A/N: Got this ready just a little bit early and decided to post. The next chapter should be posted in the next day or two. How you enjoy :)

Chapter Two—Just a Suggestion

My eyes felt as if they might pop out of my head, shocked by his statement and immediately began shaking my head. "No. No way. I'm not going to let you take the fall for this. Your parents will kill you. My dad will definitelykill you. Not to mention that it would also give credence to all the rumors going around and make you the asshole and me the slut. My reputation is already going to be ruined, more than it already is. I won't let that happen to you. This isn't your responsibility."

"Bella, I'm not leaving you to go through this alone," Edward replied through tense, clenched teeth and looked over at me. "And nothing short of drastic circumstances will convince my mother to leave me here. She already reminded me this morning that I need to start packing. My dad would never allow me to skirt a responsibility like this, which is mine, even though this baby isn't, because you're my friend and I promised you I wouldn't leave. I don't care about my reputation. No one really likes me, anyway. And we both know you are not a slut."

I sighed heavily, lowering my hands and gaze to my lap. "I can't ask you to do this, Edward. You have school and a future ahead of you. You shouldn't be punished for someone else's mistake."

Edward slid across the seat toward me, wrapping his arms around me as a heavy sob escaped my body. I hated the fact that for a split second, I entertained the idea behind his proposal and even had to admit, it made some sense. It would keep Edward there with me, and I wouldn't be alone when I was shunned at school with the proverbial "P" sewn to my chest. When my parents were humiliated by their teenage daughter getting pregnant and dropping out of school to raise a child alone. I knew the kind of guy Edward was, one that would uproot his entire life for me and a baby that was, in fact, not his. I should have seen it coming the night before and stopped the thought before it had an opportunity to take root in his mind… or mine. "You're not asking me to, I want to. And I'm not asking you to be with me, or anything like that. I know you don't think of me that way. But I can be a dad. I would love this baby and never for one second make it think that he or she was a mistake."

My head shot up from his shoulder with tears streaming down my face, fumbling for words. "Edward… I didn't mean… I would never…"

"I know you wouldn't ever say or think anything like that," he replied emphatically, his eyes seemingly piercing into mine. "But Jasper won't want this. He's just not the kind of guy who would be happy settling down with a wife and kid at eighteen. Not that he wouldn't do so if it came down to it, but this baby deserves more than being someone's obligation. And so do you."

"It'll be no different for you. We'd be an obligation that, no matter how you slice it, isn't yours to take," I said sadly and lowered my eyes again.

"It would be a lot different, Bella. I want to be there," Edward murmured softly, lifting my chin to look at him.

I bit my bottom lip as I looked at him, pondering his words and the sincerity of his expression. Would I do this? Could I do this? I knew he was right about Jasper; there was a chance he would step up to the plate and take responsibility, but he would never want to be there. We'd all end up miserable, including the baby. I could take care of my child alone, but I wasn't naïve enough to believe the fantasy that it would be all hearts and roses. There would be around the clock feedings while trying to manage a menial job just to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, shuffling day care and work, and still trying to be a good mother. But it still wasn't an easy decision to drag Edward into it all as well. "Can I think about it?"

Edward nodded and pressed his still chilled lips to my forehead. "Yeah, it's going to take at least a week for my mother to pack all her things anyway."

x-x-x

It definitely wasn't an easy decision to make, but one that I knew couldn't wait. Before long, Edward would be gone and there were also only so many excuses I could make to my parents and teachers about my need to rush to the bathroom frequently to either pee or throw up. I was already getting worried looks at home, and that would soon lead to a doctor's office, or if up to my mother, an ER trip. And the cat would be out of the bag, and that was not how I wanted my parents to find out. It was also only a matter of time before I would start to show, a couple of months tops, and couldn't hide it anymore regardless.

So after a long talk with Edward, discussing every pro, con, and possible repercussion of his proposed arrangement, I agreed and we sat down first with my parents, and then with his. I could barely squeak out the words "I'm pregnant" to any of them, and froze when it came to the lie—that Edward was the father.

Edward, on the other hand, was composed and completely calm, while not undermining the seriousness of the situation, even when my father's face changed color at least a dozen times. My mother cried, as did Edward's when his father stood from the couch and looked at her.

"I'm not willing to turn my back on my child any more than he's willing to turn his back on his. Go to California if you want, but Edward stays with me," he said fiercely before leaving the room.

The color drained from Esme's face and she quickly rose to follow him, calling his name.

I turned my gaze to look at Edward, who sat beside me, holding my hand and his expression that of complete shock. "You okay?"

Edward slowly nodded but his eyes were still, unfocused. "I thought he would at least raise his voice, tell me he was disappointed and that I had to stay," he paused, finally bringing his gaze back to mine. "Probably just the calm before the storm, I know. But he's never spoken to my mother like that, even when she told him she was leaving him. I have to say, I'm kinda proud of him."

Once again, Edward was right about the "calm before the storm" and within a couple of days, Carlisle sat us down to talk. He listened obediently as his father, albeit more calmly than my dad, voiced his disappointment, having hoped that each of us would have been more responsible, and inquiring as to our plans for ourselves, the baby, and finally, for each other.

"Dad, I know this was completely unexpected and I don't know exactly what's going to happen. But I love Bella, and I love this baby, and I'm going to do everything I can for them. Even if it means holding off on college for a couple of years so I can work and take care of them."

"All right, stop right there," Carlisle spoke suddenly, holding up his hand to halt his son. "I'm disappointed, but not completely unsympathetic. I'm proud of you, both for taking responsibility and for feeling that you could come to me. But you have a scholarship, Edward. And I would like to see you both to finish school. I've been thinking about this a lot."

Both Edward and I sat speechlessly gazing at him, our hands folded nervously in our laps. I closed my eyes, terrified of what might emerge from him next. Was he going to tell us that we weren't ready? That we should give the baby up for adoption, or worse, terminate the pregnancy? I knew in my heart that neither was an option. I was very young, I understood that, but since finding out I was pregnant, I'd spent countless hours running my hand over my stomach, picturing my growing baby inside. Whether it was a boy or girl, what he or she would look like, imagining holding the tiny baby in my arms. In my mind and heart, I was already a mother, and I couldn't let my baby go. And I knew Edward felt the same way.

"Bella," I heard Carlisle say softly and lifted my teary eyes to look at him. "It's hard, taking care of a baby and trying to find a job without at least your high school diploma."

"I'm not giving up this baby. No matter what. I can do this…we can do this. Edward and I can figure something out. I can't lose my baby. I won't," I said in a panic, shaking my head and folding my arms protectively around my abdomen.

"Bella. Bella, calm down," Carlisle replied in his unique, calm tone, coming to sit in front of us on the coffee table and resting his hands on my shoulders as Edward slid his arm around my waist and kissed my hair. "No one is going to make you give up your baby. I definitely wish you'd both waited a few more years and been a lot more secure in your lives, but that is my grandchild. I will do anything I can to help you both. I would even be willing to help tutor you at home once it becomes too difficult to go to school, if it's all right with your parents."

Edward seemed as stunned as I was by his father's offer; I felt it in the way his arm slackened slightly around me. Dr. Cullen was definitely exceeding any and all of my expectations, and we were both rendered speechless.

I also felt a tug of guilt in my gut when I caught the subtle lift of the corner of his mouth when he referenced "his grandchild". I almost broke into tears on the spot, revealing the horrible lie we'd told. However, Edward's arm securing around my waist again reminded me that I needed to hold it together—for him, for the baby, and for me. "You don't have to do that, Dr. Cullen. I know how busy you are with the hospital and everything."

"I'm never too busy for family, Bella. And if it will help you to get your diploma and Edward to concentrate on college, that's more important than anything," Carlisle replied, tapping his fingertips beneath my chin in a very fatherly gesture.

"Dad, you've been more understanding than I could have hoped for, but I was wondering if you might also consider allowing Bella to come live with us," Edward said, causing my stunned gaze to shoot over to him, but his eyes remained forward on his father.

"No," I voiced quickly, shaking my head and bringing both of them to look at me. "Dr. Cullen, that's really not necessary. I have no idea why Edward would think—"

"I wasn't saying tomorrow, Bella," Edward cut me off sharply, my eyes widening at his tone. "But once you get further along, I think it would be easier all the way around if you were here."

"Edward, I live right next door," I replied, blinking repeatedly as I tried to take in his demeanor.

"She does have a point, son," Carlisle added, looking to Edward himself and propping his elbows on his knees. "Bella honestly couldn't live much closer."

"For now, sure. But what about when the baby starts to move?" Edward blurted out and then his eyes lowered to his lap with a faint blush beginning to color his cheeks. "I mean, it would also be more convenient if Bella needed help with her schoolwork when the time came. But there are also things that I think I should be there for, too. If she needs something in the middle of the night, or if God forbid, something were to go wrong. We have a room right down here that we're not doing anything with, so Bella wouldn't have to worry about climbing all those stairs later on. And taking care of the baby after its born would be easier to handle as a team if we're under the same roof."

I sat speechless, gaping at Edward as he nervously rambled out his response. He really had put a lot of thought into it all, just as he'd said, both the short and long term results of our decision, and unbidden tears began to form in my eyes. I knew I was over-reacting to the meaning behind his words, but just the idea that he'd even thought about being there for my baby's first movements and my crazy cravings, as well as the round the clock care after he or she was born, made my heart swell and pound.

Carlisle was silent for a moment, too, pursing his lips and leaning then against his folded hands, as he also seemed to be absorbing Edward's words. "Those are also very valid points. Let's just take things one step at a time and see what unfolds, hmm?"

Edward sighed and nodded as Carlisle patted his son's knee comfortingly before standing and leaving the room. He kept his eyes down, refusing to meet my gaze and driving his fingers into his hair on either side of his head.

I placed my hand on his, bending down slightly to see if he'd look at me. I could see his eyes dart toward me for a second before he groaned aloud.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that." His eyes finally met mine for the first time since he made his suggestion. "It was just a thought, and you know I don't always use my brain before I speak."

"Is it truly something you would want?" I didn't think his ears could redden more, but they did as he averted his gaze again. I wasn't sure why he felt so embarrassed but it was kinda cute and so Edward, I couldn't help but smile at him. I retracted his hand from his hair and his eyes finally rose to mine as I entwined my fingers between his, resting our joined hands on his thigh and kissing the warm skin of his cheek gently. "It was a very sweet thought. Thank you."

When I pulled away, I heard him softly sigh my name after I rose from my chair to leave the room, touching his fingers to the place where my kiss had been.