Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
AN: I know you all are confused, I thought that I had posted the last chapter weeks ago. Go read it. Pretty please? With sugar on top? I can't promise that this won't happen again but I will promise to be more careful. lol
AN2: I'm doing a little something different with my Renee muse in this chapter, and she is not happy. As usual, let me know what you think.
A month had passed since Bella's birthday and in that month Bella found herself submerged in school work. She went to school three nights a week since she was working at Newton's during the day. The only time she had to spend with Paul was on the weekend. She worked like a mad woman to get her school work done so that they could have two days out of the week to themselves. She wasn't complaining because she knew that all of her hard work would pay off in the end.
Paul on the other hand complained enough for the both of them. He hated having the house to himself on the nights that Bella was at school. It was too quiet and when he was left alone with his thoughts they tended to turn to his family. His mother wasn't getter any better and his dad wasn't working because no one knew how much time Marisol had left. Tom was spending all of this time with her because he didn't want to miss her last moments.
Bella knew that Paul was having a hard time adjusting to things. She went out of her way to take his mind off of things which meant that they usually spent most weekends in bed, tangled in sheets.
She came home from school one Thursday night to find him sitting at the island. He stared at her blankly making her eyebrows furrow in confusion. The house phone sat next to him and he broke eye contact with her to stare at it like it had offended him in some way.
"Did your dad call? Did something happen with your mom?"
"No," he said, shifting his gaze to her once more.
"Did the station call to say that something had happened to my dad?" she asked scared.
He shook his head slowly with a sigh.
"What is wrong?"
"Your mom called. She's coming in for the weekend and she wanted to let us know."
"Oh," she said in surprise.
"Does she do this often? Just spring herself on people?"
"Yes, she does. She's very impulsive," she said with a light laugh.
"You realize that people like that don't usually get along with people who are used to structure and don't like sudden changes in plans, like me?"
"I know that, but you'll be nice to her since you're both important to me, won't you?" she countered.
"Since you asked so nicely," he said with a half smile.
"Thank you. I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed. Are you coming to bed soon?"
"In a little while."
Having Renee there that weekend would be a challenge. At least she wouldn't be staying with them. She'd mentioned that she'd made reservations at an Inn in Port Angeles. So if she was too imposing or crossed the line Paul intended to remind her that she could leave.
XXXX
Mr. Newton had been nice enough to let Bella leave an hour early. She'd gotten to the airport with half an hour to spare. She bought herself an herbal tea and prayed that the first words out of her mother's mouth weren't about how tired or unwell she looked. She had been fighting a stomach bug off and on for nearly two weeks now. Some days she felt fine while other days she felt like a steam roller had bowled her over. She'd felt queasy today and she hoped the tea would settle her stomach.
She settled down in the waiting lounge with her tea and the latest copy of People magazine. It had a picture of Prince William and Kate Middleton with Prince George on the cover. Her mom would more than likely ask for it since she collected every magazine/newspaper that had anything to do with the royal family. She was nearly finished reading when the doors opened and passengers started filing off the plane.
She threw her cup away and stashed the magazine in her bag before bracing herself for what she knew would inevitably happen. Renee threw herself at her a minute later. She hemmed and hawed over Bella, not finishing one sentence before starting another. She was drawing the attention of everyone around them until she finally pulled away.
"Look at you. Marriage agrees with you a lot better than it did with me at your age," Renee gushed.
"Thanks, Mom," Bella said awkwardly.
"Where's Paul?"
"He's at work. You'll meet him tonight at Dad's. Sue has offered to cook dinner for you."
"Sue Clearwater? Good Lord, I haven't thought about her in years! Will Harry be there?"
"He died a few months ago. I must have forgotten to tell you," Bella mumbled apologetically.
"How did he die?"
"He had a heart attack."
"That's too bad. So, dinner at Charlie's?"
"You'll get to see Billy and Jake and Sue and her kids since Billy and Sue practically live there," Bella explained.
"Well, I can't wait."
Of course Renee couldn't wait. She thrived off being the center of attention. Bella loved her mom dearly; but sometimes Renee took her love and other's people's attention for granted. Renee meant well, but she was best doled out in small doses. She had some very endearing, redeeming qualities as well. Her ability to listen when she took the time to focus meant a lot to Bella and some of her advice was actually good. She was Bella's mom for better or for worse and Bella knew how to handle her better than anyone.
They were in the car when Renee started the conversation again.
"I can't believe that I haven't asked you how you've been. I'm sorry Honey," she said apologetically.
"It's okay. I'm doing okay, classes are good. Now if only I could kick this stomach bug for good I'd be great."
"How long have you been sick?"
"Off and on since last Tuesday."
"A week and a half? Isabella Marie, why haven't you gone to the doctor?"
"Because Paul and I don't have medical insurance and going to the doctor is expensive."
"Is the free clinic in Forks still open?"
"I hadn't thought of that. If I'm not feeling better before Monday I'll call."
"Make sure you do," Renee said firmly.
They talked about Phil and life in Florida before stopping for gas. The rest of the ride was filled with sporadic chatter but they were comfortable with the silence. They got lost twice trying to find the Inn before Bella asked for directions when she stopped to get gas once more.
Bella went for a walk and did some sight seeing while her mom took a nap. The weather wasn't bad, not too cold and even though it was slightly cloudy there wasn't a chance of rain until that night. She passed the restaurant where she and Edward had their first date and the bar that at one time held sad memories but now held so many funny, happy ones. It was strange how much could change in a year and a half.
XXXX
Bella pulled into a parking space out front of Charlie's condo a little later than she planned. Renee had wanted to stop somewhere and pick up a bottle of wine because she was a firm believer in a guest bringing a gift to their hostess.
"He's never gonna drink it. Just get him a case of beer," Bella rationalized.
"But that's tacky," Renee argued.
"If you get him a bottle of wine it will sit in his closet collecting dust," Bella admitted.
Renee caved and picked up a twenty-four pack of Charlie's favorite beer. Sam's jeep was parked a few spaces down letting her know that Paul was already there. Renee stared at the condo skeptically. She hadn't planned on seeing Charlie while she was in town. All she had wanted was to spend a couple of days with Bella and meet her son-in-law.
"Come on, Mom, no more stalling. We're already late," Bella said opening her door.
She heard Renee's door open and close as she knocked on the door. Sue opened the door and enveloped Bella in a warm hug. Renee stood awkwardly at the bottom of the steps.
"Hi, it's wonderful to have you here," Sue greeted Renee warmly.
"Come on, you're the lady of the hour. Perk up," Bella said as she pulled away from Sue.
She reached down and Renee took her hand reluctantly. Bella pulled her over the threshold where Sue was waiting. Bella took the beer and placed it in the fridge hearing Sue engage Renee in conversation. Renee was starting to open up making Bella heave a sigh of relief. Once she was in the living room her eyes searched out Paul.
"He's on the patio with your dad Hon," Sue said reading her mind.
Bella led the way out the sliding door off the kitchen with Renee following close behind her. They stood under the awning taking in the scene. Charlie and Billy manned the grill while Paul and Seth played a pick up basketball game at the basketball court at the other end of the row of condo's. Paul lifted his head, feeling her presence and pressed a hand to his heart. That was there way of acknowledging each other and letting them know that they were thinking of the other.
Charlie looked over his shoulder, waving smoke away from his face. He set the spatula he was holding on the table before walking to them. He pulled Bella into a loose hug and he nodded at Renee in greeting. She nodded back, looking over his shoulder at Billy.
She knew that he'd been paralyzed in the accident that killed Sarah but nothing had prepared her the sight of him in his wheel chair. He looked over his shoulder feeling someone watching him. Renee waved awkwardly in greeting and he nodded, his mouth a thin and his eyes filled with shame. They had never gotten along. One of the reasons she left was because she felt that Charlie had chosen his best friend over his wife. Billy saw her as a flighty person who was never satisfied with what she had. He blamed her for the faulty relationship that Charlie and Bella had now. She had kept Bella away from Charlie and had called the shots when he wanted to see her. Bella pleaded Renee's case; claiming that her mother wasn't the control freak that she used to be even if she was flighty and a little selfish. He'd give Bella the benefit of the doubt and would be nice as long Renee was.
"It's good to see you Renee," he said flatly.
"You too," she said averting his eyes.
Bella mouthed thank you and he smiled with a nod as the sliding door opened. She pulled Renee out of the way so that Jacob and Leah could step out. Renee stared at them with wide eyes. Jacob towered over her and Leah had at least half a foot on Renee.
"Leah, you remember my mom, don't you?"
"Barely, Mrs. Dryer," Leah said with a polite nod.
"Mom, this is Jake, Jake my mom, Renee."
"It's nice to meet you," he said, holding out his hand.
"You look just like your dad when he was a teenager," Renee said shaking his hand.
"Thank you," he said, smiling proudly.
Paul and Seth came jogging up to them and both waved in greeting when Bella introduced them to Renee. They excused themselves so that they could change out of their sweaty clothes and Bella followed them into the house. Paul pulled her into the spare bedroom and blocked her against the door.
"Just a minute because you reek," she warned.
"I'll take what I can get."
He leaned down to capture her lips, not wasting any time. His tongue danced with hers before Bella pushed him away.
"Hurry up and take a shower, dinner's almost ready."
"One more."
She leaned in to press her lips to his in a gentle kiss. She pulled away, reaching behind her for the doorknob. She back peddled out of the room to see her mom a few feet away.
"He seems nice," she said reverently.
"He is."
"He's not much of a talker," she observed.
"Not everybody can be a Chatty Cathy like you, Mom," she teased.
"Does he treat you good?"
"He treats me like a queen," she reassured her mom.
Bella was glad that Renee was making an effort to be nice. She knew that Billy would probably never vote for Renee to win Miss Congeniality but he would be nice for Bella's sake.
Paul came out of the bedroom as Sue and Bella were putting the food on the table. Everyone held hands as Sue blessed the meal and then scattered to find any available seat. Bella sat on the couch next to Paul with her mom on the love seat and Charlie in his recliner.
"Bella's told me so much about you that I don't know what to ask. She hasn't mentioned your family," Renee mentioned.
"My dad is a retired off shore fisherman and my worked as a beautician."
"Worked? Is she dead?"
"No, she's not dead yet. But she is dying, she has throat and pancreatic cancer," he said solemnly.
"There I go, putting my foot in my mouth. It only took me an hour, that's a record," she said sheepishly.
"It's alright, you didn't know," he said looking down at his hands.
"Let put the spotlight on someone else. Bells, did you finish that paper you had to write?" Charlie asked.
"I did, I turned it in last night," she said with a nod.
"What was it on?" Renee asked.
"It was on a child behavioral study that we'd been discussing last week."
They talked for another hour before Charlie had to get ready for work. Billy left, taking Seth with him and Jacob and Leah went to run patrol. Paul and Bella leaned against Sam's jeep not wanting to say goodbye. Sue came out and walked over to them.
"I've got to work tonight so I can take your mom back if you want. You two head home," Sue offered.
Sue worked for a cleaning business based out of Port Angeles and she spent most nights cleaning office buildings in the area. Bella smiled her thanks before pushing away from the jeep. She said goodbye to her dad but her mom was reluctant to leave with Sue.
"Mom, it'll be fine. She's not going to abandon you on the side of the road. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."
Renee agreed, pulling Bella to her. Paul was already in the jeep when she came back outside. A wave of nausea washed over her as she climbed into the truck. She waited for the queasy feeling to subside before pulling out of her parking space. She couldn't shake the feeling that something more than just the flu was wrong with her as she drove home. Different possibilities drifted through her mind and none of them were good.
XXXX
She had let her mom buy the pregnancy test after listening to her mom lecture her all afternoon. She ignored Paul's greeting and made a beeline for the bathroom and locked the door behind her. Paul knocked on the door less than ten seconds later.
"Give me a minute," she called.
He rattled the doorknob and she sighed in resignation. She didn't like the idea of peeing on a stick but she wanted some privacy while she did it.
"For the love of God, Paul wait a minute!" she growled.
"Open the door," he said, enunciating each word.
"Hold on," she said, peeing on the last of the three test.
She reached to unlock the door and it swung open, banging against the sink. The tests fell into the sink, drawing his attention.
"No," he said in disbelief.
"We won't know for five minutes," she said with a sigh.
"How?"
"Well Paul, when two people love each other-" she said with a shrug.
"Now is not the time to be sarcastic," he said, glaring at her.
"I guess birth control wasn't enough."
"How long have you thought you were pregnant?"
"A couple of hours. My mom bought them for me and demanded that I take them."
"Is there any possibility that you won't be pregnant?"
"I don't think so. I've got all the symptoms. My period is four days late."
"Crap," he said under his breath.
Bella knew that Paul wasn't ready to be a dad. She wasn't ready to be a mom either, but if she was in fact pregnant then they would both need to grow up, and fast. The silence was heavy as they waited for the test to be ready. Bella checked her watch for the third time before peeking over the edge of the sink. One test was turned over but the other two tests showed positive signs.
Bella exhaled loudly before looking over her shoulder at Paul who stared at the tests dumbfoundly. He let out a puff of air, dragging his hands through his hair. Bella turned to face him, taking his hands in hers. He looked down at their hands.
"I should call my mom," she said quietly.
It wasn't something that she was looking forward to. This was the exact thing that her parents hadn't wanted for her. She was scared to tell them because she knew how they would react. Luckily neither of them were the type to say I told you so.