Disclaimer: I do not own anything Twilight related I just like playing with the characters. Also, while I did do a little bit of research about the medical terms used in this story I make no claim to know what I am doing with them! I am just using them for my story. I don't know how the foster system works in great detail but in this story it works my way. No complaints! Thanks for reading- Enjoy.

Jasper's POV:

I took a deep breath as I lay next to the woman I had been head over heels in love with since the first night I held her while she cried her heart out over the man who'd broken it.

I had a feeling deep in the pit of my stomach that the past 48 hours were going to define the rest of my life and I prayed that it was going to be with her, with Bella and of course now with Charlotte.

I had been in many relationships with many women in the last few years but all of them got compared to her and the sad thing was that we had never been a couple. We were simply the best of friends and I wouldn't jeopardize that, especially with her in such a fragile state.

When she called me that night so long ago and I heard her yelp, obviously in pain, I saw red. I didn't know her as well as I would have liked at that time and was surprised when her number came up on my caller ID.

Sure I'd have called her my friend but more towards the acquaintance type of friend not the pour your soul out to friend.

She asked me for help and I came for her. She looked so broken sitting on the lawn in front of her apartment building and that's when I realized I may have more than platonic feelings towards her. I gave her the biggest hug I could and helped her to the car in the process finding out how big a jerk her now ex really was.

She slept in my room that night and I was torn when I heard her cries. Did I go in and try to make the tears go away? Or did I stay here and pretend I never heard them?

The instant she buried her face against my chest I knew I was long gone. And I'd never been more happy or more scared.

More scared that is until Rosalie called me in desperation.

My friend Rosalie's call couldn't have come at a worse time. I was just getting ready to go out on a date with this gorgeous girl. Blond hair, curvaceous, not the brightest cookie in the box but man what looks did to a man's libido. Was there a chance I'd fall for her? No way in hell. My heart already belonged to someone else even though she didn't know it.

"Jasper, I know you're probably busy." She started

"Ya I kinda am." I interrupted "What is it Rose?"

"Bella needs someone," She said sadly "Emmett and I are heading out now but you know how long the drive is. I don't want her sitting alone."

"What's going on Rosalie?" I asked beginning to worry.

"Charlotte's in surgery." It took a moment for the name to register in my head and then it clicked. Charlotte was the baby I had helped Bella prepare for a few months ago, the one I still hadn't met and the one I really wanted to.

"Children's hospital?" I questioned already grabbing my wallet and keys. Bella needed me and I was going to be there.

"Ya," She said and I could imagine her blonde hair bouncing as she nodded and Emmett racing around like a chicken with its head cut off in the background "We'll be there as soon as we can."

I hung up my cell and slipped it into the pocket of my leather jacket and came face to face with my date.

"So we're going now?" She asked excitedly.

"Well," I started "We're leaving here and I don't particularly care where you go but I have somewhere I need to be like ten minutes ago." I ushered her out of my apartment being sure to lock the door behind us.

"What do you mean?" She looked thoroughly perplexed. God I couldn't remember her name. Candi? Sandi? Did it matter? Not at the moment, I needed to get to the hospital.

"I mean this date is over." I said as though explaining something complex to an idiot. She huffed away without any more argument thank goodness and I raced all the way to the hospital.

I found Bella looking so helpless and fragile. Her head buried in her hands and auburn curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back. I wrapped my arms around her waist without even thinking about the fact that she had no idea I had been coming.

She had explained Charlotte's illness to me the best she could and it was disheartening that she didn't feel like she could come to me with this information.

She continued on to explain how Charlotte came to her and how she'd realized how excited I had been at the prospect of a baby. I'd always wanted children, siblings, nieces and nephews but as an only child I would never be an Uncle at least through my family.

I understood about wanting to protect my feelings though if anything had happened to her but I was involved now and nothing was going to stop me from protecting and loving both Bella and Charlotte.

With Bella I waited. I waited for her to come to grips with what was happening, waiting to hear from Bella's doctor friend Carlisle, waiting to hear if Charlotte was coming home or if I was going to have a heart broken Bella on his hands. And silently I prayed because I felt such an attachment to the little girl we were waiting for.

What seemed like an eternity later we were told that she was through surgery but on a ventilator. While waiting to be able to see her Charlie, Bella's father, showed up still dressed in his police uniform and it was at almost the same instant he sat down that Bella's friend Kate came in bursting with excitement telling us that she could go and see Charlotte.

All three of us stood but Kate had told us that only two of us were allowed at a time to see her. I offered to Charlie that I would stay behind but he insisted that I go with her saying something about it being time to allow Bella someone aside from him to lean on and I was grateful. I didn't want to leave Bella's side.

Together we went and saw Charlotte and I was looking at the way she looked at Charlotte that I knew I couldn't give her up. I would fight for her and I would fight to be the man she deserved, the man I told her she deserved the night her heart broke.

I could practically feel the bond between the pair and she was so tender with her. A whole different side to Bella, one I loved.

Bella didn't move from Charlotte's side for the next almost 48 hours and the rest of us alternated shifts in the waiting room, keeping each other company, and in here, keeping Bella company.

It was when Rose came out saying Bella looked like she was about to pass out and that she hadn't touched any of the food anyone had brought her that I put my foot down and insisted she leave.

I was prepared to drag her out of there kicking and screaming so when she gave up quickly I was surprised.

I knew she was falling apart inside but I didn't realize quite how bad it was until I saw her on the nursery floor. It was all I could do to stop myself from kissing away her tears and I knew she felt semi rejected when I told her to go change out of her towel but a quick explanation and joke made her smile again.

When she asked me to stay with her I was shocked. I mean literally pick your jaw up off the floor shocked but in a good way. I couldn't help but wonder- did she maybe have feelings for me too?

There were three things I was sure of as I closed my eyes and inhaled Bella's fruity scent from her pillows and blanks: 1) I was in love with Bella and loved Charlotte like my own child 2) I would try everything in my power to make these two happy and 3) I would never break her heart.