2brown-eyes is the best!

THEN
LATE APRIL 1992

Love Takes Time—Mariah Carey

I try to hold myself together as I sit by the phone, willing it to ring. There's a pillow clutched tightly in my arms, and dried tear tracks trail down my cheeks. For the most part, I've accepted my possible reality.

Our possible reality.

Before I can dig myself too deep, the shrill ringing breaks through, and I snatch up the receiver. "Edward?"

"Bella," he replies, uncertainty lacing his tone. "What's wrong?"

"We fucked up," I wail, tears spilling from my eyes. "I'm late."

"Late for what?" He's confused, lost in that blissful space before full awareness descends.

I gather myself, sucking all the drama inside so I can speak clearly. "I think I'm pregnant."

Silence.

Five seconds.

Ten.

"Uh…" He pauses, clearing his throat. "Shouldn't you be discussing this with your boyfriend?"

I deserve that.

It still stings.

"Do you think I'd call you about this if it had anything to do with Riley?" The words come out harsh, and I almost regret it, since it would be a valid question if I'd actually done the things he thinks I have.

The things I forced him to think.

"I suppose not." The quiet tone of his voice signals his acceptance. "At least, I hope not."

"Never," I say adamantly. "On both accounts." I squeeze my eyes closed as I push out the words. "Riley isn't and has never been my boyfriend."

"You've never slept with him," he says simply. "Why would you…"

"So that you'd let go."

Silence descends again, but this time it's a peaceful moment where I can feel the elation on Edward's part. I hate that we're back here again, at the beginning of the breakup. Only this time, I may have already ruined his future.

"Did you buy a test?"

"I'm scared."

"I'm on my way, Bella," he says, and urgency fills his voice. I can already hear him moving around. "Just … give me a chance to be there for you, okay?"

"Your classes…" I trail off because I want nothing more than Edward by my side when my worst fears are confirmed.

"I can miss a day," he states, his mind working it all out on the spot. "Buy a round-trip ticket and fly back before my classes on Thursday."

I laugh at his problem-solving skills because he knows me so well. Even if the test is positive, Edward will still be heading back to school until his summer break in a few weeks. Then we can try to come to a compromise on how to move forward, and that'll include a sit-down with our parents.

"Okay," I say quietly.

His relief is palpable. "Okay, okay's good. Let me call the airline, and I'll let you know what time to expect me."

He calls back thirty-two minutes later to let me know he'll be here around seven-thirty in the morning. His return flight is at eight tomorrow night, so I'll only have him for a few hours. He promises to bring the tests, because one simply won't do, and tells me to sleep well.

It's an impossible task.

I'm still awake at four in the morning, and I can hear my mom getting ready for her shift at the diner. My eyes burn from all the tears, and my throat is dry, but Mariah Carey soothes my weary soul with her beautiful voice telling me that Love Takes Time. I close my eyes and sink into the lyrics.

Losing my mind from this hollow in my heart

Suddenly, I'm so incomplete

Lord, I'm needing you now

Tell me how to stop the rain

Tears are falling down endlessly (Oh-oh)

Love takes time

To heal when you're hurting so much

Couldn't see that I was blind

To let you go

"Bella." The soft voice is accompanied by a shoulder shake, and my eyes pop open.

A tender smile greets me.

I burst into tears.

Leap into his arms.

And sob again.

He's patient until I collect myself, being the strong support he's always been, and when I pull away, he holds up a sack. "I also brought you a biscuit."

"Thanks." My stomach does a protest flip. "But I'd rather take the tests first."

He opens the bag and pulls out a box. "It has two in it."

"Cool." I take it with a shaky hand.

"Do you want…"

"Nope." I stop him before he can be any sweeter. "I'll be back in a few."

"I'll be right here."

Oh, damn. I may have to post a 5th chapter this week to keep from making you wait.

See you tmr :)