Chapter Thirteen

"We flew over a long distance to find you. Whether you like it or not, we need to have this talk," Edward stated authoritatively. I couldn't argue with him.

I opened the door wider and let the two gentlemen walk in.

"Can I get you anything to eat or drink? I just made some fried chicken and you're more than welcome to have some," I offered.

Edward shook his head and took the seat Rosalie had been occupying not so long ago. I stood around awkwardly until Edward spoke up again.

"Do you think we could have some alone time, dad?"

Carlisle quirked an eyebrow and accepted the glass of lemonade I offered. He took a sip before heading towards the stairs with his bag in tow.

"Contrary to popular belief, I have no interest in listening to a couple of teenagers work out their issues. I'm going to take a shower," he replied irritated.

He went up the stairs rather quickly. I looked to Edward for an explanation and he rubbed his face.

"He's just cranky after the long plane ride. Our first one had been delayed, the second one never showed, it was an ordeal," he offered as explanation.

I nodded and handed him the other glass of lemonade I poured, which he also accepted gratefully. After a minute of staring at each other, with me surprised that Edward had followed me, he was the one to break the silence again.

"Bella, I can't believe you left me like that," he said in a small voice.

I shifted around uncomfortably before letting out a slow breath. I knew this was an important conversation but that didn't mean I was ready to have it.

"I know, and I was wrong. I'm sorry for worrying you like that. I felt…trapped and didn't know what else to do," I admitted.

His eyes softened and he took another sip of lemonade.

"I'm sorry I made you feel that way. It was wrong of me to try to force you into marrying me. I should have known from the beginning it would never work."

"How did you find me? Did Charlie tell you?" I asked and he shook his head.

"My dad hired a private investigator. I was too distraught over you leaving that I didn't even think about you coming to your mother's house. It makes perfect sense."

I nodded and looked around the kitchen, avoiding his gaze. There was so much to say but I couldn't form the words.

"I was on my way to apologize the day you left. I had picked up your favorite roses and a box of chocolates to show how sorry I was for being such an ass," he said.

Tears came to my eyes. So, if I had waited just one more day in finalizing my decision to leave, things would have gone very differently.

"What if I hadn't offered that ultimatum? Would we be in a much better place, or would you have found a different reason to leave?"

I got the feeling he was asking himself rather than me. I placed my hand on his and his eyes met me, with their own tears.

"We can't play the 'what if' game, Edward. All we can do now is be open and try to heal our wounds. We've acted horribly to each other and we need to start acting like adults for our child. She'll be here before we know it," I said while rubbing my belly lovingly.

She had become even more active since Edward first started talking. She knew her daddy was around and she was happy to hear his voice. I took his hand and placed it on my stomach, his eyes widening in fascination.

"She likes your voice. She was kicking a lot when Rosalie was here earlier, but it's even more now that she hears you."

"Wait, Rosalie was here? Emmett and Rose knew where you were and didn't tell me?" He questioned, the anger starting to build up again.

"Edward, calm down. No, they didn't know I was here. Rosalie found out just today and came by to knock some sense into me."

He deflated just as quickly as the anger had started to build up. The place ride probably took its toll on Edward as much as it had Carlisle.

"I know there's a lot more we need to talk about and work on, but it can wait until after you take a nap. Come on, I'll show you my room."

He accepted the hand I offered and I took him upstairs. I could hear Carlisle in the main bathroom and we walked passed it; my room is the last on the right.

Edward smiled when saw the bed and looked at me suggestively. I chuckled and shook my head, pushing him until he sat on the edge.

"With how many things we need to work out right now, the sex can wait."

He looked dejected but ultimately agreed. Men are so predictable sometimes.

"You take a nap. I'll wake you up in a couple of hours for dinner."

He nodded and changed into a pair of pajama pants, lying the bed. I tucked him in and kissed him temple, glad he had actually come after me. I knew I would have made my way back to Forks at some point, but this would force me to do it sooner. And I couldn't be upset about that.

I went back downstairs once Edward had fallen asleep, which took a matter of seconds. I went back to the kitchen to put away the leftovers of my fried chicken and jumped when Carlisle's voice startled me.

"Gah! Carlisle, don't scare me like that!" I screeched.

He put up his hands in surrender and placed them on the island. His eyes were serious and I adopted his mood.

"Bella, you know I don't voice my opinion very often when it comes to your life. But now I'm going to because you are carrying my grandchild. When Edward came and told me that you had left, that was the most pain I've ever seen on my son's face. And I never want to see that again. That was very avoidable and you know it.

"I had talked sense into him about his stupid ass ultimatum. He finally saw the error of his ways but when he tried to fix them, you had already gone. It was an extremely selfish move and you're going to have to learn how to be selfless when it comes to this baby.

"You know Esme and I are happy to help provide for the child. She is our granddaughter no matter what. But I can still make your life very difficult if you ever pull something like this again. The only situation I could find this acceptable is if Edward were being abusive, which he was not.

"So, I hope you two work out your issues. Even if you choose to separate, we will continue to help support you. But if you choose to be together again, you both will have to put forth the effort. I'm not going to continue to deal with teenager petty ass bullshit when I have more important things to do. Now, which room can I stay in?"

I stayed rooted in my spot at a complete loss for words. I had always seen Carlisle as another father figure and loved him dearly, but his threats made me see him in a new light.

"You have no right to threaten me like that, Carlisle," I whispered.

He smirked and shook his head.

"You'll understand when you're a parent that you will go to any lengths necessary to protect your children. I'll ask one more time, which room can I stay in?"

I told him where the last guest room of the house was upstairs, and he thanked me, taking the steps two at a time.

I slowly sunk to the floor with my head in my hands. I could understand Carlisle wanting to protect his son, but that was not needed. I've been stressed enough with everything going on lately to not have a very rich man's threat looming over my head. I knew he was capable of everything he said.

I don't know how long I sat there until I felt Edward's presence. He sat next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I leaned my head against him and sighed contentedly.

"I get the feeling that Carlisle had his talk with you, huh? I told him it would be a stupid move," he murmured softly into my hair before kissing the top of my head.

"Take him with a grain of salt, Bella. He's tired and cranky and looking for anyone to lay into. While he makes those threats, he forgets that I'd be more than happy to tell mom. She wouldn't take too kindly to this if she found out."

I smiled slightly, comforted by the thought. Carlisle's threats didn't terrify me for what he could do to me as much as what he could do to my daughter. While I didn't think he was capable of that, his threats proved me wrong.

"What if he tries to get custody of her?"

Edward pulled me closer and started humming the lullaby he had written me for our first anniversary.

"Don't worry about that, love. Esme is more of a weapon on our side than you could imagine. She is his weakness," he said to comfort me. And his words worked.

We stayed sitting together for a little while longer until I heard his stomach grumble. I chuckled and he helped me up.

"What are you hungry for? There's the leftover fried chicken or I can make something else. Spaghetti, cheeseburgers, whatever you want," I volunteered.

"A cheeseburger sounds great, actually."

I got to work, putting the food together. He watched me in silence and I could feel his eyes following my every mood. That was something that would have made me uncomfortable before, but it didn't bother me now.

"I would still like to keep the offer of marriage on the table, Bella. But I'm not trying to force you into anything. If you are to ever change your mind, just let me know. I'm going to be here for everything and nothing is going to change that. You can't get rid of me now, Swan," he joked slightly at the end.

I flipped his burger and smiled to myself. The second I saw him on my doorstep my mind had already been made.

"I would love to marry you, Edward. Not tomorrow or even the week after, I'd like to wait until after the baby is born. But I'm saying yes to your proposal, like I should have the first time."

He shot out of his stool so fast I almost didn't see him. He picked me up and spun me around in circles and I squealed with laughter. This was the Edward that I missed, the loving and carefree man.

He put me down slowly, peppering my face in kisses, and finishing with a final passionate kiss on my lips. It was enough to make me swoon.

"Those are terms I can most definitely agree to, Miss Swan. This baby needs to hurry up and get here so I can get a ring on your finger," he added with a wink.

I swatted him away and finished making his food, which he wolfed down quickly. I liked this comfortable feeling. Edward sitting in the kitchen while I make his dinner. It feels so homey. I couldn't wait to find out how it felt once our daughter was added to the picture. I rubbed my belly lovingly. In four short months, that dream will become a reality.

A/N: So, this is going to be it when it comes to the pregnancy. The next chapter will skip ahead to the birth. Please review!