Bella POV

"Are you sure about this?" Jacob asked as he loaded the few possessions I had brought with me into the Guardian. "You know you're welcome to stay here for as long as you need."

It had been a week since we met with the Volturi, and it was time for me to start moving on.

"I know, and I appreciate it, but I think going home to Charlie is what's best for me right now. Besides, you must be ready to have your bed back."

I was going to miss Jake, but this was the best thing for both of us. I needed some time to detox from the Cullens, and he deserved a chance to be free of all of it, too. Some part of me knew that maybe I was just as bad for Jacob as Edward had been for me. I wasn't going to hold him back anymore.

"Nah, I kind of liked having a roommate. And your cooking is a significant upgrade around here."

"The roommate appreciation might wear off in about three months when it includes midnight feedings and poopy diapers," I teased. I reached for the driver's side door handle, but he beat me to it.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay, Bells? I know you can't really talk to Charlie about any of this stuff. And you're going to need a lot of help." He gave me a worried look like he wasn't sure I could handle it.

I knew he must be remembering the fragile mess I had become after Edward left so long ago in his first misguided attempt at protecting me. But this time was different, I could feel it. I was the one leaving, and I had something worth fighting for.

"You're sweet, but I'll be fine, Jake. I know how to pick up a phone if I need to talk. Besides, to be honest, I'm kind of glad to escape back to something more normal. You should embrace it too, you know. You're not tied down to the pack anymore, and you don't have to worry about me. You should think about doing some of that traveling you were talking about."

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the ground, a tell-tale sign that I had said something to make him uncomfortable.

"Bella, I helped get you into this mess. I can't just abandon you. You being a single mom was never part of the plan."

I gave him a sad smile and grabbed his hand. "Jake, you being a dad wasn't part of the plan, either. Please, promise me you won't blame yourself for any of this. If it wasn't for you, I might have never known the truth. Or maybe I would have found out in a hundred years when it was too late, you know? You've probably saved me from more than we'll ever know, and now I have a second chance at a normal life. Well, normal in comparison, anyway. Now it's your turn to go be a normal teenager. Okay? Promise me you'll try."

"Sure, sure," he said, but there was that uncomfortable neck rub again. "So, how do you think Charlie's going to take it? You sure you don't want me to come along in case he flips out?"

"Oh he's going to flip out, but he'll come around." I held my arms out and wrapped them awkwardly around Jacob before getting into the car, trying to steer my bump out of the way and failing.

"Thank you, for everything."

"Don't say it like it's goodbye forever, Bella. Promise me you'll call and let me know how it goes with Charlie."

"I will."

I spent the drive home wondering what in the world I was going to say to Charlie. When I had called him a few days before, I told him that Edward and I were filing for divorce. I gave him a vague explanation about things not working out and asked if I could stay with him for a little while while I figured some things out. He had had some colorful words for Edward, but said it was my home and of course I was welcome. He sounded so relieved and happy to hear from me, and despite being incredibly nervous about the whole thing, I felt loads better just hearing his voice again. I really, really missed him.

I hadn't even tried to explain about the pregnancy yet, and I had no idea where to begin once I saw him. As far as Charlie knew, I'd spent the last several months backpacking through Europe with Edward. He was going to see right through that story and every lie I had fed him the moment I showed up on his doorstep six months pregnant. I guess there was only one way to find out.

It took me a moment to notice what was off about the yard when I turned onto our old street at first. Then I saw it. My old truck was parked right in the driveway next to the police cruiser as though it had never left. Esme and Carlisle must have dropped it off.

I pulled in behind it, put the car in park, and took a deep breath. I was beginning to understand how Jacob must have felt spilling everything to his dad.

I was standing on the doorstep debating knocking or using my old key when the door swung open and solved the inner debate for me. Charlie took a half-step forward with a grin on his face and arms out in an unfinished hug motion, then promptly froze as his gaze fell on my belly.

"Bell—?"

His arms fell slack at his sides and he stared at me, a gaping "O" plastered on his face for what felt like an eternity.

"Hi, Dad," I squeaked out.

I had to start somewhere. I tried again.

"I'm sorry to surprise you like this. I didn't really want to break the news over the phone. I've missed you so much." Without warning, I burst into tears. It seemed to break him out of his stupor.

"Oh honey, it's okay. You're home now." He folded me into an awkward but much-needed hug, then ushered me into the living room to sit.

He passed me a tissue and excused himself into the kitchen to make me a cup of tea to help me calm down. I'd never seen him make tea in my life. I didn't even know he knew how.

"Wait, you can have tea, right? ls that safe?" He shouted into the living room.

"Yes, Dad, thanks."

He came back a moment later with a steaming yellow cup and sat it on the coffee table in front of me.

"Since when do you keep tea in the house?"

Charlie shrugged. "I don't know, Bells, just had it around I guess."

"Dad."

"I bought it for Sue. It's been in there for a while," he admitted.

"Oh, well, thanks." I took a careful sip. It was actually pretty good.

"Bella, I don't want to upset you, and please don't take this the wrong way, but what the hell is going on? If I need to load up the shotgun and the shovel, just say the word. He won't get away with leaving you like this."

I smiled at the offer. "I did the leaving this time. It was my decision."

"He didn't hurt you, did he? You tell me right now if he hurt you." His voice went from Dad to interrogation room Chief Swan in about 2.5 seconds. He'd already asked me the same thing on the phone, but I guess seeing me this way sparked a lot of new questions for him.

"No, it's nothing like that." I paused and took another deep breath as I considered how to tell him the rest.

"And what about Europe? You haven't been backpacking in that condition, have you? Talk to me, sweetheart."

"You trust me, right?" I asked.

"Of course, Bella, but help me understand here."

"Look, Dad, I don't want to lie to you about any of this, but there's a lot I just can't tell you. If you want me to keep being honest I need you to just trust me that there are some things you're better off not knowing. Some of it's not my secret to tell, do you understand? All you need to know is that he lied to me about something really important that I'll never be able to forgive. I wish I could give you a better explanation, but I promise if there ever comes a time when you need to know more, I'll tell you. For now, just know that I made the right choice, okay?"

"I trust your judgement, it's him I don't trust. I'm so sorry he didn't turn out to be the person you thought he was. Have you thought about, um, what you want to do next? You can stay here as long as you want, honey. Please know that. I'll help you however I can."

"I was hoping I could come home and take a little time to figure things out, if that's okay. At least until the baby is born. Maybe figure out a job or going to school part time. I'm going to raise this baby myself, Dad."

Charlie looked angry again and started to shake his head.

"That kid is going to pay you every penny of child support that you deserve, and I will personally see to it that his picture winds up on every milk carton if he so much as sneezes in your direction. I know you said it's over, but are you absolutely sure?"

"Edward is out of the picture. I signed the divorce papers yesterday," I confessed. "I don't ever want to see him again. Things are going to be different this time, I promise." Carlisle had graciously brought them over, and they had already been signed by Edward. I didn't even have to speak to him, and Carlisle assured me that Edward and Alice had agreed not to try to contact me. They owed me at least that much.

"I'm sorry, Bells. You deserve so much better. I hope you won't mind me saying—"

"—that you never liked him?" I finished the sentence for him.

"That obvious, huh?"

"Just a little."

"Huh. Guess I need to work on my poker face. There's just one thing, though. Just because you're done with him doesn't mean he's done with you. If this thing gets messy at all, I sure hope he won't come stomping around here stirring up trouble and wanting to exercise his parental rights. You don't have to tell me what he did exactly, Bella, but if it's something that you could use to help make sure you keep sole custody, if that's what you want. It might be worth checking with a lawyer. I know a guy…"

"That's not going to be a problem, Dad. Don't worry about it." I tried to cut him off before he got too worked up.

"You say that now, Bella, but he could change his mind. Even if he agreed to let you go, there's nothing stopping him from showing up in a year or five demanding a judge and a paternity test and trying to get back into this kid's life. We need to do whatever we can to stop him—"

"Relax! He doesn't have any parental rights, okay? We used a donor."

That shut him up for a moment.

"A donor? For God's sake, you're only 19-years-old! What was the rush? You've still got your whole life ahead of you."

I couldn't help but smile at that. "Yeah, I do, don't I?" He looked at me like I was nuts.

"Hey Dad, how did my truck get out there, by the way?"

"Dr. Cullen dropped it off yesterday along with some of your things. Your suitcases are upstairs in your room. His kid might be moron of the year, but he's a decent enough guy," he admitted.

"He left some kind of note for you, too, but don't feel like you have to read it."

"It's fine Dad, thanks."

I found the letter in an envelope on top of one of the suitcases later that afternoon. "Bella" was written in a beautiful script across the front. Esme's handwriting. I sat on the bed and tore it open, wondering what it might say and how it might make me feel. Edward and Alice had done a terrible thing, but it didn't change the fact that their family had been my family. I couldn't blame all of them, and I knew this must be hard for them, too.

Dear Bella,

There are no words to express how much we love you and how sorry we are for everything that has happened. We are devastated by the pain that our family has caused you and are struggling to understand it ourselves. As you know, it has been time for us to move on from Forks for a while now. As much as we care about you and want you, your future son or daughter, and Jacob to be a part of our lives, we also want to respect your healing and give you the space that you need.

We wanted you to know that Jasper will be moving closer to Volterra to watch over Alice, and Carlisle and I have decided to go with him to keep him company during such a difficult and confusing time. Rose and Emmett will not be accompanying us for the time being and are still deciding what their next chapter holds. No matter how far apart we all are, please understand that we will always consider you family, and we are here if you ever need anything at all.

You should also know that before he left, Edward made a few arrangements. He knows that nothing can replace what you have lost or make up for what he has put you through, but you will find that a deposit has been made in your name to help ease the future financial burden of raising a baby.

We love you so very much and will miss you every day. We will leave any future communication entirely up to you, and we wish you and Jacob a bright and happy future together. You deserve it.

Love,

Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper

P.S. We are enclosing the original and there are no copies. It's yours to do with as you wish.

I reached back into the envelope and pulled out a second folded piece of paper. It was the donor agreement Jacob had signed waiving all parental rights.

THREE MONTHS LATER, DECEMBER 24TH

Bella POV

"Bella Swan, you are due in 4 days. I swear if you don't stop trying to get up and do things, I'm going to tie you to a bed." Rose hissed at me.

"Okay, okay!" I relented. "Just don't put too much pepper in the gravy. Charlie hates that."

"Would you relax? I've got this."

Rose was good at everything, but I had a few doubts about her ability to cook a Christmas dinner when she hadn't tasted one herself in several decades.

"Can you at least bring me a spoon of that so I can taste it?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes but brought a spoonful of the brown gravy over to Charlie's recliner like I requested. I blew on it to make sure it was cool, then cautiously tasted it. It was good.

"Did I pass the test?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's good."

"Don't look so surprised," she grinned.

Rosalie had surprised me in more ways than one. I had called her on a whim a few days after I came home to Charlie and read the Cullens' letter, for two reasons. For one, I was curious what she and Emmett had decided to do if they weren't going to Volterra with the rest of the Cullens. The second reason was that they all deserved the truth just like I had. Reading Esme's letter wishing me a happy future with Jacob made me realize that they would never know the truth with the way we left things. I wanted them to understand that if things had been different, I had every intention of going back "home" to them. I confessed to Rose that I was never actually "with" Jacob and that my leaving them was only ever supposed to be temporary. Despite everything that had happened, I hated the thought of Esme thinking I would just abandon them like that.

While we were talking, Rose told me how betrayed she felt and that she thought she needed some space for a bit, too. It hit me then that she wasn't just losing her brother and sister. She was losing me and a niece or nephew, one that meant a whole lot more to her than anyone outside of their family would ever understand.

I had always planned to make the offer to her after the baby was born, and I suddenly realized that that much didn't have to change.

"Rose?" I asked.

"Yeah?"

"I'd like you to be the godmother."

I was met by silence on the other end.

"Are you still there?" I asked.

"Are you sure?" She whispered incredulously.

"Of course I'm sure," I told her.

"Bella, I don't know what to say. I'm speechless. If I could cry, I would."

"Say yes."

"Duh! Yes, of course!"

After that, Rose and Emmett made a five-year-plan to stay in Forks as college students and eventually newlyweds. It would be enough time for Rose to help me get back on my feet, and she assured me she would be long gone by the time her presence could trigger any changes. I didn't want to think about that just yet.

She insisted that she would be on-call for babysitting duty any time night or day, and she had been a wonderful help the closer I got to my due date. Charlie was skeptical at first, but he seemed relieved that she was just a phone call away when it came to things like accompanying me to doctor appointments or helping me with bathing, as the case had been the last few weeks.

I never, ever would have imagined a world where I would divorce Edward and become bffs with Rosalie, but here we were. Things weren't perfect, but they were starting to feel right in a way I never expected.

Rose handed me a tissue and pulled me back to reality.

"What is this for?" I asked.

"You're crying again," she said. "Are you okay?" I raised my hand to my cheek and realized that she was right. Stupid pregnancy hormones.

"They're happy tears, I swear." I chuckled as I wiped them away.

"If you say so."

I stood up to take the tissue to the trash, and that's when I felt it. The unmistakable gush.

"Um, Rose? I think it's time."

"Oh, God." She looked down at the floor beneath me, and I could tell she stopped breathing.

"I'm fine. Get my Dad and get out of here."

Rose nodded once and disappeared down the hall. The two of them came rushing back, my dad with shaving cream still on half of his face staring in horror at the puddle on the floor.

"You go ahead and take Bella, Charlie. I'll call Renee at her hotel and have her meet you at the hospital. I can stay here if you want and make sure the rest of your guests know that Christmas at the Swans has been put on hold for a bit."

"Thank you, Rosalie. Bella, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Dad, stay calm. I just need you to help me get my shoes on."

"Right. Shoes. And your overnight bag."

"My shoes are by the door. The bag is already in the car."

"Which car?" He asked.

"There's one in each car just in case," I reminded him.

"Right. Then we'll take the cruiser and get you there as fast as we can." He started ushering me towards the door and pulled my winter coat out of the closet and draped it over me.

"Dad, the shoes."

"Right. Shoes."

I watched as he absentmindedly picked up the spike-heeled boots by the door and started to turn the lock.

"Those are Rose's."

Charlie looked down at his hand and jumped in surprise as though he realized he was holding a snake. The boots clattered to the floor with a loud thud.

"The slip on sneakers." I pointed.

"Right."

So much for calm.

Jacob POV

"Jake, buddy, maybe go take a walk. Grab your old man a soda or something."

I looked up and realized my dad was speaking to me. We'd been sitting in the waiting room for hours, and it felt like I'd been stuck there for days. It was killing me not to see Bella and make sure she was okay, but I hadn't been able to think of an argument that made any sense for me to get into the delivery room with her, especially not one that would make sense to Charlie.

"You look as nervous as I feel," Charlie muttered. "Renee's in there with her. We'll hear an update as soon as she has one to give."

"You want something to drink too, Charlie?" I asked.

"Sure. Whatever's in the machine is fine." He pulled out his wallet and handed me a few dollars as I stood.

"You know, you didn't have to come all this way to be cooped up in a waiting room with me on Christmas Eve, Billy. I know you've got family at home." I heard Charlie say as I started walking out of the room.

"And leave you here to go crazy alone? I wouldn't do that to you, Chief."

"Thanks," Charlie said. "I owe you one."

"Tell you what. You can come spend the day down here with me when I have my first grandchild too, no matter what holiday it falls on. How's that?"

"It's a deal," Charlie agreed.

I imagined my dad's cheeky grin as I wandered down the hallway towards the vending machines, but something pulled me in the opposite direction once I started walking. I turned a few corners and saw a nurse use a badge to get through a bigger set of double doors. Without thinking, I used my speed to reach out and grab it before it could shut all the way, then found myself inexplicably drawn to room 413. The window on the door was covered, but I was sure of what was in there. The door to the room opened before I could think of where I was supposed to be or how I had even gotten there.

Renee stepped out of the room, her face beaming but surprised.

"Jacob?"

"I was just…" Screw excuses. I needed to know. "How is she?"

"She's perfect. They both are." Renee grinned.

I sighed in relief.

"I was just coming to tell everyone. She has a beautiful baby boy. Would you mind keeping her company while I find Charlie to tell him the news? Or would you rather go tell him for me?" She asked.

"Sure, I'll keep her company," I said.

She held the door open for me. "She's a little groggy, but she's doing great."

I stepped into the room, not sure what to expect. My heart pounded fast in my chest. Bella sat alone in the bed, no baby. Her hair was in a messy pile on top of her head and there were sweat streaks down her forehead and cheeks which were flushed a deep red. She looked so alive. So beautiful.

"Hi, Bells. How are you? Where is he?" I asked.

"I'm fine. The nurse took him to get cleaned up. She'll be right back," she told me.

I stopped at the head of the bed and picked up her small hand in my own. "You did great," I told her. She gave it a squeeze.

"He's perfect, Jake. Absolutely perfect. Just wait until you see him."

The door opened and I turned to see the nurse walk back in with a crying bundle in a white blanket. She brought him over to Bella and helped her hold him. His face was rosy and pink, and his head was covered by a tiny blue hat. He quieted as the nurse lay him in Bella's arms. I was absolutely mesmerized.

"Jake, meet C.J."

"You're right, Bells. He's perfect." I reached towards his tiny hands, and I swear my finger was the size of his whole arm. I gently touched the tiny fingers, and his hand grasped onto my index finger with more force than I expected.

"Do you want to hold him?" she asked.

"Are you sure?" I had never been happier or more terrified than looking into that little face.

"Of course."

The nurse smiled and helped Bella hand him over to me. I could've held his whole little body in one hand if I'd wanted to.

"Hi C.J. I'm…Jake." I said. I realized in that moment that I had no idea who I was supposed to be to this tiny human being, for Bella and for appearances to everyone else. Was I Uncle Jake? Godfather to my own son? I wanted nothing more than to be a part of both of their lives forever, but this wasn't my choice to make. I had given up that choice when I agreed to help Bella in the first place.

"Bella, sweetheart, would you like the traditional spelling of both names?" The nurse asked.

"Yes. Charles Jacob Swan. C-h-a-r-l-e-s, J-a-c-o-b." I smiled at the name. She had never told me.

"And in regards to the father…"

The nurse looked back at the two of us and seemed to regret speaking. "I'm sorry, Ms. Swan. This can wait a few minutes."

"No, it's fine," Bella said.

She didn't answer, though, she just looked at me as if waiting for me to say something.

"It's your choice," I told her.

"No one has to know if you don't want them to, Jake. I don't want to tie you into something complicated."

"It shouldn't be blank," I told her. "He should know."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Only if you are."

"If you want to, I'd like that," Bella said.

I grinned harder, if that's even possible. "Where do I sign?" I asked the nurse. She smiled back and helped me pass C.J. back to Bella, then handed me a pen.

I had just finished writing when the door opened again. The nurse gave me a knowing look, picked up the certificate, and disappeared wordlessly out the door. As proud as I was to be the father, I was silently relieved at not having that particular bomb dropped on Bella's parents just yet. Just because I was ready didn't mean that everyone else would be.

"Knock knock!" Renee's voice rang out. She was pushing my dad's chair while Charlie held the door and came in last.

"Congratulations, grandpa," my dad swatted Charlie on the arm, then winked at me. He knew good and well he was a grandpa, too, and he was eating this up.

"Yes, congratulations, gramps" I echoed pointedly. I hoped Charlie wouldn't notice.

"Dad, meet C.J." Bella smiled a sleepy smile.

"C.J.?" Charlie asked.

"For Charles Jacob."

Both Charlie and my dad smiled at that.

"Would you like to hold him?" She asked.

"Yeah, sure. It's been a while since I held one of these things, though."

We all laughed, and I stood back and watched as Charlie sat in the chair next to Bella's head. Renee picked up C.J. and helped Charlie get a good hold on him.

"Brings back some nice memories, doesn't it?" Renee said.

My dad discreetly patted me on the back as we watched Charlie and Renee bond over C.J., and I knew he understood the significance of this day for me. He was the only person that knew the truth of the imprint, apart from Edward. I'd had to tell him to keep him from thinking I was a lost cause with a toxic obsession. Truthfully, I didn't know what the future would hold for me and for Bella. Maybe our relationship would never be the type I'd always hoped for back in the beginning, but I knew that our lives would be forever connected, and that was enough. Seeing Bella alive and beaming surrounded by her family, that was more than I could have hoped for a year ago.

"He's got all ten fingers and ten toes?" Charlie joked.

"Yep. Eight pounds, 23 inches, and a full head of hair to boot," Renee bragged. She eased the cap off his little head and revealed a shockingly black head of hair. I swear Charlie side-eyed me suspiciously for a half-second, but maybe I just had a guilty conscience.

"Congratulations, Bella, he sure is something. Welcome to the family, little buddy!" Charlie beamed.

The nurse came back a moment later.

"Okay, crew, this new mommy needs her rest. I'm afraid I'm going to have to limit visitors to one at a time. If all goes well, both can go home in the morning."

I hugged Renee and even got a back-clapping hug from Charlie, then started to wheel my dad out the door.

"Congratulations again, Bella," I said.

"Thank you, Jake." I knew that she was thanking me for more than she could say in front of everyone, and I felt a part of that old hope flare somewhere deep down.