so i wanted to post this before midnight but i kept falling asleep while re-reading. but then my internet went out. then i slept all day. and posted the wrong chapter when i woke up. i'm so sorry for the mistake!

*I don't own Twilight!*

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Edward Cullen

On the day of Bella's appointment, I felt sick. I had barely slept, I hadn't eaten lately, and my hair was getting so long that I may or may not have resorted to using one of Bella's hair clips to keep it out of my eyes while I stalked her online.

I had a goal today.

I was prepared, I was determined; I was getting my wife and baby back.

First, I would get to the office early. Bella was early for everything but I'd be extra early to be sure I didn't miss her somehow. I'd ask to see Audrey. I knew, as angry as she was, she wouldn't refuse to allow me to see our daughter when she was right there.

I'd offer to watch Audrey during the appointment but I know she won't allow it because she'll be scared that I'll disappear with her. So I'll offer to go back with her to keep Audrey calm, which I don't think she'll say no to either. She'd repeatedly told me that she was scared of ever taking Audrey to any sort of doctors' appointment alone because she was scared she wouldn't be able to handle it if the baby needed something while the doctor was examining her or something.

After her appointment, I'd invite her to lunch.

I'd made reservations at several restaurants and I'd leave it up to her, find out what she wanted.

At this point, if she disagreed to going with me, I'd start with the begging. I'd tell her how much I missed them both, how I couldn't go another day without her, that we could make it work if we tried a little harder.

If she agreed to lunch, I'd woo her while we eat. I'd tell her the same things. I'll promise her as many more babies as she wanted because after being without Audrey, I'd realized how much more fun she made life. How much more fun they both made life. How I could never regret either of them.

I'll promise to never bring up her tricking me into the pregnancy – because I don't think she did and I just liked being an asshole and have it to hold over her head.

I'll give her an option about opening a practice. I'll ask if she'll be an investor and let Felix and I make a presentation before she says yes or no. I'll tell her I want her to be a part of it because it's true, I do. I didn't want her to feel like she was "stuck" at home all the time that I was working and fuck, maybe she could help me.

I'll bargain with her about the pictures in the Chicago Suns Times. I'll make sure that Bella has to approve anything that's written and put in. I'll, as a lawyer, write a contract and have the Times sign it for exclusives. Maybe that Bella gets to write it. I know Bella's always had a little interest in writing so maybe – just maybe – it'll sway her. And she can use the room for her and Audrey at the firm to write them.

I have a list that's so long of things to tell her. What I've missed about both of them. How disappointed I've been that I've probably missed a lot of Audrey's firsts. How I've slept with her pillow so I can still smell the barely there scent.

The day before, I straightened up the house and had my Dad come and help me move Audrey's nursery back to the way it was.

My mom came along and cleaned all the stuff I sucked at… meaning pretty much the entire house everything.

They hadn't heard from Bella and it was killing them that they hadn't seen Audrey either. They weren't happy with her and claimed that they'd sue for grandparent rights if she refused to let them see her. I had told them to calm down but my Dad was especially riled up about the situation.

While I was mad and berating myself, they were mad and berating Bella.

As much as I wanted to be angry at Bella for taking her, I didn't blame her. I wasn't mad. I needed the wake up call that it would be so easy to lose them by being an asshole. And the stuff I'd said about her being self-righteous was fucked up.

When I'd mentioned it to Rose and Alice, they disagreed that she ever made them feel that way and admitted Bella donated tons of money to children's charities and the foster care system, something that Bella kept very quiet and I couldn't understand why she hadn't told me this when I was accusing her of being so selfish. It was because she was selfless.

Early on the big day, I got up and showered, shaved and dressed. It was the eleventh day. That meant as of yesterday afternoon, it had been 240 hours, it had been 14,400 minutes, it had been 8,640,000 seconds, since I had seen my girls.

I took my time in the shower because I knew time would drag. Shaving took damn near forever because I wanted to look perfect and it had been a while since I had done so. I don't think Bella would appreciate me showing up looking like the Unabomber. I tossed on a plain white polo shirt along with black cargo shorts. Bella always said she looked the simple black and white look on me because it didn't draw attention away from the brightness of my eyes and hair.

I brushed my teeth and checked myself out in the mirror. I wasn't a bad looking dude but I had circles under my eyes, I looked older than I ever had but fuck it, all I wanted was them back and I doubt she'd take me back based on whether I looked tired or not. I was sure she was exhausted after caring solely for Audrey.

I pulled on a pair of sneakers and ran a hand through my hair which was far, far too long.

After I was ready to go, grabbed and apple and my keys and was out the door. It was only nine, way too early, but I had some things I wanted to do. I stopped and got a quick haircut, shorter than usual but I knew B liked the process of it growing out.

I got my car washed and cleaned the inside then I stopped to pick up a special present I'd had made for Bella.

I passed a flower shop closer to the office and thought quickly, making a quick u-turn and ignoring the honks of fellow drivers. I parked and went into the tiny store.

I'd never been a fan of the smell of flower stores, they were usually too pungent and strong but this one… it just smelled sweet. Not too floral, even though there were arrangements all around. There was a lady who was probably in her late sixties or early seventies who smiled calmly at me from behind an arrangement she was making.

"Hi there… is there anything I could help you find?"

I smiled and shut the door behind me, walking over to the counter.

"It's sort of an… impromptu visit," I chuckled, looking around. Some of the samples were amazing.

"My name is Molly… who are you looking at flowers for… mother, wife, girlfriend?"

"Fiancée," I clarified, "My name is Edward. Uh, well, my fiancée and I, we're having some problems and I'll be seeing her and our 6 week old daughter for the first time today in a week…" I said, intending to stop there but ended up spilling the entire story to Molly, this woman I didn't know but who seemed so nice; whose nature just screamed to tell her your life story – that everything would be alright after you did.

"It sounds like you've both been through quite a bit. Your Bella sounds like she likes some things to be extravagant but some things more simple… for flowers, I'd say simple. What would you say?"

I smiled and nodded – Bella did like simple bouquets of flowers. I'd discovered that when we had Audrey and she'd fallen in love with all the smaller arrangements. I told Molly so. She seemed so pleased with herself, going straight to work. As she worked, she told me about her husband who had passed away and her grown up children who were my age – she kept saying I reminded her of her youngest boy. She had four young grandchildren and she showed me pictures. They were cute but not as cute as my girl, who I showed her pictures of as well.

The finished bouquet was beautiful and I knew B would love – made up of green and white orchids that had white flowers with brown flecks mixed in. It was better than anything I would have ever picked out.

"This is great, she's gonna love it. Thank you so much. Do you do weddings?" I grinned. I knew we already had a florist and I wasn't even sure if the wedding was still on but she did a great job and I'd rather pay her the money instead of some big corporation.

"I don't normally, they're normally far too much work and I'm far too old but Edward… you just give me a call when you need me. I'd love to meet your Bella," Molly said, patting my hand before handing me a card. I paid her double what she charged me and she gave me tips on how to keep the flowers fresh in the heat. Molly had wrapped the stems in ribbon but I was worried about them dying while we were in the office. I ended up buying a vase as well and Molly filled it with water and put it in a box so it wouldn't spill. I'd just have to be very careful driving.

When I finally made it to the office it was still well before her appointment, just before eleven and her car was no where to be seen. I figured I'd wait for B outside because I was halfway certain she'd hate some big thing in the office, in front of people.

Sure enough, her car pulled in at eleven-thirty on the dot and punctual as usual.

I got out of my car, grabbing the bouquet of flowers before I walked slowly toward hers. She got out and went to open the backdoor but saw someone standing there. At first, I don't think she realized it was me. She did a double-take and her jaw dropped. I had my free hand buried in my pocket, not wanting her to think I was there to hurt her.

"Edward?"

"Um… yeah, hey," I gave her a little smile and she gave just the tiniest one back.

"How did you know I'd be here?" Bella asked, biting her lip. Bella kept glancing toward the flowers in my hand so I handed them to her and the tiny smile widened into a bigger one. "You brought me flowers?"

"I saw this place on the way and… I stopped. I… do you like them?"

"This is… they're perfect. Our wedding colors?" she looked at me curiously and I was surprised. I knew the dresses were green but I didn't know about the brown and white.

"I didn't… I didn't know, I'm sorry," I said quickly, not wanting her to think I was being

psycho or messing with her some how.

"No, they're perfect!" Bella's smile was genuine but she looked shy too. I realized that I had probably never brought her flowers – we had skipped right over that phase. I made a note to send her flowers every week, on different days and times and different times so she was always surprised.

B looked great, though a little pale. She looked skinnier than ever, her face a little gaunt. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail and she had her glasses on. She usually only wore them when she fell asleep with her contacts in but I preferred them.

"So, uh… they called to confirm your appointment and I miss you, God, I miss you. And Audrey, can I see her?" I asked anxiously, hating that my baby was a car door away and I couldn't see her.

Bella nodded, toying with the flowers and I opened the car door before I leaned into the back seat and moved the blanket that was blocking the sunlight from the baby's face. I felt throat close up a little, a feeling that's become familiar lately. I reached in and stroked her round cheek; she'd gotten so much bigger in just eleven days.

I looked behind me and Bella was watching me, "She's gotten so big, B."

"She weighs ten pounds now," Bella told me, proudly.

One late night right after the baby was born, she'd confided that she was scared that she wasn't going to be able to produce enough milk for A to grow – that she was going to fail. She had cried so hard that her shoulders shook and I'd held her against me until they were both asleep. I'd put Audrey in her bassinet then sat in bed and watched Bella sleep, her lips just slightly parted and her hands folded under her face.

I nodded and went back to staring at my little girl who was just waking up. I carefully took her out of the car seat and stood up, facing Bella and glad she hadn't protested. I had one of my girls in my arms, now I just needed the other.

"B…"

"Edward…"

We both started at the same time, making Bella smile bigger at me for just a second. She gestured for me to go on.

"Can I watch her during the appointment?" I asked, smoothing her light red curls that had filled out a lot. Her eyes were closed again so I couldn't see them.

"Um… oh, I'm not sure," Bella looked around nervously, like I was going to run with the baby and I sighed, "Can I come in with you?"

"I think that's alright," Bella nodded. I grabbed the diaper bag from the backseat and tossed it on my shoulder, Audrey on the other. Bella lead the way inside, looking nervous as I felt. Before we walked in, Bella paused and held the flowers up, "As beautiful as they are, I don't want the doctor to think they're for her…"

"Ah, yeah. Don't worry, taken care of."

We were standing by my car now and I pressed the button that opened the trunk. Bella's face brightened as she saw the vase and box in the trunk and carefully put the flowers in the water.

We walked into the building and as the three of us waited for the elevator to come down, Bella's face turned stark white.

"B, are you okay?"

Bella shook her head and looked around quickly, covering her mouth with her hand. I finally realized what was going on and pointed to a trashcan. She ran over and I followed, carefully not to jostle Audrey and I rubbed Bella's back as she emptied her stomach into it.

"Are you sick?" I asked as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I don't know," Bella said, shrugging, "I've gotten sick a few times but I feel fine otherwise. I figured I'd get checked out today."

My hand was still on her back as she stood and she didn't resist as I guided her back to the elevators.

"Edward… can we talk after this appointment? I have a lot of explaining to do," Bella said quietly as we stepped into the compartment.

"I have a lot of talking I'd like to do, too. But, uh, first… I want to apologize for how I touched you. I went too far," I told her, whispering.

"I think I deserved it and if you did it again after these past ten days, I'd deserve it even more," B said decisively.

I shook my head, "Absolutely not. I'll never touch you again. Not like that."

Bella nodded and seemed to accept this. I was relieved that she seemed to know that it was an accident and the exception, not the rule.

"I was thinking that we could go to lunch after we leave here… anywhere you want," I told her but that's not the question she answered.

"Do you think," Bella stopped, clearing her voice before finishing the sentence, "you'll ever touch me again otherwise?"

"It would be a really weird marriage if I didn't," I said with confidence I didn't really feel. What if she didn't want to marry me anymore? What if she hadn't missed me like I missed her?

But her face broke out into a huge smile.

I smiled back and sat down in the waiting room as she signed in. I laid Audrey on my lap, stroking the chubbiness on her arms and legs. Bella had her in a little white romper. The baby yawned twice before blinking her eyes open.

Audrey had green eyes. When I last saw them, we knew they'd be green but they were still cloudy and on the weird blueish-green side but now… they were like mine, but a little… brighter. More like a girl, somehow. Also, she had thick lashes lining them. They were pale but with their thickness, they were obvious. She had my nose but Bella's hairline, lips and eye-shape. In fact, aside from her coloring, she was mostly Bella. I knew one day I'd be beating off boys with sticks.

Bella came back over and sat next to me, silent for a minute as she watched me watching Audrey, "She's perfect, isn't she?"

Audrey squirmed in my lap, kicking her feet into the air, "Absolutely."

Bella caught one of her little feet and kissed it, blowing a raspberry. Audrey cooed at her mother. "Do you think she forgets who I am?"

"I don't think so… um… well, I had voicemails from you so I played them so she'd remember your voice… and I had a few t-shirts that smelled like you and I'd swaddle her in them… and when she couldn't sleep, you know how you put the mp3's of all the songs you composed onto my phone? Whenever she was tired or cranky or couldn't sleep, I played them."

I started humming her lullaby and Audrey tuned to face me. I grinned and we sat in silence except for my quiet humming until Bella turned to me, "Edward, before we go back…"

"Isabella Swan?"

The nurse was calling her name and Bella sighed. She looked nervous and stood up, I guess deciding to forget that she was saying. I held the baby and Bella grabbed the diaper bag. We walked to the door where the nurse was standing and followed her to the examination room.

The nurse introduced herself as Kimber and I liked her than most of the other nurses we'd ever seen. She stepped out so Bella could change into the gown and I almost laughed when Bella blushed about getting naked in front of me. She was skinny, even skinnier than I remember than before Audrey. Too skinny. I was about to ask about her eating when Kim came back in with a chart in her hands.

"So, Isabella… it's been six weeks since your baby was born… how have you been feeling?" Kimber asked as she took Bella's vitals.

"Great," Bella said smiling and I cleared my throat, "except for a little throwing up."

Kimber had Bella step on the scale and I managed to see the number and it made me frown, she was too skinny. Kimber noted a few things on the chart before asking, "Have you had a menstrual cycle since you gave birth?"

"No… but I'm breastfeeding," Bella said.

"Have you been sexually active since giving birth?" Kimber asked, writing on Bella's chart again. I sat in the little chair, watching Bella's face turn rosy from embarrassment.

"Um, yes… we have, a few times," Bella answered.

"Was this just within the past few days?"

"No… I guess we did it like…" Bella looked helplessly at me and I shrugged and answered, "I think the first time was about two weeks ago."

"Did you have any trouble with pain or bleeding?" Kimber asked, still writing as she went.

"No… everything was fine. I stopped bleeding about two weeks after I gave birth and haven't since," Bella looked concerned and I reached over and grabbed her hand.

"Did you use any sort of protection while you had intercourse; condoms, a diaphragm, or did they start you on birth control before you left the hospital?" Kimber asked coolly and I wondered how long you'd have to ask someone these kinds of questions every day for it not to feel weird anymore.

"And the throwing up started…?"

"The day before yesterday, I think. Yeah, the day before yesterday… it was in the morning, early."

And I finally got what might be going on. Shit. She might be pregnant again. I squeezed her hand and she smiled nervously over at me.

"All right, Dr. Morgan will be in soon but while you're waiting, if you could urinate into this cup, wrap it in a paper towel then leave it right on the counter. They'll do instant tests for any infections or pregnancy and then they'll do whatever other tests Dr. Morgan orders," Kimber smiled and handed B the cup, smiling sympathetically. She obviously thought that a second baby would be a bad thing but she was just a nurse.

The only people that had a right to judge that was Bella and me. As soon as she closed the door, Bella turned to face me, "I am so sorry."

"Sorry?"

"If I'm pregnant… I tried to warn you in the waiting room!"

"Don't get worked up, it could be nothing… and who says it's bad if it's not? Now go pee," I smiled at her and watched as she left the room with the cup. My heart was racing and my hands were shaking a little bit. This wasn't what I had been expecting today and obviously Bella hadn't been either.

I played with Audrey, doing peek-a-boo and other silly games as she cooed. I kissed all over her sweet little face and inhaled her scent. I played with her little curls and was cuddling close to me when Bella came back, ten minutes later, she told me it was Audrey's feeding time so she slipped the gown down one arm before taking the baby and let the baby latch on.

"She still does well with that?" I asked, nervously tapping my foot on the floor.

"She's doing great, Edward… with everything."

"Will you come to lunch with me?" I questioned, trying not to sound like I was begging even though that's exactly what I was doing.

Bella bit her lip as she finished feeding Audrey and adjusted the gown and shrugged, "I'm not really hungry, Edward…"

"Will you… come home?" I was definitely begging now. I needed her. I wanted her. If she said no, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Die. Maybe that was dramatic but maybe my heart would literally break.

"Um, sure, I will. I think we're going to have even more to talk about now," Bella reasoned. I took Audrey back from Bella and started burping her as Dr. Morgan came in.

"Well, let me get a look at that adorable Cullen baby girl!" Dr. Morgan said and I laughed, feeling a little more comfortable around her now that I knew how friendly she is with my dad. I held Audrey out and Dr, Morgan took her, rubbing her back gently until she burped loud and clear, causing everyone to laugh.

"So, how's parenthood going for you two?" Dr Morgan asked and since it was honestly pretty much the best thing, I told her it was great.

"Let's get down to business," Dr. Morgan handed the baby back to me and had Bella put her feet in the stirrups, as she did the physical exam she asked the same questions as Kimber did.

"You've been throwing up, I hear?"

"Yes," Bella told her, nodding.

"Any other problems, I noticed your weight is lower than when you first came, only a few weeks along with Audrey?"

"No appetite," Bella muttered and I felt awful.

"Have you been under a lot of stress?" Dr Morgan asked as she finished B's physical exam and took off the blue medical gloves she'd been wearing.

"She had been, due to me… but it's done now," I spoke up, squeezing her hand again.

"Well, kids. My suggestion would be to try to stay out of stressful situations as much as possible, meaning Edward don't create them," Dr. Morgan joked, "Eat more… you've got to put on the pounds because congratulations, you're expecting again."

I felt a rush of happiness and pride and turned to give Bella a huge smile but she just smiled tightly at me as the doctor went through all the same information we already knew including some new stuff – the risks of two pregnancies so close together which I was worried about. Plus, an estimated due date of the beginning of April, which would be corrected once Bella had her first ultrasound.

Dr. Morgan congratulated us and told us to take our time. I stood and walked closer to her, "B… are you alright with this?"

"I'm just… shocked," Bella let out a little laugh.

"It's early. She said what, four weeks?"

Bella nodded then started getting dressed.

"Let's go home. Follow me? I'll swing by the hotel later to get your stuff," I suggested, trying to slyly ask if she was planning on staying. I opened the door for her and let her walk ahead of me, watching her hips and ass sway as she walked

"My stuff's actually in the trunk..." I looked at her curiously but she quickly changed the subject, "So, this way we can talk today," Bella murmured. I smiled at her over my shoulder as I buckled A into her car seat in the back of my car.

"Wow. Your car is… impeccable."

"I got it cleaned this morning, I wanted to impress you," I said and used the keypad to turn on the car to cool it off for Audrey, leaving the door open as I turned to look at Bella. I reached out and tucked a stand of deep brown hair behind her ear.

B took one step closer to me and I watched her, letting her make the first move. Nervously, she reached her tiny hand up and ran it through my shortened hair. I recognized the movement. It was the same thing that I had mistaken for her about to smack me… I felt even more like an asshole as she quietly said, "You cut it."

I snapped out of nodded, "This morning."

I couldn't take it anymore; I put my hands on either side of her waist before leaning down and kissing her soft and slow. She smiled against my lips before pulling away, "I've missed that," Bella whispered so softly it was hard to hear her but I could make it out.

"Why'd you stop, then?"

"We have to talk… get Audrey home. I'll follow you, you'll be able to see me in the mirrors the whole way home," Bella persisted and I ran my hand over her stomach.

"I'm happy about this, by the way," I whispered in her ear before kissing her one more time. Bella's smile was kind of brilliant as she nodded and walked over to her car. I double checked that Audrey's car-seat was buckled before getting in the drivers seat and reversing, waiting until B was behind me before continuing.

I watched her in the rearview mirror, glad I could see her sweet, round face. She was pregnant again. We're having another baby, another Audrey but hopefully in boy-form. If we don't have a boy this time, maybe next time. I couldn't believe how much my thought process had changed. Not only was I accepting and happy about this baby… I wanted more.

I pulled into the driveway and waited, fucking terrified that she would keep going and abandon me again. But she pulled into the driveway next to me.

I opened the door and stepped out of the door and grinned at her over the top of my car. She opened the rear passenger side door of my car and took Audrey's car-seat out.

"Hey, let me get her?" I asked Bella, shutting my door before jogging over to the other side. Bella let me take the carrier but hung the diaper bag over her shoulder and walked in front of me to the front door, searching her purse for a minute before finding her keys. I sighed, kind of in relief. Why had I been scared she had gotten rid of the keys?

Bella kept the door open for me then walked in front of me.

"Wow, the house looks great," she said.

I shrugged, "My parents came over."

"Oh! That was nice. Um, I'd like to call them… later, maybe they can come see Audrey," Bella smiled nervously and I knew she probably thought everyone was angry with her. My parents understood her at first but they honestly weren't very happy that she refused their calls and their rights to see the baby along with mine. "Let's put her upstairs then we can talk."

"Sure… do you wanna stay down here and rest?"

"No," Bella kind of rolled her dark eyes, "Edward, I'm barely pregnant; I don't feel different at all except for the nausea. I can walk up and downstairs."

I laughed and shrugged sheepishly.

I walked upstairs with Audrey's carrier in one hand and Bella's in the other. Once we reached Audrey's room and I opened the door, I heard Bella gasp softly. I smiled, though she couldn't see it, and set the carrier down and carefully got Audrey out. She was sound asleep and snoring very gently.

"Edward…" Bella whispered, her eyes filling with tears. I carefully put Audrey in her crib before I walked over to Bella and wrapped my arms around her tiny form.

"Don't cry, love," I whispered against her hair.

"Thank you for fixing her room," B nuzzled her head against my chest.

"Thank you for giving me a chance to," I whispered.

"Let's go and we'll have our talk… but no screaming this time," Bella clarified.

"And no walking out," I reached over and grabbed the baby monitor and lead the way to our bedroom.

"I'll never walk out again," Bella whispered, "I think I would die if I tried."

so before people say it's unlikely, it's impossible… i had a friend get pregnant four weeks after having her kid. twice. both times she found out at her six week appointment!

the talk: part dos is coming soon, don't worry. so what did you think of the bpov? it wasn't much cause only so much fits in private messages. is there any pov anyone wants to see from any chapter? doesn't just have to be bella or edward. if so, let me know!

as usual: review for previews. or you might even get something better.

and for anyone following edward in charge, don't worry. it will be updated soon. i'll be working on it for the next few days. kinda got stuck but i've got it cleared up.