I don't own Twilight. all Stephenie Meyer.

Flyway With Me Part 3

"So, Alice, tell me. How are you liking Paris?" I asked, zipping up a pair of boots she'd given to me as an early birthday present. They were cute and sparkly, something I wouldn't normally wear, but surprisingly comfortable.

"Oh, Bella, it's beyond words! I know it's only been a little over a month, but I feel like I'm in a fairytale and don't want to ever wake up," she said with a squeal. "Carmen is an amazing designer. She's already teaching me so much."

I felt a genuine smile cross my lips. Her excitement made me happy. "That's wonderful."

"There are so many places I can't wait for us to visit when you make it up here. We can spend at least a week just being tourists and visiting all the places we've talked about since high school." She paused and then after a moment asked, "How are things with you?"

My cheeks flamed and I was pleased she couldn't see me. "All right, I suppose. Having classes to focus on is good. And I got an ultrasound of the baby. Next month we should be able to tell what the sex is." Not mentioning what was going on with Edward seemed like a smart choice, at least until I had a better idea myself.

The squeal that came from Alice at that nearly busted my eardrum. "I wish I could be there. Please, you have to call me the moment you find out," she insisted.

"I promise. You will be the first to know." The doorbell rang as I stood to my feet. "I'm sorry, Alice, there's someone at the door. But I'll send you an extra long email tonight to make up for it."

"Fine," she said in a dramatic voice. "I'll talk to you later. Take care!"

"Bye." After ending that call I went to go answer the door and smiled at the person on the other side. "Come on in. I'm almost ready." I stepped back to let her in.

"This is where you and your boyfriend live?" Vanessa asked, her eyes huge as she took in the lavish apartment. "And what exactly is it that Mr. Brooding and Gorgeous does for a living again? Because this place is amazing."

I giggled softly as I went to the hall closet and pulled out my jacket. "He's a lawyer. And he's not my boyfriend."

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "So you've said, but I saw the way he looked at you the other day at the bookshop. He almost had a coronary you lost your balance after that kid ran into you." She laughed.

Ducking my head, I could feel another blushing forming on my cheeks. "That's because Edward knows how clumsy I am," I insisted.

"You keep telling yourself that, Bella. That man has it bad."

Before she could say anymore I grabbed my bag and tossed it over my shoulder, ushering her back out the door. Vanessa had called me in between classes and insisted that we had to take a trip to The Met to check out the new exhibitions. I agreed, spending time with her since Alice was out of town had helped fill a little void in my heart.

She was so much fun and I was surprised to find myself laughing during our afternoon. It felt good to just… have fun and not worry about the baby or Edward or even Jacob. For a small bit of time I was just a twenty-five year old girl, hanging out with my friend and enjoying some beautiful art.

Just as we were about to go through one of the tours that had a headset for the audio guide, my cell phone vibrated. I glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Jacob. The nerve of him. I pressed ignore and put it in my bag. It wasn't the first time he'd tried calling me, but I wasn't ready to talk to him.

"Who was that?" Vanessa asked.

"No one." I shook my head and made my way to the room where the tour began. "Come on." Thankfully, Vanessa decided not to push it and followed me inside.

After the tour we went through one last gallery before I felt ready to crash. Being pregnant zapped my energy. We said our goodbyes outside the museum and I managed to flag down a taxi. I made it back to the apartment exhausted, but happy.

I was surprised to find Edward home when I arrived, talking on his cell phone. He turned around when he heard the front door close and nodded at me. All of the awkwardness that had been between us before seemed to ease once I agreed to the arrangement. There were still moments of tension and nervousness, but not nearly as bad.

"That will have to wait Kate," he said, lowly. "I don't know yet. Bella and I have some plans to finalize and once those have been handled I will let you know."

Tiny little flutters tapped at my stomach and I touched my hand to the spot. Every time my little baby kicked, my heart melted. Hearing Edward's voice seemed to make her excited. I had taken to calling the baby her in my head. I just had a feeling.

"Right. I'll let you know in the morning." Edward motioned for me to join him in the living room, his arm across the back of the couch.

I set my things down and made my way into the living room. Once I curled up on the soft cushions, a sigh escaped my lips. I closed my eyes and laid my head back against the even softer pillows.

Edward talked with Kate for a few minutes, his fingers absentmindedly running through my hair. When I glanced up at him, Edward was watching me carefully. "Yes, Kate. Good night." He ended the call and set his phone down on the coffee table. "Tired?" he asked.

Nodding, I burrowed a little further into cushions. "Vanessa and I spent the afternoon at the Met. It wore me out."

His lips curved up in a crooked smile, my favorite smile. "Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah, I did," I said softly.

"Good." He continued to watch me with affection in his eyes. "Well, I thought that you would like to know that I have the contract. We can look over it now or have dinner first and then discuss everything."

The contract.

I couldn't help the wave of apprehension that washed over me at the mention of our arrangement. Everything had been happening so fast, I could hardly keep up. Nervousness seemed like a pretty healthy reaction to me.

"Perhaps going over it now would be best. Eating first might make me even sleepier and I want to be awake for this conversation." I lowered my gaze from his, feeling shy.

Edward nodded. "Just give me one moment." He made his way over to the entry way and pulled a manila envelope from his briefcase. After returning to the couch, Edward placed the envelope on my lap and watched me carefully, gauging me reaction. "I believe that everything is there. But if you find anything that's missing, that you'd like to change, or add, let me know."

Carefully and thoroughly, I read through each page of the contract that we'd discussed. Almost everything I'd asked for has been added including: weekly date nights, 24-hour advanced notice for work events, my school commitment and time frame to find a job, and honesty. When I reached the clause about sex, my cheeks flamed. Jacob had been the only person I'd ever slept with, and talk about sex so casually felt strange. The only things that seemed to be missing were the budget Edward planned on giving me and his involvement with the baby.

When I finally glanced up, Edward was watching me. His expression was careful, guarded, as he studied my reaction.

"I think everything's there," I said softly, shyly, "except for a couple more things."

He nodded, turning so that he was facing me. "Yes. I left those out so we go over them a little more thoroughly."

I bit my lip. "Okay."

Edward sighed and took my hand in his. "Once we are married, what's mine is yours. And as far as the budget goes, it will be quite a bit larger than what you are used to. I just want you to be aware of this and accept that what I make will also be yours to spend."

I wasn't entirely sure how to respond, so squeezed his hand gently to let him know that I'd heard and understood him.

"And," Edward said, taking a moment to consider his next words, "the baby. I wanted to leave my involvement with him up to you. Becoming your husband means that I would take on a fatherly role, but I don't want to overstep my bounds in that regard. Especially if the father decides that he wants back in the picture at some point."

"Jake doesn't want anything to do with me or the baby. He made that perfectly clear when he left and promptly found a new girlfriend." My voice sounded so small, almost childlike as I said that.

Edward tucked his finger under my chin and lifted it so that our eyes met. "Sweetheart, I saw the way he looked at you at the gallery. That boy still wants you." A growl emanated from his throat as he finished, his jaw clenching slightly.

My cheeks flamed at the thought. All I'd wanted, for nearly a month after he left, was to hear Jacob say that he was sorry and that he'd been scared, that he wanted to make things right. But that never happened, and I'd accepted it. Shaking my head, I answered him softly, "But I wouldn't trust him, not after everything."

He didn't respond, so I continued, "Edward, you are already doing so much more for me than I could have ever imagined. Your involvement with my baby should be up to you. I know this wasn't what you wanted to take on, so I'll leave that decision in your hands."

With a nod, Edward lifted my hand and kissed it lightly. "Thank you."

Ooo~Ooo~Ooo~Ooo~Ooo

I stared up at my bedroom ceiling and listened to my steady breaths, hoping that the rhythm would help put me to sleep. I laid there, thinking and worrying. Checking the time on my cell phone, I found that it was two-thirty in the morning.

With a sigh, I quietly climbed out of bed and made my way across the hall to Edward's room. It had seemed like a good idea at first. As I stood in his doorway, though, I suddenly felt shy and ridiculous for coming all the way to his room. Why would he want some crazy pregnant girl bothering him in the middle of the night?

Just as I was about to leave, I heard him call my name.

"Bella, sweetheart, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice thick and husky with sleep.

I twined a strand of hair around my finger. "I, uh… I couldn't sleep."

Edward slid across his bed without a word and lifted up his comforter in silent invitation for me. His bronze hair was even messier than usual and his broad shoulders and well defined chest were visible in the moonlight.

Climbing into his bed felt a little awkward, intimate, but I took a deep breath and curled up on my side and faced him. Sleepily, Edward reached his arm out and pulled me a little closer to him. Then he rested his hand on my belly, softly stroking my baby bump. I rested my hand on his chest, feeling his heart beat under my palm.

We stayed like for a few minutes before Edward opened his eyes. "What's on your mind?" The husky timber of his voice was soothing.

I shrugged. "It's nothing."

Edward chuckled, quirking an eyebrow at me.

"Okay, it's just…" I paused, biting my lip as I tried to figure out what to say. "I'm starting to wonder if we're doing the right thing here. The contract, the marriage, all of it," I said in a rush.

"What do you mean?" His hand stilled on my stomach. Any sleepiness that had been on his face, quickly vanished and he watched me carefully, cautiously.

All I wanted was to hide under the covers, to take back what I'd said and never bring it up again. "I'm scared, Edward," I admitted. "Alice is across the world in Paris. My parents, and yours probably as well, are you going to lose it when they find out. Being pregnant and hormonal is so not helping. And Jacob has been calling and left a message on my phone that I'm too afraid to listen to."

The quiet that filled the room after my rant was almost deafening. Edward continued to watch me, taking his hand that had been resting on my stomach and running it through my hair agitatedly.

"What if you end up resenting us for tying you down?" I managed to whisper.

Edward groaned and sat up so that his back was against the headboard. "Bella, I would not have suggested it if I thought this arrangement wouldn't be beneficial for us both."

"You say that now." I chewed on my lower lip, not caring how tender it felt.

Heat and anger came off him in waves as he glared down at me. I tried to hide under the covers from his penetrating gaze, but Edward would have none of that. He pulled me so that I was sitting up and facing him. When I tried to look anywhere but at him, he grabbed my chin in his hand and forced me to meet his stare. "Isabella. I am not him."

I tried respond, but Edward wouldn't let me.

The intensity of his gaze made my body tremble, each word from his lips enunciated clearly and concisely. "I am not Jacob. He was a boy, too afraid to step up and be a man. That is not me."

He was right. I knew that he was right.

My heart pounded painfully against my ribs, a lonely staccato in an otherwise quiet room.

I replayed his words over and over in my head, trying to find a way to process them. My breathing came out in desperate pants and the room spun around me. I desperately wanted to make sense of everything: Edward's words, my fears, our situation.

Nothing made sense.

Just as I was about to burst into a full blown panic, Edward pulled me into his arms and held me against his chest. I took deep, steadying breaths in an attempt to bring everything else around me into focus.

Deep breath in.

And out.

Deep breath in.

And out.

"It's all right, sweetheart. Calm down," a soothing voice murmured. Edward's voice. "I'm right here. You're okay." One of his hands rubbed my back in soothing circles while the other held the back of my head to his chest. His fingers wound through my hair and gently massaged my scalp.

The feel of the fabric of his shirt beneath my fingers grounded me as hot tears poured down my cheeks. I hadn't even realized I'd been crying until a lone tear fell from my nose and onto his shirt.

Edward whispered words of assurance and my occasional sniffles were the only sounds in the room as I began to settle down. Breathing in his scent helped relax me, and as my eyelids grew heavy I closed them. Anything to just forget.

After meeting with my thesis professor the following morning, I went back to the apartment and worked on my outline and project for the better part of the day. It felt good to keep focused on school.

I leaned back in the sofa I was sitting on to take a moment and rubbed my face in frustration. Everything had been fine until my freak-out the previous night. Just when I thought I'd finally started to move on, Jacob would call or something would remind me of him and set me back again. I had to find a way to let him go.

It wasn't until my stomach rumbled that I even realized I hadn't eaten. With a groan I rose to my feet and slowly made my way to the kitchen. After fixing a salad with some chicken I made my way back to the study to continue working, but it became clear that my thoughts were elsewhere.

Edward.

Our arrangement wasn't what scared me. It was the fear of not being enough.

That was all Jacob.

But if I wanted to put that behind me, to finally move on, I had to take the next step. I finished my lunch as I considered how best to do that. A sudden thought occurred to me and before I knew it I was doing research on the Internet for something I never thought I would. Once I found what I was looking for, I placed a couple of calls and even left a message for Alice.

To my great surprise, and relief, Edward's parent's house was listed on a historical site for the city along with a brief run-down and pictures.

It was perfect.

Each new thought that occurred to me seemed to pull me further and further into the whirlwind of plans and ideas. I barely even heard Edward came home. When I glanced up, though, he was leaning against the doorway of the study, watching me intently. The number I had called went straight to a voicemail, so I hung up.

"Hi," I said shyly.

"Hello." Edward nodded.

Chewing nervously on my lip, I glanced up at Edward, but he didn't move from his place in the doorway. I tucked a few loose strands of hair behind my ear and brought my free hand to my stomach. Feeling that beautiful bump gave me courage.

I opened my mouth and began speaking.

"Okay I know that this isn't exactly perfect, but I thought we could have it at your parent's place. It's old and beautiful and historical, perfect for all of those society people in your social circle," I began rambling. "There's also a dress that I found that I sent to Alice that I'm sure she'll have an opinion on and a caterer that comes highly recommended and would also be willing to do the cake."

Edward looked at me for a moment as though I was crazy, a look of pure confusion passing over his features. "Bella, what are you talking about?"

"The wedding." I made my way across the room to where he was standing. "We have to do this up right to make sure everyone believes us. What better way to do that than have it at your parent's home?" I stopped in front of him, standing close enough to look into his eyes but not touching.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, watching my cautiously. "I don't want to make you do something that you're not ready for."

"I'm sure," I insisted. "And I want to sign the contract now if you have it ready."

Edward kept whatever he was thinking to himself, behind a carefully controlled mask of indifference. His eyes never left mine, giving away absolutely nothing. Weeks could have passed as we stood there, neither of us moving or speaking. Time ceased to exist and yet sped up at an alarming rate.

Just as I opened my mouth to retract what I'd said, his lips curved up into shy crooked grin and he stepped a little closer to me. Goosebumps tingled across my arms in anticipation of what he planned to do.

"Come with me, please." Edward held out his hand for me and when I slid my palm against his he gently squeezed my hand. He brought me to his bedroom and motioned for me to sit on his bed as he went into the closet. After a few minutes he came back out and went to his laptop bag. When he finally came to the bed, he set the contract and a small blue box down in between us.

We sat quietly for a few moments, his tongue running across his bottom lip. "Bella, I know that what I'm asking of you isn't easy. But, I hope that with time you will feel comfortable with me and that we'll grow to care for each other." He reached up and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "It would only be natural. To enjoy one another."

I fought back the excitement my heart felt at his words. I wasn't ready for more and neither was he. That wasn't what we were signing on for.

Edward lowered his hand back to his lap. "If you're truly sure, then please do sign."

Though my first instinct was to panic and back out, I picked up the pen that rested on the contract and flipped to the back to sign. When I was finished, Edward took the pen from me and put his name next to mine.

A small smile spread across my lips and when I lifted my gaze to Edward, his lips and eyes mirrored my expression. He set the paperwork aside and reached between us for the blue Tiffany's box. Opening it, he removed the small black jewelry box from inside and took out the ring. He held it out in front of him so that I could see it.

I gasped softly not only at the sight of him old fashionably proposing, but also at the beautiful ring he held. I'd never seen anything quite like it before. The princess cut diamond in the middle was extravagant, but beautiful, with a white gold band that twisted elegantly around it. Smaller diamonds were fitted into it, making it sparkle.

Blushing, I watched as he slipped the ring onto my finger. Then he leaned a little closer to me and kissed me softly, chastely on the lips.

"Thank you," he murmured.

Ooo~Ooo~Ooo~Ooo~Ooo

"Not your boyfriend my ass, Bella. Have you seen the rock BG gave you?" Vanessa squealed as she nearly yanked my arm out of its socket looking at the ring.

"BG?" I asked.

She grinned at me. "Brooding and Gorgeous. Don't change the subject. Bella, when did this happen? I need details here."

"Last night." I ducked my head shyly darting down the next aisle.

Vanessa followed after me, her hands on her hips. "I can't believe you kept this a secret. BG is the complete package, and he's obviously crazy about you." She lifted my hand with the ring up to emphasize her point. "I mean, look at this."

I couldn't help blushing and pulling my hand back. Edward had gone all out. "It wasn't really a secret that I was keeping. Nothing was actually settled until last night and it's all been kind of a whirlwind leading up to it."

She rolled her eyes at me and let go of my hand. "So you probably haven't even considered setting a date then, especially since it just happened." She stopped next to my basket, a bright smile on her face.

The vibration of my phone in my back pocket caught my attention, but I refused to pick it up. Something told me that it was Jacob again and I did not want to spoil my good mood by dealing with him. I went through the list I'd made, crossing off what I'd already gotten so I'd know what was left to get.

"Actually, we've discussed getting married sooner rather than later and have considered a few dates. Since Alice is out of the country, I'm trying to find a day that will accommodate her schedule so she can come in for the weekend." I giggled inwardly as I remembered the phone call I'd received from Alice early that morning. Her voice had been higher pitched then normal upon getting the delivery confirmation for the dress I had sent to her and the message she'd gotten from me.

Vanessa clapped her hands excitedly. "Please call me if you need any help whatsoever. I'd be more than happy to offer what I can."

"Thanks. I may take you up on that." I continued searching for the items I needed when she appeared to be satisfied with her quest for information. Shopping at a gourmet market was still strange for me, but since it was one of Edward's favorite stores I figured I'd give it a try.

When we made it to the area where I could get freshly sliced cheeses and the seafood that I wanted, Vanessa asked, "So, what exactly do you have planned with all of this?"

I told the man behind the counter which cheeses I wanted and how much of each before answering her. "Edward wanted to have his family over for dinner tonight to tell them the news. Instead of ordering takeout or having it catered, I offered to do it," I said with a shrug.

"You are braver than me. The boyfriend's only introduced me to his family a couple of times, but there's no way I'd be able to make such a lavish dinner for them." She just shook her head. "What do you plan on making?"

"Um, a couple of different hors d'oeuvres, seafood bisque, and filet mignon with glazed sweet potatoes and asparagus for the main course," I listed off.

"Make that for me sometime and I'll marry you." She groaned.

"Sorry, I'm taken," I said with a giggle. I got my items from the man, picked up the seafood that I needed and went to go check out. Vanessa continued to ask me questions about the proposal and the plan for telling his family the news. I answered as best as I could, absentmindedly bringing my hand to my baby bump. She, thankfully, didn't know that I was pregnant. That would take a lot more explaining than I was ready for, so I just wore things to keep it hidden.

After parting ways with Vanessa, I took a cab home and immediately got to work. With all of my ingredients on the counter and a stool for me to sit on, I started preparing the appetizers and the main course. They would cook in the oven while I worked on the soup. I tried to time everything just right so that I wasn't scrambling around at the last minute.

I set the dining table as everything was cooking and pulled the appetizers out of the oven just as I finished up. When they were set on a warming tray, I pulled out the baked goods I'd gotten at the store and set then out of sight so that Edward wouldn't try to sneak any. The sweet tooth that man had rivaled any I'd seen before.

Once I was sure that nothing needed my immediate attention, I showered and got ready, taking my time. My room was across the hall from his and as I walked to my closet I caught sight of him in front a mirror. His hair, although still slightly damp, was beginning to dry and fly around his head in messy curls. Everything else about him screamed uptight, but there was just something about the way his hair never did what it was supposed to.

Grinning to myself, I went into the closet to pick out an outfit. It took ten minutes of me staring at the clothes in front of me before I pulled out my phone and dialed the only person that I knew could help me.

"Wow, I feel so special. Three phone calls from my favorite girl in as many days. What fortune favored on me for such luck."

I just shook my head. "Technically the second call was you, squealing and screaming into my ear at 5:30 in the morning."

"That's beside the point. Plus you're lucky I just got back from a party, otherwise I'd be fast asleep by now." Alice was in rare form, obviously happy. "What can I do for you?"

Biting my lip, I took another sweeping look over my closet. "Edward's family is coming over for dinner tonight and I have absolutely no idea what to wear." I sighed.

Alice didn't say anything for what felt like an hour. When she finally did, I felt my shoulders sag with relief. "Since it isn't a formal party or anything, you don't need to be too dressed up, but I'm sure that Edward will most likely be wearing a suit. Look for a wrap-around dress or that black frilly skirt I got you for your birthday. It can be paired with a pretty blouse."

"Thanks, Alice. You are the best."

"I know. Try to keep that in mind when I come in for the wedding, because you have some explaining to do, missy. I love you."

My cheeks felt like they were going to crack with the wide smile I couldn't seem to shake. I missed my best friend more than I could say and had really enjoyed talking to her. Before I could start crying I said, "I love you too, Alice. Talk to you soon." We ended the call and I immediately went in search of the skirt she'd suggested.

It still fit, thankfully, and I paired it with a slightly looser top that formed to frame just right. I pulled out a pair of heels that went with the skirt and had a discussion with them as I slipped them on, asking them not to give me too much trouble that evening. With that I made my way back out to my room and into the hall.

Edward picked out some background music in the living room, his back to me as I made my way to the kitchen to check on everything. From what I could tell, he wore a suit with perfectly pressed slacks and a jacket, everything tailored perfectly to his body.

I was setting the hors d'oeuvres on some serving trays when I heard a voice behind me.

"Mmm. It smells wonderful in here."

I jumped, startled by his dulcet tone and turned around. My breathing hitched at the sight of Edward before me. From behind he looked well-put-together. From the front he looked gorgeous. Everything from his dark suit to the gold tie on his neck to the scruff on his jaw just seemed to add to his appearance. I struggled to find a coherent thought as my eyes finally met his.

His lip quirked up in his half smile as he stood in front of me. When did he move? He gently ran his finger from my temple to my jaw, heat tickling my skin where his touched. "You look lovely tonight."

I could only stare up at him, my bottom lip between my teeth and my brain lost in a layer of fog. "So do you. Um, hand-handsome that it is," I stammered.

Edward's grin widened and he lowered his hand back to his side. "Do you need any help with anything?"

With an extraordinary amount of effort I closed my eyes to clear my thoughts. "Uh, would you bring these to the living room? I wasn't sure what they would like to drink, so I thought I'd leave that up to you."

"Perfect." He picked up the two trays I'd pointed to and headed out of the kitchen. Before he left, though, he turned back around. "I have a bottle of cider for you in the fridge instead of wine. If you prefer." He nodded to the refrigerator before leaving.

I blushed and went to check it out. Not only was it a bottle of cider, but it was one of those specialty made kinds that are found at cider houses, like vineyards for wine. He was truly thoughtful.

Just as I poured myself a glass and brought it out to the living room the doorbell rang.

Edward smiled at me. "Are you ready?"

I nodded and watched as he went to answer the door.

Thanks everyone for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

Also, happy birthday to my partner in crime kyla713! This is for you bb :)

Keep your eyes peeled for an update from TFTST (No One Saw the Pain's sequel) soon and thank you again to everyone for sticking with me. You're the reason I keep writing.