I apologize for deleting the last chapter I posted. Something wasn't right and I had to repost. It's all good now :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 10

December 19

Grudgingly, I follow Alice as we swerve in out of the crowds of people all trying to reach their destination. The coffee I'm holding serves a memento of why I am here instead of at home. In my bed. Two hours ago Alice barged into my room holding a cup of coffee in each hand and a pout on her face. Without even asking, I knew the reason for it.

Shopping.

Instead of arguing or complaining, I simply got out of bed and started getting dressed. She followed in behind me with a wide smile on her face and the coffee in her hand still waiting for me once I was clothed. I guess you could say that I'm rewarding her for not badgering me for details of me and Edward. Now granted that may have more to do with Jasper and less of her own accord but I'm proud of her nonetheless.

So far, she had convinced me to buy a couple of dressy blouses and a pair of jeans. She had warned me from the beginning, much to my dismay, that she would be making me buy at least one dress. Although very recently, I have found out that I don't mind wearing them so much anymore-they have their perks. My face blushes as I recall one night this week where Edward and I discovered just how beneficial they can be.

"Hello, earth to Bella?" Alice is smirking at me with her hands on her hips. "Where did you go?" She asked laughing.

"Uh, just lost in thought." I try to will my face to stop blushing. She'll call me out and not even bat an eyelash.

"Uh-huh." Mercifully she turns and starts sorting through racks dropping it. Wow maybe she is changing. "Can you at least pretend to look while your day dreaming about Edward naked." Okay maybe not that much. Her phone chirps and she glances down at it. "Oh, good."

I look at her questioningly waiting for her to clarify but she just keeps shopping. I wait and wait staring her down but it's like she doesn't even see me. "Seriously? What's good?"

She smiles but keeps browsing the racks. "Rose is coming."

Who? "Who's Rose?"

She looks at me incredulously. "Rose." I still frown. "Rosalie McCarthy!"

Oh! "Edward's sister?" She nods at me like I'm a toddler. "Well how was I supposed to know who Rose was. I barely know her as Rosalie." I'm quiet for a minute before muttering. "I didn't realize you two were close enough for nicknames."

She sighs crossing her arms. "Okay, for the record we aren't that close. But I like her and she seems fun. I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other. I mean don't you plan on being in Edward's life for a while or this this just a passing fling?"

"Of course, not!"

"Well then, it's a good idea to get to know her better."

It is a good idea- I guess. "Okay, when are we meeting her?"

She smiles. "After her appointment with the baby doctor. She's going to meet us to do some shopping and then probably eat lunch."

I nod turning my attention to the clothes rack in front of me. My eyes catch a lovely shade of blue and I tug on it so I can see it better. Alice comes up behind me. "I love that. It would look amazing on you."

"You think so?"

She nods grinning. "He'll probably make you leave it on while he ravages you."

I blush. "Alice…"

"What? It's true!"

I bite my lip trying to hide my smile and sling it over my arm. Twenty minutes later, we walk out of the store with the dress stored safely away in a bag. I plan on wearing it tonight on our date. I hope he likes it.

We meet Rosalie at Motherhood Maternity so she can find a couple of things. I was sure that it was going to be awkward at first, but whatever it was that had her colder to me the other night is long gone. As soon as she sees me, she wraps me in hug.

"Hi, it's so good to see you again." She hugs Alice next. "The both of you."

"It's good to see you too Rosalie."

"Please call me Rose." She smiles.

I nod happily.

"So, who's ready to do some more shopping?" Alice says bouncing in place. I groan a little but Rose looks excited.

"I am need of some more breathable shirts. For a while the tighter stuff didn't bother me, but this little butterball just keeps getting bigger and it's getting harder for me to breath."

I laugh. "Yeah, she looks like she's pressed up into your lungs."

"Oh, she is." She rubs her stomach adoringly. "But I couldn't be happier. Did Edward tell you that she is a miracle baby?"

My eyes widen in shock. "Uh, no he didn't."

Alice looks just as shocked as me. "What do you mean miracle baby?"

"Emmett and I, well we were told I couldn't have another baby after my miscarriage two years ago," she whispers. Miscarriage? Poor Rose. "Henry-that was his name- he was beautiful. I was twenty weeks when I miscarried." Her eyes fill with tears. "I got to hold him, I could already see all the little features of Emmett he'd have. His nose, the shape of his eyes. Maybe I'm just crazy, but he looked like he had a tiny smile on his face. I knew then he was in peace." She quickly wipes a few that have fallen. "Anyway, I found out I was pregnant with this one, and I was terrified. It didn't help matters that I had that scare a few weeks back."

I gasp. It made sense now why he looked so scared that night. He didn't want to lose another niece or nephew.

Alice and I both step forward and hug her. "She's going to be perfect." I whisper.

After another minute, we pull back all wiping away our collective tears. "Okay, who's ready to shop." Rose says cheerfully.

Alice and Rose does most of the shopping the rest of the morning, but I did manage to pick up a pair of shoes. By the time we get to the restaurant, I am starving. We order quickly wanting our food as fast as possible. As soon as the waitress sits down my ribeye sandwich, I take a large bite groaning. "Remind to never go shopping with you two again unless I have been properly fed."

I wait for a snarky comeback but it's quiet. Glancing up I snort around my bite watching Rose and Alice scarf down their food without inhaling.

Rose sees me laughing at her and smirks. "I'm pregnant, what's your excuse."

I laugh but Alice answers completely serious. "I don't need one because I don't care. I'm freaking starving." We both laugh but Alice shrugs. I realize I already swallowed my last bite and shove more of food down my throat.

I'm fairly certain we eat at a record speed and decide to forgo any desserts. "My pants were a little tight this morning and it's not actually even Christmas yet." Rose and I roll our eyes at Alice. She's like the size of a fairy.

Bundling up, we make plans to hang out again and head our separate ways.

I hurry into my truck blasting the heater and check my phone. Edward texted me. Instead of replying, I call him instead. He picks up after a few rings.

"So, you're still alive I see." He says as soon as he answers.

I giggle. "I am, but just barely. We were cutting it close on my feeding time. And you knew?"

He snorts. "I can imagine. When Rose gets going there's not stopping her. Only when Emmett called me and Jasper wanting to hang out."

"Oh." I shrug. "She wasn't that bad actually."

"She's also eight months pregnant now. Tell me that again when she's back to normal." He chuckles at my silent panic.

"Never again. I can't handle another Alice."

"I hope you aren't too tired for our date tonight."

I grin and fake yawn. "Oh man, I can't even keep my eyes opened."

I can practically feel him roll his eyes. "Take a nap."

"I may not be able to get up."

He's quiet. Too quiet. "Well if you aren't out of bed when I get there… I'm sure we can find something to do that won't require you to get out of bed."

My heart races thinking of all the things we could do. "I may take you up on that." I whisper.

He growls. "Don't tease."

"Who says I am." I smirk.

"I'll see you at five Isabella." He says trying to ignore me but the way his voice drops, I can tell he's thinking about it too.

"Meet me in my room."

"Goodbye Isabella." He sounds strangled.

I'm still giggling when I hang up. Tonight should be fun, I smile to myself heading home.

Until next time! Reviews are like getting presents on Christmas morning :)