It's Time

Chapter 24

DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.

EPOV

"You know what? I have no idea what I was thinking. Please leave, Edward."

It took me a second before I realized she was dismissing me.

Dumbfounded, I watched as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly.

As much as she wanted to deny our connection, I knew it was real. From the moment I had first seen her in that hospital bed, a warm, buzzing sensation had coursed through my body. It had been the same yesterday.

Even though I knew I should go, my feet remained cemented to the floor. Consequences be damned, I couldn't leave. Leaning in as quietly as possible, I grasped her hand in mine. As soon as our skin made contact, her startled brown eyes met my green ones. My breath hitched as a vision of Bella and a young girl flashed through my mind. But before I could see anything else, she suddenly pulled away.

"Why did you do that?" I huffed, frustrated by the absence of her touch. Once her hand had been in mine, I didn't ever want to let it go.

Refusing to make eye contact, she mumbled, "You got what you wanted. Now, it's time for you to keep your promise and leave."

"B-but you can't mean that?" Panic filled me. I gabbled the words wildly as I flung myself on my knees beside her bed. "Didn't you feel anything?"

She crossed her arms over her chest before releasing a bitter laugh. "Don't you get it? I didn't feel anything."

"Didn't feel anything? Not even the buzzing sensation? Hell, don't you still feel it?"

She stared at me blankly and gave no response.

"But what about the little girl? The one who looked just like you? You had to have seen her, right?" I wiped away the wetness from my cheeks. I hadn't even realized I was crying.

Her eyes widened. "Ed-Edward, I have no idea what or wh-who you're talking about. I'm sorry, but you really need to go."

"But, Bella—"

"Please," she yelled before slamming her fists against the mattress. "You promised. Just leave. Please, for once in your life—do something for me!"

-IT-

Even though it was one of the hardest things I had ever done, I gave her a final glance before standing and exiting the room.

Mike Newton waited outside in the hallway. As soon as I stumbled through the door, he pounced, ready to attack.

Clutching my shirt, he drew me close. "What did you say to her? Why was she upset and yelling?"

Instead of answering, I just stood with my arms at my sides and stared at him. A small part of me wished he would just pull out his Glock and put me out of my misery.

However, after taking a good look at me, he shoved me away and went inside her room.

My eyes were still stinging with tears, as I slid against the wall and slumped to the floor. Burying my head in my knees, I wept silently like a pathetic fuck in the middle of the public hospital.

I don't know how long I sat there, but it was the voices of my grandparents that finally snapped me from my stupor as I raised myself from the floor.

When I turned my head to greet them, I was suddenly rendered speechless as my eyes focused on what I saw. The little girl from my earlier vision was now lovingly enclosed in Nonno's arms.

And that could mean only one thing— Bella had a daughter.

-IT-

Alec POV

It had been a little over two hours when Mike called to tell me that Edward and Bella had finished their discussion.

I tried to reach Edward to see how their talk went, but he didn't answer. After my fourth attempt went to his voicemail, I became concerned.

"He's probably at the hotel," Gianna said as she blew kisses on the baby's belly until she giggled. "Why don't you drop us off at the hospital and run over there to check?"

After packing up the baby's bag, we headed into town. Once we arrived at the hospital, I insisted on carrying Gia to Bella's room; even though I had just spent the afternoon with her, I wasn't ready to say goodbye.

"And you think I'm the one she's got wrapped around her finger." Gianna teased as we strolled down the hallway.

I peeked over the baby's head and laughed before giving my wife a loving wink.

Just as we rounded a corner of the corridor, I heard Gianna suddenly gasp. Several feet in front of us stood Edward, and his eyes were fixed upon Gia.

Shit.

Turning to Gianna, I handed her the baby and said, "Here, sweetheart. Why don't you two go and check on Bella?"

After she mumbled a quick goodbye, I turned to face my grandson.

"Edward, I've been trying to reach you. Have you been here the entire time?"

Instead of responding, he stared at the empty spot where Gianna and Gia had just stood.

"Son?" I approached him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

His eyes met mine. They were wet and bloodshot. "Nonno, who was that with Nonna?"

"Edward—" I paused. After sighing, I pinched my nose. "Let's go have a cup of coffee and talk."

He drew back and said, "No, tell me now! Who was with Nonna?"

"I'm not sure it's my place—"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" he spat. "Not your fucking place!" He moved to the door of Bella's room and pointed. "Th-that...that was her daughter wasn't it?"

I simply nodded. There was no use in denying it, Gia was the spitting image of Bella.

"B-bella has a child? When? How?"

"Edward, let me—"

"No! How could you keep this from me?" His breath quickened. "You, of all people."

Before I could even begin to explain, he stormed past me and walked away.

-IT-

Bella POV

As soon as Edward exited my room, I rushed to the bathroom where I proceeded to empty the contents of my stomach. Even after there was nothing left to expel, my body continued to violently retch in a series of dry heaves.

"Bella!" A concerned voice called from the other room. It was Mike.

"In here," I said with a moan.

He slowly opened the door and found me lying on the floor next to the toilet. "My God, are you okay? Do you need the doctor?"

"Nonna," I whispered.

"What, kid?" Mike asked as he bent down next to me and gently pushed my hair away from my face.

"Nonna. I need Nonna."

"Okay, I'll call her, but first, let's get you off this cold floor and into bed," he said as he put his arm around me. "Do you think you can walk, or do you need me to carry you?"

"I can walk," I mumbled.

After he helped me to my bed and tucked me in, he went back into the bathroom to retrieve a cool, wet cloth.

As he wiped my face, I said, "You are way too good to me, you know that, right?"

He blushed. "There's no such thing as being too good to family. Do you feel better?"

I nodded even though it wasn't the truth.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head and mouthed, "Sorry." I hated shutting him out, but this was something I didn't feel comfortable sharing with him. And honestly, I really didn't think he would understand.

He gave me a sympathetic smile. "I'll go call Gianna."

-IT-

I must have fallen asleep because it seemed liked only moments later when I heard the beautiful sound of Gia's giggles. Opening my eyes, I was met with her toothy grin. Wiggling in excitement, she stretched toward me.

"Gia," I cooed reaching to take her from Nonna. Burying my nose into her lush, raven curls, I breathed in her sweet, baby smell. Once she was snuggled against me, I looked at Nonna.

We stared at each other in silence. When my eyes began welling up with tears, she leaned over and placed my hand in hers.

Turning toward Mike, who stood by the window, she said, "Can you excuse us for a bit, please?"

"Of course, and how about I take this little cutie with me?" He walked over and tickled Gia's nose.

"That would probably be a good idea." Nonna agreed. "Is that okay with you, Bella?"

"Yes, thanks." I didn't want Gia to see me upset, and I knew she would be safe with Mike.

Once they were gone, Nonna faced me. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

Too overcome with emotion, I shook my head. Tears were now cascading down my cheeks, and my breathing was erratic.

"Is it Edward? Did something happen when you two met?"

Once again, instead of answering, I nodded as I continued to sob.

"Did he upset you?" she asked, my hand still clutched in hers.

"N-no."

She released a visible sigh of relief.

"I h-hurt him."

Confusion marred her features. "You hurt him? I'm not sure what you mean, sweetheart."

"He asked to hold my hand," I said between hiccups.

"Oh, I see. And you refused him?"

Leaning over, I took a tissue from the side table and blew my nose. "No, I agreed at first, but then we fought, so I changed my mind."

Nonna waited patiently for me to continue.

"Of course, he didn't listen." I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "I mean, you know what a controlling ass he can be." Once the words left my mouth, my eyes popped, and my hand covered my mouth. I couldn't believe I had just said that to Edward's grandmother.

After rubbing my arm, she laughed. "It's quite all right. I'm very aware of how much of an ass he can be. What happened next?"

"He grabbed my hand," I said not meeting her eye.

"He did, did he?" she muttered before asking in a whisper, "and did anything happen when you held hands?"

"That's just it, Nonna! You were right. Everyone was right. As soon as our hands touched, I saw it all."

"What did you see?"

"Him…me… I can't explain. It was so overpowering."

Nonna's eyes widened at my declaration. "What happened next?"

"I got scared, so I yanked my hand out of his and told him to leave," I said as fresh tears began to fall from my eyes. "I t-told him...I t-told him that I didn't feel anything."

"Oh, my. How did he take it?"

"He was devastated," I said as I wiped my face with the back of my wrist. "He got on his knees and begged me to reconsider. But Nonna, he saw Gia! I didn't know what to do!"

"What do you mean he saw Gia?"

"When he held my hand, he saw her! And he kept talking about a buzzing sensation," I groaned at the memory. "Nonna, I felt the same thing from the moment he walked into the room! I thought it was just my nerves; I didn't realize it was —"

"Your connection," she whispered. She knew the feeling quite well herself; she felt it whenever she was in Alec's presence.

"Oh, Nonna. I've spent the last seven years of my life hating him! And quite honestly, I still do. Why did this have to happen now?" I asked as I released another sob. "What am I going to do?"

"Shh, sweetheart." She gathered me into her arms and stroked my hair. "It will all work out somehow; I promise."

AN:

What a mess!

Will Edward give up now that he believes Bella didn't feel the connection?

Will Bella's feelings for Edward soften?

And where is Gia's father?

I promise - the answers are coming. :)

If you have any pressing questions or absolutely need to know if this will be an HEA, just send me a PM, and I would be happy to answer. :)

Thank you for all your continued love and support.

Until next time -

HE