Chapter Twenty Eight

Esme

When I got to the house they'd rented I knew how things were going to be, it was small, very small, compared to our houses, almost a cottage. Emmett filled the tiny sitting room by himself but they didn't seem to notice. Carlisle smiled when he saw me, coming down from the bedroom where presumably Bella was resting. I was eager to see her but knew Jasper would be with her so I took my time talking to Rose who was in the little kitchen heating up soup and buttering rolls for Bella. It seemed strange to see her so domesticated and I couldn't help a smile

"Hello Esme. It's good to see you, as the only one with any experience of this."

I looked over my shoulder at Emmett,

"Wouldn't it be better if you and Emmett left now I'm here, the space is very limited after all and too many people around Bella will only make her uneasy."

She studied my face,

I think Bella's OK with us here, if not she'd soon say"

"I doubt she'd want to hurt your feelings Rose but just as you say. I'd better go up and say hello, shall I take a tray up?"

"It's OK Esme, Bella will be down in a minute."

"I'm not sure going up and down stairs is good for her"

"She seems confident enough and one of us is always beside her, in case she trips."

I turned hearing Carlisle's voice,

"Esme, glad you made it. Bella will be down in a minute, I was just checking her blood pressure"

"How is she?"

"Doing well now she can keep food down."

Then I saw her, walking slowly down, hand on Jasper's arm as if she owned him. Poor Alice! She was very big and I had my doubts about her dates but when I queried it with Carlisle he speculated it was because of the unusual nature of the baby. Unusual! I'd have said monstrous. a child half Bella and half Jasper, mouse meets monster. I'd be surprised if it didn't attack us all straight from the womb.

Bella

I saw Esme's face as I came down the stairs and it scared me. Jasper must have felt my concern because he held my hand tightly and smiled. I had no idea why she was here and I didn't trust her at all, I'd already told the others I didn't want to be alone with her and they'd promised someone else would be in the house with us at all times. I made it to the couch and sat down gratefully, the weight of the baby was making my legs and back ache and I hoped the pregnancy wouldn't be too long, at the rate the little one was growing I'd be like an elephant if I went the whole nine months. Carlisle seemed confidant it wouldn't, every time he examined me he told me how far advanced he thought I was. Jasper sat beside me while I ate, Esme's eyes never leaving us and I felt uncomfortable. Afterwards I put my feet up and Jazz rubbed them for me as I dozed, it was our routine that we'd slipped into. It helped me keep the food down and for that I was grateful. I'd got thoroughly tired of throwing up all the time.

The next day Jazz needed to hunt but Rose stayed at the house with Esme and myself. Emmett and Carlisle had driven into town to do some shopping and wouldn't be back for some time. I lay on the bed dozing for a while before calling to Rose to help me downstairs but it was Esme who appeared with a bright smile.

"Rose went into the garden to get some flowers for the table. I'll help you"

How could I refuse? She helped me up and took my arm as we began the slow descent of the stairs. I didn't feel confident but we made it down OK, so maybe my suspicions about her were wrong. We sat chatting about everything and nothing and Rose joined in after arranging the flowers.

"There now, doesn't that look more homely, Alice always had the house full of flowers, the scent of them reminds me of her."

Rose froze but I shook my head, I wasn't bothered about Alice, she'd lost Jazz and I had him so I had the luxury of ignoring the barb.

"I wonder what Edward will say when he hears the news. He still talks about you Bella."

Again Rose scowled but I just smiled, she wasn't going to win this battle.

"He had his chance Esme and he walked away."

She bit her lip but kept a smile on her face.

"So, Carlisle thinks the baby is due soon"

"Yes, at least by the size"

She looked at my huge stomach,

"Such a depressing time for a woman, she doesn't feel sexy any more. You wonder if your husbands eyes will wander to slim, pretty girls. Oh of course, you and Jazz aren't married are you? Still these days there's not the stigma associated with bastards as there used to be."

I heard Rose's hiss of anger but I continued to smile.

"Jasper and I are happy Esme and our baby has a mother and father that love it. That's all that matters."

Jasper

When I got back Esme and Rose were having words outside,

"How could you Esme? What a terrible thing to say, I thought you'd come here to help"

"I have, I was only speaking the truth, it would be better if they were married."

"Esme, Bella and I will be getting married. but other things have pushed it to the back of the queue"

Esme looked at me thin-lipped.

"I'm here because I have experience of giving birth and I'm happy to help Bella, I just wish things could have been done in the proper order."

"Well we're happy with the way things happened so don't worry yourself."

I didn't want to alienate her, her experience might help but I knew she despised me and didn't try to hide it. I nodded to Rose and went upstairs to see Bella.

"Did you see Esme?"

"Yes, she and Rose are at loggerheads outside, what happened?"

"Nothing, she's just a little old-fashioned"

"Oh, you got the marriage first, babies later speech too did you? I'm sorry it didn't work out that way."

She smiled and pulled me as close as the little one would allow.

"We have each other and we know its permanent. A ring wouldn't make any difference to that."

She was right as always, much more clear-headed than me at the moment. I sat on the couch and she stretched out, putting her head in my lap with a sigh,

"Baby has been restless while you were away, he knows when you aren't around."

"He?"

"Better than it."

"True"

We stayed like this all evening until she yawned and climbed unsteadily to her feet.

"I only know they're still there because they touch the floor"

I took her arm as Esme getting up quickly also tried to grab the same arm and Bella, pulled in two directions at once, twisted and screamed in pain. Snatching Esme's hand away Rose helped Bella back to the couch where she sat white-faced holding her stomach and breathing deeply. Knowing it was an accident I tried to keep my temper with Esme who hovered looking stricken. After a few minutes Bella looked up and managed a wan smile.

"It's OK, just twisted me a bit, baby and I are fine Jazz, don't worry."

She was worried about me!

"I feel a bit sick, I think I'd like to go lay down."

She struggled to get to her feet but I scooped her up in my arms,

"Let me, you relax"

She smiled and kissed my cheek but I could see she was still in pain by the strained look in her eyes. Once upstairs I lay her on the bed and took out my phone.

"What are you doing Jazz?"

"I thought I'd just see how much longer Carlisle is going to be"

"Come here"

She took my hands,

"Jazz I'm fine, stop worrying, it only upsets the little one. Baby knows you're anxious, now give me a cuddle and relax."

How could I refuse her? Laying beside her I put one hand tenderly on the baby bump and felt a little kick.

"See" she said smiling, "we're fine."

Soon after that she was asleep and I watched my hand still on her stomach and felt my childs' emotions for the first time. There was contentment and love radiating out and I leaned on and kissed her gently on the forehead. Her face looked a little flushed and her breathing more laboured than usual and I tensed, wishing Carlisle would hurry back.