CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

79 percent of parents report that their outlook on life is more positive because of their child with Down Syndrome. 94 percent of siblings report feeling pride about their siblings with Down Syndrome. 99 percent of people with Down Syndrome report they are happy with their lives.

"If all I ever wanted was for my children to be happy and healthy, then...I feel like I hit the jackpot. I know that being a public figure and how many expectations come with being a part of this family and we both know that if this baby does indeed have Down Syndrome, she will never be able to take the throne. I'm not naive. I do believe that she can do...nearly anything. You said that she would never marry but that isn't an absolute. People with Down Syndrome do get married. People with Down Syndrome have jobs and lives. Don't count her out. I know she will amaze us," Bella said rubbing her stomach.

We had breakfast brought to the Chesterfield Suite the next morning, so we could finally talk. Bella didn't say anything against me sleeping on her couch. A decision my back was surely hating me for but when I awoke early the next morning, a blanket had been draped over my body.

"It was probably destiny interceding anyway. Destiny knew that this child was never your rightful heir. At least we don't have to worry about that," Bella continued.

"Bella, can we please just leave out all of this...royal stuff for now?" I implored.

Bella gave me a look and slightly shook her head, "This stuff...I don't think we can ever leave it out. As much as we like to play the game of just Bella and just Edward, you and I both know that your status in this country is not something we have the luxury of dismissing. I mean...we aren't even given free will to name our child. This stuff is the very foundation of everything. On an interesting side note, did you know that there was a royal princess with Down Syndrome that wasn't hidden away from society? Princess Alexandrine of Prussia. It is a fascinating article you should read. Also, Charles De Gaulle's youngest daughter, Anne, also had Down Syndrome."

"Wow, you have definitely done far more research than I," I replied.

"I've...had a lot of time on my hands and needed to put my focus on…" She trailed off and I knew exactly what she meant. She needed to focus on the baby and not on her shitty fiancé.

"I'm sorry…" I began once again.

"Can you just not… I mean, I don't need to hear a thousand apologies. I... anyway… I have been doing all the talking. Why don't you share some things with me."

This was what Rosalie meant. She knew Bella would take me back, but she would need to hear my sincerity shown through what I have learned rather than lame useless apologies.

"I have read a lot. Not from Google but through the Facebook groups I was able to join. I still have worries about the future. I wanted to share those with you. I…"

I looked out the window and down at the pond. I replayed the first day we arrived and feel as if it were a lifetime ago. My biggest concern is my parent's reaction to Bella and our baby.

"I'm scared. Not about the Down Syndrome but what could come with it. I worry about health issues. I can't see her struggling to live, held up in some intensive care unit awaiting heart surgery. While I was researching I found out so many things that I couldn't fathom. Did you know in the United States, people with Down Syndrome aren't even given equal consideration on the organ transplant list. We have to find out the law here and change it if we too are being discriminatory.

I found myself being able to say the words. Bella would see through me in seconds if I cringed at the words or seemed unable to say them. I think I must have said them over in my head a thousand times. Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome.

"If it makes you feel any better, my new doctor did a high definition ultrasound and so far, her heart looks good. So far...she is a picture of health. I'm not a religious person but lately, I have found myself praying for the health of this baby. Pray for her to be healthy not to come out without Down Syndrome. If that alleviates any of your fears," she replied.

I find my fork playing around with my eggs as I prepare my next question.

"Do...you think I can come with you next time to meet your doctor?"

"Of course," Bella said confidently. "This is...your baby too…"

She didn't seem to be all that sure.

"I mean...if you want this," She finished.

I put my fork down and reached out to grasp her hand.

"Yes, I am sure about this. I know you don't want any apologies for my momentary lapse in judgment, but I do want this, Bella. I never told anyone, and I don't plan to. She is mine and I am prepared to take full responsibility, raise her as my own and no matter what her future holds, I will not abandon her again. I know my promises seem empty. I am trying. I will earn your trust back," I vowed.

She nodded sadly and sighed.

"I'm sorry. My mind is all over the place. I belong to one of these groups on Facebook. I had to stop following it because…ugh, nevermind. I'm just trying to tell you that my mood isn't all you," She said shaking her head and looking back down at her breakfast.

"What's the group? Maybe it is one that I follow," I asked.

"Um…it's called Down Syndrome and the Horrific Truth. I mean they don't sugarcoat anything but a lot of the people on the group seem very pessimistic and I am trying to remain optimistic, so I had to stop following it. I know that there are going to be challenges ahead. I feel bad for some of the people on there because a lot of their problems could be solved with better therapies or programs in place. Being here with you…gave this baby a far better shot at a good life than if I would have stayed back in Washington. I know that. I sometimes feel guilty for everything you have given me, but I can swallow my pride if it means a better life for her."

I knew what group she was referring to. I had joined it as well. For new parents or people like me who had trouble dealing with the diagnosis, it wasn't probably the best group to be a part of. It was the group that clued me in on a variety of scary notions. Toilet training apparently was difficult for a child with Down Syndrome and sometimes it could take years and years! The nonverbal or dual diagnosis scared me too. To have Down Syndrome was hard enough but to couple it with autism, it was another worry of mine.

"I know the group. I should probably not follow either," I began. "But, you shouldn't feel guilty for all of this…I mean what's mine is yours and all of that. At least officially it will be a few months if you still wish to marry me."

We hadn't really talked about where we stood with the wedding. I didn't know if she was still willing to marry me even if she hadn't taken the ring off. I couldn't afford to be presumptuous.

"Well, you are more than welcome to take half of what I own too…although its barely two grand and my dad's house so...anyway, um…we never really spoke about prenuptial agreements but perhaps now is the time."

Whoa, where did that come from? My head was practically spinning from hearing those words trip off her tongue. There was a reason we never discussed it. I wasn't planning on having her sign anything of the sort.

"Absolutely not. There will be no agreement. I don't care…if something were to happen, you could take whatever you like," I declared.

She wouldn't look at me. She took great effort in focusing on the pattern of the table cloth.

"I don't think it is really an option. I already agreed to sign one and I have no problem…"

"Who did you agree to? It wasn't me and I can tell you that whoever told you that you would be signing something is about to have words with me," I snapped. "Who was it?"

Bella sat back a little in her chair but would not reply.

"Bella!"

"Don't get crazy with me. I'm not going to say because it's obvious that it will spark another fight. Forget I said anything."

Bella stood up from the table and began to pick up the breakfast service to arrange it so that it would be easier to take away. I closed my eyes and meditated for a small minute knowing I would need to let go of the anger I felt. I wanted to do that for her, but images flooded my head of possible suspects. I was quickly losing the battle to find calm. It wasn't until Bella took my hand that I relaxed a little.

"You okay?" She asked standing next to my chair. I opened my eyes and looked up at her. I let go of her hand and instinctively place my hand on her stomach.

"She's super active. I don't even have to worry that something is wrong because she moves around so much that I always know that she is fine," She said. She placed her hand on top of mine as I felt the baby kicking around. "I worry about the stillborn thing too. The doctor even said she might induce me at thirty-eight weeks. I guess there are sometimes issues with amniotic fluid leaking or the cord breaking down."

I couldn't believe everything that I had missed. Bella was already twenty-three weeks along. In only fifteen weeks we could have a baby. I could feel my heart begin to speed up. I would need to make sure our room and the nursery would be done in plenty of time just in case.

Bella and I continued to work with one another weeks after she had agreed to move back into the Chesterfield Suite. I went to the doctor with her and met the woman who would be delivering our baby. Dr. Rebecca Black seemed to understand all my fears and did her best to alleviate them. She answered every question and seemed confident that we would have a healthy delivery.

I never did find out who told Bella that she would need to sign a prenuptial agreement. I decided to wait until the pressuring party came forth. Bella didn't say any more on the subject, so I guess it would only be a matter of time.

When Bella was about thirty weeks along, she moved back into my room and agreed to sleep beside me, but it was only after a difficult day that she did so. I had taken a day off from work because the construction crew was finally done with our room and I wanted to spend the day with Bella as we choose out our décor. We had the option of moving to a more private residence but with my father's health being up in the air, Bella said it would be best if we stayed close by.

We had a public event to attend later that day. A groundbreaking. I had told Bella it was for a school, wanting to keep it a surprise. Bella knew that we were planning to publicly announce the pregnancy. She was most definitely showing now but since she never left the palace, the public had no idea. We couldn't wait any longer.

We had stopped for lunch after spending the morning in our new suite. We would need to leave in an hour for the groundbreaking, but we would need a quick bite. We went down to the main dining room where Rosalie and Emmett were already partaking in the set meal.

"Guess what?" Rosalie said the minute we walked in.

"The ghost of Christmas Past visited you and now you have a new-found respect for us and life?" I quipped.

Bella smacked me in the arm and Rosalie narrowed her eyes at me. We had been on rather good terms since Bella had come back. Good terms meaning that we tolerated each other with light teasing every chance we got.

"No…dumbass," Rosalie replied.

"What is your news?" Bella asked sitting down at the table. I looked over toward Emmett as I went to sit. He was still a little upset with me for how I treated Bella. He pulled me aside one day and told me that if I ever hurt her again, he wouldn't wait for Bella to kick my ass, he had dibs and he would make sure that Bella would have nothing to do after he got done with me. I guess I was lucky that all I received from Emmett was a threat.

"I'm moving to America!" She exclaimed.

I imagined that Bella and my jaw dropped at the exact same time.

"Why?" I asked perplexed.

"Emmett wants to finish up his last year and I figured…why not? I mean, I know it will be a bit of a comedown from here but maybe that's what I need. To get away from all of this. We plan to leave after the baby is born but don't worry, we wouldn't miss the wedding," She explained.

"That's…great, Rosalie. Congratulations," Bella said beaming with honest joy. "Oh, and by the way…it's the United States. Just a quick travel tip."

Rosalie gave Bella a confused expression. I, however, still couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Did you speak to my father about this?" I asked.

I don't know why this was upsetting to me. Getting Rosalie out of my life had been the dream. I tried to imagine Rosalie wandering around the streets of the U.S. and kept drawing a blank. Plus, she was planning on running off with Emmett. Was this relationship that serious that she would willingly turn her back on our country to chase after some American?

"Yes, of course, but you do know that this is my life. I don't need anyone's permission, especially not yours!" She snapped.

Bella tugged on my arm a little and I tried to erase the scowl from my face.

"This is good news, Edward. We want Rosalie to be happy and Emmett makes her happy," Bella said with a warning eye.

I nodded and didn't say another word on the subject. Bella began to rattle off all the things she thought Rosalie would like to see when she was off living abroad. Emmett rattled off all the things he wanted her to eat when they got back to…America. I sat lamely by not saying a word. Attempting to understand why this news would bother me. I nearly laughed out loud when I thought, Princess in the Sticks. A follow-up documentary for the one Jasper used to pitch. Suddenly images of Rosalie in Washington brought a warm glow to my face.

"Everything okay?" Bella asked me as we left the dining room and headed back up to the bedrooms.

I nodded but didn't give a verbal response.

"Why…are you upset about Rosalie leaving?" She asked.

"I don't know. I guess…it just caught me off guard. I still can't believe that she is with Emmett. I still cannot believe that she is going forward with this relationship. She has always been so keen on her duty as a princess. To leave Caldonia and run away with Emmett is just not something I would ever have imagined that she would do."

Bella stopped and turned to me. She walked forward and ran her hand through the hair on my left side with a small smile playing on her lips.

"It will be okay, Edward. I think it's nice. I know it must seem scary to you. Since I have been here, you have struggled most with the expectations you have grown accustomed to and now…people are changing those expectations. You never thought your parents would approve of a poor common American. That they would never approve of a baby born out of wedlock. A child that has special needs. That Rosalie would ever allow herself to fall for a poor common American herself. Your whole life, I imagine must feel out of sort. People are growing and changing…moving on. It will be okay, Edward."

She was right. So much that I had prepared myself for when I returned home had changed. The monarchy was changing, and it was funny that I was so afraid of it changing when it all started with me leaving. It wasn't a bad change. It was a different change. Caldonia was moving into a different era. I guess it made sense that the soon to be king, be the reason.

I squeezed Bella's hand and leaned in to place a soft kiss upon her head.

"Thank you," I replied sincerely. "Exactly what I needed to hear. You always know just what to say."

She laughed softly.

"I know. Because I'm smarter than you," She teased.

"I have no doubt," I said. I turned, and we continued to walk toward our room to get ready for our event.

Bella was set to wear a conservative navy dress with a low heel. I was made aware of her wardrobe the night before. This was, after all, a very important event. Announcing to Caldonia that we would have a child in just a few short months and expecting that the citizens take the news well, even though we weren't scheduled to be married until September. I could see the stress of the event written all over Bella's face as she stepped into my room from the Chesterfield Suite. She had worn a conservative dress that we had provided since she arrived but to see Bella dressed for this event, it was the first time that she looked like the role she had been preparing for. A true princess.

"What? You…are appraising me. It's making me feel even more nervous," She said beginning to fidget.

"No…I am not appraising. I am praising. I mean, you look the part. You look…royal," I clarify.

She began to bite on her lip and let out a small laugh.

"Then I guess the last few months haven't been a complete waste of Rosalie's time," She quipped.

I took her in my arms and pulled her as close as I could get. Her bump causing more distance than before.

"Rosalie may have helped but you did it. You not only survived Rosalie. You are amazing Bella. You survived me and all my nonsense. I truly hope that you will be proud of today. This day…is for you," I said.

She didn't know what exactly was going to happen. She wasn't aware fully of our participation in the event.

We arrived at the location just on the outskirts of the main city and there was already a full press corp. to get through. I held Bella's hand tight in my own as the moment she stepped out of the car, the people raced to get pictures. Her stomach was something that wouldn't be missed from every newspaper's front page tomorrow.

They began to shout questions in our direction, but I did my best to hold my hand up to stop all the yelling. I could feel Bella's hand tightening on my own. I tried to squeeze it back for reassurance. We walked up on the stage and I stood at the podium that had been provided. Bella at my side.

"My lovely fiancé and I wished to thank you for taking the time out of your schedules to be with us today. As I'm sure you can see…we have something to share with you," I began.

There was scattered laughter from the people below us.

"I know that there must be a thousand questions you would like to ask. We are going to release a detailed press release after this event and hope it will appease you. However, we will not be taking questions at this time as I would much rather like to focus our time speaking about what it is that we are actually doing here today. To break ground on this particular center which will be a project that Isabella and I will directly oversee."

I looked over to Isabella and I could see the slightest hint of confusion on her face however in true royal fashion, it was hard to tell from a commoner standpoint. I only could see it because I knew her so well.

"Isabella and I are happy to announce that in a few short months, we will have the honor of becoming parents to an amazing little girl. A new Princess of Caldonia. We hope that you will honor us with your blessings and happy thoughts as we prepare for this. Today we will break ground on a building that I hope will come to have an enormous impact on our citizens. Across the country, it is our mission to see many more centers like the one that will be here in just a few short months, flourish and provide services for families in need. This center will be responsible for ensuring that parents, friends and family members of people with special needs can come and seek therapies and education and…acceptance most of all."

I took a pause to take a small breath.

"I know that some of you may wonder, why is this important? I can tell you from personal experience that I was once eyes were closed, and I never even realized it. I went through life and never knew what it meant to have "special needs." Isabella showed me and opened my eyes to a world that doesn't seem to get a lot of consideration. It is our hope that with these centers, we can open a lot more eyes. To make the world a better place. To ensure that the world is a better place for people with special needs. To change the world for our daughter…with Down Syndrome. I hope that you will be a part of that and join us. Thank you for being here today. It means everything to Isabella and me."

I stepped back and reach out to look toward Bella as I take her hand. I see her eyes hold back the tears and she squeezes my hand. We watch as the groundbreaking takes place and then we head back toward our car.

I help her in and then go around to my side attempting to forget all the questions that are being shouted at me. The moment we are out of range of the photographers, Bella smacks me in the chest.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"I was trying to be…royal and you didn't give me a heads up. You have no idea how hard it was for me to not cry. Damn you, Edward!" She huffed wiping under her eyes just so to ensure her makeup wouldn't perish.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," I said confidently. "I want you to be proud of me."

She sighed and looked back over to me.

"I am. I…these last few weeks have been…" She trailed off, "I've never been prouder."

Her eyes narrow as if she is making out a complicated math problem.

"Can we be… just Edward and just Bella for a second?"

I nodded wondering where this was going. She launched herself into my arms awkwardly being in our position in the car. Her stomach pressed up against me as she pulled my head towards hers and kissed me so strongly that I forgot who I was for a moment. Our driver hit a rough bump in the road causing us to break apart.

"You…you should be wearing your seat belt," I rebuked.

She laughed and sat back in her chair while I reached over to pull the belt across her body.

"Just Edward would never have scolded just Bella. He would have welcomed my lips and pushed for more…" She said suggestively.

My heart began to pound a little faster. Was she talking about what I think she was talking about? We hadn't made love in so long or spoken of it since we made up with one another. What I wouldn't do to have that feeling once again.

"Is…just Bella ready for something like that?" I asked tentatively.

"I think just Bella would blow your mind with her dirty thoughts at the moment. Is just Edward…going to be able to handle just Bella?"

I instantly released my seat belt and pulled myself to her in one swift movement and had my lips attacking hers within seconds. She pulled back to stop me after a couple of seconds.

"Now who isn't wearing a seat belt?" She teased.

"I'll take my chances. The monarchy can survive without me," I replied before pulling her back in for more. It was a good thing our car ride ended when it did or else the staff might have found us in a rather compromising position.

"Upstairs?" I asked, and she quickly agreed.

The door opened and we both stepped out. I took her hand and was ready to push past anyone who would get in our way.

"Your Highness!" Bennett exclaimed racing to catch up with us. Bella stopped me from going further and I begrudgingly stopped as well.

"What?" I snapped.

Bennett looked between Bella and me before gathering up the courage to continue.

"Your mother is here…"

"So, what? If she needs me, she can wait," I said and turned to leave.

"No, Your Highness…Miss Swan's mother is here."

Bella's mouth dropped, and I was sure mine did as well.

What was Bella's mother doing here?

AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing.

story is mine. characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.