Chapter ten, Bella

The ride back to Charlie's was more awkward than the ride to the Cullens, the silence was suffocating, but really I had nothing to say and was feeling nervous and sick. I think Alice and Jasper picked up on this, as well as feeling awkward themselves as Alice was sitting like a statue, while Jasper was fidgeting and shuffling his feet; basically the polar opposite of how they usually act, even Jake was sitting straight; fists clenching and unclenching; looking like he wished to make a break for it.

A strange feeling came over me as I pulled in front of the house one of relief and horror, the sick feeling I had grew worse. Hopping out of the car I could tell the pack was hanging around; while normal for Seth and Leah, them often visiting their mom, and even normal for Sam to be hanging around, the whole lot of them was not. Giving Jake a look, he gave a strained grin in return. I was grateful for them, but honestly, they could have told me... especially since I sort-of threatened the two with them.

Oh well.

I looked at them nervously, then at Jake. He jerked his head in the direction of the house.
"I want you to meet some people," I said slowly. I looked at Alice, "I think they may be the reason why you couldn't see me. A protection thing maybe. I don't know, but the timing... That was when I found out that... about... them." I knew I wasn't making sense, but the kids didn't make sense.
"Why don't you come in," Jake said. "They've been wanting to meet you since they knew you existed." He led the way into the house, I followed with a gesture to the other two to come as well.

The kids were waiting in the hall lined up trying to peer around Jake. That didn't surprise me, there was no way they wouldn't have known that Jasper and Alice were there.
'Mom?' I heard. It was Theo, the other two looked up at me too, also included in the silent conversation.
'hmm?'
'Are we going to look like this or our real selves?' he asked.
I hesitated. Usually they didn't have the glamour on here, as I said, Charlie didn't ask questions and everybody else knew. I was also looking older than I usually did here, (I usually aged myself slightly). The aging was an advantage to us, just in case. However, Jasper and Alice were going to meet them and it seemed well.
'No,' I decided. 'Just to be sure.'
The kids nodded, then Bailey took a step towards the door as Alice and Jasper peered in.

Alice gasped as Theo bounded forward to stand with Bailey. Masen shuffled toward me, I tried giving him a convincing smile. It didn't work.
"Hi," Bailey said
Alice and Jasper blinked, "Hi?" they said. It came out more of a question.
Bailey looked back at me, I shrugged, then looked at the two, "It was easier to introduce you then explain. Perhaps not the best way, but easiest. Alice, Jasper, these are my kids." I pointed to the three of them.

"Your kids," Alice said. I nodded.
"That's what you meant when you said you found out," Jasper said, "You found out you were pregnant." I nodded again.
"But Edward!" Alice gasped, "Is that why?"
"He didn't know I was, I was trying to find a way to tell him before you left. When he said what he said I decided I wasn't telling him at that point. It hurt."
"He- wait, what?" Alice said, "Their Edwards? That's-"
"Isn't it obvious?" Jake butted in, "They have his looks don't they, well not Theo so much, but look at Masen!" he pointed.

They looked and blinked as Masen tried to get closer to me. I wrapped an arm around his shoulder and glares at Alice. "We just had that talk about how you were my family and you think they were somebody else's kids?"
"Well, I wasn't expecting it, why didn't you say before we came?"
"Because our conversation was going so well," I said dryly. "And anyway, would you have believed me if I just told you? All the things you said vampires can't do and I have kids. It was best to show you. And anyway, not preparing you means your reaction proves you're not going to just go tell someone about them. They're too young to get into some sort of fight because of what they are."
Jasper nodded, "That makes sense. It's nice to meet you all."
Theo and Bailey grinned, Masen seemed to be calming a little in his thoughts that they might take him.

"Yes," said Charlie, coming up behind, "It's all wonderful; but how about we get out of the hall? We were just going to have lunch."
The kids turned inside for the living room. The living room meant the pack would be coming in for lunch too. Great. On the other hand, great! And thank-you dad for getting us in the house rather than the hall.
Charlie gestured Alice and Jasper in as well, after they left the hall he looked at me. I gave a smile. This reunion wasn't going great, but despite everything it wasn't too bad either.
Charlie went to Sue in the kitchen where they were preparing lunch while the kids stared at their Aunt and Uncle. Good, they could work out some stuff and introduce each other while the rest of us think what we're going to do next.

"Sooo," Alice started, "What're your names? I mean we got Masen and Theo, -is that short for something? And what's your name?" she gestured at Bailey.
"I'm Theodore. Most people switch between that and Theo. It just depends what they feel like. I don't mind. I'm the eldest. Masen there is the youngest and he doesn't like to talk much and he thinks you're gonna take us away," he announced.
Looking at Masen I realised he'd told Theo to say that. He was more nervous than I thought, even if he was warming up to them.. or just slightly defrosting in his opinion of them.
"We're not going to take you away!" Alice exclaimed, looking at Masen. "Honest, it's great to meet you, but we wouldn't take you from family, or Bella, ever. Promise."
Masen nodded stiffly.
"Anyway, I'm Bailey," Bailey said, successfully drawing attention away from Masen. "And your our Aunt and Uncle. How come you left mom?"

As much as I didn't expect Bailey to demand that first thing, I'm not entirely surprised. The next part, however, was surprising:

"And how do we know you won't leave again if you choose to stay?" asked Masen.

Well. I was always told I could be extraordinarily blunt.

I suppose the kids decided the next step for us.

Note 1: I feel this is a little choppy, any opinions?

Note 2: First (and very short), encounter with the kids. Next chapter Alice and Jasper will learn more about them. While the family eats Jasper, Alice and Bella will get a bit more conversation in. No way is Bella going to want to see Edward, but can Alice convince her to see any other Cullen soon?

Note 3: Edited a few of the previous chapters, sorry if you got multiple updates