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 Thirty: Downhill Spiral

I stared at my reflection in the larger than average sized bathroom mirror in the hospital. Every time I got one glance of myself, a feeling of dread and sickness would sweep through me. How could anyone in this hospital even look at me? I felt disgusted; what about the medical personnel? A pregnant woman should never look this thin!

"Love, are you all right?"

I let out a breath I didn't even know that I was holding and shook my head. "I'm fine. I'll be out in a second." I closed my eyes and loosened the deathlike grip I had on the sink.

After the initial euphoric feelings that my good news and reunion with my family brought me, I couldn't help but drift back into a semi-depression. Gabriel was alive…for now, but if I didn't eat healthy every single day for the rest of term, my good news would fly away from me. And I felt even worse because I couldn't get myself out of this depressed rut—that obviously wasn't good for Gabe either.

But it was as if this feeling was sucking every other emotion I should be feeling out of me. And I couldn't dare mention this to Edward—the repercussions of that conversation would be devastating. He might even leave me to keep the baby and me safe.

I gasped at the thought, but I couldn't help but thinking it. He left me twice, the second time not nearly as long as the first, and not under the same circumstances, but that did not mean he'd keep his promise for a third time. My safety broke it both times, and if he thought my safety was in danger in his presence; he'd leave me a third time without a doubt.

"Bella! Open the door!"

I glanced at the door in the mirror. It was locked. I thought, humorlessly, that it was ironic that I never wanted Edward to leave again, but I sure did know how to shut him out. I turned on the cold water in the sink and splashed my face, blinding grabbing the towel that I brought into the bathroom and wiping my face, trying to wipe away my gloomy mood.

After a minute, I unlocked the door and it swung open, narrowly missing the chance to slam into the wall. My heart began to beat faster when Edward cupped my chin in his hand, forcing me to look into his eyes. I think he was trying to recognize the look in my eyes. "Tell me what you're thinking, please…" he breathed, his velvety voice soft and frustrated. "And don't edit."

"I'm just ready to go home," I lied quietly, forcing myself to stare into his eyes. His eyes closed and he shook his head, but other than that, he did not say another word. His hands dropped from my face and he gently led me to a waiting wheel chair. With two hands, Edward gently lowered me down, his hands sweeping my cheeks for a brief moment, before he dropped a light kiss to the top of my head.

"Everyone is waiting for you at home. It's been a long week."

"I know," I croaked out, staring straight ahead. "I miss them too." I felt terrible for sounding this way towards Edward, but I knew that it was for his benefit, and if I wanted to be honest, mine too, to keep silent about my feelings until I could cope with them on my own.

I just don't know how I'll hide from Jasper.

Edward very easily began to push me out of the hospital room. I gave one last look to the lavender walls, and knew it wouldn't be long before I was here again, but next time it would be because I was going to give birth, instead of having numerous tests to determine if I could even do it.

I was quiet as Edward wheeled me through the hospital, and I smiled and waved to the few nurses that gave me their well wishes. It wasn't until we were outside that I realized how warm it was for a March day in Forks…it wasn't downright freezing, at least, not yet.

I waited until the wheels were locked on my wheelchair before I stood up, and immediately, I latched onto Edward's arms to keep my balance. My strength was no where near the level it should be, but I was discharged by Doctor Snow, which upset Carlisle. Doctor Snow, I guess, hold's more authority than Carlisle, and Carlisle wasn't supposed to be working, so Doctor Snow was the attending physician, and ultimately my physician. He observed that my one week stay in the hospital was more than enough for my strength to return. Carlisle argued that I still needed to be observed, that my strength wasn't up to par.

Doctor Snow didn't listen.

Edward leaned away from me to open the car door. Then he very carefully walked with me to the car. I sat down in the seat and then moved my legs slowly, grimacing as the steady ache in my back intensified.

"Mrs. Cullen." I looked up, not because it was me, but because I half expected Esme to be standing nearby. A nurse was jogging towards me with a little bag. Edward intercepted her, and I realized I left my toiletries bag in the bathroom. The nurse smiled bashfully at Edward, and then she took my now vacated wheelchair back into the hospital.

Edward closed my door and then he was inside of the car, the key in the ignition. He turned on the heat and then carefully pulled out of the parking lot, as if he was afraid that driving fast might cause me to go into labor.

"Edward?" My voice was so soft that I was sure he didn't hear it. I glanced at him from beneath my lashes and he was looking at me.

"Yes, love?"

"I don't mind if you go fast—I'm not feeling too comfortable right now." I tried getting comfortable in my seat, to no avail.

That was all the urging he needed, as he took one hand off the wheel to hold my hand. He brought it to his lips, kissing it lightly before putting it down in his lap. His foot stepped on the gas, and we were zooming away from the hospital. I knew the inevitable motion sickness would kick in if I continued to look out the windows, so instead, I lowered my gaze to our hands. Edward's large hand covered my small one protectively, and at this moment, that's how I felt, I felt utterly small, and Edward was protecting me.

I was silent the entire ride home, not even breathing loudly. When we got there, there was a welcoming party standing on the porch. Alice met the car, and quickly following her was Jasper. I saw that his brow was furrowed. No one other than Carlisle and Edward has seen me since my last breakdown.

Alice opened the door, ducking into the car and kissing my cheek and hugging me before I had my seatbelt off. Edward was already out of the car, and it seemed like he and Jasper were having an intense silent conversation. I drug my eyes away from them, giving them privacy, and instead, focused on the grinning vampire in front of me.

"Hello Alice." Once again, my voice was barely audible to me.

Alice cocked her head to the side, her eyes furrowed in worry. "Are you feeling okay?" I could imagine her racking her brain for a vision that could elicit this kind of mood.

"Yes…" I unbuckled my belt and then carefully moved my legs out of the car. Edward finished his conversation with Jasper and helped me out of the car, his arm wrapped around me in such a way that I wasn't really supporting any of my weight.

Edward and I trailed behind Alice and Jasper as they led the way. After I finished struggling to get onto the porch, I was intercepted by Esme, who gathered me gently in her arms, and I think she was frightened of hurting me. I couldn't bring myself to hug her fiercely, but I got my arms around her.

"It's nice to have you home, Bella," she whispered, kissing the top of my head.

"Thank you," I whispered, pulling away from her. I kissed her cheek and then smiled at the rest of my family standing behind her. Emmett, I could see, was bouncing to hug me, and Rosalie smiled at me tentatively

After I hugged and greeted everyone, and Emmett twice, the party moved from outside to inside. I was shocked to see the disheveled living room that I left all in order, the furniture together again, and it was almost like I never left.

When I reached the large open first floor, I was torn between going upstairs or going and sitting with my family.

Half of me wanted to be away from everyone, except for Edward. The craving to be alone has been with me since my first night in the hospital, and even then, sometimes I didn't want Edward to be near me either. I hated seeing the looks of concern from Edward, because internally, I knew the reason why I was in the hospital was all my fault and I didn't want to be scolded. The other half of me wanted to be with my family. These two polar feelings were torturing me on the inside, and sometimes I found it hard to breathe, as that, with the heavy load of guilt mixed into my heart.

This really was all my fault and I knew that Gabriel was at risk because of me.

Edward noticed my hesitancy, and his eyes lowered to mine. I wasn't aware of my expression, so when Edward's brow furrowed, I looked at him questioningly. His eyes were full of anguish and it took my breath away, but it also made my chest constrict painfully. Edward's eyes didn't look away from mine as he said, "Can I be alone with Bella?"

I shook my head, almost violently. "I can't," I whispered, the words barely leaving my mouth.

"You can't what Bella, is something wrong?" Edward asked gently. I shook my head, but brought my hand over my heart. Pain was erupting from my chest, and I let out a choked sob. I felt like I was sinking. "Can you breathe? Are you having trouble breathing?" I shook my head again.

"I can't Edward, I just can't." I was speaking as I gasped for breath, and I clenched my fist to stop the shaking. I started to back away from him, still shaking my head. I couldn't deal with this pain anymore, the pain of being left alone for so long, the pain of potentially hurting my child—I wanted it all to go away.

"Bella, please, tell me what is wrong? What can't you do?" Edward was inching towards me, and I continued to move backwards. Through the corner of my eye I saw Jasper move from the couch towards me. His face was horror struck, and I instantly knew he was feeling what I was feeling.

I was torturing my own family by just being in their presence.

Suddenly I had the illusion I was flying, and it took me a second to feel the cold air being whipped against my face and body. I shielded my face, and tried to keep my breathing steady, but it seemed like the harder I tried, the worse it got.

In what felt like a handful of seconds, I stopped flying and I looked into the still anguished eyes of my angel. He gently set me on my feet and cupped my cheeks in his hands, his thumbs running right below my eyes.

And in that instant, I felt like I had finally sunken as low as I could go. I let out one powerful, sorrow-filled sob, and soon, the tears finally cascaded down.

I was falling.

I was on the ground in moments, having finally lost the ability to stand. Edward was on his knees in front of me, trying to soothe me, and all the while trying to find the reason for my painful sobs. He was smoothing my hair back when I cracked. "Y-you left m-me." Edward froze and I opened my eyes to see his face in unmistakable pain. "I c-could b-barely co-cope, a-and loo-look what I d-did to myself." I knew I looked sickly. I lost four pounds in one month. My skin was pale and clammy, stretched over the bones in my face, my hands always shook, I couldn't even stand, and Gabriel was at risk with every breath I took. "I am ki-killing our chi-child, E-Edward." I started to cry harder, my sobs more distressed, but I fought against them because I needed Edward to listen to me.

"I feel so guilty for what I've done to myself—to Gabriel." I closed my eyes and clenched my fist, trying to save my quickly shredding control. I took a deep breath and murmured, "I stopped eating regularly, and with that on top of the problems that I'm already in, I've put Ga-Gabe at risk, and I-I knew I was do-doing it." I pressed the palms of my hands against my eyes, my breathing becoming shallow. "I c-can't stand being in my own ski-skin anymore, because of what I've done…"

My control was gone, and as I began to sob, I felt Edward wrap his arms around me, pressing me against his chest. I grabbed the front of his shirt and held on, not wanting to drown in my sorrows any longer. Edward pressed my head into his chest, rocking me back and forth as I shuddered with my cries.

Edward brought his lips to my ear, murmuring, "Please stop feeling guilty, Bella." I refused to look up from his chest, sure that if I moved, I'd breakdown at the expression on his face. "This is my fault. I should have told you about the Volturi the first time Alice had the vision. I knew being deceitful with you would have a dreadful result, it always does, but I continued with my facade to keep you safe.

"I should not have left you alone for so long. It was irresponsible of me to think that you would be able to handle being alone without word from us, knowing you worry about everyone except yourself. But I felt it was necessary to have as little contact with you as possible to ensure your safety, and when I look at what it has done to you, I know I was wrong. I should have gone with you.

"It is my fault Bella, please stop blaming yourself. I seem to be the only person on this planet who can hurt you this deeply, and yet, you still love me…after everything I have done…" His hands rubbed my back gently, and I lifted my head slowly. I gasped at the regret shining in his topaz eyes, and I reached up, touching his cheek. Edward copied me, wiping away the tears that wouldn't stop falling. Very gently, Edward's hands left my cheeks, traveling down my neck, over my pulse point, down my arms, and then very carefully, they rested on my stomach. I wasn't sure if it was shock from cold or if Gabriel sensed the extra weight resting on me, but he kicked hard against Edward's hand. Edward immediately retracted his hand, staring at the place where Gabriel just kicked him.

Rain started to fall, and I blinked the water from my eyes, still staring at Edward. My brain was void of any thought, and I couldn't bring one emotion to my mind. Edward spoke quietly, whispering, "Gabriel is going to be fine Bella, he'll be healthy, and I don't care if Alice has a vision or not, I can feel it. Please Bella, please believe me."

And my sobs started all over again. I collapsed against Edward, crying for all the times that I haven't cried in the past month. As I cried, my breathing became harsher, but I almost felt like it was easier, the weight that has been dragging me down was finally lifted.

The rain was pelting us harder, and I could hear thunder, but I refused to move. I wasn't ready to stop crying. The overwhelming emotions that were coming from me made my head swirl, and I was thankful that Jasper wasn't nearby. Edward kept a firm grip around me until my final tear was shed, and then very gently, he dropped a kiss on my forehead.

I opened my eyes and I looked at him. "I love you." My voice sounded gross and nasally, the evidence of my tears, but for an unknown reason, I felt as if my life depended on Edward's response.

"My love for you is greater than the capacity of the sea." Edward kissed my lips gently, and I shivered as I tried to wrap my arms around his neck. Edward mistook that for me being cold—it was raining after all, and he stopped my arms. "We're both soaked. Lets get you home."

He stood to his feet fluidly, and very easily lifted me into the air. I automatically latched my arms around his neck and closed my eyes. Edward chuckled and a blush covered my cheeks. His laugh abruptly stopped, and I opened one eye. He was staring at me, his mouth slightly open.

Then I felt his finger brush against my cheek, making my blush turn a darker shade of red. "I've missed this," he murmured, hugging me to him before running back to the house. I closed my eye and tucked my head, trying to avoid getting my face wet. Edward hunched over me, protecting me from the rain, and Gabriel started to move, kicking me a few times.

When we got home, I kept my eyes closed, and Edward continued running until I was safely in his bedroom.

It was a relief to be back in this bedroom. Edward put me down on my feet, and I grabbed his arms. My legs were shaking, and I couldn't support my weight. Edward lifted me up and carried me to the bed, where I sat down on the edge.

Resting beside me was a pile of clothes. Edward dropped to his knees in front of me, easing my shoes off my feet. Next came my socks, and Edward gently rubbed my near frozen feet for a second, and the ache of their swollenness began to disappear.

In a matter of seconds, Edward had me undressed and I was blushing to the roots of my hair. I think he enjoyed my embarrassment, because he was smiling, and that's when I remembered he was partial to my blush.

"You're so swollen," Edward murmured, when my embarrassment calmed down. He touched my stomach, and automatically, I felt Gabe kick at Edward's hand.

"It happens," I choked out, feeling another blush cover my cheeks.

Within two seconds, several things happened all at once. I was tackled and against Edward's chest, I lost all thought, and my skin caught fire, but in a good way. I was sprawled on top of Edward, and he ran his nose over my neck, taking a deep breath.

"Did I frighten you?" Edward whispered, when he realized my heart was going a mile a minute. I shook my head weakly. He didn't scare me, quite the opposite really. I felt his smile against my shoulder before he kissed it, and I shivered when he did. "Are you cold?"

"N-no," I stuttered, closing my eyes. Edward's fingers danced across my stomach and I closed my eyes. I could have had a hand growing out of my chest, and Edward would still worship me the way he was now. His lips skimmed my shoulder and then he slowly started leaving light butterfly kisses to my lips, where I met him greedily.

It has been a long time since we've had a moment like this.

I somehow turned over—I'm not entirely sure how I did it without hurting myself—and Edward cradled me in his arms as my fingers wove through his copper hair. It was as if we couldn't survive without our lips touching, because our kisses were becoming fiercer.

My hands left Edward's hair and my fingers brushed his cheeks before moving onward.

I finally got to my destination; the bottom of his shirt. I began to tug it out of his jeans, when he suddenly pulled my hands away and ripped the shirt off himself, our lips not breaking from the kiss. He pulled me closer to his chest, and I shivered, his cold skin making mine intensify in the flames. I slid my hands up his chest and back into his hair. Edward growled lightly, and a smile tugged at my lips before I was once again pressed against his chest.

Edward pulled away from the kiss after a second and I looked at him, breathing heavily. He reached into his pocket, and I saw a glimpse of his little phone before it went sailing through the air to land on the couch. But I lost all interest in his phone when he kissed me again.

My heart was beating so loudly, I was sure everyone in the house could hear it, and I felt like I was on fire—Edward was definitely going to make me combust! Just as I thought that, Edward's lips once again left mine, and my breath was harsh as I tried to fill my lungs with oxygen. Edward's nose skimmed my neck as he kissed me lightly. I stopped breathing for a second, and before Edward would have to remind me to breathe, I took a shuddering breath, exhaling quietly.

All of the sudden, Edward's bedroom door flew open, and I was sure it actually broke off the hinges. I screamed in surprise, and then Edward's body was shielding mine.

"You two need to stop!"

"Emmett—" Edward growled warningly.

"Don't Emmett me," Emmett growled back. "Alice has been trying to call you for three minutes, and when you didn't answer your phone," I watched as both Edward and Emmett's eyes glanced to the phone that was on the couch, but then they looked at each other faster than they looked away. "She called me and told me I need to get in here and tell you to stop and get downstairs. She saw something."

I gasped and in the blink of an eye, Emmett was gone, the door firmly closed. I'm sure if he slammed it, the entire wall would have been destroyed. In that same instant, Edward was off the bed and in his closet. It took him only a half second to get a shirt on, and then he was back on the bed.

I felt like I couldn't move, and Edward had to help me get dressed. The clothes beside me were not mine—most of my clothes were still in that hotel room. I think the pants were Rosalie's, and the shirt was Edward's.

When I was dressed, I latched onto Edward's neck. If he was human, I would have been choking him, but he easily picked me up and pushed my head against his shoulder as he ran, not allowing me to see the blur of walls and stairs. I was entirely too frightened to close my eyes. What did Alice see?

I lifted my head from Edward's shoulder as he stopped moving. Everyone in the living room was staring at us, and I suddenly felt my cheeks flare. Not only were they staring, but did they hear me breathing up stairs?

I was going to get sick.

Suddenly Edward began walking towards the couch, and he sat down carefully, keeping me nestled in his lap. I now was feeling dreadful. No one was speaking, not even the little vampire who requested our presence.

"Where's Alice?"

"She went to the grocery store. We threw away all the food when Bella was gone," Esme said quietly. I looked at her, and she smiled at us warmly. "She will be back soon."

Soon was taking an eternity. My stomach wasn't sure if it was going to keep its contents down, and my palms began to sweat when I thought about all of the terrible things Alice could have seen. I closed my eyes and pressed my face against Edward's shoulder. He ran his fingers through my hair, kissing my forehead and murmuring, "Take a deep breath, she's on the porch now."

Just as he finished, the door opened, and there was a loud clatter as Alice dropped all her bags and closed the door. She flew into the room, and at first she looked out the window, and then she looked at me, the biggest grin I've ever seen on her gracing her lips. That immediately brought up my spirits. "What happened?" I asked, my voice quivering in nervousness.

"I had a vision of you going into labor." Her eyes went to the window again as she recalled her vision. "It was in Edward's bedroom, and it was raining hard. I didn't see anything that told me the day, but through Edward's windows, the sky was dark, and the moon and stars weren't out, it could have even been day time, during a storm. The vision was clear, but not clear like it was happening right then. I think you have a few weeks, which gives us time to prepare."

"Prepare for what?"

"I am going to keep track of the weather and your clothing, because your clothes will eventually become clear once the time gets closer, but we're also going to have to decide on an emergency plan—" Alice stood up suddenly, and went to Jasper, depositing herself in his lap. "You need to have this baby in a hospital, but we're going to take precautions anyway."

"For what?" Emmett asked, speaking up for the first time since our run in upstairs. "Is there going to be a flood?"

"No, there isn't going to be a flood, or any other kind of natural disaster. But if she can't get to the hospital, she'll have the baby here. We're going to hunt, a lot, daily even, when the time gets close. Carlisle, do you think you'll be able to persuade the hospital to allow you to bring home morphine and other medications, just in case? You are planning on having an epidural, aren't you, Bella?"

"Definitely." I didn't even give time to process the question. I could feel a quiver of nervousness in my stomach. I never thought the pregnancy would end, but now that it's near, my nerves were beginning to get the best of me, especially with the prospect of the actual labor in my near future. Alice said weeks, right? Edward reassuringly grabbed my hand and squeezed it, kissing my cheek and whispering in my ear,

"Don't worry love. We'll be here with you every step of the way." His velvety voice made me shiver, and he laughed.

"Bella, why don't you lie down?" It was Carlisle who suggested it, and I looked up at him. He was smiling at me, and I smiled back. "It has been a long day for you." I couldn't deny it. Even as I sat here, ignoring the battle of the butterflies in my stomach, I was feeling tired.

"Okay."

Edward very carefully stood up and cradled me in his arms, as if I was made of glass. "And when you wake up, I will do a quick ultrasound…"

"Okay," I mumbled midway through his explanation, leaning my head against Edward's shoulder. I was asleep before he walked to the stairs.

xoXoXoXox

BB/N: I just now began typing the last chapter to this fanfic, and no lie, I cried.

Thanks for the many reviews!

Love,
Bob Bennit