SM owns Twilight. I own my mistakes.

Chapter twelve.

"Bella?"

My eyes were shut so fast, it seemed they weren't going to open.

"Bella, are you alright?"

"Ahhh." I managed to moan.

"Essie, I think she's just sleeping, her pulse and breathing are fine, she's just had a long drive home, let's leave her to sleep."

Hmm, the door shut and I heard them leave. My eyes were shut tight, and I wanted to keep on sleeping.

I rolled over and suddenly I felt nauseous,

Shit! I opened my eyes and leapt out of bed, and whoa! Head rush ...I felt faint. I shook my head and cleared it. I was definitely going to throw up!

I held on, as I launched myself at the loo and heaved...and heaved.

I shakily stayed hovering over the porcelain, up on my knees on the tiles. Esme and Carlisle tentatively came into the bathroom to see what was going on.

I looked at them I must have been a real mess, and nice shade of green to boot!

I pulled off some loo paper and blew my nose. And then some more as I wiped my eyes, I didn't even know I was crying and shivering. Carlisle wrapped a towel around my shoulders to help warm me up.

Esme wiped my face gently with a warm, wet face washer and I sighed.

"Sorry about that!"

"There's nothing to apologize for, how about we get you back to bed and I'll bring you up some ginger tea?" Esme asked.

I nodded, "could I have some toast and Vegemite to go with it?"

I pulled myself up to the bathroom sink and rinsed out my mouth and once more with some mouthwash. I didn't want to move very fast, in case I set off the awful waves of nausea again.

"So how are you both, and to what do I owe the pleasure of your company this morning?"

Carlisle who'd been hovering beside me to make sure I made it back to bed, just smiled.

"It's two in the afternoon Bella, and Esme was starting to worry about you. She drove passed expecting to see your truck, but a fancy sports car was parked outside instead. She rang me and made me come here to help her investigate, in case there was a thief with a fancy car, who was stealing stuff from your house. Luckily it's been a slow afternoon at the hospital, and I could come and help her to see what was going on."

"Sorry to have worried you guys." I mumbled.

"Not at all, not at all! You must be very tired Bella. How are you feeling?"

"My period hasn't come yet, I'm feeling incredibly pre-menstrual and my boobs are tender and really sore. I was having strange colourful dreams, and although I haven't had any for a while, I'm still feeling hot, as well as bloated and really odd. And then, when I moved in bed, just now, I was nauseous and getting up, I suddenly felt all faint, like I was about to black out."

"Ok, I think that it's time to see if you can pee on an indicator stick, and see if you're pregnant." Carlisle said calmly.

"Pregnant? I thought I was just..."

"Early pregnancy and PMS have very similar symptoms, if you are suffering from bad PMS, I can help you with that too."

"Oh, ok."

Esme came up with a tray of tea and toast.

"I couldn't find that Vegemite stuff anywhere; can you tell me where it is?"

I smiled and shook my head, "it's still in the white plastic bag right by the door, I didn't get to unpack it last night, sorry."

"I'll just go and get it."

"Thanks Esme."

I sipped my tea, feeling better by the second.

"What's this Vegemite stuff?" Carlisle asked, looking concerned.

"I'm kind of addicted." I admitted.

His brow creased.

"It's not a drug or anything, it's an Australian spread that is used on toast and bread. It's very salty and apparently packed full of some of the B vitamins."

Esme handed the small jar to me and I chuckled.

I spread a little on the toast and chewed, hmm, perfect.

Carlisle examined the label to see if it was possibly harmful to my health.

"Want to have a taste Doc? I love it so much, that I got extra in San Francisco on the way back home, so I didn't run out."

I spread a tiny amount on a triangle of toast and offered it to him.

He bit into it, like he was going to taste something awful. He chewed for a second and thought.

"Actually, it's kind of nice, but strange. Why would Australians eat this? Don't they have any honey or peanut butter in Australia?"

I chuckled and kept eating, my stomach felt completely normal. Thank heavens!

"Who knows? But I do know just about every Australian kid grows up eating this, so I guess it can't be too bad, otherwise they would have banned it."

Carlisle rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"I'll go and get my doctor's bag; I've got a pregnancy test in there. Are you ok to pee Bella, is your stomach all settled yet?"

Esme gasped.

I nodded. "We'll see what's what. It might just be the worst PMS I've ever had, or fingers crossed, something else!"

Once I peed on the white plastic gadget, I left the bathroom to watch it change with the Cullens.

Rufus had made his way back up the stairs, and wound his body around my legs, while we all stood around in a circle and waited.

I closed my eyes and took a deep, slow breath.

"Bella, you're pregnant!" Carlisle said in awe.

I opened my eyes and giggled.

"It worked!" I was shocked it was so soon, so easy.

"In just one cycle, that's so amazing!" Esme whispered.

"Hopefully you'll soon have a baby Cullen, to love and hold Esme." I hugged her.

Carlisle hugged us both, and we all laughed.

"It's still early; you're not even six weeks along yet. We will just need to watch and wait; hopefully the pregnancy will progress smoothly. I want you to take everything easy, rest and eat lots of small meals; keep up with the supplements and nothing too physical, ok?" Carlisle said in doctor mode.

"Sure, I'm only doing my prof's marking, I'll be going back to California, next month so he can post the results. Then we have other work to do, which could take quite a few months. But Im not planning to do anything crazy, I promise!"

Rufus ran up and launched himself onto my shoulder.

"Sorry Rufus, have I been neglecting you sweetie?"

"I fed him and put his tray out, which he used straight away." Esme smiled.

"Thanks so much, you're a life saver Esme!" I patted Rufus as he purred in my ear.

"Let's go into the kitchen and we can catch up." I had wasted so much of the day sleeping.

"I'll better head back to work, to finish the remainder of my shift. I'm ecstatic that we have sorted the mystery out. You have to tell me all about the new car Bella, it's not something I would have guessed that you would choose drive. How does it handle?"

"Like a dream! I was given it by my professor, his wife couldn't drive anymore and it was just sitting unused in their garage. I was so amazed to receive it! It was really wonderful driving back, so different from Bertha, my old truck. I managed to sell the old girl off to a nice guy who restores classic cars."

"That's good, make sure when you drive your new car to always use the seat belt, and don't speed. You've got a precious cargo to watch out for now." Carlisle looked at me all misty-eyed.

"Yeah I'll be cautious. Doc remember until recently I was the daughter of the police chief and owner of a truck that didn't go over sixty miles and hour." I reminded him smiling.

It seemed that driving within the speed limit, was ingrained my system, and I found it hard to speed, or break any of the road rules.

Carlisle left with his doctor's bag, and Esme and I settled down in the kitchen to catch up on the last week or so.

"So are you still entertaining relatives?"

I was grateful, that I didn't have to see them again, even if it was by accident. I could stay here, away from the Cullen's place.

"Rosalie has left us and seems to be on a slightly more even keel, behavior-wise, since she and Emmett finally decided to get engaged. She's thinking of getting into a less stressful type of modelling, which will allow her to eat more sensibly."

"Huh, that's great." I said unenthusiastically. I didn't care what she did. I would be more than happy never see Blondie again.

"We have Jasper staying with us at the moment; he's trying to get over his latest romantic disaster. He feels everything so deeply; he's such a sensitive soul, poor guy." Esme sighed.

I nodded... hell wasn't he the one who was playing with the little, underage chick, and the scary, stalking cougar at the same time?

I bet he was just a thoughtless, selfish dick, who would happily screw anything with a vagina. Sensitive soul, my ass!

"So I bet you've been so busy with your nieces and nephews, that you didn't have any extra time to look at making those plans for my living room and kitchen."

"That's where you're wrong honey! I got so happily carried away, drawing up plans and costing out products; that I had no time at all to worry about Rosalie and Emmett's problems. I've got a lot to show you, come in here. I've got all the details set out, to show you all of your options."

We sat and chatted about all of the ideas Esme had come up with. I was so impressed, it was brilliant!

"I love what you've done, these ideas are wonderful Esme! You should think about doing this as a career, you are really talented."

"Thanks, it's really just a hobby, but maybe one day I'll do something with it. Want to eat a snack?"

"Yeah, let's have some fruit, I should take my supplements while I'm at it."

"This baby is really happening, isn't it?" I muttered to myself.

I had trouble putting my mind around the fact that I was pregnant, up-the-duff, with a bun in the oven, reproducing, replicating...having a baby...or possibly two.

Esme and I ate some crackers, cheese and apple slices. She poured some more ginger tea, it was very settling for my stomach.

"Yeah, its crazy and amazing... and Esme, I have to tell you about a weird thing that happened, when I stayed with my friend Leah. It seems she's kind of psychic or something and she noticed I looked different straight away, as soon as I got out of the truck."

"She then had a ...a sort of 'message' from her dead granny, she said that...I'd be having twins, a boy and a girl, one light and the other dark, one strong, and one weak...something like that."

"Wow, that's a little unsettling, but you're ok with it, aren't you Bella?"

"Well that evening it scared the hell out of me and I freaked a bit. I really am pregnant which she noticed straight away, and we'll just have to wait and see if I'm going to have twins or not."

"I'd be in heaven! A real instant family! You know there are twins in Carlisle's family, like Rosalie and Jasper, and their cousins Jane and Alex."

"I know! The other thing I need to tell you is Leah, insisted on coming, to be with me at the birth, in order for her to support me. She's worried I won't have anyone to support and comfort me, once the new little Cullen or Cullens come into the world."

Esme was quiet for a moment, and looked at me with tears in her eyes.

"Of course, that's great! you should have someone there for you. I might be too excited with holding babies and being all emotional to take good enough care of you, after all."

"Well, I'm sure that wouldn't be the case, but Leah will be there, nevertheless! She's a force to be reckoned with, and one of my best friends. I just wanted to give you the head's up, even though its months away."

"Well, I'm looking forward to meeting her; she sounds like quite a character."

"Yeah, she is."

"So Bella, I know you wanted to choose this yourself, but when I saw them so heavily discounted, I couldn't resist! Just close your eyes, now stand here and...now you can open them!"

I looked and saw the living room windows with the perfect pleated blinds. They fitted, and were neat and light against the window frame.

"Esme! I love them! They look absolutely perfect, they fit! Wow the window looks exactly how I imagined it would!"

"Yeah, that's why I took a punt on buying them... And I got something else too, to make the house a little more comfortable to live in for you... I also found it heavily discounted too."

"Oh Esme! What did you do?" I rolled my eyes smiling at her.

"It's only a little something, and it will be perfect for you. Just wait a second, I'll go and get it."

She bought in a good sized box and put it down in front of the fireplace.

"Come and open it!"

"Ok"...I looked at the charcoal coloured, sheet metal rectangle. There were some white pebbles in a plastic bag and another couple of shaped, stainless steel sheets.

"Esme, what is it?"

She grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"Bella, I want to introduce the best and newest way, to heat a room environmentally, without odours, smoke or high fuel bills...it's an indoor ethanol heater. It slots perfectly, right into your fireplace, without needing a flue or any extra changes to the chimney."

I blinked, wow it sounded amazing. I wondered why I'd never heard about them before now.

"Can we put it together and try it out? I'm keen to see how nicely it works, and if it creates the warmth it promises on the box." Esme rubbed her hands in glee.

"Ok, sure!" I smiled.

Esme was right in her element.

"Do we need any tools?"

"No, I've got my favourite screw drivers, right here in my handbag."

"You keep screwdrivers in there? Any other tools?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Ha! Well I keep a measuring tape and a stud finder, also some plastic wall plugs, plumbing tape, duct tape, a plumb bob and a spare light globe."

"Esme, you are a one woman wonder! Want me to hold anything for you?"

"And that's how you do it!" Esme chuckled, stepping back and admiring her work in triumph.

Hell, I was more than impressed! I was ready to crown her the new queen of do-it-yourself projects.

"It's fantastic, and I can't believe it throws so much heat out, I love it!" I warmed my hands and front, and turned around to warm my back and legs.

"Now all you need is a nice window seat and it would look perfect in here."

"Didn't I promise to help you with that Esme? I need to pay you back for the blinds and the Eco-fire first, how much do I owe you?" I asked.

"Bella, they were presents, you don't owe me anything!" She waved her hand to brush away the thought.

"Esme! I have to pay you something, be reasonable!"

"Ok, how about a pecan pie for Carlisle?"

"That's not enough! How about I throw a couple of large, whole salmon in, as well as a pecan pie?"

"It's a deal!"

"Thanks Esme, this room looks and feels great."

"Can I bring the stuff to build a window seat over tomorrow?"

"I guess, but I insist on paying you."

"Ok, how about you pay me with another type of pie? Maybe pumpkin, or lemon meringue?"

I shook my head and laughed.

"Alright! Alright, I give in! But I insist on helping you construct this seat, and you must show me all of your handy hints, that you use to construct something like this."

"Ok, I'll go home and cut and finish off the timber all ready to bring tomorrow, I'll be here early."

"I'll go and buy some ingredients for your pies, and some more cat food. Rufus really knows how to pack it away!"

I was filling my trolley with supplies, and thinking about how nice it would be if I had a big pantry in my kitchen, and how I would stack all of the groceries into my car. When a smooth, melodious voice, brought me right out of my day dreams and back into reality.

"Ma'am? I was just wondering if you could advise me on something."

I blinked and looked up and up so more, there was a very tall, delicious looking man, with honey-coloured hair and deep blue eyes smiling down at me.

"Ahh, ummm, sure." were all the words I could muster.

"Ok, so which type of chocolate should you suggest I buy? Something dark and nutty; or perhaps something with a softer filling, in white or milk chocolate?"

"Mmm, well that depends, who are you buying for? Is it an older lady with dentures? Or someone younger, someone who has more exotic tastes?"

"Well, I think she's fascinating, and most likely to desire something sweet, but kinda different."

"Oh, well I would maybe chose the dark chocolate-covered ginger pieces, or the dark chocolate slabs with chilli or raspberry."

"What about the fancy Belgium chocolates?"

"Maybe if she's the kind of person who likes ornamental sea shells, but doesn't like getting her hair wet, and enjoys smooth, easy and less challenging things."

"Ok, how about this?" He held up the dark, chilli flavoued slab of Swiss chocolate, and a box of chocolate truffles, covered in ground pistachios with a macadamia filing. "Would she be impressed by these two choices?"

I shrugged, "maybe?"

"Thank you for the advice ma'am, I surely do appreciate it." He smiled again and I sighed.

I don't know who he was, but I was guessing he definitely wasn't a local. I moved off smiling back at him. I looked down into the trolley, I had nearly everything I needed... but talking to that guy, gave me ideas. And not just hot, sexy ones either.

I shook my head when I thought of what I said to him, I sounded like the woman in the movie 'Chocolat' who knew all about how chocolate could match one's personality and reveal their secret desires.

I could try making some chilli flavoured, chocolate brownies, with macadamias, and maybe another batch with crystallised ginger and macadamias. I grabbed the extra ingredients, and headed towards the checkout.

The smooth talker was there ahead of me, busy chatting up the check-out chick.

I waited while she batted her eye-lids and blushed and giving him her number on his way out.

Mmm, he looked like trouble with a capital T, a walking-talking penis, just waiting to get his end in and then walk way, not even considering all of the negative fallout he probably caused along the way.

I kicked myself for feeling so stupid, and even taking my time to talk to him and actually thinking that my opinion mattered to him.

I got through the checkout, with Miss Thing, still looking a little stunned at having Mr Smoothie smile at her, it probably make her day...maybe even her month!

I shook my head and paid up. Heading out to the car, I noticed a fancy, new, silver 4 by 4 with all the extras, heading out of the parking lot. Mr Smoothie waved as he drove passed me.

I dropped into the car shop and bought a special cover to go over my beautiful Lucia, it would take me a while to clean out the garage, and she needed to be kept out of the weather, in the mean time.

I didn't know whether I should be doing too much awkward, heavy lifting right now, if I was going to attempt to cart all of the heavy gear out from the garage and then off to the dump. There was certainly a lot of crap stored in there.

I noticed on the public notice board. A hand written notice caught my eye. It stated that there was a young, local man with a truck, willing to do odd jobs for cash. I made a call right there and then, he might be the answer to my all of my messy garage worries.

"Hello?"

"Hi I'm after Seth Clearwater?"

"It's Seth speaking, how can I help you?"

"I'm after someone strong who can help me clean out my Dad's garage, and perhaps assist me setting up a yard sale with the items. I can pay you for say, for two days, one to clean out the garage and set up the items, and another day, to cart the remainder of the stuff to the dump or a charity store."

"Sure I might need to bring a friend, to help pick things up and move them, is that ok?"

"Sure."

"Is it possible for me to have first dibs on items, in case there's something that catches my eye?"

"Yeah sure, no worries Seth, that would be good. How about we make it this Friday and Saturday, nice and early?"

"What's your address?"

I told him and he was so excited to know that it was the police chief's old house. He knew Charlie well, as his Dad and mine were fishing buddies and rivals in all of the competitions.

I was pleased that soon the garage would be able to hold nothing more than my lovely Lucia, and of course the box freezer, full Charlie's fish.

I set up all of the under-grad marking in Dad's old room, and bought in some extra lighting for the table I was going to work at. I could work whenever I wanted, and not be distracted by all of the fluctuations in the natural light outside. Forks being so gloomy overcast, artificial light would be my constant companion while I did this work.

As I set to making something delicious for dinner, Angela came knocking at the back door, holding my mail she had collected while I was away in California. We hugged and laughed, and I dragged her into the living room and showed her what Esme did, she was very impressed. I told her about the window seat, she said she was jealous, and wanted one too.

I grilled some marinated chicken and made some mashed potato and stir fried green beans, and baby spinach.

We sat in front of my new fire, with Rufus purring away.

I told her about having a yard sale on Saturday, and she thought there were a few items she could sell too. It was great to be home, snuggled up in front of the fire.

Please send me your feedback.

Ever had interesting conversations with strange guys in the supermarket?