Chapter Twenty Seven

Jasper

I held Bella close as she sobbed, I'd been on my way out when I felt Bella's distress and the rage swelled in my chest. I had no idea what had passed between Carlisle and Bella, just that he had upset her and no one was going to hurt my Bella, no one. When her sobs quieted I asked her what had happened and her reply delivered in a whisper made me even more angry. I wanted to find him and rip him apart but as always Bella calmed me.

"He's on your side Jazz and I don't blame him for that. It just upset me, I promise you there has never been anyone else. How could there be? You are my everything"

"It was a stupid and thoughtless question when you consider you've been with either Peter and Charlotte or Rose and Emmett for weeks now and I knew darlin', I knew I was your first and I hope I'll be your only."

I kissed her tenderly and her eyes opened in surprise.

"Surprised at me kissing you?"

She shook her head and put our clasped hands on her rounded belly. At first I felt nothing except a soft swelling, then I felt it, a tiny movement.

"Kiss me again" she said excitedly and I was happy to oblige, this time we felt it together. As our lips met the baby moved.

"He/ She knows you're here with us. Jazz I'm scared, Carlisle is the only person we can ask to help I know that, but I hate the things he thinks about me."

"I'll speak to him Bella. I guess as a doctor he feels he has to ask the questions but I won't let him upset you again. It isn't good for baby.

"The little one knows you and I love it and that's all that matters."

When Bella fell asleep I'd promised to hunt so I went out, grabbing Carlisle, who was on the phone, by the arm,

"We need to talk"

He nodded saying goodbye to Esme, so he'd told her! We went outside and into the darkness looking for prey but as we ran I told him exactly what was going to happen with regard to Bella.

"Don't ever doubt her again Carlisle. Don't upset her with stupid questions. I want your word"

"Jasper I had to ask, the baby is so far advanced and we have no idea what happens, I'm feeling my way. I just needed to be positive we were actually dealing with a hybrid baby. Now I know and I won't ask any more embarrassing questions. I have to tell you though that this isn't going to be easy on any of us. Everything is unknown and it may come to the point where you have to make that call. Be sure you make the right one. I'm not even sure the baby's make up will be compatible with Bella's human genetics. You could lose both."

"No Carlisle. I wont lose Bella. If it starts to threaten her life we act, but not unless."

"Very well Jasper. I've asked Esme to join us. I thought she might be a calming influence on Bella having been there herself, if only in her human life, a long time ago"

I wasn't happy but there was little I could do about it now, he'd already told her and she was coming. Personally I thought Rose was doing a great job with Bella and I hoped Esme wouldn't try to take over from her.

Esme

I could hardly believe the news Carlisle told me, Bella pregnant with Jaspers child! The thought of another Whitlock filled me with horror. When he asked me to join him as an experienced woman to help Bella my first reaction was to refuse but then I thought better of it and agreed. At least from the inside I could see how things were going. I would be in the best position to act if necessary. The phone rang again and I thought it might be Carlisle asking me to bring things with me but it was Alice. Tearful as she'd seen what was happening.

"Esme how could they? How could Bella do this to me?"

I spent an hour calming her, she was so distressed, she seemed to think it was Bella's humanity that had called to Jasper, the fact she had these endless possibilities. My poor little daughter was still so lost and my heart bled for her. I promised to keep her updated on things and packed a case before driving myself to the airport.

Bella

When I woke up Jazz was back at my side and I felt ravenous. Rose brought in milk and dry toast and I ate it one handed, holding Jasper's hand with the other. My stomach seemed more settled when he was around and I could keep food down. If this latest didn't decide to come back I would try something more substantial. It was Rose who broke the news about Esmes impending arrival and I groaned in disappointment.

"I know Bella but Carlisle was thinking of you when he invited her."

"Rose don't you dare leave me with her. She hates me, you know that. You heard her"

"I know but maybe she's softened knowing about the baby."

I looked at her in disbelief and Jazz squeezed my hand.

"Bella one of us will stay with you. We won't leave you alone with Esme. I'm sure she wouldn't try anything stupid. She may be eager at the idea of a baby, after all she lost hers remember."

That didn't make me feel any happier, the thought of her hands eager to grasp my baby gave me the shivers although she would have to remember it was Jasper's too and she hated him so maybe she wouldn't be so eager to come. Wishful thinking I'm afraid as she arrived the very next afternoon, Emmett picking her up at the airport while Jazz went to hunt and Carlisle was on a shopping expedition leaving me alone with Rose. I felt much better now after keeping food down, as long as Jazz was with me I could eat OK but if I ate when he was away I always brought it straight back up. He seemed a calming influence on mother and baby.

Rose

I'd never seen Jazz so buoyant as when he found out Bella was carrying his child. It had always been my greatest sorrow that I would never have a baby of my own or watch it grow up but now I could be part of that process, an aunt at the least and Bella and I were firm friends now. She was very nervous about Esmes arrival pacing when she wasn't sitting and dozing. Although she was now enormous she still waddled about and did as much as she could for herself but Jazz had vetoed her independent showers after she slipped and almost fell so now either he or I accompanied her. She had got over her shyness with me and we were finally like sisters, real sisters, excited at what the future would bring. She thought a boy would be nice, one Jazz could teach to ride and do all the childish boy things with, while I thought a little girl would be nice, one to put in pretty dresses and a little girl who would steal her father's heart. It seemed odd thinking of Jazz as a father after his dark and dangerous past but he was as excited as any father to be.