Again, you people make me smile and glow with you story and author adds, and all of the favorites. The reviews are incredible and I read every single one. Please keep them coming! Just want to say one thing, though. If something upsets or angers you to the point where you feel the need to tell me I'm wrong about my own story and writing, I encourage you to write your own. Write a story the way you want it to go, with the kind of characters you want to see.

Smooches to HollettLA and DeJeanSmith. I am damn lucky to have these two on my side. Really, they make this story so, so, so much better! (Also, any mistakes are my own)

Also, sorry for the delay. New job is kicking my ass and I have less and less time to write. So from now on, lets say 1-2 weeks per update just so I don't feel guilty.

So, lets see what happens when the families are told, shall we?

I don't own, I just play.

Chapter 4, Grandparents

BPOV

Since the Vogue article praising my and Rose's company, Swan & Hale, business had been insane. Insane in a good way, but insane nonetheless. We couldn't get the product out quickly enough. We were in high demand with not only the stylists and costume designers, but also the wealthy, rich, and trendy across the country. It was amazing and incredible, and we knew were blessed, but we were also overwhelmed.

Things were so busy that Rose and I each took on recent fashion school graduates and Alice hired an assistant to help lighten the load. Tia was Egyptian and had started her education in Antiquity Studies. She finished her schooling at the University of Cairo and became something of an expert on ancient Egyptian clothing. What dyes were used, what designs, what beads were included in the jewelry, the way they manipulated gold and precious stones and minerals. Somewhere in her study, she started making her own jewelry, trying to recreate the royal adornments she studied. She fell in love with the craft and came to New York to study it further. I was damn lucky to have found her. She had the most nimble fingers and brilliant understanding of proportion. I was particularly happy to have her, since I knew in the coming months I would be needing her more than ever.

When I told her, she was thrilled, but also immediately seemed to understand what it meant for her. She assured me that I didn't have to worry, that she could handle whatever craziness was sent her way. All I could do was hug her and cry... again. I was getting seriously tired of those damn tears. While finishing some details on my latest sketches, Edward called. It had been almost three weeks since we knew we were having a baby and we had yet to let either of families know. I don't know what I was waiting for, but as always, Edward gave me the push I needed.

"Hi, beautiful, busy?"

"Always, what's up?"

"We're leaving for Santa Fe tonight. I already called for the plane, and Sue is at the house airing it out."

"I can't just leave, Edward! There's too much to do!"

"Bella, you need a minute to breathe, and we need to tell Charlie and Sue. It's time, beautiful, and I think we owe it to them to tell in person."

"But, I'm busy," I whined.

"Give the phone to Tia, please."

Tia took the phone and started speaking with Edward. There were lots of nods, smiles, and reassurances. When she handed the phone back to me, she winked.

"What was that about?"

"I let Tia know that we would be gone for the week and that she would be holding down the fort without you."

"Oh. Okay." I said dumbly.

"Bella, can you tell me why you're so hesitant to go to Santa Fe and let Sue and Charlie know?"

Yes, I could. When Sue and Charlie finally knew, it would be completely real. I could almost fool myself into thinking that I would be waking up one day and things would be "normal" again. But as soon as Charlie and Sue knew they were going to grandparents, I knew that was it. No more fantasy, the baby was coming and there was nothing I could do about that.

"I'm just..." you're just what,I thought to myself. "I'm just nervous about letting people know before the end of the first trimester," I lied too easily.

That sounded normal right? If Edward saw through the lie, he didn't let on.

"Bella, if something happens to the baby before the first trimester, you're gong to want Sue with you. They deserve to know, Bella."

"Of course, you're right. What time is the car coming around?"

"Seven. Gives you a couple of hours to pack some things."

"Great. I'll see you later."

"Later. Hey, Bella?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

I smiled and my eyes began to water.

"I love you, too. So much."

I hung up and took some breaths, calming my nerves and hormones. When I had collected myself, I went back to work. As soon as I had finished prepping Tia and finalizing my sketches, I kissed Rose, Alice, and the others goodbye and left for home. After a bowl of soup with Lydia, I packed. Once ready, Edward and I left for the airport. By the time we landed, it was late and I was exhausted. Edward called Sue to let her know we would see them the following day for lunch and we made our way to our house.

As soon as we pulled up the driveway, I felt my shoulders drop and jaw unclench. Even though I lived in New York City, even though I called the big bad city my home, Santa Fe was where my heart was. The moment I stepped out of the car, I breathed in deep. Nothing smelled like the desert... sage, heat, dust. The night was so dark, the silence so quiet.

"I hope our child loves Santa Fe."

I said it without thinking. I said it without realizing. I think I stunned both of us. I hadn't spoken about the baby in a human way once. It was always "it" never "the baby." It was the first hope I had for my child, and I meant it wholeheartedly. I wanted the child to feel what I did for the magic of the desert.

"Of course the kid will love it here, it's in his blood."

I snorted.

"So is Boston, but I really hope our kid had better taste than that," I joked.

Again, it came out without my knowing it. It was such a light moment. When Edward pulled me into a hug, I knew he felt it, too. When we broke apart, we made our way hand-in-hand to the house. Sue had left the hall light on and opened some windows. As Edward grabbed our bags, I went through the house flicking on the lights as I went. I loved that house so much. I felt more like myself there than anyplace else. I didn't know how Edward knew I needed it, but he did know, and I was grateful.

I woke up with the sun the next morning. I wrapped the blanket from the foot of the bed around me and crept out the French doors in our bedroom to the cool, brisk morning. I watched the sky come to life. I watched as the desert bloomed in the morning light. I felt a peace and calm that I hadn't in some time and, as if it was a very hot surface, I carefully touched my belly, testing it out. There was something growing in there. There was a tiny thing forming inside of me. It was hard to imagine, but it was there.

That was the first time I spoke to my stomach, the first time I spoke to my child.

"Good morning," I said lamely as if I were expecting a response back. Was insanity part of the pregnancy package along with binging on junk food and crying at the drop of a hat?

Edward found me in a chair on the patio, looking out at the desert, wrapped in a blanket.

"How long have you been here?"

"I watched the sunrise."

"How was it?"

"Beautiful."

"Good. You hungry?"

"Of course I am."

"Let's see what Sue left for us."

It was an unwritten rule that Sue would stock our fridge for us before we arrived. There was always something yummy waiting for us in there. We found fresh sage and pork breakfasts sausages from the local butcher, eggs, and blue corn muffins. We fixed breakfast together, took showers, and got dressed. Before we left for Sue and Charlie's, we called and let them know we were on our way.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived. As we were getting out of the car, Charlie opened the door, his arms wide open. I walked over and let myself be engulfed in my daddy's arms. I did a piss-poor job of keeping the tears at bay.

"Hey, now. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I sniveled, "just glad to see you."

"Glad to see you too, Bells. Why don't you go see Sue, huh? She's in the kitchen, of course."

I nodded and stepped away from him. I wiped my face, gulped some air and lifted my head high before walking into the kitchen. Sue's back was to me, she was chopping something up. I took in the scene and the smells for a second before making my presence known.

"Hey, Sue!" I said cheerily.

She turned and stared at me. Then, out of nowhere, she squealed at the top of her lungs. Charlie and Edward came running, obviously scared that someone had hurt themselves. As soon as they were there, Sue spoke.

"Oh my God, you're pregnant!" She yelled before running around to me and pulling me into her, bouncing as she hugged.

As I was trapped in the vice of her arms, I could hear Charlie ask Edward if it was true.

"Yup, we're having a baby," Edward said proudly.

"Congratulations, man."

"Congratulations, Grandpa," Edward said, a smile in his voice.

Charlie had made some very grand efforts to apologize to Edward. When I realized I had handled Edward's truths badly, so did Charlie. He called Edward up and apologized as sincerely as he could. Edward was reluctant to forgive everything, though. In the end, it was "the Father defense" that Edward gave into. Not as a cop-out or as an excuse at all, but rather, as fact. He said to Edward, "When you're a father, you'll understand. And if you have a daughter, you'll know that you'd do anything, even hurt an innocent man, to protect her." That day was fast approaching.

"Shit. Grandpa. Hell, I guess I earned it. Grandpa..." Charlie said, trailing off.

I could hear the men walking away. Minutes later, Sue finally let go.

"I am so thrilled for you two!"

"Thanks, Sue," I said softly, hopefully not giving away too much in my voice.

"You must be hungry then," she said, beaming.

"I am ALWAYS hungry. Sue, I'm going to gain sixty pounds I just know it."

"Oh hush, who cares. Indulge, when the hell will it ever be okay to eat a pint of ice cream and a bag of Doritos at the same time in your adult life? Never, that's when."

"You're right. Bring it on, what's for lunch?"

EPOV

After lunch, Bella was ready for a nap. She ate like a trooper... she ate for two. On the way back to the house, I decided that it was time to bring up marriage again. I was hoping that she would start seeing the light. If not for herself, then for our child. What if something happened to Bella? What if something stupid like a last name kept Bella from me. What if we were traveling someplace, and the fact that we weren't related became an issue? Four hundred other what if'splagued me.

But while driving back to our house, I was sidetracked by a question.

"Edward, have you told your parents, yet?"

"No. I was waiting until we told yours first."

"Then its time, right? We should. Maybe after my nap?"

"Sure, beautiful. After your nap."

Then, I thought to myself, we'll tackle something heavier.

Once Bella had woken up, I dialed my parents number and put the phone on speaker.

"Hello?" my mother answered.

"Hi, Mom."

"Hello, dear, am I on speaker phone?"

"Yes, Bella is here, too."

"Hello, Esme."

"Bella, how are you?"

They had only met briefly at Alice's wedding, my parents and Bella. But Bella and my mother had started speaking on the phone and were becoming friends.

"We're good Mom. Is Dad there?"

"Yes, shall I get him?"

"Please." I answered.

A few moments later, "Bella, Edward, how are you two?"

I looked to Bella and smirked.

"We're good, Dad. We're great, actually."

"Oh?" my father inquired.

"Well, yes. Actually, that's why we're calling. Do you want to tell them?" I prompted Bella.

She shook her head no.

"Okay. Mom, Dad, you're going to be grandparents."

Silence. Dead fucking silence.

Bella and I looked to each other, then to the phone, as if magically that would make someone speak. Finally, Bella broke the silence.

"Esme, Carlisle, are you two alright?"

"Edward, did we hear you correctly? You and Bella are having a baby?"

"Yes. We are. Is something wrong?"

Just then I heard my mother sniffle and hiccup.

"Dad, is Mom okay? Is she... crying?"

"Edward, it's just..." But he was cut-off by my mother.

"Oh, Edward!" She wailed. "I never thought..."

Then more sniffles and hiccups.

"I never thought this would happen for you. I'm so... I'm so..."

"You're so?" Bella nudged.

"Ha-ha-ha-happyyyyyyyyyyy!"

I shook my head. I forgot how similar my mother and Alice could be.

"Thank you, Esme. Will you be okay?" Bella asked.

"Oh my dears, I'm going to be a Grandmother! I'm more than okay! You've made your mother very happy, Edward."

"What about you, Dad?"

My relationship with my father was on the mend. Slowly but surely we spoke more, and not just about stocks and bonds.

"I never thought this was possible for you after... well, after. I'm so proud of you. Both of you."

"Thank you, Carlisle," Bella answered.

"Maybe its time we visited, hmmm, Bella?" my father asked.

"Yes, I'd like that."

"Well I'll let you and Esme work that out, then."

"Oh yes! Bella, we must start planning the nursery! I can see it now. Oh Bella, you've made an old woman very happy."

"You're welcome, but your hardly old."

"Oh now, flattery will get you everywhere, darling."

A few more niceties were shared then the promise to plan a visit. When I hung up, Bella hugged me.

"He's proud of you, Edward," she said sincerely.

"I think," I said, squeezing her a little tighter, "he said he was proud of us, beautiful. "

"Us." She repeated. "I love the sound of that."

"Speaking of us, beautiful. There's something I want to talk to you about. Something that's been weighing heavily on my shoulders, especially since we found out you were pregnant."

"What do you want for dinner?" Bella asked, completely ignoring me.

"Bella, no. Please speak with me."

"We could order in or..."

"Bella, enough. This is serious."

"I don't want to get married, Edward." She blurted out.

"This isn't about you and me anymore, we have someone else we need to think about."

"This isn't Victorian-era England. Do you have any idea how many perfectly functioning families don't have married parents?"

"How many of those families have fathers who can't leave the house because of a deformity?"

She was silent.

"Listen. Our child is going to have the best of everything and all the comfort they could ever hope for. But Bella, none of that is going to change the fact he or she won't have a normal childhood. I can't go on school outings, we can't go to Disneyland and take our pictures with Mickey Mouse, I'll have to sneak into the back of every recital after it's started, so as not to take attention away from the kids. Every parent-teacher conference will have to be booked after all the others so that I can avoid crowds. I don't even want to think about what's going to happen for birthday parties and play dates and sleepovers. I haven't even tackled that mess in my own head, yet. But this is something that can be normal Bella. This is something we can give our child without fear or compromise."

"What's normal? Edward, look at us. We're both weird. We're both off. So why do we have to start being normal now?" Bella said as she threw her hands in the air.

"Why do you keep resisting this?" I accented my own frustration by stomping to the nearest wall and punching it. Hurt like a fucker, too.

"Why do you keep insisting?"

"Stop avoiding my questions!" I answered hotly.

"Then stop pushing your agenda!" She snapped back.

"Christ you can be so fucking selfish sometimes, you know that?" I was unbelievably aggravated.

"Selfish? Do you know that the only reason and I mean the ONLY reason I'm going through with this pregnancy is because of you? Because it's what you deserve? Not me, you! Don't you talk to me about selfish," she seethed.

I was instantly deflated.

"You don't mean that, do you?" I asked quietly.

Her huffing calmed and her face relaxed. She looked panicked and sad all at the same time.

"I... I don't know."

She looked to the floor and dropped her shoulders.

"Bella…" I started, but I didn't really have anything to say.

When she started walking away from me, I let her. I didn't know what to think. So, she didn't want the baby. She was putting on a show - a half-assed show at that - for me, and only me, because I "deserved" it. Before I could reason through all that though, I heard her heaving. Out of guilt, pain, or compassion, I went to her. She was kneeling over the toilet in the hall bathroom. Her back was to me and I could see every muscle clench as she vomited. I sat down behind her and rubbed her back.

When her body finally relaxed, I could hear her crying.

"Shhh. Please don't cry."

"I can't help it," she answered pathetically.

I didn't really know what to say or do, but it was obvious that the combination of the pregnancy, the secrets she was keeping, and our tiff was exhausting for her. They were suddenly tiring for me, too. I stood up, wet a washcloth under the faucet and rung it out before handing it to her. Once she was finished cleaning up, I put my hand out to her. She took it and looked up at me.

Why hadn't I realized how dark the circles were under eyes?

"I think you could use a bath."

She snorted.

"Lydia's answer to everything is soup, yours is baths."

"Yup, my mother's is decorating, Alice's is shopping, and yours is ice cream."

"And running away. Don't forget that one." She retorted flippantly.

"You're not running now," I answered seriously.

She looked at me, shocked.

"So just ice cream, then," I said at her surprised expression.

"I'm not running," she said, to herself more than me.

I smiled and led her to the master suite where the big bathtub was.

"I'll start the bath. Why don't you get undressed?"

"Will you join me?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Yes."

"Then, yes, I'll join you."

Once the bath was ready, I stripped, stepped into the tub first then beckoned her to join me. She took off her robe, and I watched in rapt fascination as the silk slipped from her body. We hadn't looked at each other, really looked, since we found out we were having a baby. Her full hips, heavy breasts and soft pale skin looked like something out of a painting. If I had any artistic talent at all, I would have yelled for her to stay still so I could capture her. Instead, she grabbed a hair stick from the vanity and pulled her hair up.

"I haven't told you how beautiful you are recently."

"Don't be silly, Edward."

"I'm quite serious, you really are so, so beautiful."

She actually blushed. I hadn't seen her blush in a very long time.

"Stunning," I said as she walked toward me.

Carefully, she stepped into the tub then lowered herself down. When she was sitting, she scooted back until her body was pressed flush against mine. I groaned. I loved the feeling of her weight against me. I loved knowing that the tattoo on her back was pressed against its twin on my chest. Mostly, I just loved being that close with her again.

"I've missed you so much, Edward," she said as she arched her back slightly.

I let out a soft grunt.

"Touch me?" she asked.

I nodded even though she couldn't see me and reached my hand around to her breast. I hovered above her body for only a moment before I let myself graze her nipple with my fingers. We both shivered despite the hot water.

"Again," she said shakily.

Gently, I squeezed her nipple between my thumb and forefinger. She let out a long "ahhhhhh". Maybe what we needed wasn't talking or discussions or even fights. Maybe what we needed was to reconnect. I wanted her to remember that this baby was us, half of each, and not just my property alone. We made the miracle together, and we would love it together too. I planned on reminding her how amazing we could be together.

"Scoot up a bit, more." I whispered into her ear.

As soon as she was far enough up, I reached around her body and found her clit. I was rewarded with gentle moans and her ass rubbing against my dick. As she came for me, her legs shook and her breath was ragged.

"Come with me to the bed, beautiful."

We climbed out of the tub carefully and walked to the bed, not bothering to dry ourselves off. Fully erect and ready to bury myself inside her, I watched as Bella crawled on the bed, spread her legs, and welcomed me to her. The first exquisite push into her body found us sighing in relief. Yes, I thought, this is what we need. As I ground myself into her body, pressing my pelvis as far as it would go, she closed her eyes, dropped her jaw, and sucked in the air around her.

We were slow and deliberate. She came, and then so did I. Refusing to pull away, I stayed inside of her until I was hard again. When we both came a second time, she did so silently, her voice hushed from our lovemaking. It was dark. I gathered in my arms, pulled the covers over us, and we fell asleep, blissfully unaware of the world around us.

A/N

Awwww. They needed that.

More fun *cue cheeky laugh* ahead.

Reviews are like soup, decorating, ice cream, shopping, and baths rolled into one!