I didn't want to disappoint any of you who have stuck with me this year so here is my Festive gift to you. A Christmas story. Merry Christmas and thank you to those of you who celebrate the occasion and best wishes and thanks to any who do not. Love Jules xx

Chapter One Prologue

Bella

I had never felt so sick in my life. Was it the chicken I had gorged on last night after finding Edward missing from our bed? I'd always been a picky eater and mostly vegetarian so what had possessed me to stuff myself with so much chicken?

I was shocked when I came back from the bathroom and noticed that it wasn't even cooked through, the centre was suspiciously pink. I shuddered as I turned away from the congealed mess thinking how lucky I was not to have developed full-blown food poisoning.

Very romantic you idiot! I thought to myself as I heard the front door open heralding Edward's return. I was perched beside the toilet once more where I had just rushed to throw up yet again. The crazy thing was that I had no pain, no sweating, just the awful feeling of nausea.

Of course, being Edward he ignored my entreaties to wait outside. He was worried about me, overprotective as always and to be honest even though I was embarrassed I felt better with him by my side.

He was horrified to see what I had been eating when we finally made our way back to the kitchen and immediately threw the remainder of the chicken away before helping me back to the couch and fussing over me with glasses of water and helpful hints like take deep breaths and sip slowly. He was so over the top I almost giggled but I knew that would only hurt his feelings and I wouldn't do that for the world.

Our honeymoon had been magical once I was able to convince him that I was not made of spun glass and I hoped it would always remain the same. I loved my husband so much and was so happy.

In retrospect, I guess I was a bit slow but it took another bout of sickness the following morning and the reminder of an unopened pack of tampons to offer another solution. I sat on the edge of the bed holding the box and trying to work out how long we had been here on Isle Esme.

When I was forced to give up and ask Edward his answer clarified things. However impossible it may sound I suspected that I was pregnant and a smile spread across my face. Pregnant, with Edward's child. What a perfect end to a perfect year.

Knowing how thrilled he would be I ran through to the kitchen to find him scrambling me some eggs convinced that these would help my nausea. I began to force them down to please him but what I really craved was meat, a nice juicy steak. Even thinking about it had my mouth watering and I wondered if that also had something to do with the fact that I might be pregnant. After all, didn't pregnant women have strange cravings?

After a couple of mouthfuls, I couldn't stomach any more and put down my fork. Edward frowned at me from his place at the counter and I gestured for him to join me at the table. He perched on the edge of a chair frowning at my half-eaten breakfast.

"You still look very pale Bella. Don't you want your breakfast? Are you still feeling sick? Maybe we should go home, let Carlisle take a look at you."

His mouth almost dropped open in surprise when I nodded. Up to this point, I had shown no inclination to leave the island.

"You agree? Well, that's a first."

"I think maybe we should go back, Edward. I think… well."

I took a deep breath, "I think I know why I'm feeling so sick in the mornings."

I waited for him to pick up on the cue but of course, this was Edward. He didn't have a clue what I was alluding too. With a sigh, I tried again.

"I think that I might know what's wrong, Edward."

He frowned, "You do? What is it? If it's the food I'll have words with Kaure. She should be more careful when she's shopping for supplies."

I shook my head, was he being deliberately dim?

"Edward. I think I might be pregnant. That's why I'm feeling sick and wanting to eat all the time. Just think Edward, a baby."

I had expected him to be surprised, even stunned at first, but I could never have anticipated the response my news evoked.

Edward stood up so abruptly that his chair crashed over backwards onto the tiled floor. His jaw began to work as if he was angry or upset and he just disappeared out the door leaving me alone at the table staring at his retreating back open-mouthed, unable to understand what had just happened.

Pushing my plate away I followed but I couldn't find him anywhere and when I finally got back to the house I was hot, tired, and annoyed. I had expected to be celebrating my news not playing hunt my husband in the tropical heat.

As I walked back inside I heard his voice coming from the bedroom. Who was he talking too? I knew the caretaker wasn't due for another few days with supplies.

I was about to call to him when I froze, his words like ice water dropping over me.

"Is it possible, Carlisle?"

Then after a brief pause, "Well, can you get rid of it?"

Get rid of it? I could hardly believe my ears. Was Edward talking about getting rid of our baby? No. I must have misheard.

Without speaking I walked slowly down the hall to our bedroom only to find Edward throwing clothes into our suitcases with a frenzy.

"Edward? What's going on? Where did you go? I went looking for you."

He didn't slow or even turn to look at me as he replied.

"We're going home."

"Home? Right now? Why?"

"You know why. If you're right. If...if you are.. Then we need to let Carlisle examine you. The sooner we act the better."

I staggered as if he had slapped me. So, I hadn't been mistaken in what I heard after all.

"What? Act? What does that mean Edward? Are you talking about a termination? How can you even consider such a thing? If I'm right this baby is ours. Our flesh, and blood."

He whirled to face me and I hardly recognized the face I thought I knew so well.

"No, it's not, Bella. It's an abomination and it will kill you."

I couldn't speak. I was having trouble breathing as his words hit me like a stream of bullets, each one piercing my heart.

"It? This is a baby Edward. Our baby. How can you say such a thing? I thought you would be excited like me."

"Well, I'm not and you are not going through with this. I won't lose you, Bella. Get changed, we're leaving now."

I tried to get him to calm down and listen to me but he refused to stop. He had the cases packed and loaded onto the boat in ten minutes and stood to wait for me to join him.

What was I going to do? I had no idea how Carlisle felt about this but I was pretty sure that Esme and probably Rosalie would understand how I felt. That was good to know because I would need their support if I was going to stand up to Edward and possibly even his father.

Edward sat staring out of the window during the flight home and despite my best efforts, I couldn't get him to talk to me.

"Edward, tell me what is going on in your head. I don't understand your reaction at all."

He turned to me, his face impassive and spoke very quietly.

"I could ask you the same thing, Bella. This is not the time or the place for such a discussion. As soon as we get home I promise you that we'll talk."

I had to be content with this but I had sent a text to Esme before take-off asking for her help if Edward continued to be difficult.

It was only when Esme and Carlisle met us on arrival that I understood I had been over-optimistic in assuming Esme would be an ally.

While she was very solicitous she refused to talk about the 'situation' during the drive home, instead choosing to chatter about the weather, the news from Forks, and the fact that they had not told Charlie that we were coming home.

"We thought it better to wait."

"Wait for what, Esme?"

She just shook her head and turned the radio on.

It was the most uncomfortable drive I had ever experienced and that was just the beginning.

It soon became apparent that I had no allies in the family. I was alone in wanting this baby. Everyone else thought it some kind of monster and tried everything in their power to persuade me to allow Carlisle to perform a termination. I had never felt more positive about anything than I did right now and I made my stand wishing I was stronger but determined not to be browbeaten about something so very important to me.