I couldn't look up to see if Jacob was watching. My cheeks heated terribly as I wondered, hoped, that the baby would look like Jacob. Look and act like him, preferably. There wasn't much desirably about myself. It was then, as half of my mind began hoping and the other half began planning, that I knew what I would do. More importantly, I knew what I wouldn't do. I looked up, mouth opening slightly, but a polite knock had me turning to face the door. I could see by Jacob's wrinkling nose that it was Carlisle before he actually stepped into the room.

His angelic face smiled softly as he stepped forward. His voice was quiet and unassuming as he spoke to Charlie and Jacob. He made sure to occasionally make eye contact with me and direct comments of my health to myself as well as the two men in the room. He never once mentioned my pregnancy. I stared up at him and tried to convey with my eyes what I wanted to know. What I wanted to hear from him, Dr. Carlisle Cullen. After answering Charlie's questions about concessions and possible head injury, Carlisle turned to me. His icy fingers prodded the back of my skull slightly. He made a show of shining a small light into my eyes.

He asked me routine questions and I found myself impatient. I hadn't realized I had huffed out loud until Carlisle smiled slowly. His voice was a thread of sound as he murmured, "You are pregnant, Bella. From my best guess, I would say nine days ago you conceived."

I swallowed heavily. I could feel Jacob's heated gaze on me. He could hear Carlisle with his acute senses. My heart skipped a beat. I knew the wolf and vampire in the room heard that as well. Thankfully, Charlie was unaware. He was fidgeting in his seat while staring into his plastic cup of coffee. I croaked, "Thank you."

"You're going to recover very well, Bella." Carlisle spoke in a slightly louder tone as he straightened up. "Your head will be tender for several days, but you have no permanent damage. Charlie, would you mind meeting the on-duty nurse? She has Bella's release papers."

"Thanks, Dad." I croaked as Charlie stood up. He gave us all a nod before lumbering out the room. As soon as the door closed, Carlisle faced me fully. He quietly said, "I don't suggest you take any over-the-counter painkillers at this time. What I do suggest is plenty of rest and fluids. I don't wish to over-step, but I find myself wanting to impress upon you how important it is for you to eat three balanced meals a day, Bella. Prescription prenatal vitamins would also aid the fetus. Due to your delicate skin and how easily you bruise, I would say iron supplements are preferable."

I nodded blankly. My cheeks were turning red. I could still feel Jacob's eyes on me. Carlisle said, "I have plenty of pamphlets and a few textbooks you may find helpful. I will slip them into your truck, if that's agreeable to you."

"Yes." I cleared my throat, "Yes. Thank you."

With a respectful nod, Carlisle stepped out of the room. The door closed. Reluctantly, I raised my eyes until I met Jacob's stare. I whispered, "This is…"

He stayed where he was with his tall frame leaned against the wall. I could see how tense his muscles were underneath his T-shirt. I cleared my throat and said, "This is very unexpected."

"Yeah." He rasped, "I wasn't thinking that night."

"It's my fault. I know better." I whispered, "I've been on the pill for a few years. I forgot to pick up my re-fill from the pharmacy. It was the last thing on my mind with everything going on."

We lapsed into silence. I could see him shifting his weight from foot to foot. I closed my eyes and croaked, "How are we going to do this, Jacob?"

"I'll work, Bella." His earnest voice replied. "I'm a hard worker. It won't be all that difficult to get my G.E.D. I can pick up a job at the mechanic shop in Forks. I can still do plenty of makeshift jobs around the Rez, too."

I shook my head and opened my eyes. The hopeful look on his face made my heart ache horribly. I replied slowly, "You're just meant to work yourself into the dirt forever? Where would we live? Who is to say that one job will be enough to support three people, Jake?"

"You know our dads would help us out, too." He replied with a heavy swallow. His voice became deeper as he carried on, "There's a couple empty cabins at the Rez. I could work out a deal with the Elders. Maybe they would let us live in one of the older ones if I fix it up myself. Maybe they would set a pretty low rent note as a favor to Billy. If not there, we could live in Forks. We might have to save up money for a while to afford rent, but I know we could do it."

"Who is going to take care of…" I trailed off before blurting, "Who is going to take care of the baby while we work, Jake? I really think we would both have to have jobs in order to afford any kind of house or decent way of living. I don't want my child to be raised by someone else."

I took a deep breath and sighed, "We can't raise a baby while living with our parents in completely different households, Jacob."

"If you want to work, then you can." He replied instantly, "Billy can watch the baby a couple hours a week."

He rambled nervously, "Hell, maybe even Emily. She's great with kids and has a niece. You could keep a part-time job, if you want. I'll work full-time. That way, you have plenty of time with the baby. You'll be a good mother, Bella. I know it."

He was leaning heavily against the railings of the bed now. Both big palms were spread out and gripping the metal bar. His eyes were intense. His lips trembled. I whispered, "It's so much too fast, Jacob. How can we know if we will be good parents? How do we know if we're compatible like that?"

He said, "I just know, Bells. I know exactly how good we can be together."

I stared at my fingers as they curled around a crisp, white sheet. There was a long pause. Jacob rasped, "Are you wanting to end it?"

My head whipped up so quickly that a jolt of pain sliced through my skull. My hands were already cupping my stomach as if to shield what resided deep inside of my belly. I gasped, "No!"

I squirmed in order to sit up straighter. I demanded, "How could you ask that? How could you even think it, Jacob?"

His eyes were watery as a slow smile spread across his full lips. He said, "That right there is how I know we can do this. You're a born nurturer, Bella. We might be doing things a bit out of order, but I don't mind. You and I will be incredible parents. We can have a happy life together, Bells. I just know it."

I stared up at him. I took in all the features I was so familiar with. I pictured russet skin, curly black hair, and small hands. I heard the pattering of tiny feet and tinkling laughter. I could smell pine trees and brisk, salty ocean air. I whispered, "Do you promise?"

His smile faded. Jacob took on a very somber expression as he replied, "Yes. I promise, Bells."

"Okay." I gulped, "We have a lot to plan and do, don't we? The best way to get started is to get me out of here. Then, I have a few goodbyes to give."

Jacob grinned as his eyes lit with excitement. He demanded, "Can I tell Billy?"

I smiled and said, "Sure, sure."

"Do you want to tell Charlie and Billy together?" He asked.

"Might as well get it over with." I grumbled. "Wait until we get home first."

He chuckled, "They'll be happy. You'll see."

"Yeah," I retorted, "Charlie might be happy after he pummels you."

"I don't think he will." Jacob replied with a snort, "He told me before you ever came back home that if you were to date, he would hope you picked a guy like me."

"How charming." I said with a roll of my eyes. Jacob chuckled, leaned down, and kissed the tip of my nose. He pulled back and whispered, "This is kinda scary, huh? Sometimes, scary situations can be a good thing. It shows us what we're made of. It leaves us better off in the end."

I smiled softly and cradled my stomach. It was so flat. There was no tell-tale sign of a life growing within my body, but I knew what was happening. I knew there was a miracle occurring even as the world around me continued on in all its mundane glory. There was no baby in my hand. No sentient being yet. There was just a bundle of microscopic cells inside of my stomach. And I loved it. I loved the child without reservation, without physical representation.

A wide palm slid over the top of my own. Russet skin was deep and pure to behold. A little less than nine months later, just at the dawn of a new year, a new life would begin.