Compromise
"Driving away from the wreck of the day
And the light's always red in the rear-view
Desperately close to a coffin of hope
I'd cheat destiny just to be near you."
Anna Nalick- Wreck of the Day
Mood Music: Same Mistake by James Blunt, Wreck of the Day by Anna Nalick, and Desperately by Michelle Branch
Bella sat in the coffee shop, a scowl present on her face.
"This is really cruel." Bella muttered angrily.
"I completely forgot you can't have caffeine and I'm sorry," Rose took a sip of her drink causing Bella to scowl at her. "What just because you can't have it doesn't mean I don't need it."
Bella spun her bottle of water between her hands as she looked around the room, taking in the atmosphere and thinking about what she was going to tell Rose. When Bella had arrived home earlier in the week in a pissy mood Rose had taken it upon herself to drag every bit of information out of her.
So far she hadn't been very successful.
"So," Rose prodded "how's your week been going?"
"It's been fine."
"Nice try, I've been patient, now spill." Her eyebrow rose as if challenging Bella to question her.
"Edward bought a house."
"He's a big boy; he can spend his money however he wants."
"Let me rephrase that," Bella glowered "Edward bought us a house."
Rose's laughter echoed through the room and she was sure that a few people turned to look at them. Ducking her head she looked up at Rose through her hair. "I don't see why this is so funny."
"Do you know how many fucking women would kill to say their baby daddy made the gesture?"
"What?"
"The gesture," Rose sighed emphatically before plopping her cup down on the table. She cleared her throat as if to emphasize her point. "I love you and our spawn so much so that I am willing to put up with all your emotional fuckery, the food cravings, and girly stuff just to be around you."
"He was just doing it because he felt obligated to."
"Sweetie," Rose leaned forward and laid her hand on Bella's knee "no man would put up with that kind of shit because of an obligation. He didn't have to move in with you, he didn't have to make the gesture, but he did, and without any prodding from you. If that doesn't show you love, I don't know what does. Because honestly," Rose scrunched her nose "you have been an emotional nut-bag lately."
"Thanks," Bella sighed rolling her eyes. "I told him no."
"Of course you did."
"What do you mean by that?" Bella questioned angrily.
"I mean exactly what I say. Of course you told him no, you are far too scared and unsure of yourself or your relationship to tell him yes. I understand that you got hurt, but at what point do you let the past stay in the past and move on to the future?"
"I'm not sure I like what you are saying."
"I'm sure you don't, but I am saying it because I love you and it will only benefit you in the end. The truth isn't always pretty, but it does get the job done. Plus you can't expect to live at my place forever, especially once the baby is born. I only have two rooms and it feels crowded with the three of us. How will it feel when there are four of us there?"
Rose played with her cup top for a second before looking up at Bella softly. "I'm not kicking you out, or even telling you that you can't stay with me. I'm merely stating the fact that it was a huge step for Edward, one in the positive direction might I add, and you just dismissed it without seeing it for what it was. What will it take for him to gain your trust back?"
--
Bella sat in the simple chair, her hands twisting her hair tie restlessly.
"So," Dr. Parker asked, "how are the panic attacks going?"
"They have been getting better I think," Bella replied "I have still been having them, but they are only lasting about a minute now. I haven't really noticed a change in the frequency, but it must be a good thing that they are getting shorter?"
"That is a good thing! That means that the relaxation techniques are working! How is the pregnancy going?"
"It's alright," Bella sighed "I've been having some problems with swelling though."
"That is unfortunate, have you talked to your OBGYN about it?"
"I haven't seen her in a few weeks, so I haven't had a chance to mention it to her yet. I have an appointment tomorrow, so I will talk to her about it then."
"Well I am sure it is just something related to the pregnancy, nothing for you to stress over!"
"That's what I am thinking too." Bella smiled softly as she placed her hands over her now growing belly.
"And how is Edward?"
"Things are kind of tense right now." Bella frowned as she continued to speak. "I only have myself to blame for that. He kind of asked me to move in with him and I didn't take the news very well. It's not that I don't want to, the thought is just kind of terrifying."
"Moving in with him is terrifying or not having your own space is terrifying?"
"Both."
"How do you know unless you give it a try? After all from everything you have been telling me lately, Edward has been really stepping up. He's been trying to be at every appointment that you have, trying to be there for you, maybe you should let him."
He cleared his throat gently. "I'm in no way telling you what you should or should not do. I am merely saying that you shouldn't rule the option out because of fears. Have you even discussed the housing plan with him, or went and looked at the house?"
"No." Bella whispered.
"How can you know that it is something that you don't want without knowing all the specifics? Edward seems like an intelligent man who has just made a few mistakes, but no one is perfect. You've even stated yourself that some of the blame belongs with you. As I've said before, it's always easier to assume the blame lies with someone else."
"Go look at the house, actually have a conversation with Edward, explain your fears to him. You may be surprised that he probably shares a lot of those fears. The fact that you rejected him and he is still doting on you should say something as well about his commitment."
Bella nodded, processing his words. "I will think about it."
"That's all I ask." Dr. Parker responded.
--
The waiting room was a bright yellow that seemed almost too cheery. Bella sat alone in the uncomfortable plastic chair, flipping through a year old magazine. It didn't keep her attention.
She couldn't figure out why Edward wasn't waiting in front of the office like he said he would be. Her eyes roamed once again to the clock on the wall. Her appointment was in five minutes, where was he?
Bella found herself wondering if he was ditching the appointment, ditching her and the baby. It didn't seem like something he would do, but the fear was still there.
She watched the minute hand gently move and found herself holding her breath. 'He's going to show up; he's going to show up.' She found herself chanting softly in her mind. If she stated it enough times it would happen, right?
Another tech entered the room and Bella was startled out of her worry by the calling of her name.
"Isabella Swan."
She lugged herself out of the seat and dragged her feet, moving slowly to reach the tech. Bella found herself looking behind her at the door, frowning when she noticed it was still closed.
Where the hell was he?
"My name is Becca and I will be your tech for the day." The girl chattered incessantly and it only seemed to piss Bella off more. Edward was going to be getting a ton of hell the next time she saw him. What was he thinking, telling her he would be here and then not showing up.
She had worked herself up just enough that she was ready to pull out her cell phone and dial his number. She could cuss him out in front of the tech and blame it on the pregnancy, couldn't she?
The door to the office opened and she turned back once more, seeing Edward jogging in. He was still wearing his scrubs.
"I'm here," Edward called softly, out of breath. "Sorry, I had to find someone to hand the pager off to. It was a crazy day."
"It's fine." Bella snapped.
"What's wrong?" Edward questioned tenderly.
"I didn't think you were going to make it." Bella realized how whiney her voice sounded and she hated herself for it.
"I promised you that I would." Edward frowned. "I'm sorry. I got here as quickly as I could."
Bella could feel the tears filling her eyes and she turned her head away, nodding. Suddenly Edward was standing in front of her and Bella felt truly exposed. He wiped the few stray tears away and leaned in close to her ear.
"I'm sorry I had you worried. I promise if I am running late again that I will call you. I honestly didn't think. I should have called. I wouldn't" he pecked her forehead, "have" he pecked her nose, "missed" her cheek received a gentle kiss, "this" her other cheek received the same treatment, "for" he kissed her chin and then pulled away. The last two words tumbled out breathlessly "the world" and then his lips landed on hers, pulling her into a deep kiss.
The tech standing next to her cleared her throat and Bella pulled back blushing bright red.
"Sorry," Bella responded.
"Not a problem," the tech replied smiling softly at the two of them, "shall we head back?"
The warm goop slid across her stomach as the tech waved the wand along her stomach. A moment later the soft whoosh of the babies heart beat could be heard.
"Heart beat sounds good, it's nice and strong." The tech stated softly as she took a snapshot. "Would you like copies of the pictures as well?" Bella looked over at Edward and was amused by the subtle glow and smile on his face.
"I would love some." He whispered softly, reverently. Edward hadn't been present for her previous ultrasounds so this was a new experience for him. Bella was having as much fun watching him as she was the screen.
"Would you two like to know the sex of the baby?"
"Yes." Edward answered.
"No." Bella replied.
They turned to look at each other and the tech chuckled softly. "I will give you two a few minutes to decide and then I will be back in with the doctor so that she can look at the pictures as well."
"Thank you," Edward replied not even looking at her as she exited the room.
"Why is this such a big deal for you?" Edward murmured. "I just want to know whether I need to get the room ready for a girl or a boy."
"The room?" Bella questioned.
"In the new house." Edward replied his face focused on the screen. A mass of emotions filled Bella and she wasn't really sure what to say.
"Oh."
He turned to look at her, almost innocently and then he smirked.
"What?"
"It's fine if you don't want to know."
"Really?" Bella questioned softly, touched that he would concede on something that seemed so important to him.
"Yep."
"This just seems too easy. You know already don't you?" Bella questioned looking at the screen now as well.
"Yep." Edward smirked hugely then and leaned down pecking her on the forehead.
"Stupid doctors." Bella muttered under her breath, before carefully looking at him. "And you are happy about it?"
"Ecstatic!" Edward's smile grew.
"It's a boy then isn't it? That's what all daddies want is a little boy, right?"
"I'm not saying anything. You said you didn't want to know, so I guess it will just have to be a surprise for you."
"I don't think I like you all of the sudden."
"Your loss." Edward joked leaning in and kissing her softly.
There was a soft nock at the door and the doctor entered. "Let's have a look shall we?"
Well… do you want to know the sex of the baby or do you want Edward to keep it a secret? Let me know because next chapter will most likely be EPOV.
For those of you guessing on what is going with Bella, I will tell you this much. She is only having one child and it is NOT PTSD! There are only one or two of you who have come really close to figuring it out (but no one has guessed right on yet). All will be revealed VERY soon!
Check out the thread for this story on Twilighted! Also check out my ff forum. Both links are located in my profile! Thanks to all of you who reviewed or added this story to your alerts or favorites!
