A/N Happy Conference Championship Day! I'm kinda sad that we didn't get one final Manning/Brady showdown (and it looks like it would have been final, unless Peyton comes back a lot healthier next year) but we have two fun match ups! Who you got? My money is on the home teams but I wouldn't be surprised if one of the roadies rose up and won. I don't know if Rodgers is healthy enough to deal with the Seattle defensive pass rush. Then we've got the young emerging superstar vs. the established aging one. Who wins? We shall see!

Congrats to my Buckeye fans! My brother was a wreck during the game. It was fun to watch and not be the one throwing tantrums over every play. haha But it clearly runs in our family! I have to admit, I thought Ohio State might win, but I certainly didn't imagine they would dominate the way they did. 4 turnovers and they still won by 22. It was impressive. And they're going to be better next year. Three starting QB's on one team, gotta be jealous of that! We'll see if Miller goes elsewhere though. The Noles are recruiting him, but do we really want him? I don't know.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I had a pretty good day. It started wayyyyy too early considering I had the day off and it was nonstop painting and mattress buying and such. But I got a new mattress (which isn't as comfy as it was in the store, so my sleep hasn't been that great yet, but it's only been a couple days) and had a great dinner and lovely time with the family. 40 doesn't feel any different than 39, so that's good :)

The week was utter chaos and as a result I didn't get to write at all, !I'm going to follow the cue of the NFL next week and take a week off posting before the big game hits. It'll give me time to get some more stockpiled, hopefully, and I can get to writing two very significant events we're all looking forward to! So, bear with me, I'll be back in 2 weeks! I've had a few of you ask how long this is going to be. The answer is, I don't know! I usually know about 5 chapters or so before the end and we're clearly not there yet, so we've got a ways to go :) Plenty ahead, that's all I can say!

Now, let's see what Bella has to say about the HR meeting and of course Charlie's reaction! See you for the Super Bowl!

Getting Blitzed Chapter 20

"Hi, beautiful."

Her face lit up when she came onto the computer screen. "Edward! What are you doing home so early?"

Just thinking about it pissed me off. I reached out to pet Rainbow just to remind myself that she wasn't going anywhere.

"Long day. Coach let me leave early." I'd tell her in a minute. First… "How are you feeling?"

She laughed lightly. "I feel fine. Was a little woozy this morning, but that's nothing new."

Woozy? "Did you get sick? Fall? Are you sure you're okay?" Fuck this noise. I was hiring her a live-in nurse. What if she fainted and lost the baby?

"Yes, I got sick. No, I didn't fall. I'm not delicate, Edward."

Like hell she wasn't. Mentally she was stronger than I was, but physically? Hell no. "I don't like it."

She shook her head. "I can't say that I enjoy puking overly much either, but it's par for the course."

"Maybe you're not eating right. I should really-"

"Edward, we've talked about this. You don't need to hire anyone to take care of me. I'm taking care of me, of us. We'll be fine." She put her hand over her stomach. It was so fucking weird thinking that there was a baby inside there. She didn't look any different yet.

"Are you getting enough rest? My mom isn't driving you insane is she? Shorty? I'll get my dad and Jasper on their asses and tell them to back off if I have to."

Reed Girl smiled. "They've got most everything under control. Read your e-mail. I've signed off on the location and all the other stuff they've decided. We should have turned the wedding over to them before this, even."

I had to laugh at that. "I told you that you didn't want to deal with all that bullshit any more than I did."

"No, I didn't. I wanted a pretty wedding, and they're going to make it happen. I don't care about all the details, so long as you're the one waiting for me at the end of the aisle."

Fuck. I wished she were here right now so I could kiss the shit out of her. "I'll be at the end of any aisle you, or they, choose."

Her gorgeous smile flashed. "I know you will. That's what's going to get us through every little headache. The knowledge that at the end of it all, it's just you and me."

Just me and her. That was really all of it. "I really can't fucking wait until you're officially a Cullen."

She smiled. "Me either. I'm actually glad it's working out so that we're getting married earlier, even though it's going to be hard to have you leave again."

Yeah. That was going to suck ass. "I'm going to hate it."

"I know. But other married couples endure longer separations than ours. Plus, I'm going to work hard to get my final composition done early. Then I can visit you more, at least."

That would be fucking awesome. "I can't wait, baby."

"I know. Now, can you tell me why you're holding Rainbow to you as if she's Bob the bear? You're not upset about the baby, are you?"

I glanced down to see that I was still holding on to Rainbow. Shockingly, she wasn't uttering a word of complaint either. She just leaned into me and watched me with trusting golden eyes. I scratched under her chin. She closed her eyes and started purring away.

"It's not about the baby." I eyed Reed Girl warily. Would what I was going to tell her upset her too much? I'd handled shit, but she had all those hormones and stuff floating around inside her. I didn't want to fuck things up for the baby.

She tilted her head. "What, then? Don't tell me that bitch came on to you again." Her eyes narrowed. "That's it, isn't it? I swear to fucking God, I'm getting on the next plane up there and putting her straight once and for all."

Fuck, I loved it when she got fired up. "She didn't come on to me." The look Reed Girl shot me was full of disbelief. "I swear. It was kind of worse, actually."

"What could be worse than her hitting on you again? Did she touch you?"

Best to just tell her. She might still want to come up and fuck up Heidi, and I probably wouldn't stop her. It was okay for Reed Girl to hit another girl, after all.

"I got dragged into a meeting with her, her lawyer, and HR today."

"Excuse me? What for?" Her face was turning red. I knew that shit couldn't be good for her or the baby.

"Take a deep breath, baby. I handled it. She won't be a problem ever again."

She took the breath, glaring at me the whole time. "There. Now tell me what she did."

"Okay, before you go off, keep in mind that I handled it. I don't want you getting so worked up that you get sick, or hurt the baby, or whatever."

"Edward, I'm pregnant. I'm not a bomb. Just come out with it, because I'm getting more upset about having to wait than actually hearing whatever she did."

Reed Girl was definitely more volatile than she had ever been before. I was scared at what her reaction would be, but she was right. No more fucking around.

"She wanted to bring in Animal Services to call Rainbow a dangerous animal for attacking her. And she wanted to sue me for her purse getting ruined."

"I see."

I fucking didn't, because all of a sudden, her camera was off. "Hello? Reed Girl?"

"I'm here."

Maybe her voice was, but her face wasn't.

"Where did you go?"

"Nowhere. I'm simply pulling up a browser so I can find the first flight up there and be on it."

Her voice sounded tight as shit. "Bella. Baby. That's not necessary. I told you I handled it."

"Did you hit her?"

What? "No, of course not."

"Then it's not handled the way I want it handled."

Fuck. That was hot. Wrong, but hot. "Aren't you the one who always tells me that violence isn't the answer?"

Her fingers clicked away on the other end of the computer. "With her, it appears to be the only answer. And since you can't hit her, it's up to me to do it."

I would pay good money to see that shit, at any other time. "No, baby. You're pregnant."

"That doesn't make me an invalid, Edward. She won't get the chance to hit me back."

She fucking killed me. I ached for her. Part of me wanted to just let her fly up so I could see her again. But that was wrong.

"Would you stop looking for flights and please come back to me?"

"There's one that leaves around seven tonight. I'll be cutting it close, but I think I can swing it. I don't need to pack."

"Reed Girl. Will you please come back to Skype so I can look at your beautiful face? I told you I handled it. At least hear me out. If you're not satisfied, I'll charter you a private fucking plane to bring you up here if I have to."

It seemed to take forever, but finally she appeared before me again. Her brown eyes were snapping with temper, but her face wasn't red anymore, thank fuck.

I laid the whole incident out for her, as close to word for word as I possibly could. She stayed silent through it all and for several seconds after I finished.

"So, you never have to work with her again?"

"No, I swear. And if she even looks at me, I will file paperwork against her. I promise."

"You could have gotten her fired."

From her tone, I couldn't tell if she was pissed that I hadn't. "Yeah, probably. Do you want me to? I'll call that HR lady right now." I'd do anything to bring that smile she'd had earlier back to her face.

"The bitchy part of me wants to say yes. The rational part is proud of how you handled it." And there was the smile I fucking loved. "She probably shit herself when you mentioned sexual harassment."

I grinned back at her. "She got scared as hell, that much I can tell you."

"Good. She deserved at least that much."

"And then some. When Coach told me she wanted Rainbow put down…" I still couldn't even comprehend it. I looked down at the purring cat on my chest. "I went apeshit."

Reed Girl chuckled. "I can imagine."

"Nobody fucks with my family. You, Rainbow, and the baby. I'd never let anybody hurt any of you."

Reed Girl sniffled, and a couple of tears appeared on her face. Fuck. "Don't cry, baby."

"Happy tears."

That didn't matter. I fucking hated tears period.

"You included the baby."

Of course I had. "Well, yeah. That's our kid."

"I know. But I also know that you haven't had as much time to get used to the idea as I have. It means the world to me that you're already including him or her with us."

I actually did some shit right, without even trying. That felt fucking good. "Did I tell you I mentioned the baby when I was bitching her out for her bullshit?"

Reed Girl smiled brilliantly. "Yes. And I bet she's jealous as hell. She seems the type that would poke holes in the condom if she ever actually got a hot player in her bed."

I winced automatically at the idea. "That's why no dude with a brain should ever be without his own condoms." My brother was an idiot ninety-nine percent of the time, but he'd been a genius on that score. There were just a few too many crazy chicks in the world to take a chance on that shit.

"Well, I hope she keeps away from you. I'm proud of how you handled it. I know you were really angry but you didn't completely lose it."

Damn right I hadn't. "I came close. Had there been no witnesses, I probably would have gone off on her a little harder."

"I would have as well. Nobody messes with our Rainbow, do they?"

Of course, as soon as she heard her name, Rainbow lifted her head and let out a little meow.

"I only wish she would have done more damage to her to at least earn the meeting."

I fucking loved my girl's vengeful side. "Agreed. Dangerous animal, my ass. You're not so scary, are you, Rainbow?"

She put her paw over my mouth, making Reed Girl and me laugh.

"She disagrees."

"Of course. She won't settle for anything less than badass."

"She is your cat."

I couldn't deny that shit anymore. "Only Rainbow could get my ass hauled into an HR meeting."

"It's true. She's a menace. But she's our menace."

"Damn right. Nobody fucks with Rainbow." I got a head-butt for that declaration.

"By the way, Coach said congratulations about the baby. So did Sammy."

Reed Girl's smile softened a bit at the mention of the kid. "It's great that you told them."

"I thought it was, until Sammy offered to step in and marry you if I was too freaked."

She giggled. "It's nice to know I have options."

I pointed at her. "You have no options. I'm it. We're getting married in a month."

"A month from today. I can't wait." She glanced at something off screen. "Speaking of which, we'd better get my father on this call."

Fuck. Like I hadn't been through enough today? But it was time. Everybody else knew, and Charlie needed to be able to get off work and travel and all that shit.

"Patch him in, baby."

She grinned. "You know he's probably going to be more excited than your mom was. This isn't going to be that bad."

Probably not. "He's still a dad whose daughter I knocked up. That's the kind of shit dads have nightmares about, right?"

She grinned. "You'll have to tell me if we have a daughter."

Fuck no. "That shit isn't even funny."

"Fifty-fifty odds, no matter what you say, Cullen."

"We're having a boy, and that's that. I'll teach him football." A little mini-me in my jersey would be kinda cool.

"You could teach a girl football, too."

"Maybe, but it's a boy so it doesn't matter."

She laughed. "Okay, enough baby talk until we tell Dad about the wedding."

I nodded, taking a deep breath as Charlie appeared on the screen.

"Hi! I didn't know you'd be here, Edward! How's your arm? Great game on Sunday. When you threw that long pass to Sammy, it was a thing of beauty."

"Hi, Dad. It's good to see you, too," Reed Girl said drily.

Charlie actually blushed. "Sorry, Bells. How are you?"

"I'm doing well."

"That's good. And your arm, Edward?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's great, Charlie. How are things in Forks?"

"Quiet."

What else was new?

"I do have some news for you, though."

"You do?" Reed Girl sat up.

"Yeah. You remember Riley, of course."

What could he possibly tell me about that motherfucker that I would remotely give a shit about? If he was sniffing around looking for Reed Girl again, I would kick his ass. It was long overdue.

"What did that asshole do now?" I demanded.

"Edward," Reed Girl admonished. "Dad, what about Riley?"

The stache started twitching, and damned if Rainbow didn't reach out to touch it on the iPad.

"It would seem that he's been messing around with Missy Jenkins."

I didn't know what was such a big deal about that, but Reed Girl gasped.

"Reverend Jenkins' daughter? I used to babysit her. She's what, seventeen now?"

"She is, and he got her kn-er in the family way. There's going to be a shotgun wedding next weekend."

I wasn't sure if Charlie's chortling meant good things or bad things for our upcoming news. He certainly found it amusing that Riley was being forced to marry some child. Then again, so did I. Take that, fucker.

"Oh, my God. That's unbelievable. What's he doing messing around with teenagers?"

"Most of the single girls his age are away at school." Charlie shrugged. "I told him his ways were going to get him in trouble."

I shifted uncomfortably. My ways were like his once upon a time, and Charlie knew that. Thank fuck Reed Girl wasn't seventeen.

"Wow. Well, hopefully he loves her."

Charlie snorted. "Please. He'll be messing around before the wedding license is dry is my guess. It's a good thing you dodged that bullet." He grinned at me. "You traded way up."

That was too true. Charlie's love for me was a good thing, especially now.

"Yes, I did." Reed Girl smiled. "And speaking of that, we have some news."

"Yeah? Did you finally set the date? Everybody keeps asking me when we get together on Sunday to watch the games."

Those gossipy old men. Of course they wanted to know. Charlie and his friends were worse than chicks, I swear.

"Actually, we did." Reed Girl shot me a look. Guess the ball was in my court.

"We've decided to get married on my bye week, Charlie. The one in early November."

He blinked a few times. "I thought you were looking toward spring?"

"Well, we were, but we decided we didn't want to wait." Not a whole fucking year or two, that's for damn sure.

"Okay. Well, it's quick, but I can definitely put in to take that week off. Where is it going to be? Bella, you mentioned a destination wedding last time we talked. Where are we going?"

"Actually, we're going to do a local wedding in the Jacksonville area. It was just easier to arrange everything there. Edward's mother has lots of contacts so that we can get everything done on time."

Charlie's eyes narrowed. Fuck. He was a cop. Of course he was wondering why we were in such a damn rush.

"I don't understand. If it's going to be so difficult to get together, why not wait until the season is over at least?" His dark-brown eyes bore into mine. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Reed Girl bit her lip and sent me a pleading glance. Fucking hell. Here we go.

"Riley's not the only one knocking up girls. Bella's pregnant, and we want to be married before the baby comes." The words just poured from my mouth.

"Nice, Edward." Reed Girl shot me a look before smiling sweetly for her father. "Uh, so yeah, Dad. You're going to be a grandfather."

"Wow." Charlie looked a little pale. I hoped we weren't going to have a repeat of my father's faint or whatever the fuck that shit was.

"Are you okay?" Reed Girl peered at her father with concern. "Maybe we should have waited to tell him."

Well, it was a little fucking late for that now. "Charlie? You're not pissed, are you?"

He shook his head. "A baby. A Swan-Cullen. Future NFL star. Pissed? Of course I'm not pissed!" And then he was off, doing some kind of happy dance around the living room.

Well, that was good, but we were getting some shit straight. "He'll just be a Cullen, Charlie."

"You two! You don't even know if it'll be a he. And maybe he won't even play football."

Charlie stopped dancing. Thank fuck for small favors. "Bite your tongue, Bells! Of course he will!"

Hilarious. Charlie was a fucking riot. He got it. "I'll have a football in his hand as soon as he's walking, Charlie."

"Yes, you will! I'll buy it! There are baby footballs on the internet, aren't there? I'll get Sue to look for me. Oh, this is exciting! Congratulations! I'm gonna be the grandfather of a football star!" And he was back to dancing. Nobody should have to see the stache and his belly wiggling around, even if it was kind of hilarious.

"Perhaps he's going to be a musical genius, the youngest piano prodigy ever admitted to Julliard." Reed Girl was glaring at us both.

"Baby, we both know my genes are going to be dominant. I mean, we have sex without a condom one time, and my sperm scored. The odds of that have to be miniscule. Clearly, this kid is all Cullen."

"Ahem, a little more information than I needed, but he's right, Bells. The next kid can be the musical genius. You can have a little girl for me to spoil."

"You two are ridiculous." But Reed Girl was smiling. "Maybe she'll be the first female NFL player and he'll be in the band."

Fuck that noise. "No girls. And he can play in band for the basketball team or something during the offseason." No kid of mine was going to be just a music nerd. I mean, I wanted him to be as smart and talented as Reed Girl was but also as talented as I was. With us as parents, it was totally possible.

"Whatever he or she is, we'll love them regardless."

"Of course, Bells! Can I tell Billy? I have to call people! A baby!" Charlie was back to dancing. Fucking hell.

"Just hold your horses a bit, Dad. I want to wait to tell the world until after the wedding. I'll be nearly through the first trimester then. You can take out an ad in the Forks Forum after."

"I will! It'll be front-page news!"

That wasn't remotely a surprise. That little hick paper didn't have much to report. Maybe they'd do a feature on Riley's wedding. Ha! I'd have to ask Charlie for a copy.

"I'm sure it will, Dad. I'll call you with all the wedding details later in the week. Esme is finalizing the location. We're only planning immediately family and a handful of friends. I hope that's not a problem? I know you'd like to have Billy there." She bit her lip. "I'll see if maybe-"

"That's okay, Bells. He won't mind. But, um, can I bring someone? A date?" Oh, Charlie had a chick! Who knew?

Reed Girl raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm sure you could do that. I'll let Esme know we need one more. Who might this date be?"

"Well, I mean, I don't know for sure. I thought I'd ask Sue. If she can't go, there's always Shelly."

Whoa. "Charlie, you dog! How many girls do you have?" Reed Girl's dad was a player.

Reed Girl's eyes narrowed. "Sue, your dispatcher? And Shelly, as in my former English teacher, Mrs. Cope?"

Charlie started whistling.

"Dad!"

"Maybe. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Hell, no," I assured him.

"Bells?" He eyed her warily.

"I don't mind if you bring someone, Dad. But pick one."

"Well, of course, Bells. I just have to decide which one."

"Bring the hotter one, Charlie. Your ex will be there, after all."

"Edward! Dad, just bring whoever. I'll have Esme email you details."

"Good point, Edward." Charlie nodded approvingly. "I can tell my date about the baby, right?"

Reed Girl rolled her eyes. "Which one?" Then she shook her head. "Never mind. I don't want to know. You can tell her; it's fine."

"I'm so excited! Congratulations to you, both! And to me! A grandson in the NFL. That's even better than a son-in-law."

I had to laugh. "Thanks, Charlie."

"You know what I mean! Swan blood!"

The kid might have Swan blood, but we all knew the Cullen blood would produce the football talent. Still, he was so excited that I couldn't burst his bubble.

"All right, you two. Stop planning the baby's life before he's even here. He'll be whomever he wants to be, and you'll love him regardless."

"Well, of course, Bells. I'm gonna be a grandpa!"

"Yes, you are." Her eyes were teary again. Fucking happy tears. How I hated them.

"I have to go call Sue! I'll talk to you later, Bells. Edward!"

I laughed. "Hey, you can also let Riley know about the baby, Charlie." Let him deal with that. Not only did he have to marry someone who wasn't Reed Girl, but she was having my baby. And my baby would totally kick his baby's ass. That went without saying.

Charlie beamed. "I will! His kid can suck it!"

"Dad!" Reed Girl shook her head. "Don't talk about a baby that way."

"Fine. Sorry, Bells."

"Go make your calls, Dad. I'll talk to you soon. I love you."

"Love you, too! Bye Edward!"

I snickered. "Bye, Charlie."

Reed Girl disconnected. "That went well."

Thank fuck. "I don't know why I was sweating telling him. He's more excited than anybody, other than Jasper, maybe."

Reed Girl laughed. "I can't believe you two, rubbing our baby in Riley's face."

"I can't help it. I hate that guy. His baby can suck it."

She smiled. "I know you do. But we both know that he's not an issue for us, ever."

"I know, but it's nice to send the message in case he's still holding out hope that you'll be his one day." Sucked to be him. He had to marry some kid while I was marrying Reed Girl. I definitely won that one, all around.

"Even though you're both delusional, it was nice to hear you and my father planning the baby's future." She smiled at me. "I think it's growing on you."

Maybe it was. "I'll be ready, once he gets here."

She laughed. "We'll be as ready as we can be. And clearly the grandparents will be in our corner."

"No doubt. I just hope they don't move up here." That was the stuff of nightmares.

Reed Girl shook her head. "They have lives and jobs and such. I don't think we need to worry."

She didn't, anyway. "We don't need to worry about a thing. You just keep taking care of yourself."

"I am. I'm taking care of both of us."

The pang hit me at her words. "I want-"

"I know you do. And you are. Stop worrying."

As if I could do that when she was a thousand miles away. "Can I at least get you a housekeeper? You shouldn't be doing shit like cleaning." And the housekeeper could cook for her. She needed someone to do that.

She laughed. "Not an invalid, remember?"

"I remember. But you're my Reed Girl. And you're having my baby."

She smiled. "Would it make you feel better if you hired someone?"

Holy shit. I won! "Yes."

"Then go ahead. I won't cry over not having to clean."

Thank fuck. "Awesome! I'll look into it right now."

She smiled. "I love you, Edward. And I love how much you love me."

"I do, baby."

"You know your line."

That made me laugh. "Yeah, I have that one down. And I can't wait to say it."

"I can't wait to say it, either."

"We're full-speed ahead, now."

Everybody who needed to know about the wedding and the baby now knew. All that was left was to get married. It was about fucking time.