While You Were Sleeping

BPOV

Being 22 weeks pregnant I feel like a blowfish. Every part of me has filled out, not immensely but enough for anyone to notice. My cheeks are fuller, my arms and my legs more curvy and my butt a freaking punching bag; at least, that's what Edward had called it once. I was expecting my boobs to get bigger—looking forward to it actually, but of course they stayed the same.

I ate regularly but not an overabundance of food. I can't even look at anything green or that includes the word beans. The smell of onions is an instant puking mechanism and peanut butter is my new best friend—don't tell Alice. Peanut butter and red apples, yum.

Edward is always here to help me, or run to the store at two in the morning. He never seems irritated or overwhelmed even though he's looking for a job and failing to find one. I try to tell him not to worry about it because I'm not worried. I make enough and will still be working for another 15 weeks or so. He will find a job. Besides, that was the least of my worries.

Tanya spent every day with me, and it wasn't always time she was being paid for. She always arrived at six, which was when I woke up for work and she would make me a pregnancy worthy breakfast. Most mornings Edward woke up with me and she would make him something too. I go to work and Tanya usually leaves at the same time unless she's still cleaning up the dishes. When I get home she is either there already or pulling up behind me. One day we stretch, another we walk, the next we bend and we drink a lot of water. She and I have a really great relationship, as do her and Edward. They're always teasing each other and I thought it was funny at first, until I started to notice the way Tanya looks at Edward.

30 weeks, I just got off work and received a text from Edward asking when I would be home. I answered him saying I was on my way so 15 minutes. Even being as pregnant as I am and having hormones that are on the fritz, I still didn't expect what came to mind to come. I don't feel comfortable in anything I own and I don't like the way my body has transformed in the least. I feel like Edward doesn't like it either even though he tells me all the time that he does. I can't help but think he says it just to make me feel better or because he feels like he's supposed to. I've gained a total of 30 pounds since being pregnant and Tanya is a beautiful, thin woman that's always strutting around our apartment.

Sometimes I think I see him watching her as she cleans or cooks but it always seems to be my eyes playing tricks on me. He's usually looking at the TV or trying to read the clock on the wall. The clock is one without numbers but lines to represent them and Edward has a hard time with it.

I pulled up to the house and my vision zeroed in on Tanya's car. I noticed the couple of leaves on the hood and the pile blown up against the tires. I couldn't help but wonder how long she'd been in my apartment with Edward and my heart leapt into my throat at the thought of what they could do with time alone. My hands were so tight against the steering wheel that my knuckles were white before I loosened my grip. I haven't driven on the track in months and I never bought that track car. I almost did, but before I could I found out I was pregnant. I wasn't willing to risk my baby's life by going faster than the legal speed limit. Even though it was me driving and I knew there would be no danger, I thought about the other drivers on the road and you can never be too sure.

I used those thoughts to help me out of the car and trudge my way up the stairs. I was afraid to know why Tanya was here. If I'm being honest with myself, I'm afraid to find out that it's why I think she's here.

I put my key in the lock but it was already unlocked so I went in and heard nothing but silence. I walked straight through to the dark living room only to find it empty. I didn't bother with taking my coat off or setting my purse down, I mechanically went to our bedroom, my bedroom. I finally got the courage to open it and thank you to any higher power that's listening, the room was vacant.

I let out a throaty sigh and checked the bathroom just to be safe and then headed to Rose's old room—the study. It was empty too. The last room to check was Alice's room, the room we plan on turning into the baby's nursery. I started to feel the heat behind my eyes and the tightening of my esophagus as my hand hovered over the door handle. It was shut and I could hear nothing coming from the other side. I hesitated a moment longer then opened the door.

EPOV

Hearing our baby's heart beat and seeing the black and white ultrasound picture are two things I will never forget. Ten fingers, ten toes and nothing between the legs just as I knew there wouldn't be. I told Bella, everyone that she would be a girl because something just felt right about it. Alice is only a week further along than Bella and they spend a lot of time together. I spend most of my days looking for work but to no avail. All the sought after positions that I am qualified for are taken and have been for years.

So Bella continued to work fulltime even though I thought she should slow down. Up until Tanya came into our lives Bella did continue on with her life as if nothing had changed.

Tanya takes a lot of the stress away from Bella which thrills me inside and out. She wouldn't listen to me when I told her she should take it easy but she listened to Tanya. I could give a shit less who she listens to as long as she listens.

Tanya and I have been scheming behind Bella's back for weeks now, she hasn't suspected a thing. We always do it while she's at work and keep all the evidence at her place. It feels wrong to be hiding something of this magnitude from my Bella but it would cause her unnecessary worry.

"Edwardo, I think I found something else," Tanya called for me in the Babies-R-Us super center. I never knew one existed until Tanya informed me. "Look, it'll work for both genders, its pastel."

I looked at the random piece of fabric in her hands and racked my brain for what the hell it could be. "What the hell is it?" I asked, because I was coming up with nothing.

"It's a sling, it makes it easier to do household chores or walk. It lessens the strain on your back and arms see," she unraveled it and held it up. "It goes around your should like this and the baby lays in here…kind of like a hammock," she demonstrated.

I cocked my head to the side and nodded my understanding and she removed the…sling? "Can I ask you something?"

She looked up at me and nodded, "Yeah, of course. What's on your mind?" she was suddenly really interested in what I had to say. Her eyes seemed to penetrate through me and I was suddenly uncomfortable with the amount of space between us. I shifted my weight to my left foot—putting another inch or two between us—and put together the question in my head.

I'd been playing around with the idea of marriage for a while now. The things I know are certain, that I love Bella. I only want to be with Bella for the rest of my life and that I want our baby to share my last name. I want us all to have the same last name and I want Bella to belong to me in some tangible way. I needed a woman's view of the situation and Tanya has gotten to know Bella rather well.

"What are your views on marriage after progeny?"

She looked at me stupidly, "Progeny? Really Edwardo, you can't just say kids or children, you have to say progeny?"

I didn't respond but waited for her answer. "Well, I think it's important but this is a new time, a lot of people don't even get married at all."

"Let me rephrase the question," she didn't give me what I was looking for so I tried again, "How important do you think it is to Bella?" That's what I really wanted to know.

She diverted her eyes back to the rack in front of her and fingered the onsis hanging in a row. "I think that doesn't care if you're married or not. I think the only thing that matters is that she has you."

I contemplated that, "Do you think she would rather it be that way though?"

She walked around the rack to another that held sleeping attire and little booties. "I think you should ask her because I haven't the slightest clue." She walked off then to another section and I headed over to the cribs. Our baby was going to have the best of everything, and that includes her sleeping quarters.

I didn't bring up marriage with Tanya again because she seemed uninterested when I asked her about it. I've only known her for a little over 7 months so I guess really maybe the conversation was a little too soon.

After we paid for the items Tanya went to her place to retrieve the other stuff we'd bought over the last few weeks. I returned home with the new items and got everything inside and started the crib before Tanya met me there. I sent Bella a message when she got off work to see how long we have until she would be home.

We set up the room according to Tanya's instructions and Bella's requests, just before she was due to arrive home. We heard the front door open and we stayed perfectly still, not to make a noise. We listened as she opened door after door until she came to the right one. She lingered there and I wasn't sure why but soon enough the door handle turned and reveled the newly set up nursery.

Her expression at first worried me, it pained me in a way I didn't think possible. I felt a twinge of sadness myself until the moment her eyes lit up and she smiled the most breathtaking smile I have ever seen grace her face.

"Surprise," Tanya went to her and hugged her tight, "What do you think?"

Bella just looked around the room, awestruck and speechless, just like I'd hoped she would be. Her eyes fell on me and something was definitely bothering her. Her expression fell in the same moment and her eyes filled with tears. She came to me, disregarding Tanya completely and I pulled her into my arms.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I rubbed her head and she sobbed against my chest. "You don't like it?"

"No," she sniffled, "I love it, it's beautiful."

"Why are you crying then?" I wasn't expecting this, something quite the opposite actually.

"I just…I don't know, maybe it's the pregnancy. How did you do this?"

"I didn't do it alone," I glanced over at Tanya and Bella shifted in my arms to follow my gaze. Tanya waved.

"You helped," Bella asked with a sniffle.

Tanya smiled coolly, "Yeah, I was happy to do it." Bella left my arms only to end up in Tanya's and they both laughed as they hugged. Tanya didn't take her eyes off of me.

Week 36, Bella had what she thought to be a contraction in the middle of the night. We called Tanya and she came over right away. "Do you feel it in your lower back and your abdomen?" she asked while Bella was having another "contraction."

Tanya smiled, "its Braxton hicks, you're in the early stages of labor. You only have a month left. This is to be expected," she reassured us both.

"Will you stay?" Bella cried, "Just until morning?" I had her in my arms but I didn't blame her for wanting Tanya to stay. I wanted her to stay too.

She stayed; I set up a place for her to sleep on the couch while Bella thankfully drifted off to slumber. I hated seeing her in any kind of distress, especially when there was nothing I could do about it. I didn't like her being vulnerable, it weakened me and made me that much more protective of her.

I stayed up a while, taking to Tanya, she's easy to talk to and a good listener. Not that there were things I needed to vent that I couldn't vent to Bella, just that I wanted to talk about it with someone else.

I ended up falling out on the chair and then was woken to Bella climbing into the chair and curling up into my arms. Honey and lilacs.

She was quiet a while but I could feel her gaze resting on me so I wasn't at all surprised when she spoke. "What are you doing out here?" Her voice was a whisper, she sounded sad.

I peeked at her through the smallest possible opening for my eyes. "I fell asleep talking to Tanya about things. Don't let it worry you," I told her; my fingers playing with a strand of her hair.

She stared into my eyes for a moment with a kind of fury I've never seen in them. She got up quickly before I could say anything and stomped back to the bedroom. I flinched when the door slam echoed behind her.

BPOV

Edward can be so irrational sometimes. What part about falling asleep in the living room next to a gorgeous woman and not in your bed with your mediocre-pregnant-girlfriend, is okay? The look Edward gave me when he said it showed that he really didn't think anything was wrong with that. I don't believe either of them would ever…I just wouldn't fall asleep in a room with any other man, especially if Edward was waiting for me in our bed.

Under the covers of our bed, I fought back tears that threatened to stain his pillow. I heard the door open and shut lightly and then there were footsteps.

"Bella," he said calmly, nervously. "Bella, I didn't mean to upset you. I feel asleep after talking to Tanya." I didn't respond.

"Please don't be mad at me." I felt his hand on the blanket over my ankle and I jerked it away quickly. "Please don't be like that, I hate seeing you upset."

I threw the blankets back so he could see me, my hormones going berserk with no hope of controlling them. "Then why do you make me be like this. Why didn't you come to bed when you started to fall asleep? Why Edward, enlighten me because I would really like to know." I probably looked like a 5 year old throwing a fit over bed time or something but I don't care.

His lips parted and he smiled, he fucking smiled. "Don't you fucking smile at me, I am irate right now." He climbed onto the bed over my legs and I pulled the blanket back, to cover my face once again. I rolled onto my side so I was facing away from him as he climbed under the covers.

His arms came to rest over me, his hand cradling my belly, "I can't wait to meet her," he whispered in my ear.

"Don't you try and woo your way out of this, I'm really hurt Edward." I tried to keep the strong edge in my voice but it was close to impossible when he is this close to me. He moved impossibly closer to me, "I know, and I never meant to hurt you. I was thinking about what Tanya and I talked about and I just fell out. I didn't mean to Bella, I only want to sleep next to you and I hope you know that."

He had my curiosity. I want to know what they talked about. "Oh yea, and what did you two love birds talk about?" That might have been a little over dramatic but I'm entitled to that.

"Bel-la, don't be like that. You're my only love bird," he joked and tried to nuzzle his face to my neck. I wasn't having that.

"Answer the question Edward, what did you talk about?" I couldn't hide the tone in my voice, or the tension in my back, or even the fact that I didn't—for the first time in a long time—want Edward to touch me.

He huffed and his arms left me. I could feel his movements through the bed and I knew he was hiding something. I rolled over and faced him, my face not hiding behind the blanket anymore. "What did you talk about?" I asked him again.

He propped himself up on his right elbow and kept his eyes on the sheets below. "I asked her what to expect when you do actually go into labor. I want to be prepared for anything," he said under his breath. "I asked her if your mood swings were normal and she explained to me why that is. I asked about the weight you've gained, if it is normal, not too much not too little. I also asked her if she thought I would be a good father."

It almost felt like I should be offended by him asking about my weight but I could hardly think of anything else except his last question. "Why do you worry about that?" I put my right hand up to his face and he leaned into it.

"I didn't have the greatest role model Bella, I don't want to screw this up."

"No, you had a great role model, Carlisle," I reminded him.

He smiled down at me and it melted my heart, "If I can be anything like Carlisle…well then that will be okay."

"I love you," I told him with a serious tone, he had a way at getting me to forgive him even when I really didn't want to. His expression changed to mirror my own and he told me he loved me too, more and more each day. His smile was warm and all thoughts of being angry or holding a grudge was gone. I couldn't stay mad at him even if I wanted to—my heart, body and soul would never allow it.

Tanya stayed all day even though I didn't have Braxton hicks anymore. She said she wanted to be sure before she left. I watched her more carefully now, in the way she acted and composed herself around Edward. I saw what I already knew, what I should have known all along. That she has a thing for Edward, my baby's father, my Edward. I couldn't really blame her, but she's my midwife. She should be able to keep her feelings to herself.

I also saw the way he acted towards her too. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I couldn't be sure if Edward saw it or not but I really hoped he didn't. If he did, then he was flirting with her right in front of me.

I couldn't and wouldn't believe that. I couldn't imagine Edward doing that to me; at least not while in my line of sight. I kept everything to myself, because that's what I do, and I moped around the next couple of days. My maternity leave started and I was due in a week. Tanya was around a lot more and I was beginning to notice everything. The subtle touches, the glances, the way she flipped her hair and ran her fingers through it when he spoke to her.

It was beginning to make me sick.

I know, it was short and I said I wouldn't do that but I had to. I'm moving and I wanted to get this out on Saturday like I said I would. What do you think of Tanya??? Biotch right? just wait and you'll see what I mean.

Next update will be Tuesday if I can manage it while moving. Thankfully school out for two weeks. I went to Walmart New Moon release party. OME was it ridiculous. I stood in line for about 2 hours just to make sure I would get the fan edition of New Moon. They had carts full of the normal DVD but only 12 boxes of the fan edition. Thankfully I got my copy. The case is so cool...much better than the original one...but either one is still way cool. I watched the 7 bonus minutes of Eclipse and was definitely disappointed. I won't say why or how much because I don't want to ruin it for anyone but ya....I could have lived without it. They had trivia questions and they asked the most ridiculous things. I haven't read the books in almost a year so I couldn't answer them, I was a little upset about that. I feel like I need to read them again. I'm not going to though because that will cut into my writing time and we can't have that.

Thank you all for your reviews...I'm sorry if I'm losing you but this story has a few more twists...I think you'll appreciate it later. Thank you to Scrimmy....much love to you.

You know what to do....lil' button just below

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