Chapter 10

*thanks goes to my faithful beta juliet709 for helping!*

Bella sat in the cushioned seat perfectly nestled in the bay window overlooking the back yard. She was quietly humming a song to the baby when she heard a knock at her door.

"Come in."

Her door opened to Jasper holding a steaming mug. He walked over to her and held it out. She smiled when she smelled the hot chocolate with mini marshmallows covering the top.

"Thank you. This smells wonderful." Bella took the mug, blew on it and took a sip. She hummed at the sweet taste. "Delicious too."

"It's homemade. Passed down in my family for generations. Rosalie said you might like some."

"Thanks. I believe she likes it, too." Bella placed her hand on her belly and felt the baby kicking.

"So, how are you? Through all of this, I mean?" Jasper asked, putting one bare foot up and leaning on his knee.

Bella shrugged. "Don't know really. It hurts. Knowing that the person who promised to take care of me done me that way. I don't even have any of my own money. I thought I had some from my father, but all I got was his belongings and house."

"Why not?"

"Edward always said I wouldn't need my own money because he would take care of me. He made me sell my father's house. Saying we would have no need for it."

Jasper became upset. He pushed his emotions down to the pit of his stomach so Bella couldn't feel them protruding from him.

"Tell me about your family."

Bella smiled. "My dad was amazing. I was his only child. My mom decided to leave when I was four. She just left one night and never came back. I missed her of course, but after awhile, that become anger. Then I felt nothing at all. My dad was the one who taught me everything. He did have Sue who would come over and teach me all the girl things I would need to know. He was there for my first date, prom, everything. We would go fishing every weekend. When I was in college, he took off work to come up and we would have our weekends. He never wanted to give me away to Edward when we married. But he did. He only cared about my happiness."

"What happened to him?" Jasper asked quietly.

"He was on duty one night to a break-in. He was shot in the chest. The bullet went through but hit an artery on its way out. Doctors tried to save him." Bella had tears forming in her eyes. "I never got to say goodbye or that I loved him."

Jasper took the mug from Bella and pulled her into his chest. His dead heart broke for her. He stroked her hair as she cried on his chest. He held her until she was ready to finish telling him her story.

"My dad was my everything. I miss him. Everyday. He was my best friend. So much so, I want to name her after him. His name was Charlie Dean Lane swan. So her name will be the same, but instead of Dean, it will be Delane."

"I like that. Charlie Delane. I think he would have liked that, too."

Bella smiled. "Yeah. You and my dad would have gotten along great."

Jasper smiled. "I have an idea. Why don't we go downstairs and I'll cook for you? Anything you want. It's just me and you since Rose and Emmett are out doing last minute Christmas shopping."

Bella smiled. "That sounds great."

Jasper stood and helped Bella stand. She finally started showing a baby bump. Jasper couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked that way. His feelings for her were starting to grow more the longer she was there. It had him confused.

Once downstairs, Bella found chicken breast, broccoli, pasta and cream sauce. Jasper went to work at making Bella's meal. The two of them laughed at each other as they told stories from their past.

Bella hadn't felt this happy in a long time. Charlie was constantly on the move while she talked to Jasper. She wondered why her baby acted the way she did when it came to him. An hour later, Bella's mouth watered at the smell of the delicious food Jasper had made.

She greedily ate the baked chicken and broccoli in a cream sauce over pasta. She had never tasted anything like it before.

"It's official. You're now going to be my personal chef. This is so good. I am keeping you."

Jasper smiled. Those words went straight to him. All he wanted was for her to be happy. And if cooking for her did that, then that's all he would do.

The rest of the evening, Jasper and Bella watched old black and white movies and curled up on the couch. Emmett and Rosalie came in just as they finished their third movie. Bella had already fallen asleep. Rosalie smiled at the sight. She knew how her brother felt about Bella. And she could tell Bella was feeling more than friends towards Jasper.

"Bells! Beeellllaaaa!"

Bella smiled from under her comforter. It was Christmas. Emmett sounded like a five-year-old knocking on her door ready to open gifts. She threw back the covers, slipped into her slippers and opened the door.

"About time! Come on! It's Christmas! Time to open presents!" Emmett took her hand and gently pulled her downstairs. The man may have been big and rough, but when it came to a pregnant Bella, he was gentle as ever.

Once downstairs, Bella sat in her corner on the couch and propped herself up with pillows. Jasper came to sit beside her and he kissed her forehead as he sat. Emmett sat in the middle of the floor, legs crossed, waiting for his gift. Bella laughed at how adorably childish he was.

The four of them had a wonderful time opening gifts. Bella received a series of books from Rosalie, a new phone from Emmett and a beautiful amethyst and diamond necklace from Jasper.

"Oh, you three wait here." Bella got up and went to her room then came back with three gifts. "I got you each something with what bit of money I had."

"Bella, thank you. You didn't have to." Rosalie said taking her gift.

"I wanted to."

Emmett tore into his to find a complete guide of cheat codes and other secrets to his favorite video game. "Holy hell! This is awesome Bells!"

Rosalie opened hers to find a beautiful pink diamond antique necklace and earring set. "Oh, Bella, this is beautiful."

Jasper opened his to find an old book. It was a journal put together by soldiers of the civil war. "Wow, this is amazing. Where did you find this?"

"I found yours and Rosalie's at an old antique store downtown. I got Emmett's at the bookstore next to it. I saw them and knew it's what I had to get.'

"Thank you."

"Well, there is one more Christmas gift. It's from all of us. Come on." Rosalie took Bella's hand and led her back upstairs, the guys following. They stopped at the double doors next to Bella's room. Rosalie opened the doors and Bella gasped.

"It's a gift for you and Charlie." Jasper whispered to her.

They had made the room into a beautiful nursery. Complete with a crib, changing table, dressers, a rocker and a closet full of clothes. Bella had tears streaming down her face as she looked around the room. It was perfect. It was what she had wanted for her daughter. She turned around and hugged each one of them.

"Thank you, so much. It's perfect."

"We did this for you and baby girl because you both are family to us now. We each love you." Emmett said.

Bella couldn't help the overwhelming feeling of happiness that filled her. Her heart swelled for the three standing in front of her. She smiled even bigger when Charlie did flips in her stomach.

Something inside her told her she and Charlie would be just fine.

A/N: Soooo sorry it has taken so long! Beta was busy and so was I! Moving & getting my oldest ready for school! I do hope you can forgive me & yall enjoyed this chapter. Not sure the direction everything will go. But it's a work in progress. Next chapter is in the final stages and I'm hoping to have posted shortly!