14

A receptionist stuck her head out of the waiting area door and called Emmett's name. He looked at her and then back at me. "I'm fine, go ahead. Are you sick?" I asked him.

"No, just getting my knee x-rayed. It's a yearly check."

I nodded and wiped my face to show him I was okay and he could leave. I couldn't force myself to go home. I was afraid Edward would show up looking for me, but more afraid he wouldn't. I headed to a mall and walked aimlessly until I found the nerve to enter a baby supply store. I stared at the tiny clothes and looked at the prices of the furniture. I had no idea how I was going to work it all out.

I stayed until the mall closed and finally headed home. The apartment was dark and everyone was asleep as I tiptoed to my room and got ready for bed. I cried for a solid hour before finally finding sleep. The next day I headed into work and found Emmett there waiting for me. He informed me Edward, Carlisle, and Esme had left this morning for Germany. All my hope was now gone.

He sat on the edge of the desk and said, "Bella, I want you to hear me out on something, okay?"

I nodded, too depressed to say a simple word.

"Edward will never be a father to your child, but it doesn't mean my parents and Alice and I should miss out on the opportunity to know it. It deserves to have a name and a family who loves and supports it."

I simply stared as he continued, having no idea where he was headed.

"What if I claim the baby is mine. We could marry for just a month or two and then say we married too quickly and end it. It wouldn't actually be a real marriage; I mean I don't expect us to actually share a bed. But your child would have a name and a family, its real family."

I tried to laugh but I couldn't get the choking feeling from my throat. I was aghast at what he was suggesting, but he continued on quickly.

"I would totally support the child financially and treat it as my own. We would never tell Edward, not that he would care, but if we do this it is for life, understand?"

I nodded, having no idea why I had let him think for a moment I would consider it.

"Oh, and another thing, I would tell Rosalie, she would be the only one to know the truth," he added. "But we would have to do this quickly, like now."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because the timing of the pregnancy of course, but also my parents' are in Germany, we could have a week or two before having to face them."

"This is insane Emmett?" I mumbled.

"I know," he agreed, "but it is the only solution and the best thing for the child. Don't make it deal with Edward and get its heart broken."

I thought about his words and tried to think it through. I wouldn't have to go home in shame. I could finish school, but most importantly my child would have a father. I finally became so overcome with emotion I quickly agreed before I could come to my senses.

Emmett launched into details about how we would fly to Vegas tomorrow and be married. We would stay the weekend under the pretense of a honeymoon and then make it home by Monday in time for me to make it to class.

Nothing felt real. I was carrying a baby, but I looked completely the same. I lost my love, but I was becoming the wife of his brother. I didn't have time to stage a big break up scene and turn to Emmett for support. Everyone would assume we were seeing each other behind Edward's back, for the sake of my child I would let them think it.

I got the time off work, packed up a small suitcase, drove with Emmett to the airport, and six hours later I was standing in front of a judge at a twenty-four hour wedding chapel. I was unable to focus on anything the man was saying. Emmett tried his best to make me feel relaxed and confident, but my shaking hands gave me away.

When we were announced man and wife, he pulled me into his arms and whispered, "I am so sorry, Bella," And then offered me a chaste kiss on the mouth. That was my wedding, a ceremony of sorrow and regret.

As we made our way back to our rooms I grew angry at Edward. I wanted him to love me more than he was capable of. I wanted my love to fix all the confusion in his head and make him well, and normal. I wanted to be the greatest success he could ever reach, and I wanted him to be happy with it. I knew it was selfish, especially in the face of Emmett's selfless act, but it was how I felt nonetheless.

I took a shower and got into bed in the darkened room. Emmett left his room to go have some fun at the poker tables. I placed my hand on my stomach and tried to imagine a baby who was a blend of me and Edward. It wouldn't matter if my baby looked more like Edward than Emmett, a lot of kids looked like an aunt or uncle. I tried a myriad of names, both boy and girl. I found myself trying to secretly name my baby something Edward would understand, but innuendo was not something he excelled at.

I finally settled on Elizabeth Anne if it was a girl, using Edward's initials. Masen Emmett for a boy, using his alas painting name. I closed my eyes and fell asleep as Mrs. Cullen. I got the golden boy after all.

I moved into Emmett's house and Jasper got so upset he moved out. Rosalie stayed, since she was really the one sharing Emmett's room. My friends were shocked, but mainly disappointed I didn't have a real wedding they could be a part of. The hardest part came when the Cullens arrived home and we had to face them.

Emmett and I sat on the sofa with our hands clasped. I couldn't look them in the eye so I let him do it. He began by stating he never really let me go and we had been seeing each other occasionally as I worked with Edward. He said I had tried many times to end things with Edward, but at Emmett's persistence I remained to see if he could change.

Esme looked like she didn't believe a word of it, so I had to kick up the affection a notch to make it believable. I mean, on the surface you would be insane to deal with Edward if Emmett wanted you. She eventually became persuaded. I was welcomed to the family and instantly thrown a post wedding shower. Alice lightened up on me when she found out she got to throw me a party.

Rose managed to convince everyone her and Emmett were only friends and still supported each other totally. I felt like I was stuck in the middle, ruining life for everyone. Carlisle said he would be the one to notify Edward. I think it was so I wouldn't see how little Edward cared, but deep down I hated the idea of even possibly hurting him.

In exactly six weeks Emmett brought up the possibility of a pregnancy. He said we hadn't been careful and we waiting anxiously for me to get my period. Alice insisted I take a pregnancy test and when I saw the results I already knew, my tears were real.

Carlisle and Esme's reaction made me believe the whole farce was worth it. They cried and kissed me several times, saying how anxious they were to be grandparents. They immediately set up a trust fund for my unborn child and I could tell Emmett was actually growing excited for the birth.

My parents finally got over the elopement, but I didn't bring Emmett around much. I didn't want them getting too attached to a man who wasn't really going to be their son-in-law.

The whole arrangement was working out so well we stayed together until October. It was when my mother began making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas I decided to let Emmett go so he could spend the holidays openly with Rose.

I actually moved into Edward's log home, since the renters had left. Carlisle and Esme never asked me for rent money and if I tried to pay they insisted I put it toward the baby. It was at a girl's lunch when Esme began to grill me on why I left Emmett.

"Bella, are you sure it isn't hormonal and you'll regret losing him?"

"I like Emmett a lot, but I don't think I love him as I should," I replied.

"Please don't tell me you love Edward again," Alice said angrily.

I shook my head, but refused to answer the question directly. I did say, "Actually, seeing how good Rose treated him as our roommate convinced me I didn't love him. Emmett will always be a part of my life, because we share a child," I added as I looked away from her eyes.

"So your due date is around the first of March?" Esme asked.

"Yes," I lied, since it was really around the middle of February.

They were too generous to me. I was given an entire nursery for Christmas and for graduation the Cullens gave me ten thousand dollars since it would take me a little while to find a job. I felt so blessed to have them loving and supporting my child. Emmett came by once a week, to continue his bonding and checking on how I was doing. I began to truly think of Emmett as the father.

I chose not to know the sex of the child; since a sonogram would be extra money the student insurance policy didn't cover. I packed a bag filled with nightgowns and clothes to wear home from the hospital. I packed a white sleeper for the baby, and then I waited.

It was Valentine's Day when I woke up with a terrible ache in my back. I sat up and bed and begged with all I had for it not to be labor. I could not handle having Edward's child on Valentine's Day. As the afternoon wore on the pain got worse. I finally broke down and called Emmett. He rushed right over from his last semester of graduate school and drove me to the hospital.

We hadn't actually discussed his participation in the birth and I grew a bit embarrassed that he would be seeing me in such an intimate way. By the time I was ready to push I didn't care if the entire football team was standing between my legs ready to catch. I cried out in pain and Emmett held my face in his hands as he spoke calmly.

"Bella, these are the last moments of carrying our baby inside of you. I know it hurts, but look at my face and concentrate."

I stared up at him, seeing his deep dimples and wondering if they would be inherited by my child. He took a deep breath and I followed right along. He pulled me forward and began counting as I pushed. It took almost two hours of pushing but he worked right along with me the entire time. I finally was able to push the baby out and I fell back onto my pillow in exhaustion. It was ten minutes before midnight; my baby was born on Valentine's Day.

Emmett looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "It's a boy, we have a son."

I reached for my baby who at the moment looked exactly like me. I couldn't see any Cullen in him yet, but he wailed loudly as I held him tightly in my arms and cried for the man I wished could be here. Emmett took some pictures and then a nurse offered to take some of us together. I tried to smile, but my heart was broken.

The next morning everyone came to see Masen Emmett. My mother and Esme were in heaven and actually bickered on who could hold him longest. I tried to let the Cullens enjoy the moment, since my mother would be staying with me for a bit to help out.

Emmett was totally smitten with his new boy. He held him with pride and even changed the first dirty diaper without waking me up. I could tell he was going to be a great father to his nephew and I needed to let my heart accept it.