One Night Only

Twenty-Seven

My stomach convulsed and I heaved once more over the toilet seat, expelling my breakfast from this morning. Puking my brains out seemed like a great way start off the work day. I groaned, flushing the toilet and stood up. I opened the stall, thankful no one was in the bathroom. No one at work knew I was pregnant yet and I didn't plan on saying anything until I made it safely out of my first trimester. The only people who knew were Alice and Jacob. I would tell my parents and family when I made my round of trips to visit them within the next two weeks. I didn't want to tell them the news over the phone, it felt too impersonal. I quickly washed my hands and then rinsed my mouth out with cold water. I left the bathroom and headed back to my office.

I reached into my purse and popped a piece of mint gum into my mouth. Morning sickness was becoming a new normal for me ever since I discovered I was knocked up with twins. I had days where it was just nausea and some like today where I vomited—there was no in between. I sat down, softly caressing my stomach. It was still pretty flat but that didn't stop Alice from touching it every chance that she got.

My office phone began to ring and I sighed, not really in the mood to deal with anyone at the moment. These days I was irritable and I easily tended to get aggravated with menial things. Work was work unfortunately, so I reluctantly pressed the speaker button.

"Bella Swan," I answered.

Carlisle's pleasant voice filtered through the speaker. "Bella, could you please come to my office? I would like to speak to you about something rather pertinent."

"Sure," I replied effortlessly. "I'll be there in a moment." He hung up without a response and I pressed the speaker button to end the call. I got up and ambled down the hall to his office. I rapped on the door a couple of times before the door opened. Carlisle stood to side, gesturing me to come in before closing the door.

"Hello Bella, please take a seat," he courteously advised. I sat in the chair in front of his desk and admired the view of the Manhattan skyline before me. Carlisle sat in his chair across from me, effectively cutting off my view. Why am I here?

"There's something you need to speak to me about?" I asked.

Carlisle nodded, his elbows resting on the arms of his desk chair and fingers steepled.  "Yes, there is. I called you in her today to speak to you about Edward."

My mood plummeted and I immediately thought of the worst. "Is he hurt?" I felt panicked and Carlisle immediately noticed my distress.

"No, Bella. Edward is fine." He reassured and I sighed in relief. The relief lasted for a short moment before he spoke again. "I can't say he's fine emotionally though."

"I'm sorry, Carlisle, but what are you actually saying?" This conversation was starting to deeply veer into personal territory and I was starting to get a little annoyed.

Carlisle sighed, indignation combined with sympathy in his eyes. I recognized that look; it was the same look Edward had the day our relationship ended. "What I'm trying to say is that Edward loves you and is hurting. You treated him unfairly and didn't give him a chance—"

I arose from my seat, anger boiling to the surface. "With all do respect, Carlisle, you should mind your own fucking business!" I thundered. Carlisle reared back in his seat, his eyes widened with shock at my statement. I, on the other hand, literally felt sick to stomach. I made it just in time to the wastebasket beside his desk, crouched over and vomited.

"Jesus," I heard Carlisle murmur before he was by my side. He rubbed my back until I stopped heaving. Sitting upright, I noticed Carlisle held out a box of tissues. Grabbing a few, I dabbed my mouth and my forehead that was slick with sweat. I discarded the tissues into the wastebasket