Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Twilight.

Charlie left before I woke up this morning, which hurt more than I thought it would. I allowed myself to cry for about half an hour, then wiped my tears and cleaned up.

After a quick shower, I was on my way to the Cullens. I was scheduled to be injected with Jasper's . . . stuff today.

I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

He was Alice's husband. I made them a promise I would do this to help them have a baby. I would be having his . . . stuff somewhere nothing that wasn't part of my body had been. I was excited about helping, but apprehensive and nervous about the process to get me pregnant.

I was allowed to have mixed feelings, right? Not my husband, but his junk is about to be in my trunk.

I shook my head to clear it. Focus, Swan. You are helping friends and you aren't even there, yet. Go over there, say hi, do this thing and act normal. It's just another day with them, you're going to hang out and have fun. You are doing this.

That worked for five minutes of the drive.

Alice approved of this plan, so that meant she wouldn't secretly resent me for having a baby with Jasper . . . right?

I arrived at the Cullens, the walk into the house was a bit blurry and I had to take a breath before entering the room where Carlisle had set up for the procedure. He was there, waiting for me on the stood beside the weird reclining chair with stirrups and a table of sterile equipment necessary, ready to use.

"Ah, Bella, there you are. For a moment, I didn't think you would come." He smiled kindly at me, almost as if he knew I was having a medium internal debate.

"No worries, I'm here and going through with the procedure." I sat in the chair and settled in.

He smiled in response, pulling on the gloves his profession is famed for.

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that really necessary? You cant exactly get sick or anything."

I doubted my nether regions had anything deadly enough to kill a vampire, I wouldn't be sitting here if that were the case. I suddenly thought of the ridiculous movie Teeth and fought the urge to laugh.

"No, I suppose not, but you are able to contract various illnesses and nasty infections. I feel it's better to be safe rather than sorry." He answered, I couldn't see his face but I could hear the calm in his voice. "I will need you to lift the bottom of your dress, please."

I blushed to the roots of my hair, but did as he asked. It felt strange to expose myself to him, doctor or not. I shifted awkwardly as he carefully and clinically examined me.

"Relax, Bella. You will feel a little discomfort, nothing to worry about."

"So, uh, where's the final ingredient?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the exam. Hopefully it wouldn't be as awkward when he injected the said ingredient and we could pretend this embarrassing bit didn't happen.

Carlisle cleared his throat, not immediately answering. "On it's way as we speak. Jasper is in the other room procuring it for us."

I nodded, doing my best to get comfortable and not think too hard about what that meant.

A few moments later, growls and snarls reached my ears.

I started in surprise, I imagine my eyes must have gone comically wide.

Oh. My. God.

"Carlisle. Is he doing what I think he's doing?" I asked, my voice shaking. I hadn't thought he would be doing . . . that . . . so close to us. If anything, I thought they would do it like I'd heard sperm banks do and have it stored somewhere. Apparently, by procure, Carlisle meant retrieve live instead of from storage someone nearby.

"I'm afraid he is, we need the sperm to be as fresh as possible for increased success of implantation." He replied, his voice sheepish. He lowered my dress slightly, letting it rest on my knees. "Everything looks fine."

He sat back in the chair and discarded his gloves, pulling a fresh pair from the box and donning them.

A roar made me jump, I think I even squeaked.

A blink later, Carlisle had lowered my dress and the door opened.

Jasper walked into the room, straight to Carlisle and handed him a container.

I avoided looking at his face, wishing the chair would swallow me after what I'd heard.

"Thank you, Jasper. I believe we are ready for the procedure now."

Jasper left, closing the door behind him.

Once he was gone, I lifted my dress again and forced myself to focus on my breathing.

"Alright, Bella, I'm going to begin. Just relax, this will be over soon." He patted my shin soothingly.

In, hold five seconds. Out, hold five seconds. Repeat. I had repeated this exercise twice when I felt something foreign enter my body. I jumped a little when something cold shot up into my body, making me shiver at the temperature.

I heard a clink nearby and wheels moving.

"Now I will set the timer and leave the room. Once it rings, I will come back and set you upright again. When I do, I will allow you a moment to clean up and let you out of that chair. How does that sound?" He threw the gloves away, smiling reassuringly at me. I threw him a thumbs up, settling in. He set the timer and walked away, closing the door behind him.

I was left to my thoughts, which might not be a good idea.

Doubts and worries filled my mind, all the negative possibilities. What if this doesn't work? What if we're too incompatible? What if Nahuel was an anomaly that won't be repeated? What would the Cullens say? I made them a promise. Esme and Rosalie would be absolutely crushed if I couldn't deliver on my promise. What if it does work and Alice becomes angry with me? What if she resents me because I can give Jasper something she can't? What if Rosalie feels the same way?

I shook my head forcefully, pushing the thoughts away. It would work, I would be fine. I'm young, fertile, and healthy. Alice loves me, she wouldn't do that. She would happy because Jasper is happy and thankful, that's all. Everything will be fine. It'll work.

It has to.

I took a deep breath and concentrated on the positive results. Esme, Rosalie and Alice would be so happy. I could imagine them holding their babies, looking down at their tiny bodies, smiling at their tiny faces. I thought of Esme and Rosalie's faces when they saw the baby for the first time. I thought of Jasper holding the baby for the first time, the look he would have in his eyes when he as he stared down at his/her tiny body.

Warmth surged in my chest. Jasper would be an amazing father. They all would be. Emmett, strong in body in spirit, so gentle with me and Rosalie. Carlisle, so kind and full of love, light. A true healer soul.

Images flashed through my mind. Each member of the family holding a baby and smiling, movie nights, play dates, holidays, and family dinners. Life, laughter, love, and so much hope. Happiness. Years and years of happiness.

Longing hit me so hard my chest ached. I wanted all of it for them, so badly it hurt.

The timer cut into my musing and I gathered myself with a mental shake.

Carlisle entered the room with a damp wash cloth, smiling at me. "I'm sure you're ready to be free of that chair, but you'll have to wait just a little longer. Here's a cloth for you to use, I'll be outside." He handed the wash cloth to me and walked to the door.

I cleaned myself up with the damp cloth, drying off with a few paper towels he'd thoughtfully left by the arm of the chair.

I lowered my dress. "I'm ready."

He came in, let me out of the blasted contraption, and we walked down to the kitchen so the human could have a snack.

I was surprised to say the least when I entered the kitchen, content to make a few sandwiches with whatever was on hand, to find Esme plating bacon and hash browns. "Oh, thank you, Esme. You know you really didn't have to do that. I could have made myself something, I know where everything is."

She waved me off, unconcerned, and Carlisle scooted a chair out for me while she brought the food to the table. "Nonsense, Bella, I don't mind a bit. I love cooking and we don't eat, so you're the perfect person to cook for. It's no trouble, really."

I couldn't help but think that if this works, she would have plenty of people to cook for in less than fifteen years. Nahuel could eat human food, so the children should be able to eat it, too. Not right away, of course, but once teeth come in and they are around two or so. I liked the thought of Esme and I cooking for the Cullen children together, family dinners every night and the house always smelling like a home cooked meal.

I smiled and sat in the offered chair. I took the silverware Esme gave me and the glass of water Carlisle sat in front of me. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," they replied simultaneously.

I giggled, cutting into my hash brown. "You guys are too cute, sometimes."

"How did the injection go?" Esme asked, her golden eyes filled to the brim with hope and concern.

"It went well. I have high hopes that it will be successful." Carlisle replied, kissing her cheek.

I sighed, smiling at their affectionate display. "Aww. Now I definitely can't let you down, it would break my heart."

"You could never let us down, Bella. Just the fact that you're willing to do this for us means more to us than you know. I can't express the extent of my gratitude, nor can I thank you enough." Esme's eyes filled with venom tears and she gave me a watery smile.

I felt my throat constrict and tears well up in my own eyes. I nodded, trying not to cry. I focused on eating, letting myself calm down. When I recovered, I stared her in the eyes. "I love you, Esme. You're the mother I always wanted and I want to do this for you. You never have to thank me."

Esme rushed me, embracing me in her cold marble arms and held me to her.

In that moment, there was no need for words. In that moment, that embrace, everything was said that we needed to say.

I spent the rest of the day at the Cullens, hanging out. Once it got dark out and it was late enough to sleep, I drove home. Charlie was already asleep so I snuck upstairs, changed into my pajamas and went to bed.

I woke up, blinking open tired eyes and stretching, nearly cracking my jaw in a yawn.

I got dressed in sweats and descended the stairs two at a time.

The sound of the t.v. made me pause, Charlie was home and awake. Neither of those things crossed my mind as possible until now.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to face him or be chicken a bit longer while things cooled off between us.

After a moment, I sucked it up and took the last five steps toward the kitchen, passing the living room in the process. I picked my favorite bowl out of the line up and poured my preferred cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

I debated with myself, chewing my bottom lip. Should I sit at the kitchen table like I usually do or chance sitting on the couch with my father? Would it ignite another screaming match if I tried to act like nothing was wrong?

I groaned, choosing to attempt to take the high road and sit next to him. He was watching a football game.

I licked my abused lip to soothe the sting and shuffled my cereal around in my bowl with my spoon.

Awkward, much? I mentally scoffed at myself.

"What's the score?" I asked timidly, as I stared at the tan squares.

"Sixteen to ten." He grunted, leaning forward some more, his eyes fixed on the screen.

I ate the remainder of my cereal in silence, letting the dust settle from the small interaction. Once I was finished, I chose to speak up.

"Dad, could you pause the game for a minute?" I asked, unsure if he'd even hear me. He tended to become so enthralled in the games he watched he wouldn't notice if a stampede of buffalo tore through the house.

He did hear me. He sighed and reluctantly grabbed the remote, pressing pause. "What is it, Bella?"

"Look, about our talk yesterday-" I began, prepared to ease him into this bear trap of a conversation. It didn't go so well when I brought it up last time with a bit less tact.

"Isabella, we've discussed it and I have expressed how I felt about the idea." He said sharply, cutting off my timid beginning.

I didn't appreciate him interrupting me, after Edward doing it countless times and especially when it came to important conversations.

"Well, I told you how I felt about your expression. Now, there's something I need to say. I-" To my intensifying frustration, he refused to let me finish my sentence.

Again.

"Will not be doing it! Bella, I already told you that I didn't want you to do it, and I meant it!" He growled, his face turning red.

Alright, no more nice girl.

"I am doing it! It doesn't matter that you don't approve, there's nothing you can do legally to stop me." I snapped, angry and frustrated that he forced me to tell him this way.

This wasn't how I wanted to reveal my decision. I wanted to do it more calmly, kindly, more rationally.

If possible, Charlie's face grew redder, his eyes blazing and the vein in his forehead bulging.

"No! No daughter of mine will have a married man's child! I forbid it, Isabella!" He shouted, standing his full height.

I stood, too.

"You can't forbid me!" I screamed back. "Not only am I a legal adult now, but I've already been inseminated! I did it while you were away with Billy! There's nothing you can do to keep me from having a baby for the Cullens!"

"You won't, not in this house! Not under this roof!" He roared, the vein now throbbing in time with his words and spittle flying from his mouth.

I paused, paling. He couldn't mean what I thought he meant. Could he?

I swallowed, my temper deflated with the suddenness of a popped balloon. Fear flooded my body in its place.

"Dad?" I tried weakly.

"Get out! No children will be carried in this house!" He bellowed, pointing to the front door. "I want you out! Out! GET OUT!"

Tears welled in my eyes and I hurried upstairs, taking a small suitcase out of the closet and filling it with everything I touched. I didn't care to stop long enough to sort the dirty clothes separately, it could be done later, whenever that was.

I grabbed my book bag and school supplies, stopping next for my toiletries bag. I descended the stairs as quickly as I could, running out the front door and to my truck.

I threw everything in without bothering to look where it landed and drove, sobbing and wiping away the blinding tears.

I had to pull over at one point, the tears and sobs fully blocking my vision. The emotions of the day swirling and drowning me.

When I had gotten it mostly under control, I started my truck again and headed for the Cullens.

I couldn't go to La Push, Charlie would go there and the wolves wouldn't feel very welcoming once he tells them everything. I didn't know exactly what the wolves would do, seeing as I am technically still human and no biting will be happening, therefore the treaty has no been broken.

I couldn't go to Angela's, I didn't want to burden her or her family with a possibly pregnant teenager. She's a sweet girl, she wouldn't say so directly or otherwise, but I would be.

This left the Cullens.

Besides, if I was pregnant, it would be Jasper's. So, if my wanting to see them wasn't enough, the fact that I might be carrying a half human half vampire baby was.

I pulled into the driveway, drying my face and combing my hair with my fingers the best I could.

I cleared my throat and climbed out, leaving my belongings in the cab. I didn't want them to know immediately that I was freshly homeless and I didn't want them to feel obligated to take me in.

I stood on the porch, breathing for a moment. I knocked, my heart fluttering with nerves and the leftover emotions from the fight.

The door opened and Carlisle's gentle golden eyes met mine. They blinked in surprised enthusiasm, welcoming me. "Bella? To what do we owe this early visit?"

The dam I tried to build for my emotions broke at the combination of his kind eyes and warm words. I flung myself into his cold chest, seeking comfort as his arms wrapped around me reflexively. Tears leaked from my eyes and a few sobs escaped my throat.

"Bella?" He questioned softly, his melodic voice concerned.

"Carlisle . . . Can I stay here for a while?" I managed to ask between sniffles and sobs.

"Of course you can, Bella, you never have to ask. Our home is always open to you, dear one, you should know that already." He whispered, kissing the side of my head in the fatherly way he always had.

It made my heart swell with affection and ache from fresh wounds at the same time.

I took a deep breath to stabilize myself and pulled away, wiping my eyes dry. "Thanks, Carlisle, I really appreciate this."

"We'll get you set up in Edwards old bedroom, it has been cleaned out and you may finish it as you wish. I will see to it that a bed is placed by this evening, so don't worry about sleeping on a couch or some other nonsense."

"Thank you, Carlisle."

Esme and the rest of the family approached the house while Carlisle and I were carrying my things to the porch.

She shot straight over to me. "What on Earth is going on?"

"I asked Carlisle if I could stay here for a while." I answered, fiddling with my fingers.

"Bella, that's fantastic! We can redo Edwards old room! We can put in a bed, an armoire, a nice walk in closet and-"

Carlisle cut her off with a fond chuckle. "Now, Esme, let the poor girl decide for herself."

I smiled at them, pushing down my issues.

"Belly? Um, not that I'm not happy with you being here, because I am, but why are you moving in?" Emmett asked, cocking his head sideways curiously.

I sucked in a breath, mentally preparing myself. "Oh, well, um. . . Charlie was unhappy with the fact that I am potentially pregnant with another woman's husbands child."

"He kicked you out?" Jasper whispered in a strained voice. "He threw you out, because you might be pregnant with my child."

"He thinks I will be carrying Carlisle's babies. He has a hard time with the marriage thing," I explained, hoping to ease his mind.

Apparently, I didn't succeed, he was gone the moment I finished speaking.

I sighed, wishing I'd never opened my mouth.

"Let's get you inside, so you can settle in." Esme smiled, leading me into the house.

That was how I came to live in the same house as the men who would do their best to get me pregnant.