True Love Way

Chapter 16

I pushed myself away from the breakfast bar, clearing myself from any further accidents. "Did you say Lauren was here?"

"Yep." Her fork stabbed at a mound of lettuce on her plate and continued into her mouth. She crunched away as though it was nothing. My very recently-ex-girlfriend had dropped in for a visit while I was not home. Sure. That happened all the time.

"So… how did…" My hand flew to my neck, rubbing at it to make sure my head would stay upright and not drop to the marble countertop. "What was that like?"

"Your voice is squeaking. You sound fourteen."

I gulped. And creaked some more. "I know." Clearing my throat, I reached for my water. "I know. Was it… bad? Did she say anything?"

Bella shrugged. "It was unexpected, for sure. And yeah, she said some stuff."

"Bella! You're driving me nuts!" I released my neck and gripped her arm, stopping it halfway to her mouth. She stared at me. "Sorry. Eat."

Taking the forkful into her mouth, she set the fork down. Chewed. Swallowed. Sipped some water. Wiped her mouth. I wanted to shake her.

"Are you going to tell me what happened with Jazz?"

"If you tell me what happened with Lauren," I bartered. "You fir–"

"You first!"

We both laughed at our identical outbursts. It felt good to release the tension. As soon as the laughter stopped however, the tension was back. How much should I divulge? She'd be hurt if she knew my brother thought she was using me. Yet to come out and ask her about the arguments she'd had with him back in the day over me seemed absurd.

I went with the least abrasive bit. "He said you looked really well. He wants you to be happy."

She smiled coyly. "That's really interesting, Edward. Now what did he really say?"

"He said that! And… some other stuff."

She held her hands up. "I get it. Brother talk."

"Sort of," I said quietly. "Listen, this dinner is too good to waste, and it's not the same cold. Let's eat, and then we'll go talk."

"Deal!" Her mouth was already full before I could even turn back to my plate. At least Lauren hadn't upset her appetite.

~ 0 ~

I insisted on cleaning up after dinner while Bella rested. She curled up on the couch and waited for me. I didn't rush – I wasn't in a hurry to embarrass myself.

"Need anything?" I called out once I'd wiped down every possible surface in the kitchen, including mopping and drying the floor.

"Nope. Come sit down!" She tucked her legs under herself, her arm and head resting on the back of the couch. When I sat, her hand massaged my neck.

An unintentional groan came out. "Sorry. My god, that feels good."

"Yeah? Turn around. I'll give you a good rub down."

We both turned sideways. Bella slipping her legs on either side of me as she took hold of my shoulders. "I should be doing this for you," I mumbled in bliss.

"You do enough for me, Edward. Just relax and let me do this." Her thumbs were hitting an amazing pressure point. Each time she pressed down, I emitted a small grunt. "Okay, you may be enjoying this a bit too much!" She laughed at me. Her head was so close to my neck. I could feel her breath against my skin, and it made me shiver. "Are you cold?"

"No." My fourteen-year-old voice returned. "Do you think Emily's cute?"

Bella laughed again. I shivered again. "You'd think I'd be used to your random thoughts by now, but you still surprise me. Yeah, she's adorable."

"Did you see the pictures of when she was younger? Am I wrong that she wasn't very attractive?"

"Was Jasper upset that you said that?" Her hands stopped moving on my shoulders.

"No. I'm just wondering if I'm wrong about it." I sighed as her massage resumed.

"Probably not. But, Edward… I believe that all parents think their baby is the most beautiful thing in the world, regardless of what others see."

"I suppose. My parents still took me after they saw me. They had other options. Jasper was concerned about me being around your baby. It's ridiculous, because Rosalie told him about the surrogacy and he knows you don't know what you're going to do yet."

"It's a unique situation. I guess it's natural for your brother to be concerned," Bella commented softly.

"You know I'll see you through whatever you decide, right? I mean, I'll be here for you."

"Did you argue about that? Tell me honestly."

"A little," I admitted quietly. I intended to keep the painful parts from her, but I didn't want to outright lie. "He gets it now. It's all right between us."

"He doesn't approve of me living here with you, does he?"

I grunted loudly as she hit a fantastic spot. "Okay. You've gotta stop that or commit yourself to being attached to my shoulders for life." I moved forward enough to ease her leg out from behind me so I could sit properly and placed her legs across my lap. "He actually does. Approve. Of everything." I couldn't look her in the eye, so I focused on her legs. They looked so smooth and soft. Her ankles were slightly swollen. I poked at them. "Is this something we should be concerned about? Should we call your nephrologist?"

"It's normal," she assured me gently. "I think it's more pregnancy related than renal. Lauren returned your key and a bag of your things from her apartment. I put them in your room."

My hands ran up her shins and back down to her ankles, seeing for themselves how soft her skin really was. "Thanks. Was that all?"

"She brought some homemade frozen yogurt, too. She thought I'd like it."

I hummed, beginning to rub her calves. "It is good. I like the banana one she makes. It's all organic. It'll be good for the baby."

"That's what she thought. It was nice of her."

Nodding, I delved into her leg massage with more enthusiasm. "Did she upset you at all?"

"Oh! Right there… keep doing that."

I smiled as I saw her euphoric expression. She was resting back against a stack of pillows, her eyes closed. It pleased me to know I could make her feel good.

"I was a little afraid when I opened the door and saw her. I thought she was here to give me shit. I don't want to be thought of as a home wrecker."

"You're not," I assured her softly.

Her head moved up and down in agreement. "I feel better about that now – after our talk. I told her there was nothing between us… you're… you've always been… my friend."

I concentrated on the massage, willing the lump in my throat to disappear. What she said was not untrue, but I couldn't help but think about what Jasper had said. Is that really how she wanted us to be? Friends?

"My best friend," she whispered. "Edward?"

"Yes, Bella. What is it?" I took one tiny foot in my hands and went to work on that.

"That feels amazing. And I'm not going to tell you to stop."

I chuckled, working harder to please her. "Okay."

"Lauren feels like there should be more to it," she announced. "More to us. Like there's some unbreakable bond that nothing can touch. That no one can get in between. What do you think?"

I tried to ignore my thundering heart and will my hands not to shake. I didn't have a clue what she expected me to say, and I didn't want to blow it. I couldn't risk speaking. Bella rescued me.

"I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world. And you have very skilled hands. I could fall asleep like this."

"You're tired," I commented, amazed that my voice was normal. "We should get you into bed."

Bella let out an odd little chuckle. "Edward?"

"Yes, Bella." My voice betrayed me and came out as a growl.

"I want you to sleep in your own bed."

The foot massage ended abruptly. "You are the most stubborn woman! We've been over this. I gave you the room that was best for you. Period. I'm not letting you switch rooms, so deal with it."

She looked at me demurely. "I wasn't proposing that I switch rooms."

"Oh." I felt like an ass for jumping to conclusions… wait… "Oh! You want me to sleep…"

"With me. Yes. I sleep better when you're next to me. I think you do too."

"Oh! Yeah… I do. Yeah. Um…" I started laughing, feeling my face aglow with embarrassment. "Should we do that now?"

"If you're ready."

Am I?

She saw my hesitation and frowned a little. "You're probably not. You haven't been up very long. You slept late."

"No, I didn't really. I mean, I did… but I didn't go to sleep until late. I only had a few hours, really. I could sleep." Even if I couldn't, I could certainly manage to lie there watching Bella.

"All right. I'll just go… get ready." She headed for the bedroom, grabbed what she needed and went to the bathroom leaving me near hyperventilation on the couch. We'd slept together before, of course, but this felt different. When I heard the shower turn on, it really felt different.

~ 0 ~

"Edward, come on!" Bella laughed at me from the bed. My bed. Our bed? I was hovering near the doorway after brushing my teeth. I could smell her soapy scent from where I stood. She was already in bed, brushing out her damp hair, but it felt odd just going and climbing in with her. She flipped the sheet down on the vacant side of the bed.

I padded over and climbed in hurriedly before I lost my nerve. I removed my glasses and set them on the table beside the bed. Lying perfectly stiff and still, I stared at the blurry ceiling above me. "Is there a cobweb up there?"

Bella looked up. "Nope. It's your eyes."

"Whew."

"You're sleeping like that?"

"On my back? Yeah, why?"

She chuckled, setting her hairbrush down. "Fully clothed."

"Oh." One glance to the side showed me she was in the little blue nightie she often wore. I liked the way it gathered beneath her breasts and fell over her belly. It always rode up in the front from the size of the baby bump, sitting well above her knees. She had great legs. Long and smooth. I wondered how far up it rode when she was lying down.

"I've seen you in your underwear, Edward. No reason to be shy now."

"Right." I chuckled as I sat up and pulled my t-shirt over my head. I tossed it on the floor and lifted my hips to tug my sweatpants down. "Feel better?" I teased her as I drew the blankets up to cover myself.

She laughed softly, turning onto her side to face me. "I do."

"I'm sorry Lauren made you feel anxious when she showed up. I should have been here to deal with that."

"Well, she wasn't mean or anything, so I dealt."

"But if she had been…"

Bella hummed in silent thought.

"Would you have pinched her?" I teased.

"Certainly not!" She burst into laughter, burying her face. "I never should have told you that!"

"A big ol' toe pinch, best line of defence."

"Stop!" She continued laughing. "You love teasing me!"

"I do, because it makes you laugh, and your laugh is the best sound in the world."

Her laugh ended abruptly with a sniffle. One look confirmed she was now crying. "Shit, Bella! I'm sorry!" I turned onto my side and brushed away a tear. They were coming fast. "I'll stop teasing you."

She chuckled through her tears. "This is just pregnancy hormones, Edward."

"So I shouldn't stop?"

"Being you? Never."

"Would you have pinched her?"

Bella bubbled over in emotions, crying and laughing at once. "In a flash if she had hurt you."

"Same."

"You can't toe pinch," she reminded me.

"I'd learn how to if it meant I could protect you."

"Edward…" She rested her forehead against mine. "I never feel safer than when I'm with you."

"Only because you know I can't toe pinch you."

"Stop teasing me now."

"Okay."

"Thank you, Edward."

"For what?"

She hesitated. "Everything. Good night."

"Good night, Bella." And thank you for making everything so easy for me. I didn't feel any pressure to change things. I simply enjoyed lying with her, and I slept.

~ 0 ~

"Going out?" I looked up from my computer when Bella passed by. She had staying-in clothes and going-out clothes, I'd noticed more over the past couple of weeks. Alice had been right – her belly was expanding rapidly. It was nearing beach ball size.

"I have a check-up." She rifled through her purse, making sure she had everything.

"Oh." I clicked over to my calendar. Nothing was marked. I made sure I noted her appointments so I could adjust my shifts to be there with her. "Is something wrong? I don't have it marked down."

"It's a baby check-up. Not me." She smiled at me. "I'm fine."

"You should have told me! I'll go with you if you give me a minute." I too, was in my staying-in clothes since I was off for the day.

"I didn't want to bother you with this."

I was already on my feet. "It's no bother. Two minutes. Tops." I hurriedly brushed my teeth as I ran a hand through my hair. I removed my glasses and popped my contacts in before running to the bedroom for some decent clothes. I ran back out, pocketing my phone and reaching for my keys. "Let's go!"

Bella seemed on edge as we sat in the waiting room. Well, she sat – I stood. It was packed full of pregnant women. I didn't want to take up a seat.

"Ms Swan? Dr Meyer will see you today," the receptionist called out. "Dr Molina was called for a delivery."

"That's fine, thanks." I gave Bella my arm so she could haul herself out of the chair.

"Your husband can come in with you."

Bella and I looked at each other awkwardly. "You don't –"

"Can I?"

We snickered, talking over each other as we frequently did. She nodded, and I placed my hand on her back as we walked into the exam room.

"Hello, Bella? I'm Dr Meyer." A friendly-looking woman entered, extending her hand to Bella. "Your sample looks good." She pulled the test strip out of Bella's urine cup. "Let's have a listen, shall we? Can you lie back?"

I stepped aside while Bella lifted her shirt, and the doctor placed her stethoscope on her. I felt out of place watching her feel around Bella's bared stomach. It felt wrong to look, but I couldn't pull my eyes away. She pulled over a machine and clicked some switches as she picked up a transducer. "Does Dad want to have a listen today, too?"

Neither of us corrected her as the sound of the baby's heartbeat filled the room. Bella remained completely still, but a broad grin spread across my face. "It's slower than it was before – the heartbeat. In the hospital it was always fast."

Dr Meyer grinned at me. "Observant. Yes, it would be more regular now that the baby isn't under stress. He's doing just fine! Actually… do you want to have a look?" She squirted more jelly onto her belly and picked up a different wand, clicking some more buttons on the ultrasound machine before she turned the screen to face Bella. "Come on over and see this little guy."

Bella smiled her approval before I moved towards her. I took her hand as I peeked at the screen. And there he was – a shadowed, balled up baby. I'd seen ultrasound images of babies when I was doing my training, but they had always been little bean-shaped things. This was an actual baby.

"He looks big," I said in wonderment.

"About six pounds at this point, I'd say," the doctor stated.

"He's sucking his thumb!"

"Ah!" Bella's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my god! He is! That's so cool!"

"It's amazing! He's amazing." I couldn't take my eyes off him. Bella gripped my hand with both of hers, and I finally looked over at her. Her lip was trembling as she watched him squirm around on the screen.

"Here's a shot to go," Dr Meyer reached for a print out. "Thumb still in mouth. Perfect memory. You're doing just fine, Bella. The baby looks good. The placenta is healthy. You should have no problems at all. We're probably looking at four more weeks, so be sure to schedule another appointment here for next week. We'll keep a close eye on him. And you should probably follow up with some more renal tests as well. Your specialist may want another round of dialysis before you deliver. Any questions?"

Are all babies this amazing? I smiled and gave Bella's hand one final squeeze before letting it go. I was impressed that I'd managed to not blurt that out loud. I stepped aside while Bella wiped the goop off her belly and sat up. They discussed some dietary issues and weight gain. My eyes were glued to the frozen image on the screen. It was like he was staring right back at me, only his eyes were closed. He looked really peaceful. Comfortable.

"Edward? Are you ready?" Bella tugged on my arm, drawing my attention from the screen.

"Yeah. I'm ready. Hungry?"

"Starving!"

We headed for the café a few doors down and feasted. Bella was quiet, but I couldn't shut up about the baby. She let me blabber on without interrupting. I had the ultrasound image tucked safely away in my breast pocket, and I pulled it out to take another look.

"I swear he's cuter than Emily was. I didn't see her like this – she was just a blob in the one Jazz showed off. He had to point out her head. This guy is like… an actual little person! He is so cool!" I dropped my fork down on the table, reaching for my phone. "I completely forgot I had this. I recorded him when you were still in the hospital. Want to hear what his heartbeat was like then?"

It took me a moment before I realized that Bella was no longer placating me with silence. Her eyes were downcast, and she looked sad. I was afraid she was about to start crying again.

"Want to go?" I asked quietly, putting the image and my phone away. She nodded and let me help her with her jacket.

Outside, she finally spoke. "You're getting attached."

"Am I? I just… it's… overwhelming… seeing him like that."

She nodded, chewing on her lip. "Imagine when he's born," she said softly. "You recorded him. You never told me that. I didn't think you wanted me to… I thought you were on my dad's side about the baby early on. You recorded him," she repeated. "And you've kept it."

I had no explanation for that. I couldn't even explain to myself why I'd done that.

"Edward, I want to talk to you about something. I had this idea… but I want to run it past you."

"Sure. You know I'll stand by you no matter what you decide to do. What are you thinking about?"

"I can't give him to strangers. I just can't."

"That's understandable." My stomach rolled with nervousness. I had a feeling she was going to tell me she wanted to raise the baby herself. Was I all right with that? Could I stand by her through that? I would. But would I be any good at it? The idea was slightly more appealing now that I'd seen him. Still, it made me queasy thinking about a baby living with me. The messes. The noise. The confusion and constant neediness.

"Do you think… I know Rose and Em want a family…" Her voice quivered, and she wiped away a tear. "God… I'm sorry. This is so hard."

"Take your time." I pulled her off the sidewalk in between some buildings, stroking her shoulders. I liked where she was going with this – a lot. But was it hard because she was having second thoughts about giving the baby up, or because she didn't know if they would go for it?

"Do you think they'd want him, Edward? Would they take him?" Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at me.

"I think it's worth discussing," I told her gently. "Would you be able to give him up? Are you okay with that?"

"He's not mine, Edward! He's never been mine. I know Rosalie and Emmett would take care of him. They would be the parents he needs since his are gone. Do you think they're ready? Have they even considered adopting? I don't want them to feel like I'm pushing this on them."

I chuckled, dropping my forehead to hers. "I think they'd be ecstatic about this. Truly."

"Yeah?" Her face brightened, and she smiled at me. "You think it's worth talking about? Would you come with me? I want you there when I ask them."

"I'll be there," I vowed. She fell against me, her hands gripping my shirt under my jacket. It reminded me of when she'd clung to me in Phoenix after Gran's death. I liked when she did that. It made me feel needed.

~ 0 ~

I found out when Rose and Emmett's next days off together were and booked myself off. We picked up some Chinese take-out and went to their house.

"I know take-out's lame. I promise I'll cook for you when I can comfortably reach the stovetop." Bella laughed as she patted her large stomach.

Rosalie hugged her warmly. "Well personally, I love Chinese, and Emmett just loves food, period. And we didn't have to cook! This is great!"

We enjoyed the meal together, chatting and laughing easily throughout. It was a really warm evening and dry enough to sit out on the patio after dinner.

"Help us decide what we're going to do for vacation." Rosalie spread a bunch of travel guides out on the table. "Emmett wants to do a safari. I'm thinking something that involves more beaches and Daiquiris. What do you guys think?"

I glanced at Bella. I knew she was nervous about broaching the subject of adoption. I figured it was better to get it over with. "Actually, you might want to put off both. Bella wanted to talk to you about something."

"What's up, Baby Momma?" Emmett tipped back in his chair, looping his hands behind his head. "You thinking couples' vacation?"

"Emmett!" Rose swatted him as he laughed. "Ignore that, Bella. What's on your mind? We won't be going until the end of the summer. We want to be there when the baby's born."

"Yeah, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about." Bella took a deep breath glancing over at me. I took hold of her hand to encourage her on. "It's getting really close, and I'm more than a little anxious because I don't know what's going to happen once he's here."

My sister smiled warmly at her. "You'll figure it out, honey. Everything happens for a reason, and I know you'll make the right decision."

"Well, I'm hoping to resolve that." Bella sucked in her lip, looking from Rose to Emmett. "You two were a huge part of keeping this baby safe and healthy. You were his advocates even before you knew the situation, and that means so much to me. You didn't have to do that – you didn't have to involve yourself with me. None of you had to, but you did. It feels like it's part of that 'everything happens for a reason'.

"Gianna was so thrilled when the in vitro took the first time – like it was meant to be. It felt really great to be able to do this for them. They were amazing people and would have made the best parents."

I noticed my sister's eyes getting misty. She could identify completely with Gianna's desire for a child.

"I know I'm taking the long road around this, but I am getting to my point… which is you two would make the best parents as well. I've been so torn up about what to do. I intended to honour my arrangements with Gianna and Marcus no matter what, but I need to know that I'm really following through – that I'm doing what they would want for their son. I think they would want him to have a family and home like you could provide."

Rosalie's hands flew to her mouth. She was trembling. "Bella…"

"Please don't feel like you have to do this or even consider it. I don't know if you two have even considered adoption, or if the timing is right, or even if you'd want this baby… I do know that I couldn't want any better parents for him than you." She was doing really well with this. Releasing her hand, I slipped my arm around her shoulder. Her hand rested on my leg. "Is it something you would consider? Would you raise this baby as yours?"

Rosalie gasped, pinching her eyes closed as the floodgates opened. "Oh my god…"

"You don't have to answer now, of course. Talk about it, give it some thought. I know I'm throwing this at you at the last minute, I'm sorry for that."

"He would be ours?" Emmett spoke up for the first time since Bella began her speech. "A legal adoption?"

Bella nodded. "When his biological parents died, it left me with all legal rights to decide his fate. It would be as though I'm arranging a private adoption for my own baby."

Rosalie looked at her husband. The tears had stopped and there was hope shimmering in her eyes. "Honey…?"

"We've avoided adoption because of the option for the birth parents to back out. Rosalie has suffered enough without having another hope taken away."

"The birth parents aren't here, Em. It's just me, desperately needing parents I trust for their baby. You don't have to decide now." Bella reiterated. "I just wanted to give you the option. Will you think about it?"

"We don't have to," Emmett stated with assuredness. "We're going to have a baby. A son. Rosie… we'll have a little boy."

"Bella? You're sure about this?"

"Positive!"

My eyes fluttered between the three of them. Bella looking proud and relieved, Rosalie looking like she'd been handed a miracle, and Emmett reneging on his vow to never cry over a baby. He was openly weeping as he clumsily reached for his wife.

"It's happening, baby. We're going to have our own son. Thank you, Bella. I can't… we can never repay you for this gift."

"Just take care of him, Em. And be happy. I know Gianna and Marcus would approve."

"Thank you!" Both Rosalie and Emmett latched onto to Bella – one from the side and the other from behind. I'd never been witness to three such elated people. I wondered if the little guy was as happy, or peacefully unaware of this life-altering change.

"Hey, do you want to see him?"

"Edward has his picture!" Bella announcing, beaming. "It's great! He's been carrying it around since we got it last week. You're going to love this!"

Proudly, I extracted the shadowy image of the perfect little human and passed it to his new parents-to-be. "He's a thumb-sucker."

"Just like his Uncle Edward!" Rosalie teased, planting a big kiss on my cheek. "And so you know, if you ever call my kid ugly, I won't be as nice as Alice. I'll pound you."

We all had a good laugh. Little did they know I already thought he was the most beautiful creation ever.

~ 0 ~

The next weeks sped by. Dad had asked a lawyer friend of his to represent Rose and Emmett so there wouldn't be a conflict of interests with him drawing up the adoption papers himself. Between lawyers and doctors and very excitable parents-to-be, we barely had time to ourselves. I appreciated sharing my bed with Bella more than ever. She wasn't sleeping very comfortably, so I liked being right there to position pillows for her or work out knots in her back. She was just as anxious to have Rosalie and Emmett take over as caregivers for the little guy as they were. Now we just had to get through the birth. The delivery itself still scared the life out of me. I wasn't sleeping much myself.

The day before her due date, I rushed home from work to find Bella on the couch, chewing on her lip.

"What's wrong?" I raced over, dropping to my knees in front of her.

"My dad's coming for a visit."

I sighed in heavy relief. "That's it? I thought something was wrong!"

"He's coming for the birth, Edward. He doesn't comprehend that it's an expected due date, not firm. He's staying until I have the baby."

"Okay. Why is that a problem? Are you still upset over the way he reacted towards the baby in the beginning? You know that was stress. He's over it now. He just wants to see that you come through it well."

"I know." Her bottom lip disappeared again. "You're fine with Dad staying here?"

"Yeah. Charlie's not a problem for me."

"Okay. What do you suppose Charlie will think of our sleeping arrangements?"

That got me. "Huh." I tugged at my hair as I sat back on my heels. "I see your point. I could stay with –"

"Me," Bella interrupted. "You're staying with me."

Chuckling, I nudged her foot with my knee.

"Wait, who were you going to say you'd stay with? Lauren?"

I lifted an eyebrow in disbelief. "Seriously?"

"Sorry… I don't know where that came from. Jealousy isn't usually an issue with me."

She'd be jealous? I was unsuccessful holding back my grin, even when she kicked me.

"Don't gloat, Edward. We have to figure this out. He'll be here in the morning."

"I was going to say I'd crash at Rose and Em's, but seeing as you insist I be with you…" Yeah, I really felt like gloating. "I'll just take the couch. It's not a problem. It's actually good that he's coming. Then I don't have to worry about you being alone when I'm at work. I don't want to miss any time, because I'll need to use up my remaining vacation days when it's actually time. How do you feel anyway? Think it'll be soon?"

Groaning, she collapsed back and slumped down, driving her pelvis towards me. "God, I hope so. He's so low. It hurts to sit!"

"Lie down then." I stood, feeling awkward about having her goods so close to my face anyway. I propped up some pillows and made her comfortable.

"I made dinner earlier. We just have to heat it up," she told me with a wide yawn.

"I'll do that while you rest."

"I should do it… you worked all day."

"Rest, Bella. Let me take care of you."

She snuggled in on her side, wearing a smug smirk of her own. "Take care of me if you insist."

I woke her for dinner, served her, and cleaned up before setting her up in bed.

"I'm going to miss this," she murmured. The moment I'd climbed in, she had snuggled up to me, resting her head on my shoulder. I placed my arm around her, stroking her back.

"It won't be for long. Charlie won't stick around after you're given a clean bill of health. I'll be with you in the hospital, just like before."

"And then?"

My hand froze on her back. I hadn't given a moment of thought as to what would happen once the baby was born since the adoption arrangements were made. Suddenly I was terrified that she would leave. Again. I wanted more time. I'd put off testing the waters about her true feelings for me for her sake, but I didn't want to relinquish that opportunity forever. I needed to know. "Once you're out of the hospital, we come home, and you continue to recuperate. And then you can decide what you're going to do."

"You won't kick me out?"

I chuckled, nuzzling against her hair. "Never."

"What happens once I've recuperated?"

"Whatever you want, Bella." I wanted her to stay with me, but I also wanted her to know she had options. "What do you want?"

Her hand on my chest gathered up the fabric of my t-shirt. "What do you want?" she asked softly.

You. I want you. I've always wanted you. Only you. I placed a tender kiss on the top of her head. "I want you to be happy. That's all."

"And what about you?" She tipped her head back to look at me. "You should be happy, Edward."

I smiled, stroking her cheek lightly. "I am. Don't you know that?"

She closed her eyes, the sweetest smile on her lips as she released my shirt and drew her hand up to my neck. "Me too."

We held each other that way all night – what I assumed to be our last night together until the baby's arrival. Once again, I didn't sleep. I wanted to be aware of every breath she took and the way her hand felt on my skin. Every touch – every sensation – was heightened to the point where I almost couldn't breathe. Along with that, dark thoughts crept in as I feared the worst. Life without Bella in any form would be the worst.

A/N ~ There ya go. Rose and Emmett will have their baby. I'm envisioning many I-knew-it! dances going on. :-) Also anticipating the disappointment in Edward for not testing the waters with Bella. Well, I hear ya. I really do. This was another battle with Muse Edward. As frustrating as it is that Edward continuously puts others before himself, it's who he is, and he just won't push Bella into something he doesn't feel she's ready for with everything else going on in her life. I commiserated with Muse Bella for a while, but she informed me that this is one of Edward's most endearing traits and she's willing to wait for him.

Hey, do you know what's almost as good as an Edward who's willing to put his own desires aside for the woman he loves? It's having someone stay up to shoot off motivational messages to keep me from drowning in the sea of dicks and assholes during a particularly rotten work week. Hmm. Kind of makes my job sound really dirty or really interesting - I assure you, it's neither. LOL But this friend is seriously awesome. She kept me from pulling my hair out by the roots, or coming out of it entirely grey. I recommend everyone sending these types of messages - or RobPorn, whichever works best, ;-) - to your own very best good friend.

Thank you for reading. See you next week? I haven't done my final edit on the next chapter yet, so I can't even give you a hint on what's coming up. It'll be a surprise for me too. LOL Okay, shutting up now. XX ~ SR