A/N: I want to inform people that I haven't updated for awhile because of exams. They're kinda important.

"Mom?"

I crack my eyes open and roll to the left. Abby is staring at me with curious eyes. It's been a week since the wedding and she's about three or four now. I've lost count. Speaking of the wedding, it went well once I'd got Jacob out. Bella and Edward rode into the sunset and the guests were told to leave. The x-men and werewolves were first to depart while the vampires stayed on. They left by morning though. Alice's room is mine and Abby's to use while Edward's room is being converted for our future use. Edward and Bella are getting their own cottage a little away from the house.

"What's up?" I ask.

Abby scrunches up her nose and I know it's one of those questions I don't like answering. I try not to tense because I don't want her to feel guilty.

"Do I have a dad?"

"Of course you do."

"Where is he?"

If that isn't the million dollar question. I close my eyes and stop myself from crying. But the question has finally come and now I have no better answer than to cry. Because in all honesty I miss James but let's face facts. The man is a bastard and he likes people blood.

"Mom?"

"I don't know baby."

"But everyone needs a dad, right?"

Emmet has got to stop letting her watch so much TV. Even cartoons aren't safe anymore. How's it's even possible for a sponge to have parent's, let alone wear pants, is beyond me? Okay, tactics. It's all about how to reassure your child.

"Well, tell me what a father does?"

"He reads you stories, plays with you, protects you, holds you when your scared and keeps your secrets." she replies.

I nod and smile.

"Well Carlisle reads you a bedtime story every night, right?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"Emmett are always willing to play with you, Logan will always protect you, Jasper is always there for a cuddle when you're scared and Edward knows all your secrets but keeps them to himself. You know why?"

She bites her lip and smiles.

"Because they love me?"

"Exactly. So your real dad isn't here but your not missing out on anything. You're actually getting more."

"But I'll meet him one day?" she asks.

"Maybe, I can't promise anything."

She nodded and then climbed out of bed. I rolled over and lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. The door opened and Rosalie walked in and scooped Abby up.

"I was wondering when you two were getting up."

"Morning Auntie Rose."

"Morning Anna, Alice is waiting in my room with your outfit for the day."

I lift my head and watch as Rosalie puts down Abby and she ran out the room. It was weird because usually Rose dressed her. I realised that she'd heard our conversation. I sat up just as she sat on the edge of my bed. She offered a smile that assumed to be friendly and I smiled back.

"So…" she started.

"I don't know if I'm right or wrong, I feel bad keeping her from her own father but he's a monster."

"My father was useless." scoffs Rosalie.

"Join the club."

"But Carlisle, as a father he's amazing. So you were right about what you said. Abby has more than enough guys in her life to fill the need for her dad."

"I know but that still doesn't solve the main problem."

"Which is?"

"I love him."

Rosalie sighed and I shrugged. Standing up, I headed into Alice's bathroom and decided to get ready to face another day.

"I'll admit in a way she's cute."

I frown and look at Jacob. Baby steps, really small baby steps. It's afternoon and after lazing around most of the morning, I've decided Abby needs to hunt. So Logan offered and that's been going okay. Of course what was really weird was when Seth and Jacob turned up. Seth is helping Abby and Logan hunt while Jacob has graced me with his presence. He is the most whiny person I have ever encountered. Though dear god he is one lovely piece of eye candy. But back to the main point.

"I'm actually considering killing you for that remark. Abby is beyond cute." I say.

"You have to say that, you're her mother." he mutters.

"In what way is she not cute?"

"The vampire way, her skin is too pale-"

"Bella's skin is pale." I point out.

He closes his mouth and frowns. I take the opportunity to win this argument.

"You can't say anything because you love Bella and let's face it, without being a vampire, she looks vampiric."

"Abby sparkles."

"That just adds to the adorableness. Besides it's a light sparkle. Like throwing glitter on your skin."

"Fine. She's cute."

I nod and look back to where Abby is. She and Seth are up in a tree while Logan is crouched underneath. All eyes are on the herd of deer in the distance. I nearly jump a mile when my butt vibrates. Only one person who'd bother to call me. I reach into my back pocket and grip my cell while keeping my voice even.

"Jakey, be a dear and help out."

"Fine." he sighs.

He takes off at a run and I wait until he's closer to them and further from me before I answer.

"Took you long enough."

"Marie! I'm so sorry I haven't called, it's wonderful here, like a personal island. Which it actually is. We've gone snorkelling and I swam with dolphins-"

"Stop delaying the inevitable. I know you're pregnant."

"I could be calling to fill you in."

I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever Bella. We both know that you are never that perky and, how shall I put it, Kitty Pryde like. So how far along?"

"Two days."

"You've been gone seven."

"Not everyone is as highly fertile as you."

"He held out on you, didn't he?"

"Well…"

I smirked and look at Logan. I pointed left to tell him I was going for a walk and he nodded. No use having eavesdroppers. I waited until I couldn't see them before speaking.

"Spill all."

"We did it on the wedding night, you were right it's amazing, but come morning it went wrong."

"Do tell."

"Well, he left some bruises and Edward being Edward-"

"Felt guilty." I finished.

"Don't say it like that. Anyway, after a few days of nothing, he finally gave in. And now I'm pregnant."

I sigh and shake my head. Like I believe he suddenly decided to have sex again. The man is painfully moral. Emphasis on painfully.

"Bella, your powers of seduction are the weakest I've ever come across. What really made him have sex again?"

"I woke up crying and he used it to comfort me."

I blinked and rearranged my thoughts. Don't laugh, don't laugh. Cover mouthpiece if your going to snigger. Don't…Don't…Oh screw it. It was fucking hilarious.

"Oh Bella, you are too much."

"Hey!"

"Sorry Bells, I take back what I said. You're seduction tactics are amazing."

"I'm going to hit you when I get home."

"Yeah right. By the way, when are you getting home?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"That's one short honeymoon."

"I'm going to start growing soon."

"Well then I'll see you tommorow."

"Bye Marie."

"Ciao Bella."

There's a click as the connection ends and I shove my cell back into my pocket. I look around and realise I'm deeper into the forest. I think it's the other side. I walk on having never been to this part. I know there's houses here somewhere. Carlisle told me about them when I wanted to find somewhere to live. Of course now I live with them. But there's no sign of houses, just the mountains. And snow. And dead deer. And a scent which makes me stop suddenly.

"Marie?"

"James?" I whisper.

He's sitting in front of a tree ever so casually. The only reason that I don't run away is because of his eyes. They're pure topaz, a reflection of my new family and of hope. Which poses many questions, the most important being…

"What are you doing here?"

"Hunting." he states, gesturing at the dead deer in front of him.

"Obviously but why?"

"Why am I hunting?"

"No, why are you hunting animals?"

"For you. I want to be with you. I'd give up anything to be with you."

"I…I…"

"Marie, I need you."

"I can't be with you." I whisper.

"Why not? I've changed, haven't I? I don't drink human blood."

"But you still crave it. You don't have control."

"I could learn control."

"You've killed people!"

"So have many other vampires, vampires you live with!"

I flinch and look down as his voice has rises.

"You have a temper." I point out.

"And you don't? Why are you always finding excuses for us not to be together?"

"Because they are so easily found."

"All I'm asking for is a chance. Please. There must be a way."

There is. But I can't bring the word to my mouth. I can't voice it. But her name resounds in my head. Abby. Abby and her special gift. Like Jasper, Abby's gift will help him with control. Jasper still finds it hard around normal humans but in the house he never has to worry because of her. It could be that way for James too. So what's wrong with me then? There's only one thing I can do.

"I'll make you a deal. Come over tomorrow afternoon. We'll vote whether or not you'll join the Cullen's clan."

"What if I don't want to?"

"I won't accept you any other way." I mutter.

I finally look up my face set. He looks even more angry but his anger seems controlled. This is the way. It's the only way.

"Do we have a deal?" I ask.

"Yes."

A/N: A few more chapters. Now, review.