Penname: fallanydeeper
Title: Wrong Number 2
Rating and warnings: Rated M for language and lemons
Summary: Bella and Edward had an unusual meeting just over a year ago. When Bella took down a friend's phone number, incorrectly, she proceeded to text Edward instead, forming a fast friendship with him and eventually falling in love. A year later and once again their relationship is via text and email as Edward is gaining some valid work experience while helping those less fortunate, in third world countries. Edward has big plans for his return and Bella has a secret which may throw a spanner in the works.
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Banner creator: fallanydeeper

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. Any song lyrics belong to their respective owners. All plots and original characters belong to me, fallanydeeper. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: Written for the Fandom for Heroes compilation.

Wrong Number 2

From: Edward Cullen

To: Isabella Swan

Subject: Missing You

Date: 01/22/2012

My dearest Bella,

It's only been a few weeks and I miss you like I never thought was possible.

It is so hot here and dry. I'm struggling to get used to it. I never thought I'd miss the rain.

The language barrier is frustrating but I am learning a few new words. It's not enough to get by though. We're working with some really great guys and they translate for us. We really couldn't get by without them.

I've been working with Tafari mostly. He's hilarious. I think you'd really like him.

I'd better go sweetheart, we're travelling to a remote village today to vaccinate some children.

I love you so much. I'm torn between wanting this time to pass quickly so that I can be with you again but on the other hand, I want to really enjoy this experience.

Look after yourself.

All my love,

Edward.

From: Isabella Swan

To: Edward Cullen
Subject: Re: Missing You
Date: 01/23/2010

Edward,

I miss you so much that words can't even describe it. I'm glad that you're making friends. Do you think you'll keep in touch with everyone when you come home?

Tell me about some of the things you'll be doing. I'm really interested to hear all about it.

Work is very boring, especially when I know I won't be coming home to you. My days seem so much longer.

I miss you so much, Edward. Enjoy every moment of this trip because once you come home, I don't think I'll ever be able to let you go again.

All my love,

Forever and always,

Bella xx

From: Edward Cullen

To: Isabella Swan

Subject: I wish you were here.

Date: 04/17/2012

Baby,

Your last email had us all in stitches. You really walked in on Jasper and Alice in the bath, playing rubber duck wars? I laughed so hard as I pictured it and then I realised that I was imagining my cousin, naked in the bath. I ended up feeling pretty sick, but then I think you planned for it that way didn't you? You're so sneaky.

Is Alice serious about moving in with him? That'll be really good for us if they do. We'll have much more space. Are you sure you can manage the costs of the place on your own until I get home though? I really don't want you struggling, Bella. Perhaps advertising for a temporary roommate would be an option. I'm going to be here for almost three more months.

Do you remember that couple I told you about with six children? Well, Abebe successfully delivered her seventh child last night. She sent her eleven year old son to come and fetch us. The boy had to walk over five miles to get to the hospital.

It's really lucky that Tafari has a motorcycle, I'm pretty sure it was funding from a charity which paid for it so that he could reach some of the remoter villages. There was just enough space for me to go with him and it was such an uncomfortable journey. The roads, well, I say roads but really it's just bumpy dirt tracks, were hard to navigate in the middle of the night and I had Tafari's bag on my lap too.

But we both made it there in time for the birth, I watched mostly but it was still amazing to see it. God Bella, I can't even describe some of the things I've seen. This though, watching Abebe bring a child into the world was completely magical. I think the only thing which would ever top that would be seeing my own child come into the world one day.

I'd better sign off, Love.

I'll email again soon. I love you so very much.

Your Edward xx

From: Isabella Swan
To: Edward Cullen
Subject: Re: I wish you were here.
Date: 19/04/2012

Dear Edward,

I'm sorry, this is going to be a really quick email but I have work in like five minutes and I'm already running late due to a doctor's appointment.

I'm so glad that the delivery went well. I take it Abebe and her child are both healthy? I find it astonishing that her son had to walk so far. I don't think anyone here would do it, would they? But then again, they have no need to thanks to cells and everywhere being so built up that help is pretty much available on the street!

Is a child of your own something that you want, Edward?

Alice is completely sure that she wants to move out. She's already sent Jasper out for packing boxes. She wants to be settled in at his place by the weekend which is only two days away. Still, if anyone can do it in that amount of time, it's Alice.

I'll be able to make payments on the apartment. Charlie said he'd help me out until you return.

I love you, look after yourself and please pass on my congratulations to Abebe and her family.

Bella x

From: Edward Cullen

To: Isabella Swan
Subject: Re:Re: I wish you were here.
Date: 22/04/2012

Abebe and the baby are fine but one of her older sons, Bapoto, has developed some worrying symptoms. Tafari has tried to convince her to take him into town for an examination but she's reluctant. We'll keep trying.

Abebe is amazed that you would offer your congratulations. She says that she can tell you are a beautiful woman with a kind heart and she wishes you a long and happy life.

Yeah, I think about having kids someday. Once I have my degree and I'm through residency. You'll be settled in your career then too so it'd be the perfect time for us.

Charlie is okay with that? I know he doesn't like me much for 'stealing your heart' as he put it.

I'll email again soon.

Edward x

From: Edward Cullen
To: Isabella Swan

Subject: Bad News

Date: 05/15/2012

Abebe finally gave us permission to take Bapoto with us to the hospital last week. He died from Malaria this morning.

I'm beginning to hate it here. Even though I know we can't save everyone, it kills me when we lose a patient, especially a child. It is so horrifying to witness, Bella.

We spent so much time with this family. I feel like I just lost a brother.

I want to come home.

From: Isabella Swan

To: Edward Cullen

Subject: Re: Bad News

Date: 05/17/2012

Edward,

Be strong baby. You knew when you went out there that it wouldn't be easy. You tried to prepare yourself for it but I can only imagine how much more different it is when you're actually there, living it.

I know you care about the family; you speak of them often and with love. I feel like I have grown to know them too, through your emails. I know that you can get through this and I know that right now you're thinking about packing it in and coming home early.

Please don't do that Edward. You only have two months left out there and it will be difficult, it will be hard, but it will be worth it. You will watch Abebe's youngest grow up before your very eyes. You will watch her gain strength. You will watch the older children care for her and love her. Yes, you will all miss Bapoto but Edward, it's a fact of life. I know it's harsh for me to say that.

Would it be any different here? No of course not. Only the circumstances would be different. I know it is a lot worse out there and I'm not trying to belittle that but I know how you think and you will regret it for the rest of your life if you come home.

Stay for the last two months; support that family which you have grown so close to. You've built trust with them, don't break it now.

I love you, please look after yourself and know that even with the miles between us, I'm always with you.

I love you, Edward.

Bella xx

To: Isabella Swan

From: Edward Cullen

Subject: Not long now.

Date: 06/29/2012

Dear Bella,

One week baby and then I'll be home with you.

Thank you for supporting me over the last month. You were completely right, as always. I would have regretted the decision if I had come home.

Abebe's family are thriving, despite their loss. Their courage and strength is amazing to witness and I hope that I can take a little piece of them with me when I return to the States. I want to hold this family in my heart for the rest of my life.

Because as strange as it sounds, I think I owe them mine.

They've changed me into a different person.

I love you.

To: Edward Cullen

From: Isabella Swan
Subject: Countdown

Date: 07/03/2012

Three days. I love you.

To: Isabella Swan

From: Edward Cullen

Subject: Re: Countdown

Date: 07/03/2012

Two days.

I'm back in the US. My connecting flight is the early hours of tomorrow morning. I'll be back at the apartment by lunch time on Friday.

You're my world.

Love Edward.

Wednesday 3rd July 2012

I'd finally washed all the dirty laundry and put it all away, Edward's socks and boxers in the top drawer, my sexy lingerie in the middle drawer and my day to day underwear in the bottom drawer. Edward's jeans and shirts were hanging in the right hand wardrobe and the rest of my stuff hung in the left hand one. I'd arranged all of his shoes on the floor of his closet; in colour order. And then I'd proceeded to call Alice, on the verge of a panic attack, when I realised I had too many shoes to fit in my closet.

"Bella, sweetie, calm down and breathe."

"I am breathing, Alice. If I wasn't breathing, I wouldn't be talking!" I shrieked as I sat down in the middle of my bedroom, tears of frustration running down my face. "Edward will be back in a few days and I need to get the house tidy. I need it to look nice for him."

"I really don't think Edward is going to be too bothered about how tidy it is, Bella. He may have other things on his mind."

"I'm bothered, Alice. Please! I need you to help me."

I could hear her sigh down the phone. She was beginning to get used to my mini melt downs now. We'd lived together before, of course, and I'd never been this bad before but things had changed now. Edward and I were living together well we'd lived together for a few months before he was offered the opportunity of a lifetime and jetted off to Africa for six months to gain some first-hand experience saving lives. He was still a few years away from actually qualifying as a doctor but this chance would make his application, to all the best hospitals, so much better.

I was a wreck without him, I couldn't deny it. I'd dropped out of college and gotten a job as a junior editor for the Seattle Times. I'd been so lucky with it as I had no experience and wasn't even fully qualified but I had my foot in the door now and I was working hard to make sure it stayed that way, even if things were becoming more difficult and strained now.

"Okay, why don't you just put some of your shoes in Edward's closet?" Alice suggested.

"What?"

"I take it that's a bad idea?" She hedged.

"Of course it's a bad idea, Alice. Are you crazy? I can't put my things in Edward's closet. It completely negates the need of having separate closets. Don't you see that? I can't believe you even suggested that! I thought you were supposed to be the obsessive neat freak, Alice? I thought you'd understand!" I ranted as my fingers raked repeatedly through my hair, causing tangles.

"Of course, Bella, I'm sorry. That was a silly suggestion." I could practically see Alice rolling her eyes over the phone but it calmed me somewhat that she was still willing to lie to me to make me feel better. "Would it help if I came over?"

I breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Would you?"

"You bet, Sweetie. Just leave the closet okay? Go and sit down, put your feet up and I'll sort it out when I get there."

"That… That sounds good, thank you so much, Alice." The tears began to prick at my eyes once more as I rambled on. "Can you pack a bag and stay with me until Edward gets home?"

"Hold on…" The line crackled and I guessed that she'd covered the mouthpiece but I could still hear her murmured words to her partner, Jasper. "Are you sure it's okay, Jasper? She sounds like she's in a really bad way. It'll only be until Edward comes home. Bella? Are you still there?"

"Yeah, Alice, I'm here."

"I'll be over in half an hour okay?"

I sniffed, the tears brimming over and thundering down my cheeks. "You are such a good friend, Alice. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I know, Bella, you love me." She laughed. "Just get some rest and I'll be right there."

My front door slammed shut exactly 29 minutes later. Alice was nothing if not punctual.

"Bella?" she called out as I heard her drop her bags in the entryway. "Where are you?" I could hear the confusion in her voice as she passed through the living room, expecting to find me there with my feet up. I saw her shadow fall across the doorway to the kitchen and turned to her with a smile, my hands soapy from washing up.

"Hey, thank you so much for coming over, I don't know what I'd do without you!"

"Bella," she sighed, exasperated. "What are you doing? I told you to rest."

She came forward with a towel in her hand, passing it to me as she gently nudged me away from the sink. I eased myself down at the kitchen table and dried the suds from my hands and arms, folding the towel neatly and placing it on the table as I turned to look at Alice, her arms elbow deep in washing up as she continued where I left off.

"I can't just sit around and do nothing, Alice. Edward will be home in three days and this place is a mess. I've been so neglectful," I whined.

Alice laughed lightly and shook her head, placing the remaining dishes on the side board to dry as she pulled the plug from the sink. The water gurgled as it seeped down the plug hole and Alice stepped away, coming to sit opposite me at the table as she reached for the towel and dried her hands, tossing the towel back onto the table.

My eyes widened and I reached for it, obsessively folding it and placing it neatly back. Alice rolled her eyes at me and reached across the table, taking my hands in hers, squeezing tight and forcing me to look up at her.

"You have to stop this, Bella. It's not healthy."

"I'm not doing anything wrong. I just need to clean the house. Edward will be home really soon and it's a mess! It's such a mess!" I pulled my hands away as the treacherous tears began to fall once more. I could've sworn that I spent most of my days crying. The slightest thing could tip me over the edge.

"Oh Sweetie," cooed Alice as she stood up and walked around the table, kneeling beside me and enveloping me into her arms, the best she could. "I know you miss him and I know these months apart have been hard for you but do you really think Edward is going to be concerned with the state of the apartment, which, by the way, looks tidier than I've ever seen it?"

I took in deep, stunted breaths as I tried to regain control of myself, speaking through my tears.

"He will care, he will care that it's a mess."

"I think he'll care more about this," Alice said as she placed her hand over my swollen stomach. "The apartment will be the last thing on his mind."

Thursday 4th July

I woke up late, feeling fully rested and for the first time in a while, completely relaxed. I blinked my eyes open and allowed myself to wake up fully as I propped myself up against the many pillows hogging my bed. I brought my hand up to wipe the sleep from my eyes and then proceeded to run it through my tangled hair, wincing slightly as it pulled at the roots.

A slow yawn crept out of me as I stretched my arms above my head, rolling my head from side to side, sighing in relief as my neck cracked. I glanced toward my nightstand to check the digital clock and smiled widely at the sight of a tray of food sitting there for me.

Alice had been thoughtful, leaving food which wouldn't go cold as I slept. There were two croissants, a small pot of butter and another with jelly, a banana and an apple, with a tall tumbler of orange juice to finish it off. I sat up straighter and reached across for it, pulling the tray onto my lap and licking my lips as my stomach growled with hunger.

I ate slowly, savouring every delicious morsel of food before setting the empty tray on Edward's side of the bed and grabbing my phone from the nightstand, taking it off charge and unlocking it with a swipe of my thumb, entering my pin code rapidly.

Smiling, I saw that I had a new message and quickly opened it, my heart fluttered in my chest as I saw that it was from Edward.

Just one more layover and then I'll be home with you by tomorrow. I love you so much. E xx

My smile widened further as my heart swelled with love for him. I tapped out a reply to him immediately, knowing that he may not be able to respond for some time.

I love you so much, Edward. I've missed you with every passing breath and I can't wait for you to be home with me again. B xx

I pressed send and flopped back against the cushions with a goofy smile on my face, feeling more content than I had at any moment during the last six months.

The front door slammed shut and I turned my eyes to the bedroom door, knowing that Alice would burst through it any second. She didn't disappoint. The door crashed open and Alice bounded in, catching herself before she jumped onto the bed, crawling up it slowly, her arms laden with shopping bags.

"You're awake at last, then?" She grinned as she shuffled higher up the bed, dropping the bags to the floor and curling into my side, laying her hand over my stomach.

"Mmhm," I replied, wrapping my arms around her and giving her tiny body a huge squeeze. "Thanks for breakfast."

"You're welcome." She looked down at the tray and giggled softly. "I see you managed to eat it all."

"I did, and it was delicious." Alice puffed her chest out with pride and I couldn't help but laugh at the expression on her face. She loved to be praised. I brushed my fingers through her hair, happy to have some company and not be worrying myself to death. Just having Alice there with me allowed me to relax and suddenly nothing seemed important; except making sure that Edward got back to me safely.

"I've solved your shoe problem," Alice said as she nodded her head toward her shopping. "I bought you a shoe rack. It'll fit easily at the bottom of your closet and allow you to have as many shoes as you like in there."

"Alice, you rock!" I squeaked, hugging her tightly again.

My phone chimed with an incoming message and I gasped, grabbing it quickly from between our bodies, knowing in my heart that it was from Edward. His name flashed on the screen and my eyes brimmed with tears at his words; stupid hormones.

I miss you too, beautiful. I'll be home in a few days. I have a surprise for you. I love you x

I chewed on my lip as I considered my reply. I'd been itching to tell him about the pregnancy but I didn't want to do it via email and I most certainly didn't want to do it by text, especially as he'd be home again so soon. But if I even so much as hinted at it, he'd be clued in straight away and he'd bug me until I spilled.

I have one for you too. I love you. Be safe x

"Edward?" Alice asked, pulling my focus away from my phone as I turned my eyes to her. I nodded, grinning sheepishly. "Do you want me to get out of here before he gets back?"

"I don't know," I admitted, turning my phone over and over in my hands. "I'm probably going to lose it in the morning. I'll be so nervous."

"Well, how about I stay tonight, we can have a girl's night in with Ben, Jerry and a RomCom and then I can clear out just before Edward gets home. I won't give you enough time to freak out."

I smiled down at my best friend, she was always thinking of me and how to make sure that I was comfortable. Sure, she could be hard to handle sometimes, what with her hyperactivity and the bitch which liked to come out and play from time to time, but she really did have a heart of gold and once you were in her heart, you were there to stay and she'd love you fiercely.

"Are you getting up today?" she queried as she looked up at me.

"Hmm, I don't want to." I grinned in response, snuggling deeper under the blankets, my body warm and comfortable.

"You don't have to," she assured. "To be honest, I'd prefer it if you took the day to relax and chill out. You've really been overdoing it lately."

"I feel guilty though."

"What on earth for?" she asked as she propped herself up on her elbow to look at me, her forehead creased.

"I bugged you to come and stay with me and now I'm going to sit in bed all day long."

She shrugged her shoulders and rolled off of the bed, gathering her bags once more and heading to the doorway.

"That doesn't bother me, Bella. You should know me better than that by now. I'll sort out your shoes and then I'll raid your fridge and watch cheesy movies while you nap."

"You're sure?" I questioned on a yawn.

"Positive." She smiled and waved her overladen hand awkwardly before backing out of the door.

I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes, prepared to fall straight to sleep but disrupted by the ringing of my phone. I rubbed my bleary eyes and answered the call without bothering to look.

"Hello?" I croaked into the receiver, my eyes remaining closed as I burrowed further into the warmth of my duvet.

"Hello? Baby?"

I sat up straight in bed, all tiredness suddenly gone from my body at the sound of his soft, velvet voice.

"Edward, is that you?" I wasn't sure why I'd asked. I'd recognise his voice anywhere but the line was terrible and it was difficult to make out his words.

"God, it's good to hear your voice," he murmured down the phone, his voice doing things to my body that no-one else could possibly do. I felt warm all over, tingly, and desperate for his touch. "I just wanted to call so you wouldn't worry."

Why is it that as soon as someone says not to worry, that's the first thing you do?

My heart began to pound in my chest as every possible scenario flitted through my mind in the space of a few seconds. Had he been asked back to Africa? Was his flight cancelled? Had he had an accident?

"Wh-why would I worry?" I stuttered out, trying not to let the panic seize me as my free hand went to my swollen stomach, tenderly rubbing over our unborn child, needing the comfort of my child's constant presence and connection to Edward.

"My last text," he answered, as if that should be explanation enough.

I cast my mind back, trying to remember his wording from before but nothing jumped out at me, giving me a reason to be concerned.

"Edward, I don't understand."

"I said I'd said I'd be home in a few days."

"And?" I still didn't know why he thought I should be worried about that.

"It's not going to be a few days, Bella." I could hear him smiling. "It's tomorrow. I got confused when I sent that message and I didn't want you to worry that I'd be longer than I said I'd be."

"Oh," I said on a soft laugh. "I hadn't even noticed. " The panic abated as I settled back against the bed, just happy that Edward would still be home on time and was safe. I couldn't wait to see him, touch him, and be held by him.

Edward laughed; a sound so musical, so magical.

"Bella, I've missed you so much, I can't believe I'll be with you tomorrow."

"I know, the time has just flown by," I joked, enjoying the sound of his voice as he laughed with me.

"So tell me then."

"Tell you what?"

"Tell me your surprise."

"Tell me yours." I grinned, knowing he would never tell me before he planned to. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."

"Not a chance," he said with a hint of a smile.

My hand moved slowly back and forth over my stomach as the baby turned somersaults inside me. I liked to think that our baby knew that his or her daddy was on the phone and due to come home soon.

"What time is your flight?"

"It's in the early hours of the morning."

"Mmhm," I replied, my eyes slowly closing as the sound of his voice lulled me.

"You sound tired, baby."

"I am." I yawned, proving my point.

"You haven't been sleeping well, have you?"

"Not without you here beside me, holding me in your arms."

"My poor, sweet Bella, I'm sorry my absence has been so hard on you. Why don't you sleep now and I'll talk to you until you drift off?" he asked. I nodded in response then realised he couldn't see me.

"Please," I replied simply as I burrowed deeper under the covers, the phone pressed to my ear as I listened to his velvet tones soothing me to sleep.

"The first thing I'm going to do when I walk through that door is pick you up in my arms, hold you so tight to me and kiss you until you can barely breathe, let alone think straight. I'll pin you to the wall, kiss every inch of your beautiful face and then I'll be inside you, where I belong. But it won't end there baby, I'll take you to bed right after and we'll stay there for days. I love you so much, Bella."

I woke up some time in the late afternoon. My phone was pressed to my ear still and hot to the touch. I could hear a rustling sound nearby so I blinked my eyes open, looking across the room to find Alice sitting on the floor by my closet, carefully placing shoe after shoe into the rack she had placed there.

"Shhh," Alice hissed as she dropped a shoe and wagged her finger at it. I couldn't help but giggle softly as she talked to herself and scolded a shoe. Her head whipped round and she grinned up at me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," I assured as I sat up and stretched. "How long was I out for?"

Alice stood and closed my closet door before coming to kneel on the edge of my bed.

"All freaking day! I've been going out of my mind with boredom." She smiled, letting me know that she was just teasing me. "I was going to order in, is that okay with you?"

"That sounds good. I'll go and grab a shower then."

"Yes," she giggled. "You do that and then meet me on the couch for snuggles and girl's night."

She sauntered from my room and I assumed she'd gone to the kitchen, since I could hear almost every cabinet door being opened and closed (none too quietly). I slipped out of bed and stood up slowly, my hand on the base of my spine as I tilted backward slightly, hearing my back crack and sighing in relief, before gently rubbing my stomach as I moved to the bathroom.

"I wonder if you know the Hell you put your Mommy through," I whispered to my baby and laughed as I received a well-aimed kick to the centre of my palm. "Your Daddy will be thrilled if you end up liking soccer, you know?"

I stepped under the spray of water, still talking away to my baby.

"He doesn't know about you yet, Spud, but I promise you, although he might be a little mad at me at first for not telling him, he's going to love you." I smiled as I lathered up my hands and cleaned my skin. "He's going to love you so much, Spud. And you're going to love him. I just know it."

"Bella," Alice trilled from the direction of my bedroom, elongating my name. "Come on, I'm getting bored. What are you even doing in there? Is it safe to pleasure yourself when pregnant?" She giggled.

"Alice!" I shrieked at her and stepped out of the shower, wrapping myself up in the large, fluffy robe I'd had to buy to cover my ever growing bump. I threw open the bathroom door and stepped out, trying to look mad at Alice and failing miserably as a smile crossed my face. "For your information, it is perfectly safe to pleasure yourself while pregnant, trust me. I've been doing a lot of it since Edward hasn't been here to help me out."

She scrunched up her nose and closed her eyes, trying to rid herself of the image. I laughed. It was nice to be able to gross Alice out for once since usually it was the other way around.

"Ew, Bella. That is so gross."

"Shut up," I laughed as I went to the chest of drawers, pulling out some underwear and leaning up against the drawers to help hold me up as I stepped into my panties. I couldn't be bothered to get dressed and figured that since we were just going to be lounging on the couch it would be okay to just wear my gown. "What happened to the Alice who used to drag me toy shopping?"

"She disappeared when you started screwing my cousin," she answered as she headed to the door.

I shook my head and laughed, following after her. "Let's not forget who helped to set that up."

Flopping down onto the couch, I kicked my feet up onto the coffee table, kicking the packets of food Alice had dumped there to the side. My back ached and I couldn't get comfortable so I sat up slightly, adjusting the cushions at my back. I sighed with relief as the placement of the pillows eased my back and my hands instantly went to my stomach, as I settled myself on the couch, rubbing gentle circles over my now sleeping baby.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Bella," Alice said as she sat on the opposite end from me, tucking her feet up underneath her. "You were the one who took down that guy's number wrong."

"True, but I know for a fact that you worked out Edward's identity far sooner than I did."

Alice smirked much like her brother would have and turned her attention away from me, using the remote to turn the television on. I knew that Alice had been behind the whole charade. Edward had told me that Alice had said he should continue to keep his identity a secret and since everything had turned out so well, I couldn't really be mad at either of them.

We spent the rest of the evening watching cheesy movies, snacking on food which couldn't possibly be good for us, and giving each other mani-pedi's. To say I was exhausted by the time I finally made it to bed that night would be an understatement.

I overslept the next morning and gasped as I looked across at the clock, seeing that it was almost eleven am. I shot out of bed, as much as my swollen ankles would allow and bolted into the bathroom, making quick work of showering and brushing my teeth. I wrapped myself up in a towel and dashed back to the bedroom, flinging open my closet doors and letting out a cry of frustration.

"Oh good, you're up," Alice said as she stepped into the room and moved to stand beside me, her tiny hands on her hips as she eyed my closet with me. "I was just thinking I might have to come in and wake you up. What's the screaming for?"

"I wasn't screaming, Alice," I retorted with a roll of my eyes before heaving a huge sigh, blowing air slowly out of my nose. "God, what am I going to wear? Edward is going to be home soon. Hardly anything fits me anymore and I don't want to look like a slob."

Alice gently nudged me out of the way, grabbing my maternity jeans from the hanger and tossing them to me before crossing over to Edward's closet and rummaging through it, coming back to me with a simple white shirt.

"There you go." She grinned. "I know that Jasper loves it when I'm wearing his clothes, I'm guessing that Edward will like it too."

My face flushed a deep red as I turned away from Alice, visions of a past encounter with Edward fluttering through my mind and kicking my libido into overdrive. The memory of him coming home from school to find me wearing nothing but his boxers while sprawled out on the couch, was as clear as day in my mind.

I could picture clearly the moment his eyes found me, they darkened to deep pools of black. His bag had dropped to the floor with a heavy thwack and then he was on me, in me, and we were crying out with pleasure.

God I missed him.

And I really hoped that seeing me wearing his shirt would garner the same reaction from him, after I'd introduced him to Spud, of course.

"I saw that, Isabella Swan. You'd better not be thinking about doing the nasty with my cousin while I'm still in the same room." She giggled softly, letting me know she was only joking as she stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her to give me some privacy.

"Pregnancy hormones, Alice," I shouted out to her with a wide grin on my face. "One day this'll be you and you'll do just about anything for an orgasm.

"Ewww. Stop it!" She screamed back, only just being heard over my laughter.

By the time I emerged, dressed, into the living room, Alice's bags were packed and waiting by the door. She turned as she heard me and smiled brightly.

"Are you excited?"

I nodded furiously, because I was. I'd never been so excited to before. Not even the first day I officially met Edward. It was going to be a special day, Edward would find out he was due to be a daddy, we'd talk and cuddle, kiss on the sofa and then we'd go to bed, safe in each other's arms. It would be bliss.

"Do you want me to leave?" Alice asked as I paced back and forth in front of the door, and the clocked ticked ever closer to noon. I shook my head vehemently.

"No. No, please stay," I insisted as I continued to walk up and down, wearing holes in the carpet as my steps kept in time with the rhythmic tick tock, tick tock. "Actually yes, you should go before he gets here… No. Stay!"

Alice sighed and rolled her eyes at me before standing in front of me, halting my nervous movements completely. She took my shaking hands in hers and looked directly into my eyes.

"You're going to work yourself into a state. Go and sit down. Relax."

"Yes." I nodded slowly, my voice not quite my own. "That sounds like a very good idea." I moved away slowly, back to the living room, where I immediately sat down on the edge of the couch, my hands wringing anxiously in my lap as my feet bounced nervously on the floor.

It was strange, like an out of body experience, I guess. I could see myself sitting there, acting like a complete fool but I couldn't stop for the life of me.

I heard a car door slam from outside and turned, my wide, fearful eyes on Alice.

"I can't do this. Oh God, I can't do this! Alice, what was I thinking? Oh my God, he's going to hate me. And he should, he really should! I'm a horrible person. I mean, who in their right mind keeps their baby a secret from the father? Jesus, he's going to throw me out. I'll have to move in with Charlie and then there'll be custody battles and visitations every other weekend. Oh God! What have I done?"

"Bella, shut up or I'm going to slap you. You're being hysterical, not to mention the fact that you're completely overreacting. You know Edward almost as well as I do and you and I both know that although he might be a little upset that he's only finding out about his baby now, he'll be over the moon and will completely understand why you haven't already told him."

I calmed slightly at her words. She was right, as always. Edward would understand and everything would be okay. I raked my hands through my hair and took in deep lungful's of breath. I had just needed a minute to freak out and I was fine once I had.

"It's okay, I'm okay and this is all going to be fine," I reassured myself. I heard the key in the lock and suddenly I was frozen to the couch, unable to even turn my head to face the doorway. My breath caught in my throat while my heart began to pound rapidly.

Edward was home.

"Bella? Baby I'm… Oh, hi Alice. What are you doing here?"

"I'm just leaving actually," she said as I heard her pick up her bags and the door slammed shut behind her.

"Well that was weird." Edward chuckled. "I have to say, this isn't quite the welcome home I expected," he said as his footsteps came closer to me. I stood up quickly, keeping my back to him and wishing more than anything that I had already told him about Spud. Sure, being told of your impending parenthood via email wasn't exactly special but having it sprung on him like this was just cruel and I would never forgive myself.

"Bella? Love? You're being very quiet. Are you o- oh shit," Edward said, changing his choice of words at the last second as his eyes bugged out, fixated on my swollen stomach, the current home to his child. "What's that?"

"It's a baby, Edward," I replied meekly, lowering my eyes to the floor as I tugged at Edward's shirt, feeling suddenly uncomfortable as I tried to hide my bump.

"I can see that." His brows furrowed as he continued to stare. "Who's is it?"

I looked up quickly, my eyes widening in shock before they narrowed with my rising anger. My palm connected with Edward's cheek before I'd even thought to do it.

"You bastard!" I shrieked, shoulder barging past him as a torrent of tears cascaded down my cheeks. I slammed the bedroom door shut behind me, even though Edward was close on my heels, and quickly flicked the lock, barring his entry into the room.

A loud crash suggested that his fists had hit the barrier between us as he tried to get to me.

"I'm sorry," he called out. "I shouldn't have said that, Bella. That was wrong of me."

"No, you shouldn't have," I agreed as I slowly lowered myself to the floor. The tears fell thick and fast down my cheeks but no sobs came with them.

"It was just shock, Baby. I mean Jesus you're… I'm… we're having a baby?" He sounded confused and most definitely in a state of shock. "I really didn't mean to suggest that you… you know. Just, Christ, Bella, I'm so sorry." I could imagine him pulling at his hair, that gorgeous bronzed hair that I wanted to run my fingers through.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered, so quietly that I almost didn't hear him.

I didn't answer him because I didn't know how to. Why hadn't I told him? All my precious reasons had now escaped me and I felt like such a heartless bitch for keeping this from him.

The door handle rattled and the door shifted slightly against my back.

"Bella, please, let me in," he pleaded with me. "I'm sorry Baby, really sorry. Please let me in so we can talk about this."

I shifted onto my knees and grabbed hold of the door handle to haul myself to my feet, opening the lock and moving back toward the bed, sitting gingerly down on the edge of it.

"It's open," I called out.

The door eased open slowly and Edward's face peeked around the edge. His face fell to a frown as he looked at me and then he was sat beside me, one arm around my waist, tugging me to him as the other gently brushed the tears from my face.

"You're crying," he stated.

"Because you're an ass." I half laughed, half cried.

"Yeah I am," he said quietly as his eyes closed. My hand went to his face and I cupped his reddening cheek.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, leaning closer to replace my hand with my lips.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I deserved that slap and so much more." He gently lifted me onto his lap, my back pressed to his chest as he wrapped his arms loosely around my body, his palms resting on my stomach. "I just can't believe it. This is… this is so… unexpected and yet… completely amazing."

"Really?" I asked, turning my head slightly to be able to look into his eyes. Edward's eyes never lied, not that he ever lied either, but where sometimes he would downplay something to save hurting my feelings, his eyes always spoke volumes.

"Yes, really." He smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips. "I'm still in a state of shock. I have no idea what we should be doing, or what I should be asking." He laughed lightly.

"There's not really anything to do right at this minute," I returned, pressing my lips more firmly to his and speaking against them, "although we do need to decorate the nursery at some point."

"Will you tell me about everything I've missed?"

I nodded. "Of course I will. I know I've done wrong by not telling you and not allowing you to be a part of this but I promise, I'll tell you everything about it and you'll feel like you never missed a second."

"There'll be time for that tomorrow." He held me closer as he scooted us further up the bed, laying us down with me tucked firmly into his side. "Right now, I just want to hold you and kiss you and let you know how much I've missed you."

I closed my eyes as happy tears threatened to fall but wasn't able to stop them in time.

"Hey, please don't cry," Edward whispered as I felt his lips brush the apples of my cheeks, taking my tears away.

"They're happy tears," I assured him quietly before I started to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"I hope you're ready for my moods to change at the drop of a hat. I can be laughing one minute and a crying mess the next."

He arched a brow at me before that slow smirk I loved so much crossed his face. "You mean you weren't like that before?"

I slapped playfully at his chest before resting my head on his shoulder and inhaling deeply. "Feels like home."

"Yes, it really does," Edward agreed.

We fell asleep in each other's arms, right where we belonged, and woke up in the mid afternoon. My stomach growled and Edward laughed.

"Hungry?"

I nodded with a smile. "Spud is starving." His head tilted to the side in curiously and I grinned, pressing my lips to his as I sat up and slid out of bed. "Mmhm, Spud, our little one."

He laughed heartily as he slid out of bed and moved toward me, wrapping his arms around me from behind as he held me tight to his chest and walked us awkwardly into the kitchen. Edward insisted that I sit at the kitchen table and allow him to fix us something to eat and to be honest, I was more than happy to sit back and watch him. I knew I had missed him, how could I not have? But it wasn't until he was here, with me, that I realised just how much my heart ached without him.

Edward slid a plate across the table to me as he settled in the chair opposite. I looked down and laughed.

"You cut the crusts off."

He grinned cheekily as he raised his own sandwich to his lips and took a bite, chewing for a moment before speaking. "Just the way you like it, Love."

The smallest and simplest things he did for me just reaffirmed my love for him, over and over again.

"You're too good to me, Edward," I said softly as I began to eat, my stomach groaning in appreciation and Spud giving a heartfelt kick to my ribs. I winced and rested my hand on my stomach, rubbing light circles over the swell.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked with a frown as he levelled his eyes at me. I nodded in response and continued to eat. "I don't even know how far gone you are," he said sadly.

I smiled weakly up at him, feeling guilty once again for leaving him out of this special time. "34 weeks."

"Wow." He settled into silence for a moment, looking down at his lunch as he ripped bits of bread off, not bothering to eat any more. "When did you find out?"

"A few weeks after you left," I answered, looking all around the kitchen and avoiding looking at him completely. I knew the hurt I would see on his face and, as selfish as it was, I couldn't stand to see it. I didn't want my heart to hurt more than it already was.

He sighed, loudly. "Were you scared to tell me, Bella? Is that why?"

"No, it wasn't that," I began.

"Then what was it? I'm trying really hard to not be mad. I want to understand but right now, I don't. I would have come immediately. I would have been with you every step of the way. You know that, right?"

I nodded. "I do. I think that's one of the reasons I didn't tell you."

"You think? Jesus Bella, I just don't see how you could have any reasons not to tell me."

I looked up at him then, anger flashing through my eyes. "Because you would have come home and you would have missed that fantastic opportunity. Sure, it would have been fine for a while, you'd be the proud Daddy and you'd love it. But in time, you'd come to resent me for halting your ambitions."

He shook his head and stood up quickly, clearing away my empty plate and his mauled meal. "You honestly think that?"

"Yes."

"Alright, so what other reasons did you have?"

"I didn't want to tell you by email."

"Why not?"

"It's impersonal, Edward. You deserved to be told to your face."

"I don't care!" He shouted as he slammed his fist down on the counter, causing me to jump. "I deserved to be told. Full stop."

I was really starting to hate the pregnancy hormones. I hated feeling so weak when they took over and allowed the tears to fall. I stood up slowly, my back aching the longer the day went on. I moved to the refrigerator and moved a magnet to the side, taking the grainy photograph in my hand and placing it in front of Edward.

"You're right, you should have been told. I can't undo what I've done. I can only hope that one day you'll forgive me." I slid the picture even closer to him, forcing him to look. "So I'm telling you now. Edward… this is your child."

His eyes focused on the small form of our growing child's thirty week scan and I watched as the tension eased from his shoulders and the anger dissipated from the lines around his face.

"So magical," he whispered reverently. "Girl or boy?"

"I don't know." I smiled wistfully. "Alice went mad when I refused to find out. But I didn't want to… not without you."

He turned to face me and I gasped as I saw a tear trickle from his eye and slide seamlessly down his cheek. His hands moved to cup my face as he tilted my head upwards, his coming down as our lips met and he kissed me with a passion that had been missing from our relationship since before he left.

"God I love you, Isabella Swan. It doesn't matter what should have been done. It only matters what we do now. I love you so much, thank you for creating a baby with me. Thank you for being mine."

I sobbed against his lips, pressing mine more firmly to his and sliding my tongue along his lower lip, begging for entrance, begging to taste him. He opened to me and accepted me willingly, deepening the kiss as his arms went around me, pulling me as close to him as our kicking child would allow.

"Come to bed with me," I whispered breathlessly against his lips, desperate for the feel of his body against mine.

He nodded slowly, keeping his arms around me as he walk backward out of the room, guiding me along with him.

The bedroom door closed behind us, a black smudge from the sole of Edward's shoe marring the perfectly white paint. He lowered me gently to the bed and began to remove his shirt from my body. Within minutes, both of us were completely bare. Edward's hands where beside my head, his elbows locked as he held himself up.

There was no need for foreplay; there had been six months of that. All that we needed was each other. Both of us were ready and waiting, desperate to be re-joined in a way that only lovers can be. Our souls connected on a daily basis. Every kiss, touch, caress, just reaffirmed how much we meant to each other, but there was only one way to be completely joined, to be utterly one.

Edward shifted his hips and I felt his long, thick, member rub against my inner thigh, so close to coming into contact with my slick folds. I arched my back, to relieve the ache and try to get closer to him, opening my eyes and looking up at Edward as he sighed.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked, suddenly terrified that he didn't want me like that anymore. I certainly didn't have the body I had before.

My hands reached for the sheets as I tried to cover myself up but Edward's hands were swift, stopping my movements almost immediately.

"Don't hide from me." He smiled brightly down at me with love radiating from his eyes. "This position isn't really working for me." His cheeks tinged pink and I laughed softly as I sat up, my palm cupping his cheek and caressing softly.

"Okay, then let's try something different." He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows and I couldn't help but laugh jovially at him as he rolled to his back and took my hands, helping me to my knees as I straddled his waist. His hands instantly went to my breasts, kneading roughly. "They're bigger. Oh God, they're so much bigger." He sat up quickly and latched his mouth onto my right nipple, licking and sucking as his right hand continued to maul my left breast. His fingers found my tight bud and he twisted roughly. I hissed out at the pain and he pulled back instantly.

"Sorry, they're a little tender."

"I'll be gentler." And he was. His lips caressed and stroked at my flesh. Each kiss and suckle only working to build me up more. I rocked my hips against him, feeling his cock throb between my thighs as he moaned in approval.

His hand went between us, gripping his erection as he guided himself to my entrance. I sank down on him slowly, my head dropping back at the feel of his silken skin stretching me. It had been so long since I had felt him like this that it was almost a foreign feeling but it was one I never wanted to go without.

He kissed along the swell of my breasts as his arms locked around me, pressing me closer to him as I began to slowly rise on him, then lower myself back down, taking him deep within me. His lips met mine then, harsh and insistent.

We moved together, as one, the sounds of our love making filling the room. Our heavy breaths mingled together as we whispered words of love and adoration against each other's lips and his hands moved lovingly up and down my back.

He lay back down against the pillows, gazing up at me with a look of pure, unadulterated, adulation and I looked down at him, my eyes mirroring the emotion in his. I had a brief moment of panic as I saw my body wobble and move with each thrust down upon him and Edward, quick to read my emotions, pressed his finger to my lips.

"Shh, you're beautiful to me, stunning. You're carrying my child and that makes me love you even more."

His hands slid to my waist, gripping gently as he stilled the movement of my hips, taking over as he began to thrust upward. My breath left me in a stunted gasp as his cock hit deep inside me, right where I needed him most.

One hand rested on his chest, holding me up as the other moved to the place where we joined, became one. I slid my fingers along my wet slit, rubbing insistently on my clit, the pads of my fingers brushing against his cock as he moved inside me. Edward gasped and moaned, enjoying the sensation and I felt my orgasm build, the coil tightening to the point where I thought I would explode.

"Oh, Edward," I whispered huskily, unable to look at the lust and love in his eyes for a moment longer. I dropped my head backward, fighting hard to keep my hips still and allow Edward the dominance. His movements became more frenzied, hurried, and I knew that he too was close. "Feels so good," I muttered.

"Amazing," he replied. "Always. Always amazing with you," he panted.

My orgasm washed through me, a fire in my veins as my body tensed, my walls contracting around him, holding him deep inside me as I cried out his name, over and over again. As soon as he could move in me again, he began to thrust in earnest, our skin slapping together until he stilled inside me, as deep as he could possibly be.

I looked down at him then, needing to see his face as he released and I wasn't disappointed in the least. His eyes fluttered closed, those long eyelashes brushing against his cheek bones as his teeth bit into his lower lip and the sexiest half growl, half whimper escaped him, a look of pure bliss on his face as he filled me.

His eyes opened slowly and he smiled up at me, keeping us joined together as he sat up and brushed his knuckles across my cheek.

"I love you, Bella."

"I love you, Edward," I whispered as my voice wobbled and threatened to crack.

He laughed softly. "Come here, my silly girl."

He pressed his lips softly to mine and pulled back after a moment, grinning up at me as he took my hand and placed it over his heart.

"This beats for you." He placed his own hand on my bump. "And for you."

"Oh, Edward." His words opened the floodgates and I cried unabashedly at his sweetness, letting him hold me until it had passed.

With great reluctance, I eased myself from his body and climbed from the bed. Edward made a move to come with me and I held up a hand to stop him.

"Calm down there, Caveward, I'm just going to get cleaned up." I laughed as I headed toward the en suite. My brow furrowed as I felt wetness between my legs, more than there should have been from our activities. I turned slowly to face Edward who was looking at me with wide eyes.

"Please tell me the baby is sitting on your bladder and you just wet yourself."

I shook my head as I thought back over the back ache I'd had all day long, having put it down to doing too much housework over the last few weeks, instead of really taking notice of it and what it could be, just as a tight band constricted around my stomach, getting harder and harder with each passing second before finally stopping.

I took a deep, gasping breath of air as the pain subsided and raised my wide, fearful eyes to Edward.

"I think my waters just broke."

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed that and in case you haven't read my profile in a while I should mention that this is the last story I will ever publish. It's been a pleasure and an honour to write for you all and I hope you've enjoyed the journey as much as I have.