All Standard Disclaimers Apply
One Night in Vegas
Chapter Twenty-Two
Bella's Point of View
December 23
I tapped my foot nervously on the doctor's office lobby floor as I waited for my name to be called. No one but Alice knew that I was here; everyone else I simply told I was doing last minute Christmas shopping which in reality I really needed to do, but I found myself unable to concentrate. I had a long conversation with Alice last night over the phone about what I thought my condition was but she shoot my reasoning down not at all believing I had the stomach flu. She admitted that she believed I had the stomach flu days earlier, but with some of the symptoms still present with out the fever? It had to be something else. That I had to be pregnant. I shuddered at the thought. I wasn't ready for this. I'm not fit to be anyone's mother! I'm not even fit to be a babysitter. The thought of me being pregnant scared the shit out of me.
I heard the bell chime as the front door open and I turned my head out of habit to see who was entering and instantly paled as Alice practically danced into the building with her husband Jasper on heel. Why me? Alice smiled brightly as noticed me in the back corner of the lobby and I couldn't help but slouch down into my seat. "Bella." Alice and Jasper said cheerfully all at once as they made their way to sit on either side of me. Alice reached out and grabbed my hand; squeezing it. "So, still waiting?"
I rolled my eyes as I sat up straighter. "Nope, just sitting here because I enjoy the sounds of sniffling sneezing children and their overreacting parents." I said bitterly; refusing to meet her gaze. I heard Jasper chuckle softly beside me and I fought the urge to turn and glare at him and demand what was so funny. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"Like I was going to let you do this alone." She said with a smile in her voice. It appeared my bitter mood hadn't even put a dint in her chipper-ness. That wasirritating. "Especially if you weren't going to invite Edward." I turned my head then and stared at her. "What?"
"You didn't tell him, did you?" I asked, grabbing a hold of her hand and squeezing it tightly. Alice winced and stared at me with wide eyes.
"Don't you think he would be here rather than Jazz and me?" Point. Good point. God, Edward is going to kill me for not telling him, but I knew if I said something he would get his hopes up and I wasn't just going to go on Alice's intuition. I needed to be sure before I said anything and that meant taking a trip to see a doctor; no matter how much I hated the idea. "Bellayou are hurting me." She said softly.
I instantly released Alice's hand and sighed; returning to my slouched position. "Sorry." I muttered as I allowed my gaze to shift down to the floor. I pretended to be interested in the toe of my shoe; not knowing what to say. My best friend knew I was scared. I had no doubt in my mind that was the reason she came out to be with me; even if it was an hour and a half out of her way. I was not about to risk being seen in a clinic anywhere near home. Who knew who would see me and this was definitely not something I wanted getting back to Edward or our family. Not until I was sure.
"Isabella Cullen?"
I looked up at the sound of my name and stared blankly at the nurse that had called for me. I was almost tempted to just sit there and pretend to have not heard my name, but of course Alice wouldn't have any of that. She quickly jumped up to her feet. "She's coming!" She said waving to the nurse. I looked up at her, terrified, and she merely rolled her eyes. "Don't be a baby Bella. It'll be fine. I'll even come with you." Of course you will, I thought bitterly as she grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. She turned to Jasper with a smile on her lips before leaning down and kissing him lightly. "I'll be back soon." Jasper nodded with a smile of his own.
"I'll be here when you two get back." He said staring his wife in the eyes. His gaze quickly shifted to mine and his smile broadened. "You be goon now, ya here?" He said with a knowing smirk. "Don't cause the poor doctor too much trouble." I fought the urge to stick my tongue out at him like a child.
"I won't let her." Alice said with a giggle as she linked her arm in mine and dragged me toward the awaiting nurse. We were quickly lead to a room in the back. It was in that room that my life had changed completely.
***
December 25
***
When I had finally made it down stairs Christmas morning everyone was already awake and sipping coffee around the large tree in our living room. Besides tinsel the tree was completely bare. Edward and I had manage to pick up a tree at the last minute, but we couldn't decide on what kind of ornaments to get. We ended up agreeing on just tinsel this year, obviously, and we would pick out ornaments earlier in the season next year.
I pulled my bathrobe more tightly around me before slipping my hands into my pockets to make sure I had the small wrapped box ready to give to Edward when the time came. I stepped around the gifts that now surrounded the tree and made my way to Edward's side. He was smiling his trademark grin when he saw me and moved to place his cup of what I knew to be tea on the table before wrapping his arms around me. "Well, good morning sunshine." He muttered as he pressed his lip to my forehead.
I couldn't help but return the smile; not that he saw because I buried my face in his chest. "Morning." I hummed back. "Why didn't anyone wake me?" Edward chuckled and Rosalie and my mother snorted.
"Just five more minutes?" They whined in unison. Emmett laughed as he lifted his son up and on to his lap. Everett had a small gift box in his hand and he was contentedly chewing on the corner.
"After five rounds of 'just five more' we gave up on you." My mother said and I felt myself blush. "We were just about to start without you." I buried my face deeper into Edward's chest and groaned. I definitely wasn't an early riser.
"Sorry." I finally managed and took a step back and out of Edward's embrace. I took a deep breath and looked at my family, forcing a nervous smile upon my lips. "Would you mind if I started? I want to give my gift to Edward, mostly because you'll all benefit from it. I think."
"A gift to your husband that benefits us all?" My mother asked; a delicate brow raised. I merely nodded as my hands in my pockets began to shake. My mother sighed and shrugged; obviously disapproving. It wasn't what she thought though. No one else seemed to disagree so I turned to face Edward; now biting my lower lip.
I pulled the small box out of my pocket and held it out to him; my hand visibly shaking. Edward stared down at it a moment as if wondering how everyone could benefit from something obviously so small. "Merry Christmas." I said softly as he took it. He smiled and returned the gesture as he leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. I watched him take a step back; his fingers tearing at the red, white, and green wrapping paper until the small white box appeared. It had the name of an expensive jeweler on the front, but he would soon realize jewelry isn't what he'd find inside.
"Dude, hurry up." Emmett exclaimed; obviously excited to know what was in side. "Ouch!" He muttered a second later. No doubt Rose wacked him one and I couldn't suppress the smile that rose on my lips at the thought, but my smile quickly faded and I found myself chewing on my lower lip as Edward began lifting the lid and suddenly everyone was completely silent.
Edward stared down in the box and I held my breath; waiting for some kind of reaction. Any reaction. He lifted his eyes to meet mine and I forced an awkward smile on to my lips. "Oh, Bella." He cooed. Before I knew it I was in his arms and my lips were locked in his in the most passionate breathtaking kiss I've ever had.
"Oh, I want to see!" Rosalie demanded; wanting in on the secret. Edward pulled his lips away from mine and I swayed a bit. He was pleased as I knew he would be. He smiled and kissed me once more lightly before stepping away and pulling the small ultra sound picture out of the box and holding it up for our family to see. Rosalie and Esme squealed out and I couldn't help but jump.
"Bella!" My mother squeaked as she jumped up from her spot next Phil. She had practically tripped over to the coffee table to get to my side. Before I knew it I had three sets of arms wrapped around me; Esme's, my mom's, and Rose's.
"Congrats." Emmett said with a chuckled and from what I could see through the corner of my eye Charlie was smiling. Something I hadn't seen him do much of lately. In that moment I couldn't help thinking that being pregnant wasn't so bad after all. I might not be a great mother but I'd always have Edward there to help me out. I had no doubt in my mind that he'd be a wonderful father.
***
Sorry, it's not a two chapter night folks. I just got home from work and I'm beat... not that I did much. Lol. I had meant to get this up earlier, but I obviously didn't finish it in time to do so. I'm very pleased with the responses I've been getting from you all. Please! Keep the coming. The more reviews that faster I'll get another chapter to you guys. So, hit that review button now!
Anna