A/N: the argument is brought to you by Loopygirl1. She brought up a valid point to me. Not everything is always sunshine and roses in a relationship. Eventually someone is going to say or do something to make the other angry. I can attest to that. My husband and I can have some doozies sometimes. Lol. The only advice I have though, just like in this story- never go to bed angry.

The mention of Bella not being ready is brought to you by a certain person, you know who you are lol, making mention that maybe not everyone gets why Jasper doesn't just change Bella. I know it seems convoluted to keep her human when changing her ends the threat from Edward, but please remember he's not the big bad here, he just seems it. Remember this story is twisted, hence the title. I hope I've helped you make more sense as to reasons why Bella won't be changed just yet. There's a method to my madness, I swear.

I based the timeline on extensive research of Breaking Dawn. Lol. Also I figure conductive reasoning would help in the situation. To me they all acted pretty dumb in the book. To those who guessed this was coming, here's your right to say "I told you so". Lmao.

Chapter Twenty

Carlisle

It's Bella's birthday and I can't help but shake my head at the amount of prep that has gone into making sure she has a party worth remembering. After all, how many times does anyone turn eighteen? I laugh to myself as I think of how Rose would answer that. Well any of them would answer it the same way. They've all turned eighteen several times in the years since we started this matriculating thing.

Esme has out done herself this time. As the younger ones have all gone out somewhere to celebrate Bella's birthday and give us time to decorate, Esme has worked up a storm. The cake is done, this single layer thing- just the right size for Bella since she'll eat it alone- done in white icing with a pink strip around the bottom and icing flowers that look almost real and these really long stick candles.

Once she was done with that she filled up balloons with confetti and blew them up with helium and let them float to the ceiling in the veranda, leaving them wherever they may go. Now she's setting up a makeshift screen and old fashioned movie projector for after dark and getting the kindling set up for starting a bonfire- apparently Bella is fond of them.

She moved a couple small tables onto the veranda, one for a nacho and s'mores station and the other for gifts and has also gathered as many old blankets as she can so that we may sit upon them and Bella can cover up with them while we're outside. She bought popcorn and soda for the movies, which are going to be the book to movie versions of Bella's favorite Jane Austin novels- Pride and Prejudice, the one with Kiera Knightly, and Sense and Sensibility with Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon.

Once she's done she closes the southern windows so Bella can't see out them and see what's been set up, she can still see the veranda but that's not exactly a surprise. Now we just have to wait for the others to return. I know just what we can do while we wait and lead a giggling Esme up to our bedroom for a rare afternoon romp. But before I get to enjoy her she tells me she has one stop to make and heads into Jasper and Bella's room. She's done in seconds and comes out and retakes my hand and we continue on our way to our own bedroom.

Jasper

I woke Bella this morning with breakfast in bed and a plan. After Edward's second attack ten days ago we decided to make her birthday really special so we're going to the Res first where they've set up their own party for her, then I'm taking her to dinner, then bringing her home for the surprise Esme will be setting up while we're gone. So far she's had a great time and I'm glad that her birthday has gone off so well.

After the argument she, Alice and myself had the day after the attack, well... She's been a bit subdued. I asked if we could safely change Bella and still rely on Edward's frustration and anger to lead us to the enemy, Bella argued that that wouldn't be helpful because there wouldn't be any blood lust and he wouldn't feel any need to ask for help from someone else because the compulsion for her blood would be gone and he might no longer care about them, despite the threat he had made towards Carlisle. As scared as she had been, she felt she could handle the danger. I got angry that she was being a martyr, but then Alice stepped in and told us that she wasn't ready to be changed yet anyway.

When I asked her why, she simply told me she wanted to be human for our wedding and wanted to wait until she was closer to nineteen so she could be nearly the same age as me, when I laughed and told her she still wouldn't be she got irritated, stomped her foot and walked away. Leaving me behind smiling like a fool at how cute she was angry. Now we're celebrating her eighteenth and are one year closer to her being ready to become a vampire.

She loved the little lipstick note I left for her on the bathroom mirror this morning and is now opening gifts from the pack. I just wish I could have given her the one thing she wants most this birthday, her parents. It's been eight months now since they died and I know she still misses them everyday, but most especially on days like this.

Knowing she's reached a milestone and they aren't here to celebrate with her is why everyone put so much effort into the day. To help take her mind off them; and Edward. We haven't heard from him since the attack on the Res he's holed back up in Port Angeles and everything in me wants to go there and kill him. If we don't soon learn who this enemy is, I may go mad.

Rachel thankfully recovered well and the bruise that had been on her face is almost gone. It's still a little yellow though. Just goes to show how badly a vampire can hurt a human. It's been ten days and it looks like it'll take at least another week for the bruise to go away completely. I can't believe it's been two weeks since his first attack. The time just flew.

After we leave the Res we head back to the house where I asked Esme to set up Bella's surprise. When we enter our room laying on the bed is the note I wrote and the dress and jewelery I purchased for her birthday, I got them that day I picked up her rings. She looks at me questioningly, but I simply smile and hand her the note. As she reads the few words there, she begins to smile.

Bella

So he plans to take me to a fancy dinner does he? Well I can live with that. It's four o' clock now, so I have an hour to get ready according to the note. I give him a quick kiss before leading him into the bathroom, smiling at the note still on the mirror reminding me it's my birthday with a little smiley face. We take a quick shower, no time for sex unfortunately, and then he grabs his clothes and heads out the door as Alice comes skipping in.

She helps me get dressed before sitting me down to do my make up. "Nothing dramatic Alice, please."

"Don't worry Bella, I've got this. You're going to look fantastic for your dinner with Jasper and then when you guys get back, Esme has a surprise for you too."

"I don't know how many more I can take today! It's been perfect thus far and I don't know what could possibly make it better."

"You'll see, don't worry." I just nod my head and sit as still as I can as she plucks stray eyebrow hairs and puts on whatever she has spread out on the dresser. When she's done she leads me into the bathroom and tells me to keep my eyes closed until she's done with my hair.

When she finally finishes, I open my eyes to a person I barely recognize. The make up is natural: pale pink lips, barely there foundation and powder, nude shadow. My hair is pulled back into a high, straight ponytail, braided on the top of my head with a few wisps of hair around my ears. I love it. It goes perfectly with the dress Jasper bought me.

A half sleeve, white mini, with a lace back. The sleeves are lace too and it's skin tight, like all my curves are showing and are my boobs and hips bigger? Weird. It's been given a pop of color by the red suede, ankle strap heels. Me in heels, this can't go at all wrong, though the heels are short and wide- helping me keep my balance better. Around my neck is a simple platinum and diamond solitaire pendant necklace. In my ears are crystal flower stud earrings, both from Tiffany's.

Now that I'm complete, I head down the stairs in search of Jasper. What I find is nothing short of breathtaking. His shoulder length hair is still damp from the shower, so it's slightly slicked back. He's wearing a black long sleeve button down with a gray vest over top and a pair of gray slacks and black dress shoes. He's even wearing a gray and black stripped tie. He's so handsome. And he's all mine! He gives me a knowing smile, he can probably feel the lust pouring off me in waves, then walks towards me.

Holding out his arm so I can loop my hand through it, he looks down at me. "Ready darlin'? We have to be in Port Angeles by six, as that's when I made the reservation for."

Nodding, I smile back. "Where are we going?"

"To C'est Si Bon. It's a French restaurant. It's so fancy even the menu is in French. Let's go."

We get there in record time and it's all I can do to sit still when the waiter goes to take our order and Jasper orders in perfect French. I didn't know he could speak French. It's hot! The way it rolls off his tongue so flawlessly has me ruining my panties. He flashes me a smile, but can't do much more as our drinks and appetizers come then. I eat in silence, watching as he pushes the food around to make it look as if he's eaten. After dinner we head home and as much as I want him to take me off somewhere and make love to me, our family has other plans. By the time the night is over, I have officially had the best birthday ever- culminated by the fact that the family all went off somewhere so we could be alone and Jasper made love to me all night long.

It's only marred by the same nightmare I woke from that morning, but slightly different. The same one I've been having for fourteen days now. The one I've kept from him, though I don't know how I haven't been tossing and turning or projecting emotions to tell him something has been wrong. I thought I could keep them from him until I could figure them out. Unfortunately this time I couldn't keep it from him, because I woke up screaming. This time it wasn't just the boy they were trying to take from me, it was Jasper too.

Jasper

It's been three days since Bella's birthday and I've grown worried. She's had nightmares every night since the one that she woke up screaming from, alerting me to the fact that she's been having them at all, I also learned that night that she's been having them before that night too. I hate the fact that she has kept that from me. I don't know how I didn't know to begin with, surely I should have felt them. But I've only felt a happiness from her as she sleeps. As a result of my worry and irritation, we had our first fight.

"For the last fucking time Jasper Whitlock Hale, I am fine! They're not important. If I had thought you needed to know about the dreams I would have told you!"

"Obviously they are important if you've been having them every night Bella! How do you expect us to be partners in life if you won't even tell me about something so simple as the fact that you're having bad dreams? Maybe I could have helped you understand them. Instead I find out, because two nights ago you woke up screaming for the first time ever."

"I hardly understand them. And what's in them isn't something I wanted you to know. But since you insist I'll tell you!" She then tells me about the little boy with blond hair and brown eyes and how happy she is. How they play in the meadow and then how Edward and some stranger come and snatches the boy away.

The way she describes it all. Could she want children? Am I holding her back from a normal human life? I mean, why else would she dream of a boy who sounds like he looks like I did as a child? As I move further into doubt, I'm blasted with a dose of anger so strong it nearly brings me to my knees. Looking up into my fiancées face I see pure, unadulterated ire. She's pissed off at me for some reason.

"And that right there is exactly why I didn't want to tell you! I knew you'd read too much into the child in my dream and start doubting things. Get this through your thick skull Jasper Hale, I don't want anything more than a life with you. I understood the consequences of my choice the moment you told me what you are. I know that you can't father children. I know that I'm giving up a lot of things by giving up my human life and I don't care! I don't care! And for your information the dreams changed the night I woke up screaming! They changed to me not just losing the boy, but you too! So see? I love you so much the mere suggestion of losing you terrifies me!"

After shouting that last bit at me she takes off out of the house. I make to go after her, but Peter and Garrett stop me. "We'll follow her Major. She needs a chance to cool off. Let her get over her anger and then we'll bring her home. We will watch over her, ok?"

I could only nod as the feeling of guilt overwhelmed me. She's sacrificed so much for me already. How could I doubt her? She's never given me any indication that she's upset to be missing out on certain things. When we leave for our trip tomorrow I'll make sure that she sees as much of the sights as I can. I'll give her a fantastic time and try to help her forget about my idiocy today.

Bella

I just needed to get away. It's so serene here, the place Jasper asked me to marry him. The fall season has finally come in and made the trees exceptionally pretty as they begin to turn red, orange or yellow. There's a chill in the air during the days now, but it's not so cold I can't get away with just a light jacket or a sweater- though I did kind of forget one when I ran out of the house. The water on the lake is rippling softly in the breeze and the birds are chirping. There's no other sound but my own breathing. That's why I chose to come here. Yelling at Jasper wasn't something I had planned.

I don't know what's wrong with me, I've never gotten angry at him like that. My emotions lately have been all over the place. I cried my eyes out when Mr. Edward Farrows finally came to ask for Eleanor's hand in marriage. The same with Jane and Mr. Bingley. I've never cried like that over those moments before. Now I'm shouting at Jasper for such a silly reason? I just had to be alone for a while. Surrounded by all those vampires, you're never truly alone as they can hear everything.

I'm not totally alone now either. Somewhere out there Garrett and Peter are keeping watch, but they've left me to myself. I sort of wish Jasper had followed instead, but as angry as I was that wouldn't have been a good idea then. I've been out here for at least two hours now and have calmed a lot. I'm getting a little cold if I'm honest, but I just had to get away before I said something I would regret. I know he knows that I'm one hundred percent ok with the things I'll lose by being with him. He just fell back on an old habit today, self-doubt. Hopefully my shouting at him knocked that idea right out of his mind.

Sighing I move to get up. I need to go back and talk to him. Apologize for yelling and maybe take him off somewhere for some make up sex. I'm about to head back when there's a rustling in the trees and bushes on the other side of the lake. Suddenly I don't feel safe and I look around to see if Peter or Garrett have heard it too, but I don't see them and turn back just in time to watch Edward walk out onto the opposite shore.

I can practically see the evil sneer from here, even as far away as he is. He can't jump across the lake because it's too wide for that, but he can still get across it in seconds by swimming. I may get a good head start but he'd still catch me before I could get back to the safety of those watching out for me. I back up towards the woods, not wanting to take my eyes off him, but suddenly he's running and I panic. I turn and begin to run, crashing into the trees just as I hear the first splash as he hits the water. I can feel the branches whip against my face, pull against my hair, but I don't stop. I want to call for Peter or Garrett but am afraid that that'll give away my exact location and can only hope those two will hear me running and get to me before Edward.

I can only hope that the crashing noises I'm making will not also give me away, but just a general direction instead. My heart is thudding in my chest and I can barely breathe for the fear. Please, please, please don't let him catch me! But my request goes unanswered as mere moments later I'm grabbed from behind and whipped around to look into the smirking leer of Edward Cullen. There's no trace left of the boy in the photos that graced the family portrait wall. The smiling sweet looking teenager has been replaced by a predator. Much more deadly looking than when I first met him.

There is no mercy, no hesitation and I know I'm going to die. "Out and about without your protection Bella? How convenient for me. I'm surprised they let you go off alone. It would seem my time of laying low has worked and they've let their guard down. Here I was, just coming to watch the house and see what you all were doing and if I could get to you somehow and here you are hand delivered on a platter. How delightful."

He leans down and inhales my scent, his nose running along my neck and causing me to shiver in revulsion. He must not have heard, seen or scented the other two or he would know I'm not alone. Where are they then? Perhaps his focus was so on me he didn't hear them?

"Mmmmm, you smell so sweet. Like honey. I can't wait to taste you, but first I think I'll taste you in another way. You spread your legs so easily for the monster, will you spread them nicely for me?" This was it.

I could feel his teeth graze my carotid as he began to move his hands to the buttons of my jeans and started to say my goodbyes to the ones I love in my head and pray it would all be over quickly. I also said another silent prayer that Peter wouldn't let Jasper go on a rampage and kill innocent people. Closing my eyes I braced myself for the feel of his sharp teeth slicing through my flesh or the feel of his body violating mine, but then suddenly there was a crash and the sounds of someone yelling my name.

It was Jasper! He's found me! And it sounds like Peter and Garrett are closing in as well. There's a soft curse from Edward, he pauses like he's debating grabbing me and running, but then he's gone. There one minute and not within sight or sound the next. I can barely believe it. I have no time to process the fact that I'm still alive and that he left me before Jasper is standing in front of me while Peter and Garrett go racing passed, presumably to try and catch Edward. No sooner is Jasper's arms around me then my knees buckle and he has to pick me up to keep me from the ground.

"Bella! Are you ok? Please darlin', please tell me you're ok! I'm going to kick those two idiots asses when they get back! I knew I should have followed you! Dammit!" He looks me over, sees my undone jeans and snarls, but I reach up and cup his cheek- drawing his attention back to my face. The worry and fear in his eyes is all I see before my eyes fill with tears. I almost died again. Almost left him behind.

"I'm fine Jazz. You came just in time. I'm so sorry! I should have stayed close to home. I shouldn't have made myself vulnerable by being out in the open like this, it's my fault. Don't blame Garrett and Peter. But never again. If we fight we hash it out right then and there, or we just go to different rooms- but never again will I leave the house alone like that. He had me. I was in his arms and his teeth were at my neck and I was sure I was dead. I won't ever leave the safety of the family again. I swear it."

"It's not your fault Bella, it's mine. I shouldn't have listened to Peter and Garrett. I should have followed you. Then maybe we would have been together and Edward wouldn't have chanced it. We might have still been arguing but at least then he wouldn't have gotten so close again. I seem to continue to fuck this up. Never again. Where you go I go, no arguments."

I nod readily, never again will I be in a position for Edward to grab me, no matter who's fault it was. Even though it was mine, not Jasper's. "How did you get here so fast?"

"I was already on my way. Alice called, she had a vision on her hunt that Edward was coming, but by the time she got to where she could get a signal, he was already almost here." Alice is with Felix somewhere in the Olympic Mountain Range teaching him to hunt animals. He's promised to try it for her and they decided to try it today. I'm just thankful that they got ahold of Jasper at all.

"How did he not hear or smell the others? Surely he should have?"

"They went off to give you some space, thinking they'd be able to hear him before he saw them. They weren't too far from you, just far enough to be out of range of Edward's abilities. He hasn't been around Peter and Garrett often enough for them to be in that ten mile range yet. They have to be closer than that for him to hear them, more like three to five miles. They were both about eight from you, which is still plenty close enough to get to you quickly, they didn't hear him until they heard the splash of his jumping into the water. By that time I was already almost to you. Jesus Bella, I almost lost you. Let's get you home ok."

I nod and wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest as he runs at vampire speed to get me home. After a quick check by Carlisle to be sure I was ok mentally as well as physically, Esme makes me a couple pieces of fried chicken, but when I get a couple bites in I have to run to the bathroom and throw it all up. Blaming it on nerves I lay down for a nap, wrapped up in Jasper's cool, strong arms.

Upon waking I find the sun has set and I'm starving. But when I shift to get out of the bed, my stomach twists and I have to run to the bathroom again. This time though there isn't much in me except the water I drank before falling asleep. Jasper holds my hair out of the way and when I'm done he sets me on the counter while he searches for some pepto in the medicine cabinet. What happens next will forever be ingrained into my mind.

As he searched for the pepto he knocked an unopened box of tampons into the sink. As I watch his hand pick them up to replace them, I mentally calculate. It couldn't be. It wasn't possible. But after counting through it in my mind four times, I realize... My period is five days late. I had it eleven days before the engagement party and Edward's attack. I remember because we avoided the house as much as possible that whole week. But surely it can't be possible.

The next thing I'm aware of is Jasper calling my name. "Bella? Are you ok? Here, I found the pepto."

"Jasper, how many days has it been since the engagement party?"

"Seventeen. Why?" I hold up my hand for him to wait and mentally calculate it again, but I get the same results.

"I'm five days late." At that I hop down from the counter and turn to face the mirror, searching for anything to indicate any changes in my body. I have been tired a lot lately, then there's the mood swings, the constant eating, the vivid dreams and now, the nausea. Plus I noticed on my birthday that it seemed my boobs and hips are bigger and wider.

All signs of a human pregnancy. But I'm dating a vampire. I'm engaged to a vampire. But the more I think about it, the less far fetched it seems. After all the only reason it's assumed male vampires can't procreate is because they're usually with female vampires, not humans, and a female vampire's body is frozen in the same state as when they were changed. Her body can no longer physically change. But a man? A human man? I've read stories of men well into their seventies producing children. There is no indication that they can't be fertile older than even that.

So is it possible that male vampires can produce children? Jasper watches me with curiosity as I assess my body through my clothes. I'm wearing my favorite pair of flannel pjs, which are rather form fitting. I look at my breasts and see that they do indeed look fuller, my hips a little wider. Then I turn to the side and take in my body profile and can't help but notice a slight bump that wasn't there yesterday. Lifting my shirt I run a hand over it, and immediately freak out. Something nudged my hand.

Catching Jasper's eye in the mirror I notice he's staring at my hand. At where it's placed and then he makes me jump when he calls for Carlisle, who appears in the doorway almost immediately- as if he was already on his way up to our room.

"Is everything ok? Alice is freaking out downstairs, something about Bella's future suddenly disappearing from her visions. I was on my way to check on you when Jasper yelled for me. What's going on?"

I turn to him and look him straight in the eye as I ask, "Carlisle. Can male vampires reproduce?"

He looks confused at first, not understanding the question. "Why would you ask that Bella? I mean, I don't think we can, but who's to say for sure. There's a lot we don't know about our genetic makeup. Science has advanced a lot but I don't think anyone has ever really checked, but I won't unequivocally say no. I mean Incubi can, it's been proven because some don't immediately kill their prey- they seduce them and well... have sex with them a while before killing them like a cat plays with a mouse. Sorry that sounds indelicate. But again, why?"

I could care less about that, but it does possibly prove that I can be pregnant. "Because I think I'm pregnant."

Both of their jaws hit the floor, figuratively, and I would laugh if the situation weren't so serious and strange. Carlisle snaps out of his shock first and starts going off at vampire speed to himself about if it is possible, while Jasper finally snaps out of his shock and joins him. And now I'm getting irritated.

"Hey! Remember I can't keep up with you when you guys go off like that. Human here."

"I'm sorry Bella. I was rifling through all the stories I've ever heard of this happening. I think we need to call the brothers. Surely Marcus knows of some book or text about this in the archives. I've heard rumors, from South America, but they aren't concrete evidence and frankly- they all end badly for the mother. This is unprecedented. I mean, your relationship with Jasper isn't exactly normal. We don't often find ourselves with human mates you know. I have to get an ultrasound machine in here, you need to take a pregnancy test. There's a lot to be done. We don't even know if a pregnancy would be compatible with your system. We may have to terminate it."

It was then I looked at Jasper and saw his agreement at Carlisle's words. He looked worried, but there was no way I was letting anyone harm my baby. Just then another little nudge bumped my hand and I became determined. "Excuse me!" They had both gone back off on a tangent with each other, leaving me out of it. At my sharp words though, they turned back to me.

"There will be no terminating anything Carlisle. Absolutely not! You talk to Marcus, you find out all you can, but there's a baby inside me and there it will stay until it's ready to come out! It's a part of me, a part of Jasper. I will not kill something so precious. And that's the end of it!"

With that I walk from the bathroom and make my way downstairs. I reach the kitchen just as Jasper catches me up. "Bella darlin', be reasonable about this. We don't know that that's an actual baby. I mean, I'm a vampire. It could be a monster. I will agree to let Carlisle do some research but please, if it turns out it'll be a danger to you then you have to let Carlisle remove it."

I round on him, anger seeping from every pore, my hand never leaving my bump- I don't want to argue with him again so soon after the first, but damn him if he isn't going to make me tell him off with his words! "I don't have to do anything Jasper but eat, sleep and love you! This baby is half of us both! How can you think it could be anything other than a precious miracle? I will not discuss any type of termination! It. Is. Not. Happening! Now if you'll excuse me! I'm starving and I smell something extremely delicious and I'm going to go find it. Come find me when you've gotten your head out of your ass!"

Shoving past him I follow my nose, searching for the tantalizing scent. Funnily enough it's not coming from anything cooking. Esme hasn't started my dinner yet- though I've told her time and time again I can cook for myself. I walk through the the kitchen and out onto the balcony where there's a little breakfast table and find Peter and Charlotte. Whatever I'm smelling, it's coming from here. I sniff my way towards whatever it is until I'm nose deep in Peter's jacket sleeve.

He looks behind me at Jasper in confusion. I'm not speaking to him right now. "Hey Major, what on earth is she doing?"

I ignore Jasper's whispered words and bring Peter's attention to me. "What is this on your jacket Peter?"

He looks at where I'm now pointing and grows uncomfortable. "It's blood Bella. Char and I just got back from hunting. I'm sorry, I didn't know it was there. I'll head inside and give it to Esme to wash."

He moves to stand, but I just keep a hold of his jacket sleeve. Tentatively I stick my tongue out and lick the spot, much to the protests of the other three. It tastes coppery, like a penny almost, but it certainly isn't disgusting like I thought it would be. In fact, I want more. I suck the spot into my mouth and try to get as much of the good stuff off as possible. When I'm done I straighten back up and look at the weirded out faces around me.

"What?" What did I do? And then it hits me. I just sucked human blood off of Peter's jacket sleeve! "Oh my god Jasper! I... I tasted blood! And I liked it!"

His face is clouded with anger. "So it's half and half is it Bella? Seems to me the fetus or whatever is a little more like me than you thought. And that's ok to you? That because of that thing you just licked human blood of my best friend's jacket? No! It goes today!"

I hear the slap before I feel it, but boy do I feel it. I think I've broken my hand, but the look of horror on Jasper's face and the tears and anger I know are on mine are enough for the other two to leap off the balcony and take off, leaving me alone with the man I'm most angry at at this moment- despite how much I love him.

"How dare you! How dare you try to command me like I'm nothing more than one of your soldiers. I'm your fiancé! We're going to be partners in this life and you just tried to make a decision for me, based on one act? And did you ever think that maybe this was a way of finding a solution to keep me healthy through all this? Now we know that I need blood for nourishment! And what's wrong with me having blood now when I'll be drinking it once I'm a vampire anyway. I'm going inside to get Carlisle to check my hand and to tell him what just happened. You stay away from me, again- until you get your head out of your ass!"

I walk away with as much dignity as I can given the tears streaming down my face and the pain in my hand. I don't want to see or speak to him until I've calmed down and he's thinking rationally instead of out of fear of the unknown. If we let that rule everything we do, then most people would never leave their homes. I will not let that rule me. This baby is a part of me, a part of Jasper and I will die giving it life if I have to.

Jasper

She slapped me! Bella actually slapped me! Holy shit... I am an idiot! Why did I go and do that? Am I terrified of what this whole thing means and of what might be growing inside my fiancée? Absofuckinglutely. But would I ever do anything that would cause her harm, physical or emotional? I thought I wouldn't until just now. I've made her cry and get angry twice today. And now she's physically hurting because she slapped me. I know better than to ever dictate to her. She's my equal in all things and I just tried to demand she kill the life inside her.

Life inside her? That's right, it's a life. Something that's part her and part me. But I still can't help but fear what's to come. I too have heard the rumors. The stories. Children ripping their way out of their mothers, killing the women in the process. Monstrous beings that prey on beautiful young women and impregnate them, to just kill them. But that's not what I am. I'm not the type to abandon the person I love, but that's just what I've done. Abandoned all hope because this thing is an unknown, instead of doing as Carlisle suggested- research.

I go off to do some thinking. Running as fast and as far as I can I find myself in Port Angeles in front of a drugstore. Going inside I head to the aisle with the pregnancy tests and grab three, all different. When I get to the counter the little old man behind it gives me a knowing smile. I don't know what he sees in my face, but what he says next makes all the difference.

"You know it isn't as bad as all that? I can tell by your face that you weren't planning on your girl getting pregnant, but everything will be just fine I bet. My Lucy and I got married back in high school after I found out she was pregnant. I was scared shitless, let me tell you, but it turned out to be the best thing to ever happen to me. I got a beautiful wife and several wonderful kids out of it. They say children are the greatest gift God gives us and they're right about that.

"The sleepless nights, the constant worry. It's all worth it when you hold that tiny little bundle in your arms and realize that they're yours. Yours to love and cherish, to protect and teach. To help grow into good adults. All you want to do from the moment you hold that tiny little bundle in your arms is to protect them. To wrap them in a bubble to keep the world out. But it's all worth it. So it won't be too bad Sonny, you'll be just fine. Go home to that girl of yours, take her some pretty flowers, maybe take her somewhere special and be there for her. I'll bet she's just as scared as you are."

I can't help the smile that creeps across my face. "Thanks Mister, I needed that. How much do I owe you?" He tells me my total and I pay him and head out of the store. He's right. I don't know how I know it, but everything will be perfectly ok. And I do have to protect them. Because if Edward finds out, not only is Bella in danger, but so is my child. My child. Bella is carrying my child! Who ever thought that it could happen? That I could find myself becoming a father. With that final thought I make my way home, stopping to pick wildflowers along the way. I have some 'Major' apologizing to do.