A/N Happy Divisional Playoffs Day! How about that Ravens/Pats game yesterday? It was epic! I hope the other two today live up to that one. They have the potential to do so for sure. I'm psyched, how about you? Carolina played well in the first half yesterday but that one wasn't as exciting in the end. Except for Seattle fans I'm sure. Congrats Pats & Seahawks fans. Next week should be fun, regardless of who wins today! GB with a shot for revenge for the substitute refs game, or Dallas who actually beat Seattle in Seattle this year. Let the fun begin! Also, the very real possibility of Manning vs. Brady again. We don't have many more of those chances left. You know my fingers are crossed. (Sorry Colts fans, your QB screwed me out of my fantasy championship, I shall not root for him!)

And tomorrow we have the national championship game. Ohio State vs. Oregon. Who you got? I'll be at my brother's house, an Ohio State grad, so insanity will reign I imagine. Oregon seems like the favorite on paper but Ohio State seems to have magic this year. Third string QB? No problem! It'll be fun to watch it play out. Hope that's a great game as well!

I have a very big birthday hitting this week (one of the scarrrrrry birthdays) so I'm not sure how much writing I'm going to get done. There shouldn't be a delay in posting but just in case, wanted to warn you! I've got a couple chapters banked though, so we should be all good.

I'm glad you all understood where Edward was coming from last chapter. It does take time for men to wrap their head around a baby, especially an unexpected one. I was gratified to hear that even many of you had issues accepting a pregnancy early on. I'm so happy I got it right! Let's see what awaits Edward back at work. The return of a favorite character, and a not-so favorite character awaits! Enjoy!

Getting Blitzed Chapter 19

It was weird. While nothing had technically changed, especially here in Jersey, everything still felt different. I went back to work Tuesday morning as if my entire world hadn't shifted. I worked out with the boys, enduring their joking about not coming back with the team and what I had been doing. What had I been doing? Having my whole world rocked to the core, and not in the good way. Well, I'd had that, too, but it was easy to forget with the whole baby thing looming over my head.

Should I tell people? I didn't fucking know. Reed Girl said you usually waited a whole trimester, but seeing as half the world already knew and my mother was probably already telling the other half that didn't, shouldn't I say something?

Was it wrong to tell my teammates before we told Charlie? Reed Girl hadn't been up to another parental reveal after having endured her mother and mine for a few hours, so we were telling him tonight on Skype. Reed Girl wanted to see his face when we told him for some fucked-up reason. I was just glad he and his gun were on the other side of the country, to be honest. Not that he'd hurt his favorite football player, but still. It was always for the best that the father and the gun were far away when one told a man that his daughter was knocked up. That shit was just common sense.

"You look like you're a million miles away." Sammy fell into step beside me as we exited the practice field. We were breaking for lunch, and then it was game film time. "Or is it more like a thousand? Missing your girl?" he asked, shooting a wave to JPP as he jogged past.

Yes, I was definitely missing her. It was really fucked up to have my pregnant fiancée so far away. I felt guilty as hell strolling to eat my nutritionist-approved food while she was the one with the baby inside her. I really needed to send someone to monitor what she was eating. The baby was probably sucking up all her nutrients and shit. Wouldn't she need more vitamins and crap? Where were those fucking baby books Jasper had ordered? I needed some answers.

"Hello, earth to Edward! Are you in there?" Sammy waved his hand in front of my face.

"What? Shit. Sorry."

"Is everything okay?" He looked at me with concern. "You and Bella didn't break up or something, did you?"

"No. Why would you even ask that?" I couldn't keep the panic that question shot through me from coming out of my mouth.

"I don't know. You're out of it, and you look like you lost your best friend. I'm just wondering what's wrong with you."

"It's not…it's just…" Fuck it. I needed someone to talk to, and Sammy was here. I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the nearest meeting room, shutting the door behind me.

"Whoa, man. If you wanted me alone, you just had to say so." He laughed and held up his hands. "I'm sorry I missed that fifty-yard bomb you threw. Don't kick my ass."

The laugh stuck in my throat, and I shook my head.

"Hey, man. Whatever it is, I'll listen."

"Bella's pregnant." There, I said it. Yeah, I blurted that shit out just like I had at my parents, but it felt like the words just spewed out of my mouth.

Sammy stared at me for a few seconds. "Congratulations?"

I heard the question in his voice. See, he knew I was going to make a shitty father as well. His congratulations weren't even sincere.

"Why'd you say it like that?" I demanded, pointing at him. "Do you think I'm going to fuck it all up? My kid is going to hate me, isn't he?"

"Whoa! I didn't mean anything, man. It's just, you weren't coming off like you were all that thrilled about it. I didn't want to break out the cigars and champagne if you weren't in the mood for it."

I sighed and slumped into the nearest chair. Sammy sat down next to me.

"How do you feel about it?"

"What don't I feel?" I demanded, hating all the fucking feelings I had coursing through me. Life was way fucking easier when the only shit that mattered was football and getting laid. And just thinking that made me feel like shit because I wasn't sorry that Reed Girl came along and changed everything. I fucking loved her. I just hated all the crap that came with the knowledge that we were having a baby way earlier than planned.

"Guilty. I feel guilty as fuck that I'm up here while Bella's in Tallahassee all by herself. I feel like shit that I can't get excited about the kid. All I can do is worry about what could go wrong, like the kid will hate me and I'll hate it and then Bella will hate me for not loving our kid. Plus there's Rainbow, who might very well try to kill him."

Sammy snorted at that. "Please. Rainbow will love anything that came from you and Bella, just like you will."

But I didn't love it. Didn't he see that?

Sammy blew out a breath. "Look, man. I can't say I know what you're going through, because I haven't been there. Thank God." He chuckled at the glare I shot him. "But if I were, I imagine that I'd feel the same way you did; only I wouldn't be lucky enough that my baby mama happened to be the love of my life. You were going to have kids one day, right?"

"Of course. A long fucking time from now."

"So, you're ahead of schedule. What else is new? You were one of the youngest Heisman winners ever, along with national champion, along with being a starter the instant you were drafted. Face it, Cullen. You're an overachiever."

"That's me. Just beating everybody to the punch on the kid train."

Sammy shook his head. "You think you're the only one of us to have a surprise baby? Paul's got two kids, one in California and the other somewhere in the middle of the country."

Really? "I didn't know that."

Sammy nodded. "He sees them some during the offseason and pays a shit-ton of child support. So, it could be a lot worse. At least you love Bella and plan on marrying her. Maybe the little one is coming along a lot earlier than you planned, but he or she will be with the two of you. That's a real big improvement to what a lot of us have."

At my questioning look, he continued. "I was raised by a single mom. I don't even know who my dad is, though I'm told he was a stud football player. At least he gave me something, right?"

That was fucked up. "I'm sorry, dude."

He shrugged. "That shit stopped bothering me a long time ago. My point is, ready or not, your kid is coming, and you're going to be there for it. You'd be a moron not to be freaked out, but you aren't going to abandon it or be a fly-by father. It's already got a leg up on a lot of us."

That was true. "So it's normal to worry about every damn thing?"

He laughed. "Welcome to parenthood, son. Now tell me, how is the lovely Bella handling things?"

I snorted. "A lot better than I am, like always. She's freaked, of course, but she's dealing."

"Well, be sure to tell her if you're not willing to make an honest woman out of her-ouch, fucker!" He rubbed at the spot on his arm where I'd slugged him. "I was just trying to be there for her in her time of need."

"I'll show you a time of need. And, for your information, we're getting married during our bye week."

"No shit? Well, congratulations again! Am I invited or what?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "I thought you were going to spend the bye week on a beach in Miami, hooking up with any and every hot girl who looked your way?" He'd been rhapsodizing about that shit for weeks now.

"Well, this will be better, won't it? Or are you only inviting family?"

Fuck if I knew. I hadn't checked my e-mail yet today. I probably had a billion messages waiting. "We're still figuring everything out, but you're more than welcome to come. I'll give you the details once I have them."

Sammy grinned. "Awesome! I am really happy for you, man. I know it's a lot but you're one lucky fucker."

Maybe I was. "Thanks. Hey, listen, we're not really telling anyone about the baby yet. I mean, my parents know and hers will soon, plus our immediate friends, but…"

"I get it. My lips are sealed. Are you gonna invite anyone else from the team?"

I shrugged. "I hadn't really thought about it. It's been an insane couple of days, man."

He laughed. "I'll bet. Totally up to you. I'll keep talking about my Miami visit to throw them off."

I had to smile. "Well, you will be in Florida. Maybe you can swing by Miami and find a date."

He grinned. "Now, there's an idea! I'm starving, and we've got about fifteen minutes before meetings start. Shall we?"

Yeah, now that I'd told someone, I felt a lot better. And I was hungry. "Let's go."

On the way to the cafeteria, I fired off a text to Reed Girl.

I told Sammy the news. He wants to come to the wedding. Cool?

She'd replied by the time I sat down to eat.

It's fine with me, but your mom is the one in charge of the guest list and everything else. You'd better tell her.

Fuck. Like I wanted to deal with my mom's insanity?

Can't you do it? You're pregnant. She won't hurt you.

Sammy poked my side. "What has you smiling?"

Was I? Huh. How about that…

"Talking to Reed Girl."

"Figures. Tell her I said hi. And pass along my offer. She should know she has options."

I flipped him off as my phone dinged again.

Don't be so sure of that. Last time we talked, she was muttering about buck-toothed caterers. I don't even want to know.

Crap. Neither did I.

Fine, but if she kills me, all this planning will be for nothing.

I shoveled some chicken into my mouth.

Point that out to her. It might make her spare you.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"What? Did she say yes?"

"Fuck no. She's making me deal with my mother."

Sammy laughed. "Good luck! Hey, is Mom going to make the food? Because then I'm even more there than I already was."

Shit. I could just see my mother cooking for the occasion. She'd murder all of us by the time the wedding rolled around.

"Hell no. She's angry about the caterer, though, apparently. I don't even want to know."

"Damn. Be thankful you're nowhere nearby."

"I am." I braced myself. "Here goes nothing."

Hey, Mom. Sammy asked if he could come to the wedding. Is it okay to add one or two more people?

There. I put it on his shoulders.

"Hey!" I looked up to see that Sammy was reading over my shoulder. "Why are you blaming me?"

"Because it's better you than me." That was my story and I was sticking to it.

My phone vibrated in my hand. Oh, hell no, I wasn't answering her call. I let that shit go to voice mail. Of course, it immediately rang again. And I ignored it.

Edward Anthony Cullen, don't you dare ignore my phone calls. I know damn well you're available since you just sent me a text.

Hell no.

Actually heading into meetings as we type. Just wanted to give you a head's up that Sammy wanted to come and see if maybe I could invite anyone else. If it's a no, it's fine.

Her response was immediate.

Why don't you just invite the whole team? I'm sure it won't be difficult to accommodate fifty-plus with all the extra time you've given me.

Damn. Mom didn't get sarcastic often.

So, that's a no, I take it? I can just tell Sammy to stick with his original plans.

"What's that face for?"

I glanced up at him. "I don't think…" My phone vibrated again.

Of course Sammy can come. You don't disinvite people after you've already invited them, Edward. What kind of people do you think we are?

Fucking hell.

Crazy people, clearly.

I shoved my food aside. It really was time to go to meetings, so I wasn't lying.

Very funny. I've nearly got our venue nailed down. Don't invite anyone else until I give you the word. I have to see how many rooms are available.

Fine by me. I wasn't exactly anxious to cross the woman again.

No problem. Thanks, Mom. You're the best. Love you!

There, that shit always worked. When in trouble, tell Mom you love her.

Don't you forget it. I love you, too, but only because you're giving me my precious grandchild. Otherwise I don't much like you today. We'll see how I feel about you tomorrow.

Damn. That was cold. I wondered how long the baby thing could get me out of trouble, though. Was there a time limit? Could I still use the kid against her when he was a teenager? Here's hoping. There needed to be some benefits to unexpected pregnancies, right?

Xoxoxoxoxo

"Cullen, can I talk to you for a second?" Coach approached before I could get out of the room. Fuck. We had twenty minutes before afternoon practice, and I really wanted to call and check on Reed Girl.

"Sure, what's up?"

He waited until everyone had shuffled out of the room before clearing his throat. "It would seem that the head of PR went to human resources to file a complaint against you."

All thoughts of weddings and babies flew out of my head. "What?"

He frowned. "Yeah, I know."

Fuck that noise. "Is she saying that I hit on her? Because you know that's complete bullshit. I wouldn't touch that whore with my brother's dick."

Coach actually smiled at that. "No. She's saying that your, er, cat, attacked her, unprovoked, and destroyed her property? I'm not really sure what that part's about."

I relaxed, marginally. "Rainbow scratched her bag and peed in it while I was off getting my picture taken. If she wants a few bucks to cover that, no problem."

"Well, that might help. But it seems like she's rather upset about it and demanding that your cat be handed over to animal services for being an unsafe animal."

I nearly laughed. I mean, really? But I could see that he was fucking serious. "Rainbow? My eight-pound cat is an unsafe animal? She's not confusing her for a fucking pit bull, is she?"

"The cat drew blood. I mean, the odds are she'd have a hard time getting her put down, but there could be an investigation."

My blood ran cold. Put down? Rainbow? As in, kill her? Fuck and no. I pushed to my feet and got right up in his face.

"Nobody is taking my cat away. That bitch tried to grab her, and Rainbow lashed out in self defense. I'll swear to it, and so will everybody that was there that day." They would, by God, or I'd kick the living shit out of any and all of them.

"Edward, calm down. I'm just telling you what the HR rep said. You know you humiliated her publicly, and I guess this is how she's trying to get back at you. It won't go anywhere."

Fucking right it wouldn't. "If she files one word of complaint, then I want to file a sexual harassment suit against her. And I want her fired."

Coach actually smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that. I've arranged a meeting with the rep in a few minutes, telling her we could easily clear the air without any need for animal services or lawsuits."

That was fucked up. "That bitch was going to sue me? Me?"

"If you pay for the bag, what could she possibly sue for? A scratch on her cheek? Don't sweat it."

Oh, but I was. With all the shit on my mind, this was the last fucking thing I needed.

"Let's get this shit done."

He eyed me. "Are you going to keep your cool?"

"What do you think?" I said through clenched teeth. I wasn't going to hit the bitch, because I didn't hit girls, even evil, spiteful, manipulative whores like Heidi.

"I think it's best if you let me do most of the talking," he suggested.

Like hell. But I followed him through the maze of offices into the head of human resources' office. Maggie McDowell. Hopefully she wasn't stupid enough to believe a word that Heidi had spouted.

My fists were clenched as I took a seat across the table from the blonde devil-woman. Some guy in a suit sat next to her-definitely a lawyer. Fuck. Should I have a lawyer?

The redhead at the head of the table cleared her throat. "Thank you for joining us, Mr. Cullen. It would seem that there was an incident last Thursday during a charity photo shoot?"

"A charity photo shoot that she arranged and pushed me into participating in, yes." I smirked when Heidi's blue eyes widened.

"Ahem. Yes. Well, Ms. Lowell claims that your cat attacked her."

"That would be incorrect. Hester over there attempted to take my cat away from me, resulting in my cat feeling threatened. She defended herself by scratching her across the cheek. It was hardly an attack of any kind." The bitch wouldn't be standing if Rainbow truly turned loose on her.

"My client's face was marred in the attack," the suit spoke up, gesturing to Heidi's face, where you could barely see a mark.

"If we're going to elevate simple scratches into attacks, then I'd be willing to say that she attempted to kidnap my cat. Perhaps I should press charges for attempted abduction."

Coach actually smothered a laugh next to me. "Edward," he murmured, shaking his head.

"What? My charge is no less ludicrous than hers! Do you see any marks on her? What's that, a tiny line? If you're looking at me to pay to fix your face, look elsewhere."

"There's nothing wrong with my face!" Psycho actually took out a mirror to look at herself.

"There. She just admitted there's nothing wrong with her face. Can I go now?" I demanded.

HR lady bit her lip. "Well…"

"There's also the matter of my client's property being destroyed."

Time to play dumb. "What property?"

"It would seem that her Herme's bag was scratched and urinated upon."

"Did she see my cat do such a thing?" I asked, because damned if I was going to give the bitch one red cent at this point. If she'd come to me, apologized for her bullshit, and asked, I would have gladly bought her a new bag. But she threw lawyers and HR at me? Fuck that noise.

The lawyer shifted in his seat. "Well, no, but…"

"And do you have any witnesses that saw my cat do anything?" There were witnesses, of course, but they were my teammates. I could depend on them not to rat on me, and even if they did, who gave a fuck? I'd pay her then.

"We haven't spoken to anybody, but I'm sure someone witnessed the incident."

I stood up. "Well, how about you give me a call if and when you find someone who saw my cat destroy any property? In the meantime, I have shit to do."

I started for the door before turning around and looking Heidi dead in the eye. "Have you told your lawyer and our HR rep about how you've repeatedly hit on me, only to be turned down every time?"

She winced. Her lawyer let out a soft groan.

"I didn't think so. If you'd left them out of it and faced me like a real m-human being, I would probably have bought you a new bag, and I never would have said a word about your harassment. But I'm sick of you getting into my face and disrespecting my relationship."

I looked at the HR lady. "What kind of paperwork do I need to fill out to ensure that I don't have to work with this woman again?"

Heidi let out a soft gasp. "Wait! Is that really necessary?"

"Was all this?" I demanded, gesturing at her lawyer. "Are you really that sad that you have to stoop to threatening to sue me and take away my pet? I've never done anything to you but say no. And no matter what you do, the answer is always going to be no. I have a wife and a baby on the way. I don't have time or interest in this crap, and neither does my Bella. We've got enough going on without manufactured bullshit stress."

Heidi gasped and she and her lawyer started whispering.

Coach came over and put a hand on my shoulder. "I thought I was going to do the talking."

"I never agreed to that," I pointed out, making him laugh.

The lawyer cleared his throat. "After consideration, my client is declining to pursue any charges."

Damn right she was. I started to push the door open.

"Now, wait just a minute. Some very serious accusations were just leveled in this room against your client, and I'm obligated to look into them," the HR lady said.

Heidi looked stricken, and her lawyer frowned.

"I don't want to press any charges." I watched as her shoulders sagged with relief. "I would, however, prefer any PR interactions that I do to be handled by someone else within the department."

"Are you sure, Mr. Cullen? It is imperative that anybody within our organization who feels threatened or harassed get the protection they deserve."

"I'm sure. I reserve the right to change my mind if the incidents continue?"

"Of course. I assume you have no problem handing Mr. Cullen's business over to someone else within your department?" she asked Heidi, who shook her head emphatically.

"No problem whatsoever."

"Well, then, I think we can go our separate ways. I truly hope that this is the last time we have to address any issues." Her eyes were on Heidi as she spoke.

I was quite fucking done. I stormed out of there, glaring at anybody who happened to be nearby as I strode past. Coach still managed to catch up to me.

"Congratulations."

I snorted. "For what? Managing not to get my ass sued?"

"No, for the baby."

I jerked in surprise. "What?"

He laughed. "You mentioned it in the room, unless you were lying, in which case, bravo on an incredible performance. I do love how you think on your feet."

Fucking hell. Of course I'd slipped and mentioned the baby. "I wasn't lying."

"Then congratulations for real. When are you due?"

"The end of May."

He smiled. "There's nothing like being a father. You'll find that all the stress just melts away when you get home and your little one comes running to greet you. I'm happy for you. And I think you'll find that Heidi won't be a problem for you anymore."

"I sure as fuck hope not."

"Take the rest of the day off and get out of here. Go home and call your girl, tell her that I said congratulations on the baby, and tell her how you defended your cat and your relationship today. That'll make her happy."

One less stress, at least. It would make Reed Girl happy. I'd tell her all about it, and then we'd call Charlie. And, more stress. Would it never end?

A/N That's right, Charlie is coming up! I know many of you were looking forward to his reaction to the baby news. And Heidi? I think we can safely say that she's been handled. I don't think she wants to lose her job. I do love writing angry Edward, telling a girl to back off. So much fun! I hope you liked it and I'll see you next week!