A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long to update. Not only was it a somewhat hard chapter to write, but real life has massively gotten in the way the past week. As a slight disclaimer for this chapter, the bowling scene was inspired by Mrsalreyami's story "Basking in the Light of our Love" everyone should go read it. It is awesome.

Chapter 13:

Wow. Today was entirely too intense. It's not every day that you find out your unborn child is destined to be the "chosen one" to unite the supernatural world. Just thinking about it made my head spin. Everyone continued to talk around me but I just tuned them out. Jake tightened his hold around my waist and gently pulled me onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around me and settled his head on my shoulder. I smiled at the gesture and settled back into his chest. I was definitely ready to go home and just be alone with my husband. I started thinking about what I was going to do when I got my husband home and alone.

"Bella, are you ready to go celebrate?" Alice's voice brought me out of my trance. I looked at her for a few seconds and didn't respond to her question. "Bella, are you listening to me?"

I nodded and opened my mouth to speak. "What are we doing?"

"Um … well … how about … damn it I can't see what we are going to do. What do you want to do Bella?"

Before I could voice any ideas, Emmett cut me off, "Let's go bowling!"

I started laughing, "Em, honey, I'm pregnant, do you really think that is such a good idea?"

He looked like I had just run over his puppy, "But Belly, you could roll the small ball. It could be fun. Pretty please?"

I nodded and he squealed. I have never heard such a girly noise come out of his mouth. The entire room exploded in laughter. Poor Emmett hung his head and Rose wrapped her arms around him. I got up off of Jacob's lap and walked over to my big brother. "Em, sweetie, you know I love you right." He nodded. "Well then let's go. And you can show off all your bowling skills ok?" He jumped up with all the enthusiasm as before and hugged me. "Em can't breathe." He chuckled and put me down.

"Sorry Belly, I always forget."

We strolled out the door and piled into numerous vehicles. This was going to be interesting. Almost the entire pack, the Cullens, and Carmen and Eleazar decided to come. The rest of the Denalis had decided to go home, Tanya a little more reluctant than Kate and Irina. Garrett decided to follow Kate home and after seeing how cuddly they got over the past few weeks it was obvious that they were going to be staying together for a while. The rest of the vampires decided to stay at the house as they were not as accustomed to spending time with a bunch of humans without eating them.

Upon arrival at the bowling alley I couldn't stop laughing at the predicament that we were in. How in the world were we going to pull this off? Nine vampires, seven werewolves, four imprints and one very pregnant woman; this should be good. I laughed again as the owner eyed our group. The poor rental shoes guy looked frightened.

"Excuse me sir, we would like three lanes please. Yes and we need shoes." Carlisle spoke softly to the overwhelmed manager as he nodded and started lining up shoes and opening lanes for us. The wolves had a hard time finding the right size and ended up giving up after a while. They would just have to deal with their own shoes. Jake helped me to find a nice light ball that I wouldn't have trouble lifting. The vampires were amusing as they tried picking out balls for themselves. I had to point out to the women that they couldn't use the heaviest balls because that wouldn't look natural. I shook my head at Alice as she squealed when she found a pink ball.

We stayed at the bowling alley for a couple hours with very few incidents. As we headed back out to the cars, Jake and I decided that we could use a little alone time and bid everyone else goodbye. I told the Cullens that I would call them in a few days to get together, but I needed some time alone with my husband. Alice reluctantly agreed and headed over to her car with Jasper. Once Jake and I got home, he ran a bath for me and then proceeded to rub my back and feet until all the knots were gone and I was completely relaxed. It was so great to relax after a very stressful month.

***

The next few months passed in a state of peace. Numerous other vampires and shape shifters came to pay homage to me which I thought was really weird. I couldn't get over all of the gifts that they brought with them. As my due date drew closer my stomach expanded a great deal. My little boy wasn't so little. I was a little scared about the whole birthing process. Jake and I continued to see Carlisle and allowed him to run various tests on me and the baby. We still hadn't picked out a name but we had been throwing around a few. The top on my list was William Charles Black after our fathers.

Jake and I continued to spend time with the Cullens along with the pack. Emily and Esme seemed to fit together like two peas in a pod. They were both the mothers of their respective families. After the battle with the Volturi not once did I hear any derogatory remarks from either clan. They barely even turned up their noses at the other's scents anymore. I was so pleased to have my family together. Even Edward and I had finally been able to be around each other. We still hadn't been alone together in order to discuss our obvious issues, but we were able to be in the same room and even carried on a few shallow conversations. Jake wasn't completely comfortable with me being around him, but after he fought so hard for me against Aro, I couldn't just keep ignoring him.

I was going on eight months pregnant and I was as big as a house. Moving around got slightly more difficult and as much as I hated not having my freedom to run around as much, I was thankful for the fact that I couldn't go on anymore shopping trips with Alice. That didn't stop Alice from overloading our house with baby stuff and more maternity clothes then I even knew what to do with. Jake was such a good sport allowing Esme, Rosalie and Alice to remodel the house slightly in order to prepare for the baby. They completely added a new room for the nursery because "the other just isn't big enough for a growing werewolf baby" according to Esme. We had to draw the line when they started trying to repaint our bedroom. I told them that they could have free rein over the nursery but mine and Jake's room was off limits.

One afternoon while I was over at the Cullen's house spending time with Rosalie I got this major craving for Rocky Road ice cream. Rose got up and checked the freezer to see if there was any left. "Bella," she shouted from the kitchen, "it looks like we are out. Do you want me to go pick some up for you?"

She walked back over to me and I nodded my head vigorously. "Please will you? I'll be ok for a few minutes while you go get it, but junior really wants ice cream." I pleaded and gave her the puppy dog eyes that I got from Jake.

"Sure Bella, you have my number and Alice should be back from hunting soon. I'll be right back."

As I sat on the couch waiting for Rose's return the door opened a few minutes after she left. Alice must be back. I turned my head expecting to see the black haired pixie, but instead was greeted by a full head of bronze hair. I always wondered how exactly his hair got to be that color, but now was not a time for that. I looked around and realized that this was the first time that Edward and I had been alone together since they got back. I was mildly worried.

"Hello Bella, where is Rose?" Ok he seems calm, maybe this will be ok?

"She went to the store to get me some ice cream. What are you doing back so soon?"

"I got lucky in my hunting; two mountain lions were fighting over the same deer. It was great; dinner and dessert all in one." He licked his lips at the memory and came strolling over to me. He sat down on the coffee table in front of me and leaned in to grasp my hands that were sitting cautiously in my lap. "Bella, love, we haven't really been able to talk since I got back and I was hoping that now that the watch dog and bodyguard aren't here we could have a little chat?"

I gulped and before I could respond he grabbed my hands and leaned in closer. I tried not to show my discomfort with the situation but did lean further back into the couch. "Edward, I'm not sure if this is a good idea."

"Come on love, we used to be able to spend hours together talking and now you won't even give me a few minutes? We were so in love. I still love you so much Bella. What happened to us?" I was really uncomfortable with his terms of endearment towards me. Rose, where are you?

"Well, you hurt me, you left me broken for months, and then you come back expecting us to just pick back up where we left off. I am married now Edward, and I am about to have his child. Why can't you just figure that out? Once you do, perhaps we can be friends. I want you in my life; really I do, but just not in any sort of romantic way. I have Jake."

"But Bella, I love you, and I know that you love me. There is no way for a love like we had to die. Please just give me a chance to show you how much I love you." With that he leaned in even further and tried to kiss me. I turned my head and moved to the side. I was starting to get really uncomfortable and wished that Rosalie would hurry up with my ice cream.

"Edward, I don't love you anymore. Truthfully, I don't think I ever really loved you. It was more of an infatuation. You were so perfect, I could never compare to that."

"How can you say that you don't love me? That you didn't love me? That isn't possible. I am not perfect without you, love, you were always better than me and … and … I could change you." His eyes lit up at that remark. "Then maybe you wouldn't feel so imperfect. You and I could be together forever. You would make such an amazing vampire."

"Edward, you aren't listening to me. I don't love you, I don't want to be a vampire anymore, and I am married. Jacob and I are meant to be together, and I want to be with him forever."

"Has he imprinted on you?" I looked down at that question. That was one of my biggest fears in my relationship with Jake. I never doubted his love for me, but what happens if he does imprint one day? I could end up like Leah. She and Sam were so in love, but now he is with Emily and she is with Embry. She at least got lucky when she and Embry imprinted on each other. I don't have that availability. Jake is the only one I want and could ever want. I am about to have his child, why hasn't he imprinted on me? "That is what I thought. If you two are so meant for each other, why hasn't he imprinted on you? I don't think I could bear to see you hurt like that when he imprints on someone else. I don't have some strange werewolf gene that would cause me to leave you. I would be with you forever."

"Not all werewolves imprint. That doesn't mean anything for Jake and me. We are going to be together forever and I have nothing to worry about. You on the other hand have already left me once. What keeps you from doing that again? What keeps you from getting bored of me again and leaving?" My voice rose toward the end as I started to get mildly agitated.

"But Bella?" he whined and tried to lean in and hold me. I had enough. I screamed and he flew back away from me. He tried to approach me again and was blocked. This shield thing could come in handy.

At that exact moment Rose came bursting through the door and started screaming at Edward. "What are you thinking? What did you do? Bella are you ok?" Those three questions were repeated over and over at increasing volumes. I was so thankful that she was back. I relaxed into the back of the couch but then tried to get up as I felt something cold dripping down my leg.

The bottom of my dress and the surrounding couch was soaking wet. Oh my god. "Rose," I screamed, "I think my water just broke."

She turned back to me and paused to look at me. I don't know if I was prepared for what came next. She scooped me up ran upstairs. They had created a small birthing room for me. I knew that I couldn't actually have this baby in a hospital because his temperature alone would cause some problems and some unwanted questions. I screamed and grabbed onto Rose's outstretched hand with such force that if she were a human I would have broken her hand. She had her phone whipped out calling I'm guessing Carlisle. I couldn't really concentrate on her as another contraction wracked my body. Not five minutes later Alice burst through the door.

"Bella are you ok? Rose, what should I do?" Everyone seemed to be in a state of panic. I just continued squeezing Rose's hand and tried to block out the pain that was radiating all over my body.

Just a few minutes after that both Carlisle and Jake came running through the door. While Carlisle started moving around the room grabbing whatever it was that he needed, Jake came up on my other side and grabbed on to my hand. With his free hand he caressed the side of my face.

Carlisle came walking over to me next and leaned over the bed touching my neck and stomach, I'm guessing to check my vitals. "Alright Bella, I need you to concentrate. How far apart are your contractions?" I looked at him dumbfounded. I had no idea. I wasn't paying attention to anything other than the intense pain. "About five minutes, Carlisle" Rose answered for me.

"Ok good, we have some time then. We need to get her out of this dress and into one of the hospital gowns. Bella who do you want in the room with us?" I looked around and saw that everyone was now in the room. It seemed really crowded. I tried to answer but I felt really weak as another contraction took hold. I screamed and tightened my grip on Jacob's hand. All of the vampires froze at that moment and Carlisle screamed for everyone to leave. "I need everyone that drinks blood, out now. Bella you are bleeding and I think that the baby has ruptured the placenta. I am going to need to induce labor and there isn't enough time to give you anything for the pain." I nodded as he pulled out a needle and injected my arm with something.

As another contraction hit I squeezed Jake's hand and cried out. He continued to stroke my face while whispering in my ear. With careful precision Jake removed my dress and panties and put on the hospital gown. Carlisle turned away from my naked form and grabbed a few more things out of one of the side cabinets. When Carlisle returned he had gloves and some weird looking instruments. They both worked to get the bed in the proper position and my legs up in the stirrups. I felt really vulnerable and slightly uncomfortable in this position but at least it was only Jake and Carlisle and I trusted them both. Jake moved around behind me and I leaned into him.

"Alright Bella, I have you fully dilated and I need you to push." Jake grabbed both of my hands and I used his body to give me the strength to push. It hurt so bad and felt like my insides were being shredded. I continued squeezing Jake's hands and screaming as I pushed. "You are doing great Bella. Keep going. I can see the head." His words mixed with Jake's sweet encouragements to give me the strength to continue. I was running short on energy and wanted to just pass out, but then I heard the sweetest noise ever. There was a small cry from between my legs as I saw a tiny little head come into view. "Yes Bella, the head is out. Give me one more big push to get the shoulders. Almost there."

I gave one final push and felt my little boy sliding out of me. I breathed a sigh of relief as Carlisle wrapped him in a tiny blanket and placed him in my arms. My eyes focused on the deep chocolate eyes that were staring back at me. He was beautiful. Jake moved so that he could see the baby and still have his arms wrapped around me. "Bells, you did it. He is beautiful." When I looked back at my husband my entire world stopped as I looked into his eyes. He froze and just stared at me. There was nothing else in my world except Jake and our small child.

Jake put one large hand on our son and then put the other around my shoulder, he then whispered a barely audible, "Bella?" I don't know what was happening but it felt as if everything changed.

We were yanked out of our blissful state by Carlisle calling to Jake to take the baby. He needed to stitch me up from where I was bleeding. It seems that as he was coming out my son was partially phased and his claws raked along my inner walls. This was one time that I was thankful for having a vampire for a doctor since he was able to find the spots that I was bleeding that a normal doctor would not have been able to find. Jake took our son over to the little make shift bath area to clean him up. Rosalie was able to fight off the blood lust in order to help Jake with the baby. I was so thankful for all of her help. I was in and out of consciousness as Carlisle continued to work on me. When I finally regained full consciousness I was in another bed curled up in Jake's arms with our baby lying between us. I looked down at the small bundle in my arms and smiled.

"Jake we did it. He is here. Is he ok; is everything ok?"

"Yeah Bells, everything is ok. Even though he was born a month early, he was already fully developed due to the werewolf gene. What exactly happened to cause you to go into premature labor?"

I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his gaze and filled him in on what happened with Edward. He growled softly which caused the baby to turn his gaze upon Jake. He tried to growl himself and it was the cutest sound ever.

In order to distract him from wanting to kill Edward, I decided to change the subject, "So daddy, what do you want to name him?" His smile returned and my plan was a success.

"Well Bella, my beautiful wife, mother of my child, we should go ahead with your idea. I really like William Charles, after our fathers." He paused. "Um … do you want to talk about what happened in the delivery room? I think that I imprinted on you?" He seemed really unsure. "What did you feel?"

"I don't know Jake, when I looked at you it seemed like everything stopped. All that was in the world was you and Will. Everything else melted away. What did you feel?"

"It was the same for me. I am so thrilled that I finally imprinted on you. To tell you the truth I was a little worried about that. I was scared that even with how much I love you that I was going to imprint on someone else. I don't think that I could ever leave you and now I don't have to. We are going to be together forever. I love you."

Edward burst in the door at that moment screaming NO.