***STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS TWILIGHT, WE JUST PLAY AROUND WITH HER CHARACTERS***
A/N: I think Ally did a fantastic job with the previous chapter. She was very excited to write it and having actually gotten married in Las Vegas, was able to put a personal touch to it. Well done my friend! Now, on to married life and a few other things!
EPOV
Isabella Cullen. Isabella Marie Cullen. Mrs. Isabella Cullen. Mrs. Edward Anthony Cullen. I had to laugh out loud at my silliness. Bella was in the bathroom finishing up her part of our shower and going through her nighttime ritual while I was lying naked in bed waiting for my wife to slip in beside me. My wife. Bella Cullen. Would I ever tire of hearing my last name attached to her first name? Somehow I doubted it.
Our Vegas wedding had turned out to be perfect for us. I had never seen Bella look so beautiful. When she appeared on Charlie's arm I nearly collapsed. I don't have a clue what I did to deserve this stunning woman in my life, but I am damn glad I did it.
The bathroom door opened and my wife stepped out, leaning against the doorframe. I held my hand out to her and beckoned her with my finger.
"Yep, that IS the finger I love. Oh, and the one next to it too." The little minx was testing my self-control.
"Well the sooner you get in this bed with me, the sooner I'll let you have these fingers….and anything else you'd like." I winked just for shits and grins.
She smirked at me as she walked slowly to the bed and climbed in, still wearing her white, innocent, virginal wedding night lingerie. I thought I'd give her a hard time about wearing white to bed but I was distracted when she reached under the covers and began to stroke my cock.
"Damn baby, you don't waste time do you?" I laid on my back as she ran her hands up and down my abs.
"Edward, you know I have always loved you. I would love you no matter what you weighed. But I just have to say, I am quite fond of these abs. I may have to lick them all over."
Before I could say anything in response, she did exactly that. This woman, my wife, was amazing and I fully intended to make sure she was nothing but happy for the rest of our lives.
When we returned from Las Vegas, things settled into a routine for Bella and me. I started my job at the Seattle Times and wrote articles for Men's Health Magazine when they asked me to. The response to both my columns at the Times as well as the articles for the magazine had been terrific. Bella went back to school to obtain her teaching certification. She was busy, I was busy, and our time together was very limited.
Before we knew it, Emmett and Rosalie were here in Seattle for good and the new gym was up and running. It was surreal to walk into the place and see rather large pictures of myself hanging on the wall. I eventually got used to it and was glad to have Emmett back as my work out partner. I hadn't slipped up or anything, but I felt better when he was near me. I had been hitting the gym pretty hard since we got back from Vegas because for several days I was unable to work out.
Today was a big day for Bella and me. We had gone house hunting a couple weeks ago and fell completely in love with a nice home in Shoreline. It was right at the limit of our budget but with our parents' help we were able to submit our offer. Two days later, it was accepted and today was moving day.
I walked into our bedroom just as Bella was bending over a box, filling it with towels and things from the bathroom. I just stood there, leaning against the doorframe and appreciated one of my wife's finest assets.
"I know you are there Edward, and I know you're staring at my ass."
"Baby, here's the thing…" I said as I walked toward her and wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. "I will always stare at your ass because I can. I'm your husband and that ass belongs to me." I began to place soft kisses along her neck and around her ear. She was wearing yoga pants and a thin tank top with a sports bra underneath. I let my hands roam all over the front of her body and pulled her by the hips against my now very hard cock.
"Mmmm Edward, you really need to stop. We have to finish packing and if you keep doing that I'm going throw you down right here on the floor and fuck you until YOU can't walk."
"Fuck baby you can't say shit like that and then not follow through. Tease." I backed away from her after I swatted her ass a couple times.
"Who said I wasn't going to follow through? Tonight will be our first night in the new house. We have to christen the bedrooms."
"I'll hold you to that Mrs. Cullen." I winked at her as I made my way back to the living room to finish packing up all of our books.
The moving van and the movers arrived and began loading our lives into the truck. I had mixed feelings about leaving this apartment. Even before I went to Chicago, Bella and I spent so much time here. I think I fell more in love with her each time I walked through the door. Sadly, it's also the place where I left the love of my life for a year and a half while I took my life back.
"I can practically hear your thoughts Edward." I spun around and found Bella walking toward me. "I feel the same way. It's bittersweet to leave here. This is where, for all intents and purposes, we fell in love. It will always be special. But I also know that our new home will be just that. Our home. I can see our future there Edward, and I love what I see." She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down to her lips.
"Will I ever deserve you Sweetheart?" It was a rhetorical question, but I truly wondered what I had done to have the privilege of being with this beautiful creature for the rest of my life.
We gathered the rest of our things that we were taking in our cars with us and closed the door to the apartment for the last time. Bittersweet indeed.
The months flew by as we settled into our new home and pretty soon the holiday season was upon us. Bella had gone all out with the Christmas decorations this year, having help from my mother and sister. I felt like I was living at the North Pole.
Winter time in Washington had come and with it came the flu. Bella and I were both sick now and had been for about a week. I was finally feeling better and was able to take a hot shower and dress myself without nearly passing out from exhaustion. Bella was not so lucky. This flu had grabbed a hold of her and wasn't looking like it was going to let go any time soon.
Making my way to her after my shower, I smiled when I saw that she was curled up around my pillow, finally sleeping soundly. I leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead and noticed that she didn't have fever anymore. I was glad for that.
Deciding I would make both of us some chicken noodle soup, I was going to have to run to the store to get a couple things. I left Bella a short note in case she woke up and I wasn't here and grabbed my wallet and keys off the kitchen island. Once I got to the store I quickly gathered everything I needed and grabbed some more Tylenol for my Bella. When I walked in the door, Bella was curled up now on the couch holding the remote and searching for something to watch.
"Sweetheart, you should be in bed. I'm going to make us some chicken soup. Do you want me to carry you back to bed?" I moved to pick her up but she quickly pushed me away and lunged off the couch, heading directly to the nearest bathroom where she promptly threw up. I stood outside the door feeling helpless but knowing that Bella preferred to be alone when she was throwing up. When she quieted down, I opened the door and went to her. It broke my heart to see her so sick.
"Edward, I feel awful. I think I need to go to the doctor. Can you call your Dad and ask him to meet us at the hospital?" She was pale and glistening with sweat.
"Of course baby. Can you stand?"
"I think so. Don't let me go Edward." She was trying to stay upright and I wasn't going to have her fall, so I scooped her up bridal style and carried her back to our bedroom. I gave my Dad a call and he and Mom met us at the hospital.
Several hours and four vials of blood later, Bella was sipping some Sprite to settle her stomach and waiting for my Dad to get back and say she could go home.
"Baby, are you feeling any better?" I brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes and kissed her softly on the forehead.
"I don't feel as miserable anymore. Whatever medicine they gave me worked apparently. I still have no energy though."
"Well when we get home you can eat some soup and we'll take a hot shower together. I don't want you showering alone while you are so weak." She raised an eyebrow at me and I knew it was because she thought I had less than honorable intentions.
"Uh huh. You're going to shower with me and be a total gentleman right?"
Raising my right hand in the air beside my head, I swore I would be good. "Scout's honor baby. I only want to help you."
"You were never a boy scout Edward." I just gave her a cheeky grin and pecked her forehead with a kiss.
I was about to reply when my Dad walked in carrying Bella's chart. His eyes looked happy but the rest of his face was serious.
"So, what's the verdict?" I asked as Bella took my hand.
"Well, I have some good news and some bad news." He said as he opened up the chart.
"Okay then, let me have the bad news first." Bella said as she squeezed my hand.
"The bad news is that it is going to be a while before you feel completely better. Several months in fact." My breath caught in my throat. Bella was sick and from the sounds of things, very sick. I wrapped my arm around my wife who looked like she was ready to burst into tears at any moment.
"And the good news?" She whispered quietly.
"Well the good news is that I am going to be Grandfather."
Bella gasped and I just shook my head. Any moment now Bella was going to be waking me up, letting me know she was heading to class. I was sure of it.
"I'm pregnant?" She asked with awe as her hands covered her stomach. "With Edward's baby?"
I heard Dad chuckle. "Well I certainly hope that it's Edward's" he said with a laugh as he pulled her in for a hug. "You my dear girl are going to be a Mom." What the fuck?
My brain finally caught up to what I was hearing, "We're going to have a baby?" I asked as I stood and cupped her face in my hands.
"It sounds like it. Are you okay with that? I mean, I know we talked about having children, but we just got settled in the house, and your job is great. But I'm in school and…."she rambled on until I kissed her again as my father watched from the other side of the bed.
"It's okay Bell, more than okay. You're making me a Daddy. I couldn't be happier." I pulled her into my arms and showed her just how happy I was with a passionate kiss. Only Dad clearing his throat forced us apart.
"Well kids, Bella is free to go home now. Charlie and Renee are in the waiting room. Esme tried to convince them to stay home and that she would keep them updated, but Renee wouldn't have that."
"Okay, um. Edward, if it's okay with you, can we wait until after we are home and I'm cleaned up before we tell them?" Bella softly asked.
"Yeah, baby that's fine. Let's just get you home."
"Alright, I just have to head to the nurse's station to print off your discharge forms, if you want to meet there after Bella is dressed, she can sign them then." Dad said and then left the room.
I helped Bella back into her clothes and we walked out to the nursing desk. Both sets of our parents were standing there and Renee looked like she had been crying. As soon as she saw us she ran towards us, wrapping Bella in a hug a moment later.
"Oh my baby girl. Are you okay? When Esme called to tell us that Edward was taking you to the hospital I thought the worst."
Bella sighed. "I'm fine mom. After I sign my discharge forms, let's all go back to our place and we will tell you what's going on."
Renee agreed and we headed towards the desk again. Bella and I were both shocked to see Lauren Mallory sitting at the Nursing Desk with Bella's paperwork in front of her.
"Isabella CULLEN?" She asked looking between the paperwork and Bella.
I just grinned and wrapped my arm around Bella's shoulder. "Yeah. Bella and I are married now."
Lauren glanced down at the paperwork again and let out a snort. She leveled a glare at Bella and continued.
"I get it, but do you really think that someone as hot as him will stick around just because you're pregnant? Bet the kid's not even his!" She said, venom lacing her words.
I heard both our moms gasp and I could see my Dad's jaw clench in anger as he stood behind her. "Miss Mallory!" He almost shouted.
Lauren had the nerve to smirk at Bella before she tuned back to my father. "Yes, Dr. Cullen?" Her eyes suddenly went wide, almost as if she was just realizing that her boss was my father.
"Go wait in the staff room. We need to have another discussion about your work ethic"
She nodded and scurried away. My Dad shook his head and gave Bella the forms to sign. He then excused himself to deal with Lauren.
I turned to look at the rest of our parents. Mom and Renee both had tears streaming down their faces and Charlie, well he actually looked ecstatic.
"Pregnant?" they all asked simultaneously. Bella turned and grasped my hand.
"Yeah. Carlisle said that's why it seemed like I wasn't getting over the flu."
"My baby girl is having a baby?" Charlie asked with a mile wide smile on his face. "I'm going to be a grandpa?"
"Yeah Daddy. It looks that way." He pulled Bella away from me and wrapped her up in a hug just as both our Mom's squealed like Alice would have. Mom pulled me into her arms, more tears streaming down her face.
"Oh Edward, I am so proud of you."
"For getting my wife pregnant?" I asked with a silly grin.
Mom just slapped my arm and smiled up at me. Dad retuned a moment later.
"Sorry about that. We have been having nothing but issues with that girl. It's like she has no filter. In fact, she just got back from a suspension for saying something similar to the granddaughter of the mayor." Dad explained.
Everyone decided that Bella and I should have some time alone to digest the news, so instead of them coming to our house, they went back home. We offered to let Charlie and Renee stay overnight with us so they didn't have to drive all the way back to Forks, but they insisted they were fine going home.
A couple hours later after a hot shower and some soup, Bella and I were snuggled together in our bed. I was still trying to grasp the fact that I was going to be a father. Almost as if she could sense my thoughts, Bella spoke softly from the crook of my elbow.
"I can't believe we're going to have a baby. Are we ready for this Edward?" She looked up at me with such worry on her beautiful face, I had to soothe her.
"Of course we're ready Sweetheart. Sure, it wasn't in the plan for right now, but Bella think about it. My career has really taken off. Between the Times and the magazine, we've been able to put a lot of money into our savings account lately, your classes are going well and soon you'll be certified to teach. We have a beautiful new home and the support of all our friends and families. We'll be fine Baby." I leaned down to gently brush my lips against hers. She sighed and relaxed in my arms.
"I love you Edward, so much. You're going to be an amazing father."
"I love you too Sweetheart, and you are going to be the most beautiful, amazing, perfect mother to ever have a child. I hope if we have a little girl that she looks just like you. I'll be wrapped around her little finger in no time."
"Oh I don't know, I think a little bronze haired, green eyed boy would be totally adorable."
"Well, whichever one we get is ok, just as long as we have a healthy baby." I gently turned Bella to her side and pulled her against my chest, my hand resting where our child was growing. "Get some rest Sweet Girl."
Bella was able to get in to see her OB/GYN a week after we found out about the baby. Thankfully, she was feeling better, but still exhausted. The doctor assured us that everything was as it should be and Bella's due date was estimated to be around July 29th. This was perfect because her schooling would be done in May and she'd be a certified teacher. She'd be able to take time off for the baby to be born before she started a teaching job.
I had taken the morning off to go to the doctor with Bella. I was taking her home and then I planned to go in to work. I had a column to submit before the end of the day today so I wanted to get that done. I also had an article due for Men's Health by the end of the week, but I could work on that from home.
When I got to my desk at work, I logged in to check my email. While I was scrolling through the messages my phone rang. Glancing over, I saw that it was my boss, Mr. Larsen.
"Edward Cullen." I picked up my pen because I was sure he had another assignment for me.
"Cullen, can you come to my office please?"
"Sure Mr. Larsen. I'll be right there." I locked my computer and made my way to the top floor of the building where the executive offices were located. When I stepped off the elevator, Mr. Larsen's assistant, Jane, smiled and told me to go on in.
Knocking softly on the door, I opened it slightly and stuck my head in. "Sir, you wanted to see me?" He looked up from his desk and smiled.
"Yes Edward, come on in son. Have a seat." At least he appeared to be in a good mood. Hopefully I wasn't in trouble.
"Edward, I wanted to let you know how impressed I have been with your work here. You are a gifted journalist and I feel lucky to have you on my team. I spoke with some of your professors at Concordia as well as Mr. Johnson from the publishing house you interned for. Every one of them spoke very highly of you. So with that being said, I'd like to offer you a promotion. You've done a fabulous job with your current column, but I would like to challenge you a bit. I'd like to offer you a position as an Editorial Writer. You'll be a member of the Editorial Board and be responsible for mostly researching and making policy recommendations. You'll also be writing editorials on behalf of The Times editorial board and the occasional personal column. It's a significant pay increase plus a company credit card and some travel." Holy shit.
"Mr. Larsen, I don't know what to say. Thank you sir. Can I have some time to mull it over and talk it out with my wife?"
"Of course Edward. Take the rest of the day off and have a long weekend with your Bella. Monday come back and see me and we'll go from there."
"That sounds great sir." I stood to shake his hand still not believing what he had just offered me. As I made my way to my desk to shut everything down and head home, I couldn't keep the smile off my face. I couldn't wait to get home to celebrate with Bella. Life just couldn't get any better than it was at this moment. I was married to my soulmate, we would have a beautiful baby coming this summer, a beautiful home, and now I had a position I could have only dreamed would be possible.
When I look back on the last several years of my life, I see an overweight, out of shape kid who thought nothing mattered in life but where his next box of pop tarts came from. Then he met a brown eyed beauty who changed his entire outlook on life. Now, he had the world at his feet. He only hoped he didn't manage to screw it up.
A/N: I hate writer's block! I have to give BIG THANKS to Ally for saving my ass with this chapter. I just couldn't get it to flow the way I wanted it to, so she stepped in and got Edward to do what I needed him to do! She's the best! Also, check out our Facebook page, Edward and Bella's Place. There will be pictures of Edward and Bella's new house there after this chapter posts. You can find a link to it on my profile and also on AlbertaGirl78's profile.