Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Beta'd by melanieintn
EPOV
By the time we got to the airport, arrangements had already been made for us to take a private plane straight back to Seattle, courtesy of my all-seeing sister. As annoying as she could be at times, I loved her dearly and never more than times like this.
She knew I wanted to get back home as soon as possible. Bella surprisingly never questioned the private plane we boarded quickly; we were soon on our way home. My parents had delivered my car to the airport so it would be waiting when Bella and I arrived. Once our luggage was packed in the trunk, I got in the driver's side; and we were headed back to Forks.
APOV
"Everybody needs to go to the dining room for a family meeting. Edward and Bella will be here in two minutes," I announced.
By the time Edward and Bella had gotten in the house, the rest of the family had gathered at the dining room table. They joined us; and after hugs were shared, we began discussing what needed to be done.
"First of all, let me say I hope you both enjoyed your trip; and second, I want to tell you how much we missed both of you," Carlisle said.
"We missed our family, but we did have a wonderful time on our trip," Edward replied.
Bella blushed scarlet, and we all knew why. It was very obvious she had thoroughly enjoyed having Edward all to herself for nearly three weeks.
"I take it that this news, while not expected, is good news to both of you?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes, it's wonderful news to both of us, Carlisle; we are ecstatic because we thought it couldn't happen to us," Bella said beaming.
Edward smiled too. He was excited about the prospect of giving Bella the one immaterial thing he had wanted to give her the most. I had already seen that everything was going to be fine for the baby and for Bella. I had not shared any of the specifics though. I left that up to Edward and Bella.
CPOV
I was very happy to see my son and new daughter arrive home and be glowing with happiness. It was long overdue for them. I was a bit concerned, but I had faith everything would turn out okay. After the family meeting was over, Bella agreed to let me run some minor tests on her to make sure everything was going the way it should. To everyone's surprise, everything was normal and moving along smoothly.
"Well, Bella everything looks great. It looks like your due date is February 14th, so you are 12 weeks along now. Now do you have any questions for me?" I asked her with a smile. I still couldn't believe Bella was pregnant. I was still shocked. I always knew Bella was a blessing to this family.
"My appetite has increased, and that is normal I know. But I feel like I am missing something. I eat and I am full, but there is this feeling of needing something else. There is something I am not getting from my food. Is that normal? I haven't started taking vitamins yet. Do you think that is it?" She asked worriedly.
"Well, why don't you and Edward run into town after you have had your lunch and pick up some prenatal vitamins. We will see if that does the trick. This is nothing to worry about. This pregnancy is sharpening your senses. That is why you feel like something is missing. It obviously is, and you're more sensitive now so you can pick that up. I wouldn't be surprised if we see other more drastic changes. You are carrying a baby that is going to be stronger than the average human baby. I believe your body is going to change to accommodate this baby," I said as both Edward and Bella looked at me in shock.
Edward spoke up then and said: "Do you really think so Carlisle? I have to admit I was worried how her human body was going to withstand this pregnancy. But that does make sense. In a normal pregnancy the body changes to accommodate the human baby. Why wouldn't it do the same for our baby?"
Edward beamed down at Bella and said: "This is wonderful, love. I can't tell you how worried I was about that."
Bella chuckled and looked relieved herself.
"Since Carlisle mentioned food and I can now smell Esme beginning to cook, I am starving," she said, as she tried to sit up.
"Oh wait, you two," I said as Edward started to help her up.
"I imagine you two would like to see your baby, wouldn't you?" I grinned at them as their faces lit up at the prospect of seeing the baby.
I had ordered a bunch of equipment and had it sent by overnight delivery after I found out about Bella's pregnancy. So I had an ultrasound machine and any other piece of equipment that I might need to keep Bella and the baby's health monitored. I was taking no chances with this. This was a one-time chance for them, and I wouldn't risk it for anything.
As I got the ultrasound machine warmed up, Edward helped Bella back into position and raised her shirt up. I could hear the family downstairs; they were all anxious and wanted to know that everything was okay.
I was about to put the transducer to her belly when Bell said, "Wait."
We looked at her curiously, but all she said was: "Alright guys, I know it is killing you, come on up. I want you all to share this too."
Suddenly, the room was full with the entire family; every one of them grinning from ear to ear.
"You are absolutely amazing darling. I do believe you have made everyone's year," Edward said as he bent down and kissed her.
"Alright, alright, enough with the smoochie face, I want to see my niece or nephew!" Emmett boomed. Everyone laughed, but Rose; she just smacked him on the back of the head.
"Ouch, Rosie! Don't tell me you aren't anxious to see?" Emmett asked as she rubbed the back of his head.
"Yes, I am, but this is very sweet of Bella to let us share in this. Let them have a moment," she said as she smiled down at Bella and winked at her.
"Okay Carlisle, now you may begin," Bella said and smiled at me. I put the transducer to her belly, and the room was suddenly filled with the whooshing sound of the baby's heart; the image of the tiny bean in Bella's tummy came on screen.
EPOV
The image of my baby on the screen was a beautiful sight, and to share this with my family was amazing. I couldn't begin to tell Bella what it meant to them that she called them up here to share this. I looked down at my beautiful wife, and she had tears streaming down her face. If I could cry, I would be as well. To hear our baby's perfect heartbeat was a wonder. I couldn't hear it right now because the baby was so small, and Bella's heartbeat drowned it out. But in a few weeks, I would be able to hear it just as well as Bella's; and I couldn't wait. I looked around to my family, and they all had looks of excitement on their faces.
Carlisle took measurements and looked at all the organs that had formed already. With our superior eyesight, he could see the tiniest details and declared everything perfect.
BPOV
I loved seeing our baby on that monitor; it made everything so real. Carlisle said everything was perfect and then printed us off some pictures. Edward wiped the goop off of my stomach and helped me sit up.
"Bella thank you so much for sharing this moment with us," Esme said, her voice full of emotion as she drew me into a hug.
I pulled away from her and said: "I wouldn't have had it any other way."
Rosalie was next. She pulled me into a hug; Rose and I were on friendlier terms now, but the hug still shocked me.
"Bella, this pregnancy is an absolute blessing; and I am so thankful that you are allowing me to be a part of your pregnancy. I am so sorry for the way I treated you in the past. I see now how happy you make my brother. You are going to be the most pampered pregnant woman in all of Washington," she said. She was so apologetic and seemed so excited to pamper me; I didn't have the heart to complain.
Besides it seemed like it would make her happy and being pampered wasn't a bad thing; I had come to discover. Alice was just excited about all the extra shopping she was going to get to do.
"I have seen what the sex of the baby is. Do you guys want to know or do you want to wait until the ultrasound?" Alice asked, and I was thankful that she did.
Alice winked at me.
"I am not going to tell details unless you ask. If I see anything majorly important, I will tell you," she said seriously.
"Oh that reminds me! Earlier when you were telling Carlisle about the missing element in your diet, that conversation triggered a vision."
As she said this, she looked Edward in the eyes. He got a shocked expression on his face as he read the vision. What in the world could it be to cause such a reaction in Edward?
"Are you serious Alice? What was her reaction?" He asked quickly.
"I don't know. The vision cut off there, but quick decide to give it to her," she said.
He obviously did because Alice started jumping up and down clapping.
"Okay, you two," Carlisle chimed in and said before I could say anything. "Please inform the rest of us. This is obviously important."
"Come with me Carlisle. I want to try something and I need your help," Edward said and with that Edward and Carlisle were out the door.
"Would you please tell me what is going on?" I practically screamed.
I was getting so frustrated.
"Calm down Bella! Just trust Edward. Trust me. This is the best possible way," she said vaguely.
Well now I was scared to death. What in the world could I possibly be craving? I suddenly felt a wave of calm wash over me. I sent a grateful smile over to Jasper.
"Thank you Jasper," I said
"Any time, baby sister, we have to keep you and that baby calm," he said and winked at me.
Edward and Carlisle suddenly appeared in the room and Edward was holding a white Styrofoam cup full of the most delicious smelling drink. My mouth immediately began to water.
"What is that baby? It smells wonderful," I cried out as I ran over to him holding out my hand for the cup.
"It is something that I want you to try. Now don't be upset. You have smelt it; and it smells good, so it is obviously something the baby wants," he said still not handing the wonderful drink over to me.
I was about to get mad, and he could tell.
"Love, this is deer blood," he said quickly.
Shock is the only thing I could feel. Jasper sent a new wave of calm toward me, and I came to my senses.
"Blood? Are you serious?" I said, and now I understood Edward's reaction.
"Yes," Alice said.
"I see you drinking it throughout your pregnancy. Think about it Bella, the baby is half vampire. She needs this," Alice said.
I don't know if Alice meant to reveal the gender of our baby at that moment, but knowing Alice she did because that was all she had to say.
"It's a girl?" I choked out.
"We are having a girl, and she needs me to drink blood for her to grow healthy and strong?" I said, and Alice and Edward both nodded.
I gave Edward a huge hug.
"We are having a girl," I said and started to cry.
"I will do everything in my power for this baby to make sure she is healthy," I exclaimed through my tears.
I held out my hand for the cup, and he handed it to me. I took a small sip. Wow, that was good.
"This is really good," I said sheepishly.
I took a second longer pull and that empty feeling disappeared.
"This is it! I don't feel like I am missing anything anymore. Well, except being hungry for human food," I said and laughed.
Edward picked me up and spun me around, before setting me back down.
"I am so proud of you, love. You are going to be a wonderful mother!" he said and then bent down and kissed me. He rose up and licked his lips.
"Mmmm deer," he said and bent down for another taste. I giggled and lightly hit his arm and drank the rest of my blood.
After I ate, I told Edward I wanted to stop in and see Charlie and tell him the news. Alice informed us that Charlie had left a couple of days prior to New York for some type of police convention. He wouldn't be expecting us back for a couple of days, so that gave me a little bit of time to come up with a plan to let him know I was pregnant.
I wasn't going to tell Renee just yet because knowing her she would blow a gasket; then, she would call Charlie to rant to him, and I couldn't let her be the one to tell him. I was thrilled about this, and I wouldn't let her negativity influence his reaction.
Emmett suddenly perked up.
"Bella drinking that deer blood has made me thirsty! Let's go hunting!" he said in a booming voice.
Everyone agreed except for Edward, Carlisle, and Esme. Edward and Carlisle fed really quickly when they went out to get my blood, and Esme said she was fine. So they all headed out, after deciding to go up into Canada; they would be gone for a couple of days.
Edward and I headed into town to purchase my vitamins. Just because we figured out the baby needed blood, didn't mean that extra vitamins to stay healthy myself weren't necessary.
"Edward, babe, do you think it might be a better idea if we went to Port Angeles?" I asked.
"You're right love, Forks is so small that it will be all over town in an hour that you are pregnant; and unless you want Charlie to find out like that, then we had better go to PA," Edward said, agreeing with me. So, we headed off to Port Angeles.
JSPOV
After that embarrassing scene I made at Edward and Bella's wedding, I hadn't been out much and neither had Lauren. She and her parents came over to my house after Lauren's scene; and both sets of parents chewed us out, and then grounded us for two weeks. I wish I knew why I did that; I just had this sudden urge to declare my love to Edward. Lauren said she felt the same thing. Today was the first day we dared to go out, and then we decided to go to Port Angeles. We thought maybe we wouldn't run into anybody up there that had heard about the wedding.
We were just leaving the beauty salon; where, of course, the beauticians were discussing the two losers at the fancy wedding in Forks a few weeks back. I was just glad they didn't know they were talking about us. Lauren and I just sat there and laughed with them. There was no way we were telling them we were there, then they would start demanding details; of which, we couldn't give for fear of giving ourselves away. We quickly paid when they finished and got out of there.
When we left the salon, I noticed Bella and Edward entering the pharmacy across the street. I poked Lauren in the side, but she had already noticed them too.
"Come on, let's go see if we can sneak around and see what they are doing," I said.
"Okay, maybe Bella caught some terrible disease on their honeymoon, and they are getting medicine for it. If we can catch them, then that bit of gossip will take the focus off of us," Lauren said.
"You are brilliant. Let's go!"
So we took off across the street. When we entered the store, we heard a group of girls giggling about the hottie they just followed in. We followed their group and found Edward and Bella looking at vitamins. Lauren and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. Vitamins, that was nothing exciting.
Then, she picked one of the bottles up. It was prenatal vitamins; now that was gossip worthy. Then, I noticed that Edward had his arms around Bella and was rubbing her slightly protruding belly. Yep, Bella was pregnant and very pregnant to be exact. Lauren and I turned around before we could get caught. We left the store and drove as fast as we could back to Forks. This was hot news!
BPOV
On the way home, Edward told me that the harpy twins saw us purchasing the vitamins. They were so excited hoping this would take some of the focus off of them. Oh well, me being pregnant wasn't nearly as exciting as them throwing themselves at Edward and declaring their love. They had made such a scene at our wedding. I later found out that Jasper was helping their feelings along a little bit. I should have known something was up the way he and Emmett were laughing. They deserved it though. Jasper said they were feeling extreme anger and jealousy all throughout the wedding. I was just hoping that I would be able to tell Charlie about the baby before the whole town of Forks found out, but that is out of the question now.
When we got back to Forks, I wanted to stop by the Thriftway. I didn't care if half the town came up to me and asked if I were pregnant; I wanted a frozen pizza. I didn't want a fresh delivery pizza; I wanted frozen. Edward looked at me like I was crazy. I leaned over and kissed him and just shrugged.
"Blame your daughter. The craving just hit me, and I really need one!" I said, my mouth practically drooling at the thought.
"Well, what my wife and daughter want is what they will get," he said with a laugh and got out of the car and came around and helped me out.
We entered the store, and I felt Edward stiffen. I looked up and there stood Jessica with a gleeful look on her face.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Little Miss Goody Two Shoes," she said.
"Guess where I was at today Bella?" she asked, trying to sound innocent.
Edward then spoke up.
"Hmm, let me see. By that evil look in your eyes, I would say you were in PA; and you saw Bella and I purchase prenatal vitamins. Was that it Jessica? Were you hoping to ambush us? Well, let me save you the trouble. Yes, we are pregnant. Yes, we are happy. No, that isn't the reason we got married because we just found out on our honeymoon. Now, if that answers everyone's questions, Bella wants pizza," he said calmly, then took us to the frozen section while everyone stood speechless.
When we got there, we busted out laughing.
"Did you see the look on Jessica's face when you admitted we were pregnant? She was so disappointed, then angry, then shocked. I don't think this will have the effect she was hoping for!" I said once I got my giggles under control.
"I was not about to let that vengeful harpy use our baby to make it seem like something shameful. I think I handled her pretty well though; her thoughts were speechless too," he declared.
I was so proud of him. I picked out my pizza, and we went to check out. Everything was back to normal by the time we got back up there. Jessica had left in tears, Edward whispered in my ear. I couldn't feel sorry for her though, she wouldn't bring this embarrassment on herself if she would just mind her own business.
A couple of weeks later, I got a call from Charlie letting us know he was stuck in New York for a few more days due to stormy weather. They predicted that the weather was going to stick around for at least two days. I looked to Alice, and she confirmed. I decided I would go to his house the next day after he got back since Alice said he would be getting in late and tell him about the baby.
The evening Charlie was supposed to be getting back; the whole family was watching a movie. I was enjoying my cup of blood and snuggling up to Edward. I was nearly 14 weeks now and I already had a little baby bump. Carlisle assured me it was because of my small size, smaller women sometimes showed early. Then, we all heard a car pull onto our drive way. It was insane how much my hearing had improved.
"Charlie, what is he doing here?" Edward asked as he looked to Alice.
She had a look of frustration on her face.
"I don't know; he isn't making any definite decisions."
Ch POV
I arrived back in Forks around 7:30 P.M.; I was dead on my feet. I was never so glad to see my little Welcome to Forks sign. I decided on the way to my house to drop in at the station to check in on things since I was gone a lot longer than expected.
"Well evening Chief! I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow," Mark, one of my deputies, said as I walked in.
"Yeah, I decided on the way home to stop in and see how everything is running," I told him.
"Everything has been quiet, except for a few traffic violations. Ya know the usual," he said. I grunted my response. Then, I noticed he got a twinkle in his eyes.
"So, how are you, Grandpa? What did you think of the news when Bella told you?" he said. What! Grandpa! What is he talking about?
"What do you mean Grandpa?" I asked in shock.
"Bella is pregnant Chief, and pretty far along from what I hear. Which is a shock since you couldn't tell at the wedding. I haven't seen her personally since then though, but I figured you already knew since she was so far along," he said, obviously getting a bit uncomfortable at the thought of spilling the beans.
I cleared my throat not acknowledging whether I already knew or not. I left the station on auto-pilot. I didn't know whether to believe town gossip or not. I decided to go home and call Bella, but obviously my body had other ideas because next thing I knew I was driving up the Cullen's driveway. I didn't even remember driving out this way; my thoughts were so preoccupied.
I went up to the front door and knocked; I was still undecided on what I was going to say. The front door opened, and Carlisle just stood there; he was looking cool as a cucumber, like nothing was wrong.
"Welcome back Charlie. Did you have a good trip?" He asked while extending his hand.
I shook it.
"It wasn't bad, but I am glad to be home," I replied.
He moved aside to allow me to come in; and there stood my daughter, next to her husband. My eyes automatically went to her stomach; and there it was very noticeable in a tight tank top, her little bump. My eyes widened; I couldn't speak. I was shocked! How far along was she? I didn't think Renee showed that much until she was six months along. But that was 19 years ago, so my memory was a little fuzzy.
I looked at my daughter; she was looking at me very concerned. She looked like she was about to speak, but I held up my hand for her to give me a few more minutes to process this. My mind was going a mile a minute. I was going to be a Grandpa. Was Edward here six months ago? I couldn't think clearly. Was the baby Jacob's? Was that why they were keeping it from me? Suddenly, the room was filled with the most terrifying roar and snarling that I had ever heard. I looked up and Jasper and Emmett were forcing Edward back.
"What do you mean, is the baby Jacob Black's?" Edward roared at me.
That was the only way to describe it. Hey! I didn't say that out loud. Did I?
"What kind of woman do you think your daughter is? Of course, the baby is mine. She is almost four months along," he was only yelling now, calming down a bit.
"Dad! I can't believe you said that out loud!"
I looked at my daughter. Then, I really knew I didn't say all that out loud. My daughter was the worst actress ever.
"Alright now, I know I didn't say any of that out loud just now. You had better tell me what is going on right now. How did my son-in-law know exactly what I was thinking, and why was he snarling and growling like a rabid wolf?" I asked and Edward snorted and chuckled darkly when I said this.
I didn't find any of the remotely funny.
"I want the truth too before I take my daughter and leave" I said getting angry.
They were all looking at each other like they were having a conversation, even Bella. I watched them closely, and I could barely see their lips moving. What was going on? They had better give me some answers.
"Alright Charlie, we will give you answers; but you had better sit down," Edward said.
"You know what; I think I'll stay standing. Now start talking; and if I don't like what I hear, Bella and I are leaving," I said crossing my arms over my chest.
"I don't know if you are going to like what you hear Dad; but just so you know, I am not going anywhere. I love you, but Edward is my husband and the father of my baby. I stay here and just hope you will want to remain in our lives," Bella said.
I looked her in the eyes; she was telling the truth. In truth, I knew I would never be able to make her leave Edward. I had tried that in the past and almost paid dearly for it. No more of that thinking; I told myself.
"Wise choice, sir," Edward said still with a growl to his tone.
Man, did he have a temper; and yet, when he spoke to Bella or looked at her, he was as gentle as could be. I still wondered if my daughter had some kind of power she put over the male population in Forks to make them act the way they did.
"Alright," I said, sighed, and sat down. "Just tell me what it is. I want you in my life Bella, it can't be that bad." I laughed, trying to lighten the situation.
"This is very dangerous to tell you Charlie. Are you sure you want to know?" Carlisle said.
"Yes, I want to know," I said starting to get worried.
All of the Cullens just smiled at me sadly and started in on their stories. Over the next two hours, they explained what they were and how they came into being. They all told their stories and about the different abilities they had, and I listened patiently. They told of how they came to Forks; and how when Bella came, she knew something was different about them. Edward had love and pride in his eyes when Bella told how she figured things out. I noticed his eyes tighten when Jacob was mentioned. There was something more to that, and I was going to find out later. Edward told how he had saved her from the van, some men in PA that I had no idea about, and the truth about her accident in Phoenix, that was very scary.
Then, they told about Edward leaving. I had a feeling they were glossing over parts, and I didn't think I wanted to know the whole story. They explained about the Volturi and what they wanted to happen to Bella. They demanded that she became a vampire. But if I had to guess about it, I imagined Bella wanted to be one before then. She loved Edward completely and would want to be with him forever. She got that from the Swans. We loved once, and it was totally and completely. Maybe that was why I hadn't ever let go of the love I had for Renee. The entire time, Bella watched me nervously. I somehow knew they were telling the truth. There had always been something off about them; I just didn't know what. Well, now I knew. When they were finished speaking, I sat there thinking for a minute thinking things through.
"Okay, let me get this straight," I finally spoke. "You are a bunch of vampires that only drink animal blood?"
They nodded their head.
"You figured this out within weeks of arriving in Forks; yet, you wanted to be with them anyway?" I asked Bella.
She nodded yes.
"This is extremely dangerous, that I know. And I could have a bunch of power hungry vampires after me if they find out I know?" I said and again they nodded their heads.
"And you are carrying a half human half vampire baby; and as soon as it is born, I imagine you are going to become one of them as well?"
Bella gasped; shocked that I guessed that, but nodded her head yes. I stood up and walked around for a second, then turned back to them.
"I see," I replied, and then everything turned black.
A/N: Please leave us a review, and let us know what you think of our story. Check out our blog to see pictures at http:/ /coconspirators2011 .blogspot .com/