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 Fourteen: Psyche

"...months…"

The sound of an ambulance pained my ears, and I groaned, opening my eyes to see a blurring swirl, and I immediately closed my eyes. Sounds began to fade, and soon I was floating in the nothingness that I just woke from.

When I woke again, I was sitting in a car, and someone's hand was smoothing the hair on my forehead. I tried to speak, but it was just a jumble of sounds. I managed to open one eye to stare into the pale and frightened face of Angela Webber. Did something happen?

"Bella, you're home, hang in there. You'll be able to rest when you get inside." I was so confused. Angela continued to smooth her hand on my forehead, which was comforting me only slightly. Did something happen to me "Oh, I hope someone is home. All the lights are off—Oh Esme! She's coming Bella."

I saw silhouettes of Ben and Esme walking to the car. It's really dark out…

Esme reached the car first. "Bella! Oh, Bella, what happened? Can you walk? Can she walk?"

Ben walked to the other side of the car and opened the door, reaching inside, and wrapping his arms around me. Angela was begging Ben to be careful, and he slowly eased me out of the car. My teeth began to chatter then, and my body began to shake violently. I was cold.

Ben carried me from the car and to the house, only struggling slightly with my weight. Angela was beside him, and Esme was leading the way. She held the door open for us, and then she directed Ben to put me on the couch.

When he put me on the couch, I groaned in pain.

Everything hurt; my knees, my back, my hands. I saw Angela set my books on the floor beside the couch, and she and Ben spoke with Esme for a while before leaving the house. The house was silent for a few seconds, and I managed to break away from wallowing in pain to see that I was alone, but not for long. Esme returned with a handful of blankets, and she rested on her knees in front of me, removing my shoes. Then she wrapped me in two layers of blankets. Through my chattering teeth, I managed to stutter, "S-so c-co-cold."

My limbs felt paralyzed with the cold and I tried not to cry. Esme returned a few seconds later, carrying Carlisle's medical supplies. "Your pulse is racing. Did you go to the hospital in Port Angeles?" I nodded my head, or at least I hope I did. Esme spoke to me soothingly as she pulled out one medical device after another. It only took a few minutes, but with her talking to me through her medical procedures, my pulse slowed to a normal rate. After checking my blood pressure she said, "Your blood pressure is slightly elevated. Are you feeling confused or anxiety?"

"I feel weak and cold and a little confused."

Esme wrapped my blankets tighter around me. "Are you feeling lethargic?"

"A little." I sniffled and burrowed myself in my blanket. I was trying not to cry. I couldn't really remember what exactly happened to me, and I didn't understand why I was in this condition. In seconds Esme had me in her arms, rocking me back and forth. While doing so, I saw her pull out her cell phone, and I prayed she was calling Edward. I was surprised when sobs began to build themselves in my throat, and Esme smoothed my now rumpled hair, trying to soothe me.

I watched with tear filled eyes as Esme called number after number, and she seemed to be getting no answer. Where was everyone anyway? After another failed attempt, she put the phone on the floor and asked, "Are you hungry or thirsty?"

"Thirsty," I croaked, trying to stop the tears. Esme gently set me on the couch and then she left, returning a second later with a cup of water. I nursed it as I watched her frantic eyes dart between me and the front door. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, she seemed so nervous.

"I hope they're okay," she breathed, looking at me. "It's so unlike all of them to not answer their phones."

I wanted to ask her what she meant. Weren't they with Alice? But why did they all have to be with Alice? It didn't make sense, and thinking made my head hurt. I was still shivering from the cold, but I felt a little warmer. Esme sat down beside me on the couch and held me in her arms. I stared at the couch but through the corner of my eye, I saw her grab the phone and dial a number, bringing the phone to her ear.

"Hello? Edward," Esme released a huge sigh of relief, and I imagined that Edward was immediately worried. "Where are you? Are you okay?" She was quiet for a second, and then she whispered, "Alice didn't have a vision?" Esme was scared for a second, and then her lips were moving so quickly, I couldn't understand a word she was saying, even though I was listening hard. After a minute or so, her speech began to slow, and she said, "Yes, she went to the hospital, Ben and Angela brought her home," she paused for a second, and then she looked at me. I could feel my eyes begin to lower and suddenly fatigue swept through me. "Yes, I double checked her blood pressure, they should not have sent her home from the hospital—she was on the verge of shock!"

I closed my eyes as the familiarity of sleep took over. As I was drifting off, I heard—or imagined, because my state wasn't entirely sane—Esme say, "…Volturi..."

I was conscious enough at that moment to know that I was going to have a nightmare, and I forced myself to stay awake. Esme was surprised when my eyes snapped open; she wasn't on the phone anymore.

"Edward?" I asked, hoping she would understand my question. I needed to know where he was, but I couldn't formulate that exact question into a coherent sentence.

"He's on his way home. He said ten minutes, at the most."

She should have said hours, because that's what it seemed like. My pulse was racing, awaiting his return, and I did not want to go to sleep. Esme tried to keep me calm, but I just couldn't settle down. My chest ached from our separation, and I just wanted to be in his arms.

Run faster! I begged silently, wishing Edward would hear me. Esme gently moved me off of her, and she went around the house, turning on lights. That's when I got a good look at my hands. Tiny cuts and scrapes covered each. Before I could examine any of my other injuries, the front door slammed open.

I was pulled from the couch before I even realized there was someone in the room. I couldn't even get a good look at whoever was holding me before my blankets were pulled from me and then my sweater was pulled over my head, along with the white long sleeved shirt. I heard a constant growl as finally, Edward's body appeared in my vision.

My pants were gone next, and then I was standing in the living room with just my underwear on.

I was frightened by the resonant growls Edward was making, and the look of pure rage in his eyes had me shaking in my knees. He examined me from head to toe, starting by unraveling the braid in my hair. I winced how tender my scalp was, and I saw his fist clench, as if this was taking a lot of power to be gentle with me. As his fingers lifted my chin so he could look into his eyes, his growls became more ferocious. He obviously didn't approve of my skin color and blood shot eyes.

The deep snarl coming from his throat made me clap my hands over my ears. This brought his attention to my arms, and he gripped them, unintentionally too tight. His lips moved, and I assumed a string of profanities were leaving his incoherent speech. My eyes slowly left Edward's and I looked at my arms, surprised at the dark bruises marring my pale skin.

Then Edward dropped to his knees in front of me and his cold fingers touched my knees, and I gasped. "Did they even check you in Port Angeles?" he roared, and I wobbled slightly and put my hand on his shoulder as he lifted my leg, wincing at the intensity of his voice. My heart was beating so loudly, I'm sure it drowned out anything he heard. Edward lifted my knee, and I closed my eyes, gritting my teeth. "Does that hurt?"

"A little."

Edward sat up, and I was shocked when he rested his head against my abdomen, his cheek resting right beneath my belly button. "They did an ultrasound, but I can't trust those—Don't make a sound." He was quiet for a long time, his growls stopping suddenly. He was shifting his head lower, and then he paused, not moving or breathing. I stood, holding on to his shoulders, trying not to make any unnecessary sounds. Even my breathing was shallow, almost nonexistent.

"The heartbeat is strong," his voice was barely louder than a whisper. And before I could say anything, he put his hands on my hips and spun me around, in the same instant, standing to his feet. I covered my ears again as another roar echoed in the room, and I wasn't entirely sure if it was just Edward this time. I felt Edward's hands tracing my back, and he spluttered angrily, my ears just barely picking up his statement. "I will rip him limb from limb!" I shook involuntarily, frightened by Edward's tone and threats. I turned and looked at him, and stumbled backwards, shocked by the onyx eyes staring back at me, his teeth bared and his body leaning into a crouch as if he was going to hurt me.

"EDWARD! You're scaring her!"

In an instant, Edward wrapped his arms around me, pulling my back against his chest, resting his hands on my waist. His grip on me was tighter than normal, restricting my breathing. My heart was racing as he lowered his nose to my neck and took a deep breath. A wave of calm swept over me, and I knew Jasper was in the near vicinity. I could feel his body shaking as he took another deep breath. I didn't respond, I stood absolutely still; unsure if a movement would set him off.

"I'm sorry," Edward breathed, his lips skimming my neck. I shivered, and he immediately pulled away from me. Replacing the anger in his eyes was concern and regret, and he gently touched my cheek.

"Here Bella."

I turned and Esme was giving me a nightgown. I easily slipped that over my head and then rubbed my eyes tiredly before suddenly my knees gave away and I began to fall. Before I was even close to hitting the floor, Edward caught me.

"You're exhausted Bella. Let me help you get cleaned up, and then you can go to bed." His voice was tinged with guilt, but I didn't have it in me to try and make it go away. I just obliged willingly, wrapping my arms tighter around him as he carried me to the bathroom. I asked him to leave for a second so I could have a human minute, and he left, only, I assumed, to pace outside the door until I was finished. I brushed my teeth after washing my hands, and then I called him back to the bathroom. He wasted no time on pulling my nightgown that I had on for less than five minutes over my head and turning on the shower.

I could barely support my weight in the shower, so Edward held on to me and washed the blood from my hands and knees, before washing my hair. Due to his vampire speed, my shower was over in minutes. He dried me off and towel dried my hair gently, knowing that my scalp was still tender, and then he pulled my hair off of my neck.

I managed to put on my nightgown, and then Edward carried me to his bedroom, where I burrowed myself beneath the blankets. I waited for him to change into dry clothes. For once, I was thankful that he didn't get beneath the blankets with me, because I was freezing. My teeth were chattering, and my body began to tremble, almost violently. He did wrap his arms around me, and I rested my head against his chest.

"Bella?"

"J-j-just c-c-c-o-cold," I stuttered, looking at him. I barely had time to register that he let go of me before I was alone in the bedroom, the door wide open. My teeth were chattering so badly that I couldn't get anything to come out.

By the time I could have formed a coherent sentence, Edward was back with an armload of blankets. He very carefully began to layer me with blankets, tucking me in so tightly that I couldn't move my arms and legs.

When he lay back down beside me, his body temperature didn't penetrate to me. He kissed my forehead and I closed my eyes, leaning my head against his chest. It was silent between us for a few minutes, but I didn't fall asleep.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Edward's soft musical voice made me open my eyes. He gently titled my head, and I shook it as best as I could, forcing myself to say clearly,

"I'm just so tired." He nodded his head in understanding and whispered,

"Sleep." He pressed his icy lips against mine, and I felt warmth flare through my body. When he pulled away, he kissed my forehead and then hugged me tightly.

I fell asleep in his embrace, but I couldn't seem to fall into a deep sleep, because I woke at the slightest noise, like Edward whispering. I cracked an eye open and felt my body rise and fall. It took me a moment to realize that I was against Edward's chest, and he was sitting up. His arm was wrapped firmly around my waist.

"She's asleep right now, and Angela, I can't thank you enough for you and Ben getting there when you did. I can't imagine what would've hap—" Edward stopped, lowering his head to my hair. I felt him take a deep breath and then he whispered, "I know, I know, thank you Angela. Thank you so much." There was silence for another second, and I closed my eyes turning slightly to my side and pressing my face against his chest. I wrapped my arms around his arm that was holding me, and I began to fall asleep.

I awoke again in what seemed like minutes later, alone in the bed. My heart started to race, and I had to force my eyes open. I looked wildly around for Edward for a second, about ready to scream his name when I noticed that he was standing in the doorway, his back facing me.

Almost immediately I began to relax. He wasn't gone. He was right there. I closed my eyes and waited for him to come back, wanting to lie in his arms. It was a second later when my ears actually began to pick up on the conversation that was happening across the room.

"I should have stayed back Edward! I should've known that the dogs would have been there, and I wouldn't be able to have any visions at all! It's my responsibility to keep my mind open for Bella, especially in her state now, and I can't just go off somewhere, knowing I won't be able to help her if I can't see her—"

"Alice stop!" Edward said, his voice rising. Alice hissed at him to lower his voice, and I felt my heart quicken when I lost the conversation totally. The dogs? I thought. Does that mean the werewolves were involved with my surprise? I cracked my eyes open and I saw Edward's body stiffen before he hissed the one word that would always gave me nightmares. "…Volturi…"

I gasped, I couldn't help myself. This was the second time I've heard that name and it made me slightly sick. I sat up in bed, holding my head in my hands, trying to stop the involuntary shiver that rose through my spine and the churning of my stomach. I was feeling dizzy, and all I heard was a ringing in my ears.

Edward was on the bed in an instant and the door was closed. "Shh….shh….Bella, it was just a nightmare."

I wish it was just a nightmare; I was wide awake when he said that word. I curled into Edward, taking fistfuls of his shirt and squeezing my eyes shut. I wasn't so sure if I wanted to go to sleep now.

But my mind and my body had two different ideas, and soon, I was drifting off to sleep, still clutching Edward tightly to my chest.

"It's getting' dark for a little girl to be out by herself."

My heartbeat skyrocketed, as if it was going to escape from my chest. I kept my hands balled up into fists, sure that I would fight at the first opportunity.

Then suddenly I was against the wall, and a scream escaped my lips. It wasn't from being pushed; it was the fear of the not so manly vampire staring up at me with red eyes. "We meet again, Isabella."

"Jane," I gasped, clutching my hand over my heart, wanting it to slow, wishing it wouldn't give away my humanness as it did. More figures began to appear behind her, but my eyes were fixed on the small vampire who I held much fear in.

"What is this? Two heartbeats? Impossible!" Jane backed away from me, a strange look in her eye. I tried to find reasoning for two heartbeats without letting on that I was pregnant, but that was nearly impossible. Then suddenly, Jane called for someone, and standing beside her in two seconds flat was Felix. "Won't Aro be intrigued about this new block in her change?"

"Intrigued? He'll be furious. We might as well kill her now."

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

I barely managed to breathe the word, "No," before the small vampire pushed me to the ground, standing over me, her teeth bared. I had never been so frightened in my life as her red eyes pierced through my soul. I was paralyzed with fear when she bent low and traced my jugular vein with her finger.

"Too bad Edward never got a taste."

And then she lunged for my throat.

I felt as if I was still in my dream, and I sat up in bed. "NOOO!" I screamed, my hand clutching my throat. For a moment I thought I was bleeding, and then I looked at my hand and saw that they were tears. I looked wildly around the room, making sure I wasn't anywhere near a bar, near small vampires, and my eyes settled on Edward, who was looking at me with just as wide eyes. I couldn't move or breathe for a second, and then I lifted my arms up.

Edward hugged me fiercely, and I pressed my face against his chest. "I-it was aw-aw-awful. J-J-Jane a-and F-F-Felix we-were and Aro—" I couldn't finish as I hiccupped and closed my eyes. Edward pressed his lips against my hair, repeating over and over again that it was just a nightmare. I wanted to believe him, but it felt so real, as if it actually happened. I wanted to explain this to Edward, but I couldn't get the words to make sense.

After a few minutes, my hiccups slowed and my heart began to beat at a regular rhythm. I closed my eyes and leaned against Edward. Edward shifted in my arms, as if to let me go, and I reacted wildly. "Don't go," I begged, wanting him to know how imperative this was that he stayed close to me.

"I promise," Edward whispered, kissing my eyes, then my nose. His lips traveled over my cheeks and finally ended at my lips, where he gave me a chaste kiss. I moved to deepen the kiss, and it lasted about two seconds, before Edward froze, gently pulling away. "Not tonight," he murmured, and he tapped his temple, bringing my attention to his eyes. "I don't have much control over anything right now." His eyes were onyx, all traces of topaz gone.

"Sorry," I mumbled, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks.

"Don't apologize," Edward demanded, his eyes narrowing. I'm sure he was trying to decipher what emotions were written on my face, other than the obvious embarrassment. After a minute he cradled me in his arms, his fingers brushing against the blush on my cheeks. "This is my entire fault."

"Not it's not," I mumbled, shaking my head.

"Yes it is. I should have known—"

I shook my head at Edward, murmuring quietly, "You were preoccupied with my surprise." I said surprise as if it were a swear word, and I narrowed my eyes at Edward when his own look of surprise covered his features for a split second. I swore he was going to ask me what surprise, but he quickly composed himself, putting on another steely glare.

"Are you in a lot of pain?"

I knew that the previous discussion was over by the tone of his voice. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't, knowing that he was serious about this question. "Not a lot," I said, trying to distract myself from his penetrating gaze. If he knew I was in any type of pain, he would rush me to Carlisle. I stretched my arms out, which made Edward focus on the bruises on my forearms. He growled softly and caught my hands before I tried to hide them behind my back.

"Why would anyone want to hurt you?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "They were intoxicated. I don't think they knew what they were doing."

"They?" Edward questioned darkly, his voice menacing. I shivered. "There was more than one man?" His eyes narrowed at me and I saw his upper lip curl, showing his perfectly white, straight, but lethal teeth. I needed to stop this before it got out of hand, again.

"Can we stop talking about this? You're getting upset, which is making me upset." Edward pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, mumbling an apology. I accepted it and waited for his anger to subside. As I waited, I took his free hand in mine and rubbed it soothingly, tracing the lines on the palm of his hand. In a matter of seconds, Edward slumped against the bed, pulling me with him.

"What I really want to know," he began, staring at the ceiling, "is, are you going to be okay?"

"Has there been any lasting damage?" I reiterated, in which Edward nodded his head. "Well, seeing as how there hasn't been that much damage to my psyche in the past two years, I'm sure I'll heal from this just fine."

"Your nightmares think otherwise." Edward finally looked at me, leaning over me so I could not escape.

"It was just one, and it was stupid, so you don't have anything to worry about," I tried to blow this off, knowing fully well that it was a blatant lie, and that the same nightmare would more than likely haunt me again tonight; Edward knew this too. Half the time, I don't understand why I even try to lie.

"Silly Bella," Edward whispered, dropping a kiss to the tip of my nose. "I'll take your word for it now, but if you wake up one more time tonight because of a nightmare, I'm going to have to do something about it."

I winked at him. "I promise to be on my best behavior then."

And with that, Edward gently tackled me, tickling my sides until I shrieked for him to stop, and even then, he wouldn't let me go. I leaned against his chest, a little breathless, but happy nonetheless.

I closed my eyes as my breathing began to slow; I think I was being influenced both by Edward's intoxicating scent and the lullaby that was quietly flowing from his mouth. A deeper, more peaceful sleep fell over me, and the last image I had in my mind was of Edward, pressing his forehead against mine.

xoXoXoXox

BB/N: I hate FINALS! I wish I didn't have to take them.

And I hope this chapter is a little better than the last.

Love,
Bob Bennit