Who do you think you are?
I made an appointment with my OBGYN on Monday morning. After I worked out, I went home to quickly shower and get ready. My regular doctor had a full schedule so I would be going to one of her partners. I wasn't looking forward to going to a stranger but sometimes you had to do what you had to do.
It didn't help that I waited for the doctor a good forty-five minutes before he came into the examining room. He already had a strike against him. I was just about to give up when a man rushed in, an annoyed look on his face.
"Why are you in today?" He asked, taking out a pen while looking at my file.
"Ah, several reasons. This past weekend I had to use the morning after pill and I'd like to double check that I'm not pregnant. Also, I'd like to look into some birth control. I was on the shot before and I think I'd like to go on it again," I explained quickly.
"You had unprotected sex?" He asked with a downright angry expression.
"Yes, it wasn't exactly planned. We realized a little too late but he didn't... um... finish, but I'd like to double check," I said, flushing a bright red. I wished so much I could go to my normal doctor.
"How old are you?" He asked, looking down at my file. "Thirty?"
"Yes," I said slowly.
"You are old enough to know that it is stupid to have unprotected sex. It doesn't matter if he ejaculated in you or not. Do you know the host of diseases you're most likely carrying right now?" He said, frowning deeply. The doctor was looking at me like I was a piece of dirt under his nails.
"Excuse me?" I muttered, shocked at his words.
"You're not a child. You simply can't be whoring yourself around-"
"It was with my boyfriend! This is the first time I've ever had unprotected sex!" I said, throwing my hands up.
"Yeah, sure," he muttered, writing again as he rolled his eyes. "I'm going to have a full work up on you before I proceed with anything. We'll do a pregnancy test as well. Go urinate in this cup," he said, shoving a plastic cup in my hands. "Give it to the nurse when you're done."
I almost threw it at his head. He left before I could say anything else. I threw the door open and stomped down the hall towards the bathroom. My normal doctor who insisted that I called her Heidi, came out of another room and smiled at me brightly. I had gone to her for years. "Bella! How are you and Dr. Marcus getting along?"
"He's an asshole and I'm finding another doctor," I snapped at her, mad at her for suggesting I visit him instead of going to her the following day. "Is it your policy to talk to people like their morons when they're being responsible for their bodies?"
"Oh, dear," she said quietly. "I see. How about this? I'll take over from here and I'll talk with Dr. Marcus. I'm sorry. Go ahead with what you were doing and I'll be right there."
If it was possible to 'angrily pee' I did so. I was furious. What a jackass! It wasn't like he could instantly tell that I had the clap or that I was a slut or something. I had been with two men in my life. Two. That certainly didn't make me a ho.
I waited for Heidi to return, my arms crossed over my chest as I did. I will admit it. I was pouting. I just was so angry.
She was in there within five minutes, not keeping me waiting for long. "Bella, once again I am so sorry. Marcus is very strong in his beliefs and sometimes he forgets that you have to speak to people like they're humans. He is very good at what he does," she assured me. I raised an eyebrow at her, "I'll make a note in your chart to never allow him in the room with you again if you stay."
"That would be wise," I agreed.
"So, the morning after pill? That doesn't sound like you, Bella," she began. "He said something about a boyfriend."
"Yeah," I sighed quietly. "My boyfriend and I had a rather emotional night and morning and some things were said and one thing led to another. I just want to make sure, though I'm pretty positive I'm not."
"Good things or bad things said?"
"Very good," I smiled.
"Aw, that's good, sweetie. Look, I'm really sorry about Dr. Marcus and I'll make it up to you. I would like to go ahead and do a full workup, just to be on the safe side. Also, the pregnancy test. We'll have to get some blood. And you'd like to get birth control again?"
"Yes, please," I sighed softly, glad to be talking to a normal person.
By the end of the visit, I had found out that no, I was not pregnant and that I still hated shots. I had been poked several times and add that along with the asshole doctor that I was still mad at, I wasn't in a pleasant mood.
I grab a burger on the way home with a large fry, just wanting to eat something not green for a change. I had been so good but I was so stressed.
I was about to take a bite of my burger when the phone rang. And when I saw who was on the caller ID I wanted to scream. Or maybe throw the phone.
Lauren Crowley. Blarg. Just, blah!
"Hello?"
"What the hell is this?" She began right away.
"Excuse me?"
"I wanted this done as soon as possible. You said that you could do it in-"
"I said it would take several weeks to do all the changes. I have done a lot of the things you asked already and your husband has already approved. He also said he understood that they would take time."
"YOU WILL DEAL WITH ME, NOT HIM! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME? He is an old coot who doesn't know what's going on most of the time. I will not let you take advantage of him and let you get away without doing your job."
The only good about her being on the phone was that I couldn't punch her. But, I can do this...
"Look, you stupid plastic gold digging ho bag. I do my job. I do it well. Your husband, the owner of the company, said it was fine. But, you know what!? If I have to deal with your stupid ass than your business isn't worth it. I'm shutting down the site and you can find someone else to do it. And by the way, before you say 'I'll tell my lawyers'," I said in a nasally voice like hers, "you should know that this is totally within my rights in my contract. In the contract that your husband signed. So, you know what, bitch? Kiss my ass!"
I clicked the phone off and slammed it onto my coffee table.
After pushing my burger away I took a deep breath to keep myself from crying. I felt so frustrated and tired and it was barely noon. And I felt out of control. And I hated that. It had been the first time in a long time that I had really felt that way.
But had I been in control at all? I had just been letting things happen to me. I had been letting Edward and Alice fill in the blanks for me. Once again I had just been letting things happen to me and not taking control. I needed the wake-up call.
With pride, I scratched off 'tell someone off that I hate' on my list. I was also determined to do something else. Screw work for today. I was going to work on the Crowley account anyway. And I never played hooky.
I examined my list for a long moment before I decided on what I wanted to do. I needed something fun and I needed something relaxing.
So, I called up Edward.
"Ello, love," Edward said brightly into the phone. I could practically feel his joyfulness. It was a nice feeling. "I thought you were working. Everything okay?" He asked, getting more serious.
"I just had a shit day. But, I have a bit of good news."
"What's that?"
"Well, it's two things really. In a few days, we won't need condoms and I did something off my list."
"Oh? What's that, my love?" He asked. I was surprised he didn't say anything about the condoms.
"I told someone off. And I'd like to take something else off. How would you like to go to Ripley's believe it or not with me?"
"Ah, well, um... Well, Tanya is babysitting Bridget and I'm babysitting Tanya."
"I don't need a babysitter!" I heard a female voice shout in the background.
"So you say," Edward muttered back to them, his hand over the phone and poorly hiding the voice. I could hear Bridget laughing in the background.
"So that's why you didn't say anything about the condoms," I snickered.
"Exactly but let me tell you… That development is extremely pleasing. Now if you want I can drop Tanya off and I can meet you or-"
"No! Bring them along. Does Bridget or Tanya need to be home at any certain time?"
"No, Tanya is on Christmas break and we're just watching Bridget to give Emmett a break. Let me ask them if they want to go, okay?"
I heard the phone move and some mumbling, then I heard some female cheering. I chuckled. I needed that. "I guess that's a yes?"
"Yes, ma'am. Why don't I take the girls over to your place and get you? Your car is bigger and it'll be more comfortable."
"If you had a real car this wouldn't be a problem!" I heard Tanya yell in the background. Bridget laughed loudly.
"Sounds great. Hurry over," I said briskly.
"Bella, are you okay?" He asked softly. "I mean, we don't have to do anything today. You sound stressed. You shouldn't push yourself."
"Edward, I need to have fun. I need to play hooky. I need you. Please?"
"Alright. I love you."
There was a loud round of 'aw' in the background with smooching noises. I giggled, "I love you, too. See you in a few."
Once Edward got there we did the amazing task of switching everyone over to my car. We had to put Bridget's car seat in which I had no idea how to do. Thank God that Edward did. Then we had to childproof the doors. It took me ten minutes just how to figure out how to do that.
Finally, after thirty minutes, we were on the road. The museum was just outside of Dallas, not too far from Six Flags the amusement park. As I drove past it, I considered adding that to my list. The place was done up all for Christmas. Maybe Edward and I could take Bridget and Tanya.
Much to Edward's annoyance I paid for all the tickets. There were four attractions all together but we decided that the laser race was a bit advanced for Bridget and we didn't think she would be interested in the wax museum either even if I was. We could come back and do that another day. What we did purchase was tickets to the actual Ripley's museum and a Mirror Maze.
"CAN WE GO TO THE GIFT SHOP!?" Bridget shrieked loudly as soon as we got inside. Edward chuckled, pulling the girl into his arms.
"How about this? If you're a very good girl while we're here, I'll get you something. How does that sound?"
"Good!"
"But, that means no running off and listening to me, Tanya, and Bella. Got me?"
"I gotcha," she said, leaning her head backward and rolling her eyes. She got distracted at that point at looking at the ceiling. That was a three year old for you.
"Thanks for inviting us," Tanya said as we wandered through the place looking at all the oddities. Edward was being dragged around by Bridget, her tiny fingers gripping him tightly. She was forcing him to read every single sign in the place and explain it to her. Though I doubted she understood a lot of it, she seemed to be having a ton of fun just listening to Edward talk.
"Oh, you're welcome. I've always wanted to come," I shrugged. "When I was younger we didn't have the money to go and when I got older I thought it was just for kids. It's really not. I'm glad I came. Though, it does make it more fun to go with you guys."
She smiled at me widely, her braces which were done in Christmas colors shined at me. Once again she was sporting pigtails and a Hello Kitty Shirt. But she was wearing a denim skirt and a pair of cowboy boots. The style totally clashed but I don't think she cared at all. She was very secure in herself.
I was a little jealous of that. I wanted to ask her secret but I wouldn't have been surprised if she didn't know. Maybe it was just her personality.
Bridget's favorite part of the whole place was a room where you could experience 'tornado force' winds. We must have stayed in there twenty minutes. Tanya held onto Bridget, playing around and flapping their arms like they were flying. Edward and I stayed by the railing, watching them, his arm wrapped around my waist. When my hair whipped around my face he delicately pulled it away from my skin and leaned in to kiss my lips.
The kiss was slow, sweet, with a promise of passion just underneath the surface. It would have continued if we didn't hear 'ew' being said by two children. Edward pulled away and raised an eyebrow at Tanya. She snorted, saying ew again and turning a shade of pink.
"Kisses are yucky. That's what daddy says," Bridget said matter of factly as we finally left the room.
"Is that the truth?" Edward asked, trying to hold in his laughter.
"Yes. Daddy says I can never kiss any boys."
"Can you give me kisses?" He asked, kneeling down in front of her and giving her puppy dog eyes and that pouty look that could have melted the coldest of people.
"Of course! I can kiss you! You're not a boy!" She said, throwing her arms around his neck.
Edward frowned a little bit, especially when Tanya and I started laughing. He turned to look at us quickly, giving us the evil eye. We tried to stop laughing but it didn't really work.
"You two are awful!" He scolded us, carrying Bridget again.
When we finally finished the tour of Ripley's we visited the Mirror Maze. Tanya and Bridget ran ahead, making hilarious faces in the glass. Since it was a Monday there was hardly anyone there. It was nice. Edward and I strolled hand and hand, just enjoying being together.
"So, you told someone off?" He asked quietly. We could hear the girls ahead of us but I knew they weren't paying any attention to us.
"Yeah. This blond bimbo. Her husband owns a company and I did the website for them. She was making some really irrational demands and she talked to me like I was dirt. So, I told her off. If she was in person and not on the phone I would have beaten her up."
"I'm glad she wasn't then. I would have hated bailing you out of jail." He smiled at me charmingly. "Is that it? Is there more bothering you?"
"I had to go to another doctor and he gave me a lecture. It was really... rude. I don't know. It just pissed me off. My normal doctor took back over though and we got everything done that we needed to do. And shots and needles don't put me in a good mood."
"What kind of lecture?"
"About being responsible. It kind of made me wake up though. I'm just letting things happen to me like before and I don't want that. I need to take control and that's what I'm going to do. It's my list and as much as I love your help, I do need to put in more effort," I said quietly.
"You know I love helping you," he said as he rubbed my back.
"I know. And you don't know how good that makes me feel. I need to accept help from others but I also need to take the lead. Don't stop helping," I said quietly, running my fingers over his cheeks.
He turned me around so that I was facing him. "I'll never stop."
I could only imagine how it looked in the mirrors as we kissed. I almost wished I could. Not enough to take my focus off the kiss, but almost.
"Okay, jeez! Get a room!" Tanya said, interrupting us again.
"Why would they need a room?" Bridget asked, getting confused. "Aren't they in a room?"
"Say nothing," Edward said, pointing to Tanya. She smiled at him innocently. "Don't listen to Tanya. She's silly."
Bridge shrugged her shoulders, rolling her eyes at the strange adults before going forward without us. Edward poked Tanya sharply in the back. "Ow," she squealed.
"You behave. I don't want her going home saying anything dirty. Rosalie would have my nuts," he warned her, making both of us laugh. "You know she'd blame me because apparently, I'm the adult."
"I can't imagine why she'd think that," Tanya said smartly, swinging her hips as she walked away. To say she had a little bit of attitude was an understatement.
Edward ended up chasing her through the rest of the maze, making her squeal with laughter. Bridget came to me, holding my hand. "They're both silly," she said, wrinkling her nose. I could see so much of Rose in her when she said that.
"They are, but they're having fun."
After the mirrors, we headed to the gift shop. I bought Bridget and Tanya a tee shirt while Edward bought them each little toys. Tanya got a weird looking magnet paperweight and Bridget got a coloring pad with markers. Edward also bought me an oddly shaped flash drive. It made me giggle and think about our first night together.
And that thought made me warm all over. But I would have to push that away for later.
When we finally got into the car it was just after five in the evening. The first thing Bridget did when the doors closed was say, "I'm hungry."
"Me too," I said, thinking about my forgotten lunch. "Rosalie will be home soon," I thought out loud as I looked at the clock. "Edward, why don't you call Emmett and let him know that we're taking her out to dinner. They can have a romantic evening or something."
"He'll love that," Edward answered, smiling. "I'll call. You girls figure out a place."
"I want some Fredo!" Bridget said, clapping her hands happily. I looked at Tanya for guidance.
"I think she means Alfredo. She likes pasta," she shrugged. "Fine with me. Olive Garden?"
"Yay!" Bridget said, clapping her hands again. "They have the yummy bread."
"Yes, Em, I'm serious. Enjoy a couple of hours to yourselves. Yes. Have fun," Edward said, rolling his eyes as he spoke to Emmett on the phone. "No, not tonight. I would let her spend the night but I have to work in the morning. Maybe once I get back from the UK? Alright, man. I'll call you when we're on our way back."
"Olive Garden, okay?" I asked when he finally got off the phone.
"Yum," he smiled. "Sounds great."
I had never gone out to eat with a kid before, even if I used to watch them. Bridget got a high chair, having a ton of fun scribbling on her menu before working on the gift Edward got her from Ripley's. Bridget ordered her 'Fredo' rather enthusiastically and loudly. Tanya had cheese ravioli with soup. Edward and I ordered soup and salad.
When we got our salad I fixed Bridget some as well. She ended up picking out all the lettuce and eating only the croûtons, tomatoes, and olives.
About halfway through her pasta, she began to nod off. But, it was no wonder. It was close to seven at night. I was feeling pretty tired myself. Just in the nick of time, Edward moved her bowl so that she could fall asleep with her head on the table and not in her pasta.
Edward paid for dinner. I didn't even fight him over it. Though, I did slip a little bit more of a tip on the table because of the mess we left behind. Three-year-olds are not very neat eaters.
"Edward, I need to go potty," Bridget mumbled sleepily in his arms as we walked towards the exit.
"I'll take her," I offered but he waved me off.
"I got it. We'll be right back."
"Eddie's going to make a great dad," Tanya said as we watched them go.
"He will be."
"Do you want kids?" She asked me. I had to think about it for a minute.
"With the right guy, yes. You know, before I wasn't so sure. But with a guy like Edward, I think I'd like to."
Edward came out with Bridget staggering drunkenly behind. He gave me a bright smile that I couldn't help but return. She was asleep as soon as she was in her car seat.
We decided to drop off Tanya at her dad's first to give Emmett and Rosalie a little bit more time. When we finally arrived at their place, a modest place in a nice neighborhood, it was nearly nine. The day had just flown by.
"Thank you so much," Rosalie said as she took Bridget from my arms. Emmett took the car seat from Edward. They both looked very happy and relaxed.
I could only guess what they did. It was something I hoped I would be doing later that night.
"It was our pleasure. Did you have a good evening?" Edward asked with a little grin.
"It was fantastic." She looked at Emmett lovingly. "We'll get this one to bed. You two have a good night."
"Would you like to stay tonight?" I asked Edward when we got on the road again. It was about a fifteen-minute drive to my apartment. "Maybe we could drop by your place and pick your suit up and your instruments. It's on the way."
"Sounds good," he agreed quickly.
"You know, you should just keep some clothes at my place. It would be easier."
"Maybe that's something we should work on after London," he said, sliding his hand onto my lap. "This next week is going to be crazy. I've got to work almost non stop the next two days and then my parents are coming in after that. Christmas after that. What are you doing Christmas, anyway?"
"I was hoping I was spending it with you if that's okay. Charlie is working since we already exchanged gifts. He wants to give people who have kids a break, you know," I told him.
"Good," he sighed softly. I looked at him curiously and he just smiled. "I have a couple of gifts I want to give you."
"You don't have to get me anything else," I said, rolling my eyes. "London is enough."
"It will never be enough," he said, bringing his hand up to his mouth. A warmth spread over my skin as he kissed my knuckles. "By the way, thanks for today."
"Hm?"
"I got to spend today having fun with my three favorite girls. It doesn't get much better than that. I hope we can do that again soon. Maybe go to the zoo or something."
I looked over at Edward as we stopped in front of his apartment. When I looked at him I didn't see the twenty-five-year-old boy but a husband in the future. And as a dad just wanting the best for his kids. A man that was full of love and had a good spirit.
I took his face in between my hand and kissed him lightly. "Nothing would give me more pleasure."
Ah, she finally told Lauren off. And fuck that doctor. I had a high and mighty doctor.
Any of y'all ever gone to a Ripley's? The one in Arlington is fun.
Thanks for reading!