Let Love Lie
Chapter 16 – Bundle of Joy
This chapter is going to go through Bella's pregnancy. Sorry if you guys feel like I'm rushing. It's the only way I could write a full chapter!
Previously in Let Love Lie:
Edward lies next to me and holds me in his arms and kisses my shoulder before uttering the three little words I'd been longing to hear for the past few weeks.
"I love you."
BPOV
I turn in Edward's arms to face him. My lips are turned up into a smile. I place my palm on his cheek and rub my thumb over his cheekbone.
"I love you," I reply with a grin. He grins before kissing me hungrily. He reaches his left hand to cup my cheek and I feel him wince. I pull back and sit up.
"Are you okay?" I ask concerned.
"Just a little sore," he sighs.
"You lay down and I'll get you your pain meds," I say as I go to get up.
"Bell, you don't have to. You can just go back to sleep."
"Well I'm awake now so I might as well." I lean down onto the bed and kiss his jaw before walking out of the room. I grab his pain medication off the counter and fill a glass with water. My cell phone goes off in my pocket as I walk back into the room. I hand Edward the bottle and glass before answering.
"Hello?"
"How come you didn't drop by when you were in town?" Jake's voice booms through the phone.
"Sorry, Jake, we weren't planning on staying long," I apologize as I crawl on the bed. I lay next to Edward and he holds me in his arms.
"So Charlie said you delivered some pretty hefty news but he didn't explain," he says hesitantly.
"Yeah, Jake, I, uhm," I sputter. "I'm pregnant." He's silent on the other end. "Jake?"
"Is it his?" he asks. I internally groan. Jake hasn't liked Edward from day one. The days I was broken up from Edward were the happiest for Jake.
"Yes, it's Edward's," I say.
"Come stay with me. I'll help you through the pregnancy and take care of you and the baby," he throws out.
"What? Jake, I'm staying with Edward." Jake is silent again for a moment.
"So you're back with him?"
"Yes I am. Is that a problem?"
"Don't you remember how hurt you were? I remember days you wouldn't get out of bed, Bella."
"Jake, don't."
"I'm only speaking the truth."
"Well I don't want to hear it. I love him, Jake, and I'm going to be with him." Edward kisses my shoulder and I turn to smile at him.
"You're being stupid about this, Bell. I'm sorry, but I'm just trying to be honest," he says before adding, "Something he's not very good at."
"I'm not having this conversation with you."
"I have nothing else to say."
"Bye," I say before hanging up. I toss my phone across the bed and snuggle further into Edward. He holds me tighter.
"I'm guessing he didn't take the news very well?" he whispers and pulls a piece of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear.
"Better than Dad, but still not well," I sigh. "Is it his?" I mimic Jake's deep voice mockingly and sigh angrily. "He wants me to move in with him. Really? Move in with him?" I rant.
"He loves you," Edward states.
"And I love him too but that doesn't mean he can," I start but Edward cuts me off.
"No, Bell. He loves you," he says again.
"I know, you just…oh," I realize what he's trying to tell me and sit up. "Nuh-uh, no way," I say as I sit up. "He can't. I mean, he dated my cousin. He's dating other people. He can't," I sputter. "How would you know?" I ask a little defensively, furrowing my eyebrows.
"Please," he scoffs lightly. "Anyone in the same room as the both of you can tell. I've known since Rose's wedding shower."
"What? No way," I refuse to believe him.
"I'm not lying," he chuckles. "He talked like he hated you but he looked at you the same way I look at you. Like you're the only woman I ever want to see."
"You're bullshitting me just so you could drop that corny line," I narrow my eyes playfully.
"I swear, I'm not bullshitting you."
"Then why hasn't he told me?"
"Bell, I already knew you loved me before I said it earlier and I was still scared you weren't going to say it back. You've never told him you love him; I don't think he's going to say it." I huff out a sigh.
"You know I love him like I love my brothers, right? Nothing more," I assure him.
"I know, I can see that," he smiles. I smile and roll my eyes at him.
"What else can you see?" I ask mockingly. He sits up and scoots closer to me, leaning into me so his lips are at my ear.
"You," he whispers huskily. "And me…in this bed…with no clothes," he trails off. I feel him smile against my ear when I shiver of pleasure runs down me.
"Yeah?" I ask breathlessly.
"Yeah," he breaths before his lips come into contact with my neck.
XOXO
"Bell, stop biting your nails," Edward says as he walks out of the kitchen. We're waiting for the gang to get here so we can share the news with them.
"I can't help it, I'm nervous," I mumble around my thumbnail. He comes over to me and pulls the thumb away from my mouth.
"Don't be, we've told our parents. This should be easy compared to telling your father."
"They're going to be mad we didn't tell them sooner. I'm nearly seven weeks pregnant."
"We have our reasons, Bella. They'll get over it. I'm sure they'll be too happy about the news to be angry that we kept it from them." I bite my lip nervously. "With you stop biting yourself?" he chuckles as he pulls my lip from between my teeth.
A knock on our door makes me jump to my feet. I quickly make my way to the door and open it, letting Emmett and Rose inside.
"Hey guys," I smile. Rose looks at me weird and I give her a look saying what?.
Rose now has a very prominent bump showing under her shirt.
"You're looking great, Rose," Edward grins at her.
"Thanks," she beams.
"Do you guys want anything to drink?" he asks.
"Water," Rose smiles.
"A beer will do," Emmett says.
"Can you get me a water please, Babe?" I ask.
"Yeah," he smiles before walking into the kitchen.
"Come in, guys," I wave my hands to usher them farther inside. We go into the living room and sit down.
"So, how's my nephew doing?" I ask with a giggle as Rose rolls her eyes.
"Don't encourage your brother, Bella," she jokingly scolds. There's another knock on the door and Edward answers it as he comes into the living room.
"Hey, guys, come on in," he smiles before coming over to us and gives us our beverages. "Can I get you anything?"
"Apple juice!" Riley says.
"Rie," Alice warns.
"Please," he adds with a toothy grin.
"I'm good," Alice says.
"A beer, thanks," Jasper smiles. Edward walks back into the kitchen and Alice, Jasper and Riley come into the living room. Edward comes out and hands out the drinks before sitting next to me and throwing his arm over my shoulders.
"If you didn't know you wouldn't be able to tell you guys ever broke up," Alice comments. I smile and look at Edward. He smiles down at me.
"So what's with this last minute meeting?" Rose asks.
"Last minute? We told you guys we wanted to hang out last weekend."
"Well that's last minute," Rose shrugs with a smile.
"But seriously," Alice adds. "Why did you want to hang out?"
"Well, guys, we have something we need to tell you," Edward starts. I shift in my seat and take a deep breath before finishing his comment.
"We're having a baby," I say with a smile. Everyone sits stunned before Rose pushes up out of her seat and attacks me with a hug.
"I'm going to be an aunt!" she squeals. I laugh and stand up, hugging her back. She pulls away from me and hugs Edward. Alice attacks me next.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she cries happily.
"Al," I laugh. "Why are you thanking me?"
"I thought Edward would never make me an aunt!" she gushes. "I don't think Tanya would have even wanted children!"
"Al, stop," Edward whines. "Did you have to bring her up?"
"Just trying to make you see how grateful you should be," she says as she pulls away from me to go hug him. I look up at my brother's nervously but see they are both grinning like fools.
Emmett comes over to me and lifts me into a hug and I wrap my arms around his neck.
"Congrats, baby sis," he mumbles. I squeeze him to me and sigh a thank you. Emmett sets me down and I'm immediately pulled into Jasper's arms.
I wasn't as worried about Jasper as I was about Emmett. Jasper is always supportive of me and is always happy for me while Emmett always worries about me.
We all settle back into our seats after a few minutes.
"I thought you didn't want kids," Emmett furrows his eyebrows after a few minutes. Edward looks at me questioningly.
"Plans change," I shrug. He doesn't argue with my answer.
"How far along are you?" Rose asks. The question I'd been dreading.
"Seven weeks," I say hesitantly.
"And we're just hearing about it?" Alice whines.
"Bella, we've hung out a lot within the last seven weeks and you didn't tell me?" Rose asks sounding hurt.
"We wanted to tell our parents first," Edward explains. "We went to see them yesterday."
"How did Dad take it?" Emmett asks.
"Horribly," I grumble. "But how else would you expect him to take it? He's accepting it now, I guess. Edward's parents were thrilled."
"Well duh," Alice says. "It's another grandbaby for Mom to spoil," she giggles.
"Are you showing at all?" Rose asks. I lift my shirt.
"Nope, not yet," I rub my flat belly to emphasize.
"Do I hear wedding bells in the future?" Alice beams. I bite my lip and shake my head, making her smile fall. "Why not?" she whines.
"It's too early to talk about marriage," Edward shrugs.
"Yeah, right," Emmett scoffs. "It's almost been two years since you guys met."
"Yeah, but we've literally been together for a total of seven months," I argue. "We're not ready for marriage."
"Okay," Emmett holds his hands up in surrender but he looks like he's not buying it. The subject doesn't get pressed any further. We chat about my upcoming appointment, Rose's baby shower and other light topics.
XOXO
Wednesday comes quicker than my nerves would have liked. Edward and I are in the examination room waiting for the obstetrician to come in. My fingers drum on the leather observation chair.
"Hey, calm down," Edward says softly and takes my hand to stop it. I turn my head towards him.
"What if there is no baby?" I whisper.
"Then why would you have been getting sick these past few weeks and why would you have not gotten your period?"
"There could be something else wrong."
"You're pregnant, Bella," he assures me. A knock on the door draws our attention. The obstetrician, Dr. Greene, walks in.
"Hello," she smiles. "How are you feeling?" she asks me.
"Good," I shrug. "Nervous."
"There's nothing to be worried about," she smiles warmly. She talks me through what she's going to be doing today, takes some measurements, asks a few questions and then has me lift my shirt. She squirts some gel onto my bare stomach. I jump slightly at the coldness. "Sorry," she smiles. She places an ultrasound wand on my stomach and moves it around while looking at the screen that shows my womb. It all looks fuzzy to me but she seems to know what she's looking at.
A swishing noise starts emitting from the speakers on the screen.
"There it is," she grins happily. "Your baby's heartbeat." She points to the screen and traces where the baby is for us. I cover my trembling lip with my hand that isn't squeezing Edward's.
"It's so tiny," I mumble out in a soft cry. Tears blur my vision and I blink them away.
"It's perfect size for eight weeks," she says as she prints off a picture of the baby.
"Eight weeks?" Edward asks. "She took a pregnancy test three weeks ago and it said three weeks."
"Those are frequently wrong. I would like to see you back in two weeks for a check up," she says as she scrawls on a pad of paper. "Pick these vitamins up and begin taking them every day." She hands the paper to me, tells us she'll see us in a few weeks and walks out.
I wipe off my stomach and sit up, Edward's hand still in mine. I grin at him and he grins back.
After our appointment, Edward and I mainly lounge around the apartment.
"Babe, I need to talk to you," Edward says as he comes into the living room. I groan and roll over, burying my head into the back of the couch. He sits on the edge of the couch and runs his hand through my hair. "It's important." Well, now he's got my attention. I sigh but turn so I'm facing him.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Don't freak out okay?" he says nervously. So, naturally, I start internally freaking out.
"Edward," I say as I sit up, "you're scaring me. What is it?"
"James is out of jail." The blood drains from my face as fear washes through me. "He doesn't know we're in Seattle," he rushes out after seeing my reaction. "He's not going to get anywhere near you. I'll see to it that he doesn't."
"You can't guarantee that he won't get to me," I shake my head. "H-he's done it before. He can d-do it again," I stutter out through my heavy breathing. Edward places his hands on my shoulders and bends to look me in the eyes.
"He's not going to get anywhere near you," he repeats firmly. I want to believe him, but I can't. James is smart; really smart. He will track me down until he's dead if he has the chance to. "Breathe, Bella. Calm down, Sweetheart." I close my eyes and slowly breath in through my nose and out through my mouth until my heartbeat evens out and I feel like I can get enough air.
XOXO
The next few months fly by. I'm now six months pregnant and huge. Rose delivered a beautiful baby boy three weeks ago. Eight pounds nine ounces and twenty inches long. She and Emmett decided to name him Jackson Charles.
School started two weeks after my first appointment with Dr. Greene. It's now December eighteenth and Edward and I are decorating our apartment. Yes, our apartment. I mean, I still have a lease on mine until August but it's mainly just storage for my stuff that doesn't fit in our apartment.
"I can't wait for you to meet my grandparents," Edward grins. This is all he's been talking about the past week. "Mia Nonna e il Nonno," he says while hanging a strand of lights. Yeah, I just recently found out he speaks Italian.
"Unless you start teaching me how to speak Italian, shut up," I say with a childish pout. I love it when he speaks Italian because it's sexy as hell but I hate it because I don't understand a damn thing he's saying.
"Il mio povero amore infantile," he says in a pouty tone. He comes over to me and pulls me by the waist to him. My round tummy hits his stomach and I still feel far away.
"Stop," I whine. "I don't understand you."
"I said my poor childish love," he chuckles.
"I'm not childish," I argue with a pout. Wait, I am. But there's no way in hell I'm telling him that. "Can you teach me how to say welcome to our home?" I ask.
Without skipping a beat he says, "benvenuti a casa nostra."
"Bene-voota," I try.
"Benvenuti," he corrects.
"Benvenuti," I repeat.
"A casa," he continues and I repeat. "Nostra."
"Benvenuti a casa nostra," I say before I start chanting it under my breath. He chuckles and lets me go so he can finish putting up the lights.
Tonight we're having our families over for dinner, including Edward's Nonna and Nonno—who should be here any time.
I waddle—yes, waddle—into the kitchen to start preparing everything to go with our turkey that's been cooking all morning. I'm making mashed potatoes, stuffing (which is stuffed in the turkey), homemade gravy (after the turkey finishes), Caesar salad and homemade rolls. For dessert I made a pecan pie to go with Christmas cookies that I've baked over the past few weeks.
I bend down to grab a large pot to put the potatoes in but have trouble bending down far enough.
"Edward!" I groan. I haven't been able to get anything out of the bottom cupboards in the kitchen for the past month. I would just get on the ground but then it's hard to get up. Oh the joys of pregnancy.
"Yeah?" he asks as he walks in.
"I need a pot," I pout.
"Is there a please somewhere in there?" he teases.
"You made me this way so you better damn well get the pot before I kick your ass," I demand and point to the cupboard.
"Gosh, Bells, no wonder I love you so much," he jokes as he gets the pot. "I mean, you're so nice to me." He kisses me on the cheek before setting the pot on the counter.
"Thank you, Honey," I smirk sarcastically. He chuckles and walks back out to the living room. I cube up about twenty potatoes and put them in the water filled pot before setting them on the stove to boil.
I check on the turkey before going back out to the living room.
We got our first Christmas tree together. We even went and cut one down ourselves. Edward was a sport through all of my complaining. I've been doing more and more of that the past few months. My feet hurt, I'm cold, I'm fat, I'm tired. The list goes on and on.
Edward is currently standing on a stepstool hanging mistletoe above our electric fireplace. I don't even try to hide the fact that I'm staring at his ass.
"Enjoying the view?" he chuckles as he looks over his shoulder. I smile and walk over to him. He gets down and pulls me into his arms before kissing me.
"Don't go kissing anyone else under this mistletoe," I smile against his lips. He chuckles before pulling back a little.
"Now who else would I want to kiss? I'm related to three of the women coming over and I don't think Emmett would appreciate me kissing his wife," he muses. I giggle and wrap my arms around his neck.
A knock on our door breaks our bubble. Edward's face lights up and he pulls me over to the door. When he opens it an elderly couple stands on the other side. The man, who has a small amount of hair on the sides of his head that is—don't mind my cliché—white as snow, along with a matching mustache. He has a friendly smile on his slim face. He is wearing a Christmas sweater that says Grandpa's give the best gifts. The woman beside him is petite. She has gray hair that goes down to her chin and lips that seem to always be in a thin line. Her eyes are an icy blue. She is wearing a cream sweater and some dress pants.
"Nonna, Nonno," Edward grins. "Come in," he motions. They walk in and he shuts the door. "This is my beautiful girlfriend, Bella," he introduces and I forget the Italian saying.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," I smile nervously. His Nonna looks me up and down before looking at Edward with what seems to be an icy stare. I look up at him, confused, to see him giving her a somewhat pleading stare in return. Great, she already doesn't like me.
"Bella," Edward's Nonno says with a grin before grasping my shoulders and kissing both of my cheeks. His accent is thick but he's still easy to understand. "Pleasure to meet you," he says. "Call us Nonna and Nonno. Bella, molto Bella."
"She doesn't speak Italian, Nonno," Edward chuckles. He only said one Italian word though, right? Molto, I believe it was. "He said beautiful, very beautiful." I blush and look at the ground, mumbling a thank you.
"Where's your parents and sister?" Nonna says in her own accent, which isn't as thick.
"They'll be here soon along with Bella's family." Nonna looks back at me almost as if she were sizing me up.
"Excuse me, I need to go check on dinner," I say before slipping out from under Edward's arm and waddling into the kitchen. Edward begins giving them the tour of the apartment, which doesn't take long.
Once they're done Edward and Nonna stay out in the living room with Nonno helps me in the kitchen after a lot of insisting on his part. He pulls the stuffing out of the turkey and puts it into a bowl while I mash the potatoes.
Riley comes running into the kitchen and over to me, hugging my leg.
"Bella!" he cries happily.
"Hey, Rie," I smile and ruffle his hair. He looks up and Nonna curiously while trying to hide. Nonna smiles down at the five year old.
"Don't you remember me?" he asks. "Ah, well, you were only two the last time I saw you. I'm your bisnonno. Your great-grandpa," he says. Riley doesn't look like he's buying it.
"Riley," Alice says as she comes into the room. "Say hi to Bisnonno."
"Hi," Riley whispers and Nonno lets out a hearty laugh.
"Hi, Nonno," Alice kisses his cheek.
"Hello, Sweetheart," he kisses her cheek.
"Hey, Bells," she smiles and hugs me.
"Hi, Al," I giggle. Alice is nearly three months pregnant.
"Smells good," she says as she looks around.
"Nonno, you can go meet everyone, I just have to make the salad and gravy and I'm done," I assure him. He finally lets me win and goes out into the living room.
Edward come in a few minutes later holding Jackson.
"Look who I found," he says.
"There's my bubby," I grin and wipe my hands on my apron. I take Jackson from Edward and cradle him in my arms.
"I had him for all of two minutes," Edward pouts. I bounce Jackson a little in my arms while cooing random things to him. "Bella," Edward chuckles. Jackson spits up a little.
"Alright, you can have him back," I giggle. "I don't want spit up on my dress."
"You have an apron on," he chuckles. He takes Jackson from my arms and wipes his mouth with a napkin while I go back to making the gravy. "Want any help?"
"No, I'm fine. Go out and hang out with everyone. I'll be out in a few."
"Yo, Bro, you can't just disappear with my kid," Emmett booms as he walks into the kitchen. He takes sight of the food and licks his lips.
"I will break each and every one of your fingers if you so much as think of taking any of this food right now," I threaten.
"Whoa," Emmett holds his hands up in surrender.
"She's in the threatening mood today," Edward smirks. He hands Jackson over to Emmett before kissing my cheek and walking out, with Emmett close behind.
I roll my eyes and pour the gravy into a gravy boat. I mash the potatoes and let out a sigh before finally taking my apron off. I pull out plates and silverware before going out to the living room. Everyone is here and chatting happily. I smile at the sight.
"Bella! My gosh, look at you!" Mom beams before coming over to hug me. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks," I smile. Dad kisses my cheek and mutters the same thing as Mom.
"Dinner's ready," I call to everyone. They all go into the tiny kitchen and help themselves to food before piling back into the living room. I take this time to grab my own plate of food. I pile food onto my plate until there is no room left before going out to the living room with everyone else. I sit on the arm of the chair Edward is sitting in and start digging into the food.
"Bella, this is delicious," Rose gushes.
"Thanks," I grin.
After dinner we all sit around and chat.
"So, Bella," Esme smiles. "Getting to the final months, huh?" I smile and place a hand on my stomach.
"About three more," I say happily.
"Are you two getting married?" Nonna asks and I bite my lip.
"I like this woman!" Dad exclaims. Mom hits his shoulder and tells him to behave.
"No, we're not getting married," Edward answers. She accepts the answer but doesn't look like she agrees with it. "We're happy with just being together."
After everyone goes home, Edward, Nonno, Nonna and I sit in the living room.
"So Bella," Nonna says and clasps her hands together. "What do you do for a living?"
"I am a high school English teacher," I say proudly.
"What are you going to do when the baby comes? Are you still going to teach?"
"Well, I mean, I'm going to take some time off but I'll eventually go back to teaching, yes," I nod. She nods.
XOXO
The next day Nonno and I go shopping for ingredients for dinner. He's going to teach me a few Italian recipes that have been passed down in his family.
"La cena è pronta," Nonno says.
"La cena è pronta," I recite, which apparently means dinner is served. Hanging out with Nonno is so much fun. He is so funny and sweet. I can see why Edward speaks so highly of him.
"Perfetto!" he grins, which I'm guessing means perfect.
When we get home Edward and Nonna are sitting in the living room. Nonno and I walk into the kitchen and start getting things ready for dinner. A pair of arms slips around my stomach. I smile and turn my head to kiss him.
"Have fun?" he smiles.
"Yeah, Nonno is great," I smile. His face lights up and his smile grows.
"Fuori! Uscire!" Nonno says with a shooing motion of his hands. "Out with you! Let us cook!" Edward chuckles before leaving the kitchen. "That boy," Nonno shakes his head with a smirk. "He acts just like I used to," he continues while beginning to chop an onion. I start bowling some water.
"Like you used to?" I ask, hoping for some explanation.
"You're his il vero amore," he says indifferently, leaving me confused. He doesn't go into any clarification after that.
I hear Edward and Nonna arguing in the living room.
"Are they always like this?" I ask Nonno.
"My wife is always finding something to nitpick at. If something isn't the way she likes it then she tries fixing it or convincing someone else to fix it."
"What are they fighting over?" I ask but realize how rude that was. "Sorry, that's none of my business," I blush. Nonno lets out a hearty laugh. We continue cooking and every now and then Nonno's eyebrows scrunch up as the argument continues.
"They've been arguing for a while," I say after he scrunches his eyebrows for the fifth time. He nods his head but doesn't say anything. I'm started to get really curious. I strain to catch whatever I can from the argument while cutting up an onion. The word Bella comes up and I stop cutting.
"You heard that," Nonno says, but it isn't a question.
"I'm guessing that she doesn't mean beautiful?" I question pathetically.
"No, Tesoro, she doesn't," he frowns.
"What is she saying?" I ask nervously, my thumbnail finding its way to my mouth.
"You don't want to know, Honey," he says. I pull my phone out of my pocket, pretending that I am getting a call and excuse myself from the room. I close the bedroom door and call Rose.
"Aren't you supposed to be spending quality time with Edward and his grandparents?" Rose answers.
"Can I come over?" I ask, feeling like crying.
"Hey, what's wrong?" she asks concerned.
"I'll explain when I get there."
"See you in a few." I hang up the phone and walk back into the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, Nonno, I need to go to my sister's house," I say. He hugs me goodbye before I go into the living room. Edward and Nonna stop arguing and look at me. "Rose needs me to come over. Emmett is going out or something and she doesn't want to be alone." I don't wait for them to say anything before grabbing my purse off the coffee table and walking down to my truck.
It doesn't take Edward long before coming after me.
"Bella," he calls once he catches up to me in the parking garage. "Bella, Sweetheart, wait," he says and grabs my arm to stop me. "Emmett isn't going anywhere. I talked to him earlier today, Bell. He was planning on making Rose dinner. Why are you really leaving?"
"What was she saying about me?" He doesn't answer. "What did she say, Edward?" I demand. Tears come to my eyes and I blink them away before they can spill over. "Answer me!" I cry.
"She said you're no good for me. That you're holding me back. She said you weren't worth my time and that I could do better. There, are you happy? Was it really worth hearing?"
My face crumbles and tears spill down my cheeks. Edward reaches to pull me into his arms but I push him away before walking away.
"Bella," he calls pleadingly.
"I'll be back tomorrow," I call back to him through my tears. I get into my truck, wipe some of my tears away, and drive over to Rose's place.
"Hey," Rose says before pulling me into her arms. I start crying again and lay my head on her shoulder. "Oh, Honey," she says unhappily. She rubs my back soothingly while she lets me cry on her shoulder.
EPOV
Bella and Nonno are in the kitchen making dinner so Nonna takes this as a perfect time to talk to me about Bella.
"Tanya was a better match for you," she says. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, hoping I heard her wrong.
"What?" I ask. "I believe that's my decision, Nonna."
"She," Nonna says and gestures towards the kitchen, "is holding you back."
"No she's not," I argue.
"Si può fare meglio di lei," she says. (You can do better than her.)
"Lei è l'unica donna che voglio stare con," I retort. (She is the only person I want to be with.)
"Lei è un insegnante, Edward. Tanya è un medico." (She is a teacher, Edward. Tanya is a doctor.)
"Non amo Tanya," I shake my head. (I don't love Tanya.)
"Penso solo che stai perdendo il tuo tempo con Bella. Lei non va bene per te," she dismisses the topic with a wave of her hand.
"Perché non puoi solo essere felice per me?" (What can't you just be happy for me?) Nonna looks up past my shoulder and I turn to see where she's looking. Bella's standing there and she doesn't look happy.
"Rose needs me to come over. Emmett is going out or something and she doesn't want to be alone." With that she walks out the door.
"Fuck," I curse. "You just had to argue with me? She doesn't speak Italian but she had someone who could with her in the kitchen," I say angrily at Nonna.
"She doesn't know what you guys were saying," Nonna says as he comes out, drying his hands. "She just heard her name and knew you were arguing about her."
"I'll be back," I sigh and slip my shoes on before running out after her.
BPOV
"Sweetheart," Rose says as she rubs my back. I groan and cuddle further into the couch. It makes my back ache but it's better than going back to the apartment. "Edward's on his way to get you. You can't sleep on my couch. It isn't good for your back."
"I'm not going back to that apartment," I mumble.
"You don't have anywhere to sleep here, Bell," she says with a frown in her voice. I drift back to sleep after that.
Someone lifting me off the couch awakes me. I groan but try to fight against them to put me down.
"Baby, stop," Edward says, holding me tighter.
"Put me down," I grumble. He sets me on my feet but keeps an around my waist. "I'm not going back to the apartment," I say, crossing my arms.
"Then we'll stay at yours," he says. "Just please come home. We'll talk and I'll tell you everything if you'd like." I nod slightly and he relaxes. "Thanks, Rose," Edward says before we walk out.
The car ride home is filled with a tense silence.
"Are you mad at me?" Edward ass when he kills the engine.
"I'm not mad."
"Really, because this not talking thing makes me think you're mad."
"I'm not mad!" I repeat agitatedly.
"Then what are you? Please, don't make me guess!" The tone in his voice brings back the waterworks. I'm sobbing and coughing and my face is drenched with tears. "Baby, don't cry," he says sorrowfully.
"I'm upset and hurt," I blubber. "Your grandparents mean so much to you and it that's that I can't even get your Nonna to like me!"
"Sweetheart," Edward frowns before getting out of the car. He comes around to my side and leans in. "You won my Nonno over, though. He loves you. My Nonna is a very proper woman. She finds flaw in everyone, including my mother. But, Sweetheart, even if they both had a problem with you, that wouldn't change the way I feel about you. You're the only person I'll ever want to be with and if she can't accept that, then that's her problem, not ours."
It takes a few minutes for his words to sink in and to stop the crying. I unbuckle my seatbelt and Edward straightens up to let me out. He grabs my hand to help me out before pulling me to him.
"I love you so much, Bella."
"I love you," I mumble into his shoulder.
We walk up to my apartment and go straight to bed. I lay with my back against Edward's front, with his arm around my stomach, his hand flat against it. I draw patterns on his hand with my forefinger.
"What do you think of the name Carlie?" I ask. "Carlie Elizabeth."
"I like it," he says and kisses the back of my neck.
"Do you have any names you want to throw into the Pool of Consideration?" I smile.
"The Pool of Consideration, hmm? That's what we're calling it?" he chuckles.
"You can call it whatever you want," I giggle. "But I'm calling it the Pool of Consideration," I smile.
"If it's a boy," he starts but I cut him off.
"I was thinking if it's a boy we could name him after you," I say. "I mean, your mother's father is Edward Anthony II, you're Edward Anthony III, why not keep it going?" Edward chuckles and sits up to kiss my jaw.
"That sounds perfect," he smiles. I turn my head to meet his lips. He cups my face in his hand, rubbing my cheek bone with his thumb. I turn to lie on my back and wrap my arms around this neck. He props himself up on his elbows, holding himself over me.
His lips leave mine to trail down to my neck and then to my breasts. Edward has a newfound obsession with my breasts since I've gotten pregnant. They've grown from a B cup to a C cup and have at least doubled in sensitivity in a matter of months and Edward hasn't missed it.
I moan and tangle my fingers into his hair. He pulls down to collar to his v-neck shirt I'm wearing. He latches his mouth around one of my nipples while massaging the other one in his hand. I arch my back, digging my head into the pillow.
"Edward," I moan. One of his hands slides down to my pussy and his thumb rubs my clit, which has also become more sensitive. I cry out in ecstasy and tug at his hair. He groans but continues his assault, pushing two fingers inside me. "Oh god," I cry. "I'm so," I start but can't find my voice to finish.
"I can feel it, Baby. Come for me, Bella." With that he bends his fingers inside me and I feel myself come undone. I cry his name out over and over as I enjoy my blissful high. Once I come down he pulls his fingers out of me and licks them clean.
He lays down next to me before kissing my lips.
"Sleep, my love," he whispers in my ear. I comply, pulling my shirt up and turning on my side. He holds my hand in his as I drift to sleep.
"Hey, time to get up," Edward kisses my cheek. I groan but make no attempt to move.
I'm almost full term, only two and a half more weeks. Alice is having me over for lunch today. She's been super busy lately and we literally had to plan to have this lunch.
"I don't feel good," I grumble, which isn't a lie. I've been getting cramps the past few days in my legs and they're working their way up my body.
"What's wrong?" he asks and comes to sit by me.
"My legs are cramping still," I whine. He kisses my forehead before moving down by my legs. He starts massaging them, working from my calves up to my thighs.
"We're going to see Doctor Greene tomorrow. She'll tell you what's going on," he says. "You've been planning this lunch for a while," he says. "Alice will be upset if you cancel on her because of cramps."
"Do you want to have this baby and be the one with the cramps?" I arch an eyebrow.
"I'll leave that joy to you," he smiles before kissing my lips. "Now come on," he says before getting up and helping me up.
"You're working today?" I ask, taking in his uniform.
"Yup," he says as he grabs his badge and wallet off the dresser. "And I'm going to be late if you don't hurry your cute little ass up," he smirks before playfully smacking my ass. I squeal and laugh before making my way into the bathroom. I quickly shower before drying my hair with a round brush, making soft curls.
I walk out to the room in my towel and slip on a pair of panties and a bra. I put some lotion on my huge stomach before grabbing a pair of jeans and a blue blouse to wear.
"How do I look?" I ask Edward.
"Beautiful," he smiles and comes over to kiss me. "Like always." He pulls away and grabs my hand. "Now, let's get you to my sister's house so I can go to work."
"I wish I could work," I whine.
"You can go back to work this fall, Love," he chuckles. I pout but let him drag me out to his Volvo.
"Hello, Edward and Bella," Larry greets us.
"Morning, Larry," Edward waves and I smile.
We walk out to the car and Edward drives me to Alice's.
"Tell my sister I say hello," he says before kissing me.
"I love you," I smiles against his lips.
"And I love you," he returns. I get out of the car and onto the porch before Edward drives away. I knock before walking inside.
"SURPRISE!" I hear before I'm fully in the door. I jump and my hand flies to my heart. A flash goes off following a bunch of giggles.
"What the hell?" I say, breathless.
"It's a baby shower!" Alice says as she comes forward from the crowd of about fifteen women.
"I see," I say as I look around. "Well, I'm definitely surprised!" I giggle.
"Well don't just stand there, get your ass in here!" Rose grins.
I walk inside and Alice serves food, which I pile a ton of it on my plate. It's all baby themed finger food but it all really hits the spot. Well, everything now a days hits the spot.
I actually find myself having fun at the party. I'm not normally one for crowds and I definitely don't like all of the attention but this is actually fun.
"So, Bella, how are you feeling? Getting close, huh?" one of the women, a designer Alice works with, asks.
"I'm getting a little anxious and excited. I've been getting cramps the past few days but we're going to see Doctor Greene tomorrow."
"Alright, let's play a game!" Alice says and claps her hands to get everyone's attention. "You all get to cut a piece of yarn that you think will wrap around Bella's stomach perfectly. Whoever is the closest wins!"
The women all pass around the yarn, cutting a piece to put around my body before they line up in front of me. After about the eighth piece of string around me I feel a good amount of liquid fall down my leg and splash on the floor. The whole room falls silent and I just stare blankly at the floor.
"Okay, party's over," Rose breaks the silence. "Alice, Bella, let's get to the hospital." Neither of us makes the effort to move. "Chop, chop! Water's broken, baby coming. Move!" she claps her hands. Alice grabs her purse and hands me mine before we walk out with Alice telling everyone they can go or stay.
Once we're in Alice's car, I pull out my phone. I dial Edward's number and put the phone up to my ear.
"Hey, this is Edward's phone. I'm obviously not here right now so you know the routine." I tap the end call button with more force than necessary.
"His phone's off," I groan. Panic starts to set in. "What if he doesn't make it? What if he misses the birth? I can't do this without him," I hyperventilate.
"Bella, Bella calm down," Rose says and rubs my shoulders from the backseat. "Deep breathes, okay?" I draw in deep breathes through my nose and let them out through my mouth.
I suddenly get an idea. I dial Dad's number and wait until he answers.
"Hey, Bells. How are you?"
"Well, Dad, I'm in labor and I can't get a hold of Edward. I'm sure you can guess at how I am."
"Renee," Charlie calls, "we need to go! The baby's coming!"
"Dad, Dad, please!" I call his attention. "I need you to do something for me."
"What is it?"
"Give me Chief Call's number."
"I don't have it."
"Don't you have it at the station?" I ask. A sharp pain starts in my abdomen. "Ow, ow, oh my god, ow! Get the number and text it to me." I hang up the phone and lean my head against the headrest with my eyes clamped shut. "Ow, shit," I whine.
A few minutes later Dad texts me Chief Call's number and I press the number to call him.
"Chief Call," he answers.
"Chief, this is Bella Swan, Edward Cullen's girlfriend."
"Miss Swan, why are you calling my cell phone?"
"Is Edward there?"
"Why don't you call his cell phone, Dear?"
"It's off. I'm in labor. If he's there you need to let me talk to him."
"Cullen," Chief calls quickly. "Why the hell is your phone off?"
"I was undercover," I hear him say in the background. "Hello?" he says into the phone, sounding confused.
"Hospital. Now," I say through my teeth as another contraction starts up.
"I'll be right there." I tap the end button and breath through the pain.
"We're almost there," Alice says and rubs my leg.
When we get to the hospital we're escorted to a room and the girls stay with me while we wait for Edward to get here.
"Son of a bitch," I cry. "I am going to kill him!" My contractions are now coming full force, one on top of the other, and Edward is stuck in traffic.
"Just breath, Bella," Rose coaches.
"Rose, if you tell me to breath one more time I am going to punch you," I threaten.
There's a knock on the door before Edward comes in.
"Good, you're here. Bella wants to kill you," Alice says. We'll see you after." She and Rose leave me alone with him.
"Why the hell is your phone off? I don't care that you're undercover! I was two weeks away from, owwww," I cry. Edward grabs my hand and I squeeze it.
"I know, I'm so sorry," he apologizes.
"Just make the pain stop," I whimper.
"I wish I could, Baby," he frowns and pushes some of the sweat-filled hair from my forehead. When the contraction passes I'm left panting and even more exhausted than before.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you," I whisper. He smirks and leans in to kiss my temple.
"Don't worry about it."
There's a knock on the door before Doctor Greene comes in.
"I see Daddy finally made it," she smiles at Edward. He smiles and nods towards her. "Alright, Bella, let's see how you're doing." I put my feet up on the stirrups and she checks my dilation. "You're fully dilated, Hon. The baby's going to be here soon. How far apart are your contractions?"
"She just had one about a minute ago," Edward says.
"They're about a minute and a half apart," I say. As if on cue, another contraction starts up. I squeeze Edward's hand and whimper in pain, biting my lip. I must be hurting him but he doesn't show any pain. He just holds my hand and runs his free hand through my hair.
"Okay, Bella, on this next contraction you're going to start pushing, alright? I'm going to count to ten and you're going to stop. We'll let you rest for a minute and then we'll start again." I nod.
When the contraction passes I close my eyes and try to relax although my anxiety is rising and I just want this to be over with.
The next contraction hits quicker than the prior and Doctor Greene is coaching me to push. I use all my strength to push and by the time she finishes counting to ten, I feel like we've gotten nowhere.
"Good job," she says, rubbing my leg. "Rest for a minute." I look at Edward tiredly.
"I hate you so much," I shake my head, trying to keep a light mood in the air.
"I know," he chuckles. The next contraction comes and I'm instructed to push again. This time I feel the baby's head making it's way out and it hurts like no other. Edward stands and rubs my back while I cry out in pain.
"You're crowning, Bella, keep pushing," Doctor Greene coaches.
"I can't, I need to stop," I cry. "It hurts too much."
"Just push through the pain, Sweetie. It'll be over in a minute." I take a deep breath and give another huge push and am met with relief along with a baby's cries.
"You did it," Edward says happily and kisses my cheek. I'm too in shock to say anything or do anything besides stare at the squirming infant with my mouth agape. That's my baby. The same baby that's been inside me these past nine months.
Without warning I start sobbing.
"It's a boy," Edward tells me happily. I keep sobbing, covering my mouth with my hand. Edward smiles and sits on the edge of the hospital bed. "Sweetheart," he says lightly, somewhat sympathetically, and kisses my temple. "I'm so proud of you," he whispers.
"Bella, would you like to hold your son?" Doctor Greene asks.
"Yeah," I sniffle. She places the small baby, wrapped in a blue blanket, in my arms. Somehow, this stops my sobbing. A few tears still streak my cheeks but I'm calm now.
"I'll be back later to check on you," Doctor Greene says before walking out.
"Thank you," Edward says softly, stroking our son's cheek.
"You're going to make me cry again," I sniffle. "I'm already a hot mess."
"You're definitely hot," he says before kissing my lips. "But you're not a mess."
"Do you want to hold him?" I ask. Edward's face lights up with a grin and he nods, taking our son from my arms. I push myself to sit up more on the bed, letting the blanket fall to cover my lower half.
I look over at Edward and he's got tears streaking his cheeks. I reach over and wipe some away before tangling my fingers in his hair.
"Edward Anthony IV," Edward smiles up at me. I grin and nod.
"But we can't call him Edward. I mean, we could, but it would be confusing. You hate the name Eddie, Ed seems a little too mature," I ramble.
"We could call him Anthony. Or Tony."
"Tony," I smile.
Hey everyone!
Thanks for sticking with me, I know this took a while to write but life has been so hectic! I got a new job and, I'll admit, I've spent a lot of time watching TV on my laptop...oops! Lol. But, the only thing that matters is that I have this chapter up now for your viewing and it's a long one! About 1,000 words longer than normal!
Reviewers get teasers!
Lots of love,
Nikki