Hey guys...remember me? So, real life has been kinda giving me the business! Between physical therapy three days a week, being a mommy to very active four year old and being a wife...it has left me very little time to write and edit. But...I am back. I may be only able to update once a week, but I am going to try for twice a week.
There are only about four regular chapters left and then an epilogue. We will be skipping some time to make it through the pregnancy. This chapter here is about five months into the pregnancy. So we skipped a bit of time, but I felt that for the story it was a good choice to make.
This is not beta'd, so I own all mistakes.
Stephanie Meyers owns all of Twilight.
BPOV
I am beyond livid! Me at any normal time in life, being livid is bad enough, but add on the fact that I am five months pregnant and sitting in the waiting room checking my text messages because my husband hasn't shown up yet...yea, I am beyond livid. I have sent him four text messages in the last half hour, and nothing!
I am even more upset at the fact that Edward is keeping something from me. I know it has something to do with me and everything that happened with the Volturi, because ever since he left on a business trip just after our wedding reception, security has been tripled.
So here I sit, waiting to find out the sex of our first child with my security team; Peter, Stefan, and Garett, while Sam and Seth are waiting in the car out front.
"Bells, if you don't stop tapping that Louis Vuitton I am going to rip it off your foot!" Peter gives me a pointed look.
"Excuse me for being slightly pissed off at the moment Peter!" I huff back at him. "He knew...he knew how important and special this appointment was, and like everything else these past months, what ever he is doing is more important." I say, looking down at my phone for the um tenth time this past ten minutes.
"Don't be like that Bells. He has a lot on his mind and plate right now."
I look over at Peter and glare at him. "Are you really defending him right now?" He just stares, stunned at my glare. "Why won't he tell me what is going on? Tell me what is so important and urgent that he has been the way he has been. I know that it has something to do with what happened before the wedding. I just want to know what is going on. I hate being left in the dark, and that is what he is doing to me. I am stumbling around trying to grasp at anything that will help me understand, please Peter."
"You know I can't do that Bells." Peter says, looking down at his hands.
I scoff, and turn my head away from him. "This is why I didn't want you taking that oath." I say softly. "You are always going to put him and the Family ahead of our friendship." I reach up and wipe away the tears that have begun to fall.
"Bells..."
"Don't." I warn, putting up my hand, but not looking at him.
"Mrs. Cullen?" I hear the nurse call my name. I stand up and make my way to where she is holding open the door. I feel Peter following me. I whip around to face him, "No. You're not coming back. If he can't drag himself away from what ever he is doing to come and find out the sex of our child, then his men sure aren't coming in so that they can report back to him."
Peter just hangs his head in defeat. "You know I'm not supposed to leave your side."
"Well I could give a flying fuck right now what you are or aren't supposed to do." I whisper yell to him, before turning and walking towards the nurse. "If any these men or my husband try and come back, don't let them." She nods at me as I walk past her and into the back.
"I need to get your weight Mrs. Cullen." The nurse says. I step on the scale and watch as she marks down my weight. "Excellent. It looks like you went up two pounds from the last time you were here. Making up for all that weight you lost the first few months. How have you been feeling?"
"Pretty good. Really, really tired."
"How has the morning sickness been?"
"It has evened out. As long as I stay away from trigger smells and foods I am pretty good for the most part."
"Good." She says, smiling as she leads me down the hall to the exam room. As I walk in I see the ultrasound machine set up. I can't help the smile the comes to my face. I get to see my little nudger. He has been really active lately. I am the only one who has been able to feel him. His little kicks aren't strong enough for everyone else to feel yet. She begins taking my blood pressure and pulse. She gets a weird look on her face. "Your blood pressure is a bit higher than I would like. I will have the doctor take it again when she comes in.
"Is that bad?" I ask, holding my bump.
"Well, it could be that you are a little stressed, or you could be falling into that category where some women suffer from high blood pressure during pregnancy. The doctor will explain when she comes in and rechecks it. Just sit tight and she'll be in shortly." The nurse says, and she leaves the room.
Alone, finally. I take and deep breath and exhale. I hear my phone vibrating in my purse, so I pull it out and look as the screen lights up Edwards name. I hit the ignore button and toss it back in my purse. I am in no mood for his excuses right now. I take another deep breath and exhale, going over in my mind what I need to pack when I get home. Edward and I are traveling to Boston for Randall and Mary's wedding this coming weekend.
As I am lost in my thoughts the door opens and Dr. De Rosa walks in. "Good afternoon Bella." She greets me. "Big day today, lets hope Baby Cullen is cooperative and flashes us the goods." She says, as we both laugh. "Where is Edward?" I just roll my eyes and shake my head. She catches on that I don't want to talk about it. "Well, let's get started then. Aside from being tired, any other issues?" I shake my head no. "Any noticeable swelling?" Again, I shake my head no. "And the morning sickness is tapering off?"
"Yes. Hardly throwing up anymore. As longs as I stay away from my trigger smells and foods, I am pretty good." I say, with relief in my voice.
"That's great." Now the nurse mentioned that your blood pressure was a bit high, so I am going to recheck it. She connects the blood pressure cuff and starts pumping, keeping careful eye on the gage. "Hmm, your blood pressure is a little high Bella. It is something that needs to be monitored so that it doesn't become more serious as you move further into your pregnancy. For now lets just say that it is because of some stress going on at home. Try and cut back on the stress and if it is still elevated next month, we will talk about options to get it down." She tells me, with a reassuring smile. "Let me help you lay back so that I can measure you. Then we'll take a peek at Baby Cullen." She says with a warm smile.
She gives me her hand and she helps me lay back onto the table. She gently pulls out the leg extender. She takes a measuring tape from her pocket and pulls my shirt up over my bump, while gently sliding my pants down a bit. She measures my bump, making marks in my chart. "Now, let's take a look at Baby Cullen, shall we?" I smile and nod my head excitedly.
She makes her way over to the ultrasound machine. She types in a few things and then tucks some paper cloths over my pants and shirt for protection. She squirts some warm goo on me, then she begins running the wand over my bump, distributing it around. With her other hand she begins working the nobs. Suddenly, the room is filled with the most beautiful wooshing sound. "There's Baby Cullen." Dr. De Rossa says, with a smile. She tilts the screen a bit so that I can see him. Instantly my eyes fill with tears.
I see tiny little feet, and hands. A Big head, the little chest. "There is the heart beat." Dr. De Rosa says, as she points to the little fluttering organ on the screen. "It looks like you have a full enough bladder where we can see in 3D." And with the flick of a switch, the image on the screen morphs from a grainy black and white screen to a image of my baby's face looking right at me. I watch and his tiny little hand wanders up to his mouth and he begins sucking his thumb. "He is beautiful!" I say though my tears.
"Well, I can't say for sure if he is beautiful, or she is beautiful. Unfortunately, Baby Cullen is being a little stubborn at the moment and not showing us the goods." I can't stifle back the laugh that comes out.
"Already taking after his father." I say, as Dr. De Rosa cleans me up. She helps me up so that I can fix my cloths.
"I will..."
"I don't give a fly fuck who you are, or what your orders are! I am Edward Fucking Cullen! If I want to go back and see my wife, I damn sure well will! I don't need your permission!" I hear Edward yelling out front.
"...have some print outs for you up front." She finishes.
"Oh God! I am so sorry!" I begin to apologize.
"Think nothing of it. Just get yourself together. I will go and calm him down. Your pictures will be waiting out front." She says, as she closes the door behind her.
As I quickly begin fixing my shirt and pants I hear Dr. De Rosa and Edward. "This is a place of business Mr. Cullen. There are woman in all stages of pregnancy, the last thing they need is added stress of a mad man yelling and screaming in the office."
"Do you know how much..."
"Yes. I am well aware of how much you pay. The same as everyone else in the office. You will be treated the same as every other out of control husband. I will not be intimidated by your money or your name Mr. Cullen. No wonder Bella's blood pressure is elevated, if this is how you carry on at home."
"What's wrong with my wife?"
"She is fine. Her blood pressure is elevated. I have given her instructions. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other patients to see. Please control yourself, or I will have you escorted off the premise." I hear her say, followed by a door closing.
There is a light knock at my door before it is opened. Dr. De Rosa looks a me with a smile. "It is all taken care of anytime you want to leave. Please, remember what I told you about your stress. I will see you next month. You can make your appointment with Melissa as you leave." She says, handing me the pictures of the scan.
"Thank you." I say, through my tears. She just smiles and nods as she closes the door. I stand in the room for a few more minutes to collect myself. I take out my compact and fix my make up a bit before I walk out there. My eyes are read and puffy, but there is nothing that I can do about that.
I open the door and peek my head out. As I make my way down the hall I can hear some faint whispering, but no screaming like before. I make my way to the window where I am greeted by Melissa. "Mrs. Cullen, the doctor wants to see you back in a month for the usual check up." As soon as she gets my name out of her mouth, I see Edward appear at the other side of the window. "Would morning or afternoon be best for you?"
"Mornings generally work better for me. Any day will work fine." I say, trying not to meet Edwards stare. I take the appointment card she hands me and make my way out of the door to the lobby.
"Baby, I am so sorry. I lost track of time and I..."
I throw up my hand to him as he begins with is excuse. I look at him, and then to Peter, Emmett, Jasper, Garrett and Stefan who seem to be looking at me with a bit of fear in their eyes. I just shake my head and make my way to the door.
As I get outside I make my way to the SUV that Sam and Seth are waiting in front of. "Take me to Carlisle and Esme's house." I tell Sam as he opens the door for me.
"Bella!" I hear Edward yell, as he makes his way to me. "Bella! Just give me a minute, alright. I have had a lot of things on my mind..."
"And I haven't!" I yell, turning to face him. "You wouldn't be going through all of this shit alone if you would just let me in! Talk to me! But you don't, and you won't. I am scared because for the first time in my life I don't know what is going on. What the threat is. Because you are locking me out."
"I know, and I'm sorry. I just, I just need some more time to get things figured out." He says, trying to grab my hands, but I pull them back.
"If you want to make this right, then fucking talk to me Edward. You've never shut me out before. All that has changed is this ring on my finger, and ever since you put the matching band on with it you have done nothing but keep me in the dark. I understand that you are not going to tell me everything or involve me in Family business, but what you are doing right now...I can't and I won't put up with it."
"Baby, I just...this week is all I need and I will be able to let you in, explain things to you."
I laugh, "You completely forgot didn't you?" He gives me a quizzical look. "Randall and Mary's wedding this weekend...in Boston. We are supposed to be leaving tomorrow to be a part of the bachelor and bachelorette parties."
"Fuck! We can still got, but we will have to miss the parties. We can fly out on Friday..."
"You can fly out on Friday, but I gave my word to Mary. I was looking forward to spending time with my husband. Especially since you leave early and come home late,if you come home at all." I have to stop myself as tears start to form in my eyes. "When was the last time that you kissed me Edward?" He just stares at me; I see him replaying the last few weeks in his head. "The fact that you have to think about it proves my point." I turn to get into the back of the SUV. "If you bother to come home tonight, I suggest you get comfortable on the couch."
I slide into the seat, and I see Peter starting to climb in behind me. "No, go ride with your boss. Your loyalties are with him. I am perfectly fine with Sam and Seth." I say, before slamming the door shut.
EPOV
What in the fuck just happened? I stand here in the parking lot of Dr. De Rosa's office staring at the black SUV as it drives off with my pregnant, angry and crying wife. I run my hand through my hair, pulling it in frustration.
I look over at Peter who is standing there looking like someone just kicked him in the gut, though I am figuring him and my wife aren't getting along either. He looks at me with a scowl on his face. "I realize that you're my boss, and I realize that I initially thought she shouldn't be told but you should just fucking tell her already. All this secret shit is wearing me down, and now she is fucking pissed at me now too!" He says, stomping his way to the SUV and climbing in the back. He is followed by Emmett and Jasper. I follow, climbing in as well.
"What the hell do you want me to say, 'hey honey, just thought you should know that the sick fuck who is your half brother didn't die when you shot him. He is out there running loose with the help of someone who is hiding him'! Cause that would go down great!" I yell at him.
"Oh, because keeping it a secret is doing much better. You do realize that not only is she pissed at you, leaving for Boston without you, making you sleep on the couch, but you missed finding out what sex the baby is?"
"Yea motherfucker, I know what I missed!" I snap back. I sink my head into my hands, letting out a defeated sigh
"Dude, look, you know I am always on your side, and that I will do anything to keep my cousin safe, but I have to agree with Peter on this. Bella needs to know. She can't be getting stressed out at this stage in the pregnancy. It could be bad for her and the baby."
"That is why I can't tell her Emmett!" I snap at him.
"And you think this is any better. The fact that you are hiding something from her is worse. At least if she knows, she'll know that you and all of us around her are doing everything in our powers to keep her safe. Right now she is pissed off and confused." I let his words sink in for a moment. When did this motherfucker get so smart. "I know, I can be intelligent and shit when the time is right. Plus, I have lived through pregnancy with Rose. I lived through that with my balls still attached, you should take my advice." He says with a smile.
"Look Ed." Jasper says, breaking his silence. "Let us deal with this. Go to Boston with Bella. Take Peter, Stefan, Sam, and Seth. Leave this up to us. Maybe with you and Bella gone, along with Carlisle and Esme, they'll fuck up. Make a stupid move, and we can gain some much needed info."
The more I think about, the more I know that he is right. "Fine. Jacob, take me my parents house." I yell. "You will keep me up to date on any development." I say, as they nod to me. I make up my mind that I will tell her tonight. I am not looking forward to that conversation.
About a half an hour later Peter and I are dropped off to mom and dads house. I watch as the other drive off to follow up on a lead. "Just be honest with her Edward. That is all that she wants. She loves you, she'll understand. Now me, I'm not so sure she will forgive me so easily."
"What do you mean?" I ask his and we climb the steps leading to the door.
"Dude. She point blank asked me today, and I told her that I couldn't tell her. She told me this was why she didn't want me to take the oath, that she knew that I would choose you over her, and I fucking did. She wouldn't even let me drive over here with her."
"I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing."
"I know, and I know what I swore to. It doesn't mean it didn't kill me to hurt her like I did."
We walk into the house and make our way to the kitchen where I can hear Bella and mom. "He was sucking his little thumb." I hear Bella say.
"Guarda il suo piccolo viso!" [Look at his little face!] I hear mom say through tears.
I walk into the kitchen and stand in the door way. "So, we're having a son?" I ask, trying to choke back my tears.
"I don't know for sure. Dr. De Rosa said the baby wasn't in position to tell. I just feel like we're having a boy." Bella says, not looking up.
"È meglio ottenere in ginocchio e iniziare a strisciare figlio. È incasinato, in grande stile." [You better get on your knees and start groveling son. You messed up, in a big way.] Mom whispers to me as she walks past me.
She and Peter leave us alone in the kitchen. "You really didn't find out what we are having?"
"No Edward, I didn't. I wouldn't keep that from you. I don't keep secrets like you do." She says, looking me in the eye.
"I thought I was doing the right thing."
"By keeping me in the dark? Did you know that my blood pressure was really high today. That Dr. De Rosa told me to eliminate stress in my life, or it could affect the baby and I. It's already affecting me Edward. I don't sleep when you aren't there. I don't relax when I know something is going on. You're leaving me in the dark about it." She says, grabbing her bump while making her way to the counter. "How and I supposed to keep this baby safe when I don't feel safe. I'm stumbling here Edward. I don't expect you to tell me everything, but I expect you to respect me enough to tell me enough so that I understand why you're working so much. Why security has tripled."
I take a deep breath, and exhale. "It's Alec, your half brother. He didn't die when you shot him. How he lived, I don't know. All I know is that he wasn't there when the cleaners came back in to take care of the mess. I know he is working with someone, but I don't know who. When I left after our wedding, I followed a lead. With the help of Amun we tracked down a lead, but it was a dead end. I have been calling in favors for information, but we keep coming up with nothing."
I look up at her and she is just staring at me with a blank expression. "Please baby, say something." I beg her.
"Does everyone know but me?"
"None of the women know." I tell her. "Please don't be mad at me. I kept it from you because I thought that if you knew then it would stress you out even more."
"Well, you see how that worked out for you!" She snaps at me. She take a deep breath it, letting it out slowly. "I'm not mad, I am just hurt. Especially since it concerns me. Like it or not, he isn't coming after you for the Family, he is coming at you for me. Am I scared, yes, fucking terrified. Alec freaks me the fuck out! But, I also know that you and everyone of the men who are in this family will do everything possible to keep me safe."
"Non stavo pensando. Per favore, perdonami tesoro." [I wasn't thinking. Please, forgive sweetheart.]
"Don't lock me out anymore Edward." She says softly.
"I promise." I say softly in return, walking slowly towards her.
"Have you seen him, you know for sure he is alive?"
"Yea. He was hanging outside the hotel. Security snapped pictures." I see her take in a shocked breath. "Please, don't worry. He hasn't been back since, and I have tripled security at the hotel as well. No one gets near us with out a rigorous check." I say, stepping in front of her and wrapping my arms around her. "Non permetterò che ti succeda niente, mai." [I won't let anything happen to you, ever.]
"Lo so." [I know.]
I bend down, taking her face between my hands. I look into her eyes, pleading with her to let me kiss her. I watch as she gives me a slight nod and I brush my lips with hers ever so softly. Slowing building it up with each peck, softly brushing my tongue across her lips. She opens for me, and I feel her tongue meet mine. I feel her hands in my hair, softly massaging my scalp with her fingers, I moan into her mouth as she moans into mine. At that exact moment I feel this tiny little sensation against my stomach. I pull back, gasping. "What was that?" I ask, looking at Bella.
"That would be our child not making himself known." She told me with a giggle.
I feel the tears prick my eyes. I drop to my knees and grasp Bella's bump in my hands, softly running them over. I bring my lips to it and softly kiss our growing child. "Mi dispiace tanto che non ero lì per vedere che oggi bambino. Te lo prometto, mai più. Sarò sempre lì da qui in avanti." [I am so sorry I wasn't there to see you today baby. I promise, never again. I will always be there from here on out.] I glance up at Bella through my tears, only to see her crying too.
"Oh Edward!" She whispered as she runs her hand through my hair. "Please, don't shut me out anymore. I can handle not knowing everything, but I need to know enough to keep me sane."
"No more. I promise Bella." I said, softly rubbing her bump. "I can't believe that I missed seeing this little one today." I sighed, resting my forehead on her bump.
"Dr. De Rosa was able to do it in 3D today." She said, running her fingers through my hair. "He was looking right at the screen, sucking his thumb. His face was there, plain as day. He's beautiful."
"UGH! I can't believe I missed that!" I was mentally kicking my own ass!
"I got pictures."
I look up at her, "You did?"
"Yea. They're over on the table. I brought them to show mom and dad."
I jumped up from my knees, racing towards the table. I grab the images that are laying on the table. Staring back at me is the tiny little face of my baby. The next one is of the same amazing face, but sucking it's thumb. I take my finger and trace the outline of the most amazing face. "Così piccolo, ma così perfetto." [So small, but so perfect.]
"I secretly think he knew that you weren't there, so he kept his legs closed!" Bella said, nudging me with her shoulder.
Here I am, the one that fucked up, and she is trying to make me smile. "How did I get so fucking lucky for you to love me?" Before she can answer, I have her face in my hands and I am kissing her passionately. Just as I am about to let my hands wander over her amazing body, my fucking phone rings! "You've got to be kidding me!" I groan out. Bella steps back from me, catching her breath and blushing at the same time. I reach out and caress her pink cheek as I put the phone to my ear. "This better be fucking good!"
"We've got him!"
My eyes perked up at Emmett's words. "Where?"
"Security caught him snooping around the penthouse again."
"You have him in holding?"
"Yes, ready and waiting for you."
"I'm leaving right now." I say, ending the call. I look over at Bella who has a worried look on her face. "I have to leave. Security caught Alec snooping around the hotel again. Em and Jas have him waiting for me. I'm sorry, but..."
"No. Don't apologize. I am glad you were honest with me. I'll stay here until you get done. I can just pack whatever I have here, whatever else I may need I can buy when we get to Boston." She tells me while fixing my tie.
"After this, I promise. It's you and me. No work the rest of the week and weekend." I say to her, while hugging her. I crouch down and rub her bump again. "I gotta go baby, take care of mama. Let her relax for a little while." I say, I instantly feel a slight kick under my hand. I look up at Bella, "I just got my first high five!" I say, smiling.
As I stand up, Bella pulls my face into her hand. "Essere sicuri." [Be safe.]
"Sempre." [Always.] I say, as I give her one more kiss. "I don't know when I will be back, but I promise, I will be back tonight and we will leave tomorrow for Boston." I tell her before I leave. Making my way out to the car, I crack my neck, and get ready for business.
Well, I hoped you all like it. Up in the next chapter we have some serious Mobward before some happy times at Randall and Mary's wedding, and the actual birth. Let me know what you think and leave me some love. Thank you all for being so patient and sticking with me.