A Fresh Start

The Surprise

Author's Note: I own nothing. I just like to play with the characters that were created by Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Also, thank you for those of who have commented and offered well-wishes in my difficult time. It means a lot to me. Writing these stories has been my strength (as silly as that sounds) and has grounded me.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. It means so much to me. More than you can imagine. These stories (this one in particular) are my babies and I adore the reviews and comments I receive. Much, much love to ALL of you!

Chapter 34: The Surprise

"I can't believe how fast this year is going," Rose sighed. "It's already February."

"Valentine's day is just around the corner," Alice said. "Do you guys know what you're doing?"

"Probably something quiet," I answered. "I never really celebrated Valentine's day before. You guys?"

"Emmett is taking me away for the weekend. He won't say where, but it's not here and that's all that matters," Rose said with a wink. "How about you Alice?"

"I'm assuming something quiet, too. Peanut is making things a bit difficult. Ugh, Bella. I'm as big as a house," Alice whined one day during lunch. "I can't see my feet."

"They're there," I chuckled. "Swollen, but there."

"I'm calling Edward," she said as she took out her phone. "My back has been hurting for a couple of days and..."

"Alice, you're fine. You're not due for another month," I sighed.

"But, I could be going into labor," she whined. "Let me call my brother." She begged me with her eyes. I shot a look at Rosalie who just shrugged.

"I had a C-section. Scheduled. No labor involved," Rose said as she nibbled on her lunch.

Alice dialed Edward and held her phone up to her ear. "Hello, baby brother," she said. "I have a question."

I heard Edward groan over the phone, demanding to talk to me. "I won't put Bella on. She'll just tell you that I'm overreacting."

"She is, Edward. She's stark, raving mad," I shouted. Edward sighed and asked what her 'symptoms' were. She described what she was feeling and then waited. And waited.

"Edward?" she squeaked. He demanded that I be put on the phone. Alice paled and handed her cell phone to me.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Does your school have a blood pressure cuff?" Edward asked.

"I think so. In the nurse's office," I answered.

"Get the nurse and have her take Alice's blood pressure," Edward said authoritatively. I told him that I would and we'd call him back. I helped Alice out of the chair and we walked to the nurse's office. She sat down and our head nurse, Peg, affixed the cuff to Alice's arm. She pumped the cuff and rattled off some numbers. I called Edward back and told him what Alice's blood pressure was. "Shit. I was afraid of that. Bella, you need to bring Alice to the hospital. She's showing indications of preeclampsia. She needs to be monitored."

"Okay, Edward," I said. "We'll be there in a little bit."

"I love you, beautiful girl."

"I love you, too," I whispered. I darted to the office and told Mrs. Cope that I needed to take Alice to the hospital. My plans for my afternoon classes were on my desk. I went into Alice's room, picking up her coat and purse before I did the same for me. I pulled the car up to the rear of the school and helped a very pregnant Alice to my car. "Don't go into labor in my brand new, pretty SUV."