"Are you sure you are going to be able to make it to the front door OK?" Edward grinned as he pulled into Emmett's driveway, "I think Laurent just about killed me."
"The feeling is mutual," Bella sighed and leaned against the back of the seat. "I don't even know if I can get up."
"Well that's where I come in," Edward kissed her cheek and quickly hopped out of the car.
"Edward what are you doing?" Bella chuckled as he ran around to her side of the car and scooped her up as soon as the door popped open.
"Rescuing you my lady!" Edward held her tightly in his arms and started up the driveway.
"You are too much," Bella chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck so she could pull herself closer to him.
"I help where I can," he huffed as let go of her with one hand so he could pop the front door open. "And here we are!"
"Thank you my knight in shining armor!" She chuckled and kissed his cheek as he set her down.
"Oh, now I want to throw up." Rosalie grunted from the couch.
"Still?" Bella frowned as she walked into the living room with Edward in tow.
"Nope, I was fine until you two love birds walked in." Rosalie grinned.
"She's been spending too much time with you dear brother," Bella shook her head.
"My work here is done," Emmett smiled down at Rosalie who lay against his broad chest.
"So I take it you two are getting along?" Rosalie yawned as she popped herself up against Emmett.
"I would say we're more then just getting along," Bella smiled as Edward wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Oh really?" Emmett eyed them both curiously.
"Really," Bella said confidently.
"Well," Emmett smiled. "Like I said, my work here is done."
"Whatever," Bella rolled her eyes.
"So what are you crazy kids getting into this evening?" Emmett asked, as he rested his chin on top of Rosalie's head.
"I have to get some grading done," Edward frowned.
"I guess that's my fault," Bella said as she leaned her back against Edward's chest.
"It was worth it," Edward whispered into her ear.
Damn right it was.
"I suppose I should get working on the mountain of papers I have as well," Bella said as she reluctantly left Edward's grasp.
"Yea I have to worry about that too," Edward sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Walk out with me?"
"Of course," Bella smiled. "I can't let my knight in shining armor walk out alone."
"Get a room!" Emmett shouted as Bella headed to the front door with Edward.
"Don't think you should be telling your sister that!" Bella hollered and closed the front door behind her.
"She seems happy," Rosalie sighed.
"I'm glad she finally is, I was getting really worried there for a little while."
"They're going to be fine," Rosalie groaned as she stood up. "Although, I wish I could say the same."
"Oh honey, are you feeling sick again?" Emmett frowned as he stood up.
"Yes," Rosalie mumbled and took off up the stairs.
"Shit," Emmett mumbled as hurried after her.
The bathroom door was already shut by the time he got up the stairs, light spilling out from the crack under the door.
"Baby?" Emmett asked as he knocked on the door lightly, "You ok?"
"No, I am not OK." Her voice was heavy with misery, "I am so tired of this."
"Maybe we should go to the doctor," Emmett said as he leaned against the door. "You've definitely had it longer then a stomach flu should last."
"It's not a stomach flu," she mumbled from the other side of the door.
"What is it?" Emmett asked, his heart rate increasing in anticipation of her answer.
"I don't know for sure," she said as she opened the bathroom door. "I didn't know what to think… but just to make sure I went to the drugstore this morning while you were still asleep and got a pregnancy test."
"A pregnancy test," Emmett repeated as his brown eyes grew wide. "You're pregnant?"
"I don't know Emmett," Rosalie bit her lip. "I almost took the test by myself when I got home but I just stared at the box and realized that I couldn't do it alone."
"Baby you don't have to do anything alone," Emmett rubbed her shoulder gently. "We will handle anything that you go through together. I promise you that."
"I don't know if I want to handle this Emmett," Rosalie sighed and hopped up on the bathroom counter. "I haven't even thought about children. I mean sure, every girl thinks about it when she's younger…but then my career took off and I just lost sight of it. And now here I am, a big time lawyer…I don't have time for a child."
Emmett stood quiet, waiting for her to continue.
"I've been sitting here all day trying to figure out what is going on in my head so I could actually talk to you about it…instead of it coming out in a giant mess of jumbled thoughts. I don't know what to do…I want a family, I'm just not sure now is the right time for this."
"So what do you want to do?" He asked quietly.
"I don't know Emmett," Rosalie bit her lip as tears threatened to fall. "I cant think of what to do next because I'm scared to find out if I even am…living in denial seems so much easier then having to face that head on."
"Rose, you have to do something."
"I know, OK?" She breathed as tears began to fall, "I just don't think I'm ready."
"Well, I cant say that I am either honestly." Emmett sighed as he ran a hand through his short curly hair, "We both aren't really at a place in our lives to have kids right now, I mean we just started living together a few months ago…"
"You really aren't really making me feel any better you know that," Rosalie mumbled.
"Let me finish." He smiled as he walked over to her, stroking her cheek lightly. "Regardless of where we are in live, I will be there through everything. I want to have kids Rosie, a whole house full. And whether it happens now or whether it happens down the road…I'm ready and excited."
"Really?" Rosalie looked at him, "What about work and everything?"
"Work is work Rose," Emmett kissed her forehead. "Carlisle has been thinking about opening his own firm and it might help us to be a part of that. We'd be co-owners with him there and that way, we might have a little bit more scheduling Leigh way."
"One thing at a time," Rosalie chuckled lightly. "I think I want to know if there is a baby on the way before we start planning on it."
"I'm ready when you are," Emmett smiled.
"A little privacy please?"
Emmett kissed her and squeezed her hand, taking one glance at her before shutting the door behind him.
"Why do you look like you're going to be sick?" Bella asked, eyeing her brother curiously.
"Because I might be," Emmett chuckled and sat down on the top step of the stairwell.
"Rosie get you sick?" Bella climbed the stairwell slowly, unsure if she should keep her distance or not.
"No, what she has isn't contagious." Emmett rubbed her hands together nervously.
"What does she have?" She asked, sitting next to her brother on the step.
"I don't know if I should tell you yet."
"OK I have no idea what that means, but frankly you're starting to scare me."
"Oh no, I'm the one who's scared."
"The whole secrecy thing isn't working for me, you know that right?"
"I know, I know. Just give it another minute or so and I'll be able to tell you." Emmett said as he looked at the closed bathroom door behind him.
Bella glanced at the door, wondering what it was that her brother was hoping to see. And then, all of the sudden, it dawned on her.
"Is Rosie pregnant?"
"She seems to think so. She's in there taking a test now."
"Oh my god Emmett, that's great!" Bella exclaimed, and wrapped her arms securely around her brother's waist.
"I have to admit I am kind of excited, yet completely nervous at the same time." Emmett glanced at his watch nervously, "Hence the want to throw up."
"I thought that was my job," Rosalie said as he opened the bathroom door.
"Oh trust me, I'd be glad to leave it to you…" Emmett stood up quickly, unsure of how he should react to Rosalie's body language. "What's the verdict?"
Bella stood up quietly, standing next to her brother in anticipation.
"Well," Rosalie bit her lip. "It looks like you're going to be a father Mr. Swan."
"Are you serious?" Emmett's eyes grew wide, his trademark grin sat on his lips.
"That's what the test says," Rosalie chuckled nervously. "I'm going to call the doctor in the morning and try to make an appointment."
"I can't believe it, this is great." Emmett hugged Rosalie and then squeezed his sister, "What do you think Auntie Bella?"
"I'm surprised, yet incredibly excited. I think you guys are going to make terrific parents." Bella smiled at their nervous excitement.
"Gosh, this is so much to take in." Rosalie breathed as she ran a hand through her golden hair, "I think I need to lay down."
"Do you need anything?" Emmett asked, following her towards the bedroom.
"Maybe some ginger ale? I know it's late, I just feel like it could help settle my stomach some."
"It's no problem," Emmett rested his warm hand on her stomach. "Anything my family wants, my family gets."
"I'll go with him," Bella piped up. "To make sure he stays awake."
"Thank you both," Rosalie smiled and made her way into the bedroom.
"Wow," Bella said once the bedroom door was shut. "You're going to be a dad!"
"I know," Emmett chuckled as they made their way down the stairs. " I think my mind is still trying to digest everything."
"I kind of had a feeling you know," Bella said as she slipped her jacket back on. "It just seemed weird the way her nausea came and went."
"I'm kind of worried though," Emmett frowned and grabbed his keys off of the entranceway table.
"You don't have anything to worry about, sure it might be a little much to try to get used to all at once but it will come with time. That and you are going to make a great dad."
"No it's not that," he sighed and locked the door once they were both outside. "She's worried about being able to balance work and a family. It's really scaring her."
"Well lawyer life and family doesn't always mix," Bella grunted as she climbed into Emmett's SUV.
"I know, that's what she said. And I don't want that to get in the way…I mean yeah we are both successful, but there's more to life then work. And I told her Carlisle is thinking about branching off and starting his own firm, and he wants me and Rosalie to come with him. It would help," he shrugged. "We would be closer to home and Carlisle would definitely work with us as far as scheduling."
"You'll work it out," Bella rubbed her brother's shoulder. "You two are pretty smart cookies."
"I hope so Bella," Emmett sighed heavily. "This whole thing has completely caught me off guard."
"I can imagine," Bella chuckled. "Life has a way of doing that to us sometimes though. Most of the time it works out for the best."
"I bet it has," Emmett grinned. "Especially in the case of you and Cullen."
Bella smiled at the mention of Edward's name, just hearing it sent the memories from earlier that day rushing back through her mind.
"Oh god, I lost her again to the dreaded Cullen disease." Emmett nudged her as he pulled into the convenience store parking spot.
"Shut up," Bella frowned. "Can you grab me an iced tea while you're in there?"
"You women, always wanting something." Emmett chuckled and hopped out of the SUV.
Bella sighed and pulled out her cell phone; it had been a whole hour since Edward reluctantly pulled out of her driveway. She quickly brought up the text message screen, typing a few short words and sent in his direction with a smile on her face.
Having fun Mr. Cullen?
Sitting here in an empty music hall grading music sheets...yea, so much fun you have no idea. He wrote back only moments later.
Alone? Sounds tempting… Yet another smile crept onto her face.
Interested?
I think you're office has seen enough excitement for the day.
Plain and to the point…I like it.
I would, but there's been a lot going on here since you left.
Nothing bad I hope?
Bella sighed and tapped the keypad of her phone with the pads on her fingertips. I don't know yet, just completely unexpected news.
You OK?
I'm fine. Can I stop by tomorrow? I could tell you then.
Can't. chorus tryouts start tomorrow….I'm going to be heading up that blessed event. Afterwards maybe?
I suppose I can wait. Call me?
Of course, I want to see you again.
Well, we are stuck together for the next two and a half weeks!
Excellent! I'm going to head to bed beautiful…I'll call you tomorrow.
"Stop writing love notes to your boyfriend," Emmett chided as he got back into the car.
"You had to go and ruin the moment didn't you?" Bella frowned as he handed her a plastic grocery bag.
"I try," he smiled.
Bella yawned and let her head fall back against the headrest, not finding enough energy inside of her to try and fight back.
"So what do you think I should tell Charlie?" Emmett asked after a couple moments of silence.
"Tell him you and Rose are having a baby," Bella shrugged. "You know he'll be thrilled."
"I don't know what he'd be happier about, your news or mine."
"Well it might just be one hell of a day for him," Bella chuckled.
"It's been one hell of a day for me," Emmett breathed as he steered the car back into their neighborhood.
"It's going to be fine," Bella yawned heavily as their house came into view.
"I hope so."
"It will be," Bella sat up and handed Emmett the bag, minus her iced tea container, before getting out of the car.
"Night Bells," Emmett chuckled as he climbed out of the car.
Bella waved at him from her spot at the front door, fishing the spare key from under the doormat and let herself in.
"Couldn't even wait for me to get out," Emmett shook his head and locked the car before heading inside.
She couldn't wait, that much was true. Her body didn't hit the mattress fast enough, only bothering to slip off shoes before collapsing onto the bed.
"Bells, wake up! You have to get going!" Emmett shouted as he pushed her bedroom door open, letting it fit the wall with a thud.
"I just went to bed," Bella groaned and pulled the pillow over her head.
"Well it's morning! We are going to work and it's up to whether or not you decide to get up!!" Emmett shouted as he walked past her room and down the stairs.
"Ugh fine, I'm up!" Bella tossed her pillow onto the floor as she threw the blanket off her of her, goose bumps immediately spread as her skin came in contact with the cool air.
Emmett and Rosalie were already out the door as Bella tiptoed out into the hallway and into the bathroom across the hall.
She frowned as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She fell asleep as soon as she got home and stayed asleep the whole way through till morning, yet dark bags sat underneath her eyelids.
"Well that won't work," she sighed and turned the shower on.
The upcoming events of her day flew through her mind, leaving her little to look forward to until later that afternoon when she would get to see Edward.
"Bella?" A faint voice came from behind the closed bath room door as soon as she shut the water off,
"Who is it?" A feeling of panic shot through her, whomever it was…it didn't sound like Rosalie or Emmett…nor anyone else who would have a key to their house.
"It's Alice!"
"Alice?" Bella asked as she scrambled out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself before pulling the door open. "What are you doing here?"
"We came to pick you up," Alice smiled and wrapped Bella in a hug. "Why aren't you dressed yet?"
"Because I was up until really late, we had some interesting news develop last night." Bella yawned, "Is Jasper with you?"
"He's in the car. He didn't want to come in, in case you weren't dressed or something."
"Oh well, that was a good decision on his part then." Bella chuckled, "Give me a minute."
"So what happened here last night?" Alice asked as she paced back and forth in the hallway.
"Rosalie's pregnant," Bella said as she quickly slipped a sweater and a pair of jeans on.
"What? Seriously?"
"Well she took a test, but she has a doctor's appointment at some point today."
"Wow, were they planning on that?"
"Nope," Bella tied a hair tie around her wrist as she opened her bed room door. " Life throws you curve balls sometimes."
"I'll say," Alice said as she followed Bella down stairs.
"They're going to be fine though, I have a feeling."
"How are you feeling about my brother?" Alice asked, trying to keep up with Bella as she hurried out the door.
"I feel great, why?"
"Just checking, I know you felt kind of iffy about the whole TA thing for a while."
"Is it really such a big deal if we date, he's not actually a teacher." Bella asked as she climbed Jasper's Honda.
"He is a teacher in a way," Jasper said from the driver's seat. "He's in training kind of. If he does well, then there is a possibility of him becoming a professor once he's done with his classes. So that means he has to start following the rules now."
"Way to rain on my parade Jasper."
"Well, you have to think about it. If things continue to go the way they're going for you guys it might become more and more of a factor." Alice piped in.
"OK OK, I get it." Bella muttered, "I thought you guys were happy about this whole thing."
"We are Bells, we just want to make sure that you guys are paying attention to all of the facts…because if you don't think about it then things could end extremely bad."
Why can't I actually just be happy?
Alice's comment left as blanket of silence over the group, leaving the three people unsure if they should continue with any other part of that conversation. The uncertainty left them quiet as they traveled to the busy campus of Washington State University, Bella not choosing to say anything until they pulled into the parking lot.
"You guys are happy for me right?" She asked as they climbed out of the car.
"Of course we are sweetie," Alice hugged her. "We just want to make sure we are looking out for you too."
"We know you guys will make it," Jasper smiled at her. "Just be careful OK?"
Bella nodded and started heading towards the building.
"Hey Bella?" Alice came running up to her, "How about dinner just you and me tonight? We haven't hung out together in a while."
"I think I'm supposed to see Edward after class but that at like two thirty, how about five-ish?"
"K," Alice smiled and hugged her friend. "I'll see you then."
Bella glanced down at her watch as she made her way inside the building; she had a half hour before her first class was going to start. Just enough time to visit Edward.
Her footsteps echoed against the walls as she made her way down the empty hallway toward the music hall, faint chatter reaching her ears as she approached the music hall doors.
"I don't need help, I swear I'll be fine by myself."
That was Edward, and he didn't sound happy.
"I'm not doing this to punish you Edward, I just thought this would be easier for you so you wouldn't have to help all of the music classes at the same time." A deep, unrecognized voice said firmly.
"I'm only taking on a few classes and…"
"And with the auditions and your own class schedule, Tanya is going to prove to be more then helpful."
Tanya, who in the hell is Tanya?
"Can I help you?"
Bella shot up suddenly as an unfamiliar, yet sweet sounding female voice rested on her ears. She turned around to see a tall and leggy blonde woman walking up the hallway. Her eyes were a similar golden shade that illuminated her hair, and her skin was smooth and pale.
"I'm sorry, I was checking to see if Edward was in there yet. I'm the maid of honor in his sisters wedding and I needed to ask him something," Bella said smoothly despite her nervousness.
"Oh," the elegant blonde smiled lightly. "I believe he's in a meeting. Did you want me to pass a message along?"
"No," Bella shook her head quickly. " I can just try to catch him later."
"Alright," the blonde sighed as she paused in front of the door.
"You OK?" Bella asked as she watched the woman curiously.
"Fine," she breathed. "First day in a new school…you know the rest."
"That I do," Bella nodded. "Don't get so worked up about it, just get in there and do what you need to do."
"Thanks," the blonde smiled at her. "The art director here is supposed to be pretty intense…and I've heard wonderful things about his TA. He's apparently very talented, and good looking from what I've heard."
"He is pretty talented, I've heard him play before." Bella said, trying to hide the irritation in her voice as she chose to ignore the woman's comment. "I should get going…"
"Hey, what's your name?" The blonde called after her as Bella turned on her heels quickly and started down the hallway.
"Bella," she said with her back still to the woman.
"I'm Tanya, thank you for all of the kind words."
"You're welcome," Bella muttered and started back down the hallway.
"Uhoh, what's that look for?" Jasper asked, hurrying up the stairwell as Bella rushed by him.
"I'm just stuck my foot in my damn mouth," Bella mumbled as she kept walking.
"Wait, wait. What happened?" Jasper grabbed her arm to stop her from walking.
"Edward is apparently getting help from a very beautiful and mind you, very leggy blond woman…who has the hots for him and caught me trying to sneak into the music hall."
"What did you tell her?" Jasper asked worriedly.
"I spouted some nonsense about being a maid of honor and walked away from her."
"Well hopefully that will keep her from getting suspicious," Jasper breathed. "You going to be OK?"
"Oh sure, I'll be able to sleep real good knowing that those two are going to be working long hours together." Bella snorted.
"Bella, don't let jealously cloud your judgment. I don't want you doing anything stupid."
"I know Jasper," Bella frowned. "That whole thing scared me and irritated me at the same time."
"It'll be fine, just brush it off."
"Bella," Edward hurried towards the two.
'Edward, what are you doing here?" Bella asked, the worried look on his face wasn't sitting well with her.
"Come with me," he said with a nod to Jasper and then pulled Bella towards an empty classroom quickly.
"What is this all about?" Bella asked as he shut the door as soon as they made their way inside the room.
"Did you come by the music hall a little while ago?"
"Yes, why?" Bella voice shook with worry, she didn't like where this was going.
"Tanya told me you stopped by," he frowned. "She said you wanted to see me but that you started to get all weird when she started talking about me."
Shit.
"What did you say to her Bella?"
"I just said I needed to ask you about the wedding," Bella shrugged.
"What did you say after that?" He crossed his arms in front of her chest.
"Nothing," Bella cast her gaze down to the floor. "She was standing there singing your praises and I got a little uncomfortable."
"She said you looked jealous," be said coldly. "It sat a little weird with her and she started asking questions. Bella, this isn't what we need if we are going to make this work."
"You know I hear stuff like what she said all over the place? Girls are running the hallway talking about how much they want to fuck you, and I have to sit there and take it. Now, them I'm not to worried about. It's just when this godess-like woman comes bounding in and is supposed to be your co-worker, and the first words out of her mouth is how talented and ATTRACTIVE you are…what do you want me to do about it?"
"Ignore it," he said sternly. "Just like you do with everyone else, this is no different just because she's somewhat attractive. It doesn't matter to me; when I look at other girls all I see is you."
"I just don't want to loose you."
"You won't, you have to believe me here Bella." He ran his hands up and down her arms, "You are the only one for me."
"You always know how to make me feel better," she smiled as he wrapped her in a hug.
"I try," he kissed her forehead. "Just don't scare me like that again."
"Deal," she smiled.
Edward sighed and let go of her as his cell phone went off in his pocket.
"I have to go," he frowned as he looked down from his phone. "Auditions are starting."
"See you tonight?"
He stopped right before opening the door, looking back at her as smile crept onto his lips. "You bet. We're grounded together, remember?"
"That's right," Bella smiled. "Best sentence I've ever had to serve."