Author's Notes: I wrote a few chapters ahead, so I decided to throw this one out early, so readers can become more comfortable with the story. I will eventually go into the science of how Jasper became pregnant and what he has to go through physically – which is different from women, obviously- and how active such a proccess is. I honestly don't see this as a "mpreg" storty, considering how different it might be from most, but it does have a pregnant male...so...

Jasper's ex, although important to his current state, won't be seen until way later in the story and no, Edward isn't the ex and there will not be any "marriage" triangles. It's strictly a JasperxEdward story, although there will be another couple. And I'll leave that as a surprise.

Do Not Own Characters.

Chapter Two: 6 Weeks

Expecting class was becoming my second home. In just the three hours I shared with the 5 women, I felt a connection that I wasn't sure I'd ever feel even with a man in life. I looked forward to the next Wednesday and every week I wasn't disappointed. By the third week there, we had already set-up a few outside gatherings. Tanya, a first time mother was being blessed with a baby shower by the girls and Esme had plans of throwing a special party, but she was unclear as to what it was for. I got to hear a bit about their life and how they were handling motherhood, all except a petite, small girl who I had come to know as Esme's daughter Alice. At first, I assumed she was in the early stages of pregnancy, but after swapping a few stories, there was no hint of a husband, boyfriend or even a child. Eventually, she came out stating she was attending the meeting for moral support for the blonde woman who always sat beside her. She was a tall, beautiful blonde with an hourglass figure, yet I could already see the works of motherhood showing on her body. She spoke with a forced politeness, but it was clear she didn't want to be there and the only reason was the pixie-like brunette who carried herself with enough enthusiasm to make my head spin.

We had left the building that Wednesday to a clearer day than the days before. I was beginning to enjoy February in LA - so rainy and cool. Bella stepped outside next to me, donning a shawl that reminded me too much of an older woman. She was stepping very comfortably in the mother role.

"I guess its not going to rain tonight." She said lightly, juggling a set of keys in her hands.

"I was hoping it was going to." I commented, staring up at the grey sky, "At home, rain looks great, especially when I'm overlooking the valley."

"Where do you live?"

I sighed, "El Segundo." It was a perfect place to raise kids. That was the reason why we moved there.

"Oh," Bella smiled smally, "Esme's son lives there too."

I was pleasantly surprised, "I thought Alice was her only child." I smiled, thinking about a male version of the little pixie, "How does Esme function?"

Bella laughed and shook her head, "Edward's nothing like Alice - the opposite perhaps. He keeps more to himself and gives people space."

"You know so much about him." I didn't mean for the comment to come out as it did, but she didn't seem to mind.

"Of course. He's my best friend." And with that, it all clicked. The reason she came to these meetings, her sureness about Esme helping me my first day there. She was closer to these people than she let off.

"Is that how you met his mother?"

"Well, I knew his mother before she did any Expecting Care. She was my marriage counselor."

"Really?" I never would have imagined Bella needing counseling, "But you and your husband...."

"Oh no, no!" She waved her hand frantically, chuckling, "My first husband."

I felt my eyes bug. Bella didn't look any older than 25. how could she have been married twice, "I wouldn't have ever thought..."

"I know, I know." She sighed, "I got married at a very young age, right after high school actually. And by 21, we were having big problems. I met Esme after a debauchal and we have been close ever since."

"How did you meet her son?"

She laughed, "A few months after my divorce, I was discussing with Esme how I was looking to date again and she set up a date with me and Edward." She shook her head, "It ended horribly, but we became friends from there." Her cheeks puffed out before she loudly blew out air from her lips, "Whoa, a flashback through times. I forget that version of me, you know? It's like another world now with me and Mike." I couldn't help feeling a bit giddy. This was the first time she said her husband's name. She always referred to him, but shared very little, even in the meetings.

"I didn't mean to push about anything. I was just curious."

"Don't worry about it, Jasper." She waved a hand, "It feels good knowing I can talk about this." Her head suddenly snapped up and she was pressing her fingers onto my forearm, "Hey, do you want to get dinner? Mike is hosting poker game at home, so I figured I'd go to the cafe a few blocks from here. You can join me if you want." Her eyes searched mine in earnest and I couldn't deny the invitation. It was uplifting, fitting in so easily with Bella and it felt even better knowing that she wanted my company.

We each took our cars to the Shore Cafe, which was just a block or two from the beach, not far from my apartment. Once there, we found a comfortable spot in the back, ordering two caesar salads and lemon water. We talked over our food in the small, crowded restaurant. Bella better elaborated on her relationship with Esme and the family. They were originally from Seattle where Esme's husband had a successful carrer as a doctor, but eventually Esme was offered a project in LA helping victimized children of gangwars. It was something she was so serious about, taking trips out to California, staying for weeks before coming back home. Eventually Esme's husband surprised her with a transfer to a hospital in Hollywood, uprooting the family to Southern California. Bella went over how easily the family fit in, the son Edward took a liking to music and Alice became fascinated with fashion and Hollywood entertainment.

Bella rested her fork on an empty plate, "Now Edward does the score for that show Stolen Lives and occasionally for a rew era movies."

I gaped at her, "Stolen Lives?" I knew the show all too well, "I was obsessed with that show when I lived in Montgomery." It had to be in its sixth or seventh season if I was 23 and it was still airing.

"You're from Alabama?" Bella asked, "I thought I heard that twang." She teased.

"I thought I got rid of it." I sighed. I really didn't like being associated with my home anymore than I'm sure Bella liked being associated with her first husband.

"Do your parents still live there?" She asked, taking a quick sip from her water.

"I wouldn't know." I tried my best to shrug the topic off.

She frowned, "You don't speak to them?"

"No."

There was a moment of silence. I was fearful that I might have scared her off from talking. I wanted to talk, it was what I needed most these last weeks, but not about my parents and not about him. She surprised me when her fork clattered against the plate, "Edward was like that too."

I frowned, not getting what she meant, "What?" I thought that maybe I hadn't heard her correctly.

"After the whole date disaster we began talking. He didn't really speak much to his parents and he was extremely annoyed with Alice. It was hard bringing up Esme even when I innocently spoke about appointments I had with her. He was so bitter and I never understood why."

"Did you eventually find out?"

"Yeah, I did." She shrugged, "But that doesn't matter. What matters Jasper is that you're going to be a father yourself. And no matter what you may think your parents believe or how they treated you, you must come to terms with who you are and what they may have done to you. Don't pass this on to your child." I stared back at her, unsure what to say for the moment.

"Esme really must rub off on you." I commented.

She snorted, then in shock slapped her face, "Well," She blushed, still getting over her physical response, "I learned a lot of things about family from the Cullens more so than my own family."

I silently took her words to heart. I left home at the age of 17, with little money and no support because I was scared. It wasn't until 18 that I had finally contacted home, but by then, they had already known what I was. I couldn't stomach the rejection, so I completely ceased contact. I thought about Edward and what may have went through his mind when he isolated himself from his family. Did they eventually work through their differences? I was curious to know. Through time and relationship building, would I have the chance to ask Esme - or perhaps Edward?

AN: How is it coming out so far for you? Bad, good? Let me know. There's still time for me to work on the bulk of the story if I get any input now.