Flabbergasted Phenomenon

Summary: "This is the most unique situation I have ever heard of with a human and a vampire," was what Carlisle said, but all I could think was, "I'm going to have a baby."

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, or Eclipse. I just own the scenarios where I thrust my favorite vampire and his family and the love of his life! Yay for me!

Chapter Twenty: A Jasper Moment

I sat down heavily on the edge of the bathtub and turned on the hot water. I was thoroughly distracted with the loss of my husband, even though, according to him, it was only going to be a few hours. I didn't blame him that he needed to leave, he hasn't hunted in weeks, but I just wish he'd go when I was sleeping. Internally, I knew that I would feel the loss of his presence in my sleep, and then I would be even more miserable.

Looking around, I realized I left my clothes on the bed, so I got up again and walked out of the bathroom, going back to the bedroom. I grabbed a pair of barely fitting maternity pajamas and walked back to the bathroom. Distantly, I could hear the sound of Jasper using an electric mixer. He was the only one home with me, and he insisted that he attempt to make me something to eat. I was a little nervous, but he promised that I had leftovers from the night before if anything went awry.

I extended my arms, stretching, and before I could have even noticed what I did, I jammed my finger into the door.

I shouted in pain and dropped my clothes, looking down at my finger. It took a second for me to comprehend the pain, but I saw the blood gushing out of my finger first. I had no time to move into the bathroom; I just started to throw up.

My commotion caught Jasper's attention, because I heard him behind me. "Bella, what is going—"

"Don't breathe," I cried, my body shaking as I tried to hold in my vomit. I didn't want to look at my finger, and since Jasper still needed to hunt, I didn't want him to smell my blood. I was shaking as I opened my eyes. There was blood and throw up all over the clothes I was wearing, and my maternity clothes on the floor.

It took me a second to get to my senses, and even longer to come to terms with my blood, and then I moved carefully, not breathing as I walked into the bathroom. I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my finger, adding pressure to stop the bleeding. By the time I calmed myself down enough to stop shaking; Jasper was already on his hands and knees, cleaning the floor with bleach.

"Jasper, I can do it, you don't need to force yourself," I said, my voice sounding oddly weak and broken.

"Yes I do. Not breathing is uncomfortable, and I don't want to take any chances with your 

blood." In seconds, all traces of my mess were gone, including my clothes. I didn't care though, because I did not want to wash them. Jasper stood up and looked at me pensively. The sleeves of his sweater were pushed up, revealing the half moon scars that scattered his arms. "Are you going to be okay?"

I shook my head. "I need to clean this up," I indicated both my clothes that I was wearing and my finger. Jasper nodded his head, but it was obvious he wasn't pleased with my mood; therefore, cheerfulness was blasted in my direction. He quickly backed out of the bathroom and ran away from the hallway. I couldn't help but smile because of Jasper's power, and I walked out of the bathroom and back to Edward's room. I stood for a second thinking, and then I grabbed the only clothes I knew would fit; sweatpants and a t-shirt that was Charlie's that I accidentally took and haven't gotten around to returning.

I easily took the towel off my finger and ran it under cool water. I was bursting with joy, but the sight of the blood still made my stomach squirm. I ignored it though, and cleaned out the wound with alcohol, inspecting the damage. "Not too bad. I don't think it needs stitches." I looked through the bathroom for Band-Aids, and when I found them, I was relieved to see that they were waterproof. I ignored the pain and quickly wrapped a bandage tightly around my finger.

Now that I had my finger taken care of, I flung my clothes off, disgusted that I actually kept them on that long. The good mood that I had was beginning to disappear. I walked to the shower and eased myself inside, careful to keep my balance. After an eternity in the shower, my skin was pruning, and I shut off the water. I got out of the tub and got dressed, not having enough time to run a brush through my hair before my stomach did another summersault, and I made a beeline to the toilet.

I groaned and lowered myself to my knees, leaning over the porcelain bowl. Nothing came up for a minute, and I was relieved. Then I felt my gag reflex and the relief left me in an instant. Time seemed to speed up, or at least Jasper pitied me, because there was a knock at the door. I looked up and felt waves of calm flow over me. I couldn't see Jasper, but I knew he was the only one who had the power to influence my feelings so heavily.

After a few moments, I stood back up and shuffled to the door, opening it slowly. Jasper was standing on the other side of the door, and I flinched, seeing the blackness of his eyes and his jaw clenched. I stared at him, eyes wide; afraid I just caused the downfall of Jasper Hale when he offered his hand.

That was when I noticed that my entire body was trembling. I daintily put my hand in his, and holding my hand as if it were glass, he walked with me down the hallway. The only thing I could hear was my shallow breathing, and with one look at Jasper from beneath my lashes told me that he wasn't breathing.

A deep wave of sadness swept through me as I walked down the stairs, knowing that I was making Jasper uncomfortable with my presence. When we were in the living room, I sat down heavily on the couch, my arms crossed over my chest. As I took a deep breath, I smelled food cooking.

"You're sad."

I looked up at Jasper as he moved to the couch at a human speed. He sat down on the far side, as if the farther he was, the easier it would be for me. "Don't I frighten you?" Jasper's features would have been frightening, if I wasn't used to them. His eyes were onyx, and his jaw wasn't clenched anymore, but his hands were. I felt the urge to put my hand on his, but I knew he would recoil from my touch.

My silence ended as I said, "No, you don't frighten me."

"Why?" I knew he was curious now; the darkness of his eyes was lightening, if only a fraction.

"You're just as frightening as Edward when he hasn't hunted. I'm used to it. I know you won't hurt me." And I was positive Jasper didn't have nearly as much confidence in himself.

Jasper shook his head, but he didn't say anything. I sighed and looked away, almost feeling like I did whenever Edward and I argued about him hurting me. I jumped when Jasper asked, "What have I done to make you sad?"

I was quiet for a handful of seconds, balancing the thoughts that revolved around my mind at that moment. Then I looked at him from beneath my lashes. "You're a lot like Edward, if you mean to be or not, I'm not sure." Jasper shifted towards me, his expression once again curious. "You unintentionally distance yourself from me, thinking that it's better that way, but—sometimes it's not that good." I lowered my eyes from Jasper, feeling embarrassed that I was feeling that way and actually admitted it..

Jasper was quiet for a few seconds, and then he moved a little bit closer to me. "I didn't realize that was the reason why you were feeling sad."

"Oh, there are a handful of reasons why I'm feeling sad. My shoes barely fit because my ankles and feet are swollen, my back hurts all of the time, and Edward is hunting as we speak." I smiled and looked at Jasper.

"I never intended to hurt you." Jasper's voice was so soft, I fought to hear him. "I just knew Edward would never forgive me if I hurt you or the baby, so I thought if I kept my distance, everything would be okay. I'm sorry."

I knew Jasper was being honest, why in the world would he lie to me? I nodded and accepted his apology, and then we sat in a companionable silence for a few minutes before I asked, "How in the world do you deal with my mood swings?"

That made Jasper chuckle. "I usually hide in my bedroom when they're the strongest, even though I can still feel your emotions from there. But Emmett is more dangerous to me during your mood swings than anyone else. That's when it becomes pure torture."

"I'm sorry."

"The hormonal imbalance isn't your fault. If anyone, blame Edward. That's the only thing he can actually blame himself for."

I nodded my head, knowing that Edward blamed himself for every minute detail that went along with the disasters that I've been known to attract. I began rubbing my stomach, Gabe was moving around; it was comforting to feel him kick. "Are you hungry?" I shook my head, and Jasper's brow furrowed. "Are you in pain?" He could obviously feel how calm I was, it must've confused him.

"No," I said reassuringly, smiling at him for added emphasis. "I just—here, feel." I reached for his hand, and he jumped at my touch. I waited for his body to relax before I tried to move his hand. He resisted my tug for a second, and then he allowed me to move his arm. I had to lean closer to him, and tell him to relax as I rested his hand against my stomach. His fingers were a little stiff, but it was enough for him to feel the movements I was feeling.

He was in awe, and he relaxed a little more. I laughed at the look on his face, and smiled back as his brow constricted. I think he was focusing on what I was feeling. "It's an indescribable feeling to actually feel him move," I whispered, and Jasper nodded his head. He knew exactly what I was talking about.

Suddenly Jasper froze, and then he launched from the couch. I got up and went to the kitchen, I heard the oven door open, and I covered my mouth and giggled. Jasper was frowning at the pan that he just pulled from the oven. "Did something happen?" I asked, taking a few steps into the room.

"How do you like your steak?" he asked, looking at me.

"Well done." Relief swept over his face, and for a second I was confused. Then Jasper brought the pan to the counter and lifted the lid. The smell I initially smelled wafted to my nose, and my stomach growled. It smelled delicious.

"I shouldn't believe Emmett." I jumped when Jasper spoke. One second he was in the kitchen, and the next second he was behind me. I didn't even feel him come past me. I turned and looked at him, and he was looking at me apologetically. "Sorry."

"No problem. Believe me, it happens all the time." Jasper directed me to the table, where my food was waiting for me. It smelled heavenly, but the closer I got to it, the more my stomach did summersaults instead of growling. I took smaller steps, and Jasper turned to look at me. I'm not sure if he could actually hear my stomach churning, but I was beginning to feel a little sick.

It was when my mouth began to water that Jasper took things into his own hands. He lifted me up in the air, careful to hold me away from his body, and he ran to the closest bathroom. I kept a tight hand over my mouth, and he got me to the toilet just in time. I got sick all over again.

When I flushed the toilet and leaned my head against my arms, I decided that this wasn't morning sickness. I was shaking too hard and I just didn't feel well. After a minute there was a knock at the door, and I groaned something. I'm not entirely sure if it was even in English.

"How are you feeling honey? What hurts?" Esme's concerned voice floated from behind me.

Very slowly I lifted my head and looked at my mother-in-law. I wasn't sure if I could explain how I was feeling. Esme walked towards me and carefully sat down beside me. She pulled me into her arms, and she began to smooth my hair. I embraced her motherly instincts and closed my eyes. "I don't feel good," I mumbled, rubbing my stomach.

"What did you eat?"

"Nothing…" I opened my eyes and looked up at Esme. A headache was beginning to form in the front of my head.

"Jasper couldn't get a hold of Alice, they were still hunting, but he did get Carlisle and I. Carlisle is on his way up now." I nodded my head and leaned closer to Esme's hard chest. She willingly began to rock back and forth as I fought to not get sick again.

It was a few minutes later when I found myself in bed, a thermometer in my mouth. I was running an elevated temperature, and Carlisle thought I had the flu. I felt like I had the plague.

After Carlisle took the thermometer from my mouth—a fever of 100.6—he told me to stay in bed. I wasn't planning on getting up, so I easily obeyed. Esme sat on the bed with me and I treated her hand as a cold compress, thanking her profusely when she agreed to not move.

I had no idea what I would do without her and the rest of my family, but I knew I would feel a lot better when Edward got back. Alice still wasn't answering her phone, but Carlisle told me that she probably had a vision by now, and they were on their way home.

"Esme?" I asked quietly, my voice shaking.

"Hmm?" she murmured, looking at me with her gentle topaz eyes. I could have melted, she seemed so concerned.

"Where's Jasper? I want to thank him for watching me this evening."

Esme's concern grew as I mentioned her son. "He had to go hunting, honey. We can smell the blood throughout the entire house."

"Oh no," I said, pushing her hand away. I sat up slowly, ignoring the painful cracking of my back. Esme winced though, and put her hands on my shoulders, trying to settle me. I just shook her off. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to jam my finger. I can clean it up—poor Jasper!"

"He controlled himself well—"

"Where are you bleeding, Bella?"

I almost screamed when Edward appeared in the room, his eyes raking over my body. Esme stood up fluidly and put a hand on his shoulder, responding to his frantic thoughts with soothing ones of her own. Then Edward walked to me, his eyes still looking a little distant. He sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up my hand, examining my wound. He kissed the Band Aid and then looked at me.

"How are you feeling?"

I frowned and shrugged my shoulders. "My head hurts and my back and my stomach…" I trailed off, knowing my symptoms could go on forever. "Pregnancy hurts."

"I think it's more than pregnancy honey. Lay down and I'll make you chicken noodle soup." Esme left the room, Carlisle following behind her and closing the door. Edward kissed my forehead and then got in the bed with me. He gathered me up in his arms.

"Gently," I whispered, wincing as I shifted positions. Edward apologized and held me more loosely, dropping a kiss to my forehead. I tightened his arms around me. "Please hold me," I begged, not wanting him to treat me like glass.

Edward compelled to my wish, tightening his grip around me, but still holding me gently. I turned my head into his chest and rested there. Edward stroked my long hair, his fingers dancing down my back. "I know this isn't the best time to get sick."

"There is no best time to get sick…" I mumbled, interrupting him.

"But you'll get better soon." Edward kissed my forehead again, and I closed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep, but my body had other ideas as my slight headache intensified and a steady ache formed in my hips. I wasn't sure which ache went with my pregnancy, and which one went with my flu. Once again, I mumbled,

"Pregnancy hurts."

"Is it that bad?" I nodded my head weakly, shifting my hips, trying to find a more comfortable position. In the end, I turned around fully and leaned against Edward, my back to his chest. It wasn't any better than before.

Edward noticed my discomfort, and he carefully moved out from beneath me and lowered me to the bed. He then instructed me to turn onto my side. That was an effort in itself, but I finally got onto my side, and then he took two of the many pillows on the bed and placed one beneath my abdomen and another between my knees. I couldn't help myself when I asked, "Where'd you learn that?" after feeling a little of the pressure leave my back.

"Those books you bought in Port Angeles." I turned my head to look at him, and he was looking 

at me a little sheepishly. I decided not to call him out; I thought it was adorable that he was trying to help ease the pain. I knew he hated the idea of me in any type of pain, and he constantly told me he wished he could take it away, and now, he was.

I closed my eyes and smiled when I felt Edward lay down beside me. He rested one hand on my stomach and another on my hip, rubbing soothingly. I wasn't sure which hand was the cause of my body turning to goo, but I wasn't sure it mattered as I relaxed against his chest and closed my eyes. I could live with the flu and being pregnant for the rest of my life if Edward was doing what he was doing now.

"What is so soothing about rubbing your stomach? I've noticed that you do it a lot. It doesn't hurt, does it?"

"It hurts a little, yeah," I whispered, opening my eyes slowly. I felt Edward stiffen behind me, and before he could go into full doctor mode, I stopped him. "Both Esme and Carlisle have assured me that I am not having contractions, these are just normal pregnancy pains, which I could personally live without…" I paused for a second, and then smiled. "I don't know why it's soothing. Sometime's I think it's more instinct, just to remind myself that there's a tiny little baby inside of me."

Edward was quiet after my little explanation, and I dearly wanted to see his face, to try and determine what he was thinking, but I didn't want to move. After a few minutes of silence, Edward asked, "Have you thought about having the baby?"

"Do you mean the birth process?" I felt him nod his head against my back and I smiled. "Not one second." Especially now with his hand doing magic on my back. I smiled to myself.

Edward's voice was soft as he whispered into my neck, "I think about it all the time, when you're sleeping, when you are getting sick, when you're not near me. I'm afraid I'll miss it, and then I'm deathly afraid of being there when it's happening, and I don't want you to feel an ounce of pain, and I'm scared we might not give you the right medication if you do feel pain—"

"Edward, I am only six months along," I interrupted, trying not to roll my eyes. Edward leaned over me and I looked at him. "Everything's okay, and with Carlisle's experience—I'm sure he's delivered thousands of babies. Nothing is going to be different—"

"Except I am a vampire, and this baby may not be entirely human."

I stopped breathing for a second, and then I looked at Edward fearfully. His eyes were closed and he was pinching the bridge of his nose. His forehead was creased, and suddenly, my pulse skyrocketed.

I never thought about that. I took in a huge breath before Edward could tell me to breathe, and I took another one for good measure. I was just on the verge of hyperventilating when Edward grabbed my face, lowering his lips to mine briefly. I melted into the kiss for a second, and then he pulled away. "I shouldn't have said that." There was remorse in his voice. "Please forgive me 

Bella."

I touched Edward's face with a shaky hand. "It won't be human?"

"It has to be Bella, it has a heart, and anything with a heart is human."

"You have a heart." My hand flitted from his face to his silent chest. Edward saying that the baby had a heart didn't help my mind wandering to the thought that I might give birth to a half vampire baby. It caused me to feel a little sick. We sat there for an immeasurable amount of time, my hand on his chest, as if we were frozen in time. It could have been seconds, minutes, or even hours.

Edward gently removed my hand from his chest, and he stared at me; I think he was hoping that I would forget about what he said. Even though I had a new worry on my plate, I smiled at Edward the best I could, and then I closed my eyes as my headache made itself known again. Edward nuzzled the back of my neck and continued rubbing my hips until I was goo, once again, and almost asleep.

"I love you," he whispered in my ear, causing me to shiver. I smiled despite my troubled thoughts and headache and whispered,

"I love you more."

xoXoXoXox

BB/N: Uh oh!

How many times do I have to apologize before you can forgive me for not updating? And I for real have an excuse. The past couple of months have been crazy; I've been studying for tests and doing an awfully large amount of homework. (AP Exams are coming up.)

And then recently, let me give you my schedule. On April 6th, I joined the musical in my high school, and April 11th was the first performance. (The most complicatedly long explanation would ensue, but I will not bore you. Let's just say, DRAMA!) And then on April 14th, our internet was shut off at my house. But I've been thinking about this fanfic a lot, and I truly have been wanting to update!

I'm so sorry it's taken so long! And thanks for putting up with me and reviewing anyway!

Love,
Bob Bennit

BB/N: Just to let my reviewers and faithful readers know, I did previously post this chapter, but removed it due to the fact that it was grammatically incorrect, and just a mess.

I'm sorry this chapter is a little dry, but it'll get better.

Promise!

Love Again,
Bob Bennit