbled while we started to head for the door to leave the Gym.
"Bella you know I'd see if that was going to happen and warn you about it."
"I know but still..." Bella trailed off while I hugged her close to my side as the students around us filed out to the parking lot.
"Well Charlie will have to get used to it once he hears it's part of your overall final grade before graduating dear sister. He will get accustomed to it I believe once he has to see it during the weekend." Jasper told her gently, sending her calming emotions to hopefully quell her frayed nerves. It was Thursday anyways to which tomorrow will be Friday and when we'll be receiving the pieces to our project. Bella puffed out her cheeks when she heard this, not seemingly convinced.
"Love it'll work out. Charlie will be reasonable when he hears that this is a project." I tried to ease her worries in getting her to see reason, and I was rubbing her arms with my ice cold hands in hopes she'd find some comfort. We weaved our way through the horde of Seniors to make it to the parking lot of which it was filled with the rest of the students at the high school who were leaving for the school day. Bella sighed just as we were approaching our cars.
"Well I guess you have a point." she muttered to me and I smiled down at her. "Just sucks I can't have you there with me when I bring the paper up to him tonight - I'm still technically grounded for one more week." Bella reminded me of her punishment that Charlie enacted on her once she, Alice and I had returned from Volterra. I guided Bella over to my car after we waved goodbye to Jasper and Alice who were waiting by Rosalie's BMW; she and Emmett hadn't arrived yet after we had left them in the Gym to talk to Carlisle. When we were in the confines of my car, I leaned over the console to capture her lips in a brief peck. I pulled back before she could try to deepen it and her cheeks were aflame from my action.
"I do intend on keeping up with my promise to you earlier about laughing after the condom blunder." I reminded her with a smirk, teasing her. She let out a beautiful peal of laughter when she recalled the memory and nodded her head to me. "Besides, you and I have to take advantage of winning the bet against Emmett and revel in not being teased now for a couple weeks." I added and she was blushing once more, the red disappearing once more beneath her sweater. I kept the beast at bay and licked my lip quickly while gulping down the venom that was beginning to pool within my mouth.
Bella quickly shook her head and then a sly smile appeared on her face. "I do hope then you will keep that promise and not back out my vampire." she teased me and giggled while I briefly growled at her joking. She still had no idea just what a temptress she was. I thought to myself and I ruefully smiled at her before I pulled my car out of the parking lot. I drove us back to her house while quiet classical music played in the background, where I held her hand in mine and was grazing her knuckles softly. When we arrived back at her home, Charlie's cruiser was of course gone and the monster within me took to reminding me that I could use this free time if I wanted to to play with my sweet girlfriend if I really wanted to - but I chastised the damn thing while I stepped out of my car and helped her out of her seat. She had shoved the permission slip into her bag with a huff before taking my hand.
"You act as if it's the most offending piece of writing you've been forced to hold." I joked with her while I walked her to her front porch. Bella rolled her deep brown eyes at me.
"It kind of is in my case. It's not fair that you get Esme and Carlisle who will easily be able to accept this project and sign your guys' slips. I get my human cop of a dad." Bella muttered while she worked to unlock the front door. I snickered at her but kept quiet. I knew she was nervous and will be nervous until she has the talk with her father later on about this project, and I knew she feared he'd react horribly to it. I knew for sure that Charlie will not be happy to hear about the 'sleepover' detail and I don't know if we'd be able to even have that option granted to us. I could only hope that perhaps Bella would be able to convince him. Call me selfish and greedy but I liked the idea of at least being able to come here and stay the night - and know that Charlie knows about it versus us having to go about it our usual way which we keep it hidden from him.
She led me inside and dumped our bags in the kitchen while getting herself a drink of water. I watched her while she toed off her shoes and then looked over at me with a smile. "So, are you just going to stand there or are you going to keep your word about your promise?" she asked alluringly, fluttering her played up lashes at me. Goddamn this woman... She was doing this on purpose to really get me going. I growled and flashed to her side, wrapping my arms around her waist to which she squealed at the quickness.
"You don't know how dangerous you really are, love." I purred to her and tilting her head back, I leaned down to take her lips with mine. It started out chaste as usual, where I'd test the waters to see how far I could go with my Bella. She'd let me control it for a bit before she'd drive those little fingers into my hair and would tug on the strands; this would serve to only cause me to growl even more at the motion because it further spurred me on to push the boundaries I had in place to keep myself in check and keep her safe. When she ran out of her air supply, she pulled away with a gasp and I let my lips make a trail down from her cheek down her neck, gently nipping and pecking at her exposed skin. She let out shuddering breaths while I let my lips move down. I then quickly came back to her lips and that's when the monster started to come out more. I let myself be a bit more amorous in my actions and let the kiss deepen. I'd suck on her bottom lip a bit more and let my hands wander down to her hips pulling her closer into me. She let a small moan escape her mouth while she licked my bottom lip with her tongue.
That's when I wretched myself away from her and was panting harshly albeit it was unnecessary. But this woman did things to me and I was doing all I could to internally battle with the demon inside me. Take her. Drink from her, all of her sweet blood. Throw her on the floor, rip her clothes off and devour her! It cried at me while I tried to breath in her sweet scent; I let the smell of strawberries, freesia and lavender take over my sense while she stood in my arms, her heart beating erratically and she was breathing heavily. I opened my eyes that were no doubt black as night with lust, and saw she was looking up at me with darkened eyes, red cheeks and then her mouth settled into a pout.
"Bella, you know I can't go far with you." I reminded her after I finally found my voice, sighing.
"I know..." she mumbled dejectedly. How I wish I could do anything and everything she wanted to do with me, I hated to disappoint her. I wanted everything that she wanted with me, I desperately wanted it all. But I couldn't stand the gripping fear that was within me, thinking that if I went too far she could easily be hurt because of me - I'd never forgive myself if she were to be hurt by me or worse. She leaned into my chest while her breathing was slowly calming down and I heard her intake of breath while she had her face buried into my chest. Bella was trying to hide the visible disappoint of being rejected in letting things go beyond the point of no return. I rubbed her back gently and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm sorry my love." I murmured and she shook her head at me, pulling back to smile sadly.
"I know you are and you're always forgiven. Someday..." she trailed off with a dreamy smile and I smirked. Perhaps yes, someday.
Suddenly my cell phone began to buzz. I once again sighed, this time in irritation, while Bella groaned and stayed in my arms while I fished out my phone from my pocket and answered it. "Yes?" I greeted the caller with a bit of agitation evident in my voice.
"Time for you to head out from Bella's place, Edward. Don't sass me either - if I didn't call, you would've been found by Charlie since he's coming home early from work. And remember, you're not allowed under his roof anymore per his ranting at you when we came back." Alice's tinkling voice graced my ears with a matching giggle.
"Fine. I appreciate the warning." I grumbled, and said goodbye to her before we hung up. "I guess that is my que to leave - Alice called to inform me Charlie got off work early today and is on his way home already. As per his rules of me never setting foot into his house again, I should go before he arrives and get you further into trouble." I informed Bella with a frown. She matched mine and huffed.
"Damn rules." Bella seethed and I kissed the top of her head again.
"I know beautiful. But I'll be back tonight if not earlier alright?" I promised her and she smiled then at hearing this.
I grabbed my bag and Bella followed me to the door. I turned and gave her a quick, searing kiss to which she squeaked at the suddenness and then threw her arms around my neck in attempts to make me stay planted on her porch. I could feel her straining since she was standing on her toes, her cute little feet still covered by the knee high socks. I pulled away and she groaned at the loss of contact. I chuckled at her and winked. "I love you." I whispered to her and pecked her cheek. Bella hummed with a blush on her cheeks once more but murmured her corresponding love in return. Then I turned and headed back to my car, got inside and drove off after waving to her through the window.
I could only wish her the best of luck with telling her father about this project.
A/N: There's the second chapter. I like how it came out and hopefully you all did as well. Just had to get as much of the basics covered with the chapter but felt like we could save Charlie's reaction until the next chapter at least.
Any feedback is appreciated!
As usual apologies if there's any errors; doing the best I can to proof-read and edit before posting.
~Lady Eleanora~