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 Thirteen: Port Angeles
My lips were pressed firmly as I watched Edward in the near dark, staring out the window. I think he thought I was asleep, even though it was extremely obvious that I wasn't. He had been extremely careful of me lately, almost overprotective, well, more intensely overprotective.
And he was stressed, stressed about something that he wasn't telling me.
This thought alone stressed me out.
And he was so preoccupied with this stress that he didn't notice that I was stressed, or, at that exact moment I was sitting up in bed, staring at him. It didn't matter if he could or could not hear my thoughts, my sporadic breathing and quick pulse when I came up with new theories should have made it obvious.
I pieced a few things together on my own.
The anger that I witnessed from Jasper could have easily been Edward's, because he did crush a glass cup above my head. Edward's behavior on the other hand was a little harder to place. He heard thoughts, that, I knew, and it could have been Jasper's, but from the behavior of the other vampire's in this household, I had a gut feeling Alice had a vision and Edward saw it in her thoughts, and therefore he became angered, and thus Jasper picked up his feelings.
But what was the vision about? What could have been so horrible that Edward reacted like that? And not just then, but on our little trip to California to visit Renée and Phil for Thanksgiving? He acted too formal to Renée and Phil, and I could see something—albeit I wasn't sure if it was anger or fear or another paralyzing feeling—brewing beneath the surface. With all this happening, on top of my pregnancy hormones and mood swings, I was miserable. Thankfully, Renée told me that she understood my mood, and she didn't press me too hard about anything.
I was thanking my lucky stars that I was blessed with such an understanding mother.
These disturbing thoughts that keep Edward preoccupied also had the family worried too.I couldn't count how many times I've been around Esme, and she begins pacing and fretting, her silent words only heard by the other vampires. The tension in the house was thick too, sometimes if everyone was in the room together, I couldn't breathe because of it. Jasper has been trying to keep everyone calm, I can tell, and so has Carlisle, but nothing could appease Edward. And with Emmett and Rosalie missing in action, to where, I have no idea, had me worried; no doubt everyone else too.
Did the vision that Alice had have anything to do with the disappearance of Emmett and Rosalie?
"Bella?"
I gasped, my hands clapping over my mouth as I broke free of my thoughts. Edward looked apologetically at me when he realized he frightened me. My voice was little more than a whisper when I said, "What?"
"Can you go somewhere tomorrow?"
"Where?" I squeaked. I saw Edward close his eyes and I frowned. Did he need me to pick something up from the store for him? Alice informed me that it was supposed to be sunny tomorrow, so maybe he needed something but couldn't get it? I jumped when I felt a vibrating against my hip. I reached into my pocket, and without looking at the screen to see who was calling, I opened the phone. "Hello?"
"Bella? Hi, it's Ben."
"Oh," I said without thinking. I chewed on my bottom lip. "Umm…Ben, could you call me back in a few minutes, I'm—"
"I just have a quick question. Angela and I are in town for Turkey-day, and I wanted to surprise her with a little visit from you and Edward in Port Angeles, if you wouldn't mind?"
"I would have to ask Edward—"
"That's fine, that's fine. Just call me back later, 'kay?"
"Right, bye."
"Bye."
I dropped the phone into my lap and was about to push the entirely too short conversation out of my mind to confront Edward about his strange behavior, when he beat me to it. "What did Ben want?"
"He wanted me and you to go to Port Angeles tomorrow, but obviously that's out of the question, it's going to be sunny."
"Well, you can go." He sounded too hopeful, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Edward, I'm tired of—"
"Just trust me Bella," Edward pleaded, leaning closer to me and breathing lightly in my face. I closed my eyes and turned my head.
"I need to know what is going on," I took a shaky breath. It was getting harder to deny him of his requests nowadays.
"It's not bad."
"Then why can't I know?" I asked, turning to him and looking at him with wide eyes and a pout pulling at my lips, knowing that he couldn't resist this look. "Please?" I breathed quietly, touching his cheek gently with my fingertips and staring at him from beneath my eyelashes. I saw that he was tempted to tell me something, and then he shook his head and I could see his lips moving, as if he were speaking to himself.
"Bella, do not worry about it, just do this one favor for me and get out of Forks for the day."
That had me worried. "Is it really that important?" I asked, and I saw a frown settle on his lips. He was still for a moment, and then he shook his head, leaning closer to me.
"It's Alice's idea. She's planning something." There was a look of uncertainty in his eyes, and for a split second I didn't believe what he was saying.
"Really," I said sarcastically. "Edward, you're a terrible liar. I can see—" He put his fingers over my lips.
"She's listening."
So he is telling the truth. "Why can't I just go to Charlie's? And why can't you come along? I don't want to spend a day without you."
Edward gathered me up in his arms and kissed me tenderly. I was shocked at the emotion that was pouring through him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned a little closer, quickly losing all thought. He pulled away slowly, resting his forehead against mine, speaking as I tried to catch my breath. "I don't want to spend a second without you, Bella, but Alice is requesting. She wants you to get a little shopping done as well, and what better day than tomorrow, with Ben and Angela? You'll have fun, trust me."
"But I'll worry about you."
"What's there to worry about? It's just Alice." He chuckled, but it sounded forced. I tried to ignore that, instead, looking up at him with sad eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive." Edward picked up my phone and gently placed it in my hands. "Now make plans with Ben."
While I flipped through the numbers on the phone, I said somberly, "I've been spending a lot of time without you."
Edward kissed my forehead, hugging me to his chest. "I know, and I don't like it at all."
At least he misses me.
When I called Ben and made plans, he sounded ecstatic. I forced cheeriness into my voice; I didn't want to sound like I didn't want to go. Something was still nagging me about this whole situation, but I tried to push it away from my thoughts.
I jumped when Edward laid me down and carefully slid his hand up my shirt, his fingers were cold. He softly caressed my stomach, and I felt tears clouding my eyes. "I love you," he whispered, kissing the nape of my neck.
"I love you too," I whispered, rolling to face him and kissing him and then resting my head in the crook of his shoulder and neck. Edward slipped his hands around me and rubbed my back soothingly, until I fell asleep, all the while humming my lullaby.
I woke to the sound of a door slamming. I sat up quickly, gasping because a pain shot up my spine, and then I looked around the room, trying to find the source of the slamming door.
Setting on the edge of the bed was a white bag. I was still a little disorientated, so I scooted to the edge of the bed and peered inside the bag. There was a card, so I picked it up, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the unwelcome sunlight flitting through the windows.
You lost the war, Bella.
I bought this without you—but that doesn't mean you're not going shopping with me! We'll just have to plan this at a later date.
LoveAlice
Well, I am having trouble fitting my clothes, I conceded. I opened the bag and dumped the clothes onto my bed. I stared at the pants first. They were jeans, and I was relieved that it was a brand I recognized. Nothing too expensive. This must be a first for Alice. I picked them up and examined them. They had a stretching waist and they seemed comfortable. I think I might like these. I picked up the shirt, and was a little unhappy about how revealing it was. It was a thin pink sweater and according to the tag it was a rib empire Henley sweater. The amount of cleavage that would be showing would be embarrassing! I carefully put the shirt aside, a frown covering my features. The shirt itself was beautiful, I couldn't deny that, but it was so revealing!
And that's when I noticed the white piece of fabric halfway hidden beneath the jeans. I picked it up and smiled.
Alice knows me well.
It was just a white long sleeve shirt, almost like thermal underwear.
I grabbed the clothes and carried them to the bathroom, where I got dressed and took a human minute. While in the bathroom, I could hear music floating from below. Edward was playing his piano.
I hastily finished getting dressed, careful to keep my balance. When I was dressed, I brushed my hair and stared in frustration, it was not cooperating this morning. Before I could turn and open the bathroom door, it opened, and piano music drifted into the room. I looked at the small pixie-like vampire grinning at me and directing me to sit on the toilet.
In seconds, she had my hair in a French braid, and I was quite happy with the outcome. No more fussing with it! When I stood up, Alice looked me up and down, smiling.
"You look beautiful, Bella. And pregnant. Very pregnant."
"Is that a good thing?" I asked skeptically, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I turned to the side, rubbing my stomach all the while.
"A very good thing," Alice said, smiling briefly and then brushing her fingers against my stomach.
I blushed, avoiding her eyes. "Thanksgiving was what did it to me."
"Don't be ashamed Bella, this is good news! You're slowly growing at an appropriate rate. Now your stomach exploding the way it has is another story." She laughed again, making me smile a little.
"I think it's bloating."
"That's what they all say," she teased, kissing my cheek. "Edward was restlesslast night, why don't you greet him this wonderful afternoon?"
"Okay," I noticed immediately that Alice's demeanor changed at the mention of her favorite brother. It was almost as if the name Edward made her frown, not just his activities. It tugged at my heart to see that look on her face. I walked quietly beside her, my hands clasped in front of me.
We traveled down the stairs in silence, and I listened as Edward played his piano, and I felt my chest constrict. The music he was playing was slow and a little melancholy. An involuntary sniffle came from me, and in seconds, Edward began playing a different tune, my lullaby.
My first sight of Edward took my breath away, the frown that was gracing his lips made me want to kiss it away. I began reaching for him before I was close enough, and he opened his eyes, and all music stopped. His eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped slightly. I continued to move towards him, and then he fluidly stood from the piano bench and was in front of me, holding me at arms length.
"Bella," he breathed, and another blush covered my cheeks. At first his fingers gently swept my cheeks, pushing away the wisps of hair that wouldn't stay in the braid, and then his fingers traipsed down my neck, carefully touching my pulse. I swallowed hard and took a shuddering breath.
He lowered his head and breathed lightly against my ear, "You're so beautiful." His hands stopped at my not so phenomenal swell of my belly, and if he could have cried, I'm sure he would have begun to.
"Edward," I choked, trying to suppress my emotions. Just simple touches, simple words brought tears to my eyes. I closed the distance between us, kissing him until I couldn't breathe. Edward rested his head against mine and swept away my tears. "I love you."
"I love you more," Edward whispered, kissing my forehead.
I huffed in response, refusing to participate in a debate about who loved who more. I pulled away from our embrace, but Edward still kept his hand on my stomach, rubbing in soothing circles. "Did I go to bed late last night?"
Edward shook his head. "Not extremely. But you did sleep an awfully long time."
"I noticed. It's about noon."
"Would you like lunch?" I smiled and nodded my head, following Edward into the kitchen. I easily made my own lunch, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a glass of milk, and sat down at the table. While I ate, Edward seemed to be preoccupied with me, constantly brushing his fingers or lips against my skin; I didn't mind, I was just curious as to his mood.
"What time are you leaving?" he asked, finally keeping still by resting his head on my shoulder. I took a sip of milk, washing down my sandwich, and said,
"Ben and Angela are going to be in Port Angeles around five, they want to have dinner, and I'll be leaving soon, I want to go to the new bookstore that Angela and I tried to go to a few months ago."
"Wuthering Heights lost your interest?" Edward joked, and I rolled my eyes.
"For your information, Wuthering Heights is just as good as it was before, but I have other books in mind." I pecked his cheek and stood up carefully to my feet. Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and walked with me to the door, where I slipped on my shoes. He slipped his car keys into my hand and chuckled.
"You drive my car more than I do."
I rolled my eyes at him and kissed him again, resting my head against his chest. "I don't want to go without you."
"It would be best," Edward said in a monotone voice. He kissed me, and I actually had to pull away first, to breathe. It was this, his kisses and the sound of his voice that made me doubt that Alice was planning anything. But I chose to ignore it. If there was something Edward truly needed to hide from me, I trusted him enough to believe that it wasn't something dangerous.
With one last kiss goodbye, I went outside, frowning at the sun as it shined brightly. Of all the days to shine, it chose a day that I would have liked to be outside with Edward. At least it warmed the air so it wasn't an unbearable cold.
I was actually comfortable.
I walked to Edward's Volvo slowly, thinking of all the things I'd do this afternoon. I wanted to get my sadness out of me while in the car, because bringing down Angela and Ben would make me feel guilty. The hole that I usually felt in my chest when Edward wasn't in my presence began to show itself, before I even got in the car. I didn't have anything to distract me from it, so I had to endure it.
When I got inside Edward's Volvo, I started it and put on my seatbelt. I readjusted the mirrors and then I began to drive away.
At least I can go to that bookstore.
My thoughts, which I forced, pertained to little things that I would do to take up time before I met up with Angela and Ben. The bookstore was one, and I had enough money to stock up on books for my own leisure activity, if I had any after my school work, and that could take up over an hour. It's twelve twenty now, it takes at least an hour and twenty minutes to get there, so I'll arrive in Port Angeles at about one forty, I can go to the bookstore, and possibly stay until two thirty or three o'clock, and then what? I could get a snack and eat in a tacky and much too expensive restaurant—something caught my eye, and with my luck, I was at a red light, so I leaned down and picked up a plastic bag from the passenger side floor and peered inside.
Trail mix. Granola bars. Water. If Edward continues to spoil me, I'm going to be a crying, blubbering mess!
One hour later, I was driving through Port Angeles, plagued with thoughts about Edward. I did not want to think about his secret, but it kept nagging me. I knew it couldn't be something as ridiculous as another woman; I dismissed that thought long ago. Alice's vision had something to do with it.
"Ugh! Holy crow! Just stop thinking about it!" I scolded myself, parking the car and frowning at my reflection in the window. "You're getting yourself worked up for nothing. Take a deep breath. Forget about it!" Just as I finished talking to myself, my cell phone rang. I didn't even know it was in my pocket. Edward must've slipped it in there, I thought, before, once again answering without looking to see who was calling.
"Hello?"
"How was your trip?"
"I just got here. Are you following me, Edward?" I looked over my shoulder, but quickly looked away when Edward laughed.
"I figured that much. Are you feeling all right? Is there anything you need?"
"I'm in Port Angeles now, if I needed something, I would buy it. And, by the way, I am feeling pretty good actually." I paused for a moment before making the decision of going to the bookstore. "Has it really been an hour since I've seen you?"
"The longest hour of my life, love," Edward said, and I heard the sigh and sadness in his voice. It warmed me slightly that he missed me just as much as I missed him. I put my free hand in my pocket to keep it warm, and I was surprised that I found my wallet. I pulled it out and looked at it, opening it and seeing money.
"How many things have you put in my pocket, Edward? Will I find Charlie?" Edward laughed, and I couldn't help but giggle too.
"You seemed to have forgotten both your wallet and phone this morning. I put them in your pockets when you weren't paying attention, and before you even suggest it Bella, you will not pay me back for the money that's in there."
I sighed. My husband knew me too well.
"I love you Bella."
"I love you too," I said, slightly disappointed when he told me that Alice needed him. I closed the phone and stuffed it back in my pocket, still holding my wallet in my free hand. During my conversation, my feet surprisingly led me to the bookstore, and without tripping. I walked inside the store and was relieved to see that it wasn't like the only other bookstore in here.
It was a lot less creepy.
I smiled at the older gentleman standing at the register, and milled around the store, looking for a section that might lead me to maternity books.
I found it eventually, and immersed myself in reading title after title. I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for, until I found a thin book called, "Nutrition Before, During, and After Pregnancy". I picked it up and flipped open the cover, looking for the table of contents. When I found a ten page chapter dedicated to underweight pregnancies, I knew this was the book for me. I closed it and clasped it in my hands tightly. I turned around, and immediately bumped into someone. My hands shot out to steady both myself and the person that I bumped in to.
It took me a second that I had my hands on a very pregnant belly. My face lit up as I quickly dusted the shirt off. "I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I should pay attention more—I'm so sorry—"
"Honey, don't worry 'bout it. If it wasn't you runnin' into me, I would have knocked you over."
I looked up into the kind face of a young woman, no more than twenty five years old. She smiled at me and again reassured me that she was fine, and then looked at my stomach. "When are you due, honey?"
"Oh, not for a long time," I said, automatically putting a hand on my stomach. "I'm only four months."
The woman laughed. "I remember the beginning of my second trimester. It was the grace period. Well, good luck to you honey, and keep that baby safe!"
"Thanks, you too!" I said, and I watched as she waddled—I couldn't even call it walking—to the front of the store. I sighed and returned my attention to the books, knowing that I was in my own personal bubble while I searched the store.
When I finally paid for my things, I bought three pregnancy books, but the one I was looking forward to reading was the one that mentioned underweight pregnancy, and then I bought three books for me to read by Jane Austin. I walked out of the bookstore, feeling a little lighter at heart, and made my way to the car. I grabbed my bag full of snacks. I took the trail mix and the water, and made my way over to a bench.
Thankfully it was the offseason in Port Angeles, so there weren't that many people milling around the shops.
I ate slowly, my hand itching to grab my phone and call Edward. I just wanted to hear his voice.
The trail mix was rather good, and I knew I was going to have to ask Edward where he bought it. When I finished the water, I threw away the bottle, and then stretched. I checked my phone for the time and was shocked to see that it was four fifty. I need to get to Gordy's Pizza and Pasta before Ben and Angela do! This is supposed to be her surprise! I got up slowly, a hand on my back, and walked down the street.
It was relatively quiet as I walked, and my mind was milling over the fact that a slice of pizza with extra cheese and mushrooms and grape juice did not sound too bad at the moment. I was suddenly thrust from my thoughts when I heard a door slam, and I looked to my right, my eyes opening wide, and I froze in place.
A bar.
Three men.
I did not recognize them nor did I want them to see me, but that seemed nearly impossible, I was standing in the middle of the road. I swallowed hard, but I couldn't will myself to move. I could hear a television blaring, and I could only assume it was a sports show—football more than likely.
Just as I thought I would be able to move away, ignoring them, one of the men, the stockiest, called me out. "Hey beautiful."
I flinched and moved backwards, my heart hammering in my chest. This man, and obviously his two other friends, were extremely intoxicated. My mind, without meaning to, flickered to the story Rosalie told me of the night she was changed, and my stomach flipped. I broke out in a cold sweat and shuffled backwards more as they advanced on me. Move faster! My mind screamed, but I could only shuffle.
I have money. I can give them money. My books probably won't appeal to them, but the money might. A tiny voice in the back of my mind told me that they probably weren't thieves, and if they were, they weren't just interested in my money. My hands inched to my pocket, where Edward's money was safely tucked away. I could just throw my wallet and walk away. I didn't care about the money; Edward obviously had a lot more of it.
"What are you doin' out here all by yourself?" Another one of the men asked, coming at me from a different side. My head jerked to him and I felt my heart accelerate.
"It's gettin' dark for a little girl to be out by herself."
I was covered by all sides except my back, which would eventually be against a wall if I continued moving backwards. I wanted to square my shoulders and try to scare them off, but I knew that would do nothing but infuriate them.
I was shocked when I heard, "Be still and wait Bella. Do. Not. Move." Hearing Edward's voice in my head soothed me and riled me up at the same time. His voice was always something I liked to hear, but when he wasn't around I only tended to hear it in dangerous situations.
I did not want to consider this a dangerous situation.
I clenched my bag tightly in my hand, prepared to pummel any of them if they began to inch their way towards me. I was still familiar with the self defense moves; nose into the brain, poke the eye out, and the obvious, knee to the groin, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do the knee one without losing my balance, and balance was what I needed most nowadays. And if there were three men, what chance did I have? With a big breath, I was readying myself to scream, but my throat was dry and my tongue felt like sand. I forced myself to breathe deeply and try to swallow.
Suddenly one of the men was in front of me, and I stumbled backwards, dropping my books, my back slamming against the wall, and I gasped for breath, wincing from the shock. "Holy crow," I gasped closing my eyes. I could smell the alcohol on his breath as he leaned close to me, grabbing my arms and pinning them to the wall.
"We got ourselves a chubby one," the man said, and I felt myself shiver involuntarily. I winced from pain as his grip tightened on my arms. My knees began to quake and a sob began to form in my throat as an incessant growling began to form in my head. I slowly began to sink to the ground, and the man backed away from me.
Good. Give me my space, I thought. I started to crawl to my books. If I could get them, I might be able to beat them until help arrived. Someone in that bar across the street had to be sober. I looked at the bar in reassurance, and my heart sank in horror.
It was really far away.
I was still on my hands and knees when there was a tug on my braid, and I cried out in alarm. Was this man trying to drag me away? I wanted to scream, but I couldn't form anything except a breathy gasp. He tugged on my hair harder and began to pull me down the street, into the shadows. Pain came from my head as he pulled my hair, and my hands as I tried to grab the road. I could hear the other men taunting me, and a sob began to build in my chest, but it was stuck. My heart was hammering in my chest. I couldn't fight back, I was too focused on not falling and hurting myself, my child's life depended on it.
We moved a few feet, and I was gasping for breath, fear taking hold of me as I realized no one was going to help me. The men above me were laughing boisterously, and I cursed them, wishing horrible things on them as the shadows came closer. Suddenly, I heard shouting.
"Hey you! GET AWAY FROM HER!" I looked up to see Ben running towards me, and in the distance, Angela was standing waiting, chewing on her lip fearfully. In seconds, two of the men scattered, but the third one still kept a good grip on my hair.
Ben was there in seconds, and I had never seen so much rage shining in his eyes. I guess all the karate and action movies that he watched paid off, because he raised his fist, and I saw the guy fall to the ground.
I stood up shakily to my feet. Ben easily wrapped his arms around me and directed me to Angela, who was running to me.
"Bella! Bella!"
The only response I gave her was, "Hospital," before everything around me began to fade away.
xoXoXoXox
BB/N: TO MY REVIEWERS!: I am sorry that I removed chapter 13, ten seconds after I posted it! When I looked at Chapter 13, there were a lot of formatting problems, and I had to go back and fix them.
I am so sorry that I haven't updated in so long! I've been swamped with school work, and I have not been on the computer since I last updated! School is kinda crazy at the moment, I'm studying for my extremely hard finals, and…I don't know…the normal drama.
Thanks for the reviews! I really appreciate them, and I love reading what you have to say…even if you're telling me you hate me for leaving such wretched cliffhangers!
Love,
Bob Bennit