A Question of Friendship 25: Congratulations With Our Sympathy
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
Dedications: Maggie Davis, Cbmorefie, Cupcake12578 and Jukmare
"You'll have to put down the toast miss Swann." Jenna the sonographer asked as Bella tore into another piece; she had no idea how hunger she was until she smelt the toast Edward had made for her. He now sat beside her to scared to take the plate away in case she went for his hand. Sighing she passed it over to him looking longingly back at it "You'll be eating it soon enough." The sonographer chuckled squirting the cold jelly on Bella's stomach.
"I think someone else is hungry too." Esme smiled seeing the slight flutter in her stomach as probe spread the jelly. Bella grinned taking Edward's hand looking at the screen. A communal gasp spread across the room as a little heartbeat filled the open space. Both Esme and Rosalie's eyes started to water as they heard the sound for the first time. Carlisle clasped his hand on Edward's shoulder proud of his son while Emmett for once had nothing to say, just pulling his girlfriend towards him.
A few seconds later an image finally popped up on the screen streaming Bella's womb live. The silence broke once again with laughter as the babe flipped onto its head; feet pushing up against the probe.
"You've got a gymnast." Jasper laughed moving closer to the screen hoping to be the first to spot whether he had a niece or nephew.
"Eager to know?" Jenna asked guessing his game. He grinned before moving back; he'd seen what the others hadn't "Well Mr Cullen and Miss Swann congratulations you're having...Oh." She stared at the screen for a long moment playing around with the buttons "I need to get the doctor in here." She exited the room quickly.
"Edward?" Bella asked looking to him worriedly. He stared at the now blank screen trying to seem calm for her. What the hell did the woman see? Slowly Edward's hand traced around the side of his girlfriend's swollen stomach.
Please baby be ok.
A doctor stepped into the room as the nurse returned and immediately peered at the screen. He motioned with his finger silently his colleague to start scanning again. Edward took his eyes from the child on the screen to see Bella's face and watched as tears started to fall but he rubbed them away with the pad of his thumb.
"Yes you are correct." The new doctor said turning back to the sonographer his face brightening "Congratulations you are pregnant with twins." However his smile faltered as he took in the faces around him; every single one had frozen. The sonographer shrugged in reply to his questioning glance "Congratulations." He muttered again before taking his leave.
"W-What are the sexes?" Esme asked coming back down to earth first.
"One of each Mrs Cullen." Esme nodded and watched as she hurriedly packed away the equipment sensing the drop in the happy atmosphere.
"One of each." She smiled to her husband who snapped back to reality but it was strained. Carlisle simply nodded unable to find words other than the ones circulating his head;
What has Edward done?
Edward leaned against the wall outside Bella's hospital room while she was getting dressed and ready to leave. He ran his hands through his hair over and over again making it's messy look more so than usual. The rest of the Cullen clan had made for home an hour before after a very strained celebration. Carlisle had taken outside while the rest stayed inside with Bella who was in so much shock didn't realise anything was wrong. In the hospital's café father and son had sat silent for a while sipping their coffees.
"Marry her Edward." Carlisle broke the silence. He laid his empty cup on the table before leaning back in the plastic chair.
"Any make her a widow? I don't think so dad." Edward snapped slumping over the table.
"That doesn't matter Edward! What matters is the fact she's got twins do you know how much money it takes to raise two children?!"
Edward's gaze rose up to his father as he sighed "A lot I know."
"If you're married your life insurance will pay out a lot more than to just family." Carlisle winced; the imminent death of his son was something he tried not to dwell on.
Edward sat back and looked away "It doesn't cover cancer." He spoke in a whisper "I didn't tick that box."
Carlisle stared at his son in utter disbelief "You stupid-"
"Don't start with it dad." He begged his voice small and laced with tears that didn't show on his face "Unless I die of something else it'll only pay out on funeral fees." Carlisle was silent again for a long moment trying not to lecture his son; who was clearly remorseful.
"Do you have a pension?" he asked after taking a calming breath.
"Yeah." He turned back to his father avoiding eye contact and finishing his coffee.
"If you marry her they'll pay it to her instead." Finally Edward looked at him; taking in his words.
"I'll think about it." He promised. And think about it he had the past hour; nonstop.
"I'm ready to go." Bella smiled waddling out of her room overnight bag in hand. She smiled up at Edward puckering her lips for a kiss. He complied pulling her closer his hand resting on top of his children; he had to do what was best for all three of them.
"Let's head home."
Congratulations to everyone who guessed the sex and the babies right!