Edward's Point of View
It didn't take long for Bella to fall asleep. I barely got started working on her swollen feet before she passed out.
I merely chuckled at my girl then kissed her cheek followed by her stomach before lying down beside her. Wrapping my arms around my angel, sleep overcame me as I took in the sweet scent of her hair.
I awoke to the sound of the rain beating harshly against my window. Looking at the clock, it was nine in the morning and I was awake. Bella, unfortunately, was still out cold.
How much I wanted to watch her sleep, but she always says that it gave her the creeps.
With one last kiss on the cheek, I snuck out of bed.
Following my nose, I made my way into the kitchen to find everyone there still looking exhausted after last nights festivities.
"Morning, dear." Mom greeted me.
"Hey." I answered grabbing a plate then filled it up with my mom's delicious cooking.
I was about to take a bite of my food when the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be so early in the morning?" Mom asked as she made her way towards to door.
"Oh good morning, Angela." What was she doing here this early?
I joined mom out in the living room as Angela answered.
"Morning, Mrs. Cullen. I'm sorry to come in so early, but my family is headed for church and I needed to talk to Bella for a minute."
"She's not up right now, but I can deliver a message if you want?" Mom offered sweetly.
"Thanks, will you just tell her that I'm going to pick up the pictures and that I'll call before I come over to work on the feature with her?"
"That will be no problem, Angela."
"Thanks, Mrs. Cullen. I'll see you around then." She waved then ran off down the porch.
Mom waited until Angela got back into her car with her family before shutting the door while I went back to eat my breakfast before Emmett could steal it—and yes, it has been done before, many times.
Looking around the table, no one was ready to be up, but the guys and I had no choice. Coach had scheduled our last meeting for today and we were dreading it. Knowing that last night's announcement was just a warm up of his anger for us.
By the time, the guys and I decided to get upstairs for our last rights, Bella was still not up. It worried me a bit.
Angela was going to be here soon to work on the feature, and knowing Bella, she would get upset if she felt she wasn't pulling her weight with the job. I've seen her stress out over the projects that Angela and her have worked on, and the projects for school. I was worried for her and the baby if she keeps it up.
Luckily we fell asleep in her bed last night or else getting my things together quietly would be a lot harder if she were in my room.
"Dude, you ready?" Jasper stuck his head in my room.
I could already hear Emmett in the garage honking the horn to his Jeep. He wanted to get this day over with or else he would never be the first one ready.
"In a minute, I just need to wake up Bella." I told him shoving the last of my equipment in my bag.
"Need some help?" He asked jokingly.
"Just stand by the door in case I need back up." I remembered the last time I woke up Bella and the bump from that experience.
"Bros, what's the hold up?" Emmett shouted running up the stairs.
"Hold your horses, Em; I need to wake up Bella." I replied a bit more quietly. "Here, make yourself useful and take our bags down to the car."
Jazz and I threw our bags at the big lug who grumbled the whole way down.
Luckily this time, waking up Bella was easier done than said. Thankfully, the baby helped by kicking the life out of her when I touched her stomach.
"You two are going to be the death of me." She mumbled.
"I'm sorry, love, but I have to go to practice and Angela is going to be here in less than an hour to work on your feature. It's time to get up, princess." I teased nuzzling my face in her neck.
She giggled from the contact then mumbled something about sneaky-ass boyfriends and their childish antics.
"Love you." I whispered.
As I was moving away, she grabbed my shirt in a death-grip bringing me closer to her head.
"I love you too." She said clearly looking deep into my eyes with her gorgeous chocolate eyes that only belong to her.
She brought me closer to her lips where they met, I was only too happy to oblige.
"Edward, Jasper, get down here now!" Emmett screamed from the stairs making Bella jump.
"We're coming, Emmett." Jasper yelled back.
Bella was starting to heave a little for air.
"Baby, it's alright. It was just Emmett. Take slow, deep breaths." I told her calmly.
"Is she alright?" Jasper asked coming into the room.
"Emmett just scared the crap out of her." I told him. "Better now?"
"Yeah, thanks. Tell Emmett that I'll kick his ass for going that to me later." She fumed.
"We will, he should be slow after practice tonight; make it easier for you to catch him." I chuckled.
She was still fuming, but I knew that she wasn't completely angry.
With one last kiss, Jasper and I ran out of the house and into Emmett's Jeep. You could practically see the steam coming out of his ears.
"Drive, Em, or you'll make us late." Jasper instructed.
I snickered in the back seat.
"Keep it up, baby bro, because come practice, I'm going to leave you wide open."
"You know very well that I can handle those wimps just as well as you can."
With a string of profanities, we were out of the driveway and onto the main road towards the school in record time.
"And by the way, thanks for nearly giving my girl a heart attack, Emmett. She is so going to kick your ass when you get home so save some energy for running." I warned.
From the rearview mirror, I saw his face and he looked worried.
My grin widened as did Jasper's.
Bella's Point of View
That stupid big fucking bear brother of mine scaring the hell out of me; if I wasn't pregnant—and hopelessly clumsy—I would so run after him and give him a couple broken bones. Not castrate him; Rosalie wouldn't appreciate it if I did.
As I was rambling and getting out of bed, my cell phone went off.
It took some digging before I finally found it in my pants pocket from yesterday.
I thought it would be Angela saying that she was on her way with the pictures, but I was wrong…so far wrong.
I didn't just get a text; it also came with a picture…of me…at homecoming last night…how the hell did he get this?
'Enjoyed your night, my pet?' The text read.
While I was stunned in silence rereading the text, the phone in my hand went off. I answered hesitantly.
"Hello?" I tried to sound casual, but even to my ears, it wasn't.
"Hello Bella, did you enjoy yourself last night?" He asked.
"How did you know?" I asked back still frightened. If he took that picture it meant he was here too.
"I told you, pet, a little birdie told me." He chuckled, but I did not see the humor in this.
"I don't care what your little birdie told you, but I am telling you for the last time to leave me alone." I didn't know where the confidence was coming from, but it must have come from my mother-protective instincts.
"But Bella, what about our baby; wouldn't they love to know who their father was?"
"No." I had to be careful not to let him know what the baby was to protect him.
"I still have rights, Isabella. Don't make me lose my temper."
"Yeah, I remember your temper; and if it or you show up you'll regret it."
"What are you going to do about it, or what about your brothers? Do you think that they'll want to risk their life to save yours or our child's? Are you sure you are worth it?"
"Yes." I answered, although, I was speaking about my sprout. It was him that I cared about over my own life.
"I'm having trouble believing that…"
"Believe what you want, but it is true. Now leave me alone you bastard." I slammed my phone closed before he got another word in edge-wise.
"Who was that?" Alice popped her head in my open door making me jump a bit.
"Alice, you scared me." I stalled.
"I'm sorry, I heard Emmett did that to you before the guys left." She explained running to give me a hug.
"Yeah he did, and then…Mike called and I was just yelling at him to stay away from me." I explained hoping she wouldn't notice the stuttering.
"He did?" She jumped back still holding onto my arms. "What did he say? ROSALIE! Tell me, did he threaten you?"
"What's going on in here?" Rosalie walked into my room next.
"I'm fine you two; I finally grew some and threatened him that if he so much as looks at me weird that he's head would be bashed in." It wasn't a total lie, but I was speaking about my ex here.
"Oh, I'm so glad that you stood up to him, Bells, but I'm still going to call the guys so that they can dish up some more punishment to Mike." Alice didn't give me a chance to speak up before her phone was at her ear most likely with Jasper on the other line.
"You two going to be alright now?" Rosalie asked sitting me down stroking my son.
"We were just fine, Rose. I feel better standing up to him." Still not technically lying.
"I am proud that you stood up to him, but he still needs to be taught a lesson and your not in the best condition to do it. Is she my precious little nephew?"
"Rose, please don't smother my son like that. He's going to be a big strong man one day who will help his mother up whenever she falls down." I joked.
"Bella, you haven't really had any accidents since you've been here."
"Yeah, that's because no one's left me alone on the stairs or on flat surfaces for more than a few seconds."
That joke got her rolling on my bed until Alice popped her head in a few minutes later.
"I couldn't get a hold of Jasper so they must have started practice, but he will check it when he gets a break."
"You mean if he gets a break, Ali." Rose giggled.
"How do you know he will?" I asked.
They both stopped laughing and looked at me like I was crazy.
"First of all, never bet against me, little sis." Alice said seriously.
"Second, our guys have strict instructions to check their phones every chance they get." Rose added.
"Wow, you have them trained." I giggled.
They looked smug then Alice answered. "No sweetie, we whipped them into shape."
"Literally." Rose piped in, but I didn't want to hear about that.
"Bella, Angela is here." Mom called from downstairs.
Shoot, I forgot.
"Quick, tell her that I'll be done in a minute, I just have to get dressed." I told them hauling my butt off the bed.
"Slow it down, little mama. Alice, pick out some clothes and make it snappy. More comfort and less style for now." Rose barked out.
Alice groaned from somewhere in my closet, but threw out a simple sweater and light wash jeans.
"But you will have to wear something racy lacy underneath." She told me sternly coming out of the closet with matching bra and panty set.
I sighed at the blue lacy—wearing lingerie has never been that appealing to me, but that didn't stop Alice and Rose from buying them for me.
"Come on, sweetie, they'll make you feel good about yourself." Alice tried to persuade me.
"No, they'll just make me feel inadequate." I started to blubber.
Rose pulled me into a tight hug and rubbed my back trying to soothe me. Alice climbed on the bed and joined us.
"Can you tell Angela that I'll be down in a minute, so that I can get dressed?" I asked after I calmed down.
"Sure, and wash your face to get rid of the tears, ok?" Rose smiled.
I nodded my head then grabbed my clothes heading towards the bathroom.
I hurriedly got dressed then cleaned myself up as best as I could, but truthfully, I still felt lousy.
Thankfully, Angela was not affected by my bad mood. Dad even suggested that we take his study to work in knowing that we like to do our projects in secret.
Our afternoon was filled with laughter as I suspected that Angela was trying to make me feel better even though she didn't know the true reason for why I was upset, but then again, neither did anyone else.
With our work finally completed, mom had good timing calling out that supper was ready. It was the first time that I noticed that the guys had made it home. I greeted Edward with a passionate kiss as sort of an apology to being a grouch this morning.
Dinner was delicious, of course, which Angela stayed for despite her earlier protests; but during dessert, her father called telling her to come home early because it was a school night. She left an hour later.
The rest of the night was reserved for us kids for pampering the guys. Well, Edward decided that I needed and who can argue with that logic? While Jasper and Emmett were getting massages from Alice and Rosalie, Edward not only rubbed my feet, but also painted them too not caring if he was teased or not. Only when the others tried, Alice and Rose made their men paint their toes as a lesson. They were good sports doing their jobs though while recalling the punishment that Mike suffered today during practice.
It was a good ending to a day that started off as bad, but I never could get my mind away from the image and message on my phone. It plagued my mind all night, all day, even for the next few weeks.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, but right now, the parents are gone to pick up grandma and grandpa along with some other cousins of the family. I shouldn't be afraid of everyone seeing my pregnant form anymore, but I simply cannot help it. Still that is the least of my worries.
I have yet to tell anyone about the message from my ex, but I do not want to worry anyone getting hurt because of me. I've handled my problems in the past and this is part of my past so it is one more problem that needs to be handled.
The reason why my siblings and I are staying behind is because my doctor allowed for me to have one more check up before the holidays—hopefully after this, I won't have to come back until after new years.
"Six more pounds, your baby will be a very strong little guy." The nurse cooed over me as I stood on the dreaded scales. This was my least favorite part of getting a check up.
"The doctor will be right in." She led me into the exam room where my siblings and Edward were already.
When the nurse closed the door, I had a hard time keeping my tears at bay for some reason; probably due to the shock of my weight gain.
"Hey, what's the matter huh?" Edward asked pulling me into his arms.
"Just be quiet and let me cry because I don't know what the hell I'm crying for this time." I growled.
He knew it wasn't meant for him, so he kept his arms around me trying to calm me down. No one else came up to help for they knew what would happen if they did.
By the time the doctor came in, my tears had stopped, but I was still clinging to Edward as he swayed us to and fro.
"Good afternoon, everyone," She greeted. "Bella, is everything alright?" She turned to me concerned.
"Sticker shock on the scale," I mumbled.
"I know, but remember it's the baby that's gaining the majority of the weight and you will lose it when he's out. I promise." She smiled.
I almost wanted to believe her, but the idea of me losing 50 pounds after this kid sounded like a lot—ok so maybe I'm going a little overboard.
"If you don't believe me, I can suggest to you some ways that could help you get back into shape. There's a new gym that's just opened up down on main street. I've been there already and I'm recommending it to all my patients." She explained.
"What do they have?" I asked.
"What don't they have?" Emmett looked like a kid who was a trip to the candy store.
"Just about everything you'd expect in the only open gym in a small town." The doctor joked. "Even some special programs for pregnant women…after we finish today I'll show you the brochures, Bella."
"That sounds good. Thanks." I replied.
"Feeling better now?" She asked.
"Yeah thanks." I got up on the bed to start the examination.
As usual, everyone oohed and awed about my little big sprout. The doctor gave us a clean bill of health and the brochures for the new gym. Emmett acted like Christmas had come early.
Mom knew we'd be home way before they got home with the family, so she had given us our assignments to clean up the house. Still, Edward ordered me to sit on the couch after I finished the dusting and vacuuming of the main floor—it was a hassle to even do that with him watching over me like a hawk. As a compromise, though, I helped him separate and fold up the laundry while sitting on the couch.
"Finally, we're done and with some time to spare." Alice screeched.
"Yes, but not enough time to do anything fun!" Emmett grumbled.
"No, but we can get planning. Yayyyy!" Alice jumped up for joy holding out another planning portfolio.
Whenever Alice planned something, she always had it all organized in its own folder or something.
"What is the project this time, sugar?" Jasper asked joining her on the loveseat.
"Well, Bella's due date is coming up quick so we need to start thinking about a day for the baby shower." Alice started pulling out papers that looked like checklists.
"Why do I need a baby shower, Alice?" I asked. "It's almost Christmas and I know that everyone is going to spoil my sprout then, so why bother with a party?"
"Because the party will be all about you two and for when more friends come over." She reasoned.
"You know I hate being the center of attention." I quipped.
"Yeah, but you won't be the center of attention, little mama. The sprout will." Emmett joked.
"Emmett, my son is still inside me meaning that I will be the center of attention." I glared at him. "Alice, I don't want to have a party, Christmas is going to be like my shower I just know it."
"But Bella…" She whined.
"Alice, that's enough." Edward stood up for me. "If Bella doesn't want to have a party then she doesn't have to have one."
"But what about furniture, clothes, toys, clothes, bottles, all those things that babies need? Did I mention clothes because you will need a lot of those trust me and Edward on that." She joked.
"Don't forget Emmett, mom use to say that he used up more clothes than you and I put together, pixie." Edward chuckled.
"Hey, it's not my fault that the food decided to jump on my clothes every time I ate." Emmett defended himself.
"But what about a crib and changing table; you really do need those, Bella."
"Mom said that she kept the furniture that she used for you guys. I like hand-me-downs anyways and this will save me on money." I regretted saying that for everyone was looking at me like I was crazy.
"Why do you need to save money, love?" Edward asked.
"Because he's my baby and I'm his mother; simple as that." I replied point blank.
Edward's eyes filled with frustration and disappointment, I knew what he was thinking.
"Edward, I know you want to take care of us, but he is my son not yours. I'm sorry if that sounds mean, I just…"
"Bella, I've said this before and I'll say it again until the end of time." He turned me towards him and looked into my eyes seriously. "I don't care that this baby was created by another man. I love you both and I will never stop fighting for you two."
"All of us are in the same boat, we want to care for you including financially." Rose added.
Everyone else nodded their heads.
"Ok, how about this excuse: my son is already going to be spoiled by everyone, but I don't want him to be a rotten child just because he got everything he wanted."
"None of us are like that, Bella, except for Alice." Emmett joked which earned him a glare from his little pixie sister.
"So no on the shower?" Rose asked.
"Defiantly a no." I confirmed.
"But…but…" Alice stuttered.
"Alice, Edward already said that it was up to me, so DROP IT!" I all but yelled at her. I couldn't help it, there were times when she would push me too far, but on my part, one didn't know where that line was some days.
Edward pulled me into his body and stroked my stomach, it's pretty much the only thing that will calm me down.
"Ok, I'll come up with another project. I think it's time my room got redone anyways." She mumbled to her self while writing something down in her notebook.
"I'm sorry." I whispered to Edward.
"I understand, you've been independent for so long that you've forgotten how to depend on others. I'll be patient and help when I can, but I still want to be this kid's father-figure if you'll have me?" He whispered back.
"We'll always want you." I kissed his jaw.
After our little argument, Jasper and Alice decided to go into the kitchen to check on the food while Emmett and Rosalie decided to make a quick trip upstairs. Edward and I stayed on the coach. I was really feeling sleepy from the extra worrying I've been doing since the news of the cousins coming over.
Although, everyone's tried to reassure me that everything would be fine, I just couldn't help it.
Twenty minutes later, the garage door opened up signifying that the cars were pulling in.
"Where or where are all my little ducklings?" Grandma called out. I swear, she all but ran into the house.
Edward helped me to stand up, as we made our way into the kitchen Emmett and Rosalie came downstairs trying to fix themselves up after their…activities.
Jasper and Alice were the first to start hugging everyone.
I pushed Edward and the others ahead of me knowing my speed would only slow them down.
"Bella, dear, you look wonderful. My great-grandson looks so likes he's going to be a dashy young lad." Grandma gushed over me.
"I sure hope so, he's been growing like crazy." I giggled.
I hugged grandpa next who gave me a kiss on each cheek. Then I came face to face with my new cousins.
"Hello Bella. I'm Carmen." The mother said pulling me into a hug. It didn't feel uncomfortable, so I hugged back.
"Eleazar. How are you deary?" The gentleman asked.
"We're doing fine, thank you." I answered.
"Bella, this is my sister, Carmen, her husband Eleazar and their daughters; Irina, Tanya, and Kate." Dad introduced us.
Kate had light brown hair and her smile was just as energetic as Alice's. Irina had short black hair, but looked disinterested at everything. Tanya had on a warm smile, but it didn't seem quite warm to me. In fact, it gave me the chills especially when she glanced down my body towards my stomach. I could tell that she was forcing her smile.
"Nice to meet you all." I welcomed them trying to shrug off the negativity.
"Thank you my dear." Carmen said.
"Well, let's get you all settled and serve supper. I know you've all had grueling flights, so let's get your comfortable. Children could you get the table set up and help me serve the food." Mom ordered.
Dinner and the rest of the evening went smoothly—for the most part. I discovered that Kate was like another twin for Alice. The two wouldn't stop giggling or talking a mile a minute mostly about clothes. Also, Irina and Rosalie shared a common bond too; they both loved building cars and wouldn't stop talking about them even when someone asked them a question they would answer then go right back into their conversation of engines or whatever.
Tanya was my biggest fear. She still kept her smile in place that fooled everyone, but I could feel her fiery stare pointed right at me and my son. Even he could feel it too; he's kicking made my ribs sore by the end of the night.
Edward seemed to feel my stress and rubbed my belly all through dinner. Tanya did not like this. From what I was told, she and Edward were always thick as thieves—best friends since they were kids.
Grandma and grandpa were going to sleep in their basement-suite while the cousins were going back to their hotel. There were a lot of hugs and kisses going around even though everyone would be together again tomorrow. That I was not looking forward to if it was going to be a repeat of tonight's dinner.
"You were very quiet tonight?" Edward questioned when we were getting ready for bed.
We've pretty much have been sleeping in the same room alternating between mine and he's for a while now.
"I'm alright, just tired." I brushed it off.
"Sprout was very rambunctious." He commented.
"I guess he sensed all the new people tonight and got a little nervous from the noise."
Edward set down his toothbrush and grabbed my hairbrush from my hand to work out the rats in my hair.
"Are you sure, you're both alright?" He questioned. I wasn't fooling him at all.
"I am a little concerned." I started.
Edward didn't waver from brushing my hair and, in fact, it was helping me to calm down.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"You're close with Tanya right?"
"Yes, we grew up together as playmates, but she's my cousin remember?" He smirked. "And you are my beautiful girlfriend." He kissed my cheek.
"Your girlfriend who's pregnant by another jackass." I mumbled.
"You know that I don't care about that, I just love you." He kissed my lips this time. "Are you afraid of what the cousins were thinking because I know that they love you no matter what."
I turned towards him making him put down the brush.
"I know they liked me." I started, but had a hard time finishing.
"Is this about Tanya's attitude?" He questioned.
I nodded my head then buried my head in his chest. Edward wrapped his arms around me and rubbed small circles in my back directly at the points where my back has been hurting the most.
"I want you to know that Tanya has always been my friend, but she has always had this bitchy attitude where if someone gets in between us then she'll throw a fit. Well, a tantrum when we were kids, but now she's just…I don't know how to describe it now."
"A big girl bitching?" I mumbled in his chest.
His chest rumbled with laughter.
"Yes, she always has to be the center of attention and her parents are always having a hard time controlling her. I've overheard mom and grandma telling Carmen that a boarding school would be good for her, but she won't listen."
"She's afraid to lose one of her babies." I finished. "I would hate that too."
"So would I." He moved on of his hands in between us to rest on my stomach.
"Don't worry about her, I love you and that's all that matters."
"I love both of you." I leaned up to kiss him.
The next morning was wave upon wave of chaos. The moms and grandma were all in the kitchen working on the feast. The girls and I had been given the duty of setting the table and waiting in case extra hands were needed.
The guys, however, were fulfilling their traditional role as the official watchers of the football game. Grandma told me that always after dinner, the guys would clean up everything to perfection—or else no TV next Thanksgiving.
I wasn't more of a helper but more of a nuisance. The golden brown turkey legs and hot apple pie were calling for me.
Eventually, I was shooed out of the kitchen and placed under the watchful eyes of the guys who were also watching Emmett. His focus, though, was more on the game, so the grumbling came mostly from me and my sprout.
Finally when dinner was ready, it was well worth the wait. Everything was delicious. I think I ate twice as much as Emmett did.
Tanya kept up her smile over a glare look that I think Edward was starting to notice. Whenever, I saw her gaze my way, Edward always had his arm or hand somewhere on me. My stomach was his favorite spot. I'm sure if Tanya was a man, Edward might be groping my breast at the table to get his point across. GOD I WANTED IT! Stupid fucking hormones.
I couldn't even hug the cousins when they decided to leave because I had fallen asleep on the couch with my head on Edward's lap.
Emmett had to carry me up to bed because lately I've been worried that Edward wasn't strong enough to do it. He says that I'm hurting his ego, but I just tell him that this is for my safety. It's always easy to get him to agree with that logic.
We were back at school the following Monday and I had an appointment with the new councilor to talk about my leave of absence when the baby comes.
"Isabella, Mr. Hunter is ready to see you now." Mrs. Cope announced from behind her desk.
I got up slowly since, at seven months, my center of gravity had shifted considerable lately.
Walking into the office, I immediately recognized the man behind the desk.
"James?" I said. "I mean…um Mr. Hunter."
"Hello Bella, it's nice to see you again." He reached over to shake my hand. "I was wondering when I'd be seeing you." He smiled.
"I didn't know you worked here."
"Just started today, now what can I do for you?" He was professional yet friendly at the same time.
He already knew that I was pregnant and when I was due, but I still asked him what I could do to finish off the school year after my baby was born.
"Well, I have two options for you. One you can finish your work via E-mail and take home work that your siblings could bring you while you stay at home after the baby is born." I nodded my head in understanding. "Option two you can make everything up during summer school."
I hated the idea of summer school since I was planning on getting a job during that time to earn some money for me and my son. I didn't want to rely on the Cullens too much since they've done enough for me already.
"I'll go with option one." I said confidently.
"Are you sure, Bella. Speaking from a new father's point of view, having a newborn and working at the same time is very difficult." He warned. "Plus, during the summer would give you extra time with school; there is no shame in it."
"My family has already promised that they would help me out and that I would never be alone." I argued trying to push away my motherly instincts away. I knew I could do this.
"Alright then. I'm going to confess that I was a little worried as I thought up these options, but when I looked at your transcripts, I see that I shouldn't be too much. Your grades are well above average and your work on the school paper is exceptional. Still, if you change your mind about your options, come see me anytime you wish." He said with sincerity in his eyes.
"Thanks a lot." I shook his hand again then turned to leave the office.
"Oh and Bella, I almost forgot to mention that I'm now in charge of reviewing the articles for the school's newspaper." He winked.
I couldn't contain my smile nor could I wait to tell Angela.
When English rolled around, I couldn't contain my excitement when I saw Angela. Of course, she was just as excited about this as me, but we agreed to test the waters to see where Mr. Hunter would draw the line. I had a feeling though that he would be a lot more lineate than the principle.
"So do you want to come over this weekend? My mom's been hassling me on bringing you back." She giggled as class ended.
"I'm sorry I can't. My family wants to go to that new gym for the day and on Sunday I'm hanging out with some old family friends at La Push reservation." I grumbled. "What about the weekend after?"
"Your family is having that Christmas party remember? Mine was invited, even my brothers." She huffed.
"They still climbing all over you?" I giggled.
"And the furniture, the walls, anything; they've been climbing things since they could reach, and when they learned to walk that was a different story." She explained.
I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of Angela running after her twin baby brothers. It made me long even more for when my baby boy would arrive.
"Getting excited?" She pointed to my hand that was rested on my stomach.
"Yeah, I'm a little worried about him, but that's normal, right?"
"Duh, you should have seen my mom when she was pregnant with the twins. All those things that could have gone wrong; she was a mess through the whole nine months and anti-depressants were her drug of choice after the twins were born. She's a lot better though."
"That's also my worry if I'll have to go on medication when my baby is born."
"My mom says that is normal for women, but to have the support that you have every mother with a newborn would kill to have. You're really lucky, Bella."
"That's what everyone keeps saying to me, and I believe them." I smiled thinking about my family, but more importantly, Edward.
Angela and I went off to the library to work on our latest project. We decided to have a little fun with this one.
One of the walls of the gymnasium has so much graffiti on it, but we think its artwork that brings more color to a dreary town like Forks.
We made up a list of things to do, as always, our first step to our articles.
"Ok, so we need to monitor the wall to notice when anymore images appear; maybe we can talk to an artist." I read from the list.
"I don't think it would be a good idea to add in the artist's name just in case the principle decides to throw his weight around." Angela rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, you're right," I agreed erasing part of the first task. "Next we should get some opinions of the wall not just our own. So who would that be?"
"Maybe the teachers since that wall faces their parking lot."
I nodded my head. "Especially the art teacher,"
"And the art students too." She added nearly jumping out of her seat.
"I gotta stop letting you get cookies for lunch. If anyone needs those, it's us." I grinned patting my enlarged stomach.
We laughed for a while until we got back to work agreeing to meet up after school tomorrow since the day was suppose to be nice enough to take pictures outside.
All too soon the bell rang signaling lunch was over, but the rest of the day's classes dragged on forever.
I felt bad since the boys were done with football practice and they were forgoing basketball for baseball this year so they had to wait until February for try outs. Thus, everyone had to wait for me. The girls had their practice on the days when Mrs. Clapp wasn't teaching swimming.
Still, afterwards the boys jumped into the pool to retrieve me after class was done.
At home, grandma was already in the kitchen working on dinner while grandpa was probably in the study reading the "London Times". They'd decided to stay in Forks until their great-grandson was born.
"How was your day, ducklings?" Grandma asked pulling us into hugs and kisses.
We all just grumbled out short answers then pulled out our homework since exams were coming up.
"Well, supper will be ready by the time your parents get here, so remember to set the table nicely for them." Grandma carried on.
If I thought mom's cooking was amazing, Grandma's literally took the prize.
Although, she did give me most of the vegetables and later sent me to bed at 8:30; luckily my homework was finished then.
The rest of the week was pretty uneventful, except for the article Angela and I had been working on. It was going smoothly.
The art teacher was more than happy to talk about her views on the graffiti which she openly admitted had a hand in it. We warned her that we wouldn't be putting in names of the artist because of the principle, but she said "Don't worry about that pompous windbag; he doesn't know art from shit."
When she tried to tell us to put that quote in the article we had to compromise saying we would put her confession in the story, but not the quote for fear of her job.
Since we haven't been on good terms with Eric lately, Angela and I have just turned our work into his inbox then leaving the room before anything could be said.
Finally, it was Saturday. However, instead of being woken up by Alice, it was Emmett. Apparently going to the new gym for him was like the opening of a new store for Alice. Those two should be twins.
The new gym wasn't very busy; maybe the people of Forks did not want to come on the weekend?
"Cullens." Someone shouted at us after we all signed up for membership.
Looking around, I recognized the Coach Clapp's coming up to great us both wearing sweat-soaked shirts that had the word 'Army' written over their chests.
Big surprise there.
"I'm pleased to see you all here, we've been here everyday and only seen a few players here as well." Mr. Clapp smiled. It was the first one I've ever seen from him.
"We aren't the best without hard work for it, sir." Emmett saluted.
"Girls, there is a yoga class starting soon and I believe there are many openings left if you want to join me. Bella, it should be good for you too." Mrs. Clapp offered.
"Sounds like fun." Alice chirped.
Rosalie nodded her head then both she and Alice looked at me. I was nervous since I wasn't the most coordinated person and pregnancy did not help that.
"You should try it, just once, it couldn't hurt." Edward reasoned.
"Will you be ok?" I asked.
I know I sounded like a whinny girlfriend, but one, I'm pregnant and two, my ex is somewhere here in Forks so I have reason to be concerned.
As expected, he chuckled. "I'll be fine, mother hen." He joked. "Go have fun; we'll catch up with you later."
I kissed him sweetly on the lips then followed the girls to the yoga room.
Thankfully, the class was for beginners, so I didn't have that much trouble. Plus I was not the only pregnant woman in the room. The few who were there were the kinder ladies from my swim class. We clustered together since our positions were a little different from the others.
Afterwards, I felt more reenergized than ever—I'll have to attend more classes in the near future.
In the main weight room, we saw the guys still with Mr. Clapp near the weights. I swear, I could smell their sweat from across the room.
Luckily, Mrs. Clapp told her husband that it was time to leave. The guys all but pushed their coach towards the front; even Emmett.
"How was class, ladies?" Jasper asked sitting on a bench taking a drink from his water bottle.
"Relaxing." Alice answered. Rose and I nodded our heads in agreement.
"I wouldn't mind coming back." I added.
"Yeah, as long as we avoid the coach." Edward complained. "He already works us to the extreme during practice."
"Luckily, we can avoid him until baseball season." Jasper agreed.
"Until then, let's come back next weekend and put in another day of pumping iron." Emmett bellowed.
Edward and Jasper groaned in protest while the girls and I giggled.
It wasn't long before we decided to head home, but once we did, Edward and I hopped into the shower together ridding each other of the sweat that was sticking to our skin.
Afterwards, we spent a few minutes holding each other under the spray allowing my son to have his play time.
My stomach was starting to get so sensitive thanks to all the kicking that I was now getting a few mystery bruises which, of course, worried Edward.
"What are you going to do, Edward, give him a sleeping pill so that he'll stop kicking?"
"Love, I'm just worried." He hugged me.
"Ugh, will you please stop?" I groaned against his chest.
"No," He kissed my hair. "I love you too much to stop worrying. I know you do the same thing."
He had me there.
"Bella, where are you?" Alice sang from the hall.
"In here." I answered regretting that I did.
"Hurry up and get dressed, the stores aren't going to stay open forever you know." She opened the door and ordered.
The girls and I had made plans to do some Christmas shopping. As much as I hated shopping in the first place, this was one of those times when I could tolerate it. I loved giving people gift that expressed my feelings for them, but I've been having trouble finding a good present for Edward.
"Give me ten minutes to get dressed and I'll meet you guys downstairs." I told her.
She nodded her head, but started mumbled to herself how anyone could get ready in ten minutes while closing the door behind her.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Edward was worried again. I could see the crease in between his brow forming.
"I'll call you if it gets too bad, but grandma and mom are coming too, so I'll be in the best of care. Remember grandma use to be a doctor." I joked.
With one last kiss, I padded my way to my room. Truth be told, I was nervous about going out and had been feeling that way lately.
It was already December and my son was due next month. Next month, I still can't believe it. It seems like only yesterday I was a lonely orphan sitting in the corner of the play room reading my well worn copy of Withering Heights waiting for a family to welcome me with open arms. But I can't regret the decisions I have made because they brought me to Edward; to love and happiness, the things that I will never give up.