03 | light, rosalie hale

7.

WHEN the school day wrapped up, Elexia headed to the Cullen house with Melody and Alice. She was very tired, and very nauseous lately, but it was letting up a little bit. She just couldn't wait to go to sleep.

"So, we may or may not have a surprise for you– and Gaia– in the backyard," Rosalie said as soon as they walked in, a slightly shy smile on her face. Gaia was on her hip, smiling happily.

A smirk came upon Elexia's face. "Uh oh, that's never good. Did Emmett order a bouncy house or something?" she asked as she slipped her shoes off by the front door and set her backpack down.

Melody chuckled softly to herself, shaking her head as she looked down at her feet. Emmett would do that – and it wouldn't necessarily be just for Gaia.

"Come," Rosalie said with a smile, delicately reaching a hand out for Elexia to take, which she gladly did. She led her through the Cullen house, until they reached the sliding glass door that opened to the backyard.

Elexia's jaw literally dropped when she saw what they'd done with the yard.

There was an inground pool right in the middle of the grass and trees.

She turned to Rosalie with wide eyes and her mouth agape. "What? When? How?"

Rosalie chuckled tenderly, overjoyed to see Elexia's excited reaction. "Last night, Amethyst compelled some workers from a pool company to come over and do it. She helped them, of course, as did I, to speed the process up and to not cause them too much stress or work. I figured you and Gaia could use a pool for this summer."

"Thank you so much!" Elexia cheered, grabbing Rosalie's face and planting a firm kiss right on her lips. She pulled away, "I need to go back to my Dad's so that I can get a bathing suit–"

"There's one for you upstairs in my room, on my bed." Rosalie grinned. "I'll go get it for you." she said, handing Gaia over to Elexia so that she could quickly speed upstairs and come back down without making Gaia sick or dizzy. When she came down, she was holding a plain white bikini top and white bottoms that had teal leaves on them.

Elexia smiled happily as Rosalie handed them to her. Suddenly, it seemed she remembered something as her face dropped. "Won't it be a little too cold?"

"It has a heated setting. Just make sure your shoulders are under the water at all times and you should feel okay." Rosalie informed her with a peck on the cheek. Elexia handed her Gaia and quickly went to change.

When she came back down, Rosalie opened the door and led her outside.

"Wait, are you not going to come in with me?" Elexia pouted as she stepped outside, looking up at her fianceé.

Rosalie chuckled briefly. "Another time."

"Okay, fine." Elexia spoke, walking over to the pool and stepping onto the first step. The water was perfectly warm, making her sigh blissfully as she fully went in. She saw Rosalie sit down on the edge of the pool, taking her shoes off and rolling her pants up so that she could dip her feet in. Gaia sat happily on her lap, watching Elexia with a smile on her face that matched Rosalie's.

After a moment of enjoying the water, Alice, Amethyst, Esme, and Melody came outside, each taking their own spots around the pool. Elexia floated on her back, closing her eyes and enjoying the warmth of the water and the gentle sounds of the forest around them. She felt a sense of peace that had been elusive lately with all of the stress and the nausea. Opening her eyes, she saw Rosalie watching her with a tender expression, Gaia now playing with the water at the pool's edge, her little hands splashing happily.

"Thank you all," Elexia said softly, her voice carrying across the pool. "This is perfect."

Rosalie's smile widened. "Anything for you and Gaia," she replied, her voice equally soft but filled with love.

Alice walked over to Rosalie and Gaia, sitting down next to them. "I have to admit, I didn't think you guys would be able to pull this off so quickly," she said with a playful smirk.

Amethyst nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it was quite the project, but seeing Elexia and Gaia's reactions makes it all worth it."

Esme, always the caring matriarch, brought out a tray with some fresh fruits and drinks for Elexia. "I thought you might enjoy a little snack," she said, placing the tray on a nearby table. "Swimming used to make me hungry, when I was human."

Elexia laughed, getting out of the pool and grabbing a piece of pineapple. "You know me so well, Esme."

As the evening progressed, the group enjoyed the pool and each other's company, along with Elexia and Gaia enjoying the snacks. Elexia found herself laughing more than she had in weeks, her nausea and tiredness forgotten for the moment. The sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the forest and making the water shimmer.

Elexia swam to the edge of the pool, resting her arms on the side and looking up at Rosalie. "I don't know how to thank you," she said, her voice filled with emotion. The two of them both knew it wasn't from just the pool.

Rosalie leaned down, giving her a gentle kiss. "Seeing you happy is thanks enough," she whispered.

Gaia, now thoroughly entertained by Alice and Melody, clapped her hands and giggled, adding to the joyful atmosphere. Elexia felt that familiar wave of gratitude for the family she had found in the Cullens and the love that surrounded her and Gaia.

Her and Rosalie shared a look, and then the latter nodded, noticing the question in Elexia's eyes.

Elexia turned around to face the Cullen women and Melody. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears. "There's something I need to tell you all," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Everyone's attention turned to her, curiosity and concern evident on their faces. Esme leaned closer, her brow furrowing. "What is it, Elexia?"

Taking a deep breath, Elexia smiled nervously and placed a hand on her stomach. "I'm pregnant."

Surprise!!!!  

Sorry it's short :,) big things coming