The characters in this story are from my favorite books, the Twilight Series, by the talented Stephenie Myers, and her copy write of the characters is implied.
Chapter 37: What Family Means
Uncle Emmett tackled Dad as he sprang at Jacob. Mom then threw herself on the floor next to him, and started trying to calm him down.
"Edward, I know that this is a shock to you. This is a shock to me as well, but we just learned that we are going to be grandparents. Isn't that amazing? How many vampires do you know with grandchildren," she said reassuringly into his ear.
"Edward," Jacob said, now kneeling down, trying to make eye contact with my father, "I am truly sorry for the way that things have happened between Nessie and me. I should have acted in a more honorable way. I love her Edward, you know that. You know that I have always loved her. I am going to take care of my family, especially Nessie. I know you are really angry at me right now, but I consider you a friend, a brother, and a father. I am sorry that I disappointed you, but Nessie needs us all now, more than ever. If you want to be mad at me fine, just be supportive of Nessie."
Dad growled, "Don't presume to tell me how to treat my daughter. You, Jacob Black, have managed to undermine every bit of morality that I tried to instill in her."
"Dad, stop it," I yelled, "I love Jacob and we are going to have a baby. You can either accept this and accept us as we are, or you can choose not to be a part of our lives. The choice is up to you."
"I did not raise my daughter to talk to me like this," my Dad yelled back.
"Yes you did," I snapped back, "You taught me to think for myself and to stand up for what I believe in. I believe in Jacob. I believe that we are going to have a wonderful healthy family, and I am not going to let anyone, even you who I love so much, stand in the way of that," my voice broke over the last sentence.
Although I was still yelling, tears were streaming down my face. The truth was I would choose Jacob over the rest of my family, but I didn't want to. I never wanted to have to make this decision.
"Stop it all of you," my mom yelled, now sitting Indian style on the floor, looking around at all of us. "No one is going to split my family apart. All of you knock it off. Part of being a family is loving and forgiving no matter what. Edward you haven't always been perfect and neither have I, but we have forgiven and moved on. I love Nessie more than my own life. We are not going to stand in the way of her happiness."
Mom took an unnecessary deep breath and continued, "So things didn't happen in the order that they are supposed to. If this family did things the way society says we are supposed to, none of us would be here."
Mom stood up, came over and hugged me, "Nessie, you know that your father and I love you, and we want what is best for you and Jacob. I am happy that you have each other, and it really doesn't matter to me if you are pregnant before you are married, as long as you continue to make each other happy for eternity."
"Emmett, get off of me," my father snapped. Uncle Emmett hesitated, "I swear I am under control now, you can let me up." Uncle Emmett released him, and Dad slowly made his way back to his feet. Both Uncle Emmett and Mom stood closely by him.
Dad began to speak in his slow, very controlled voice. It was the voice that he always used when he was furious, but was trying not to be. Before he began talking he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I love you both, and I already love my grandchild. I apologize for the way I reacted. You have to understand that I was raised in a very different age, and sometimes it is difficult for me to remember it is not 1918 any more. It would hurt me more than anything if you two decided to leave us, and head out on your own. Please stay," he said, and his voice broke on the last two words. This was something that I had only heard from my father before when my mother and I were in danger.
"We want to stay," I said, and I went over and gave my father a hug. He kissed my hair. Mom hugged Jacob and then pulled is into a group hug. Dad punched Jacob's shoulder and said, "I know that you are the right man for my daughter. We may not always agree, but I know that there is no one else I could trust her with more than you."
"Thanks Edward," Jacob choked out.
"If it is OK with all of you," I said sheepishly, "I have a question that I would like to ask Grandpa Carlisle with Jacob, in private. Can you give us a minute and then we will meet you and the rest of the family in the living room to tell them the news, although I can't imagine anyone didn't hear it." My parents and Uncle Emmett left the room.
"Grandpa," I said, and I immediately felt my cheeks flush red, "This is very uncomfortable for me to ask you, but since you are the 'Family Physician', I think that you are the only one I can ask."
"Of course, Nessie, you can feel comfortable asking me any questions. Due to your unique anatomy, I am going to serve as you obstetrician, so it will be important for you to feel comfortable discussing any questions you have about your pregnancy with me," he said, again sounding quite clinical.
"Well, my question is," I started and then paused; I was still blushing bright red, "Is it dangerous to the baby for Jacob and I to be intimate."
"That is a very common question Nessie," Grandpa said in a reassuring and still clinical tone, "Research has shown that there is no risk to the baby for couples to have sex while pregnant."
"Thank you Grandpa, that is nice to know," I said. Grandpa hugged both Jacob and I, then he led us down the stairs into the living room, where the entire family was now gathered.
I started again. I knew that talking in front of the entire family would make Jacob extremely nervous, so I just took the lead again.
"In case any of you missed the yelling, and tackling, Jacob and I are back home" I said trying to crack a joke to break the tension, "And we are going to have a baby. We are both very happy and excited about this, and I hope that the rest of you can be as happy for us as we are."
Aunt Rosalie squealed, "Oh, we are going to have another little baby in the family, I can't wait, and she literally was bouncing in her seat."
Aunt Alice said, "Congratulations, I am so happy for you two. Nessie, just so you know, this is going to mean a lot more measurements and alterations on your gown. I hope that it will still fit in two weeks or I will have to start all over again from scratch."
Grandma Esme said, "I can't believe that I am going to be a Great-Grandmother. Even though I am over one hundred years old, I feel too young for that." She came across the room and gave Jacob and I both kisses and hugs.
Uncle Emmett said, "Yeah Edward, now you get what you always wanted, a litter of grand-puppies." Surprisingly, Dad did not spring at he, but a low growl came up from his chest in warning.
Uncle Jasper simply congratulated us, and I felt calm wash over the room, I assumed it was to calm my father more than anyone else.
My family members all hugged us and wished us congratulations. I was honestly surprised that there were not more reaction like my father had, but the rest of the family seemed to take the news in stride, for which I was very relieved.
"If you guys don't mind, I would like to go lay down. It has been a very stressful morning for us," and I excused myself and Jacob, pulling him into our room with me.
I pushed Jacob down on to the bed, and climbed on top of him, fully clothed, I just needed him to hold me.
"So how are you Nessie, really, with all of this," Jacob asked with concern coloring his voice.
"I am excited, scared, overwhelmed, and happy all at the same time. It's just a lot, you know, in one day. I am very happy though that I am having your baby. If things had gone differently a few days ago, I could have been pregnant from a rape. I am blessed to be carrying your baby," I said, as I gripped myself tighter to him. He gently tickled up and down my arms, kissed my forehead, and traced my face with is fingers.
"I love you Nessie, and I know that you will make a great mother, and I can't wait to be a father."
"I love you my Jacob."
"I love you my Nessie."
So much had happened in the past week, I couldn't fully process it. I drifted to sleep, feeling that I was safely in Jacob's arms, and therefore, everything had to be ok. Plus I needed some sleep, because this evening, the wolves and imprints would be coming over for their fittings, and we would need to fill them all in, plus Billy and my Grandpa Charlie, on my pregnancy too.