Penny: Ooooh! This one's interesting! Prepare yourselves, my lovelies!

Lisa: Yes indeedy! And thanks for sticking with us through all the UST we've been laying on ya! Not long to wait now! ;)

Penny: *squeals* Nope! Hehehehe! Huge thanks and super hugs to our superheroes, Kerrfrano and Harrytwifan. Their prereading and betaing skills rock!

Lisa: They so do! K let's see what's going on in Edward's head. And we don't own Twilight. Wish we did, but we don't.

CHAPTER 21

EPOV

It was early Monday morning, and I'd spent the rest of the weekend under observation, while at the same time trying to avoid revealing to my own parents the fact I had become a parent as well. It wasn't easy. I was glad I had Jasper with me for most of the time, though, because him being there calmed me in a way I didn't expect. Every now and again, he'd give me this 'I know how you feel' look of sympathy, and it made me feel as though I wasn't alone in any of this, and that he was going to stick around and make sure I was okay.

We'd talked about anything and everything while he remained by my side...our hopes, our dreams...We even discussed Rose, and whether or not to keep the reason why she slept with me from Emmett. There was no sense in making Jasper's best friend feel bad for something he could do little about changing. At the same time, he couldn't see how he could possibly continue lying to Emmett. Shit. Rose's love for Emmett, combined with my inability to accept who I was, sure had altered the fates of so many. I was still trying to come to grips with just how much of an impact it had made.

Jasper even spent the night dozing on the uncomfortable chair once I'd begun to get tired, unwilling to leave, even though Matthew was at home waiting for him. Anytime I woke, he was there, asking me if I needed anything.

He was just so great, and honestly, I didn't know what I would've done if he wasn't there.

I was happy when they finally removed the IV so I could take a shower and change into the fresh clothes my parents brought me. It made me feel more human to be out of that drafty hospital gown. However, though I was pleased I was about to be discharged, I knew I didn't want to go home. I wanted to be with Jasper, a man fast becoming my reason to live...and one who was currently listening with rapt attention to every word the nurse was saying as she gave me my discharge instructions. Mom and Dad were listening, too.

While she was talking, an idea came to mind. Since Jasper and I wanted to make things work, and I wanted to get to know my son as well, I thought maybe he might let me go to his house and spend the day. Kill two birds with one stone, as it were. According to my paperwork, I wasn't allowed to drive or do any physical activity for two days anyway. Aside from that, Alice would be there to help in case I fucked up. When my parents followed the nurse out of the room, I jumped at the chance to ask.

"Um, Jasper? Can I ask you a question?" I asked, fiddling with the bandage on the back of my hand where the IV had been.

"Of course, Edward. You can ask me anything." He smiled gently, his eyes warm and filled with affection.

"Well, I was thinking. Since we both want to give things a try, I thought maybe I could sit with Alice and help and get to know Matthew some, since the Doc said I can't do manual labor yet..."

"Yeah?" he asked, that smile of his turning into the dimpled one I couldn't resist. "You really wanna do that?"

"Yes I do. Jasper, I've already told you I want to get to know you and Matthew, so why wait? I could get to know my son, and maybe Alice could even teach me how to change a diaper or two as well."

"Nu-uh! That's my job," Jasper said, giving me a peck on the end of my nose.

"Mine too, now," I shot back with a wink.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Of course," I answered with a nod.

"Alright, Edward," Dad said as he suddenly appeared at my door, his smile telling me he hadn't overheard our conversation. "Are you ready to get out of here?"

I felt bad about keeping the fact Dad was a grandpa from him, but I was still trying to get my head around this whole mess.

"God yes," I said, standing, and Jasper and I followed him out into the hall. As we got out of the elevator and headed outside, Dad looked confused when I didn't follow he and Mom. It suddenly occurred to me that I had no idea how to explain what I wanted without revealing the truth about Matthew.

"Carlisle," Jasper said, bringing me out of my thoughts, and surprising me at the same time. Since when did he call my dad Carlisle? "A couple of months ago, my sister died during childbirth, leaving me the only one able to care for her baby. I have a babysitter, but Edward feels bad because he can't work for a couple of days, and would like to help her, if that's alright with you. I'll continue to pay him, of course."

Dad looked thoughtful for a moment, then slowly nodded. "That is acceptable. I'm...proud of you, son, for taking the initiative."

Wow. He was making an effort with me, and while I could hardly believe he had said that, my heart filled with happiness. The glimmer of hope I'd felt when he admitted he knew I was gay had turned into something more, and knowing my father finally begun to support me for who I was felt more freeing than I could have ever imagined. It made me wonder and pray that he would continue to try to understand and get close to me. In turn, I would try to stop being so secretive about my life and try to engage with him more than I had, then I could get to know him better, too.

Beaming, I said in response, "Thanks, Dad."

"I'll bring him home after dinner, if you like," Jasper said, and Dad nodded.

He and Mom walked away in front of us, arms around each other's waists. Jasper held his hand out, palm up, and I twined my fingers with his happily. It was strange. Even though my body ached from the car accident and my head was on the verge of exploding from the exhausting talks I'd had with both my father and Jasper, I had never felt happier.

I dozed in Jasper's truck on the way to his house. The nurses as well as Jasper had kept me up quite a bit during the night. Not only was I tired, but I knew I was in for a busy day. I must have fallen into a deep sleep, because one moment I was watching the city go by out the window, and the next, Jasper was shaking me gently.

"Edward, we're here," he said with a smile.

Sitting up straight, I stretched and yawned. "Sorry. Guess I was more tired than I thought."

"That's okay," he said. "You ready to go inside?"

"Yeah." I nodded, and opened the door. We were quiet on our way to his apartment, and when we approached the door, he put a finger to his lips. I was silent as I watched him unlock then open the door. We walked down the hall and into the living room.

Emmett was sitting on the couch, dressed in nothing but sleep pants, trying to soothe a fussing Matthew.

"Hey, Em," Jasper said. Emmett jumped and whipped his head around.

"God, you scared me!" he whisper yelled. "Hey, Edward! Glad to see you're still alive and kickin'! Oh man! Your face, dude."

I grinned in an attempt to reassure him. "It looks worse than it feels."

"What are you doing here, anyway, dude? I thought you'd have to be at home, resting and shit," he questioned.

"Well," I paused, "Since I have orders to stay away from doing anything too physical today and tomorrow, I'm gonna help Alice watch Matthew."

"Aww, that's great, man," he said, and offered me his fist to bump.

Jasper, who had become quiet, asked, "Um, where is Alice, anyway?"

"Oh, she's sleeping," Emmett answered nonchalantly, putting Matthew up against his shoulder as he pointed toward Jasper's bedroom door.

With a huff, Jasper said sternly, "Emmett McCarty, if you two fucked in my bed, I will never forgive your ass."

I couldn't help it. I laughed, hard. Emmett chuckled while Jasper stood there, face set in stone.

"Aww, come on," Em said with a girly giggle. "You think I would disrespect you like that? Now, your living room rug is another story."

"Oh my God, Emmett!" Jasper yelled. "I'm going to make coffee, you asshole." He stalked out of the room, and Emmett and I cracked up again. Matthew obviously didn't like the loud noise, and his little face scrunched up right before he let out a loud wail.

"Um...can I try?" I asked hopefully. Em shot me a grin before handing the baby over, then got up and went into the kitchen. I held him against my shoulder, like Emmett had, but he was having none of that, so I cradled him in my arms like Jasper had showed me. God, he smelled good, and was so soft and warm...a true miracle.

Just like the first time I held him, he fussed for a minute, then found his thumb again. The little noises he made as he sucked on it made me feel warm on the inside. He was my baby. I helped make him. Jasper was right; our hair and eyes looked the same, and I grinned to myself. He was perfect.

Slowly, I swayed from side to side, thinking maybe it would help him fall asleep. The sound of an opening door caught my attention. I looked over to see Alice walking out of Jasper's room, rubbing her eyes and wearing nothing but Emmett's tee shirt. As she stretched, showing me more than I bet she realized, I averted my eyes and heard her squeak out an 'oops', right before the door closed.

A loud cough came from Emmett in the kitchen as they talked about what had transpired. Though I knew Jasper had already told him I was Matthew's father when I was first admitted to the hospital, I briefly wondered what Emmett's thoughts were on the matter. I didn't know how he'd feel that I was the one who'd done this to a friend he cared about, and my heart ached as I once again recalled the circumstances under which I'd slept with Rose.

"Now it's all out in the open, I've got something to tell you," Emmett said, his words filled with sincerity. This caused me to glance toward the kitchen and my ears to prick.

"What is it?" Jasper asked, an anxious edge to his voice.

"Rosalie stopped by my place that day and told me how she felt. Before I could even think about how to respond, she told me she knew I cared about someone else," Emmett said.

It was then Jasper's words became a string of unintelligible utterances. As I stood there holding my breath and tempted to go to him, I hoped things would be okay.

"Jasper, you gotta understand, it was none of your business," Emmett said in a desperate tone. "She made me promise not to tell you because she was worried things would get weird between us. I just didn't have the heart to tell you after that. You were in mourning and had a baby to raise, for fuck's sake."

"I know," Jasper said sadly.

Sniffles and more inaudible muttering went on. My heart broke at the thought of the past being dragged up and dealt with when things were still so raw for the both of them. At the same time, I was glad they were talking it out.

As the sun streamed through the living room window, I stood there rocking my son in my arms and trying not to eavesdrop any more than I could possibly help it, and I wondered what the future would hold for him. What he would end up becoming. Who he'd marry...or if he'd decide to marry at all. What he'd feel passionate about. I wanted to know it all, and couldn't wait to see the future unfold. My heart filled with joy knowing that I could be there to support my son; to encourage him to do whatever he wanted. And it made me happy to know Jasper would do the same.

Several moments passed and I was beginning to get antsy, their conversation carrying on until all fell silent. It was then Emmett's loud laughter, followed by a, "Trust you to end up dating the father of your child, you lucky fucker!" made me jump, and Matthew whine in protest. But when I absorbed his words, and then heard Emmett begin to tease Jasper about his new boyfriend, it made me think everything was going to be okay.

I couldn't help but grin like an idiot, Emmett's easy acceptance of this entirely fucked up situation knowing no bounds.

"Well, look at you, a pro already," Jasper whispered. The sound of his smooth, honeyed voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Matthew's eyes blinked a couple of times before he settled once more.

"I wouldn't go that far," I said doubtfully. My smile disappeared as I turned to look at him, his eyes glistening with moisture as he blinked a couple of times. I mouthed a questioning, 'Everything okay?', and he answered with a beautiful smile and an emphatic nod.

It was then I allowed myself the luxury of taking every single part of him in. I was barely able to stop myself from letting out an appreciative moan at the sight of him standing there, cup of coffee in hand, opposite shoulder leaning against the doorframe.

Holy shit, but Jasper was sexy! Unshaven and unshowered as he was, I couldn't help but continue to give him the up and down.

And as he slowly lifted the cup to his full lips, where he proceeded to purse them as he blew away the cloud of steam wafting in the air, I closed my eyes for a second and took a few deep breaths, worried that I'd embarrass myself by coming in my pants.

"Hot," he said in a low, sultry voice, his eyes roaming hungrily over my body.

"Huh?"

"The coffee. It's just how I like it. Nice and hot," he said with a light chuckle, shaking his head.

My eyes caught his, and I could see a wicked glint in them. He was deliberately teasing me, and I couldn't help but growl a little as he took a sip of coffee, right before shooting me a slow wink.

"Oh," I answered, unable to form more than one word as he tilted his head and watched me with fascination as I rocked my son.

"Coming through!" Emmett shouted, pushing past Jasper. He gulped down a glass of juice before shoving an entire slice of toast in his mouth at once. Plopping his ass down on the couch, Emmett's eyes darted between the two of us as he chewed his food.

"Am I interrupting something?" he enquired innocently once he'd swallowed his breakfast, a stupid grin plastered across his face.

Jasper moved toward me, placing his cup on the coffee table before pressing his chest to my back and wrapping his arms around both me and Matthew. As he held us close, while slowly grinding his growing semi against my ass, he placed a soft, wet, kiss on my neck. I couldn't help but shiver in response.

"Yeah, actually, Em, you are," he whispered. His warm, coffee flavored breath fanned across my face as he held me a little tighter. I barely held back a whimper as I felt his hips swivel and his growing cock grind against me.

"Well. as much as I'd love to see you two ass munchers go at it, we're already running late. We wouldn't wanna upset the boss, now, would we?" Emmett said with a laugh, as Alice emerged from the bedroom, thankfully wearing a pair of sweats and a tank this time. Sitting on the arm of the couch, Alice beamed at Emmett before settling her gaze on me.

Feeling his chest vibrate as Jasper groaned in frustration, he reluctantly let me go before heading for the bathroom. Emmett gave Alice a quick kiss on the forehead before heading toward Jasper's room to change.

"So, Alice, feel up to having a helper today?" I asked, clearing my throat as Matthew's eyes grew heavy, and fluttered. He was just so awesome!

"Really?" she asked.

"Yeah, well, I can't work at the site for the next few days, and I really want to get to know my son, so I thought that I could maybe give you a hand," I explained.

"I'm really happy for you."

"Yeah, man, we both are," Emmett chimed in, his voice carrying from the bedroom.

"Thanks. Though, we haven't told anyone else yet. Still trying to get our heads around the whole situation."

"Well, I can understand that, and we won't say a word," Alice said.

"Thanks," I said with a relieved sigh.

"You know, I can't believe I never noticed it before. He really does have your eyes," she commented, as Matthew gave me the most beautiful smile I had ever seen before his eyes finally closed and his body relaxed.

"Holy shit! And Jasper's dimples!" I exclaimed, my entire being filled with a joy I'd never experienced before. Alice beamed in response, nodding emphatically.

"How about you put Matthew to bed while I get us some breakfast? When he wakes up, we can feed him and give him a bath," she suggested. "Then, maybe I can get caught up on some work."

"Sounds great," I agreed.

I was unable to stop myself from grinning like a fool once I left Alice and walked past the bathroom, overhearing Jasper humming a tune I couldn't quite place before I found myself in the nursery. I settled Matthew into his crib and kissed my index finger before gently touching it against his forehead, marvelling at just how perfect he was.

"Sleep well, son," I whispered, loving the sound of that as it rolled off my tongue. Turning to leave, I caught sight of Rosalie's photo. Picking it up, I studied her pretty face in detail. She really was her brother's sister. Tall, beautiful and full of life. It saddened me that Matthew's birth was what brought about her death, and that a child would be without his mother. At the same time, I wondered, if things were different...and our paths had never crossed, where my life would have ended up. I shuddered at the thought.

As a thousand questions coupled with a million emotions surged through me while I traced my fingers gently around the timber picture frame, I whispered with a smile, "Thank you, Rosalie. Thank you for sending them to me."

Blinking back the moisture that threatened to spill free from my eyes, I headed down the hall and straight for the kitchen.

Alice was in the middle of making us some scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. My mouth watered in response to the heavenly smells.

"Help yourself to some juice and coffee, Edward," she said. She stirred the eggs and turned the bacon sizzling in the pan, slapping Emmett's hand as he barged in and tried to steal a piece of bacon.

I poured myself a glass of orange juice and gulped it down before grabbing the coffee pot and tipping some of the hot brew into one of the clean cups that sat on the counter.

"Be careful, now. Remember...I told you it was hot. Sugar?"

As those words reached my ears, Jasper's arms were around me, his firm body perfect against my own as he reached for the spoon sitting in a half-filled small ceramic bowl.

Emmett rolled his eyes, and Alice couldn't help but watch on and smile as Jasper scooped two spoonfuls of the white, grainy sweetness into my drink. I set down the coffee pot and turned in his arms, brushing an errant curl off his forehead.

His warm, dimpled smile was on show just for me, and I whispered, "Oh, don't worry, love. I'll make sure I don't spill a drop."

"Glad to hear that," he said flirtatiously. His eyes fixed on my lips, his body moving so close to me I could feel the heat roll off of him. "Maybe a little later, we might test that theory out, hmmm?" he added in a low, seductive whisper, his words causing my knees to buckle beneath me.

Wow. I didn't expect him to say that. Though what he was implying wasn't something I'd ever experienced before, I knew more than anything I wanted to do that for him. And, perhaps have him return the favor. The kisses I'd already shared with Jasper had been hot enough. I briefly wondered what it would be like to be sucked off by a man I was attracted to, rather than someone I had to close my eyes and imagine had a hard body, a cock, and an Adam's apple.

Not caring a damn that we had an audience, I wove my fingers through his soft tresses and brought my mouth to his warm, plush lips before pressing against them firmly. The moment our lips made contact, Jasper let out a sigh and tilted his head, right before pulling me closer to him so every part of our bodies connected. His long, fine fingers slowly exploring my back, and I grunted into his mouth as his tongue teased my lips. Desperate for more, I immediately opened to him. As his tongue slid inside and slowly twirled against mine, the mint of his mouthwash tasting delicious, I heard the sound of Emmett's throat clearing. Slowly, and much to my displeasure, Jasper pulled away.

"Well, guess I'd better get going. Wouldn't want to earn Carlisle's ire after all the progress we've made now, would we?"

Smiling softly, my mind still fuzzy from the kiss, I nodded. "Yeah, guess not. Have a good day."

"I'll try," he winked, then left the room.

Turning back around to get my coffee, I attempted to ignore the fact that Emmett and Alice had started kissing passionately in their own version of a fond farewell. It was bad enough I was standing there with a massive hard on, but this? Yikes!

Emmett left within the next few seconds, and Alice and I shared an embarrassed glance and smile before cracking up. Yeah, it was promising to be a great day.

Hope y'all enjoyed! See ya next time!

Penny and Lisa