Chapter Twenty
Jasper
I was stunned. A baby? My baby? The feelings that crashed through me were almost too much to bear.
Bella and Maggie were watching me and I realized that I hadn't spoken for several seconds. They were eagerly awaiting my reaction.
The smile that widened across my face told both all they needed to know and I found myself smothered by two laughing females.
When Maggie went inside to hunt for a cookie promised to her earlier, Bella turned to me her eyes dancing, "Well, Papa. What do you think of your present?"
I touched her belly but could feel nothing yet. It was probably far too early yet I suddenly longed to feel that familiar connection that Maggie and I had shared when she was in the womb. This time the life growing in there was truly mine.
"I don't know what to say. I'm over the moon. I guess I never expected…"
She grinned, "Well, it didn't seem that way last night, Mister."
Shock flooded through me as I understood her meaning. Was it even safe for us to…?
Seeing my train of thought in my eyes she smiled.
"Don't panic. I'm fine, although you might need to let me take control if you know what I mean."
I nodded and pulled her into my arms.
"I'm so glad that Maggie's excited. I would have hated for her to feel pushed out by the idea of a new baby."
"She can't wait, although how long that will last when she's forced to share us with the new arrival I don't know."
"I love you, Bella, and every time I think I couldn't love you more you do something to prove me wrong. Do you have any idea when it's due?"
Bella shook her head, "Everything has been so crazy recently I guess I just lost count. Besides, who knows how long a hybrid pregnancy will last?"
I wanted to crush her close to my chest, roar my pride to the world, wrap her in cotton wool and never let her out of my sight. In the end, I just held her tenderly and kissed the top of her head.
When we returned inside it was to find Maggie going through her toy chest, her mouth full of cookies, making two piles.
"What are you doing, Madam? We just cleared your room up for guests, remember?"
Maggie turned to us and smiled swallowing down the cookie and almost choking.
"I was just finding some toys I don't want anymore. We can save them for baby."
It was such a sweet gesture what could we say?
I knelt down beside her and began picking up the baby toys pile, "Why don't you go help Mummy? She still has to ice the cake you made and everyone will be here soon. I'll put these in the attic until they've gone. Then you and I can start to decorate the nursery."
"We can?" her eyes shining she turned to Bella.
"Did you hear Papa? I can help decorate the nursery for my new…"
She stopped, "I don't know if it's going to be a brother or a sister. How will we know how to decorate?"
"We'll figure it out. Now scram and don't forget to wash your hands before you start in the kitchen or the cake will taste of weeds and worms."
"Will not. I never touched a worm, Papa. They're icky."
She flounced out a picture of disdain, with an amused Bella in hot pursuit.
If I thought Maggie was excited by the news of a baby I hadn't seen anything yet. She was virtually climbing the walls by the time the rest of the family turned up the next day laden down with presents for a very lucky young lady although we did manage to hide them while she was busy meeting the rest of her family.
Bella
It was great to see Carlisle and Esme again, but I was a little concerned about how Maggie would feel about Emmett. He was huge compared to her but I shouldn't have worried. Felix had been almost as big and Maggie had taken his size in her stride. She did the same with her new Uncle. Emmett helped by falling to his knees and peering at her quizzically.
"I thought an ordinary little girl lived here. I didn't know she was so pretty and a princess."
Maggie giggled, "I'm not a princess."
"Then you should be. All pretty girls should be a princess. May I call you Maggie, or would you prefer your highness?"
It could have gone either way but after some reflection, she smiled, "Maggie's fine and you're my Uncle Em."
He stood up and grasped Rosalie's hand pulling her forward, "And this is your Aunt Rose." he leaned down and stage whispered, "She's a princess too."
Maggie was entranced with Rosalie's beauty just like everyone else and I was warmed to see the three of them playing together a little later. It seemed that Rosalie was as good at Snakes and Ladders as she was mending a car engine or walking a catwalk. If only I had her poise and self-confidence!
Noticing Edward wasn't with our guests I wondered if he had changed his mind about coming and finding Carlisle, Esme, and Jasper talking together, I joined them.
Esme beamed, "Oh, Bella. Congratulations. Jasper told us your good news. I'm so happy for the two of you."
I was hugged by both Carlisle and Esme and spent a few minutes talking about the new baby before I felt I could ask about Edward.
Carlisle nodded, "He's coming but he thought he should let us arrive first. I think he feels he should have his own transport in case he finds himself not as welcome after all."
"He knows we wouldn't be so rude. And Maggie is looking forward to seeing him."
Carlisle patted my arm, "He'll be here, don't worry. He wouldn't pass up on a chance to see Maggie. He talks about nothing else."
"Really?"
Carlisle nodded slowly, "Edward is a very changed person. He will never forgive himself for what happened."
Deciding that a change of subject was required Esme sighed, "It's wonderful to have a real family Christmas."
Carlisle raised an eyebrow, "We always have a family Christmas, Esme. You see to that."
She frowned, "You know what I mean. One with a child. Is Maggie excited to see Santa?"
"I think she's looking forward to the presents. She's not so sure about the strange old guy creeping into the house and leaving them. She said he'd better not make a noise and wake her up or she's going to set Jasper on him. Papa to the rescue."
Jasper grinned, "She's probably scarier than me. She has a mean right hook."
"Jasper! You haven't been teaching her to fight surely?"
"No, Esme. I didn't need to teach her anything. She has her Mom's feisty nature."
While the family gathered around the fire playing games and chatting I took Carlisle to one side.
"How was Charlie?"
He put a hand on my arm. "Angry, confused, and very upset. I broke it to him as gently as I could but even so he took a lot of convincing. He was furious when I told him that Edward arranged to have your body cremated. I don't think he'll ever believe that you're really gone without a body but I did all I could. Edward was very good. He deflected most of Charlie's anger onto himself. We had to agree to have your ashes returned to the states so he can have you interred next to your grandparents."
"I'm sorry you had the burden, Carlisle. I just didn't see another way around the problem."
"That's OK. I am more concerned about Jacob Black."
"Jake? What's he got to do with it?"
"He called in while we were there and I don't think he believed our story although he didn't guess the truth."
"Do you think he'll cause trouble?"
"I don't see how he can. He has no idea where you are or what happened to you. If I'm to be honest I think he assumed something happened to you at Edward's hand. That or you have become a vampire. He never trusted Edward's control."
"Did he say anything?"
"No. he just glared at us with murder in his eyes. If he suspects anything at all it's my guess he'll take it back to the tribe. Without any evidence, they won't agree to take any action. If anything, perhaps Edward should watch his back and he will."
I hated it all. The lies, the hurt I'd caused Charlie, even the pain I'd caused Jake.
"None of this is your fault, Bella. You are the innocent party. If anyone is to blame for this mess it's me. Or rather our family. If you hadn't met Edward then none of this would have happened. You'd be happy back in Forks with your father planning out your future in the normal world.
I shook my head, "I wouldn't have Maggie or Jasper. I wouldn't have all of you and a life I feel comfortable in. Let's just blame it all on fate."
Carlisle smiled, "You are a remarkable young woman Bella. It's just a shame that my son didn't realize that until it was too late. Ah…"
He turned to look down the track, "And talk of the devil, here he comes."
I nodded feeling a little nervous. This would be the first time I'd seen my ex-husband since Italy and here I was, pregnant again but this time my baby's father was happy about it.
Edward parked and walked slowly to the house looking uncomfortable. He reminded me of a young man who was meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time and wasn't sure of his reception.
Deciding to put him out of his misery I walked down the porch steps to greet him with a smile.
"We were worried you'd got lost."
"Oh, I just thought I'd give the family some space."
"Edward, you are family and we're glad that you're here. I guess I should tell you our news before you hear it from someone else. I'm having another baby."
He stared then recovered and nodded, "Congratulations. A sibling for Maggie. She must be excited."
"She is, we all are. Anyway, come on in. Maggie's been waiting for you. She's very excited to have the family here. I think it's all a little overwhelming for her."
He nodded, "I'll try not to make matters worse."
As he walked into the lounge I felt suddenly sorry for him. He looked so awkward, so out of place. Then Maggie turned having sensed his presence and she smiled and ran over to greet him. The ice was broken as she dragged him to the others and join their play.
Rose glanced over at me but seemed reassured that I was fine with this and smiled at me. I guess I understood why she was concerned. After all, my ex-husband was here in my home with Jasper. The father of my little girl but not her daddy.
The evening was great, the kind of family gathering I had only been able to dream about as a child. Maggie was spoiled rotten, she had playmates galore all eager to play with her and the laughter sometimes became ear-splitting. I sat quietly feeling a little tired but very happy, with Jasper at my side.
"I wish our life could always be so good. This is everything I could have wished for."
"Are you sure? You look tired. Maybe I should get Firefly to bed. It's getting late for her."
"Oh, leave her a little longer. She's having such fun and look at Edward."
He was on his hands and knees trying to twist his body into a shape it was never meant to be. The gang was playing Twister and I had a sneaky feeling that Rose was cheating as she spun the wheel. She seemed to be enjoying his discomfort just a little too much. It made me sad to think that he would probably have been an excellent father to Maggie and how much his idiocy had cost him. I didn't regret what I had done, not for a second and I knew I'd found my soulmate at last.
Sorry, this is late. RIP Queen Elizabeth II.
