A/N: Thanks to my wonderful new betas! MarchHare3, twicrack83, and tbhames. Thank you for giving your time and thoughts to helping me make my writing better. And boy, did they have to fix my obsession with commas. *bangs head against wall*

Thanks to MsWDarcy who continues to be my encouragement and support! Thanks to my sister (yes, you Hayley) who has been reading this since the beginning. love you.

Thanks to nowforruin! I appreciate all you have done to make my story better!

General warning: School is starting for me on Monday (crazy early-I know). I'm planning on sticking to my one chapter a week update schedule, but life sometimes gets in the way. I have to work with an entirely new curriculum again (third year in a row starting from scratch... yay). So, I'm apologizing a head of time if things get away from me. I love you guys!

Warning: adult content and violence

Disclaimer: all recognizable characters and Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer, the rest is copyrighted 2010 ElspethGordie

xoxo

Chapter Sixteen: Content

Thump.

I awkwardly twisted in my seat. Edward was dutifully working on our muscle fiber project that was due in a week and a half. We had the whole month to work on it, but somehow we had put off most of the work. Edward was more diligent than I, and already created the muscle fiber example out of rubber bands and two dowel rods.

I sucked as a partner.

I had an excuse for not keeping up with my work. Not that I was ready to tell him. I just had a gut feeling he wouldn't handle it well. It may have been the whiteness around his knuckles, or the glares he kept sending to Mike Newton that tipped me off to Edward's short fuse.

I was probably imagining things. We were just friends, but with a freaky I-can-see-your-soul connection. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

Thump.

I rolled my shoulders, trying to shake off the weird feeling.

Edward was willing to help me out on my half of the project. I'd planned on putting together the PowerPoint presentation, and then we were going to split it in half to present to the class.

I hadn't even started.

I was busy with keeping secrets about a crazy mom, psycho ex-boyfriend rapist, and massive confessions. But I'd always been a good student, even amidst the "Jimmy years," so my lack of preparation was frustrating.

Edward was being more than gracious. For the life of me I couldn't read him.

Thump.

I hunched over my belly, not understanding the anxiousness I had all period.

"You okay?" Edward glanced up at me from his notes, brushing his wayward hair out of his eyes.

"Yeah, I just have a stomachache." I rolled my eyes. I officially think I'm going crazy.

He grinned and pushed his notes towards me to point out what he'd gathered. "I've created a list of all the different areas we need to explain in the presentation. Do you want to get together sometime to work on it? We can throw in diagrams and charts. We can even use animations."

"Sure." I giggled. His geeky side was showing more than it normally did.

"After school today? Tomorrow?" He looked down at his hands as he traced patterns into the black lab table.

"Tomorrow? I have to talk Charlie today." I needed to set up that doctor's appointment.

"Everything okay?"

I smiled. "Yeah, better than okay." I wasn't alone anymore.

"I've been meaning to ask you about Saturday."

"Sorry about that," I apologized. "I…overreacted."

He raised his eyebrows, interest piqued. "Overreacted?" Darn it, I should have said the food didn't agree with me or something.

"Uh, some old memories kinda got dredged up."

"Did you have a flashback? I thought you had to be touched?"

I rolled my head back and forth trying to decide what to tell him. "Well, I did have a flashback, but it was something else from my past. And that was before I got upset."

His face lit up in understanding. "When you dazed off for a second."

I nodded.

"Is this about your Ex bothering you?" His eyes flashed and mumbled an expletive I couldn't make out.

I shook my head not wanting to talk about the phone calls, voice mails, and texts that had started since my birthday. I deleted them all anyway.

"Bella, I know you've been burned, but you can trust me."

"I know."

I looked down at his notes, so neat and precise. Not a line out of place, not a doodle in the margin. My own notes looked like a child had written them.

"I really appreciate your friendship, Edward."

He went silent for a second, looking at my face and reading my eyes until I looked away. I couldn't tell what he was trying to find, but I could see that I had hurt him. And I didn't know why.

The bell rang signaling the end of class. Edward quickly packed up his things and waited for me. "My place or yours tomorrow? Alice might be a distraction."

Initially my heart seized up at the though of being alone with a male in my house, but it was silly. I was safe with Edward.

"Mine then?"

"Sure," Edward agreed.

We didn't say anything else as he walked me to study hall. He hadn't left me in the classroom alone since the day I introduced Mike's balls to pain. As we walked, Edward seemed solemn and distant. I didn't know how to make it better.

He waited at the door of the library watching me take my seat at the table I shared with Jasper. After I sat down, he gave me a weak wave and ran off to his last class of the day.

Thump.

What is that? I'd been feeling butterflies for the last two weeks, but I thought it was left over morning sickness. This banging was a new development.

Thump.

There it was again. It was like a little tap on the side of my belly.

I gasped.

Gosh, I'm a doofus. Jasper leaned over the table, giving me a rare half-smile that showed his dimple.

"You okay, Bells?"

I looked up at him eyes wide as I felt a smile spread on my face. My face felt like it was splitting apart. I nodded quickly.

My baby moved! And I felt it.

I placed my hands discreetly on my tummy under the library study table. Quietly I waited for the next nudge to tap my hand.

Thump.

The lightest movement against my hand, but I could feel it. It wasn't just a weird phantom feeling inside.

I couldn't wait to tell Alice.

OoOoOoOo

Alice had a meeting after school, so I wasn't able to share the new development. I couldn't keep the smile off my face for the rest of the day. It felt more real than it had in weeks. No matter how much I lied to myself, I wasn't just getting fat. I was having a baby: a real, live, crying, pooping baby.

I was terrified.

I had finished off some homework in the library while I waited for the halls to clear. Surprisingly, Jasper waited with me giving no indication that he'd heard the last bell. As I began to pack up, so did he. He walked me to my locker where Emmett was already waiting. He fisted bumped Em and left for his own locker without a word.

Not a very verbal guy.

"So Bella-bean, I'm back on chauffeur duty?" He snickered to himself. "Duty."

I rolled my eyes. "If you don't mind?"

He fist pumped. "Alice owes me five bucks! She said that you wouldn't be able to convince Charlie until at least Thursday."

I laughed. Ironically I would have bet on Thursday too, but I got a text at lunch saying that he got a lead on a case and asked if Emmett could take me home.

"What's up with ol' Charlie anyway?" asked Emmett.

"He's just being protective."

He smiled at me and wiggled his eyebrows. "Did ya tell him that I would pop anyone who bothered you in the gut?" He mimicked the motion, pretending to give an imaginary bad guy a sucker punch.

"It was one of my first arguments," I said.

"Excellent."

I shut my locker, and he offered his hand for my book bag.

"What's that for?" I spied at his hand, warily.

His hand remained out, obviously motioning for my bag. "Alice told me to."

I raised one eyebrow. He shrugged. "She told me that you'd feed me."

I laughed, and handed him my bag. That midget and I needed to have a talk. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'm an invalid. I needed to save up favors.

The only reason I let Emmett carry it now was because he thought he was being bribed with food… and my back hurt, a lot. It wasn't cool adding weight to mainly one part of my body. I wasn't that big yet, but it was finally beginning to take a toll on my back. Maybe because I'd finally begun to gain weight since the months of puking stopped.

The drive home was uneventful. At least it was normal… for Emmett. I had truly gotten used to the off-key belting to Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, though if I heard "I Kissed a Girl" one more time I would pull my hair out.

Emmett carried my bag into the house, fully prepared to take me up on my food bribe immediately.

I set out some chips and dip while I pulled out some veggies to cut up and make a tray. The veggies were for me, but it didn't matter because Emmett would eat anything. He set our school stuff down, lounged on a chair and propped his feet up.

Emmett rambled on about the football season and how well the team was doing. He didn't need me to add much to the conversation except the occasional, half-hearted "uh huh" to keep him going. He was like Ali in that way.

Charlie walked in a few minutes after us, and I was surprised. I thought he had to work late. He gave me a tight-lipped smile before walking into his messy "office" and shutting the door.

I set out the veggie tray then pulled out the fish fillets to defrost for dinner.

We couldn't help but overhear Charlie on the phone. Emmett trailed off and seemed extremely focused on choosing the best green pepper piece.

"What do you mean you don't have the file?" We heard Charlie growl from the other room.

I pulled out my bio textbook, hoping to get a little of the PowerPoint done before tomorrow's study session.

"She gave a statement. Something like that doesn't disappear unless on purpose."

Emmett stood up and walked to the fridge, helping himself. "Bella, you want a drink? Milk, soda, juice, water?"

"Juice?" I replied. He nodded.

"I want everything you have… You owe me Sam. You wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for me. This is me calling in a favor." I heard some rustling and eventually a thump as something hit the floor.

Charlie's voice cracked, but still carried into the kitchen. "Do you know what happened to her? My baby girl?... Sam, please…I need that file."

My eyes widened and Emmett's head snapped to mine. I froze. I didn't want Emmett to know. He'd find out about the pregnancy eventually, but knowing whether I was knocked-up or raped? I'd choose knocked-up. I didn't need anyone to look at me with more pity.

We barely moved, Emmett waiting for more, and me hoping for less. Charlie just mumbled something that sounded like "thank you."

Emmett set down my juice in front of me and cocked his head in question. I shied away from him, suddenly fascinated with my bio book.

Charlie walked out of the office into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. I sighed. Emmett raised his eyebrows hoping once more for me to answer his unasked question. What had happened to me? Why was there a police report? Why was it missing?

I refused to meet his eyes.

Grabbing a few mouthfuls of veggies and chips, Emmett picked up his backpack. "Pick you up tomorrow?"

I nodded, still avoiding his eyes. He gave me one succinct nod in return.

He waved at Dad. "See ya later Charlie."

"Let your dad know I'll talk to him in the morning," responded Charlie.

Emmett nodded and let himself out.

I leaned my head on my hands and stared down at my bio book. Without looking up, I asked, "What are you doing, Dad?"

He didn't answer. Instead he placed a cell phone on the table in front of me. "It's for you. It's a new number and everything."

"Dad, you didn't have to do this."

"Bella, he was trying to contact you." He tried to hide his fury beneath his hands as he rubbed his eyes again. "I don't want you to give Renee your number. She can call you here at the house."

I nodded mutely. "Thank you, Daddy." I wished I could hug him. "I love you."

"I love you too, Bells."

He completely distracted me from the conversation Emmett and I overheard. I didn't even think of it for the rest of the night.

OoOoOoOo

I called the OB/GYN before the office closed and set up an appointment for Saturday. I made sure that I would be seeing a female doctor, and if one wasn't available to please call me back to reschedule. There was no need to subject everyone to a flashback. There was no need to subject myself to a flashback. I'd lived it too many times.

After dinner Charlie showed me how to use back-up assistance to load my contacts. I texted Alice, Emmett, and Edward, letting them know I had a new number. Charlie said we could let Renee know tomorrow.

Charlie turned on the latest game while I went to my room to finish my homework. I was just starting the presentation for bio when my new phone buzzed with a text.

He,y you wanna go on a walk? –E

Sure. Now? –B

Yeah, I'm right outside –E

I jumped up from my desk and headed to the front door. I opened it to find a very sweaty Edward, breathing deeply and drinking from a water bottle. He was wearing a cut-off shirt with running shorts and sneakers.

He used the front of his shirt to wipe off his face, and I stood frozen staring at his six-pack. It was taut from the exertion and damp with sweat.

Mmmm… lick-able… what?

He caught me staring and I could feel my cheeks and ears flush hot. He chuckled, "It's adorable when you do that."

I narrowed my eyes. "What?"

He reached up and gently pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. My face felt even hotter.

"That."

He leaned against the door jam, smiling his cocky lopsided grin. "So you gonna invite me in?"

I smiled back, unable to hold it in. "What are you, a vampire?"

He rolled his eyes. "Are all girls obsessed with vampires? I don't get it."

I smirked. "It's the sex appeal."

His eyebrows rose. "So wanna go on a walk? I was in the neighborhood." He trailed off, running a hand threw his hair.

I waved him into the foyer. "Let me ask my dad. Do you want a drink?"

"If I can just refill this, it'd be great." He raised his empty water bottle, and I pointed to the kitchen as I walked up to Charlie.

"Dad, I'm going to go on a walk, okay?"

I broke him from his intense focus on whatever sport was currently on the TV. It was either football or golf. There was lots of green grass. I don't know how anyone could watch golf. Honestly, snooze-fest.

Charlie looked surprised to find me standing there. "By yourself?"

I shook my head. "Edward stopped by and asked me."

"Edward Cullen? Alice's brother?"

"Yeah, that's the one." The faucet in the kitchen turned off, and Charlie looked up to find Edward reentering the room. He smiled at me and nodded politely at Charlie.

"Detective Swan."

"Edward. Bella, do you think you should be going out?" He not so subtly looked at my tummy.

I protectively placed a hand on my belly. "Exercise is good, Dad. And I'll be perfectly safe. It's just a walk."

Charlie harrumphed, but nodded. "Take your phone."

I agreed and slipped my new phone into the pocket of my shorts. I slipped on my Converse and followed Edward outside.

We walked quietly down the driveway and turned right, continuing down my street. It was dusk outside, just after eight in the evening, but the sun had definitely set. The air had cooled from earlier in the day. Still warm, but not overbearing.

"What are you doing this far from home?" I broke the silence.

"Running."

"In Phoenix?"

"It helps me clear my head."

I smiled and kicked a rock in the road. "I know what it's like to need clarity."

"How was your talk with Charlie?" I looked at him confused. "You said you needed to talk to Charlie after school?"

"Oh, it was fine. I set up a doctor's appointment for Saturday."

He looked at me concerned, and carefully looked me over. "You sick?"

I shook my head. "No."

"For the… shitty flashbacks?" His forehead wrinkled.

"No. I haven't really talked to him about them much yet." Edward gave me a funny look. "I know. I will." I answered before he could even pose the question. "We just had to talk about other stuff. And it kinda got skipped over."

Incredulously he asked, "What could be more important than that?"

I pursed my lips, but didn't answer.

He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. We kept walking for a few more minutes eventually turning onto a weaving neighborhood street not to far from my house.

"I started running last spring," Edward interjected.

I didn't know what prompted this information, but I was glad to get it. Edward intrigued me, and I wanted to know more. I knew it wasn't fair to want to know about him while refusing to tell him about me. Alice dealt with it better than I assumed, but for some reason I didn't want it hanging around Edward and me. I wanted him to think of me as just a girl.

I asked the obvious question. "Why did you start running?"

"Because I was effing pissed off all the time."

I nodded. That was a legitimate excuse as any to be habitually running in the worst possible weather ever. How did he not overheat and pass out? I had to remember that not everyone has my tendency to faint.

"You know what I said earlier today?" I couldn't pinpoint a specific thread he was referring to.

"About what?"

He ran his fingers through his hair, before reaching down and taking my hand gently in his own, lacing his fingers through mine. He lifted it, inspecting our hands. Mine was so tiny compared to his. It felt huge next to my own. Rough and strong.

I blushed, but couldn't keep my eyes away from his watching our hands.

"Is this okay?" he asked.

I nodded. It was better than okay. I'd never had butterflies… crazy, fluttering, spastic butterflies in my stomach over hand holding.

He was different from anything I'd ever known.

I was wrong. It was unfair. To me, to him. I was leading him on, leading myself on in a… relationship, that would never last. How can I do this with the secrets that I have?

My face must have visibly fell because Edward halted, stopping me in my tracks. He reached his free hand to my chin, lifting it so he could see my eyes. His doorway to see the real me.

"What's wrong?" Edward mused.

"This isn't fair. I have too many secrets," I whispered.

"You remember what I said earlier? About trust?" I nodded. He'd asked me to trust him.

I did trust him. More than he knew. His hand in mine proved that. But I didn't want his view of me to change. I felt beautiful when he looked at me.

"I realized the only way for me to expect you to trust me is for me to trust you."

I sighed. It made sense. "Why… Why would you trust me?"

He released a breath and stepped away, pulling me with him. His other hand swung at his side as we continued down the street. He apparently thought better while moving.

"Because I can."

I stayed quiet. Ready to hear anything he said, content in walking with him, holding his hand.

As we walked in silence, I tried to feel for my little nudger moving. I hadn't felt the baby move since school, but that was the first time I realized what I was feeling. I hoped for the feeling again.

"I thought I was in love." He said quietly. "I was wrong. She didn't turn out to be who I thought she was."

I squeezed his hand. I knew what that was like.

"She was using me to placate her family, but kept going out with her old boyfriend behind everyone's back, including mine."

"I'm sorry, Edward. And not out of obligation or pity, but because I know what it's like."

I watched him as we walked. His eyes tightened at my comment and his breathing quickened.

I sucked in a breath of air. He trusted me to share his girlfriend's infidelity; it was only fair to share mine. "He slept with almost every girl in the school during our two years of dating because I told him 'no.' The one I caught him with was only one of many."

It was his turn to squeeze my hand this time.

"Though she was a senior and I was a junior, we still had a lot of the same classes." He grinned, proud of his academic achievement. "She somehow managed to cheat off of most my homework and quizzes. She even managed to cheat off of a test. I didn't find out till later, when the school placed me on probation.

"Part of me was impressed. I still can't figure out how she got my answers. I didn't willingly give them to her. I worked hard for my grades."

I watched as he got lost in thought, or memory. I couldn't tell the difference.

We walked on, turning again when I saw my house down the road. Somehow Edward had managed to lead us around and back without my even knowing it. I would probably get lost on my own.

When we reached the house, we sat down on the stoop, never letting go of each other's hand. I leaned my head on his shoulder. He was so much taller than me, it made me feel smaller than my five-foot-four-inches.

"I broke up with Victoria in April, but it didn't really end until graduation when she left."

I knew what he meant. "I broke up with Jimmy in March, but it still follows me." He leaned his head on top of mine.

I don't know how long we sat there before he turned his head and kissed my hair. I closed my eyes and quietly sighed.

It didn't hurt to tell things to him. He understood better than anyone else so far.

My sigh turned into a yawn, which made him chuckle. "Time for you to go to bed, sleepy head."

I stood up and brushed off my shorts. "Thanks for the walk."

He picked up his water bottle from the ground where he'd left it before our walk. "My pleasure."

"Do you need a ride home? I can ask Charlie."

"I'm good."

I turned to open the door, but his voice stopped me. "Are you doing anything on Friday night?"

I smiled. "Not yet."

"I want to show you something."

"Okay." I smirked. "Is that a question?"

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, smartass. You want to come with me?"

I took a second to look like I was really thinking it over. I even threw in a few hmmm's. He laughed. "Sure."

His smile lit up his face, and my legs felt like they had turned to jello. No wonder he only used his half-smile most of the time. If he used the whole thing, no females within a fifty foot radius would have control of their limbs.

This boy was going to be the death of me. Oh, what a way to go.

Trotting down the few steps he asked, "We still on for tomorrow?"

"Of course." I smiled.

He winked and took off across the yard and down the street. I watched his athletic form move swiftly and silently across the pavement. I admit I even stared at his rear… I couldn't help it. I felt no guilt whatsoever. Something that perfect had to be admired.

I quietly closed the front door and said goodnight to Charlie. He dutifully came and tucked me in once I was ready for bed, ever concerned. He even sweetly said goodnight to my baby. I fell asleep, hoping for dreams of Edward, because that would be a perfect ending to a perfect evening.

You know the drill... ;) Feed the monkey.

Recs:

The Wedding Party by spanglemaker9
Summary: The perfect person appears at the worst possible moment, and one unforgettable encounter changes everything. AH

The Blizzard by sheviking
Summary: Bella is walking home during a blizzard and stumbles on a homeless man on the ground. Despite her better judgment she decides to save him from the cold, and the night turns into something she never expected. Rated M for language and lemony stuff.

Running for Home by ooza
Summary: Edward discovers his entire past was a fabrication. On his journey to uncover the truth he meets Bella, a young woman neglecting all responsibility for the first time in her life. Road trip! ExBxVolvo BPOV/EPOV AH AU OOC M for language and future lemons.