APOV

The drive to pick up Jasper from the air port never seemed so long. I was getting antsy, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel as I waited in the pick up line. When Jasper's face bobbed around in the small crowd I immediately jumped out of the car running to him. He dropped his bags as soon as he saw me inviting me into his arms. I slammed into his body with more force than attended but he didn't budge. I buried my face into the crook of his neck, taking in his scent that I had gone to long without smelling.

"God, I've missed you." he said with his lips at my ear.

I pulled away mashing my lips to his. Their sweetness made me salivate. People pushed passed us and we ignored everyone of them. His mere presence put me at ease, Bella wasn't home in pain, the whole family was as it should be. He pulled away slightly, resting his forehead on mine.

"2 more months and you'll be all mine."

2 months could go by fast enough. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the car. He insisted one driving despite his long plane ride. Refusing to let go of my hand he began to talk about everything. His trip, the people, the things they discussed, his new roles taking over as the company manager. I leaned my head against the rest and listened, completely soothed by his southern twang I had so dearly missed. He asked about the wedding progress and I, regrettably, didn't have much to share. With all the new stuff going on with Bella, I had barely thought about the wedding. I still had yet to order my dress and momentarily worried about it. I would have to start working hard now.

Would Bella be ready ?

BPOV

I've been awake for about an hour now debating on if I was ready to face everyone. The last thing I remember clearly was Edward and I. I clutch my baby bump close. I can hear Edward's family all down stairs, watching something I can't make out. Edward would be up to check on me soon. Would I pretend to be asleep this time? Countless times these last couple of days I had done so, not ready to face him. I made something that was supposed to be special into a terror. The least I could do is talk to him. But I wasn't even capable of that...

Just as I predicted, I hear Edward's footsteps start edging closer. I have memorized how each person in this houses foot steps sound. Edward's were always the most cautious. I counted how many too. 10 steps from the top of the stairs to the doorway of the room. When I get to nine I realize I haven't closed my eyes and then it's to late. He is standing there staring at me in shock. His shock morphs into a smile as he walks to the bed.

"You're awake."

I've been awake a lot, I want to say but suppress the urge. "Mhm." is all that comes out.

He sits on the bed next to me brushing a very oily piece of hair from my face. I hadn't taken a shower in what seemed like a long time and I suddenly felt sorry for Edward, who sleeps with me every night. It didn't seem to bug him as he kisses my cheek.

"I missed you." he said very lightly. I immediately felt guilty for not coming around sooner. I was so worried he wouldn't want to talk to me but I think deep down I knew he wouldn't. I just needed to be alone, something that is nearly impossible in this house. For the slightest moment, I considered movie back with my father like him and Rene suggested. The thought was immediately drove from my head as I could only find unlikely pros with inevitable cons. There, I would only slip into a worse depression. At least here I had to pretend to be happy and am never left alone to not have to pretend.

"Come back to me," he gently whispered rubbing circles with his thumbs on my cheeks. I blink through my thoughts to again see his beautiful sleep ridden face. Bringing a hand to his face, my thumb traced the outline of his bottom lip. I smiled, pulling him close to me. He held me with one arm and my bump in the other. He buried his face in my neck like a young child would. I kissed neck while stroking his head. And then he was crying. It was the first time I'd seen it. Would you say I was sick and twisted for liking it? For once, I was taking care of him, not the other way around. I didn't have to think about me, I could think about him.

I stroked his neck and as he shuddered with tears. "I'm so sorry." he said through sobs. Gingerly, I grabbed his head between my hands and forced him to let me see his face. The purple circles under his eyes were soaked with his tears. I wiped them away with my thumbs and after placed a soft kiss on each one. I let go of his face, dropping my hands in his lap.

"I'm sorry." I said. We held each other then. For hours. We didn't speak, just touched one an other. It wasn't till dark that he finally broke our silence.

"You haven't asked about the baby..."he whispered.

I actually hadn't thought about it since, I vaguely remember Carlisle caring me into the hospital room. It hadn't crossed my mind, until now, that he probably had to do an ultra sound. I look at Edward stunned.

"Did we find out the sex?" I ask and his pause makes my heart sink, "What?" almost angry now.

"You see, it's more difficult than expected to find that out." he says.

"Why's that?" I ask almost panicked.

He looks at me with an odd expression I couldn't quite understand.

"Are you up for talking with Carlisle?"

I sit on the hospital bed in our little at home set up and Edward is standing next to me, watching me like a hawk and Alice is on the other side, doing the same. Carlisle only allowed these to in here with us. He now stands in front of me, a picture in his hand that I have yet to see. He's smiling, which is a little reassuring. Stepping closer he hands me the picture. I examine the photo for a moment but it doesn't really seem to make sense to me. I see two heads, and 4 feet. Is the printer on the fritz?

I look at Carlisle confused. "There's to babies in this picture, Bella."

My mouth literally drops as I start to panic. I couldn't tell if I was really excited or terrified. Again, I look at the photo touching it lightly. My two babies are curled up into each other and almost look like they're hugging. My heart aches and I know that I've fallen in love. The new difficulty of another baby doesn't even phase me. I look at Edward, who still looks worried, and smile, tears already forming. He smiles to as he grabs my hand. I turn to Alice, who's beaming like a proud mother. Everybody seemed to be very surprised that I was excited about yet another addition. So much that Esme and Alice insisted on a big dinner to tell my father. I found that if I stuck by Edward, smiling became a lot easier.

I went along with this a little reluctantly. Especially because Esme insisted on me calling my father for the invite. As I thought would happen, Rene answered. An awkward phone call and confirmation later Alice and I were getting dressed to go to the grocery store. After a very long shower on my part of course. It wasn't originally meant to be long but my matted bed hair and fuzzy legs made this impossible. I actually had to get dressed to go into town, something I hadn't done in a long time. I pulled on one of Edward's sweatshirts and some pants I had bought with Alice. Yay for elastic waist bands.

This was my first trip into town since I had gotten pregnant. I knew I was bound to see someone at our convenient little town grocery store. Since graduation, I hadn't seen any of my classmates. Had they heard of my pregnancy? People like to talk. Did they know about my heartbreak or did they think I was a slut? God knows how many rumors had been started about me. Who would have thought of me, Bella Swan, quiet, keep to herself kind of girl, would be the center of anyone's rumors. My premonitions were not wrong. Alice and I had just turned into the produce section when I heard several people call my name. I turned slowly. Standing by the fruit was Jessica, Mike, and Lauren. I smile weakly, sticking my already clammy hands in the pocket of Edward's sweatshirt.

They all rushed to me. Jessica speaking first. "Bella!" she gives me an awkward hug, trying to find away around my already big stomach. Mike does the same just a little more genuine. Lauren doesn't even bother, she just stands off to the side, not looking at me. And then we're standing there silent, the air thick. Jessica clears her throat.

"So it's true?" she gestures toward my stomach almost satisfied looking. I imagine how excited she is to be the one to confirm whatever is going around.

"People have heard?" I sound a little sullen. "What's going around?"

Mike gives Jessica a frustrated look as she begins to talk. "Oh you know, the whole 'She's just 18. She must be sleeping around' thing."

"Or there's always the 'She was with Jacob but got pregnant with her best friend's brother and cause Jake to move away' thing." Lauren steps in.

I had to try not to flinch at that but Lauren could see my discomfort and, I'm sure, felt triumphant. Mike looked very uncomfortable in the middle of all this and clearly tries to move on to a brighter subject.

"So...do you know what you're having?" he asks.

I look at Alice who's is still starring down Lauren and Jessica and then turn back to my "friends".

"Um, no. It's kind of harder to find out the sex with twins."

"Twins?" they all say in unison. I nod with a fake smile.

Again, I try and change the subject. "How is Angela? Ben?"

"They're back together. And going away to collage together soon. Brainiacs. But um, what should I say to put all the rumors to rest?" Jessica says.

Just as I go to open my mouth Alice answers for me, "Not as if it is anyone's business but Jacob in fact is the one who left Bella when he found out and Edward has decided to help her out with this. Unlike some people in this town, our family cares about Bella. Friends would usually call and check in. Unfortunately, we are on a tight schedule and we must be going. I'm sure she'd love catching up. Like a said, friends can call anytime." she grabs my arm as all of their mouths drop open. Lauren closes hers quickly when I smile brilliantly as Alice pulls me away. The last thing I see from them is two glaring girls and a guilty waving Mike.

This was sure to start more rumors but I couldn't help but love my best friend. Home never felt so nice. We walked in the door with groceries in hand. I help put them away a bit antsy since I didn't see Edward when I walked in. I try to be patient and help Alice and Esme but I find myself rushing around the kitchen. When they tell me we're finally done I try not to appear excited to leave the room as I waddle my way out and up the stairs which seemed to become steeper everyday. As quietly as possible I tip toed down the hall and peaked into the room. Edward sat on his bed very concentrated on a "Becoming a Father" book. I smile ear to ear as I step in. He looks up as I near and smiles. He pats the spot next to him and I shuffle over.

As I sit down he asks, "How'd it go?"

I roll my eyes at the thought. "We ran into Jessica, Mike, and Lauren."

He looks up from the book again, eyes widening. He didn't speak for a moment. "How are they doing?"

I shrug before answering, "Lauren was Lauren," he gave me a knowing look, "Mike and Jessica seemed fine. Surprised for sure." I said glancing at my stomach.

He nodded and again, became silent. For a moment we starred at each other. He put his book down to swing his legs over the edge of the bed to sit beside me. Tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, he smiles at me. I smiled back, grabbing his hand and holding it to my cheek. Little moments like these I had to cherish. Alone time wasn't possible in this house. And after the babies are born? What then? Would we ever be able to make love? An even bigger picture question enters my mind. Even if we did get alone time would I be able to get over my thoughts of Jacob or would I just go crazy again? At this thought, I let Edward's hand fall from my face. I can't look at him.

He doesn't say anything although he knows something isn't right. He just simply puts his hand back in mine and lets them rest on my stomach. It feels like hours pass before I can finally bring myself to look Edward in the eye. When I do he looks back, a faint smile on his lips. He gently lifts my chin and brings his face closer. His lips graze mine lightly then again much rougher. I kiss back with the same intensity as his hand moves to the base of my neck. It must have been my crazy pregnant lady hormones but I pounced. I push him back against the bed and crawl over him. My lips find his immediately but don't stay there long. Before I know it my lips are all over his face kissing every inch of it.

Purposely I made myself think of Jacob. I wanted to see if I was capable. This time his face doesn't completely evade my vision only a pang of pain deep in my chest. This encourages me to continue forward. I'm bumbling with the buttons on Edward shirt when his shaky hands stop me. I look at him frustrated.

"Stop." I don't. I only continue to kiss his chest.

"Bella, stop." he says pulling my head away from his body. "We can't...you can't." He wiggles out from under me and makes as much distance as possible. "You're father will be here in 2 hours." he stumbles backward out the door.

I stare after him for a long time before slamming my fists onto the bed. Pressing a pillow to my face, I scream. When I'm done, I throw it across the room. He may have thought he got away and he did for now but we have plenty of time tonight. Charlie and Rene wont be here after 8. I push my hair out of my face and tangle my fingers in it. I give up on the thought for now and scoot off the bed, deciding it was time to get ready for tonight. I walk to my side of the carpet stripping off my pants. I rummaged through it for a second placing my final decision on a sun dress Esme bought me a while ago as a surprise.

I pull off my shirt and close the bedroom door. I head over to the vanity mirror to examine my ever changing body. I have been lucky enough to not gain stretch marks. My thighs and butt have improved along with an extra cups size in my breast. My hands come to my bump and I turn sideways to get a better angle. I close my eyes, trying to remember what it was like not to be pregnant. It was only 5 months ago but the memory was already fuzzy. That life felt like a dream. Shaking my head like it would actually shake the pain away, I slid the dress over my head. I pull my hair out of the fabric and examine it. I hadn't realize how long it has gotten. It hangs to the top of my butt. I tie it into a braid and bring it over my left shoulder.

I apply a little mascara and hate how it makes my eyes burn. Make up has never been my thing, but Esme said it was to be a formalish dinner. I put some red flip flops on the match the dress. Again, I examine myself in the mirror and am almost proud of myself. Zero help from Alice as well. I feel pretty too, like for once, out of this whole pregnancy, I actually am glowing. With a little application of red lipstick, I am ready to face this night.