CHAPTER TWELVE

I stood there with my heart figuratively feeling as if it were going to fly out of my chest at any moment. I see her happy face turn serious as she waits for me to tell her what I have dreaded since the moment I met her.

Alice was right with her ultimatum. It wouldn't have been fair to fly off without letting Bella know something so important. She had the right to decide that she didn't want to go while we were still on the ground. It would serve me right.

"I know I should have told you this sooner. You have to understand that…"

"Just say it, Edward…preferably sometime before I have this baby," She cut me off.

I felt my lips tighten as I looked into her eyes.

"Bella. I am the crown prince of Caldonia."

She stood there staring at me, her face giving away nothing. She didn't even blink or sigh. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Quite a few seconds had passed. I thought there would be some sort of reaction; yelling, screaming, laughing, a punch to the face.

"I'm not joking…"

"Oh, I know you're not!" She snapped. She turned away and spit an obscenity under her breath.

She put her hand on her forehead and turned to walk a short distance away.

"I'm such an idiot," She whispered.

"No, you're not…please…"

"PLEASE WHAT?" She yelled back at me. "I knew there was something. I knew it, but I kept telling myself that I was being paranoid. I was making things up because I always felt you couldn't trust anyone after what happened to my father. Dammit Edward!"

I held up my hands, "I'm sorry. There is a lot I want to say to you, but I know it would never justify keeping this from you." I sighed once more and continued defeated, "I'll understand if you want to stay."

Bella looked at me and then over at the plane. I could practically see steam coming from her angry red face.

"Is that all? You're not secretly a woman? Or you really are gay after all? Engaged to some…princess or something? Now is the time to tell me!" She implored.

"No, that's pretty much it," I replied.

Bella looked away once again and nodded her head slowly. She took a deep breath in and let it go. Without saying a word, she turned and walked off toward the plane. I felt my heart race forward as she took the first stair disbelieving that she was really going through with this. I hurried to catch up to her and follow behind just in case she tripped on the stairs.

We entered the plane and Alice and Jasper had already taken their seats. Bella stopped at their chairs.

"You knew about this, didn't you?" She asked.

If at all possible, Alice managed to shrink even smaller. She nodded and replied, "It wasn't my place to tell you."

Bella seemed to contemplate something before passing the chairs across from them and going to the very back.

I stood there wanting to say something to Jasper and hoping to hear an encouraging word.

"I see you finally told her," Jasper said.

I sighed and took a seat across from them.

"At least she's on the plane," I replied thankful.

Bella stood up from her chair, "Hey, I'm just a little more than pissed off at the moment. You really think sitting up there and talking about me is going to help?"

I looked back over to Jasper and slowly stood up.

"Don't worry, it's just the pregnancy hormones talking," Alice said.

"You really believe so?" I asked.

"No, you lied to her for months. There isn't a prayer for you."

And with that, I went to the back of the plane and began to take a seat next to Bella. She put her purse down in the chair I was planning on sitting in however.

"No, I need you over there not touching me why I go through this in my mind," She stated.

She's on the plane. She's on the plane. I kept repeating to myself as I sat down across from her. I began tapping my foot wondering why the captain was taking so long to get us out of here. Once we were in the air, I think I could almost relax. I feel the plane begin to move and let out a shaky breath.

I knew I shouldn't talk to her. Leave her be and hopefully she would calm down. She needed to calm down, this stress wasn't good for our baby.

"I love you, Bella," I ventured.

She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at me.

"It's because I love you that I got on this plane. But right now, I…I…I can't even think, I am just so mad! Do you have any idea how upset I am? I can't even focus because there are a thousand things flying through my mind. I keep thinking how I could have been so stupid. Blind. Not trusting of my own instincts. You could have picked any moment to tell me this and it would have been better than now."

"Well…I almost thought about telling you when we got to Caldonia so…this had to be better than that. I mean if Alice hadn't…" I was a stupid stupid man for talking. I could see Bella's face turn to rage.

"YOU WERE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL CALDONIA?"

Fuck me.

I could see Alice and Jasper's head pop up over the seats.

"I think it is probably best if I sit here quietly and reflect on my poor choices," I said quietly cowering in my chair.

Bella's heated eyes didn't leave me however, and for a brief time I was worried she would open the plane hatch and push me out. The longer we sat in silence the more exhausted I became. I still hadn't slept so I was worried at any moment I might pass out and leave her even more upset with me.

Just as I was about to dose off she spoke.

"Okay, let's hear it."

I looked at her with questions in my eyes. What did she want to hear exactly? How sorry I was for lying to her? What I planned to do to make it up to her?

"I am ready for your explanation. You had a million chances to tell me and you chose not to so there had to be a reason you didn't think I was good enough for the truth."

"Bella," I started. "Of course, I think you're good enough. I came here because I wanted to get away from all things royal. As you can imagine, I've been pretty sheltered my whole life. I came here hoping to find myself. To… for a short time feel what it was like to not have everyone know who I am, to only see me as one thing. You have no idea how amazing it felt to have you look at me. Me. Who I was. Not what I was."

"Yeah, Thanks to Alice, I saw all the Hallmark prince in U.S. stories, so I understand completely but there should have been a…I don't know, time when you thought, hmm…maybe I should tell Bella this."

"When I thought I was leaving, I thought it would be best to never tell you. What would be the point?" I asked.

"Okay…but you've known that I was planning to go with you the past two days. You made love to me, but you didn't tell me your deep dark secret. Do you have any idea what that feels like? You profess your love for me, you make love to me over and over and never once did it occur to you that maybe this was something you needed to share. I…keep wondering what else you haven't told me. You were so good about lying to me what else are you lying to me about? I'm just so tired of guys lying to me all the time. Do you even really love me?"

"How could you ever think I don't? Bella, I know it was wrong of me to keep you in the dark for so long but to question my love for you?"

Bella shook her head, "You don't get to be hurt when you're the one who caused the pain."

I sighed and sat back in my seat. This was going to be a long flight. If I thought that the flight here was long and tedious, lie to your girlfriend for over three months and then tell her all about it before boarding an eleven-hour flight.

I could see Bella become restless after an hour. I knew she hadn't had lunch or dinner, so I stood up and went toward the refrigerator. Inside there was a host of food stocked for our long flight. While I was gathering up some items I thought Bella might like, I see her stand and come towards me.

"Is there a bathroom?" she asked.

"Uh…yes, right here," I show her the door to the left.

She opened the door and was about to step in, "When I get out, I just want this to be over."

The door closed, and I panicked slightly. What did she mean? She wanted us to be over? She wanted this flight to be over? Was she going to make us land? Did she want this fight to be over?

Bella stepped out and I was still processing her words.

"What do you mean?" I asked a tad anxiously.

Bella looked confused when I all about shouted at her.

"You said you wanted this to be over? Us? What?" I pressed.

Bella shook her head and looked irritated.

"I meant that I wanted this fight to be over? I'm super exhausted and I will deal with all of this later. I just can't do it right now. Is that a banana?" She looked at my hands full of food.

"I thought you might be hungry," I replied offering her the banana. "You can have your pick. There are a lot of choices. Please eat up."

Bella held out her hand, "Just the banana. I don't want to get sick again."

It took me a minute to understand what she meant by that.

"Morning sickness?" I asked.

Bella shook her head, "More like all-day sickness. I can't even look at certain things without it sending my stomach into a flurry."

"We should sit down then." I placed the rest of the food items on the sink and went to help her back to her seat. I began to think over the past two days and I was so focused on all the love-making, I hadn't realized that Bella ate very little. Mostly fruit.

I was going to help her towards her chair, but she kept walking towards Alice and Jasper. Bella took a seat across from them and they both sat up a bit straighter with trepidation. Alice looked as if she were going to have all-day sickness too.

"How are you feeling?" Alice asked.

I sat down beside Bella and opened a box of crackers while Bella took a bite of her banana.

"I am groovy. I just threw up on a royal plane. Found out the man I love is a royal so…I guess one could say, I am royally fucked!"

I cringed at her choice of words. Even though Bella said our fight was over for now, I was naive to think she would return to being happy Bella just like that. I couldn't help but think that this was something Bella would need to get under control. She was not one known for filtering her words and it was only a matter of time before the press would have a field day with her colorfulness. But, that was problem a thousand problems away. There were still far too many things to worry about before we could get there.

"So…Bella and I are going to have a baby," I announced.

Alice began squealing.

"So, you are the father. I mean I thought you were, but I wasn't sure. Oh Jasper, isn't this just the most romantic thing you ever heard?"

I could feel Jasper's eyes on me searching. He knew me better than anyone so lying to him would be the most difficult task.

"It's turning out to be a Hallmark movie," Bella replied. She shook her head and sighed. "I'm sorry…its these damn hormones. I know I'm being a bitch. I don't mean to be but…"

She started crying and I stopped worrying about Jasper and shifted my focus a one-hundred percent to Bella.

"Bella…it's okay. You're tired. We didn't have a good sleep. Why don't we go lay down in the back? The seat can recline nearly all the way. Let's go and get some rest," I suggested.

Bella sniffed and stood back up apologizing once more. We went to the back and I helped Bella to bed, making sure she was warm and comfortable. When I laid down, it felt like I was preparing for the best sleep I would ever have. Even though I awoke a couple of times by the time I finally got up, we only had an hour left before landing.

I look over and see Bella still soundly asleep. I was glad she managed to get some rest, it would be good for her and possibly help her overall mental state. Perhaps when she woke up, she would feel a little better on the whole royal issue.

Jasper just exited the bathroom when I was still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

"So…" I started waiting for the inevitable.

Jasper slowly shook his head.

"Your parents are going to kill you…probably kill me first but in the end, you and I are both dead," he stated. "When did this all happen? Why didn't you use protection?"

I was relieved that Jasper was so upset with me. It meant he bought the whole story. Now was the time for the tap dance.

"It was a slip up. We both were in a weird place. It happened the day after the Halloween party. It was a mistake but that doesn't mean I am not going to fix this. This may not be what we do…but that baby is a part of who I am. I won't abandon Bella. I won't abandon this baby," I vowed.

Jasper sighed and slid down to the seat next to mine.

"I still can't believe you did this. I…make me a promise. Just be sure I am not at the palace when you tell them."

I laughed a little and agreed.

"If you like, I can make sure you're out of the country. I do owe you everything after all," I replied.

Jasper looked taken aback.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You told me that I could have whatever life I wanted," I said looking over to Bella, "You were right. I am getting everything I ever wanted. None of this would be possible if it weren't for your guidance."

Jasper smiled a little and thought about what I said.

"I'm touched," he replied standing up. "Just make sure you don't tell your parents that. I know they ceased public executions in nineteen twenty-five but, why give your father the thought to bring them back."

I shook my head at his absurdity and went to wake Bella. It took a while to get her up but when she finally did, she headed straight for the bathroom. I couldn't help but stand by the door and listen if she was throwing up. I didn't hear anything, so I went to sit back in my chair and buckle up to prepare for landing.

I looked over the land as we started our decent. You couldn't see the palace from here, but I could almost picture it. Nestled near a mountain range as the nearby capital Odessa laid before it. A capital city so charming and cute that we had pride when it was named one of the top ten cities to visit.

It felt foreign to be back. My short time away nearly made me feel like I was the foreigner now. Bella took a seat next to me and sighed.

"How long is the drive?" She asked.

"Less than an hour."

She nodded again.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Nervous…I think. I haven't eaten hardly a thing, so I don't believe I can blame the feeling in my stomach on morning sickness."

"We'll be okay, Bella," I assured once again.

There were two cars on the tarmac waiting for our arrival. I went over to Jasper before we were to ascend down the stairs.

"Maybe you should ride with us. It might make things easier for Bella if Alice were there," I offered.

"We are going with you. I'm sure the King will be wanting a word. Let's get this over with," Jasper said and then marched down the steps with Alice in tow. Bella came up behind struggling with a couple of her bags. I took them immediately from her, leaving her with just her purse.

I turned and placed my hands on her shoulders to have a minute before all the madness ensued.

"I love you! There isn't anything that is going to change this. I love you, Isabella. I love our baby. We will be okay." I was trying to reassure her but deep down, I was reassuring myself. I gave her a soft kiss and I feel her smile on my lips.

"Okay," she replied.

I took her hand and helped her down the stairs. Jasper had already given direction for which car to hold the luggage. We took our seats in the limousine and headed off to the palace. Alice and Bella kept to small talk as Jasper pointed some landmarks out on our way. We drove through the city and were coming up on the palace.

"Oh my god, look at the castle," Alice squealed.

"That is a palace, Alice," Bella corrected.

"What's the difference?" Alice asked disinterested.

Bella sighed, and I was about to answer when she did so for me.

"A castle was designed to withstand attack. Usually a large building or group of buildings guarded by a large wall and surrounded by a moat whereas a palace is just an opulent decoration. If Marie Antoinette had been in a castle, the French might still have a monarchy."

"Potato. Patato," Alice shrugged.

I could see Bella roll her eyes and I had to laugh.

The procession line was out to greet us as we drove up. It was tradition that in the event a royal member returns home after a time away, the maids and butlers should be there to greet and welcome home the returning royal member. It was a tradition I always enjoyed but as we drove closer, I could see Bella's eyes begin to change.

The car stopped, and Alice and Jasper stepped out first. I exited the car and then went to help Bella out. I could see her taking in the whole picture. She seemed to suddenly be in a state of shock. I went to explain the tradition and that's when it happened. It finally hit Bella.

Bella began to slowly shake her head as she slowly stepped away from the car, backing up from the palace as if she were contemplating running.

"Bella," I comforted. "It's going to be…"

"Can we go…can you make this go away? I need to go. I need to go somewhere that is not in there. I need to go," She said panicking.

Sensing the meltdown that was going to occur and knowing that I didn't want Bella's first impression on the house staff to be a fit, I quickly took her arm and directed her a wide birth around the palace. Leaving Alice and Jasper behind with concerned looks on their faces, I directed Bella through an archway toward the back of the residence.

Bella broke off from me and walked a little distance ahead. I could hear her berating herself over and over.

"Stupid, Bella. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. What were you thinking. You can't do this."

"Bella," I said approaching with caution. "I promise this is going to be…"

"You know you've had just a little more time to adjust to all of this than I have had so if you could just give me a minute and stop telling me that it's going to be okay," She snapped. "I'm sorry but this is all really starting to hit me, and I am freaking the fuck out. This is too much. That…" She said making a huge gesture with her hands indicating my home, "that over there is too much. I mean look at that…"

I grabbed Bella and made her turn away from the house, placing a firm arm around her shoulders to hold her in place.

"Let's not look at that right now. Let's look at the pretty pond with the pretty pretty ducks. There is nothing to see over there," I made a gesture with my hand toward our backs. I could feel how tense she was, and I had hoped if she could see the beautiful scenery before us, maybe it would begin to calm her down.

"I know this is scary," I attempted.

"SCARY? First off, I don't have anything to wear in there. My wardrobe consists of one semi-nice dress and a suitcase full of jeans," She started. "Maybe if someone had let the cat out of the bag a little sooner, I wouldn't be going in there looking like a Beverly Hillbilly."

"I can send out for clothes. That's not a problem."

"Oh great, two seconds in and now I'm using you for your money," She huffed.

"You are not using me for my money and I don't ever want to hear you say that again. You are merely…being compensated for all that…over there."

Bella still placing all her focus on the pond and fearful of turning around toward the residence went on to her next worry.

"I don't even know your last name…" She started.

"I don't technically have one…but Cullen was my mother's last name before she married my father so that was what I used at school if that makes you feel better.

"The point is…there is so much we still don't know about one another," She said.

"We know the important things and we have all the time in the world to learn everything else," I assured.

"Okay, but I was expecting to meet your parents whom I was already super nervous about meeting and now they aren't just Flo and Jo Millionaire, they're the freakin king and queen! I don't know the first thing about meeting royalty. That's more of an Alice thing. She's into all this crap. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that. This is all just…" And then something else finally occurred to her. I could see her eyes widening again.

"…oh…my…god…what about this?" She asked rubbing her stomach, "How could you have wanted to do this? It was different when you were just some Richie Rich but why wouldn't you tell me about that," She said pointing to the house once again, "before even offering to do what you say you wanted. Were you in your right mind? Do you want to take it all back?"

"NO! Absolutely not! I meant every single word I have ever said. I want this baby. Do not question that again!" I said adamantly.

Bella finally took a breath but still remained tense.

"So, are you telling me that this child might actually be in line for the throne and it's not even your biological child?" she whispered.

"Well…there is a fifty fifty chance on that. You see, if we have a girl and then you and I go on to have a boy after, then technically he will be the heir to the throne. If this baby turns out to be a boy…yes technically he could sit on the throne," I explained cautiously.

Bella's mouth opened and closed like a fish as she processed the information.

"I'm…not even going to go into feminist mode and explain how horrible that all just sounded. I am going to bypass the diminishing of female race and tackle that later. A boy. My boy? Sit on the throne? I wanted him to have choices. Grow up to be whatever he wanted to be, a doctor or…janitor and now he has to run a country?"

I sighed. This conversation was one I was quickly losing.

"Look Bella, I know you are worried but please please give me a chance. Give this a chance. I know I should have told you about all of this sooner, but I was so afraid. I couldn't bare the idea of losing you. I should have told you…that was my bad."

"Oh my god, your parents are going to kill me for your horrible American slang," Bella buried her face in her hands. I reached out to take her hands in mine and pull her close to me.

"It does not matter what happens when we finally walk through those doors. All you need to know is this one thing. I love you. No one or nothing is going to change my mind about that. I know this is scary, but you will always have me. Don't get wrapped up in the royal crap as you called it. Just be yourself because in the end that is what I care about, the Bella I fell in love with. I hope that likewise you too will continue to see the man you fell in love with even if it appears things about me are different. With you, I am just Edward,"

She breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh good, if you expected me to call you Prince Edward, I would have to do so ironically. Probably be picturing you in purple velvet and singing, When Doves Cry while I did so."

I smiled at gave a small laugh.

"I wouldn't expect anything less," I replied. "Are you ready to look at the scary home behind us?"

"Home," Bella scoffed.

"Yes, home. That's all this fancy building is, a home. If it helps I can provide you with antidotes of all the places Jasper and I nearly ruined it with our antics." I offered.

"Not necessary…not yet anyway," Bella took a deep breath in, "Okay, kiss me once more, just Edward."

Happy to oblige, I kissed her and too soon I knew I must pull away. I knew that with the amount of people who worked on the property, rumors would fly. Unfortunately, kissing and other displays of affection would have to be kept private.

"I'm ready," Bella replied quietly.

I took her by the hand and held it firmly as we walked toward our home.

AN: I had planned to have this out sooner but of course my baby choose tonight to stay up super late. Hopefully she will give me a great gift and let me sleep in for my birthday! Thank you for taking the time to read and review! Your reviews will make my birthday extra special so I truly appreciate it!

DISCLAIMER: Story is mine. Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.