Chapter 20:
EPOV
The third week of September my cousins surprise us with a visit. I haven't seen Jasper since the move to Seattle but Alice is in the city a lot for work and stops by to see us every chance she gets. She's been buzzing around our home like the nuisance she knows she is. The only word to describe her reaction to the apartment we rented would be appalled. It's tiny, yes, but Bella and I don't need much, just each other. The only luxury we're lacking is a play room, but since we've been so busy adjusting to our new life in Seattle its absence hasn't been a problem... yet. We're taking things a day at a time, figuring it out as we go along.
While I've been occupied learning the nightclub business from Jason and Rose, Bella has been busying herself with building a new client base. She's found one personal shopping client so far but needs at least three more to earn the same money she was making in Port Angeles. I'd like her to come work at the club with me so we could be together, but seeing as she has no desire to bartend there is little opportunity for her. At 5'4" and 125 lbs she can't exactly be one of the security guards, and she doesn't want to waitress since Jason made the executive decision that all wait staff will have a topless uniform.
I never thought baring her breasts inside the club would bother Bella, but she's been so skittish since returning from Forks and I can see she really isn't comfortable with the idea of public nudity for the time being. I haven't made much progress with convincing Bella it will be safe for us to return to performing when the new theater opens. Since Coming Attractions is now a two hour drive away and Full Exposure is still many weeks from opening to the public I haven't concerned myself too much with her lingering stage fright.
I'm fairly certain that after a few weeks, hell, maybe after a few nights at the new club she'll be begging me to take her on stage again. Of course that requires her agreeing to come to opening night and remembering how she felt inside those walls. We haven't discussed it, but my guess is that she misses the club scene more than she'll admit. And if she doesn't come around? Well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Jasper and I are currently following our ladies into yet another high rise condo located on the northwest side of the city. Alice is adamant about getting Bella and I out of our cigar box apartment as soon as possible. I learned a long time ago that it's easier to give Tink what she wants than fight her, and a pregnant pixie is turning out to be high maintenance to the nth degree. Jasper hasn't said anything more than 'yes dear' in the last three hours.
"I thought morning sickness was supposed to slow women down? Make them sick and tired all the time?" I whisper to him when I'm sure the girls are far enough ahead of us not to overhear.
Jasper grins and says, "She pukes every morning, then curses me out a little, and by lunch time she's back to her old self. Except now she's going nuts about cleaning, buying stuff for the baby, and making sure everything we still need to do is planned out. She calls it nesting or some shit."
"Nesting?" I ask completely perplexed.
"I don't know man, apparently they all do it."
"They do?"
"Yeah, so take my advice for when it's your turn. Just give her whatever she wants, no matter how crazy the request," Jasper advises.
"And that will keep her from going crazy?" I wonder.
"No, not at all. But if you don't, she'll just start crying. Like full on sobbing for no fucking reason. Trust me."
Huh. Maybe I should be taking notes. "I've got a little time yet before Bella will be getting pregnant," I grumble.
"Have you guys even picked a date for the wedding yet?"
I shake my head. "Nah, we've got enough going on right now. We've talked about maybe the spring, but nothing definite."
Our realtor, Marcy, is holding the door to the condo open as Jasper and I hurry to catch up. I can hear Alice already walking down one of the hallways going on about crown molding. Bella is standing just inside the entryway waiting for me. I give her a big smile and reach out to take her hand. She gives it a strong squeeze.
"Now, this condo is 1,900 square feet with three bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, balcony off the master bedroom, and two and a half bath," Marcy informs us.
We follow her from room to room as she points out features of the condo and Alice grills her about details I would never think to ask. Admittedly, my mother helped me with the purchase of the townhome in Port Angeles. I didn't really pay much attention to mortgage rates, property taxes, or association fees so I'm a bit out of my league here.
"What do you guys think?" Alice asks Bella. She knows not to bother asking for my opinion any longer. After three hours of house hunting all these condos are beginning to look the same.
"I like it, Alice. It might make more sense though to live closer to the club," Bella replies.
"No! I want you to find something outside the city. This place is a compromise in location already!" Alice pouts.
Jasper's eyes widen in warning and he looks at me, subtly dabbing at the corner of his eye. Would Alice really start crying over something like how close our future home is to the neighborhood they eventually plan to buy in?
I decide to quickly interject my thoughts in an attempt to distract Alice. I don't want to hurt her feelings, or God forbid make her bawl right here in front of Marcy, but ultimately Bella and I will buy a house that suits our needs. "Let's put this place on the short list, okay? Alice you must be getting hungry. Why don't we go grab some dinner now?"
The mention of food gets Alice's attention and Bella mouths a thank you to me as we all move towards the front door. Down on the street we say goodbye to the realtor and make another appointment with her to view houses in the suburbs in two weeks.
Jasper wants to eat at a Mexican restaurant he saw on the drive out so we backtrack into the heart of the city until we find it. We get seated after just a few minutes wait and I immediately reach for the tortilla chips in the center of the table. The Mexican food smells delicious and it makes me realize that I'm starving. The salsa is really good so I grab another couple chips.
"Jesus, Edward, which one of us is eating for two here?" Alice teases. I shoot her a dirty look and shove an overloaded chip into my mouth.
"Do you really feel like you're eating a lot more?" Bella asks curiously.
"It comes and goes," Alice replies while unfolding her napkin in her lap. "I've been sick most mornings and even the sight of food churns my stomach. But this time of day I can probably sack away more food than Jasper."
I glance over at my cousin for confirmation and he's nodding his head in agreement. Alice is so tiny; it's hard to imagine that being possible. I'm about to suggest we make a bet who can scarf down the most enchiladas when Bella asks another pregnancy question.
"When does that part end? The morning sickness, I mean?"
Alice thinks for a moment, counting weeks of gestation on her fingers. "I'm fifteen weeks right now. My doctor says the worst of the nausea passes by the fifteenth week so I'm literally counting down the days until it passes. And I'm really looking forward to the twenty week milestone."
"Why, what happens at twenty weeks?" Bella asks.
"Most women start to feel movement around twenty weeks. We'll also get to see the baby in an ultrasound and find out the gender. Jazz and I are arguing over whether or not to be surprised."
A waiter wearing a large yellow sombrero comes to take our dinner orders. I decide to get the soft shell tacos and a side of enchiladas just in case anyone is up for my bet idea. To my surprise, Bella continues the baby talk once the waiter leaves the table. I can't help smiling, pleased to see her genuine interest in Alice's pregnancy.
"Who wants to find out and who wants to wait?"
Jasper laughs. "The only reason Ally is fighting me is because she wants to decorate the nursery accordingly."
"That's not true," she protests. "I also have to start thinking about baby names!"
"I thought we already decided if it's a boy he'll be a junior?" my cousin asks grinning like an idiot.
Alice huffs loudly. "Jasper Hale, I told you long before I ever agreed to marry you that no son of ours will be named Jasper Junior!"
Bella and I laugh along with Jazz as he purposely ruffles Alice's feathers. I have to agree with her though; Jasper is not a name I'd carry on to another generation.
"Edward Junior has a nice ring to it, though, don't you think?" Bella says softly.
I glance over at her, momentarily stunned to see her looking at me expectantly. Isn't this the same woman who told me she wasn't even close to thinking about babies? With my luck, Bella will end up being one of those women who get baby fever when her friend is expecting. I'll have to pry her off my cock the night after Alice's baby shower.
I laugh to myself at that thought and Bella mistakes it for a reaction to her question. "What? You don't like the idea of naming our baby after you?"
"No, I do actually. You just caught me off guard. Did you know I was named after my grandfather?"
Bella smiles. "No, I didn't know that." I'm about to tell her the story of my grandfather who was killed in World War II when the waiter returns with our food. Immediately the need to satisfy my empty stomach wins out over continuing the conversation and I forget what we were even talking about a moment before.
Over dinner Jasper and Alice tell us how everyone in Port Angeles is doing. They've gone to Coming Attractions a few times and apparently everyone has been asking about us. Jenks had mentioned to me the other day how many current members have expressed interest in joining Full Exposure. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I want Bella to have a completely fresh start here and if most of our first round of members are faces from Port Angeles it kind of defeats the purpose of starting over.
"So are you going to offer a dual membership?" Alice prods.
"Why, are you thinking of joining, Tink?" I wonder.
She pouts, idly covering her mostly flat stomach with one hand. "I don't know if would be worth it for us with me in my current state. Most nights I can barely keep my eyes open long enough to have sex. My desire to play is even lower than my libido these days," she grumbles.
Jasper doesn't look nearly as irritated by this development as Alice. I think my cousin is the only man who'd rather make love to his wife than fuck her brains out in a bunch of kinky ways.
"We'll definitely be there for your opening night, if for no other reason than to support you and celebrate," Jasper offers.
"Yeah, but I don't think I'll be showing my big fat pregnant belly in any BDSM clubs after that. It just feels twisted, you know, and not the good kind of twisted," Alice laments.
Bella kicks my foot under the table and it makes me turn my head in her direction. She's lifting one brow triumphantly, as if to say see, this is why we don't want babies yet. I shake my head while smirking. Bella is so full of contradictions. She doesn't want babies, but does apparently want to name one after me. She doesn't want to go back to the club, but points out how having said baby would get in the way of our ability to frequent the club. I roll my eyes at her, wisely choosing not to comment. I know no one is more confused about what Bella wants than Bella. 'One thing at a time' has been my mantra for the past month or so. We'll concentrate on getting the club open for business, then getting married, buying a house, and finally starting a family. First comes sex club, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage. Yeah, I think that's how the song goes.
After dinner we drop Jasper and Alice off at my parents' condo where they will be spending the night. Esme really wanted us to come inside but it's been a really long day and I'm eager to get home.
"What are you thinking about?" Bella asks a few minutes later as we're driving back to our apartment.
"I'm just still reeling from all that baby talk," I answer honestly.
"Don't tell me you're having second thoughts about wanting kids. I'm just starting to warm up to the idea!" she exclaims.
"Really? I don't believe you," I reply lightheartedly. My eyes stay trained on the road but from the corner of my periphery I notice her cross her arms defensively. "We don't have to get into that discussion again. I promised you all the time you needed and I meant it. My mind is focused on the club right now, honest. And marrying you, of course," I insist, winking at her.
I reach one hand across the center console and pry her left hand away from her chest. She's being reserved and I'm not sure why. "Everything okay, Bella?"
"I have a confession to make," she says in a small voice. "When Alice called and told me she was pregnant I was surprised, and not just by her announcement... but also by my reaction."
I'd forgotten that Bella was the first person Alice told. I think back to that night, the night Bella and I had our huge argument. I left her at the house and while I was talking my problems through with Jason and Rose, Bella was at home taking that phone call from Alice. That night was a turning point for us; when we agreed to relocate to Seattle together.
"So what was your reaction, love?"
"Envy," she breathes. I hardly hear her over the roar of the car engine. "She sounded so happy and I could hear Jasper in the background talking to her. I don't know why, the excitement in her voice just made me want to feel that kind of joy too. And then I pictured myself holding a baby with your hair color and my brown eyes. I don't know. It was the first time I imagined that scenario and really wanted it."
"Why was it so easy to convince you to move to Seattle that night? You acted almost as if you expected it." I ask feeling stupid even thinking it, but I was surprised by how easily she agreed to give up the life she'd been building in Port Angeles.
Surprisingly to me, Bella nods her head. "I didn't know you were going to suggest moving, but I didn't need time to think it over either. After talking to Alice I spent the rest of that evening unable to get the image of myself having your baby out of my head; even as mad at you as I was at the time. When you asked me about Seattle, it was a no-brainer that I would follow you wherever I had to in order to make that dream a reality. Being with you, that's what I dream about."
"You have no idea how happy that makes me, Bella," I admit feeling my cheeks turn a little pink.
"I think I do," she replies. "I'm still frightened about the whole baby process, and how it will change things. You heard Alice tonight, saying she has no desire for sex and feels weird about going to the club once she's showing."
"I know what you mean. We'll figure it out when the time comes. I still plan on marrying you first, Ms. Swan."
She chuckles. "I hope so, or you'll have a lot of explaining to do to Charlie."
I visibly shiver, and not just to keep her smiling. I definitely don't want to knock up Chief Swan's daughter before the wedding.
We've arrived back at our apartment building though it takes a few minutes of driving around our block to find a parking space. I don't think I could deal with the inconvenience of city parking for any extended period of time. Wherever we move better have a resident parking garage. Bella's quiet again as we walk into our building and up the stairs to our apartment.
"Speaking of babies," I say to fill the silence, "how do you think Beanie's handling the move?"
Bella giggles and rolls her eyes at me. "You are too much, Edward. Beanie is fine. Stop worrying about him."
"Are you sure? He's not really taking to that Potty Patch my mom bought. Maybe he would have been better off staying with my parents until we found a permanent home," I say seriously.
"He's a dog. A dog that doesn't want to do his business on a four square foot patch of Astroturf. I don't blame him."
I scratch the back of my head while Bella unlocks the apartment door. I've heard about animals getting stressed out about changes to their environment. We took Beanie to Forks with us after the video scandal, and then just two months later moved him to Seattle. The poor thing must be really confused.
Bella's phone rings just as I'm about to suggest we spend some quality time with Beanie on the couch. She fishes for her phone in her oversized purse as we enter the apartment. Beanie's waiting for us and I scoop him up to greet him properly, not wanting him to feel neglected.
"Hey, Ang," Bella answers her cell. "We're doing good, just getting home from condo hunting. How are you?"
I grab myself a drink from the kitchen and settle on the couch with the dog. "What do you say, boy? Should we see what's on Animal Planet?" I flip through the channels until I find it. Marley and Me is on. "Gah, no this will depress you, Bean. How about Sportsnet?"
"What! Oh my God! When did that happen?" Bella shouts into the phone.
Beanie and I both turn to look at her, confused expressions on our faces.
"Jacob proposed to Ang," Bella whispers with her hand covering the mouthpiece on the phone. She's smiling brightly.
"Congratulations, Angela," I say loudly figuring she'll be able to hear me.
"Angela says thank you," Bella replies before continuing to pace around the small living room and kitchen areas listening to her friend talk.
Beanie's snuggled up on my lap now and the sports news is on television but I'm paying more attention to Bella's side of the conversation.
"So how did he do it?... He took you where? That's so romantic... Oh yeah, definitely up your alley... Aw, you could tell he was nervous? How did he say it? HaHa, remind me to tease him for being such a cheese ball... That's so great, I'm so happy for you, Ang! I know, right? Who would have guessed we'd be getting engaged at the same time?"
Bella looks over at me and smiles, lifting her eye brows high. I smile back, nodding my head.
"What? Oh, yeah! I'd be so honored, Ang... We haven't discussed our wedding party much but I'd love for you to be mine as well. Yes! Okay, yeah next time you're in town we'll go dress shopping. Okay. Congratulations again. Okay... Bye."
Bella disconnects the call and comes to sit beside me on the sofa. She reaches to scratch behind Beanie's ears while beaming at me. "So they're engaged," she announces.
"Yeah, I gathered," I tease. "That's exciting news."
"She asked me to be her maid of honor. I want her to be mine too; you don't think Alice will be upset do you? I've just known Angela so much longer."
"It's your choice, Bella," I insist. "Alice will understand."
"You want Jasper to be your best man?" she assumes. I nod my head and smirk at her.
I like that we're talking about our wedding finally. Bella sure has a way of making me feel like the woman in our relationship the way it always seems to be me wanting to have meaningful talks about feelings, marriage, and having children. I haven't said anything to her, but it's sort of driving me crazy we haven't set a date for the wedding yet.
"If we get married a few months after Alice's baby is born she'll be able to be a bridesmaid. She already told me she refuses to be in the wedding party in her third trimester," she explains rolling her eyes.
"The baby's due in April, right? What would you say to a July wedding then?" I suggest cautiously.
Bella smiles and leans forward to kiss my lips chastely. "It sounds like a long time to wait, but I suppose we don't have enough time to plan the wedding in time to fit it in before their baby comes."
"I would marry you tomorrow if that's what you wanted, Isabella Swan," I whisper. I'm completely serious, there's nothing I want more than for Bella to officially be mine.
"I would have married you the day we met, Edward Cullen," she whispers while gently nudging Beanie off my lap. He yelps and jumps to the floor as Bella pushes me onto my back and straddles my waist.
My hand reaches up to cup the back of her neck and I drag her lips forward until they're pressed against mine. "I love you so much, Bella."
"I love you too, Edward. Make love to me?" she asks innocently.
"You never have to ask."
A/N: Please leave me some reviews to read while I'm snowed in tomorrow!