When Charlie caught wind of what had happened at the grocery store that day, Jasper's calming influence was the only thing preventing him from flying off the handle and making a stop by the Newton house on his rounds that night. Charlie was on the night shift; he had volunteered to cover for one of his colleages so that he could propose to his girlfriend on a romantic dinner for two. Bella had nodded bitterly when Charlie had shared the news. It seemed, as soon as she was single, that everyone was finding someone. Even Angela had a serious relationship now.

Regardless of the reason, Charlie was working tonight, which meant Bella would be spending the evening at the Cullen house with Alice and Jasper. She had argued that she would be fine, pregnant and a danger magnet or not, but truth be known, she had missed Alice and Jasper. She was glad to be spending some time with them.

So it was that night that Bella found herself to be partaking in what Alice gleefully deemed "Pregnant Bella Dress-Ups." Alice had specially ordered clothes online, made from soft fabrics and styled demurely. Bella had to admit, the clothes weren't half bad. Not one miniskirt or v-necked halter top in sight. Being pregnant definitely had its perks. She slipped a blue maternity dress on, eyeing the beautiful fabric. She smoothed a hand over her hip, smiling. She liked this dress.

"I love this one, Alice. It's beautiful." Bella complimented Alice's choice. Alice simply smiled.

"You should know by now, it's my calling. I'm glad you like it."

***

The rest of the holidays passed without incident and before Bella knew it, the first day of school had rolled around. She was insanely nervous; her pregnancy was now obvious even in her loosest clothing. She worried about what people would say. Alice had been 'keeping an eye out' for possible complications, for which Bella was grateful.

She deliberated on what to wear that day, finally deciding to wear a powder blue sweater and some dark washed jeans. It didn't really matter what she wore, she looked pregnant anyway. Pinching the bridge of her nose stressfully, she gathered her clothes and her toiletry bag, heading to the bathroom to get ready for what was sure to be a long day.

It wasn't long before Alice's BMW pulled into the driveway. Bella said a quick goodbye to Charlie, and, steeling herself, left the house. The ride to the school was mostly silent, owing to her nervous mood. Jasper was a great help, sending feelings of calmness and confidence in waves towards her. She felt immense gratitude towards him in that moment.

Her nerves spiked once again as they pulled into the school's parking lot

As she clambered awkwardly from Alice's BMW using the frame of the car to heave herself upwards, Bella found herself searching the parking lot, eyes trailing from left to right. Though she knew she would not see the silver volvo, she could not help but look. Stifling her disappointment, she self consciously tugged at the powder blue sweater she wore. It was time to come clean to the population of Forks High School, whether she was ready for it or not.

"Ready?" Alice questioned, gently resting her hand on Bella's lower back, ushering her towards the school. Jasper followed on Bella's other side, giving Bella a sense of protection as they flanked her.

"Not really," she took a deep breath, "but I don't really have a choice. Let's just get today over with."

"Don't worry, we organised our schedules so that either myself or Jasper is with you for every class. You won't be alone."

"Thank you. I don't think I could do this if the two of you weren't here." Bella said.

"You're completely welcome, Bella. You're like a sister to the both of us. We wouldn't be anywhere else."

Though she was met with many stares and muted comments that day, Bella coped. She had the back up and support of her family. The siblings she had always wanted; the older brother to protect her, the sister to share her feelings and worries with. When the last bell of the day finally rolled around, signifying the end of the day, it was with relief that Bella headed to the car park with Jasper, to meet Alice. Spotting the BMW, they walked towards it. Bella immediately stopped in her tracks. Parked next to Alice's car, a silver volvo. She recognised that license plate. What was he doing here?! Had somebody told him?

"Jasper!" Bella exclaimed, panicked. She couldn't let Edward see her like this, she couldn't see him, period. There was no way she was ready for that.

"What is he doing here?" He said quietly, followed by a louder, "Are you okay, Bella?" Her heart rate was climbing erratically. Not even the calming waves Jasper directed at her could help. She needed to leave, right now.

"If he asks about me, tell him I've gone to Jacksonville or something..I-I can't do this right now." Looking around frantically, she searched for a means of escape from the situation.

"It's no good, he would already know you're here. Your smell is quite distinctive to the normal vampire, and it sings to him. What I'll do is go find him, and I'll tell him that you've already gone home. I'll persuade him to drive me home, and Alice can come and drive you to Port Angeles for a few hours. Go shopping, see a movie. I'll find out why he's here. I can't believe Alice didn't see this coming.." Bella nodded in agreeance. A plan now formed, Jasper took a deep breath, locating Edward from his scent.

"He's coming this way, from inside the building. He'll be in hearing range in a few seconds." Jasper estimated. Nodding, Bella took her leave, walking quickly to the car where Alice was now waving her over.

"I'm so sorry I didn't see this coming, Bella. I was so focused on worrying about the school day that my mind was so closed off from everything else." She apologised the moment Bella was in the car.

"It's okay, Alice. Can we just get out of here?" She said hurriedly. Alice pulled out of the parking space, pealing out of the parking lot within seconds. It could have been her imagination, but Bella swore that, as they sped away from the school, she saw a bronze haired man watching them.

***

"What's he planning Alice? Why is he here?" They were on the highway to Seattle; Alice had foreseen Edward following them to Port Angeles, having read Jasper's mind before his mental shields were intact. From what Alice could deduce, though, Edward had only been able to discern that one piece of information from Jasper's mind. He had no knowledge of her pregnancy.

"I think Carlisle accidentally let it slip that Jasper and I were living in Forks again. He guessed that there was something wrong with you, and he's here to investigate. As long as we stay on this track, we have some time."

"How long?"

"About six hours if we stay in Seattle. Eight, if we loop back around to Forks." It was then, that Bella decided to call Charlie and tell him that she would be home later that night.

They only stayed in Seattle long enough for Bella to eat, use the bathroom and buy a pregnancy pillow. It was unbelievably uncomfortable and painful for her back, being seated in the same position for so long.

***Back in Forks***

"What are you doing here, Edward?" Jasper questioned as they drove to Port Angeles. Jasper could only hope that Alice had foreseen his mental slip, and changed her plans accordingly. Bella couldn't handle this stress right now. It was bad for her and the-. He stopped himself before he could think the word. It would do no good to let something else slip. And it was most definitely not his secret to reveal.

"I could ask you the same question, Jasper. You and Alice, you both lied to me. What is it that you're keeping from me?" Edward fumed.

"Nothing that I can reveal. I can tell you that Bella doesn't want to see you yet. You virtually abandoned her, telling her that you had better things to be getting along with. Your 'distractions'."

"I suppose I do deserve that. She couldn't have honestly believed that?"

Jasper simply shot him a look.

"No...she couldn't believe I stopped loving her so easily?"

"Edward, she could hardly believe that you loved her in the first place."