I have to thank my a fantastic trio of friends for helping me with this: m0t0b33, teamalltwilight and Pyejammies! ;)

As always, I don't own anything Twilight related or anything else you might recognize in my story. I DO own the idea.

We'll just call them Hot Mama and Jailbait. :) Check the pictures in my FB group: Addicted-to-romione-bedward Fanfiction (link on my profile)

Edward's POV

I am under Bella's shirt, on my way to her amazing boobs when the door of our room opens.

I almost rip her shirt as I snatch my head out.

Pete.

I still have no idea why he likes me so much, but he seems to consider me his best friend.

There's something off with him. He didn't smile or look exuberant around anything, but then again his grandparents died and he ended up with his dad – his dad he has barely seen him three times in his short life. But he's not sad either.

"Pete scared alone," he whispers, rocking on his feet. "Pete not like dark." He rocks harder.

What's up with him?

Bella throws the blanket off her and pads to him, stopping a good foot in front of him.

"Would you like it if I left the hallway light on? Or maybe…" She glances back at me.

No.

Please don't bring him in bed with us.

I'm not mentally prepared for that.

"You could join us. Our bed is pretty big, and we'll leave on the nightstand lamp."

Awesome.

I should consider this as practice.

For the first time since I met Pete, his eyes shine and he looks happy. "Really? Next to Edward?" He checks, looking at me.

The fuck?

I shrug, pushing the blanket down my legs to show him that I'm inviting him in here.

With only a spared look at Bella, he shuffles to the bed and crawls on top of the blanket, stopping next to me. Bella comes to her side, getting in bed, leaving the lamp on.

It's beyond crazy to have this little man between us, but he seems to have attached himself to me – for some odd reason.

He falls asleep almost immediately, probably being beat but scared to sleep alone.

I meet Bella's eyes over his head. She's watching at him with a look I can't describe – sadness, longing, pity…

Pete turns toward me in his sleep, snuggling into my chest.

"You don't realize what's going on, do you?" Bella murmurs, rubbing her hand over the kid's back.

"No idea," I tell her.

She sighs heavily, gazing into my eyes. "Have you heard of Autistic Spectrum Disorder?"

"Uh, yeah…from Dad. But why? I mean…I don't get it."

Bella looks at Pete then at me…and I gasp. The kid is sick…or not sick, but has this…disorder.

"What does it mean?" I whisper, frowning.

"It means that even if you aren't ready, you became his best friend – the person he trusts the most. And he'll come to you with important questions. You need to talk and act around him like with an adult, not a kid. He's super smart, though I have no idea what he likes to do." She gulps. "You see, kids like him like to…say, paint. And they're awesome at it. But if you make them do something they don't like or scares them…you need to expect a tantrum."

My head is swirling with this information. "What about Jasper? Can't he help?"

"Of course, he will!" Bella whispers hotly. "When he came to the clinic all those years ago, he was running from his past and a horrible relationship. I don't know how he finished his last year in college because that girlfriend of his was into drugs…and had him hooked too. Anyway, to make it short, they probably did it while high…several times then he graduated and decided to move away. Your dad has been there for him when he went through withdrawals." She shudders, closing her eyes. "I only once went to Jasper's apartment during that time…to bring them home cooked food and God, it was scary as hell. Jazz looked like a zombie."

"I had no idea…wow. I'll never underestimate Jasper," I whisper. "So…that chick got pregnant?"

"Yeah and when she called, he hung up – all the time. Then his mother called him and gave him the news…only when she gave birth. He went to see the baby and make sure his parents were helping Maria. It is his fault too for not getting more involved in Pete's upbringing but I don't blame him for wanting to put his hometown in the past and never look back. Trust me, I know all about it."

"Because of Alice?" I ask, reaching for her hand and squeezing it.

"Yeah. Well, back to the story. Around a year after Maria gave birth to Pete, they realized he wasn't like the other kids and after a few visits to doctors – sponsored by Jazz, mind you – they knew he had Autism. I'd heard of it, but didn't know what it meant. Carl knew the basics, but we poured our time into finding out more about it to help Jazz. We wrote a notebook full of theories, explanations and information on it. I gave that notebook to Jasper tonight. He never wanted it before because of the few times he was seeing Pete…Yeah, now he has to learn how to act around him."

We continue talking quietly for a little while longer then I see Bella's eyes keep closing and I prompt her to sleep. After another look at Pete snuggled into me, I close my own eyes.

Lately, it feels like I'm having out of body experiences.

When Bella told me she felt the same over Christmas break, I thought we'd be together…alone for a long time. Actually, I never once thought of kids.

Then her friend, Alice, intruded on our space, now Jasper and his kid – a kid who is clinging to me.

Over the next couple of months that lead to graduation and get me closer to my eighteenth birthday, things calm and settle down.

Ben, the Fed, makes sure Alice's ex-husband will spend the next twenty years in prison.

Alice just moved in with Jasper – in his new house…a few houses away from us. Pete warmed up to his dad, but he still likes me more when they're visiting.

I went with Bella to her appointment and was supposed to see the baby – I didn't see anything. Whatever. But it is fascinating to see her stomach growing rounder every day. And God, her eating habits…they make me gag. The things she eats are downright sickening, but she likes them so I suck it up. Though, lately I either fry some potatoes for myself or order pizza instead of eating that creepy stuff.

Then there's Emmett – still going strong with his garage chick. Now that his parents have approved of her, she spends most of the time at his house.

It's not all milk and honey, though.

Just last week – two weeks away from graduation – I threw the first punch in what started like a verbal fight…sadly all of it happened in front of Jacob – the school's warden, but seriously, the dude that provoked me said shit about mommy dropping me to school.

Bella has made a habit of dropping me off and coming after school for me too, because Kate, her doc, told her to take it easy at work.

Anyway, the fuckwit called Bella names and said not in so many words that he'd tap that. I kinda snapped.

The very reason Bella is right now in Volturi's office, but not before throwing me a glare as she passed me in the hallway.

I'm waiting for her outside, next to her precious Snowflake. I know we'll have a fight, but I hope she'll listen to me before screaming. After all I defended her.

Emmett lingered when he realized Bella got called. He's next to me, trying to keep me sane.

After pacing and tugging at my hair – I'm more afraid of what Volturi would do…than Bella. He warned me so many times. I hope he's not going to expel me now…so close to graduation.

"Chill, dude!" Emmett groans, suddenly.

"I can't chill!" I hiss, taking the cigarette packet from him and shaking one out. "Shit." I gasp, lighting it up. "If he expels me…can I crash on your couch? Bella will probably kill me."

"He won't expel you!"

"How do you know? I ended up knocking that dude out cold!" I rub two fingers between my eyes. "Fuck."

"Get it together," Emmett says hotly, his eyes on something behind me. "Mama Bear is on her way here and she looks like a dragon."

I whimper, pass the smoke to him and turn to Bella right in time.

"Get. In. The. Car!"

I gulp thickly, wave to Em then jog to the other side of the car.

I can feel the air filled with tension. Bella maneuvers the car brusquely, out of the parking lot.

"Can I explain what happened? I swear to you th—"

"It's never your fault! You're a saint!" she states, her hand gripping the steering wheel.

"I didn't say it wasn't my fault. I know I jumped him but with good reason."

"Any reason isn't good enough to punch someone," she grinds out.

"He said shit about you…okay? I had to punch him."

Bella makes a sound close to growl then swerves to the side of the lane, parking the car.

"I don't care what the heck that kid did to you, but you knocked him out cold. Volturi wants you expelled. He wants to involve the police."

Holy shit.

This is…

"Jesus," I mumble.

Then Bella hunches over the wheel and starts sobbing.

It's all my fault.

"This can't happen, you know that?"

"Why's that?" I ask, taking my seatbelt off and wrapping my arms around her, pressing my cheek to her shoulder. "What's bad in defending you?"

"Edward," she moans, hiccupping. "Jasper, Riley, Alice…Emmett…they understand. But a police officer won't understand us. He'll consider me a rapist for getting involved with a minor and above all – my step son. We can deny it though people saw us, I'm sure. But I'm pregnant."

"But you're not!" I shout. "A rapist…no! It's consensual. You never forced me."

"Edward, I know the law. Dad was a cop. Pray it won't get there, please. I will talk with Volturi, but you've got to be a saint until school ends. And let's hope the other kid will be okay."

I squeeze her in my arms, taking a shuddering breath.

Shit.

What have I done?

"Shh. Calm down, please. We'll get through this. Please, don't stress yourself," I beg her, pressing my lips to her head. "Please, Bella."

She turns her head to me. I'm torn between laughing at her black mascara all over her face and cowering somewhere at the look in her eyes.

"I knew a teenager entailed many responsibilities but I never thought how hard it would be…especially when I'm madly in love with said teenager."

I crack a small smile. "I'd like to think that I've grown up quite a bit since we started…dating."

"You have. A lot." Bella cups my cheek. "Let's go home and discuss a plan in case shit hits the fan."

I nod, suddenly feeling unable to swallow right.

I can't think of something happening to Bella because she acted on her feelings.

Laws are stupid.

In the end, everything is okay. Volturi caves at the sight of Bella's tears and pleas. She even tells him the truth – that I defended my…mom. Yeah, we have to play it by ear.

The old man softens and even pats my back for defending Bella, even though she's not my real mom, appreciating how much I care for her because kids my age hate their parents. I don't deny him, just nod and try to look humble.

On graduation day, I heave a sigh of relief that this shit is finally over.

There's one more milestone we have to pass – my eighteenth birthday. Then we can finally be really open about our feelings.

As Volturi hands me the diploma, Bella's in the front row, taping the moment and giving me thumb up over the camera. When I climb down the stage, all I want is to hug her – which I do, and kiss the shit outta her – which I can't. Sad.

I want to skip the party, but Bella threatens me with bodily harm if I don't go and have fun. She makes sure Em takes me to the party.

Is it too much to want to spend tonight with her? Just her.

But before I leave for the party, Bella makes my night, taking my hand and pressing it to her stomach. My wide eyes search hers.

It moved!

The baby moved.

I'm dazed and so happy that the night looks up.

Em and I stick together the whole night, mingling, talking, drinking, smoking…yeah. It's a nice party, but I want to get home to Bella.

When I finally let myself into our house, well into the morning, I find Bella in bed, sleeping soundly. I crawl behind her and sigh contently.

Everything's going to be amazing.

His birthday is closer - he'll be legal and no one can say anything about them.

For those asking for Grandma - fear not, my dears! She will make a reappearance. ;)