HUZZAH! I LIVE!

I apologise profusely, my dearest ones, for not updating! I fell off a trampoline (or, as my friend says: off the ground, onto the ground). Basically I was swinging on the side about a metre off the ground and i slipped and killed my arm by landing on it. It was my left arm (and I am a lefty) so typing and writing was out of the question for a few days. It's not broken, (well, i think it is) only sprained. But it's nearly better now, so i've been typing this up slowly, and i finally got there! Rejoice!

Hope you enjoy it, and since it's VALENTINES DAY (i got no cards :'( ) i shall post a VERY VERY FLUFFY one (which is centered around christmas, soz) for next chapter! Then some other stuff will happen too, so it's not over yet!

Mind the Gap and The Road Ahead should be picking up update-wise because it's half term, i have no hw and i have much more free time on my hands! Yay for sleeping in and staying up late!

And a shout-out to my friend who is dying in Wales! We love you Sophie!

Read on, my brave warriors!

Bella's POV

"Oh Bella, I'm so sorry."

"It's ok, I forgive you." And I meant it. Everything he had said to me didn't seem to matter anymore...all that mattered now was me and him. I didn't care that I was supposed to be angry with him, and I didn't care that he probably would run straight back from whence he came once he heard my....news. All I cared about was the fact that he was here, and that I loved him.

"What? You do? Just like that?" Edward sounded confused, and his voice was rough and hoarse.

"I love you, Edward," was all I said, before moving one hand from around his neck and stroking his cheek, tapping my fingers across his cheekbone. He reached up and closed his fingers around mine, shutting his eyes and sighing as he kissed my palm chastely.

"I don't understand," he said, bringing the other hand to my face and stroking the skin above my ear, his green eyes trained on mine.

"What's not to understand?"

"How can you just forgive me? After all I've done to you...it's my fault you were here, all alone, crying like that! No one would ever be able to begin to fathom how much it hurt me to see you like that, Bella, and to know it was all my fault..." he trailed off, his lips pressed tightly together, his hand gripping mine like a lifeline.

I smiled gently at him, "Edward," I whispered, "I love you. That's all there is to it. I. Love. You."

His expression lightened just the tiniest bit; he looked a little less pained, "But I still don't understand what would ever posses you to just…forgive me…"

"Edward," I sighed again, trying to make him see, "You're being blinded by how angry you are at yourself…imagine if it was me who had 'done' what you did. Would you forgive me if I came back?"

"Yes," he answered immediately, "I wouldn't have to think twice."

"So you see: it's the same for me, Edward. I love you…so much, and nothing else matters. All that matters is you. I love you."

I was rewarded with one of his crooked smiles, which he had always reserved for me, "And I love you too, my Bella."

I bit my lip, looking away from his intense green gaze for the first time, "You do?" I said softly, needing him to say it, even though I believed him.

He leaned down, kissed my cheek, and whispered in my ear, "Of course, how could I love anyone else? You are my everything, Bella Swan. Don't ever doubt that."

He kissed my cheek again, and when I didn't resist (as if I ever would) he slowly leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me gently and only softly¸ aware – as I knew he was – of my emotional exhaustion. I'd been on such a rollercoaster ride lately, one that I was only just stumbling off, and it left me feeling a little tender.

If it was possible, I loved him even more for it. I kissed him back, just letting him lead, relaxing into my pillows. He did nothing more than hold me, one arm around my waist and his fingers rubbing soothing circles in my hair.

It was only for a short time; Edward pulled back, sighed gently, kissed me one more time then tugged the duvet back over us. "Sleep, my Bella. It's late."

I nodded, a mixture of dizzy and sleepy, and cuddled up to him, resting my head on his shoulder as he turned over and lay on his back, both his arms around my waist and his head settling on top of mine. "You won't go?" I said, feeling childishly selfish.

He chuckled, "Where would I go?"

"I don't know," I mumbled, "Antarctica?"

"Penguins. Lovely." His low laughs were the last thing I heard as I slowly drifted off, and his quiet whisper of, "I love you…"

"For always," I chanted back quietly, no doubt surprising him, then I was gone.

Next Morning

I woke up next morning, warm and comfortable, still enveloped in my dreams of Edward. As I slowly came back to consciousness Edward's face slowly disappeared from behind my eyelids, and I turned over, sighing, expecting another long, dreary day of doing nothing but mope.

It seemed I hadn't fully woken up, as I rolled straight into Edward, who was sleeping next to me, his lips twisted into a happy smile. "Eeep!" I squeaked as I moved back in surprise. The edge of the bed was closer than I thought, but Edward's arm was still draped around my waist, and he unconsciously tugged me back before wrapping his arms around me again and sighing in his sleep.

The memories of last night resurfaced in my sleep-clouded mind, and I stared up at him in wonder, hardly able to believe he was here. Yesterday I hadn't been surprised at all when he turned up next to me; I was just delighted to see him, but now I was fully awake and not sobbing my eyes out, I wanted answers.

Slowly I shifted myself upwards and kissed him, keeping my lips on his until I felt his arms tighten and his lips begin to move with mine. I smiled to myself; I knew that would wake him up. Edward was still so predictable sometimes.

"Good morning," he said quietly, his fingers tracing my jaw as he smiled at me.

I smiled back, "Hello."

We lay together for a while, Edward watching the ceiling while I watched him. His face was vaguely pensive, and I bit my lip, wondering which one of us would talk first.

Edward broke the silence, "So, how are you?"

I was confused, "I'm ok, I guess."

"Are you?" He caught my torn expression as I debated whether or not to just lie; "Bella, you know you can tell me anything."

"I know…"

"Ok," he said, sounding businesslike and firm; I was even more confused, "So how are you?" He looked down at my stomach carefully, put his hand lightly on it then looked back up at me with a meaningful expression.

I gasped, both hands over my mouth, "You know?!"

Edward looked solemn, "I know."

I stared at him, trying to work out what his serious expression meant, and I shook my head, trying hard not to cry again, my fears of Edward leaving me rising to the surface. I thought I had a little while before Edward found out about the…baby; I thought I had a little more time with him before he would run. Now I didn't know what I was going to do.

Edward pulled me into a tight hug, "It's ok, Bella, we'll be alright."

"How do you know?" I swallowed hard and watched him, both our smiles gone, "What am I going to do?"

"What are WE going to do, Bella?"

"We…?"

He nodded, his face determined, "I'm never leaving you again, Bella. We'll get through this together."

"We will?"

"We will. Whatever you decide, I'm with you."

Dare I tell him I'd already decided? "Edward…I'm going to keep it."

"Then we'll have it," he said without hesitating, "and I'll love it, Bella, just as much as I would if we'd meant this to happen." He smiled at me and I was flooded with love for him. He was so amazing.

I jumped up and kissed him, "I love you, Edward."

Edward chuckled, "And I love you, my Bella." He grinned brightly at me, before pulling me out of bed so I was off the ground and in his arms. "What do you say we go get some breakfast, and talk more about this later?"

"I could go for some breakfast, just let me down first. I can still walk alone, you know."

He put me down and laughed to himself, "Let's see how long that lasts."

I smacked him on the arm and took his hand, leading him down the stairs and into the kitchen. He looked around as we walked, his arm slowly winding back around my waist as he took in the bare living room, the lighter patches on the yellow wallpaper where the pictures used to hang. I looked at them too, sadly remembering the times Charlie and I had together…before he met Katie. I wondered idly if she had actually taken everything; I was going to have to check.

I sat down in a chair in the kitchen and swung my legs, wondering what I wanted. At the moment foods I used to like sometimes sent me running for the bathroom, whilst others I used to hate were all I wanted to eat. Edward laughed as he pulled up a chair beside me, "Can't decide what you want?"

"No…I want…eggs."

"Eggs it is then. But wait…scrambled or fried?" He really had me with that one, and I slumped back in my chair, throwing my arms in the air, exasperated with myself.

"I don't know which!"

"Shall I just choose then?"

"Please."

I grabbed some juice from the fridge and sat down, sipping slowly at it as Edward cooked for me. I was half way through my juice when I realised what I wanted, but before I could say anything Edward set a plate of fried eggs in front of me.

"Is that ok?" He raised an eyebrow and I laughed.

"Perfect."

Jasper's POV

"Give Alice my love," my mother kissed my cheek and ruffled my hair, "Tell her I'm sorry for having such a twit for a son."

I laughed, "I will, mom, thanks." I hugged her, "Love you, mom."

"Love you too, kiddo. Now get out of here before I have to make you walk all the way to New York."

"Ok, I'm going, I'm going, jeez."

"Call me if you and Alice need any advice! Oh, and when's the baby due?"

"I'll call you later, mom!" She laughed as I walked through the gate, both of us giving each other a final wave before she disappeared round the corner. I sighed then and dropped my arm, pushing it deep into my pocket and giving the overly-preppy air hostess a small smile as I walked onto the plane.

"I hope you have a nice flight!" she said – I didn't miss the emphasis on you. I nodded and walked as far as I could to the back of the plane; I could feel her eyes on me all the way. If Alice was here she would be claiming her territory right now, and by that I mean literally attaching herself to me and giving every other woman on the plane evil glares.

Not that I wouldn't be doing that to all the guys on the plane; Alice and I were both very protective of each other, and we'd scared off plenty of over-active admirers in our times together.

I found a window seat and sat down, hoping I would go unnoticed. I flipped open my phone and debated on whether I should call Alice, but I decided I would call Edward first…give him a heads up.

Ignoring the speed dial 1, which my fingers automatically reached for, I opened my contacts and called Edward. He answered on the seventh ring; I wondered what he was doing.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Edward, it's me."

I was braced for an immediate verbal beating but all Edward said was, "Oh. Hello, Jasper."

"Jasper?!" another voice squeaked in the background.

Edward whispered, "Shush, Bella, I'll tell you about it later."

"You're with Bella?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm with Bella." I could almost feel his smile through the phone, "We've…worked things out." Bella whispered something and he shushed her again, "I'll tell you in a minute, love. Anyway, what's happening? Why've you called?"

I took a deep breath, "I'm coming back to New York."

Both of them stifled a gasp, there was a little whispering then Edward said, "Good."

"What?!"

"I found your letter and carvings, Jasper. Firstly, I'd like to say thank you, so much, for what you did for me. It really helped me work things out, you know? And secondly, I gave both to Alice."

I stiffened in my seat, holding the phone even closer to my ear now, despite the disapproving glances I was getting, "What did she say?"

"Why do you think I'm not attempting to kill you right now, Jasper?"

"She liked it?"

"She loves you, Jazz."

"She does?"

"Bella and I are in Forks right now, Jasper, so we can't be of much help. I know you love Alice, so just…go. It worked for me."

"Thanks, Edward."

"I guess I should thank you too. Tell Alice Bella and I will be back soon."

The phone settled on a low, monotonous tone as Edward hung up, and I turned off my phone and stared out the window, wondering how long I had to work out what I was going to say.

Edward's POV

I snapped my phone shut, my mind still reeling...this had been an eventful day.

Bella had finished her eggs and was tapping her fingers on the table expectantly, waiting for me to say something, her beautiful head tilted and her brown eyes sparkling with humour. I tore my gaze away from the phone and smiled, "Jasper's going back."

Bella gasped, "But…I thought he left. I mean, I thought he'd gone for good."

I shuffled my chair closer to hers and put my arm around her, still ecstatic at having her next to me again; she leaned into me and rested her head on my shoulder. "He left a letter for Alice…I was coming to give it to her when I found out you'd gone."

Bella looked a little uncomfortable, "What did it say?"

"I don't know; I didn't read it. But he left her a carving too: that's what kept me from giving him a severe verbal beating when he called just now."

"A carving?"

"Of their future family."

Bella's mouth turned into a little round O, and she watched me carefully, "Future…family?"

I could tell she was wondering if that was the reason I came back, "It was beautiful: him with her and the baby…that's why I didn't kill him. Well, one of two reasons."

"What was the other reason?" she asked shyly, her brown eyes fixed on my face, one hand unconsciously rubbing her abdomen.

I pulled her onto my lap and played with her hair, "Because of this." I slowly brought out the carving of Bella and me, which was still in my pocket, and put it in her small hands. "Oh…" she breathed, tears glistening in her eyes as she ran her hands over the three children, much as I had done. I kissed her hair and looked at it too, smiling to myself. Our family was so beautiful.

"This…is us?"

"Yes."

She nodded, leaning against me, "It's us."

We sat together for an endless moment, Bella silent, lost in the inner workings of her mind. I watched her until I couldn't bear it any longer, "What are you thinking, love?"

She looked back at me, and she was smiling, "It's us!"

"I know…"

She shook her head, bringing the carving up between us, "It's so beautiful…"

"I know."

"This is why?"

"Mhmm," I took it from her and held it out, "I went to Jasper's workshop and this was there with Alice's and Rosalie and Emmett's…just sitting there, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. I saw it, love, and I just thought…I don't know what I thought...I just knew that I wanted it. I wanted her, and her, and him…all of us together." Bella was gazing at me now, blushing furiously whilst I tried to explain myself, "I realised why Alice wanted her baby, and why you ran when I shouted about not wanting children. It's not about when it happens…it's if that family will. And you were afraid that it never would."

She nodded reluctantly, and I chuckled at her embarrassment, "I understand, love. And it doesn't matter to me if it's happening now, because it's happening. I realised that about Alice, and the same applies to you…even if I do love that little baby in there a little more." I poked her stomach gently.

Bella gasped and hit my arm, "Edward, you can't say that!"

"You're glad I did." I smirked at her and she giggled, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Ok, I am so happy you did, but it doesn't make it any less mean!"

I kissed her nose, "Just speaking the truth…that's what I'm here for, isn't it."

"Mmm…that…and other things." I caught her cheeky grin; one that hadn't been present on her face the whole time I'd been here, and she pulled my head down to her level and kissed me.

Awh, now wasn't that just filled with joy!

Again, jasper will be back next chapter, a little, but the main JPOV is in two...then all shall be happy and this story shall move on to other areas! and emmett and rosalie will FINALLY get their engagement party! Though, it's not as if they weren't celebrating themselves...

Sorry for the delay again! Mind The Gap will be updated soon aussi!

TTFN folks!

Love, ATO xxxxx (and now i'm off to watch some avatar BYEEE!)