Chapter 16

Epilogue Part 1

Bella

"Ej, we need to get going," Edward hollers across the living room.

"Okay, Dad, be right there."

"Are you almost set?" he asks me, as I stand in the kitchen; I'm sure looking as though I'm going to have an aneurism.

"Yeah, uh, yeah. I'm ready…I guess," I answer, going through everything in my mind.

"Could you sound a little more excited?" he requests, looking slightly annoyed. And instantly, I feel guilty. I am excited. I've been looking forward to this trip for a while now. I guess I'm just having a moment. I don't know how it's already August. We've been planning this trip for six months now. When we started the planning process it seemed like this day would never really come.

"I'm excited. I really am, it's, uh, it's just that I've never left my business before. I'm a little nervous."

"I know, honey. And I know it's your baby, but c'mon. We get to go lay out on a beach for a week while Ej is going to frolic with all sorts of Disney characters. Doesn't that sound great? Relaxing even?"

I smile, looking up into his eyes. I want him to know I'm sincere and my worry will hopefully go away once we're on our way. "I'm really looking forward to this," I tell him, biting my lip lightly. "I just want to make sure that Alice is going to be okay."

He shakes his head, grabbing my ass. God, I love that feeling.

I slap his ass back and I feel a sense of peace wash over me. It might seem silly that such a simple move can make me feel so grounded, but it does. Edward and I have only been officially together for eight months, but those months have been some of the best I've ever had.

It seems our relationship has healed the hole in his heart and he's most definitely helped me to find the confidence I deserve. It's been a pretty wonderful two-way street.

And we've managed to find a semblance of family life without scaring Ej. We've worked it out where I spend a few nights at their house, over the course of each week, giving us all some quality time together. And then one or two Fridays a month Alice babysits for us so that we can go out on dates. It's really quite nice.

The bakery is really starting to pick up, too. Even in the off seasons.

Life is great.

And last week it got even better.

*TCW*

Finally, we're all in the car on the way to the airport. This is when the fun is supposed to start. This whole trip is supposed to be carefree and pure joy. That's what Disney World is famous for, right?

Edward is humming a tune, grinning as he maneuvers around traffic. Clearly, he got the memo about letting loose. But I'm not entirely sure I did.

I look over my shoulder and see Ej is in the back minding his own business being delightful. It's so sweet and almost too perfect. Especially, with the feeling that's overwhelming me. I'm stressing out over my shop, generally just putting too much pressure on Alice, and everything else going on right now.

And to top it all off, my stomach begins to do the twist without my consent. Fuck.

I can't imagine how the flight is going to be. I'm just really nervous about all the changes in our lives and how everyone is going to take them, I guess.

Last week, Edward asked me to move in and this trip is going to be a bit like a trial run. To see how Ej is going to respond to my constant presence. I know I sound like one hell of a pessimist. But I've never been someone's mother before and while Edward hasn't come right out and told me that's what he's expecting, I know it. I know about Ej's wish and I know it's a lot of responsibility.

I want that responsibility. I love the little guy. I think he's incredible, amazing and one hell of a little boy. But, I guess, my biggest fear is him not wanting me in return. I just hope I can live up to everything he needs.

With all of that and being away from the shop for a week is killing me. We have a boatload of orders and Alice is on her own, basically. I know that Jas will help her out, but he's not trained to do anything but operate the register.

I'm freaking out. It's as simple as that. And the stress that's been building over the last few weeks is finally getting to me. I sigh and hope that it will dissipate after we're in Orlando and settled.

We arrive quickly thanks to the short drive to the airport.

"Bella, can you just wait on the curb with Ej and I'll park in the garage?"

I nod, exiting the car and helping Ej out of his booster seat. Edward hops out and unloads our luggage before driving off to park the car for the next week.

And then we are off on our adventure.

*TCW*

On the plane, my nerves don't seem to settle any more than when we were on land. My stubborn stomach seems to be going from grumbling to churning. Thankfully, the flight is only three hours and we're in Orlando before I know it.

Ej is surprisingly wonderful on the flight, playing with his Nabi and gabbing every now and then.

As soon as we land, I turn my phone on and it immediately starts ringing. I know I have to answer it. It could be a customer or Alice. Or worse. My father is in Northern Oregon logging. So I don't even think twice before swiping my finger across the screen.

"Hello?" I greet as we attempt to manage our way through the throngs of people at MOS airport.

"Yes, is this Isabella Swan?" a female voice asks.

"It is," I answer, feeling a bit confused because hardly anyone ever calls me Isabella.

"This is Jeanie, the nurse from Dr. Grace's office," she says, sounding pleased with herself.

"Oh, hi, Jeanie," I reply, feeling relieved that it's not Alice or something more serious.

"Hi. I'm just calling you with the results from your physical last week, and Dr. Grace has asked me to tell you that we're unable to process the refill for your prescription for Seasonale."

"Uh, what?" I question, still trying to find our luggage carousal. I pull the phone away from my face and whisper to Edward that I need a minute. I find a less crowded area where I'll be able to concentrate on the conversation better. "I'm sorry I just landed in Florida, we're still at the airport."

"That's alright Isabella; would you like me to call back later?"

"Oh no, I, um, stepped away from the crowd. Could you repeat that last bit again? I don't think I heard you correctly."

"Sure, Dr. Grace asked me to call you with your results from your physical."

"Oh, okay," I say, breathing a sigh of relief, I could've sworn she'd said something else.

"And to tell you that we're unable to renew your prescription for Seasonale."

"Really; why?" I ask, shaking my head in confusion. My insurance was great and it was supposed to cover my choice of birth control. This was what I liked. That and not having my period for three months is wonderful.

"Well, since you are away, and should know your test results as soon as possible I'll cut to the chase… Were you aware you're pregnant?" she inquires out of the blue, and my heart stops.

I gasp. "N-no!"

"Well, you are, dear," she tells me, matter-of-fact. "I'm sorry to have to tell you over the phone, but it's why we can't renew your prescription."

"Are you sure you have the right records?" I ask completely unable to process what she's told me.

She laughs lightly. "I take it this wasn't planned."

"Yeah, no."

"Do you need any counseling?" she wonders quietly, and I can hear the concern in her voice.

I roll my eyes before firmly telling her "no," and that I would be fine.

"That's good, then. Congratulations, by the way, Isabella."

"Yes, um, thanks. I think."

"Remember, if you need anything we're always here for you and we would be more than happy to answer any of your concerns or question. Just give us a call."

"I'll remember that, thanks."

"Dr. Grace put through a prescription for pre-natal vitamins. You can pick them up at your earliest convenience. And I'll let the pharmacy know that it'll be a week or so since you're away."

"Okay, yes, that'd be great; thank you again," I say, blowing out a breath. This is a lot for me to take in. I'm not even sure what to think. I guess I just thought we were being really careful. "And just for my sanity, you're positive that you're looking at my file?"

"Absolutely sure. Since you're not certain how far along you might be; he'd like to set up a visit as soon as possible."

"Um, alright. I'll be back in town next week, Friday. Can we set it up for then?"

"How about two o'clock?" she wonders.

"That'll work for me."

"Great, we'll see you then; take care," she says cheerily before ending the call.

I stand in the same spot, absolutely shell-shocked. I blink my eyes and even reach to pinch myself; I need to make sure this is real. My head is spinning.

And when I give up on trying to , I'm not sure how I feel. I take a deep breath and try my best to pull myself together before going to find Edward and Ej. All I can think about is the wrench this news is going to throw into our lives.

*TCW*

As soon as we arrive at the hotel I tell Edward I need to call a customer back and excuse myself. The reality of what the forthcoming nurse, at my doctor's office, shared with me is a little too much to handle. So I grab my phone and head to the complimentary conference call room, selecting Alice's number just as the door closes behind me.

"Bella?" she asks, answering the phone.

"Hey, um, do you have a minute?" I wonder, and I can hear the emotion in my voice. It's not bad enough that I dumped all of my work on her, but I also need her emotional support right now. Or I'm going to lose it.

"Yeah, sure; what's up?" she questions; now sounding worried. So not like Alice. But I can only imagine how I sound.

"Are you sitting?"

"Uh no, but I can be," she huffs. "Okay, sitting; now tell me what the hell's going on. I can hear something strange in your voice."

I close my eyes as I feel the tears sting them and speak softly. "I got a call today. And I'm a little…" I blow out a big breath. "I'm freaking out."

I hate admitting that I'm that messed up over the news, but it's the truth. I hate knowing that because of this my time with Edward could be limited.

"Who was the call from?" she asks quietly. This is my best friend and she's being completely serious, it's just a littled overwhelming with everything else that's going on in my head right now.

"The doctor's office. Remember I had my yearly last week?"

"Yeah…Oh, my God! Bella, did you get bad news? …you better not be dying. There's no way I can do this on my own. Shit! Is there anything we can do? Are they sure? Maybe you should call and get another opinion."

"Alice, calm down." I have to smile, even though I am fighting the urge to cry my head off.

"I can't," she insists sounding as though she's about to cry. I shake my head; this is the last thing I need.

"I'm not dying," I tell her flatly.

"Then what is it?" she asks, sounding annoyed.

"I…I'm pregnant," I mumble, after double-checking that I'm still alone.

"Shit," she breathes.

I close my eyes and realize how bad this is and the tears begin to drip slowly down the side of my face. It's worse than I was willing to admit to myself earlier. Now, I know that this is beyond terrible. The timing and combined with all of Edward's history, I'm sure he's not going to be very receptive to the fact that I'm pregnant.

"When did you find out?" she asks after a moment. Clearly, she's having trouble processing the fact that I'm pregnant too.

"Today, pretty much as soon as we landed. The nurse called me… And I have no fucking clue what to do, Alice. What if Edward…?"

"Bella, you have to tell him. He'll understand. Besides, you guys have been humping like bunnies lately. I'm not really surprised that you're knocked up."

"Thanks, Alice," I mutter, wiping away my tears, feeling even more overwhelmed than before I called her.

"Bells, seriously, though, if you guys were knocking boots every time I watched Ej, you can't be surprised about having a little bun in your oven."

"But I was using birth control," I argue softly.

"Yeah, and you've taken it at exactly the same time every day with the precise instructions that they provide with it?"

I think back and realize that I wasn't probably as dutiful about the pill as I was supposed to be.

"Whatever," I huff; annoyed that she could be right. "I always took it, but I guess it didn't work."

"And now you're going to have a baby," she sings happily.

I roll my eyes. "I called you because I need you to restore my sanity. Give me support."

"Okay. You. Will. Be. Fine. Seriously. Bella, he loves Ej with his whole heart. He's a fantastic father. And he clearly loves you. So, tell him. He'll probably be over the moon."

I nod and swallow, feeling a little bit better. I just hope she's right.

"Thanks Alice," I say, lying back in the chair.

"No problem. I'm sure it's scary, but hey, I'm here if you need me. You know that."

"I do. And I appreciate it."

"And, Bells?" Alice says. "You're gonna be a great mom; I just know it."

"Thanks," I whisper as I wipe away a few more stray tears.

We end the call and I take a moment for few deep breaths and cleaning up my face before heading back to the room. I make the decision that this is our family time and we're going to spend it together drama free. I plan to tell him the minute we get home. I just hope I can keep it to myself for the next week. I really don't want to spoil Ej's family vacation.