I clung tightly to Edward as we raced through the woods. I wanted this moment to last, being held in his arms the feeling of security. Where came into the clearing where the large white house sat. Alice ran out to greet us "Oh Bella. I'm so glad you've chosen to come home."
"It's good to see you too Alice. I have truly missed you." I reached to hug her
"This is so great. We have lots of shopping to do!" Alice ran her hand over my stomach.
"So you already know about that?" after I said it I slapped my forehead "of course you already know!"
She took me by the arm and led me inside "Carlisle, Esme, everyone. Bella's come back to us!"
I watched as the Cullen's came from different directions to surround me. Emmett embraced me and spun me around. "Its good to see you little Sis!" he exclaimed as we all laughed.
I was welcomed back, almost as if I was never gone. I fit perfectly back into my place in this household. Edward scooped me up and took me to his room.
"Bella, there is something we need to talk about. It's not going to be easy."
"I know Edward. Can we talk about it later? I've missed you so much. Please would you hold me?"
"Anything for you love." He pulled me to him and we stayed like that for what seemed like hours.
"Bella, we need to tell Jacob."
"Oh. I hadn't thought that far ahead."
"It needs to be done love." He said as he brushed a lock of hair from my eyes "Would you like me to tell him?"
"I think this is something I need to tell him in person Edward. I don't know how well he's going to take this."
"I'll be with you if you like."
"No, Edward. It would be best if you weren't there. He will never understand why I'm doing this. Sometimes I don't even know what I'm doing."
He kissed the top of my head "Please let me come with you. I'm very worried how he's going to react. He might become violent."
"I'm caring his child. He's not going to hurt me Edward." As I spoke the words Edward winced. I knew he wasn't excited about me having this baby, but he needed to get use to the idea. "I really should be going home, Charlie is probable frantic wondering where I am."
"I'll take you there. May I come to you tonight?"
"Yes, please come after Charlie is sleeping. You know the drill!"
I was soon home and fixing dinner for Charlie. I wasn't sure what I was going to tell Jake. I had no clue what words I could ever use to make him understand. I loved Jake, and I loved our baby. But I also loved Edward, and I needed him to respect my choice.
The doorbell rang, and Jake walked in. At the sight of him my heart sunk. This was happening faster than I had ever anticipated. He crossed the room coming up behind me at the sink. He kissed my neck and I felt a tingle pass through me. "Jake, please. Can we talk."?
"Why are you so serious all of a sudden?" he teased
"No, Jake I am serious. We need to talk." I looked away from him
"What has happened Bells? Why can't you look at me?"
"Jake, please. Just listen to me."
"What could have changed in 7 hours to make you treat me like this?"
"I had a chance to talk to Edward-" as soon as his name was said Jake began to tremble
"Bella, please don't tell me your going back to him. Not after everything he's done to you."
"Jake, the way I feel about him. It just came back. When he kissed me I-"
"He kissed you!" he growled "You are mine Bella! He knows that, we have been mated. You're caring my child. You belong to me!"
"But I love him." With those words he stared at me. The look of sadness and hurt in his eyes
"Jake, please understand. I love you Jake, but I also love Edward."
"We've made love Bella. We're having a baby. Starting our lived together. You can't have any of that with him. Do you realize that?"
I turned away from him and sat at the kitchen table. My head fell into my hands. "I cant do anything right." I mumbled to myself
I felt a pair of warm arms surround me and hold me tightly. "Bells, I only want you to be happy. I thought you were with me. I guess I was mistaken."
"No, Jake you weren't mistaken." I looked into his eyes seeing the love there "Jake, you are the father of my child. I will always love you. We are in this together."
"Please don't leave me Bells. I'll do anything if you'll only stay!" he begged
I looked at him, and then I noticed Edward had come in and was standing near the door
"Bella? Are you alright?" Edward asked
Jake growled at the sound of Edward's voice and I immediately jumped up positioning myself between the two of them.
"Stop this now both of you!" I demanded
"What have you done to her to make her leave me?" Jake said
"It was her choice. She loves me Jake and I'm not going anywhere."
They began to get closer to each other with me in the middle
"Stop it!" I screamed beginning to feel faint. I swayed, but caught myself
"Bella?" Jake reached for me "What's wrong?"
I started to cry, this was all too much for one girl in my condition to take.
"I've come to a new conclusion." As I said the words they both looked at me skeptically
"I will never make everyone happy. But right now, I'm pregnant. I need to think about the baby. So I'm going to propose a compromise."
"Please continue love." Edward urged
"I'm going to have my baby, and during the pregnancy I expect Jake to come to all of the appointments, ultrasounds etc. I want you involved in every aspect of our child's life."
"That sounds good for starters." Jake said
"Edward, I expect you to be tolerant of Jake being around me. I will need him over the next 5 months."
"Certainly Bella, what ever you wish."
"During that time, I will come to a final decision. I know this isn't ideal. But I can't take this fighting, it is making me sick! If you both cant agree to this, I will be going to Florida to stay with Renee and I wont think twice about either of you."
I looked at Edward and then at Jake. Neither one looked happy, I wasn't playing fair and I knew it. I wanted them both, but that would never happen. All of my hormones out of wack due to the pregnancy. I was more emotional than usual. Edward answered first
"Bella, I love you. I never meant to distract you or hurt you. I will honor your request. I will be tolerant of Jacob, and I will take care of whatever you might need. Just know that I'm here for you."
"Thank you Edward. I'm grateful for your understanding."
"Bells, I will be there for you and our child. I will always love you, no matter what your choice. I will try however to remind you what you loved about us and hope with all my heart that it will be enough for you to choose the baby and me. Our life together will be wonderful, we both know that." Jake reached over and kissed me on the cheek
"Thanks! Both of you, I'm just so confused right now. I thank you for allowing me peace during the pregnancy. It really means a lot to me."
The door swung open as Charlie entered the house. He seemed startled at the sight before him. Edward and Jake hovering over me. "Um- hello Jake. Edward."
"I'll see you later Bella." Edward said as he headed for the door
"I better be going too. Bye Charlie!" Jake started for the door also
"Wait! Jake, you're not going anywhere yet."
"Sir?" we all looked at Charlie curiously
"We need to talk about the wedding!"
"Wedding?" Jake questioned and then smiled slightly looking at me as I stared in disbelief.