Not living on a compound with big, burly, hot, shirtless male gardeners. Since I'm still living in the desert, it's safe to assume I'm not Stephenie Meyer.

Yeah, and I was able to reply to a very few reviews before getting an error message with every other review I tried to reply to. But I kept trying. Is anyone else having this problem? Anywho, I loved every single review. Here is Sam's POV and I hope it clears a few things up ;)

Chapter 14

Sam

The conflict that I had battled with had finally gotten too much. After marking her, I had almost felt a certain tenderness for the girl, and the first time I heard my child's heart beating it only solidified that. I could never hurt her again. Even my wolf had become more docile toward her. Hell, I had even become affectionate. The betrayal I felt about caring for the woman who had cost me the love of my life and my unborn child made it almost too much to bear. I regretted marking her, but it was the only way I could think of to keep the pack from interfering. Then I heard my baby's heartbeat for the first time and I could feel all the hate and anger toward her draining from my body.

So I tried to keep my distance. To only talk to my little one safely tucked away in her womb. It was difficult because of the pull the mark caused, but I felt like I was dishonoring Emily's memory by caring for Bella and that couldn't happen. Emily was still everything to me. I had to stay close to her, not only because I felt the need to protect my child, but because the loss of physical intimacy with her made me edgy. Eventually I knew I had to get away. Mainly because I saw her talking to my… our child. She was so loving and I could see her emotions written plainly across her face. She loved him or her. My original plan of getting rid of her once I had my child flew out the window as I heard her singing a lullaby that my own mother sang to me. Her voice was barely more than a whisper, and definitely off-key, but something about it was beautiful. I knew then that I couldn't take our child from her. No one deserved to feel that loss.

Instead I distanced myself from her. The remorse I felt for actually having real feelings for her, other than hate, made me unsure. My body ached to touch her, but I would only allow it when it was in relation to the baby. Finally, when I had been on the verge of carrying her to the bedroom and giving in to my urges, I decided it was time for some space. Grocery shopping was the only excuse I could come up with.

I was only gone for about an hour, but when I returned the absence of her heartbeat and the putrid smell of vampire alerted me that she was gone. My thoughts rotated between fear and anger. Fear of losing another child and anger that my child was taken from me. I refused to admit that there was also a concern for losing Bella, even though in the back of my mind it was there nagging at me. I missed her scent, and the heavy, slow thud of her heart. I recognized the smell and immediately ran to the Cullens' place. The doctor and his mate were the only ones there and I didn't bother with worrying that I was naked from shifting.

"Where is she?" My demand was met with a questioning look.

"Bella? Is something wrong with her?" The caramel-haired leech spoke and I snarled at her.

"Don't play dumb with me! I smelled them at my house. The giant and the blonde! They took Bella and I want to know where she is!"

"Sam, I'm sorry but we have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." I could see the truth in the doctor's eyes as he spoke, but I was not pleased.

"Then I suggest you find out," I snarled.

The female stepped forward, concern evident on her face.

"How is she? Is Bella all right?" She stepped just out of reach of her mate and in a flash I shifted and wrapped my jaws around her throat. The growl the came from my throat alerted the doctor that one step in my direction and his mate would be without a head. I didn't need to speak to convey my wishes. There would be a trade. Bella for the mother leech.

A choked, "I'll call Rosalie, just don't hurt my wife" was all I heard as I ran, dragging the leech with me.

She didn't say a word until we got to the cabin. Even then it was only concern for Bella. She just wanted to know that Bella was unharmed. I didn't know how to answer that. I had been cruel and at times, forceful with Bella. Would she have made it out of that emotionally unscathed? I didn't know. So I told her the only thing I could think of, that Bella was pregnant and I wanted her and my child back. She gasped loudly and her hand flew to her mouth.

"Bella's going to have a baby?" Her eyes filled with tears that would never fall.

"Yes. My baby. And I want them back."

"She must be terrified!" She cried and I cocked my head in question.

"Sam, I don't know what has happened between the two of you since I last saw Bella, but I know what it's like to be pregnant for the first time while living with a cruel man who can't stand you. I remember that much from my human life. There is an ever-present fear of what will happen once the baby is born. Not to mention the usual fears of wondering if you will be a good mother. And she has no one but you. How do you think she feels?"

It hit me then. I knew that Bella had to have misinterpreted my avoidance of her. After everything I had done I couldn't blame her. But I wasn't going to admit that it was because I had feelings for her. I could barely admit it to myself. But I did know that I wanted her back. A knock at the door had me growling.

"Sam, it's Jasper! We're not here to fight! We just want Esme!"

"And I want Bella! Give her to me and you'll get your leech back!" I had to give Esme credit. She didn't try to escape, but I suspect that she was hoping to catch a glimpse of Bella somehow.

I could hear Jasper and the pixie whispering to one another, but it was Carlisle's call that made me finally able to breathe again. Bella was coming back. It would take a few hours, but she would be back with me and that was all that mattered.

Time seemed to drag, and no one spoke as we all waited. When I heard the thudding of her heart and the tiny flutter of our child's I felt like I could finally relax. They were safe. They were home.

Bella stepped out of the car looking exhausted and guilty. She wouldn't meet my eyes and I couldn't have that. In two long strides I had her in my arms and her chin in my hand, forcing her to look at me. My first instinct was to threaten her, but I knew that was what had gotten her to leave in the first place. Her fear. Instead I leaned down and kissed her lips ever so gently. She gasped, making her pouty lips fall open. I had never been so gentle with her, but I had to show her that she was safe. That I wouldn't hurt her. I may not have loved her, but I was beginning to realize that Emily's death wasn't really her fault. Bella was still the same sweet, trusting girl she had always been, and she had lost someone too.

I was also beginning to realize that I wanted to make up for past wrongs and take care of her. In order to do that I had to try and let go of the past. We had a child to think about and a good father takes care of the mother of their child.

I could hear the commotion around us, but I didn't care what they were saying. That was until I was forcefully pulled away from Bella and thrown into a tree. The bombshell vampire was standing guard in front of Bella, ready to rip me apart. My body trembled with the desire to phase, but all I could think about was how a fight that close to Bella could be dangerous for her and the baby.

"Babe, I want to kick his ass too, but we need to stay calm for Bells and the baby." She nodded, but didn't move from her place in front of Bella.

The doc showed up and after checking over his mate, who assured him she was unharmed, he made his way over to Bella. He hugged her gently and I forced myself to stay still as he placed his pale hands over her stomach. I could tell that he was checking them both over and other than slightly elevated heart rates they were both fine. Bella answered all his questions but her eyes stayed trained on me. There was a look there of wonder as she brought her hand up to feel her lips. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. That was until I felt something hard and cold slam into my side.

So, how do you feel about Sam now? Still mad at him? Yep, me too! Still want to kick his ass? Of course! But he's FINALLY turning a corner! 14 chapters in and finally some progress with his crazy ass! LOL!

I plan to try and respond to reviews, but if I can't and you have a specific question (that I can answer without giving anything away) I will try to PM you if I can't reply to your review!