"What do you mean she's going to be induced?" I asked, my voice frantic.
"I knew we should have told you when this all started," Phil groaned over the phone. "Your mom insisted that she didn't want to worry you."
"Will you just tell me whats wrong? You're really starting to freak me out."
"Renee and I went to her appointment last week and the doctor informed us that she had Preeclampsia. They ordered her to go on bed rest."
"Okay, so what happened then?" I asked. My mind was spinning. I knew that Preeclampsia was serious. Why would my mom hide it from me?
"We went back to the doctors today and her doctor decided that the best thing to do would be to induce labor and get the baby out."
"Is she going to be okay?" Tears pricked at my eyes. "Is the baby going to be okay?"
Phil sighed. "I think so, the doctors said it's always a risky situation, but she should be okay. She was admitted to the hospital after her appointment and I've just been rushing around, getting her bag from the house and making phone calls."
"Well, can you have mom give me a call when you get back to the hospital? That is, if she's feeling up to it. I guess I should try and find a flight out there and make plans..." I trailed off, feeling overwhelmed.
"Oh, crap. I almost forgot." Phil let out a small chuckle. "I've already booked you a flight. It's a red eye, sorry about that. You'll be getting in at I think eight eastern."
"Okay, that sounds good. I guess I should see if my dad can give me a ride and pack a suitcase. Call me if something comes up?"
"I will. I'll be picking you up at the airport tomorrow morning too. I'll also email you flight info. In the meantime, try not to worry too much. You're mom is going to be okay."
We said our goodbyes and hung up. Realizing I was standing pretty much in the middle of the parking lot, I quickly went the rest of the way to my car and got in.
Once I was situated, I took my phone out again. Quickly pressing the call button, I leaned my forehead against the steering wheel and waiting for him to pick up. When he did, I let out a sigh of relief, along with a few tears that had been pooling at my eyes.
"Edward? Can I come over now? I just...I need you."
0-0
Edward had to have been the best boyfriend. Ever. In the history of boyfriends.
I barely made it to his house before completely breaking down and when I pulled up into his driveway, he was standing out on the porch waiting for me.
Even though I knew he felt awkward around crying girls, he still held me in his lap as I sobbed and explained unintelligibly what was wrong.
When my crying died down until I was just hiccuping, he asked me what was wrong again.
Edward pet my hair and listened quietly until I was done explaining it to him.
"It'll be okay, Bella," Edward comforted me. "And just think, by this time tomorrow you could be a big sister."
"Yeah," I smiled. "Wow. That's actually really weird to think about. I hope they like me."
"I'm sure they will. Do you have a preference on whether you get a brother or sister?"
"Nope," I shook my head. "Not really. I guess a brother would be cool cause growing up I always wanted one. But having a little sister that could like...ask me advice and stuff sounds cool. But I'll be so much much older than her by the time she's a teenager."
"I'm sure she'll still come to you when she wants to talk. Besides, you have years and years to worry about stuff like that."
I nodded my head. "I suppose you're right." I snuggled my head further into the crook of his neck and let out a sigh. "I really should go by the station and talk to my dad. I doubt Phil would call him."
However, instead of making a move to leave, I just closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. Edward always smelled really good.
"Are you going to get up?" Edward asked. I could hear the smile on his voice.
"I don't know. Maybe? When are your parents getting home?"
"Not for another couple hours. But you need to go talk to your dad and pack and everything."
I rested my hand on the top of his thigh, closer to his crotch than necessary, to push myself up off his lap. Edward let out a little groan and I gave him a smirk to let him know I knew what I was doing.
He followed me to the front door where I lingered, still not really wanting to leave.
"You'll call when you get to the airport?" he asked. "I don't care what time."
"Yup. And when I get to Jacksonville too, if you want."
"You can call me or text me whenever you want while you're there too. If you're bored or need someone to talk to," Edward said, reaching up to brush a stand of hair behind my ear.
"Okay. Thanks for calming me down and just like...being there for me," I told him, hoping it sound as sincere as I mean it.
"Hey, it's what boyfriends are for, right?" he asked, smiling down at me.
"So, I really should go now. I don't know when I'll be coming home, which really sucks. But I'll email and call and text and you do the same. Okay?" Again, I felt myself tear up. Even though Edward and I hadn't been dating for a super long time, the idea of leaving him for an indefinite amount of time was making me really sad.
"Hey, don't cry. You'll be so busy while you're there. You'll have to help around your house and with the new baby. School starts in a month, so you'll be back by then, right?" he asked, pulling me to him in a hug.
"Right. Senior year. How fun," I said, rolling my eyes.
"It will be fun. Okay, now seriously, go," he squeezed me tightly before releasing me. "I love you."
"I love you too," I told him. Leaning up, I gave him a lingering kiss followed by a few small pecks. "Bye."
"Bye," he laughed. "We sound like one of those pathetic couples and the 'you hang up first' thing."
I shrugged. "Sorta. But bye for real now. I'll talk to you later!" I kissed him on the cheek before turning around and opening the door.
Edward stood at the open door and watched as I got in my car and drove away.
0-0
Charlie took the news pretty well and didn't panic like I had. He told me to go home and pack while he made sure the station was covered for the evening, then he would come home with dinner and to take a quick nap before we had to leave later in the night.
I sent texts to both Angela and Victoria, letting them know that I had to go to Jacksonville and didn't know when I would be back.
During the car ride to Seattle, I forced myself to stay awake, instead hoping to spend the flight sleeping.
Luckily, as nervous as I was I still somehow managed to fall asleep for most of the flight.
Once the plane landed and I had gotten my luggage off the carousel, it wasn't that hard to find Phil.
"Hey, Bella. How was your flight?" Phil asked once I walked up to him. The hands that were shoved in his pocket reached out to grab my suitcase and carry-on from me. Even if Phil was technically my step-dad, we weren't super close or affectionate with each other.
"It was good. How are you? How's Mom?" I asked, following behind him as he lead me out the terminal and toward where he was parked.
"She's okay. Anxious to get the baby out. Doctors say that even though it's before term, the baby should be okay, she's passed the thirty-six week mark."
"Good. That's good," I said. We continued to walk in silence until we reached his SUV.
"Can we stop by the house first?" I asked. "I'd like to shower and change before going to the hospital. I feel gross from traveling."
"Yeah, sure." Phil said, then tossed me his phone. "Call Renee? She wanted you to call once you landed. The number should be the last one I called."
Mom was in a good mood when I called. Even though I was still pretty upset that she didn't tell me what was going on before it got bad, it was such a huge relief to hear her sound like her normal upbeat self that I felt some of the anger slip away.
A little over an hour later, Phil and I were at the hospital with just enough time to visit before she was going to be induced.
"Mom!" I greeted her, rushing into the room and hugging her. Even though she sounded upbeat on the phone, in person she looked tired. Really tired. "Look at that bump!"
"I know, you'd think I was having twins with how huge I am. I was never this big with you!" she said, rubbing her stomach affectionately.
Throughout her pregnancy, my mom had emailed me pictures of her growing bump and scans of the ultrasounds. There was something surreal about seeing her almost to full term in person.
We talked for a few more minutes until one of the nurses came in an told us that she was going to be induced now and we had to go to the waiting room.
"Everything is going to be fine, Bella. Trust me," Mom said, taking my hand in hers. "Next time you'll see me, you'll be a big sister."
"Okay, I love you," I told her, leaning down and kissing her on the cheek. "See you in a little while."
I went back out into the hallway towards the waiting room. Once I sat down in a seat at the corner of the room, I realized I hadn't called Edward yet to let him know I had landed, I decided to text him instead since it was still pretty early in Forks.
After I updated him on everything, I put my phone back in my bag and pulled out one of the magazines I had bought at the airport to read.
Phil came out a few minutes after me and told me he was going to make a few more phone calls to friends and then swing by the cafeteria.
I nodded my head and asked if he could get me a coffee.
For three and a half hours, nothing happened. Then Phil was called in because it was time to push.
An hour later, a nurse came out, telling me that I could go in and see my new sibling.
To say I was nervous was an understatement. I had been on edge the entire time, but once Renee started pushing, I was borderline panicking.
When I went into the room, Phil was sitting on a chair beside the bed, watching as my mom cradled a bundle wrapped in a white blanket.
"Hi," she whispered, smiling at me. She looked exhausted, but happy. Really, really happy. "Come meet your new sister."
Sister. I had a sister. I was a big sister.
Shakily, I took a shaky breath and walked over to her, peering at the baby in her arms.
"Doctors said she was perfect. A little small, but otherwise healthy," she looked down at the baby then back up to me. "Would you like to hold her? Sit down."
Phil stood up from where he was sitting to let me sit down. Carefully, Renee handed the baby over to me. She was so small and pink and wrinkly. "So, what's her name?"
"Peridot Marie Dwyer," my mom beamed.
"Marie?"
"Yes, I wanted something to connect you with her, even if you are across the country," she explained. "Originally her name was going to be Amethyst Marie if we had a girl, but since she came early in August, the name Peridot seemed more fitting."
"It's a pretty name. Unique," I told her. That was a half lie, it was definitely unique, but not a name I would choose for my own kid.
"I thought we could call her Dot or Dotty," Phil chimed in.
We visited for a few more minutes until a nurse came in and told Mom that she wanted her to try feeding.
"And that's my cue to leave," I said, handing Peridot —Dotty— as I decided I would call her, back to Mom. I kissed her on the cheek and went outside to get some fresh air and call Edward.
I found an empty bench outside in a courtyard and called Edward.
"Hey, are you a big sister yet?" Edward asked as soon as he picked up.
"Yeah," I said, unable to keep the smile off of my face. "Peridot Marie Dwyer."
"That's awesome, Bella. I'm so happy for you. But...Peridot? That's...different," Edward said.
"I know," I laughed. "It's a kinda weird name, so I'm just calling her Dot. It's cute."
We talked for a little while until I heard Esme calling for Edward.
"Bella? I gotta go. I'm supposed to help my mom with moving stuff for her gardening club," he sighed.
"That sounds fun. Okay, call me later though? I miss you," I told him, hoping that I didn't sound like a clingy girlfriend.
"Of course. I miss you too. Okay, I really gotta go, she's already waiting for me in the car. I love you, bye," Edward said it in a rush, but he still managed to make my heart feel like it was lurching in my chest with the way he told me he loved me. Like it was so simple and obvious.
"Okay, love you too," I told him before hanging up.
0-0
The next three and a half weeks flew by.
Three days after Dot was born, both she and Renee were able to come home.
I had spent the last few weeks so sleep deprived, I can only imagine how tired Renee and Phil were.
Dot's nursery was across the hall and down a room from me, but every few hours I could hear her crying and one of them going into her room or downstairs to the kitchen.
But they were also some of the best days ever.
Phil had to go back to work a week after Dot's birth, so I ended up helping Mom during the days. Sitting with her and feeding her was one of my favorite things to do. Diaper changing was probably my least favorite thing to do.
But it was so fun and felt so rewarding and amazing, watching the first month of my sister's life.
Which was why now, with a week and a half left before I was supposed to fly back home, I was having serious doubts about being able to do so.
The bond I was growing with Dot was strengthening and I didn't know if I could just go back to Forks and continue on for my senior year.
But that was just it. It was only a year. I could wait it out, but then what?
Going away to college wasn't really an option. I'd always planned on staying local so I could live at home and save money. But then again, I could move to Jacksonville and live at home and go to school.
But then, there was Charlie. I felt like in the past two years I had finally been able to have a real father-daughter relationship with him. At least if I did move back in with my mom and Phil, I wouldn't have to worry about him being alone. He had Billy and now his relationship with Sue.
Then there was Edward.
How could I leave him behind? Sure, there was always the long distance thing, but we were in high school. What was the real likelihood of that lasting? Then what would we do for college?
I loved Edward though and he loved me. We could make something work, right?
Sighing, I flopped backward on the bed and sent Edward a goodnight text, not really feeling up to calling him. I knew that if he heard my voice, he would know something was bothering me.
Two days later, my mind was made up.
The next time I would be back in Forks would be to pack up the belongings I wanted to take and to say goodbye to everyone.
I didn't want to miss out on my sisters first year of life and I knew that moving here would make my mom and Phil happy. Renee would also have someone else to help her with Dot when Phil was working.
To say she was happy when I told her my decision was an understatement. She squealed loudly and hugged me, waking up a napping Dot.
I hadn't told anyone in Forks yet, not knowing how to go about it.
What would they say? How would they take it?
I cried myself to sleep that night. I felt like a zombie the new couple of days.
On the third day, Mom asked Phil to watch Dot for a little while so we could go out to lunch.
We ended up going to a little Cuban place that she loved, after we ordered, she started talking.
"Bella, tell me what's wrong," she said, sighing.
"What?" I asked, playing dumb. I really didn't feel like talking about my problems. "I'm fine."
"Clearly, you're not. I lived with you for the first sixteen years of your life. I can tell when somethings bothering you, what is it?" She reached her hand across the table to put it on mine and give it a squeeze.
I was about to tell her I was fine again when the waiter came back to the table with our food. After he left, she continued to press me.
"Honey, I know what's bothering you, or I think I do. I just wish you would tell me. You always used to share with me when you were younger."
"I'm just...sad. I guess. Thinking about moving here. Leaving behind Charlie and my friends," I told her, stabbing angrily at my food.
"And Edward?" She asked gently.
"Yes, Edward too. Maybe most of all."
"You know, the houses walls aren't that thick. I've heard you crying at night. Bella, I know that I was pressuring you a lot to move here, but I don't think it's what you want."
I opened my mouth to tell her that it was what I wanted when she shook her head, stopping me from speaking.
"No, Bella. You know that I would love to have you here. But I think you'd be miserable. There's always holidays that you can come spend here. When Dot's a little older, maybe I can take her with me up to Forks and visit you."
I raised my eyebrow. "Forks, Mom? You hate Forks. You haven't been back since you left."
"I know," she agreed. "But, I'm sure it's better now. Besides, it's just a visit."
"So..you'd really be okay if I didn't stay? Seriously? You really wanted me to move here."
"Of course I'd love having you here. But Forks is where you belong for now. Who knows, maybe you'll move out to Florida at some point in your life. And you know we'll always keep your room here for you." She smiled warmly at me and started to eat her food.
Once we were back at the car after we ate, I gave my mom a huge hug. "Love you, Mom."
"Oh, sweetie. I love you too," she sniffed. "Now come on, let's get home. We still have a week left before I get all emotional."
0-0
After that, things went back to normal. I didn't end up telling my Dad or Edward that I had planned on moving to Jacksonville. I probably would eventually, but not at least until I was back at home.
For my last day in Jacksonville, I had to wake up super early to go to breakfast with my Mom, Dot and Phil. After that, we all drove to the airport, but I said bye to Dot in the car, so Mom could walk me as far in the airport as she could.
"Alright, Dotty. You be good for Mom and Phil, okay?" I told her, leaning into the backseat of the car. She was dressed in a ridiculously pink, frilly onesie.
"Okay, Bella. Have a safe flight!" Mom told me, hugging me, once we were where I needed to be. "Oh, before I forget!" She dug in her purse and pulled out a small box. "A new camera. I got one too. I'll email you tons of pics and you do the same. I want to see pics of this Edward of yours, okay? And your friends."
I laughed. "Okay, Mom. Thanks so much."
She hugged me tightly again, kissing my cheek. "Let me know when you get home safe."
"I will. Bye, Mom," I said, waving at her as I walked away.
Hours and hours later, I was finally back in Washington. The flight had been boring and felt like it took forever, especially because I wasn't able to nap on flight.
After landing and getting my luggage, I went to go find Charlie. We agreed to meet in the same place he had dropped me off.
I found him easily, since he was dressed in his uniform, but was shocked when I saw that someone else was standing next to him.
"Edward!" I yelped, picking up my pace while trying to drag two suitcases behind me. Once I got up to him, I let go of the luggage and hugged him. Hard.
"Oh my god. I'm so happy to see you," I whispered into his shirt. I felt his chest reverberate with a laugh.
"Surprise," he smiled, hugging me back.
Not caring that Charlie was only a few feet away from us and watching, I kissed Edward, hard. Maybe with a little tongue.
It wasn't until Charlie cleared his breath loudly and muttered something under his breath did I realize what I was doing.
"Oops, sorry..." I said, feeling my face turn bright red. "Hi, Dad. It's good to see you too."
Charlie barked out a laugh. "Yeah, I'm sure it is. I missed you too, Bells. Come on now, let's get going. You can tell us all about your trip on the drive home."
So, Bella is a big sister now. Next chapter is the start of senior year. Remember when I said this fic was going to be 22 chapters? Yeah...not happening. But from here the time should speed up a little bit.
I actually had this chapter ready to post for three days before deciding to post it. I had a little case of posting anxiety and wanted this chapter to be just right.
Leave a review if you'd like and I'll reply back with a teaser.
I hope you guys all have a Happy Halloween!