Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [42]
What happened to change everything was that a soft little nudge bumped my hand-from inside my body.
In the same moment, Edwards phone rang, shrill and demanding. Neither of us moved. It rang again and again. I tried to tune it out while I pressed my fingers to my stomach, waiting. In the mirror my expression was no longer bewildered-it was wondering now. I barely noticed when the strange, silent tears started streaming down my cheeks.
The phone kept ringing. I wished Edward would answer it-I was having a moment. Possibly the biggest of my life.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Finally, the annoyance broke through everything else. I got down on my knees next to Edward-I found myself moving more carefully, a thousand times more aware of the way each motion felt-and patted his pockets until I found the phone. I half- expected him to thaw out and answer it himself, but he was perfectly still.
I recognized the number, and I could easily guess why she was calling.
Hi, Alice, I said. My voice wasnt much better than before. I cleared my throat.
Bella? Bella, are you okay?
Yeah. Um. Is Carlisle there?
He is. Whats the problem?
Im not one hundred percent sure
Is Edward all right? she asked warily. She called Carlisles name away from the phone and then demanded, Why didnt he pick up the phone? before I could answer her first question.
Im not sure.
Bella, whats going on? I just saw-
What did you see?
There was a silence. Heres Carlisle, she finally said.
It felt like ice water had been injected in my veins. If Alice had seen a vision of me with a green-eyed, angel- faced child in my arms, she would have answered me, wouldnt she?
While I waited through the split second it took for Carlisle to speak, the vision Id imagined for Alice danced behind my lids. A tiny, beautiful little baby, even more beautiful than the boy in my dream-a tiny Edward in my arms. Warmth shot through my veins, chasing the ice away.
Bella, its Carlisle. Whats going on?
I- I wasnt sure how to answer. Would he laugh at my conclusions, tell me I was crazy? Was I just having another colorful dream? Im a little worried about Edward Can vampires go into shock?
Has he been harmed? Carlisles voice was suddenly urgent.
No, no, I assured him. Just taken by surprise.
I dont understand, Bella.
I think well, I think that maybe I might be I took a deep breath. Pregnant.
As if to back me up, there was another tiny nudge in my abdomen. My hand flew to my stomach.
After a long pause, Carlisles medical training kicked in.
When was the first day of your last menstrual cycle?
Sixteen days before the wedding. Id done the mental math thoroughly enough just before to be able to answer with certainty.
How do you feel?
Weird, I told him, and my voice broke. Another trickle of tears dribbled down my cheeks. This is going to sound crazy-look, I know its way too early for any of this. Maybe I am crazy. But Im having bizarre dreams and eating all the time and crying and throwing up and and I swear something moved inside me just now.
Edwards head snapped up.
I sighed in relief.
Edward held his hand out for the phone, his face white and hard.
Um, I think Edward wants to talk to you.
Put him on, Carlisle said in a strained voice.
Not entirely sure that Edward could talk, I put the phone in his outstretched hand.
He pressed it to his ear. Is it possible? he whispered.
He listened for a long time, staring blankly at nothing.
And Bella? he asked. His arm wrapped around me as he spoke, pulling me close into his side.
He listened for what seemed like a long time and then said, Yes. Yes, I will.
He pulled the phone away from his ear and pressed the end button. Right away, he dialed a new number.
What did Carlisle say? I asked impatiently.
Edward answered in a lifeless voice. He thinks youre pregnant.
The words sent a warm shiver down my spine. The little nudger fluttered inside me.
Who are you calling now? I asked as he put the phone back to his ear.
The airport. Were going home.
Edward was on the phone for more than an hour without a break. I guessed