A new chapter! Oh my goodness! Beckaboowriter hasn't fallen off the face of the planet! It's a miracle!

I am so sorry, to all of you. This will be the last time it takes me this long to post, I promise! I love you guys. Thanks for reading, now go enjoy it!

~~~Bella~~~

"Rosalie… Can you come in here for a sec? I need some help," I called into the other room. I was straining to reach my books on the top shelf of the bookcase; lacking Rosalie's height, it was proving difficult.

Rosalie strolled down the hall towards me, chuckling slightly as she saw me scowl at the top shelf. She easily snagged my books, tossing them down to me as she did. I seated myself on the floor. I shoved the books into the cardboard box beside me and let out a deep sigh.

It was strange; somewhere in between seeing Edward and Jacob fighting and packing up my belongings, I had accepted my situation. It wasn't comfortable yet – I wasn't sure if I could ever truly accept this new life. But I had realized where I was and who I am. I was my own person, a separate entity from anyone else. The harsh pain that twisted through my stomach as I thought of Edward no longer caused self-revulsion. I was thankful for what I had before and I would learn to live this new chapter of my existence.

"Bella?" Rosalie's voice cut through my pensive. My head shot up and I raised my eyebrows. "Bella, are you all right?"

I nodded silently. I wasn't yet, but I would be eventually. I had to be.

Her blond locks tickled my cheek as she seated herself beside me. One arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders and I willingly rested against her. The ebb and flow of excruciating pain throughout the last week had exhausted me.

"It's ok, babe," she murmured.

"I know."

"Do you think that, after a while…" Rosalie trailed off. I ignored her words and supplied a question of my own.

"How about you, Rose? I've barely talked to you or Emmett since… Well, how is everything going?"

She smiled sweetly. "You can say it, Bella. I know what I did."

"I know," I grumbled, my cheeks flaring. "I just don't know how to say… it."

"I tried to kill myself, honey. Simple as that." She gave a harsh laugh and I cringed slightly at her blunt words. "I'm doing all right. I have private therapy three days a week, plus two that Emmett comes with for. It's not… easy. But it's helping. I… I'm thankful to be away from there. It was horrible – you can't even begin to imagine how…" Her voice chocked slightly and I hugged her tightly.

"I pulled through it," she murmured to me. "I know you can stand through this."

"Not without you and Alice…" I whispered. She didn't realize just how much genuine fear radiated in those words. Once she knew… I knew it could be too much for her to handle.

"We aren't going anywhere."

"Not yet," I muttered.

Rosalie tilted her head back and cocked it to the side.

"There's something you're not telling me." There was no doubt in her voice, so I nodded meekly.

"Tell me, Bella. Please…"

"I'm so sorry, Rosalie," I started. My voice wretched with the sharp pain that stabbed through me; suddenly I was sobbing and she was clutching me against her shoulder.

"I didn't mean to and he doesn't even know, so please, don't be mad at him," I choked.

"Bella, are you… pregnant?"

I nodded, unable to find my voice through my tears. Rosalie stiffened slightly but didn't release me.

"It's ok, Bella," she whispered. One hand clutched me on the back of my head while the other supported my back. My shaking body slumped against her.

"Bella," Alice called from the other room. Her voice grew closer as she approached until she cut off. "Bella, I found some pictures and I don't know if – "

"Rosalie?" she questioned. I felt Rosalie tilt her head towards Alice – the silent communication that passed between them might as well have been spoken aloud. I knew what was happening anyway.

Without a word, Alice crossed to my other side, seated herself and tucked her legs in. Her willowy arms encircled my neck and she rested her head against my shoulder.

I continued to cry. They continued to care.

~~~Alice~~~

"I can't believe it," Jasper muttered.

I was snuggled against his side on the couch; one long arm twined around my shoulders to rest against my stomach.

"How… How could Edward do that while she is… in that condition?"

I shrugged. "Don't quote me on this, but I don't think he knows. I know my brother. He can be the biggest pain in the ass sometimes, but he isn't a complete jerk. He is, when it comes down to it, a gentleman. I know he wouldn't have left if he knew."

"It doesn't change the fact that I want to kick his ass," Jasper grumbled darkly. I smirked slightly. Jasper was rarely this angry.

Burying my face against his chest, I fought back the pressing emotions that were threatening to overcome me. Jasper fully encircled me in his arms, holding me tightly, hushing me softly.

"Promise me something. Alli," He whispered against my hair. I nodded. "I need you to focus on you. I know you love Bella, but right now, you need to be your own first priority. I will take care of Bella. You know I think of her as a sister just as much as you do. I owe her a lot for what she's done for us; this will make it up to her. But you can't keep having this trauma."

I nodded again before reaching my lips to his. He kissed me gently as time ticked past. Finally he pulled back. I pressed my lips under his jaw and trailed down his neck.

"Alice…" He murmured. I could tell he had something to say and was not speaking my name out of passion. I paused. " Alice, I applied for our marriage license. We can get married in three days."

I couldn't move or speak. My heart thundered heavily and my breath hitched on each intake.

"I… I'm sorry, Alice, maybe I should have asked you first? I thought that you wouldn't mind."

I grinned widely and let out a laugh. "Mind? Not in the slightest."

I swung one leg over his lap so I straddled his waist. Delving my hands into his hair, I forced my lips against his, pulling him closer than I thought possible.

My world was filled with him and now, finally, he would truly be mine.

"Are you sure you can't make it?" I whined, pacing back and forth across the bedroom floor.

"Alice, I told you. I don't think it's a good idea for me to go. Not right now."

"It's my wedding, Bella. I need you there." My words were preceded by an exasperated huff.

"I'll be there for the real one later. These are just the technicalities."

"But, Bella, this-"

"I know it's important! You think I don't want to be there? I do! But I just can't. Not now. I can't see him yet."

Bella's voice trembled. Guilt settled over me and I regretted pecking at her so incessantly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. I could hear her crying on the other end of the line. I wish I could have embraced her.

"I understand, sweetheart. I love you. See you soon, all right?"

She grunted a thick consent and ended the call.

I seated myself on the corner of the bed. I blinked my eyes quickly, trying not to let my mascara get wet. Crying and having to redo my makeup now would be fatal.

"You know," I muttered down to my enlarged stomach. "You and I? We could have gotten it a lot worse. I think we're pretty lucky to have Jasper."

Something small and hard twitched against the inside of my stomach. I tugged my shirt up, snapping my hand to where I had felt the movement. The baby kicked again, his foot pressing firmly against my hand.

"Jasper!" I yelped. "Jasper get in here!"

I could hear his feet trotting down the hall and he burst into the room, looking frantic.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

I laughed. "Nothing, babe. Come here." He walked forward slowly, eyeing me with confusion. I snatched his had as soon as it was within reach and pressed it firmly against the spot where the baby had just kicked. We both sat in anticipatory silence for a moment, Jasper's eyes wary and hesitant. Then I felt the movement again and Jasper gasped softly. He pressed his full palm against my stomach, relishing in the movement of our child.

"That's our baby," he murmured. "Alice, that is our baby."

I smiled. He pressed his lips tenderly to my forehead.

"Now finish getting ready, Al. It wouldn't serve us well to be late to our own marriage.

~~~Jasper~~~

Our families stood in a cluster behind us, hands linked between couples, the women teary eyed. I couldn't take my eyes off the pixie in front of me, despite any distraction my family could provide. Her eyes were glistening with tears as she fingered the silver band on her thumb that would, within moments, slip onto my ring finger.

The official stopped his words and nodded towards Alice. She beamed at him and carefully tugged my ring off of her thumb. Never dropping her eyes from mine, she took up my left hand and began to speak the vows we had chosen.

"I, Alice Cullen, take you, Jasper Whitlock, to be my lawfully wedded husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Her slender fingers slid the ring onto my finger. It was all I could do to not pick her up and swing her around; my heart had never felt so light.

I removed Alice's wedding ring from my smallest finger and softly lifted her hand.

"I, Jasper Whitlock, take you, Alice Cullen, to be my lawfully wedded wife, knowing in my heart that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to love you without reservation, honor and respect you, provide for your needs as best I can, protect you from harm, comfort you in times of distress, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

The ring glided across her finger to meet the sparkling diamond that already rested there. Alice's eyes were tumultuous orbs, radiant and filled with tears that were just starting to leak over the rims. I kept my eyes locked on hers, hardly hearing the words that the official spoke.

"I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

I grinned at this final statement, and swooped Alice into my arms, lifting her off her feet and pressing my lips against hers. She was laughing and crying, knotting her fingers in my hair. We broke apart as I set her down. I latched my hand in hers and we turned to face our family, as man and wife.

All righty! There you have it! There will be a more formal wedding later on (maybe the sequel?) but as you all know, Jasper wanted the baby to have a true family. Go Jasper! Now leave me some love!

xoxo