Chapter 23:

Jacob POV:

We were in a tiny room, the lights were dimmed and we were looking at a computer screen. "Here is your baby," said the technician who was conducting the ultrasound. "This is a good profile - here is the head, of course, you can see the nose. Little arms and legs forming. And the little heart beating strong - a very good sign. Looking at the measurements we have on here, I would say you're about 13 weeks. You should be due sometime around the end of November or beginning of December."

I was mesmerized by what I saw on that screen. Our baby. That is our baby! I was holding Bella's hand while we watched the screen. She looked over at me and said, "Isn't it amazing?"

I couldn't speak. I just nodded. I squeezed her hand. Our baby.

"Would you like me to print out a picture for you?" she asked. "'I'm sure there are grandparents who will want to see this."

"Yes, please. I would love to have a picture," Bella said excitedly.

"OK, here you go," she said as she handed Bella a print out of the screen. As she looked at it, she took her finger and drew it lightly over the picture. Then she looked up at me, and held the picture out for me to take. I took it and just stared at the tiny image. I just couldn't believe it. It was amazing. This baby is real . . . a part of me and a part of Bella.

I guess I was too quiet. I looked up to see Bella looking at me. "What do you think?" she asked.

I looked at Bella and smiled. "Looks just like me."

She laughed. "Jake, you're an idiot."

I laughed and returned, "Yeah, but you love me."

"I do. I'm actually pretty lucky," she said softly as she touched my cheek.

"Me, too," I said.

Bella POV:

"Oh my gosh, look how tiny!" Mom gushed when I showed her the picture. "Look, Charlie. Isn't it amazing?"

Dad came over and took the picture. "Wow," was all he could say.

They stayed and waited with us. They wanted to hear what Carlisle had to say about the ultrasound.

Finally, about 3:30 that afternoon, Carlisle walked in. Charlie and Jake were watching a Mariner's game on the TV. "Hello, everyone. Bella, how are you feeling? Better?"

"Yes, actually. I feel stiff from laying here so long, but I haven't had any more pain," I answered.

"Good, good. Well I just took a look at the ultrasound, and the baby looks fine. Your test results are good, so I am keeping you here one more night then maybe you can go home tomorrow. Does that sound good to you?" he said with a smile.

"Yes, definitely. Thank you so much for being here and taking such good care of me. I really appreciate it," I told him.

"I'm glad I could help," he said as he walked over to the bed. He listened to my heart and asked me a few more questions. He took the chart, looked it over, and jotted some things down.

"Alright, I'll be back tomorrow." He smiled at me then said to all of us, "You all have a good evening." Then he left the room.

"I think we should head on home and let these two get some more rest," Charlie said to Renee. He came over to the bed and leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. "You hang in there, kiddo. You're doing good."

"Thanks, Dad," I said.

Mom leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and hugged me. "Love you, honey."

"Love you, too. Thanks for being here you guys."

"Bye, Jake. You call us if you need anything, OK?" Charlie said.

"Yep, I will," Jake answered.

Then it was quiet. Jake had flipped off the TV when Carlisle had come in. It was finally just the two of us. He was sitting in the chair that was scooted close to the bed. I looked over at him and smiled.

"What?" he asked when I just kept smiling, but didn't say anything.

"My mom thinks you're hot," I told him with a grin.

"What? Is that what was so funny when I came back after my shower?" he asked me. I nodded and told him the whole story of what my mom and I had talked about. "I can't believe you thought she would be disappointed in you for being pregnant. You know, Bella, I should have been more responsible, too. You didn't get pregnant all by yourself. Your mom sounds like she was cool about it. Now Charlie, that's a different story," he said.

"Did Dad say something to you? When you went to eat? I asked.

Jake chuckled. "He said that he realized I might not have understood what he meant by 'funny business.' That maybe he should have drawn a picture for me."

"Oh geez. That's not embarrassing," I said sarcastically. "I'm sorry, Jake."

"No, Bella. It's OK. He's cool. He told me that he knew how much we loved each other, and that 'it was bound to happen.' I'm sure he meant because I'm so 'hot' you could never resist me," he said with a smile.

"I guess I'd better keep an eye on my mom then, huh?" I laughed as he turned red.

"You know, Bella, I'm never going to be able to look your mom in the eye again . . . ever!"

"No, we were just teasing! I'm sorry, Jacob. Come here, I'll make it up to you," I said.

He leaned in so his face was close. I put my hands on his face and pulled it to mine then kissed him softly on the lips. Then I kissed him again and put my tongue on his lips and teased him a little. He smiled as he put his lips back on mine and teased me a little with his tongue until I opened my mouth and let him in. We were kissing like this when we heard:

"Excuse me? Sorry to interrupt, but I need to take your vitals," the nurse said as she walked in.

Jake laughed and said, "Sorry. Newlyweds."

"I heard that . . . congratulations!" she said as she stuck a thermometer in my mouth. She checked the monitors, wrote everything down, told us with a wink to "carry-on" then she walked out.

So, we did. We kissed for a little bit, then Jake put his arm out around me so I could lay my head on his shoulder. We talked a little about the wedding. I entertained him with the story of Claire and Sue's jewelry box. Was that just yesterday? Seemed like a lifetime ago.

"It was so cute when she was walking down the aisle with her little flower basket. She stopped right in the middle of the aisle and waved to Quil. He waved back and said, 'Keep going, Claire.' " We both chuckled at that. He was quiet for a minute then he said, "I'd like to have a little girl."

I smiled at him. "You'd be worse than Sam! Lily has him completely wrapped around his little finger and she's only 6 months old."

"I know, I told him that Friday night at the bonfire. I told him he was a pushover, and he told me he could still kick my ass."

It was good to talk and laugh. It was good to not be so afraid for awhile. We were quiet again then Jacob said he needed to stretch a little. He stood up and went to look out the window. I looked at his strong back and shoulders and wished that I could walk over and put my arms around his waist. "Jake? You OK?"

He turned and looked at me. "I need to tell you something, Bella."

"What? Is it about the baby? Something Carlisle didn't want me to know?"

"No," he said quickly. "You know everything I know about the baby. It's about what happened last night." He walked over to sit down in the chair. He reached out for my hand and held it. He took a deep breath. "Edward was here."

Edward "I remember seeing his face, just once. I thought I was dreaming or something. I couldn't figure out why he would be there," I told him.

"He told me he was home from school visiting his family. He was in the ER with Carlisle when I brought you in." Jake stopped. He put his head down for a second, then looked up and said, "I had just come out of the exam room. Carlisle asked me to leave so he could work on you. I was standing outside in the hall and Edward walked up. He wanted to know what had happened to you. I let him look in my head. I couldn't talk any more. I let him see the wedding, maybe that was mean, but I wanted him to know that you were my wife. Then he saw what happened . . . after. He asked how bad it was. Then he said that if you . . . if you weren't going to make it, he wanted me to let him . . . 'save' you."

"Oh no, Jake!"

"Let me finish, OK?" he asked. I nodded and he went on, "I told him there was no way in hell I would let that happen, and we started to get a little loud. Carlisle came out and grabbed my arm just as I was about to plant my fist in Edward's face. He took us next door into an empty room and told us we needed to cut it out and concentrate on you. But when Edward told him what he was asking me, Carlisle wanted me to think of it as an 'option.' Edward said that at least you would still be here with us, and if you . . . died, you would be gone forever. As much as it disgusted me to think about, I had to agree with them, it was an option. I told them I would think about it."

I started to say something, but he held up his hand, so I let him go on. "Bella, I felt so damned helpless! At that moment I realized that Edward could do something to save you, and I couldn't. That just killed me. But Carlisle promised he wouldn't do anything like that without me there. So I went out to talk to our parents and Embry. Then a nurse came and got me and told me to hurry. She took me upstairs where you were, and Edward was already there outside the room, waiting for me. I ran inside and got to talk to you right before you . . . crashed. Your heart stopped, Bella. It just stopped. Carlisle hit you with those paddles and your whole body came off of the table." Tears were rolling down his cheeks as he talked. "It didn't work. That's when Edward got in my face and begged me to let him save you. I couldn't, Bella. I just couldn't do it. I kept yelling at you to keep fighting, to come back to me, then Carlisle tried again, and nothing. By this time, Edward was screaming at me to let him save you. But I couldn't do it, Bella. I just couldn't let him do that to you. Carlisle tried again, and this time, your heart started. Bella, you were dead. You were dead, and I couldn't do anything to save you!" His head fell into his hand and I could see his shoulders shake with his sob.

I was crying, too. "Jacob. Jacob! Please look at me," I pulled on his hair.

He looked up at me, tears still wet on his face as he sniffed and tried quickly to wipe them away. "Jacob, you did save me. I know this sounds strange, but I remember seeing Edward's face, then I must have blacked out for awhile. It was like a dream, but not. I didn't even remember really until you just told me about what happened. I don't know how to describe it." I closed my eyes and tried to remember. "I felt like I was floating, up right off of the bed. I looked down and I could see you and Edward. I could see that both of you were yelling, but I only heard you. I kept trying to make out what Edward was saying, but I only heard you shouting at me to fight and to come back to you. You told me you loved me, and to fight. So, I did. I did, Jacob, because I love you and I don't ever want to be without you." I couldn't speak any more . . . I was crying too hard. Would we ever stop crying?

He moved up to gently take me in his arms and I hiccupped as I tried to stop crying. "Jacob, thank you for not letting Edward change me," I got out. "I wouldn't have had the chance . . . to have this baby if he had. I would have . . . lost you. I wouldn't have wanted to live like that."

He held me like that for several minutes, both of us trying to get control of our emotions. He finally laid me back down very gently. He smiled at me then laughed. He handed me a Kleenex as he said, "Man, we really have to stop this."

"Yeah, I know." I wiped my eyes then I blew my nose.

"How about more ice cream?" Jacob asked with a smile. He had kept his promise earlier and when he came back from lunch with my dad, he brought me a small cup of chocolate ice cream.

"Yes, please," I said.

"OK. I want to call Dad and tell that him we may be home tomorrow. I need to stretch my legs a little. I think I'll use the bathroom and call Dad then I'll go down to the cafeteria and get us some ice cream. That sound good?"

"Yes, sounds good."

He leaned forward and kissed me, softly. "Be good," he said.

I just smiled. He stood up then walked out of the room.

He was only gone a couple of minutes when I heard someone say, "May I come in?"

I looked over to the door and said, "Alice! Yes, please come in."

She walked in wearing her usual designer outfit, and carrying a cute little designer bag. She also had a vase of beautiful white flowers. She set them down on the table then pulled the little stool that was in the room over to the bed. She sat down and said, "How are you, Bella? How's the baby?" her voice full of concern.

"I'm much better and the baby is doing well. Carlisle told me a little while ago that I might get to go home tomorrow."

"Great! I've been so worried about you," Alice said. "You look like you've been crying."

"Yes, I have. Can't you see . . . I mean, can you see if the baby will be OK?" I asked. I had thought of calling her before, but I was too nervous about what she might tell me.

"You know I can't see anything when Jacob is with you. Where is he now?" she asked.

"He just went downstairs to call his dad and get me some ice cream. He probably won't be gone very long. Can you try now?" I knew I didn't have a right to ask, but I really wanted to know if my baby was going to be alright.

She shook her head and said, "Bella, this baby is part Jacob. Unfortunately, I can't see it either. That's why it was such a shock to me when Carlisle told me you were pregnant! I didn't see that at all."

"Oh, I should have thought of that," I said sheepishly.

She smiled and asked about the wedding. I told her all about it then included what happened here. I hesitated then asked, "Is Edward still here, Alice? Jacob just told me what happened last night between them."

"Yes. He's here. In fact, he's outside. He would like to see you. Is that alright?" she asked hesitantly.

Did I want to see him? What would Jacob do if he came back and found him here? I finally decided that I needed to see him. "Yes," I said quietly.

He appeared as if by magic. I knew that he was "listening in" to what we were saying through Alice. "Hello, Bella," he said at the door. "May I come in?"

"Yes, Edward," I answered.

Alice stood up and went over to move the flowers to the windowsill. I'm sure she just wanted to give Edward her seat. He smiled at me as he sat down on the stool. "How are you feeling? You look much better," he said.

"I feel better. I hope to go home tomorrow," I said, realizing that he already knew that.

He sat there quiet, looking at me. As usual, it was hard not to look into his golden eyes. The color was very striking, and they just drew you in. He finally said, "Jacob told you about what happened last night. I'm sorry, Bella. You know I will always love you. I just couldn't stand the thought of losing you forever. But you have to believe me, I wasn't trying to steal you from Jacob. I respect your marriage, Bella. I would never do that to you or Jacob. I don't think he sees it that way. I was actually hoping he would be here. I owe him an apology."

"No, Edward. You did what you thought you should. I appreciate that. I know how much you love me." I smiled. "I will always love you, too. But, Jacob was right to wait. I would not have wanted you to change me. I don't think I could have lived without the chance to have this baby . . . or be a normal human wife to Jake. I'm so sorry if that hurts you, but it's how I feel," I told him gently.

Just then, Jacob walked in carrying a small bag. I looked up at him trying to read the emotion on his face. I couldn't. Edward sat there looking at me for a second then he stood up and faced Jacob. Jacob set the bag with the ice cream in it down on the table then turned to Edward.

"I heard what you said to Bella. Thank you for saying that you respect our marriage. That means a lot. I know that you will always love her, but I am glad to know that you understand where her heart lies, and that's with me," he looked over at me and added, "and our baby." Jake moved to the bed to take my hand. "And now, I would ask that you also respect my wishes and leave. Last night was just too intense . . . and I can't . . . "

"I understand," Edward said softly as he stood up to go. "I just needed to see with my own eyes that she is going to be alright. I wish you both well." He nodded to both of us then left the room.

Alice came over to the bed and bent down to hug me. "I'm so happy for you, Bella. A baby! Maybe we could shop for maternity clothes? That's something I have never had a chance to buy. Oh, that would be so much fun, please Bella?"

I laughed. She was practically jumping up and down like Claire does when she gets excited. "OK, OK, we can shop for maternity clothes," I told her with a smile.

"Yes! I can't wait." She picked up her purse and said, "Call me soon, alright?"

I promised I would and she floated from the room.

Jacob stood there for a second looking out the door. He shook his head, picked up the bag with the ice cream, and came over to sit in the chair by the bed. He took out a small carton of chocolate ice cream, took off the lid and handed to me. Then he dug in the bag and handed me a plastic spoon. He looked at me and smiled as I took a big bite of ice cream. Then he took out another carton, removed the lid and dug in with his spoon. We sat there quietly, eating. Finally, I looked at him and said, "I love you, Jacob Black. You're a good man."

He smiled at that. He swallowed his ice cream and said, "You make me a good man."

Life will be good again.