Chapter 17: Intuition
Beside the laughter and shrieks of the baby it was a silent ride back to Forks. I tried my best to ask what exactly happened last night, but both of them never budged. I definitely didn't like the fact that Edward called my baby a demon….my baby. Already in a matter of two days I was so attached to the precious boy. I knew I would do anything to protect him as well as my family.
We pulled up to the house and waiting on the porch was Rose and Esme. They flitted to the backseat and opened the door. Aiden smiled and waved at the ladies. He was such a flirt.
"He is adorable." Rose cooed taking him out the car seat.
"And he looks just like Jasper." Esme smiled tickling his stomach. The three of us walked inside and let the men handle the bags.
"Bella we have been working for the past three days on the baby's room."
"You guys didn't have to." I said hugging Esme.
"We wanted to Bella. I don't think you understand or see just how much you've given us." Rose said sincerely. "Close your eyes." She added after reaching the third floor. I knew there were other rooms on the floor but never paid attention since the only room that mattered was Edwards's room when I was with him.
I heard a door open and Rose's cool hand revealed the ultimate baby's room. I gasped in amassment.
"Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed. I felt like a mother from extreme home edition. The walls were painted to make you feel as if you were in a jungle. There were giraffes, zebras and lions surrounding the beautifully decorated room. There were stuffed jungle animals all over. His crib was made of solid oak wood with his name carved in elegant script on the head board with a crown right above it. Aiden was like a little prince.
Esme had a matching toy chest as well as a changing station all carved the same way. In the corner sat my rocking chair from my room. I glanced at them as tears welled up in my eyes.
"It went so well with the room. We wanted to pass a piece of your childhood down to your child." It was full water works now as I hugged them both tightly and thanked them. I truly was one lucky girl to have such an amazing family.
In the far right corner was a play pin set up for him.
"Carlisle and Emmett actually set up all the furniture as we painted….and Alice shopped."
Before I could ask the question Rose opened a sliding door to reveal a mini baby clothing store.
"Why?" I asked as my eyes scanned the room. "He's a growing boy he wouldn't even be able to wear all this." I said.
"You must have forgotten who we're talking about." Esme chuckled.
"Beside all the clothes aren't for right now. See?" She said pulling out an outfit way too big for my little baby.
"Oh this is the cutest." She said pulling out a little cowboy out fit with a lasso and all. We all laughed.
"I guess that's for Halloween." I said still holding Aiden who was laughing with us. Rose put the outfit back and stepped out the closet.
"There is one more surprise we have for you." Rose said leading me through another door. I followed through to walk into another beautifully decorated bedroom. There was a king sized canopy solid wood bed set in the middle of the room. The left side stood a wardrobe and dresser. On the right was a beautiful fireplace with pictures of Jasper and I. I couldn't help but smile at them. Now realizing why Alice was snapping pictures of us at our sleepover. I laughed at the photo of him in makeup…good times.
The room was painted in a pale green color and the bedding and accessories colors consisted of natural and dark brown. They even found a place for my cactus and a sitting place were Jasper and I could relax read and enjoy the fireplace. I was amazed. Before I could thank them Rose reveled the walk in closet that led to the bathroom.
"This is to much-" I began to protest.
"Bella if any one deserves this it's you and Jasper. The two of you have been through so much. This is our welcome home present." Esme assured me. She gave me a tight hug and kissed Aiden.
"Welcome home Aiden." He gave her a bright smile showing his pearly whites then yawned.
"I'll go make a bottle." Rose said before running out the room.
"Esme I just want to thank you for all this. It's…incredible."
"You're very welcome dear."
"I just want you to know Aiden isn't just mine, he's all of ours."
"Are you just saying that so we could watch him?" I shrugged playfully.
"Maybe." We shared a laugh as I laid Aiden in his crib. I know he was tired.
We went back into my room and sat on the bed.
"How did the trip go?" Esme asked.
"It was fine. Jasper got some closure in meeting his cousin and him and Edward made up."
"That's wonderful." She said gratefully. I know it was hard for her to see her boys fight one another.
"What about the fire?"
"It was a newborn who set the house on fire. It started in the parent's room trapping them." I said sadly. "Jasper ran in to save them but the father was already dead. Lauren Aiden's mother asked us to take him."
"Poor child." She said looking into the other room.
"Was he harmed?" I shook my head.
"It doesn't seem that way but we still would like Carlisle to take a look at him when he gets home."
"Did Jasper and Edward get the newborn?"
"Yes. But Jasper is convinced it's a sign from Maria." She gasped.
"Oh no."
"How's Brian?"
"He's well Alice says. There in South America at the moment. She said they ran across a human while out hunting and Brian didn't even snap and her." Esme said proudly.
"That's great. I just hope they come back soon. I miss my fortune telling pixie." I joked although I was serious.
"She said they'll be home in a few weeks once she's sure he's strong enough." Hearing that made me excited. But what made me even more excited was seeing my boyfriend walk through the door.
"Hey there Esme." He said hugging her. Esme seemed so at ease and peaceful now.
"You're looking handsome." She said fixing a curl. I noticed an envelope in his hand.
"I'll leave you two alone." She said briefly looking at the two of us. She closed the door.
"You like?" I asked gesturing to the room.
"I love." He commented sitting next to me. I leaned against him and he wrapped his arm around me.
"What do you have their cowboy?" I asked adding a little southern drawl to it. He laughed and opened the envelop pulling out one of the documents. He held it before me as I read.
It was Aiden's adoption papers.
"Aiden Hale Whitlock." I said out loud.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"I love the name." I replied as Jasper pulled me gently against him and kissed my cheek.
"He's officially ours now darlin'." I sighed and couldn't help but picture our happy little future.
"Our son." I added as I snuggled into his chest.
"Charlie called not too long ago." I took in a sharp breath and immediately relaxed against my own free will.
"He heard you were back and was planning on stopping by."
"And?" I pried.
"We're heading over to his house for dinner. I told him we had some news to share with him."
He didn't freak out did he?"
"He seemed worried but I assured him everything was fine and that you weren't pregnant…yet." He added to tease me.
"What are we going to tell him?" I asked ignoring his comment.
"The truth. While down in Texas there was a fire that killed my cousins and we've adopted Aiden as ours." I nodded my head thankful I didn't have to lie to him especially because I wasn't good at it.
"Have I mentioned how amazing you are today?" I asked after a moment of silence.
"I don't believe you have but go on." I laughed and turned to him looking into his eyes.
"I just want to thank you for being my soul mate. Jasper I've never been so sure about anything in my life. You are my strength when I need it. You're my courage when I'm afraid. I'm just so happy to be sharing this life with you." He smiled adoringly and stroked my cheek.
"Bella I've been around long enough to know when something is real. You talk about me giving you strength, darlin' you are my strength. You're my everything and there's no other place I'd rather be. You've given me my humanity when I felt like such a monster. You showed me love when I felt I wasn't worthy. I love you so much Bella. I'm so thankful that I have you." He kissed me gently and wrapped his arms around me and rocked us back and forth.
"I'm so sorry it's been so hectic for the last couple of days. That we haven't been able to focus on each other."
"Isn't that what we're doing now?" I asked softly.
"Yes we are." He replied.
"Can you believe it's only been five days since we've officially been together."
"And we've already have a baby." He joked.
"I can't believe how attached we are to him in a matter of day."
"That's because he has his daddy's charm." He boasted. I playfully sucked my teeth.
"He's one special little boy." I said gazing into the next room.
"That's what she's after." He exclaimed.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Bella You'll agree that Aiden is a special boy…gift wise right."
"Yes bu-"
"She must know. Bella Maria is after Aiden."
"Jasper how can you be so sure?"
"I've spent enough time with her to know how she moves."
"But why lead us to him?"
"Because He's not the only one he wants. Bella Maria has a gift of knowing. Something similar to Alice except it's like a intuition. She must have known I was coming back and was watching us all along. Bella I think she wants you." Before I could respond Jasper pulled me off the bed and was heading down toward the living room. It was time for a family meeting.
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"Bella you need to relax darlin'"
"Jasper how can I? I know my father he will freak once we tell him."
"That's what I'm here for. And besides you may be surprised."
"I've heard that before." I muttered under my breath as Jazz parked the car.
"Rose you'll watch over him until we're ready." She nodded not paying mind to us. She was as attached to Aiden as we were. And our little star loved the attention. I gave him a kiss and waved before I got out the car.
"I can't believe your actually going to eat."
"I'm doing it all out of love." He said kissing me. In that moment the door swung open and Charlie stood before us eyeing my belly.
"Hey dad." I said running to him and hugging him tightly.
"Hey Bells. How are you?"
"I'm great and you?"
"Fine. Hello uhh"
"Jasper." Jazz replied coolly.
"Right" He replied stepping aside to let us in. I immediately took notice to the aroma in the house. I glanced at him unsure.
"Uhh dad you didn't cook did you?"
"You know me better than that. Sue actually came over. You just missed her." Knowing her she wasn't trying to stick around.
"But-" He continued only to get cut off.
"Hey Bells." Jake said striding into the living room. I nearly jumped him.
"Jake!" I shrieked. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Your dad told me you were coming over for dinner and I wanted to see you."
"Hey uhh"
"Jasper." Jazz replied through clenched lips. I glanced at him and he gave an angelic smile.
"Why don't we take this into the dining room I'm starving." Charlie said rubbing his stomach. We all sat around the nicely set dinner table and began passing the food around taking out what we wanted. Jake watched Jasper amused as Jazz refrained from gagging from just the smell.
"So Bella tell us how was Texas."
"It was uhh interesting."
"How so?" Charlie asked staring at me.
"Edward came looking for us." Jasper said. I glanced at him quickly. Jake began to shiver as he tried to calm himself. And my dad was beat red.
"He wanted to make amends with the two of us." I said lying.
"Don't tell me you forgave him after he tr-" I cut Jake off.
"Jake" I stopped him.
"Jake is right Bella. What is it about him that makes you so…weak?"
"I'm not weak dad. We've all done wrong. What was done is done and we've made our peace with it."
"What do you have to say about that?" Charlie asked Jasper.
"I didn't approve of it at first. But I could feel how much he's hurting just to see the two us together and I think that's punishment enough." It was silent for a moment.
"I guess your right about that." Charlie chuckled.
"You went down there to visit your family am I right?"
"Yes sir. I had a cousin who's around my age down there."
"Had?" Jake asked.
"Yea we were on our way to say good bye only to see the house on fire." I added.
"Are they ok?" Charlie asked. I shook my head.
"When Jasper got to them his cousin was already dead and his wife died not to soon after. But the baby was fine." I said peeking up at Charlie's face.
"Baby?"
"They had a son name Aiden. Dad he's the cutest little-"
"Wait so let me get this straight you went down there to visit his family, and they end up dying leaving a baby behind?" I nodded.
"We are adopting him." I said softly.
"What did you say?" Charlie asked leaning closer.
"I said dad we adopted him."
"What? How?"
"Rose and I are the only remaining relatives…and I guess Carlisle rubbed off on me." Jasper explained.
"I don't understand Bella why you've gotten yourself evolved in this."
"Because I love that little boy dad." I nearly yelled. I took a deep breath and spoke softly.
"I know this is sudden and you might think it's a bad idea but I'm already attached to him."
"Wow" Jake said after an immeasurable moment of silence.
"I know this is a bit much dad but I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm old enough to make decisions on my own and so far I think I'm doing a good job."
"Bella how are you going to support this child? This is a little person we are talking about not a grown up."
"I know that."
"So how are you going to care for him?"
"The same way I had took care of you and mom when you couldn't take care of yourselfs.
"Look sir don't be mad at Bella. You should know how big of a heart she has." Jasper said looking into his eyes. They stared one another down for a moment and Charlie sighed.
"I'm sorry Bella. I'm not mad I just want you to know what you're getting yourself into. Your mother and I had you when we were young and I just want you to end up like we did."
"I'm not mom" I whispered. There was a long silence in the room.
"Hey le- Jarred are you going to eat that."
"It's Jasper and yes…I am" He said glaring at him.
"So where is this baby of yours?"
"He's in the car." I replied felling excited.
"You left the baby in the car alone?" Charlie asked in horror.
"No Rose is watching him." I excused myself from the table and headed towards the car."
"Was he mad?" Rose asked.
"Not really he's just afraid I'll make a mistake." Rose nodded and unbuckled Aiden from the seat. I picked him up and cradled him in my arms.
"Are you coming inside?"
"No and have to eat that disgusting food." I giggled.
"I guess I'll see you back at the house." I added.
"Good luck." She said before flittering into the woods. I walked back inside to hear Charlie in a happier mood. Thank god my boyfriend was an empath.
"So when are you planning to do it?" I heard Charlie ask.
"Do what?" I asked.
"Nothing sweetheart. Is he up?"
"Yes but he's tired." I replied.
"Aiden sweetie say hi to grandpa Charlie." I cooed. Charlie grimaced but smiled when Aided waved to him.
"Hey there little fella." Charlie said waving back at him with a big smile. I turned to Jake.
"And that's your uncle Jacob. Say hi to uncle Jake."
"Jake" He shrieked.
"He said my name. Aww Bella can I hold him?" Jake said pouting. He was worse than Emmett.
"Be gentle" I said handing him over. I watched as Jazz face went smug and heard when Jacob wailed in pain.
"Aiden what did I tell you about kicking people in their face." Jasper said picking him up. Aiden immediately began to laugh as Jasper played with him.
"Is it alright if I hold him son?" Son what the hell happened while I was away?
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So what did you think. This is by far the longest chapter I've written for this fic. I hope you enjoyed it. Since some of you were wondering what happened while Bella was asleep in the last chapter I have an outtake that would be up within the week. So please look out for it. Also I posted the first chapter of my new story that's called shattered. If you haven't checked it out then please do so. Thanks to all the people who have reviewed I hope you've been enjoying this story as well as I have enjoyed writing it. Till next time....