Disclaimer: Everything related to the Twilight saga is the property of Stephanie Meyer. Summit Entertainment owns all the rights to the Twi saga films. I only own writing this story, plot lines and all. No copyright infringement intended.
A/N: Here's the update that once again has taken me longer than I'd originally planned. But y'know, real life, Thanksgiving and the approaching holidays, and I had that Twilight 25 challenge. Thanks for your continued patience as we journey to the close of this story.
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Chapter 37
~Bella~
I looked in the mirror at my steadily growing belly. It wasn't as if I was already huge or anything, but I clearly had a distinct baby bump where my once flat abdomen used to be. I swear I started feeling flutters. I knew it was the beginning of movement from the fetus and a sign that the pregnancy was progressing well enough. The baby could still have issues, but for now, my doctor had told me that we were both doing fine. The fact that the baby seemed to be growing normally boded well for being able to carry the baby to term.
Although the stress that something could still go wrong always loomed like a shadow, I tried not to let myself dwell on it and preferred to focus more on each positive news that my doctor relayed. This baby happened for a reason. I firmly believed that now. I refused to think about the life growing inside of me, only to be snatched away later. I was going to everything in my power to keep this baby and make him or her as healthy as possible.
I felt better now that people knew of the pregnancy. It was as if a weight had been lifted. Certainly, the stress of keeping my pregnancy a secret was not good for either myself or the baby.
I had first shared the news with my two best friends, Rosalie and Alice. They were the only ones I had felt comfortable to reveal my secret to first.
They had been kind enough to put their last year of school and their lives on hold to return to Forks when they had found out that I had gone missing. I never would've asked that of them, but they took it upon themselves and I was never more grateful to have them around. It had become just like old times. I never really even realized how much I missed them until we were all together again. I hoped that I'd never have to be without them being so far away again.
They'd helped Charlie with the search. They were some of the first people who had been waiting for me at the hospital once they'd heard I'd been rescued.
They continued to stay around being the tried and true friends they are, but also because they saw no point in returning to the Bay Area when they'd have to come back to Forks for Jacob and Leah's trials. Not only were they both potential witnesses, but also they wanted to be around to support me through it. I couldn't have asked for better friends.
Naturally, the news of my pregnancy came as a shock to them; however, they had already figured out that the pregnancy had to have stemmed from my time in Seattle. Let's just say that they were better at the math than I was.
They didn't assume whatsoever that the baby was Jacob's. They already knew that my relationship with Jacob had been non-existent for a long time beforehand; therefore, they knew the baby could have never been his. Besides, they felt that I wouldn't have kept the baby if it was Jacob's. They might've been right about that.
They had wondered about the trip to Seattle, since I'd made that call to them that one day. Since they knew me well, they had just known that something was amidst during my trip. Of course, they never could've imagined that I had met someone and fallen madly in love with him. But, now they knew all about Edward. They now knew that Edward, who was currently absent from my life, is the father of the baby.
I had confided almost every detail of how Edward and I ended up meeting and our time together in Seattle. I had kept the more intimate details to myself, but for the most part I had told them pretty much everything. Alice and Rosalie both thought our story was quite romantic; however, fate was cruel for bringing us together only to have us ripped apart by circumstances. They vowed to help me find Edward. They hoped that we still could salvage our broken relationship, or at least have some sort of relationship, if only for the benefit of the baby.
It would be in the best interest of the baby to have its father around.
Their biggest question, which also became mine, was why Edward seemingly disappeared. It didn't seem like him at all to leave me in the lurch, so to speak. Alice and Rosalie concurred.
Before i had gotten kidnapped, we had plans to meet up again in Seattle after his business trip was done. It wasn't like him to one, not show, then two, not bother to try and get in contact with me when I hadn't turned up. He had already been worried about me returning to Forks and meeting up with Jacob, being that he was an unpredictable ex. According to Rosalie and Alice, Edward should've known that something was seriously wrong once all our plans fell through.
Of course, I had no way of knowing if he had even made the trip back to Seattle. I had figured that when he hadn't heard from me in any way, he had given up on us; that he felt that I had only led him on or was no longer interested because my feelings had he even thought that I had gotten scared and ran away from him. Nothing was further from the truth. However, I could understand how he could reach that conclusion.
I also had no way of knowing whether he had tried to contact me again since Jacob had taken away my phone and ditched it. That had been our only point of contact. We probably should've been better at gathering more information from one another, but we both didn't have our wits about us fully. I'm sure if we'd had, we'd save ourselves a lot of pain and trouble now. However, that's all water under the bridge now.
I don't really know if he ever knew what had happened to me. He was supposed to have cared about me. One would think that he would've tried in every way to find me, get a hold of me, or at least find out what happened, or what went wrong between us.
Edward was well-off with money, that was glaringly obvious. He had the means to find me if he needed to. Rosalie and Alice thought that he was the type of man that would come looking for me if I suddenly disappeared from his life, especially considering the relationship we created in such a short amount of time. He could've learned about the kidnapping and the search, then been involved. Rosalie and Alice felt that even if it happened that his feelings had changed, he would've let me know in some way. He wouldn't just have disappeared.
So, why hadn't I heard anything from him at all? It was strange, quite unlike the Edward I knew. It was all quite mysterious.
Rosalie and Alice raised a lot of questions that truthfully, I hadn't thought about. I just assumed that when he hadn't heard from me, he moved on. However, Rosalie and Alice, made me see that it may not have been that simple. Together, the three of us, planned to get to the bottom of things with what happened to Edward.
They also had made a vow to me that they would help me in any way with raising and taking care of the baby once the baby came. They already designated themselves honorary aunts and had already made plans to spoil the baby rotten once he or she made its debut into the world. In the meantime, they would help me with finding Edward and help take care of me as I try to navigate going to school and finally fulfilling my dreams, even while pregnant.
Like I said, I never could've asked for better friends. They were willing to change their whole future plans just to help me finally live a life that I was meant to live and help me provide for the little one I was going to have, even with or without Edward. They were willing to uproot their lives at Berkeley in order to be in New York with me.
As soon as they learned of the baby, they began researching New York and how they could make the transition to living there with me, then started making the necessary arrangements. It wasn't as if it was even a choice.
They had basically decided for me that when the trials were over and I was free to leave town, then I'd be heading to New York to pursue school and my writing career. They would be there to help me while pregnant and then once the baby came, we'd all arrange our schedules so that the baby had care at all times.
If I thought finding out about this baby was going to derail my future plans, Rosalie and Alice were making sure it didn't.
Again, I never asked and although I had insisted that uprooting their own lives to help me was wholly unnecessary, neither one would take no for an answer. They felt that this was what they needed to do. They had both stated that they didn't want to abandon me again in my time of need. They felt like this was their second chance to make things right with me, since they felt that they needed to make amends for leaving me all those years ago in the hands of Jacob and thus, in misery for years, not to mention my having to put my dreams on hold. They had felt even worse knowing that Jacob ended up being this psychotic, unstable individual who became capable of holding me hostage simply because he couldn't bare to let me go. It was a classic guilt syndrome, according to my therapist.
Although I had told them both numerous times that they had no grounds to feel guilty whatsoever over what had occurred with Jacob, that it had been my life and I was solely responsible for the decisions I had made, that they didn't owe me a damn thing, they were still insistent. I had offered to alter my plans, maybe move to the Bay Area with them and find schooling for myself there, so that they could finish out their last years at Berkeley; however, I'd come to find that finishing out their last years at Berkeley and living in the Bay Area wasn't even what either wanted.
Rosalie and Alice were both looking for a change. Moving to New York with me seemed just the opportunity they had been searching for.
Alice saw moving to New York as her chance to pursue a career in Art which she realized she wanted. After taking various art classes at Berkeley, she'd found her passion and a talent she never knew she had. She wanted to try her hand at fashion design, and if she found that wasn't for her, then there were loads of other art specializations she could scout out. New York seemed the better place to pursue an art career, since there were many art colleges and even art institutions in New York. She would have her pick to choose from. She had previously already thought about dropping out of Berkeley in favor of attending one of the few art colleges in the Bay Area like the San Francisco Art Institute, but now she was more excited about pursuing the art career in New York instead.
Rosalie had found that she hated campus life. She hated having to attend classes regularly and sprinting all over campus to get to class. She hated the inflexibility of campus classes; of how she needed to be up and ready for a class by six in the morning because that was the only time that particular class she needed was being offered. She wanted a different way to pursue her degree. For most of her last semester, she'd taken online only classes at Berkeley and she had loved it. Rosalie felt no reason not to continue with that route. The beauty of online classes was that she could take them from anywhere just as long as she had an internet connection; therefore, she could easily be in New York with Alice and I and still continue school. Rosalie had also grown tired of the Bay Area and moving to New York was just the change of scenery she had wanted.
Both Alice and Rosalie's parents had always been supportive of them; therefore, neither set gave the two any trouble with their plans to relocate to New York with me. Actually, Rosalie's father and latest stepmother were fine with whatever Rosalie wanted to do and would financially support her no matter what, just as long as she was using their money for good and bettering herself. Rosalie had taken full advantage of the fact that the unwavering support, especially financially, was her father's way of compensating for Rosalie not having grown up with her biological mother and putting up with his many marriages through the years.
Alice's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Brandon, commended their daughter for being a true friend and for following her heart in order to pursue her passion. They were all for her finding herself and doing whatever would make her happy. Alice says it's a product of the hippy upbringing both her parents had.
Our plans were set for relocating to New York. Well, sort of, in the sense that was our ultimate goal. We didn't know yet when we would actually work on the moving part, since it was dependant on the end of Jacob and Leah's trials. None of us were delusional enough to think we could actually make the start of the upcoming Spring semester after the new year. Rosalie and Alice hoped to be able to settle in New York by mid-spring and that way we'd be ready for the summer and possibly start the summer semester over there. I, on the other hand, was even less certain on the timeline. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to have the baby in New York, which would be away from Charlie and my current doctor in Forks.
What I did know was that Sarah Lawrence only gave me until the summer semester to continue deferring enrollment. They had been kind enough to allow me to continue deferral due to my recent circumstances; however, if I didn't enroll in any summer classes before the Fall semester rolled around then I would have to give up the spot they'd been holding for me. I couldn't continue to defer admittance any longer. I'd either have to reapply or forget about ever attending that school.
With the baby due in June, I really had no idea what the future had in store. I didn't know if I could even attend any class at Sarah Lawrence in the summer months even with the baby already having been born. However, for now, that was what I was aiming for. With or without Sarah Lawrence, I still was going to move to New York with Rosalie and Alice. That seemed to already be a given. I would just need to figure out what I was going to do once I did get there.
After summoning up my courage, I finally told my father the news of the pregnancy. At first, he'd jumped to the conclusion that something more heinous than just being kept hostage in the cabin had happened to me. But after I had thoroughly convinced him that wasn't the case at all and I was further along than he thought, he seemed more disappointed than anything that I hadn't been more responsible in order to have avoided this unexpected pregnancy. He also worried what it would do to my plans for moving to New York and school. He actually knew about those plans with Rosalie and Alice before finding out I was pregnant.
"I suppose we're going to have to let Jacob know," Charlie stated.
Well, this was it. I could no longer keep Edward and what happened between us a secret. It was time for my father to know everything.
"Jacob isn't the father, Dad," I'd managed to utter, even though there was a lump in my throat from the nervousness I felt in making that revelation.
My father's eyes grew wide as saucers and I swear his color changed. He looked as though he had fallen ill. I was a bit worried that I may have caused him to have a heart attack.
However, after the initial shock had worn off, he'd composed himself and asked, "Then who the hell is?"
"A man I'd met while in Seattle. His name is Edward," I answered, still nervous.
Upon making that revelation, I didn't know if Charlie felt relieved the baby wasn't Jake's, or if he was upset that it was this unknown man who was the father. He looked to still be processing the news.
"Seattle, huh? Wait. Are you sure there's no chance it could be Jacob's?" He questioned.
I shook my head. "Absolutely not. Jake and I had stopped being intimate a while ago."
"Probably cause he was already cheating with Leah," Charlie muttered mostly to himself, I think, but it was just loud enough for me to hear.
I had filed that little remark he'd made away and made a mental note to talk about it with Charlie at a later time. It was neither relevant nor appropriate to discuss Jacob and Leah's relationahip at that moment.
I decided to add, "And to be perfectly honest, being intimate never really worked out well for either of us."
"So because of that, you threw yourself at the first man you met in Seattle?"
"It wasn't like that at all," I retorted, becoming irritated that he would think that of me.
"Did you learn about Leah while there? Was it your strange way of exacting revenge on him somehow?" He began interrogating.
"What? No, not at all. I hadn't known about Leah." That wasn't entirely true, since I had eventually caught Jacob and Leah together in the club up in Seattle; however, that was beside the point at that moment.
"My having...relations with Edward had nothing to do with Leah, Jake, or lack there of intimacy with Jake or any other man. In other words, I wasn't hard up for any sort of intimacy. Nor was it a form of revenge. I met Edward and we instantly connected. He was unlike anyone I'd ever met before. Things felt right with him, like we were destined to meet. Maybe some would even call it falling in love at first sight. Because that was what happened. At least, on my it or not, but I knew what I felt. By that point, I'd already knew that my relationship with Jake was over. Jake and I just wasn't working out. I'd tried for so long to be in love with him the way I should be, but I just didn't feel that way. I couldn't do it any longer. I couldn't pretend to have feelings that weren't there. The relationship was hopeless to salvage. I already felt more for Edward in the short time I'd known him than I had ever felt for Jacob in the years we'd been together. One thing led to another with Edward and I willingly gave myself over to him. It's what two people who love each other do, after all. I have no regrets. Yes, we were irresponsible. That I can't deny. Yes, I should've known better. You can judge me for my actions all you want, but this baby was conceived in love. That much I know," I ranted.
I'd left out a few minor details in talking about Edward that I didn't feel was necessary for my father to know, like he was a hitchhiker that I had picked up and taken to my hotel room. I would just let him go on thinking that Edward and I met in a more conventional manner, which is probably what he thought. It was awkward enough having a conversation with him about my sex life.
"Edward, huh? The lady from the hotel had mentioned that you were friendly with a man. I can only assume it was this Edward guy. I guess I had underestimated how close you two became exactly."
"Lady from the hotel? You know about Edward?" I questioned, suddenly confused.
"When you went missing and there were no leads, a tip line had been put in place in hopes of getting a few good leads. A woman had called in from the hotel you stayed at while in Seattle. She said you had become friendly with a man and that last she saw of you, the both of you had checked out and left one after the other. I followed up on an Edward Cullen as part of the investigation into your disappearance, but it went nowhere since it was obvious you both had gone your separate ways. I can only assume that's the Edward whom is the father."
I gasped slightly when I heard Charlie mention Edward. I had no idea that my father would've ever even know about Edward before I had the opportunity to tell him.
"Yes, he's the one. So, you investigated him?"
"I wouldn't say that exactly. I was just following up on a lead. When it was clear to me that he probably had no idea where you were, I dropped him from the persons of interest list and moved on. My main priority was finding you."
"Uh, how did you figure that he wasn't important to your investigation?" I asked.
I was curious as to what my father had learned about Edward. Maybe knowing what he knew would lead to answers to my own questions like where Edward had disappeared to. Interrogating Charlie was my first step in finding Edward.
"Well, initially, it was because I thought some accident had befallen the guy, which had nothing to do with you; therefore, I followed up on the other leads."
I gasped. "Edward was in an accident? Is he alright?"
"I think the man is fine. I guess I had misunderstood the initial information, because things have changed the last time I checked. Doesn't seem this Edward of yours was involved after all. There was just some sort of incident at his company."
I had no idea that Edward had a company. That would explain the money then.
"Oh? What sort of incident? How do you really know that he wasn't involved somehow or even hurt?"
I continued to press Charlie for answers. If Edward was involved in some sort of incident at his company, or God-forbid been hurt in this incident, then it could explain his own disappearing act.
I hated to think that Edward could'be been hurt and laid in a hospital somewhere just waiting for me to come and I couldn't get to him. What a shame it would be if he ended up thinking that I didn't care anymore because of that. I had no idea where he is, but I knew I had to go find him and set things straight. If I had known he needed me, I would've done all I could to have been there in his time of need, if it weren't for the fact that my psychotic ex-fiance had held me hostage. Knowing what I knew now, it was quite possible that Edward hadn't known of my kidnapping.
"To be honest, I don't really know. That was all down in Oregon. In Portland. Not my jurisdiction. It was not any of my concern or my business whatever happened there. I just needed to know if he'd had contact with you, or could help in finding you. The answer was obviously no, so I moved on. It really wasn't like I delved further."
"Did you actually talk to Edward?"
"No. He was indisposed with business matters, but I assumed he wasn't relevant to your case, all things considering, and I was right. I followed my gut to steer the investigation in another direction. I was right to look closer in Jacob's direction. Besides, with that incident over at the business he runs, I figured Mr. Cullen had his own problems. No need to have given the guy an added headache. If he really had anything worthwhile to offer regarding your disappearance, I'm sure he would've cooperated. My main focus was to find you. It didn't seem that he would've helped in that regard. Like I said, it seemed obvious that you two went your own separate ways. You came back to Forks and he returned to his own life running his company. End of story. Of course, I'm sure he never intended to become a father and now become forever connected to you."
There were so many things I wanted to say. Things I needed to say by this point, but I pushed them aside for the moment to continue my line of questioning to my father for my own investigative purposes.
"Do you think he knew that I disappeared?"
"I can't really be sure. But, really I don't see how he could've not known something was going on with you, especially when authorities were asking about his association to you. I hate to say this, but you were probably of no concern to him anymore once you guys departed Seattle."
Hearing that was like a stab to my heart. However, it didn't sound right at all. My father didn't know the whole story.
Edward had told me he loved me. We had plans. I wouldn't just have been of no concern to him anymore and I don't believe he would've tossed me aside because he had some sort of work crisis. He would've acknowledged our association. I knew that wholeheartedly.
Something else was going on. But what? I aimed to find out.
Fate may have just dealt Edward and I a bum hand.
"Bella, let's get away from the subject of your baby's father for a moment and talk about you. You'd made your plans with Rosalie and Alice. You had your dreams of going to New York and going to school."
I interrupted him then, knowing what he was already implying. "This baby doesn't change anything," I told him matter-of-factly.
"I don't understand how it could not," my father countered. "Having a child is a huge responsibility."
"I know that, Dad. But, I don't see why I can't have a child and continue with school. I'm sure lots of other women have done it before. I know I can fulfill my life goals and be a mother as well."
"I'm not saying you can't do it. That's not what I'm getting at, Bella. You're trying to make it sound so simple, when really it isn't. I'm wondering if you actually realize the full extent of how this baby is going to change your life. Do you even have a concrete plan in place for your futures? So, you want to go ahead and move to New York and attend school with a baby in tow. That's all well and good, but have you thought about living arrangements and childcare arrangements for when you'll be in class? Who's going to take care of the baby when you need sleep, have work to do, or need to study? What about expenses? Babies have a lot of needs and can tend to be expensive. New York overall has a higher cost of living? How do you plan on taking care of living expenses? You'll probably need a job. What happens to the baby then? Speaking of the baby, what about if the child has special needs? What then? Bella, have you thought of any of these things?"
I hadn't interrupted Charlie as he ranted. I listened intently to his concerns knowing that I, or rather Rosalie, Alice, and I, had already thought of all he'd said and had come up with a few plans all on our own.
"Well, Bella?" Charlie was waiting for a response.
"I got it covered, Dad. I know you're worried, and understandably so, but Rosalie, Alice, and I had already made several concrete, doable plans. They're going to help me and the three of us are going to work together to help raise and care for the baby. We're determined to make things work."
"That's all well and good, Bella, and I admire your friends willingness to help; however, I still don't feel you girls have a handle of the gravity of the situation. This wouldn't be like babysitting. A child, especially an infant, needs round-the-clock care. More so if the child is born with special needs."
"We understand that and we're prepared to handle all the responsibility that comes with raising a child," I interjected. "We're going to take shifts and make sure our schedules overlap, so that one of us will always be there for the baby. Otherwise, we'll find a good nanny."
"You girls think you have it all figures out. I'm not convinced that you do. So, what about Alice and Rosalie's own plans for their future. You can't tell me that they're willing to tie themselves up for your baby. I know they're your best friends, and you three are probably like sisters, but they're still not exactly family. They'd already put a lot of their lives on hold to help in the search when you went missing. Don't you think it's a lot to ask of them to help you care for your baby? What do their parents think?"
"They were the ones who offered and they wouldn't let me refuse. So, I decided to go ahead and let them. Maybe down the line they'll realize what they've gotten themselves into and decide to quit helping, which will be fine by me; however, I'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I'll take their help to get settled in and get myself started onto fulfilling my dream, which I'd put on hold for so long. I refuse to let this unexpected pregnancy hold me back once more. As for Alice and Rosalie's own plans...well, they're not exactly going to be putting their lives on hold in order to help me. Rosalie is going to continue taking classes through Berkeley's online program. With Berkeley's Global Campus, she can literally be anywhere attending school. Alice has jumped on an opportunity to change her path. She decided to become an Art student and attend Art school. There's no better place than in New York. Their parents are supportive and actually have applauded their generosity for wanting to help me."
"Bella, don't you think it'll be easier on you and more cost-effective if you stay in Forks and raise your baby here instead? I'm here to help you and there are plenty of other people in town to help support you. You can always think about returning to school when the baby is older. I'm not saying give up your dream, just possibly postpone it for a while. Maybe save up a little more before then. Hey, maybe you can even do the online class thing like Rosalie."
I couldn't help but glare at my father for what he suggested. Although, I couldn't say I was surprised. Admittedly, he only wants what would be best for my baby and I, and he'd made some good points; however, as good as his argument was, it wasn't enough to make me want to stay in Forks any longer than I had to.
After all I'd been through, I just couldn't.
I needed to make my father understand. "Dad, I understand what you're saying and you've made some valid points. But, I just can't stay in town. Even if I didn't have school to look forward to, or even if there's no baby, I still wouldn't be able to stay in Forks. It's too painful to be around here. Not only are there the reminders of my miserable relationship with Jacob and also of what he had done, but I couldn't live here knowing I could run into his father and his friends or even Leah's family on a daily basis. I can't face them. I have trouble with this now, which is why I really try to avoid galavanting about town from fear of running into them. Also, you know how this town is about gossip. I hate knowing that everyone is whispering behind my back. You can't convince me otherwise that it isn't happening. This town has been talking about me for a while now. How much more will they talk once news of my pregnancy spreads? Everyone is going to think it's Jacob's. Once it's known that it isn't Jacob's, then the more I'll be talked about. The gossip will only continue and grow more unbearable if I still live in town. I refuse to continue to subject myself to being the talk of the town. Really, it's much better for my baby and I if I leave just as soon as the trials are done and I am free to leave. Besides, I'd already put my life's goals aside long enough. I think it's about time I get to fulfill them."
"You'd made some valid points yourself. Okay, I understand why you don't wanna stay in Forks. But do you really need to move all the way across the country? Why not just stay close here in the state? You seemed to have enjoyed your time in Seattle. Maybe you can find a new life there. At least, you'd still be close at hand and can run to me easily if you need help. Regardless of your low opinion of the townsfolk, there are lots of people here that still care about you and would also be willing to help you when needed. Don't you feel that this plan makes more sense?"
"Like I said, I don't want to be postponing my dream any longer. This is my last opportunity to attend Sarah Lawrence without having to go through the process of reapplying. I'm going to seize it, baby or no baby. I feel I've waited long enough. You know, that was where I was headed before Jake messed it all up."
"I know," Charlie grumbled.
"I know it isn't going to be easy. I plan to work as hard as I can to make it all work out for the baby and me. Plus, I have Alice and Rosalie. That's more help than a lot of other single mothers have out there. I'm very grateful to them. I'll spend the rest of my life repaying their kindness. With them, the baby and I have a fighting chance to make a good life for us in New York. I really believe we can do this and it'll work out for the best for all of us."
"I can see that there's probably no changing your mind."
I shook my head in agreement. "The girls and I already have our plans set and taking the steps to see those plans to fruition are already underway."
"Alright then. What about the baby's father? This Edward fellow. Do you plan on letting him know he's to be a father? Is he included in these plans you're making? I know you guys aren't together anymore and who knows what kind of a relationship you two can muster now, but he seems to be a man with means, he can certainly help your situation. Not to mention that since he's the father, he now has a responsibility to your child."
When Charlie mentioned that Edward and I weren't together anymore, I just about wanted to scream that we were together and solidly in love until Jacob destroyed everything we'd had and were trying to build. Obviously, my father had the wrong impression about mine and Edward's relationship. However, until I had some answers of my own as to why things went wrong between us, I couldn't exactly set him straight on the matter.
I told him what I did plan to do. "I do want to at least let Edward know that he has a child. It'll be up to him what he does with that information. I don't expect much with regards to our own personal relationship, but I would like him to have a relationship with his child if he'd like. I know he's a good man and would make a good father. However, I don't want to force him to take care of a baby he never planned on having. I can't expect him to want the baby if he or she has special needs due to my own doing."
"Now, stop right there," he interjected. "If something has happened to the baby as a result of what you experienced while Jacob held you hostage, then that isn't your fault. None of that was your fault. Whatever happened between the two of you and whatever you might've done to provoke Jacob still doesn't justify his actions. In fact, Jacob and Leah can be held liable, now that we know you were with child at the time. I gotta remind myself to talk to the D.A. about that."
I wasn't going to argue against bringing more charges upon Jake and Leah. The more the better and anything to guarantee they both are behind bars for a long time.
"Well, we'll see what happens with Edward once he finds out. I don't plan to live off of him, but his financial help would be welcomed and appreciated for the baby."
"You know that there are legal avenues you can explore that can help ensure that he supports your child."
"I don't think that'll be necessary. As I've said, I don't want to force him to support our baby. I want him to want to do so whether out of obligation or out of the kindness in his heart. We'll see what happens when we do talk."
"And when do you plan for that to happen?" Charlie asked.
His guess was as good as mine. The first order of business was to actually find Edward, so that we could talk. We had so much to talk about.
End A/N: First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I was certainly thankful for all my blessings-one of which was having great readers like you who are there to read, review, and appreciate the work. It's been one of my greatest joys writing this story and have readers (no matter how few in number) who are taking the journey with me. I wish you all lots to be thankful for and many blessings for years to come.
Next a teaser for Chapter 38:
Since unlocking the memories of Bella and my time with her in Seattle was really going nowhere, I concentrated my efforts on getting myself released from the hospital. I pushed myself to my limits in rehab. Even though it was against the advisement of my doctor and rehab therapist, I put in extra hours in the rehab room on my own in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep, all thanks to a cooperative nurse who was willing to sneak me down there.
It was either that or continue to be idle in my hospital bed. I'd had enough of being stuck in the hospital, so I was for anything that would allow me to get discharged sooner, even if it was painful as heck to be pushing myself so hard.