"The nature of bad news infects the teller."

Chapter 14 –Unexpected Announcement-

"What's wrong with you?" Jacob asked, glancing over at Renesmee. Her entire demeanor was extremely desolate. There was practically, no emotion in her at all.

"Nothing," Ness replied, staring out the passenger window of her Volvo. With Jacob's lead foot, the green scenery passed by to quickly for her to enjoy. Usually, Ness would scold Jacob for speeding but, they were nearly an hour late to Hannah's third birthday party. Renesmee said she'd meet him there, but he insisted she pick him up so they show up together. She accepted his offer to fill up her tank and figured it was him wasting his own money. Ness felt the pang of guilt for conceding him to spend his money so needlessly. They were having a child after all, and all money should be put into savings.

"You sure? You seem…" he paused searching for the word, "distant?"

"Tired," she muttered not rotating her head to meet his vision. And though, it was the truth, that was not the real reason for her sulking. Unthinkingly, Ness had been distant since she found out about her pregnancy. When Jake picked her up from her home, she didn't give him a hug the second she saw him or try to hold his hand as they walked to the car. For Jacob, this was out of the ordinary. In the last month, they've been closer than ever before, albeit there was no kissing, Jake felt like they were a couple.

"I started packing some of my things- " Jake started before instantly changing his thought, "Oh. Hey! Maybe if you apply to Oregon State early you'd get in for sure."

His face lit up as he spoke about his second year of college with her there. They made those plans the second he accepted his football scholarship to Oregon State. Jake kept going on and on about how they'd try to take some core classes together and maybe even rent a house or apartment together. Not wanting to disrupt his excitement, she responded earnestly with no real belief in what he said. "Sure Jake, we can do that."

Seeing the ends of his lips curled up pleased her, almost as much as it killed her. She knew none of what he suggested would happen, not if she was keeping this baby. Maybe I shouldn't tell him, let him go to college. When he graduates I'll tell him. I'll run away, that's it, I'll leave Washington.

Presently, her mind was considering the extremes, like running away or leaving to giving birth and return baby free just in time for Jake's return on Christmas contemplated the different scenarios that could come from telling him, not telling him, of having an abortion or giving it up for adoption. Each had its draw backs and some positive outcomes. She didn't think much about these options the night before. All she wondered was how Jacob would react.

Catching on to Nessie's somber attitude, Jake left one hand on the steering wheel, turned his vision from the road and asked, "Are sure nothing's wrong?"

"We'll talk about it later."

Nodding, he twisted the conversation to another subject, "What'd the doctor say?"

Clenching her fist, Ness tried not to snap at him but failed when she boisterously barked, "Jacob, I don't want to talk right now!"

Out of respect and confusion of her outburst, he stopped speaking and continued to drive over to Paul and Rachel's place.

Jacob opened the door to the once abandoned barn, hollering, "Knock, knock!"

The faded echoes of voices could be heard the second the couple stepped through the threshold. Ness gazed up at the giant gambrel home's exposed wooden beams in marvel. She did each time, astonished that Jacob, Paul and the rest of the La Push men renovated the old barn into a beautiful home.

The second Jacob's nephew, Paul Junior, caught his uncle's voice he flew to the front door and shouted, "Uncle Jakey!"

Ness ruffled the young boy's black hair as she passed by, greeting, "Hey Buddy."

The three year old looked up at her with his deep brown eyes and gave a grin like his father's. Making a bee line to the kitchen Nessie, really hoped he wouldn't turn out as jesting as Paul. The world could only handle one Paul Theil.

Jacob scooped his nephew up and the toddler hugged him as firmly as he could with his short, chubby arms.

Setting him down, Jacob pulled out a new, unwrapped Matchbox car." Here."

"Car!" he exclaimed, snatching it from Jake all while jumping up and down.

Jacob knelt down, whispering, "Shh shh."

" You're moms gonna kill me for buying you another toy," he grumbled under his breath. "Nessie picked it out just for you, do you like it?"

The boy furiously nodded.

"Good, now, where's Hannah?" he asked searching for the birthday girl.

Nessie walked into the kitchen area where most women have seemed to gather. The first thing she did was pick up a chip and dip it in a bowl of guacamole. Spotting the youngsters french braids, Ness squeezed at her sides, causing her to giggle. Hannah turned around smiling.

With the gift in hand, Ness knelt and wrapped her arms soon to be preschooler, saying, "Happy birthday, Hanny!"

After the hug, Hannah cocked her head saying, "You already told me that this morning."

Rachel observed with a grin, ordering, "Say thank you."

Ness laughed and witnessed Hannah's brown orbs light up when she spotted the giant orange bag with ringlets of yellow, pink and orange ribbon. She clenched her fists and convulsed in excitement, giggling, "Tank you aunt Nessie."

Ness chuckled, "Welcome."

"Ness, thanks for coming over this morning to help."

"No problem Rach." Looking down at Hannah, Ness redirected her attention from the present she handed over to Rachel, to something else. "Hannah how old are you today?"

"Three," she reacted holding two fingers up. Ness helped her flip the last finger up so all three fingers that should have been up, were.

Noticing Jacob walk up with Little Paul, she over exaggerated her comment, "Did you hear that Jacob? Hanny's three."

Spinning round, Hannah exclaimed, "Jakey!"

Running to him, she jumped up and Jake caught her declaring, "Happy Birthday, Hannah."

In a fit of jealousy, Paul Jr. tugged at Jacob's shirt saying, "I'm gonna be four on October."

Later on, while everyone gathered outside in the rarely seen sun, Jacob and Renesmee found themselves eating inside the home at the dining room table. A few people were sprinkled in the living room and many flew in and out of the home to grab more food or make small talk with Nessie and Jacob, but eventually they were alone with the exception of Paul Junior happily on Jacob's lap munching on food. Nessie picked at her plate as Jake helped Paul Junior put ketchup on his hot dog.

Kim, whom graduated last year, waddled her way to the countertop abundant of appetiziers and snacks, collecting second's for Jared. Ness observed the nineteen year olds round belly, aware that to have a child was Kim's choice, or so she was told. Stupid, she thought taking a bite of her pasta salad. It wasn't that she had anything against Kim, she merely thought Jared and Kim were idiots for being married so young with no stable income to support their child and no home to live in.

Unknown to Nessie, Jacob saw Kim too but didn't have such a grim view on her pregnancy. He only wished he was lucky enough, to wed and start a family with his soul mate at a young age, preferably, directly after he graduated college. With thoughts of soul mates and children, Jacob looked to the brunette at his side, unable to hide his smile.

Ness scraped some of the pasta that Paul was eyeing, onto his plate. Gleefully, Paul grinned and ate the slippery noodles with his fingers. Nessie grabbed his plastic fork and urged him to use it. Reluctantly, he began to but wanted to give up when the pasta slithered from the tines of the fork. With more encouragement, Ness cheered him on, praising his effort.

Her hair was pinned up in a messy side bun and the dark circles under her eyes seemed to stand out more than usual. Nonetheless, Jacob still thought she was beautiful and watching her be mothering toward Paul only caused his affections towards her to soar higher. However, he knew the sensible thing and to marry her now was reckless. Shaking his head, Jake verbalized, " I don't get why everyone's having kids so young. I mean Jared just turned twenty one."

Ness picked up Paul Junior's mess as he kept eating shrugging and countering, "Accidents happen."

Jacob picked Paul up from his lap and sat him in the nearest chair stating, "I think that's why they got married."

"Really?"

"Yeah but he did the right thing."

Pushing her plate away, Ness felt nauseated. Would Jacob try to marry her, only because it was the right thing to do? Wiping at Paul's face, Ness irately expressed her opinion, "Marrying some girl because he knocked her up, is stupid."

Ness found that it was dignified of Jared but plain idiotic. Mockingly, she said, " I'm sure that's the basis of any thriving marriage."

"I actually think they planned for it but if they didn't, it seemed to have worked out for Rachel and Paul and your parents."

"But my parents were in love."

"And you don't think Kim and Jared love each other?"

What could she say to that comment? Were her assumptions pure fallacy? Coiling her head to Kim and Jared's direction, she saw the couple on the couch speaking with other's but somehow still blissfully wrapped up in one another. What if they were meant to be the way my parents were? Ness pondered it, her parents did after all have a fifteen year marriage under their belt and Paul and Rachel seemed to be doing well.

Changing the subject she said, "Do you think we can leave a little early?"

"What for?"

She knew she had to tell him, but it wasn't the right time, not with people fluttering about and little ears listening in.

"We just need to spend some time together, away from everyone," she notified coolly, as if she only wanted to be free of the crowd.

"Kay," he agreed, " Let's wait until after presents."

"Presents?" Little Paul bellowed eagerly.

Proving her right, Nessie snickered at Little Paul's eavesdropping. "Not for you."

"Hello all," Emily Uley bellowed catching many people's attention.

Jacob grunted a hello as he chewed the masticated burger in his mouth.

As the kitchen became flourished with people greeting Emily and the baby in her arms, Ness said with a hint of surprise, " Emily? How are you?"

"With this kid, geez," Emily gave a playful frustrated grimace, " I've never felt so exhausted in all my life."

"Aww-haa," Ness gave a sympathetic chuckled, "Where's Sam?"

"He went around the side."

Rachel strolled in with Hannah and said hello to Emily and the baby. Poor Nessie's mind was running a million miles a minute, not only from the bad news she had to tell Jacob but she wasn't sure whether or not she liked Emily. She did after all steal away Leah's high school sweetheart. Because that, Jacob comforted Leah with his big heart by starting a relationship with her. Not only did that bother Ness but the sight of a baby made Ness nervous.

She felt as if she was walking across a rickety bridge and as soon as she fell through the planking, and hit the raged rocks at the bottom, she'd scream. If that baby got any closer to her, she was going to scream bloody murder. Ness swallowed the dry lump in her throat when Emily dropped into the chair directly beside her.

Jacob picked up all the trash from Paul, Ness and himself leaving Nessie alone with Emily, Kim and Rachel.

"She's so big." Ness smiled and posed as though, she really enjoyed the company of Emily and the baby.

"Wanna hold her?"

Ness lifted her hands waving them back and forth saying, "No, thanks."

Rachel tapped at Nessie's shoulder persuading for her to hold the bundle of joy. "Come on give Emily a break."

Hannah leaned onto Nessie's lap with her elbows as Ness replied, " I'm not good with babies."

"Aunty Ness I want to open presents," Hannah interrupted knocking on Ness's thigh with her palms.

"We have to wait until everyone's done eating."

"But-"

"No buts-" Ness playfully warned, draping an unfolded fresh napkin over the girls head. She knew it would distract her for a few minutes.

Kim chimed in, "You're good with kids, so you must be good with babies."

"No, that's okay."

"Oh, nonsense!" Emily voiced handing the baby over ,"Hold her."

Tensely, Renesmee accepted. "Alright?"

The baby was pacified by a pink binky and Ness saw what a beautiful thing a baby was. With miniature hands, a small button nose and little ears. Renesmee was awe struck at the snoozing babe. Slowly, Nessie's tense posture softened. What was this bizarre feeling she felt?

"She's, a little tiny human being," Ness stated, amused with her own veneration with the infant.

"That's what they call a baby, smart one."

Leering at Jacob's silly comment, Nessie retorted with a giggle, "Shut up Jacob."

"Is dat a ittle baby?" Hannah asked standing on her tippy toes to see the baby girl.

Jacob picked the girl up the birthday girl offering her a better view, and answered, "Yeah, do you like the baby?"

"I like the baby!"

"Shh, shh," Jake counseled stepping away from the babe-in arms.

Nessie's heart was brimming with mothering instinct. Could having baby be so horrible? All it'll do is sleep like baby, uh what's her name?

Ness turned to Emily requesting the baby's name. "What's her name?"

"Leah Autumn Uley."

Ness bit her lip, astounded at how serene she felt with a baby in her arms. Peering up at Jacob, he had Hannah on his hip, and he was making her giggle with the puckered kisses he repeatedly placed on her cheeks. Maybe, just maybe having a baby wouldn't be so bad. Jacob seemed to handle himself well, and with him as a father she'd have a gorgeous looking kid, that was a fact.

In her head, she'd give birth and go back to regular life. Ness knew her mother would help and if not she had Rosalie, who would devote her life to her child, since she was sterile. If she couldn't turn to Rosalie, she had Alice, Grandma Esme and Sue. Ness thought over how cute her child would be in their miniature outfits and shoes.

Hannah proceeded to open her presents and not for a second did Ness let go of Leah Autumn. She fed her and burped her and when she noticed it was nearly four she returned the baby to her mother. Wondering outside she searched for Jacob knowing it was time to tell him the unexpected announcement. She found him eating cake with Quil, Seth and Claire.

Ness drove Jacob down to first beach, where they spent the rest of the afternoon strolling along the coast. Renesmee attempted to tell Jacob but she brought up anything on her mind besides her pregnancy. They settled into the sand and watched the sunset where Ness nearly spilled the truth, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She thought the moment was to beautiful to ruin.

Shutting down the engine, Ness parked infront of Jacob's home.

Pulling the keys from the ignition, she fiddled with them as she called, " Jacob?"

"Yeah?" he reciprocated.

" Uhm…Today was fun."

"Yeah it was."

Ness couldn't find the words, so she opened her mouth rambling on, "Do you ever wish you could just freeze one second in time or a period of time and put it into a box, and like jump into it and stay there forever. I do right now. In fact, I do every time I'm with you specifically the time after prom up until yesterday. I wish it could have stayed like that forever."

"Up until yesterday? What's so bad about today?"

"I-uh," she fumbled, " Oh forget it, I'll see you later."

"No, what were you gonna say?"

"Uhm- Will you promise not to get angry?"

"Well it depends on what you're telling me. What is it?"

He waited for her to articulate something, anything. Nessie apprehensively bit her lip, and by the look of it, Jacob recognized the expression. It was the same one she gave when she informed him about a new boyfriend.

"You have a new boyfriend, don't you?"

At once she defensively responded, "No."

Jacob began to worry when she buried her face into her hands. "Baby, tell me."

"Don't call me that!"

"You never complained before."

"Jacob. I'm, pregnant."

"Excuse me?"

"Did you not hear what I said? I thought I was pretty clear."

"I thought you? You had your period."

"I did, or I thought I did. I guess it's the implantation of the something to my uterine lining? Whatever the hell that means."

For a brief second, he swore she was joking, her angelic face was too calm. Renesmee's reaction isn't what you would expect from a seventeen year old mother to be. He was scared but couldn't help but smile. The woman of his dreams was pregnant with his child. The best part was she appeared alright with the fact that he was the father. It was completely curious, that she was eerily peaceful. Pressing himself further back into the seat he could see a slight smirk grace her face and plastered across his was a gigantic grin. She messing with me.

"You're lyin?"

Instantly, the light grin was swiped clean from her face. Her head snapped in his direction with a momentous expression, full of sorrow and mild bitterness. "Why would I lie about this?"

"You ain't messin with me?"

"Scouts honor," she promised holding up the three fingers between her pinky and thumb. What really made him a believer was the crease between her coffee eyebrows.

"You're not crying?" Jake questioned, "Or even appear to be upset."

"I'm scared if that's what you're asking."

"Wait, before we do anything I want proof."

"Proof?" she spat.

Jacob witnessed her slightly aggravated appearance fade to pure rage.

Literally, biting her tongue, Ness talked herself through this task. Stay calm. So instead of yelling at him she muttered under her breath, "Give me a few months and I'll give you proof."

"Let's go get a test."

The urge to punch him unexpectedly came to mind. Of all things to lie about, to joke about, it wouldn't be this. Renesmee knew, this would be a funny hoax if she told Claire or Embry but to mess with Jacob, the friend who took her virginity contraception free, was plain cruel.

Inhaling, than exhaling Ness rested the back of her head on the headrest, relaxing herself. Why did I feel the need to have sex with him? This could ruin my life, this could ruin his life. Maybe, I should go get an abortion?

The tears she knew would spill out, were held in by her tightly shut eyelids. And with her head tilted up, there was no way they'd escape. Jacob on the other hand, propped his head up and gazed out the window speechless. He fought very hard to not let Ness see him tear up. He was scared and disappointed. He worked so hard for his scholarship and suddenly it was taken away.

Steadily, Ness tugged at the necklace around her throat and effortlessly delivered with limited detail, what had happened at the doctor's office. It wasn't much, she came in informing Dr. that she was tired, had a nervous stomach, runny nose and headaches. When he asked if she had sexual intercourse recently, she froze with embarrassment. With a light nod, the doctor almost guaranteed she was pregnant, and after a simple urine test and examination the doc confirmed she was with child. In less than twenty minutes she was in and out of the medical building in twenty minutes.

Staring up at the Volvo's fabric ceiling, Ness enlightened Jacob, "I went to the doctor's yesterday. Remember? He said, 'You're not depressed or getting sick, you're pregnant."

"It'll give me a piece of mind if I see it for myself."

With a derisive laugh and a sneered lip she snarled, "You don't trust me."

"No, I do," he reassured her that, her statement was false, " It's just-"

Throwing her hand up, she uttered, "Never mind Jacob, forget about it. "

If he didn't want to take her word for it, so be it. She didn't' need him, she had her family. She could feel her heart sink, with the thought of Jake not helping or not crediting her words.

"Hold on…" he ordered grabbing her wrist as she went to place the keys in the ignition.

"Just get out of my car," she growled, pulling her hand back. Angrily, she rammed the key into the ignition.

Again, Jacob grabbed her wrist and took hold of her jaw with his countering hand, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

" I believe you."

Relief flooded her entire body. Releasing a sigh and a pried smirk, she placed her hand over his and lowered it from her chin. Squeezing his hand tight, she looked down at the taut hold he still had on her wrist. Once she pried his grasp loose, she took both his hands in hers, and deliberately kissed both his enormous palms.

There wasn't much she could think to say besides, "Thank you."

Reaching across the center console, Jacob consumed her by his well-developed arms. He really couldn't believe it, he didn't want to. Though, he wasn't ready to become a father, he welcomed it with the confidence that they'd end up together, as he's always wanted.

Finally, Ness did let a tear fall when he hugged her. She could feel the how muscular his arms were, and in his embrace she felt the support and love. He was going to help her.

When he brought his lips to her flush cheek, she stiffened and ended the hug. Tucking some hair behind her ear, she licked her lips and said, "Uhm, I have an appointment in two weeks if you want to go."

"Yeah, I'll go."

Nessie's messy do, bounced atop her head as she nodded looking straight out the windshield at the empty street.

Jacob examined Nessie's attitude with the whole ordeal. He couldn't figure out why she was so composed. Was it her ignorance and strong will that left her dry eyed? He wasn't sure, but this didn't seem to faze her, the least bit.

"Should we start dating, or?"

"Nothing should change between us."

Those words flew from her mouth to quickly, and to hear it stabbed Jacob in the heart. He countered, "But don't you think it's best the parents be together?"

"I think it's best the parents are civil with one another. We shouldn't change all our plans in life only cuz we're having a kid."

He wasn't sure where her mind was but she must have not grasped the concept. Rubbing his temple, he informed, "But here's the thing Ness, we are having a baby. Our plans have to change."

"No they don't," she promised with a serious scowl, "I'm not going to throw away all my dreams away cuz of this."

"I didn't say that."

Jacob saw her leg anxiously bounce. "Pretend," she started running her finger through her loose bangs, "pretend I'm not pregnant."

"I can't do that!" he said with a hint of anger.

One of her eyebrows rose when she said, "Outta sigh, outta mind?"

"It doesn't work that way with this Ness. By next month you'll be showing, or, or soon," he really wasn't sure but he assumed, " and it'll be in plain sight, you can't pretend it's not real or hide it."

Going wide eyed, Ness cried, "I can't go back to school like this."

"Why not?"

"I'm ashamed," she whined pressing her forehead against the stearing wheel. Both her hands gripped at ten and two as she moaned, "aww man."

"You're ashamed, for what?" Jake questioned rubbing her back, "Giving life or embracing your mistake?"

Raising her head from the wheel, she lifted one side of her lip. "It doesn't sound as bad when you put it that way."

Jacob reached for her hand and laced their fingers together. "It's not a bad thing Ness."

"But we weren't even a couple, we're not married."

"Neither were you're parents."

To convoluted with herself, Ness didn't hear what he said. She blurted, "I haven't graduated yet."

"You will…" he swore.

"Do you," Jake began. He paused rotating his body as much as the room in Nessie's car allowed him to face her directly. If she was so ashamed that they weren't a couple and that she was unwed he'd fix that.

"Do," he stuttered, locking his caramel eyes with hers. They stared at one another for a lengthy amount of time befre Jake swallowed hard and finished, "do you wanna get married?"

Ness didn't pull her hand away nor she didn't flinch at his proposal. She gripped his hand tighter, saying, "Not at seventeen, no."

He knew it was a long shot, but he tried. "Listen I love you," he declared bundling her in a tight hug, " I'll be whatever you need me to be."

"I need you to be a good dad to this baby. I need my best friend to help me through this."

PLacing his hand on her cheek, he smiled. "Those are both a given."

"Don't let me down, Jake."

"I won't, you know I'm always here for you."

"I know," she agreed bobbing her head up and down.

"Do your parents know?"

Freaking out she shouted, "My dad's gonna blow a flippin fuse."

"So they don't know yet?"

"I told my mom."

"How'd she take it?"

"Surprisingly, well. She's happy it's yours."

"So grandma Bella approves?" he teased.

"To my mom anything you do is fine by her, I think she's actually excited? This morning she was showing me all my old baby stuff."

"That's, good, I guess?"

"Not when I'm trying to sleep."

" I gotta tell my dad," he sighed. Nessie's eyes filled with fear but Jacob reassured, "Don't worry my dad'll be cool with this."

"Cool with this?" she sarcastically laughed, " You're joking?"

"You know my dad, he's laid back 'Make the best of it."

"Kay" she exhaled with consolation. Rolling her eyes she continued, "but what about my dad?"

"I can handle myself."

Nessie's eyebrows furrowed at his brutal conjection."You act like there's gonna be full out brawl or something?"

"Who knows?" he shrugged, " He's protective over you. It's why you've lived such a sheltered life."

Her tone was etched with defense."No I haven't."

"Ness your dad doesn't want you dating 'til you're thirty and he won't let you drink tap water."

She tried to justify her father's protective behavior by replying, "Him wanting me healthy is a crime?"

"No him treating you like you committed a crime is the problem."

"He's not that bad, plus you know why he is the way he is."

Chuckling to himself, Jacob said, "You wanted to sneak out and have a midnight snack, not me."

"Mhh-uhh" she disagreed while sneering, " don't blame me, you came and picked me up."

"I don't know why we thought we could get away with it."

"We could've if you met me down at the end of the road like I said but no you show up in my driveway so my parents can hear your bike being reeved up."

By now the two forgot about the aftermath of their promnight.

"I wasn't going to make you walk down the block in the middle of the night, you were only thirteen."

"I only lived here for three weeks and we were going to take off to the liquor store," Both their laughter faded with the rememberance of the pregnancy.

Ness looked over to Jacob, and went to start the car. "Anyways, I'll finish talking to you tomorrow?"

Jacob reached over and detached the keys from the ignition stating, "We have to tell my dad."

"Now?" she whined.

"Don't you think the sooner the better?"

"No."

"He'll be more pissed if we hide this from him."

"You're right, we better tell your dad since we're here."

Author's Note: I really hoped ya'll enjoyed this chapter, I tried to het it up to you asap. I think the quote speaks for itself. The news is the one affecting Nessie, she's got a million thoughts stirring about in her head. But so far, she still can't think clearly. She isn't fully grasping the entirety of this situation. Can you see that? Did I clarify that? Notice how good Jacob and Ness are with kids. I really wanted to add that so you the reader see what Ness and Jacob have already seen in one another.

Oh, if your read either Bound on my fictionpress or Last Sunrise/Gravity, in your review let me know and not only will I send you a preview for Chapter 15 of Fated but a preview to the other story you read. It's my way of apologizing for taking an eternity to update either of them.

Thanks to: Lettuce., tatiana talissa, pattyheartcake, sarah, Tashay789, X3MonochromeX3, nfanpepsi, dkgors, megatronsen1125, emma01, jemmac77, gh0stwriter, ScorpiusRoseLover and EfficientVixen.