A/N: A gazillion years, at least! I'm terribly sorry, but I was sooooo swamped with school. I'm out til fall now, so I've got three unadulterated months of writing ahead of me. I'm also working on my book this summer, so let's hope that stays on track, eh?

Song is Jeremy Enigk's "Been Here Before"

BPOV

Alice was sitting in the hotel lobby with a smug smile on her face, surrounded by luggage. I approached her warily and set my singular, extremely beat-up duffel bag next to her pristine and undoubtedly expensive set of designer suitcases without meeting her eyes directly. Something in my gut told me she already knew the news we'd be giving to our families as soon as we got home from Europe and figured out what we were planning to do.

Edward came up behind me and wrapped one arm around my waist before kissing me on the temple. "Did you get enough sleep?" he asked solicitously.

I nodded and turned to give him a quick kiss, handing him the key card for our hotel room in the process. While he went to go check out at the front desk, Alice practically vibrated excitedly in her seat but waited patiently until I gave in and made eye contact with her. "Hey, how was the rest of the celebration?" I asked, trying to avoid that knowing look in her eyes.

"It was good. Are you feeling any better today?" she asked with wide eyes.

"Yes, thank you. I think I just had an upset stomach," I hedged.

"Okay, well I'm glad you're over it," she replied with a wink as Jasper and Emmett walked up to join us.

"Hey, where's Rosalie?" Alice asked Emmett.

He sighed and scratched his head. "She's busy trying to shove all the clothes she bought into her suitcases still. I swear that woman thinks she's only a knock out if she wears stuff that costs hundreds of dollars...I mean, all she really needs to do is walk around naked. That's her best look," he said with a doofy grin.

I rolled my eyes but had to laugh because Emmett was just too cute sometimes. He turned to me with a concerned look. "Hey, you still pukin'?" he asked.

"Nope, not today," I lied. In truth, I'd thrown up twice this morning, but my sweet Edward had brought me some seltzer water and saltine crackers to help with the nausea, and it helped.

"Huh, well I hope it's not contagious. Imagine a transatlantic flight with everyone throwing up!" he replied with a comical shudder.

Alice patted his thick forearm and turned back to me as she said, "Oh, I wouldn't worry if I were you, Emmett. Bella caught something all right, but it's not contagious."

I gasped and pressed my lips together, hoping the guys wouldn't notice. Jasper gave his girl a funny look, like he knew she was hiding something up her sleeve. "Why wouldn't it be contagious?" he asked suspiciously.

Just then, Edward came back to us and Rosalie came huffing out of the elevator. "There, I got it all! I told you I could, Emmett!" she said loudly across the lobby, drawing a lot of looks from others.

Thank god for interruptions, eh?

I grasped onto Edward's arm and clung for dear life while we watched the bellman load all of our luggage into the bus taking us to the airport. "Edward, Alice must know," I hissed in his ear as everyone else was distracted.

He looked down at me with a grin. "Everyone will know soon enough, so I wouldn't worry about it. Are you scared of breaking the good news or something?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I just don't know how she could have figured it out before I did," I replied grumpily.

He laughed and caressed my hand soothingly. "Because, dear Bella, you are insanely unobservant when it comes to yourself sometimes."

I grumbled and he chuckled quietly as we climbed into the van. We watched the city go by outside the windows on the way to the airport and I wondered how everyone in our families would take the news. After all, my father hardly knew Edward because he was gone a lot, not giving them much time to bond and get to know each other. I guess we'd just have to see how all of this played out.

Edward's hand wrapped around my left hand and I felt his fingers press against the stone on my engagement ring. I'd turned it to the inside of my hand until we could tell everyone. I suppose I could have removed it, but once Edward had put it on last night, I knew I wouldn't ever take it off.

EPOV

I'd already decided what I'd like to see happen once we got back to Washington, but I still had to talk it over with Bella first. After that, I'd have to discuss things with my brothers and sisters before I could finalize my decisions. I assumed the record label wouldn't be happy with what I planned to do, but I found myself mostly unconcerned...Bella and our baby and our future were the important things now.

The flight was incredibly long, and by the time we landed at SeaTac, Bella looked especially haggard. Her poor body was going through so much right now, and I felt bad that I couldn't do more for her right now. If I could have avoided her flying in the first trimester, I would have, but there really wasn't anything to be done about it. Carlisle would probably have my head for letting her fly with his grand baby on board; I smiled at the thought. My parents had been making hints about their lack of grandchildren recently, and I knew that they both loved Bella and would approve of our news.

I drove home because everyone else looked ready to drop into unconsciousness before we even hit the freeway. Bella sat across from me in the front seat and I could see her worrying her lower lip as she stared out the front window with a concerned look on her face. "Are you worrying again?" I asked her quietly, trying not to wake the others.

She sighed and shrugged. "It's just, what are we gonna do? I can't go on the road with you, and I know you won't wanna leave for long periods of time, either."

I glanced in the rear view mirror to make sure everyone was asleep before I responded. "Actually, I think I have a solution that will keep everyone happy."

She turned and looked at me. "Okay...what is it?"

"Okay, so my biggest thing about music is writing and recording; I love to perform, but I don't really think I'll miss going on tour. Especially if it means leaving you," I began.

Bella looked suspicious immediately. "You're not giving up your music for me, Edward," she warned under her breath.

I sighed. "Just listen, okay? I'm not giving up music. I want to open my own recording studio and hopefully start an indie label with Volterra as my first band after our contract runs out. I can record and play on the albums, and then we can have a drummer who goes on tour with everyone else. That way, I'm still part of the band, and I can play some local shows with them, but I won't have to leave you alone," I explained.

Bella was silent for a moment, obviously turning this over in her mind. "Yeah, but will the label let you do that?" she finally whispered back.

"Logan Whitehurst did it with The Velvet Teen," I informed her.

"Yeah, but he had brain cancer. He couldn't go on tour with them," she refuted stubbornly.

"Look, I'll just tell them I'm not willing to go on tour anymore, and they'll have to find someone to take my place," I replied confidently.

I hope.

When we got home, it was almost two in the morning and Bella was asleep in the passenger seat, along with everyone else in the van. I turned on the interior light and shook her awake gently. "I would carry you, but I have to get our bags," I whispered when she looked at me groggily. She nodded and climbed out of the van, her limbs clumsy with sleep. The rest of the van emptied out and the Cullen zombies marched for the house. Jasper carried Alice, who was always dead to the world once she fell asleep. I definitely didn't have enough muscle power to carry all of her luggage on top of mine and Bella's, so I decided to leave that for him.

I wasn't exactly nervous about tomorrow, but I wasn't too sure with how our parents would react. Granted, Bella and I were both in our twenties and well out of the time when a pregnancy would have been horrible, but still...we were young. Besides, Bella's father was ready to brain me after catching me without a shirt on, so what exactly did I think would happen when I announced I'd knocked her up?

Yikes.

Instead of dwelling on Charlie, I turned my attention back to Bella as I climbed up the stairs behind her. She looked exhausted, but hopefully a night in a familiar bed would fix that. When we reached the top of the stairs, I set our bags on the landing and reached out to swing her up into my arms. She protested half-heartedly but allowed me to carry her the rest of the way to my bedroom. Once there, I set her down on the comforter and gently began undressing her. She collapsed back on the bed and gave me a little grin. "So eager to reacquaint yourself with your bed?" she teased.

I grinned back and brushed a kiss on her knee as I removed her jeans and shoes. "Eager to see those bags beneath your eyes disappear. You need rest, and not just for yourself," I replied. I was relieved to be home with Carlisle and the familiar hospital nearby in case Bella or the baby needed anything.

After she was stripped down, I threw her a t-shirt from my dresser and went to get the bags. By the time I returned, she was already fast asleep curled up on her side with her hand tucked beneath her chin. She looked so adorable. I smiled to myself and thought about how lucky I was to have her in my life.

I felt too energized to sleep now that we were finally home, so I decided to check my email and listen to something relaxing to calm me down. I booted up my computer and found my headphones so I wouldn't disturb Bella's sleep. Once I could get online, I plugged them in and picked a Pandora station that would keep things chill. Nothing quite like a little Pedro and Sunny Day to help me unwind after such an epic fucking European tour.

The first song to pop up on my station caught me and I leaned back in my computer chair to close my eyes as I lost myself in Jeremy Enigk's distinctive voice. The words, as always, got me...but this time, I had Bella's face in my mind while I listened.

"A diamond gaze
A thousand strands of sunlight in her eyes.
Don't wanna give away what I've taken back.
Run away with you toward the night."

I was happy to have some time to myself to think before Bella and I announced our engagement and upcoming parenthood. I needed to speak with my siblings about the band before I said anything to anyone else, because I badly needed and wanted their blessings.

After returning some emails and updating the band's Myspace page to let our fans know the tour went really well, I finally felt the jet lag land on me like a ton of bricks. I wove my way to the bed and lay down with Bella, curling up behind her with a protective hand covering her belly before I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning dawned with Alice's face hovering about a foot away from my own. Jasper was hovering near the door, looking rumpled and unshaven. I groaned and tried to roll over, but she wasn't having it. "Edward, we need to talk! Wake up!" she demanded, looking excited. What the hell could she possibly be excited about before ten a.m.?

Alice's voice must have roused Bella from her sleep, because the next thing I knew, she streaked across the room toward the bathroom and retching sounds emitted from behind the haphazardly-closed door. I shot up into a sitting position and stared in the direction of the doorway with concern churning in my stomach, but one glance at Alice revealed her smug expression. I turned to see Jasper looking a little green around the gills at hearing Bella throw up, and I couldn't blame him. I threw off the blankets and decided to go check on Bella, but Alice threw out her hand to grip my arm. "I'll go. You just get everyone else together so we can discuss this," Alice said firmly.

I knew then that she knew exactly what was wrong with Bella. I nodded at her and took a deep breath to brace myself for whatever would happen now. I told Jasper to stay in my room while I went to get Emmett and Rosalie so we could all talk privately.

Once everyone was assembled in my room, I took a seat next to Bella and she wriggled her hand into mine. I took another bracing breath before facing my brothers and sisters. "Okay, so here's the news: Bella and I are getting married...and I'm going to be a father," I said, laying it all out there.

Rosalie and Emmett looked shocked, Alice looked smug and excited, and Jasper still looked queasy. I wondered if he was unhappy, or if he really was just queasy from hearing Bella throw up; it wouldn't be unlike him, though, because Jasper was always really empathetic when it came to the people around him. I gave him a questioning look, but he shook his head and gave me an encouraging smile. "Congrats, bro. I'm really happy for you," he said. I bent my head in acknowledgement and turned to see how Rose and Emmett were taking the news.

Emmett had recovered enough to ask, "I'm really excited for you, dude. You know how much I love you and the Bell-Bells. Just... what's gonna happen with the band now? I mean, with touring and stuff?"

I turned to look at Bella before answering. "Well, that's where I'm going to need you guys to think about some options. I've personally been considering staying here and maybe opening up a recording studio in Seattle. I'll still be in the band, still record and play local shows, but maybe we can have a drummer for the tours. I haven't asked the label about it yet, but I can't see them being too put out by the idea."

Everyone was silent for a moment as they considered this. I looked at Bella and saw her gnawing on her lower lip; I didn't want her feeling so nervous, so I turned to everyone and tried to clarify something: "You guys, I just wanna toss it out there. Nothing has to be decided today. I also want to say that Bella didn't tell me to do this; I decided for myself."

Rosalie's eyes were downcast until I'd said that; I watched her look up and release her stiff shoulders. "Why can't we just ask the label if you can take a...a paternity break or something? I don't think anybody really wants to go on tour without you, Edward."

I hadn't really thought of that, but at this point the idea of running my own recording studio had grown on me. I decided to wait and see what everyone else had to say before I gave it more thought. "Alice? Jasper? Emmett?" I asked curiously.

Jasper was always the really logical and level-headed one, and he was always the one to decide the best course of action. He slapped his hands on his thighs and heaved a heavy sigh before making direct eye contact with me. "I think you should go for it. You've been the driving force behind Volterra this entire time, but I can't say that we'll fall apart if we have to go out on the road without you. You're going to be a family man now, and I'd kick your ass if you made any other choice. Just do what you need to do man, you know?"

"Thanks, man," I replied with a grateful smile. He nodded and smiled in return.

Alice stuck her arm under his and gripped his hand in hers before bouncing a little bit and smiling hugely. "Edward, this is so great! I'm really, really excited for both of you. I know that everything will work out. I'm not worried in the slightest. We can talk to the label and start holding auditions for a new drummer as soon as you're ready."

The last person yet to speak was Emmett. He looked reluctant, and that made me nervous. Emmett and I had been the ones to convince the others to form the band, and I didn't know how he would take this news now that I was seeing his dismay. "Dude, just spit it out, please!" I urged him.

He scrubbed a hand over his face before speaking. "Dude, now I'm gonna have Rose hounding my ass to knock her up. Way to ruin it for the rest of us!"

We all sat there in shock. Rosalie took the pillow from behind her back and thwapped Emmett on the head with it...hard. That's when Emmett's deadpan face fell away and he cracked up. "Okay, okay. I'm kidding! Jeez! This is all really crazy, but its crazy awesome and I'm really stoked for you guys!"

Everyone laughed; relieved Emmett wasn't actually a douche bag. We should have known, I guess.

Rosalie still looked a bit huffy, though, so he wrapped his big arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She rolled her eyes and growled a little, but he held on anyway. "And anyway, I'm actually the one begging Rose to let me throw a bun in that oven. I mean, fuck, what could be more badass than having a little Emmett Jr. running around??"

That did it. People just couldn't keep from laughing at this lovable doofus. We were just crazy about this guy; it couldn't be helped.

After everyone calmed down, we were ready to meet with our parents and announce our decision. Bella looked vastly relieved, and that made me happy. I was worried she would stress out about this more than she should, and that could be harmful for the baby. I rubbed her back in soothing circles as we all headed downstairs to talk to the parents.

"Are we going to see Charlie later?" I asked her when we reached the living room. She nodded and bit her lip again. "Calm down, it'll be okay. Besides...I already told him I was gonna marry you."

Bella gaped at me. "You already told my father you were going to marry me?" she asked incredulously.

I laughed and winked at her. "Well, I don't think he actually believed for even a minute that you'd lower your standards enough to tie yourself to me for all eternity, but there you go."

She looked like she wanted to hit me, but she just sighed and shook her head instead. "You're ridiculous, you know that? Remind me why I'm doing this again?"

With that, I pushed her to the wall and laid a kiss on her that, according to my calculations, should melt her toes in about five seconds. I pulled out all the stops: smoldering eyes, fingers in the hair, one leg planted between hers, and the ever-popular pre-kiss head dip that never failed to make her knees weak. Sure enough, Bella was a pile of mush by the time I pulled away from her with a smug smile on my face. I laughed outright when she breathed, "Oh yeahhhhh..." with a dazed expression on her face.

The others wolf-whistled after I turned around and saw them all standing there. I'm pretty sure I blushed, but considering the fact that I'm a grown ass man, I'll never admit to it. I pulled Bella over to the couch and sat down just as Esme and Carlisle walked in. "Hey kids, what's up?" Carlisle asked.

I cleared my throat and held Bella's hand in mine while I explained the good news for the second time today. Esme already had those sentimental tears in her eyes before I was finished with my explanation, and she was looking at Bella like she was the vessel of the Christ-child or some such thing; it would actually be really amusing if I didn't feel the exact same way whenever I looked at her these days.

Carlisle looked quietly pleased and proud, and that made me feel really good. "Well, congratulations, my son." He shook my hand and turned to Bella with his arms outstretched for a hug. I released her hand and she stood up, looking a little wobbly and emotional. "Welcome to the family, Bella. You are most definitely a welcome addition," Carlisle said to her warmly.

Bella sniffled a little as she hugged Carlisle. Esme pushed him aside and squealed a little (not hard to figure out where Alice got it from) as she embraced Bella enthusiastically. "Oh, Bella. I couldn't possibly be happier with Edward's choice. I'm just so excited!" When she pulled away from Bella, I saw tears glistening in both women's eyes.

Hormones, I swear.

The guys all retreated to the kitchen by some unspoken agreement, leaving the women to talk weddings and baby stuff. Who knows? Once in the kitchen, there were a lot of back-slapping and heartfelt congratulations.

Now we just had to break the news to Charlie.

BPOV

"He's a good man, Bells. I'm happy for you," Charlie said as he dried the dish I'd handed him. We were in the kitchen washing up after lunch, and he was taking the news surprisingly well. I almost felt kind of suspicious, but then he explained himself better. "When Jake was in the hospital, I saw the way Edward supported you. Hell, the way he went with you to be by your ex-boyfriend's side, and to top that off, he even bought Billy and me tickets to go, too...Well, it just really impressed me. Please believe me when I say that you two have my wholehearted blessing."

I was stunned and thrilled. I felt tears brewing again, but I was used to it by now; after all, it didn't take much these days to turn me into a weepy mess. "Daddy, I love you. Have I told you that lately?" I sniffled as I wiped my wet hands on a dish towel. I gripped him in a tight hug and buried my head in his shirtfront. His arms came around me and I breathed deeply, absorbing the scent of peppermint and pine from the front of his flannel shirt. My daddy had the best smell in the entire world...

Well, aside from Edward.

Speaking of Edward, he was in the living room sitting awkwardly awaiting the verdict. Charlie had made him sweat a little during lunch, but the wait was over now. I stepped back from Charlie and smiled at my father. "Can you go put him out of his misery now, you ruthless man?" I joked with a laugh.

He grinned and winked at me before walking out to meet Edward. I peeked around the corner to watch him approach Edward and shake his hand firmly. "Welcome to the family, son."

Edward looked pleasantly amazed. "You...you mean it, sir?"

Charlie guffawed and slapped him on the back. "Yes, I do. You're a good man, and I'll be lucky to have someone like you as a son-in-law. I know that you'll take good care of my little girl. Besides...having a little one around will keep me on my toes."

Edward saw me peeking around the corner and his happy smile nearly blinded me. I stepped out to walk over to the two most important men in my life. "This is...I'm so...so..." I said before bursting into tears. Edward and Charlie both reached for me instantly, their outstretched arms colliding with one another in their attempts to console me.

"Bella, honey, what's wrong?" Charlie asked, alarmed.

"Yeah, baby, are you okay?" Edward asked.

I nodded and wiped some snot on my shirt sleeve. Eww. "I'm f-f-fine, I'm just...I'm just so happy!" I choked out between sobs.

With that, Charlie looked at Edward and patted his shoulder comfortingly. "Oh, I remember those days. A barrel of laughs. Good luck, son. You'll need it."

Edward looked at me like I was a crazy woman. I could see him fighting the urge to back away from me slowly, as if I were some rabid animal. "Bella, baby, can I get you anything?" he asked weakly.

Charlie shook his head and chuckled before retreating to his chair to watch the news. I looked at Edward and the tears dried up instantly. "Actually, you know what sounds good? A Blizzard! Oooh! A Butterfinger Blizzard!"

Edward's tense shoulders dropped and he wrapped his arm around my waist. "Ha Ha, okay hon. Let's go."

With that, we said our goodbyes to Charlie and I impatiently awaited my ice cream. This was gonna be so good; I just knew it.

Edward looked over at me and smiled before pulling out onto the road. "Well, here we go," he said.

I knew he was talking about more than just departing Charlie's house. We had our whole future set out in front of us.

And boy, did it feel good.

A/N: Okay, yeah, dude. I've been gone forever. Blame Nietzsche's philosophy and Rilke's writing for that, k? I'm done with my epic class schedule until the fall, so I'll have plenty of time to finish up my stories. Don't chu guys worry, k? I'm going to finish, I promise.

I estimate two more chapters of OAG from this point. The wedding and an epilogue to come!:)