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 Fifteen: Shopping Adventure

"Well, you kept your word."

I looked up from my book. For the past hour, Edward and I have been sitting in a companionable silence in our bedroom, me resting in his lap, his hand against the small of my back, trying to undo a knot that formed. It ached, adding to the achiness I still felt from my most recent trip to Port Angeles.

"What word?" I turned and looked at Edward, and he was looking at me sadly.

"You haven't been having nightmares, but I believe you're editing your thoughts. For instance, when I ask you how you're feeling, you say fine, but look at you. You're most definitely not fine."

I rolled my eyes and returned my attention to my book, resting my head against his chest. "I do not suffer from pregnancy pains every day, Edward."

"But still," Edward persisted, kissing my cheek. "Those bruises on your back haven't gone away—"

"It has only been a week!" I said, trying to keep my eyes on the page. Edward was quiet, and I could imagine the frown settling on his features. I continued to read for a few more minutes, and then I marked my page and set my book aside. I looked at Edward and pouted. "Love, please don't make this any harder than it is. I'm healing as fast as my body will let me."

"I'm sorry." And it sounded like he meant it. He kissed me lightly, tilting my chin up so he could kiss my nose. I giggled softly and kissed his chin. A grin spread across his face, and he sighed in content. I liked hearing that sound from him. "What book have you been reading?"

I picked it up, showing him the cover. "There's a section in here about underweight pregnancies. It's the start of my second trimester, so I need to start thinking about putting on weight. This book instructs me on how to healthily add the extra calories."

Edward took the book from my hands and turned to the section that I had been reading. I snuggled closer to his chest, and he wrapped his arm around me. After a few seconds, he lowered the book and eyed me carefully. "Would you like to go to the store this morning?"

I shrugged my shoulder nonchalantly. "It's up to you, dear husband, because I'm not in the mood to drive all around Forks."

"Well wife," Edward retorted, an impish grin covering his features. I mocked cringed at the nickname, a common response to that word. "It is up to you if you want to leave today."

"We can go to the store then." I stretched my arms over my head and smiled at him. I got the bright idea, when I woke up this morning, to get dressed and be ready for my day. I was lucky I did that, because I took a nap within a few hours of waking up. I just wasn't up to par, at least in the energy department, as I was before the pregnancy.

Edward carefully moved out from beneath me, and sat down beside of me, cradling me in his arms. He kissed me, his lip glass lips shocking mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him to me, never wanting to let go.

I don't think Edward necessarily had the excuse of boundaries, we haven't really had any since the wedding, so when he pulled away from the kiss, he was contemplating what to say. I just chuckled; I was running out of air anyway. I got off the bed, wincing slightly, and carefully walked to the door, my shoes already firmly on my feet. My back really does ache, I thought, sadly. It doesn't help that I have bruises, but still…

Edward was beside me in seconds, his hand resuming its place on my back. I leaned my head against his shoulder and yawned. "Are you still tired?" Edward asked incredulously. I nodded my head slowly, not trying to deny it. Edward didn't say anything, but I saw a look flicker across his face.

We walked down the stairs and I was lost in my thoughts which were drifting between what I should buy at the store and Edward's fingers still trying to undo the knot in my back. His cold fingers were relaxing, and I didn't even notice I was leaning into his touch, until Edward wrapped his arm around. "Any closer Bella and you'll fall over."

My blood was boiling beneath my cheeks. Edward kissed me lightly and when we neared the door, Alice was waiting there with our coats.

"The roads are a little slick in downtown Forks, so be careful. Don't push it with your car, Edward." I knew the warning was mostly for Edward, he was the one who drove a million miles per second. Alice pecked my cheek and told me to have fun, her musical laugh making my spirits lift.

We stepped outside, and the cold wind hit my face. I instinctively lowered my head from the wind, and pulled myself deeper into my coat. I pulled my hands further into the sleeves and took one step forward, almost immediately loosing my balance and skidding a few inches. Edward caught my arm and held me to his chest.

"Ice," I said, glaring down at the porch. "I can't wait until spring comes."

"Are you okay?" Edward asked, not moving an inch. I nodded my head and mumbled beneath my breath. Not wanting me to fall and break my neck, Edward carried me to his car. I was relieved when he didn't fall, even though I didn't expect him to.

Edward turned on the car and I was thankful that the heater turned on. We sat in the car for a few minutes, waiting for the car to heat up. I looked out the window and stared at the beautiful scene around me.

Even though I hate winter, I couldn't help but admire the trees. Each tree surrounding the house was covered in a thin layer of ice, freezing nature in time. The freezing rain from yesterday beautified Forks, just slightly. I sighed and I turned to look at Edward, about ready to ask him what he thought of the frozen wilderness, when I noticed Esme walking towards the car.

Esme came to Edward's window and crouched down. Edward rolled down the window and he said, "Would you like to come with us?"

"I'd love to, but I have to start baking cookies for the hospital, their annual Christmas party is coming up, and I want to take some of the pressure off of Carlisle. If you could pick up a few bags of rock salt for the porch, and five pounds of sugar, that would really help me out."

"Five pounds of sugar and rock salt, anything else?" Edward asked, making a mental note of what he had to get. Esme shook her head and said goodbye to Edward and me before running back to the house.

Edward rolled up his window and looked at me. "What did you sigh for?"

"I didn't sigh," I said, my brow furrowing.

"You did, before Esme came to the car."

I sat quietly for a second, and then I grinned, my cheeks burning. It was maybe a minute or two ago that that happened. "I just wanted to ask you what you thought of this," and I pointed out the window to the trees. "They're frozen in time."

"Are you becoming philosophical?"

"No," I murmured. "I'm just paying attention to nature."

That was the end of our conversation for the duration of our trip to the store in Forks. I held Edward's hand and stared absentmindedly out the window, my free hand resting on my stomach gently. Over this past week, I have been overly cautious about my pregnancy, my run in with those creeps in Port Angeles did not do me any good. I was extremely thankful that Edward was with me every step of the way, even when I insisted on getting an extra ultrasound, just to make sure everything was okay.

Just thinking about the second ultrasound made me sigh in relief; everything was okay. "You know Edward," I began, looking from the window to Edward. He looked at me, and I finished my thought. "I wish there was a bigger, more realistic phrase, other than "I love you" to describe how I feel about you." I sighed. "We've always had the relationship where boyfriend and girlfriend didn't adequately describe us, and now husband and wife doesn't either…Love hasn't really done it either."

"I know exactly what you mean," Edward said, reaching over and kissing me. That's when I noticed that the car was not in motion. After being reassured that we weren't going to crash, I kissed Edward more forcefully. We stayed that way, wrapped up in each other, until Edward gently pulled away, laughing as I gasped for breath. I was dizzy, and continued to gulp down air for a minute before looking back at Edward. "Maybe kissing you is becoming too dangerous."

"Oh please," I said in response, knowing that he was going to think about this thoroughly. I would just have to show him otherwise, just…not right now. I took off my seatbelt, but before I could even lift my hand to open the car door, Edward was opening it for me. He took my outstretched hand and easily pulled me to my feet, automatically resting one hand on the small of my back.

"The entire parking lot is a little slippery, why don't you hang on to me?" I put all my trust in Edward as he led me around the ice patches and to the store. When we were inside, I grabbed a grocery cart and Edward once again put his hand on my back, guiding me forward. "What's first?"

"Produce," I said, and I made my way to the produce section, Edward keeping his hand on my back.

We've never actually taken time out of our day to go shopping together, so this was a first in our relationship. I think it's been awhile since he's been in a grocery store too; Esme did a lot of the shopping, and up next would have been Carlisle, if Esme needed something quick for my dinner and Carlisle was already out.

"How can they try to sell tomatoes like these? They're all bruised." Edward commented dryly, his eyes downcast to the red fruit. I just chuckled. One thing I was good at was getting the right things from this aisle. "I wish Esme could keep her garden up during the winter, you wouldn't have to eat this rubbish. They all probably have bugs in them."

I couldn't help it, I laughed. "Oh Edward, you're insufferable. They don't have bugs in them. Some are just bruised."

I heard Edward mumble, "None of this is good for you." I rolled my eyes. Could this man be even more overprotective? After searching through the tomatoes, I found my answer. He could be overprotective and stubborn.

"I don't want to send you to the car Edward," I said warningly. He dropped a kiss on the back of my neck, and I felt his sigh escape his lips. That was the end of the tormenting tomatoes. I hope he's on his best behavior! I thought, sending a glance to him.

After Edward's initial shock of the condition of the produce, he became a good helper when I moved on, picking up a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Most I had before, but when he picked up an avocado, I stopped him. "Do you remember what those taste like?"

He paused for a second and then he shook his head. "Avocado has a lot of protein."

"Just get one then, I'm not sure if I will like it."

Edward continued with my pace down the aisle, his hand back to its resting place on my back. It was beginning to ache since I was leaning over the cart, so I stood up straight, and Edward sent me a concerned glance. "I'm fine, just had to change positions."

As we walked down the aisle, I grabbed a bunch of bananas and then I surveyed my cart. "We've covered the fruits and vegetables. I think we can go to the meat section."

Edward was very happy to pick out the meat, I told him the only things I wouldn't eat were venison and fish, and Edward couldn't agree more about the fish. He fed me facts about mercury while he picked through the prepackaged meat. When he was finished and I had enough meat to last me a few weeks, if not months, we continued on.

We stopped and got peanut butter. Today, I was thankful that he was with me, because I was sure I wouldn't be able to squat down and get the peanut butter, and then get up again. I sighed and shifted my feet, a steady ache formed in the small of my back, and every step I took made me wince.

"Are you alright Bella?"

I tried to relieve some of my pain but massaging my back, but I couldn't quite reach the spot. "It hurts a little."

"Here," Edward instructed for me to take off my coat, and I set it in the cart. Edward easily slid his hand up my shirt and to the small of back, gently massaging and relieving the pressure knot that had been forming. I sighed in content; it was a little easier to move.

When we finished our shopping, Edward and I made our way to the solitary register that was open. At first I was cheerful that we were leaving the store, my feet were beginning to hurt, and then I gasped softly. "Oh no…"

"What?" Edward rounded on me quickly and I stopped moving. Standing at the only register was Lauren. I don't think she noticed me, at least not yet. Edward followed my gaze and sighed. "Don't let her get to you Bella." He kissed my cheek and held my hand as we made our way to the register. At least this was the only person from school who I've seen in the past few months.

When we got to the register, I fell behind Edward, wanting nothing more than to disappear. He easily began unloading the cart, careful to not damage any of the fresh foods that we bought. Lauren spoke animatedly to Edward, but Edward kept it on a polite level, I'm sure she was thinking thoughts that were a little indecent.

When Edward pushed the cart forward and began bagging our groceries, I had no choice but to follow behind him. I kept my eyes low, hoping she'd just ignore me. Lauren had a way of always making me feel like absolute crap.

"Bella," she said, her voice still nasally. I wonder if her hatred for me was worth it now that she actually had Tyler Crowley, but as her eyes narrowed at me, I realized that she may also want my husband. I sighed internally.

"Hello," I said quietly. I wanted to keep my hands busy, but Edward was quickly bagging our things. I had Lauren absolutely distracted.

"What's this I see? A baby bump?"

"What?" I took a step back and then I said quietly. "Maybe."

"Or you're fat. Typical though, they say it happens in marriage. Edward is looking as good as ever though." The sideways glance she sent Edward just about made me lose my temper. My fists clenched tightly, and I could have hit her if I thought about it hard enough. First she makes fun of me for getting bigger, and then she flirts with Edward? Angry tears filled my eyes, and the bag of potatoes that Edward was putting in the cart looked like a good enough weapon.

When she looked back at me, I forced myself to look calm. She opened her mouth to say something, but Edward tugged on my arm and he said goodbye to Laruen for me. I ducked my head and strode away and outside, where I was hit with the freezing air. It knocked the air out of my lungs for a second, but before I could physically respond to the cold, Edward helped me put on my coat. He rubbed my arms for a second, and then he determined that two colds didn't make any kind of warmth, so he held onto me firmly and walked through the parking lot. I noticed that he picked up a bag of rock salt already.

"Get inside the car and start it," Edward said, handing me his keys. I got inside without a word and closed my door. I shivered from the cold and turned on the car, immediately blasting the heat and holding my hands in front of the heater.

Edward got inside the car a minute later after putting the groceries in the trunk and returning the cart. I looked at him and he reached over and kissed me, his frosty lips welcoming. "Don't listen to her Bella. She's self-centered and rude."

"Okay," I breathed against his lips, kissing him again. When he pulled away, I shifted in my seat, trying to get comfortable. I put on my seatbelt, and it wasn't long before the car was warm again. Then Edward began to drive, all the while holding my hand.

"So we're going to find out what we're having at our next appointment…" I whispered, trailing off when I noticed Edward's preoccupied expression. He pushed the sleeve up on my sweater and jacket, and he was staring at the dark marks on my porcelain skin. He seemed distracted when he murmured, "Yeah…"

"They don't really hurt, if you wanted to know." I said, twitching my arm to let him know that I saw his staring. He looked at me a little sheepishly.

"Sorry."

"I know you worry Edward, but I am fine, so stop." I put on my bravest, yet determined face, and Edward gently touched my cheek, shaking his head. I sighed and rested my cheek against his hand, nuzzling it. "You need to keep your eyes on the road, you speed demon," I whispered, when I realized that his eyes were focused only on me.

Edward laughed and grabbed my hand, squeezing it, before looking at the road. I took this time to watch him—he watched me when I slept, it was only fair. My staring was quickly interrupted by a heaving kick from the baby, and I gasped and flinched away.

This had to of been the first time Edward ever swerved the car. I was more shocked by that, my mouth hung agape, and Edward turned his frightened eyes to me. "What?"

I resembled a fish for a few fleeting moments as I tried to get something to come out of my mouth, and then I finally mumbled, "You swerved the car."

"No. With you." Was he trying to convince me that he didn't swerve? I pushed that to the back of my mind and looked at my stomach, knowing I'd bring it up later.

"It was the baby. I don't think he likes being inside of me anymore. Holy crow, he kicked hard!"

"Are you hurt?"

I looked at Edward, and for a split second he stared at me, an extremely serious look on his face, and then he broke out his lopsided grin, kissing me quickly before he started to chuckle. I just rolled my eyes and rested a hand against my stomach, leaning my head against the seat. Edward's hand quickly joined mine, and the baby repeatedly thumped against Edward's hand, as if to let him know that he felt him, or at least his coldness.

It was quiet for a few minutes in the car, Edward and I were content with feeling the baby move, and then a small smile graced my lips.

"So about you swerving the car…"

Edward's only response was a soft chuckle.

xoXoXoXox

BB/N: I am sorry to all my reviewers! This wasn't much of a chapter; it was a filler chapter, because I felt I needed to justify the post-Port Angeles incident, so I randomly wrote this chapter! It wasn't even much, when I think about it.

Thanks for the reviews, and thanks for all the comments about finals. Don't even get me started on my AP Biology final…

Disaster.

Bombed.

End of story.

Love,
Bob Bennit