Disclaimer:To my own disbelief and pure greediness, I sadly don't own Twilight/New Moon characters, Miss Stephenie Meyer does.
Again, the next few months passed without any hesitation, and my stomach kept growing, at 3 months, I looked to be about 4 months, because of my 'stuck-in-a-teen's' body.
My little trench coat made my stomach obvious, when it was open. But when I buttoned it, and added a distracting scarf, no one noticed. I continued visiting Carlisle, who insisted that every month I saw him I was growing rapidly. At my 3 month mark, I had scheduled an appointment with Carlisle, but when I went to the hospital, he had an emergency surgery, and needed to reschedule, which was what the receptionist said. I rescheduled for next week. As I left through the front doors, I heard a voice calling behind me, and I slowly turned around to see Carlisle.
"Oh good, I did catch you Bella." He came closer, and I stared down to his hands, which he was trying to peal back the rubber gloves, that were covered in blood. I opened my mouth, and started to tell myself to breathe, but the next thing I know, my mind went fuzzy and I blanked out.
I awoke to find myself in a hospital bed, which I'd done too many times before. Carlisle was at the foot of my bed, looking like an angel, holding charts, and scribbling.
My eyes fluttered open, trying to recall the memory of the bloody gloves… I shuttered, then squinted at the bright hospital lights.
"Ah, Bella you're awake, good." Carlisle spoke. "How are you feeling."
"Fine." I mumbled, "What happened?" I looked up at the clock to see it was 3pm, the kids.
I started to get up, but Carlisle's strong hand gently pushed me back down.
"Oh no, you aren't going anywhere till I check you out."
I grunted. "Carlisle, I have to go pick up my kids." He smiled.
"Don't worry, I called Jacob at work, and he went and picked them up, he was going to drop them off at I believe a Mr. Sam Uley's house with Emily, then come by."
I rolled my eyes and he laughed. "Bella, it was a good thing I caught you."
I gave him a questioning look. "I forgot I had my gloves on, so I tried to catch you before you left, but you saw the gloves too quickly and fainted, but I caught you, you've only been out for about 30 minutes."
He began shining a light into my eyes and checked my blood pressure. I waited impatiently, strumming my fingers against the rail of the hospital bed.
"Don't worry Bella, Jacob will be here in 2 minutes, then you can go."
I sighed, "Thank you Carlisle, for uh, catching me."
He smiled, "It's all in a day's work." He continued smiling.
"I still need you to come in for a check-up at your new schedule date, this actually doesn't count, I'm afraid."
"Darn, I thought it might." I smiled, as he laughed.
Jacob then came around the corner, rushing to my side.
"Bella, how are you feeling?" He kissed my forehead, it reminded me of the time at in Phoenix hospital with…
"I'm fine. Let's go." I started to get up, and Carlisle allowed me to.
Jacob came to my side and held me by my waist, his warm hands felt good through the chilly hospital. He turned to Carlisle, "Thank you so much Dr. Cullen." I turned to look at his reaction, which was a simple smile.
"Jacob, it was no problem, everything's and everyone is happy and healthy."
We turned around as Carlisle followed us out to the main doors.
He handed me a piece of paper and gave it to Jacob, "Jacob, if there is any problems in the next week, please have her or yourself call my cell phone."
I thought Jacob might refuse it, saying I'd be fine and she'll be here for the appointment, but he grabbed it and stuffed it in his suit pocket.
"I will, thank you." With a half-grin, he turned me around and led me to the car.
He led me to the family SUV, and put me in the driver's seat.
"I'm going to assume, under my better judgment that you can drive, but go straight home and call me so I know you made it."
I grinned, he worries too much. I retaliated "Yea, yea, go pick up the kids."
I started the car and went home, calling Emily's house and telling her to tell Jacob I made it home. She asked how I was feeling, and then asked if she wanted her to accompany me to future appointments, which I told her was unnecessary. We talked for a short while, until she heard Jacob's car and then decided to hang up. I waited for my family to get home, passing time by reading Withering Heights. I felt fine as I sat on the couch, but as soon as I heard Jake's car I got up to fast, feeling light-headed, I sat back down. Jake came through the front with the kids, he helped them take of their coats, and then sent them upstairs to play while he fixed dinner. They rushed past me and hugged me.
Jake came to the living room and sat down next to me, making my head lean on his warm shoulder. I kissed my hair and rubbed it, I just kept staring at the light green wall in front of me.
"How are you feeling?" he finally asked whispering into my hair.
"Uh fine." I lied.
"Bells, don't lie."
"Alright fine, I tried getting up when I heard you get home, but I felt light headed, but that was a minute ago, I feel fine now." I told him triumphantly.
He got up then held his hand out for mine, I started to get up, which I successfully did, until I felt a pain in my stomach and felt a tingle in my throat.
"Oh gosh" I whispered, and started heading up the stairs.
Jacob came after me, holding the bedroom door open and the bathroom door. I sat at the edge of the toilet for what seemed like all day. I finally got up, brushing my teeth and splashing cool water on my face. I opened the door to find the only sound, as the locked turned. I opened the door to find Jacob sitting on the bed.
He came up to me, just like after I took the pregnancy test and hugged me.
I looked at the clock which read 8:00pm.
"Did you feed and put the kids to bed?" I whispered.
"Yes." He responded. "And although I didn't want to, I called Dr. Cullen."
I pulled myself out of the hug, "Jacob, I'm fine now, call him back and tell him to not come."
He looked worried, "Bella you said that last time on the couch, and look what happened, and besides he isn't coming, you're going, out to his house. I'm driving you to the treaty line and he's going to meet you there, and take you to the house."
"No, I'm not going." I sounded like a rebellious teenager.
"Well yes you are, I told him you were throwing up for almost 3 hours and he became worried, he wanted to meet at the hospital, which I would prefer, but he can't make it in, so we decided to meet, and he's going to check you out."
"Jacob, I can't believe you did that…" was all I could whisper out.
It wasn't as much as the fact as he did call without my permission, it was the fact that I had to go to the old house, filled with so many, now ,'bitter-sweet' memories.
"Bella, I really didn't want to but, ugh" he grunted and clenched his fist, "I'm just worried about you and the baby, I'm afraid about another mis-"
I put my hand up, as to stop him, "Jacob, it's fine, you are over-"
"-reacting? No, I'm not Bells, I'm doing what's right. And that's final."
"Jake I…"
He kissed my forehead and then headed down the hallway, as I followed.
"You wait here, I'm going to go start the car, and I'll be back for you in a minute."
He rushed down the stairs, I heard the car start, but then I saw the headlights of another car.
The front door opened again, this time someone was with Jacob, another bulky man.
I sighed. "Hey Sam." I droned on, almost annoyed.
"Hi Bella." He grinned.
"Let me guess you're here to watch my kids, huh?" I added a raised eyebrow.
"That's correct, yup." He plopped himself down on the couch, then got up.
Jacob came and 'helped' me down the stairs, and then grabbed my black trench coat, helping me with it as I wrapped my dark blue scarf around my neck, flipping my hair out from the jacket.
Jake grabbed my hand as I talked to Sam, "Sam, there is food in the fridge, just in case."
"Alright, thank you Bella."
"Hey, don't eat it all, alright, Sam?" Jake added in.
"I won't, I'll go check on your kids." He went upstairs as we headed into the car.
We drove in complete silence, until I saw us heading off the high way, to a dirt road, it sent my brain into frenzy, recalling too many memories.
He stopped the car then helped me out from the passenger side.
He walked me to what seems to be an invisible line, because Carlisle was there, under a tree, waiting. He came near the line, as Jacob and I approached.
"Good evening Bella, " Carlisle said into the black night.
"Hello Carlisle." I added, as Jake stopped and handed me off to Carlisle's stone white hands.
"Jacob, I'll be done in about 2 hours, I believe 10, I'll just be doing some routine check-ups, tests, making sure everything's alright. I'm glad you called."
Jacob wasn't too pleased, but he added "Yea, well, I'll be back, bye Bells, I love you."
I sighed, "Love you too."
He hurried back to the car, then drove off, Carlisle and I stared as the back lights were swallowed by the dark night.
I turned to Carlisle, "So, I guess Jacob called you."
We both started walking, his hands in his pockets, and mine in mine as we walked down the little dirt road.
"Yes, Bella, I know you might think you're alright, but after he said you were continuously… well you know, I made him bring you here. We really do need to check to see if the baby is healthy."
I stared down at my feet, "Yea, I guess you're right Carlisle, but I do have a question."
"Yes, anything."
"A 2 hour appointment…? There's no such thing." I laughed, then he laughed.
"Well, Alice insisted you stay a little longer, she wanted to catch up with you, as did Rosalie and Esme."
I laughed, as I looked up to see the breath-taking white house, with all the glowing white lights, and open windows. It was just as I remembered it.
I stopped, and Carlisle kept walking, then turned around to me.
"Is there something wrong Bella?" He asked cautiously.
I smiled, "No, it's just, your home is just as beautiful as I remembered it."
He looked back at it and then turned around to grin at me.
"I bet it does." He added, then I started walking as we approached the steps, he helped me, then just as a gentleman does, he opened the door.
I was greeted by a gentle smile and familiar face, Esme. She came gently towards me and hugged me.
"Oh Bella, it's been too long." She smiled. "You look terrific as well."
I smiled and felt the redness in my cheeks. "Thank you Esme, it's great to see you too."
Then at the top of the stairs, just like the first time I met her, came Alice.
"Oh Bella!" She rushed down the stairs, at an inhumane speed, the hugged me.
"Oh wow Alice, it's great to see you," I smiled then she let go and examined me, obviously looking at the clothes.
"Bella," she gasped, "You look good, very chic, I'm proud. And you look so young, I mean wow."
I felt the redness again and tried to cover it with a smile, "Ha, yea well…" I said embarrassed.
Carlisle then interrupted, "Bella, we're going to be going to my office upstairs, so this way…"
He led me up the stairs, and I stared into the familiar hallway. My thoughts went straight to his bedroom, wondering if he was here.
Alice came up to me then, "Oh Bella, don't worry, he's out hunting, he has no idea."
I sighed, but it was confusing, whether it was a comforting sigh or a sad sigh, part of me wanted to see him again.
Carlisle directed me to his office, filled with beautiful oil paintings from his past, I could already recall the stories that he'd told me the first day here.
I still had my trench coat on, but took it off, revealing my dark blue blouse, and dark wide-legged jeans. I looked down, and saw my baby bump.
"Alright Bella, we'll be doing again, a few blood tests, blood pressure, heart rate, and for the first time, an ultrasound."
I turned around to stare at him, "An ultrasound? But… wait, you have the machine?"
"Yes, I do, well it's not a 360 super one, but it will do for today."
"Oh." I added.
We did all the other tests, and everything was checking out. Then, he told me the ultrasound machine was downstairs, so he led the way to the office door. I started walking but as soon as we reached the stairs, I realized I'd forgotten my coat. He was going to insist on getting it, but then realized he needed to go set up the machine, so I somehow gracefully walked back. I carefully opened the office door, and grabbed my coat, holding it with both hands covering my obvious stomach. I looked around the office and sighed, then headed out, covering my stomach with my coat, again.
I shut the door and started walking down the hallway, until I heard a noise.
A sweet, cautious voice was speaking, "Hey who are…"
The voice was coming from behind me, yet I still didn't recognize it…
I gracefully turned my head around my right shoulder; it was all in slow motion, just like in the movies, my hair on the left side whipped across my face, ever so lightly.
"…you?" the voice finished, it felt taken back.
I stared into the g eyes of Edward Cullen.
I was expecting my face to probably gasp, but it started emotionless, there was no surprise. My face was still leaning over my right shoulder, and my jacket was still covering my stomach.
I stared down, and turned my head around, quickly.
Ever so slightly, with a voice that was so hushed I barely heard, "Bella?"
I looked down, panic rushed over my body my eyes were staring down moving in sync with the panic and fear behind them.
Edward stood there too, no movement nor words were necessary. I still stared down, yet I couldn't tell what he was doing, what movements he was making, or wanted to make.
It had been almost a decade since I'd last seen him, and so much had changed.
I heard another door click open, and was then embraced by a hug, a little too sturdy for myself to take.
I heard another voice, Rosalie, coming from the same door, "Emmett, put her down, that's not safe to do." She hissed.
"Bella!" Emmett boomed.
I turned around and stared at Emmett, but I could also see Rosalie, who's head was turned down the hallway, looking at Edward's, although I couldn't see him.
"Oh yea, I forgot about the little person." He paused, "Man Bella, for someone who is about 3 months along you are certainly skinny." He looked down and just saw my coat, "Oh well, that's probably why."
He took my jacket then looked down. "Ah how cute."
I smiled and held my stomach and put my hair behind my ear, still smiling.
"And oh man stand here." Hey lifted me and put me under the stream of light, "Ah, Rose look she has that 'glow'."
Rosalie clicked the door closed and came behind Emmett, "Wow, she does," she said in a whisper.
I tried to see around Emmett's arm to catch a glimpse of Edward, but I was blocked out, his arm was too muscular. He was still holding my coat, which I reached for. He handed it to me, and I immediately folded it and covered my stomach.
I laughed "It's good to see you too, Emmett, Rosalie, "I nodded and stopped laughing, taking on a serious tone, "…Edward." I stared that direction.
Emmett turned to his side, to see Edward down the hallway, so did Rosalie.
He seemed shocked, surprise was written on his forehead, he stuttered, "You too, Bella."
I smiled, I could not believe the way I was handling this, with such confidence, and it was breath-taking for me, yet it was so sad, how professional I was making such a confrontation.
Just on time, Carlisle walked up the stairs, and saw the situation, he grabbed me by the hand and led me down the stairs. "This way Bella, come with me." Rosalie followed, as Emmett headed towards Edward, I heard a door slam shut, I almost felt a tear slide down my face, I was forcing my lips together, trying to hold back the wave of tears.
Alice came from behind Carlisle and Rosalie to hug me again, and secretly handed me a tissue, she whispered in my ear, "Don't worry, you can just let it out, blame it on the hormones." She laughed and smiled, a brilliant, flawless smile.
I was so taken back, that I didn't realize I was in another office, as soon as the door closed, I started crying, trying to wipe my tears, I didn't sob, just tears came down my face, making my eyes bright red, and full of fear.
Carlisle patted my hair, "It's ok Bella, let's do the ultrasound, shall we?"
I sat down on a rough, counter-like surface, as I bared my little stomach, and was rubbed down with a cool gel. He put the detector on my stomach, finding the baby.
It's heart beat soared onto the screen, revealing the little baby. It was beautiful, I started to let tears drip down my face, Carlisle smiled.
"You have a beautiful child, Bella." He smiled and flashed his flawless smile, the door opened to Alice, Rosalie, and Esme.
"Oh Bella, you're baby is beautiful. Do you want to know the sex?" Alice grinned, she apparently knew, that's great.
"Uh, no thank you Alice, "I looked over to Carlisle, "And no thank you Carlisle, either."
He rolled his eyes, in a good way, and smiled, "If you insist Mrs. Black."
I looked up at the screen again, and stared at my third child, I sighed. My eyes then wandered to the time on the ultrasound, 9pm, I still had an hour.
"Well Bella," Carlisle spoke, "You're fall this afternoon did give me a fright, and after Jacob called telling me, I did become worried, but everything seems fine. You must have had some slight headache, with your pregnancy emotions and hormones, which turned out to be too much. Just take it easy for awhile, you'll be fine, brand new in days." He smiled as I shook my head to understand him.
"Alright ladies, excuse me for a moment." He rushed out of the office. Esme came to my side and held my hand, as Rosalie and Alice gawked over the screen, pointing out the head, legs, and tiny innocent arms.
"Bella, are all of your children this beautiful?" Esme asked with a smile.
I returned a smile, "Yes." I felt another tear tickle my cheek.
Then, with a warm towel, they rubbed off the cool ointment, and printed out the picture.
I put my shirt back down, and stood up, grabbing my coat, and then realized I'd forgotten my dark blue scarf.
"Shoot" I said aloud.
"Oh no, not another paper cut, everyone hold your breath-…" Alice said.
I laughed, "No I forgot my scarf, I'll go run up and get it."
I slowly went up the stairs, still covering my stomach with my coat, and then went into Carlisle's office.
With a gasp I looked up to see Edward, holding and playing with my scarf, standing and looking at the oil painting, talking to Carlisle, who was also standing.
"Edward, you have to remember…" He stopped as soon as I entered. "Oh hello Bella."
I stopped in my tracks, they both shot a look at me, waiting for me to speak.
"Uh… uh I forgot my um…" I blushed, trying to remember. "… Scarf." I gulped.
"Ah yes, " He looked down at his watch, "Oh will you two excuse me for a moment?" He rushed out of the office, leaving me alone with Edward, who had turned his head back to the painting, hands in his pockets, staring.
I gulped, and looked around, trying to make my eyes seem busy, but I smelt his icy, perfumed, breath, and my head started to feel dizzy.
He finally turned towards me, "How long have you been married?" he asked, in an awkward, yet direct tone.
I was still looking down; it took seconds to finally answer, and raise my head. "6 years." I said, looking down again. I thought to myself, why did you say it like that, are you ashamed are something of being married…
He nodded, "How many…"
I beat him to the question, with my swift answer, "Two kids."
"What are their names?" I felt like I was being questioned by the police…
I froze, and realized I'd just forgotten how to speak.
He laughed, "Did you forget their names?"
I found my voice again, with a hint of anger, "Was that supposed to be directed as funny?"
"Oh no, I'm sorry, please forgive me, I didn't mean it in any way that would anger you…"
"Yes well, their names are Madeline and Mason." I let out a sigh.
"And you are… "He made it sound more like a question than an upcoming statement.
"… pregnant again? Yes." I looked down, so embarrassed to be talking to him.
"Can I see the ultrasound?" He asked, looking straight into my eyes, my expression for him must have been priceless, I saw him smile a little.
"Uh sure, yes." I handed the picture to him, my fingers touched his as he went for the picture, it gave me a sudden jolt, I could feel my cheeks get red, he must have felt how much my heart was racing, maybe he thought I was nervous being in a room with someone other than my husband…
He stared at the picture, tracing the little outline of my future son or daughter.
"I'm…" he started to say. "I'm really happy for you Bella." He looked up, handing me the picture.
I wanted to reach out for him, but the appearance of my family crossed my mind, I grabbed the picture then almost started to cry, I sniffled up my tears, and put on a fake smile.
Out of pure stupidity, I rushed for the door, hoping I could make a quick escape out the front door, and to the treaty line… I started half jogging to the door, and he caught my hand.
"Bella…" he whipped me around, my back was to the door, I almost felt like screaming, but for whom...?
He must have seen the fear in my eyes, he must have felt guilty, but I had no reason to comfort him, he had back me into a corner, although I wasn't physically in a corner.
He let go of my hand and turned around, clenching his fists, I could see his veins against his marble skin.
"I'm sorry, that was totally inappropriate of me…" he whispered.
I just breathed, quietly, soothingly.
"I… I just wanted to tell you…"
I couldn't take it anymore, he had something to say, and he just needed to say it…My patience had grown after kids, but the torture he was putting me through was much worse…
"Damn it Edward, just say it." I gasped. I even surprised myself, as he turned around to face me.
"Bella, "he turned around, starting to come near me, "I…"
I felt short-tempered; an annoyance had come over me.
"What, Edward?"I paused. "You love me, is that it?" I stabbed the question at him.
I felt the tears, either I'd just embarrassed myself by speaking the wrong words or by the fact Jacob had just appeared in my head, his voice saying 'I love you',
I wiped my eyes, as he turned around. "Yea, well Edward, you had your chance. I mean, what we had was…was forever ago, I have a family, and I mean damn it Edward, I'm pregnant!"
His whole body was still turned away, and I silently without turning towards the door, and by feeling, found the door's handle. I grasped it tightly, still facing him, not facing me.
"And you… you were the one that left me…" I turned the handle and walked out, closing the door, leaving him in Carlisle's office. I put my back to the door. "…twice." I finally finished my closing statement.
I hurried down that stairs, tripping on the last stair, but thankfully Alice had seen this before hand, and Emmett was there, he caught me without effort.
"Gosh Bella, you're just as funny as you were in high school!" He laughed as he set me down.
I wiped the tears that were forming again, and laughed, "Yea well, thanks Emmett." I smiled.
"Alright, what did Edward do, that little…" he said it jokingly, of course, and I intervened quickly.
"Nothing Emmett, nothing I can't handle." I grinned.
"Yea well…" he trudged up the stairs, "Hey! Edward!" I heard a silent graceful click.
At that moment, I so desperately wanted to go home, to see my children.
Alice saw the thought in my eyes, swimming almost in a puddle of tears.
"Bella, "she answered, "Here, "she handed me a tiny silver cell phone, "call Jacob."
Author's Note: Alright, two funny stories... I hate cliff hangers, absolutely hate them, and here I am,
giving you a sort of cliff hanger, I'm being that mean author that no one likes because of cliff hangers,
I feel like I'm one of those people who start acting like their parents and they hate it... haha!
The other funny story was, in my local newspaper, in the bottom of the local section every Sunday they post
what are the top 5 selling books of each book store, including, (Barnes and Noble, Borders, and other local ones...)
in each store, Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse, in different orders for each store was in the top 5! How strange but so cool, huh?
Anyways, hopefully you got a kick out of that.
Till Then, Elizabeth
