Chapter 34

"Edward, we're having a baby. We're going to be fine."

"I..."

I try to say something, anything but all I can do is stare at her. She smiles at me, and runs her hands through my hair. She talks softly, arms around me.

"The cells didn't come back cancerous. Dr. Adam's thinks that I'll be fine. Sometimes these things work themselves out. He said after I have the baby he wants to do another test, just to be sure. Also, in two weeks we can find out if it's a boy or a girl."

I snap out of it.

"You'll really be okay? Both of you?"

She nods, smiling. "All three of us will be."

We go over the details, and she has to explain everything to me three times before I even become a little less skeptical; and when she kisses me, I forget all about cancer. I focus on her skin that's against mine.

Her breathing underneath me.

On the feeling of finally being home.

UtB

"I just think I should wait." She crosses her arms, glaring at me.

"Iz." I watch her from my spot on the couch. She goes back to pacing in front of me.

She shakes her head, "They're my family. I should be the one who decides when to tell them."

I run my hands through my hair. I forgot how stubborn and frustrating she can be when she has her mind set on something. I take a breath, remembering talking to Emmett.

"Why can't you just tell them? It'll be easy, like ripping a band-aid off."

She stops her pacing, and glares at me. "Have you met my mother?! Emmett? I don't believe that for one second, Edward. Also, band-aids hurt!"

"Yes, I have." I say, getting up and standing in front of her, "which is why I think it's better to tell them now. It won't be easy, and I know it's frustrating, but that's why I'm here. We're a team, Iz."

She nods, and I hug her.

"We'll do this however you want to, but I think the sooner, the better. You're only telling them two weeks early; besides Em sounded like he wanted to fly to Chicago and drag you home. They miss you. You have to stop dodging his calls."

"I know. I just..."

"Iz" I say, as she sighs.

"What's really going on in that head of yours?" I ask.

"There is only a handful of people who know, and it's because they should know, but saying the words out loud... It makes it real, ya know? And it's terrifying. What if..." She stops, and I wipe the tear that slides down.

"What if something happens?" I ask, because I've been feeling the same way.

She nods.

"We can't dwell on that. The stress isn't good, especially for you. One day at a time, remember? We'll be fine."

She nods, "Okay. One day at a time."

She hits Em's name and puts it on speaker, and then she's back to pacing in front of me; when the ringing stops and Em says, "Hey, little sis!" I put my arm out to stop her and pull her to the sofa and she settles on my lap.

"Hey, Em. Can you talk? I can call you back." I pinch her ass, shaking my head at her attempt to get out of it. She gives my a sly smile.

"I always have time for you, Bella." He covers the speaker, and then there's a sound of a door shutting.

"What's up?"

"Remember how I was supposed to come home for Christmas?" She asks, I give her hand a little squeeze.

"Yes." He starts to sound guarded, almost like he expects her to bail.

"Well I won't be there." He takes a deep breath, and before he can say anything she says, "I'm already in Wildwood."

He laughs, "You sneaky little shits! Where's Eddy?"

"He's right here." She laughs.

"Does mom know?"

"No, she doesn't know. Actually, we were wondering if we could do dinner tomorrow night here if you're free. Bring my nephew. And Rose."

"Hell yes! Tell Eddy he better stop planning shit without me! Not that this isn't a good surprise. I miss you, Bells."

She laughs, and I can tell she isn't as stressed as she was. I get up, letting Angel inside. She immediately goes to Bella's side, head on her lap. I sit at the table in the kitchen, trying to grade papers, but mostly watching Bella.

"I miss you too, Em."

Bella calls Renee shortly after, she promised she and Phil would be here at six thirty tomorrow evening.

Bella comes in shortly, smiling at me.

She says it so softly, but I feel it too.

"We're going to be okay."

UtB

"Chicken Parmesan."

She shakes her head.

"Grilled Chicken and veggies."

She scrunches her nose.

I sigh, we're at the grocery store, looking for ingredients for dinner. We should have decided on what we were making first.

"Chicken nuggets." I say, rolling my eyes at her indecisiveness.

"Ohh! Nevermind, Chicken Parmesan." She nods, throwing in a package of chicken.

I laugh at her, following her down the aisles, watching her ass as she walks ahead of me. I really just want to go home, and get her naked.

She turns the corner, and I hear her sharp intake of breath, I quickly catch up to her. Riley and Kelsey are in the next aisle. She told me they still talk occasionally, but this is the first time I've seen him since that night.

She turns to me and smiles, Riley looking at her and back to me. Kelsey seems just as uncomfortable.

"Hey." Iz says, smiling at the both of them. Riley smiles at her, looks at me. I nod at him, waiting to see how this is going down.

"Riley. Kelsey." I greet, throwing a container of bread crumbs into the basket. I look at Bella's ass to make time pass by; it helps.

It's almost pleasant. They talk for a few minutes, Kelsey even seems okay. They hug, wave at me and leave.

Looks like my high school students are now grown ups.

BPoV

"Be careful." I roll my eyes, chopping the tomatoes for the sauce.

Edward is helping me cook, but mostly annoying me with his safety tips.

"Yes, dear." I say, giving him a smile. I've been giving him attitude all day, and I felt him watching my ass in the grocery store, even with Riley and Kelsey there.

I got home, immediately taking off my jeans. I've been in my underwear and one of his t-shirts since.

I'm all nerves, and messing with him is helping me keep my mind off of things. My family is walking into this, not knowing whats about to hit them.

They're going to flip.

I also have to talk to Edward. After this semester starts, it's my last one until I graduate; not to mention I'll be almost nine months along when I do graduate. It's so crazy to think our baby will be here in six short months. I take a deep breath, focusing on chopping basil.

I don't know how, but I've decided on going to Banard. He needs to know.

I couldn't sleep last night, so I was doing all of the math in my head. Wildwood is only three hours from Banard. The money from Charlie is enough to pay for all of my classes to receive my masters.

We can make it work, I know we can.

How? I have no idea.

I'm brought back to reality, his hands on mine, slowly taking the knife away from me.

Dinner is supposed to be at six thirty, but by the time the doorbell rings, I wake up upstairs in bed naked.

His tricky, beautiful hands.

And that mouth of his.

He knocks on the door, giving me a sly smile like he was just thinking the same thing.

"Babe, they're here. I told them you were in the bathroom."

Time to face the music.

UtB

"Isabella Swan! I cannot believe you came home early and did not tell me!" Renee, hugs me when I finally make it downstairs. I'm praying to anyone who will listen that the bump doesn't give itself away.

I dressed in a yellow top that is flowy and oversized, it fits the art scene, and Rose says she loves it.

I don't know if she will once she realizes why I'm wearing it. She's been giving me the side-eye. I know how perceptive she is, and the woman has had a baby. She knows how to spot pregnancy.

Again, with the praying.

Please don't let this blow up in my face.

Emmett hugs me, but I'm immediately drawn to the toddler who is trying to wrestle Angel to take her toy. Angel gives up and heads to the kitchen to be let outside. Poor girl.

Cayden hugs my legs, and giggles when I tickle him.

"Hey buddy, you're so big now!" He holds out two fingers showing me he's two.

I watch Edward and Em talk to the side. Edward winks at me and gives me a crooked smile. Emmett rolls his eyes when he sees it.

"Hungry!" Cayden says, suddenly grabbing my hand and pulling me into the kitchen. Everyone laughs as they follow.

UtB

"So." Renee begins, watching me and Edward, "as happy as I am that Bella is home, there seems to be something I missed."

She takes a sip of water, watching me. I can't do this, but I know I have to.

I nod, because Renee only sees things she wants to.

I can't say anything as I get up, and grab the ultrasound pictures I had during one of my first visits.

I put them in the middle of the table, watching as they take them in. Edward grabs my hand, and I feel myself relax.

"I'm due in early June." I say, hand over the bump, willing to protect it from the words that are about to be said.

I'm not ready for the smile that takes over Renee's face, or the laugh that Rose gives. When Em pulls me up, looks me in the eye and hugs me so tight; I think this isn't my family.

They've been body snatched.

"Don't get me wrong." Em says to Edward, "I'm still debating on whether I should punch you."

The smile on both of their faces shows the opposite.

I tell them about the cancer scare. I tell them how I feel complete, here with my family. With Edward. I tell them that I know this isn't the best time, that I still have a lot of things I want to do in my life. I'm going to have a career involving art.

This is just a bump in the road, and that as long as I have them and Edward; I know things will be okay.

Then I drop the bomb that I know won't effect them as much as it will effect Edward.

"I'm also going to Banard in the fall, to get my masters."

It's been awhile? I'm a bit rusty, but this story won't leave me alone.

I always wanted to finish it, and things may have fallen apart in the meantime. I don't know how much more is left, but I'm trying to stick to the plans Amy and I originally had.

xo