The Promise
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 12:
Bella sat staring unseeingly at the open book on her lap as her thoughts wandered over the past ten months and how drastically her life had changed since her eighteenth birthday. Looking back now, it seemed like lifetimes ago.
She thought about her heartbreak over Edward leaving and shook her head at herself. The love she felt for her husband was so vast, it made her realize what she had felt for Edward Cullen had been nothing more than infatuation. She’d been star struck by the first boy who’d ever shown an interest in her, not to mention all the mystery and thrill that surrounded him, and she felt a bit silly just thinking about it now.
A gentle nudge under the hand she had resting on her belly brought a smile to her face and her thoughts turned to Peter and how he’d reacted when she’d told him he was going to be a father.
She had waited another full month after her enlightening lunch with Mrs. Cuthbert, just to be sure. She hadn’t wanted to get his hopes up if her missed period had been a coincidence and not a genuine pregnancy…
~o0o~
It was Peter’s day off and he was finally taking Bella to the lake for a picnic; the very one he’d wanted to take her to the day he’d been shot. It was a beautiful place and she’d loved it immediately and if it couldn’t hold memories of his proposal, Bella decided, it could certainly hold memories of her telling him of his impending fatherhood.
She held onto the basket as she watched him spread the blanket in the shade of a beautiful old oak when a thought occurred to her and she furrowed her brow. “Pete?”
“Yeah sugar?”, he answered as he tossed a couple of broken branches out of the way.
“You looked for ants before spreading the blanket didn’t you?”
He straightened up and smirked at her. “Yes Ma’am, I sure did.”
She sighed in relief and he chuckled as he walked over and took the basket. “Still not over that little ant attack darlin’?”
She shot him a dark look as she sat down on the blanket. “You could have warned me how mean and nasty Texas ants are, ya know.”
He sat beside her and kissed her neck as he chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman move that fast before, and the dance ya did was down right interestin’ too.”
She scowled and smacked his shoulder, finally cracking a reluctant smile as she thought about the ridiculous sight she must have made that day, dancing around, trying desperately to get all the tiny red ants off her feet. “It’s not funny Pete. They hurt.”
She glanced at him and he was trying valiantly not to laugh but looking for all the world like he was about to lose the battle.
Shoving him onto his back, she straddled his waist and smirked down at him as he finally laughed. He yelped in protest though when she grabbed his nipple through his shirt. “Ow! Okay sugar! I’m sorry! You’re right darlin, it’s not funny at all!”
She hung on for a few more seconds and he hissed and rubbed it when she let go. She crossed her arms over her chest as she stared down at him while he smirked, still rubbing his injury.
“Poor baby—does it still hurt?”, she mewled sympathetically.
He nodded, his beautiful hazel eyes sparkling with amusement. “Yeah, but I know what would make it better.”
She cocked a brow at him. “Is that so?”
“Yep. I think ya need to kiss it… or at least me.” With that, he slipped a hand into her hair at the back of her head and pulled her down into a passionate kiss.
She sucked and gently nipped at his bottom lip and he rolled her under him with a groan as he ground himself against her heated center.
Moving his kisses to her neck, he leaned more of his weight on her and she tensed with a quiet gasp. He pulled back to look at her in concern and asked, “What is it sugar? Did I hurt ya?”
He moved off to the side and she shook her head with a smile and a caress of his cheek. “No Pete, you didn’t hurt me. It’s just… well, we need to be a bit more careful.”
His brow pinched. “What’s goin’ on darlin? I get the feelin’ there’s somethin’ you’re not tellin’ me.”
She smiled, took his hand and placed it on her flat belly. “Peter Whitlock, you’re gonna be a father.”
“What…” His beautiful hazel eyes went wide and he stared down at his hand on her belly. He began moving it gently, lovingly… and she felt a lump rise in her throat as she watched tears fill his eyes. “A baby?” He looked back up at her and she smiled and nodded.
He leaned down and kissed where she’d placed his hand, his voice choked with emotion as he spoke. “I love ya so much Isabella… some days I think I’m gonna wake up and this will all have been just a beautiful dream…”
She leaned up and kissed him softly. Pulling back enough to meet his eyes, she whispered as she cupped his face in her hands. “It’s not a dream. I’m real and you’re real and I’ll love you until the end of time Peter Whitlock.”
He smiled at her then; a smile that seemed to light up everything around them as he spoke in a voice filled with awe. “I’m gonna be a daddy.”
~o0o~
Bella smiled at the memories as she felt her little one kick and roll gently within her.
They’d made love under that old oak tree after that, and it had been the sweetest kind of bliss Bella could ever recall feeling. It was always good—well, more like phenomenal—with Pete, but that time… that time had been something extra special and she would never forget it as long as she lived.
The sound of the front door opening and closing caught her attention and she called out, “I’m in here!” She looked over to the entrance of the parlor in time to see her gorgeous husband walk in as he ran a hand through his sandy blond hair. He leaned down and kissed her first and then down lower to kiss her belly, giving it a loving caress as he spoke, “Hello son. Ya treatin’ ya mama right today?”
Bella laughed quietly as she ran her fingers through his hair. “So sure it’s a boy?”
He straightened up. “Yes Ma’am, I am.”
She grinned as the baby became very active. “How could you possibly know? It’s a 50/50 chance!”
He gave her a smug look. “Ain’t no chance to it sugar. I just know.”
She shot him a skeptical look and he grinned. “Ya ready to go baby doll? We’re supposed to meet my parents at 7:00.”
She set her book aside and started to struggle out of the chair when he held out a hand to her with a tiny smirk on his face. “Need a little help there darlin’?”
He pulled her up and she shot him a dark look. “Laugh it up cowboy and I’ll be sure to get my revenge later.”
He pulled her as close as he could and kissed her neck as he chuckled. “Don’t be like that sugar. Ya know I don’t mean nothin’ by it. You’re just cute as a bug tryin’ to get outta that chair is all.”
She waddled off to get her shawl grumbling, “Yeah, a big, fat roly-poly.”
He followed her, grinning. “A what?” He took the shawl from her and placed it around her shoulders and she sighed.
“A roly-poly—it’s a little bug that rolls up into a ball.”
He stood back, eyeing her and she punched him in the arm, giving him her best stink-eye. “Stop trying to picture it and let’s go.”
She had to smile though when he leaned down, talking to her belly again as he rubbed it. “Ya better be good in there son. Ya mama’s gettin’ awful cranky, so be smarter than your daddy and don’t be addin’ to it.”
He stood up straight and she smirked at him. “She’s not the problem. It’s her father, who thinks he’s funny that’s the problem.”
He patted her belly. “Don’t pay no mind to ya mama son. She didn’t mean to call ya a girl, she just don’t know no better.”
He offered his arm and Bella took it with a smile and a shake of her head as he settled his hat on his head. “Shall we go to dinner Mrs. Whitlock?”
“Lead on husband.”
He guided her carefully down the steps and stopped at the carriage that had been pulled around by the stable hand. “Oh Pete, I’d really rather walk. It’s a beautiful night and the fresh air feels amazing.”
He eyed her with doubt. “Are ya sure darlin’? It’s awfully close to your time…”
She looked up at him imploringly. “I have another month at least. I’ll be fine.”
He looked up the street toward the hotel restaurant, shaking his head slowly as he looked back at her, worry clear in his expression. “I don’t know Isabella… I don’t have a good feelin’ about it…”
“Please Peter, the walk will do me good. You heard what the midwife said—exercise makes labor easier…”
He cut her off by holding up a hand, now looking a bit green. “Whoa darlin’, that kinda talk is between you and the midwife.”
She gave him a flat look and he blew out a breath. “All right sugar, if you’re sure.”
Smiling happily, she grabbed his arm. “I’m sure, now let’s go since speed walking isn’t a possibility for me now.”
He turned and paid the stable hand to take the carriage back around and they began their walk. “Here darlin’, switch sides with me. I’d feel better if you’re not so close to the dark alleys.”
She stopped and he moved to her other side as she looked at him quizzically. She kept her questions to herself however, as she took his arm again and they continued their walk.
“So sugar, have you thought of a name for our son?” He smiled and glanced down at her as she laughed.
“Well, I was thinking Anna—Anna Lynn,” she looked up at him, “what do you think of that?” She smirked.
He patted her hand. “It’s just lovely darlin’ but I don’t think our son would appreciate it.” He glanced down at her. “Maybe somethin’ a little more manly?”
She was just chuckling when Pete was grabbed as they passed one of those dark alleys he was worried about. It happened so quickly that her first reaction was confusion, until she heard a pained cry from him, and her heart took off in sheer terror as she called out to him, “Peter!”
As she moved into the alley, it took her eyes a moment to adjust, but when they did she sobbed in fright and despair. “Noooo! Oh god, no please…”
Pete was pinned up against the wall of a building with a hand around his neck as he struggled feebly—the hand holding him belonging to a smirking, red-eyed Jasper.
“Please Jasper, I’m begging you—please let him go! I’ll do anything…”
“No Isabella,” Pete choked out. “Run sugar!”
Jasper shook his head slowly. “Aw, ain’t that sweet?” He pinned Bella with his mocking gaze. “Ya know, I tried to come for a visit at that quaint little house y’all live in, but guess what? I couldn’t get near it. Couldn’t manage to get near the Ranger’s office neither. Now, what do you suppose that’s all about?” He kept his eyes on Bella and gave Pete a shove, drawing choking sounds from him. “That made me feel downright unwelcome, darlin’.” She crumpled to the ground sobbing as she met the panicked, confused gaze of her husband for a moment before looking back at Jasper.
“I’m sorry Jasper, but I’m begging you to let him go. I’ll go with you after my baby’s born if that’s what you want—I swear it. Just let him go!”
Jasper scoffed. “What good’s that gonna do? I can’t touch ya, remember?” He shook his head and looked at Pete who still struggled fruitlessly. “Nah darlin’, I think he’s an even trade for my frustration and trouble.” He smirked cruelly. “Ya see? This way, neither one of us is gettin’ what they want.” Having said that, he tossed Pete over his shoulders and disappeared, the sorrowful wails of a heartbroken, grieving wife piercing the stillness of the night.
Bella sat staring unseeingly at the open book on her lap as her thoughts wandered over the past ten months and how drastically her life had changed since her eighteenth birthday. Looking back now, it seemed like lifetimes ago.
She thought about her heartbreak over Edward leaving and shook her head at herself. The love she felt for her husband was so vast, it made her realize what she had felt for Edward Cullen had been nothing more than infatuation. She’d been star struck by the first boy who’d ever shown an interest in her, not to mention all the mystery and thrill that surrounded him, and she felt a bit silly just thinking about it now.
A gentle nudge under the hand she had resting on her belly brought a smile to her face and her thoughts turned to Peter and how he’d reacted when she’d told him he was going to be a father.
She had waited another full month after her enlightening lunch with Mrs. Cuthbert, just to be sure. She hadn’t wanted to get his hopes up if her missed period had been a coincidence and not a genuine pregnancy…
~o0o~
It was Peter’s day off and he was finally taking Bella to the lake for a picnic; the very one he’d wanted to take her to the day he’d been shot. It was a beautiful place and she’d loved it immediately and if it couldn’t hold memories of his proposal, Bella decided, it could certainly hold memories of her telling him of his impending fatherhood.
She held onto the basket as she watched him spread the blanket in the shade of a beautiful old oak when a thought occurred to her and she furrowed her brow. “Pete?”
“Yeah sugar?”, he answered as he tossed a couple of broken branches out of the way.
“You looked for ants before spreading the blanket didn’t you?”
He straightened up and smirked at her. “Yes Ma’am, I sure did.”
She sighed in relief and he chuckled as he walked over and took the basket. “Still not over that little ant attack darlin’?”
She shot him a dark look as she sat down on the blanket. “You could have warned me how mean and nasty Texas ants are, ya know.”
He sat beside her and kissed her neck as he chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman move that fast before, and the dance ya did was down right interestin’ too.”
She scowled and smacked his shoulder, finally cracking a reluctant smile as she thought about the ridiculous sight she must have made that day, dancing around, trying desperately to get all the tiny red ants off her feet. “It’s not funny Pete. They hurt.”
She glanced at him and he was trying valiantly not to laugh but looking for all the world like he was about to lose the battle.
Shoving him onto his back, she straddled his waist and smirked down at him as he finally laughed. He yelped in protest though when she grabbed his nipple through his shirt. “Ow! Okay sugar! I’m sorry! You’re right darlin, it’s not funny at all!”
She hung on for a few more seconds and he hissed and rubbed it when she let go. She crossed her arms over her chest as she stared down at him while he smirked, still rubbing his injury.
“Poor baby—does it still hurt?”, she mewled sympathetically.
He nodded, his beautiful hazel eyes sparkling with amusement. “Yeah, but I know what would make it better.”
She cocked a brow at him. “Is that so?”
“Yep. I think ya need to kiss it… or at least me.” With that, he slipped a hand into her hair at the back of her head and pulled her down into a passionate kiss.
She sucked and gently nipped at his bottom lip and he rolled her under him with a groan as he ground himself against her heated center.
Moving his kisses to her neck, he leaned more of his weight on her and she tensed with a quiet gasp. He pulled back to look at her in concern and asked, “What is it sugar? Did I hurt ya?”
He moved off to the side and she shook her head with a smile and a caress of his cheek. “No Pete, you didn’t hurt me. It’s just… well, we need to be a bit more careful.”
His brow pinched. “What’s goin’ on darlin? I get the feelin’ there’s somethin’ you’re not tellin’ me.”
She smiled, took his hand and placed it on her flat belly. “Peter Whitlock, you’re gonna be a father.”
“What…” His beautiful hazel eyes went wide and he stared down at his hand on her belly. He began moving it gently, lovingly… and she felt a lump rise in her throat as she watched tears fill his eyes. “A baby?” He looked back up at her and she smiled and nodded.
He leaned down and kissed where she’d placed his hand, his voice choked with emotion as he spoke. “I love ya so much Isabella… some days I think I’m gonna wake up and this will all have been just a beautiful dream…”
She leaned up and kissed him softly. Pulling back enough to meet his eyes, she whispered as she cupped his face in her hands. “It’s not a dream. I’m real and you’re real and I’ll love you until the end of time Peter Whitlock.”
He smiled at her then; a smile that seemed to light up everything around them as he spoke in a voice filled with awe. “I’m gonna be a daddy.”
~o0o~
Bella smiled at the memories as she felt her little one kick and roll gently within her.
They’d made love under that old oak tree after that, and it had been the sweetest kind of bliss Bella could ever recall feeling. It was always good—well, more like phenomenal—with Pete, but that time… that time had been something extra special and she would never forget it as long as she lived.
The sound of the front door opening and closing caught her attention and she called out, “I’m in here!” She looked over to the entrance of the parlor in time to see her gorgeous husband walk in as he ran a hand through his sandy blond hair. He leaned down and kissed her first and then down lower to kiss her belly, giving it a loving caress as he spoke, “Hello son. Ya treatin’ ya mama right today?”
Bella laughed quietly as she ran her fingers through his hair. “So sure it’s a boy?”
He straightened up. “Yes Ma’am, I am.”
She grinned as the baby became very active. “How could you possibly know? It’s a 50/50 chance!”
He gave her a smug look. “Ain’t no chance to it sugar. I just know.”
She shot him a skeptical look and he grinned. “Ya ready to go baby doll? We’re supposed to meet my parents at 7:00.”
She set her book aside and started to struggle out of the chair when he held out a hand to her with a tiny smirk on his face. “Need a little help there darlin’?”
He pulled her up and she shot him a dark look. “Laugh it up cowboy and I’ll be sure to get my revenge later.”
He pulled her as close as he could and kissed her neck as he chuckled. “Don’t be like that sugar. Ya know I don’t mean nothin’ by it. You’re just cute as a bug tryin’ to get outta that chair is all.”
She waddled off to get her shawl grumbling, “Yeah, a big, fat roly-poly.”
He followed her, grinning. “A what?” He took the shawl from her and placed it around her shoulders and she sighed.
“A roly-poly—it’s a little bug that rolls up into a ball.”
He stood back, eyeing her and she punched him in the arm, giving him her best stink-eye. “Stop trying to picture it and let’s go.”
She had to smile though when he leaned down, talking to her belly again as he rubbed it. “Ya better be good in there son. Ya mama’s gettin’ awful cranky, so be smarter than your daddy and don’t be addin’ to it.”
He stood up straight and she smirked at him. “She’s not the problem. It’s her father, who thinks he’s funny that’s the problem.”
He patted her belly. “Don’t pay no mind to ya mama son. She didn’t mean to call ya a girl, she just don’t know no better.”
He offered his arm and Bella took it with a smile and a shake of her head as he settled his hat on his head. “Shall we go to dinner Mrs. Whitlock?”
“Lead on husband.”
He guided her carefully down the steps and stopped at the carriage that had been pulled around by the stable hand. “Oh Pete, I’d really rather walk. It’s a beautiful night and the fresh air feels amazing.”
He eyed her with doubt. “Are ya sure darlin’? It’s awfully close to your time…”
She looked up at him imploringly. “I have another month at least. I’ll be fine.”
He looked up the street toward the hotel restaurant, shaking his head slowly as he looked back at her, worry clear in his expression. “I don’t know Isabella… I don’t have a good feelin’ about it…”
“Please Peter, the walk will do me good. You heard what the midwife said—exercise makes labor easier…”
He cut her off by holding up a hand, now looking a bit green. “Whoa darlin’, that kinda talk is between you and the midwife.”
She gave him a flat look and he blew out a breath. “All right sugar, if you’re sure.”
Smiling happily, she grabbed his arm. “I’m sure, now let’s go since speed walking isn’t a possibility for me now.”
He turned and paid the stable hand to take the carriage back around and they began their walk. “Here darlin’, switch sides with me. I’d feel better if you’re not so close to the dark alleys.”
She stopped and he moved to her other side as she looked at him quizzically. She kept her questions to herself however, as she took his arm again and they continued their walk.
“So sugar, have you thought of a name for our son?” He smiled and glanced down at her as she laughed.
“Well, I was thinking Anna—Anna Lynn,” she looked up at him, “what do you think of that?” She smirked.
He patted her hand. “It’s just lovely darlin’ but I don’t think our son would appreciate it.” He glanced down at her. “Maybe somethin’ a little more manly?”
She was just chuckling when Pete was grabbed as they passed one of those dark alleys he was worried about. It happened so quickly that her first reaction was confusion, until she heard a pained cry from him, and her heart took off in sheer terror as she called out to him, “Peter!”
As she moved into the alley, it took her eyes a moment to adjust, but when they did she sobbed in fright and despair. “Noooo! Oh god, no please…”
Pete was pinned up against the wall of a building with a hand around his neck as he struggled feebly—the hand holding him belonging to a smirking, red-eyed Jasper.
“Please Jasper, I’m begging you—please let him go! I’ll do anything…”
“No Isabella,” Pete choked out. “Run sugar!”
Jasper shook his head slowly. “Aw, ain’t that sweet?” He pinned Bella with his mocking gaze. “Ya know, I tried to come for a visit at that quaint little house y’all live in, but guess what? I couldn’t get near it. Couldn’t manage to get near the Ranger’s office neither. Now, what do you suppose that’s all about?” He kept his eyes on Bella and gave Pete a shove, drawing choking sounds from him. “That made me feel downright unwelcome, darlin’.” She crumpled to the ground sobbing as she met the panicked, confused gaze of her husband for a moment before looking back at Jasper.
“I’m sorry Jasper, but I’m begging you to let him go. I’ll go with you after my baby’s born if that’s what you want—I swear it. Just let him go!”
Jasper scoffed. “What good’s that gonna do? I can’t touch ya, remember?” He shook his head and looked at Pete who still struggled fruitlessly. “Nah darlin’, I think he’s an even trade for my frustration and trouble.” He smirked cruelly. “Ya see? This way, neither one of us is gettin’ what they want.” Having said that, he tossed Pete over his shoulders and disappeared, the sorrowful wails of a heartbroken, grieving wife piercing the stillness of the night.
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.