I had always given thought to how I would die only because what is there to live for? I was told my mother died giving me life, and that my father was killed when I was five. He was the chief of police for some small town in Washington State; the worst thing that could happen in a small town was a robbery of a local shop which turned into a deadly shootout.

I don't remember my mother at all so I don't know if the picture of her in my locket that I always wear around my neck is really her or not. The only clue is that my father is in the picture too holding her from behind cradling her obviously pregnant stomach. I vaguely remember him.

There are other clues as well from these supposed strangers. For one, the woman's face-shape is the same as mine; heart-shaped. Also, her body curves much like mine if one looks beyond the pregnant stomach. From the man, I share his deep chocolate eyes and curly dark hair.

Still, their image alone is not enough for me to learn about them. I don't know what they liked or didn't like—but they must have loved each other from the looks on their faces in the picture, and me as well by the way they cradle me ever so lovingly. I don't even know how they would have sounded since I don't recall hearing their voices. It saddens me knowing that they loved me, and yet I will never be able to hear them say it.

I am approaching my 11 year mark of when I came into the foster care system, and I have never heard the words "I love you" said by anyone who truly means it. There were those who showed affection, but then later showed rejection. From these experiences, I have learned to be cautious with my relationships with others. Never getting too close in case of emotional danger should arise. The pain is too much so I distance myself to insure that it never hurts me.

This last time, I was not so careful with my emotions. A fellow foster child, a few years my senior, was the first and only person I had ever truly allowed myself to go further with in a relationship. This boy, or nearly a man, had shown me love and kindness for nearly a year before convincing me of something greater; physical love.

I had never known this love, but yet, I had barely known any kind of love at all. I went out on a limb and trusted myself to him with disastrous results.

Before we began, he told me to expect pain; but in the end I received more pain that was far worst than the breaking of my innocence. He was soon getting out of the foster care system and going into the real world without so much as looking back at me. When I begged him to take me with him, he said I would be a burden to him and his new life. I begged once more, but he hit me with such force that I fell to the ground bewildered that this man was not the boy I had fallen for. The boy I knew was sweet, gentle, and warm much like the men I find in my favorite classical books. This man was cold, ruthless, and savage only getting what he wants without showing any kind of remorse whatsoever.

He left before he could see the impact he had made within me from our one night of what was suppose to be heaven, but for me it turned into hell. One in which I was left alone in, but not completely.

This little sprout in me will not leave me for several months, but what to do after it does not require my body for shelter? How will it be cared for when it comes into the world totally and utterly helpless? I could be there for this little one, but I just turned 16. I am plain, ordinary, and helpless myself.

Still, this little one needs protection from the outside world, and those who are like its father. Although I am ordinary, I protect those that I love and I am absolutely certain that I love my little sprout. He/She shall never be separated from me for as long as I live.

"Isabella, come on. It is time for your doctor's appointment. Hurry up." Amelia screeched after poking her head into my room waking me up from my nap.

"I'm getting up, Amelia, thank you." I answer as politely as possible even though I somewhat despise the woman; I cannot afford to make it on anyone's bad side.

"Good, now hurry up and get your fat butt down to the bus. We are leaving now!"

I set down my book, Withering Heights, and haul my 3 ½ month pregnant body from my bed.

This is my third visit to the doctors since I found out I was pregnant. The first was to confirm my pregnancy and the second was just over two weeks ago to check on the progress of my little sprout.

At first, I was scared of what was growing inside of me; but after the first visit, I could not bare to part with him/her. Others have advised me that I should be rid of my little one, but I find myself fighting with those others for my child's survival. Because of my decision, I am treated as an outcast; barely acknowledged except for the whispering behind my back about how much of a whore I am, but I don't give a damn what they think. My only concern is my unborn child. I will not allow him/her to grow up questioning if they were ever loved like I have.

The bus was full of other children either sick or going for an annual check up. I sat by myself in the front gazing out the window to avoid any motion sickness. Normally, I would bring out my book to pass the time; but I had been so sick lately that I usually try to fall asleep to keep the nausea away.

"Alright, quiet down everyone," Amelia ordered, "You all know the rules of the bus, so keep quiet so that this trip can be bearable for all of us." Times like this I wonder why Amelia became a social worker for foster children; she obviously didn't have the patience for so many children let alone one.

"Good…take us away, Henry…and drop me off at the nearest bar on the way." She said the last part quietly, but since she was sitting across the aisle from me I still heard her.

Carlisle's Point of View

"Dr. Cullen, ah, thank you so much for coming in and helping us. We are so understaffed and we have a group of orphans coming in for their annual check up, I'm so grateful for your help." Dr. Nun exclaimed for the hundredth time since I arrived an hour ago.

"It's my pleasure, Dr. Nun. I don't mind getting out of that conference for a few hours. To tell you the truth, it was getting dull." I replied.

"I agree, Dr. Miller's lectures always put me to sleep. I don't care if he is a genius surgeon; he needs to get out of his office once in a while." He laughed.

Although, I didn't like speaking ill of people Dr. Miller did indeed needed to do become livelier.

"So, Dr. Nun…"

"Please call me Harold."

"Alright, then call me Carlisle. Harold, tell me about these orphans."

"I've been working with these kids for years. I too was adopted and that's what brought me to this field of medicine. I wanted to help these children get some happiness back into their lives. Make them feel wanted again."

"I'm glad that you feel this way. Anything in particular I should be looking into with these children?"

"Well, there is one girl. Isabella Swan. She has been in foster care since she was five, and recently she got pregnant."

"Really, how old is she?"

"She just turned 16, but she will not tell who the father is. The guardians of the home say that they think it was a former orphan who left when he was old enough, but she will not confirm or deny it. She doesn't speak about her past, but I do know it was a hard one for her."

"I'm terribly sorry to hear that. Does she go to school here in Phoenix?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure if she will make it to graduation. She refuses to give up the baby even though she has no means to take care of it. I've heard that her pregnancy doesn't affect her school work and that she is in advance classes. I don't know how she does it?" He shrugged.

"Hmmm, Harold, do you mind if I take over Isabella's appointment today. From what you described she sounds like an intriguing young woman."

"As you wish, and good luck with her." He handed me the file from the pile he was carrying and walked off down the hallway.

This young woman's story broke my heart. How can anyone carry such a burden at such a young age with no help at all? I could not imagine leaving Esme while she was pregnant with Emmett to fend for herself before the age of 20. She is a strong woman, but I would be a fool of a father to do such a thing to her as this father has done to Isabella.

Bella's Point of View

I literally ran off the bus—nearly falling the whole time—while trying to race towards a bathroom. Apparently, my morning sickness was not through with me yet for today. Luckily, I made it just in time.

After flushing my breakfast and rinsing my mouth, I hurried to the waiting room to sit with the rest of my group. Of course, Amelia didn't like it that I ran off without permission. Still, she knows I'm pregnant and am constantly nauseous, but that doesn't mean anything more to her.

"Where have you been?" She yelled when she saw me from across the room.

"I got motion sickness from the bus and I couldn't hold it in anymore when we pulled up." I said quietly looking down at my feet because everyone was looking at me.

"No excuses. You will have no dessert for the rest of the week and will have to go to bed an hour earlier than usual." Good the more sleep I got the better, and I skipped dessert nowadays so that I wouldn't have much to throw up in the morning. Plus it was better for the baby.

I didn't respond though, I just sat down in the closest chair and waited for my turn.

"Isabella Swan?" A nurse called out ten minutes after I settled down.

I stood up to follow him through the door that led down a hallway and into another room where he checked my blood pressure and temperature.

"Oh and Isabella, we are understaffed today so Dr. Nun will not be giving you your check up today. Dr. Cullen is his temporary replacement and will be here momentarily." He said before going out the door.

A few minutes later I wished I had brought my book with me or something to pass the time, but when I was about to get up from the table to fetch an old magazine left on the chair the door opened.

"Hello Isabella, I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen." He greeted holding his hand out for me to shake which I did hesitantly for I was too stunned by his beauty to function correctly.

He had blonde hair that looked like corn silk, his eyes were of heavenly blue, but his skin was so pale a lot like mine. He must not be around from here.

"It's nice to meet you, Isabella." He said when I didn't respond breaking me from my gaze.

I dropped his hand, "Please call me Bella."

"Well Bella, how have you two been?" He asked giving me the sweetest smile I had ever seen without a trace of disgust.

I look down to my stomach, rubbing circles on it with my thumbs as I had been doing for weeks now.

"The usual; hungry, tired, and getting sick." I answered.

"That sounds normal for a pregnant mother." He laughed making me laugh along with him. This man was making me feel so comfortable to be around with, but I knew it was dangerous to do such a thing. Even sweet chocolate could be bitter.

"Well, if you lie back we can begin your exam." Again sounding so sincere and I had to keep myself in check about getting attached, but it was hard.

Carlisle's Point of View

Harold was right, this girl did seem distant. At first she was pleasant, but she later became less responsive to my questions or statements about her outside life. Still, she was intriguing and beautiful. I couldn't imagine someone taking advantage of her and then running away from her in her time of need.

"Well Bella, everything checks out very well. I see you take good care of both yourself and your baby. I wish you well." I said when I finished examining her.

"Thanks, it's been nice meeting you, Dr. Cullen." She said so formally and stuck out her hand for me to shake.

"Same here, and please call me Carlisle." I replied shaking her hand.

"Alright Carlisle." She said flatly.

I gave her a warm smile which she returned with a smaller version, but it was still progress. Then walked out of the room and resumed with the rest of my patients, but throughout the day, I still thought of Bella and her baby. What could I do for her though? I just felt this need to do something…to help this girl in her time of need.

Finally, after getting some down time with my busy schedule I called the one person I knew who could help me.

'Hello?'

'Hello beautiful, how are you?'

'Doing well, but you sound troubled. Is everything going well in Phoenix?'

'You know me all to well, my dear.' I heard her giggling in the phone.

'Are you going to tell me, Carlisle Cullen?'

Taking a deep breath I told her all I knew about Isabella Swan and how I've been feeling about her situation.

'Oh that poor girl.' Esme was always the compassionate one and would try to help in any way she can; this is why I married her and why I go to her for advice.

'I know honey, but I don't know what I should do about this. I feel so helpless that she is so helpless.'

'I do have one idea, sweetheart.' She hesitated a bit with her reply probably not sure of how I would respond to her idea, but at least it was an idea.

'What is it?' I asked.

'Adoption?' It came out as more of a question.

'Esme, she won't give up the baby. We cannot take her baby away from her. I feel it's the only thing holding her together.'

'No dear, I was thinking adopting both her and the baby.'

I was dumbfounded to say the least. Torn by this idea. It would be good for Bella and her baby because they would receive the love and care that they both lack currently, but how would she feel about this and about our other children? Moreover, would they accept her? Ok that question just got answered rather quickly. Alice would get a new best friend, and so would Rosalie who also adored babies. Emmett and Jasper would get a new sister and do act like children at times, but what about Edward? He doesn't usually accept change too willingly.

'Carlisle, are you still there, honey?' Esme leading me out of my train of thought.

'Sorry dear, I'm just weighing the options of this idea. It does seem promising, but there are drawbacks.'

'There will always be drawbacks to everything, my dear husband, but you have to look at the good as well as the bad and weight them both.'

'I love your philosophy as much as I love you.' She giggled again, how I miss her.

'How about we get together as a family when you come home and talk this out? That way we get everyone's opinion before we proceed any further.'

'An excellent plan, my dear. I just love the way your mind works, and that you are the mother of my children. Where would they or I be without you?'

'Don't ask, don't tell. Now when are you coming home? I miss you, and so do the kids.'

'It is I, fair mother, that miss you all as well. I shall be home within two days. Tell Rosalie and Edward that I have picked up some material on a few medical schools and have talked to some of their representatives.'

'I will, and I know they will be happy to see you when you get home. As will I, fair knight.' Again she giggled and again I missed her.

'I'm sorry to cut this short, honey, but I have to bid you ado. I love you.'

'I love you too. Bye.'

'Goodbye.'

I hung up, and it felt like lead weights attached themselves to me. I dearly missed my wife and children, but I will see them again in two days if this boring conference doesn't drive me completely mad before then.

Bella's Point of View

So I was healthy as was my baby, for now. We got back to the home and like at the hospital I ran into the bathroom because of the stupid motion sickness. Of course, Amelia scolded me for that too. I now could not have dessert for two weeks. I didn't think it was too bad before, but I was seriously starting to have cravings and it was horrible; especially when it woke me in the middle of the night.

I laid down on my bed after I brushed my teeth to try to rest. I pulled out one of my books and tried to read, but I kept day dreaming about Dr. Cullen. He really felt like a father figure, and strangely enough, I felt he cared about me; even though he barely knew me and I him.

"Push it out of your mind, Bella." I told myself, I could not fall into the same trap that gave me my little sprout.

"We don't need anyone, little one," I told my child while rubbing my stomach. "As long as I have you I am complete."

Suddenly a weird sensation came from my stomach; like butterfly wings fluttering softly against the skin.

"Are you kicking me, baby?" It happened again.

"I love you little one." When the baby kicked again, I got up—carefully or else I would get dizzy—to get the baby book.

Shopping one day after I found out about my pregnancy, I found this adorable mint green baby book—since I didn't know the gender yet. Seeing the book helped me get over my fears and insecurities. That was the day I fell in love with my baby, and his/her book will always be my reminder of that love.

I wrote down the date and time of when my baby first kicked me. I know it's suppose to get annoying in the future, but right now I'm glad that I know someone is listening to me.

After putting down the baby book, I decided to sneak out to the kitchen for a glass of milk and a cereal bar. I wanted to skip dinner to go to bed early so that I wouldn't be too tired for school tomorrow. The morning sickness already wears me out, but I am determined to finish school and go to college with a baby by my side. People would say that I am crazy, but I never want to teach my baby the words that I want to say to those people. I want him/her to see their mother be independent and strong; the way a woman should be.

I want to live up to those standards, but can a plain, broken girl like me compare to such a goddess?

"I will never give up the fight, little one. I will do what is right for both of us," I said rubbing my stomach while sitting on my bed with my light dinner in hand. "Mom, please keep me strong; and dad watch over us please I miss you both." I prayed.

That night I cried myself to sleep; either it was the hormones or I was scared that I would not be who I wanted to be.

"Please, mom and dad. Keep me strong, and look after us. We both love you."