Wow! Some of you are a little mad at Marshal Uley! And... a few of you are pretty mad at me too! I'll live though; especially when you've gifted me with my 1000th REVIEW of "Arms" this week! Thank you so much for your support! :D

Thanks also go to Katmom for the pre-reading & hand-holding, and to SueBee for sneaking time at work to beta. (Shh... just don't tell her boss. ;-) )

Disclaimer: This is still a work of fanfiction. I still don't own Twilight, its characters, or Christina Perri's lovely songs. No copyright infringement is intended.

Now, where were we? Oh, yes, someone had need for an ambulance.

Chapter 20:

BPOV-

When I wake, it's to the sound of an engine and the prick of a needle.

"Ow..."

I hear a low chuckle. "Welcome back. Ready to rejoin the land of the living?"

I blink and look around only to find I'm lying face up in the back of an ambulance.

Oh, joy...

"Where are you taking me?" I rasp.

I glance at the paramedic sitting next to me. "We're taking you in to the ER to get checked out. Seems you passed out."

A noise on my other side catches my attention and suddenly Alice is leaning over me. She smiles, but the paramedic isn't having it.

"Ma'am, you have to sit in your seat."

Alice rolls her eyes and pulls out her badge. "Not today, I don't."

I watch the two of them stare each other down. Alice wins, of course.

"How are you?" she asks, turning back to me.

"Um... I'm a little confused as to why I'm in an ambulance, and my head hurts."

"I'm sorry about that. You passed out. Edward mostly caught you, but you went down hard."

"Edward? Where is he?"

"He had to stay at the courthouse. Marcus wants him taken back to his hotel for the night. How is your stomach? Are you having any pain anywhere?"

"No." I try to shake my head and realize it's being stabilized by some sort of restraint. I reach up and touch the plastic. "Lovely. When can I see Edward?"

Alice smiles weakly. "Soon. But really quick before anyone asks you any questions..." She glances up at the paramedic on my other side. "You are not to answer anything not directly relating to how you feel physically. No name, no history except that of a medical nature, nothing. You're Jane Doe. Understand?"

I nod, except that I don't because of the blocks on either side of my head.

"Okay."

She looks up at the medic. "You understand?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Okay, then." Alice pats my arm. "I'm going to call a certain someone who is probably beside himself."

Tears well up. "Okay," I whisper, my voice barely audible. The paramedic gives me a moment and then begins his inquisition.

"So, Jane... How old are you?"

"Twenty-three."

"Are you taking any prescription medications?"

"Pre-natal vitamins."

"You're pregnant?"

"Yes."

"How far along are you?"

"Ten weeks."

"Any abdominal pain?"

"Just nausea."

"Are you nauseated right now?"

"No."

The questions continue right on into the emergency department at the hospital. The doctors and nurses there have their own interests and ask more questions. I get a few strange looks and the occasional exasperated groan when I fail to answer right away.

Fortunately, Alice is never far from me, neither is her new partner, or the jerkoff who nearly gave me a heart attack by going for his gun back in the courthouse. Eventually, the doctor has to examine me, so the jerkoff is forced to wait outside. I politely ask Alice to make sure he stays there the rest of the time we're here.

Soon enough, I'm taken to a room for IV fluids and twenty-four hours of observation. They'll be watching me overnight in lieu of any kind of imaging to check the bump on the back of my head. It's small, but of course everyone is being over cautious.

Later that evening, once I'm settled into my room, I finally have a chance to ask Alice to let me speak with Edward.

She raises a speculative eyebrow at me. "Are you sure that's a good idea? He'll have a million questions for you and I had to lie through my teeth earlier to avoid spilling the beans." She smirks. "Well, specifically, just the one bean."

I smile and know she's thinking of the repeat ultrasound I had performed an hour ago. My little bean is doing just fine despite making me sick round the clock. Still, Alice has a point and I have to think about how I'll handle Edward's questions. In the end, the exhaustion of the day gets the better of me and before I make a decision, I'm fast asleep.

~(~)~

Alice is uncharacteristically formal when she arrives back at the hospital the next afternoon. Young, who I've learned is named Emily, has been with me all day in her absence. Uley, too, has been posted at the door, along with several local law enforcement officers that have been there to relieve him when he's needed a break. It's been boring for all of us and by the time a nurse comes in with my discharge papers, we're all anxious to leave.

Once I've been given the doctor's instructions for me, Alice asks me if I'm good to go.

I lift my eyes to hers and nod, giving her a half-smile. I'm very happy this exercise is over, but nervous about seeing Edward again.

Nervous is bad. Nervous equals fluttering in my stomach, fluttering in my stomach triggers nausea, and nausea... well, I really don't want to go there again. Thanks to a little help from IV fluids and some ginger tea that was recommended by one of the nurses, I've managed to avoid feeling too terrible today.

Until now. Cue the fluttering...

Swinging my feet over the side of the hospital bed, I stand and face Alice. She holds a hoodie out for me. When I've got it on, she hands me some oversized sunglasses as well. She stands in front of me with her hands on her hips for a beat too long.

"What?" I say, looking up from my zipper.

"Your hair is a mess."

"So?"

"And your lips are chapped."

I reach up and touch them. They seem fine to me.

Alice goes to the small duffle bag that she brought for me last night and grabs a brush and some lip gloss — lip gloss that she's hassled me about in the past, but I've always refused to wear.

"What are you doing?" I ask her.

"Helping you. You'll thank me later."

Suddenly, my anxiety ratchets up all over again. I know why she's doing this. At least I think I do, but before I can ask, she uses her freakish strength to turn me around by my shoulders and brush my hair for me.

"I can do that myself," I protest.

"I know. I'll just do it better."

"Alice..."

"So this is how it's going to go," she says, obviously ignoring me. "When we leave this room, you'll follow right behind me. Agent Young will have your flank, and Agent Uley will follow behind us. The local police will also escort us down. I know it seems like overkill, but it's procedure. That, and we can't be too careful with you it seems."

I blush and my hands go to my navel almost instinctively. "I'm not that fragile."

"No, you just scared the hell out me and everyone else yesterday."

I sigh and Alice finishes my hair. She turns me back around and has lip gloss on my lips before I can even flinch.

"There." She looks me over and notices the way I'm holding my stomach.

"Are you okay?" she asks, her concern evident.

"I'm fine." I move my hands. There's not even a noticeable bump there yet, but I still feel self-conscious that she caught me.

"If you're fine, why do you look like that?"

"Like what? You're making me nervous!"

She rolls her eyes. "You should see Edward."

I scowl. "And that would be why I'm nervous!"

Alice laughs and then unexpectedly hugs me. It's not her usual M.O., so it's a little awkward and over fast.

"You'll be fine. All three of you. Just relax."

I let out a shuddering breath. "Yeah, I guess. Maybe I'll feel better when we get in the car."

"That's the idea..." she says, walking away.

"What?" I ask, stepping after her.

"Nothing," she says quickly, smiling too widely. Once again her cheerfulness is unnerving, and I get the distinct feeling she's hiding something from me.

I'm in no mood for surprises.

"What are you up to, Alice? I thought you were all about being cautiously optimistic, emphasis on cautious. Now you're practically giddy."

She rolls her eyes, zipping up my bag. "I'm not giddy. I'm happy things appear to be working out... despite the minor detour last night."

I narrow my eyes at her.

"Oh seriously, Bella, give it a rest. We're on a tight schedule."

I look at her strangely, but nod in compliance.

My nerves kick back in, causing my stomach to turn a little as I put my sunglasses on and pull my hood up over my head. Deputy Young, who I'd almost forgotten was there, stands from her seat in the corner of the room and falls in line at my side. Alice hands her my duffle bag.

"You look much better today," Emily offers with a polite smile. It's the most she's said to me yet.

"Thanks. I can take that." I nod at the bag.

"It's no trouble," she responds, putting her mirrored glasses on and effectively ending the discussion.

I shrug and follow Alice, who knocks twice on the door to let Uley know that we're coming out. Moments later, I can feel multiple sets of eyes on me as I walk down the hallway surrounded by a small army of black and navy. People, even the doctors and nurses who treated me, stare curiously at the mix of suits and local law enforcement as we pass by.

I slink back from the attention, glad for the shelter provided by my protectors. They seem unbothered by the scrutiny and walk steadily, but determinedly, through the corridors. By the time we reach the elevators, however, my heart is pounding and I'm glad the onlookers can't follow us any further.

I'm led through the bowels of the hospital until we come to a service entrance that is both magnetically sealed and guarded by a security officer. Outside the sliding glass doors, I can see the black SUV parked at the bottom of the ramp and I breathe a sigh of relief. Alice says something into a radio I hadn't noticed her holding before and then nods for the security guard to let us pass. The doors whoosh open then and I move as if on auto-pilot.

A sense of calm takes over, easing my anxieties. It's like somehow my body knows that I'll be okay as soon as I get in the vehicle and get out of here.

Breathing steadily, trying not to think too far ahead of this event, I follow Alice outside. She opens the car door wide and steps aside. Deputy Young lets go of my arm and Uley helps me climb up. I watch the floor and my feet so I don't trip and then I'm sitting. My bag appears on the floor and I scoot over, expecting someone to climb in after me. Instead, the door slams shut behind me and a small movement next to me catches my eye.

It's a shoe. A brown leather Skecher.

Nobody in law enforcement wears brown Skechers.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Uley and Alice get in the front seat of the car, but my real focus is on the sight in front of me. The sight that has me gasping and losing all composure.

He's here!

Edward's here in his brown Skechers, dark wash jeans, and grey Henley with the sleeves pushed up. His lips are turned up into a sort of smile and his green–grey eyes are crinkled. They swim with emotion that's raw and unrestrained as my name falls from his lips.

"Bella..."

With that one word he has my own eyes swimming as well. The tears make it hard to see, and I furiously blink them away, slightly afraid that he might just disappear. I reach out, inhaling sharply as my fingers meet warm flesh and short scruff. He obviously hasn't shaved since yesterday and it reminds me of the way his face felt after our night together.

I flatten my palm against his cheek and my thumb connects with his soft, parted lips. The slight smile on his face widens as my free hand moves to his chest; his warm, very solid chest.

I sigh. "Hi."

"Hi." He covers the hand I placed on his chest with one of his own and lets out his own weary sounding sigh. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." I nod. I lean towards him.

He slides his hand up my arm. "God, I've missed you."

My lips tremble and my heart clenches causing my tears to spill over.

"I've missed you, too."

The words come out brokenly. His voice hits me like a gale of wind and I'm completely undone, unable to stop the flood of memories and feelings associated with him. Body wracking sobs threaten to escape me as I let my head fall heavily against his chest and grasp onto his shirt desperately.

His strong arms engulf me and lift me up. "It's okay, baby. Come here. I'm here now."

I nod and go eagerly, my legs sliding over the seat until I'm nestled in his lap. My face finds the crook of his neck as my arms encircle him. He holds me so tightly in return that it nearly restricts my breathing. It's just what I need.

I'm on the verge of hyperventilating. So many emotions rush through me that it's impossible to contain them and my thoughts. Broken pieces of my inner monologue spill out of me.

"Thank God... I'm so glad... I can't tell you... I thought... Oh, Edward, there was so much blood." I shake my head violently, the memory of that awful day coming back too easily. "You didn't have a pulse. And I thought... I just... they drugged me... the plane..."

I feel his hands on my face, lifting my head, forcing me to look at him. His eyes are wet, his expression pained.

"Stop. Bella, stop. I'm okay, baby. Look at me."

I blink. Green... so green. I focus on his eyes.

"That's right. Look at me. I'm fine now."

I inhale slowly and nod. I keep nodding, telling myself the same thing. He's fine. He's here. He's holding me. He's fine. He's here. He's holding me.

More tears fall, my sobs quiet, but do not slow. I missed him so much that, even now, equal parts relief and remembered agony wash over me.

Wow... is this because of the hormones? I feel so out of control. I cry harder.

"Oh, baby. Bella, shhh... it's okay."

He pulls me tighter to him.

"Shh, Bella. Shh... Don't cry. Please? We're together. Don't cry."

He pushes my hair away from my face and kisses my cheek. He nuzzles his nose close to my ear and whispers more soothing words. "I'm here, baby. Feel me here with you."

I nod and squeeze my arms around him. "I feel you."

"Good... now breathe."

I do. I breathe him in and my tears slowly, steadily abate. His lips brush my hair and he takes a deep breath. I follow suit, trying to calm down. He inhales slowly again and I do as well, following his example as we exhale together. His breath is soothing to me. The flex of his fingers against my body is comforting.

He's real.

Slowly, I tilt my head up and pull back. Edward's green eyes find mine, his fingers leaving my hair to trace my face. I stare, my own eyes dancing over his features, taking him in. He's still so beautiful despite looking tired and worried —worried, but happy and relieved at the same time.

Like me. I smile, unable to get over the fact that he's really here.

Awed and grateful, I reach out to touch him again. My hand is shaky as I lift my fingers to his face and touch his jaw, tracing it from one side to the other. I continue along the curve of his cheek to his brow, then down his nose and over his lips. He lets out a shaky breath and kisses my fingers.

My breathing matches his. It's both shaky and rapid.

"You're really here," I whisper.

"So are you."

I smile. He smiles quickly, but it fades. His runs the back of his hand over my cheek.

"Are you really all right? I was so worried about you last night. When you passed out..." He shakes his head, his eyes closing briefly. "I think I can guess what you must have gone through when I was shot. It's not the same at all, I know, but for a few minutes there..."

"I know... I'm okay though."

Edward is quite obviously about to ask more about why I had to stay in the hospital but, mercifully, Alice's voice interrupts him. It's only then that I realize we've been driving for some time.

"Hello, Sir. Yes, we're about ten minutes out. Yes, Young is ahead of us and all checks have been made. Of course. Yes, I'll let you know. Yes, sir. Sure thing."

When she hangs up, Uley says something to her about an exit. I briefly look out the window behind Edward before his gaze captures mine and everything else fades into the background. All I can see is his eyes. All I can feel is his arms. All I hear is the sound of his slow, measured breaths.

We stare at each other for some indeterminate amount of time before my thumb sweeps across his full bottom lip. His hands find their way into my hair as he glances briefly at my mouth before tilting my head back. There is no further hesitation.

Eyes close and breaths hitch. His lips are soft and warm and pressing perfectly against my own. Tongues tease and arms hold tighter.

I part my lips fully, rejoicing when he moves his tongue against mine. I take as much of him in as I can and then give back, kissing him with a desperation I've not known before. It's all raw need and frenetic desire. His kiss is a stark contrast to mine, or perhaps it's the perfect answer to it. It's like a fire in the dead of winter. It's life, and light, and hope.

There are no words needed as we reacquaint ourselves in this way. We are perfectly mated in our passion for each other, but also in our need for reassurance and comfort through the physical connection we still share. The scars of the last two months, of the day we almost lost each other forever, begin to heal.

Eventually, the urgency between us lessens and our mouths slow to meet in a series of soft, tender caresses.

"Bella..." he breathes in between kisses.

I moan at the sound of my name falling from his lips and I try to answer. I can feel a smile on his face as I am obviously just as unwilling as he is to pull away to speak.

"Love... you..." he mumbles, doing a better job than I.

I laugh against his lips and kiss him harder, deeper. Before it can get too out of hand, Edward pulls back, catching my face between his hands. "I really do, Bella... I love you so much."

My eyes grow instantly misty. "I love you, too."

I can barely manage the words. They mean so much... he means so much. Without him, I would have nothing right now.

Which reminds me how very much I stand to lose when he learns my secret.

What will he do when I tell him? What will I do if he doesn't want the one and only thing that has brought me any amount of joy or hope in last two months? What if it changes his feelings for me irrevocably?

The change in my mood is profound and I don't have to see the concern etch across Edward's face, or hear it in his voice, to know that he can sense it.

"Bella? What is it? What's wrong?"

I smile weakly at him. It's watery and unconvincing, but I try to soothe him while I sit up so we can talk. I scoot back a little and he locks his arms around me.

"What... Where are you going?"

I sigh and look down. "I need to talk to you. I need to," I swallow. "I need tell you something."

He holds me closer. "Tell me anything, but don't pull away from me. I just got you back and I want you right here."

God, he says the perfect things. I sigh.

"I want to be right here too, but..." My voice falters.

"Bella, you can talk to me like this. Stay."

He lifts my face and his eyes are both worried and curious. They bounce back and forth over my features as he looks for the source of my unease.

"Edward." I take a deep breath, but the words are so hard to say. My whole body trembles with anxiety.

"Sweetheart, you're starting to scare me a little. Just say it. Whatever it is, it can't be worse than thinking I might never see you again."

I smile sadly. "I know, and I'm so sorry. This is just harder than I thought."

"What's hard? Is it why you were in the hospital? Are you sick? Have you changed your mind about me? What?"

"No! No, nothing like that! I..." I search his eyes, and his gaze is steadying. There's so much love there. Much more than any one person deserves.

Maybe it's enough for two people?

Turning myself in his arms, I raise myself up and shift one leg behind me. As if he can read my mind, Edward lifts me easily and arranges me so that I'm facing him, straddling his lap. I sigh and wrap my arms around his neck while he tucks a wayward strand of hair back behind my ear.

"Better?"

I smile sheepishly. "Much."

"So what's going on?"

"Well, I'm not sick. Not really. I was just dehydrated yesterday and my blood sugar dropped too low. That's what the doctors say happened, anyway."

"You'd been throwing up. I heard them talking about you."

I nod and cup his cheek. "Yesterday was a little rough for me. I got upset answering some questions about the last time I saw you."

"God, I'm so sorry, baby. I wish you hadn't had to go through that."

"Me too," I whisper. "I'm only sorrier you got hurt in the first place. So sorry... You'll never know how much I wish I could go back and change it. If I'd known, I would have shot James Wiles when I had the chance."

"Hey... Don't talk like that. It's not your fault. You did what you thought was right and you saved my life regardless, Bella."

I nod and lower my head to his shoulder, feeling overwhelmed once more. "I'm still the reason you got hurt. I'm the reason you're here now, in this ridiculous situation."

"Well, besides the ridiculous thing, that last part is true. If you hadn't fought for me, I would still be alone and miserable in Forks."

I smile at his attempt to placate me and get the feeling this will be an ongoing difference of opinion between us. He kisses my forehead and rubs my back softly while we sit quietly wrapped up in each other.

Several minutes pass before the vehicle slows a little and I feel his arms tighten around me.

"You should be wearing a seatbelt, baby."

I smile and slip beneath his. It's sooo not safe, but a quick look out the heavily tinted windows tells me that we're exiting the freeway now. Soon, we're pulling into some kind of truck stop or large gas station. Uley drives around the main building to the carwash bays while Alice speaks to someone on the radio.

Edward watches with me as we pull into one of the large truck-size bays. We still have a police escort and one patrol car blocks each end of the bay. When we've stopped, Alice turns around in her seat.

"So, we're waiting for the all clear at the hotel we've arranged for you while we're in the area. There are still some things we need to go over with you both before we talk permanent relocation, but not tonight. I thought you two could use a chance to get caught up."

Alice raises an eyebrow and I know she's giving me an opportunity to give Edward all the facts before anything is set in stone. I nod and look down, my cheeks flushing a little.

"I'm going to run inside and get a few things. Uley says the restaurant here is fairly decent. Do you want anything?"

I shake my head.

"I'm good," Edward replies.

"Anything for later?" Alice insists.

I think about it. "Umm... maybe something to drink?"

She nods and smiles before turning to exit the vehicle, but I'm surprised when Uley follows her out.

Alice grins at my expression. "He'll be right outside, so just knock on the window if you need anything else. We shouldn't be here long. Ten, fifteen minutes tops."

When the doors both slam shut and the locks engage, we're finally alone. I turn back to Edward and he removes the seatbelt from around us, shifting slightly beneath me as he pulls the belt from his lap.

Unbidden, my body shudders against his as he moves. I close my eyes and savor the sensation of his strong hands wrapping around my waist again, pulling me closer.

His nose brushes mine and he begs me to open my eyes. When I do, his gaze is ardent and utterly spellbinding.

Oh my...

I'm drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Tilting my head up, I seek him out, not surprised at all when he captures my mouth with his. Our lips part instantly and our tongues tangle together once again. I slide my hands slowly, seductively, up his neck and into his hair. He groans and flexes his hands against my back. I can feel the urgency and sense he's struggling not to slide them down, over the curve of my hips and beyond. I press myself against him greedily, growing bolder with my own touch in hopes that he'll get the message that I want him to touch me.

Mercifully, he does.

Edward pulls me even closer, one hand firmly on my backside while the other tilts my head to grant him greater access to my mouth. When we break apart to breathe, he trails his lips down my neck, across my collar bone and back up again. I tug on his hair as he blazes a trail along my jaw to my ear. I can hear his breath coming out in pants, much like mine. His voice is rough with desire and ragged with emotion when he speaks.

"Oh God, I've missed you, Bella... so much. I've ached for you."

He sucks on my earlobe and gently bites down on the sensitive flesh there. We both groan as I respond to the feeling by rolling my hips forward, grinding against him without another thought. His hips lift in answer and the increased contact causes my shirt to ride up as we move together.

I gasp and suddenly remember myself as my navel comes in contact with Edward's. I need to talk to him. I'm supposed to be talking to him now.

Not that he seems to mind what we're doing instead of talking. His mouth moves against mine again and again, and I accept him like the weakling I am. The way our bodies move together is intoxicating.

Struggling to stay coherent, I surreptitiously slide my hands down over his shoulders and onto his chest, moving myself back to create some space between us.

I brush my thumbs over his pecs in hopes of distracting him from my little move, but it backfires. He wraps one arm possessively around my back causing his fingers graze the skin of my waist. He pushes his hand under my shirt and hoodie, seductively stroking the overheated skin beneath.

I yank my face away from his suddenly. "Stop."

He freezes in place, his formerly heavy eyelids now open in surprise. His swollen lips are still parted and moist. "What...?"

"I'm sorry," I pant, interrupting him. "I'm so sorry, but I actually need to tell you something. I shouldn't have..." I shake my head. "I got carried away. I'm sorry."

Edward nods as though he understands, but I know he must be significantly confused, not to mention aroused beyond measure.

He shifts uncomfortably beneath me. I grimace when I feel his hardness brush against my leg. I think I might just qualify as evil at the moment.

"I really am sorry."

He grins, chuckling silently. "I know, baby. I got carried away, too."

Baby...

I smile halfway. "I love you."

Edward sighs and pulls me flush against him, nuzzling my neck with his nose while his arms wrap around my back. "I love you, too. More than you know. Now talk to me before I spontaneously combust."

I can't help but laugh at his words. "Okay, but first..." I sit up and start unzipping my hoodie. "Speaking of combusting."

He chuckles while I slide out of the too warm garment. I throw it off to the side, much more comfortable in the simple black V-neck shirt I donned when I left the hospital. I wish I could do something to make Edward more comfortable, but force the idea away just as quickly. That will come later... I hope.

Reaching for his hands, I twine our fingers together and give them a soft squeeze. Edward squeezes back.

"What's up, baby? What's going on?"

I take a deep breath, and then lock my eyes on his.

"I told you that I was dehydrated and my blood sugar dropped yesterday, but I didn't tell you why."

"No, you didn't. You did say you weren't really sick."

"And I'm not. At least, not in the way you might be thinking. I've been ill, but it's just, um..." Here goes nothing. "It was morning sickness."

I wait for his response, eyes downcast. The silence is deafening, and it takes me a few moments to brave looking up. When I do, my stomach drops. Edward's mouth is slack and his eyes are distant.

He blinks once. "Morning sickness."

"Yes."

Confusion etches across his perfect face.

"You're pregnant?"

"Yes," I repeat. "But please believe me, I never meant for this to happen. There was a... um, an issue with my birth control. I didn't know I wasn't protected."

His brow wrinkles together. He glances down at my abdomen, then back up at my face and down again. He stares.

His silence is unnerving. It's so unlike the Edward I know.

"Please say something."

Inhaling quickly, he blinks rapidly as if he's been asleep. I'm trying hard to hold it together, but a single tear spills over and runs down my cheek.

"Hey..." he says, taking my face between his hands. "Don't cry."

He kisses me softly, and then kisses away my tears, trailing his lips over the wetness on my cheek. My eyes flutter closed, allowing him to caress my eyelids, my forehead, and my nose before going back to my mouth. When he finally pulls back, I keep my eyes closed, unwilling to end the tender moment.

"Bella?"

"Mmm?"

"Open your eyes."

I do as he asks. He smiles gently.

"Are you happy?"

"Am I happy?" I don't understand where he's going with this.

"Do you want to have a baby?" he clarifies.

Oh.

"It's just that... well, you don't seem very happy."

I shrug. "I've been too worried to be happy. I want to be... I really want to be, but I just..." I sigh and look away. "I don't want it without you, and I wasn't sure if, well... I didn't know if you would want–"

"I want you, Bella." He forces me to look at him. "I love you and I'm here, which, roughly translated, means I want to build a life with you no matter what the circumstances. This news is definitely unexpected, but not bad. Not to me."

"No?"

"No."

The word is a whisper against my lips and then he's covering my mouth, sealing his declaration with a kiss that grows until I can feel it in my toes. It's slow, and deep, and full of promise. When we part, I'm left feeling weightless in his arms.

He loves me. He wants me. And by some miracle, I think he wants our baby too.

"You're too good to be true."

He chuckles. "You won't always think so."

"Try me. You're taking this better than I did."

He sighs and looks down. His fingers toy with my hair. "I'm just sorry you were alone when you found out. I should have been there."

I smile and shake my head. "Don't. There's no point in dredging up things that will only hurt one or both of us. The only thing that really matters is where we go from here."

I bite my lip and watch his face nervously. He nods slowly and then looks up.

"How far along are you? I mean..." He grins and his cheeks actually color a little bit. "I know how far along you are, but what did the doctor say? Is everything going okay down there?"

He gestures between us and I giggle. "Everything down there is fine. I'm ten weeks, well almost eleven weeks pregnant now and–"

"Wait... eleven weeks? It hasn't been that long. Has it?"

I laugh. "I said the same thing to the doctor in Juneau! I guess they go by when your last period was since most couples have to guess as to when exactly they got pregnant. It's called gestational age, and you add two weeks to the date of conception, so I'm ten weeks and five days."

"Wow... You remember exactly."

"It's kind of hard not to." My cheeks heat.

"It is." His voice is husky.

I swallow and then he startles me by laughing.

"What?"

He smiles sheepishly and shakes his head. "It's nothing really. I just remembered something. It's actually not very funny."

"What is it?"

"Um, well, when we were in the shower that night... you were so gorgeous and so enticing..." His fingers brush the exposed line of my collar bone. "I can remember thinking quite clearly that if I didn't control myself, I was either going to hurt you, or get you pregnant."

My breath escapes me in a rush.

He chuckles ruefully. "I suppose it was somewhat prophetic that I didn't completely freak out at the idea. Not that it would have been easy to keep my hands off of you, but we weren't using a condom, so..." He shrugs. "I should have been more concerned than I was."

I blush. "Yeah, me too."

"Do you regret it very much?"

"I don't regret it at all." I swallow nervously. "Do you?"

"Not at all. I'm worried about you. I'm worried that this isn't what you would have chosen if it hadn't just happened, but... being with you? It was the best night of my life."

I shiver, my eyes closing involuntarily. "Me, too."

He kisses my forehead and pulls me close to him. I tuck my head in the crook of his neck and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Edward is quiet a moment and then he whispers softly in my ear. "I never could have imagined this outcome when I woke up this morning, but I can't tell you how it feels..." He moves back to look at me. "I'm so glad I'm here. I'm glad I didn't miss this because I want it, Bella. I want this baby with you. I want everything with you."

"I want that, too." I smile and kiss his neck, running my fingers through his hair while my emotions run in circles. Relief, elation, disbelief, contentment.

I sigh. "It's hard to believe you can feel the same way about me after I nearly got you killed. For that alone I wouldn't have blamed you for walking away. Still, here you are. Despite getting shot and despite me telling you that I got pregnant when I was supposedly safe."

"I love you, baby. That's all there is to it."

"You make it sound so simple."

He kisses my forehead. "It is simple."

I snort. "You do realize we are sitting in an unmarked car, surrounded by federal agents who are about to escort us God knows where, for God knows how long?"

He chuckles. "Exactly. It's just you and me, and now this baby. Nothing else matters. Wherever they take us, however long it's for, we'll have each other. Simple."

Another long moment passes with nothing but soft touches and sighs. Then,

"What about your family? They'll worry about you. They'll hate me."

"No, Bella. They'll know I'm with you, and I think they'll be glad we're together. They love you too."

"I almost took you away from them forever once, now I may do it a second time. How can you say that?"

"Because they've been living with me for the last two months. They know, sweetheart."

"Everything?"

He chuckles. "No, not everything, but they know enough. Don't worry, it'll be alright."

"I hope so."

"We'll find out soon enough."

Uley knocks on the window and I hear Alice's voice outside.

"I guess we will."

Edward lifts my head and examines my expression. When he sees it's relaxed, maybe even a little playful, he grins and nudges my nose with his before kissing me. We continue to kiss and exchange soft touches until it's time to go again. Eventually he insists I put my seatbelt on, but I ride in the middle seat, tucked under his arm. He holds me as close as he can, his fingers running through my hair until I feel myself starting to drift off, completely at home in Edward's arms.

~(~)~

Yes, that's right... The cliffie-queen has left the building. :D

Until next week my loves... (That is, unless you'll all be too busy watching Breaking Dawn: Part 1 in the theaters to read an update. ;-) )

Thanks for reading!

-Ginnie