Hi everyone,

I apologise if this chapter feels a little disjointed. It didn't really turn out like I'd hoped so I hope that you enjoy it. Let me know what you think and if it's horrible then I apologise!


Chapter 7

I'm thankful I had the piece of mind to get important documents before I fled my old house in Forks to Seattle. In order to take my test I need ID and if I hadn't got everything before I left it would have just been another thing to set me back. And I definitely didn't want to have to contact my parents for anything. No matter how important. They made it quite clear how they feel about me and my current situation before I left. But thankfully I got everything I need and I manage to take the GED one very cold afternoon in April.

Esme has been such a wonderful tutor but she's so much more than that now. I breeze through the test thanks to her wonderful teaching and instruction. I'm glad I paid as much attention as I did in school over the last few years, it certainly made the process much easier. I really didn't want to be trying to study while eight or nine months along. I'm already uncomfortable as it is. I can only imagine how disinclined I'll feel in a month or two.

As I leave the test office and head down to the reception area I think about the last few months and the growth Edward and I have made in our relationship. He wanted so badly to be here today to drop me off and pick me up but of course his schedule didn't allow it. We've been incredibly excited since the last scan I had a few days ago. At seven months every thing looks the way it should and there doesn't seem to be anything to worry about. After we left the OB/GYN's office Edward pulled me into a heart stopping kiss and held me tight for a few moments.

We often lay in bed at night and talk about all the things we can't wait to do as a family and if we aren't doing that then Edward is usually talking to the baby directly. It's become his new hobby and doesn't like to go more than a few days without checking in, as he likes to call it. I pull out the picture the technician gave me at the last appointment and let my eyes trace over our little one while I wait for Esme. I think back over the conversation we had a few weeks ago while laying in bed, sparked by his inability to take me to this very test.

Not long ago Edward came to me with the idea of joining his friends family practice. He'd be closer to home and the hours would be more consistent and family oriented.

"I want to be around you and peanut more once you deliver. And I want a more normal schedule so I can be around and I'll get my weekends back as well. I feel like I'm going to miss so much. And I know how I felt growing up with my Dad's schedule the way it was. It seemed like he was always busy. "

"But you love the hospital."

"But I... I love you more."

I'm glad I'm laying down in bed when he says those words because I think I might have fallen flat on my ass otherwise.

I'm speechless for a few moments, he loves me. He really loves me. "I love you too." I whisper, finally finding my voice.

"You do?"

"Since the day you bought me home."

Tears still prick my eyes when I think back on that day. But I shake them away just in time for Esme's arrival.

"So?" She asks expectantly. "How was it?"

"Easy enough. I think I did really well actually. There were very few things that I was unsure of."

"You're a very smart woman, Bella. I'm not surprised."

I blush at the compliment and do my best to redirect the conversation. "I got hungry though and the test monitor wouldn't let me eat anything, so can we go and get lunch?"

"They wouldn't let you eat?" She asks in disbelief.

"Yeah, something about outside items."

"But that's ridiculous." She says, walking towards the reception desk.

I catch her arm as she passes by. "Esme, it's fine. Really. Let's go get something now."

"But Bella, we need to-"

"If for some reason I have to sit it again I'll make sure they hear you out." My heart melts at the thought of her standing up for me. Even if it's unnecessary.

"If you're sure?"

I nod my head in response.

"Okay, then let's go."

We find a sweet little bakery not far from the testing office and we have our fill of sandwiches, pastries, doughnuts and cookies over the next hour. Well I have my fill. Esme eats a more reasonably sized, balanced meal. It seems like I eat everything in sight since I hit the half way point. I have a hard time controlling my hands and mouth. But thankfully Edward and Esme have made an effort to get me exercising everyday. Walks in the morning with Benji or in the evening once Edward gets home. They really have been a wonderful support system. Rosalie and Alice sometimes walk with me as well. But they have demanding jobs and find it hard to exercise for themselves once the work day is over. I went to the gym with them one or two times during their lunch breaks but I was too self conscious to enjoy spending time with them. A lot of the people seemed really intense when it came to physical fitness and I just felt too out of place.

When Esme and I make it home that afternoon we get dinner going and once everything is finished I take a nap in my new room. Everyone was so excited to hear about our relationship. But not at all surprised.

"You've been making goo goo eyes at each other since September. We knew it would happen soon enough." Emmett told us after our announcement.

When Edward and Carlisle make it home for the evening I take the time to really look at Edward. He looks so tired, exhausted better describes it I think. He's ready to start his new job but there's a lot of paper work to be completed before it can happen. More then I expected. He's hoping to give his two weeks notice at the end of next week. And I hope for his sake that it happens. He's ready for it to be over with and I can see the toll it's taking on him. That night, once we're alone, I draw us a bath and scrub him clean. And then give him a shoulder rub. His head drops back mid way through and he releases a deep breath.

"Are you alright?" I ask quietly.

"Just tired, love. And ready to start at the family practice. I've met my patient list and all the staff. Now I want to start working."

When we curl up in bed that night we exchange sweet words and soft kisses and of course our 'I love you's.' And not for the first time do I wonder how I ended up with such a wonderful man.


Let me know what you think! Thanks for reading.