A/N: Hi

To all my reviewers: Thankyou, you really made my melancholy day so much brighter, and enthused me to clean my (tiny) apartment while smiling and dancing to my music :) And as a reward, viola! A new chapter! :) Also, this is an All-Human story... so sorry to say... Edward's not coming back as a hot-smexy vamp... :( sorry, although it would have made an interesting twist in the story... hmm... no, not changing it now... sorry... And don't give up cause Edward's dead... there's more to this story.

Also, I am reading 'Bella, The Lioness' by BellaMadonna at the moment, considering it has just been finished... and it is Epic! In story line and in volumes of writing... +320 K... *whistles in amazement* as i said, Epic! Give it a go... it's fan-fucking-tastic! It's a Bella-is-vamp-Edward-is-human story, with a difference... I'm not even half way though... or a quater, but it's good.
Anywho... onto WF...

Kisses...

Weeks slipped by, and I never did venture far from my bedroom. Alice called me heart-broken, Jasper called me catatonic, but I knew better. I was only half of what I once was, Edward fitted in with me so simply he formed that other half, and I'd given it to him willingly thinking I'd never have to be without that other half. I'd gone through the motions of grieving, I was upset, I was disbelieving, I was angry, I'd even bargained my own life just to have him back for one day, told God, or whoever was playing this awful prank on me that I would be happy to go if I could just have one last kiss, one hug, one goodbye. But now I just numb, I couldn't bring myself to accept that he was gone.

I'd lost a heap of weight, and I was wishing for the frump I once had that showed of my newly pregnant health. Now instead I was stick thin, my arms all gross and fragile, my body all bony apart from my stomach that ballooned outwards. I'd felt Ness kick now, I was about four and half months now. My Edward had been gone two months now, and everyday was still agony. I wasn't living life, I was simply dealing with it.

Wrapping of knuckles on my door forced me to emerge from my bed. Alice stood on the other side, hands on her hips, a simple solitaire diamond ring lay on her finger, a promise from Jasper that she would one day be his 'Mrs'. Edward's death had shaken up both of them to realise life is short, that you have to seize the day and all that bullshit, so they jumped, and were trying for a baby now, even though they weren't married.

Her chirpy face was that last one I wanted to see this early in the morning.

"What?" I bluntly asked.

The evil smile on her face didn't falter, "get dressed, your coming with me today"

I rolled my eyes, "no, no I'm not"

She laughed, "Yes you are! You have a baby appointment"

She played her Ace and it sure trumped anything that I had. I nodded.

"When?"

"In an hour's time. So, go have a shower, wash your hair... damn well shave your legs! I'll set out an outfit for you" The pixie had an evil smirk on her face, this was not going to end well.

"Oh, Alice, you don't have to do that!" Well, it was worth a try.

Alice rolled her eyes, and pointed to the bathroom door. "Go!"

I huffed, grabbed my terrycloth towel from the back of my door, and trudged my way down to the shower.

The water running down my back was somewhat therapeutic, and somewhat painful. I was slightly sadistic in the fact that I used the same wash that Edward had once used, and relished in the smell. By the time I'd actually got my hair washed, legs and underarms shaved, and took some time to enjoy my naked bump, constantly swirling my hands around it, I'd spent at least 30 minutes in the water, and it was starting to cool. Opps. I hoped Alice, Rose and Jasper had showered before. Not that I really cared about Rose. Since that day when I'd said that Edward had indeed moved on from her, yet refused to tell her who, she'd got increasingly bitter and petty toward me. It was horrid the first few weeks, and in hindsight, probably influenced my decision to stay inside my own little bubble, with the raging hormones and raw grief, but lately it's been easier to deal with. However, I still didn't know what Emmett saw in her.

I walked back through the hallway clad in only my towel, it wasn't too bad, I'd bumped into Jasper a few times, flushed bright red and gave a little smile, and walked a little quicker to my room, but he was a good sport about it, and I'd been seeing him more like a brother than a stranger lately. It was still awkward when I thought I have had to spread my legs for a little peek-a-boo for him, but hey... what's a friendship without a little Virgingerbread time?

This time I was alone in the corridor. Thankfully.

The outfit Alice put out for me made me scoff just a little, but when I checked the time, and realised I still hadn't had breakfast and had an appointment in twenty minutes, and it took fifteen of those to actually get there, I hurriedly threw it on. At least Alice took in my instructions and accepted the 'No Dresses' rule for visits to the doctor. Lying there in a hospital gown because Alice had forced me into a dress for my first ultrasound appointment was, well lets just leave it at MORTIFYING! And she just sat there eyes glued on the screen to not notice my death glares radiating right at her. But she sure got the tongue lashing on the way home, and as I put it, she was never, ever allowed to 'dress me in those fucking dresses' ever again, well, she took that as 'to a doctors appointment'. Not exactly what I meant, but I was lenient with her, bless my fucking soul!

I turned to the mirror and was pleasantly surprised. The black skirt skimmed the tops of my knees, and sat low on my hips, under the bump. A blue singlet, that was tight against my skin, but not uncomfortable, showed my baby off quite nicely, and the denim short sleeved, cut off, bolero-type jacket covered my bony shoulders. It was very mummy-to-be-slash-rock-chic. I fished on my table for a leather cuff Edward had left in my room one night, and fastened it so it was just tight, but was easily able to move freely. I smiled freely for the first time, and looked at cuff, noticing the writing for the first time. Edward Cullen, the cursive writing etched into the leather stated, but it was the writing that was under it, and upside-down, so the general people could read it easily, but only if you turned your wrist around it could be seen by yourself. Bella Cullen. I gasped and panted and wondered how long ago these words had been on his lips.

Alice rudely interrupted my 'moment' but yelling at me through the door. I opened it widely and force the cuff towards her. She read Edward's name, then forced my arm around so she could read the other name properly. My name.

A smiled played on her lips, but she said nothing. There were truly no words that I wanted to hear. The cuff was just one more piece to the puzzle that proved Edward's love to me.

"Come on Mrs Cullen, we have a doctor's appointment to get to, and at this rate we are going to be late!"

The appointment was not noteworthy. Simple and straight forward. Except the Baby was bigger than she should be.

"Where you a big baby?" the doctor asked, after telling me this news.

I looked at her blankly. How the hell should I know? I was a baby! I shrugged, "I don't... I don't know" I smiled meekly.

"Is there any way you can find out?" the doctor pried subtly, but none the less, pried.

I shook my head, "not really, my father is enjoying his retirement somewhere? My mother is somewhere else?" my statements came out like questions.

You see, I didn't lie. My father, Charlie, was somewhere enjoying his retirement and hefty payout after being shot and almost killed in the line of duty. He recovered completely, but only just. He figured it was his time to see the world and enjoy life after that day. I honestly didn't mind, it meant I moved in with the Cullen's. It's not like I can argue with that! He was going to be seriously pissed that I didn't let him know about the whole pregnant-and-the-fathers-dead thing, but I was really enjoying him not being here, and I didn't want to ruin his fun. I figured I had about three to four years to kill until he decided to return. I deal with all that then.

My mother however, after leaving when I was three, had little to no contact. I knew she'd remarried from the invitation that was sent to the house when I was fifteen or so. Charlie and I discussed it and in the end I sent it back with a big fat 'Not At This Address' lie on it. Charlie wasn't quite happy at that, but I really didn't care. At that stage he was my all, and no hair-brained, erratic mother could ever that that from me, so I decided not to even let it.

"What about the father?" the doctor asked.

I stared at her. How the hell do I answer that?

I shook my head, "he's no longer with us"

The doctor looked suddenly sympathetic. "I'm so sorry" she murmured, not pushing for any more information.

"Mmm, me too" I said it sincerely. "He didn't know, and he'd just proposed" why the hell was I telling her this?

She shook her head. "Argh, this is why I chose this! At least you see the miracle of life instead of death"

I had to smile at her. She'd just given me a reason to be happy again. Ness was truly a miracle. "True"

She sent another smile my way. We'd found our understanding. And I'd let her pry all she'd like.

Alice was waiting for me in the waiting room.

"How'd it go?" she jumped up, throwing the fashion magazine down as she did.

"She's bloody big!" I laughed easily, feeling incredibly light hearted for the first time in months.

Alice took my chin in her little hand in a pistol grip, "who are you, and what did you do to my Bella?" she let me go when I frowned, "no, honestly, what the hell did she give you in there?" she asked while collecting her purse.

I shook my head and we started to walk, my hands comfortably circling my belly, the cuff firmly pressed against my skin.

"This baby is a miracle, Alice. She just... reminded me of that" I should have been watching where I was walking because, sure enough, I crashed into someone.

There reflexes were apt, because my arse didn't hit the floor, and I was swallowed in their long, strong arms.

Their smell was the first thing that hit me after they actually did. It was so familiar, so intoxicating. I'd smelt it on my pillows, on my body, it was Edward's scent. I looked up with hope.

"Oh, my God, Carlisle!" I shoved my head back down; ashamed I'd thought Edward's father was actually Edward himself. "I'm so sorry"

Carlisle laughed, "how did I know that it could only be you?" He kept my upper arms in his grasp as I stepped back, making sure I didn't fall still.

I looked at him, he looked ten years older, his eyes had dark circles under them, and his hair wasn't as neat and proper as it usually was.

"Just guess I'm lucky, hey!" I gave him a small smile.

He ran his fingers through his hair, just the way Edward would do.

"Well, I suppose I'll see you around?" I asked, feeling awkward about standing in front of my secret would-have-been father-in-law, flaunting my bump.

His eyes looked frantic for a second, "Wait, Bella, I... I was wondering if we could maybe sit down and talk? I was just about to take a break? Please?"

He was pleading with me.

I found myself subconsciously nodding, "um, yeah, sure"

Alice pipped up, I'd forgot she was still even here. "Well, I'm going to go see Jazzy, see if he can take a break too" and with that she was gone in a whirl of excess energy, and sparkles. Well, maybe not literal sparkles.

Carlisle placed his hand on the small of my back and directed me to his office. Not that he needed to, I knew that stupid office well.

I made myself comfortable in a big leather chair he had in the corner, he took the other, his eyes falling apparently for the first time on my bump.

"Bella! Your pregnant!" he exclaimed.

I nodded, "yeah. Four and half months, but she's the size of a five month!"

He laughed, "God! That sounds familiar! When Esme was pregnant with Edward, she was two weeks ahead of schedule! The doctors and everyone was preparing us for an early labour, and we didn't go hardly anywhere for weeks, just in case she went into labour! In the end she was two weeks late from the original due date" He laughed through out the entire story, yet when he realised he was talking about his deceased son, his laugh trailed off.

"Sorry"

I shook my head, "No, it's good to hear you still talk about him. It's been a little stiff at home with everyone biting their tongues to keep from mentioning something that everyone else doesn't want to hear. How are you holding up, by the way?"

He shrugged and nodded a little, "it's hard" he admitted, "you just aren't meant to lose your own children before yourself"

I didn't say anything, just gave a small smile.

"Esme's still not coping very well, but she's on the mend, she kissed me today which is progress"

Another nod.

And the dreaded question.

"What about you?"

I scoffed a laugh, then realised it was inappropriate, "sorry. Um, no, not well. It's really hard with Rose, and all their history, and she's just gone off the rails with it all. The way she's acting, you'd think they were still together" I shook my head and cringed.

"He was my best friend, Carlisle, we shared everything. I loved him very much, and miss him even more" I stated. I loved him much more than you would ever know, old man.

"That's kind of why I wanted to talk to you"

My eyes shot to his, had I said that last bit aloud? I got myself prepared to back track, when he shocked me with his next statement.

"I've been talking to Rose"

"What?" Huh? What did that bitch say?

"Apparently a ring was found in his car. We theorised that he must have been seeing a girl behind our backs, keeping it a secret, but we think he wanted this girl to have this ring" he constantly studied my face while he talked. "We discussed this with Tanya, and it was true, and in fact he'd already proposed and was going to give her the ring when he got back" his voice fell quiet, "it was the reason he was coming back early"

I nodded, yes the officer had told us that, that wasn't new news to me, but it still hurt.

"You agree?" Carlisle asked, surprised.

I nodded, "yeah, I knew about it"

Carlisle frown and sighed, "um, Esme and I have discussed it, and we want to have a memorial service for him, not a funeral"

There was a sharp intake of breath, and I recognised it as my own, but didn't realise it was actually me.

"Esme doesn't want to completely give up hope that someway, somehow he survived, because there was no body, but it would have been impossible for him to be out there all this time without seeking medical attention..."

I got what he was saying, if he had survived there was no way he'd still be alive.

"And we want to invite Edward's fiancé"

"Whoa? What?"

"Edward's fiancé? You know who it is!"

I nodded, then quickly shook my head, "No, no I don't!"

"You're a terrible liar, you know?"

I rolled my eyes. "Please, Carlisle, can't you just leave it? She's having a hard enough time as it is!"

"I want to give her the ring!" he butted in, fishing a black box from his trouser pocket.

I looked at the ring that was identical to the one in my video. I covered my mouth with my hand. This was not how I wanted to be shown it for the first time. I should have jumped up and down and screamed yes, and then made love to Edward. Instead, I was on the verge of tears and hyperventilating.

"She doesn't want to be known" I whispered quietly, only to see Carlisle face crumple, "but I can sure give it to her, if you'd like, that way she'll always have that last token of his love"

Carlisle stared at the ring for an eternity, before closing it. I reached out and took it from him.

"I'll see her tonight, and give it to her" I lied.

His eyes however were focused solely on my wrist. Edwards cuff.

"That was Edward's?" he asked, yet it was more of a statement. Edward wore it 24/7, so he knew all about it.

I twisted it back and forth. "Yeah, he left it in my room before he left, I figured..." I looked up at him, "I mean, if you'd like it back, I'd gladly..."

Carlisle smiled, "No, it yours, I have no want for it. I'd just never seen the writing on it before!"

I froze. Oh. My. God! He knew, he'd seen my name, before Cullen, and under Edwards.

"He was so fond of that thing, but I'm surprised he actually engraved his name onto it!" The amusement on his face made even me laugh.

"I know, right!" we both laughed together. It was free, and easy, and I think I wanted to leave it on a good note.

"I should be going" I kindly said, "let you get back to your patients!"

He nodded, "probably an idea"

"It was good to see you! I think I should go see Esme, cheer her up, we can talk babies"

Carlisle nodded, "please!"

We shared another smiled at each other and as I started to rise, Carlisle talked again.

"Before you leave, may I ask, who's the father?" Carlisle motioned towards the bump.

I shook my head, "I can't Carlisle, I'll, um, get back to you on that one"

Carlisle frowned, "Bella?" he said in that fatherly scorn he'd used on me so many times.

"Look Carlisle, I'm working on it. It's not as simple as it should be. But the father and I were very much in love"

"Does he know?" Carlisle asked as I forced myself up and headed for the door.

The look on my face must have told him the words I couldn't say, no, he didn't know.

"Goodbye Carlisle" I said coldly, my hand turning the door handle, and walking out.

"For fuck sake, Bella, you have to tell him!" he yelled at me as I walked down the corridor.

That stopped me, tears welling in my eyes. How I wished I could have Edward back just for one minute, just to let him know on the little magical miracle we'd made together out of love.

"I can't Carlisle!" I burst out yelling.

"Why the fuck not?" he yelled back in the same decibel.

"Because he's dead!"

Carlisle reeled back, steadying himself against the doorframe at my admission. And the sympathy in his eyes was evident.

"GOD DAMMIT CARLISLE! You had to push didn't you!" the tears were streaming down my face by now.

I got out of there as quickly as my legs could carry me, and slumped down next to Alice's car.