Same disclaimer applies-Twilight belongs to S.M., but the idea of this story is mine.

Many thanks to my awesome betas and friends - TeamAllTwilight and m0t0b33.


A week passed since Edward appeared with flowers as an apology.

To say I was shocked, but yet impressed is an understanding. Needless to mention, Jasper kind of got kicked out of the house for the day.

We're currently at Dad's for his birthday. I was surprised to find Mom here, with her husband, Phil, but I shouldn't have been. They all get along pretty well.

With brunch eaten and cleared up, the men retreated to another room, while I'm stuck with Mom and Sue. They seem intrigued as to why am I not pregnant yet. Like everyone gets to the next plausible step right after they get married.

"Mooom," I whine. "We got married half a year ago, not even that. Pah-lease."

"I want grandbabies. Can you blame me?"

"But we're not ready. Heck, it's enough I got that scare in January."

"What scare?" Both of them ask, looking too happy for my liking.

I groan, scratching my throat. "I got so distracted in December with the wedding and everything that I forgot the shot. Lucky it had an effect until my period came," I add under my breath.

"Well, what scared you? You were supposedly on the shot…" Mom frowns.

"Exactly. I had no idea why I was feeling funny and then my period came. Thank God it was only that."

"Sweetie, you have to think about this seriously."

"You're not going to start pestering us about children now. It's enough you drove me up the wall with the wedding!" I beg her loudly.

Too loudly. Our men are joining us.

"Did I hear it right?" Dad asks happily. "You're planning on children?"

I share a horrified look with Edward. I know he wants this, but I'm not sure. I never really liked children. They're cute and all, but just that.

"You'll be the first to know when that happens," he tells them, coming to sit next to me. He throws an arm on the back of the couch, his fingers resting at the nape of my neck. It gives me the shivers—the good ones.

Thankfully, the subject changes to Phil's coaching.

I lean into my husband and sigh. I'm kinda tired and all I want is to just stay here, held in his arms and listen to the family. My family isn't as crazy as his, but they don't seem to sense my need to detach.

Mom asks if I'm okay, and I just shrug, wishing she'd get the hint.

"It's been a long week, Renee. Her new team is bat-shit stupid. I barely saw her at home, because she stayed late to correct what they did wrong...every day."

I wish Edward didn't just say that. I can almost hear Mom's scolding about ignoring my duties—surprisingly, she doesn't say anything.

Next thing I know is the feeling of a soft pillow under my head and a cold blanket on top of me. I'm too tired to open my eyes and see who's here, though I suspect Edward brought me to my old room. When I wake up, the sun is shining and birds are chirping outside.

A warm body moves behind me. I turn to find Edward awake, staring at the ceiling.

"Morning, hubby," I whisper, snuggling into his side.

"Morning, baby. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby." I laugh, kissing his chest, hugging him tightly.

"I've been thinking..."

"Yeah?" I turn my head to look at him. He swallows nervously and I can't help myself. Leaning forward, I lick his Adam's apple.

"Bella, be good. I want to talk to you about...what your mom's been hinting at yesterday."

I stiffen. "What did they tell you while I've been asleep?" I demand.

"That kind of answers my question." He sighs, running his fingers down my spine.

"What question? Do you...want...now...?" I prop myself on my elbow to see him better.

"Not now, but in the future? Yes."

"Yeah. In the future," I agree.

"I think I know you well enough by now, baby. If you don't want, I can live without children. It's you after all that will do the hard work."

"I knew there was a reason I loved you!" I exclaim, happy. "There're few men who realize the tedious work a woman has to do to bear a child."

A smile spreads on his face, his eyes close. "I can imagine you..."

"Please don't," I plead with him.

"Okay. I'll tell you another time," he agrees, chuckling. Leaning closer, he kisses me softly, but before we can deepen the kiss, there's a knock on the door. "Christ. I need some Bella-time. Alone."

I comb my fingers through his hair. "Soon. If my strategy works, Jasper will move in with Alice by the end of May."

"Really?" His eyes light up, just as the person outside our door knocks again.

"We're up!" I shout, rolling my eyes. "Three more weeks," I whisper to Edward, kissing him quickly.

"My new mantra." He laughs, rolling out of the bed.

*BH*

By middle of June, we're alone once again.

To celebrate the event, we have a naked weekend...which turns into a sex marathon.

For his birthday, we plan a night out with our friends and family. Since the moment I wake up, I feel like a train ran over me, but don't say anything. I don't want to ruin his birthday.

I make pancakes for breakfast and serve them in bed, eating only one when Edward holds it to my mouth. He seems to sense there's something off with me, but doesn't ask.

At work, I try to remember what the hell I did eat in the past twenty four hours to make me feel like this. I had a salad yesterday, at some point and veggies for dinner. While contemplating this mystery, some guy from my team comes into the room with his awful smelling pastry. That seems to be the last straw my stomach can take.

The bathroom is out of question, so I lunge for the trash bin.

Jeez.

The last time I felt like this, it was from eating that greasy food all those years ago. Though, now, there was no grease in sight.

A sudden horrifying thought crosses my mind.

What if Mom's right?

No, if that's true...she totally jinxed me.

"Mrs. Cullen!" Pastry boy says worried, approaching me.

Another wave of nausea hits me. I hold my hand up to stop me from coming any closer.

"Should I bring Mr. Cullen?" Seth asks, moving my hair out of my face.

"No," I moan, wiping my mouth with a paper tissue. "But do call the cleaning service. How about a break? I'm so sorry..."

A bunch of people out in the main area of our floor and the cleaning service in our room, seems to grab everyone's attention.

It doesn't take long for Edward to appear at the crime scene. His hands rest on my shoulders.

"Is everything okay here, baby?"

"Yes, don't worry." I nod, wondering if word got away.

"I heard through the grapevine...that you got sick. So no, it's not okay."

"The grapevine is broken."

"Bella."

"Edward," I mimic him.

He huffs annoyed. "I need to be in a video conference in ten minutes, so tell me what happened."

"Jeez. Demanding much? I'm fine!"

"We'll talk later." He touches my cheek then turns on his heel and goes to James's office.

I go back to our commercial with my team, but have this nagging feeling that Mom is right. All day I'm distracted, and all kinds of thoughts start making sense.

Lately, I felt so tired, I ate a lot of junk food, my boobs feel sensitive and I'm feeling off all the time. It's worse than a simple case of PMS.

Before leaving to take Edward to go to his party, I decide to not bring this up until I'm sure. And I hope I'm wrong.

Emmett organized Edward's party—thus we're in a tavern sort of place. It smells stale and I'm grateful we're on the patio. When we order, I ask for cherry coke making everyone look at me funny.

I'm getting presumptuous here, but I don't want to risk it. Though, I can't say no to the smoke Edward decides to share with me.

I try to stay focused on what Vic is telling me, but the smell coming from inside this place is making my stomach turn.

"Bathroom," I whisper, getting up.

Edward nods, patting my ass.

It may be odd that I don't ask any of the girls to join me, because Rose offers to tag along, eyeing me curiously.

No. Not her, I think sadly.

I don't want her to find out.

She'll hate me all over again.

The second we're in the bad smelling bathroom, I rush into a stall and begin heaving in the toilet. Rose follows me, holding my hair and grasping my shoulder.

"What did you eat?"

"Nothing," I answer honestly.

"And last night?" She hands me toilet paper to wipe my mouth.

"Veggies?"

She frowns, helping me up and to the sink. I cleanse my mouth, catching her eye through the mirror. Her blue eyes widen and she gasps.

"You're..."

I shrug, turning to face her. "I've no idea. I've been all over the place lately. Though..." I scratch my head. "No. That can't be right." A cup my mouth with my hand, staring to her eyes. "Last month..."

"Do you want to talk with my doctor? Dad introduced us. They're old friends. He helped Mom through her pregnancy with Vicky."

"If you... I don't want to..."

She waves a hand around. "I realize that it's not the end of the world. Actually, I've been talking with Em about adopting."

"That's wonderful!" I hug her tightly. "Can you give me the name and number of this doctor?" I ask just as Alice bursts into the bathroom.

"Bella! Are you okay? Edward made me come and check on you. He said you were sick earlier today too."

"I'm fine," I groan. I hate repeating myself.

"You're more than fine!" She squeals, tackling me. She almost ends us both on the floor, thankfully there is a wall behind me. "You're preggo!"

"Shhh!" I hiss. "Please. I'm not even sure."

"I'll take you tomorrow with me. I have my check-up," Rose offers.

I look between them. I'm not ready to destroy their happiness by saying a child is the last thing on my mind.

When we join the others outside, I snuggle back into Edward's side, feeling awful for keeping this from him. But at least until I know there's somethi...someone growing inside me, I can't say anything.


Thoughts?