Author's Notes: I know my chapters are tormentingly short, hence for the daily update, but the as the story gets more momentum, the chapters will be decent sized – just not as long as my previous stories. All questions you have – and they are good ones – will be answered, but in due time. Edward's history, Jasper's history, Bella's history, everything. I'm happy that people are a little curious.

Do Not Own Characters

Chapter Three: 7 Weeks I

"Did Esme say what the party was for?" It felt odd being out of the house on Thursday. I spent those days usually at home. It was the only day I had off my unofficial job and I usually took that time to sleep in and read tutorial books on Male pregnancies and parenting. In the last two months, my time revolved around this being's life and how I was going to squeeze him/her in my own. I was becoming fearful about how I was going to take care of an infant with a job that wasn't exactly real and so little money. The money I had saved over the years were diminishing without another partner to help take care of bills.

"No, but she's treating it as a big dinner." She kept her eyes on the road, carefully following the sharp turns up the mountain, "I'm thinking its a dinner for Edward. He called saying he was invited last night. It may be about the movie he was offered to compose for."

"What movie?"

Bella winked, "Stephen Spielberg." She squealed out a giggle.

I stared at her wide-eyed, "He must be really good."

"John Williams good." She turned the car off onto a gated drive-way, "Well, he did win an award last year. It was coming sooner or later, right?"

"I had no idea he was so successful." The more Bella spoke about him, the more interested I was becoming. If there was any reason why my interest was peaked, it had a lot to do with what I did see with the Cullen family. We pulled up to the wooden gate at the end of the drive-way.

"Oh, we have to beep the intercom for them to let us in." She pointed to a small panel on the tall wall closing in on the gate.

"I'll get it." before she could argue, I unbuckled, letting myself out. My foot crunched on pine twigs as I walked around the car to the panel. I pressed a round button with the bold label of "Call" and waited for a response. There was a loud click before I heard a male voice speaking to me from a speaker on the wall.

"Hello?" His voice was alluring even through the slight crackling through the transmission.

I stared at the speaker, not sure if I was supposed to speak into it, "Um, it's Jasper and Bella." I spoke loudly, hoping I could be heard.

I heard a faint chuckle before the male responded, "Jasper," He said my name so smoothly, I thought maybe for a minute we already knew each other, "Step back. I'm going to open the gate." I followed his orders, taking big steps towards the car. I was surprised to see the gates open inward. Why'd he tell me to step back? I got in the car and Bella inched us forward, taking in where she should park. I let out an audible gasp as I saw the massive Manor before me, big and white, mirroring that of the plantation houses back home. The front yard wasn't large, but the drive-way was expansive, arching around the yard, passing the front door where a train of other vehicles were. Bella parked behind a silver Volvo and we both got out. the front door was held open by Esme as she waited with open arms and light kisses to our cheek.

"Making an entrance, I see." Esme said in her soft voice, "I don't know whether to think that everyone else was too early or you two are fashionably late."

"So sorry, Esme." She apologized, "Mike was giving me trouble about carpooling pregnant." She rolled her eyes.

"Why isn't he here?" Esme scolded.

"Work, of course. I had to beg him to go, he was being stubborn about driving me."

Esme giggled, "Carlisle was the same way when I was pregnant with Edward." My ears perked up at the name, "Speaking of the devil, here he comes." I was expecting a young man to appear, but instead a gentleman around the age of Esme walked from down the hall, smiling graciously our way.

"Honey, our guests shouldn't stand on their feet so long." He said in a professional tone.

Esme shook her head, "See what I mean," She pecked his cheek affectionately, "Sweetie, this is Jasper Whitlock, the young man you were so intent on meeting." I found that an interesting thing for her to say, but I didn't question it, only taking Carlisle's hand as he extended it and mumbling a hello. I did catch, however, the pointed look he gave her. She waved him off with a laugh. I wasn't sure how to compose myself around him. He, in no way, seemed uptight or stiff. In fact, I felt a rather relaxing blanket of comfort from him, but these days, I was so on edge with men, I couldn't trust my natural instincts anymore.

"Jasper, why don't you join us in the family room," He offered, "Some of the ladies took to helping in the kitchen, if you'd like to join them."

I couldn't stomach the sight of food at the moment. Morning sickness was common with women during pregnancies and it was the same for me as well, only my reaction was to the vitamins and medication I was taking for the baby. My doses were to decrease after my second trimester.

"The family room is fine." I assured. Carlisle nodded and surprised me with a hand to the small of my back. Esme wasn't kidding about the coddling. I caught an exchanged look between the two women before smiles broke out on their faces.

"We'll be in the kitchen, sweetheart." Esme directed this to me, "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes." I watched as they made their way to the back of the house where a series of chattering voices, clattering plates and laughter was drifting from.

"Jasper, excuse me if I'm getting too personal," Carlisle started as we made a sharp right to the an open room with two very expensive looking sofas and a crackling fireplace. I was a bit intimidated by the look of the room. It was a model example of upper class living, yet I felt myself easing in the atmosphere, "You're undergoing nausea at this state of the pregnancy?"

"Yes." I answered, unsure where he was going with the question. he gestured for me to take a sit. I hesitated for a moment, before planting myself on the nearest sofa.

"From the medication?" He added. I watched as his face calculated something. He was piecing things together. Of what, I wasn't sure of.

"Yes." I repeated. I couldn't say I was uncomfortable, but I was haunted with an anxiety, seeing his face set in concentrated concern.

"Okay." He nodded, "I'm sorry if I'm making you feel uneasy. I'm a doctor and I'm completely taken with the quick pace science has been moving the last decade. Unfortunately, because of my title, I'm not able to participate in some of the biggest progressions in male pregnancies. I want to know if you're put at any inconvenience." He said the last words slowly.

"I-I'm fine." I wasn't, but if it made him better to hear it, I wouldn't mind lying.

"Dad," Our conversation was cut short by a voice I was sure I heard before, "Mom needs help, sorting out the tables out back." My eyes followed the voice and fell on a rather beautiful looking young man, with soft green eyes like his mother and the stance of a professional like his father, yet he looked so different from them. His air shone a light auborn color, and his lips formed into a red heart, seperating only so a pink tongue ran along his bottom lip. I held my breath, not sure what to do, look away, pretend I didn't notice him or perhaps say hi.

"Ah," Carlisle said with a knowing sigh, "I'll get out there, before any of the ladies consider lifting anything in their condition." He casted his eyes to me, "Will you be alright here Jasper."

Before I could answer, Edward spoke first, "I'll keep him company." I gawked in his direction, clearly not able to digest what he just said. If his father knew that I was carrying, then he must know too, right? Alice was his sister and I'm sure he heard it at some point. Carlisle seemed comfortable with that and excused himself from the room. Edward, with ease radiating off of him, began speaking to me, "In all honesty, my mother was a bit concerned that my father would start examining you like a patient. She sent me in here to let you off the hook."

"He wasn't..." I stammered, not clear what I should say. I wasn't scared of his father or anything, just concerned on how he viewed my situation, "I just didn't know if he was comfortable." I finished lamely. Edward examined me with the same concern his father had and I suddenly felt like a child. Did I look fragile and unmasculine to them. Did I look weak? I bit back an excuse to get up and leave the room. Men jarred me too much, too often.

"On you being pregnant?" Edward asked, "Or gay?" He said the words with so much nonchalance, I didn't know what to think. He was comfortable with it?

"Both?"

He nodded at my answer and in slow strides, came over to the sofa I was seated in and planted himself a safe distance away from me, "My dad just expressed concern for your well-being. If there is anything he thinks bitterly about your situation, it's how the A.I.S treats those willing to undergo the tedious examinations and tests to get this done."

I bit my lips, looking away, "Oh."

"And his views on your orientation. Well," I looked up just in time to see a smirk cross his face, "I came out twice to my parents. First to say that I was dating this completely beautiful Quarterback for USC and second, admitting I had no desires to become a doctor, but rather a musician. I went on for the longest time thinking he was angry about my boyfriend, but I came to learn that he was completely hurt that I wasn't following in his footsteps."

I took in his words, feeling my heart hammer in my chest. he didn't just say he was...? Is this what Bella meant as a disaster date? She found out he was into men? This beautiful, successful man that I heard nothing but good things about? He sat so relaxed beside me, sitting up only to catch the look that must have been clear on my face; shock.

"Wait a minute," he chuckled, raising a hand as if to stop something, "No one told you I was gay?"

AN: The identity of the absent father will be revealed next chapter. Stay tuned. And tell me what you think of this chapter!