I nodded at Billy and Charlie then I helped Bella out of the house. Once in the car she began to ask questions.
"What did Alice say to you," Bella asked.
"She said that Esme was not going to be able to keep Emmett off of Jacob. And that she keeps getting small visions but nothing that makes complete sense. Whatever one of them is, Alice needs to go talk to Carlisle. The other two are about Victoria and the Volturi," I answered.
"Ah, my two least favorite subjects. When are you going to speed up?"
"Once we get past the Line, which will not be soon enough. You cannot imagine how much hate these people have for my kind. I can hear every ghastly thought that is racing through their minds."
"I can't believe you even crossed it."
"For you, I would do anything."
"Even rat us out I noticed."
"Bella, I had to. Would you rather Charlie have heard that from Billy? It was obviously Jacob's intention for telling his father."
"No, I would rather we told him. But I can't believe you told him you couldn't get me pregnant because of an accident."
"Well, to be honest, it was sort of an accident, my becoming a vampire. At least to a degree. Carlisle knew what he was doing but I really had no clue. Still, there is a lingering degree of doubt in my mind whether I can or not."
"What do you mean? It's a little late to be having that doubt don't you think?"
"I don't know if there has ever been a situation like this before. I would have to ask Carlisle."
"Do you think we should use protection?"
"I think that my venom would destroy a prophylactic. What other means would you suggest? Abstinence?"
"No, no we are not going backwards. What about if I went on birth control pills?"
"You are not having this conversation after the fact are you," Alice yelled at me.
"Not now, Alice," I growled.
"Oh, Alice can hear us now," Bella asked.
"Yes, we are over the line. I should have been smarter about this. I was not thinking clearly as I was purely running on emotion. I cannot seem to think straight when I am focusing on you, love. For that I am truly sorry."
"Don't be. I meant what I said. I will still marry you. Besides, this would be a happy side effect."
I felt sick. Was she seriously entertaining the idea of carrying the child of the undead? We had no idea if that were even possible. I was jumping ahead of myself. Bella might not even be pregnant.
"Edward, you didn't say anything. Would you not be happy?"
"Love, I would be ecstatic for you to carry my child, under normal circumstances. You have to see that we would not know what we would be having if you were to become pregnant. It is forbidden to create an immortal child."
"I don't care. If I were to get pregnant, we would have the baby. Do you understand me? No one knows what is going to happen and we will have to wait and see. We don't even know if I am. What is the likelihood of me getting pregnant the first time?"
"Do you really want to know the odds?"
"How about we won't worry about things until there is something to worry about? You're getting stressed over nothing. I just now got you to a point where you act like you were more relaxed. Please, for my sake, stop worrying."
"Fine, I will not worry for now. But can I at least talk to Carlisle about this and get his input? You know he will want you to have a pregnancy test before you start taking the pill?"
"Then that is what I will do. Stop freaking out. We have enough problems with the wolves without adding more to it."
Bella was right. By the time we got back to her house, everyone had gone to the clearing. Bella refused to stay in the house so I carried her with me. Alice saw us and took off right away. Somehow I knew what it was about.
"You know don't you," I said to Alice.
"I think I know. What if she is," Alice asked me.
"Bella told me to stop worrying about it. She won't give it up if she is."
"Does Bella know that it might kill her? The child could tear her apart."
"It does not matter to her. Bella wants this baby. Is she really pregnant?"
"Focus on the wolves, Edward. Let me check on the future."
I looked over at my family and saw the pack standing before us. All of them except Jacob wanted to go back to La Push so that they could be guarding the borders. They were tired of this and had already made up their minds.
"I see the coward has returned. Where have you been," Jacob asked.
"I had something to take care of. Jacob, the rest of your group is ready to go home. They all understand that Bella is not the one you are to imprint with. Bella is meant for me," I explained to him.
"Like hell she is," Jacob roared as he lunged for me.
The rest of my family got into a defensive mode and I half expected the pack to do the same but they stood there watching. They knew Jacob was making a fool of himself. I moved to the side and he landed hard on the ground between Rosalie and Esme.
"I would stay down, dog, if I were you," Rosalie warned.
Of course Jacob did not. He was angry at Rosalie for even trying to tell him what to do. Jacob kept hurling curses, threats, and images of what he would like to do to Bella in his mind. I was not amused but I was beyond letting this pup have the best of me.
"You can imagine Bella in those situations with you all you want. But they will always be nothing more than empty fantasy. It would be in your best interest to let this go," I explained.
"Jake man, come on. We have enough to worry about what with that other vampire patrolling the borders," Seth added.
"What," the six of us asked together.
"You never mentioned you were watching another of our kind," I roared at Jacob.
"You are all the same to me," Jacob answered.
"If it is the one that Alice has a glimpse of, she wants Bella, dead. Do you understand that? We will not have to worry about the Volturi because Victoria would finish the job. Did you not think you needed to mention it to Bella? She could have said something to Charlie. Is it a female," I asked hurriedly as Bella trembled at my side.
"I believe so. She has a different smell from the rest of you. Like the male we killed early on. She keeps weaving in and out of the line," Sam explained.
"What if we watched our side and we inform one another of her progress," Jasper asked.
"Is she that dangerous," Embry asked.
"I have been reading about hikers and people in the surrounding towns, and especially in Seattle missing. That's her isn't it," Quil added.
"I am afraid so," I answered.
"She's probably turning them to build an army. Nothing brings on the Volturi faster than a large angry coven," Emmett joked.
"I suggest we combine our patrols as Jasper suggested," I said to the wolves.
Jacob was livid. "I will never join with you!"
"Jake, you are being stupid. We need to do this. Our people need to know where this vampire is at all times. Think of Bella. If you don't do this, you'll not have to worry about them changing her. She'll already be dead. La Push needs us to protect them and we can't do it if we're dead. Let's drop this foolishness and go back to our patrols," Sam demanded.
"When did you see her last," Esme asked.
"Three nights ago," Sam answered.
"Jake, you need to let this go, now," Bella told him.
Jacob grew even angrier. He did not like being cornered and that was what he felt like. Jacob was so mad that he phased into a wolf and took off. The others just shook their heads.
"I am sure he will come around and if he doesn't, I can assure you that we will help keep track of this woman," Sam explained.
"Thank you, Sam. We appreciate any cooperation. We too will keep you informed of where she is and what she is up to on our side. I assume Bella knows how," I said.
"I think she has my number. I don't think calling Jake will do much good right now," Sam added.
"No, probably not. Thank you again for your help," I replied.
Sam nodded and turned to the others and they all left at once. We needed to get to the house as Alice would be there soon with Carlisle.
"Charlie knows Bella is going with us, so I have to drive my car back. I know we go faster when we run but if someone would rather ride with us, they are welcome to," I offered.
Jasper looked at me as if he had something to ask. "I'll go."
The others nodded and took off into the dark woods in front of us. I picked Bella up and we ran out of the clearing and back to her house. Then we got in the car and headed for home. The uneasiness was trying to take over. 'What if's' ran through my mind continuously. The road ahead could take two very different directions. I could change Bella because she wanted it or it would be because I had to. If Bella was pregnant, what could I expect as far as what kind of child would it be and would it kill its own mother? The thought of that made me feel emptier inside than I already was. That would be unbearable pain. Suddenly a wave of calm overcame me and I knew it had to be Jasper. I looked in the rearview at him.
"What's wrong, Edward? Does it have anything to do with why Alice left in such a hurry," Jasper asked.
I glanced over at Bella who knew exactly what was on my mind. I was not sure why she was so calm about the whole thing.
"The unknown is bothering me, the wolves and other things. Trust me when I say you will probably be finding something out this very night."
"Tell him, Edward," Bella said. "It won't be a secret very long if I am."
"Oh," was all Jasper said.
"Oh is right," I answered.
"But how . . . I mean I know how in the normal sense but how now that you are not living. That does not make any sense," Jasper exclaimed.
"I know. I cannot understand it myself," I replied.
"Guys, we don't know for sure. It is merely us guessing since we were nowhere near careful. Or do you know something I don't," Bella asked.
The dread came followed by Jasper throwing calm at me. It was all very confusing. "Alice might have seen something."
"Oh God. Then I very well could be. Wow. Me a mother? I didn't even see that one coming but I am excited all the same," Bella said.
I felt anything but excited. What I felt was absolutely terrified. There could be a monster growing inside of Bella right now and it would possibly be ripping at her, tearing at her, even devouring her and Bella was excited about this demon within. Why? I should have been more careful. I should have known that I could spawn a child that belonged in hell. As I looked at Bella, I knew. She would die to give me a child, an abomination.
I pulled in front of the house and ran to help Bella out. Jasper followed as we walked into the house. Everyone was already in the living room including Alice and Carlisle. Carlisle looked at Bella and me. He turned his full attention to Bella.
"Bella, would you mind going upstairs with Alice? I think you are aware why," Carlisle said.
Bella nodded and took Alice's hand as they walked to the stairs. Bella stopped as she reached the steps and looked at me. I feebly nodded for her to go ahead. Carlisle looked at me.
"Might I have a word alone with you, Edward," Carlisle asked.
"With all due respect, if Alice's vision is correct they will know soon enough. I do not mind if we discuss this in front of them," I answered.
"Very well, Edward. You are aware that I do not know how this could happen. But if it has, it is possibly a huge problem. If the Volturi find this out, it could be a major dilemma."
The others looked at me and it was Rosalie that proceeded to become extremely excited.
"A baby? Oh, Edward this is wonderful news. I am so . . ." but I cut off her reverie.
"Wonderful news, Rosalie? You cannot be serious. If Bella is, none of us know what it will do to her or what kind of monster it will be," I screamed.
"Edward, shut up. Do you honestly want Bella to hear you say that," Alice warned.
I rolled my eyes. Someone had to see my side of the story as to why this was not the best thing. "Does none of you see that is a horrible situation?"
"Edward, you have to look at this from Bella's point of you because she is giving you the greatest gift ever. It is a symbol of her love for you," Esme said.
"I suppose."
"Edward, can you send Carlisle upstairs," Alice said to me.
"Carlisle, Alice wants you upstairs," I explained.
Carlisle left the room but patted me on the shoulder before he disappeared upstairs. Emmett sat with his mouth hanging open, Rosalie was all excited. She ran through all sorts of names and where the baby's room would be and to be able to care for our child. On and on she went until I had to purposely block her out. Jasper kept sending waves of calm over to me. Esme walked over and sat beside of me as I had sat on the couch.
"You know, this will not be as bad as what you think," Esme explained.
"I know I said I wanted to get married now, but I did not expect it because she was pregnant. This is very unexpected. I believe I am destined to do things that no other vampire has ever had to endure before."
"It seems like it," Emmett added.
"Edward, Carlisle needs you," Alice said.
I had not felt this helpless in my life, unless it was during the battle with James. I ascended the stairs, dragging my feet, and made my way to Carlisle's office. Bella sat on the exam table with Alice at her side and Carlisle was in his chair. I breathed a useless breath in before I entered the room.
"Have a seat, son," Carlisle instructed.
I did as was requested. Bella was unreadable as usual and Alice was singing show tunes in her head.
"Edward, Bella has taken numerous tests and I have done some blood work. The verdict is Bella is pregnant."
My face fell. Bella placed her hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes. "It is going to be okay. Now we can get married."
"Bella, I would have married you as soon as you wanted to anyway. But you have no idea what will happen to you when you have this baby. And I would be willing to bet that Carlisle has no idea how this happened to you," I rambled.
"No, I do not know but we need to talk about a few things. Edward, you need to calm down, son. Bella has already completely accepted this and wants the child. You have to be supportive. I know that this is a very scary situation and you need to accept the fact that Bella wants this child," Carlisle said.
"I don't want you to think that I do not want this child. It is Bella and mine but I am afraid of what will happen to her. What if she dies from having my child? Or what if something worse happens to her," I pleaded.
"Edward, let's deal with the first problem. Let Carlisle explain it to you," Bella said.
"Bella not only is pregnant but she appears to be that she will start showing soon," Carlisle explained.
"What," I asked.
"I am not 100% positive how this will work or how it happened, but the baby will be born in about a month. I was able to do a scan but as firm as her stomach is I am wondering if the fetus in building some type of cocoon around itself. I have no idea what the baby will do to you, Bella, but I can be here for your care. You have mine and Esme support."
"You have Jasper and mine. And I can see Rosalie and Emmett fully embracing the baby. There are things that are fuzzy but hopefully it will become clearer," Alice explained.
"Edward, I need you now more than I have ever needed you before. You have to be on board for this," Bella said.
"Love, I am here for you. But you have to know that I am very concerned that this child will kill you. Then I don't think I can live without you. You have to see that this could potentially be a bad idea. I love you with all my heart but I am a little scared."
"But you will be a father to our child?"
"Yes, Bella, I will be happy to be a father to our child. Just know that I have my reservations about this."
"As long as you will be with me through it all," Bella sighed.
I leaned over and kissed her forehead. I will be there even though it was killing me to not know what the future holds.
"There is more to discuss but I think we should include the others," Carlisle replied.
I helped Bella down from the table and she walked into the bathroom to change back into her clothes as she had been in a gown before. Alice walked to me and patted me on the shoulder.
"Cheer up, Edward. This may turn out better than you could have ever hoped for," Alice said.
"I hope your right, Alice. I truly do. I only wished that your visions were clearer."
"Well, you need to seriously be there and support her 100% whether you agree with this or not. This is a miracle, Edward. Can you see that?"
"I can but why did it have to be Bella? Why does she have to be the test subject?"
Bella walked out of the bathroom and I took her by the hand and led her down the stairs. Once the four of us were on the main floor, Carlisle cleared his throat.
"We need to have the family discussion. If we could all meet at the dining room table," Carlisle explained.
The family followed him at human speed into the other room. Bella and I sat beside of Carlisle and waited for the rest of them to sit down. Once they did, Carlisle rose to his feet.
"I know you probably know by now that Bella is indeed pregnant," Carlisle said as Rosalie squealed with delight. I thought it was odd coming from her and I had to suppress a groan.
Bella squeezed my hand. This was proving to be horribly difficult. But I had to listen to Alice; I had to be there for Bella.
"But her pregnancy is extremely accelerated. So much so that Bella will have the baby in about a month."
There were several gasp as all of them begin to suddenly realize the implications of being pregnant by a vampire. Their thoughts mimicked the looks upon their faces. Horror, despair, and yet there was still joy shining along with love. Love for Bella and I giving them something that none of them had ever had.
"How's that possible? Isn't Edward's junk like, I don't know, frozen or something," Emmett asked.
"I am not sure how it happened but it did and it has brought about another set of problems. Bella will begin to show soon and that would not be a bad in itself but she will begin to look more and more pregnant with each passing day. I have an idea that might work," Carlisle explained.
I looked at Alice who was smiling and I knew that whatever the plan was it must have worked. Otherwise she would have a ghastly lost expression.
"If Charlie were to find out it could be devastating on several levels. First that his 17 year old daughter is pregnant by her supposed 17 year old boyfriend thus rendering all his hopes and dream for her future void. Beyond that Charlie might decide to kill you."
"Chief Swan knows we have. He is why I started worrying about the possibility in the first place," I added.
"Yeah, it's a little late once you made the deposit, Eddie," Emmett joked. He knew how much I hated that name. I groaned.
"Let him be, Emmett," Esme scolded.
"Second seeing Bella go through pregnancy at such an accelerated level would have him questioning many things which would ultimately lead to Charlie discovering what we are and what his daughter is carrying. We do not know if Chief Swan would be as accepting of us as Bella."
"What is your plan, Carlisle," Jasper asked.
"I think we should fake Bella's death."
"What," I exclaimed.
"Don't you see, Edward? If we do this, Charlie loses his daughter but he never would find out about any of this, us, her, the baby," Alice explained.
I felt a wave of calm wash over me and I knew Jasper was the culprit. I did not feel like being at ease. None of this was making me feel at peace.
"If we had Alice drive Bella's truck and had Emmett drive another vehicle and say run into her head on in an area where the vehicle would careen off the edge of an embankment and into the water, it would be like her body washed away. We would have to make sure that there would be some way to make sure that would be the case, bust the windows out, and lose a door, swift water current. I can call Tanya and have her here to pick Bella up to take her to their home. Once the search and the funeral are over we can go meet her. Alice sees this working and I totally agree," Carlisle said.
"That makes sense," Jasper said.
"I can see it working. It'll be fun to crash into Alice," Emmett added.
"I can work it where I am sure that Bella's truck won't blow up," Rosalie explained.
"What do you think, Bella," Esme asked.
It was like my mother to be thinking of how Bella felt. I wondered myself since she had not said anything the whole time we had been talking.
"Well, I think it will work. Although I hate to lie to Charlie but if this is what I want, I have to make a sacrifice. I want to do this," Bella answered.
"Are you sure? You are giving up a lot," I said.
"But I am gaining so much more. As long as I have you, then I have everything."
I had long since stopped second guessing how Bella felt. I could see that she loved me as much as I loved her. Otherwise Bella would have not travelled all the way to Italy to save me. She was willing to sacrifice her mortal soul to embrace a life like ours. I needed to worship her because she was a Goddess among women.
"How soon should we do this," Jasper asked as I stared lovingly at Bella.
"Tomorrow. The sooner the better. I have no idea when the real growth will begin," Carlisle explained.
"That soon, huh? What will I say to Charlie," Bella asked as her lip trembled.
"Bella, I would suggest that you go about things as you normally would. You might want to call your mother and talk to her. But if you do too much out of the ordinary, Charlie will be suspicious," Carlisle explained.
"But this is your decision, love. Do you want to do this now or wait a few days," I asked.
"There is no point in waiting. The problem will still be there for us the next day so now or later is a mute point. Can you call Tanya, Carlisle," Bella asked.
"Yes. Maybe you should take Bella home early tonight, Edward."
I understood what he meant. Carlisle thought Bella should spend one more night with Charlie because this would be the last. I nodded and helped Bella from the room. Before she left, each member of the family hugged her for support and congratulations on her impending motherhood. I helped her back out to the car and started the drive back to her house. Bella noticed my silence and sighed.
"What," I asked.
"You don't have to put up any kind of show. I know you are less than thrilled about me having a baby. But try to see my side. This is something we never expected but now we will be able to be parents. Something none of your siblings will ever experience. I want this child because it is a concrete symbol of our love," Bella explained.
"But your family will never know about it."
"Not necessarily. Who is to say that I can't just come back from the dead? You know, washed up on shore and had amnesia. I mean once I've had the baby and gotten out of my newborn phase and all. Charlie might be okay with it by then."
"I just worry about you."
"Stop and start being a supportive husband because like it or not you, Edward Mason Cullen, are permanently stuck with me for all eternity."
"Well, when you say it like that I can't help but be excited."
We shared a much needed laugh and had pleasant casual conversation the rest of the way to her house. Charlie was back home and we opened the door and walked in.
"Hey, kids. So, I guess we took care of the Jacob mess," Charlie said.
"It looks like it. I was glad that we talked some sense into Billy," Bella said.
"You guys hungry? I brought home some left over fish fry from Harry," Charlie explained.
"Actually I have to be headed back home. I have a lot of homework to do. Alice brought our makeup assignments so I need to get them done by tomorrow," I fibbed.
"Bella, you going back to school," Charlie asked.
"Yep. And I am driving tomorrow too. Edward has a dentist appointment and has to leave early so I need to drive."
"Are you sure you can," Charlie asked.
"Yeah, Dad. I feel great. I've only had one pill today. But I will have some fish, I am hungry."
"Here, I'll go heat it up for you. Are you sure you can't stay, Edward," Charlie questioned.
I could tell he was being very sincere which was almost odd for Charlie seeing how much he had despised me a few days earlier. But none the less it was a welcome change. Part of me almost felt guilty for what we were about to rob him of.