Chapter 2: Gaining Joy

Chapter 2
BPOV
I continued to look down at the small beach ball that had become my stomach. That definitely wasn't there a few weeks ago. Had I ate so much that my stomach had become a huge mass of food and hardened? Was I so lazy that I was beginning to gain weight? I continued to look down at my stomach in astonishment. I raised a shaky gaze to my brother, who was standing in the doorway looking like a deer in headlights. He gave me a soft glare.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Liam asked, looking a little hurt. I looked at him confusedly.
"Tell you what?" I sighed.
"That." he gestured to my stomach. "I thought we told each other everything." He pouted.
"Uh hello Li, if you can't tell by the mini breakdown I'm having, I didn't exactly know either." I huffed.
"So you really didn't…" he drew off and I shook my head. I definitely didn't know about this.
"No." I breathed, looking back at my stomach.
"Do you need to take a test, so you know …"he said, scratching the back of his head. I gave him a glare.
"Liam, unless this is a beach ball sized tumor, I'm pregnant. Don't you think?" I growled angrily, which quickly dissipated when I saw the hurt look on his face.
"I'm sorry. This is just a shock to me. We can still take the test, if that'll make you feel better." I said, suddenly feeling the urge to pee.
"Do you have any tests, in your bathroom?" he asked, searching through various cabinets in my bathroom.
"No." I answered, when I heard his soft scream."Eww, Be. I definitely didn't want to touch your feminine products. There are some things a brother doesn't want to see from his sister and that's one of them." he said, shaking his hands as if they were tainted.
"And there's your answer why I don't have any. I used the last one I had a few weeks ago, and then my period came so I saw no point in buying any new tests." I answered, pacing back and forth across the floor.
"Really sis. How could you miss that?" He asked, and I walked over to my full length mirror. I turned to the side. It was really noticeable. If I wore any of my normal clothing it would definitely show, but since I had been wearing Edward's shirts lately is was easily masked. How had I missed this? How could Edward have missed this? Did the others even notice? I wondered all of the possibilities, but then for the past few weeks I had been acting like a hermit, pushing everyone away, even Edward.
I felt like I was on a bad I didn't know I was pregnant episode. I often wondered how women could be so blind to fact that they were pregnant when I was in the same position. I took in a shaky breath.
"I don't know. You want to make a quick run with me to a gas station?" I asked, nervously.
"You want me to come with you?" he asked. I gave him a duh look.
"Oh course, you're my brother/best friend. You want confirmation and we're going to get it." I responded grabbing another of Edward's button down shirts.
"Geez Bella, does Edward even have any shirts to wear? Every time I see you, it seems like you have one on." Liam said rolling his eyes.
"They're comfortable." I huffed, throwing on a pair of my favorite skinny jeans. I didn't get far. I couldn't even get my zipper up. I tried everything but nothing worked. I sighed in defeat, while Liam just chuckled. I threw him a glare.
"Ha-ha, ha. Don't help your distressed sister over here. Just laugh it up." I grumbled, grabbing a pair of Edward's basketball shorts. Since he was much taller than me, they were the same as pants. After throwing on my ratty sneakers, and putting my hair in a messy bun, I grabbed my purse and met Liam downstairs.
"You know if Alice saw you right now, she would have a fit right?" He laughed."
"Yeah we'll Alice isn't here so hush. You're driving. I'm too nervous to really do anything." I said, closing the door. I followed him to his car.
"You mind going to the gas station a little further up?" I asked, he looked at me curiously and I shook my head.
"Mind you everyone knows me and you around here. I'll rather tell him myself then someone else who might get to him before I do." I said, and he nodded his head in acknowledgement. We quickly drove over to a Safeway, and parked in the little parking lot. The both of us got out and headed inside. I hadn't even made a few steps, before and elderly woman approached us.
"May I" she smiled. I looked at her in confusion, but understood when she laid her small wrinkled hand on my stomach. I wondered how she could see it covered by my shirt but she gave me a soft knowing smile.
"Ah, I remember when I was pregnant with my first little boy. Best day of my life, excluding the day I met my Gerald." she smiled. "Is this the father?" she asked, her light gray eyes shifting to Liam.
"No he's my brother. My husband's at work." I answered, a little uneasy.
"I bet he's one happy man, that husband of yours." she grinned.
" I hope so." I answered, and immediately wanted to take it back. Although we talked of kids, Edward's position as CEO was beginning to take off.
"He doesn't know yet?" she asked, her little grey haired head tilting to the side.
"No not yet." I answered. I took a quick glance to see Liam had disappeared
"Well tell him soon dear. By the looks of that pretty face of yours, you'll make some pretty babies, especially with those eyes of yours," She smiled at me and I felt my face flush. "There's nothing more joyful than realizing that you created something so beautiful, that you'd risk your life to get them here." she said, and I felt a smile spread across my face.
"I got to go sweetie, but if you ever need a babysitter, I'm a mother of 13 lovely kids, and a grandma to 26 beautiful grandbabies and 5 great grandkids." she grinned, giving me her number.
"Thank you…" I started. "I'm sorry I didn't get your name.
"Athenadora, a dreadful mouthful, but I go by Dora. It was nice meeting you…" she started.
"Bella, Bella Cullen." I answered.
"Bella." she repeated. "Maybe I'll run into you again sometime." she smiled, and with a parting glance, I watched her small form waddle away. She was a sweet old lady. I looked through a few aisles until I came upon Liam looking at the various pregnancy tests.
"Jesus." he breathed. "How many tests can someone need?" he said astonished, looking at the many tests lined against the shelves.
"I guess some people want to be sure." I answered, looking at which test I wanted to use.
"How was your little talk with the old lady? He asked.
"It was nice. She was a very sweet lady. She's a mother of 13 and a grandmother to 26 grandkids and 5 great grand kids." I smiled, remembering our little talk.
"Whoa. I'm surprised she's still walking." Liam chuckled, but stopped once I smacked him against his stomach.
"So let's pick a test." I breathed nervously, but then stopped realizing I had forgotten something. I looked down at my watch.
"Crap. The others should be arriving soon and we are no where near finished." I panicked.
"Don't worry sis, I called Seth and told him we were running a few errands and were going to be late. He said he would get the pizzas for us." Liam asked and I gave him a hug.
"Have I told you that you are the best big brother in the world?" I smiled, and he chuckled.
"I'm your only big brother, now come on and pick a test. This aisle is starting to creep me out." he shuddered and I let out a hearty laugh.
Come on doofus." I laughed, as I picked one up and headed towards the counter.
…
"Is that confirmation enough, Mr. Swan?" I breathed, as I showed Liam the five pregnancy tests all with a plus sign.
"Well if the stomach isn't enough." I shrugged looking at him. We were still inside the ratty gas station bathroom, facing what we all knew was true. I was pregnant.
"Are you okay there sis?" Liam asked, concernedly and I realized I had been looking down at the tests in my hands for the past five minutes.
"Yeah I'm fine. It's one thing to see my stomach, but to actually have the confirmation in my hands is shocking. I mean how did I go from flat to a noticeable bump in two weeks? Things like that don't just pop up like that." I questioned, following him out the bathroom, earning a dirty look from the employee behind the counter who had been glaring at me the whole time.
"He's my brother.' I glared, and her mouth dropped, and I felt my face flush.
"Not like that." I growled at her, but Liam just grabbed my hand and pulled me back.
"Easy tiger. Calm down." he chuckled. He helped me into the car.
"So what are you going to tell Edward?" Liam asked as he started the car.
"The truth. I might as well tell him now then later." I answered looking out the window.
"You realize they're all probably over there now." he said.
"I know." I'll just take him upstairs and talk to him." I said.
"Yeah and talk. Don't act like we don't know what goes on up there with you two. We can hear you know?" He laughed, and I felt myself flush.
"Shut up." I growled, as he continued to drive back to my house.
…..
"Deep breaths, Bella." I told myself as Liam Parked on the street. My driveway was full of cars and I could see Edward's Volvo in front. I took in a shaky breath. Liam was looking at me concernedly and I offered him a weak smile
"I'm fine." I answered.
"Yeah right. Just don't puke in my car, I just got the interior cleaned." he grinned, and I rolled my eyes at him. As he picked up the bag of ice, Seth told him to pick up on the way home, we headed towards the door. We quickly headed inside to the ruckus of the others in the living room.
"Auntie Bwella." I heard a cacophony of little voices scream as Alice and Jasper's son Max, Rose and Emmett's daughter Marley, Sam and Emily twins Claire and Kim, Leah and Jacob's son JJ and Tanya's two year old daughter Kylie and 4 year old Misty grabbed my legs, nearly knocked me over. I bent down and gave them all a big wet kiss, making them all squeal. Although I wasn't biologically related to any of them, I loved them all as my own. I went over to greet the others. Kissing my mom, Esme, Rose, Tanya, Angela and the others, I saw that it was just the females in the living room.
"Where are the guys?" I asked, immediately looking for that sexy husband of mine.
"In the kitchen." Angela chirped. "Guy talk." she shrugged.
I looked over to see a grim expression on Alice's face. I already knew what was about to happen. I didn't even make it a few steps towards her before she went on a rant.
"Seriously Bella!" she screamed, startling everybody.
"I go out of my way to buy you fashionable clothes, and you go out dressed in Edward's clothes? Why do I even bother? God, I could imagine the looks you got. I'm so embarrassed." Alice said dramatically, waving herself with an imaginary fan.
"Jasper, I feel faint." Alice gasped, as Jasper came from the kitchen, the guys pooling out from the kitchen behind him. He rubbed her back soothingly.
"What's wrong darlin?" Jasper said.
"Bella. Look at what's she wearing." she breathed, and I sent her a glare.
"She looks fine to me." Jacob said, as I gave a quick hug.
"She looks frumpy. Like a hobo." she cried. Max walked over and patted my leg.
"What's wrong wit mama?" he asked. I looked down at the cute little dark haired boy.
"Nothing, your mama's just weird." I said, patting his head as he ran off to play. Alice just looked at me.
"I am not weird." she pouted. Rosalie laughed.
"Ha, ha. Says the shoe obsessed diva over there. May I remind Emmett how much you spent on those new Loubi's?" Alice smirked, which stopped her laughter. I laughed at her sullen expression.
"Stop laughing Bella. I think to make it up to me for your horrendous clothing, you should let me take you shopping." she grinned. I shook my head furiously.
"Alice, leave my wife alone." I heard the velvety voice of my husband say.
"I think she looks beautiful." Edward said, grabbing me in a hug, bending his head down to grab my lips in a tender kiss. I melted at the soft touch of his lips. He had changed from his usual business attire into a pair of faded jeans and a t-shirt, revealing the toned muscles of his arms, and the soft band of his tattoo that went down his arm. I melted into his touch.
"Missed you." I whispered, laying my head against his chest.
"Missed you too, love. How was your day?" Edward asked. Grinning, Edward pressed a kiss to my forehead.
"Good. Pretty eventful I would say." I answered vaguely.
"Eventful hmm, care to elaborate?" Edward said quirking an eyebrow at me.
"Later." I answered, as I saw the back of my father's head. I reluctantly pulled away from his touch to go greet the others.
"Hi daddy." I smiled, as my father wrapped his hands around me.
"Hey Bells. About time you got home. Seth's running us crazy to see Liam, Edward's going crazy waiting on you, and Emmett's acting like he's about to have a coronary if he doesn't eat in the next few minutes.
"Well I am a growing man." Emmett said, before grabbing me in a bone crushing hug. I immediately feared for my stomach. I was about to tell him to let me go but Seth beat me to it.
"Careful!" he nearly screamed, and everyone turned to him with a speculating look. I sent him a thankful but cautious look of approval.
"Are you okay there Li?" Seth asked, looking at him.
"Yeah I'm fine." he shrugged, but sent me a look that said that Edward and I needed to talk ASAP.
"Edward, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, grabbing his hand.
"Sure love, is everything okay?" Edward asked, as we towards the stairs.
"Remember what I said about sexy times. I don't want to hear it!" I heard my brother chuckle and the resounding thwack that I figured came from my mother's hand.
We walked up towards our bedroom. I closed the door behind me and turned around to look at him. I walked over to him and grabbed his hands as I pulled him down on the bed and played with his soft calloused fingers.
"What is it love? You know I can read you like a book. Please tell me." Edward said and I looked up into his beautiful green eyes, that I hoped our baby would have. I got up and went towards my purse, where I had stashed one of the pregnancy tests. I held it behind my back and walked back towards him. He looked at my hands questionably.
"What is that in your hands?" he questioned, and I softly pulled my hands from behind my back and settled it in his hands. He looked down at it, and looked back up at me, his green eyes on the brinks of tears.
"Is this really, what I think it is?" he asked, his voice slightly cracking. I nodded my head.
"I'm going to be a father?" He gasped, and I shook my head in agreement as my own tears threatened to spill over. He let out a shaky breath, but before crushing me to him, his lips pulling mine into a passionate kiss. I moaned against his lips.
"Oh God, Bella. You've made me the happiest man on earth." he whispered, and I saw a few tears fall down his face. I wiped them away with the pad of my thumb.
"There's more." I whispered, fearing how he was going to react to what I was showing him next.
"What else is there for me to know? The news can't get better than this." he answered. I pulled from his grasp and carefully lifted my shirt. He looked at my stomach in astonishment.
"Is that…." he stuttered, his eyes solely focused on my stomach.
"Yeah it is." I whispered.
"How…how long have you known?' he asked, his voice sounding a little hurt. I immediately knew what he was thinking.
"Oh Edward it isn't what you think. I would never keep anything like this from you. I only found out today. How I missed it was beyond me." I answered, sitting on his lap. He wrapped his arms around my waist.
"You really didn't know?" he breathed, rubbing my stomach.
"Nope, no clue. Liam was the one who actually pointed it out."So that's why Liam reacted so strongly, when Emmett hugged you." Edward said in understanding.
"Yep." I said, leaning my head down into the crook of his neck.
"So we're really going to be parents." Edward grinned looking up at me."We're going to be parents, unless the tests were wrong and I someway inhaled a beach ball." I chuckled, which then turned to squeals, as Edward spun me around before grabbing me bridal style as he ran down the stairs screaming.
"I'm going to be a father!" he beamed, and I laughed in joy.
Edward was going to be a father.
I was going to be a mother.
We were going to be parents.