Flabbergasted Phenomenon

Summary: "This is the most unique situation I have ever heard of with a human and a vampire," was what Carlisle said, but all I could think was, "I'm going to have a baby."

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, or Eclipse. I just own the scenarios where I thrust my favorite vampire and his family and the love of his life! Yay for me!

Chapter Twelve: Perpetual Rain Cloud

"Trick or Treat!"

I giggled as two ghosts and a pirate held out their little Halloween pails. I gave them generous amounts of chocolate and they sped off, shouting to their parents about the candy I gave them.

I didn't dress up, not having enough time to do so, but I was wearing a Halloween sweater that I found at the only thrift shop in Forks, and jeans. Charlie cleared his throat and I looked at him.

The Sheriff.

"Halloween is really the only time of year that the kids around here get in trouble."

"Did they call you in?"

"Yeah, but I decided to stay here." He pulled a chair up beside me and smiled. "They can handle it." He took a piece of my candy and ate it.

"Hey! That's for the kids in costumes."

"I'm just a big kid," Charlie said, with another laugh.

I rolled my eyes and returned my attention to the kids coming up the sidewalk. I honestly didn't expect so many of them to come to the house, but thankfully, before Edward left with his family, he bought a few more bags of candy.

But the chocolate was tempting, and I found myself eating it, just as Charlie did.

"So about Thanksgiving," Charlie said, and I turned to him. "What were your plans again?"

"This weekend, Renée and Phil are going to meet Edward and me in California," I stopped to smile at the Dalmatian who was walking up to the house, clasping what I assumed was his mothers hand tightly. She pushed on his back gently and he reluctantly let go of her hand.

"Twick-Or-Tweat!" he recited, and I was being extremely generous with this little boy, I gave him two handfuls of candy. He ran from me as if I was the plague and held onto his mother.

"What do you say?"

"Fank you!"

"You're welcome!" I called, and I watched as they walked away, hand in hand. I returned my attention back to Charlie, who was watching me with interest. "Edward and I will eat here for Thanksgiving dinner."

"What about the rest of the Cullen's?"

"Carlisle is working on Thanksgiving, so Esme is having Thanksgiving Friday." The Cullen's, minus Carlisle, who really had to work, were actually planning to hunt Thursday night while Edward and I were here, and then when we got back home, Edward and Carlisle would go hunting.

"Carlisle already has his work schedule for November?"

"They gave it to him this morning. He called to tell Esme so she could arrange everything."

I could see Charlie from the corner of my eye nodding his head. Before I could say anything else, there was a flash of lightning, and not so long afterwards, a boom of thunder.

Then we were being pelted by rain.

I gathered up the bowls of candy as Charlie grabbed the chairs, and we went back inside the house. I guess there won't be anymore trick-or-treaters tonight, I thought as I moved to the kitchen table where my book bag was sitting, untouched.

Within minutes, I was working on my homework, munching on chocolate candy—it seemed like the candy was screaming my name!—while Charlie floated between the kitchen and living room. I could hear a basketball game, but obviously Charlie was hungry because he kept looking in the fridge.

I offered to make him dinner, but he declined, saying that I needed to get my college work done. Soon after, I began working diligently in absolute homework mode. Time went by quickly as I read over my rough draft essay for my Anatomy and Physiology class. I didn't even notice that Charlie was cooking in the kitchen until I smelled the bacon he was frying; one of the few things he could actually cook.

Instead of even suggesting having some bacon, and inevitably eggs, I just ate more Halloween candy, humming in happiness. I couldn't deny it; I've been craving chocolate. Smears of milk chocolate were on the corners of my rough draft, but thankfully I wasn't turning it in for a grade.

Finally, after editing and revising my paper, I was pleased with my second copy of my chocolate free essay. I gasped and clutched my chest in surprise when I looked up, seeing Edward leaning against the wall, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Edward, don't do that!" I said angrily, narrowing my eyes. "Do you want my heart to stop beating?"

"Not particularly," was Edward's response. He walked into the kitchen, and I watched him. He looked at my work that was spread out around me, and I quirked an eyebrow when he lifted up my paper.

"Are you trying to decipher my chicken scratch? And how long were you standing in the doorway watching me?"

"I can read this just fine," Edward said, lowering the paper so I could see his facial expression. "You haven't registered a major, have you?" I shook my head, and I think he saw my question reflected in my eyes because he said, "You're taking all the classes to obtain an Associate in Biology Education Degree."

"I know." I smiled at my logic.

"But you still haven't declared your major?"

I shook my head, resting my hands on my stomach. "I figured that by the end of my pregnancy, I may change my mind, but at this moment, I would like to get this degree."

"And you're not declaring your major?" Edward still seemed a little perplexed by this, and I had to laugh.

"Edward, you're thinking too much into this. Will you help me carry my bag to the car?" I stood up slowly, unwilling to give up my candy, but knowing that it would not be good for my health if I took it home. Edward began packing away my books, and I went into the living room to say goodnight to Charlie.

After saying goodnight, Edward and I walked in a companionable silence to the car, until I looked at my stomach. "I feel pregnant." I rubbed my stomach and sighed.

"You look pregnant," Edward offered, and I wasn't sure if that was an offensive term, especially with the baggy sweater I was wearing. I was about to comment about it, but then I decided, the poor vampire had enough trouble handling my mood swings, let alone insulting or insinuating my weight to me. I got inside the car quietly, and Edward stood outside the car for a second, before opening the trunk and placing my bag there.

When he got inside of the car, he started it, but didn't move. I looked at him questioningly, and he smiled at me. "Can I see?" he asked, touching my stomach. I hesitantly pulled up my layered clothing, first my sweater, and then my turtleneck beneath it, and eventually a t-shirt that was being hidden. Finally my bare stomach was revealed and I looked up at Edward, my heart thudding in my chest. Edward hesitantly brought his hand to my stomach, touching it as if it were a rare treasure.

I leaned towards his touch as his fingers fluttered against my abdomen. For a fleeting second he stayed that way, not allowing his hand to fully rest against my stomach, and then he rested his hand and held it there.

How badly I wanted to know what he was thinking! I looked at him and there was a look of pure ecstasy on his face, and he looked more beautiful than Adonis ever could. I put my hand on top of his, and his eyes finally drifted from my stomach to my eyes. The smile that was gracing his features knocked the breath from me.

No words passed between us. It was as if his eyes told me what he was thinking. He was pleased—overjoyed, and I felt as if I just gave Edward the best gift I could ever give him.

The car ride home was relatively silent, excluding the purr of the engine and the sound of the heater running. Before I knew it, I drifted off, my hand keeping Edward's on my stomach. I clutched it tightly, as if I was afraid to let it go.

I couldn't remember even leaving the car, but the next time I felt conscious, I was groaning.

"Bella?"

I had no chance to respond, I could feel bile rising up my throat. With my fingers clamped tightly over my mouth, I dashed from the bedroom and to the bathroom, trying to keep my clumsiness to a minimum. I only tripped once I reached the toilet, but Edward easily caught me and lowered me to the floor.

Up came the blasted candy.

Tears ran freely down my cheeks as I heaved into my porcelain friend, Edward rubbing my back soothingly and whispering sweet nothings—or at least that's what I thought—into my ear.

When I was finished getting sick, I dropped my head to my arm and flushed the toilet. "Time is it?" I mumbled, knowing Edward would easily decipher what I just said.

"Four nineteen," Edward said softly, wrapping his arms around my waist. He tried to pick me up, but I weakly wrapped my arms around the toilet, shaking my head and groaning,

"Can't, gonna get sick 'gain."

And true to my word, I heaved again.

This is how it continued on, for what must've been hours. After awhile, I was just drying heaving painfully, my ribs aching from my strenuous vomiting. I cried softly to myself as Edward constantly ran his fingers through my hair and rocked me gently against his chest. I wasn't even sure if what I had was morning sickness, or something else. It can even be morning sickness and something else! I groaned and tried burying my head closer to Edward's marble body.

"Are you going to be okay?" Edward asked worriedly, and I shook my head.

"No," I said pitifully. I pressed my face closer to his chest, breathing deeply, trying to stop my gagging. His intoxicating scent was not helping me in the least, but his cool skin was keeping my burning face a little below boiling. I tugged at the collar of my pajama shirt, feeling a little gross; I was damp with sweat.

Edward continued rubbing my back, rocking me, and I just wanted to go away and die. There was a pounding in my skull, and I wanted that to go away too.

Finally, I shakily pushed myself away from Edward and said, "I'm done." I was thankful that he did not question me; the smell of my own sickness was getting to me. He stood up fluidly, and I didn't have enough strength to wrap my arms around his neck. He carried me from the bathroom, not running, and went all the way downstairs and set me on the couch. I couldn't even form a coherent protest before he ran off, and by the time I blinked, he was back, a blanket in his hands. He tucked me in on the couch and sat down on the floor in front of me.

"You need to sleep Bella, it's eight thirty."

"No," I said, shaking my head. "I don't want to."

"You're acting like a child," Edward reprimanded, and I shrugged my shoulder. I may be acting like a child, but I was feeling sick as well. Edward seemed to be thinking the same thing because he rolled his eyes and kissed my forehead. "I'll get you a cold rag and a glass of water. Are you hungry?"

"Do not mention food until I tell you to," I growled, closing my eyes. Just the thought of food initiated my gag reflex. I pressed my arm against my eyes and waited for something to happen, my headache to leave or something. My bad mood must've been coming off in waves, because Jasper asked,

"Who has the perpetual rain cloud over their head?"

I growled at him, moving my arm to glare in his direction. I'm pretty sure my glare didn't look too frightening; my eyes were already swollen from my tears. Jasper walked towards me, a frown on his face. Then I felt a wave of calm wash over me, which was soothing. I sank into the couch with my tranquility, nearly forgetting that I was sick.

Edward appeared a second later, and he was holding the cup over my head, initiating to me that I needed to sit up when he froze.

I watched in shock at the mixture of emotions that flickered through Edward's face, and then I jumped when malicious growls tore from Jasper's throat. I glanced at Jasper, and he was crouched low to the ground, as if someone was attacking him, and he was looking at Edward. I shrank away from them, but obviously not far enough, because seconds later, I felt water falling on me, and I instinctively covered my head, flinching when I felt stinging.

"GET OUT!" I shrieked, knowing that stinging was often followed by blood. In a flash, Edward had Jasper in his arms, and he ran away, slamming the front door behind him. I brought my arms down and examined them.

Okay, I thought, relieved. Only little cuts. Only a little blood. A little blood is okay. I'm going to live. I repeated this over and over in my head as I picked off the shards of glass from my hair and arms. Then I carefully maneuvered myself around the couch, holding my arms in a way that blood wouldn't accidentally rub off on the furniture.

When my feet were safely on the floor, I tiptoed around the glass and to the kitchen.

"Bella, do you need help?"

"Esme!" I said, jumping away from the door, surprised that she was standing in the doorway. My heart raced as I shook my head. I wouldn't subject my motherly vampire to this kind of torture, but she seemed to have a different idea. She didn't wait for me to respond, she immediately went into doctor mode, like Carlisle did in emergency situations.

She got a first aid kit and directed me to stand still.

I closed my eyes tightly as she rubbed my arms with alcohol, and she inspected all the cuts. This took only a matter of seconds, and before I knew it, the worst cut was covered with a band-aid and she was adding pressure to it to stop the bleeding.

Then Esme spun me carefully, picking out the glass that I didn't get from my hair and clothing. She also inspected for any other bleeding wounds. When she was satisfied, she leaned against the counter, sweeping the glass into her hand. "What happened? Did you have an accident?"

"No," I said, slightly confused. "It was really strange. I was just sitting in the living room, waiting for Edward to get me a glass of water, and then suddenly he was angry—and Jasper, he was growling—I don't know—" I swayed slightly, and Esme caught my arms, holding me steady.

"Are you all right?"

"A little dizzy. I haven't eaten yet today…" The thoughts of food, surprisingly, didn't make me sick. I was relatively hungry, but I didn't want to eat until the situation of Edward and Jasper was taken care of.

I jumped when Esme gathered me up in her arms and carried me out of the kitchen. I heard her murmur, "It's all right boys, she's not bleeding."

Suddenly I was in Edward's arms, and he was apologizing, all the while kissing my face and inspecting the tiny cuts. I had to force my question, "What is going on?" between kisses, and even then, I was sure he wasn't going to answer me because he never stopped apologizing.

After a full minute, Edward pulled away from me, and I gave him a meaningful stare. "Tell me," I demanded.

"It was nothing, really." Edward brushed this off, as if I would believe him.

"Edward," I said warningly, and he smiled at me, making me swoon.

"It was nothing, Bella," he breathed lightly in my face, and in seconds flat, I was being dazzled. I did noticed that his eyes were onyx, which was strange because he hunted the night before, and then the fact that he was dazzling me, trying to hide something what angered him and Jasper so greatly.

I felt dread wash over me and my stomach twisted in knots.

He was lying to me.

xoXoXoXox

BB/N: Well…I guess I'm a jerk, since I left the story as it was…but you'll forgive me later, I swear!

It might be a long time, but it'll be later. :)

Thanks for the onslaught of reviews! I don't think I've had so much e-mail in my Inbox before, it was a little frightening!

Love,
Bob Bennit