Chapter 36: Back to Reality

The moment we stepped off of the plane, I instantly spotted Emmett and Rosalie. They were standing there waiting for us. While Jasper went to get our luggage, I walked over to them and they welcomed me back home.

"Let me see." Emmett smirked, placing his hand on my face and moving it from one side to the other. He took a quick once over my appearance before frowning.

"Crap.." he mumbled as he looked over at his wife who had her hand out towards him.

"Pay up Emmett." She laughed.

"What is all this?" Jasper asked as he came to us, luggage in hand.

"Emmtt bet against me and Alice." Rosalie scoffed.

"What kind of bet?" I looked at them.

"I was so sure of it to! Jasper…what's the matter with you..no marks or anything. She looks perfectly fine!" he sighed in defeat. I was still somewhat confused.

"Emmett was so sure that you were going to come back with God only knows what Nadia…a black eye maybe? Or some bruises I guess…"

"A black eye?" I raised my eyes at them…what kind of person did they think Jasper was? "Well, I guess that shows you Emmett…who bets against Alice?" I laughed.

"Here, just help me with this…" Jasper just smirked and the two handled the luggage as Rosalie and I walked back to the car.

When we got back, we had a fairly similar welcome as we did in the airport. After hugging them, they were overlooking me quickly…making sure I was still intact I guess.

"Remember, I'm not a vampire…so you um, can't be so aggressive with me." I reminded them.

"I can't believe you all were thinking the same thing…you guys could give me more credit than that." Jasper glared at his family.

"What can I say?" Emmett shrugged "you love her…almost to the point of desperation, what did you expect?" he laughed.

I swear…I should just send them all waves of something unpleasant...

"Shh Jasper." I frowned "that won't be necessary…at least they were being honest with us. No harm, no foul." I wrapped my arm thru his, hoping it would calm him down somewhat. Not really but, he at least wasn't thinking about sending them waves of who knows what.

"Fine."

"Well anyways…" I turned to look at my new family "I brought, well…we brought you guys all something from our trip." I smiled, reaching over to pick up the suitcase but I had four pairs of arms reaching for it at the same time.

"Nadia, what are you doing?" Emmett laughed as he set it on the couch "pregnant people can't be picking up heavy things."

"It's not that heavy…and it's not like my arms were going to fall off if I picked it up."

"No, no…he actually has a point." Jasper agreed with him.

I just sighed in frustration.

"Whatever." I walked over and began pulling things out, handing them to them. Esme got this small painting we had found, Carlisle a book that Jasper was so sure he would love (which, he did), Emmett something really random and trivial, Rosalie and Alice got clothing and a piece of jewelry, and we got Edward some new music for his gigantic collection.

"Oh I almost forgot…" I went back and grabbed something out of it and handed it to Edward.

"This is for Bella. When the time's right of course" I just smiled at him, letting my thoughts finish the talking. He just looked at me wide eyed.

"I see. Thank you." He smiled slightly.

After we got all settled back in, we all just sat around the living room, chatting with one another…I was told about all the work I had gotten while I was gone. Jasper didn't seem to be bothered by it. He could probably do it all in a hour anyways. He would go back to class on Monday along with Bella, Edward and Alice and I would get back into my old routine of staying at the house, working on all this homework. Before I knew it, it was well into the night…and I needed to get to sleep.

"Wait, before you go…we have something we need to discuss with you two." Carlisle called us back.

"What is it?" I looked at them.

"While you two were gone, Esme and I along with your parents Nadia got to talking and well…we have something for you." He smiled and handed us this white envelope. Inside, there was a key and a piece of paper.

"What…" I looked at them "you guys didn't buy us a house??"

"Well, technically we haven't bought it yet. But, we figure that once the baby is born, the two of you will want to start a life together…the three of you in one place at least for the first couple years. And, we want to buy you a house for you guys to spend that time together just you guys." He said. "so, when you decide where it is you want to live, just write it on that piece of paper and it'll happen…simple as that."

"Thank you Carlisle. Esme, you too…this is such a wonderful gift." Jasper spoke and I was just still staring at them.

"But wait!" I called to them "What if I don't want to leave you guys…you all are such a big part of my life now…I just don't want to get up and leave."

"We're only talking about a few years Nadia. And, you aren't going anywhere until after the baby is born anyways…besides, it's about that time anyways." He stated slowly at the end and his family all looked at him.

"So soon Carlisle? It's only been three years…." Esme looked at her husband.

"I know, I know…but, look." He pointed around the room "Rosalie and Emmett already graduated so their supposed to be off in college somewhere. In a few months, the rest of our children are going to graduate…it only makes sense to move after they graduate…by then, the baby will be a few months old and Nadia and Jasper can pick where to live for a few years and then, when it's time to move again, they can come back and live with us again if that is their wish…"

"What about my parents?"

"What about Bella?" Edward asked right after me.

"We already talked about this Edward." Alice sighed, reminding her brother of something.

"I have to leave my parents?" I sighed, sitting back on the couch "after all they've done for me…"

"Nadia, you're sort of married now…did you really think you were going to spend the rest of eternity in the same cities as your parents?" Alice looked at me.

"No…I just didn't think it was going to be so soon." I explained.

"They are okay with it Nadia." Esme assured me "As long as you're happy and safe…that's all they want for you."

"I guess you're right." I looked up at Jasper. What was his take on all of this? "Is this what you want? To live, the three of us for a few years?"

"Is it what you want?" he asked me back.

"No Jasper…this is your family…you've been with them all this time. I don't want you to feel like you're deserting them for a few years…we don't have to do if you don't want…."

"Actually, they're our family now. And, I don't really care if we move or not. As long as I'm with you…and the baby, that's all that matters to me." Oh, great…way to put the spotlight on me.

"Nothing has to be decided right now Nadia. You still have plenty of time before the baby comes."

"More like a few months." I laughed "is it okay if I give you an answer later?" I looked up at my…my in laws.

"Of course Nadia. You take all the time you need." Carlisle smiled.

"I think you should get some rest Nadia…it was a long flight."

"I think you're right…thank you guys for this." I stood, wanting to walk over to Carlisle and Esme to give them a hug but I stumbled on something and hit my arm on the coffee table. It hurt more than it should have.

"Ow.." I mumbled, as Jasper was instantly there, helping me up. He gently touched the spot I hit, trying to make it feel better. Since when did I become so clumsy?

"Odd." Jasper said, more to himself than to me.

"What?" I looked at him.

"Nadia, I know that your bruises fade away rather quickly…but, do they form that fast?" he looked at me and then down to my arm. Sure enough, there was already a bruise there.

"No…" I whispered, starting to get freaked out.

"Here, let me take a look." Carlisle came to look at it "does it hurt?" he poked it gently and I winced in pain.

"Guess so. Hmm, Nadia, do you think perhaps I can run another blood test you on. I want to check something."

"Like what?" I stared at him.

"Just, well I don't know…that's why I want to run the test."

"Fine, fine…" I followed him up the stairs, Jasper reluctantly staying behind.

"There's nothing to be worried about…" Carlisle tried to calm me down as he took the tube of blood he needed.

"Yet?" I asked.

"It is rather odd that your bruise formed so quickly. And, you seemed to have a little loss of your balance…I just want to run this…see if anything comes up. There is probably nothing, but we have to be sure remember?"

"Mhm." I looked away, feeling tears wanting to fall down my face.

"What is it?" he said, taping my arm. I didn't answer him. "Nadia?" he called me.

"It hurt." I sighed "it never hurts Carlisle…and you've drawn my blood almost once a week since I've found out I was pregnant. And, it made me feel rather nauseous too. Is that normal?"

"I don't know…but I promise you that I'm going to figure it out okay?" the two of us stood and he helped me when I swayed a little. Crap, that wasn't a good sign either.

"That wasn't good." He said, as if he was reading my thoughts.

"Maybe I should go to sleep now?" I suggested as we walked out into the hallway "will you tell Jasper that I'll be in the room? And goodnight to everyone else?"

"Of course…sleep well Nadia, and I will work on this all night…I promise you." He took my hand in his and patted it gently. The way a father does when he's trying to reassure his child that everything is ok. I walked into the room and changed into whatever I could find first.

"What's wrong Carlisle?" I heard Jasper say loudly as I climbed into the bed. I couldn't help but smile. My husband, so overprotective.

"I won't know until I can run these tests Jasper. So, can you please stop getting snippy with me and just go upstairs with your wife. I will let you know if I find something." Carlisle spoke calmly, yet you could sense the irritation in his voice. Poor guy. Ten seconds passed and there he was, staring down at me, a concerned look on his face.

"Just lay down Jasper…" I frowned and he complied, letting me rest myself against him.

"Sleep Nadia…maybe you need it more than you thought." He spoke and I could hear the anxiety in his voice. His hand laced with mine as I began to drift off, quicker than usual.

There was something going on…I just didn't know what.

One thing was certain though. We were definitely back in reality now.

No more getting to just sit around, having a good time.

When it came to my…our baby, I wasn't about to let something happen.

I would do anything to make sure our daughter would be safe…and I knew Jasper would do anything to make sure the two of us were safe.

We weren't just two "love struck teenagers" anymore. We were husband and wife…soon to be parents. Our needs and desires had to be pushed aside…because she came first now.

Everything had to be okay…but, when had anything ever been just okay and simple when it came to Jasper and I?

The ending of this chapter took a different turn than I intended. But I think people like the drama…I hope.

Reviews would be loved.

~Chel