Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Part Thirteen

Bella didn't get very far. After running down the porch steps it suddenly occurred to her she still had Jet cradled in her arms. She closed her eyes for a moment as she tried to get her spinning emotions under control. Paul had imprinted! After everyone had begun to relax thinking that perhaps Quil was the last to do so, it had happened between Paul and Rachel. Bella felt Jet wriggle in her arms and she opened her eyes again and looked down at the little girl. It was only then she realised that Jacob was standing beside her. He held out his hands and Bella instantly handed his niece over. "Paul, he imprinted…." She whispered as her eyes roamed Jacob's handsome face. She saw him nod quickly. "Your sister?"

"Doesn't seem too pleased to see Lahote, it's definitely a different reaction than Emily, Kim and Claire had." Jacob adjusted Jet in his arms as he tried to understand what was going through Bella's head. The very fact that she had run off as soon as the knowledge hit her about the imprint worried him. She had expressed a vague concern in the past that she hoped it would never happen to him. She had claimed it was because she didn't want to lose their friendship, and that if he imprinted then they would lose the special connection they had. It had led to a big argument where he had pointed out that their friendship was ruined anyway because she was planning to end her life to be with Cullen. Jacob winced, he didn't like to think of those dark days when all they had done was fight as he tried to get her to admit she loved him too. Things had been better between them lately. He felt like they had recaptured the early days of their friendship, when things were easier and less fraught between them. He had backed off and she seemed to respond to that. Jacob knew that Bella was rethinking things, he could tell. But now this had happened. He was scared that this new imprint was going to push her away. "It's not going to happen to me, Bells." He continued softly.

Bella swallowed a few times and bit down on her bottom lip to try and contain her emotions. She felt close to tears but was mindful that Jet was with them. She had to remain calm. "You don't know that, Jake." She looked at him imploringly.

"Bells, do you trust me?" He asked.

"Yes." Bella replied promptly.

"Then believe me when I say that it will never happen." Jacob locked eyes with her for a long moment. Her beautiful brown eyes were wide and her brow was furrowed with anxiety but eventually she reached out and touched his cheek.

"I believe you." Bella smiled weakly as Jacob leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers, with Jet cradled between them.

Rebecca was sulking in her old room. She had her children with her. As soon as Jet saw her mother her little eyes lit up and she began to cry for her. There was a brief flash of irritation on Rebecca's face but she dutifully held out her arms for her daughter when Rachel glared at her. With everyone's eyes on her Rebecca had become resentful so she had retreated out of sight. Billy had been both saddened and angry at his daughter. He could see that Rebecca still had no idea of what she had done by taking off like that. She was so selfish and self-absorbed that she thought she was in the right and that the world was against her. Rachel had always been the stronger twin and more grounded. Rebecca was flighty and acted without thinking, hence her quick marriage to Solomon and then giving birth to two kids without thinking of the long term implications.

Now there was another problem to face, Paul imprinting on Rachel. Billy sighed; this was not going to go down well with his daughter. Rachel was strong willed and hated to be pushed into anything. She obviously didn't like Lahote which was a huge problem, and hearing about her connection to him could send her running. Jacob had left with Paul; he wanted to keep him out of the way while Billy sat Rachel down and explained everything. Bella had gone home as she felt this was a private matter and she didn't want to get in the way. Jacob hadn't wanted her to leave but he couldn't exactly stop her. He had other priorities. He just hoped that she really did believe him after their little talk, she seemed to. He waited with her until the taxi she had called to take her home arrived. He hugged her for a long time before watching her climb into the taxi and wave goodbye.

Bella was astonished to see Rosalie's red convertible parked in her drive. Charlie's cruiser was absent so she assumed her father was still at work. Bella paid the taxi driver the fare and then slowly walked toward the house. She couldn't see any sign of the statuesque blonde so she let herself into the house and headed to the kitchen. That was when she saw the back door was ajar. Bella felt her stomach clench as she tiptoed over to the door and peered out. Rosalie was sitting on the porch swing staring out toward the forest at the back of the house.

"I know you are there, Bella." Rosalie said coolly as she turned her head in Bella's direction. "Don't worry I didn't come in uninvited. I leave that to Edward. No, your dad was here briefly and he kindly let me wait for you. He's a good man and easily charmed." A small smile crossed her perfect lips as she watched Bella come into view. She patted the seat beside her. "We need to talk."

"We do?" Bella didn't know what to think as she perched uneasily next to Rosalie. She knew that the blonde beauty was not her biggest fan and wondered why she would bother to come and seek her out. Whatever it was it couldn't be good. Bella felt emotionally drained. The imprint had knocked her for six and she was still trying to process its impact and what that meant for her and Jacob.

"Earth to Bella. Where did you go?" Rosalie waved a hand in front of Bella's eyes.

"Sorry. What can I do for you?" Bella sat back and crossed her arms defensively across her chest, as if bracing herself for impact.

"I came to give you a warning." Rosalie was all seriousness now. Her golden eyes darkened as she looked appraisingly at Bella. "You seem stronger, which is good. I think you are finally thinking properly about the implications of joining our family. Calling off the absurd wedding was a good move."

Bella frowned as she glanced sideways at Rosalie. The blonde vampire's words worried her. What warning? Hadn't she been through enough as it was? What more could there be? "I don't understand…"

"You've been spending a lot of time on the res with your wolf boy." Rosalie interjected.

"So?"

"So you know that Edward is very upset about it." She held up her hand when Bella began to protest. "He might pretend that he isn't, but believe me I have to share a house with him, remember." Bella fell silent as she looked at Rosalie anxiously. "I understand that the wolf boy is now an uncle?" Rosalie's voice became soft as she returned Bella's gaze. "That must be lovely being able to spend time with such young children. It must make you think about having your own someday…." Her eyes became wistful as she turned away and looked toward the forest again.

Bella couldn't deny it. Of course it had. Looking after little Jet and Marlon had been an eye opener. She was already attached to them emotionally and they weren't even hers. "I know what you are implying, Rosalie. So yes, being with the children has made me wonder…made me see beyond the forever with just me and Edward."

Rosalie's eyes swivelled back to Bella. The wistful expression was gone to be replaced with one of intense sadness. "Edward has noticed, Bella. He has finally admitted to himself that you are pulling away from him and a major reason is the issue of children. He is right now in talks with Carlisle to artificially inseminate you so you can carry your own child. He wants to keep you by his side at all costs, and if that means letting you carry a strangers child so you can fulfil your nurturing instinct as he calls it, then he will."

Bella actually keeled over as if someone had punched her in the stomach and winded her. This couldn't be true? Surely? Edward would never….would never…but he would…there was her subconscious again telling her what she didn't want to acknowledge. Of course he would. Edward had never consulted her over anything, why would he over something as important as having a child. She felt Rosalie's hand on her shoulder and glanced up into her golden eyes. She saw nothing but empathy and understanding reflected in them. "He couldn't expect me to carry a stranger's baby. What does he think would happen after the child was born?"

"From what I can gather he would wait until the child was of age then turn them…" Rosalie held Bella's hair back as she retched.

Bella cleaned herself up and then drifted back outside to re-join Rosalie. She took the mug of hot coffee that Rosalie had thoughtfully made her and sipped it. "I need you to do something for me." Bella whispered forlornly as she held out her left hand in front of her. The gaudy engagement ring sparkled in the dim light; it felt so heavy on her small finger, rather like the weight that was dragging down her heart. She finished her coffee and then put the mug down. "Give this to Edward for me." Bella slipped the heavy ring off of her finger and passed it to Rosalie.

"You are doing the right thing." Rosalie said softly as she put the ring in her purse. "Is there anything you want me to tell him?"

Bella felt tears begin to roll down her cheeks as she stared off into the distance. "Tell him goodbye."

Rosalie leaned forward and pressed her cold lips into Bella's hair. "Be happy." She murmured before she vanished.

Rachel was not happy. When Jacob came home after a long run with Paul he found his sister in the kitchen banging the pots and pans around as if they had offended her. He exchanged a weary glance with Billy who shrugged. "Leave her to process it in her own way." He said as he glanced over at his angry daughter. "How is Paul?"

"I left him with Sam and Emily." Jacob threw himself down on the couch. "Where's Becca and the kids?"

"Jet and Marlon are asleep and Becca is still sulking." Billy ran a hand over his face. He felt like he had aged ten years over the last few days. He suddenly remembered that Bella had called while he had been in the midst of telling Rachel that her life was about to change. "Bella phoned, she wants you to meet her at the beach. She said you would know where."

Of course he knew where. The old bleached out log where they had shared so many memories, both good and bad. He wondered what this one was going to be. He tried to ignore the knot of anxiety welling in his gut, but failed. What if she was going to tell him goodbye again? What if the imprint had pushed her away?

"You won't know until you talk to her, son." It was as if Billy could read his mind. Jacob nodded as he stood up and hurried back out of the house. Billy watched him go. Please don't let her hurt him again, he prayed in his head.

A/N-thanks for reading!