Chapter 17

Epilogue Part 2

Edward

Running around the most magical place on Earth can wear you out, but this week has been especially hard on Bella. She's been sleeping like a log and getting worn out by early afternoon almost every day. I'm really starting to worry about her.

Bella is normally a go-getter, more so than most people. She's typically up at the crack of dawn thanks to her bakery, but this week has been sleeping in late and going to bed early.

I worry that she might be coming down with something. And that's definitely not how you want to spend your first trip together.

Thankfully, there's only one more day left. And tomorrow we'll be home. I just hope she can hold out long enough to become full blown sick until we get back.

I rub her arm and try to rouse her from her solid sleep. But I get no response. I feel bad doing it, but Ej really wants to spend time with her. He loves her with his whole heart.

And I think it's important to include her. Since we're really becoming a family. I asked Bella to move in with us last week. This is huge step and I hope it goes well.

Every time I think about it, I remember Ej's Christmas wish. He wanted a mom. And really, Bella's been wonderful. Our relationship is incredible – giving and loving. I couldn't ask for a better partner in this crazy world. But I know that moving in together can alter the dynamics in a relationship, so I'm hoping for the best.

"Bella, honey," I whisper, hoping to wake her this time.

Nothing, so I go for what I assume is a fool-proof move. I kiss her gently, pecking her sweet lips. It's then that she pushes me off of her and rushes to the bathroom.

I sit there stunned and confused.

"Bella, honey, are you okay?" I ask through the closed door.

I grimace, listening for a response. By the sounds of it, she's pretty sick.

I hear the faucet run for a minute before the door opens and a very pale looking Bella appears before me. "Are you okay?"

She shakes her head; her eyes watery. "No, I'm not."

"What's going on? Was it dinner?" I wonder quietly, keeping my voice down as to not wake Ej.

I watch as she closes her eyes and tears flood her cheeks. I can't stop myself from pulling her into my arms.

"What's the matter, baby?" I whisper, rubbing her back. "I'm really starting to worry. Please tell me you're okay."

"I'm pregnant," she whispers so softly I barely hear her.

My eyes go wide in shock and momentarily I'm glad that she's not watching me. My mind begins to attempt to process that piece of information.

I'm going to be a father again? And I have no idea what I'm going to do.

But for whatever reason an intense happiness overwhelms me and the panic subsides quickly. The thought of having another Ej or even a little Bella sounds pretty fucking perfect. I grab Bella's shoulders and gently push her back so I can see her face. My hand wipes her tears and brushes her hair out of her beautiful face.

"Really?" I ask, just needing to make sure.

She nods, closing her eyes again.

"Bella, that's…amazing," I tell her, holding her to me.

"What?" She quickly opens her eyes and stares at me.

"I said, that's the best news I've heard in a long time."

Her whole face changes, and what looks like relief takes over before she smiles. "Thank God. I was so worried you'd be angry."

"Oh, sweetheart, surprised, yes, but never angry about a child." My eyebrows then dip together and I worry how long she's been holding this in. "When did you find out?" I ask softly.

"Remember the call I took when we landed?"

I nod.

"Well, that was the doctor's office informing that they weren't going to be able to renew my birth control prescription."

"Wow," I whisper. "Why didn't you tell me that night?"

She shrugs. "I really didn't think you would take it as well as you did. And I really didn't want to wreck this week for Ej. I planned on telling you the minute we were back in Ohio."

I take deep breath; I'm a little annoyed that she didn't feel comfortable about telling me something like this – something this important. But I'm also so elated that it outweighs the annoyance. I decide to slap on a smile and celebrate with my gorgeous girlfriend. She's been through enough these last few days. And there's no need to question her any further. But I do plan to make her realize that I'm in this for the long haul.

My arms slide around Bella, hugging her tightly. "I'm so happy," I whisper into her hair. "Just think, a little Ej or a little Bella."

"I know," she says happily. "Now that I've had time to process this, I am really excited about being a mom, to both Ej and our baby."

I smile and kiss her deeply. "I love you, Bella."

"God, I love you, too."

"I can't wait to tell him," I whisper, motioning to Ej.

She nods with a gorgeous grin. "Yeah, he'll be a wonderful big brother."

(*)

It's our last evening together here. And I know that Bella is exhausted after our day sightseeing, but she promised to stay for the fireworks. Ej is so very excited that she's going with us tonight that he won't leave her side.

I take his other hand and lead us to the perfect spot to watch the show.

Once we're all huddled and positioned just right in front of Cinderella's Castle, we wait. And it's not long before the fireworks begin to light up the sky.

I keep my eyes on Ej and Bella. They are so enthralled with the show that neither one of them notice me moving around. And once I'm sure the show is about to end I get into the perfect position.

On one knee I stare up at Bella, watching her enjoy the end of the fireworks, and when they're over, I watch as she looks around trying to find me.

"Oh, where'd he go," she says.

I look at Ej, who's grinning like a fool. He gives me a thumbs-up and tugs on her shirt.

"Down here, Bella," Ej tells her.

And as Bella locks eyes with me I smile and she gasps. I just hope it's a good one.

"Bella, I love you. We love you and we want you to be ours forever. Will you marry us?" I ask, gulping down my emotions.

I'd planned this proposal the entire time. I wanted to marry Bella since December, but I knew I needed to be careful. And after I was sure this was real I knew what I needed to do. And it had to happen before next Christmas.

Bella's news this morning only cemented my decision to marry her.

Her smile is breathtaking and when she nods I immediately pick her up and hug her, hard.

"Yes," she whispers. "Yes, I'll marry you…both of you."

And Ej tackles us. "I'm going to have a mom!"

I smile at my son's happiness.

I set Bella down, taking her hand and carefully sliding on the ring I'd picked out a while ago for her.

"Gosh Edward, it's beautiful."

I shake my head. "No, you're beautiful. It's simply a ring, but one I give to you with all my love, and I'm glad you like it."

She grins, staring at her new piece of sparkly jewelry.

"Daddy, she's ours, right?" Ej asks, looking for confirmation. When I told him I was planning to ask Bella to marry us, I also explained there was a possibility she might not want to, and he really didn't like that. Although, I think we both felt in our hearts she would want to be a family with us.

I nod and he dives into both of us again.

"Thank you, Mom," he whispers, looking up at Bella.

I watch as a tear falls from her eye before she picks him up and twirls him around.

I'm glad Ej was finally able to get his wish.