Happy Friday! I hope you all have had a good week. I've gotten a lot of questions about Malice and all I'm going to say is she's coming soon…

Beta'd by Brie and kitchmill!

Enjoy! xx

Chapter Four

Confession #4: Since the bump was out of the bag, I could rub the bump whenever I want…well, when coffee girl was okay with it I could.

It was mid-November when Bella was approximately twenty-one weeks along. She'd been lucky enough to feel the flutters of our coffee bean for the first time about two weeks ago. I, on the other hand, was still waiting to feel the baby's first nudges for myself. According to the books and Dr. Dora, I should be able to feel something soon, but I was quickly learning patience wasn't a virtue I seemed to possess anymore.

We had tried to find out what we were having, but the now not-so-little coffee bean wouldn't cooperate. Dr. Dora said we could try again at the next appointment, so I was hoping everything would pan out. I really wanted to know if we were having a boy or a girl.

That revelation had to wait, though, because tonight was the premiere of my latest movie Say Something. The movie was about a couple barely existing but still so in love that they physically fought to stay together. It was gritty and raw, just like the song that Bella had written and sang the original title track for. Well, she sang it with me, but I still considered it her song. As with all indie films, it wasn't slated to be a Blockbuster, but the buzz behind the fact that Bella was tied to it with me had created a huge following beyond just my fans. More security had even been brought in for tonight's event.

I knew she was nervous, not only because this was a huge debut for her, but because we were also announcing her pregnancy. It was impossible to hide her bump anymore. She seemed to pop overnight and was embracing the changes to her body, unlike Rose had. Rose loved becoming a mom, but the pregnancy itself…not so much. Bella was exactly the opposite, and I was never more grateful to not have been in Emmett's spot with the constant blame he faced as a result of the all the physical changes Rose had gone through.

After being coached by Jane on how to be coy with baby related information this past week, Bella felt better about how to answer the press without announcing her due date. I'd been doing this for years, but it never hurt to be more prepared for this next experience in our lives. She was ready to face the masses, but in the mean timemeantime, she kept me waiting downstairs.

I was sitting in front of the television while Bella finished getting ready upstairs. I never understood the time involved with being 'red carpet ready' for women, but I knew Bella hated it. She was a simple woman, and I loved that about her.

A commotion of people and noise came from the stairway, and I rushed to see what was going on. I was constantly on edge, a worrywart if you will, about anything that could possibly happen to Bella, but this was laughter and so I wasn't as paranoid as usual.

The sight that beheld me was mesmerizing. Coffee girl was walking down the stairs barefoot, a gorgeous rust colored dress clung to her curves and her bump. She was glowing in her beauty.

"My God, coffee girl. You're breathtaking. Just downright beautiful—not that it's anything new because you always are, but I swear you've gotten more and more beautiful since I found out you were carrying our child."

She blushed a lovely pink before thanking me. "My nerves are shot. I just hope I don't have to pee every five minutes. The last thing I want or need is to make all the gossip shows because I wet myself."

I chuckled at her candor. Her filter had all but disappeared as the pregnancy progressed. At times I felt like she was channeling her mother, but it was cute.

"We can stop someplace before we reach the reach the red carpet, just to be safe," I promised.

"Ooh, is there a Jack in the Box on the way? I could really go for some chicken strips and a cookies and cream shake."

Better now than later, I decided. "Even if there isn't, we'll find you one."

"Thanks, Eddie. You're the best hubby a pregnant woman could ever ask for!" she exclaimed before requesting I help her with her shoes.

Once Bella's heels were in place, we trotted out to the black Suburban that had been arranged as our transportation. Jane hopped in next to the driver and Alec climbed into the last row before Bella and I took the second row. With the air conditioning on full blast, we headed for the premiere.

While on the final leg of our journey, and after we got Bella her food, Alec began telling us about the press the movie had already began to garner.

"Well, Edward, Variety posted that your performance in this movie is Oscar-worthy. Hollywood Reporter is also buzzing about how you commanded attention on the screen. I have a strong feeling you'll be nominated for best actor this coming January."

Jane chimed in too. "I have a feeling Bella will be nominated too. Say Something has already hit number one on all the top 40s radio stations, iTunes purchases, and on Billboard's singles chart. But the best news I just received is that the song has gone platinum. Congratulations, Bella."

I looked over at my wife, who was frozen mid-bite. "Bella?" She didn't reply, so I lightly rubbed her arm and her eyes snapped to mine. "Are you okay, love?"

She nodded slowly and resumed chewing her food before she spoke. "Are you serious, Jane?"

"I wouldn't lie about that, Bella. The song is a huge success; you're a star now."

"Holy shit!" Bella shouted before sucking down the rest of her shake and causing the rest of us to laugh. Her nerves were through the roof, I could tell, so I did the one thing I knew would take her mind off the chaos that was about to ensue.

"See, even the public knows how talented you are." I then leaned in and whispered into her ear, "We'll have to celebrate privately tonight."

She squirmed in her seat, her breath hitched, and her eyes glazed over. I loved the second trimester. Horny coffee girl meant I got attacked every single night...and I sure as hell wasn't complaining. But I'd accomplished my goal of distraction and her concentration was now on sex and not the lion's den we were about to endure.

I knew what a big moment this was for coffee girl, even if she hadn't realized it herself. Sure, she had spent the last four years on my arm at these kinds of events, but this was different because it wasn't all about me. She was going to be asked a million and one questions about the song, about working with me, about the baby, and I wouldn't be able to be there holding her hand the whole time, since we were both obligated to speak to the press.

The only concession I was able to garner was that we could walk down the line together and do the live television interviews together. I knew Jane would be with her the entire time and would put a stop to anything that was too personal, but I still hated not being able to skirt my own duties so I could support her. Honestly, I was just as stressed as she was. I was just better at hiding it because I was already in actor mode.

As we were pulling up to the red carpet, Bella asked, "I don't have chicken or cookie crumbs in my teeth, do I?"

I shook my head and smiled at her pregnancy candor. "No, love, you're perfect."

"Aww, thanks." She reached into her clutch and pulled out her breath strips. "Want one?"

"Sure."

She slid one onto my tongue and then repeated the action for herself.

Once the SUV stopped, the driver hopped out and opened my door while Jane grabbed Bella's. I did a quick wave to the fans before I raced over to my wife, though she just instructed me to do as I normally do and sign some autographs. With a kiss to her forehead, I followed her advice. I was grateful we had pictures before the press invasion, because I needed her in my arms once more.

The fans were their usual loud selves. My ears were ringing from the screams and I had ink from the markers all over my hand. I posed for a few pictures, but was pleased when Alec led me back over to Bella.

The paparazzi's screams were worse than the fans. I loathed them but plastered on a genuine smile because Bella was in my arms.

When it was time to meet with the press, I gave her one last piece of advice. "Remember to breathe, and I love you."

Her eyes lit up. "I love you too, Eddie."

I couldn't focus on my coffee girl; I had a job to do. I answered the same questions over and over and over again. You'd think with a three minute sound bite these people would want something original, but they never asked anything different than the previous person I spoke to. It absolutely sucked trying to come up with different ways to say the same thing.

Alec could probably tell I was at my breaking point and led me over to the first live interview with Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell. Bella was already waiting for me, so I looped my arm with hers and we walked onto the 'set' they'd mocked up.

"Hey, guys, how are you doing tonight?"

I glanced down at Bella, who was all smiles. "Wonderful. We've been waiting for this for weeks. I'm so proud of this project and Isabella's contribution to it."

Bella added, "It was nothing. I couldn't have done it without Edward. His voice is incredible."

"Speaking of the song, congratulations on the record-breaking debut. It's number one across the world."

"Honestly, none of it would have been possible if it weren't for Edward's fans. Their love and support means everything to us. The honor truly belongs to them...and maybe our parents. I'm sure they each called into the radio stations and downloaded it on all avenues that were available to them." Bella's answer was perfect.

"I agree. If it weren't for my fans, I doubt I would be able to work on projects like this. I'm so immensely proud of this film. I had to dive deep to identify with my character, Paul, and if it wasn't for Sasha's portrayal of Rachel, the abysmal pain of the couple wouldn't seem real. And the realness of it is what we wanted to capture. Isabella's song literally took the characters' pain and their thoughts and tied it all together."

"Are you willing to give your fans a sample of the song live?" Nancy hedged.

I looked at Bella, her cheeks pink. I knew she wasn't a fan of performing live, but I could see the sparkle for the song in her eyes. She wanted to do it.

"What do you say, love? Do you want to?" Bella nodded. "How about you start and I'll chime in."

The people surrounding us had no idea what was happening, but slowly a hush grew as the words began pouring from coffee girl's lips. I knew I should have joined in, but she was lost in the music like always.

When she opened her eyes, there were tears ready to fall. I pulled her into my arms and started my part.

No matter how many times we'd sang the song, the emotions pulled at us both. Her hands cupped my cheeks as the last line of the song fell from her lips. The emotion was so real as she asked me to say something.

I was lost in her damp eyes as the roar of the audience started back up. I couldn't help but capture her lips. She was breathtakingly beautiful. She was perfect. And she was mine.

"Wow. That was amazing. The connection you two share is phenomenal. Thank you for sharing that with us."

Bella was resting her head on my chest, and my hand automatically sought out the bean and began rubbing. Nancy's sharp intake of air clued me in to my action.

"Do you have something else you want to share with us?" She was obviously looking for a scoop.

A coy smile played on Bella's lips before she spoke. "I'm pregnant."

I really didn't think life could get better than that. Lord knows the only thing running through my mind in that moment was… "I am the man!"

Thank you for reading, reviewing, and recommending HD! Love you guys! xx Dee