Disclaimer: While the attempt has been made to be medically accurate, some artistic license has been taken, and statements made by Carlisle are not to be regarded as authoritative.
Recognizable characters and plotlines are the property of Stephenie Meyer; all original characters and story © 2015 FemaleChauvinist. Cover drawing © 2015 FemaleChauvinist.

Do not post without permission. Do not copy/print without including the above disclaimer in its entirety.

A/N: See my profile for the alternate history behind the dates and Jacob's alpha power over Nessie.

Chapter One: Unexpected

March 2019

Nessie & Jacob married five years

Jacob

The smell of pancakes filled the room as I walked into the kitchen that morning. Nessie put a plate with a tall stack at my place and sat down across the table from me. That wasn't unusual; she almost always sat with me while I ate. What was unusual was the stack of pancakes on a plate in front of her.

"Please pass the syrup," she said calmly, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

"Nessie," I said slowly, "you don't like human food."

"Oh." She stared at the pancakes as if she hadn't realized what they were, then shrugged. "It smells good this morning, and I'm…hungry."

Hungry. She shouldn't even be thirsty; I'd just taken her hunting two nights ago. And as far as I knew, she'd never been hungry.

I watched with a morbid fascination as she poured syrup generously over her pancakes, then cut off a bite and put it in her mouth with obvious enjoyment. Nessie — eating human food of her own free will…and enjoying it?

Suddenly I realized what it might mean; my fork slowly sank to my plate as I lost all my own appetite. I even felt a little sick.

I stood abruptly, and Nessie looked up in surprise. "Jake?"

"I gotta make a phone call."

I hurried out the door, out of the corner of my eye seeing Nessie shrug and fork two sausages onto her plate. I leaned against a tree in our front lawn and quickly dialed a number on my cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Esme," I said quickly. "Is Dr Fang still there?"

"Yes, just a moment."

I heard the concern in her voice, and seconds later Dr Fang was on the line. "Jacob. Is something wrong with Nessie?"

"She's fine," I told him, "but she's sitting eating pancakes and sausages."

"By choice?" He sounded as incredulous as I felt.

"Yeah. And I thought…if Bells wanted blood when she was carrying Nessie…"

"You think she's pregnant."

"Is it possible?" I demanded.

"I certainly haven't ruled it out."

I groaned, slumping back against the tree. We hadn't pursued fertility treatments; I'd told Nessie it didn't bother me if we never had children. I didn't tell her how the idea of her being pregnant scared me.

"Jacob. It won't be like with Bella; Nessie is one-half vampire and the baby is only one-fourth. And if she's craving human food, that likely means it has more human than vampire characteristics."

"Likely," I spat. "You don't know for sure!"

"Jacob, she'll be fine," he said soothingly.

"I'm getting the first flight out," I growled.

"Fine," he said calmly. "Of course, you're welcome to stay with us until the baby is born — and as long as you like afterward. Let me know what time your plane's coming, and I'll meet you at the airport."

oOo

I groaned softly as I walked into the kitchen. In the time it had taken to arrange our flight and let Dr Fang know when to pick us up, Nessie had finished her pancakes and pulled my plate over to her side of the table.

She looked up a bit guiltily. "Sorry…do you want me to make you some more?"

"No thanks. You'd better start packing, Ness; we have to leave for the airport in an hour."

She stared at me blankly. "The airport?"

"I'm taking you to the doctor, Ness."

"But I'm not sick, Jacob!" she protested, laughing. "I've never felt better."

"Nessie. You are sitting here eating pancakes and sausages."

"So? They won't hurt me."

I sighed. "Nessie, don't you think it's a bit unusual for you to want to eat them?"

For the first time, she looked a bit uncertain. "I suppose…but I don't think I need to see a doctor about it."

"Well, I do," I said bluntly. "Ness. What if… Did it occur to you that you might be…pregnant?"

"That's impossible," she scoffed.

"Your grandfather doesn't think so," I said in a low voice. "He'll be picking us up at the airport. Now come help me pack, or don't complain if it's not done right."

She stopped arguing. Everyone thought I gave my Nessie her way in everything, but that wasn't exactly true. I never gave in if I thought her health or safety was involved. But when I stood firm, she gave in so sweetly that it seemed as if she was getting her way. Maybe because one of the things she wanted most was to please me… As alpha male, I had the power to order her, but I'd never had to.

oOo

Nessie ate her package of peanuts on the airplane, then looked at mine, lying untouched. "Do you want that?"

I shook my head, and she tore the package open, munching on the peanuts as if she'd eaten human food every day of her life. I turned away, unable to watch.

After the plane landed, we claimed our luggage and were headed for the doors to meet Dr Fang when Nessie stopped short in front of a donut shop.

"Jake, can I have a donut?"

"Nessie…"

"Please, Jake? All they gave us on the plane were those peanuts."

I sighed; when her safety wasn't involved, it really was impossible for me to refuse her. "What kind?"

"The one with chocolate cream filling."

I left her to guard the suitcase while I bought the donut.

"Now come on," I said almost shortly as I handed it to her.

"Thanks, Jake," she said around a mouthful of pastry and cream.

I was relieved as I finally spotted Dr Fang; part of me somehow hoped that he might find some other explanation for Nessie's new appetite.

I saw his eyebrow lift slightly at the sight of Nessie busily engaged in devouring a cream donut, but he didn't remark on it. "Hi, Jacob, Nessie. How was your trip?

"Fine," I half growled.

Nessie swallowed and smiled up at him. "Hi, Papa."

He smiled back and pulled her against his side in a one-armed hug. "It's good to see you, Nessie. The car is this way."

Nessie finished her donut as we reached the car, and licked her fingers clean. "You have cream on your nose," I told her. I thumbed it off and put it to my own mouth, then grimaced, even that small bit of food turning my queasy stomach.

"So, how are you feeling, Nessie?" Dr Fang asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.

Nessie pouted. "I feel fine; Jacob's just a worrywart. Anyway, I can't be pregnant."

Dr Fang chuckled. "Don't be too sure, Nessie. And if you aren't, then I think we definitely need to try to find a reason for this sudden change in eating habits."

"Did you tell the others?" I asked.

"Just Esme, Bella, and Edward. We'll wait and let the others know when we're sure." He pulled onto the winding drive that led up to the main house. Only he and Esme, Bella and Edward, and Bree were living there now; Alice and Jasper and Rosalie and Emmett were living nearby as married couples.

Esme met us at the front door, pulling Nessie into a hug. "Congratulations, Nessie!"

Nessie pulled away. "Wait until you know whether there's anything to congratulate me on." She slipped past Esme, going willingly into her parents' embrace. "I missed you," she whispered.

I frowned slightly; I had always assumed she was happy living on our own. Had she been holding back from me, knowing how I once felt about the Cullens? Edward met my eyes, but I couldn't read the answer there. He gave me the tiniest nod of his head.

"Come on up to my office, Nessie," Dr Fang said, interrupting the reunion. "Jacob, why don't you wait down here?"

I growled at him, earning a glare from Nessie, but didn't attempt to follow. I paced between the kitchen and the living room, glaring at the stairs and wondering what was taking so long. The others had the sense to stay out of my way.

At last they came down the stairs, the doc smiling, Nessie with a stubborn set to her jaw.

"Well?" I demanded.

Dr Fang put a hand on my shoulder. "Congratulations, Jacob. You're going to be a father."

Next chapter coming next week!

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