Chapter 20: Laying It All Out

The sparkle of white light was shattered by angry shouts. The tumultuous racket sent the white light hurling itself into the abyss. And sent me into a frantic panic trying to piece it all back together again.

"GET OUT!" roared an all too familiar voice. Ugh, I rolled my eyes and started to climb out of the billowy softness of the couch. A deliberate spike of very intense hunger paralyzed me. I looked down to see a small protrusion pushing out of my abdomen. The hunger was insanely strong. I forced myself to continue moving and made my way to the kitchen.

"FILTHY DOG! SHE IS MY DAUGHTER!"

"Oh dad, really? Must you be so dramatic?" Jacob answered calmly.

Oh yeah, Jake, I thought to myself and probably to my father as well, that's going to go over really well. I couldn't help but chuckle. Everyone blamed my tantrums on my adolescence, but how could they not see the true source? My father notoriously threw a fit every single time he didn't get his way. It wasn't really any shock that I would pick up on that as a child. I slathered mayonnaise over the bread and carefully constructed a turkey sandwich. I paused before slapping the top piece of bread on, listening for more insults being flung. But instead, it was mom.

"That's enough you two!" she said with a snarl. This was good enough to gain my attention now that I had the sandwich in hand. I curled up with my knees to my chest, munching on my meal as I leered out the window, anxious for the show. Talk about dramatic, I though with an eye roll, She takes the cake. Her face was twisted and visibly heated by the events. I let out a little laugh as I saw her stomping over to my father.

"Edward, that is enough! As much as I would like to murder Jacob right now," she said giving Jake a pointed look, "Do you really think that our daughter would ever forgive us if we did?" My dad was caught off guard. He looked as if he hadn't even considered the possibility of me being upset with him for slaying my lover and best friend.

"But, Bella," he stammered, "I mean really, what am I supposed to do?"

"Edward," her voice was thick with comfort, " this isn't easy for any of us." I could see her fighting back her own emotional outburst. I knew she was about to deliver the blow, she was building up for it. Poor guy didn't even see it coming. For someone that could read minds, he sure sucked at reading a situation. My mother took in a deep breath, "Edward, has it occurred to you that this is exactly how Jacob felt about you when I was pregnant?" Oh and there it was, plain as day. In one earth shattering quake of rational my mother had completely defeated my dad's thought process and sentenced him strait to his ever-present and rarely repressed guilt. Like actor's on a stage, they all played their parts beautifully. My father's handsome, boyish face fell to despair. My mother looked triumphant, although not truly wanting it to be so, and Jake, after all that he had endured from my father looked sympathetic. It was too much to take. I threw the last bites savagely into my mouth and zipped out the door.

"That really is enough, all of you," I said swallowing the last bit of food. "Believe it or not, this is completely necessary," I shouted at all of them. "There is a reason that this is happening and in the end, or middle, or whatever you want to call our existence, you will be glad for it." All of their eyes were wide and their faces still. "Dad, I love Jake and I realize that this is difficult for you. I don't want to do this with you pissed off and avoiding me the whole time. Its not fair, I need a Daddy right now, not a defense attorney." He started to move toward me, but I put up a hand, motioning him to be still. "And mom, I know that watching someone that you loved when you were human be with your daughter has got to suck, but that is how everything worked out and the sooner you let that go, the better. We are going to need you on our side for this. I'm the one that's pregnant, not you. I don't want everyone to treat me like I am you. I am not you! And just because I am pregnant and you were once pregnant too, doesn't mean that we are the same person or that it will be the same situation," I shot challenging glares at both Jacob and my father. "I am not her!" I shouted, "You all need to stop fighting over me, there is nothing to win. You each play a very important roll in my life and I don't want to have do it without you guys, okay?" My heart threatened to jump out of my chest at any moment and the tears were begin to smudge my vision with spots of scarlet.

A voice sounded from behind me, "It looks like we have an adult on our hands," Emmett said, clapping his enormous hands, "Way to lay it out there, Ness." A grin spread across his face as his arms wrapped around me. I fought back the coming tears and sought to absorb some of his courage and strength. "Come on guys, really? Are we going to have an instant replay of 'Bella's pregnant?'" he said chastely. "I mean really, you all are acting liking children, and that means a lot coming from me. Give Nessie a break. It's not like Bella's pregnancy ruined any of our lives," he said throwing serious looks across the lawn at them. "Come on, Ness, let's go inside and let the adults talk." I couldn't help but laugh at his cutting remark. I followed him into the house without looking back.

Rose was on the couch, smiling at me. "Oh Nessie!" she said, squirming in her seat, "Have you felt the baby kick yet?" I nodded with a smile. It felt good for her to be excited. "Oh Em, I wish we could have a baby," a touch of sadness riddled her still beautiful face.

"I know babe, me too," he said giving her a half hug, "but it looks like we're going to have to settle for another niece or nephew," he smiled warmly at me.

"Thanks, you know, for what you did out there," I said motioning to the yard.

"Any time, any time. Those guys are emotional knuckleheads, always bickering with each other. What a nasty little love triangle that was. I, for one, am glad to see you and Jake together. He's a good guy, or wolf or whatever."

Rose rolled her eyes, "Well, I don't know about that..."

"Oh come on, Rosie, give the kid a break. He's not so mad, minus the smell of coarse," he said wrinkling his nose and waving his hand in front of his face. Rose and I both laughed.

A surge of pleasure rolled through me and a tiny flutter inside me seemed to be amused as well, "Oh, feel!" I said pulling both of their hands onto my belly.

Emmett pulled his hand away quickly, "Ewww... weird," he said with a look of mock disgust. I smirked at him and stuck out my tongue.

"It's amazing," Rose whispered. I grabbed her hand again and tried to fill her with the way that it felt to be pregnant, the hunger, the fullness inside of me, even the emotional insanity that I was just beginning to notice for what it was. She closed her eyes and smiled, "Thank you, Nessie. No one could ever give me more," she said with sadness and gratitude.

The door flung open with my mother in the lead, the boys behind her. She glanced at Emmett and Rose. "Can I talk to you Nessie, alone?"

"Yeah sure," I complied and followed her out back, looking over my shoulder, smiling at Emmett.

The sky was of coarse cloudy as it always was in Forks, but the sun was finding its way of peeking through. I caught a faint sparkle on my mother's skin. I wondered what it would be like to sparkle, I always thought that it wasn't fair when I was a little girl, it was so pretty. "Nessie," she said taking another deep breath, "I'm sorry." Her head hung in defeat. "I'm sorry that I wasn't the one to be there for you. I know that you are upset with me and I understand. I just want to talk about it and get it all out in the open so that I can be the mother that you need me to be." I only nodded, waiting for her to continue. She turned her focus out into the forest. "You know, it's not easy to see you with Jacob," she admitted, pausing for my reaction.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, "Ah, mom, I know. I'm sorry too, I feel like I've stolen something from you." I looked down, not wanting to meet her eyes.

She flung her arms around my shoulders, "He was never mine in the first place, Ness. There was nothing to steal. It is true that at times I am jealous when I see you together, especially now," she said motioning to my belly. "I love your father more than anything in the world, besides you of coarse," she said with a faint smile, "but there was a big part of me that loved Jake. It has been difficult to let him go, even if it is to the most worthy person on the planet." I smiled at this.

"So you don't hate me?" I whispered.

"Of coarse not baby! I'm sorry for being selfish. I love you so much and I just want you to be happy," her beautiful smile held fast to her face. "I've realized that I've been cold in shutting you out. I didn't want you to know that I was jealous. It is such a ridiculous emotion to have towards your own child," she said, clearly embarrassed. "Honestly, I hated it when Jake and Edward fought over me, and you couldn't have said it any better out there on the lawn. There is nothing to be won." She smiled. "Edward is the love of my life and Jake, well Jacob was meant to be the love of yours."

I breathed a sigh of relief. It felt good to have my mom back. I was happy to let go of the resentment and jealousy that I was feeling towards her. "Mom, thank you for not listening to dad," I said looking down again, "you know, about me." The most painfully happy expression came over her face, I wish that she was able to cry because she really needed to.

"Oh baby, having you was the best thing that I've ever done. I would do it a million times over," she beamed at me.

"What was it like?" I muttered, "As excited as I am, I'm terrified," I admitted.

"Yes, well I can't deny being scared to death. But it was all worth it in the end. I can't imagine my life without you," her face seemed void of emotion for a moment. "You will be fine, Nessie, don't worry. We will all be here for you the whole time and Carlisle is a wonderful doctor. Yes, you will be wonderful." She had made up her mind. I threw my arms around her neck. It seemed strange that we appeared to be the same age.

"I love you, mom. Thank you." She ran her fingers over my cheek.

"You grew up so fast." We both sat still watching the sun light play its last notes for the day. The silence fell as twilight dawned and the night was upon us.

Alice came bounding out the door, full of infectious excitement, "He's awake, come on!" She took me by the hand pulling me inside.

The others were seated around the great oak table. David stood out vibrantly amongst our kind. The differences were subtle, but substantial. His skin captured a different angle of light and his chocolate eyes shown like sunlight seeping through stained glass. My mom and I sat down. She, next to my father who was still a little dazed and me next to Jake, receiving his warm hug. Alice was still fluttering about the room unable to sit still.

"Come on Alice, have a seat my dear," Carlisle said with amusement.

"Oh yeah, sorry," she sat with Jasper, on the edge of her seat.

"Well, good evening everyone," Carlisle began formally. "David, you are a welcome guest in our home and I thoroughly look forward to our time together."

David bowed his head respectfully, "Thank you, Carlisle, everyone, for your hospitality. I too, am anxious to know your stories," he said casting a look in Alice's direction.

She looked around the table, "I have talked to Carlisle and Esme today and explained the situation to them, so I think it best if we just let Nessie fill everyone else in," she said raising an eyebrow to me.

"Oh, okay, just a second." I closed my eyes and focused, trying to make sure the scene of events went in the proper order and that I was including the visions and mine and Alice's conversations. I snapped my eyes open and held out my hands. Everyone, including David moved to create the circuit. I turned my attention to him for a moment before sending the information, "Try to keep your mind clear, it makes it easier for me," he nodded. I closed my eyes and thoughts and memories ricocheted through the others. I flashed through the scenes like a movie, beginning with my initial vision of Marius and and ending with conversation that Alice and I had after we both had spoke with Marius. The series only took a matter of minutes. I broke the connection when I was finished and smiled in delight, a little bit proud of myself and my obviously growing power.

"That was very vivid indeed," David said with a bit of surprise.

"Yes," Carlisle agreed, "Nessie, you are getting really strong with your mental details. A wonderful development." I smiled as blood flushed my cheeks.

I looked across the table to my father, who was staring at the table as if it were encrypted with sacred writings. Daddy, I love you. I said in my thoughts. He glanced up and flashed my an apologetic smile. It was enough. I smiled back.

I looked to Alice to continue, but it was my mom that spoke, "Wait, a different species of vampire?" she obviously was having difficulty with the idea of it.

"Amazing isn't it?" Alice chimed in.

She shook her head as if she were still human and hearing about immortals for the first time. "Wow," she answered.

"Bella, there are many mysteries in this world that have not yet made themselves known to us or human kind for that matter," Carlisle said reassuringly. "I for one, am enthralled with idea of being able to converse with a species that knows and understands its beginnings." The others took this for what he said, but I sensed something loading in Carlisle's remarks. There was something that he wasn't telling us. My father heard my thoughts and directed his attention to Carlisle, searching for what I had caught a glimpse of.

"Carlisle," my father said, "do you know of our beginnings? You have known the head members of the Volturi, what do you know of their secrets?"

"Ah, my son, too clever for me at times I see," my dad looked pointedly to me.

David let out a little chuckle, "It must run in the family," he said, his eyes twinkling at me. I returned his look with my thoughts, My father has the mind gift as well, perhaps you two can compare notes. I smirked lifting an eyebrow knowing that my dad would catch my thoughts. "Ah yes, young one," David said to me. "I am aware of his gift."

"Alright," Esme interjected in a motherly tone, "Enough of the conversations that not all of us can hear."

"Yes of coarse, my lady. How terribly rude of me, please forgive me," David purred to Esme. She smiled and nodded. Ha, I thought, as if she could resist. My dad smothered a laugh. We exchanged glances like little kids snickering over an inside joke.

"In response to your question, Edward, I do know some things concerning our beginnings, but clearly I have been mislead in some respect, because I have never heard of another species from which we sprung," Carlisle said thoughtfully.

"Quite right, my old friend," David replied, "I believe that the first of your kind have deliberately concealed their source of power to ensure that none of their progeny would seek out the parent species, who is much stronger and more powerful than they are."

Carlisle nodded in agreement, "I do believe that to be the case. Before we continue with sharing our information, I need to know something." He turned to Jacob, "How are you feeling about this?"

Jacob's face was knotted and conflicted. He thought for a moment before answering. "From the thoughts that Nessie has produced, I see no threat from the pack for this species. We are in existence to protect the human species and it seems as if we have that goal in common. I have no desire to rage war against a species that is clearly stronger than we are. I will have to talk to Sam, but I'm sure that he will understand, eventually. However, I am concerned that the presence of more vampires in general will force more of my kind into early phasing. I wish to keep the number of vampires gathering in Forks, of both species, to a minimum."

"Yes, this is a concern of mine as well," Carlise said, keeping his eyes on Jake. "Thank you for your cooperation and understanding," he said respectfully. Jake nodded. It was hard to remember that he was the alpha, and had the up-most authority of the pack. For a second, he almost looked noble. I smiled at the thought. I caught my dad rolling his eyes.

"Well, now that is settled," Carlise continued. "Please allow me to denote the side of the story that I have known to be true and we will be able to form opinions and denounce lies from there." He paused, giving time for any objection, but none came forth. Everyone was visibly anxious to hear the tale. Excited glances jumped across the table from face to face. I looked to David whose eyes were already on me, surveying me. I was startled by this, but he quickly turned his attention to Carlisle.

Okay, everyone, I've given you a lot this week, but unfortunately I will be out of town attending a funeral this weekend, so I hope I've given you enough to get you through. I promise the next chapter will be worth the wait. Thanks for reading and reviewing! I'd love to hear some thoughts on what you think is going to happen :)