"I'm going with you, Liza. I need to talk to Jacob."

I opened my car door and threw my purse into the back. "I'm picking him up and then we're going to Port Angeles for my first appointment. I don't have a backseat, so it's illegal for any one to ride in the back."

Alert crossed Bella's face. "What? No, you can't be alone with him! They're the ones that have been killing the hikers!"

I wanted to make it quite clear that I knew what was going on. "Jake isn't a monster, Bella." I tried to assure her. "None of them are monsters. They're trying to help. Victoria's on the loose and they're protecting us—you."

"Victoria?" Bella's voice cracked. "No!"

"Stop yelling, Bells." I took her arms, forcing her to look me in the eyes. "We're the only white people who know about this. If you keep screaming about it, the whole town will suspect that something's up. We don't want a witch hunt on our hands."

"Why would it start a witch hunt? There's no such thing as witches."

"That's not what I mean," I said softly. "It's a metaphor, Izzy. You should know that." I rolled my eyes. "If it'll make you feel better, you can tell the pack everything you know." I decided to add one little statement. "I wouldn't be surprised if there really were witches." My tone was causal.

"Liza, come on. Vampires and werewolves we've had experience with, but that's just not possible." Bella blinked. "It's your hormones talking." I tried to interrupt her. "No, Liza, let me talk. You've completely changed. I mean, how long as it been since you had a fix?"

Hearing that statement and lingo coming from Bella's mouth was odd, but I automatically said, "Two years, ten months, twenty five days." My voice dripped with disgust. "Thank goodness!"

"See what I mean? You used to be different. More—I don't know, immature?"

"It's called 'the prospect of motherhood'."

"How are we supposed to know if you're being truthful or just faking it?"

"WE?" I yelled. "You and Charlie talked about this behind my back, didn't you?"

"You've always been reckless and impulsive. There's no way you can change over night. It doesn't work like that. I won't let myself believe that you're a miracle."

"Well, Jake's kind of helped actually. We've finally came to grips with how epically messed up our relationship was." I sat on the wet sidewalk with a happy sigh. "I think I might have actually found a guy who won't take advantage of me."

Bella had been watching my face and now her eyes had drifted to my hand, which had taken a spot on my stomach. "Is he the father?"

"No, but he's been really good about it." I looked away from, feeling the heat rise to my face. "I mean, absolutely amazing. He keeps asking me if I need things, but as soon as I say I don't, he won't bring it up again. He's not a kid anymore, Izzy and neither are we."

"I just think maybe you're moving too fast. I mean, a month ago you were using his last name and now you're dating?"

"We're not dating, Izzy."

"So what exactly is going on between you? You skipped school yesterday."

"That's really not any of your business."

"Is he the father?" she asked again, her voice growing aggressive. "I need to know. I just need to know."

I thought for a moment. "Are you jealous?" I demanded. "We're just friends. F-R-I-E-N-D-S. Friends. I don't want to be involved romantically anyone right now."

"What if I am? What if I'm upset that you took him from me?"

"I took him from you?" I replied. "You took him from me first! And it all started when you just had to know what Edward was! If you hadn't asked Jake, we both would have been saved from a lot of pain!" Bella blinked. "That's all this supernatural stuff as done to us! Caused pain!" I shoved her away from my car.

"What are you two arguing about?" Charlie demanded, pulling me away from her and wrapping his arms around my chest.

"Let go!" I yelled pushing against his arms. The strain hurt.

"Stop it." he ordered. Bella smiled smugly. "Both of you. You need to stop fighting. It's hurting our family. We can't bring a baby into a house full of screaming."

"It's not like I wanted to have a baby!" I screamed, turning on him. "Titus wanted me to get pregnant! As far as I know, he's taking the baby to college with him! It's some sort of 'wanna be rockstar' thing!"

Charlie's arms dropped to his side. "He wants the baby?"

I said what I said next quickly and without thinking. "What am I supposed to do!? Say no!? I can't be a single mom, but I don't love him anymore!" Bella put a hand over her mouth in surprise. "WHAT?" I turned to her. "IF WE DIDN'T SHARE A ROOM, YOU MIGHT BE IN THIS SITUATION TOO!"

Charlie stared at her in surprise. "What?"

"Edward used to come into our room thru the window. He actually told me to stay. There were a few nights when I slept on the sofa but it's been so long…"

Charlie was staring at Bella in disbelief. "Is there a possibility?" he asked her after a moment.

Bella turned red, and said firmly, "Dad, this is uncomfortable for me to say out loud, but I am a virgin."

Charlie turned red too. "That doesn't change the fact that both of you are grounded."

"Dad," I sighed. "I was on my way to the free clinic in Port Angeles."

He led me to the police car, "I'll drive you."

"Dad, you're still in uniform."