Chapter 6: Complications

Edward's POV

Even though it was cold outside, Bella was determined to go for our daily walk down our drive way. With Emmett and Jasper's help, we kept the drive free of ice not wanting to risk Bella slipping. With her gloved hand in my own we were beyond being able to see the house and my wife was happy, glowing and more beautiful than I'd ever seen her. She had been especially quiet as we made our way down our long drive and I gently squeezed her hand. "What are you thinking?"

"About Charlie, he won't admit how much he misses seeing us. Jake told me that he keeps talking about trying to figure out a way to come up here, but being the Chief makes that hard," she said.

Jacob had started calling more after Christmas and I wasn't happy that he kept telling her how much Charlie missed seeing us. Bella's father seemed to know his daughter worried about him, and wasn't willing to add to that worry. Jacob however didn't seem to care, and was as selfish as he had ever been. I tried to hide my dislike from Bella, but there were times more often than not when she saw through my façade. "He just has to wait a little longer," I assured as we continued to walk while fresh snow began to fall around us.

"I really hope he gets to be a part of all this."

It was when we began heading back toward the house that Bella's heart rate shot up and she began to fall. I caught her in my arms, cradling her against my chest as I ran into the woods toward Carlisle and Esme's, hoping somehow Alice saw my approach. "Bella," I called stroking my hand over her face as her heart continued to race. Carlisle had been monitoring her blood pressure and other vital signs daily and I'd been so focused on my anger at Jacob that I didn't listen to her heart when I should have.

Just as I got to the front door Esme opened it and guided me upstairs to the spare bedroom. Carlisle was at the hospital and my mother was already on the phone with him as I put my wife down in the bed. "Bella, answer me love," I pleaded kissing her lips.

My wife stirred then and I knelt by her bed, "Hey," I said as her eyes opened.

"What happened?"

"You passed out," I whispered kissing her lips again, relieved that for the moment she was okay. Her heart beat settled down and with Esme's help I got her coat off and we put a warm blanket over her.

"I felt fine then really dizzy," Bella said as I rubbed her feet, which had been swelling over the past week. Carlisle was concerned that Bella was starting to show signs of hypertension and this seemed to validate his concerns. Bella was in her twenty-fifth week of pregnancy and I didn't want to think about her having to spend the rest of it in bed.

Once Carlisle arrived he confirmed that her blood pressure was elevated and told both of us that we needed to keep a watchful eye, "I also want you to rest when ever you can. Let Edward help you by cooking and keeping your house clean. I don't want to have to keep you in bed for the rest of this pregnancy, but it may come to that if you keep pushing yourself," he warned.

After he was gone I sat down on the bed and Bella shut her eyes, "I feel fine now," she grumbled.

"You can still get out of bed, we just need to be careful," I tried, not wanting her to be frustrated.

After she was asleep, I headed downstairs finding Rosalie and Alice at the computer looking over some new outfits Alice had ordered. Over the past few months Rose and Bella had gotten closer, and like the rest of my family I realized just how much they were all looking forward to the birth of the baby. Right now I needed their help, "Do you mind if I interrupt?"

"You can," Alice said, smirking, and I shook my head.

"I was hoping maybe the two of you could come by and keep Bella company during the day. I assume you heard what Carlisle told her."

"We'll try and find a way to keep her out of trouble," Rosalie agreed and I felt a little better.

~*~

With Bella resting in my arms and a book of stories written by Hans Christian Anderson in my free hand, I read Beautiful. Our baby responded to our voices and Bella told me that when I read, our little one remained still.

As I finished the story, Bella stretched beside me, "I almost fell asleep," she admitted as I set the large volume aside gathering my arms around her.

"You could sleep."

Her head shook against my left side and I tilted my head to the right kissing the crown of her head, "Is the baby moving?"

"No, our baby had the hiccups, but they stopped a little after you began to read," she whispered pulling my hand down over her abdomen. It was getting harder for her to rest on her side and Bella had trouble sleeping at night as a result. I rubbed my hand over the larger bump there, but didn't feel any fluttering or bumping.

My curiosity got the better of me and as I rubbed my hand over her abdomen, I asked my wife how she knew the difference between hiccups and the baby just being active.

"When our little one is just moving or kicking it's pretty random. When it's the hiccups it's just one movement over and over. Sometimes there are other movements along with the jerking motion, but most of the time it's just the small movements." Bella fell asleep soon after and I remained where I was a while longer.

~*~

Downstairs I cleaned up from dinner and was putting the last dish in the water when my wife's cell went off. I picked it up finding Jacob on the other end. "She's asleep, Jake," I said not bothering to keep the annoyance from my voice.

"You need to wake her up. Charlie's in the hospital. He got shot trying to stop some teens from breaking into Newton's. He's in stable condition, but he's asking for Bella."

The worry in his voice was enough for me to know he wasn't lying, and I shut my eyes, "I'll wake her up. Do you have the room number?"

Jake told me what it was and I thanked him for calling before heading upstairs. This was one complication none of us could have prepared for, and I knew my wife would want to see her father, but wasn't certain how we could pull that one off.

For a moment I stood at the door of our room watching Bella sleep. She was so peaceful with her hands over her protruding belly that I didn't want to tell her this news. She wasn't in the best condition either, but I couldn't keep this from her and would not. Silently I moved over to the bed and settled in next to her kissing her right cheek, "Bella," I whispered as she moved closer to me.

Without opening her eyes, my wife answered, "What is it?"

"Love, Jacob phoned just a second ago and I have something I need to tell you that won't be easy for you to hear."

My wife's heart rate picked up and our baby began to kick. I moved my hand over the area where the baby was kicking and rubbed my hand there as Bella looked at me. "Charlie is in the hospital in stable condition, but he was shot while trying to stop some teens from breaking in to Newton's."

As I had anticipated, my wife went into instant panic mode rolling away from me as she sat up, "We need to pack," she said as she stood up, nearly falling over before I caught her and held her in my arms.

"You need to take some deep breaths," I whispered as she struggled to be free of me.

"My father was shot, I can't just stand here while he's in the hospital," Bella yelled. For a moment more she struggled before her arms wrapped around me, "Please Edward," she whispered.

Her heart was beating rapidly and I guided her to our bed sitting down with her as she took those breaths I'd asked her to take.

Once Bella was calm I dialed Charlie's room, handing her the phone as it began to ring. I kept my arm around her as she leaned into me listening as Charlie picked up.

"Please tell me your okay," Bella said after he said hello. His voice was a soft whisper and I focused on the sounds from the other end. I could hear a steady beeping which meant he was hooked to a heart monitor. Charlie told my wife what happened, that the bullet had gone in just below his right shoulder in front. They had already gotten it out and he was on pain medication.

"I want to come see you," my wife whispered, "There are a few things I need to share with you, but everything is so complicated I don't know how to start."

Charlie told her not to worry, but I knew my wife would want to be with him. Once the conversation came to an end, she began to cry. All I could do was hold her until the storm passed, hating the pain she was in.

"We have to go," Bella whispered lifting her head away from me.

I reached down and wiped away her tears, "Are you prepared for that?"

"I don't care anymore Edward, he could have died. I don't care anymore because I want him to know everything. I know this is something we all have to agree on, but I want my father in my life and to know our baby even if there are complications." When she started to cry again I made my choice, but like Bella said we needed our family to know. I dialed Alice's phone and she agreed that they would all come over.

~*~

By that next evening my wife and I were sitting in first class. Bella agreed to keep the most important secret for now, but there wasn't a way to hide her pregnancy at this point. Charlie was still in the hospital, but was doing better, demanding real food which put a smile on my Bella's face.

As she slept I kept tabs on her heart beat and other vital signs. Carlisle was as worried as me about taking this trip with the threat of hypertension setting in, and I had agreed to call them if anything changed. We were staying at Charlie's for the time being, and Jacob was aware that we were coming home and had informed Sam.

I hadn't mentioned to Bella my other concerns, primarily that once Jacob and the pack knew they would most likely view this baby as a threat. The other complication was finding a way to bring the donated blood Bella needed along with us. Carlisle had taken care of that and we had what we needed with us. If we stayed any longer than a week, he was prepared to come down.

"I'm hungry," Bella whispered bringing me back to the present. I was sitting in the isle seat and quickly found a stewardess who gave me a bag of peanuts and a bottle of water. When I got back to our seat Bella was awake and the bag of peanuts quickly disappeared. After she drank the water I helped her to the bathroom waiting for her while she managed that part on her own. We still had a few hours of travel left, and so far she was handling it better than I had hoped.

When we were back in our seat Bella leaned against my right side, and I rubbed my hand over her stomach.

"Who is going to meet us?"

"I have a rental car waiting," I whispered as she nodded once before falling back to sleep. I shut my own eyes knowing I had to play the part, and tried to figure out a way that we could tell Charlie about this without stressing him out any more than he already was.

By the time we landed in Port Angeles, it was four thirty in the morning. Bella was exhausted and nauseated, but hung in there as we got our luggage and rental car. Once we were on the way she went back to sleep and was still sleeping when we arrived at Charlie's house.

The first thing I did was carry her to her room, helping her get into something other than her maternity jeans before she settled down in her bed and went back to sleep. Her ankles were swollen and I would have to find a way to keep her feet propped up on our way home.

Once our things were unpacked I made quick work out of cleaning the house, remembering where the cleaning supplies were kept. There wasn't too much to take care of and I guessed Sue kept Charlie well taken care of.

Bella woke up after eight and downed the cup of blood without getting ill. My wife still couldn't stand what she had to do, but had adjusted to it as a part of taking care of the baby.

"I'm worried about what our news will do to him," Bella said as I sat on her old bed while she dressed in the same pair of jeans she had worn on the flight. She pulled on a sweatshirt and faced me, "I can't hide it can I?" she asked as I shook my head.

Once she was sitting down next to me I reached out and put my arm around her, "Charlie is strong man, I think he will be shocked at first, but he will come around."

"And Jacob? If they find out how will that go over?"

That was something I was still working on. I held her closer, kissing her lips gently when she tilted her head back, "We will figure that out when we need to. Right now we need to focus on Charlie."

~*~*~

Bella's POV

When we pulled into the hospital parking lot I shut my eyes trying to focus on Charlie and what we would tell him when he saw me. I'd worked out most of what I needed to say which wasn't too much of a stretch, but I didn't want Charlie upset, and somehow I knew he would be.

My husband opened my door and I took a breath before letting him help me out. He kept his arm around me as we walked into the main part of the hospital and I kept focus on my breathing as the baby started to kick. When we arrived in front of Charlie's hospital room I hugged Edward, "I think this may work better if I saw him alone," I whispered, feeling shaky.

"Are you sure?"

I couldn't lie to him, "No, but this is going to be hard, and I can be strong for him," I said moving away from my husband. We kissed before I turned, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

The room was small and the TV was going. Charlie watched as I walked in and his eyes fell to my stomach, "I thought so," he whispered still watching as I walked over and sat down. He didn't sound upset, just very tired and when I reached out and took his hand he shut his eyes.

"I didn't want to say anything because my pregnancy is high risk," I said feeling lousy because that wasn't really the truth, but I trudged on, "We don't know what the outcome will be and I didn't want anyone to know in case the baby doesn't make it." Even thinking that hurt and I shut my eyes feeling Charlie hold my hand this time.

"I would have supported you, I still want too," he managed weakly as I opened my eyes to look at him. He was very pale and his grip on my hand lessened.

"Charlie?"

His heart monitor began to beep and Edward was at our side in a flash. He paged the nurse, and pulled me aside as a group of them came in. I clung to my husband as they said something about code blue and tried to fight him when he pulled me out. This couldn't be happening; this was a dream like the other one about our baby.

I vaguely registered that Edward was on the phone still clinging to him as he talked. My legs felt wobbly and my husband guided us to a waiting room pulling me down on the sofa beside him as I tried to focus on what he was saying. I heard Edward calling my name from far away before my world darkened.

~*~

The moment my eyes opened I remembered Charlie and tried to sit up, but Edward's hands on my shoulder kept me where I was. I looked around realizing I was in my own hospital room and shut my eyes.

"Charlie is stable, and Carlisle is on his way. There is a blockage in his heart most likely from a blood clot. Carlisle is going to do the surgery,"

my husband said as I felt the first of my tears.

"This is all my fault," I began, but he pressed his fingers to my lips.

"None of this is your fault. I need you to rest now. Your blood pressure is still pretty high which is another reason Carlisle is on his way," Edward told me and I saw the worry in his eyes.

When I reached for him he bent his head down and I wrapped my arms around him wondering when this would all be over and I'd wake up in our house. Our baby kicked me once and I reached down, putting my hand on my stomach as I shut my eyes. Charlie was strong and had to make it through all this. When he did there wouldn't be anymore secrets.

A little later I heard whispered voices and opened my eyes to an empty room. I strained to hear what was being said and by whom before the door opened and my husband walked in. Behind him Jacob stood looking at me with a worried expression.

"Hey Jake," I said before he walked in over to my bedside.

"Bella, you look like crap," he teased and I watched my husband remaining calm.

"It's been a difficult few days," I grumbled wanting to know how much Jacob was aware of.

"Yeah," he agreed turning to face Edward. What ever Jacob thought didn't seem to upset my husband and after Edward kissed me he glanced once at my best friend before he left.

Once Jacob was sitting in the chair next to my bed he sighed, "I always thought the secret you were keeping would hurt Charlie, not some kid who didn't know what they were doing with a gun. I never really told you this, but after you guys left I made sure to run patrols close to the house just to be sure Charlie was okay. I heard gunshots being fired and when I got to Newton's, he was slumped against the building holding his hand against his shoulder. He wanted to know what I was doing there before he, well, passed out," Jacob managed.

"You were there for him, which is more than I can say for me. Jacob what do you know about why I'm laying in this bed?"

My friend watched me sighing again, "I know that you are having his baby. I haven't said anything to Sam yet, but I'll be damned if any of them try anything. You and Charlie need to get through all this so I can keep complicating your life," he said lightly.

I reached out and took his hand, feeling my baby moving around while wondering if it was time for my daily dose of blood, "You don't complicate anything Jake, I'm just glad we can be friends, but how do you feel about that?"

"Just wish it was me," he whispered.

We held hands in silence for a few minutes before he asked about the baby. I wasn't going to tell him about having to drink blood, but told him about feeling it move around.

"There are legends about this, but what you have going on doesn't fit it," he said as he stood up a moment before my husband came in with a Styrofoam cup. The straw in the cup was red, and I had a feeling as I took it, and Jacob left that my friend knew this part as well. As I always did when I had to drink, I downed the blood as fast as I could and rinsed that down with some water.

"Does he mean what he says?" I asked as Edward put the cup in the garbage once he rinsed it out.

"He is very sincere. I think finding Charlie the way he did put a lot of things in prospective for him."

Edward rested his cheek against my stomach and I ran my fingers through his hair shutting my eyes.

~*~*~

Edward's POV

The morning of Charlie's surgery, I wheeled my wife into his room. Her father was heavily sedated, but still coherent enough to know she was there. When he saw her tears he wiped them away, "This is going to be a piece of cake," Charlie assured in a voice barely above a whisper. Once he was gone I knelt in front of the wheel chair and held Bella while she cried. Carlisle said the surgery was risky, but I knew my father had seen worse and that he wasn't going to let Charlie slip away from us.

My father had already released Bella from the hospital, and my wife agreed to go to Charlie's and wait for word from Jacob or Billy, who along with Sue was waiting there at the hospital.

Seated on Charlie's sofa, Bella and I watched a movie, though neither one of us was very focused. The last time I checked her blood pressure it was almost normal, but her ankles and feet swelled anytime she stood up.

"I keep wondering what is happening with Charlie," Bella murmured putting her hand over mine as I rested it on her stomach.

Our baby had the hiccups again though other than the occasional jolt there wasn't much movement, "Carlisle will take good care of him," I assured.

Before the movie was over Bella was asleep and around that time Jacob called telling us that everything was still going well. He asked me about Bella and I didn't mind telling him how she was doing. Seeing this more mature side of Jacob was a relief, though I was still prepared for what would happen once Sam knew about the pregnancy.

~*~

My wife was just starting to eat dinner when Carlisle called us, "He is going to make a full recovery, but that will take time. Esme and I are already discussing staying here at the old house until I'm sure he's better, but I'm concerned about Bella," my father informed as my wife watched me.

"I'm not sure we will be leaving in a week in that case. We also have to figure in what will happen once Sam is aware of Bella's condition. Jacob is on our side but I'm unsure of what will happen."

"Billy is also aware and is on his son's side. I'm pretty sure the elders will favor leaving this alone at least for now while Charlie is here."

Once I hung up I sat down across from Bella relaying what Carlisle had told me. The relief in her eyes and the way she held herself was evident once I told my wife that Charlie was going to make a full recovery. As I'd expected she wasn't willing to leave until she was sure he would be okay.

"I hope Jacob and Billy can assure the others," Bella said as I took her empty plate to the sink and ran warm water while soaping it up.

"I'm fairly certain Billy will get them to see reason, but Jacob can intervene if he needs to," I told her once I dried the dish and put it away.

"I'm not sure he would ever take up that position. Jacob doesn't have any desire to be the Alpha of his pack, and stir up that kind of conflict," Bella told me as I helped her to her feet. In the den I helped her get settled on the couch, sitting at the other end as I brought her feet onto my lap. I gently massaged them, hearing her heart beat even out; not liking that she was under so much stress.

A few hours later Carlisle stopped by and took Bella's vitals without waking her, "Charlie was asleep when I left and Billy is staying there this evening," my father whispered.

He straightened up once he had taken her blood pressure, "We need to keep her on bed rest at least until everything calms down."

I nodded knowing that wasn't going to go over well with my wife, but willing to help her stick to the rules if it came right down to it.

~*~

By the next morning Sam and the rest of the pack along with the Elders were aware of Bella being pregnant. Jacob stopped by while she was still asleep and ate the eggs and bacon I fixed, "He was pretty upset when he saw my memories, but Billy told the elders first and Sam won't go against what they say. The only one really throwing a fit about it all is Leah. She'll just have to get over it eventually. So Bella is on bed rest, good luck with that one," Jacob said as he washed his plate.

"Thanks," I grumbled.

After he was gone I fixed an omelet and some more bacon before I stacked everything on an old wooden tray, taking that up to my wife. She was sitting up in bed with her arms folded over her chest.

"I need to be with Charlie," she said glaring at me.

"You need to do what is best for you and our baby. Charlie is in good hands right now and I'm sure he would feel better knowing you are doing what Carlisle wants," I told her not willing to bend on her needing to stay in bed.

She ate her breakfast without a word to me and I was willing to take what ever Bella dished out so long as nothing more happened.

"Do you want to sit downstairs?"

"Just leave me alone," she whispered laying down and turning away from me. Before I left I kissed her left cheek, wishing for a way to do more than just bring her food and sit with her. The only thing that broke through my wife's silence was when Charlie called her. She laughed a few times while they were talking, only to return to being quiet once the call ended.

Jacob came by again at lunch and I wasn't surprised when she wouldn't talk to him either, "She's stubborn," I said softly as he prepared to head back to see about Charlie and Billy.

"Hopefully that will get her through all this."

As I shut the door I heard the floor board squeak and rushed upstairs. Bella was half way to the bathroom and her legs were shaking. I reached out for her, but she pushed my hands away.

"I need to do this one thing on my own," she said as her voice broke and she reached out for me.

Once she finished in the bathroom, I lifted my wife into my arms and carried her down to the sofa where I had already made a pallet for her. I propped a pillow behind her and a few under her legs to keep them elevated.

"Tell me what I can do."

"Make time speed up so I won't be pregnant. I don't think I want anymore after this," she whispered looking at me worriedly.

"I think one will be plenty," I agreed still amazed that we were here and she was pregnant.

"I'm sorry for being grumpy earlier."

When I kissed her she held her hand to the back of my head before breaking away, "I miss us," she whispered.

"I miss holding you in my arms." We kissed again before someone knocked at our door and I already knew it was Alice and Rosalie.

~*~*~

A/N: Okay so I know I said update on Friday, but since I'm ahead by a few chapters I relented to the request to update sooner. As always thank you Mac for the Beta and I hope you like what I added. Everyone else you guys are awesome for keeping up with me and reviewing. Also thanks to all of you who have added me to your favorites list. More soon.

~Ella~