Hey everyone! So thank you all so much for your kind words. A special thanks to Keeper of the Covenant who always gives me words of wisdom. So this chapter is a little all over the place but my mind is a bit scatter brained today. So pardon my French, no wait that's what you say when you curse. Never mind. See what I mean haha. So I know things are moving quickly but it all serves a purpose. I don't intend to spend a lot of time dallying over Bella's pregnancy. I know that we're all anxious to meet their precious little angel, whom I have finally named after spending days going back and forth making myself crazy trying to find the perfect one. So without further ado I present you with the next chapter. Enjoy and review!

Chapter Thirty-Five

Change in Perspective

Bella sat on the sofa with a smile on her face. Carlisle told her to give the baby time to rest and just relax while the rest of the family brought down the boxes. Nathan was still working hard on the baby's tree. She reached over and stroked his soft hair.

"I'm almost done, I just have to put the angel on top." Nathan said with a smile.

She smiled back at him. Then she tossed her feet onto the couch and laid down. The baby kicked.

"I know, Baby. You like Christmas, too. But could you give Mommy a break for a while with the kicking? You're really strong."

She felt the baby relax inside her.

"Thank you." She murmured.

"Are you ok, Mom?" Nathan asked with concern in his eyes.

"I'm fine, Sweetie. You're little sister is just quite the kicker."

"Does it hurt?"

"Only when she's really excited. But she calmed down now. I think she just doesn't want us to forget that she's here."

"You're right." Edward chuckled. "Her thoughts, and I quote, are 'I love you, Mommy, but I'm still here even if you can't see me.'"

Bella rubbed her tummy as Edward set a box of ornaments down by the tree.

"Aw, Baby. We know that you're here. It's just you hurt my tummy sometimes when you kick too hard. But I love you so very much."

Edward smiled and then left the room to fetch another box.

Once all the boxes were down and unpacked Bella went to the kitchen to get a glass of blood. Carlisle had drained a deer for her into a gallon bottle for her to have if she needed it and didn't have the patience or time to go hunting. They also didn't know how comfortable it would be for her to hunt once she got bigger. She gratefully filled the glass with blood and drank it down. Of course this was the moment that Nathan chose to walk in the kitchen to ask her to make hot chocolate. He saw her dark eyes but he wasn't afraid. Bella put the glass down and turned away.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "You didn't need to see that. I thought that you were still decorating the tree."

He put his hand on her waist.

"It's ok, Mom. I actually thought it was tomato juice when I first saw it." He laughed. "Besides, it's not like it's human. The bottle says deer."

She laughed and put the glass in the sink.

"You're right."

"Will you make me hot chocolate please?"

"Of course, Sweetie. Do you want marsh mellows too?"

"Yes, please!"

Nathan sat on the couch with his mom as he drank his hot chocolate. His siblings had finally finished unpacking the ornaments. Bella had brought down the bag of ornaments that Nathan had picked out for himself while they were at the store.

"So, Nathan, would you like to put on the first ornament?" Carlisle asked as he smiled at his son.

Nathan's eyes lit up and he put the cup on the table by the small tree and opened the bag of ornaments. Bella had bought him a very special ornament. It was a Radko spaceship with Santa standing beside it. He carefully took it out of the box and carried it over to the tree. He put it on the highest branch that he could reach. He looked at his Dad who smiled proudly at him. Nathan walked over to Carlisle who put his arm around Nathan's shoulders.

The family put their ornaments on the tree. Some were very old and full of memories from other lives. Emmett teased Bella about not leaning too far into the tree or her belly might knock the tree over.

"It's not that big!" Bella hissed and then burst into tears.

Carlisle wrapped his arms around her and soothed her while giving Emmett daggers with his eyes.

"You don't talk to pregnant women like that!" Rosalie scolded as she slapped her husband on the back of his head.

"I'm sorry, Mom. Really, you wouldn't knock over the tree. You're still really tiny."

Bella's sobs ceased and Carlisle kissed her forehead.

"Thanks." Bella sniffled.

Carlisle stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. Emmett really needed to get a filter for his mouth. Speaking of mouths Bella was currently occupying Carlisle's. She had taken him by surprise. Her fingers twisted in his hair as she crushed her lips to his. He could not deny this amazing woman. He kissed her back with the same loving passion as he held her body close to his.

When they pulled back from the kiss they both laughed when they saw Tanya covering Nathan's eyes.

"It's ok to look now." Bella giggled.

Tanya removed her hand and smirked.

"And that's the start of how you make a baby." Jasper chuckled. "It all starts like that."

Alice gaped at her husband. Jasper was more controlled then that but sometimes he couldn't help but be a boy.

"What do you mean?" Nathan asked.

"I'll tell you when you're older, Partner. Actually I'm sure Dad is going to break it down for you medically and then scare the living bejeezus out of you."

Then Bella turned to Emmett.

"See there are ways to have a clean mouth around younger ones." She teased.

"Hey at least I'm not a pansy like a certain someone in this room." Emmett chuckled and then threw a glance towards Edward.

"I am not a pansy!" Edward looked like he was about to throw a temper tantrum.

"You're right, Brother dearest, you're not a pansy." Rosalie chimed.

"Thank you, Rose."

"You didn't let me finish. You're a Christmas Pansy."

Bella knew that Edward wanted to curse but he kept his composure and swallowed his curses.

"Let's get back to decorating the tree." Carlisle spoke up.

That got everyone's attention and they went back to their Christmas cheer.

When they were finished putting on ornaments Carlisle unwrapped a special box. He opened the velvet box to reveal a paper Mache angel. Rosalie made it in her first years of her vampire life. She wanted something to keep her grounded and this warmed her heart whenever she saw it during the holiday. It became tradition for Rosalie to top the tree. He handed the angel to Rose but she merely smiled and handed it to Nathan.

"I think you should do it." She said to Nathan.

Emmett went to get the ladder and brought it out to stand next to the tree. Rose took the topper from Nathan so that he could climb up. She climbed up behind him with the angel in one hand. When he reached the top she handed it to him and he carefully placed it on top of the tree. He saw a flash and looked down to see his mother taking a picture. He smiled and waved to her. Then he and Rose climbed down.

Nathan was really starting to like Christmas with his family.

…

Bella laid on her back on the bed in the office. Carlisle had squirted the gel on her stomach and was pressing the wand onto her tummy.

"There she is." Carlisle swooned.

They were both staring at the monitor. On the screen was a living miracle. The baby's heart echoed through the room.

" We can see you, Baby." Bella cooed. "We can see you right now."

"You're beautiful, Angel." Carlisle was in complete awe of his child.

"Look , Honey. There's her little arms, and her little legs, and her little head."

"And look, there are her tiny fingers and toes."

Bella's bump was growing and fast. Luckily she only had two weeks of school left and she would be honest and say she's late in her pregnancy and it really just started to show.

"Oh, Carlisle. She's beautiful."

"And she's a girl, just like I told you."

"Our little girl, our little angel."

"She's growing fast."

"Oh, Baby. I love you so much."

Carlisle leaned over and kissed him wife. Then they went back to staring at the monitor.

"She'll be here in time for Christmas." Carlisle chuckled.

"Oh, my. Carlisle, we have so much to do. There's so much that has to get done."

"Relax, Love. We'll get it all done in time."

He gave her his signature smile and she relaxed instantly. She couldn't take her eyes off her baby on the screen.

…

When Taylor heard the news he couldn't believe it. Bella was taking time off and waiting to come back. She was at the top of her class and she wasn't going on with the rest of them to get their degrees by the end of the summer. On Monday he caught up with her going into class. She was glowing again today.

"Hey, Bella!" He called and then ran up to her.

"Hi, Taylor." She murmured and put a hand on her tummy.

Bella had decided not to hide it today. She had two weeks left and her cover story would work well enough. He couldn't stop staring at her.

"I'm no physic but I have a feeling your wondering why I'm leaving and probably wondering why I suddenly look pregnant."

"Yeah."

She told him her cover story and he believed it.

"I need to stay home to take care of the baby. She'll be coming around Christmas. Life is full of surprises."

"Carlisle is one damn lucky man."

"Yes, and I'm a lucky woman. This child is a blessing." She rubbed her swollen belly. "There is no doubt that she will be smothered with love and attention."

"We're all going to miss you." Taylor sighed as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Life goes on but thanks for the sentiment." Then she walked past him into the building.

…

Bella sat on the couch with a baby name book. Nothing was sounding right.

"Baby, what do you think of Annabel?"

No reply.

"Sandra?"

Nothing.

"Samantha?"

"What about Sarah?"

Nope.

"It'll come to me. Don't worry, Baby. We'll find something for you."

The baby kicked.

"You're so silly, my little nudger."

Bella was so happy to have her little girl. Of course she was anxious to have her in her arms but she could wait. She cherished each moment that she had with her child.

"So, Baby, are you ready to go pick out your nursery? Well your daddy and I are going to pick the stuff out but then again you always seem to throw your opinion in somehow."

The baby kicked and Carlisle appeared behind the couch. He offered her his hand and she took it gratefully.

"You look lovely." He murmured when she got to her feet and was by her side in an instant.

"Thank you. You look handsome." She replied as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. He took his time worshipping his wife with kisses. They hadn't gotten much alone time except for the time she needed to rest so that the baby could sleep. Everyone wanted to know everything that was going on with the baby. Also everyone was buzzing with Christmas spirit. Everyone was in on the plan to make this the best Christmas ever for Nathan. Bella cherished the feel of her husband's lips against hers. She breathed in his scent and relished in the smell of him. When the kiss ended she buried her face in the crook of his neck.

"Are you ready to go, Love?" He asked sweetly as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"Yes." She whispered and then pressed a tender kiss to his neck.

"Then away we go." He chuckled and pulled her out to the garage.

When they got to their first destination Carlisle took Bella's hand in his own and gave it a squeeze. They were overwhelmed instantly by the large amounts of baby things.

"Where do we even begin?" Carlisle gaped.

"With something we like and base the room off that."

He nodded and they ventured into the store. There was so much that they just knew that didn't suit their baby. They wanted the best for her. It was then that Bella saw the cutest stuff animal ever. It was made from the super soft material that babies love. It was a pink hippo plush with brown on the inside of it's ears, brown nostrils, brown eyes, and a brown bow around its neck.

"Carlisle!" She squealed as she grabbed the hippo.

She snuggled it to her chest and smiled.

"That's adorable." He approved. "And look at this one."

He grabbed a pink elephant who's feet, end of the trunk, and inside of its ears were white.

"Aw! That's so cute! We have to get that one too!" Bella took the elephant from Carlisle and snuggled it.

"I'm not sure who's going to play with the dolls more, you or the baby." Carlisle chuckled.

"I'll just borrow them from her." Bella played along as she gave the elephant to Carlisle to carry.

They continued hand in hand to the bedding section with smiles on their faces. That's when Bella found the cutest sheets and quilt. It was light pink with cherry blossom petals on it.

"Carlisle, do you think you and the boys could manage painting the nursery light pink?"

"Yes, we can get it done in the next few days."

"Good, because I want to base a design off this blanket and paint wall art in her room."

"Oh, Love, that's perfect. I love you so much."

He kissed her chastely on the lips and smiled into the kiss. He loved her so much. She was amazing. He couldn't believe that he had such a wonderful and kind woman for a wife. Isabella was the picture of perfection. Now she was round with child, his child. Their little angel was a miracle. Right there in the middle of the store he got down on his knees and kissed her round belly.

"I love you, too, Love." She cooed.

She was so moved by the sight of her husband being so tender with their baby who was still in her womb.

"Baby, you have the most amazing mother ever. I swear I will love you both always. You are the two most important girls in my life."

Then he got back on his feet and took his wife in his arms. He kissed her passionately.

"I love you more than words can express. I know I seem like I love the baby so much more right now but that doesn't mean I love you any less. You are the most perfect wife and mother any man could ask for. You're kind and beautiful and wonderful and so loving. I promise, Isabella, that I will be there every step of the way for you during your pregnancy. I'll work less so that I can spend more time with you and raise our child. I don't want to help you raise our child. I want to raise our child with you. You mean everything to be, Isabella. You're still as beautiful, and more so, as the first day I saw you in the hospital when you were only seventeen. You have changed my life and turned my world upside down and I have loved every second of it. I am so happy that you are the one that I get to spend eternity with. I'm baffled that of all the men in the world fate chose me to be with you and that you chose me to be your life partner. I wouldn't change anything about our lives even the sad and bad parts because it brought us to this moment right here, you and I together forever, incubus and succubus, mates, bonded, soul mates, best friends, lovers, companions, and husband and wife."

Bella held him close to her and kissed his jaw.

"I love you so much, Carlisle I'm so happy that I'm with you. You're the father of my child and that means more to me than anything. We'll always be together and I can't wait to bring this child into the world so that we can meet our miracle. So much has changed in just over a year and I have loved every minute of it. I can't wait to meet our little girl. And I want to make love to you tonight to show you that I can still be a good wife even with a child in my womb."

"Oh, Love. You don't have to do that if it isn't comfortable for you. You're an amazing wife. Now why don't we get this bed set and these stuff animals and find her a crib, bassinet, changing table, and whatever furniture she'll need."

"She'll need bottles and pacifiers and diapers, too!" Bella exclaimed. "And clothes! Lots of clothes!"

"I never seen you so excited over clothes before." Carlisle chuckled.

"They're baby clothes, Carlisle! They're so cute and tiny! Come on!"

Bella pulled Carlisle through the store. They got their baby an elegant chocolate colored crib, a pink bassinet, a changing table to match the crib, a large pink arm chair, a wooden rocker to match the other two wooden pieces of furniture, a pink rug that was shaped like a sparrow, and other pieces of necessary baby furniture. They had a blast getting bottles and binkies and those sorts of things along with baby silver wear.

They had some of the things delivered to the house. They called the family to make sure they didn't start setting it up yet. He asked the boys to start getting the room set up to be painted. Alice said that she already went out to get the right shade of pink that she saw in her vision and she would have the boys working on it right away. Alice said that Tanya would pick up Nathan in case she and Carlisle spent a lot of time picking out baby clothes.

Of course Alice was right about how much time Bella and Carlisle would spend shopping for baby clothes.

"Isabella, look at this!" Carlisle held out a tiny red onesie with a candy cane on it.

"Aw, that's so cute!" Bella squealed. "Put it in the shopping cart."

They didn't know how fast their child was growing or at least would grow once out of the womb and so they bought a selection of children's clothes.

"Oh, Carlisle! Look at this little dress!"

Bella held up an orange dress with a yellow ribbon around it. Then sewn onto the dress was a large yellow butterfly.

"Oh, Love. That's so perfect. She's going to look so adorable in that." Carlisle cooed.

Bella put her hand on her womb.

"Baby, do you like orange?" She asked.

The baby kicked.

"We're putting it in the basket!" Carlisle declared.

"Carlisle, look at this one!" Bella squealed.

She held a green dress with a white rabbit on it.

"Oh, Sweetheart, that's so cute. She'll look so sweet in it. Well even sweeter than she already is." Carlisle cooed.

Carlisle had never had some much fun shopping for clothes before, but baby clothes were just too cute. He couldn't wait to meet his little darling daughter. He wasn't sure if he was ever going to be able to leave the house because he was already wrapped around her tiny little finger. Bella felt the same way. Neither of them wanted to miss out on a minute of their little angel's life. They didn't know how much this baby would change their lives.

…

Leah was out with her brother, which left Jacob alone in his house. Once again he found himself with the dreaded diary in his hands. He turned the pages and remembered how utterly broken she was. He remembered those drunken nights of hers when she would try to have sex with him long after they had broken up. Then she would drunkenly cry due to his rejection. It broke his damn heart. The worst times where when he and Sam took the beer away from her. She would cry so damn hard it was heart breaking. They all knew she was heart broken due the Cullens leaving. She would call for them all in her sleep. She said Carlisle's name more than the others. They just thought it was part of her drunken confusion but now it all made sense. Then he remembered the blood. He remembered how it was smeared all over her arms, her face, and her torso. He remembered her screams. Screams like those weren't easily forgotten. She was a tortured soul back then. The most horrifying sight was the rock clenched in her hand. There were parts about that night that none of them but her would ever know about. She had been attacked according to Bella, but Jake hesitated to believe it. She had become so reckless and life meant little to her. He remembered cradling her in his arms with the held of Sam as to not further damage her. She looked up at him and began to cry.

"He's not coming, Jakey. He's not coming."

"Who, Bells?" Sam asked.

She didn't answer.

Her eyes glazed over and she looked out at nothing.

"I will never love again." She whispered.

Then she slipped into unconsciousness.

Jake couldn't hold the book any longer. He tossed it across the room and screamed at it.

"Why were you so stupid! Why did I keep you! I should have burned you! She's going to hate me when she finds out!"

Leah ran through the house into Jake's room.

"What on earth-"

She stopped dead when she saw the book lying in the corner. Bella's diary. The last entry was the night she went out to the woods. They only knew what they thought happened.

"Jake?" Her voice was shaky.

Jake conscious appeared beside him.

"Lie to her." His darker side hissed.

"She'll never forgive you if you lie." His good side told him.

He shook his head.

"I know it looks bad." He said through clenched teeth.

"How did you?" She couldn't finish her question.

"I went against her wishes and tricked her."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to remind her of what they did to her in case she ever went back to them. Of course she was in too deep by the time I found out she was with them again."

"You can't always look out for her. You have to let her decide for herself. She's a grown woman now."

"I know." He sighed as Leah wrapped her arms around him.

"You know what you need to do."