Chapter 35

Hey! That's not what was planned!

I did not return to my father's house that evening. I moved into Edward's room where Alice had already placed the countless clothes she had bought for me. I was afraid she would be disappointed not to be our child's godmother, but she brushed aside my concerns by making me swear she would be my maid of honor. I also granted him the grace to take care of my marriage. I knew the pregnancy was going to be complicated for her too. So I hoped that planning the wedding and buying baby clothes would keep her busy enough.

Jasper seemed quite happy. He admitted to me that he couldn't wait to no longer want to bleed out. Of course Edward had grunted, but I appreciated his sincerity. I don't remember Jasper speaking so directly to Bella. I guess he took into account my frank nature of the necklace. Rosalie takes great care of me and shows me as much kindness as Esmée. This is a side of his personality that Bella must not have seen much in the original story.

As the blue window had told me, Rosalie came to see me that same evening before I went to sleep. The boys had gone hunting. She told me her story, her pain at the idea of never experiencing motherhood and her jealousy, when Edward found interest in me while she had never aroused his. She asked me if I had had a vision where I survived, I told her no. In fact, my dreams have been very much about crimson-eyed men dressed in black lately. I admitted to him that I was afraid of the Volturi.

"I fear that they still think I am human and, above all, I fear what he might want to do to my baby.

We will do everything to ensure that they never learn of your existence, Rosalie reassured me.

Thank you, Rose. I am reassured to be able to count on you.

That's what family is for, she replied, smiling.

Yes… family, I whisper, lowering my head.

Your father will come and apologize.

I'm not so sure...

I'm sure of it, she replies, stroking my head. Unlike mine, who saw me as a commercial exchange, your father cares about you. It was fear that made him react like that. I'm sure he's realizing what a huge mistake he's made.

As long as you are right...

Rest, Bella. Your family watches over you. »

I give her a weak smile and she bids me goodnight as she closes the door. The nightmares got worse that night, but something was added to the equation. And this detail shocked me to the point of waking me up with a start.

"Bella? Did you have a bad dream? asks a velvety voice next to me.

Edward?

Yes it's me. I just got back from hunting. It is seven in the morning. What made you so scared?

I don't remember it anymore. »

It was a lie. I couldn't get the image out of Charlie with blood red eyes leaning on my mother's neck, paler than ever. I needed a good dose of cuddling before I got these awful visions out of my head. Hunger ends up gnawing at me and I decide to go have breakfast. I wanted eggs like the original Bella, but also sardines and hot chocolate. When I tell Edward my desires for the day, he widens his eyes and turns in panic to his mother who had grabbed two eggs.

"I'm going to go do some shopping, my darling," she tells me. Edward?

Yes mom ?

Make your wife some scrambled eggs, I'll bring the rest as quickly as possible.

Oh, you don't have to...

Taratata, my darling. The desires of pregnant women are often characteristic of the needs of your body. If you're craving sardines and milk, you're probably lacking vitamin B12 OR vitamin D and calcium.

Esme is right my love, Edward nods.

All right. »

Esme slips away and Edward heats the pan.

"I want fried eggs, I order from the new kitchen assistant in front of me.

Fried eggs for the little lady! he jokes.

Rose came to see me yesterday…

I know, she was thinking about it when I got home. I'm sure this gave you a lot to think about.

Yes… If possible I would like several children. »

I don't know what he expected, but certainly not this. I see him trying to pick up the shell of the egg he crushed between his fingers.

"You… Do you want to go through this ordeal several times? He stammers, putting the whole thing in the trash, then washing his hands.

I never thought about motherhood before meeting you Edward. But you turned my world upside down. I learned love with you and I can't wait to meet the one who will be a little bit of you and me.

Me too, Edward replies, taking my hand.

I already love him and I know I have room to love other children.

What if that's not possible? Edward asks me worriedly. What if I have to transform you after you give birth?

So that's how it should be. You are my everything Edward. It is you who compose the foundations of my heart.

How do you manage to say such things to me with such naturalness and confidence?

It's because you gave me every reason to trust you. »

I caress his cheek and that's when my stomach decides to express its desire for sustenance. Edward kisses me lightly, then grabs a new egg.

"So fried eggs…"

The days passed without news of my father. Jessica came to see me with Embry. She was worried about me, but also very excited about my pregnancy. Another one that will go gaga. I had previously had almost the same scene with Emily and Rachel, who had brought me cuddly toys.

I had convinced Alice to drop the pregnancy business in high school, but being pretty thin to begin with, I was going to have a hard time hiding it for long. Spring break has come at just the right time. So, for all of us, I was going to spend the last term of my schooling abroad. When he brought the papers to sign, my father finally asked to see me.

I was sipping from a cup of bear blood that Emmett had brought me. He takes this godfather thing very, very seriously and asks me every day what I want to eat. When I realized I was having trouble keeping my meals down, I immediately informed Carlisle and Edward who decided it was time to test animal blood. Emmett then put himself forward, claiming that he was the baby's godfather and that his duty was to bring him everything he needed. Edward had protested, but I whispered in his ear that the two of us would have more time alone. And he let Emmett feed me.

As a game, I ordered him some puma first. Edward looked at me, surprised. He probably thought I wanted revenge for the last time I met one. I then clarified to Emmett:

"It seems they're Edward's favorite."

Heard mam'zelle! Emmett replies, pretending to put away his notebook. »

Edward looked at me, stunned. I smirked and bit my lip. Edward had pulled the lips from my teeth with his thumb and kissed me tenderly before whispering to me.

"I don't know how you know that, but I think it's really cute that you want to eat like me." »

I had gradually tested all the animals in the forest. Yes, even rabbits and I was ashamed to say it, but I liked herbivores, especially rabbits and squirrels, finding them to have a nutty taste. My reaction had brought varying reactions, but for the most part, the Cullens were very skeptical. Emmett had joked that I would be the most vegetarian of all the vampires. However, he insisted on letting me taste the bear and I recognized that it also tasted good.

Which brings me to my interview with my father. He stood awkwardly in front of me. I was sitting, my stomach now prevented me from moving much, so I indicated the chair next to me. After a few seconds of silence, Charlie asked me how I was.

" I'm doing well. The blood diet suits me and as you see, baby is growing too.

Can... Can I put my hand on your stomach?

Of course dad. »

I lift the shirt, take his hand and place it where I feel the baby growing. Charlie's eyes are misty. His lip trembles.

"I'm sorry, Bella," he said suddenly. I'm so scared for you.

Dad…

I know that you are an adult, that you are ready to have a child. I didn't realize my baby had grown so much. I feel like I missed out on everything...

Dad, I say a little louder this time.

Yes my baby ? he asks me with tears in his eyes.

The most important thing is that you are here now!

Yes, I am here. »

Her tears are flowing now. Thin ! It's so weird to see your father crying. He takes me in his arms and whispers that he loves me between two sobs. I see Tanya's head on the doorstep. She signals me not to say anything and leaves. We spend the rest of the day making up for lost time. The weeks passed at lightning speed. Just like Alice's visits to the house. The migraines were worse than those described in the book. I know Alice blamed herself, but staying near me was becoming a real torture, as Jasper had admitted to me. He spent more time with us.

We resumed our discussions on history and he told me, against Edward's agreement, about his life as a major. I learned in particular that the Civil War was not only linked to slavery, but that it was rather what crystallized the dissensions between the north and the south. The northern countries were also very protectionist regarding their production, unlike the South which exported a lot, not to mention that the South had missed the boat of the transport and industrial revolution. I was in the middle of an exciting story when I saw Edward crouch down in front of me and place his hand on my stomach.

"Edward?" »

I look at him, but he stares into space, as if listening to something. I think I understand what's going on.

"Do you hear our baby? I question him, placing my hand on his.

I hear OUR babies, he then answers me with a big smile. »

I widen my eyes. Look at my stomach and ask, trembling:

"Are we going to have twins?

Yes my love. Their voices are so pure, so beautiful. They look like yours.

Are you talking about their voices in their minds?

I'm talking about your voices in your minds.

I thought you couldn't hear my thoughts.

I can partially hear you now. A bit like Charlie now. Our babies have nothing to do with it I think. »

I'm stuck on his last words. If he can read my mind, then he knows about...

"Yes my love," Edward said, responding to my thoughts. But we'll talk about it later, because our children are warning us that they can't wait to go out and that our meeting shouldn't be long. I have to call Carlisle and Rose. We need all hands.

" Hold on ! Jasper yells, she's not going to give birth now? If ?

In a few days at most. But we'll deliver her by caesarean so we can choose when. »

I had difficulty understanding Edward's words. Not only could he hear my thoughts, but we were going to have twins?! But it wasn't supposed to be like this!