AN: I know it has been awhile since the last update, far too long actually. I'm sorry for the delay, I have recently moved and am having issues with my wireless connection. I do plan on posting once a week for I am at a friends house at least that much. There are only a few more chapters left of this story and the sequel is still uncertain at this time.

As you will notice, I haven't spent too much time on the wedding as much as I will the birth o the baby. There is a reason for that which will be revealed in the next chapter.

Also Anyone that subscribes to my blog or my forum will receive an advance chapter of the story of their choice! I work hard on keeping both up and running and so far Jen is the only one to subscribe.

~*~ Chapter 24 ~*~

~*~ A Wedding & a Baby ~*~

I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That's getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition. It wasn't like anything has ever been that easy in my life when it came to love anyway.

As I stood in one of the back storage room turned dressing room of the tribal council building in my black tux, I couldn't help but think of the past few days and how they lead up to this one.

My wedding day.

The one in which I marry the love of my life.

One of the most memorable was the tux fitting with EJ and the pack, in which EJ astounded us all as he described a future beyond our time and left many questions unanswered.

~*~

Each member of the pack was left in stunned silence. While I knew it was a possibility that any children I have would eventually become a wolf, it was different to hear of such a dream.

Not only did EJ describe a future with Leah, ultimately his future with Leah, he was able to accurately describe each wolf out of the pack.

"Oh and Uncle Seth…when daddy says to listen to him, just listen ok." EJ rambled on more serious now.

Confusion was evident on all of our faces but only Seth spoke up to ask.

"Well…ok…but why Eph? What is your daddy going to tell me?" Seth was looking a little worried.

"To obey his rules. If you don't he is going to hurt you. I dreamed it. I know. " EJ's voice was almost a whisper and yet again each grown man here was at a loss of words. "And I will try to hurt you too if you don't."

~*~

After that day he hadn't spoke again on why or how we would possibly hurt Seth. Still even now I don't understand why either of us would want to.

After a long, drawn-out meeting with the elders, they in fact confirmed that they believed my son was what my people call a dream seeker.

Meaning he would be able to see future events through his dreams in the years to come. Sometimes, with much practice, at his own will.

EJ's case was a tad bit more special because of his age. But then again EJ was wise beyond his 2 year old mind so his gift didn't really surprise me.

Telling Bella was not something I wanted to do.

I tried to prolong telling her. However I knew that would be trying to prevent the impossible.

One of the wolves would end telling her and I would get the third degree as to why it wasn't me. More then likely it would be Embry. That would be my guess. If not him then definitely Leah.

The friendship Embry and Bella have progressed to is surprising. They didn't talk not but a few words to each other in the past and now they are talking multiple times everyday. Sometimes over the littlest things.

Leah and Bella have come a long way as well. While they fought all the time in the past they are pretty much together all the time anymore. I don't however that it is entirely base d on Leah imprinting on EJ. They were honest to goodness friends it seems.

I would be satisfied if I could keep it from her until after the birth of the baby…or at least until after the wedding.

Stress was the last thing that she needed at this point and it was just like Bella to stress over the possibility of EJ becoming a wolf. What mother wouldn't?

Much to my chagrin the elders insisted that I tell her as soon as possible. Before he had any more dreams that may determine future events.

It took Sue, Billy and the rest of the pack by my side as the courage I needed to tell her.

Her reaction was a little unexpected to say the least. I guess the pregnancy hormones were on our side that day for all she did was cry but swore they were happy tears.

Tears of joy for the future of her son and pack. I'm still waiting to see if the other side will lash out and all the fear I thought she would have come shining through.

It still has yet to have happened.

"Yo Jake, you ok?" Embry's voice echoed through the small room. "You kinda spaced out there for a minute."

Now the many faces of my best men were staring at me.

"Having second thoughts there buddy?" Paul snorted amused with himself. Funny thing was no one else thought it funny. I

"Of course not….I was just thinking." I fiddled with my tie as I explained my distant behavior. "Can you believe this is happening? I mean I am about to get married….a year ago I never would have thought this would be happening." I chuckled, trying not to sound too much like a pansy.

"I know tell me about it." A voice I known too well joined us. One in which I thought wouldn't show up here today. Everyone just looked between the two of us. All not sure what would happen or what would be said.

I watched as my former best friend made his way to me and helped with my tie. I tried not to notice the large gash across the left side of his forehead that was still in the process of healing. For this moment I tried to pretend that the wound wasn't from my own hands. That I didn't nearly kill him the night before.

~*~

I awoke to the sound of Leah and Emily's laughter as they bombarded my room.

"Ehhh…let me sleep please. Haven't you heard that pregnant women need there sleep?" I mumbled as I threw my covers over my head

"Aww…sorry babe no can do. Its your big day remember? We need to have you up and ready. Don't want Jake thinking your going to leave him at the alter do you?" Emily giggled

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face as I threw the blankets off my face. Once they saw my smile another fit of giggles ensued.

Today was it. Today was the beginning of the rest of mine and Jakes new life together.

Despite everything that happened in the past and the circumstances surrounding last night I was marrying the man of my dreams today.

I couldn't help but think that right now at this very minute Jake was getting ready as well. He was preparing to meet me at the end of the aisle. Was he as excited as I was right now? Or was he nervous?

My smile never left my face as I threw my legs over the bed and looked at the future with a brand new perspective. By days end I would be Mrs. Jacob Black. Nothing from the past mattered anymore.

Granted some things can never be forgotten and some I never want to forget. However in the long run all that mattered was today. It didn't matter that we spent two years apart, we were together now.

We would be a family….Ephraim, Jake, the baby and me. Everything seemed right in the world at this very moment.

The weather was unusually sunny for La Push, I took it as a sign. A sign that all would be ok now. I was right where I was supposed to be.

After waddling my pregnant form from the bathroom, I sat down in a cushioned chair as Emily began to work on my hair. Leah laid my breakfast in front of me and than began to sort through their makeup, finding all the right colors.

How was it that I became so lucky? Out of all the bad I done in my life, all the people I hurt here I was with two of the best friends any girl could wish for.

As directed by Leah I closed my eyes and allowed her to do her thing as Emily braided and twisted tiny pieces of my hair.

I allowed myself to drift back to yesterday. These two girls were the reason I remained sane through the party from hell.

~*~

Right in the middle of Leah's crazy games there was a knock at the door. Normally I wouldn't be too concerned with it but Leah looked as surprised as the rest of us and that worried me.

After looking around the room I was pretty sure everyone was here. Leah, Emily, and Kim, yep that's everyone. Sue, Charlie and Billy took Ephraim to pick up Renee and Phil. They were supposed to go out or dinner and enjoy a quiet evening in. So who could it possibly be at the door?

Hesitantly Emily went to check and after a few seconds of mock silence Emily squealed in what sounded like delight.

Leah scrunched her face up and met my questioning eye.

"Look who finally showed up!!" Emily bounced back into the living room. "After so many years away they choose a well perceived time to return."

Before any of us had a chance to question it further Jacob's twin sisters rounded the corner. Granted they were much older and changed since the last time I saw them but the resemblance to Jake was unmistakable.

A huge portion of the night after that moment went by with lightening speed.

The ridiculously embarrassing sex questions, the boys crashing the party because they got bored at their own, Paul imprinting on Rachel nearly causing a fight with Jacob. Yep just another typical night out with a pack of wolves.

That was until the game of Truth came up. In all my experience with the game it never ended well for anyone, so why I choose to go along with it I would never recollect.

The first one to go was Seth, he choose to ask Kim why it was she kept turning Jared's marriage proposal down. We never really heard the answer to that as Jared kept Seth in a headlock until he forfeited the question.

The questions and answers continued on as began to look around the room. Rachel and Paul were obviously hitting it off. They were sitting remarkably close to each other and flirting shamelessly.

Quil was out of the circle, kinda in his own little world not focusing on much of anything. After making eye contact with Jacob, whom was sitting across the circle from me, he just shrugged. I loved our form of silent communication.

I got up and walked over to where he was sitting, knowing what I was about to do he helped me as I got comfortable next to him.

"Everything ok?" I asked though I knew it wasn't. When he didn't answer I turned to look at him.

He didn't say anything just looked deep into my eyes and smirked a little. I could tell he was worried about something.

"Jake……what do you honestly think of Quil and Bella's sexual past? Cause I have seen it first hand and I most say it was rather hot." Paul snorted and the room got eerily quiet. Rachel looked a bit disgusted and even scooted further away from him.

When it was apparent he wasn't getting an answer he started on to the next victim…me.

"So Bella…." Paul's deep voice snapped me out of my thoughts. This couldn't be good. "What would have happened if you came back to find Jacob happy and in love with that girl….what was her name Jake….oh right Shelly. Would you have stayed with Quil and be marrying him tomorrow instead of Jake?"

Jacob let out a low growl that rumbled through his chest and Leah smacked Paul so hard that is echoed through the room. I tried to not look affected by his question and did my best to answer it.

"It doesn't matter….he wasn't and I'm not." I wanted to leave it at that. I was hoping everyone would let it go. I felt Quil's hand on my shoulder, rubbing it slightly. His way of letting me know he was there for me.

I also felt Jake's eyes burning a whole into my body. I waited, didn't want to look at him right away but when I finally did it wasn't any better.

"Answer the question Bella." His voice was low and rougher then before. Questions in his eyes that needed answered. Ones that I never wanted to because I didn't know the answer to them myself.

Sure maybe I have wondered about it. What would I have done if Jake was happy and in love? It wasn't like I came back here to win him back. I thought he had an imprint and I just wanted him to know his son and vice versa.

Deep down part of me knew that I would have stayed with Quil if that was a possibility. However it wasn't. the relationship would have been short lived due to Quil's own imprinting. One that was real, that I witnessed with my own eyes.

Again I waited. I knew at that moment everyone's eyes were on me. Rachel and Rebecca the only two completely lost and entirely innocent.

"Jake come on man what does it matter?" Embry tried to help me out as tears began to fill my eyes. Jake's focus remained on me the entire time. Even as Quil leaned down and whispered in my ear. "You don't have to answer that."

"Stay out of it Quil." Jake growled. Quil's head snapped up in that instant.

"The hell if I do. I told you I wouldn't let you hurt her again and I meant it." Quil remained protectively at my side.

"It is just a question. If I had in fact moved on would you have stayed with Quil? Were your feelings for him deep enough that you would be able to make a life with him, to marry him, to have his children. " His jaw tensed and he waited for my answer. Without thinking I gave him one.

"If things were different. Yes I would have but they're not."

And that was when all hell broke lose. Jake lunged at Quil and before I knew it I was being pulled away from the scene by Leah as the guys tried to break them apart.

As fast as my pregnant body could go, I took off out of the room no longer able to witness the fight. There was blood everywhere and while Quil and the pack were pretty strong Jake was stronger.

How was I was I supposed to feel? What was I supposed to say? I known from the moment I left La Push that I was leaving Jake in the hands of another woman. Did he never assume I might move on?

Never once had I imagined that I would be in the situation I am in now.

Here I am. Pregnant, on the night before my wedding day I am sitting in the laundry room of Quil's house crying hysterically and acting like a crazy person as tears course from my eyes.

I am hiding between the washer and the dryer and granted my size I'm not entirely sure I can even get out of my little secret place.

Right now though I don't want to. I don't want to go out there and face them. I already know what they will all say.

Each one will try to make me feel better by telling me not to worry about it. That Jake choose me, he is marrying me and that Quil has Claire. This I know and hearing it over and over doesn't make me feel any better.

Hearing that doesn't change the fact that he was with her. He counted on her for his happiness. Or that I ruined such a deep friendship between two brothers.

With my knees pulled into my chest I laid my head down on top my knees. I tried to stop the tears but it was impossible.

I guess it was safe to say that I never truly thought I would ever have another chance with Jake. Which in return I am sure he felt the same. I planned on staying with Quil for as along as I could and I was honest about that.

I could not blame him for anything that happened when I was gone no more then he could blame me for my relationship with Quil.

The past was the past and as much as I know that it didn't matter it doesn't help. How would I be able to get past this?

It was always in the back of my mind, the things they probably did together. Now however that I know for sure what they did I cant seem to block it out.

It is just there, lingering in the empty hollow piece of my mind.

Will it ever feel better? Is there some possible way that within some given time the memory of this night and the actions discovered will slowly melt away? No I don't think it will. It will just be yet another memory that I need to block.

~*~

Last night was a bad night. A very bad night was an understatement actually. Quil and Jake both had horrid battle wounds and I left without talking to either of them.

I guess I knew the would forgive me as well as each other so I didn't really worry about it at the time.

With my hair and makeup finished, I stood up as I was handed my undergarments for the day.

"Here we will wait outside. I bet you will like it better then the granny panties I found yesterday." Leah giggled and pushed a slightly confused and disgusted Emily out of the room, shutting my door behind them.

As I dropped my robe and stepped into my new boy short maternity underwear I couldn't help but laugh at the incredulously bizarre butt talk yesterday morning with Leah.

~*~

"During my first trimester with EJ was the first time I got a little cuckoo in the head….it honestly scared the crap out of Quil. I think he thought he lost the sane version of me forever and to be honest I was starting to believe I lost myself as well."

"Luckily you got me here to let you know when you are being a little cuckoo, huh?" Leah laughed

"Well see that is the thing…I was completely aware what I was saying was absolutely crazy….yet there I was screaming all red faced and veins pulsating and it was all over stupid things like running out of orange juice." I laughed as I thought back to the day when the craziness erupted.

My reminiscing was interrupted by an awful screeching sound. I turned to see Leah looking through my freshly folded laundry.

"What do you call those!" She screeched again and I cringed at the ear piercing sound. She picked up a pair of my white cotton underwear.

"Those are what I call comfortable when I am three times my usual size." I sneered at her obvious disgust.

"They are granny panties!" She gasped.

"Oh they are not! Give me them!!" I reached out and took them from her hands.

"You know they do make a cute G String for pregnant gals right?" Leah raised an eyebrow as she plopped down on my bed.

"Yeah I know." I chuckled " Maternity underwear or not you still get the whole 'your ass is too fat to be wearing those' lines."

"Do I even want to hear the story behind that?" Leah questioned, the look of confusion and interest written all over her face.

"You may want to hear it but you won't regardless…it isn't something I want being played over and over again to my future husband and the rest of the pack every time you phase." I thrown the pair of underwear into my top drawer and began to brush my hair. Wondering how much of our conversations the pack has already seen.

~*~

I couldn't help but laugh even more once I realized the writing on the under wear package Invisible Panty Lines for Moms to Be.

I was sure Leah had a good laugh as well when she found them in the store.

"Okay Bella…it's time!" Emily busted in the room holding my dress. Both of them helped me put it on and we left the house making the short trip to the council building.

I wasn't allowed to see the decorations before hand, they wanted to keep them as much as a surprise as they could.

In a way I am glad they did, as we pulled up to the front there were dozens of white lilies and spider ivy that wrapped around the entrance.

"Wow….this is just…it's beautiful….thank you." The tears were already threatening to break free. The weather was extraordinarily beautiful today, a surely incredible surprise.

"Come on, everyone is waiting." my father stood in a black tux looking like a movie star, something I have never seen before.

He took my arm in his as we made our way to the entrance. Just before he opened the doors he turned to me and that was the first time I noticed the tears in his eyes.

"You know Bells, it wasn't until this morning that I realized what would be said in there." He paused as he took a deep, shaky breath.

I wasn't sure where he was going with this but it was something that he was obviously upset about.

"Who presents this woman…..this woman? See to me you are still just a kid. And now you are leaving me . I realized at that moment this morning that you no longer need my help anymore. You are all grown and with a child and baby on the way and soon you will have a husband and home of your own. Something inside began to hurt a little I guess."

"Oh now that isn't true…..I'm always going to need you, you're my dad please don't ever think that you are going to lose me."

My father hugged me for the first time as if he was really worried of letting me go.

~*~

As I waited at the alter for Charlie and Bella to walk through the huge council doors , a sudden rush of relief swept through me.

Here I was on a day I waited so long for and yet never expected to come.

All of our family and friends were in their seats waiting to witness this miracle. Paul, Jared, Embry, and Sam stood at my side as Leah, Emily and even Quil waited for Bella to join them.

Bella's mother and step father flew in from Florida as well as a few friends that she and Quil made while down there. They were rather interesting to say the least.

Without warning the council doors open and in walked the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. Deep down I knew she was still worried about imprinting and what it would do to us if I did imprint on someone. I still didn't tell her about the meeting with Sam and the Elders. Or the fact that they thought that I had already imprinted on Bella but didn't feel the imprint to the full effect due to the amount of love I already carried in my heart for her the first time I phased.

No, she knew none of that. That was something special that I would save for the honeymoon.

She smiled as she caught my eye and I felt my heart burst with happiness.

~*~

"We are gathered here today to honor the union of Jacob Black and Isabella Swan. Their road has not been an easy one yet they keep coming back to each other. Not only is that a sign of love but courage."

As the Elder was performing the ceremony I absently spaced out. I thought of all the times Jake and I were together before we learned each others true feelings for one another. How awkward the Sunday dinners were when all I could do is think about his lips or what it would feel like to have his arms around me.

Then I allowed myself to think of all the pain I caused with the whole Edward fiasco. It wasn't until then that I knew his feelings were deeper then just friendship. Despite the fact that I knew of them I continued my relationship with Edward. Even after I crushed his heart he was still there to pick up the pieces when Edward left.

We caused each other so much heartache and pain and yet here we were. All I knew now was I wanted to make sure he never felt that kind of pain again. That he would never know hurt or sorrow at my hand.

"I stand here in front of our family and friends, to give myself to you." Jake spoke with a shaky breath. "Before you, and without you, my life had no meaning. I was a drifter in a search of a home. Now I've found it and I can't wait to spend the rest of my days with you. On this day I pledge to you my love and happiness. From the beginning of my life I have been looking for your face, but today I have seen it. Today I have seen the charm, the beauty, the unfathomable grace of the face that I was looking for. Today I have found you, and those who laughed and scorned me yesterday are sorry that they were not looking as I did. I am bewildered by the magnificence of your beauty, and wish to see you with a hundred eyes. My heart has burned with passion and has searched forever for this wondrous beauty that I now behold. You have breathed new life into me. I have become your sunshine, and also your shadow. My soul is screaming in ecstasy. Every fiber of my being is in love with you. Your effulgence has lit a fire in my heart, and you have made radiant for me the earth and sky. The one thing I know Bella, is our miracle lies in the path we have chosen together. I enter into this marriage with you, knowing that the true magic of love is not to avoid changes but to navigate them successfully. I commit myself to making each day work. There will be days when I don't always get things right but your patience gives me the time to make it better. Respecting each other, we commit to live our lives together for all the days to come. I ask you to share this world with me, for good and bad. Be my partner, my love, my life, and I will be yours."

As Jake finished his vows I was in tears. It was truly the most beautiful thing he has ever said to me. Even more beautiful then his marriage proposal. I was sure the guys would nag on him later for this.

After taking a deep breath I began to proclaim my love in front of everyone and hoped I'd get through my vows without breaking down completely.

Jake reached out his hand to wipe away my tears and smiled his amazing smile. I heard a few awws coming from the crowd but instead of looking to see who they came from found the courage I needed to continue in his eyes.

"I choose you Jacob, as my best friend, my love for life. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my most tender care, through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future, I promise to love you. I promise to be faithful to you, to commit to you and support you. I promise to respect your unique talents and abilities" I smile as recognition breaks across his face and those in the pack circle chuckles, even the Cullen's. "To lend you strength for all of your dreams. You have shown me what love feels like and for that I thank you. You are everything I need and at this moment I know all of my prayers have been answered and that all of my dreams have come true. I am so grateful for you Jake: for all of your love and constant friendship. For our family and our second chance at love and life. I know that our love is heaven sent and I promise to be here for ever and always even though there was a time I wasn't. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home. As I have given you my hand to hold, I give you my life to keep."

With my hand in Jake's we look deeply into each others eyes as the Elder continues on with the ceremony. Despite the fact there are dozens of people here in the tiny council building at this very moment, it feels as if it is just the two of us.

"Can anyone here, find a reason why this man or this woman shall not be married?"

When no one had spoke up he continued on and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place, to enter into the days of your togethernessAnd may your days be good and long upon the earth. You may kiss your bride."

Jake leaned over and pulled me into him as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I held on as tightly as I could as our lips met. He kissed me with such a passion I began to blush at the thought of anyone witnessing it. Especially Charlie and Billy.

After a few brief moments we pulled apart and faced the Quileute Elder.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I now share with you Warrior Black and his new bride."

We turned and faced the crowd and headed down the aisle and waited outside to greet our guest. Once outside Jake swept me off my feet and kissed me as if he hadn't seen me in a million days.

~*~

JPOV

The pack along with our family and the rest of our friends all gathered along the beach for the reception. I would have to thank them properly later for the amazing job they did, everything was decorated beautifully.

We had our first dance as husband and wife and talked about how cute EJ looked as he danced with Claire. The guys all joked and made fun of Quil saying that he finally had some competition to watch out for.

Midway through the party Bella went inside to use the restroom. Paul's house was the closest one to the beach so that was where our guest would use the restroom and where the extra ice and food was stored.

Once she came back out she was wearing a pair of baggy jogging pants and white t shirt of what I assumed to be Paul's.

"My stomach isn't feeling too well. I think it might have to do with the snugness of the dress so I had to change." She blushed feverishly.

"You're even more beautiful then ever." I whispered and kissed her as passionately as she was kissing me. I was truly the happiest man in the world right now.

The night passed rather quickly. Most of the pack were still here but the rest of the guest left earlier in the evening.

Bella decided to lay down on Paul's couch for a little rest as she put it. That little rest turned into almost two hours now.

As I helped clean up outside Quil went in to check on her. What happened next scared me like nothing before.

"Jake man you better get in here….her water just broke!"

~*~

While I had gone over this day a million times in my head I never expected myself to act this way.

Instead I had always been the epitome of calm and collected, what I had never expected was how utterly terrified I could possibly be.

I needed another day or maybe two to read all those damn pregnancy books that Embry has been reading for months now. However it was too late now. My subconscious attempt to delay the impossible had failed horribly.

Bella arched her back suffering from another contraction in semi silence. Embry was right at her side rubbing her back as talking to her in soothing calming tones.

"I have to get the bag." I stated from my side of Bella. Embry and Bella both glared at me as if I had two heads.

"Forget about the bag. Someone will bring it later." Embry answered as he remained in control of the entire situation.

By now the entire room was full of the remaining members of the pack and their imprints.

Quil and Leah were left in charge of EJ and Claire. Jared and Kim went to pick up my father to give him a ride to the hospital and Seth went to wake up Sue and Charlie seen how they weren't answering their phone.

Emily offered to go pick up the bag and meet bring it to the hospital while Sam got Dr Cullen on the phone. All the while I watched in stunned silence as Embry comforted my wife and Paul continuously muttered about the mess on the carpet.

"Okay well he will be there waiting for you." Sam hung up the phone and grabbed his keys. "As soon as we get the bag we will be there as well. Congratulations man." Sam smiled at me but I couldn't smile back I stayed frozen in my spot.

His eyebrow creased and he grimaced. "Do I have to give you an order?" His voice turned to more of an annoyed bark with a hint of humor lingering.

"No you will not!" Bella panted through another contraction. "He will snap out of this and enjoy being there for the birth of our daughter all on his own. No pack orders will be given tonight."

Paul and Sam looked at me wide eyed and muttered something under their breath too low for Bella to hear.

Paul chuckled a bit causing a deadly glare from Bella that immediately shut him up. I can understand their surprise…neither one ever heard Bella raise her voice. I on the other hand was well aware of just how loud and mean she could get.

We all walked out together, Embry on one side of Bella and myself on the other. We supported her as we placed her in the backseat. As I started to climb in the back with her she asked for Embry and shocked me out of my trance. Almost as if I suffered a slap I the face I was well aware I had let my wife down.

Instead I climbed into the driver seat as Paul got in the passenger side. It surprised me a bit that he was even coming along. The roads were empty and black beneath the darkened starless sky.

I pressed down on the accelerator, speeding toward Seattle. Because of the possible complication we opted for having the baby in Seattle where Dr Cullen and an immense amount of other doctors would be if something were to happen.

I watched in the rearview mirror as another contraction passed and Bella fell back into Embry's arms looking pale and sickly.

I sped even faster along the deserted roads. Every once in a while stealing a glance in the rearview mirror at my wife. At this point in time even the calm and collected Embry began to look nervous as he timed the contractions.

The car was strangely quiet for holding 3 grown werewolves and a laboring woman.

"Are you doing ok Bells?" I glanced back and met her stare.

"I'm good but you might want to drive faster though." My heart hammered in my chest.

Keep calm, I told myself. I have to keep calm for Bella. I could feel the pull of the car as I sped around the curve and almost expected Bella to yell at me to slow down. However that never happened.

The contractions seemed to be coming every 9 minutes or so. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or how much time that meant we had to spare. Now I really wish I would have read one of his damn books.

As I saw my best friends comforting my wife part of me was happy he was so well informed that he could help her. Then there was another part of me that wanted to throw him from the moving vehicle.

Once we made it into Seattle, the traffic began to pick up a bit. Not too many cars but there were enough that I had to stop at a light 0nce or twice. I turned back toward Bella and asked if she was alright again. Which was a big mistake.

"Will you please stop asking me that?" She whimpered. "Trust me I will let you know if I am not."

Embry gave me an apologetic look as he rubbed her arm. I threw the car in park at the emergency room entrance and rushed out of the car not even taking the time to shut the door. Paul raised his eyebrows a bit but didn't speak a word as he stepped out of the vehicle.

I pulled open the back door and scooped Bella into my arms. I was waiting for her to protest and demand me put her down but she didn't. All she did was lay her head on my chest and held onto my shirt tightly as I carried through the sliding doors.

I walked up to the tiny window with the gray haired lady behind it. No one behind the counter seemed to be rushing. Everyone seemed more interested in their coffee or the story of the blondes date last night. None of them looked as if they were emergency room nurses.

With Paul and Embry flanking my sides I cleared my throat rather loudly. Bella still remained still except for the few times she tensed up. But she never spoke.

"Can I help you, Mr.....," the nurses turned and looked at the sight before them. "

Black. The name is Jacob Black and this is my wife Bella,….Isabella Black. We are gong to have a baby." I spoke in a rush. The nurse looked amused at my response and the ladies behind her chuckled. I heard a faint whisper behind me that sounded like "What the hell." and I immediately knew it was Paul. I would have to smack him later for it.

"How far apart are your contractions sweetie?" The nurse turned to Bella but she refused to speak.

When it was apparent nothing was coming out of her mouth Embry spoke.

"About 8 minutes ma'am…"

"Ok well then.." The nurse was interrupted when Dr Cullen walked into the room.

"Jacob, Bella please follow me."

With out another look at the little gray lady I started to follow Dr Cullen.

"Excuse me sir" A stick thin pimply kid none other then one of the hospital volunteers rushed behind me.

"I'm sorry but you can't leave your car out there you have to move it."

Without hesitating I tossed him the keys.

"Move it yourself man."

~*~

"I have to check on another patient. There really isn't to much else to do right now, except put the call in to the anesthesiologist. That is if you want the meds. I will be back in a little bit to check on you though." Carlisle rubbed Bella's arm and exited the room.

"What are we to do in the meantime?"

The nurse that was inserting the IV thought for a minute. "I guess you can watch television for a while. The remote is built into the bed."

"My wife is in labor. I don't think she is in the mood for television." I spoke curtly.

"Ok well maybe not. However I will remind you that you may be here a while. We just had a mother labor for 30 hours."

Only then did Bella speak, well it was more of a gasp but still she made some sort of sound. There wasn't much time to dwell on it though because she grasped the bed rail and breathed through another contraction.

After another half hour I turned the TV on. It seemed wrong, but I couldn't think of anything else to do. The contractions were still 8 minutes apart. I began to have suspicions that my precious daughter was going to take her own sweet time.

Not even born yet and she already mastered the skill of being fashionably late. Even if I hadn't been told beforehand that she was a girl I would have guessed it at this moment.

Bella was doing ok. I knew this not only because I just asked but because she punched me in the arm afterward and didn't even flinch from the pain.

The rest of the Cullen's showed up about an hour later. Including Edward and his new flame. As I thought about it now the term flame seemed like a rather inconsiderate term to use for a vampire. However all the same, they were there.

Edward and Alice seemed a little suspicious, stealing glances from across the room at each other and smiling shyly.

The moody blonde even asked if they were sure Carlisle knew, so low that Bella never caught it. When I went to question the matter Edward quickly went to Bella's side diverting my attention completely.

He even asked if she was ok causing a huge smile from me because I was sure she would be punching him like she did me. However much to my disappointment she didn't.

They were all dressed in the best and made quite a presence. After a few hugs and expressed gratitude's Bella kicked them all out of the room.

The waiting room was now full of vampires and werewolves. Along with Charlie, Sue, and my father. Quil and Leah still haven't arrived. They made arrangements for Claire' s mother to watch the two of them while they joined us here.

The contractions started coming faster. First every seven minutes, then every six, then five and now four. The television was still on but the volume was muted. With the contractions coming faster I was trying to get her ice chips like the nurse suggested but she refused.

The nurse tried to get her to take a walk but she responded that no one could make her get out of the bed to walk right now and the nurse just left it at that. Her eyes were glued to the monitor that was attached to her belly.

"Aren't you afraid?" She turned and looked at me. I could see the fear in her face but with the contractions growing closer it didn't surprise me.

"No." I spoke sure of my answer. " It has been a week since the last ultrasound, and she is doing fine. I think if the band was going to attach that it would have already. And we are so far along now if it did I don't think it would do much harm."

"What if it attached to the cord at the last minute? It could cut off all the blood flow and then what?" Her voice was rushed and shaky. She was on the verge of tears.

"It wont," I assured her. "If Carlisle was worried he would be in here right now but he isn't. In fact he is in the waiting room with the rest of our over extended family."

"Carlisle is in the waiting room!!" She turned and glared at me. Something I thought was going to calm her obviously didn't. I don't think Bella would be able to stop worrying until she could hold our daughter in her arms.

"Embry is out there asking all kinds of questions. How far your dilated and heart rates and all that stuff." She smiled and nodded. " I took a sip of my coffee that Alice brought in. It was actually pretty good.

"I think I want to have another one." Bella smiled and I about choked.

"Another what….baby?" I asked dumbfounded.

"Yes…I want to have a big family. I was an only child and it was very lonely for me. I want to give EJ and our daughter the best life they can have. I want them to be surrounded with little brothers and sisters they can play with on rainy days or have some one to talk to at the dinner table. Even someone to just scheme with and plan things that will get them in trouble later on. You had two older sisters wasn't that wonderful?"

"Sometimes," I muttered. "But other times it wasn't so great. Being the youngest and the only boy I might add, I was taken advantage of a lot. In the mornings the showers were always cold and there were countless tea parties and make over's. I am telling you the long hair wasn't good cause Rachel and Rebecca tried to put curlers and every thing else in it. They called me their guinea pig." She started chuckling. "I am serious. I will never forget the time they got a curler stuck in my hair and then had to cut it out. I am still traumatized to this day." I smiled as she laughed again. I was happy I was at least doing something right.

She smiled once more. "I still want more then just our two."

"So do I but lets just get this one out of the way first. Then we will see what happens."

She nodded in agreement. I could tell she was still deep in thought about something.

"Can we adopt?" she asked softly. "I mean…well, you know…."

"If you can't get pregnant again?" she nodded again looking down.

"Yeah," I agreed. "We can adopt. I heard it can take awhile but we will do what ever it is you want."

"Then maybe we should start the process now." The look on her face was a mix of determination and seriousness.

"Umm Bells, I don't think you are in any condition to start anything now.

"I know." Now she was getting annoyed again. "I meant when the baby is a couple of months old or something like that. We can still try to have another one but that way if we can't then there isn't a big age difference."

I leaned in and kissed her head, "You sure have given this a lot of thought haven't you?"

"I have been giving it some thought ever since we found out about the ABS. I was so worried and still am."

"Nothing is going to happen." I took her hand. "But I know what you mean."

"I love you." she kissed my fingers.

"I love you, too."

"Can you go get Embry? I want to talk to him about the godfather thing." I knew she felt guilty about what she said before and was probably going to apologize.

"Sure. I will be right back."

I didn't like the idea of leaving Bella alone but just as I walked out a nurse walked in. I made my way down the empty hospital hallway thinking of just how much everything changed. Bella was about to have our baby. One that we didn't think would get the chance to be born.

My life was blessed in more ways then just one. One of those blessings would be our family. The one I could see through the waiting room window as I made my way toward them.

I had to laugh at the site I saw as I walked into the room. My father was eyeing Sue and Charlie as she tried to take the 12th cup of coffee off of him. Alice had warned my father about it ahead of time but apparently he found it rather amusing as he sat in his chair smirking at Charlie's spurt of bubbly caffeinated induced energy.

Emmett and Paul were arm wrestling, which probably wasn't the best idea, seen how something was probably going to get broke. Esme, Alice and ubber bitch watched the two grown men with a rather annoyance.

Sam and Emily sat hand in hand in complete awe. Emily hand her hand resting on her belly as she stared into space making me wonder what it was they weren't telling us.

Jared and Kim were in the corner making out while Jasper and Seth were watching laughing dubiously. Oddly enough I knew Jasper's gift had to have played a role in it.

Olivia sat alone and Edward was no where to be seen. Embry was pacing back and forth as Quil and Leah followed me into the room.

Once I walked in everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at me. The streams of questions followed freely as I nodded and explained how she was doing and that her and the baby was fine.

Everyone looked relieved but the Cullen women. I noticed Alice giving Rosalie an unexplainable look. I began telling Embry that Bella would like to see him.

His face lit up as if he was giving the most amazing gift ever. It was then that I noticed something was horribly wrong. I heard an announcement of some code I didn't understand.

"You should really go to Bella now." Rosalie stated. She wasn't being rude or sarcastic, she looked worried and she was being sincere. Only then did I realize that the nurses that was rushing around were headed toward Bella's room.

Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.

~*~

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