thank you for all the amazing reviews on the last chapter!

*I don't own Twilight*

Chapter Sixteen

Bella Swan

The night after Charlotte's birthday party, we went to see the house we were supposed to buy. The family that lived there had already moved all their stuff out and they were on a month long trip to Europe, which was what was delaying the process a bit. It was a huge house, near Edward's parents. We'd argued a bit because I was nervous about a step this big, buying a house together, and I wanted to stay in my apartment. Edward was convinced that I'd tricked him into moving in and putting his apartment on the market by pretending I wanted to buy a house when I was really planning on staying in my apartment. Which was slightly true. I loved my apartment and the high ceilings and my room which was a little on the girly side, which Edward complained about.

"This can be the baby's room, Bell," Edward said as we walked into the room next to the master bedroom. There was a door that connected the two which was nice. It was a pale yellow color, leading me to believe the family that had lived here had done the same thing, maybe even installed the door for this reason.

"Mhm, it could be. We'd have to paint," I told him, looking into the closet. It was huge and had some sort of system installed so there were both shelves and hangers. It was perfect. There was plenty of room for lots of clothes and shoes.

"I was thinking we'd hire people. Paint the whole inside of the house, you know? Get all new furniture. Decorate it exactly how we want it," he looked out one of the windows that looked down on the huge backyard.

"Really? I just figured we'd use the furniture we had from our apartments… re-do everything else later," I looked at him, a little surprised that he'd been making plans like that. I joined him over at the window.

"Do you think you're going to feel like having people in here, painting and shit, when we have a newborn? And it won't be safe when it starts walking around, what if it gets into shit?"

I rolled my eyes at his use of the word "it" because we'd named her and there was no reason to keep that up.

"No, I guess it won't be safe when Audrey starts walking," I stressed her name and he grinned sheepishly at me. It did feel weird calling her that. Audrey. Audrey. Audrey.

"So we'll get all the rooms painted and new flooring and I was thinking, new countertops and cabinets in the kitchen. We start ordering the furniture now because it'll take a while to get delivered. We'll probably be set to move in at the beginning of June," Edward looked at me, a small smile on his face and his bright green eyes happy. I couldn't help but smile back and feel excited, although it sounded like a lot of work and lately, I felt like I was running on empty. I wrapped my arm around his waist and snuggled against him, sighing softly.

"That sounds great, Edward. We'll go shopping this weekend."

And shop, we did. All weekend was spent in and out of furniture stores. It was spring now and finally getting warmer. By Sunday night, we had picked out our new bedroom furniture, new countertops and cabinets for the kitchen along with the furniture and appliances and the family room furniture which included a huge flat screen television which Edward told me he had to have. I almost argued with him but stopped myself because it was such a stupid thing and if it made him happy, it was worth it.

We had also picked out paint for each of the rooms. I insisted on a celery green color for our room because it reminded me of Edward's eyes. He went along with it, just saying he was glad I hadn't picked out pink. For the baby's room, though, I picked out pale lavender that was so pretty, I couldn't wait to see it on the walls. Picking out paint for her room made her feel even more real, like I was really going to have a baby in a little over two months.

Late that night, after two in the morning, Edward was sleeping on his stomach but I couldn't get comfortable and the baby was jabbing me.

"Edward?"

"Mmmph?"

"Edward!"

"What? What's wrong? Are you in labor?" he leaned up on his elbows and looked at me with one eye open. I shook my head.

"I can't sleep," I said quietly, reaching over and pushing his hair off his forehead. He needed a haircut.

"That's it?" he asked and I nodded. He put his head back down on his pillow and closed his eye planning to go back to sleep. He turned his head away from me and pulled the blankets over his head. I sighed and reached under the blankets then I took his hand and put it on my stomach, right over where the baby was abusing me from the inside.

"Your spawn hates me and doesn't want me to sleep, Edward," I knew I was whining and he hated it but I couldn't help it. I was tired and we had to get up early for work. Which I hated lately. He was silent for a few minutes before he pushed the blankets off his head and looked at me again, this time with both his eyes open. They looked sleepy and I instantly felt bad for waking him up.

"I shouldn't have woken you up, I'm sorry, Edward…"

"Eh… she's kicking pretty hard," he mumbled and sat up a little.

"I'm tired. I can't get comfortable with my belly… she won't stop moving… I just want to sleep and I don't want to work anymore," I whispered.

"Baby..." Edward sighed and sat up and pulled me against his chest, "I'm calling you out of work tomorrow, and you're staying home and getting some rest. We probably overdid it this weekend and now you're overtired, huh?"

I snuggled against his warm body and nodded, "Will you stay home, too?"

"I can't, Bell. The upper school musical starts in a few days and we're not ready… we need all the time we can get," he stroked my hair and I sighed a little, feeling more comfortable now and the baby seemed to be calming down.

"Mmk, Edward… thank you for this," I murmured sleepily, my eyes drifting closed. He hummed softly to me as I fell asleep.

I briefly woke up in the morning when the alarm went off but fell back asleep when Edward turned it off and got out of bed. He woke me up to say bye, kissing me softly and telling me I should shop online for bedding for our room and for the baby. I agreed and fell back asleep, not waking until almost one. It was the longest I'd slept in a long time and besides the fact that my bladder was about to burst and I was starving, I felt great. I stretched out then went to use the bathroom. I showered quickly and pulled on my robe before going to the kitchen and getting out stuff for a sandwich. I put together a turkey, Swiss cheese, mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, sweet pepper sandwich. It sounded so good, even though I normally hated pickles and mayo. I put some chips on the plate and got a glass of Coke before sitting at the table. I smiled when I saw my laptop set up for me there, my stomach was too big for me to use it as an actual laptop lately and Edward must have put it here before he left.

I booted it up then ate my sandwich, sighing at how good it tasted. I put some chips between the layers and that made it even better. The baby was kicking now and I smiled because she must have slept when I did. When I finished, I pulled the computer over and started searching for bedding for the master bedroom and guest room.

It took a while but I finally found what I had pictured. Edward had requested something not girly and I hoped this fell into the category. It was plain, mostly white Egyptian cotton but had a one inch ribbon that was green, in the exact shade I had picked for our room, then more white after the green. It was tasteful and I fell in love with it. I saved the pictures from the website to show Edward when he got home.

For the guest room, which we had decided to paint a neutral cream color, I picked out a set that would be good for either a male or female guest. It was a light blue set with a solid color paisley pattern and chocolate brown accents. It was perfect and looked nice and cozy.

As I was about to look for baby bedding, the front door burst open and Edward stumbled in, out of breath and red faced. He saw me at the table and leaned over, putting his hands on his knees and trying to catch his breath.

"Edward! Are you alright?" I got up from the table, walking over to where he was huffing.

"Damnit, Bella. Why haven't you answered your phone all fucking day?"

Oh. My phone. Where was my phone? I looked around and saw it on the coffee table then I pointed it out to Edward.

"Um, I slept until like one. Then I took a shower and ate and ordered bedding for our room and the guest room… I'm sorry…"

He groaned softly and stood, running his hand through his hair. I knew his panic probably had something to do with his irrational fear that I was going to go into labor early.

"It's alright. You just weren't answering and I called Rose and she said she hadn't heard from you. I had no idea you would sleep that fucking long. I was freaking the fuck out, Bell. You have to keep your phone with you."

I nodded, hoping he would calm down because he was making me anxious. I quietly apologized again. He ran his hand through his hand again and leaned in, kissing me. I kissed him back and immediately, he became more frantic, his hands holding my face like he would never see me again. When one of his hands slipped between us and started pushing my loosely tied robe apart, I pulled away, gently moving his hand away and adjusting the robe.

"I better go get dressed," I mumbled and walked out of the room and to the bedroom. I opened my closet and was standing in front of it when he came into the room, eyeing me. I blushed a little and got out a short sleeved dress and went over to my dresser to get a bra and panties. He watched me and when I took off my robe and started putting my bra on, he stopped me. He rubbed his thumb over my hardened nipple, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"Mmm, baby. It's been days," he murmured, stepping closer to me. I took a step back and bit my lip. We hadn't been together at all over the weekend, he was right.

"Edward…" I started but stopped and turned away from him, resuming getting dressed. He stood silently for a minute, surprised.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice semi-accusing. "A week ago, you couldn't get enough and now you don't want to do anything?"

"Ugh, Edward, I'm huge. I don't feel like doing anything now. I'm seven and a half months pregnant. I'm gross," I whispered the last part and he looked surprised.

"You're beautiful, Bella, you're not even close to gross or huge. You look amazing," he walked over to me and stroked my side gently, "if it's that you don't feel like it, that's fine but if it's that you think you're gross, you're crazy. Let's do it right now."

I giggled softly but shook my head. "I don't really feel like it, either."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry! Maybe later?"

"Yeah, sure. I have to get back to the school for practice. I just had to make sure you were alright then you looked so hot it distracted me," he grinned and leaned down, kissing me quickly on the lips before disappearing. I crossed my fingers that he was really going back to the school and not just mad that I wouldn't have sex with him.

Seven hours and twelve unanswered phone calls to Edward later, I knew he didn't just go back to school. When he stumbled in a little after eleven, his cheeks red and smelling of whiskey, I glared at him from my spot on the couch.

"Nice of you to answer your phone," I snapped at him.

"So you can ignore yours but I can't ignore mine?" His words were slurred and I wondered just how much he drank. His clothes were also messed up and I frowned.

"Where were you?"

"Out, Bella. I was out," he mumbled, sitting on the couch next to me, "you look so pretty in this dress," he told me, rubbing his hand along my thigh. Without thinking, I parted them slightly and he took that as an invitation for his fingers to travel higher.

"Out where, Edward?" I asked him but he was too busy kissing along my neck. Hot, opened mouth kisses that sent a tingling feeling right between my legs. I tilted my neck and whimpered softly when he bit down. Edward lightly ran his finger along the edge of my panties before dipping under them. I spread my legs even further and he ran his finger over my clit. I gasped softly.

"Mmm, baby. You're so wet," he said against my ear, sliding his finger down to my entrance and pushing it in. My head lolled back and I pushed my hips against his finger. He chuckled softly and moved it in and out, his movements restricted by my panties. I suddenly remembered that there was something I needed to know.

"Edward," I moaned softly. "Tell me where you were."

Instead of answering me, Edward moved his hand from my panties and pulled them down my legs and tossed them behind his shoulder. Then he undid his belt and pants, pushing them down along with his boxers. I bit my lip at the sight of his cock. It looked so hard it had to be painful.

Edward helped me move so I was lying down with my dress pushed up and kneeled between my legs then pulled me up so my ass was on his lap and lined up his cock with my entrance. He grinned at me then thrust, as hard as he could from the way we were positioned and I cried out at the feeling of him entering me. We'd had sex hundreds of times but he felt so big in me each time, especially after it had been a while.

His hands gripped my hips, almost painfully, and the position was uncomfortable but I didn't say anything as he fucked me. I cried out as he started rubbing my clit roughly. It wasn't that I wasn't enjoying it, it was just different. He kept his grip on my hip as his thrusts became more erratic and I knew he was close. I closed my eyes and shuddered as I came. I squeezed around his cock and he thrust one last time before cumming inside me, crying out my name. I opened my eyes after a few minutes and he was staring at me intensely.

"That was good… really good," I said breathlessly. He nodded, pulling away from me. He pulled his pants up, buckling them. I adjusted my dress. "Where were you for seven hours?"

"Jesus Christ, Bella. I went out. I saw some friends. I had a few drinks. I came home. I had great sex with you."

"You're wasted."

"I'm buzzed, dear," he chuckled softly. I furrowed my brows and tried to figure out who he would have gone drinking with. I knew Jasper was home and Emmett was working.

"Who were you out with?"

"Friends, Bella. People I knew before I knocked you up," he grumbled, turning on the television. I frowned at him, wanting to question him more but not in the mood for an argument. I went to our room and got into bed. I waited for an hour for him to come join me before I fell asleep, wondering what was going on.

~*~

The alarm woke me up the next morning and after I turned it off, I heard the shower running. I grabbed my phone from my nightstand and called out sick for a second day then got out of bed and walked to the kitchen, getting out the cereal. I was sitting at the table when Edward came out in just his boxers. I glanced up at him then looked back down at my breakfast, eating it quickly.

"Uh, hey," he mumbled and I could tell he was hung over. I hoped he felt shitty.

"Yes?" I asked my voice colder than I'd meant it to be and he winced.

"I didn't mean to be such an ass last night."

"Mmkay," I shrugged, pretending not to care and went back to eating my cereal, pouring a second bowl when I was done the first.

"I'm done with the shower so if you want it…" he gestured toward the bathroom before getting a bowl and pouring himself a bowl of cereal.

"I'll shower later."

"What about school?"

"Called out," I told him, rubbing my stomach. I felt tense and crampy and I didn't feel like being around anyone.

"Do you feel alright?"

He was concerned. But I wasn't alright. I felt like crap, I slept like crap, my back hurt, my hips hurt.

"Just peachy," I mumbled, taking my bowl to the sink and rinsing it before putting it in the dishwasher.

"Why aren't you coming to work today? Come on."

The cramping in my stomach felt worse. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my stomach but it didn't work and I felt my breakfast coming back up. I leaned over the sink just in time. He was behind me instantly, holding my hair back.

"Bella…"

"I feel like shit, Edward. I have this weird feeling in my stomach and you were being a jerk last night and who were you out with?"

"Weird feeling?" He asked, ignoring my question. "What kind of weird feeling, Bella?"

"Ugh, like… a weird cramping feeling."

"Uh, go get dressed," Edward said, pulling out his phone. I listened to him call out of work, saying there was a family emergency.

"Why did you call out of work? I don't want to spend all day with you," I frowned at him, rubbing my stomach. The baby was active and it felt like too much going on at once.

"We're going to the hospital, the cramping thing scares me," he said and I could tell he was trying not to panic. I rolled my eyes because I wasn't going to the hospital.

"No, I'm staying here. You can go hang out at the hospital if you want though. Or go to work," I muttered.

"Bella, I'm serious. Do you really want to risk something being wrong with her?"

His words made me freeze. He was right. The thought of anything being wrong with the baby horrified me. I nodded at him then went into the bedroom and pulled on yoga pants and a short sleeved shirt that barely covered my belly all the way. I brushed my teeth and slipped my feet into a pair of flip flops before telling him I was ready. He had pulled on jeans and a hoodie.

We were quiet during the drive over to the hospital and it scared me when they took me back right away at the emergency room. Edward had called his Dad, who was in the hospital working and he met us in the small room after I changed into the hospital gown and while we were waiting for the doctor.

"What's wrong, kids?" Carlisle's face was worried and my eyes filled with tears.

"She started cramping," Edward muttered, grabbing my hand, which I almost snatched back but didn't because I was sort of starting to freak out. Carlisle leaned down and kissed my forehead, exactly in the way that my father used to and it made me start crying softly.

"It'll be just fine, dear. They'll get you feeling better and home in no time," he said soothingly and I nodded.

He stayed as they hooked me up to all sorts of machines, monitoring if I was having contractions. Just as the doctor walked in, the cramping worsened.

"Hello, there, Ms Swan," he said softly, walking over and looking at the monitor, "I'm Dr. Crawford. You're having some trouble with cramping, I hear?"

I nodded, biting my lip.

"You're thirty weeks along?" I nodded again. "How often is the cramping occurring?"

"Not often. It started this morning. I guess like, three times? An hour or so apart? It just happened."

He nodded, "It looks like you're having mild contractions, Ms Swan. What we'll do is check your cervix and make sure it's still closed and that you're not effaced then we'll check again in a few hours and see how you're feeling then."

"So, are you admitting her? This is my grandchild we're talking about, Dr. Crawford," Carlisle told him in a firm voice. Obviously, Carlisle ranked above him. I liked to think that Carlisle ranked above everyone here and maybe it would give me special privileges. I looked over at Edward and could tell he was freaking out, taking deep breaths and talking to himself.

"Well, Dr. Cullen, the standard procedure is to see how she's doing in two hours. If her cervix has changed at all, we admit her to labor and delivery and see what we can do to stop it. If not, we release her on partial bed rest. If you want me to admit her though…"

"No!" I shouted. I hated hospitals. They reminded me of my clumsy years and Charlie dying. Three heads turned toward me and I blushed, "Sorry. Carlisle, can't we see how it goes? I hate hospitals."

"Alright, dear," Carlisle patted my hand and left the room so the other doctor could examine me. I winced as he preformed the pelvic exam, it was uncomfortable. Edward gripped my hand harder, glaring at Dr. Crawford and muttering something about being gentler with his fiancée.

"You're not dilated or effaced at all, Ms Swan, which is fantastic. So I'll be back in two hours and the nurses will regularly check in on you. Just try to stay calm; I'm quite sure you'll be just fine."

He made some notes in my chart before leaving the room and Carlisle came back in. Edward explained what the doctor had said as I burst into tears. I was having contractions. At thirty weeks. Both Cullen men turned toward me, their eyes wide and their expressions were so similar that I laughed through my tears. I wondered if our daughter would make that same face. The thought brought back the tears.

"Bella…" Edward sat down on the edge of my bed, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb.

"Dear, you'll be home in no time. In the mean time, you'll just spend some time with Edward and me. That's not too bad, is it?"

I nodded my head and sobbed, "Edward's an ass and he went somewhere last night but won't tell me where."

"Bella!"

"You won't answer me and your clothes were all messed up, I keep thinking you slept with someone else because I wouldn't," I whispered.

"Fuck, Bella. I got into a fight with my friend because he was giving me a hard time. He kept saying how much I've changed, how I need to loosen up. He was trying to get me to hit on our waitress but I didn't. Not even close. So I shoved him and he shoved me and we fought a little then I got kicked out and came home…"

"That's it?"

He nodded and I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him close to me. He kissed the top of my head, turning toward his father, "Dad, I'm really not awful to her."

"He's not awful… just an ass sometimes."

The next few hours passed by slowly. The nurses checked on me every thirty minutes and I hadn't had any more contractions since we got there. Edward complained about how long it was taking, threatening multiple times to go complain. His father just told him to relax and went to get a deck of cards from the gift shop. We were playing War when Dr. Crawford came back, two hours after his promised two hours.

"Alright, Ms Swan. No more contractions, I see? We'll do an exam and see what we can do about getting you out of here."

"Two hours after you promised, Dr. Crawford," Carlisle reminded the other doctor. You could tell my future father-in-law was displeased with his colleague. Edward smirked a little and crossed his arms over his chest.

Carlisle exited the room again and Edward stood by my head. It was uncomfortable again but when he told me that there hadn't been any changes to my cervix, I immediately felt better. He told me he wanted me on partial bed rest until I saw my doctor the following week and showed me how to monitor myself for contractions then asked if we had any questions.

"Um, I'm a teacher…"

"I think you should probably not be on your feet so much. Starting your leave now would probably be a good idea," he informed me seriously. I bit my lip and nodded but inside, I was excited and glad I wouldn't have to go back.

"And sex?" Edward blurted. My face flamed up but I was sort of glad he'd asked because I was wondering the same thing.

"I would advise against it for now. It's possible that the uterine contractions that occur with orgasm may not stop and cause you to go into labor," he explained.

In the car on the way home, Edward joked, "Well, I guess it's blowjobs for me for the next two months."

"You're so gross. I was just having contractions and you're thinking about blow jobs?"

"I was kidding…"

"No, I'm kidding. You'll definitely be getting lots of blow jobs and hand jobs and any other kind of jobs that you want," I smiled at him.

"Mmm, that's what I like to hear. Are you happy, baby? No more work for you."

"Oh… umm… actually, I'm sort of sad, Edward," I felt my bottom lip quiver and I sighed loudly. I hadn't wanted to work until I was told I shouldn't. The school year was over at the end of May but I'd never see my seniors again. Or my freshmen. And all between. I hiccupped softly and played with the hem of my shirt.

"Wait, why are you crying? I thought you'd be bouncing for joy, you've been resisting going to work for weeks," he was frowning, glancing over at me.

"But that was before he told me I shouldn't do it," I wiped my eyes and he rolled his at how irrational that sounded.

"You can visit, alright? But you're not going back to work this year. Aro fucking loves you, Bell. He'll have a job waiting for you next year," he told me, rubbing my arm.

"I'm not going back next year, Edward," I told him, having decided after my phone call with Esme that her plan sounded perfect.

"You're not?"

"No… your mom and I had a talk. She told me it wouldn't be wasting my education if I went back when the baby is old enough to go to school," I smiled at him, feeling good about my decision. It was the right one.

"That's great, baby. I'd rather she be with you than anyone else," he grinned at me and at the next red light, leaned over to kiss me then sighed loudly, "I should probably go to work."

"The musical. Let's go now and you can work and I'll go and talk to Aro… the day is almost over so I'll just hang out in your room until you're finished?"

He agreed and drove in the direction of Morgan Park instead of home. When we got there, he kissed me softly and told me he'd see me in a little bit. I headed to the office and knocked on the door, explaining to the secretary that I needed to speak with Headmaster Aro. She took one look at the hospital bracelets still on my wrist and nodded. I sat and fidgeted nervously with the forms Dr. Crawford had given me to get me out of work while I waited. After about five minutes, Aro opened the door and smiled at me.

"Isabella! Come, dear. We'll talk in my office."

I got up, struggling a bit because the chair was so low and entered his office, smiling nervously at him before sitting down in a chair in front of his desk.

"How are you feeling? I hear you've been sick."

"Well… I wasn't feeling well so Edward took me to the hospital. I was having contractions but they stopped on their own but… um… the doctor wants me on partial bed rest. Which means I can't work," I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and placed the papers on his desk. He nodded seriously, looking concerned.

"But you and the child are alright?"

"We're both fine. They just want to make sure that I don't go into full blown labor before 37 weeks. I wanted to talk to you about next year. Edward and I have talked a lot and decided that it's best if I stay home with the baby. So I won't be returning next year but if you'll have me, I plan to reapply once the baby starts school," I bit my lip as I waited for his response.

"Oh, dear. I expected that this would happen. Of course, we'll always make room for a wonderful teacher like you. Now will Mr. Cullen also be departing?" His voice sounded almost hopeful and I hated to burst his bubble.

"No, he'll be staying. Someone has to pay the mortgage," I joked, smiling at him. He chuckled softly and shook his head a bit.

"Well, we're going to miss you, Miss Swan. Please feel free to visit whenever possible and bring that little girl to visit and of course, she'll have a spot here when she's of age to start in the lower school. Just don't let her father teach her any of his old tricks."

I laughed, "I definitely won't. Thank you so much, Headmaster. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

I was definitely getting emotional but I'd basically just quit my first teaching job. I sniffled softly and tried to hold the tears back. We chatted for a few more minutes then said our goodbyes before I left and walked over to the Art Center, knocking on Edward's classroom door before I entered. He was listening to a student play a piece and gestured for me to come in. I opened the door and smiled at him before sitting down in one of the seats.

When the student finished, I watched Edward praise her and explain something about how she had played the song before he walked over to me and kissed me softly, "How'd it go?"

"Hmm, it went… it's just… I'm unemployed, Edward."

"Nah, you're employed as my baby oven," he grinned at me and I laughed, rolling my eyes at how stupid that was.

We stayed late, Edward had to go over some stuff about the musical and when we finally made it home, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep on the couch still wearing my shoes. I only stirred a little when I felt Edward pick me up and carry me to bed. He gently removed my shoes and kissed me, whispering that he loved me.

I dreamt all night about our baby and our life after she's born. A sweet little girl with brown eyes and strawberry blonde hair and when I woke up the next morning, I was all the more anxious to meet her.

~*~

reviews = previews… maybe an epov from his night out?