Chapter 24

EPOV

Thirty seven minutes: Thirty seven minutes until I can leave to go pick up Bella, this time I get to have her with me for five days. I feel like a kid at Christmas that knows that they are going to get exactly what they want.

Speaking of Christmas, on Friday my family and I along with Bella and her friends will be spending a day in Seattle. It's our annual Black Friday shopping extravaganza as Alice likes to call it.

I have to admit that this is the first time that I'm actually looking forward to it. I want to get Bella something very special and I have already been scouring the internet for ideas and I think that I have found the perfect thing. I can't wait for her to see it, but then again, I'm a little nervous as to how she's going to react, no it's not an engagement ring, even though if I had my way it would be; I'm more nervous about how she's going to react if she ever finds out the price.

Money is an issue for Bella, an issue that she is really going to have to get over; She hates when I spend money on her, she said that she feels like it throws us out of balance and that she has nothing to give in return. Silly girl doesn't she know that she has already given me more than I had ever dared to dream that I would have?

My aunt and uncle are coming down from Alaska along with my three cousins: Tanya, Kate and Irena, everyone is really looking forward to meeting my Bella. I think that they had given up hope for me ever finding someone. The girls had been trying to help me meet someone for years, but finally gave up when I would instantly shoot down all their efforts.

My mom has been cooking for days it seems and now everything is almost ready for the perfect Thanksgiving. I have never been that big of a fan of holidays but now that I'm a part of an us, instead of just me, they are taking on a whole new meaning and I'm already looking forward to many more of them.

I had no idea how long I had been sitting at my computer lost in my thoughts but when I looked down at the clock I saw that it was time to go pick up my reason for living.

I couldn't wait to get her back here, everyone in my family loves her so much and she just adds something to our family dynamic. They are all almost as excited for her to be here as am, almost but not quite.

She is the breath of fresh air that we needed.

I shut my computer down, I didn't want to risk her seeing what I was looking at, grabbed my jacket and my keys and literally run down the stairs and out the door. I didn't want to be one minute late.

13 minutes later, I was there and I began to breathe regularly again; It's funny how just knowing that she's in close proximity calms me.

I knock on the door, no answer, I knock again, still no answer.

I see her truck is there so I know that she's there, maybe she's upstairs and can't hear me; I grab the spare key that she keeps above the door frame and walk in. There on the sofa was my girl, sound asleep.

I wonder how much homework her teachers are piling on her , because she always seems to be exhausted recently. I know that she has been sleeping well at night, because I'm always with her.

So it must be the stress of school, maybe I need to start helping her with her homework.

It appears that she's ready to go though, she's dressed and has even put make-up on, I keep trying to tell her that she doesn't need it, but she does it anyway. Her bags are packed and are waiting by the door, along with her coat and purse. Hmm, that reminds me that I have something that I need to give her and this was going to probably be the best way. I reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet and stuck a black Amex with her name on it in the top slot. I knew that there was going to be a fight when she sees it but as exhausted as she has been lately, I don't want her to stress about how she is going to pay for Christmas presents for her friends and family.

God she looks so peaceful right now, it was going to break my heart to have to wake her; I knew that I needed to though, mom wants everyone there when our extended family arrives and it shouldn't be too long.

I knelt down beside and placed a kiss on her forehead "Bella, wake up angel." I say softly.

"Ugh Edward, feels so good."

Oh shit, she's having an erotic dream, and my dick responded. Oh not now, I tell myself. I have to wake her up now, or we might never get home.

"Bella, baby wake up" I say more loudly this time.

She slowly opened her eyes and when she saw that I was beside her, she gave me the most heartwarming smile.

"Good morning beautiful, did you sleep well?" I asked. Immediately she began blushing and trying to hide her face behind her hair.

"How long have you been here?" She asked obviously worried about what I might have heard; It's common knowledge that Bella has a habit of talking in her sleep.

"Long enough for you to drive me crazy" I said honestly;

"Oh no, Edward, I'm sorry," She said while trying to cover more of her face.

"Bella, love, you have nothing to be ashamed of, do not ever hide yourself from me, you have no idea what it did to me knowing that you were dreaming of us being together and I swear that if we had time, I would be pulling you upstairs to see if I could make those dreams come true."

I got up and sat down on the couch and pulled her onto my lap, she seemed so embarrassed by what she had no control over.

"I don't know what is happening to me Edward, I'm so tired all of the time and when I sleep it seems that all of my dreams are focused on us."

Hmm, maybe she's not sleeping as well as I thought.

"Bella, do you want Carlisle to give you something to help you sleep better?" "No, I'm sleeping fine, it's just that I can't seem to get enough of it."

"Is school stressing you out?" I asked her trying to get to the bottom of things.

"No, not at all, most of my work is easy and since the arrests people have pretty much been leaving me alone."

"Ok, sweetie" I'm at a loss here, "but if there is anything you would tell me right?"

"Edward, everything is fine, great even, please don't worry."

She has no idea that telling me not to worry about her, is like telling me not to breathe.

"Well love, are you ready to go?" I ask her

"Do we have time for me to make a sandwich really quick, for some reason I'm starving."

"Bella, we have tons of food at the house, why don't we go there and get you something a little more substantial than a sandwich?"

This is something new, Bella doesn't usually eat very much, I worry about that too, she's so tiny, don't get me wrong I love her body, but I wish that she would eat more, it really wouldn't hurt her to gain a few pounds.

I wonder if maybe it's PMS, I can always tell when mom and Alice are dealing with it, they are not themselves.

God I hope not, I get to keep her for five days and I would hate to spend them with her miserable; Yeah right, that's exactly what you're worried about; Oh shut up.

I helped her up from the couch and I went and grabbed her bags, "Do you have everything love?"

"Yeah, let's go."

I walked her out to the car, opened the car door for her and then helped buckle her in; I then went and put her bags in the trunk. I was so excited to get her home where she belongs, Once I pulled out of the driveway I was doing my mental happy dance and I didn't even notice that she had fallen asleep again.

"Bella, we're here, wake up baby." I said. Man I hope she doesn't sleep the entire time that she's here; Oh shut up you tool, she obviously needs the rest, I tell myself.

"I'm sorry, I did it again, didn't I?"

"It's ok sweetheart, it will give you more energy for later" I said suggestively. And Cue the blush again.

"Hmm, I can't wait, I need you Edward." "I need you too love."

We made our way into the house and I took her bags upstairs, I told her to go into the kitchen and that I would be down in a minute.

A few minutes later, I saw her seated at the island in the kitchen talking to Esme; She was drinking a 7-up which was unusual for her, she's more of a water drinker; "Bella, would you rather have a bottle of water?" Thinking that maybe she hadn't seen any in the fridge.

"Ugh, no thanks, water has been kind of making me sick lately, I don't know what's up with that." She said.

I noticed that when she said that Esme looked up her from her chopping with kind of a strange look on her face.

"What do you want to eat love?"

"Honestly Edward, I can just make myself a sandwich, I've already eaten breakfast but I guess that it just wasn't enough."

Now Esme was staring at her with her mouth open wide. I wonder what in the hell is going through her mind. She would never be one to make Bella feel bad about herself just because she's hungry. Esme is a nurturer she is the type that would get up in the middle of the night and fix someone a four course meal if they were hungry.

Quickly she slipped back into her standard smiling face and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"What did you have for breakfast love?"

"Eggs and bacon and toast and oh yeah juice." She said.

Wow and she was starving again already. "How about a steak then?" I offer.

Maybe she hasn't been getting enough protein lately.

"Edward, it's 10:00 in the morning, but now that you mention it that sounds great."

"Whatever you want love, I'll go start the grill"

"Edward, wait" She said and I noticed that her eyes were locked on a box of doughnuts that were sitting on the island.

"Can I just have a doughnut instead?" "Of course love, whatever you want is yours, but maybe the protein would be a better choice." I know that Bella has a sweet tooth, but I don't think that I have ever seen her eat a doughnut.

I grab a plate and open the box "So what's your pleasure?" I ask.

She picked out a chocolate covered cream filled confection; "Do you have any O.J.?" Eww, seriously, gross, but if it's what she wants…. "Of course we do" and I pour her a glass and she attacks the doughnut like she hasn't eaten in forever. I look up at mom and she now has a scared shitless look on her face. What the hell is up with her? I mean damn, she's the one that bought the things. If she's worried about not having enough I will go buy another box, hell I would buy another 6 boxes, especially if that's what Bella wants.

After she finished, she smiled and said that was exactly what she needed.

"Esme, is there anything that I can help you with?"

"Oh no thanks sweetheart, there isn't a lot left to do, I spoke with Carmen a few minutes before you guys came in and it's going to be another couple of hours before they get here." Why don't you two go find the others and relax or Edward, Bella may want to lay down." She said knowingly.

Ok, now I'm feeling out of the loop, something is definitely going on and mom seems to be the only one in on it.

"So what do you want to do?" I ask her, please say go up to my room, please pretty please.

"Edward, would you play for me?" That what she wants, really? I walk up to her and pull her into my arms, "Of course, I would love to." I decided that today was the day that I would play something for her that I had been writing recently.

We go into my music room and I pulled out the bench and motioned for her to sit next to me; I then began to play my new song, once I was finished I dared take a look at her, she was uncharacteristically quiet, and then I saw them, the tears were rolling down her face.

"Sweetheart, what's the matter?" I ask.

"That was so beautiful" She whimpered. "Did you write that?"

"I did, I wrote it for you, I call it Bella's lullaby.

"Oh my God, I can't believe that you did that, nobody has ever done anything that sweet for me before." She was falling apart now.

Yep, PMS damn it.

"Come on sweet girl, I want to hold you, let's go up to my room."

I picked her up and started carrying her upstairs, she was clinging to me like her life depended on it. I didn't notice mom and Alice staring at each other with knowing looks on both of their faces.

Once we reached my room, I sat her down and went to pull the covers down so that we could climb in.

She was still trying not to let me go so I guided her to the bed and asked her to lay down.

"I'm not tired Edward" She said.

"I don't remember telling you that you had to go to sleep." I said while kissing her.

I walked over to the other side of the bed and kicked off my shoes and climbed in beside her.

I hadn't intended to initiate anything; Her emotions were all over the place, maybe she was nervous about all of the extra people being here this week; I just wanted to comfort her. However both of our hormones got the best of us; Before I knew what was happening we were trying to devour each other with kisses and we were groping each other desperately.

"Bella, love I need you now" I begged. I had to be inside of her, I needed to feel her warmth and tightness surround me.

Before she could give me permission I was ripping her clothes from her body; I knew that I should slow down and take my time, but fortunately for me she was as anxious as I was. The next thing that I knew she had managed to get my shirt off and my jeans were around my ankles.

I managed to kick out of them and in seconds I had her flipped over and I was on top of her. There was not going to be anything slow about this I wanted to make sure that she was as ready for me as I was for her; I reached down between her legs and plunged two fingers into her Thank god she was fucking drenched. I pulled them out and stuck them in my mouth, cleaning them thoroughly. Damn she's delicious.

"Bella, turn over onto your hands and knees please baby." "Oh God, Edward, yes, I love it like this."

"Good baby, because you're about to get it" and with that I rammed into her with all of my strength.

I hated that I was taking her like this; I should be spending time showing her love and affection instead of fucking her like some kind of animal.

I promised myself that later that night, I would make it up to her and spend hours worshiping her, the way that she deserved.

"I'm sorry baby" I tell her, hoping that she would believe me.

"Shut it Cullen, and fuck me harder damn it" Wow where did that come from? I don't know but I have to admit that part of me really liked it.

"You want it harder baby?" I asked her, she just whimpered and didn't answer me. I smacked her ass and said "Answer me now Bella."

"Ugh Edward, I'm about to cum" I didn't need her to tell me, I could feel her. I smacked her ass again and growled into her ear; "You still didn't answer me love." "Yes, Edward, yes" and with that she came undone pulling me with her.

"What the hell?" She began "Was that?" I finished for her.

I knew that we needed to be getting up, my family would be here soon.

"Come on love, let's go get a shower before everyone arrives."

"I need to sleep now" She said.

"Come on baby, after my family gets here and we have lunch, you can come back up and sleep." I promise her.

"Lunch, ok, I'm starving" She said and jumped and ran into the bathroom. I couldn't help but laugh at her mood change, but still this was getting stranger and stranger by the minute.

After the shower we re-dressed and made our way back downstairs; Mom was setting the table and Bella went to offer her help.

"Everything ok Edward?" Alice asked. "Yeah fine, I say." "Are you sure?" "Bella doesn't seem herself today."

So even Alice had noticed and I don't even remember her seeing Bella since she got here.

"I think that she's PMS'ing that's all; she's exhausted and hungry and a little moody, at least she doesn't get angry." I said.

"Uh Edward, I don't think….." She began but then there was a knock on the door.

Emmett beat me to answering the door and then the chaos began.

Carmen and Elezar entered first and they were followed by Tanya, Kate and Irena.

After hugs were given by and to everyone, mom and dad came in followed by Bella.

I quickly pulled her to my side so that I could make introductions;

"Bella, this is my Aunt Carmen, my Uncle Elezar, and my cousins Tanya, Kate, and Irena.

"Everyone this is my Bella." I said proudly.

"Nice to meet you all" Bella said softly, and began nibbling on her lip.

"Oh Edward" Tanya said "She's positively adorable." "I'm so happy for you both."

Then Tanya approached Bella and gave her a friendly hug, "Bella, if any of these guys give you a hard time, come to me and my sisters; We have plenty of dirt on them that we would be happy to share."

"Thanks, I may do that, especially for Emmett stories." Bella answered.

"Hey" He yelled. "Oh honey, we have them, believe me." Tanya said laughingly.

Kate and Irena then joined Bella and began telling her stories, that I shudder to think about. I can see that they have all hit it off really well and I couldn't be happier. Like I have said a million times before a perfect fit.

Carmen came up to me and wrapped her arms around me, "Edward, I'm so happy for you, she is beautiful and the way that she looks at you, I don't know if I have ever seen a couple more in love."

"Thanks Carmen, I got really lucky." I said. "I think that you both got pretty lucky if you ask me." She said.

I really love my aunt, even though we are not related by blood, I have always considered myself to be fortunate to have such a wonderful extended family and it appears that they have already accepted Bella as their own also.

Finally Esme said that it was time for lunch asked for all of us to follow her.

Wow, mom really had outdone herself. We were having baked ziti, salad, there were antipasto trays, loaves of garlic bread, strawberry cheesecake and an amazing looking chocolate layer cake. I caught Bella eyeing that; yep so this is Bella on PMS. I don't know why but I mentally patting myself on the back for my diagnosis.

There were several bottles of red wine on the table, but at the seat next to mine which I knew was for Bella, there was a glass and a can of 7-up.

What the hell? My parents wouldn't care if she had a glass of wine with a meal; They knew that on Halloween I had taken a bottle of champagne up to my room for us.

Seriously are they trying to embarrass her over her age? I was about to call mom out on it, but Alice spoke up and said that she didn't want wine either and went and grabbed a diet coke out of the fridge.

I decided that I would join them with a coke also; I followed Alice into the kitchen and before I could say a word she said "relax Edward, there's a reason they didn't give her wine and it has nothing to do with her age."

"Why then Alice?" "She's probably humiliated out there, because it seems like they are calling her out on her age."

"Not now Edward, I can't at this moment, but I promise you that it will be explained to you before the end of the day." "And before you say anything to mom, don't. You'll thank her later."

"I seriously doubt that."

The rest of the meal passed without incident; Bella truly enjoyed the meal. I didn't know that appetite was a symptom of PMS but I'm sure that there are a lot of things that I don't know about it.

Once the meal was finished and everyone was up from the table, Bella went in the kitchen to try to help mom clean up. Of course she wasn't allowed to help. "Carmen and I have it sweetie, I appreciate the offer though."

"Come on baby, everyone is down in the family room, I think that they are about to start watching movies. Why don't we go socialize for a little while?"

We walked into the room where everyone was and I noticed that they had even left my favorite chair open, It was a plush recliner and very wide. Bella and I were able to sit in it together very comfortably.

"So what are we watching?" I asked pulling Bella into my lap.

"Well, we have decided that the girls would choose the first one and then you and Emmett can choose the second one." Alice said.

"Bella, have you ever seen Father of the Bride part II?"

"No, but I loved the first one."

"Perfect, then that's our choice."

Emmett and I groaned.

After watching for a little while, even I had to admit this movie was pretty damn funny; I couldn't imagine being in Steve Martin's position with both a wife and a daughter pregnant at the same time. I'd like to think that if it were me, I would keep my cool a lot better than he did.

Emmett and I decided on The Hangover, keeping with the comedy theme.

The girl's were all trying to decide on the third movie, when I heard Bella's stomach growl. Seriously again?

"Come on baby, let's go find something." I whispered to her; I knew that she was embarrassed about how hungry she was today.

"We'll be back in a little while, you guys go ahead and start without us." I told them.I took her into the kitchen where mom and Carmen were sitting talking over cups of coffee.

"Hey kids, tired of movies already?" Mom asked.

"No, we're just taking a quick break" I told her.

"How about some more ziti, babe?" "Perfection" she sighed.

I saw mom and Carmen exchange looks. What is with all of the weirdness today?

"Here let me get it for you" mom offered.

"Esme, I can do it, please you have done so much already, I can get it for myself." "Bella, do you drink milk?" mom asked. Now I'm getting pissed. What in the hell does it matter to her what Bella drinks.

"Not really, I use it in cereal and things like that, but I don't like to just drink it."

"How about chocolate milk?"

Before Bella could answer, I spoke up, enough was enough. "Mom, would you please quit trying to control what she eats and drinks, she's old enough to make her own decisions when it comes to her diet."

"Son, I'm just trying to make sure that she is getting the nutrients she needs right now."

Has this whole fucking house lost it's mind? I was going to get to the bottom of things and soon.

Bella grabbed a bottle of water instead apologizing to Esme about not liking milk.

She should never have to apologize for what she likes and what she doesn't, and I'm putting an end to this today.

After she finished eating, my girl started yawning and told me that she wanted to go take a nap, so that she can visit some more later that night.

I put her dishes into the dishwasher and she said that she was going to tell everyone that she would be back later. I was about to join her when mom spoke up.

"Edward, take her upstairs and come back down, your dad and I need to talk to you." Esme said.

Good, now I can tell her to back off of Bella.

I walked Bella up to my room and told her that I needed to go back down but I would be up as soon as possible.

I kissed her and tucked her into bed and walked out determined to have things out with mom.

I walked into the kitchen and mom, dad and Alice, were all standing around; great it looks like an intervention, and I didn't even know what the hell I had done.

I saw that Alice had a bag in her hand from Walgreen's.

Ok, what? What have I done? I asked running my hand through my hair.

"Let's go in the office." Dad said; I knew that this was going to be serious, usually if we had things to deal with we did it at the kitchen table.

I knew that if they were going to start bashing Bella, I would be house hunting instead of Christmas shopping on Friday.

I followed them into mom's office and sat down. Dad closed the door behind me.

"Edward, we're worried." Dad said.

"About what?" I asked.

"About Bella" He answered.

"What about Bella?" I could feel myself getting defensive already.

"Relax Edward, you know that we all love her, she is part of our family now." Alice said.

"Then what?" I'm really frustrated now.

"Alice told me that you think that she's PMSing." Mom said gently.

"Yeah, so what, you two do it all of the time, what's the big deal?"

"Well" dad started looking uncharacteristically awkward, "Uh, have you actually noticed any blood, yet?"

"Oh my God Dad! Is she not allowed some privacy around here?"

"Edward, I need to know, I'm not trying to invade her privacy, I promise."

"Fine, if it's so important to you, no." "Happy now?"

"Edward, please try to control yourself, trust me son, we're not enjoying this anymore than you are."

"Just get to the point please." I tell him.

"How long has she been acting out of sorts?" He asked.

"Just the past week or so." I start to have a sinking feeling.

"Edward, I tried to warn you before Halloween, but neither of you were willing to listen to me" Alice said."She had a sinus infection, she was on antibiotics, antibiotics counteract birth control pills."

Oh fuck.

"Edward, I'm sorry son, but I think that Bella's pregnant." Dad said.

"Here Edward, have her take one of these." Alice said handing me the Walgreen's bag, inside there were about four different kinds of pregnancy tests.

No, no this is impossible; she is going to hate me, I have ruined her life, Oh God no.

"Son has she already had her pill today?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, she takes it as soon as she wakes up."

"Well in the morning make her take a test before she takes a pill, if she is pregnant, she has to quit taking them."

I began running both hands through my hair; I don't even know what to say; How in the hell am I going to tell her that my dad the doctor thinks that she's pregnant?"Edward, if she is, you know that we are all here for both of you, we will support you in whatever you both decide." "We are not yelling, we're not even angry, we're more worried than anything." Mom said.

"Thanks mom." So that explains her weird behavior today, she has been trying to take care of a baby that may or may not exist.

"Edward, do you want me to go with you to talk to her?" Alice offered.

"No thanks, I appreciate it though." I said honestly; My heart was already breaking because I know how she was going to react. My Bella is going to leave me.

A/N

Ok first of all don't kill me guys. This chapter was becoming so insanely long, 12 pages, and there is still a whole lot more to be said; I had to cut it off somewhere, The next chapter is already underway and I will do my absolute best to have it up tomorrow. It will also be from EPOV.

Second of all, thanks so much for all of you that are reviewing and giving me suggestions, I treasure every bit of it and I will do my best to work the suggestions in. Thanks to all that have favorited and set up alerts for this story. You all are the reason that I haven't given up on this.

Finally, You know the drill, I own none of this, sadly.