AN: Bella comes to term with what she's about to embark on.

Chapter forty-one: Rehearsal Dinner.

Bella, March, 2011..

A throat cleared behind us, and I extracted myself from Jasper's arms to see who it was. Maria stood by the doors with her hands held up in surrender and a smile on her face.

"I know I'm intruding, but Emily needs Bella for a meeting, Jasper," she smiled at us.

I turned and looked into his smiling eyes. "I've gotta go."

"I'll miss you and I love you," he said, kissing me goodbye.

I blushed all the way to the main house and Maria had fun teasing me about it.

"How are you feeling otherwise?" she asked when we were almost there.

I stopped us, scoffed. Maria knew about last night. Her eyes said it. She knew about Jasper and mine's small fight. "Do I have to kill Tanya or Edward? Who told you?"

Maria laughed. "I love you how you are now, Bella. You're no longer that scared girl I met at the gas station. And you have my niece to kill for babbling. But in her defense, she was worried. She'd never seen you and Jasper fight before."

I sighed. Should I share this with his mom? Would Maria curse me for what I said to Jasper about his past?

She kept smiling at me like she knew something. "Stop your worrying. It doesn't help my grandbaby. I'm not angry about what was said. It's between you and Jasper. And just so you know with certainty, I can say that you are having his firstborn. I know my boy was a philanderer in college when it came to women, but I went behind him and check on things."

"Cleaned up messes you mean?" Did Jasper knock any of those girls in college up and then Maria cleaned things up?

"Actually, he and Edward were pretty levelheaded when it came to safety," Maria said with a cunning smile. "They're no babies out there bearing the names 'Whitlock' or 'Cullen' unless you and Tanya are having them."

"That's good to know."

"I take care of my family, Bella."

Maria didn't say anything else. But I didn't have to assume anything. Nor should I have put myself in the position to think about it. Fucking James! If I hadn't started talking about him, this doubt wouldn't have crept into my mind and I wouldn't have blown up and talked shit about Jasper's past. Esme and I would probably have to talk about this.

My meeting with Emily and the team went great. Liam and Siobhan were a riot. They kept us snickering through most of it. Until it was time to get down to business. Most of the meeting was brainstorming over what menus to go with. Rose and Emmett joined along with Maria.

We were given the details about what parties would be taking place and what would be expected.

"Nothing but the best," Maria emphasized. "I always work Emily and I'm a perfectionist, Something Emily understands. My daughter's wedding will be no different. I love working with you guys. But these snobs are not like me," We all chuckled. "So I want the best of the best."

More brainstorming ensued until I opened my big fat mouth with what turned out to be the perfect idea.

"What about something to nimble on and an Asian influenced menu for the rehearsal dinner?" Rose grew excited and Emmett looked like he wanted to kiss me. Emily nodded for me to go on. "We're working on all menus, right? Breakfast, lunch and dinner and with a request to be nothing but the best, we'll be bringing our 'A' game to the table."

Emily was all smiles. "What are you thinking, Bella?"

I looked at the rest of the team, who were encouraging me share my idea. "I'm going to need a lot of help from you guys."

"We're here, babydoll," Liam smiled and winked.

"I'm going just throw this out there and you guys are free to say no."

Jasper and Tanya along with Peter and Char stepped into the room. Alice was on the other side of the room with Jasper's aunt Carmen and uncle Eleazar. Sue was beaming at me like a proud mother. I had so much love in this room.

"Okay, I'm being guided by the bride's taste here," I smiled Rose and Emmett. "Emmett, I hope you'll like it."

"Tell me what you got," Emmett said with a grin.

"Three appetizers."

"Three?" Maria questioned.

"It's not enough?"

"No," Emily said. "That's actually a good idea. Let's hear them."

"I was thinking chicken kabobs, Chili scallops, which will be served with a small bowl of finely chopped chili for extra heat," I heard 'oohhs' and 'ahhs' and went on, "And the third appetizer can be Salt and Pepper Squid with a side of lemon wedges." Tanya squealed and clapped happily at the sound of that, making everyone laugh. With the exception of Alice of course.

"Those sound very good," Emily said and I sighed in relief and smiled.

"Thank you."

"What about the main entrée? Have you given it any thought?" she asked. Emily already had the bridal shower, Bachelor and Bachelorette party menus done. She had included my Special Occasion White Cake into the Bridal Shower.

"Yes I have."

"Let's hear them," Rose said happily. "Bella has yet to make something I don't like."

Alice visibly shook with anger at Rose's words.

"The main entrée would be Mustard Seed Chili Prawns, served with saffron rice, Chicken tikka with cucumber mint raita, and a Barbequed Duck and Noodle Stir-Fry, which is served with freshly chopped chili and coriander."

Mouths were hanging open while everyone stared at me.

"You have all of that in your head?" Siobhan asked in awe.

"Umm, yeah."

"I feel hungry just listening to you," Emmett said, making everyone laugh while Alice left the room.

"That's what we'll be serving," Emily concluded and we started to plan.

When our team meeting adjourned and Jasper dragged me away.

"Where are we going?" I asked as he pulled me toward his garage.

"Shopping and I got a call from someone who wants to speak with you."

I stopped him in his track. He could see the worry in my eyes, and he was quick to dismiss it. "I haven't heard anything. Jenks hasn't contacted me. Do you want me to call?"

"No," I sighed. "I'm feeling so excited right now. I don't want anything bringing me down."

Jasper, March, 2011..

"I won't let it," I told her. "We're going to see Zafrina and then we're going shopping. I want to spend some time with you before everything gets nuts."

Bella smiled and moved in close to kiss my cheek and then lips. "Let's go."

Getting her to town was easy. Zafrina was okay with her working with Emily and found it surprising that Bella wasn't experiencing as much symptoms as she thought Bella would be. Bella was approaching six weeks and I couldn't wait. Around this time and beyond, we could hear the fluttering of our baby's heartbeat. I was jumping up and down internally. I was happy, in love, and would one day marry Bella.

Bella was everything I didn't even know I was waiting on. Our little fight last night irked me, yes, but it wasn't enough to make me see things differently or question my past too much. Bella was having my firstborn and that was that. She was being irrational. It was the hormones and James. A bad combination for my little darling. I gave her some time to cool down. She came and found me the next morning before I could approach her and apologize for staying away.

"Where are you?"

My little angel's voice jarred me from my thoughts. "Thinking about the menu you have in store for us."

"Emily's food is going to be great," she said. "I'm going to be a blip on the radar."

I scoffed at her. "Fuck that. You're going to be sensational."

We were sitting in the car outside of the megamart entirely too long. "Let's get you inside."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Jasper, I'm fine. When you pulled to a stop, you looked like you needed to think so I gave you a moment. We haven't been sitting here too long." She got out of the truck and I followed.

"Okay," I sighed. "I just want…"

"I'm safe," Bella concluded, coming around the truck to wrap her arms around me. "I'm with you."

"I love you, sweetie."

"To moon and back?" she teased.

"To moon and back," I said, leaning in for a kiss which she returned with enough vigor to make me wish we weren't in a busy parking lot.

Shopping was fun. I gave her a ton of trouble which she secretly loved as she got to scold me and smack my arm all she wanted. I loved doing this for her. It was great to watch her in this element. She was always so happy. She stopped in the baby aisle to talk with a mom of three. Bella beamed at the baby in the lady's arms.

"She's so beautiful," she whispered to me.

I looked on at the mother smiling and talking to her child before whispering back to my girl with a kiss to her cheek, "That'll soon be you."

"I can't wait."

When we got home, it was to an excited Tanya and Char who were looking up baby names. Bella begged me to rescue her from them. I did, after I packed away the groceries.

The rest of my family would be arriving tomorrow. The wedding wasn't far off. That was good because there was something I wanted to do.

Laughter pulled me from my thoughts and I watched my mom and sister walk into my kitchen. "What's going on?"

"Tanya threw lemonade on Alice," Rose giggled.

"Aren't you supposed to be mad when people do crazy shit?"

Rose arched an eyebrow at me. I knew I was walking a fine line but I loved pissing off my baby sister. "Are you trying to say that I'm supposed to be a bridezilla?"

"Yeah!" I exclaimed and Mom gasped. "That's the term. Aren't you supposed to be that?"

"Go screw yourself," Rose said.

"Hmm, I don't need to."

"Okay, you two! Stop it, before this moves into weird sex jokes that make me want to get on my knees and pray for you two," Mom said.

Bella, Tanya and Char joined us in the kitchen. "Bella, bridezilla here said that Tanya poured lemonade on Alice."

Bella smacked Tanya's arm. "Are you crazy? Now that bitch will think Maria told you to do it because I told Jasper something to brainwash him."

"Or you just fucked his brain cells out," Rose said.

Bella's eyes bugged out and Mom groaned. "Here we go. Can't you two behave yourselves?"

"Horny much?" I asked Rose.

"No need to be," she beamed. "I can always sneak over to Emmett's."

Okay, we needed to stop this. I was getting a visual and I could taste my lunch. It wanted to come up. "Alright, you win."

Rose giggled. "Don't start what you can't finished, big brother."

"Oh, he can finish. He can finish just fine."

My mouth fell to the floor and Rose was too stunned to talk. Tanya and Char were clapping. And Mom said that Rose and me were a bad influence on Bella. My girl had a smirk on her face and I was damn proud.

When Rose could form words it was to accept defeat. "I can see that. You're pregnant for God sakes!"

We all burst out laughing. Tomorrow night's dinner could come soon enough.

I was a bundle of nerves. Everything had to go well. I didn't want any surprises visits or phone calls. It could all wait. I wanted my family to know about Bella and the baby.

She looked beautiful tonight with her hair done up with soft curls trailing down her back and her floral burgundy mini dress that fitted her perfectly. I wasn't too sure about the white heels, not for the style or color, but for the height, but Bella quickly told me that it was from her favorite designer, Louis Vuitton and I should suck it because she wasn't gonna taking them off until we got home.

I loved how she fiery was.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I look good," she said cockily while giving herself the once over in the mirror. "I look sexy."

I walked up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. "I can't wait to take this dress off."

"And rub my feet and sing me a lullaby so that I can get a good night's sleep?" she teased. Her sense of humor was at an all time high. And she was in love with pranks nowadays.

"Something along the line."

She grabbed my crotch, massaging it while she moaned suggestively. "Bella, my dick is not a toy. Let go."

She shook her head like petulant child. "No, it's my toy. I'll let go when I wanna."

Tanya was calling us downstairs while I was trying to remember why it was necessary to leave the house. Bella skimmed her lips along my jaw with slight moans that made my cock hard.

"You're lucky we have to leave, Whitlock."

She moved to let go and walk away but I pulled her back to me and kept her hand on my dick, letting her feel what she was doing to me. "Or else what?"

"That dick would be inside of me right now."

She was dead serious too. Not a smile on my little temptress's face.

"We'll see how the night goes."

She smirked and accepted my challenge. "We shall see."

Dinner was amazing and conversation filled the air. Tanya and Bella talked and laughed and I admired my girl with nothing but love and adoration. Mom knew the right time to make the toast that would start things off, and around the dessert, she clinked her glass in preparation to make said toast.

Bella had other ideas.

When Mom made her toast, saying how happy she was for her children and the entire family, she sneakily included my unborn baby, shocking the table. Everyone went silent and the room broke out in cheers and congratulations for Bella and me. My uncles stated how they knew I liked Bella when they were last Christmas. My aunts and cousins gushed over Bella.

But when she stood and took my hand in hers for support, I knew she was about to do something. Bella looked at my mother and Mom nodded for her to go on.

Bella squeezed my hand tight. "I'm thankful for all of you. I don't know some of you as well as I know others, but I look forward to being a part of your family." She sighed and I asked what was wrong. She told me she was fine.

"I came into this family because of Maria's mercy. She found me at a bad time in my life and rescued me. Jasper, well, he showed something that I never thought would have existed for me, love. You see, I have a dark past that is still unfortunately apart of my present. I'm married to a madman who spent six years raping me, beating me and making me feel like the lowest form of life."

They were gasps in the room. Some waited for Bella to go on and others shot questions at Mom and me. Bella wasn't fazed. She went on. "You are all amazing. I didn't love and unity in a family like this existed. I love you. All of you. And I'll fight for you with my last breath." She placed a hand on her stomach when she said this.

When Bella sat down beside me there wasn't a dry eye in the room and the hugs and well wishes were enormous. My uncles wanted to know what was being done about Bella's soon to be ex and when I was going to marry her. I told them about waiting until Bella can handle the divorce proceedings and she laughed and told them that we already fought about that and I won.

The night went on with more tears, laughter and questions.

At the end of the night while we lay in bed together, I asked her why she told.

"It was time," Bella said. "I wanted them to know. No more secrets. No more hiding."

"You do know your family's next, right? I'm going to have to tell Charlie I got his daughter pregnant."

"My dad's a cop, are you bulletproof?"

We laughed and decided to call Charlie as soon as possible.

~~abt~~

My sister's bridal shower was something to talk about according Tanya. It was a huge and lavish affair, which Tanya couldn't stop talking about.

"It was amazing, Jasper!"

She and Edward just walked in ahead of me with my tired girlfriend asleep in my arms. Edward had called me saying they were heading back to my house and Bella was asleep in the backseat. She had a long day.

"Shh, Tanya," I scolded. "You've been telling about the bridal shower since you got out of the damn car." My girlfriend mattered more right now. I had to get her upstairs.

Tanya scoffed, walking through the front door behind me and trailing me upstairs. "Rosie's shower was fantastic, but I'm talking about the food. Emily told me that she used some of the creations she and Bella came up with."

I stopped in front of our bedroom and told Tanya to open it. Once inside, I headed over to the bed and lowered Bella on it. She mumbled that she loved me and turned over. I took off her shoes and covered her with the duvet and left the room with Tanya.

"What do you mean?" If Bella stressed herself out about that shower, Rose and I were going have words.

"I see the look. Bella was fine, Jasper," Tanya said, rolling her eyes. "She wasn't alone. Liam and Siobhan stuck with her and Emily wasn't far off. She handled things. Maria was there for Bella too. We know how important this is for the two of you."

"I just want her and the baby to be safe," I said when we get to the bottom of the stairs. Edward was there to hand us both a beer.

"Bella is safe with you, man," he interjected. "All that's left to do is get rid of James."

"And Alice!" Tanya added.

I laughed. "I think the bastard that made Bella's life a fucking hell is far worse than Alice."

"Alice wants you and she thinks she should have you, stupid," Tanya said. "A woman like that spoiled little wretch will go miles to get what she wants."

"I can handle her."

"You better," Tanya warned. "Because if you hurt Bella, I'll kick your ass."

"And I'll help," Edward said.

"I kicked your ass before, Cullen. Don't make me do it again."

"I'll get Emmett to help," Tanya countered. "He loves Bella."

I gotta admit I haven't won a fight against Emmett since I was fifteen. He was fucking huge and scary when the fucker wanted to be.

"I can see you taking me seriously," Tanya said smugly.

I laughed.

We talked some more and then retired to bed. Bella was curled up around my pillow with a smile on her face and whispering my name.

"Jasper…mmm…love you."

She looked so cute. I took off my boots and shirt and then climbed into bed with her.

The next morning I had breakfast and a warm bath waiting for her.

She was all smiles when she woke up and saw me in her arms. She kissed my cheek. "Love you."

I had gotten up to get everything ready. Sue helped me out with the breakfast while I ran a soothing bath for her.

"I'll miss you today," she said as she moved to get up. There was a lot going on today in the kitchen for her.

"I'll miss you too," I said, watching her get up and stretch. Her body was so tempting. I wanted to pull her back into bed with me and make sure we didn't go anywhere for hours.

"I can see you thinking, Mr. Whitlock," she chuckled. "And it's a no. We're not doing that."

"Really?" I said huskily. "I think…no, I know I can convince you otherwise, darlin'."

Bella gave me a serious look. "I'm not messing this up, Jasper. I want to do this. I'm really good. You should've seen me."

"I heard all about it from Tanya and I'm so proud of you, baby." I got up and went to her, pulling her into a kiss amidst her protest that she had morning breath.

I pulled to remind her of something. "What did I say when we were in Houston?"

Bella smiled and ducked her head into my chest. "I'm beautiful no matter what."

"That's my girl. Now come on, I ran you a bath and breakfast will be waiting downstairs if Tanya and Edward haven't devoured it."

"You ran me a bath?" she said in the cutest voice, then she smacked my arm and looked at me with a pout. "Are you trying to say that I was funky last night?"

I laughed. "No, I'm trying to say that you need a relaxing bath before another hectic day starts."

"Have I told you how much I love you, Jasper?" she said, getting on her tip toes to kiss me.

"You can say a million times because I'll never tire of hearing it," I smiled at her.

"I love you, I love you," she said in-between kisses while I led her to the bathroom.

After our bath together and a little loving in the morning, Bella was ready for her day. We headed downstairs, withstood Edward and Tanya's teasing, and then Bella left for the main house. I took some calls about business and one from Jenks. Neither James nor Victoria has made any moves. Things looked good. If they stayed this way, then the months would fly by and we would get Bella at a safer place in her pregnancy and she could file for divorce from that bastard.

I wasn't going anywhere today. I wanted to stick around here and see how things were going. The wedding would be held here on the ranch so it was a blur of activity around here.

It was around lunch time and I had just made myself a sandwich and decided to watch some tv, when Bella came storming into the house. She slammed the front door so hard, I was almost convinced the house shook.

"That bitch!" she screamed. "I'm going to rip her hair out!"

I threw my food down on the coffee table and went to her. "Bella, what's wrong? What happened?"

She looked at me with fire in her eyes. She was pissed off. "What's wrong? What's wrong?! I'll tell you what's wrong. I'm going to rip Alice limb from limb. What is with that woman? What have I done to her? What is her fucking problem?! You said you were going to keep her from me." I couldn't get a chance to answer. Bella was going too fast. "Well, listen here, Jasper. You better protect her from me. I'm going to fuck her up if she tries that shit with me again!"

She ripped herself out of my arms and stalked off to the kitchen. There was loud rumblings and cupboard doors being slamming shut while Bella argued with herself.

Emily, Tanya and Rose came running in. They asked for Bella and I pointed to the kitchen. They ran there and then there was loud talking. Edward and Peter came to the door next, laughing their asses off.

"Alright, you two are cackling like a couple of old ladies," I said. "What the hell happened?"

"Alice needs to learn to stay out of Bella's way."

Liam and Siobhan were at the door next. Liam was laughing his ass off. "Where's Hellcat?" he asked and I pointed to the kitchen which my sister was exiting.

What the fuck was going on?

"Rose, what happened?"

She sighed and chuckled a little. "Bella doesn't mess around, that's what. Alice interfered with a dish she was making for Emmett and me with Emily's assistance and Alice decided to be a busybody."

Oh fuck! "What did she do?"

"When Bella and Emily were talking to Emmett and me about the dish, Alice tasted it and then commented that it wasn't good and threw salt in it. Bella was faster than we anticipated, but thankfully, Liam was close by and grabbed her before she could snatch Alice to her by her hair. We've got to keep them apart, Jasper."

I was seeing red when I stormed out of the house with Rose calling for me. I didn't stop until I got to the grand tents set up on the grounds. Our place was vast enough to hold about two or three of these with ease. I walked into the first tent and looked on in awe at the luxury setting. It was astonishing. It looked like a grand ballroom in here. Workers were everywhere, but I was looking for only one person and she was eavesdropping on Mom and Clara's conversation with a displeased look on her face. She didn't like whatever her mom and mine were talking about.

Clara spotted me first and smiled. Mom looked my way and indicated to herself, asking if I wanted to talk to her, but I shook my head no and pointed to Alice.

Alice lit up when she saw me. She put on this show of sauntering over to me, but standing here now, watching her act like this, I wondered what I ever saw in her. Alice was my opposite. How could I have thought that I would have been happy with her? Where I cared, she didn't. She was all about the money, jet setting and prestige and I was about what could be done and how I could help.

Maybe I foolishly thought she would eventually share my ideals. Maybe she would see giving and helping others as a good thing. Maybe it was because I knew our moms were friends and Clara was the nicest person you would ever meet.

But Alice didn't share my ideals and she was nothing like her mom. She was ruthless, spoiled and only cared about herself.

What did I see in Alice Brandon?

I couldn't answer my own question. Not anymore. It wasn't really necessary to. It was the past. Having Bella in my life woke me up from whatever dream I was having.

Alice stopped in front of me with what used to be a seductive smile and batted her eyelashes in a way that used to be appealing. "You want to see me?"

"Yes. Can we go somewhere and talk?"

She giggled and laced her arm in mine. "By all means!"

Momma shook her head and I sighed and led Alice out of the tent. I wasn't about to carry her anywhere secluded, so she could try anything with me. I wasn't in the damn mood. I was just out here to warn her off.

"What is it, Jazzy?"

I took my arm out of hers and stepped back. "Leave Bella alone. She knows what she's doing and doesn't need you bothering her."

Her face fell. "You're here to talk about her?"

Alice scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I thought you wanted to talk about us."

"I think I made myself perfectly clear at the Valentine's Fair."

"Oh, that?" she giggled. "I thought you were trying to impress your little plaything."

I chose to ignore that. Alice had this twisted way of thinking. It was the spoilt thing. Everything should be about her. "Why else would I want to talk to you, Alice?" I was trying to remain calm. "I already told you, it's over between us. There is nothing more to discuss. We want different things in life."

Alice's eyes flared and she seethed, "And your harlot can give you that?"

"She's not a harlot." The struggle to keep my temper in control wasn't working. I was quickly losing it.

"Oh, is that so?" she challenged.

"Yes it is! Stop bothering her!" I shouted.

Her glare faded and she started to fidget. "Fine," she mumbled after a minute.

"Good. I don't want a repeat of this morning. My sister's wedding will not become a pissing contest."

"Eww! A pissing contest?" Alice scrunched up her nose at my description. "Jazzy, that's sounds so awful."

"Don't call me that," I warned. I hated that nickname.

"But it's my nickname for you," Alice pouted.

"And I only used to let you use it because it made you happy and I thought we were in love and I should do whatever was necessary to keep you happy. Including letting you use that God awful name for me."

She stiffened and scoffed. "Now that we're over, I can't use my name for you anymore?"

"I also hated that demanding tone you always used. I'm not a child." I felt like telling her all the things I hated. It was okay to now.

Alice smirked and ran a hand down my chest. I jumped away.

"Don't do that."

"Why not?" Alice continued to smirk. "You can't forget me, Jazzy."

"The hell I can't!"

Alice's mouth fell open. She looked baffled. "You've changed. You're not the same."

"Yes, I've changed," I answered, hoping she realized how true her words were. "And we're over, Alice. Stay out of Bella's way or the next person you'll be dealing is Rose."

I turned and walked away without another word to her.

Bella wasn't in the mood to talk, but I made her. I reminded her to think about the baby and try to stay calm. She thanked me for going and talking to Alice. But warned me to keep her away from her and that she would be watching her.

The next morning was busy. Today was rehearsals. Rose was nuts and Emmett was trying his best. But bridezilla was on a rampage. Everything had to be perfect. I shook my head and laughed when Rose screamed at Alice. That was what she got for wanting to get in Rose's way. Rose could be a banshee when she wanted to be.

After yesterday's fiasco, Alice steered clear of Bella and the team. And that was fine by me.

Everything came together wonderfully. Rehearsals went well, and by the rehearsal dinner, I couldn't take my eyes off the sexy brunette as she stood in front of my table in this mini beige wrap dress with some black heels that looked like a cross between sandals and boots strapped to her sexy feet. I wanted to fuck her with those shoes on. She looked so hot! I felt like a drooling teenager while I sat here gawking at her. The mother of my child was the most beautiful woman here.

When Bella finished speaking to Emily, she came over to me. "You know I can feel your eyes burning through the back of my dress."

I leaned in close, whispering in her ear. "I wanna fuck you with those shoes on."

Bella kissed my cheek and whispered back in my ear. "See you after dinner."

Bella stayed busy for most of the night, but I had her by my side for dessert. After the dinner, we left together under Alice's watchful glares, and Bella didn't even bat an eyelash at her scowling face.

"How was everything?" she asked from her place under my arm as we walked home together.

"As delicious as you." I kissed her cheek and she giggled and ducked her face into my chest to probably hide her blush.

I kept my promise and fucked her with those shoes on when we got home. Then I took them off and massaged her feet until she fell asleep.