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Thank you to all of my readers and a big thanks to my amazing BETA Miss Ellen.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Changes

I laughed. I threw my head back and laughed, hard; I even let out a tiny snort. But how else could he have expected me to react? Carlisle had basically just informed me that he, who was for all intents and purposes dead, had knocked up his eighteen year old girlfriend. Of course I thought he was joking. His somber expression, however, quickly informed me otherwise. As he explained the situation to me, my attitude went rapidly from amusement, to unbelief, and then to complete shock. I simply didn't understand how this was even possible.

"How?" I managed to ask.

He sighed and leaned back into the cushions of the couch, "How any child is conceived. I know this is unprecedented…"

"That's putting it mildly." I interjected.

"Yes, well, for now the pregnancy seems to be typical; if it will continue that way, I am unsure."

A small frown pulled to his lips, and he let out a low sigh, "As happy as I am at the prospect of having a child, I am equally fearful," he confessed.

I could easily see why he would be. Bella was carrying a half-vampire, it was easy to believe that her weak human body may suffer in the process. Aside from the seriousness of the situation I did feel it necessary to bring something to his attention.

"Carlisle, you do realize that when my husband finds out you knocked up his daughter, his reaction is going to be less then pleasant."

"Yes," he said with a laugh through his nose. "I'm sure it will be. I was hoping for your help with that, actually."

"Oh?" I asked, lifting my brow in curiosity.

"I'm worried his emotions may get the better of him and he'll, well…"

"Pull out his gun on you?" I finished his sentence, though more joking than anything.

He smiled and shook his head, "I don't think it will come to that, but I do not wish to be in a position where I have to defend myself."

I couldn't help but let out a roaring laugh, "You're really afraid Charlie is going to take a swing at you, aren't you?"

"Considering the circumstances, I think it highly possible."

I doubted Charlie, who had an incredible amount of patience and self restraint, would attempt to physically harm him, but since I knew it would reassure Carlisle, I agreed.

"If the need arises, I will to my best to restrain him." I promised, though it was terribly hard to hold back a snicker.

"Thank you Esme, I appreciate it; truly."

"Of course, so when do you want to drop this bomb on my husband, anyway?" I asked as my friend rose from the couch.

"I'll have to talk to Bella about it, but soon."

I simply nodded, but I couldn't leave it at that. There was something I had to ask before he left.

"You are going to do the right thing and marry her, right?" This may have been the twenty-first century, and many couples these days live together and have children out of wedlock, but Carlisle wasn't born or raised into this time. While many of my own beliefs and morals had changed over the decades, I knew most of his had stayed the same, including his compassion for human life as well as his religious roots.

Carlisle's eyes lit up and he smiled. "If she will accept my proposal then yes, I do indeed plan to marry her, and hopefully soon."

XXX

The school day seemed to go by at an annoyingly slow pace. I was pretty sure I didn't learn a single thing. My mind was far from academics, continually drifting to the tiny life growing inside of me. I sat with Alice at lunch but we didn't really talk, she just kept giving me apologetic glances. I knew she felt bad for the way Jasper acted, but it really wasn't her fault. I tried to tell her that once but she cut me off before a full word could leave my mouth.

"Of course I feel responsible," she huffed. "I knew what he would do, but I also knew there was nothing I could do to stop it. If I had interfered it would have only made things worse. Besides it was good for you to see Carlisle defend you the way he did."

I didn't understand what she meant by that exactly. Why would watching the man I love ripping off my best friend's mate's limbs a good thing for me to see?

When school finally ended Alice drove me home. As I got out of the car she quickly reassured me. "Everything will work out Bella. I promise."

She gave me a small smile and I returned it with a halfhearted one of my own. "Thanks, Alice." I really did appreciate her attempt to comfort me, even if it wasn't working very well.

"Sure thing. Oh, and so you know, Esme is inside waiting to have a little chat with you."

I groaned at the thought. I really wasn't in the mood to deal with her.

"Don't worry, Bella." Alice went on, "What she has to say may surprise you, and not it bad way."

Somehow I doubted that. With a final good bye to my friend, and after talking a long, deep, calming breath, I made my way inside.

Despite what Alice said, at first glanced it seemed like there was no one at home. Most of the lights were off and it was eerily silent. Just as I plopped myself down on the couch, however, the kitchen door opened and in walked Esme. She smiled gently, then settled down beside me.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Okay, I guess." In truth I was tired, hungry, and I had a gigantic headache.

"Humm," She breathed, shaking her head slightly. It didn't seem like she believed me. "You know Carlisle came by today. He told me some pretty shocking news."

I just nodded, my eyes averted to my lap. I really didn't want to talk to Esme, or anyone; I just wanted to eat something and go to sleep.

"Bella, Carlisle is very important to me. I'll admit for a very long time my feelings for him were, well, misplaced." With those words my head rose and my gaze met hers. "For as long as I have been an Immortal he has been my closest friend," she continued. "He helped me through my newborn years, and even after that, as I struggled to contain my thirst for human blood. Even though, in the end, I chose to live a different way than him, he never judged me and he let me know that no matter what, we were still friends and that we always would be."

She took an unneeded breath before continuing, "I am happy he found you, and while I admit I am jealous that you are able to give him such an amazing gift," she added, glancing briefly at my stomach; "something I will never be able to give my own husband, I am grateful to you for making my best-friend the happiest I have ever seen him."

Alice had been right, her words were incredibly surprising. I had always thought Esme hated me, for some reason, or in the very least resented me. Not that I had ever given her a reason to do otherwise, I had been far from friendly myself. But here she was sharing something personal with me, and in truth I appreciated it. It helped me understand that her connection with Carlisle was more than the romantic feeling she used to have for him, but that their friendship had deep roots, and that was from where her caring for him stemmed.

"Thanks, Esme, I appreciate you sharing that with me."

She smiled and patted me gently on the leg, "You're welcome, now why don't we head into the kitchen and I'll make you a little something."

My stomach let out a very audible growl; I giggled in embarrassment but then nodded. "I could eat."

We headed into the kitchen where she made me a plate of leftovers from dinner the night before. Famished, I ate every last crumb off my plate. I then headed up to my room where I fell asleep just moments after my head hitting my pillow.

XXX

Later that evening I lay on my bed, cuddled into the strong arms of the man I love. It was his turn to keep watch over the house that night. As of yet the wolves haven't attempted anything but Carlisle did say he could smell their pungent wet-dog smell around the stands of trees that surrounded the house, so while they haven't made a direct move against Esme, they were most certainly watching her.

"So we will tell your father tomorrow." Carlisle repeated our decision as he lazily ran his fingers through my hair. I simply nodded in response. We had discussed things, and decided to tell him the following day after dinner. Esme would be cooking his favorite dish to help butter him up a bit. Not that I thought it would help any, but I supposed it was nice of her to try.

I whispered a soft 'okay', as I ran my finger over a bite mark on his bicep. It was white and bumpy, like any scar would be, but this one would never heal or fade, nor would the other three Jasper had given him. As much as I wished he hadn't had to suffer having them, I didn't mind them, they were a testament to how much he loved me, loved our child. And just as he once said my scars showed how strong and brave I was, I can now say the same of his.

"I do think we should wait for your mother's visit before telling her about the baby," he continued, sliding his hand slowly down my body until he reached the hem of my tank top. Slipping his fingers underneath, his cool hand moved to rest over my tummy.

I groaned at the thought of having to tell her at all, let alone in person. At least if it was over the phone, I could hang up if she freaked out on me. "Carlisle, my mom's spent the last ten years of my life telling me I was not allowed to get married and have a family until I was at least thirty. Not to mention the fact that I promised her we were being safe. She's going to be so disappointed."

Carlisle kissed my cheek softly and then my lips, "I'm sure everything will work out just fine. Now you need to stop worrying and get some sleep."

"Is that the doctor's orders?"

"That is a loving boyfriend and future father's orders. Now close your beautiful eyes and sleep."

I smile at his endearing words, and did as he said. Moments later I was fast asleep in my vampire's arms.

XXX

I awoke to feel the warmth of a ray of sunshine peaking through my bedroom window. I turned to find the space beside me empty, but that wasn't unsurprising. I knew he had to work, and if it was sunny, as the sun peaking through my window would indicate, then he would most likely have had to make sure he was at the hospital before dawn. Sliding out of bed with a yawn and a stretch, I made my way over to my dresser, a content smile on my lips. I always felt happy and well rested in the morning when Carlisle stayed the night with me. Despite knowing that later that day I was going to have to tell Charlie about the baby, and deal with whatever his most likely unpleasant reaction may be, I felt good. I pulled out a pair of comfy jeans, and the purple shirt I know Carlisle likes and headed to the bathroom. After taking a quick shower and dressing, I headed downstairs to grab some breakfast and wait for Alice to pick me up. I wondered if Jasper would be with her. I really hoped he wasn't, I didn't think I was ready to face him yet. It was just a couple of minutes later that the doorbell rang but when I opened the door, it wasn't Alice at the other side.

"Carlisle?" He was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up over his head; his face mostly hidden, his hands deep in his pockets. I assumed this was so the small amount of sunlight that got through the trees wouldn't come in contact with his skin. "What are you doing here? I thought you had to work." Not that I wasn't ecstatic to see him, just really surprised.

"Good morning, my love." He pulled me into a hug and kissed me. "Can we talk inside?"

"Sure."

We made our way into the living room, Carlisle pushed the uncharacteristic hood off as we went, and sat down on the couch. He took my hand in his, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles, his expression, however, looked somber and I wondered why? "Alice and Jasper have gone to Denali," he said.

That would explain why she wasn't there to take me to school. "Oh, are the nomads causing problems again?" I knew there was a possibility they would have to leave to help out their cousins, so it wasn't a huge shock.

He shook his head, and with a deep sigh he pulled me into his arms. "I asked Jasper to leave. He was extremely remorseful for his actions, and I appreciated that. However, I cannot take the chance that his judgment may lapse again, despite Alice's assurances, so I told him I thought it better if he stayed with our cousins for a while."

"Oh, wow."

While I hadn't expected him to do anything that drastic, I actually felt he'd done the right thing. As much as I had come to see Jasper as the big brother I'd never had, since the fight with Carlisle, well… I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to look at him the same way again. Alice on the other hand… I hoped she didn't stay away too long. She was my best friend, almost like a sister. And I had a hard time picturing her out of my life for an extended period of time; especially now, with the baby. I really needed her.

"Naturally, Alice went with him," he continued, "so I'm afraid you will have to be driving yourself to school from now on." He gave a small apologetic smile and kissed the top of my head.

I laughed and faced him with my eyebrows raised. "That's funny, because I don't have a car, unless you're willing to let me drive your Austin Martin." I was joking, of course. Well, somewhat joking, I certainly wasn't expecting him to agree.

Instead of laughing in return, he smirked at me. Then, standing form the couch, he took my hand and pulled me up as well. "Actually, I have the transportation situation taken care of."

Maybe he was going to let me drive the Martin. Yippee! I did a little mental happy dance!

Allowing him to lead me outside, I saw not only the classic James Bond like car sitting in the driveway, but also the Tank - otherwise known as the Pimp-Mobile. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys, placing them in my hand. "She's all yours now."

"Mine?" Was he serious?

"Yes, indeed. I actually purchased it with you in mind, knowing one day you would need a new vehicle. Now that you have completely mended from your accident, I believe you are ready to get behind the wheel again on a more regular basis."

"Oh, Carlisle, this is… Thank you." I wasted no time in pulling him into a searing kiss. I'm normally not one for gifts, especially something this extravagant; but when my boyfriend gave a gift there was always a very thoughtful reason behind it and that was what made it so special.

"You are more than welcome. Now, you should probably get going to school, you don't want to be late."

Actually, I thought I did.

"Are you sure?" I asked wrapping my arms around his neck. "We could stay here, and I could spend most of the day showing you just how appreciative I am."

He chuckled in my mouth as I kissed him again. "As much as I would love to do just that, I do have to get back to work," he said, gently extricating himself from my arms. "Besides, being out in the sun isn't the safest thing for me." He added, pulling his hands into his sleeves, though I did catch a small, diamond-like glimmer dance across his fingers before he covered them.

Reluctantly I said good bye, watching as he drove down the street until he was out of sight. I then headed back into the house, grabbed my backpack, climbed into my Tank and headed off to school.

A/N: Hello all, hope you enjoyed it, I was planning on putting Charlie finding out about the baby in the chapter but it ran a little long but I promise it will be in the next.