A/N: Hello :) long time no see..speak...read? whatever...anyway I'm sorry about how long it took to get up...you know what they say..good things come to those who wait :S lol...I actually started writing this last night and I finished it this morning when I got up...you are all actually very lucky seeing as I'm quite sick at the moment but I found the effort to write the next chapter..It actually really weird...I had a weird tummy bug thingy and my friends were saying how it might be morning sickness...that nigth I had a dream I had twin boys and my parents wanted to call them HORRIBLE names :/ oh well...but I guess with the whole baby thing it gave me inspriation for this chapter so I hope you like it :)
Disclaimer: SM owns all Twilight...I own a dotty bed cover I bought at Walmart when I was over in Florida visiting my sister :D
POV - Bella
Chapter 8 – Life…
"Mason! Elizabeth! Time for school!"
I shouted up the stairs before heading back into the kitchen to finish making the kids breakfast and pack lunches. A few minutes later the kids came barreling into the kitchen, Mason running away from Lizzie.
No wonder. I thought.
Lizzie had a pair of bright pink knickers stuck on her head. Mason had obviously stuck them to her head and ran off.
"Alright you two, you need to calm down and eat your breakfast or we will be late."
They climbed up on their chairs, Lizzie struggling to get up onto her booster seat so I picked her up and popped her down on her chair, pulling her panties off her head. I placed a kiss on the top of her head and started platting her hair while she ate.
My thoughts soon drifted off to the night I was along with Edward and how much had changed since them.
"He pulled my finger from his mouth and placed a soft kiss on my cut. I looked up into his eyes, him looking back at me through his long thick lashes. His hand reached up and caressed my cheek, his thumb rubbing small circles on my cheekbone. I froze in place as he stepped forward, lent down and rested his forehead on mine, his green eyes penetrating into my soul. His smell enveloped my scenes making me dizzy.
"Edward." I breathed gently into his slightly parted mouth.
"Bella."
"I can't do this."
I pushed him away slightly, closing my eyes, trying to slow my fast beating heart down. Edward's hands slipped down my neck to rest gently on my arms, his head resting on the top of my own.
"Bella, I'm here for you."
I looked up into his green eyes; shining slightly. I brought a hand up and stroked his cheek.
"I know, I'm just not ready. I need to sort my life out before we are to go any further. I am a mess Edward and with two kids, another one on the way…"
"Bella, I want to help you."
"I know you do Edward! But I relied on James too much before and look what happened then. I have to learn to stand on my own."
"I am nothing like James!"
Edward's voice started to rise.
"I know Edward! This isn't about you."
I stood a step towards him and reached up brushing the hair out of his eyes.
"Right now I am in constant danger. Until James is found and put away, I and my kids will not be safe. I can't put you and your family in that kind of danger."
"But Bella…"
"No Edward, please. I like you, I really do. But now is not the right time."
We stood staring at each other for a few moments before Edward audibly sighed and pulled me to his chest, wrapping his arms around me.
"I will always be waiting for you."
"I know."
He kissed me on the forehead before removing me from his arms. I walked with his to the door and we bid each other goodbye.
That had been over 2 months ago. Within that time, I had settled down nicely in my new job. The kids I worked with were amazing. There wasn't a day that I didn't enjoy going into work. Everyone I worked with was so welcoming and friendly. I worked particularly close with a lovely woman called Angela Cheney who was happily married. And of course there was Rosalie whom had become a close friend as well as employer.
After my 1 month anniversary Charlie and Billy surprised me with buying me a house. It was just down the road from Charlie's and apparently they got a really good discount on it, so I didn't complain too much. I swore that I would pay them back, once my income was steadier.
I still kept in contact with Edward, who would frequently drop by claiming he missed the kids. When I mentioned that I wanted to decorate my new home, he got me in contact with his mother Esme and his younger sister Alice who ran their own interior design business. Alice also ran her own chain of clothing boutiques around Washington.
They both showed up on my doorstep one Saturday with their arms full of interior design magazines and huge books full of fabric samples and colours. With the house having four bedrooms, it took us most of the weekend to create an idea of what I wanted the house to look like. In the end we came to a decision on using lots of dark, warm colours throughout the house, apart from the kid's rooms and the nursery, which Esme and Alice decided they would make as a surprise for me.
With the amount of time we spent together, I became very close with Esme who took on the roll of becoming my surrogate mother, and Alice who I had an instant connection with and became my best friend. She was also the perfect babysitter for Mason and Lizzie. Lizzie had become strangely attached to Alice, always following her around and copying anything she does; it really worried me sometimes that she was going to grow up like the energizing bunny; I don't think I could handle the two of them.
The loud slam of my front door knocked me out of my thoughts. Speak of the devil.
"Bella, are you almost ready?"
It was time for my 3 month check up with Carlisle and Alice was taking me. But first we had to drop the kids off at school.
"Aunty Ally!"
Lizzie squealed as soon as Alice entered the kitchen.
"Hey Lee-lee!" That was Alice's nickname for her. Why she had to call her something different than everyone else is beyond me.
"Hey Mason, are you two ready?"
"Yes Aunty Ally."
I laughed at Mason's shy response. I swear that kid had a crush on her.
"Come on you two, go and get your bags and we can head off."
The kids ran out of the kitchen and back up the stairs to get their school stuff while I finished up in the kitchen, putting breakfast away.
"So, how are you feeling today Bella?"
I sighed, pushing some hair out of my face. She knew how bad my morning sickness had been and was constantly asking me how I was doing.
"You know, can't complain really. It's no different than what I went through with the other two so I will survive."
I gave her a weak smile before turning to the sink to finish washing up the kids bowls.
"And how are you feeling about today?"
"I'm okay you know. It's a little weird going through this by myself this time, but all I really care is that the baby is happy and health."
I felt Alice wrap her arms around my waist from behind, her hands resting on the faint bump that only noticeable to me.
"You're not alone in this Bella! You have me, Charlie and Billy, Jake, Rose, Esme and Edward."
I sighed turning around to face her, knowing what was coming.
"Speaking of Edward, what's going on between you two?"
If anyone wanted me and Edward to get together, it was Alice.
"Nothing is going on Alice. I've told you this too many times. It's right if we just stay friends at the moment."
"At the moment…so you do want to be more than friends with him?"
"Well yeah? Have you seen the man? Who wouldn't?"
"Well, considering he's is my brother, not me. So what is really holding you back? I mean, a couple of months ago you told him that you needed to get yourself sorted out. Now you have a stable job that you love, a wonderful house, with amazing style, if I do say so myself, the baby is coming along fine and you haven't heard from James."
She was right, my life was coming together, even though no one had heard from James, Charlie was convinced that if was going to come for me, he would have by now.
"Please tell me what's going on Bells?"
Tears started to pool in my eyes. Damn pregnancy hormones.
"Who would want to be with a broken pregnant woman with scars so deep, she doesn't know if she will ever feel right again."
I barely whispered through the lump that had formed in my throat. The tears that had blurred my eyesight were now pouring down my face.
"Oh Bells."
Alice pulled me to her, wrapping her little arms around my waist. I buried my face in her shoulder and continued to cry, letting the sobs come freely. We stood there for a couple of moments until I heard a small voice from the entrance to the kitchen.
"Momma?"
I looked up to see Mason and Lizzie holding hands, tears in their eyes, all ready for school. I wiped the tears away and put on a smile, which properly didn't look too convincing.
"I'm okay baby. Momma just cries sometimes when she's having a baby. Can you remember when momma was going to have Lizzie and she use to cry sometimes?"
I made my way over to Mason and Lizzie and bent down so I was level with them.
"You use to cry a lot after Lizzie was born too Momma."
Shit!
"That's just because Momma was so happy she had her two babies with her. Okay? Don't worry, I'm fine."
I pulled them both two me and we had a little family hug before I declared if we didn't get moving we were all going to be late. We all piled into Alice's car, a cream convertible beetle, which she had styled by putting flowery stickers around the sides. We first drove to the school, Alice walking Mason to class, while I walked Lizzie, checking in with Angela who was coving my class today.
We were then on our way to the hospital. I knew there was a likely chance I would run into Edward, seeing as how Carlisle was my doctor and Edward sometimes assisted him but I was determined to just stay focused on my baby and not worry about the discussion between me and Alice in the kitchen.
"Hi, I'm Isabella Swan and I'm here for a checkup with Dr Cullen."
The receptionist just glared at me, while filling down her claw like fake red nails. What was it with me and the receptionists in this place? It's like they have a 'I hate anyone who wants the see the Cullen men club." Could no one see a Cullen doctor without getting evil or was it just me?
"And which Dr Cullen was that?" The receptionist all but snarled at me. I was about to respond when Alice pushed me out of the way.
"You know very well who she is here to see Lauren. We are both here to see my father but if Edward wished to be there for her check up, it is none of your concern."
With that Alice grabbed my hand and led me over to the seating area.
"Alice, what the hell was that all about?"
"That skank, Lauren Malory! That's what this is all about. A few days ago she attacked Edward saying that he should stay away from, I quote, 'stupid attention seeking whores like Isabella Swan, when he could have a real women like her'. I swear when Edward told me, I thought I was going to throw up; kick her ass and then throw up!"
"Geez! What did I ever do to her?"
"Don't let her get to you Bella. She's been after Edward for years and is just jealous that he is pinning after you."
"He's not pinning after me Alice."
"Yeah he is! You should hear him at home. You are all he ever talks about, well you and the kids but that's understandable because they are just so adorable."
Alice glanced over my shoulder and her devilish pixie smirk slowly found perchance on her face.
"Talk of the devil…"
I barely had time to prepare myself before Edward was standing right in front of me, smiling that damn crooked smile that got me in the mess to begin with.
"Hey Bella, are you here for you check up with Carlisle?"
"Hey, yeah I am."
But you already knew that…
"Would you mind if I sat in on your exam? It's coming to the end of my internship and I think I'm going be an Obstetrician, especially after working so close with my dad and some of the other Obstetricians."
Edward smiled at me nervously, hoping that I would accept his request. It's funny how he never mention his interest in this before, yet the day I come in for my check up, he's dying to sit in for it.
Oh Bella, he's smitten by you! Just humor the poor boy!
"Yeah, should be fine."
I tried to smile without showing my annoyance. What? I am a pregnant woman, we annoy easily.
Edward practically beamed and vibrated with excitement.
"Great! I will just go tell Carlisle and I will come out and get you when he is ready."
He smiled that damn lovely smile before practically running to his Dad's office. I exhaled and tuned back to face Alice who looked like the cat that ate the canaries.
"Told you he's pinning after you."
"Please Alice, I really don't know what you're talking about."
Just keep telling yourself that girl.
"Oh come on! I'm his baby sister, yet he failed to say hello or even notice I was here. I'm telling you Bella, that boy has it bad for you, like really bad."
I decided to ignore her for the rest of the time we were sat there, which was just over 5 minutes until Edward almost came skipping around the corner, that mega watt smile still in place.
"Isabella Swan? Dr Cullen will see you know. If you would please follow me." He winked and motioned for me to follow.
Alice and I followed him through the halls, where he led us to a practice room.
"Okay, a nurse will come in here and take a sample of you blood, you weight and measurements."
"Oh great, someone to tell me I've put on another load of pounds that will take forever to lose after the baby is born."
"I'm sure you will still look as beautiful as ever Bella."
Edward smiled and shut the door. Alice was just stood there next to me on vibrate. I was still ignoring her.
The nurse came in and got everything she needed. I had to hold Alice's hand and look away when she took the blood but apart from that, she said everything look normal and I was gaining the right amount of weight. She gave me one of those horrible looking hospital gowns telling me to change into it, leaving my underwear on.
We sat in silence, waiting for Carlisle and Edward to come back. We weren't waiting long.
"Bella, it's good to see you again, especially under happier circumstances."
"It's good to see you too Carlisle."
"Okay, let's get started. From the looks of things everything is moving along nicely." He said while examining my chart, which I'm sure the nurse gave him.
"Okay then, just lie back and we can take a look at the babies."
I led down on the examining table, the paper crinkling under my weight. Alice came and stood just by my head so she was out of the way. Edward came and stood by my side opposite Carlisle.
"First I'm going to do the uterus exam. Just relax Bella. I promise it will not hurt."
Yeah, it didn't hurt, but it was always uncomfortable to have a metal rod shoved up my cooter, especially by my best friend's father and while the guy I was having a complicated relationship with was in the same room. I closed my eyes and prayed that this embarrassing moment will be over quickly. Why did I ever agree to let Edward sit in on my exam?
Because you're a sucker for his crooked smile and his sparkling eyes.
Shut up...
"Okay, everything looks okay up there. We can move onto the more exciting part."
He smiled up at me before getting everything ready for the ultrasound.
"This gel will be a little cold."
He said right before he squirted a huge dollop of the purple gel on my belly. I squealed out in surprise at how cold it actually was. Carlisle then got out his big magic wand and started moving it against my belly. Fuzzy little pictures came up on the screen and I could vaguely make out the outline of a little…thing.
There was nothing else to describe it. There was a little group of white markings in the centre of the screen. I had never seen anything like it before in my life, not even with Mason or Lizzie.
"Well, this is a surprise."
"What what is a surprise?" Even I could hear the panic in my voice.
I hadn't noticed until then, that I was gripping Edwards with my own, practically crushing it in my nervous death grip.
"Nothing to worry about dear, the babies heartbeats are looking just fine."
I relaxed, gently releasing my hold on Edward's hand. But he didn't seem ready to let go. He was staring in shock at the monitor, just as Alice was.
"What is it you guys?"
Didn't they understand that they can't do this sort of thing around a pregnant woman?
"Bella, don't you get it?"
"Get what Alice?"
Everyone turned to look at me, excited expression plastered across their faces.
"Well?"
Edward gently placed a hand on my head, running his finger through my hair, helping me to relax my tense posture. He looked straight into my eyes, soft tears forming around the outside of his own.
"We're having twins Bella."
"TWINS?"
We?
A/N: Hehe...I personally love the ending...gives me a nice set you for the next chapter :) so let me know what you think and I will try to get the next chapter posted as soon as I write it :D
Oh, if your a fan of Jasper/Bella stories...check out my new one on my profile..Wanting The Impossible...its pretty sweet... ;) if you know what I mean :P
Remember to review please :D
Lzielkalollypop xxx
